Santa fly-in kicks off busy season

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors reviewed upcoming activities such as the annual Santa fly-in to the McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport, set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, followed by the "Let It Snow" Christmas Light Parade that evening at 6.

Anyone wishing to have an entry in the parade needs to simply show up on the east side of Norris Avenue around 5:30 p.m. to get lined up.

Two new members recently joined the chamber -- Retro Planet and Curves of McCook. A ribbon cutting for Retro Planet will occur Thursday, Nov. 29 and the Curves ribbon cutting will be scheduled for December.

According to Chamber Director Taci Fawver, the chamber served a few more than 200 people at the McCook Farm and Ranch Expo producer breakfast on Wednesday.

"Darren and Tana Dale do an outstanding job of organizing the expo." Taci said, "This is the first year the Chamber has had a booth at the Expo and we are really impressed with the crowds. We are using the Expo to promote our Let It Snow promotion."

"Let it Snow" is the retail Christmas promotion designed to encourage shoppers to come to McCook. Shoppers need to save their receipts for any purchases made between Nov. 12 and Dec. 15. If it snows more than 6 inches on New Year's Eve, Dec. 31, participating retailers will be refunding the amount of those receipts. Businesses participating in the promotion include Brown's Show Fit Co., D & S Hardware, Garrisons-McCook Lettering, Hershberger Music Company, High Plains Radio, Hometown Family Radio, Longnecker Jewelry, New Life Christian Bookstore, Peterson Jewelers, Samway Floor Covering & Furniture, Sehnert's Bakery & Bieroc Café, The Sports Shoppe, TOP Office Products, Tri State Spas & Auto, and VK Electronics.

Each retailer may have specific rules, so shoppers should check with each individual business.

As part of the promotion, the Chamber will hold a drawing on Dec. 20 for $5,000 in chamber bucks to go to the winner if it snows 6 inches on New Year's Eve. No purchase is necessary to be included in the chamber drawing.

Another item of discussion at the chamber board meeting was moving forward with an electronic sign on Norris Avenue and B Street. In addition to the electronic sign, the chamber is considering installing a digital kiosk that would include a member directory. Visitors to McCook could use the kiosk to find out more information about the different businesses offered in town.

Rex Nelson with the McCook Economic Development Corp. updated the chamber board on MEDC's housing efforts. East Ward Village will be complete in December and the 27 units are already full.

Michelle Gill of McCook Community College informed the board on activities going on at the MCC Events Center, which will include the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce Home and Builders Show on Feb. 1 to 3, 2013.

The board has already begun preliminary planning for the annual Chamber Banquet, which will be held at the City Auditorium on January 19, 2013. They are hoping to schedule a performer to entertain the audience at next year's banquet