Joe and I are at Balfour’s today from 2-4!
Welcome back. This week I’m down the road in Norman for the huge Oklahoma Sooner football game against the mighty Ohio State Buckeyes and I’ve found the words “crimson proud” to be a theme everywhere.
One place in particular is a store called Balfour where Joe Washington and I will be signing books on Friday. Yes, it’s spelled right and if you’re looking for OU stuff this is your place. Wearables for sure, right down to your underwear. Jewelry for both men and women and spirit merchandise of all kinds. I’ve been getting to know the owner Jerry Hatter and I learned that he and his wife Libby have been selling Sooner merchandise for thirty years. Balfour is located right on what they call Campus Corner and Jerry says that come Friday the place will be packed as the surrounding streets will be open only for foot traffic.
Campus Corner was established in the early 1900s to serve the needs of students and faculty at the University and quickly became the center of all activities at OU, from dancing to dining and today the area continues to play a central role in campus life.
Several dozen other businesses are located around Balfour including restaurants, bars, clothing stores and boutiques and right on the corner sits a building that caught my eye the first time I drove by last week. It is a small two story building with a Santa Fe look and on the lower level is a bar and grill called Louie’s which I understand is partly owned by OU head football coach Bob Stoops. Joe and I will be there on Sunday afternoon after the game for another book signing and in-between Friday’s appearance at Balfour, the game itself and then Sunday afternoon, I’ll catch up with Coach Barry Switzer who will be at the same locations. With the game completely sold out it should be quite a four day gig.
Another of my favorite events is coming up so besides football I’ve got the old west on my mind and I was recently reminded of the 10 point Code of West which really applies to all of us.
- Live each day with courage
- Take pride in your work
- Always finish what you start
- Do what has to be done
- Be tough, but fair
- When you make a promise, keep it
- Ride for the brand
- Talk less and say more
- Remember that some things aren’t for sale
- Know where to draw the line
Where I’m going with all this is that Dewey is having their big Western Heritage Days on September 24th-25th. And friends if you want to be a cowboy for a few days here’s your chance. With longhorn cattle, horses, gunfighters, dance hall girls and plenty of vendors Dewey will be full just like back in the old rodeo days including a big parade through downtown with a special division for kids age 5-11. Supporting the community, the annual Miles for Mammograms Boot Scoot 5K and fun run fundraiser will also take place on Saturday with the finish line right by the old Dewey Hotel.
And don’t forget the big Wild West Show out at my friends Ken and Marilyn Tate’s Prairie Song Village. This year the featured performer is Amanda Payne Sellers from the One Armed Bandit & Company. I’ve seen this act before and it is amazing. You don’t want to miss this so for all the info check out their Facebook page.
Till next time from what they advertise as the home of your best game day experience, the historic Campus Corner, I’ll see ya down the road….
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