Chamber Chimes

        The Chamber of Commerce is still working on our 2010 membership drive and we encourage you to send in your membership investment if you have not yet done so.  We know that it is sometimes easy to forget to do this, and we really appreciate all who have already responded with their renewals or new memberships.  We work year round to promote Watonga through advertising, relocation packets, visitor’s information and referrals to local businesses and it could not be done without the financial investment that our members have made.  We are committed to making Watonga the best it can be as well as sharing it with the rest of the world and we are thankful to have so many wonderful partners behind us in this cause.  

        The various committees of the Chamber have been hard at work lately.  The Cheese Festival committee has met to start gearing up for this year’s festival.  These people bring a lot of energy to the planning phases and discussion has been brisk about fun, new things to add to the event.   We hope the 2010 Watonga Cheese Festival will satisfy all the expectations of old, as well as offer some exciting new events and attractions.  Also meeting has been the Economic Development committee to discuss, among other things, the Central Oklahoma Regional Development (CORD) organization being formed in our area.  This is a cooperative project of communities within a roughly 30 mile radius of El Reno that will work together to support and enhance the economic health of our area.  We are excited to be involved in the ground floor of this organization and hope that it will offer us good opportunities for Watonga and the immediate surrounding areas.  Our Highway committee has also met to discuss the Chamber’s participation in the Keep Oklahoma Beautiful (KOB) campaign.  We have received a small grant through KOB and OG&E for our participation and will use it to help fund our project of beautifying the east and west entries into Watonga.  We will need additional help in carrying this project out, so we invite anyone who is interested in helping to contact the Chamber at 580-623-5452.  This would be a great way to involve students and civic or youth organizations.  The KOB projects run through May and I would encourage you to visit www.keepoklahomabeautiful.com for inspiration and to see what is being done to maintain this beautiful state that we call home.

March 10, 2010

Jerry Sinclair - Chairman of the Watonga Trout Derby and official Weigh Master

Congratulations to Shauna Rupp for winning the Bass Brat Boat given away at this year’s Watonga Trout Derby!  As usual, the event was a lot of fun.  We were lucky to have great weather Friday and Saturday, save for a bit of wind part of Saturday.  Sunday’s drizzly weather cut down on the number fishing, but there were still some that tried in between showers or toughed it out.  The heavier rain was nice enough to hold off until the awards portion of the derby when everyone was inside anyway.  We had anglers from all over Oklahoma, as well as some from Texas, Missouri and Kansas.  In all, we had 223 registrants and it appeared that most had a great time.  I can’t say enough about the volunteers that make this event happen, as well as the sponsors who donate gifts or monetarily.  Without them all, this event would not be possible and they are much appreciated.  Hats off to you all!

            Friday, March 19^th is the Annual T.B. Ferguson Chicken Noodle Dinner.  They will be serving from 5-6:30 at the Foley Building.  Please support this fundraiser as the proceeds go to improve and maintain the Ferguson Home.  We are so lucky to have this piece of history preserved and available in our community.  Not only does it provide an interesting look back for our local population, but it draws people to our community as well.  Later this month Watonga will even be hosting a small family reunion of the Ferguson family descendants who are coming to tour the home.  Anyone interested in helping Mary Deane prepare for either of these events, I would encourage you to contact her and see what you could do.

            I want to remind everyone that the Watonga Gift Certificate program has been continued year round.  As we approach spring, please keep these in mind for the Baby Showers, Bridal Showers, Easter gifts and birthdays that will be coming up.  With a little notice, I would be happy to personalize certificates to your particular theme.  This is a nice way to make sure that your loved ones get what they want while supporting your community by keeping the money spent locally.  Give me a call at 623-5452 if you have any questions about this or any other Chamber program.