KO)--United Way of Enid and Northwest Oklahoma will launch its 2021-22 campaign at David Allen Memorial Ballpark at 6:00 tonight. The kickoff rally is a free family event to raise awareness and support for its 15 nonprofit partner agencies. “This one-of-a-kind event will be a unique experience as we have axe throwing, cornhole, a dunk tank, games, free food and more. Dueling Pianos will be on hand to provide music and fun,” said co-campaign chairs Dr. Barry and Roxanne Pollard. Alex Williams, president of the United Way board, said the campaign kickoff is a way for people to see what United Way does. In addition to the all the activities, the 15 United Way Partner agencies will be there sharing information and providing giveaways, popcorn, games and more. All proceeds go to benefit United Way and its partner agencies. Sponsors of the event are KOFM/KGWA, Jiffy Trip, Enid News & Eagle, Great Plains Bank, Pope Distributing, and NextEra Energy Resources.
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WN)--Five COVID-19-related deaths were reported in Northwest Oklahoma over the past week, according to Oklahoma State Department of Health on Wednesday. One resident each from Alva, Fairview, Perry, Watonga and Woodward were among the 232 virus-related deaths OSDH reported since Sept. 8. Cases in Garfield County increased to a total of 9,055, a weekly increase of 250, with 278 active and 8,631, or 95.3%, recovered, according to OSDH. Statewide, there have been 783 hospitalizations in the past week. St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center reported it had five confirmed positive COVID-19 patients and Integris Bass Baptist Health Center reported 10 patients on Wednesday. OSDH reported, as of Tuesday, there were nine ICU beds, or 28.1% of the total, and 179 adult inpatient beds, or 50.1% of the total, available in the Northwest Region, which consists of 18 counties including Garfield County.
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VC)--Vance Air Force Base’s 80th Anniversary Celebration is Friday evening at Woodring Regional Airport and it's free and open to the public. The gates open at 5:00 pm. Vance’s heritage aircraft will be there for you to take photos and talk to the pilots. There will be a ceremony highlighting Vance AFB and the City of Enid, then a ticketed hangar dance sponsored by the Air Force Association, and hosted by the Vance Spouses’ Club begins at 8:00 pm. Attendees for the ticketed dance are invited to wear 1940’s themed attire, cocktail dress attire, or short sleeve blues with an AFSC badge and nametag. Tickets are available through the Stride Bank Center.
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CS)--The Cherokee Strip Celebration is this weekend in downtown Enid. The event, sponsored by Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce, will be Friday and Saturday. On Friday, the Cherokee Strip Lunch Rush will be 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Enid Intertribal will be set up on the courthouse lawn selling Indian tacos. On Saturday, the Enid Walk of Fame awards ceremony is at 9:00 a.m., followed by the Cherokee Strip Celebration, 9:30 a.m., Cherokee Strip parade at 10:30 a.m., and Enid Majors Recognition at David Allen Memorial Ballpark at 12:30 p.m. People attending the parade are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket to watch fire trucks, floats, cars, marching bands and the traditional longhorn steers. The parade will begin at the corner of Maine and Grand, travel north to Randolph, west to Independence and then back south to Maine.
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WF)--City of Enid officials announced that the 2021 Enid Walk of Fame (WOF) ceremony is scheduled for Saturday at 9:00 a.m. in Grand Ballroom C at the Stride Bank Center and will honor both 2021 and 2020 honorees. The 2020 ceremony was postponed last year to provide extra caution on gatherings during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 Walk of Fame honorees are Kyle Williams and Walter Scheffe. The 2020 Walk of Fame honorees are Clayton Nolen and Oscar Curtis.
Williams, a businessman and philanthropist, has dedicated his life to the mission of serving Enid, small town communities in Oklahoma, and communities in surrounding states by providing multiple services that accommodate and improve the quality of life to meet the needs of those communities.
Scheffe, the posthumous honoree for 2021, dedicated his life to serving the Enid community in a business capacity and in service on many community and national organization boards. He was well-known for his three Scheffe Prescription Shops in Enid.
Nolen is a former city commissioner, speech pathologist, educator, and founder of an African-American Male Mentor Program. He is well-known in the community for being active on many boards and serving the community in various capacities.
Curtis, the posthumous honoree for 2020, was a former city commissioner. During his life, he was active in the community on various boards and managed the JC Penny Company.
To view information about the Enid Walk of Fame award, past honorees, and biographies of both the 2020 and 2021 honorees, go to the following webpage: Enid.org/WalkofFame.
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WJ)--Walk for Jesus, a non-denominational effort to promote the body of Christ throughout the community, will begin at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at Crosslin Park. A 2.1-mile walk is optional for the free event, which also will feature gospel music, preaching, testimony, free T-shirts, barbecue and a bounce house. Oklahoma Blood Institute also will be there 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with its Bloodmobile, according to organizers. To schedule an appointment to give blood, call (877) 340-8777 or go to obi.org. The event will be located at the No. 1 shelter at the park, 1520 W. Oxford. Those attending can enter from the park’s Purdue entrance.
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AN)--Main Street Enid, the downtown revitalization program, has 13 finalists in the 32nd annual Oklahoma Main Street award competition. A couple of big events from 2020 are up for honors. Main Street Enid’s winter ice rink, Holidays on Ice, was nominated for a premier special event with over 1,000 attendees, while the rink’s Holiday Market was nominated for an event under 1,000 attendees. Main Street partner Settlers Brewing Co. was nominated for two awards: best facade rehabilitation over $10,000 and for best building/business branding. Enid Brewing Co. & Eatery got a nod for best new business. Main Street Enid Board President Roxanna Costello was nominated for statewide board member of the year. Other finalists are:
• Main Street Hero: Thomas Rowe.
• Best Business Practices: Park Avenue Thrift Enid.
• Best Placemaking Project: “Under Her Wing was the Universe.”
• Best Retail Event: Comic Con Crazy Days.
• Best Visual Merchandising: No. 5 Findings Store.
• Outstanding Image Promotion: Downtown Promotional Banners and COVID Curbside Pickup Signs.
Winners will be announced Sept. 20 at the awards banquet in Oklahoma City.
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EM)--The City of Enid Engineering Department has scheduled a presentation for business owners, property owners, and residents interested on the proposed road improvements for East Randolph between North Washington and North 7th Street. The presentation will be held in the Council Chambers at City of Enid Administration Building at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 22, and will cover the remaining construction schedule. Construction plans will be available for viewing at the meeting and questions will be taken following the presentation.
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CP)--The City of Enid Parks and Recreation Department will host “Camping in the Park” at Meadowlake Park on Friday, September 24th and Saturday, September 25th. There will be a weekend full of activities and adventure, including s’mores, the “Tom and Jerry” movie on Friday night, and a hearty breakfast on Saturday morning. This family friendly event is open for citizens of all ages; however, anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult throughout the entire event. So, dust off your tent, your camping gear, and get ready to camp in the park. For more information regarding this event, including event policies, rules and itinerary, please visit Enid.org/CampinginthePark. This event is free; however, you must secure your spot by registering you and your party by Monday, September 20th. For questions, contact the Parks and Recreation department by phone at (580) 616-7210 or by email at specialevent@enid.org. To check out upcoming events, go to: Enid.org/ParkEvents.
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