News from The Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce

Friday's (May 16) "Weatherford Day at the Oklahoma Travel Center" near Erick was very successful. Weatherford participants interacted with travellers from all across the United States. All expressed concern about the gas prices but just "altered" their travel plans.

Debbie Shepherd, Cindy Dougherty, Jim Lovell, and Kathy Blakely for "served up" Weatherford's tourism and travel opportunities plus cookies and bottled water to the travellers. Best Western Motel provided the water and cookies, while Tautfest provided cookies also. Thanks everyone for your support and making the day a success!

Contact Us

P O Box 857
Weatherford, Oklahoma 73096
580-772-7744

director@weatherfordchamber.com

What's Happening!

All events are subject to change! For complete details go to www.weatherfordchamber.com

Tuesday
May 20
Kiwanis Club - 12:00 PM - The Mark Restaurant

May 20
Leadership Weatherford Graduation - 6:15 PM - SWOSU Ballroom - Upper Lounge

May 20
Heartland Cruise Committee - 7:00 PM - Lucille's Roadhouse - Please note change in location for this meeting only!

Wednesday
May 21
Weatherford Design Alliance Committee - 9:00 AM - The Cup

May 21
Weatherford Rotary Club Meeting - 12:00 PM - Mark Restaurant

Thursday
May 22
Ambassador Committee - 4:00 PM - Chamber Office

Monday
May 26
Memorial Day - Office Closed

**Membership Investment

Chamber members have received their 2008 membership investment invoices. Thank you to all those who supported the Chamber in 2007 and we ask for your support again in 2008. Your statement offered you the opportunity to increase your investment in the Chamber. Please take the opportunity to review your invoice and consider increasing your investment.

If you have a question concerning your membership investment, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Save the Date

and make plans to participate and/or attend

All State Girls Basketball Games - May 31 - Weatherford
Heartland Cruise and Car Show - June 13 & 14 - Weatherford
Great Plains Country Annual Meeting - June 25 - Stafford Air & Space Museum
SWOSU's 48th Annual Picnic - August 18 - Memorial Circle, south lawn
Chamber of Commerce Wellness Expo - September 20 - SWOSU Wellness Center
Chamber Banquet - January 22, 2009

Additional information will be provided about these events.

Calling All Leadership Weatherford Graduates

Wise Owl Don't forget - Tuesday - May 20 is date for graduation ceremonies honoring the 10th Leadership Weatherford Class. The ceremonies start at 6:15 p.m. in SWOSU Upper Lounge (small side of the ballroom). You will be billed for your tickets once your reservation is made. Tickets may be cancelled up to 24 hours prior to the event.

Dinner menu will include Cajun chicken breast with butter cream sauce, shrimp sauce, sweet potato, tossed salad, hot bread and warm bread pudding with lemon sauce and Chantilly cream. This year's guest speaker is Dr. Henrietta Mann, President of the Cheyenne/Arapaho Tribal College.

Also, give us a call or send us an email with your contact information and the year of graduation from Leadership Weatherford. Shall we say that the Chamber's record in this area are less than complete!

If you would like more information about Leadership Weatherford or to receive an application, call the Chamber of Commerce. Leadership Weatherford is a joint project of the Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce and Southwestern Oklahoma State University. The program's goal is to prepare individuals for roles in community service by providing information about the Weatherford community.

Heartland Cruise Car Show

Downtown Weatherford and Rader Park will host the 18th Annual Heartland Cruise and Car Show June 13 and 14. Starting on Friday night with a "Welcome Party & $1,000 Cash Giveaway" for cruise participants, the event will move to Radar Park on Saturday. There, attendees can view the cars and in some case purchase one of the beauties, witness the Burn Out Contest and protect their ear drums during the Loud Exhaust Contest. Also available will be craft and food venders. Presentation of trophies and the cash drawing will be Saturday, 3:00 p.m. Entry forms can be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce. Sponsorships are also being solicited.

For additional information or to download a flyer, click Heartland Cruise Car Show

Legislative Wrap-Up

Learn first hand how and why things did and didn't happen in the 2008 Oklahoma Legislative session by attending the June 6 Legislative Breakfast. Sponsored by the Chamber's Public Affairs Committee, Jeff Berrong chairman, the featured speakers will be State Rep. James Covey and State Senator Mike Schulz. The breakfast starts at 7:00 a.m. at The Mark Restaurant. RSVP to the Chamber, 772-7744 no later than Wednesday, June 4. Breakfast is $7.00 payable in advance or at the door.

Library Summer Reading Program

Help support the Weatherford Public Library. Take a look at the the three easy ways you can help, and then give Tia Spead a call, 772-3591, and let her know you're willing to help. There are three ways a business can support the Weatherford Public Library Summer Reading Program:

1) Sponsor a Program for $50 - For $50 the business will be the official sponsor of one of the activities on the summer calendar.

2) Host an Event - A business can host an event by donating the materials for an event or presenting event(s) at the library themselves. To get your businesses event on the calendar call the library today!

3) Donate Prizes - We need prizes for kids who meet reading goals, door prizes, and prizes for the adult summer reading program drawings.

America Supporting Americans Adopt-A-Unit

The America Supporting Americans Adopt-A-Unit Meeting will be Wednesday, May 28th at 10:00 a.m. Location is to be determined based on group size. Mark Edwards, City Manager of Del City, will explain the concept, purpose and process of the program. The website for America Supporting Americans is www.asa-usa.org.

The Mayor and numerous civic organization representatives/members will be present at the meeting. If the adoption is agreed upon, the Mayor will make an official resolution and the adoption forms will be completed.

This is an excellent opportunity for the community to unite its resources and support the families of service members. Support is vital to the families of deployed soldiers.

If anyone has any questions about the Adopt-A-Unit Program or would like to attend, please contact Jayme Salcido at jayme.salcido@us.army.mil or 405-228-5000 x2046. She is also available at the Weatherford Armory, 223 W. Rainey, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Please RSVP to Salcido by Wednesday, May 21st.

Jayme Salcido

Family Assistance Specialist

223 W. Rainey

Weatherford, OK 73096

(o) 405-228-5000 x2046

jayme.salcido@us.army.mil

Minimum Wage Increase Reminder

The federal minimum wage increase, enacted in 2007, mandated the increase to take place in three steps beginning in 2007, 2008 and 2009. The second step increase goes into effect July 24th bringing the minimum wage to $6.55 per hour. The final increment will occur July 24, 2009 with the minimum wage increasing to $7.25 per hour.
Contact Mike Seney with the State Chamber of Oklahoma for additional details.

SWOSU'S 48th Annual Picnic

Mark your calendar today and make plans to attend.

August 18, 2008

Over and Above