Chamber director predicts 'gute Zeit' on Heritage Days

McCOOK, Neb. — The 2019 Heritage Days promise to be a “gute Zeit” according to McCook Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dawson Brunswick.

The details are being finalized and Brunswick is excited and pleased with how it is coming together. “We have such a strong delegation of people who are taking ownership of various aspects of the weekend,” Brunswick said. Heritage Days begins Sept. 25 with the MNB mixer and continues through Sunday, Sept. 29.

The Norris Institute Prayer Breakfast will take place Friday morning at 7 a.m. at the McCook Christian Church with Sen. Ben Nelson as the guest speaker. McCook Community College will host an outdoor movie night Friday night with a showing of “Big” starring Tom Hanks on the MCC campus.

Expect to see lederhosen and dirndl, as well as a few steins, feathered hats, and maypole dances at the parade that starts at 10 a.m. Saturday. The parade line-up is being finalized; Brunswick would like to have all parade registrations in by 3 p.m. tomorrow.

Most of the food vendors from last year will be returning to Norris Park on Saturday and Sunday, with the addition of a vendor who sells roasted nuts. Brunswick said that there is still plenty of room for more vendors, although they have had a constant flow of vendors sign up. The bandshell entertainment line-up is in place for Saturday and Sunday afternoon. The 2 on 2 basketball tournament will also take place on Saturday afternoon at McCook High School for those who are looking for a more active weekend experience.

A complete schedule of events, as well as the parade line-up, will be printed in Wednesday’s Gazette.

The chamber board of directors met Wednesday and focused on “changes to come”, according to Brunswick. “We want to make some changes and do some things differently so we really are that resource for the community that the chamber should be, and that many chambers across the state are.”

Brunswick, just three weeks into his position as director, has attended a state chamber conference in Fremont and has been able to connect with fellow executive directors across the state. “It’s interesting to see the situations that other directors have faced,” said Brunswick.

Representatives of The Nebraska State Chamber and Blueprint Nebraska will be coming to McCook on October 4 to update the community on statewide strategic planning and legislative initiatives that could affect business and industry in 2020 and beyond. The forum will begin at 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Valmont training room. Lunch will be provided.

Commenting on his first three weeks in the position, Brunswick told the Gazette that he is still “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and I don’t expect that to change.”

Being the lone chamber staffer means that the chamber office is sometimes un-manned as Brunswick is out visiting members or attending meetings. “I try to leave a note on the door when I am away, and I return messages left on the answering machine”, Brunswick said. He also commented that working with the public has given him a whole new perspective on the community.