March 13, 2021 Issue, Page 2 of 8

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March 13, 2021 News/Obits typical fears of new parents, start living life again. This isn’t Downs ing therapy through Hearts to what is normal. I mean, even if regardless of a diagnosis like Hearing in Oklahoma City, so we would have found that our Round the end of the world. It is your Down syndrome. Still, fears per- we drove there twice a week for second child had Downs, we new journey into a new world sisted. a long time. Now we go every would have never considered that is brighter and full of good- “{ remember wondering if three to six months. Her hear- terminating the pregnancy. ness in ways you can’t imagine. Town ‘The brand new family spent approximately five nights in she would ever get to do normal things. I wondered if she would ing loss started as moderate to minimal but is now minimal. Lanee had already brought so In those early days, we both had much joy to our lives. At that struggles that brought us closer Mareh 13 the hospital as the newborn re- ever get to have a best friend. I She wears her hearing aids to point, it wasn’t some great un- together as a married couple. bounded. didn't want her to miss out on school, but we let her take them known to us. We knew that we Now we have gotten ten years of Baseball First Pitch Clas- “She didn’t come home on ox- educational opportunities. Be- out when she gets home. She could raise a child with Downs, being so blessed to be her par- ygen or anything like that. She cause I am a PTA, I think I was is still able to hear us and com- and that child be an incredible ents, I think neither of us would sic Tournament, Elk City Five looking at her at first as my pa- municate with us. Her vision blessing to us and the world,” change her if we could.” didn’t have to be in the NICU Plex. in Oklahoma City. They mostly tient, which wasn't healthy for problems are bigger. She has to Ryan said, Along with their other two were getting these things cor- any of us. [had to step back and have her glasses, so that is the Both parents recognize the children Halle and Drake, the Mareh 14 rected so we could go home realize that I just needed to be first thing she wants when she gift that is Lanee. family enjoys traveling through Baseball First Pitch Clas- safely, but she was otherwise her mom. I didn’t want to hear wakes up.” “She is a constant reminder of New Mexico and Colorado dur- healthy,” Lindsey remembered. all the things that she would Lanee started developmen- the beautiful little things in life. ing the summers with their ex- sic Tournament, Elk City Five Due to her low blood sugar, never do,” Lindsey said. tal pre-kindergarten through She loves animals. Her favor- tended families. Lanee is a star Plex. the child had to feed at least ev- “I think I had anger for a Elk City Public Schools when among the Dream League. ite tv shows are about animals. ery two hours. Lindsey worked while,” Ryan admitted. “People she was merely three-years-old. She loves seeing her Pop's cows. “We read a lot of books about Mareh 15 hard to pump breast milk ev- would come up and say things Now, as a fourth-grader, she Just about every day, she asks Down syndrome when she was Spring Break for Elk City ery two hours for over a year like, ‘everything happens for continues to thrive. me to put our Christmas tree first born,” Ryan recounted. to meet her child’s nutritional a reason’ or ‘this is all part of“She is in a regular classroom back up. She gets to experience “The one that really said some- and Merritt Schools, needs. God’s plan.’ We were both al- most ofthe day,” Ryan said. “She this childlike joy about everyday thing to us was basically about “Nursing directly from the ready strong in our faith. I know does get taken out for special- life that so many of us miss out how a person had trip planned breast didn't work out be- people were saying that to try ized work sometimes, but for on. She doesn’t care if a kid at to go to Hawaii but ended up March 16 cause she couldn't latch just to make us feel better, but it the most part, she is just a regu- school doesn’t want to be her going to Holland. At first, they right. Lindsey was a champion, didn’t. I wouldn't know what to lar student.” friend. It is like she is unable to were really upset that they Spring Break for Blk City though, with pumping twelve say when they said it.” Both Lindsey and Ryan are see some of the negative parts weren't getting their dream va- and Merritt Schools. times a day to keep her in plenty Despite learning about the thankful for the awareness that of the world, and that makes cation to Hawaii and had their of milk. At one point, we basi- condition as they went, Lindsey is brought by World Down Syn- our days brighter,” Lindsey said. eyes closed to all the beauty in cally had to get a deep freeze and Ryan were determined to drome Day. Both Ryan and Lindsey en- Holland. Slowly they opened because we had so much fro- give their daughter the same op- “This isn’t something we are courage new parents of Down their eyes, got past being upset, March 17 zen milk. I counted that we had portunities as every other child. ashamed of. We want people to syndrome children to reach out and realized that Holland was Spring Break for Elk City 4,200 ounces of frozen milk,” “We started out getting Soon- ask questions and learn more and learn. gorgeous and perfect in its own Ryan said. er Start,” Lindsey said. “They about it. That is much better “Thad a mother from Tennes- right. By the time they were and Merritt Schools. “I couldn't miss pumping. I would come to the house with than not talking about it. We see with a child just a few years ready to leave, they were thank- think I had mastitis three times occupational therapy and physi- have two other children. We are older than Lanee who would ful that they ended up in this in that year. It made me really cal therapy. Down syndrome as proud of her as we are them. Skype with me and show me place that they had never in- ‘March 18 sick,” Lindsey added. kids sometimes have hearing She makes them better, and they just how ‘normal’ her child was. tended to go. That is what being At approximately two weeks and sight problems. In fact, one make her better. After she was lam happy to do that with other a parent of a child with Downs Spring Break for Elk City old, Lanee was formally diag- of the other symptoms, when born, we did the testing to see if parents. I know it can be scary is like. No, it is not what we had and Merritt Schools. nosed with Down syndrome. she was first born, was that she this was genetic, and it was not. when you first hear those words, envisioned when we decided to “lam actually friends with the failed her hearing test. She got We had like a 1% chance to have and there are many emotions to start a family. We had our mo- doctor, so she brought us into her hearing aids when she was a child with Down syndrome. process. You worry that you did ments to struggle with it, but March 19 her office to have the conversa- three-months-old and her first When we planned to have our something that gave your baby Lanee is a greater blessing than tion one-on-one,” Lindsey said. pair of glasses when she was six- second child, we didn’t do any these extra challenges. But then what we ever imagined. She is Spring Break for Elk City Ryan recounted having the months-old. We did her hear- extra genetic screening outside that passes, and you simply our Holland.” and Merritt Schools. Cook-off and downhill derby Even if it is as simple as going ‘Tumbleweed Quilt Retreat Sneakers in style, they are all very in- to them for advice on what's at the Convention Center. Continued from page 1. volved.” competitions part of Crowder Bagby is employed with “1229 is after my wife's birth- Sooner Testing, though the March 20 day,” he smiled. “I came up with slowed oilfield has kept him that. I have my artistic side, but mostly at home in the last sev- ‘Tumbleweed Quilt Retreat at the Convention Center. Lake opening day to me, she is the true artist in eral months. His wife is the the family. She is so talented. inventory manager for Love's ‘This is a family affair. We have County Store. four kids. Our son is 22 and out “We also have Rich Line CROWD April1 A full day of free activities— on his own, Our three girls are Lawncare Service,” he said. including a playground ground- still at home. They help us cre- For more information, con- Shop Hop, participating breaking, Dutch Oven Cook-off, ate, but also as kids, they know tact Bagby through the 1229 Downhill Derby competition all the latest fashion trends. Customs Facebook page. businesses open late utnil 7 and Volkswagen Club of Okla- ZIP LINING | FREE WATERCRAFT pm. homa cruise— are planned Circle of Care Saturday, March 27, as part of Crowder Lake Opening Day for the 2021 summer season. April3 ‘The Crowder Lake University Chamber of Commerce An- Park, located seven miles south Continued from page 1. project. Long-term, the church of Weatherford, is operated by plans to provide ongoing sup- nual Easter Egg Hunt, Southwestern Oklahoma State number drops significantly port to the family living in the University (SWOSU). the more siblings that live to- home. Meals and snacks will be avail- gether. Circle of Care looks at this OPENING DAY April 10 able for purchase from a variety Circle of Care is currently building as a community project of different food trucks. COVID building eight homes statewide. and a home they hope will di- Annual Southwest Farm & precautions such as responsible ‘The project is supported by a rectly benefit children from the Home Expo and Bull Sale, distancing and wearing facial capital campaign with a local community. The agency coverings when distancing is SATURDAY, MARCH 27 | 10 AM - 5PM of raising five million dollars currently has foster care staff in Convention Center. not possible will be in place to to build and endow the eight Ardmore, Enid, Oklahoma City, keep this a safe, fun outdoor homes. The Elk City home is the Tahlequah, Tulsa, and Wood- event for all. seventh location to provide the ward serving approximately 170 April 11 ‘The Dutch Oven Cook-off con- space and support for a foster families and 235 youth in care. sists of two categories: dessert family to say yes to a larger sib- ling group. ‘A ground-breaking ceremony Annual Southwest Farm & and entree. Each team can have Elk City United Methodist for the building was held March Home Expo and Bull Sale, up to six members. One team Church is a strategic partner in 12. If you would like to learn member must always stay in the the building of the home. The more about the capital cam- Convention Center. cooking area, and all members church donated the land and paign, visit legacy.circleofcare. must practice safe cooking and raised $200,000 toward the org. handling procedures. ‘Teams Due to the COVID-19 are expected to provide their own food products, cooking |OWNHILL DERBY RACE | RAP: LUN Nancy Simmons pandemic, many events have utensils and Dutch ovens. All Nancy Simons, 55, of Elk been cancelled, post-poned or food should be cooked onsite, City, Oklahoma, passed away and teams are only allowed one ‘modified. Please check with entry per category. The cooks Thursday, March 4, 2021. meeting will take place at 10 She was born February 26th, the event coordinator to make aam., and judging will begin at 3 want to serve their food. homa State Parks system to an 1966, in Moses Lake, Wash- p.m. Food may be served to the ‘The Downhill Derby will con- outdoor classroom overseen by ington, to Joann and Gilbert sure of any changes. public at 3:30 p.m. if the teams sist of a junior division for ages SWOSU. The playground is a 7-18 years old and a senior di- Lundberg. Nancy graduated vision for ages 18 and up. Each joint effort of the Weatherford with the class of 1985 from "ElkCituNews Colby High School. Nancy’s team competing in the derby Rotary Club and the SWOSU can have up to three members. first marriage was to Paul Si- A starting push will be allowed, Foundation, Inc. mons. To this union, Shawn but the person pushing must be ‘The Volkswagen Club of Okla- San Antonio, TX and Duane} the same age as the driver. The homa will be cruising in the park and Sammy were born. Nan- Lundberg, Houston, TX; (USPS # 173-020) driver must wear a helmet, ad- during the day as well. cy’s second marriage, was to mother-in-law Evelynn (Don) 580-225-3000 equate footwear and protective Darrell Saddler, to which she Woofter, Colby, KS; brother- clothing. The car must be able Schedule of events: gained stepdaughter Nicole in-law Chuck (Julie) Saddler, Is published twice weekly by Beckham County Media, LLC to steer and stop, and it must 10.a.m.- Dutch Oven Cook-off and then in 2010 when Bai- Colby, KS; sister-in-law Can-| 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644-4736 be able to pass an inspection. Participants meeting lynn was bor, she became Periodicals Postage Paid at Elk City, OK 73644 ‘The car cannot have a motor or dee Swanda and nieces, Tay- pedals. The inspection time for 11am.- Dr. Ken Rose Memo- known as NANA. Nancy en- lor, Cassidy, Zoey Swanda| POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644 cars will be at 1 p.m., and racing rial Playground groundbreaking joyed spending as much time all of Omaha, NE; and many, will begin at 2 p.m. It will be a 1 p.m.- Downhill Derby Race as she could with her family many beloved friends. There] SUBSCRIPTIONS Josh Umholtz double elimination tournament. check-in and inspection and friends. She was getting will be a celebration of life at Deliverd by mail: Publisher For competition registration excited to welcome Sammy’s 11 am, Saturday, March 13, and rules for both contests, 2.p.m.- Downhill Derby Race $75iyearly Amy Loynd please email crowdereswosu. first child in October. She is 2021 at the Methodist Church] Business Manager 3 p.m.- Dutch Oven Judging $50/six months edu, For more information on survived by her husband Dar- in Colby, KS. Flowers are wel-| No refunds on subscriptions. Neva Pyatt At 11 a.m., a groundbreaking rell, Elk City, Ok; children, comed and contributions may] Advertising Director ceremony will be held for the Dr. opening day, please contact the Shawn Simons, Colby, KS; be sent to 11119 N. 2030 Rd. editor @ecdailynews.com D’Ann Brasuell Ken Rose Memorial Crowder Lake University Park Sammy Simons (Jansen Lov- Elk City, OK, 73644. The ser-| sports @ecdailynews.com Production Manager Playground. Rose was an in- Office at 580-774-6015 or email enstein) Colby, KS; Nicole and vice will be able to be viewed [email protected] Maressa Margerum strumental SWOSU leader who Paul Hummel at paul.hummele Bailynn Moser, Hoxie, KS; virtually at_https://www.col- classifieds @ecdailynews.com helped oversee the transition Customer Service Rep of Crowder Lake from the Okla~ swosu.edu. brothers, Danny Lundberg, byume.org