December 24

Allen Advocate VOLUME 69 NUMBER 13

ALLEN, PONTOTOC COUNTY , OKLAHOMA

1 SECTION (USPS 543600) 50¢

Santa loves kids of all ages and Rosie Postoak is one of his very favorite.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

Mother and daughter, Heather and Hope Gordon, have both been good all year and we hope Santa remembers them this Christmas.

Safe in his arm, Ryn Parker and Santa share Christmas dreams.

Alex Daniel was thinking hard about what he wants to ask Santa for.

We know what David Gragert wants for Christmas Maddison Crabtree loves Santa and the feeling is very mutual. We’ve heard but we’re not sure Santa keeps many snakes in his bag of gifts. she’s hoping he delivers a dollhouse to her house this year . . .

C ountry Comments

THE ALLEN ADVOCATE, DECEMBER 24, 2015 -PAGE 2

by Bill Robinson, Publisher

Christmas in the Little Town Christmas wasn’t a big production number in the 1930s. The onslaught of highpressure advertising was still light-years away, so contact with the outside world was by word of mouth, radio, and the Montgomery catalog. Our hometown was, I suppose, like any other during the Depression – licking its collective wounds and hoping for better days ahead. Neighbors clung to one another and offered help when needed.

At our house there was no woe-is-me attitude, and if we were deprived, we didn’t know it. Humor and laughter prevailed. We were, after all, together.

Our little town – where my father was born in 1886 – resembled a pastoral scene set to music. Alfalfa fields as green as emeralds skirted the landscape. Hay and

Jessi Mann and Lauren Lawler waved to Santa as he arrived in town December 17th on the Allen fire truck.

pastureland reached out to touch the foothills. Dairy cows dotted the valley floor.

The westbound passenger train stopped for passengers every morning at 8:20. At high noon the fire siren signaled it was time to knock off for lunch. Christmas shopping was simple then. There was little money to spend, and choices were few. Local merchants knew each customer’s name and the ages of all the children.

My yearly pilgrimage to Pete Christensen’s store to buy my father a bandanna was a case in point. The few coins held tightly in my sweaty palm just barely covered the cost of one handkerchief, and choosing between a red one and a blue one seemed impossible. Sensing a panic attack in the making, Pete made the decision for me.

“Why not get the red one this time? I’ll save the blue one for you when you come back next year.”

I genuinely believed him! Christensen’s store at that precise moment acquired a customer for life.

Kolln Hardware was another kid-pleaser. Browsing was welcomed even in the china department at the far corner of the cavernous store. The wooden floors creaked and groaned, and we children tiptoed rather than disturb the bookkeeper, who was adding up figures in her glass enclosure.

It was at Kolln’s that my brother found the first gift he could afford for our mother: a potbellied teapot of cobalt blue, trimmed in gold and bearing the likeness of a sumo wrestler. Sporting a cherubic face with dimpled chin, the warrior was most impressive. One muscular arm served as a handle, the other a spout. It because a treasured conversation piece used only for special occasions, and after more than half a century, the sumo teapot is still in trim condition without a chip or crack to mar its surface.

Merchants lining the avenue of memory called Main Street offered little in the way of holiday decorations to dazzle the eye at Christmastime. Just a swag of glitter to outline the curve of a store front, a touch of fresh holly, perhaps a gaily lit tree or two – these were frugal times.

The first inkling that Christmas was beginning to weave its magic was the arrival of a package from our maiden aunt, Annie. The package always contained a new sweater for each of us.

The closer it came to the holidays, the sweeter our house became. Mom insisted she was a plain cook, but we knew better. Her fruitcake was guaranteed to turn any fruitcake-hater into a true believer.

Tree trimming was a job reserved for the younger generation. We quickly tired of draping strands of tinsel in a perfect parade over each branch and instead wadded the strands into small balls and let them fall where they would. Ever the perfectionist, our big sister sneaked back into the living room during the dead of night and redid the tree to her own liking.

Christmas triggers flashbacks to the child in all of us, spiced with the tenderness and longing of all our yesterdays. My grandchild, eyes brimming with wonder, asks me, “What was Christmas like in the old days, Grandma?” I wince and look around to ask someone of the older generation and then realize I’m it.

I try my best to explain to her that Christmas never changes and is neither old nor new. Christmas is love.

Always has been . . . always will be!

—CC— The above story was written by Dorothy Hardin but it reminds me of the time and town I grew up in.

I am thankful for Christmas . . . and for Christmas memories.

—CC— One of my favorite authors wrote the following . . .

Most people don’t understand Christmas. They never think beyond the Babe in the manger. But Christmas is about emptiness – an empty throne, an empty manager, an empty cross and an empty tomb, all of which fill our empty hearts. It’s a circuit.

When Jesus traveled from heaven to earth, He used a round-trip ticket with stops along the way. He left the throne for the manger, the manger for the cross, the cross for the tomb, and the tomb for the throne.

He left blessings behind at every stop. He emptied Himself so we might be filled. That’s the true story of Christmas.

That means Jesus came into the world with the Cross in mind. Since God cannot die, the Second Person of the Trinity entered into the human race through the virgin womb of Mary, taking on flesh and becoming a man. He did this to offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. He was born to die; and He died to rise again.

Because of His death, we can live forgiven and because of His resurrection, we can live forever. That’s why an “empty” Christmas is so fulfilling.

—CC— Quote of the week . . . “When you toss out the Christmas tree, be careful you don’t throw out the Christmas spirit with it.”

THE ALLEN ADVOCATE, DECEMBER 24, 2015 -PAGE 3

Ope rat ion Cuddle Buddy a Succe ss J u s t i n t i m e f o r eration Cuddle Buddy doand Diana Elmore, Emer- the donation of more then Christmas, Ty and Ely nation to Mercy Hospital. gency Department Manag- 100 stuffed animals to O’Daniel made an Op- Lori Wightman, President, er, were present to accept be distributed to children that visit the emergency room, are patients in the pediatric ward, or are in for surgical procedures.

The boys would like to thank the town of Allen,

Farmers State Bank, the Advocate and everyone who took an interest in this service project. The boys are grateful that everyone’s help made it possible to brighten a child’s day during a visit to the hospital.

Coming Soon!!

S M A LL T O W N

Fitness watch for details Seeking certfied personal trainers!

If interested call Gary (580)372-0200

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3.5” x 2.5” | Maximum Font Size: 30 pt

Nichole Smith Joins Mercy as Nurse Practioner

Nicole Smith has joined Mercy Hospital Ada as a hospitalist nurse practitioner.

Practicing hospital medicine allows Smith to provide specialized care to hospital patients and often serve as the primary provider during hospital stays.

The care of the patient is most often coordinated between the hospitalist advanced practitioner or physician and the patient’s primary care physician.

This allows the hospital medicine advanced practitioner or physician to use their intimate knowledge of the hospital staff, services and procedures to provide care, handle emergencies and address questions and concerns from the community.

“I’ve have known and worked with Nicole for the last eight years,” said Imtiaz Ahmed, MD, vice president of medical affairs at Mercy Hospital Ada. “She is invested in our community and brings exceptional qualities of empathy, sympathy and care. I am confident that her addition to the team of acute care providers at Mercy will increase the quality of care we provide.”

Smith has worked for Mercy, formerly Valley View, since 2008. She has served patients in the medical surgical unit, intensive care unit (ICU), emergency room and cardiac catheritization lab.

Most recently she served as the nurse manager for the ICU and cardiac catheritization lab. She has also been a clinical educator at the hospital and an adjunct professor for E a s t Central Univ e r s i t y ’s School o f Nursing.

“This is my home,” s a i d Smith.

“I ad vanced my training to provide a higher level of care to my community, to the people I know. I love working with patients, their families and loved ones to provide understanding of the care plan and favorable outcomes.”

Originally from Allen, Oklahoma, Smith earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing from East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma, and her Master of Science in nursing from the University of Texas at El Paso.

She and her two children reside in Allen. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and coaching her son’s little league basketball team.

M ercy is the seventh largest Catholic health care system in the U.S. and serves millions annually. Mercy includes 45 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, more than 700 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 40,000 coworkers and more than 2,000 Mercy Clinic physi-

Keep a level head in an up-and-down market.

cians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

Mercy also has outreach ministries in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

Taylor P Howard Financial Advisor .

1500 Hoppe Blvd Suite 11 Ada, OK 74820 580-436-1632 www.edwardjones.com

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Loans are subject to buyer/property qualification. Rates/fees are subject to change without notice. Cash reserves may be required for some conventional loans. Additional terms and conditions may apply. See branch for details.

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THE ALLEN ADVOCATE, DECEMBER 24, 2015 -PAGE 4

Threads of Life ••• Fan Letter •••

by Cleo LeVally

I received a fan letter this week. I don’t get many. I have been writing my column since 1990 and the ones I have received I can count on one hand.

The one I received this

week was very special and I cherish it. It was from the town where I grew up and I am sure that the writer will not remember me from my high school days.

Brown’s

Meat Processing (405)379-2979 S.E. of Holdenville Call for appointment Farm Raised Beef

1/2 or Whole

In fact I did not know her; I only knew of her parents because their house was about a block from one of my uncle’s house where I visited on a regular basis.

I plan to look her up the next time I am in Allen. I would like to get to know her.

My uncle’s house and the home of her parents were so close they could perhaps see people as they came and went while visiting each of them.

The home I visited regularly that was near her parents’ home was the home of my Uncle Roscoe Abercrombie. My uncle’s house was small with three rooms down-

stairs and an attic room where the children slept.

In fact the attic room had no bedstead. The mattress and bedding was on the floor of the attic as it was only used for sleeping. The space from the floor to the ceiling would not have accommodated a bedstead, therefore the mattress with its sheets and covering was just laid on the floor. Also there was no staircase. To get to the attic bed, there was a ladder on the wall of the living room that was used to get to the bed as it was used each night.

I do not know if the house my uncle lived in is still there but it was the

last time I drove down Highway 7. I saw the house as it has stood vacant for many years. It had not been lived in since my uncle left the area many, many years ago. Large trees had grown up around it but it was still standing and I could only see the roof and parts of it through the trees.

I have a lot of memories of that house. When I visited, my Aunt Alta always had something cooking on the wood stove and I would lift the lids of the pots to see what she was cooking. Whatever it was, it always smelled so good.

I did it whether she was in the kitchen or out in the yard or garden and I always wanted to stay for supper.

Mark & Deena Brown LEGAL NOTICE

FRYE BROTHERS, INC., P.O. Box 1624, Ada, OK 74820, has submitted a permit revision application for permit #L.E.2379 to the Oklahoma Department of Mines (ODM) to mine sand and select fill through the surface mining method on portions of the following parcel of land: All of Section 22, Township 5 North, Range 5 East, of the Indian Base and Meridian, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma.

LESS AND EXCEPT THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED TRACTS: A part of the SE/4 SE/4 of Section 22, Township 5 North, Range 5 East, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, more particularly described as follows: Commencing at the Southeast corner of said SE/4 SE/4 of Section 22; thence N89º50’07”W along the South line of said SE/4 SE/4 a distance of 638.00 feet to the point of beginning; thence N89º50’57”W a distance of 466.69 feet; thence N00º09’03”E a distance of 580.00 feet; thence S89º50’57”E a distance of 466.69 feet; thence S00º09’03”W a distance of 580.00 feet to the point of beginning, containing 6.21 acres, more or less.

AND The W/2 SW/4 SW/4 SW/4 of Section 22, Township 5 North, Range 5 East, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, containing 5 acres, more or less.

The revision request is to increase permitted acreage.

The total permit area, containing 629 acres, is located in the Pontotoc County, Oklahoma U.S.G.S. quadrangle map. The permit site is located approximately seven (7) miles west of the town of Ada, Oklahoma and five (5) miles north of State Highway 3-W, from the intersection of CR 3490 and CR 1470, go one and one-half (1.5) miles east to property on north side. Buckhorn Creek meanders through the center portions of the proposed permit area in a northeasterly direction.

A copy of this completed permit application is available for public inspection and copying at the Pontotoc County Courthouse, 301 S. Broadway, Ada, Oklahoma.

Upon written request to the Oklahoma Department of Mines, information contained in the permit application may be inspected or copied at the Department of Mines. Any landowner or resident of any occupied dwelling, any public entity or public agency, or any party that may be adversely affected has the right to submit comments or object to the issuance of the permit in writing. An informal conference will be provided if specifically requested in writing. Any written objections or requests for an informal conference on this application must be received no later than fourteen (14) days after the final publication of this notice to the OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF MINES 2915 N. Classen Blvd., Suite 213 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73106 (Published in The Allen Advocate on December 24 and 31, 2015, and January 7 and 14, 2016)

NOTICE

Robert Gene “Bob” Somerhalder, 84, of Ada passed away Saturday, December 19, 2015, at his home. Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Attention !!!!! teachers and the primary policy holder for Health choice Insurance.

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Isaiah Files was able to tell Santa all he wanted when his turn came to sit on the Jolly Ole Man’s knee.

A Beta Sigma Phi Christmas

Members of Beta Sigma Phi’s Allen Chapter met at Cindy Davis’ home for their annual Christmas Party on Thursday, December 17 th. The sisters participated in an ornament exchange as well as a Secret Sister gift exchange.

All this took place after a hearty meal of Taco Soup with all the works and some wonderful cake.

T hose in attendance were Cindi Sanders, Tammy Fredrick, Wilma Harden, Lyn Anderson, Joy Anderson, Karla Cramer, Jennifer Smith, Danielle O’Daniel, Sue Boyd, Terry Riddle and of course, Cindy Davis.

I t was a wonderful evening and members can’t wait to get together again after the first of the year and share how wonderful their Christmas and New Years were.

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The Allen Advocate PO Box 465 - Allen OK 74825-0465 (580)857-2687 • e-mail allennews@aol.com Dayna Robinson - Owner

 Register on-line at www.ok.sib.gov– click the help check

The Allen Advocate (USPS 543600) is published weekly each Thursday

 Visit your local primary care physician and have a FREE

at 101 S Easton, Allen, OK 74825

link.

comprehensive care visit.

Hwy 1 • Allen • (580)857-2459

POSTMASTER Send address changes to The Allen Advocate, PO Box 465, Allen, OK 74825 www.allennewspaper.com

THE ALLEN ADVOCATE, DECEMBER 24, 2015 -PAGE 5

One Pharmacist’s View My mom liked to talk about when she and her sisters were small. They liked to sing and often did so while they worked. Little kids in those days worked out in the fields and they worked hard. The girls often found themselves helping in the kitchen and when it was time to wash the dishes and clean up after supper, well it was these little girls. Their step-father, Will Armstrong, liked to join them in the kitchen

Christmas at Kennedy

and often made suggestions about what they would sing as they did the clean up. Their daddy, George Boyd, had died and grandma Julia had remarried Will.

The little girls, Lora, Cora, Dora and Ruth were loved and well looked after by grandpa Will. They often sang on their way to church (and anywhere else they might go) and I can see them now in my imagi-

nation as the wagon rat- There was no radio and tled down the dirt road TV up there and everytoward Kennedy School thing was family cenwhere they had church tered. Everyone was on Sundays, traveling already having a good slowly along with other time by the time the prowagon-loads of kids gram started. The girls headed for church. I were well rehearsed and think going there was did their music to peras much a deal as be- fection. ing there. People usu- I don’t know how old ally packed a lunch of my Aunt Oma was then good food and had a but she was old enough picnic dinner there after to stand on a little table church. In the after- in the front of the church noons the crowd would and sing a Christmas “fellowship” and have a song. Mom said she “singing” in the church could still hear her clear or outside under the voice, on perfect key in shade trees. that little church sing With Christmas coming up it was only natuchased us that we might ral that the “Boyd” girls honor and glorify Him. were asked to help with The death of Jesus was the program and in fact, 1/4 Mile East of Allen Quick Pic - Hwy 1 not only to atone for our according to my mom, (580)857-2991 Cell (580)421-5936 Open 8 to 5 Monday - Friday sins that we might be the family was asked to forgiven. His goal was “do” the program bealso to lead us to pres- fore it was all said and ent our bodies as a liv- done. Julia made the ing sacrifice in His ser- girls new dresses out WE NOW CARRY COMFORTIS BRAND vice. (Romans 12:1) He of white cloth she had LARGE & SMALL ANIMALS wants us to serve Him acquired someplace and We have a variety of by doing good works. the program took shape. products to keep your Jesus “gave himself for They had their Dad’s old animals safe! us to redeem us from all piano and they said they wickedness and to purify could all “chord” around Tim Costner, for himself a people that the keyboard enough to D.V.M are his very own, eager sing by it. Eventually to do what is good.” the time came and those (Titus 2:14) who had speaking parts I f a person doesn’t and those who had songs like to think of himself (mostly kids) got it to401 E Hwy 1 • (580)857-1234 as belonging to God gether.

Drive thru - walk up - outhouse and being His servant, A Christmas tree was he may not enjoy being cut down and decorated. with God in heaven. Sacks of goodies were This is because God tells prepared and arranged - BBQ Sand us that those in heaven around the bottom of with Him are before His the tree. Mom thought - Salads, Slaw throne and “serve Him that someone drove into - Frito Pie day and night in His Wister and bought some 2 to 4 Hot Dog / Links temple.” (Revelation apples and oranges--an Hours 7:15) Do you belong to almost unknown treat 10-10 Sun - Thurs - Sno-Cones The Store and Clinic will be closed Friday, July 3 10 midnight God? Do you want to for the kids at the little Closed Wednesday Fri & Sat for the Independence Day Holiday, 2015 belong to God? church on Mountain & Sundays Creek--and excitement or use our convenient was running pretty high.

Golf Cart Entrance

Light from God’s Word

Mark Legg

“Who do you belong to?” This was the question I once asked of a young lady as I tried to determine who her parents were. However, she replied, “I don’t belong to anyone!” I guess that most of us do not want to think of being owned by someone. But, the truth is that if we want to live in God’s land, we will have to belong to Him! Do you think of yourself being the property of God? The Apostle Paul wrote the Corinthians, “You are not your own; you were bought at a price.

Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Cor 6:19-20) The price of our purchase was the blood of Jesus Christ.

(Acts 20:28) He pur-

Allen Nutrition Site

Week of December 28th

Monday Peas & Ham Pasta Salad, Vegetable Soup, Crackers, Cantaloupe or Watermelon, 2% Milk, Coffee and/or Tea Tuesday BBQ Chicken, Broccoli Salad, Corn, Biscuit, Margarine, Banana Pudding, 2% Milk, Coffee and/or Tea Wednesday Breakfast Thursday & Friday Closed

Happy New Year!

ing about a perfect Savior that cold Christmas Eve night. Grandpa made them a cozy bed in the back of the wagon for their trip home that night. They didn’t get much in the way of gifts that year, or any other but she said they all slept well.

Hope your Christmas is perfect this year. Be sure and go to Church Sunday.

Wayne Bullard, DPh waynebullard@sbcglobal.net

Allen Vet Clinic Time to guard your pets against fleas and ticks

Skelton’s Dive-N

Try our Charbroiled Burgers & Nathans Beef Hot Dogs

Holiday notice

Allen Community Pharmacy & Rural Family Medicine wil be open ALL DAY Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24 We will close all day Christmas Day and reopen Monday, December 28

for any emergency or prescription needs please call Dave Campbell’s answering service (580)857-9928

Count on People who care!

ALLEN

Community PHARMACY Dave Campbell, PHARMACIST

& Clinic

Allen Rural Medicine

(580)857-1300 Office Hours Mon-Tues - Thurs-Fri 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Wednesdays 8-12

Let us get you on the road to good health

Call for an appointment

• 200 E Lexington • Allen, OK 74825 (580) 857-2492 after hours number (580) 857-9928 Store hours M-F 8:00 - 5:30

Posting Date December 21, 2015

1. TELEVISION: What is “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek’s country of birth?

2. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a group of bacteria called?

3. SCIENCE: What is converted into alcohol during brewing?

4. PSYCHOLOGY: What is it called when someone has a phobia about touching money?

5. MUSIC: How many members are in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir?

6. MYTHOLOGY: What was the domain of the Roman goddess Trivia?

7. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What was Canada’s first national animal?

8. LANGUAGE: What does it mean to be flagitious?

9. ENTERTAINERS: What age did comedian Jack Benny always claim to be?

10. GEOGRAPHY: Where is the island of Alcatraz located? ©2015 King Features Synd., Inc.

Trivia Test Answers 1. Canada 2. A culture or colony 3. Sugar 4. Chrematophobia 5. 360 6. Sorcery and witchcraft 7. The beaver 8. Wicked 9. 39 10. San Francisco Bay

THE ALLEN ADVOCATE, DECEMBER 24, 2015 - PAGE 6

www.adadodge.com

Proud Supporter of

Allen Mustang Basketball

THE ALLEN ADVOCATE, DECEMBER 24, 2015 -PAGE 7

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Mustangs get quick Revenge from Roff Allen drains eight of eight free throws in overtime win

By HERMAN BROWN Allen correspondent The Allen Mustangs didn’t need long to gain revenge against the Roff Tigers.

Coach Greg Mills’ Mustangs had been beaten 38-33 on December 12th in the third place game of the Pontotoc Conference Tournament.

The Mustangs met Roff again just three days later.

The second confrontation came at Allen High School on December 15th.

Allen’s sweet revenge was to beat Roff by the same five-point margin. The latest decision was 53-48 in overtime.

Roff opened the game with a 15-11 lead in the first quarter. The Tigers were still ahead by four, 25-21, at halftime.

Allen battled back in the third quarter to within 33-30.

The Mustangs continued to work on the deficit and tied the score at 45-45 at the end of regulation.

In overtime, Roff hit a field goal and made one free throw. Allen had made only three of 12 free throws heading into the extra session. However, AHS countered with a perfect eight for eight showing at the foul line to salt away the 53-48 victory. Tadyn Walker made four of four from the charity stripe. Tucker Elliott cashed in both of his foul shot opportunities - as did Josiah Jones.

Allen finished the game with 15 field goals, 4 treys and 11 of 20 free throws. Roff made 11 field goals, 6 treys and 8 of 11 foul shots.

Individually, Josiah Jones paced the Mustangs in scoring with 15 points. Kaden Mills followed with 11 points. Ty Brown just missed double figures in scoring with 9 points.

The rest of the scoring included Christian Henry with 6 points, Tadyn Walker and Tucker Elliott with 4 points each, and Logan George and Tommy Peay with 2 points each.

Allen takes a record of 4-3 in the New Year. The Mustangs will host the Tupelo Tigers in their next varsity game, on January 5.

--AT A GLANCE Dec. 15 @ Tupelo Allen 53, Roff 48 Rof - 15 - 10 - 8 - 12 - 3 - (48) All - 11 - 10 - 9 - 15 - 8 - (53) Allen scoring: Josiah Jones 15, Kaden Mills 11, Ty Brown 9, Christian Henry 6, Tadyn Walker 4, Tucker Elliott 4, Logan George 2 and Tommy Peay 2.

AHS schedule/results 11-19 vs Calvin, won 76-30 12-1 @ Wanette, won 81-43 12-4 vs New Lima, lost 65-55 --Pont. Conf. Tourney 12-7 thru 12-11 Allen 76, Asher 12 Stonewall 67, Allen 65 Roff 38, Allen 33 --12-15 vs Roff, won 53-48 OT --1-5 vs, TUPELO Moss Tournament Jan. 7-9 @ Moss --1-12 @ Kiowa 1- 14 vs. Hartshorne 1-15 vs Stonewall 1-9 @ Bowlegs 1-12 @ Vanoss 1-16 @ Wetumka --Tri County Tournament 1-18 @ Shawnee --1-26 @ Asher 1-28 vs. Sasakwa 2-5 vs. Stonewall 2-9 @ Bowlegs 2-12 @ Vanoss 2-16 @ Wetumka

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Lady Mustangs enter New Year with 7-0 mark

Allen wraps up December with 18-point win over Roff Lady Tigers

By HERMAN BROWN Allen correspondent The Allen Lady Mustangs will exit the Christmas and New Year’s break with a record of 7-0 and owners of the No. 14 ranking in Class 2A basketball.

Coach Jeremy Strong’s AHS girls began the season November 19 with a 50-36 win over the Calvin Lady Bulldogs. Since that time, there have been six December wins to close out the 2015 portion of the schedule. The biggest win of the stretch came in a 39-34 overtime thriller in the finals of the Pontotoc Conference Tournament championship finals. The powerful Stonewall Lady Longhorns were the victims on that night at Tupelo High School.

On Tuesday, the seventh and final win of 2015 came on the home court of the Lady Mustangs. They dismantled the Roff Lady Tigers 67-49 in conference play.

Roff held a narrow 14-13 edge after one quarter of play. However, Allen rallied to outscore the visitors in the second, third and fourth quarters en route to the 18point triumph.

The Lady Mustangs pulled ahead 30-26 at the halftime break.

In the third quarter, AHS outscored the visitors 18-11 to extend the lead to 4837. Allen went on to outscore Roff 19-12 down the stretch to wrap up the 67-49 verdict.

The one-two scoring punch of Faith Caldwell and Charlea Leonard combined for 40 points in the win. Caldwell dropped in a team-high 21 points. Leonard was close on her heels with 19 points.

Hannah Heck pumped in 11 points to join the other two in double digit scoring.

Alison Sells was rock-solid with points in the win. Kennedy Prentice followed with four points and Sunzie Harrison rounded out the attack with three points.

Roff was led by Amy Crawford’s 16-point scoring night. She was the only Lady Tiger to land in double figures in scoring.

Looking ahead, the next varsity game for Allen will come on January 5, 2016.

That’s when the Tupelo Lady Tigers will come to town for conference action.

--At A Glance Dec. 15 @ Allen Allen 67, Roff 49 Rof - 14 - 12 - 11 - 12 - (49 All - 13 - 17 - 18 - 19 - (67) Allen scoring: Faith Caldwell 21, Charlea Leonard 19, Hannah Heck 11, Alison Sells 9, Kennedy Prentice 4 and Sunzie Harrison 3.

--At A Glance AHS schedule/results

11-19 vs Calvin, won 50-36 12-1 @ Wanette, won 70-14 12-4 vs New Lima, won 69-35 Pont. Conf. Tourney Dec. 7 - First round Allen 73, Tupelo 14 Dec 9 - semifinals Allen 56, Roff 19 Dec. 11 - championship Allen 39, Stonewall 34 OT 12-15 vs Roff, won 67-49 2016 ...

1-5 vs TUPELO Moss Tournament Jan. 7-9 @ Moss 1-12 @ Kiowa 1- 14 vs. Hartshorne 1-15 vs Stonewall 1-9 @ Bowlegs 1-12 @ Vanoss 1-16 @ Wetumka Tri County Tournament 1-18 @ Shawnee 1-26 @ Asher 1-28 vs. Sasakwa 2-5 vs. Stonewall 2-9 @ Bowlegs 2-12 @ Vanoss 2-16 @ Wetumka

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THE ALLEN ADVOCATE, DECEMBER 24, 2015 - PAGE 8

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LEGAL NOTICE

IN THE DISTRICT COURT WITHIN AND FOR PONTOTOC COUNTY STATE OF OKLAHOMA No. P-2015-84 In the Matter of the Estate of NORVIN GENE NESSEL, Deceased.

NOTICE OF SALE OF REAL PROPERTY AT PRIVATE SALE Notice is hereby given that, in pursuant to an Order of the District Court of Pontotoc County, State of Oklahoma, made on the 15th day of December, 2015, in this cause, the Personal Representative of the estate of Norvin Gene Nessel, deceased, will sell at private sale to the highest bidder for cash, subject to confirmation of said Court, on or after the 27th day of December, 2015, at 5:00 o’clock p.m. all the right, title and interest of the said Norvin Gene Nessel, deceased, in and to the following described real property situated in Seminole County, State of Oklahoma, to wit: Surface and Surface Rights Only The North Half of the Northwest Quarter (N/2 NW/4) and the Southwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter (SW/4 NW/4), less and except a 5 Acre tract of land described as being the West Half of the Southwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter (W/2 SW/4 SW/4 NW/4), all in Section 11, Township 4 North, Range 4 East, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma Bids must be in writing and may be left at the law office of Sweeney, Draper & Christopher, P.L.L.C., 1320 Stonebridge, Suite A, Ada, OK 74820.

DATED this 16th day of December, 2015. s) Kurt Sweeney Kurt B. Sweeney, OBA #17455 Sweeney, Draper & Christopher, P.L.L.C. P.O. Box 190 - 1320 Stonebridge, Suite A Ada, Oklahoma 74821-0190 Attorney for Personal Representative (Published in The Allen Advocate on December 17 and 24, 2015)

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LEGAL NOTICE IN THE DISTRICT COURT

OF PONTOTOC COUNTY STATE OF OKLAHOMA Case No. CV-2015-159 JIMMY GOULD, JR., and HEATHER GOULD, Plaintiffs, Vs. The Heirs, Executors, Administrators, Devisees, Trustees, and Assigns, and the Unknown Successors of DARLA GAIL PHILLIPS and LARRY WAYNE PHILLIPS, SR., Both Deceased; DOUGLAS MARK SHULTE, if Living, and if Deceased, his Unknown Successors; and The State of Oklahoma, ex. rel. The Oklahoma Tax Commission; Defendants.

NOTICE BY PUBLICATION STATE OF OKLAHOMA TO: The Heirs, Executors, Administrators, Devisees, Trustees, and Assigns, and the Unknown Successors of DARLA GAIL PHILLIPS and LARRY WAYNE PHILLIPS, SR., Both Deceased; DOUGLAS MARK SHULTE, if Living, and if Deceased, his Unknown Successors.

TAKE NOTICE that you and each of you, have been sued by the above named Plaintiffs in the above entitled action in the District Court of Pontotoc County, State of Oklahoma, and that you must answer the Petition filed by Plaintiffs in said cause on or before the 12th day of February, 2016, or said Petition will be taken as true and judgment rendered accordingly in favor of Plaintiffs and against Defendants above named in said action, quieting title to the following described real property located in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma: A tract of land located in the SE/4 of Section 31, Township 4 North, Range 5 East, of the I.B.M., Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, being more particularly described as follows: Commencing at the Southeast corner of the SE/4 of said Section 31; thence S90º00’00”W along the South line of said SE/4 a distance of 990.00 feet to the point of beginning; thence S90º00’00”W a distance of 474.90 feet; thence N00º00’00”E a distance of 1373.50 feet to a point on the South right-of-way line of the abandoned A.T.&S. Railroad; thence N63º41’11”W along said right-of-way line a distance of 42.47 feet; thence along said right-of-way line on a curve to the left having a radius of 2767.73 feet for a distance of 1135.48 feet (having a chord bearing of N75º26’01”W and a chord distance of 1127.00 feet) thence N87º11’12”W along said rightof-way line a distance of 51.86 feet to a point on the West line of the SE/4 of said Section 31; thence N00º00’13”E a distance of 969.07 feet to the Northwest corner of the SE/4 of said Section 31; thence S89º57’50”E along the North line of said SE/4 a distance of 1653.37 feet to a point 990.00 feet West of the Northeast corner of said SE/4; thence S00º02’45”E a distance of 2646.34 feet to the point of beginning, containing 57.89 acres, more or less, and judicially determining the heirship of DARLA GAIL PHILLIPS and LARRY WAYNE PHILLIPS, SR., both deceased.

WITNESS my hand and seal this 21 day of December, 2015.

Karen Dunnigan, Court Clerk Pontotoc County, Oklahoma By: B. Myers Deputy (SEAL) Barry G. Burkhart, OBA#14,092 120 South Broadway Ada, Oklahoma 74820 (580) 332-2800 (580) 332-2811 (fax) Attorney for Plaintiffs (Published in The Allen Advocate on December 24 and 31, 2015 and January 7, 2016)

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ZONES: SE for week of December 13, 2015

2x2 ads may run anywhere in your newspaper download the line ads for this week at www.okpress.com/ocan - CHOOSE THE AD SIZ

Find local products perfect for gift giving at

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visit us online at.www.rinehartrealty.net In Mild (the original), Medium and Hot (for those who like a little “kick”).

Mix & Match Our Three Different Levels One of these could be your new home in Allen of Heat for Your Taste Buds’ Approval .

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THE ALLEN ADVOCATE, DECEMBER 24, 2015 - PAGE 9

Atwood Baptist Church News Trash Schedule

Home trash pickup is scheduled for the regular day. The bins will be emptied on Thursday, Christmas Eve. Thank you for getting your trash to the curb as early as possible. Thank you.

No Masonic Breakfast

The Allen Masonic Lodge will not be holding a January 2016 breakfast. Regularly held the first Saturday of the month, the January meal is cancelled because the New Year’s holiday. Remember to join them for the breakfast on February 6th.

Area Birthdays

December 26 — Cassi Elliott, Cannon Walker December 27 — Lacie Cross December 28 — Mr. & Mrs. Stan Wallace* December 29 — Jeree Knighten December 30 — Tosha Deatherage, Chad Kaminski, Helen Pierce December 31 — Evan Allgeier, Mason Riley, Amber Ford January 2 — Doyle Lee Price, Mike Ross, Sophia Smith, Melonie Johnson January 3 — Ruth Crisp, Steve Brannan, Don Crisp, Zayne Erickson, Brandi Brannan January 6 — Mr. & Mrs. Ed Harman*, Shawn Rolen,Kyndall Brannan, Brynlee Brannan, Caidence Cross, Breken Woodward, Mr. & Mrs. Sam Johnson* January 7 — Hank Deaton January 17 — Hadleigh Hill January 18 — Bear DeHart January 20 — Papa Pybas January 21 — Alison Sells January 24 — Ed Harman, Khristi Smith, Steve Bullard January 26 — Retha Wilson January 27 — Tommie Stamps January 28 — Linda Spain Janaury 29 — Maebrey Wallace January 31 — Landry Lewis *Anniversary **Deceased Names & Dates Supplied by the Allen School Li-

If you haven’t noticed the Atwood Baptist news in the paper for awhile it is because none was written and sent in. I had foot surgery in October and haven’t been able to be church for awhile. However, I knew it was high time to get into my walking boot and stump back to church when I started contemplating producing an article titled “Atwood Baptist Rumors.”

One thing I’ve relearned recently is that when you’ve missed being in church for a while and decide to get started again, there is always a good reason that “this” Sunday isn’t the right one. Not just an excuse, but a good reason - weather, company, foot’s hurting again, food fellowship Sunday and no idea what to take, nothing to wear---all kinds of things. It eventually comes down to letting the raindrops, food, and the laundry fall where they will and just get ready and go.

As it turns out this was an especially good Sunday to be there because we had imported singers all the way from Tennessee and even Pontotoc County to provide the special music.

Karla and Thomas McMillan sang “Little Old Church by the Road,” and Kathy Spillman sang “Oh Holy Night.” We enjoyed both songs and appreciate all three singers immensely.

The guest speaker this week was Director of Missions, Tim Green. He spoke from Isaiah 9:6, 7.

At this time in history, 2015, we can see that these two verses cover the past, present, and future of Jesus’s story.

About 2000 years ago, the first part of Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. He came to live to earth in the form of a helpless, but certainly not a hopeless, infant. God took care of Jesus, and he will take care of us. Not that Jesus or the rest of

the human race have gotten through life without suffering. But God takes care of us through it all, and the more we view it as an opportunity to turn to Him and trust him, the closer and more in depth will be our relationship with Him. Jesus was born to live a life of obedience. Because we are sinners in desperate need of a savior, He was obedient even to the point of dying on the cross to buy salvation for us. But Jesus’ story did not end on the cross. He rose from the grave and lives in heaven today interceding for us.

One day He will receive us to himself, and we will see that our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, our Prince of Peace, will reign without end, and there will be no end to His government and peace.

What, in our lives could ever be important enough that we would let it come between us and a Savior such as this?

FELONIES Michael Lee Crawford— possession of controlled dangerous substancemethamphetamine Melisa Jean Greer— possession of controlled substance Victor R. Marshall— possession of controlled dangerous substance

Tiffany Rae McKane— possession of controlled dangerous substance James Dean Silbaugh— possession of controlled dangerous substance John T. Streater—trafficking in illegal drugsmethamphetamine and/or ecstasy Dion Shermaine Thomas—possession of CDSmethamphetamine and/ or soma

enville—indebtedness

Hughes County Records

CIVIL Midland Funding LLC vs Sue Hill—indebtedness SMALL CLAIMS Advance Oklahoma vs Leo Sullivan—indebtedness Hanna Grimaldo vs Riverside Autoplex of Hold-

TRAFFIC Amy Ray Casey— speeding 16-20 mph over limit Daniel Ray Cummings— failure to carry security verification Jacqueline Factor—failure to comply with compulsory insurance law Rebecca L. Hill—failure to wear seat belt Dylan K. Jones—failure to comply with compulsory insurance law Sydney Loggins— speeding 11-15 mph over limit Kevin Lee Meeks— speeding 16-20 mph over limit Donald Ray Morphis— failure to secure child in safety restraint; no seat belt

Brothers Jax and Kason Linker have big plans and high hopes for gifts from Santa this year.

Brooklyn Harper is on Santa’s “Nice” list so she Hattie and Ryder Johnson reminded Santa what they want under their tree should get all her wishes filled this Christmas. this year.

THE ALLEN ADVOCATE, DECEMBER 24, 2015 - PAGE 10

“Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” was never performed better than the Allen kindergartners’ rendition at the elementary program. Jammin’ on their guitars are Jessi Mann, Ryder Johnson, Becket Burris, Sophie Cassell and Ryleigh Tate.

We Resize Rings All repairs done in shop 100 E. Main • Ada (580)332-0457

Ada’s Full Service Jeweler Open Monday - Friday 10 to 5:30 Saturday 10 to 5

Levi Mann must have been good all year because Santa is planning to bring lots of great gifts to his house.

A first Christmas means there is a special blessing in a home . . . baby Burris is well loved by her family and by Santa.

Decisions, decisions, decisions . . . deciding what to ask Santa for is hard but we’re sure Jakob Roby narrowed it down to just the necessities.

THE ALLEN ADVOCATE, DECEMBER 24, 2015 -PAGE 11

My Christmas Wish We asked the Allen 3 grade students, Mrs. Wainscott and Mrs. Peay’s classes, to tell us “If you could give only one gift rd

to only one special person, what would it be and who would it be for?” Here are their replies . . .

If I could give only one

give to one special per- than me and I help take son, I would give an X- care of him.

Box 360 to my brother — Montana Smart Brayden. He is younger If I could only give one gift to one special person,

Secrets – it’s the time of year for secrets – and Santa know how to keep them safe. Whatever Eli Neal is whispering, we hope it comes true.

it would be my brother Colton and it would be a game gun because he likes to hunt and hunt with my papa and he’s been wanting one for a long time.

— Caidence Cross If I could only give one gift to one special person it would be my Nana because she is special to me.

I would give her all kinds of stuff like clothes.

— Stoney Cully I would give Tyler an XBox One. Why? Because he is my friend and that is part of Christmas joy.

— William Brown If I could give only one gift to one special person, it would be my little baby sister and I would get her a toy phone because she likes to play.

— Antoine Woodard If I could give only one gift to one special person it would be my friend Seeley because she’s nice to me, she cares and she helps me when I’m hurt and cheers me up.

— Brooklynn Ispas If I could give only one gift to one special person it would be my mom. It would be the world’s biggest kitchen set ever. She would freak out!

— Levi Mann If I could give only one gift to one special person it would be Mrs. Peay. I would give her a caramel apple pie because she is very nice and a good teacher.

— Ty O’Daniel If I could give only one gift it would be a home for a homeless kid who needs a family.

— Kaden Ashby Continued Page 12

THE ALLEN ADVOCATE, DECEMBER 24, 2015 -PAGE 12

My Christmas Wish If I could give only one gift to one special person it would be a house to a homeless person because he or she has no home.

— Alex Hill If I could give only one gift to one special person it would be my mom. I would get her a house because we don’t have very much room or space. And we need another bedroom and bathroom. And in that house she will have everything she wants in it.

— Madison Prentice If I could give only one gift to one special person it will be my sister and I will give her a Lego set because she is my family.

— Eli Neal If I could give only one gift to someone special it would be my daddy.

I would give my daddy $10,000,000,000 so he could retire from AT&T company and be a full time realtor and I could spend more time with him and my mom.

— Tyler Raney If I could give only one gift to one special person it would be Jaxson. I will get him a Paw Patrol toy because he is nice to me.

— Kason Linker If I could give only one gift to one special person it would be Brogen and I would give him Nerf Guns because he hardly has some.

— Bodrey Goodson If I could give only one gift to one special person it would be my dad because he is special to me and I love him and the gift is a new car. He might say no because he loves me and I love my dad very, very much.

— Victoria Johnson If I could give only one gift to only one person I would give peace to everyone.

— Adrian Johnson If I could give only one gift to one person I would pick my Nine, that is my grandmother, my dad’s mom. She loves me, she makes me soup when I’m sick and she takes care of me. I take care of her when she is sick. I would make her a cup that says: Best Nine In The World! #1 — Tylynn Taylor If I could give only one gift to one special person it would be my mom. I have hope for my mom and peace.

— Brailey Beck If I could by something for only one person I would pick my mom. She let’s me play outside and takes me to LazerZone. I would buy her a necklace — Colby Lindsey

I f I could buy a person a gift it would be for someone who did not have Christmas.

— Cayser Nickell If I could buy one person one gift it would be my teacher [Mrs. Wainscott] and I would buy her an apple.

— Catrina Higdon If I could buy one person one gift, it would be a Texas Longhorn helmet for my dad.

— R.J. Moorehead If I could buy one person one gift the person who I will pick is my Mom and I will buy her a Jeep Grand Cherokee for her.

— Brady Crabtree I will buy Stoney one gift for Christmas and a cup like a nice cup.

— Kaylee Davis If I could buy one person one gift it would be my Grandmaw. I would get her a Christmas present and it would be a brand new watch because her other watch was broke.

— Isaiah Ray Files If I could buy one person one gift it would be my mom and I would buy her a pretty dress.

— Brendan Linker The person I would buy a gift for is my mom, it would be love.

— Sedrick Lindsey I f I could buy Mom anything, I would buy her a gift card to Maurices.

— Tavia Bear

If I could buy Broady a new indomino I would.

— Logan Johnson If I could buy one person one gift I would buy my Grandpa a new car.

— Michael Simpson If I could buy one person one gift that would be my teacher [Mrs. Wainscott].

I would buy her a candle, that would be her one gift.

— Breanna Williams

I will get my Grandma a present. It will be one of my best drawings.

— Ben Dill If I could buy one person one gift it would be my Mom and I would buy her a church book.

— Colt Carlton I would buy my sister Raney this sea coloring book that she asks Mom for every time when we go to the store.

— Seeley Clay

If I could buy one person one gift I would buy a Lego set for Desiree because she is really nice to me. I really like it when we get to spend the night at each other’s houses, it’s really fun when we play games. I really like it when we watch movies.

— Kellianne Finney

J.R. Wofford had a little talk with Santa when he was in Allen recently.

Allen Community Pharmacy

Allen Rural Family Medical Clinic • Sally LaFave • Jeff Bryen • Shelly Bryen • Jennye Ervin • Linda Grigg • Kristi Stephens • Kim Frederick • Dr. Scott Evans

• Dave Campbell • Ryan Rose • Paige Grigg • Amanda Jones • Lindsey Linker • Matt MacHanan

and a healthy, happy New Year!

THE ALLEN ADVOCATE, DECEMBER 24, 2015 -PAGE 13

Second Grade Letters to Santa Mrs. Mills’ class of 2nd graders wrote letters to Santa . . .

Dear Santa, I want a horse. And a reindeer. And a elf.

Serenity Butler Dear Santa, I want all of the minecraft books.

Clayton Chitwood Dear Santa, I want a Minons and a top. I love you, Santa.

Jared Coody Dear Santa, I would like a new skateboad and a new shoes and a new shorts and pants and a new pairs of socks. A cd of drake and lil waye and a new lunch.

Triston Fuller Dear Santa, I want a tablet and new shoes for Chrismas.

Sata Harjo Dear Santa, I would like a ipd mind craft toys some closes some pens a candy cany a yoyo some shopping centns Autumn Johbnson Dear Santa, I wold like a bike. I love for you to bring a phone.

Hannah Johnson Dear Santa, All I want for Christmas is for Breanna Lovlis to come back to Allen Elementary School. I really really miss her she was my very best friend.

Please we got along very very good and were great friends.

Kadence Lea Johnson

Dear Santa, I want a bike and a lifelike baby doll and a mini ipad.

Addison Prentice Dear Santa, I want a power ranger robot and a power ranger gun and books and a batman robot.

Landen Rippee Dear Santa, I would love for you to give me a phone for Christmas with a pen and a set of hand get to with puzzls and corling books and life like baby dolls and two new books and new nike socks with pants.

Alyssa Royalty Dear Santa, I would like a bike an Ipad and a phone and a stuffed dog.

Patricia Sanford Dear Santa, I whan a toy remot car.

A memory chip. A X Box one. And X Box games.

Some cosh and choklote.

Corbin Smith Dear Santa, I want a car and a new bike and I want orbeeze and some glasses and a horse.

Emma Corinne Tomb Dear Santa, I want for Christmas is a haulhoop and a Zoomer Kitty and a My life ball.

Addysen Vincent Dear Santa, I would like a karke machine please and all outbout that basse cd with it and rockin auren the Christmas tree cd and if I just have my to front teeth cd.

Bryar Wilson

Dear Santa, I would like a bike. I would love for you to bring a phone and kds.

Cherish Woodward Dear Santa, I want a laptop and a dog and vidieo games and a rubicts cube.

Mathew Johnson Just in case you were wondering, here’s what the 2 nd graders in Mrs. McGee’s class want for Christmas . . .

Dear Santa, I wish for a bebe guns and a Nerf gun. And get me some books, a football, a racecar poster, a Xbox 360, a computer please, and a puppy. A notbook, and a tablet. I will bring your milk and your cookies, ok. I been nice this year.

Kamden Adams Dear Santa, I wood llike a zoomer dino, T.Rex robot, rapter robot, adomnexrex robot, little turtles, wuble-ex ball, waky pie face game, left right and forward care that’s red, new care that pink ou, and to see my uncle Brock, don’t wery I have ben good. I will put out milk cookies and carits for the dear.

Taylor Batey Dear Santa, I have been good. I want a B.B. gun, and an elf and an raindeed, and an four wheeler, a 243 and an 25or, and a Xbox 360 and an hagn dog and a swimming pool, and a OU flag.

I will leave you milk and cookies and a flag.

Tatay Bear

Dear Santa, I have been nice this year. I would like to see my lgrandma and grandpa, Ipad, Minion toys, football, beats, rock digging set, Jordon shoes, the real rodoph, and a dirt bike. I will leave you some milk and brownies, and some carrots for the reindeer.

Kayd Bell Dear Santa, I have been nice this year. I wont my dog to have puppies, and I wish

souru came back, and I wont a phon to and a OU poster. I will leave you milk and cookies.

Jaycee Boolin Dear Santa, I have been nice this year.

I would like a battleship, a smart phone, books, a remote kuntrol airplane, a puppie, a present a couch, a friend. I will leave miulk and cookies and carots for the raindeer.

Will Brand

WANTED Be on the lookout for this man trying to ruin Christmas

Brett, Danielle, Ryan, Ty & Eli O’Daniel

Skelton’s Dive-N 401 E Hwy 1 • (580)857-1234

The Magic of Christmas never ends and its greatest of gifts are family and friends.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Drive thru - walk up - outhouse

Farmers State Bank

Convient ATM locations are at the Bank Drive Thru, and Allen Quick Pic

We will close at noon on Christmas Eve and reopen Monday, December 28.

Downtown Allen • 580-857-2402 • Visit us online at www.fsballen.com

THE ALLEN ADVOCATE, DECEMBER 24, 2015 -PAGE 14

Second Grade Letters to Santa Dear Santa, I have been good this year. I want a 72, a wenchester, a nerf gun, a Bach statue, a phone, OSU football, a cat. I’ve been bad. I want to spend time with my mom, dad, and my brother. I will leave you milk and cookies.

Blake Campbell Dear Santa, I have been good this year. I would like to see my sister, a makup kit, a phone, a real dog, books, a teddy bear, food for my family, purs, a goat, a real raindeer, and I will leave some cookies and carotts for your raindeer.

Jessica Craddock My Wish List 1. drum set; 2. Nerf gun; 3. belt for bike; 4. new bed; 5. clock for bik; 6. a new car for my mom and dad; 7. a remote control for my brother; 8. a video game for my sister Sam Daniel Dear Santa, I been nice this year. I would like to have a bike, a plan, a phon, a jack in the box, a jaket, new shoes, I would like to see my papa, a pupie, a cat, I would like to see my Mawmaw and a rabbit.

Breanna Davis

Dear Santa, I wish for a elf, for a iphone, for a puppie, for a cat, for a horse, for a swining pool, for a mustang cher, for a reindear, for a ipod, and I wish to see my uncle. I will leave you some milk and cookies and some carrogs for the reindeer.

Morgan Davis Dear Santa, Will you try to get me these things, a phone, love, my family to get together, to see you, a good Christmas, a real puppy, a real kitten, my friends to get along, nintindo ds and my friend cala doll and I will leave you milk and cookies.

Lexani Edwards Dear Santa, I have been a good girl. I wish I could see my uncle Tatum, I want a American doll, dog, doll house, to spend time with my family, books, horse, clothes, friend ship bracelet, and a elf. I am going to leave you some milk and cookies and some carrots for the reindeer.

Alexis Marie Friday

Charles and Betty Speir Ho, Ho, Hope You Have a Great Christmas!

Thanks for a great year!!

May the blessings of season fill your heart and home with joy.

Dear Santa, I have been naughty this year. I wish I could see my two brothers. I wish I could spind time with my family. I wish I had a real snake. I wish I had a toy dinusour. I wish I had stuft snake. I wish I could have a toy snake.

David Gragert Dear Santa, I have been a little nice this year. I would like a amaican doll, a chapster, a monster high doll, a zoomer zuppie, a new tablet, to see my dad, to see my mom, a toy snowgif, some new cloths, and a real kitten. I will leave some cookies and milk Shaylynn Elliott wants only a few things this year Mallory Keeney . . . and we hope she gets every one of them!

Dear Santa, I have been nouty this year. I would like some legos, shopkins, kids mackop, see big gandma, Barbie, Barbie dream house, Barbie car, to have a good Christmas, Barbie clothe, monster high doll, wuble-buble ball, phonics kit, girls quicksils, elf, Diary of a wimpy kid books, pupies poster, and rainbow magic books. I will leave you some cookies and milk.

Delilah Ramirez Dear Santa, I have been good this year. I want to see my unkle, football cards, Jordan shoes, basketball Jax Watkins and Tresley Mowdy shared a visit cards, remote cantrol car, wuble x ball, a key bord, with Santa an ou flag, a robot dog, and robot cat.

Jakob Roby Dear Santa, I was good this year. I wish for books, to see my family, for a dog, coloring books, bags, earings, and bows. I will leave you some cookie sand milk and some carrots for the raindeer.

Kailey Trump My Wish List 1. Natende; 2. a roobix qube; 3. legos; 4. mockintrow helacopter; 5. bike; 6. hat; 7. books; 8 football; 9.

Madison Prentice is sure she wants to talk to this bog; 10. candycane strange man in a red suit.

Jason Johnson

Merry Christmas from everyone at

Dave’s Diner Hwy 1 • Allen, OK • (580)857-2923

Merry Christmas

May you have the gift of faith, the blessing of hope and the peace of his love at Christmas and always

Thank you to our customers over the years of support and wish each of you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Allen Food Center We will close at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and reopen December 26th

Cade and Colt Carlton introduced their little sister, Kimber, to Santa this year.

THE ALLEN ADVOCATE, DECEMBER 24, 2015 -PAGE 15

Dear Santa...

The 1st graders in Mrs. Johnson’s class shared their list of Christmas wants with us . . .

L ily Laden – Barbie Dreamhouse, Vera Bradley Kindle and iPod case, new Kindle Walker Cudd – New bike, roping dummy, and 2 ropes K ayla Nickell – Dr. Seuss book, black sweats, and gray sweats E mma Smith – iPad, clothes and shoes O livia Fuller – Pink walkie-talkie, shoes, jacket Jake Matthews – X-Box, Lego X-Box game, red and blue robots G us Matthews – Dirt bike, Battleship, red and blue fighting robots Braydon Smart – Boots, Elf on a Shelf, and basketball shoes Hattie Holder – Puppy, toys, new markers D yllan Brown – PS4, new racing game, phone Alex Daniel – Nerf gun, Legos, and red bike Dillon Maxwell – Darth Vader Infinity toy, box of Dr Pepper, Star Wars Infinity game Cash Wainscott – Rope, roping dummy, batterypowered car Christina House – Bathrobe, cleaning set, treasurer chest Leslie Williams – Doll, cookies and puzzles Logan Wilson – Bracelet with super powers, Spot & Ollo from the Good Dinosaur, glass bird for my Mom Christopher Hurt – Lego witch character, Lego chimo character, red Ninja

Mrs. Laden’s 1st grade students gave us their wish lists . . .

Lillie Chapman – Shopkins, Monster High Doll, Elsa and Anna lunchbox Emerson Childers – A Barbie House (the one that has a garage and tub, and an elevator), a big white bear (I’ve been asking for this for years), a new Barbie Camden Cross – A hat, a basketball, football pads, and spurs Brailee Davis – Shopkins, Frozen pillow, scooter, and a Monster High Barbie Kaleb Dill – A toy helicopter, a cop car, toy phone S haylynn Elliott – Iphone 5, Barbie doll, baby, tablet, and an I-pod Sonny Harjo – X-Box 360, bike, new clothes, and an Elf on the Shelf Brooklyn Harper – Baby doll stroller, a new My Little Pony, something from The Descendants Hunter Langley – Toy helicopter, video games, an Elf on the Shelf, and my mom and dad are going to get me the rest . . .

Lauren Lawler – A new bike, puzzle pieces, a comfy, comfy pillow, a toy phone, and my own trampoline Tresley Mowdy – I-pod, I-phone, I-pad, a table set, a cheer suit, a girl Elf on the Shelf, and a tea set Daycie Nemecek – Elf on the Shelf (a girl one), Christmas books, a real puppy, and an electric scooter

JR Wofford – A toy semi WII game, a stuffed ani Nrayden Nichols – Power Rangers, transformers, that has cars in it, Hot mal that looks like Santa Wheel cars, Mind Craft and some Ranger Keys Daniel Reeves – Giant Monster Truck R.C., a toy replica of my dad’s truck, a new set of dump trucks, and backhoe Logen Rippee – A helicopter with 4-blades, Elf on the Shelf, remote control Jurassic World monster truck, I-pad Ledger Smith – Batman 3, OU glove, Spiderman 2, Batman vs Penguin, and Captain America Legos Hwy 1 & County Line Rd • Allen • (580)857-2455 Kryslyn Stephens – A cheer suit, Christmas Legos Remember the J ax Watkins – A high school jersey with the blessings of #6 on the back, a toy cop Christmas... car, the deal where you put regular crayons in a Peace, Joy & hole and it makes them Salvation! different (it’s really cool), 3-D market set, a coloring book with Santa and Rudolph in it (it’s at the Dollar Store)

Merry Christmas

Allen Iron & Metal

Carolyn’s Flowers Downtown Allen • 857-2477

Hoping your Holildays are Merry & Bright!

Rocky Top Winery and Vineyard

Bob &Wilma Harden (580)857-2869 • (580)421-5792

7569 EW 148 • Allen (Hwy 1 to Allen, south on County Line Road for 1 mile, turn back east on E. Gilmore (Gerty Road) for 6 miles. Watch for Signs)

Allen Vet Clinic

Dr. Tim Costner, Lesli, Emilee, Meegan and Cassie Elliot

Joe & Sandy Nemecek

J & S Exchange Equal Opportunity Employer

Have the Greatest Christmas Ever!

Thanks for making ours a real treat

&

Craft & Gift Store

JARRETT’S BARBER SHOP Downtown Allen • 857-2844

Allen Quick Pic Hwy 1 • Allen • (580)857-2459

Thanks for your friendship and patience this year.

We look forward to a great 2016!

THE ALLEN ADVOCATE, DECEMBER 24, 2015 -PAGE 16

Kindergarteners have been good Mrs. Davis’ Kindergarteners gave us their wish lists . . .

Eric Bishop – A bunny rabbit and pet animals Lila Bowman – A piano and a Barbie camper Rylie Brock – An Elsa doll B reighden Butler – A remote control car Carbon Cross – A truck

Thanks for your friendship and patronage.

Allen

Insurance Agency ROBERT & VICKI TAYLOR

Piper Daniel – A Barbie, Barbie car and Barbie clothes and shoes H adleigh Gibson – A trampoline, a 4-wheeler and a gator Khloe Goodson – An Ipad Hattie Johnson – A TV and movies Caleb Jones – A Ninja Turtle robot Joshua Jones – A basketball game Dominic Patino – A dirt bike Tye Milne – A black and white paint horse Mikaela Raney – A real phone K amryn Roberts – A remote control truck S inte-ska Roerts – A tractor and a toy gun Daxton Wainscott – A Playstation 3, Mind Craft, and the new Call of Duty Tresyn Walker – A basketball and a football S pencer Wallace – A car

Happy Holidays

May all your journeys near and far be filled with happiness

Allen Camper & Idle Time RV

Grasyn Whitehead – A Barbie Dream House K aleb Wilson – Hot Wheels Nate Wood – An X-box and planes Mrs. Rowsey’s kindergarten wish list has needs as well as wants . . .

Ford Bell – A real dog Jennifer Brill – An Elsa doll G enna Campbell – A racetrack and a new bike with no training wheels Cade Carlton – A fourwheeler B obby Chapman – A singing baby doll that is dressed up like Elsa Raiden Colby – A robot from the Box Troll movie and a Marionette costume M addison Crabtree – An Elsa Barbie doll that sings Jacee Dean – An American doll Lainey Ford – An I-Pod, a bike with no training wheels, a hide-away pet, and a bear that connects to your phone to talk to people far away K ierra Frederick – A game Jonathan Horn – A tablet and a real motorcycle Jaiden Lindsey – A big Barbie house Jaxson Linker – A real dirt bike Keylon Malone – A bear that says your name and a real motorcycle Journey Neal – A bike

Eli Nemecek – A race car Ely O’Daniel – A toy dog, a new bike with training wheels, and a real spaceship Valarie Ramirez – A set of beads to make a necklace and a bike without training wheels Cayden Vincent – A real Lamborghini car

CaitynWilliams – A Barbie house and a Frozen castle Gavin Wilson – A log house to go camping with and a bike with no training wheels Brax Wofford – A real electric scooter

Dyllan Brown took his turn to tell Santa what he wants for Christmas this year.

Piper Daniel will have a good Christmas because Santa knows she has been nice all year long.

Hunter and Harley Langley told Santa everything they want and need this Christmas.

May you have the Holiday Happiness in your heart throughout the new year.

Allen Health Clinic

Helen, Ann, Irene,Callie Ann and Jennifer, & Dr. Dr. Michelle MichelleBarlow Barlow

Adam Colbert and Santa Claus are old friends.

Santa has been visiting the Colbert home for many years.

THE ALLEN ADVOCATE, DECEMBER 24, 2015 -PAGE 17

Allen Pre-K on Nice List Wish List

The Pre-K students in Mrs. Harris class told us what they want this year for Christmas . . .

Rayna Wilson – I want a dinosaur with an egg for Christmas Joseph Johnson – I want some toys, that’s what I want for Christmas Ryleigh Tate – I want a dollhouse for Christmas K olbi Clark – I want more than one present, but a Kindle is all I can think of Tayden Frederick – I want a turtle game for Christmas Haven Ables – I want a Gingerbread house for Christmas Ricklyn Jasna – I want a dollhouse for Christmas Beckett Burris – I want a phone for Christmas Korbin Ashby – I want a four-wheeler for Christmas Sophia Cassell – I want a robot unicorn for Christmas Laira Rippee – I want a baby crib for Christmas Ryder Johnson – I want a motorcycle for Christmas Emma Roberts – I want a reindeer and Hello Kitty robot for Christmas Jessi Mann – I want a movie for Christmas E dward Gonzalez – I want a toy house for Christmas Mario Gonzalez – I want to go bull riding for Christmas What do Allen Pre-K students want Santa to bring? We know because Mrs. Laxton’s class told us!

Zoey Ables - a Barbie doll Bryar Blessing - a scooter Jesse Bowman - robot Rae’ Leon Brown - candy and a racecar Brinlee Cardinalle - a Paw Patrol toy Broady Johnson - dinosaurs Harley Langley - Elf on a Shelf at my home Konner Love - 4-wheeler Ayla Manuel - horse Taycee Manuel - a Barbie Tristan Melton - well I don’t have a trampoline so I want a trampoline Kingston Prentice - a baby brother Sophia Shires - a Paw Patrol play deal and a Lambie doctor deal Sophia Smith - ice cream maker and a cookie and cake maker Preston West - guns and more guns Thomas Williams Legos and breakfast Christian Watham - a toy tractor and a motorcycle Logan Reichard - a biker truck

My favorite things...

The Allen Pre-K in Mrs. Laxton’s class told us their favorite things about Christmas . . .

Zoey Ables - Throwing snowballs at our windows Bryar Blessing - Building a God Jesse Bowman - I really like Christmas Rae’ Leon Brown - Getting candy from Santa Claus Brinlee Cardinalle Building a snowman Broady Johnson - Dinosaurs Harley Langley - Making snowballs Konner Love - Santa

bring us presents Ayla Manuel - Snowballs Taycee Manuel - I like building Santa Tristan Melton - Running in the snow and making big footprints Kingston Prentice - Getting presents and throwing snowballs Sophia Shires - Playing in the snow Sophia Smith - Building a snowman Christian Watham Snowballs Preston West – Guns, I always like guns Logan Reichard Firetrucks

We’re sure Eric Bishop has been a good boy this year.

Allen Pre-K students in Mrs. Harris class told us what their favorite thing about Christmas is . . .

Rayna Wilson – Seeing Christmas lights and decorating my Christmas tree Joseph Johnson – Santa Claus Ryleigh Tate – Santa Claus Haven Ables – My Daddy cooking cookies Ricklyn Jasna – Seeing Christmas lights in Ada Beckett Burris – Seeing Christmas lights Korbin Ashby – Santa bringing me presents

Sophia Cassell – When it snows Laira Rippee – Snow Ryder Johnson – Getting a motorcycle Emma Roberts – Opening my presents Tayden Frederick – Opening presents Edward Gonzalez – Seeing Santa Mario Gonzalez – Bull riding Jessi Mann – Sledding Kolbi Clark – Getting lots of presents

Pontotoc County Public Records FELONIES Bryson Oneil Albert—assault & battery on Police Officer Blake Everett Braudaway— kidnapping Holly Christine Carter— uttering a forged instrument Justin Blaine Colbert—domestic assault & battery by strangulation Robert Earl Cooper—driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs, 2nd & sub Anthony Alan Gore—possession of CDS-meth, 2nd & sub.

Mickey Wayne Harrell— possession of firearm after former felony conviction Daryl Johnson—burglary, second degree Billy Wayne Martin—possession of CDS (marijuana) Amber Maryland Mitchell— possession of CDS-meth, 2nd & sub.

Marcus Allen Moore—bur-

Lauren Lawler and Santa compare hats during a recent visit.

Standing beside Santa is just as good as sitting on his knee, just ask Kingston Prentice.

glary – 1st degree; knowingly concealing stolen property Eddie Charles Smoot—robbery first degree Lorenzo Eugene Sojo— burglary, second degree Jessica Louise Stein—possession of CDS-hydrocodone Christopher Lee Wayne Wright—robbery first degree MISDEMEANORS Mateo Leandro Cruz—actual physical control of vehicle under the influence Bradon Ealey—possession of CDS(marijuana) Garek Michael Ealey—possession of CDS (marijuana) Taloa Foster—drunk in public place; resisting arrest Dakota Joe Hall—breaking & entering dwelling without permission; public intoxication Cristal Gayle Holtman— violation of compulsory education act Valintino Jesus Martinez— driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol; driving under suspension Joseph Lee McFarland— public intoxication Andrea Lee Robertson— driving under suspension James Ross—driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs Jessica Louise Stein—leaving the scene of accident involving damage Sandy Lee Talton—possession of CDS (marijuana) Oliverio Vasquez—driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, aggravated Tyler Page White—possession of CDS (Marijuana) MARRIAGES Daniel Wayne Baldridge & Trina Michell Adair Oscar Jerome Brown, Ada & Johnna Marie Easly Jason Wayne Russell & Ronna Lynn Butler, both of Sulphur Rylee Ashton Melton, Konawa & Allison Denise Cable, Ada Orges Lleshaj, Ada & Alexa Carli Engles Randall E. Flowers, Stonewall & Deborah Lyn Sager, Scipio Dylan Jonathan Gray & Autumn Skye Latham, both of Ada Sean Kendrick Williams, Fitzhugh & Aubrey Ann Halford, Ada Miles Blaine Pittman & Leann Nicole Huffman, both of Ada

Hard Times...a Christmas Story THE ALLEN ADVOCATE, DECEMBER 24, 2015 -PAGE 19

Snow was falling.

Hard. There was no work to do outside in such inclement weather, and all that was left for my mother to do was think. She was thirtyfour when my father died suddenly, following a routine tonsillectomy. We still lived in a two-room house with no running water and dirt floors made hard by her constant sweeping, but she and my father were finally beginning to make a good life together after struggling through the Great Depression. Until that terrible blow, she had been looking toward a future that seemed rosy by comparison. Now, she was a woman alone with no profession and with six children to feed, clothe, and house.

At first, she hadn’t a clue how to approach that task, but my mother had sworn to herself and to God that she would do everything in her power to preserve and provide for her family. She thinned, hoed, and topped sugar beets, picked fruit, poached game—anything to put food on the table.

The children who were

old enough, including me, helped when they could.

My mother made stockings for us from my dad’s old socks by sewing a seam, toe to top, to get rid of the holes in the heels and toes. She used the legs of his pants to make bib overalls for us—boys and girls alike.

She kept a few chickens and a milk cow, and considered herself fortunate when she scraped together enough money to buy flour for bread. We also needed a garden, so she and my ten-year-old brother plowed the soil with a little push cultivator. Neither was strong enough to push it alone, so my brother pulled it by attaching a rope to it, which formed a harness, and my mother pushed.

They took turns pushing and pulling until the task was finished. “A lot like a mule would work,” she joked, making do with laughter instead of tears.

Just before the harvest, she and my brother built a root cellar to store the produce that would sustain us during the winter months. When they began, the dirt was

compacted and chockfull of little rocks. In order to dig the next day, they carried water in buckets from the spring each evening and soaked the ground, loosening the soil. Working together, our family was doing okay—but just barely.

Time passed, and soon it was time for the holidays. Christmas had never been lavishly celebrated in our household, but we still believed in Santa because he came to our house every year. Every year except this year, though, because my mother had stretched an already thin budget even thinner.

She made that clear to us. There was no hidden jar with accumulated change—no chair cushion to shake for the odd nickel or dime. She could stretch her slender resources no further, not even for Christmas.

B es id es , s h e h ad something else on her mind. Something so awful, really, she cried when she thought no one was looking. She had six children, four girls and two boys. The oldest was thirteen and the

youngest was less than a year old. My Dad’s childless sister had asked her for one of us. Each one of us breathed an individual sigh of relief when she’s asked incredulously, “Just which one do you think I should give up?”

My aunt had jokingly replied, “I know you can’t do it, but I think you’re stingy just the same.”

What made her cry was that she knew a child given to her sisterin-law could still believe in Santa. There was no poverty at her sisterin-law’s house. New clothes, a soft bed, a baby doll—at least one of her children would have them all.

Then—out of the blue—the great idea came to her.

It was simple. All that was required was just a little more work crowded into an already work-filled day. She and my brother would climb up to Perry Canyon and cut Christmas trees to sell. Because they had no boots, they wrapped their feet in burlap chicken-feed

sacks in an attempt to keep them warm and dry. After they’d cut the trees, they wrapped them with burlap strips and put one strip over their shoulders to make a harness with which to carry the trees out of the canyon.

They repeated the trip up and back until they were exhausted.

Thinking his ten-yearold appeal would sell more trees, my brother offered to stand in front of the small Perry, Utah, grocery store with his small horde until every last one was sold. There wasn’t even one left for us. A dollar ninety-eight apiece wasn’t much, but Santa would visit our home after all.

Secretly—even I didn’t suspect—my mother made one last trip into the canyon on Christmas Eve. When she left the canyon some hours later, she carried out one last tree-a tree that would light up her children’s eyes the next morning and welcome the Christ Child into their home.

The Perfect Gift from Home Available at the Allen Advocate, Wayne Bullard or Amazon.com

/NE 0HARMACIST´S 6IEW Bullard Drug Store

A COLLECTION OF FAVORITE COLUMNS BY

7AYNE "ULLARD 0HARM $

“One Pharmacist’s View,” is a collection of short stories ranging from Wayne Bullard about growing up years in Centrahoma, Stonewall and Allen, Oklahoma and a variety of other subjects.

One Pharmacist’s View is a compilation of stories written by Wayne Bullard, a retired pharmacist from Allen, Oklahoma. Wayne has an amazing memory and an incredible gift of storytelling. His column is featured in several Oklahoma newspapers and is read all across the country.

“The morning was a little bit misty and dreary as I stood there looking out to the Gulf. But the old ship looked good with her fresh paint and red white and blue bunting. Launched over 70 years ago in 1943, the “Lady Lex,” as her crew had called her stood proud at the pier. She had been shot up pretty bad in 1944- 45 as she battled Kamikazes and Jap submarines from Tarawa to Tokyo. She had done her part in winning World War II and had suffered many casualties and collected many medals to prove it. My old friend, Joe Bryan from Ada was the Chief Pharmacist Mate on the Lexington at that fateful time and one of his duties was to be in charge of the burial at sea detail……” Excerpt from The Blue Ghost.

Some of Wayne’s best stories come out of the First Baptist Church where Wayne is a deacon and member of the elder men’s Sunday school class (he calls it the cemetery class as it is the last promotion). He also uses his articles to share his faith in God and to encourage others to go to their church on Sundays.

Don’t miss this great read that will touch on every emotion in your soul.

Published by Robinson Publishing Co., Inc., the book is also available through the publisher at robpublishing@sbcglobal.net, Lewis Printing Co., P.O. Box 30, 114 N. Broadway, Holdenville, OK 74848; Wayne Bullard, P.O. Box 517, Allen, OK 74825, waynebullard@sbcglobal.net ; or The Allen Advocate, 101 W. Broadway, Allen, OK.

THE ALLEN ADVOCATE, DECEMBER 24, 2015 -PAGE 19

Silver Magic...Christmas Memories Did you know that there is a proper way to hang tinsel on the Christmas tree?

Growing up in the small town of Seminole, Oklahoma, I was made aware of this from my earliest memories of Christmas.

Being the youngest in our family, there was never a shortage of people always wanting to show me the right way to do—well, practically everything!

When it came to hanging the metallic strands on the Christmas tree, my mother turned it into a holiday art form.

“The cardboard holder should be barely bent,” she said, “forming a kind of book for the tinsel.” It was made very clear to me that no more than three strands of the silver magic should be pulled from this book at one time. And, we were cautioned, the strands should be draped over the boughs of the tree gently, to avoid damage to the fragile greenery.

Once the icicles had been carefully added to the already-lit-and-decorated tree, we would complete our “pine princess” with a can of spray snow. Never would we have considered hanging the icicles in blobs, as my mother called them, or tossing them haphazardly to land where they would on the upper, unreachable branches. Hanging them on the higher branches was my father’s job, since he was the tallest person I knew—as tall as Superman, for sure. He could do anything—even place the blinking golden star with the blonde angel up on the very highest limb— without a ladder!

Once Christmas was over, I learned that there was also a right way to save the icicles before putting the tree out to the roadside for the garbage man. The cardboard holders were never thrown out.

We kept them each year, tucked away with the rest of the re-usable Christmas decorations. Their shiny treasure lay untangled and protected within the corrugated Bekins Moving and Storage boxes that my mother had renamed “CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS” in bold letters with a black magic marker.

At the end of the Christmas season, I would help my sisters undress the tree and get it ready for its lonely curbside vigil. We would remove the glass balls, the plastic bells, and the homemade keepsake decorations we’d made in school. These were all gently placed in small boxes. The icicles came next, a chore we all de-

tested.

We removed the silver tinsel and meticulously hung it back around the little cardboard hook. Those icicles were much heavier than they are now, being made of real metal and not synthetic plastic. They were easier to handle and, if you were careful, didn’t snarl or tangle. It was a long, slow process—one that my young, impatient hands and mind dreaded.

For many years, I couldn’t understand why everyone—even my friends’ parents’—insisted on saving the tinsel from year to year. Then one night, in late December, while Mom and I gazed at the Christmas tree, I learned why.

As she began to tell the story of her first Christmas tree, her eyes looked back through time. She was a child in southeastern Oklahoma, during the Dust Bowl days of the Depression. She and her siblings had gotten the idea that they needed a Christmas tree. They trekked into the nearby woods, cut down an evergreen, and dragged it home. While my grandfather made a wooden stand for it, the rest of the family popped and strung corn for garland. The smaller children made decorations from paper and glue.

“What about a star?” one of the younger boys had asked.

My grandfather thought for a moment. Then he said, “I’ve got an old battery out there in the shed.

I’ll cut one from that.”

The kids were tickled just to have the tree, but a star, too! It was almost too good to be true.

Grandfather went outside. He disappeared around the side of the old tool shed and didn’t return for a long time. The children were occupied with stringing the popcorn and making paper chains, but Grandma glanced out the window a few times, wondering what was taking Grandpa so long. The children were so excited that they hardly noticed when he came back inside.

Grandmother turned to him as he shut the door against the wintry blast of air. “What took you so long?” she asked. “I was beginning to get worried.”

Grandfather smiled apologetically, and held up the star he’d fashioned. “It took me a while. I wanted it to be just right.” He slowly held up his other hand, and Grandmother clapped her hands over her mouth in wonder. Thin strands of silver magic cascaded in a shimmering

waterfall from his loosely clenched fist. “It’s a kind of a gift, you know, for the kids.”

In our modern world of disposable commodities, can any of us imagine be-

ing so poor that we would recycle an old battery for the metal and foil, in order to hand-cut a shiny star and tinsel for our children’s Christmas tree?

It was only a metal star and some cut-foil tinsel, but for this family it was just the right amount of silver magic, and it was all wrapped up inside a father’s love.

By Cleo LeVally A Christmas Carol is possibly the second greatest Christmas story ever told. The Christmas season is not complete without at least viewing a version of the story on national television. The story has charmed and inspired millions. There have been scores of editions and translation, and many stage,TV and film adaptions, making it one of the best loved stories of all time. This little book about the celebrations of Christmas grew out of dark period in the career of Charles Dickens, the author.

In 1843, Dickens was perhaps at the peak of his career. The Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist, Nicholas Nickleby and Martin Chuzzlewit had all been very popular. In October of that year, sales were not what had been expected and he was facing a sharp reduction in his monthly advances against future sales. He was stunned and memories of his childhood poverty resurfaced, Dickens was supporting a large extended family and his wife, Kate, was expecting their fifth child.

Wo r r i e d a b o u t h i s mounting bills, he spent hours in long walks and had trouble sleeping. He knew that he needed an idea that would earn him a large sum of money and he needed an idea soon.

He was finding it difficult to write, due to the depressive state he was in.

The yellow glow of the gas lamps lit there way along the streets of the better neighborhood of London. Then as he neared the Thames River, the dull light from tenement windows illuminated the litter strewn streets and lined the open sewers.

The scene reminded him of a period in his early life that did not change until his father inherited some money, enabling him to pay off his debts and get out of prison.

Thus Dickens was able to escape from his dreary childhood.

He was often troubled by a dream that disturbed his sleep. The dream was of a twelve years old boy who sat at a worktable piled high with pots of black boot paste. For hours each

day, six days a week, he attached labels on the stream of pots to earn the six shillings that would keep him alive. The boy in the dream would look through the rotting warehouse floor into the cellar, where swarms of rats scurried about. Then he would look up to the dirt streaked window at the fading light and think of his father in debtor’s prison. He would think of the hour he spent on school lessons during his dinner break at the warehouse. In the dreams he felt helpless and abandoned with no hope for a better life.. From one of these long walks he had a sudden flash of inspiration. Why not put that in a Christmas Story! He would write a story for the people he passed on the dreary streets of London. He would write about the people who lived and struggled with the same fears and longings he had known in his childhood.

He would write about people who longed for some cheer and hope in their lives.

Christmas was only a short time away. He wondered how he could write a story in time. The book would have to be short in order to be finished and printed in time for Christmas sales.

He began to write and the scenes and characters were along the lines of the stories his readers had received so well in the past. In the story would be a small sickly child, a father who was honest but not very effective in his job and his central character would be a selfish villain, an old man with a pointed nose and shriveled cheeks.

The story he wrote was about Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly London Businessman who is visited by the spirit of his dead partner, Jacob Marley.

Doomed by his greed and insensitivity to his fellow man when alive, Marley’s ghost wanders the world in chains forged of his own indifference.

He warns Scrooge that he must change, or suffer the same fate. The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas yet to come appear and show Scrooge scenes from his

life and what will occur if he doesn’t mend his ways. Filled with remorse, Scrooge renounces his former selfishness and becomes a kind, generous, loving person who has learned the true spirit of Christmas.

The story was simple enough for children to understand and Dickens also wanted it to evoke memories and emotions in the heart of adults.

He wrote into the story the kind of Christmas he loved. Christmas filled with family parties, mistletoe hanging from the ceiling, cheerful carols, games, dances and gifts.

There must be a delicious feast of roast turkey, plum pudding, fresh breads, all enjoyed in front of a blazing Yule log. As Dickens wrote this story, his expression began to lift. He really got caught up into the story.

A Christmas Carol became a labor of love. The characters seemed magically to take life. Tiny Tim with his crutches, Scrooge cowering in fear before the ghosts and Bob Cratchit drinking Christmas cheer in the face of poverty.

At last on December 2, he was finished and the manuscript went to the printers and on December 17, the author’s copies were delivered. He liked the story, but was overwhelmed by the response to it. The first edition of 6000 copies sold out by Christmas Eve and he received letters by every post, writing about how the story was being read.

Dickens went on to write many other books, David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, but nothing would equal the soul satisfying joy he received from this little novel.

In a sense, this story popularized many aspects of the Christmas we celebrate today, including great family gatherings, seasonal food and gift giving. Even our language had been influenced by this tale. Who has not known a Scrooge or uttered Bah! Humbug! when feeling irritated or disbelieving.

The phrase Merry Christmas gained wider usage after the story appeared.

A Christmas Carol

THE ALLEN ADVOCATE, DECEMBER 24, 2015 - PAGE 20

Merry Christmas from Allen

Not everyone loves Santa but we’ll give Ellie Ford a couple of years, then they’ll probably be best friends.

Aubre Hinkle knows she needs to be nice to Santa so he’ll be nice to her!

All dressed up, even wearing their neckties, Ely and Ty O’Daniel gave Santa directions to their house.

Friends Kierra Frederick and Raiden Colby shared Santa-time this year.

The sweet trio of Manuel children visited with Santa. Pictured are Gideon, Lizzy and Gabe.

Tye Milne should have a good Christmas, we heard he made the “Nice” list!

Merry Christmas