1st Quarter 2008
January, February and March 2008

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.

Jeff King State Representative visits Elk City

Jeff King, State Representative, scheduled a visit to Elk City in January. He met people of Elk City for a "Listening" Session. This informal meeting began with Jeff seaking briefly on two topics of interest: he said that he was proud of how the First Responders in this area took care of things when the area experienced the flood during July 2007 and more recently the ice storm, but was disappointed in the state's response. He is working to sponsor bills aimed at relieving people during disasters. Secondly, Rep. King also discussed Wind Farms and energy problems in Kansas; he mentioned his concern that the state does not have an energy policy that is forward-looking. He hopes to be able to help sponsor bills that will address this lack.

News from the Churches

The First Christian Church is holding a Ladies Night Out each month with finger foods, tea, coffee and punch being served. Everyone plays games and has a wonderful time. Community Good Friday services were held at the First Christian Church.

the United Methodist Women meet, each month with a lesson; January was entitled "Learning for a Lifetime", February "The Icing on the Cake/Pledge Service", March "Peace Journeying to Claim It: . The 2008 prayer chain and community mission projects for the year were discussed. February, the UMW hosted a soup luncheon, preceeding the meeting. Regular Sunday Services were held on Easter morning.

Church of the Nazarene held Easter Sunrise Services at 7 a.m. with breafast following.

Easter Egg Hunt

The annual Easter Egg Hunt was held March 22nd. The hunt split in 3 groups, Toddlers to age 2, Pre-school to Age 4, Kindergarten to age 7, and ages 8-10. It was another successful Hunt for 2008. It was chilly day but the children were ready to go. Children brought their own baskets and collected their eggs, some of the eggs held a note for a prize, usually an Easter stuffed animal.

Sunnyside School Burns

Sunnyside School in 2004

Sunnyside School after it burned

Sunnyside School, District #24 organized in 1871 and was disorganized in 1946, burned on February 10, 2008 of unknown causes. It is sad when part of Elk City's past is gone. Travelers on highway 160 on the west end of Montgomery County could see this schoolhouse facing the east and almost expecting children's footsteps approaching after each sunrise. The land on which the schoolhouse was built was purchased for school purposes from W. D. Whelchel and wife Samantha in 1880, 9 years after the school was first held. The consideration was ten dollars and the provision that the land revert to its original owner or his assigns should it no longer be used for educational purposes. It has been standing on the north side of the highway all these years with some of the school items still inside. Someone went by the schoolhouse one day and all was well, a second person went by 20 minutes later and saw smoke. There was no electricity in the building and it was during the daytime hours. It is a mystery on how the fire was started. The building was completely destroyed, the flag pole still stands alone out front of the pile of rubble. The storm celler is still there or as it was called many years ago, the fraidy hole.

Around Town

The Carson Lodge #132 has put in new cabinets in the lodge hall. They are the lodge that hosts the 4th Sunday Breakfast each month and are the sponsors of the annual Pancake and Sausage Supper each February.

Students and citizens of Elk Valley Schools 8th grade class donated 200 canned, boxed and bagged items to an area food bank.

Elk City's VFW Post #7254 chose a U.S. Marine Corp Unit serving in Iraq in the Adopt A Unit Program. They have collected a number of items to ship to our men serving in Iraq. They have sent eight care packages by the end of March and are still collecting. The VFW plans to collect items through the end of May. "WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS"

Elk City is trying to organize a baseball club. The town had several baseball teams not many years ago, but the Ball Association disbanded a few years back and unified with other towns.

Kim Mac Ranch held their annual Angus Bull Sale March 27th. A large crowd was present and the bulls cooperated very nicely.

Obituaries

Trego, Joanne, 79 died December 25, 2007, the daughter of Alva L. and Helen L. (Gale) Marr.
Powell, Laura May died December 28, 2007, she was the daughter of Elmer and Lilly Schwatken.
Troutman, Lavona B., age 90 died September 28, 2006, the daughter of Elmer and Lilly Schwatken.
Jaeger, John W. age 87 died December 6, 2007, Mr. Jaeger was in WWII, U. S. Army Air Corps serving in the European Theatre.
Kimberlin, Wayne, age 58 died January 14, 2008, burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Elk City
Kennedy, Jimmy J., age 69 died Janury 21, born December 30, 1938 to Emory and Alta Kennedy.
Simmons, Bethel Marie, died February 6, burial in Oak Hill Cemetery of Elk City. Mrs. Simmons was born in Elk City to Clyde C. and Fern (Hankins) Lawrence.
Miller, Fred Cummins, age 93, died January 31, in Oklahoma.
Faler, Robert Dane "Bob", age 88 died February 15, burial in Oak Hill Cemetery of Elk City. Mr. Faler was born to Paul and Mary (Glasgow) Faler. He graduated in 1937 from Elk City High School.
Thompson, Donna M. age 94, died March 17, interment at Oak Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Thompson was the daughter of Charles Henry Boren and Nellie Chollottie (Taylor) Boren.
Meadows, Edward Leon Meadows, agte 75, died March 18, burial in Oak Hill Cemetery of Elk City. Mr. Meadows was born to Charles and Mary (Pearcy) Meadows in Elk City.
Welch Curtis C., age 89, died March 20, burial in Oak Hill Cemetery. Mr. Welch was born to Charlie and Veta (Stong) Welch.