No lucky snow for shoppers on Friday the 13th

Monday, January 16, 2012

McCOOK, Nebraska -- If it had snowed Friday the 13th, many Christmas shoppers in Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas would have considered the day very lucky.

But, it didn't snow. There wasn't even the threat of snow. In fact, there wasn't even a cloud in the bright blue sky for most of the day.

If at least six inches of snow had fallen on McCook on Friday, Jan. 13, customers who shopped at participating McCook businesses between Nov. 14 and Dec. 10 would have had their purchases refunded thanks to the "Let It Snow" promotion sponsored by the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce.

"There probably won't be any snow," Pam Harsh, executive director of the chamber, admitted mid-morning Friday -- a sunny morning with no prediction of snow. "But it was a good Christmas promotion. The merchants were pleased with it," she said.

The first "Let It Snow" promotion came close to making shoppers very happy, when four inches of snow fell on Jan. 13, 2006, the qualifying day for the "Let It Snow" promotion in 2005.


At the board's monthly meeting Wednesday, Jan. 11, Harsh updated board members on the annual banquet scheduled Saturday, Feb. 4, at the new McCook Armed Forces Reserve Center east of McCook on Highway 6&34.

The social hour begins at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:45 p.m. Jamie Mockry of Consolidated Management Co. will prepare herbed pork loin, rosemary red potatoes, Normandy blend vegetables, cranberry feta salad, dinner rolls and dessert.

The price of the tickets -- $25 per person -- has remained the same for seven years, Harsh said.

The theme of the banquet -- "Building Our Community ... Brick by Brick" -- is very timely and very appropriate, Harsh said, and honors construction at Community Hospital, McCook Community College, the McCook municipal facility, East Ward Village, the Ed Thomas YMCA, the Armed Forces Reserve Center and Hillcrest Nursing Home. "I can't remember when there were so many major building projects at one time," Harsh said.


The Chamber's annual home show will also be at the Armed Force Reserve Center, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 24, 25 and 26. "We're looking forward to utilizing this new facility," Harsh said.

Gene and Marilyn Anderson of Catering Plus, McCook, will provide food services for the annual event.

Approximately half the booth spaces have been sold, Harsh said, and she's looking for Chamber member volunteers to sit at the entrance fee table and for Hospitality Service.

Admission will be $2 per person; 12 and under will be admitted free. "To charge or not to charge," Harsh said chamber officials pondered. "Other home shows charge $6, $7, $8. Two dollars is inexpensive entertainment."


In reports to Chamber officials:

* McCook City Manager Jeff Hancock gave an update on construction of the new McCook municipal facility on the city block at the corners of C Street and West Fourth and Fifth.

Hancock told Chamber board members that at the council meeting today, Mayor Dennis Berry will pick from among six applicants to fill two vacancies on the city council. If other city council members agree, the appointees will be administered their oaths of office and take their positions on the board. They will serve until Dec. 3, 2012.

Hancock also said the city and the McCook Economic Development Corp (MEDC ) will cooperate on a study of housing and the creation of housing subdivisions within McCook.

* MEDC executive director Rex Nelson told Chamber board members he is encouraged by recent activity in economic development in McCook. He also reported that all but one office is occupied in the Keystone Business Center.

* Dr. Richard Tubbs, vice-president and CEO of McCook Community College, told Chamber board members that the college's new events center is "really taking shape," and that yes, he is retiring from his position at MCC effective June 29, 2012. Dr. Tubbs announced his retirement at the college's "Back to School" campus meeting Jan. 10.

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