December 2020

As the calendar turned to May, the mood remained somber. Politicians and citizens argued over the need for masks to protect against the spread of COVID, while long-held traditions were put on hold as gathering in public was off limits.

In El Reno, that meant no Burger Day and for a while, it looked like no high school graduation. And yet, some still found reason to celebrate, although with dire economic times, those moments were far fewer than normal.

May

Family and the city of Yukon are celebrating the birthday of Maxine Hubbs Brockhaus. Brockhaus turned 100 years of age Dec. 27.

She was scheduled to receive a commemorative plaque from city hall.

Brockhaus was born in El Reno Dec. 27, 1920. She graduated high school there in 1939, and shortly after married Lawrence Brockhaus of Yukon. They continued living in El Reno until the 1960s.

A judge is expected to sentence a semi-truck driver to at least 10 years in prison after the defendant pleaded guilty in court for causing a crash that killed a Yukon businessman.

Wynnewood’s Donald Garrett Biffle, 27, has waived his right to a jury trial in Canadian County District Court. The defendant faces felony charges of second-degree murder, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Tammy Kretchmar takes the next step in her career after being hired as the next city manager in Yukon.

An employee since 1996, Kretchmar, who has been serving as assistant city manager, was unanimously approved for the position.

Elaine Mary Baustert Gerber was born July 23, 1951, to Paul H. Baustert and Mary Agnes (Rother) Baustert. As a child she attended Holy Trinity Catholic School in Okarche and she graduated from Okarche High School in 1969. Upon graduation, Elaine attended the St. Anthony School of Nursing and received her Diploma RN in 1972.

She married her husband and love of her life, James Gerber, on Aug. 6, 1971.

While the sample size has been small, the biggest hurdle facing the El Reno High School girls basketball team at the holiday break is something head coach Jennifer Douglas can see but not grasp – time.

“Once we get our confidence in playing with each other, then we are going to be OK. We have got to figure out what that little secret aspect is for us all to be successful as a team.

“We are growing as we go so it will take a little time,” said Douglas.

El Reno, like the rest of the world, will remember 2020 as the year of COVID-19. The pandemic brought confusion, heartache, isolation and pain to many areas of life. It ended life for many.

But sandwiched in between the constant COVID drumbeat was a year, often like others, where people lived their lives. They counted their blessings and cherished their achievements. They mourned their losses and cursed their failures.

ARCADIA – Announcing that you’ve just spoken with one of the Beatles, says Arcadia resident Toby Thompson, “is like saying you saw a UFO.” So, Thompson didn’t mention it to a lot of people after he met Paul McCartney and his then-girlfriend, Nancy Shevell on Aug. 5, 2008, on the original stretch of Route 66 that adjoins his property a couple miles east of Arcadia.