Barbara Mae Crary Dingman

Barbara Mae Crary was born on October 1, 1939, to Kelly Eugene Crary and Velma Vera Chase in Great Bend, Kansas. She passed away on December 23, 2025, at the age of 86.Barbara’s family moved to Sparks, OK, where she graduated high school and met James Richard Dingman.

Editorial

Openness should be the standard not the exception when it comes to meetings and records of public bodies.We see and hear of boards, councils, other public bodies that either ignore or attempt to skirt the Open Meetings and Records Act.

Family time

A year ago this time, I wrote it was going to be the Christmas ever. Well, it was a good Christmas, because our family got to spend some time together.But it was also tempered somewhat.

Festival open for submissions

Early submissions are now open for the Oklahoma Teen Film Festival, a contest put on through coordination between the University of Central Oklahoma’s (UCO) Department of Mass Communication and dead-Center Film, according to a press release from UCO.

Chandler board of education meeting

The Chandler School Board approved a memorandum of understanding with the Chandler Education Foundation to direct money to the Performing Arts Center at its regular meeting on Dec. 8.

Town Talk

The Stroud Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce a new event this year, a Christmas Cookie Walk. This will take place on Thursday, Dec. 11, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Main Street, Stroud. Downtown businesses will be serving treats while you enjoy the lights.

School board filings

Candidates for school board positions in Lincoln and Pottawatomie Counties have filed.In Lincoln County, the following candidates filed. The positions are for Office No. 1 unless otherwise noted.Agra, Kyle Herrmann, unopposed. Herrmann is the incumbent now.Carney, Stacy Knox, Jesse Townsend.

Volunteers

As I was thinking about what to write for my column this week, I got to visiting with my wife Pat and she mentioned a topic that was timely. That was volunteerism.

Basic training

Fifty-five years ago today, Dec. 4, is a day that will be lodged in my mind forever. It’s the day I arrived at Fort Polk, La., to begin basic training for the 95th Division Army Reserve unit in Shawnee.I had signed up for a six-year stint in the Reserve unit on March 7 of that year.

Town Talk

It’s time for this year’s Parks Brothers “Santa Paws and Pals.” Come get your picture taken with your favorite pet and enjoy some delicious refreshments. The event will take place on Saturday, December 6th from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Parks Brothers Funeral Home is located at 504 North 8th Avenue.