01/10/2026
I feel the need to make what I think will be the final post on this page. When the opportunity arose two years ago to repurpose the Exchange into a teen center, I jumped at the chance. My hope was that it would give the teens an option to meet up with friends and have some fun. The teenagers in my life were going to Walmart to meet up with friends... and as they get older, of course the concern with the partying at Orman or wherever. I wanted there to be another option, like a lot of small towns had when I was younger. My passion has always been the kids, but at some point, it has to make business sense. We are not a non-profit or supported by any ministry as some have thought. I've loved the kids, even the rowdy ones. Broken games, etc. really didn't concern me much, because I expected the same from kids blowing off some steam. But I've watched and learned a lot about kids. I'm 53...not "old", but it's been a few years since I was a teen. We were in all the school sports, but there was a break between sports. Summer was for working. Country kids worked on the ranch. Town kids worked at the store, drive-in, etc. We did not have to be at the gym every day for open gym. And weekend games were somewhat rare. Sports were fun, but they did not consume all our time. We also could not wait to get out of the house and see friends. Home was fine, but it had 1-2 non-cordless phones. The privacy of your own cell phone in your room was unheard of. Gaming had just started, but you certainly couldn't play on-line with your friend across town without ever leaving the house. Kids are still great, but things have changed. There's something like 700 followers on this page - mostly adults. The adults generally tell me they love this concept and wish they had it as a kid, but again, things have changed. With the cost of insurance upwards of $4,000 per year, in addition to taxes, utilities, employees, etc, the place needs to be full every weekend to pencil out. Then you weigh in the time away from family and activities to oversee things. It's been a great run. I've had as much or more fun than the kids, but it will no longer be open to the public or available for rent. The building and items inside are not being sold...yet. So if anyone has a great idea for it or wants to take this and run with it, look me up. Thank all of you for your support. Ronda
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