July 26, 2019 Issue, Page 5 of 12

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Community Friday, July 26, 2019 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Page 5 Harrel Cousins | hold reunion By Jack Harrel In mid-July, the Harrel Cousins met for their 74th an- nual reunion to celebrate the Harrel Trust being des- ignated as an Oklahoma Centennial Ranch by the Oklahoma Historical Society. The Trust contains 90 acres of the headquarters of the pre-statehood Bar X Ranch and is located 12 miles northwest of Leedey. On July 12, kinfolk from the states of Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Nebraska, Arkansas, and all over Oklahoma magically appeared. The covered dish evening meal, with meat provided to 175+ cous- ins. There was lots of homemade ice cream, too. Ev- eryone was treated to team and wagon rides, contests for art, writing, fishing, poetry, crafts and others. There were Centennial cookbooks, T-shirts, caps, etc., for all. Aperfectregistration gift was given to all with the Centen- nial logo on the bag and all the items in it. It contained neck buddies, lantern, pens, lighted fan and other goodies. After dinner and a silent auction, they were treated to an evening of vocal competition of all ages of cousins. It was lots of fun Employees at Doug Gray Chevrolet Buick GMC are , front row, from left, Bobby Feller, Beverly Jordan, Jenna Redd, Doug and lots of participants. After all that, Elvis made a great ap- Gray, JD Phillips, Jessie Vidaurri, Krissie Allen, Eddie Lemons and Danny Gonsolus. pearance and entertained us all with his wonderful vocals. Second Row, left to right, Lindsey Mayfield, Andy Macias, Kevin Chittenden, Delton Ulrich, Garrett Gordan and July 13 was the big day. In addition to the above and Kaleb Keith. after a dinner for 288+ registrants, a brief live auction for Third Row, left to right, are Garrett Christian, Brody Rainey, Mike Gewinner and Justin Conway. Photo submitted. the table centerpieces followed and then a re-enactment of George Harrel purchasing the property from Wal- ter Massey in 1919 was presented by family members. George and Walter arrived on beautiful palomino horse and both were armed with pistols and long coats. The nine children of George and Luzetta arrived in a wagon Doug Gray presented with Gold Cup Award pulled by a beautiful black team of Morgan horses with highly decorated harness. The nine children lined up in front of the stage behind a printed sign that showed their brand on it while George and Walter negotiated the sale. Several times during the spirited negotiation, it appeared that there would not be an agreement. Luzetta and Wil- On July 10, Doug Gray Award was presented to Gen- loyalty, and service, parts, rolet Buick GMC store has lie Massey both wanted it to happen and joined the ex- Chevrolet Buick GMC was eral Manager Bobby Feller and sales performance. received a number of re- change. It happened. After a brief history of the Harrel’s presented with a Chevro- and part of the team during Doug Gray Chevrolet cent accolades from GM involvement with the Bar X, the Centennial sign was un- let's Gold Cup Award from a presentation at Doug Gray Buick GMC opened this veiled and it instantly became a photo center. Finally, after for growing the Chevro- Mike Gewinner, Okla- Chevrolet Buick GMC in location a little over a year all of this, the Urban Cowboy Band with star Johnny Lee let brand and leading the performed a two hour concert under the stars. The eve- homa District Manager for Elk City. The award was and a half ago. Along with ning concluded about 11 p.m. and most all stayed the day. Chevrolet. The award was for several areas of opera- the Doug Gray Ford store area in customer loyalty. for Top Chevrolet Dealer tion including service, parts in Sayre and Doug Gray Doug Gray and family have And then July 14 came with a wrap-up morning with a church service under the huge oak trees by Grandma’s in the Oklahoma Zone. and sales and was based on Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram been serving western Okla- home. Over 75 cousins joined the time and celebrated Chevrolet's Gold Cup customer satisfaction, brand store in Elk City, the Chev- homa for over 27 years now. our heritage, enjoyed singing some of our favorite fam- Landscape wall hanging ily songs in our newly created song book, and heard a message of family anecdotes and our journey to Christ through our 98-year-old family rock star, Melvin Harrel. We adjourned until next year, July 17-19, when we quilting workshop will celebrate 75 years of having a family reunion! The Bar X is located 12 miles northwest of Leedey; the site contains several reminders ofits former glory. Lovingly restored and maintained from the Bar X days, there remains the artesian springs that provides water to four ponds con- structed by George W. Harrel (Grandpa). All ponds have fish in them but one is stocked with goldfish, like Grandpa did and he used them for fish bait. Another structure is an 1890 two room log cabin with a turkey trot between them. One room is a museum for the 9 siblings of George and Luzetta Dalton Harrel; the other room is set with a period table and chairs, paintings, mementos and family treasures around the fireplace. The two bedroom home is there since 1904 and one could move in today it is so well maintained. The outhouse remains, BUT it is not used. Finally, a dis- tinctive feature of the place is the five kinds of oak trees that surround the house and line the road to the southern- most pond. These trees are nearing 300 years old. What was happening there 300 years ago and who planted them? ) MAY. EUR Christmas themed quilt and field quilt. Photos submitted by Judith Forehand. NOW HIRING! The Greer County Quilters public and will be taught by 471-8347. Materials and colors of thread for quilting Class A CDL drivers with tanker Guild will sponsor a fabric Judy Miller, The workshop equipment to bring include and sewing, sharp scissors, landscape workshop on Aug. will be very relaxed and not a yard of fabric for backing, a sewing machine, a yard of endorsement in Arnett, Leedey, 3 at the Mangum Ameri- difficult to do. Participants a picture or idea of a land- Wonder Under or other ad- Packsaddle and Thomas. can Legion building from 9 will need to call to confirm a scape to replicate in fabric, hering product, a pencil and Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance paper, your lunch and any- a.m.-5 p.m. It is open to the spot at 580-481-4248 or 580- several spools of different Paid Vacation thing else you'd like for your Matching 401k picture. Many scraps for the Competitive Pay Better water for better living. actual picture will be pro- (580) 938-0177 SALES ¢ SERVICE ° RENTALS * Water Softeners * Salt Delivery & Filter Changes vided along with batting and Arnett, Leedey, Packsaddle other materials. The cost is * Reverse Osmosis Systems * Free Water Analysis (580) 661-1242 (580) 323-2041 You could give your people $10 to participate which can be brought to the class. Call Thomas (800) 310-6336 Culligan Wator today for further instructions culligan.com and to reserve your spot.