WELCOME TO WATONGA Rack Card

This is the tourism information I am submitting for a Rack Card to distribute to visitors to Watonga.  If anyone sees anything in any of the categories they think should be added, send me an email message at phoenixcir@yahoo.com   (formatting, fonts, etc. will be done by the printer 



WELCOME TO
WATONGA
gateway to
ROMAN NOSE STATE PARK
———————————————
(See BLAINE COUNTY OK COMMUNITY on Facebook for events throughout the year)
 

LODGING:

 Chaparral Retreat & Guesthouse (B&B)

         www.chaparralbb.com   located 4 mi
             north of Watonga on State HWY 8A
             (road to Roman Nose  Park)

Noble House B&B  (www.watonga.com)

Roman Nose State Park Lodge –

           OK HWY 8A  - Lodging and Restaurant
          Campsites, fishing lake, 580-623-7281

Watonga Motel  1-888-854-5709

PLACES TO EAT:  

Applemarket Deli & Grocery Store –
                             W.  Main Street


Roman Nose Lodge Restaurant
El  Rancho Grande Mexican
         Restaurant-115 N.  Noble


Eagle’s Nest – 11th St. & Weigle


Sonic Drive-In  -- Hwy 33


Hi-De-Ho Restaurant, Hwy 33


The Oven (outdoor wood-fired pizza)
             Reservations Required- 580-623-4269

General Store in Roman Nose State Park

The Garden Spot-–W. Hwy 33

China King Buffet – Hwy 33

Hutch’s Gas Station & Grill

Pizza Hut (Hwy 281 (South)

Subway Sandwiches (inside Love’s Gas) 

     

SHOPPING:

Whirlwind Winery, 109 E. Main

                   580-623-1012

Big Bobbins –quilting, notions

                   121 E. Main St., 405-537-9950

Country Home Antiques 580-623-2599

Hitek Designs – 119 E. Main St - Gifts

Watonga Floral &  Gifts – 108 E. Main

             June’s Plant Place – Hwy 33 – Gifts and
                    Watonga Cheese – 580-623-8579


            Dollar General – 100 S. Clarence Nash

Tractor Supply – 220 S. Clarence Nash

Do-it-Best Hardware – 120 N. Weigle

Swann’s Pharmacy and Gifts  (next to

                       Applemarket Grocery Store) –
                       W.  Main Street




EVENTS/ACTIVITIES:

     Oklahoma House Concerts (live music) at

              The Chaparral Retreat & Guesthouse
               580-623-4269  or 940-735-1065

     Lucky Star Casino – Hwy 281 (South)

     Liquid ART – art lesson + wine at the
              Whirlwind Winery  - call 580-623-4269

      Watonga Cheese Festival – 2^nd weekend

              in October.  Contact the Chamber of
              Commerce for information --
              580-623-5452

      Roman Nose Hills Trail Ride

      Watonga Golf Course -  580-623-4674

      Golf Course at Roman Nose State Park  -

              Call 580-623-7281

HISTORIC SITES

     TB Ferguson Home & Museum –

               519 N. Weigle, Call 580-623-5069

    Ferguson Presbyterian Chapel

 

© Blaine County OK Community  June 2017

August 2017 Update

Aug 28, 2017
PHOENIX CIRCLE FOUNDATION continues to make strides toward the goal of bringing arts and other educational opportunities to our community.  We want to thank all of our Art Patrons - teachers, parents, friends, and business people who are supporting our efforts to open an Arts Center in Watonga with your donations and attendance at our fundraising events. We are trying to use our GOFUNDME campaign to reach out to a wider audience of philanthropists and hope all of our facebook friends will share those posts.  We also want to thank the Red Carpet Country tourism association, their board of directors and members, for their encouragement and ideas for how the Arts Center can bring more people to our downtown.



Earlier this month Whirlwind Winery hosted a live music concert by Dylan Stewart of Ringling, OK. Dylan has played at the Chaparral Retreat and said he enjoys the small, intimate audience. We had a good crowd;  Dylan played for tips and we brought in some $$ for Phoenix Circle Foundation.  Brad sold a few bottles of wine for visitors to take home.  It was a special evening of entertainment and fellowship.


The next Oklahoma House Concert will be on Saturday, Sept. 16, featuring Glenn Roth.  This is the second time Glenn has included the Chaparral Retreat on his tour schedule and we are so glad to have him come back. 

   

Glenn's bio says he " is not your typical commuter from Connecticut. Instead of a briefcase, he carries a gig bag. His 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."   He's added some vocals to his bag of tricks.  Listen to him on youtube at https://youtu.be/TqABtQeDY4E and come out on Sept. 16 to support this awesome musician.

This past weekend was the Blaine County Free Fair.  Though it was smaller than in past years, it was exciting to see the 4-H kids' art projects and all of the other exhibits. I took a friend, who recently moved to Watonga.  I didn't enter anything in the Fair this year. 
There was a great Barn Quilt workshop at the Foley Building on Saturday,  led by Lynda Latta from Arnett, OK  (Ellis County).  Lynda is a fellow board member of the Red Carpet Country tourism association and is promoting  the idea of Watonga being part of a "Barn Quilt Trail".  As she and I visited at the recent Tourism Conference, she suggested that our Arts Center would be a great place to host future barn quilt workshops, once our doors are open.  Lynda has also talked to our Chamber of Commerce director and to Terri Crawford, head librarian, about putting up barn quilt squares in the vacant lot on east Main Street, where a building was recently demolished. Painting Barn Quilt squares is an excellent arts project for all ages. I will be attending a Rural Development Seminar in October in Woodward for training on how to use Barn Quilt trails to bring people into town.

Speaking of the Oklahoma Tourism Conference held this month in Enid, OK ... we had great speakers who shared ideas on how small towns like Watonga can "reinvent" themselves to attract more tourism dollars without giving up their history, culture, and "small town" identity.  I was also given information by Jeanette Nance from Keep Oklahoma Beautiful about grants they have available, and one in particular that could help us with the renovation costs for the building at 111 E. Main Street.  I'm sending in our application today!!

I helped out at the Whirlwind Winery this past Saturday and we were busy all day with people from OKC, Duncan, Bethany, Winfield KS, and other visitors who came to the area to visit Roman Nose State Park or to stay at the Chaparral Retreat. As the representative for Blaine County on a state tourism board, I have to disagree with a local resident's comment that "people [tourists] only come to Watonga to camp and fish [at the State Park]".  Every visitor we had on Saturday asked "what else is there to do in Watonga?" This town has a rich history, like the TB Ferguson Home and Museum, we can share with tourists.  Two couples said they were going over to El Rancho Grande for dinner, and another couple said they were going to the Lodge to eat.  I try to keep a supply of "WELCOME TO WATONGA" rack cards on the stand at the Winery and this past Saturday I ended up giving away almost all that we had on hand!

Phoenix Circle Foundation gave out over $200 in school supplies this month, and we had more requests we couldn't fill.  We didn't promote the school supply giveaway as much this year as in years past because we noticed several other "school supply drives" being promoted. We will continue that mission next year and maybe start a little earlier to let families know that free supplies will be available.
  

Carla Burdick, executive director of Red Carpet Country tourism association, is going to be the program at Kiwanis this coming Wednesday.
/Linda Barrett



  

**PRESS RELEASE** sent to Watonga Republican, Aug 8, 2017

2017 SCHOOL SUPPLY GIVE-AWAY

"Blaine County communities once again came together this year to help provide free school supplies for elementary school students. Stacy Shirley, a former Watonga teacher, is a member of the board of directors of Phoenix Circle Foundation, and the annual school supply give-away is one of several programs administered by the nonprofit organization that benefit local children.

Money donations received by Phoenix Circle Foundation and discounts on purchases of supplies at Staples Office Supply in Yukon, matched with school supplies donated by individuals from Watonga, Geary, and Canton, allowed the nonprofit organization to give every family who came by the Opportunities office on August 6, a bag of basic school supplies put together from the list prepared by the Watonga School District. An assortment of pocket folders, Crayola Markers, 24-count Crayola crayons, Crayola colored pencils, glue sticks, notebook paper, and spiral notebooks were also donated to the Blaine County DHS office for their clients. Audrey Smith, an employee at the Blaine County DHS office, said “There is always a need for school supplies for children in Blaine County, every year and all through the year.”

"2017 is the fifth year Phoenix Circle Foundation has been able to give out free school supplies to Blaine County students thanks to donors who support the program with donations of money and school supplies throughout the year,” said Linda Barrett, Director of the PCF program. “Though supplies were purchased at the Staples store in Yukon, Watonga and Blaine County did not lose any sales tax dollars because Phoenix Circle Foundation is a sales tax exempt organization. We look for the best prices from different stores, and by using our Rewards points at Staples store, this year we got more ‘bang for the buck’ and were able to serve more families.” Mrs. Barrett said, “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. Donations can be mailed to Phoenix Circle Foundation at PO Box 427, Watonga, OK 73772.”

NOTE: As we receive more donations, we will get more supplies to give away. Look at "Phoenix Circle Foundation" facebook page for updates. I was told that several school supply "drives", including Mercy Hospital, have been collecting school supply donations and will give the supplies directly to the schools in Watonga. /Linda Barrett

1st day of school

^{Aug. 2, 2017}

CLOSE YOUR EYES and imagine that you are six years old and it is the first day of school.  Your mom, or dad, or grandmother, takes you to the school, gets you to your classroom.  You walk in with nothing in your hands except for maybe a sack lunch.   For whatever reason, when the teacher goes around the classroom to collect the school supplies that each child was supposed to bring, you don’t have any school supplies to hand over.   

Can you imagine how that child feels, how the other children look at him/her?  That first day of school is etched into my memory.

It is the goal of PHOENIX CIRCLE FOUNDATION  to try to see that every child walks into a classroom with SOME school supplies, not emptied-handed, on that first day of school. 

Our wider mission is to provide programs and resources to children in Blaine County and surrounding communities to enhance their lives.  In accomplishing our mission, the Foundation will:

•             Promote education in all areas, including health and wellness, the environment, the arts and humanities;

•             Sponsor and promote educational, charitable, and cultural events and opportunities for children to whom these programs and opportunities would not otherwise be available due to economic or other disadvantages.

•             Partner with local public schools, Head Start programs and other social programs by providing materials and resources to disadvantaged children (students whose families are unable to purchase such materials and resources).

•             Raise funds, apply for grants, and distribute monies, resources and programs to further our purposes.

For the past four years, we have provided free school supplies to many local families and their children. In 2015 we served just under 100 families, and there were still some students who we were unable to provide for.  In 2016 we partnered with the First United Methodist Church and donated over $300 in school supplies for them to distribute.  We have also provided cases of copy paper, boxes of tissue, and Clorox wipes to the elementary school office.  If and when we hear of a need for our community’s school children, we try to fulfill it.  

This year we are continuing with our SCHOOL SUPPLY GIVE-AWAY but, unfortunately, we have a limited amount of supplies available. We have packets of basic supplies (notebook paper, crayons, pencils, erasers, spiral notebooks, folders with brads, glue) and will have them available for parents and students to pick up on Monday, Aug 7, at 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the Opportunities office on Hwy 33 in Watonga.   First Come, first served.  

We welcome any and all donations to Phoenix Circle Foundation throughout the year, either in money or supplies, which will enable us to continue this mission in our community and our arts education programs.  Our thanks to all who are helping with these efforts.   

Donations made to Phoenix Circle Foundation are tax-deductible as a charitable contribution in accordance with IRS rules

. 

/Linda Barrett, Director

PO Box 427

Watonga, OK   73772

940-735-1065

February 2017

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.]


 

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.]  

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.

   

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