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Hancock County Chamber breakfast, upcoming events; guest speaker Bud Walters, Cromwell Media

The Hancock County Chamber of Commerce Breakfast was Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m. on November 8 at the Hancock County Career Center. The Chamber Business of the Month and Chamber Breakfast sponsor was Cromwell Media. Owner Bud Walters traveled from his home in Tennessee to speak at the event. Also, Chelsea Boling, Chamber President, gave an announcement of upcoming events.

Walters made a joke at the beginning of his speech that had the entire room laughing: “In the paper (Clarion) the other day, it was reported that I would be talking about planning & zoning. So I’m surprised any of you showed up.”

He noted the synchronicity of election day and the start of WKCM in Hawesville. “Fifty years ago in 1972 was the day WKCM signed on the air. Officially it was November 7 which was yesterday. But, emotionally, for me, today is the day because it’s election day.

In Hancock County in 1972, planning and zoning was still a new idea. To give you the history of the station, I applied to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) in 1969 to build the station here and it took 3 years to get it because 2 people applied to build one in Owensboro on the same frequency and only one could be granted. I felt like I would win because we had no service in Hancock County and they already had 2-4 radio stations in Owensboro.

FCC and FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approvals and we had to raise the approach paths for the airport to be able to build the tower. So then we had some turmoil there with the FAA. We got through that. The final thing was to come to Hawesville to work with the City Council because somebody decided that where we wanted to build the tower was not zoned properly. It needed a spot zoning and nobody had ever done a spot zoning in Hancock County.”

After his experience with getting the station up and running, Walters partnered with late County Attorney Harold Wayne Newton to get Country Farmstead Subdivision near Vastwood started and he explained how their goal was to follow all of the rules for planning & zoning in Hancock County at that time in order to eventually establish the infrastructure that was necessary for it to provide more homes for citizens to purchase and live in, which got the ball rolling toward more projects that benefited the community.

 Upcoming Events

Chelsea Boling, Chamber President, outlined the recent Chamber newsletter for members with the announcement of several important upcoming events. “We have a partnership with the City of Lewisport at this time and we’re going to have a Chamber Holiday Market at Christmas in the Park. Last year was a fantastic success. We’re hoping to have good weather again and another great turnout. If you’re a vendor and not already signed-up, reach out to us and we’ll get you registered. If not, plan to attend. It’s a really fun event. A lot of activities for kids and things will be going on Friday night (from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.), December 2.

The next day are the parades on December 3.  We also have Holiday Open Houses this weekend.” The Holiday Market in downtown Lewisport will be on December 2 and December 3.

THIS WEEKEND – Please mark your calendar to support these local, small businesses during their Holiday Open Houses

  * A&B Florist, located at 160 Main Cross Street in Hawesville will have their open house on Saturday, November 12, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. & Sunday, November 13, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

   *Hello Pop, located at 150 Main Cross Street in Hawesville will be having their open house on Saturday, November 12, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. & Sunday, November 13, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

   *Bright Star Nursery located at 4825 US Hwy 60 W in Lewisport is having their open house on Sunday, November 13, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

   *Truly Gifted located at 8165 US Hwy 60 W in Lewisport is having their open house on Saturday, November 12, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. & Sunday, November 13, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

   *4J’s Supply/Aces Boots & Sporting Goods located at 8155 US Hwy 60 W in Lewisport is having their open house on Saturday, November 12, 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

 

Small Business Saturday

   In addition, Boling announced the Chamber’s upcoming Small Business Saturday. “We also have Small Business Saturday coming up November 27 – the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  Stop by small businesses in Hancock County to support them as you’re doing your holiday shopping.”

 

Hancock Lights at Vastwood Park – Saturday, December 10 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

   “Hancock Lights at Vastwood Park starts on December 10,” Boling said. “It’s a new event this year that we’re all excited about, to have a place in Hancock County for Christmas lights and being able to drive through the park and see those. We’re very excited to get that started this year.”

Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

   “Tina (Snyder) does a fantastic job with the Chamber of Commerce newsletter,” Boling said. “If you’re not already getting it in your inbox, let us know. There is a lot of great information in it for events coming up.” Contact Chamber Executive Director Tina Snyder to be included on the newsletter send-out list at: hancockkychamber@gmail.com.

By Jennifer Wimmer

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