• Choctaw Cultural Night for the Magnolia Festival on June 1 The Choctaw Cultural Center is partnering with the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce to help kick off this year’s Magnolia Festival. Choctaw Cultural Night for the Magnolia Festival will take place from 5 p.m.

Tobacco Stops With Me, a program of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), encourages all Oklahomans to reflect on the harms of tobacco and recommit to supporting tobacco-free environments in honor of World No Tobacco Day. The global event will be observed on Wednesday, May 31.

OMRF Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Judith James, M.D., Ph.D., has been named a member of the 2023 class of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Considered among the highest honors in the state, James is the first woman from OMRF and just the third scientist in the foundation’s 76-year history to be selected for induction into the hall of fame.

• May to bring awareness of mental health issues and promote wellness in Oklahoma May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to come together as a community to shift from stigma associated with mental health issues, raise awareness of resources available for those dealing with mental health issues and to start conversations encouraging those in need to seek support and treatment. “Mental Health Awareness Month provides an opportunity for all members of the community to work together to promote mental health awareness throughout Oklahoma,” Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Carrie Slatton-Hodges said.

By Andy and Renie Bowman Comments to: andybowman839@ gmail. com Coffeetimecolumn.

Kiamichi Tech honored students who recently completed their career training with a graduation ceremony on May 16 at the Hugo campus. The ceremony included congratulatory remarks from Shelley Free, Kiamichi Tech Superintendent, a presentation of certificates and a special recognition of Kiamichi Tech Distinguished Graduates.