Chamber hosts Safety Day

After a literal wash out a couple of weeks ago, Safety Day, hosted by the Moorcroft Area Chamber of Commerce (MACC), was celebrated last Saturday with 16 participating businesses talking to passers-by about a wide range of dangers with which people may come into contact in their daily lives and how to handle them.

These local businesses also showcased what they have to offer, encouraging involvement in and enjoyment of the town of Moorcroft, according to event organizer and longtime MACC volunteer Elaine Buckmiller.

Safety Day and the newly situated "Junkin" common area shared space along North Big Horn Avenue this summer, with MACC member Neil Gray overseeing the "Junkin" site, laying out his own antiques and other interesting items for sale.

Both event directors later expressed their disappointment in the turnout.

"We had 26 businesses signed up, but we only had 16 show up," Buckmiller said. "There were not a lot of people who participated, we gave away cash prizes if you visited all of the businesses and there were only three who signed up and completed that."

Gray said, "I think that the weatherman scared a lot of people away. It turned out the weather was really nice, but they kept saying that it was going to rain so a lot of people didn't show up who would have."

Buckmiller commended the efforts of the business and organizations that were there, saying, "They had really good displays and give aways when people came into the business and that was good for them."

Among those who set up information booths was American Legion Auxiliary members Vicki Paddock, Ann Sundstrum and Maureen Farrier, who were, "Just putting our name out there, that's it."

Police Chief Bill Bryant and grandson Aidan Cropper, who is almost two, were showing off the sound system in the police car. Amid sirens, chirps and assorted other noises introduced by the new buttons Aiden discovered, the chief explained the department's goal by participating in Safety Day.

"We're just trying to be out here and interact with the public...not in a law enforcement capacity and answer questions," he said.

Looking to the police vehicle that was open for inspection by interested children, he said, "Tax payers paid for this car, they can look at it, see what they bought."

Bryant advocated for opportunities like this to engage with people.

Powder River Electric's KC Maloy and Eric Anderson shared with guests their booth safety advice on how to deal with many potentially deadly hazards that may arise if a line is compromised and the linemen are not yet onsite, as well as other questions.

They also discussed the Apprentice Lineman Scholarship fundraiser this year. A 2023 Polaris Ranger 1000 or a winner's choice for a mule deer hunt at the Crook County D-Ranch will be raffled off and the winners will be announced August 23, at the coop's annual meeting.

Proceeds go toward scholarships for local students who want to begin a career as an electrical line worker through area line schools. With only 350 tickets available, those interested are encouraged to reach out to Powder River for more information soon.

Katie Allen, Crook County Public Health Community Prevention Specialist, shared a few statistics with people about a program allying county agency and private organizations as well as private citizens called the Be Well Coalition.

Allen described their focus as prevention of suicide and substance misuse through education.

"We provide suicide prevention training to the community; drug recognition and impairment training to the public and our school district," she said.

"We are developing a youth coalition so that our students can bring their voices forward in helping each other with mental health and substance misuse. We also provide responsible beverage server training to our bars and restaurants, commonly called TiPs."

With the scant community involvement on Saturday, Buckmiller spoke candidly, "In all honesty, I wish we would have had more townspeople supporting what the chamber is trying to do. The ones who were there were presented with good information about safety and the business and that's what we're trying to accomplish. Giving people a reason to be involved in and slow down and enjoy the town we live in."

With the significantly reduced participation of businesses and pedestrians this year, will the chamber host Safety Day next year?

"We don't know yet," Buckmiller said, "We'll have to discuss it at a chamber meeting. I would like to see it continue, just like Clean Up Day, Rib Rally and all of that, but it hinges on volunteers and participation."

Gray sees potential in the Junkin' yard sale in town, saying, "I think it's a great opportunity, we just need to develop it better and continue to work on it. I think it could be a much bigger asset to the community, it has a lot of potential. If we're going to do this again, I would encourage more people to set up in the community square rather that their own garage sale because we had a lot of people there at that place, but not so much participation at the individual sales."

Buckmiller has been an avid volunteer for many community endeavors throughout the years and wants to see others step up as she and her cohorts step back.

"The volunteerism is fading. I think any organization has to have new people, younger people, fresh ideas to keep things going," she said.

"Just because you've done something for 20 years, doesn't mean there isn't a better or different way of doing it. I'm all for new people and new blood because that's what it takes to keep an organization alive. For the chamber to organize something like this, it's a little disappointing that chamber members didn't get onboard."

The next event MACC will be hosting is the summer smash, Jubilee, in July.