2010-2011 Class Members Being Sought

The Southwest Nebraska Leadership Institute is seeking nominations for the 2010-2011 class which will begin in September 2010. Southwest Nebraska Leadership Institute, formerly Leadership McCook, is taking a regional approach to building leadership skills in communities across Southwest Nebraska. Their plan is to identify people from Southwest Nebraska who fit the profile of those they are calling an "emerging leader". The Leadership Board of Directors is requesting your assistance in the search for those individuals for the next class. Who comes to mind when you consider the qualifications of an "emerging leader"? These are people you would be willing to work with on a project or join efforts with to solve a problem. They are the individuals who want to make a difference in their community and who are ready to go the extra mile to make positive change. If you or someone you know would be interested in applying for the class, please contact the Chamber office at 345-3200 or by e-mail at info@aboutmccook.com.

Chamber Education Committee Seeks Nominations

The Education Committee of the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking nominations for the annual McCook Area Educator of the Year Award. The purpose of the award is to encourage and recognize outstanding performance in the all important field of education with special emphasis on motivating students to reach their highest potential. All active teachers, administrators, counselors and coaches in Dundy, Chase, Hitchcock, Hayes, Red Willow, Frontier and Furnas counties in Nebraska and Decatur and Rawlins counties in Kansas in both public and religious schools offering K-12 (or parts thereof) are eligible for the award. Nominees must then submit an application to be considered for the award. A sizable monetary award, made available by Allen D. Strunk, a former editor/publisher of the McCook Daily Gazette, is presented to the selected individual at their school commencement or other program in May. Nomination forms are available at the Chamber office or from the schools located in the counties listed above. The deadline to submit nominations is Monday, March 15.

20th Annual Home Show

The 2010 edition of the 20th Annual McCook Home & Leisure Show was deemed a success by Chamber Director, Pam Harsh, even with the challenges presented by Mother Nature. She noted that people seemed to have planned for the chance of snow by attending early thus avoiding the winter storm that hit the area on Sunday. Nearly 70 vendors greeted attendees numbering over 1600. Several vendors commented that those attending the show were quality prospects. The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that the winners of their drawing for $250 certificates are Jim Waddell of McCook and Bethany Riener of Palisade. The certificates are to be spent with one or more of the vendors at the show. Each year plaques are awarded to booth vendors for excellence. They include: Best Decorated – Unique Tile Design, Most Informative – Eagle 1st Roofing & Construction, and Best of Show, MEDC Housing/Coldwell Banker Kircher and Associates. Chamber members exhibiting at the show include:

Barnett's Do-It Center		Big Red Agency		Catering Plus
Computer Troubleshooters		CTE Roofing		Great Plains Communications
Green Turf Lawncare		High Plains Radio		Kruger Heating & Air Conditioning
McCook Daily Gazette		McCook National Bank		MEDC Housing/Coldwell Banker Kircher & Associates
NPPD		Painting Plus		Qwest
Ron's Solid Tops		Totally You		Tri State Spas-Auto-Towing
Viaero		VK Electronics		Willow Creek Meats

85th Annual Chamber Banquet

85th Annual Chamber Award Winners - Presented by Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy photos courtesy of McCook Gazette
Linda Taylor, Community Builder Award		Gayle Ruggles, Ag Builder Award		United Methodist Church, “Feeding the Flock” Outreach Committee, Community Service Award
Janet Weber, Chamber Volunteer of the Year Award		Brenda McGuire, McCook Cordial of the Year Award

A number of prestigious awards were presented. Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy was on hand for the event and presented the respective plaques as follows: Linda Taylor, Community Builder Award; Gayle Ruggles, Ag Builder Award; United Methodist Church, “Feeding the Flock” Outreach Committee, Community Service Award; Janet Weber, Chamber Volunteer of the Year Award; and Brenda McGuire, McCook Cordial of the Year Award. Chamber President, Kristin Stagemeyer, gave the State of the Chamber Address and President Elect, Terri Shipshock, spoke of the coming year for the Chamber. Johnny Walker, Nebraska Auction Service, conducted the fast-paced auction. Cal Siegfried, Emcee, was the lucky winner of the 32” flat screen LG HDTV in the special auction. The meal was served by Catering Plus.

Slightly bizarre, but nonetheless hugely hilarious, local comedian, Martha Roe, had the guests at the 85th Annual Chamber Banquet rolling in the aisles as she fearlessly darted from table to table engaging even the most reserved individuals in gregarious dance moves. In sync with the “Some Beach, Some Where….McCook” theme, lively tunes by the Beach Boys provided the backdrop for her character play.

Fun, Fun, Fun on Some Beach, Some Where…..McCook! photos courtesy of McCook Gazette
Johnny goes wild!  And so does Martha….with the Sodens and Tor Olson!
Duane Tappe and Greg Wolfe search for the Lucky Seashell! That Cal Siegfried found! Cal was the lucky winner of the 32” LG HDTV special auction!

Head Table		Bar Area		Sand Castle

The Chamber Salutes . . .

all who helped to make the Home Show a success including Linda Frank and her daughter, Kristine, who served as Show Coordinators as well as all of the vendors who came to the show. We would also like to thank the McCook Cordials and other numerous volunteers who assisted with the hospitality cart and/or collected admission fees at the door. Thanks is also extended to the Work Ethic Camp offenders who provide invaluable labor each year for set-up and tear down of the show. This year a special thanks goes out to Jane Keith, Culbertson, and Tim Monzon, McCook, who monitored the building for the Army Reserve and thus made it possible for the Show to be held at that location again this year. We also wish to express our appreciation to the following food service businesses who provided food for the Vendor Hospitality Hour: Chief Restaurant, McDonald’s Restaurant, Runza, Schmick’s Market, Sehnert’s Bakery & Bieroc Café, Subway Sandwiches & Salads, Taste of Texas Restaurant and WalMart.

State Chamber Board Member