Jim Richardson
Though she has only lived in Wynnewood a little over five years, Donna Love has wasted no time settling into the community.
After Donna’s husband, Marshell, retired from his job with an aircraft company in Irving, Texas, the couple went looking up and down Highway 77 for a place to retire.
While checking out several different cities, they fell in love with what they saw in Wynnewood and in December of 2003 made the move to the small Oklahoma town.
“After we arrived, we purchased and moved into an old downtown structure that was built in 1896. It had once been home to the Wynnewood First National Bank,” Donna explained.
“We started renovating the upstairs area and that became our living quarters. We decided to work on the rest as we got time.”
Donna wanted to become actively involved in the community and in July of 2007 an opportunity came up for her to run her own business.
“For a while I was helping a lady at Crescent Diner located on Main Street in downtown Wynnewood. Then in July of 2007 I got the chance to become owner-operator of the business,” Donna said.
“I really love working there and it gives me a chance to visit with all the people of the community that come in to eat. My son, Wally Tarkington, helps me run it and he’s always coming up with some new recipe.”
During her short stay Donna has gained the respect of her fellow residents and merchants and for the last two consecutive years she was selected to serve as Wynnewood Chamber of Commerce president.
She has also been active raising funds for community projects through the local musical production of the Wynnewood Follies.
Area talent ranging from singing and dancing to comedy and acting is brought to the stage of the Wynnewood High School and all proceeds go to help support some worthwhile community need.
The theme of this year’s Follies will be Broadway and movie musicals and money raised will be used to buy a new stage curtain for the high school.
Donna and her husband recently made a return trip to the Irving area and she said she realized then she can’t imagine living anywhere else but Wynnewood.
