May 4, 2022 Issue, Page 1 of 12

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y Serving ; Western Oklahoma Since 1901 “The train track at Acley Park gets installed, readying it to run after Memorial Day. The new track was com- pleted by a specialty installer. They replaced the rock and all of the wood around the track. Courtesy photos. j i = = ‘Top left are Eliana Garcia, Marily and Juan Alvarez, ready to take orders.; Top right, the building was repaired and completely renovated for Marily’s Restaurant.; The expansion of Marily’s Restaurant seats more customers in the newly remodeled build- ing. Staff photo by Sheryl Ponce. By Sheryl Ponce location), but in about a week she is going to add some more things. She is waiting to get the move completely finished before Marily’s Restaurant located on the southeast corner of 7th she adds them,” Alvarez said. and Main Street just expanded to a newly remodeled building She will continue to have tamales by the dozen every Friday, next door. Marily will continue to operate out of both places, theadding a Mexican hamburger, a Mexican loaded potato, two dif- old one becoming Marily’s Snacks, and the new one being Mar- ferent types of cheese dips, and two dishes of spicy shrimp. Mar- ily’s Mexican Food, Burritos and More. She will continue to serve ily’s will also begin serving beer. She expects that to happen in a the authentic Mexican food that she grew up knowing and loving. couple of weeks. Talking to her through an interpreter, Juan Alvarez, she One additional option for customers is to call in the order and talked about how the move is not quite complete which includes pick it up in the drive through window located on the north side making the traditional breads, but will be as soon as the ovens of the building. Customers could also drive up to the window to are moved. They will be available at both locations. The snack bar order, then pull over and the order will be delivered to the car. will not offer the full menu but have smaller items like fruit cups. She warned that the items are freshly cooked, and it will not be Having the larger dining room and a building of her own has like fast food, so there could be a small wait. To order from the been a dream come true. Her customers have requested more restaurant call 580-225-2550. seating, and she has wanted to expand for a while now. She and ‘The hours for the restaurant are Monday through Saturday her husband began the remodel in December to open the doors from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., closed on Sunday's. The snack bar hours over the last two week to serve her first customers. are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and open “The menu is exactly the same as it was over there (the first Sunday's from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Elk City Choir Concert Ends with a Surprise unite to sing, “Lean on Me.” Ediger's surprise came off without a hitch. As the alums came to the stage, giving Park a hug and a smile, they took their place on the risers waiting for her to direct them in this special song. He then revealed the conspiracy and talked about her retirement. “We started about a month ago, andI started taking notes, extra special notes because I was passing them on. Ms. D has taught in Oklahoma for 30 plus years. She taught in Sayre Public Schools, in Moore, and for the last 20 years, she has been here at Elk City High School. We are, I think, the longest teaching duo in the state right now, 20 years, and she is leaving me. No, just kidding, a well deserved retirement. You can see the lives she has impacted,” he said. Park did not miss a beat in her response to the secret, “I keep looking up and seeing new faces... I'm going to cry. I can’t believe you morons could even surprise me... Ok alums, we are not going to just stand there, let's show them how it is done.” She then directed the packed stage in singing the planned song. After the concert everyone gathered in the commons for cake, giving the guests time to visit with their beloved director. In 2015 Park was named as one of the Oklahoma Music Edu- Lori Park’s children were in on the surprise and joined her on stage and at the reception. Pictured are Steele Cobb, Park, and Necie Cobb . Courtesy photo. cators Association's Exemplary Teachers. She graduated from SWOSU and began her teaching career at Sayre Public Schools, her alma mater. After three years teaching seventh through 12th New Wheels Ready for the By Sheryl Ponce graders, she accepted a position from Moore Public Schools, teaching there until moving to Elk City. In 2002, Park came to Elk City to team teach with Ediger. City Landfill Compactor ‘The Elk City Middle School and High School choir concert Some of Park's awards include teaching numerous students was held on Sunday afternoon but ended with a surprise appear- ‘The Elk City Commissioners approved the purchase of new who have been named OkMEA's and OCDA's All State members. ance of retiring director Lori Park’s (also known as Mrs. D or She has directed choirs that have won OSSAA Sweepstakes and wheels for the city’s landfill compactor last month and are now Daubenspeck) former students and friends to celebrate her re- have been Accent Award winners. A couple of highlights of her ready for the unique piece of equipment. Because the compac- tirement from teaching. Co-director Justin Ediger began about a career include Moore's choir winning the Canterbury Choral Fes- tor is used daily to compact the trash at the landfill, therefore, month ago planning the event without her knowledge. tival, performing at the Civic Center, along with the Elk City's using the space more efficiently. The machine weighs in at He opened a Facebook group page titled, “Ms D (Park) is Re- women’s and mixed choirs honored groups at the OMEA State 114,000 pounds. tiring.” The private group with 299 members conspired to help Convention. According to the City’s Facebook post about the wheels, the Ediger with the event. To maintain secrecy, he blocked Park from Park will officially retire at the end of this school term in May. the page and continually posted photos of her throughout high Her plans for the future are unknown at this time, but she will compactors are not used as much across the United States be- school and her career. The plan was to flood the auditorium on continue to teach private piano and voice lessons. cause there are less landfills today. In 1990 there were about Sunday with former students, who would come to the stage and See more photos page 2. 8000 landfills, while today there are less than 1800. «LUE A Weather tomoray /50 Vol. 120, No. 37 75 cents, 12 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com