John Janes has dedicated his career to the city, and his life to the community of Holdenville. John Janes and his late wife Cheryle are names everyone in town know and love. They raised two children who both graduated from Holdenville High School, Nick and Megan. Now John is currently helping spoil his two grandchildren, Jaelyn and Jace. John and Cheryle were involved in everything from serving in the local church to being troop leaders in Cub Scouts. But most of you probably know John best from being our Cemetery Sexton. John has buried more of our family members than we could possibly count. He has been faithful and compassionate in a position where his big heart and helping hand made people feel at ease during the most difficult times of their life. Last month John retired after 28 years of faithful service to the city. Join us in congratulating John on a job well done and wishing him a blessed and peaceful retirement.

The fascinating thing about jigsaw puzzles is a single piece, by itself, doesn’t convey any meaning at all. Any one of those little cuts of cardboard, separated from the group, is really just a blob of indiscernible color.

Sawyer Treadwell - Grand Champion Steer Stevie Huff - Purebred Breeding Gilt - Crossbred Jonathan Wiseman - Purebred Breeding Gilt - Crossbred Cody McFarland - Market Hog - Crossbred Shelby Austin - Market Hog - Crossbred Samantha Eckles - Reserve Grand Champion Heifer Ashlyn Chaney - Market Goat Manning Turner - Purebred Breeding Gilt - Crossbred Landen Yates - Steer Bo Black - Breed Champion Market Hog - Berkshire.

The Holdenville Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture presented their annual community recognitions during the Chamber Banquet Thursday evening, March 25. This event was held in the auditorium of Hemingway’s Social Club and included a delicious meal before the Keynote Speaker, State Representative Logan Phillips, addressed the large gathering of local business owners, their families and guests.

Holdenville City Council members Jeanna Gordon and Liz Campbell began an initiative last week that shows great promise as it continues throughout the years. Councilwoman Gordon reached out the Holdenville High School Student Council Adviser, Ms. Jo Smith in an effort to provide the members of the student council an opportunity to learn how municipal government functions, the rules city officials must follow, and also a chance to meet some of the people who govern the city of Holdenville.

On April 16, 2020, the annual HHS Alumni Reunion and golf scramble, held the last weekend of June each year, was hit with the “Covid-Cancellation.” The plan was to reschedule in the fall. That didn’t happen either.

The 22nd Judicial District CASA is seeking volunteers, and their next training class will begin May 4. Volunteers are in high demand for this challenging but richly rewarding program. “CASA” stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate and is a nonprofit organization that trains and supervises community volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in court.

Mayor Massad has been working with the lake project committee since the beginning of his term to provide the city with a lake project that is both affordable and doable. This week they would like to announce their vision for the future of Holdenville Lake.