A very Merry Christmas to all our readers.

Hope you have a blessed and wonderful Christmas and are able to spend it with family and friends.

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Be sure to take a few minutes to read the Letters to Santa from all of our area schoolchildren.

Some of them are absolutely hilarious!

Also included in the section are Christmas Wishes from our merchants to you!

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Happy birthday to Josh Jacks, Max Richardson, Todd Rollins, James Maynard, Jay Tate, Leon Wilson, Raquel Z. Suarez, Carlos Estrada, Claudia Estrada, Eva Ocampo, Branden Fisher, Alejandro Montelong, Mike Zuech, Ella Still, Taylor Banks, Gary Lambdin, Kelsey Lizana, Malucithelma Arriaga and Jean Sweeney.

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The Purcell Register will be closed Tuesday, December 24, Wednesday, December 25, and Thursday, December 26, for the Christmas holiday.

The office will be open Friday, December 27.

The paper will be available Monday, December 23.

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Purcell’s Art Walk which was to be held Friday, December 20, has been cancelled.

Organizers said the weather is to blame for the cancellation.

The next Art Walk is scheduled for March 2025 and there will be four Art Walks in 2025.

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McClain County Treasurer Teresa Jones reminds property owners in the county that 2023 tax statements have been mailed.

Full or half payments are due before January 1.

The treasurer’s office can email tax statements if it is requested.

Property owners can also print out their tax statements by going online to oktaxrolls.com.

For more information call 405-527-3261.

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This was in our bulletin at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church and I thought it was something to share.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Many people believe the Twelve Days of Christmas is a song about the 12 days leading up to Christmas Day. Actually the Twelve Days of Christmas begins on Christmas Day and ends on the evening of The Epiphany on January 5.

It was written in the late 1700s when there was extreme religious persecution and was written as a catechism song that could be sung without fear.

Each verse starts with “my true love gave to me.” “My true love” is a reference to God and the “me” in that verse is in reference to anyone who was baptized.

Starting on December 25:

Day 1: The partridge in a pear tree represents Jesus.

Day 2: The two turtledoves represent the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Day 3: The three French hens symbolize faith, hope and love.

Day 4: The four calling birds represent the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Day 5: The five golden rings represent the first five books of the Old Testament, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

Day 6: The six geese a-laying represent the six days of creation.

Day 7: The seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, prophecy, serving, teaching, exhortation, generosity, leading, mercy/compassion.

Day 8: The eight maids a-milking represent the eight Beatitudes, Matthew 5:3-10.

Day 9: The nine ladies dancing represent the nine fruits of the spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Day 10: The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.

Day 11: The eleven pipers piping represent the eleven faithful Apostles, Luke 6:14-16.

Day 12: The twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of the Apostles Creed.

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Purcell’s Lights From the Heart at Chandler Park will be open nightly until Tuesday, December 31, from 5:30-10 p.m. nightly.

Over two miles of lights are available to drive through.

Admission is free but donations are appreciated.

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This quick and easy recipe transforms leftover turkey and mushroom soup into a creamy, cheesy casserole the whole family will love.

Turkey Tetrazzini

1 pound spaghetti

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

1 pound mushrooms, sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2-3 cups chopped cooked turkey

2 (10.5 ounce) cans cream of mushroom soup

1 cup sour cream

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup peas, optional

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, optional

1⁄2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Set aside.

Cook the spaghetti per the package instructions to 2 minutes before al dente. Drain and set aside.

While the spaghetti cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet with the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

Add the mushrooms and cook for 6-8 minutes or until the mushroom liquid has mostly evaporated (stir every 2-3 minutes). Stir in the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes more.

Stir in the chopped turkey, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and chicken broth, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix in the peas last, if using.

Combine the cooked spaghetti and turkey mixture in the prepared baking dish. Toss until the spaghetti is evenly coated.

If using, top with the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until bubbly and the cheese is lightly browned. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.