March 29, 2019 Issue, Page 1 of 14

Page Text

See Big Elk sports page 10 Serving Western Oklahoma WEEKEND Since 1901 EDITION Friday, March 29, 2019 ECHS band director retiring after 26 years Students reflect on band director By Don Munsch Editor By Don Munsch Editor Jimmy Smith recalls when times when the Southwest Farm & Home Expo featured nothing but agricultural exhibits. Trinity Jordan points “Of course, back in the day, we had a lot more farmers — around the Elk City High young farmers - and we just thought it would be important School band hall to plaques for Elk City and be a good thing and so everybody can see lining the walls. the new technology,” said Smith, expo committee member. ‘The plaques note the “When we first started this thing, it was called the Southwest band’s success over the Ag Expo. It was all ag stuff. We didn’t even let other vendors decades at the school. in back then. Throughout the years, farmers have retired and Jordan joined fellow se- their kids don’t want to farm.” niors and band mates Jacob Smith said he is fortunate that his son, Spencer Smith, Randy Brooks, right, chats with Elk City High School band students Jacob Doty, Doty and Haaken Ahiers Haaken Ahiers and Trinity Jordan in the band hall at the school on Tuesday. Brooks is chose farming as his vocation, and he and his son have par- in talking about the effect ticipated in the expo as a family tradition, too. Spencer is the Randy Brooks has had on retiring as ECHS band director this year. Staff photo by Don Munsch. co-chairman ofthe 35th annual expo, coming April 6-7 to the the band program. Brooks is Elk City Convention Center. Admission and parking are free. that’s not the only streak at had 11 band seniors his first retiring this year after serv- hand: For 38 straight years, year. Spencer Smith, 30, never misses an expo. ing as the band director at “I’m 100 percent sure I’ve been to every expo since I was a the high school since 1993. the band has received 1's at “Those kids bought in to the OSSAA regional march- what different [perspective] baby,” he said. “He expects everything to The expo will feature more than 100 displays showing the be super well done,” Jordan ing contest. Elk City’s band is Ibrought and they kind of latest in farm and livestock equipment as well as lawn, home said. “He expects nothing the only 4A band in the state set the foundation for what’s and garden supplies, according to information from the Elk but hard work from us.” to win back-to-back double happened the last 26 years,” sweepstakes, Brooks said. he said. City Chamber of Commerce. The expo draws about 7,000 But Brooks concerns him- self with more than just how “The kids do the work,” ‘The students have always visitors each year, said Susie Cupp, chamber executive direc- Brooks said, attributing been the key to success, The tor. students are handling music Special events also will be held during the two-day event, and school wor'k, as he cares the success to the students’ band staff works with the efforts. “We have a commu- students from fifth grade until which kicks off at 7:30 a.m. April 6 with the Eggs & Issues about students’ personal Legislative Breakfast sponsored by American Farmers & nity that expects a quality they graduate, and staffers lives, too. program just because of the treat the students as if they Ranchers Mutual Insurance. The expo opens at 9 a.m. April 6 “He really cares about his and runs to 6 p.m. The expo runs from noon to 5 p.m. April 7. students,” Ahiers said. “And Brooks tradition, and I think the kids are their own kids, Brooks if youneed something, you know through hard work, said. As farmers retired and the number of farmers dwindled, year and year out, we’re going “We've had incredible the expo then became an ag and home show, Jimmy Smith can go to him and ask him By Don Munsch to have a program that’s go- young men and women to said. But some things have not changed. and he'll help you out.” Editor “We've had a bull sale every year,” Jimmy Smith said. This Doty, who serves one of as ing to excel, both on the state work with — that’s what I’m level and a national level.” going to miss the most.” he year’s bull sale will be at 2 p.m. April 6, with 45 bulls in the three drum majors, said he Randy Brooks thinks back sale. willcontinue to playtrum- _to being the second choice for The band has 125 members said. “That’s what ’'m going this year, he said. Forty-eight to miss the most — that rela- Patrons can buy items at the expo, but generally speaking, pet after high school. North- Elk City High School’s new most people don’t buy anything, Jimmy Smith said. The expo western OKlahomasought _—_band director back in 1993. students are in the wind tionship.” Small-town roots draws people mostly from western Oklahoma but also some Ahiers to play trumpet in its “P've might been their ensemble and the rest are from Texas and Kansas. band, Ahiers said. second choice, but I've never in symphonic band. For the ‘A Marlow native, Brooks “That's the other thing: tried to give it a second ef- Jast six years, both bands earned his bachelor’s and He’s really good aboutintro-/ fort,” Brooks said. have qualified for state. Last master’s degrees from See Farm & Home Expo page 2. ducing us to people who can Now, 26 years later, Brooks year, the symphonic band Southwestern Oklahoma State make connections through will retire as the high school won sweepstakes and wind University. Before coming to college,” said Jordan, who band director at the end of the ensemble received the out- Elk City, he taught in Snyder also plays the trumpet. academic year. standing achievement award. for eight years, where he also She said he instilled the Brooks will lead the band Brooks thinks both groups was the band director. values of teamwork and caring about one another in one more time to state, as the band went to the state contest have a “really good shot” to win sweepstakes this year. “Tt was a bigger commu- nity, a bigger program,” he Commissioners High expectations are the said, recollecting why he OK sharing plan students. this week for the 39th straight The students said they year, which Brooks said is norm here, and Brooks said decided to come here. “After See Reflecting page 2 the longest streak of 2A, 3A he appreciates the work of his and 4A bands in the state. But students over the years. He See Retiring page 2. By Don Munsch Editor Green Healer now ‘The Beckham County Commissioners heard as report on the OSU extension budget and approved a proposal for a sharing of services with Washita County at its March 18 meeting. open for business At the Monday meeting, the commissioners approved Jeremy Justus to replace Joe Gordon, who resigned, on the Beckham County 522 Ambulance Board. The commission also approved autility permit for BM Powerup for four util- ity service crossings. ia By Don Munsch Customers must possess a state During the March 18 meeting, Greg Hartman, with the Editor medical marijuana card in order to do OSU Extension office, discussed his budget and made a sug- any transactions, he said. gestion on the sharing of services. A passage of law in Oklahoma last “Tt has to be the actual card,” Grubitz “They're going to go in with Washita County and share a year laid the groundwork for Green said. “We're not accepting the approval person,” said Leasa Hartman, Beckham County Clerk, in Healer to open its doors at its small email people are trying to bring us.” an interview. Beckham County Ciommissioners gave their building at 102 S. Falcon Road in Elk ‘To obtain a medical marijuana approval for that arrangement for FY 20 and 21. City on March 8. card, people must have a physician’s Greg Hartman said with the staff he has now for fiscal The business, just outside city limits, recommendation, and after getting a year 2021, the county would have to budget $68,500; the sells medical marijuana products, and doctor’s approval, people can go to the budget amount now is $31,421. He told commissioners that they come in different varieties, such Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Author- county extension offices were looking into sharing staff with as edibles, smokable forms, drinks, ity website and create an account and nearby counties as an option to alleviate this increase on tinctures and extracts. submit a recommendation and apply. county buidgets, Leasa Hartman said. ‘About 30 to 40 peopleon average Participating doctors must meet cer- So Greg Hartman suggested working with Washita Coun- have come through the doors each day tain state certifications. ty Family and Consumer Sciences Educator Kristy Spald- Green Healer has been open so far, Once people are approved for the ing and allow her to do some work here: teach co-parenting owner Scott Grubitz said. Business has card, they will receive an email with a classes, aid the Ladies Extension Group and help with the been “really good,” he said. State vot- number on it, but the business can- 4-H program. Scott Grubitz stands behind a display ers passed medical marijuana in June. not log people into the system with the “And then Greg will go to Washita to help with the crop of items at his business, Green Healer, “We've had a lot of support from Elk email, Grubitz said. education and testing ofthings that his side does,” Leasa in Elk City on Wednesday. The business City,” Grubitz said. “Some people let you do it; we're not Hartman said. « ULLA Sorrow |. » tomor L las 4 34 sore row 1/2 ve 2 Yolit7,No.26 75 cents, 14 pgs. Homedelivery 580.225.3000 _Viewonline ecdailynewsonline.com