This Sunday, we’ll buy the cards, the flowers, and maybe the last box of chocolates on the shelf. We’ll crowd into restaurants after church, make phone calls, and send text messages that say, “Love you, Mom.” But Mother’s Day is about far more than a nice meal and a bouquet. It’s a reminder of something communities often depend on, but rarely name out loud: the quiet, steady power of mothers. When we talk about what makes a strong town, we usually point to jobs, schools, churches, and local businesses. We talk about roads that get us where we need to go and leaders who make decisions that affect our daily lives. But look a little closer and you’ll see something else holding it all together: mothers who get up early, stay up late, and stand in the gaps no one else even sees. You see a mom who works a busy day, then stays up late to help with homework. Or maybe you see the grandmother who thought her child-rearing days were behind her, but stepped right back into the role because a grandchild needed a safe place to land. Then there’s the single mom, juggling two jobs, a car that doesn’t always start and a calendar that never gives her a day off. But her kids are always put first, whatever it takes. We measure prosperity in dollars and development, but the truth is, a community is only as strong as the families that live in it and families are often only as strong as the mothers (and mother-figures) who quietly hold them together. My life has been blessed with incredible, nurturing moms! My mom was definitely the quiet one. She knew what to say, but often also knew when to say nothing at all, but just offer a hug. As the youngest of 5 kids, I was also spoiled by two older sisters that were always there for me. My dad passed away in my early 20’s and my mom in my late 30’s, but Kay and Marianne made sure that my kids always had “bonus moms,” not just aunts. Their motherly DNA was strong because of my mom and my grandmother. I married my best friend and she is much like my mom. She doesn’t want to be in the limelight, but is always there when our kids need her. Her life has been dedicated to being an dedicated mom, often sacrificing career jobs so that she can be available when needed. Her best trait is knowing when she is needed, before our kids do. Being a loving mother is definitely her Superpower! So.. Thank you Patty Cowan, Kay Allen and Marianne Eaton! Thank you Dawn Cowan. Thank you to all the moms out there that will enjoy a special day this Sunday. Thank you for all the prayers whispered, the tears wiped away, and the battles fought for your families. Thank you for building homes and in doing so building communities. As Mother’s Day approaches, let’s do more than just sign a card. Let’s look the mothers in our lives in the eye and tell them what their sacrifices have meant. Let’s support the moms around us in real, practical ways: offering a meal, a ride, some childcare, a listening ear, or just a genuine, “I see how hard you’re working.” To all the mothers and mother-figures in our area: you are seen, you are valued, and you are essential to #TheGoodStuff happening here every single day. Happy Mother’s Day!

Tourism might sound like something that belongs to big cities and beach towns, but in Oklahoma it’s just as important on our rural main streets as it is in any urban entertainment district. For communities like Chickasha, tourism isn’t a luxury or an afterthought, it’s a real economic engine, a community-builder, and a point of pride. As OKC focuses on the Thunder playoffs, the 100 year anniversary of Route 66 and many other events that will drive visitors to the metro area, I believe it’s time for us to appreciate what’s happening right here in Chickasha! When people choose to spend a day, a weekend, or a vacation in a small town, they’re doing much more than taking photos and buying souvenirs. They’re helping keep the lights on in locally owned businesses, supporting public services through sales tax, and breathing new life into our historic downtowns and rural attractions. Chickasha is a perfect example of what rural tourism can do when a community leans into its strengths. In rural Oklahoma, every visitor dollar stretches farther. When families come to Chickasha for the Festival of Light, a sports tournament, to see the Leg Lamp or the Oklahoma Food Truck Championship, their spending ripples through our economy. Hotels fill up, providing jobs and generating vital lodging and sales tax revenue. Local restaurants see extra business, often enough to carry them through slower seasons. Boutiques, antique shops, and local retailers benefit from increased foot traffic, especially in our downtown . Gas stations, grocery stores, and service businesses see higher sales as visitors stock up and refuel before heading home. One of the strengths of Chickasha’s tourism story is that we didn’t wait for someone else to hand us an attraction. We built our own. Festival of Light turned Shannon Springs Park into a winter destination that draws visitors from across the state and the country. What started small has grown into one of Oklahoma’s signature holiday events. Oklahoma Food Truck Championship has taken a trend…”mobile dining “and turned it into a marquee fall event that showcases small businesses and gives people a reason to discover downtown Chickasha. The Chickasha Leg Lamp , our towering tribute to Noland James and the movie “A Christmas Story,” has become a year-round photo-op and conversation piece. It’s quirky, fun, and exactly the kind of unique landmark that puts a town on the map. Chickasha Sports Complex attracts youth tournaments that fill hotel rooms and restaurants nearly every weekend in peak seasons. Sports tourism is one of the fastest-growing segments in the country and Chickasha has positioned itself right in the middle of it. Grady County Fairgrounds hosts a steady calendar of fairs, livestock shows, rodeos, trade shows, and special events that draw in participants and spectators from literally all over the country. None of these happened by accident. They came from volunteers, civic groups, city and county support, private donors, and local businesses working together. That’s what rural tourism looks like at its best: local people investing in local ideas. We should never underestimate the power of a First Visit, for many people, tourism is Chickasha’s handshake. That first visit often leads to a second. Maybe they come back for another tournament, another festival, or just to explore more of what they saw the first time. Sometimes, that casual visitor becomes a student, a new resident, or even a business owner. We have already proven what’s possible when a rural Community decides to dream a little bigger. From the Festival of Light to the Leg Lamp, from our sports complex to our fairgrounds, we’ve built a tourism portfolio many towns our size would love to have. Oh and by the way…for those that didn’t think the Leg Lamp would draw tourists year around? A Route 66 tour bus came to town last week to take a picture. They drove 45 minutes out of their way to come here. Stop by and see the Crafty Queen at the visitor center sometime and hear more stories of all visitors she welcomes! Tourism in rural Oklahoma isn’t about becoming something we’re no, it’s about showcasing who we are, our creativity, our history, our hospitality and turning it into opportunity. For Chickasha, that’s not just good news… That’s #TheGoodStuff.