Chamber building on success

Darrell Scott will perform in McCook March 12. (Courtesy photo)

McCOOK, Neb. -- The annual banquet was a social and financial success, and chamber officials are hopeful a couple of upcoming events will repeat that success.

The banquet succeeded in accomplishing one of the chamber's prime missions of providing fun things for McCook residents to do, said Tacie Fawver, executive director.

"The banquet is also one of the Chamber's biggest fund raisers of the year," she said, "and we had a profit of $11,000 on the event, which exceeded our goal."

One of country music's most successful singer-songwriters will perform at an other Chamber fundraiser, March 12, when Darrell Scott performs at the Fox Theatre.

Tickets are $25 and are available at the chamber office, Sehnert's and First Central Bank.

Scott became one of the more successful country songwriters of the late '90s and early 2000s, placing songs with the biggest names in country music, including several major chart hits. Garth Brooks, the Dixie Chicks, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and many others recorded his work. At the same time, he works consistently as a studio musician and has released a series of his own solo albums.

The McCook High School Select Choir will open the performance.

The Chief Motel and Horse Creek Inn have special discounted rates available for out-of-towners who want to come to the concert and spend the night.

The chamber also is gearing up for another Quarterly Networking Affair on March 9 from 5:30 to 7 p.m at the McCook City Auditorium.

"The first QNA in December was a huge success, and we're excited to put on another one," Fawver said.

At the QNAs, somewhat of a cross between an expo and a mixer, several chamber member businesses partner together to set up booths, provide food, and greet attendees.

The March host businesses include Garrisons, Garrett Rippen Edward Jones, Unified Therapy, First Central Bank, McCook Community College, Great Western Bank, Jenn West Photography, Brookdale, and Orchelns.

The $5 entry fee will provide visitors with a free drink ticket, and a chance for door prizes.

Some new faces are serving on the chamber's board of directors.

Kyle Dellevoet of McCook Christian Church replaces Bruce Lester as representative of the Ministerial Association, and Jamie Mockry has replaced board president Chad Arasmith, who relocated.

Steve Rasmusen of Horizon Bank will join the board in March to fill out Mockry's 17-month term.