Special Quilt Raffle
The Quasquicentennial Committee is selling raffle
tickets for a “Pioneer Sampler Quilt” being specially made by the
Piecemaker Quilt Guild to commemorate 125 years of heritage. Tickets
can be purchased at the Chamber office. 1 ticket - $2.00 or 3
tickets - $5.00. The drawing will be held at the First Lady’s Tea on
December 8. You need not be present to win.
"Party on the Bricks"
Considered Huge Success!
The severe weather forecast that threatened to
dampen the spirit of the “Party On The Bricks” did not develop!
Organizers were very pleased with the success of all aspects of the
event. It was a fun day which included the ping pong ball drop, the
beard contest kick-off, and the essay contest winners announced.
Food vendors were kept busy serving up area favorites including
hamburgers, hot dogs, tacos, and ribeye steak or smoked pork
sandwiches. Cotton candy and funnel cakes were also popular! Both
bands, “Blackwater Haze”, local talent, and “Slingshot” a group
based in Hastings, were thoroughly enjoyed by the crowd that
gathered for the evening. Adults, teens, tweens and toddlers were
found ‘dancing the night away’ throughout the entire evening. It was
great family fun! In addition, the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce
sponsored a beer garden which was also an outstanding success!
In fact, the only rain seen that day was in the
afternoon when the sky “rained” thousands of ping pong balls on C
Street and the hundreds of eager participants. Participating
merchants invited anyone who “caught” a ping pong ball with their
business name to stop by to redeem the ball for their prize. One
could find prizes such as a digital camera, ipods and other gifts
or special discounts. The ‘golden’ ball, sponsored by the
Quasquicentennial Committee, was caught by Gloria Kohl and
redeemed for a vacation trip to SolVista, Colorado and $125.00 in
gas money.
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Essay Contest Winners |
At 5:00 p.m. the Essay Contest winners were
introduced and asked to read their essays to the crowd gathered.
The contest, co-sponsored by the McCook Education Foundation,
asked students to write an essay describing “Why Is McCook A Great
Place to Live?”. Winning entries were written by (from the left):
Trenton Klimper, 6th grade, son of Preston and Carolyn Klimper;
Hannah Goodenberger, 4th grade, daughter of Gene and Deb
Goodenberger; Megan Siebrandt, 4th grade, daughter of Roger and
Marti Seibrandt; Kim Holthus, 8th grade, daughter of Greg and
Patti Holthus; Abi Burrows, 10th grade, daughter of Tim and Sharon
Burrows; and Cassy Olson, 11th grade, daughter of Tor and Holly
Olson. The Education Foundation provided each student with $50.00
bonds. The Quasquicentennial Committee presented them with
commemorative t-shirts.
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| Mike Thomas |
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Austin Barenberg |
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Bill Stewart |
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Steve Stein |
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| Bendan Malcolm |
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Lonnie Weskamp |
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Doug Roose |
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Glenn Tietze |
Eight entries in the Beard Growing Contest highlighted the
afternoon activities by agreeing to be publicly shaved on center
stage. The Quasquicentennial Committee was assisted by
professionals from Aphrodite Hair Design and the Hair Inn who did
the honors of shaving the contestants. Beard contestants include:
Mike Thomas, Austin Barenberg, Bill Stewart, Steve Stein, Brendan
Malcolm, Lonnie Weskamp, Doug Roose and Glenn Tietze. Beards will
be judged and winners announced at Heritage Days.
Quasquicentennial
Sculpture
To coincide with the 125th Birthday of McCook,
Gary Ginther and Jon Leitner have been commissioned by the George
W. Norris Foundation to create a bronze sculpture of “The Fighting
Statesman” to be placed in close proximity to the George Norris
Home on Norris Ave. The house and all of its contents were donated
to the Nebraska State Historical Society by the Norris family in
the late 1960s. The sculpture will capture the essence of Senator
Norris with a depiction of him reading newspapers during the early
1940’s.
....Senator George W. Norris dedicated his entire life serving his
country.
....Ellie Norris gave their property to the citizens of Nebraska.
....We have a chance to express our appreciation by participating
in the fund drive for this sculpture by purchasing a small replica
of this sculpture.
The small replicas (“mini-sculptures”---appx. 3” x
4”) will be cast in pewter and created as orders come in. There
will be a limited number of 200 created to help pay for the
life-size bronze sculpture. Of the $125.00 cost for the replicas,
$100 will be directed to the Norris Foundation. This will be a
reminder that 200 individuals have some emotional ownership, or
shares of the larger sculpture. To donate more, you may buy
multiple replicas as gifts or you may donate a lesser amount to
the Norris Foundation to help the project.
Order Form
