Articles written by Helen Barrett
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Community rallies to help Alva man in need of kidney transplant
Poorly functioning kidneys plagued Nathan Gaisford since his birth. The undersized kidneys caused Gaisford to be smaller than many of his peers, but his determination bridged the gap. On Nov. 26,...
'All Things Fabulous' coming to Alva
The Pettit girls – Tanya Pettit Sinibaldi and Vanessa Pettit Brewer – are teaming up to fulfill not only their own dreams, but that of their dad, the late Buddy Pettit. In addition to owning and ope...
'Do what you have to do, to do what you want to do'
Christmas songs played by the Ranger Jazz Band joyfully masked the sounds of shuffling feet and excited conversation of family and friends filling Percefull Field House Sunday afternoon. As the...
Alva Arena Authority discusses change of locations
The Alva Arena Authority met Tuesday at noon in the Alva State Bank Annex with members Daren Slater, Charles Tucker, Gregg Glass, Mike Hood, Todd Holder and Janet Cunningham present. Minutes of the previous meeting were approved. The only item in...
50 years later, ADA champion returns to site of battle for his life
In November 1966, Lex Frieden fought the biggest battle of his young life. The Alva native, a freshman student at Oklahoma State University majoring in electrical engineering, became paralyzed from a...
Four stops on 2016 Tour of Homes
If you enjoy looking at beautifully decorated homes, be sure to get your ticket for the annual Electric Gold Boosters Tour of Homes. The tour begins Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. and continues until 6...
Annual Tour of Homes scheduled
Mark your calendars for the annual Electric Gold Boosters Tour of Homes on Sunday, Dec. 4, 3:30 – 6 p.m. following the Christmas Vocal Concert at 2 p.m. This year’s tour includes four area homes. Pictures and more information will follow in Fri...
Honoring those who served
The Goldbug Tradition of Excellence continued at the 2016 Alva Middle School's Veterans Day Assembly Friday morning in the school gymnasium, hosted by the student council. A video of a university...
The changing veterans' canvas
For nearly 25 years, I’ve covered the Alva Middle School’s Veterans Day assembly. Each year a new slate of bright, well dressed, talented young students conduct the entire program with professionalism. Videos, music and speeches show the veterans tha...
Key Notes
Most of the time, I consider myself a fairly strong, brave person. At other times, not so much. I learned I could do many otherwise terrifying things if it involved getting a good story – walking out on a bridge over a flooding river, crawling t...
Distinguished Goldbugs honored
Black linens and glittery gold goblets filled with greenery transformed the normally monochromatic Alva Middle School cafeteria into a magical banquet hall for the second annual Distinguished Goldbug...
Airport land lease swapped
Approximately 10 years ago, the Woods County Industrial Authority (WCIDA) leased a plot of land at the Alva Regional Airport for future industrial development growth. One portion of that land was used to erect the building that is used by Plane...
Rail park continues working toward BNSF certification
At their Tuesday evening meeting, members of the Avard Regional Rail Park Authority accepted individual tasks toward official certification with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. Official BNSF Rail Park designation would enhance the park’s a...
Tickets still available for AGEF banquet
Although the original deadline to purchase tickets for the Alva Goldbug Education Foundation (AGEF) Distinguished Goldbugs banquet has passed, Lizabeth Richey said tickets can still be purchased from...
Proud, patriotic citizen anxious to vote for the first time
For many people, turning 18 means being able to vote in their first presidential election. Alva's Humberto 'Bert' Avila waited much longer for that privilege. Avila, who was born in Mexico, legally...
'You Can, You Will, You Must'
Reading Stony Kalango's newest book "You Can, You Will, You Must," provides the ignition of one's self-confidence booster rocket. Tired of watching people abandon their dreams and discounting their...
Distinguished Goldbugs featured during AHS Homecoming Week
Four Distinguished Goldbugs will be featured by the Alva Goldbug Education Foundation (AGEF) during the week of the Alva High School Homecoming, Oct. 13-14. This year’s honorees include William Simon MD, Ramona Cummings, Joy Glass and Don McOsker. S...
Misfit Monsters reveal real life struggle
In a real life world where monsters reveal themselves in the form of bullying, incessant peer pressure and low self-esteem, Cynthia Reeg uses fictionalized creatures to address the prevalent middle...
Fall break dates changed for Freedom students
The original Freedom School District 2016-2017 calendar scheduled the fall break on the dates Oct. 12-14. At their special meeting Tuesday evening, the Freedom Board of Education voted to change the dates to Oct. 19-21. The change puts the fall...
More traumatizing than a bucking bull?
Waking up in an ambulance can be traumatizing for a teenager – especially when that ambulance is the local mortuary's hearse. It was for Elvin Sample. At 13 years of age, Sample's older friends h...
Hangar rates researched
The Alva Airport Commission discussed hangar rates in depth at their Monday night meeting. During previous meetings, newer members of the board questioned how rates were determined for smaller planes versus twin engines. Dale Logsdon researched his...
Alva Education Foundation names 2016 Distinguished Goldbugs
The Alva Goldbug Education Foundation (AGEF) will honor four Distinguished Goldbugs at their second annual AGEF Banquet on Oct. 13 at 5:30 p.m. in the Alva Middle School Cafeteria. This year's...
Possibilities limited only by vision
“Do it right the first time so you don’t have to do it over and over,” Joe Henderson told members of the Alva Arena Authority. Henderson, of Duncan, shared his experiences with the Stevens County Fairgrounds, which evolved from a small, under...
Avard Rail Park Authority agrees to new contract
Following a 30-minute executive session, the Avard Regional Rail Park Authority approved an amended contract with Martin-Marietta, the anchor business in the park, contingent on approval from counsel. Due to declining oil field activity, the demand...
Racing for school pride
Exhaust fumes filled the air as small motors sputtered to a start. An uneasy excitement showed in each driver's face. Lightning threatened a rain delay, adding to the suspense. This wasn't the...
