The Expo Center gets a full dedication!

Today I had the opportunity to speak at the ribbon-cutting and dedication of the Espo Center at Wolf Creek. It was a sunny, beautiful day and a well-attended event. This wasn't my first time speaking to a crowd or with dignitaries in attendance, but I was definitely a little bit nervous for this one. Here is my little take, but check out The Grove Sun and Sheila Stogsdill/KSN-KODE, plus other social media pages have lots of photos. Dana Able had the building set up for ideas of different types of events. The Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau is definitely who you need to talk to about more information. I'm still grinning from ear to ear!

I had my speech in hand and practically memorized it too! I just wanted to make a point with this speech. I want more of our citizens to be happy. If a person takes the time to appreciate the Expo Center, they will come to realize how it's so much more than a place to hold an event. And as visitors continue to come, I hope they continue to realize that Grove is more than just a town. It's a community with the friendliest, most thoughtful, fun-loving people! I hope they get that "Oh my God, we're here!" feeling as the pulling drive over one of the bridges into town.

My speech went something like this. I kind of winged it a couple of
times.

It is such an honor to stand here today, not only as a member of the community, but as a member of the community, but as a member of you City Council, to celebrate this new addition for Grove.

As many of you know, Wolfe Creek Park has always been a special place for me. My husband, Roman, and I got married right over there at that old dock, and the Expo Center just adds to its specialness.

There are very few facilities like this in the country that offer a place as wonderful as this one, with its doors that open up to the lake. And not just a lake, but our lake. Grand Lake!!

There will be memories made, transactions taken place, awards given, music made, and dances danced within these walls.

And boats driven through? Yes

Fish proudly held up!

This building, just like this lake and Grove, offers so much!

I already have memories here. We already got caught throwing footballs inside at the Home and Garden Show and have pictures of the grandkids inside.

Just like the memories so many of us have made out there on those docks and backing up trailers on the ramps (we won't talk about that).

And the 3rd of July parties every year on the grass with friends, watermelon, music, and fireworks over the water.

So many good times here and now, we have this wonderful building to use for more good times and memories!

And that's just us, the community! What about the visitors?

The anglers, the scraperbookers, the people who come to the home and garden shows, fishing, sports, and our upcoming boat show?

What about our visitors who come to see the fireworks on the water or Toes in the Grand?

This building has an amazing future here and will continue to be a positive draw for all of Northeast Oklahoma as word spreads about it.

Thank you, Debbie Botteroff and Darren Cook, Mayor Trumbull and the City Council, Crossland and Bank of Grand Lake, and all the many dreamers for being part of this journey with us. I am so glad you stuck with it and never gave up.

And thank you to the citizens of Grove. May this expo center bring you lasting memories!

I am trying to play it cool but I am so honored be on the city council. I don't take it lightly that I was able to help with finalizing and completing the center. But what humbled me was the surprise of seeing my name on the plaque. I wanted to hug everyone! It's true! I'm a true part of this community! Oh wow! I really belong and love it so much! Welp! Welp! Ok, well, thank you, Grove and friends.

Have a great weekend,

Lots of love, 



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