New toy hatches similar ‘must have’ fury Nineties parents were no much as 1,000 percent situation. The stuffed Heather stranger to the “hot toy” more than its purchase dolls were one of the most Harmon craze, after having lived price. popular toy fads of the Staff Reporter through “Elmo-mania” two Today, many of the parents decade, and at the toy’s years prior in 1996. There searching for a Hatchimal height in popularity, parents ne does not have were one millions units may have wanted Cabbage physically fought in stores, to look far to released during the holiday Patch Kids for themselves causing chaos over the find a frantic season, and at the end of in the 1980s, which put cherub-faced dolls. parent searching December the entire stock their parents in a similar The manufacturers of Ofor a Hatchimal for their has been sold-out. Due to Hatchimals have responded child for Christmas. The limited quantities of the to the limited supplies of toy is going for as much School board votes in product, stampedes and the toys and their resale as $500 on Ebay, and have fights broke out at retailers value. been seen on online local who sold the Elmos. The statement reads, swap social media sites for design for visitor stands Beanie babies “ This is a special $300, while they retail for hit the shelves in season and we don’t $59-$69. Heather Harmon 1995, and due to want anyone to be Staff Reporter Although the generation a particularly disappointed, nor of parents and the “hot clever marketing do we support uring their monthly board meeting, the toy of the season” may strategy, the inflated prices from Weatherford Public Schools Board of have changed over the stuffed animals non-authorized Education voted to approve an architect’s years, parents hunting for were highly resellers. While design for new visitor stands at the the “must-have” toy of sought-after. additional DWeatherford Public Schools Football Field. the Christmas season is a The company product will hit WPS Superintendent Chad Wilson said discussion familiar scene. produced retail shelves in to replace the stands began after last summer’s annual In 1998, Furby, another each design December, we inspections on the structure. interactive, furry creature in limited anticipate this “When we had the inspection, we were told we would was the “must have” quantities, inventory will also need to address the stands within the next couple of Christmas toy. During making each sell out quickly. years,” Wilson said. “Those stands have served their the holiday season, more design a We have increased purpose over the last 30 years.” than 1.8 million were sold. collectible. production and a Christian Ballard, of Boynton Williams Associates The toy retailed for $35, Many people whole new batch Architecture, presented plans for the new stands. The although due to limited believed the of Hatchimals will stands will be 10 yards shorter on each end to make demand in the release year, toys would be ready to hatch in the grandstand deeper than what it currently is for the the resale price skyrocketed increase in value early 2017.” possibility of adding storage in the future. Ballard to more than $100, with due to the limited said the plans will maintain the 850 seats the current some selling for more than design batches. In stands accommodate. $300 in auctions. Furby its height, it has been Parents are on the look- Ballard estimated his original plan would cost saw a revival in 2005 and reported that Beanie out for the toy of 2016, an 2012 and can still be seen Babies would go for as •Please see SCHOOL BOARD, on store shelves today. interactive egg containing a Hatchimal. Page 3 Jessica Braun/WDN Linda Giacometti and Rhonda Smalling of Kelley Jewelers wrap gifts for the holiday season. Shop small and see a bigger community Jessica Braun provide the most jobs to Staff Reporter residents. Local businesses are better at creating s the “Shop higher-paying jobs. It Local” theme also helps create jobs for continues, teachers, firemen, police so do the officers and many other Areasons why shopping essential professions. local creates more jobs, Services are often faster better customer service too such as gift wrapping, and encourages local shipping, delivery, prosperity. personal shopping, returns Provided Small local businesses and more. Santa and Mrs. Claus are excited about their next visit to Weatherford Thursday at First National are the largest employer Local businesses often Bank and Trust for their holiday open house. Santa and Mrs. Claus said they always read the WDN nationally. They also hire people with a better for what is happening daily in Weatherford! •Please see SHOP SMALL, Page 3 INSERTS CHATTERBOX Happy Birthday to WDN Facebook friends Sheryl Vandever, Cherilen Thiessen Slagell, Michael Tippens, Natalie Bryant, Susan Lee and Loucreta Redbone-Ponce. 50¢ PAGE 2A - WEATHERFORD DAILY NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2016 New Edward Jones office opens in Weatherford Heather Harmon Staff Reporter The Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the opening of a new Edward Jones office, located at 1053 N Washington Avenue. Business owner and financial consultant Steve Zahorsky opened the office in September, after having moved to Weatherford from Flower Mound, Texas, a year prior. Although he lived in Texas for more than 20 years, he said the Weatherford area has always felt like home — it’s the place he met his wife Debbie while the two were studying at SWOSU and where her family still lives. “It’s the best place to live in Oklahoma,” Zahorsky said. “It’s was a way to open a small business and move back to, in a sense, our hometown. It’s not really my hometown, but it’s always felt like home to me.” The couple have two children, Kyle and Taylor and five grandchildren. Zahorsky said his business provides full financial planning for families, young and old, varying from clients who have small amounts of money to millions of dollars. In addition to other services, the business offers fixed-income investments, stock investments and broad-based mutual fund investments — all with a personal touch. “Edward Jones in a 100 year old firm that is well- know and well-respected with 12,000 offices in Heather Harmon the United States. We cater to personal service and Steve Zahorsky cuts the ceremonial ribbon during the Chamber of Commerce’s Ribbon Cutting personal relationships,” Zahorsky said. “We want Tuesday afternoon. to know our people, their situations and hopefully eventually know their kids and their grandkids. It’s a small-town way of doing business.” The Edward Jones office is hosting an open house 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, with snacks and good company. Zahorksy said the community is welcomed to attend. ‘Gifting Education’ campaign begins Jessica Braun Teachers often end up buying their seating, iPads and much more. Staff Reporter much needed supplies out of their own Donors can adopt a classroom or paycheck. rooms for $250 each. A list of classrooms any individual Weatherford Public Schools Foundation “Teacher grants which are traditionally from each school will be available soon. o r club is welcome chair Brad Berrong is leading the funded through interest rates are Checks should be made payable to adopt a classroom. It also campaign “Gifting Education: Adopt a historically low right now,” Berrong to the Weatherford Public is a great way to memorialize a loved Classroom.” said. Schools Foundation, PO one. Donations are tax deductible. Sixty classrooms from every school in Classroom items needed range Box 268, Weatherford, “The most valuable asset in our the Weatherford School District asked from pencil sharpeners, OK 73096. Checks may community is the children,” Berrong said. for a donation of $250 each to buy new dictionaries, exercise balls, also be brought to the Berrong “Our goal is to get all classes sponsored supplies specific to their need. calculators, math games, Insurance Office at 520 E. by Christmas. I know that is a vigorous As it is clearly known, school funding cleaning wipes, dry-erase Main in Weatherford. wish, but this community seems to come is down and so are teachers’ salaries. boards with markers, flexible Parents, grandparents, businesses, through each time there is a need.” WEATHERFORD DAILY NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2016 - PAGE 3A Weatherford Industrial Trust board meets Jessica Braun available to members Staff Reporter Fred Schamburg, Marvin Hankins and he City of Bruce Magill. Weatherford “I-40 is the best Industrial commodity we have,” Trust Schamburg said. Tconducted its annual It was discussed that meeting Tuesday at if a bigger pieces of City Hall. land could not be found; During the meeting smaller pieces would be members were looked at on a case by presented with a review case basis. of available land at The board also Weatherford Business discussed possible land and Technology Park. purchases for the fiscal Economic Development year 2017 and was told chair Chuck Doughtery to be constantly on the showed possible spaces lookout. Jessica Braun/WDN Weatherford Economic Development chair Chuck Dougherty shows board members available land plots for the purchase at Weatherford Business and Industrial Park. School Board •Continued from Page 1 approximately $145,000 - $150,000. He said the flatwork, or sidewalks, would cost The board voted to approve the architect’s plans, and the project will go to the bid approximately $15,000 - $25,000, depending on city specifications. WPS board process in mid-January. member Scott Seslor suggested the addition of crushed aggregate and filter cloth New hires for the school were appointed in the meeting’s executive session and to the project.