February 15, 2025 Issue, Page 1 of 10

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Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 By Sheryl Ponce she said. Margarita Gorden thought that the hardest part Gorden ‘The path to the United States Citi- of the process was waiting. After she took after she zenship was not difficult for Margarita the written test and answered the oral passed Gorden. She and her husband, Marvin questions, she sat in a waiting room to her Citi- Gorden, own 66 to Go, located on West see if she passed. zenship Test. Route 66 in Elk City. Originally from “When I was waiting, I was so anxious Costa Rica, she came to the U.S. just be- and nervous. You're going to do some- fore the Pandemic started in December thing that you don't know about for more of 2019. than an hour,’ Gorden said. “I came on a tourist visa. Then Mar- ‘The process she went through began vin and I got married, and I applied for a with the application filing and ended green card. Because we got married, I was Margarita Gorden and her husband, Marvin with the swearing-in ceremony. After the able to apply for the green card. It took Gorden. application, she had to attend a biomet- like seven months? Gorden explained. rics appointment, which is when an ap- She went on to say that after three years application in, and less than ten days I plicant goes to a special office to have her with a green card she was able to work on heard back. I got an email that said that fingerprints, photo, and signature taken her citizenship. As soon as Gorden real- they were going to send a decision in my for the visa or immigration application. ized she was able to work on becoming a mail. Two weeks later, I got the letter with This helps confirm her identity and check citizen, she began the application process. appointment for my test, for the written “The process was very fast. I sent the test, writing, reading and oral questions,” See CITIZEN page 2 RCCT Calls Grants, Drug Prevention Coalition, and Overdoes Kits for Auditions Program at Rotary Meeting of ‘Moon By Sheryl Ponce The Elk City Rotarians met for their reg- Over Buffalo’ ular meeting last Thursday, at the Elk City Golf and Country Club, for their noon meeting. President Rob Stephens opened By Sheryl Ponce the meeting followed by their regular pro- cedures. He then gave announcements and Red Carpet Community Theatre's invited Trish Southard to introduce her director, Ashley Underwood, has set guest speakers. auditions for their next production of Southard gave a personal story of how “Moon Over Buffalo.” Auditions will pain management became a problem when be held Monday, Feb. 17th, and Tues- she left the hospital after a major surgery. day, Feb. 18th, at 7 p.m., in the theatre. She said that because the doctor did not ‘Those auditioning need to arrive about write her prescription for enough pain 15 minutes early to fill out forms. medication to last over a weekend, she had A comedy written by Ken Ludwig, the story is about George and Char- See ROTARY page 2 lotte Hay who are fading stars of the 1950s. The couple are playing “Private Lives” and “Cyrano De Bergerac” in Buffalo, New York, with five actors. Pictured are the Board of Directors. Front Chairman Christy Russell-Dobbs; second row: Vice-Chairman Amy Shepherd, ‘They were on the brink of a split-up Stephanie Ellis, Secretary Ashley Underwood’; and back row Connie Ferrero, Zach Mattox, and Lisa Musick Thompson. caused by Georges dalliance with a Not pictured are Treasurer Gina Casebeer and Cody Crow. young ingenue. They got word that Standing Room Only for the RCCT they may have one more shot of star- dom. Frank Capra was scheduled to see the matinee. Ifhe likes what he sees, he could cast them in his movie remake of “The Scarlet Pimpernel” Unfortu- nately, George and Charlotte find that Ovation Awards Ceremony everything is going wrong. It is abetted By Sheryl Ponce Directors Ashley Underwood and Josh Bar- by a visit from their daughter and her nett introduced the first scene performance from fiancé. The uncertainty about the play ‘The Red Carpet Community Theatre celebrated “Barefoot in the Park” That was followed by Rus- RCCT Presents Valentine's they will be performing is caused by two seasons of productions Sat., Jan. 25th, at 7:30 sell-Dobbs who introduced the scene from “Wait Production of ‘Dear Jack, Dear Louise’ Charlotte's deaf, stage-manager moth- Until Dark” Next on the program was awarding p.m., in the theatre. The Board of Directors, Chair- er, who hates George. man Christy Russell-Dobbs, Vice-Chairman Amy the Junior Performer Awards, which were present- By Sheryl Ponce ‘The play calls for four males and Shepherd, Secretary Ashley Underwood, Treasur- ed by Bailey Carpenter and Stephanie Ellis. five females. Those characters include er Gina Casebeer, Connie Ferrero, Cody Crow, The Best Cameo Actor or Actress in a Junior As two strangers meet by letter during George Hay, a male in his 50s who is a Stephanie Ellis, Zach Mattox, and Lisa Musick Production went to Presley Bently, who played WWII, the love story starts as it is told at dramatic, over the top actor; Charlotte Thompson, provided refreshments made by Sim- Tommy in “Matilda JR” The Best Character Ac- the Red Carpet Community Theatre. The Hay, a female in her 50s who helps run ply Desserts for the guests. tors, plus actors in a junior production went to show will open Friday, Feb. 14, 15 and 16th, the acting troupe and plays all of the Russell-Dobbs opened the program by welcom- Natalee Hagerman as Nigel/Sergei in “Matilda JR” for a Valentine's evening out at the theatre. leads, although she maybe a bit too ing everyone and gave a brief review of the past Best Supporting Actor or Actress in a Junior Pro- Sarah Byer and Wyatt Porter will be old; Charlottes mother, Ethel is a 70s two seasons. She said that they produced ten suc- duction was presented to Kieran Rylee Yeager who portraying Louise Rebiner and U.S. Army female; Roz Hay is a female in her 20s cessful shows over 2023 and 2024, in which they played Agatha Trunchbull in “Matilda JR” The Captain Jack Ludwig in this show. The war to 30s. She is George and Charlotte's sold approximately 4500 tickets. Best Actor or Actress in a Junior Production was threatens their relationship before it starts. daughter. Eileen is an aspiring actress “Thanks to you and your volunteering, atten- Doura Senz who played Matilda in “Matilda JR” ‘They hope to meet one day between the inher early 20s, Howard is Roz’s fiancé dance, generous giving and support, RCCT is look- Best Young Actor ina Comedy or Drama was Sam military doctor who is stationed in Oregon who is in his 20s to 30s. Paul is a 20- to ing forward to continued growth and momentum Holcomb who played in “Miracle on 34th Street” and the aspiring actress and dancer living 30-year-old ex-boyfriend of Roz, and as we work to better our facilities, our productions Best Young Actors 14 Years or Younger in a in New York City. anactor in the troupe. Richard is in his and our community outreach. As we move into Comedy or Drama was Emily Barnes in “Wait Un- The play is written by Ken Ludwig, who 50s, and he is George and Charlotte's our 2025 season, we have some big ideas, big plans, til Dark” Best Young Actress, 14 years or younger tells the loving story about his parents’ attorney. He is in love with Charlotte. big hopes and dreams, and the only way we will be ina Musical was Emily Barnes in “Into the Woods.” courtship. Audiences must see the results For a complete description of the able to achieve any of it, is if we are together in this, that are quite unexpected. roles, go to www.rcct.org. theater family? she said. See AWARDS page 3 Go to rect.org to get tickets. Happy 100th Birthday Elk City Rotary Club! Weather - Vol. 121, No.7 Mail delivery View online tomorrow 75 cents, 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com i a Il 13151