December 14, 2024 Issue, Page 1 of 12

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2024 Weekend Edition Elk City Leadership Class X Graduates By Sheryl Ponce ‘The Elk City Chamber of Commerce's Lead- ership Class X held their graduation ceremony Tues., Dec. 3rd, at 6 p.m., in Parties on Pur- pose, located at 1309 Airport Industrial Road. ‘The event was catered by Poppy’s Pit and Grill and photographed by Chervenka Photogra- The fresh painted Ch46, HMX-1 Helicopter. phy. Kyle Evans, The Way Church's Senior Pas- tor and graduate of Leadership Class VI, was PAC Unveils the Ch46, HMX-1 Helicopter the keynote speaker. ‘The program was opened by Sumer Dupree and Robert Rodgers who represented the steering committee, followed by Jimmy Cook- By Sheryl Ponce aircraft do. This particular aircraft served sey who gave the invocation. Kayla Maddox in the HMX Squadron, was part of the led the crowd with the flag salute, while Rod- Last week the Premium Aerospace presidential VIP squadron for the Ma- ney Cloud, steering committee, invited every- Center (PAC), held a ceremony to un- rine Corps, and its job was to transport one to the dinner buffet line. veil the refurbishment of the helicopter VIPs, press, senators, congressmen, staff After everyone enjoyed their dinner, Pam among local and state dignitaries. The members and etc, But the history behind Muncrief recognized Chervenka Photogra- Ch46, HMX-1 Helicopter was in opera- it is that it has been serving in the same phy for the contributions made throughout tion from 1965 to 2014, and served eight capacity ever since the early 1970s when pr Ww the year. Sherry Horn recognized the spon- presidents during their presidential ad- it left the factory,’ Ferris said. sors and those businesses who provided the ministration. Those presidents included The helicopter was put in storage for Ve dinners and food for each event. Those spon- WW President Richard Nixon, President Ger- about ten years. They went to Tucson, sored included the City of Elk City, First Na- ald Ford, President Jimmy Carter, Pres- Arizona, to pick up the aircraft and flew Matin tional Bank and Trust, Great Plains Bank, ident Ronald Reagan, President George them back to Houston. Ferris said that l Great Plains Regional Medical Center, MPLX H.W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, Pres- the museum is a living museum to pre- LP, TLR Well Services, and Tom and Karen ident George W. Bush, and President serve the history and heritage, which Johnson. The meal sponsors and providers Barack Obama. includes the legacy of men and women were Anadarko Dozer and Trucking, Archer Ed Farris, President of the National who served their country. United States Armed Forces Museum, “We utilize our former military equip- See GRADUATES page 9 was present to talk to the crowd about ment to serve in times of disaster. We use acquiring the aircraft, as well as what will our equipment to do high water rescue. happen to it in the future. We use our equipment to supply food, “This has been quite a journey. Were water, and clothing. We've been doing out here to look at a Marine Corps air- Ed Farris, President of the National United States Armed craft that has a lot of history, but all our See HELICOPTER page 11 Forces Museum. Holiday Concerts Planned for Elk City Public Schools and Merritt High School By Shery Ponce at the Elk City Pioneer Center. donations will be accepted and Tues., Dec. 17th, at 7 p.m. This The Elk City Vocal Music De- encouraged. production will feature the The sounds of Christmas partment will also hold their ‘The next week Merritt will Singing Oilers, The show will seem to be bringing in the spirit Christmas Concert Dec. 15th. be hosting their “Christmas begin at 7 p.m. of the holidays to area schools They will perform at 3:30 p.m., Spectacular” presented by the Make plans to support these lo- and communities. The Elk City that afternoon. This will include Merritt Annual Music Depart- cal musicians and see what tradi- Christmas Concert will take the junior high and high school ment’s performance. It will tions are being preserved through place on Dec. 15th, at 2 p.m., choirs, Admission is free, but take place in the big gym, on the sounds of Christmas. Kyle Evans, Keynote Speaker Rotarians Learn about Suicide WOEFCC Announces Move and Christmas Dinner eta By Sheryl Ponce UNITY sccxacrzss | aooss0°H Prevention and ‘Even One Less’ Western Oklahoma Family Care Center made a big announcement concerning their relocation through social media. Executive Di- By Sheryl Ponce rector Liberty McArthur stated on Facebook ‘The Elk City Rotary club met last Thursday, that the organization will be relocating from at noon, for their regular meeting at the Elk their present facility, located in the Armory, to through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m,, al- City Country Club. President Rob Stephens 1031 W. 5th Street in Elk City. This is on the though through the transition of the move, they opened the meeting and welcomed announce- corner of 5th and Randall. may have to readjust times as the need arises. ‘The reason for the move was cited as a need ‘They will also be closed from noon to 1 p.m., ments. The program for the day was introduced by Stacey Carnes-Stricker. for more space. They will close on Dec. 19th, throughout the week. and reopen on Jan. 6th, at the new location. ‘The services that WOFCC provides will also Burl Stricker spoke to the Rotary Club about Even One Less, which is a non-profit organiza- ‘The current occupants of the Armory will re- continue to remain the same. They will con- tion that works to turn tragedies into triumph. main in their present building. tinue to help with rent, utilities, fuel vouchers, He is the co-founder and president along with Help, Inc, will be taking over as the manag- clothing/household vouchers, and more. Ad- ing party for the community center, which will Debby Sifuentes who is vice-president and mean that the food pantry will remain at the ditionally they will have access to referrals to co-founder. She lost both of her sons to suicide. outside organizations based on the needs of the “There were some statistics that came out present location. Alll of the other services and client. recently about Beckham County. Beckham resources, such as the day shelter, will move WOFCC has been in the Armory for the past County is in the top five counties in Oklaho- with WOFCC. fourteen years, and the needs of the communi- ma for suicide. So there’ a real need for help in “Our homeless community is always wel- ties served is more than their present location this community, and there’ a real need to bring come during our business hours. They will still allows. Stop by and see the new shop after Jan- beable to have access to food, rest, and resourc- awareness to suicide prevention. That's kind of es)’ the post said. uary 6th. See ROTARY page 3 One Burl Stricker talking to the Rotarians about Even The hours of operation will be Monday See WOFCC page 3 Less. a Il Il, Weather tomorrow ColI: Vol. 120, No. 47 75 cents, Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com