November 18, 2023 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Weekend Edition WOHS Hosts 50th Year of Hall of Elk City United Fund Fame Inductees Growing By Sheryl Ponce ‘The Elk City United Fund drive started in August with a total target budget of $42,350. Mark Albert released the latest pledges by division for a total of $47,475 so far this year. He is. excited to see the commitment the community has to support the programs that are funded by the United Fund. ‘The year-to-date pledges in the area of retail and business division is coming in at $4825, while the special division has $2600 pledged. In the agriculture division there has been $200 pledged. Financial division has $8750 in pledges, and the club division has $3800 in pledges. Employee division and the Education division do not have any pledges to date. The Jimmy Smith Professional division has $4025 in pledges. ‘There was a large Beverly Jordan jump on the Oil and Gas Division with one $10,000 donation. ‘This brings that division to $22,100. By Sheryl Ponce honor. ‘The agencies and the amounts awarded for 2024 are as fol- “['m greatly humbled and surprised by this honor. Our city lows: Elk City Arts Council will receive $6,500; the Civil De- ‘The Western Oklahoma Historical Society held their 50th and Western Oklahoma is the greatest place to put their roots fense will receive $1,000; Action Associates will get $9,000; annual Hall of Fame Banquet Tues., Nov 14th, at the Elk City and grow. It was so good to Larry and me, and I guess our chil- Help, Inc. will be awarded $10,000; Meals on Wheels award is United Methodist Church, where four more individuals were dren think the same because they all came home. They've cho- $7,000; Salvation Army will receive $2,000; and CASA will get inducted into the Western Oklahoma Hall of Fame. The honor- sen to raise their families here. Also the love of family is one of $3,000. The total funded is $38,500, therefore, the adminis- ees were Joan Butcher, Donnie and Beverly Jordan and Jimmy God's greatest blessings that we have, and my cup runneth over,” trative cost and uncollectable cost total is the $42,350. Wayne Smith. Butcher said. It is never too late to donate. Contact Albert or another President of WOHS, Judy Haught, greeted the crowd who She went on to say how important her husband, Larry, was committee member to make one last donation before the end came to celebrate the honorees. She thanked the various people to her for 52 years. She was able to experience the journey of life of the year. for making the banquet possible. Among those who helped were with him. He was a caring and wonderful person. the Elk City United Methodist Church youth who served the Randy Haggard and Joni McConnell introduced Donnie and meal prepared by Cattle Call. She thanked the church for all the Beverly Jordan. Haggard shared their path to Elk City, as well as the many hours that they have devoted to the historical society assistance in setting up the room. Vice-president, Doug Haught and education. McConnell told a different side of their story be- then gave the invocation followed by the flag salute. After ev- cause she lived with them. She described them as giving and fun. eryone enjoyed the meal, the inductees were introduced, and As she traveled the country playing tennis, they looked at it as then they were given the opportunity to say a few words. an excellent adventure, and this is another excellent adventure. Ronda Mikles introduced Joan Butcher. She gave a glowing Beverly spoke on behalf of both of them and had to fight the tears report of Butcher's accomplishments and contributions to Elk City. Butcher began by saying thank you to everyone for the See Hall of Fame page 8 CarePortal launches in Beckham County First need was met before the end of the launch Florence Flanagan Celebrates 100 Years By Sheryl Ponce Elk City’s Homestead Assisted Living resident, Florence Over 35 members ofthe community showed up to celebrate the launching of CarePortal in Beckham County. Flanagan was honored with a birthday celebration on Tues., Nov. 14th, for her 100-year milestone. The young, spry lady ELK CITY ~ She quickly raised her hand up in the air and said, ents, parents and children and your contribution to CarePortal was proud of her 100 years. She has lived her life in and “We'll provide the pack-n-play and swing.” Shortly after another has a direct impact on the families.” around music. She still enjoys the symphony and other forms hand raised and said, “I'll get the wipes and diapers.” Gerhold said CarePortal has helped prevent removal and al- of music. Almost instantaneously, Elk City United Methodist Church lowed children to stay in their homes, as well as helping parents Flanagan was born in Canyon, Texas, to Wallace R. and Assistant Pastor Rev. Kaela Burdge and community member Re- achieve reunification. Ella May Clark, where Wallace served as the department head gina Williams committed to meeting the first CarePortal request CarePortal was launched in Beckham County Nov. 9, 2023, of the music department of West Texas A&M University. She made in Beckham County and serving a young mother in need. and is open for any churches to get involved in the child welfare went through her schooling in two buildings, K through col- CarePortal is a growing connection technology, managed by crisis in their community. Beckham County has 55 children in lege. She eventually earned her bachelor’s degree in music, the 111Project, that allows agency partners — like Oklahoma Hu- foster care as of November 1, according to monthly numbers re- and then she began a long career teaching music. man Services Child Welfare - to submit vetted needs to the com- leased by the OKDHS. She played the piano, sang and played the violin. Flanagan munity and local churches to serve families in crisis. Elk City United Methodist Church, First Christian Church, confessed that she didn’t go on with the violin. She spent years ‘These vetted needs can range from diapers and wipes to ‘The Link and Erick FUMC were involved in the initial launch. The teaching in the public school while also giving private lessons bunk beds and blankets, which will help support a foster family, Way and First Assembly were in attendance and have intentions when her children were young, She then went into Hooker strengthen a biological family, or help a family get one step closer of enrolling, Public Schools to teach music, first through 12th grades. Fla- to reunification. 111Project is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) with the mission to nagan taught 30 years at Hooker, and she also taught one year “I am grateful for this community partnership with Care- mobilize the local church so every child has family. The organiza- at the college level in Panhandle State College. Portal and it now being activated in this county because it helps tion’s initial goal is to mobilize 1,000 churches across Oklahoma “L enjoyed the children the most. I loved all the kids. Evi- keeps children safe,” OKDHS District Director Denise Gerhold said. “In turn, this helps eliminate stress for workers, foster par- See Care page 2. See 100 page 2. Weather 9 / 40 Vol. 120, No. 92 Mail delivery View online | ill | | | allllogg79 13151 Hl lg tomorrow , 75 cents, 8 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com