QUOTE OF THE DAY – Never let your best friends get lonely…..Keep disturbing them.
VACCINATION CLINIC – On Saturday, March 10th, we will have a Vaccination Clinic for dogs and cats at the Terral City Hall. Dr. Clark from the Jefferson County Animal Hospital will be here from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. Prices are as follows: Dogs – Rabies $8.00, Destemper/ Parvo $15.00, Kennel Cough $10.00 and Lymes $30.00. Cats – Destemper $12.00, Destemper/Lukemia $32.00. Make plans now to get your pets’ shots.
TERRAL ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT – Our annual Easter Egg Hunt will be on Saturday, March 31st at the Terral Indians Baseball Field at 12:00 p.m. noon. Registration will begin at 11:00 a.m. There will be three groups: Walking to three, four to six and seven to nine years
old. Make plans to come enjoy the fun. Prizes will be given to the most eggs in each category and eggs will be marked for prizes. The Terral Volunteer Fire Department will be hiding the eggs
for us again this year. Hope to see ya there!
FBC GIRLS IN ACTION GROUP – The GA’s will be having their cooking class on Saturday, March 10th at 10:00 a.m. at the church. GA’s will be decorating an 8” round cake and the
Sunday morning congregation will be our judges on Sunday morning. Best of luck to all of our GA’s.
COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST – Family and Friends of Fay Tanner in her passing. Tony Rodriguez,
Brenda Bryant, Scotty Day, Tom Baysinger, Sue and Avery Linton, Martin Villarreal, Sr., Joe Martin, Adam White, Mary Loo Duke, Florita Villarreal, Glen Martin, Robert Harnois, Esther
Grimes, Marie Pollan, Virginia Tanner, Darlene Hall, T.K. Delaney, Manuel Villarreal, Shana Reed
and our military stationed around the world. May God keep you in His loving care.
We’ve got another week behind us and were again blessed with a bit of rain. May not have been too much, but every little bit helps around here. We’ve still seen some days of lows down into the 30s and will continue to do so for just a few more weeks. The buds on our fruit trees are getting close to exploding out into blooms.
It is always risky at this point, because, we can still see temperatures get at or below the freezing point. There was a lot of fruit on our trees last year, but, time will tell how we will come out this year over the next 2 or 3 weeks. Our weather has been so up and down all throughout this winter season. We do have a few flowers blooming up around our grass, that hasn’t quite started to come out of its dormancy. Our time of having to get out and mow is fast approaching, though.
I’ve had Brionna with me all week and took her back down to Bowie Sunday, after a visit with all of her grandparents that day.
Don’t forget to set your clocks up 1 hour this Sunday morning. Daylight Savings Time starts Sunday morning at 2:00am. I will not shout for joy for this one.
Our town council meeting is tonight and they are going to address the commercial polycart rate possibly being lowered from $30 to $19.50. They are also going to address having an Easter egg hunt on Saturday, March 24th, and there are a few other items on the agenda.
Kim’s news for this week:
At the cowboy college, thanks to Rex, I passed my SOS test. Lost my keys, oh shoot, found them in my boot. Mollye, thanks for helping me unload oats and shavings. Dustan, thanks again for giving Ruffy Tuffy a trim.. Caleb rode with me, I rode Navaho and he rode Ruffy Tuffy.
Everyone have a blessed week. Pray for rain and for each other.
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.
Waurika Public Schools has selected the Oklahoma State School Boards Association to assist in its search for the next superintendent, and school board members is including the community in the search process.
“Waurika has a lot to offer and we are obligated to our kids and our community to maximize our recruitment efforts in order to find the best candidate,” school board President Kimberly Gholson said. “OSSBA provides an organized plan to accomplish a critical task of obtaining a top leader who will inspire and make a difference in our district.”
The board hosted a community forum on Tuesday. An online survey will be available through March 16 so parents, school employees and other community members can share what qualities they believe are important in the next superintendent. The survey is posted on the school district’s website.
Gholson said board members will use information gathered via the survey and employee forum to help guide its decision making. The board hopes to select a new superintendent in April or May 2018.
Jefferson County Hospital was chosen as the "Business of the Year"
(l-r) Jay Johnson-CEO Duncan Regional Hospital, Richard Gillespie - JCH Administrator, Jon Waid - Waurika Chamber of Commerce president
Editor’s Note: This is a story continued from last week.
“Southern Rain” performed throughout the evening, especially why those who attended enjoyed the Italian meal provided by the Duncan Regional Hospital.
After Monica Bartling and she presented those who had helped during the historic exhibit titled “The Way We Worked,” Chamber President Jon Waid recognized some of the new businesses that were created in Waurika during 2018.
The Attic opened on D Street across the street from Shelton’s Grocery. It is owned and operated by Stephanie Snider.
There is a new restaurant just east of the 70/81 intersection in Waurika called Doc’s Place owned by Dr. Susan Howard.
Dee McMahan and her husband Jerry are owners of the exquisite Red River Valley Fine Art Gallery on Main Street right next door to City Hall.
Red River Fine Art Gallery is one of the new businesses in Waurika. (l-r) Jerry McMahan, Cody Simmons-Chamber of Commerce Vice President, Dee McMahan (Owner of Red River Fine Art Gallery)
A new portable building outlet is open on the south end of main street called The Shed Man owned by Jon Hunt. He is also the pastor of Trinity Holiness Church on D Street in Waurika.
Jon Hunt, owner of the Shed Man, with Jon Waid
Cody and Traci Simmons opened the Eagletown Academy a— preschool day care— located on south main street. Cody is also the Elementary Principal.
Traci Simmons (along with her husband Cody) is the owner of Eagletown Academy.
A Special Service Appreciation Award was given to Craig Williams for all of his hard work in beautifying Waurika with his gifted talent of landscaping and horticulture. His talents can be seen on both main street and at Veterans park as well as various other locations. In the upcoming year he would like to add wildflowers to the entrance areas of the city.
Craig Williams, a master landscaper, has beautified Waurika in many ways.
The Organization of the Year Award was presented to the Waurika High School Alumni Association.
Last, but definitely not least was the Business of the Year Award presented to Jefferson County Hospital.
Duncan Regional Hospital CEO Jay Johnson and Jefferson County Administrator Richard Gillespie was presented the Award.
Jefferson County Hospital was chosen as the “Business of the Year” (l-r) Jay Johnson-CEO Duncan Regional Hospital, Richard Gillespie – JCH Administrator, Jon Waid – Waurika Chamber of Commerce president
Others were recognized for all the hard work during what is considered a very successful year for Waurika.
Before the evening came to an end, Jon Waid was given a gift of appreciation for all his work as Chamber President during 2018.
A special thank you goes out to the Ringling Eagle for their much appreciated help with compiling these results, also thanks to the OSU Extension Office of Jefferson County for getting these statistics to the newspapers in a very timely manner. Everyone’s help is appreciated.
More pictures will be added this week!
Hollis Dickey Award Winners
Samantha HornerDalee BarrickRandi Linton
Cattle:
Heifers:
Red Angus: Class 1: Laken Deboard, Ryan 4-H, Res Breed Champion; Class 2: Laken Deboard, Ryan 4-H, Breed Champion, Res. Grand Champion
Hereford: Randi Linton, Ryan FFA, Breed Champion
Mini Hereford: Class 1: Lakin Howard, Ringling 4-H, Res Breed Champion; Class 2: Caitlyn Ramsey, Waurika 4-H, Breed Champion
Shorthorn: Braden Jackson, Ringling FFA, Breed Champion, Grand Champion
Maine: Dalee Barrick, Waurika FFA, Breed Champion
Commercial: Rance Howard, Ringling 4-H, Res Breed Champion; Michael Gore, Ryan FFA, Breed Champion
Steers:
Angus: Lakin Howard, Ringling 4-H, Res Breed Champion; Cody Ramsey, Waurika 4-H, Breed Champion
Cody Ramsey – Grand Champion and Intermediate ShowmanshipKynlee Waters – Reserve Grand ChampionBraden Jackson – Grand ChampionLaken Deboard – Reserve Grand ChampionCaitlyn Ramsey – Junior ShowmanshipKylie Waters – Senior Showmanship
Sheep:
Ewe:
Southdown: Reese Reynolds, Waurika 4-H, 1st, Breed Champion, Grand Champion
Speckled Face: Sam Brown, Ryan FFA, 1st, Breed Champion; Sadie Smith, Waurika 4-H, 2nd, Res. Breed Champion
Crossbreed: Houston Scott, Waurika FFA, 1st, Breed Champion; Haylee Jo McGuire, Ringling 4-H, 2nd, Res. Breed Champion; 3rd Place Brock Smith, Ryan FFA, 3rd
Showmanship: Jr.- Reese Reynolds, Waurika 4-H; Int.- Houston Scott, Waurika FFA; Sr.- Sam Brown, Ryan FFA; School Group- Waurika
Houston Scott – Grand Champion, Intermediate ShowmanshipHaylee Jo McGuire – Reserve Grand ChampionCaitlyn Ramsey – Reserve Grand ChampionAsia Smith – Reserve Grand ChampionTeddy Brown – Senior Showman, Breed Champion
Goats:
Doe:
Div.1: Class 1: Jaci Jo Gholson, Waurika 4-H, 1st, Div. Champion; Riley Ross, Ryan 4-H, 2nd; Charley Sellers, Waurika 4-H; Class 2: Seth Waid, Waurika FFA, 1st, Res. Div. Champion; Emily Waid, Waurika FFA, 2nd; Kaylee Morris, Waurika FFA, 3rd; Div. 2: Class 3: Braden Jackson, Ringling FFA, 1st, Div. Champion; Abby Davis, Waurika 4-H, 2nd; Hannah Williams, Ryan 4-H, 3rd; Kaylee Morris, Waurika FFA, 4th; Class 4: Emily Waid, Waurika FFA, 1st, Res. Div. Champion; Isaac Gholson, Waurika FFA, 2nd; Div. 3: Class 5: Addison Jackson, Ringling 4-H, 1st, Div. Champion, Grand Champion; Caitlyn Ramsey, Waurika 4-H, 2nd, Res. Division Champion; Jaci Jo Gholson, Waurika 4-H, 3rd; Emily Waid, Waurika FFA, 4th; Class 6: Isaac Gholson, Waurika FFA, 1st; Riley Ross, Ryan 4-H, 2nd; Tucker Mashore, Ringling 4-H, 3rd; Savannah Lashley, Ryan FFA, 4th: Div.4: Class 7: Caitlyn Ramsey, Waurika 4-H, 1st, Res. Div. Champion; Addison Jackson, Ringling 4-H, 2nd; Braden Jackson, Ringling FFA, 3rd; Class 8: Braden Jackson, Ringling FFA, 1st, Div. Champion, Res. Div. Champion; Savannah Lashley, Ryan FFA, 2nd;
Wether Goat:
Div. 1: Class 1: Caitlyn Ramsey, Waurika 4-H, 1st, Div. Champion, Res. Grand Champion; Jaci Jo Gholson, Waurika 4-H, 2nd, Res. Div. Champion; Lexi Streeter, Waurika FFA, 3rd; Class 2: Riley Ross, Ryan 4-H, 1st; Isaac Gholson, Waurika FFA, 2nd; Lexi Streeter, Waurka FFA, 3rd; Gracie Walling, Waurika FFA, 4th; Div. 2; Class 3: Tucker Mashore, Ringling 4-H, 1st; Riley Ross, Ryan 4-H, 2nd; Seth Waid, Waurika FFA, 3rd; Riley Ross, Ryan 4-H, 4th; Class 4: Isaac Gholson, Waurika FFA, 1st, Div. Champion, Grand Champion; Tucker Mashore, Ringling 4-H, 2nd, Res. Div. Champion; Seth Waid, Waurika FFA, 3rd; Showmanship: Jr.-Caitlyn Ramsey, Waurika 4-H; Int.- Isaac Gholson, Waurika FFA; Sr.- Braden Jackson, Ringling FFA; School Group- Ringling
Addison Jackson – Grand ChampionBraden Jackson – Reserve Grand Champion, Senior ShowmanshipIsaac Gholson – Grand Champion, Intermediate ShowmanshipReese Reynolds – Reserve Grand Champion, Junior Showmanship.
Swine
Gilts:
Berkshire: Class 1: Eston Hardy, Ryan 4-H, 1st; Koble Lewis, Ryan 4-H, 2nd; Class 2: Kanyon McGahey, Ringling FFA, 1st, Breed Champion; Jordan Longest, Ringling FFA, 2nd. Res. Breed Champion; Avery Combs, Ryan FFA, 3rd
Chesterwhite: Class 1: Hayden Brown, Waurika FFA, 1st, Breed Champion; Madisen Rhoades, Ryan FFA, 2nd, Res. Breed Champion; Carter Combs, Ryan 4-H, 3rd
Duroc: Class 1: Walker Rawlings, Jefferson Co. 4-H; Class 2: Coltin Smith, Ringling 4-H, 1st, Breed Champion; Zoey Mercer, Ringling 4-H, 2nd, Res. Breed Champion; Kendi Barron, Ringling 4-H, 3rd; Maddy Ridenour, Ringling 4-H, 4th; Kalen Weldon, Ryan 4-H, 5th; Kanyon McGahey, Ringling FFA, 6th; Jasmine Villarreal, Ryan 4-H, 7th; Racen Williams, Ryan 4-H, 8th; Class 3: Samantha Horner, Waurika 4-H, 1st; Rhett Roberts, Ringling 4-H, 2nd; Carter Combs, Ryan 4-H, 3rd; Class 4: Haley Poage, Ryan 4-H, 1st
Hampshire: Class 1: Koble Lewis Ryan 4-H, 1st, Breed Champion; Austin Smith, Ringling 4-H, 2nd, Res. Breed Champion; Beane Combs, Ryan 4-H, 3rd; Kage McGahey, Ringling FFA, 4th
Farm Bureau agent Terry Sheffield with her daughter-in-law Marisa Sheffield and FB Secretary Fay Foster.
The annual Farm Bureau Hamburger Feed was a huge success!
Photo by Lauren Hobbs
Farm Bureau agent Terry Sheffield with her daughter-in-law Marisa Sheffield and FB Secretary Fay Foster.
The annual Farm Bureau Hamburger Feed was a huge success!
Someone was generous and had this banner made for Sam Countiss who loved cooking burgers at the annual Farm Bureau Hamburger Feed. He will be missed. Photo by Lauren Hobbs
Duncan Regional Hospital was recently named one of the Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals in the United States by The Chartis Center for Rural Health for the third straight year.
“This achievement is very gratifying and validates our daily commitment to providing the best health care possible to our community,” said Jay Johnson, President/CEO.
“This recognition for three years in a row is truly a reflection of how our medical staff and team members provide the highest quality care we can to our friends and families. We are so honored to be named as one of the Top 100 again this year”
Duncan Regional Hospital scored in the top 100 of rural and community hospitals on iVantage Health Analytics’ Hospital Strength INDEX®. The INDEX is the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural provider performance and its results are the basis for many of rural healthcare’s most prominent awards, advocacy efforts and legislative initiatives. The list of the Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals can be found at www.ivantageindex.com/top-performing-hospitals.
The Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals play a key role in providing a safety net to communities across America – and the INDEX measures these facilities across eight pillars of hospital strength: Inpatient Share Ranking, Outpatient Share Ranking, Cost, Charge, Quality, Outcomes, Patient Perspective, and Financial Stability.
“The Hospital Strength INDEX provides a true benchmark for helping rural providers to better understand performance levels and identify areas of improvement. When we look across the spectrum of rural-relevant INDEX indicators, the Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals are establishing a new standard for how to deliver higher quality care to their communities despite an unpredictable healthcare environment,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader of The Chartis Center for Rural Health.
About Duncan Regional Hospital
Serving Stephens and the surrounding counties since 1977, Duncan Regional Hospital has a state-wide reputation as one of the premiere Oklahoma hospitals for medical excellence, advanced technology and nationally recognized high levels of patient satisfaction and is a 138-bed nationally accredited hospital. To learn more visit www.duncanregional.com
About The Chartis Group
The Chartis Group® (Chartis) provides comprehensive advisory services and analytics to the healthcare industry. With an unparalleled depth of expertise in strategic planning, performance excellence, informatics and technology, and health analytics, Chartis helps leading academic medical centers, integrated delivery networks, children’s hospitals and healthcare service organizations achieve transformative results. The Chartis Center for Rural Health (CCRH) was formed in 2016 to offer tailored services, performance management solutions, research and education to rural hospitals and facilities. Learn more at Chartisrural.com.
It was a blessing to have made it through last week with all of the dilemmas we were faced with after Tuesday morning. We started out with 73 degree temperatures on Tuesday morning, but, by that evening it was 33 degrees. The wind was really blowing, and after I got home that evening, the electricity went out just after 10:00 pm. Thankfully, our power was restored at around 8:15 am Wednesday. I had the cat and dog in the house with me overnight. The cat never presents any problems being kept inside the house, but, the dog is not nearly as good as the cat. We made it through the night all in one piece. Our dog has a heat lamp in his dog house, so, he is accustomed to being outside. We were blessed with rain and sleet more than one day last week. Our little town just didn’t have many people out in this terribly cold weather. The clinic next door to me was closed on Wednesday and Thursday. I was surprised that Marc could make it to his clinic on both of those days. We were blessed with close to 6 inches of precipitation from the time it all started Tuesday through Saturday morning. It was another blessing to see the sun come out Saturday morning. Our kids were out of school Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, because of the icy conditions of our roads. I didn’t even receive my drug order from my wholesale company on Thursday. My delivery man called and was very concerned about coming down from Duncan, and I told him that I wasn’t in desperate need and could wait until Friday to get my order. I had several leaks in my store from the ice on top of the roof. After it began to get above freezing, the ice melted that was in contact with the roof, while a sheet of ice stayed above the ice that had thawed. This trapped the water above the roof and it found several holes to get into and I was trying to find buckets and trash cans to capture all the leaks that had sprung into action. This was certainly a challenge, but, not too much damage was done from the leaks. This just means more repair has become necessary.
This coming Tuesday should be the day for the Ryan City Council meeting at 6:00 pm.
Toby Brown passed away last Thursday morning. Toby is the son of V.C. And Vickie Brown. His best friend, Ben Arneson, came into the store Thursday morning and told me he had just passed away. Prayers to the Brown family and to Ben during this difficult time.
Kim’s news for this week: All the sleet and ice was not nice. Walking to the barn, I almost fell. Driving, I spun and fish tailed. Saturday, I gave a praise shout when the sun came out.
Foxy and I went to the livestock show, but, at 2:30 we had to go.
Everybody have a blessed week. Pray for rain and for each other.
Editor’s Note: This year’s Chamber Banquet requires more room than we have in this edition. Therefor, this is the first part of a two-part story.
Part two will be in next week’s paper.
It was a year to remember.
2018 was prosperous and successful for the city of Waurika.
Those who attended last Saturday evening’s Waurika Chamber of Commerce Banquet were treated to a sample of those accomplishments.
Chamber President Jon Waid served as master of ceremonies and with class and dignity recognized various individuals and businesses who have contributed to the betterment of Waurika during 2018.
Duncan Regional Hospital catered the Italian meal.
Local video production specialist and videographer Tyler Griffin showed two videos he produced.
Roy and Monica Bartling were honored for the tireless leadership during the Smithsonian Exhibit in 2018 and contributions to the advancement of Waurika.
The first video was of the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition, “The Way We Worked,” that was held in Waurika during this past summer.
Monica Bartling, the organizer and coordinator of the Smithsonian tour gave a presentation that recognized those who worked so hard to make it such a resounding success.
Although Monica humbly gives credit to others for the success of the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition, many have expressed that it would never have been a success without her Roy’s faithful leadership.
The Smithsonian venture began in 2014 when Amy Watkins—who was the Library Director at the time—wrote a grant application to the Oklahoma Humanities Council.
The representative from the council fell in love with Waurika and the depot.
Monica Bartling presents an award for Jerry and Virginia Wallace for all their hard work during the Smithsonian Exhibit. Adam Wallace is not pictured.
Ann Thompson, director of the Oklahoma Humanities Council suggested that it would be good to combine the Smithsonian Exhibit with the 150th Anniversary of the Chisholm Trail.
Waurika was one of the five cities in Oklahoma chosen to display the Exhibit. The other cities were Perkins, Broken Arrow, Grove and Poteau Oklahoma.
The April before the event, Johnny and Rinda Griffin, Pat and Kristie Gaines, Gary and Jane Carter, Gary and Lauren Nitschke, Gary and Becky Gerken, and Everett and Ann Hodges all pitched in by cleaning windows on Main Street, reworking the parking area at the library and cleaning up trees and sidewalks, documenting the history of downtown and adding new life to storefronts that had been covered in white paper or tarps for years.
Glen Hobbs awarded appreciation for his hard work during the Exhibit Photo by Curtis Plant
Another feature of the Exhibit was what became the “Story of the Boot” that illustrated the history of thirty families who have rich farming and ranching roots in Jefferson County. The stories of these families were on a featured display within the depot alongside the exhibits provided by the Smithsonian.The display was provided by Bobby Taylor, owner of Taylor-Made Welding, who donated his time to create it.
In addition to the Smithsonian Exhibit was the restoration of the Caboose at the depot.
A special thanks was given at the banquet to Jerry, Virginia, and Adam Wallace.
They worked tirelessly on the project.
Their efforts saved $2000 on the original quote. They were also responsible for the building of the stage for the melodrama and provided the farm equipment for the Antique Farm Exhibit as well as securing the chuckwagon for the Saturday event.
The Wallaces also provided the equipment to clear the trees behind the Presbyterial church.
Virginia donated a quilt for a fundraiser to raise funds for all events. Through their efforts $500 was raised.
The opening weekend of the Exhibit there was an “invitation only” celebration on the Friday evening before the big opening of the Exhibit on Saturday.
Thanks to the able talents of local druggist, Biff Eck, there was a Melodrama performed the night of before the Exhibit opening.
Darrel and Carolyn Beaver have been welcoming diners to the Chamber Banquet for years. Photo by Curtis Plant
Eck coordinated the play and recruited the actors. The play added to the entertainment and the flavor of the Exhibit.
The actors included Biff Eck, Mary Abernathy, Jessica Coody, Cindy Walker, Gene Chesley, and Brad Scott.
Clay and Lindsey Forst spent two years making a twenty minute video that featured interviews of citizens that recounted the history of Jefferson county. Originally they had 12 hours of interviews and spent a year taking pictures and video throughout the county.
Before the celebrations ever began Glen Hobbs was on hand when the Smithsonian Exhibit arrived in 12 huge trunks. Along with Lodge Scott, Glen was able to put together the exhibit material in eight hours.
Hobbs also assisted with the food preparations. When he discovered that the attendance scheduled for the opening night went up from 150 to 350, he assisted the chuckwagon crew by smoking briskets and helped serve during the event. He also built the rope making machine that the youth used during the display on Saturday.
During that Saturday celebration there was a gospel singing at the First Presbyterian Church. Those who led the singing was Belinda Bohot, Gaye Leseny and Claudine Smith. Belinda Bohot and Starr Herron cleaned the inside of the church from top to bottom.
A new sign for the church was created by Lauren Nitschke. The new sign was put up by Mike Gaines and Gary Gerken.
Other people who helped immensely were Tammy Moss Cox and Cross Brand Cowboy Church for providing free water for the Saturday event. The temperature that day was 105 degrees. The water was available at all downtown locations including the Presbyterian Church and the depot. Tammy volunteered her time to get the water, all the ice and the containers in place.
Fire Chief, Stephen Dyer and the Waurika Fire Department helped with every stop of the process and volunteered to cook hotdogs and hamburgers for the Saturday event.
On the day of the opening night, it was discovered that there was not going to be enough tables and chairs.
The Waurika Methodist Church, The First Baptist Church, David & Lisa England and the Waurika Fire Department suppled the tables and chairs.
After awards and thank yous were given, Monica told those at the banquet that the community wanted to keep the energy moving forward.
The Waurika Development Trust is undertaking a series of actions to make Waurika a better place.
She mentioned that Craig Williams had suggested the planting of wildflowers at the entrances and roadways coming into Waurika.
There is also talk of creating a Disc Golf Course at Harman Park.
After Monica’s presentation Jon Waid presented various awards.
One of the new business is “The Shedd Man” portable business downtown. Rev. Jonathan Hunt, the owner, was presented with a plaque.
The new Red River Fine Art Gallery downtown was also recognized. Owners, Jerry and Dee McMahan were on hand to receive a plaque of congratulations.
