Chamber lends support to pool, ballpark bond issue

McCOOK, Neb. – McCook Chamber of Commerce board of directors took up the topic of the proposed increase to McCook City Sales tax to fund swimming pool and ballpark facilities. Ultimately, the board voted to take a stance and support the initiative.

It wasn’t a decision the board took lightly according to Chamber President Molly Smith. She told the Gazette that there was considerable discussion about the topic, but ultimately the board felt that the new facilities would be good for current businesses, as well as businesses that may come to McCook in the future.

“We have lots of differing members and we want to make sure that we’re honoring everyone’s feelings. So we took those into account and had lots of discussions,” Smith said.

Heritage Days was deemed to be a success, with Smith estimating about 1,000 people in the parade, as well as a packed parade route. The vendor show at Norris Park was well-attended, partly due to the extended entertainment offered throughout Saturday afternoon in the band shell. The variety of foods offered at the park was another win, according to Smith.

The chamber board of directors chose Kinship Pointe as the fourth quarter Honor Business. “Judy McCune, on behalf of Kinship Pointe, has been very supportive of the Chamber in our many events. During Bash on the Hills, she volunteered to help at our entrance table and sat there for most of the night checking IDs. She is also on the Heritage Days committee so has helped plan all of that. Along with that, when we were talking about Bandshell Entertainment she went back to Kinship Pointe and did some research and figured out how to run the Cute Baby Contest that was held Saturday during Heritage Days. She is always willing to just jump in and their support has really been great,” Smith said.

Winter Wonderland is the holiday theme for this year. The holiday season will consist of multiple events, including Santa Claus Lane which will be put up in mid-November by city staff. Volunteers will be putting up lights in Norris Park on November 11 beginning at 1:45 p.m. Smith said more volunteers would be welcome.

The retail Christmas promotion will begin November 21st and will follow the popular “Elf on the Shelf” tradition. The chamber’s version of the “elf” will travel to participating businesses, a different one each day. The elf will hide somewhere in the store and shoppers who locate the “elf” will fill out an entry form to be entered into a drawing for $10 in chamber bucks given away every day throughout the promotion. Two grand prize winners will receive a chamber basket with goods and gift cards from every participating business to be given away on December 23. No purchase is necessary to enter the drawing.

Noel on Norris will be held Saturday, Dec. 3, and includes Santa’s fly-in at 1:00 p.m., followed by his appearance at the Keystone Business Center from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Carriage rides around Norris Park will run from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Cost for the carriage ride is $25 per family (4-6 people).

The light parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Other activities for kids and families will be occurring throughout the afternoon, as well as entertainment and snacks in Norris Park.

The member-only quarterly meeting will be Dec. 8 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at McCook Christian Church. Citta Deli will be serving soup.