EDITORIAL: Anniversary, donation, selection are historic achievements

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Thumbs up to making history.

Messer-Bowers Insurance is celebrating 100 years in business in Enid this year.

John Bowers Sr. and his mother-in-law, Blanche Messer, went into the insurance business in 1924, and the rest — as they say — is history.

The company has remained in the family all this time. Currently, John W. “Jay” Bowers IV and his brother, Don, are handling operations in the Enid and Oklahoma City offices, respectively. Their father, John W. Bowers III, also has remained in the business.

Messer-Bowers has expanded its offerings continually throughout the years to now include cyber and network security coverage. The company and family also are deeply involved in the community, supporting a variety of programs and organizations.

Congratulations on this impressive milestone, and here’s to many more to come.

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Thumbs up to Enid resident Anne Ott and her penchant for giving back to the community.

The 96-year-old recently donated a history of the Enid-Phillips Symphony Orchestra to the Public Library of Enid and Garfield County.

The donation includes a booklet on the orchestra’s history, along with 28 binders of information.

Giving is not new to Ott. She recently donated the World War II Army Air Corps uniform of her brother-in-law, George E. Durham, to the Drummond Museum. He was married to her sister Doris.

And, Ott donated money to Enid Police Department for the acquisition of a police dog. She also has donated money to Garfield County Sheriff’s Office for a dog.

Anne Ott personifies the spirit of giving. Thank you for your generous donations.

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Thumbs up to Oklahoma Bible Academy senior Aaliyah Hopper who was one of 100 high school seniors across the country selected to attend American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation, which ends Saturday, July 27, 2024.

The weeklong program, founded in 1947, provides civic education to students about the workings of the federal government before they are of voting age. Hopper was a senator at Girls Nation and participated in mock Senate sessions complete with caucuses and debates bills that ranged from personal to political interests.

Other activities on the agenda included a visit to Arlington National Cemetery to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a visit to Capitol Hill to meet with U.S. senators from their state and a tour of D.C. monuments.

At OBA, Hopper participates in National Honor Society, volleyball, tennis and theater.

Congratulations on this fine achievement.

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(c)2024 the Enid News & Eagle (Enid, Okla.)

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