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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.

Local church supports those with disabilities
A: Main, News...
Local church supports those with disabilities
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
July 17, 2025
Last week His Ability Ministries with Checotah First Assembly of God offered training for disability friendly churches with Lonnie and Janet Nance from Unlimited Ministries of Springfield, Missouri. L...
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Checotah says goodbye to cowboy legend Bill Duvall
A: Main, News...
Checotah says goodbye to cowboy legend Bill Duvall
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
July 17, 2025
Memorial Service for Bill Duvall Friday, July 18 at 11 a.m. First Baptist Church, Checotah When Bill Duvall was called to meet His Maker in the Great Round Up in the sky this past Sunday, Checotah los...
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Whole Hawg Days on the horizon
A: Main, News...
Whole Hawg Days on the horizon
July 17, 2025
Get ready for another funfilled weekend as the 41st Annual Whole Hawg Arts & Crafts Festival prepares to get underway, Friday and Saturday, July 25-26. The festival will consist of Arts & Crafts, a ro...
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A: Main, News...
Annual Memorial Service planned at Honey Springs Battlefield
July 17, 2025
Honey Springs Battlefield will hold its annual memorial service on Saturday, July 19, at 10:30 a.m. to honor the 162nd anniversary of the Battle of Honey Springs near Checotah. The service will be hel...
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A: Main, News...
Man facing obscenity charges
July 17, 2025
Ryan Troy Dick, a 52-yearold Sallisaw resident, is being held in the McIntosh County Jail pending his preliminary hearing on charges related to indecent photographs and videos sent to a former girlfri...
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A: Main, News...
Carey trial set on rape charge
July 17, 2025
Arnold Willard Carey Jr., 28, waived his right to a preliminary hearing on July 9 and his rape case was placed on the Sept. 29 sounding docket for the next trial. The McIntosh County resident has been...
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Juvenile dies following accident near Longtown
July 17, 2025
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports that a juvenile, whose name and age are being withheld, was fatally injured in a single-vehicle accident that took place at about 10:30 p.m. on July 4. The deceased...
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Checotah bandies recognized at TMALA
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Checotah bandies recognized at TMALA
July 17, 2025
Class of Checotah band students were recently recognized at Texoma Marching Arts and Leadership Academy (TMALA). TMALA Band Leadership was led by Ryan Edgmon, Director of Bands for Mustang Public Scho...
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Supporters walk to raise awareness against sexual assault
News
Supporters walk to raise awareness against sexual assault
By SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER 
July 17, 2025
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation held its Sexual Assault Awareness Walk (SAAM) last Friday, July 12, at 12 p.m. in Posey Park. The event was originally scheduled for April but was rained out. Community sup...
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News
Oktaha Trinity Baptist Church Vacation Bible School
July 17, 2025
The Great Jungle Journey An Epic Cruise from Genesis to Revelation July 21- 25 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Ages: 4-12 years Dinner will be provided.
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Preliminary hearing set for man charged with murder
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Preliminary hearing set for man charged with murder
July 17, 2025
Following a competency hearing on July 9, Wilburton resident Glen Edward Calvin, 54, was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing in McIntosh County District Court at 2 p.m. Aug. 20. On a charge of...
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