A special happy birthday to my funny, awesome grandson, Thomas Robert Montgomery.

Thomas celebrates his 8th birthday today, Thursday, August 1.

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Happy anniversary to John D. on Sunday, August 4!

August 4, 1979 in Norman at noon was just about as hot as you can get. Why we decided that was a good time to get married I’ll never know.

Probably wanted to make sure we didn’t interfere with the Oklahoma Sooners football schedule.

Doesn’t seem like 45 years have gone by since that day.Time flies when you’re having fun!

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Happy birthday to  Maria Reyes, Stella Bledsoe, Lidia Calixto, Donovan Farley, Martin F. Ibarra, Ana Mena, Jane Moates, Thomas Belfiore and Debbie Clagg.

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The 15th Annual Heart of Oklahoma Back 2 School Bash is this Saturday, August 3, from 5-8 p.m.

The event will be located at Main Street and 2nd Ave., across from the caboose between McClain Bank and the McClain County Courthouse in downtown Purcell.

There will be various activities, games and lots more.

Eight hundred backpacks with school supplies will be given away.

Everyone is welcome and everything is free.

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The Purcell Public Library will hold its annual Book Sale benefiting the Purcell Friends of the Library.

The sale will be held August 1-7 during regular business hours of the library.

Celebrate summer with some great books that are ready for their forever homes!

For more information call the Purcell Public Library at 405-527-5546.

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The Purcell Public Library will present “Creativity Unleashed: Where the Book Garden Grows” Saturday, August 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the meeting room at the library.

We all have an inner artist. Join us in discovering the endless possibilities of your creativity.

At this come-and-go event we will be painting garden bricks to look like our favorite books! Join us to produce your own work of art to have displayed in the community garden in front of our library.

Supplies and snacks will be provided. No prior experience is necessary for this program.

The program is for all ages.

For more information call 405-527-5546.

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The Purcell Public Library will present “Connection Corner: Bracelet Making” Thursday, August 8, from 12 to 2 p.m. in the meeting room at the library.

Join us as we come together to make bracelets and get to know people who share a similar interest. Discover new craft techniques and perspectives as we meet others to learn about their experiences while sharing your own.

Materials will be provided.

The program is for all ages.

For more information call 405-527-5546.

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This recipe is a zesty ranch and taco-seasoned chicken with black beans, corn, diced tomatoes and green chilies that you fix in the slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken

2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 cup yellow onion, diced

1 packet ranch seasoning mix

1 TBL taco seasoning

15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed

15 oz. can whole-kernel corn, not drained

14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, not drained

4 oz. can diced green chilies, drained

1 tsp. black pepper

2 tsp. garlic, minced

8 oz. cream cheese

Add onion to the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker and add the chicken on top.

Sprinkle ranch seasoning and taco seasoning over the top of the chicken. Pour black beans, corn, tomatoes, green chilies, black pepper, and garlic on top of the chicken. Then, place the cream cheese on top.

Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-6 hours.

Shred the chicken in the slow cooker with two forks and mix until well combined.

Serve over rice, tortillas or nachos.