March 29, 2023 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Wednesday, March 29, 2023 Rotarians Hear About Needs of Patricia Kelley Baker ECPD and ECED and CAPPs2 Leader in Elk City By Sheryl Ponce ‘The legacy that Patricia Kelley Baker has left on Elk City will be felt for years to come, She passed away on March 17 at the age of 91 in Elk City. Although she grew up in Weatherford, she moved to Elk City in 1954 and married Dr. L.V, Baker on July 13, 1960. ‘She was the daughter of EL. and Dona Marshall Kelley, who established Kelley Jewelers. Baker graduated from Weather- ford High School, and then attended University of Oklahoma. Later she opened her own flower and gift shop and landscaping business in Elk City. Baker's contributions to western Oklahoma include being a founding board member of the Elk City Museum Board. She served as chairman from 1966 until 1999. During her involve- ment in the organization, the Elk City Museum site, building, and exhibits were acquired, and opened to the public. Pat and L.V. were co-founders of the Western Oklahoma Historical So- ciety and later were inducted into the Western Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1979. “For many years, Pat served as the volunteer Executive Di- rector and principal designer. She was a driving force for every- thing that museum has become and worked tirelessly to devel- op the community and political support necessary to obtain federal funding to construct the National Route 66 Museum,” stated her obituary. ay) In addition to her work at the museum, Baker was a charter member of the Elk City Arts Council and served on their board Fire Department design ideas presented by Katie Archer. of directors. She was also a founding member of the Elk City Staff photos by Sheryl Ponce. E Theatre Guild or known as the Red Carpet Community Theatre, along with the Oklahoma Community Theatre Association. She By Sheryl Ponce See Baker page 2. ‘The Elk City Rotary Club met for their regular meeting Thurs- EB day, at noon, in the Elks Lodge. The presentation for the day was from Katie Archer, Project Manager/Architect from REES, about RCCT’s ‘Barefoot in the the needs of the Elk City Police Department and the Elk City Fire Department. She has been seeking information from both agen- cies for ideas about their needs. ee amenities such as locker rooms, staff breakroom and fitness space; provide more adequate and secure evidence storage; mod- Park’ Guarantees an REES Architect firm was designated the architect for these projects last month. REES is a mid-sized architecture and inte- ernize jail facility MEP infrastructure; provide dedicated lab and forensic work areas; reduce municipal court to more appropriate Evening of Laughter rior design firm that was established in 1975. They boast about size; and provide more space as well as separation at booking and their ability to collaborate with the stakeholders and come up dispatch. with solutions. Other REES team members are Farooq Karim, ‘The issues the architects will be addressing with the fire de- Principal-in-Charge, Archer, Angela Rapihana, interior designer, partment include enlarging and reworking staff workspace to be Michael Cromaz, Design and Visualization, and Richard Semtner, more effective and efficient; enlarge employee amenity and living quality control. spaces such as locker rooms, kitchen, living spaces, and fitness to ‘The project issues that REES will be addressing for the police provide adequate space for required staffing; provide apparatus department include enlarging and reworking the staff workspace to be more effective and efficient; renovate and refresh employ- See CAPPs2 page 2. Merritt High School Students Bring Home Awards from SWIM Compenacn A Review by Sheryl Ponce Opening night of Red Carpet Community Theatre's produc- tion of Neil Simon's “Barefoot in the Park” was deemed a hit. Friday night at 7:30 p.m. the lights went up on this adult come- dy in front of a full house. The crowd laughed generously as the Bratter newlyweds weaved their way through the first week of marriage. ‘The two leads played by Jocelyn Kos and Wade Showers were impeccable in their timing and making their characters believable. Neither actor is new to the theatre, although they By Sheryl Ponce Students were given certificates of achievement for first, sec- are seniors in high school. Kos attends Merritt High School and ond, and third place winners in each event. Sweepstakes plaques Showers goes to Hammon High School. Southwestern Oklahoma State University held their annual were awarded to class winners, and plaques also awarded by class All the actors shined as they delivered Simon's characters Southwestern Interscholastic Meet (SWIM) on Thursday, March in each of the nine subject areas. Those areas were fine arts, bi- with wit and charm. From the delivery man, Rylee Yeager, to 23rd. Area schools competed in specific subjects in three differ- ological sciences, business, computer sciences, language arts, the telephone repairman, Jim Brown, each performance was ent class of schools. Class I were schools with 600 or more stu- math, physical sciences, social studies, and technology. pristine. Whether it was huffing and puffing as they reached Merritt earned the title of Fine Arts Division Champions with the fifth or sixth floors, depending on whether they counted the dents enrolled in 9-12 or homeschool students. Class II were the following results — First place in Art History by Makayla Gra- stoop, or the interaction with other characters on stage, the co- schools with 151 to 599 students enrolled in 9-12th grades, and ham, Second Place in Art History by Tristan Prater, and Second medic interaction made the audience roar. Class III were schools with less than 150 students enrolled in 9-12th grades. See SWIM page 2. See RCCT page 2. «AQUA Weather tomorrow 33 / 37 Vol. 120, No. 26 75 cents, 8 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com