By Carmen Ensinger
In an effort to keep local businesses solvent during the often desolate winter months after Christmas, the Winchester Civic Group plans to launch a Love Local campaign during the month of February.
“We know that retail sales during the month of January is not always so good and not so good in winter in general,” Winchester Civic Group President Jackie Kuchy said to the Winchester City Council at their Jan. 8 meeting. “With that in mind, we are organizing a ‘Love Local” campaign for February.”
Kuchy said member of the Civic Group have been brainstorming ideas to try to get people out in the community to visit the local businesses.
“In the winter months, people tend to not want to get out so much,” Kuchy said. “So, we are trying to come up with some incentives for people to get out and visit businesses, go to story hour or athletic events – some reason for people to get out and participate – maybe a drawing for an incentive or something.”
They have come up with a few ideas already, as well as some fundraising ideas, one of which is purchasing some hearts and having people put what they love about their community on them.
“Then, maybe we could post some of them at city hall,” Kuchy said. “We are hoping to highlight what people love about our community.”
In other news, Kuchy reported that the fundraising effort for the mural was very well received.
“We raised enough funds to cover the cost of the mural and then some,” Kuchy said. “The artist will be back in the spring to put ‘Winchester’ across the top and the two ears of corn which will peak out of the top. She finished the bottom part this fall.”
Kuchy said they fill be exploring some other beautification projects for the future.
“The money we have left over from the mural project, we want to use towards other beautification projects,” Kuchy said. “We have put out a survey for input for projects to enhance what we have already done so far.”
Looking back on Hometown Christmas, Kuchy said she felt it was a success, even though she felt attendance was down this year.
“I think that is because when you have done something before you need to up the ante the next year,” she said. “Also, we had it later this year and I think we were competing with other communities and their events.”