COALGATE — Mary Riley and Tina Cusey signed on as executive director and administrator of the Oklahoma Lake and Trail Country Association Oct. 25. Operating out of Coalgate, the sisters bring more than 20 years of experience each.
According to the State Department of Tourism, former Governor George Nigh named six sections of the state as “countries.” Lake and Trail Country includes the counties of Coal, Atoka, Pontotoc, Johnson, Murray, Marshall, Love, Carter, Bryan and Garvin. Hardy Watkins, executive director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, made the announcement at the 2007 Governor’s Conference on Tourism that the American Bus Association named Oklahoma’s Centennial as Top Event in the nation for 2007. Watkins said in his message to the tourism industry partners, “The energy reverberating through our state is unmistakable. Cities and towns have spruced up, built impressive projects, and are ready to host an unprecedented number of Centennial events. All these efforts have the potential to draw visitors to our state now and for years to come.”
Currently the Lake and Trail Association is working to publish a new 2007 Travel guide for the travel bureaus around the state. “Being the Oklahoma Centennial, we think it is very important to get as many business names in the guide this year as possible,” Cusey said. The guide is scheduled for printing at the end of December and early January: Deadline for advertisements and event listings is Nov. 29.
In addition to the Travel Guide, the Association is planning a few new things for the area to keep the momentum going strong. Four travel shows have been marked with the first travel show being the Tulsa Best Fest on Nov. 17-19. The Celebration will begin the year-long celebration for the state. Oklahoma Lake and Trail Country Association will be there to represent the area. Additional publications will follow the Travel Guide printing, and new campaigns will begin in January. The team also wants to give some free services to the area to enhance the marketing of the area. “We’re here to serve,” Riley said.
Mary Riley has lived in Coal County for the past 30 years. After working for various businesses in the area and obtaining a BS degree in Business Education, Riley taught Business and Computer Technology at the Pontotoc Technology Center. She was named “Teacher of the Year” by the staff in 1995-1996. She and her husband, Jim, have spent the last three years in property in the Coal County area. The two live in the Clarita area with their six children.
Tina Cusey recently returned home to Coal County after 25 years in North Texas. She worked for Texas University in Wichita Falls, Texas, for 16 years and finished her bachelor’s of arts degree, Cum Laude, in accounting while living there. Cusey is continuing her education in Shawnee at the SOMA Institute of Massage Therapy. She and her husband, Terry, have five children.
To participate, in any Lake and Trail promotion, phone Oklahoma Lake and Trail Country, located in Coalgate at (580) 927-1119, or e-mail mriley.okva@yahoo.com.
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