THE FAMILY OF Vonia V. Johnson expresses their sincere gratitude and appreciation for acts of kindness extended to them during the illness and passing of their loved one. A special thanks goes to Pastor Gary D. Hall Sr. and members of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church; the Rev. B.W. Noble, a long-time family friend; Dr. Gary Lambert and staff; Grace Living Center; Good Shepherd Hospice and the staff of Ragsdale Funeral Center. Thank you for your prayers, gifts and kindness during our time of sorrow. Cordell Johnson, Margaret Livingston, Evelyn Jackson, Howard Johnson, grandchildren and other family members

WE THE FAMILY of the late David J. Tillman thank St. Mark Baptist Church, WISH, employees of the Department of Veteran Affairs Regional Office, all friends, neighbors and acquaintances for all your donations, food, help and support during our time of sorrow.  We can never thank you enough. Special thanks to Biglow Funeral Directors Inc.                             The Fields/Tillman family

THE FAMILY OF Verlie M. Powers sends our sincerest thanks for the comfort, care and love shown to our beloved mother and grandmother during her illness. Thanks to Eastgate Manor and staff, Muskogee Regional Medical Center ICU staff, physicians and a special thanks to the Rev. Delbert Hawpe and the Christian women of Bethel Christian Center Women’s Auxiliary, the Singers, Foster-Petering Funeral Home and all our friends and family for the flowers, cards, food, thoughtfulness and prayers at this difficult time. We are sincerely thankful to all of you. The family of Verlie M. Powers

TO THE BEST friends and people anywhere, I thank each and every one of you for being who you are. You show the true spirit of this season year around. To Romine and everyone at Mainstreet Office, my most sincere gratitude. Thank you again very much. Joe Dale

ON BEHALF OF the Muskogee Regional Medical Center Auxiliary,  we want to thank the elementary students of Oktaha Public Schools for the wonderful boxes of snacks they have collected and donated to be placed in the waiting rooms during the holiday season.   These young students are truly learning the value of giving through the examples of their teachers and administrators who encourage these thoughtful deeds. We hear so many compliments from visitors in the waiting areas who are able to enjoy the snacks as they wait sometimes very long hours with their loved one who is in the hospital.   Great job, Oktaha elementary students. Your kindness has been enjoyed by dozens of family and friends who sometimes may not have the money to buy snacks or who do not want to leave their patient to obtain snacks. I am so proud to say that I live in the Oktaha School District. Keep up the good work Gay Bannon, director of volunteer services, MRMC

THE FAMILY OF Kelly Downing thanks Rep. Wade Rousselot for his work in getting a seven-mile section of Oklahoma 251A named after Kelly. We also thank the Coweta Chapter of Rolling Thunder motorcyclists for their part in paying tribute to our brother. Also, all of our friends for being there to see this honor presented to Kelly’s family. This makes the sacrifice of Kelly’s life in Vietnam in May 1967 even more precious. Our memory of Kelly will be cherished not just by our family but by everyone that drives down the Kelly Downing Memorial Highway. Also a thank you for the wonderful articles in the Phoenix. Thanks to all for honoring our fallen hero, Kelly Downing. Mark, Johnna, Brad and Jeremy Downing; Lindsay Niles; Sandy (Downing) Brumback; Sheryl Vassar; Bob Brumback

THE MUSKOGEE CHRISTMAS Home Tour committee thanks our community for support of the 34th annual Christmas Home Tour and 16th annual Christmas by Candlelight. Special thanks to hosts and hostesses: John and Ronda Engelbrecht, Dan and Lee Ann Langston, Greg and Linda Gaither, Eddie and Bubbles Rogers, Chad and Barbara Richardson, Jay and Maggie Williams, Mike Leonard and Ginger Batson, Ellen Kelley, and Harvey and Kay Price; entertainers: Ed Warren- Muriel Saunders Group and Ineta Bebb and the Acapella Singers; Mike Haley of Haley and Loyd Jewelers for pendant donation; ticket sales: Haley and Loyd Jewelers, First National Bank, Viva’s, Economy Pharmacy, Bella Mea’s, Just Imagine, I’m a Basket Case, Rustic Elegance, Citizen’s Security Bank; assisting at homes: CP board members, Etter Nottingham RSVP, ESA Sorority, and family and friends of host couples; greeters: Ben and Marcia Robinson, John Hunter, Shawn Allen and David Vanderford; Cowboy’s Bar-B-Q; Phoenix staff and all other volunteers. Donna Taylor, chairperson

THE EASTERN OKLAHOMA Chapter of Korean War Veterans thanks Kmart for their help in letting us set up at their store for our fundraiser. The funds will be used to help veterans and their families. We also thank our members who helped by selling tickets and the people who bought them. Congratulations to Johnnie and Mary Jean Webster for having the winning ticket. Sam Nodine, commander