Feb. Calendar

I've gotten off to a late start in publishing the calendar of events for February (due to the weather, lack of internet for several days, and just plain laziness)!  The Watonga Chamber of Commerce Banquet was held on Feb. 3, with Representative Tom Ivester as keynote speaker.  Lots of community leaders and business people were present for the uplifting and positive messages given by Mr. Ivester and the Chamber President, Vicki Williams.  Music was provided by the Rural Route Ramblers -- don't miss them next time they perform in Watonga!  Congratulations to the winners of the community awards given by the Chamber, all of whom are deserving and set a good example for our community: 
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
Bobbi Schenk was recognized as Teacher of the Year by Superintendent Bill Seiter. Thanks go to End O'main for catering the event, and to Todd Lafferty for acting as MC.  Also, a BIG thank you to all who came out for the banquet, especially with the weather the way it is! 

Today is Fri. Feb. 7 -- Watonga High School basketball at Crossings Christian at 6:30 pm (JV at 4:30 pm)
For more information on school athletics dates, go to www.watongapublicschools.com. 

On Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014, don't forget to VOTE .... whether you vote "yes" or "no" on the school bond issue, it is important that you VOTE!!

Friday Feb 14 - VALENTINE'S DAY  Check out Aunt Toot's on Noble (across from the Noble House) and Hi-Tek Designs on Main Street for come sweetheart gift ideas. 
Then, on Saturday, Feb. 15, do something different with or for your special "somebody" -- go to the LIQUID ART evening at Whirlwind Winery, enjoy some wine tasting, and make some ART.  Sponsored by the Phoenix Circle Foundation (a 501(c)(3) organization), all supplies are provided and the fee is tax-deductible.  Call 580-623-4269 for reservations so that they have enough supplies for all you lovers!  Check out "Phoenix Circle Foundation" on FACEBOOK for more information.

Also on Feb. 14, the Watonga Public Library is holding another "Let's Do Lunch" with Jennifer Kidney discussing Barbara Kingsolver's books (The Poisonwood Bible) .  Bring your lunch and get excited about reading!  I had never read any of Ms. Kingsolver's books before hearing a presentation by Jennifer, and I am now in the middle of my second novel of hers!

Once the weather warms up (to above-freezing temperatures), the After School Art program at the high school will resume == hopefully on Wed. Feb. 12.  Call 580-623-4269 for more information on this free program. 

 Feb. 17 is PRESIDENT'S day and the children will be out of school. 

The next City Council meeting in Watonga will be on Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m.  If you want to know what's going on with the City, you MUST attend some of these meetings because the City Clerk does not publish or provide any information to the public on a voluntary basis.  The Agenda is sometimes posted on the City's website at www.cityofwatonga.org, and is generally posted in print on the door of the City Clerk's office on Weigle on the Friday before each meeting on Tuesday.     

Feb. 28 - March 2 is the annual TROUT DERBY at Roman Nose State Park lakes, sponsored by Friends of Roman Nose Association and the Watonga Chamber of Commerce.  Register to win fabulous prizes, and catch fish to win even more prizes.  You don't have to be a fisherman to register for the grant prize [I hear it's going to be a $500.00 gift certificate to a major sporting goods store -- where there's something for everyone!].  The weather should be good but check www.weather.com for up-to-date local weather (not OKC weather!).  And don't forget that the state record rainbow trout was caught at Watonga Lake !!  More information on the trout derby can be found at www.watongachamber.com 

Mark Reed of Bridge Creek at Lake Watonga.  Courtesy of NewsOK.

The goal of this post is to keep the public informed .... if you know of anything that needs to be included on the monthly calendar, please comment here or email me at phoenixcir@yahoo.com.

HAVE A GREAT MONTH!

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.