The 2023 annual Custer Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) Member Appreciation Picnic was held on Sunday, Oct. 1, at the One Box Convention Center in Broken Bow. Each year the CEDC hosts the event to show gratitude to the members, individuals, businesses, and organizations that take a leadership role within Custer County and are committed to developing and maintaining a vibrant economy.

The 2023 Leadership Custer County graduates were presented with Certificates of Completion for completing the 12 monthly critical issues sessions on community and economic development. Those graduates included Callaway Economic Development Director Amber Harrison.

The CEDC also presented four awards, and Callaway’s Ken Pitkin was one of this year’s award recipients.

Pitkin was the winner of the Wheel Horse Award in recognition of his many years of service to the Callaway community. He is a member of the Village Board and the Callaway Economic Development Committee, and has been active for many years in the Callaway United Methodist Church’s well program in Nigeria. He has also assisted with developing a clinic and a school in the village of Bargami, Nigeria.

In November 2022, the Nebraska School Activities Association honored Pitkin for 40 years of service to Nebraska high school volleyball. He has refereed countless games and assisted at state tournaments throughout the past four decades.

A life-long resident of Callaway, Pitkin has been involved with the local Chamber of Commerce nearly all of his adult life and currently serves as president of that organization.

“I am surprised and honored to receive the Wheel Horse award from Custer Economic Development Corporation. Since I grew up on a farm and ranch in rural Callaway, I have lived my whole life except my college years around Callaway and Custer County,” Pitkin commented in response to receiving the award. “Callaway has been so good to me and my family. People in Callaway and southwest Custer County supported my True Value business for over 40 years. Jill taught in the school here for 35 years.”

Being the humble man he is, Pitkin noted that the things being accomplished in Callaway are a team effort, and he shares the CEDC recognition with each of them.

“We love this community and gladly work to make Callaway a great community to live in, raise a family, and work in. But the Callaway community, just like most communities in Custer County, is full of people who volunteer and contribute to make our communities strong,” he added. “There are many others more deserving to receive this award. I gladly share it with all volunteers in Callaway and Custer County.”