June 22 nd Today in History— D.L. Moody’s first service in England, 1873; France surrenders to Germany in World War II, 1940; Germany invades USSR, 1941; three civil rights workers disappear in Mississippi (later found slain)., 1964; law giving eighteen-year-olds the right to vote in U.S.

In the past we have had Arkansas Day, Peanut Festival, Catfish Festival, Hog Wild Days, and Fall Festival. Could a Marijuana Festival be in Holdenville’s future? It is big business in Hughes County and growing quickly.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Holdenville Public Works Authority (Authority) received approval for $100,000 in funding Tuesday from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to improve the Authority’s water infrastructure. Construction of upgrades and improvements to the water system will be financed by the Oklahoma Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) where the full amount will be in the form of loan forgiveness.

HOLDENVILLE, Okla. (KFOR) – An Oklahoma family is pointing to the power of prayer in saving the life of their two-year-old girl, who hit her head at a swimming pool.

The name Sam Pipes will more than likely not mean anything to anyone in Holdenville, Oklahoma because he never lived here. Well then why do I mention him? He was a member of the Sam Base gang of outlaws and he was raised around Fort Worth, Texas when the population was only 500 people (1870). He did not go past the 7 grade and was quite an ambushes kid. His teacher was Eliza Mays Roberts that had moved from Kentucky to Texas at a very early age and this was her first school. Mrs. Roberts moved to Purcell, Oklahoma and taught for 15 years at the Presbyterian Mission then to Norman Oklahoma where she attended the University of Oklahoma. In 1896 she started the first school here in Holdenville. That one room school was located near where Pickens- Holmes Grain Company once stood on West Main Street. There were about 75 students that attended this first school. The city issued a ten-thousand-dollar bond and erected a school building in 1904. In that firs year teachers taught 514 students for an eight-month term. In the 1930s the local public school system included three elementary schools and junior and senior high schools. African American children attended segregated schools. Many of the founding families of Holdenville and leaders were among the students of our early school. Teachers from all the schools in Hughes County can be found in the Historical Society and Museum here in Holdenville. I stood at the grave site of Mrs. Roberts over the weekend and thanked her for all that she founded and accomplished in Holdenville and contributed to our education system.

The Holdenville Society of Painters and Sculptors (HSPS) kicked off their Annual Summer Arts Program on Monday, June 7. The three weeks of fun-filled art adventures at the HSPS Art Center, located at 118 N. Broadway, will continue through June 25. Each week offers something new and exciting, and classes are divided between younger students and older students and adults. The two levels alternate from morning and afternoon.

We were so happy to hear from our cousin Patsy Bean Elliott about her grandaughter Carolina Williams. Carolina just graduated from high school and was the third in her family to go through ROTC every year in school.She recently won an ROTC national scholarshp. She was the only winner in the State of New Mexico. This is a 4-year, all expenses paid scholarship and Carolina will start to the University of New Mexico this fall. She wants to spend her future in the United States Air Force. Her father-in-law, the late Colonel Bruce Williams was retired Air Force. . Her mother is Stephanie Williams, her grandmother Patsy Bean Elliott, and her great-grandparents were Dow and Inez Abernathy Bean. We are all so proud of Carolina!

We had s surprise visit this past week from our dear friend SUE CLARK ADAMS. We really miss her since she moved to Kansas, but know she is happy to be near children and grandchildren..

On June 12, we had nine ladies and a visitor that met at Hemingway’s for a fabulous lunch. It is so much fun just to get together as we don’t get to see some of our ladies for a whole month! The board room was all set up and we had a wonderful waitress named Di. The table was decorated with yellow and white daisies with the prizes as the center piece. Margie Mairel and Lynn Marquis were hostess this month.

FELONIES Jason Arnold—stalking in violation of court order MISDEMEANORS Elgin Harold Fullbright—public intoxication Samuel D. Golden—possession of controlled dangerous substance DIVORCE Brandi Nicole Brooking vs.