The Okmulgee Spot Light

04/17/2026

This is Roscoe. 🐾

He's almost 6 months old. He's sweet, playful, and on walks... he doubles back just to check on you.

Yeah. He checks on YOU.

He's an Anatolian Shepherd and Great Pyrenees mix currently at the Okmulgee County Humane Society. Already vetted, vaccinated, and neutered. Good with kids. Good with other dogs. Just needs his people.

We wrote his full story on The Okmulgee Spotlight.
I put the link in the first comment.

04/12/2026

He grew up with almost nothing.

Poverty. Tough home life. 1950s Chicago.

He fought his way through the minor leagues, earned a spot at an NHL training camp with the St. Louis Blues, and was DAYS away from the dream.

Then a torn ligament ended it all.

Most people would've walked away bitter.

Mike Schmitt spent the rest of his career coaching young players. Always positive. Always in their corner. Being the person he never had growing up.

Last week he was right here in Okmulgee at the Donut Top — signing copies of his autobiography and reminding everyone in the room that where you start doesn't have to be where you finish.

He was also just inducted into the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame. 🏒

If you know a young person who needs to hear a story like his... go read the full article at okmulgeespotlight.com. (Link in the first comment)

04/11/2026

Remember when Reservation Dogs filmed here?

When film crews took over our streets and people across the country watched Okmulgee on their screens (even if they didn't know it was us)?

Yeah. We're doing that again.

On purpose this time.

The City of Okmulgee just launched an official film incentive program. And the state's top film official is already saying we "belong in the conversation."

This isn't just cool to watch. It's real jobs. Real money flowing through local businesses. Real opportunities for Okmulgee residents to work on actual productions.

We've always had what filmmakers need. Now we're making it easier for them to choose us.
Read the full story in the OkmulgeeSpotlight.com

04/11/2026

https://okmulgeespotlight.com/a/voiceless-children-find-advocate-okmulgees-baptist-village-welcomes-hero-home

From Advocate to Resident: How One Woman Made a Lifetime Commitment to Children in Need

04/10/2026

🐾 This dog rides the slide at the playground. (By himself.)

Meet Jake.

He's a 2.5-year-old brindle Plott Hound mix (think tiger stripes, 47 pounds, and a personality that will make you laugh out loud) at the Okmulgee County Humane Society.

He jumps on trampolines. He runs down slides. He plays fetch like a pro. He bonds HARD with his people.

Jake is house-trained, crate-trained, knows basic commands, and according to staff... he's one of the good ones.

He was adopted two years ago and recently came back. Not because he's a bad dog. But because he didn't get along with small dogs in his previous home.

Since returning? Staff say they're seeing a whole new side of him. Great with dogs his size. Calm around cats. Social, playful, and ready to find his person.

Does best in a home without small pets.

But if that's you? Or if you know someone who needs a funny, athletic, affectionate dog with tiger stripes in their life...

Go read Jake's full story over at The Okmulgee Spotlight. Link in bio. 🧡

👇 Tag someone who needs a Jake in their life.

04/10/2026

🎭 Okmulgee, your weekend plans just got way better.

Okmulgee Community Theatre is putting on "Honeymoon at Graveside Manor" — a ghostly comedy farce that's equal parts spooky and hilarious. And it's happening RIGHT NOW this week at the historic Orpheum Theatre!

👻 A couple. A manor. A whole lot of ghosts and laughs.

📅 Tonight (April 10th) — 7:30 PM 📅 Tomorrow (April 11th) — 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM 📍 Orpheum Theatre, 210 W 7th St, Downtown Okmulgee 🎟️ Tickets available now!

The Orpheum has been entertaining this community since 1920. Over 100 years of shows right here in our backyard. That's worth showing up for.

Go support local theatre. Grab your tickets. Bring someone who needs a good laugh.

See you there, Okmulgee. 👏

04/10/2026

🌱 It's happening TODAY and tomorrow!

The Okmulgee County Community Garden is throwing their Spring Plant Sale, Equipment Demo & Work Day -- and you don't want to miss it.

📅 Friday, April 10 & Saturday, April 11 📍 1206 S. Belmont (just west of Muscogee Creek Nation Medical Center) 🎟️ FREE

🪴 Plant Sale -- Both Days, 9 AM to 2 PM

Garden members have been busy. Like, really busy. They've got:

Vegetables -- tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, kale
Herbs -- Pineapple Sage, lemon balm
Native plants -- Coral Honeysuckle
Houseplants -- Boston Ferns, Pothos, succulents
Landscaping plants -- variegated Liriope, mixed-color Iris
Something for every kind of gardener. Whether you've got a big backyard or just a sunny windowsill.

🚜 Equipment Demo -- Saturday Only, 10 AM to Noon

Jim Shaw from Cedar Farm in Sand Springs is bringing out the BCS Two-Wheel Tractor for a live demo. Jim's been a BCS dealer for nearly 20 years, so he knows his stuff. He'll walk you through the tractor and its attachments -- and stick around for questions too.

This one's put together in collaboration with the College of the Muscogee Nation Extension Service.

Oh, and did we mention? Free hot dogs, chips, and a drink for everyone who shows up for the demo. 🌭

🌿 Garden Members -- Saturday is also a Work Day!

The expansion project is still going strong. Come on out and help move it forward.

Questions? Reach Bob Seebeck at 918-231-3543.

Tag a friend who needs some plants this spring! 👇
P.S.
Want more Okmulgee news and events like this? Follow the page and subscribe to the Okmulgee Spotlight newsletter at okmulgeespotlight.com

04/09/2026

They found a 100-year-old oil well sitting under the Deep Fork River. Here's what happened next.

Most of us have walked, fished, or driven past the Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge without thinking twice about what might be buried out there.

Turns out — quite a bit.

Before Deep Fork became a protected wildlife refuge, it was oil country. Wells were drilled as far back as 1918. When production ended, most of them were just... left. No cap. No cleanup. Some got swallowed by the river itself.

One nonprofit decided that wasn't good enough.

The Well Done Foundation has been on a mission since 2019 to plug every orphaned oil well in America. And last year they brought that mission right here to Okmulgee.

They opened a field office in town, launched a marine operation on the Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge, and in the past year alone they've sealed 30 wells inside the refuge.

They've got 80+ more to go. And they're not slowing down.

This is one of the most interesting things happening in our community right now... and most people don't even know about it.

Read the full story at OkmulgeeSpotlight.com

If you want more stories like this from right here in Okmulgee, follow the Okmulgee Spotlight. And if you want them delivered straight to your inbox every week, grab a free subscription at OkmulgeeSpotlight.com

04/08/2026

📅 Things to do in Okmulgee this week!

In case nobody told you... there's actually a lot going on around here.

This week you've got...

🎨 Paint parties 🌱 Garden sales 🧘 Yoga classes 📚 Library programs 🧹 Community cleanup efforts 💼 Employment workshops

Whether you're looking to get out of the house, learn something new, or just connect with your neighbors... there's something on this list for you.

Full details are in this week's Okmulgee Spotlight newsletter.

If you haven't subscribed yet, we would love to invite you!
👉 Grab your free subscription at okmulgeespotlight.com

Which one are YOU most interested in? Comment below! 👇

04/08/2026

📰 New issue just dropped!

The Okmulgee Spotlight is back in your inbox this week, and honestly... this one's got a little bit of everything.

A dog who rides the playground slide by himself. A former pro hockey player visiting our area. A new film program that could bring movie productions to Oklahoma. A local woman fighting hard for kids with disabilities. Plus events, workshops, and things to do all week long.

This is your community. These are your neighbors. And there's a lot more going on here than most people realize.

If you're not subscribed yet, you're missing out. It's free, it's weekly, and it's 100% about Okmulgee.

👉 Grab your free subscription at okmulgeespotlight.com

Already subscribed? Drop a 🧡 in the comments. And if you know someone who needs to be on the list... tag them below. 👇