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The evening began at 3 p.m. with a brief open
house event. Guests enjoyed sweet treats while watching some of the
Oak Hill students practicing their skills, visited with the Cowan’s
and each other, and checked out the brand new building at 817
Broadway Street in Lincoln.
At 3:30 p.m., the ribbon cut was held in the large
gymnasium-like building. Amy and Chris were joined behind the ribbon
by their children Pam Larson, Sierra Schleder, Ainslee Abel and her
husband Lucas, Kara Howard, Reagan, Lawson, Hadley, Annabelle and
Jackson Cowan. Also behind the ribbon were their grandchildren
Warren and Dean Schleder, Corie and Mason Abel, and Brady, Brant and
Brayton Larson. Sierra and Reagan are instructors along with their
mother. Other instructors that were behind the ribbon with the Cowan
family was Alexia Smothers, Masa McCloud, Alivia Catey, and Sophia
Morgan. The family pastor Mitch Estep was also there along with
Logan County Board Member Lance Conahan, Logan County Clerk Theresa
Moore, Lincoln City Clerk Peggy Bateman and Lincoln Mayor Tracy
Welch.
The start off the event, Pastor Estep delivered a
prayer of blessing on the new building, the Cowan family and the
students that pass through the doors of the facility.
Conahan gave a wave to everyone, congratulating the Cowans. Mayor
Welch was asked to speak and thanked the Cowans for their continued
support of the youth in the community through the programs they
offer and also expressed appreciation for the family’s long-time
history of business ownership in Lincoln.
Chris Cowan addressed the crowd, offering a little bit of history on
Oak Hill Tumble and Trampoline. He explained that Amy had started
the business about 25 years ago, though she was an instructor before
that. They located in Lincoln and for a time had a space on the
eastward side of town on Limit Street near Modern Brake. They then
had the opportunity to move into the heart of town in the large
white building just a block and a half off of the Logan County
Courthouse Square.
He said that they loved the location, but also new
they were outgrowing it. He said there was never a doubt that they
wanted to stay in Lincoln with the business, but where to go became
a quandary. However, it happened that a space became available
beside their existing business, and the logical and best answer was
to take that space and build a new building adjacent to the existing
one. He said that the contractors on the project FBi Buildings and
Bret Tripplett heating and Cooling were in attendance at the ribbon
cut and he wanted to acknowledge how great they had been to work
with on the project, how that they had addressed every need and
concern and been patient with the couple as they worked through the
details of what they wanted and needed. He added that he would
recommend them to future builders along with the family pastor who
had been the go to guy for the drywalling in the front portion of
the building.
Amy was the next to speak, saying that they gave
glory to God for the blessing the family has received and that they
work to please him in all their efforts. She said they manage an
upright business with moral and Christian standards and work to be
an example to the students they serve.
When the speeches were completed, the group stood for
the traditional posed picture, then Chris and Amy snipped the ribbon
in celebration of their new building.
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After the cut, Amy asked that an additional picture
be taken with the students who had come to watch the ceremony.
Prior to the ribbon cutting, Amy Cowan visited with LDN about the
business and the many classes that are offered. She said that there
are currently about 300 students who attend various classes. She
said they have classes for the very young starting at about 18
months through adult.
Oak Hill offers tumbling, gymnastics, Cheer, trampoline training,
and new to the business ninja classes.
While most of those are self-explanatory, she did explain the
trampoline classes. She said they work with a netted trampoline and
teach students the art of jumping and performing a routine. She said
that trampoline is now an Olympic sport, and it is ever growing in
popularity.
Ninja is not what we see on television with swords
and special weapons. She said rather it is a type of speed and upper
body strength training where students learn to move through routines
at a very fast pace. She said again this is gaining popularity and
is of interest to the more mature students in particular.
Amy said with the new building, classes are now held in both
buildings, and she has been able to expand classes, added five new
instructors, and has also added a secretary which she has never had
before. She said that having Jennifer Craig join the team had done
wonders for keeping the business and Amy herself better organized.
With the expansion, the business now offers 37 classes throughout
the year. She said that they also add some extra classes during the
summer when school is out.
Amy said that she feels that she is blessed beyond
what she deserves. She is blessed to have a good family, and been
led by God to be the best parents she and Chris can be, and has been
given a great team of instructors to help her fulfil her goals and
missions in the community.
Oak Hill Tumble and Trampoline is currently offering evening classes
on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. To learn more about the business
visit their website at Oak
Hill Tumbling.
[Nila Smith] |
