Oklahoma Rural Rehabilitation Corporation (ORRC), located in Stillwater, has completed processing scholarships to Oklahoma farm and rural students who graduated from high school this spring. Of the 248 applications received, 168 scholarships totaling $75,400 were approved to assist students entering college or a technical school in Oklahoma. ORRC began its scholarship program in 1968 and a cumulative total of over $3.7 million has been awarded to students.
Oklahoma Rural Rehabilitation Corporation is a non-profit corporation established by the federal government in 1934 to assist farmers and rural communities.
The corporation has been self-sustaining since then by investing in loans to assist farmers and ranchers. Profits from these loans have been used for the scholarship program,
a community development grant program, grants to the Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program and other programs to assist farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
The ORRC is assisted with its scholarship program by the USDA Farm Service and USDA Rural Development Agencies, as well as various participating banks. We at ORRC would like to extend sincere thanks to these agencies for their participation in organizing the collection of applications and distribution of scholarship funds.
Deborah Wedel of Tuttle was crowned Ms. Senior Oklahoma in Ada, OK, on Saturday, June 29th and will represent Oklahoma in the Ms. Senior America in Atlantic City, NJ, in October. The Ms. Senior America highlights the beauty of senior citizens through interviews, personal philosophies of life, talent and evening gown competitions. First runner-up was Susan Frazier of Skiatook. Second runner-up was Karen Tims of Oklahoma City. Third runner-up was Kathryn Gordon of Newalla.
Deborah, daughter of Orbie and the late James Smith of Claypool Community, attended Waurika High School. She has been married to Bruce Wedel for 46 years and they have two children, Derek & Heather Wedel, daughter -in-law Cindy, and two granchildren, Jakob and Nicole Wedel. Deborah taught Chemistry at Newcastle High School for 21 years, taught at Dibble, Mustang, Southeast, Capitol Hill & Dunbar, as well as was counselor at Mount S. Mary, and loved every minute of that time. Along the way, she also has honored in Washing D.C., as one of the Top Ten Outstanding young Women of America in 1983, Good Housekeeping’s 100 Young Women of Promise of Promise in 1985, and third runner-up in the Mrs. Oklahoma Pageant in 1994.
The Ms. Senior America Pageant is the world’s first and foremost pageant to emphasize and give honor to women who have reached the Age of Elegance. It is a search for the gracious lady who best exemplifies the dignity, maturity and inner beauty of all senior Americans. The Ms. Senior America philosophy is based upon the belief that seniors are the foundation of America and out most valuable treasure. It is upon their knowledge, experience and resource that the younger generation has the opportunity to build a better society.
Ryan High School athletes were honored Monday night in the school’s cafeteria at the annual all-sports banquet.
A total of 47 athletes were recognized for their accomplishments in the 2018-2019 school year.
Two Ryan athletes were honored with a new award – Cowboy and Cowgirl Award. Holland Carter, a standout track, cross country and cheerleader, and Travis Fristoe, the school’s only four-sport letterman, were selected for the award.
Carter was also honored with a special letter jacket given to the girls cross country seniors that finish in the top ten in the state cross country meet. She was also presented with a special award for her contributions to cross country and track the past four years.
Their names will be on a plaque that will be placed in the lobby of the remodeled Ryan gym before the start of next year’s basketball season.
Ryan Fresmen at Ryan Sports Banquet
Athletic Director Tony Tomberlin also recognized two people for contributions to the Ryan athletic program. Ricky Phillips, the long-time public address announcer for the Cowboy football team, was presented a football signed by Ryan athletes in recognition of 20 years of service.
Ricky Phillips recognized for being the voice of the Ryan Cowboys for 20 years. Photo by Sheree Hanson
This reporter was also recognized for contributions to the Ryan athletic program and was presented with a signed basketball.
Trey Smart was honored for being not only a journalist with distinction but for recording the story of the Cowboys in print.
Plaques were presented to the graduating seniors that participated in the various sports for the Cowboys and Cowgirls.
But, the evening belonged to the athletes that participated in the sports of cross country, cheerleading, fast-pitch softball, football, boys basketball, girls basketball, slow-pitch softball, track and field and baseball.
Letter awards were given to each of the athletes in every sport and special recognition was given to selected athletes in each sport. All-conference, all-district and conference all-stars were also presented certificates during the evening’s activities.
Coaches Cheryl Carter, Steve Spangler, Tony Tomberlin, Stan Mueggenborg, Austin Masoner and Tony Roberts presented the awards during the evening.
Special recognition was also given to grade school coach Shelly Cain. Tomberlin presented her with five tickets to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City for her contribution to the grade school, junior high and high school athletes.
Shelly Cain is presented with five tickets to the Women’s College World Series for her contribution to Ryan Athletics. Photo by Sheree Hanson
Here’s a list of the student-athletes honored during the evening:
(l-r) Lilybet Harmon and Juliet Spangler Photo by Sheree Hanson
Football
Lineman of the Year: Sam Brown; Newcomer of the Year: Mike Regehr; Defensive Player of the Year: Travis Fristoe; Offensive Player of the Year: Skyler Parkhill; Most Valuable Player: Grayson Tomberlin.
Ryan Football Awards presented. (l-r) front row: Andrew Villarreal, Sam Brown, Skyler Parkhill, Travis Fristoe, and Michael Regehr. back row: Grayson Tomberlin, Trey Bryant, Kalen Weldon, and Pacen Wiest. Photo by Sheree Hanson
Fast-Pitch Softball
Teammate of the Year: Lily York; Most Valuable Player: Juliet Spangler.
Offensive Player of the Year: Samantha Good; Defensive Player of the Year: Laken DeBoard; Most Valuable Player: Emilee Martin.
(l-r) Laken DeBoard, Samantha Good, Kodi Duke, Emilee Martin
Girls Basketball
Newcomer of the Year: Alicen Williams; Most Improved Player: Bailee Martin; Defensive Player of the Year: Lily York; Offensive Player of the Year: Juliet Spangler; Most Valuable Player: Samantha Good.
(l-r) Samantha Good, Juliet Spangler, Lily York, and Alicen Williams. Photo by Sheree Hanson
Boys Basketball
Sixth Man Award: Andrew Villerreal; Mr. Hustle Award: Travis Fristoe; Offensive Player of the Year: Kaine Howard; Defensive Player of the Year: Landen Alexander; Most Valuable Player: Grayson Tomberlin.
(l-r) Back Row: Andrew Villarreal, Kaine Howard. Front Row: Grayson Tomberlin, Travis Fristoe, and Landen Alexander. Photo by Sheree Hanson
Slow-Pitch Softball
Defensive Player of the Year: Justyce Keith; Offensive Player of the Year: Samantha Good; Most Valuable Player: Emilee Martin.
(l-r) Samantha Good, Emilee Martin, and Justice Keith. Photo by Sheree Hanson
Baseball
Most Improve: Daniel Alsup; Co-Most Valuable Players: Travis Fristoe and Pacen Wiest.
(l-r) Pacen Wiest, Travis Fristoe, and Daniel Alsup. Photo by Sheree Hanson
Boys Track
Most Valuable Player: Travis Fristoe.
Girls Track
9th Grade Letters: Landen Alexander (track, boys basketball), Raesh Casebolt (boys basketball, football), Carter Combs (fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball, girls basketball), Carson Cooper (football, baseball), Katelynn Dabbs (track, cross country), Danielle Garza (slow-pitch softball), Kaine Howard (boys basketball), Caleb Perrin (football, baseball, boys basketball), Lindsey Reake (fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball, girls basketball), Michael Regehr (football, boys basketball), Skylar Wickware (football, boys basketball, baseball), Alicen Williams (cross country, girls basketball, track).
(l-r) Travis Fristoe, Lily York, Holland Carter, and Juliet Spangler
10th Grade Letters: Daniel Alsup (baseball, boys basketball), Trey Bryant (football, basketball, baseball), Crystal Chazaretta (cheerleading), Diamond Chazaretta (slow-pitch softball), Kyla Essary-Phillips (slow-pitch softball), Lilybet Harmon (cheerleading, track, cross country), Eimilee Lowry (cheerleading), Trista Perry (slow-pitch softball), Grayson Tomberlin (football, boys basketball, baseball), Tawny Vanover (cheerleading).
(l-r) Back Row: Grayson Tomberlin, Kodi Duke, and Trey Bryant. Front Row: Lilybet Harmon, Kyla Essary-Phillips, and Daniel Alsup. Photo by Sheree Hanson
11th Grade Letters: Brooklyn Charmasson (cheerleading, slow-pitch softball, fast-pitch softball), Samantha Good (fast-pitch softball, girls basketball, slow-pitch softball), Avery Howard (fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball), Savannah Lashley (fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball), Bailee Martin (girls basketball), Gunner Phillips (football, boys basketball, baseball), Walker Rawlings (track), Madisen Rhoades (fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball), Walter Snider (football), Juliet Spangler (cross country, girls basketball, track), Grace Stamper (cheerleading, slow-pitch softball), Andrew Villarreal (football, boys basketball, baseball), Lily York (cross country, girls basketball, track).
(l-r) Back Row: Andrew Villarreal, Juliet Spangler, Savannah Lashley, Avery Howard, Samantha Good, and Gunner Phillips. Front Row: Lily York, Grace Stamper, Madisen Rhoades, Brooklyn Charmasson. Photo by Sheree Hanson
12th Grade Letters: Samuel Brown (football, baseball), Holland Carter (cheerleading, cross country, track), Laken Deboard (cheerleading, fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball), Travis Fristoe (football, boys basketball, track, baseball), Justyce Keith (fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball), Emilee Martin (fast-pitch softball, slow-pitch softball), Skyler Parkhill (football), Kalen Weldon (football), Pacen Wiest (football, baseball), Justin Williams (football).
(l-r) Back Row: Skyler Parkhill, Kalen Weldon, Pacen Wiest, and Sam Brown. Front Row: Travis Fristoe, Justyce Keith, Holland Carter, Laken DeBoard, and Emilee Martin. Photo by Sheree Hanson.
The Chamber of Commerce Yard of the Week for September 3rd is the beautifully landscaped yard owned by Gary and Becky Gerken. Their home on East 1940 Rd has beautiful oak trees and landscaping in the front and an amazing pool and landscaping in the back. Becky said they practically live in the back yard in the summer and it’s easy to see why! The award was presented by Chamber members Sharon Duncan and Roy Bartling.
Voters will go to the polls Tuesday for the June 26th State and County Primary and Special Election for the City of Waurika, County Election Board Secretary Tammy Richardson said today.
Please keep the following information and tips in mind as the election approaches.
– Early voting will be available at the County Election Board office from 8.am. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday. USE ONLY IF STATE OR FEDERAL OFFICES ARE ON BALLOT: Early voting is also available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
– Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Lines are possible at peak voting times. Wait times will likely be shortest at mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Anyone in line to vote at 7 p.m. will be allowed to cast a ballot.
– Anyone who needs to look up their polling place, verify their registration information, or view a sample ballot can do so online. The Online Voter Tool can be accessed on the Oklahoma State Election Board’s website: www.elections.ok.gov. Those who vote by mail can also check the status of their ballot using the Online Voter Tool. Sample ballots are also available at the County Election Board office.
– Oklahoma law requires every voter who votes in person at the precinct polling place or during early voting at the County Election Board to show proof of identity before receiving a ballot. There are three ways for voters to prove their identity under the law (only one proof of identity is required): Show a valid photo ID issued by federal, state, or tribal government; or show the free voter identification card issued to every voter by the County Election Board; or sign an affidavit and vote a provisional ballot. (If the information on the affidavit matches official voter registration records, the ballot will be counted after Election Day.)
– Physically disabled voters who cannot enter the polling place, need help marking their ballots, blind or visually disabled voters and illiterate voters may be assisted by a person the voter chooses. In all cases, a person providing such assistance may not be the voter’s employer or an agent of the employer or an officer or agent of the voter’s union. A person providing assistance also must swear or affirm that the voter’s ballots will be marked in accordance with the voter’s wishes. Alternatively, all blind, visually impaired, and physically disabled voters in Jefferson County may use the audio-tactile interface (ATI), a feature offered on all Oklahoma voting devices, to vote privately and independently, either at Jefferson County Election Board during early voting or at their assigned polling place on election day.
– Voters who have moved since the last election, but who have not transferred their voter registration to their new address, may do so on Election Day by going to vote at the polling place where their registration has been in the past. While voting, they may fill out a form instructing the County Election Board to transfer their registration to the new address before the next election.
– Those who became physically incapacitated after 5 p.m. Tuesday June 26th still can request an emergency absentee ballot. Those who might qualify for an emergency absentee ballot should contact the County Election Board office at (580) 228-3150 as soon as possible for more information.
– Any violation of election law will be reported to the proper law enforcement authorities. Electioneering is not allowed within 300 feet of a ballot box. It is also unlawful to remove a ballot from the polling location, possess intoxicating liquors within half a mile of a polling place or to disclose how you voted while within the election enclosure.
For additional election-related information, visit: www.elections.ok.gov.
Joe Allen was selected recently as the 38th head football coach in school history at Waurika High School.
Allen will not only be the grid mentor, but will also serve as the head baseball coach for the Eagles next spring.
“I am really excited about coming to Waurika not just because of the job opportunities, but because my wife teaches at Waurika, we live here and my kids go to school here,” said Allen in a recent interview.
Allen, a 2009 graduate of Cameron University and a 2004 Ryan High School graduate, is looking forward to the challenge of continuing to build on the success Waurika has had in football the past couple of years.
For the past four seasons Allen has been the head baseball coach and assistant football coach at Walters High School. He guided the Blue Devils to one district title in baseball in the four seasons.
“The big selling point for the job was of course my family, but also the kind of athletes they had coming up at Waurika,” said Allen. “I was happy at Walters, so it had to be the right job for me to leave there.”
Allen began his coaching career as a lay coach for the Duncan High School baseball team for two years.
He became the head baseball coach at Rush Springs for two seasons before moving to Temple in 2013 to become the head football coach and head baseball coach for the Tigers.
It was his only season as a head football coach and he guided the Tigers to a 4-5 mark before the opportunity came to move over to Walters.
“Football and baseball were always neck and neck for me even when I was a little kid,” noted Allen when asked which sport was his favorite.
Allen has not yet had an opportunity to meet with the football team, but is looking forward to getting together with them in the near future.
“Being in the area and living here in Waurika I have known the kind of athletes they have,” said Allen in reflecting on his new challenge.
“They have been really competitive in junior high and what I have been impressed with is they have a number of athletes that I have heard are willing to work hard to improve,” said Allen.
While the timing of his hiring did not allow him to get involved with Waurika’s summer league baseball team, he did see the squad in action in their final summer league game at Comanche.
Allen will take over for former Waurika football and baseball coach Glenn Howard, who moves over to Wilson to become an assistant for the Eagles.
“I was glad they had a team because it is hard to get a team together in many of the smaller communities around,” Allen said
Allen was an outstanding athlete during his high school career at Ryan. He excelled in football, baseball and track.
In the 2003 season football season Allen was the starting quarterback on the Cowboys’ semifinal squad that finished 9-4. He threw for 1,113 yards and connected for 11 touchdowns. He also contributed 553 yards rushing.
During his junior season for the Cowboy football squad Allen snared seven interceptions, which was the third most in the state among eight-man schools. He was also named to The Duncan Banner’s all-area football team.
Allen was a ringleader on the 2003 baseball squad that earned a district title – one of only three district titles for the Cowboys since 2000.
In track, Allen was a state track meet qualifier in the high jump in both 2003 and 2004 and was the Southern Eight Conference high jump champion in 2004.
Allen is married to the former Magen Wright of Ryan and she is currently a teacher in the Waurika Public Schools. They have three children with the oldest entering first grade at Waurika this fall.
Waurika Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony last week for the newest business in town, Survivor Arms.
The new store is a hunter’s dream come true. Owner Ben Merritt is a firearms aficionado. He loves guns. He knows Guns. It’s more than just a hobby, it’s a passion he loves to share with his customers.
He has a wide variety of guns totaling around 185 as of this writing.
Thus far business has been good. Traffic has been consistent.
It was hard for us to complete an interview during working hours because of the number of customers who kept coming through the door. Needless to say, this is encouraging to a new business owner.
en Merritt examines a gun belonging to James Heath of Ryan. Photo by Curtis Plant
Ben Merritt is originally from Flower Mound, just outside of Lawton. Growing up he has always had a keen interest in hunting and a healthy respect for firearms. Ben is an avid hunter The deer heads mounted in the Gun Store were all from Jefferson County.
The first gun he ever owned was a 22 rifle he received for Christmas when he was twelve years old. It’s the only thing he had wanted that year. That Christmas morning he had accidentally opened a present early that contained 22 caliber bullets. At first he was disheartened because he now had the bullets but didn’t have a gun. Later that same day he received the 22 rifle as a present from his older brother. It’s a fond memory he cherishes deeply.
He and his wife, Darcy, met at Sutherlands Lumber yard. His wife was born and raised in Illinois. Her brother joined the military and was transferred to Lawton. Darci moved to Lawton in order to live closer to him. The two met at Sutherlands and have been together ever since. Ben worked for the Fire Department for 16 years. He also had fishing and lure business he started around 2008. It was very successful. He even started a fishing store in Lawton, called Top Five Tackle, that he was able to sell after it became profitable.
In 2005 Ben and his wife, Darci. moved to Waurika. They were attracted to Waurika because they wanted to raise their future family in a smaller community. Darcy taught at Waurika for a year and then transferred to Grandview. Their daughters are Kayleigh and Loralei.
Some of the many rifles on display at Survivor Arms. There are currently around 185 guns for sale.
He recently won his bout with cancer. T-Cell Lymphoma. He contracted the disease while working as a fireman in Lawton. He originally thought he was fighting sinus infections. Because they were not clearing up with the use of antibiotics, the doctor said he needed surgery. Thankfully he was on vacation at the time and was able to get it under way immediately. During the surgery the doctor discovered he had T-Cell Lymphoma. After some aggressive treatments, he is now cancer free. Coincidently, the surgery occurred on his 39th birthday. It also ended his firefighting career.
Although was able to retire at the age 40, his desire to remain active and productive wouldn’t allow him to just sit at the house. That’s just one of the reasons he opened Survivor Arms.
Ben Merritt inside his store, Survivor Arms, on Main Street Downtown Waurika.
Along with rifles, pistols, ammo, targets, knives, a ladies crossbow, and various accessories, he also offers items that appeal to other family members such as clothing, and home decor items. There are even toys to occupy the children as dad shops for a great hunting rifle. Along with new guns he also sells lightly used guns. In the near future he will be selling suppressors (silencers) as well. He is currently working with 8 distributers. Therefore, he has a wide variety of brand names to choose from.
Biff Eck says it’s nice to see another building downtown occupied with a business that is meeting a need. Ben knows his business.
Although he and his family have been members of the community for years, it’s nice to welcome them to the business community as well. Congratulations!
To kick off the 2018 “Click It or Ticket” seat belt campaign, the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office is partnering with St. John Health System, law enforcement partners, AAA Oklahoma, and other local groups to highlight the dangers of not wearing a seat belt.
This highly visible seat belt enforcement period begins on May 21 and runs through June 3, covering the busy Memorial Day holiday weekend. In 2016, 47.5 percent of all vehicle fatality victims in Oklahoma were not using safety belts or child restraint devices. Among the almost 34,000 people injured in crashes in Oklahoma during 2016, 2,500 were not restrained.
“In 2016, we lost 224 Oklahomans because they weren’t buckled up,” said Cody McDonell, communications manager for the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office. “To us, that’s 224 too many. Something as simple as clicking your seat belt can save your life.”
During the 2017 “Click It or Ticket” campaign in Oklahoma, nearly 300 agencies participated, resulting in 8,057 seat belt violations and 244 child passenger restraint violations.
“Past ‘Click It or Ticket’ campaigns have shown how helpful it can be to our overall goal of spreading the message about the importance of buckling up,” said Director Paul Harris of the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office.
“Wearing a seat belt is the number one thing anyone can do to help prevent death or injury during a vehicle crash,” said Harris.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 56 percent of vehicle occupants nationwide who were killed between 6 pm and 6 am were not wearing their seat belts, which is why one focus of this year’s “Click It or Ticket” campaign is nighttime enforcement. During the week of “Click It or Ticket”, participating law enforcement agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt enforcement, writing citations day and night.
A campaign kickoff press event will be held at St. John Health System in Tulsa on Monday, May 21 at 11 am. For a complete list of speakers and more details, please visit ohso.ok.gov/clickit.
There seems to be a misconception among those who drive and ride in pickup trucks that their large vehicles will protect them better than other vehicles would in a crash. The numbers say otherwise: 61 percent of pickup truck occupants who were killed in 2016 nationwide were not buckled up. That’s compared to 42 percent of passenger car occupants who were not wearing seat belts when they were killed. Regardless of vehicle type, seat belt use is the single most effective way to stay alive in a crash.
“Our goal isn’t to write citations, but we do know tickets talk,” said Lieutenant Joe Williams with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. “The ‘Click It or Ticket’ program gives us a chance to get out there on the roads and really focus on drivers and passengers who aren’t buckled up.”
“If you know a friend or a family member who does not buckle up when they drive, please ask them to consider changing their habits,” said Lt. Williams. “Help us spread this life-saving message before one more friend or family member is killed as a result of this senseless inaction. Seat belts save lives, and everyone—front seat and back, child and adult—needs to remember to buckle up — every trip, every time.”
For more information on the “Click It or Ticket” campaign, please visit www.ohso.ok.gov/clickit
Last week was Nursing Home Week. We all had a great time dressing up and having fun. Monday was crazy hat and sock day. We played Penny Pitch, our big winner was Minia. Tuesday was Western Day, we had a Cow Chip Throw and Opal was our big Winner. She said being a farm girl paid off. Wednesday was Carnival/Sport Day. We wore our favorite team and enjoyed cotton candy. It was delicious. Thursday was Hawaiian Day. We dressed with grass skirts, coconuts, leis, and enjoyed fruit trays with dip in pineapples. Our black out bingo winner was Loretta. On Friday was Patriotic Day, we enjoyed walking tacos and that afternoon enjoyed a party with root beer floats and door prizes. We really appreciate our local businesses for donating door prizes. Businesses who donated were Doc’s Place, Shelton’s Grocery, Bills Fish House, Action Fitness, Sonic, Beaver Lumber, Quikmart, Garrett Flower Shop, Markette, Eck Drug, Dollar General, Family Dollar, and Small Town Creations. Thanks again to everyone who helped make our week special.
June 6th will be our next Family/Friends Band Night, come join us at 5:30.
A special thanks to Mary Van Beber for the beautiful porcelain dolls, our residents loved them.
A very special thanks to all of our visitors and volunteers. May God Bless everyone.
