2007 a banner year for Peabody Main Street years ago
By MORGAN MARLER
PMSA vice president
Peabody has a lot to be proud of this year! To date, volunteers have accumulated approximately 1,418 hours which translates to $24,886 of reinvestment hours in the community. In 2007, the list of active volunteers grew to 53. One hundred forty-four individuals and 40 businesses contributed to the success of Peabody Main Street — and it's starting to show. Just take a look at the month-by-month recap of Peabody's success:
January: Hometown Holiday Shopping Campaign kicked off in early December and concluded with a drawing Jan. 3. Participants turned in tickets for money they spent in Peabody while shopping during the holiday season.
Twenty-two businesses participated and a whopping 8,408 tickets were returned to be entered into the drawing for Peabody Bucks. Those 8,408 returned tickets represent $103,990 that was spent in Peabody!
The holiday season is upon us again, and we should challenge ourselves to beat those numbers. Encourage your family to design their Christmas gift lists with our local businesses in mind!
February: Main Street Marketplace was developed as an online shopping alternative for those of you who live elsewhere, yet yearn for a little bit of Peabody.
Limited edition collectibles and memorabilia will bring a touch of "home" wherever you might be. Be sure to check out the Peabody Main Street web site at www.peabodyks.com for the opportunity to do some holiday shopping if you can't get to town — shipping and handling are nominal, and prices are the same as what you'd find in our downtown businesses.
March: To-Die-For Dessert and Benefit Auction. The steaks were fabulous, desserts "to-die-for," and items that were donated were one of a kind.
This is always a fun event and the community gathers to share a wonderful meal, camaraderie, and a certain amount of badgering and heckling from the auctioneers. Don't miss the next one!
April: How Does YOUR Garden Grow? "A BeauTEAful Spring for Hats!" This was the first time this promotion included a tea and it was a hit with the ladies. Many women wore a favorite hat and had an opportunity to share a special story about it.
There were numerous out-of-town attendees and they spent time at the conclusion of the tea shopping in downtown Peabody. Many businesses included coupons or special offers to the participants of the spring tea.
May: Peabody Main Street Mission Statement Revised. A mission statement is important so that we remain focused on our objective.
The PMSA mission is to achieve ongoing downtown revitalization through the preservation of its historic character and unique cultural and architectural integrity based upon the concentrated efforts of design, economic development, promotion, and organization.
June: Peabody Market Receives Merit Award. Kansas Department of Commerce honored south central Kansas businesses June 1, the beginning of "business appreciation month."
Peabody Main Street nominated Peabody Market for recognition, and it was chosen to receive a merit award. The award was a reflection of Rick and Vickie Turner's commitment to the enhancement of their business and the local community.
July: Community Members Create New Vision of Main Street. Mary Helmer, Kansas Main Street Assistant Coordinator traveled to Peabody for several meetings to develop a new vision statement. Community members, business owners, and PMSA board members brain-stormed about what they'd like Peabody to become in the next five years.
The vision for this group: Through collaborative efforts, community support, and pride — by 2012 downtown Peabody will be a well preserved historic district with additional shopping and dining opportunities. Public meeting space, rest rooms, and lodging will be available and an active cultural event calendar will be in place making Peabody a regional destination.
This is a great road map for us to follow and gives us specific goals to achieve.
August: Main Street Hosts Two Workshops. Property owners in the historic downtown district were invited to attend workshops presented by Peabody Main Street Association.
Katrina Ringler of the Kansas State Historical Society toured the district to survey the buildings. Afterward, she presented a workshop on state and federal tax credits available to owners of historic properties in need of rehabilitation.
Kansas Main Street Architect Bruce McMillan, in partnership with the Kansas State Department of Commerce, presented information to building owners as well.
McMillan gave a detailed and tailored PowerPoint presentation on architectural and structural needs of specific buildings in Peabody. PMSA will be working with building owners during the next year, to implement his suggestions for preserving the architectural integrity of our historic business district.
September: Community Tailgate Party. This first-time event was a smashing success! PMSA partnered with Peabody-Burns cheerleaders and the school district, hosting a tailgate party highlighting the fall sports teams and the seniors.
A meal was served, cheers hollered, speeches made, and autographs signed by senior athletes. The event was enjoyed by all and plans are under way to host another event next year. Let us know if you have suggestions to make it even better!
October: Governor's Awards — We Won! The evening was a celebration of all Kansas Main Street Communities, their successes and revitalization efforts. More than 250 people were in attendance and Peabody Main Street received three awards.
Volunteer of the year award was given to Susan Marshall for her 18 years of support, dedication, and leadership in the organization and the community.
"Peabody Prairie Christmas presents Western Wonderland" received a promotion-special event award for the December 2006 Christmas celebration.
An award for outstanding fund-raising was given for the benefit auction and accompanying "To-die-for-dessert auction" in March. Also noted in the presentation was the fund-raising efforts on behalf of the downtown banner project.
November: Winter Welcome Banners are Here! As this goes to press, we should be busy opening boxes of new banners for downtown. Community members voted for their favorite design and the white snowflake was chosen.
Funds for the banners were raised at the silent auction for Christmas wreaths, the benefit auction, the quilt drawing, and private donations. By the time the festivities start on Dec. 8 for "Bells, Boots and Buggies," the new banners will be an official welcome for everyone who comes to town.
December: Bells Boots and Buggies Holiday Event. It's coming up — do you have your boot decorated for the silent auction? Are your float preparations under way? It's going to be a fabulous day, Peabody style. Invite your friends and family and enjoy the festivities. Help us celebrate a "Banner Year" for Peabody!
