Ribbon Cutting, Politics, and Pizza in the Park

PICTURED ABOVE: A beloved park gets a new name

Ribbon Cutting, Politics, and Pizza in the Park
By Charles Chandler
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On July 19th the River Country Chamber of Commerce held their quarterly meeting in White Cloud Park with a sizeable crowd of Chamber members, Rotarians and politicians giving the event that lovely Norman Rockwell small town look and feel.
Chamber Director Colleen Lynema organized the event and it turned out perfect by combining a warm summer evening, an open pavilion with...

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... the sparkling White River nearby, food and drink aplenty, an abundance of optimism and about 20 campaigning politicians.  

The theme of this quarterly Chamber meeting was collaboration. To underscore that theme the Rotarians, Chamber Members and City officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony officially changing the name of the park to City of White Cloud Rotary Park.  The Rotary Chapter has provided funds for park enhancements including a rustic log pavilion, a variety of new trees and most recently two new charcoal grills while the City provides labor and supplies for Park maintenance and upkeep.  

Chamber Chair Scott Faulkner facilitated the meeting and opened with a heartfelt prayer and pledge of allegiance.   He restated the many benefits to be had by being a Chamber member and said that River Country is strong, growing, and numbers over 250 members. White Cloud City Manager Lora Kalkofen and Mark Guzniczak from The Right Place provided business updates.

 Scott Swinehart was the keynote speaker and delivered a presentation on the Power of Collaboration in White Cloud, making some interesting comparisons of business development in White Cloud during the 1920s and 30s and today.  He pointed to the North Central Co-op Facilities soon to be located in the Industrial Park as an example of successful collaboration.

Networking and politicking was assisted by delicious pizza appetizers from Sally's What'ta Pizza and cold summer beverages served up by Robin Faulkner owner and operator of the River Stop Café.
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All in all it proved to be a memorable evening as these organizations came together for the renaming of a classic city park while adding in a little mingling and the chance to meet the fine folks looking to gain, regain or retain a seat in the upcoming election.

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