March 9, 2022 Issue, Page 8 of 8

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y Serving ; Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Wednesday, March 9, 2022 580 Threads Moves to Paul Jones Drug Museum Curator Returns to Chisholm Trail Museum as Incoming Director By Sheryl Ponce Last Friday Bradley Fritch left Elk City and the National On the wall at the back of the store, Brittini Flowers de- Route 66 Museum Complex as the museum curator to return signed and drew the logo, representing the style of the to Chisholm Trail Museum in Kingfisher. He returns to learn boutique. Courtesy photo. from their present director about operating and managing a museum. Previously he served as their Education Specialist, The second ina series by Sheryl Ponce who developed new educational materials and assisted in fa- cilitating living history programs. When Paul Jones Drug completed their new building on north ‘The offer to return to the facility seemed to be a surprise , Main, Brittini and Bryce Flowers jumped at the opportunity to and not in his plan as he accepted the position in Elk City. He own their own, larger, building. 580 Threads had to move fast has had nothing but positive experiences and will be assisting from one block of Main to the next one. “We got the building October 16, I think we closed on it. We in the search for his replacement. immediately had to clear everything out. We had to take apart all Obviously we hired the the plumber and electricians when there “Coming here was a great opportunity, and I felt like the the shelving that was in here by hand. There were some things were things they had to do. But it wasn’t that bad. Everybody museum has so much to offer. In looking at my replacement, that had been here since the 60s,” Flowers said. that we worked with was really quick to get back to us, thankful- I believe it will take the right person coming in with the right As far as she could tell, it had been redone in the 90s, but ly. Mainly Harold and his guys laid the floor and everything like level of motivation to get it where it needs to be. I still feel very nothing since then. As soon as Brittini took possession, she had that. We had a guy come in and texture the walls, then everything strongly about Elk City, and about my time there. I still feel in to go to work, else was just painting and cleaning,” she said. shock, it happened so quickly,” Fritch said. “We had to go through and get our codes or permits, but we ‘They added dressing rooms, which consisted of exposed brick. In his new position, Fritch will be focusing more on educa- really didn’t change a lot except the flooring. We stripped the ‘There are still things Flowers would like to do, including adding a tion, and although there will be curatorial aspects to it, he will walls down, and we had to retexture everything. We did all this kitchen and getting the screen printing room ready to go. be more on the director and management side of the museum. wainscoting on the sides (walls), because behind this wall (indi- “My favorite part is added storage. I didn’t have storage in my He will also be working for the State of Oklahoma rather than a cating the south wall) over here is a time capsule,” she explained. old space, so it was nice to actually get a lot ofit,” she added. As the library remodel was going on, Flowers was able to snag Flowers has not changed her merchandise, but plans to start municipal government, which will provide more opportunities selling plants. Recently she had a succulent class and plans on for his future. the old desk. This is a piece she is proud to have because of the “The new position provides security, which will be better historical significance of the piece. While the pressure to reopen continuing to maintain a little plant shop in the front of the store before Black Friday and be out of the old building by Dec. 1st, because of the great lighting. for my career moving into the future. That is not to say Elk she said she got very little sleep throughout the process. They did “!'m excited about that because I love plants, and it kind of City wasn’t a great opportunity. I feel that comparing the two most of the demolition and remodel themselves, but did get pro- just lets us kind of spread out more. We can have more of the is not right. It was fabulous and an incredible opportunity. The fessional help for the big items. clothes, and it’s just nice to have room.” Flowers continued. essence of Chisholm is that it is a little more established, so “We did get Harold Hutson to help. It was just him and one She likes the wide open feel to the store, being able to see around that, I will be able to grow as a museum professional,” other guy, and then me and Bryce so we did most of it with help. See 580 page 2. See Curator page 2. Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Class Kicks Off a New Year me Ht Mer As the Leadership Class VIII learns about the Five Voices, they must decide which voice they operate with as they interact with others.; At right, are Korbin Perkey with Blane Short, Rodney Cloud and Jeff McDowell during the Leadership retreat. Photos by Eddie Holland. By Sheryl Ponce other members of the steering committee, Haley Price, Bradley Legislative Committee Meetings, have lunch with local Legisla- Hyatt, Payton Hamm, Billy Sizemore, Robert Rodgers, Sumer Du- tors, attend House and Senate Floor Sessions, and take photos Leadership Class VIII was selected and began their session with pree, Pam Muncrief, Katherine Brown and Susie Cupp. Recently, with the legislators and possibly with the Governor. orientation and a retreat. The members of the class are Aubrey they traveled to Quartz Mountain Lodge for their retreat. Casey In April the Leadership Class will learn about Elk City services. Clark, Amber Taylor, Jessica Ford, Sherri Horn, Julie Bonner, Merrifield was the facilitator for the event, where they began ‘They will go to the water plant, waste water facility, police and Jesse Champagne, Rodney Cloud, Jeff McDowell, Korbin Perkey, their study of leadership and “The Five Voices.” fire departments, the street department, Elk City cemeteries, the and Blane Short. The program is part of the Elk City Chamber of ‘Their path is planned as the group makes their way while learn- sanitation department, and the gun range. Commerce, and the co-chairmen of the Steering Committee are ing about the City of Elk City and government on the local and Throughout the class they will have to develop a class project David Atkinson and Chief Eddie Holland. state level. This begins with Legislative Day on March 8th and that is determined and agreed upon by the class members. Atkinson and Holland lead the meetings with the help of the 9th. ‘They will spend the day at the Capital, where they attend See Leadership page 2. Iummniugy = Weather Weather A- r / 18 Vol. 120, No. 8 75 cents, 10 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com