Heritage Days Schedule Released

The calendar has turned to September and the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce has released the Schedule of Activities for the Heritage Days Celebration for September 26-30. Complete schedules will be available at area businesses as well as at the Chamber office.

The deadline for parade entries is rapidly approaching. The Chamber asks that all entries be submitted no later than September 17. All entries are welcome, however, it may not be possible to include late entries in the judging for trophies and/or the announcer’s narrative of the parade. The theme for the parade is “125 Years of Heritage”. Plaques will be awarded in 10 different categories as well as the coveted Overall Grand Champion Trophy.

Pam Harsh, Chamber Director, noted that there are a number of Class Reunions being held over the Heritage Days weekend so the Chamber would also like to encourage them to participate in the parade. The week is packed with family fun so be certain to check out the schedule and make plans to join us in celebrating McCook’s 125th Anniversary and the 36th Annual Heritage Days Celebration.

36th Annual Heritage Days Celebration

Mark your calendars and set aside the last week of September to join in the 36th Annual Heritage Days Celebration.

The Chamber of Commerce and McCook National Bank invite you to attend the annual Heritage Days Mixer on Wednesday, September 26, to kick off the celebration. It is an exciting evening as the 2007 Royalty, the Honor Family, and other honored dignitaries will be announced.

A Thursday evening event is new this year with activities coordinated by the Quasquicentennial Committee. You will have the opportunity to enjoy an old fashioned lunch box auction in Norris Park, followed by the McCook Art Guild’s Buffy Bison auction. As you enjoy your lunch, the McCook chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star will host the “125 Years of Fashion” style show.

Friday morning will be the time-honored Norris Foundation Prayer Breakfast at the Senior Center.

Saturday and Sunday are fully packed with activities beginning with the Saturday morning United Way 5K Run/Walk and parade followed by the Arts & Crafts show, the Car Show at Barnett Park, the Norris Sculpture Dedication, the 21st Annual Open House at the Army Air Base, entertainment in the Norris Park Bandshell and an evening program at the Fox Theatre beginning at 4:00 p.m.

Sunday morning you will want to attend the Heritage Worship Service being hosted by the First Baptist Church, Reverend Allan Jackson, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The Arts & Crafts Show, as well as entertainment in the bandshell will continue throughout the afternoon.

Schedules can be found at businesses around town or at the Chamber office. You can also print the schedule from the pdf file attached to this newsletter.

Leadership Institute Makes Debut

The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce and a Steering Committee of interested individuals are currently involved in restructuring the former “Leadership McCook” program into what will be known as the “Leadership Institute”. The program, which will provide avenues for participants to obtain optional college credits, will take a regional approach to building leadership skills in communities across Southwest Nebraska. The committee visualizes a cross-section of Institute participants encompassing high school aged students through retired individuals. Some segments of the program will resemble those that were most successful during the eleven year leadership program that ended in 2003. However, the new “Leadership Institute” will feature components derived from the Leadership Pillar of the Hometown Competitiveness (HTC) program and from a joint venture with McCook Community College.

Applications were accepted through the deadline date of August 15. At this time the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that the Leadership Institute Steering Committee has selected class members for the 2007-2008 year. Eighteen individuals were chosen from a list of nearly thirty nominees who submitted four-page confidential applications for consideration. Selections were based on the following criteria:

• Individuals who express a desire to contribute both time and energy toward involvement in their community.

• An individual who has demonstrated prior volunteer involvement as well as desire and leadership.

• An individual who demonstrates an interest in and understanding of Southwest Nebraska.

• Individuals of diverse backgrounds, representative of as broad a base as possible, including sex, race, age and occupation.

The Leadership Institute Class of 2007-2008 will include the following individuals: Amy Been, MHS Student; Troy Bruntz, Community Hospital; Todd Cappel, Cappel Sales; Lisa Felker, McCook National Bank; Cory Gaston, MHS Student; Brenda Gillen, Wells Fargo Bank; Sue Hageman, Parker-Hannifin; Pam Harsh, McCook Area Chamber of Commerce; Deon Leitner, Parker-Hannifin; Amy Lester, MHS Student; William (Hank) Lichtenwaldt, MHS Student; Brent McMurtrey, ESU 15; Leigh Ann Miller, State Farm Insurance; Kimberly Miracle, SWATS; Karen Shepherd, AmFirst Bank; Cassie Spencer, Premier Design Jewelry; Darryl Volquardsen, First Central Bank; and Janet Weber, McCook Community College.

An organizational meeting of the class was held on Wednesday, August 30, at the Pizza Hut meeting room from noon to 1:30 p.m. Plans for the mandatory leadership retreat to Lincoln on September 19 and 20 were finalized and reviewed at that time.

 

Back Row (L-R):  Sue Hageman, Hank Lichtenwaldt, Cassie Spencer, Brent McMurtrey, Janet Weber, Darryl Volquardsen, Brenda Gillen, Troy Bruntz, Karen Shepherd Front Row (L-R):  Amy Been, Amy Lester, Pam Harsh, Leigh Ann Miller, Lisa Felker, Kim Miracle, Deon Leitner Not Shown: Cory Gaston

The Chamber Salutes....

McCook National Bank for hosting the Hot Summer Nights Concerts in Norris Park throughout the month of August.

As in past years, the Chamber of Commerce again enjoyed the privilege of serving their root beer floats and popcorn during each performance. We appreciate this opportunity made available to us through McCook National Bank. We also wish to thank Jason Schmick at Schmick’s Market, Daniel Stull at Cinema Three Theatre, Richard Stull at McDonald’s, and the McCarty family at Mac’s Drive In for their generous contributions to assist us with this project.

AG Task Force Hosts Luncheons

Members of the Ag Task Force hosted agri-business luncheons on August 15 and August 29 at Pizza Hut. Jim Ulrich, Chamber President, Richard Stull, Chamber Past President, and Pam Harsh, Chamber Director spoke with the guests in attendance about the Chamber’s role in McCook and Southwest Nebraska. Guests were encouraged to share their ideas and to become involved in the Chamber to help implement those areas of interest. The Chamber acknowledges that agriculture is the primary economic influence in our area. As such, it is the Chamber’s goal to reach out to this segment of businesses in the area to enhance their representation in the Chamber as we move forward in years to come.