Musician GLENN ROTH coming to Chaparral Retreat to perform

Out in the middle of rural NW Oklahoma, just one hour from Oklahoma City, the owners of the Chaparral Retreat & Guesthouse have started  a series of OKLAHOMA HOUSE CONCERTS that is quickly becoming a destination for musicians from all over the country!  Next month (Sept. 17), Mr. Glenn Roth will be stopping in to perform here following his appearance at the  Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield,KS  and before he heads to Rio Rancho, NM and Taos ,NM.  We are so fortunate to be able to provide a unique venue for musicians and an informal and beautiful setting for these concerts.
These concerts are  FREE -- the proprietors provide lodging and meals to the artist, and accept donations to the PHOENIX CIRCLE FOUNDATION (a 501(c)(3) charitable and educational nonprofit organization to be able to bring music and arts education programs to rural Oklahoma.  Of course, tips to the musician and CD sales help them as they journey across country to share their talents. 
The evening is BYO Beverage, snacks, lawn chair, and cameras.  We guarantee you'll have a special experience at an OKLAHOMA HOUSE CONCERT.   More information is available on our facebook page or the Retreat's website, www.chaparralbb.com.  We also promote these events at watonganews.blogspot.com and on KOSU Community Calendar.

NEXT OKLAHOMA HOUSE CONCERTS

Glenn Roth, Sept. 17, 6:00 pm
Merry Ellen Kirk and Ruth Acuff,  Oct. 6, time TBA

WATONGA CHEESE FESTIVAL?

The 40th Watonga Cheese Festival is coming up, Oct.14 and 15. The items below are now nostalgic mementos, as I understand the Festival is going to be "different" this year and it is a little sad to see after spending the last four years working to build it back up after 2007. The Cheese Factory was condemned after the 2007 storm Erin came through Blaine and Kingfisher Counties, and just last year the building was demolished. FORTUNATELY, we were able to salvage some of the old bricks and will incorporate them into another building in Watonga. The cheese is now made in Perryton, Texas, but it is available in Watonga at a couple of retail stores. I don't have details of the festival other than the date, but read watonganews.blogspot.com  blog for information as we become aware of what the schedule is going to be.  I check the Watonga Chamber facebook page and website daily and you can look at those sites for info too.

In 2004, long before we moved to Watonga, there was a "call" for drawings to be used on the Rat Race Tshirts.  My son entered his drawing and it was chosen!  Naturally we had to drive up from Dallas to be at the festival and he rode in the parade. It has been a special treat for our family to see that the logo he designed was used up until 2012.

On another note, the First United Methodist Church is holding a Community BBQ on September 7. WATCH FOR MORE DETAILS COMING SOON. 

(c) Linda Barrett

BACK TO SCHOOL!

August 24, 2016


Earlier this month one of my favorite people (a teacher) posted this prayer on Facebook. I don't think she would mind if I share it here:
"As the teachers report for the new school year, I offer up this prayer.  "Lord, please fill each teacher with strength to lead, grace to guide, & hope to thrive in their classrooms. Bless them beyond measure for their willingness to pour into the next generation through education." Amen


The mystery of the lower turnout at the school supply giveaway at First United Methodist Church has been solved. Next year Phoenix Circle Foundation will revamp the project so that more students can receive free school supplies and the schools themselves will receive supplies of tissues, Clorox wipes, copy paper, and other staples.  Check out the Watonga Community Events page regularly for information on all the activities and projects sponsored by PCF working with community partners.


Meanwhile, the Blaine County Health Coalition held a back to school "fair" and gave away  backpacks and school supplies, along with lots of resource information for families. The Lion's Club had a health-check trailer, and Mercy Hospital hosted a table indoors.  I didn't write down the names of all of the "partners" who worked together to make the event a success so please excuse me for not naming all, but it was a great example of a community effort to bring healthy living resources and family-friendly activities to the public.


(c) Linda Barrett 8/2016

More news that isn't

Aug 11, 2016
Just goes to that show you can't always believe everything you read in a newspaper and you don't always get the entire story.
Phoenix Circle Foundation is happy that the FREE SCHOOL SUPPLIES program we started four years ago in Watonga has grown so much, according to the local newspaper.  Our thanks go out to donors who support this project with donations of money AND school supplies they purchase. This year was actually the fourth year we provided free school supplies to Watonga students. Since partnering with the First United Methodist Church in 2014, the number of children who have benefitted from the school supply giveaway has increased thanks to the efforts of volunteers who have been able to raise more money for this specific purpose.  With such a success story, we will be expanding the program to other Blaine County school districts next year.  Phoenix Circle Foundation does fundraising activities all year to be able to provide this service (along with arts education, health and wellness, and reading programs), so please keep us on your "giving" list. Send your donations to PCF, PO Box 427, Watonga, OK 73772, and THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT.