THUMBS UP

In recent days Enid has gone to the dogs, and that’s a good thing.

More than 700 golden retrievers, their owners and handlers have come to Enid for the Golden Retriever National Specialty Show.

The event, hosted by Central Oklahoma Retriever Club, runs until Wednesday.

Entries have come from 44 states and six foreign countries.

These types of events bring people, and revenue, to Enid, as well as giving us a chance to showcase our community for visitors.

Thumbs up to all involved with the Golden Retriever National Specialty Show. We hope you are enjoying your time with us.



THUMBS UP

A man from a town named Surprise offered a pleasant surprise for Leonardo’s Discovery Warehouse this week.

Gary McDaniel, 78, of Surprise, Ariz., returned to his hometown of Enid (he is a 1949 Enid High graduate) and donated his 750-specimen rock collection to Leonardo’s.

Joyce Fales, education coordinator at Leonardo’s, said she plans to use the rocks as an educational tool for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders.

Leonardo’s volunteer coordinator Mollie Babb summed up McDaniel’s gift best, saying “You’re doing exactly what our mission is, which is enriching and inspiring children.”

We agree. Thumbs up to Gary McDaniel and thanks for not forgetting your old hometown.



THUMBS UP

Two people with Enid ties, one current and one former resident, were honored recently by the Governor’s Arts Council.

Julie Baird was recognized for her individual contributions to the arts. She is executive director of Leonardo’s Discovery Warehouse and Adventure Quest, as well as chairwoman of the Enid Arts District Committee.

Kyle Dillingham, a gifted musician who now lives in Oklahoma City, was honored with the special recognition award for his ability to connect to people throughout the world with his music.

Thumbs up to both Julie and Kyle for these well-deserved honors.



THUMBS UP

Enid and the African nation of Niger are thousands of miles apart, but members of a local church have reached across that divide to change the lives of people they will probably never meet.

Emmanuel Baptist Church has raised $100,000 for a program to drill water wells and train local Niger residents to maintain them.

Clean water is a precious and rare commodity in that landlocked west African nation.

Thumbs up to the people of Emmanuel Baptist Church for expanding their mission field to include Niger.