logo
Login Subscribe
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Google Play App Store
VISTA steps up for Angel Tree
news
January 8, 2025
VISTA steps up for Angel Tree
By LYNN ADAMS SPECIAL TO THE NEWS

Especially at this time of year, it’s not difficult to envision the glory of the Lord that shepherds witnessed as they were abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

The angel that came unto them brought good tidings of great joy, spreading news of the greatest gift the world has ever received.

Volunteers In Service To America — VISTA — stepped up this year in an effort to provide great joy for Sequoyah County children who were included in the Angel Tree holiday assistance program. When not enough individuals or groups sponsored a child “angel,” VISTA stepped up to adopt the county’s 28 remaining angels, purchasing new toys, clothing, shoes or gift cards as part of the Christmas wish lists for children ages 12 and younger.

According to VISTA volunteer Bill Nowlin, donations and sponsorships received enabled VISTA to spend about $110 per child, children who would not have received gifts because their families cannot afford the expense.

“It’s a priceless opportunity, and thank you for caring and making differences in 28 young kids’ Christmas,” Nowlin told donors recently at a holiday gathering.

“This is not what our VISTA people are supposed to do, necessarily,” said VISTA sponsor representative Ed Kennedy from Carl Albert State College (CASC) and AmeriCorps. “But as [retired Muldrow superintendent] Clifta [Fugett] and I would say in the grant world, it’s a positive unintended outcome or consequence, and anytime you can do that, that’s icing on the cake for what you purposely do.”

Nowlin explained that VISTA became involved in the Angel Tree program after he saw on social media that “a bunch of angels hadn’t been adopted. So I called Eddie and said, ‘We need to do this,’ and then, obviously, everybody stepped up.”

Among the donors who helped fulfill the Christmas wishes for Angel Tree children were Aesthetic Dental Institute, Agent & Mallory-Martin Funeral Home, Randall Baker Shelter Insurance, Blue Ribbon Auto Group, Mazzio’s Pizza, Millison Castings Technology, Mosby Group Real Estate & Development, Sallisaw Lumber Company, Sallisaw Public Schools, former state representative Bud Smithson, and retirees A.J. Henshaw, Dr. Robert Nowlin and Ray Whitmire.

What is VISTA?

For those who recall the Peace Corps program from the early 1960s that trained and sent volunteers to developing countries to help with international development, Kennedy says VISTA “is kind of like Peace Corps on American soil.”

VISTA encourages people to serve in their community and do things in the region where they live.

Kennedy has a background in VISTA, having been involved with VISTA for more than 15 years, and spearheaded a grant application for VISTA through CASC. The grant provides direction for real-life alternatives, because “kids and parents need to understand and know the resources they have to get a college degree, to get a vo-tech opportunity, a CareerTech opportunity, to go to a place like Oklahoma State University Okmulgee Tech and/ or to get internships at a place like Millison or a Ford dealership or whatever the case may be.”

Kennedy recalls that the conversation about launching VISTA in Sequoyah County began more than 18 months ago.

“This project to Carl Albert, and/or to schools in LeFlore and Sequoyah counties, is worth over $300,000 a year, based on the fact that we’ve got people like Bill and Clifta and Deb Phillips and Nan Stites. Those are the four VISTA workers we currently have, and we’re bringing a marketing person on board in January. Those people are able to go out and help and do the things,” Kennedy says.

Kennedy, a retired teacher and superintendent himself, notes the invaluable experience Fugett and Phillips bring as retired superintendent and retired principal, respectively. In addition, he lauds Stites as a business education teacher, along with her connection to the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Sallisaw programs.

Both Kennedy and Fugett have worked with federal grant programs in Oklahoma, and are utilizing their experience to benefit VISTA.

Highway collapses due to rainfall
Main, news...
Highway collapses due to rainfall
By LYNN ADAMS SPECIAL TO THE NEWS 
July 2, 2025
Last weekend, two roads in southeastern Missouri, as well as in several other central states, buckled due to extreme heat. When what appeared to be a similar collapse of state Highway 82 between Mc-Qu...
this is a test
Main, news...
Illegal grow operation yields 656 pounds of marijuana
By AMIE CATO-REMER Editor 
July 2, 2025
A routine property visit led to the discovery of an illegal marijuana grow operation in the Marble City/Dwight Mission area last week, resulting in the seizure of over 650 pounds of processed marijuan...
this is a test
Gore man arrested for possessing child pornography
Main, news...
Gore man arrested for possessing child pornography
By AMIE CATO-REMER Editor 
July 2, 2025
A Gore man was arrested and booked into the Sequoyah County Detention Center after being found in possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), according to Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation ...
this is a test
Main, news...
Area fireworks, July 4 celebrations announced
July 2, 2025
TENKILLER – July 4 Fireworks at dark. Fireworks will be shot from Blackgum Landing. VIAN - July 3 Fireworks and Concert with Lane Lowder at Armstrong Park. Doors open at 6 p.m. and vendors will be on ...
this is a test
Pedestrian survives train accident
Main, news...
Pedestrian survives train accident
By LYNN ADAMS SPECIAL TO THE NEWS 
July 2, 2025
When the call goes out in an accident involving a pedestrian and a train, expectations are usually low that the result will not be a fatality. Last Tuesday was an exception, and is being hailed as “a ...
this is a test
Things you shouldn’t keep in your wallet
commentary
Things you shouldn’t keep in your wallet
By JANIS RISLEY FCS/4-H SEQ. CO. EXT. ED. 
July 2, 2025
Here are 15 things you should remove from your wallet and store in a safe place, depending on how often you need to access them: 1. Social Security card. You do not need it for daily use, and criminal...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
news
Gans among awardees of Civil Rights Trail Grant Program
July 2, 2025
The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) proudly announces that 28 organizations and communities have been awarded a grant through the Civil Rights Trail Grant Program. This total amount awarded of just ...
this is a test
Lamb joins Century 21 First Choice Realty
news
Lamb joins Century 21 First Choice Realty
July 2, 2025
Century 21 First Choice Realty is excited to welcome Whitney Lamb to the Sallisaw realty office. Lamb describes herself as being a dog mom, book lover and movie enthusiast while at home. “Most days yo...
this is a test
news
OMMA implements new emergency rules, effective immediately
July 2, 2025
OMMA (Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Association) has promulgated emergency rules to implement House Bill 2807 from the 2025 legislative session. Permanent rules will go into place in 2026. Pre-packaging ...
this is a test
news
Cherokee Nation launches official ‘Siyo, from the Rez’ podcast
July 2, 2025
The Cherokee Nation launched its official podcast, “Siyo, from the Rez,” with the release of the first two episodes June 16. From Cherokee artists, musicians, leadership and more, “Siyo, from the Rez,...
this is a test
news
Summer arrives in ‘Soaklahoma’
By LYNN ADAMS SPECIAL TO THE NEWS 
July 2, 2025
Those who complain about spring rains in Oklahoma are often met with the admonition: You won’t be saying that in August. Such is the rainy-drought cycle of Oklahoma. And with the onset today of summer...
this is a test
Facebook
Twitter
Tweets
Twitter
Tweets

VIAN TENKILLER NEWS
Address: 603 W. Schley Vian, Oklahoma
Phone:+1 918-773-8000

news@bigbasinllc.com

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Vian Tenkiller News

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy