It’s a Small World

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Hope you have a fabulous time with that special someone.

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A special happy birthday to my sister-in-law, Missy Clark.

Missy celebrates her birthday Wednesday, February 16.

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Happy birthday to Suzanne Clark, Lana Shannon, Lincoln Eubank, Gary Selman, Jerry Potter, Dorothy Potter, Jack McNeely, Dawn Perigo, Kennedi Tompkins, Zack Harris, Chase Johnson, Kitty Velasco, Jeff Eck, Judy Moring, Parker Page, Daniel Calixto, Jaime D. Ibarra, Jaime Ibarra, Margaret White, Matthew Smith and Jovita Trejo.

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The Purcell Public Library Penn Avenue Literary Society Book Discussion will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, February 17.

Join the group for a lively virtual book discussion every first Thursday of the month. This month’s book is Dust Bowl Girls by Lydia Reeder.

This is a virtual program and registration is required by calling 405-527-5546 or online at mcpioneerlibrarysystem.org.

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The Knights of Columbus of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church will hold a Valentine’s Dinner Friday, February 11.

The event will be held in the parish hall at Fourth and Jefferson in Purcell.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and dinner will be held from 7-10 p.m.

Tickets for the adults only dinner are $50 per couple.

The meal will include steak, baked potato, salad and dessert.

For tickets contact any member of the Knights of Columbus or call the church office at 405-527-3077.

All proceeds go to Knights of Columbus Community Projects.

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The 32nd Annual Purcell Livestock Show and Bonus Auction is slated.

The Livestock Show will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, February 19, at the McClain County Fairgrounds.

The Purcell Bonus Auction will be held Thursday, February 24, at 6 p.m. in the Purcell Ag Ed Building.

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This recipe delivers tender, juicy pork every time and it’s completely hands-off.

Easy Slow Cooker Pork

1 Tablespoon oil

3-4 lb. pork loin, excess fat removed

Salt and pepper

1 large onion, sliced in thin rounds

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 cup brown sugar, lightly packed

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

2 Tablespoons soy sauce

Season all sides of pork loin roast generously with salt and pepper.

Place cut onions in the bottom of your slow cooker.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil and sear pork loin on all sides until golden brown, 2 minutes per side. Remove from pan and place on top of onions in slow cooker.

Turn off the heat on your skillet and add garlic, water, balsamic vinegar and soy sauce. Stir together ingredients, making sure to scrape up any brown bits that stuck to the pan.

Sprinkle brown sugar on top of pork loin and then pour sauce mixture over the pork.

Cover and cook on Low for 5-6 hours, or until the internal temperature is 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once cooked, remove pork loin to a plate and cover with foil. Allow to rest for 10 minutes.

While pork is resting, pour the sauce and juices from the slow cooker into a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and allow the sauce to thicken, 5-6 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Notes:

The pork loin is finished cooking when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Since it is a lean cut, it will not fall apart and you will be able to slice it.

This recipe also works with pork shoulder. Cook 3-4 lb. pork shoulder on Low for 9-10 hours. It will be fall-apart tender.