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The Chamber will be honoring an Outstanding Business, Person & Child from the Milford Community during the Opening Ceremony of

Fun Days on Aug., 14th. Please send your nomination(s) with a short write-up to: chamber@milford-ne.com or PO Box 174,

Milford, NE 68405-0174

Milford Chamber of Commerce

Community Newsletter July 7, 2015

Volume 27, Issue 1

2015 Board of Directors

Nancy Jantze, President

◊ SCC – Milford Campus

Josie Stauffer, Vice President

◊ Sunrise Country Manor

Susan Nitzsche

◊ Jones Bank

Roger Wittrock

◊ Pizza Kitchen

Kurt Kadlec

◊ Farmers & Merchants Bank

Katie Wergin

◊ InsureNE

Kylie Schildt

◊ Advanced Association Management

Lindsay Kohout

◊ Secretary/Treasurer

FREE!

TAKE ONE!

×Outstanding Business ×Outstanding Child ×Outstanding Person

Chamber Membership in

Nebraska Main Street Program

By: Josie Stauffer

Early this year, the chamber in partnership with the city of

Milford became a member of the Nebraska Main Street program.

Nebraska Main Street "was established in 2013 as a non-profit to

serve as the state coordinator for Nebraska’s nationally accredited

statewide Main Street program. The Main Street program is a

national model designed to educate communities about place

based downtown revitalization using historic preservation as the

basis. Better educated communities bring jobs, investment, and

people to small towns and commercial districts. Local Main Street

programs leverage their own private investment and capitalize on

the unique appeal of traditional commercial business districts. The

result is one of the most successful economic revitalization

strategies in the country. The Nebraska Main Street Network is

dedicated to coordinating resources and providing education to

communities across the state so they have the knowledge and skills

to revitalize their traditional commercial business districts."

The chamber has plans to work with Nebraska Main Street to

further develop their vision for serving the community and

promoting its economic growth. It plans to use the Main Street

membership to provide expanded education opportunities for

Milford business leaders while building a solid business retention

and expansion plan for the health and continued growth of the

community.

Through continued efforts in the Main Street program and further

identification of solid resources, the chamber will remain

persistent in its effort to support the local economy and

community as a whole. For more information on the Nebraska Main Street program, visit

https://nemainstreet.wordpress.com. Quoted material taken from

Nebraska Main Street website.

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Mark your calendars for Milford Fun Days, August 14-16! The annual three day event will again feature exciting

events such as the craft booths, antique tractor and car show, parade, inflatable games, and much more. The

planning committee chose the theme Rock the Bricks with hopes to add a music element to the community

festival. New to this year’s lineup will feature a ball drop, community church service, themed fun run, coed

softball tournament, and concert event.

The opening ceremonies will kick off with the Bounce the Bricks ball drop. Over 200 bouncy balls will be dropped

onto First Street with multiple balls offering prizes – one being a crisp $100 bill.

Another new addition is a community church service to be held on Friday evening. This will offer all community

members the opportunity to gather together outside the Bellwood Mennonite Church for a nondenominational

church service just as the sun sets. After the church service, attendees can enjoy the fireworks display which has

been moved to Friday night.

The Fun Days events will then start back up at 7:00 a.m. with the Rock N’ Run 1 Mile, 5K, and 10K. Runners of all

ages are invited to run like a rock star throughout Milford dressed as their favorite music genre or decade. Those

not running can also participate by forming DJ Teams where they can blast their favorite music at different

stations along the route to help cheer on the runners. “I’m excited about the theme for this year’s Fun Run! I

think it will definitely add a little flavor to the run, especially with the 10K option,” says Milford assistant cross

country coach, Lindsey Sample.

If you aren’t looking to break a sweat running, the new coed softball tournament is for you. Aptly named the

Milford’s Greatest Hits Tournament, the coed slow pitch softball tournament allows for eight teams consisting of

10-14 players to go head-to-head in a double elimination tournament. The tournament will follow ASA rules and

regulations for coed slow pitch. For more registration information visit facebook.com/milfordslowpitch.

On Saturday evening the concert will be held at the intersection of First and B streets. The first annual Rock the

Bricks concert will open with Milford’s own B Street Band, followed by Jessika Nickel, aspiring singer and

songwriter from Friend, NE. This year’s headliner, the Dylan Bloom Band will begin at 10:00 p.m. with Colton

Wehrs of Double L DJ keeping the music and energy alive between performances. The doors will open at 7:00

p.m. with $10 admission, $5 for those 18 and under, and free for kids five and under. The beer garden will be a

gated area 21 and over, and will stay open until 12:00 a.m. “We designed a dynamic layout that allows for

separate stage front views for both the family area and those 21 and over,” says Kylie Schildt, part of the event

coordinating duo consisting of herself and Tiffany Fougeron. “Our main goal for the concert was to engage the

23-45 year old crowd but we still wanted the event to be family friendly.” The support from the Milford

community has been outstanding. The concert planning pair was able to raise over $5,000 in sponsorships for

the event. “A special thanks goes to our Patron Level Sponsor, Farmers and Merchants Bank and our Friend

Level Sponsors, Stop N’ Shop and Milford Chamber of Commerce,” added Tiffany Fougeron “Their support truly

made our vision for the concert possible.”

For more information about signing up to participate or volunteer visit facebook.com/rockthebricks and

facebook.com/milfordfunrun or email kjschildt@youraam.com.

New Events Added To Milford Fun Days:

Concert and Much More!

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Advanced Association Management

Austin Company

Bellwood Mennonite Church

Beth-El Mennonite Church

Burkey Farms Inc./Slepicka Construction

Casey’s General Store #1622

CEDARS Foster Care

City of Milford

Crestview Care Center

Dragonfly Coffee House

East Fairview Mennonite

Educational Service Unit #6

Farmers & Merchants Bank

Farmers Cooperative

Fossil Fuels, LLC

G & P Development Landfill

Gatherings on the Blue

Gerhold Concrete Company

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Grace Missionary Church

Hauder & Martin Inc.

Havlat Computers

Heartland Log Crafters & Sons

Heyen Tax & Accounting Inc.

Home Real Estate—Stacy Hartgerink

InsureNebraska & Premier Real Estate

Jantze Group Inc.

Jones National Bank & Trust Company

JRS Roofing, Inc.

Juice Plus+ - Darla Armstrong

K&T Auto Cleaning

Kohout Farm Repair, LLC

Lauber-Moore Funeral Homes

Leichty Rentals

Martin Excavating Inc.

Midwest Feeding Company

Midwest Tree Cutters

Milford A/C & Appliance Inc.

Milford Area Historical Society

Milford Assembly of God Church

Milford Chiropractic Clinic

Milford Dairy Queen

Milford Dental Clinic

Milford Family Medical Center

Milford Frame Clinic & Autos/Alimo Storage Rentals

Milford Housing Authority—Linden Village

Milford Mennonite Church

Milford Pharmacy

Milford Physical Therapy

Milford Plumbing Inc.

Milford Public Schools

Milford Times

Nelson Contracting, LLC

NPPD

Pac ‘N’ Save—Milford

Pizza Kitchen

Randy’s Studio

Roth Aerial Spraying, Inc.

SB22 Properties, LLC

SCC-Milford Campus

Schlueter Repair & Specialties

Schweitzer Customs

Seward County Bridges

Seward County CASA

Seward County Independent

Seward County Pheasants Forever

Seward County Public Transit

Sheri’s Bar & Grill

Stelling Carpentry & Construction

Stop ‘N’ Shop—Milford

Subway Motors Company

Subway Sandwiches—Milford

Sunrise Country Manor

Super Spray Car Wash & Super Storage/Roth & Troyer Construction

The Garbage Company

Total Essence Salon

Troyer Insurance Inc.

Turning Point Behavioral Health & Addiction Counseling

United Methodist Church

Uribe Refuse Services Inc.

Watson Automotive Service & Sales

Wergin’s Lawn Service

Your PC Xpress—Matt Meierdierks

Crestview Care Center Crestview Care Center is now offering

Nutritious lunches delivered to your door with

our Meals On Wheels Program. For more information please call 402-761-2661

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Friday, August 14th

1:00-3:30 Deliver Quilts to Milford Physical Therapy - Glenda Maury (402) 641-3920

5:00-7:00 Potato Bake - Senior Center

5:00-8:00 Inflatable Games - City Park

- Tickets $1.00 Each - Wristbands -$5 Fri., $15 Sat., $20 Both Days

5:00 Food Booths Open

6:00 Opening Ceremony

- 2nd & “B” Street

- National Anthem, Flag Raising, Awards

-American Legion Flag Disposal 2nd & B

7:00 Corner Star Dance Studio Performance

- 2nd & “B” Street

7:00 Popcorn

- Sponsored by Milford Chamber

- Staffed by Crestview Care Center Personnel

8:00 Bounce the Bricks “Ball Drop”

-Bouncy balls released, some worth money

- B Street

8:15 Community Church Service -Bellwood Mennonite Church - 520 S. B Street -In parking lot – bring lawn chairs

9:00 Fireworks Display - SCC, Southwest Parking Lot

- Sponsored by Milford Chamber of Commerce

Saturday, August 15th

7:00 Milford “Electric Avenue” Fun Run - Starts at Farmers & Merchants Bank, 1st & ‘C’ Street

- Registration at 6:30 - Kylie Schildt 761-2216 - Sponsored by: Crop Insurance Solutions, and Too Fast Supply

7:00-10:00 Community Pancake Breakfast - Milford Fire Hall

- Sponsored by Milford Kiwanis

7:00-12:00 Farmers Market - Senior Center Lawn - Susan Nitzsche

8:00 Food Booths Open

Saturday, August 15th - continued

8:00-10:30 Milford Chamber of Commerce Business Expo - Setup starting at 7:00A.M. - Fire Hall - Dee Erb @ 761-2481

8:00-3:00 Friends of the Library Book Sale - Webermeier Bldg., Free Will Donation

8:00-4:00 Craft Booths & Vendors Open - Setup starting at 7:00AM

- City Park & Senior Center

- Cati Havens 402-705-7398

9:00-12:00 FFA Petting Zoo - City Park

- Jim Wissenburg – FFA Advisor

9:00-3:00 Antique Tractor Show - Setup starting at 8:00A.M.

- Darin Meyer 761-2590 - Sponsored by Ackerman Rock & Gravel

- Tractors on West side of B St.

9:00-3:00 Show & Shine Car Show - Registration at 8:00A.M. - Mark & Sharon Bright – 761-3114/761-2256 - Cars on East Side of B St.

9:00-4:00 Milford Slow Pitch Softball

- City Ball Fields

- Kylie Schildt

-Proceeds go towards the concert

9:00-5:00 Free Rock Climbing Wall - 2nd & C Street

- Sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Milford

9:00 Bike Rodeo - Registration starts at 8:45A.M - Milford Family Clinic Parking Lot, 2nd & ‘C’ Street - Amy Danekas - Sponsored by Amy Danekas, Total Essence Salon &

Farmers & Merchants Bank

10:00-3:00 Quilt Show - Milford Physical Therapy

- Glenda Maury (402) 641-3920

10:00 Kiddie Tractor Pull - Registration starting at 9:30AM

-“C” street between 2nd & 3rd - Pull Sponsored by Stacy Hartgerink, Realtor w/Home Real Estate & Wayne Hartgerink w/Heartland Auto Body

-1st place prize sponsored by Pizza Kitchen (Mini Pizza) - 2nd place prize sponsored by Dairy Queen (Small Blizzard) - Every participant will receive a can of pop from Heartland Auto Body

*Schedule of events, subject to change

Milford Family Fun Days 2015

“Rock the Bricks” August 14th – 16th

Schedule of Events

Sponsored in part by:

the Milford Community

Chamber of Commerce

For all Registration forms:

www.milfordnechamber.com

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Saturday, August 15th - continued

10:00-8:30 Inflatable Games

11:00 Crete ATA Martial Arts Academy

-City Park

11:00-1:00 Husker Ticket Raffle, Kid Activities, Photo Booth & Popcorn - Farmers & Merchants Bank

- City Park - Sponsored by Farmers & Merchants Bank

1:00 Antique Tractor Games

- “B” Street

1:00-3:00 Train Rides

- Sponsored by Jones Bank

2:00-3:00 Historical Society Presentation

-Firehall

-Joyce Forst

3:30-4:30 Inflatable Games– CLOSED FOR PARADE

4:00 Fun Days Parade - Line up starting at 3:00PM

- West 1st & Welsh Park Road

- Joe Schluckebier 761-2291 - Sponsored by InsureNebraska

5:00-7:00 Pulled Pork Picnic Supper - Milford Fire Hall

-Pulled Pork Sandwiches, choice of sides & beverages -$5.00 for 12yrs and up; $3.00 for 4-11yr -All proceeds go towards Milford Troop 290

6:00 Supreme Master Martial Arts Demonstration

-1st & B (in front of Firehall)

7:00 Rock The Bricks Concert

-7:00-8:00 B Street Band

-8:30 Jessika Nickel

-10:00 Dylan Bloom Band

- Main Street – 1st & B Street

- Sponsored by Milford Chamber

8:30 Inflatable Games CLOSE

Sunday, August 16th

1:00 Park Clean-Up - Milford BSA Troop 290 & Pack 290

2:00 Family Adventure Race -Check in at 1:30 pm - Race starts at 2:00 pm - Craig Bontrager 761-2454

*Schedule of events, subject to change

Milford Family Fun Days 2015

“Rock the Bricks” August 14th – 16th

Schedule of Events - CONTINUED

Chamber Gift Certificates ……

make wonderful employee gifts! Support

your Chamber Business partners with

this ‘something for everyone’ gift idea.

Available in any amount at Jones Bank –

Milford, Farmers & Merchants Bank –

Milford, and Pizza Kitchen.

Upcoming Chamber Events!

July 9th - Chamber Members Meeting

@Noon, Pizza Kitchen

Aug. 5th - Chamber Board Meeting

@Noon, Pizza Kitchen

Aug. 13th Chamber Members Meeting

@Noon, Pizza Kitchen

Aug. 14th-16th Milford Family Fun Days

“Rock the Bricks”

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Over the past year, Milford Community Development has worked extensively towards building a public, private

partnership for the development of the Milford community. The group, made up of community volunteers, has

met consistently each week to pursue resources and opportunities for Milford.

The main goals of the group can be divided into three focus areas areas: the growth and development of new

and existing business, the visual appeal and marketing potential of the city, and the involvement and

encouragement of new and existing civic projects and entities.

Milford Community Development has been primarily focused on the downtown as a center for business growth

and community involvement. It has been identified as a key first step toward the continued investment in the

future of Milford.

Last summer, Milford Community Development focused on bringing awareness to downtown revitalization.

Working with an independent contracting firm, a "parklet" (or small outdoor seating area) was installed in front

of the Pizza Kitchen during Milford Fun Days. The group hoped to initiate discussion within the community on

the potential for downtown improvements.

Over the past several months, Milford Community Development, in partnership with the city and Seward

County Economic Development, has undertaken an application for Certified Community status with the

Nebraska Department of Economic Development (NEDED). Certified Community status indicates a

documented readiness for economic development and is publicly recognized by NEDED as an economic

development leader.

Coinciding with the Certified Community Application, Milford Community Development is also in the process

of applying for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for downtown revitalization. This competitive

grant would allow Milford to develop a cohesive master plan for downtown development as well as provide a

funding for downtown projects. The grant is $30,000 for the planning phase and $350,000 for implementation.

Milford is currently one of 11 communities competing for this funding.

Milford Community Development continues to meet actively and hopes to continue to build and pursue its goals

for the betterment of the community. The group is open to the public and meets each Wednesday at 4 pm.

Milford Community Development is actively seeking involvement and input from the people of Milford and

hopes to continue to act as a hub for the promotion of a healthy and active community spirit. For more

information, please visit www.milfordhub.com or like us on Facebook.

Milford Community

Development Progress

Updates By: Josie Stauffer

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Show & Shine

Saturday, August 15th, 2015

Milford Family Fun Days Milford, Nebraska

No Entry Fee

Register between 1st and 2nd Street

On B Street From 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Show and Shine is from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Parade at 4:00 p.m.

Also

Craft Booths and Vendors In the City Park

Between 2nd and 3rd Street Tractor Show on 1st to 2nd Street

Contact Mark and Sharon Bright

At 402-761-3114 or 402-761-2256

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MATERIAL SALES LATEST EQUIPMENT ADDED TO THE

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CONTACT: DAN @ 761-2848

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