Locust Grove Christmas Parade

On December 2, fourteen Outlaw club members attended the Locust Grove Christmas Parade. Although Dennis Felts planned to drive his ’57 Chevy Wagon, car trouble led him to ride with Doyle for the event. The club was represented by Dennis Felts, Cameron and Emily Felts, Doyle Cole, Skip McDowell, Wayne and Jeanette Cole, Jerry Ingram with his daughter Amelia and granddaughter Maggie, Jim and Rhonda Cole, Robert and Marie O’Rear, Chris Elliott, Billy and Sandra Simpson, Ray Farquharson, David and Christy DeCamp (who entered with two vehicles), and Romana and son Micah Morrison and two of Ramona’s grandchildren. Photos were taken by Jennifer Downing, the daughter of Doyle and Debbie Cole.

5C’s Toy Run

The Dec 7 5C’s Toy Run had a good turnout, including OCCC Members Wayne Cole, Chris Elliott, Darrell & son Nick Murray, Dennis Felts, Chuck Bengtson, Todd & daughter Meagan Boney, Jim & Rhonda Cole, Ray Farquharson, Doyle & Debbie Cole, Billy & Sandra Simpson, and Curtis & Marsha Lamb, plus David DeCamp and Marc (no photo available). Photos submitted by Doyle Cole.

Salina Christmas Parade

Outlaw Cruisers bundled up to attend the Dec 13 Salina Christmas Parade and Fireworks. Members who attended were Wayne & Jeanette Cole, Chris Elliott, Todd Boney & daughter Meagan, Skip McDowell, Darrell Murray & son Nick, Dennis Felts, Cameron & Emily Felts and kids (who had a blast), David DeCamp and Marc, Jim Cole and grandson JW, Doyle & Debbie Cole, and Ray Farquharson. Photos submitted by Chris Elliott.

Dec Meeting

Twenty-six attended the Dec 14 meeting. Wayne welcomed new member Stephanie Kester (Dennis Felts’ daughter) and Ron Giles, attending the meeting for the first time in almost a year and members applauded him. Also, special guest of Ron & Diana Barfield’s, Zeke was welcomed, a very cute Boxer puppy in his warm, red vest, who Diana held in her lap. Club members reviewed recent events (LG Parade, 5C’s Toy Run and Salina Parade/Fireworks). Several members paid their dues. If you haven’t paid your 2026 dues, you still have a little time. Wayne has been researching the purchase of car tags, flags, stickers, shirts and caps to try and get some economical prices. He showed a metal tag from Ink 82, instead of the older plastic ones we’ve had. He said they would be $20. Club members agreed that was acceptable. Members discussed the upcoming Christmas Dinner. Wayne said he had invited the 5C’s to join the Cruisers. A February 7 cruise to Pryor’s Mid America Grill was planned. Members reviewed and approved the 2026 Founders Day Flyer with a few minor changes. Heather Early won the door prize.

Reflections on Our Recent Accident by Chris Elliott

As some of you may know, on Dec. 19, my wife Pam and I were in a serious car accident in front of our house; a Mustang, (later determined to be traveling at 108.5 mph, I didn’t know Mustangs could go that fast!) lost control and hit us head-on as we turned into our driveway. When I saw the black Mustang losing control, the rear of the car was starting to come around. I only had time to say ‘oh no’, there was no time to react. In a split second, our lives changed. Praise God he was watching over both of us and the young man that was driving the Mustang. I’m guessing he wasn’t ready to take us home yet! The impact was sudden and incredibly forceful, causing both cars to spin off the road. Emergency responders arrived quickly; after waiting 40 mins for our ambulances, we were rushed to the Tulsa St Francis hospital. The young man in the Mustang was Air vac to St Johns in Tulsa.

Pam suffered a broken back at L3, requiring surgery with screws and hardware on T11, T12, L1, L2, and L3, and is now recovering, though it’s a long process. Her surgery lasted several hours, and she spent 10 days in the intensive care unit. She’s started walking short distances with assistance and back brace. She also sustained a deep leg wound and severe bruising that required careful monitoring for infection and routine dressing changes.

I had a cut on my knee and a dislocated right foot. I’m assuming it’s from my foot pressing hard on the brake, as it was pushed farther left from normal, almost protruding through the skin. I’m very fortunate that I did not have to have surgery; I had a splint for 2-1/2 weeks, then X-rays and a cast for 3 weeks, and now I am wearing a boot for 4 weeks until a Feb 16th checkup. My recovery has involved regular checkups and x-rays on my foot.

Both of us are still dealing with pain from the crash (arms, chest and waist soreness and bruising from the air bags and steering wheel) and managing our medications while navigating the emotional toll such a traumatic event brings.

We want to thank the car club (and Cindy) for the card. We deeply appreciate the support and prayers from the club and others. The support from our daughters Jennifer, Krystina, and Ashley, who visited us every day and organized our homecoming, was phenomenal and we don’t know what we would do without them. Ashley and Krystina arranged meal trains, so we didn’t have to worry about cooking, and they’ve provided transportation to appointments when needed. Our family, club members and church community checked in regularly—some even sent kind notes and care packages that lifted our spirits during tough moments. We are especially grateful to those who brought us meals and visited and supported us, especially Wayne, Doyle, Darrell Murray, Donna and Carrie Plumlee, Pastor Jeff Blair from Freewill Baptist and Cornerstone Church. I can’t give enough thanks for all the support. Thank you all for your kindness and help during this difficult time. Your love truly gives us strength on the hard days and reminds us that we are not alone as we continue to heal. We just can’t thank everybody enough.

OCCC Christmas Dinner

The Dec 20 Christmas Dinner was held at Fanni’s Country Cookin’ in Chouteau. Members and guests attending were: Ray Farquharson, Julie & Paul Wood, Curtis & Marsha Lamb, Ron & Diana Barfield, Wayne & Jeanette Cole, Jim & Rhonda Cole, Mitch DuVall and son, Doyle & Debbie Cole, Billy & Sandra Simpson, Dennis Felts, Emily & Cameron Felts and two kids, Mike & Sharon Walters, and other unknown guests. Photos submitted by Doyle Cole.

January Meeting

Eighteen members plus two Felts’ kids attended the Jan 11 meeting. Wayne commemorated the start of our 26^th year of our club and members applauded themselves. Members still have a few more weeks to pay their 2026 Club Dues. If your dues are not received before the March newsletter goes out, you will be removed from the members’ list. Starbird’s is Feb 20-22. Jerry Ingram will be holding a few spots for members who have already contacted him. It might already be too late to join the others, but you can contact him to see. Mark and Hogwild T-shirt’s/Trophies should be sending new t-shirts designs soon for us to choose. The Flyers are printed and ready to be distributed. It is attached at the end of this newsletter. Members discussed some 2026 cars shows, more info will be included later. A Feb 7 Cruise to Mid America Grill in Pryor is planned. The discussion about future cruise destinations was lengthy. Members remembered Chris and Pam in their thoughts and prayers after their horrific accident. Jim Cole won the door prize.