January 4, 2023 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Weekday Ed Ivester Reviews the Year and Looks to the Future City Manager Tom Ivester took a moment to review the biggest accomplishments he has seen in Elk City over the past year. To top the list, he mentioned completion of the Arrow- head Center, the waterline project, and how the city remains financially stable. “We are better financially than we were last year and cer- tainly much better than we were during the pandemic. Tax rev- A Pictured are Annie Mattox and Thom Dobbs, her art enues have consistently been higher,” Ivester said. ‘The most reliable source of income has been the rock yard. It is unique in that no other city has one like that, and the rock is in demand from area road projects. Outside of sales tax, the teacher from elementary school through high school. He landfill has also been a positive source of revenue because of helped her create the atmosphere of art in AM Creative the area towns that utilize the landfill. Studio. Courtesy photo. ‘The new aquatic center will be opening, which is another call 580-821-0645 to schedule private parties. exciting attraction for Elk City. Ivester also pointed out the vast She offers a $45 hand building workshop that varies from face amount of people that frequent the ball fields. By Sheryl Ponce planers, air plant holder, charcuterie boards, and other items. “It is unprecedented how many crowds of people come to ‘The suggested ages depend on the skill level of the workshops. town during ball season. We get 1000s of people out here every Annie Mattox opened her studio five months ago on North Mattox also offers a $50 one-time pottery wheel lesson. ‘This is weekend, and it is incredible. It will kick off the first weekend in Main in Elk City. The response to her and her classes have become an opportunity to get a try at throwing clay on a pottery wheel April and usually runs through about the end of July. We have so popular she had to move to a larger studio. The new location before committing to more lessons. Artists can create one piece one or two empty weekends, but other than that, we will see is 123 South Main, or the old Carousel Connection. She held an to see if he/she wants to do more. The suggested age is first grade 1000 to 1500 sometimes 2000 to 2400 people out there. That or older. open house at the new location on Jan. 1st from 2 to 4 p.m. For $100 a month Mattox gives weekly wheel lessons. These has a direct impact on our sales tax,” he continued. ‘AM Creative Studio offers walk in glazing, painting, and clay ‘The people who come in for tournaments will stay over- lessons are for anyone who would like to pursue ceramics with a workshops. She also has private studio time with wheel lessons night, using the hotels and eating in local restaurants. Ivester and a lot of other classes. Her private parties bring out the artis- more in-depth approach. The suggested age is first grade or older said that right now there are not enough hotels and that during tic, as well as the novice painters. There are also a lot of unique for this option. ‘Ihe price for clay is $1 per pound for open studio availability those weekends they are at capacity. They go to Clinton or Sayre artisan gifts. to stay, which includes them in a financial gain because of these Mattox keeps her prices competitive with $15 walk-in paint- with a $25 studio fee and $10 glaze/firing fee. ‘The suggested age ball fields. ing, where one can go in and choose a ceramic, wood design or for this is 18 years or older. “We hope we can attract some new hotels to come to town, canvas to paint and take it with him or her. She encourages all According to Mattox’s studio policy, “AM Creative reserves at least we are working on it. Other projects we are working on ages to stop by. Another option is $20 walk-in glazing. This op- the right to refuse service to anyone, at anytime. This includes is a new civic center, but that is just in an idea stage right now. tion allows the artist to choose from a premade ceramic piece to but not limited to: use of profanity in shared space, unruly be- You are probably looking at two, two and a half years out on glaze and return to pick it up at a later date. The piece will be food havior, disrespectful behavior towards other customers or work- that,” Ivester explained. safe, which is perfect for mugs or bowls. ers. We do not guarantee the ability to finish your work or pick up finished work if you are asked to leave.” He also touched on the golf course negotiation between ‘The scheduled workshops and classes can be found on her AM the Elk City Golf and Country Club concerning managing the Creative Facebook page under the events tab. To find out more See AM page 2. course. They are hopeful to get an agreement soon. Jeff Jackson is a non-bias person who was appointed by Mayor Nick Archer to chair the golf course committee. He has been working with SK Donuts Opens for the board of the country club and bringing agreements to the commission meetings when something needs to be approved. ‘The city is continuing to make infrastructure improve- Business Seven Days a Week ments. The big water main project was completed, and now they are focusing on the Main Street project. “The project will be taking off this year. It will be a two-year project. They will first replace the water main and then come back with the Street Scape or remodel of the downtown area. ‘They will take up the brick and put down a brand-new concrete road from Main and Third Street down to Main and Seventh Street. They will bid it in Nov. 2023 and start construction sometime after the first of the year in 2024. We are about 13 months out from the road project starting,” he added. He said the project should be completed by the fall of 2024, which is ODOT’s goal. They broke up the project so it would have the least amount of impact on the downtown retail mer- chants. Other projects coming up include plans for a building in front of Tractor Supply. Ivestor is not sure of what will be go- ing there, but rumors have that it may be a Family Dollar. He does not know what it will be, only that there are plans for a building. Ivester wanted to point out what advances have been made at the wastewater plant. He said that it is part of Elk City’s in- frastructure that goes unnoticed, but it is back on track. Pictured are Thida Nuon and her husband Clay Lim. Staff photo by Sheryl Ponce. “The wastewater guys really turned it around. Do you realize that it is the largest lagoon systems in Oklahoma? Most towns By Sheryl Ponce bake donuts and run the shop. Lim and Nuon worked in Hobart have a wastewater treatment plant, but we have a very, very at a Thai Restaurant until the pandemic hit. They decided to re- large lagoon system. I only had two guys out there, and they Every morning at 1 a.m. owner Sinart Khlem, his wife Virak- turn to Denver, Colorado, where he lived prior to moving to Ho- have turned it around. The drought was a big issue. The lagoon thida Pich, Clay Lim and his wife Thida Nuon start making do- bart and Altus. He returned to Oklahoma to help his brother-in- system only works on water, and they have been able to main- nuts so they will be fresh and still warm when the doors open at Jaw, Khlem, with the donut shop. tain it, even upgrade the pumps and the generator. I feel very 5 am, seven days a week. SK Donuts is located at 1926 W. 3rd St. ‘The two couples work side-by-side bringing fresh donuts, ko- secure moving forward. They don’t get a lot of attention,” he and open from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day. laches, biscuits, and croissants. They offer spicy and non-spicy said. Originally from Cambodia, Khlem moved to Elk City from sausage, kolaches, as well as croissants with bacon, ham, or sau- He also mentioned the new agreement with Clinton and the Lawton where he owned another donut shop. He traveled sage. Their biscuits come with eggs, ham, and cheese. ‘There is landfill. He said that it is a win-win for Clinton and Elk City, through Elk City and liked what he found here. He looked for a display full of the various donuts that include fritters, cream and really helps the whole region out. Clinton is still working a building but was unsuccessful until he met Janet Redd. She filled with raspberry, lemon, or créme, long johns, cinnamon ‘on securing equipment to truck the trash, meaning they will helped him lease the building he has now made SK Donuts. Lim and his wife moved to Elk City from Altus to help Khlem See SK page 2. See Review page 2. M Weather tomorrow 137 Vol. 120, No. 1 75 cents, 8 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com