THE OTHER NIGHT before Christmas, my deaf son, Mike and I were shopping at the west side Homeland for groceries to cook Christmas dinner for my children and grandchildren. I was busy checking my list and filling my basket when you “the Pirate” came down our aisle giving each of us an envelope. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us and everyone else you have helped this season.

Mike loves people and he tries to talk to everyone, but many are hateful to him because they can’t understand his speech and what he is saying. Thank you especially for including Mike. He is so proud and has shown your card to everyone. His rod to fish at the dam was stolen and he hopes to save and buy a new one. You will never give out an envelope more appreciated than Mike’s.

Bless you and your family.

Floretta L. and

Mike Leatherman



MANY volunteers and organizations are doing great things at this time of the year. Recently, I discovered that Fort Gibson State Bank in Fort Gibson, employed a Lady to wrap Christmas gifts for customers free of charge. The response has been great and some employees also pitched in after work to assist in this effort. This was a great idea for us older folks, especially an elderly ex-banker like myself. Thank you Fort Gibson State Bank.

Jeanne Treadway



THE MEMBERS of Women of Worth (W.O.W) ministry of New Balm Outreach Ministries would like to thank everyone who made our Cancer Awareness Seminar held on Oct. 20 a success. A special thank you to Cancer Treatment Center of America for allowing Linda Wiland to serve as a presenter at the seminar. She was a blessing! We also want to thank the ladies of the Muskogee Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. for their support and donations, and to our many sponsors for the wonderful gifts/door prizes: Dillard’s, JCPenny, Candy Craze, Economy Drugs, Stage, Rise & Shine, Ruth’s, to name a few. Looking forward to working with you all at the next program.

Rebecca Steward

W.O.W.

Program Chair



I AND MY SON Diante’ Crutchfield have no words that can express the outpouring of love and support that we received during the death of my son Christopher Jaiden Crutchfield, who was affectionately called “C.J.”

God makes no mistakes and He does all things well. We were blessed to have had him for seven years. And C.J. was blessed to have his first Christmas in heaven.

A special thanks to St. Frances Hospital Pediatric ICU staff; Keith Biglow and staff; Pastor Leroy Walker Sr.; Timothy Baptist Church; Pastor Miller and the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Stillwater, OK.; Pastor Hall and the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church; Beverly “Mama” Dorn; Mrs. Kristen Cherry; Mrs. Becky Hearon and Cagles Florist; Grant Foreman Elementary students and staff; 7th & 8th Grade Center staff and students.

May God Richly bless you All,

Christopher Eric Crutchfield

Diante’ Eric

Crutchfield

The Crutchfield

family, Sims family

and Cherry family