December 30, 2023 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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i y Serving m. _Western Oklahoma 4 Since 1901 Weekend Edition Christmas Decorations Designed The Palace Returns to ‘The Country Palace’ to Bring Back Memories with New Owner PG a Jeremy Ostovith. By Sheryl Ponce Engrance to the Christmas.courtesy photo.; Matt and Chelsea. When Jeremy Ostovich bought what was known as The By Sheryl Ponce Palace, located at 2707 E. Highway 66, he knew that he was going to have to invest in updates and overcome a question- able reputation. He purchased the club around two years ago Each year around October Chelsea Randolph starts her jour- but reopened it last November. ney to making her home into a plethora of Christmas memories. Before he let customers in the door he invested in new Since she was a child she loved the holiday, and she has kept flooring, new pool tables, and woodworking. Ostovich also that spirit alive through collections of Santas, vintage decora- rewired the building and put in a new sprinkler system. He in- tions, original floral arrangements, Christmas trees, and unique vested around $60,000 in the new sound system, too. A lot of themed rooms. She hunts vintage or pre-loved decorations, col- the updates are not as visible as they were necessary. Most im- lectable Santa Clauses by Harold Gale, and other unique holiday portantly, Ostovich returned the club to what it was originally. items that can bring back memories from Christmas pasts. “Tt was a dancehall and they (the previous owner) got rid of “When people come to my house, I want them to see some- that for a long time. It was kind of a hip hop nightclub. We just thing that reminds them of their childhood Christmas. When took it back to what it used to be. We even went back with the Terri Chervenka came in, she saw the Santa laying on the bed old name (The Country Palace),” he explained. Ostovich admitted that the crowd was pretty rough when (pointing to one of her newest finds) and said that her grand- they first opened, but now the clientele that they wanted are parents had the same thing in their house,” Randolph said. just now starting to come back in. It is moments like the one Chervenka shared with her that “We hit our year mark, and a lot of them are just now try- brings her joy. Randolph has visitors from out of state who ing it out for the first time. We have 15 years of a bad reputa- come to her house each Christmas to share in the holiday spirit tion to overcome,” he added. in Randolph's home. He did not plan on running the club, but his original part- “Each room is different; our room is winter wonderland. ner backed out, therefore, he has been all hands on through- ‘There is a tree that has ornaments on it from each one of our out the remodel and opening. Ostovich owns and operates B & trips. We get one each time we go somewhere,” she continued. value. J Construction and Plumbing in Altus. His career has not been Randolph has a flair for decorating and a gift for making flo- “If someone has a box of decorations, don’t throw them away. in the bar industry. He graduated from Midwestern State Uni- ral arrangements. She seems to be able to place just the right versity in Wichita Falls, Texas, with an industrial engineering I can always find a use for them. I say they are memories that bachelor’s degree. piece together to make the perfect Christmas scene. She can eye a vintage ornament or decoration to see the potential in its See Decorations on page 2. See Palace page 2 Marple Twins Entertain Rotary Club with Christmas Caroling By Sheryl Ponce ‘The Elk City Rotary Club held their regular meeting Thurs- day, Dec. 18, at noon in the Elks Lodge. Lake Carpenter opened the meeting with their regular formalities, conducted the need- ed business, and then Christmas celebration began. Special guests for the meeting were Robbie Gilbert's ten- year-old twin granddaughters Londyn and Crosslee Marple. The pair attend school at Deer Creek and traveled to Canute to visit Gilbert, therefore, they were able to join the Rotarians in a spe- cial holiday sing-along. Carpenter heard Londyn singing, “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,” on social media. He asked Gilbert to bring the twins to the Rotary meeting to help celebrate during the last meeting before Christmas Day. While Kathy Noble accompanied the group, carols filled the hall with traditional songs that were sung by all. Rotarians shared the spirit of Christmas through music and with these bie Gilbert young twins who inspired them to join in song. % — Robbie Gilbert with granddauthers Londyn and Crosslee Londyn Marple on th piano. Kathy Noble. Marple. Weather 16 / 24 Vol. 120, No. 108 Mail delivery View online | lll | | | al l pag7o 13457 Hl lg tomorrow 3 75 cents, 8 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com