We've all heard it ... one man's junk is another man's treasure. It's true. For real. And it will come to life in a huge way this weekend.

It's garage sale season and Saturday is Gothenburg's Citywide Garage Sales, organized by the Gothenburg Chamber of Commerce.  Folks spend $15 and the Chamber advertises their garage sale on a map in the newspapers, on the Chamber website and social media sites. Then the work begins for the folks at home.

Some go to a tremendous amount of work to clean out their closets, toy rooms, storage sheds or attics every spring, then price each item with a sticky tag or simple strip of masking tape. Others know they're going to have a garage sale at least once a year and they plan ahead, collecting their wares in one location throughout the year. Either way, why not get a few bucks for the things you no longer want or need?

I'm always amazed at how many people look forward to the Citywide Garage Sales every year, both those shopping and those selling. For buyers, it's often about the "find," and there are certainly some treasures to be had out there. For sellers, it's about the liberation of purging. For the Chamber, it's an opportunity to serve the community and to show off for the many folks who come from other towns just for the sales.

An added twist this year is that Chamber member businesses could put their address on the garage sale map for free, allowing them to entice some some shoppers into their stores. Charm, Dee's Floral & Gifts, Mind.Body.Balance.Breathe., Ribbons & Roses and Sander Furniture will all have specials on Saturday. A couple of other Chamber members — the YMCA and Banner Church — are having actual garage sales. All the funds raised by the Banner Church sale, a multi-family affair at 820 Jefferson, will go toward the church's elevator fund.

Get out there and see what kinds of treasures you can find!
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The ag industry is a tough place to be right now, especially in Nebraska where hundreds of farmers and ranchers on both ends of the state lost most or all of their livelihood to Mother Nature's wrath. Thankfully, even when commodity prices are low and trade agreements are sketchy, Nebraska producers are the ultimate optimists and they keep believing in a better tomorrow.
 
The Gothenburg Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee has collected $4,150 from local and area donors for the Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund to offer financial assistance to ag producers across Nebraska who were affected by an unprecedented combination of rain, blizzard and flooding. Several of those donations came from ag producers themselves. Neighbors helping neighbors.

The Ag Committee put out a challenge, promising to match up to $5,000. While that goal fell just short, the committee is choosing to contribute the full $5,000 pledged to match donations, making a total contribution of $9,150 to the relief fund. The Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund will distribute 100% of all contributions to Nebraska cattle producers affected by the recent natural disasters.

The Ag Committee has worked hard to raise money to not only host events like Beef, Wine & More and the Hand Cornhusking contest, but also to provide a high school senior with a nice scholarship. 

When the need became apparent that Nebraska's ag producers were in trouble because of the crazy weather we've had the past couple of months, Ag Committee members were quick to offer assistance. Some folks in this group are producers themselves. Everyone is tied to agriculture somehow. 

Thanks to all who donated to this cause. It seems small in the grand scheme of things, but dollars add up and every little bit of help counts.  

Donations may still be made directly to the organization online via PayPal at the Nebraska Cattlemen's website. 

It's all about who you know, right? We've all heard that many times. But maybe it's not so much about who we know, but rather who we tell. Let me explain.

There are businesses here in Gothenburg that came because of a chance conversation. For instance, a Gothenburg banker meets a Cambridge businessman at the boat dock during a fishing trip. The two hit it off, chat about their towns and business dealings. The next thing you know, Gothenburg has gigabit fiber available to every home and business. It didn't happen with the snap of a finger. A lot of hard work went into that recruitment. But it wouldn't have happened at all had one person not been willing to share Gothenburg's story.

That's how community leaders expect to come across the next occupant of the former Baldwin building. Your neighbor might have a friend or a relative who has close ties to a manufacturing business that's looking to expand or relocate. Your daughter or granddaughter could have been in a sorority with the CEO of a business in eastern Nebraska that was devastated by the flooding and needs a new place to land. Maybe your uncle is an entrepreneur just waiting for the perfect location to mass produce his next invention. You never really know what's possible if you don't ask, right?

Gothenburg Improvement Company believes strongly enough in this city and its opportunities that it purchased the former Baldwin building so local leaders can pursue an occupant that provides jobs rather than turning it into a warehouse. But GIC needs everyone to be on board, sharing Gothenburg's story and encouraging those we know to take a look.

GIC will host an open house from 5-7 pm on Tuesday, April 30, at the Baldwin building. Board members will be on had to answer questions, give tours and show off the possibilities. There's free food and drinks, so come take a look. Then tell your friends, your neighbors, your relatives what you saw. Share your ideas with GIC members, city officials, the Chamber.

Think how cool it would be if YOU were the one who could say, "I helped make that happen!"