Does driving across town in Enid drive you crazy? I'd rather drive in L.A. rush hour traffic than drive in Enid sometimes. Enid drivers can be so aggravating. I've noticed that many Enid drivers have no idea what the speed limits are. And I'm talking, they don't know how fast they are allowed to drive. I'm here to tell you that driving 10 miles an hour under the speed limit in town can be almost as dangerous as speeding!! How many people know that the speed limit on Cleveland out towards Jumbo is 45 mph? Yep, two people. Only two people know you can drive 45 mph to pick up a quick carton of milk.

Did you know that unless marked, you can turn right on red after stopping? Yep, it's been that way for a few years now, glad I could enlighten you. Now try it.

Is anyone else getting tired of having to stop 50 times to go from Van Buren west out to Atwoods? Have you ever tried to get back to town with hot Wendy's fries and made it home while they were still luke warm? Me neither. Is there a reason the light in front of the abandoned Wal Mart is still there?

What's my point? I've always complained about Enid drivers and now I have proof that Enid drivers are the worst!! Well, one from the worst. The facts have been released, read on...

Enid motorists are more likely to be involved in a traffic collision than those in all but one Oklahoma city with populations of more than 25,000.

According to 2005 collision data — the most recent available for all Oklahoma cities — Tulsa ranks No. 1 in the state with 33 collisions per thousand, and Enid ranks second with 32 wrecks for every 1,000 residents.

At the bottom end of the spectrum, Ponca City ranked 12th among Oklahoma cities with populations of more than 25,000 residents with 15 collisions per 1,000. Broken Arrow recorded 17 collisions for every 1,000 residents.

Sooooooo, don't roll your eyes the next time I start screaming at you, idling in front of me at parking lot speed. You know who you are and I think you do it on purpose.

Enid Buzz would like to say a very heartfelt thank you to everyone in the military. We thank you for your service and we support you 100%.

Everyone get out and honor our past hero's during this Memorial holiday. Remind your kids what Memorial Day is all about.

The annual Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Park at Enid Woodring Regional Airport will begin at 10 a.m. Monday. The Memorial event will include speakers, a special ceremony honoring soldiers killed in war and their families, entertainment and lunch.

Here's a name from the past. Does anyone remember Dan & Bake's restaurant? They were known to have served up some great burgers. If you have any info on location, photos or stories about Dan & Bake's please let us know.

Enid residents, Stephanie and David Vanhooser, have opened a chic boutique in Edmond where women can shop for clothes, sip wine and watch television while they change.

S Boutique opened three weeks ago in the Spring Creek Village and offers a variety of women’s clothing and accessories. The Enid owners will have their grand opening June 8-10 with drawings for gift certificates, refreshments and a 15 percent discount on purchases.

The couple purchased the Silver Loft in Enid about a year and a half ago. Stephanie works as cardiac nurse with David, who is a cardiac surgeon.

They changed the name to S Boutique and have added several new clothing lines to the store. The Edmond store is different from our Enid store because they were able to designed it from scratch. The new store has a 1950s quintessential “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”/Paris boutique style. They offer women’s designer label clothing from jeans to professional dress wear. They also sell jewelry, handbags and sunglasses.

The new store also has a coffee bar that offers anything from tea to wine and snacks. Each dressing room has a television, a sitting stool, a robe and tables that hold hairspray, lint sheets and bandages.

Spring Creek Village of Edmond is an upscale, first-class, lifestyle retail center located at the northwest corner of Southeast 15th Street and Bryant Avenue. It is one of our favorite spots to visit when we travel to OKC. Other businesses include Ann Taylor, Talbots, Chico's, Pier 1 Imports, Panera Bread, Bed Bath & Beyond, New Balance, White House | Black Market, Bombay, JoS. A. Bank, Super Target, Stein Mart as well as other retail businesses.

So, the next time you're in Edmond, and you know you will be, stop by and say hi from Enid.

Plus the list on our site.

Enid played a large role in the movie Dillinger in 1973 and also had it's small role in helping with the shooting of Twister in 1996.

Enid has also been mentioned in block buster movies like the mention Westgate Shopping Center received in Jurassic Park III.

Enid is also home to Mark Marshall and River Rock Entertainment, Inc. In 1984, Mark joined Amblin Entertainment as personal assistant to Steven Spielberg. During that time, Mark assisted on a varied slate of projects including THE GOONIES, THE COLOR PURPLE, EMPIRE OF THE SUN and INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE as well as Mr. Spielberg’s AMAZING STORIES.

We also have Skeleton Creek Productions which has produced four western films that bring cowboy heroes to the kids of America. Check out the movie sets now located in what used to be Simpson's Mercantile.

Okay, so we're no Hollywood just yet, but Enid is looking for it's brand and I wouldn't count us out for a run as the next best place to become a movie star!

Some college students will be enjoying three day weekends this summer as several Oklahoma colleges and universities move to a 4-day schedule to save on energy costs. Northern Oklahoma College's campuses in Enid and Tonkawa, along with Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Carl Albert State College and Northeastern Oklahoma A & M will take an extra day off this summer. They join another school that's already been using the cost-cutting plan. The UCO in Edmond estimates it saves about $$45,000 per year by taking Fridays off.

Maybe we should all take a look at a four day work week. I would be willing to sacrifice my Friday's in the name of saving energy. Something to think about...

OSU Softball Senior Shanel Scott was rewarded for her record-setting season by being named to the 2007 NFCA Midwest Region First Team. Scott set the table for the Cowgirl lineup as she reached base half the time she came to the plate in the leadoff spot.

Shanel Scott, a native of Enid, Okla., hit .384 for the season and tied a single-season school record with 56 runs scored. She set a new Cowgirl record with 40 walks in the 2007 campaign and stole a Big 12-record 51 bases. For her career, Scott was a .358 hitter, which ranks fourth all-time at Oklahoma State, and she set school records with 162 runs scored and 107 stolen bases.

Shanel is the daughter of Darryl and Gaverne Scott.

Enid native, Kyle Dillingham has been very busy. The band he is a part of, Horseshoe Road, was recently approached about composing an original theme song for OETA's new program "State Of Creativity." After presentation of several idea demos, they were given an enthusiastic go-ahead to record the song. The spot is now playing on our local channels.

Part of the song writing process was filmed for a Horseshoe Road spotlight segment. See it here.

Horseshoe Road is made up of Kyle Dillingham, Dustin Jones, and Brad Benge and is one of Oklahoma’s most original, eclectic groups. The group has played together as a band since April 2005. Their music ranges from Blues to Bluegrass, Gypsy Jazz to Western Swing, Country, Rock, Gospel and everything in between, all in an acoustic setting. It’s a unique sound, dubbed “Heartland Acoustic” and it is fast becoming recognizable as a new, Oklahoma-based genre. Full of surprises, the band’s passion for music can be seen in their performance, a high energy, uplifting musical experience that blends captivating virtuosity and heartfelt sincerity.

Each member of Horseshoe Road has enjoyed a successful career as an individual performer. Kyle Dillingham, a native of Enid, Oklahoma, and graduate of Oklahoma City University, has taken his fiddle to over 25 countries and performed everywhere from the Grand Ole Opry stage to National Television in China. He has performed with Tommy Emmanuel, Bill Monroe, Roy Clark, Mike Snider, and Hank Thompson. His passionate musicianship makes him one of America’s most exciting violinists.

Check out their site and listen to a song or two.

Since posting photos of the Pitman Coal and Feed Company we have gotten more information about the one time Enid business. Above are two more photos related to the company sent in by Stefanie Negelein. Her great-grandfather Charles H. Egner worked for Mr. Pitman. Her family remembers Pitman Coal was at the corner of Cherokee and South 2nd St. which is now under the David Allen ball park.

Bille, another contributer, sent us this information: The Enid City Directory for 1919 lists George W. Pittman as the owner of a grain elevator at 809 S. Grand and residence at RFD (rural free delivery) 4. The 1933 directory lists George W. Pitman (different spelling) owning a coal and feed business at 111 E. Cherokee with residence 1 mile south of city. The 1943 directory listing is Pitman Coal Co (Geo W. Pitman) for better coal and feed, 111 E. Cherokee Tel 622. He and wife Sarah C are still listed living south of city.

For more research on old Enid businesses visit the library. The Marquis James room on the mezzanine has a complete set of city directories going back to 1906 and vertical files (filing cabinets) containing clippings gathered about many of Enid's older businesses. You can ask the librarian to unlock them.

Do not forget about mom! There's still time to get her flowers, a card and take her to dinner.

Thanks to every mom out there for everything that you do! A special thanks to my mom who helps run the Buzz site and helped get me to where I am and to my wife, who's the best mom to our little girls.

Leave a comment thanking your favorite mom!

Happy Mother's Day!

Hello Buzz Readers!

Thanks for surfing in! We appreciate your information, comments and attention. We have been updating the site with new photos from all around town, be sure to check them out. Our cub photographer has also been taking pictures of every park in town and every restaurant. Those new pictures have been posted.

We have also added a new reunion page. If you have a class reunion, family reunion or any other type of reunion we would love to post it for free.

And don't forget you can advertise on Enid Buzz. We can get your name in front of a very loyal group of buyers. We also have a small list of subscribers that would love to receive an Enid Buzz only offer from you! We can send coupons or specials, just let us know. Contact us and we'll talk about pricing. buzz@enidbuzz.com

Take twelve actors, ten plagues, three gladiators, a pair of dueling brothers and one lovely young Alaska native; stir in 3,400 extras and bake in two cubic yards of sand. Yield: an evening of EPIC PROPORTIONS!

This delectable dish of comedic delight takes center stage at Gaslight May 11-12 and 18-19 at 8:00pm. Director Christianne Chase promises you’ll laugh till your sides ache at this hilarious romp through the 1930’s era of “epic” motion pictures.

Jonathon Suttmiller and Kyle Strope play star-struck brothers Benny and Phil who sign on as extras in a film being shot in the Arizona desert. Both brothers fall for Assistant Director Louise (Sarah A. Beane) who’s got her hands full dealing with a temperamental Queen of the Nile (Tricia Chambers) and an eccentric producer, D.W. DeWitt (Dave Abbott). Our heroes do battle with blazing heat, bad food, plagues and pestilence…not to mention those three gladiators (Brice Donaldson, Bob Day, and Dennis Burgart)….while the Rabble Rousers (Jennifer Newton, Sydney Johnson, April Morrow, and Marshall Burgart) keep audience members on the edge of their seats. Which brother will get the girl? Will Louise find true love at last? Whose face will end up on the silver screen? And what’s on that secret footage Mr. DeWitt keeps watching? To find out, make your reservations now for “Epic Proportions” produced by INTEGRISBASS BAPTIST HEALTH CENTER.

Call the Gaslight Box Office at 234-2307; “Epic Proportions” is suitable for all ages.

Enid native, Lori (Dillingham) Evans was featured on KOCO's, What Matters To You. Lori has multiple sclerosis and will gather with more than 700 women to bring more awareness to the disease.

View the full story here.

Carrie Fenley was enjoying time together with her daughter yesterday when she spotted her first tornado! Carrie was at her daughter's track awards picnic last night at Meadowlake Park and took a few pictures of this tiny tornado. She watched it drop out of the sky 3 times. Carrie said she can now see why those guys like to be storm chasers because it was quite thrilling!

Labels: enid, meadowlake, tornado

Former cult leader Yahweh Ben Yahweh, has died. He was 71. He had been fighting prostate cancer and died in his sleep.

Yahweh was born Hulon Mitchell Jr. in Enid, Oklahoma. He was the eldest of 15 children and at one time was a preacher in Oklahoma. In the late 1970s he moved to Miami, Florida where he changed his name to the Hebrew words for "God, son of God.'' In Florida he opened a headquarters called the Temple of Love and began to cultivate a group of followers that often dressed completely in white.

He was the self-proclaimed "Black Messiah'' and founded the Nation of Yahweh which preached religious separatism for blacks. At the group's height, it claimed thousands of followers in Miami and elsewhere.

Mitchell served 11 years of an 18-year federal prison sentence for a racketeering conspiracy conviction. Although controversial and accused of murder, many will remember him for the many charitable contributions he made, which led to him receiving a key to the city of Miami.

Below is an example of why we built this site and why we ask that you send in any Enid photos or history. A few weeks ago Stefanie Negelein sent us three old photos she had of old Enid businesses. We posted those photos with as much information about them as we had, which was not much. Google picked up our page and indexed it into their search engine. That indexing led to the letter below:

Dear Enid Buzz,

I want to thank you for helping me with my family history. For over twenty years I have been typing Pitman Coal Company, Enid, Oklahoma, into Google, hoping to get some information. Last night I hit BINGO! I am sorry I cannot tell you where the building was located. I can tell you that George Washington Pitman, son of George T. Pitman, my great grandmother's brother, organized the Pitman Coal Company in Enid and operated it for about 33 years.

Mr. Pitman was a native of Missouri and came to Enid from there in 1901. The "Enid Morning News" of Saturday, April 11, 1953, said he died at the age of 83 in an Enid hospital April 10 after an illness of several weeks. Survivors included three daughters: Mrs. Guy B. Johnson, Mrs. Jess Coonrod, and Mrs. C. F. Thomas, all of Enid; one son Dr. W. D. Pitman of Pratt, Kansas, 7 grandchildren; 3 sisters, Mrs. Emma Harmon and Mrs. Albert Wilson, both of Texhoma and Mrs. Sadie Crossfield of Blackwell.

Katie Merritt has been interested in horse racing since she was a little girl. When she was 15 she won an essay contest that entitled her to an all expense paid trip to the Breeders Cup at Churchill Downs. She was given a tour of the backside before the race and she was able to visit with many important people in the horse business including D Wayne Lucas among others.

After that visit she was hooked. She has been working for Carl Nafzger as an exercise rider for the last couple of years. They take race horses to Florida in the winter and then back to Kentucky every spring. Katie has not only been lucky enough to work with this years Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense but has also gotten to ride him (pictured above). Street Sense came to them as a baby (as Katie calls him) and she has been able to watch him grow and develop. She said he is a real sweetheart and that they have all thought he was special from the beginning. Even though she has ridden him a few times she is not his primary exercise rider.

Getting to go to the Derby with Street Sense has been a dream come true for Katie. She got to accompany the horse and his entourage to the paddock from the backside before the race and watched the race from the rail in the winners circle. She is so excited about him and is certain he has it in him to win the Triple Crown.

Katie's real dream is to be a jockey and be the one to ride the horse as it wins the Kentucky Derby, but for now just being a part of a Kentucky Derby winner is awesome enough!

Katie, 21, graduated Enid High School in 2003 and is the daughter of Frank and Mary Merritt.

Thanks to Alysse Jacobs for the great photo and for giving us permission to use it.

Did you know that there is such a thing as branding a city? After a quick trip to Stillwater I began thinking about why Stillwater seems to be growing while Enid seems flat. I remember living in Stillwater in the 80's when they had much less to offer than Enid. Today Stillwater is hopping with two Super Wal Marts, Panera Bread, Pier 1 Imports, American Eagle, Linen & Things, Eskimo Joe's and many more businesses that will never see the light of day in Enid.

Now I'm not saying that is a bad thing. Along with these shiny new stores and renewed growth I also saw slower traffic, congestion, longer lines and slow service, lack of close parking and other things we do not deal with in Enid.

I think Enid needs to find it's brand. Who are we and who do we want to attract? Where are we going and what will we find when we get there? If a visitor asked you what Enid was all about what would you say? What is Enid known for today? If we don't define who we are, we let others define who we are and we might not like what they are saying.

Guthrie is a historic town, Edmond is an upscale golfing community, Stillwater is a fun college town, Tulsa is comfortably cosmopolitan. Brands define a city and help attract industries, culture and families.

Is Enid a retirement community, an agricultural city, maybe an art and music community about to explode, a military hub, the best place to raise a family, a religious mecca or do we even have a brand to market? I think we do, we just need to find it, define it and get out there and market it. Businesses and families are looking for communities that will fill their needs. Maybe it's our easy going ways and wide open plains. Let's find a need and fill it.

Our brand will not be what we say we are, it will be what others are saying we are. Let's tell everyone what we want to be and make them believe it. Only then will we know where we're going and how to get there. Our brand can be something new, a high tech community, a multi-cultural city, a sports recreation center or something out of left field. With the right brand we will be able to attract the right businesses and families for our great city.

If you don't know what Enid's logo is, what our slogan is, who we are marketing to or what direction we are headed, I would guess we do not have a brand. Let's push the envelope and create a city brand that will blow the rest of the state away! Why not have everyone in the state talking about Enid and where Enid is heading.

What is Enid's brand? Leave your comments below and let Enid know what you think it's brand is or should be.

Have a great Cinco de Mayo! Get out and enjoy a big dish of mexican food. And while you're out don't forget to buy your favorite cartoonist a card because today is what used to be National Cartoonist Day!

Cartoonist Day has slowly faded over the past few years but being a cartoonist myself it never hurts to drum up a little exposure. If nothing else, why not by a cartoonist a burrito!!

Happy, happy, happy!!

Rumor: Word on the street is that Wall's Bargain Store may be closing. If they are on the block contact their corporate office to verify and state the case for staying in Enid. Contact them here.

Tidbit: Head Chef David North has become the new manager of Oakwood Country Club.

Rumor: Walgreens building another location west near Wal Mart?

Tidbit: Evans Pharmacy will be celebrating 110 years in Enid with a big celebration in September.

Tidbit: Enid's own Kelcy Tefft earned an invitation to the NCAA Doubles Tennis Championships.

Tidbit: Eisenhower Elementary School will become part of Vance AFB. Civilian parents delivering children to school each day will undergo security checks.

Thursday morning weather started out gloomy with thick fog eventually turning into rain. The forecast for weather today is cool and wet.

Get ready for the weekend! The Friday and Saturday forecast call for mid-80's with little chance of rain. A perfect chance to get out and ride the rides and watch the parade.

Ottaway Amusement Co. has completed setting up the traditional Tri-State Carnival. The carnival is located just west of the Mark Price Arena in the parking lot next to Q-Spot. Remember back when the carnival was on Broadway between the post office and court house?

The rides begin Wednesday at 11:00 am and end Sunday at 5:00 pm. Wristbands can be purchased for all day rides each day.

Hours:
Wed. 11-5 pm
Thurs. & Fri. 11-close
Sat. 10-close
Sun. 1-5 pm

2007 Schedule

Labels: enid, Tri-State

Luis “Trikz” Da Silva, world’s greatest basketball handler, will be at Steve and Barry's, Wednesday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the Oakwood Mall.

Despite never playing for an NBA® team, Trikz enjoys superstar status among NBA® players and millions of fans around the globe who have witnessed what he can do with a basketball - moves which often defy gravity.

Trikz has been featured in numerous sneaker television ad campaigns, has performed at the MTV Music Awards, and has appeared in the video game “NBA® Ballers.” He is also an alumnus of the Harlem Wizards traveling basketball team. (check him out on YouTube)

Trikz is a member of Team StarburyTM, which also includes NBA® superstars Stephon Marbury of the New York Knicks and Ben Wallace of the Chicago Bulls. Trikz is touring the country showing off his insane basketball skills, and recruiting new members to the Starbury Movement. The Movement was sparked when Marbury launched Starbury, a collection of NBA® quality sneakers and clothes that sell for only $14.98! That includes the sneaker Marbury - and Wallace, who joined the team in March - wear on-court during NBA® games. The Movement, which has been embraced by millions of consumers, civic leaders, politicians and media, is about showing kids that cool things can be affordably priced, and about eliminating the incredible pressure kids and parents feel to spend top dollar on the latest sneakers and clothes.