November 4, 2023 Issue, Page 1 of 12

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Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Saturday, November 4, 2023 Weekend Edition WOEFCC’s Liberty McArthur Talks Community to Rotarians Executive Director of Rotarian of the Day, Da- Rotary President Lake WOEFCC, Liberty McArthur, mon Butcher Carpenter talks to the Rotary Club. help to local residents in five counties. She has been the director for the past three years, and last year the organization opened a day shelter for the homeless community. “We started with slow opening in January and February. Since Westland Theater then, it has really taken off, and we usually have about five or six of our homeless community in there every day. We're open Mon- day through Thursday, 10 a.m. to five p.m. There are five to six Lights Up Again homeless people in there the whole time,” McArthur explained. By Sheryl Ponce She also said that they are able to get some food and hygiene products available in the room. ‘They have chairs, couches, and Although there won't be movies playing in the old West- land Theater, the old neon sign is once again lit up as it once lockers available. They are in conversation about adding a tele- was. The building is now part of Merrifield Office Supply, and Anna Galloway, Student Rotary Student of the vision in there, but no decision has been made on that yet. Ad- the theater has been remodeled to be their furniture show- of the Month, catches Rotar- Month, Jack Morgan, gives ditionally, they have phone chargers available, as well as puzzles room. That does not mean that the nostalgic memories of go- ians up on school activities. Rotarians an update on ing to the movies have dissipated. cross country. and games. Last June brothers Scott and Jon Merrifield were ap- “A lot of them (the homeless) are utilizing the lockers to keep proached, by the City of Elk City, about refurbishing the old By Sheryl Ponce their personal belongings like birth certificates, social and green sign using the Downtown Revitalization Grant. It took time to cards, things like that. We give them a lock so they can keep the find someone to work on it, but they found a company out of Tulsa. According to Scott, they were the only ones who would The Elk City Rotary Club met Thursday for their regular documents safe. One hundred percent of our homeless popula- call them back. tion that we speak to lose their personal information. This is be- ‘The company redid the neon, the fonts and repainted the lunch meeting at noon in the Elks Lodge. President Lake Car- sign, and are supposed to return to install some refurbished penter opened the meeting while the members dined on a plate cause they're staying in unsafe places, and those things get stolen posters for the windows. Scott also said that they need to fixa or destroyed somehow in weather, rain, or snow. So the lockers couple of the lights that have gone out. of fish, cole slaw and hush puppies. The Rotarian of the Day was do provide thema safe place to keep those important documents ‘The lights are on timers but the display has increased their Damon Butcher who introduced guest speaker, Liberty McAr- and keep them safe,” she said. electric bill by about $200 per month. This is one reason they thur, Executive Director of the Western Oklahoma Family Care McArthur continued to talk about other services the WOF- are leasing out the marquee to celebrate people's anniversaries Center, located at the old Armory on Ave. E in Elk City. See Westland page 2. McArthur told the Rotarians about the program that offers See WOFCC page 3. WOHS to Honor Hall of Fame Inductees By Sheryl Ponce Methodist Church. The inductees are Joan Butcher, Donnie and work to make this a better place to live. and Beverly Jordan, and Jimmy Wayne Smith. These deserving Make reservations to attend the event by calling or texting ‘The Western Oklahoma Hall of Fame has named four new in- individuals will join the ranks of other notable people who have ductees to be honored at the Hall of Fame Banquet that will take made an impact in Western Oklahoma through their tireless ef- chairman, Doug Haught, at 580-799-0243 no later than Friday, place Tues., Nov. 14th, at 6:30 in the Elk City United forts, devotion to their community, Nov. 10th. committee in 1984 to start the privilege of being a camp coun- Southwest Farm and Home selor at Kanakuk in Branson, Expo in Elk City. He has served MO. She taught water skiing on the committee for 39 years. on Lake Taney Como, as well He also served on the Elk City as, mentoring and sharing Je- Civic Center Committee for around 30 years, and he is cur- sus with many young women. rently serving as the chairman. She met the joy of her life, In 2015, Smith received the Larry Butcher, and they were Pam Gregory Volunteer Award, blessed with 52 years of mar- which was given by the Elk City riage until his passing in 2016. Chamber of Commerce to an God gave them a daughter, individual who goes above and Shana, and a son, Damon, to beyond to the chamber and the nurture through life. Elk City city. was the ideal community to In addition to his Chamber put down roots. They sought Jimmy Smith of Commerce activities, Smith also served on the committee Beverly and Donnie Jordan Joan Butcher to raise their children ground- that started the Western Okla- ed in a love for God first, fam- Jimmy Smith has lived in homa Pedalers Bicycle Club. Beverly and Donnie Jordan have given to the Elk City and sur- Joan Elayne “Murray” ily second, their local church the Elk City community all rounding communities through their years as educators, as well third, and then they could give The organization has held his life. After receiving his col- numerous road and moun- as their volunteer efforts with Western Oklahoma Historical So- Butcher was born in Sentinel, lege degree at Southwestern on May 20, 1942. Welcom- back to the community. Their Oklahoma State University, he tain bike races in Elk City. He ciety and other civic organizations. ing her to the farm was big children would marry and returned to the Smith Family ismaintain still a member and helps to Beverly was born in Dallas, Tex., on Oct. 15th, 1948, Their the hiking and biking family brother, Darryl, and later join- bless them with son-in-law, Farm to become the fourth- lived in Virginia, where her father was active in the Navy ing them was younger sister, David Dyson, and daughter- generation farmer. He soon trails at Elk Lake. during the Korean War. Then they moved to Frederick, Oklaho- Carolyn. She was raised on a in-law, Natalie Allen Butcher. In 2002, Smith was ap- joined the Elk City Jaycees and pointed to serve on Northfork ma, where she was raised. cotton, wheat, and cattle farm. With these unions would come was a member for numerous She graduated from Burns the true blessings of Joan's life, years. He served as President of the Red River Conservation While Beverly graduated from Frederick High School in 1967, Flat High School in 1960, and nine grandchildren with six i District Board and continues and District Director. He was to serve on the board, In 2021, she was active in many organizations. She attended Girls State in earned a bachelor's degree laws, and seven great grand- also honored by receiving the Smith was inducted into the 1966, and she was co-editor of the high school yearbook in 1966- from Oklahoma Baptist Uni- children of which all are little Oklahoma Jaycee Outstanding Oklahoma Conservation Hall 1967. She also served as the reporter for her senior class. versity in 1964. Joan is very girls. It has been said that she Young Farmer Award. proud of her education. During Jimmy was on the first See Butcher page: See Smith page 2. See Jordan page 2. | her time at OBU, Joan had the | ill | | | Weather 76, / 51 Vol. 120, No. 88 Mail delivery View online 804879" 13151 "9 TOMOrOW ve 75 cents, 12 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com