Nominations Open

The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce has opened nominations for the annual awards presented at the Chamber Annual Banquet.

The awards include:

• the Community Service Award which is presented to an organization contributing significantly over the past few years to the improvement of McCook;

• the Community Builder Award which is presented to an individual with a history of service to McCook and the surrounding area, most notably in his or her work for non-profit organizations;

• and the Chamber Volunteer of the Year Award which is presented to a member who has displayed an above-average level of participation in Chamber and other activities in the community.

Nominations will be accepted from Chamber members and the general public until the deadline date of January 7, 2008. Forms for nominations can be picked up at the Chamber office at 107 Norris Avenue.

KFNF Christmas Light Parade

The KFNF Christmas Light Parade took place on Saturday, December 1 at 6:00 p.m. The parade entries gathered at Norris Park for the lighting of the park and the Norris Avenue islands and then proceeded south on Norris Avenue to 'A' Street. The festive entries delighted a large crowd of spectators along the route.

KFNF sponsored trophies for the following categories:

Best Use of Lights - Tri State Spas
Best Use of Theme - Community Hospital
Best Overall Entry - City of McCook

KFNF also sponsored business awards providing KFNF advertising package for the winning business entries as follows:

1st Place - $700.00 VK Electronics
2nd Place - $500.00 First Central Bank
3rd Place - $300.00 City of McCook

Bryan Loker (High Plains Radio) is thrilled that Santa (Darrin Samway of Samway Floor Covering and Furniture) would remember to give him a piece of candy just before the KFNF Christmas Lights Parade.		First Central Bank employees put the final touches on their parade entry.

Santa's Headquarters

Tiny tots, boys and girls enjoyed visiting with their favorite, bearded friend at Santa's Headquarters located at 217 Norris Avenue

Chamber Hidden Christmas Bells

Becky Mai, McCook, was the lucky winner of the 42 inch HDTV Plasma Television which was given away at the close of the Chamber Hidden Christmas Bells Promotion.

The television was made available by Edward Jones - Ron Friehe and Sharleen Riemenschneider, First Central Bank, Great Plains Communications, McCook Daily Gazette, McCook National Bank and VK Electronics.

AG Businesses Host Leadership Institute

Cassie Spencer and Karen Shepherd organized Leadership Institute Agriculture Day on Wednesday, November 28. The class listened to speakers at AmFirst Bank which were interspersed with visits to Van Diest Supply and Nebraska Bull Service. The day ended with a bus tour of the ethanol plant at Trenton. Speaking to the group on a variety of topics included Kent Craw, AmFirst Bank; Rod Spencer, Select Seeds; Dann Watson, Van Diest Supply; Brian & Donnetta Schafer, Nebraska Bull Service; Kent Been, UNL Extension; Dan Smith, Middle Republican NRD; and Ralph Scott, Trenton Agri Products. Of interest to the class was learning the vast number of ways in which agriculture impacts their lives. Also, participants were given a new awareness of the size, scope and complexity of local agricultural businesses. The daylong activities closed with evaluations, thank you notes and a discussion regarding project ideas. In keeping with a new objective of the Leadership Institute, the class will have the opportunity to utilize their leadership skills to see a project or projects through to successful completion.

Business and Industry Day for Leadership Institute

The Leadership Institute Class spent a good share of Wednesday, December 19, touring McCook area industries and hearing from both established businesses and entrepreneurs with new businesses . The group toured Parker-Hannifin, Valmont, Burns Laboratory and GoLight. Spokesmen for Schmick’s Market, Scrapbook Station, Game On, Sehnert’s Bakery, Jolten Jo’s, TJ’s Fun Center, Olson’s Photography, MEDC and Olsen’s Ag Lab shared information about their respective businesses. The day’s agenda was organized by class members, Sue Hagemann and Deon Leitner. Parker Hannifin provided the noon lunch. The Class learned of both the challenges and success stories of each respective business and came away with a clearer understanding of both. Again, the Class was clearly impacted by the information they received and astonished by the products made in McCook and area that reach all parts of Nebraska, the Midwest, the United States and the world. To close the day, the Class finalized their project selection for 2008 and will begin work on it in January.