September 5, 2026 Issue, Page 1 of 12

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026 Weekend Edition Rodeo of Champions Brings in New Stands, New Clown, and Chuckwagon Races the ground. that they add money to the purse every from the last three or four years,” He con- By Sheryl Ponce “Attendance-wise, we’re getting pretty year. They have added $55,000 or $58,000 tinued. The guest speaker for the Elk City Ro- slammed all three nights. We probably have to the pot for the contestants. This is in ad- Thomas said that they have a veteran and tarians last Thursday, Rodeo of Champions around 13,000 come through the gates over dition to the entry fees that go back into the double amputee who will be parachuting board member John Thomas. He talked the weekend. So, attendance has been real- money awarded. They pay out 130 places the flag into the arena. They will also have about the new things that the board has ly good. It’s taken us years to get that point, or $40,000 to the contestants through win- the longhorns, brought by Wes Sanders been working on, leading up to the grand and I’ve been on the board for 25 or 26 nings. from Woodward, returning to the parade Rodeo Weekend. The first thing he talked years,” Thomas said. “We are getting ourselves in a position and rodeo. about was the new seating on the south end Since the board changed the nights to where we can add more money to the ro- “One thing that we are bringing back that of the arena. There are an additional 100 Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, rather than deo, which has helped tremendously. So, we haven’t had in a long time is the chuck seats that are above the bleachers. They also Saturday, Sunday, and Monday nights, at- we get a full rodeo. We are just shy of 240 added more skybox seating and improved tendance has improved. Thomas also said contestants that entered this year. That’s up See RODEO page 2 RCCT Cast of “Sweeney Todd” Announced By Sheryl Ponce Director Christy Russell-Dobbs, along with her assistant director, Benja- The next production for the Red Car- min Dobbs; musical director, Laura Lee pet Community Theatre is going to be Julian; choreographer, Cris Hart; stage “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of manager, Delaney Acuna; sound, Melis- Fleet Street.” This musical is by Hugh sa Williams; props, Skylar Parker; and Wheeler, and it is a dark 1979 thriller photography Jesse Cenami, put together that features music and lyrics by Stephen a cast of 17 talented actors. The show will Sondeim and the book by Hugh Wheeler. open Friday, Oct. 23rd, and continue Sat., The wrongfully exiled barber, Benja- Oct. 24; Sun. Oct. 25th; Friday, Oct. 30th; min Barker, comes back to London as Sat. Oct. 31st; and last performance on Sweeny Todd for revenge on the corrupt the evening of Sat, Oct. 31st. judge, Turpin. He is believed to have de- The cast consists of Tim Bodenstein as stroyed Barker’s family. Todd joins Mrs. Sweeney Todd; Ashley Underwood plays Lovett, who is the owner of a failing pie Mrs. Lovett; David Dodson will be An- shop on Fleet Street when he opened a thony Hope; Sydnie Skinner is Johanan; barber shop above it. The play’s twist hap- Emily Barnes plays Tobias Ragg; Jerod pens when revenge becomes difficult for Powell is Judge Turpin; Jesse Cenami West Central Oklahoma Kennel Club’s Todd, who begins to murder his custom- is going to be The Beadle; Hannah Lee ers. Lovett then bakes their remains into plays Beggar Woman; Patrick Julian is Annual Dog Show Celebrates the Best her meat pies. This creates a gruesome culinary success. Adolfo Pirelli; Alberto Montes is going to be Jonas Fogg; and the Ensemble in- The musical opened on Broadway in cludes Khloe Chilton, Danni Dean, Bob- Dogs from Across the Country March of 1979, at the Uris Theatre. It was directed by Harold Prince and starred bie Finley, Beth Hansen, Cris Hart, JC Heath, and Kelsi Wooten. By Sheryl Ponce Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury. Addi- Tickets will go on sale to season tick- tionally, it won eight Tony Awards, which et holders on Monday, Oct. 19th, and It is another year that the West Central Oklahoma included being named “Best Musical” to the general public on Tuesday, Oct. Kennel Club has landed in Elk City for their annual dog and the Olivier Award for Best New Mu- 20th. Make plans now to see this dark show. It seems to be one of the best kept secrets for dog sical. It inspired a film adaptation. musical. lovers across Western Oklahoma. Each year dog owners and handlers travel far and wide to compete in one of the most prestigious shows in the organization. The event opened Thursday, Aug. 27th, and contin- ued throughout the weekend, ending late afternoon on Sunday, Aug. 30th. Judges for the show included Jon R. Cole from Nashville, Beth Downey from Ocean Springs, MS, Grace M Fritz from Bashor, KS, Nancy Grimm from Harvest, AL, Carolyn A. Herbel from Putnam, OK, Glo- ria Kerr from Sahuarita, AZ, James A. Moses from Wood- stock, GA, Mary C. Murphy-East from Eagan, MN, and Harold “Red” Tatro, III, from Crowley, TX. The officers for the West Central Oklahoma Kennel Club are president Robert Newcomb, vice-president Dr. Carmen Herbel Spears, treasurer Carolyn A Herbel, sec- retary Lacey Sizemore, and the board of directors include Kent Herbel, Bonnie Smith, and Lori Herbel. With the help of the judges and ring stewards, the weekend went off without a hitch, as the tradition continues. While the dogs were pampered, prepared, and patient, the owners and handlers worked to show each one to shine his/her brightest. For spectators it was a sight that inspired Elk City dog-lovers to learn about breeds, con- Beckham County Free See DOG page 8 Fair Scheduled By Sheryl Ponce 30-minute break. Additionally, there will be a money scramble that includes three Dalton Stevens Makes Lieutenant The annual Beckham County Free Fair will take place Sept. 10th, 11th, and 12th, at the Beckham County Fair Barn, located in Sayre. The event starts Thursday after- age groups – two- to three-year-olds; four- to five-year-olds; and six to seven years old. The sheep show will take place next, followed by the goat show. Judges By Sheryl Ponce rank of lieutenant means he is in an noon from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The next will look over the poultry and chicken. entry-level officer position and carries day, the barn will open at 8:30 a.m., and The thirty-minute break will take place The Elk City Fire and EMS an- increased responsibility. The leader- run until 11 a.m., followed by lunch. just prior to the beef cattle show. nounced the promotion of Dalton ship, crew supervision, training, and At 1 p.m. on Friday, judging will begin At 2:30 p.m., exhibitors may pick up Stevens to the rank of Lieutenant over department operations are part of his in the front building. The exhibit build- their exhibits and from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., their Facebook page. The announce- new position within the station. ing will be closed to the public during the and at 4 p.m. the exhibit building will ment noted that he has been with the “Dalton has demonstrated the judging. Then at 4 p.m., the exhibit build- close. There will be baking items, sewing, department since 2023 and has con- qualities and commitment necessary ing will open to the public. At 6 p.m., crocheting, drawing, coloring, painting, tinually pushed to learn more, as well to take on these additional responsi- livestock may enter the building, and the photography, leather working, growing as hone his skills and abilities within bilities and continue developing as an building will close st 7 p.m. flowers or vegetables, and more. the department. officer. We congratulate Lieutenant On Saturday, at 7:30 a.m., the weigh- Call the Beckham County OSU Exten- It further said that he has demon- Dalton Stevens on his promotion in will begin with entry cards being due. sion Office at 580-928-2139 for details. strated continued growth as a fire- At 8 a.m., the exhibit building will open, Plan on attending to support the county fighter and leader with the ECFD. The See STEVENS page 8 along with the swine show, followed by a youth and adults. 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