Chamber Chimes

August 26, 2009

Calling all Watonga Community Reunion attendees from 2002!  I received an email from a gentleman in Denver, Colorado who recently found a scrap book of Watonga Community Reunion 2002.  He found it while at a car wash there in Denver and very thoughtfully picked it up, contacting this office to find its rightful owner.  If you know someone who was recently in the Denver area and may have lost it, please have them contact me at the office (580-623-5452) and I will get them in contact with this man.

            This Tuesday, the Watonga Chamber of Commerce hosted the Red Carpet Country Board for their semi-monthly meeting.  This board is responsible for advertising and promoting north western Oklahoma in various tourism publications and travel shows.  They hold their meetings all over north western Oklahoma and this time it was Watonga’s turn.  I hope they left with a positive impression of Watonga and, most importantly, wanting to come back. Thank you to Watonga Christian Church, Noble House, End-O-Main, Country Home Antiques, Cornerstone Bank, First State Bank, Pioneer Telephone, Dr. Lucas and Karl’s Apple Market for helping us pull this together.

            Tomorrow, Thursday the 27^th will be Pioneer Telephones “Road Show” at their business office at 207 N. Noble from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  They will have refreshments and money saving offers on their products and services.  Stop in and see what is new.

            It’s fair time!  Tomorrow starts the Blaine County Free Fair and I would encourage everyone to take some time to stop in and look at the great selection of crafts, canned and baked goods, etc.  You can even buy some to take home at the Country Store.  Or, if you are so inclined, bake up a batch of something tonight and enter them at the Foley building on Thursday evening from 4-6:30.  And this year, the carnival is returning so there should be something for everyone.

            Following the fair on Saturday evening will be Riders Ford, a red dirt band from Oklahoma City.  They will perform at the Centennial Park at 7:00 p.m., where ice cream and cookies will be sold to raise funds for Cheese Festival entertainment.  Sounds like lots of fun to be had this weekend, I hope you get out and enjoy it!

August 12  2009

    Monday brought quite a bit of excitement to many families in the Watonga area, but you may have been unaware of it.  The 271 Brigade Support Battalion, 45^th Fires Brigade returned from nearly a year stationed in Kuwait.  A welcome home celebration was held on the SWOSU campus in Weatherford and included activities such as a rock climbing wall, bounce house, movies and hot dogs for the whole family to enjoy while waiting for the bus to come in from Ft. Hood, TX. where the soldiers had been since last Wednesday.

     Our area welcomes back Derek Vermillion, son of Rick & Cathy Vermillion who's other son Ryan returned from deployment last year; Derrick Fredendall, son of Donna Smith; Andrea Youngbear; Jeff Farris of Thomas; Timothy Allison of Canton and John Kelly, son of Bill Kelly (and also my little brother.)  We are so proud of the service they give our country and happy that none of their team was injured in this deployment.  If you see these guys, give them a handshake, your thanks and welcome them home.

      This weekend is the Main Street Golf Tournament.  It will be held, as usual, at Roman Nose Golf Course and should be lots of fun for all involved.  If you have any questions about it, call Bob Shoemaker at 623-2200.

      The Blaine County Free Fair is just around the corner (Aug 27-29) and I hope you are getting your entries ready.  The more entries we have, the more fun it is for the spectators.  Fair books are available around town, or at the OSU extension office, 623-5195.  We are lucky to have a free fair, so come see all the wonderful exhibits of our local talents.  I also understand that the carnival will return this year – what fun!

      Following the fair, Saturday night at 7:00pm will be the August Cheese Festival Entertainment event.  Riders Ford from Oklahoma City will entertain on stage at Centennial Park.  Homemade ice cream and cookies will be sold to raise funds for the Cheese Festival Entertainment.  If you need more information or would like to donate a freezer of homemade ice cream, contact Rhonda at 623-2599.  It sounds like a wonderful weekend – First the fair, followed by a relaxing evening of ice cream and music under the stars.  Ah, rural living at it’s best!