August 25, 2021 Issue, Page 1 of 10

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Serving Western Oklahoma Pe La, Wednesday, August 25, 2021 WeekdayEdition Elk City woman wins big at Texas State Horsing around; Elk City rodeo to feature Quilting Convention in Irving, Texas Arkansas rodeo clown Goddard brings home the coveted blue ribbon in Master Quilt Division time at the Irving Convention three years ago in the Begin- ner’s Division. That time, she also won the blue ribbon. Encouraged by this, she de- cided to jump in further in the Master Division. She be- gan plotting out the quilt that would become the “Vintage Rose.” However, the following year, a health ailment prohib- ited her from competing. “Then COVID hit, and we couldn't hold it last year,” God- dard recounted. When she realized this year's convention would go off as planned, she knew that the “Vintage Rose” was the piece she wanted to submit. Rodeo clown Cody Sosebee will entertain during all “It is very intricate,” Goddard three nights of the Elk City Rodeo. The Arkansas cow- gushed. “It has rhinestones boy, a former bareback rider, “clowns around” in rodeo and gold fabric tape to add that arenas across the nation. Photo courtesy Cody Sosebee. punch. I knew I wanted some- Courtesy photo. thing that would be a chal- lenge. I had the pattern but Provided by Ruth Nicolaus wasn’t happy with the fabric choices. So, I started my own Elk City, Okda. - Cody Sosebee is a man of many talents, and Last week Goddard’s prize quilt won the prestigious blue ribbon in the Master Quilt list. If I'm honest, it really took he'll showcase some of those talents at the Elk City Rodeo. Division in Irving, Texas. Courtesy photo. me two years to be happy with ‘The Charleston, Arkansas man deals in “funny money,” as he the final product. I would work jokingly calls his rodeo clown career. By Shonda Little In the giant meeting hall in the Division. In the end, Goddard on it for a while and then take He downs rodeos from coast to coast and border to border, middle of the hustling and bus- was crowned the blue ribbon some time off to work on other working such prestigious events as Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier For longtime resident Gloria tling Dallas-Forth Worth met- winner, the equivalent to the projects. I didn’t want to over- Days and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2017. Goddard, seeing her family’s ro area, over 300 quilters came heavyweight belt in the world do it, but I didn’t want to un- He’s been anxious to come to Elk City to work the rodeo. “I name in the local press is not together to display their art. of competitive quilting. derdo it, either. It would be in the corner as I worked on other drive through there 100 times a year, going to other rodeos, uncommon. And Goddard is clear that “Honestly, I thought my odds and nowI finally get to stop and rodeo there.” After all, her daughter Jennifer quilting is art in every sense of of winning were pretty slim,” things. I would look at it, and (Goddard) Rainey is currently the word. Many of whom she Goddard confessed. “I walked then something would hit me, Before his rodeo clown career started, he was a bareback rider, serving as the City of Elk City’s considers dear friends, she and around the Irving Convention and I would go back to it.” qualifying for the International Finals Rodeo twelve times in town treasurer. her competitors toil for count- Center and was pretty blown When asked if she would con- his career. But bareback riding isn’t easy on the body, and as he As Goddard discusses the in- less hours upon each project. sider selling the now decorated away about the gorgeous piec- began clowning, he realized he could get paid at every rodeo he tricate detail and heavy mathe- es and sheer talent of the other quilt, Goddard laughed. ‘They are careful to bring their went to, not just the ones where he had a good ride. matics involved in creating her inspirations to life using old pieces. I knew I had worked “No, I don’t think there is any “I was almost 30 whenI realized, I could clown, and be easier master quilts, it is clear that school crafting, state-of-the- hard on this quilt, but I saw so amount of money that I would on my body, or I could go to three rodeos a weekend (as a bare- Rainey inherited her meticu- art technology and arithmetic many quilts that were equally has sell it for,” she said. “This piece back rider) and get my elbow dislocated, get jerked around, and always been special to me, lous devotion to detail from that even the most educated deserving. So, coming out with make three times less. It wasn’t hard to decide.” engineers and accountants but now it holds a bigger sig- her mother. the blue ribbon is humbling nificance.” His rodeo career morphed quickly from riding into clowning, From Thursday to Saturday would envy. and motivates me to get back Goddard is an Altus transplant and it became fulltime. “It got seriously funny,” he said. “All of of last week, the Texas State Her piece titled “Vintage Rose” in my workroom and produce to Elk City. She and her hus- a sudden you have a big (rodeo) committee and 8,000 people Quilting Convention was held came out swinging like Mo- more. This is a hobby that be- band first moved here in 1987 showing up for a rodeo that depend on you to be funny. If rode at the Irving Convention Cen- hamed Ali against the 350 comes a way oflife.” and got bucked off, they clapped andI left. Now they expect me ter in Irving, Texas. quilts in its Master Quilter Goddard competed for the first See Quilt page 2. to entertain.” In addition to rodeo clowning, he and partners own a sale barn in Ratcliff, Arkansas, with Wednesday sales and he helps with Elk City Commission meeting held his family’s cow/calf operation. He also hosts an annual chick- en sale, the biggest one-day chicken sale in Arkansas. He bills Several pieces of equipment to be replaced himself as the “chicken mafia.” ‘The sale is the real deal, with chickens, pheasants, peacocks, ostriches, “any kind of feath- ered fowl,” going through a sale ring, he says. “It’s the biggest redneck function you can be part of,” he jokes. By Burgundy Lee Hanrahan disapprove Resolution 2021-2: Elk City Fire Department Services in the amount of He and his family also do an annual pumpkin patch each fall, A Resolution of the City of Elk from Casco in the amount $51,000.00 and acceptance of A regularly scheduled meet- City agrees to an amendment $15,000.00.” A member of the the Caselle proposal for com- complete with bouncy houses, a petting zoo, and horse-drawn ing of the Elk City City Com- to the Agreement establishing fire department spoke in sup- puter software for City Hall.” wagon rides. Money made from the pumpkin patch goes to- mission was held in the Com- OMAG," was raised. City Clerk port of the cameras. Approved City Treasurer Jennifer Rainey wards buying 4-H and FFA animals at the county fair. mission Chambers at City Cheryl Sipes explained that 5-0. shared that extensive research Sosebee comes from a “big, southern loud, cooking, music- Hall on Wednesday Aug. 18 OMAG is Oklahoma Municipal 3. “Bid received for a new am- had been conducted including playing family,” as he describes them, “with more nieces and at 2 p.m. Present were Nick Assurance Group, Elk City’s bulance with power load and consultation with other cit- Archer (Mayor); Tom Ivester insurance companies and stretcher from Wheeled Coach ies who use the software. Ap- nephews than I can get a head-count on.” Some of his nieces (City Manager); Rick Shelton that they had recently made in the amount of $287,812.00.” proved 5-0. run barrels, and think he’s cool because he knows rodeo cham- (Mayor Pro Tem, Commis- amendments to their rules and Chief Chervenka spoke in sup- 7. “Payment to Precision Flame pions on a first name basis. sioner Ward 4); Cory Spieker regulations, which they asked port of the purchase. Approved for dumpster bottoms and But he loves rodeoing, with his favorite part the family aspect. (Commissioner Ward 1); Rod their client cities to approve. lids in the amount of “Pro rodeo is still the best bang for the buck,” Sosebee says. Carver (Commissioner Ward These changes do not result 4. “Bid received for battery op- $10,840.00.” A city employee 2); Rocky Andresen (Commis- in any increase or decrease in erated extrication tools for spoke in support of this item. “Pm not trying to do a FOX News commercial but we still play sioner Ward 3); Cheryl Sipes costs. The item was approved the Elk City Fire Department Approved 5 - 0. the national anthem and we still pray, and there’s no kneeling. (City Clerk) and Jennifer Rain- 5-0. from Okie Extrication in the 8. “Bid received from Summit Cowboys are still heroes to people. Rodeo is still a true Ameri- ey (City Treasurer). The meet- ‘The next twelve agenda items amount of $28,730.00.” A Truck Group for a 2020 In- can family sport in my eyes.” ing began with an invocation to be approved or disapproved member of the fire department ternational HV607 Truck in Sosebee will entertain fans at all three performances ofthe Elk led by Mayor Archer followed by the commission were all spoke in support of the tools. the amount of $91,257.00 City Rodeo September 3-5. Performances begin at 8 pm each by the Pledge of Allegiance led budgeted items, many of Approved 5 - 0. and from Southwest Trail- by Commissioner Andresen. which were 20 plus years old 5. “Purchase bid new Data Cen- ers and Equipment a dump night. Tickets range in price from $9 to $18 and can be pur- The minutes of the previous and in need of replacement. ter from Davenport Group body, snowplow and sander chased at Circle A Western Wear, at the ticket booth at the Beu- meeting held Aug. 2 were ap- ‘The items, decisions and other in the amount of $94,999.00.” from Southwest Trailers and tler Bros. Arena, and at the gate. For more information, visit proved 5 - 0 before the first information are as follows: Approved 5 - 0. Equipment in the amount of the rodeo's website (www.ElkCityRodeo.com) or its Facebook item on the agenda, “Commis- 2. “Purchase of Two (2) Ther- 6. “Payment of deposit for Ca- $61,388.48 for a total of sion to consider and approve or mal Imaging Cameras for the selle Hosted Software and See Meeting page 2. page. For more information, visit www.ElkCityRodeo.com. OO EN Weather tomorrow 98/7 Vol. 119, No. 68 75 cents, 10 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com