Waking up that morning, Renie heard dripping outside the house. Opened the blinds of the bedroom window and saw a soggy lead-gray sky. Immediate reaction? “Oh, NO! A horrible, gray, depressing, endlessly rainy day. I’m going to sink into depression. In fact, I’m already there.”

Yard of the Month for November is Stan and Laura Ketchum at 405 E. Bissell. The beautiful yard features lovely flowers, roses, shrubs and trees and is decked out for fall with a scarecrow and pumpkins. Pictured are Shondell Rothmire, Laura and her grandchildren Liv and Luke and Harolynn Wofford. Contributed Photo

ORWP hosted their annual meeting recently at the Durant Library and the turnout was impressive. Elected officials in attendance were Rep Eddy Dempsey (Garvin), Rep Jim Grego (Rep-17), Rep Justin Humphrey (Lane), Sen David Bullard (Durant), Sen George Burns (Pollard) and Commissioner Ron Boyer (Bryan County). Guest speakers and presentations were given by Chief Gary Batton and his science staff from the Water Resource Department of the Choctaw Nation. A warm welcome was extended to Secretary of Energy & Environment Ken Wagner who has fallen in love with southeastern Oklahoma.

The holiday season can be particularly difficult for those who have lost a loved one. For those facing the first Christmas, or the umpteenth Christmas spending the season without a loved one can be difficult.

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It’s coming around again. The holiday that one person can dread like the pit of hell itself, but another family member anticipates and salivates for the previous 364 days before it arrives. “Food, man! Lots and lots of good stuff!”

HORACE MANN 2 Head Start recently celebrated Dad’s Day by making a pumpkin craft for the upcoming holiday..