January 20, 2024 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Ay v. » Serving m._ Western Oklahoma a Since 1901 James Ponce New General Manager Talks All through high school and while he was in the oilfield, he Lipscomb Chrysler, would cut hair, especially during the COVID shutdown. Christian Zach Carr and Garrett Christian. admitted that he always wanted to be a barber and was finally able to make that dream come true. Dodge, Jeep, & Ram “My wife had heard this place was coming open, and I've been working at a barber shop for the last five months. We have two By Sheryl Ponce By Sheryl Ponce boys that will be in school next year. I wanted to get this going before that happens. I wanted to get my business established. I After Lipscomb Auto World took over the Doug Gray Last week Garrett Christian opened his barbershop, located was driving back and forth (to Clinton), so it just made sense to Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram dealership, located at 2300 at 117 S. Main, Suite A, and fulfilled a lifelong dream of becom- open this shop,” he continued. inga barber. He has been practicing in Clinton at Don Juan’s, but Christian prides himself in taking his time with his clients. East 3rd in Elk City, there were few changes made in the way he found a retail shop open to start his journey in Elk City. When he books a haircut and shave, he sets aside an hour and of personnel and the way they conducted business. In Oct. Christian is married to Tori, who is a pharmacist at Home- half service. He said that he wants people to return and keep peo- they brought in James Ponce, as the new general manager. land in Elk City. They have two boys, four-year-old Levi, and two- ple coming back. He has been able to maintain the continuity throughout the year-old Landry. Although he was from Clinton, he was looking “You can make an appointment, or I take walk-ins, but if you business. Although with his knowledge and experience in the have an appointment, you are my number-one priority,” Chris- for the opportunity to set up his shop in Elk City, where Tori has tian added, car industry, he plans on making some changes. been working. They have lived in Elk City for the past two years. During the first three days, he did as many cuts as he had in Ponce came originally from San Antonio, and he worked “| graduated in 2012 and worked for my grandfather's (Or- one week in Clinton. He has been busy through word of mouth with the Patterson Group, Foundation Group, and the Lip- ville Locklear) roofing company. I did hot tar roofing for a year and social media posts, Christian does an old fashion type of scomb Group in Houston and Wichita Falls, Texas. While he and half, and then went to H & P, oilfield company. After I came shave, with hot towels to open the pores, then putting on an was working in Houston, Lipscomb heard that he was look- back from there, I worked for Doug Gray Chevrolet for three years,” Christian explained. See Barber page 2. ing to move back to the Wichita Falls area and offered him the job in Elk City. “[ was thinking about making my way back up this way because the Houston stores were not what I was looking for, but they called, and it was an awfully good position. I decided to take it. We are trying to grow this store, We are trying to change the culture of the store,” Ponce explained. He continued to say that they are working to have more used cars that are affordable to middle and lower-income families. Ponce said that they now carry cars that start at $9,000 to $11,000 and up. There are a lot of vehicles in the $20,000 range. “We're trying to stay priced so that people in the com- See Manager page 2. Auditions Set for RCCT’s ‘Arsenic Representative Nick Archer stops by Chapter GX of PEO meeting to talk about the upcoming legislative session and an- and Old Lace’ swer their questions. Pictured are Cathy Lewis, Nan Shiblom, Archer, Cindy Wood, and Joyce Roberts. Staff photo by Sheryl Ponce. By Sheryl Ponce ‘The first production of Red Carpet Community Theatre in 2024 will be “Arsenic and Old Lace,” written by Joseph Kes- selring in 1989. Director Benjamin Dobbs announced that auditions will take place Thurs., Jan. 18th, and Friday, Jan 19th, at 7 p.m. in the theatre, located at 422 N. Jefferson. ‘Those wanting to audition should arrive 15 minutes early to fill out an audition form and be prepared for a cold read from the script. ‘The play will open on March 22nd and run the 23rd, 24th, — 28th, 29, and 30th. For more information about auditions go Western Technology Center celebrates their Board of Directors throughout the month of January. Pictured is seated Pres- to their Facebook page or www.rcct.com. ident Ray Challis and Vice-president Derrel Nutley. Standing is member Jackie Aaron, member Phil Delp, and clerk Rudy See Auditions page 2. Mayfield. Courtesy photo. | Weather 32/15 Vol. 120, No.5 Mail delivery View online 8 04879" 13151 9 tomorrow 75 cents, 8 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com