January 7, 2020 Issue, Page 1 of 10

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Serving Western Oklahoma Since190 Tuesday, Janu: Weekday Edition Army veteran on ‘cloud 9’ Chamber ready to celebrate with banquet being back in Elk City By Don Munsch, Editor Wednesday is the deadline for people to RSVP for the Elk City Chamber of Commerce’s 2020 Annual Banquet, By Don Munsch, Editor to be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 14 at the First Baptist Church, Josh Bamett knew he wanted to wanted a career that in- 1600 W. Country Club in Elk City. volved soccer. He also had some nervousness about moving home to RSVPs are required, and they are necessary because the Western Oklahoma. food is being catered, said Susie Cupp, executive director Barnett saw he dreams realized, though, when he became of the chamber. the Elk City soccer coach. But it was where he had a mo- Tickets are $35 each or $280 for a table of eight. The ment of clarity that he points to that set his course in motion. event includes a keynote speech by Casey Merrifield, “Everything that just kind of seems to be going the way I co-founder of ConneXtion Worldwide and a leadership had no idea that it could,” he said. consultant, and a speech from Angela Wyatt, who will be Barnett, Elk City High School senior English teacher and installed as the 2020 president of the chamber. Wyatt's boys soccer coach, discussed his times in the military and speech theme will “The Heartbeat of Western Oklahoma.” his current life with the Elk City Rotary Club last week. Ronda Smith is the current chamber president, and she A multi-sport athlete at Elk City High School, where he also will give a speech before giving the gavel to the in- graduated in 2005, Barnett said he didn’t know what he coming president. Before introducing the new president, wanted to do after high school. He attended college in Sayre Smith will give the Pam Gregory Volunteer Award, an an- to try to “figure things out.” Then he joined the Army. nual honor. The president is the head of the board of direc- “T always wanted to go to the military,” he said. “At the tors for the chamber and consults with every committee at time, the surge in Iraq was going [on], and I knew that where the chamber. IT was at, studying for a test I was going to fail, in the South- The banquet includes a dinner, with food from Cattle western cafeteria ... it’s now or never.” Call Catering, and music from the band From A to Z, based Some Amny recruiters visited the school that day and Bar- in Oklahoma City. nett approached them and told him he was interested in join- Cupp said she appreciates the community’s generosity. ing. Shortly after, he withdrew from classes and departed for Josh Barnett talks about his time in the mili- The chamber has 300 members. basic training. tary during his visit to the Elk City Rotary “The chamber feels very blessed because we so get much “I told my mom I was going into supply, but really, I went Club on Thursday. Staff photo by Don Munsch support from our chamber members,” Cupp said. into Airborne Infantry,” he said, drawing laughs from Ro- tarians, adding that she eventually figured out what he was After his initial training, he was stationed in Alaska, and doing. See Barnett page 2. Requests for absentee ballots accepted Elk City educator honored for Voters wanting to vote by absentee ballot for the 2020 Election Year should submit their absentee ballot applica- contributions to teaching tions to their county election board as soon as possible, the Beckham County Election Board Secretary said in a news release Friday. OREA has 13,500 members, and around 300 members were Also, the election board said Jan. 17 is the last day to ap- at the event, which included a special video presentation ply for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the honoring the 23 people at this year’s meeting. OREA was Feb. 11 Hammon, Mangum and Sentinel Public Schools’ founded in 1952. Board of Education Primary Election, County Election In addition to the recognition they received by those in Board Secretary Sherron Manning stated in a release. attendance, each of the 23 people received a citation, a lapel As for the ballots, voters may request ballots for individ- pin, a special book containing biographies of all honorees ual elections or for all elections they are eligible to vote in and a photo to mark the occasion, the release stated. during the 2020 election year, the release stated. Manning Long was born and raised in Hollis on a family-irrigated encourages voters to apply early. cotton farm. He graduated from Hollis High School and "We have many federal, state, and local elections com- then attended Oklahoma State University where he earned ing up this yea,” Manning said in the release. “Signing up a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education. He taught one for absentee ballots is a great way to make sure you stay year in Cherryvale, Kansas, seven years in Tipton and 41 informed and never miss an election. When you apply for years at ECHS, retiring in 2016. ballots for all elections, a ballot will be mailed to you for Larry Long. Photo submitted. He and his wife Linda have two sons and five grandchil- each election in which you are eligible to vote.” dren. Kevin and his wife Jennifer and children Ty and Trey Applications are available at the Beckham County Elec- live in Norman. Kade and wife Terry and their two children tion Board or can be downloaded at: elections.ok.gov. Former Elk City High School teacher Larry Long, who Ashlynn and Kolton live in Schertz, Texas, while their oth- Voters can also apply electronically using the State Elec- belongs to the Beckham-Roger Mills County Retired Edu- er child Jordan is attending law school at the University of tion Board’s OK Voter Portal at: elections.ok.gov/ovp. cators Association, was among 23 retired educators from Texas. In the release, Manning reminds voters that requests must across Oklahoma honored by their colleagues in November Long attends the United Methodist Church and serves on be submitted no later than the Wednesday before the first at the Oklahoma Retired Educators Association’s 67th an- the board of trustees. His organization memberships include election in which the voter would like to participate. The nual state convention and business meeting in Tulsa. Elk City Civic Board, National Junior Heifer Show Board, first election for Beckham County voters registered in the The 23 people were honored for their lifetime contribu- Southwest Farm and Home Expo Board, Western Oklahoma Mangum, Sentinel and Hammon School Districts is Feb. 11. tions to teaching profession and distinguished service to the Historical Society, OSU Alumni Association, National As The list of elections can be found at: elections.ok.gov. OREA and its local units, according to an OREA release. See Educator page 2. See Ballots page 2. Free grazing workshop held for area producers North Fork of Red River, Upper Washita and Greer Coun- The workshop will be held at the Beckham County Activ- 902 NE Hwy 66, Suite C in Sayre. ty Conservation Districts will host a grazing workshop titledity Center, located at 310 E. Main in Sayre. People may also contact Greer County Conservation Dis- “Strategies to Maximize Grazing Profits” for area producers Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the event will end at 3:30 trict at 580-782-2787 or visit the office at 116 E. Pierce in on Jan. 22 in Sayre. pan. A free lunch will be included, but people interested in Mangum, or they may contact the Upper Washita Conser- Invited speakers will discuss topics on high-intensity attending are asked to RSVP by Jan. 15 to the North Fork grazing on native grasses, grazing 365 days a year on intro- of Red River Conservation District so that there is enough vation District at 580-497-3413 or visit the office at 301 E duced grasses, grazing cover crops, cattle markets, and how food. Broadway Ave. in Cheyenne. soil health principles relate to grazing, according to a North For more information, contact North Fork of Red River The district offices are open from 8 a.m. to noon and 12:30 Fork release. Conservation District at 580-928-3113 or visit the office at p.m. to 4:30 p.m, Monday through Friday. Vol. 118, No. 2 | EMH | Weather tomorrow @ 53/29 75 cents, 10 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com