ARDMORE –– Beef is a staple of American mealtime. Producing beef requires the dedication of farmers and ranchers across the United States, and proper management of grazing animals can rebuild the health of pastures and rangelands and provides food and essential products for society.

• AFR youth program launches public speaking tutorials following contest cancellation OKLAHOMA CITY—If 2020 were a normal year, the American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) Cooperative would be planning its annual AFR Youth Speech Contest. Agriculture students statewide would be preparing their speeches in hopes of high judges’ marks and first place trophies.

Comments to: andybowman839@gmail.com Coffeetimecolumn.com When Andy was an 11-year-old boy, he and his 8-year-old brother decided they were old enough to buy some calves to raise. This meant feeding, watering and daily maintenance –– freezing temperatures or blazing sun, all of it was still going to be their responsibility.

Iris Garden Club Yard of the Month for September was Ruby Clancy, at 1202 N. Eighth St. Her beautifully manicured yard features lots of trees, beautiful patio, benches, pots of pansies and pumpkins for fall.

Hugo team participating in Alpha Plus Instructional Leader Academy in Tulsa on Oct. 7: Hugo Intermediate Principal Vivian Shanklin, Curriculum and Instruction Specialist Lisa Wallace, and Hugo Elementary Principal Shelby Dawes, ELL Director Brandi Cook in the background.

Hugo Principals Veta Massengale (Middle School), Vivian Shanklin (Intermediate School), and Shelby Dawes (Elementary School), and Curriculum Specialists Lisa Wallace and Brandi Cook participated in the Alpha Plus Instructional Leader Academy on Wed., Oct. 7, in Tulsa.

On Oct. 30-31, the town of Boswell presented its first ever annual Haunting at The Park, that boasted a haunted trail. On Halloween night, there were free hotdogs, games and cupcakes, as well as candy for trick-or-treaters.

“Since when have we Americans been expected to bow submissively to authority and speak with awe and reverence to those who represent us? The constitutional theory is that we the people are the sovereigns, the state and federal officials only our agents. We who have the final word can speak softly or angrily. We can seek to challenge and annoy, as we need not stay docile and quiet.”