July 4, 2026 Issue, Page 1 of 10

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SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2026 Weekend Edition The Great Race Breaks in Elk City By Sheryl Ponce Rain and inclement weather did not stop the vintage cars from stopping by the National Route 66 Museum Complex for a complimentary lunch, Tuesday, June 23rd, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Because 2026 is the Route 66 Centennial, the Great Race took off on a trek across the USA for the celebration. The town and area came out to welcome the racers to town and eye all makes and models of vehicles. It was an event that will be remembered for years to come because of the hospitality and racers who drove in the weather to stop to eat lunch. They came in shifts where the lunches were set up in the Opera House. After leaving Elk City, the group traveled to Amaril- lo, and then the racers went on to Tucumcari for lunch the following day. They spent that night in Albuquer- que to pull into Gallup for lunch and then spent the night in Flagstaff on Friday, the 26th. The Great Race will complete their Route 66 trek at Pasadena, Calif. Greg Skaggs Elk City Grad Exhibits Art Collection at WOHS Education Building By Sheryl Ponce at Crutcho Public Schools. Skaggs applied for graduate school and was accepted, although Elk City High School 1989 graduate, Greg he was heavily recruited by the late Dean Ki- Skaggs, returned to his hometown to exhibit atz, who was in the first Oklahoma Summer his personal art in the National Route 66 Mu- Art School. He was selected to participate in seum’s Western Oklahoma Historical Society’s the Art Institution when he was junior in high Education building. He was then honored by school, where he brought back knowledge and the Elk City Chamber of Commerce and mu- experience. seum with a reception, Monday, June 29th, The artist’s favorite medium is pencil and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. paper or graphite and paper. He likes the sim- Skaggs currently serves as a Professor of Art and Design, as well as the Department Chair- plicity of it. He also likes to paint and what he calls wall hangers with basically three-di- Rotarians Prepare for person, at Troy University in Troy, Alabama. Along with his administrative duties as chair- mensional work, which includes construction pieces. Alumni Reunion person, he also teaches the senior thesis cap- “One of my influences is an Argentinian stone class; life drawing, conceptual drawing; artist. I saw his works in Philadelphia, and By Sheryl Ponce and an internship class. I just fell in love with them. I just finished a After he graduated from high school, sabbatical where I completed eleven pieces,” The Elk City Alumni Reunion is in the planning stag- Skaggs attended Cameron University and Skaggs said. es, and the Elk City Rotarians have been slated to serve later transferred to the University of Central Some of the pieces he has on exhibit in Elk as bartenders to help the organization raise money for Oklahoma and graduated in 1992 with a de- City is what he called a penicil collage. This the various charities and ser- gree in graphic design. He worked as a graphic is where he takes a part of one drawing and vice projects. The incoming designer until he went back to school in art puts it on another one. Skaggs said that the president, Trish Southard, has education. been researching the cost and He taught middle school art for nine years See ART page 2 legalities of Rotarians serving the alumni. She invited Deb- bie Sizemore to the meeting to explain how to pour and to CopperSky Wealth Celebrates First Year Debbie Sizemore be cost effective for the event. The first point Sizemore made was for the Rotarians not to over-pour the alcohol, which was important for By Sheryl Ponce for business owners and success- the guests, as well as for the fundraiser. She also pointed ful families that are typically only out the need for variety, as well as what are best sellers. It has been a year since Justin found in larger metropolitan areas. The emphasis for the talk was to plan on what to order Koch, CFP, CPWA, and CEPS We do it in a way that feels more au- and how much variety of brands will be requested. stepped out to open his own finan- thentic and personal than what you Some other suggestions were to cool down the cans cial wealth firm, called CopperSky would typically find in those larger the day before the event, and pre-make the mixers Wealth. It is located at 801 N. Main areas.” to make the evening go quicker. The Rotarians also St. and it is a locally owned and His company is different in that discussed the cost of tickets compared to the cost of trusted financial service company. they do transitions. The name came the drinks. Sizemore also said that they should try to The Elk City Chamber of Com- from what Koch calls beautiful sun- pre-order limes and lemons at bulk, and some of the merce helped them celebrate with a rises and sunsets that are only seen less expensive brands of liquor that would be accept- ribbon cutting last week. in Western Oklahoma. Just like able to guests. Upon opening the firm Koch the transitions from night to day, After discussion about the cost of tickets, the meet- said, “We created CooperSky to fill they help people navigate life’s big ing was closed by president Rob Stephens. The next a gap in the wealth advice availabil- moments. This would include such meeting Southard will be installed as the new pres- ity in Western Oklahoma. We bring ident, which will be next Thursday, at noon, in the world class access and solutions See COPPERSKY page 2 Meals on Wheels dining room. Resource Fair and Project Backpack Seek Booth Registration By Sheryl Ponce Scan the QR code to surance navigation, and victim The fair is a service by Western Watch for information about register. services. Additionally, the event Oklahoma Family Care Center and participation sign-ups. Make plans The annual Beckham County The resources highlights are community resourc- sponsored by Kline Mechanical, to be a part of this service for the Resource and Project Backpack that will be present es, school supply assistance, family Great Plains Bank, Janning Weld- area communities and families to will take place Thursday, Aug. 6, include family ser- resources, health and wellness in- ing and Supplies, Anadarko Doz- help kick off another school year. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Elk event is free that will help families vices, health and safety services, formation, employment opportu- er and Trucking, ITL Innovative For more information contact City Convention Center, located connect with area services. They financial assistance, employment nities, as well as local non-profit Technology, Rimrock Services, and WOFCC, located at the corner of at 1016 Airport Industrial Rd. The are seeking registration for booths. services, legal aid, childcare, in- and agencies. Cudd Pressure Control. 5th and Randall. Weather Vol.No. Vol. 117, 122,54 No. 27 Mail delivery Home delivery Viewonline View online tomorrow 99/70 93 / 68 75 75 cents,cents 12 pgs. 580.225.3000 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com elkcityoknews.com