Oklahoma: September 2016 Archives

An open letter to the Sooner Nation from an Ohio State fan - OUDaily.com: Opinion

"As we wandered around in our Buckeye regalia, you greeted us with 'Welcome to Norman, we're glad you came.' You asked if you could help us find anything. You offered advice on where to park on game-day. You suggested restaurants we might enjoy. (We tried Blackbird Gastropub and enjoyed it so much that we returned to it on Saturday.)...

"We returned to the Blackbird, where we enjoyed more Norman hospitality. Our server even remembered us from the day before. As we were enjoying a drink and waiting for our meal, a gentleman approached our table with yet another 'welcome.' During the conversation, he recommended a restaurant in OKC that we might want to try after the game. As he was singing its praises, I jokingly asked if he was a stockholder in the place. He replied that, no he wasn't. He said, 'I'm a local legislator and I like to promote the area.' He later came back to the table and offered to take a group photo of us with one of our phones. We took him up on the offer. During the afternoon he sent beer to our table. Twice. I wish I had asked his name so I could thank him publicly....

"As game-time approached, we wandered across your campus, taking in the festival atmosphere that you are obviously very good at creating. As we passed tailgate parties, we received more welcomes.

"After the game, you proved to be very gracious over the loss of a great football game between two of the most storied programs in the country. Many of you told us that you are looking forward to going to Columbus for the game next year. I hope we can be the hosts that you were."

Oklahoma town knows how to survive oil busts: a backup plan

November 4, 2015, Associated Press story by Tammy Webber about the how residents of Ponca City, Oklahoma were coping with the collapse of oil prices on the local economy, drawing on experience of past oil crunches.