<div dir="ltr">One of my favorite nights of the year, seeing everyone at the Awards Banquet! This event is so meaningful for bringing our individual communities together, but also showing the power of the Main Street movement collectively to State officials. To think, we almost didn't have it this year... great save, Buffy and team!<div><br></div><div>Congrats to all the finalists (and to the authors who spent hours writing those nominations)!</div><div><br></div><div>Ed</div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Thu, Mar 1, 2018 at 11:20 AM, Kelli Yadon <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:Kelli.Yadon@okcommerce.gov" target="_blank">Kelli.Yadon@okcommerce.gov</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
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<p class="MsoNormal">Here is the much related release: <span style="font-family:Wingdings">
J</span> <u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Contact: Buffy Hughes<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Oklahoma Main Street Center<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Phone: <a href="tel:(405)%20815-6552" value="+14058156552" target="_blank">(405) 815-6552</a><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Email: Buffy.Hughes@OKcommerce.gov<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>For Immediate Release<u></u><u></u></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">March 1, 2018<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b>Oklahoma Main Street Announces Award Finalists</b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><u></u> <u></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>(Oklahoma City, Okla.) – </b>The Oklahoma Main Street Center announced today the finalists of the program’s annual statewide awards competition. All finalists will be honored and the winners announced at the 29<sup>th</sup> annual Main
Street Awards Banquet, May 8, at the Embassy Suites OKC Downtown/Medical Center Hotel.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Each year we take a moment to recognize the people, projects, events and programs making a difference in our Main Street communities across the state,” said Buffy Hughes, Oklahoma Main Street director. “We choose to celebrate the volunteers,
the business owners, the building owners and the dedicated program supporters because they all uniquely contribute to making these historic commercial districts thrive for the betterment of their local areas. Economic development at the local level is spurred
by these hard-working people. We want to say thank you for their efforts -- not just in their communities but for all of Oklahoma. This is our way to demonstrate our appreciation on a statewide level.”
<span style="font-size:12.0pt"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are 21 competitive award categories representing the “four points” in the Main Street Approach – Organization, Promotion, Economic Vitality and Design. Panels of outside judges for each point review the entries and determine the winners.
<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Main Street Program of the Year award recognizes the top program in the state. The top programs earning the most quality assurance points during the 2017 calendar year are invited to submit a short essay in support of their selection
as Main Street Program of the Year. A panel of outsides judges review the essays to determine the winner. Programs for 2017 (in alphabetical order) include: Altus, Cherokee, Claremore, Collinsville, Enid, Newkirk, Okmulgee, Ponca City, Sapulpa, Stockyards
City and Tulsa Route 66. The top program will be announced at the banquet.<span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In addition, the top Main Street Program Directors will be recognized at the banquet. Those making the top three this year include Melyn Johnson, Main Street Guymon Inc.; Ed Sharrer, Kendall Whittier Main Street; and Chelsea McConnell,
Ponca City Main Street. <u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The award finalists are:<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>ORGANIZATION:<u></u><u></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Premier Partner<u></u><u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Enid – City of Enid Parks & Recreation<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Newkirk – Albright Abstract & Title Guaranty, Inc.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sapulpa – SeneGence International<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Best Community Education/Public Awareness<u></u><u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Enid – Annual Infographic<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Enid – Business Recruitment Package<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Newkirk – Good Luck Card Game<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Best Volunteer Development Program <u></u><u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Durant – Volunteer Meeting Social Media Campaign<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hobart – Hobart Main Street Design Committee<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wilburton – Digger Forward<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Main Street Hero<u></u><u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Durant – Tammy Cross<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Okmulgee – Dr. Bill Path<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ponca City – Rhonda Skrapke<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tulsa Route 66 – Linda Jordan<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Best Creative Fundraising Effort<u></u><u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">El Reno – Reindeers at the Rock<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Newkirk – Spirit Sightings Tour aka Ghost Tours<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Okmulgee – Big Brain Trivia Night<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ponca City – Battle of the Burger<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>PROMOTION:<u></u><u></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Premier Special Event Under 1,000 Attendees<u></u><u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Collinsville – Taste of Collinsville: Music is to the Soul as Food is to the Body<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Kendall Whittier – Kendall Whittier After Five<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wilburton – Relics and Rods Car Show & Swap Meet<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Premier Special Event Over 1,000 Attendees<u></u><u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ada – Ada Fest<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Claremore – Food Truck Thursday<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Collinsville – Hogs ‘N’ Hot Rods<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Best Retail Event <u></u><u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Durant – Live Local Night<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Enid – Maker Trail<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ponca City – Ladies Night on Grand<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Outstanding Image Promotion <u></u><u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Claremore – DowntownClaremore.org<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Durant – Durant Main Street Rebrand<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ponca City – Outside the Box<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Creative New Event <u></u><u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ardmore – Farm to Table Dinner<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hobart – 9/11: Never Forget<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Kendall Whittier – Kendall Whittier Mercado<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>DESIGN: <u></u><u></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Best Placemaking Project<u></u><u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Enid – Bright Future Mural<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Kendall Whittier – Whittier Wood Garden Public Art Installation<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ponca City – Outside the Box<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Best Sustainable Design Project <u></u><u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Claremore – Studio B Artworks<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Enid – Downtown Mural Program<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ponca City – Veterans’ Plaza<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Best Interior Design Project <u></u><u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Kendall Whittier – Heirloom Rustic Ales<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">McAlester – The Venue<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Okmulgee – The McBrayer Building<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Best Façade Rehabilitation Under $10,000 <u></u><u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ardmore – The Stag<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Claremore – 318 W. Will Rogers Blvd., Rhapsody Boutique, Salon & Spa<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">McAlester – Common Roots<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Best Façade Rehabilitation Over $10,000 <u></u><u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Kendall Whittier – TPC Studios<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Okmulgee – The McBrayer Building<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tulsa Route 66 – Meltdown Diner<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Best Visual Merchandising <u></u><u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ada – The Rustic Ridge<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Durant – Bella Ragazza Boutique<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">McAlester – Harper and Grey<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Best Building/Business Branding <u></u><u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ada – Farm Girl Boutique<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Durant – Bliss Boutique<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">El Reno – Wandering Daisy Boutique<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>ECONOMIC VITALITY:<u></u><u></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Best Adaptive Reuse Project <u></u><u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Kendall Whittier – Heirloom Rustic Ales<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Okmulgee – The McBrayer Building<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tulsa Route 66 – Meltdown Diner<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Best Business Practices <u></u><u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Durant – Foster Creativity<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">El Reno – Ross Seed Co./True Value Hardware<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Enid – Davis Law<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Best New Business<u></u><u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Claremore – Main Street Tavern<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Kendall Whittier – Fair Fellow Coffee<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Newkirk – A Perfect Day<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Business of the Year<u></u><u></u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ada – McSwain Theatre<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Newkirk – Albright Abstract & Title Guaranty Inc.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ponca City – Liles and Company<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The reception will begin at 5:30 and the dinner and program will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased from your local Main Street Program representative for $45.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For a listing of Main Street programs in the state, or for more information about the Oklahoma Main Street Program, please call <a href="tel:(405)%20815-6552" value="+14058156552" target="_blank">(405) 815-6552</a> or visit OKcommerce.gov/mainstreet.<u></u><u></u></p>
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</span></span><u></u>End -<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Kelli S Yadon<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Oklahoma Main Street Center<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">900 North Stiles Avenue<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Oklahoma City, OK 73104<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">P: <a href="tel:(405)%20815-5379" value="+14058155379" target="_blank">405.815.5379</a><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">C: <a href="tel:(405)%20778-9375" value="+14057789375" target="_blank">405.778.9375</a><u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><img width="365" height="179" id="m_-5901873610131802040Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image003.jpg@01D3B14F.5A1143D0" alt="MSALOGO_17COPROGRAM_CMYK"><u></u><u></u></p>
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<br></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><div><br></div>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><br></div><div>Ed Sharrer</div><div>Executive Director</div><div>Kendall Whittier Main Street</div><div>918-633-1934</div><div><a href="http://www.visitKendallWhittier.com" target="_blank">www.visitKendallWhittier.com</a></div><div><br></div><div><img src="https://docs.google.com/uc?export=download&id=16jU8zmTP8HO6vfBUlJhK4OhZcpVUmxyu&revid=0B92CE6K0KZsdbWdPa0wxMTFWaDZRZktNK09EcDgyS1BRWFh3PQ"><br></div></div></div></div></div>
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