Lunch on the Chamber

April 19-25 is National Volunteer Appreciation Week. The Chamber is almost entirely dependent on volunteers throughout the year in order to accomplish the organization's mission statement. A volunteer luncheon was hosted by the Chamber as a mere token gesture to acknowledge and express appreciation for those who have stepped up to the challenge. The luncheon was held at Pizza Hut/KFC/Taco Bell on Thursday, April 23 with nearly 40 in attendance. Pam Harsh, Chamber Executive Director, shared a quote with the volunteers: "Volunteers are not paid, however, it is not because they are worthless....but rather because they are priceless."

The Chamber Salutes . . .

Mike Kennedy at Pizza Hut/KFC/Taco Bell for assisting us with the Volunteer Luncheon on Thursday, April 23. It's always a treat to eat at Mike's place

Leadership Institute Students Recognized at MHS Leadership Banquet

McCook High School students involved with Leadership Institute were recognized on Monday, April 20, at the High School Leadership Banquet. Bill Burton, Leadership Institute Chairperson, presented engraved crystal paper weights to the students. The six students who will graduate from Leadership Institute on May 14 include: Heather Bieker, Brooke Burton, Matt Carriker, Austin Larson, Stephen Smock and Mary Spilinek.

Annual 8th Grade Ag Awareness Tour on April 8

Members of the Chamber Ag Task Force hosted the annual 8th grade ag tour on Wednesday, April 8. The morning began with an assembly in the school auditorium which was facilitated by Mark Friehe, Frenchman Valley Coop. Mark shared general ag information with the students and set the tone for the day. Others assisting with organizing the tour included Alex Haag, AmFirst Bank, and Nikki Cappel, Terry Ellinger, CPA. Three buses transported the students to various stops on the tour.

Four Winds Animal Clinic - Cort Mohr		Olsen's Ag Lab - Bob Olsen

The purpose of the tour is to develop an awareness of what opportunities exist in the agricultural industry in McCook and the surrounding area. The tour highlights some of the possibilities where they can utilize their classroom work right here in their hometown. Science labs, computer skills, veterinarian fields, heavy equipment operation, GPS navigation applications, animal science, mathematical computations, etc. The list is endless. The students also got a taste of buying animals on the auction block and were given a new appreciation for the skills of a cattle buyer. Stops on the tour included Four Winds Animal Clinic, Tri-State Livestock Sale Barn, Southwest Implement, Olsen's Agricultural Laboratory, Frenchman Valley Coop, Timmerman's Feedlot, and Ram's Horn Dairy. We believe this exposure to the ag industry and how it impacts our area is a crucial addition to our students tool kit for their respective futures. Even though they may live in McCook, which is a rural community, for some of the students this is their only exposure to agriculture.

The Chamber Salutes . . .

those businesses that shared their business day with the 8th grade students on April 8th Ag Tour. We appreciate their commitment to the students as they spoke of their respective businesses and the opportunities therein. The exposure to these ag businesses may strike a chord with the students as they consider their career paths through high school. In addition, we also appreciate the schools' cooperation in allowing us to take the students out of school for the entire day.

‘Amazing Race’ Television Host Rides Through McCook

Phil Keoghan, host of the popular CBS television show, ‘Amazing Race’ was in McCook on Tuesday, April 14, for a brief visit on his “Ride Across America” to raise awareness and funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and to encourage people to pursue a healthy lifestyle. His route across the United States included stops at only 30 communities. We were pleased that McCook was chosen to be one of those locations. Also the Chamber was happy to assist in his effort to raise funds for MS.

The Chamber arranged for McCook area enthusiasts to meet with Keoghan at 8:30 a.m. that morning at the lower shelter house of Kelly Park. A healthy breakfast treat from McDonald’s Restaurant was available for those attending. Free will donations went to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Local bicyclists rode with the celebrity on the newly completed concrete trail from Kelly Park to East H Street then South on East 11th street to B Street and then East to Karrar Park. A police escort as well as a group of local motorcyclists accompanied the group. Video footage of his visit may be included on a popular CBS morning show as well as in a documentary film of the ride across America.

The Chamber Salutes . . .

those who assisted with the program for the Phil Keoghan “Ride Across America”. Kyle Potthoff, representing the City of McCook and Darryl Volquardsen, representing the Chamber Board of Directors, welcomed the entourage to McCook. McCook Walking Trail promoter, Tor Olson shared information about the trail and Duane Tappe, Rotary President, told about the exercise equipment to be found along the trail. Cindy West, Community Hospital Physical Therapist, supervised a warm-up session of exercises for bikers prior to the ride. We also appreciate members of the local motorcycle group and the City of McCook Police Department for providing an escort for the entourage. In addition, we wish to express our appreciation to McDonald’s Restaurant of McCook for providing their nutritious Fruit and Walnut Salads to those in attendance.

I-80 Vacation Tour Guides Visit McCook

Tour guides from the I-80 Tourist Information stops visited McCook on Saturday morning, April 18, to become familiar with our community and area. Members of the Red Willow County Visitors Committee hosted the group and escorted them to the Heritage Hills Golf Course, the Kiplinger Arena, the George Norris Historical Site and lunch at Sehnert's Bakery & Bieroc Cafe. The group was excited to visit McCook and look forward to sending tourists from the interstate to McCook to enjoy some of our unique characteristics.

On May 13, staff from the Chamber of Commerce will attend the Annual Brochure Swap in Hastings and provide the tour guides with flyers, brochures and other marketing material for McCook and the surrounding area. In addition, the staff will bring home tourist information from other areas in the state. Over the years, the brochure swap has proven an effective method to get tourism information distributed across the state.

Keystone Kick-Off Celebration

Senator Ben Nelson and Chairman and CEO of 21st Century Systems, Jeffrey Hicks, were among the dignitaries in attendance at the official kick-off ceremony for the Keystone Business Center on Wednesday, April 15. Twenty-first Century Systems will be the anchor tenant. The project, which is being facilitated by the McCook Economic Development Corporation, has been in the planning stages for nearly four years. Funding for the project has come from a number of sources including federal grants, local banks, and the City of McCook. Asbestos abatement is completed and other demolition efforts began the day following the kick-off. A number of offices will be housed in the new Business Center as well as areas for incubator businesses. The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce and the MEDC offices will be located in the building upon completion. The project offers an opportunity for job creation and expansion, promotes entrepreneurship and downtown revitalization all of which contribute to a very positive economic impact on our community and the area.

Arbor Day Celebrated in McCook

Tree Advisory Board with Dan Dueland of Double D Lawns & Landscaping

 

McCook Area Chamber of Commerce Director, Pam Harsh, joined City staff, members of the Tree Advisory Board and the general public to a celebration commemorating Arbor Day on Friday, April 10, at the Kelley Park Walking Trail on East Fifth Street.

Dan Dueland, Double D Lawns & Landscaping, spoke about the history of Arbor Day which was first initiated in Nebraska.

The City has planted a number of new trees along the walking trail, in Barnett Park, Norris Park and Kelley Park in recent month