Holiday

One of the coolest things we do around here is cookouts and luncheons. We never miss an opportunity to cookout or make meals. The entire office gets in on it and everybody brings something to prepare or serve. Of course with this weekend being the July Fourth weekend we had to brake out the grill and do up some hamburgers, hotdogs, bratwurst and even some chicken fajitas. We used our brand new 36" Blackstone Griddle Grill. We gave one of these away with our Father's Day giveaway awhile back. I've never used one before today and I have to say I really like it. Everything we threw on it turned out great!

Kelso and I decided we'd take a quick trip back to childhood and relive the glory days by resurrecting the time honored Fourth of July tradition, the roman candle fight! We both had a spare $35.00 for the ER co-pay if need be, so we did what any responsible adult around fireworks would do, have a duel!

Summer is officially here now and we're just a few short days away from celebrating Independence Day. I think this year will be one of the biggest and best Fourth of July's in recent history! After everything we've been through over the past year or so with the COVID-19 pandemic, people are more than ready to get back out there and have a good time. It's great that we're finally starting to get back to somewhat "normal" and are seeing the return of our favorite community happenings and events like the Apache Freedom Fest!

The City of Lawton just released a statement or reminder concerning the fireworks ordinances. Reminding citizens that the discharging of fireworks within the city limits is prohibited. That also includes the city's lakes: Lawtonka and Ellsworth along with all city parks and public use areas. I don't think firework stands are even in the city limits anymore. If you're planning to buy some you'll have to head out of town. At least I haven't seen a fireworks stand in town in a few years. Now the ordinance excludes professional fireworks displays so at least we'll get to watch even if you can light them ourselves.

It's hard to believe, but Memorial Day weekend is almost here! Take some time this weekend to honor and remember those service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our continued freedoms. They're the real reason that we live in the greatest country in the world!

Say it ain't so! Just when you thought things were improving and finally getting back to normal, more bad news from the pandemic surfaces. Makes you wonder "Will it ever end?" We just heard that there's a pretty good chance that there will be a serious fireworks shortage this Fourth of July. The COVID-19 pandemic slowed and even stopped production for several months and all the major manufactures are behind on orders and shipping. This means we may, or may not have fireworks this year.

Come on, you're an American after all.

Find out what the #1 most popular Easter candy or treat is in the Sooner state. If you thought it was jelly beans or the traditional chocolate Easter bunny you'd be wrong. You'll never guess what most states listed as their all time Easter favorite, It's not even candy!

Now that things are starting to warm up just a little outside, it's the perfect time to build a snowman, or two. The snow we saw over the past several days has been very dry and powdery, especially with the below zero temperatures. It's starting to melt some and that makes for prefect packing for snowballs and snowman building. You need the snow to be a little wet so you can get it to stick and shape. Now's the time to get out there and build the perfect snowman before it all melts away.

Just in time for Saint Patrick's Day General Mills is releasing a special limited edition Lucky Charms cereal with "magic clovers" that turn the milk green. I can't think of a better way, at least with breakfast cereals, to kick off St. Paddy's Day than this! It'll be here before you know it, St. Patrick's Day is Wednesday, March 17th (03-17-21).

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and it's never too early to start planning ahead. This year you could give your special someone in your life a gift as unique as they are thanks to Kraft and their pink Valentine's Day candy flavored mac and cheese. I know what you're thinking, yes you read that right, pink candy flavored mac and cheese. It's a limited special edition and won't be available in stores. You have to enter to win it!

The Holy City of the Wichitas could be closing due to financial challenges. The Holy City operates and is open thanks to donations from visitors and of course a lot of those visitors come for the annual Easter pageant "The Price of Peace." With the COVID-19 pandemic last year the pageant was delayed and was only lightly attended unlike years past. This has caused serious issues and has jeopardized the Holy City's future.