Pawnee City News
Pawnee City Community Foundation receives major gift
The Pawnee City Community Foundation announced today they have received a donation of the entire "Visions Along the Platte River Valley" CD series from author Phil Walker.The $22,000 inventory gift has a retail value to the Foundation of over $125,000.00.
The award-winning Visions series is the narrative history of Nebraska in 8 hour-long CDs that include music, real life stories with guest appearances by UNL Athletic Director Tom Osborne and former Senator Chuck Hagel, and the distinctive narrative style of Phil Walker. The series received the Gold Award from the Nebraska Broadcasters Association for the Best Community Service presentation in 2005. The CDs are used by school districts throughout the state to teach Nebraska history to students.
The series begins with the earliest prehistoric times, through the early explorers, the Lewis and Clarke expedition, the mighty migrations along the Oregon Trail, the building of the trans-continental railroad and the development of Nebraska from territory to state with a growing immigrant population and establishment of Lincoln as the state capital. The series continues to the dawn of the 20th century and the emergence of the muscular agricultural and livestock industries.
According to Foundation President Steve Dokken, "We are delighted and grateful to receive such a valuable gift. We will be able to use the CDs to tell our story in Pawnee City."
Walker is equally pleased with the donation. "The Visions series has always been about community service; education and helping people in Nebraska understand their own history a little better. I am proud that the series will now have a new life in helping Pawnee City and continuing the theme on which it was founded."
Dokken announced today that for every $100 donation to the Pawnee City Community Foundation that the donor would receive the full 8 CD set. "In this way," Dokken said, "everyone can continue to have a great ‘Vision Along the Platte River Valley'."
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You will also be able to purchase cookbooks from participating Pawnee City Chamber of Commerce members for a cost of $15 (includes sales tax) each. Mail in orders of $20 per cookbook ($15 each plus $5 postage) can be send to Pawnee City Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 6, Pawnee City, NE 68420. All proceeds from the sale of the cookbook will go to the Pawnee City Community Foundation.
For information or questions about the cookbook call Steve Glenn 402-458-9849 or email steveg@executivetravel.com.
Click here to Purchase!
Pawnee City Chamber elects new officers and board
The Pawnee City Chamber of Commerce recently completed their annual election of new board of director members for the year 2007. Currently over 56 companies and individuals are members of the Pawnee City Chamber of Commerce. Newly elected board of director members are as follows (terms ending in parenthesis):Joe Stehlik, Stehlik Law Office (2010); Dan Lovercheck, Lovercheck Financial Services (2010); Steve Glenn, Executive Travel (2010); Renee Boomgaarn, H and H Auto Parts (2009); Ron Puhalla, Pawnee Republican (2009); Joe Davis, Wherry Bros. Mortuary (2009); Carolyn VanHorne, Carolyn VanHorne Realtor (2008); Jeff Fink, State Bank of Table Rock (2008); Maxine Glynn, Union Bank (2008).
At the Annual meeting Steve Glenn was elected President; Ron Puhalla, Vice President; Renee Boomgaarn, Treasurer; and Maxine Glynn, Secretary.
The Chamber holds its monthly general membership and board of directors meeting on the first Thursday of the month at noon at Subway, 626 6th Street. Meetings last approximately one hour so that more people can attend.
Building 5 new houses tops list of Chamber projects in 2008
The Pawnee City Chamber of Commerce has a record setting list of projects in 2008. At the top of the list is the construction of five new houses in the community. Adding a full-time housing-economic development director is also a major project that should move our community miles ahead. Below is a complete list of projects the Pawnee City Chamber is planning for 2008:Construction of 5 new houses -- The Pawnee City Chamber of Commerce was instrumental in 2007 in negotiating an agreement with Crown Point Development/Vantage Point Homes to build 5 new houses in Pawnee City. During 2006 the Pawnee City Chamber of Commerce acquired 5 building lots in Pawnee City as part of the preliminary effort to be approved for a special grant. Crown Point Development/Vantage Point Homes was successful in submitted a proposal to the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and received approval for a grant to build these new homes. Ground was broken in early November, 2007 and it is anticipated that new houses will be competed this spring, 2008. These new houses will bring and estimated $650,000 to the tax rolls of our city. Chairman -- Steve Glenn, Co-chairman -- Joe Stehlik, Carolyn VanHorne
Hire a housing director and chamber administrator --This project would be to hire a full time housing/economic director to lead the housing and economic development activities of Pawnee City. This position would also provide administrative support for the Pawnee City Chamber of Commerce. The primary focus of this new position would be interfacing with the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, Nebraska Department of Economic Development and other economic development entities with a goal of building new homes, remodeling and weatherizing existing houses in the county. The building of an assisted living development for our community as well as a fitness center would also be a primary focus of this position. This position will also serve as a primary grant writer and coordinator for the City and projects around the community.
The Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) has indicated they have a program that provides matching grants of up to $25,000 per year for a three year period to help implement new positions like this. The Chamber would provide $10,000 to fund this project and request $10,000 in matching funds from the Bockenberg trust. $5,000 in funds will be requested each from the City of Pawnee and Pawnee County as well as from the Pawnee City Economic Development Corporation. A goal is to raise $60,000 to fund this activity. It is anticipated that within 36 months this position will be self-sustaining.
2008 Chairman Steve Glenn, Co-chairman Joe Stehlik, Dan Lovercheck, Alan Richard
Fireworks -- This has been a longstanding project that works with the Fire Department and the City to produce a fireworks show on the 4th of July at the fairgrounds. Chairman -- Maxine Glynn
Redbud capitol of Nebraska -- In 2006 the Nebraska Legislature designated Pawnee City as the Red Bud Capitol of Nebraska. This will be the fourth year of this project, which started in 2005 when 200 trees were given to grade school students to plant. 100 larger Redbud trees were also planted throughout the city that year. The project's goal is to plant a redbud tree on every home lot in the city. This is a primary beautification project for our city and will continue to put us on the map. Every spring we anticipate hundreds of people visiting our town as the redbud trees burst into full bloom. By 2010, as the project continues to grow we hope to expand this to include a "Redbud festival" in the spring. This year we hope to expand this project into a beautification project that plants 30 Redbud trees and 30 larger Red maple trees. This will allow us to enjoy the beauty and color of the Redbud in the spring and the blazing color of the red maple in the fall. This is an easy project with a very limited time commitment as we can plant trees on Arbor Day with the help of members, families and students. Chairman -- Joe Davis. Co-chairman --Carolyn VanHorne
Welcome to Pawnee City -- This project funded two monument signs being placed on the north and east side of town. These signs are permanent signs for the city. This project was completed in 2007 and will not need additional funding in 2008.
December holiday promotion -- This project is to hold a major holiday promotion during the holidays to encourage people to shop in Pawnee City. In 2007 the promotion was a one-day event that included a free gas giveaway ($10 Pawnee Bucks) for people who purchased $100 from participating merchants. Free soup is provided by Subway, drawings for over $2000 in prizes, and pictures with Santa are just some of the promotions. Marketing of the event will include distribution of circulars in the Pawnee Republican as well as the Humboldt Standard and the Penny Press. Sunny 101.3 radio station will also do an onsite radio broadcast the day of the event. Chairman -- Maxine Glynn, Co-chairman -- Ron Puhalla
Welcome home Alumni weekend -- This would be the fourth annual event that would invite PCHS alumni for a special barbeque to be held on the Sunday prior to Memorial Day. This tournament and BBQ is designed as a great way to encourage alumni to visit their hometown and be used to target many of the middle aged and younger alumni (ages 25-60) that do not currently participate in the Alumni association luncheon. This would also be a primary marketing and recruiting tool for retirees, etc. Effort should be made to coordinate this event with the Alumni group if possible.
Chairman -- Sharon Schilling, Co-chairman - John Defreece
Mobile sign -- In 2006 the Chamber purchase a mobile flashing sign for rent and special events. In 2007 this sign was used to promote community events. It is also available to rent by members. Chairman -- Carolyn VanHorne
Outdoor summer theater -- One of the outstanding new programs the Chamber recently was an outdoor summer theater. An average of over 100 people attended the three movies held during the month of June, 2006 and 2007. This project would be to continue offering Saturday night outdoor movies in downtown Pawnee City after sunset. Last year the project was limited to the month of June, however many people have suggested that we expand the program to offer movies during both June and July. The project offers second run movies being shown on the lot east of Pete's Pharmacy. Families bring their own lawn chairs and blankets to sit on the slope and enjoy the free movie. In 2007 the project was enhanced with the rental of an inflatable 15 X 20 foot movie screen to allow easier viewing. Last year the Pawnee County Promotional Network assisted us with the project by helping to secure a projector and sound system. Free popcorn and pop were provided by the Chamber. The movies were provided by the Pawnee Library. 2008 Chairman -- Renee Boomgaarn, Co-chairman -- Joe Davis
Postcard from Pawnee City television campaign -- We have been able to secure from Time Warner Cable an exclusive package that would allow Pawnee City to have 30 second commercials on the Travel Channel and other high profile channels throughout eastern Nebraska. These commercials would invite people to visit Pawnee City's key attractions including the Schillingbridge Winery, Heavenly Treasurers, Memory Magic, Pedal Clinic, Historical Society and others. The commercials would also allow us to offer special advertising for special events such as the Civil War Reenactment, Red Bud festival, etc. A commercial would be played once an hour for 18 hours a day, 7 days a week. This would put Pawnee City on the map. These spots could also help us promote a campaign focusing on, "Pawnee City -- A great place to live". We would anticipate requesting businesses to contribute to help fund these commercials. Also a request will be made to the City of Pawnee City. Chairman -- Steve Glenn
Downtown Beautification -- This project would be to paint one downtown building. The Chamber would provide matching funds to purchase the paint for this project. An addition project would be to install decorative flower hangers throughout downtown on the lampposts. The Chamber would help coordinate the fundraising for this project. Chairman needed.
Web site update -- This project should be completed in 2008. We would update the www.pawneecity.com website showing all the new community activities as well as allow members to have a page on the site. 2008 Chairman -- Steve Glenn, Co-chairman Joe Davis
Community Auction -- This would be a new event for the Chamber and would be the major fundraiser for our organization. A community-wide auction (similar to the Table Rock Auction) would be held on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. Chamber members would be encouraged to provide items that could be auctioned off on a commissionable basis (20%) or donated basis (provide with donation receipt for tax purposes). Our goal would be to have $50,000 in items donated the first year with net proceeds of $10,000. Chairman needed
Scholarship Committee -- Award Scholarships to PCHS seniors each year. Chairman -- Renee Boomgaarn,
Membership Committee -- Recruit and retain Chamber members. Chairman -- Carolyn VanHorne,
Members can reach Chamber President Steve Glenn during the day by calling 800-737-0582 or at night at 852-2933 or email Steve at steveg@executivetravel.com.