The Ponca City Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Committee held their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 21.

Angela Spicer called the meeting to order.

Ambassadors went over assignments to reach out to new Chamber members including The Lost Gents Barbershop, M.B. Land Solutions, Alzheimer’s Association, Curb Appeal LLC, Sizzle Sauce Media, Mike Snow, Forever 29/ Rouge Beauty Co., and Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline.

The Chamber’s Receipt Campaign is currently underway. Those wishing to participate can bring their receipts from any Ponca City business to the Chamber Office with their name and phone number on the receipts. A drawing will be held at the end of the month for the chance to win Chamber Bucks.

The next Business After Hours will be held at The Hub in Tonkawa from 5 pm to 7 pm on Thursday, Feb. 23.

Chamber President Rich Cantillon then shared his Chamber update.

Tourism Bureau will meet on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 9 am.

A Ponca Politics forum will be held at City Hall from noon to 1 pm on Friday, Feb. 24. This forum will feature Senator Bill Coleman, and Representatives Ken Luttrell and John Pfeiffer.

A retirement reception will be held for Cantillon on Friday, Feb. 24 from 2 pm to 5 pm at the Ponca City Country Club.

The next Cash Mob will be held at Plaza Wine & Spirits on Thursday, March 2 at 11:30 am.

A ribbon cutting will be held on Friday, March 3 at 10 am for Wes & Willow at their new location at 205 E. Grand.

The Ponca Politics Committee is hosting a PCPS school board candidate forum on Friday, March 17 at noon in the City Commission Chambers. Both candidates, Judy Throop and Rod Wahl, will be in attendance.

The next Party at the Palace Auction Planning meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 22 at 4 pm at the Ponca City Country Club.

March’s Business After Hours will be held on Thursday, March 23 and will be hosted by Phillips 66.

A second legislative Ponca Politics forum will be held at City Hall from noon to 1 pm on Friday, March 24. This forum will feature Senator Bill Coleman, and Representatives Ken Luttrell and John Pfeiffer.

Tiffany Hermann will serve at interim CEO until Shelley Arrott joins the Chamber on June 5.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, March 16 at 10 am.

Ambassadors then shared committee member updates.

Ryian Crenshaw with the Hearing Group shared that they are shutting down their Stillwater office.

Kayla Wedel Lobsinger with Dearing House shared that they will be having a “stepping out” event in March. This event will be a walk from Dearing House to City Central to raise awareness for child abuse.

This year is a celebration year for Dearing House with it being the tenth year for the Fish Fry for the Small Fry fundraiser, and the twentieth year of operation for Dearing House. As such, there will be several events coming up this year to commemorate the anniversary.

Dearing House also has a program called “Break the Cycle”, this is a positive parenting class that works with DH families. This program is done in Kay and Osage Counties.

Ashley Villines with Northern Oklahoma Humane Society (NOKHS) provided an update.

It was reported that six animals have been put to sleep over the last week. While the Ponca City community has a goal to become a no-kill shelter by 2025, there is some confusion with the term. No-kill facilities are those where all healthy, treatable and manageable dogs and cats are saved with euthanasia being used only when animals are dangerous or suffering with untreatable illnesses/injuries. This confusion has led to many to leave or abandon their puts at NOKHS or animal control. The organizations lack the number of fosters or adopters to keep up with the numbers.

NOKHS needs more fosters, adopters and donors to keep up with the number of animals, and have had to make difficult decisions with cuts to staff.

From March 7 to March 13, NOKHS will be having another free spay/neuter clinic at Marland’s Place. This time, their goal is 1300 animals in six days. NOKHS is looking for volunteers to assist with intake of the animals.

Tara Goldman with United Way shared that they currently have their free tax services going on.

United Way also have a grant coming up next month.

In May, the United Way Day of Caring will be coming up.

Kelsey Wagner with Ponca City Monthly and MyMediaMatters shared that the March issue of the magazine will be coming out on Wednesday, March 1 with the “5 Under 40” award recipients from Ponca City Main Street (PCMS) on the cover.

Jacque O’Grady with Via Christi Village shared that there are opening with assisted living and memory support.

There will be a celebration on Friday, Feb. 24 for two residents that are celebrating their 100th birthday.

April Dowell with Osage Casino shared that the casino will have a $2500 cash drawing on Saturday, March 11.

Arlene Stauffer with First Christian Church shared that the pastor will do lunch on Wednesdays through lint from noon to 1 pm for anyone that wants to come by.

Jen Miller with Alliance Oklahoma Home Health shared that they are hiring for an RN currently.

They have moved their February talk at the Senior Center to March 1, this discussion will be over heart health.

Angela Spicer provided an update for Hospice of North Central Oklahoma.

Hospice will have the fourth part in their six part series on dementia with Rachel Voelkers on Wednesday, March 22 from 12 pm to 1 pm at the Carolyn Renfro Center. The event is free for anyone that wants to attend.

The 18th Annual Memorial Bowling Tournament will be held at Lucas Lanes in Blackwell on Saturday, April 1. The cost is $100 for a five-man team for the tournament.