New Teachers' Breakfast

Members of the Chamber Education Committee partnered with WalMart SuperCenter Associates to host a pancake breakfast for the new teachers in Southwest Nebraska schools on Saturday, September 8. WalMart Associates transformed the employee break room with colorful tables, centerpieces and place settings to set the atmosphere for a very pleasant morning. A number of Chamber member businesses generously provided door prizes for those in attendance. The annual event offers the Chamber an opportunity to welcome new teachers from our area wide community and to express appreciation as we recognize the importance of the role teachers play in sculpting the lives of our children.

Leadership Institute

The first class of the newly revived Leadership Institute traveled to Lincoln, Nebraska, on September 19 and 20 for an educational retreat. The class toured the state capital and several of the offices there including those of the Treasurer, the Secretary of State, and the Attorney General. While in Lincoln, they also toured the new facilities at Memorial Stadium with Culbertson native, and Husker football player, Ben Eisenhart, serving as their guide. A tour of the State Penitentiary was also a highlight of the trip.

Transportation for the trip was provided by Chris Wagner’s auto dealership(s). Enroute to and from Lincoln, the group discussed potential projects they might undertake so as to hone their leadership skills over the next nine months. Project selection(s) will be made at a later date.

The class will meet on the fourth Wednesday of each month through the winter months and into May when they will graduate. College credits from McCook Community College are optional for those participating in the Institute.

The Chamber Salutes . . .

WalMart and their Associates who hosted the New Teacher's Breakfast on Saturday, September 8, at the store. We appreciate the wonderful breakfast prepared by the Associates. This event makes it possible to welcome new teachers to the area and acquaint them with our community.

We also appreciate the many door prizes made available by these McCook Chamber Member businesses: Accents, Etc., AmFirst Bank, Barnett's Do It Center, Brown's Shoe Fit Company, Coppermill Restaurant, Country Kitchen, D & S Hardware, Eakes Office Plus, First Central Bank, Heritage Hills, Hershberger's Music, Knowlen & Yates, KRD Federal Credit Union, Lincoln Federal Savings Bank, Longnecker Jewelry, McCook National Bank, Peterson Jewelers, Pizza Hut/KFC/Taco Bell, Rita's Framing Creations, Taste of Texas, Top Office Products, U-Save Pharmacy & Medical Supply, Union Bank, VK Electronics, Wagner Ford/Mercury/Toyota, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank.

Grand Marshalls Share Title

The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce and the Heritage Days Committee announced the selection of the Grand Marshall for the 2007 Heritage Days Celebration at the McCook National Bank mixer on Wednesday, September 26. The honor was shared equally by two renowned men with McCook roots who were home for their respective Class Reunions. Dr. Gene Budig, a McCook High School graduate with the Class of 1957, shared the honors with a 1967 MHS graduate, Mr. Jeff Kinney.

Jeff Kinney had the all-around athletic talent that allowed him to be among the best in the state in football, basketball and track. His distinguished career at the University of Nebraska was highlighted by his contribution to what has become referred to as the “Game of the Century” when the Huskers defeated Oklahoma in 1970. All but one play on Nebraska’s winning 74 yard drive belonged to the McCook native. Kinney played I-Back for the 1970 and 1971 National Championship teams and won All-American honors his senior year. In the 1972 NFL Draft, he went in Round 1 as Pick #23. His pro career began with the Kansas City Chiefs from 1972-1976. He played for the Buffalo Bills in 1976.

Dr. Gene Budig served as President of the American League for six years (1994-2000) and oversaw the operations of 14 clubs and the construction of $2.2 billion worth of new baseball parks. He authored a book on the economics of baseball, “The Inside Pitch , And More” in 2004. Dr. Budig has headed three major state universities: Illinois State University, West Virginia University and the University of Kansas. Over a period of 23 years, he was responsible for the educational programs of more than 520,000 students. He is a retired Major General, Air National Guard/United States Air Force. Early in his career and serving three years (1964-1967), Budig was the Chief of Staff for the Governor of Nebraska. Dr. Budig attributes his appreciation for learning and its role in society to the time he spent at McCook Junior College where his instructors took the time and made the effort to encourage him to continue his education.

It was exciting to have these two gentlemen in McCook so that we would have the opportunity to recognize their lifetime of achievements. They attended a number of the Heritage Days activities and were, of course, featured as the joint Grand Marshall of the Saturday, September 29, parade “Celebrating 125 Years of Heritage”.

Heritage Days Royalty Announced

The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Royalty selections for the 2007 Heritage Days.

The Heritage Days Queen who will reign over the 36th Annual Heritage Days Festivities is Samantha Jo Post. Samantha, daughter of Steve and Brigitta Post, is an honor student and a member of the National Honor Society and Math Club. She serves as the student manager of the girls’ varsity basketball team and particpates in track. Samantha Jo has participated in her church youth group and has been the co-director of Bible School and a part of a Mission trip to Canada. Samantha Jo would like to be Heritage Days Royalty because, even though she has traveled to several places in the world, she finds that there is no place she would rather raise her family than to follow the tradition of her strong German heritage and return to McCook after college.

The Heritage Days Princess is Whitney Bracht. Whitney, daughter of Kenneth and Kim Bracht, is active as a cheerleader for the High School and serves as a Captain of the squad. She is an honor student and is involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, Math Club and serves on the Yearbook staff. Whitney wants to do her part to make her community a better place to live. She participates in a number of community service activities such as visits to the Senior Center and collecting food for the pantry.

Other finalists, listed in alphabetical order, are as follows:

Tori Davis, daughter of Larry and Lajuana Davis, is an honor student and participates in Speech Club, Math Club, Thespians and Advanced Drama. She is active as a cheerleader for the High School and serves as a Captain of the squad. Tori assists with Trick-or-Treat for the Food Pantry. She would like to serve as Heritage Days Royalty because she loves McCook and would be proud to represent such a loving and helping community that is such a great place to raise a family. She would be proud to be a part of McCook’s history as the Royalty for the Quasquicentennial year.

Cory Gaston, son of Rod and Pam Gaston, is an honor student who participates in football, basketball and track. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Math Club and the school newspaper staff. He is active in CYO, Boyscouts and 4-H and has volunteered at Hillcrest. Cory is thankful for the support he has received from the community in all of his activities and believes that serving as Heritage Days Royalty is one way he can give back.

Corinna Horkey, daughter of Ben and Doris Horkey, is an honor roll student and active as an Art Club member and peer mentor. Corinna is a Special Olympics volunteer and a teacher’s aide in the Life Skills classroom where she interacts with students with mental disabilities. She is also active in 4-H and CYO. Corinna believes that as Heritage Days Royalty she would have the opportunity to serve as a role model for children.

Tasha Nelson, daughter of Charlie and Cindy Nelson, is the circulation manager as well as a reporter for the High School newspaper. She enjoys singing in choir and the girls’ show choir. Tasha tutors Spanish children and is active in her church youth group. She also competes in Tae-Kwon-Do. Tasha feels that it is important to be a positive influence in her community and would like the opportunity to represent McCook as Heritage Days Royalty.