October 14, 2023 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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5 1. Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Weekend Edition to US Army Colonel — ECHS Band Receives Superior Rating John Paul Smith gives thanks at his promotion ceremony John Paul Smith with wife and daughter. By Sheryl Ponce stood beside him and pushed him over the years. “Thank you to my family, friends, and colleagues who joined Elk City friends and family of Lt. Colonel John Paul Smith me for my promotion ceremony to Colonel. I realize that I didn’t gathered around Facebook Live to watch his promotion ceremo- get here alone. Today became a reality because of God's Grace and ny to the rank of Colonel in the United States Army, Thursday, the love and support of so many people in my life, especially Ve- Oct. 5th. The promotion ceremony took place in the Hall of He- ronica Torres Smith and my beautiful kids. You most certainly de- roes, 1 Corps Headquarters Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. He serve this honor,” Smith wrote on his Facebook thank you, was joined by his wife Veronica Torres Smith, daughters Gabri- He has been a living example of determination, faith, and ded- elle and Brianna, and son Jaxton. ication through publishing his first book, “Image of my Father, During the ceremony Smith was told that the promotion Awakening the Champion Within,” and achieving his PhD. He meant that he has the potential of what he can do, and going has a plethora of military awards that include Bronze Star with forward will have to do more. Additionally, more will be asked of two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with three him. He was given the promotion because of the way he carries Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with four Oak himself, carries out his duties, and that he has been more than Leaf Clusters, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army just a chaplain. His attitude will carry him well into the future. Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritori- Smith thanked the people that have helped him get where ous Unit Award with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Good Con- he is today. He paid tribute to Rev. Mark Little who had recently duct Medal, third award, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with passed away. He noted the influence that Little had on him as two Campaign Stars, Iraqi Campaign Medal with one Campaign a young man, and he also thanked Ezra Randle for the help he gave him. Finally, Smith thanked his family, who have always See Smith page 2. Leadership Class IX Graduates and Proposes Renovation of Miniature Golf Elk City Band comes home with a superior rating at the OSSAA Regional Marching Contest in Lawton. Cour- tesy photos. See more photos page 2. RCCT Announces the Cast of ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ By Sheryl Ponce Santa Claus in Macy's De- partment Store. His generos- Rehearsals are underway ity and good-will with their for Red Carpet Community customers and the com- ‘Theatre's holiday production mercial world of the store, of the classic stage play of brought him to a compe- “Miracle on 34th Street.” The tency hearing in court. One show will open Nov. 10, run little girl’s belief in Santa through the weekend, and Claus is at stake. The courts then the following weekend uphold Kris as Santa, which of the 17th, 18th, and close revives the children’s joy of Steering Committee. on the 19th. Evening shows the season and the belief in will start at 7:30 p.m. while the Christmas fantasy. By Sheryl Ponce ney Cloud, Sherrie Horn, Sumer Depree, Jessica Ford, Pam Mun- the matinee will begin at The original cast in- crief, with ECPD Chief Eddie Holland and David Atkinson serv- 2:00 p.m. Tickets will go on cluded Maureen O'Hara as ‘The Elk City Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Class IX ing as co-chairmen of the Leadership Class. Executive Director sale Nov. 7th to the general Doris Walker, Natalie Wood held their graduation banquet Tuesday evening, Oct. 10th, at of the Elk City Chamber of Commerce, Susie Cupp, and Assis- public, and the season ticket played Susan Walker, John holders can reserve their Payne portrayed Fred Gai- Parties on Purpose. The food was provided by Poppy's Pit and tant, Karen Touchstone, helped throughout the year. seats on Nov. 6th. ley, Edmund Gwenn was Grill of Elk City. The master of ceremonies was class member After the invocation and flag salute, Muncrief thanked the ‘The director for this pro- Kris Kringle, and Gene Lock- Nate Hicks, and the class members and guests were welcomed by group's official photographer, Teri Chervenka, Chervenka Pho- tography. Then, Sherrie Horn recognized the Leadership Class duction is Jim Hull, Clin- hart was Judge Henry X Robert Rodgers of the steering committee. ton. He is no stranger to the Harper. George Seaton was “Everyone that is graduating today, I hope that it leads into Sponsors. Those include the City of Elk City, Diversified Energy, RCCT stage and directing. He the American screenwriter something bigger or better, or maybe that they got the knowl- First National Bank & Trust, Great Plains Bank, GPRMC, TLR recently announced the cast and director of the original edge from what they learned in this class. For us to grow as a Well Services, and Tom and Karen Johnson. The meal sponsors to the show that has brought movie. In 1994 Les Mayfield city, it is very important for everyone to learn to take in and to and providers for the year were Anadarko Dozer and Trucking, a sentimental holiday spirit directed a new production of understand the city and forit to get better,” Rodgers said. Barber-Dyson Ford Lincoln, Currell’s Do It Center, DJ’s Rentals to audiences everywhere. the film with Richard Atten- Leadership Class IX included Dylan Anderson, Mike Bawden, & Sales, Elks Lodge, Hutton, Inc., InterLinc, Legacy Bank, Pizza ‘The play is based on the borough, Elizabeth Perkins, Hut, PK & Company, State Farm Insurance, United Country Ex- 1947 film that has become and Dylan McDermott in the Greg Britton, Jonathan Butcher, Susan Featherston, Jennifer Hagerman, Nate Hicks, Teresa Kilhoffer, Tahner Loyd, Shannon ploration Realty, and Western Oklahoma Realty. a Christmas classic. It is a lead roles. Hicks introduced the facilitator for the Leadership Class, comedy/drama about an old The RCCT cast includes Pirus, Randy Smith, and Karen Touchstone. Mike Bawden and man in a retirement home, Casey Merrifield, PhD, of ConneXtion Worldwide. She spoke to Jim Brown as Kris Kringle, Jonathan Butcher were unable to attend the banquet. Kris Kringle, who gets a job Members of the steering committee included Rodgers, Rod- See Leadership page 8. ° working as See RCCT page 2. | ill | | | Weather 57 / 38 Vol. 120, No. 82 Mail delivery View online al l ogg7a" 13151 Hl 9 tomorrow : 75 cents, 8 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com