October 20, 2021 Issue, Page 1 of 10

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y Serving Western Oklahoma 4 | Since 1901 x Wednesday, October 20, 2021 Weekday Edition “The shop Owns me.” Own a piece Bazaar is the place for the unique of Elk City history BIZARRE BAZAAR...What you can see on the outside is just a taste of what you'll find [i = Seta; once you're inside. Staff photo by Burgundy Lee Hanrahan. You can still find a Melody Murray, owner of Bazaar on 66, poses in her photo booth which she set up at the brick-paved road or urging of her mentor Harley. Courtesy photo. two in Elk City but now you can bring some of those pieces of his- By Burgundy LeeHanrahan It’s fun, it makes me happy. It’s different. It’s my happy place. I tory home to utilize in had most of this weird stuff before the store,’ she shared. Sur- a project.; A close-up October is National Women’s Small Business Month and The Elk prisingly, Murray dsays that in contrast to the shop, her house is of a piece of history City News wants to celebrate the Boss Babes that keep our com- “almost naked.” that Elk City residents now have the chance to munity going! So this month we'll be featuring some awe-inspir- ‘The admirer of the bizarre admits that most, or at least a lot, of own, Courtesy photos. ing women who have forged their path and made their mark in what you can find there came from her trips to market. In fact, the small business world. that’s why her friend Harley dubbed her “the coolest phony gift As you make your way along Third Street in Elk City you may shop,” she stated matter-of-factly, “because I buy stuff from a By Burgundy Lee Hanrahan notice a building next to Pizza Hut that is the exact opposite 1-800 number” (see one of signs out front for the full tagline). of nondescript with its collection of metal signs, a donkey and You'd be remiss not to ask Murray about Harley when you stop ‘The City of Elk City has announced that they are offering the Ronald McDonald all poised to greet those that stop in. Once you in to see her, and you can thank him for the near-future shift in chance to owna part of Elk City history. Of course most know step through the door you'll find yourself greeted once more, this what Bazaar on 6 offers because Murray explains that once alot about the historic brick road that stretches down a portion of time by Melody Murray, owner of the eclectic, funky shop rather of the “phony stuff” goes, she'll be bringing in vintage stuff from Broadway Avenue but what some might not know is that there adeptly branded Bazaar on 66. the back. The back area, known as “Harley the Hillbilly Hoarder’s were once many more brick paved roads through out the city. Murray explains that she had always wanted to open a store. Sev- Bizarre Flea Market on 66,” houses 22 cargo trailer loads full of Over the years, those bricks have been pulled up and replaced eral years ago, the building the she’s in now was purchased for stuff that Murray acquired from Harley, who she calls her men- with asphalt. The city has many of those bricks set aside for another venture that didn’t work out. Stuck with a building that's tor, saying, “I'm going to keep on with my T-shirts and the Route repairing the remaining brick roads but the City Commission ina great location, wondering what to do with it, she finally said 66 stuff. They do well, travelers like them. But as I sell this stuff, recently voted to consider a lot of 30,000 of those pieces of “['m going to make a store.” That was four years ago as of Rodeo I'm just going to go towards vintage and listen to my mentor. He history to be surplus. Now, those who live within Elk City or Weekend last year. While Murray says that she didn’t really have teaches me stuff and if I don’t listen, that’s my problem.” You reside someplace with an Elk City address can own a piece of any experience with business ownership before the Bazaar, a lot don’t have to wait to shop those items, though, you can venture Elk City history. The stipulations are listed below as posted on of the things that you see placed throughout the shop, such as the into the back part of the building. In fact, Murray says she makes the City of Elk City’s Facebook page: life-size Barbie, she already had in her life. “I love all this stuff. See Bazaar page 2. “The paving brick will be sold on a first come first serve basis. ‘The City of Elk City’s intent is to offer the brick in a manner that will allow residents with a plan of use the opportunity to have a piece of Elk City history at a reasonable price.” Elk City Carnegie Library taking part Brick paver purchasing conditions: 1. Brick pavers will be sold at $0.50 per brick with a minimum purchase of 250 bricks ($125). in Moonlight Madness 2. Each purchaser will be limited to 3,000 brick pavers. (A purchaser is considered an individual with an Elk City ad- dress and their household.) Scavenger hunt to be held 3. Purchaser must have an Elk City address and show proof with documentation such as a utility bill. 4. Purchaser must have a plan for the brick pavers and show the intended use of the brick pavers. An example would be a picture of the area the purchaser has designated for the pavers and a picture example of a design plan. 5. Purchaser must sign a waiver stating the brick pavers will not be resold. 6. Purchaser will arrange a pickup time with the city. The pur- chaser will be responsible for loading and delivering the pav- Scavenger Hunt from 4-6pm ing bricks they have purchased. ‘The city will not be loading By Burgundy Lee Hanrahan hunt which the librarian explains will involve a list of stores that the brick on behalf of the purchaser. Please note that this will the kids can go to in order to receive a letter and then the next take some planning on the purchaser part, the pavers are very Dedun Ivester, director of the Elk City Carnegie Library, and day they bring those letters back to the library and unscramble heavy. Donna McNaught, children’s librarian, are excited about the li- the word in order to receive a prize. Ivester spoke with obvious City Treasurer Jennifer Rainey, who's in charge of the project, brary’s Halloween celebration. Taking place on Thursday, Oct. 28 appreciation when she explained that “the businesses have en- tells The Elk City News that the primary reasoning behind the and lasting from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. and featuring an alien theme joyed it, too. They’ve just been really good about working with us selling of the bricks is to allow those who desire to, to own a (“Visit Area 580!,” beckons the flyer), the library will once again and participating.” be holding their scavenger hunt. Other activities include Pony piece of their city’s history by allowing them to purchase some Pony Palooza will consist ofa dressed up pony that can be pet Palooza, face painting, a photo op with a king and queen and of while the photo op with the king and queen will take place in of the bricks that paved Sixth Street between Main Street and course each child will receive a goodie bag. front of the adult library's temporary location at Carnegie Hall Jefferson Avenue so many years ago. For those who do not Ivester and McNaught share that the library has been having Halloween events “forever” and in the past have included themes where the windows are adorned with adorable paintings by Me- have a project with which they would like to use the bricks, Rainey shard that there are a limited number of bricks avail- such as “gross things,” Mad Science and what they say was their lissa Larson. Kids can have their faces painted by honor students most popular, Harry Potter. This year, McNaught says, they're from Elk City High School as well. able for purchase at the National Route 66 Museum for three going with an alien/Area 580 theme and will have have blow up ‘The nice thing, the library staff members explained, is that dollars a piece. aliens and photo spots throughout the children’s library. In ad- families can come to the library for their activities before heading For more information, you can call City Hall at (580)225- dition, she says that she'll be dressing up as an FBI agent for the right down the street for the Chamber of Commerce sponsored 3230. occasion. Also happening for only its fourth year is the scavenger events that will begin at 5:30 p.m. Vol. 119, No. 84 LL went Weather / 49 75 cents, 10 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com