My "Chamber Highlight" this week, starts with a love story ... Many years ago, when Todd Turner was 12 years old, his father Harold Turner mover his family to Fort Gibson, Okla., to pastor the Pentecostal Church of God, located on Railroad Street.

It was in that church that Todd sat with, talked to and fell in love with Marina Mayo. A few years later however, Pastor Harold Turner moved his family to New Mexico, which caused Todd to leave Marina behind. Moving on with life and trying to live apart from each other was a hard task for both of them.

When Marina was 17, she decided she couldn't do it anymore, and searched for Todd's phone number (that was before "facebook"), and she contacted him. They both professed their unconditional love for each other and Todd immediately drove to Fort Gibson and picked up Marina. On March 8, 1982, in Amarillo, Texas, they were married by Todd's grandfather.

After a few years of marriage, Todd and Marina became ministers, pastoring in Wewoka; Trent, Texas; and Muskogee. In the mid-90's, they were led back to Fort Gibson, to serve as youth ministers. After a couple years, they moved to Lawton to pastor a church there. But, the pull of Fort Gibson was too great, so in 1999, they moved back to the church they had served in as youth ministers.

In 2006, they resigned their positions, to begin a new church in Fort Gibson. What started as a meeting of 17 individuals in the living room of John and Joyce Mayo (Marina's parents), soon moved to the Fort Gibson Community Center, and thus Trinity Family Worship was born. Today, after 27 years of marriage and 22 years of preaching, they continue as the proud pastors of that church, now located at 500 E. Poplar.

In addition to contributing a spiritual legacy to our community, the Turners also have contributed to the growth of Fort Gibson with a family legacy ... daughters Christie White, and husband Terrill, with their daughter Jessica; Candice Weigel and her son, Isaac; and Cassie Smith and husband Keith, with children Brenden and Makinzi, all call Fort Gibson home. Thank you Christie and Terrill for sharing this love story of faith and commitment with us.

We had a great group out to our Weekly Chamber Luncheon, this past Thursday, at the Badlands Smokehouse. In attendance were: Mayor Steven Hill, Cheryl Hill, Jack Armstrong, Mark Young, Linda Clinkenbeard, Derald Glover, Justin Calvert, Kim Callahan, Steve Clinkenbeard, Mike Bradley, Jerry Cooper, Tonia Cooper, Samantha Cooper, Denise Bain, Megan Bain and myself.

Politics, school issues, Town Hall meetings, weight loss, and the Winter Olympics were the main conversation topics. We appreciate the service and great food we received from owner Byron Spencer and his crew, for the month of February. Along with great barbecue and unbelievable desserts, if you haven't tried their "Larry Dale Loaded Baked Potato" you don't know what you have missed. Be sure to put them on your "eat-out" list.

For March, we will move our Weekly Chamber Luncheon to The Courtyard Bistro, on E. Poplar Avenue. Join us, every Thursday, at 11:30. Everyone is welcome. 

The Chamber of Commerce has joined with Lisa Walkingstick, to sponsor the upcoming "Spring Fling for a Cause", 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run, scheduled on March 27. Proceeds from the event will go toward Special Olympics. The run will take place at the same location as the chamber's August 5K run, just west of the railroad tracks on Poplar Avenue, with runners heading toward the casino and back. All the same classes will apply, as the August race, and Glen's Road Race Service is handling the logistics. Entry is $20, with special team rates of $15, both of which includes a T-shirt. The run will begin at 7:30 a.m., on March 27.

If you haven't signed up before race day, be sure to get there early for signup prior to the race. For additional information, call Lisa Walkingstick, at 869-0473. She can get an entry form out to you, by mail or e-mail.

Anyone interested in helping out with this event, please contact Lisa, or myself, here at the chamber office. It usually takes about 12 -15 people to make everything run smoothly. This is a very worthy cause, so let's all get behind it and support Lisa and her group's effort.