• A new weekly paper, The Henryetta News, published its first issue on Dec. 11. Edited by Rev. A. R. Garrett, a Baptist minister and former editor of the Dewar News, the publication announced plans to move its plant to Henryetta in the coming days. Rev. Garrett continued to balance his pastoral duties in Dewar while operating the paper, linking church life with community journalism.

• The Okmulgee Daily Times promoted its Christmas bargain by offering a “Flossie Flirt” mama doll to any girl who secured three one‑year subscriptions, one of them new. The doll was described as lifelike – able to walk, talk, sleep and roll her eyes – and stood 19 inches tall. The ad encouraged parents, relatives and friends to help children collect subscriptions, promising immediate delivery of the doll as a holiday gift.

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• Three Henryetta High School speech students were recognized for their strong performances at a tournament held Dec. 5 at Northeastern Oklahoma State University in Tahlequah. David Gaither advanced to the finals in Dramatic Interpretation, while Dana Francis proudly brought home a first-place trophy in Standard Oratory. Danny Crawford also reached the finals in Original Oratory, and the newspaper featured a staff photo of the three students together, celebrating their achievements.

• The Henryetta High School Vocal Music Department, directed by D.C. Riley, presented a special Christmas program for the Henryetta Li- ons Club at their Tuesday noon meeting. Ninth-grader Karen Lay and Treva Peterson performed a duet titled “The Carpenter Boy,” while the program also featured several traditional Christmas selections. Riley closed the event with a rendition of an “Indian Christmas Carol,” bringing a festive spirit to the gathering.

— 25 Years Ago (2000) • During Henryetta’s Centennial Celebration kickoff, 100 helium balloons were released, each carrying a card from the Henryetta Daily Free‑Lance. One balloon traveled an extraordinary 966 miles in just 18 hours before being discovered in a tree near Kenna, W.Va., by Ronnie Kerns and his son while deer hunting. The family contacted their local paper to report the find, making it the only balloon known to have been recovered from the launch. The journey became a memorable symbol of Henryetta’s centennial reaching far beyond Oklahoma.

• The Children’s Choir of the First Church of the Nazarene presented the Christmas musical O’ Christmas Tree under the direction of Donna Whitworth. With 47 young voices, the choir sang joyfully while decorating a tree with symbolic trimmings tied to the story of Christ’s birth. Kristen Hill and Jeb Cook portrayed Mary and Joseph, adding to the heartfelt celebration of the season.

— 10 Years Ago (2015) • Henryetta Middle School Gifted and Talented students, along with the Academic Team, joined together to brighten the holidays for local seniors. Guided by teacher Mrs. Rogers, they collected donations, raised $500 and created nearly 100 handmade paper snowflakes to decorate nursing facilities. Every resident at Fountain View Manor and Bono’s Nursing Home received gifts, blankets and personal visits from the students, who sang carols and spread cheer.

• The Henryetta Golden Knights finished the 2015 football season 5-6, earning a playoff berth with comeback wins over Morris and Chandler. Sophomore tailback Avery Moore led the offense with 1,247rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, while Jarrett Day passed for 883 yards and nine scores. Wide receiver Brannon Murphy added 447 receiving yards and six touchdowns, including the dramatic last‑second catch that sealed the upset over Chandler. Despite a first‑round playoff loss to Vian, the season was remembered for resilience and thrilling victories.