‘First Colors’ event to raise flag over new WWI memorial On Dec. 11, the U.S.

Rinda Jean Smith was born in Hanna, Oklahoma to Cecil A. Williamson and Leo Pansey (Tabor) Williamson on February 20, 1943. She passed from this life on November 27, 2020. A graveside funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 2:00pm at Hillcrest Cemetery in Weleetka, Oklahoma.

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with the Turkey and the Trimmings (Pumpkin and Pecan Pie)! This is such a great time of the year to give THANKS to the ONE who allows us to enjoy this great season. If you were able to share this time with family and friends, it made it a much more enjoyable time. We, as Americans, are so blessed that we forget to give THANKS for the “stuff,” so it is easy for us to fall into the trap of assuming “more is better!” Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Each year we should reflect on how much GOD has blessed us during the year. Even this year, as trying as it has been, there are many things to be grateful.

Our longtime friend Debbie Wilson is always busy helping our county. We really appreciate all the work she has done to make sure we have a county fair. There are a lot of events planned and we hope the weather is agreeable . . . while having lunch at Rudy Alans we saw several friends including Patsy Gaddy Law, Jack Chapman, Jim and Brenda Cates, and Denny and Crystal Langdon. Also enjoying “not cooking” were Mearl and Clara Edwards and Beverly Chapman. We didn’t get to see them but know they were there . . .

The Holdenville City Council discussed but took no action on COVID 19 mandates during their November 17 meeting. Mayor John Massad began the discussion by observing Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt had issued a new Executive Order addressing the COVID-19 virus on November 16. A copy of this order can be found at https://www.sos.ok.gov/documents/executive/1971.pdf

Comments to: andybowman839@gmail.com Coffeetimecolumn.com “JUST SICK AND TIRED…” Back in the ancient days of Fred Flintstone and no cell phones, when he was a young dad and a wet-behind-the-ears pastor, Andy had a habit. No, not a habit like we refer to today.

Jim Priest is CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma and can be reached at jpriest@okgoodwill.org. T’was the Night Before Christmas, a poem by Clement Clarke Moore The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hope that Saint Nicholas soon would be there….

Buddy Grizzle passed away Tuesday, November 24th 2020, at his home in Holdenville at the age of 73. Buddy was born August 18th, 1947, to JD and Letha Grizzle of Holdenville.

PLATINUM DONOR - The Holdenville Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture presented a plaque to Luke Degraffenreid, Manager of the Holdenville Boomerang Diner, recognizing the Diner as a 2019 Platinum Sponsor of the Chamber. Chamber President Tonja Weaver is pictured making the presentation during the Chamber’s monthly luncheon meeting at the Boomerang Diner (the Chamber rotates their meetings each month between three local restaurants). Weaver explained that the Chamber would have normally made this recognition during the annual Chamber Banquet, but the event was cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 virus.

Football Off-Season Begins There was a tremendous contrast between the 2019 Wolverine football team and the 2020 football squad. The Wolverines made a jump from being non-competitive to competitive.