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THE CONNECTIONServing Businesses Since 1934 March 2015 WWW.COZADCHAMBER.COM

HighlightsSpotlight Businesses

Thrivent Financial Page 4

Sabin’s Body Shop Page 5

Shelter Insurance Ribbon Cutting Cozad 3rd Safest City

Page 6

Sylvan Learning Center Press Release and March Special

Page 7

2015 Legislative Caucus Meeting Page 8-9

Meet our Board Members Page 10-11

Chamber Banquet Page 12

Discover & Explore Tuscany Page 13

Spring Fling Gift Festival Page 14

Cozad Entertainment Series Page 15

Robert Henri 150th Birthday Celebration Schedule

Page 16

Heartland Museum Wounded Vets Fundraiser

Page 17-18

Chamber Banquet March 20, 2015 Cozad Elk’s Club

Social - 6PM * Dinner - 6:30PM Presentation & Awards - 7PM

Please RSVP by March 6 if you plan to attend.

Thrivent Financial Justin Lemmer - Financial Associate

2014 Worlds Most Ethical Company See page 4

Sabin’s Body Shop New Location & ServicesFull Service Department

New & Used TiresTire Repair, alignment &

balancing

Book & Save: Make a deposit by March 31, 2015 and save $100 per person!

Sylvan Learning Center in Cozad Partnering with the Cozad Wellness Center

Check out their March Special

Savings!

Cozad 3rd Safest City in Nebraska!

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CHAMBER CHATTERCozad Area Alzheimer’s

Dementia Support Group Thursday, March 5th

Call Central Plains Home Health & Hospice for additional

information at 784-4630.

Red Cross Blood Drive Tuesday, March 24th

11:30AM-5:30PMCatholic Church Parish Hall

To schedule an appointment, call or text Amanda at 308-660-6709.

Walk-ins are also welcome and needed!

Retirement Open House for Peg Montgomery Wish Peg Montgomery a

happy retirement on Friday, March 13th from

1:00-6:00PM at Trusdale & Trusdale

110 W 9th St

Grand Generation Center Bingo

Tuesday Nights at the Grand Generation Center (410 W 9th)

Kitchen opens at 6PM - Bingo starts at 7PM

Everyone welcome! Must be 18 to play.

Cozad Chamber of Commerce Banquet

Friday, March 20, 2015Cozad Elks Club (820 J Street)

Please join us for an evening with fellow Chamber members.

Social - 6 p.m.Dinner - 6:30 p.m.

Presentation & Awards - 7 p.m.Please RSVP to the Chamber by

Friday, March 6th.

SAVE THE DATE!! Book by March 31 and Save $100 per person

Discover and explore Tuscany with the

Cozad Chamber of Commerce! Departing October 20, 2015

For more info on this 7-night trip to Italy

contact Sandy at the Chamber 308-784-3930 or

cozadchamber@cozadtel.net Visit www.cozadchamber.com

Oven Baked Chicken Dinner Thursday, March 12th at 5:00PMGrand Generation Center - 410

W 9th StDine In or Take Out

Call by 4:00PM for carryout

American Lutheran Annual Soup Suppers

Every Wednesday February 18th through March 25th5:00PM-6:30PM at the

American Lutheran Church (200 E 12th) Funds go towards

Water for Life and the American Lutheran Church. Supplemental funds applied

for through Platte Valley Chapter of Thrivent Financial

for Lutherans.

Hunter Education Course March 23rd-25th & March

30th-31st7:00-9:00PM at the Paulsen Inc.

Offices (E Hwy 30)Register online at

www.HuntSafeNebraska.orgFor more info contact Tim Wolfe

784-2587 orGordon Lindstedt 784-3172

Spring Fling Gift Festival Saturday, March 28th

9:00AM-3:00PMCozad Grand Generation Center -

410W 9th St*Lunch served from 11AM-1PM***Lots of vendors and crafters**

Buy a ticket for a chance to win an Easter basket

filled with vendor gifts!

Eggs N Issues Saturday, April 18th

8:00-9:30AM100th Meridian Museum

Heartland Military Museum Fundraiser for Wounded

Veterans March 27-28th

March 27 at 5:30pm Banquet & Auction

at Heartland Military MuseumMarch 28

5:30 Cash Bar & Hors d’oeuvres6:30 Prime Rib Dinner

Raffle & Auction

Shooting Clincs 1000 Plus, LLC

Jeffrey Range Hosts shooting seminars from 9am-6pm with beef

brisket lunch. Clinics Include:

Defensive Carbine, Basic Handgun Clinic, Three Gun Challenge,

Cowboy Action Shooting, 1000 Yard Long Range Clinic, Weapons

of War, Open Trap RangeMarlin 1895 45-70 - Door Prize

Auction Items Multiple FirearmsReloading setupHunting Trips

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Shop at Chamber Businesses for your chance

to win $25 Weekly in Cozad Cash Dollars$2,747,900.00 Spent In Cozad!

Based solely on the number of cards turned into the Chamber office.

FebruaryCCCozad

hamberof

Congratulations to all of our winners!Thanks for Shopping Cozad!

Preferred Shopper

Rod Koch Justin Klemke

ommerce

Wayne Wolf Trish Ratkovec

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Sabin’s Body Shop - New Location & Remodel

Sabin’s Body Shop owned and managed by Sean and Randy Sabin, has recently moved to a new location and undergone a major remodel allowing them to expand their current business.

Now located on HWY 30 in Gothenburg, the spacious shop has allowed them to add a Full Service Body Shop, a second paint booth and they have also added a Full Service Department with auto repair mechanics able to work on all foreign and American

made vehicles. Sabin’s Body Shop also offer a loaner vehicle to their customers while the repairs are being done.

The extra space has been great in accommodating their popular Rhino Lining Shop which is not only used on trucks, but horse trailers, stock tanks and about anything you want to protect from the elements.

They have an awesome selection of tires and rims for any make and model of car or truck. With access to over 75 brands including Michelin, Firestone, BF Goodrich, Goodyear, Hankook, and Mickey Thompson they are sure to have whatever it is you’re looking for and if they don’t have it in stock, they can usually get it the following morning.

To get the best life out of your tires, it is recommended

that you rotate them every 7500 miles and keep your vehicle properly aligned. Sabin’s Body Shop uses the new state of the art top of the line Hunter Alignment system and their

Alignment Technicians are Hunter certified.

Sabin’s still offer auto body repair and restoration on top of all of their services!

To make an appointment for your vehicle, call Sabin’s Body Shop at

308-537-5664.

New Location - 402 8th Street, Gothenburg

Rhino Lining on Truck

Rhino Lining on Dumpster

Auto Body Technician Paint Booth

Tire Alignment & Balancing

Service and Tire Department

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Cozad - 3rd Safest City in Nebraska

Shelter Insurance - Megan Fales

1. O’NeillViolent Crimes per 1,000: .26 Property Crimes per 1,000: 6.182. AuburnViolent Crimes per 1,000: 1.14Property Crimes per 1,000: 5.433. CozadViolent Crimes per 1,000: .24 Property Crimes per 1,000: 10.214. Falls CityViolent Crimes per 1,000: .92 Property Crimes per 1,000: 10.585. AuroraViolent Crimes per 1,000: 1.56Property Crimes per 1,000:

According to SafeWise.com, Cozad is rated the 3rd safest city in the state of Nebraska. If you look at just the number of Violent Crimes per 1,000, we are the safest city in Nebraska!

Many thanks to our Law Enforcement who are dedicated in keeping our community a safe place to live, work and play.

Cozad is a community of friends and neighbors who care enough to look out for each other and report suspicious behavior.

I am so pleased to be a part of such a caring community!

Left to Right: Clint Leffler, Robyn Geiser, Scott Trusdale, Linda Gadway, Kaitlyn Naylor, Kerry Crotinger, Megan Fales, Charlie Block, Lindsay Erickson, Holly Lindstedt, Dawn Beans, PJ Jacobson

The Cozad Chamber of Commerce hosted a Ribbon Cutting on Tuesday, February 24 for Shelter Insurance located at 122 East 8th Street in downtown Cozad. As Cozad’s Shelter agent, Megan Fales is available to help you choose the right coverage at the right price, while providing the quality service you expect. Shelter Insurance offers Home, Auto, Life, Renters, Personal Articles, Business Insurance, ATV, Boat, Motorcycle, RV and Farm Insurance. Feel free to give Megan a call to discuss your insurance options at 308-784-4050.

6. WahooViolent Crimes per 1,000: .21 Property Crimes per 1,000: 12.937. SewardViolent Crimes per 1,000: .85 Property Crimes per 1,000: 13.438. SidneyViolent Crimes per 1,000: 1.32Property Crimes per 1,000: 14.739. BlairViolent Crimes per 1,000: .86 Property Crimes per 1,000: 15.3610. GeringViolent Crimes per 1,000: .35Property Crimes per 1,000: 16.08

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Local Sylvan Learning Moves to the Head of the Class

Contact: Debra Smith * 308.532.4441 * sylvan.northplatte@gmail.com

PRESS RELEASE: North Platte NE, February 11, 2015

At Sylvan Learning’s National Conference in Palm Desert CA, North Platte Sylvan Learning took Top Honors for new franchisees, scoring more than five perfect “10”’s in Customer Service and Satisfaction, Overall Customer Approval Rating over 90% and ranking in the Top 20 for Best Trained Sylvan Centers in the company.

Of all the accolades received, Debra Smith, Executive Director and owner, is most proud that North Platte Sylvan Learning was recognized for outperforming Sylvan Learning Centers almost 2 to 1 in Student’s Reading and Math Skill Growth. “As a fairly new franchise owner it was a great honor to be recognized among my peers but what’s most important is this speaks volumes about our teachers and our process,” Smith said, “students thrive at Sylvan due directly to our customized learning experience. We hear it every day from students and their families.”

“The Sylvan Learning process is simple really,” Smith said, “students thrive when they work on customized programs with an inspiring teacher. The students stay engaged and focused on just the skills they need.” Sylvan has a patented Sylvan Insight program that identifies the specific areas of need and custom designs a program around each individual student. This assures future success and confidence.

Sylvan Learning Center first opened its doors in North Platte in 2008. At that time is was owned by Lori Roh of Abie NE. In June of 2014, Smith and her husband David purchased the franchise. She had served as the center’s director for three years so when the opportunity to purchase the franchise came available she and her husband didn’t hesitate.

Since then, Smith has expanded services to Dawson County with a satellite center at the Community Wellness Center in Cozad. Sylvan is also working with the Lexington Public Schools, to date gifting over $5,000 to LPS.

The North Platte Sylvan Center encompasses a large geographic area and is the westernmost franchise in the state. Because it covers such a wide area, it is not unheard of for students to travel as much as 2 ½ hours one way to Sylvan. Future plans call for expansion to both the west and south of North Platte to better serve those students.

As the leading supplemental education resource in every community Sylvan serves, the goal is preparing today’s generation for greater success in life. Because every child is unique, Sylvan provides a customized learning experience, tailored to each child’s exact needs. This focus on the individual will help today’s learners grow, stretch and become whomever they aspire to be.

Some of Sylvan’s new learning opportunities are in STEM learning. Programs in Robotics, Computer Coding/Game Design and Math independence have been added to the current programs available at Sylvan.

About Sylvan Learning, Inc. With over 35 years of experience and more than 800 locations throughout North America, Sylvan Learning is the leading provider of personal learning for students in grades K-12. As the leader in supplemental education, Sylvan is transforming how students learn, inspiring them to succeed in school and in life. Sylvan’s proven tutoring approach blends amazing teachers with SylvanSync™ technology on the iPad® for an engaging learning experience. Sylvan programs include study skills, math, reading, writing, and test-prep for college entrance and state exams. Sylvan also provides educational services to public and non-public schools. The company was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. For more information, call 1-800-31-SUCCESS, visit www.SylvanLearning.com or Sylvan’s blog at www.SylvanLearning.com/blog.

March  Special  at  Sylvan  We  are  offering  the  opportunity  for  an  academic  check-­‐up  for  a  Special  Savings  for  the  month  of  March.  This  will  give  you  a  chance  to  see  how  your  child  is  doing.  Are  they  below  peers,  way  above  or  right  on  track?  Now  is  the  Ame  to  find  out.  Just  in  Ame  because  students  have  60  days  to  change  their  grade  and  Sylvan  is  the  place  it  can  happen.  Call  our  direct  line  at  308.532.4441  or  888-338-2283. Just  a  reminder  that  we  are  in  Cozad  and  proud  to  be  partnering  with  the  Cozad  Community  Wellness  Center  as  our  locaAon  for  instrucAon.

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2015 Legislative Annual MeetingI attended the 2015 Legislative Caucus Meeting and NCCE Meeting (Nebraska Chamber of Commerce Executive) held in Lincoln. It¹s always helpful to hear the stances the State Chamber is taking on the different bills being introduced.

The State Chamber was in support of LB398 - Personal Property Tax Relief as long as it wasn't a shift resulting in a tax increase elsewhere such an increase to Income Tax. High property taxes in Nebraska in particular are discouraging industries and businesses from locating in the state. We are in the top 10 nationwide for high property taxes.

In Economic Development, the big talk was on LB609-Bridge Repair which the State Chamber was in support of. Many county bridges are in very poor shape making it somewhat dangerous for heavy farm equipment and trucks to cross. This bill would set up a process of prioritizing county bridge projects by creating the Nebraska Bridge Repair Commission. The issue the State Chamber was concerned with was how the project would be funded. Popular discussion included a 1¢ tax on gas which the State Chamber was opposed to since Nebraska has the highest tax of all seven states around us. Raising the gas tax would encourage motorists near state boarders to cross into the next state to gas up their vehicles.

There was much talk about the issues facing Workforce. With low unemployment rates, it has been difficult for industries to find employees trained in skilled labor. This issue is also affecting the state¹s ability to lure in new industries and businesses. LB410 - Career Education Scholarships would change eligibility provisions of the Access College Early Scholarship Program Act.

LB410 would add career plans of study to the program¹s criteria, to ensure more career focus among high school students. The State Chamber was in support of this bill and felt that schools need to educate students better in choosing a career instead of focusing on choosing a college. Barry Kennedy felt that once a career is chosen by the student, then they could concentrate on choosing a college. They also felt that too much emphasis on attending a 4-year college was being placed on students. 4-year college students are graduating with tremendous debt and having a difficult time in many cases, finding a job that can support them and pay off their college debt in a reasonable amount of time. On the other hand, students attending Tech Schools are graduating with far less debt and entering the job force making far higher wages than many of those students with a 4-year degree.

The State Chamber would also like to see high school students working in businesses and industries that would give them a taste of the career they are seeking before the student enters college enabling them to save money by giving students an opportunity to see if the job would be to their liking and a career they could do long term. This career academy education would begin in Kindergarten by encouraging young students to think about what they would like do when they grow up.

The State Chamber realized that the current push on test-based education does not allow time for career education, but are foreseeing a possible change in or moving away from the No Child Left Behind curriculum in an effort to better educate and prepare students for success in the career force.

The State Chamber also addressed the Preschool and Daycare issues throughout the state. It has become very difficult for employed parents and business owners to find daycare/preschool for their children. They feel that the regulations and the cost of liability insurance is the cause of the daycare/preschool shortage. The state officials and State Chamber is in the process of addressing this issue as it definitely affects businesses across the state.

High-Quality Pre-K education has been shown to decrease special education placement by 49% and reduce grade retention by 50%, decrease child abuse and neglect by 51% and juvenile arrests by 33%, increase high school graduation by 31% and college attendance by more than 80%; an increase employment by 23%. (See Journal Star Article)

I was really excited to hear this focus on career academy type of education and I am very pleased that this very type of education is a goal of our Cozad Community Schools Superintendent, Joel Applegate, who has experience in secondary education also.

I am thrilled to hear about the Pre-K preschool program for 4 year olds that our Cozad Early Education Department is currently working on. They are in the process of writing grants for the preschool in hopes of completing the project for this fall. I was surprised to discover recently how many parents from the surrounding area were seeking daycare and preschool in Cozad due to a lack of quality care in their own communities. Our excellent care and education offered at our daycare/preschools is well known in the surrounding communities. This influx of interest speaks very highly of the quality, staff and services in our Early Education Department and facilities in Cozad!

I’m also very proud of our business owners who are more than willing to support the education of our Cozad students, as well as, our Education Department as a whole. They have become close partners through monetary support, opening their business to accept work study students, etc. Together we are making a difference!

by Sandy Bappe

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Meet Our Board Members

B.J. Malcom is an attorney with Malcom & Nelsen Law Office in Cozad. Originally from Eustis, he received his undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Northern Colorado in 2004 and his juris doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2007.

Prior to coming to Cozad in September 2011, B.J. spent four years on active duty in the United States Air Force as a Judge Advocate assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing and the Air Force Legal Operations Agency. He continues to serve as a Judge Advocate in the Air Force Reserve.

Mike Millican has recently moved to Cozad, Nebraska. A long time Lexington resident he most recently managed the Wal-Mart Supercenter for 27 years before leaving that organization. He is currently serving as manager of Sonny's Super Foods and evangelist for the Northside Church of Christ in Lexington.

He attended Junior High and High School in Lexington then after 4 years at Kearney State College (double major, English and economics) he met and married Anita Shelor of Lexington. She is currently the deposit side operations officer at Pinnacle Bank in Lexington.

They have one daughter (Katie Mayfield) who lives in Lincoln with her husband who they proudly call son (Dustin Mayfield) and one golden retriever grand puppy (named Comet.)

President

Melanie Nutt has taught band and music for 33 years and took an early retirement in 2010. She is presently working part-time at the Tri-City Trib newspaper; she also substitute teaches in area schools; is employed by B.I.D. to take care of downtown flowers and trees; mow lawns and umpires the summer and high school softball.

Melanie is also a Parish Ministry Associate in the Nebraska Synod ELCA and active in the American Lutheran Church in Cozad. She is also a TeamMate Mentor

She is married to Bob Nutt and has 4 children, 4 grandchildren with a 5th on the way!

Vice-President

Lindsay Erickson grew up in and graduated from Cozad. After High School, Lindsay and her daughter Bryaunna moved to Lincoln where she attended Southeast Community College earning an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration with emphasis in Accounting. She also attended Joseph's College of Beauty where she earned a degree in Cosmetology and is a Licensed Cosmetologist.

Lindsay is employed at First Bank & Trust of Cozad as a Loan Administrator and is also the owner of E’clipz Salon in downtown Cozad.

Lindsay is currently President of the Cozad Jaycees and also serves on the Chamber of Commerce’s Civic Affairs Committee. She is an active member in the Cozad United Methodist Church, and is a youth leader for the Middle/High School Youth group.

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Karmen Morse was born and raised in Cozad. She is married to Mark and they have two children, a daughter Amberlyn who in college at UNK and a son Kolton who is in high school. She is active in the Cozad Ambassadors as Vice President, a committee member and secretary for the Boy Scout Troop #1189 and on the Finance Committee at the Cozad United Methodist Church

Karmen is currently employed at Homestead Bank in Cozad.

Her hobbies are reading, antique cars and participating in Boy Scout Troop activities.

Kim Sassali is employed by Western Valley Insurance & Kiffin Murphy Real Estate where she is a realtor and office manager. Kim has been married to Brett Sassali who is employed by Cozad Community Health System and an officer at the Cozad Fire Department for almost 15 years. They have three children, Tatum (12), Tag (10), and Talyn (7)

Kim was born in Cozad and after living in Denver, Colorado for 20+ years, returned to her hometown three years ago to raise their children. Kim and her family love the small town lifestyle, the great people of Cozad, and feel very blessed to have the opportunity to raise their children in her hometown.

Barry Emerson, the Executive Director at Golden Living, comes to Cozad with a near decade of Health Care Administration with emphasis in Alzheimer's Care. Barry received his Bachelors of Business Administration in Business Management as well as a BBA in Marketing from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri. In addition he received his Associates in Biblical Studies from the Berean College. The life experience as an entrepreneur, pastor, and Nursing Home Administrator help Barry marry the diverse demands in this position.

Barry, his wife Angela who is the Camp Steward at The Crossing in Lexington , Blaine (sophomore), Noah (freshman), and Zion (5th) have moved to the area from Omaha. Their eldest daughter Clair has stayed behind in Omaha to finish her Senior year at the Health and Science Academy and will spend her summer in the area before heading to college in the fall where she will continue her pre-med education. Her desire is to serve rural America as a family physician.

Dawn Beans grew up in Cozad and attended Cozad High School. She now lives in Cozad with her husband, Steve and their two sons (Travis and Morgan), and one grandson (Jacob). She is in her tenth year of teaching in Cozad. Dawn teaches business education and students with visual impairments. She received her Business Education degree in 1991 from UNK and her vision endorsement from UNL in 1993, and her Masters from Doane in 2012. She is the Student Council sponsor, Concession Director and started the student-run business, Maker’s Market, at the high school.

In her spare time she enjoys sewing, scrapbooking and spending time with her grandson. She is an avid hockey fan and they are season ticket holders for the Tri-City Storm hockey team.

Holly Lindstedt originally grew up in Curtis, NE and graduated from Medicine Valley. After college and receiving her degree in Business Administration, she married her husband Matt Lindstedt in 2006. Matt was raised in Cozad and works for Union Pacific Railroad and also Ted's Truck and Auto, which is family owned and operated. They decided to make Cozad their home and moved here in 2013. Holly is a Florist at Cozad Floral and Gifts, which is also family owned and operated.

Holly and Matt have one son, Ashton, who is a first grader at Cozad Elementary. They love being a part of a small town community. Holly enjoys attending all of her child's activities, and she and her husband love being involved with little league baseball. She is a devoted wife, mother, and is very family/community oriented.

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C C CM o v i n g b u s i n e s s F o r w a r d

T h e C o z a d A r e aChamber of Commerce

You are cordially invited to 2015 Annual Banquet

of theCozad Chamber of Commerce

Friday, March 20, 2015 Cozad Elks Club

820 J StreetCozad, NE 69130

Please join us for an evening with fellow Chamber members beginning with a social hour followed by dinner, short presentation

and awards.

Social - 6 p.m. Dinner - 6:30 p.m.

Presentation & Awards - 7 p.m.

Please RSVP to the Cozad Chamber of Commerce by Friday, March 6, cozadchamber@cozadtel.net or

308-784-3930.

Dinner choices are Prime Rib, Chicken Cordon Bleu, or Shrimp for $30 per person.

“Moving Business Forward”

Cozad Chamber of Commerce

2015 Annual Meeting & Banquet

Name ______________________________

Business Name _______________________

Meal Choice (All meals $30 per person) (Please specify how many of each meal you are ordering.)

____ Prime Rib

____ Jumbo Shrimp

____ Chicken Cordon Bleu

Please respond by March 6, 2014.

Cozad Chamber of Commerce135 West 8th StreetCozad, NE 69130

308-784-3930cozadchamber@cozadtel.net

2015

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For more information, contact Sandy Kieswetter at 308-325-2897.

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Robert Henri 150th Birthday Celebration

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Fundraiser for Nationwide Wounded Vets

Cozad Chamber Member, Heartland Military Museum, is hosting a fundraiser for wounded vets nationwide on March 27, 2015!

Other events which will take place at the 1000 Plus, LLC Range include SASS Affiliated Cowboy Action Shooting, 1000 Yard Long Range Clinic, Weapons of War 1914-1974, and Trap Range Open

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Presented by Wilson Public Library, The Robert Henri Museum,

The 100th Meridian Museum, The Cozad Area Arts Council & The Cozad Chamber Tourism Committee

2015 Choice for One Book, One Cozad

son of the

Gamblin’ man by mari sandoz

C O Z A D

BOOK

For further information on the year-long celebration,

scan QR Code or stop by participating businesses for brochure.

1865 - 2015

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COZAD AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Melanie NuttAmerican Lutheran Church

Lindsay EricksonFirst Bank & Trust

BJ MalcomMalcom & Nelson Law Office, L.L.C.

Kim SassaliKiffin Murphy Real EstateWestern Valley Insurance

Karmen MorseHomestead Bank

Mike MillicanSonny’s Super Foods

Barry EmersonGoldenLiving Center

Holly LindstedtCozad Floral & Gifts

Dawn BeansCozad Community Schools

IN THE OFFICE

Sandra BappeChamber Director

Phone: 308-784-3930Fax: 308-784-3026

Website: www.CozadChamber.com

Jeri JohnsonOffice Assistant

Email: cozadchamber@cozadtel.net

Email: cozadinfo@cozadtel.net