April 7, 2021 Issue, Page 4 of 10

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4 April 7, 2021 News Students attend Oklahoma’s Electric Cooperative Leadership Summit OKLAHOMA CITY – Twenty-eight students, representing Oklahoma’s Electric Cooperatives, attended the 2021 Okla- ECTRIC COOPERATIVES LEADERSHIP SUMMIT homa’s Electric Cooperatives Leadership Summit on March 15, 2021, at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. Derah Thomas from THAN GRABEAL REPRESENT NFEC Reydon and Lathan Grabeal from Hammon represented Nortf- hork Electric Cooperative during the educational workshop. This annual event is designed to excite and motivate high nts, representing Oklahoma’s Electric Cooperatives, attended school students to become leaders of their communities. More than 500 Oklahoma high school students have been recognized for their leadership abilities by having the opportunity to attend ership Summit on March 15, 2021, at the Oklahoma State one of the previous Leadership Summits. The program featured Oklahoma natives, Rhett Laubach and athan Grabeal from Hammon represented Nortfhork Electric Kelly Barnes, who have collectively spent over 40 years sharing leadership messages with students and adults in the education, agriculture, insurance, health, transportation, and sales indus- tries. The students learned how to focus on making the most of the service and growth opportunities available to them now and motivate high school students to become leaders of their in the future. The program helped increase the students under- standing of how leaders create change, overcome obstacles and serve others through behavior and attitude. l students have been recognized for their leadership abilities “This was definitely an amazing experience! I had so much fun meeting new people and the speakers were absolutely fan- ious Leadership Summits. tastic,” said Derah Thomas. “My overall experience at the 2021 leadership summit was very good. I got to meet new people, and I got out of my comfort hett Laubach and Kelly Barnes, who have collectively spent zone by speaking in front of people. This scholarship has taught me that putting effort into things that I may not like can have dents and adults in the education, agriculture, insurance, benefits to it,” said Lathan Grabeal. “Thank you for providing the funding of scholarships to help students like me further their education.” dents learned how to focus on making the most of the service Oklahoma’s Electric Cooperatives serve a portion of all 77 counties in Oklahoma. While focusing on member needs, d in the future. The program helped increase the students cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their Derah Thomas and Lathan Grabeal represent NFEC. communities through programs, services and policies developed Courtesy photos. by member-elected boards. Cooperatives are grounded on the ome obstacles and serve others through behavior and attitude. premise of neighbors helping neighbors, while powering the needs of new generations. d so much fun meeting new people and the speakers were Oklahoma alcohol laws make progress in mmit was very good. I got to meet new people, and I got out This scholarship has taught me that putting effort into House and Senate aid Lathan Grabeal. “Thank you for providing the funding Curbside sales, third-party deliveries and more options for retail r education.” ortion of all 77 counties in Oklahoma. While focusing on establishments/consumers le development of their communities through programs, OKLAHOMA CITY – Over have the flexibility they need comfortable. During the 2021 tunities for businesses to meet through curbside and delivery Commission to sell curbside boards. the last year,Cooperatives the Oklahoma are grounded to adapt on theandpremise to the pandemic of session, legislators Legislative consumer demand. Two bills, options. Senate Bill 757 could and deliver original sealed Legislature has made steady offer shopping experiences have been working diligently Senate Bill 757 and House Bill extend these options for busi- containers of beer and/or wine eeds oftonew progress generations.that make consumers feel ensure businesses to continue to expand oppor- 2868, being heard this session nesses that include: to consumers ages 21 and offer new and continued op- Allowing retail spirit older. portunities for curbside sales, licensees to sell curbside and SB 757 could also autho- alcohol beverage delivery and deliver alcoholic beverages, in- COVID-19 Vaccine drive-thru window options for liquor stores beyond the cluding beer, wine and spirits in sealed original containers to rize third-party vendors, such as DoorDash and UberEats, to make alcohol deliveries for immediate needs of the pan- consumers aged 21 and older. small breweries, farm winer- ## demic. Allowing small brewers and ies and restaurants, bars or Walk-In Clinic “During 2020, Oklahoma consumers embraced new laws small-farm wineries licensed by Oklahoma Alcoholic Bever- clubs. Payment for alcoholic beverage product delivery that made it safer and more may be made by cash, check, age Laws Enforcement (ABLE) convenient to purchase the transportable credit and debit April 7th, 1:00pm – 3:00pm beer, wine and spirits that Commission to sell curbside- only alcoholic beverages they card processors, and advance they wanted either through online payment methods. curbside or delivery oppor- produced in sealed original containers to consumers aged SB 757 has won full House tunities, and they want to approval and is currently un- Merritt Schools Gym Lobby continue to purchase their preferred alcoholic beverages 21 and older. Allowing restaurants, dergoing Senate review. bars and clubs holding mixed Additionally, HB 2868, in new, innovative ways,” said beverage, beer and wine, or ca- which has been approved by 19693 E 1130 Road Lisette Barnes, President of the Oklahoma Beer Alliance. terer/mixed beverage licenses the House and Senate, permits “Businesses across the state issued by the Oklahoma ABLE licensed spirit retailers to sell  Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines available are eager to embrace change Commission to sell curbside alcohol via drive-thru win- and deliver only closed pack- dow. Sealed beverages can be  Open to anyone 16 yrs and over and the laws being discussed ages of beer and wine to con- served to consumers aged 21 could open a lot of doors to  Under 18 yrs of age must have parent of guardian new ways of doing business in sumers aged 21 and older. and older. Orders can be done Oklahoma.” Allowing grocery and in person, over the phone, Last year, Senate Bill 1928 convenience stores holding a or online and picked up at a offered new ways for business- retail beer and/or wine license drive-thru location. For more information call Beckham County Health Dept 580-225-1173 es to sell alcoholic beverages issued by the Oklahoma ABLE This week, HB 2868 re- ceived approval in the Senate. “While the reopening process will be measured, these potential new additions A great gift for any time of the year! and changes to Oklahoma law would allow businesses to continue to adapt and find ways to maintain sales, as well as allow more options for consumers to get the bever- ages they want,” said Barnes. “We look forward to continue working to support laws that $50 $75 allow businesses the flexibility they need, while also ensuring this is done in a responsible way.” About Oklahoma Beer 6 Months 1 Year Alliance The Oklahoma Beer Alli- Add the e-paper to a print ance is dedicated to promot- ing common sense laws that subscription for $1 per month enable Oklahomans to choose the highest quality products without compromise, while encouraging personal re- sponsibility throughout our community that benefits the common good. For more infor- 109 W. Broadway 580-225-3000 • www.elkcityoknews.com mation, please visit okbeeral- liance.com.