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Chamber members urged to 'run the ball forward' for next 90 years
McCOOK, Neb. -- "Now is the time to take the ball and run forward with it," master of ceremonies Andy Long urged McCook Area Chamber of Commerce members Saturday night.
"We can be assured that the next 90 years will be as great as the last 90 years," he said at the annual banquet at Memorial Auditorium.
In celebration of the long history of McCook Chamber partnership with local businesses, the auditorium was decorated with memorabilia and photos depicting McCook "Through the Years."
The chamber honored the McCook Humane Society with the 2014 Community Service Award. Since 1983, the McCook Humane Society has provided a temporary home for puppies and kittens, as well as adult dogs and cats. They are dedicated to finding permanent loving homes for abused, neglected, and abandoned animals in Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas. They offer programs that show their support for the area's homeless animals.
Sara Rippen was honored with the 2014 Community Builder Award. A graduate of McCook High School and McCook Community College, Sara has lived in the McCook area for over 40 years. In 1988, she joined the family business, McCook Lettering and Screen Print. She is involved in a long list of community activities including the chamber marketing committee; McCook Cordials; P.E.O. Chapter X; class representative for the Bison Alumni Newsletter; member of McCook Education Foundation; President of Southwest Nebraska Leadership Institute; member of the Community Hospital Foundation Board; TeamMate mentor; and serves on the annual Evening for Hospice committee. She has also taught Sunday School and directed Bible School at her church.
The 2014 Chamber Volunteer of the Year was Annette Wagner. Annette moved to McCook in 1980 with her family and graduated from McCook High School and McCook Community College. She continued her education at Kearney State College. In 1980, she married Chris Wagner, and they purchased the Anderson Ford dealership in 2000. In 2005, they purchased the Chevrolet dealership from Annette's father, Howard Kool. Annette is active in Memorial United Methodist Church, where she has served as a Sunday School and Bible School teacher and Youth Board sponsor. She also helps with Helping Hands, funeral dinners, and Feeding the Flock dinners. She is her class representative for the Bison Alumni Newsletter, served on the Evening for Hospice committee, and has completed the Southwest Nebraska Leadership Institute. She is active in many chamber activities including McCook Cordials, annual banquet committee, Home Show, Halloween Parade, and has hosted several chamber mixers.
Paul Schaffert was honored with the 2014 Ag Builder Award. Paul grew up on his family's farm southeast of Indianola, graduated from Kearney State College with a degree in economics and business administration, and returned to the area to help with the family farm. In early 1970, Paul worked with Red Willow County Extension Agent, Bob Klein, to develop a new farming practice called ecofallow or ecofarming. Paul kept perfecting this idea of crop rotation and no-till farming. In the 1980's Paul designed the first Buffalo No Till Drill. Currently Paul and his wife, Pat, are the owners of Schaffert Mfg. & Sales in Indianola. They hold numerous patents on planter attachments, as well as patents for attachments on most of the major No Till drills on the market. Three of these patents have been featured in national farming publications. Paul is a member of the Red Willow County Fair Board, helps youth with 4-H projects, and is an active member of Peace Lutheran Church, where he has taught Sunday School, served as an usher, Youth fellowship sponsors, and Elder. He has also provided leadership for the Republican Valley FFA Chapter. Paul has a passion for innovating and implementing new farming practices. He believes that farmers should leave the land to future generations in a better condition than they started with.
The silent auction raised over $7,000 to benefit chamber activities throughout the year. Following the dinner and awards, entertainment was provided by CRB Band.