Shawnee Public Library Children's Librarian Jairo Montelongo gives change to Hadley Blake, 10, of Bethel, during the 'Pet Cents' event on June 14. Using play money, Blake bought an ostrich for her pet, and Brylynn Pointer, 11, of Shawnee, bought a giraffe. Montelongo said the library received an American Library Association grant to teach children how to manage finances. Their next event, Making Moo-La, will be on June 21 at 10:30 am.

The Naval Sea Cadet Color Guard demonstrattes the folding of the U.S. flag, as Sea Cadet Director Donna Snodgrass reads their meanings during the Tecumseh American Legion Post #260 Flag Day Ceremony on June 14. The Color Guard is, from left, Kenneth Irwin, Zachary Hastings, Diana Murray and Daryl Murray. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Shamiel Gary, the speaker for the Avedis Health Week 2025 Spear Series, said that ' there are those people who will put a glass ceiling on your potential. You have to push past that and sometimes you need others to give you that push.' Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

Natasha Dunagan poses with her first place Feature Story plaque at the OPA Awards Convention last weekend. 'I love writing feature stories. It is my way of helping get someone's story out to the public. It feeds the kid in me who loved listening to the grownups talk. I've always been curious about life stories.' Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

Terry Alan Blankinship

Gideon Morris, aka Dr. Arthropod of Mad Science in OKC, gets help from CPN After-School students Wyatt May and Tenetke Mato in launching a balloon into the air during the 'Artsplosion' show at Tecumseh Public Library on June 5. Morris also demonstrated how science can help to make art with heat-sensitive paper, a UV light pen and other items. Visit the Pioneer Library System website for a complete calendar of events.