Boys from Waurika Cub Scout pack 4460, recently participated in Mountain Man Day hosted by Cub Scout leader Alan Harper. 17 kids participated in the event, and over 40 people were in attendance for the day. Committee member Clay Carter, Den leader JJ Edwards, and other parents and adults helped the boys participate in the event.
Clay Carter, Brett Etheridge, and Clay Forst helping Canyon, TJ, Arlington, and Heston make their leather belts.
They began the day eating breakfast and learning about cooking in Dutch ovens with Chris Harper. Chris is the Scoutmaster of Troop 49 in Nelson, Missouri, and he has held this position for 34 years. He also serves as the B.S.A. District Executive for the Osage Trails and Kinderhook districts of the Great Rivers Council. After breakfast they divided up into groups for the trapping, leather working and blacksmithing stations. Roy Himebaugh taught the boys about different trapping techniques and why it was an important survival skill for a mountain man to know. He also showed them how he set his traps when he used to run his trap line. Michelle Dyer, pack 4460’s Webelos Den leader, taught the boys about leatherworking. At this station, they were able to design, dye, and stamp their own leather belt to keep. Alan Harper taught the boys about blacksmithing and the importance of blacksmiths in frontier towns. With the help of an adult, and while wearing safety equipment, the boys made a hat/jacket hook for their home. The day ended with eating some Klondike chili and cobbler made by Chris. Everyone enjoyed the day, and leaders are already planning next years activities!
Chris Harper talking to the group about Dutch oven cooking. Michelle Dyer helping Maddex mark his belt.
There were at least three fires reported in Waurika on the Friday before Spring Break.
Dewey Richardson’s home received the greatest amount of damage. He and his wife had gone to Ryan and when they got back their yard and backyard building had been completely burned up. (See picture on back page)
Another fire occurred two doors down from the Richardson’s and the other one was on Ash Street in front of Margaret Ann Waid’s former home.
Everyone is invited to attend the 5th Sunday Singing this Sunday evening beginning at 6:00 pm at the Presbyterian Church across from the Post Office in Waurika. Refreshments provided by the First United Methodist Church of Waurika.
All members of the Council were present along with Ryan’s attorney as the council undertook the business in the interest of the town of Ryan.
Deborah Reynolds read the treasurer’s report for the month ending on February 28, 2018. The report was approved unanimously.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
The purchase orders and claims were approved for the month of November.
Next, the council discussed a request of the Ryan Public Schools to possibly place a wireless antenna on the town water tower. The city attorney, Kenzie Wheeler, suggested that the school sign a liability waiver. The antenna will be used to broadcast an internet signal from the school to the football field.
Ryan voted to sponsor an Easter Egg Hunt in the park on Saturday, March 24, 2018.
The council voted to pass Resolution 2018-01 reducing the commercial polecat rate from $30.00 to $19.50 per month.
Ryan will publish a request for bids for the cemetery mowing contract for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2019.
Under new business, the council said the Ryan water will be turned off this coming Saturday in order to facilitate repairs. It is believed that the water could be turned back on by noon or soon thereafter.
The Utility Authority Meeting began immediately after the conclusion of the regular town meeting.
The minutes for the previous meeting were approved.
Next, the council approved paying the bills and claims for the month of February.
The council voted to purchase 2 (15 KVA Reclosures from T&R Electric for a total cost of $13,700. The current ones haven’t been replaced in at least 60 years. The new ones will be more efficient and dependable. The reclosures act like a circuit breaker. One services the north side of town and the other the south side of town.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Week 4 of the Summer Reading Program wrapped up on June 29th. Kim Clampitt setup activities for the week.
On Monday, June 25th, after Drop Everything And Read, the kids began working on making drums. They started by painting cans. The kids also started decorating paper plates to make elephants.Thanks to the Hastings Baptist Church for providing and serving lunch today. They brought hot dogs, strawberries, grapes, chips, cookies, and lemonade.
On Tuesday, after DEAR time, the kids finished making their drums by putting balloons over their painted cans to make the drum head. They finished up their elephants attaching party horns to make the elephant’s trunk.Thanks to Patricia McGriff for making sandwiches for lunch. Along with sandwiches the kids had chips, grapes, and fruit cups
On Wednesday,after DEAR time, the kids talked about insects. For their craft, they made ‘buzzing bees’ with index cards, craft sticks, rubber bands and string.After making their ‘buzzing bees’, the kids headed over to the park to try them out. The ‘bees’ buzz when the kids swing them around by the string. Thanks to Kristie Gaines and her team at the Waurika QuikMart for providing pizza for lunch. Thanks to the Waurika Lions Club for serving.
On Thursday, after DEAR time, the kids learned about butterflies.Thanks to Georgia Spoonemore for coming and teaching the kids about how butterflies grow and how to identify species like Monarchs.Thanks to Jeffco Helping Hands Food Pantry for providing lunch. Thanks to Carol Prewitt and Jessica Coody with the Waurika Alumni Association for serving.
Friday, after DEAR time, the kids learned about bees. Thanks to Dannie and Janie Ramming for telling the children how bees are raised, what bees do, and how they behave. Dannie and Janie also brought bees for the kids to look at.After learning about bees, it was time for lunch. Thanks to Gayle Austin for grilling burgers. Thanks to Carol Prewitt for serving. Thanks to Kimberly Morris-Kirkland and the Waurika 4H for cleaning up.
Thanks to Kim Clampitt for coordinating the week. Thanks to Karlee Berthiaume for all of her assistance. Thanks to Brittney Helterbran for all of her help. Thanks to Destiny Foster, Abby Taylor, and Presley Parker for volunteering this summer.
Thanks to all of the people in our community that support this wonderful program.
It’s not too late to sign your child up! Programming runs each weekday, June 4 – July 27 – with the exception of the July 4 holiday. Reading and activities will be from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. with lunch served at 11:30 a.m. Children attending the Summer Reading Program must be picked up by their parent/guardian by noon each day.
Denise Linzman, Melicia McFadden and Debbie Brandon serve at the Waurika Library Summer Reading Program.
Children must be registered to attend. In addition to registration, age requirements include children entering first grade in the fall through those entering fifth grade in the fall. Older school-aged children are welcome to participate as helpers. For information or registration forms, visit the Waurika Public Library or call 580.228.3274.
The Summer Reading Program is free to attend. The public library, community organizations and individuals care about your children. Together we raised funds to offer daily educational programs and week-day lunches to keep your children’s minds and bodies fed this summer. Whether keeping track of the amount of time your children spend reading or the number of books they’ve read this summer, children who attend the Summer Reading Program keep their minds active and enter the new school year ready to succeed.
For information about events, activities and more, visit our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/WaurikaPublicLibrary/
WOW! What a response to the Chamber of Commerce Shop Local game and contest. We’ve already given away 2,000 game cards and 2,500 “I Shopped Waurika” stickers. We’ve ordered more of both and they will be here on Thursday. “We are elated about the success so far,” Jacob Eck, Chamber President stated. “We have a couple of announcements coming up next week that we think everyone will like. We are adding a couple of additional cash giveaways on earlier dates. More to come on that after our committee meets on Friday of this Week.”
Shopping local is a decision that you make every single day. Everything on our shopping list is not available in Waurika, but a great deal of it is.
A few years ago we made a decision to shop local for everything we could. When you shop where you live you help support your city in many ways. When a group of us got together to plan the Shop Local Waurika campaign we talked about many reasons that shopping local was important.
Here are 5 excellent reasons that shopping local is important and many of them are not about money or taxes. Many of these reasons are all about you!
1. When you shop local you receive the personal touch. When I wrote the story on Beaver Lumber and plumbing last week and this week on Shelton’s Grocery, I asked many people why they shopped those stores and it always about customer service and working with people you know and who know you. Employees take the time to explain the products and services they are selling.
2. Crowd free shopping. I am always amazed at how people talk about how crowded their shopping experience is at the big box stores. Why do we fight it? The check-out line at Shelton’s Hometown Grocery is never more than three deep. I recently bought wiper blades at Johnson Auto. They not only coached me through what I needed, but installed them for me on the spot. No wait. Great product. Friendly service. I could write many articles on the service from Beaver Lumber. They are always so helpful and appreciate our business. Why drive 45 miles to save a few dollars when you can shop local and make a difference in your hometown?
3. Creates local jobs. According to a Rubicon Global blog post, Small businesses are the largest employers nationally. Since the 1970’s more than 65% of new jobs have come from small businesses. Not only do small businesses employ local people, but they also shop from other local businesses. Your dollars continue to circulate locally. Good stuff.
4. Non-profits receive more support. According to the same Rubicon Global post noted above, Local business owners provide significant support for non-profits. In fact, non-profits receive as much as 350% more money from local shops than non-locally owned businesses. If you are part of a local organization you know this to be true. Who pays for our cheer calendars, summer reading lunches, band trips to Walt Disney World, softball shirts for all the children who participate each year? Shopping local stores gives back to those who so good to help us all out when we want to have a new program.
5. Puts taxes to good use. In addition to generating more tax revenue per sales dollar, taxes paid by small, local businesses are widely used to support schools, parks, roads, and other local programs that benefit your friends, family, and community.
So, let’s have some fun. Play the “Shop Local Waurika” game and someone is going to win some additional cash!
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is working with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in a nationwide campaign to educate Americans about the dangers of radon exposure and to encourage citizens to take action to protect their homes and families. HUD has designated June asNational Healthy Homes Month, and this year’s theme “Check Your Home; Protect Your Family” was chosen to create awareness of what it means to have a healthy home.
Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless, tasteless gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium inside the earth. Radon is dispersed in outdoor air but can reach harmful levels when trapped in buildings. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that radon is responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after smoking and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
DEQ encourages Oklahomans to take action during National Healthy Homes Month by testing their homes for radon. For a free test kit, contact DRHOMEAIR at 1-800-324-5928 or www.drhomeair.com/ok.
The First Annual Christmas On the Trail Chili Cook-off is in the books and J.K.Townsend has been declared he winner. I feel behooved to try and name all of the folks that made it a success. First has to be the cooks. J.K. Townsend was sponsored by the United Methodist Women, Linda Harrison cooked for the Peoples Bank, John Snider was at the helm of the Ryan city employees team, although Deb Reynolds made cornbread because they were of the opinion that crackers just would not do. Cody Rodriquez led the Ryan Volunteer Fire Fighters, Justin Dewbre, Raquel Welchel cooked for the Ryan FFA and the list of competitors was rounded out by Jared Dyer that cooked what he called green chili. I personally had never seen anything quite like it but I can tell you it was good. We had three fine judges, although there have been charges of cahootinizing among the judges and one member of the group that hosted the event. Ricky Martin, Kristi Hamm Whitford and Mike Retos all did a good job and worked for very little pay. I can’t say enough good things about the band, The Upper Road Band. They kept everyone entertained and did it with two of the three members feeling under the weather. Alana Miranda, Seth Miranda and J.D. Martin comprise the band and covered everything from classic country to soft rock to Tom Petty and along the way made us laugh. I think I will see if they can do some Molly Hatchet (that is what I am listening to). Every time they are asked to help they step up and do a wonderful job. All three deserve a lot of praise. Thank you to everyone that came out and supported the cause, the cause of coarse being the Christmas On the Trail tree lighting festival that with take place in early December. All of the fund raising goes toward paying for the day of fun that is planned for children and grownups alike.
On the subject of music that I am listening to, you would think on that long ride across that desert that they could have found a name for that horse.
Bill Roberson
Bill Roberson passed away this week messing with his old cows. I first came into contact with Bill when I was a small boy playing baseball, he coached a couple of the teams that I played on. Even to a kid it was obvious that he loved sports. Another love was music. He loved playing music, listening to music and taking about music. This was a side of Bill that I saw when I reconnected with him as a grownup. The one thing that Bill talked about the most was his family. We sometimes spent hours on this very subject, he even got to where he would say “stop me if you have heard this”. I am glad that I never did. Bill Roberson will be sorely missed.
