Christmas has a way of slowing us down—if we let it.

Between the lists and the lights, the errands and the noise, this season still carries something quieter underneath it all. A reminder of who we are. Of who we belong to. Of what really matters.

This week’s Woodward Shoutouts is built around that idea.

You’ll find stories of neighbors showing up. Of faith lived out quietly. Of traditions that don’t need updating because they were never broken to begin with.

From events happening right here at home, to a Christmas story from long ago that still speaks straight to the heart, this issue leans into nostalgia—not to look backward, but to remember what’s worth carrying forward.

We hope it feels like a deep breath.

And maybe, like coming home.

🗓️ Happenings Around Town

Christmas week in Woodward doesn’t shout. It gathers. It invites. It reminds us to slow down.

Here are a few local events worth stepping out for before the week gets away from us:

🎄 Christmas on the Plains – Open House

Plains Indians & Pioneers Museum | 2009 Williams Ave

A warm walk through history, dressed for Christmas. The museum’s open house is a quiet reminder of how families on the Plains celebrated the season—simply, faithfully, and together. A good stop for all ages.

🐮 Come Cuddle Emma the Baby Mini Cow

6th & Main Street

Sometimes joy really is simple. A baby mini cow, Christmas lights, and kids laughing downtown. If you’re looking for a lighthearted stop—especially with little ones—this one delivers smiles.

🎶 A Country Christmas

1610 2nd St., Woodward | Thursday Morning

Old-fashioned Christmas music. Familiar tunes. A touch of nostalgia. This event leans into the sounds of the season the way many of us remember them—unrushed and heartfelt.

✝️ Live Theater: Behold the Lamb of God

400 Downs Ave., Woodward | Sunday Morning

A powerful retelling of the Christmas story through live performance. Reverent, moving, and centered on the reason for the season. A meaningful way to prepare your heart before Christmas week.

🥓 Ham Cook-Off & Bi-Weekly Dart Tournament

610 Main Street | Sunday Afternoon

Community, competition, and a little fun. This one brings folks together the old-fashioned way—good food, friendly rivalry, and neighbors enjoying time together.

🎨 Children’s Christmas Program & Art Class

Waynoka & Woodward Area

For families with kids, these programs offer a chance to celebrate Christmas through creativity, music, and faith—giving children memories that last longer than toys.

She Was Left on the Road—But Not Forgotten

Sisa didn’t ask for much.

She was found on a county road outside Woodward. Pregnant. Confused. Left behind.

WOoF Pet Rescue didn’t have room. But they couldn’t turn her away.

So they did what people of good conscience often do—they figured it out.

Sisa gave birth to nine puppies. Today, she’s still there, along with four of her boys, safe and cared for because a local rescue chose compassion over convenience.

There’s no spotlight here. No big campaign. Just steady work. Feeding. Cleaning. Caring. Showing up.

Stories like this remind us that kindness doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it looks like opening a gate when your hands are already full.

Especially at Christmas, it’s worth remembering: the measure of a community is how it treats the most vulnerable—whether they walk on two legs or four.

If you’ve been thinking about adopting, fostering, donating, or simply sharing the word, WOoF Pet Rescue is doing the kind of quiet work that keeps hope alive in our corner of Oklahoma.

Big Takeaway

Mercy is a choice—and someone always benefits when we choose it.

Take a Moment to Watch

If you have a minute this week, take the time to watch the short video of Sisa, shared by WOoF Pet Rescue.

It’s not polished. It’s not dramatic.

But it shows something real—a dog who was left behind, and a group of people who chose not to look away.

Stories like this remind us what compassion looks like when it’s lived out quietly. Especially at Christmas.

Sometimes all it takes is a few minutes to be reminded that kindness is still at work in our community.

While holiday celebrations often fill Oklahoma with cheer, many seniors face deep loneliness during Christmas.

AARP data reveals that nearly one in three adults feels lonely this season, while a staggering 60% of nursing home residents receive no personal visitors.

In Oklahoma, 24% of those aged 65 and older live in social isolation, a serious health risk linked to...

When Cousin Molly Answered the Letters

There was a time when children wrote letters not to corporations or customer service desks—but to a woman they trusted.

Her name was Cousin Molly.

In the winter of 1925, in Paducah, Kentucky, a young widow named Olive Cummins Anderson started a small newspaper column. She signed it “Cousin Molly,” a name that felt familiar.

Safe. Like family.

Children noticed.

They began writing to her.

They didn’t ask for much.

A coat.

A pair of shoes.

A warm meal.

A small toy for a younger brother or sister.

Some letters were written in careful pencil by little hands.

Others were dictated by mothers who couldn’t write well.

Many spoke plainly about hardship—fathers gone, money short, winters cold.

And Cousin Molly read every one.

She didn’t just print the letters. She acted.

She organized neighbors. She gathered donations. She made sure baskets were filled and delivered. Food. Clothing. Toys.

Hope.

What began as a column became something bigger—a Christmas fund, built not by institutions, but by ordinary people who believed children mattered.

There were no headlines about her generosity. No applause. Just work. Quiet, steady work.

Year after year.

By Christmas Eve, volunteers would gather. Churches would open their doors. Baskets would be packed. And children who had asked for almost nothing would wake up knowing someone had remembered them.

It wasn’t charity for attention’s sake.

It was community doing what community is supposed to do.

Reading those letters today stops you cold.

Not because they’re dramatic—but because they’re honest.

They remind us of a time when faith wasn’t loud. When kindness didn’t need a hashtag. When neighbors took responsibility for each other, especially at Christmas.

Cousin Molly didn’t solve every problem. But she showed up. And for thousands of children, that was enough.

This Christmas, her story reminds us of something simple and true:

The heart of the season has never been found in store windows or wrapped boxes.

It’s been found in people who read the letter—and decide to help.

Big Point

Christmas is strongest when compassion is personal.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” — Acts 20:35

🌸 Women’s Interest: A Story of Quiet Strength and Service

Vonda Fields Grantham: A Life of Faith, Community, and Quiet Leadership

In Amarillo, Texas, a woman named Vonda Fields Grantham was recently honored as Black Woman of the Year—not for headlines, but for the years she spent building up her community with kindness, faith, and service.

Vonda didn’t climb to prominence by seeking it. She showed up again and again—for people who needed someone steady.

Through local nonprofits, mentoring programs, and everyday acts of service, she helped young girls find confidence, supported families in crisis, and brought people together across generations.

Church members remember her not for speeches, but for prayer circles, casseroles delivered to struggling families, and the quiet encouragement she offered to anyone who felt unseen. Her influence was measured not in applause but in lives strengthened and hearts lifted.

Why this matters: In a world that often values flash over substance, Vonda’s story reminds us that the greatest strength is often felt, not heard. Her life was a testament to faith in action—day after day, with humility and grace.

Theme you can build on: Quiet dedication changes lives.

"Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family." - Kofi Annan

🛠️ Men’s Interest: A Story of Perseverance and Character

Scott Fedor: Turning a Life-Altering Injury into Purpose

Scott Fedor’s life changed in an instant: a broken neck from a diving accident left him paralyzed at age 33. What many would see as a final blow, Scott saw as a crossroads. Instead of letting despair take hold, he leaned into faith, inner strength, and purpose.

Scott refused to let his injury define him. After recovery, he became a motivational speaker, author, and advocate for those facing adversity. His book, Head Strong: How a Broken Neck Strengthened My Spirit, captures how a catastrophic moment became the foundation for deeper resilience.

Today Scott speaks to corporations, schools, and faith communities about navigating change, finding hope through hardship, and the power of refusing to quit. What could have ended his story instead opened doors—leadership roles, speaking engagements, and a life that inspires others every day. 

Why this matters: Scott didn’t just survive his hardship—he used it to lift up others. That’s the kind of quiet courage and fortitude we all need, especially in moments when giving up feels simple.

Theme you can build on: Perseverance isn’t loud—it’s relentless.

As Christmas draws closer, it’s worth remembering that the season has never belonged to the loudest voices or the biggest displays.

It has always belonged to people who show up.

To the woman who reads the letter and decides to help.

To the man who keeps going, even when no one notices.

To the families who gather, the churches that open their doors, and the communities that choose care over convenience.

That spirit still lives here. You can see it in these stories. You can feel it in our town.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to slow down with us this week.

Thank you for being part of a community that still believes faith matters, neighbors matter, and kindness is never wasted.

From all of us at Woodward Shoutouts, we wish you a Christmas filled with peace, meaning, and the quiet joy that lasts longer than the wrapping paper.

“As we close out this week before Christmas, take a moment to breathe and appreciate the small acts of kindness around us.”

Big Truth to Carry With You:

Christmas is strongest when love is personal.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” — John 1:5

Love,

Matt West