September 6, 2025 Issue, Page 1 of 10

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2025 Weekend Edition District Governor Encourages Rotarians to Find their Passion By Sheryl Ponce The Elk City Rotary Club met for their regu- lar meeting last Thursday at noon in the Elk City Golf and Country Club. President Greg Britton opened the meeting and then presented the Ro- tarian’s donation to Meals on Wheels and Christmas in the Park. The guest speaker for the day was Michael Ridgeway, Norman, District Governor of Rotary International District 5770. Dist. Gov Micheal Ridgeway is a member of the Ridgeway. Norman Sooner Rotary Club and visited Elk City in his offi- cial capacity as their District Governor. He used to be the General Counsel at the Insurance Com- missioner’s office. He left there in 2011, but he still represents those who have insurance licens- es. He began his talk with an example of a card he sent out with a message to every employee at the Weekend Full of Guts, Grind, and Glory: commissioner’s office in 2008. “She (the recipient of the card) told me that the reason she kept the card was because of the mes- Rodeo of Champions Top Winners See PASSION page 8 By Sheryl Ponce Australia, took first place. Jacob Wal- ters took the tie-down roping cham- Southwest Playhouse’s The 87th annual Elk City Rodeo pionship. He is from the Texas Tech came to a close Sunday evening in the Beutler Brothers Rodeo Arena with Rodeo Team. The winners in the team roping championship were Curry ‘Bright Star’ Cast Two top cowboys and cowgirls competing for three nights. The arena was full Kirchner/Tanner Braden. After the bull riding each night, the Elk Citians each night, because they were expect- motorcycle jumping took over the are- ing the best show and entertainment in na, thrilling the audience with their By Sheryl Ponce the country. acrobatics. Dusty Myers kept the rodeo The winners were announced Mon- moving with his antics and music. It Clinton’s Southwest Playhouse will present day, when the final scores were tallied truly was a great weekend for a home- their next production of Steve Martin and Edie in each category. The bull riding cham- town rodeo and family fun. Brickell’s “Bright Star,” Sept. 12th, 13th, 14th, 19th, pion was 19-year-old Wyatt Bowman Other winners and times for the 20th, and 21st. The show is being from Plain City, Utah. The champion weekend were: directed by Marjorie Anderson, in bareback riding was 2024 World Results, Elk City Rodeo of Champi- who has directed two musicals Champion Bareback Rider, Dean ons on the Red Carpet Community Thompson. August 29-31, 2025 Theatre’s stage. The steer wrestling champion was All-around champion: Paul David 6. Toby Deudney, Odessa, Texas 80; 7. Cowlesville, N.Y. 6.4; 6. Chase Crane, Anderson is a retired second- Tucker Ravenscroft, Nenzal, Nebraska. Tierney, Oklahoma City, Okla., tie- Andy Gingerich, Aberdeen, S.D. 74.5; Oklahoma City, Okla. 6.5; 7. Emmet ary and university educator of He won his first ProRodeo win at In- down roping and team roping 8. Wyatt Warneke, Great Falls, Mont. Edler, State Center, Iowa 6.6; 8. Nathan Basil Weatherly theatre, speech, and debate. She ter-State Rodeo in Coffeyville, Kansas, 74. Duvall, Hitchita, Okla. 6.7. has cast Elk City’s Tiphani Cur- in 2024. The barrel racing champion BAREBACK RIDING rell Henderson in the ensem- was Alyssa Urbankek-Wade. She won 1. Dean Thompson, Altamont, STEER WRESTLING TEAM ROPING ble, and Henderson will also be at the Cheyenne Rodeo with a 17.26 Utah 87 points on Quite Fancy; 2. 1. Tyler Ravenscroft, Nenzel, Neb. 1. Curry Kirchner, Ames, Okla./ helping with costumes, hair, and time. Luke Thrash, Bastrop, La. 86; 3. Colt 4.8 seconds;2. (tie) Cole Pugh, Jasper, Tanner Braden, Dewey, Okla. 5.0 sec- make-up. Anderson also brought In the saddle bronc riding champi- Eck, Redfield, Kan. 84.5; 4. Brayze Texas and Shayde Etherton, Borden, onds; 2. Gage Williams, Foster, Okla./ in Elk City’s Basil Weatherly to onship, Jake Finlay, an Australian born Schill, West Columbia, Texas 81.5; 5. Ind. 5.3 each;4. Ty Cochrane, Li- play Dr. Norquist. rider from Goondiwindi Queensland, Gauge McBride, Kearney, Neb. 80.5; pan, Texas 5.4; 5. Colton Swearingen, See RODEO page 9 Tiphani Henderson has extensive ex- Henderson perience on the stage, as well as directing numerous shows at RCCT. She is also founder and producer of the Untitled Pop-up Theatre, and the coordinator for See BRIGHT page 8 WOHS Seeks Nominations for Hall of Fame Photos by Alex Alvarez By Sheryl Ponce On November 18th, the Western Oklahoma His- Chamber Announces Winners torical Society will once again be honoring individuals from the area who have made an impact in preserving Western Oklahoma heritage. The person nominating the inductee must be a member of WOHS. The nom- By Sheryl Ponce 66 float winners included the Riding and Christ Lutheran Church, Third First Place; Michael Ward 66 GTO, ination form can be found on the WOHS Facebook Club category - Red Dirt Wranglers, Place. Second Place; Gerald Pennington page and returned to Mike Blevins. As the Rodeo of Champions came First Place; Donna Perry Riding Gus The winner in the Best Themed 1970 Ford, Third Place. The form has been simplified, but the person being to a close Sunday evening, so did the and Christy Riding Tuff, Second Place; Float was The Coo Coo Swan, First The winners in the School/School nominated must be living and able to attend the ban- festivities and community excitement and Berlin Saddle Club, Third Place. Place. The winner in the Best School Organizations Category were Merritt quet on Nov. 18th. The nominee’s name and date of about the annual event. The Elk City The winners in the Clubs and Or- Themed Float was Merritt High High School and Junior High Cheer, birth, along with a summary of why the person should Chamber of Commerce sponsored ganizations Category were Elk City School and Junior High Cheer, First First Place; Elk City High School and be nominated into the Hall of Fame needs to be on the the downtown district window con- VFW Post 3669, First Place; Western Place. Junior High Cheer, Second Place; and nomination form. This information should include test and the rodeo parade. Oklahoma Alzheimer’s Collaborative, The winners in the Commercial Elk City FFA, Third Place. the community where the person has lived, dates of The rodeo window decoration win- Second Place; and Down Syndrome Category were Sigma – Bar S, First The winners in the Beauty Pageant titles, honors, and leadership achievements need to be ners were The Coo Coo Swan, First Association of Central Oklahoma, Place; Comforting Hands Hospice, Category were Cheyenne Arapaho included. Place; The Silver Lining Collective, Third Place. Second Place; and TLC Rentals, Third Old Settlers Queen, First Place; Miss Nominations are due by Oct. 1st. For more informa- Second Place; and Buffalo Creek Bou- The winners in the Church Cate- Place. Elk City Teen, Second Place; and tion contact Mike Blevins at 580-729-0230 or mike- tique, Third Place. gory were One Church, First Place; The winners in the Antique Vehicle Cheyenne Red Dirt Rodeo Royalty, [email protected]. The banquet will take place The Rodeo of Champions on Route Grandview Church, Second Place; Category were The Coo Coo Swan, Third Place. at the United Methodist Church in Elk City. Weather Vol. Vol. 117,121, No.No. 54 36 Mail delivery Home delivery Viewonline View online tomorrow 99/70 74 / 62 75 75 cents cents, 12 pgs. 580.225.3000 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com elkcityoknews.com