July 22, 2020 Issue, Page 2 of 8

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The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Wednesday, July 22, 2020 “From looking at the Face- for three days. We actually the city on Friday. The News Center book post, there was a lot of concern over this particular trailer park and after us deal- fixed it. We hired a plumber to fix it, and we’re billing them back. So I will tell you left a message with the park. City Treasurer Church told commissioners Lisa Continuedfrom page 1. bile Home Park, located on ing with it, I can understand how that goes. We've al- that sales tax was down 17 finish the project. West 7th Street, A sewer line why,” Ivester told the com- ready cited them twice, and percent over this time last Ivester said a social media needed to be repaired and mission, “I won’t say they they were indignant that we year. Use tax was up 15 per- issue emerged with a sew- was on private property. The refused to fix it, but they just would come out there on the cent from last year and ciga- age matter that occurred at a city got word of the problem kept saying they couldn’t property.” rette tax was down 9 over trailer park, Cimarron Mo- on July 7. find a plumber. It went on Ivester said the park paid this time last year. Reading learning and have that emo- books ina year, 730 books in the chance to offer this pro- tional attachment and inter- two years and 1,095 books gram to our community, act with your children.” in three years,” the release Oklahoma Partnership for Children will receive a stated. “Considering most Continuedfrom page 1. childhood literacy,” Ivester welcome package when they children start kindergarten School Readiness has been Elk City Carnegie Library said. “If a child starts pre- sign up for the program at around the age of 5, parents very generous in providing director DeAun _ Ivester k, preschool, and they’ve the library, with each pack- probably have more time the funding we needed to get told The News that numer- been read to their whole life, age containing a free book than they realize to help their ous studies estimate that as you can tell the difference. this project off the ground,” and information about the little ones begin to build many as one in five children They’re learning so much, program, After each 100 strong literacy skills.” Ivester said in the release. have difficulties learning to even from their time as ba- books, children will receive The program is made pos- “The Friends of the Library read. Reading has been asso- bies. They’re getting the another free book until they sible through a grant from have wanted to start an early ciated as an early indicator rhythm and the intonations reach their 1,000 books goal, the Oklahoma _ Partner- of academic success. Formal of your voice. Emotionally, the release stated. The chil- ship for School Readiness’ childhood literacy program education does not typically it helps them grow. They’re dren’s library will have a (OPSR) Public Library Fam- and this grant allows us to start until age 5 or 6, and grasping larger words. The wall of honor for those chil- ily Engagement Project. The give books to the families in so before then, parents and first three years is when dren who participate in the Friends of the Library in Elk our community who are pas- caregivers are the child’s the brain is in development program. City were eager to start the first educator, Ivester said, overdrive. It’s so im- “If you read a child just program here, Ivester said. sionate about enriching the “It’s to encourage early portant that you encourage one book a night, that’s 365 “We are so thankful for lives of their children.” Davis were checked when they ar- ABL started its season last sibility out here for me to master’s program to be a rived at the Pioneer Center. year around October, for pre- kind of continue my regi- graduate assistant and help Hand sanitizers were avail- season. This year, the league men,” he said. out with the basketball team able, and sanitizing wipes is thinking about not starting He has enjoyed getting to to further a potential coach- Continued from page 1. were used to wipe down bas- up until after the new year, play overseas and to learn ketball and other objects that around February possibly. about other cultures. He ing career on the college helped me out in my ca- were consistently touched. Davis said he would con- loves meeting new people level. But right now, he said, reer and my life in general. And I just wanted to make Campers were given plenty sider going back to Malay- and the adventures that there’s a hiring freeze be- sure I come back and do of breaks, including water sia. He has had some other come with a career occur- cause of COVID-19. Davis something for the kids and breaks. offers, including one from ring in other countries. is still entertaining job op- help them feel confident in This past year, Davis The Netherlands, but it did “Just knowing that there’s portunities overseas. certain areas of their lives. played in the ASEAN Bas- not work out. good people everywhere has Davis said he was grate- We just don’t cater to being ketball League and he was “We're considering going been a blessing, because we've been very fortunate ful to the Elk City school a basketball camp. We focus based in Kuala Lumpur, Ma- back to Europe; that’s where on the other things that are laysia. In the early spring, T’ve been stationed at most to be in good situations and board, ECHS athletic direc- surrounding us right now.” the season shut down be- of my career,” he said. “This T’ve always found lifetime tor Brian Hunt and Super- This camp was different cause of the pandemic. He was my first year in Asia last friends that we’ve made in intendent Rick Garrison for and “more special” in that then came back to the U.S. year, but hopefully that ex- each of the countries we’ve helping organize the basket- way because of the pandem- “Right now no one really tends my market range a lit- gone to, so that I think that’s ball camp. has answers, and that’s just tle bit being seen in that area made it more special in ways ic, he said. He had a great “It’s just a special feeling response from parents as far the hardest thing, just kind of the world. But we'll see. that I couldn’t have dreamed from the kids when we see as whether to have the camp,of sitting around waiting,” We're just having to wait, of them gain confidence and which did adhere to proper he said, describing where play it by ear and once ev- ith the pandemic con- health protocols as much as he will play this next sea- erybody knows something, tinuing and forcing people are having fun, and that’s possible. son. “There are teams right then we'll all know some- to look at their lives, Davis the reward we get, to see “With that, that encour- now who are gearing up for thing.” said he has considered retir- them hopefully one day be aged us to put the camp on a season, They can’t afford Davis said he makes it ing this year, as he has had able to each their goals that and make sure we get out not to, Those leagues over back to Elk City a handful a few opportunities to start they have right now,” Davis there to give something to there bring in a lot of support times during the summer to some skills development said. the kids so they can really and a lot of money for busi- see his parents, Roger and work and expand with his David is married to Mara enjoy it and have fun, see nesses and sponsorships that Tommye Davis, who live in skill camp and brand name. their friends who maybe they kind of go along with that. Elk City. Davis still has a He also has put in his ap- and they have a daughter, haven’t seen in a while,” he They have to have that. So lot of family in Elk City and plication at OU to enter the Zara, 16 months. said about the parents’ reac- they’re going to start up as if Sayre. But when he’s home tion to having the camp. “So it’s going to happen. They’ll in the states, he sticks around James Eugene Burkacki it had a lot of special mean- follow whatever protocol or OKC because that is where ing behind it, just consider- anything that happens after his professional colleagues James Eugene Burkacki,71, ing everything going on this that.” live, and they can work out of Elk City, Oklahoma passed away at Oklahoma Heart Insti- year.” He said some teams are and play some pick-up ball. tute on July 14, 2020 at 0143 Campers’ —_ temperatures delaying their start time. The “There's just more acces- hours. He was born August 13, 1948 in Mt Clemens, Michi- Cancellations mount as pandemic continues gan. He served the US Army in April 8, 1968 to March 24, By Brandy McDonnell, which draws about 60,000 tickets to the 2021 festival. or sweet Czech pastries, 1970. He later exited the mili- The Oklahoman visitors to the historic dis- Next year’s Oklahoma which typically sell out tary and worked in the oilfield The coronavirus pandemic trict each year, is the larg- International Bluegrass Fes- quickly. from 1970 to present time. continues to create gaping est annual fundraiser for the tival is scheduled for Sept. Since several other fall Jim was a man with a big 30-Oct. 2, 2021. events around the state have heart and loved all of his fam- holes in Oklahoma’s event Paseo Arts Association. The Statewide cancellations been canceled, including a ily and friends. He enjoyed seven grandsons, Lee, Adam, calendar, with cancellations funds raised through bever- The organizers of the trio of fests that have been now extending well into the age and merchandise sales life and enjoyed every second Tyler, Chandler, Anthony, fall season of fairs and fes- directly support the non- Oklahoma Czech Festival, which takes place annually happening for more than 40 years: the Lawton Interna- hanging out and telling stories. Brandon and Dane; his four tivals, profit organization’s mis- in Yukon on the first week- tional Festival, which was He was a man who believed granddaughters, Kasi, Shelby, sion and are used to produce end that all you have in your life Ausha, and Amber; his great In the past week, organiz- of October, announced scheduled to take place from Paseo programs and events is your name, word and repu- grandsons, Tyson, Hayden, ers of the Paseo Arts Festi- that event’s cancellation Sept. 25-27; Scotfest, which throughout the year. tation and that is what makes Tatum, Silas, Derril, Jay, Ryan val and Guthrie’s Oklahoma back in April, making it one was planned for Sept. 18- Founded by legendary 20 in in Broken Arrow; and you. He was not a very patient and Atticus; his great-grand- International Bluegrass Fes- Guthrie-based fiddler By- of the first autumn staples to Linde Oktoberfest Tulsa, man when it came to stupidity daughters, Madison, Jordan, tival revealed that they’re be scratched for this year. ron Berline, the 24th annual A celebration of Yukon’s which was was slated for and common sense. Jim, Dad, Mayleigh, Jaidan, and Grace- scrapping their 2020 edi- Oklahoma International as everyone called him, no lynn, He had many nephews, rich Czech heritage, the Oct. 22-25. matter if you were family or tions in response to the on- Bluegrass Festival was slat- festival typically includes a In Oklahoma City, the Pla- cousins and nieces that loved going COVID-19 crisis. ed for Oct. 1-3 at the Guthrie friend, will never be forgotten him dearly. He also had many carnival, polka bands, tra- za District Festival, which The Paseo Arts Associa- festival grounds on Cotton- ditional Czech and Slovak was scheduled for Oct. 3, and remain in our hearts for as friends and adopted family not tion had already postponed wood Creek. folk dance performances, has been canceled, too. long as we are breathing, listed that he held close and the long-running Paseo Arts The organizers of the arts and crafts booths and The pandemic also is start- Jim is survived by his moth- dear to his heart. Festival to Labor Day Week- three-day event, which food vendors. Thousands ing to play nasty tricks on er, Naomi; his loving and sup- Jim is on his way to heaven takes place annually the of people traditionally line some Oklahomans’ Hallow- portive wife, Jean Burkacki; to meet up with his mom, Bev- end, the Sept. 5-7 unofficial first weekend in October, Main Street for one of Okla- een plans. Tulsa’s Brookside his four sons, Douglas Ray, erly Jean and his dads, Eugene end of summer. A Memo- announced the cancellation homa’s largest parades, and Business Association an- John Dallas, Nick Dewayne Anthony and Edgar Morris tial Day weekend tradition, and Eugene Anthony; his and his daughter Jennifer Jean. Wednesday night on social festivalgoers can sample nounced last week on social the 44-year-old festival was media. Czech foods like kolaches media that its long-running two daughters, Michelle and His Celebration of Life will originally slated for May 23- People who already pur- and sausages prepared by BooHaHa Halloween event Margo; His Brothers, Je- be held at 201 Lester, Elk City, 25, but postponed back in chased tickets online will be the festival organizers Okla- has been canceled for 2020 rome, Johnny, Don, Chaz, OK 73644 on Saturday, July March during Oklahoma’s contacted soon and given the homa Czechs Inc. Members due to “the severity and ex- Ken, Gary, Rick; His sisters, 18th at 11:00 AM. Condo- initial coronavirus outbreak. ‘opportunity to either receive and volunteers bake more ponential growth of the CO- Kathy, Susan, Reiko, Sharon, lences may be made online at The Paseo Arts Festival, a refund or transfer their than 2,500 dozen kolaches, VID-19 pandemic.” Mary, Linda, and Lisa; His www.whineryfs.com