The State of Tourism

December 11, 2016

"Times have never been better for adding tourism to a small town's economic mix." says  Joanne Steele from  the Center for Rural Affairs.  A link to her complete article “Rural Tourism: It's Never Been A Better Time to Be A Small Town”  will be posted on facebook on the Blaine Co. Community Events page. 

Red Carpet Country tourism association held their December board meeting at the Sod House Museum near Aline.  The Sod House and Museum is an amazing visit !  It is the only existing original sod house in Oklahoma.  If you are traveling through NW Oklahoma on Highway 45 or close to Cherokee, Cleo Springs or Fairview, go by and check it out! I have driven by it many times and never stopped, so I am so glad the meeting was held there. I recommend that everyone looking for something to do in NW and N Central Oklahoma check out the facebook page and website for RED CARPET COUNTRY -- you're sure to find lots of fun and family-friendly activities in Red Carpet Country. 

TOURISM is the third largest industry in Oklahoma, and Blaine County has a natural draw for tourists -- Roman Nose State Park.  Once here, visitors have few options other than the park and the Lodge. There a couple of gift shops, small "down home" restaurants, but the biggest draw to Main St.  Watonga has been the Whirlwind Winery, which is open every Friday and Saturday. The winery participates in the “Groupon” program and brings visitors from all parts of Oklahoma and even some from Kansas and Arkansas and Texas.    

Watonga Arts Center is a building next to the Whirlwind Winery, currently being renovated  to be turned into an Art Gallery with additional spaces for art workshops and art lessons.  It can also be a venue for live music, storytelling sessions and other arts activities for the community.  Once the Arts Center is open the east end of Main St. will be completely full  of active business storefronts.   As a day-trip destination, the City will benefit from  visitors and their tax dollars.   

Working with the PHOENIX CIRCLE FOUNDATION, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit,  the owners of Watonga Arts is  hoping and waiting for local business people to step up and support their effort to help make our downtown more attractive.  This area is a flower bud about to bloom, but it will die on the stem if it isn’t nurtured. 

I have found that “not all small towns are alike”, doomed to fade away, as many locals are fond of saying.  Since I have had the opportunity to be part of the Red Carpet Country tourism board, I’ve travelled across the north west and north central part of the state, and visited with directors of Chambers of Commerce, City Managers, directors of tourism.  I have witnessed the transformation of a dying town into a quaint, active, and prosperous town that still maintains that “down home” atmosphere, historical sites, and welcoming spirit.  The towns of Watonga, Okeene, Geary, and Canton are all taking steps to attract tourists to this area. As the saying goes, “If you are coasting, you’re going downhill.”  Blaine County is ripe and ready to start going uphill.  

[Blogger: Linda Barrett]

 

 

A SEASON FOR GIVING

Since moving to Watonga, I've seen almost  ALL of the local businesses and businessmen give money to almost every "fundraising" request, supporting all sports activities, cheerleaders, band students, helping to pay medical bills for some residents, concerts at the Liberty Theatre, and church fundraisers.  I know this community to be a giving community.



Dr. Max Barrett and Marjorie Barrett were long-time residents of Watonga, and upstanding members of the community, supporting the town and the schools, participating in governmental and civic organizations, volunteering their time for the betterment of the community and its residents. We have tried to follow the example set by Dr. and Mrs. Barrett.




As most of those who read this know, we  are on a board of directors of the Phoenix Circle Foundation, an Oklahoma 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of children through programs that involve wellness, arts education, charitable giving. I'm not going to list all of the activities and programs we've headed up or helped with over the past four years.  We provide a public report at the end of each year.  I'm certain you know someone who has benefitted from our efforts in one way or another.



Without further explanation, we are asking for your help with donations that will allow us to continue our programs here.  If the community is not willing to help --i.e., "talk the talk but not walk the walk",  we will not be discouraged and will continue our efforts through grants and, surprisingly, donations we've received from people who don't even live here!  Those donors are people who are interested in making this a better world for our children and they should be applauded for their willingness to help.
 
SO, we are extending a CHALLENGE to each business and business owner, and individuals who support other "nonprofit" activities in Watonga, to make a donation to Phoenix Circle Foundation.  Your money stays here and benefits our community.  There are five ways you can respond:




1.  Send a check, in any amount (every $1 is important) to PCF, PO Box 427,Watonga, OK 73772.  You will receive a receipt for tax purposes as these donations are tax-deductible.




2.  Donate through our "GOFUNDME" campaign.  Log on to www.gofundme.com and search for Scissortail Creative Space.  Phoenix Circle Foundation is registered as a nonprofit with GoFundMe. They take credit cards, but in the interest of full disclosure, they also keep a very small percentage of donations to cover their costs of taking credit card donations.




3.  The EASIEST way to donate is through www.smile.amazon.com when you shop at Amazon online.  You can go directly to that website, or from the www.amazon.com site, type in Amazon Smile in the search box and it will take you to the amazon smile program.  You shop the way you always do, but there will be a box where you can choose a charitable organization to support.  Five are listed, then there is a box to type in another -- in that box type in Phoenix Circle Foundation, and you can confirm that on the next page that pops up.  Amazon will then make a donation -- it's not added onto your bill but is paid by Amazon.  Several people we know are using this method to support us, and we thank them immensely.  Since this is the "shopping" season, your purchases through Amazon can make a huge difference.   If you have any questions about the smile.amazon program, give me a call (940-735-1065 or home: 623-4269 and I can walk you through the process.




4.  You can attend our OKLAHOMA HOUSE CONCERTS and make a donation there + experience a unique and intimate evening of live music from musicians that come from all over the country.




5. You can do nothing -- and stop complaining that our children are running around, have few choices for educational activities to do after school, and aren't getting the well-rounded education all parents want for their kids. 




THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR FOR GIVING, so I hope you will consider these words --

 "All the streets are filled with laughter and light

And the music of the season

And the merchants' windows are all bright

With the faces of the children

And the families hurrying to their homes

While the sky darkens and freezes

Will be gathering around the hearths and tables

...

Well they call him by 'the Prince of Peace'

And they call him by 'the Savior'

And they pray to him upon the seas

And in every bold endeavor

And they fill his churches with their pride and gold

While their faith in him increases

...

Well we guard our world with locks and guns

And we guard our fine possessions

And once a year when Christmas comes

We give to our relations

And perhaps we give a little to the poor

If the generosity should seize us

But if any one of us should interfere

In the business of why there are poor

They get the same as the rebel Jesus." 

--lyrics by Jackson Browne

I am posting this on December 1, 2016 and hope to get responses by December 10.  At that point we will have to spend money on letters and stamps to get our requests out (and I hate spending donated monies on administrative expenses!!).



We thank you for your support.
/Andy Barrett, Director
Phoenix Circle Foundation

ANNUAL FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

The "Matching Funds" fundraising campaign for PHOENIX CIRCLE FOUNDATION is over, but the Arts Education organization is always in need of funds to do the work of our mission statement.  We received more donations from people who don't live in Blaine County than from our local residents, parents, and business people.  Interesting.....  but we're not giving up on the dream of having a place for your children to have the opportunity to experience the arts.  In communities like Watonga, where funds are not available for Arts programs, the private sector can work together to take up the slack, and that is what Phoenix Circle Foundation is trying to do. 


We are in the process of putting together our programs -- drawing and painting, reading, writing, chalk art -- for December and the coming year.  These works of art were done by students of different ages.

Watercolor by Canton student    

 

Chalk Art



WHY ARTS EDUCATION MATTERS:


1. Students who study art are 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement and 3 times more likely to be awarded for school attendance.
2 Arts and music education programs are mandatory in countries that rank consistently among the highest for math and science test scores, like Japan, Hungary, and the Netherlands.
...

3. Arts and Music programs are constantly in danger of being cut from shrinking school budgets even though they're proven to improve academics. If public school budgets aren't able to provide these important programs, there are private sector organizations that can take up the slack. Show how important arts are in your community by donating to PHOENIX CIRCLE FOUNDATION and contact them for times and dates of arts programs.

4. The No Child Left Behind Act clearly mandates The Arts (music, art, foreign language, etc.) as a core academic subject. If public school budgets aren't able to provide these important programs, there are private sector organizations that can take up the slack. Show how important arts are in your community by donating to PHOENIX CIRCLE FOUNDATION and contact them for times and dates of arts programs.


5. One study group showed that 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students who were taught a foreign language every day in school outperformed the students who were not exposed to a foreign language on their Basic Skills Test. The term "arts" includes Language Arts, which covers reading and writing skills.


6. Researchers find that sustained learning in music and theater correlates strongly with higher achievement in both math and reading.


7. In a study of a high-poverty schools in Chicago, the schools that were participating in the Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE) made huge strides in closing the gap between high- and low-income students’ academic achievement.


8. Multiple studies have concluded that curricular and extracurricular art studies and activities help keep high-risk dropout students stay in school.


9. New brain research shows that exposure to music and art improve skills in math and reading, but it promotes creativity, social development, personality adjustment, and self-worth.


10. Research suggests that studying a second language is essential to the learning process, creative inquiry and critical thinking. Foreign language studies have proven to increase problem-solving skills and overall cognitive development.


PLEASE DONATE SO THAT YOUR CHILDREN CAN EXPERIENCE THE BENEFITS OF THE ARTS RIGHT HERE IN WATONGA!!   Send your tax-deductible donation to
Phoenix Circle Foundation – an Oklahoma nonprofit
PO Box 427
Watonga, OK 73772


You can also donate through our GOFUNDME campaign AND/OR through the AmazonSmile program. 
We really appreciate our supporters who have already used the AmazonSmile program -- we've received our first "distribution" from Amazon this month!!!  Every dollar counts, and you can make a huge difference during this holiday shopping season (and throughout the year) by designating Phoenix Circle Foundation as the beneficiary of the AmazonSmile program. 

 THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! /Linda Barrett, Director, Phoenix Circle Foundation  11/14/2016
 

EAGLE VALLEY EXPRESS YOUTH PROJECT

There is a new youth project starting up in Watonga -- EAGLE VALLEY EXPRESS YOUTH PROJECT.  They are holding a chili dog lunch tomorrow, SATURDAY, OCT. 22, at the Dollar General parking lot from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.  PLEASE GO OUT, meet the organizers, and support their mission!!  

The focus of Phoenix Circle Foundation at this time of year is fundraising, not only for our programs but also to support projects like the Eagle Valley Express Youth Project  that wants to set up an after-school youth center.  They are not a 501(c)(3) organization yet, but you can make a tax-deductible donation to them through PCF.  Just note on the memo line of your check "EVE"; we'll send you a receipt and then write one check to EAGLE VALLEY EXPRESS YOUTH PROJECT. THANKS!!

Once again Phoenix Circle Foundation has an anonymous donor who will match donations received from 10/15 - 10/31, so your donations go further! 

  

THIS YEAR WE SPONSORED SEVERAL free ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN, INCLUDING SIDEWALK CHALK ART EVENTS, A READING PROGRAM, SCHOOL SUPPLY GIVE-AWAY, AND ART PROJECTS WITH 4H KIDS AND CHILDREN ATTENDING VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL AT A LOCAL CHURCH. WE STARTED THE BLAINE COUNTY HEALTH & HUNGER COMMUNITY GARDEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE OSU EXTENSION SERVICE AND INVITE FAMILIES TO COME GROW PRODUCE AND LEARN ABOUT EATING HEALTHY, WATER CONSERVATION, COMPOSTING AND RECYCLING; I EVEN GOT TO HELP THE 4H KIDS PREPARE AND SERVE A MEAL FOR THEIR PARENTS. 

 

WITHOUT LISTING HERE ALL THAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED WITH YOUR HELP THIS YEAR, WE HOPE YOU WILL VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGES: WATONGA ARTS CENTER; SCISSORTAIL ARTS DAY; OKLAHOMA HOUSE CONCERTS, and the PHOENIX CIRCLE FOUNDATION.

.

WE'RE NOT "BRAGGING" -- WE WANT YOU TO KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING IN OUR COMMUNITY WHEN WE ASK THAT YOU SUPPORT THESE EFFORTS BY SENDING A DONATION TO PHOENIX CIRCLE FOUNDATION, PO BOX 427, WATONGA, OK 73772. ANY AMOUNT IS HELPFUL! OUR CONTACT PHONE NUMBER IS 940-735-1065. 

OUR THANKS TO ALL WHO SUPPORT THESE EFFORTS IN OUR COMMUNITY! /Linda Barrett, Director      

 

“FROM THOSE TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH IS EXPECTED.” - LUKE 12: 48 (PARAPHRASED)

TIME TO DIG DEEP

Oct 19 2016

In looking back over my journal I was reminded of what a busy year it has been. Phoenix Circle Foundation has accomplished much in this community with the support of those who believe in what we are trying to do and the partnerships we have been able to form with like-minded groups. 

 PCF is an Oklahoma non-profit corporation, qualified under IRC 501(c)(3) to receive tax-deductible donations. Our mission and purpose is to (1)  promote education in all areas, including health and wellness, the environment,  the arts and humanities; (2) to sponsor and promote educational, charitable, and cultural events and opportunities for the public, and specifically for children in disadvantaged areas; (3) assist local public schools and other charitable organizations by providing materials, resources and programs to further the education of our children; (4) raise funds, apply for grants, and distribute monies and resources to further our purposes and achieve our mission.

We can only do this with the help of volunteers, grants, and private donations from individuals and businesses. Both adults and children benefit from our efforts to bring these programs to our community. Arts  programs and arts education can also be effective economic development tools, bringing visitors to our area.  

We believe in working together to help others through voluntary efforts rather than through a government imposed tax or initiatives.  Without listing here all that we have accomplished with the help of our supporters, we hope you will visit our facebook pages:  Watonga Arts Center; Scissortail Arts Day; Oklahoma House Concerts; Phoenix Circle Foundation.

Our focus right now is fundraising/getting sponsorships for upcoming House Concerts and helping Eagle Valley Express Youth Program get started.  We've been able to attract so many really good and diverse musicians from all over the country.  These shows are advertised as FREE but of course nothing is really free -- we ask attendees to support the musicians with tips and urchase merchandise.  The Chaparral Retreat B&B provides lodging and meals to the musicians and Phoenix Circle Foundation provides "gas money". Check youtube to see some of the musicians we've hosted:  My Politic; Merry Ellen Kirk; Ruth Acuff; Judy Painter and Rose Kimball; Glenn Roth; Katie & Kelly Country Duo; Caroline Cotter.  If you haven't been to one of these intimate house concerts, just ask someone who has -- they are definitely a unique experience.   

 This year we held several activities for children, including sidewalk chalk art event, a reading program, school supply give-away, and art projects with 4H kids and children attending Vacation Bible School at a local church.   PCF gave a $250 scholarship to a graduating senior from Watonga High School to help her toward her education in an arts-related field. 

We started the Blaine County Health & Hunger Community Garden in partnership with the OSU Extension Service and invite families to come grow produce and learn about eating healthy, water conservation, composting and recycling.  Though the garden was started late in the year, volunteers worked hard to get several beds established, a fence erected around the garden, began laying down cardboard and woodchips in the aisles between the beds, and began a composting program.  I got to help the 4H kids prepare and serve a meal for their parents and we showed them the garden and the basics of composting kitchen scraps.  We've been harvesting tomatoes and there are still some green ones on the vines we're hoping will ripen before a freeze.  We've planted sweet potatoes, and have one (1) okra plant that is blooming.  It doesn't sound like much but we consider it a good beginning and know that next year's garden will be awesome. 

We're not "bragging" -- we want you to know what we are doing in our community when we ask that you help us continue these programs by sending a donation to PHOENIX CIRCLE FOUNDATION, PO Box 427, Watonga, OK 73772.   Any amount is helpful!   We are sending out our fundraising plea NOW in the hopes that you can make your donation before the end of the year. 

 Many of Watonga's local businesses and community leaders support other activities in our community, so please add Phoenix Circle Foundation to your list of charitable organizations to support.   Our contact phone number is 940-735-1065.  THANK YOU to all who support these efforts in our community!

Linda Barrett, Director, Phoenix Circle Foundation

“From those to whom much is given, much is expected.” - Luke 12: 48 (paraphrased)

Glenn Roth performing tonight at Chaparral Retreat

https://youtu.be/hqv8PvdI6Sg


Click on the above link to hear a sample of Glenn Roth's fingerstyle guitar work. 


Glenn will be at the Chaparral Retreat (Hwy 8A, 1 mile from Roman Nose State Park near Watonga, OK) for a House Concert this evening, Saturday, Sept. 17, at 6:00 pm. Sponsored by Phoenix Circle Foundation, the concert is FREE; tips are welcome and appreciated. It is BYO beverage, snack, lawnchair or blanket. Come out for a unique experience in rural OK under a canopy of native oak trees.

Glenn is a fingerstyle guitarist, his thumb riding the bassline and the melody driving all. His compositions suggest multiple guitars, but it’s really just one guy, ten flying fingers, one instrument. All instrumental, Glenn’s songs suggest moods and narratives that compel the listener to fill in the details.

Glenn's usual workspace is the vaulted splendor of Grand Central Terminal or the tunnels and platforms of the New York City subway system. A literal “underground” sensation, Glenn is a licensed performer in the MTA’s “Music under New York” program, playing for the most distracted and demanding audience in the world: legions of workers rushing to jobs throughout the Big Apple. And his fingers work magic, creating a soundscape of compelling melodies that invite them to leave the city rush behind on an aural escape.

Glenn plays regularly throughout the northeast and tours nationally & internationally to bring his music to new fans and locales.

The Chaparral Retreat is the ONLY place in Oklahoma Glenn is playing on his current tour. Come out and SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC.  As always, donations to Phoenix Circle Foundation allow us to continue to bring this kind of arts program and more to rural Oklahoma.  Thanks for your support!

[Linda Barrett, Ed.]

GRAPE HARVEST and MORE

Sept. 5, 2016  Monday  Labor Day
In spite of this weekend being a traditional "holiday", many have been laboring with end-of-summer chores.  Our local winemaker spent this past weekend and last weekend with friends and family volunteers harvesting grapes, then going through the crush and press process to get the juice for future wines. Once the grapes are snipped off the vines (by hand), buckets of the juicy fruit are brought into "town", Watonga, and the crush and press is done on site of the winery on Main Street.  It is a wonderful agri-tourism activity, with people coming from Edmond, other suburbs of OKC, and as far away as Dallas to help.  Brad's wife cooks and sets out a wonderful lunch for the workers. They are harvesting again this morning to try to get the last of the grapes off the vine, so it will be another busy day.

There were family reunions and gatherings all weekend in the area.  Motels were full, the Lodge and campsites at  Roman Nose  State Park were all filled, and Chaparral Retreat & Guesthouse B&B had a full house.  The weather was beautiful.  There were more boats on Canton Lake than I have seen out there in several years, and the beach was packed. This was a perfect weekend to attract tourists to our area. 


The Blaine County Free Fair was held last the last weekend in August.  Winners in the numerous categories will be in the Watonga Republican.  On a personal note, I won ribbons on two photographs I submitted (below).  I encourage all Blaine County residents to start thinking about what they can contribute to the Blaine County Fair for next year!! 

  (c) Linda Barrett 2016

(c) Linda Barrett 2016

Thanks for reading!  Send any information or events or activities you'd like shared on my social media network to me on my Facebook page, "Blaine Co. Community Events", or by email at phoenixcir@yahoo.com.