Community Calendar for December

It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
 and singing songs of joy and peace. - Joni Mitchell

Thanksgiving Day is over; we can now officially begin putting out the Christmas lights, Santa, reindeer, manger scenes, nutcrackers, toy soldiers, and whatever else represents the Christmas season to each of us (not that everyone waits this long!).  Personally, I really don't like to get all of the tinsel out until after Dec. 10.  But this year I'll probably get busy earlier, since the weather is going to be pleasant this next week and our children are coming to visit in mid-December.  As soon as I put on the James Taylor Christmas CD I get in the mood to bake and decorate the house.

In keeping with the real spirit of Christmas, bear in mind that there are needs in our community that YOU can help with. 

DHS Christmas Angels Trees (for children in custody and foster children) are placed in the following places in Watonga: Alco
Cornerstone Bank
First State Bank
Nazarene Church

 • Pick an Angel...
• Register the Angel with the initial & number
• Please do not wrap the gift
• Return the Angel to DHS office at  410 W. Main, Watonga, OK by December 2, 2013 ** Please attach Angel to the gift when you return it

 

Feather Warrior Casino is holding a canned food drive, and a toy drive.  On Friday and Saturday (one time per week), you can take in an unwrapped toy (worth $5.00) and receive $10.00 in FREE PLAY.  On Monday and Tuesday (one time per week), take in THREE canned goods and receive $5.00 in FREE PLAY.  Of course, you can take in your canned goods and unwrapped toys at ANY TIME just to help out.

There are lots of activities in town and surrounding communities to put on your calendar. Mary Larsen from the Chamber of Commerce does a great job of promoting events and putting them on the Community Calendar.  The calendar can be accessed by going to the website www.watongachamber.com and then clicking on CALENDAR on the top bar. Here are some of the things NOT TO MISS:

The Chamber of Commerce-sponsored "IT PAYS TO SHOP WATONGA" program is going on NOW.  A perfect time to buy that Angel Tree gift and enter your name for the drawing for Watonga Bucks!!

Sat. Nov. 30 -- SHOP WATONGA. Today is Small Business Saturday -- support your local busiensses AND for each $10.00 purchase at participating Watonga merchants you get an entry into a drawing for Watonga Bucks (drawing to be held on Dec. 19).
 Dec. 6 - Santa's Village and Holiday Bazaar at Blaine County Fairgrounds  9:00 am - 4:00 pm. There are lots of homemade gift ideas -- you can get most of your Christmas shopping done here!
Dec. 7 -- HOSTY DUO  performs at ROMAN NOSE STATE PARK LODGE --General Admission is $10.00, or book a room and see the concert for $105.00.  ROOMS also available at the Chaparral Retreat & Guesthouse just down the street from the Park. Call 580-623-4269 for discounted rates for that weekend.   
Dec. 8 - The Living Nativity live performance at Liberty Theatre.  2:30 pm.  Adult tickets are $8.00, members Free, and you can get in for half-price if you bring an unwrapped toy for the Blaine County Angel Tree.
Dec. 15 -- First United Methodist Church of Watonga will present its annual Christmas Cantata at the 10:50 a.m. service.  420 N. Weigle.  Everyone is invited.
Dec. 18 - Community Christmas Choir program at Liberty Theatre. Support our local talent by sharing an evening of beautiful music.
Dec. 19 - Centennial Park on Main St. (City Hall if weather is bad) -- 5:30 p.m. Chamber of Commerce's drawing for Watonga Bucks (everyone who shopped at participating merchants and entered their name into the drawing is eligible).   Come out and have some hot chocolate and see who won $500, $200, $100 (2) or $50 (2) for shopping in Watonga -- it might be you! 

OK. I'm tired of typing for now.  Time to get out and SHOP!  But check back later for more news.
/linda

Thanksgiving

The beginning of the holiday season started this past week with a covering of snow and freezing temperatures!  On Sunday Nov. 24, the Ministerial Alliance of Watonga hosted the annual Community Thanksgiving dinner at the Foley Building at the County Fairgrounds.  Many of our local churches, both ministers and members, provided the food, cooked, and served the homemade meal, including the Oasis Church, First United Methodist Church, Christian Church, First Baptist Church, New Hope Baptist Church, Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, and the Nazarene Church.  If I've neglected to mention any church by name, please forgive me. Pastor Steve Davis from the Methodist Church gave a short sermon, and we were treated to some beautiful Christian music by Matt Giles and his wife, and from Doug Jackson and his daughter.  Applemarket donated 25 turkeys for the dinner.  Around 175 people showed up in spite of the cold snowy weather. The attendance shows us the need in our community, and those who worked on providing the dinner deserve a big "thank you" for their Christian spirit. 

Today is Thanksgiving Day.  It will be filled with football, family, friends and lots of food for most people. Let us be thankful for the blessings in our lives, not just today but every day of the year. Let us be thankful that there are people who care about others. Let us be civil in our conversations and discussions about local and world events even if we don't agree with one another.  And most of all, it is my prayer that we can all be kind to each other.  HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY to all!
/Linda

Thur 11/21/2013

It is sad when people become so closed-minded that their bitterness is all that comes through. When a person who claims to be a Christian cannot accept that there are those who disagree with him/her and bad-mouths that person, smiles and even gives gifts to that person but then stabs them in the back, they've lost sight of what it means to be a Christian.

This blog is intended to report what is going on in Watonga and surrounding area that I hear about so that information can be shared and not hidden.  It covers both good and bad. We've tried to balance reports of actions taken by our City officials to reports of upcoming events in the community.  We welcome comments but only ask that they are not racist, unintelligible, or just downright mean spirited.  One does not have to agree with what is written here. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. No one is blocked from commenting unless those comments become inappropriate in the arena of decency.  Let's please just keep a civil discourse going.   [Ed.]

Hearing on BARRETT v. CITY OF WATONGA

Thursday 11/14/2013
You'da'thunk the City of Watonga had a BIG court case going on over at the Blaine County Courthouse on Thursday.  All of the city bigwigs (except Leroy Lage)  were present and they even brought reinforcements.  City Clerk Harriett Nitzel brought her husband Terry Nitzel; ex-mayor Dale Green was present, current Mayor Clay Loosen and his girlfriend Nicole, and of course Dan Webber, City Attorney were present.  There was no reason for ANY of them to be there. The issue at hand was on a legal technicality and it was not a hearing on the facts of the case. The defendant's motion to dismiss would be decided from the written briefs and attorney arguments, not testimony by either party.  Nonetheless, the city officials took an hour and a half off from their work to sit quietly in the lobby. None of them were in the courtroom except for Dan Webber when the case of  LINDA BARRETT vs. CITY OF WATONGA was called for hearing on the Motion to Dismiss filed by the City's liability insurance carrier.  The matter was heard by a visiting Judge.  Dan Webber was permitted to sit in as an "observer".    

The basis of the motion to dismiss was that Ms. Barrett, the plaintiff, had not filed her lawsuit "timely".  Under state law, a person with a claim against a municipality cannot file a lawsuit until and unless specific pre-suit requirements are met under statute.  The claimant MUST give notice  of his/her claim to the government agency (the City) by a specific written notice with specific content to the City Clerk,  and wait 90 days for the City to consider it before the claimant can file a lawsuit.  Then any lawsuit must be filed within a certain time after the expiration of the 90 days. According to the law, the written claim MUST be given to the City Clerk (not the Mayor, not a councilman, not the city attorney). 
Prior to filing suit, Ms. Barrett had made several attempts to resolve her dispute with the City for wrongful termination (the basic facts are public record in plaintiff's petition) by correspondence with the Mayor and city councilmen and discussions with city council members about her claim prior to her formal notice to the City Clerk in November 2012.  During this time period, the City was in turmoil over the resignation by Dale Green and his subsequent refusal to honor that resignation;  the issue being brought up that any action taken by him or by city council while Mr. Green presided at city council meetings after his written resignation were of no effect; and the preparation of a complaint to be filed with the Oklahoma Attorney General to enforce Mr. Green's resignation and stop him from presiding over city council meetings.   On June 5, 2012, Clay Loosen presided over the council meeting as temporary mayor, and at that gathering Loosen announced to the public that he wanted "anyone who has a problem" with the city to try to work it out with the appropriate city department head and if  a resolution couldn't be accomplished, then to come to him before bringing matters to the city council.  [The official minutes of City council meetings generally document only the "action" taken on agenda items and how each councilmember voted.  The official minutes of the June 5, 2012 meeting do not reflect the Mayor's statement but a recording of the meeting does.  The City Clerk and Mayor claim that they do not have a recording of that meeting in 2012 because they do not keep recordings for more than three months.]  Following the then-sitting mayor's instructions, Ms. Barrett communicated with the Mayor, as the mayor had requested of the public and in an effort to avoid negative publicity for the City. [ As anyone can read in the plaintiff's petition, the allegations of conduct by the City Clerk are not pretty and specific evidence that would be presented at a trial would not put a good light on the city official(s).]  When the Mayor did not respond in any way to letters and phone calls, Ms. Barrett proceeded with a formal notice to the City Clerk, as required by statute, which was received by the Clerk on November 26, and then proceeded to file the lawsuit.

At the hearing on Thursday, plaintiff's attorney argued that" strict compliance with the statute" was required and followed with the November 26 notice to the City Clerk. The defendant's attorney argued that the earlier written and verbal communications to the Mayor constituted "constructive notice" to the City , that "strict compliance" with the statute requiring notice to the City Clerk was not required; therefore the lawsuit itself was not filed timely.  None of the facts of the case or the allegations of wrongdoing by the City Clerk were brought up. The Judge ruled in favor of the defendant's argument and the case was dismissed on the technicality of using the dates of earlier communications instead of the formal notice of November 26 as the beginning of the timeline.  The plaintiff's attorney gave notice that a motion to reconsider would be filed.
Another hearing will be scheduled.

Town Hall meeting with Frank Lucas

[Editor's note:   This is an essay.  It contains not only facts but also some of my personal views.]

Representative Frank Lucas was in Watonga on Thursday afternoon, preaching to his choir.  Less than twenty people (I counted fourteen) showed up and Mr. Lucas basically told his constituents what they wanted to hear:  that Obamacare (the Affordable Care Act) is bad, that the Senate isn't helping matters, and that nothing is going to be done in Washington for the next couple of years except for possibly the passing of “his” Farm Bill.  

He did acknowledge that government is being strangled by (1) campaign finance reform that allowed contributions to political campaigns to go to PAC's, taking control of those funds out of the hands of the political parties with a wide platform and putting control into small groups with specific agendas; (2) the Supreme Court decision that allows corporations to be treated as individuals with regard to contributions to political campaigns (which means that the wealthy, individuals or businesses or unions, can basically push their agenda through with the size of their check); and (3) the public's general attitude of disgust with politicians.

One problem with our government is money in the political system; the other is that Congressmen are no longer statesmen but are strictly politicians.  Our government representatives seem to have lost the knack of working together toward a goal.  

Now that it is apparent that the Affordable Care Act is going to be the law of the land (in spite of all of the time and effort spent –in vain - to repeal it or modify it after the fact) the only thing Mr. Lucas seems to be interested in is pushing forward his Farm Bill.   It's a complicated matter and there are definitely many layers to the issue, but as long as the public keeps their heads turned toward one side of the fence and doesn't look at the other side, politicians like Frank Lucas will be able to use their speaking skills to convince their followers  that there is only one side to the issue. Except for a few intelligent comments and questions from the audience, the town hall meeting was like a  preacher giving a sermon to a group of true believers, with every derogatory word and phrase about President Obama and the current administration being responded to with an "Amen".

As for Obamacare (a derogatory term referring to the Affordable Care Act), which Mr. Lucas believes is bad for the country because it will be subsidized by federal spending, most of his gerrymandered constituents really don't know the details of what the law actually entails.  They only know what they've been told in unfavorable terms by politicians, news pundits, and talking heads who are against it.  If anyone would bother to listen to anything other than FOX entertainment, they might be able to see a positive side to Obamacare.  Talk to someone who will now be able to get health insurance coverage, or someone who will now be able to go to see a doctor without fear of getting a bill they cannot pay. 

The truth is that the Affordable Care Act will benefit MILLIONS of people, including YOUNG ADULTS, THE ELDERLY, THE UNEMPLOYED, PART-TIME EMPLOYEES, THE SELF-EMPLOYED, AND SOME DOCTORS AND HOSPITALS!  How?  Here's just one example:  Every person needs health care at some point in their lives.  Currently,  hospitals write-off possibly millions of dollars in medical care costs which they are unable to collect from the uninsured, the poor, the elderly, young adults who don't make enough to either pay for insurance or pay for their medical expenses. Under the ACA more of those costs will now be paid. The  less money the hospitals have to write-off, the less they will have to raise fees for medical care to make up for the write-offs.  Granted, insurance companies will probably raise their premium rates because that is the business they are in -- profit, profit, profit--not a touch of "compassionate conservatism" in their corporate bones.   The only involved industries that don't get a direct benefit from the ACA are insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies ....corporate entities that help keep politicians in office with their millions of dollars in campaign contributions. There are too many other benefits that the public will see in the future to list here, but anyone with an open mind can find some good in the new law and how it will help ordinary Americans.  No, it’s not the perfect answer, but a “perfect answer” has not been proposed by anyone; even if it were, someone would object.  We have to compromise and see what happens, and I personally don't see what use it is to bad-mouth the law at this point except to make the public more devisive (and disgusted with politicians).  Let's move on.  

Years ago (early 1980’s?) when HMO’s came onto the market, most everyone whined and complained about it.  But the system had it’s good side, and I for one am glad I had HMO coverage when my son was born premature and had to stay in the hospital for six weeks in NICU . I didn’t have to declare bankruptcy after giving birth to a child who needed special medical care and an extended stay in the hospital.  Yes, the doctor who delivered him was one “on call” and not the doctor I had seen two days earlier for a prenatal check, but in the moments between life and death, it didn’t matter who the insurance company was going to pay for the delivery.  As years went by, more and more people saw the benefits of the HMO system  and then the PPO system, one of which was cost savings to the consumer.  [My son is now a healthy 28 year old, not covered under his parents health insurance and cannot afford his own health insurance coverage.  Even with good health, he still needs to see a doctor once a year and has to pay for it out-of-pocket. ACA will at the minimum allow him to get affordable health insurance coverage.]  

Anyway, Mr. Lucas seems to have lost sight of the fact that his congressional district covers a large group who live below the poverty line or are disabled or unemployed, and the Affordable Care Act (he couldn't even use the correct term while speaking to the group; when corrected, he tried to call it mandated healthcare) will benefit a large number of his constituents.  These are not just people who are lazy and don’t want to work and don’t want to pay for health insurance or pay their medical bills.   But  Mr. Lucas is working for individuals and businesses who don't really have to worry about the everyday issues of putting food on the table or going to the doctor. He works for businesses and individuals with money and doesn't see why those that "have"  should contribute to provide health insurance or health care for those who cannot afford it. 

Ironically, in the long run they pay for it anyway!  

The most interesting  thing I heard Mr. Lucas say was that he and his staff are going to give up their health insurance through the federal government and sign up with the DC health coverage exchange (as soon as he can get on-line and get signed up--another jab at the administration).
What a good citizen, you might say,  giving "one for the gipper".  My question - why?  I asked, Why would you all give up your good insurance to go into the exchange that you all complain is so bad?  Well, it happens that the law contains a provision that says congressmen and their staff must get coverage through the exchange.  So, he isn't doing it voluntarily, but is being required to do so.   As for Congressmen continuing to be paid during the sequestration or the government "shut-down", Mr. Lucas explained that there was a provision US Constitution that prevented congress from being unpaid and Mr. Lucas made a reference to it being a result of King George's relationship with the English Parliament  [anyone want to look that up?  I did, and I contacted an expert on the Constitution. Like much of what politicians tell us, a half-truth.... ?]

There is so much that the public doesn't understand about the Affordable Care Act, and most of what is spread around on the internet and social media is either half-truths, flat-out lies, or statements made that skew the facts.  Yes, the Act does help those who cannot afford to pay for health insurance (or healthcare itself!) and since the private sector doesn’t work to make health care affordable, the government has to step in.  That is what government is for – to help those who CANNOT help themselves.  Unfortunately there are a lot of people who WILL NOT help themselves who get caught in that net. 

The current health insurance plans that people are complaining about having to drop are plans that do not meet the requirements under the ACA.  More about that later …

Thanks for reading.  

"Young cat, if you keep your eyes open enough, oh, the stuff you would learn! The most wonderful stuff!"  the beloved Dr. Seuss

 

City Council meeting 11/5/2013

The November 5 city council meeting was relatively short, was adjourned in about twenty minutes. All city councilmen were present except for Bobby Spencer. The City Clerk and City Attorney were also present.
The PublicWorks Authority meeting was longer and dealt mostly with discussion of the painting project at Mercy Hospital. I arrived late, at 7:40 p.m. and it appeared that the minutes and reports had already been approved, along with approval of  Police Chief Chris Teply’s salary in the amount of $1700.00 per pay period and approval of an additional salary to be paid to  Michael Herdman as Building Inspector in the amount of $300.00 per pay period.

 

I came into the meeting while the council was discussing a request from Mark Noe to place a 4X8 sign advertising his crop spraying operation on the Watonga Corporate Hangar, which he rents.  The matter was tabled and referred to the Airport Committee (Olsen, Spencer, and Province) to discuss what fee should be charged for that advertising sign.  The Airport Committee will meet on Monday, Nov. 18 at 6:30.  Clay suggested that they meet at the airport terminal so that the committee members can see the work that has been done at the airport terminal.

 

That was the last action item on the agenda, and the Mayor then announced the meeting open for discussion of old/new business.  

 

Kendra Baker commented that the restrooms in the common area of the City Hall building were not handicapped accessible.  People have to be carried in to use the toilet. Fire Chief Verlin Bills said that the door to the restroom itself is not wide enough for a wheelchair so it didn't really matter if the stalls are accessible -- you can't get a wheelchair into the room in the first place. There was discussion about the need to be ADA complaint and questions raised as to why the building (and specifically the restrooms) are not compliant, and what would need to be done to make them compliant. Clay said that he has "never thought about it before."  Doyle suggested that nothing be done at this time but that the matter be considered at budget time next year as it will involve a construction project. Olsen said something about limiting the number of people who can attend meetings if there is not an ADA compliant restroom.  Edna Justice said that the one restroom in her business building had to be ADA compliant.  Verlin Bills said he has a whole list of needed renovations for the City Hall. [there was aa lot of talking over each other during this portion of the meeting -- if anyone has a question about this transcript, a recording of the meeting can be listened to at the City Clerk's office].  Clay ended the discussion saying that the matter will be considered at next year's budget discussions. 

 

Edna Justice asked if the water tower was up and going and Warren replied that it is, that they have 60 to 62 pounds pressure and have been fixing leaks. 

Richard Hightower then brought up Code Enforcement.  He said he had not objected to paying Mr. Herdman an extra $150.00 provided he does the required inspections.  With Mr. Herdman being assigned new duties and with Chris Teply taking over as new police chief, and now that the lawn-mowing season is pretty much over, Mr. Hightower asked if these city officers can work on code enforcement.  Chris Teply said he intended to get on it but has just been able to keep up with crimes in town.  Mr. Hightower requested that the Council receive monthly reports by the police department and by the code enforcement officers on the status of actions being taken (letters sent, citations issued, vehicles towed) so that the council knows exactly what code enforcement efforts are being taken.  He noted that the Council has had no measurable way to know what the city has been doing about code enforcement and he requested monthly reports.  Clay said that would be no problem.
Chief Teply also said he would provide monthly reports. 
Clay noted that Chief Teply has had removed all of the illegal signs on street corners advertising businesses and returned them to the businesses with notice that they are violations of state law and city code.  Signs put out in the future will be picked up and destroyed.

Doyle Province brought up the torn-up condition  of Skyview Drive, and was told that the cracks and holes in the street are because of the water main line that goes down the middle of that street.  Warren Rice indicated it would do no good to make repairs until such time as Marvin can overlay the entire street. 
 

Clay Loosen indicated that  Mrs. Laughlin (the wife of Vance Laughlin, new warden of Diamondback) has been contacted and will be interviewed for the finance director position after they move to Watonga.  When asked "when will that be", Clay said that they were supposed to have moved here by the end of October but he hasn't heard anything more. 
Clay said that the bid awarded to  Aaron's Home Entertainment for the video camera installation project has been put aside because Aaron's could not get a bond.  [according to a contact in the office of the Oklahoma Attorney General, a bid is supposed to include the bidding company's bond at the time it is submitted--there may be some "exceptions"or extenuating circumstances but this is the general rule].  The City has therefore awarded the job to Pioneer Telephone, which presented the next lowest bid in the amount of $26,360.
Clay reported that the airport lights are now installed and they have received a letter from the engineer firm that that project is complete, so the City is ready to move onto the next project on the FAA's plan.  Clay also said that the fire truck is fixed, the pump is working, and Lloyd Hursh, airport manager, has been selling gas. 
The council meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
 
The Public Works Authority meeting began immediately thereafter.  Reports and claims were approved and the meeting then took up the action items.

 Nov. 5 2013  PWA Action Agenda 
Council members discussed the  removal and reconstruction of a closure of the west side outlet of the Mercy Watonga Hospital by Gordon Construction, in the amount of $4950.00.  There was a question by council as to whether or not this project was the same as or a portion of another project previously approved by the Council, and Robbie Pearson from Mercy stated that it was not.   The expenditure was approved.

 

There was extensive discussion regarding the withdrawal of  part of the bid from Breeden Painting Company for the painting project at Mercy Watonga Hospital.  Breeden Painting Company has requested to withdraw its bid for the interior painting job but wants to continue with the painting of the exterior of the Mercy Watonga Hospital.  The reason for the request to withdraw the interior painting bid was a misunderstanding of the nature and extent of the work to be performed on the interior relating to removal of wallpaper and putting on texture.  The Clerk did not have a copy of the newspaper notice with the specs as published for the council to look at. There was no other bid presented for the job, so the council could not simply take the next lowest bid (as they did with the video surveillance equipment bids). 
City Attorney Dan Webber stated that the options available to the City are:  (1) put the entire project out for bid again;  release Breeden from its bid on the interior and publish for new bids for the interior; sue Breeden for "specific performance", requiring them to do the job; or "mitigation" -- hire someone else to do the entire job (interior and exterior) and sue Breeden for the difference in cost.  Mike Childs, who is responsible for all of Mercy's facilities in Western Oklahoma, gave his opinion that the job be rebid with a more definitive statement of what the job entails.  The City Clerk asked Robbie to get her the specific information for her to put in the legal notice of bids. Gary Olsen expressed concern that a new bid will be higher now that the previously accepted bid numbers are public.  Motion to rebid the project was made, seconded and approved.  New bids will be opened at the December 3 City Council meeting.
  

Mike Childs and Darin Ratliff of Mercy Hospital were present to discuss the Heating and Air System at the Hospital.  Mr. Ratliff is an expert on Trane equipment. They presented a proposal showing what needs to be done on the HVAC system immediately for the comfort of patients.  Mr. Hightower indicated that he had met with the Mercy representatives and Robbie Pearson to go over all the shortcomings of the current heating and AC system.  The current system at the hospital is a 1967 model and none of it is "working the way it is supposed to."   The estimated cost of trying to repair the current system is $33,362.00, with no way of knowing what the system needs and the nature and extent of additional repairs once that exploratory and diagnostic work is done.  They gave a "ballpark" estimate for a new system to be $150,000 to $200,000.00.  Brent Wilkinson asked if Mercy has any recommendations for an engineer the City can talk to, and Mr. Ratliff said he would get a name to Brent. 
It was decided that the situation be declared an emergency and that the Council  hold a special meeting of the Public Works Authority to vote on (1) accepting the proposal for temporary repairs and going out for bids on that job; and (2) going out for bids to hire an engineer to oversee the repair/replacement of the HVAC system at Mercy Hospital.  The special meeting is scheduled for November 12 at 7:30 at the City Council chamber.  An agenda will be posted at the City Clerk's office by Friday, Nov. 8. 
 

Whew!  No other business was discussed. 

 

 

New Places in Watonga

On Thursday evening, I ate at the Eagle's Nest, which is located across the street from the high school.  It is now under new ownership and Levi McKinsey has added to the menu a delicious dish of rice, and a Phillipino eggroll called a "lumpia".  It is lighter than an eggroll and filled with a flavorful meat instead of vegetables.   They are now open from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm every weekday. She also features "specials of the day".  Students can pre-order in the morning and have their lunch ready to pick up and eat at the beginning of their short lunch period.  Being open in the evenings is a big plus for our community, so show your support by eating dinner there sometime.  She also has the regular favorites that have always been on the Eagle's Nest menu. Prices are very reasonable.

Another dinner option on Friday and Saturday is Smokin' Eddie's BBQ at the Noble House Restaurant.  Open from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Eddie serves BBQ sandwiches (beef and pork), smoked ribs and chicken, and maybe even hamburgers (call for the complete menu!) along with choices of side dishes: french fries, green beans, baked potatoe, beans, cole slaw, break and side salad. Eddie's is a good dinner option on football nights as he can get to-go orders ready before the game!

A couple of new shops have also opened on Noble Street.  Maggie Tookolo has opened a vintage store across the street from the Noble House restaurant called Aunt Toot's.  She carries "shabby chic" and repurposed items -- old furniture that has been painted and refinished, antiques, and  interesting handmade gift items.  Maggie grew up here and has brought some neat things to Watonga that aren't available in the Country Antique store or other shops.  A great place to get Christmas gifts this year!! Go by and say "hi" and show her that Watonga supports new businesses.

Next to Aunt Toot's is another new gift shop, Random Halos, owned by Angel Gibson.  Not just another gift shop, Angel also carries interesting handmade crafts and gift items.  I haven't spent too much time in this shop yet but will write more when I do.  I did notice a very cool art drawing on a green door -- you'll have to go by and see for yourself.  

The Liquid ART events are going to start up again now that Cheese Festival is over. We are planning on meeting on Saturday, November 16 at 6:30 at the Whirlwind Winery.  I'll be posting our "inspiration piece" on the watonga news blog Facebook page soon.  We already have several reservations but still some spots left, so call 623-4269 or the Whirlwind Winery to reserve your place, as space is limited.  Don Molnar will be tending the wine store today and Saturday, so if you are out and about on Main Stree, you can stop in and let him know also if you want to come to the Liquid ART evening.  The cost is a $35.00 donation to the Phoenix Circle Foundation. All supplies are provided for you to paint a picture and take it home, and the remaining proceeds go to provide an after-school art program to high school students here in Watonga.  The evening is a partnership event co-sponsored by the Whirlwind Winery and the Phoenix Circle Foundation (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization).  Why drive to Oklahoma City for "Wine & Palette" when you can do the same thing here in Watonga!

As I've said in a previous post, Watonga has some good things going on that we as a community can build on to attract visitors.  Does everyone know about the music shows scheduled at the Roman Nose State Park Lodge in November & December? Check it out!