June 28, 2025 Issue, Page 10 of 10

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NEWS 10• SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2025 The Elk City News Elk City Farmers Market Kicks Off July 2 with Weekly Wednesday Evening Market By Jeff Johnson Starting July 2, Elk City will host a brand- new farmers market every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Total Home Interiors, directly across from Ackley Park. De- signed to bring together local growers, bakers, and small businesses, the market offers a mid- week opportunity for community connection and fresh, locally made goods. “Trying to bring the community together and support. I mean, we have so many small business owners in Elk City. So it’ll be good to help support all of them in one space, basically,” said organizer Iesha Jones. Jones said she was inspired by the absence of a local market in such a large town. “I always have to go to Clinton [or] Weatherford to get fresh produce, and I just don’t understand why such a giant community like Elk City has never The market’s timing — a Wednesday eve- Jones said. “There will be a few yeast bread peo- had one,” she said. “So after talking to a lot of ning — was based on Jones’ own schedule and ple.” people… I figured it might just be easy to start what she saw as a sensible solution for working While it might sound like a culinary turf [it] myself.” families. war — the Yeasty Boys versus the Sourdough Getting the market launched required ap- “I cook to deliver on Mondays,” she said. “I Squad — Jones laughed it off. “No, it’s still just provals and adherence to state guidelines. “I didn’t want to add another thing I needed to do as difficult,” she said. “You just get used to it. It’s initially contacted the chamber, who had me on the weekends. And I know a lot of people easy, though.” call the city, and the city was good with it as [do] sports and all that kind of stuff on Satur- Still, you can imagine the showdown: long as I got permission from the extension days. So I just thought it would work easier.” wild-fermented rebels slinging crusty loaves office because the ag department,” Jones ex- Jones said the time slot has been mostly well from one end of the market while the soft, sweet plained. “You have to file with ODAFF in order received. “Only one person mad, so far,” she cloud-bakers hold down the other. Luckily, in to be considered a farmer’s market, and they said with a laugh. Elk City, there’s room for everyone — crusty, have very strict rules as far as [it] not be any sort Holding the market on private property fluffy, tangy, or plain. of MLM product. It can’t be anything you buy also helped bypass additional city regulations. Jones hopes the market becomes a weekly and resell. It has to be something that you have “That’s actually why we went with doing it on destination. “I just want it to be like a com- made, and you are selling.” private property, because it was a few other munity event,” she said. “Come and get some A five-member board reviews vendor appli- rules not doing it on city property, and so [it] produce and then go take your kids and go play cations and ensures all goods sold are home- would be a little easier to get it going this sum- putt-putt [or] ride the carousel. It’s just a good made or homegrown, not store-bought or re- mer.” area.” sold. As of late June, about 15 vendors had signed With affordable vendor space, local control, There’s no weekly commitment for vendors up. “We have several produce people. We have and a scenic park across the street, the Elk City — flexibility is built into the process. “There is someone who’s going to bring fresh chicken. Farmers Market may soon become a staple of no commitment. It is $10 per Wednesday. All Someone’s going to bring fresh pork, which are midweek life on the western edge of town. you have to do is go to our Facebook page un- both USDA-certified processing people. We For more information or to apply as a ven- der the Files tab. There’s a vendor application have a couple sourdough people, lots of jams dor, visit Elk City Farmers Market on Facebook and you just email that into us,” she said. “Elk and jellies. Lemonade is going to be there,” and click the Files tab. City Farmers Market.” LETTER TO THE EDITOR June 2025 – Men’s Health Awareness Month Prioritizing Prevention: women to use almost all types of stigma that discourages men from pand access to treatment and recov- A Call to Action for Men’s Health illicit drugs, and their rates of over- seeking help and instead promote a ery services. and Substance Use Awareness dose deaths are significantly higher. culture where vulnerability is seen as Let’s use this month not only to June marks Men’s Health Aware- These statistics are not just numbers, strength. raise awareness but to inspire change. ness Month, a time to spotlight the they represent fathers, sons, broth- As a community, we can take ac- Together, we can build a future where unique health challenges men face ers, and friends whose lives are im- tion by: every man has the opportunity to and to encourage proactive steps to- pacted or lost. Supporting local prevention coa- live a healthy, substance-free life. ward wellness. One critical, yet often Substance use often begins as a litions and mental health initiatives. Sincerely, overlooked, aspect of men’s health is coping mechanism for stress, trau- Encouraging men to attend reg- DeShawna Symth substance use prevention. ma, or untreated mental health is- ular health screenings and wellness Assistant Project Manager for Across our communities, men are sues. That’s why prevention must check-ins. Prevention disproportionately affected by sub- start with open conversations, early Promoting healthy coping strate- South Western Oklahoma Devel- stance use disorders. According to education, and access to supportive gies and peer support networks. opment Authority the CDC, men are more likely than resources. We must challenge the Advocating for policies that ex- Burns Flat, OK ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO – JULY 1925 July was a hot month --no big father’s barn loft onto the cement a Studebaker chassis. All windows City compress. Grading was start- Independence Day celebrations but floor below. The boy had been play- and doors featured draped curtains. ed for two spur tracks, one from the fires and drama. ing in the loft, and it was though Two lights in the rear and a dome Katy and one from the Rock Island A Fourth of July fire burned the that he missed his footing and fell. light and ventilation in the top of railways, and lumber and materials home of A. O. Shields to the ground. “Stick ‘em up or I’ll shoot your the coach, along with an electric fan, were shipped. This large compress When discovered, the roof was blamed head off !” commanded Dr. insured ventilation in warm weath- was capable of handling thousands burning, and it was believed the fire E. S. Kilpatrick when he overtook er while a large heater made things of cotton bales daily. Work was to was started by a sky rocket which the man who attempted to steal his comfortable in cold weather. be completed within 90 days. failed to explode, fell on the roof car. Up went the hands of the ban- John Music lost his life when the Fire completely razed the Davis and set the shingles afire. Owing to dit. “Stick ‘em up higher,” was the horse he was riding lunged, throw- Mill & Elevator Co. and burned off little water, the firemen were unable next command and the thief stood ing him against a concrete platform, the tar and pitch from the fire-proof to save the home. The house next on tippy-toe in an attempt to get dislocating both hips and crush- roof of the Inland Utilities Co., and door was saved by the efforts of a bucket brigade. Ernest Gunter, ten years old, saved his cousin Cothel Welker, 12 even higher and avoid being shot by the angry doctor. Dr. Kilpatrick was armed only with a pair of nick- el-plated pliers. ing several ribs which punctured a lung. Music was developing a new racehorse for the relay races at the fair this fall. Despite help being most of the fire-proof glass broke in the north side of the building, which abutted the elevator to the west. The mill was entirely of wood Elk City FFA Kicks of years old who could not swim, from drowning after he had stepped into a hole. He came to the top twice, shouted for help, and Ernest jumped A new large display building for the county fair was planned. The structure was 108x108’ and was ex- pected to be ready for the1925 fair. immediately available, he died a few minutes later at the hospital without regaining consciousness. Jess Duncan, a young man liv- construction with some sheet iron covering old shingles. This was the fifth elevator and mill to burn in elk City within several years. The loss Summer Show Season By Sheryl Ponce Grand A; and Reserve Hamp Ring in, grabbed the boy after struggling The cost was $10,000 ($184,000 in ing seven miles east of Carter was exceeded $20,000 ($367,000). A and B. Evynn Youngblood won with him, and brought him to the today’s values). almost instantly killed by his small Luanne R. Eisler authored this ar- Members of the Elk City FFA Reserve Hamp Ewe and Reserve bank. The boys had gone to a creek Grubitz & Son received a new In- brother. The boys were fooling ticle, which was taken from the Car- Club have been grooming, train- Natural Wether. Kenlee Perkey about four miles north of town to valid Coach; the body was manufac- around with an old .22 caliber target ter Express, the Elk City Press, and ing, and teaching their FFA proj- won Champion Senior Showman swim. tured by the Meteor Body Co. and rifle and trying to shoot some bats The Elk City News Democrat, all of ects how to show off their best and Champion AOB Ewe. Glenn Mowery, seven-year-old featured a steel sheath, flush doors, when the little boy let the gun go off which may be found on microfilm sides to the show ring judges. The Jaylyn Meadows came home son of Mr. and Mrs. Ross Mowery ventilating windshield with auto- and the bullet struck his brother in at the Elk City Carnegie Library. results are as follows: Brooklyn with a Class Winning AOB Ewe; living near Berlin, was instantly matic wipers, and adjustable spot- the back of his head. Additional material was sourced Mayfied earned the titles of Cham- and Evan Wiersma won Class killed when he fell from his grand- light. The body was mounted on Work was begun on a new Elk from usinflationcalculator.com. pion Berk Ring A and B; Reserve Winning Dark Cross.