Chamber of Commerce Banquet

Feb 2, 2014
Monday night's Chamber  of Commerce banquet was an uplifting event for our community.   Chamber President Vicki Williams gave a rousing and positive address, pointing out that Watonga has something that has brought outsiders to invest in our community and encouraging local citizens and businesses to invest in our town.   The key speaker was Oklahoma State Senator Tom Ivester, who reminded us that small towns such as Watonga are not going to be the same as they were in the 1950’s and 1960’s but that we can still grow and prosper.  At the end of the evening, it felt as if a death pall had been lifted from the town.

The Chamber of Commerce gave the following awards to local citizens and businesses:
Business of the Year:  Whirlwind Winery
New Business of the Year:   Lumber Yard
Volunteer of the Year:   Bill Kelly
Citizen of the Year:   Mark Pinkerton
Beautification Award:   Sonic 


At the banquet, Bobbi Schenk was recognized as Teacher of the Year by Superintendent Bill Seiter.   Also present were State Representative Mike Sanders and his lovely wife Nelly, and Mayor Clay Loosen. Todd Lafferty acted as Emcee. The  meal was catered by End O’Main and was delicious.  Pre-program entertainment was provided by the Rural Route Ramblers,  made up of Katie Ballew-Lyle, John Diamond, and Verne Brickman.  There are many  talented people in our community.   Congratulations to all of these very deserving recipients of recognition by our Chamber of Commerce. The new year is off to a good start for Watonga!


The goal of the Watonga Chamber of  Commerce  is to make our community a better place  to work, live and play.  Through its administrator and membership, the Chamber works to promote Watonga through business and tourism, and to advance the economic, industrial, professional, cultural and civic welfare of the citizens of the City of Watonga and the surrounding community. Contact Mary Larsen at 580-623-5452 for questions about events sponsored by the Chamber throughout the year, or check out their website at www.watongachamber.com.