August 25, 2021 Issue, Page 4 of 10

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Agricutlure August 25, 2021 Beckham County Fair will be in full force The Beckham County fair enter items that were made in be the sheep show, goat show, 3-4pm. genetic information, sex age, designated to handle inquiries will be in full force this year. 2020 and 2021. judging of poultry and chick- The Oklahoma State Uni- sexual orientation, gender regarding non-discrimination ‘The fair will begin September All Livestock entry cards, ens, mini-Hereford cattle show versity, in compliance with identity, religion, disability, or policies: Any person (student, 9th entering front building and weigh-ins are due by Fri- and the beef cattle show. Title VI and VII of the Civil status as a veteran, in any of faculty, or staff) who believes exhibits from 4-7pm. Entries day, Sept. 9th at 6pm. A Pet Parade for 6th grad- Rights Act of 1964, Execu- its policies, practices or proce- will also be taken on Friday Saturday, Sept. 11th, will ers and below will begin at tive order 11246 as amended, dures, This provision includes, that discriminatory practices from 9-11am with judging be- include a full day of activities. 2:30pm. All participants will and Title IX of the Education but is not limited to admis- have been engaged in based ginning at lpm. The exhibit ‘The swine show will begin at receive a prize. ‘This event is Amendments of 1972 (Higher sions, employment, financial on gender may discuss his or part of the building will be 8:00am followed by the Mon- sponsored by the Oklahoma Education Act), the Americans aid, and educational services. her concerns and file informal closed during judging and will ey Scramble sponsored by the Home & Community Educa- with disabilities Act of 1990, ‘The Director of Equal Oppor- or formal complaints of pos- reopen at 4pm. Due to the Bank of Western Oklahoma tion Association (OHCE) of and other federal and state tunity, 408 Whitehurst, OSU, scaling back of the county fair for the following age groups: Beckham County. laws and regulations, does Stillwater, OK 74078-1035; sible violations of Title IX with last year due to the COVID-19 2-3-year-olds, 4-5-year-olds, Exhibits can be picked up not discriminate on the basis Phone 405-744-5371; email: OSU's Title IX Coordinator pandemic, participants may and 6-7 year olds. Next, will Saturday, Sept. 11th from of race, color, national origin, [email protected] has been 405-744-9154. Elk City Chamber of Commerce excited to host upcoming Fall Festival of the Arts Annual shopping extravaganza scheduled for Sept. 18 & 19 at Elk City Convention Center By Shonda Little “all hands on deck,” as the Fall years selling wood arts and new. In fact, there are always my first purchase because there they have advertised it, the Festival of the Arts Chairman crafts. She made small furni- several new things there. I'm is just so, so much to be had. Fall Festival of the Arts serves The Elk City Chamber of Ronda Smith quipped. ture pieces. I saw her doing it on the committee and actively Honestly, I don’t think anyone its purpose for the community. Commerce collaborates with Elk City Chamber of Com- asa late teen and realized what involved, and even I am blown could accurately list everything “It is a big sales tax boost local business owners, busi- merce’s current _ president, a neat event it is,” Smith re- away every year by what is of- because of that. I will say that and a boost for the economy ness professionals, and hon- Katherine Brown, _ believed counted. fered.” I do think that someone could estly, the community at large. Smith to be the best person to Though her mother partici- Each year, the new judge get their entire holiday shop- at large,” she said. “The ven- Each year, the group de- update the community on this pated in other craft shows, the gives out ribbons and cash re- ping done in this one weekend. dors all come in to stay here voted to invigorating the local year’s festivities. Fall Festival was her “big one,” wards. Plus, there are a lot of unique and put their money into our economy brainstorms ideas Smith, to her credit, has Smith stated. For the upcoming show, gift ideas that you won't find local economy. ‘The visitors do to bring people — retailers been involved in the Elk City From that personal experi- over 100 vendors are expected anywhere else. Several of our the same. People come from all and customers alike — into Chamber of Commerce longer ence, Smith took to heart how to be hosted in the first build- vendors do this full-time, and over to attend.” the City of Elk City. That task than she can truly remember. important keeping the festival ing. Though there are a few re- they all say that our show is “Oh gosh,” Smith said. “I is to the community. COVID masks are not re- sometimes faces challenges, maining booths, Smith encour- their favorite. It is the one that like oilfield downturns or un- have been on this committee “We have changed the set- ages any interested vendors to they will not miss. These ven- quired. precedented global pandemics. for at least the last ten years. up a few times,” Smith said. apply quickly. dors come from all over, so we “We want people to do It has been affectionately I became the chair probably “We have had it in one build- “IT know we have several are proud to be able to bring whatever makes them com- coined the Chamber by those three or four years ago.” ing and then, at other times, in applications awaiting review,” that to the people of western fortable,” she said. who understand the invaluable Smith does home loans both buildings. We have seen Smith advised. Oklahoma,” Smith gushed. For more information, con- contribution that it and its within Beckham County different trends through the ‘Though Smith said that the Additionally, the Fall Fes- members provide to the com- through her business, Inter- years and are always working tival of the Arts will have food event is actually a break-even tact the Elk City Chamber of munity and area at large. The Linc Mortgage Services, locat- to make sure we have that in trucks, for the Chamber by the time Commerce. group is always eager to inno- ed at 223 North Madison. the show. Our show has also “They will be north of the vate new ideas and marketing “T have been doing it inde- always been juried. We find building,” Smith said. “That promotions but is also keen a judge, which changes ev- is what we did last year, and pendently for five years, but I to boost the events that have have 23 total years in the busi- ery year to have a new set of it worked really well. I think Rural Renewal proven successful year after ness,” Smith explained. eyes. We have everything from we are expecting four to five year. Being on the Fall Festival of hand-made jewelry to hand- trucks with a great variety.” Perhaps few have been the Arts board was a natural fit made jerky, clothing, home ‘There is no cost to get into Initiative more iconic than the Fall Festi- for Smith. After all, she grew val of the Arts, held every Sep- up assisting her crafter moth- tember at the Elk City Conven- er set up booths at the classic decor, furniture. We have in- dividualized Christmas orna- ments. There are things that the show. “We make it free, so people are able to come back if they symposium, tion Center. event. are staples of the festival that missed something that they citizenship prize Lights,” Turning out this hard-hit- “My mom is Sandy Driver. you can expect every year, but want. Every year, I go through ting weekend always requires She had a booth out there for then there is also something the whole show before I make Came A Rural Renewal Initiative prize to be announced at the organization’s upcoming annual symposium will recognize community leadership in Oklahoma. Photo by Todd Johnson, OSU Agricultural Communications Services By Brian Brus individuals anywhere in the state. STILLWATER, Okla. - The This year, a pre-event Rural Renewal Initiative is workshop is being added Oct. seeking nominations for the 11 that will feature breakout citizenship prize to honor groups for community mem- Oklahomans working to de- bers to identify and respond velop their communities at to grant opportunities. The the annual Rural Renewal Symposium. The winner of workshop also is designed for the prize will receive a plaque researchers interested in de- and $1,000. veloping new collaborations The symposium will be and for government leaders held at Oklahoma State Uni- wanting to learn about suc- versity Oct. 12, during which cessful policies and programs the Rural Renewal Citizen- to stimulate rural renewal. ship Prize will be awarded as Audrey King, RRI’s as- How are you or your kiddos during this time at home? We would well as the Rural Renewal Re- search prize. Nominations for sistant director, said the citi- zenship prize can be won by the citizenship prize must be any Oklahoma resident who love to see your creative ways of keeping everyone busy and received by Sept. 1. Informa- tion for both awards is avail- has exhibited leadership in contributing to rural develop- able online. entertained while practicing social distancing. ment and is a role model in ‘The Rural Renewal Initia- promoting community wel- tive’s purpose is to expand and empower a network of fare. Both awards include a plaque and cash prize. collaborating faculty, stu- Please send photos including names, ages and a description dents and community lead- ers engaged in renewing rural For registration and more information, contact ruralre- [email protected]. of the photo to [email protected] or via Facebook! areas across topics such as health care, youth leadership MEDIA CONTACT: Brian Brus | Agricultural Com- development and broadband access. Contributors range munications Services | 405- from university researchers 744-6792 | BBrus@okstate. to OSU Extension experts to edu