Woodward News & Events

Multiple Choice

What year was Woodward officially incorporated as a city?
A) 1887
B) 1893
C) 1901
D) 1910

For generations, whispers of hidden tunnels beneath downtown Woodward have captivated the imaginations of locals and visitors alike.

Stories passed down through the years suggest that these underground passageways once connected some of the town’s most iconic landmarks—most notably, the historic States Hotel—forming a secret network beneath the...

🐾 Adoptable Pet of the Week – Meet Molly!

Warning: You will fall in love. Hard.

Molly is a 1-year-old female sweetheart from the Woodward Animal Shelter. She’s housebroken, leash-trained, loves cuddles, and gets along great with other dogs. This loving pup is ready for her forever home — could that be with you?

📞 Call (580) 254‑8549 

🔮 Coming Soon: Save the Dates!

• Aug 1–29: Plains Indians & Pioneers Museum Photo Contest

• Aug 5: National Night Out & Water Parade

• Aug 22–24: Racks-n-Rods Outdoor Sports Expo

📣 Community Highlights

• Woodward City Website Upgrades
  Residents can now create a MyAccount profile to personalize their site experience and subscribe to notifications via email or text. New streamlined access through social sign‑in is live!
  cityofwoodward-ok.gov
  
  

• Fish Population Rebuild at Experiment Lake
  Efforts continue to reestablish fish in Experiment Lake. A temporary “no fishing” restriction remains in place to support ecological restoration through summer 2026.
  cityofwoodward-ok.gov

Woodward, Oklahoma isn’t just some speck on a map in the middle of the plains. It’s a town forged in catastrophe—scarred by one of the deadliest tornadoes in U.S. history—and carved by time itself, thanks to a secret hidden just beneath its dusty surface.

That secret? Alabaster Caverns. A sprawling underground world of rare black alabaster and glimmering gypsum formed over 200 million years ago. Long before cowboys, oil rigs, or even dinosaurs roamed the land, these caves were being...

🌪️ Be Prepared Before the Storm Hits

Oklahomans know that living in Tornado Alley means taking weather seriously. That’s why we’ve pulled together must-have emergency gear to keep you and your loved ones safe.

✅ Stay Informed with a Trusted Weather Radio

When the sirens go off, a reliable NOAA weather radio is your best friend. This FosPower Emergency Weather Radio features a crank/solar/USB charger, flashlight, and SOS alarm.

👉 Grab it now on Amazon(Highly rated with 4.8★ reviews)

🛠️ Build Your 72-Hour Survival Kit

Whether you're sheltering at home or evacuating, this Deluxe 2-Person Survival Kit includes everything from food and water to flashlights and first aid.

🧰 Shop the emergency kit here

🩹 Don’t Forget First Aid!

This 330-Piece First Aid Kit is compact, easy to store, and packed with supplies for home, car, or go-bags.

💊 Add it to your cart

🍲 Emergency Food for the Family

With shelf-stable meals that last up to 25 years, this Augason Farms 72-Hour Food Kit is a smart backup plan.

🥫Stock your pantry

🗓️ Things Happening In Woodward

(and surrounding areas)

📍 JULY 11–13 | Woodward’s Weekend of Local
Celebrate all things local! This weekend-long event features downtown shopping, food vendors, music, and fun for the whole family. Support local businesses and enjoy the community vibes.

📍 JULY 14 at 6 PM | 2025 Football Signups
Location: Woodward High School
Time to gear up for the fall season! Parents and players are invited to sign up and meet the coaching staff. Get ready for some gridiron action.

📍 JULY 14 at 6 PM | Vacation Bible School – "True North"
Location: 2803 Maple Avenue, Woodward
An adventurous week of stories, crafts, and fun for kids with a faith-filled twist. Begins Monday night — registration encouraged.

📍 JULY 17 at 7:45 AM | Main Street Committee Training
Location: High Plains Tech Center
Strategic training on organization, promotion, and local development. Perfect for those who want to get more involved in shaping Woodward’s downtown future.

📍 JULY 17 at 6 PM | Open Mic Night with Dakota Davis
Location: 209 S Main St, Mooreland
Grab the mic or cheer on local talent! A fun, relaxed evening of live music, comedy, and storytelling. Bring your voice or just your vibe.

📍 JULY 18 at 4 PM | Summer Signing at the Mercantile
Come meet local authors including Delon Nicole Starkey and Mikel Maurer Robinson. A great chance to support creatives and grab a signed book!

📍 JULY 20 at 11 AM | Besties Brunch
Location: 2809 8th St, Woodward
Gather your favorite people for a relaxing brunch filled with laughter, mimosas, and friendship. The perfect Sunday reset.

📍 JULY 21–25 | WATC Youth Summer Arts Camp
Location: 818 Main St, Woodward
Back for 2025! Creative workshops in art, music, and performance for kids ages 8–18. Let them unplug and create all week long.

📦 Pick of the Week

🍽️ Easy Cheesy Baked Chicken

Weeknight Dinner Favorite – Ready in Under 30 Minutes!

This comfort-food classic is rich, gooey, and packed with flavor—but still simple enough for any skill level. A crowd-pleaser for families, date nights, or potlucks!

🛒 Ingredients:

• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

• 1½ cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)

• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

👨‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Prep the chicken: Pat chicken dry. Rub with olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

3. Sear (optional): In a hot oven-safe skillet, sear chicken for 2–3 minutes per side for added flavor.

4. Top and bake: Pour marinara sauce around chicken. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly on top.

5. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes or until chicken reaches 165°F internal temp and cheese is golden and bubbly.

6. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with garlic bread, pasta, or a crisp side salad!

🤤 Pro Tip:

For an extra kick, add red pepper flakes or a layer of pesto under the cheese!

🌤️ Woodward Weather Forecast: July 13–19

Here’s what to expect this week in Woodward, Oklahoma. Watch for changing skies, rising temps, and a few surprise showers…

☀️ Sunday, July 13

Humid with clouds and afternoon storms
High: 84°F · Low: 68°F
Pack an umbrella if you’re heading out—there’s a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.

⛅ Monday, July 14

Cloudy & muggy with isolated storms
High: 88°F · Low: 70°F
A couple of storms may roll through. Expect sticky weather and stay hydrated.

💨 Tuesday, July 15

Partly sunny and breezy
High: 93°F · Low: 72°F
The heat is climbing! Great day for sunshine lovers—just don’t forget sunscreen.

🌩️ Wednesday, July 16

Storms may return by afternoon
High: 88°F · Low: 66°F
Expect gusts of wind and scattered showers. Could be a dramatic sky by evening.

🌧️ Thursday, July 17

Morning rain and thick humidity
High: 82°F · Low: 65°F
Early storms likely. Keep an eye on the radar before heading out.

🌥️ Friday, July 18

Clouds clearing, temps steady
High: 88°F · Low: 68°F
A calmer day with better skies by the afternoon. Weekend weather looking up!

🔥 Saturday, July 19

Hot, dry, and less humid
High: 96°F · Low: 70°F
The hottest day of the week! Ideal for BBQs or hitting the lake—but pace yourself in the sun.

🧳 Pro Tips for the Week:

• Keep rain gear handy (especially Sun–Thurs)

• Stay cool and drink plenty of water

• Saturday looks perfect for outdoor plans—just bring sunscreen!

"The only way to do great work is to love what you do." - Steve Jobs

If you miss the kind of breakfast Grandma used to make—or just need a place where everyone knows your name—then swing by A Touch of Home in Woodward.

From the first bite of our famous Chicken Salad Sandwich to our hearty Breakfast Meals, every dish is made with love and served with a smile. Whether you're grabbing a quick cup of coffee or Avocado toast done right you’ll feel like family the moment you walk through the door.

🕕 Open 6 AM to 3 PM – Monday through Friday

💌 Thank You for Reading!

That’s a wrap for this week’s Woodward Shoutouts!

We’re so grateful to have you as part of our local newsletter family. Whether it’s a pet that needs a home, an event you attend, or a smile from a quote — we hope something in here made your day just a little better.

We’re a brand-new newsletter, built to uplift, inform, and connect the amazing people of Woodward. If you enjoyed this issue, please forward it to a friend, neighbor, or family member — the more we share, the stronger our community becomes.

🙏 Want to help us grow?

If you’d like to support Woodward Shoutouts by becoming a sponsor, we’d love to hear from you! Reach out anytime at advertise@woodwardshoutouts.com

See you next week — and don’t forget to shout out someone or something worth celebrating! 💬

With gratitude,

Matt West 🧡

Answer: A) 1887