July 14, 2021 Issue, Page 8 of 8

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8 Community July 14, 2021 National Route 66 Museum seeks volunteer docents museum guides), of which the museum is hoping to find more. Carla Garrison, docent presi- dent, shares, “We’re hoping to have enough docents to limit the volunteer requirements to just three hours weekly or once or twice a month during July and August or someone that can be on a substitute list that we could call if we need a fill-in.” Garrison says that age does not matter, they simply desire a cou- ple of friendly faces to help out in the drugstore and be there to greet any visitors that stop in. Docents Debbie Dean and Janis Kincaid express that “you get to meet so many people from everywhere and it’s always fun to get to talk to them.” The vol- unteers also described the fun that they have with visitors as they present a chance for them to dress as jerks (soda jerks, that is. Garrison explained that the term came from the fact that the handles had to be jerked in order to get them to dispense) and have their photo taken be- hind the counter in the replica of a authentic old-timey soda fountain. Staff photo by Burgundy Lee Hanraha. The museum is currently open its regular hours of Monday By Burgundy Lee Hanrahan tures were moved from other seen back in the day along with of our very own stretch of “the Maxine Jackson, the museum’s through Saturday from 9 a.m. towns while some were erected several different artifacts such mother road.” office manager, says that they to 5 p.m. Additionally, they are Situated on Third Street in where they stand. From a one as farm equipment and the very The attraction is so popular have recently averaged between open on Sundays through La- Elk City, the National Route 66 room school to a chapel, a drug- vehicles that would have trav- that every year it draws visi- 300 to 450 visitors per week. bor Day from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Museum is made up of several store, a funeral service and eled along the historic highway, tors from all around the coun- This would not be possible, how- Contact Carla Garrison at (580)- buildings placed not far from other recreations of the sort the museum paints a vivid pic- try and even other parts of the ever, without the help of the 225-2892 for more information each other. Some of the struc- of sights that might have been ture of the past, especially that world such as Europe. In fact, dedicated volunteer docents (or about volunteering as a docent. Arnold Lankford Classic held this weekend at Ackley Park top talent, including seven kids They include Kasen LeGrand, who attend Canute High School. Colt Randall, Colby Maddox, A few of these players either live Kyron Whinery, Keenan Smith, in Elk City or have family busi- Dru Steffes and Dalton Wil- nesses here. liams. I 'v e b ought " g a n y hearin m s , b u t these aid est I've t h e b are ad." ever hon Howard -Eld also be available at the tourna- "When the districts were re- ment. We will hold the raffle on drawn, and Elk City lost theirs, Saturday evening. We will raffle we had to go try out for the Al- a 6.5 Creedmore, a Winchester tus team. That team was the 101 20-gauge, a Diamondback 9 Oklahoma Mudcats. Arnold was millimeter and a TriStar Fetter the head coach. He had started 12-gauge," LeGrand advised. the team a lot the same way that Entry into the tournament is many of us get into coaching. He $5. was wanting to be involved with CARING - HEARING AID SERVICES Additionally, tournament t- his kids being in the sport. From By Shonda Little Barber Shop in downtown Elk shirts designed by Clint Taylor there, he loved it. I went to play City, will serve as the catcher for of Elite Tees will be available for for him in 1998 and stayed there A few days before the Third the ceremonial throw. a $20 purchase. for three summers. As he took (Inside Family Medical Practice) Annual Arnold Lankford Classic "I'm happy to see Nick run for "These teams are coming us to several states to play, we 601 W. 3rd Street, Elk City officially kicks off at the historic the State House of Representa- down from St. Joseph, Missouri spent more time together than 580-821-2299 • Lowest Prices red brick Ackley Park baseball tives, but I hate to lose him as and Dallas, Texas. They are com- we did with our families. Re- stadium, Mudcats Head Coach mayor for Elk City. We held our ing from places with a lot to ally, we were each other's fam- Brian LeGrand encourages local first tournament in Canute, but do, but they know this trip to ily. While Arnold was teaching residents to pack the stands for we just outgrew that facility as a small town in western Okla- us baseball, he was also teaching a weekend of good, clean fun. the tournament got bigger. Nick homa will be worth it because us about life. I mowed yards for "This is baseball at its finest was instrumental in bringing it it will be packed with awesome him in the summertime. Arnold — what we all grew up on that here. We will have nine out-of- baseball. We will pick ten players is the kind of man I want to be made it America's Pastime," Le- town teams here, staying in our for the all-tournament trophy and to model for these kids. Grand said. "Many people don't hotels, eating at our restaurants bats. Then the MVP will be given That's why we will hold this tour- realize how rich the history of and buying things they need for a full-size prod model wood bat nament every year in his name. this park is. We have had sev- the tournament. Not only is this from Madden Bat Company. Unfortunately, Arnold has had eral future Big Leaguers play tournament our biggest annual Madden will also be on hand to some health issues this last year, here. Back decades ago, the Ne- fundraiser, we are happy to have sell bats. This is an all-wood old- so he will only get to be there one gro Leagues played here. They the benefit of the tournament school tournament," LeGrand day. Usually, he would be at the couldn't play just everywhere, spread throughout the city," Le- said. ball field from the first pitch to but they were welcome here. Grand said. Keeping it old school is only the last out, but we are honored Through that, some of the best LeGrand and his assistant fitting as the tournament is to have him. During that day, who ever played have sat in coach Keyshaun Smith are help- named after LeGrand's baseball mentor, Arnold Lankford. we are going to retire his son's number. His son died in a snow- School is almost back in session! these dugouts. I think we will ing their team of high school We want to hear from your kids! have that same spirit during the boys host the tournament. Before LeGrand graduated boarding accident several years Ask them what they are most excited about tournament this week." "At this tournament, the Mud- from Elk City High School in ago and we want him to know this school year and submit their answers to Starting on Thursday, June cats will also be doing a fund- 2001, he and a few of his high how honored we are that he has [email protected] for a chance to be featured 15, the first pitch will be thrown raising raffle for some guns. The school teammates had played let us continue his legacy." in our Back To School Section! by Elk City Mayor Nick Archer. tickets are $20 each. They can be in American Legion during the The Mudcats roster is com- Include their name, age and grade with their Matt Trotter, owner of Matt's bought from each player but will summer. prised of western Oklahoma's submission by July 20, 2021.