Two named to Main Street Thermopolis Board

After a string of successful events and growing momentum, the Main Street Thermopolis Board of Directors named two community members to positions on the board to further its success in the community.

Both Lea Schoenewald and Meri Ann Rush were named to the board, filling the last two possible openings for the group. With ten current members, the board is now fully staffed.

Schoenewald was serving as the Main Street Manager, staffing the group’s office and answering phone calls. The group decided that having a manager position stretched the group too thin and decided to instead name Schoenewald to a board position, reassigning the duties of the manager to other members.

Rush, who is the Chamber Board Executive Director, has previously been involved with the group in an informal position.

Stefanie Gilbert reported that the group has received positive feedback about their December Small Business Saturday campaign, noting the “above average response” from local business owners. Gilbert noted that there was some confusion experienced by vendors during the weekend, and suggested ways to streamline the process for next year.

The group then discussed their 2015 ornaments featuring the historic Klink Building, of which only 11 remain. The group will soon decide which building to feature their 2016 edition of the ornament. Members noted that the ornament was a success, and the second production of the ornament was necessary as more have sold than was anticipated.

Members discussed moving the PRCA Rodeo dance to downtown and closing off streets in order to bring some of the crowds into town, and it was noted that the Rodeo Board had mentioned the idea as a way to further involve the town. Members of the board will be present at the next Town Council meeting to request street closures for the mid-summer event. There were also rumors about Black Bear Café co-owner and board member Deb Tudor bringing her famous German chocolate cheesecake to the meeting, although said rumors could not be confirmed at the time of print.

Finally, the group discussed the upcoming Wyoming Best Practices and National Main Street conferences that will take place May 20-25 in Milwaukee, Wis. Scholarships to offset travel and lodging expenses were distributed to interested members.

The meeting then ended and members of the Wyoming Small Business Council presented a cornucopia of information to local business owners about a plethora grants and strategies to increase business and sustainability.

The next Main Street Thermopolis meeting will take place Thursday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. at the Hot Springs County Museum.