Main Street Altus Archives

Main Street Altus Alley Cats took to the streets Saturday July 16th in an effort to maintain clean alleys in downtown Altus. Pictured from left to right: Lt Col Evans, Maj Dave and Maj Laura Lenderman, Ssgt. Matt Galloway, Lt Col Chapman, Luke Chapman, Main Street Altus Design Chairperson Barbara Burleson, and Josh Chapman

Alley Cats enjoy a refreshing drink courtesy of Confectionately Yours for their hard work cleaning up the alleys in downtown. The Alley Cats meet at the Main Street Office the third Saturday of each month and from there, head out to keep Altus clean. Joint the Alley Cats!! Call 580-482-2277/ for more information.

Oklahoma Main Street Architect Ron Frantz was in Altus on July 8, 2005 to visit with building owners and share insight to projects going on downtown. Frantz's services are provided at no charge to Main Street Towns across the state as part of an agreement between the state program and local programs. Others services provided through the state office include a business consultant, interior designer, organizational expert, and many other through the online network designed to keep communities in constant contact with each other. ______________________________________

Picture: Front Row: (R to L) Sheri Janis, Dean Garrett, Karan Garrett, Jan Day, Margaret Worrell, Mike Turner, Holmes Willis, Lindsey Galloway, Elizabeth Marcha, Vicki Smades, Georgia Beers, Nelda Gramling, Rose Fischer Second Row: Barbara Burleson, Richard Day, Doris Jouett, Representative David Braddock, Catherine Coke, Darren Cramer, Rosalyn Hall, Shannon Preston, Rollann Horschler, Linda Walker, Candy Richardson, Kathy Hale, Bob Beers Back Row: SSgt. Matt Galloway, Donald Jouett, Randy Marple, Mayor T.L. Gramling, Lt. Col Daniel R. Miller, Rick Steen, Carol Steen, Sid Willis Not Pictured: Michael Nettles, Bobby Richardson, Nancy Galloway

There was a competitive feeling in the air as 32 community leaders climbed aboard a bus and traveled to Oklahoma City Tuesday afternoon. By that evening, that feeling had turned victorious as Altus swept the competition at the Oklahoma Main Street Awards Banquet.

“It’s just been an amazing year for Main Street Altus,” said Program Director Lindsey Galloway. “First, to receive nine Top Three nominations was unbelievable. To actually bring home four awards is incredible.”

It was a true sweep for the Altus team, having more Top Three’s than the other 42 communities headed into the awards banquet, they took first in four of the nineteen competitive categories also taking more first place finishes than any other community.

“I think the best part was having Mayor Gramling and so many city officials there with us to help celebrate. None of those awards would have been possible without their support of our program,” said Galloway.

The group from Altus was truly a force to be reckoned with throughout the evening. Secretary of Commerce Kathryn Taylor recognized the wonderful group from Altus in her opening speech, and later, when Sheri Janis of the Planning Department won a trip for two on the Heartland Flyer Matthew Weaver of the Oklahoma Main Street Center made the remark “What is it with Altus this evening?”

Everyone in the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum soon found out what exactly was with Altus that evening. As the awards video began to roll, four tables towards the back sat up with eager anticipation, waiting to hear just which town would be named the winner.

The first award of the night was for Best Volunteer Development Program – The 54^th Air Refueling Squadron from Altus Air Force Base. Lt. Colonel Daniel R. Miller and SSgt Matt Galloway represented the squadron at the banquet.

“This group has contributed greatly to the Main Street Program assisting with a wide variety of projects ranging from sewing and hanging banners to cleaning alleys and cooking hotdogs,” said Galloway. “We couldn’t accomplish half of what we do without them and their willingness to take on any project.”

The Cotton Pickin’ Chili Cook-off was next, grabbing the title for Premier Special Event in the state. Up against two other chili and BBQ cook-off’s there was no telling who would win this award before it was announced Tuesday evening.

Main Street Altus was also recognized for Outstanding Image Promotion with their “Banners for All Seasons” program. The program has completed this project with banners not only for each season but for every event Main Street Altus coordinates.

The final award for Altus that evening went to the mother and son team of Jan and Richard Day of the Plaza Theater for having the Best Business Practices. The Days were recognized for willingness and ability to work with groups in the community and willingness to try new things to promote their business.

“The Days are always looking for creative ways to promote the historic Plaza Theater, they are always willing to work with people, they truly deserved this award for all the hard work they have done,” Galloway said.

Main Street Altus placed in the top three in five other categories including Premier Partner for their partnership with the Southern Prairie Library System, and Shortgrass Arts and Humanities Council for Chautauqua; Best Community Education Public Awareness Program for Main Street Altus Correspondence; Best Retail Event for Thursday Night Out; Downtown Business of the Year Crown Jewelry; and Best Façade Renovation Under $10,000 for the Little DHS Phillips Gas Station.

Rosalyn Hall was also honored at the banquet for being named Main Street Altus’s Board Member of the Year for 2004. Margaret Worrell was named Main Street Hero for Altus in 2004 as well.

For more information regarding any of Main Street Altus’ programs or promotions contact the Main Street Office at (580) 482-2277.

KEEP OKLAHOMA BEAUTIFUL, Inc. NEWS RELEASE
1309 Rockwood Drive – Edmond, OK 73013 405-844-6543 info@keepoklahomabeautiful.com
March 23, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Keep Oklahoma Beautiful (KOB) has notified Main Street Altus that cleanup efforts planned for March, April and May will be bolstered by a $250 cash grant made available by OGE Energy Corp. According to KOB officials, Altus is one of thirteen cash grants awarded in Oklahoma to winning participants in the 2005 Great American Cleanup™.

Main Street Altus will kick off their new program “Alley Cats” during the Great American Cleanup. The project is designed to get people in town out to help cleanup the alleyways throughout downtown Altus. “Alleyways are often overlooked as an area in need of maintenance, but these are also areas that reflect much about a town,” said Lindsey Galloway, Main Street Altus executive director.
According to Galloway, “Cleanup days on the 2nd Saturday of each month during March, April and May will be continued into the fall.” The goal is to begin with litter removal and continue into larger projects for the city. The Alley Cats program will benefit the entire community and increase citizen pride. The OGE grant will help defray the costs of a successful event.

Because Main Street Altus registered their spring-cleaning and beautification events to be part of the Great American Cleanup™, they were eligible to apply for the OGE cash grants. KOB encourages groups across the state to undertake community beautification, litter abatement and general cleanup projects on a year round basis – and to emphasize them during the months of March, April and May during The Great American Cleanup™. The GAC is a national program of Keep America Beautiful, administered through the state affiliate programs such as Keep Oklahoma Beautiful.

To learn more about KOB and the Great American Cleanup™ in Oklahoma, go to the KOB website at www.keepoklahomabeautiful.com. To volunteer to help with the Main Street Altus community-wide events, call Ms. Galloway at 580-482-2277.

Keep Oklahoma Beautiful is a statewide nonprofit organization with a mission to encourage, promote and assist individual and group efforts in the areas of beautification, enhancement and preservation of Oklahoma's environment.

The Oklahoma Main Street Center announced their top three finalists today for the State Main Street Awards. Main Street Altus was named in nine of the nineteen categories.

"We are very excited," said Lindsey Galloway, Main Street Altus director, "These awards are very competitive between the 41 communities, so having nine nominations make it to the finals is a wonderful accomplishment for our downtown."

The categories and nominations are as follows:

Premier Partner - Main Street Altus, Southern Prairie Library System, and Shortgrass Arts and Humanities Council for "Chautauqua - A Living History Event"

Best Community Education/Public Awareness Program - Main Street Correspondence

Best Volunteer Development Program - Main Street Altus and the 54th Air Refueling Squadron

Premier Special Event - Cotton Pickin' Chili Cook-Off

Best Retail Event - Thursday Night Out

Outstanding Image Promotion - Banners for All Seasons

Best Facade Renovation Under $10,000 - The Little DHS Phillips Gas Station

Main Street Downtown Business of the Year - Crown Jewelry

Best Business Practices - The Plaza Theater

Each nominee that has been named a top three finalist for the state award will be honored at the Oklahoma Main Street Awards Banquet scheduled for April 26 in Oklahoma City. The winner in each category will also be announced that evening.

"We may have submitted the nominations, but our Main Street businesses, volunteers and supporters are the ones who make them possible," said Galloway. "I would like to congratulate Crown Jewelry, The Plaza Theater, and Rick Steen along with DHS for their recognition. I would also like to recognize Rosalyn Hall, this year's Board Member of the Year from our community. I am extremely thankful for all that she contributes to our program. "

Jim Watters, Oklahoma Main Street Center Community Liaison, congratulates Main Street Altus Board member of the Year Rosalyn Hall. Thanks Rosalyn for all you do!!