Footprints in the Dew goes to the printer Tuesday after 9 years! The release date is September 26th at Western Heritage Days in Dewey. For a first edition order from this website. And now for the local news….
Welcome back. The City of Edmond which manages Arcadia Lake and utilizes the lake as the main water supply for the city, says it offers something for everyone. I just spent a few days camping at Arcadia and I got a firsthand look at what they are bragging about. The fishermen I talked to told me it is a great spot and during the winter a completely covered and heated boat dock on the lake stays busy. If you are into disc golf, there are two courses there. What about swimming? Arcadia offers three all sand beaches that are cleaned of debris every night to make sure swimmers are welcomed to a clean beach throughout the season.
The lake also has three concrete boat ramps, five miles of trails for horseback riding and many more for hiking. Six spacious pavilions are available for company picnics or family reunions. The campgrounds range from primitive to full utilities and the rates are extremely reasonable. That is one of the reasons I enjoy staying at Arcadia when business takes me to Oklahoma City overnight but even if rates were higher, the beautiful views alone would be worth it. So the next time you’re in Oklahoma City or Edmond make a picnic and check out Arcadia Lake.
On the local front I just learned that the Mutual Girls Club and Tuesday House have purchased the Youth Canteen. This is a brick building that sits directly behind Food Pyramid grocery store on Price Road and it has been a safe haven for Bartlesville youth for several generations. This purchase assures that Mutual Girls Club will have plenty of space for their growing organization. I spoke with their director Emily French and she told me they desperately needed the space for the numerous activities they offer girls including life skills training to prepare them to succeed in school and work.
I also learned that Tuesday House is a resale/thrift shop that operates solely for the benefit of the club. If you’ve never been the store is located at 327 S. Penn Ave. and its open on Tuesday from 8-4. I guarantee that their merchandise offers something for everyone and the friendly volunteers there make a stop worthwhile just for a visit. As a 501©3 they always accept donations which can be tax deductible and benefit this great cause.
Mutual Girls Club is another wonderful organization serving Bartlesville and here are some of the ways you can help them. How about sending a girl to camp? Many girls in our community want to go but can’t afford it. The club also needs more volunteers to mentor the girls and assist with the activities. Snacks are always needed for the after schools programs and of course money is needed as well. Emily and her dedicated group of volunteers can’t do it all on their own. Your dollars will make a difference and it all stays right here in our community. Give them a hand if you can.
With space running short, I want to mention the Lowe Family Young Scholars program before I go. The Dog Days of Summer 5K run is coming up on September 12th, starting from Johnstone Park. If you’ve never heard of the Lowe Family or this important scholarship program, September 12th would be a good time to get involved and learn more about them. You might be surprised and inspired at the same time.
And finally a word about a man whom Oklahoma will never forget, Will Rogers. It was around noon on August 15, 1935 when Will and pilot Wiley Post took off from a tidal lagoon near the town of Walakpi, Alaska. Wiley had landed there to get directions while he will exploring a new mail route that would connect the United States and Russia. According to Will’s niece, Coke Meyer, the plane had only gotten about 15 feet up in the air when the engine failed and it fell back to the ground killing Will and Wiley.
This Saturday will mark the 80th anniversary of their deaths and there will be a big fly-in at Will’s Dog Iron Ranch to honor the 2 men. This is an annual event that is usually held on a Sunday but as this Saturday is the exact anniversary date, the organizers decided to make it special. On Friday the 14th a wreath will be laid on Will’s tomb at the museum in Claremore and then the fly-in festivities kick-off early Saturday morning. A big crowd is expected and people will be coming in from around the country. I’ll be there and I hope to see you too.
Till next time, I’ll see ya down the road….