May 26, 2021 Issue, Page 10 of 50

Page Text

10 Community May 26, 2021 WOCS 6th grade graduates Western Oklahoma Christian School’s 2021 6th grade graduation was held Tuesday, May 11th. The American Citizenship award was presented to Conley Poole and Zoie Cook. The Valedictorian speech was given by Karch Carlson and Salutatorian Lexi Register presented the Class prophecy. Graduates Back row: Noah Wilhelm; Middle: Preston Conklin, Zoie Cook, Addyson Dungan, and Alexis Register; Front: Conley Poole, Luke Thomas, Russell Fairchild, Jaxston Thompson, and Karch Carlson Watch what you’re grabbing, folks Elk City Oil and Gas Tournament to be held traditional weekend By Shonda Little Four years ago, a massive doesn’t permit it. We are still a secretary, she edged her way tornado ripped through the always looking for new vendors. into management. With her re- In 2020, the Elk City Oil and Country Club addition, wiping The banners from last year were tirement years insight, she was Gas Tournament was forced to out the clubhouse and numer- a big hit, and we will be bring- laid off last year. Not even three hold its heralded annual tour- ous houses. The twister left ten ing those back out. People could decades of experience would nament in the late summer. people dead in it’s wake. take photos with them. We can save her position. Since it was the 50th anniversa- However, the will to persist also always use volunteers. We “It was a scary time for me,” ry of the classic, the group was remained. would take help from anyone she said. “I didn’t know what Occasionally we fix oatmeal for carefully reading, Renie had determined to have it despite “We have adapted. Last year who wants to help keep score. was going to come next. I felt breakfast. Not your favorite grabbed a bottle. After all, it Covid-19. we couldn’t have dinner be- It isn’t that hard to learn and like I was too old to do anything thing to eat of a morning? was in the correct part of the Debbie Smoot, the commit- cause everything needed to be that's how I started out. We else. Then everything kind of Me neither. So doctor it up. drawer, the bottle was the tee chairman, believes restor- outdoor. We realized that the have a committee of nine, but came together. First, I made a Cinnamon, sugar, and raisins Facebook post about the hail right size and color, and she ing the 51st tournament to its money spent on that could be we are open to more committee can make even shoe leather standard first weekend in June diverted to door prizes and to members who would commit storm and that I had lost my pretty tolerable. actually saw the letter “C” as is the perfect restart. increase the prize money for themselves to this work. We will job. The CFO for Hutchinson One morning we were busy she quickly glanced down. So “My parents were involved our golfers. We still had some never turn away an enthusiastic Oil, Justin Robinson, is also on working and talking in the she took for granted that it “WATCH WHAT YO in the tournament almost from vendors, but the oilfield was in volunteer who wants to see Elk the committee. He had reached out to me and told me that he kitchen together. Renie was what she wanted. But safe the start. My dad Jim was on a depressed state along with the City grow, who loves golfing or slamming the toast and wanted me to tell him what was to say, sweet cumin oatmeal is the board, and later my mom pandemic. Out of that necessity, the tournament in general. It juice on the table, Andy happening with me in case they not on her ‘Most Wanted’ list! Alice came on. Mom talked me we found that people like these doesn’t have to be all three of had the right position open manning the stove where into getting involved as a score- changes. We will have food those things. The tournament is up. I was having surgery and There is a lesson here, people. keeper. This tournament has iconic for a reason. It highlights the oatmeal bubbled away. trucks out and have our ven- knew I would be recovering for Just because something, or been a part of Elk City’s history dors and hole sponsorships. We all that is best, and we all love Our conversation drew his the oil and gas industry.” a few weeks. Then you reached attention enough that he forgot someone, looks and feels for a long time. We started out have been forced to make some out and wrote about it for the as an oil and gas appreciation In Smoot’s two decades on to add the cinnamon. When we perfect for you at first, that changes, but not all turned out newspaper. Erin Hutchinson the committee, she has wit- sat down to eat, we were still doesn’t mean it is going to tournament at a time when to be bad,” Smoot said. was being promoted and they nessed teams come as far away things were good. We have kept The teams are already fully as Alaska. had read that in that article that engrossed in our discussion, so work out. the tournament going through slated, and the waiting list “I even think about the teams I had done corporate training. Renie absentmindly pulled out That new relationship that the times that weren’t good. I remains. Smoot and her fel- that come from Tulsa. Driving They felt there could be a need the shaker of cinnamon and would even say that some of you so quickly assumed would low committee members have four or five hours for a golf tour- for corporate training. It was a liberally doused her bowl of us who worked in the industry sponsors and vendors slated nament seems like a long way be labeled “Makes Me So would they say were bad. The situation where the stars just sweetened oatmeal. Added hot throughout the course. for me. Of course, I don’t golf. aligned. If I wasn’t on the com- milk and took a bite – only to Happy”… turned out to be tournament became the em- balm of that — that we survive Last year, Colin Dyson suc- I am too competitive to play a mittee, I wouldn't have talked make a horrible face and gag. “Hell On Wheels And Now It’s in good times and bad. Through cessfully won a year’s worth of game I don’t think I can win. to Justin. If you hadn’t writ- Too Late.” “Ugh! Cumin. Not cinnamon,” all the years that I have been in- gas from Hutchinson Oil after I played softball for too many ten the story, they wouldn’t grabbing her napkin and The job that you sacrificed way volved, I have made friends who hitting a hole-in-one. years and can’t keep my foot have known what I could do as are only here once a year for Smoot says those opportuni- planted. My husband has had a spitting it out. too much family time to keep? a trainer. I technically work out this tournament. We are now ties will be present for the 2021 team for 25 years. I’m happy to The two containers looked so And now there’s simply no real of the Hutchinson Oil office on going back to our date that it is tournament. stay behind the scenes and help South Main in Elk City, but I much alike in shape, color and reason to leave the job after known for. I’m excited to have “We will have the 72 teams as the tournament go off without travel to all our stores to train. size. The only difference was work hours and go home – the teams and vendors back we always do,” she said. “With a hitch,” Smoot explained. I really enjoy being the train- the words on the front, CUMIN out, and I’m excited to see those the two-day tournament, we As Smoot has witnessed the and CINNAMON. And because because your family moved on ing coordinator and working friends again,” Smoot said. can’t add any more. We have challenges the tournament has for a stellar company like this. they both begin with the letter without you. The Covid-19 pandemic is the two sessions in the morning faced, she has also experienced Hutchinson Oil is among many C, they were side by side in the not the only obstacle that the and afternoon. We barely get first-hand the ebbs and flows of the great businesses who are spice drawer. (Yes, Renie is And those new threads that tournament has faced in recent through those. I wish we could of the oil and gas industry. Af- sponsors or vendors for this that OCD.) Assuming without look so great on you but cost times. add more teams, but the time ter starting at Weatherford as event.” you a fortune? A fortune that you charged to your credit card and now are paying interest ECHS celebrates two retirements out the nose. Renie’s problem with sweet cumin oatmeal was an easy fix. Dump the mess out and start over. But other rash I-didn’t- bother- care fully -look ing- before-I-did-it choices aren’t near as easy to mend. Divorces not on her ʻMost Wantedʼ l are painful and devastating in so many ways. Digging out from under a load of debt is crushing and sometimes can take years. And neglecting your for you at first, that doesnʼ spouse and kids for a great job? That job is a poor substitute for a home filled with giggles, kisses and suppers with your family. turned out to be “Hell On W You need to take time. Impulse buying in any area of life can lead to heartache. Shop The job that you sacrificed slowly and carefully for that relationship, that job, and that next great new outfit. Don’t make the mistake of jumping without taking the time to ECHS faculty and staff celbrated the retirement of Mrs. Deanne Bell and Ms. Joyce Roberts. Courtesy photos. actually think about it.