The Chamber Connection Podcast

One of the major appeals of living in a rural community is safety.  We feel comfortable leaving our front doors unlocked, sharing personal information with our neighbor, and trusting our children to make it to a from the park on their own.  But living in a rural community doesn’t necessarily protect us from all dangers.  There’s one form of security that everyone should be considering, regardless...

It can be easy to take for granted the community we live in.  Sometimes what we need is an outsiders perspective to help us realize how incredible lucky we are to live in Nebraska.  During this episode, Daniel Martinez stops by to share his story on moving from Peru to Nebraska, then making a career out of playing guitar.  Daniel, along with his band Jarana, will make a stop at The Golden Husk on...

While we typically think of musical theater as fun songs, dancing and sometime humor, we don't often associate these productions with perspective changes.  Becky Boesen is no stranger to creating a thought provoking theater production.  Becky is also no stranger to Valley County, making a stop in this scenic valley a must on all her traveling productions.  Becky's latest touring producti...

Whether you prefer many genres of music or have one favorite singer, the opera is sure to tug at your heart or send chills throughout your body.  Not only is Nebraska home to the thriving UNL Opera, their shows travel throughout the state.  Don't miss their upcoming production of La Traviata on Sunday, March 3, 2023 at the Golden Husk in Ord.  Tickets for the show are available at the Golden...

For this episode fo the Chamber Connection Podcast, comedian Bob Smiley stops by to talk about the path that led him to comedy, as well as his upcoming show at The Golden Husk.  To Bob, this show isn't just about bringing different demographics together to share in the joy of laughter, it's also about community.  For more information on Bob Smiley, coming to the Golden Husk in Ord on Fri...

When you visit a new community, where do you stop first? More than likely, you pass go and head straight to downtown to find food, coffee, or shopping.  On this episode of the Chamber Connection Podcast, Becky Ries (Executive Director of Valley County Economic Development) and Caleb Pollard (UNL Extension Business Coach for the Sandhills Region) sit down to talk about how they are working together...

The 2022-23 Season at The Golden Husk is full of incredible artists from all over Nebraska and beyond the state's boarder.  Some of the best shows though, come from our local talent.  This is not just because it highlights the diverse artistic scene in the Sandhills region, but also because it means welcoming that artist "home."  The Golden Husk is not only an artistic hub and econo...

We hear it all the time in smaller communities....Shop. Local. First.  Shopping small not only contributes to the vibrancy of our business communities and business districts, it supports the dreams of the merchants behind the counters.  Shopping local should be a focus of small town community members every time they shop, but especially around the holiday season.  Jessalyn Crawford, owner of Hey H...

Inspiration can strike anywhere.  Sometimes the invitation from another can inspire us to dig into the artistic scene in our our community.  Other times the story of a World War II veteran can inspire us to create a play that tells the bigger story of creating a bright future. In this episode, you'll hear from Becky Boesen, Valley County arts advocate and writer of "Not Too Far Distant&q...

The community of Valley County is lucky to have many amazing assets that create community betterment.  From nonprofits to individuals, you won't have to look hard to see someone creating goodness.  On this episode, Lindsy Gumb Roberts shares how she and her new nonprofit plan to benefit communities both in the future and with their upcoming Trek-or-Treat to Save the Pumpkins event on Saturday...

Valley County is full of amazing assets.  One of the greatest assets is none other than The Golden Husk.  Entertainment venues like The Golden Husk not only provide a source of entertainment for local and regional community members, they also serve as a catalyst for community and economic development.  Great shows at The Golden Husk don't just put people in seats in the theater, they put shop...

Selling insurance isn't just finding the right insurance policy to fit into a person's budget.  It's so much more than that.  Having the correct auto and life insurance could mean the difference between thriving and simply surviving.  On this episode, Denise Wray and Justin Thompson share why you should look deeper into auto and life insurance in order to protect yourself and your l...

Farming and ranching is more than just a job.  It's creating a legacy that will be passed down from generation to generation.  With fluctuating market prices and unpredictable weather, protecting that legacy is essential to its future.  On this episode of the Chamber Connection Podcast, local insurance agents Matt Woodward and Dan Vech share how they assist farmers and ranchers, both new and...

After an incredibly tough year, many small businesses look to resources that can ensure they survive the next bump in the road.  Scratchtown Brewing Company, a local brewery in Ord, has been singing the praises of renewable energy since the installment of their solar panels a few years ago but now more than ever.  The owners of Scratchtown always saw solar energy as an investment, but when governm...

Arts and cultural activities are an important aspect of any community, no matter how rural.  These activities provide an entertainment outlet for those within and surrounding the community.  Arts and culture are not only a key component to a thriving economy, they also provide an opportunity for participants to grow and discover aspects of themselves, their neighbors and their community.      In t...

There are a lot of factors that come into play when someone is choosing a community where they want to live - career opportunities, being close to family, access to goods and services, proximity to recreation, arts and culture.  Ord and Valley County possess many amenities that contribute to a fulfilling and enjoying life for people of all ages.  On this episode of The Chamber Connection Podcast,...

The quality and availability of childcare is critical for the success of any community. A thriving  childcare industry allows working parents be a part of the local workforce, it creates employment opportunities for childcare providers and educators, and more importantly, quality care shapes the minds and ethics of our youngest citizens - our next generation of workforce and community members. Acc...

The holidays are quickly approaching and Small Business Saturday is happening on November 28, 2020 so we wanted to create a special episode of The Chamber Connection Podcast with our Chamber members in mind. On this episode we’ll unpack all of the holiday promotions and shop small initiatives offered by the Ord Area Chamber of Commerce that serve not only our members but local shoppers as well. Re...

Maybe you’ve suffered headaches, sports or work-related injuries or have trouble sleeping at night. Or maybe it's become a little more challenging to maintain your balance when you get dressed in the morning.  When it comes to these common ailments, physical therapy may be the solution.  On this episode of The Chamber Connection Podcast, we’ll hear from Sabrina Naprstek, Physical Therapist As...

Mental health is a key component of overall health and wellness and leaders in our community have taken thoughtful action to ensure local students have access to mental health resources as they would any other form of health care.  Dr. Heather Nebesniak, Superintendent of Ord Public Schools, and Mr. Colin Lansman, Elementary School Counselor, share details about the Wholeness Healing program, the...

Fire is a powerful force of nature and it can serve a valuable purpose when it comes to agriculture, landscapes and natural habitats.  Ben Wheeler, a local Wildlife Biologist, talks about the advantages of controlled burns and is a great resource for area landowners when it comes to the process of planning for and executing a controlled burn. He also debunks a few misconceptions about the damage f...

Over 30 million Americans are affected by this disease and 7 million American adults are unaware that they have it. We’re talking about diabetes.  We have incredible health care providers and resources in the Valley County area and we’re hearing from two of them on this episode about diabetic education and detection. Kayla Beethe, Diabetic Educator with Valley County Health System, explains what d...

Estate planning seems to be one of those topics that everyone knows is necessary, yet no one is too excited to dive into.  On this episode, you'll hear from three local attorneys and members of the Ord Area Chamber of Commerce to develop a better understanding of wills, trusts and power of attorney.  Jessica Piskorski - Stowell, Geweke & Piskorski P.C. L.L.O. Heather Sikyta - Sikyta Law O...

There is something extremely powerful about grassroots efforts. The passions and drive of community members and stakeholders that come together to work toward a greater good creates a dynamic synergy that leads to incredible things.  That’s exactly what’s happening with the Loup Valley Childhood Initiative (LVCI). This 11-person core team has been gathering since April 2020 to seek resources, conn...

Online marketing for your business not only allows you to connect with current and potential customers, it offers an opportunity to develop your brand, boost your credibility and share your mission. For this episode of the Chamber Connection Podcast, we’re sharing our conversation from our Virtual Chamber Coffee Connections which centered around creating a impactful online presence for your busine...