July 8, 2022

7/8/2022

COMMUNITY BUILDING...... is a necessary task for a city the size of Ponca. A Tulsa or OKC has a larger population and it is easier for a newcomer to the community to find their tribe when moving to a larger city. Here in Ponca we have the golfers, both frisbee and clubs, the sports families, the artsy types (check out the new gallery opening), the crunchy types (you know who you are). The younger, the older and all those in between. PCDA Staff range from new transplants to "I was born in Blackwell", so we get it. Finding your people can be hard. Especially coming out of a pandemic. Staff is happy to showcase some of the community building that has happened just in the last week.

Art builds community. Food builds community. Celebrations build community. History, parks, libraries and the list goes on, but these are all part of building a thriving, strong, vibrant community. Ponca City is that community. And continues to grow because of strong advocates living and working in Ponca City.

HEAD FAMILY FEAST ..... Last week at Lake Ponca The Head Family organized a feed for all and invited 5,000 Ponca people to head over and get some good food. Over 60 volunteers from Ponca City Leadership Alumni, The Chamber and Rotary to name a few served, directed and said Howdy to a lot of people last Thursday. The Head Family did an outstanding job of organizing, cooking and orchestrating this big 'ol cookout. And Ponca City says "Thank you Head Family". If you missed it, check out the News 8 broadcast on the event.

GROWING IN PONCA... One of the newest companies in the the Airport Industrial Park (AIP) is Century Products. Jay Fagan is the owner and CEO, moving his little company from Shidler to Ponca City in the middle of a pandemic. Fagan needed to expand his business and add product lines and had run out of room at his previous location. A year into his expansion in the AIP he has added workforce, additional agriculture products to his livestock feeder core and has added rotational molding for feeders and waterers. Check out his automated rotational molding equipment here.

ART IN PONCA CITY..... is everywhere: in the alleys; on buildings and sometimes, on the sidewalks. The newest addition to our Ponca City art world happened this week with the opening of the John McNeese Gallery last night. Maxine Warren prints were showcased and a lovely evening was had by all exploring the art and celebrating John McNeese and his long time support of the Ponca City and Oklahoma visual arts. Find out more about John here and come check out the John McNeese Gallery at 400 E. Central Ave, Room 101. Yes, it is in the building and open Thursday thru Sunday.

FINDING YOUR TRIBE.....can be as easy as hanging out with some good music in an outdoor setting like Down by Down Town at Central Fare. DXDT happens the first Friday of June, July, August and September from 6 to 9 pm. Food trucks, live music and pop-up shops make for a fun and entertaining evening. Sure its hot, but there are cold drinks and sunshades, games for the kids and just enough room to grab you a dancing partner if the mood suits. Last Friday was the best yet with the Scribble Cart, local food and good music. These might just be your people. See you August 5th at DXDT.