May 24, 2023 Issue, Page 1 of 16

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Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Weekday Edition VEW Monument Moved By Sheryl Ponce Years ago, the Elk City Chapter of the Veteran of Foreign Wars (VEW) presented the community with a memorial granite headstone that was located at the VFW building on N. Garrett Street. Recently the VFW sold that property to Great Plains Re- gional Medical Center, and as part of the sale the monument was to be moved to another location in Elk City. All the interested parties discussed the move. They decid- ed to move it to the Veteran's Memorial at Fairlawn Cemetery. Elk City Post 181 of the American Legion will be presenting the memorial at the new location during Sheriff Derek Manning's Memorial Day Celebration at the cemetery. Pictured are Patrick Senger, Key Operator, with owners Vicki and Steve Chambers. Staff photo hy Sheryl Ponce. ‘The Memorial Celebration will take place on May 29th, at By Sheryl Ponce “People's tastes have changed over time, and so the pizza has 10 a.m., at the Veterans’ Memorial. After the VFW Memorial had to adjust to the changing taste and the new generations, is renovated, it will be placed at the site and visible for all to ‘The Elk City Pizza Hut will be hitting their 50th year on June When we started it was a little spicier and a thinner sauce. Now it appreciate, 4th, but their big celebration will take place on June Ist. Owners is more of a sweet sauce,” Steve said. “This memorial is a token of everlasting gratitude to those Steve and Vicki Chambers and the key operator, Patrick Senger, ‘The biggest change he has seen is when they added delivery. Beckham County men who demonstrated their patriotism are planning a day of festivities and give aways to commemorate When he started it was two sizes and dine-in and carry out. Now through their supreme sacrifice,” said Gene Smith of the Amer- the historical mark for them and the community. it is mostly delivery. ican Legion. ‘The story of opening this Pizza Hut began in Newton, Kansas, “Tt was a family restaurant that you took your family to. You Make plans to attend the service on May 29th to see the with Vicki and Steve's history of working together in that Pizza sat down andate. In Newton when we were kids, high school kids memorial and honor all who have given their service to the free- Hut. The couple grew up in Newton and while Vicki worked as would hang out there. It was that sort of thing,” Vicki added. ‘a waitress, Steve was cooking. He began there in 1967 but took Steve said, “The big thing they say that helped Pizza Hut be- dom of others. time out to serve in Vietnam. When he returned home, he re- come big was that it was the first place that a family could go turned to Pizza Hut where he found Vicki. where they served beer. We became like ‘Friends’ that we knew “I started my career there (Newton), and then I was able to where we could go to buy a beer. Families could go where they become a franchisee. I started with Weatherford in 1970. Vicki served beer and way back then it was something.” and I moved over here and started this Pizza Hut in the Subway About eight years ago, before the last oil bust, the restaurant building (where Subway is now) in 1973,” Steve explained. had about one-third dine-in, one-third carry out, and one-third Vicki said that while he moved to Oklahoma to become a fran- delivery. Since then, the dining has taken a back seat to the deliv- chisee, she remained in Kansas for a year before getting married ery and carry out. Part of that has been because of COVID, too. and joining him in Weatherford. It was a year and half later that “We are just starting to recover from COVID, It has taken two they moved to Elk City. years really for dining to return. Delivering took off because of When Chambers began with Pizza Hut, they were a young COVID. People didn’t want to get out, and we had contactless de- company. He was able to work in the first Pizza Hut in Kansas, livery. So we can deliver a pizza, leave it on your porch on alittle and he said, “I got the pizza sauce in my veins that has stayed stand, and exchange money through a bag. You wouldn’t have forever.” to touch each other, and people loved it. We were one of the few Steve has seen changes over the years. They started with two people in town that delivered at the time,” Senger said. basic sizes. The small one cost $.95 and a large single toping was Steve pointed out that they were able to keep all their em- $2.45. He has seen more products added, and the preparation See Pizza Hut page 16. has changed, too. Chief of Staff Kirby Smith Mooney Caravan to Oshkosh Elk City Hosts Lt. Will be Led by Wayne Morris Governor’s Travel and Tourism Summit By Sheryl Ponce ‘The Oklahoma Travel Industry Association partnered with Lt, Governor Matt Pinnell to put together the 2023 Lt. Gov- ernor's Travel and Tourism Summit that took place Thursday, nation. May 18, at 1 p.m., in the Arrowhead Center, The half-day pro- “For three days we will have meetings to plan, brief, and strat- gram included tourism education speakers Heady Coleman egize. Then we will fly in a single formation, all 67 aircraft, and from Guthrie and Elk City’s Matt Bradshaw. Due to scheduling Jand all 67 aircraft in less than 10 minutes on the runway at Osh- conflicts, Pinnell was unable to be at the summit, but his Chief kosh,” Morris explained. of Staff Kirby Smith, Elk City, spoke on his behalf. He continued to say that they fly in what are called elements, ‘The first speaker's, Coleman, talk was titled, “An Engaged and each element has three airplanes. The three are lined up Community is a Happy Community.” He is the founder of the abreast on the runway and stacked back from there. Each element Go Win Approach and talked about how that transformed the takes off together in formation, and then ten seconds later the Wayne Morris with his grandaughter Amelia attitude of Guthrie residents to becoming engaged and happy. next element takes flight. Everyone eventually is in close forma- He shared the seven simple practices to make goodness happen tion, flying into the event. Morris will be leading the caravan in to a room of participants from across Oklahoma. By Sheryl Ponce his 1989 Mooney M 20. “The Mooney aircraft manufacturing company is an American After a short break Bradshaw, the Facility and Program Each year the Experimental Aviation Association (EEA) holds made airplane. The Mooney is known for being the fastest, most Manager for the Arrowhead Center, spoke about youth sports the AirVenture at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in July, and the Mooney economical airplane available. So if you want to go fast and not and successful tourism. He connected the dots between chil- aircraft forms a caravan to fly into the event. The Mooney Cara- burn a whole lot of gas, you buy a Mooney. They started manufac- dren, sports, community, tourism, and economic impact. He van has been taking place since 1998, where they fly as a group turing Moonies in 1958,” Morris said. also fielded questions about Elk City’s CAPPs projects and the into Madison and then move on to the AirVenture. ‘The last week of July, Morris will be in the air and leading town’s forward-thinking leadership. the other 66 aircraft. He will continue to go to clinics across the Mayor Cory Spieker served as the host, giving introductions ‘This summer Hear Gear owner and Mooney enthusiast will country, doing what he loves to do which is flying. This honor is and information for everyone there. The next speaker was a be leading the Mooney Caravan of aircraft to the event. He was ‘one of many Morris has received both professionally as well as. chosen by the Mooney Caravan Board of Directors because of his personally. For further information about the event and Morris’ See Summit page 2. professionalism, proficiency, and attendance at clinics across the involvement, see the Fall issue of GoWest magazine. Weather ) 7 63 Vol. 120, No. 44 Mail delivery View online «AQUA tomorrow 75 cents, 16 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com