July 2023

Amy Neathery had her work cut out for her.

As Ward 1 city council representative, some of her constituents were in a panic. Hollywood wanted to shut down a part of the downtown to film scenes for the new Twisters movie.

Probably the biggest movie coup El Reno has had since the 1980s when parts of Rain Man were filmed here.

Talk was, the Twisters filming could take as long as six weeks.

The independently-owned small businesses could not survive if this were allowed to happen. For some, June and July are some of their best months.

Organizers said last week’s El Reno Blessing Baskets Festival of the Trees, Christmas in July was “the best ever.”

The eighth year for the event helped raise more than $60,000 for the local organization, said Donna Dyer, Blessing Baskets Director of Community Relations.

“Our community is awesome, we raised over $60,000, everyone had fun for an awesome cause,” said Dyer.

The evening boasted approximately 80 silent auction items. Former El Reno Mayor Matt White provided auctioneer services, helping to move more than 40 live auction items.

One more hurdle in the process was cleared when Canadian County commissioners approved a resolution for “intersection modifications” at Banner Road and State Highway 66.

The project agreement is between Canadian County District 1 and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

The estimated $400,000 project is on ODOT’s September bid letting schedule.

The resolution outlines ODOT’s engineering, land acquisition and construction responsibilities.

The intersection will become a permanent four-way stop, District 1 Commissioner Tom Manske said.

Rachel Lauren Hobson and Trace John Gatz, both of Norman, announce their plans to marry Oct. 6 at Festivities Event Center, El Reno.

Hobson is the daughter of Todd and Tricia Hobson of El Reno. She is a 2015 graduate of El Reno High School and a 2019 graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor of science degree in health and exercise science.

She graduated in 2022 from Oklahoma City Community College with a degree in occupational therapy assistant. Hobson is employed with Valir Rehabilitation Hospital in Oklahoma City.

The 20th anniversary of Bob Hope’s death on July 27 closed the “Season of Hope” that began with Hope’s 120th birthday on May 29.

It will not be observed outside of this column, whose author uses Pepsodent toothpaste because it sponsored Hope’s radio show. Nevertheless, Hope’s influence on America remains.

I am not referring to his unparalleled career at the apex of vaudeville, Broadway, movies, radio and television. I am not referring to stand-up comedy, which Hope concocted by synthesizing Frank Fay’s presentation and Will Rogers’ populism.

Madison Brickey and Larry Funck, both of El Reno, announce their plans to marry Sept. 3 at Bricktown Myriad Gardens in Oklahoma City with Kade Brickey officiating.

Brickey is the daughter of Kade and Lacey Brickey of El Reno. She is a 2017 graduate of El Reno High School and a 2020 graduate of Redlands Community College. She is employed with Johnnie’s.

Funck is the son of Danny and Lynn Funck of El Reno. An El Reno High School graduate, he is also employed with Johnnie’s.

The latest abysmally low birth rates from North America, Europe and Asia continue to alarm business leaders and policy-makers, as well they should.