Wouldn’t you agree that during the next three or four months most Americans will evaluate their physical status and at least think about improving their health?

Anna Alexander and Kevin Billins of McLoud anounce the birth of their son, Liam James Alexander Billins, August 30, 2009, at OU Children’s Hospital.

Amy and Stefan Pischedda of Shawnee announce the birth of a daughter, Mia Elise Pischedda.

Jason and Jennifer Gates of Oklahoma City announce the birth of a daughter, Lila Ryan Gates.

Katie McLaughlin and Jeff Cannon, both of Shawnee, were united in marriage August 1, 2009, at the First Baptist Church in Shawnee with the Rev. Dr. Kevin Tully presiding.

Hali and Michael Caspers Jr. of Tecumseh announce the birth of a son, Alexander Brody Caspers.

Katie and Brandon Baptiste of McLoud announce the birth of a daughter, Aftyn Patience Hanna Baptiste.

Brandy and Dallas Martin of Seminole announce the birth of a son, Blake Ryan Martin.

Members of the Chamber’s Downtown Beautification Committee work on Bell Street cleaning out the large flower pots and replacing the old with new.

The Pottawatomie County Extension Office will hold a Master Gardener program again this year.
The Master Gardener program is a volunteer organization for the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. Projects and volunteer work is approved by the extension educator in the county.

How should I care for my garden mums now that they have quit flowering?

As soon as garden chrysanthemums are done flowering, you may cut the plants back to 2 to 3 inches high.

Free trees will be distributed by the Greater Shawnee Area Chamber of Commerce beautification committee on Saturday, Oct. 31, beginning at 8 a.m. at the Shawnee Municipal Airport. The trees are provided by the Oklahoma Tree Bank Foundation and are funded by the Apache Foundation of Houston.

It’s been said knowledge is power.
The McBride Foundation will host a series of educational seminars focused on arthritis and related diseases.
The series will take place in four quadrants of the Oklahoma City metro area. It is free to the public and will give people the power they need to make the right joint care decisions.

I’m sure everyone will agree that a good health and fitness program begins with proper nutrition. 
It has been my experience that to control your weight and maximize the lean muscle on your body, nutrition accounts for 60 percent of the results, followed by resistance training, exercise, and physical activity making up the remaining 40 percent. 
“You are what you eat” definitely applies in today’s world of health and fitness.  

Preston and Erin Medley of Shawnee announce the birth of a daughter, Camryn Jewell Medley.
She was born August 25, 2009, at Renaissance Women’s Center in Midwest City. She weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces and was 19.5 inches long.
She is the granddaughter of Randall and Debbie Medley of Tecumseh and David and Linda Brown of Tecumseh.

Delbert and Varetta Rhodes of Bethel Acres celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary at a reception in the home of their daughter Tonya and El Roy Lane with friends and family on October 18, 2009.
Delbert and Varetta Sain were married October 16, 1954, in Chickasha.
Delbert met Varetta when he was a patient at St. Anthony Hospital, where Varetta was a student nurse.

Stephanie Dawn Bryant and Tracy DeWayne Bryant of Tecumseh announce the birth of a son, Major Rawlings Bryant.
He was borm at 8:05 a.m. August 12, 2009, at Unity Health Center’s North Campus in Shawnee. He weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces and was 19 inches long.

Newton and Marianne Sloat will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Sunday, October 25, 2009, in the Shawnee Room at St. Gregory’s University with vows at 2:30 p.m. and a reception from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Children of the couple are Brett Sloat of Norman, Lezlie O’Toole of Oklahoma City and the late Dale O’Toole.