Summer is officially here by the time this paper gets circulated on Thursday morning.I thought it arrived about a month or more ago, based on our temperatures we’ve seen.Electric bills are getting higher and we are still in great need of rain.The weather forecasters are predicting that this week we might have a pretty good chance to get some of that moisture.Outdoor plants are beginning to shrivel up unless they get a regular watering.Crops are suffering in the fields and ponds can sure use a replenishing, too.
The group of folks that worked so hard on helping to make our town look better, was treated to a lunch by Laura Jackson at The Parlor on Saturday a week ago.There was even one individual that was not a member of the group, that drove down from Oklahoma City, just to help with the clean up around Ryan.He got up early Saturday morning to arrive in Ryan by 7:15am to get with the group.He worked all morning and into the afternoon in the scorching heat.This individual is Rick Blanchard, son of Theresa Blanchard.Rick grew up in Ryan and graduated from high school here, too. If this doesn’t make us feel guilty, that there are folks that live in this town, that wouldn’t bother to begin to help make this town look like a town with a lot of pride and people that care about how their town looks. Thanks to Rick, and again to all the rest of the folks that worked so hard together.
Next thing on my list is the Ryan cemetery dinner that took place on Father’s Day.There was about $12,000 taken in from the meals, auction, and the raffle tickets that were sold. There was a good crowd that came in for the dinner.Macy Lovett won the rifle and Norman West won the Yeti cooler.Congratulations to those two.Thanks to everyone that helped make this event as successful as what it was.There were a lot of hard workers before, during, and after this event.Dustan Bryant put out some really good tasting smoked meats for the dinner.There were a great number of desserts for the meal and for the auction.The auction brought in $1150.00 and the raffle tickets brought in $2000.00.The rest was generated from donations and money from the dinners that were served.There are a lot of people that deserve a pat on the back for making this happen, and thanks to all of them.It was a great meal and our cemetery can be taken care of a little while longer without having to dip into our city’s moneys.
There is a shower box for Macie Jo Wright’s wedding at the Ryan Drug Store.Macie is marrying Austin Masoner from Waurika.Their shower is July 29th from 2-4pm at the Ryan Church of Christ Fellowship Hall.
Kim’s news for this week:
I’m so glad for all our Dad’s. By the way, Happy Father’s Day!
This week, I can’t complain, but, we could sure use a rain.For that, the Lord we should seek. Everyone have a blessed week.
Please remember to continue to ask for blessings of rain, and as Kim said, everyone have a blessed week.Please pray for each other, too.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma’s 675,000 residents on Medicare will get new, more secure cards starting this month. The card will have a new Medicare number that’s unique to each person instead of the person’s Social Security Number.
“The change to a new Medicare Number will help protect citizens from identity theft and fraud,” Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak said. “But with these new security measures comes an opportunity for scammers to take advantage of unsuspecting Medicare recipients. We want everyone to be aware.”
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has already spotted several scams involving the new cards. Medicare beneficiaries should know the following:
Do NOT pay for a new Medicare card. They are free. Never give your Social Security Number, bank account number or cash to anyone who says they need it in order to receive the new Medicare card. Medicare recipients do not need to do anything to get a new card. They are automatically mailed out.
Do NOT give your Medicare Number to people you don’t know. Some scammers call pretending to be from Medicare, but Medicare—or someone representing Medicare—will never ask for personal information to get a new Medicare card. Only share your Medicare Number with doctors or trusted people in the community who work with Medicare.
Don’t let anyone trick you into believing your Medicare benefits will be canceled unless you give them your Medicare Number. If someone threatens to cancel your health benefits if you don’t share your Medicare Number, hang up and report the caller to 1-800-MEDICARE.
Destroy your old Medicare card. Once you get your new Medicare card, destroy your old Medicare card and start using your new one right away. Don’t just throw the old card away—shred it or cut it into small pieces.
Mailing new Medicare cards to millions of Americans takes time. Cards may arrive at different times for a family member or friend. Recipients may check the status of their new card at Medicare.gov/NewCard.
If you have questions or need help with your new card, call the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s Medicare Assistance Program at 800-763-2828.
Voters will go to the polls this coming Tuesday, June 26, 2018 to decide who will serve District 3 as the County Commissioner and who will serve on the Waurika City Commission.
We sat down with all the candidates to give them a chance to let the voters know a little bit more about them.
Last week, we featured the interview with the current District 3 Commissioner Ricky Martin.
Ricky Martin
First, we begin this article with the other two candidates for the District 3 seat, Macy Lovett and Kenny Wilkerson.
Macy Lovett – District 3 Commissioner Candidate
Macy Lovett
Macy Lovett was raised in Waurika and lived in Jefferson County his whole life.
Although he went door to door when he was a child campaigning for his dad when he was running for State Representative, this is his first time to run for any political office.
He is throwing his hat in the ring for the District 3 Commissioner position because he feels he can contribute to the success of Jefferson County.
One of his goals if elected is to improve the budget by “going after federal funds.”
He believes there are grants and funding available at the federal level.
He also wants to improve the roads within the district.
Lovett has worked hard his whole life starting when he began working for his dad at the Culligan Water Treatment Company here in Waurika while attending school.
After seven years, his dad retired and sold the business, Lovett then went to work in Wichita Falls for a subsidiary of ALCOA for the next seven years.
Next, he worked for the Goodyear tire plant in Lawton. He stayed with them for ten years.
He then moved out to the family farm east of Ryan and has worked for England Farm and Fuel for the past six years.
If elected he plans to serve the citizens of the district by being attentive and treating everyone with respect, listening to their concerns.
He says he will always be up front and honest with his constituents. He also commits to working hard for the community and the success of the county.
Kenneth Wilkerson – District 3 Commissioner Candidate
Kenneth Wilkerson
Kenneth Wilkerson has also lived in Jefferson County all of his life.
He was raised in Grady, Oklahoma and attended school in Ryan.
He moved to Terral in 1978.
He was a part of the last graduating class of Terral High School.
Wilkerson enjoys helping in any way he can in the community.
He has helped with the Fire Department and the Sheriff’s Department.
Wilkerson has worked for District 3 in the past.
Much of his work experience includes driving a truck for twenty-nine years.
During that time he got to see much of the United States but prefers life in Jefferson County.
He also wants to improve the county budget and improve the county roads.
Making the county the best it can be by giving back for how good it has been to him is a driving motivation in his life.
Rickey Porterfield – Waurika City Commissioner Candidate
Rickey Porterfield
Rickey Porterfield is a lifelong citizen of Jefferson County. He was born at the old hospital on Elm Street on Friday the 13th.
He is running for a seat on the Waurika City Commission.
Porterfield’s family has served the county in various capacities.
His father was a police officer back in the days when officers had to supply their own cars.
Like many, he is concerned about the increase in the water bill.
He is going into this race with his eyes open and says he will not make any promises that he can not keep.
Porterfield worked for the Waurika Fire Department for 27 years.
During that time he made lots of friends and impacted lots of people in a positive way.
He has also helped with the Ambulance service.
Porterfield worked for the Elliott Manufactured Homes in Waurika for a while and now works for local rancher John Ross.
He is running in order to help the community in any way he can.
James Terry – Waurika City Commissioner Candidate
James Terry
James Terry is a familiar face in Waurika.
He is seeking a seat on the city commission to make improvements.
Lowing the water bills and improving the streets are his main two goals.
Terry was raised in Ryan and in Oklahoma City.
Terry moved back to Waurika 10 years ago.
He is famous for his watermelons.
His other occupation is mowing yards during the summertime.
Jacob Eck – Seeking Re-Election to the Waurika City Commission
Jacob Eck
Jacob Eck was elected to fill an unexpired term and is now seeking re-election.
Eck is quick to point out that the success of the city commission has been a group effort of all the commissioners. He says the commissioners are working well together.
He is grateful that the city is no longer in debt and is looking forward to continued growth.
Recently he said the city was able to save the citizens around $300,000 by refinancing and consolidating loans.
He is excited about the future of Waurika.
If re-lected he wants to see the city to continue to improve financially.
Eck’s reason for seeking another term is for the sake of continuity. He doesn’t want to see the city revert back to the way it was a few years ago.
He now understands how the city works, especially the city budget, and wants to maintain the growth and stability the city is currently enjoying.
Eck says that the inner workings of city government are more complex than many realize.
One of the things he has enjoyed is learning how city government works.
For instance there are limits on what the members of the council can and can’t do. That knowledge helps improve the relationship with other entities in the community like the chamber of commerce. It allows them to work together more efficiently.
Eck is proud of the hard work of the city employees in making Waurika a better place.
He said one of the things the citizens should be proud of is that one of Carole Eakin’s goals of seeing the water towers repaired and cleaned is coming to fruition.
It’s his goal that the city grow and be able to hire more employees in order to better serve the community.
Another goal of his is to see the golf course operating and successful again.
Eck says he is accessible to citizens and values their input. If their suggestion is not feasible or possible he always tries to explain why.
He understands the concerns citizens have about the increased water rate.
Eck explains that the rate increases have been necessary to ensure the balanced budget and keeping the city in the black.
Henry Lara – Seeking Re-Election to the Waurika City Commission
Henry Lara
Henry Lara has been on the commission for three years. He said the first two years “you have to sit back watch and learn. During the third year, you have to remember that you are only one vote out of five. For instance, I voted against the 7.5 percent rate increase on the water bill. I want to see the town grow. I want to see more jobs come to Waurika.”
Lara is grateful for the improvements over the past three years. He even bragged on the efforts of Jacob Eck with the Downtown Again program and he was grateful for the new Farmer’s Market.
In the future Lara wants to upgrade the city vehicles. They are old he says and even lack air conditioning.
He believes the city is on the right track.
If elected, Lara states that his next term will be better than his first term. “I’m more knowledgeable, I can look more deeply into the subject matter and am a little wiser today.”
“There’s a good harmony among the commissioners,” he says. He believes they all want what is best for Waurika.
OKLAHOMA CITY, June 15 – For the eighth year, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame will award one Oklahoma high school senior the $6,000 Oklahoma Hall of Fame Scholarship. The scholarship, which is dispersed to the winning student over four years, is based on the student’s leadership roles, civic and community involvement, academic achievement and knowledge and pride of our great state. Students must commit to attending an Oklahoma college or university to be considered; and students must be nominated for this scholarship by a teacher, administrator or any other adult not related to the student.
The scholarship fund was created by the personal donations of Oklahoma Hall of Fame Members and others who wanted to encourage and inspire the next generation of Oklahoma leaders. A committee of Oklahoma Hall of Fame Members participate in the selection of the scholarship recipient.
The $6,000 Oklahoma Hall of Fame Scholarship is just one of the scholarships included in the statewide scholarship opportunities offered annually by the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Each April, the Oklahoma Scholarship Competition provides an opportunity for Oklahoma high school students to earn cash scholarships and tuition grants for college. With at least 8 scholarships in each county available, students compete based on their knowledge of Oklahoma history, our people, and geography.
Scholarship applications are due Friday, September 7th after downloading and completing the nomination form at https://oklahomahof.com/scholarships.
For more information about the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Scholarship and other scholarships offered by the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and Gaylord-Pickens Museum, contact Gini Moore Campbell, vice president, at 405.523.3202 or gmc@OklahomaHoF.com.
The Oklahoma Hall of Fame preserves Oklahoma’s history by telling Oklahoma’s story through its people. Founded in 1927, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame was created to honor Oklahomans who had given outstanding service to the state during their lifetime and to provide educational programming for students of all ages.
Being inducted to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame is Oklahoma’s Highest Honor. Through exhibits and experiences at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame stands to preserve Oklahoma’s unique history while promoting pride in our great state. For more information about the Oklahoma Hall of Fame or Gaylord-Pickens Museum, visit oklahomahof.com or call 405.235.4458.
SULPHUR, Okla. – With school out and summer in full swing, the Chickasaw Cultural Center offers an array of fun activities and events for all ages.
Lecture Series: Pollinators Have Much to Teach Us
The Chickasaw Cultural Center will host the Chickasaw Nation Lecture Series: “Pollinators Have Much to Teach Us.” The lecture will be streamed live via the Chickasaw Nation Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TheChickasawNation.
Thalia Miller, director of horticulture for Chickasaw Nation Culture and Humanities will present at 1 p.m.Thursday, June 21.
Children’s Festival
The annual Children’s Festival provides fun for the whole family Saturday, June 23.
Children and family will have access to make and take crafts, face painting, food and hydration, a bean bag toss game and Living Village activities.
Children will receive free gifts while supplies last.
The Chipota (Children’s) Film Festival will take place Saturday, June 23. The festival showcases family-oriented cinema.
“Toy Story” will be shown at 10:30 a.m. followed by “Charlotte’s Web” at noon. “Pinocchio” will play at 1:30 p.m. followed by “Stuart Little” at 3 p.m.
The lecture and Children’s Festival, along with the Chipota Film Festival, is open to the public at no charge.
The musical drama “The Greatest Showman” will be shown at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, June 23, in the Anoliꞌ Theater. Prices for the showing are $3 for children age 12 and under, $4 for adults or $6 for a movie deal that includes ticket, popcorn and drink.
It was dry windy morning, May 31st (my sisters birthday) I was in the southern Colorado Rocky Mountains trout fishing when I noticed, over the tops of the mountains south of me, a column of smoke hanging in the air like a thick wall cloud. With no telephone or radio reception I hoped for the best and continued to fish.
Picture taken from southern Colorado. Photo by Mike Floyd
After i wrangled my limit of trout to the shore, on my stringer and in the ice chest, down the mountain and into town I went to call my sister and wish her Happy Birthday.
Once in town, I picked up the local news on my radio to find out that smoke I saw earlier was in the high country of Northern New Mexico, in the Ute Park Mountains.
This is were things get exciting… My Elderly Aunt and Uncle own a cabin in those mountains along with several of their friends (also from Oklahoma). I immediately made a call to them and was able to get through. My uncles voice was calm when he answered his phone, which relieved me. I asked if the fire was close and what he was doing? His reply was… “Well, we are just sitting on the porch watching the helicopters drop water on the fire” and that they didn’t feel they were in danger. I told them I was just an hour and a half away and that I would come help evacuate them if they needed me to. He assured me he would call and we hung up.
Approaching the fire driving south out of Raton New Mexico. Photo by Mike Floyd
The next morning, June 1st, I woke to see the smoke was more intense and covered a larger area…the fire was now a out of control wild fire. I immediately called my uncle, it went straight to voicemail with each call attempt. Thinking he wasn’t up yet, I went ahead and hopped in my truck and headed to Ute Park so that I could sit with them until this fire was out of their area.
The closer I got, the worse it looked, I started to get concerned and so I mashed down on that pedal to get there as soon as I could. As I approached Cimmeron New Mexico, the smoke was thicker in town and air quality was “poor”… Once in town it was an eerie feeling, the only traffic were fire bush trucks that where extinguishing fire ambers in town. I got on highway 64 west ( the only road into Ute Park), at the edge of town I rolled up on a road block stationed by the State Highway Patrol (impossible to negotiate with) and due to trees down, they did not allow me to proceed to Ute Park.
Road block on highway 64 to Ute Park. Photo by Mike Floyd
I then got my hunting maps out that showed every back road in that area… After several attempts, I was unable to get through even on back roads, the fire was too large and intense. Ute Park was surrounded by fire and there were no evacuation routes open, my Aunt and uncle had to ride it out!
I’m getting warmer…. 🙂 Fire is right around the bend in the road, north of Cimmeron (back road). Photo by Mike Floyd
I later found out through a news crew on the scene that the cell tower melted and collapsed. I returned to Cimmmeron only to find the town was in mandatory orders to evacuate the entire town, instead of getting closer to my family in need, I was forced to move further away, miles away to Raton New Mexico (on the only open route out of Cimmeron). As I was in line of evacuating cars on the highway, I spotted another dirt road leading back into the mountains, I whipped it in there and headed back through the fire to Ute Park, the smoke got thicker as I drove, so I stopped for my own safety and just watched. I then noticed a antelope with three babies come running out of the smoke.. I didn’t know they could even have three babies, so I assumed, she was leading the other two to safety that for some reason got separated from their mothers. As I sat there, I received a call that my aunt and uncle were safe and being evacuated.
Game warden in the rearview running me off! Photo by Mike Floyd
It was perfect timing because the game warden pulled up with sirens and lights a blaring, so I mashed down on that pedal and raced him to the gate outa there…. He locked me out.
I returned back to Colorado to my fishing hole, thanked Jesus for a the safety of my family and to watch over the men and women that risk their lives making ours safer! He replied, your welcome, by filling my stringer again with Rainbow trout!
The Summer Reading Program kicked off last week on June 4th.
Monday, after DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) time, the kids made banjos. After reading and crafts, it was time for lunch. Thanks to Sonic for providing grilled cheese and tater tots and thanks to Vicki Etheridge and Starr Heron for helping out.
Tuesday, after DEAR time the kids made maracas using plastic eggs, grains and spoons. After they finished their craft they went outside to play games finding eggs under cans.For lunch, Patricia McGriff made hot dogs for the kids served with fruit and chips. Thank you Pat!
Wednesday, after DEAR time, the kids made kazoos with toilet paper rolls, wax paper, and rubber bands. After making their craft, the kids headed outside to race while holding a pool noodle between their knees.Thanks to Kristie Gaines and her team at the Quick Mart for providing pizza today for lunch. Thanks to the Waurika Lion’s Club for serving.
Thursday, after DEAR time, Mr. Hodges, the Waurika band director, came to talk about music and brought a variety of instruments such as a trumpet, trombone, flute and drum. Thank you Mr. Hodges!Mr. Hodesalso gave them clackers and tambourines and had them play along while he played the trombone. Next, the kids made harmonicas out of craft sticks.After the presentation and crafts, the kids had lunch. Thanks to Adam Brinson and Jeffco Helping Hands for providing lunch today. Also thanks to Carol Prewitt and Anita Goza-Solomon for helping serve.
Friday wrapped up the first week of the Summer Reading Program. Fridays are park days and after Drop Everything And Read, the kids headed outside for some flavor-ice and play.Once the kids came back inside, it was time for lunch. Thanks to Gary and Lauren Nitschke for providing the meat and grilling hamburgers. Thanks to Carol Prewitt for helping prep and serve.
Thanks to Kim Clampitt for setting up activities last week. It was her first time teaching for the Summer Reading Program and she did great! We’ll see her back for Week 4. This week, Ramona Johnson will be here to coordinate the program.
Thanks to Karlee Berthiaume for all of her assistance.Thanks to Brittney Helterbran for all of her help.Also, thanks to Destiny Foster 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.
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/
Quote of the Day- “I think it is important to begin with a statement in your speech that grabs the attention of the audience. I try to make my opening line 15 words or less.” -Charles R. Swindoll.
First Baptist Church Vacation Bible School is set for July 16-20. Our theme this year is “Game On”. Buses will run nightly. Theme Verse: His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3
Terral Volunteer Fire Department– Will be selling t-shirts until June 15th. Cost os $15.00 for regular sizes and $17.00 for 2XL to 4XL. All proceeds go to the Volunteer Fire Department. You may pick up an order for at City Hall and Drop it back by City Hall. If you have ordered a T-shirt and not paid for it please stop by City Hall and pay for your shirts.
FBC Girls in Action- GA’s end-of-the-year Pool Party is set for Wednesday, June 13th. We will leave from the church at 6:00pm to go to the Bowie Pool. Pool party is from 7:00 to 9:00 afterwards we will have pizza at the pavilion. Girls will be delivered home after we return to Terral. Hope to see you there!
Happy Birthday To You– Donna Wesberry partied on the 3rd. Brilee Caldwell celebrated on the 4th. Barry P. Alsup will have cake on the 12th. Adan Uribe will have cake and ice cream on the 12th also. Lindsey Caldwell will celebrate on the 19th. Happy Birthday to all our birthday persons and may God bless you with many more.
Happy Anniversary– Jan & Cedar Campsey will celebrate on the 12th.
Community Prayer List– The family of Robert Harnois, Tony Rodriguez, Brenda Bryant, Archie Fulton, Scotty Day, Tom Baysinger, Sue Linton, Martin Villarreal, Sr., Joe Martin, Adam White,Mary Loo Duke, Florita Villarreal, Shana Reed, Hardy Johnson and our military stationed around the world. May God keep you in his loving care.
It’s very hot and dry around here.I am thankful that I have an indoor job. I don’t think I could stand to be outside in this heat.
I attended the city council meeting last Tuesday evening.There were several younger folks that attended that had been placed on the agenda for the evening.Sherry and Eddy Pewitt were there to discuss some points of interest with the council.Dylan Sheffield and Johnny Kimbro also discussed some points of interest to benefit our town’s appearance.They got together some folks to do some cleaning up of our local business district.They were working hard this Saturday afternoon. They cleaned the debris from around the pipes under the ramps out here on Washington Street.They did a lot of work on the flower garden located under to mural on the highway.They cleaned the area around the drain at the corner in front of the mural. They filled in some pot holes located in our alley behind the north side of Washington business area. They all worked so hard and during the hottest part of the day.Thanks to all of the folks that participated during this cleaning event.It was so good to see that there are young people that are taking pride in our community.Things can get done when there are groups of people that can all work together to better our communities. The city council also approved Macy Wright setting up a firework stand within the city limits.The council also discussed the need to hire a part time employee during the summer months.They said this job would pay $10.00 per hour and would allow up to 20 hours per week.Anyone interested in part time employment, go in to Ryan City Hall and fill out an application.
This Sunday is Father’s Day and also the day set for the Ryan Cemetery dinner fund raiser.There are tickets being sold at City Hall for a Yeti cooler and cap, and 2 rifles.The tickets for the raffle are $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00.Go into City Hall if you would like to purchase some tickets.
There will be another sidewalk sale in downtown Ryan on July 6th.If you missed the first one, then folks will have another chance to check out our local merchants sale items.
Our Methodist Church members got to meet our new pastor, Christy Clark and her husband Mark,and son Conrad this past Sunday.This was Christy’s first Sunday as pastor in our church.She also preaches at Temple Methodist Church.We look forward to having her as our pastor.
I took Brionna back to the Ranch Sunday after church.She had a little longer stay this time.I picked her up Saturday evening a week ago so that she could go to church and see Sandyfor the last time serving as our church pastor. She was also wanting to get to meet our new pastor, so, I just let her stay all week so she would be home for both occasions. She got to go to lunch with Terri and Chuck this past Thursday at Circle Dee’s.
Kim’s news for this week:
Foxy and I have been riding Ruffy Tuffy every day.They both got their baths on Sunday.Every morning I’m still able to drink coffee at the Cowboy College Table.Everyone have a blessed week.
Have a Happy Father’s Day and hope a lot of folks will come out to the school for lunch on that day to help support our Ryan cemetery.Have a blessed week.Pray for rain and for each other.
