Thumbs up to Main Street Enid and its award winners.

The organization, whose purpose is to revitalize downtown, handed out its annual awards last week to several deserving individuals and businesses.

Larry’s Home Oxygen received an award for best business practices. The business also was named a statewide finalist in the best business practices category by Oklahoma Main Street. Eagle Marketing was honored for its E-Town magazine and “Main Street Enid is ...” promotion. Enid News & Eagle was honored for its support of the organization.

U.S. Cellular was named Main Street Enid’s Sponsor of the Year for Enid Lights Up the Plains. Ward Petroleum was awarded for its Oktoberfest sponsorship. Park Avenue Thrift was awarded as a Friend of Main Street. The city of Enid also was honored for its support of the group.

Kay Ferrell was named the group’s Volunteer of the Year for her work on projects throughout the year.

Tom Boepple was honored for creating Main Street Enid’s signature Christmas cards, featuring historic Enid landmarks for the past 14 years. And, last but not least, individual members and committee members also were recognized for their dedication, as were the organization’s board members.

Congratulations to all.



Another day, another announcement showcasing the generosity of some Enid residents.

Lew and Myra Ward have given $500,000 to help create an endowed chair in Oklahoma State University’s College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology.

Their donation will create a petroleum engineering chair to support the college’s emerging interdisciplinary petroleum engineering program. It was one of more than $1.6 million in donations announced last by OSU to fund four endowed professorships and the chair in the engineering college.

Thumbs up to the Wards for their generous donation.



Thumbs up to Continental Resources for its big splash to kick off the United Way of Enid and Northwest Oklahoma campaign.

Continental, a Pacesetter company for the fund drive, had a big family friendly event last week at David Allen Memorial Ballpark. The event also showcased some groups helped by the United Way. Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Community Development Support Association, YWCA, Garfield County Child Advocacy Council, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Denny Price Family YMCA, Youth and Family Services of North Central Oklahoma and Cimarron Valley Chapter of American Red Cross all had booths.

Last year the company raised $53,000 for United Way. The goal this year is at least $60,000.



Thumbs up to Enid High School softball player Alex Jones, who recently was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association High School All-America third team.

Jones, who will be a senior this upcoming school year, was the only Oklahoman named to the team and the first-ever Enid player to be honored by the national organization.

Jones is a standout player for the Pacers as a pitcher and hitter.