June 28, 2023 Issue, Page 8 of 20

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8- The Elk City News m u n i t y June 28, 2023 Passion drives Com The Salvation Army Announces O’Connells Home Energy Aid Month ELK CITY - In conjunction with Home out heat in the winter when temperatures 580-225-5500 x2 or visit www.HomeEn- Young family acquires Energy Aid Month - Oklahomans Help- reach single digits. For many, such as per- ergyAidMonth.com to make an online ing Others with Utilities, efforts are being sons with disabilities, young children and contribution, 100 percent of made to raise additional utility assistance people with breathing issues, it can be life About The Salvation Army funds to help Oklahomans in need. Our threatening. ‘The Salvation Army, an evangelical part partners, OGE, ONG and PSO are also Unfortunately, in most communities we of the universal Christian church estab- Championship Pro joining in the effort by matching some funds. are only able to help a handful of house- lished in 1865, has been supporting those holds per month due to limited funds in need in His name without discrimina- ‘Throughout Oklahoma and right here in available for utility assistance. It is not un- tion for 130 years in the United States. Rodeo Elk City, The Salvation Army is working to common after the first couple of days of Nearly 30 million Americans receive assis- keep individuals and families housed and the month to be out of utility assistance tance from The Salvation Army each year off the streets through utility assistance funding, yet the calls keep coming, To help LEEDEY - Rodeo is a peculiar sport, one that was bred by a programs. assist those in need, utility through the broadest array of multitude of proud folks who were excited to show their talents. Help ‘The Salvation Army and our energy social services that range from provid- Born through ranching and raising livestock in the American customers are encouraged to support ing food for the hungry, relief for disas- West, rodeo was founded on the skills used virtually every day on partners OG&E, ONG and PSO with energy assistance programs year-round. cattle operations. It took talented cowboys to corral and some- your financial contribution through Home If someone wishes to support the utili- ter victims, assistance for the disabled, times tame the beasts that roamed the grasslands and prairies. Energy Aid Month this July. Last year, a ty assistance program, a donation marked outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing More than anything, rodeo is a lifestyle that envelops passion little over $530,000 was provided in util- “Home Energy Aid Month” may be sent and shelter to the homeless and oppor- anda drive to excel. It’s how Will and Dusta O'Connell have lived ity assistance to over 10,000 individuals. to The Salvation Army Elk City Extension tunities for underprivileged children. 82 their lives. It’s how they met and how they began developing a The number of people requesting utility Office 609 W. E Ave Elk City, OK 73644 cents of every dollar spent is used to carry family, and it’s what guided them into the path they're now on as out those services in 5,000 communities assistance continues to grow each year. or they can submit a donation by check- owners of Championship Pro Rodeo. “My love for rodeo runs deeper than all the other things I've Imagine being without air conditioning in ing the box on their utility bill. For more nationwide. For more information, go to done,” said Will O'Connell, a cowboy raised by a rodeo family in the scorching Oklahoma Summer or with- information, call The Salvation Army at www.salvationarmyusa.org. Zwingle, Iowa, who now lives on a ranch in western Oklahoma with his bride and their infant son, Jasper. “Day-in-and-day-out care and love for livestock is what I like more than just about anything — getting to know each animal and their individual characteristics. Learn to grow hops and grapes at free field day “Being around them each day is what drives me.” His direction to this life has all been a bit of an interesting By Trisha Gedon Aaron Essary, OSU Exten- Disease management Irrigation tale. He began working with Championship Pro Rodeo several sion horticulture and land- Harvest Training years ago, then moved into a partnership as a co-owner with STILLWATER - Experts with scape architecture specialist, Katie Stenmark, crop sci- Pest management Jimmy Roth. A few weeks ago, the O’Connells acquired the re- Oklahoma State University Ex- said Oklahoma has about 400 ence doctoral student and mainder of the ownership stake from Roth and are building their Harvest acres dedicated to growing graduate research assistant, tension are gearing up to teach Post-harvest handling stock production company while raising a family. Oklahomans about the ins grapes. said growing hops is a good “Jasper has brought a new element into our lives,” said Dusta For more information about O'Connell, the oldest of three children born to renowned rodeo and outs of growing hops and “There is interest in this way to diversify an agricultural grapes. growing industry, and this field operation. the Growing Hops and Grapes clown Ted Kimzey and Jennifer Spencer. “It's more work with a in Oklahoma Field Day, please baby, no doubt, but it’s also how we grew up. I attended my first The Growing Hops and day will help prospective grow- “Hops is a new specialty crop National Finals Rodeo when I was 2 weeks old. Will’s dad, Ray, Grapes in Oklahoma Field ers learn more about grapevine in Oklahoma, and the number contact Becky Carroll, OSU was a pickup man, so this is nothing new to us. Day will take place from 8:30 management,” Essary said. of hop acres needs to increase Extension fruit and pecan “{ wouldn’t know any other way. Jasper is going to learn what to 11:30 am. on July 20 at “Vineyard work is ongoing in order to meet the demand of specialist, at 405-744-6139 or it means to work hard and to work for your money.” the Cimarron Valley Research and requires daily attention. the $699 million craft beer in- becky.carrolleokstate.edu. Will O'Connell grew up in the saddle alongside his father Station, 1003 E. 104th St, Per- In order to be successful, vine- dustry in the state,” Stenmark OSU Extension uses re- while he either played around rodeo arenas or helped with the kins, Oklahoma. yard operators should know said. “Potential growers will search-based information to chores. He began as a contestant, then got into the labor side of things, working with a variety of livestock producers and learn- Prospective hop and grape it’s a life-long commitment. learn about production, har- help all Oklahomans solve lo- ing about the business of rodeo. growers, home brewers, mi- This event will provide a broad vesting and handling of hops crobrewery owners and those overview of what’s required for in an established hopyard.” cal issues and concerns, pro- “T rode bulls, rode broncs, picked up and fought bulls all in mote leadership and manage the PRCA,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you're a pickup man, a interested in trellising and growing grapesin Oklahoma.” _Hop topics include: bullfighter or a contestant, there is a point in your life when what specialty crops should plan to Grape topics include: Cultivar selection resources wisely throughout your doing in rodeo is no longer a possibility. Being a stock con- attend. The field day is free but Trellis design Trellis construction the state's 77 counties. Most tractor is a way for me to never have to leave the sport. registration is required by July _Planting Planting information is available at lit- “[ will always be able to stay involved and show the love Ihave 17. Training First-year care tle to no cost. for animals.” As the daughter of an entertainer, Dusta O’Connell and her two younger brothers were part of their father’s entourage and eventually followed in his footsteps as entertainers and trick ri ers. Big sister still does it with Tricked Out Trickriding, In addi- tion, she also is still a competitor; rodeo has a strong hold on her Grab and Go Pizza Popcorn heart. Yield: 6 quarts “'ye been a barrel racer for years and roped all through col- quarts popped popcorn lege,” she said. “There's something about how the adrenaline hits eo olive oil cooking spray differently when you're competing. cup grated Parmesan “T have a more unique perspective; I'm still actively compet- cheese teaspoons garlic salt ern ing. I want the ground to be good and want everything to be as fair as we can possibly get it. I still really enjoy getting to com- teaspoons paprika tablespoon Italian pete.” seasoning The contestis a big part ofthe sport, and the O’Connells know Place popcorn in large, sealable that as well as anyone. Between their own years in the compe- plastic container or 2 1/2-gallon tition ring, their little brothers own 19 NER qualifications, 10 plastic sealable bag. Montana Silversmiths gold buckles and six NER average cham- Spray popcorn lightly with pionships. cooking spray. Tim O'Connell is the eldest at age 31, just four years younger Sprinkle cheese, garlic salt, paprika than his only sibling, and has nine trips to the finale in bareback and Italian seasoning over popcorn riding, three world titles and three NFR average crowns. Next and shake to distribute evenly. in line is Sage Kimzey, who, at age 28, is an eight-time qualifier To serve, scoop popcorn into in bull riding with three average titles and seven world champi- reusable plastic cups. onships. The baby of the group is Trey Kimzey, a two-time bull riding qualifier at age 24. “With them, it's even better for our production business,” Dusta O'Connell said. “Sage, Tim and Trey are all students of the game, and they study it inside and out. Not only do they study their riding, but they are also studying the animals. They are in- valuable resources, whether we're buying or selling or just taking care of our animals. “We always consult our brothers. Nobody knows more of those bulls in the industry than the Kimzey boys, and Tim stud- ies those horses like nobody else. They don’t see our animals through rose-colored glasses like we do, so we get unbiased opin- ions about things, and that helps us make the best decisions.” When it comes to Championship Pro Rodeo, the O’Connells seem to be doing all the right things. Last year, they had 13 ani- mals selected to perform at the NFR, and that number may keep growing. It's about paying attention to detail while trying to build a dominating livestock production firm. “A lot of people don’t, but I pack my own grain everywhere we go,” Will O’Connell said. “I want our animals eating the right things to make them perform at their best every time we buck them. My main objective is to take care of them.” It shows in how those animals perform. Whether it’s watching saddle bronc Heaven on Earth win the fourth round of the 2022 NER with eventual world champion Zeke Thurston or watching Minty Green Popcorn Clusters Place popcorn in large mixing bowl. In saucepan over medium heat, melt marsh- bareback horse Meat Cracker get the better of his brother in San Yield: 32 clusters Angelo, Texas, there’s pride in everything Will and Dusta O’Con- mallows, butter and salt, stirring occasionally, 12 cups unsalted, unbuttered, until smooth. Remove from heat; stir in food nell do and pride in the animals under their care. popped popcorn coloring and peppermint extract. “More than anything, the reason we got into this is because it's Will's dream in life,” Dusta O’Connell said. “We both grew up 4 cups mini marshmallows Toss marshmallow mixture with popcorn; in rodeo and love it. It’s been our whole lives. This is a pipeline 2 tablespoons butter or light olive oil cool 2-3 minutes, or until cool enough to dream, and we had a chance to put it in motion, so we did. 1/2 teaspoon salt handle. Toss with chocolate candies. “We believe in the small rodeos that made America, and we 1 tablespoon green food coloring Shape 3 tablespoons of popcorn mixture into want to be able to keep those and add more to it while having 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract small cluster; repeat with remaining popcorn the most elite stock all over the country. We want to have the 1 cup green candy-coated mixture. Place on wax paper-lined baking best horses and bulls that the cowboys like to get on. We're truly chocolate candies sheet; cool completely. living our dreams.”