News

Thank you, Candy and Kenneth Deckard of Daylight Donuts, for 18 years of service in our wonderful community!

The Perkins Community Chamber of Commerce is taking applications for our 2024 Scholarship!  The deadline is April 24th so apply now!

Scholarship Application

President - Kyle Brandon, Rustic Wraps
1st Vice President - Cassie Wilson, Realtor & Partners in Education
2nd Vice President - Carissa Weitman, Owner/Operator at Wandering Brew
Secretary - Laura Shepard, Community Health Director at Perkins Family Clinic
Treasurer - Leah Smith, Payne County Bank
Economic Development - Britney Rains, Accountant at Rains Diesel Repair LLC
Tourism - Aleisha Rains, Manager at Oak Park Retreat Center
Historic Preservation - David Sassar, Publisher at The Perkins Journal
Ex Officio -  Mark Wilson, EQ World USA

Each year, the Perkins Community Chamber of Commerce is proud to award Perkins-Tryon High School Seniors scholarship in pursuit of higher education. Thanks to our Members, we were able to award two recipients from the 2023 graduating class $500 each. Applicants were asked to complete a form and submit an essay detailing their accomplishments and post-secondary education plans. PCCC President, Terrill Story, presented the scholarships to Rachel Burns and Mason Stone at the Annual PTHS Senior Scholar banquet on behalf of our entire Membership. Thank you to our Members for supporting our students and for making this opportunity possible.

TRASH-OFF is a statewide all-day event on April 15, and the Great American Cleanup is open to all communities and volunteers through May 31. (https://oklahoma.gov/odot/citizen/newsroom/2023/start-the-spring-cleaning-by-entering-the-2023-trash-off.html)

March 25, 2023 approximately 30 volunteers collected around 200 bags of trash across roughly 11 linear miles of the Perkins-Tryon community.

Unbelievable, right?!

Appalling is likely more accurate. WHERE is our sense of pride and ownership in our community? Even the compliments we received felt less-than-encouraging when followed by phrases that express sentiments like, "It really needed to be done," and "It was looking really bad."

Trusting that these comments truly ARE made with the best of intentions, it poses an interesting question... If you knew it was getting out of hand, why didn't YOU do anything to help? It is no personal attack, rather food for thought. As Chamber Vice President Mark Wilson often says, "It's the S.T.P. You always get the 'same ten people' showing up to make a difference."

BIG change starts with small, consistent action. I challenge each of you to choose ONE area that you can focus on being more actionable in Our Community. One thing that you can do consistently to be an example and make a difference.

To the volunteers who showed up, trudged through the cold and did what many saw needed to be done - but few took action to do: THANK YOU. You are the real MVPs. 

Moving forward, the PCCC Board of Directors will be working more closely with the City of Perkins to clarify ownership roles for our local TRASH-OFF, City-Wide Garage Sale & City-Wide Cleanup Events. We will also be reaching out to local student organizations to partner with us throughout the year in various city cleanup activities, as necessary. It is our hope that by increasing awareness and involving the next great generation of local leaders, sustainable long-term solutions for Perkins will start now, with US!

Our membership is composed of individuals committed to supporting our local business community. At a minimum, these individuals attend monthly meetings and special events throughout the year. Some join special committees and even fewer lead these committees or our members, serving as Officers on our Board of Directors. Each year, we honor the service of members who, out of the goodness of their heart and their love of our community, do so much more.

Please join us in honoring the achievements of two long-time chamber members and officers:

Virginia Sasser of Sasser & Co. Antiques and

Dustin Bledsoe of Payne County Bank

Thank you both on behalf of the chamber, our local business industry and our community.

They say that when you experience success, it is your responsibility to send the elevator back down for others. Because of the example and mentorship of members like Virginia and Dustin, we have a team of new leadership eager to continue their good work in our community.

With that, I introduce to you, your new 2023 Perkins Community Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors:

President - Terrill Story, Hey Sister Boutique
1st Vice President - Mark Wilson, EQ World USA
2nd Vice President - Kyle Brandon, Rustic Wraps
Secretary - Carissa Weitman, Wandering Brew
Treasurer - Leah Smith, Payne County Bank
Economic Development - Craig Nichols, Stillwater Martial Arts
Tourism - Casey Martin, Farmers Insurance
Historic Preservation - Cassie Wilson, Realtor & Partners in Education
Ex Officio - Chris Petermann, Payne County Bank

We are excited to be joined by many non-chamber members this evening as we honor the nominees and winners of six prestigious community awards. It’s important to note that all nominations come from your neighbors - the chamber members in our community. Someone, somewhere saw the good that you do… and was inspired enough to take the time to nominate you for an award this evening… and you probably had no idea anyone was even watching!

Congratulations to all of our nominees - and thank you for the good that you do, when you think no one is watching.

The Delmar Niles Community Service Award recognizes a chamber member who has shown dedication and commitment through years of community service. The nominees for the 2022 Delmar Niles Community Service Award are:

Cammi Cundiff
Patsy Rains
Virginia Sasser**
Mark Wilson

The Sherri Gordon Community Service Award recognizes a citizen of Perkins who contributes to the betterment of our community. The nominees for the 2022 Sherri Gordon Community Service Award are:

Linda Barta**
Cammi Cundiff
Courtney Harp
Becky Reedy
Virginia Sasser
Terrill Story**

The Best New Business Award recognizes a local business that has significantly impacted and improved our community in a short amount of time (opened within the last calendar year). The nominees for our 2022 Best New Business are:

Oak Park Retreat Center**
Wandering Brew

The Best Existing Business Award recognizes a local business that has contributed to the betterment of our community for many years. The nominees for our 2022 Best New Business award are:

B4 Designs
Daylight Donuts**
Hair Cottage
McDonalds
Payne County Stockyards
Sonic

The Best Organization Award recognizes a local organization that has significantly impacted and improved our community over the past year. The nominees for our 2022 Best Organization award are:

McDonalds
Oak Park Retreat Center**
Our Daily Bread
Partners in Education
Perkins-Tryon Cheerleaders
Perkins Church of Christ

The Citizen of the Year Award recognizes a community member who has made an outstanding commitment or contribution to the Perkins community. The nominees for our 2022 Citizen of the Year award are:

Cammi Cundiff
Aleisha Rains
Max & Diann Rudd**
Virginia Sasser

If you are interested in being part of the change you want to see in Perkins, our membership is open to all area businesses, as well as individuals. Your manpower, ideas, and resources are welcome here.

Perkins, OK is home to numerous meeting and event locations that play host to a wide variety of gatherings each year, and are available for rent:

The Lions Den

This facility is owned and operated by the Perkins Lions Club.  It has tables, chairs, two restroom facilities and a full kitchen.  It is available for a small fee ($50 for a half day (up to 6 hours), and $75 for a full day (anything over 6 hours), on a first come, first serve basis, by calling (405) 547-2184.

Vassar Community Center

This facility is owned and operated by the City of Perkins, and is located on the grounds of the Oklahoma Territorial Plaza.  For more information, please visit www.cityofperkins.net  and http://www.okterritory.org/.  To make a reservation, please call Perkins City Hall at (405) 547-2445.

Old Church Center

This facility is owned and operated by the City of Perkins, and is located on the grounds of the Oklahoma Territorial Plaza.  For more information, please visit www.cityofperkins.net  and http://www.okterritory.org/.  To make a reservation, please call Perkins City Hall at (405) 547-2445.

Anderson Pavilion

This facility is owned and operated by the City of Perkins, and is located on the grounds of the Oklahoma Territorial Plaza.  For more information, please visit www.cityofperkins.net  and http://www.okterritory.org/ .  To make a reservation, please call Perkins City Hall at (405) 547-2445.

Bartram Pavilion

This facility is owned and operated by the City of Perkins, and is located on the grounds of the Oklahoma Territorial Plaza.  For more information, please visit www.cityofperkins.net  and http://www.okterritory.org/ .  To make a reservation, please call Perkins City Hall at (405) 547-2445.

Vassar Barn

This facility is owned and operated by the City of Perkins, and is located on the grounds of the Oklahoma Territorial Plaza.  For more information, please visit www.cityofperkins.net  and http://www.okterritory.org/ .  To make a reservation, please call Perkins City Hall at (405) 547-2445.

Billy J. Dickson Park Pavilion

This facility is owned and operated by the City of Perkins.  For more information, please visit www.cityofperkins.net  . To make a reservation, please call Perkins City Hall at (405) 547-2445.

Oak Park Retreat Center

This facility is owned and operated by Lost Creek United Methodist Church. 

"With nineteen rooms; a lodge with large and small meeting areas and an industrial kitchen; a conference room for gatherings and events; a playground and basketball court; six RV pads and hookups; a walking path through the beautifully wooded campsite; and a two-bedroom guesthouse; you will find peace, purpose, and renewal in the heart of Payne County, OK. "

"Oak Park Retreat Center is the perfect location for:

• Non-profit retreats and events

• Birthday, Anniversary, and Wedding celebrations

• Family Reunions

• Staff retreats

• Overnight stays

• Overnight and day camps for your organization

• Conferences and training events"

For more information, please visit their website at: https://oprc.me/

2020 Sherri Gordon Community Service Award:

Cassie Wilson

Charles Wall

2020 Delmar Niles Community Service Award:

Dustin Bledsoe

2020 Best New Business Award:

Pistols Coffee House and Ice Cream Parlor

2020 Best Existing Business Award:

Perkins Tag Agency

2020 Best Organization Award:

Perkins Masonic Lodge #92

Lost Creek United Methodist Church

2020 Citizen of the Year

Joe McElory