Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
June, 2013
Volume 35, Issue 6
Ponca City Day at the Capitol!
Chamber Premium Members
Gold Members
A+ Printing
A.L.C. Services, LLC
Albright Abstract & Title Guaranty Company
Albright Insurance Agency, Inc.
Jack Bowker Ford Lincoln
Cable ONE
City of Ponca City
Dancey-Meador Publications, Inc.
Eastman National Bank
Evans and Associates Enterprises, Inc.
First National Bank of Oklahoma
Kaw Enterprise Development Authority
KQSN FM Sunny 104.7
Lindsay Manufacturing, Inc.
Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority
Oklahoma Natural Gas Company
Osage Casino
Osage Nation
Otoe-Missouria Gaming Enterprise
Parker Pest Control, Inc.
Personnel Staffing, Inc.
Phillips 66
The Ponca City News
Primerica Financial Services
RCB Bank
Rick Scott Construction, Inc.
Sooner Construction Company
Team Radio
TPI Staffing Service
Silver Members
89.7 The House/Praise 88.7
Food Pyramid
Hospice of North Central OK, Inc.
Ponca City Discount Foods
Bronze Members
Brandt’s Ace Hardware
Cabbiness Engineering, LLC
Century 21 Group One Realtors
Cherokee Strip Credit Union
Comfort Inn & Suites
Cremers Lawn and Landscape
Davis Moore Auto Group
Larry Murphy Insurance Agency, Inc .
Pryse Monument Company
Stolhand Heating & Air Conditioning
WBBZ AM 1230
Austin Unruh, Natalie Fraser, Echo Blanton, David Keathly and Crystal Bickford discuss the upcoming movie
workshop with Deby Snodgrass, Tourism Director, as well as Claudia Conner and Jill Simpson from the Tourism
Department.
Leadership Alumni Mixer
Thursday, June 13th
The Ponca City Leadership Alumni will have a mixer on Thursday, June 13,
from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. This fun mixer will be hosted by Dearing House,
located at 311 S. 13th Street. Alumni members are encouraged to bring their
families. Dearing House will have refreshments and kids’ activities in their
backyard for everyone to enjoy.
We will also celebrate Dearing House’s 10 th Anniversary.
Congratulations and thank you Dearing House for the work you do for the
children of Ponca City.
Movie Workshop—June 21st
The Oklahoma Film and Music Industry will have a “How to Host a Movie
Crew” workshop on Friday, June 21, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the
Chamber office in the Patt Hughes Board Room. If you are interested in
attending, please RSVP to Rich Cantillon at 765-4400 or email
[email protected]. Lunch will be provided. More information will
follow.
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Volume 35, Issue 6
Ponca City’s 27th Leadership Class
The 27th Ponca City Leadership Class sponsored by the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce ended the year with
graduation at the Marland Mansion. This year’s class included, front row l-r, Ashley Meek, Megan Cartlidge, Debra
Curfman, Toni Karnes, Michelle Matney and Mary Allan; 2nd row l-r, Robyn Armstrong, Dr. Kelly Campbell, Kathy Tippin
and David VanBuskirk; and back row l-r, Kirby Hill, Mike Lane, Tina Stracener, Travis Colson, Marcia Hull, Shanon Tharp,
Rod Alexander and Chad Scantlin.
Left, Rhonda Stolhand was presented with a Ponca City blanket by Leadership Chairs Joe DeNoya, MaryBeth Moore
and Arlene Stauffer. Rhonda's term as Leadership Chair ended with this graduating class. She did an outstanding
job and will be missed. Daren Wilson will become the new Leadership Chair with the 28th Class. Middle, Rhonda
Stolhand passes on the “leadership boots” to Daren Wilson. Right, Phil Bandy was recognized during the 27th
Leadership Ponca City graduation for his many years of service to this important Chamber program. He is shown
with Joe DeNoya and Mayor Homer Nicholson.
Volume 35, Issue 6
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Ponca City Day at the Capitol!
Chamber Chair Natalie Fraser, Tourism
Bureau Chair Echo Blanton and Chamber
Intern Austin Unruh delivered almost 400
bottles of Head Country BBQ Sauce to every
office at the State Capitol along with a copy
of our Ponca City Visitor Guide.
The
response at the Capitol was incredible!
Ponca City attractions that participated by
setting up a booth in the 4th Floor Rotunda
this year included, Marland Mansion,
Marland's Grand Home, Conoco Museum,
Ponca City Library, Camp McFadden, Kaw
Lake Association, Osage Casino, KEDA,
Wentz Golf Course and Ponca City Tourism.
Both Senator Fields and Representative
Vaughan were helpful in setting up Ponca
City Day at the Capitol.
Below are more photos from
Ponca City Day at the Capitol!
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Volume 35, Issue 6
It truly was an awesome Ponca City Day at the State Capitol!
Volume 35, Issue 6
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Chamber Report — June 2013
By Natalie Fraser, 2013 Chamber Chair
Our 27th Leadership Class ended their year with an amazing banquet. It is one of the most outstanding
programs of the Chamber. It was humbling to hear the positive comments from each of the classmates. The
following is my speech to the Leadership Class Graduates.
Congratulations Ponca City Leadership Class. Over the last year your class has been exposed to
numerous examples and qualities of great “Leadership.” You learned how past leaders in this community
worked hard to help make Ponca City what it is today. Those leaders did it for their community. They did it for
you and I to enjoy long after they were gone.
As a graduate of the 2005 Ponca City Leadership Class, I know how inspired and well, most likely
exhausted, you are from the year. It is really hard to believe that I was sitting in your seat eight years ago
graduating from leadership, and now I am up here speaking to your class as the Chair of the Ponca City Chamber
of Commerce. The Leadership program is one of the greatest influences in how and why I became involved in our
community. I'd like to share with you how my leadership class experience led me to where I am today.
During leadership I shadowed the Marland Estate Commission. I then served several terms before I became the
chairman of the Commission. The leadership project my year was the Father Daughter dance. This event is a
project that I continue to be active with every year. My passion for helping others led me to get heavily
involved with Ambucs ladies club, of which I was the Charter President.
The Chamber of Commerce was something that I quickly became involved with because of the positive
things it does in our community. Really, it was a natural fit for me after the leadership class. Other organizations
and boards found my number and invited me to become active. Looking back now, some of my favorites have
been ones that have a connection with my leadership class experience. It is really neat that some of our
classmates still have a strong bond. As I stand here and look across the Leadership Class of 2013, I see a group
of community “leaders” with great potential and a bright future. I see a group who came together as a “team” to
make a positive difference in Ponca City. “Stand Tall to Help All” was an incredible project that had a huge
impact on so many non-profit agencies in our community.
You found a unique way to benefit so many in our town. As we stand here in the home of E.W. Marland, I
believe that he would be very proud of you as well. This ceremony is dedicated to recognizing the leadership
qualities you have. Leadership is striving for something better. Leadership is the challenge to be more than
average. It is the power to guide not only yourself, but others, in the right direction. It is a quality we all
possess — the reason we are gathered here this evening. Please remember that the future of our community
depends on leaders like you. Don’t sit back and wait for things to happen. Instead of waiting for situations to
come to you, leaders seek out opportunities and challenges. We need you all actively working to better our
community. Through active participation in clubs, organizations, and events in Ponca City, you all have the
opportunity to portray your own unique leadership characteristics. I’m sure you have been warned to say “no” to
some of your opportunities that come your way because you can’t be on every board and committee out
there. Trust me, I agree. On the other hand, I challenge you to find some things that you are passionate about
and truly enjoy. Immerse yourself in projects or activities where you can really make a difference. With that
said, I would also like to challenge you to do something you’ve never done before. Do something that may not
even be possible. Do something that frightens you or that you aren’t sure you can accomplish. In doing so, I
believe that you will achieve so much more than you ever imagined. Remember that courageous leaders
experience as much fear as others; they just don’t let it paralyze them. Replace ‘I can’t’ with ‘I will’. You might as
well go big or go home. So take some risks. Say ‘yes’ more often to new challenges. You never know where it may
lead. I want to congratulate each of you on your successful completion of Leadership Ponca City. You have
shown your dedication not only to Ponca City, but to each other. Thank you for your “Leadership!”"
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Volume 35, Issue 6
Tourism Report
June 2013
Crystal Bickford, Tourism Coordinator
Schools across the state have recently dismissed for summer break, meaning many families are going to begin making
plans for their summer vacations. Do you have your vacation plans made yet? If not, you should pick up a copy of the Ponca
City Visitor guide to plan your stay-cation right here at home in Ponca City. Ponca City is an awesome destination for a
stay-cation in Oklahoma as we have two beautiful lakes, an exciting water park, many incredible indoor historical museums
and attractions, as well as lots of fun indoor and outdoor events. Ponca City will soon begin to see an increase of visitors in our
area and we are looking forward to welcoming them at the Ponca City Visitor Center. The Ponca City Visitor Center recently
greeted visitors from around the state of Oklahoma and other states including Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Texas,
Oregon, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Colorado and Arkansas. We also had the opportunity to greet visitors from Scotland
during May. It is always fun to greet our visitors and hear about their plans while visiting Ponca City.
Echo Blanton, Ponca City Tourism Bureau Chair, and I recently attended the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association
Board meeting in Oklahoma City. During the board meeting, a discussion was held regarding the legislative pieces effecting the
Oklahoma Tourism Industry as well as the plans for the 2013 Governor’s Conference on Tourism. Later that evening, Echo
Blanton and I represented Ponca City Tourism at the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association and Oklahoma Tourism &
Recreation Departments Redbud Awards. The Redbud Awards are the "Oscars" of the tourism industry in Oklahoma. They are
the perfect opportunity for tourism entities around the state to showcase their print advertising pieces, websites, overall
marketing plans and annual events. Ponca City Tourism would like to congratulate all the 2013 winners!
Ponca City had the opportunity to host two international travel groups during the month of May. We hosted Matt
Bates, who is our new international travel rep, on May 9th and were able to show him a few of the many popular tourism
attractions in Ponca City. Matt was amazed with the great opportunities Ponca City has to offer. We hosted American-Canada
Motorradreisen on May 23rd and were able to share with them how Ponca City is a "Biker Friendly" community.
American-Canada Motorradreisen is an international organization that organizes motorcycle itineraries in the United States.
We have another international travel writer planning to visit Ponca City in June. Showcasing Ponca City to the international
travel leaders is an opportunity made available to us through the Kansas-Oklahoma Tourism office.
Ponca City Tourism recently participated in the 6th annual Ponca City Day at the State Capitol on May 15th. We were
able to provide each Representative, Senator, and Members of the Lieutenant Governor’s & Governor’s office with a full-sized
bottle of Head Country Bar-B-Q Sauce as a special gift from Ponca City. We had representatives from each of the following
Ponca City venues in attendance to help promote the excitement of Ponca City: Camp McFadden, Conoco Museum, E.W.
Marland Estate, Marland’s Grand Home, Kaw Enterprise Development Authority, Kaw Lake Association, Osage Casino, Ponca
City Library, Ponca City Tourism and Wentz Golf Course. Thank you to everyone who attended for being great ambassadors for
Ponca City Tourism!
Ponca City Tourism recently participated in the Ft. Sill Corporate Road Show in Lawton on May 15th. The Corporate
Road Shows are a program coordinated by the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department to market in-state travel to
corporate employees. The Ft. Sill Corporate Road Show was part of their annual Spouse Palooza event held on the Ft. Sill Army
Base. Ponca City Tourism distributed over 400 Ponca City Visitor Guides and promotional items to very interested mom and
dads in just three hours. The attendees were very excited to gain information they could use for mini vacations this summer
with their families.
June is upon us and there are many great events on the calendar!!! You won’t want to miss the many events including
the 20th Annual Ponca City Herb Festival, 2nd Annual Schooner's Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show presented by Schooner's
Car Club of Ponca City, Cherokee Strip Corvette Car Club Show presented by the Cherokee Strip Corvette Club, "Little Shop of
Horrors" presented by Ponca Playhouse, Summer 2013 Children's Visual Art Academy presented by the Ponca City Art Center,
Beach Party with Ronnie Kaye presented by the American Legion Post 14, 2013 Oklahoma State Championship Series of
Motocross presented by the Ponca City Noon AMBUCS, Youth Fishing Clinic presented by Ponca City Parks and Recreation,
Kid DJ Day presented by 89.7 The House FM and 88.7 My Praise FM, Juneteenth Blues and BBQ and our annual Juneteenth
Celebration presented by Attucks Community Center, and All Wheels for Pink Heals Poker Run presented by Guardians of the
Ribbon - Northern Oklahoma . Expect the Unexpected in Ponca City!!!
Don’t forget to check our website, www.poncacitytourism.com, for information on all of our upcoming events. If you
have any questions please feel free to call me or stop in and see me at the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Volume 35, Issue 6
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DOING THE RIGHT THING
David Myers
Ponca City Development Authority
If you’re old enough to remember, NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, was approved by the U.S.
Congress and took effect in 1994. In general, the agreement was intended to boost the economies of Canada, the U.S. and
Mexico through the elimination of trade barriers. Boosters said it would spur job growth while detractors said, well, lots of
things. If you will allow, I’d like to use NAFTA to illustrate a few points which are not exclusively in the world of economics,
but most certainly impact the field and, by extension, your wallet.
First of all, NAFTA may have been the last real example of true bi-partisan cooperation in Washington D.C. The
agreement was championed by Bush the First, approved by both chambers of the U.S. Congress with bi-partisan votes, and
signed by Bill Clinton. To this day, we cannot say with any certainty whether or not it was a good thing and I’ll come back to
that in a minute.
Critics have the easy part here. Generally, it’s easier to be a critic. You can claim that pretty much anything that
went wrong did so because of, in this case, NAFTA. It’s much more difficult to be the one who has to step up and take
responsibility. For this reason, it has always amused me when certain talking heads in the media talk about the “courage” of
a politician that voted against something. To be sure, there are moments when this is true. In general, however, it’s requires
more courage to vote for something than against it since a certain amount of responsibility follows that “yes” vote.
During the debate of NAFTA, I was a guest for a radio call in program back in California. Mind you, I was invited to
come on to speak about the economy, but the high level of interest in NAFTA turned that conversation in to a very narrow
discussion. The radio host, an extremely conservative gentleman, was on a bit of a roll. The local congressman, the host
pointed out, had made a campaign pledge to vote against NAFTA and now appeared to lean towards voting in favor of the
trade agreement. Somehow I became the congressman’s spokesperson and defender during that very long hour, but that’s
show biz.
I talked to the congressman about this sometime later, after he did indeed vote in favor of NAFTA. I asked him
about his campaign promise. “I did say that,” he said. “I also promised to increase employment, control illegal immigration
and improve our relationship with Mexico.” After getting into office, he explained to me, he became convinced that NAFTA
would help more than it would hurt all things. He decided therefore, to break one promise in order to keep three others. In
short, supporting NAFTA was more than keeping campaign promises to this politician. It was, in his view, the right thing to
do even if others disagreed.
The point is not whether NAFTA was good or bad. The point is that “the right thing” is usually not as clear as we
might like to think. If my friend the California Congressman had followed the letter of his campaign promises, he would
have voted against the more important values he promoted, although with less specificity, simply to stubbornly stick to
something he said when he was, presumably, not as well informed.
NAFTA helps to illustrate another interesting point as well, however. As noted above, whether or not NAFTA was or
is a success is certainly debatable. What makes the evaluation of NAFTA so difficult is that we have no way of knowing how
the economy would have acted without NAFTA. Would it have been better or worse? Did NAFTA have an impact on the
exponential increase in worker productivity? With the dramatic economic changes in the world that are not clearly tied to
NAFTA, it may be impossible to know if NAFTA worked simply because we will never know what the economy would have
done without it.
Measuring the value of economic development can be difficult as well. Total job count, which is where most people
look to measure success, is not always accurate because it does not tell us what would have happened had there not been an
economic development program. At the risk of blowing our own horn, however, an active and aggressive economic
development program appears to have played a very significant role in the economic transition in Ponca City over the last ten
years. The replacement of declining jobs with new jobs, which the data tells us was done on virtually a one to one basis,
match up with the completed economic development agreements during that same period strongly indicating that the
transition received a considerable boost from local programs.
Have we made mistakes along the way? No question. But as important as the economic development sales tax is,
where PCDA has benefitted most in these last ten years is in the public support and trust you and others have provided. For
this we are grateful. For this, we pledge to continue to try and do the right thing, whatever that means.
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Volume 35, Issue 6
May Business after Hours
hosted by First National Bank of Oklahoma
First National Bank of Oklahoma hosted the Chamber’s May Business after Hours. We had an
outstanding turnout. Great food and fun was had by all. Hosting the event is l-r, Charlie Elliott,
Scott Flanery, Ryan Austin, Pat Rooney, Brad Purdy, Casey Pruitt and the staff of First National
Bank of Oklahoma.
June Business after Hours
Eastman National Bank
The Chamber’s June Business after Hours will be hosted by Eastman National Bank located
downtown at 3rd and Grand Avenue on Tuesday, June 25th, from 5 – 7 p.m.
Fun, food, fellowship and door prizes will be available to all that attend. Please bring your business
cards to share with everyone. All Chamber members are welcomed and encouraged to attend these
fun events held each month at various locations during the year. Business after Hours is an
outstanding opportunity to meet other Chamber members. It is a come-and-go event or you can
stay the entire time!
Hope to see you at Eastman National Bank’s downtown location!
Don’t forget to bring your business card!
Volume 35, Issue 6
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Chamber Outstanding Business Partner for June
Discount Carpet Outlet
The Chamber of Commerce
Ponca City Business Council has
selected Discount Carpet Outlet
as the June Business Partner of
the Month.
Presenting the
award to owner Deb Woodruff is
Ponca City Business Council
Chair, Wendy Stobbe.
Also
representing the committee and
the Chamber are Ken Luttrell
and Sue Lunsford.
Discount
Carpet Outlet is located
downtown at 118 S. 1st Street.
Get to know Discount Carpet Outlet!
1.
Who are the business owners? Debbie and Terry Woodruff
2. What year was your business established? 2004
3. What are you most passionate about? We are very passionate about downtown! Wouldn’t it be wonderful if more
people would shop our downtown stores?
4. What are you involved in within our community? We are members of the Ponca City Noon Lions and Terry is the
incoming District Governor for Lions Clubs International in Northwest Oklahoma. We are also members of the Ponca
City Chamber and Ponca City Main Street and are dedicated to seeing our downtown business district thrive!
5. What services do you provide? We provide discount priced, first quality flooring products from Mohawk, Shaw,
Beaulieu and other leading manufacturers. We only carry “first quality” carpet, tile, sheet vinyl and wood flooring and
keep our costs and prices as low as possible which has lead us to become one of the leading Mohawk dealers in the state
of Oklahoma.
We are now the only Unfinished Furniture Store in Oklahoma and Southern Kansas and have a great in-house custom
finishing service with unlimited possibilities to meet any need. We often have customers visiting Oklahoma from around
the state for this product line. We have delivered these real wood products as far west as Seattle and east to New York.
We saw the prices for kids bedroom furniture in Ponca City was very inflated compared to the big cities. To continue our
mission to give northern Oklahoma shoppers the best products and prices, we added prefinished solid wood bunk beds to
our product line in 2010.
Customer requests continued to flow in for us to also offer a high quality bedding option to our market area. We
researched various brands over four years and in November 2012 selected Southerland Bedding as our supplier. They
are a very high quality product but keep prices lower by avoiding the big national advertising campaigns, so many
shoppers have not heard of them. Southerland is an employee owned company that has been in business since 1893 and
added a manufacturing facility in Oklahoma a few years ago.
6. What do you think is your business’s best product or attribute? Our dedication to providing our products and
services with the highest quality and lowest possible costs makes downtown Ponca City THE shopping destination for
northern Oklahoma. We see our customers as friends and neighbors and go above and beyond every day to serve.
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Volume 35, Issue 6
Welcome New Chamber Members!
The Chamber encourages all members to conduct business with each other. The newest members listed below recently made an
important investment in their business by joining the Chamber. Please consider them for your personal and professional needs.
When you do, let them know you learned of their business through the Chamber!
Cremers Lawn & Landscape
Contact: Ron Cremers
2502 W. South Avenue
Ponca City, OK 74604
Phone: 716-0067 & 762-0637
Email: [email protected]
Cremers Lawn and Landscape has been in business since 1998 and offers
landscaping, lawn service and snow removal.
Yvonne Pendley-Wehrle
2413 Hummingbird Ln.
Ponca City, OK 74604
Phone: 401-5228
Email: [email protected]
Edwina Wynn
2212 El Camino St.
Ponca City, OK 74604
Phone: 765-6165
[email protected]
Cowboy Driving Academy
Contact: Brad Finley
909 Wakefield Dr.
Perry, OK 73077
Phone: (580) 307-5443
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cowboydriving.com
Cowboy Driving Academy was established in 1999 and is family owned
and operated. All students receive personalized, individual attention from
state certified instructors. Cowboy Driving Academy (CDA) has 10
instructors and fleet of 6 driver training cars which allows them to offer
more flexible availability to students. We treat students like a member of
our family and view these courses as a means of ensuring their safety, not
just fulfilling a requirement.
Conco, Inc.
Contact: Wayne Winkelbauer
3030 All Hallows
Wichita, KS 67217
Phone: (316) 943-7111
Fax: (316) 943-4708
Email: [email protected]
Web Address: www.concoconstruction.com
We are a sound commercial construction company, established in 1975,
fully licensed and insured, and experienced in the commercial,
manufacturing, industrial and community industries.
From small
editions to 300,00 sq. foot buildings, we offer uncompromised quality to
Kansas and the surrounding areas.
Los Portales Mexican Restaurant
Contact: Noel Melendez
900 E. Prospect Ave.
Ponca City, OK 74601
Phone: (580) 749-5916
Email: [email protected]
Los Portales was established this year and is a sister restaurant to El
Patio. They offer delicious and authentic Mexican cuisine.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for
Little Caesars Pizza
The Chamber of Commerce had a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Little
Caesars Pizza. Cutting the ribbon is store manager, Steve Orecchio.
With Steve are Katrina Harrison, Sheereca Wilson, Celess Nuefeld and
RJ Mungie. Holding the ribbon, representing the Chamber, are Becky
Hatton and Dr. Robert Howard.
Natalie Fraser, Chamber Chair, presents to Little Caesars Pizza their first
dollar returned on their investment during the Chamber’s ribbon cutting
ceremony. Shown with Natalie are Store Manager, Steve Orecchio, and
staff, Katrina Harrison, Sheereca Wilson, Celess Nuefeld and RJ Mungie.
Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings
The Chamber Board of Directors and the Ambassador Committee have two upcoming ribbon cutting ceremonies scheduled
in June!
On June 13th at 10:00 a.m. in the Chamber office lobby, the Chamber Board of Directors and the Ambassador Committee
will have a ribbon cutting for the Cowboy Driving Academy. The Academy will offer driver’s education classes to young
drivers in Ponca City. We are so excited to welcome them to Ponca City!
The Chamber Board of Directors and the Ambassador Committee will have a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Los Portales Mexican Restaurant on Friday, June 14th at 11:00 a.m. They are located at 900 E. Prospect Ave. Please come and meet
the crew at Los Portales. The Chamber is excited about this new restaurant.
Everyone is invited to attend these special events and show their support for these new businesses in Ponca City!
Volume 35, Issue 6
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Page 11
2012-2013 PIE Partner Wrap-Up Report
Garfield Elementary School
Created an Adopt-a-Class program with employees
assigned to take lessons, games, and presentations for
each class. Teachers and students received Chamber
Bucks and gift cards
Donated gifts for students and purchased Chamber Bucks
for ALL staff members at Christmas
Sponsored ISTE Training for a teacher
Sponsored all 5th grade students to attend a Red Hawks
game
Helped 5th grade students build and launch rockets
Purchased items for the school’s clothes closet
Provided end of year treats, games and books for students
and gifts for teachers
Provided copy paper and other supplies requested
Put on presentations for special events
Helped with attendance recognition and other programs
Liberty Elementary School
Provided incentives and door prizes such as iPads and
movie tickets to help get parents involved at bingo
night, math night and reading nights
Provided sweets for teachers lounge
Provided Sonic cards for teachers
Helped with teacher luncheon during Teacher Appreciation
Week
Lincoln Elementary School
Provided prizes for school coloring contest
Provided supplies needed by teachers
Provided Santa at school Christmas party
Provided Christmas gift bags for each child
Donated items for supply closet
Created blacktop path to existing track
Helped tutor students
Did you know…
For an annual fee of as little as $50.00, you can get an enhanced
listing in the Membership Directory on the Chamber of Commerce website?
With just a mouse click, we can link your website to the Chamber’s, and
add a “map” icon for ease in locating you.
For an annual fee of as little as $75.00,
you can get a corporate listing in the Membership Directory
on the Chamber of Commerce website?
This will allow you to feature your company logo in your directory listing.
A+ PRINTING
“We’re at the head of the Class”
Same Name, Same Owners
Same Location for 14 Years
119 N. Third
Phone 580.765.7752 ~ Fax 580.765.3351
E-mail: [email protected]
Mike & Donna Culver, Owners
Provided appreciation treats for staff
First Lutheran Elementary School
Volunteered time for lunch duty, mentoring, tutoring and
various other events
Processed Box Tops and Labels for Education for mailing
Sponsored Box Tops pizza and pop party for each semester;
Set up party and served classes
Supported annual auction through donation of items,
attendance at event, and bidding
Fulfilled teacher and staff wish lists
Sponsored Accelerated Reader parties
Provided Christmas luncheon for entire staff
Helped with Support Staff and Teacher Appreciation
Luncheons
Applied for United Way Grants on behalf of the school
Purchased custom leather chairs for basketball court side
lines in the gym as well as a new score table
Purchased a KitchenAid Mixer for the kitchen
Provided food for end-of-season basketball banquet
McCord Elementary School
Sponsored bulletin board promotion
Donated items for teacher wish lists
Donated items for science experiments and art activities
Donated rewards for reading celebrations
Donated test snacks
Roosevelt Elementary School
Provided over 270 running t-shirts for those children that
competed in a running event
Volunteered time for various school events and reading
celebrations
Provided prizes for Sequoyah Book List winners
Provided sound system for Rodeo Day
Advertise Your Business
How about using the Chamber newsletter to better promote your
business in 2013? We have two options available for your business.
One option is an insert to go in the newsletter. The cost is only $75,
you provide 1,350 8-1/2 x 11” copies for the newsletter. The other
option is to place an ad in the newsletter. Cost is $150.00 and your
ad will be in 3 issues. For more information on either way to
promote your business, just phone the Chamber office at 765-4400.
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St. Mary’s Catholic School
Donated funds for end-of-year team party
Donated funds for teacher professional development
Volunteered hours of service during Catholic Schools
Week and on field trips
Trout Elementary School
Provided reading mentors every Tuesday morning for
students needing practice with fluency
Provided prizes for Literacy Night
Supplied coffee mugs full of goodies at Christmas to all
employees
Provided summer water bottles and dashboard phone
rests during Teacher Appreciation Week
Provided bottles of water each month for every student
Purchased medals for students for Perfect Attendance
Awards
Union Elementary School
Purchased turkeys for Bingo for Turkeys night
Purchased Bulldog attendance incentives
Made donations for Teacher Appreciation Luncheon
Sent volunteers for Friends and Volunteer Reading Day
Made donations for 5th grade end-of-year party
Purchased MAP incentive backpack tags
Sent volunteers for India Adventure Day
Made donations to have Accelerated Reader winners’
backpacks monogrammed
Purchased talent show winner ribbons
Woodlands Elementary School
Provided breakfast for teachers at the beginning of the
year
Provided Santa at Christmas
Donated funds for Accelerated Reader celebrations and
awards and for other special projects as well
Provided Eastman Bucks for Teacher Appreciation
Donated air time and remote station for Family Fun Night
Provided Bingo caller and prizes
Provided massages during Teacher Appreciation Week
Marland Children’s Home
Donated incentive funds to help motivate kids to
complete their e2020 courses
Provided copy paper
Provided awards for Student of the Year in each subject
for each grade level
Paid for and installed new carpet in all the classrooms
Ponca City Christian Academy
Provided financial donations
Assisted with maintenance projects at the school
Helped with BBQ Bash event
Partnered with students in outreach project for Operation
Christmas Child
Provided sound system for talent show rehearsal, annual
parent meeting and graduation
Provided prizes and remote van for fundraiser auction
Helped with yearbook and other printing needs
Partnered with PCCA and Walmart selling discount cards
Volume 35, Issue 6
East Middle School
Provided snacks for kids which were given out weekly as
rewards to help boost attendance
Donated funds for Challenge Day t-shirts which were
purchased for students and staff
Provided Sonic gift cards for attendance incentives
West Middle School
Provided hams and turkeys to families during the
holidays and for staff holiday meeting
Provided snacks for faculty
Teen Pep Moms
Helped create an awareness of the Teen Pep Moms
program
Donated money for the Christmas party and other needs
Sent presenters to come in and speak to girls on various
subjects
Helped set up one of the Teen Pep girls in her own home
Donated clothing and various other items
Provided and donated items for their ‘store’
Ponca City High School
Provided music for the Po-Hi Promenade
Provided prizes for after prom party
Provided prizes for Great Escape
Sponsored Back-to-School Bash
Hired one of Po-Hi’s Top Ten Seniors
Participated in Po-Hi Career Fair and provided photo
booth with take home pictures for event
Thank you to all our PIE Partners for their support!
89.7 The house FM / 88.7 My Praise FM
Albertson's LLC. Distribution Facility
Albright Insurance Agency, Inc.
The Bag Lady Boutique & Salon
Bank of The West
Bodyworks Massage & Spa
Cable ONE
Cookshack, Inc.
Eastman National Bank
Evans & Associates Enterprises, Inc.
Farmers Insurance - Jeff MacKinnon
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
First National Bank of Oklahoma
Host Analytics, Inc.
Ponca City Leadership Alumni
Martin, Jean & Jackson
Mazzio's Italian Eatery
Merrifield Office & School Supply
Mertz Manufacturing, LLC
New Car Dealer Association
Oklahoma Natural Gas Company
Osage Casino
Pemberton, Inc.
Phillips 66
Ponca City Discount Foods
Ponca City Medical Center
Precision Tool & Die of Ponca City
Quality Water Services
RCB Bank
Rick Scott Construction, Inc.
Smith Home Furnishings
Sonic Drive In, Staples
Stolhand Heating & Air Conditioning
Sykes Enterprises, Inc.
Team Radio
Walmart Supercenter
Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network
Volume 35, Issue 6
www.poncacit ychambe r.com
Page 13
Thank you PIE Partners!
The PIE Partners had their wrap-up meeting for the
school year. Pictured above are representatives from
our Chamber Business PIE Partners. We can't thank
them enough for what they do for our schools, both
public and private.
Woodlands Principal Becky
Krueger put big smiles on her PIE
Partners faces when she gave them
homemade pies in appreciation for
what they did this school year.
PRIDE Training at the High School!
The Chamber's PRIDE
Program, that teaches how
to offer quality customer
service, was provided to the
business classes at Po-Hi
on Monday, May 13.
Mayor Homer Nicholson,
Stephanie Austin with Rick
Scott Construction and
Rich Cantillon provided the
training. This was a great
time of year to show
the
program
to
Po-Hi students. We believe
it will help them excel in
their summer jobs.
Page 14
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Volume 35, Issue 6
Support Staff Reception
The Education and Workforce Development Committee sponsored a come-and-go reception for school support
staff. Phillips 66 provided the cookies. Lana Jones, Field Rep. for Senator Fields, provided the punch. We also
had 54 door prizes donated by the following Chamber Members: A+ Printing; Albright Insurance Agency, Inc.;
Creations Hair and Nails; Eastman National Bank; Evans & Associates Enterprises, Inc.; First National Bank of
Oklahoma; Lana Jones; Don Jorgensen; Sue Lunsford; Nicholson Auction; Nancy Niemann; Phillips 66; Ponca
City Development Authority; Quality Inn; Dave Schaller; Judy Throop; and the University Center at Ponca
City. Thank you everyone! Right, Don Jorgensen was just one of several Education and Workforce Development
Committee members of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce greeting school support staff at the reception
held in the lobby of the Chamber office.
Education and Workforce Development Committee
Produced Summer Children’s Activity Guide
Summer vacation for school age youth is here in Ponca City and we have a lot of summer activities for our
children. Members of the Chamber of Commerce, as well as local agencies which included United Way of
Ponca City and Smart Start Kay County, under the direction of Lilly Freeman, prepared a publication
containing activities and services that are available this summer for the youth in our community. Copies
of this publication were sent home with students at the end of the school year.
If you have further questions about this publication, you may contact Lilly at (580) 765-9015. Smart Start
Kay County is an agency of United Way of Ponca City and supports families in their efforts to raise
children who are safe, healthy, eager to learn and ready to succeed in school. Healthy, educational and fun
summer activities for children are an important factor to meet this goal.
Ponca Politics at City Hall
With Senator Fields and Representative Vaughan
The final Ponca Politics of the year with Senator Fields and Representative Vaughan will be held at City
Hall in the City Commission Chambers on Friday, June 28th, starting at 11:30 a.m.
Several important topics were discussed during our previous forums including state budget, education,
taxes, workers’ comp, infrastructure and other state items. These events are open to the public and are
sponsored by the Governmental Affairs Committee of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Remember that our forums with Senator Eddie Fields and Representative Steven Vaughan are
re-broadcast on the Ponca City Cable Channel 22 the week following each forum. We thank the city staff
for letting us use the Commission Chambers and for taping the forums.
Volume 35, Issue 6
www.poncacit ychambe r.com
Page 15
The Ponca City booth at the ICSC International
retail show in Las Vegas had good traffic. David
Myers, Chris Henderson, Natalie Fraser, Rich
Cantillon and Mayor Homer Nicholson worked the
booth. They also called on potential retail stores
that might have an interest in locating to Ponca
City. During the show, Mayor Homer Nicholson
visited all the retail businesses that have a store in
Ponca City and thanked them for having a location
here. As a Chamber, we must always be building
our economy and making sure we continue to
be the shopping hub for our region. This is just
one of our efforts to help improve Ponca City.
Austin Unruh, a Po-Hi graduate
currently attending UCO, is interning at
the Chamber office this summer. We are
happy to have his help over the next few
months and looking forward to teaching
him about the Chamber world. He is
shown with Nancy Kruckeberg, Chelsea
McConnell and Crystal Bickford. Austin
is a Business Administration and
Economics major and is interested in a
Chamber career.
Osage Casino Topping Ceremony
We had the opportunity to attend the Osage Casino Topping Ceremony. During this ceremony,
they place the last beam on top of the construction site. It was fun to be part of this event.
Chamber Chair Natalie Fraser got to visit with Osage Principal Chief John Red Eagle and
Commissioner Doug Revard, Chair of the Osage Nation Gaming Commission, during the event.
Natalie and Crystal Bickford were the last two to sign the beam before it was lifted up and placed
on TOP! This new addition to the Osage Casino will open sometime later this year.
Page 16
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Volume 35, Issue 6
Following are the discounts being offered to Chamber members by other members. To receive the discount, simply show the participating business your
Member Discount Card. If your business needs additional cards, or would like to participate in this free program, call the Chamber at 765-4400.
A.L.C. Services, LLC: Specializing in lawn care
and maintenance, landscaping and snow removal.
10% off service. Call Alan at 304-6397.
Anderson & Company Salon & Spa, LLC , 601 E. Hartford :
50% of haircuts, $10 off any massage or body treatment.
AT&T Communications Connection, 2705 N. 14th St.:
Free charger with a new 2 - year agreement.
B’Loved Boutique, 322 E. Grand Ave.: 10% off
entire purchase.
The Bag Lady Boutique & Salon, 205 E. Grand Ave.:
10% off entire purchase.
Bella Flora & Gifts, 900 E. Prospect Ave., Ste. 600:
10% off fresh arrangements.
Bintz Pharmacy, 2701 N. 14th St.: Free Flavor
Friday. 1 free prescription flavor on Fridays.
Bodyworks Massage & Spa, 1912 Lake Rd.: $5
off 1/2 - hour massage or $10 off 1 hour massage. Call
762-5000.
Jack Bowker Ford Lincoln, 2415 N. 14th St.: 10% discount up to $25 on service repairs, excluding body
shop.
Brown’s Shoe Fit Company, 2101 N. 14th St., Ste. 134:
10% off purchase of $65 and up.
Cannon Honda, 3415 N. 14th St.: Free car care kit
with a service repair bill over $150, or a car purchase.
Void with coupons, discounts and special offers.
Limit one per customer per month.
Car-Mart of Ponca City, 3314. N. 14th St.:
Complete detail with a test drive or $1000 of your
down payment. Call 580-762-3553 if you have any
questions.
Cherry Berry, 2709 N. 14th St.: 10% off your
yogurt purchase. Delicious, healthy, frozen yogurt!
Chimney Doctor, 5911 E. 68th St., Stillwater:
Certified Sweep Service offers $20 off regular cleaning &
inspection price. Call 762-3838 or toll free at
(888)477-SOOT (7668).
Complete Vision Care, 521 E. Hartford Ave.:
Drs. Brian and Jessica Zwanziger offer 10% off complete eye exam and 10% off eyewear. 765-3379.
Creations Hair & Nails, 101 W. Grand Ave.:
20% off all hair products, $1 off haircut, $5 off color
or perm. Call 765-4484 for an appointment.
off total purchase. Call 762-3388.
Happy Days Café, 423 E. Grand Ave.: 10% off
full breakfast, sandwiches, salads and dinners
(beverages not included). Call Lee Vernon at 762-2310.
Member meals only.
Head Country Bar-B-Q Restaurant, Inc., 1217
E. Prospect Ave.: 10% off regular price dinners.
Call 767-8304.
Her Majesty’s Gems, 211 E. Grand Ave.: 30% off
any in-store item.
Kay Office Equipment Company, 1401 N. 7th St.:
Your old copier is worth at least $500 as trade in on
a new Toshiba or Samsung Digital Copier. Call Dan
Stahl at 765-4436.
Lakeview Boat Storage & Campground, 8818
Lake Rd.: First month storage free or $70 discount
off annual storage rate to new customers. Subject to
availability. Call 765-2219 or 761-1244.
Mayer Eye Care, 1722 N. 4th St., Ste. C: 10% off
eyewear. Call 762-0870 for your appointment today!
Mazzio’s Italian Eatery, 720 E. Prospect Ave.: 20%
discount on any regular-priced menu item. Marc &
Kathy Leavell.
Member-to-
Spray's Jewelry & Gifts, 203 E. Grand Ave.: 20% discount on all merchandise excluding class rings, repairs
and sale items. Call Carter Buller at 762-1604.
Sun 'n Fun Waterpark, 8900 E. Lake Rd.: $10 off
season pass or $2 off day passes. Call 762-3331 or
763-7617.
TPI Staffing Service, 1722 N. 4th St., Ste. E:
10% off a forty hour work week. Only one per new
customer. Contact Barbara Phillips at 762-0663.
Take Ten Tire & Lube, 3015 N. 14th St.: Your
one-stop shop for all your automotive needs! $3 off
full service oil change, free brake & tire inspection. Give
us a call 762-5919.
Tech Squad Computer Repair, 426 W. Grand Ave.:
20% off labor. 718-9111.
The UPS Store, 522 N. 14th St.: 4 cent black and
white copies; 25 cent color copies. Call Pam Childs at
762-6225.
Village Green Apartments, 2700 N. 5th St.: $50
off first month’s rent with 6 month lease on 2BR apt. Call
762-0017. Ask for Paula.
Visiting Angels of Ponca City, 118 N. Oak St.,
Ste. 5: Free in-home consultation. Call 762-3242.
McGee Jewelers, 219 E. Grand Ave.: 30% off
store-wide excluding repairs, Pandora jewelry and
class rings. Call Matt McGee at 765-2636.
Vitacare At Home Medical of Ponca City, 1209
E. Prospect Ave.: 10% discount on anything in
the store. Cash sales only. Call 765-8159.
Oscar and Essie’s, 1900 N. Union St.: 10% off
on wine or spirits.
Zino's Italian Ristorante, 200 N. 2nd St.:
Wednesdays 4 - 9 p.m. kids 10 & under eat free
from the kids menu with purchase of an adult entree. Not valid with any other coupon or discount
offer. Dine in only.
Parker Pest Control, Inc., 3616 Lake Rd.: Halfprice on first treatment of five-step lawn program,
for new customers only. Call Brad Parker at 7626614.
Pauline’s Steakhouse, 1114 L.A. Cann Dr.: Buy
any dinner and receive a 10% discount on the second dinner of same or lesser value.
Personnel Staffing, Inc., 715 E. Hartford Ave.: Four
hours free on a forty hour work week. Only one
per customer. New job orders only. Please contact
Mikki or Tricia at 762-8376. No expiration date.
Ponca Bowl, 2000 Lake Rd.: Buy 1 Get 1 Free,
Open play only. Call 762-3333.
The Prairie Rose, 407 E. Grand Ave.: 15% off
regular price items excluding Calphalon and select bridal
registry. Call Lori George at 767-8331.
Earcare Hearing Aid Center, 2010 N. 14th St.:
20% off a set of level 1 - 9 technology.
Galaxie Business Equipment, Inc., 763-5400: Call
today for a full-line catalog of our office supplies
and furniture, or see our online catalog at
www.gbeinc.com and take 15% off your first online
order. Use code: pcch12. Get $100 off our best
2013 copier deal!
Golden Villa Adult Day Care Services, Inc. 1722
N. 4th St., Ste. B: Visit our day program for one day
at no charge. Must be a new appointment. Call
Melissa at 762-0264.
Grand Flowers & Gifts, 111 E. Grand Ave.: 10%
Primerica Financial Services, 601 N. 1st St.: Call
765-9533 for a complimentary financial needs analysis and begin preparing for a secure financial future.
The Ranch Chiropractic Wellness Center, 516
E. Hartford Ave.: 15% off any service.
Call
762-1500 for your appointment today.
The Red Barn, 2309 E. Lake Rd.: Buy one dozen
get one dozen free. Live bait only. 762-2286.
South Avenue Liquor, 1301 E. South Ave.,: 10%
off purchase.
Is Your business here? If not, call
the Chamber to promote your
business. This is a benefit of being
a member and there is no cost to
you. Call Chelsea McConnell at
765-4400 to take advantage of this
free advertising.
Volume 35 Issue 6
www.poncacit ychambe r.com
Page 17
Our Chamber of Commerce at Work in June!
Thursday, June 6 – Education and Workforce Development Committee will meet at 4 p.m. in the
Chamber Office Patt Hughes Board Room. Sue Lunsford, retired ConocoPhillips, is the Chair.
Tuesday, June 11 – Ponca City Business Council will meet at 8 a.m. in the Chamber Office Patt
Hughes Board Room. Wendy Stobbe with American Red Cross is the Chair.
Thursday, June 13 — Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 10:00 a.m. in the Chamber office lobby for
Cowboy Driving Academy.
Thursday, June 13 – Leadership Alumni Social at Dearing House from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Friday, June 14 – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. for Los Portales Restaurant located at 900
E. Prospect.
Tuesday, June 18 – Ambassador Committee will meet at 8:00 a.m. in the Chamber Office Patt
Hughes Board Room. Angela Rickman with Sykes Home is the Chair.
Wednesday, June 19 – Finance Committee will meet at 11:00 a.m. in the Chamber Office Patt
Hughes Board Room. Ryan Schwabe with Coates and Schwabe, CPA’s PLLC is the Chair.
Wednesday, June 19 – Executive Committee will meet at 11:30 a.m. in the Chamber Office Patt
Hughes Board Room. Natalie Fraser with Lindsay Manufacturing, Inc. is the Chair.
Thursday, June 20 – Community Development Committee will meet at 10:00 a.m. in the Chamber
Office Patt Hughes Board Room. Bill Wetzel with Loftis & Wetzel is the Chair.
Friday, June 21 – Movie Workshop at Chamber Office from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, June 25 – Chamber Board of Directors will meet at 11:00 a.m. in the Chamber Office Patt
Hughes Board Room. Natalie Fraser with Lindsay Manufacturing, Inc. is the Chair.
Tuesday, June 25 – Business after Hours hosted by Eastman National Bank downtown location from
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 27 – Tourism Bureau will meet at 8:00 a.m. in the Chamber Office Patt Hughes
Board Room. Echo Blanton with Blanton Chiropractic Clinic is the Chair.
Friday, June 28 – Governmental Affairs Committee will meet at 10:30 a.m. in the Chamber Office
Patt Hughes Board Room. Dr. Robert Howard with Pioneer Technology Center is the Chair.
Friday, June 28 – Ponca Politics wrap-up with Senator Fields and Representative Vaughan at
11:30 a.m. City Hall in the City Commission Chambers.
Don’t miss out on all the fun events taking place in Ponca City! For a complete list of events please
go to the tourism web site: www.poncacitytourism.com.
For more information on any of these Chamber events or meetings please contact our Chamber Office 765-4400.
Periodical
Postage Paid
at
Ponca City,
OK 74602
420 E. Grand
P.O. Box 1109
Ponca City, OK 74602
(580) 765-4400
www.poncacitychamber.com
Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce
Proudly announces our
Volume 35, Issue 6
May Business After Hours business card winner:
2013 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Stephanie Austin
Rick Scott Construction, Inc.
Barry Bickle
Eastman National Bank
Bill Coleman
Team Radio
Laura Corff
United Community Action Program
Jeff Cowan
RCB Bank
Court Davis
Individual Member
Bruce DeMuth
Pioneer Technology Center
Jayne Detten
Ponca City Main Street
Don Bohon
Ponca City Chief of Police
Dr. Cheryl Evans
Northern Oklahoma College
Lee Evans
Evans & Associates Enterprises, Inc.
Scott Flanery
First National Bank of Oklahoma
Natalie Fraser
Lindsay Manufacturing, Inc.
Earl Holle
Phillips 66
Molly Kyler
Pioneer Technology Center
Adam Leaming
The University Center at Ponca City
Terron Liles
The Bag Lady Boutique & Beauty Bar
Sue Lunsford
Individual Member
Ken Luttrell
Kaw Enterprise Development Authority
Larry Murphy
Larry Murphy Insurance Agency, Inc.
Homer Nicholson
Mayor of Ponca City
Dr. David Pennington
Ponca City Public Schools
Robyn Ryan
The Ponca City News
Ryan Schwabe
Coates & Schwabe, CPA's PLLC
Craig Stephenson
City of Ponca City
Wendy Stobbe
American Red Cross
Joe Theobald
Larry Murphy Insurance Agency, Inc.
Nancy Tyndall
Phillip A. Tyndall, DDS, PC
David VanBuskirk
Fire Marshall
Andy Wachtel
Ponca City Medical Center
Your Chamber of Commerce putting
dollars back into
Ponca City businesses!
Chamber Buck annual sales as of
May 29, 2013:
$85,200.00.
Official Publication
The Ponca City Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
(ISSN 1545-1259) is published monthly by the Ponca City
Area Chamber of Commerce, Rich Cantillon, Publisher,
420 East Grand Avenue, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74602. Subscription rate to members is one dollar, payable with membership.
POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to:
PONCA CITY AREA CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE NEWSLETTER
P.O. Box 1109
Ponca City, Oklahoma 74602
(580) 765-4400