I was told by an old-school Oklahoma newsman many years ago that one of the primary jobs of a good newspaper was to be a cheerleader for the people and businesses that make life in a community better. One of my jobs here at the newspaper is to take our newspapers to the Hennessey and Dover post offices every Tuesday and Friday night to ensure that our readers in that part of the county receive our newspapers on Wednesday and Saturday mornings in the same manner as our Kingfisher, Cashion, Crescent, Loyal, Omega and Okarche subscribers. As I was driving back into town from the north finishing up one of those runs last month, I was struck by what a wonderful touch it was for Pioneer to decorate their Pioneer Plaza Kingfisher Trails display on the east side of Highway 81 with beautiful Christmas lights. It truly was a pleasant sight to behold twice a week when I entered our community from the north during the holiday season. The photo I snapped on my cell phone featured here doesn’t do it justice. Most of us realize what a tremendous positive economic impact Pioneer has to our community and trade area. Hundreds of Pioneer employees live amongst us, and they are the bedrock of our community in terms of great friends, great neighbors and great volunteers for whatever project needs support. While the dead business graveyard is littered with hundreds of telecommunications companies that have gone bankrupt or been gobbled up by bigger fish, Pioneer remains independent, supportive, strong and responsive to the needs of the customers it serves. The cooperative has continually adapted and prospered during times when many did not. That’s indicative of smart and innovative leadership, as well as motivated employees with great work ethics. These are the same people who find time to donate their time and talents to a myriad of volunteer community supportive boards and events as well. Pioneer will celebrate its 67th anniversary this year. Theirs is a truly remarkable story. We don’t say it often enough. So, to Richard Ruhl and all the fine folks of Pioneer: “Thanks for all you do for our community.” It’s a bunch.