I find that comments made by readers don't always show up here -- something to do with Google+. If you have a comment please send it via email to phoenixcir@yahoo.com. We want to hear from you!!
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
DISCOVER OKLAHOMA SEGMENTS
They also did a story on the Whirlwind Winery and their vineyards. Thanks to the film crew from Discover Oklahoma for your work in bringing our little corner of Oklahoma into the homes of your viewers! You guys did a great job!!
(I couldn't get the Whirlwind Winery segment to download here, but you can go to www.youtube.com and type in Whirlwind Winery to see the video.
As a business owner in Blaine County, I am doing all that I can to promote our town. Lots of people come to Roman Nose State Park but don't know that there are things in the nearby town of Watonga to see also!! Watonga has been known for years as the home of the Watonga Cheese Factory, but the factory closed down in 2007 and reopened in the panhandle of Texas. There are merchants here that still sell Watonga Cheese, and the local Chamber of Commerce still hosts an annual Cheese Festival, but there is more to our area than a once-a-year festival.
Anyone can see my facebook page BLAINE CO. COMMUNITY EVENTS to see what's happening here. Come out to see us!!!
Friday, December 11, 2015
A CHRISTMAS POEM
Toward the Winter Solstice
by Timothy Steele, 1948 - no copyright infringement intended
Although the roof is just a story high,
It dizzies me a little to look down.
I lariat-twirl the cord of Christmas lights
And cast it to the weeping birch’s crown;
A dowel into which I’ve screwed a hook
Enables me to reach, lift, drape, and twine
The cord among the boughs so that the bulbs
Will accent the tree’s elegant design.
Friends, passing home from work or shopping, pause
And call up commendations or critiques.
I make adjustments. Though a potpourri
Of Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Jews, and Sikhs,
We all are conscious of the time of year;
We all enjoy its colorful displays
And keep some festival that mitigates
The dwindling warmth and compass of the days.
Some say that L.A. doesn’t suit the Yule,
But UPS vans now like magi make
Their present-laden rounds, while fallen leaves
Are gaily resurrected in their wake;
The desert lifts a full moon from the east
And issues a dry Santa Ana breeze,
And valets at chic restaurants will soon
Be tending flocks of cars and SUVs.
And as the neighborhoods sink into dusk
The fan palms scattered all across town stand
More calmly prominent, and this place seems
A vast oasis in the Holy Land.
This house might be a caravansary,
The tree a kind of cordial fountainhead
Of welcome, looped and decked with necklaces
And centuries of green, yellow, blue, and red.
Some wonder if the star of Bethlehem
Occurred when Jupiter and Saturn crossed;
It’s comforting to look up from this roof
And feel that, while all changes, nothing’s lost,
To recollect that in antiquity
The winter solstice fell in Capricorn
And that, in the Orion Nebula,
From swirling gas, new stars are being born.
“Toward the Winter Solstice” from Toward the Winter Solstice (Swallow Press/Ohio University Press, 2006, www.ohioswallow.com).
MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!
Monday, November 23, 2015
NEW READING PROGRAM
THANK you to all who came to the 1st United Methodist Church last Tuesday night to hear the story of Rikki-tikki-tavi from "The Jungle Book". We had youngsters from age 3 to age 65! I'm excited about this program and looking forward to the next reading session on Tuesday, November 24 at 5:00 pm.
This week's selection is ALL SUMMER IN A DAY by Ray Bradbury. It will be on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 5:00 PM at First United Methodist Church. The program is sponsored by Phoenix Circle Foundation and the 1st UMC Watonga has graciously allowed the use of their building for this program that we hope will encourage the love and enjoyment of reading by all ages.
This week's selection is ALL SUMMER IN A DAY by Ray Bradbury. It will be on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 5:00 PM at First United Methodist Church. The program is sponsored by Phoenix Circle Foundation and the 1st UMC Watonga has graciously allowed the use of their building for this program that we hope will encourage the love and enjoyment of reading by all ages.
School-age children and adults of all ages are encouraged to come
listen while we read a classic short story aloud. All you have to do is sit and
listen and enjoy. Program is 30-40 minutes. Children under age 9 must be
accompanied by an adult. After the reading we will have a light snack to take home. See the Phoenix Circle Foundation facebook page for a list of the stories that will be read in December.
/Linda Barrett
/Linda Barrett
Working Together
Nov. 23, 2015
Kudos to our community for coming together and getting on the bandwagon to have a presence in the 2016 Red Carpet Country Visitor's Guide. It is a very affordable way for small towns and small businesses to get publicity throughout the State of Oklahoma, into Kansas, and down south into Texas. We have one of Oklahoma's jewels in our area, Roman Nose State Park, and I wish more people knew about it. The larger parks get a lot of press - everyone knows where Alabaster Caverns and Robbers Cave state parks are. Even Black Mesa State Park is well known. The "Live at the Liberty" shows are always good. Whirlwind Winery is attracting a lot of people from out of town.
The next Red Carpet Country Assoc. board meeting is in December in Alva, and I hope to schedule a board meeting here in Blaine County for next year!
/Linda Barrett
Kudos to our community for coming together and getting on the bandwagon to have a presence in the 2016 Red Carpet Country Visitor's Guide. It is a very affordable way for small towns and small businesses to get publicity throughout the State of Oklahoma, into Kansas, and down south into Texas. We have one of Oklahoma's jewels in our area, Roman Nose State Park, and I wish more people knew about it. The larger parks get a lot of press - everyone knows where Alabaster Caverns and Robbers Cave state parks are. Even Black Mesa State Park is well known. The "Live at the Liberty" shows are always good. Whirlwind Winery is attracting a lot of people from out of town.
The next Red Carpet Country Assoc. board meeting is in December in Alva, and I hope to schedule a board meeting here in Blaine County for next year!
/Linda Barrett
Friday, November 20, 2015
Cheese & Wine Festival
Nov 17, 2015
Preliminary information gives us both good and a little not so good news about the 39th Annual Watonga Cheese & Wine Festival. Overall attendance (wrist-band sales) was down from the previous two years but the Rat Race did pull in more entries than last year.
The Race the Rail event, held on the Saturday morning of the Cheese &Wine Festival, had a record number of participants.
There were not a lot of vendors in the Festival Tent, but that just meant more money to spread around the street vendors. The Armory was full, and the wine tasting area was busy most of both days of the festival. The art show may not be continued in future festivals, but that is still under discussion. It was a beautiful weekend weather-wise, and overall, it was a good festival even if it was a little smaller than past years.
Preliminary information gives us both good and a little not so good news about the 39th Annual Watonga Cheese & Wine Festival. Overall attendance (wrist-band sales) was down from the previous two years but the Rat Race did pull in more entries than last year.
The Race the Rail event, held on the Saturday morning of the Cheese &Wine Festival, had a record number of participants.
There were not a lot of vendors in the Festival Tent, but that just meant more money to spread around the street vendors. The Armory was full, and the wine tasting area was busy most of both days of the festival. The art show may not be continued in future festivals, but that is still under discussion. It was a beautiful weekend weather-wise, and overall, it was a good festival even if it was a little smaller than past years.
Monday, November 16, 2015
DISCOVER OKLAHOMA tv episode
Nov. 15, 2015
RE: the DISCOVER OKLAHOMA story on the Chaparral Retreat & Guesthouse -- I just heard from the producer of the show:
"It was supposed to air from 6-6:30pm on KTUL. The football game ABC Network was airing went into Double Overtime and then it was time for the OU pre-game show to start. We are working on when it will re-air and will let you know. It will absolutely get on TV...we just have to figure out the date. Thanks for understanding!" The people at Discover Oklahoma are fantastic to work with!!
/Linda
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Quote
Nov. 4, 2015
I saw this on a facebook post and am reposting here -- no copyright infringement intended. Guess who said it:
“I no longer have patience for certain things, not because I’ve become arrogant, but simply because I reached a point in my life where I do not want to waste more time with what displeases me or hurts me. I have no patience for cynicism, excessive criticism and demands of any nature. I lost the will to please those who do not like me, to love those who do not love me and to smile at those who do not want to smile at me.
I saw this on a facebook post and am reposting here -- no copyright infringement intended. Guess who said it:
“I no longer have patience for certain things, not because I’ve become arrogant, but simply because I reached a point in my life where I do not want to waste more time with what displeases me or hurts me. I have no patience for cynicism, excessive criticism and demands of any nature. I lost the will to please those who do not like me, to love those who do not love me and to smile at those who do not want to smile at me.
I no longer spend a single minute on those who lie or want to manipulate. I decided not to coexist anymore with pretense, hypocrisy, dishonesty and cheap praise. I do not tolerate selective erudition nor academic arrogance. I do not adjust either to popular gossiping. I hate conflict and comparisons. I believe in a world of opposites and that’s why I avoid people with rigid and inflexible personalities. In friendship I dislike the lack of loyalty and betrayal. I do not get along with those who do not know how to give a compliment or a word of encouragement. Exaggerations bore me and I have difficulty accepting those who do not like animals. And on top of everything I have no patience for anyone who does not deserve my patience.”
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Red Carpet Country Tourism Conference
Oct. 7, 2015
Yesterday I spent the day in Woodward OK at the RED CARPET COUNTRY TOURISM CONFERENCE, and came home reignited and inspired. I made a lot of contacts there. And every one of the speakers reinforced and confirmed that we have the bones for what can be a fabulous tourist destination -- the state park, the winery, live music, two different bed & breakfasts, and historical spaces; the town leaders need to all work together to make good things happen. Andy and I have tried to work with the Chamber of Commerce and have gotten nowhere, so all we can do is continue to push forward by ourselves. We have lots of supporters but it is sad that the civic group that is charged with working to promote our town is not doing its job.
The Cheese Festival is coming up this weekend and there are lots of frustrated people in town over the lack of communication and information and promotion of the event. One thing that struck me at the tourism conference yesterday was the statement that our audience, the group that we, as a town, an event, a business, should be targeting are NOT the local population, but people from out of town, out of state. Yet this year the Chamber didn't advertise with Travel OK, Red Carpet Country Tourism, Oklahoma Tourism, or any other statewide event guide. I tried to get them to let me post the event on the tourism facebook page and Red Carpet Country website, but they weren't interested.
Andy and I are getting calls and email messages daily, asking us questions about what/where/when, and all we can do is give them the phone number for the Chamber office. Then we get calls back saying they've left a message and aren't getting a call back from the Chamber; and then more calls saying that the Chamber voice mail is full and so they can't leave a message there. Most of the artists who have exhibited at the Art Show for years have not been contacted. The Canton Schools student art that has been a part of the Art Show for the past ten years has been excluded from the Art competition, and so they will not be exhibiting their work this year. That is sad because those students create some fabulous works of art. This past year they worked with a well-known Oklahoma artist, Patrick Riley, and made masks. Drew and Jenna were asked to judge the masks, since they didn't know any of the students and could be impartial. They were all wonderful! It is unfortunate that the masks will not be shown at the Cheese Festival. As of this posting, nobody seems to know where the Art Show is going to be, not even the local newspaper. I saw the festival tent going up today (Wednesday), and it is blocking the winery--unfortunate since the wine aspect of the festival has been growing over the past couple of years and lack of access to the local store could leave a bad taste in some mouths (pun intended).
The Rat Race seems to be well organized, and the cheese tasting and food contest are on track. The Kiwanis is lined up to sell cheese on both days, at the Armory and in a building on Main Street. But the Chamber lost their partnership with Race the Rail, which was a unique and well-attended event and a huge money-maker from the festival--that was $5 a head for over 200 registrants that the Chamber lost. We are going to work with the organizers of the Race to try and keep the bicycle event here in future years and hope for the best.
Speaking of tourism, we received a call from the local Oklahoma tourism show, Discover Oklahoma, saying they would like to come out to the Chaparral Retreat and shoot some film for one of their episodes. We are so excited -- this is what we've been working towards for a couple of years!!! We have a full house this weekend, and next weekend we are hosting the 2014 Oklahoma poet laureate, Nathan Brown, for an Oklahoma House Concert.
Yesterday I spent the day in Woodward OK at the RED CARPET COUNTRY TOURISM CONFERENCE, and came home reignited and inspired. I made a lot of contacts there. And every one of the speakers reinforced and confirmed that we have the bones for what can be a fabulous tourist destination -- the state park, the winery, live music, two different bed & breakfasts, and historical spaces; the town leaders need to all work together to make good things happen. Andy and I have tried to work with the Chamber of Commerce and have gotten nowhere, so all we can do is continue to push forward by ourselves. We have lots of supporters but it is sad that the civic group that is charged with working to promote our town is not doing its job.
The Cheese Festival is coming up this weekend and there are lots of frustrated people in town over the lack of communication and information and promotion of the event. One thing that struck me at the tourism conference yesterday was the statement that our audience, the group that we, as a town, an event, a business, should be targeting are NOT the local population, but people from out of town, out of state. Yet this year the Chamber didn't advertise with Travel OK, Red Carpet Country Tourism, Oklahoma Tourism, or any other statewide event guide. I tried to get them to let me post the event on the tourism facebook page and Red Carpet Country website, but they weren't interested.
Andy and I are getting calls and email messages daily, asking us questions about what/where/when, and all we can do is give them the phone number for the Chamber office. Then we get calls back saying they've left a message and aren't getting a call back from the Chamber; and then more calls saying that the Chamber voice mail is full and so they can't leave a message there. Most of the artists who have exhibited at the Art Show for years have not been contacted. The Canton Schools student art that has been a part of the Art Show for the past ten years has been excluded from the Art competition, and so they will not be exhibiting their work this year. That is sad because those students create some fabulous works of art. This past year they worked with a well-known Oklahoma artist, Patrick Riley, and made masks. Drew and Jenna were asked to judge the masks, since they didn't know any of the students and could be impartial. They were all wonderful! It is unfortunate that the masks will not be shown at the Cheese Festival. As of this posting, nobody seems to know where the Art Show is going to be, not even the local newspaper. I saw the festival tent going up today (Wednesday), and it is blocking the winery--unfortunate since the wine aspect of the festival has been growing over the past couple of years and lack of access to the local store could leave a bad taste in some mouths (pun intended).
The Rat Race seems to be well organized, and the cheese tasting and food contest are on track. The Kiwanis is lined up to sell cheese on both days, at the Armory and in a building on Main Street. But the Chamber lost their partnership with Race the Rail, which was a unique and well-attended event and a huge money-maker from the festival--that was $5 a head for over 200 registrants that the Chamber lost. We are going to work with the organizers of the Race to try and keep the bicycle event here in future years and hope for the best.
Speaking of tourism, we received a call from the local Oklahoma tourism show, Discover Oklahoma, saying they would like to come out to the Chaparral Retreat and shoot some film for one of their episodes. We are so excited -- this is what we've been working towards for a couple of years!!! We have a full house this weekend, and next weekend we are hosting the 2014 Oklahoma poet laureate, Nathan Brown, for an Oklahoma House Concert.
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
I FOUND SOME HISTORICAL INFO
Who knew?
Last weekend our family went to Tulsa for a friend's wedding and while there we visited the Woody Guthrie museum. I don't know Tulsa but I think it is located in the "Brady District". You can google it. Andy and I had been to the museum earlier this year and I found it amazing not only for the information about Woody Guthrie and his influence on American music, but also for the information about the Dust Bowl and Oklahoma history. When we went earlier this year, the museum had a travelling exhibit about the Beatles' first U.S. visit, and that was fascinating too. This time, the featured travelling exhibit was about Bob Marley.
Since I had gone through the Woody G exhibit and watched the videos and listened to the recorded stories before, I didn't spend much time on it. But I did notice that the informational video playing this time was different from the last time. And our son, Drew, caught a comment from someone on the video that I didn't catch. It was from a musician named "Sis" Cunningham from Watonga, Oklahoma! The following information is from OKHISTORY.ORG, sent to me by Jane Malcolm after I posted the question on facebook "does anyone know anything about Sis Cunningham"?
"CUNNINGHAM, AGNES (1909–2004).
Last weekend our family went to Tulsa for a friend's wedding and while there we visited the Woody Guthrie museum. I don't know Tulsa but I think it is located in the "Brady District". You can google it. Andy and I had been to the museum earlier this year and I found it amazing not only for the information about Woody Guthrie and his influence on American music, but also for the information about the Dust Bowl and Oklahoma history. When we went earlier this year, the museum had a travelling exhibit about the Beatles' first U.S. visit, and that was fascinating too. This time, the featured travelling exhibit was about Bob Marley.
Since I had gone through the Woody G exhibit and watched the videos and listened to the recorded stories before, I didn't spend much time on it. But I did notice that the informational video playing this time was different from the last time. And our son, Drew, caught a comment from someone on the video that I didn't catch. It was from a musician named "Sis" Cunningham from Watonga, Oklahoma! The following information is from OKHISTORY.ORG, sent to me by Jane Malcolm after I posted the question on facebook "does anyone know anything about Sis Cunningham"?
"CUNNINGHAM, AGNES (1909–2004).
Agnes "Sis"
Cunningham was born in Watonga, Blaine County, Oklahoma, on February 19,
1909, to William and Ada Boyce Cunningham. She grew up on a small farm
that had been homesteaded by her parents around the turn of the
twentieth century. Agnes's father was a socialist and follower of Eugene
V. Debs, the Socialist Party leader in 1901. Agnes Cunningham studied
music at Weatherford Teachers College (now Southwestern Oklahoma State
University) in Weatherford, Oklahoma, in 1929. After she graduated, she
taught music in the public school system. In 1932 she sought training in
socialist doctrine at Commonwealth Labor College, a radical labor
school in Mena, Arkansas. There she began writing labor songs and
learned the elements of social theater. She also trained in union
methods, organizing techniques, labor journalism, and labor-farmer union
developments. After finishing her course work, she returned to Oklahoma
and recruited for the Southern Tenant Farmers' Union.
In the 1930s Agnes Cunningham helped organize the Red Dust Players, an agitprop theater group, whose members presented short plays promoting political agitation and propaganda. The Red Dust Players performed at union meetings throughout the Oklahoma countryside to educate farm workers, sharecroppers, and tenant farmers on ways in which the union could better their lives.
In 1941 Cunningham married Gordon Friesen, a free-lance writer. The couple moved to New York City, and she became involved with the Almanac Singers, whose membership included Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, and Lee Hayes. The Friesens soon moved to Detroit, and Agnes became an active worker for the Communist Party in the 1940s. By the 1950s she had returned to New York, and she worked with folk groups and published Broadsides, a magazine promoting young songwriters. The Friesens came under investigation by the U.S. House Un-American Activities Committee but were never called to testify. Agnes Cunningham Friesen died in New Paltz, New York, on June 27, 2004."
I am currently working on finding information about the Roman Nose Hills Trail Ride, its history, and checking into whether or not we can get it listed on some Oklahoma Historical register or get some other historical recognition. Like the Watonga Cheese Festival, which has been going on for 39 years, I've heard different stories from different people about who started it (both the festival and the Trail Ride). I am a person who wants to know things -- I don't ask questions to cause trouble or make waves, I ask questions to learn, to understand things. So I'm asking for information about the "Roundup Club" and the Byron Wolfe Trail Ride. Are they two separate things, are they connected and how? I can't wait to visit with our friend Coot about some information I've uncovered so far .... he's been here in Watonga long enough to know some things and he's not afraid to talk!!
If anyone who reads this knows anything about any of these events and wants to share, please contact me. My email address is phoenixcir@yahoo.com.
A very interesting movie called "the Reckoning" is worth watching.
In the 1930s Agnes Cunningham helped organize the Red Dust Players, an agitprop theater group, whose members presented short plays promoting political agitation and propaganda. The Red Dust Players performed at union meetings throughout the Oklahoma countryside to educate farm workers, sharecroppers, and tenant farmers on ways in which the union could better their lives.
In 1941 Cunningham married Gordon Friesen, a free-lance writer. The couple moved to New York City, and she became involved with the Almanac Singers, whose membership included Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, and Lee Hayes. The Friesens soon moved to Detroit, and Agnes became an active worker for the Communist Party in the 1940s. By the 1950s she had returned to New York, and she worked with folk groups and published Broadsides, a magazine promoting young songwriters. The Friesens came under investigation by the U.S. House Un-American Activities Committee but were never called to testify. Agnes Cunningham Friesen died in New Paltz, New York, on June 27, 2004."
I am currently working on finding information about the Roman Nose Hills Trail Ride, its history, and checking into whether or not we can get it listed on some Oklahoma Historical register or get some other historical recognition. Like the Watonga Cheese Festival, which has been going on for 39 years, I've heard different stories from different people about who started it (both the festival and the Trail Ride). I am a person who wants to know things -- I don't ask questions to cause trouble or make waves, I ask questions to learn, to understand things. So I'm asking for information about the "Roundup Club" and the Byron Wolfe Trail Ride. Are they two separate things, are they connected and how? I can't wait to visit with our friend Coot about some information I've uncovered so far .... he's been here in Watonga long enough to know some things and he's not afraid to talk!!
If anyone who reads this knows anything about any of these events and wants to share, please contact me. My email address is phoenixcir@yahoo.com.
A very interesting movie called "the Reckoning" is worth watching.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
PRESS RELEASE for Arts Center project
June 25, 2015
HERE IS OUR
PRESS RELEASE for Watonga Arts Center: (sent to Watonga Republican 6/25/2015)
Watonga Arts
Center LLC is a business started by Andy Barrett and Jerry Sinclair in Watonga,
OK. This business will provide art for sale, art lessons, workshops, and rental
space for workshops. Down the road we'd like to offer a framing service.
Andy Barrett
is the owner/manager of Watonga Arts Center LLC. He purchased the building at
111 E. Main St. in Watonga and began remodeling it in 2013. The wall between
the two former businesses was taken out, and steel beams have been installed to
reinforce the structure. The plan is to have an open gallery space in the front
part of the building with moveable display sections, and workshops or studio
spaces in the back half of the building. We intend to feature any and all kinds
of artists' work (that will fit in the space!) in the gallery on a rotating
basis, for the public to view and to purchase. There are several talented
artists right here in Watonga and Blaine County, but we also hope to attract
statewide and nationally known artists in the future. As chairman of the art
show and entertainment portions of the Watonga Cheese & Wine Festival for
the past several years, I've made connections with many artists and musicians
and intend to use those connections to bring a variety of arts programs here.
Our arts center will (not might) not only benefit the City financially, but
will also serve to beautify downtown Main St. and give visitors another
destination to experience while in our area. It is located next to the historic
Liberty Theatre and the Whirlwind Winery.
Though the
building on Main St. itself if not yet open, we've been busy
"preaching" the benefits of arts education and giving the community
and visitors a taste of what an arts center can provide. We've done art activities at other locations -- the library, the Methodist Church for VBS, and at the Foley
building with some 4-H students. Drew Barrett has directed "paint
parties" at the Whirlwind Winery, at the Watonga middle school as a
fundraiser for the high school after-prom party, and in Fairview as a fundraiser
for Relay for Life. The goal of Watonga Arts is to open an arts center on Main
St. where we can have various types of art and programs, including visual arts,
music, poetry readings, storytelling, writing, even stage a children's play. We
know from experience the benefits of children getting to have a hands-on
experience with art and are strong advocates of arts education. Watonga school
system has a wonderful music program but other arts education is left to the
private sector, and that is the niche we want to fill.
I learned of
the Chase/Linked-In Mission Main Street Grant through my Linked-in profile. The
grant application was lengthy and detailed as to what our business is, how it
will affect our community, and our "business plan" for
sustainability. Once the application was submitted, we waited to see if it met
the criteria. We were notified that the application was accepted, and we then
had to get 250 votes for our project via Facebook. That involved many social
media posts asking for support, from our own Facebook friends and their
friends, Linked-In connections, and from members of artists groups, musicians
groups, and writer's groups that I am involved with. Anyone with a facebook
page could vote one time for our project, or for any other project in the
running. We even received votes from persons who had submitted grant
applications in other areas, with notes that they support the arts and arts
education. I beefed up my Linked-In profile and the Watonga Arts Facebook
information. As with a prior grant application we submitted through SWOSU, our
friends and supporters of the arts came through and our project received the
votes needed to move up to the next stage for consideration by a panel of
Judges. The members of the judging panel can be found at the website:
www.missionmainstreetgrants.com.
The
dilapidated building we purchased has good "bones" but desperately
needs major repairs. We would use the grant money to finish the remodel,
including A/C and heating systems, plumbing, hanging systems for the gallery,
materials for storage and counter work spaces. Andy Barrett and Jerry Sinclair
have provided most of the labor at no cost other than their time spent on the
project. With the grant money we would be able to hire contractors to help
finish the remodel and open the doors. The primary operational expense that
will come out of the grant money is payment of utilities -- we estimate that we
should be self-sustaining within three years, so having money to keep the doors
open while we get the business end established is vital. We will also use grant
funds for marketing, and of course, art supplies and materials.
Watonga Arts Center LLC is committed to the
Arts Center whether we get the grant or not, but it certainly would make it
happen a lot sooner. Call me if you have any other questions!! /Linda Barrett
940-735-1065Monday, May 18, 2015
I've been attending a bible study that covers Revelation 2 and the letters to the seven churches in Asia. I've never been a "fan" of that book as it is completely over my head, but I have to say that the leader of the study is doing a great job of shedding some light on what the book is saying, at least for me. The discussion with the participants helps my perspective immensely.
Stop reading here if you don't want to know my opinion.
This evening I didn't want to be at bible study. I didn't want to be around people who want to criticize and complain about Muslims, about the protesting African Americans, about political points of view. I didn't want to hear the snide remarks that people let escape their mouths about someone who isn't around to defend themselves. I didn't want to listen to hate talk. Listening to news reports and then hearing how much hate those reports rile up put a knot in my stomach.
I don't like being around people who smile at your face and talk hateful about you when you aren't around. I didn't want to be around hypocrites, people who will say nice things to my face, but when I'm not around, listen to mean things being said about me by someone else, especially when they know that those mean things aren't true. And I didn't want to be that kind of hypocrite that listens to mean or untrue things being said about someone who isn't present and keep my mouth shut for fear that I might lose a friend for not agreeing with them. That has happened and I've really had enough of it. I didn't feel like putting myself in that position on this particular night. I was not in a very good mood.
But I put all of those feelings aside and stayed at the bible study.
One thing I loved about moving to a new place was meeting people and getting to know them, and have them get to know me. There is genuine love among the congregation of the church I attend. I don't hear gossip or backstabbing or mean talk about anyone. Oh, I know that everyone is not perfect and I know people talk about others to their individual friends, but that kind of behavior is not part of the culture in our church in general. In the community in general it is a different story, and I've experienced it first-hand.
Back to the bible study. Rev.2: 8-11, reads (from the Revised Standard Version): "8 And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 'The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 9 I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who conquers shall not be hurt by the second death.' "
Jesus is telling the church (the people) that they have suffered and will suffer, but that they are "rich" for it though it might not feel like that to them. Satan is hate, hate in the hearts of men. When you hate, you are allowing Satan in your life. And Satan is going to continually try to get you to hate because when you do, you are following him and not following Jesus, who taught that we, as Christians, should love EVERYONE. He doesn't say that everyone has to LIKE every one else. He doesn't say that we all have to agree on everything. In these verses of Revelation, the writer is conveying to the people the message of God: telling the church/people of Smyrna to stay strong and resist the temptation of hate. It is hard, but the reward will be eternal life with God. Galatians 6, verce 1 says "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted."
Throughout the Bible, Jesus says to love "your neighbor", and who is your neighbor? -- EVERYONE. Love your enemy. Love those who hurt you, love those who you don't agree with, love those who are outcasts or pariah to everyone else. The message of Jesus is NOT to love only your friends, or the people who agree with your point of view, or those who worship the way you do. Nor does Jesus say that "love" means agreeing with someone else's point of view or how they worship, or liking how they live or worship. These verses say to me that our "tribulations" come from our refusal to accept and love those who are different from us. Love doesn't mean hugging someone or calling them a friend, but it does mean accepting them, and praying for their salvation as you pray for your own salvation. This letter tells us to love EVERYONE.
This was a very powerful message to me. Today there is a lot of hate in the world, some for petty reasons and some for serious reasons. This passage tells me to put that hate aside and let God be in control, in my own life and in the life of others.
This is a hard lesson to abide by. It is difficult not to harden my heart in the face of so much hatred. But Jesus says I must. I have to remember this lesson every day as I walk down the street and come into contact with people who hate me, people who are jealous, people who want recognition and will do and say anything to get it, even at my expense. People who don't want to acknowledge that their hate hurts not only the people they hate but themselves also. I have to continually remind myself that I am not that kind of person. I don't want to fall into the trap of treating people badly because they treat me badly. Staying on the right path in life takes a lot of mental reminders, a lot of prayer.
Stop reading here if you don't want to know my opinion.
This evening I didn't want to be at bible study. I didn't want to be around people who want to criticize and complain about Muslims, about the protesting African Americans, about political points of view. I didn't want to hear the snide remarks that people let escape their mouths about someone who isn't around to defend themselves. I didn't want to listen to hate talk. Listening to news reports and then hearing how much hate those reports rile up put a knot in my stomach.
I don't like being around people who smile at your face and talk hateful about you when you aren't around. I didn't want to be around hypocrites, people who will say nice things to my face, but when I'm not around, listen to mean things being said about me by someone else, especially when they know that those mean things aren't true. And I didn't want to be that kind of hypocrite that listens to mean or untrue things being said about someone who isn't present and keep my mouth shut for fear that I might lose a friend for not agreeing with them. That has happened and I've really had enough of it. I didn't feel like putting myself in that position on this particular night. I was not in a very good mood.
But I put all of those feelings aside and stayed at the bible study.
One thing I loved about moving to a new place was meeting people and getting to know them, and have them get to know me. There is genuine love among the congregation of the church I attend. I don't hear gossip or backstabbing or mean talk about anyone. Oh, I know that everyone is not perfect and I know people talk about others to their individual friends, but that kind of behavior is not part of the culture in our church in general. In the community in general it is a different story, and I've experienced it first-hand.
Back to the bible study. Rev.2: 8-11, reads (from the Revised Standard Version): "8 And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 'The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 9 I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who conquers shall not be hurt by the second death.' "
Jesus is telling the church (the people) that they have suffered and will suffer, but that they are "rich" for it though it might not feel like that to them. Satan is hate, hate in the hearts of men. When you hate, you are allowing Satan in your life. And Satan is going to continually try to get you to hate because when you do, you are following him and not following Jesus, who taught that we, as Christians, should love EVERYONE. He doesn't say that everyone has to LIKE every one else. He doesn't say that we all have to agree on everything. In these verses of Revelation, the writer is conveying to the people the message of God: telling the church/people of Smyrna to stay strong and resist the temptation of hate. It is hard, but the reward will be eternal life with God. Galatians 6, verce 1 says "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted."
Throughout the Bible, Jesus says to love "your neighbor", and who is your neighbor? -- EVERYONE. Love your enemy. Love those who hurt you, love those who you don't agree with, love those who are outcasts or pariah to everyone else. The message of Jesus is NOT to love only your friends, or the people who agree with your point of view, or those who worship the way you do. Nor does Jesus say that "love" means agreeing with someone else's point of view or how they worship, or liking how they live or worship. These verses say to me that our "tribulations" come from our refusal to accept and love those who are different from us. Love doesn't mean hugging someone or calling them a friend, but it does mean accepting them, and praying for their salvation as you pray for your own salvation. This letter tells us to love EVERYONE.
This was a very powerful message to me. Today there is a lot of hate in the world, some for petty reasons and some for serious reasons. This passage tells me to put that hate aside and let God be in control, in my own life and in the life of others.
This is a hard lesson to abide by. It is difficult not to harden my heart in the face of so much hatred. But Jesus says I must. I have to remember this lesson every day as I walk down the street and come into contact with people who hate me, people who are jealous, people who want recognition and will do and say anything to get it, even at my expense. People who don't want to acknowledge that their hate hurts not only the people they hate but themselves also. I have to continually remind myself that I am not that kind of person. I don't want to fall into the trap of treating people badly because they treat me badly. Staying on the right path in life takes a lot of mental reminders, a lot of prayer.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
A new leaf
WOW! I did not realize that it has been almost a year since I posted anything on this blog. Since then, there has been a change in city government and we are once again hopeful for the future of our town.
So let me start again:
KUDOS to Andy Barrett (aka "Andy Bennett") and writer Nathan Gunter for getting a great write-up and photos of the Watonga Cheese & Wine Festival into the current Oklahoma Today Magazine! You did a great job as Festival Director overall and especially in working with the owners of Whirlwind Winery and OGIC making Wine a part of a long-standing Festival (what is better than WINE & CHEESE?). Perhaps your success has something to do with your many years of marketing experience?!?!?
I am so proud of you and all that you've done in the Watonga community.
I am re-inspired to promote Watonga as a tourist destination, the "Gateway to Roman Nose State Park", with the Chaparral Retreat B&B, the Oven, Oklahoma House Concerts, the Many Hands Art Space, and the Liberty Theatre.
I ask readers to check in at this blog for the "rest of the story". I am in contact with Oklahoma Tourism magazine and other publications to see if we can get some more print coverage of what's available in Watonga.
/Linda
So let me start again:
KUDOS to Andy Barrett (aka "Andy Bennett") and writer Nathan Gunter for getting a great write-up and photos of the Watonga Cheese & Wine Festival into the current Oklahoma Today Magazine! You did a great job as Festival Director overall and especially in working with the owners of Whirlwind Winery and OGIC making Wine a part of a long-standing Festival (what is better than WINE & CHEESE?). Perhaps your success has something to do with your many years of marketing experience?!?!?
I am so proud of you and all that you've done in the Watonga community.
I am re-inspired to promote Watonga as a tourist destination, the "Gateway to Roman Nose State Park", with the Chaparral Retreat B&B, the Oven, Oklahoma House Concerts, the Many Hands Art Space, and the Liberty Theatre.
I ask readers to check in at this blog for the "rest of the story". I am in contact with Oklahoma Tourism magazine and other publications to see if we can get some more print coverage of what's available in Watonga.
/Linda
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