EDMOND — The annual lighting of the state Christmas tree is one of my favorite events of the year. For me, it marks the beginning of the joyous holiday season, and my wife Kim and I invite our fellow Oklahomans to take part in ushering in this most wonderful time of the year.
On Dec. 1., we will host the state Capitol Christmas tree lighting. Kim and I will be joined by school children from across Oklahoma for the ceremony, which will be about 6 p.m. on the south steps of the Capitol.
With the help of a group of Oklahoma foster children, Kim and I will light the 30-foot artificial evergreen, strung this year for the first time with energy-saving LED lights. Dozens of other trees across the Capitol complex also will be illuminated.
The festivities begin in the afternoon when school children from nearly 40 schools across the state travel to the Capitol to decorate trees throughout the building. The trees, once fully adorned, are unique, creative and reflect the joy of the holiday season.
While decorating trees, the children and adults will enjoy Christmas caroling, storytelling, music, dance, refreshments and a visit from Ol’ Saint Nick himself.
I would like to thank the event’s sponsors — Weyerhauser, the Oklahoma Department of Education, the Department of Central Services, the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, the state Arts Council and the staff of the Governor’s Office — for making a great Oklahoma Christmas tradition possible.
With Christmas and Hanukkah fast approaching, this is that special time of year when we celebrate our many blessings and reflect on the deep, abiding comfort and power of our faith. It is a time when we gather as families, friends and as a community to share the joy of the season. This is a celebration of the Oklahoma family, and we hope to see you there.
GOV. BRAD HENRY may be reached via his Web site at www.governor.ok.gov.
Opinion
Celebrate the holiday season
- Opinion
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OUR VIEW: Feb. 14 vote about ideas
If you read any of the letters to the editor in the past two weeks regarding Tuesday’s District 2 Edmond school board race, then you already know that this election is not about the individual candidates so much as it’s about what type of school board do Edmond residents really want governing their school district?
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What are your presidential 10 Commandments?
As we brace for the upcoming presidential campaign, we should be honest about our responsibility in the process. Before we get pushed, pulled, bribed, frightened, bullied, flattered, fooled or charmed into voting for a candidate, let’s take a mature thoughtful look at what the profile of the president should look like. In order to do that, let’s do an exercise. Sit down with a pencil and paper and draft your proposal for the Ten Commandments to be obeyed by the president. Let me share some of my suggestions.
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What would Reagan do today in Oklahoma?
As we celebrated the 101st anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s birth on Feb. 6, several of us at Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs started discussing what Reagan might do today. Here are some of the ideas we came up with.
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Consequences of an overregulated nation
Overreaching government regulations are costing jobs and killing our economy. They are a heavy burden on our nation and its citizens — in some cases worse than our nation’s increasingly out-of-control debt.
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LETTER: Supporter: Duncan shows passion for children’s needs
To the Editor:
The families in the Edmond Public School District are fortunate to have Kathleen Duncan as their advocate on the Edmond Board of Education. Duncan has worked tirelessly for the welfare and benefit of the Edmond schools’ students. -
LETTER: Teacher supports Duncan’s re-election
To the Editor:
On Feb. 14 patrons of District 2 have an opportunity to re-elect the current president of the Edmond School Board, Kathleen Duncan. Duncan has served as a board member for 10 years. When people move to the Oklahoma City area, they buy a home here because of the exceptional quality of Edmond Public Schools. This speaks to Duncan’s goal of “Excellence in Education for All Edmond Public School Students.” -
LETTER: Supporter: Duncan understands diverse issues
To the Editor:
Kathleen Duncan understands the diverse issues that effect our schools. She carefully studies the district’s issues and works tirelessly as an advocate for all students. Her votes as a board member have an impact for years to come and she takes that responsibility very seriously. - LETTER: Reader says incumbent's personal agenda in the way
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OUR VIEW: Feb. 14 vote about ideas
