VICTOR CASEY
CHARLES ALLCOTT
upfront
Welcome to December, friends, and from our family to yours…Merry Christmas! We pray every day for this city, all of her citizens, leaders and the non-profits that help make this city what it is! Where did the year go? The other morning I was looking down at the November issue with all 11 of this year’s magazines looking up at me. I was just talking to Christy about how blessed we are to have this magazine. We love to be able to show off this great city, the history, the people, the events and all she has to offer.
Designing this cover was tough. As you know our Santa, Ron Adam, has been the Santa for the magazine since 2011. Ron went to be with our Lord and Savior last year. I called Tony Lehmer, who also has always been the December cover photographer since the first picture was taken. I asked Tony how many Santa pictures we have. He told me we photographed many over the years since Christy and I have been running the magazine. A couple of nights ago I started looking at those photos around midnight. For more than 2 hours through tears, laughs, big smiles, I found this one picture, which I absolutely love. It shows Santa taking a rest after a long night of delivering gifts to all the boys and girls. I talked to Ron Adams early last year before he got really sick and told him “Ron, you know you’re going to be our Santa as long as we are running the magazine.” He looked up at me with that smile that only he had and said back to me, ”Keith, that would be an honor.” Christy and I are keeping his legacy alive because of his passion and love for what he did every Christmas season. He brought smiles and joy to thousands and thousands of kids throughout this state.
This year’s feature story was written by our history queen, Debbie Neece. She writes about the early Christmas in this area before we were even a state. I love her writing, and she nailed it on this one. Thank you, Debbie, for all you do for us to get this magazine out each month. You help
keep me lined up, lined out, and keep me/ us on track. You take on so many of the little things for us. These are tasks that would end up big because of all the time we give to B the Light Mission.
Mike Tupa has a great story on the Bruin Basketball team that won 2 state championships and played in 4 championship games. He called his story the Untouchables. From the late 80s into the early 90s, Bartlesville was a force to be reckoned with. Steve Hesser was the coach then but has since retired. Nobody, even the referees, wanted to come to Bartlesville’s old gym. It was a crazy scene and the fans were practically on the floor. Good luck finding a seat back in those days!
As this year draws to a close, we are shocked that we are saying goodbye to 2025. Where did this year go? It really seems, as I look at all the magazines, that the Oklahoma City Bombing issue was just yesterday. This coming April it will be nine years since we have been working on bmonthly magazine. Christy and I want to thank all of our incredible writers for what you do each month. The stories you write touch over 20,000 people each month. This magazine is the best city magazine in the state, not only because of us but because of all the writers, photographers, and you - the reader, who has embraced the history. I have to say thank you to all of our advertisers, who without them you would not be reading this magazine. They trust and believe in us and that advertising in the magazine is the way to get the best exposure. Eighty seven percent of our advertisers have been with us for over 6 years. Thank you to the thousands all over the United States and 13 countries around the world who follow us on our social media. Thank you for watching all the crazy videos we do. We don’t know how many more years we have here, but we can say thank you for changing our lives and bringing our hearts to your living room each month.
God bless each of you and Merry Christmas…Keith and Christy .
Volume XVI
Issue XII
Bartlesville Monthly Magazine is published by ENGEL
PUBLISHING
New office located in the B the Light Mission 219 North Virginia Avenue, Bartlesville, Oklahoma 74003 www.bartlesvillemonthly.com facebook.com/bartlesvillemonthly
Publisher Brian Engel brian@bartlesvillemonthly.com
Graphics Engel Publishing matt@engelpublishing.com
Director of Sales & Marketing Keith McPhail keith@bartlesvillemonthly.com
Community Liaison Christy McPhail christy@bartlesvillemonthly.com
Project Manager Andrea Whitchurch andrea@bartlesvillemonthly.com
Administration Shelley Greene Stewart
Delivery and Distribution Dewayne Engel Calendar/Social Media calendar@bartlesvillemonthly.com
Contributing Writers
Debbie Neece, Kay Little, Kelly Hurd Jay Hastings, Angie Thompson
Mary Lynn Smith, Candis Grover, Keith McPhail Jay Webster, Mike Tupa, Lori Just, Miriam Walker Greg Wheat, Maria Gus, Lori Esser
Contributing Photographers
Bartlesville Area History Museum
Mike Tupa, Mark Blumer, Debbie Neece Bartlesville Photo Studio, Tony Lehmer Chance Franks, Josh Wright
Calendars
Debbie Neece, Jessica Smith
ABOUT THE COVER
Remembering Ron Adams, Bartlesville’s Santa, who has graced our cover since 2011.
Creative concept by Keith and Christy McPhail Design by Engel Publishing
Keith and Christy McPhail, Managing Editors
Ignite Adams PARC Announces Partnership with Specialty Providers
At Ignite Adams PARC, our team partners with renowned local providers to provide worldclass therapy treatments and technology to get our patients active and back to their lives as soon as possible. Specialty services and programs include treatment and recovery plans in Orthopedic Rehabilitation, Stroke Recovery, Cardiac Care, Pulmonary Rehab, Wound Care & Infection Management, Renal Disease and Palliative Care.
We are pleased to introduce the exceptionally trained and highly skilled team of medical professionals who provide a continuum of care for our guests as they transition from the acute hospital setting to Ignite Adams PARC for their post-acute rehabilitation. Our newest partnership with these providers will allow for Ignite Adams PARC to continue to be at the forefront of healthcare as this esteemed team provides daily and weekly support to our clinical and therapy team to guide our guests’ recovery and treatment plans.
Thomas Loafman, APRN-CNP Cardiology Specialist
Tyler Woods, APRN-CNP, CWS Wound Specialist
Georjane Woodburn, APRN, FNP Pain Management Specialist
Samantha Nunn, APRN-CNP NP to Medical Director
Dr. Robyn Lovitt-Fry, MD Medical Director
Rebecca Rhone, APRN-CNP, CWS Wound Specialist
Travis Buchanan, PA-C Pain Management Specialist
Tanner Holt
From California to Bartlesville: The Journey of Bartlesville’s Hospital President
by Lori Esser
Bartlesville has a new hospital president, and he arrives not only with an impressive healthcare background, but also with a story that explains why he chose this path. For Tanner Holt, who stepped into the role of president of Ascension St. John Jane Phillips Medical Center on October 6, healthcare leadership is personal.
“I was born and raised in northern California,” Holt shared, reflecting on the early experiences that shaped him. “Growing up I always thought I wanted to do something in healthcare.”
It wasn’t until a moment of real vulnerability far from home that his calling became clear. As a young missionary in Marcala, Honduras, Holt suffered a concussion while playing basketball.
“When I came to, I was told that I was being taken to a ‘hospital’ for care,” he recalled. “I was in the middle of a small, rural pueblo and had never even seen a hospital at all!”
The term “hospital,” he soon learned, was just a small home.
“I was scared, vulnerable, barely spoke Spanish, yet these people took incredible care of me,” he added.
That experience changed everything.
“Many of our hospital patients feel these same feelings of vulnerability, being nervous, or not speaking the medical language,” Holt said. “I want to help drive an excellent patient experience for our community.”
When Holt returned to the United States, he enrolled at BYU–Idaho, earning a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration. His first real job in the field was humble but formative as a receptionist at the university’s Student Health Center.
“I spent two years working at the
Health Center, which laid a wonderful foundation for my healthcare career,” he said.
He went on to earn his master’s in healthcare administration from Trinity University in San Antonio and joined Community Health Systems, serving in administrative roles across Texas from Cedar Park to Lufkin to Victoria, where he ultimately became Chief Operating Officer of DeTar Healthcare System.
Now, he’s bringing that experience and energy to Bartlesville. As president, Holt described his responsibilities simply is to lead strategy, drive operations and ensure Ascension St. John Jane Phillips Medical Center provides a safe and quality service for the community.
Holt expressed deep appreciation for Ascension Oklahoma Market CEO Bo Beaudry as well as he also wants Bartlesville to grow and thrive. With hospital systems in Tulsa reaching Level 1 Trauma designation, Holt is focused on strengthening the community-based services that matter most here.
“We are growing services that fit our community’s needs and serving the surrounding areas where services are limited,” he said. “People rely on us for services they can’t get anywhere else. I am committed to strengthening the services we already have and building new ones where there are gaps.”
He understands that healthcare
workers often see people on their worst days, and it’s easy to become numb to that, but every patient’s experience is personal, and their staff can’t lose sight of that.
“Happy, engaged associates lead to happy patients,” he added. “Involving staff in decisions strengthens care. Growing up playing team sports taught me to lead with a team-focused, collaborative approach. At a minimum, I want to provide compassionate, high-quality care delivered by competent providers and staff who genuinely care about patients and the community.”
Holt’s enthusiasm for his professional role is matched by his excitement about his new home. He and his wife, MaryCatherine, recently settled into life in Bartlesville with their daughters Lucy, four, and Anna Beth, two. A third girl is due in February.
“I was really praying for a boy,” Holt joked. “But God had other plans. I’m already used to all the princess dress-ups and ‘girl dad’ moments. And they like sports and outdoor stuff too so I’m not boxing them into anything. It’s been a fun adventure.”
The family has felt at ease after their move from day one.
“Bartlesville has far exceeded our expectations,” he said. “We knew we were moving to a smaller town, but we didn’t expect the community to be so warm, welcoming and family-oriented. It feels like a ‘little big city,’ and the kindness we’ve experienced since settling in has made the transition incredibly easy.”
For the holiday season, their family plans to participate when the hospital sponsors a night at Christmas in the Ville downtown.
“My oldest daughter is very excited to try ice skating, so we’ll see how that goes,” he added. “We’ve also been up to Woolaroc once since moving here, but we’ve heard it’s incredible during Christmas. Those are the two things people have told us about repeatedly, and we’re really looking forward to experiencing them.”
Sports are a major part of Holt’s life.
“I grew up playing football, basketball and baseball and have always been very competitive,” he laughed adding that the competitive streak “trickles over into work, as well as Friday night board games.”
In his free time, Holt loves to golf, duck hunt and watch LSU football which he credits to his Louisiana-born wife.
“She’s from Sulphur, Louisiana, so she’s a big LSU fan,” he said. “We married in May 2017 in Houston and have spent almost our entire married life in Texas until now. Over the last decade, I’ve basically become an adopted Cajun and a big LSU fan myself.”
Despite that, he says he will absolutely cheer for Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry as he’s never been able to root for Texas.
With his blend of personal passion for patient experience and community-focused vision, Holt begins his tenure with optimism but knows that change won’t happen overnight.
He also acknowledges the weight of history that Jane Phillips Medical Center carries in Bartlesville after just celebrating its 73rd year just last month.
“I certainly recognize there is a lot of history with this hospital, and I want to be able to enact positive change for the future,” Holt said. “Changing the culture and perception of any organization can take time, but I feel confident in my team and their abilities. I want to help create the kind of patient experience that makes people feel cared for just like those people cared for me. Recruitment of providers is a huge part of that. There’s a national provider shortage, and recruiting is challenging everywhere, even in big cities. But my promise is that we will work diligently to find great providers to come to Bartlesville to join the wonderful providers our community already has.”
He further said that when visiting with community members and other professionals, they often share a story about something that happened five or ten years ago that may not have been positive.
“My hope is that a year, two years, five years down the road, those stories flip,” he said. “We provide wonderful care at our facility, and I want the community to feel proud of their hospital. I look forward to sustained success at Jane Phillips Medical Center where the community’s lived experiences match the future we are building.”
We live, work, and play in Bartlesville, and we’re proud to serve our neighbors with integrity
Experienced, Honest, Local
A Spiritual Season in Indian Territory
by Debbie Neece
As Christmas was knocking on the doors of Indian Territory settlers, there was a rush to care for the fall harvest before the first frost. Pumpkins were gathered for holiday treats; fruit, nuts and
venison were stored for mincemeat pies; and a turkey was procured for Christmas dinner. Wild game was in abundance and often native settlers would kill a wild turkey with their bow and arrow and sell the bird to the pioneers.
The freshly harvested corn cobs were hung over the log cabin rafters to dry and the evening chill was kept at bay with a fire in the open hearth where the dried corn would soon be popped and carefully strung with red berries into long garland ropes to be draped around the freshly cut Christmas tree. Shreds of colored paper were glued into chains to alternate with the popcorn ropes; and, the cedar tree filled the cabin with the fragrant scent of the holiday season. Yes, indeed, Christmas was near.
Christmas Eve brought children hustling off to bed for fear Santa would arrive early and all kids knew if you were still awake when Santa arrived, he would bypass your house as other slumbering children awaited. On the mantle there hung stockings of varied colors and sizes…but Santa knew which one was for Emmy Lou. Even in the leanest of times, Christmas offered hope of a better tomorrow. Christmas gifts represented love tokens and children treasured even the most meager of gifts.
Indian Territory became the melting pot of immigration and Christmas traditions. It is to the credit of Moravian missionaries that the Cherokee and Delaware Nations were introduced to Christianity and found the spirit of Christmas.
Cherokee Christmas
In 1801, the Moravian Brethren missionaries from Salem, N.C.
Silverlake Joe Saugee House
William Brown, Anna Anderson Davis & Mary Brown
The Oil that made Frank Phillips
founded the Springplace Mission in the state of Georgia. The Cherokee elders recognized the strength and wealth in educating future generations and welcomed the Moravians as they established
early schools to educate the Cherokee children. The Moravians also brought religion and holiday celebrations.
In 1805, the Moravian missionaries and Cherokees shared a small Christmas celebration at the two-story brick plantation home of Cherokee Chief James Vann in Georgia. A quote from the Springplace missionary diary read, “Today, we went three miles in our cart with our pupils to fetch a Christmas tree.” The Vann home was decorated with cedar wreaths and beeswax candles, while handcrafted paper Moravian stars and scripture scrolls decorated their Christmas tree.
Also on display was a handcrafted nativity scene called a Moravian Christmas Putz (pronounced pootz; not to be confused with putz as in the derogatory term some call other individuals). This uniquely Moravian tradition tells the story of the birth of Jesus as he rested in the manger surrounded by rustic moss, hand-carved animals and wisemen. This traditional Christmas decoration originated in Germany, derived from the word putzen, meaning to decorate or adorn. The Moravian missionaries brought this Christmas decoration to America; and, often the putz grew to include homes and buildings, similar to a version of the later Charles Dickens’ Christmas Villages.
The Moravian missionaries established the towns of Bethlehem and Nazareth in Pennsylvania and each year, the town of Bethlehem builds a community putz. One year, the builders used 800 pounds of sand, 64 tree stumps, 12 bushels of moss, 40 evergreen trees, and 48 angels in their community putz. The missionaries also brought the Moravian Star; a three-dimensional star with 26 equal points. In
Cherokee Chief James Vann’s House
contrast, the Star of Bethlehem has fewer points, with the top and bottom points being elongated.
By 1807, the Christmas celebration had grown to include religious services, gift exchanges and a traditional Moravian “lovefeast.” The seasonal gala brought 150 guests who joined in joyous song and partook in multi-language religious services of English and Cherokee.
Delaware Christmas
The Delaware Nation was also introduced to Christianity by the Moravian missionaries in the upper Ohio Valley and Pennsylvania. By 1768, the Delawares were forced to cede their lands and move west of the Alleghenies to Ohio. Then, in 1781, many of the Delawares removed to the vicinity of Sandusky, Ohio, where Chief Charles Journeycake was born in 1817. His mother, Sally Journeycake, was the tribe’s interpreter with the Moravian missionaries.
A tidal-wave of settlers forced the Lenape to gather their meager belongings for resettlement further and further south, traveling from Ohio, through Indiana, to Missouri, and finally to the Delaware Reservation in southern Kansas. Charles was ten when the move was finally executed and along the journey, the wilderness was filled with the angelic voice of Sally Journeycake singing Christian
hymns. She held within her soul a Christian spirit which she shared with children and all who were receptive. When the survivors of the Ohio to Kansas Reservation trek arrived in the spring of 1829, they established the Delaware Baptist Mission.
From the fruit of his mother’s Christian work, sixteen-year-old Charles was baptized August 1833 and began preaching in his native tongue, as his English was still broken. At the age of twenty, Charles married sixteen-year-old Jane Socia and eleven girls and three boys joined their family.
Charles joined the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society and, in 1848, he became associated with Reverend John Pratt who held a thirty-year mission among the Delaware. Charles often traveled with Pratt whose son, Lucius Pratt married Charles’s daughter “Nannie” at the Delaware Baptist Church, Wyandotte County, Kansas in May of 1860. Three daughters joined their union, Lavonia “Nonie” Pratt Barndollar, Ella May Pratt Neilson and Ida Florence Pratt Gibson, before Lucius died in 1865. Three years later, Nannie married Jacob Bartles and he cared for her children.
In 1861, the Delaware Tribe appointed Charles Journeycake as Principal Chief; and he led the Delaware as they waded through the Civil War and their final removal to Indian Territory in 1867. In 1871, he established a church at Lightning Creek/Old Alluwe, now inundated by the waters of the Oologah Reservoir. The following year, missionaries attended the Journeycake Church where Charles Journeycake became ordained; and, from 1871-1880, he was credited with two hundred sixty-six baptisms.
Bartles Christmas: Jacob and Nannie Bartles relocated to Indian Territory, where they briefly settled at the Yellow Leaf Ford on the Verdigris River, near Alluwe; there, Bartles established a
Jessie with her doll Daisey at Christmas in 1905
Chief Journeycake
sawmill before removing to Silver Lake in 1873. Nannie had received her education at the Delaware Baptist Mission at Denison, KS, and the Baptist College in Granville, OH. Once settled at Silver Lake, she quickly went to work establishing educational and religious opportunities for her family and others in the area. At that location, Charles Journeycake established the Silver Lake Delaware Baptist Church. His death came January 1894.
After relocation, Nannie Bartles held religious services in the Bartles’ home on the north bank of the Caney River; an act she repeated once the family settled in the Dewey Hotel in 1900. Something extra special happened Christmas morning in 1902, when a forever treasure was presented to Nannie Bartles…
Our daily lives are often filled with mundane tasks until we are tapped on the shoulder by a magical find. Such was the blessing of 45-year Bartlesville resident, Larry Thrash, when he attended the estate sale of Pratt Jr. and Lue Barndollar in Coffeyville, Kansas. Pratt was the son of Nonie Pratt Barndollar.
Larry is a coin collector; however, a few pocket watches caught his eye. One evening, he was tinkering with the watches and made a jaw-dropping discovery. After a brief conversation on the phone, I was headed to Larry’s house to share his excitement. There it was, a 14K gold pocket watch engraved with Christmas 1902; but the real treasure was hidden inside.
What an amazing gift this pocket watch must have been for Nannie to open on Christmas morning in 1902. Just imagine her taking the beautiful gold watch from the box and finding her initials embossed in gold on the front, NMB. Then, opening the pocket watch to find the photos of her three daughters and son Joe, etched on one side, with a larger etching of her husband, Jacob Bartles, on the other. That delightful Indian Territory Christmas treasure was accompanied by a note signed by her granddaughter, the daughter of Ida Florence. A note that read, “My grandmother, Nannie M. Bartles’ watch, signed Mary Ella Gibson Brown” and still a treasure 123 years later…
As a tribute to Nannie’s father, the Journeycake Memorial Baptist Church was dedicated November 25, 1906 at Ninth and Delaware in Dewey. The octagon shaped brick church was razed in 1924 and replaced with a larger church at Tenth and Delaware by the same name. In 1953, the church’s name was changed to First Baptist where Charles Journeycake and Nannie Bartles stained-glasses graced the church, representing a full-circle of spiritual dedication and Christian values.
Delaware New Year by Wilma Berry, Library History Room: “Christmas was for families but New Year’s was for everyone, and the Delaware were no different in their celebration of the New Year. The home of Arthur Armstrong, on the banks of the Caney, was where friends gathered from as far away as Vinita, Nowata, and Delaware to celebrate New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The Steven Miller family, from Delaware, were annual guests and small Ida Miller was filled with joy at the prospect of seeing Nannie Bartles again. She and Mrs. Bartles had a special kind of friendship. Perhaps Mrs. Bartles saw the future of the Delawares in all of the children. When the time for Christmas shopping came, Nannie
Nannie Bartles’ Watch
Nannie Bartles’ Watch
cooked extra amounts of food for the noonday meal and invited any Delaware Indian who happened to be in the Bartles’ store to “come upstairs and eat.” Once when Ida Miller visited, Mrs. Bartles presented Ida a small China lamb as a gesture of friendship.”
“May the blessings of the Christ Child be yours, and fill your year with good health, happiness, joy, all the best which life has to offer. Merry Christmas,” Wilma Berry.
Carr Family Christmas: Indian Territory became the melting pot of relocated Native Americans and early pioneers who arrived with trading on their minds. Such was the goal of Nelson Carr, the Oswego, Kansas postmaster and trading post operator. About the first of December 1867, Carr relocated to the Black Dog Ford along the Caney River, near current Oak Park, with two wagon loads of goods and plans to establish a trading post in the Cherokee Nation. Along for the trip was his father-in-law, Hilliard Rogers, A.T. Dickerman and a young man named Johnny Kaho.
The act of trading was not without its challenges. When Carr arrived, two bands of Osage Natives were camped in the area. Carr opened his store and within two hours, all supplies were sold. The following morning, Mr. Rogers was ill and required medical treatment in Oswego. Carr left at once, leaving Dickerman and Kaho to continue building the trading post/home.
Early Christmas morning, families of Osage Indians arrived at the Carr camp, dressed in their “Sunday-go-to-meeting” clothes. Dickerman described the scene as, “Men with their best blankets, all bedecked with paint, ear-bobs and feathers; the women befrilled with ribbons and bead covered moccasins.” Long about 11:00, fourteen-year-old Johnny began asking for food; however, with only enough supplies for just a day or two, Dickerman told Johnny, if they sat to eat, they would need to invite the Osage to join them. Not inviting the onlookers would be considered an insult, so Dickerman and Kaho would have to fast Christmas Day.
with the others. The day was unseasonably warm and Dickerman worked without a break.
Shortly thereafter, Chief Pawnee-No-Pah-She stepped forward to speak to Dickerman, “My friend, don’t you know that this is God’s Day?” “Yes,” said Dickerman, “every day is God’s Day, and we work them as best we can.” “Yes,” said the Chief, “but don’t you know that on this day all the great white men make a great feast and invite all their friends to come and eat with them. We are all hungry for bread and coffee. Ain’t you going to cook a big dinner and ask us to eat with you?” Dickerman told the Chief that as the white people worshipped God; some made a big feast and invited all their friends to help them eat it, while others worked all day just as hard as they could and fasted all day. Dickerman claimed he was one of the men who fasted and worked to accomplish the most in God’s presence on Christmas Day. The displeased Chief walked away and stood watch
About 2:00, Dickerman was sweating profusely, and the Chief appeared again to say, “My friend, are you now getting hungry, you look tired and the sweat is dripping from your face?” “No,” said Dickerman, “I never get hungry on Christmas Day. I am full of God clear up to my chin and if I should swallow anything it would choke me.” The Chief said no more; then, about 3:00, the Osage Tribe began to leave in groups. By sundown, they had all dispersed except the two braves who had been hired as construction helpers. Dickerman then told Johnny to start supper and told the braves, “Now, the sun is gone, Christmas is gone, we can eat.” Without further explanation, the four men ate.
The next day Mr. Carr arrived with four wagons of goods. Once unloaded, the goods were sold quickly, again leaving the trading post empty. That is how Mr. Dickerman spent Christmas in 1867.
Wilhite Christmas Memories: Mary Bryce was born in Chesterton, England in 1868. After the death of her mother, her father crossed the vast pond and settled in Kansas with his four children. Mary was just eleven years old in 1879 and unprepared for the culture shock of frontier life. In 1889, she married Ola Wilhite and moved to Bartlesville I.T., where the couple rented a farm from Indians in the area. That Christmas, there were only two stores for holiday shopping and most shelf space was taken by staple goods. So, in order to do real Christmas shopping, Mary had to drive her buggy to Caney or Coffeyville over dusty prairie trails, requiring her to ford buggy-deep streams. Unfortunately, a rag doll and some home-made candy was all Santa could leave in her children’s stockings...but no one complained. Christmas Eve was marred by a shooting incident at the Bartles Store; however, business continued as normal.
Ruth Carr with her fur coat Delaware Baptist Church
Evelyn Suagee Maheras’ Christmas Memory: “I remember one Christmas; we had an entertainment program planned. Our Sunday School teacher, Mrs. Carrie Overlees, had trained us for the program. I gave a reading and Mr. Frank Overlees complimented me highly and gave me fifty cents. We had a large Christmas tree decorated with cotton, popped corn and colored paper, lighted with candles. While Santa Claus was giving the presents, the tree caught fire, causing considerable excitement, but it was soon extinguished.”
Anita Davis Mathis’s Christmas Memory: Anna Anderson was born in 1897 and, as member of the Delaware Tribe, she was allotted 80 acres in the extreme northwest corner of Washington County. Frank Phillips and brother L.E. were prospecting for oil and were near failure. With just enough money to drill one more well, Anna’s grandfather, William Brown allowed the Phillips brothers to drill on Anna’s land. The result was the Anna Anderson #1 oilwell, the well that saved the Phillips brothers and helped bring Phillips Petroleum Company to reality. Anna married Conrad Davis and was very active in the New Hope Methodist Church and other ladies’ groups. Her granddaughter, Anita Davis, remembers, “Growing up with grandmother Anna, her Christmas tree was always very Charlie Brown. In addition, her gifts were always handmade and useful. As we grew older, grandmother’s gifts were still very useful… like gloves, stocking caps, mittens, and scarves.”
McClintock Christmas: The Girard, Kansas Independent newspaper called Oklahoma “the last frontier to give way before the onward sweep of progress.” “While outlaws ranged the Indian Territory and six-guns made the laws.” That is enough to keep any settler from coming to Bartlesville, Oklahoma; but oil was booming and Harry McClintock wanted to be part of the forward movement. His wife, Mabel Case McClintock came from sturdy Kansas rugged pioneer stock and the couple made their home at 903 Johnstone Avenue. While Harry established the Crystal Ice and Cold Storage plant, Mabel became involved in nearly every lady’s organization.
With two children under foot, Harry invited six friends to their 1903 Christmas dinner. “Two of the guests had promised me a wild turkey,” Mabel said, “but much to our disappointment, the mighty hunters returned Christmas Eve without a turkey, just a huge bough of mistletoe.” Luckily, the turkey dinner was saved by the Little Giant Grocery.
Christmas Eve brought extreme homesickness; however, a box arrived from “home” and anticipation was high as everyone huddle
for the unveiling. “The spirit of the old home place rose up to bless us. Love seemed to be tied into each package and the beautiful ribbons, wrappings, and cheery cards seemed to say ‘cheer up’ for Christmas is here.” Once the children were tucked into bed, Mabel cleared the gift debris and checked in on her babies. And, she said, “Life is good.”
Christmas is the time of year we celebrate the birth of Jesus; the time to set aside the struggles of the year, and bring to the massed “good tidings of great joy.”
However, from the simplest celebrations of Christian devotion, Christmas has transitioned to a commercial and economic boom for merchants, who saw the innocence of gift giving as a path to prosperity. And, so it was…the commercial aspect of Christmas arose with gift wrap, fancy ribbon, Christmas cards and personalized gifts.
The Christmas tree gained popularity during the Civil War, often decorated with sugared fruit, pinecones and colorful garland. Most of the decorations were homemade and items like boughs of holly with bright red berries, pine tree branches, mistletoe with glistening white berries, and candles were used to decorate the mantels in homes. Also, by 1870, American businessmen were importing decorative German ornaments which were sold from vendor carts on street corners and in variety stores. However, Christmas was not officially recognized until 1870, when President Ulysses S. Grant made Christmas a federal holiday in an attempt to unite the North and South after the Civil War.
R.H. Peace was a New York store keeper, who sold the first American Christmas cards in 1850. Then, Louis Prang, a German immigrant, introduced colored Christmas cards in 1875 and his world of art replaced the Christmas letter as a “reach out and touch” Christmas greeting.
Bartles Pioneer Store in 1895
Dating back to Germany in 1670, candy canes became the number one non-chocolate candy sold during December. The tasty red and white peppermint candy arrived in America about 1847 with German-Swedish immigrants who placed them on their Christmas trees as decoration. The popularity of candy canes has never waned; rather, became even stronger after the automated candy cane making machine was invented in 1950.
Tis the season of Christmas carols and, as recorded in the scriptures, the first Christmas carols were sung by the angels as the shepherds watched over their sheep under the stars. The song was called “The Angel’s Hymn” composed by Saint Telesphorus of Rome during the second century; however, the song and lyrics have been lost to time. In 1843, Charles Dickens published “A Christmas Carol.” Then, in 1863, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote a poem titled Christmas Bells that became the beloved “I heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” Many of the Christmas carols that have become traditional Christmas staples were written over two centuries ago: Joy to the World (1719); Hark the Herald Angels Sing (1739); O Come All Ye Faithful (1751); Silent Night (1818); O Holy Night (1843); Upon a Midnight Clear (1849); Away in the Manger (1882).
The lyrics of “Silent Night” were written by Joseph Mohr in 1816 and was originally sung in German. The initial performance
of “Silent Night” was performed on Christmas Eve in 1818 at the St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria with music by Franz Xaver Gruber…and has become a Christmas tradition, translated into many languages:
Silent Night in English
Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin mother and child!
Holy Infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent Night in Delaware
As directed by Jim Rementer, Delaware Language Preservation and Delaware Talking Dictionary creator, inspired by Nora Dean Thompson. Kwishkwei Piskèke: Silent Night – The Christmas Carol, translated by Lucy Parks Blalock while working with Jim and Helen Rementer in 1992. This was first sung in Lucy’s Lenape Language Class in 1993.
The North Delaware Settlement of Johnstone and Keeler on Christmas Day, 1890
A German Putz
Kwishkwei Piskèke: Silent Night
English: All is pure, it is very quiet,
Lenape: Wèmi pilët, ahi chitkwe
English: The night is very silent
Lenape: Kwishkwei piskèke
English: It is bright around the two
Lenape: Sapëlee òkai nèk nisha
English: Pure child very small
Lenape: Pilsit mimëns ahi tànktitit
English: Calmly they are sleeping
Lenape: Nalai kawiyok
English: Calmly they are sleeping
Lenape: Nalai kawiyok
And in the holiday spirit of all Indian Territory residents: Merry Christmas (English), Ulihelisdi Danisdayohihv (Cherokee) and Mèli Këlëshmësh (Delaware/Lenape).
Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!
Christmas in the Shop
...With Lee and B.J. Brittenham
by Debbie Neece
Do you have childhood memories of Christmas trees decorated with blinking lights, decorative ornaments, sparkling tinsel and a whistling electric train circling beneath the tree awaiting gifts and Santa. Bartlesville has angels among us and for the last 15 years, Lee and B.J. Brittenham have brought our community such a “Polar Express” experience.
Thirty-one years ago, Brittenhams began dating in California. One-night B.J. visited Lee’s home and found a paper mâché tunnel and train village set up. Lee’s friend was interested in old trains, which helped ignite Lee’s train obsession. What began with a highly collectable, lighted Lionel trolley, with school children passengers, erupted into a full-fledged hobby of sharing the Christmas spirit with all ages.
As the years progressed, the couple moved to Bartlesville and began a Christmas tradition in B.J.’s gardening shed. The initial “Christmas in the Shed” soon became too grand for the little 12x16 shed and required a workshop for expansion. That is when “Christmas in the Shop” took over.
The Brittenhams are Santa’s little elves, working within our community to bring Christmas cheer. Through the years, Brittenham friends have shown their appreciation by donating Victorian village pieces and additional trains. At one time, Lee received a box of mis-matched train cars which he, aided by friends, carefully cleaned and mended to incorporate into his Christmas village. Lee said, “We have seven trains and a couple of trolleys in the display. The oldest train is driven by a 1947 very heavy steam locomotive; a friend’s childhood toy who passed
away at 88-years young.”
Vernell Seals was a great admirer of the Christmas tradition and loaned her Victorian village pieces for the annual event. Her family knew how much she enjoyed “Christmas in the Shop” and after she passed away, they donated her Victorian train station pieces to the affair, which created “Seals Station.” The Brittenham’s daughters also donated village pieces that now entertain visitors as “Daughterville.”
The shop has allowed Lee to get into a lot more mischief. The length of train track runs throughout the elaborately decorated tables and around the ceiling shelves as the locomotives vanish into the wall and magically appear again to the wonderment of visitors. The Brittenhams also have a group of homeschool children who visit and the older children get to be the “conductors for the day.”
The highly anticipated holiday tradition requires time consuming assembly and grows annually. This year Santa’s elves have been testing each train and light to make sure the yuletide setting at “Christmas in the Shop” is in tip-top-shape. The delightful sounds of the choo-choo trains and tooting railroad crossing warning signals fill the block and the noise is a welcome tune during the Christmas season. Open house for “Christmas in the Shop” will be December 7 from 12:002:00 at 909 SE Wilshire Ave. with lunch provided by the women at the Dewey Church of Christ and hot cider provided by Lee and B.J. The exhibit will be open through December and the Brittenhams look forward to meeting you. Merry Christmas!
DECEMBER CALENDAR SPONSORED BY
Bruin Wrestling vs Vinita
7PM; BHS Gym
Bruin Wrestling vs Claremore 7PM; BHS Gym
Holiday Joy by Bartlesville Symphony
7PM; The Center
OKWU Women’s Basketball vs Sterling College
1PM; Mueller Sports Center
OKWU Men’s Basketball vs Sterling College
3PM; Mueller Sports Center
Bartlesville Christmas Parade
6:30PM; Downtown Bartlesville
OKWU Women’s Basketball vs Southwestern
6PM; Mueller Sports Center
OKWU Men’s Basketball vs Southwestern
8PM; Mueller Sports Center
OKWU Women’s Basketball vs Bethel College
1PM; Mueller Sports Center
OKWU Men’s Basketball vs Bethel College
3PM; Mueller Sports Cente
Bruin Girls Basketball vs Jenks
6:30PM; BHS Gym
Bruin Boys Basketball vs Jenks
8PM; BHS Gym
OKWU Women’s Basketball vs Oklahoma Panhandle State
6PM; Mueller Sports Center
OKWU Men’s Basketball vs Oklahoma Panhandle State
8PM; Mueller Sports Center
Bruin Girls Basketball vs Jenks
6:30PM; BHS Gym
Bruin Boys Basketball vs Jenks
8PM; BHS Gym
2 4 5 6 10 11 13 16 19 25 1-21
Bruin Wrestling vs Owasso Dual 6PM; BHS Gym
25
Christmas Vendor Market Mall Hours; Washington Park Mall
December 4-31
Christmas in the Ville Times Vary; Downtown Woolaroc Wonderland of Lights 5PM; Woolaroc
December 1-30
Fantasy Land of Lights by Bartlesville Daybreak Rotary 6PM; Johnston Park
Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker
7:30PM; The Center
29 20 21
Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker
7:30PM; The Center
December 20January 4
Winter Break - No School
Every Monday
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
DECEMBER EVENTS CALENDAR
FREE Beginning Spanish Class
Bartlesville Public Library, 600 S. Johnstone Avenue
Every Monday
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
FREE Intermediate Spanish Class
Bartlesville Public Library 600 S. Johnstone Avenue
May 1–July 7
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Bartlesville Area History Museum Presents “Our Culinary Past” BAHM, 401 S. Johnstone Avenue, Bartlesville
Every Tuesday
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Price Tower Exterior and The Center Tour
Every Tuesday
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Bartlesville Public Library ELL
Conversation Class
Bartlesville Public Library, 600 S. Johnstone Avenue, Literacy Office
Every Tuesday through Saturday
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Bartlesville Kiddie Park Open for summer season
Kiddie Park, 205 N. Cherokee Avenue, Bartlesville
Every Tuesday
6:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
Bartlesville Public Library ELL
Conversation Class
Casa Hispana, 3850 Frank Phillips Blvd., Bartlesville
Every Wednesday
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and
Every Thursday
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
FREE Citizenship Classes
Bartlesville Public Library, 600 S. Johnstone Avenue
Every Thursday
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Crossing 2nd Trivia in the Garage Crossing Second, 215 E 2nd Street, Bartlesville
Every Thursday
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Bartlesville Public Library ELL
Conversation Class
Bartlesville Public Library, 600 S. Johnstone Avenue, Literacy Office
Every Friday
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Tai Chi with Dixie at Unity Square Tower Center at Unity Square, 300 SE Adams Blvd, Bartlesville
Every Saturday
8:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Bartlesville Area Farmers Market Frank Phillips Park
Every Saturday
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Price Tower Exterior and The Center Tour
Every Saturday
8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
History and Haunts at the Dewey Hotel
Contact Dewey Hotel Museum, 801 N Delaware St., Dewey
Every Saturday & Sunday
8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Crossing Second Karaoke Dance Party
Crossing 2nd, 215 E. 2nd Street
November 1 - December 31
During Open Days, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Woolaroc Exhibition and Sale Woolaroc, 1925 Woolaroc Ranch Road, Bartlesville
November 1 - December 31
During Open Days, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Woolaroc Exhibition and Sale
Woolaroc, 1925 Woolaroc Ranch Road, Bartlesville
Dec 1 through Dec 30
6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. nightly
Fantasy Land of Lights hosted by Bartlesville Daybreak Rotary Johnstone Park, 200 N. Cherokee Ave., Bartlesville
Dec 1 – Dec 31 (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays)
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Woolaroc Wonderland of Lights Woolaroc Museum, 1925 Woolaroc Ranch Road, Bartlesville
Dec 1 – Dec 24
Check Chamber of Commerce for open hours
Christmas in the Ville Bartlesville Chamber of Commerce, 201 SW Keller Ave
Tues, Dec 2
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
In the Kitchen with Susan at the Bartlesville Public Library
Bartlesville Public Library, 600 S. Johnstone Avenue, Meeting Room A
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., First Tuesday of Month
Johnstone Irregulars Book Club Bartlesville Public Library, 600 S Johnstone Ave.
7:00 p.m. – Open
OKM Music: The Gift of Community
OKM Music Inc., 415 S. Dewey Avenue, Amber Hall
7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., First Tuesday of Month
Make It So: Speculative Fiction Book Club
Bartlesville Public Library, 600 S. Johnstone Avenue, Meeting Room B
Thurs, Dec 4
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Elder Care Dinner with Friends Elder Care, 1223 Swan Drive, Bartlesville
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., First Thursday of Month
OSU Alumni Chapter Monthly
Meeting - Washington County
Scissortail Brewing Company, 623 E Don Tyler Ave., Dewey
Fri, Dec 5
11:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
2025 Youth of the Year Luncheon
Boys & Girls Club, 401 S. Seminole Avenue, Bartlesville
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
OKMusic St. Nicholas Day
OKM Music Inc., 415 S. Dewey Avenue, Amber Hall
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., First Friday of Month
Live Music Night with Wade Daniel Nineteen0Eight, 309 SE Dewey Avenue
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra presents HOLIDAY JOY!
The Center, 300 SE Adams Blvd, Bartlesville
8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Let It Ride at Crossing 2nd
Crossing 2nd, 215 E. 2nd Street, Bartlesville
Sat, Dec 6
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
38th Annual Motorcycle Toy Run
Frank Phillips Blvd starting from Arby’s parking lot
Sat, Dec 6: 1:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Sun, Dec 7: 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Michael Louthan Fine Art
Photography
Opening Receptions at The Center, 300 SE Adams
Sun, Dec 7
3:00 p.m. – Open
Handel’s Messiah
The Center, 300 SE Adams Rd.
Mon, Dec 8 though Dec 31
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Michael Louthan Fine Art
Photography
The Center, 300 SE Adams, Bartlesville
Tues, Dec 9
2:00 p.m. – 4:00. & 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Bartlesville Public Library Adult
Craft Class
Bartlesville Public Library, 600 S. Johnstone Avenue, Meeting Room C
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Oklahoma Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
Cooper and Mill Brewing Company, 200 S. Dewey Ave.
Thurs, Dec 11
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Bluegrass Jam at Crossing Second Crossing 2nd, 215 E. 2nd Street, Bartlesville
Fri, Dec 12, 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Sat, Dec 13, 10:00 a.m. –4:00 p.m.
Sun, Dec 14, 1:00 p.m. –
4:00 p.m.
Christmas a la Carte
Bartlesville Civic Ballet Home Tours Tickets at Moxie on 2nd or at the door
Fri, Dec 12
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Crossing Second - Smith Brothers Crossing 2nd, 215 E. 2nd Street, Bartlesville
Sat, Dec 13
Open store hours
Visit Dewey Second Saturday
Downtown Dewey Merchants, Dewey
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Second Saturday of Month
Tallgrass Doll Club Monthly Meeting
Bartlesville Public Library.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Beads & Bites Bracelet Workshop The Crafty Candle Shoppe, 201 N Washington Blvd
Sat and Sun, Dec 13 and 14
11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Time Travelers Indoor Market
Washington Park Mall, 2350 SE Washington Blvd
Sun, Dec 14
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tuba Christmas Free Event
Frank Phillips Home, 1107 Cherokee Avenue
Mon, Dec 15
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Finance For Your Future Truity Credit Union NJCR Basement, 501 S. Johnstone Ave.
Tues, Dec 16
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Frank Phillips Home Christmas Open House
We joyfully celebrate with our customers this Christmas season!
The Miracle of Christmas
by Greg Wheat
Life isn’t just measured in years — it’s also measured in moments. They say your whole life flashes before your eyes in a moment, and I know that to be true. On March 25, 2025, I died on a mountain while snow skiing with my family. After twenty minutes of CPR, seven shocks to the heart, and a medical flight off the slopes, by the grace of God, I survived what few ever do. That day made me more aware of how we should spend the moments — how we should make every moment count and make it as meaningful as possible. Each day, we should look for a way to create a moment that truly matters, especially at Christmas.
So how are you planning your moments — each day, each week, or even for this Christmas? Have you ever thought about it that way? It’s the moments that matter — the ones we share at work parties, around the dinner table, with our kids, our friends, and our families. The laughter, the conversations, the small gestures of kindness that too often go unnoticed — those are the things that stay with us. Each day gives us a chance to make a moment that matters, to slow down just long enough to create something lasting.
In my book From Here to There, I share how growing up in Bartlesville shaped who I am today. From making ornaments at school to watching Rudolph and Frosty, from chimney smoke on cold evenings to seeing Santa’s sleigh — those moments were pure magic, teaching me to slow down, soak it in, and make every moment matter.
As a parent, my wife and I tried to create that same magic for our kids — letters to Santa, reindeer food, cozy evenings filled with laughter and light. And now, as they carry those traditions forward with their own families, it’s clear: moments like these ripple through generations. They aren’t just memories — they are the love, the laughter, and the magic that last a lifetime.
So how are you making your moments matter this Christmas? Maybe you’re a teacher, a boss, a manager, or an
employee. Maybe you’re a parent, a grandparent, a spouse, a friend, or all of the above. Whoever you are, you have the power to make moments that mean something and that will last. Step outside the routine. Pause long enough to notice the people around you and to make them feel special. Do things that make time stand still — drive through neighborhoods to see the Christmas lights, hold someone’s hand on a quiet walk, and just be present. Linger at the dinner table just a little longer to talk and share stories. Let the grandkids cuddle up in the chair with you. Hug someone and say, “I love you.” Call or text someone you’ve been thinking about and let them know they matter. Share a laugh over a silly holiday movie, enjoy a warm cup of coffee or hot chocolate with a friend, or help a coworker in a small but meaningful way. These are the moments that matter — the ones people remember, the ones that stay in the heart long after the season ends.
The old Christmas song says, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” And for many of us, it is — a season full of warmth, laughter, and the glow of lights. But for those who may be missing someone this year, it can also feel different. It can still be the most wonderful time of the year too. There’s a quiet ache in the moments when you wish they were still here. Yet in reality, they aren’t as far away as it may seem. Their love is woven into your heart and into every moment you do something in their honor. Speak their name. Tell a story in their memory. Blare or sing their favorite song. Eat their favorite foods. Go ahead — do it. It’s okay. The warmth and joy that rise in those moments can bring a smile through the tears and remind your soul of the love that never leaves. Their presence doesn’t live in the past — it lives in the love you share and the moments you continue to make meaningful.
Life passes in a blink, but love lives on in the moments we make. So this Christmas, pause, be present, and fill your days with laughter, warmth, and meaning. Because in the end, it’s the moments — not the years — that tell our story.
Bartlesville Airport Vitality
by Debbie Neece
Over the course of the last century, Washington county aviation has been transformed from the dreamers, barnstormers and daredevils who performed at entertaining venues and pushed the limits of life and limb, to manufacturing for war support and accomplishing lofty goals. Our grassy pasture landing strips have grown from a place to crash land during the Dewey Roundup days to private air strips and a professional airport that fully supports corporate, commercial and private aircraft.
The Bartlesville Municipal Airport operates 24/7, with 5 City employees, and has also undergone immense changes. Our current 430-acre airport has been involved in making history that has been echoed around the world and grown from a seasonal mud puddle and bumpy landing strip, to an asphalt landing surface, to its current 6,850’x100’ concrete runway. Our airport has been the springboard for Phillips Petroleum Company’s development of aviation fuel and airplane manufacturing, while training aviators to soar the platform of aviation to new heights.
Not only has the Bartlesville Municipal Airport forwarded the missions of Phillips Petroleum Company and ConocoPhillips, but companies like H.C. Price Pipeline, Foster Petroleum Company, and Cities Service Oil and Gas Company have utilized our airport, bringing private and corporate jets to our city for business and pleasure.
It is from our airport that names like Billy Parker, Wiley Post and Art Goebel have made the history, of which people have
spoken across the globe, and brought notoriety to aircraft like the Travel Air, Cavalier, Winnie Mae and Woolaroc planes. We have welcomed movie stars, presidents and even St. Nicholas. We have also witnessed Art Goebel’s skywriting penmanship across the blue sky and stood patiently awaiting the return of Wiley Post after attempting to break the stratosphere record and successfully discovering the jet stream in 1934.
In addition, although not consistently annual events, we have been the host of a century of “fly-in” performances as early as 1924 and as recent as 2024. Flyin events generate tremendous revenue for the city through hotel and restaurant usage; but, the exceptional win-win is the community connection established between the pilots and visitors who learn about bi-planes and aviation. In 1989, the National Biplane Association established their Biplane Education Center/Museum at the north end of the airport. Their last Fly-in brought 115 biplanes, 241 grassroots aircraft and 12 warbird demonstrations to the airport.
And now, the worth of a simple landing strip that borders Washington and Osage counties is grander than ever. In the valley between our water tower covered mound and Radar Hill, where the federal government established a home for the 796th Air Craft Control and Warning Squadron during the cold war era and brought U.S. Air Force cargo aircraft to the Bartlesville airport for support and supply drops, history has been made.
However, the current state of affairs for the Bartlesville
Municipal Airport is much more than area residents realize. Growth has been evident, but it’s what our airport brings to the table that has established its value. Did you know....
Under the ownership of the City of Bartlesville, the airport clears an annual profit through Phillips Petroleum aviation fuel sales/service and hangar rentals to private pilots, corporate jets and even the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team’s Douglas DC-49 “Wild Kat.”
The airport is home to multiple airplane service companies like Phoenix Rising Aviation and Elite Aircraft Service, who actively perform vital maintenance on privately owned planes and Dassault Falcon Jets. The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautic (ODAA) classifies our airport as a national airport and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) considers our airport a regional airport. But, in reality, Phoenix Rising has allowed the Bartlesville Municipal Airport to have global fingers by bringing to Bartlesville internationally owned planes for maintenance and repair.
According to Airport Director, Mike Richardson, “The Bartlesville Municipal Airport is the hospitality gateway to the city from the sky that connects us to communities all over the United States. We have people fly into the airport to dine at Murphy’s or check local properties. The airport is important to
draw commerce and business into the city; emergency medical transportation for Medi Flight of Oklahoma and life flight evacuation via a helicopter or fixed wing aircraft; host of a Single Engine Airtanker (SEAT) Base activated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Emergency
Management teams during fire seasons with access to PhosChek fire retardant; and more. One man was drawn to develop his business in Bartlesville solely due to our airport access.”
Richardson continues, “The airport’s future is bright and ripe for major growth. I believe the next 12-24 months will be really exciting for the airport. We have the new taxiway, ground has been broken for our new commercial hangar and several others have expressed interest in investing in on-site hangars.”
Chris Batchelder, Director of the Bartlesville Development Authority proudly states, “The entire aviation fuel industry started right here in Bartlesville. Think about that for a minute. How many planes take off and land globally every day. Our community is forever tethered to the aviation and aerospace industry. Communities the size of Bartlesville simply don’t have an asset like this airport at their disposal very often. The length and depth of the runway, the instrumentation technology at the field, the first class Fixed Base Operator (FBO) and the businesses that operate on the field itself. It’s truly amazing. And, with the addition of the new taxi lane and taxiway that have been developed, it opens up sections of real estate that give us unprecedented access to opportunities to recruit Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) and other companies to the airport. The new commercial hangar that we are building is just the first step in this new phase for our community.”
So, the next time you drive west towards Osage County on Highway 60, take a moment to glance at one of Bartlesville’s most historic and vital pieces of property, the Bartlesville Municipal Airport.
If this brief aviation review has sparked your interest, my book, Washington County Aviation by Barnstorming Daredevils and Aeronauts will be available beginning in December. The book is shocked full of aviation history and supportive photos.
Between 1949 and 1974, Bartlesville had as many as ten commercial airplane arrivals at the Bartlesville Municipal Airport daily with service by Continental, Central, Ozark/ Frontier Airlines Now You Know *
BARTLESVILLE VETERANS DAY PARADE
Sponsored by:
The Nutcracker... Celebrating 50 Years of Bartlesville Tradition
by Candis Grover
Attending a performance of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker is a beloved holiday tradition in almost every major city during December. Thanks to decades of strong community support, Bartlesville proudly hosts its own annual production, drawing in nearly 1,700 attendees last year alone.
This year, the Bartlesville Civic Ballet (BCB) celebrates the 50th Anniversary of its annual Nutcracker. This milestone production will feature a cast of over 100 dancers from Washington County and surrounding areas, alongside principal guest artists visiting from the Boston Ballet.
The Vision: From Community Aspiration to Full-Scale Ballet
The ambition for this tradition was first captured in the program introduction for The Premiere Performance of the Bartlesville Civic Ballet in December 1970 written by BCB Board President Roland Bahlmann: “It long has been felt the high quality of talent in Bartlesville gives us the fairly unique capability for a small city to have our own Civic Ballet.”
The new BCB had to strategically work its way up to performing The Nutcracker. It began with Act II in December 1973, and the Snow Scene and Battle Scene were added in December 1974. It was not until 1975 that the full, two-act ballet was fully realized. That year’s debut was led by Artistic Director and Ballet Mistress Charlotte Lyke and staged by Artist-in-Residence Bill Martin-Viscount. The cast was an ambitious community collaboration, also featuring over 100 dancers in every role from tiny Angels to adult Party Guests. Costumes were made by “mothers of the company and friends,” and the Set Assistants were the “fathers of the company.”
This initial performance signaled an ambitious commitment to bring a professional level of ballet to Bartlesville. The stage was graced by international talent, including Olga Ferri, a prima ballerina from Argentina. Ms. Ferri danced the roles of the Snow Queen and the Sugar Plum Fairy. She was joined by Bill MartinViscount, who had recently left New York City’s Joffrey Ballet as a principal dancer, and was the founder and director of the Fort Worth City Ballet. Mr. Martin-Viscount danced as the Snow King
and Cavalier, and his choreography was used for many years.
A Lasting Legacy of Artistic Partnership
In the 50 years since the full production premiered in 1975, guest artists from ballet companies across the United States have joined the BCB stage, forging deep relationships with the
One pair stands out: Finnish couple Soili Arvola and Leo Ahonen. Mr. Ahonen created the unique choreography now performed in The Nutcracker, and the majority of the BCB’s costumes were designed and hand-crafted by Miss Arvola, who has long served as the production’s Artistic Advisor. Mr. Ahonen’s choreography has a Russian flair, especially in his addition of the Bear
2025: A Golden Anniversary
This year, under the direction of Artistic Director Melissa Zervas Hahne, the BCB is excited to welcome back, for the third time, Viktorina Kapitonova and Lasha Khozashvili, principal dancers with the Boston Ballet. Cassidy DeWitt will be returning for a second time as Clara. Seniors Cadence DeWitt, Sofie Doubt, Xavier Reeves, and Alana Sherman will be featured alongside a large company of dancers who have been in rehearsals since September. And as always, a dedicated volunteer staff of over 65 parents and community members will be supporting the production behind the
The BCB looks forward to welcoming alumni from the past five decades to special festivities, and the organization is profoundly grateful for the patrons who annually reserve the weekend before Christmas for the Saturday evening show or Sunday matinee.
If you have never seen the thrilling Battle between the Toy Soldiers and the Mouse King or been enchanted by the Kingdom of Sweets, may this be the year you experience the art and athleticism of the Bartlesville Civic Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Here’s to fifty more golden years!
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For the Dollhouse Never too Old...
by Kay Little, Little History Adventures
What does the TallGrass Doll club and the local Green Country Village retirement center have in common? I recently discovered the connection. When I visited the GCV, I was shown the beautiful, large dollhouse. They told me that 17 years ago, the local doll club renovated it. I then discovered my friend, Linda Rous, was a member of TallGrass Doll Club, the club that restored the GCV dollhouse. I love it when my research comes together like this. I met with Linda and Susan Allen, a charter member of the doll club, who shared the history of the restoration.
When I visited the GCV to view the dollhouse, I was blown away! The little girl in me came out and I was excited! Unfortunately, no one at GCV knows when the dollhouse was donated. They do know it was between 1993 and 2005. They also know that it was built and donated by Kenneth and Suzanne Rugh, who had a friend staying there and wanted to honor her. We do know that Suzanne built it in the late 1970’s.
They wanted to see the dollhouse restored, but it was a project that not even Barbie and Ken could accomplish. The ladies started in July 2007, hoping to have it finished for the residents’ Christmas party, which is why there are some Christmas trees in the dollhouse yard.
Unfortunately, the project took more than a year to complete. The members worked every week, cleaning and restoring. But, first they had to take inventory of each room and piece. Sharon Campbell and Becky Wallace started the project, by setting up a code as they removed each item; Black if the item just needed cleaning, Red if repair was needed, and Blue if an item needed to be replaced. They labeled each room and stored the contents in boxes, labeled with the room number. The lawn had to be totally replaced.
During the renovation, the ladies used a level, saw, nails, drill, glue, screws, tape, hammer, and rulers. The residents of GCV enjoyed watching the ladies restore the dollhouse, as it was restored on site. There’s a little bit of a kid in all of us.
The Rugh’s daughter, Sally, sent the Doll club photos that her mother had taken as she created the dollhouse. The house originally had lights but the restoration of them was too difficult.
The residents enjoyed having the dollhouse in the Village and even played with it at times. In fact, when I viewed it in October, I noticed a couple of Halloween items had been added, so the residents are still playing with it. The house had fallen into disrepair and was retired to the basement. Fences were falling down, some furniture was broken and the grass was very faded. Enter the TallGrass Doll Club in 2007.
Instead of a Christmas party to celebrate the restoration, GCV held a Valentine’s party and rededicated the dollhouse on February 13, 2009. You can view it on the 4th floor of Green Country Village.
A Life Rooted in Bartlesville
Meet Attorney and Neighbor, Todd Cone
by Maria Gus
Ask longtime Bartlesville attorney Todd Cone how he introduces himself and he won’t lead with “lawyer.” Or “judge.” Or even “candidate.” He’ll say he’s a husband and a dad, roles he considers his true vocation. Everything else, as he puts it, is built on that foundation.
Todd and his wife, Liz, both Bartlesville natives, have spent 31 years raising their five kids here in Bartlesville. A task made, he says, “just a little easier when everything is seven minutes away.” Ball games, ballet, church, school events, all close enough that the Cones could often sit down for dinner and still make it to a band concert and a baseball game in the same evening. “Bartlesville lets families breathe,” Todd says. “And our neighbors made our kids feel supported and safe.”
That sense of connection runs deep for him. Cone grew up attending Hoover Elementary, Madison Junior High, Sooner High School, and Bartlesville High School. Weekends meant football at Custer Stadium, baseball at Price Fields, wrestling at the YMCA, and basketball at the Boys & Girls Club. He remembers junior high shindigs at the YWCA (now a parking lot) and thinking the Kiddie Park Ferris wheel was enormous. Liz Cone’s roots run even deeper as her family has been in Bartlesville for four generations.
Anyone who has lived here long enough knows that running a simple errand often turns into a spontaneous catchup session. Cone laughs about how a five-minute stop at Homeland reliably becomes fifteen. “Hard to go anywhere without seeing someone you know,” he says. “But that’s one of the things we love most.”
It’s also why, 33 years ago, Todd intentionally chose private practice here, offering the kind of broad, community-focused legal work he compares to the role of an old-fashioned family doctor. Over the decades, he has represented families and businesses through just about every kind of legal twist. From civil litigation and estate matters to oil and gas issues, contracts, corporate work, and hundreds of criminal cases, Cone has worked for his community. For 17 years he has served as municipal judge in Nowata, and for the last eight in Oologah, a role he has found uniquely meaningful. “Courts are one of the
last places where decorum and civility still matter,” he says.
For Cone, that commitment is rooted in a deep belief in the rule of law. A mission trip to Russia in 2001 cemented that conviction. “They had newfound freedom, but no reliable rule of law. When the ruble collapsed, without the rule of law, there was widespread corruption and crime. Freedom just doesn’t work without clear laws and fair and impartial enforcement.,” he says. “Our entire society depends on it.”
His faith also shapes how he views the people who come before him, whether they’re sitting across from him in a polished boardroom or wearing a jail jumpsuit. “Every person has value and should be treated with respect,” he says. In his experience, most people want two simple things: to be heard and to be treated fairly.
After decades practicing as an advocate, Todd Cone feels ready for a new kind of service, one he’s been preparing for since childhood. “Service has always been modeled for me,” he says. “My dad, along with mentors like Bill Maddux, Richard Kane, and Dwight Bosiger, showed me what it means to give back to your community.” For Cone, giving back has included everything from the arts to state agencies including well known entities such as the Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation, Bartlesville K-Life, Bartlesville Civic Ballet, and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.
Today, that means offering himself as a candidate for Washington County Associate District Judge. His motivation is straightforward: “Our shared values and the rule of law need defending. A district judge is on the front line of that responsibility.”
Whether he’s in the courtroom, running on pathfinder, or chatting in line at Jude’s, Todd Cone is, above all, a product of Bartlesville, shaped by its people, committed to its future, and grateful for the town that raised him.
Note: Todd Cone is running for Associate District Judge for Washington County, a position that will be vacated by Russell Vaclaw as he will be seeking the role of District Judge for Washington and Nowata Counties upon the retirement of Judge Linda Thomas .
The Untouchables
by Mike Jerry Tupa
They were known as “The Untouchables.”
Thirty-six years later they remain probably the most talented — both in terms of front-line and bench depth — powerhouse in the history of Bartlesville High School boys basketball.
The glorious 29-game odyssey began in late 1988. But, it had really begun back in 1985 when a fiery young coach named Steve Hesser took charge of Bruin basketball.
Among his freshmen on that first team (1985-86) was a dynamo known as Ron Johnson. He would play an integral role on the 1988-89 state championship season.
Nearly 40 years later, Johnson still ranks as No. 1 in Hesser’s book. “The best player I ever coached in my career was Ron Johnson,” Hesser said.
Going into the 1988-89 basketball season, Johnson was part of an extraordinary senior class of highly-honed warriors, including Kenny Johnson, Joe Knoll, Mark Miller, Michael Pettiford, Michael Silas and Fred Souder.
They were supported by some exceptional juniors, whose group included D’Angelo Joseph, John Kilgallon, Derek Lind, Doug Myers and Steve Page. Sophomores — who would play an integral part in the state championship year of 1991 — featured Aaron Bucher, Tommy DeSalme and Michael Ellison.
Assisting Hesser were Ray Shaffer and Rod Berger.
They — coaches and players — were the backbone of the Hesser Glory Years (1985-92), which saw Bartlesville qualify for the state tournament six times, play in the final four times and win three state titles (1989, 1991, 1992).
The 1988-89 crew was the first to break through.
Ranked preseason No. 1 in the state, the Bruin players of this team caught a contagion often common to overconfident young men known as “full of themselves.”
Prior to the first game in 1988, the players dressed up as 1950s gangsters and gathered downtown on the sidewalk and steps in front of a Phillips Petroleum building and had team picture taken. They labelled it “The Untouchables.”
Expectations by the players loomed taller than the Price Tower.
But those expectations came crashing to earth when the Sapulpa Chieftains — not a bad team, but not a state championship contender either — embarrassed the Bruins by 12 points in their season opener at the Bartlesville Fieldhouse.
A funeral gloom hung heavy in the locker room afterward.
“We just couldn’t believe it,” said Kenny Johnson, during an interview in 2016 when the team was inducted into the Bartlesville Athletic Hall of Fame. “Coach Hesser came in and he sat down
and he said, ‘All right, fellows, we tried it your way now we’re going to try it my way.’”
“We were probably a little full of ourselves,” Hesser said in a recent phone interview about that loss to Sapulpa.
“We didn’t lose very often at Bartlesville. ... The players got a little grounded, a little humble. It wasn’t good at the time, but I think it was probably a good thing for them going forward. ... As a coach, you can’t be afraid to make hard calls within the group to make them accountable.”
The team responded like a forest fire by winning 23 of its remaining 28 games — including 16 of its final 17 games.
Down by two possessions with less than 90 seconds left in the state semifinals against Tulsa Memorial, the Bruins rallied to win, 59-54, fueled by late-game heroics by Ron Johnson and Silas. “To this day I don’t know how we won,” DeSalme said in a 2016 Hall of Fame-related interview.
Needless to say by this time the community was behind the basketball team 1,000 percent.
On the bus ride to play Westmoore for the state title, “we couldn’t go faster than 10 miles per hour going to Tulsa because both lanes were packed with cars from Bartlesville,” Kenny Johnson said. “
The Bruins rolled to the title, 75-59.
In reflecting back on that championship moment, Hesser was moved to tears during the interview when thinking about how much more this meant to him because of his mother and father.
“There was only one reason we were champions and that was because of Coach Steve Hesser,” Kenny Johnson said, added Hesser was “hard to play for, but he was fair to play for.”
The 1989-90 team didn’t have quite the same happy ending, getting back to state but losing in the quarterfinals. Hesser said while it was disappointing to lose to Jenks, he doesn’t consider the 1989-80 season a disappointment.
In fact, considering all the senior talent and leadership that graduated from the 1989 team, the 1989-90 squad might have been fueled by tradition to achieve what it did. “We didn’t have the same talent,” Hesser said. “But winning breeds winning and they expected to win.”
A fumbled pass reception inside the paint on what could have been a fastbreak layup with less than 10 seconds to go prevented the Bruins from winning. “We all kind of went into the locker room and cried,” Hesser said.
But during this remarkable 1988-90 two-season stretch — and throughout Hesser’s tenure — the cheers far outnumbered the tears.
TECH TALK
GIVING TUESDAY
Thank you for your generous donations on Giving Tuesday! Your support helps us make a meaningful impact and bring our mission to life. We are grateful for your commitment and kindness—together, we’re creating lasting change. Those funds will be used by the Foundation to provide tuition assistance, emergency aid, and food assistance to students in need. If you missed out on donating to our foundation on Giving Tuesday, there’s still time! We accept donations year-round. Considering a larger contribution? Connect with us to explore options for ensuring your generosity supports students for years to come! GIVE HERE!
UPCOMING TRAININGS
Explore our trainings, such as Scene Command Class on December 11, or join one of our monthly CPR courses. Need something more specific? We offer customized trainings and you can even reserve our rescue tower for hands-on practice!
Contact us at 918.333.3255 or email Training@TriCountyTech.edu to learn more.
NEW YEAR, NEW CAREER!
Many of Tri County Tech’s adult programs begin in January—choose from EMT, Phlebotomy, CMA, Paramedic, Plumbing, Electrical, CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, or Welding. Most classes are held in the evenings to fit your schedule, and in-house financial assistance is available. Additionally, 90% of students qualify. Some programs require prerequisites or medical records; so it is recommended to apply early!
Looking to gain a skill and head to college? Most of our programs have continuing college credits that can be applied to a degree! Choose from courses in healthcare, computer, trade skills, and more!
Have you seen our newly renovated Cosmetology Salon? Stop by and experience our bright, modern space— now open and ready for clients! Treat yourself to a haircut, color, or spa service, all performed by talented students under the guidance of a licensed instructor. Call 918.331.3236 or scan the QR code to schedule your appointment today.
LOW COST DENTAL SCREENING
Tri County Tech is more than just a school—we’re a community resource! In partnership with the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, our state-of-the-art dental clinic provides affordable, high-quality care for patients of all ages. Your journey begins with a LOW COST screening appointment to identify the services you need. From cleanings and fillings to preventative care, treatments are performed by dental students under expert supervision from our faculty and a licensed dentist. Use the QR code or call 918.331.3218 to learn more and schedule your screening today!
Have questions?
Contact us at 918.331.3333 or EnrichingLives@TriCountyTech.edu
HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
Join us January 15 for our Open House! Future students and families can explore our high school programs, meet our team, and discover exciting opportunities. Bonus: Attend and earn extra application points! Learn more at TriCountyTech.edu/ highschool/openhouse.
Retro-Spective Future
by Kelly Hurd
Knowing where you’re at begins with knowing where you were, and your perspective is only as good as the distance you can see clearly when looking over your shoulder.
We’re talking retro-spective today, and until you’ve lived long enough to have the things from your childhood called “retro,” your “spective” is mostlikely a little shortsided.
But there is a time machine accessible that gives a smooth ride on the turntable of life that you can board at the speed of “stream.” Yes, I’m talking music – the kind that can take you back to the days when the world was captured in black and white photos, newspaper headlines, and 45 rpm records.
Instead of loading it up on the record player, you can google it up on your favorite platform like Spotify or Apple, and it has the ability to turn the timetable back to another era when music made kings out of paupers and legends out of backwoods pickers.
Roots matter. They’re what keep you from blowing with the wind and keep you grounded.
Recently I met some backwoods pickers from Kentucky not old enough, you wouldn’t think, to have retro in their rearview. But when they take the stage like they did this past weekend at the Cowtown Birthplace of Western Swing Festival down in Texas, you’d swear you just stepped back in time to the days of Hank Thompson or Hank Williams.
I’m talking about The Honkytonk Wranglers and if you haven’t heard their music yet – it’s coming. With their vintage Nudie suits looking like a page out of a 1940s Life
magazine, this band of young guns steps up onto the stage cocked and loaded and their sound just might set you back for a moment before it pulls you to the dance floor.
Bone Stock Honkytonk is what they call their music, but you have to practice saying it with a Kentucky drawl. Their core came to know each other from church, and their talent definitely hints at being God-given. But the question I just kept asking myself was, “How did they get such an understanding of music made back before any of them were born?”
Kentucky seemed to be the answer to that question –and the roots all around them. You know, sometimes luxury isolates from the truly meaningful things in life like pickin’ on the front porch, or saving up your money just to buy an instrument – then pawning it to get another and teaching yourself how to play it, because you know there’s music inside you needing to be released…and an upcoming gig you just can’t miss.
Normally, I’d tell you to stream some of the old stuff, like Bob Wills, Patsy Cline, or Johnny Cash – but today I’m whispering to you to try The Honkytonk Wranglers –because you just might be encouraged to hear the type of music the next generation is making their own.
To hear their story and get to know them better, pull up their interview on the Calling to the Good podcast called “Talking Bone Stock Honkytonk” and take a little stream on the turntable of time into the future of country music with plenty of retro in their perspective!
apartments where you can enjoy new friends and feel right at
We have independent living apartments available to rent for those ages 55 or older. All apartments are unfurnished, 1 bedroom, $950 per month
Bartlesville Health & Rehab Community provides a wide range of quality health care services. Locally owned, BHRC offers 24-hour licensed nursing care, skilled nursing services, long-term care, and in-house physical, speech, and occupational therapy. And now, BHRC offers memory care for those with Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders. This brand-new Memory Care Center (Memory Lane) is a secure 16-room unit with aroundthe-clock nursing care. For more information or to schedule a tour, call (918) 333-9545. 3434 Kentucky Place • 918-333-9545 • www.bartlesvillehealthandrehab.com
by Jay Webster
Hello, holiday shoppers. How is your season of festivities so far?
I see you made it through Thanksgiving and live to tell about it. I’m proud of you.
Now that most of you are bingeing Christmas music like it’s a magic fairy dust that will make the world go away, I thought you could use a few recommendations. While you’re spinning tunes, include David Ian for a chilled, instrumental Christmas that is just right in any setting. Then head over to the Nick Lowe station. Lowe is famous for “What’s So Funny about Peace, Love and Understanding.” Most of his Christmas tracks are original narratives that are easy on the soul and enlightening
for the heart. Don’t forget Bob Dylan’s Christmas album, which is wonderful for so many reasons. And finally, listen to Let Your Heart Be Light by none other than my wife, Ann-Janette. It’s full of new, original Christmas songs and unique arrangements of classics. I promise you’ll love it.
Speaking of love, a few months ago I released a column titled “How to Be Human.” In our increasingly distracted culture of isolation, busyness, and digital relationships, we have lost some of the basic human courtesies and social norms.
In my column, I suggested that good ‘Human-ing’ is basically being aware of others.
Practically, we said that looks like: 1) Responding to
invitations in a timely manner (even if you don’t know if you can make it). Saying, “Thank you for the invite, I will let you know as soon as I can if we can make it,” is a perfectly acceptable answer and beats radio silence every time. 2) When you arrive at said event, know that your host may be a bit busy getting things ready, so DON’T show up ten minutes early and DON’T corner them when you walk into the house with your story about how crazy your day has been. And 3) Awareness means just that, seeing people (especially in the service industry) and treating them as valued human beings.
So many of you reached out after the column ran, we thought it might be helpful and timely to do “How to Be Human, Holiday Edition.”
So, here are a few practical ways to be aware of your fellow humans this holiday season. I bet you have your own list, and I’d love to hear from you.
The first awareness you can have is that you and I are not the only ones shopping, cooking, traveling, hosting, frolicking, and reflecting for the Holidays. Nearly everyone is busy. Most are a bit anxious. And, all of us are hoping to experience some genuine Christmas moments this year. So, if we lift our gaze from ourselves and breathe, what would help those around us? Can we offer a smile, kindness, a hand, a chance to go ahead of us in line, or even the gift of paying their tab at the coffee shop or gas station?
‘Tis the season for holiday gatherings. This might be a good time to scroll back to the top of the page and review the first list: Respond, be 5-10 minutes late, don’t dominate your host, and see other people. It’s also a great time to ask what we can do to make the gathering better. What food or beverage might help? What joy can I bring? Who can you meet? And when is the right time to leave?
Next, we’ve been celebrating Christmas for roughly two thousand years now. Christmas doesn’t need either of us to save it. It’s not our job to correct people who say Happy Holidays, Cmas, or Xmas (all of which actually have roots in Christian traditions). No one has ever been convinced or converted by a festive tongue-lashing filled with self-righteousness and disapproval. Just celebrate. The season has enough magic on its own. Be merry and bright, and let Christmas do all the heavy lifting. As the saying goes, people should know what we believe by the way we treat them, not by the words we abuse them with.
And so, while we are here, holiday gatherings are a great time to leave your politically themed shirts in the closet. Everyone already knows which side of the aisle you’re on. Divisive attire goes against the spirit of the season. If you can’t find anything else to talk about this season besides politics, consider buying a book. Or better yet, learn to ask questions: What’s your favorite Christmas memory from childhood? How did your family celebrate growing up? What’s the one Christmas song you
would enjoy never hearing again? If you were the Grinch, would you have returned all those presents?
And finally, even the most joyous time of the year can be very difficult for many people. Some are experiencing their first Christmas without a loved one, after a painful divorce, or following the loss of a job. Many are facing a Christmas where they simply don’t have enough to make it all work. There are so many amazing opportunities to do good this season. Awareness of others calls us to be generous in every way we can: giving extra gifts to those in need, offering extra time to those who are hurting, and showing extra patience to those who are especially annoying (we know who we are).
Human-ing is the awareness of others and what they need at any given moment. The most magical part of this awareness is that by operating in it, we become happier, more joyful, and more fulfilled. What a wonderful side benefit.
We recently had the chance to talk with the entire Central Middle School student body about How to Human Better. We discussed seeing the good in others, avoiding undercommunication and isolation, and, of course, being aware of other students. The conversation was terrifying for us (eighth graders are known to smell blood in the water quickly), but the kids were actually fantastic. Many of us are worried about the future of our country, even the world. But we’ve met the future: these students who, in just a few short years, will be running things. I can tell you firsthand, they will do great things. Like every generation, they will face threats to good human-ing and community, and basic decency, but they also have every chance to improve things, just like you and me.
At our house, we no longer say “Happy Holidays.” Since retailers insist on starting the season as early as September, we have aimed to be more inclusive and combine all the holidays into one. So, Happy Hallogivingmas! May it be full of the magic you bring.
Remember, the season is full of many opportunities to do good. Let’s go out and do it.
Beacon of Hope Bartlesville’s Hidden Third Lake
by Mary Lynn Smith
You might be surprised to learn there is a third lake in the Bartlesville area, in addition to Lake Hudson and Lee Lake. If you drive east on Price Road, you will find it hidden behind the Bartlesville First United Methodist Church. Yet unnamed, the lake’s beauty is the centerpiece of quite a serene setting. A wooded hill provides the backdrop, and a very tall, very old rugged cross now sits high on the hill, gracing the landscape with its simple, yet powerful presence.
The idea for a very tall cross had been discussed by church members for some time, but the first connection for its future construction was made at the Tulsa Home and Garden Show last spring. A couple of Methodists were drawn to the Timber & Beam booth, and the project was born.
Two teams of workmen were involved in the cross’s installation. Church volunteers Jacob Gesner, Bill Lundeen, Don Martin, and Wayne McClain dug a hole and mixed and poured 48 bags of concrete to secure the powder-coated steel support box and its long steel supporting rods. However, rains delayed the transportation of the cross to the site.
After a number of days, Conley’s team was directed to bring their small crane over the lake’s dam, because its weight surpassed the load limits of the wooden bridge. Granite trails pointed them to the site. The men used a heavy-duty pick-up to transport the two separate pieces of the cross over the wooden bridge. They attached the cross beam to the vertical beam on site.
The cross was designed and constructed by Heath Conley, whose Timber & Beam reclamation wood crafting shop is located just north of Skiatook. He selected reclaimed wood from a barn in Michigan to form the cross. It reaches 17 feet into the sky, and its cross beam is 8 feet wide. The 10-inch by 10-inch beams are assembled from 100-year-old white ash trees. Conley applied a protective sealant to the ends and connection joints to prevent decay.
A spiritual, photographic moment occurred as the men were hoisting the massive cross from the bed of the pickup to the fork of the crane. A billowing cloud suddenly descended from the heavens over the small area. Seconds later, the raincloud burst, as if to anoint the old barnwood for its newly designated purpose! The installation crew then carefully balanced the recently assembled cross and slowly pulled it into its upright position. After proper alignment, they bolted it down into its present location.
The cross is well illuminated by two 12-volt LED outdoor lights positioned upward from the ground and powered by a 12-volt battery and solar charger. The lights are controlled by a timer set to turn on before dusk and turn off around midnight. Seeing the cross’s brilliant, rippled reflection in the lake is truly a beautiful experience.
This cross of reclaimed wood symbolizes how Christ can be the way for lost lives to be reclaimed from despair into repair and on into purpose. This old, rugged cross is, indeed, a “Candle on the Water,” shining nightly in Bartlesville as a Beacon of Hope
Power of a Meaningful Gift
by Angie Thompson, Fundraising Strategist & Storytelling Specialist
What is the most meaningful gift you can give? In Bartlesville, the answer often begins quietly—a meal shared, a child encouraged, a door opened when the world felt closed.
These aren’t abstract outcomes—they’re the living proof of what happens when generosity meets purpose. Local nonprofi ts are the quiet heartbeat of our community. They feed families, mentor students, restore hope, and give people the tools to stand on their own again. And in a city where—according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey— nearly one in six residents lives below the poverty line, that kind of impact isn’t optional; it’s essential.
Agapé Mission opened its doors in 2000, serving just ten people on its fi rst day. Since then, they have served more than two million meals. Today, the mission provides 250–350 meals daily, delivers senior meals, and off ers weekend food support for roughly 600 children. But the mission has never been about food alone. “We never wanted to just hand people a plate,” Executive Director Sherri Smith says. “We wanted to build relationships—to off er love with no strings attached.”
That same ripple of generosity reaches far beyond the kitchen table.
Kayla, who grew up in the Bartlesville area, took collegelevel classes while still in high school, earning both a diploma and an associate degree. With help from a donor-supported scholarship, she completed her bachelor’s in accounting at Rogers State University—and later earned her MBA. The fi rst in her family to graduate from college, she now works as an accountant for a major employer in Tulsa. Her scholarship didn’t just change her future; it changed the trajectory of her entire family.
Samarah was six when she fi rst joined Children’s Musical Theatre of Bartlesville—a shy child from a low-income household who spoke barely above a whisper. Through singing, theatre, and the confi dence built from a well-equipped program and facility funded by donors, she found her voice. Today she is pursuing a degree in musical theatre and vocal performance—proof that creative opportunity, when paired with community support, can change a life forever.
Stories like these remind us that fi nancial support from individuals and organizations is life-changing.
Many nonprofi ts are still fi nding their footing after the pandemic, facing growing demand for after-school programs, arts education, warming shelters, food assistance, and
workforce training. What they need most now is fl exible funding: general operating support, special-project gifts, and capacity-building investments that keep missions strong and doors open.
A meaningful gift—sometimes called a transformational gift—off ers sustained, strategic impact. It helps a nonprofi t do more than survive month to month; it allows them to plan, expand, and innovate.
Ways donors can make a meaningful gift* include:
– Monthly giving – providing steady, reliable support – Major gifts – $1,000, $5,000, or more for high-impact projects
– Bequests and estate gifts – shaping the future of an organization – Stock gifts – often with tax advantages – Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) – for donors age 70½+ giving directly from an IRA (2025 limit: $108,000)
According to Debbie Mueggenborg, CPA and managing partner at Stotts, Archambo, Mueggenborg & Barclay, PC in Bartlesville, QCDs are “a simple way to do good works.” She explains that to qualify, QCDs must be sent directly from the IRA custodian to the charity. For eligible donors, the amount given is excluded from taxable income and can satisfy all or part of their Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). Debbie also notes that while a donor’s RMD may be lower than the QCD limit, donors may contribute up to the full $108,000— allowing them to make a signifi cant impact while reducing their taxable income.
If there’s a cause you’re passionate about, consider making a meaningful contribution this December. The right gift—at the right time—can be the spark that sustains an organization, restores hope, and strengthens our community for years to come.
When given locally, meaningful gifts strengthen the organizations that strengthen us all—and their impact lasts far beyond the moment they’re made.
Because in the end, generosity isn’t just about money. It’s about hope passed forward—one story, one gift, one life at a time.
Angie Thompson is a fundraising strategist, storyteller, and brand consultant with more than 40 years of experience helping nonprofi ts and changemakers move from generic messaging to clear, compelling communication. A member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofi ts, and the Bartlesville Chamber of Commerce, she continues to champion generosity, clarity, and connection through the power of story. *This article does not offer fi nancial advice. Please consult a fi nancial or tax professional regarding charitable giving. Learn more about impactful giving at www.AngieThompsonConsulting.com.
B the Light Update: The Gift
by Miriam Walker
Once upon a time, as the autumn leaves began shifting their color and falling to the ground, a new beginning was starting to form. She was many years and many miles away from where life began, and yet, life brought her to this place. His life used to hold so much promise, until real life spilled in. Her journey was at a crossroads, she had to decide, and so did he.
In her frequently troubled mind, a decision was made to put the drugs behind her. He decided that alcohol had stolen too much of his life already, and he was ready to stop drinking. She decided to allow the mental health resources of our city to help her reset her thoughts and her mindsets. He decided he wanted to be a part of our community, while he chose to work on his anger.
And as Bartlesville is quickly being covered with a vast array of colored leaves, signaling a death of sorts, they are choosing a brand new life.
Like a tree that pushes off the dead leaves in order to continue to grow, he and she both have decided to push off the old ways that have clung to them like a second skin. B the Light is open, and our first group of residents have arrived. This is where our story continues.
At the writing of this update, we now have 19 residents that have agreed to enter our program at B the Light. Talk about being busy! Some residents have already secured employment, while others have begun sewing tasks and art projects, with an end goal of trying to find just the right niche for each resident. We have so many different levels here and it is indeed an exciting time. While some are working to get their driver’s license, others are working on living with other people for the first time in years.
We remind our residents to believe in themselves, and this is often the biggest challenge they face. Some have been drifting along and living on the streets for so long, all they know how to believe for is that they stay alive to see another day. It’s a sobering thought. They are surviving life, but never really living it. Showing love to our residents is key. The fundamentals of human kindness are never learned while existing isolated and alone with only your thoughts to keep you company. We’re here for our new residents and will continue to play a part in rewriting their story.
We now have a B the Light Thrift Store that is open the 3rd Friday of each month. The reselling of unique and treasured collectible items, will all go to benefit B the Light. Some items will be given new life by our very own residents. Come take a look on the 3rd Friday of each month!
We are very interested in partnering with several churches to help B the Light with our meal rotation. This opportunity would be ideal for your church connect teams or small groups. While providing a main dish, vegetables or a salad, and a dessert, you’d be sowing seeds into the lives of your formerly homeless neighbors. It is important for our guests to see that the community is very much involved in their success. History has shown that our homeless neighbors do better with a community showing that they care.
As always, your group is welcome to stay and eat with our residents, but it is not required. They’ve been working very hard on their tasks, and they are adjusting to the newness of no longer being homeless. Your encouragement is always welcome, and you’d be surprised at how far it will go to someone who’s not accustomed to hearing it.
Please contact B the Light to let us know which day of the week or month you’d like to provide a meal!
B the Light will continue to open as an emergency warming shelter if the temperature drops to 20 degrees or lower, and remains there for 48 hours or more. We will continue to offer showers, resources and other needed items to those who have not been enrolled into the program here at B the Light. We are very appreciative of our community here in Bartlesville, and our city has proven once again that they really do care about our unhoused neighbors.
And as her story continues, she works hard to focus on the positive things taking place in her new life. He wakes up each day thankful for another chance to start over. The possibility and the impossibility of success are fighting for control of their life. For the first time in many many years, they now have somebody fighting with them for what is possible.
The Beginning…
Arvest Wealth Management has been a proud part of the Bartlesville community for nearly 70 years, serving our customers' investment and trust needs locally. In a market with new players and promises, we're here to rea rm our commitment to you and your future. Our team of financial professionals has over 225 years of combined experience in helping families secure a bright future. We're committed to providing help with investment and retirement planning and trust and estate services.
Bartlesville Investment and Trust Team Highlights: Dedicated trust o cers and client advisors 11 advanced degrees and designations, including Juris Doctor, Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor, and Accredited Fiduciary Investment Manager®
Graduates from Cannon Trust School
Involvement with various local community organizations Let us help you grow, manage and protect your legacy.
COVER CONTEST
Your Baby, Our Cover
Judges Choice Winner will receive a photo session ($350 value) plus have your child on our January 2026 Cover!
Facebook voting will be held December 1 at noon CST to December 12 at noon CST.
QUESTIONS? Visit us online at bartlesvillemonthly.com or visit our facebook page for more details.
Make sure to check out our Facebook page on December 1, and be sure to get your friends to like and follow us so they can get in on the fun.
We can’t wait to see all these little cuties!
Help Us Find the NUyou!
Bartlesville’s Regenerative Medical Spa
by Maria Gus
Bartlesville’s wellness scene is growing and one contributor is NUyou Regenerative Medical Spa, the newest addition to the NUjoint family. With its blend of cuttingedge treatments, medical expertise, and a warm, approachable atmosphere, NUyou is quickly becoming a favorite stop for anyone looking to rejuvenate, recharge, or simply feel a little more like themselves.
A Fresh Approach to Feeling Your Best
NUyou brings an impressive menu of advanced aesthetic and regenerative treatments to Bartlesville. Microneedling, HydraFacial, medical-grade facials, IV therapy, Green Light Laser Lipo, and medical weight-loss programs including GLP-1 injections, are all a part of their offerings. However, the star of the lineup is T-Shape² Body Contouring. Using a combination of radiofrequency, vacuum massage, and laser therapy, this non-invasive treatment lifts, tightens, smooths, and slims targeted areas with no downtime. Comfortable, high-tech, and results-driven, it’s become a client favorite for good reason.
The spa is designed for people at every stage of their wellness journey—from those looking for anti-aging solutions or clearer skin to anyone seeking more energy, better body confidence, or a boost in overall vitality. Whether someone is brand new to med spa services or simply ready for the next level of care, NUyou meets clients right where they are.
Not Sure Where to Start? They’ve Thought of That.
For first-timers, NUyou offers personalized consultations to help clients map out their goals. Maybe it’s brightening dull skin, smoothing stubborn areas, improving hydration, or aging gracefully. The team guides newcomers toward gentle, beginner-friendly treatments such as:
HydraFacial for instant glow
Dermaplane or medical-grade facials
Intro IV therapy
A demo session of Green Light Laser Lipo
The focus is comfort, education, and empowerment—so every visit feels like a collaboration rather than a leap into the unknown.
From NUjoint to NUyou: A Natural Expansion
The creation of NUyou was born from the success of NUjoint Chiropractic & Regenerative Medicine. NUjoint helps people heal, move better, and live pain-free. But many clients wanted to not only feel better, but look more vibrant, too. NUyou completes the circle, offering aesthetic and regenerative treatments that pair beautifully with the internal healing offered at NUjoint. Together, they form a seamless, whole-body wellness experience.
Holiday Wellness, Wrapped Up
If you’re searching for a gift that feels thoughtful, relaxing, and a little luxurious, NUyou gift cards are a perfect fit. HydraFacials, dermaplane treatments, IV therapy, laser lipo demos, or NUtox (Jeuveau) credits make for an ideal introduction to self-care, especially for someone who deserves a moment to unwind.
Meet the Team Behind the Glow
NUyou’s strength comes from its exceptional team of providers who combine medical precision with an inviting, client-centered atmosphere:
Dr. Lance Bailey, Owner & Medical Director, brings decades of regenerative medicine experience and a wholebody wellness philosophy.
Lacy Jack, Spa Director, shapes the NUyou brand and creates an atmosphere that is modern, calming, and deeply supportive.
Shannon Fox, Spa Manager, keeps every detail running smoothly with her signature warmth and professionalism.
Dr. Jamie Lard, DNP, Nurse Practitioner, delivers expert care in injectables, weight-loss therapies, and wellness services.
Valery Calhoon, Lead Aesthetician , is known for highlevel skin transformations and advanced aesthetics.
Lilly Patterson, Aesthetician , brings fresh energy, education, and a love for radiant, healthy skin.
Together, they’ve created a space where clients feel valued, uplifted, and genuinely cared for.
Self-Care as a Lifestyle
NUyou believes, and clients often confirm, that taking time for yourself isn’t indulgent, it’s essential. A single appointment can lower stress, increase confidence, boost energy, and provide a much-needed mental reset. In today’s fast-paced world, a peaceful hour in the treatment room might be one of the most restorative things you can give yourself.
With NUjoint and NUyou working hand-in-hand, Bartlesville now has a fully integrated hub for wellness, healing, beauty, and confidence, all under one trusted umbrella.
Illuminating Our World
by Jay Hastings
The idea of creating an electric source of light began in 1850. Several inventors worked at developing what, today, we call the “light bulb”. By 1860, Sir Joseph Wilson Swan, a British physicist and chemist, demonstrated a working device. However, lack of a good vacuum and adequate supply of electricity resulted in a very short life for the bulb, with it darkening rather quickly.
In 1878, with the help of Charles Stearn, Swan developed a method of processing that prolonged the darkening of the bulb. On January 17, 1879, the process was shown to 700 attendees at a meeting of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle, Tyne’s Building Society. This marked the first public building to be lit by electricity. The lamps Swan demonstrated used a carbon rod from an arc lamp rather than a slender filament. Thus, they had low resistance and required very large conductors to supply the necessary current. While they were not commercially practical, they did furnish demonstrative possibilities of incandescent lighting using relatively high vacuum, a carbon conductor, and platinum lead-in wires, resulting in about 40 hours of light.
Swan turned his attention to producing a better carbon filament and a means of attaching its ends. In the early 1880s, he devised a method of treating cotton to produce ‘parchmentized thread’. He obtained British Patent 4933 that same year.
Swan began installing light bulbs in homes and landmarks throughout England. His personal residence, Underhill, in the Low Fell district of Gateshead, England, was the first in the world to be lit by a lightbulb.
In 1881, the Savoy Theatre in Westminster, London, was lit by Swan incandescent lightbulbs, noting it as not just the first theatre, but the first public building in the world, to be lit entirely by electricity. The first street to be lit by incandescent lamps
was Mosley Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, in 1880.
In 1878, Thomas Edison began working on a system of electrical illumination he could deploy in a largescale commercial fashion, something he hoped could compete with gas and oil-based lighting. The key to Edison’s system would be developing a durable low resistance incandescent lamp, which was essential for a wide scale indoor lighting system. There had been many incandescent lamps devised by inventors prior to Edison, but the early bulbs all had flaws, such as an extremely short life and requiring a high electric current to operate, which created a barrier for use on a large scale.
To accomplish the large-scale power distribution systems required, Edison formed the Edison Electric Light Company in New York City. The company was funded in great part by several financiers, including J. P. Morgan, Spencer Trask, and members of the Vanderbilt family. On November 4, 1879, Edison filed for U.S. patent 223,898 for an electric lamp using “a carbon filament or strip coiled and connected to platina contact wires”. The patent, granted on January 27, 1880, described several ways of creating the carbon filament including “cotton and linen thread, wood splints, papers coiled in various ways”.
Several months after the patent was granted, Edison discovered a carbonized bamboo filament could last over 1,200 hours. The high-resistance filament led Edison to select the 110V power source standard in the United States today. The voltage was higher than that being used by competitors.
The first public demonstration of the incandescent light bulb took place on December 31, 1879, when Thomas Edison lit his laboratory complex in Menlo Park, New Jersey. The event drew large crowds, with many observers having traveled great distances by train to witness the occasion.
On September 4, 1882, Edison turned on the system to supply the company’s 946 customers in Manhattan, New York. However, very few people noticed, with many asking why the system had not been turned on. In fact, the lights were so steady and similar to the gas lights to which they were accustomed, customers hadn’t noticed the switch to electric lighting. There was little press about the transition, but the Boston Globe stated, “Thomas Edison has had an ‘opening night.’ His aim is to open night until it shall be as day.”
ROLLING
