George Jones asked that question in 1985 about country music legends, the ones who blazed the trail, set the standard, and left the stage a little better than they found it. Lately, that old song has been stuck in my head for a different reason. Chickasha has been losing some of its giants. This past week, we said goodbye to one of them: John Grote. And it’s got me thinking a lot about leadership, legacy, and the people whose names don’t always make the current headlines, but whose fingerprints are all over the community we enjoy today. John moved to Chickasha in the 1970s with a big job and an even bigger task: opening Delta Faucet here. That wasn’t just a business decision; it was a community-changing moment. Jobs. Families. Growth. Stability. Confidence. Those things don’t just happen because a company hangs a sign on a building. They happen because there’s someone willing to shoulder the responsibility, make the tough calls, and believe in a town enough to invest their time and talent in it. That was John. He could have simply done his job and gone home. Instead, he chose to put down roots. He didn’t just work in Chickasha; he became part of Chickasha. Over time, that commitment led him to serve first the voluntary position of Chamber Chairman, then later as the full time position of President of the Chamber of Commerce, where his focus shifted from one company to the entire business community. He championed the idea that when Chickasha’s businesses do well, Chickasha’s families do well. Leaders like John didn’t see their roles as temporary assignments. They saw them as responsibilities: to employees, to neighbors, to the next generation. They were builders in every sense of the word: building factories, building organizations, building trust. I was blessed a couple of years ago to have coffee with John. I got to ask questions and hear stories of events back in the 80’s and 90’s. I got to hear how our Community faced challenges and then overcame them. He was a wealth of information and a joy to listen to about his time leading the Chamber. That brings me back to George Jones’ question: “Who’s gonna fill their shoes?” Not just who will sit in their offices or hold their titles, but, who will show up early and stay late when no one’s watching? Who will say yes to serving on the board, chairing the fundraiser, or mentoring the next wave of leaders? Who will look at Chickasha not as a place they live for a while, but as a place they’re willing to invest in for a lifetime? We talk a lot about the future…about growth, opportunity, and potential. But the future doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built on the hard work, determination, and quiet sacrifices of people like John Grote and so many others who came before us. Thank you John for fillin’ those shoes decades ago, because of people like you, today we get to enjoy #TheGoodStuff!

Now that school is out and Summer is here, what is there to do in Chickasha? I hear this a lot and certainly see it a lot on social media. “There’s nothing to do” or there’s nothing for kids to do.” That may have been the case in the past, but not in Chickasha 2026. Let’s start with kids. Now there’s not just the pool at Shannon Spring Park, but there is another one open to the public at Drover Hills Golf Course. Sure there’s a small fee to swim, but that pretty much goes to the high school students that are hired to be life guards. With the Thunder in the NBA playoffs, don’t forget about the Thunder Court at Washita Valley Park. It just got a new paint job last summer and like all our City parks it’s free to enjoy. Going back to Drover Hills, there are also basketball, tennis and pickleball courts there too. Drover Hills is very focused on helping youth learn the game and they just built the new Orville Moody practice facility. Give them a call for hours and special offer for youths. Jungle Ice offers all kinds of fun for kids, from put-put to video games and incredible snow cones, they have it all. Also don’t miss the library’s special summer programs, especially the ones showcasing America 250! So what can the adults do this summer in Chickasha. First of all go to visitchickasha.com for a listing of events, with so many to choose from, there really is something for everyone. Legends Pubhouse always has an incredible line up of live music. What a great venue to catch a touring national artist right here in our Community! The Chief Drive In offers a slice of Americana that makes us the envy of most other towns in Oklahoma. They are one of the few places in the entire state that offer the drive in movie experience. There are so many special events coming up this summer in our town, it’s amazing to see all the activities. The City of Chickasha will be providing free family fun with the Wings and Wheels Airshow on June 6th. The Chickasha Area Arts Council is adding a downtown arts festival that day to give the over 5,000 visitors who attend the Air show something to do in the afternoon that day. The Chickasha Community Theater will showcase some incredible kids during the performance of “The Lion King Jr” later on in June. There will also be a list of patriotic events during the Chamber’s Festival of Freedom that will run through July 4th weekend. You can check all that out on the Chamber’s website or social media pages. There is no doubt that I have accidently missed mentioning some stuff. That also makes my point of all that is going on. Our town is growing with new residents, new businesses but also a new level of excitement when it comes to things to do. It’s going to be a GREAT summer in Chickasha, get out and enjoy all #TheGoodStuff!

Don’t take my word for it, just listen to what Oklahoma Lt. Governor said on his recent Town Hall here in Chickasha. When people think about “economic development,” they often picture industrial parks, big factories, and glass office buildings. But at a recent town hall in Chickasha, Oklahoma Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell reminded us of something both simple and powerful: “Tourism is the front door for economic development.” He came to Chickasha to talk specifically about the impact of tourism in rural Oklahoma and he used our town as a positive example. That alone is worth celebrating. Pinnell praised Chickasha for leaning into what makes us unique. He highlighted the now-famous Leg Lamp as more than just a quirky roadside attraction; it’s a conversation starter, a photo op, and a reason for people to pull off the highway and into our downtown. Those visitors buy gas, grab lunch, maybe do a little shopping and sometimes, they come back. He also recognized the efforts of Visit Chickasha, (the Tourism arm of the EDC)which has brought home multiple Redbud Awards in recent years. Those awards are Oklahoma’s top honors in tourism, and they don’t happen by accident. They’re the result of people here who believe Chickasha is worth showcasing and are willing to put in the hours to prove it. The Lt. Governor specifically pointed to two events that have become anchors for our local tourism economy: The nationally recognized Festival of Light, which transforms our community into a holiday destination and draws families from across the state and beyond, and The Oklahoma Food Truck Championship, which not only fills our streets with incredible food, but when showcased with the Rock Island Arts Festival and Rock Island Ride, showcases our Community to thousands of people every fall. Both events start as experiences and memories made with kids, dates, and friends. But behind the scenes, they’re also engines of economic activity. They bring in sales tax revenue, help local businesses thrive, and introduce first-time visitors to Chickasha. Some of those visitors eventually become repeat customers, new residents, or even investors. That’s the heart of Pinnell’s message. When people visit a place and love it, they start to imagine themselves in it. That’s why tourism really is the front door. You don’t land a new business or convince a family to move here without them first walking through that door and seeing something worth coming back for. In rural Oklahoma, this matters even more. We don’t always have the sheer size or resources of a big city. What we do have is character, creativity, Community, and a willingness to work together. Chickasha’s tourism success—recognized at the state level—is proof that when we invest in what makes us special, the rest can follow. That’s #TheGoodStuff this week: a reminder that our festivals, landmarks, and homegrown events aren’t just fun…they’re a strategy. And thanks to the work of the many volunteers and sponsors, our front door is wide open. 

Freedom, Fireworks, and a Town That Believes in Itself  If you ever start to doubt whether small-town America still knows how to come together, spend the Fourth of July in Chickasha. In years past , the Chickasha Festival of Freedom made Shannon Springs Park a place to celebrate the 4 th by watching fireworks, but that was about it. This year will be noticeably different! It’s always nice to count on a good fireworks show the night of the 4 th , but as we see more and more momentum here in Chickasha, it seems like the time is right to do more. Especially with this being the 250 the birthday of America. So here comes more! This year the Festival of Freedom will be six weeks of fun patriotic events, starting Memorial weekend and running through July 4 th weekend. Flag dedications, Air Shows, Arts Festivals, shop local programs, educational seminars at our Library, Flag Day challenges and of course Fireworks. We will conclude the Festival of Freedom with the LARGEST Fireworks show in the history of Chickasha! As we recruit new businesses and new housing additions to our Community, we have to be able to answer the question: Why Chickasha? Celebrating our Country’s 250 th Birthday, while supporting local businesses and “painting” our town Red, White and Blue helps brand us as a town with conservative values, spirit in our Community and Pride in our Country. Other towns may claim that as our identity, but we are putting it out on display for everyone to see. Check out the Festival of Freedom Facebook page and there is also a link on the Chamber’s website to all the activity. Fly an American Flag at your house and your business. Attend some of the fun events and be thankful every day we live in the land of the Free because that’s #TheGoodStuff!

This Sunday, we’ll buy the cards, the flowers, and maybe the last box of chocolates on the shelf. We’ll crowd into restaurants after church, make phone calls, and send text messages that say, “Love you, Mom.” But Mother’s Day is about far more than a nice meal and a bouquet. It’s a reminder of something communities often depend on, but rarely name out loud: the quiet, steady power of mothers. When we talk about what makes a strong town, we usually point to jobs, schools, churches, and local businesses. We talk about roads that get us where we need to go and leaders who make decisions that affect our daily lives. But look a little closer and you’ll see something else holding it all together: mothers who get up early, stay up late, and stand in the gaps no one else even sees. You see a mom who works a busy day, then stays up late to help with homework. Or maybe you see the grandmother who thought her child-rearing days were behind her, but stepped right back into the role because a grandchild needed a safe place to land. Then there’s the single mom, juggling two jobs, a car that doesn’t always start and a calendar that never gives her a day off. But her kids are always put first, whatever it takes. We measure prosperity in dollars and development, but the truth is, a community is only as strong as the families that live in it and families are often only as strong as the mothers (and mother-figures) who quietly hold them together. My life has been blessed with incredible, nurturing moms! My mom was definitely the quiet one. She knew what to say, but often also knew when to say nothing at all, but just offer a hug. As the youngest of 5 kids, I was also spoiled by two older sisters that were always there for me. My dad passed away in my early 20’s and my mom in my late 30’s, but Kay and Marianne made sure that my kids always had “bonus moms,” not just aunts. Their motherly DNA was strong because of my mom and my grandmother. I married my best friend and she is much like my mom. She doesn’t want to be in the limelight, but is always there when our kids need her. Her life has been dedicated to being an dedicated mom, often sacrificing career jobs so that she can be available when needed. Her best trait is knowing when she is needed, before our kids do. Being a loving mother is definitely her Superpower! So.. Thank you Patty Cowan, Kay Allen and Marianne Eaton! Thank you Dawn Cowan. Thank you to all the moms out there that will enjoy a special day this Sunday. Thank you for all the prayers whispered, the tears wiped away, and the battles fought for your families. Thank you for building homes and in doing so building communities. As Mother’s Day approaches, let’s do more than just sign a card. Let’s look the mothers in our lives in the eye and tell them what their sacrifices have meant. Let’s support the moms around us in real, practical ways: offering a meal, a ride, some childcare, a listening ear, or just a genuine, “I see how hard you’re working.” To all the mothers and mother-figures in our area: you are seen, you are valued, and you are essential to #TheGoodStuff happening here every single day. Happy Mother’s Day!

Tourism might sound like something that belongs to big cities and beach towns, but in Oklahoma it’s just as important on our rural main streets as it is in any urban entertainment district. For communities like Chickasha, tourism isn’t a luxury or an afterthought, it’s a real economic engine, a community-builder, and a point of pride. As OKC focuses on the Thunder playoffs, the 100 year anniversary of Route 66 and many other events that will drive visitors to the metro area, I believe it’s time for us to appreciate what’s happening right here in Chickasha! When people choose to spend a day, a weekend, or a vacation in a small town, they’re doing much more than taking photos and buying souvenirs. They’re helping keep the lights on in locally owned businesses, supporting public services through sales tax, and breathing new life into our historic downtowns and rural attractions. Chickasha is a perfect example of what rural tourism can do when a community leans into its strengths. In rural Oklahoma, every visitor dollar stretches farther. When families come to Chickasha for the Festival of Light, a sports tournament, to see the Leg Lamp or the Oklahoma Food Truck Championship, their spending ripples through our economy. Hotels fill up, providing jobs and generating vital lodging and sales tax revenue. Local restaurants see extra business, often enough to carry them through slower seasons. Boutiques, antique shops, and local retailers benefit from increased foot traffic, especially in our downtown . Gas stations, grocery stores, and service businesses see higher sales as visitors stock up and refuel before heading home. One of the strengths of Chickasha’s tourism story is that we didn’t wait for someone else to hand us an attraction. We built our own. Festival of Light turned Shannon Springs Park into a winter destination that draws visitors from across the state and the country. What started small has grown into one of Oklahoma’s signature holiday events. Oklahoma Food Truck Championship has taken a trend…”mobile dining “and turned it into a marquee fall event that showcases small businesses and gives people a reason to discover downtown Chickasha. The Chickasha Leg Lamp , our towering tribute to Noland James and the movie “A Christmas Story,” has become a year-round photo-op and conversation piece. It’s quirky, fun, and exactly the kind of unique landmark that puts a town on the map. Chickasha Sports Complex attracts youth tournaments that fill hotel rooms and restaurants nearly every weekend in peak seasons. Sports tourism is one of the fastest-growing segments in the country and Chickasha has positioned itself right in the middle of it. Grady County Fairgrounds hosts a steady calendar of fairs, livestock shows, rodeos, trade shows, and special events that draw in participants and spectators from literally all over the country. None of these happened by accident. They came from volunteers, civic groups, city and county support, private donors, and local businesses working together. That’s what rural tourism looks like at its best: local people investing in local ideas. We should never underestimate the power of a First Visit, for many people, tourism is Chickasha’s handshake. That first visit often leads to a second. Maybe they come back for another tournament, another festival, or just to explore more of what they saw the first time. Sometimes, that casual visitor becomes a student, a new resident, or even a business owner. We have already proven what’s possible when a rural Community decides to dream a little bigger. From the Festival of Light to the Leg Lamp, from our sports complex to our fairgrounds, we’ve built a tourism portfolio many towns our size would love to have. Oh and by the way…for those that didn’t think the Leg Lamp would draw tourists year around? A Route 66 tour bus came to town last week to take a picture. They drove 45 minutes out of their way to come here. Stop by and see the Crafty Queen at the visitor center sometime and hear more stories of all visitors she welcomes! Tourism in rural Oklahoma isn’t about becoming something we’re no, it’s about showcasing who we are, our creativity, our history, our hospitality and turning it into opportunity. For Chickasha, that’s not just good news… That’s #TheGoodStuff.

Some nights, you can just feel the heartbeat of a community. That’s what last Friday night felt like at the Grady County Fairgrounds as more than 400 people gathered for the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Banquet. It was one of those evenings that reminded us why small towns matter, why local effort counts, and why it’s worth taking the time to stop and celebrate the people who quietly keep everything moving. Under the glow of the banquet lights, you could see the full spectrum of Chickasha in one room: small business owners, long-time professionals, young entrepreneurs, educators, civic leaders, volunteers, and families. Different stories, different backgrounds, all sharing the same purpose: to celebrate all the positive things that happened in 2025. Events like this matter more than we sometimes realize. Small businesses are the backbone of towns like ours. They sponsor youth sports teams, donate to school fundraisers, help with church events, take a chance on hiring local students, and show up for every raffle, auction and charity drive. When a community need arises like a benefit dinner, a family in crisis, a scholarship fund, our small businesses are almost always among the first to say, “How can we help?” This annual banquet encourages others. When new entrepreneurs hear the stories of local success, of people who started small and built something strong right here in Chickasha then it plants seeds. It tells the next generation that they don’t have to leave town to do something meaningful. They can build, create, and thrive right where they grew up. It reinforces that progress is happening. It’s easy to get caught up in problems, headlines, and challenges. An evening dedicated to awards, milestones, and achievements forces us to take inventory of the good: new jobs created, storefronts filled instead of empty, buildings revitalized, and partnerships formed. It reminds us that, step by step, this community is moving forward. And finally, it pulls us together. Any time over 400 people share a meal and a common purpose, something powerful happens. New connections form, old friendships are rekindled, and ideas for future collaboration start quietly at round tables over coffee and dessert. The Chamber banquet wasn’t just about applause, it was about strengthening the relationships that will generate the next round of successes we’ll be celebrating a year from now. If you own or work for a local small business, volunteer with a civic group, coach a team, or simply choose to shop and eat locally, then you were part of what was celebrated in that room, whether you were able to attend or not. For a complete list of all the businesses and individuals that were recognized, go the Chickasha Chamber Facebook page or website. A community that doesn’t just talk about supporting local, but takes the time to dress up, show up, clap loudly, and say together, “Well done. Let’s keep going.” That’s #TheGoodStuff! 

Every so often, somebody shrugs and says, “My one vote doesn’t really matter.” In Chickasha, that’s just not true. In last year’s City Council election, less than 900 people voted. We’re not talking about thousands of ballots and landslide victories. We’re talking about races that have been decided by three or four votes. Not three or four percent…three or four people. The size of a family. A carpool. A coffee group. That means if you and your spouse both stay home, you just cut a candidate’s margin of victory or defeat in half. If you, your neighbor, and your co‑worker don’t bother, you may have just changed who’s sitting on the City Council for the next two years. Local government is where the decisions closest to your daily life are made. Our City Council doesn’t control everything, but it does help shape how safe your streets are, whether your road gets repaved or keeps collecting potholes, or how your tax dollars get used right here at home. These aren’t abstract debates happening in some far‑off capitol. They’re choices about your neighborhood, your water bill, and your kids’ future. Here’s something else worth remembering: City Council members in our town don’t get paid for the job, not a salary, not a stipend, not a bonus. They’re volunteers. The people whose names end up on that ballot are your neighbors. Folks who have jobs and families and still choose to spend their evenings in council chambers reading budgets, listening to complaints, and trying to make steady, practical decisions for the town. They get the phone calls when a streetlight is out or a ditch is overflowing. They’re the ones answering questions at the grocery store and at the ballfield. They miss family dinners to sit through long meetings so the rest of us can have a say in how our community is run. Is every decision perfect? No. Do council members always agree with each other, or with you? Of course not. But they are people who stepped forward when it would have been easier to stay home. The least we can do is step into a voting booth. If we want good people to keep volunteering, we need to show up for them. Low turnout sends a message that we’re not paying attention. Strong turnout says, “We care who leads us, and we’re watching.” Do you like what’s happening in Chickasha right now, then get out and vote. Do you think we are on the wrong path and we need to change directions, get out and vote. When most of us vote, City Council starts to look more like the town it serves. Different ages, backgrounds, and ideas all reflected in those seats up front. Next Tuesday, April 7 th is the City Council election. When the results are announced and you hear that a City Council seat was decided by three votes, you’ll know you were one of them. That’s #TheGoodStuff about living in a small community… what you do matters!

OKC is the home of the defending World Champion OKC Thunder. They will be hosting Olympic events in 2028. None of this would be possible without their City leaders dreaming BIG dreams back in the 90’s when they suffered an economic development failure which lead to MAPS. I know we aren’t OKC, but I often wonder if we dreaming big enough here in Chickasha? When you look at the success of the Chickasha Leg Lamp, you can’t dispute that Tim Elliot’s Big Dream worked, but now what? What is our Vision for Chickasha for the next 5-7 years? How do we embrace growth and try to steer it where it benefits our Community the most? Small dreams feel safe. They don’t rock the boat. They don’t risk embarrassment. They don’t invite anyone to say, “Who do you think you are?” But small dreams rarely change a town. They maintain it. They preserve it. Sometimes they slowly drain it. You can see the difference between “maintenance dreaming” and “transformational dreaming” everywhere. One of the quiet tragedies in a lot of small towns isn’t a lack of talent, money, or opportunity. It’s a lack of permission to dream big. We talk ourselves out of it before we even start. What if we changed “We’re just Chickasha” into “We’re Chickasha and that’s our superpower”? Because we have things the big cities can’t manufacture: A tight‑knit Community where neighbors matter, a historic downtown with real character, room to grow, create, and build without being crowded out and people who show up, volunteer and care. Those are ingredients big dreams are made of. So What Could Big Dreams Look Like Here? Not every big dream is about professional sports or the Olympics. But the scale of our thinking? That part matters. What if we asked questions like: What would it take for Chickasha to be one of the top small‑town arts and culture destinations in the region? What would it look like to make Chickasha the best place in Oklahoma to start and grow a small business? How could we become a hub for innovation at our Industrial Park? What would it take to enhance Chickasha’s brand as a must‑visit Christmas destination for the entire country, building on the Festival of Light and the Leg Lamp? How do we become a model community for walkable streets, great public spaces, and quality of life? None of those questions are about pretending to be a city we’re not. They’re about becoming the best possible version of who we are.Look around and you’ll see proof that Chickasha’s capacity for big dreaming is already here. The way local volunteers, city staff, and sponsors pull together to put on events that punch above our weight. The businesses that took a risk on Main Street when it would’ve been easier to go somewhere “safer.” The Community projects and nonprofits quietly changing lives with limited budgets and unlimited heart. That’s #TheGoodStuff right here at home…people who care enough to try. The question now isn’t whether we have dreamers. We do. The question is: Are we giving ourselves permission to dream even bigger?