People and Places

St. Gregory’s Abbey Celebrates 150 Years of Benedictine Missions in Pott. Co.

St. Gregory’s Abbey Celebrates 150 Years of Benedictine Missions in Pott. Co.

St. Gregory’s Abbey Celebrates 150 Years of Benedictine Missions in Pott. Co.

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
St. Gregory’s Abbey in Shawnee hosted a Sesquicentennial Celebration on Sunday, Oct. 12, with more than 325 guests from nearby to across the United States, Mexico and France, according to Rt. Rev. Lawrence Stasyszen, OSB (Order of St. Benedict), Abbot of St. Gregory’s.
Oklahoma Junior Chamber International Senate President Randy Sursa presents Kimberly Rawls with a certificate, lapel pen and name badge, as he declares her to be a JCI Senator, during a meeting held at Van's Pig Stand in Shawnee on Aug. 23. Photo provided

Oklahoma Junior Chamber International Senate President Randy Sursa presents Kimberly Rawls with a certificate, lapel pen and name badge, as he declares her to be a JCI Senator, during a meeting held at Van's Pig Stand in Shawnee on Aug. 23. Photo provided

Long-time Shawnee Jaycee Member is Designated JCI Senator

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
On Aug. 23, Kimberly Rawls was prepared to have lunch with friends at Van’s Pig Stand in Shawnee. When she arrived, she was happy to be greeted by all of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) senators from across Oklahoma, as well as JCI Senate State President Randy Sursa.
Manuela Parada Photo Provided

Manuela Parada Photo Provided

Shawnee student completes medical internship

News Staff
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Shawnee High School proudly announces that junior Manuela Parada, Class of 2026, was selected for the highly competitive Advanced Medical & Public Health Internship offered by Leadership Initiatives.
Maud 1988 graduate Brad Hawkins is the new superintendent for Maud Public Schools. Hawkins has been a coach, teacher and elementary principal. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Maud 1988 graduate Brad Hawkins is the new superintendent for Maud Public Schools. Hawkins has been a coach, teacher and elementary principal. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

New Maud Superintendent is 1988 Alum

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Laurence Bradley “Brad” Hawkins graduated from Maud High School in 1988, and he has now returned to serve as Maud Public School’s superintendent.When asked how his alma mater has changed since then, Hawkins said it hasn’t changed a lot, except for lower enrollment, which stands at about 215.
Tecumseh residents Almeda Dyer and Leota Trice, who both turned 94 last month, pose with AARP Oklahoma State Director Sean Voskuhl during a celebration of Social Security's 90th anniversary, held at the Tecumseh Golden Age Center, in conjunction with Project HEART, on Aug. 12. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Tecumseh residents Almeda Dyer and Leota Trice, who both turned 94 last month, pose with AARP Oklahoma State Director Sean Voskuhl during a celebration of Social Security's 90th anniversary, held at the Tecumseh Golden Age Center, in conjunction with Project HEART, on Aug. 12. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

AARP celebrates with Tecumseh Seniors

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
On Aug.14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law the Social Security Act, establishing the Social Security Administration, according to “FDR signs Social Security Act” on the History Channel website.
Helena Cudd throws a toy for Hemi during the DockDogs® competition at the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival on Aug. 9. Hemi won first in the Pro Finals with a 25-foot, seven-inch jump. This is the first year for the competition, which attracted contestants from all over Oklahoma and Texas.

Helena Cudd throws a toy for Hemi during the DockDogs® competition at the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival on Aug. 9. Hemi won first in the Pro Finals with a 25-foot, seven-inch jump. This is the first year for the competition, which attracted contestants from all over Oklahoma and Texas.

Kids enjoy camel rides, petting zoo, DockDogs® Competition at Balloon Fest

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Thursday, August 14, 2025
The Eighth Annual FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival was a hub of family entertainment, Aug. 8-9.It was held at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN) Festival Grounds and was in conjunction with the Outdoor Nation Expo at FireLake Arena.
Miss Oklahoma Tessa Dorrell shows a picture of her blue pageant dress to three six-year-olds - Sarah Sprague of Tecumseh, Kenya Lightsey of Shawnee and Sibyl Hays of McLoud - during story time on July 29. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Miss Oklahoma Tessa Dorrell shows a picture of her blue pageant dress to three six-year-olds - Sarah Sprague of Tecumseh, Kenya Lightsey of Shawnee and Sibyl Hays of McLoud - during story time on July 29. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Miss Oklahoma Reads for Story time at Shawnee Library

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Two former co-workers with very different jobs now led to Miss Oklahoma Tessa Dorrell reading to children during the afternoon storytime at Shawnee Public Library on July 29.