May 25, 2024 Issue, Page 1 of 5

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Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Elk City UMC Hobby Club Crafts Chamber's Fidget Blankets for Alzheimer and Dementia Sufferers Leadership By Sheryl Ponce Class IX Over the past few months, Elk City’s United Project Coming Methodist Church Hobby Club members have been working on what is called to Ackley Park “fidget blankets” to be donated to the Western By Sheryl Ponce Oklahoma — Alzheimer’s Collaborative. In turn, the Last year’s Leadership Class WOAC shared the blan- IX’s class project was to reno- kets with local facilities vate the miniature golf course. that serve patients who are Although their year has come afflicted with memory is- Sheryl Ponce | Elk Cty News to an end, the project is alive, sues. Pictured are the fidget blankets and the progress to fulfill their According to Great made by the United Method- ist Hobby Club that were to be Plains Regional Medi- donated dream has begun. The City of to area facilities. Elk City approved their reno- cal Center’s memory care vation proposal for the course By Sheryl Ponce unit, “The fidget blankets help with sensory stimu- ‘The members ofthe hob- to follow a Route 66 theme for by club, the WOAC board the course, located at Ackley The Elk City High School seniors, along with lation, cognitive engage- members, the represen- Park. their family and friends, gathered in the Pioneer ment, and emotional com- tatives from Homestead According to the classs an- Center gym, Saturday, May 18th, at 4 p.m., to honor fort for dementia patients, Memory Unit, GPRMC nouncement about the reno- the Class of 2024's graduation. The ceremony was helping to reduce anxiety Senior Care, and Bell Ave. vation, now is the time to opened by principal Jamie McClure, and followed and agitation while pro- Nursing Home gathered at claim a sponsorship for one by the High School Ensemble, who led the national moting focus and fine mo- the church for a short ded- of the holes or icons. The first anthem and the ECHS Alma Mater. tor skills. These blankets ication ceremony Thurs- icon has been ordered, which ‘The first senior to speak was salutatorian, Aubrie offer therapeutic benefits day, May 16th, at 4:30 p.m. is a pop bottle replica. They Ault. She welcomed everyone to the ceremony. by redirecting attention Denise Barr spoke to the want to make the course into “We are here to celebrate years of hard work and and evoking _ positive a “nostalgic Route 66 themed memories.” See FIDGET page 2 dedication; each one is a testament to our resilience mini golf attraction.” and determination. As we stand on the threshold of “We hope to capture a few new beginnings, we will encounter numerous op- of the many iconic sites to en- joy as we have fun ina family, portunities. Although we may face obstacles and challenges, let us remember that we are more than WTC Adult and Family Literacy friendly atmosphere. Travel- Teachers Learn Leadership and capable of overcoming whatever lies ahead. Class of ing along the historic road 2024, as we bid farewell to this chapter of our lives, beginning in Chicago, Illinois, let us embrace the future with optimism and enthu- Route 66 travels through eight states ending at Santa Monica siasm, Ault said. She ended her talk by saying that she has no doubt Culture Connection Pier, California, Although that everyone has the potential to achieve greatness. there are numerous sites to Ault told her classmates that their future is as bright By Sheryl Ponce see, we have narrowed the list as their dreams. to some of the more famous ‘The next speaker was Jackson Ivester, senior class Elk City’s Casey Mer- ones,’ the announcement said. president. He told his classmates that the day marked rifield, PhD, co-founder They are partnering with the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and partner of ConneX- the City of Elk City on the and growth. He added that the years have changed tion Leadership Consulting project and hope to see the the way they think and see the world, as well as the Firm, held a three-hour pro- limited sponsorships fill fast. way they see themselves. fessional development work- Contact the Chamber of Ivester recalled a camping trip he went on with this shop last Thursday, May Commerce at 580-225-0207 father. It was actually a trip to the state capital to pro- 16th, from 9 a.m. to noon, at or [email protected] mote teacher pay raises. They spent the night outside Western Technology Center, a Class IX member to spon- of the capital grounds, he talked about the larger pic- Burns Flat Campus, for their sor or put a business on one of ture and the people he encountered throughout that Adult and Family Literacy these iconic landmarks. event and what he learned about showing up for life. teachers. MG Brown, Sandi Casey Merrifield, PRD Members of Class IX in- “This camp out was small thing, The small things Clark, LeElla Lee, Darrel clude Dylan Anderson, Mike add up. I'm telling this story to bring to light the im- Greene, and Janis Kincaid their students. She facili- Bawden, Greg Britton, Jona- portance of showing up. I played a minor role, but spent the morning learning tated an interactive session than Butcher, Susan Feath- so did a lot of other people. The point is, if you want about relational connections that had the teachers look at erston, Jennifer Hagerman, to make a difference, the first thing you have to do is and authentic relationships. values, character, chemistry, Nate Hicks, Teresa Kilhoffer, show up. Then you have to keep at it and remember Dr. Merrifield gave the competency, and credibility. Tahner Loyd, Shannon Pi- to never give up,” Ivester said. teachers insight about how Merrifield took the teach- rus, Randy Smith, and Karen ‘The last senior to speak was Becky Yang, valedic- their students meet them, ers into a deep dive about as well as how they can help See PARK page 8 develop connections with See TEACHER page 2 See 2024 page 2 jackson vester, Senior Class President Anniversary of May 16th, 2017, Tornado Comes and Goes By Sheryl Ponce to 1000 yards wide. The tornado caused $25 million in damage, On May 16th, 2017, Elk City injured ten, and sadly resulted was devastated with massive de- in one fatality. The forecast and struction by tornadoes that ran warning process was a success, south of town through Elk City however, and likely reduced the Golf and Country Club and the number of injuries. For the first homes in its path. The Country time, a local forecast office dem- Club has now rebuilt and is up onstrated the Warn-on-Forecast and running, as well as many of concept in real-time operations.” the houses that were destroyed. The community rallied around According to the National Se- those who lost property. It was a vere Storms Laboratory, “The Elk time of unity, compassion, sor- City tornado lasted 26 minutes, covering 15 miles, and was up See TORNADO page 6 8 | 04879 13151 9 Weather tomorrow _ oO € /67 Vol. 120, No. 22 75 cents, Mail delivery 580.225 3000 View online elkcityoknews.com