By Susan Stone

News Star Reporter

For some people pizza and beer go hand in hand and they can’t or don’t want to have one without the other.

Until recently there was no place in Stratford that people could go into for a sit down meal and enjoy a beer with their food.

Now, Norabella’s Italian Restaurant has changed all that.

Norabella’s recently received their state license from the ABLE commission on April 3 and started serving beer on April 4.

“As far as we can tell by the books, we are the first restaurant in Stratford to ever serve alcohol,” Norabellas owner Nick Venezio said.

“The main reason we decided to start serving alcohol is due to the fact we had a lot of customers from out of town coming in wanting a beer with their pizza,” Venezio added.

Even if it’s hard for some to admit, Stratford is a town that doesn’t accept some changes with open arms or open minds.

That was not the case with this change. Surprisingly everyone seemed to support Norabella’s decision to taking serve alcohol.

Norabellas owners Nick and Sandee Venezio put a lot of careful thought and consideration into this decision. They also sought input from other people.

“We talked to a bunch of people around town to get their opinions about the issue and out of all the people we talked to nobody was opposed to the idea of us serving alcohol,” Nick stated.

“Norabella’s is still first and foremost a family establishment. It is in by no means going to turn into a bar or have the atmosphere of a bar,” Nick said.

“In order for people to drink they must order food and I will cut people off or refuse to serve anyone that I think has had enough. We will have a zero tolerance policy for people who want to get drunk and want to start trouble,” he went on to say.

They have also started having karaoke on Saturday nights from 9:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. or later depending on the number of customers.

One more change coming soon is the new smoothie bar that is being put in.

“We should have it up and running in about 4 weeks,” Venezio said.

“We will be offering just regular fresh fruit smoothies and if people want we can add nutritional supplements to their smoothie. It’s the same supplements that Gold’s Gym and Planet Fitness carry,” Nick said.

Maysville Librarian Janet Dinwiddie stocks the shelves of the Maysville Library with books. Dinwiddie has already begun plans for the annual Wiley Post Festival in September and is gearing up for a successful Summer Reading Program. (News Star photo by Lindsey Temple)

By Lindsey Temple

News Star Reporter

The Maysville Library has a new face behind the front desk with new aspirations for the town’s library.

According Janet Dinwiddie, before becoming a librarian on March, 30, she had many jobs before that, including hair stylist and nurse.

“But being a librarian has been my favorite,” said Dinwiddie.

Dinwiddie, a Maysville local, remembers going to the library as a child.

“I always went to the library growing up. I have always really liked it,” said Dinwiddie.

The mother of two boys, Dinwiddie took the job in hopes that being closer to home would give her more time with her children.

Among many other changes she would like to bring to the library, the possibility of E-Books intrigues Dinwiddie and she is hoping to give the town’s library more of an on-line presence for a more convenient way to check out books for the community.

Dinwiddie is also currently preparing for Maysville’s Wiley Post Festival.

A group of students from Hennessey, Okla., performs the main dance number from the musical “Footloose” Saturday during Elmore City’s Annual Footloose Festival. The group performed the musical as a school project in Hennessey and traveled to Elmore City to share their talents with the estimated 2,500 people who attended the celebration. (News Star photo by Lindsey Temple)

By Lindsey Temple

News Star Reporter

With an estimated 2,500 patrons in attendance, last Saturday’s Footloose Festival went off in a big way and was the largest yet.

The day was full of events from early in the morning to late into the night.

Nearly $800 was raised by The Elmore City First United Methodist Church with their pancake breakfast; the money will help the church provide new playground equipment for their youth.

Some of the day’s events included a Battle of the Towns dance competition, won by Elmore City residents, Tom and Skeet Luster, for the second year in a row.

The Disco Cake Decorating contest winners were Randal McFadden in 1st place, 2nd place went to Jessica Greenland and 3rd place went to Paula Williams.

April Fields won 1st place in the Art Show, children’s division, while Kristan Mara won 1st place in the youth division and Randy Fields won 1st place in the 18 and over division.

The anticipated Lawn Mower races brought several winners; Jim Tadlock was the winner in the drag race stock division; Charlie Kennedy in the modified division; and Jody Weaver in the super modified division.

In the Round Track Races, Dennis Russell won the modified division, Ashley Weaver won in the super modified, and Paul Martin was the overall round track winner.

Guests like The Billy K Band, Killa Stepz and Mike Bone wowed crowds until late into the evening.

High School students from the Hennessy High School Chorus made an appearance performing their dance to Footloose, a piece from their recent musical.

After the events of the day were over, area residents of all ages enjoyed a street dance held in the parking lot of the newly built Elmore City bank, dancing until late into the night.

The 11th Annual Stratford Fire Department’s 2-Man Bass Tournament will be held Saturday, May 19th, 2012, beginning at 6:00 a.m.  The entry deadline is Friday, May 18th by 5:00 p.m.

The cost is $50 per team, plus $10 more for Big Bass.  There will be a 5 fish limit, which includes Legal Bass Large/Smallmouth or Kentucky.  You can fish any pond, lake or stream; dead fish may not be eligible.

Check-in time is at 3:00 p.m. at the fire station.  Winnings will include:  1st Place – 2 Man Bass Boat; 2nd-5th receive prizes.  1st Place Big Bass gets 75% of Big Bass Pot, and 2nd gets 25%!!

Mail or bring entries to:  Stratford Fire Department, P.O. Box 454, Stratford, OK  74872 (230 S. Hyden); Bailey’s Outdoor, 811 N. Broadway, Ada, OK  74820; or Stratford City Hall, P.O. Box 569, Stratford, OK  74872 (220 S. Hyden).

For more information, call Jason Fulks at 580-310-2510 or Jason Korzan at 580-421-6818.

By Jeff Shultz

Publisher

Garvin County Officials are encouraging county residents who want to have a controlled burn on their property to call in the incident to the County 911 office so area fire departments won’t be going on false alarm calls.

“We had three false alarms last week and they were all due to someone not notifying us of a controlled burn,” said Garvin County Emergency Management Director Bud Ramming.

Ramming said the false alarms are expensive runs for already struggling fire departments.

“Not only do these volunteers have to leave their jobs to go on a false alarm call, but the fire department has wasted fuel to go on the run as well as the wear and tear on the department’s equipment,” he said.

Ramming said if the false alarms continue, the county fire chiefs will most likely petition the county commissioners to adopt a resolution to make property owners pay for the fire runs when they don’t advise the 911 center of a controlled burn on their property.

“All they have to do is call 405-238-9900, which is the non-emergency number for the 911 Center, and let the dispatchers know you will be conducting a controlled burn and the date and place of that burn,” Ramming added.

The Garvin County 911 Center already is dispatching for all of the county’s fire departments.

“A simple call on a controlled burn will give our dispatchers the information they need so they won’t be dispatching a fire department to a controlled burn,” he said.

By Sharon Burgin

Garvin County Republican Party will host the Fourth Congressional District Republican Convention in Pauls Valley this weekend.

On Friday, April 20, a Reception will be held at Stark Fine Dining from 5:00 to 6:30.

A Gala “Get Acquainted” Bar-B-Que at the County Fair Ground will begin at 7:00 PM, with United States Representative Tom Cole as the Keynote Speaker.

Saturday, April 21 will begin with a Prayer Breakfast at 7:00 AM at the Fair Grounds, featuring Oklahoma Representatives Lisa Billy and Don Johnson, and State Senator Frank Simpson.

The convention itself will begin at 10:00 AM at the Reynolds Recreation Center.

The main business of the convention is to elect three Delegates and three Alternate Delegates to represent the Fourth District at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida August 27-31.  An Elector for President will also be elected.

There could be up to 520 delegates attending, as well as many state elected officials.  Anyone is welcome to attend the Reception, Dinner, and Prayer Breakfast, but only elected delegates from the 15 counties that make up the Fourth District may attend the convention itself.

For more information on the open events, or to make reservations, please call 877 664-1148 or email sharonburgin@hughes.net.

By Jeff Shultz
Publisher

Four county officers breathed a heavy sigh of relief last Friday after they learned they drew no opponents on their bids to seek public office.

County Clerk Lori Fulks, Court Clerk Cindy Roberts, County Sheriff Larry Rhodes and Dist. 2 County Commissioner Shon Richardson were all unopposed as the final day of the filing period ended on Friday.

Richardson was seeking another four-year term as Dist. 2 County Commissioner, while the others were seeking their own terms for the first time.

“It’s great not to worry about a campaign,” Richardson said. “I can concentrate my time on my work as county commissioner.”

Fulks, Roberts and Rhodes had been fulfilling the unexpired terms of former county officers.

“This was my first time to actually seek office,” said Fulks, who has been fulfilling the unexpired term of former County Clerk Gina Mann. “I’m overjoyed that I didn’t draw an opponent.”

Roberts, who has bee fulfilling the unexpired term of former Court Clerk Evelyn Bradley, expressed the same sentiment when contacted by the News Star.

“I’m excited that I don’t have to worry about running again for another four years,” she said.

“Now I can look ahead and concentrate on serving the people of Garvin County,” she said.

Rhodes said he was “elated” to know he didn’t draw an opponent in the Sheriff’s race.

This was Rhodes’ second time to file for the office. He filed for the Sheriff’s post two years ago in a special election to fill the unexpired term of former County Sheriff Bill Roady.

“Running unopposed is the highest compliment an elected official can receive,” stated Rhodes. “I view this as approval of the work we are doing and the direction I am taking the sheriff’s office.”

Meanwhile, a race developed for the Dist. 1 County Commissioner’s seat being vacated by current Dist. 1 Commissioner Kenneth Holden.

All four candidates filing for Holden’s seat at the Board of Commissioners are Democrats, meaning if no candidate is the clear winner in the June 26 election the top two candidates will meet in an August runoff.

“In order for a candidate to emerge as the winner in the June 26 election they must receive over 50 percent of votes cast in that election. If no one does get 50 percent or more votes, the top two candidates will meet in the runoff election in August,” said Cathy Brinley, Garvin County Election Board Secretary.

Those filing for the Dist. 1 Commissioner’s seat were Jarod Work, Larry Cooper, David Kinard and Stan Spivey.

By Jeff Shultz
Publisher

Two of Garvin County’s veteran legislators have drawn opponents in the upcoming election season, while several candidates have thrown their hats in the ring for other House and Senate races affecting Garvin County.

State Sen. Susan Paddack (D-Ada) will face Republican challenger Fred Smith, also of Ada, in the State Senate District 13 race in November.

Meanwhile, House Rep. Lisa Billy (R-Purcell) will face Democrat Steven Vines of Paoli for the House Dist. 42 seat.

Due to redistricting, some Garvin County voters will be seeing some new names on upcoming ballots this election season.

In the Senate District 43 race, four Democrats will vie for the Democratic nomination in the June 26 election.

Ron Magar, Newcastle; Corey Brooks, Washington; Clark Southard, Duncan; and Peggy Davenport, also of Duncan, will seek the District 43 nomination to face Republican Mike Fullerton, Newcastle, in November.

The newly created House District 20 seat, which includes a portion of Garvin County, had four Republicans and two Democrats filing for that office during last week’s candidate filing period.

On the GOP side of the ballot, Gil Hensley, Newcastle, Bobby Cleveland, Slaughterville, and Paul Manus and Alon Morrison, both also from Newcastle, filed for the Republican nomination.

The two Democrats filing for the seat were Matt Branstetter and Rodney Johnson, both of Noble.

Another House District that will include a portion of Garvin County is District 22.

Republicans Charles McCall, Atoka, and William Claxton, Sulphur, will vie for the Republican nomination on June 26.

The winner will take on Democrat Doris Anne Row, Sulphur.

In the House District 48 race, an Elmore City resident has filed for the seat. Brian Spencer, Elmore City, will face Patrick Ownbey of Ardmore in November.

On the federal level, incumbent U.S. Congressman Tom Cole will face Gary D. Caissie, Norman, in June for the Republican nomination for congress.

Meanwhile, Democrats Donna Bebo, Fletcher, and Bert Smith of Moore will battle it out for the Democratic nod.

The winners of those two races will face Independent R.J. Harris of Norman in November.

By Lindsey Temple
News Star Reporter

Elmore City area residents are gearing up for this Saturday’s Footloose Festival.

The day starts Saturday, April 21, at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at the EC community center, hosted by Elmore City First Methodist Church, breakfast, which includes pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, orange juice and coffee, costs $5 and everyone is welcome.

Also beginning at 8 a.m. is the “Hauling for Life” event, a 5k run/walk around the Elmore City Lake, sponsored by the Pink Ladies Relay for Life Team.

Registration is $25 and participants can register as late as 7:30 a.m., the morning of the event.

There will be cash prizes for top male and female participants and all proceeds go to the American Cancer Society Pauls Valley Relay for Life.

For more information on the “Hauling for Life” event call Amanda Winkler at 405-207-8622 or email itmphotos@aol.com.

Later in the day the festival will host many entertainment acts including the Billy K Band and Christian rap duo, Mike Bone.

The festival will be full of dance competitions, an 80’s costume contest, a car show, lawn mower races, push mower races for couples, a tractor parade beginning at 10:15 a.m., a cake decorating contest, an art show and a hamburger cook out at 5:00 p.m. with proceeds going to help the EC-Pernell band.

Vendors will line Main Street offering everything from hair bows to funnel cakes.

The evening ends with a street dance and a “Battle of the Towns” dance off, in front of EC City Hall, paying homage to EC’s place in cinema history.

Everyone is welcome and for more information or to register for these events call EC City Hall at 580-788-2345.

News Star photo by Quentin Casey: Ruthie Bustamante is shown modeling her final and winning outfit of the evening that she designed herself for last Friday night’s Trash In Fashion Show. Her outfits are made of advertisements, cash and coins, along with old clothes. Bustamante and her team won first place, taking home a cash prize.

By Lindsey Temple
News Star Reporter

Last Friday night’s Trash In Fashion show went off in a big way as area residents filled Pauls Valley’s Arts and Cultural Center to see fashion creations made entirety of reused and recycled items.

Friday night’s winners include Deanna Joy Stephens and her team, which in included Stephens, Robin Criss-Praytor and Stephens daughter, Erica Peacock in third place.

Second place went to a team consisting of, Kris Rylander, Jennifer Seabolt and Miki Tucker for their Wizard of Oz scarecrow costume made of brown paper bags, plastic shopping bags, cereal boxes and laundry soapboxes.

First place winner Ruthie Bustamante and her team won with a dress made entirely of newspaper advertisements and coins.

Sponsored by the Pauls Valley Arts Council, Trash In Fashion was part of a wider effort in the area to participate in The Great American Cleanup campaign.

Thursday at 1 p.m. Pauls Valley will have a Trash-Off parade, also part of the cleanup effort, the parade will start at the train depot and area residents are encouraged to walk in the parade in their outfits made entirely of trash.

The parade is not only to raise awareness for green efforts within the community but to also prepare Pauls Valley for their annual Trash-Off day, taking place Saturday, April 21.

Trash-Off day will allow area residents to get involved in cleaning up Pauls Valley by forming teams and being assigned areas of the town.

The teams will keep track of their efforts and the totals will be sent in to the Keep Oklahoma Beautiful offices.

For more information to be involved in Pauls Valley’s Trash Off Day call Lou Hall at 405-238-2432.