Author: Corey Brown

Let’s quit wasting time. September is a beautiful month to accomplish things. So set your one thing that you have been wanting to get done for ages and go do it.

I always drive by my friend Jacqueline’s house everyday and I always think, “I need to stop by and visit for a bit.” And I never do. This month that is going to get done. I will enjoy it. I would like to think she will enjoy it. And so it’s time to quit messing around and just do it.

Wanting to support kids working towards a good cause? Come out to the street in front of Main Street Guymon on Sat., Sept. 13th and attend the Carnival for a Cure. It’s an event done by the Guymon High School Student Council and the proceeds to go Relay for Life, Panhandle Partners, Guardian of the Ribbon, and WigOut. It’s a fun moment for a good reason.

The day before that, Sept. 12, is a clinic on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), those kids whose parents brought them to the United States from another country without proper documentation. The clinic is at St. Stephen’s Pioneer Hall, 1803 N Lelia, but not sure of the time.

And maybe if you’re tough you should make sure you’re at the jalapeno eating contest at OPSU on Sept. 15 at 12:15 pm in the Student Union. Could be interesting. I’m wondering if the prize is Pepto Bismal.

On Sept. 13 is an OPSU Football game against Oklahoma Baptist University in Goodwell at 2 pm.

That same morning of the 13th is the Lymphing for Lori Super Hero 5K and Fun Race (one mile, for the extra mile) at 9 am starting at the Girl Scout Building at the north entrance to Thompson Park. Registration starts at 8 am and this is a benefit for lymphoma research and scholarships, all in memory of Lori Underwood.

Thinking about having something in memory of a young person like Lori should really make us consider how lucky we are. We woke up today. We can call our friend and talk. We can dread going Christmas shopping. We have all those things that Lori doesn’t have any more. Appreciate what you have.

There are a few other things to mark on the calendar such as the Friends of the Y Sip and Fit Wine Tasting on Sept. 19. That’s if you’re more than 21 years of age.

There is a Writer’s Workshop if you’ve wanted to try your hand with the pen on Sept. 20. And that day is also the Pink Heals Poker Run. And on Sept. 21 is the Guymon Fiesta. Now that is great fun. Plan to be there for a good time.

And as you know that you have the chance to be there with friends and family, think about the words that John Burroughs said, “I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.”

Think about them and then go do one of them. Quit wasting time.

And if you don’t’ have enough things to ponder, tell me why they call it rush hour when nothing is moving.

Another thought … if you’ve always wanted to look thin, hang around me. Everyone looks thin when standing next to me!

See you on the bricks!

It was a Saturday and I came in early because of the Farmers Market. I love going to the market. I don’t love getting up early and getting ready to go to work for it, though. Then there were a couple of meetings. Those went well. At that point I got to go home.

An invitation to an evening at the Willows for a senior piano recital sat there staring at me on the table at home. I really should go because the person it was for has been a great Main Street volunteer. My lazy self really wanted to stay at home though and not add that 40 miles to my day, grunge around in my nightgown and sort of act like a sloth.

But I went.

There we sat out on the lawn and the weather was wonderful. The music was beautiful. The people were friendly. The food was good. I met some people I had not met before. And I liked them.

I was one of the last four to leave this event that I really considered skipping.

We shouldn’t skip things out of laziness. Often those we aren’t really excited about turn out to be wonderful. My evening was fun and enjoyable. I smiled the whole way home.

Thank you for inviting me, Deirdre Harbison. You play the piano like a dream. And your choice of the Willows backyard for your recital was heavenly.

What opportunities have you missed lately because you listened to the lazy / negative part of you? Be careful.

And on those days you’re feeling a little tacky and hateful, remember what Charlie Chaplin said, “You’ll find that life is still worthwhile, if you just smile.”

Speaking of smiles, today there was a conversation going in my office about Hal and Pat Clark, owner of Clarks Auto Ranch. Actually the conversation was about being a woman and feeling like car salesmen try to pull one over on women. But then the comment came, “But I trust Hal Clark.”

What followed was a story about Hal when this 55 year old lady was really young and bought her first car. She remembered exactly what Hal said to her, because it made her feel so good.

And then someone added how sweet and nice Pat always was when you went in the business. The Hal and Pat stories brought smiles.

A person can’t help but hope when we’re not in the room people talk about us the way they talk about Hal and Pat. I’m pretty sure that’s not the case with me. Probably ought to work on that patience thing a little more. Might ought to try to keep my mouth shut, too. I do realize that everyone isn’t interested in my opinion, I just seem to remember it when I’m alone.

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” – Leo Buscaglia

We don’t have to be rocket scientists or Nobel Peace Prize winners. We need to work when we’re supposed to, be dependable, speak nice, and encourage others. Sounds easy, but it doesn’t seem to be so. No excuse not to continually try to achieve those actions.

And don’t forget to have fun, don’t continually miss those opportunities.

Here are a few opportunities coming up to mark on your to – do list:

• Farmers Market on Saturday mornings at 8 am. Bring your smiles because it is a happy place to be!
• Go to the country and western dance with the live music of Cottonwood on Aug. 30 at No Man’s Land Center, 15th and East Street. It’s exercise and fun.
• Ever wanted to learn how to do ceramics? Visit the Merry Makers Ceramic Club on Sept. 3 at the Main Street Guymon office from 6:30 – 9:00 pm.
• Panhandle Cowboy Classic Ranch Rodeo at Hitch Arena on Sept. 5 and 6, beginning at 7 pm. Not sure about the cost to get in. But I heard this is going to be huge! Rumor has it there are 22 teams registered.
• Hooker Car Show on Sept. 6 from 9 am to 4 pm, downtown Hooker.
• That same evening of Sept. 6 is the Firefighters Ball. It’s a fancy dress up occasion and I have tickets for sale here at the office.
• Zentangle class at The Studio, 209 N Roosevelt, on Sept. 27 is worthy of all you creative people putting it on your calendar. Class starts at 2 pm.
• Archaeology Presentation on Oct. 25 at the Guymon Public Library starting at 2 pm. Presenter is Dr. Marjy Duncan of the Oklahoma Archeological Survey and is about the Two Sisters Site, an Antelope Creek plains village.

Lots of fun things happening.

Hope to see you there!

So much has happened since I last bored you with my newest opinions.

Azuma: An African Celebration was held and I thought it was wonderful. Learning new things and meeting new people just beats all. Certainly better than sitting at home thinking negative thoughts.

JuliAnn Graham at Tri-County Electric wrote a story that ran in the Oklahoma Living magazine. That really did some great things for Azuma. One couple I met came in from Shawnee, Okla., to see the festival. I got another phone call from some on the following Monday who said she lived three hours away that wanted to know how it went and wondered if we would be having it next year, so she could come.

Then there was the reporter from the Tulsa magazine who came for the festival. She was great. She heard about Azuma at the Oklahoma Main Street Awards Banquet and came out. She came out early and helped our Ethiopian cooks make the food. I can hardly wait to read her story because she knows aspects of the festival that I have no clue about. How fun is that going to be?

Lots of good things happen when you work together. You know, the harder you work, the luckier you get.

Oklahoma Main Street had a mandatory training for Main Street folks. It was on fund raising. That is not one of my strongholds. But there was a comment in the class that really struck me hard: “Do you do your fund – raising by inspiration or desperation?” There is some heavy thinking in that one.

They also reported that Baby Boomers (aged 46 to 64 years) give 43% of all giving. That makes sense. There are more of them than the over 64 years + and they have more money than the ones younger. But are we doing our youth justice and teaching them about the joys of giving? I hope you are. I try.

There was also a new word explained for me. You know when a person volunteers … well, if you voluntold, then you volunteered because you were told to. Nothing wrong with that, I’m saying. Or, I mean, I’m told.

Remember, give a little change. Change a lot.

This week is an autograph signing by Sara Richter for the new Guymon History Book. That takes place Thur., Aug. 21, 5 pm in the Main Street Guymon office, 116 NE 5th Street. Same day, same time is the reception at OPSU on the grounds by the bell tower for the OPSU Rodeo Team. Both great things to go to. Yee haw.

Then on Fri., is the Kick Butts 5K Glow Run / Walk, a benefit for Panhandle Partners. It is planned and put on by Dylan Portillo, a Guymon High School sophomore as part of his Main Street Transformer program. See, we try. That all happens after dark. I hope I can stay awake to do my registration duties.

Coffee. That will have to be part of the evening.

Did you know when scientists fed bees nectar containing caffeine, which occurs naturally in coffee plant flowers, the bees were three times more likely to remember a flower’s scent than those that received sugar instead.

Well, that makes sense. But how did they ask the bees what they remembered? So, bee number 4284, on a scale of one to 10, 10 being more intense …..

It’s a good week and I hope part of your week is on the bricks!

Recently I have been thrown in with some really awesome and wonderful people who are just trying to do good things. I love them for it.

But there have been a few pissants in the mix that really kind of make your brow furrow and your nose crinkle up like there is a bad smell in the room.

I had some wise words spoken within my hearing (at a Bible study) when I was young … newly married and with three little babies. An old lady from the community was there. She was nice. Always nice. And we all knew that her husband had been an alcoholic for many years, they had started out really poor, and so her life had some real ups and downs. She said at the study “I just try to do what is right.” I have no recollection of the rest of the study, but that is in my mind like I heard it yesterday. I hope most days I remember to live by those words.

There are the kind of people that just get things done because it is the right thing to do. You might not agree with them that it is the right thing, but there is no doubt that they are doers. They usually want to get something done, to accomplish something. Then there are those who want to get credit, to be in the limelight. They have a different motive, one to feed their ego.

There are those standing in front trying to look important. They are usually talking loud. Those getting things done are often in the background, working up a sweat. I like the sweaty ones.

Then there are those who like to talk negative about others, thinking that they are building themselves up by tearing others down. They need to realize they are doing quite the opposite. Working together rather than talking about one another is so much more effective.

And then there are cautious people and there are lazy people. Cautious folks sometimes keep people like me out of trouble, so I don’t have a problem with them. Lazy people are just tiresome. I resent the oxygen they use up. I cannot do nearly what I could 20 years ago, but I can still get something done in a day. And I would rather do something than regret not doing anything.

And there are those that tell you they are honest while they are talking through the side of their mouth trying to manipulate you. Do they not realize eventually you get their number and you just avoid them? If you say you will do something, do it. Period. It’s a lie when you say you will and you are planning to not do it. Liars aren’t to be trusted. And this is a place I fail. I should stand by my word better.

But the majority of the people I work with are honesty, full of integrity, just trying to do what is right with the time they have available, they love their family, they work hard at their job, and they are positive about their community. They might be lazy once in awhile, but on the normal day they get a full days work done. They appreciate what is theirs and the opportunities they have been given in this life.

They are good partners. They care. Those folks in my life this month include Jada Breeden and Earl Helm. What troopers! They have done fabulous and wonderful things for the community in bringing the professional bull riding. Jada does so much on so many events, almost daily ones. I am in constant awe of her work!

Teri Mora and her work with the Upward Bound and Alma kids is unbelievable. I loved the dance performance last Saturday and all that they have accomplished. I love that she went to school to help one girl enroll that didn’t have a parent to go with her. Teri Mora is always giving and giving. She doesn’t seem to need sleep, either! Now that I find crazy. But it seems to work for her.

Dorothy Countryman goes past her sadness at missing Doc and makes our world a better place. She helps me all the time. She is always there for those who need a shoulder or an ear. She is such a lovely person and she only does it because it’s the right thing to do.

Vonda Wilkins, Soila Medina, and Nathalie Perez are some of the grandest Main Street volunteers that ever took a breath. They understand what the goal is, to help the community, and they work towards that. They know that we need to work to help our business members, we need to offer what the community needs and wants. They work towards that goal. And my poor treasurer, Elgie Davis, just smiles while I hand her a folder of my scratching and she just does that stuff with the numbers. I love them all.

Recently Shawna Portillo has been working with her son on a 5K run that takes place Aug. 22. Wow, they are a pair to be reckoned with. I admire so much about Shawna. We who get to work with the Portillos are so lucky.

That was last week. I wonder what awesome and wonderful people I’ll meet next week!

Don’t forget Azuma: An African Celebration is on Sunday, Aug. 8, starting at 4 pm at 5th and Main. There are some folks going to be there sharing their culture from Africa. It is beautiful and it is wonderful they want to share. And I need to thank Seaboard Foods and the following churches for helping financially with the festival; Panhandle Bible Center, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Victory Memorial United Methodist Church, and First Presbyterian Church. Thank you so much and may God’s blessings rain on you for your kindness.

See you on the bricks. It’s a fine time to be there.

There are some weeks that go by and you just sit back and say, “wow.” Thank goodness this one is almost over. I can only take so many wows.

Monday night John Board spoke at our first Wit and Wisdom Evening. It is a casual, great catered meal, with one speaker. Our chosen first speaker was John Board. And I have to say, the committee chose well. He entertained and made us thought with the topics of his short talk. We laughed and we thought. And at the end one of the people at my table commented how much they had enjoyed the evening.

First, you can’t go wrong when you have Virgil Gibson catering. Even if you weren’t impressed with the fabulous meal, once you got the puffed pastry with strawberries, chocolate sauce and whipped cream, you would have been happy as a sugared lark. And, no, I have no idea what a sugared lark is, but I’m imagining it’s very happy.

The company was great. Dick Jackson, Bob and Phyllis Anderson, Dave and Sharon Petty, Sara Richter, Dean Kear, and all were just good company. Four of the Alma and Upward Bound kids were there to help by setting up, cleaning up, and serving. They also got to enjoy the meal and hearing John speak.

There is something right about the kids hearing the community elders talk. I felt good about being a part of it.

And it raised funds for Main Street Guymon programs.

Helpful and good. Awesome. A great way to start the week.

Then on Tuesday we filmed the August On the Bricks TV Show with PTCI. I had some great people there for the taping including Dylan Portillo and his family, Kayla McCarter who is such a dedicated Main Street volunteer, Jennie Watkins, and Reyna Ochoa and Jaime Guerrero. They sat there while I interviewed the first person, Fidel Lual. Oh my. Fidel is such a kind and giving man who has had a harsh life that none of us can even comprehend. But through all those hard time as a Lost Boy of Sudan, leaving his family at age 11, living in refugee camps, terrible hardships, finally coming to America and having to learn so many new things (like running water as an example), today he is happy and the father of two kids and the husband to a beautiful lady.

And Fidel softly answers questions about his history and then about how he appreciates where he is and what has been done for him. He thanks his employers for his good job and he tells everyone thank you for coming to the Azuma festival last year and letting this share part of their African culture with us.

And Fidel is there to invite everyone to Azuma this year on Aug. 10.

As he finished talking, I looked at the faces in the room and I could see the admiration in everyone’s countenance. Fidel is one of those people that you know God has blessed you just in being able to know him. Oh, I’m sure he’s not perfect and I bet his wife gets irritated at him and someday he will embarrass his children. That’s just a given. But Fidel is exceptional. I hope you get to meet him. You, too, will be blessed if you do.

Then we had another fund raiser, a drawing, that finished on Tuesday. That was for 10 meals at either / or Urban Bru or the Pub on the Bricks. We made over $600 for Main Street and we got to promote two of our Main Street members. How good is that?

But once again Main Street volunteers stepped up and sold tickets. And they did it with a grin. I thought Jezebel DeLaGarza – Muniz was going to hurt my ear when I told her the winner – because she had SOLD the ticket to Eloy Montanez! Now that’s funny. She was so happy because one of her ticket buyers won. What a hoot. I think Eloy was happy, too!

All these people working together to make things happen in our community. I love it. Oh, and John Board even insisted on paying for his meal. What a guy.

I love the people of this area. They’re the best.

And I appreciate all of you that help, that participate, and those that have positive attitudes. But most of all I appreciate Fidel because he reminds me of all the things that I have to be happy about.

And I am so thankful that I get to work at the PBR on Saturday. I think if I keep saying it, by Saturday I really will be!

See your happy face on the bricks!

My mother had a birthday last week. She’s had quite a few birthdays, but she is far from old. She can outwork me, but she hasn’t been able to outwit me in a long time. Of course, that’s just my opinion. She might not agree.

I don’t know about you, but my parents weren’t perfect. And they’re continuing in that vein as we grow older. But they did the best they knew how with what they had. And with what my brother and I gave back, I suppose.

We need to try to be the best parent we can be with our kids. And we need to understand we’ll never be perfect. Nor will we have perfect children. Any of us. I don’t care what you tell the teacher, your child (and mine) can be a poot. Any day.

Try to learn more about parenting, or any other skill that you need. In the July Rotarian magazine one article said, “More information doesn’t make you love your children more, but it can help you take care of them better. Awareness of sanitation methods, which humanity learned as the result of devastating plagues, is our best defense against disease, yet many parents do not teach basic hygiene habits to their children.”

Quit letting your kids be little pigs. Have them wash their hands. Yuck. Cripes, we have running water nowadays. We have no excuse.

Talking to mama about a house we read about that had a dozen bedrooms and 24 bathrooms, we were aghast. That means a separate bathroom for each person if there were two people in each bedroom. Crazy. And mama’s husband says, “I have to wait for you all the time to use the bathroom and there’s just two of us.” Really? Go to the downstairs bathroom and quit complaining.

So I have to one – up. We had six people and one bathroom when the kids were growing up. And we really did ok.”

Then mama says, “We had four people and no bathroom. Or running water.” OK, you win. She does still outwit me. Dang.

Anyway, this Rotarian article also goes on to say, “History teaches us that the world is much bigger than our personal experience. Just because your family treats women with respect doesn’t mean everyone does. Just because you’ve never seen a gay teenager beaten doesn’t mean such horrors don’t happen. The great benefit of history is that it teachers us more than we could ever learn through our own lives. We have the collective experiences of millions of people, and the lessons they’ve learned. But all that wisdom is for nothing if we don’t pass it along.”

So learn something.

And pass it along.

Let’s work at not being so stupid.

Benjamin Franklin said it well, “We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.”

Rise above stupid.

Heck, rise above normal.

Read a book. Learn something new every day.

Share it and you’ll have smarter friends, too.

Quit spending time with friends that talk about the same thing every time. Or make a pact to get past there. Crawl up out of the gutter. We all should.

“If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” Maya Angelou wrote those words. You should learn something about the horrific things that happened to this amazing and revered woman. It will make you appreciate your life more.

There are several things approaching the amazingly appreciated in my world this week. Linda Hill Crop Insurance is appreciated for her sponsorship of the Guymon Farmers Market. And each Saturday morning I see people loving the market. They probably appreciate Linda Hill and her staff, too. Well, except for Markie Kidwell who got there too late on Saturday to get a loaf of Reyna’s jalapeno cheese beer bread. Sorry Markie. Lots of people seem to appreciate Reyna’s bread!

And Main Street Guymon has their first child daycare member! Children’s Garden Daycare has joined and we all appreciate Shaunda Williams and her people. Even the kids. And kids sometimes are harder to appreciate. Well, for me. Probably not for Shaunda.

If you’re interested, they are remodeling the daycare and they currently have some positions open for kids. They also accept drop – ins for all you moms that are trying to be better moms.

“We are fun,” Shaunda said to me in an email, “LOVE kids, and want to provide a home – like atmosphere.” I’m proud they’re part of Main Street Guymon.

Don’t miss the Healthy Moment on Thursday, July 24, at Play Like A Girl Gym from 5 – 6 pm. There will be healthy snacks, blood pressure checks, a demonstration from Play Like A Girl, plants and herbs from Mary Long (gardening is healthy and so is the Farmers Market where Mary Long is each Saturday morning). You also come by and will have a chance to win $100 in the drawing at 6! Be there. We would love to see you.

See you on the bricks. Appreciate all you do for our community, too!

I recently read this little sign thing that made me laugh. “I don’t like morning people … or mornings … or people.” That’s not me but we all know someone that seems to live that way, don’t we?

It isn’t a good idea to be the grouchy one that everyone “unfollows” on facebook because you continually whine. It isn’t a good idea to be the one everyone leaves the room when you come in because you only say negative things. And you’re not going to have many friends to go out to eat with if you don’t get rid of our sour attitude.

Whatever is making you grouchy is either something you need to accept or fix. And I promise what you’re going through, there are people with worse problems that aren’t taking the world and their friends and family down with them. Get a grip. Get over yourself and just get things done.

Bad days happen. Bad weeks happen. Bad years happen (I remember when we lost both crops in 1980 and had three babies … not a stellar year). But that doesn’t need to make you want to make everyone else unhappy with you.

Act happy and pretty soon you’ll start feeling happier.

There is always another way to look at things. Reminds me of the little story. The patient says to his doctor, “The problem is that obesity runs in our family.”

“No,” replies the doctor, “the problem is that no one runs in your family.”

Speaking of families, I had a family reunion in Colorado in June. A clan gathering. With 36 first cousins, many of whom are very prolific (Johnny wins that award with his 11 children), the gathering usually has a large number of people there. And many of them are large. Or at least tall. Let me just say that we can certainly fill up a room better than most families.

Crazy is a relative term in my family. Our family puts the FUN in dys-FUN-ctional.

Yeah, I bet you wish you had been there. It’s a hoot. We all tend to think we’re pretty funny. And we do have storytelling time. About each other. There’s nothing like it. Fun times.

It isn’t easy being a Grantham. We have certain expectations of one another. But then it’s easy because we accept one another despite the fact that we cannot live up to all expectations. It’s a nice place to be.

A few other nice places to be include the Children’s Health Fair on July 17 at the Activity Center from 3 to 6 pm; the Wit and Wisdom Evening catered by Virgil Gibson on July 21 at 5:30 pm at Pioneer Hall (but your $20 tickets now because only 36 are being sold); and don’t miss the Healthy Moment at Play Like a Girl, 116 E 6^th Street, from 5:00 – 6:00 pm and you have the chance to win $100 in Main Bucks if you attend.

And the PBR, professional bull riding, is July 26^th! That is going to be a great event. Be sure to be there.

Azuma: An African Celebration is Aug. 10 and going to be another fantastic afternoon.

And BE AWARE that the Guymon Shopping Tournament is just around the corner and someone will earn the right to take home $1,500!!!!!!!

See you on the bricks!

Had a conversation with a friend this week and we were talking about success. What is the gauge for success? I don’t believe that it is the amount of money you earn, the fancy car you own, or any other material things. I tend to think that if you’re taking care of your business, being responsible for those that you are accountable for, being a good person who is kind to others, then you can be considered a success.

As a profession, a bad doctor is not as successful as a great waitress.

A great preacher is not a success if he does not take care of his family.

A professional athlete that only considers himself is only a good athlete, but not a successful person in my book.

And that is a bit harsh. Because there are no perfect humans left on the earth. But we can keep trying to be a better person, a better employee, and a better parent or aunt or son.

Then that leads to what Bill Cosby said, “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” Another good point.

Through working with some of the OPSU Upward Bound kids, I met Jocelynn Avalos. She job shadowed me, which means she helped do all sorts of things that I have not taken the time to get done. She was wonderful. And she sent a thank you note that I hope she doesn’t mind if I share …

“Although I did not know you before, seeing all your accomplishments gave me the judgment of you being a successful person. When I spent more time with you I realized that not only were you successful, but a caring and amazing person as well.

“I enjoyed making your day a little easier, completing your tasks. Your words of advice are cherished and taken to heart. Thank you for listening and your amazing hugs.

“I appreciate you allowing me into your workplace and everything you do for our community.”

It made me tear up. She is the one who was helping as a volunteer. I was the one being helped. She is the one that listened to the old woman talk and talk. I was the one that had a listener giving me attention. And yet she is the one who said thank you. She is the one that deserves the thanks.

Reading that makes me want to act better. Be kinder. Not to cuss so much. You know all those little things we do and don’t admit …

Then I remember Henry Ford said, “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” So then I have to admit, Jocelynn and I are both a success, together. And I was blessed several times over.

What have you done lately to be a success?

What have you done to help another be successful?

We’re very busy working on Azuma: An African Celebration for August. All those committee folks and volunteers are going to bring us another fabulous and wonderful celebration of Africa again, this year on August 10. Mark it on your calendar.

Recently in our Rotarian magazine the President, who is from China, I think, said, “In English, you say, ‘It is better to light a single candle than to sit and curse the darkness.’

“… There are so many people who need help. Many people look at this and say, ‘There is nothing I can do.’ So they do nothing – and nothing changes.”

If it’s time for a change in your daily world, make it. And remember that opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. Get after it.

And I’ll see you on the bricks!

It’s been a full week! Full of fun, for sure. Last week we had our Main Street Guymon Taco Dinner and Bingo Evening fund raiser. It went really well. I am so grateful to all those who worked and planned, made salsa and desserts, those who came. And especially to the Guymon Swim Team.

The Swim Team came and ate tacos and then played bingo. They made up a very large part of our crowd. I hope they had fun. We sure were proud to have them there. Makes me think I might have to go to a crazy swim meet!

But to make it even better, Bianca Hernandez was a young swimmer that won $23 in Bingo. She donated the money to the Guymon Gators scholarship fund. This is a scholarship that goes to a swimmer based on academic achievement and leadership ability.

Bianca, whether she wins at the swim meets or not, is a winner.

Her parents should be proud of their daughter. I am and I don’t even know her!

So on my Fan List (which includes the Denver Broncos and OKC Thunder) I now add the Guymon Gators.

Talk about being a fan, I just read the book “Winter Garden” by Kristin Hannah. It was so good that over the weekend I looked for others from the author. And found one! You know, I bought two sacks of books at the Used Book Store … and never got past the first aisle. There are some things I can really do well and buy books is one of them.

Here are a few things to think about … 1. If you have kids that are acting bored and have all their chores done, consider the YMCA Day Camp. There are weekly rates. Call 468-YMCA to get that moving!

2. Do you need help hauling trash off? If you do, call Main Street Guymon at 338-6246. We do appreciate donations, but there isn’t a charge.

3. The Chamber of Commerce Golf Scramble is July 12. You need to have a team in it! Support a wonderful organization … call 580-461-2655.

4. Also on July 12 is the Women’s Ranch Rodeo. This is going to be great! Call 580-651-4510 for more information.

5. The Professional Bull Riding event is July 26. That is going to be some sort of fun! You can get your tickets at the Chamber, all PTCI locations, XIT For and Hart Dodge in Dalhart, Crazy House in Liberal. Don’t miss this one!

6. And for runners, you need to sign up for the Aug. 2 Green Jean Run. It all goes to a good cause.

Now, your goal for the week (if I can be so obliging as to assist with setting your goals) is to decide to be happy this week. Abraham Lincoln said, “I have found that most people are about as happy as they make their minds up to be.” My dad told me that “Happiness is a decision. It doesn’t matter what you have or who you’re with, you can decide to be happy.” My dad and Abraham Lincoln seem to be a lot alike. But my dad doesn’t have a beard.

Here’s another one. Be a beautiful person. The sign of a beautiful person is that they always see beauty in others.

See all you beautiful people on the bricks!

The Guymon Daily Herald Readers Choice gave Main Street Guymon the Best Service Club. From our Main Street members, board of directors, and volunteers we want to say, “Thank you. We are honored.” To be viewed as a service organization is the highest compliment.

Keep helping us help. Main Street Guymon is made up of so many people … and we want you to be included! And especially thank you to those who pay their membership dues that help us provide our services and programs. The three largest supporters are City of Guymon Convention and Tourism, Bank of the Panhandle, and City National Bank. Special thanks to them … and to all others who assist! Every member is from Texas County and most have a business … they matter to us.

In fact, a bunch of our Main Street members got Readers Choice awards including Bank of the Panhandle, Brown and Associates Insurance, City National Bank, Chris Urias Photography, Custom Comfort, Dr. Manny Barias, Dizzy Bs, Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma, Harana MedSpa, Hitch Enterprises, Merle Norman, PTCI, Panhandle Pest Control, Pub on the Bricks, Reid’s Furniture, SPC, Urban Bru, Wirtz Lumber, and YMCA. And Main Street volunteers who were named in the Readers Choice include Dianna Brown, Elgie Davis, Leita Andvik and our wonderful Main Street Transformer Brayden Lehew. Proud of you all!

Talking to a friend of mine the other day who used to be a car salesman. When someone would come in asking for a donation, he would ask them where they bought their car. So often the cars were purchased out of town. He would then tell them that he would match whatever donation the company they purchased their car from donated. Nobody ever came back.

Remember. Support those who support you, your community, and your children. Give the first chance to the ones that hire your nephew, your neighbors, your friends. Care that they care. Or pay for your kids prom party yourself. Buy their baseball shirts yourself. Sponsor events yourself. Buy a yearbook ad for one of those stores you shop out of town. Get a reality check.

I’m a fat lady. I understand very well the need to purchase some things out of town. There isn’t a lot of choice for fat lady clothing in Guymon. So be it. Then I will get it elsewhere. But if it’s here … give our local businesses a chance. Likely they will treat you better and remember a lot longer that you shopped with them. Service is worth a lot.

And if the service is poor, give them a chance by telling them you are disappointed. And I don’t mean on facebook with some rant. I mean face to face. Communicate. Maybe they will improve. Maybe you will be more understanding.

This is a holiday week. Hopefully you will have the opportunity to visit family and friends, relax, or have a nice little trip. Whatever you’re doing this holiday weekend, savor it. Enjoy every moment.

And enjoy the Guymon Farmers Market that begins the first Saturday in July! It is going to be a great market this year. See us in front of the Texas County Courthouse at 4^th and Main starting at 8 am until the goodies sell out.

God bless America!

See you on the bricks.