September 4, 2021 Issue, Page 1 of 8

Page Text

Serving _Western Oklahoma 1ce 190 ; I Weekend Edition Elk City animal shelter reminds of spay/neuter voucher program Begins volunteer program, hiring ACO By Burgundy LeeHanrahan Animal Control Officer (ACO) Amber Stepp and Office Manager Mountain Man’s Axe Throwing & Grub Khelsea Risinger are currently the only full time employees at the Elk City animal shelter. However, they are trying to change that by accepting applications for an additional ACO. Stepp says celebrates one-year anniversary that the position works four days on, three days off and has great benefits such as health insurance and paid holidays. She says that the position can be applied to through either City Hall or the police department. By Burgundy Lee Hanrahan restaurant experience. They share, “I mean, we've paid our bills. Stepp and Risinger have recently found themselves with more We're not getting rich and we're not retiring next year but we help, though. Just last week they began a volunteer program at Cory and Christie Spieker say that their cousins out in the south- have survived.” the shelter. Applications can be picked up at either the shelter east part of the state have an axe throwing place but when they ‘The business owners say that their pizzas are popular with cus- or the police department and returned to either place. Volun- decided to open one of their own here in Elk City, they put their tomers; The Mountain Man, a meat lovers’ pizza being one of teers must be at least 18 years old and sign a liability wavier. spin on it, choosing to add a restaurant. Once they had made their best sellers along with the fairly recent addition Bigfoot Stepp said that they actually had a few people “waiting in the their decision, it took a mere 47 days until Mountain Man's was Bait, a pie topped with the Mountain Man's signature BBQ sauce, wings” for the shelter to begin a volunteer program and that open for business at 5 p.m. on the Eriday of Labor Day weekend mozzarella, smoked gouda, bacon, pulled pork, roasted red pep- they already have three compassionate volunteers that have ap- last year. pers, fried onions and homemade Siracha drizzle. They also offer plied and been accepted. One of those volunteers, Lorenzo, was ‘The Spiekers met through FFA in junior high school - Cory was a variety of appetizers, salads, sandwiches and dessert. recently spotlighted on the shelter’s Facebook page. It’s clear to born and raised in Elk City and Christie, Newcastle - and recon- see that he has compassion for the animals that he cares for at As for the axe throwing, they have multiple lanes available with nected when they both attended Oklahoma State University. Fast the shelter, In fact, after just his first day, he felt compelled to multiple items to choose to throw. You must be six years old and forward around 30 years and Cory, like many, was working in an wear closed toe shoes. The Spiekers say that the youngest thrower share some love and brought in several toys for the pups. Stepp oilfield that was once again slowing down and the couple knew and Risinger both say that they can already see the difference that they were going to need to find something different. Less they've had was six and the oldest was an impressive 85 years old. that the volunteers have made in the animals, saying that it’s than two months later they found themselves owning a business. ‘They also share that they have seen all sorts of parties and events booked from birthday parties to retirement parties, bachelor and easy to see how much happier they are. They also say that they ‘The Spiekers started with customer service knowledge, a love of no longer find themselves wondering if they gave enough to the cooking from Cory and help and advice from friends but no prior See Anniversary page 2. residents of the shelter each day. Risinger added that they are excited to have volunteers that “love animals; They want to be here and help and try to get them good homes.” Western Oklahoma Historical Society Annual Flea ‘The Elk City animal shelter does of course offer adoptions of animals. Stepp says that most of the animals that the shelter takes in are cats and dogs, although they do occasionally get Market slated for the first weekend in October smaller pets like rabbits and once, a ferret. Stepp explained that they have 12 full-size dog kennels with eight of them currently occupied. As for cats, she says that they have 16 cages in the cat- Charlie Joy and Nelda Burch greatly missed as the non- tery and that 12 are currently occupied. In addition, the shelter has six cages in a quarantine area that are primarily used for profit group seeks vendors for a weekend extravaganza feral cats. Stepp says that the shelter doesn’t get cat adoptions as frequently as they do dog adoptions and even those are slow with the shelter typically seeing between “zero to two or three” per week. Thankfully, Stepp shared, once the shelter moves into “We want this to be the best our holiday season in Elk City. itself. the old juvenile detention center just west of the convention year ever,” Beverly Jordan And then I don’t even know “We have so many of our past center they will be able to house more animals. Stepp says that gushed. how to start talking about vendors who are already com- they will hopefully be moved to their new location by the end Each member hated the 2020 Charlie Joy. I'm not sure what mitted to being here,” Jor- of the year. You must be 18 years of age or older to adopt an furlough, knowing that the year the Historical Society took dan stated. “Most years, our animal. The adoption fee is $100 which covers the spay/neuter, Elk City Museum Complex and over the flea market as a fun- vendors will pre-pay for their rabies vaccination and a microchip. Stepp explained that some- community at large would suf- draiser for the museum, but spots for the next year before times if an animal comes in that has already been fixed then the fer by missing out on the mas- Charlie poured his heart and they live. That lets you know adoption fee might be reduced. sive financial contributions soul into it. It was really his how good this flea market is. A Stepp also shared that she hopes to research and begin a “trap, achieved through that iconic baby for so many years. There’s lot of those people do this for neuter, release” program in Elk City. She also stressed that if weekend. no telling how many hours he a living, but they make sure people were to spay and neuter their pets, it would greatly re- Following last year's reprieve, a put into it from start to finish, that Elk City is on their calen- duce the number of animals that the shelter takes in. For those lot has changed for the group but especially that week. Every dar. The vendors brag about who may not be able to afford to have their pet(s) spayed or — primarily the deaths of Nel- vendor had his personal cell how clean our park is and how neutered, the shelter would like to inform Elk City residents da Burch and Charlie Joy. phone number, and he would peaceful it is. They will arrange about a voucher program offered the city. Stepp explained how Nelda Burch was in- the program worked “You bring the requirements, which are But, honoring Burch and Joy is be there to make sure person- their year to be able to be here. strumental in found- now serving as inspiration for ally that they got into place. COVID put us in a rough place proof of vet visit, which helps us verify that this is the owner of ing the Elk City Flea the group to forge forward. If they needed anything, he last year, and we had to cancel, that dog to prevent people from out of town from abusing the Market. As the Oct. 1-3 WOHS Elk would run and get it for them. but most of our vendors want- program by bringing their dog to someone that they know here City Flea Market approaches, A big number of our regular ed to carry over their deposit because this is paid for through Elk City residents’ tax dollars; By Shonda Little WOHS'’s treasurer Jordan re- vendors know that Charlie to this year. I would say that we we also need a copy of your driver’s license and a utility bill or flects upon the immeasurable died this last month, but they are mostly full, but we do still phone bill or something with your address that’s here in our city In the midst of a global pan- contributions Burch and Joy don’t all. I know that none of have spots available.” in your name. You bring those three things andI would issue a demic, the Western Oklahoma made to the event. us can fill his shoes in this be- A flea market this size requires voucher.” Stepp continued, if your pet does not have their rabies Historical Society was forced “Well, Nelda was a go-getter, cause he was so devoted. So, we meticulous planning, With last shot thenit will cost you $15 to use the voucher, if they do have into not holding its annual as we all know,” Jordan re- are only hoping to make it kind year being thrown into a tail- their shot, then it will cost you zero dollars to have them spayed fundraising flea market in counted. “She and her hus- of live up to what he could do.” spin, the 2021 show was pre- orneutered. The voucher is valid for 30 days and you can choose 2020. band started the flea market Between the year off and the destined for anomalies. to go either to Stockmans Veterinary Clinic or Circle M; you can Now, the WOHS is eager to in 1972, I believe, to help fund deaths of Burch and Joy, the However, Jordan says that Joy call them to schedule the appointment, letting them know that make up for lost time with Oc- Christmas in the Park. Christ- organization wanted to double Jeft meticulous notes. you have a voucher. After the procedure and after the vet clinic tober's flea market. The slots ‘mas in the Park was a vision of down for the 2021 showing. “Charlie was a 90-year-old man receives the voucher, they turn it into the city in order to be are mostly full, but the group Nelda’s, and you can see how Fortunately, their flea market is still seeking more. See Voucher page 2. instrumental that is now for has a reputation that precedes See Flea Market page2. «IU Weather tomorrow & 90/68 Vol. 119, No. 71 75 cents, 8 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com