
Bill and Gail Payne and the Payne Radio Group announced today the 50th Anniversary of KWHP-Stereo 97, Edmond’s first radio station. Bill and Gail along with Anne McGarry, Kelly Payne, Haydon Ishmael and Will Payne and their families will be hosting a Reunion and Celebration in Edmond, Oklahoma of former employees, sponsors and friends who were affiliated with the station on June 29th and 30th, 2012.
KWHP-FM, 97.7 was a privately owned station starting on the air at a time when FM radio had not yet become the medium that radio listeners listened to. Most people did not even own a FM radio in 1962 and yet William H. “Bill” Payne, displaying his entrepreneurial spirit, put the station on the air in the garage of their home at 1305 South Boulevard in Edmond, Oklahoma with the 77' tower located in their back yard.
Bill Payne was 22 years old when the station went on the air after graduating from Oklahoma City University with a degree in Electronic Engineering and attaining a First Class Radio and Telephone License from the Federal Communication Commission. Payne’s experience in radio began at KWHP-AM (now KUSH), his father’s radio station in Cushing, Oklahoma beginning at the age of 12. Other stations that helped prepare him for this endeavor included KWRW then located in Guthrie, Ok,; as well as KTOW, then located in Oklahoma City, now KLEC; KLPR-AM and was DJ Jerry Payne on legendary radio station 1520 KOMA, (now KOKC) midnight to six a.m.
During the early years, the Payne family kept the station profitable and on the air by generating advertising revenue with the play-by-play of Central State College football and basketball games. In addition to the CSC games, Payne would also broadcast Oklahoma Christian College basketball games as well as local high school football games in Edmond and OKC.
The Payne’s would also work closely with area high school’s business classes and hosted many area groups as each group would have a day at the station, taking the responsibility of the stations operation and advertising for that day.
The Edmond radio station also featured 89er Day festivities as well as the Edmond FFA and 4-H livestock shows, Krazy Daze and many additional community events..
Christmas on KWHP was a treat as the station would begin featuring Christmas music exclusively on Thanksgiving and continue through New Years day.
In December of 1969, Payne extended broadcast hours of the station to midnight and featured a hybrid Top 40 format. The station during those hours would play music targeted towards the 18-34 year old age group (Baby Boomers) and it changed the stations future.
FM radio around the country during the late ‘60’s and early ‘70’s started to program competitively against their AM radio counterparts and listeners began to flock to the FM radio stations in the area in which they were located. The same was true with KWHP-FM.
The Baby Boomers (the18 to 34-year-old age group) became avid listeners of KWHP-Stereo 97 in Edmond and throughout the Oklahoma City area. KWHP continued to grow in listener ship through the Payne’s ownership of the station as FM radio gained a dominate foothold over AM radio listeners.
After selling the station in 1979, Payne has since built a group of six stations located in Warner/Muskogee, Oklahoma as well as Eufaula, Ok. Tahlequah, Ok and Hugo and Antlers, Ok.
Bill Payne was inducted into the Country Radio Broadcaster's Hall of Fame in March of 2011 for his efforts in establishing FM radio and for his support of Country Music.
Anyone involved with KWHP as an employee or advertiser and would like more information concerning the 50th Anniversary of the station, please contact Gail Payne at 918-284-3031 or email her at GPAYNE3498@aol.com.
WHAT:
The Cherokee Heritage Center is now enrolling students for its
upcoming Cherokee double-walled round reed basketry class. Unique
double-walled baskets and their history will be the focus of this class.
Bessie Russell, a Cherokee National Treasure, will teach the Cherokee double-walled round reed basketry class.
Class registration is required since attendance is limited. Children
must be at least 12 years of age and an adult must accompany children
between ages 12-17.
DATE/ TIME:
June 2; 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Please note: An hour lunch break around noon will be provided at the discretion of the teacher.
COST:
$40 per student.
HOW TO ENROLL:
For registration or additional information, please contact the
Cherokee Heritage Center education department at (888) 999-6007 or by
email at education@cherokeeheritage.org.
WHERE:
Cherokee Heritage Center, 21192 S. Keeler Drive, Park Hill, OK 74451.
WHO:
The
Cherokee Heritage Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the
premier cultural center for Cherokee tribal history, culture, and the
arts.
The Cherokee Heritage Center is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
seven days a week from May 6 to Sept 3. It is closed during January and
on Sundays from Feb. 1 to April 29 and Sept. 4 to Dec. 31. For
information on the 2012 season and programs, please contact the Cherokee
Heritage Center at (888) 999-6007, email at info@cherokeeheritage.org or visit http://www.CherokeeHeritage.org.
Learn About Cherokee Plants at Ethnobotany Conference
TAHLEQUAH,
Okla. — The Cherokee Nation is hosting its second annual Ethnobotany
Conference in May for anyone interested in learning about local plants
and trees that are of cultural importance to the Cherokee. The two-day
conference starts on Thursday, May 24 at 10:30 a.m. at the tribe’s W.W.
Keeler Complex, 17675 S. Muskogee Ave., and concludes on Friday, May 25
with a guided nature walk near Rocky Ford north of Tahlequah.
“The
purpose of our ethnobotany conference is to increase awareness and
appreciation of Cherokee plants, which traditionally provided Cherokees
with not only food but medicines, as well,” said Cathy Monholland,
history and cultural curriculum specialist for the Cherokee Nation.
“Many people have the interest but not the expertise regarding these
plants, so our aim is to teach people more about the plants that are
still so important in Cherokee life, and our nature walk is intended to
let people see some of these plants in their natural habitat.”
On
Thursday, guest speaker Clint Carroll will highlight the numerous
contemporary challenges facing people who are trying to preserve Native
American environmental knowledge and practices in his talk, “What We
Know About Things that Live in the Wild: Cherokee Environmental
Knowledge Through Time.” Carroll is a postdoctoral associate in
American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities and
has worked as an environmental and natural resources technician for
Cherokee Nation. His talk will take place in the Tribal Council Chambers
at Cherokee Nation’s main complex in Tahlequah starting at 10:30 a.m.
Following
Carroll’s talk, Tony and Carra Harris, will present “If Plants Could
Talk: A Cherokee Relationship,” starting at 1:30 p.m. The Harrises are
master gardeners with one of the largest collections of
Cherokee-significant plants in the nation. During the presentation, Tony
Harris will discuss how Cherokee plants were used prior to the Trail of
Tears for medicine, food, shelter, weapons, tools and ceremonial
purposes. Carra Harris will then present ideas and resources on how to
start your own Cherokee garden.
On
Friday, participants can experience Cherokee plants and trees firsthand
during a guided nature walk. Weather permitting, a bus will pick up
participants in front of the Restaurant of the Cherokees in Tahlequah
and transport them to tribal property in the Rocky Ford area where the
conference presenters and representatives of the tribe’s Natural
Resources department will point out some of the real-life plants
discussed during the conference. The walk will take approximately two
hours, after which participants will receive a lunch break before
returning to Tahlequah. Suggested attire for nature walk participants
includes closed-toe shoes that can get wet, pants and long-sleeve
shirts. Bug spray is recommended.
“We
take participants places where you can see plants growing that you
normally wouldn’t find in a suburban setting,” said Cherokee Nation
Natural Resources director and nature walk guide Pat Gwin. “It’s a
natural Ozark stream setting so it really closely resembles the
environment the Cherokees would have had back east.”
The
conference is free and open to the public. Transportation for the
nature walk will be on a first-come, first-served basis. For more
information about the Cherokee Nation Ethnobotany Conference contact
Monholland at 918-453-5389.
Cherokee Nation Seeks Talented
Native Artists for Gallery
TAHLEQUAH,
Okla. — The Cherokee Arts Center is currently seeking talented Native
artists who would like to display their works in the center’s gallery
located in downtown Tahlequah, 212 S. Water St.
Selected
artwork will be displayed during the center’s grand opening June 8 and
9, which will be held in conjunction with Arts on the Avenue, a two-day
festival that features regional art, music and wine.
“We
want to show everyone the wonderful work of our very talented Cherokee
artists,” said Donna Tinnin, Cherokee Nation community tourism
supervisor. “By combining the grand opening with the Arts on the Avenue
festival we hope to display the center’s unique and traditional artwork
to visitors and collectors from across the region.”
The
CAC is a newly opened facility that offers Cherokee artists a chance to
display and sell their crafts. The center also offers numerous art
instruction classes and demonstrations that range from pottery,
metalsmithing, shell gorget making and loom weaving.
To
apply, the artist must be a Cherokee citizen and complete an
application accompanied with pictures of his or her artwork no later
than Friday, May 18. A panel of board members will review the
applications and if selected, artwork should be dropped off at the
gallery by Friday, June 1 at 5 p.m. All types of mediums and imagery
will be considered.
For more information or to obtain an application contact Ryan Smith at 918-772-4149 or ryan-smith@cherokee.org.
Cherokee Holiday Art Show Seeks Entries
TAHLEQUAH,
Okla. — Entries are being accepted for the Sixth Cherokee National
Holiday Art Show, to be held over Labor Day weekend in Tahlequah.
Deadline for entering artwork in the show is Friday, Aug. 10.
Artists
will compete for $12,000 total prize money in 12 categories:
traditional, contemporary pottery, paintings, drawings and graphics,
photography, sculpture, contemporary basketry, textiles and weaving,
diverse arts, youth ages 1-8, youth ages 9-13 and youth ages 14-18.
“We
have expanded the youth category this year and broken the ages down a
little more, offering more prize money for the youth, which are our
future,” said Marie Smith, Cherokee National Holiday Art Show
coordinator.
The
show will be displayed at the Tahlequah Armory Municipal Center, 100 N.
Water Ave. It opens at 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 31, and winners will be
named on opening night. The artwork will remain on display Saturday,
Sept. 1, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 2, from 10 a.m. to 5
p.m.
“Henry
Ward Beecher said, ‘Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and
paints his own nature into his pictures.’ This is very true of Native
American artists,” said Smith. “During the holiday, we invite everyone
to experience the link between Native American culture and imagination.”
To
enter, an artist must be a citizen of a federally recognized tribe and
may submit one piece per category in a maximum of two categories.
Artwork entered must have been created within the last year and be ready
for display.
The
show is part of a full slate of events happening at the 60th Cherokee
National Holiday, a festival that attracts more than 90,000 visitors
annually to Tahlequah to celebrate the tribe’s signing of its 1839
constitution and an Act of Union that formally joined factions of the
tribe into one nation. Cherokee National Holiday showcases the best of
Cherokee art, food, music, crafts, sports, culture and history and most
events and attractions are free of charge.
For an art entry form, or for more information about the Sixth Cherokee National Holiday Art Show, email marie-smith@cherokee.org or call 918-453-5524.
Cherokee Nation Businesses Opens New Laundry Facility in Delaware County

Cherokee Nation and CNB officials hold ribbon-cutting ceremony for newest business in Jay
JAY,
Okla.—Cherokee Nation Businesses hosted an open house for its new
industrial laundry facility in Jay on Thursday. The new
5,600-square-foot facility eliminates the outsourcing of laundry
services for its hotels and creates 11 new jobs in the area.
“We
are pleased that the creation of this facility helps us to continue our
goals of economic development and creating more jobs inside the
Cherokee Nation,” said Bill John Baker, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief.
“By opening this business in Jay, we no longer need to outsource these
services. Even more importantly, we’re creating opportunities for
Cherokees in Delaware County.”
The
Jay facility processes all laundry from the 140-room Cherokee Casino
& Hotel West Siloam Springs. Any given day, the facility processes
up to 2,500 pounds of linen from West Siloam Springs alone. Laundry
services from the 350-room Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa will be
added in the near future. An addition currently underway at Hard Rock
Hotel & Casino Tulsa will add 100 more suites. That project will be
complete later this year.
“We’re
excited to be creating jobs in Cherokee communities where CNB has not
previously had a presence,” said Shawn Slaton, executive vice president
of Cherokee Nation Businesses. “CNB’s mission is to provide jobs and new
opportunities for people across the 14 counties of the Cherokee Nation,
so we’re extremely proud to be doing just that.”
The
new facility creates a cost-effective method for laundry services and
is located in a central position for the two largest CNB-owned hotels.
By having the laundry processed in Jay, Cherokee Casino & Hotel West
Siloam Springs has already seen quicker turnaround in delivery and
pickup of linens.
“The
transition has already been a positive one,” said Rachel Smith,
housekeeping supervisor of Cherokee Casino & Hotel West Siloam
Springs. “The quality of their work already exceeds what we’ve had in
the past. Having a location in Jay has already cut back on time spent
with our laundry needs.”The
new laundry facility is CNB’s first expansion into this type of
business. The intent is to create an industrial facility capable of
eventually handling services for all Cherokee Nation and CNB-owned
businesses. The facility currently employs eight full-time laundry
attendants, a full-time maintenance engineer and two on-site managers.
Cherokee Nation Swears in Fifth Member of Election Commission
TAHLEQUAH,
Okla. —During its May general meeting, the Cherokee Nation Tribal
Council confirmed a fifth and final member of the tribe’s Election
Commission, increased the tribe’s budget to help fund housing and elder
initiatives and approved a feasibility study to explore potential uses
for tribal land.
The
council confirmed Carolyn Allen as the fifth member of the Cherokee
Nation Election Commission. Under Cherokee law, the first two members of
the commission are chosen by the chief and the second two are chosen by
the tribal council. As the fifth member, Allen was selected by the
other four commissioners to serve a four-year term. She is a retired
teacher from Tahlequah Public Schools.
“I
am excited to have been confirmed to this position and I am looking
forward to working with the other commissioners and to filling the
obligations that have been set forth by tribal members,” Allen said.
In
other news, the council passed an act to amend the comprehensive
budget, increasing it by $13.6 million to more than $520 million.
Approximately $10.5 million of the increase will help fund the
previously approved Indian Housing Plan. The increase will also provide
$260,000 to fund a new initiative called Elders in Need, a program that
will provide a $200 stipend twice per year to eligible elders over 65.
The
Council also passed an act directing Cherokee Nation Businesses to
conduct a feasibility study to measure use of the Sallisaw Creek Park
for gaming, industry and a potential water-way port. The approximately
1,100 acres is owned by Cherokee Nation and located in Sequoyah County.
The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 11 at 6 p.m. in the Tribal Council Chambers of the W.W. Keeler Complex in Tahlequah.
(Tahlequah, Okla.)--This summer Northeastern State University will offer 12 weeklong camps in June and July for area students.
The Second
Century Camps provide enjoyable learning opportunities for area
children. Subjects include writing, visual arts, digital photography,
broadcasting, forensic science, cooking, film and theatre, sculpture,
kayaking and survival skills. These camps are offered in partnership
with the communication, art and theatre department in the College of
Liberal Arts.
“This is the greatest number of camps we’ve ever
offered,” said Dr. Dana Eversole, professor of mass communication and
camp adviser. “On Fridays, we will take campers by bus to skate and
watch a film.”
The teachers are members of the NSU
community and outside professionals who volunteer to share their
expertise with the camps through this community outreach project.
Camps are
available to students ages 4 through high school. Price is $125 per
camper. Price is $150 per camper for the Kayaking Camp for Kids.
The camps each run five days from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., except for CSI
Science, Pastry Wars and Storytelling Part 2 which will not meet on
Independence Day. Drop off and pick up will be at the circle drive of
the NSU University Center.
Registration
begins May 7 and runs through June 22. Parents may visit the offices of
The Northeastern adjacent to Southwest Leoser Hall.
Art Adventures is for children ages 4-8. Storytelling parts 1 and 2, The Art of Faces and Places, CSI-Tahlequah,
Sculpture Camp, Survival Skills for Kids are for ages 8 and up. All
other camps are for ages 10 and up. Camps offered are:
• June 25-29: “Storytelling Part 1 – Writing and Crafting the Book of Me,” “Art Adventures” and “The Art of Faces and Places – Digital Photography Camp”
• July 2-6: “CSI-Tahlequah,” “Pastry Wars” and “Storytelling Part 2 – the Magic of Theatre and Movies”
• July 9-13: “Sculpture Camp” and “Kayaking Camp for Kids”
• July 16-20: “Survival Skills for Kids,” “Iron Chef Kids – Italian Academy” and “Movie Making”
• July 23-27: “Broadcast Camp”
“These
camps are a lot of fun and worth the price,” Eversole said. “I’d like
to thank David Wilcox of Sodexo who is providing the lunches. We haven’t
had to raise the prices in the four years we’ve conducted these camps.”
Eversole said fliers are available to students at Tahlequah schools. More information is available by visiting www.nsunews.com and clicking on “Summer Camps.”
Parents may also call Eversole at 918-444-2891.
Summer Camps Available Through
Cherokee Nation
TAHLEQUAH,
Okla. — This summer Cherokee Nation is offering young tribal citizens
an opportunity to attend Camp Cherokee, an enriching cultural and
academic experience that features programs from the Art Institute and
the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Academy.
Students
entering first through seventh grade in the 2012-2013 school year can
enjoy Camp Cherokee Day Camps at one of seven different locations in the
tribe’s jurisdiction. During the four-day camp, participants will be
divided into age groups and placed in morning or afternoon classes that
teach Cherokee culture and academics. After class, students can partake
in recreational activities and large camp events.
Day
camps are available May 29 – June 1 at Dwight Mission in Vian, June 4–8
at Dewey Public Schools, June 11–15 at Belfonte/Bell Public Schools,
June 11–15 at Colcord Public Schools, June 18–22 at Rogers State
University in Claremore, June 25–29 at Ketchum Public Schools and July
16–20 at Camp Heart O’ Hills in Welling.
Camp
Cherokee Residential is an overnight camp available for students
entering seventh through 12th grade in the 2012-2013 school year.
Participants can select courses from both the Arts Institute Summer
Program and the STEM Academy. Students will be placed in morning and
afternoon classes, with evenings reserved for recreation, enrichment and
camp events. Camp Cherokee Residential will take place in Welling at
the Heart O’ Hills Camp and Conference Center from July 15-20.
Both
camps are free and open to citizens of the Cherokee Nation, United
Keetoowah Band of Cherokees, Eastern Band of Cherokees, Loyal Shawnee
and Delaware tribes and students from Sequoyah Schools. Space is limited
for both camps and applications must be received at least two weeks
prior to the students selected camp. For more information or to apply
visit www.camp.cherokee.org or call 918-453-5152.
Sequoyah Schools Dean Graduates with Honors
TAHLEQUAH,
Okla.— Geary Don Crofford, Ph.D., and dean of academics at Sequoyah
Schools recently graduated from the Oklahoma Principals’ Academy. The
Oklahoma Principals' Academy provides K-12 principals and assistant
principals leadership development customized for the unique challenges
of leading today's elementary and secondary schools.
“We
are extremely proud of Geary and his accomplishments,” said Rita Bunch,
Sequoyah Schools superintendent. “He is an excellent role model for
our students and his commitment to the field of education makes him an
asset to our staff.”
The
school leaders initially gather in the summer for an extended session,
and then meet throughout the academic year for four follow-up sessions.
Participants leave the academy with the most current application of
effective leadership principles from education and business.
The
Oklahoma Principals’ Academy is under the leadership of the University
of Central Oklahoma. The Educators’ Leadership Academy in collaboration
with the College of Education and Professional Studies provide the
program. Since it was founded in 1994, more than 600 principals have
graduated from the program.
During
this school year, Dr. Crofford also completed his administrative
certification at Northeastern State University, where he was inducted
into the Rho Theta Sigma Academic Honor Society. He also had a
manuscript published in the International Journal of Science Education
entitled “Exploring Native American Students’ Perceptions of
Scientist.”
“I
think it’s important for educators to model life-long learning for
their students and we should always strive for new knowledge and new
challenges,” Crofford said.
Crofford
was named the dean of academics at Sequoyah in November 2010, after
completing a stint as the school’s Response To Intervention
coordinator. He began his career in education as a science and
mathematics teacher in 1988 and has served in numerous capacities in
both higher and common education throughout the years.
NSU to Operate with
Modified Summer Hours
(Tahlequah, Okla.)--While Northeastern State University campuses will not officially be closed on Fridays during modified summer hours which begin May 21, many of NSU’s offices will only be providing services to the public Monday through Thursday.
Offices with modified hours include the enrollment centers and library services on both Tahlequah and Broken Arrow campuses as well as food services, the bookstore and the fitness center on the Tahlequah campus.
The modified schedule is designed to provide employees flexible summer working hours according to NSU Vice President for Operations Tim Foutch.
“We are still going to be providing services to our stakeholders and our community,” said Foutch, “yet it is a way for our employees to get rejuvenated during the summer period and get ready for the students to return in the fall.”
The university enrollment centers will offer services from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday on the Tahlequah campus and from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on those same days on the Broken Arrow campus.
Students will also have access to online enrollment according to Interim Executive Director for Enrollment Management Jarrett Phillips.
“Our banner database allows students to have real-time enrollment access at their fingertips,” Phillips said. “Now they have access to change their enrollment, review their account or whatever they need to do 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Students can access the banner service by clicking on the goNSU link from the NSU homepage at www.nsuok.edu.
Students will need to make sure they do not have any holds prior to enrolling online. If they have a hold, they will have to clear it up in person with the appropriate office in the Monday through Thursday timeframe according to Phillips.
Students who wish to completely withdraw from college will also have to appear in person.
The libraries on all three NSU campuses will have modified hours as well according to Assistant to the Director of Library Services Amanda Chappelle.
“In the summer, we will be open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. on both the Tahlequah and Broken Arrow campuses,” she said. “The Muskogee campus library will be open 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
“We will still be able to help library patrons from on campus and around the community because all of our services will continue to run the same during these summer hours.”
Dining venues on the Tahlequah campus including Flo’s on the third floor of the University Center and the food court, also known as The Underground, will be closed during the summer months.
The Market Café will be open Monday through Friday and will serve breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Seminary Suites will be open Monday through Friday to serve dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. and open on weekends to serve lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Coffee Shoppe located in The Roost at the Tahlequah Campus will be open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m.
The Hawk's Nest at the Broken Arrow Campus will be open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. throughout the summer.
The NSU bookstore will be open on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and will continue to offer book sales online as well through the NSU bookstore website at www.nsuok.edu.bncollege.com.
The fitness center building on the Tahlequah campus will be open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. and from 7 a.m. until noon on Fridays while the swimming pool will be open Monday through Thursday from 1 to 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Fridays.
TAHLEQUAH,
Okla. –Cherokee Nation Contract Health Services received a dividend
check for $1.51 million at Monday night’s Tribal Council meeting thanks
to the April sale of Cherokee Nation Businesses’ corporate plane.
Authorized
by Cherokee Nation Businesses’ board of directors, the check
represented the proceeds from the sale of CNB’s C-90B Raytheon King Air,
which sold for almost $300,000 more than its estimated net book value.
“We’re
going to help a lot of our people with the money from that plane,”
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker said. “The Cherokee
government is here to serve the Cherokee people and basic needs like the
services provided by contract health are an obvious place to start.”
Cherokee
Nation’s health services are administered in two ways. Federally-funded
programs are earmarked for specific programs and procedures. Money
designated for those programs cannot be redirected in any way.
Self-funded Cherokee Nation contract health services, however, are more
flexible in the types of services and items covered, giving the tribe
discretion in how to best meet its citizens’ needs.
“Contract
health is one of the most important ways we serve the Cherokee people,”
Baker said. “That’s how we fill much needed gaps that are not covered
by federal funding.”
This
is the second funding increase for contract health since Baker has
taken office. In November, Baker signed the health care dividend act,
which authorized an additional 5 percent of casino profits be directed
specifically to contract health programs.
“I’ve
made health care a top priority of my administration,” Baker said.
“Ensuring our people have access to good health care ensures a better
quality of life for all. It’s my hope that these types of changes leave a
lasting legacy on our people.”
Cherokee Heritage Center Celebrates the
13th Annual Cherokee Heritage Gospel Sing and Hog Fry
Free Golf Instruction for Cherokee Youth Offered This June in Tahlequah
Native Tee Program to be held at Cherokee Trails
CATOOSA,
Okla. – Cherokee youth who want to learn the basic principles and
techniques of golf can participate in free lessons through the Native
Tee Program at Cherokee Trails Golf Course.
One-hour classes will be offered from 8 – 9 a.m. on June 5, 12, 19 and 26.
Matt
Harris, head golf professional at Cherokee Hills Golf Club, and Brian
Montgomery, assistant professional at Cherokee Hills, will lead the
sessions. The duo has a combined 25 years of experience in teaching the
game to players of all levels.
“Matt
and Brian are great teachers of the game. They take great pride in
being able to teach the basics and get children hooked on the game,”
said Jeff Jarrett, golf operations general manager for Cherokee Hills.
“The Native Tee program has been very successful since its inception in
2005. The Cherokee youth who have been through our classes seem to
really enjoy it.”
To
participate, juniors ages 6-17 must provide proof of Cherokee
citizenship at the time of registration for each session. Golf clubs can
be provided to participants not owning a set but must be reserved at
the time of registration. Sessions are limited to a maximum of 20
students, and single session participation is recommended. Please call
early to register.
Cherokee Trails Golf Course is located at 22706 S. 504 Road in Tahlequah. For more information, visit www.cherokeestarrewards.com or call (918) 458-4294.
Sequoyah Schools to Hold Awards Assembly
TAHLEQUAH,
Okla.— Sequoyah Schools will hold its annual academic and athletic
awards assembly on Friday, May 18, at 8:30 a.m. in The Place Where They
Play. The assembly is expected to last until 11:00 a.m. and class will
be dismissed at noon. Families and friends of students are invited to
attend.
Northeastern State University Faculty Member Among Victims of Kansas Plane Crash, Services Announced
(Broken Arrow, Okla.)--Funeral services have been announced for Dr. Garrett Coble, assistant professor of marketing at Northeastern State University-Broken Arrow who was the victim of a plane crash on May 11. The service will be this Thursday, May 17, 2:00, Christ's Chapel on the ORU campus. The family has requested no flowers so information will be forthcoming regarding donation opportunities.
Coble, 29, died when the twin-engine Cessna 401 in which he was a passenger crashed near Chanute, Kan. Also killed were pilot Luke Sheets, 23, of Ephraim, Wisc., and Stephen Luth, 22, of Muscatine, Iowa. Austin Anderson, 27, of Ringwood died of his injuries after being taken to a hospital in Wichita, Kan. Hannah Luce, 22, of Golden Valley, Texas, was hospitalized in Kansas City, Kan., with critical injuries.
"The NSU community is extremely saddened by the loss of Professor Coble," said NSU President Steve Turner. "His service to our students at the Broken Arrow campus was meaningful and appreciated. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends and to his friends' families who also experienced significant loss as a result of this tragic accident."
The group left Jones Riverside Airport in Jenks en route to Council Bluffs, Iowa, to attend a Christian youth rally, Acquire the Fire, organized by Teen Mania Ministries. Coble had served on missions for the group.
Coble was a graduate of Henryetta High School was to receive a Ph.D. in business administration with a marketing emphasis from Oklahoma State University this August. He served as a visiting professor of marketing at Oral Roberts University during the 2010-11 academic year before joining the faculty at NSUBA in August 2011.
While an instructor at Oklahoma State, Coble received three outstanding graduate teaching awards. He was also a member of the American Marketing Association and the Association for Consumer Research.
Dr. Roger Collier, dean of the NSU College of Business and Technology, called Coble a valued instructor, colleague and "a good friend."
"In the short time Garrett was a faculty member at NSU, he had a positive impact on his students and on his faculty colleagues in the Department of Business Administration and the College of Business and Technology," Collier said. "He was at the beginning of a promising academic career. We will miss him."
Contestants Sought to Compete for
Miss Cherokee Title
TAHLEQUAH,
Okla. — For more than 50 years Miss Cherokee has served as a cultural
icon and a goodwill ambassador on behalf of the Cherokee Nation. The
Cherokee Nation is currently accepting Miss Cherokee Leadership
Competition entries from young women interested in representing their
tribe and earning money for their education. The competition is held in
conjunction with the 60th Cherokee National Holiday to be held in
Tahlequah over Labor Day weekend.
“We
have a long history of selecting strong, capable women to represent our
nation as Miss Cherokee,” said Deputy Principal Chief S. Joe
Crittenden. “As a traditionally matrilinear tribe, it is fitting that we
have a young woman as an ambassador and role model and it is my hope
that every eligible Cherokee citizen will be up for the challenge to
participate.”
Eligible
contestants must be between the ages of 17 and 22 as of Aug. 25, 2012.
To be eligible, a candidate must be a citizen of the Cherokee Nation who
resides within the tribe’s jurisdictional area. Additionally candidates
must be a high school graduate or have a GED.
The
Miss Cherokee Leadership Competition is held in Tahlequah during the
final week of August. Contestants are judged on their platform, their
usage of the Cherokee language and their interviewing skills. Higher
education scholarships will be awarded to the top three contestants.
Miss Cherokee will be officially crowned during the State of the Nation
ceremony held at Cherokee National Holiday on Sept. 5, 2012, and the new
Miss Cherokee’s duties will begin immediately with appearances
throughout the remainder of the festival and continuing over the next 12
months.
Miss
Cherokee entries must be postmarked by July 27, 2012. For more
information including an entry form with a full list of eligibility
requirements, please call 918-207-3577.
Local Employees Donate Needed Supplies to Students at Oaks-Mission
Cherokee Casino Tahlequah employees
contribute hundreds of items
OAKS,
Okla. – Students at Oaks-Mission Public Schools now have the supplies
they need to finish the school year, thanks to a recent donation from
Cherokee Casino Tahlequah employees.
The school was given hundreds of basic necessities like glue, paper, pencils, crayons, markers and paper.
“You
never have enough of some of these items, and the timing of the
donation was perfect,” said Barbara Tucker, principal of Oaks-Mission
Elementary School. “When you get these items donated to the school, it
is a blessing.”
Casino
staff and corporate employees have collected school supplies for many
schools over the past several years, contributing thousands of supplies
to area students.
“We
strive to be a great community partner,” said Chris Province, general
manager of Cherokee Casino Tahlequah. “A part of that is ensuring local
students have the resources to succeed in the classroom.”
Cherokee Casino Tahlequah is located off of U.S. Highway 62 in Tahlequah, Okla. For more information, please visit www.cherokeestarrewards.com or call (918) 207-3600.
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(Front
row: from left to right) Zylee Ward and Zoee Ward, students at Oaks-Mission Public Schools (Back row: from left to right) Donetta Johnson, culture and tourism coordinator for Cherokee Nation Entertainment; Christian Glass, student; Barbara Tucker, principal of Oaks-Mission Public Schools; Machia McLemore, casino services representative at Cherokee Casino Tahlequah. |
Farm Service Agency Offers Producers a Free Online News Service
Up-to-the-Minute Farm Program News Direct to Your Email Account or Smartphone
(Tahlequah, OK) – May 7, 2012 - USDA Cherokee, Adair, & Sequoyah Counties Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Gary Rogers announced that farmers and ranchers in Cherokee, Adair, & Sequoyah Counties now have a more efficient, timely option for receiving important FSA program eligibility requirements, deadlines and related information.
"FSA is now offering free online communications through our GovDelivery electronic news service," said Rogers. "News will now be sent via e-mail right to your home or farm office or to your Smartphone – allowing you to receive immediate notification of farm program news that is pertinent to your agricultural operation," he said.
Through FSA’s GovDelivery electronic news service, producers can establish subscriber preferences by choosing to receive federal farm program information by topic, by state and/or by county. Producers can select as many subscriber options as they want, which allows producers who farm in multiple counties or across state lines to receive updates from each county in which they operate or have an interest.
According to Rogers, GovDelivery is a one-stop shop for the most up-to-date USDA program information.
"If, after using this online system, producers no longer wish to receive hardcopy newsletters from their local county office, they should contact the office and make their preferences known," said Rogers. "GovDelivery will enable FSA to keep producers better informed and allow us to conserve resources and reduce taxpayer expenses associated with the preparation, printing and distribution of hardcopy newsletters," he said.
To begin using GovDelivery, subscribe online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/subscribe or contact your local office for subscription assistance.
Please contact your local FSA office if you have questions regarding FSA’s GovDelivery electronic news service.
Small Business Class Available Through
Cherokee Nation
TULSA, Okla.
— The Cherokee Nation has a small business class available on
Wednesday, May 23, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., for entrepreneurs who are
interested in learning about programs that can help spur business
growth. The class will be held in Tulsa at the Oklahoma Native American
Business Enterprise Center, 7615 E. 63rd Place.
During
“Strategies for Growth,” Business Opportunity Specialist Vanessa
Woodfork will teach participants the ins and outs of small business
programs including 8(a) Business Development, Historically Underutilized
Business Zones, government contracting and the Women-Owned Small
Business Federal Contract Program. Class participants will be equipped
with advisory services and resources to aid in the continued growth
among minority-owned businesses.
The
class is open to the public but seating is limited. For more
information or to register for the class contact Valerie Diffee at
918-453-5728 or valerie-scraper@cherokee.org.