September 1, 2021 Issue, Page 1 of 26

Page Text

Elk City Dream League will hold first game of the 2021 season on Sept. 11 Coordinator Ashley Meadows thanks local supporters By Shonda Little When Elk City resident and Great Plains Regional Medical Cen- ter occupational therapist Ashley Meadows first brainstormed the Dream League in 2008, she had no idea how quickly the fall events would become a beloved pastime for western Okla- homans. Now, well over a decade later, the group's primary focus re- mains the same — to help special needs kids enjoy the sport of baseball. The Saturday games bring together people from all +p Burgundy Lee Hanrahan. walks of life — from the young athletes who gleefully take the field for a fun-filled day on the ball diamond to the volunteers who selflessly give their time and money to bring the event to reality to the supporters cheering from the stands. New exhibit on display at National Route 66 Museum “If you ever want to have a perfect day that leaves you with a ‘smile upon your face, come out to one of our games,” Meadows gushed. View paintings and sculptures by Gary D. Leddy “You can get your kiddo signed up through contacting Kids, Enrollment for the teams is ongoing. Inc,’ Meadows advised. “They are great partners to us. There's By Burgundy Lee Hanrahan ‘Thankfully he was able to con- Leddy’s paintings as well as life in the open plains of west- no definition of what specific special needs are qualifying. The tinue his art during that time many of his intricate welded ern Oklahoma.” The article simplest way to understand it is if a student would otherwise The Western Oklahoma His- and once he returned to Okla- sculptures. Nearly all of the continues on to explain that be unable to play and enjoy baseball with a traditional team torical Society building located homa he once again attended pieces share a common West- Leddy attended Southwestern without modifications. We are very inclusive. We start out as at the National Route 66 Mu- Oklahoma State University in SWOSU, beginning graduate young as three and go from there. We used to say that it was seum recently featured an art Weatherford, majoring in art studies. At one point he found ern theme with many horses from three to 21, but then we had some athletes who were ag- exhibit by local artist Jenny and receiving any sort of for- himself (along with his wife) and bulls to be seen. Of course ing out. It felt like we were taking something from that they Jarnagin. Now, they're dis- mal art education for the first living in Mexico where he this theme is perfect consider- really brought joy to their lives. So what we do now is we have playing artwork from yet an- time. During the summers he earned his Master ing the upcoming 83rd Annual of Fine Arts. younger teams and older teams. Each team plays five games other Western Oklahoman. worked in the oilfield which Elk City Rodeo of Champions The article states that these through the season.” In an article written by Vesta days Leddy raises cattle while this Labor Day weekend. So, is where he learned the weld- ‘The players are then paired with a “buddy,” who volunteers to N. Robertson and Harold Mc- continuing to paint and sculpt. make a day (or entire week- ing that he would eventually Guire for Southwest Art Maga- employ in his sculpting ambi- Now, Leddy’s award winning end) of it and be sure to visit stay with them on the field and as they bat and run bases. zine, it's explained that Gary tions. art can be seen on display in Leddy’s art exhibit while you're “Through the years, many of these players get to know their D. Leddy first began sketching Robertson and McGuire fur- the Western Oklahoma His- buddy really well. So it is pretty common for a kiddo to be with wildlife and landscapes as a ther share that after receiv- torical Society building lo- in town for the Rodeo. You can the same buddy year after year. We are in need of those bud- child as a way to “communi- ing his bachelors in commer- cated at the National Route also view the exhibit through dies, too,” Meadows said. cate his love of nature and the cial art Leddy was drafted in 66 Museum in Elk City. The the months of September and When Meadows founded the Dream League with physical ther- clean beauty of pre-modern 1968 during the Vietnam War. exhibit features several of October. apist Melissa Williams, she just knew that she wanted to pro- vide this kind of outlet for deserving children. The 2002 Elk City High School graduate was initially exposed LaDonna’s Wine & Spirits celebrates 20 years See Dream page 2. x District 5 rd Southwest Oklahoma u IS County Health Departments Weekly COVID-19 data Staff Report On Aug. 25 the District five Southwest Oklahoma County Health Departments released their weekly COVID-19 report for the week of Aug. 15 - 21. It was shared that Oklahoma ranked 23 (out of all States and DC) in the total number of reported COVID-19 cases with 20,191 active cases, 14,793 of them being new cases which is a4.5% decrease from the week before (Aug. 8-14). There were 136 deaths to include six in SW Oklahoma. 30,986 (5.8%) cases have been hospitalized. The average age of cases was 40 years. 93.3% of hospital admissions in Oklahoma during the last 30 days (as of ‘Aug. 23) were non-vaccinated and 27.5% of new hospitalizations are from people who are 44 years of age and younger. As of Aug. 24, Beckham County had a total of 3,022 cases with Several family members and friends were present to celebrate the 20th anniversary of LaDonna’s Wine & Spirits. Staff a total of 58 deaths. There are currently 31 active cases with 16 photo by Burgundy Lee Hanrahan. of them being newly reported in the week of Aug. 15 - 21. There By Burgundy Lee Hanrahan further west down Third Street well as offering special orders a million hugs over these years were no new deaths in that time period. in Aug. 2001. In Aug, 2015 they for events. and I love it. [love my people, I As of Aug. 25, 39.4% of the population aged 12 years and older ‘The Elk City Chamber of Com- moved to their current loca- The occasion was celebrated love Elk City.” were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 while 46.4% of the popu- merce held a ribbon cutting on tion at 822 West Third Street. throughout the weekend with Brown concurred, saying lation aged 12 years and older have received at least one dose of Friday, Aug. 27 in honor of La- LaDonna’s offers a “wide vari- several giveaways such as hats “Thank you for your constant the COVID-19 vaccine. Donna's Wine & Spirits’ 20th ety of spirits, wines and beers and koozies as well as oppor- support, that’s the most im- Both the Sayre and Elk City locations of the Beckham County anniversary. Present to cele- (including cold beers),” accord- tunities to win other prizes in- portant thing to say. Our cus- Health Department have been offering walk-ins as well as ap- ing to owner LaDonna Thomas brate the occasion were several cluding corn hole boards. tomers have been faithful and pointments for administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. For family members and friends. and her daughter and manag- Thomas says that she so appre- loyal for twenty years through more information you can follow the Beckham County Health ‘The business opened at their er, Katherine Brown. They also ciates everybody, continuing, twists and turns and for that Department on Facebook, call them at (580)928-5551 (Sayre) or original location which was now sell a variety of cigars as “love everybody. Ibet I've had we say thank you.” (580)225-1173 (Elk City) or visit vaccinate.oklahoma.gov. Vol. 119, No. 71 Mail delivery View online a Te Weather tomorrow a 98/71 75 cents, 10 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com