December 6, 2025 Issue, Page 1 of 12

Page Text

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2025 Weekend Edition Commissioners Approve Maintenance Building Bid for Golf Course and Demolition Bid for Dilapidated Motel By Sheryl Ponce lowed by the flag salute led by Jeff Waters. Jackie Addington presented the informa- to be a dilapidated building and ordering every six months. All commissioners were present for the tion to the commissioners. The owner had the removal. The commissioners also ap- The next item on the agenda was the The Elk City Commission met for their meeting and City Treasurer Jennifer Rain- not responded to his requests to discuss the prove an Agreement for professional ser- approval of a bid received from Martinez regular bi-monthly meeting Monday, Dec. ey was absent. property. vices between Southwestern Oklahoma Metal Building for an engineered building 1st, at 7 p.m., in Commission Chambers. The meeting was preceded by a public The minutes from the Nov. 19th meeting Development Authority and the City of Elk 60’x80’ maintenance barn at the Munici- The meeting was opened with an invoca- hearing concerning a dilapidated building were approved, followed by the approval of City for support of grant writing and ad- tion given by Mayor Micah Kilhoffer fol- located at 421 N. Madison. City Inspector declaring the structure at 421 N. Madison ministration. The agreement is entered into See BIDS page 2 Elk City Arts Council Presents OKCPhil’s ‘A Merry and Bright Songs of Christmas’ By Sheryl Ponce With the support of the Elk City community, the Elk City Arts Council has announced the return of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. The professional group of musicians is led by Alexander Mickelthwate, who will present “A Merry and Bright Songs of Christmas,” on Dec. 17th, at 8 p.m., in the Kelli O’Hara Performing Arts Auditorium. Tickets for this show are available for $50 and $60 at the elkcityartscouncil.org website, or call Currell’s Do It Center at 580-225-1941. Tickets are sold by location in the auditorium, and it is best to order them soon. The OKCPhil only comes to Elk City every three years, and it is a show that has become a part of the family traditions within Western Oklahoma. This year they are adding a performance with the Elk City Music department to their 30-member choir and guest singer. The Arts Council works tirelessly to be able to bring this quality of show during the holiday season to Elk City. It is an expensive and extensive program that in- cludes the support of the Elk City Chamber of Com- Finding the tin man. merce and Tourism Committee, Elk City Superinten- dent, Mike Sparks, and his staff, along with numerous ‘Wizard of Oz’ Spectacular Holiday Show local businesses and individual sponsors. By Sheryl Ponce feet. It will probably be sold out each Funds Being Raised for night because once word is out about The timeless story of “The Wizard of Oz,” will be presented by the Red Carpet what a charming, family show it is, ev- eryone will flock to get tickets. Christmas Food Baskets Community Theatre on Dec. 5th, 6th, Reserve seats immediately to see The Elk City Christmas Basket, sponsored by the Elk 7th, 12th, 13th, and 14th. The show is this production. The cast comes from City Ministerial Alliance has begun its Christmas Basket being directed by Ashley Underwood all over Western Oklahoma; therefore, fund raising drive for the 2025 Christmas season. This with the help of children’s director/as- family and friends will be eager to see program was begun in the mid 1930’s during the Great sistant Tim Bodenstien, music director their loved ones on the RCCT stage. Depression by Paul Wade the late editor of the Elk City Sara Marie Bodenstein, and choreogra- Underwood’s ability to cast just the right Daily News and continued by his son, the late Larry Wade. pher Marlana Marshall. person in this show, makes the produc- It has continuously provided food items for approximately The entire cast and directors have tion just as professional as could be seen 90 years to people in need at Christmas time. Thanks to put their time and efforts into bringing in any community theatre. the generosity of individuals in the Elk City area last year another quality production to commu- To name one standout actor would we were able to provide almost 250 baskets (boxes) of food nity theatre. Their efforts are evident in not do justice to the other cast mem- to families representing over 750 individuals who were the final outcome that will be seen by bers, and that could be agreed upon by served. This year we are expecting to reach over 800 in- audiences that come from surround- anyone seeing the show. Every person dividuals with approximately 300 baskets being delivered. ing communities. It is not a one person contributes to the overall enjoyment of The cost of delivering these baskets is estimated to be show, but an entire team of actors that seeing this production of “The Wizard between $8500 and $10,000. This does not include the make the show such a success. of Oz.” The voices are impeccable, the hams that are donated by our local McDonalds. To date Talent is not an adequate word for choreography is excellent, and the set we have received a little more than $2800 of the funds this cast. From the Munchkins to the is something never seen before on the needed to buy the food products that each family will re- three trees, and from the Wizard to RCCT stage. ceive. Most of the donations we receive come through the Dorothy, the group comes together as one in effort to bring the house to their See OZ page 12 Off to see the wizard. See BASKETS page 2 Elk City’s ‘Christmas in the Park’ Makes the List By Sheryl Ponce After traveling through Ackley Park’s Christ- mas in the Park, there could be other lighted shows across Oklahoma that may be of interest. Elk City’s lights made a list posted on a Facebook page for some of the best lights to see in Oklaho- ma. Christmas in the park began Friday evening, Nov. 27th, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and it will run through Dec. 31st. Guests may drive, walk, ride the bus, take the train, or ride the horse drawn carriage. Additionally, there is free hot cocoa. See CHRISTMAS page 12 Weather Vol. Vol. 117,121, No.No. 54 49 Mail delivery Home delivery Viewonline View online tomorrow 99/70 47 / 24 75 75 cents cents, 12 pgs. 580.225.3000 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com elkcityoknews.com