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Judges give two thumbs up to 40th Annual Whole Hawg Days
A: Main, News
August 1, 2024
Judges give two thumbs up to 40th Annual Whole Hawg Days
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR

Cook-off judges Eddie Hartwick and Robert Campbell had high praise for the 40th Annual Whole Hawg Days, and they weren’t just talking about the chefs but the whole hawg, the fans, the car show, the arts and crafts festival.

“The whole event was great,” said Hartwick, a chef from Oklahoma City.

“We’ve been to events where it was hard to get through the day, but not this one,” said Oklahoma City restaurateur Campbell. “We don’t live in Eufaula, but we love Eufaula. This is our favorite contest to do every year. Everybody is friendly” And the pork competition is amazing.

“This year was the best, straight across the board,” said Hartwick. “You guys have gotta know, that pork loin and ribs you turned in were some of the best I’ve ever eaten anywhere in any competition.” Not only was the meat high quality, but the overall preparation was superb.

It might have had something to do with the weather.

Last year the temperatures were in the triple digits. This year they were 90 and cooler.

“You get it nice and cool like last night (Friday), you can regulate the (cooking) heat better, which is the way you want it, without having to fight the heat on the outside as well as the heat inside of the cookers. I don’t know how you were able to cook last year.”

There were 25 entries in this year’s cook-off and about a dozen chefs representing them in the competition.

This year Chef Charlie Urquhart was the outstanding cook. He and his crew represented seven entries, and three of those placed first, second and third. His team also captured People’s Choice Awards for best side dish, best dessert, and best ribs.

The only category Charlie didn’t win was People’s Choice Meat, which was won by the Eufaula Fire Department.

Those on the fire department’s team included Chief Chad French, Assistant Chief Jamie Upton, Windle Ballard, Hollis Ballard and Lee Vitoux Jr.

This year the Chamber of Commerce added a People’s Choice category to the cook-off. For a $10 fee, BBQ fans could select their favorite meat, side dish and dessert. With the winning cooks receiving $200 in each category. Two-hundred aspiring food critics entered the event.

People’s Choice Best Ribs went to the Bank of Eufaula; Best Dessert, Sam Wampler Ford and Best Meat Eufaula Fire Department.

While the cook-off is the essence of Whole Hawg Days, many other popular events have evolved over the years.

The Friday night Whole Hawg Days Parade attracted a huge crowd of on-lookers as well as a lot of floats. Again, the relatively mild weather is being credited with the success, along with statewide advertising for the festival.

Dogface Lawn Solutions won the first-place trophy; Women in a Boat second; Bee Well Family Health third and golf cart dressed like a pig, fourth.

The Whole Hawg Days Poker Run drew a lot of entries this year – 438.

Belinda Tidwell of Eufaula had the luck of the draw and took home $17,452 for first place.

Robert Odom, Checotah, was in 2nd place and took home $7,500.

The Chamber of Commerce Whole Hawg Days Car Show was as popular as ever. Almost 80 vehicles, old and new, of dozens of makes and models, hot rods, pickups, motorcycles packed Kiwanis Park Saturday.

The Eufaula Indian Community held its events at the EIC Center, where there were arts and crafts as well as chair volleyball.

And last, but definitely not least, was the arts and crafts fair at Posey Park, where vendors sold their products, youngsters rode ponies and merry go rounds and played in bouncy houses and water slides.

Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
B:, Sports...
Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
September 11, 2025
The Seminole Chieftains were lucky to go home with a 34-27 win over the Checotah Wildcats Friday night. Checotah’s penalties that accumulated to over 100 yards. The Wildcats moved the football up and ...
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D is for Duvall
A: Main, News...
D is for Duvall
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
September 11, 2025
When your last name is Duvall then you more than likely wear a cowboy hat, ride a horse and have sat in many rodeo arenas over several decades. So when word got out that the Jim Norick Arena was being...
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9/11 – Never Forget
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 11, 2025
At about 7 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, I strolled into the Las Vegas Sun newsroom where I worked as an entertainment reporter. The room was quiet, a palpable feeling of dread filled the air as the f...
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Checotah FFA earns historic award
A: Main, News...
Checotah FFA earns historic award
September 11, 2025
The Checotah FFA Chapter has been recently recognized in the 2025 National Chapter Award Program from the National FFA Organization. “We are so excited that the Checotah FFA was given a National 3-sta...
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Chief issues executive order to implement Treaty of 1866 Freedmen ruling
By PATRICK FORD SPECIAL REPORT 
September 11, 2025
Muscogee Nation Principal Chief David Hill has issued Executive Order No. 25-05, outlining the Nation’s plan to comply with a landmark Supreme Court decision requiring the incorporation of the Treaty ...
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Meeting of History & Artifact Enthusiasts
A: Main, News...
Meeting of History & Artifact Enthusiasts
September 11, 2025
Heartland Heritage Museum and Art Gallery 114 N. Broadway Checotah, Oklahoma Saturday, September 13 at 1 p.m. Don’t forget to join us for an afternoon of discovery and connection with others who share...
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Editor Picks
A site out of this world
A: Main, News...
A site out of this world
By MIKE BARNES 
September 11, 2025
In Eufaula, a town where gossip can outpace the mail, a story is slowly gaining momentum. It isn’t about the latest fishing tournament or Friday night football, but about a cosmic visitor called 3I/AT...
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Checotah FFA Cattle Grading Contest huge success
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Checotah FFA Cattle Grading Contest huge success
September 11, 2025
Over 900 students from across the state came to compete in the first annual Checotah FFA Cattle Grading Contest. “We couldn’t believe how many participants came for our first event,” Zachary Ilbery sa...
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Mild weather, just what the festival ordered
News
Mild weather, just what the festival ordered
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 11, 2025
Mayor James Hickman perhaps summarized best when he sent a letter of appreciation to Karen Weldin and the Vision Eufaula Board of Directors for one of the best Wine & Art Festivals held in the city. “...
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Lake Eufaula Out of Darkness Walk
September 11, 2025
Saturday, Sept. 20 On-site registration begins at 5 p.m. Out of Darkness Walk begins at 6 p.m. At Eufaula Cove Pavilion Special speaker, live music, resources Everyone welcomed to walk!
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News
LEA 2025 Golf Tournament Sept. 26
September 11, 2025
The 2025 Lake Eufaula Association Golf Tournament will be held Friday Sept. 26 at Arrowhead Golf Course, 3657 Main Park Rd. , Canadian. Registration is at 8 a.m., shotgun start is at 9 a.m. and lunch ...
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