June 2, 2021 Issue, Page 2 of 8

Page Text

2 June 2, 2021 News/Obits to a community. Of course, we site is www.RCCT.org. Our board me and basically informed me Red Carpet have always known that, but missing out on it for so long has member Kat is working on it, and I’m excited to see what she that I was going to be audition- ing for this play. I told him that truly driven that point home,” comes up with for us.” he was crazy, that I couldn’t do Arganbright gushed. A Clinton resident, Argan- that. He said, ‘Fine, you can be The fundraising show will live bright, is new to the RCCT board the pianist.’ I said I didn’t want up to its name as variety. this year. However, the 32-year- to do that, either. He said, ‘Okay, “We have been having a old is a theater veteran who you don’t have to be the pianist, bunch of fun preparing for this,” brings a wealth of experience she said. “We will have mostly with her. but you do have to audition. It singing, but there will be danc- “I grew up in a tiny town in is at 8 o’clock,’ and then he hung ing, too. Some of the songs are the Panhandle with about 450 up. I was cast in the play. That classical, and others are mod- people,” she recounted. “There was in 2011, and I never looked ern. Some are from well-known wasn’t much opportunity for back,” she laughed. plays, and others are obscure the theater there, but I was in Arganbright has performed at gems. Some of the dances are band and choir. I knew that I numerous theaters, including in techno versions. Our perform- didn’t want to major in the arts Clinton, Hobart, and Elk City’s ers start at the age of around in college because I didn’t want RCCT. She has over thirty pro- eight-years-old. Most of our to be a public school teacher. ductions under her belt, either adults are women, so I joke that I grew up with these talented as an actor, director, or assisting it goes up to 29 because that’s musicians who were teachers. with stage production. when we women stop getting My dad is a teacher. At the time, Her focus is now primarily on older, right? But, some of our that was the only way that I saw the RCCT. performers are in their 40s and most of those majors use their “I will still be involved in the 50s. There is a great variety of degrees. I majored in English, ages, all of whom are really tal- though, with an emphasis on other theaters, but this new ented. We have solos and group writing because I had planned to and exciting chapter will be cen- acts and then will also have a go to law school. After I gradu- tered around the Red Carpet. larger group act with the cast,” ated from Southwestern, I en- I’m excited to dip into this new Arganbright advised. rolled in a paralegal program at venture because I am passion- The non-profit group will ac- OU. I went to work for a law firm ate about sharing the theater cept cash and checks. in Clinton, but that showed me with others. The benefits for our “We are also working on the that I didn’t have a desire to ac- young performers is endless. It way to take debit and credit tually go to law school. I’m still helps with social anxiety and cards. We will have that figured at that firm. I’ve been there for public speaking. Our older ac- out soon,” she added. nine years and enjoy the work, tors enjoy those same benefits. Because their prior vendor but being in the actual court- More than that, though, you are Continued from page 1. performers have all been eager went under during the pandem- room didn’t seem appealing to taught how to get in tune with to get back on stage and we have me any longer.” ic, the group is revamping their your own emotions and human can take whatever precau- had a high amount of interest website to include their new While at SWOSU in Weath- tions with which they feel through emails and messages erford, Arganbright was in the experiences. Kitty Goodwin, vendor for upcoming shows. comfortable. Seats cannot be from members of the public who community chorus. She hadn’t who help started the Southwest “We will be using Showtix reserved, so it will be on a first- seem just as excited to finally get now,” Arganbright explained. given thought to performing in Playhouse in 1965, told me once come, first-serve basis. That back into the theater. The long “That is who Southwest Play- the theater until a friend coaxed that if our audience leaves the makes it difficult to anticipate absence has at least allowed us house in Clinton uses, so I know her into it. All these years later, theater and thinks about their how many people will show, but to never take for granted again that it is a reputable company she has never left. own lives that we have done our we hope for a packed house. Our how special the theater truly is who will serve us well. The web- “My friend Jared Deck called jobs.” General Thomas P. Stafford Arts Park will offer youth acting, and Mrs. Ponce will offer another class of digital photography,” Continued from page 1. Currell added. Visits SWOSU has taught that class for third graders in the past and has been At the end of the month, the kids will have a showcase at the Susan Powell Auditorium at 7 an assistant for a deaf child. We pm on July 1. The show will be will also have art for beginners free admission. by Day. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, “We invite the public to come the first session will have cheer out and see what the kids have and dance by Mason and a sec- been working on in the Summer ond sign language class. Barrett Arts Program,” she said. will have a different program for Currell encourages interested the two different days. In each participants to visit the Sum- of those classes, the kids will learn sign language to a song, mer Arts Program Facebook but they will be different songs. Page and utilize the online sign- In the second session, Mrs. ups. Ross Phillips Ross Dea Phillips, 74 of Alva, Oklahoma went to be with the Lord May 21st, 2021 at his home surrounded by family. Ross was born February 16th, 1947 in Enid, Oklahoma the son of the late George and Beulah Jeanne Phillips. General Thomas P. Stafford Stafford Archives that will be papers and other items donated Ross had 3 sisters, Yenna visited the Southwestern Okla- housed in the Al Harris Library. King (Enid), Melissa Atkinson by the retired astronaut. Here, (Arlington, Texas) and Becky homa State University campus The collection will highlight the in Weatherford this week to achievements of Gen. Stafford Gen. Stafford poses next to his Seymour (Enid) get a sneak preview of the Gen. and feature a collection of his 1969 Apollo 10 photo. On June 3rd, 1968 Ross married Frances Reyes Phillips who survives him at the home in Alva, Oklahoma. From this Gov. Kevin Stitt signs bill union three children were born: Kerri Phillips (Alva), Stephen great grandchildren. Ross loved hot rods from early muscle cars Phillips (Elk City), Michael Phil- to all types of Corvettes. Over allowing Oklahoma Legislature lips (Alva), eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren. the years he owned several, you could always find his red Corvette parked in front of the to fight 'federal overreach' Ross was a 1965 graduate of Enid High School; in July of 1966 He began Basic Training Royal Game Room in Elk City which he and Frances owned for for the United States Army several years. Ross loved to play Carmen Forman, The Okla- signed legislation Republican laws. at Fort Polk in Louisiana. In pool and dominoes. homan state lawmakers say will allow “One of the focuses of the January of 1967, Ross received Ross had another hobby Oklahoma to push back against House this session has been pro- orders to be deployed to Viet- that began when he was a Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday federal overreach. tecting our citizens from uncon- nam as a Combat Medic where child and continued up until Stitt signed House Bill 1236 stitutional federal overreach and he served until December of his passing which was softball. that allows the Oklahoma Legis- this bill helps do that,” Rep. Jay 1967; he was wounded in April Ross was a member of the Like lature to ask the state’s attorney Steagall, R-Yukon, said in a news general to review and evaluate release. “We have sent a clear 1967 and again in August 1967. Cola 1985 Oklahoma Class B the legality of federal actions, message to the federal govern- Ross was awarded the National State Champions from Enid. including executive orders from ment that here in Oklahoma we Defense Service Medal, Viet- The family remembers count- President Joe Biden. are going to maintain the separa- nam Service Medal, Vietnam less evenings and weekends If the attorney general declines tion of powers prescribed in the Campaign Medal, Purple Heart spent at Kellet Park in Enid and to review the constitutionality 10th Amendment, and we will Medal, Bronze Star Medal, numerous weekends of softball of presidential executive orders, not hesitate to act on unconstitu- Combat Medic Badge, First Oak all over Oklahoma. Ross took acts of Congress or federal agency tional federal actions.” Leaf Cluster to Purple Heart great pleasure in watching his rules, Oklahoma’s GOP-led Legis- Nearly every Republican in the Medal. He was very proud to OU girls’ softball and going to lature could seek judicial review House signed onto the bill from serve his country and loved the the Women’s College World of federal actions if a majority of House Speaker Charles McCall, men he served with. Series at Hall of Fame Stadium state lawmakers approve. R-Atoka, that was later co-au- Ross and Frances made in Oklahoma City. The legislature and the attor- thored by Senate Pro Tem Greg their home in Enid, Oklahoma His greatest passion in life ney general’s office will review Treat, R-Oklahoma City. after his service ended with was his relationship with his federal actions to determine if Legislative Democrats have the United States Army. Ross Lord and Savior Jesus Christ they violate the 10th Amend- questioned the legality and ne- worked for the United States and his family, especially his ment. cessity of Oklahoma’s Legislature Postal Service for 33 years wife Frances. After retirement The 10th Amendment says reviewing federal actions. Some before his retirement in 2001. Ross could be found at Sonic powers not delegated to the fed- have said HB 1236 is all about He began his career in Enid as every afternoon during happy eral government are reserved optics and Republicans hoping a mail carrier. He served as As- hour picking up a Route 44 Diet to the states. However, the Su- to push back against the Biden sistant Postmaster in Alva and Cherry Limeade with Cranberry premacy Clause of the U.S. Con- administration as election season Postmaster in Cherokee and Elk for Frances, taking it to her stitution states the federal con- draws near. City. at work and then taking her stitution and federal law are the The legislation briefly spurred Ross was an avid fisherman deposit to the bank. Ross was a supreme law of the land and gen- a fight between McCall and Treat, and enjoyed fishing with his great husband, father, grandfa- erally take precedence over state See Bill page 3. children, grandchildren and ther and friend to many.