Chamber to Sponsor "August Rush” Youth Concert
Tickets Now on Sale!

For nearly a year, Chamber board members have been contemplating sponsorship of a Youth Concert. At the end of the school year, a committee was formed consisting of both students and interested adults to facilitate the concert.

Chamber Director, Pam Harsh, has found the task both challenging and educational at the same time. New terminology like ‘production’ and ‘backline’ were added to her vocabulary base and the learning curve took a sharp upward turn as progress was made. The Committee engaged the students in naming the event, the design of a logo and selection of a band. Posters and tickets were created and printed by Chamber Staff. A great deal of credit and appreciation is extended to Mr. Alan Usher, Hometown Family Radio for his guidance and expertise through the process.

The committee chose dEAf PedESTRIANS out of Texas as the band for the concert on Saturday, August 23 at the City Auditorium beginning at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. The Opening Act will be an area band selected during the Battle of the Bands which is a separate event scheduled for August 8 in Norris Park beginning at 7:00 p.m.

In order to hold the line on ticket costs, the Youth Concert Committee is also making sponsor levels available for businesses and/or individuals wishing to support the concert monetarily. Levels include Rock Star @ $500; Opening Act @ $250; Garage Bands @ $100; and Groupies @ less than $100.

If you would like to show support of this activity for the youth, please contact the Chamber office. Sponsors will receive recognition at both events in August and will be allowed to display their business banner.

The Committee will also be seeking assistance from adult volunteers who would like to help with the concert. Duties include ticket sales, door monitors, clean-up and even just as an adult presence during the concert. Two off-duty, uniformed police officers will be in attendance at the concert. Please contact the Chamber if you are able to help in any way.

Chamber Coffee Connection

Chamber President, Janet Weber kicked off her term with a new networking opportunity for Chamber members: Chamber Coffee Connection. Approximately a dozen Chamber members and guests attended the first coffee at Sehnert’s Bakery & Bieroc Café on July 2. The morning was focused on the members as each shared interesting tidbits about their respective business. In addition, members were given the opportunity to network with others in attendance. All in all, Janet viewed the first coffee as a wonderful success and looks forward to the next one which is scheduled at Schmick’s Market on October 1 from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.

Board Members Tackle Goal Setting

Members of the Chamber Board of Directors were led through a ‘world café’ process in order to brainstorm a number of ideas to review as potential 2008-09 Goals. Doug Joyce, of McCook Community College, facilitated the café which was held at the Hormel Tech Center on the campus on July 9. The goals will dovetail nicely with President Janet Weber’s desire to make the years’ focus on the membership. The goals determined will be reviewed and approved at the next Chamber Board of Directors meeting to be held on August 12.

Hot Days, Hot Deals!

And it was hot! As were the sales! Reports from merchants varied but all went well during the three day sales extravaganza. To add to the festivities, several merchants sponsored events in addition to the Crazy Days fun on Norris and C Streets.

Finalists in the Merchant Costume Contest included: The Sports Shoppe, VK Electronics, Hometown Brand Center and Sehnert’s Bakery. A panel of judges selected the employees at Sehnert’s as the winner of the contest and will receive a 1/4 page ad provided by the McCook Daily Gazette. Turtle Races and Minnow Races proved to be popular again this year. Prize Coupons from Pizza Hut/KFC/Taco Bell, Sehnert’s, Subway and McDonald’s were presented to the winners of the turtle race and to the heat winners of the minnow races. McCook Cordials helped to facilitate the races. Winners of the Turtle Race were as follows: First - Dustin Peyton; Second-Jessica Fritz, Third-Brenna Carner, Fourth – Jarett and Kennedy Walter, and Fifth – Aaron Matson. The McCook Starz Dance Team operated a Dunk Tank throughout the afternoon hours. Celebrities from the community who were dunked included: Steve Stein, Hometown Family Radio; Rich Barnett, High Plains Radio; Bruce Crosby, McCook Daily Gazette; and Doug Terry, McCook Midget League Baseball.

Throughout the three day event, customers were encouraged to register to win “Crazy Cruisin’ Cash” at twenty-one sponsoring merchants. Those businesses included: Barnett's Do-It Center, Brown's Shoe Fit Company, Country Floral Design & Gift, D & S Hardware, Eakes Office Plus, Farrell's Pharmacy, Hometown Brand Center, Knowlen & Yates, Kugler Co., Longnecker Jewelry, McCook Lettering / Garrison's, Orscheln Farm & Home, Peterson Jewelers, Pinpoint Communications, Rita's Framing Creations, Samway Floor Covering & Furniture, Sehnert's Bakery & Bieroc Cafe', The Sports Shoppe, VK Electronics, Wagner Chevrolet-Buick-Pontiac-Cadillac, Inc. and Wagner Ford-Mercury-Toyota, Inc.

A total of $525.00 in “Crazy Cruisin’ Cash” was given away to the following winners:

$150.00 – Gorden Lange, Arapahoe.
$125.00 – Mary O’Brien, McCook
$100.00 – Phyllis Toman, Indianola
$ 75.00 -  Roberta Loescher, Stratton
$ 75.00 – Christina Coleman, McCook