Perry Daily Journal

LAST WEEK’S FOOTBALL RESULTS

September 18, the Morrison Wildcats competed against Sperry. After a long game they ended up with a loss. The final score being 6-31.

See results on page 5A of Wednesday's 9/23 edition.

We are discarding some of our older magazines. These would be great for soundie books or crafts and will be located in the 7th St foyer for anyone interested.

WALTER LEE HIRSCHMAN

1944 - 2026

Walter Lee Hirschman, 82, of Perry, Oklahoma, passed away surrounded by the love of his family.

Walter was born in Perry, Oklahoma, and lived his entire life in the community he called home. He graduated from Perry High School and later attended the University of Central Oklahoma before joining the United States Army. While stationed in Taiwan, Walter met the love of his life, Nancy. The two were married in February 1971 and spent more than five decades building a life and family together.

Walter was the son of Leo and Pearl Hirschman, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Raymond Hirschman and grandson Kristoff Mathews Hirschman.

Walter was a hardworking man who took pride in providing for and supporting his family. He worked for Farmer’s Coop and later at Propane first. He was the kind of person who could fix, build, or figure out just about anything. He enjoyed woodworking, watching sports, and staying busy with projects around the house.

Read the full obituary on page 7A of Wednesday's 9/23 edition.

The New Prospect Baptist Church is OPEN for worship and ministry service!

As we continue celebrating the reopening and remodeling of our church, we warmly invite former members, families, friends, neighbors, and the entire Perry community to come and join us again at The New Prospect Baptist Church “A Legacy of Faith. A Future of Hope.”

We would also greatly appreciate it if the Perry Daily Journal could include the attached Free Boxed Meal Grab & Go flyer in this week’s newspaper. This Sunday, immediately following worship service, the church will provide a complimentary boxed meal to the community while supplies last as part of our continued reopening celebration and community outreach.

We want our community to know that our doors are open, ministry is continuing, and all are welcome to worship, fellowship, grow, and serve with us.

WATCH YOUR STEP!

Submitted by Michi White

A recent encounter on a rural backcountry road serves as a striking reminder of the rich wildlife sharing our landscape—and the safety protocols necessary to coexist with them. While traveling a dirt road in Comanche County, I recently captured a dramatic image of a mature Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) coiled in its classic defensive posture directly in the middle of the roadway.

The photograph captures the snake with its head raised, tightly wound into a defensive “S-coil,” and its black, forked tongue extended to sample sensory information from the air. Because snakes are ectothermic (cold-blooded), they frequently use the open clearings of dirt and gravel roads to absorb the earth’s trapped heat. When approached, the snake pulls its body into this compressed shape, which acts like a spring, allowing the reptile to anchor itself and strike up to half its body length if it feels directly threatened. Combined with its acoustic tail rattle, the behavior is an unambiguous plea for space.

Crucially, this striking close-up was achieved without placing myself or the reptile in harm’s way. I captured the shot from a highly safe, respectful distance using a Sigma 150-600mm telephoto lens, completely eliminating the need to get close to the venomous pit viper.

Read the full article on page 1B of Wednesday's 9/23 edition.

Fall is happening at Thorn’s!
And the best part is now it’s time for Cinnamon C***r potpourri from Aromatique!

HELEN ANN GIVENS

1942 - 2026

Helen Ann Givens, age 84, of Perry, Oklahoma, passed away on September 12, 2026. She was born on February 18, 1942, to William Folsom and Helen Albright-Folsom.

Ann married George Givens on April 29, 1960. For the first few years, they lived in several places before settling in Omega, Oklahoma. Together they had 2 sons, Billy Dewayne Givens and Derris Wesley Givens, and one daughter, Christina Irene Givens. Ann was a devoted Christian and loved to share her faith by sharing the Gospel and singing in church. She and her husband, George, were active in the Omega Baptist Church, where George served as pastor for many years. Ann loved being active in the church and helping her husband in preparing his sermons, teaching children, and singing her special songs for her church family. They moved back to Perry, Oklahoma, in 2004 to become full-time grandparents.

Ann loved to spend her free time shopping at yard sales and second-hand stores. She loved searching for bargains and collecting antiques. Her house was always like a museum of artifacts from days gone by. She loved family, and her house was the gathering place as her children, nieces, and nephews were growing up. As the firstborn of 8 children, the role of nurturer came easily to her.

Read the full obituary on page 7A of Wednesday's 9/23 edition.

Come out and support our high school and junior high Lady Maroons as they take the field tonight for their final home games of the regular season! 🥎