Wow! What a nasty hail storm hit Wilber on June 3, 2014. At our farm, 12 minutes of golf ball sized hail destroyed a fall crop. We must all be thankful for no loss of life or any serious health injury due to the storm. Now, the jobs of clean up and repair has begin. Thanks goes out to Sack Lumber for opening their doors after the storm for necessary supplies needed to cover broken windows. Area car body and window repair businesses, now look like parking lots for vehicles to be repaired. Mother Nature was sassy, but we will survive! Hats off to neighbors, friends and residents of Wilber, who worked together to repair and clean up neighborhoods. Check with our local construction businesses for hail storm damage repair. I have heard welcomed reports of our local youth traveling from yard to yard, to rake up downed branches and leaves on piles, to help out Wilber residents at no charge. We didn’t need this mess, but the efforts of neighbors and friends working together in a disaster situation is uplifting. We are blessed with a fine community of caring folks.
What is happening with the Chamber? On June7th, 2014 the Alumni Banquet was held at the Wilber Sokol Hall. The Chamber provides a $2.00 Chamber Buck to each banquet guest. “Shop Wilber”. A well done event with delicious food. Past Chamber of Commerce member, Dr. Robert Travnicek was the Master of Ceremony for the evening. Former Wilber-Clatonia band instructor, Russel Workman of Lincoln, received the 2014 Wall of Fame honor, for his eight years of service to District 82. During his 8 year tenure at WC schools, the band grew from 18 members to over 90 band members, the Disney Band trips were started and the “Soup and Song” music fundraiser was created. Mr. Workman is the director of the Wilber-Clatonia Alumni Marching Band.
Don’t forget to bring your friends and neighbors and enjoy a picnic lunch and an evening of entertainment at the Wilber Care Center on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 as we celebrate the birth of the USA. The Wilber Care Center hosts this event and the Chamber of commerce donates funds to the Care Center to be used for the special “American Pie” grand stand performance and the fireworks show. This event will begin with the serving of a free picnic lunch starting at 6:30 with polka music by the Czechland Trio. Games for the children, bingo, a bounce house and a cake walk will be going on at this time also. At 8:30, “American Pie”, a 50’s & 60’s, patriotic and country music grand stand entertainers will perform and at dark the evening will be completed with a fine display of fireworks. Bring your lawn chairs and mark your calendar for a nice evening of fun in Wilber.
For some garden fresh produce, stop by the Hotel Wilber Patio every Thursday, from 4:00 to 6:30 pm. A vendor fee is not charged.
A lucky winner will leave Wilber on Sunday night, August 3, 2014, driving a 2014, red, Jeep Cherokee. This vehicle is worth $25,979.00. The Wilber Chamber of Commerce sponsors a vehicle raffle in conjunction with the Wilber Czech Festival. Only 350 tickets are sold for this raffle. The first ticket drawn for this event receives a vehicle, with nine other tickets drawn, each receiving $100.00. Since the late 1990’s, the Chamber of Commerce Raffle has given nearly $100,000.00 for various projects dedicated to the improvement of Wilber. Brenda Watson, is the funds utilization officer for this project and Brad Kalkwarf, provides legal counsel and guidance to meet the State of Nebraska, Gaming Commission regulations. Thank you to all chamber members who help with selling tickets for this worthwhile event.
The Wilber Chamber of Commerce consists of 52 business members and 18 individuals members. Please “Shop Wilber” as we work together to keep Wilber strong. Remember active Chamber member, Twila Wanek as we offer sympathy to her in the loss of Gene Wanek. We personally offer sincere thanks to this fine group of caring Chamber members, who offered us condolences in the recent loss of my mom, Shirley Kohout. Those desirable traits and ethics only confirm what a fine community Wilber is.
As always,
Sheryl Kastanek