Chamber plans Moonlight Madness

At the October 14 Chamber of Commerce meeting held at Big Horn Federal, during old business, President Howie Samelson brought up the chamber banquet. Director Meri Ann Rush said that the planning for the banquet on October 16 started in the spring. The nominations were also made in January and February. Rush said the goal was to put the event together before the summer. At the time of the meeting, they had sold 131 tickets. 

Next, the chamber discussed the October 28 Moonlight Madness event. Rush reported they were able to get street closure from the Town. They will block off Broadway in front of Town Hall. Rush added that when she spoke to the Town Council, Interim Police Chief Pat Cornwell said he wanted to have a stronger barrier for the event. Rush accommodated Cornwell’s concern by proposing the board members park their cars in a lineup to add to the barrier. 

Under new business, Rush said they are holding the Chamber’s Lunch and Learn on October 20 at Kirby Creek Mercantile. Susan Linko will be the speaker to discuss bulk mailing and also direct mailing. For the November 17 Lunch and Learn Mortimore Funeral Home will be discussing burial funds. Rush said she knows it is an off-topic conversation but said the community needs to know about this subject matter. In January Greg Willson will speak about new insurance plans and about Medicare Advantage which is coming to Wyoming. In February, Jen Cheney will be speaking about QPR training. 

Next, the chamber discussed their Christmas Committee. Rush said they inherited the Christmas lights and decorations from the town. Rush said, “The Sunday after Veterans Day, which is Nov. 14, at 1 p.m., we are going to be decorating the downtown area. And so if anybody is available, they could come and help.” The Christmas parade will be on December 11.

Howie Samelson reported on behalf of Main Street Thermopolis that their receipt program was successful. He said about 40 receipts were brought in and that participation was good. Samelson said they were anxious about the weather, but it turned out to not be a factor. The event was for around four hours and the businesses achieved about $1,000 in retail sales. 

Rush also reported about the National Civic Bee Pilot Program, where she helped the H Diamond W Youth Camp a few years ago to apply to the Daniels Fund to help with the remodeling. During a tour, Andrea Nelson, the program officer for the Daniels Fund, spoke with Rush about getting the youth involved in civics and that she needed a chamber to pilot the program. Thermopolis will be the only chamber in the state of Wyoming participating in this program. It will be working with middle school students who will write essays for a competition.