Goodland GazetteGoodland GazetteThe The

1216 N 4200 Rd • Hugo, Oklahoma 74743 (580) 326-7568

ISSUE NO. 04APRIL 2009

The joy of the Lord is our strength! These words from the book of

Nehemiah remind us when we are at a loss and cannot see a clear path that God is whom we should turn to. Goodland has looked to God for over 160 years. We have seen good times and bad, but God is always faithful. 2009 has been a challenging year so far, but there are glimmers of God’s goodness in the midst of turmoil. God’s glimmers are just like a shot of hope that allow us to keep going. They give us a clear vision to see exactly what our mission is and what our goals are. First of all, the residential students are becoming better learners. Their grades have improved greatly from this point last year. We are very encouraged by these results. Math and English scores are up and we are seeing more and more students pushing themselves harder. For example, Odis has completed the prescribed amount of work necessary to complete the year, but he is choosing to continue on. When he started our school he was almost two years behind. Within a year and a half, he is almost caught up and will soon work at his grade level. In fact, he was recently boasting that he is starting algebra! He is so excited to be “caught up” in mathematics; you can see it all over his face. The most amazing point to this story is that Odis not only has accomplished so much, he

also understands what he has learned. This is a huge difference between public schools and us. We meet the young men

where they are and begin the education process there. We don’t force them into a grade level where they could never function and expect them to do well. Instead, we place them where they can succeed. Our students see the advantages of being very diligent in their work and push themselves to learn more and we see more than

e v e r the need for our ministry.It’s not all work though, two weeks ago, Goodland Academy won it’s first basketball c h a m p i o n s h i p since the 50’s! The boys were so excited that all of their hard practice and tenacity finally paid off. Our guys showed true faith in their practice and hard work because the season has been less than kind to them. They did not break .500, but they learned something even more important. They learned the

game is more fun if you play for the love of the sport rather than winning, that good sportsmanship is honorable to God and respectful to the opponent, and that faithfulness is rewarded. There are many other events and programs that are doing very well. The Boy Scout program has taken a new direction and has a new charter number, Troop 84. We have a very full summer that will see 12 workgroups visit our campus. We have one young man in independent living and he is doing well in the program. God has given us so much to look forward to. However, the economy, as for all non-profits, has hit Goodland very hard. Individual donations are down by 13% compared to the same quarter last year and group giving is down by almost 87%. We know this time in many people’s lives is extremely challenging. With futures so uncertain, many people are holding on to more of their resources. For those of you

who have continued to support us, THANK YOU! We cannot care for students like Odis with out your prayers, support and love.

"When All You've Got To Keep Is Strong...We Move Along"

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Annual Open House

...Where Boys Will Be Boys

Come have a laugh at our Open HouseSaturday April 18, 2009Time: 11:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

Place: Goodland Campus

Please R.S.V.P. 580-326-7568

Cottage Needs: Toilet Bowl Scrubbers Carpet Fresh Febreeze Dishwasher Detergent Toilet Paper Paper Towels Plastic Hangers Disinfectant Wipes Mr. Clean Magic Erasers Large Freezer Zip Loc Bags Small Sandwich Zip Loc Bags Twin Sheet Sets Commercial Mops and Brooms Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleaner Boys Needs: Men’s Large and Medium Boxers Ankle socks sizes 6-9 and 9-11 Antiperspirant with Deodorant Shampoo Hair Gel Hair Brushes

Upcoming Events:

April 18 Open House

May 1-3 Claremore Work Group 10 Mother's Day 12 T.J.'s Birthday15-16 Boy Scout Campout 29 Hunter's Birthday

Victory After FiftyTo be a champion, you must act like

one." This quote by Lou Ferrigno, is one that I used a few months ago in an article about the Goodland basketball team. The boys have worked really hard throughout the past months and though they may not have won every game, they played with the dignity of champions. Hard work and dedication always pays off, maybe not in the form of wins, but certainly in one way or another. As our basketball season seemed to come to an end, we were sure that the pay off for our boys was not winning every game, but learning to play together with respect and humbled hearts. In learning these godly qualities we have truly been blessed, but our season was far from over. After all games seemed to be over we got a call asking us to participate in one more

tournament.While the boys had already come to ammends with the fact that things were over they decided to suit up one more time in an effort to pull together the attributes they had collected over the months and apply them with some old fashion teamwork. The boys seemed to pull together to form one strong unit, and strong they were, coming back to Goodland with the first basketball trophy in 50 years. This memorable occassion was celebrated by the shouts and laughter of our boys, and the smiles and pride of Goodland employees. We are so proud of the work that the boys put forth in order to bring home such a well deserved victory to Goodland Academy. Their names will surely be remembered for many years.

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Goodland is so blessed to have so many wonderful friends. We never

cease to be surprised by the generosity that our supporters show. The deacons of Westminster Presbyterian in Oklahoma City recently surprised our boys with box seats at an Oklahoma City Thunder game. The guys were so excited they could barely contain themselves. The deacons had many wonderful surprises in store for our guys. They asked us to arrive at the Ford Center two hours early for our first one. We were allowed to go down to the floor to watch the teams warm-up and to get autographs. Our guys were able to get autographs from Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, and Malik Rose. After this, we were escorted to the “Thunder” suite. Inside the suite, they served all-you-could eat mini burgers, pizza and brownies and had gift bags for all of our guys. During half time, our guys were allowed to go down to the hallway outside the locker room to give the players “high-fives” as they reentered the arena. Following this, the guys thought they could settle in for the rest of the game, this was not what

the deacons had planned. The mascot, “Rumble” and the Thunder Girls visited the guys. Then the boys were presented with a jersey autographed by Desmond Mason. Although the Thunder lost to the Jazz, the real winners were sitting in a suite above section 102.We owe a huge thank you to those that made our trip so wonderful: Ward Hall, Mollie Bennett, Daniel Adams, Tom Schmidt, Packy Evans (he took some awesome pictures!), Amy Stephens, Michael Berryman, Randle Spindle, the Forum Class and all the deacons at Westminster Presbyterian. We wish to thank Pastor Bryan Eckelmann for hanging out with us! We also owe a big “thank you” to Mino Solomon of the OKC Thunder for making our night amazing by being an awesome host. He really took care of us. More than anything, we want you to know how utterly special our guys felt. Thank you.

A Thunderous Thanks

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MEMORIAL GIFTS A Memorial Gift is a means of expressing sympathy and remembrance for a friend or loved one. Memorial Gifts provide a present help and a future hope for children and families. The following Memorial Gifts were received from March 1, 2009 through March 31, 2009.

Pauline Bumpass Rolin and Helen McGuireFrank Burk Rolin and Helen McGuireSara Clark Ben and Nancy Clark Frank and Susan Clark Bill and Glenda HintonJames E. Earnest Rolin and Helen McGuireHadley Edgar Kenneth and Carolyn RothschopfMartha Herndon Rolin and Helen McGuireMildred Hodges James and Greta StephensonKenneth P. Hopkins Donald BinionKendall James King Don and Dona CooperWilliam Ray Kirby Sandra and Andrew KirvenJohn Lively Susan TigerRita McDonald Betty HawkinsLouise Northstrom Betty HawkinsHazel Partney James and Mary Lee Austin Jim and Treva Gullett Vera Maryott Marcia Tuttle Bryan and Connie WestermanRev. Byron Price Elizabeth PriceMarian Rogers Ben and Nancy Clark John and Mary Hamby Dale and Margery Nevius David and Carolyn WattsRaymond Self Mrs. Raymond SelfKathy Waller Cecelia HageyThomas D. Wilson Frances Wilson

HONOR GIFTS Many individuals recognize and acknowledge relatives and friends at special times during the year. Gifts in honor are a means of saying "Thank You" on special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas or other holidays. The following Honor Gifts were received from March 1, 2009 through March 31, 2009.

David "D.C." Adams Wallace and Martha WettstainBrandon and Becky Arterbury Ollie Mae Arterbury

Gifts from IndividualsRobin and Alice AdairRider AllenBetty Lou Ankenman

Paul and Annabelle BeckBruce and Sharon BledsoeRoger and Shirley ButlerW.C. and M.L. CooledgeTom and Melba CordellJames and Ola EpplerJohn and Mary FieldsJeanne FlemingJohn and Sue GoffEdward and Janet HarringtonDick and Willena HortonCharlene LarcadeLarry LefaveJoyce LudwigPatricia MeloneVictoria MitchellRebecca MontgomeryRoy and Betty PeevyJohn and Ann RobinsonWarren and Lillian SchaubCarl ShortRon and Bethel StrawserRobert and Marjorie SwoffordTrisha Wilson

Gifts from GroupsBuilders Sunday School Class - Lawton, OKFirst PC Women - Durant, OKPresbyterian Women in Presbytery of ArkansasPresbyterian Women - Hugo, OK

Gifts from ChurchesArkansasMalvern - First PCMena - First PCOklahomaAlva - First PCAntlers - First PCBroken Bow - First PCDuncan - First PCDurant - East Side PCEdmond - BNSFEdmond - First PCGuymon - First PCHugo - First PCLawton - Westminster PCMiami - First PCNorman - First PCOklahoma City - Central PCPauls Valley - First PCPonca City - First PCPryor - First Christian PCSkiatook - First PCTishomingo - United ChurchTulsa - First PCWewoka - First PCWilburton - First PCTexasOdessa - First PCParis - Central PCParis - Christian Fellowship ChurchPowderly - Church of GodLouisianaWest Monroe - Highland PC

Foundations & TrustsChevron Humankind Gift ProgramLowery Martin Gilmore TrustSeybolt Living TrustHP Company FoundationPfizer Foundation

PresbyteriesEastern Oklahoma PresbyteryIndian Nations Presbytery

Pledge PartnersSonya and Geary AdamsRaymond "Jack" BallardWilliam and Doris BatesºNelson and Julie BellJohn and Gail BellmyerHoward and Christine BoosCosmo and Lois Bowlin

Kathy DerbyMary E. DerryberryJohn DilworthPatricia L. DoleBob and Elizabeth DoshierMr. and Mrs. Thomas DunnMary EarhartMyrtle EdmondJerry and Cora Mae GarrisonJames and Glenda GoodwinDiane GotwalsMark and Charlotte GriffisHelen HindmanHoward and Ann HoppsMerwyn and Patricia HuntressChristine IvesMark and Sandra KernVirginia KingRev. Ross and Joanne KirvenRalph and Charla KitchBill V. LambertHal and Jeanette LambertJack and Dottie LiwaiBill and Susan MartinMary McNeilBetty Joe MillerPatricia MorrisDarrell and Diane MosesOpal MouckRoy and Svea PenepackerBill and Kimi PrangerRichard and Ruth PitcherJames and Eze RedwineMervin and Norma RedwineGene and Ron RemschnerCecile RichardsMarian RichardsJerry C. RussellRobby and Stacy RussellDon and Phyliss RossierRichard and Cynthia ShawleyCody and Cleo SherrardBarty ShippCheryl and Lynn Smith SrLanelle StricklandLester and Esther SuttleBob and Nancy ThompsonBill and Esther UnderwoodElla Ruth WallaceJohn and Betty WakefieldLaura WoodcockBarbara R. Wright

Charter MembersDavid & Elizabeth AdamsCorky AskewLaverne A. BellRev. Dr. Edwin & Patricia BernardVirginia BerryRon and Linda BlalockJoyce BrydgesGerald and Judy BurnsJoanna ChamplinDavid and Martha DearingerLindsay and Ronald FickMr. and Mrs. Charles FolsomGerry and Mary ForemanJuanita GarnickLowery GilmoreJohn and Mary HambyRobert E. & Kathy Hays II

Georgia HedrickTim HightJohn and Jean HintonJack and Peggy JacksonJohnny and Aliene KeithleyNancy LangleyCarter and Vicki MathewsLinda Jo MaxOren Lee PetersMaurine D. PettusRichard and Ruth PitcherJoseph and Katheryn RobinsonJames and Melissa RobbinsPaul and Theresa ThoradeBetty WeigtCalvin and Barbara Wright

Happy Birthday Clinton!

April 4