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SHAWNEECHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Circulation 7. .shawneechamber.com December 2009

America's Coolest Small Towns- Food for Thought Nancy Kieth

President & CEO

Bigger is usually considered better. But, in a poll conducted by Budget Travel magazine, more than 100,000 small townresidents jumped to vote to have their community crowned the "Coolest Small Town in America."

The magazine was looking for Main Street, USA- places where you find real people, excited to be part of their communi-ties. As for what makes a town "cool," the magazine found it's very subjective. It was determined it is not an exact science,but in general, there are three really good markers for a small town.

• You have to be able to get a good cup of coffee.• When people leave for the big city, they realize they've made a mistake and come back home.• You'll see more art galleries than country stores. "This is not quaint America. This is cool America!"

I've selected a few of the winners from 2008 and 2009 to give you an idea of what people perceive as "cool." I think youwill recognize some of these qualities in our community and possibly ways we can add to our own "coolness."

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT. (pop. 2,569)The long-depressed former railroad hub reinvented itself as an artists' colony several yearsago, so the 19th-century storefronts traffic more in quirky than in quaint. "The Center for

Cartoon Studies offers lectures by cartoonists suchas Garry Trudeau. The Tip Top building, a formerbakery, is home to about 40 artists' studios. Resi-dents are happy the town has maintained a senseof community as it's grown. White River Junctionalso has decent nightlife. You can catch a play bythe Northern Stage theater company and then eatdinner to live jazz at "Elixir, a lounge in an old freightwarehouse.

LIVINGSTON, MONT. (pop. 7,062)The many twenty-somethings who've moved to Livingston were drawn by the low rents andthe number of artists, musicians, filmmakers, and writers who call the place home. Livings-ton's writing community frequently attends each other's readings at Conley's Books & Music.Bands play several nights a week at "The Owl Lounge, and western artists show their works at"Visions West Gallery.

JACKSONVILLE, OREGON (pop. 2,750)Jacksonville, an old gold-rush town, issurrounded by 17 wineries. South StageCellars stocks bottles from nine of thosearea wineries. The Garden Bistro at thefive-room McCully House Inn & Cottagesshowcases local growers of a differentsort, with food products from 27 area

purveyors,includingcheese fromthe goats atnearby Pho-lia Farm.

CATSKILL, N. Y. (pop. 4,340)

MOUNT VERNON, IOWA (pop 3,390)An annual sidewalk-chalk festival takes place each May in Mount

Vernon. Hundreds of peopleput their stamp on more than4,000 square feet of the maindrag. Lincoln Cafe servesdishes like the Carolina porkBBQ sandwich which drawsdiners from all over the state.The unofficial clubhousefor Mount Vernon's creativetypes is Fuel, a 4-year-oldcoffee shop that doubles as

^ an antiques store.

MANITOU SPRINGS, COLORADO (pop 5, 038)Manitou Springs is home toresidents who come from allwalks of life. "Kinfolks MountainShop sells outdoor gear, butit's also a bar and live-musicvenue. WeUsOur Artists Markethas unusual art on display, suchas giant pottery teapots andportraits painted with coffee,while "Cripple Creek Dulcimers& Guitars is run by a tie-dye-wearing former mayor who

bears an interestingresemblance to the lateJerry Garcia. At TheMate Factor cafe, wrapsof hormone-free turkeyshare the menu withmate, a beverage popu-lar in South America.

After a period of neglect in the 1980sand '90s, Catskill is attracting artistsagain, as much for its affordableVictorian homes as for the surroundings. In 2005, musician FrankCuthbert turned a crumbling 19th-century building into the "BrikGallery, which hosts exhibits as well as classical-music concertsand readings. Down the street sits a three-year-old gallery, "OpenStudio."

YELLOW SPRINGS, OHIO (pop 3,675)Yellow Springs has drawn artistsand creative thinkers for years. TheWinds Cafe & Bakery serves dishesusing ingredients mostly from localfarms. The main drag in YellowSprings, Xenia Avenue, is linedwith shops, cafes, restaurants, andgalleries. No Common Scents sellsmore than 250 varieties of herbsand spices from across the globe,and La Llama Place, is stocked withcrafts from South America. Public

art has taken on a new meaning in the town, as well. One day,knitting appeared wrapped around a tree downtown, and soonpassersby were bringing yarn to add to it. Now, the signposts upand down Xenia Avenue are covered with knitted "graffiti."

Associated Press article..."What takes this to adifferent level is it is acommunity thing," saidCorrine Bayraktaroglu,an artist who helpedstart the "knitknot tree"project. "People arereally, really enjoyingit. They're coming from

towns to have their photograph taken with the tree. They'readding stuff to the pockets."

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SHOPSHAWNEE

IT PAYS TO SHOP THE GRETER SHAWNEE AREA!

CONGRATULATIONS VICKI LOWERWINNER OF $1,000 IN CHAMBERBUCKS

Mike McCormick, Shawnee Business Council chair, presents Vicki Lower, acustomer of Richard's Drug, with $1,000 in Chamberbucks after her namewas drawn from a group of twenty semi-finalists.

Thanks to the following merchants, whose participation made the "Shop theGreater Shawnee Area" campaign a complete success. Listed are the mer-chants and the customer who was chosen as each merchant's semi-finalist.

Communication Federal Credit UnionDebbie Nelson (Shawnee)

Communication ServicesDavid Treat (Shawnee)

Dillard'sRichard Harper (Choctaw)

Edward Jones Investments-Pam RichardsonFaye McCalip (Tecumseh)

Ell's JewelryPhyllis Williamson (Wewoka)Evan Williams Insurance

Rebecca Osife (Shawnee)Expressions Home Accessories

Cathy Berkstresser (Shawnee)Finley Cleaners

Judy Fletcher (Meeker)GO Computer Services

Richard Wood (McLoud)Hartoon Jewelers

Ruth Henderson (Shawnee)

House of FlowersRena' Jett (Tecumseh)

Mabeee-Gerrer Museum of ArtClaudia Hileman (Shawnee)

Medicine ShoppeIda Parish (Shawnee)

Pott. County Book & Office SupplySherri Martin (Choctaw)

RBC AgencyDana Johnson (Shawnee)

Richard's DrugVicki Lower (Shawnee)

Tener's Western OutfittersMae Potts (Shawnee)

Troy & Dollie Smith YMCAAmanda Ledford (Shawnee)

Van's Pig StandSandra Roe (Shawnee)

White's Ace Building CenterElaine Phillips (Shawnee)

Why We Should Always Shop ShawneeCommunity Development. .. Purchasing locally increases sales tax revenue and thereby increases therevenue on which our City government operates. That means improved law enforcement, fire-fight-ing, street improvements, recreational opportunities, community beautification, and much,much more.

Community Support... The businesses in the greater Shawnee area generously support organizations andevents that are vital to our community, such as youth recreation programs, school activities and economic devel-opment projects. They unselfishly contribute to our quality of life and deserve our support.

Keep your shopping dollars at home to strengthen and enrich your community.

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Beautification Committee Distributes More TreesThe Greater Shawnee Area Beautification Committee distributed more freetrees to Shawnee Area citizens on Saturday, October 31 at the ShawneeMunicipal Airport. These trees are from the Oklahoma Tree Bank Founda-tion and are funded by the Apache Foundation of Houston.

Tree distribution began at 8 am and continued until about 11 am until all thetrees were dispersed. There was limit of three trees per household.

Beautification committee members as well as members of the Multi-CountyMaster Gardeners were present during the tree distribution to answer ques-tions about the attributes of the trees. Tree planting information sheets werealso available.

The trees were in three or five gallon containers and included maples, baldcypress, pistache, pine, oak, elm, and redbud trees.

When this distribution is completed, nearly 20,000 trees will have been provided to Shawnee area citizens during the pasttwelve months courtesy of these generous foundations and the many volunteers who have assisted with the project.

Leadership Shawnee Class 2009 Sponsors the FirstAnnual "Shop with a Cop" ProgramWhat it "Shop with a Cop?""Shop with a Cop" provides a joyful holiday for underprivileged children who, withoutthis event, may not experience the joys of Christmas. Beyond bringing joy to thelives of many children, "Shop with a Cop" also provides positive interaction betweenlocal law enforcement officers and the children.

How does it work?Local children selected by a local service organization will be paired with law en-forcement officers for a fun filled night of shopping at our local Wai-mart store. Eachchild will receive a $50 gift card to purchase items for themselves or their family.

part of this great projectirt at 405-876-3700child pleaseit 405-275-6060

Members of the 2009Leadership Class learnnew skills while working atMcDonalds to earn tips for"Shop with a Cop."

Our Partners

Walmart

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HOSPITALITY

Business After HoursVision Bank - Shawnee Project Heart

4300 N. Harrison 830 W. Ford StreetDecember 10, 2009 January 28, 2010

5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Business After Hours are GREAT networking events. Each month a Chamber member opens his/her doors to the entire Chambermembership for networking, hors d'ovures and drinks. Can you think of a better way to introduce yourself and your business to thecommunity? Don't forget to bring your business cards.

COMMITMENT

mbassador of the Month

JULYKim Steen

SMCC

AUGUSTLandon Middleton

Tech rescue

Kim Steen, Shawnee Medical Cen-ter Clinic, Landon Middleton, TechRescue, Amanda Williams, EvanWilliams Insurance Agency, andDonald Pyeatt, Success by Sixachieved Ambassador of the Monthstatus in July, August, Septemberand October respectively. We are

pleased to recognize their service as an Ambassador, and the countless hoursthey have given to the community through other Chamber activities.

Welcome New Members

SEPTEMBERAmanda Williams

Evan Williams Insurance

OCTOBERDonald PyeattSuccess by Six

ADG Painting & Handyman ServicesLeba Chiropractic

Alpine Exterminators

LRJ, IncorporatedCOHRA

Multi Country Insurance Center

TEAMWORK

DC Cake Appeal BakerySelect Janitor Supply

Extreme Roofing SolutionsShawnee Travel Shoppe, Inc.

iank You Renewinq Members

Ada Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Inc.America's Best ValueAmerican Chiropractic ClinicAmerican Eagle PlumbingAmerican Heating & Air ConditioningBack 40 Design, IncorporatedBancFirstBelshe IndustriesBill Palmeter, GRIBlain Dewees-Landman, IncorporatedBrown Furniture CompanyCarls Jr.Cazadorez Mexican RestaurantCentral Disposal LLCCentral Oklahoma Eye Associates, P.C.Century 21/ Golden Key RealtyChicago Street DeliChoice Title Insurance AgencyCitizen Potawatomi NationCornerstone Chiropractic & WellnessCornerstone Dental, PLLCCountry Cottage Primitive Lavender FarmCrossroads Head Start & Early Head StartDanny K. Cochran CPA PC

Dennis Morris State Farm InsuranceDolese Brothers CompanyEdward Jones Investments/ RichardsonElaine HolidayEll's Jewelry & GiftsEvan Williams InsuranceExpressions Home Accessories & MoreE-Z Ship & CopyFactory DirectFaith 7 Housing, IncorporatedFirelake DesignsFlowers & Laster, AttorneysGarfield's Restaurant & PubGary Vogel State Farm InsuranceGreat Plains Graphics of ShawneeHartoon JewelersHaskell Lemon ConstructionHeartland Hospice & Home HealthHeartland Hypnosis Services, LLCHouse of FlowersJason Moery Motors, LLCJoe Cooper Ford of ShawneeJones TheatresKasterke Auto Mart, IncorporatedKickapoo CasinoKizzia Heating & Air Conditioning

LaQuinta Hotel Suites & InnsLiberty Baptist ChurchMain Street Fruit MarketMcAlister's DeliMonkey Business Children's ConsignmentMrs. Field's CookiesNeal's Home FurnishingsOG&EOklahoma Department of Human ServicesOklahoma Wesleyan UniversitypdcpagesPioneer Rental LLCPott. Co. Farmers Cooperative Marker, Inc.Project Safe, IncorporatedRE/MAX of ShawneeRural Enterprises, IncorporatedRussell Cellular, IncorporatedS & S Farm CenterSehorn Yamaha, IncorporatedService Master Commercial ServicesShawnee Animal HospitalShawnee Beauty CollegeShawnee Conservation DistrictShawnee Electric IncorporatedShawnee Fire Fighters AssociationShawnee Glass Company

Shawnee Iron CompanyShawnee Little Theatre, IncorporatedShawnee MRI Associates, LLCShawnee Police AssociationShawnee RotaryShawnee Steel CompanyShawnee SudsShawnee Tag AgencySherwin Williams CompanySonicState Beauty SupplyState Farm Insurance - Chris Rick AgentStink Free, IncorporatedSubWorks, IncorporatedTechnology Development Group, Incor-poratedThe Buckle, IncorporatedThe Price Group Architects & PlannersThomas E. Swearingen, Incorporated P.CTroy & Dollie Smith YMCAVan Eaton Ready Mix, IncorporatedVision Bank of ShawneeWaddell Family ChiropracticWindmill Development CompanyWolverine Tube