Wed. April 24

Yesterday was a horrible dreary winter day, with ice and snow and clouds and freezing temperatures.  If this doesn't change soon, I'm moving!
 our
I participated in a brainstorming session with a women's group yesterday, following a WAC (Watonga Action Committee) meeting on Monday evening. The WAC group continues to rehash ideas about what needs to be done to "improve quality of life" in Watonga... some ideas that have been brought up over and over again during the past year but without action, like cleaning up the town.  Yes, the mayor announced last night that he has hired an official Code Enforcer -- or rather, given that designation to an existing emplyee.  The issue will be whether or not that Code Enforcer is able to do his job without being jaded by his relationships and friendships with local townspeople.  This is a huge problem, but our Mayor promises it will be rectified.  The Cheese Factory was condemned in 2007-early 2008 and it is still standing in its dilapidated state. Let's hope the new Code Enforcer can get something done sooner than five years!!! 

Last night the idea of having an art center here, to have SOMETHING people can come to Watonga for other than the State Park, was brought up as if it were a new idea.  I've said (and others have said) that Watonga is a perfect location for a small "arts center" -- we have a wonderful theatre building, an established winery lots of talented people both artistically and musically, and lots of  currently unused space on Main Street that is wasting away.  But so far my small group of supporters is the only people taking any action.  I have to say that one local businessman has thrown some support our way and we hope to have open an Art Workshop on Main Street this summer.  In the meantime, I'm going to coordinate with our church and Kiwanis' summer kids program to provide art lessons for children. ....

Time for breakfast ... watch for more later!