Chamber luncheon focuses on county junior livestock show

Amid preparations by area FFA and 4H students for this week’s three-day 58th annual Sequoyah County Junior Livestock Show, the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce held its monthly membership luncheon Wednesday at the Sequoyah County Fairgrounds.

Students from Sallisaw, Muldrow, Roland, Vian and Gore high schools who were involved with Wednesday night’s showing of goats, lambs, heifers and steers, were featured during the luncheon, and each expressed gratitude to those who provided support for their animal husbandry efforts.

The livestock show wraps up today with a 6 p.m. bidders’ barbecue and a 7 p.m. premium auction. Add-ons are accepted at the chamber office the week following the sale, and Feb. 27 is the tally date for the auction.

Wednesday’s lunch was catered by the Sequoyah County Home and Community Education (HCE).

Out-going chamber president Treye Girdner said a ribbon-cutting ceremony for United Faith Church’s grand opening is set for 11:30 a.m. Feb. 24. The church’s new location is on South U.S. 59 at KOA Avenue, north of Blue Ribbon Chevrolet Buick GMC.

In addition, Micki Kimble with Sallisaw NOW Coalition said a mock automobile crash dramatization designed to education students, parents and the community about the serious issue of distracted driving as well as underage drinking and driving, is scheduled for March 6 at Sallisaw High School. Local first responders, including a medical helicopter, are part of the presentation to provide a realistic experience and encourage positive choices when driving. Therefore, Kimble cautioned, the public should not be alarmed when emergency vehicles are dispatched to the high school on that date.

Member of the Month

The Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce announced Walmart as its February member of the month. Walmart opened its 30,000-square-foot Sallisaw store in Eastgate Shopping Center in July 1972. A new 144,000-square-foot super center store opened in April 2001 at 1101 W. Ruth. The store employs 255 associates with eight assistant managers and 28 hourly supervisors, and includes online grocery as well as many other innovations and technologies to make its customers’ shopping experience the best it can be.

Upcoming events

• A ribbon-cutting ceremony for United Faith Church’s grand opening is set for 11:30 a.m. Feb. 24. The church’s new location is on South U.S. 59 at KOA Avenue, north of Blue Ribbon Chevrolet Buick GMC.

• Micki Kimble with Sallisaw NOW Coalition said a mock automobile crash dramatization, designed to education high school students about the serious issue of distracted driving as well as underage drinking and driving, is scheduled for March 6 at Sallisaw High School. Local first responders, including a medical EVAC helicopter, are part of the presentation to provide a realistic experience and encourage positive choices when driving. Therefore, Kimble cautioned, the public should not be alarmed when emergency vehicles are dispatched to the high school on that date.

• “Run, Hide, Fight” active shooter training will be 6 to 8 p.m. March 7 at the Sallisaw High School gymnasium. The free event is open to the public. The presentation by the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is the national standard for response to an active threat. Participants will learn to run or evacuate, if possible; hide, or best practices to shelter in place; and, ultimately, to fight if no other options are available.

Sallisaw Chamber Member of the Month

Steve Dodd and Roberta McCall, representing the Sallisaw Walmart, accept the February Member of the Month plaque from Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce out-going president Treye Girdner.

Brushy Elementary School third-grader Gracey Skaggs dries her goat in preparation for Wednesday night’s showing at the 58th annual Sequoyah County Junior Livestock Show.

Brandy Reese, a senior with Roland FFA, grooms her goat for Wednesday night’s showing at the 58th annual Sequoyah County Junior Livestock Show.