August 28, 2021 Issue, Page 8 of 8

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August 28, 2021 Community Elk City Lion’s Club RODEO TOURISTS recognizes members for service Georgia couple is Elk City Rodeo fans; will attend for the second time this year Above, In recognition of his dedicated service to the Elk City Lions Club and the Guy and Valerie Fried, residents of Macon, Georgia, are Elk City Rodeo fans after Lions of Oklahoma, Jim Ir- having attended the rodeo in 2019 on a whim. The couple will return for their second win is presenteda plaque by Immediate Past President rodeo this year. Courtesy photo. Kerry Hookstra at the Aug. Provided by Ruth Nicolaus Even though Guy wears a cowboy hat regu- 25 club meeting. Irwin, on larly and loves all things western, he admits he the left, served as president from 2017-2019. Elk City, Okla. - Guy and Valerie Fried en- and Valerie don’t live the western lifestyle. But At right, Mandy Wilson re- joy the Elk City Rodeo so much, they’re going they appreciate the lifestyle and its people. ceives a plaque and Lions to drive 1,100 miles from their home in Macon, “We enjoy being around that culture, par- pin honoring her as a Mel- Georgia to Oklahoma to see it this year. ticularly in recent times, when everybody's so vin Jones Fellow with the ‘The Georgia couple came to the rodeo in divided. The western culture is not a culture Lions Club International 2019 ona whim, after having spent two months that is confused about anything. Foundation. She was rec- traveling that summer. “Nobody in the western culture is confused ognized by the Elk City Li- ‘That year, they were in the process of ready- about who they are, where they are, and what ons Club for her outstand- ing their house to sell, after having retired from they are. And at the end of the day, Valerie and ing work as club treasurer. the waste management business. But in March Tare fairly simple people, and we enjoy it.” A $1000 gift to LCIF in her of 2019, the house burned to the ground, due At home in Georgia, the Frieds attend ro- name was given by the club. to electrical problems. deos in the area. Guy even tried bareback bronc ‘The award is presented by Lion Jim Irwin, who is also ‘They decided to go on a road trip, “to clear riding about twenty years ago, when he was a Melvin Jones Fellow, at our heads,” Guy said. Long-time rodeo fans, forty, suffering a broken tailbone and ending the Aug. 25 club meeting. they traveled to Canada and were spectators at his rodeo career before it got started, but giving Courtesy photos. rodeos including the Calgary Stampede and the him a great story to tell. It was on his bucket Cody, Wyo. rodeo. list, so he tried it. Valerie told him, “I hope that It was when they were on the way back to was fun, but if you ever do it again, I'm going Georgia that they stopped in Elk City. Someone to kill you,” Guy laughed. “But for about thirty Happy 40th wedding anniversary had told Guy the Elk City Rodeo was worth at- seconds, I was a professional rodeo cowboy, and tending, so he and Valerie bought tickets, plan- ning to go to one night of rodeo then head on it was about 24 seconds longer than it needed tobe.” to Mom and Dad, Terry and Betty French home. But it was so enjoyable that they decided to stay a second day, to watch the rodeo again. ‘This year, the Frieds will spend about eight days on the road, traveling to and from Elk City, playing tourist on the way. “The Elk City Rodeo was worth it,” he said. But the highlight of their trip will be Elk “What's there not to like about it? It wasn’t just City and the rodeo. the rodeo, but the people, the town, and the “Elk City is one of those little jewels that we whole atmosphere.” found,” he said. i They liked it so much, they're coming back ‘The 83rd annual Elk City Rodeo of Champi- this year. ons will be held September 3-5 at Beutler Bros. “We're going to load up in my daddy's old Arena in Ackley Park. station wagon and drive to Oklahoma, to come Performances start at 8 pm each night. and visit you all again,” he said. Tickets range in price from $9-$18 and go on ‘They take the back roads, stopping to see sale August 30 at the Beutler Bros. arena ticket interesting things and historical sites along the booth and at Circle A Western Wear. For more way. information, visit the rodeo’s website (www. “We are the kind of people who go out of our ElkCityRodeo.com) or its Facebook page. way to drive off the beaten path when we are For more information, visit www.ElkCity- traveling,” he said. Rodeo.com. Priel Rsdes com BDM Mud + Bank of Western OK * Boomtown Grill Canyon Gifield Services + City of Elk Oty + CuNver Electric Doug Gray Dodge « Dr. Pepper Botting Co, + Edward Jones ExkGiy ACE Home Center + Elk ity Chamber of Commerce RODEO Faim Credit ofWestem OK + First National Bank Fish Constniction + Fred's Steakhouse + Galleria Fumiture Outlet ‘Great PlansAnalytical Services + Great Pains Bank (Great Plains Regional Medical Ctr * Hutch’s CStores * Hutton Inc. LaDonnals Wine & Spirts * Lucky tar Casino + O'Relly Auto Parts Pratefire Grile + Prioe Farms « Rother Bros. Inc. * Sonic Driven How are you or your kiddos during this time at home? We would Smith Mechanical » Smith Tite & Closing + Sparght Tein’ Furniture Showroom OF CHAMPIONS © love to see your creative ways of keeping everyone busy and For more info: 405.317.7161 — ELKCITY,OK — entertained while practicing social distancing. Please send photos including names, ages and a description Tickets go on sale Aug. 30 at the arena ticket office and at Circle A Western Wear SEPT. 3-4-5 8 P.M. NIGHTLY of the photo to [email protected] or via Facebook! Parade September 4 * 10am Downtown Elk City, OK i