October 9, 2021 Issue, Page 1 of 10

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Serving Western , October 9, 2021 Weekend Edition “It was a God thing.” October is National Weatherly has owned The Vogue Boutique for nearly 16 years Women’s Small Weatherly’s husband Matt. She explains that he was originally Business Month from Elk City but that his family moved to Garden City, Kansas when he was in the third grade. Eventually the pair met in high school and were together for six and a half years before tying the Office of Women’s knot in 2004. Though originally from Kansas, Weatherly attended Southwest- Business Ownership ern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford where she also worked at the local Maurices clothing store. She and her sweet- heart would visit his family in Elk City and found that they really offers resources liked the area. So, after Weatherly sadly lost her mom right be- By Burgundy Lee Hanrahan fore she graduated from SWOSU, she and Matt decided that they would move to Elk City while they figured things out. She says that an attempt was made to transfer her to the Elk City Mau- From boutiques to cafes and everything in between, one could say that small businesses are the heart of a town. Behind rices but there were no positions available. As luck would have it, a friend worked for Larry Butcher and had told Weatherly that many of them are women who own and run them, giving their they were looking for another employee. “So I walk in and Larry hearts to not just their business and customers, but to their hired me on the spot, didn’t do a background check or anything communities. The Elk City News would be remiss to not take like that. I was like what the heck?” she laughed. “It was like a God the opportunity to acknowledge these “Boss Babes,” and the thing,” she continued. “I just came in and ended up falling in love challenges they've faced; the moves, waves and contributions with it. It’s not anything I got my degree in. I could just tell that they've made as well as the paths that they continue to pave. it was meant to be.” In each edition of ECN beginning today and going through the After just a couple of years Weatherly took over the business at end of October, we will feature some of these hard working, the age of 23. “I was just a baby,” she exclaimed. Nearly 16 years small business owning women. later it’s clear that Weatherly has done something right, as her ‘The U.S. Small Business Administration states “since it was loyal customers can attest to. “I guess you could say I’m a worka- established in response to an executive order in 1979, the U.S. Lori Weatherly stands in front of The Vogue Boutique on holic. But to me, it doesn’t feel like work because I really do love Small Business Administration's Office of Women’s Business Main Street in Elk City. Courtesy photo. it,” Weatherly shared. “It’s my passion. And so I’m here almost Ownership has fostered the participation of women By Burgundy Lee Hanrahan every day unless my husband has surgery or we're going out of See Business page 3. town on vacation.” The boutique owner explained that while she does doa lot of the “just day to day, all the billing, a lot of the buy- Elk City Chamber October is National Women’s Small Business Month and The Elk ing,” her husband does help with what she calls the “behind the City News wants to celebrate the Boss Babes that keep our com- scenes stuff” as well as with things at home. She also credits her munity going! Throughout the month of October we'll be featur- employees, especially Madison, saying “She's a little saint, too. ing some awe-inspiring women who have forged their path and She’s my blessing. I'm so thankful for her and she keeps me sane,” made their mark in the small business world. Weatherly laughed. If you've ever been in The Vogue Boutique in the last fifteen years, When asked what it was about owning a boutique that she really of Commerce Retail you're sure to recognize the friendly face of owner Lori Weath- fell in love with, Weatherly was quick to answer, “The people. I erly. In fact, you may have recognized her even before that as she just love being able to work with people and show them because Merchant worked for the original owner, Larry Butcher, as a buyer for two when people come in here, lots of times they're looking for retail years before taking over. However, it may surprise you to know that neither fashion nor owning a business were a part of Weath- therapy. Sometimes people just need to feel good about them- selves that day, and just feel pretty and I love it when people like Committee meets erly’s life plans originally, since she attended college for a degree in health science with minors in chemistry and marketing. There to come in and shop and feel good about themselves. I can just See Weatherly page 2. Chamber seeking volunteers is one thing that has remained constant all these years, though: to help with move to new location Funeral services announced for longtime By Burgundy Lee Hanrahan Merritt teacher and former president ‘The monthly meeting of the Elk City Chamber of Commerce Retail Merchant Committee was held at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 6 at Main Street Coffee & Cafe. With the holiday season fast of the Jaycees and Rotary Club approaching, holiday festivities and retail events were the main topic of discussion. In addition, the Chamber has a new employ- ee and will soon move into their new building. Kermit Kingsford’s dedication to local education ‘The first subject that the committee touched upon was Moon- light Madness, which is the name of the Chamber/town spon- and civic groups has become a family tradition sored Halloween celebration. Slated for Thursday, Oct. 28, fes- tivities will start at 4:00 p.m. with the Elk City Carnegie Library's Youth Library's scavenger hunt. Also planned are the dog cos- tume parade at 5:30 p.m. with a costume contest for the dogs First Baptist Church, her oc- len Caroline (Ford) and Dau- ford met a pretty young Elk Ci- following at 5:45 p.m. For the human kids, there will be a (G- togenarian father still thrived phus William Chester Leon tian, Norma Lee Jannson. She, rated) costume contest for ages zero to ten with each partici- upon the relationships he de- Kingsford. He had one sibling, too, was a recent Elk City High pant receiving a ribbon and winners receiving Chamber Dollars; veloped there. He took his re- Hobba Masoner, and the two School graduate at the time. sponsibilities in that position remained best friends until “Mother would always joke the contest will commence at 6 p.m. on the corner of Main and Broadway. Ponce Productions will be present to play music and and his position as deacon Kingsford’s recent passing. that she didn’t agree to go out emcee the contests. Children must be accompanied by an adult to seriously yet deployed light- “They loved playing games with him when he first asked, enter participating businesses. The Chamber also plans to have hearted banter as his favorite together and would be teas- but the truth is they were both tool within that ministry. ing each other like ornery pretty smitten from the start. many other activities, which will be confirmed in the coming In his 83 years of life, Kings- ‘That lasted until the day Daddy days. little kids even into their 80s,” Downtown businesses are invited to decorate the fronts of their business or their windows. Decorations must be in place ford was a beloved teacher by daughter Manning laughed. died,” Manning gushed. a generation of Merritt Public “They were raised to see family ‘The couple married on July 14, by Oct. 15 in order to be eligible for judging and potential prize on Oct. 28. Be sure to keep an ear out for radio spots regarding School students. He had also as one of the most important 1958, at the Elk City First Bap- poured himself into civic duty, things in life, and my sweet tist Church. The ornate church Moonlight Madness. Town-wide trick-or-treating will be held on Kermit Kingsford spending years of devoted ser- daddy lived that every day of house was then located in the evening of Oct. 31. A week after Halloween is when the Chamber and Downtown vice to the Jaycees and Rotary his life.” downtown Elk City on Broad- Club in Sentinel and Sayre. He After graduating from Elk City way. Retail District will switch into Christmas gear with Christmas By Shonda Little open houses on Nov. 7 from 1 until 5 p.m. Check with your fa- served as president of both High School in 1956, Kings- “Mother had been raised in vorite businesses to see what their plans are. On Nov. 19, some Whether in Beckham County's clubs in both communities. ford voluntarily enlisted in the that church, but Daddy would local businesses will be participating in what's called Pink Fri- public schools, civic groups, Kingsford was a western United States Air Force. He say that he found it as an adult day, which could be described as a holiday shopping day for small or government agencies, one Oklahoma boy through and spent his military service time through her. He loved talk- would be hard-pressed to find through. From the day he in Lackland Air Force Base and ing to the people he went to businesses. On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, the following busi- an area where either Kermit drew his first birth on April 27, was later stationed in Alexan- church with — young and old nesses will be open special hours: Broadway Babies, opening at Kingsford or his descendants 1938, until he drew his last on dria, Louisiana. alike. He always talked about 8 p.m,; Main Street Coffee & Cafe, opening at 9 p.m.; The Vogue, Sunday, October 3, Beckham Kingsford did two tours of duty what an honor it was to be a Carrol’s Shoe Corner, Southern & Co, Merrifield’s Office Supply have not been actively in- in Italy during the Cold War and The Attic Door will be open from 10 p.m. until midnight. On volved. In fact, his daughter County was the home of his deacon and serve as the Sun- Holli (Kingsford) Manning heart. with the 298th wing, working day School director,” Manning Black Friday, 580 Threads, Bella Vita, Blush Room and Everett Kermit Kanaly Kingsford was on “fly-away kits.” recounted. Blake Society will be open from 12 a.m. until 2 a.m. while Mau explained that, as the Sunday School director for the Elk City born in Elk City to Edith El- While home on leave, Kings- See Kingsford page 2. See Merchant page 3. «IU Weather tomorrow @® 83/54 Vol. 119, No. 81 75 cents, 10 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com