Art contributions

Congratulations to Oscar and Shironbutterfly Ray, Deb Mehew Smith and Bank of Oklahoma for recognition of their contributions to the arts.

Gov. Brad Henry honored the three Muskogee residents Nov. 29 at the 30th annual Governor’s Arts Awards sponsored by the Oklahoma Arts Council.

Mehew, a speech and drama teacher at Muskogee High School, was recognized for promoting arts education. The Rays received a special recognition award for their film work and establishing the Bare Bones International Film Festival. And for its support of arts, the Bank of Oklahoma received the Earl Sneed Memorial Business Award.

The arts are invaluable, enriching our lives and helping us to understand our world and behavior. We’re proud of the contributions Muskogee residents have made to the arts.

What are people saying about mortgages today:

Rates on 30-year mortgages edged down last week to a seven-month low. Mortgage-giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages fell to 6.3 percent, down slightly from 6.31 percent two weeks ago. It put rates at the lowest level since they were at 6.24 percent the first week of March.

Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Territorial Savings Bank and Wells Fargo Home Mortgages all cut their 30-year mortgage rates to 5.75 percent this week.

Most people think of a mortgage as a means to an end. After all, you buy a house, not a home loan. But a mortgage is much more than the path to homeownership. It is a financial instrument that must be managed, just like any other financial investment.