Published: September 11, 2009 09:35 am      

Businesses, parks to get paint jobs

Several business and city parks in Northwest Oklahoma have been selected to receive with a fresh coat of paint as part of the 2009 Fresh Paint Days project.

Fresh Paint Day was designed by Keep Oklahoma Beautiful (KOB), “to encourage volunteers to seek out unsightly structures in the community and work together transforming them to the vibrant places they once were.”

Some places selected to get the new curb appeal are the Laverne Main Street Association including an old feed store and gas station, Panhandle Museum in Gate, Panhandle Lions Club in Guymon, and the City Townhall in Optima.

Areas in other parts of Northwest Oklahoma are also part of the program.

State Rep. Mike Sanders, for instance, will be helping Boy Scout Troop 169 of Okeene paint the Okeene city park.

“I’m very honored that parts of my district have been accepted into this program,” Sanders said. “The KOB group is trying to make rural Oklahoma vibrant again. This will make our little towns appear cleaner and more lively and encourage folks to stop in to shop and spend their money in the small towns.”

The Mystery Shop Consignment and Donations store in Laverne will also get a face-lift. Store owner Diane Hein chose a beige color with dark green trim and said she is very excited and appreciative.

Hein along with her friends, family and the community will paint her store. “This is something we needed for a long time and we haven’t had the funds,” she said.

KOB selected 36 winning projects from applications submitted with “before” photos.

The painting of all structures will take place Sept. 17 thru Sept. 29. Participants will then submit “after” photos showing the trasformation.

The group who has made the biggest visual impact will receive a special award during the 2009 KOB Annual Awards Recognition Event.

Sanders said if you would like to volunteer check with your local City Chamber of Commerce.