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Director jumps into job at chamber’s busiest time of year
McCOOK, Neb. — With less than a month on the job, McCook Chamber President and CEO Casey Flint described her first few weeks as “drinking out of the fire hose.”
That’s because she started her duties in the middle of the chamber’s busiest time. Details are being finalized for McCook’s largest celebration, Heritage Days, with most of those duties falling to the chamber of commerce.
Flint, a Tennessee native, came to the area about five years ago to attend Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis. Her studies were interrupted due to losing everything in a house fire, as well as COVID-19, but she was finally able to earn her Associate of Applied Science degree in Equine Industry Management in 2023. Her field of study included a lot of courses in agri-business and business, which has helped prepare her for her current position.
She was encouraged to apply for the leadership position at the chamber after talking to a chamber executive committee member about the possible purchase of a house. At the time, she was managing horses as a barn manager for the University in Curtis.
Flint said she has spent a lot of time during her first few weeks “married to the desk” in the office getting caught up on correspondence and procedures. She hopes to get out into the community to meet members and potential members in the upcoming week, probably after Heritage Days
Her first chamber board of directors meeting was held Wednesday and was consumed by all things Heritage Days, from choosing honorees to reviewing parade and booth entries, as well as food vendors. With only two weeks to go, Flint said there are over 24 vendors signed up for the park, with more coming in every day. Food, drink, and munchies will also be readily available with six or seven vendors setting up either food trucks or booths. Parade entries also keep pouring in. The deadline for vendors and parade entries is Oct. 4, although Flint pointed out that parade participants could just show up on Saturday, Oct. 14. Entries that don’t pre-register by the deadline will not have their entry announced during the parade.
Headlining the entertainment in the bandshell at Norris Park is the Kyle Sayler Band. The band plays mostly original music with a few cover songs. Sayler describes his music as “rockers playing country music.” His band recently opened for country artist Lee Brice at the Nebraska State Fair, after taking second place at the fair’s Battle of the Bands on August 26.
Sayler is owner of Sayler Screenprinting in Kearney and Grand Island and rekindled his interest in music when the pandemic slowed business in 2020. He writes music that is a mixture of country and rock and is the lead vocalist and guitarist for the four-member band. They have recently released a new song, “Cloud of Dust” written by Stokes Nielsen and David Lee Murphy. Other songs include “Heartbreak Queen”, “Catch & Release”, and “Boots Don’t Let Me Down”.
Heritage Days will occur next week, Wednesday through Saturday. Heritage events include:
Wednesday, Oct. 11: MNB Bank Mixer from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at MNB Bank. Royalty will be announced.
Thursday, Oct. 12: MCFF Community Celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. at Norris Alley. The High Plains Museum will be open from 6 to 9 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 13: Norris Institute Breakfast at 7 a.m. at ArtBank McCook. Hillcrest Nursing Home 60th Anniversary and Open House from 2 to 4 p.m. at Hillcrest Nursing Home. McCook Art Guild’s Art Walk on The Bricks from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Norris Avenue and McCook Art Guild.
Saturday, Oct. 14: 5K Road Race with line up at 6:30 a.m. and start time at 7:30 a.m. at Norris Park. High Plains Model Railroad Club opens from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Heritage Days Parade lineup starts at 9:30 a.m. with the parade starting at 10 a.m. along Norris Avenue. Heritage Days Park Vendors will run from noon to 6 p.m. at Norris Park.
YMCA Family Fun Zone runs from noon to 2 p.m. Cornhole Tournament registration begins at noon with a 1 p.m. start time. Heritage Days Bandshell Entertainment starts at noon with emcees Ginger ten Bensel and Chris Wagner and sound by Jesse Stevens of DJ Express. At noon the National Anthem will be performed by Rachel Witt, who is the Coyote Country Showdown winner. At 12:10 p.m. the Heritage Days Parade winners will be announced. Bandshell entertainment includes:
12:30 p.m. - McCook High School Choir - Audrey Wilson
12:45 p.m. - For Dancers Only Performing Arts Academy Performance
1:15 p.m. - McCook High School Cheer Team
2 p.m. - Kyle Sayler Band
4 p.m. - Cute Baby Contest Sponsored by Kinship Pointe
A George W. Norris Historic Site Heritage Days Presentation will take place at 1 p.m. at the George W. Norris Historic Site.