MACC announces annual banquet

The succulent aroma of home-cooked pasta will be drifting from the library of the Moorcroft Town Center (MTC) on Saturday, October 23, for the 14th annual Moorcroft Area Chamber of Commerce (MACC) Annual Banquet, recognizing the Citizen and Business of the Year as well as the Lifetime Achievement winner.

The chamber banquet committee will take guests to La Speranza, the most popular Italian eatery this side of Italy, where something other than pasta is heating up the kitchen….cold-blooded murder!

Restaurateur Pepi Roni has been shot in the back with his own pistol; join the fun as his family and friends gather to pay their respects to poor Pepi. One of the guests, though, will not be shedding any tears; follow the clues to find the culprit and solve the case.

Social hour begins at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6. The awards ceremony will follow the conclusion of the murder mystery.

Tickets can be purchased at the Moorcroft Library or the West Texas Trail Museum.

Business of the Year

The following businesses have been nominated for Business of the Year. All of these businesses and their staff are considered by the chamber great examples to the community.

The Moorcroft Public Library, as with any library, is important to its community. The library is part of the Crook County Public Library System, which enables the people of Crook County to cherish their history and expand their personal horizons through free and easily accessible information and services. They have a wide range of reading sections from young adult to adult and also a complete children’s reading section. The library also offers youth programs such as story hour, after-school activities, paint classes and a summer reading program. There are also adult programs, such as book clubs, painting classes and craft classes.

Healing Hearts Home Health is owned and operated by Lacy Davis. They have been a member of the community since 2018, but Lacy has been in the home healthcare field since she was 16 years old. She has always had the goal of owning her own home health care business and has accomplished that, all while raising three children. She is passionate about her patients and always goes the extra mile to help with whatever needs they have. Healing Hearts Home Health employs 34 staff members, making them one of the largest businesses in town. They offer many services in-home: nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy and home making to name a few.

Moorcroft Senior Center is an important asset to the Moorcroft area community. They offer many program opportunities such as massage, movies, instructional and history classes, craft classes, painting and book club. They organize and celebrate monthly birthdays and anniversaries with a dinner the fourth Thursday of every month. They are also part of the Crook County Senior Services and do an excellent job being involved and supporting local seniors.

Moorcroft Family Dentistry (MFD) is owned and operated by Dr. Lucas and Kelsey Kaufman. Dr. Kaufman came to Moorcroft in the summer of 2019, becoming an important part of the community. In that short time, together, they have built a thriving business with over 1700 patients, 700 of whom are low income, all while starting a family. The doctor’s door is always open to anyone in need. MFD employees a staff of five and supports all of the chamber events. Dr. Kaufman is part of the Business Community Committee and is working with others to make Moorcroft a great place to do business. “Moorcroft is our home and we hope to always be here and part of this community.” Dr. Kaufman says.

The Mousse Lodge was started in 2001 by Michelle Hullinger. Susan Millard has worked with Michele since 2003 and became a partner in 2012. Together, they have been a huge asset to the community over the years and are very supportive of the Moorcroft Chamber events. They also support local youth activities. They offer many hair, nail and beauty services and products. The Mousse Lodge’s team includes nail tech, Lu Taylor, as well. This team takes pride in being there for their clients. “Many people work long hours and we enjoy being open in the evenings when most of our clients are off work”, Michele Hullinger states.

Citizen of the Year

The following citizens have been nominated for Citizen of the Year. All of these citizens have been involved in the Moorcroft area community and all hold Moorcroft close to their hearts.

Ben Glenn has been the owner/operator of Glenn Construction since 2003 and has served on the town council since 2010. He is heavily invested and involved in the town and the community and strives to make Moorcroft a better place to raise his family. Glenn is the father of two striking young men and is showing them the importance of helping others as much as they can. “We must keep the town alive and make sure that it does not become a place where the youth just grow up and leave and never come back. I think we need to make sure that we always have a place for them to come home to. Several of us, including myself, have grown up here, started businesses here and work in the community. I believe that’s what we need to continue so that we have a good life available in Moorcroft for everybody,” he says. When he is not hard at work, or conducting town business, he can be found on the football field helping the youth of Moorcroft.

Marge Reed has been a member of the chamber for as long as anyone can remember. She and the Garden Gnomes have worked hard to make Moorcroft presentable to visitors, changing the flower boxes on Main Street and working hard in the garden boxes at the MTC. Marge is instrumental in helping with the Harvest Feastival and various other chamber events. She is always the first to recognize someone’s hard work and has no problems letting the community know she supports them.

Cindy Mosteller is the director of the West Texas Trail Museum. Since relocating her family to Moorcroft in 2012, she has been an active part of the community. Cindy worked for the library for six years before moving to the museum and actively supporting the kids of Moorcroft through booster club, sports and FFA. She believes that Moorcroft is a great place to raise a family and enjoys letting others know what activities are available in the area.

Dave Elliott has been in Moorcroft for ten years. He enjoys coaching the youth in football and wrestling, helping out with the little league, junior high and high school teams. Together with wife Candi, they are raising three wonderful children. His wife states, “He has a huge heart and would do anything for anyone, especially the young and the old of this community.” You can find Dave, nowadays, working for the Town of Moorcroft, giving 110% and taking care of the ladies at the senior center.

Hugh Jenkins is the FFA advisor and Ag teacher at the Moorcroft High School. He moved his family here in 2017 and has taken an active role in the youth of Moorcroft. Giving most of his free time to the kids in FFA, he helps and follows them to shows across the state. Hugh has opened many opportunities for local kids through scholarships and programs; most recently advocating building a barn south of the high school to help those students who live in town have the opportunity to experience having a show animal for fair.

So please join the MACC as they attempt to solve the mystery of who killed Pepi Roni and celebrate the Citizen and Business of the Year as well as the Lifetime Achievement awards Saturday night.