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THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE IT

by Becky Dixon

Greetings from Oklahoma! A quick word of introduction: I’m Becky Dixon, and RL Hudson recently asked me to be a contributor to Solutions. It seems many of their customers / readers aren’t that familiar with Oklahoma and want to know more about what makes the Sooner State special. As both a native Oklahoman and the host of the syndicated TV show Oklahomans, I’m always eager to help paint an accurate picture of our state and its people!

So why is this state so special? The answer is simple. Oklahoma is a wonderful place to work and live. The quality of life is unsurpassed. I know because I’ve lived in larger, more celebrated states including California, New York, and Florida.

During the 1980s, I worked for ABC as the co-host of Wide World of Sports. I was also a part of ABC’s broadcast team for the Super Bowl, Olympics, and Triple Crown of Horse Racing. I lived in both New York and LA during this time, but I literally spanned the globe traveling from one event to the next. Yes it was glamorous, but I was always eager to get back to Oklahoma.

I wanted to raise my children here where I knew they would learn strong values, receive a great education, and grow up in a safe environment. I came back to Oklahoma in 1991 and soon found that being away had given me an even greater appreciation for my home state.

Becky dixon and Reba McEntire Since 1991 I have hosted the television show Oklahomans. From Mickey Mantle and Troy Aikman to Garth Brooks and Reba McEntire, each episode profiles three accomplished Oklahomans. The program is meant to be inspiring and is my gift to the state that has given so much to me.

HEART AND HOPE To tell the story of Oklahoma, you must start with its people. Unlike our neighbors to the south, we Oklahomans aren’t known to boast. I’ve found that Oklahomans have more of a quiet confidence and what can best be described as a very special spirit. It’s a hard-working, never-say-die attitude, tempered with concern for others and old fashioned humility.

When I travel to New York or LA to interview celebrities for my show, they always talk about how their Oklahoma roots keep them grounded. Ron Howard, formerly Opie on “The Andy Griffith Show” and now a top movie director, told me he feels his Oklahoma roots have given him an emotional strength and stability that others in Hollywood don’t often have.

The other thing these celebrities talk about is how much they miss the Sooner state. Reba McEntire says it’s the people she misses most. According to Reba, “Oklahomans are friendly. They smile at strangers, look them in the eye and say hello.” You don’t find that on the streets of New York!

People here also like to help each other. From droughts and dust bowls to deadly tornadoes, our state has experienced tough times. Of course, nothing was worse than the Oklahoma City bombing, a tragedy that will forever be remembered as the day that broke Oklahoma’s heart but not its spirit. No matter what happens, it seems the Sooner spirit endures. It’s neighbors helping neighbors, Oklahomans helping Oklahomans.

We Sooners are also a generous people. Whether it’s Boone Pickens’ 70 million dollar donation to Oklahoma State University, supermodel Amber Valetta’s cancer work, or Troy Aikman’s Foundation for Children, Oklahomans put their time and money where their hearts are. As jazz musician and former NBA star Wayman Tisdale recently told me, “The best thing about my success is that it allows me to do more for other people.” A line from our state song may sum this up best: “Plenty of heart and plenty of hope.”

Oklahomans are also a hard-working people. Broken Arrow native Kristin Chenoweth told me she credits her strong work ethic to growing up in Oklahoma. It’s paying off, as the Tony Award winner is once again the toast of Broadway for her role as Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked, a prequel to The Wizard of Oz. And not to quote Dorothy, but for Oklahomans, there really is no place like home.

That’s it for now. Thanks for letting me “bend your ear” about my favorite place and its people! I’ll be back next time to share more of Oklahoma with you. Until then, have a great summer!