December 23, 2023 Issue, Page 1 of 24

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Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Weekend Edition Carnegie Library Hosts Area Churches Plan Christmas Eve Services Classes for Everyone With Christmas being on a Monday, many local churches will be holding additional Sunday services to celebrate the birth of Christ. Some church services will be conducted at their regular times, but they will include special activities, songs, or ceremonies to honor the occasion. Churches that have announced their evening or special services include Antioch Christian Church, located at 3200 W. Country Club, that will have a candlelight service at 6 p.m., and One Church, located at 200 E. Broadway Ave. will have a special service at 10 a.m. with refreshments starting at 9:30 am. Grandview Church, located at 1220 N. Pioneer, will hold their Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 10 a.m., Dec. 24th, and Elk City United Methodist Church, located at 720 W. Country Club Blvd., will hold their annual Christmas Eve Candlelight services at either 5 p.m. or 11 p.m. ‘The First Baptist Church of Elk City, located at 1600 W. Country Club Blvd., will hold their Christmas Eve service at 5:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary, and St. Matthews Catholic Church, located at 3100 E. Highway 66 Access Rd, will hold their tradi- tional midnight mass. ‘These are only a few of the many churches in Elk City who are planning special events for Christmas Eve, No matter what Pictured are the staff of the Elk City Carnegie Library. Seated in front are Hali, Melanie, and Ainsley, and in the back are denomination, the reason for the season is Christ’s birth and Shanon, DeAun, Donna, Michelle, Randi, and Dusty. Courtesy photo. the celebration of love between families, friends, and strang- ers. By Sheryl Ponce from 6 p.m, to 7 p.m., the Crochet Club met, which was for those For those who may be alone during this holiday, take time who were 14 years old and older, That morning was the Songs to visit a nearby church to fellowship with other Christians. Elk City’s Carnegie Library is a place for people of all ages and Stories for the little ones. Remember the free Christmas dinner that will take place at to learn more, whether it is through reading a book or taking the Elk City Civic Center from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. that is spon- a class. Throughout the month of December there were events Reading Ranger was held Dec. 15th at 4 p.m. for children ages sored by the Western Oklahoma Family Care Center. that brought learners out to participate in the classes that were 3 and up, and the following Tues, the Bricks and Books event offered. was held for kids ages five and olders. Dungeons and Dragons for The month was kicked off with a special visit from Santa Claus on Dec, 1st at 4 p.m. The staff followed up with the Chess teens took place on Dec. 21st. and the library will be closed from Christmas Traditions Dec. 23rd through Dec. 27th. Club from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. Sth, and Home School hang- out was from 10:30 a.m, for kids ages 5 through 13. The chess On Dec. 30th they will be holding a New Year's Eve event at Create Memories for club met every Tuesday at the same time, except on Tues., Dec. 11 asm. for people of all ages. When the clock strikes noon, there 6th they held Story Time and the Family Pajama Storytime, and the next day there was Songs and Stories for ages two and older. will be a balloon shower to ring in the new year. This will take place in the children's library. It is a way to celebrate a new year Young and Old ‘The STEAM program took place on Dec. 12th at 4 p.m. for people of all ages, and the next morning they held another Sto- with Carnegie Library. Make plans to attend. ry Time for kids three to five years old. On Thursday, Dec. 14th, See more photos on page 8 By Sheryl Ponce When my husband, the late Jerry Kimball, Sr., and I adopt- Holiday Spirit Flows at the Red Carpet ed two precious children we talked about creating traditions that they could remember for years. It was important to create a sense of family because Frank and Cindy were nine and eight Christmas Show years old when they completed our family. Their first Christ- mas was the most memorable. ‘The kids opened one gift on Christmas Eve, and it was always a new pair of pajamas. We wanted cute pictures that also created memories. As they opened the pj's the first year, I think they may have been a little disappointed, but then they began to expect them Readinga Christmas story was next on the list of traditions that started. We bought a book that was read every Christ- mas Eve. It was called, “The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey,” written by Susan Wojciechowski and published by PJ, Lynch in 1995. ‘The story is about the spirit of Christmas that heals a woodcrafter's heart. T would usually read the story, and then we would write the directors produced their last “O Come, O Come Emman- “What Child is This?,” Kalyssa year and who was there on the inside cover. As the kids got old- event for the year called, “Red uel,” Kaydean Nalley danced Staggs sang “Grown up Christ- er, we continued the tradition until they left home. They may Carpet Christmas.” There were to “Snow Waltz,” Joy Moore mas List,” Jeff and Gini Smith not have liked it as much as they did when they were younger, 18 different acts, plus an au- and Emily Bames duet “Once sang “Have Yourself a Merry but they were good sports and tolerated the tradition. dience participation singing Upon a December,” and the Little Christmas,” and the fi- ‘That first year, watching the kids open their gifts was magi- Christmas carols. The main chorus singing, “Grandma Got nale was the Chorus singing cal. They got their first video gaming device. They were thrilled event, of the Sunday, Dec. Ran Over by a Reindeer.” “Christmastime is Here.” and excited. It is a memory that lingers each Christmas as I 17th, afternoon production, After a ten-minute inter- ‘The show was directed by look back as it first began. Now, the kids are grown, and every- was a live auction of donated mission, Dobbs auctioned Ashley Underwood, and the gifts, vintage furniture, and off the items set around the light operator was Dawnia thing has changed. Director Ashley Underwood hand-crafted pieces of art. The stage. Act II started once the Nalley, while the sound opera- Traditions adjust as I get older, but the memories remain. estimated proceeds of about last item was auctioned off, tor was Melissa Williams. The ‘Those are the cherished moments that make Christmas mean- By Sheryl Ponce $1500 was raised by the auc- which included Keri Staggs other cast members included ingful. Taking the time for loving the past, living in the pres- tioneer, Benjamin Dobbs. performance of “Twas the Donna Sue Perry, and Angie ent, and looking forward to what is to come. Aging is not ‘Act I included Sarah Byer Month After Christmas,” Case Smith. Concessions were pro- always easy, and life will always have twists and turns, but ‘Asa means to celebrate the reading “Twas the Night Be- Nalley performed “Christmas vided by Simply Deserts. Christmas season and a fund- fore Christmas, Stephanie Christmas is a time to remember and rest. Comedy,” Jeanie Spain sang Now is the time to pur- Love and peace with a bundle full of memories make up raiser for the Red Carpet Com- Ellis singing “The Christmas “Where's the Line to See Je- munity Theatre, the board of Song,” Lisa Thompson singing each year’s blessings. May this Christmas blessings create a sus?,” Tyler Wilhelm sang See Christmas page 2. sense of thankfulness and hope. Merry Christmas. Vol. 120, No. 100 8 04879 "13151 6 Weather tomorrow 134 75 cents, 8 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com