Progress 2011 - Retail

MCY K

MCY K

MCY K

MCY K

Arts, Entertainm

ent,

Retail & Service

Ada Evening News

The Future Starts here....Progress 2011

www.adaeveningnews.comArts & Entertainment2A Sunday, March 27, 2011

MCY K

MCY K

MCY K

MCY K

Al’s Wine & Spirits1531 CradduckAda, OK 74820580-332-8065

HUGE INVENTORY

Best BBQ In Town • Ribs •Pulled Pork• Brisket •Full Deli

E Stop Express1533 CradduckAda, OK 74820580-421-9644

Brenda Gilstrap:Marketing Pontotoc CountyBy Justin LoftonStaff Writer

ADA — Pontotoc County’s new market-ing and tourism director, Brenda Gilstrap, wanted to be a lawyer when she was a child.

“I think the Good Lord had a different path for me,” Gilstrap said.

Gilstrap, whose father was a preacher, was home-schooled. As a child, she played piano and sang on a gospel album recorded in Florida.

KADA's Roger Harris spotted Gilstrap while she was working as a waitress in the 1980s.

“I had never been in sales or anything. Roger Harris took a gamble on me and I became the number one salesperson in the history of KADA radio,” she said.

Gilstrap worked for KADA for 15 years where she eventually became assistant general manager.

She did events and pro-motions for the radio sta-tion and fell in love with it.

This love led her to apply for the position of marketing and tour-ism director of Pontotoc County in late 2010.

“In the four months I’ve been here, I’ve made a lot of good changes,” Gilstrap said.

New events put on dur-ing Gilstrap’s time at the Agri-plex include the Giddy-up Riding Club on

Monday nights and Fire and Ice bull riding — of which all money raised goes back into the Agri-plex. She said she hopes to do the bull riding series every year.

Gilstrap books all of the events at the Agri-plex and she’s been trying to combine events to draw a bigger crowd.

“We’re bringing in new events that have never been here or haven’t been here in 15 or 20 years, like motocross, truck pulls and cage fighting,” she said.

She also helps promote these events. To help in this area of her work, she said the marketing and tourism department is

currently gathering infor-mation about tourism in the county.

“We’re collecting data to find out why people come to Pontotoc County. Once we do that, tourism will be a whole lot eas-ier to market,” she said. “This area is so diverse in culture, arts and events that it’s hard to try to fig-

ure out how to put all that into one package.”

She said marketing and tourism personnel have been asking event attend-ees at the Agri-plex a few questions as they enter (i.e. where they’re stay-ing and where they’re eating) to get a better idea of what brings people to Pontotoc County.

“My main emphasis and my main goal is to bring tourism for over-night stays in hotels,” she said. “We want people to shop, eat and stay a couple days in Pontotoc County.”

Her work isn’t restrict-ed to the Agri-plex, how-ever.

Photo by Richard R. Barron

Pontotoc County Marketing and Tourism Director Brenda Gilstrap poses for the camera at Pontotoc County Agri-plex. She was recently named to the position and works to bring events to Pontotoc County.

See “Brenda” Page 3A▼

Sunday, March 27, 2011 3Awww.adaeveningnews.com Retail & Service

Marcia Boatwright580-332-9464

YOUR HUNTER DOUGLAS DEALERwww.marciaboatwright.com

• CUSTOM DRAPERIES• ROMAN SHADES• WOOD BLINDS• HARDWOOD SHUTTERS• DESIGNER SCREEN SHADES• BAMBOO ROMANS• DUETTE SHADES• SILHOUETTE SHADES• VIGNETTE SHADES• LUMINETTE SHADES• MOTORIZATION• EXTERIOR SCREEN SHADES

Free Estimates & Installation

Blinds, Drapery,& Design

26 Years Experience

351 NE Richardson, Ada580-332-5576

26 Locations to serve you!Visit our website and shop online at www.meadlumber.com

Carlous WestManager

351 N.E. Richardson BypassP.O. Box 1563

Ada, OK 74821-1563

Phone: (580) 332-5576Fax: (580) 332-5628Cell: (580) 399-6053

E-mail: [email protected]

Photos by Richard R. Barron

Pontotoc County Marketing and Tourism Director Brenda Gilstrap helps coordinate events across Pontotoc County.

Brenda Gilstrap

Brenda Gilstrap

wanted to be a

lawyer while grow-

ing up. Instead, she

found herself suc-

cessful in sales and

marketing.

Brenda

She said she’s available to do event promotion for towns all over the county.

“I represent all of Pontotoc County. When outly-ing areas have events, I’m going to be there. I’m going to consult with them and help them,” Gilstrap said.

She said she’s enjoyed learning about Pontotoc County’s history.

Gilstrap said the county was created in 1907 from part of the old Chickasaw Nation. Pontotoc’s name comes from Chief Pontotoc, which means “cat-tails growing on the prairie.”

“Finding out about this history, getting to meet a lot of new people and being involved with the chambers of commerce in outlying areas has been interesting,” Gilstrap said.

She said Pontotoc County commissioners have shown the vision and determination to think outside the box and move forward with marketing and tourism in Pontotoc County.

“I love working for the county commissioners,” she said. “It’s been a great partnership.”

From Page 2A▼

“I repre-sent all

of Pontotoc County. When outlying areas have events, I'm going to be there.”

— Brenda Gilstrap

Pontotoc County Marketing and

Tourism Director

On the cover...Gracie Long prepares for a shopping trip. Even when she grows up, she plans to shop 'til she drops. For her, "The Future Starts Here." (Photo by Richard R. Barron)

Still the areas’ most read newspaper!

By Justin LoftonStaff Writer

ADA — Bridget Forshay, community development coordina-tor for East Main cultural arts district, said when she was a child she want-ed to be a teacher.

Amy Elliott, execu-tive director of Tri-County Indian Nations Community Development Corporation wanted to be an explorer.

They are now currently in a rezoning process for Arts District of Ada. It’s definitely a learning pro-cess and the district is new territory for its sup-porters and the city of Ada.

“At the November plan-ning and zoning meet-ing, (Ada Planning and Zoning Commission) appointed two people from the commission to serve on a committee along with our ordinance and zoning committee for the arts district to review the ordinance as it was and make some recom-mendations for changes,” Forshay said.

Forshay said the pro-

posed district would include Mississippi Avenue to Francis Avenue and East 10th Street to East 12th Street.

Possible changes to the ordinance include making the color palette for the district a recommenda-tion rather than a require-ment in future painting and construction.

“We’ve looked at hav-ing two arts district ordi-nances,” Forshay said.

One would be based on business size and the other on geographic loca-tion for commercial use. Although exact size lim-its have not been estab-lished, larger buildings would be included in one ordinance and other buildings within the dis-trict would be included in the other.

“The smaller build-ings, like some of these houses, would be arts district ordinance two to keep the feel of smaller commercial uses togeth-er and separate from the larger commercial uses,” Forshay said.

“I think by separat-ing these ordinances, we

take away some of the fear of the people living on the edges of the dis-trict. They’re afraid that they’re going to lose the character of their neigh-borhood by turning it into mixed use,” Elliott said. “If we can put limitations

on the size of buildings that can go there, you’re not going to lose the bun-galow house. You might have an artists’ studio that is live/work space next door to a residence or you might have a restau-rant that has dining in the back but it’s not going to change the feel of the neighborhood.”

Elliott said the goal of rezoning the neighbor-hood into the arts district is to add to the area’s vitality.

“We want this to be a place where people live, work, walk to the grocery store and go to a park,” she said.

She said similar models have worked all over the

United States.“It increases proper-

ty values,” Elliott said. “Every district we looked at, property values end up going up when you put in an arts district.”

Forshay and Elliott said redistricting is not an attempt to run off home-owners or change the character of the neigh-borhood.

“We’ve been told by a number of property own-ers in the district that they want to see ordinances enforced and they want to see their neighbors car-ing for their properties,” Forshay said. “We’re hoping this revitalization of the neighborhood will help promote that.

Elliott said Dr. Brad Jessop, director of East Central University School of Fine Arts, did a survey of architectural styles cur-rently present in the area and helped advise writers of the ordinance in pre-serving the character of the neighborhood.

“We want to encourage the re-use of buildings that are there,” she said.

“We don’t want this to be homogenous. We like the eclectic style that’s already present in this neighborhood.”

Elliott said Ada’s artis-tic history is eclectic, as well.


Blue Moon

1104 N. Hills Center • Ada580-332-4477

Open 11A.M. - 9P.M . • 7 days a week

“Classic Food at a Classic Cafe”

MCKEE REAL ESTATE501 E. MAIN ADA, OK

332-3737 WWW.MACMCKEE.COM

MAC MCKEEOwner/Broker421-2317 SHARON SUTTON

Associate436-7904ELDON FLINN

Associate 320-1064

KATHY WOODSAssociate436-7028

BILL MONTINAssociate/Auctioneer

421-7993

Lanny MurphyAssociate272-4052

SUE MCNUTTAssociate320-4415

Left to Right: Shari, Composing & Customer Service; Kevin, Pressman; Leisa, Composing & Customer

Service; Lolita, Bookkeeper & Customer Service; Doug, Owner & Manager

Meet the “Printing Professionals”

When it comes to transforming your creative ideas into brilliant, professional-looking printed pieces, come to...

1320 South Cradduck RoadAda, OK 74820

Doug Kindrick, Owner/Manager580-332-1022 • 800-281-8640

Fax: 580-436-6424

Serving Ada &The SurroundingArea for 18 Years!

Arts district changing heart of Ada

AMY ELLIOTT BRIDGET FORSHAY

See “Arts” Page 5A▼

Photo Submitted

ECU Arts IncubatorThe business incubator is an attempt to help arts-related businesses get up and running in the dis-trict.

The Future Starts here....Progress 2011


RV Sales & ServiceAllen, OK 748251-580-857-2818

Toll Free1-877-261-9758

Out this new 200Th NEW 2011WILDWOOD TRAVEL TRAILER $16,999Sleeps up to 9, air conditioning, microwave,

awning & much more . .WE HAVE OTHER BRAND NAME TRAILERS

• Idle - Time• Sandpiper• Century• Wildwood

• Out Post• A. R. E.• Rockwood

Service

Department

Accessory

StoreUsed units also available

Financing

Availablew.a.c.

Wildcats Are Here!!!Sleeps up to 9, air conditioning, microwave,

awning & much more . .

• Cardinal

DINETTE

BUNK BEDS

MED LA

V

TRIPLE30 x 74

TUBSHOWER/

QUEEN BED60 x 74

16' AWNING

GAS GRILL OPT.

OHC

REFER

MICROENTRY

STORAGE

SOFA

OHC

68"44"

OHC

OH

C

CTRENT

STORAGEPASS-THRU

PASS-THRUSTORAGE

CARPET

WARDW/DWRS

WARDW/DWRSW

ARD

W/D

WRS

STORAGE

09 26’AILER

Only$16,999

HOTand

JUICY

Famousfor

Hamburgersfor

over70

Years!

Hamburger King218 W. Main, Ada • 332-6107

6:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Mon-Sat

We just keep Growing!TOW-MATOR

Family Owned& Operated

Trusted Since 1953

Let our family help you with all your towing

& salvage needs.

24 Hours7 Days a Week

(580) 332-2250 • 12521 State Hwy. 3W • Ada

Mary HuckebyGRI / Broker / Associate

Cell:580.272.3864

www.huckeby.com

Josh HuckebyGRI / Sales AssociateCell:580.399.9053

George HuckebyOwner/Broker-Cell:580.320.1605

328 N Mississippi Ada, Ok Offi ce: 580-332-3450

REALTORS

MLS

“When I think of Ada, I think of people who would paint nice safe landscapes but Ada has a culture of modern art,” she said.

“We also have a lot of musical talent,” Forshay said.

A cornerstone of the budding arts district is the business incubator on Main Street. Forshay said the business incubator is an attempt to help arts-related businesses get up and running in the district. She said incubating businesses stay an average of three to four years before opening at a permanent location.

“Our goal is to incubate new arts businesses and have them move into the district once they’re fully sustainable so we can open up new space for new entrepreneurs,” Forshay said.

The incubator currently houses Red Earth Art Supply and True Embroidery.

“We still have space available for a third business,” Forshay said.

No date is set for another meeting with Ada Planning and Zoning Commission.

“The vision is still the same,” Forshay said. “How we get there is an ever-evolving process.”

“We’ve had shocking support,” Elliott said.Elliott said the arts district will be a compliment

to an already thriving art community near the uni-versity.

“We have East Central, the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center and the focus on fine arts here. It’s such a perfect fit,” she said.

ArtsFrom Page 4A▼

Photo Submitted

Mazens Greek House (above) and Vintage 22 (below) are businesses located inside Ada's Arts District.

Bridget ForshayBridget Forshay,

community devel-opment coordi-nator for East Main Cultural Arts District, wanted to be a teacher when she grew up.

Amy ElliottExecutive Director of Tri-County

Indian Nations Community Development Corporation wanted to be an explorer when she grew up.


Cintas Named One ofThe Best & Safest Places to

Work in Oklahoma

OKCBUSINESSB E S TPLACES

toWORK

IN OKLAHOMA

530 Seabrook Rd. • Ada

Every day over 5 millionpeople go to work in a

Cintas uniform.

580-436-2770fax: 580-436-3603

409 NW JARichardson Loop

Ada, OK332-8933

Visit ourwebsite for

more listings!www.maryterry.com

Always looking to serve


City of Ada Parks and Facilities Director Randy McFarlin always looks for a way to serve others.

By Randy MitchellCity Editor

ADA — City of Ada Parks and Facilities Director Randy McFarlin is always looking to serve the residents of Ada, whether its Ada’s parks, the Ada library, roadsides and medians, or even the upcoming Ada museum.

The museum is a proj-ect of Ada Rotary and is mostly being handled by volunteers with some help from the city of Ada.

McFarlin oversees the aforementioned enti-

ties and once completed, will oversee new proj-ects being funded by the recently passed one-cent sales tax — sports com-plex, police department, fire station, etc.

By training, McFarlin is a horticulturist and he has served the residents of Ada for 32 years.

He never envisioned as a child that he would end up doing what he is doing for a living. As a child he wanted to be a cowboy like Roy Rogers or Sky King.

Something his grand-

mother on his mother’s side taught him gave him his start in horticulture.

She taught him about native grasses, plants and trees on her farm. He found he had a real knack for learning about and identifying plant life.

“She taught me a lot of stuff about plant materi-als,” McFarlin said.

At Oklahoma State University, he took courses in news writing but ended up in pre-phar-macy.

See “Museum” Page 7A▼

After two years of pre-pharmacy he decided chemistry wasn’t to his liking so he focused on what he knew — plant science.

“All the sciences, I really liked,” McFarlin said. “The botany and the biology and all the things about trees and plants and all of that I really liked and actually did well in.”

That’s when he made the switch to horticulture.

“I went from being a very mediocre student struggling in chemistry, to actually making good grades,” he said.

After graduating from OSU with a degree in

horticulture in 1976, he moved back to Ada to be near his grandparents.

The timing was just about perfect.

“The park superinten-dent was retiring from the city of Ada and they were looking for, basically, a horticulturist to take over and look at tree plant-ing and all of that aspect rather than just mowing and painting and things like that.”

His official title in 1978 was parks director and city horticulturist.

McFarlin is always look-ing to better and beautify Ada and, as a Rotary Club member, travels to other cities like Chicago and Los Angeles for meet-

ings in his personal time. While there, he often vis-its city parks to not only sightsee, but get ideas for work as well.

One might think McFarlin would have a grand array of landscap-ing or gardens at home, but that would be incor-rect.

“I don’t do near what I would like to do,” he said. “At some point I will, when I have time, but there are just too many things going to spend a tremendous amount of time gardening.”

McFarlin and his wife, Marianne, have two chil-dren, Kevin and Sarah, and one grandchild Landry.


ADAADAADAGreat Place to Live, Great Place to Work!

1510 Hoppe Blvd.Ada, OK 74820-2307

(580) 310-9398

The difference between Ordinary & Extraordinary

Pictured Left - Right: Bill Hill, 580-421-8140; Sarah Barton Carlsson, GRI,580-399-6753; Mary Jo

Edens, 580-235-1977; Margaret Barton, GRI,Owner-Broker, 580-421-4810; Mickala Estabrooks, 580-310-2120; Donnie Woodell, 580-559-1816; and Junior

Vargas, 580-310-2543

Whether Buying or Selling,We will be happy to provide all the

information you need. Call us today for a FREE Market Analyst.

Check out all our listings by accessing:

EXIT MARGARET BARTON REALTY580-436-1800

1230 E. Arlington • Ada, OKEach Offi ce Independently Owned & Operated

www.EXITMargaretBarton.com

Wines... Cordials... Spirits... and Beer.

Townsend’sBottle Shop6th & N. Mississippi

Ada332-4187

We carry over 700 varieties of wine

We have it all!

Voted Ada’s #1

Liquor Store

MuseumFrom Page 6A▼

Above, Ada Parks and Public Works Director Randy McFarlin talks with volunteers at the City of Ada tree giveaway at Wintersmith Park head-quarters November 2008. At right, McFarlin looks over plans.

Photos by Richard R. Barron

Randy McFarlinWhile growing up, Randy McFarlin

dreamed of being like Roy Rogers or Sky

King. Now he works as Ada's parks and

public works director.

MCY K

MCY K

MCY K

MCY K


IRT is an award-winning provider of outsourced CRM, customer contact programs and call center services, including inbound and outbound telephone calls, email and live agent chat services. We work with our customers to create strategic partnerships; developing and delivering customized programs that achieve results.Through proactive program management, talented, well-trained staff, leading edge technology and robust reporting, we’re dedicated to helping our customers add value to their customer relationships. IRT seeks to model our customer culture, and we customize our business to fit any needs. We take on the look and feel of our customers’ products and services, not just the scripting. By taking the time to get to know our customers and their priorities, we can build a program that will achieve goals, rather than squeezing them into a pre-existing system. We are flexible, responsive and easy to do business with. As a partner, IRT is essentially an extension of their organizations. With this frame of mind, we find solutions and offer recommendations that we would want to see if we were the client. Our partner-ships include finding ways to bring efficiencies and cost reductions. We’re willing to sacrifice short-term gain for long-term growth. We understand the intricacies of managing a growing business and take on new accounts in manageable stages that we know can be successful. We are a people company. Our employees are the cornerstone of providing world class call center solutions for our clients. From the moment they are hired we focus on their development by providing them with state-of-the-art call center training, above industry standard benefits and robust advance-ment opportunities. Our employees are family, we establish mutual trust and respect that helps deliver world class call center results for our clients. We are steadfast in our belief that people make the dif-ference.Additionally, we use our Guiding Principles to drive our call center efforts from the top down. -Provide a great work environment that our employees and customers can be proud of -Create a culture that encourages and rewards innovation -Embrace diversity as an essential component in the way we do business -Develop strong ties and be active in the local communities we operate in -Maintain a disciplined standard of communication that keeps employees and customers informed -Apply the highest standards of excellence to encourage the right behaviors and drive the desired outcomes -Foster an environment of respect and integrity where leadership leads by example -Celebrate our successes and passion for the work entrusted to us -Recognize that our success drives profitability and growth We are customer interaction experts. As a leading provider of call center services, we are committed to developing customer contact strategies that build long-term relationships. Our overall goals are to balance employee, customer and company goals. IRT – A Call Center With A Difference!

Welcome to Interactive Response Technologies, Inc.

We’re #1 Because of You!

1500 Hoppe Blvd.Suite A

580-332-8979

Present

Past

17 Years Tann ing You

Tanning Past, Present and Future.....

Kim’s Tanning started with only one tanning bed and a box for customers to pay on the honor system. 17 years later we have 22 tanning beds with a 5,500 square foot facility

with state of the art beds. We continue to offer the latest and best on market for our tanners.Here is to 17 more years of TANNING ADA!

Sunday, March 27, 2011 1Bwww.adaeveningnews.com Retail & Service

MCY K

MCY K

MCY K

MCY K

Locally Owned & Operatedwww.aaaoklahoma.com/agents/hsmith

(580)332-4222 104 East 12th St.Across from the Aldridge Coffee Shop

!

Max Hudson436-3028

Cell 320-3377

Donald Brooks265-9337

Cell 320-9337

Larry Lee310-2305

Thurman RinehartBroker

421-2271

Eric Pierce857-2627

Cell 399-7601

SELLING YOUR HOME?LIST WITH US TODAY!

Antiques and salvage unique niche


Deanna Jones, owner of Deanna’s Architectural Salvage, stands inside her store. Her store is filled with unique items, including antiques, doors, cabinets, antique hardwood flooring, wooden doors, horizon-tal-panel doors—which are her best sellers—and old appliances like refrig-erators and old Maytag washing machines.


ADA — When she was young, Deanna Jones, owner of Deanna’s Architectural Salvage, wanted to be a dancer.

“I dance around here quite a bit,” she said.

Jones sells wholesale architectural salvage at her shop outside of Ada on Highway 3W.

“About half of the peo-ple who come out here are dealers, interior deco-rators and architects,” she said. “I’ve got to give them a good price so they can make their money.”

Jones said she got into the business when her son, who lived in Dallas, heard about people doing demolition and salvage and began getting salvage rights in Dallas neighbor-hoods.

At the time, Jones was keeping books and answering phones for her husband Glenn’s compa-ny, Sharp Shooters, Inc.

“I needed something else to do,” she said. Jones continues to work for Sharp Shooters.

She got her first load of stock at her son’s demoli-tion shop in Dallas and opened up shop in 1998 in Sharp Shooters’ truck building.

“I bought 60 old Lennox hot water heat-ers, 30 doors and a cou-ple of book shelves,” she said. “I piled stuff in here and put an ad in the garage sale section of Ada Evening News.”

In three days, every-thing was sold.

See “Salvage” Page 3B▼

www.adaeveningnews.comArts & Entertainment2B Sunday, March 27, 2011

1405 Arlington www.WeSellAda.com

SELLING A LOCAL PROPERTY EVERY 2 1/2 DAYS(Per Navica MLS statistics)

580-436-5588

Are you

give out?

Plumb Clogged Drain, Leaky Faucets, Septic Tank Problems...

No Need to Worry, Cactus Plumbing is here!!

NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL WE DO IT ALL!!

We are a full service plumb-ing company. And our office manager Janae will be happy to answer your calls 24 hours

7 days a week. That’s why we have technicians on call and ready to help you with

all your plumbing needs at all times. We enjoy what we do and that’s why we do what we can to make sure you’re

100% satisfied. We are a very reliable, very honest, very hard working company. Our staff works together to make your plumbing experience fantastic.

Jacob Brauning

Owner

“Your Professional Neighborhood Plumbers”

Voted #1

Reader’s

Choice

Award2010

Serving Ada & Surrounding Areas

580-332-5157407 NW J Richardson Loop

Ada, OKwww.cactusplumbingllc.com

Locally Owned& OperatedLicensed, Insured,

& Bonded

April 16, 2011 April 16, 2011

Deanna’s SalvageDeanna Jones, owner of Deanna's Architectural Salvage, shows one of her many unique pieces in her store.



Full of stuffDeanna Jones is pictured making her way through her store.


Voted Ada’s #1 Self Storage Business

Also check us out at our new North Location @ 231 Arlington (Previously Arlington Storage)

A Storage Closet1301 Stadium Dr. & 231 Arlington

Ada, OK

580 272 9100

It’s Our Goal to make your storage

Experience a pleasant one!VOTED BESTGENERALLODGING

1201 Lonnie Abbott Blvd. • Ada • (580)-310-9200www.hiexpress.com/adaok

Call David Cobb today!1-580-279-1867www.cableone.com

SalvageJones said most of the

hot water heaters she ini-tially purchased are run-ning to this day.

She purchased more inventory from her son in Dallas and went in one-third on the business along with her husband and a family friend.

“I drove them insane after about eight months,” she said.

She bought her busi-ness partners out and decided to run the shop herself.

Currently she has a little over 10,000 square feet inside and about 15,000 square feet outside. She also has five sheds con-

taining inventory.Her inventory is mostly

architectural salvage but she also has antiques.

She said several stores on Main Street have bought salvage from her and used it to decorate.

“They are so creative,” she said. “If I could think of half the things they do with this stuff, I’d have a show place.”

Among the many items she has for sale is an old top hat.

“It’s beaver,” Jones said.

“They call them ‘mad hatter hats’ because they clean beaver with mercu-ry. The mercury would absorb into the head-band, which went onto

the head and, back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, people would lit-erally go crazy.”

She gets her invento-ry from West Virginia, Ohio, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Massachusetts, California, Oregon, Texas and Oklahoma.

She sells antique hard-wood flooring, wooden doors, horizontal-panel doors — which are her best sellers — and old appliances like refrig-erators and old Maytag washing machines.

“People put beer, pop, water and stuff like in these out on their patios because it’s galvanized,” she said of the washing

machines. “They’ll keep it for days.”

She said several busi-nesses in Ada and sur-rounding areas, like Walmart, The Home Depot and lumber yards send her customers when they need items not stocked by the business.

“They send them here to keep the money in Ada. I think that is pret-ty darn cool,” she said. In return, Jones said she tries to send customers their way when she can.

“Everybody’s going green,” she said. “They’re trying to use the old stuff. I’d say a third of my business is people building big, new homes.”

Jones also has furniture from Europe, antique dressers, an antique mir-ror from a Main Street barber shop in Allen and an antique ceiling tin.

“People come in from all over the United States for it.”

She has antique wood-en shutters for sale, as well.

“One shutter like this will cost you $300 to $400. Mine are $25 to $50,” she said.

From Page 1B▼


Antique firearmDeanna Jones of Deanna's Architectural Salvage holds an antique firearm at her store.

“Everybody's going green. They're trying to use the

old stuff. I'd say a third of my business is people building big, new homes.”

— Deanna JonesOwner Deanna's Architectural Salvage

See “Antiques” Page 4B▼


April 17, 201110:00AM

NEW AUDITORIUM GROUND-BREAKING SERVICE

The Future Starts Here

What can you expect at New Hope Ada …

A church where families are the heart of our services; where God is the head of

our lives and where faith is the hope for our future!

A friendly smile and handshake in a

comfortable, relaxed atmosphere.

Sermons & Bible studies taught from God’s Word to teach you how to survive life & draw closer to Jesus Christ.

Bring the kids for exciting Children’s

Church & Kids Clubs where they learn

valuable Bible lessons, memorize scripture and

enjoy doing it!

If you understand that you are a sinner, and that the price for that sin is to die and go to hell, but you are willing to accept the Gift of Jesus, pray

this simple prayer …

“Dear Jesus, I know I’m a sinner, I know that without you I can not go to Heaven, please for-

give me of my sin and take me to Heaven when I die, thank you Jesus for saving me.”

If you prayed that simple prayer, please contact us so we can celebrate your new life in Christ

with you!

*************************************************************************************************************

��

�

Are you looking for a place to connect? A place where you can come and feel like family? Come, visit, and be a part of our church home. If you would like to know more about our church, log onto our website at www.NewHopeAda.org. There you can see upcoming events, download our monthly newsletter and check out the various ministries we have available.

How to know 100% for sure you will go to Heaven

Did you know that going to church, or doing good deeds will not get you to Heaven? 1. We are all sinners: Romans 3:10 “As it is

written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

2. Sin has to be paid for: Rom 6:23a, “For the wages of sin is death;”

3. Realize that God’s son, Jesus Christ paid the price for us: Rom. 5:8, “God commendenth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

4. Salvation is a free gift: Romans 6:23b, “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

5. Accept that free gift: Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

6. Salvation is eternal: John 3:36, “He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life.”

3000 Sandy Creek Drive, Ada, OK 74820www.NewHopeAda.org

Arvest BankBraum’s

Communication SolutionsDomino’s Pizza

DK’s Nutrition CenterJ’s Hallmark

JC Penney Catalog StoreMerle Norman CosmeticsOrscheln Farm & Ranch

Payless Shoe SourcePostal Plus

Second Hand SportsSherwin WilliamsSnowball Express

SubwayVision Bank

Wall’s Bargain Center

Shop These Stores for

lots of Spring Bargains!

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND ADA’S #1 CATFISH

• Catfish

• Shrimp

• Chicken Strips

• Hamburgers

• BBQ Brisket

• FRIED PIES

Grandpa’s Catfi sh Express1028 W. Main, Ada

580-332-2300CALL IN ORDERS WELCOME

Owners Tim & rebecca Bates

Jones has an area for people looking to dec-orate with a Western motif that features a buffalo head and sad-dles.

“This is a popular area. People like the Western theme.”

She has antique books from the 1800s, antique bee smokers — along with a hat and mask — and an old barber chair.

“It’s a therapeutic place. People come in here to relax and get away from the day.”

People can even restock old dishes bro-ken by grandkids.

When it’s rainy, Jones said her shop is packed with people just walk-ing around and absorb-ing the nostalgia.

“It blesses me,” she said.

Children save their money and buy antique toys from her toy sec-tion.

“They’re my next-generation shopper so I pretty much give them whatever they want.”

Jones likes it when people come in and look around, even when they don’t buy anything.

“This takes them back in time,” she said. “There are great memo-ries and a lot of nostal-gia.”

AntiquesFrom Page 3B▼


Saving moneyBen Rhodes saves his money to shop at Deanna’s Architectural Salvage.

Deanna JonesAs a child, Deanna wanted to be a

dancer when she grew up. However, she

found an interest in salvaging and eventu-

ally owned her own store of architectural

salvage materials.

Subscribe to AEN's e-Edition

www.adaeveningnews.com


ResidentialFarm & Ranch

Commercial

Ada’s PremierReal Estate Company

www.premierpropertiesofoklahoma.com

D.J. BaxterAssociate310-2850

Jan TaylorAssociate310-4820

Ann BartonAssociate320-1320

Judy SmithAssociate421-2003

Kenneth CypertBroker Associate

399-5626

Amber GreyAssociate399-3359

404 East 12th St. • Ada, OK 74820

332-5400

Norma RhodesOwner/Broker(580) 320-9400

Buying or Selling“Call Us”

Kacie PogueAssociate272-7595

Giving back to the communityBy Randy MitchellCity Editor

ADA — Ann Miller loves her job, and it shows.

Miller is director of marketing and research at Ada Jobs Foundation.

“Ada Jobs Foundation provides eco-nomic development services for the Ada area,” Miller said. “My job duties change and fluctuate to meet the needs and constant changes of the economic development industry.”

Part of her duties include develop-ing marketing materials that not only promote the area as a viable business location, but also as an ideal place to live and work.

She handles media and public rela-tions, manages AJF social media, repre-sents AJF at functions and tradeshows, promotes the community and develops business leads at the events, oversees the AJF website and helps manage day-to-day operations.

“We also work with existing busi-nesses to help them grow and prosper,” she said.

Miller has been with Ada Jobs since July 2005. She is a native Oklahoman and Chickasaw citizen.

“I grew up on a small farm outside Edmond,” she said. “While not my hometown, I consider Ada my second hometown.”

In 1993, at the age of 9, she won a Governor’s Commendation for her and her family’s work on the Governor’s Blind Easter Egg Hunt.

As a child, Miller did not envision working in economic development.

“When I was a kid, I wanted to be an actress and singer, but my inability to carry a tune prevented that,” she said. “I also considered becoming either a police officer or lawyer.”

Miller said although the idea of being a lawyer or police officer is still intrigu-ing, she has found her ideal career.

“Most economic developers get into this career field by accident, but for those of us that truly enjoy this profes-

sion it becomes a lifelong career. It’s the love of my job and the ability to help shape a community, that makes me believe that I found the career I was supposed to be involved in.”

Miller attended Oklahoma State University on a Regents Scholarship and graduated in just three years. She received a bachelor’s degree in market-ing in 2005 from the Spears School of Business at OSU.

Miller enjoys her job and said every-day is different from the last, which keeps her engaged. Additionally, she enjoys meeting new people and learn-ing about businesses in the area.

“My job allows me to give back to my community,” she said. “I enjoy watch-ing the community grow and develop in conjunction with the efforts of the AJF.”

Miller just finished a website rede-sign and it launched in early March. She is currently working on the AJF Annual Report 2010 which will provide a snapshot of AJF’s activities, and the economy.

It will highlight the economic outlook for 2011.

“It’s the love of my job and the abil-

ity to help shape a com-munity, that makes me believe that I found the career I was supposed to be involved in.”

— Ann MillerDirector of Marketing & Research

Ada Jobs Foundation

See “Giving back” Page 6B▼


Your saving federally insured to $250,000

National Credit Union Administrationa U.S. Government Agency

NCUA

Rising to MeetMember Needs

Since our inception in 1966 Ada Federal Employees Credit Union has been serving our members in and around the Ada area with exceptional fi nancial products. Currently led by Earlene McDonald, we at Ada Federal Em-ployees Credit Union have grown our membership to over 945 with assets of more than $7,413,505. We have three full time employees in a single main offi ce. Our membership is open to federal employees, including active or retired military, USPS, EPA, Department of Agri-culture, Department of Energy, Indian Health Services, Bu-reau of Indian Affairs, and SS, and their families. Ada Federal Employees Credit Union offers members a full service website that allows for true “Banking From Home” functionality, giving members the ability to conveniently ac-cess information via the Internet. Members may also take advantage of a full array of loans including for new and used cars. We are in our 45th year serving Ada area federal employees and bought our own building a year ago. Call or visit us any-time between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Ada Federal EmployeesCredit Union

317 S. BroadwayAda OK, 74820

(580) 332-0181709 E. 7th 332-8600

ADA’s “GREEN” CLEANERS!

Drive-Thru ServiceSame Day ServiceFull Service on Sat.

• Environmentally Safe Cleaning Agents • We Recycle Plastic • We Recycle Hangers

Mon - Fri: 7:00am - 6:00pmSat: 8:00am - 5:00pm

Just Say Si

219 West MainAda, OK

(580) 332-2710

`

Giving back“We will also be developing a guidebook for start-

ing and running a business in the Ada area,” she said. “This book will serve as a resource for entrepreneurs and existing businesses.”

Miller enjoys interacting with her neighbors, which is something unique about a smaller community like Ada.

“I absolutely love living in Ada,” she said. “When I was younger, I had dreams of moving to a metro area such as Chicago or New York. While the big city lights are attractive, Ada has a charm and sense of community that cannot be found in larger cities.”

In 2008, Miller was selected as Oklahoma’s Young Careerist by the Oklahoma Business and P r o f e s s i o n a l Women group, and is currently a member of the Southern Economic Development Council.

While she enjoys traveling, her involvement in numerous organizations and busy schedule limits her, she said.

“I enjoy playing sports including soccer and soft-ball,” Miller said. “Other hobbies include crafts and jewelry making.”

Miller said her only child is a rat terrier dog named Daisy.

“I do enjoy spending time with my family who live in Oklahoma City and Broken Arrow,” she said.

From Page 5B▼

“While the big city lights

are attractive, Ada has a charm and sense of community that cannot be found in larger cities.”

— Ann MillerDirector of

Marketing & ResearchAda Jobs Foundation

Photo by Randy Mitchell

Ann Miller, director of marketing and research at Ada Jobs Foundation, sits at her desk. She says she enjoys her job because she can help shape a community and watch it grow and devel-op.

Ann MillerAs a kid, Ann Miller dreamed of being

a lawyer or police officer. Though the idea

is still intriguing, she has found her ideal

career in economic development.


MUSIC

CENTER

AD

A M

USI

C CE

NTE

R Featuring:• Guitars• Drumsets• Guitar Packages• Band Instruments• Mandolins & Fiddles• Ukuleles

215 N. Francis

580-436-0838www.adamusiccenter.com

GINA STOWERS, ADA MAIN STREET DIRECTOR

Ada Main Street: Part of her story


ADA — Ada Main Street Director Gina Stowers said she remem-bers attending events on Ada's Main Street ever since she was a child.

“I grew up in Stratford. Ada is where we came for shopping and social activities,” she said. “In high school, of course, I cruised Main Street.”

Stowers said she want-ed to be a teacher as a child. As she got older, her aspirations moved toward becoming a super-model. Then, she decid-ed she would become a politician.

“I think this position I’m in now at Ada Main Street is as close to a politician as I ever want to get,” she said.

Stowers said she got involved with Ada Main Street by chance.

“I was a stay-at-home mom. I’d just had my second child and I thought if the perfect opportunity was to come along, I’d go for it,” she said. “A friend of mine called and told me that this job had come open. I thought that it would be a fun place to work and I’d be able to help out my com-munity.”

She previously worked as recognition coordina-tor for seven years at Pre-Paid Legal Services Inc. and helped plan confer-ences and conventions.

“I thought that would help me with planning events here,” Stowers said.

She applied for the job, was interviewed, and in April she will have been director of Ada Main Street for one year.

Stowers has lived in Ada for almost 17 years.

“I enjoy living in Ada and I want to see it prog-ress,” she said.

Stowers said her prima-ry function is to promote Main Street, its merchants and the downtown area.

“The Main Street pro-gram is a revitalization effort that was started in the late 1980s because so many downtowns were basically fading away because of strip malls and big shopping malls. Ada was one of the first Oklahoma Main Street communities back in 1986,” she said. “At that point, it was definitely needed.”

Now, she said Ada Main Street is one of the most vibrant Main Streets in Oklahoma.

“We have so many busi-nesses and you don’t see the empty, dilapidated buildings,” she said. “I can’t say that I had a lot to do with the revitaliza-tion. I just have to main-tain it now.”

As someone who fre-quented Ada’s Main Street, Stowers feels she understands the role of the city’s Main Street program.

“As a young child, some of my first shop-ping memories were of coming to Ada Main Street and going to J.C. Penney, which was right down here,” she said.

“My mom, sister and I could spend all day Saturday shopping on Main Street.”

She said she can’t imag-ine her children grow-ing up without Ada Main Street.

Some of her favor-ite things about her job include getting to know people in the community, working with Main Street merchants and working toward a good cause.

She said while it is sometimes difficult to steer recognition toward Ada’s Main Street, she believes Ada residents understand the impor-tance of shopping local-ly.

“We have people in our town that do appreciate the Ada-based businesses that are owned by our neighbors,” she said. “If you’re shopping where you live, that money is going right back into your town.”

She said the one cent sales tax will help cement that realization.

“We’ll be seeing new lighting. All of the elec-trical will be going under-ground so you won’t see that clutter anymore. It’s really going to improve the looks of our down-town.”

She said Ada Main Street has most things its residents need.

One of her favorite functions as director of Ada Main Street is plan-ning community events.

See “Main” Page 8B▼

MCY K

MCY K

MCY K

MCY K


THE SHACK HAS YOUR NEXT CELL PHONE!

Free phones with qualifying 2 year agreement

(No Mail-In REBATES!)We are the #2 store

in our district!

M-Fri • 9-8Sat • 110-6Sun • 1-5

332-3848North Hills Centre

Michael McElroy & Wiley WintersOwners

James JacksonManager

Celena MeganWill

Sandy Maxwell Managing Broker 421-3133

Ladell Maxwell Broker Associate332-1890

Ken Maxwell Broker Associate

Certified Appraiser 332-6482

Karen Skibsted Broker Associate

421-5565

Lindsay Gaylor927-6120

Angela Sliger235-1437

Linda KnickmeyerBroker Associate

310-4691

332-6482 1130 Arlington

YOUR “HOMETOWN TEAM” ~ 43 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

MAXWELL Real Estatewww.maxwellsellsada.com

Main“Community events are

something that, as a child, were some of the most fun things that I remem-ber. Our businesses in town are really good sup-porters of community involvement.”

Cruising Main is her favorite event.

“Last year was our first

time. We didn’t expect it to be as big as it was. This year, we’re going to improve on it and make it even bigger.

Stowers also plans the Autumn Days Festival in October.

“Autumn Days has a variety of things for everybody to do,” she said.

“We have everything

from live entertainment to vendors selling their items.”

Stowers said the Parade of Lights is another impor-tant event she plans.

Stowers enjoys work-ing toward improving and maintaining the commu-nity she grew up in.

“It’s funny how it’s come full-circle,” she said.

From Page 7B▼

Gina StowersAs a kid, Ada Main Street Director

Gina Stowers envisioned herself as a teacher, super model and a politician. Now, she says her current job is as close to politics as she wants to get!

Sunday, March 27, 2011 1Cwww.adaeveningnews.com Retail & Service

MCY K

MCY K

MCY K

MCY K

Housing the Oilfi eld Since 1992 Lynn Hoppe’s Passion for the oilfield came from his dad at an early age. His dad worked in the oilfield on and offshore for many years. Born in Pauls Valley, but later moved to Ada when he was two years old. He attended Byng Schools until his freshman year then transferred to Latta Schools where he graduated. He moved to OKC to attend college, after gradua-tion he returned to Ada. In 1992 he married his childhood sweetheart Kim and recently celebrated 26 years together. They have three wonderful boys; Hunter, Hayden and Hyatt, all who attend Latta School. Also in 1992, Lynn started Hoppe’s Construction. He started with three employees and has now grown to 160 employees, with offices in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, New Mexico, Texas and three other locations in Oklahoma. Hoppe’s Construction is a business that primarily leases trailer houses to the oilfield. “Basically if you call me wanting a trailer house, no matter where you are, we will set you up with living space, septic, water, telephone, internet and a generator” according to Lynn “we can set you up with whatever you need”. We currently purchase mobile home units on a weekly basis to keep up with the demand. Hoppe recently purchased 15 acres that are adjacent to the main office West of Ada. He plans to bild mobile homes from this location. Hoppe rotates the mobile homes he purchases every three years to rental properties in and around Ada. While Hoppe’s Construction is the foundation, it is not their only busi-ness venture. He also owns several real estate properties in Ada, including South Ridge Strip Mall, where his wife’s business is located, Kim’s Tanning. He also owns rental properties which he leases to businesses like Family Dollar Stores. Besides his business ventures, he is also dedicated in supporting the Ada community. He recently sponsored a livestock show called “Best of the Best” and also the Pontotoc County free fair. He is also an active participant in the Latta School System, which his sons attend. Hoppe tries to keep his business local when he can and always enjoys dealing with friendly Ada businesses. “Ada is a wonderful place to raise our family and I hope to continue growing our businesses here in Ada as well” said Lynn.

* Big Screen TVs * Satellite * Internet * Office Space * Washer and Dryer * Couches

The Hoppe Boys“Our Future Starts Here”

On-Site LivingHousing Equipment Rental

* Recliners * Dishes * Silverware * Towels * Bedding * Phones

P.O. Box 654 •Ada • OK

580-310-0090www.hoppesconstruction.com

By Brenda TollettAssociate Editor

CLARITA — The small community of Clarita, located in Coal County, hasn’t been the same since 1987 when Winston Rice returned to his hometown. Vacant lots overgrown with weeds and used as a trash dump have been cleared and turned into parks; dilapi-dated buildings have been torn down; new buildings constructed; and historic homes restored.

“Community members and I got together and cleaned up a garbage dump,” Rice said. That area is now a park direct-ly across the street from Velma’s Kitchen.

Approximately, seven years ago Rice purchased a historic home in Clarita. The house had once belonged to John Moore, a barber in Clarita. Rice restored the house and has furnished it with antiques.

“I originally planned for this to be a guest house when the children visit,” he said.

A photograph of Moore hangs in Velma’s Kitchen located in Schmetzer’s, another building Rice has constructed in Clarita. The photo depicts a small boy receiving a haircut by Moore.

“As you can see I wasn’t happy about the haircut,” Rice said.

Names for each of Rice’s buildings have meaning.

“Gene Schmetzer owned a blacksmith shop in Clarita,” he said. When Rice built the building, with the help of local

Amish men, he decided to name his building after the older business.

Rice was born in 1946 in Fort Leavenworth, Kan. His parents were native Oklahomans from Clarita. His father was a career Air Force officer and a pilot. At the age of 17, Rice followed in his father’s footsteps and enlisted in the Army in 1964. His military train-ing included infantry training, jump school and parachute rigger school.

During three tours of duty in Panama as a paratrooper, Rice grew to know the culture and country well. He spent his free time scuba div-ing, trekking across the isthmus, fishing, explor-

ing and searching for arti-facts.

After being injured in a parachute jump, Rice retrained as an informa-tion specialist and com-bat photographer. He also served as bilingual escort for dignitaries and news media reporters.

Following his retire-ment from the military, Rice began learning the cabinet making trade while living in Alaska. During the long, cold winters in Alaska, Rice and his wife, Linda, began plans to develop a tour company with tours to Alaska and Panama.

“We wanted to move to a warmer climate,” he said.

They moved to Clarita,

set up a cabinet shop and began building cabinets and furniture. The cou-ple continued to educate themselves in the tourism trade, computer and inter-net technology. Their tour company, Panama Jones, was established in 1997.

As their business began to grow, Rice established an office in Panama to receive tourists they were sending. The couple con-tinues to coordinate tours in Panama and although Rice is retired, he some-times personally guides a tour.

“I enjoy retirement,” Rice said. “I work when I feel like it.”

www.adaeveningnews.comArts & Entertainment2C Sunday, March 27, 2011

Golf Cart Sale in Progress* Rentals Available

BATTERIES FOR EVERYTHING

We Have BatteriesFor Everything

• Trucks• Fence Chargers

• Tractors• Bulldozers

• We Rebuild CordlessTool Batteries

Come in and see the Battery

Professionals

AdaBattery Center

1001 W. Main • Ada • OK

Cleaning up the community

Photos by Brenda Tollett

Winston Rice stands on the front porch of the historic John and Opal Moore house at Clarita. John Moore was a barber in Clarita for many years. His wife, Opal, lived in the house until she was in her early 90s. Rice reno-vated the 1909 structure and furnished the two bedroom house with antiques.

Winston Rice

Growing up, Winston Rice followed in his father's footsteps and joined the Military. Pictured here, he is getting a haircut from John Moore, a barber and former owner of a house Rice pur-chased.

Sunday, March 27, 2011 3Cwww.adaeveningnews.com Retail & Service

Being A Servant ...It’s an important part of who we are

strives to provide a COMFORTABLE &CARING Atmosphere for the families they serve.

A full service Funeral Home

Smith-Phillips Funeral Home

123 E. 13th Street • Ada, OK • (580) 332-6011

BATES & BATES

• Add-Ons• Remodeling• Custom Built Homes

Call for FREE Consultation(580) 421-1881 • Tim Bates

A NEW GENERATION OF BUILT ON-LOT HOMES

• 9ft. Ceilings, Cathedral Ceilings, Box Ceilings

• All Appliances Included• Move-in Ready

LOWEST PRICE PERIOD

Building up a community, one nail at a time

Photo courtesy of Winston RiceAbove, Amish neighbors and friends of Winston Rice help him construct Schmetzer’s building at Clarita. The building now houses Velma’s Kitchen, a restaurant specializing in home-style cooking. Below, they work on a building Rice is renovating that once was a gathering place for Clarita Church of Christ.

Photo courtesy of Winston RiceWinston Rice cuts fretwork for the bell tower to be set atop a building in Clarita that he is renovating. Clarita Church of Christ held services in this building for many years. Below, he works on the bell tower.

Photo courtesy of Winston Rice

The bell tower Winston Rice constructed is placed atop the old Clarita Church of Christ.

MCY K

MCY K

MCY K

MCY K

www.adaeveningnews.comArts & Entertainment4C Sunday, March 27, 2011

Sam Walton Founder of Wal-Mart

Ada Wal-Mart:Building on Mr. Sam’s Legacy

A Company is known by the Company it Keeps

Progress 2011 - Retail

Documents