Grove Rotary Centennial Park Dedicated

The Grove Rotary Centennial Park, five years in the making, was officially dedicated Saturday morning. The park, at Shundi and 13th, is estimated to have cost more than $250,000 with Grove Rotarians donating many thousands of dollars and man hours. Pictured left to right, are some of the Rotary Presidents who served during the development and construction: Paul Allsup, Kay Lyn Beauchamp, Charlie Wallace, Dr. Michael Foster, Glenn Sharp, and assistant district governor Bob Daggett. Not pictured is Bob Brogden. The park contains a water feature, restrooms, play areas, gyms, pavillion and basketball court. The city, Grand Gateway, Simmons Foods, local banks and Rotarians contributed funds to build the park.

New 18th Street Extension Opens

Participating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the
grand opening of the 18th street extension this week were, left to right:
Jimmy Heard, City Project Inspector; John Brown, Grove Area Chamber of Commerce; Barbara Barnes, Bank of Grove; Debbie Mavity, Assistant City Manager; Kelly Kirkpatrick, city code enforcement; Mayor Carolyn Nuckolls; Lisa Allred, City Treasurer; Bill Galletly, City Manager; Chad Clinehens, Garver Engineers, and Lisa Friden, Executive Director, Grove Area Chamber of Commerce. Grass sodding and seeding is all that remains to be done on the project, which cost just under $2.1 million including the three lane portion of Shundi from 13th to 9th street. Total project is 1.270 miles in length and built to ODOT standards. An eight foot bike path is adjacent to the north side of the roadway. It was completed in just under 10 months.

Grove Police Blotter

This month's arrests by the Grove Police Department:


Ritchie, Jaron Ray 07/03/06
DUI, Possession of drugs, transporting open container, minor in possession
Handle, Billy Earl Jr. 07/03/06
Public Intoxication
Griner, Kayla Wesdawn 07/05/06
Possession of drugs
Dudley, Kyle Stewart 07/05/06
Possession of drug paraphanalia
Opdyke, Justin B 07/06/06
Transporting open container, supply alcohol to minor
Jackson, Eugene L 07/06/06
Transporting open container, Minor in possession
Plumlee, Thomas J. 07/06/06
Warrant, new traffic
Reed, Kenneth Eugene 07/11/06
Delivery of Narcotics, Transportation of Narcotics, Poss of narcotics w/minor, Possession of marijuana
Sheets, Robert Michael 07/12/06
Attempt to purchase drugs
Carr, Peggy Diana 07/12/06
Suspended License, no insurance
Caldwell, Cecil Clare 07/23/06
DUI
Birchfield, Melvin James 07/23/06
Public Drunk, Damage to private property
Wilcox, Michael Ray 07/25/06
Suspended License, No child restraint

Observations...

District Attorney Eddie Wyant defeated Kenny Wright by1144 votes in Tuesday's election, retaining his office for another four years. His campaign contributions were 8-1 over what Wright raised. In Delaware County Wyant received 1950 votes while Wright received 1914 votes, so obviously Ottawa County voters gave him the edge. And due to Oklahoma's peculiar closed primary rules, 1183 Republicans were not permitted to vote for either candidate in Delaware County. In Delaware County, 5074 people voted of which 3891 were Democrats and 1183 Republicans, according to the county election board office, fyi...Precision Wireless is doing field tests this week with its new 900 mghz broadband wireless equipment using a transmitter 200 feet up on KGVE's radio tower. Expect this company to launch new service sometime in August...Last weekend there was a massive raft up in Woodard Hollow, so big it almost blocked the entrance at the no-wake area. One of these days someone is going in there and won't come out for a week...The state's new boating safety education act goes into effect Jan. 1, meaning that no one under age 16 can operate a boat or PWC unless he has completed a Boating Safety Education Course. This should cut down on the number of kids slamming their way across boat wakes...Aug 7 is the date set for a joint meeting of the Grove City Council and P&Z Board on new codes for parking and signage...

Taste of Grand Off to Big Start

Bank of Grove happily pledges its support of the INTEGRIS Grove General Hospital Foundation for the 2nd year in a row as the Major Sponsor of the Taste of Grand. Bank of Grove presented a donation for $5,000 to the IGGH Foundation. Pictured (L to R): Charlie Wallace - IGGHF Board Member, Kristi Middleton - Taste of Grand Chairperson, Lisa Dollarhide - Bank of Grove, Becky Rutter - IGGHF Vice-President, Barbara Barnes - IGGHF Board Member and Bank of Grove, Gary Smith - Bank of Grove.

Thanks to the generosity of Bank of Grove, the Taste of Grand is off to a big start....a $5,000 dollar start to be exact. After the success of last years event, Bank of Grove was quick to jump on board for a 2nd year as the Major Event Sponsor. Taste of Grand is one of the hottest event on the lake and will feature some cool adult beverages, delicious food and a fantastic entertainment. The 4th Annual Taste of Grand has been scheduled for September 9, 2006 beginning at 6:00 p.m. All proceeds from the food and wine tasting event will benefit the INTEGRIS Grove General Hospital Foundation.
Last year the event drew a huge crowd of Grand Lakers. This year, Taste of Grand will be held at the INTEGRIS Medical Plaza at 900 E. 13th Street, across from the Sports Complex, to accommodate the crowd more comfortably.
With a reputation as one of the best parties on the lake, Taste of Grand features a little something for everyone. For a $75 donation each donor will receive a t-shirt and a special thank you in the form of an evening full of fun and excitement!! Restaurants from all over Grand Lake will be serving samples of their delicious cuisine. Guests will also taste a variety of delicious wine’s. For those who prefer hops to grapes, an assortment of beer will also be served. Kim and Shane Berry of Timbered Inn Catering will be setting up their very popular margarita machines. Of course there will be plenty of refreshing non-alcoholic beverages available as well.
The musical entertainment will begin later in the evening to allow guests plenty of time to eat, drink and mingle. Popular Oklahoma band “The Stars” will perform starting around 8 p.m. The Stars are being sponsored by Grand Savings Bank. They perform all over the mid-west, including several performances each year at the yacht clubs on the south end of the lake. They specialize in 70’s and 80’s dance music along with some popular 90’s tunes. For those who prefer a slower pace for the evening, a quiet area with relaxing music will take place in the court yard between the Medical Plaza buildings.
The INTEGRIS Medical Plaza will provide many conveniences to Taste of Grand guests. Air-conditioned sitting areas, plenty of restrooms, beautiful landscaping, plenty of parking and lots of room! The food and wine vendors will be spread out through a large area to alleviate a long line for food. Plates will also be available at each booth so guests will always have a fresh plate to sample the delectable fare.
Numerous restaurants will be featured at the event. The Shebang, Paparazzi, Raggedy’s and Charlie’s Chicken are the latest restaurants to sign up for Taste of Grand.
Group discount packages are available if purchased in advance for $675 for 10 tickets. A limited number of Plus Packages are available. The plus package is $800 and includes 10 tickets to Taste of Grand and 2 tickets to the exclusive pre-party. The pre-party will feature several flights of high-end wines and exquisite hors d'oeuvres courtesy of Claudia Butler of Sweet Sensation. There are several other sponsorship levels as well.
Also taking place the same day is the Cotner Memorial Golf Tournament. This tournament is the best deal around. The $85 green fee includes cart, pork loin lunch, beer, soda’s, and the popular chili dog cart. It’s definitely one of the most enjoyable golf tournaments around and benefits the hospital foundation. Spots are filling up quickly so please contact Debbie Totty at 787-3464 or Kristi Middleton at 787-3855 to sign up for a team or sponsor a hole.
Health care is an important issue to everyone in our community. These two events support the INTEGRIS Grove General Hospital Foundation in their mission to support and continue to improve the health care in our community.
Taste of Grand is presented my Major Event Sponsor Bank of Grove and Event Booster Grand River Abstract. For more information, please contact Kristi Middleton at 787-3855.

Jana Jae Fiddle Camp Set

Jana Jae Fiddle Camp and Music Festival, September 1-3, Grove, OK, is bringing stellar performers and instructors to the Grand Lake area over Labor Day weekend. The Kick-off Party, jam session and barbeque dinner will be at Snider's Camp on Friday night, September 1 at 7 p.m. with a fish fry and Amateur Fiddle Contest on Saturday evening. Bring your lawn chairs!! Daytime workshops will be held at the Grove Civic Center on Saturday and Sunday. All events are open to the public at no charge, food is $5 per plate. To register for the Fiddle Camp on line go to grandlakefestivals.com or call 800-526-2523 or 918-786-8896. The Amateur Fiddle Contest highlights the evening on Saturday and is always great fun for all. For those not enrolled in the Fiddle Camp, registration for this contest, is $5 with cash awards going to the top three winners in six divisions. Fiddle instructors assisting with the workshops will be on stage from time to time and include recognized performers in all styles--fiddle contest champs, Celtic, old-time, and bluegrass specialists, and Suzuki teachers-something for everyone who participates. Those who read music and those who play only by ear are welcome to enroll. Beginners are welcome also. Participants involved in the workshop will learn how to play in jams, put on a successful performance, compete in contests, handle stage fright, play harmony for twin or triple fiddles and much more such as bowing and fingering techniques. This Festival is made possible by volunteers of Grand Lake Festivals, Inc., many local and area sponsors, the area media, with the assistance of the Oklahoma Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. It's a wonderful musical potpourri and jam session all weekend long, as the work of learning becomes fun when shared. It's entertaining and inspirational for audience, performers, instructors and participants. Held at the Grove Civic Center Sat. and Sun., Sept. 2 and 3, and at Snider's Camp Fri. and Sat. evenings, Sept 1 and 2.

GRDA Announces Stakeholder Meetings

The Grand River Dam Authority is announcing that three stakeholder meetings, related to the ongoing development of a Grand Lake Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) have been scheduled for early August by Kleinschmidt Energy & Water Resource Consultants, the SMP consulting firm.
The “Land Use Classification” meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 9 at 9:30 AM in the boardroom at GRDA Headquarters in Vinita. The “Permitting” meeting will also be held on Wednesday, August 9, at 1 PM at GRDA Headquarters. Finally, the “Allowable Use” meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, August 10, at 8:30 AM, also at GRDA Headquarters.
It is important to note that, while the public is welcome to attend these meetings, discussion and the recommendation process will be limited to the stakeholder working groups. However, the public is encouraged to send comments regarding the SMP to GRDA at:
Shoreline Management Plan
c/o GRDA
226 W. Dwain Willis Ave.
Vinita, OK 74301-0409
The public can also send comments via email to smp@grda.com, or via fax, to (918) 256-5289, ATTN: SMP.
GRDA is developing the SMP at the request of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the agency which licenses GRDA to manage the Pensacola Dam and Grand Lake. The SMP will determine future development activity to be allowed along Grand Lake’s 1,300 miles of shoreline. The SMP process got underway last fall when public meetings were held to allow citizen input prior to the start of the development process. During those meetings, attendees were allowed to sign up to have additional input as members of stakeholder groups. These groups have been working with Kleinschmidt, at meetings like these announced for August 9-10, to provide input with local knowledge and desires.
A newsletter updating the SMP development process is also being sent this week to Grand Lake dock owners, dock builders and other lake interests. That newsletter will also be available online at file://www.grda.com/.

A Matter of Faith...

By Carol Round


HAS YOUR FIRE GONE OUT?

“There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.”
1 Corinthians 12:6 (NIV)

Has your fire gone out? Has your passion for life been dimmed by disillusionment with the way things should be and the way they really are?

When I started teaching school at age 21, I was burning with a desire to make a difference in the lives of the teens that were entrusted to my care. I was young. I had lofty goals. I was an idealist in a real world.

Although I had grown up in a family that was far from perfect, my life seemed like a fairy tale come true compared to the lives of some of my students. Some came from broken homes; others lived in poverty or with parents who depended on drugs or alcohol to make it through life. I wanted to be the one to change their world. I wanted to create in them the passion I felt for learning and helping others.

In the beginning, I saw their failures as mine. I felt I wasn’t doing enough. I felt the administration and school board weren’t doing enough to ensure that the students’ best interests were taken into consideration when decisions were made.

I saw the problem as a power struggle between people whose goals were different from mine, not only between teacher and student but administration and teacher. Then, I began to realize that no matter how much I cared about making changes, I could not do it by myself.

Over time, however, my passion waned from a blazing inferno to smoldering cinders. I suffered from burn-out, a common affliction of those who give so much that they have nothing left over but ashes. That’s because I forgot to feed the fire.

Feeding the fire requires time alone with the Lord as well as fellowship with others who have common goals. It also comes in the form of an unlikely encounter with someone whom God has placed in our path. He always knows what we need at just the right time if we open our eyes and ears to His guidance.

Albert Schweitzer, a German Alsatian theologian, philosopher and physician, said, “In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.”

I am thankful for those people whom God has placed in my path—people who have encouraged me when I wanted to give up and people who have helped me to see beyond my own selfish desires to the plan that God has for me.

When I realized that if another’s enthusiasm did not match my level of passion for something, I was not to slow down or let it deter me. That’s why God made us all different. Even though our fires may be ignited by the same source, some will blaze while others will merely flicker.

Has your fire gone out? Ask God to rekindle the embers.

Carol Round is a retired Jay High School teacher who currently resides in Claremore, OK. She can be reached at carolaround@yahoo.com.