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BARKtoberfest, a howling-ghoul time for pups and people
A: Main, News
October 16, 2025
BARKtoberfest, a howling-ghoul time for pups and people
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER

Porches & Pastures hosted their 7th Annual BARKtoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 11and lots of locals and visitors had a howling-ghoul time as they listened to live music from Last Call Band and browsed through tables full of items for their silent auction and yearly fundraiser.

There was something for everyone at the event. For the adults there was televised college football and a beer garden by Highway Liquor in Okemah with proceeds of beer pours going to Porches for Pups. For the kids and those young at heart, there was a kid’s zone with carnival games, a bounce house, a pumpkin patch and train rides. There were also several vendors and food trucks from Say Cheese OK, Just Wingin’ It, Miss Tammy’s Lunch Wagon, Witts End Brew Lab and Chef Easton’s.

Four-legged friends and owners also enjoyed a doggie cake walk, a dog biscuit eating contest and a costume contest. This year wiener dogs took home bragging rights in the competition with first place going to Hotdogs for Sale. Second place went to the Wizard of Oz and third place was Lifesavers Duo. All the dog costumes were clever and cute.

There were also multiple animal rescue organizations on-site with fur babies waiting for their fur-ever homes. Volunteers from Paws N Claws – Eufaula, OK that help with the Eufaula Pound were also set up to help register city dogs in case they were ever separated from their families. 19 signed up for free.

BARKtoberfest once again pulled the community together to celebrate pups of all shapes and sizes and to shine a light on the Porches for Pups initiative, to help every pup find its own porch to call home!

“We had a fantastic turnout!” Organizer Stephanie Fine said. “The event isn’t really about raising money. It’s about our community having fun with our fur babies while focusing on animal adoptions and welfare. We have a lot of animals in our area and state who desperately need homes and they deserve good ones. We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who came out to make this day possible.”

Special thanks to all these sponsors for making BARKtoberfest a huge success: AMP Mechanical Arvest Bank A-Z Inspections Docks N’ Moor Farm Bureau of Muskogee | Scott Abbott 4 Season’s Appraisals | Marcie Arnold Freedom Ford of Eufaula Guarantee Pest Control Guild Mortgage | James Oldham Hard Rock Hotel & Casino of Tulsa Heritage Waste Management Highway Liquor of Okemah H&P Mechanical Hunn Black & Merritt Funeral Home & Crematory Lake Eufaula Association Last Stop Store Lemings Heating & Air Conditioning L&W Cleaning Mama Tig’s Wood Fired Pizza Nations Title Agency of OKC Pat’s Liquor Paws N Claws-Eufaula, OK Porches & Pastures Real Estate Porches for Pups Sovereign Abstract & Title of McIntosh Co Stites Home Furnishings The Bank, N.A.

The Patch Trustmark Title

About Porches for Pups

The Porches for Pups Foundation is a passion project turned nonprofit that Porches and Pastures Real Estate created to help make a positive difference in the homeless pet crisis. Donations to the Porches for Pups Foundation help fund food, temporary shelter, spaying and neutering costs and sometimes veterinary bills.

The organization was founded with the heartfelt mission of raising awareness for animal welfare and supporting local animal rescue organizations. Inspired by their beloved pup, Hanna, who filled their lives with joy and countless cherished memories, they wanted to give back to the animals that still need loving homes in the local area. Through this non-profit, they aim to not only shine a light on the important work of rescue organizations but also offer financial assistance to ensure they have the resources to continue their life-saving efforts.

The mission of Porches for Pups is to provide financial assistance to area animal shelters, animal adoption organizations, and animal rescue efforts to help with the prevention of cruelty to animals.

Porches for Pups hope to bring awareness and support to the general public, relating to the need for the improvement of animal welfare in and around McIntosh County and beyond.

Memorial Highway dedicated to two outstanding officers
A: Main, News...
Memorial Highway dedicated to two outstanding officers
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
December 4, 2025
Former Chief of Police Andy Blizzard and Assoc. Chief of Police Justin Durrett were honored by Oklahoma State legislators and the City of Checotah last month during a Memorial Highway Dedication on No...
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’68 Checotah graduate creates scholarships
December 4, 2025
Patricia Freeman, a 1968 graduate of Checotah High School and longtime advocate for education, has announced a generous pledge to support first-generation students at the University of Oklahoma. Patri...
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A: Main, News...
Haltom’s Huddle Holiday Food Drive
December 4, 2025
Sports Editor Rodney Haltom continues his personal mission to help feed those in need during the upcoming holiday season in McIntosh County. He has launched a food drive, seeking canned or dry food th...
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A: Main, News...
Angels are still available
December 4, 2025
Every holiday season angels aren’t just around fellow believers, they are also the symbols placed on Christmas trees around town in hopes that everyone’s Christmas is merry and bright. Whether it’s a ...
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Locals give big this Thanksgiving
A: Main, News...
Locals give big this Thanksgiving
December 4, 2025
The first Checotah Turkey Dinner Drive was a huge success, serving over 212 families. It all started with the EBT scare that families wouldn’t have enough money for food this last month but it turned ...
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Lake Eufaula Association announces first-ever Christmas Tour of Homes
A: Main, News...
Lake Eufaula Association announces first-ever Christmas Tour of Homes
December 4, 2025
The Lake Eufaula Association is thrilled to announce our 1st Annual Christmas Tour of Homes, happening Thursday, December 11th from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM. This brand-new holiday event celebrates the beau...
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Gone, but not forgotten
News
Gone, but not forgotten
December 4, 2025
Recently the Checotah High School Drama Club produced their first short film “Gone” which was enjoyed by friends and family in the local community theatre. When asked why they wrote the film Chloe And...
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News
Reminder: Christmas play Dec. 4
December 4, 2025
The Eufaula High School Speech & Drama Club is proud to present 10 Ways to Survive the Holidays, a festive comedy written by acclaimed playwright Don Zolidis. This production is staged by special arra...
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News
Commission launches program restoring natural ecology in wetlands
December 4, 2025
Oklahoma City — The Oklahoma Conservation Commission (OCC) has launched the Restoring Natural Ecology in Wetlands (ReNEW) Program, a new initiative offering technical and financial support for a varie...
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If college football won’t settle it on the field, maybe the courts should
commentary
If college football won’t settle it on the field, maybe the courts should
December 4, 2025
Normally I don’t think government and sports should mix, but in the current college playoff system, including mostly public schools, it may be time. College football has always been controversial in t...
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Work can wait
commentary
Work can wait
December 4, 2025
For the last year I have plugged away at being the “Paper Lady” by covering community events for our local newspapers day after day. I have written 49 personal columns so far and countless articles co...
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