4th Quarter 2012
October, November, December 2012
A quick note, this web page is sponsored by Elk City PRIDE in connection with Kansas State University PRIDE Program and through the Blueskyways Library System. PRIDE and the people of Elk City make up the content of this website.
Check It Out
pictures from the Christmas Parade
See Pictures of Santa visiting with children
See Picture of Christmas Decoration in Elk City
Santa in Elk City
Santa made 3 showings in Elk City this year. We must have been a very good town with extra good people. Started the Christmas season off December 1st with a Christmas Parade. The parade had great weather and was well attended with spectators and floats. At the end of the parade Santa arrived on the back of the fire truck. Santa set up shop by the Christmas Tree and visited with the children. Folowing the parade a Soup Luncheon was held at the Community Building for a fundraiser to support the Community Building.
pictures from the Christmas Parade
Santa returned again to meet the school buses from Longton and Independence, taking Christmas Wishes and Santa giving out Candy.
Santa arrived a 3rd time at the Fire Station to greet children from the rural areas of Elk City and Santa gave out a gift to those who came into town. Then Santa left the fire station on the back of the fire truck and delivered a gift to each of the children living in town. Driving down the street exclaiming "Ho Ho Ho" and distributing gifts to the children on that street.
See Pictures of Santa visiting with children
Restoration of Model T Fire Truck
A project has begun on restoring Elk City's Model T Fire Truck. They are looking for any history or pictures on the Fire Truck and donations are welcomed and appreciated. The transmission rebuilding has been started. Contributions to the model T restoration are still needed.
Elk Citian wins Miss American Angus
Congratulations to the 2013 Miss American Angus Esther McCabe, Elk City, Kan. She is the daughter of Randy and Varee McCabe and granddaughter of the (late) Polly McCabe and is the youngest of four children, Flinton, Ethan and Hannah, who are all involved in the day-to-day operations of McCabe Genetics. “Each one of us has our strengths and weaknesses while working on the farm,” McCabe says. “It makes us all work together in order to get everything done.”
In the show ring there are several things to capture the crowd’s attention —well-groomed cattle, the judge's pace, green jackets and Angus royalty. But, there is one that stands out from the rest, literally. The 2013 Miss American Angus, with her sparkling crown and poised stance, measures up to 6’3”; taller than many showmen. Although height is not all that sets her apart, it’s also her indisputable enthusiasm for the Angus industry and laid back, but confident attitude.
Esther McCabe, Elk City, Kan., was crowned as the 2013 Miss American Angus Monday, Nov. 12 during the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) in Louisville, Ky. She succeeds 2012 Miss American Angus Brooke Harward, Richfield, N.C.
A sophomore at Butler Community College, McCabe is pursuing a career in pharmacy. She will transfer to Kansas State University next fall to complete her degree in food science and minor in animal sciences and industry.
“While filling out the Miss American Angus application form, I realized that the person I am today is because of the opportunities the American Angus Association® and National Junior Angus Association has given me,” McCabe says. “Serving as Miss American Angus is a way to give back and make a difference, especially in the lives of younger women in the breed so they too can become more involved.”
Hosted by the American Angus Auxiliary, the annual Miss American Angus contest provides one Angus junior an opportunity to serve as a breed ambassador and assist with shows, educational events, and field days to educate others about the beef industry, and benefits of Angus genetics.
Five young women vying for the crown completed a written test, delivered a prepared speech, completed an interview and answered impromptu questions from a panel of judges. Competing this year were Esther McCabe, Elk City, Kan.; Kendra Merriman, Lowell, Mich.; Kayla Widerman, Good Hope, Ill.; Tylee Williams, Clarendon, Texas, and Emily Velisek, Gaithersburg, Md.
During her year of service, McCabe hopes to become acquainted with more people involved in the Angus breed and to broaden her industry knowledge: “I hope to represent the breed in a way that people from other breeds and consumers are intrigued and want to learn more,” McCabe says
Massive Dust Storm
Early in the day it looked like dust from the rock quarry, but by mid-afternoon it was evident there was something much more in the air around Elk City. A massive dust storm swirling reddish-brown clouds over northern Oklahoma on Oct. 18th was blowing 40 mph into Kansas. The dust storm triggered a multi-vehicle accident along a major interstate Thursday, forcing police to shut down the heavily traveled road amid near blackout conditions.
In a scene reminiscent of the Dust Bowl days, choking dust suspended on strong wind gusts shrouded Interstate 35, which links Dallas and Oklahoma City to Kansas City, Mo. Video from television station helicopters showed the four-lane highway virtually disappearing into billowing dust on the harsh landscape near Blackwell, plus dozens of vehicles scattered in the median and on the shoulders.
The area has suffered through an extended drought and many farmers had recently loosened the soil while preparing for the winter wheat season.
"You have the perfect combination of extended drought in that area ... and we have the extremely strong winds," said Gary McManus, the Oklahoma state climatologist.
"Also, the timing is bad because a lot of those farm fields are bare. The soil is so dry, it's like powder. Basically what you have is a whole bunch of topsoil waiting for the wind to blow it away. It's no different from the 1930s than it is now." If the drought continues, we can expect more of the same.
Around Town
There were 31 homes that were decorated for Christmas in Elk City. The nice weather was a big asset to outdoor decorating. Many of the homes were beautiful. What a great town we have. See Picture of Christmas Decoration in Elk City
The SEK-CAP seniors held their annual Community Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 9th at noon-meat, drinks, and bread were provided by the SEK-CAP Seniors. Visitors brought a covered dish. Veterans of Elk City were invited since it was so close to Veterans Day.
Toys for Elk City Kids held a fund raising dinner on November 10th. A delicious supper of pulled pork, potatoes, baked beans and dessert was served. A donation of a toy was all you needed to eat. Santa will deliver the gifts via the Elk City fire engine in December.
The County FCS Agent gave the Gingham Aprons FCE a lesson to Club Members in November fixing meals for 1 or 2 people.
Elk City Rural Fire Department attended an Aviation Incident Response Training course on Saturday October 20th. This class was to further educate First Responders about the safety that is needed in the incident of a plane crash. The firefighters were also trained on how to set up a landing zone at a scene of an accident or injury. This was an all day class offered by Cessna Aircraft Company
The physics class at Elk Valley have been developing and constructing rockets as a class project. The class launched the rockets this past week and will be calculating launch height, speed, distance and angle.
Four Independence men, one with ties to Elk City, and their hunting dogs won every event they entered in the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever National Field Trial held at Timber Hills Lake Hunting & Fish Adventures Resort in Mapleton. The dogs won four national championship titles out of 12 awarded at the competitions. Pictured here is Steve and Scout. Scout was first place in Amateur Flushing in a 20 dog field.
The morning of Friday, October 12, Adyson had the great honor of riding to school in a fire engine after winning the Independence Fire Safety essay contest. Her entry was entitled “Don’t play with matches!” When asked what her favorite part of the experience was she stated, “The best part was riding in the fire truck and seeing all her friends and family waiting for her(at school).
The Craft and Chatter Club painted wooden Christmas ornaments. The designs were already on the ornaments. Some did really well staying inside the lines and some not.
Church News
The Methodist Church Ladies began a winter project. Quilt, Craft, and Talk will be held on Saturday Mornings. In December they held the Hanging of the Greens program.
The First Christian Church held a Holiday Tea in December for the ladies of the community.
The December Activities at the Church of the Nazarene; All Church Christmas Banquet, the Kids Korner kids served the Christmas meal to their families. They also had a Children's Pageant "Signs for Christmas" and went Caroling around town.
All the churches in town held the annual Community Candlelight Service, this year it was held at the Church of the Nazarene. All the churches worked together and delivered baskets in Elk City.
Tidbits by JO
October
The Osburn Family Annual Hot Roast was held Sat. Sept. 29th with approx. 125 attending. Joe Cox & bean cooker crew Jerry , John & Dennis arrived early to prepare the famous beans. Bob supplied & cooked 50# of French fries, which were a hit! Attendees began arriving about 6 pm with scrumptious covered dishes to a wonderfully clean, fall decorated shop by Jane & Pam, assisted by Michele. Allison & Steve constructed a fire breathing dragon made from pumpkins, grown by Grandpa & Grandma Osburn & the pork cooked by Steve was good as usual. Ron Kuszak of the 1st Christian church gave the blessing & the meal began. Family, friends & neighbors enjoyed beautiful weather while visiting. The younger set finished off the evening with a ping-pong tourney. Thanks to all who attended & helped.
The farmers fall fertilizing & wheat planting is underway, bean harvest has begun. The cattlemen are still in need of pond water & fishermen need the lake to rise! And wow, did it turn cooler all of a sudden!! Some vegetation looks like it was frosted.
Some mornings its question & answer time with Michele. What’s your favorite auto, body part, who pays on a date, what super power character you’d like to be. Makes for some interesting conversations & she even has prizes. Presidential debates were a hot topic.
What I learned this month: Why men & women’s buttons are on the opposite sides of clothing. Men normally dressed themselves and buttoned their own shirt from right to left. Wealthy women had handmaids who helped them get dressed. The buttons were on the left side making them easier to manipulate by a servant.
November
The holiday season has started, hopefully you had a bountiful Thanksgiving with family & friends. Now to tackle Christmas. Are you ready for the shopping, caroling, decorating & eating? Remember you can’t count calories and enjoy the festivities.
Keli mart had plenty of trick/treat candy for the coffee crowd and throughout the week!! Michele & I dressed up in our costumes, definitely livened up the morning coffee and cinnamon rolls. ?
We learned how not to kill a cow for butchering from Tony & Mike one morning. Tony Paul being our resident bug man discussed the current elder bug and Asian orange lady bug problem. The election was the conversation for several days, now that it’s over we pray the leaders of our country make the right decisions.
We reminisced one day about all the old businesses in town, where they were & who owned them. We had a lesson in diseases, how & why we get them.
And why is it men expect women to wear make-up to look good, but men aren’t required to do the same. We like looking at good looking men, just as much as they like looking at good looking women!
Pam and I enjoyed the Open House weekend Outhouse Tour at Elk Falls on the 16-17th. Elk Falls Pottery has moved to a new location and sure is nice. The outhouses are always a hoot.
Michele has the Keli Mart for sale. There has been a lot of speculation and inquiries, but it’s still on the market. Surely someone out there would like a nice family business & a vital part of the Elk City community. It would be a shame to lose one of the social gathering spots & convenience store in EC.
What I learned this month, how many of you ‘ol football players from ECHS had your brains scrambled from not having protective head gear or else you were just more hard headed than the players are now.
December
Happy 2013…. Hope your Christmas was merry & bright with the celebration of the birth of Jesus as your Reason for Season. Was your want list longer than your need list? Santa was good to all of us.
Topics of discussion: KSU becoming the BIG 12 Champions & going to the Fiesta Bowl, Collin Klein of K-state was one of 3 in the running for the Heisman Trophy and while he didn’t win he definitely deserved it! The drought is still a concern for all. Ponds & wheat need rain.
Dec. 7th, Pearl Harbor Day. Let us remember and be forever grateful for all of their sacrifices." The Navy and National Park Service, which is part of the Interior Department, hosted the ceremonies at Pearl Harbor held in remembrance of the 2,390 service members and 49 civilians killed in the attack. The Pearl Harbor attack evoked fierce patriotism."Our way of life has always, and will always be, protected and preserved by volunteers willing to give their lives for what we believe in,"
So many senseless shootings and stabbings at schools and public places, especially at this time of the year make it even sadder. What is wrong with people and cracking down on control for everyone won’t solve the problem. In China, a man has stabbed 20 young children with a knife...it doesn't matter what the preference of the weapon is, it's the evilness of the heart.
We lost three members of the community this month, Verna Meise (past city clerk) from west of Elk City, Sharron Vance, who lived in Elk City and Chub Reed. All had had been active members in community events, Chub owning the feed store Reed and Widick in Elk City for many years.
We had lots of yummy snacks at the Keli Mart. What I learned this month: How to tell the difference between a male and female oak tree….
Hmm, the female has nuts! ? Happy New Year!
Obituaries
Foster, Carol Dean (Parks) age 75, died September 16, 2012 She graduated from Elk City High School
Moore, Jim O'Neil, age 80 died May 8th. He graduated fro Elk City High School
Schnoor, Fern age 95 passed away November 11, 2012
Troutman, Edna L. age 92 passed away October 29, 2012
Hoover, Larry L. age 77 died November 7, 2012
Likes, Maxine L. age 91 died November 2, 2012
Todd, Margaret Eleanor, age 67 died November 9, 2012
Oliver, Margaret, age 94 died November 9, 2012
Vance, Sharon J., age 71 died December 19. 2012
Meise, Verna, age 69, passed away December 15, burial in Oak Hill Cemetery Elk City
Reed, Cecil "Chub", age 95 passed away December 25, 2012 burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Elk City
Remembering the Past
