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A record number of people attended the Fifth Annual FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival on Aug. 12-13, 2023. There were 25 hot-air balloons from seven states that participated in balloon launches, tethered rides, and balloon glows. File photo

A record number of people attended the Fifth Annual FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival on Aug. 12-13, 2023. There were 25 hot-air balloons from seven states that participated in balloon launches, tethered rides, and balloon glows. File photo

FireFlight Balloon Festival Adds Camel Rides, Drone Show

Natasha Dunagan
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
If the Extreme Animals at the Outdoor Nation Expo’s Pitt Stop Petting Zoo just leave you wanting more, the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival will offer camel rides between noon and 7 pm on Sat., Aug. 10.
Tecumseh Historical Society Museum Volunteers Arthenia Haney and Ruth Beasley speak about the Tecumseh school memorabilia in the museum during the Tecumseh Pioneer Library’s “In My Experience: Tecumseh History” tour on July 16. The library will have a “Party at the Park - Summer Learning Challenge Celebration” for children and teens today (July 25) at Slick Humphrey Park from 2-3 pm. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

Tecumseh Historical Society Museum Volunteers Arthenia Haney and Ruth Beasley speak about the Tecumseh school memorabilia in the museum during the Tecumseh Pioneer Library’s “In My Experience: Tecumseh History” tour on July 16. The library will have a “Party at the Park - Summer Learning Challenge Celebration” for children and teens today (July 25) at Slick Humphrey Park from 2-3 pm. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

Tecumseh Library Program Visits Tecumseh Museum

News Staff
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Looking South on Bell Street toward Main, there were hundreds of motorcycles at the second monthly Bikes on Bell Shawnee Bike Night on July 18. Part of the proceeds from Bikes on Bell went to the Shawnee High School Band Boosters, according to a Facebook post. With live music, vendors and food trucks, the next event will be held on Aug. 15, 6-10 pm. For more information, visit their Facebook page. Countywide & Sun/ Natasha Dunagan

Looking South on Bell Street toward Main, there were hundreds of motorcycles at the second monthly Bikes on Bell Shawnee Bike Night on July 18. Part of the proceeds from Bikes on Bell went to the Shawnee High School Band Boosters, according to a Facebook post. With live music, vendors and food trucks, the next event will be held on Aug. 15, 6-10 pm. For more information, visit their Facebook page. Countywide & Sun/ Natasha Dunagan

Caught In Action: Bikes on Bell Shawnee Bike Night

News Staff
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Mama’s Christ Van was awarded a $5,000 grant from CVEC and its lending partner CoBank. Photo provided

Mama’s Christ Van was awarded a $5,000 grant from CVEC and its lending partner CoBank. Photo provided

CVEC Awards $5,000 Grants To Three Non-Profits

News Staff
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Seminole, OK- Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative (CVEC), in collaboration with its lending partner CoBank, has awarded $5,000 grants to three local non-profit organizations: Mama’s Christ Van, The Praise Center, and Prague Little League.
Shawnee Board of Education Clerk Bobby Canty, far left, speaks during the special session meeting at 8 a.m. on July 18. Also shown are Russ Oliver, Clif Harden, Jeanne Swinney, Mandy Hillhouse, Kristen Wilson (hidden) and Dr. Aaron Espolt. The meeting was held in the professional development center on the first floor of the Administration Building due to remodeling in the board room upstairs. Countywide & Sun/ Natasha Dunagan

Shawnee Board of Education Clerk Bobby Canty, far left, speaks during the special session meeting at 8 a.m. on July 18. Also shown are Russ Oliver, Clif Harden, Jeanne Swinney, Mandy Hillhouse, Kristen Wilson (hidden) and Dr. Aaron Espolt. The meeting was held in the professional development center on the first floor of the Administration Building due to remodeling in the board room upstairs. Countywide & Sun/ Natasha Dunagan

SECC Class Revised To Help Students Catch Up After Covid

Natasha Dunagan
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
This year, there will be a new class at the Shawnee Early Childhood Center - at least in name. The T1 class, formerly the D1 class, will be there to help those students, transitioning from kindergarten to first grade, who are still recovering from the effects of isolation in the pandemic quarantine.
The Sewing Circle Bees of McLoud toss candy to the crowd from their float in the McLoud Blackberry Festival Parade on July 13. There were 75 entries in the parade this year, and they won second place, along with First United Methodist Church. First Baptist Church of McLoud got first, and Kickapoo Head Start won third. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

The Sewing Circle Bees of McLoud toss candy to the crowd from their float in the McLoud Blackberry Festival Parade on July 13. There were 75 entries in the parade this year, and they won second place, along with First United Methodist Church. First Baptist Church of McLoud got first, and Kickapoo Head Start won third. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

Blackberry Festival Attracts Thousands of Visitors

Natasha Dunagan
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Attracting thousands of people every year, the longest-running food-related Oklahoma festival was held on July 12 and 13.It began on Friday evening with the McLoud Blackberry Festival Pageant and performances by the McTaggert Irish Dancers and Blackwater Smoke.
Chelsea Parks, from the Inspyral Circus, shows Owen Trout how to spin a hula hoop on his arm during the Summer Learning Challenge program at Tecumseh Pioneer Library on July 11. Also shown are Isaac Sitton, background, and Luke Hohn, foreground. The theme of the program was "practice makes progress," as Parks demonstrated other circus skills like juggling, riding a unicycle, and balancing on a rola bola and a giant rubber ball. The next children's program is "Cinderella Interactive - A Literary Tale."

Chelsea Parks, from the Inspyral Circus, shows Owen Trout how to spin a hula hoop on his arm during the Summer Learning Challenge program at Tecumseh Pioneer Library on July 11. Also shown are Isaac Sitton, background, and Luke Hohn, foreground. The theme of the program was "practice makes progress," as Parks demonstrated other circus skills like juggling, riding a unicycle, and balancing on a rola bola and a giant rubber ball. The next children's program is "Cinderella Interactive - A Literary Tale."

Tecumseh Library Hosts Inspyral Circus Performer

News Staff
Thursday, July 18, 2024
IFYR volunteers Sue Nelson and Linda Brown pose together on the last night of the rodeo, July 12. Nelson has volunteered since it was the National High School Rodeo Association, which was in Shawnee for three years over 30 years ago. Brown estimates that it has been 29 years for her. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

IFYR volunteers Sue Nelson and Linda Brown pose together on the last night of the rodeo, July 12. Nelson has volunteered since it was the National High School Rodeo Association, which was in Shawnee for three years over 30 years ago. Brown estimates that it has been 29 years for her. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

Dedicated Volunteers Keep The IFYR Spirit Alive

Natasha Dunagan
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
The 32nd Annual International Finals Youth Rodeo wrapped up on July 12, but this six-day event would not happen without over 300 volunteers to help.Among them are a few who have dedicated themselves to returning every year some for almost as long as it has existed.
City Clerk Lisa Lasyone (pictured left) swears in Ward 4 Commissioner Ashley Fichtner (center) and Ward 3 Commissioner Chris Odneal (right). Photo provided by City of Shawnee

City Clerk Lisa Lasyone (pictured left) swears in Ward 4 Commissioner Ashley Fichtner (center) and Ward 3 Commissioner Chris Odneal (right). Photo provided by City of Shawnee

Two New Faces Join Shawnee City Commissioner Board

Suzie Campbell
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
A lot was going on at the City of Shawnee’s meeting of the Board of Commissioners on Monday, July 15.Farewells were said, and service was recognized for outgoing board members Yannah Frazier and Vice Mayor Darren Rutherford.

Countyline

News Staff
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Thursday, 18thSHAWNEE LIONS CLUB - every Thursday (noon) at Santa Fe Cattle Company (Shawnee Mall)Saturday, 20thLEGION PANCAKE BREAKFAST – 8 am-11am, American Legion Hall, 201 E. Park. $7..LEGION DANCE — 7:00 pm, American Legion, 201 E. Park, Tecumseh.