June 20, 2026 Issue, Page 8 of 10

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NEWS 8• SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2026 The Elk City News Friends of the Library Poetry Contest Winners By Randi Yow teen entries. Playing in some old, rusted out Ice melts faster in the snow. But God puts protection over every little & Linda Stineman First place was presented to Amanda 59 Chevy pickup Such pain is like an arrow shot with a part of it. Hoover for her poem “Home Again” and We laughed too hard bow. The birds are chirping loud for all to Every year in April the Friends of the second place was presented to DeShaw- Our little faces hurt These thoughts of mine you’ll never hear, Elk City Carnegie Library hold a contest in na Smyth for her poem “When the Heart We walked through the creek know. Building their nests and spreading some honor of National Poetry Month, the larg- Won’t Grow.” Back to grandma’s front porch And the hurt inside will never show. cheer. est literary celebration in the world. In the teen category, first place was We were covered in mud The spring is here more beautiful than Inaugurated by the Academy of Amer- awarded to Kiersey Shaw, for her poem And probably in trouble ever, ican Poets in 1996, it brings together tens “Spring Blessings”, and second place went But that’s the best day “SPRING BLESSINGS” Spring has come here now and for a BY KIERSEY SHAW of millions of readers, students, teachers, to Jason Smyth for “A Lover’s Hate” Any of us ever had. while. Spring is here, spring has come, spring is librarians, booksellers, and poets to cele- Here are the winners: here, never done. brate the vital place of poetry in our culture. Yearly they receive entries from Elk City & “HOME AGAIN” “WHEN THE HEART The light drizzling rain with the sun “A LOVERS HATE” shining bright, BY JASON SMYTH surrounding towns residents and students. BY AMANDA HOOVER WON’T GROW” Forms God’s creation of a beautiful light. Love is what the world does need. This year was no different as they received Warm sunlight on my face BY DESHAWNA SMYTH Flowers are blooming and bees are buzz- From space and time, to the smallest several poems submitted, and the difficult The sound of people talking too loud Painted skies of blue and woe, ing, weed. task of choosing was left to the members of Like old folks do in happy conversation Illuminating as you go. Getting ready for the new season com- A lover’s mind is made blind. the Friends group. The aroma of butterscotch bars Though the feeling of love does still flow, ing. All because someone was kind. The annual Poetry Contest winners were Baking in the oven Through the darkness my heart can’t Frogs are enjoying their little fly snacks, You never know how one can hate. presented with cash prizes and certificates Dances down grandma’s front porch grow. Where the grass grows tall and comes to Even after the last date. at the May meeting of Friends of the Li- steps Until this madness releases my soul, last. So tread carefully where you roam. brary. For a moment time just stops I shout to the heavens but there is no The wind rushes through the newly For you can find love’s hate-filled poem. Two categories were represented with We run like the wind hope. planted garden, first and second places in the adult and Before someone tells us not to This hurt you caused heals so slow, Starting the Conversations That Save Men’s Lives By M. L. Henry III, M.D., According to the Centers for beyond our walls and into homes disease before they become serious. about the health of this communi- Urology Disease Control and Prevention, across Oklahoma. When those Stay on top of screenings: Tests ty, and I see firsthand how a proac- Great Plains Regional Medical American men are expected to live conversations happen earlier and for conditions like prostate cancer tive approach can change a man’s Center nearly five years less, on average, more often, they can lead to longer, or colorectal cancer can feel intimi- health. than women. That gap isn’t just a healthier lives. dating, but early detection makes a The next time you check in with Life can be exhausting. With number; it reflects a pattern of de- Taking care of your health real difference. a man in your life, take the time to work, family, and everything in layed care, fewer doctor visits and doesn’t have to be complicated, Keep moving and eat well: Small, go a little deeper. Creating space between, it’s easy to lose track of higher rates of risk-related behav- but it does have to be intentional. consistent habits with diet and ex- for those conversations—whether how the people closest to us are re- iors. Whether it’s for yourself or some- ercise go a long way in improving about routine checkups, preventive ally doing. For many men, it’s more As a urologist, I specialize in one you care about, here are a few energy and overall health. screenings, or everyday habits— comfortable to keep things simple conditions that directly affect men’s ways to start: Make rest a priority: Getting can make it easier for men to speak than to open up about health con- health and quality of life. One of the Know your history: Under- enough sleep—about seven hours a up and seek care. cerns. With June recognized as role. The idea of “toughing it out” things I value most about working standing your family’s health back- night for most adults—plays a key M. L. Henry III, M.D., is National Men’s Health Month, it’s or pushing through discomfort, in a rural community is the trust ground can help catch potential role in long-term health. board-certified in urology and a timely reminder to check in on combined with the stigma sur- and openness I experience with issues early and guide better deci- Stay connected: Time with fami- specializes in male and female the men in our lives and talk about rounding mental and physical my patients. Those honest conver- sions. ly and friends isn’t just meaningful; (children and adult) medical and what often goes unsaid. health, often keeps men from seek- sations happen every day in our Don’t skip the checkup: Routine it’s essential for mental and emo- surgical urologic care. He practices When it comes to men’s health, ing medical care until concerns exam rooms. My hope is that the visits can help identify concerns tional well-being. at Great Plains Regional Medical cultural expectations often play a have progressed. same level of openness extends like high blood pressure or heart As a physician, I care deeply Center in Elk City, Oklahoma.