LCJ newsletter 1-8-2025

Wednesday's newsletter

Daily Bible verse

Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

John 9:37-38

Today’s inspirational quote

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.

—Helen Keller

Blast from the past

1998 Heavener High School most athletic Stephanie Davis and Adam Dehart. If you have an old picture from Heavener or the area, email it to craig@heavenerledger.com.

Times…they changed

By CRAIG HALL

As a young lad, or even a young adult, I never imagined how far advanced we would be. Not me personally, but society. I tend to be lacking.

Hall about it

I was pondering this today and realized probably half my life went by before we had internet. Instead, we had newspapers and magazines. It did not offer the immediacy of a website, but I still remember how I would wake up each morning, fetch the newspaper and peruse the news, sports, etc.

I do like knowing things when I want to know them, but not having a morning or evening newsletter are the biggest negatives of growing older.

I never would of thought we would be able to talk to other people by using a device that looks like the phasing instruments from Star Trek. I remember the old cartoons featuring Dick Tracy, he was the forerunner. He had a large instrument on his arm so he could talk to others, check the time and even more things, but I don’t remember them and don’t care enough to go research it.

Now, I have a device attached to my body that instantly tells me what my blood sugar is and what it has been for a certain period back. Alas, sometimes it errs, as do most things. My alarm for low blood sugar went off last night. I checked it out and it said my blood sugar was 42. I felt pretty good, however. That was the lowest reading ever. Usually, my blood sugar gets below 70, I feel like el crappo.

Chugged me a Pepsi and ate a sandwich just to be safe. It lifted my blood sugar to like 130, but then the low alarm went off. This time, it said the blood sugar was 90, only a few minutes later. I self tested with the traditional method and my blood sugar registered fine.

So all these newfangled things are not failproof.

My car tells me when I forget to buckle my seatbelt. It also tells me to watch out for ice or snow on the road or bridges if the temperature drops to a degree. I grew us using a paper map. Now, I just type in my destination and the map guides me to my destination. It works great, except when people type my address in the GPS as it delivers guests a couple of blocks away from my house.

I can get on Google Earth and explore places I am interested in without leaving the comforts of my home. I also lived a good part of my life without computers. My first one was a Commodore 64. Now, I can play video games from all corners of the world, if I choose to do so. I was playing some kid in the new college football game the other day. He was wearing headphones. I wasn’t. But I could hear him say some cuss words I didn’t even know when I scored a touchdown, intercepted.

I can use my cell to call or text somebody across the world, not that I particularly care to do so. I got a rip-off of the Apple Watch that lets me read texts, answer calls, count my steps every day, even read my heart readings, calories burned and other stuff I have not figured out yet.

Also, I can take a photograph with my cell phone, edit said photo and send it to whoever is on my call list or post to social media.

I also never expected to see the impact of social media. I don’t use Facebook, like most of my peeps, but I do glance at Twitter far too often as Facebook is just not as interesting. If I want to know where Joe Blow ate dinner, I shall ask. I do not need to read about it, or see a picture of what was on Joe’s plate.

Plus, you have all these likes us on Facebook messages for practically every busy. It gives no reason why one should like their establishment on Facebook, therefore, I don’t. Now, it should say like and follow us on Facebook for exclusive deals, etc., then, I would follow. Probably not all that close, but I would show a tad bit of interest.

Years ago, we listed to music on record players, back before 8-track players, tape players and CD’s were into existence. Now, records are back. I guess 8-tracks are on deck. I am currently listening to music and news on an Alexa. I do not have a clue how it works, just now I have to say “Alexa, play ________.” And it does.

I also did not think it would be possible to watch a movie at home without it being on cable television or rented through a tape store like Blockbuster. Blockbuster bit the dust because it did not evolve with the times and now I can watch movies through streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime. We had three channels when I was growing up and those channels went off the air at midnight with the playing of the national anthem.

Obituary for Bob Burns

Funeral service for Bobby Jerald “Bob” Burns, 82, of Wister is 10 a.m. Thursday at Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Gene Heflin and Darren Burch officiating. Burial will follow in Heavener Memorial Park, with military honors provided by Poteau D.A.V. Chapter 63. Arrangements are under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.

He was born Feb. 23, 1942 in Neosho, Missouri to Fred and Barbara “Burbie” (Harris) Burns and passed away Jan. 6, 2025 in Wister.

Bob was a life-long resident of the area and a veteran of the United States Navy, serving his country in the Vietnam era, earning several military awards. He married Marki, the love of his life, on May 29, 1963. Bob became a long-haul truck driver and drove about 42 years before owning his own trucking company. He received numerous driving safety awards as well as Oklahoma driver of the year. Bob was ordained to be a Deacon at Victory Baptist Church in 1983, where he served until his death. He loved spending time with his family as well as his church family. Bob always looked forward to the get-togethers he and his brother and sisters enjoyed nearly every month.

Survivors are one daughter Roberta Burch and husband Darren of Howe; one son Mark Burns and wife Dana of Wister; three sisters Barbara Thompson of Heavener, Bettye Glinski and husband John of Poteau, and Pauline Fowler and husband Wayne of Heavener; one brother, Harold Burns, of Heavener; three grandchildren Jesse Burch, Jake Burch and wife Mallary, and

Brennon Burns and wife Catelyn; one great-granddaughter, Magnolia June Burns; numerous other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of nearly 59 years, Marki Burns; his oldest brother, L.J. Burns; two sisters-in-law, Delora Burns and Gayle Burns; and one brother-in-law, Donnie Burns.

Pallbearers are Bob Fowler, Kelly Burns, Jimmy Wells, Brennon Burns, Jesse Burch and Darrel Dodson.

Viewing is from noon until 8 p.m. Wednesday with the family visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

To sign Bob’s online obituary, please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.

LeFlore County scoreboard

LeFlore County sports scores for games played 1-7-2025

Basketball

Boys

Panama 63, Arkoma 15

Cave Springs 64, Bokoshe 50

Keota 64, Cameron 57

Heavener 56, Wilburton 46

Red Oak 45, Howe 33

Eufaula 54, Poteau 38

Girls

Panama 54, Arkoma 14

Cave Springs 72, Bokoshe 14

Cameron 37, Keota 33

Heavener 58, Wilburton 37

Howe 66, Red Oak 54

Eufaula 57, Poteau 34

To send an addition or correction, text (918) 649-4712 or email craig@heavenerledger.com.