April 2022

CLINTON - A plan in the works for nearly 15 years has come to fruition with the transferring of the old Clinton Indian Hospital to the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes.

Established in 1933 as a sanatorium for Native Americans with tuberculosis, the Clinton Indian Hospital was only one of seven facilities in Oklahoma at the time. Over the years, due to its old age and condition, a new health center was built on land directly west of the old Clinton Indian Hospital and opened in 2007.

History took to the skies last weekend, as a vintage Ford Tri-Motor airplane visited Sundance Airport.

A marvel to look at, organizers of “Fly the Ford” also gave those willing a chance to soar over the Canadian County landscape in the 4-AT-E.

Known as the “Tin Goose,” the Ford Tri-Motor was known as the first luxury airplane, a revolutionary achievement in the 1920s, when commercial flight was still in its infancy.

The county event was hosted by the Oklahoma City chapter of the EAA – Experimental Aircraft Association.

Our nation is experiencing an unprecedented crisis at our southern border – a place that is supposed to be the bedrock of maintaining order, fairness and security for the American people.

Instead, President Biden opened the floodgates to illegal immigration on day one of his presidency by reversing the “Catch and Release” and “Remain in Mexico” policies. These dangerous decisions have threatened the safety of our country – and he is showing no signs of stopping.

The Biden administration announced earlier this month that the official end to Title 42 would be May 23, 2022.

“You can’t fight city hall.”

“What can one person do?”

“Things never change.”

“That’s just the way it is.”

“There’s nothing you can do.”

“You’re just beating your head against the wall.”

“You have to learn how to accept reality.”

You’ve probably heard all of the above phrases. The only purpose they serve is to obstruct individual initiative and achievement.

This results in the propagation of the erroneous belief that individuals are at the mercy of groups, governments and committees.

Larry and Debbie Thomas of El Reno will be honored on their 50th wedding anniversary with a celebration on Saturday with family and friends at an Oklahoma City restaurant.

Larry Thomas and Debbie Moore were married April 21, 1972, at First Christian Church.

Larry was employed with Evergreen Mills, Trigg Drilling Co. and Oklahoma Gas and Electric. Debbie was employed with Dunn’s Dairy Queen, Norma Havener Income Tax and Oklahoma Natural Gas. Both are now enjoying retirement.

Bobby Warren Hedrick of Blanchard entered heaven on April 17, 2022, at the age of 85. A true force of nature, he lived a full life before dying of heart failure.

Bob was a man of his word and he always kept his promises.

Bobby was born Jan. 8, 1937, in Oklahoma City. He graduated from El Reno High School and attended El Reno Junior College.

He was known to be adventurous during his teenage years - just ask his two brothers.

He served in the U.S. Navy on the U.S.S. Sperry in the Pacific Ocean during the Korean War.

Hailey McBroom was presented the Daughters of the American Revolution Citizens Award during the April El Reno School Board meeting. Presenting the award is Nicky Howell and Paula Harman.

Hailey will graduate as El Reno High School valedictorian and plans to earn an associate degree in psychology from Redlands Community College before transferring to the University of Oklahoma to major in physics and then attend medical school.

Neal Ernest Power was born Nov. 18, 1938, in Calumet.

He died April 4, 2022 in El Reno.

Mr. Power was the last surviving child of Glen and Corrine Power.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Albert, Donald, Leslie, Everett and Martin; and his sisters, Corrine and Glenis.

Neal is survived by several nieces and nephews.

A private service is pending. 

The El Reno Kiwanis Club reported an excellent turnout during its annual Pancake Breakfast at Wesley United Methodist Church, serving around 100 guests from the community.

Most of the funds raised will go toward scholarships to graduating seniors at El Reno High School.

For the first time in three years, Redlands Community College students returned to Catalyst, the international conference for Phi Theta Kappa.

Students from Redlands’ Alpha Beta Upsilon chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, made the most of the opportunity, competing in various events and celebrating their achievements during the awards ceremony.