“In October 1914, Jonas Salk was born – a man who would change world history by inventing the first effective vaccine against polio,” says an article in the Rotarian magazine written by Gary C.K. Huang. “When the vaccine was introduced in the United States in the 1950s, polls indicated polio was one of the nation’s two greatest fears, second only to the fear of atomic war. And with good reason: in the 1952 U.S. polio epidemic, 58,000 cases were reported, with 3,145 deaths and 21,269 instances of permanent, disabling paralysis. Globally, polio paralyzed or killed up to half a million people every year.
“… in 1988, the 166 member states of the World Health Assembly unanimously set the goal of global polio eradication. At the time, the idea was breathtakingly ambitious, and many called it impossible. Today … only a few hundred cases of polio reported per year, and just three remaining endemic countries. We are on track to achieve full eradication by 2018 … October 24th celebrates the 100th anniversary of Dr. Salk’s birth.”
We also are celebrating the changing of the seasons and have several Fall and Halloween happenings going on.
Zombie Laser Tag takes place at 6 pm on Oct. 24, 25, 31, and Nov. 1. The location is 2 miles west of Guymon on Highway 54 and the cost is $5 a game. You can call 580-754-1428 for more information.
Saturday, Oct. 25, is full of many things to do. The OPSU Chili Cook Off starts at 11 am; the archaeology talk at the Guymon Public Library starts at 2 pm; the OPSU football game starts at 2 pm; the PTSO Carnival is from 4- 7 pm; and the Michael Martin Murphy Concert is 5:30 – 9:00 pm and costs $25. It’s a big day!
Dr. Sarah Richter is giving a talk on Wit and Wisdom in the Classroom at this quarter’s Wit and Wisdom evening on Oct. 28. It costs $20 a ticket and includes a fabulous meal catered by Virgil Gibson. This is a Main Street Guymon fund raiser.
On Oct. 29, 30, and 31 the Lions Club has a Haunted Train running from 6 pm to dark that costs $2 a person. That’s at the miniature train located at Sunset Lake in Thompson Park, Guymon.
On Halloween, Oct. 31, you also have trick or treating at the Heritage Community from 5:30 – 7:00 pm. Then be sure to go to the TEL Halloween Bash at Pickle Creek if you’re over 21 years old. It begins at 8 pm and there is a $10 cover charge.
On Nov. 1 is the Lifeway Family Fall Festival at 621 N Quinn where everything is free for the kids! That goes from noon to 4 pm.
Be sure to check the Main Street Guymon facebook page on Monday to find out where we are going for lunch and supper to celebrate National Main Street Week!
You need to celebrate National Main Street Week, too. Visit our Main Street Guymon member stores. You can visit these retail stores and get a jump on your holiday shopping!:
- Cheryl’s Quilt Corner;
- Chris Urias Photography;
- Christine’s Home Furnishings;
- Dancer’s Wine and Liquor;
- Dizzy B’s;
- Guymon Furniture;
- Harana MedSpa;
- Helm’s Garden Shop;
- La Victoria Market;
- Lumber Mart;
- Merle Norman;
- Northridge Cinema 8;
- Nuestra Tierra;
- Plaid Poppy;
- Sears;
- Sound Service;
- Southern Office Supply;
- SPC WOW Boutique and Office Supplies;
- Urban Bru; and
- Wolf Creek Mini
Don’t forget that for that really difficult person, buy Main Bucks that he can spend at all those stores listed … and some others, too.
Celebrate and enjoy all the good things we have right now, holidays, a new season, friends, family, and an excuse to buy them a present. Celebrate Main Street Week!
See you celebrating on the bricks.