May 15, 2021 Issue, Page 2 of 8

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2 May 15, 2021 News head baseball coach to take this Round School Board position. “We have not yet hired a new 2021 Nurse of Continued from page 1. independent audit every year baseball coach. It felt impor- to ensure that money is being Town Through the superinten- dent’s financial report, the utilized in the best way,” Storm added. tant to get through this season before we put that pressure on the program. We are happy to Excellence board members learned that The board will also have a keep Mr. Mayfield in Elk City May 15 financial carryover was better “bonus” meeting at the end Schools,” Storm said. than expected. Baseball Summer Slam Tournament, Elk City 5 plex “We are losing Mr. Garrison, of July related to budgetary issues. The board also approved hiring Dylan Jung and Cassan- GPRMC is proud to recognize and we hate to see him go, as The board approved new dra Glover for assistant band May 16 you know,” Storm stated. “He standards set by the state directors. Bobby McGuire, RN Elk City High School Bac- was gracious enough to give us and federal government for “It tells you a lot about our calaureate and Graduation, his resignation early enough retention and promotion of band program that we had to be able to work with our students, though they were several head band directors Pioneer Center Gymnasium incoming superintendent, Mr. minimal and won’t change who were applying to be Mr. Sparks. We were happy to see policy much, if at all. DeWitt’s assistant band direc- Baseball Summer Slam these kinds of numbers, so Mr. The board then considered tors.” Tournament, Elk City 5 plex Sparks is set up for this upcom- revisions to the administrator’s Storm joked, “Mr. DeWitt ing year to have that carryover.” salary schedule, though that has worked hard with us so May 21 Storm noted that the tennis was related to only one admin- that his program doesn’t miss Kiwanis Karnival, Con- team had just finished region- istrator at that time. a beat, pun maybe intended or vention Center. als. Storm explained that this is not intended.” The board did not opt to go an effort by the board to make Storm praised the sweep- May 22 into executive session. sure that the Elk City adminis- stakes that Elk City’s band and Kiwanis Karnival, Con- The board then approved tration has the fairest financial choir earned every year and vention Center. hiring an adjunct educator, Jon compensation that Elk City noted both marque programs. Greene, for physical education Public Schools can afford. Due to Covid, a term that the Ackley Park Opening, for two hours per day during Some factors like education board hopes they don’t have the next school year. levels of the staff are factored to contend with next year, the Aquatic Center, Centennial “The adjunct teachers or into their state formula for pay. school board members learned Carousel, Train and Minia- coaches are people who don’t “It is always a moving target, that Elk City School’s will offer ture Golf. have other responsibilities in and we want to always land an extended summer learning Angie Clinton, BSN, Emergency Medicine Director and the school and are hired for on finding the best people and for all grades. Bobby McGuire, RN-BSN. Courtesy photo. Softball Big Elk Summer that specific thing. It gives us then doing the best for them “This is kind of a new one,” Classic Tournament, Elk some flexibility and making that we can,” Storm said. Storm said. “We started out ElktoCity, Right:OK: AngieBobby McGuire says heMedicine enjoys the fast-paced Bobby en- City 5 Plex. sure that our students have all The board then voted to ap- wanting it for the older grades,Pictured Left Clinton, BSN, Emergency Director & ergy of the emergency room, but what he loves most is being a part McGuire they need,” Storm said. prove a part-time position for but they will all be included to of a patient’s full care story. May 23 The board began the start a current student to work as an help students make that time McGuire, a registered nurse in the Emergency Medicine Depart- Softball Big Elk Summer of the approval process for the IT tech. up that they lost during Covid. ment at Great Plains Regional Medical Center for the past 3 years, Classic Tournament, Elk upcoming budget. “There’s a lot of work that There are limited spots, so we has been with the hospital for the entirety of his career. City 5 Plex. The school’s fiscal year starts goes into getting the Chrome would advise parents to look McGuire moved back to Sweetwater in 2010 to care for his aging on July 1. Books ready for every single into it as soon as possible if Grandmother who had recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. May 28 “We are actually busier in student that we have in the they haven’t already.” After caring for her daily over a five-year span McGuire, at 43, went the summertime than we school system. This student has The State School Board Asso- Baseball and Softball See- to nursing school to fulfill a passion for helping others. Though, are through the school year. proven himself and will be good ciation will also hold its annual his pursuit of education did not stop there, McGuire graduated ing Home Tournament, Elk Typically, that is when we see for the overall goal,” he said. conference in August. The two from Oklahoma Panhandle State this May with his Bachelor of Sci- City 5 Plex. our resignations or are doing The board then approved newest members of the Elk City ence in Nursing. our new hires. We have that hiring Monty Mayfield as the School Board have not yet been “Understanding that most patients arrive scared, hurting and May 30 in addition to preparing the elementary assistant principal. able to attend one of these upset,” says McGuire. “I can listen and truly understand a patient; Baseball and Softball See- upcoming budget. Of course, Mayfield will leave his position conferences as it was cancelled therefore treating not just their physical being, but truly caring for ing Home Tournament, Elk the school does go through an as the Elk City High School’s last year due to Covid. their mental well-being too.” City 5 Plex. Angie Clinton, emergency medicine director at GPRMC and McGuire’s supervisor says “Bobby embodies more than the usual The group also hopes to set Those factors can increase your other,” she said. adjectives that are used to describe a nurse,” giving his “whole self Purple aside funds for financial assis- tance for patients and caregiv- chances, but it’s not a certainty for any of us. And for those of For more information, West- ern encourages local citizens to patients and coworkers.” Bobby is a steadfast advocate that everyone wants in their ers. us who do have to suffer this, and businesses to visit the corner. He has the ability to help a patient transition from anxious Continued from page 1. certainty is all you are looking “Sometimes that can be as for. Come out and help support Western Oklahoma Alzheimer’s about the unknown, to calm and confident in the care they are which is held on the summer little as paying for their utilities Collaborative’s Facebook page about to receive. He has a way about him that makes people feel this good cause. Sometimes solstice because it is the longest for a month,” Western said. the only certainty we can offer or contact her at (580)339- like they have known him their whole lives. day of the year,” Western Western is also hopeful that is that we will all support each 2984. It is with great pride that Great Plains Regional Medical Center said. “We do that to demon- their support groups will be announces Bobby McGuire as the 2021 Nurse of Excellence recipi- strate that those dealing with able to open as Covid infections ent. Alzheimer’s and dementia are specific to Elk City kids. often dealing with the longest day. I can say this as someone who has spent 16 years as a pro- lower. “We are definitely ready to start those up again. As soon as BellContinued from page 1. “We have the Miller Scholar- ship and the Joe D. Hall Family Scholarship,” she said. “Those A co-worker who nominated Bobby said it best, “He has been a shining star in a year of adversity.” Please join us in congratulating this hero among us, Bobby fessional social worker. Demen- we get approval from the state McGuire. tia can be an umbrella term for group, we will. In the mean- still wanted to be productive. are both big ones that will pay over $40,000 per student. We About GPRMC any time we see decay in brain time, there is a 24-hour hotline I didn’t know what I would do matter. It leads that patient have the Kelli O’Hara Scholar- Great Plains Regional Medical Center (GPRMC) provides comprehen- for caregivers that can be found with myself if I weren’t help- down a dark hole of questioning through AIV.org,” she said. ship for fine arts students. sive, cost effective high quality healthcare. GPRMC is governed by a board ing kids. That was in August. themselves a thousand times a “The first 50 people who On September 5, Sherri died in We have the Jennifer Hooks of directors comprised of business, community, and medical leaders from day, being misunderstood, and Scholarship. She died at 15 of Western Oklahoma. Our commitment is to provide modern, state-of-the- misunderstanding what is hap- bring their completed bingo a car accident. Mr. Roper was our superintendent then, and I cancer, and her sister was my art medical care while retaining the warmth and compassion of a commu- pening with their lives. Paint cards to the big event at Ackley told him that Sherri had talked student at the time. We have nity hospital. For more information, visit www.gprmc-ok.com. the Town Purple is an extension Park will get swag bags. The to me about taking the job, and the Pat Sprowls and the Jim of that. Just like breast cancer stuff in those bags will come Richardson Scholarship. Pat Gary Mayfield is recognized by the color pink, from local vendors. We will also he hired me for it. I felt like God the color purple recognizes was just moving me toward it, and Jim were very good friends have a few door prizes. I cannot these dementia illnesses. Some and I have always been honored of mine, and I feel honored to say enough about our local of our retailers will be selling partners in this fight,” Western to get to continue her legacy have helped remember and con- Gary Earl Mayfield was little purple dots to hang on in some small way because tinue their legacy for Elk City born June 11th, 1956 in Erick, detailed. their windows, and those funds she was very passionate about students,” she said. Oklahoma to Pearley (West) Ultimately the group, who will go to help these patients will also partner with the helping Elk City students,” Bell Bell and her husband share and Tommy “Pete” Mayfield. and their families. One of our daughters Kristin and Kasie. He passed away Tuesday, May Downed Bikers Association on recounted. biggest focuses is also looking Oldest daughter Kristin fol- 11th, 2021 in Oklahoma City, the event, aspires to bring fun Since moving to the high out for the patients’ caregivers. lowed her parents’ footsteps Oklahoma at the age of 64 to the community, commerce to school, Bell has worked at her We call this respite care. We can and was Oklahoma Teacher of years and 11 months. local business, but ultimately, position part-time. Though she recognize that many caregiv- the Year in 2012. assistance and education to typically spends Tuesdays and Gary grew up in Erick, ers get exhausted in this long Kasie is the Women’s Min- those in the throes of demen- Wednesdays at the school, she Oklahoma where he attended marathon of caregiving. It can istry Director at a church in tia-related traumas. has always remained available school graduating in 1975. Af- be exhausting, and sometimes Texas. “None of us know when or to her students when she is ter graduation he was married to Linda Griffin and they had brother, Donnie Mayfield. they end up giving out before They also have eight grand- how this might affect us in the needed. their loved one. In raising these children, six girls, and two boys. future. I don’t have a family “It was quite a learning curve one son, Dustin O’Neil May- “Our two oldest granddaugh- Gary is survived by his wife, funds, we can help see that the going into this job,” she ex- field. He held various jobs in Joy, of the home; 4 children, history that I know of, but I dementia patient gets care or have worked in healthcare long plained. “I learned a lot talking ters just graduated from OSU Dustin Mayfield and partner, Erick and Shamrock, Texas service for up to five days while enough to know that you don’t to college admissions officers.” this last week. One is going to providing for his family. After their caregiver gets a break.” need to have a family history. Though she does work with medical school, and the other is Celi Ramos, Denton, TX, War- ren Mayfield and wife, Lynsi, applying to dental school,” she his marriage dissolved, he was some high school juniors, her said. later married to Joy Mayfield work has primarily focused on Elk City, OK, Leah Pierce the seniors eager to head out As she spent the evening pre- in Shamrock, Texas on May and husband, Jarrod, Kailua, 25, 1979. Together they moved to various places in Oklahoma HI and Jacob Mayfield and for collegiate endeavors. paring for her last Brown and and Missouri following Gary’s wife, Molly, Calumet, OK; 7 “We met in September of White Assembly, Bell is both every year, and I tell that new aware that she will miss her crop of seniors all about the op- work as a counselor and excited employment. They returned grandchildren, Maggie and (USPS # 173-020) portunities they have as far as to start her new chapter. to Sweetwater, Oklahoma in J.J. Mayfield, Aaron, Andrew 580-225-3000 scholarships and financial aid. “Today was a beautiful day. 1985 where he began work- and Ainsley Pierce, Hunter Every student needs to fill out a I start working ferociously ing for Beckham County and and Hayden Mayfield; mother, FAFSA at least. We don’t expect toward this assembly every later moved to Erick in 1989. Pearley Mayfield, Elk City, In 2001 Gary was elected as OK; 1 sister, Patricia Daniels, Is published twice weekly by Beckham County Media, LLC every student to know what year in April. Mr. McClure and I the County Commissioner of Erick, OK; 1 sister-in-law, 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644-4736 they want to study when they were just talking about it today. Periodicals Postage Paid at Elk City, OK 73644 go to college. I didn’t. But, we In the 1980s, our students got District 3 and served Beckham Beverly Perkins, Erick, OK do want to give them the best about $440,000 in scholar- POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644 County proudly, retiring in and many nieces, nephews, direction for success, and we ships. Now we give out almost 2007. Gary continued to drive other relatives and friends. want to help them financially,” $1,500,000. That includes Funeral services will be Josh Umholtz a truck for Kauk Construc- SUBSCRIPTIONS she said. universities, the military, tion among other things, as he held Saturday, May 15th, 2021 Deliverd by mail: Publisher This year, Elk City High Oklahoma Promise, and all our couldn’t seem to sit still. In his at 2:00 P.M. at the Erick First spare time he enjoyed, buy- Baptist Church officiated by $75/yearly Amy Loynd School is graduating a little over scholarships, but it is still a lot $50/six months Business Manager 100 students. Of them, Bell said of change. It is going to be a ing and selling cars, going to Brother Charlie Floyd. Burial only two are going out of state. change for me, too, not doing No refunds on subscriptions. Neva Pyatt “Many Texas schools will give the casino with his mom and will be immediately follow- this anymore. Like everyone Advertising Director in-state tuition to Oklahoma after Covid, Joe and I are ready sisters, fishing, mowing yards ing at Buffalo Cemetery under [email protected] D’Ann Brasuell students. Some Kansas and to travel, see some movies and and spending time with his the direction of Chris Whin- family and friends. ery and the staff of Affordable [email protected] Production Manager Arkansas schools will do the go out and eat. But I will always same,” she advised. think of all these years as the He is preceded in death Cremation Service-West. Con- [email protected] Maressa Margerum by his father, Pete Mayfield; dolences can be made online [email protected] As the counselor, Bell informs only thing I would have wanted Customer Service Rep students on the scholarships to do.” sister, Barbara Mayfield and at www.classicfunerals.com