Elks’ Hoop Shot set for Oct. 31

The Elks Lodge 2418 John P. Cody III Memorial Hoop Shoot will be held Oct. 31 at First Baptist Church, 202 Walnut St. in West Plains. Registration begins at 2:30 p.m. and the free throw competition begins at 3 p.m. Entry is free to participants, who will be divided into three age groups — 8 and 9, 10 and 11, and 12 and 13 — in boys and girls categories. T-shirts will be given to participants and awards to winners. The participant who makes the most of 25 free throws will advance to a regional contest to be held in January in Ozark. Winners have the opportunity to advance to nationals held in Chicago. The Hoop Shoot was first held in 1946 in Oregon to build character, teach life skills and offer youth experience in travel and earn prizes and scholarships, said local contest organizer Liz Ford. It is named in memory of John Cody, who led the initiative for 15 years until his death in 2007, when Ford took over. From left: Elks Lodge 2418 Past Exalted Rulers (PER) Craig Jordan and Ford; members Ali Andrews, Tracy McCallister and Paris Jordan; PER Richie Shertz; member Jody Tullos; and Exalted Ruler Bobby Pankey.