The Lion King Jr. will be performed at the Chickasha Community Theater June 19 th through the 28 th . Fifty four members of the cast will come out this Sunday at the Chamber’s Flag Day celebration to sing “You’re a Grand Ole Flag” which is perfect for the nature of the celebration. I have to admit that the movie “The Lion King” will always be one of my all-time favorites. It came out when my kids were young and we watched it a million times on VHS (yes I’m that old). One of my favorite lines from that movie was when Mufasa’s spirit came to Simba and told him to “remember who you are.” Back in 1971, Chickasha was named an All American City by the National Civic League, one of only a few rural towns in Oklahoma to ever receive that recognition. That wasn’t an accident. It was a reflection of what still makes this place special today: neighbors who show up, a Main Street that matters, and a Community that takes pride in its country and its hometown at the same time. We have a chance to live that out together this weekend as we “remember who we are.” The Chickasha Chamber is inviting everyone to come Downtown in front of the Community Theater at 2 p.m. this Sunday, dressed in your most patriotic red, white, and blue, and be part of our “Chamber Challenge ” with other Communities all over Oklahoma. This is about more than a photo op. It’s about showing that Chickasha is still that All American City at heart, proud of our country, proud of our town, and proud to stand together. Here’s what you can expect: Chamber Challenge Gathering Join your friends and neighbors as we help Chickasha shine in a statewide Flag Day challenge. Prizes from the Chief Drive In We’ll be giving away movie passes and concession vouchers from the Chief Drive In to see the movie “Top Gun” on June 15 th . Small-town summer nights don’t get much better than a fun night enjoying a Drive In movie and some popcorn. Free Snow Cones Cool off with a free snow cone while you visit with folks and enjoy the afternoon, courtesy of Express Personnel. Tommy Franks Traveling Museum Explore the Tommy Franks traveling museum, a hands-on way to connect with our nation’s military history and the people who have served. Flyover from Chickasha Wings Look to the sky for a flyover from Mitch with Chickasha Wings, a stirring reminder of both our local talent and national pride. Patriotic Performances by 54 kids from the cast of “Lion King Jr” Kids from the cast at the Chickasha Community Theater will be performing “You’re a Grand Ole Flag” because teaching the next generation to love their country and their hometown starts with moments just like this. So, dig out your red, white, and blue, grab your family and friends, and meet us Downtown this Sunday at 2 p.m . If you are a veteran or active duty military, check out the Chamber’s Facebook page for local businesses offering you a discount on Flag Day. Let’s show Oklahoma and remind ourselves that we “remember who we are,” Chickasha…an All American City that is full of #TheGoodStuff! 

George Jones asked that question in 1985 about country music legends, the ones who blazed the trail, set the standard, and left the stage a little better than they found it. Lately, that old song has been stuck in my head for a different reason. Chickasha has been losing some of its giants. This past week, we said goodbye to one of them: John Grote. And it’s got me thinking a lot about leadership, legacy, and the people whose names don’t always make the current headlines, but whose fingerprints are all over the community we enjoy today. John moved to Chickasha in the 1970s with a big job and an even bigger task: opening Delta Faucet here. That wasn’t just a business decision; it was a community-changing moment. Jobs. Families. Growth. Stability. Confidence. Those things don’t just happen because a company hangs a sign on a building. They happen because there’s someone willing to shoulder the responsibility, make the tough calls, and believe in a town enough to invest their time and talent in it. That was John. He could have simply done his job and gone home. Instead, he chose to put down roots. He didn’t just work in Chickasha; he became part of Chickasha. Over time, that commitment led him to serve first the voluntary position of Chamber Chairman, then later as the full time position of President of the Chamber of Commerce, where his focus shifted from one company to the entire business community. He championed the idea that when Chickasha’s businesses do well, Chickasha’s families do well. Leaders like John didn’t see their roles as temporary assignments. They saw them as responsibilities: to employees, to neighbors, to the next generation. They were builders in every sense of the word: building factories, building organizations, building trust. I was blessed a couple of years ago to have coffee with John. I got to ask questions and hear stories of events back in the 80’s and 90’s. I got to hear how our Community faced challenges and then overcame them. He was a wealth of information and a joy to listen to about his time leading the Chamber. That brings me back to George Jones’ question: “Who’s gonna fill their shoes?” Not just who will sit in their offices or hold their titles, but, who will show up early and stay late when no one’s watching? Who will say yes to serving on the board, chairing the fundraiser, or mentoring the next wave of leaders? Who will look at Chickasha not as a place they live for a while, but as a place they’re willing to invest in for a lifetime? We talk a lot about the future…about growth, opportunity, and potential. But the future doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built on the hard work, determination, and quiet sacrifices of people like John Grote and so many others who came before us. Thank you John for fillin’ those shoes decades ago, because of people like you, today we get to enjoy #TheGoodStuff!