January 7, 2023 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Chamber of Commerce ANNUAL BANQUET January 10, 2023 By Sheryl Ponce Elk City Chamber of Kona Ice is called Disneyland on wheels by the youngest fran- Commerce Announces chise owner in the company, Faith Nix. It has a flavor wave on the outside of the truck and is patented only to Kona because kids and adults can come up and get their own flavors from the 2023 Annual Banquet outside of the truck. Nix and her cousin and business partner, Danny Mathes, set up at a couple of the Elk City football games ‘The Elk City Chamber of Commerce has announced its and also will be setting up at the home basketball games. Annual Banquet “Unity In Community” will be held on Tues- “Tt is shaved ice and is patented to only Kona. You pick your day, January 10...7 pm at the Elk City Convention Center. size of ice, and then you can get your own flavors. You can choose ‘The Annual Banquet is one of Elk City’s most established as many flavors as you want, and they are nutritious,” Nix ex- business traditions, bringing a “Who's Who” of over 200 lo- plained. cal business, community and government leaders together Kids seem to love the experience, as well as the taste, by being for a night of networking and celebration. able to mix and match the flavors. Nix said that they also have The 2023 Annual Banquet will feature the induction of sugar free options. the 2023 Chamber President, Shaley Sikes, Edward Jones. “All of the flavors are all made with Stevia sugar, so they're Others who will be recognized during the Annual Dinner will actually 40 percent less sugar than a normal snow cone. We like be the 2023 Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and to call them nutritious and delicious, because it’s a lot less sugar, the “2022 Pam Gregory Volunteer Award” will be presented but then we also have options that are completely sugar free,” she to the community leader who has demonstrated outstand- ing performance and dedication to the Elk City Chamber. ‘The Dinner will be provided by Fred’s Steakhouse. See Kona page 2. ‘This year's keynote speaker will be Kathryn Sikes. Kath- ryn received her BS in Science Education with minors in Biol- ogy, Chemistry and Physics from Oklahoma City University, Education Expo Just Around the Corner beginning her career in the Oklahoma Public Schools. After graduate work at the University of Oklahoma, she became a Teaching Assistant at Wichita State where she finished her graduate degree in communication and theatre. She was representatives from colleges, trade schools, and/or military re- with the Elliot School of Communications at Wichita State, cruiters that will be set up with information. and the Humanities Department of Southwestern College, ‘The Elk City Chamber of Commerce sponsors the event each Butler College and Cowley College. After retiring from edu- year. It allows students the chance to talk with recruiters about cation, Kathryn worked for both the Alzheimer's Association educational opportunities that they may not have access to with- and American Cancer Society as an advocate at the state and out this expo. There will also be seminars for parents and stu- federal level to promote legislation to create more research dents about grants and student loan applications. and better lives for both the patient and their families. Dur- ‘Throughout the morning there will be drawings for $100 ing this time, she traveled extensively as a keynote speaker, scholarships. Areas schools usually arrive at staggered times all morning so students will have ample time to gather information See Banquet page 2. from as many colleges or other institutions represented at the expo. By Sheryl Ponce For more information contact the Chamber of Commerce. All area juniors and seniors are welcome to stop by and learn more ‘The 32nd annual Western Oklahoma Education Expo will about furthering their education after high school. Knowledge is take place on Jan. 26th at the Elk City Convention Center from power, and this expo is an excellent opportunity to gain a head 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The event is for area students to visit with start on planning for the future. Vote for Sales Tax Extension Approved by Commission By Sheryl Ponce departments or commissioners. ‘Their presentation lasted over 30 minutes that included a run-down of their experience with ‘The Elk City Commissioners met for their regular meeting the city, as well as other projects they have successfully brought Monday evening at 7 p.m. in City Hall. All of the commissioners in within budgets. and the mayor were present for the meeting that began with an Weygand Is ‘The other firm who spoke to the commissioners was REES invocation, flag salute, and the approval of the minutes from Architects, with Katie Archer leading the presentation. They Dec. 21st meeting. They then heard from two architectural explained the process of how they work on projects, and they firms who are vying for a potential police station remodel and gave the commissioners examples of successful projects that new addition to the fire station. ‘The first presentation was from Studio Architects who have included several FBI buildings. Their presentation lasted about 15 minutes, but they did not present any renderings of possible Promoted to Captain worked with the City of Elk City on the Arrowhead Center and remodels or additions. This was because their process is to col- Chief Eddie Holland congratulates Det. Sammy Weygand the new Aquatic Center. They presented options for the rebuild, laborate with leadership, key people in the areas, and the con- on his promotion to Captain. He will be supervising the noting that these are only preliminary suggestions because criminal investigations division at the Elk City Police De- they have not discussed the specific needs or wants from the See Sale Tax page 2. | jartment. Courtesy photo, Weather 3 Vol. 120, No. 2 Mail delivery View online . I ui IMM ‘ tomorrow 54 / 75 cents, 8 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com