May 31, 2023 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Wednesday, May 31, 2023 Sen. Langford Tells Rotarians to Set the Example for the Country sa BFOUR-WAY TEST \ ings we think yore) By Sheryl Ponce ians and the guests after making a couple of comments. ‘he first topic was on the debt ceiling that is in the news right now. US Senator James Langford was the guest speaker at the Elk “Let me just say this, with the United States of America, we City Rotary Club, Thursday, May 25th, in the Elks Lodge. Trisha pay our debts period. We do we pay our debts. We should take Southard invited the Congressman to the meeting. After a steak care of that, and we should not have a default. There's all this luncheon, she introduced him to the group, giving his back- dialogue about well, if we default a couple of days that’s not a big Zach Perry ground and his roles in Congress. deal. Okay, stop. We are the United States of America. We should “He served four years in the US House of Representatives for not be defaulting on our debt, but we also should have a grown- central Oklahoma until he was overwhelmingly elected to the US up conversation about 31 and a half trillion dollars in total debt,” Returns to RCCT Senate in 2014. Before he served as a Congressman, he served Langford said. our students and families for more than 20 years in ministry, He continued to point out that during the last administration By Sheryl Ponce including 15 years as the director of student ministry for the President Trump increased federal spending because Nancy Pelo- Zach Perry's first debut on the Red Carpet Communi- Baptist Convention of Oklahoma, and director of the Falls Creek si would not increase the debt ceiling unless he agreed to raise it. ty Theatre's stage was in “Cinderella,” He also directed “A Youth Camp, the largest youth camp in the United States, with He went on to say that the current administration believes that Christmas Carol” two years ago. Now he will be playing Sam more than 51,000 individuals attending each. Senator Lankford there is not a place to cut spending. But with his annual Federal Hendrix, the husband to the recently blinded Susy in “Wait and his staff enjoy serving people from all backgrounds across Fumbles report, Langford said that there are 50 illustrations of Until Dark.” Although his character is only briefly on stage, Oklahoma. He is a ranking member of the government opera- ways to cut federal tax dollars. he has an important part in settingup the entire play. tions and border management subcommittee, which covers bor- “We actually spent federal money on a butterfly study in Ger- “A lot of things that he says will recall to what they are dersecurity management and operations, regulatory reform, and many done by a Swedish scientist that American taxpayers paid planning to do in the opening scene of the show between the Federal workforce,” Southard began. for. Do you think maybe we didn’t have to do the German but- the three bad guys. He also mentions the doll, and that he’s Langford believes that the federal government should be se- terfly study thing, that the Swedish scientists are able to do it? going to photograph what he thinksis old news. But it turns out that he’s not, that's a ploy bylike the bad guy. Yeah, so it’s cure with more fiscally responsible and transparent federal gov- Maybe that is where we could cut spending,” he said. like he helps the audience go, ‘aha,” Perry said. ernment. He has been recognized a “Taxpayers’ Friend” because Langford gave a couple of other examples before he said that Although the character does not realize the men are con- he supports lower taxes, limited government, and economic free- they were going to figure out the debt ceiling. He said that the him, he finally realizes what is happening. dom. He serves on the Senate Committee on Finance as well as next two weeks would be important in the discussion. He then “T don’t think that he realizes what is going on. Imean, no one really does. They live in New York, and there are murders on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. See Senator page 2. ‘The Senator wanted to have an open dialogue with the Rotar- all the time, probably alot. They are not necessarily think- ing, ‘There's going to be three men that break into my house while I'maway’ I think he is probably a trusting person,” Per- ry added. Emily Barnes Plays the Youngest ‘This is a production that is different from others that are See Perry page 2. Member of the RCCT Cast Dark.” “I came to auditions. Everyone thought I did well, and I obvi- ously got the call saying that I had the part. I'm super excited be- cause this role is very different from my role I had in ‘Little Wom- en’ It is like significantly polar opposites. As Beth I was kind and nurturing. Well, Gloria is snobbier, I might say, or like a smart kid with a rough edge,” Barnes said. Because the role is so different from her previous character, Barnes has had to overcome some challenges. She said that the hardest part has been not crying when she screams because of some past traumas in her life. Barnes believes that the best part of this production is the cast and directors. Her mother, Joy Hale Moore is behind the scenes, serving as the stage manager. “It's honestly all like one big family. know a lot of people say that, but it really is,” she added. Grand Re-Opening of According to Barnes the audience should expect the unexpect- Emily Barnes ed and never let their guards down. Susan Powell Fine Arts Center Announced “Lam really excited and honored to be in the show. To be cast By Sheryl Ponce as Gloria isa big part. Character wise this is the largest part Ihave In the upcoming production of “Wait Until Dark” 13-year-old played, but I had more lines in ‘Little Women.’ Gloria’s character Emily Barnes will be playing Gloria, who is the young neighbor to is more complex, and she has more depth. I feel like both roles are Elk City Superintendent Mike Sparks and Susan Powell are the recently blinded Susy. The suspense of this thriller is played equally as challenging in their own aspects,” Barnes concluded. inviting the public to attend the reopening of the Susan Pow- almost entirely in the dark and Barnes’ character will be helping Barnes is homeschooled and working in seventh and eighth ell Fine Arts Center on June 2nd, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. They Susy wart off the criminal conmen who have duped her into giv- grade classes. She is the daughter of Joy Moore and the grand- would like the community to come out to share their memories ing up a doll filled with drugs. This is Barnes second performance on the Red Carpet Com- daughter of Billie Jean Hale. of the many events that have taken place over the years. It will ‘The show opens on June 16th and runs throughout the week- munity Theatre’s stage. She was the younger Beth in “Little bea special evening honoring the former Miss America, Susan Women.” After attending “Barefoot in the Park,” director Christy end and again the following weekend. Reservations can be made Russell-Dobbs suggested she audition for the part in “Wait Until at www.rect.org. Powell. «AQUA Weather tomorrow )/ 63 Vol. 120, No. 46 75 cents, 8 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com