August 15, 2005
Volume 1, Issue 4

Website: www.VisitDepewOK.com
email: Buzz@VisitDepewOK.com

 

Good Turnout For Depew Cleanup Day

Oklahoma Route 66 Association Members eating breakfast at Coach's Corner before starting the big day. They are from left to right: Ron "Tatooman" Jones of Bartlesville; Randy Chevrier of Paint Master in Tulsa; Brad Nickson of Tulsa; Frank Gierhart of The Frame Shoppe in Sapulpa; Blaine Davis of the Blue Whale in Catoosa.

There was a good turnout for Saturday, August 6, Depew Town Cleanup Day.

Those in helping with the cleanup Saturday were: Depew Residents:
Linda Spangler of Spangler's Grocery,
Karin & Greg Goin and sons Ron & John of Rafter G Ranch,
Dionna Marker, Mayor, and son Trey,
Pam Reeder and daughter Holli Hanks of Bristow Route 66 Cottage.

Oklahoma Route 66 Association Members:
Emily Priddy, Eastern Vice President, Frank Gierhart, Creek County Representative, Brad Nickson, Tulsa County Representative, Randy Chevrier, member, Paint Master in Tulsa, Blaine Davis, member, Blue Whale in Catoosa
Ron Warick, member, Pam Reeder, member, Bristow Route 66 Cottage,
Julie Bradley, new member, Bradley's Potter in Chandler, and Ron "Tattoman" Jones, member.

Route 66 Enthusiasts: Dave Eames, Lee's Summit, MO - originally from Tulsa; stays in touch through eboard; likes to help whenever he can; is an artist by trade. Also, Bill McClain, Iuka, MS - member of the American Truck Historical Society and National American Broadcasters; runs Fox 104.9 radio station that serves 3 states: AL, TN & MS; plays 3 formats in one day, known as the "block" format. The station does Country, Oldies and Modern Rock. Both these gentlemen traveled from afar to be there.

Workers cleared brush, weedeated, unearthed a long forgotten curb by the Coppedge Building, painted benches and curbs, and painted Route 66 shields on the road. Blaine Davis of Blue Whale said, "When the Blue Whale was redone, people came and helped me, so I try to get out and help people like they helped me."The day ended with lunch provided by Coach's Corner.(more pg 4)

 
Page 2

Depew Citizens Form
Community Enchancement Committee

(information submitted by Linda Spangler)

Depew Citizens gathered August 2nd to discuss ways to enhance the town's appearance as well as plan tourism promotion and community recreations. Linda Spangler said, "[There was] not as many as we'd hoped but there were some conflicts in others schedules. Hopefully our next meeting will have a better attendance. I feel we made some real progress tonight."

The group chose the name "Depew Citizens for Community Enhancement". It is their hope to unite all the groups and individuals interested in improving the town's image and coordinate social entertainment with various events, festivals and amenities.

One of the things discussed at the meeting was a town slogan. Louise Miller remembers, "The slogan used to be 'Depew, Town of Good Water and Friendly Merchants.' Only the way the sign was made it looked like it said 'Good Merchants and Friendly Water.' " She said that always brought a chuckle. Some favored ideas were "Welcome Home to Depew" or simply "Welcome Home" to capitalize on Depew's small town charm where everybody knows everybody and all are friends.

Another item covered was the possibility of getting a Disc Golf Course through an upcoming special program sponsored by the Tulsa Disc Golf Association. A Park and Recreational Committee was formed to work on this project and Steve McClenathan, a disc golf enthusiast and tournament player since 1978, was appointed Director. Steve will be working with City Officials to find suitable locations around town for the tees and pole-holes. He will also be coordinating a presentation on Disc Golf for the committee as well as making application for equipment donations through Michael Barr, of the Tulsa Disc Golf Association. Anyone wanting further information, please contact Steve at 918-629-5104.

Although Depew has only a few businesses on Main Street and approximately 12 businesses within the city limits, there is nearly 100 business in the immediate area outside the city limits. Linda Spangler said, "If we can get these businesses to come together it can really work to Depew's advantage." Brenda McClenathan took on the task to pursue information on forming a Depew Chamber of Commerce. Pam Reeder offered to provide the research she had already done.

Individuals from the local area businesses as well as members of all Depew organizations and Depew residents are invited to join the group at their meetings. For information on date, time and place, view the Event Calendar on www.VisitDepewOK.com or contact Linda Spangler - 918-324-5472.

Also, some members of the group decided to form a Depew Historical and Preservation Society. They will have a meeting Monday, August 25th, 6:30 p.m. at the Methodist Church Annex. Anyone interested, is invited to join them.

 

 

 

 

 
Page 3
TOWN TALK

Upcoming August Birthdays

Aug 15
Rick Bigpond
Chris Laurence
Quint Miller
Kaila Prim

Aug 16
Polly Davis
Suda Howard

Aug 17
Ruthie Clark
Robin Garland
Elizabeth Lambert
Melanie McGuire
Phyllis Smith
Lucinda Welch
Michael Nunamaker

Aug 18
Bobby Crosby
Sheldon Fairchild
Robin Lame

Aug 19
Michael Keeth
Juanita Huls
Robert Saul
Stacy Martin

Aug 20
Tamara Clark
Misty Cochran
Danisha Parrick
Angela Sloan

 

Aug 21
Michael Brewer
Patrick Brewer
Peggy Fadely
Richard Graham
Patrick McGuire
Jesse Martinez
Annie Norman
Amber Robertson
Dustin Sloan
Michelle Smith
Randi Tyler

Aug 22
Toby Hill
Andrew Howard
Cindy Inman
Tyi Jones

Aug 23
Kyle Lane
Cody Smith
June Hilbert

Aug 25
Patience Ridenour
Robbie Glass

Aug 26
Nicole Dykeman
Don W. Hall
Jordan Garner
Travis Hewitt
Adam McKinzie
Brent Matherly
Barbara Oliver

Aug 27
Samantha Howard
Jennifer Howard
Cassy McVicker

Aug 28
Jamie Sue Garner
Margaret Nichols

Aug 29
Roxie Haskins
Bobby Hogan
Brandy Parrick
Shanon Sweeney

Aug 30
Deidra Craig
Shane Hunt
Jowana Kreps
Willa Murphy
Melinda Newpher
Nichole Sparks

Aug 31
Kathy Biggs
Dallas Denison
Joe Gore
Jana McDaniels
Whitney Robinson

Upcoming August Anniversaries

Aug 18
Connie & Bev Ramsey

Aug 23
Paul & Amanda Nedlose

 

 

 

 
Page 4

August 6 Town Cleanup Pictures

Trey Marker and Randy Chevier trim trees.

Workers unearth long forgotten curb.

Karin Goins and sons Ron & John paint curbs.

Mayor Diona Marker and Dave Eames of Lee's Summit, MO, cover paint splatters on City Hall
Western Artist Wayne Cooper and wife Claire checked out the activities on their walk to the Post Office.

Holli Hanks painted yellow curbs in front of the Post Office to lively tunes from her mother's car radio.

 

 
Page 5

Websites Promote Tourism for Bristow and Depew

"Tell them so they will come." That's the idea behind two websites featuring Bristow and Depew. Both towns have assets that are taken for granted and have become "invisible" to area residents but are very attractive to tourists. Even local residents are impressed after viewing the websites and frequently comment, "I had no idea we had all that!" or "Wow! We've got more that I ever realized we had."

VisitBristowOK.com is designed to compliment the Bristow Chamber website to promote tourism. Its primary function is to make Bristow a "destination" for vacationers and a stop for travelers. It showcases things to see and do around the Bristow area and lists all the businesses that directly contribute to tourism. VisitBristowOK.com also puts out a monthly e-newsletter heralding sights, attractions and upcoming events in Bristow. Its distribution includes two Route 66 e-groups with over 1,500 members from all over the world.

The VisitDepewOK.com website serves a slightly different function. Since Depew currently does not have a Chamber of Commerce, it acts as a business and information directory and includes community e-news through the Depew Buzz. Additionally, it promotes tourism for Depew's 1920s original concrete alignment of Route 66 Main Street, and murals adorning their historical buildings and rich heritage. Like its sister site, a monthly newsletter is planned for the future.

Both websites are owned and operated by Pam Reeder of Depew at no charge to the two communities. She says, "It takes a lot of mid-night oil since I work full time in downtown Tulsa, but it's worth it. I love this area and other people do too once they know about it."

In recent weeks, Depew businesses have begun keeping visitor registries and have been thrilled to realize the number of visitors from afar. Saturday, a couple from Australia were braving the rain to take photos of the Coppedge pharmacy and other buildings. Business owner Linda Spangler, Mayor Diona Marker and locals Pam and Patrick Reeder spent time visiting with the couple and shared some of the area history.

Ear Staples - Barbaric or Beneficial? - Part 2

by Pam Reeder

Well, it's been two weeks now since I got my ear staples. The first few days, they were tender and I have to admit, I didn't think too much about food. That was a good start I thought. I decided though, that to really make this work, I needed to add exercise and diet. Yes, those dirty "E" and "D" words. I've been a member of "Work It Out" since it opened, but in case the owner is reading this, I have to admit, my attendance has been irregular. But I'm working on that.

For the diet, I met with my nutritionist - sounds fancy doesn't it? She's a real neat lady named Dr. Martin of the Downtown Wellness Clinic in Tulsa. She loaned me some books to review so that I could pick a diet that I thought I could stick with. The Zone looked intriguing and the Broadway too strict, so I chose the Southbeach diet because it was a familiar name - and I could get the books cheap at Walmart. I'm now in week one of Phase 1. The hard part of this diet for me is eating regularly and not skipping meals so that my blood sugar stays stable.

How have I done so far? With the irregular exercise, one week of dieting, and two weeks of ear staples, I've lost 5 pounds. Is it all water weight? Who cares. It's the first time I've seen my weight scales move lower in nearly 3 years. I'm going to revel in that small victory - with a non-food prize for myself.

 
Page 6

Community Calendar of Events

Aug 16, 2005

>HS Sfb vs Kiefer (at Depew)

Aug 18, 2005

>HS Sfb vs. Liberty (at Depew)

>Jr. High Sfb Depew Festival

Aug 19, 2005

>High School Football scrimmage at Depew

Aug 19, 2005

>Jr. High Sfb - Depew Festival

Aug 20, 2005

>High School Sfb vs. Healdton at Healdton Festival

>Jr. High Sfb - Depew Festival

Aug 22. 2005

>Jr. High School ftb vs. Stroud at Depew

 

 

>Depew Historical and Preservation Society

Location: Methodist Church Annex
Time: 6:30 p.m.

All interested parties invited to attend.

Purpose of this group will be to record and preserve local lore, historic building preservation, and possible museum.

Aug 23, 2005

>Jr. High School ftb vs. Beggs at Depew

Aug 25, 2005

>High Schoool Sfb Depew Invitational (runs through the 27th)

Aug 26, 2005

>High School Sfb Depew Invitational

> High School Football @ Weleetka (scrimmage)

Aug 27, 2005

>High School Sftb Depew Invitational

Aug 30, 2005

>High School Sfb @ Liberty