July 12, 2023 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Local Leader Takes Helm at Rotary Club Billy Word Retired ECFD Chief Billy Word Dies After Rotarians at the Thursday meeting welcoming Lake Carpenter as their president and thanking Janel Spitz as their outgoing president are from left in front - Sandy Werner, Janel Spitz, Nan Shiblom, Lake Carpenter, Rob Stephens, Kelci Werner, Greg Britton, Carolyn Patron, Trish Southard, Basil Weatherly, and Gary McGinn. In the back are John Brave Cancer Battle Cook, Kenny Ruiz, Zadie Eakins, Tom Johnson, Eddie Holland, Scott Rodgers, Damon Butcher, and Jim Mason. Staff photo by Sheryl Ponce. Staff photo by Sheryl Ponce. By Sheryl Ponce By Sheryl Ponce as Board Members. Sixty-two-year-old Billy Harry Word passed away Friday, Carpenter named Rob Stephens as President Elect, Spitz as July 7th, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in ‘The Elk City Rotary Club welcomed Lake Carpenter as their Past President, Werner as Secretary, Butcher as Treasurer, and Elk City to Billy Hayes and Genive Norene (Mouse) Word on new president during the Thursday regular meeting held at noon Carolyn Padron, Dr. Erin Sloan, ECPD Chief Eddie Holland, and March 11, 1961. On June 2nd, 1995, he married Sherri Jan in the Elks Lodge. After president Janel Spitz thanked her board Hendricks. He is survived by his wife of the home, Kelbie Assistant Chief John Cook as Board of Directors. Odom and her husband, Tony, and their children, Kaleb, Sa- of directors, she handed over the gavel to Carpenter who named After 23 years in the Elk City Rotary Club, Carpenter stepped die, and Railee of Elk City, and daughter Jarren Word and his new board. up to take the lead for the second time. His first term was only a her son Grey Foster of Elk City, along with one sister Nancy Kelci Werner was named Rotarian of the Year. Spitz said that couple years after joining the group, and now he feels that he has Weaver and her husband Terry of Tuttle. she is the person who holds the group together and keeps every- had years of experience to bring to the office. Word worked tirelessly for the Elk City Fire Department, one in line. “T felt like the first time I served I was so young and new to serving the community with dedication and loyalty, In 2011 “She (Werner), quite literally, does everything for this club the club. | am a lot more effective this time, as a leader, than I was he was promoted to Assistant Chief, and in May of 2014 he and asks for nothing in return. She goes completely above and when I was in my early 20s,” Carpenter noted. was named Chief. After 32 years of service to the citizens of beyond, and she’s very selfless,” Spitz said. During his acceptance speech, Carpenter said that he has Elk City, he retired from the department. Spitz’s officers and board included Carpenter as President three goals for the chapter. The first is to work on the budget be- “Billy served passionately and loved every aspect of be- Elect, Rob Stephens as President Nominee, Kelci Werner as cause the group decided not to have their fall fundraiser; there- Past-President and Secretary, Damon Butcher as Treasurer, and See Word Page 2. Zadie Eakins, Greg Britton, Dr. Erin Sloan, and Carolyn Padron See Rotary page 2. Penguin Project Presents a ‘Cool” Twist in the Beloved ‘Frozen, Jr.’ Elk City Walmart. Courtesy of Donna Long. Storm Damage By Sheryl Ponce Get ready for the next production from the Penguin Proj- ect, Disney's “Frozen, Jr.,” based on the book by Jennifer Lee with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. The musical is based on the Disney film written by Jen- nifer Lee and directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee. ‘The show will open July 14th, at 7:30 p.m., at the Susan Powell Fine Arts Auditorium located at 700 W. 2nd. Other per- formances will be on July 15th at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 each, and can be purchased by calling 580-225-1941, online on Facebook, or at the door. It is directed and choreographed by Tiphani Henderson, with Adrianna Tibbetts serving as the music director. Elsa is being played by Emma Wells who is a recent graduate of Mer- ritt High School. She has also been in “Annie, Jr.,” Disney's “Aladdin, Jr.,” and “Guys and Dolls, Jr.,” with the Sagebrush Penguin Project. Anna will be portrayed by Haylee Reed. She graduated from Elk City. Courtesy of Kathy Bell. Between Elk City and Sayre. Courtesy of Crystal Smith. See Sagebrush page 2. <itummtuimmy Weather, & 98/ Weather Vol. 120, No. 58 75 cents, 6 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com