Exploring Plainview Texas

West Texas

 

Here we have a West Texas Christmas Tree lot. 

 

 

West Texas

 

Here we have a West Texas Christmas Tree lot. 

 

 

Rainbow

 

Rainbow is basically a mixture of Girl Scouts, a church youth group, and a sorority. Like a church youth group, the ritual has Biblical ties and emphasizes community service, but they accept any and all religious beliefs a girl may have. Rainbow is similar to many things but is truly one-of-a-kind lesson in love. Rainbows is all about developing self-confidence, building friendships, learning new things, and having fun.

In the spring of 1922 in McAlester, OK, at the former First Christian Church (now Apostolics of McAlester), Reverend W. Mark Sexson founded the International Order of The Rainbow for Girls. Rainbow prepares girls, ages 11 to 20, for responsible and purposeful adulthood by teaching leadership skills, encouraging unselfish service, and promoting teamwork. They will celebrate their 100th Anniversary in 2022.

The Rainbow promise is: I promise that I will do my best, to think about my beliefs, and to be kind and helpful.

BFCL stands for Bible, flag, constitution, and lambskin, in reference to the lambskin aprons Masons' wear. 

The seven colors of the Rainbow used to represent the seven teachings that each member receives on her journey toward the pot of gold. The order of the rainbow is ROYGBIV (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet). The seven learning stations are Love (red) in all its forms, Religion (orange), the importance of religion in all its forms (based on love and forgiveness), Nature (yellow) its importance in daily life, Immortality (green), the understanding of death being a part of life, Fidelity (blue) emphasis on being honest and reliable, Patriotism (indigo) encouraging citizenship to your country, Service (violet) service to others which bind all the colors together.

I share this information because, for the first time in over 100 years, Plainview no longer has a Masonic organization. Plainview and Floydada merged when the building at 500 Ash Street was sold. In the cleaning out of the lodge, several items were given to the Hale County Historical Commission; one being the lighted Rainbow, given in memory of Sandra Heard in 1961.

 

 

The Masons also contributed a wooden instruments set, wood picture slides, a ballot box, and the photographs of each Worshipful Master of the local lodge.

 

1910 Parade Scene

 

 

Plainview Point Park

 

Today the community celebrated the "opening" of Plainview Point park. We had a ribbon-cutting, and Mayor Charles Starnes shared important historical information about the site area.

 

Afterward, I was at the Hale County Historical Commission organizing newspapers from a contributor and read this...

 

 

 

Trash Art

 

At Covenant Health Plainview, you must wear a mask, sign in, get your temp, and then they give you an admittance sticker. When people leave, they create trash art! It is different every day!

 

 

West Pharmacy Diner

 

Who remembers eating at the West Pharmacy diner? I was only in the West Pharmacy a handful of times, and I never had anything from the diner. Tell us your stories!

 

 

Stucco

 

Another downtown building is getting a facade improvement ... stucco.

 

 

Community Hospitality Forum

 

I decided to attend the community hospitality forum that First Baptist Plainview offered this evening. I'm all about community and hospitality, so I knew I would enjoy hearing those who were presenting. Brandi from Mia's, Deb and Mike from the President's House Bed and Breakfast, Tony from Dos Jefes, and J.R. from the Baptist Student Ministry @ WBU took part in the forum.

 

I want to share some words that popped out throughout the question and answer sharing:

Go in God's Word

Earn trust

Cater to the guest

Communicate

Others first

Go beyond what is expected

Get to know the customer

Always welcome them

Hospitality is mutual

Be sensitive to the changes going on within those who are entering for the first time

Follow up - Follow through

Know your regulars

Kindness matters

Ask yourself why they are here; what are they searching for

Be devoted; real

Be reflective of the Light

Sunday crowds are the hardest crowd to serve

Carry your name, your character that does not change; honest, trustworthy, empathetic, humbled ...

 

 

2nd Saturday #outonthedowntown

 

When you're alone, and life is making you lonely
You can always go
Downtown
When you've got worries, all the noise, and the hurry
Seems to help, I know
Downtown

Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city
Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty
How can you lose?
The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares

So go
Downtown
Things will be great when you're
Downtown
No finer place for sure
Downtown
Everything's waiting for you

Don't hang around and let your problems surround you
There are movie shows
Downtown
Maybe you know some little places to go to
Where they never close
Downtown

Just listen to the rhythm of a gentle bossa nova
You'll be dancing with 'em too before the night is over
Happy again
The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares

So go
Downtown
Where all the lights are bright
Downtown
Waiting for you tonight
Downtown
You're gonna be alright now
Downtown

Downtown
Downtown

And you may find somebody kind to help and understand you
Someone who is just like you and needs a gentle hand to
Guide them along
So maybe I'll see you there
We can forget all our troubles, forget all our cares

So go
Downtown
Things will be great when you're
Downtown
Don't wait a minute more
Downtown
Everything is waiting for you
Downtown

Downtown (downtown)
Downtown (downtown)
Downtown (downtown)
Downtown (downtown)

I do not own the music, lyrics, or video.

 

We have moved the Hale County Historical Commission downtown from midtown, so I have been downtown for most of two weeks. So much is happening downtown! The Schick Opera House has a new owner, Cindy's Country Quilt Shop moved, and Betty Fay Beauty Bar is opening in the Oswald's/Inkwell building on Broadway. The Ragland's Western Wear building has new owners, Miss Kitty's opens on weekends @ 8th & Broadway, and Hello Baby Apparel's new location will be ready for Santa's big visit for Downtown Plainview's Open House on the 2nd Saturday in November. There will be a live Christmas Tree lot sponsored by Robert's Treehouse, too! The new Downtown Plainview branding will roll out as the streetscape is finished, on target for the first of October. Then, of course, all of our service companies, boutiques, and antique long-timers are continuing to bring the very best to Plainview (along with other great Plainview stores and restaurants). It seems slow sometimes, but it is a big GO!

 

So, today, the streetscape crew had all workers on deck!

 

Don't forget the Tribute Ceremony Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 Scheduled for Saturday, September 11th. The ceremony commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks will be held on Saturday, September 11th at 8:45 a.m. at the flagpole at Kidsville Park (3400 4th. Street). The public is encouraged to attend.

 

It is also 2nd Saturday  #outonthedowntown, and Plainview Antiques will look at your "collectible" coins to evaluate them for you. So two coins, wear your mask, keep your distance, 614 Broadway.

 

I was leaving downtown and had to turn around and get this sweet picture. For some, the streetscape looks like it might never be completed (it will). Still, this little girl made the best of it (with her grandmother watching her) enjoyed a beautiful evening playing in the dirt while her sibling was in practice with Tommy Alcozar @ Xtreme Karate, located at 501 Broadway. 

 

She makes me smile!!! I love Plainview & its people. We are so very blessed! If I did not live here, I would move here!!!