Attendees at the October Newcastle Chamber of Commerce Luncheon heard about upcoming activities and a way to sponsor the community events held by the City of Newcastle Parks & Recreation Department.
The October 24 luncheon, sponsored by Great Plains Kubota, was held at the Community Meeting Room at Newcastle Library. Parks & Recreation Director Kyle Marks said his office has created a small publication which features all the activities held by Newcastle Parks during the year, and ways area businesses and individuals can help sponsor them.
Marks said he was trying to get away from showing up at area businesses to ask for donations for every event. He said the City has six main events each year. They include the Easter Egg Hunt, the Fishing Derby, the Red, White & Blue Fest, Kites and Bites, Haunt the Trail, and Christmas in the Park. Parks & Recreation also has the Citywide Garage Sale, the Farmers & Artisans Market, and the Splashpad.
Marks said sponsorships are intended to help grow the events.
Sponsorships include: Inkind; Friend, $250; Supporting Sponsor, $500; Leader Sponsor, $1,500; Partner Sponsor, $3,000; and Community Sponsor, $5,000.
Great Plains Kubota store manager Dylan Hendrix took a moment to introduce himself and give information on his employer, the luncheon sponsor.
Hendrix said Great Plains is committed to being the brand that serves. Their main audience where they excel, he said, is medium and small size farms. He said Great Plains places emphasis on forming customer relationships.
Hendrix added that Great Plains has a 10-year limited warranty on the equipment it sells.
Dr. Cathy Walker, superintendent of Newcastle Schools, took a moment to ask for support for the Newcastle-Tuttle football game, and for the State Champion Newcastle Racers fast-pitch softball team.
The school is working towards purchasing State Champion rings for each of the players on the team. They are paying for half of the rings, and asking for donations for the other half. The girls have been doing various fundraisers, as well. Those wanting to donate can email Athletic Director Brent Hodges at brent.hodges@newcastle. k12.ok.us.
Christy Robertson, of Sleepyhollow Doggie Boarding & Daycare, provided an update on a non-profit young mother’s home she has been working on for the Newcastle area. Robertson said they should be closing in November on two acres of property at County Line Road and W. Fox Lane.
The home will be for foster kids who have come up pregnant, she said.
“Our intention is to get them everything they need to keep their kids from becoming foster kids,” Robertson said.
The property will eventually include a home with rooms for the mothers and the babies, apartments, and an educational building.
Robertson said they will receive state money for the foster girls, but they will not receive any money for the babies.
Currently, costs are being covered by their board of directors, but at some point donations will be accepted.
Although rain kept many from attending the Chamber luncheon, there were several area business owners and managers including one new attendee.
Trevor Holliday, with MVP Insurance, was in attendance. He said he has attended Chamber events before, but now plans to become a member of the Chamber.
