Each month, a group of community minded volunteers meet to discuss issues facing Callaway and what they, as a group, can do to promote their town. From hosting special events, to honoring businesses and individuals for their efforts and support, the Callaway Chamber of Commerce is focused on helping Callaway thrive.

Last week we met two of the Chamber board officers, both of whom were born and raised in Callaway. This week we will spotlight the other two officers.

Kelsey Wyckoff will serve as Secretary of the Chamber board this year. Kelsey grew up in Callaway. She married her husband, Rusty, in 2020 and moved to Arnold with her husband and two kids; Rylee and Rayden.

She explained that she became involved with the Chamber when she started her job at First Interstate Bank in 2019, and has remained involved ever since.

“The Chamber supports so many activities in Callaway,” said Wyckoff. “If we are not there to help with the events then everything will come to an end and there will be no events.”

She shared that she believes deeply in the importance of preserving all the things that make Callaway a wonderful place, but that is a community effort. “I would like to see more of the community get involved, whether it be coming to the monthly chamber meetings or helping around town at our events,” said Wyckoff.

Her husband Rusty works for the Village of Arnold. Rylee is 10 and in 5th grade at Arnold Public School, and Rayden is 2 and attends daycare in Arnold. In their spare time the family enjoys playing cards and going camping.

Wyckoff explained what initially got her into the occupation that eventually led to her involvement in the Chamber. “My mom owned Jo’s Café here in Callaway for many years. When she sold that in January of 2019 to Jenny, I had decided I wanted to use my college education and go into banking. There was an open position at the bank here. I wanted to stay working in the public and this was the perfect opportunity. I also do the bookkeeping for my Dad’s business, Trumbull Repair and Towing.”

The final member of the four-person Chamber officer team is Stacey Guthard - Treasurer. Guthard is the only officer who has not called Callaway home most of her life, but she has lived in the Callaway area since 2010.

She first became involved with the Chamber in 2015. “The bank encourages community involvement and that was an organization that fit into my schedule and that I was most interested in,” she explained.

“The Callaway Chamber is an organization that promotes a number of important aspects in a small community, such as promoting its businesses, community events, and service organizations,” Guthard shared, when asked why she believes the Chamber is an important endeavor. “We host a number of community events to bring people into our community to help elevate economic growth for our businesses. It’s a great networking tool as well as helping the community stay informed of various activities and events.”

Like Wyckoff, Guthard said a main focus this year is to invite more community members to be involved in the organization. “We’ve done a terrific job coming together and supporting one another. Keeping our momentum going will be key to our future growth! We want to remind folks that ‘Everyone’ is welcome to join the Callaway Chamber,” she said.

Stacey and her husband, Scott, have three sons. “When we aren’t chasing kids around, you’ll find us on the farm checking cows or enjoying the outdoors,” she shared. “Outside of work, I enjoy checking the cows and taking little family trips.”

She grew up in Litchfield and attended college at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “When I graduated from college I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do so I came home to the farm. I came across a job opening, and I got my first job as a teller,” she shared. “I really enjoyed helping people and the customer service aspect. I continued to work my way up to where I am today.”

Right now Guthard, Wyckoff, fellow officers Ken Pitkin and Zach Meyer, the rest of the Chamber members are busy making final preparations for one of their big events of the year. “Celebrate Callaway” will be held Sunday, Feb. 26, at the Callaway Community Center beginning at 5:30 p.m.

“At this event, we ask Chamber members to bring a main dish and salad or dessert. We (the Chamber) will provide a main dish along with the potluck options,” Guthard explained. “The whole community is invited to join us! During this event, we want to thank you for shopping locally and supporting our community, welcome the new friends in the community, and we will also announce the Citizen of the Year.”

No RSVP is required and there is no cost to attend the “Celebrate Callaway” event; it is simply an opportunity for the Chamber to gather community members together and celebrate all of the good things that make this community a special place to work, play and live.