January 3, 2026 Issue, Page 1 of 10

Page Text

SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 2026 Weekend Edition Yoga Classes Continued at Arrowhead Center By Sheryl Ponce As the New Year begins and people start focusing on their health, one op- tion is to attend yoga classes at the Ar- rowhead Center. Gina Jones, certified yoga instructor, has been conducting classes there over the past three years. Jones offers chair yoga Mon., Wed., and Fri., at 9 a.m. and at 11:15 a.m., and gentle yoga at 10 a.m. She also has heat- ed yoga Wed. evenings at 6 p.m., which is an eight-week class. Yoga provides improved mobility, better posture, no registration required, and it is free increased balance, stress relief, and a for Arrowhead members. Non-mem- boost in energy. bers can join the fun for just $8 per Chair yoga is a gentle, accessible class. The class takes place in the Ar- form of yoga done while sitting in a rowhead Center Party Room. chair or using it for support. It offers all Gentle or also called beginner yoga the benefits of traditional yoga without is a slow, welcoming style of yoga that requiring a person to get on the floor. focuses on easy movements, steady ECHS Band Heads to San Diego It’s perfect for beginners, older adults, or anyone wanting a low-impact way to move, breathe, and feel great. There is breathing, and simple poses. It is See YOGA page 2 The Elk City High School band loaded up Monday, Dec. 29th, to head out to San Diego to perform in the Holiday Bowl parade. The game is set for Friday, Jan. 2nd, at 5 p.m., at the Snapdragon Stadium. The game features the Arizona Wildcats against the SMU Mus- tangs. It will be airing on FOX network. The parade will begin at 10 a.m., in downtown San Deigo along the North Har- bor Drive. It will feature floats, bands, and marching groups, which will kick off the Holiday Bowl Game. This band has had a tradition of winning in multiple platforms for years. They have 39 students who earned a spot in the Short- grass Honor Band. Those qualifying for high school auditions include Kate Ivester – sec- Decker – 16th chair clarinet; Josie Dobb – Logan Jones – sixth chair percussion. ond chair flute; Nu Le – ninth chair flute; 20th chair clarinet; Tommy Bailey – fourth Junior High audition qualifiers were Evan Trotter – fourth chair clarinet; Natilee chair trumpet; Andrea Maupin – tenth chair Kaylee Renison – third chair clarinet; Ra- Youngbull – seventh chair clarinet; Hadley trumpet; Kaitlyn Baker – fourth chair horn; Kennedy – tenth chair clarinet; Brianna Chamber Set for Louie Martinez – seventh chair horn; and See BAND page 2 2026 Annual Banquet By Sheryl Ponce Archer for District 55. He and his wife, Katie, raise their two children in Elk The Elk City Chamber of Com- City. He graduated from OU with a de- merce Annual Banquet will take place gree in architecture. He now works on Tuesday, Jan. 13th, at 7 p.m., in the Elk their cattle ranch while tending to the City Convention Center. Mark Norton issues closest to Western Oklahoma will be installed at the new president and the state. for 2026. He is with the Elk City Hous- For more information about the ing Authority, and serves as their Exec- banquet, contact Susie Cupp at 580- WOFCC’s Community Christmas Dinner Feeds over 300 utive Director. The keynote speaker for the evening will be Oklahoma Representative Nick 225-0207, or email her at scupp@elkc- itychamber.com. Paid reservations are required to attend. By Sheryl Ponce The Western Oklahoma Family Care Center has continued to carry on the tra- dition of feeding the Elk City Communi- ty along with the surrounding areas with Ball and Weatherly Pin the Community Christmas Dinner. This event was started by Liberty McArthur, former Executive Director of WOFCC. Abby Daniels took over her position after SWOSU Graduates McArthur moved to Colorado. A former Elk City teacher and a Daniels gave thanks to the community long-time Elk City businessman and and those who showed up to volunteer civic leader recognized new alumni for the meal to make the event a success at the recent Southwestern Oklahoma on the organization’s Facebook page. She State University fall graduation cere- said that the volunteers are the reason mony in Weatherford. this event was such a success. They served Sue Ball, Basil Weatherly, and oth- over 300 individuals and even had enough er members of the SWOSU Alumni to prepare to-go plates for the unhoused Association gave the newly-minted community and for the Elk City Fire De- graduates alumni pins as they walked partment. across the Pioneer Event Center stage. “Thank you to everyone who made a Fresh out of college at SWOSU, Ball monetary donation, donated a door prize, taught science at Elk City High School or volunteered their time. This event for four years beginning in 1980. would not have been possible without our She stepped away from teaching to Former Elk City High School science incredible community and your continued have children but later earned a mas- teacher Sue Ball (far right), long- support. Western Oklahoma Family Care ter’s degree with a Biological Sciences time Elk City businessman and civic specialization from SWOSU. leader Basil Weatherly (second from Center is what it is because of you. What After teaching at Redlands Commu- left), and other members of the an amazing community we are blessed to SWOSU Alumni Association pinned be part of,” Daniels wrote in her post. nity College in El Reno for a semester, graduates at the recent fall SWOSU As the year begins, consider donating to Ball joined the full-time SWOSU facul- graduation ceremony at Weatherford’s the program and/or the day shelter. There ty in 1991 where she taught Biology and Pioneer Event Center. Photo courtesy of SWOSU Foundation and Alumni See DINNER page 2 See GRADUATES page 2 Association. Weather Vol. Vol. 117,122, No.No. 54 1 Mail delivery Home delivery Viewonline View online tomorrow 99/70 67 / 43 75 75 cents cents, 12 pgs. 580.225.3000 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com elkcityoknews.com