My, how time flies! I did not write an "end of year" posting here but did manage to keep up my journal. So now it's catch-up time for my blog readers.
The winter weather here in central/NW Oklahoma has been crazy. we've had days of 40 degrees and days of high 80's in the past month. Just when you think spring has come early, it gets cold and windy and, like today, none of us can do any work outside. Today is cold and rainy, but by the weekend it's supposed to warm up. When it's warm, I know that if I rake leaves or trim trees now it will be for naught; we could have another freeze. We've already seen crocus blooming; the daffodils are up and putting on buds. No sign of life on the flowering quince or forsythia or redbud trees yet, which is good. A couple of years ago everything put on buds and then we had a freeze in March and we had little color until late April. As I've said before, weather is the hot topic of conversation in these parts. This time of year is especially tenuous. We need rain, moisture, but we don't want snow and ice. We need a good freeze to keep the spring and summer bug population down, but at the same time, we really don't want another freeze -- at least I DON'T. I am not a cold weather person, as my friends know (what the heck am I doing north of the Red River?? That's one of the 100 stories I've been working on writing.)
Actually, I have been spending a lot of time writing over the last two months. And coordinating OKLAHOMA HOUSE CONCERTS. We had some great talent come out here to our little secret corner: Dan Martin from Tulsa in December; TJ George from Columbus, Ohio in January, Merry Ellen Kirk, Ruth Acuff and Drew Lance from Missouri (Merry Ellen's second time here) .... we're starting to get a following in spite of not having a regular set schedule of concerts.
This month we have MICHAEL JACOBS from Nashville on Feb. 18 (a Saturday - YAY!!), and CAROLINE COTTER with EMILY S ROBINSON (from Maine!) on Feb. 21. This will be Caroline Cotter's 2nd time at the Chaparral Retreat! They each have facebook pages and websites, so check them out there. Michael Jacobs' website is www.sacrednation.com. Caroline Cotter can be found at www.carolinecotter.com. We also promote them on our facebook pages, TravelOK.com, the Red Carpet Country tourism page, and other facebook tourism sites.
I can't express how excited and blessed we feel to get these talented musicians to come out here to rural Oklahoma. They basically play for tips, and we ask for donations for PHOENIX CIRCLE FOUNDATION, our non-profit foundation that supports the arts and arts education. We put the artists up for the night and feed them, and we all benefit from the experience. And each and every one of these shows are a unique experience. I know I'm going to ruffle some local feathers by writing these next few lines, but I'm putting it out there because, for the life of me, I can't understand the reason why our local regional newspaper won't publicize or promote or even write about these events after the fact. It's not for lack of my efforts -- I send Press Releases before the events, invitations by email to the editor, post flyers all over town, and have even paid for ads in the paper. These concerts are "news" and events I think the locals would want to know about. We fund these shows strictly from donations and out of our own pocket. OK, 'nuff said about that.
Fortunately we have developed a small group of local residents who come out when they can, and we are thankful for those who do see our vision and support our efforts to bring entertainment and visitors to our area. I have been able to get KOSU to put the events on their e-calendar and they've even featured clips from some of these musicians on their radio "Music Minute". I promote the events at the nearby university (Southwest Oklahoma U.) and have gotten free listings in the Oklahoma City Gazette.
We've had some really nice people come stay with us at the Retreat this winter. Our daughter Alma and her boyfriend came from Portland to spend Christmas with us. It was a very special time with all of us together. While Alma and Adrian were here we got to visit with Andy's sister Jane, her husband Jerry, their son Max and his fiancé Samantha in OKC.
This month we celebrated Andy's birthday with dinner at the White Dog Hill restaurant in Clinton (about an hour away -- everything is about an hour away from us!). We spent a quiet evening at home for Drew's birthday; he cooked dinner, Jenna made a FABULOUS cheesecake for dessert, and we played a board game. Our daughter's birthday is also this month; we'll probably Skype with her that day. Today, Valentine's Day, we have nothing special planned other than a quiet day indoors (it's raining outside) and maybe play a game after dinner.
We all send warm greetings to our friends and family and hope everyone is having a nice Valentine's Day filled with love and laughter.
/Linda [Notice, I did not write anything about politics or religion.]
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Friday, January 20, 2017
Welcome to the new age
Jan 20, 2017
Today President Donald Trump took over the White House.
Tomorrow there will be numerous Women's Marches in various cities around the country. I can't speak for organizers in other cities, but the Oklahoma City march is an opportunity for people to come together and show support for each other. It is not a protest as some of the national media is portraying the marches, but an opportunity for people with differing views to come together and show that they CARE about the issues facing our great nation. To those who like to sit around and complain, this is an opportunity to do something positive. A group of ladies from Blaine County will be heading to OKC in the morning. Not to protest, but to stand united for human rights.
(Thank you, Aretha Franklin, for this sentiment)
The next step is to email and send letters to your representatives in Congress telling them that you want them to step up and work together for the best interests of America. They need to get over the "we just to prevent the 'other party' from having any success" attitude and work together to come up with solutions. It does no good to call the President's office; it is the legislature that proposes and passes laws. We the people of America need to stay persistent in holding our government responsible. Remember that they were voted into office by us and are public servants. They should not be working toward their own private agendas.
I am hopeful for our future -- for all Americans.
/Linda Barrett [Ed.]
Today President Donald Trump took over the White House.
Tomorrow there will be numerous Women's Marches in various cities around the country. I can't speak for organizers in other cities, but the Oklahoma City march is an opportunity for people to come together and show support for each other. It is not a protest as some of the national media is portraying the marches, but an opportunity for people with differing views to come together and show that they CARE about the issues facing our great nation. To those who like to sit around and complain, this is an opportunity to do something positive. A group of ladies from Blaine County will be heading to OKC in the morning. Not to protest, but to stand united for human rights.
The next step is to email and send letters to your representatives in Congress telling them that you want them to step up and work together for the best interests of America. They need to get over the "we just to prevent the 'other party' from having any success" attitude and work together to come up with solutions. It does no good to call the President's office; it is the legislature that proposes and passes laws. We the people of America need to stay persistent in holding our government responsible. Remember that they were voted into office by us and are public servants. They should not be working toward their own private agendas.
I am hopeful for our future -- for all Americans.
/Linda Barrett [Ed.]
Saturday, December 31, 2016
END OF 2016 - UPCOMING EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
December 31, 2016 Happy New Year's Eve!
I only have a couple of notes to pass on before I write the "end of year" post.
The WHIRLWIND WINERY is open Today, Saturday, from 12:00 noon until 6:00 PM.
The winery is located on east Main St. in Watonga, OK. Go by and wish a happy new year to Brad and Don, and pick up a bottle or two of their wines for tonight's festivities. These guys bring a lot of visitors to our town with their Groupon offers and support the idea of tourism being an economic development tool.
Speaking of tourism, the 2017 issue of the Red Carpet Country Visitor's Guide will be out soon and available locally around mid-January. I am honored to be a member of the RCC Board of Directors and promote activities in and around Blaine County on Facebook through pages I administer: Watonga Community Events, Blaine Co. Community Events, Oklahoma Travel & Tips, and by sharing with numerous groups I contribute to.
One of the upcoming events in our area is the FIRST DAY HIKE at Roman Nose State Park on Jan 1. Get more information by calling the Park or check out their facebook page.
I only have a couple of notes to pass on before I write the "end of year" post.
The WHIRLWIND WINERY is open Today, Saturday, from 12:00 noon until 6:00 PM.
Speaking of tourism, the 2017 issue of the Red Carpet Country Visitor's Guide will be out soon and available locally around mid-January. I am honored to be a member of the RCC Board of Directors and promote activities in and around Blaine County on Facebook through pages I administer: Watonga Community Events, Blaine Co. Community Events, Oklahoma Travel & Tips, and by sharing with numerous groups I contribute to.
One of the upcoming events in our area is the FIRST DAY HIKE at Roman Nose State Park on Jan 1. Get more information by calling the Park or check out their facebook page.
The next OKLAHOMA HOUSE CONCERT at the Chaparral Retreat & Guesthouse, is Jan. 22, 2017, 5:00 PM. A $10 donation to Phoenix Circle Foundation (tax-deductible) is requested, which allows that charitable organization to offer FREE art activities to local children. Advance ticket/receipt available, call 580-623-4269. BYOB and a snack if you choose to. You can SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC, and make a difference in the lives of children through arts education, by attending these House Concerts or making a donation directly to Phoenix Circle Foundation. The owners of the Chaparral Retreat provide free lodging and food to touring musicians, and in return they perform in the unique and comfortable setting of the Retreat. The musicians we've hosted come from all across the country and we try to show them OKLAHOMA hospitality. There is nothing else like these shows, so come share the experience. In February, we have a returning musician, Caroline Cotter, coming with a friend, so it will be a completely different show than her solo performance last year. Get more information at www.chaparralbb.com, and check out our Discover Oklahoma segment on youtube by typing in "chaparral retreat" in the search box at the youtube website.
We hope everyone has a safe and festive new year's eve. I'll be working on an "end of year" post, and want to thank all of my followers and supporters.
/Linda Barrett
Thursday, December 29, 2016
KUDOS to the Enid OK Newspaper (link below)
Headline from NY Times article by Manny Fernandez, Dec. 26, 2016: "An Oklahoma Newspaper Endorsed Clinton. It Hasn’t Been Forgiven." The article is not reprinted here, but the entire article can be read by clicking on this link: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/26/us/oklahoma-newspaper-hillary-clinton-endorsement.html?mwrsm=Facebook&_r=0
The Enid News and Eagle newspaper endorsed Clinton. It hasn't been forgiven. A 730 word editorial caused quite an uproar in small-town America, revealed the extraordinary divisions exposed in this election and the surprising ways in today’s digital media age that newspaper endorsements still have the power to generate a reaction, even if they don’t necessarily change people’s votes. According to the NY Times article, the Enid newspaper has lost many subscriptions and advertisers because of the editorial. "I hope people can respect that we’re entitled to our opinion, too, and that that can be different from news,” said Rob Collins, the executive editor of The Enid News & Eagle."
One comment from a facebook friend: "People seem to forget that, just because you live in a "blue county" or a "red county" or a "blue state" or a "red state", that doesn't mean that everyone shares the same beliefs and opinions. Even if one party wins more often than the other, it is still that party's duty to represent the electorate at large, not just its own members. If you vote leaders into office expecting that those leaders will do everything you want, despite what the electorate wants, then you aren't voting for an American democracy."
Kudos to the Enid editor for printing their editorial opinion. Every American has the right to express their opinion, and when we act out of fear of reprisals, personal, financial, physical, we are giving in to the fear tactics that demagoques and dictators use as weapons against a free America. Even though OK is considered a "red state" doesn't mean that every person here supported or voted for Trump. Long ago I adopted a kind of slogan (from a quote by Thomas Jefferson) that represented a truth to me): WHEN TYRANNY BECOMES LAW, RESISTANCE BECOMES DUTY. As free-thinking Americans, we each have the right to believe what we want to believe, but we don't have the moral right to insist that another person with a different point of view be forced to agree with another's point of view, or to squelch another person's expression of their belief through threats and intimidation. So much of our media has already given in to threats by advertisers which severely restricts true and complete information the public receives. We've seen it in our own local newspaper, though no one wants to admit or talk about that. Cancelling subscriptions only serves to limit the possibility of that person getting true and correct information. My policy is to get information from many sources, not just the ones who broadcast and distribute information that I want to believe. I'd love to see this post SHARED.
One of the earmarks of our democracy is our right to free speech. Editorials like the one in the Enid News should serve to open civil discussion among people with differing opinions and not be used as a weapon against free speech.
/Linda
The Enid News and Eagle newspaper endorsed Clinton. It hasn't been forgiven. A 730 word editorial caused quite an uproar in small-town America, revealed the extraordinary divisions exposed in this election and the surprising ways in today’s digital media age that newspaper endorsements still have the power to generate a reaction, even if they don’t necessarily change people’s votes. According to the NY Times article, the Enid newspaper has lost many subscriptions and advertisers because of the editorial. "I hope people can respect that we’re entitled to our opinion, too, and that that can be different from news,” said Rob Collins, the executive editor of The Enid News & Eagle."
One comment from a facebook friend: "People seem to forget that, just because you live in a "blue county" or a "red county" or a "blue state" or a "red state", that doesn't mean that everyone shares the same beliefs and opinions. Even if one party wins more often than the other, it is still that party's duty to represent the electorate at large, not just its own members. If you vote leaders into office expecting that those leaders will do everything you want, despite what the electorate wants, then you aren't voting for an American democracy."
Kudos to the Enid editor for printing their editorial opinion. Every American has the right to express their opinion, and when we act out of fear of reprisals, personal, financial, physical, we are giving in to the fear tactics that demagoques and dictators use as weapons against a free America. Even though OK is considered a "red state" doesn't mean that every person here supported or voted for Trump. Long ago I adopted a kind of slogan (from a quote by Thomas Jefferson) that represented a truth to me): WHEN TYRANNY BECOMES LAW, RESISTANCE BECOMES DUTY. As free-thinking Americans, we each have the right to believe what we want to believe, but we don't have the moral right to insist that another person with a different point of view be forced to agree with another's point of view, or to squelch another person's expression of their belief through threats and intimidation. So much of our media has already given in to threats by advertisers which severely restricts true and complete information the public receives. We've seen it in our own local newspaper, though no one wants to admit or talk about that. Cancelling subscriptions only serves to limit the possibility of that person getting true and correct information. My policy is to get information from many sources, not just the ones who broadcast and distribute information that I want to believe. I'd love to see this post SHARED.
One of the earmarks of our democracy is our right to free speech. Editorials like the one in the Enid News should serve to open civil discussion among people with differing opinions and not be used as a weapon against free speech.
/Linda
Monday, December 12, 2016
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]
Thursday, December 1, 2016
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 --
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
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
Monday, November 14, 2016
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
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.
...
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
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
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