Cherokee Nation to officially operate Oklahoma Welcome Center in partnership with Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department

WHAT: Cherokee Nation will officially begin operating the Oklahoma Welcome Center in east Tulsa in partnership with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department with a special ceremony to mark the opening.

Following the ceremony an open house will continue throughout the day. Complimentary light snacks, bottled water and T-shirts will be provided while supplies last.

The Oklahoma Welcome Center will now be called the Cherokee Nation Welcome Center and will house an information desk, tourist destination information, maps, snacks and a gift shop featuring Oklahoma related merchandise along with Cherokee Nation art, jewelry and apparel.

The Cherokee Nation Welcome Center in Tulsa is the second welcome center partnership between the Cherokee Nation and the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. In 2010, the first Oklahoma-turned-Cherokee Nation Welcome Center opened in Kansas.

WHY: The 4,200 square foot center was in danger of being closed due to state budget cuts at the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. An agreement between the state and the Cherokee Nation was reached that transfers daily operations to the tribe, which will continue to promote both Cherokee and Oklahoma tourist destinations in the area.

WHEN: Tuesday, August 2, 2011.

TIME: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Opening Ceremony

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Open House

WHERE: I-44 and 161st East Ave, Tulsa, OK 74116

WHO: The Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism Group is managed by Cherokee Nation Entertainment and was created in 2007 to preserve and promote the history and culture of the Cherokee people. Efforts by the Cherokee Nation include developing guided community and educational tours, creating tourism partnerships and programs throughout northeastern Oklahoma, and launching a new Cherokee tourism-specific website. For more information, please visit www.CherokeeTourismOK.com

Cherokee Nation Entertainment now operates two welcome centers, six gift shops and a new retail website at www.CherokeeGiftShop.com.

Contact: Cameron Andrews Ben Elder

Pier Communications Cherokee Nation Entertainment
(562) 432-5300 (918) 384-5853

Wado,

Donetta Johnson
Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism
Special Events Coordinator
Cherokee Nation Entertainment
777 W. Cherokee St.
Catoosa, OK 74015

(918) 384-7730 (w)
(918) 704-6395 (m)

donetta.johnson@cnent.com

Jean Grady, resident of Collinsville and co-host of Gospel Music Today, has released her first book, entitled “. . . With Expression!”. The book is comprised of forty music devotions intended for choir members, choir directors, singing groups or anyone who loves music. The devotions include music terms and symbols with a definition of each, plus Jean relates the symbols to real-life experiences. Scripture is used or referenced in each of the devotions.

In creating the book, Jean states that there is little out there for musicians to use as devotions, whether in a rehearsal or perhaps as they leave out to sing for a weekend. Jean was a music director in a church in Rhode Island for 17 years and also directed a large community chorus for 8 years. She currently directs the Gloryland Gospel Choir at the 1st United Methodist Church in Owasso.

Here is an excerpt from the book.

Fermata – a pause

I love these little bird’s eyes in music. It gives the director the opportunity for expression to hold the note a little longer or maybe just to ignore the fermata. In my hymnbook, there are six fermatas in the refrain of “Softly and Tenderly”. Some we hold longer than others and sometimes, we just pass them all by. It’s the director’s prerogative to decide what to do at these pauses.

When I was little, there was a soda pop commercial that had as its caption, “the pause that refreshes!” Do you have any refreshing pauses in your life? God did. In Genesis 2:2, it says “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.”

Look for refreshing pauses. It may be a daily devotion time in your life or worshiping with other believers on Sunday morning. For me, it’s the beautiful sunrises and sunsets that we see from our home each day. These beautiful works of God remind me daily of his mercy and grace to me and his continual presence in my life.

Grab a soda pop and have that pause that refreshes!

AT $5.00 each plus shipping, “. . . With Expression!” makes a wonderful gift for a choir member, choir director, singing group members or anyone who loves music. The books are available at www.gospelmusictoday.com or you can email Jean at choirdirector@sbcglobal.net for information how to order.
__________________________

Gospel Music Today

918-371-1194

Mr. Wright,

This is Erica Coombs, Nicole Coombs mother =)

The Coaches of Collinsville High School have the confidence in Nicole to submit an entry form and nominate her for OKLAHOMA ALL STATE TRAINER. Nicole WAS SELECTED to represent Collinsville High School for the East, I just wanted to express my THANKS to: Coach Jones, Coach Tsar, Coach McClure, Coach Herald, Director of Athletics Coach Riley, Mr. Boomer, Mr. West and anyone else who signed off on her nomination and for SUPPORTING Nicole. She had a GREAT time meeting representatives from ORU, coaches from the East and West as well as making NEW FRIENDS from different areas in the State of Oklahoma =)

I'm attaching some pictures that I took at the football game where the EAST lost =( to the WEST score 21-19 a very close game and thought maybe you can put some on the c'ville website.

AGAIN! THANK YOU TO THE COACHES and ADMINISTRATORS OF COLLINSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL, YOU ARE AMAZING!!!!!

Erica Coombs =)

(7/30/2011)