December 21, 2022 Issue, Page 1 of 30

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ry. ‘y Serving Soy. Western Oklahoma y4 Since 1901 Wednesday, December 21, 2022 Weekday Editi brothers that live out of state. One of them livesin California, thatis Marty, and Barry livesin Destin, Florida. I think maybe I can hang out with them during the winter, and in summer go the other direction. They will have to kick me out,” Atkinson joked. ‘The first planned trip will be an Alaskan cruise sometime in the summer, He said that whenever they wanted to plan a vaca- tion, they would have to be certain to be back to meet bank re- sponsibilities. Those days are over. ‘As Atkinson approaches his first day of retirement, he has a number of chores he wants to accomplish. If weather permits, he will be cutting down stumps on his property. | Celebrating a “It is work, but it will be such a joy for me not to have those stumps there. I have to move around them every time I walk the dog, so it’s always like, ‘I needed to take care of that’ But I never Century ofMemories take the time to do it. I want to do things like that. I've got other work out in the lawn, that to me is fun and good exercise, such as limbs that need to be cut. We have 49 pecan trees that have dropped their pecans, so I need to get them picked up,” Atkinson By Sheryl Ponce said. Reading is also on top of Atkinson's list of things he wants to On Dec. 10th Elk City’s Burel Salter was honored with a cel- do. Although he doesn’t have a list of ones he will read, he wants ebration of his 100th birthday. He was among family members to read about behavior and the mind, as well as works in nonfic- and friends in his home as they gathered for his special day. tion. Salter has been married to Barbara Wright-Salter for the past “Nonfiction is what I've always done before, but I'm going to 40 years, and she has been by his side helping him along the By Sheryl Ponce have to try my hand this time around with some fiction. I don’t way. know what I like yet, but I think it will start with some classics, As he looked back over the years, he said that the biggest After 42 years, First National Bank President David Atkinson like ‘Gone with the Wind’ and ‘War and Peace.’ I have a bunch of change he has seen is how African Americans are treated now books that I haven’t read all the way through, and I can go back to will be retiring as the first of January. The bank is giving hima re- finish those,” he added. with more respect, and the most influential person in history is tirement reception and open house on Thursday, Dec. 22nd from President Barack Obama. 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 2714 W. 3rd in Elk City. Another thing that Atkinson wants to do is go through things “{ never thought I would see a Black president,” he said. Atkinson is retiring, but he will still be involved in the bank that he has accumulated over the years, possibly finding just the Salter has seen a lot of changes throughout his 100 years. because he is on the Board of Directors, and he owns part of the right buyer for some of the items or selling them on eBay. Technology, automobiles, and new inventions come to mind. bank. Those two important facts are what have kept him and his “So L want to go on eBay, and have a little decent sized store or “The biggest change is the cell phone. Now, people can con- wife Tami in Elk City, but in the future they plan to travel. do alittle maybe with Amazon. I’m going to explore that. I might tact you and know where you are always. Many times, I would see if I can find a market niche for resale items. I always wanted to get in trouble because I couldn’t be found,” he added. “I was just describing to somebody that I want to be able to do that because you can be wherever you want to be and still work Looking back at his education, Salter said that it was more take trips and not have to be on time. Now that Tami is not work- See Atkinson page 2. important to his mother than it was to him. ing either we can travel. I have three brothers, but I have two “I want people to know that without my Lord and Savior, I would not have been able to make it this far in life. Keep OKC Phil Brings ‘Coming Home trusting in the Lord and letting him lead you,” Salter saidas he summed up his life’s devotion. for Christmas’ to Life in Elk City French Horns Known to be the Hardest to Play Alexander Mickelthwate is the OKC Philharmonic Music Di rector since 2018. He was born and raised in Frankfurt, Ger- many, and received his degree from the Peabody Institute of Music, and worked with orchestras in Atlanta, Winnipeg, and Los Angeles. Staff photos by Sheryl Ponce. By Sheryl Ponce ‘The Elk City Arts Council did it again, bringing the OKC Philharmonic to the stage of the Kelli O'Hara Performing Arts Center. The group returned on Dec. 14th to a close to sell out audience. They had been here four years ago. Elk City’s Susan Powell performed along with Mandy Jiran and Vince Leseney to Keep Me Warm” by Irving Berlin, “The Night Before Christ- Pictured are members of the French horn section of the and the Canterbury Voices. Under the direction of music director mas” by Randel Alan Bass, “Just in Time for Christmas” by David Oklahoma Philharmonic James Rester, Miella Gable, and and conductor Alexander Mickelthwate, the evening seemed to Frieman/David Zippel and arranged by Pill Reno, “Jingle Bells” Joe Charlton. Staff photo by Sheryl Ponce. be enchanting to the crowd. by James Lord Pierpont and arranged by Marty Paich, and “Mes- ‘They performed “Many Moods of Christmas: Suite No. 1” by siah: Hallelujah Chorus” by George Frideric Handel and arranged Members of the OKC Philharmonic and three of the four Robert Russell Bennett, “The Man with the Bag: by Irving Tay- by Ebenezer Prout. French horn section who played in Elk City Thursday were lor, Dudley Brooks, and Hal Stanley, arranged by David Pierce, ‘The Elk City Arts Council Board of Directors include Jacque James Rester, Miella Gable, and Joe Charlton. The three took a “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson, “Medley: Sounds of Hope” by Albert. Shonda Currell, Justin Ediger, Carol Wilson, Brittani moment to explain their love of the instrument and their love Gloria Shane, Noel Regney, and Katherine Davis, arranged by Flowers, Kathy Noble, Susan Storm, Dr. Dan Storm, and Chris- of music. David Pierce, “Gloria” by John Rutter, “Many Moods of Christ- ti Dobbs. The officers are Nan Shiblom secretary, Pam Muncrief Charlton is originally from Washington, Oklahoma, and mas: Suite No, 3” by Robert Russell Bennett, “I've Got My Love See Philharmonic page 2. See French Horn page 2. Weather Vol. 120, No. 101 Mail delivery View online OE tomorrow / 0 75 cents, 10 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com