March 8, 2023 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Serving Western Oklahoma Wednesday, March 8, 2023 Smith Family Farms Bestowed RCCT 2023 Season the Leopold Conservation Tickets on Sale Now Red Carpet Community Theatre’s Board of Directors in- By Sheryl Ponce clude in the front Stephanie Ellis, Secretary Ashley Argan- bright, Robin Lakey, Kelsey Zybach (retiring member) and In 1913 Smith Family Farms was born with the purchase Smith started the practice. Jimmy and Spencer have continued of 300 acres in Elk City by Edmond and Martha Smith, Jimmy to improve the methods of planting and harvesting the cotton. in the back are President Christy Russell-Dobbs, Kat Tate, Vice-President Jim Mason, Amy Shepherd, and Treasurer Smith's great grandparents. Now Jimmy and his son, Spencer, In 1998 they began interseeding rye on their fields prior to har- operate around 1900 acres of dryland cotton and 200 acres of vesting cotton. Now they terminate the cover crop with herbi- Connie Ferrero. Courtesy photo. rye for cover crop seed. They were recently awarded the Leopold cides rather than tilling it. They completed the switch to no-till Conservation Award presented by the Sand County Foundation by 2010. By Sheryl Ponce “As far back as I can remember, it seems like that between in partnership with American Farmland Trust, and state part- ners ITC Great Plains, Noble Research Institute, Oklahoma Con- my dad and my grandpa, it was always very important to be the ‘The Red Carpet Community Theatre's 2023 season is about best steward of the land that you can be,” Jimmy said in a video to start with their first production of “Barefoot in the Park,” servation Commission, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Foundation for interview for the award. Agriculture, and USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service. therefore, it is time to purchase season tickets. Other shows Jimmy has served on the board of the North Fork of the Red ‘This national award recognized the Smith Family Farms for River Conservation District since 2001, and Spencer serves on this season include “Wait Until Dark,” “Matilda, Jr..” “Chicago,” their extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation, and and Miracle on 34th Street.” The season tickets are called Flex their inspiration to other landholders by their example in conser- the USDA's Farm Service Agency Committee for Beckham Coun- ty. Jimmy was also inducted into the Oklahoma Conservation Passes, and there are five options for patrons. vation. The award was presented to Jimmy and Spencer last week Hall of Fame in 2021. ‘This year ticket holders willbe able to reserve seats one day with their family, Cathy and Cali Smith, in attendance. “There are numerous challenges that we face. We get less rain, in advance of the general public. There will be a code thatis pro- Smith Family Farms has survived five generations, and they and then we get more rain. Unfortunately, this was one of those vided for the total number of tickets purchased with the Flex started using rye as a companion crop to cotton 50 years ago. Pass. Those tickets willbe good for any show. When purchasing Jimmy's grandfather, Leland Smith, and his father Clarence See Award page 2. the ticket for a show, the holder will need to pay for the tick- et with a code that will be provided. Once the total number of tickets for the season is used, the code will no longer be valid. Weatherly Remembers President ‘The Flex Pass levels available include the Cameofor two tick- ets per show, with a total of ten tickets for the season at $14 per ticket at the cost of $140 for the season. The Supporting Flex Carter’s Promise Fulfilled Pass will get four tickets per show, for a total of 20 tickets at the cost of $13 per ticket for the price of $260. The Lead Flex Pass purchaser will get six tickets per show, and a total of 30 tickets wee at $12 per ticket for $360. The Director Flex Pass will receive eight tickets per show, and 40 tickets total at $11 per ticket for a total of $440. The Producer Flex Pass receives ten tickets See RCCT page 2. Workers Trapped on Main Street Project By Sheryl Ponce the swearing in, After Carter became President, he started doing town hall meetings around the country. Finally, we got word that It has been 44 years since President Jimmy Carter returned he would come to Elk City and do a town hall meeting,” Weath- to Elk City based on his 1974 campaign promise to come back if erly explained. he were elected the President of the United States. The 98-year- ‘At that time the only place that could accommodate the Pres- old Carter is now in hospice care, and Basil Weatherly along with ident was in the Elk City High School gym, which is now con- other local residents look back on Elk City’s claim to fame with sidered the old high school gym or the Middle School gym. This the visit. The trip made national and state news anda lasting facility was not large enough to hold as many people that wanted impression on those who were involved in the production of en- to attend, therefore, the city held a lottery. According to the Elk City Fire and EMS report at about tertaining the President of the United States. “They had to build a stage, and we brought over a flag from 10:40 a.m. on Friday morning, the Elk City firefighters re- “When Jimmy Carter came out to Elk City on his campaign Southwestern (SWOSU). They sent the President’s staff out a sponded to a call at Broadway and Main in downtown Elk City. trail, he got up and gave his pitch about running for president. He month in advance to get everything lined out,” he added. ‘The trench where Orr Construction was working to replace the said, ‘’m going to be your president, and I’m from Plains, Geor- waterline collapsed and pinned two victms in the hole. Weatherly said that at one point they needed five miles of gia.’ Larry Wade made him promise that if he became president When the fire department arrived, they found two pinned rope to rope off South Main Street to the high school (on Boone that he would come back (to Elk City) while he was President. St.). There were problems with the phone lines at the hotel where in a ditch approximately 14 feet deep. ‘The two workers were Well, Larry got to be a Democratic Representative and went to Washington when Carter was nominated. He also got to go for See Carter page 8. See Trapped page 3. <itummtuimmy Weather, Weather 136 Vol. 120, No. 19 75 cents, 8 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com