Published: June 13, 2009 09:47 pm         

Volunteers keep us safe and alert to changing weather

THUMBS UP

When the Oklahoma skies darken, the wind picks up and the clouds begin to swirl, everyone who lives here knows to keep an ear out for the mournful wail of storm sirens.

Helping keep us forewarned about approaching severe weather are a group of volunteer storm spotters who work with Mike Honigsberg, Garfield County and Enid Emergency Management director.

They are Honigsberg’s eyes and ears when severe weather threatens.

Thumbs up to this group of volunteers who weather the storm so the rest of us can remain safe.



THUMBS UP

Area residents were relieved to hear state legislators say at a town meeting last week James Crabtree Correctional Center in Helena will remain open.

Rumors circulated during the recent legislative session the prison could be closed.

One of the legislators, State Sen. David Myers, R-Ponca City, who represents part of the area, said the prison is not in jeopardy.

This is great news, since Warden David Parker said the prison contributes about $14 million to the area economy each year and pays about $20,000 each month to the town of Helena.

Thumbs up to this welcome economic news.



THUMBS UP

Summer camp is one of those rites of childhood that lead to a lifetime of good memories.

But for some families, the cost of sending a child to camp simply does not fit into the budget.

For those children, at least in the Enid area, Camp Tomahawk offers a chance at a camp experience that might not otherwise be available.

Camp Tomahawk’s two-week run concluded Friday. The boys’ camp was June 1-5 while the girls’ camp was last week.

The camp, run by Vance Air Force Base and the Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce, took campers everywhere from the Oklahoma City Zoo to 3,000 feet in the air in private aircraft provided and flown by volunteer pilots through the Young Eagles program.

Thumbs up to all the local business sponsors and all the volunteers, including more than 60 from Vance, who annually make Camp Tomahawk possible.



THUMBS UP

Trains are a big part of life in Enid, with tracks criss-crossing the city and trains coming and going, hauling everything from automobiles to grain.

Many of those trains carry the BNSF name. The company recently gave something back to the community through a donation to the Officers’ Spouses Club at Vance Air Force Base.

BNSF donated $5,000 to the OSC, money that will be used for the group’s charitable work, which includes offering support to the spouses of the base, local military families and community organizations. It annually provides 10 scholarships for families affiliated with the base. It also supports community-based organizations in Enid that provide services to those in need.

Thumbs up to the OSC for the work it does, and to BNSF for its generous donation.