Made in Oklahoma

So here in the final days of this campaign and in light of the things that are being said by Georgianna's opponent . . .let me make one thing perfectly clear.

Georgianna Oliver is from Oklahoma. Born here, grew up here, went to high school and college . . .right here, in the fine state of Oklahoma.

I know she is from Oklahoma, because I am from Oklahoma too. I moved to Claremore with my family, because my Dad, who had also been raised in Claremore, wanted to raise me, and my two brothers, in the small town he grew up in. He wanted us to be close to our family and he wanted us to have the same values, opportunities and experiences he did in a small town environment.

My Dad loves Oklahoma, and he only left to find work after he graduated from Oklahoma State University . . .just like Georgianna did. Once my Dad became a father of three, he brought all of us back to Oklahoma to be close to family . . .just like Georgianna did.

So, I ask you . . .at what point did leaving the state of Oklahoma to earn a decent living only to return to raise your kids near family make you any less Oklahoman? Have any of you done that? Do you know anyone who did? I do, including my Dad and Georgianna.

Does it change their values, who they are and what they believe in just because they lived outside of our state? Heck, I've lived in Kansas City for over 15 years and when people ask me where I am from, I still say, Oklahoma.

If you were to ask my Dad he would tell you he was an Okie, through and through.

He would point to his childhood growing up on a farm in Claremore. He would tell you about the old Pharmacy downtown that had the best soda fountain, and he would talk about his first car and cruising up and down the main drag of our small town, just like I did when I went to Claremore High School.

He would tell you of his days at Oklahoma State University, how much he loved that school their football team and how he met my Mom there.

Then he would talk about all of the memories of raising all three kids in Oklahoma and getting us through braces, driver's tests, prom and eventually graduation . . .both high school and college, at both OSU & OU.

And now that he is retired and calls Tulsa and District 1 home, he would tell you that even though he is a registered Republican, he will be voting for Georgianna next Tuesday, November the 4. Because he has known her almost as long as I have . . .and he knows that she was made in Oklahoma, just like he was.

Step Out for Diabetes!

On Saturday we walked in the annual Step Out for Diabetes Walk at LaFortune Park. It was very special to me that this campaign wanted to be a part of the event, as I have had Type 1 Diabetes for 20 years now.
With 1 in 2 people in Oklahoma having the potential to develop Diabetes, it should be at the forefront of all our politician's actions.
Over 27 million people in the United States have Diabetes, and it has cost our nation over $174 Billion in 2007 - it is a crisis that our nation needs to address and I know that with Georgianna as our next Congresswoman, she will make great strides in reaching for a cure for this disease.

Thank you to all who came out and supported this event - I look forward to seeing you all again next year to STEP OUT AND FIGHT DIABETES!

Megan Q.
Volunteer Coordinator

Putting the Fun in Fundraising

It was a perfect night for a fundraiser. The weather was lovely, the decorations simple and inviting and the food from Chef Seth Smith of Taste Catering was delicious. We watched as the crowd swelled with supporters last Thursday night, all of them gathering on Georgianna's rooftop headquarters to enjoy a moment with the Candidate.

As Georgianna mingled with the crowd, I watched as her supporters, from both sides of the political fence, gave generously of their money and their support to back her as the best candidate for the job. Many of them mentioned her professional business background as being something that would serve District 1 well, and was experience they believed was much needed in Congress during these troubled financial times. 

With only a few weeks to go until the election, fundraising continues to be a primary focus for Georgianna. It is what she spends the majority of her time doing these days. To get Georgianna introduced to as many people as possible, she must rely on TV to deliver her campaign messages.  Television time is expensive, and therefore every bit of support helps. 

See the photo above of myself, Todd Rollins and Georgianna at the fundraiser. Perhaps you could call us the communications team for the campaign. I serve as the web strategist. Todd Rollins is the owner of Rollins Communication and is our esteemed media strategist. The only person that appears to be missing from this picture is Chebon Marshall, our most wise and well respected campaign manager.

Georgianna, well, her role is the most important one of all, don't you think?

The gap in this race is closing fast, and in these last few weeks the goal is to keep Georgianna on air and talking about the relevant issues and concerns the people of District 1 really care about. If you are able to contribute, please do. Every little bit counts.

Jenny V. - Foodie

Veteran's Pie Auction in Coweta, OK

One of my last trips to Oklahoma, I had the pleasure of going with my friend, the Candidate, to Coweta, OK located in Wagner County. Georgianna had been invited to come and meet the crowd gathered at the Disabled American Veteran's Hall for a good old-fashioned pie auction.

We were running a little late due to the road construction in Tulsa, but arrived just in time for her to take the microphone before they started their fundraiser. She introduced herself to the crowd and told them how much she was looking forward to having homemade pie for dinner that night. When Georgianna was done, I said: "What happens now?" She said: "Now we watch to see which pie we are going to take home to my family for dessert tonight." She whispered to me that her husband liked nuts, so we should bring him home something with nuts.

After the first couple of pies were literally auctioned off to the crowd, it hit me. Most of these pies were seasonal, made with the last of the summer fruit and using some of the new fall fruit. These were homemade pie crusts filled with fresh local fruit fillings, hand-picked and then baked into these pies. I turned to ask the candidate if I could borrow her bidding paddle, a pie was definitely going home with me.

For Georgianna's husband, Jack, we ended up with a still warm in the pan, locally picked, Pecan pie and a bag of Pecan brittle. Georgianna popped open the bag of brittle and offered me a taste. It was not at all hard and teeth-cracking crunchy, but instead was light and crispy breaking easily in my mouth and the brittle appeared to have air bubbles - a sign that baking soda was used. Very interesting.

The candidate had a fresh, homemade pumpkin pie purchased for her and given to her by a supporter which was so very nice, and I ended up purchasing a Texas Buttermilk pie from a lady who told me her Mother-in-Law was from Texas and taught her how to make them. It was lip-smackingly delicious and I took it home to share it with my mother and brother.

But fruit pies seemed to be the most popular, especially the peach pies. And having tasted the juicy peaches we had this season in Kansas City, I could only imagine how good the local Porter Peaches from Porter, OK tasted when baked up in a flaky pie crust. 

The nice Veteran man across the table from me bid and won not one, but two, Porter peach pies. I couldn't help but lean across the table and ask him if peach pie was his favorite. He was a gentleman probably in his mid-seventies and he responded, "Yes, ma'am it sure is, and I won't get peach pies much longer this year so I am stocking up."

He was a man hoping to make his peach pie stash last "at least until Election Day", he told me with a smile.

Jenny V.  - Foodie

Wagoner Chili Cookoff

This weekend we had an entry in the Wagoner Chili Cook off - and we won third place! Thanks to Danny Oliver's cooking skills, our West Side Chili was a hit. (That's Danny and his wife in the picture above displaying our award) The event was sponsored by a great organization - the Ft. Gibson Lake Association and had a huge turnout.

More importantly we met lots of people who are supporting Georgianna - including several Republicans that are tired of John Sullivan. We heard time after time that people just don't feel he represents Wagoner County or cares about that part of the First District.

Thanks to all of the people who helped Saturday and the hundreds who stopped by the booth to sample the chili and visit with us a while.

Chebon

Tulsa Fair

Everyone loves a fair, right? Well we had a lot of fun out there tonight. Georgianna worked at the TCDP booth for a few hours shaking hands and visiting with voters who stopped by. The comment heard most often? That folks LOVED the "Country Club Congressman" commercial airing right now on television.

We also took a little break to walk around part of the fair and meet local vendors. Sadly, we didn't have time to eat any fair food - I guess that will be on the next trip.

Chebon

Great Event Last Night!

We had a fantastic backyard party Saturday night in South Tulsa. Thanks to Ann and Ray Schlitt and Kim Koleber who put the entire event together and invited so many of their neighbors and friends.

The food was fantastic - I particularly enjoyed the m&m's that matched the colors in our logo - and they have a beautiful backyard. I appreciated the members of the Jenks Young Democrats who came and had great questions and I'm looking forward to their involvement in the race.

Chebon