It could also be said that even fewer people (when pursuing their dreams) turn down any opportunity that could take them closer to the thing they want.

Yet, that’s exactly what Brandon Henry did.

The former high school coach, and elementary physical education instructor traded-in his whistle for a set of golf clubs this past May. Then, he did the unthinkable—again.

Three months after entering his new profession, Henry qualified for the “Golf Channel Am Tour National Championship” in Jacksonville, Florida.

But he has elected not to go.

“I am not going to go compete in the national,” Henry announced from the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club Clubhouse in Norman, Okla., on Monday, Sept. 6. “I decided to forfeit that because…it’s not until the end of September, (and) it would put me a month behind in my training process.”

He added that his long-term goal is to be a “professional golfer”, not just a marquee tournament player.

“After talking to my family, and my coach…. the money would be better spent pouring into me, into my lessons, and into some entry fees (for) some mini-tournaments,” he said.

According to Henry, the total out-of-pocket expense for the national championship would be approximately $2,500.

Still, he reaffirmed, he’s pursuing his dream by looking toward the future.

“I knew I needed a coach…. I finally found (one),”  Henry explained. “I’m with a guy named Steve Ball, he’s the number one golf instructor in Oklahoma…. he evaluated me, and we came up with a game plan.

“I have a whole lot of work, a whole lot of technique that I need to change,” Henry continued. “So I’m going to spend the rest of this year working on getting into better shape, working on my swing, and then hopefully (next) Spring…. it will give me the opportunity to go compete on a mini-tour.”

See the video of Brandon Henry’s official announcement below.

The event takes place each year in the outskirts of the unincorporated community located in the south central part of the state.

Set to begin at 8 a.m., the one-day gathering is open to the public and is held at the Ben Troyer Farm.

In addition to the auction of 100-plus handmade quilts, members of the area’s Amish community will be selling antiques, livestock, baked goods, furniture, hand tools, and more.

According to event officials, baked good and lunch stand sales—along with all commissions—will go to the Clarita Amish School.

Luann Waters, a 15-year attendee of the auction, shared the following six tips to navigating the annual event.

1. Arrive early: be on-site no later than 8 a.m. Get directions here.

2. Wear comfortable shoes: walking is required to see everything.

3. Prioritize prior to arrival: decide what’s personally important to see first. For example—participation in all auctions requires a bidder number which should be acquired upon arrival. Note—signing up for a bidder number places you on a mailing list to receive auction information the following year.

4. Purchase food items early: (a) to avoid lines, and (b) vendors tend to sellout as the day progresses.

5. Take a camera: while it is permissible to take photos of the quilts, it is advised to ask permission prior to photographing any crafted items, and the actual Amish people themselves.

6. Take spending money: in addition to a $2 parking fee (per vehicle), breakfast, and lunch are served; checks, cash, and credit cards (Visa & MasterCard) are accepted.

For more information about the annual auction click here.

One of two commercial laundromats in Pauls Valley (Okla.), Thompson’s Laundry has three over-sized washing machines.

Each unit can hold up to four loads of laundry, and is ideal for larger items: pillows, bedspreads, blankets, stuffed animals, etc.

With nine cycle settings available, each washing machine has a 23-minute run-time and cost $5 to use.

Thompson’s also offers 18 over-sized dryers to accomodate larger loads of laundry.

At a cost of $0.25 per use, each dryer has a seven and a-half minute run-time, and features an adjustable knob control for temperature settings.

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Did you know…? “M&M’s Minis” tubes make convenient holders for U.S. quarter dollars.

The smaller size tubes hold $10 in quarters, while the larger size tubes hold $20 in quarters. Each tubes slender shape makes it ideal for purses, backpacks, and car consoles.

What laundromat tips do you have?

Jeff Hersch, right, first-assistant director of "Noodling" the film, looks on between takes on-set in Pauls Valley, Okla., on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010. The USC Thesis Film is the product of writer, and director Rebecca Eskreis. Photo by: Josh England

Nick Waters (that's me), seated, "live tweets" on-location during the production of "Noodling", the film, in Pauls Valley, Okla., on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010. The USC Thesis Film is the product of writer, and director Rebecca Eskreis. Photo by: Josh England

Cast and crew of "Noodling", the film, watch a TV-news broadcast about the movie via computer inside the home of John and Susanne Blake in Pauls Valley, Okla., on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010. The USC Thesis Film is the product of writer, and director Rebecca Eskreis, standing to left with arms crossed. Photo by: Josh England

Watch the TV-news broadcast referenced above by clicking here. See more “Noodling” photos here.

The election, scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010, is said to cost Garvin Co. taxpayers nothing due to its approval taking place during today’s commissioners meeting.

According to Comm. Johhny Mann, if the “liquor by the drink” election had been approved after today it could have cost area residents up to $12,000.

Further, Mann cited Garvin County budget shortfalls as motivation to approve the vote.

An as-of-yet unidentified local group has agreed to pay at least $10,000 to carry out the election.

Area residents are dissatisfied with local lawmakers due to the wording used to propose a special “liquor by the drink” county-wide election.

The election is tentatively set for Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010.

I celebrated the life of a colleague at his funeral; witnessed the marriage of another friend; missed my parents wedding anniversary by one day (not proud of that); and was on-set for the production finale of “Noodling”.

Saturday, August 7, began with the funeral of Pauls Valley Police Chief Scott Robbins in Wynnewood, Okla.

Saturday then ended with the wedding of Ryan Willis, and Cassady Fanning in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Somewhere in-between those two events I forgot my mom, and dad’s 34th wedding anniversary. Now, there are two things I should point out: 1. I blogged about my parents special day last year, and even had a reminder in my phone for this year.

But the reminder was set for the wrong date.

Not to worry, though. I apologized after I realized my error, and was forgiven.

Then, to end the weekend, on Sunday, August 8, production ended for “Noodling”, the film, in Pauls Valley.

The seven day shoot took place in our community, and the last day of shooting literally took place inside our next-door neighbor’s house. Here’s some video from the crew’s time here in Garvin County.

“Three years ago, I picked up the Sports Section of the New York Times, intending to brush up on the previous night’s baseball games. Instead, a column about a different sport caught my eye: “Noodling.’”

So goes the story that inspired the film by the same name. ”Noodling” is the USC Thesis Film written, and directed by native-New Yorker Rebecca Eskreis.

According to the project’s website, “(Noodling) is the culmination of three-plus years of graduate education at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.”

Shooting for the film began in Pauls Valley, Okla., on August 2, and is projected to conclude on August 9, 2010.

To learn more about production, visit the “Noodling” website or Twitter.

Beginning this week, Norma’s will be located south of Love’s Travel Stop in downtown Pauls Valley on Fridays from 6 – 9 p.m, and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., and 4 – 10 p.m.

In addition to the taco truck’s presence near State Highway 19, more choices have also been added to the menu.

According to Norma, chicken and pork are now available along with beef for tacos, tortas, tostadas, and more.

View Norma’s Catering newest location in a larger map