December 6, 2019 Issue, Page 1 of 14

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Serving Western Oklahoma Jeryn Smith, left, and Sydney Fairless per- form a scene during rehearsal this week at the Red Carpet Community Theatre. “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” runs through Dec. 14. Staff photo by Don Munsch. is Saige Thome, left, and Connie Whittenberg operate a kettle at a local retailer. Staff photo by Don Munsch. By Don Munsch, Editor munity the real meaning of Christmas,” Jay said. Salvation Army rings Beverly Jay calls “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” a The kids - four boys and two girls, whose last name is “cute” show that will make people laugh. Herdman - were troublemakers who changed their ways, she The show does arrive, appropriately enough, during a sea- said. Jay didn’t want to divulge spoilers, The children range in the season by son of ho-ho-ho and merriment, continuing its run today at in age from 8 to 15. the Red Carpet Community Theatre in Elk City and ending There’s no town or city for the setting, as “The Best Christ- asking for volunteers on Dec. 14. Jay, the show’s director, described the show as offering mas Pageant Ever” centers on a community church where a Christmas pageant is being staged and depicts how these “Jaugh out loud moments” and that people will enjoy seeing “deplorable” kids encounter a defining moment when they By Don Munsch, Editor a transformation of some young people in the story. realize the “true meaning of Christmas,” Jay said. The Salvation Army in Elk City wants volunteers to op- “It’s actually about how a group ofsix siblings who were “When they started, they had never even heard the Christ erate collection kettles this Christmas season at retailers in supposedly the worst kids in the whole world taught a com- See Pageant page 2. town. Part of the volunteer gig includes using a ringer to draw people’s attention. Most of the money donated to the Salva- New Purple Heart sign to be erected tion Army kettles will go toward helping people pay their utility bills, said Cindy Abney, Salvation Army divisional service unit coordinator, who serves four counties: Beck- ham, Washita, Roger Mills and Custer. Money raised will go toward gas, electric, wood or propane bills said, Abney said. Volunteers are needed through Dec. 21. “We are at Walmart Elk City, Walgreens in Elk City and Hobby Lobby” in Elk City, Abney said, noting Walmart in Weatherford has volunteer openings. “Hutch’s convenience stores are also a big asset to us during the red kettle season. They actually have little kettles at their convenience stores.” The stores also offer their customers to donate money this month, when they swipe their Hutch’s tag, Abney said. Veterans from the American Legion Post 181 pose with a sign they plan to post soon in Elk “And it's wonderful because they take that over all their stores statewide or nationwide and divide it up according to City. From left, Robert Berry,Gene Smith, Charlie Joy, James Potter, Jerry Thompson, Doug county and how many stores they have and where people ac- Haught, Kermit Kingsford, Pete Walker, Ralph White, Larry Proctor and Ed Womack. Staff tually gave,” she said, adding Salvation Army benefits well photo by Don Munsch. on that project. By Don Munsch, Editor Vietnam. “They kind of got together and put these Purple Each kettle at the retailers is operated by two people each A new Purple Heart City sign will be erected in south part Heart signs up and got permission from the state highway hour. of Elk City soon as part of a city-recognized effort. [department] if they needed it.” “So we ask for two volunteers for two hours, is what we The city paid for half of the sign project, while the Ameri- usually ask,” Abney said, noting two people per kettle can Thompson would like to have a comprehensive list of can Legion paid for the other half, said Jerry Thompson, See Salvation Army page 2. commander of American Legion Post 181 in Elk City. Four Purple Heart recipients in the area. Thompson said people may call him to add a name to the list. He can be reached at signs have already been erected around town, and this sign City Commissioners will be the fifth. The city proclaimed Elk City to be a Purple Heart City on Oct. 7. 580-799-1817. List of names accumulated so far: approve audit report “Tt started with Weatherford, Clinton, Elk City and Sayre,” said Thompson, who served in the Army in Germany and Carl Miller, Robert Wilcoxson and Robert Wright: killed See Purple Heart page 2. By Don Munsch, Editor Elk City City Commissioners had a light agenda Monday coming back from the Thanksgiving holidays, but they did Pioneer Center to approve the Fiscal Year 18-19 audit report. Derrel White, a certified public accountant representing hold concerts FSW&B Certified Public Accountants-PLLC in Stillwater, By Don Munsch, Editor went over the report with commissioners. White character- Tickets are still available for two concerts coming soon to ized the audit as “clean.” The commissioners approved the the Pioneer Center in Elk City. audit in a 4-0 vote, with commissioner Rick Shelton absent “A Cowboy Country Christmas” will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 from the meeting. at the Kelli O’Hara Center of Performing Arts and features Revenues were about the same from last year to this report- country musician Wade Hayes and special guests Penny ing year, although operating expenses were a little higher Gilley, Dave Alexander and Doug Allen Nash. Gilley hosts this year— $1.7 million more - but most of that went toward “The Penny Gilley Show” on the RFD-TV. Tickets are for capital projects and Main Street project, White said. He said the show are $20, $25 and $30, with VIP seats priced at $40, the city’s financial reporting system was adequate, given the which includes premium seats and a back stage meet-and- size and resources of the city. The system in place is good, greet with Hayes and the other musicians. he said, and has improved over the last decade. Justin Ediger, co-director of the choir program at Elk City The city had $1 million less in grant revenues this year, High School who oversees the bookings at the Pioneer Cen- which was made up by sales tax and use tax, and “that would ter, said he found out about about the show with Hayes and be considered a pretty positive thing, especially this year,” other musicians after talking with the Texas-based promoter. See Audit report page 2. Wade Hayes. Photo courtesy of Wade Hayes. Ediger thought the show would be a good fit for Elk City. See page Pioneer Center page 2. Weather Vol. 117, No. 98 Mail delivery View online ’ iki wu I | Ut) l tomorrow / 38 75 cents, 14 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com