Analysis of spring benchmark data aligned to the Oklahoma Academic Standards (OAS) found students in schools using OAS-aligned curriculum and assessments are performing better than expected this year despite the pandemic. While Hugo Intermediate and Middle Schools posted solid score averages and gains this spring, Hugo Elementary started lower and ended much higher.

The Hugo Band Spring Concert will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 6 at the Hugo Middle School. Cost is $5 adults, $3 students. It will feature all groups from sixth through 12th grade and will have a silent auction and concessions. There will be guest soloists Andrew Gregg on trumpet and John Sinibaldi on drums.

BAPTIST VILLAGE partnered with several of the local home health and hospice companies to kick start “Getting Back to Normal.” They held a carnival/circus theme and offered games and prizes to the residents. They had a lot of fun. “Residents have been confined to their rooms for the past year with just window and face time visits,” said life enrichment director Donna Trapp. “They have only been able to have in-person contact with the staff. Life Enrichment offered one-on-one time with each resident playing games and visiting with the residents but it just was not the same.” Trapp said that she wants to involve the community as much as possible, offering different kinds of activities than just bingo and dominoes. “The residents have even gone a year without church services or anything spiritual other than what residents could do on their own.” Some of the things on the agenda are a hamburger and hot dog cookout, homemade ice cream, a 50’s dance party and fireworks. If anyone in the community would like to volunteer, contact Life Enrichment Director Donna Trapp at Baptist Village Hugo, and she will put you on the calendar of events. Their number is 580.326.8383. The companies that helped out with the carnival were Kindred Home Health, Healthback Home Health, Mays Hospice, Elara Caring Hospice, AirMed and Guardian Hospice.

TUSKAHOMA –– The Choctaw Nation’s Annual Trail of Tears Memorial Walk will be held Saturday, May 15, at 10 a.m. on the Tvshka Homma Capitol grounds. This year marks 190 years since Choctaw Nation Tribal Members made the walk from Mississippi to Southeastern Oklahoma.

Located in scenic southeastern Oklahoma, this long established recreation destination offers family fun, boating, abundant fishing opportunities and spectacular sunsets. Enjoy a golden sunrise view upon the deck of a luxurious cabin, a quiet sunset over the water, and a night sky dancing with infinite starts. Hugo Lake State Park offers serenity that can only be described as pure enchantment.

Hugo WMA covers 18,196 acres with two additional areas (Sawyer Unit and Hamden Unit) of 551 and 480 acres respectively. Total WMA is 19,227 acres. The Hugo WMA is located along the Kiamichi River with the majority in Choctaw County. The northern portion is in southern Pushmataha County. The Lyndol Fry Waterfowl Refuge is located adjacent to the Kiamichi River and consists of 3,500 acres.

Legal: • Using only the hands to take catfish and nongame fish, which includes buffalo and carp. • Using a stringer to secure a fish once it has been caught.

The days are getting longer and the water is heating up, triggering the spawning cycle of most sporting fish in Oklahoma. Spring, especially April, is the best time to take a kid or introduce someone new to fishing. The bite is fast and furious and the weather is nice and mild!