IN THIS ISSUE...

5 Editorial by Trudy Evans

6 COVER STORY: Bill and Lynda Grimes Celebrate 53 Years of Marriage by Regina Brown

8 Pastor Paul’s Passages by Paul Ragel

10 Notes on The OKLAHOMA Corridor by Rick Reiley

12 Local Drumright Native – Chef Shane Pratt by Regina Brown

13 From Emma by Emma Bryan

14 Delilah’s Dilemmas by Diane Brown

18 A Window Into Love and Relationships by Alana Owen

OUR FEBRUARY 2023

FEATURE STORY: Bill and Lynda Grimes of Ripley Celebrate 53 Years of Marriage by Regina Brown / Page 6

258-5002 121 W 10th / Chandler

20 CUSHING HISTORY BITS Pioneer Couple Celebrated Golden Anniversary in Cushing

22 Avid Foodie Pages with Chef Shane Pratt

That romantic month is again upon us. What are your plans for your loved ones this Valentine’s Day?

We instantly think of our significant other. But what if some of our loved ones have left this earth before us? Some think of their children, but what if they don’t have any. Maybe others think of their fur baby. What if you are single or had a recent breakup? Regardless of celebrating who or what we love, it’s a special month. Memories are made, relived, tears are shed, and laughter happens. It should be a feel good month and I hope it is for all of our readers.

Since my husband, Brian, passed three years ago, I choose to celebrate my daughter, Kayla. But when my husband was living he always made me something for Valentine’s Day. The simplest thing was a framed photograph that he printed from the internet of an airplane covered with Mickey Mouse graphics – he knew that I love Mickey Mouse! The sweetest thing he offered one year was Mickey and Minnie vinyl decals placed on my steering wheel and the dash of my car so I’d see them when I went to work. He was a very thoughtful person. He even took our cat card shopping for Kayla and me and helped Spotty sign the cards as well. Sometimes he thought too much!

One of the most memorable gifts was flowers from the big box store. The next morning they were literally dead – fall over, petals falling off, DEAD! I asked him to not buy flowers from Walmart anymore and we both laughed!

Brian always wanted to take me out to dinner to a nice place on Valentine’s Day but, I didn’t enjoy the wait and the older we got, crowds were just not for us. So we would do a lunch or just stay home. One year I remember being so hungry and was so excited to go somewhere to eat, but every restaurant was packed. We ended up in Perkins, OK at Jalopy’s. I wasn’t overly excited then about that, but today I would love to have any meal with him anywhere, and I would not complain.

We had 22 Valentine’s Days together and I know in time we will celebrate them together again!

Have a Happy Valentine’s Day with whomever doing something you enjoy! Today only lasts today and you only have one chance to make it happen. “Love is so much more than just another four-letter word.” — Unknown