May 22, 2021 Issue, Page 3 of 8

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May 22, 2021 3 News Skating skates and “inlines,” or roller- blades. He loved the speed of the inlines and could ramp up While he utilizes the Skate Palace when he can, he also wanted to skate outdoors and started spamming the city on their Facebook page about this problem. I didn’t think it would At first, I would need to take a break after about a half-mile. It was slow and fast progress. My balance, intense cardio. Falling down hurts a lot more in your 40s than I remember it when I Continued from page 1. to skate upon walls. With the have seven-day-a-week access. actually get it fixed so quickly, progress felt slow when I start- was 15. But the skating itself is best 90s music blaring in the After all, he is on 24-hour but they did,” Gerhold said. ed, but doing it regularly got “That’s when we got into background, it was apparent call for his job in the oilfield. On Tuesday, the City of Elk me there faster than I expected. also easier on your knees and speed skating,” he said. “Lee that he was skilled. Gerhold has to take his chances City posted the repairs on their That’s the whole purpose of that hips than running. Not every- Cantrell was our coach, and But, life changes. He got to skate when he can. Facebook page. track — the health of our citi- one goes as full force as I do, so we would practice on Tues- his driver’s license and fell as He began skating at Ackley “We try to listen! Chris Ger- zens. I’m glad to see that they probably won’t fall. If you keep days and Thursdays. Then we much in love with cars as he Park in Elk City. However, he hold, we heard you! We got your listened to that.” from falling, it is very low im- were always there for session had skates. Gerhold stopped noticed a hole in the paved fix in on the cut at the walking Because Gerhold’s work skating during the week and competing as a speed skater. track. track. If it needs further work, schedule is so demanding, he pact on your joints. That skating the weekend. I did everything That is until his youngest “They had tried to fix it with just let us know,” the city’s can’t foresee how he would do rink is full on the weekends dur- but sleep with those skates child lured him back to the some loose asphalt, but that social media page posted. skating lessons or be a speed ing the school year, so the kids on. At that time, there was a sport of his youth. was washed away by rain. I The post included two photos coach team. He is, though, will- love it. There will be more adult big interest in speed skating. Like riding a bike, being back always skate with a helmet and of the repair. ing to help and hopeful to see it. skaters wanting somewhere to We went to meets regularly in in the skates felt natural. Not want to be safe. I skate in a way Gerhold was both surprised For at least the short term, go because it is so good for your Texas, Arkansas, and Tulsa. only did his beloved pastime that someone I’m coming up and impressed with the devel- he is focused on getting back The rinks were big enough that give him something to bond on will see because I want it to opment. to competing and involving quads and gluts. Now skaters you could sit the whole of Elk over with his daughter, but it be safe for them, too. I noticed “I don’t know if it is the his daughter. He predicts that have this much more safety in City’s building just in their rink pushed him back to the vigor- this could be a hazard for a power of social media or leaders skating will leap back into favor skating in Elk City. It’s cool to alone, but we would hang in ous exercise. skater, but other people use it who are listening, but I know among middle-age adults be- see, and I just hope more people with all of them. It was a lot Gerhold is now training to for skateboards or bikes. I saw it will make the track more cause of the fitness benefits. jump in and use it.” of fun, and we were exercising compete in his first event in elderly people being pushed functional,” Gerhold said. “I’m “Oh, it’s coming back,” he while we did it.” decades. in their wheelchairs, and they happy to see it done. Since gushed. “We are seeing people To network with Gerhold on Gerhold mastered “quads,” In August, he will lace up for had to go out in the grass to I’ve started skating again, I’ve come back to it. It’s a sport adult skating, reach out to him or the traditional four-wheeled the Golden Driller Thriller. go around this. Honestly, I worked myself up to ten miles. that works on your core, your on his Facebook. Elk City native to have art exhibit featured at Elk City Museum By Shonda Little beauty in the prairie and pas- thsese pieces.” with the museum and encour- “For two years, I didn’t miss a nate to have had that opportu- tures of this place. When you Jarnagin has coined the exhib- aged me to do this. I really Tuesday class unless I was busy nity and would love to be able On June 6, Elk City artist Jen- take time to look at what you it “Mother Road,” a play both want to give him kudos for this with my kids or with other to pass that one on,” Jarnagin ny Jarnagin will open an art are driving by, you can under- upon Rt. 66 and the earliest show, but also for spending his work. I started out not really said. exhibit in the newest building stand why our ancestors want- American settlers to western life working to develop the arts knowing what to think of it or The benefits were numerous. at the Elk City Museum Com- ed to settle here. They knew Oklahoma. in Elk City. There are so many where it would go, but it ended “In painting or working on plex. it wouldn’t be the easiest way “I have a painting of a prairie talented artists who have come up giving me so much develop- a new piece, I can feel stress The display, which is expected of life, and it would require a lady with a shotgun and a bon- from here. I know it is where ment. The teacher was able to being stripped away. It gets to run until September, will lot of blood, sweat, and tears. net. I had a painting of a head- I feel most artistic. I feel ex- help me blossom as an artist. you out of that zone and is a showcase an average of twenty They had to toil and sacrifice, dress. I have paintings of hors- tremely honored and blessed I am so thankful for that,” she personal reset, or it is for me. pieces from the classically- but they were also blessed with es and longhorns. They will that he would think of me as explained. It’s a healthy way to check out trained artist. this simple beauty. I truly be- be going into this collection. being worthy to do this show,” While Jarnagin is still active in of regular life and lose track “I see inspirations all the time lieve you can feel God in an Through art, this is a telling of Jarnagin said. her recording career and teach- of time. I didn’t expect it to when I am at home in Okla- Oklahoma sunrise and sunset. Oklahoma,” she said. While Jarnagin is best known ing music students, she is also be a career, but it became my homa,” Jarnagin explained. “I We see that horse grazing or Jarnagin was pulled in part to for her international sing- open to instructing an art class therapy. It switches your mode see it in our landscapes and the cowboy who has worked the project by her former art ing career, she has been in- in Elk City. of thinking and helps you mix our sunsets, which rival any- the land. They are surrounded teacher from Elk City High volved in painting for decades. “Having about eight students your concentration. Within where in the world. I have been by an almost engulfing sky full School, retired teacher Donnie Though she studied the medi- would be perfect for a six or music and art, there is always blessed to see them from dif- of vibrant colors and don’t al- Jordan. um in high school and college, eight-week session. It was re- room to grow. I love having a passion. I think that is impor- ferent places on Earth, and ways make sense to our sens- “I want to give a shoutout to she says she gained a lot from freshing, positive, and reward- tant for all of us. There are so none seem to compare to west- es. That is what inspired a lot Mr. Jordan. He was a remark- a private class she took as an ing for me to do this kind of See Art page 8. ern Oklahoma. There’s a lot of of the work that is going into able teacher. He is involved adult in Phoenix. class as a student. I feel fortu- Oil & Gas Report for the State of Oklahoma for May 11- 17, 2021 Subscribe Today! $50 $75 6 Months 1 Year