As part of the Ferguson Good Government Symposium for seniors in high school on Nov. 14, we celebrated Oklahoma Statehood Day (Nov. 16).  Statehood was a major goal of the Fergusons as Territorial governor.  Mrs. Ferguson writes in Chapter one of her “They Carried the Torch”

“How much more is the responsibility and importance of the building of a great state which is built by the combined efforts of all its citizens, not by any one individual, or by any one city or county.  A state is but a gathering together of communities.  Each community contributes the building material, stone by. stone, bound together by the characters of the strong men of each community and going into the fabric of statecraft.  Particularly this is true of Oklahoma, which had no infancy, no childhood, but appeared upon the horizon fully grown and must begin its foundations at once.  Men must be ready with strong hearts, steady hands, and all with courage to begin the work without delay”…I believe this is still true today, and I would add “Strong Women”

This is a busy week for the Friends of the Ferguson. Thursday, Dec. 4 at 1 PM, the Friends host the Living Tradition Series of the Plains Collective.  James Black will share the history of the Cheyenne-Arapaho through ledger art.  Wilber Bullcoming will describe the symbolism of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Flag.  There will be a cultural tasting including ground buffalo bites served over rice.  Then there will be “decadent” desserts. Albert Old Crow and Roy Espy will oversee the program.  Please see Janine Espy for details.

Thursday, Dec. 4, the Friends of the Ferguson will meet for the monthly regular meeting of the Friends of the Ferguson to continue to plan for 2025.

On Friday, Dec 5, as part of the lighting of the holiday tree, there will be a. wagon that will carry festivity going from the Lions-Centennial Park past the Ferguson Chapel and on to the Ferguson Museum.  Activities start at 5:30 with lighting of the tree at 6:00 PM. 

On Saturday, Dec. 6, the Friends will have a booth at the Holiday Bazaar at the Fair Grounds from 9-3 PM.  We will have the model of the house decorated with lights and wreaths.  This will be a good time to renew your membership, vote for your favorite sponsored tree and make donations to continue the renovation of the 124-year-old building. 

And also at 10 AM on Saturday, there will be a breakfast with Santa at the Noble House.   See the flyer at Facebook.com/fergusonhomemuseum/

The Santa Schedule will include Friday, Saturday and Sunday appearances by Santa with pictures on the weekend of Dec. 12, 13, 14 and 19, 20 and 21. 

Originally published in The Watonga Republican Dec. 3, 2025