Happy birthday to Carol DiRienzo, Aaron Perkins, Ryki Gay Hudson, Barbara Lambert, Jerrett Haynes, Candy McCurdy-Clark, Avery Wren, Carol Powell, Sally Abbott, Whitney Wollenberg, Jennifer Corn, Tina Swayze, Brynlee Shephard-Maxwell, Wyatt Mills, Darren Michael York, Sharon Barton, Jerod McGee, Tammy Kochn, Cheyanne Pace, Dahnevyn Pace and Maria Esther Aguinaga Torre.

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Fall Break is in full swing in the Heart of Oklahoma.

School kids are enjoying the last few days of sunshiny, warm weather before we head into cool, fall weather and won’t be looking out for drivers like they should.

This is where you come in.

Use extra caution as you drive around town and watch for kids bouncing basketballs or riding skateboarda.

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The next Purcell 2025 Art Walk is set for this Friday, October 17, from 6-9 p.m.

Get ready for an evening of art, shopping and vintage treasures at Art Walk returns to Purcell with a vintage twist!

This month’s event will feature vintage and antique dealers lining the streets, food trucks, arts and crafts, homemade goods and more—all in a family-friendly atmosphere that celebrates creativity and local businesses.

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The Purcell Public Library will present a program on Weather Wise Training Saturday, October 18, from 1-3 p.m,.in the meeting room of the library.

Join us as we create positive change in our community by planning and preparing for tornadoes and other severe weather. Learn the impact that weather awareness can have and see how your actions can make a big difference.

The library will be working with Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The program is for adults 18+.

For more information call 405-527-5546.

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McClain County Operation Christmas is now accepting applications.

The deadline to submit applications is November 24.

Applications are available at The Purcell Register, the McClain County Health Department, the Purcell Public Library, the OSU Extension Office and Delta Community Action Foundation in Purcell.

For more information contact Peggy Christian at 405-990-4001.

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This year’s Heart of Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Halloween of the Heart - Treats on the Trail will be held Saturday, November 1, from 3-6 p.m. at the Purcell Lake.

House-to-house trick or treating in Purcell will also be held on Saturday, November 1.

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The Purcell High School Show Choir will be sponsoring a spook house at the Boney Matthews Field House Friday and Saturday, October 24 and 25, with food trucks at 7 p.m. and the spook house from 8-11 p.m.

The house will also be open until midnight on Friday, October 31, Halloween night, following the football game and again on Saturday, November 1, from 8-11 p.m.

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Trick or Treating in Lexington will be held on October 31 from 6-8 p.m. at the Charlie McCown Park, 200 E. Broadway.

The event is sponsored by the Lexington FFA/4-H Booster Club and the Lexington Police Department.

For more information contact Randi Garver at 405-619-8276.

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Daylight Saving Time is Sunday, November 2.

Don’t forget to turn your clock back 1 hour before you go to bed Saturday night, November 1.

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The Pioneer Library System Foundation invites families to the 3rd Annual Royal Games, a free, family-friendly garden party for children and their caregivers, on Saturday, November 8, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Veterans Park in Newcastle.

This year marks the first time the Royal Games will be held in Newcastle.

This enchanting event will transport children and their caregivers into a world of princes, princesses, knights, and jesters through games, crafts, story time, and other hands-on activities.

Kids are encouraged to wear medieval or royal costumes to add to the fun.

For more information call the Purcell Public Library at 405-528-5546.

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With the weather threatening to start turning a little cooler, I thought this was the perfect recipe.

Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheddar Soup

4 cups broccoli florets cut into small bite sized pieces

1/2 yellow onion diced small

2 cups shredded carrots

4 cups chicken stock (or vegetable stock)

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/8 tsp nutmeg

3 TBSP unsalted butter

1/3 cup all purpose flour

1 cup half and half

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Combine the broccoli, onion, shredded carrots, chicken stock, salt, pepper, and nutmeg in the slow cooker and cook on low for four hours.

Turn the slow cooker to high.

In a small saucepan melt the butter. Slowly whisk in the flour. Get a cup of liquid from the slow cooker. Very very slowly add it to the sauce pan whisking it in as you go.  Then very slowly whisk in the half and half.

Add the flour/butter/half and half mixture to the crock pot and stir it in to combine.  Slowly add in the cheddar cheese. It works best to add about a 1/4 cup at a time, stir it in, cover the crock pot for a few minutes, and then add another 1/4 cup until you have used all the cheese.

After adding all the cheese, turn off the crock pot (no need to cook for the full half hour) and serve!

Note: Cheddar cheese shredded off the block works best in this recipe!