Local, statewide public service

Building on a tradition of excellence, the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce Saturday night moved the 2004 Annual Banquet to the McCook Memorial Auditorium. What a stroke of genius that turned out to be.

With white netting serving as a top drop, the auditorium had a glorious look, providing a fitting setting for the event-filled evening.

So much was packed into the program. Starting with a social hour and bidding on silent auction items, the evening built to an exciting conclusion, with Chamber Players closing the show with their gentle jabs at McCook's great, and not so great, moments of 2003.

In between, the crowd joined in applause as outstanding McCook individuals and groups were honored for their contributions to the community. Receiving recognition were Van and Jan Korell, Community Builders of the Year; Ron Friehe, Community Service Award winner; Tom and the late Alice Kiplinger, Ag Builder Award recipients; Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department, Public Service Award honorees; Habitat for Humanity, Community Service Award winner; Mike Kugler and Butch Mires, Chamber Volunteer of the Year selections; and Tammy Hilker, McCook Cordial of the Year.

And, then, there was the auction, with spirited bidding -- on both silent and live items -- bringing in the whopping total of $6,625. A show in and of itself, the live auction featured Johnny Walker as the auctioneer. But the real stars were the bidders, who Chamber Executive Director Marie Owen described as "incredible, especially during these difficult economic times."

All in all, what a night! The community needs a special event to honor outstanding volunteers and to celebrate the McCook area's accomplishments. The Chamber Banquet fulfills that role exceedingly well. Let's keep it up by making this outstanding community event another hit attraction in 2005.

Back in the Chairman's Seat

In Don Blank's 18th year on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, it is fitting that he has been chosen as the chairman. Don has done an outstanding job as a regent, serving the university system in the good times of 1980s and the trying times of the early 2000s.

The dentist from McCook was first elected to the Board of Regents in 1986, and has since been elected for two more six-year terms. During his years as a regent, he has been chosen as chairman four different times.

"When I was first elected to the board, I knew I would have a big responsibility to the university campus in Lincoln, but I have come to realize that being a regent is a statewide responsibility, with so many programs affecting the entire state."

As the chairman of the Board of Regents in 2004, Dr. Blank will be overseeing a university system budget of more than $1 billion. With his third term expiring, Don is facing a decision: Whether or not he should run for a fourth six-year term.

We hope so. Dr. Blank has been a voice of reason as a regent, and should be retained to help Nebraska's university system meet the challenges of the future.