Ball will be fitting finale to McCook's 125th

Let's bring McCook's 125th anniversary celebration to a stirring conclusion. Let's join in support of the McCook Governor's Ball, scheduled Saturday evening, Dec. 8, at the Republican River Valley Event Center.

It will be a special night. Gov. Dave Heineman, who lived in McCook during his grade school years, is returning as the honored guest. He will be joined by Nebraska's First Lady, the governor's wife: Sally Ganem.

Let's turn out to greet Nebraska's leading couple.

But, more than that, let's join in support of the McCook Governor's Ball for our own sake. We owe it to our town's heritage and our pride in living here.

All year, we've been celebrating the fact that McCook burst into being in 1882 as a division point on the Burlington & Missouri Railroad route.

The town began with a boom and has a proud history, including the nurturing of four Nebraska Governors -- Ralph G. Brooks, Frank B. Morrison, Ben Nelson and Dave Heineman -- and two U.S. Senators -- George W. Norris and Ben Nelson.

While our heritage is a source of special pride, that's not the only reason we are celebrating. We are also honoring the present and future of the McCook community.

The 2007 McCook Governor's Ball is our chance to get the next 125 years off to a resounding start. As present day residents and supporters of McCook, we're in the driver's seat now. It's our turn to lead this town to new honors and accomplishments.

The McCook Governor's Ball is just a little over a month away, so start making arrangements now to attend. First of all, you need to get your tickets. They cost $50 each and are available at the McCook Chamber of Commerce office. You can stop by the Chamber office, or call 345-3200 and the staff will arrange to put tickets in the mail to you.

The 50 dollars will pay for an evening that will include dinner, dancing to the Lonny Lynn Orchestra and a special program featuring Nebraska's Governor and First Lady.

Part of the ticket price will also go to support the George W. Norris Foundation, which presented the first McCook Governor's Ball in 1991 and recently spearheaded the creation of the Norris sculpture in front of the Norris Home.

One last reminder: The McCook Governor's Ball is a formal-black tie optional event, so you need to be thinking about what to wear. We're usually casual around here, but every 15 years or so it's good to put on our best bib and tucker and celebrate with friends.

This is the chance. Order your tickets for McCook's second gala Governor's Ball, and join your friends and neighbors for a very special night of celebration.