August 23, 2025 Issue, Page 1 of 12

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INSIDE August 2025 lement to ELK CITY NEWS A Special Supp RECORD & THE COUNTY THE BECKHAM SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2025 Weekend Edition United Fund Committee Reports Donations By Sheryl Ponce As the initial United Fund kick-off started, the committee gathered in Great Plains Bank on South Main to report their donations and review their progress, Tuesday at noon. Their final goal of pledges will be $44,770, which is divided be- tween several different agencies. The Elk City United Fund has had 82 years of continued support for local agencies that serve the residents of Elk City and surrounding communi- ties. The fund has been given to between nine and 15 nonprofit agencies, based on applications sub- mitted to the organization. The funds are raised 50th Year Reunion brought classmates together. Pictured are in the front Row: Marsha Ballew, Jolenna Wright, Karen Boise Peffer, Kathy Kennemer Word, Clayton Smith, during a fall campaign for the next year. The dis- Randy Allen, Kathy Hulbert Simmons, and Sherry Rice. In the back Row: Kenny Burrows, Ronnie Newton, Bo Deal, Benny Ringer, Rick Dennison, Lynn Suttle, Jane Tay- tribution of funds is based on the drive from the lor, Ruthie Marable Pickens, Paul Currell, Jeff Smoot, Donny Burson, Brenita Lewis Henry, Alan Beck, and Terry Pasby. previous year. The committee is led by Kelci Werner who took The Class of 1975 over from longtime director, Mark Albert. The committee includes Terry Archer, Anita Archer, Albert, Misty Carter, Kendi McDonald, Vance Mc- Donald, Devon Nevels, Janelle Hutchinson, Brain Gathers to Celebrate Hutchinson, Conner Carlucci, Werner, Blake Bus- tin, Janessa Bustin, Joe Allen, and Sondra Allen. The agencies that will be funded are Elk City Arts Council, $6500; Civil Defense, $2000; Ac- the 50th Year Reunion tion Associates, $9000; HELP, Inc., $10,000; Meals on Wheels, $7000; Salvation Army, $2000; and By Sheryl Ponce spill. As she remembered an egg throwing See DONATIONS page 2 incident, others laughed, and the stories It seemed like yesterday to the mem- began. bers of the Elk City High School’s Class Hunting stories, running from the law, of 1975, as they gathered in the Elk City and “thrill hill” were some of the class- Golf and Country Club last Saturday to mates’ favorite memories. celebrate their 50th reunion. Once the stories wound down, the mu- The crowd was small, but the memo- sic began, and dancing was next on their ries and stories of the days gone by came agenda. quickly. It took a while for the Class of 1975 to Donnie Burson and Jeff Smoot put get their groove back on the dance floor, the event together. After dinner with a because they were visiting with each oth- United Fund Committee: Front row: Micah Mullens, smorgasbord of food, Burson kicked off er. By the end of the evening, they were Janelle Hutchinson, Kendi McDonald, Sondra Allen, the night with a warm welcome. He then all on the dance floor. Although the at- Devon Nevels, Kelci Werner, Janessa Bustin, Misty Car- asked each classmate to give the others tendance was small, around 22 out of a ter. Back row: Brian Hutchinson, Vance McDonald, Joe an update on their lives and accomplish- class of 125, those who made it back had Allen, Terry Archer, Anita Archer, and Blake Bustin. ments. a good time. Once they went around the room Time keeps ticking and being able to talking first about their grandchildren reconnect with their past, the 50th year re- and then about where life’s journey has taken them, the friends began to remem- union brought friends back together. For one short evening, they relived ‘Spirit of Route 66’ ber the antics and stories of their past. their past memories with each other, the Sherry Rice seemed to keep a lot of the tales close to her, but then they began to ones with whom they had made those memories. Themed Parade By Sheryl Ponce Slash-O-Ranch Longhorns Return to Elk City’s Rodeo The Elk City’s Rodeo of Champions parade will con- tinue the same path as it has for years, right down Main Street. With construction moved between 7th Street By Sheryl Ponce to 5th Street on Main, both lanes of downtown Main Street have re-opened. On Saturday, Aug. 30th, at 10 The herd of Longhorns that wander down Main a.m., the “Spirit of Route 66” themed parade will take Street and through the Rodeo of Champions parade place. will be returning this 87th rodeo. The Slash-O-Ranch Entries are still open, which can be made at the Elk Longhorns will be traveling from their home in Wood- City Chamber of Commerce office. The route will go ward to participate in the parade and rodeo. It seems north on Main Street to Third Street and return down to be a crowd favorite. Owner, Wes Sander, hauls the Broadway. It is time to think Route 66. longhorns across the country for other special events “Bring your creativity, your classic cars, your western and rodeos, along with his son Cody Sander, Randy spirit, and your love for America’s most iconic highway. Hughes, and his wife Jill Sander. Whether you’re a business, club, school group, or a “I have been in the cattle business all my life. I grew church and love a good parade, we’d love to see you join up in Dewey County and moved to Woodward in in. Don’t just watch the parade—be part of it,” Elk City 1976. I was on the rodeo committee up here (in Wood- Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook post. ward), I always did like Longhorns. When I grew up in This opportunity to become a part of the down- Dewey County, we always drove our cattle. We didn’t town experience is especially sweet news because the have a lot of loading shoots or anything, so we drove road has been shut down on one side or the other for the cattle a long way. I grew up liking cattle drives and months. Whether it is on a float, on horseback, or a spectator, the parade is a must do part of the whole ro- See LONGHORNS page 2 deo experience. Rodeo of Champions Runs Full Steam Ahead By Sheryl Ponce McBroom introduced Dyson first, who sor the rodeo). It is the biggest event in Elk has had a tradition of speaking to the Rota- people. And we have other people that help was there representing Barber/Dyson Ford. City. It brings in more people than any any- ry Club just before the rodeo. He has been us out. Our arena is small, and we fill it up. As the Elk City Rotary Club met for their McBroom told the group that he saw Dys- thing else. We had no idea what we were on the board for 22 or 23 years. He said that We sell standing seats only tickets, and we regular meeting, Rotarian Kirby McBroom on start out as a salesman, and he worked doing last year. We just showed up with a his first rodeo was the 65th year. Thomas are looking to expand the seating,” Thomas brought Corbin Dyson and John Thomas his way up to be the general manager. lot of pickup trucks, signs and shirts. We continued to talk about how and why Bar- said. to be the guest speakers for the day. They Barber/Dyson Ford sponsored the rodeo had fun. But we’re excited about this year. ber/Dyson took over sponsoring the event, He continued to say that they have the were there to talk about the upcoming 87th last year, which was their first year for the We have the best rodeo right here at home,” as well as the attributes of the Rodeo of Announcer of the Year, who gives it the en- Annual Rodeo of Champions that will take event. This will be the second year that they Dyson said. Champions. ergy. The board wants to see the crowd love place Aug.29th, 30th, and 31st, over Labor are sponsoring the rodeo. McBroom then introduced John Thom- “We’ve got ten people on our board. Day weekend. “We had the opportunity to do it (spon- as, from the Elk City Rodeo Board. Thomas We’re able to get the work done with those See AHEAD page 2 Weather Vol. Vol. 117,121, No.No. 54 34 Mail delivery Home delivery Viewonline View online tomorrow 99/70 91 / 67 75 75 cents cents, 12 pgs. 580.225.3000 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com elkcityoknews.com