August 16, 2023 Issue, Page 3 of 8

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August 16, 2023 The Elk City News - 3 Merritt Junior High 36th Annual Cordell Pumpkin Festival and EC Junior High play and Car Show: A Day of Fun, Fitness, tight softball game and Community Spirit Merritt Oilerettes JH’s ef- Cilerettes JH. They allowed fort to come back from down seven hits and five runs (three Cordell - The excitement in Cordell, al Hospital is sponsoring the Canstruc- manship and thrilling reenactments, four runs in the third inning earned) over three innings, Oklahoma, is reaching a fever pitch as the tion event, where participants will build Vendors and Food Delights: Explore came up just short, as they fell striking out two and walking town gears up to host the highly anticipat- creative structures using canned goods. a wide variety of crafts, artworks, and 5-4 to Elk City Middle School one. Lynlee Pogue stepped in ed 36th Annual Cordell Pumpkin Festival ‘These structures will later be donated to unique merchandise from local vendors. on Friday. Merritt Oilerettes the circle first for Elk City Mid- and Car Show. This beloved fall celebration local food banks, supporting families in Savor delicious offerings from food ven- JH dlosed the gap by scoring dle School. ‘The righty allowed promises a day of thrilling activities, deli- need during the upcoming holiday season. dors. on a home run and a ground four hits and four runs (three cious food, family-friendly entertainment, Not only will you have fun witnessing the Bed Races: Brace yourself for laughter out. earned) over four innings, and so much more. Mark your calendars impressive can creations, but you'll also and high-spirited fun as teams compete in Merritt Oilerettes JH were striking out four and walking for October 14th from 9 AM to 3 PM, as contribute to a worthy cause. the first to get on the board in one. this event is set to be the highlight of the In addition to the new attractions, the the Bed Races, pushing decorated beds on the second when Keeley Touch- WGracie Winston, Lexa season! Cordell Pumpkin Festival and Car Show wheels in a friendly race like no other. stone grounded out, scoring Snuggs, Britton, and Taylor Hosted by the Cordell Chamber of will feature all the beloved elements from The Cordell Pumpkin Festival and Car one run. Hust each collected one hit for Commerce, the Cordell Pumpkin Festival previous years: Show is a family-friendly event that cele- Elk City Middle School Merritt Oilerettes JH. Britton and Car Show aims to foster community Kids Zone: Families can enjoy a day of brates the spirit of the season while pro- flipped the game on its head led Merritt Oilerettes JH with togetherness and provide a memorable laughter and play with jump houses and moting community engagement and well- in the top of the third, scoring two runs batted in. ‘The infield- experience for attendees of all ages. This face painting in our kids zone on North ness. It’s the perfect opportunity to spend five runs on five hits to take a er went 1-for-2 on the day. year’s event promises even more excite- Market Street. quality time with loved ones, support local 5-1 lead. The biggest blow in Merritt Oilerettes JH turned ment and engagement: Baking Contest: Calling all bakers! initiatives, and enjoy the beautiful au- the inning was a double by Lex- one double play in the game. Cordell Cross Country Team 5k: Get Showcase your culinary talents and com- tumn atmosphere. ie Gilliland that drove in two. Pogue and Camden Brewster ready to lace up your running shoes and pete in the baking contest to win fantastic For more information about the 36th Merritt Oilerettes JH scored each collected two hits for Elk hit the pavement with the Cordell Cross prizes and the esteemed title of Cordell’s Annual Cordell Pumpkin Festival and Car two runs in the bottom of the City Middle School. Gilliland Country Team’s 5k run! Whether you're top baker. Show, please visit our website at www.the- third on an inside the park a seasoned runner or a novice looking to drove the middle ofthe lineup, Car Show and Burn Out Contest: Car cordellchamber.com. Stay connected with home run by Allie Britton on leading Elk City Middle School embrace a healthy lifestyle, this race is per- enthusiasts will be treated to a dazzling us on social media for updates, contests, the sixth pitch of the at-bat. with two runs batted in. The fect for you. Join us as we weave through display of classic and modern automobiles and exciting announcements leading up to Cali Blankenship stepped catcher went 1-for-3 on the the scenic streets of Cordell, surrounded at the Car Show. Brace yourself for excite- the event. in the circle first for Merritt day. by the beautiful autumn colors, and rev- ment as drivers push their cars to the limit el in the sense of accomplishment as you in the Burn Out Contest. Don't miss out on this fantastic celebra- cross the finish line. ‘The Guthrie Gun Fighters: Step back in tion of community, fall festivities, and giv- Lady Eagles start out of community service, Cordell Memori- Canstruction Sponsored by Cordell Me- time with the riveting performances of The ing back. See you on October 14th, from 9 morial Hospital: Showcasing the spirit Guthrie Gun Fighters, experiencing the AM to 3 PM, at the Cordell Pumpkin Festi- wild west come alive with skilled marks- val and Car Show! lighting up the Meat processing plants grow with softball diamond Sayre Varsity Lady Eagles Brunker took the loss for Cor- local consumer demand defeated Cordell Varsity Lady dell Varsity Lady Blue Devils. By Gail Ellis meat, how to select cutting instructions Yates said ODAFF has a good working Blue Devils 12-0 on Saturday ‘They went two innings, allow- and what cuts are available. The informa- relationship with the USDA's Food Safe- thanks in part to seven runs ing 12 runs (five earned) on STILLWATER - As more consumers tion is not only valuable to the buyer but ty and Inspection Service. Custom pro- in the second inning. Payton five hits, striking out four and Ewer doubled, scoring one run, walking six. seek locally sourced products to connect also to those ranchers who might be new cessing plants that sell freezer beef not Emily Easter tripled, scoring Easter went 2-for-2 at the with the land, many farmers and ranchers to custom processing. packaged for individual sale only require two runs, a wild pitch scored plate to lead Sayre Varsity Lady are stepping up to meet demand. “If you're going to sell beef, you should quarterly inspections, but those used to ‘one run, Addi Mariano drew a Eagles in hits. Mariano led ‘The market for direct-to-consumer beef be familiar with what to expect on a process meat marketed individually to walk, scoring one run, and Lay- Sayre Varsity Lady Eagles with has grown substantially during the past side, quarter or whole animal in terms of the public are regularly inspected on days la Stout grounded out, scoring two walks. Overall, the team decade, sustaining the need for process- yields,” Jackson said. “You're going to get when processing occurs. Plants in Okla- two runs. had a strong eye at the plate, ing facilities. COVID-19 fueled even more asked all those questions. Most people ar- homa with a Talmadge-Aiken federal clas- Sayre Varsity Lady Eagles accumulating six walks for the jumped out to the lead in the business for processors, and Oklahoma's en't going to pay $1,000 to $3,000 if they sification can export overseas and are in- bottom of the first inning af- game. Stout, Mariano, and Lila regulatory agency took notice. don’t know what they're going to get.” spected by Oklahoma regulatory officials Whitney each stole multiple “Tn 2019, we had roughly 20 inspected Jackson and his colleagues are offering who are familiar with the community. ter Laney Easter drew a walk, bases for Sayre Varsity Lady scoring one run, Easter dou- plants across the state, and now we're up learning opportunities for producers in- “It's a good thing we're getting back to bled, scoring one run, an error Eagles. Sayre Varsity Lady Ea- over 30,” said Scott Yates, director of the terested in direct-to-consumer meat sales more local processors,” Yates said. “It’s scored two runs, and Raine gles ran wild on the base paths, Rippetoe singled, scoring one tallying eight stolen bases for Food Safety division at the Oklahoma De- partment of Agriculture, Food and Forest- with two workshops in August and Sep- good for small-town economies. Most of our establishments have anywhere from run. the game. tember. Ranchers will learn about the reg- Rippetoe earned the win for Audrey Gatilin went 1-for-1 ry. “We had 15 inspectors in 2019, and we ulatory aspects of the business, including five to 10 or 25 to 30 employees.” Sayre Varsity Lady Eagles. The at the plate to lead Cordell Var- just hired the 30th a few weeks ago.” what type of processor is required for each New opportunities in agriculture starting pitcher surrendered sity Lady Blue Devils in hits. Educating ranchers and buyers type of sale. Outwest Farms, near Cleveland, Okla- one hit and zero runs over Sayre Varsity Lady Eagles ‘The industry is experiencing significant “If you want to keep it simple, pre-sell- homa, is one of the many value-added three innings, striking out two welcome Hollis on Monday for growth, but starting as earlyas the 1970s, ing your livestock is the best option,” farming and ranching operations contrib- and walking one. Mackinlee their next game. processing plants were in decline in Okla- Jackson said. “Custom exempt processing, uting to this growing niche market. When homa communities as people retired from removes the need for inspection, permits 32-year-old Jake Miller finished his bach- the trade. Children chose other career and even label approvals. It’s just like elor's degree a few years ago, he wanted to Sayre Varsity Lady Eagles paths over the family business, and many you're selling a live animal to a neighbor find a job and stay in Oklahoma. His fami- facilities closed their doors for good, Yates or family member, and it can be processed ly had always raised cattle as a food source Secure Win Against said. Meat consumers began to connect at a local custom plant.” with producers, but the custom processing for themselves, but Miller saw potential in For those who want to take their beef a different group of customers. business had its seasonal ebbs and flows. business to the next level and sell meat at “You can buy a whole or half beef pretty Navajo Varsity Indians However, the pandemic gave mom-and- local stores or farmers markets, the work- much everywhere, but I had not seen a lot pop facilities another chance. Joel Jack- shops will cover state and federal meat in- of people sell by the pound,” he said. “A lot son, pilot plant manager at the Oklahoma spections, proper permitting, labeling and of families don’t have freezer space for a Sayre Varsity Lady Eagles as they each collected three State University Robert M. Kerr Food and other associated regulations. whole animal, and selling it by the pound were triumphant over Navajo hits for Sayre Varsity Lady Agricultural Products Center, said that by “If you're storing inspected meats that gives them a chance to buy local.” Varsity Indians 5-4 on Satur- Eagles while hitting back-to- May 2020, custom processing orders were will enter into commerce, you'll need to Miller, his parents and his two siblings day. back. Easter went 3-for-3 at through the roof, register with the state,” Jackson said. established Outwest Farms and processed ‘A ground out by Lilly Ro- the plate as the catcher led the “In April and May of 2020, when the “We'll give you everything you need to their first animals at an Oklahoma-based driquez put Navajo Varsity team with two runs batted in. big plants started shutting down, you know to start selling product and make federal facility in 2018. Building the busi- Indians on the board in the Layla Stout collected two hits couldn't walk into a grocery store and get sure you're doing it right.” ness took time, but it quickly expanded af- bottom of the first. for Sayre Varsity Lady Eagles what you wanted,” he said, “If you didn’t An economic force ter the pandemic forced the family to shift Navajo Varsity Indians add- in two at bats. Ewer led Sayre ed to their early lead in the Varsity Lady Eagles with two have a freezer full of meat, that made peo- Although custom processing has re- their marketing efforts. bottom of the second inning walks. Overall, the team had ple nervous.” turned to pre-COVID numbers, Yates at “In 2021, we did a complete rebuild of after Karisa Callins laid down a strong eye at the plate, tal- Processors were quickly booked through ODAFF said interest in processing facili- our customer base and moved from main- a sacrifice bunt, and Avery lying five walks for the game. the end of the year into 2021 and even ties continues to climb, especially in the ly focusing on Facebook to Instagram and Rempel singled, each scoring Sayre Varsity Lady Eagles were 2022. By the end of 2020, cancelations Google ads,” Miller said. eastern half of the state. The Coronovirus one run. sure-handed in the field and began popping up, but Jackson said Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act With the help of a couple of employees, In the top of the fifth in- didn’t commit a single error. the overall panic of a tight meat supply and other economic grants that stemmed Outwest Farms offers beef, pork, lamb ning, Sayre Varsity Lady Ea- Myers had the most chances changed consumers’ habits. from the pandemic gave meat processors and chicken with free home delivery in gles went back into the lead in the field with five. “People who had never had an animal the cash they needed to build from scratch the Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Stillwater after Gracie Myers singled, Callins led Navajo Varsity processed before asked producers if they or expand. areas. Because it uses a federal processing Emily Easter singled, and Indians with two runs batted could buy one,” he said. “For first-timers, “We're still getting calls from folks facility, the farm can also ship out ofstate. Sayre Varsity Lady Eagles in from the number seven spot it led to a big learning curve and an op- who are wanting to build plants,” he said. Miller said the biggest hurdle now is com- scored on a passed ball, each in the lineup. The center field- portunity for education by producers and “We've got people building or getting their peting with national distributors. scoring one run. er went 1-for-2 on the day. Payton Ewer earned the win Rempel and Kynnedy Guthrie processors.” Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point “The main thing all customers want is for Sayre Varsity Lady Eagles. each collected two hits for Na- Jackson wrote an OSU Extension fact plans ready for inspection, and some facil- a connection to where their food comes ‘They allowed eight hits and vajo Varsity Indians. Rempel sheet that details the basics of animal ities are transitioning from state inspect- from,” he said. “They just need to know four runs over five innings, stole three bases. Navajo Var- processing, including why a 1,000-pound ed to federal, so they can ship to other you exist. More people my age are finding striking out two and walking sity Indians were sure-handed steer will not produce 1,000 pounds of states.” new opportunities to continue to farm one. Rodriquez took the loss in the field and didn’t commit for Navajo Varsity Indians. a single error. Sabrina Gilbert ‘They went five innings, giving up five runs (four earned) on eight hits, striking out four had the most chances in the field with eight. Sayre Varsity Lady Eagles Email your “Letter to the Editor” to [email protected] and walking five play at home on Monday Myers and Easter were a against Hollis in their next force together in the lineup, game.