bmonthly January 2026

JANUARY 2026

JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

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1415 SE Washington Blvd., Bartlesville, OK 74006 918-333-0380

stridebank.com

VICTOR CASEY

CHARLES ALLCOTT

Happy New Year!

Using our financial strength to serve you for

Over 110 Years!

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bmonthly | JANUARY 2026

We live, work, and play in Bartlesville, and we’re proud to serve our neighbors with integrity Experienced, Honest, Local

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WHAT’S INSIDE

what’s inside...

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Upfront

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Sports with Tupa: Mat Glory and Courage

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Profile: Amanda Stratford

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Never Forgotten: Mrs. Viola Fletcher

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Oh Baby!

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Calling to the Good: When Money Gets Tight

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Baby New Year 2026: Meet the Cuties!

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Tribute: Wes Butcher

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Feature Sponsor Story: O’Brien Family Legacy

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Funny You Should Ask: This is Random, But...

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Where They Are Now: Catching Up With Bjorn

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Health & Wellness: A Network of Care

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Kids Calendar

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A Fresh Perspective: A Ripe Life

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Chick-fil-A Events Calendar

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B the Light Update: 2026 Already?

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A Good Word: Making Room for What Matters

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Quality of Life: All That Jazz

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Now You Know: The Shoe Shine Boy’s Picasso

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Always Remember: Fake News Radio

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Out & About: Photos from Around Town

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Community: Washington County Aviation

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Looking Back: Pecans and Old-Time Variety

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Health & Wellness: Hometown Care

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Local Elections: Todd Cone

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Let Freedom Ring: The Continental Union Flag

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bmonthly | JANUARY 2026

FEBRUARY 2025 JANUARY 2025

UPFRONT

upfront

I want to take a minute and look Welcome to January, friends. Happy back at 2025 for us personally and for New Year from our family to yours! Oh the magazine. In 2025 we added our 6th what a year it was for our family, B the Light grandbaby, Claire, and found out we are Mission, the magazine, and Bartlesville. going to have more next year. Christy and Later in the Upfront I will talk more in I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. depth about the year of 2025.

These two high school sweethearts, who Every January we put out the most met in 1985, have known each other for popular issue of the magazine…”Baby over 40 years. After being apart for over New Year.” This is our favorite issue to 21 years, we found each other again. We do each year from the group picture to celebrated these unforgettable 20 years. the video. We love just how stinkin’ cute Who would have thought that 18 years ago all these babies are. From the first to the she would give her strung out, cocaine twelfth of December, my life is dedicated addicted husband and say “Keith, I’m to the Baby New Year contest - all day and going to give you one more chance, and all night. this is your last chance.” Look now, baby, I am a numbers guy, and this year was at what those words mean today. We run the biggest event ever on our Facebook one of the largest media companies in the page. This was a record-breaking contest city that stretches way past Bartlesville. from promoting it beginning in early We started warming shelters 5 years October, the sign up, the baby voting, and ago which now has become B the Light releasing the “People’s Choice Winner.”

Mission. We received a donated 58,000 sq From early October to the People’s Choice ft building. We had a lot of work to do, so we post we had over 253,000 views. Now this held each other’s hand tightly and jumped is where my life changes. This year we in…over 3 years of blood, sweat, and tears. opened the voting for two weeks for the People and organizations believed in our public to vote. Usually I spend 3 hours a vision and our heart for the forgotten, the night liking and commenting. This year’s hungry, the lost and the broken. Today B baby album had 448,000 thousand views the Light Mission is open full time and in all 50 states, 14 countries, over 15,000 has already changed lives. As of tonight votes, 1500 shares, and over 17,000 we have 11 people living there who are off comments. INCREDIBLE! What Christy the streets of Bartlesville and making a and I love is it brings eyes to Bartlesville. change in their lives. We are open Monday We know that we have the cutest babies through Thursday to provide showers, anywhere. food, clothing, love, and resources to help We want to announce that the winner the ones not quite ready to change. of this year’s cover and Judges’ Choice In April we will begin our 9th year with “Baby New Year 2026” contest are babies bmonthly magazine. That’s 104 issues.

Oliver and Alan. TWINS!. They are our first When we started, the magazine barely set of twins to win this prestigious cover had a 1000 readers, and it was falling fast. since the start of the contest. The judges Brian Engle bought the magazine, which had their hands full selecting the top 15 was on life support. By August we started babies from those who received the most putting the stories in the magazine we votes. Then we sent it back to the judges to wanted to read about and believed you get their top three. This handsome duo got would to. We grabbed each other’s hand the most first place votes. Congratulations! (tightly) and jumped in head first. Between The winner for the People’s Choice the magazine and online readers we have is baby Zaevan. I love this photo with over 20,000 readers each month, and we the hat on looking all dapper! This cutie have subscriptions in 25 states. We cover pie received over 400 votes to take first four counties and have over 130 magazine place. We always say that each of these racks. Our advertisers, which help make babies are winners to us. What we love this magazine free, are incredible, and 85% is that it’s all for fun, and parents get to of them have been with us for over 7 years. show off their baby to the whole world.

None of this would be possible without the We want to say a huge thank you to all the trust Brian has in us. Our success is also parents this year for entering and sharing due to our incredible writers their baby with us. Special who have written stories thanks to Amanda Stratford gaining national recognition with Bartlesville Photo Studio and awards. They continue for another great year of to tell stories of this great city pictures. It goes so smoothly and state. We find stories all with her taking the pictures over the US to write about, and getting that perfect one.

Parents enjoy the pictures, but our first love will always which can be purchased be this great city. Our roots through Amanda. Make sure run deep here in Bartlesville. to grab 4 or 5 copies of the Happy New Year, God bless magazine because these go and “We will see you down the Keith and Christy McPhail, off the racks fast. road”. Keith and Christy Managing Editors

Volume XVII Issue I

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 Brent Taylor, Keith McPhail, Jay Webster Mike Tupa, Lori Just, Miriam Walker, Joe Todd Greg Wheat, Maria Gus, Shavonne Annette Bob Fraser, Paul Lukacs

Contributing Photographers

Bartlesville Area History Museum , Mike Tupa Andy Dossett, Debbie Neece, Mark Blumer

Calendars Debbie Neece, Jessica Smith

All Rights Reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied or otherwise, without prior permission of Bartlesville Monthly, Inc. Publisher & Editor of Bartlesville Monthly Magazine reserves the right to reject any content or advertisement in this publication.

ABOUT THE COVER Meet our Baby New Year Judges’ Choice Winners, Oliver and Alan!

Creative concept by Keith and Christy McPhail Design by Engel Publishing

JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

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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.

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Dr. Robyn Lovitt-Fry, MD Medical Director

Samantha Nunn, APRN-CNP NP to Medical Director

Georjane Woodburn, APRN, FNP Pain Management Specialist

Travis Buchanan, PA-C Pain Management Specialist

Tyler Woods, APRN-CNP, CWS Wound Specialist

Rebecca Rhone, APRN-CNP, CWS Wound Specialist

Thomas Loafman, APRN-CNP Cardiology Specialist

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JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

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REVO FINANCIAL PROFILE

Amanda Stratford Finding Home Through A Lens

by Lori Esser When wedding and portrait photographer Amanda Stratford first visited Bartlesville, she didn’t expect to call it home. She and her husband, Aaron Kestner, had built a comfortable life in Florida, where she spent more than a decade photographing everything from beach weddings to space shuttle launches.

“My best friend jokingly was like, ‘you should move to Bartlesville,’” she recalled. “We came and visited and absolutely fell in love with it.”

Her aunt had lived here in the late ’70s and always spoke of its vibrant arts culture. And Amanda soon agreed she was right.

In the summer of 2021, her family of four decided Bartlesville was a halfway point between their family in Texas and Missouri and unexpectedly found their new hometown.

“When we first moved here, it was like, ‘let’s try it and see how it goes,’” she said. “And now? This is home.”

She didn’t grow up dreaming of photography. In fact, she stumbled into it by accident while majoring in public relations.

“I photographed space shuttle launches and rocket launches all the time,” she said. “They even sent me to Louisiana to cover a hurricane.”

She also photographed three U.S. presidents, natural disasters, multiple professional sports teams (including three Daytona 500s). Her work was recognized widely, even earning her a spot in a Hall of Fame monument in Titusville.

“My name is engraved in granite, which feels absurd,” she said, laughing. “I didn’t do that much. I just clicked a button.”

“One of my electives in college was photojournalism,” she explained. “I thought to myself it sounded great, and it totally changed my life. It’s funny how something like that can just change the trajectory of your life completely.”

Still, as the newspaper industry shrank, so did her newsroom as they went from eight photographers to five, and by the time she left she felt “it just wasn’t the same.” She had been shooting weddings on the side as fun, low-pressure work with friends when her husband encouraged her to do it full time.

The course was taught on film, right as digital cameras were emerging.

“And I was like, ‘really?’ but he said, ‘let’s try it.’ And we did and it was amazing.”

“I felt like I was really bad at it, especially the developing, but my instructor said, ‘you should join the school newspaper.’ I didn’t think I was good enough, but she continued, ‘we just got digital cameras, you’ll learn more.’”

The transition from journalism to weddings was vastly different. In newspapers, she said she would photograph people on some of their worst days but for weddings, they are the happiest days of people’s lives.

So, Amanda joined and discovered a natural talent. She became the Missouri Press Association Photojournalist of the Year in 2005. And she remembers thinking, “well, maybe I’m supposed to be doing this?”

When she graduated from Missouri State, she assumed she should apply for PR jobs, “because that’s what my degree is in,” but a friend pushed her toward journalism. She took a chance, interviewed, and “really enjoyed it.” Her first official job was at the Hannibal Courier-Post, where she met her husband. She was in news photography, and he was a sportswriter.

Their shift to Florida brought new opportunities. She worked for Florida Today, the major newspaper for the Space Coast.

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“You’re recording their history,” she said. “It’s still storytelling but they want you there.”

She confided that at first, she was very hands-off.

“I didn’t want to change any moment,” she said. “But people need help with posing and direction. So now I pose, but very naturally. I describe my style as true to life.”

Stratford loves the unpredictable joy of weddings. She also believes that nothing brings everyone together like a wedding.

One recent celebration stands out when she shared that the groom and all the groomsmen dropped their pants on the dance floor.

“I did not know it was happening right then,” she laughed.

“Apparently, it’s an Australian thing. The groom’s mom was

REVO FINANCIAL PROFILE like, ‘sorry, it’s an Aussie thing.’”

Amanda has been named one of the Top 10 Photographers in Oklahoma by the Professional Photographers of Oklahoma Association in 2024 and 2025. And while here, Stratford has uncovered a hidden secret about Bartlesville having massive wedding potential.

“The venues are stunning, the florists are the best of the best, and it’s affordable luxury,” she exclaimed. “This place is primed for weddings.”

As president of the Bartlesville Wedding Association, she helps organize the annual wedding show and unite local vendors. But she wanted to take it further. She created a full print wedding magazine featuring nearly 100 local vendors and striking imagery.

“I just hope this helps people consider Bartlesville who never have before,” she added. “The whole goal is to highlight how amazing Bartlesville is for weddings.”

However, after arriving in Oklahoma, she realized quickly that the rhythm of business here was different. In Florida it was yearround outdoor and wedding photography, but here it’s seasonal.

That shift pushed her into new creative territory which included opening Bartlesville Photo Studio downtown.

“When we got here, Roots & Blooms was there and Sand Creek Bridal, and I wanted to be in that spot, but everything was rented out,” she said.

A year later, in 2022, a space opened, and she moved in.

Indoor portraiture was almost entirely new for her.

“In Florida, I never had a need for a studio because everyone wanted the beach,” she added. “So, this was a whole new world, and it’s been fun.”

With this separate brand from her Amanda Stratford Photography, she’s able to expand beyond weddings for portraiture, local events, schools, the YMCA basketball league, chamber events and volume work.

Community involvement is another one of Amanda’s greatest passions.

“When I moved here, Whitney Virden told me, ‘If you’re good to Bartlesville, Bartlesville will be good to you,’” she said. “I didn’t really understand it then, but now I do.”

She works often with the Beckett Hope Foundation, which fills insurance gaps for children needing therapies, including speech therapy something that personally hits home.

“My kid had huge speech delays, and our insurance wouldn’t cover it,” she shared. “A lot of families are in the same situation.”

Her studio also hosts sessions designed for children easily overwhelmed with no flash, no music and very calm environment. She also donates photography for Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation (graduation portraits), Bartlesville Young Professionals (headshot event) and various seasonal

community projects. She also teaches “The Science of Photography” at TriCounty Tech’s STEAM camp each summer. She also recently completed the WCSPCA calendar.

“I can’t write big checks,” she added. “But God’s given me a gift, and I can give my time. A lot of people giving a little makes a big difference.”

For the last three years, Amanda has photographed the Baby New Year sessions for bMonthly that features 100 local tots under 18 months.

“Baby New Year is absolutely crazy and so much fun,” she said, excitedly. “Honestly, I just push a button, but the parents are the ones under all the pressure. They’re told, ‘Okay, you’ve got five minutes, let’s see what your baby can do,’ but babies don’t perform on command, so the parents come in ready to do everything to get their kid to laugh. By the end, we get that perfect shot for the cover, and it becomes such a fun little keepsake for the families.”

Her family includes her husband, Aaron, an assistant principal at Central Middle School, their daughter Carter, 11; and their son Reef, 5.

“My kids are complete opposites,” she laughed. “You think you know what you’re doing with your first kid, and then number two comes along and you’re like, ‘oh no, I know nothing.’ They’re just the coolest people.”

Growing up as an Army brat, and even living in Germany briefly in her childhood, Amanda and her crew like to travel together.

“Reef has the coolest first step story,” she said proudly. “He learned to walk in Rome.”

She and Aaron hiked the Inca Trail for four days to Machu Picchu for their honeymoon. They’ve explored New Mexico the past two summers to Taos, White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns and has their sights set on Utah next.

“And we’re doing an Alaskan cruise in May, I’m so excited,” she added.

She brings her camera on trips sometimes but not always.

“If I have my camera, I feel like I’m working,” she explained.

“Sometimes I just want to enjoy the moment. But Machu Picchu?

You have to bring the camera.”

For a photographer who has captured rocket launches, hurricanes and once-in-a-lifetime weddings, perhaps her most meaningful work is happening here steadily behind the lens of a community she now proudly calls her own.

“I don’t know how many years it takes before you’re considered a Bartian,” she said. “But this feels like home now.”

In every portrait, every wedding, every fundraiser and tiny baby placed in front of her lens, Amanda leaves a small imprint.

Her philosophy is simple: “My favorite photo is always the one I’m about to take.”

JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

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FEATURE SPONSOR

Oh Baby!

Thank you to all the moms and dads who participated in this year’s Baby New Year contest. It was a joy to celebrate so many precious new beginnings in our community.

We look forward to seeing you next year as we welcome Baby New Year 2027.

Special thanks to Sutterfield Financial Group for their continued sponsorship and support of the Baby New Year contest and photographer Amanda Stratford, of Bartlesville Photo Studio.

Baby New Year 2026 SPECIAL THANKS TO CONTEST SPONSOR

CONTEST PHOTOGRAPHER

JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

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SUTTERFIELD FINANCIAL FEATURE

PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER

Zaevan

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SUTTERFIELD FINANCIAL FEATURE

ASHER

ASHLEY

AUBREY

BAKER

BAKER

BARRETT

BENSON

BERTRAM

BISHOP JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

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SUTTERFIELD FINANCIAL FEATURE

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BRADEN JET

BREWER

BROOKLYN

CASSIUS

CEDRIC

COLLINS

COLLINS

CONRAD

CORA

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SUTTERFIELD FINANCIAL FEATURE

DAIZEE

DAVID

DEON

EASTON

ELIANA

ELIJAH

FRANKIE

GIANNA

GREYLAN JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

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SUTTERFIELD FINANCIAL FEATURE

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GRIFFIN

HARLOW

HENDRIX

HOLDEN

HUDSON

IRIS

IRIS

IVORY

JESSIE

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SUTTERFIELD FINANCIAL FEATURE

JETT

JETT

JOSIE

JUNIPER

JOURNEE JO

KAISER

KALINA

KALINA & GIANNA

KENNA JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

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SUTTERFIELD FINANCIAL FEATURE

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KILLIAN

KORBYN

LINCOLN

LUKE

MAELEE

MARLEE

MATTIX

MEADOW

MIA

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SUTTERFIELD FINANCIAL FEATURE

MIA

MILA

MILO

MYERS

NICHOLAS

OLIVIA

PAISLEY

W’WES

RIDGE JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

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SUTTERFIELD FINANCIAL FEATURE

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ROMAN

RYLEE

SAIGE

SCARLETT

SILAS

SLATER

STELLAN

STORMI

SYDNEY

bmonthly | JANUARY 2026

SUTTERFIELD FINANCIAL FEATURE

THEODORE

THEODORE

VAELA

WAYLON

WILLOW

WINSTYN

ZAVIER

ZAYDEN JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

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FEATURE SPONSOR STORY

O’Brien Family Legacy Bartlesville’s Go-To Farm Supply Company

by Debbie Neece In 1947, O.C. “Pat” and Dorothy O’Brien purchased the D-L Farm Supply from William “Bill” Doenges at 310 W. Third Street (renamed Frank Phillips Blvd. in 1951). O’Brien’s Feed Store was the go-to for chicks, paint, pecans, garden supplies, all types of feed and so much more.

The Washington County Farm Bureau office was located at the Coop Farm Elevator in Dewey with meetings held at the Dewey FFA building. In September 1958, the bureau moved to the O’Brien Feed Store, when Dorothy O’Brien became the new bureau secretary. At that time, Pat became an agent/ broker for the Farm Bureau Insurance Company, 1958-1986; and, then relocated his insurance agency to 504 S.E. Quapaw.

The couple also established the “Old Country Korner” antique store in the feed store building in 1976 and Dorothy continued the store until 1985, when their daughter, Janice “Sue” assumed the operation of the store. Sue also operated Cassville Country Antiques at 149 N Cass.

Pat O’Brien retired in 1986 but continued to ranch and work cattle until 1989. He passed away in 1991 and Dorothy followed him in 1998. The are both resting in Memorial Park Cemetery.

In 1994. Sue opened the O’Brien Sandwich Shop, Tea Room and Catering business at 406 S. Johnstone Avenue (19942001). In 2001, she established O’Brien’s Cake Company at 1802 Hillcrest Drive in the Village Shopping Center, south of the Bartlesville High School where she graduated in 1959. The following year she also opened Thirsty’s at 900 S. Madison Blvd.

Who hasn’t loved the mouthwatering, raspberry-filled, white chocolate cake at O’Brien’s?

O’Brien’s Cake Company was 22

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more than a cake shop…a place for high school students, and the public, to obtain lunch with made-toorder sandwiches – select your bread, cheese and meat – or just say soup please.

Susie Sprague was Janice’s right arm and her daughter DeeDee was her business “side kick.”

Susie’s grandfather was the butcher at the Q Store at the corner of 4th Street and Keeler Avenue.

On April 1, 2011, the Village Shopping Center business owners were presented a notice to vacate effective May 1 in order for the Bartlesville Public School to demolish the building for additional school parking. Janice Sue and Susie made many friends throughout their years at the Hillcrest location.

That ending was really just a new beginning for O’Briens as they moved to Comanche Center, in the former location of Mr. Limey’s Fish and Chips location. Unfortunately, eight months later, Janice Sue O’Brien passed away, February 4, 2012, and DeeDee continued her mother’s legacy.

DeeDee managed the sandwich shop and bakery until 2015, while continuing to operate Thirsty’s until 2018. She made the decision to slow down because balancing all of the “plates” became just too much. However, anyone who knows DeeDee, knows no grass grows under her feet. She stays busy with her decorating business, selling antiques and collectables, being a home care companion and a Mary Kay consultant. However, if you have a special occasion or just want a yummy O’Brien Cake, contact DeeDee at 918-337-9193 to place your order…O’Brien’s is open for business.

WHERE THEY ARE NOW

Looking Back to 2021 Catching Up With Bjorn - Growing Up! Bjorn was at an age when sitting upright was still an accomplishment when he appeared on the cover of bmonthly magazine as Baby New Year. The image captured a baby just beginning to find his balance, yet the moment carried deeper meaning. As a rainbow baby, Bjorn represented hope after loss, and the cover became a quiet celebration of that joy.

One of Bjorn’s favorite activities is karate class, where he channels that energy into focus and movement.

He also loves visiting local parks and museums, places where exploration comes naturally. Time spent with his best friend ranks high on his list of favorite things to do. Together, they turn ordinary days into adventures filled with laughter and play.

When the issue was released, the response was immediate. Friends and family were thrilled. Copies were shared, messages poured in, and the cover quickly became something to treasure. “We still have it framed and up in our home,” said Ashylnn, Bjorn’s mom. What started as a single image became a lasting keepsake, marking a season when Bjorn was tiny and deeply celebrated.

Bjorn’s favorite part about going to school is playing with the Spiderman Legos. It’s a small detail, but one that says a lot about where he is in life— learning through imagination, building stories one block at a time.

Now, fast-forward: Bjorn is energetic, expressive, and constantly on the move.

“He’s always creating something,” his mom shared. Whether he’s building, drawing, or inventing his own projects, he approaches the world with curiosity and enthusiasm. He is in motion and full of imagination.

What makes Bjorn’s early cover story especially endearing is that he didn’t know it was happening. He had no awareness of the magazine, the excitement, or the pride surrounding that moment.

There was no understanding of being celebrated. As his mom put it, “He didn’t know.” At that stage, his contribution amounted to little more than baby babble—“goo goo, ga ga.”

Now old enough to imagine the future, Bjorn already has ideas about what comes next. When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, “A construction worker.” It’s fitting for a child who loves to build and create. Whether with Legos, blocks, or anything else within reach, Bjorn is happiest when he’s making something.

That magazine cover captured a moment, but it never defined him.

Instead, it marked the beginning of a story that continues to unfold—one shaped by creativity, growth, and joy. From a six-monthold rainbow baby to a five-year-old with big dreams, Bjorn’s journey is a reminder of how quickly time moves and how meaningful it is to pause and remember where it all began.

JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

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JANUARY CALENDAR

SPONSORED BY 5

OKWU Mens Basketball vs Bethany

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7:30PM; OWKU Gym

6 8 9

All Day; BPS Gym

10

19 20

24

OKWU Mens Basketball vs Tabor

OKWU Mens Basketball vs Friends University

5PM; OKWU Gym

5PM; OKWU Gym

6PM; BHS Gym

Bruin Boys Basketball vs Capitol Hill 7:30PM; BHS Gym

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bmonthly | JANUARY 2026

OKWU Womens Basketball vs Tabor 3PM; OKWU Gym

3PM; OKWU Gym

13

6PM; BHS Gym

7:30PM; BHS Gym

All Day; BPS Gym

Bruin Ladies Basketball vs Capitol Hill

Bruin Ladies Basketball vs Broken Arrow Bruin Boys Basketball vs Broken Arrow

COP/Arvest Basketball Tournament OKWU Womens Basketball vs Friends University

OKWU Mens Basketball vs Avila 7:30PM; OKWU Gym

7:30PM; OKWU Gym

No School; MLK Day

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Bruin Ladies Basketball vs Muskohee 6PM; BHS Gym

Bruin Boys Basketball vs Muskogee 7:30PM; BHS Gym

OKWU Womens Basketball vs Avila 6PM; OKWU Gym

OKWU Mens Basketball vs Ottawa Univeristy

COP/Arvest Basketball Tournament COP/Arvest Basketball Tournament

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6PM; OKWU Gym

Back to School

All Day; BPS Gym

OKWU Womens Basketball vs Ottawa University

31

OKWU Womens Basketball vs Bethany 3PM; OKWU Gym

OKWU Mens Basketball vs Bethany 5PM; OKWU Gym

JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

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JANUARY EVENTS CALENDAR Know of an upcoming event you would like to see on our calendar? Visit us at bartlesvillemonthly.com for a free listing!

Every Monday

Every Tuesday

Every Tuesday

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

6:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.

7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

FREE Beginning Spanish Class

Price Tower Exterior and The Center Tour

Bartlesville Public Library ELL Conversation Class

Crossing 2nd Trivia in the Garage

Bartlesville Public Johnstone Avenue

Library,

600

S.

Every Monday

Every Tuesday

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

FREE Intermediate Spanish Class

Bartlesville Public Library ELL Conversation Class

Bartlesville Public Johnstone Avenue

Library

600

S.

8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Bartlesville Area History Museum Presents “Our Culinary Past” BAHM, 401 Bartlesville

S.

Casa Hispana, 3850 Frank Phillips Blvd., Bartlesville

Every Wednesday

Johnstone

Avenue,

S.

Every Thursday

Bartlesville Public Library, 600 Johnstone Avenue, Literacy Office

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Bartlesville Public Johnstone Avenue

Every Thursday Bartlesville Public Library ELL Conversation Class

FREE Citizenship Classes

Every Tuesday through Saturday

Crossing Second, 215 E 2nd Street, Bartlesville

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and

Bartlesville Public Library, 600 Johnstone Avenue, Literacy Office

May 1–July 7

Every Thursday

Library,

600

S.

S.

Every Friday 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Tai Chi with Dixie at Unity Square

6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Tower Center at Unity Square, 300 SE Adams Blvd, Bartlesville

Bartlesville Kiddie Park Open for summer season

Kiddie Park, 205 N. Cherokee Avenue, Bartlesville

Photo Taken By: John Southern

Still Open For You Monday - Thursday 8:00am - 5:00pm Friday 8:00am - Noon 26

bmonthly | JANUARY 2026

William Davito, DO

Mark Erhardt, DO

Daniel Holdman, MD Elizabeth Sherrock, MD M. Ryan Vaclaw, MD

Exceptional Care For Your Whole Family

918-331-2300 www.primarycareassociatesbartlesville.com

Jan 1 – Jan 4

Sun, Jan 11

Tues, Jan 20

Check Chamber of Commerce for open hours

Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra’s Young Artist Competition

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Finance For Your Future

2026 Bartlesville Wedding Show

7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Fri, Jan 30

Christmas in the Ville

Bartlesville Chamber of Commerce, 201 SW Keller Ave

Wed-Thurs, Dec 31-Jan 1 6:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.

Crossing Second New Year’s Eve Party Crossing 2nd, Bartlesville

215

E.

2nd

Street,

7:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.

New Year’s Eve Party at Cooper Mill Brewing Company

Bartlesville High School

Truity Credit Union NJCR Basement, 501 S. Johnstone Ave.

Mon, Jan 12 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Red Cross Blood Drive

Bartlesville Public Library, 600 Johnstone Avenue, Meeting Room A

The Choir of Man–Broadway S.

Mon – Fri, Jan. 13 – Apr 10 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Winter 2026 Exhibit– “Bartlesville Throughout the Decades: Part One”

Cooper and Mill Brewing Company, 200 S. Dewey Ave.

Thurs, Jan 8

Thurs, Jan 15

7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Scissortail Brewing Company, 623 E Don Tyler Ave., Dewey

Sat, Jan 10 Visit Dewey Second Saturday Downtown Dewey Merchants

Bartlesville Public Library, 600 Johnstone Avenue, Meeting Room A

7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Crossing Second - Robbi Bell Crossing 2nd, 215 E. 2nd Street

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Sat, Jan 31

Basic Computing Class - Starting from Scratch

All That Jazz

Bartlesville Public Library, 600 Johnstone Avenue, Meeting Room A

6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

S.

Hillcrest Country Club, 1901 Price Road

Thurs, Jan 22 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Crossing 2nd, 215 E. 2nd Street

S.

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Menopause The Musical 2: Cruising Through the Change

Bartlesville Community Center, 300 SE Adams Blvd

Bluegrass Jam at Crossing Second

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Fast, Fresh and Fabulous with Chef Hilary

Bartlesville Community Center, 300 SE Adams Blvd.

Wed, Jan 21

Bartlesville Area History Museum, 401 S Johnstone Ave. 5th floor

OSU Alumni Chapter Monthly Meeting - Washington County

Sun, Jan 25

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Cultural Archival - How to Interview Your People

Bartlesville Public Library, 600 Johnstone Avenue, Meeting Room A

S.

Bartlesville Community Center, 300 SE Adams Blvd.

Congrats Babies!

JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

27

JEFF HALL REAL ESTATE “My commitment to service is my commitment to you!”

37 Years of Real Estate Knowledge Jeff Hall, Broker/Associate (Licensed Broker in OK and NC)

124 SE Frank Phillips Boulevard, Bartlesville, OK 74003 918.440.9199 jhall@mcgrawrealtors.com

28

bmonthly | JANUARY 2026

A GOOD WORD

Making Room for What Matters

by Greg Wheat Every New Year begins the same way: fresh calendars, big intentions, and the quiet hope that this year might feel lighter than the last. We clean out closets, organize garages, and promise ourselves we’ll finally get rid of what we no longer need.

But while we’re busy decluttering our homes, we often overlook something just as important— decluttering our lives.

Whether we realize it or not, life has a way of collecting clutter. Not just physical clutter, but emotional, mental, and spiritual clutter, too.

Unlike the mess in a junk drawer, this kind of clutter is easy to ignore— until it starts affecting how we live, love, and grow.

Most of the clutter we carry didn’t arrive on purpose. We didn’t plan for it. We didn’t invite it in. It simply seeped into our day-to-day lives: attitudes we picked up, habits we tolerated, reactions we excused, or patterns we rationalized. Individually, they seem small. Together, they can weigh us down and keep us from becoming our best.

Think about the spaces we know best—closets, counters, attics, workshops. One extra item doesn’t cause a problem. But over time, those spaces fill up. Life feels cluttered in the same way when we allow “little things” to pile up unchecked.

These little things often show up quietly, and none of them seem life-altering at first. But what we overlook long enough slows our progress, and can stand between us and where we want to be.

Clutter can also become a powerful distraction. It pulls our attention away from what truly matters and competes for the time, energy, and focus we need to grow. When our lives are crowded with unnecessary clutter, it becomes harder to show up as the person we want to be—whether as a parent, grandparent, spouse, family member, friend, leader, coworker, or person of faith.

Clutter doesn’t just slow us down; it divides us. It fragments our attention and spreads our energy thin. Instead of moving forward with purpose, we find ourselves reacting, rushing, and constantly trying to keep up. What mattered most gets pushed aside instead of being front and center.

This is why reevaluating our lives matters. Not in a harsh or self-critical way, but in an honest and hopeful one. The beginning of a new year offers a rare opportunity to pause and ask meaningful questions: What’s taking up space in my life?

Is it helping me grow—or holding me back? What we choose to keep determines what we have room for.

Decluttering often requires adjustment. It may mean being more intentional about how we spend our time, where we invest our energy, how we manage our money, and what we allow to influence us. It may mean saying no to things that once felt normal, so we can say yes to what truly matters. When we remove what no longer belongs, what remains becomes clearer, stronger, and more aligned with who we want to be.

This is especially important because our lives don’t exist in isolation. The best version of you doesn’t just benefit you—it impacts everyone around you. Children, who are a gift from God (Psalm 127:3 Good News Translation), learn from the example you set. Your family feels it. Your workplace experiences it. Your relationships are shaped by it. You deserve to live with clarity, purpose, and intention, and so do the people who share life with you.

Growth is rarely a solo journey. We are shaped by the environments and people we spend the most time with. It’s often said that we are the average of the five to ten people we surround ourselves with. Choosing to be around people who inspire the values you desire can make all the difference. For many, that journey is strengthened by inviting God into the process, allowing His guidance to help refine what stays and what goes.

As this new year begins, let it be more than just turning the calendar page. Let it be a choice to make space for the things that really matter—your goals, your family, your relationships, and the person you want to become. You can grow. You can change. You can become the best version of yourself. And with the right focus, the right people around you, and faith to guide you, you can step into this year with more energy for what matters and a path that leads toward the life you want. You deserve this—and every positive change you make creates a better life for you and those around you.

JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

29

NOW YOU KNOW

The Shoe Shine Boy’s Picasso The Santa Fe railroad arrived in Bartlesville during 1900; and, with the train, came travelers in search of food, lodging and entertainment. Frank Overlees and Ola Wilhite had built the wooden National Hotel in 1899 at the northwest corner of Third Street (currently Frank Phillips Blvd.) and Johnstone Avenue.

The National held a grand opening December 25, 1899, and was rechristened in 1900 as the Right Way Hotel, boasting natural gas lighting and heating. The Right Way was a constant twentyfour-hour hub of activity. It has been said the hotel never slept or had a vacant bed as oil workers fell into warm beds replacing workers headed back out into the oil field.

Lodging was at a premium; however, needs were eased when the red brick and stone 1904 Annex building was built just north of the Right Way Hotel, pushing the room count to 70. In 1909, the wooden Right Way Hotel was moved to Osage and First Street/Hensley Blvd. where it functioned as a rooming/ apartment house. At that point, the hotel was replaced at Third Street and Johnstone Avenue with a three-story, brick, steel reinforced, building by William Johnstone. The first-floor corner store became the Madansky Brothers’ Model Clothiers, opening March 19, 1910. In 1921, the family Americanized their name by 30

bmonthly | JANUARY 2026

by Debbie Neece

changing it to May and changed the name of the family business to May Brothers to coincide.

The 1904 Annex was an architectural statement with her gorgeous third-floor arched windows overlooking Johnstone Avenue and the words “Right Way Hotel” prominently painted on the north and south sides of the building eves. The advertisement attracted attention from miles away, gently luring visitors to the prime lodging opportunity. At the base of the 1904 building, along the north side alley, an early sign painter left his artistry in the form of a wall mural. The first murals were Owl Cigar and Masters Clothing Company, followed by the Moss and Skinner Star Drug, and finally the Lawrence Barrett Cigar mural.

Lawrence Patrick Barrett was a very well-known 1800s era American theater actor. During performances, intermissions allowed patrons access to necessity rooms or a refreshing cigar break. This break also allowed tobacco companies to promote their “Between the Acts” brand of “Little Cigars” with highly collectable baseball like trading card inserts. The front of the card was printed with a colorful bust of a famous male stage or movie actor, and the reverse provided a brief biography of the portrayed character.

NOW YOU KNOW The circa 1884 “flagship” cigar of the D. Emil Kleim Cigar Company of New York was the Lawrence Barrett, a mild Havana style cigar. Even after Barrett’s 1891 death, the cigars were extremely popular throughout the 1900s and were available at drugstores, pool halls and wherever tobacco products were sold.

Advertisements extended to metal signage and building murals; like the north-facing alley mural on the 1904 Annex. Interestingly, this building mural has been painted at least three times, with several touch-ups throughout the years.

The 1904 Annex has served in a variety of manners beyond the second and third floor Avaneda Hotel. The first-floor street frontage was available for businesses including the Star Drug Store and the Pastime Billiard Parlor. Of course, a pool hall is no place for a youngster to hang out, but Francis Kelly was a self-made entrepreneur…a shoeshine boy who made himself available for downtown shoppers, Phillips employees and service personnel at the Air Force Aircraft Control and Warning Station west of Bartlesville on Radar Hill. Francis positioned himself at the pool hall where he was easily found by anyone in need of a “ten-cent shine.”

With his earnings, he could get a hot roast beef sandwich, with a large helping of mashed potatoes and gravy over all for 35 cents, coffee for a nickel, milk for a dime, bread at the bakery was 10 cents a loaf or a dozen loaves for a dollar. It was a simple time.

Francis was just 12 years old when he happened upon a golden opportunity. According to his memories, Bill Bruskey was a sign painter and a Dewey Lakeside Speedway racecar driver. Francis conversed about the wall mural Bruskey was

touching up and voiced he thought he could paint the mural. Bruskey took him up on the offer.

After the mural was completed, Mr. Bruskey told Francis, “Now you have to sign your artwork.”

Francis was taken back for a short time; then, Bruskey said, “Your signature is your shoeshine so paint you a shoeshine signature.” A short time later, Francis’ shoeshine box was painted and graced the northside alley for the next seventythree years…until covered with white paint this year.

Francis Kelly became a Phillips Petroleum Company roughneck for “just shy of” 10 years; then, completed his degree in electronics technology, graduating in 1971. He found employment with Southwestern Bell Telephone and now lives comfortably in retirement in Pawhuska.

However, there is another layer to this story. Many Bartians knew and remember Madelyn Clevenger Beuemeler Jordan who was also an entrepreneur and established a motel on the east side of Bartlesville in 1955. The mom-and-pop Golden Spur Motel was built at 1300 Washington Blvd. and open from 19561962. From 1963-1988, the name was changed to the Townsman Motel and was often referred to as the Townsman Budget Motel.

Although Madelyn maintained ownership of the motel, there were many managers over the years.

In 1988, Donald and Elizabeth Young managed the Townsman Motel; and, during their management, the name was changed to the Sooner Motel. Donald was the handyman who repainted the 1904 Annex alley mural about 1988 and painted the same mural on the Sooner Motel.

Therefore, it is believed the Lawrence Barrett Cigar mural on the 1904 Annex has been painted at least three times with touch-ups throughout its existence.

Did You Know?

Mrs. Madelyn retired in 2005 and died in 2013. The Sooner Motel fell into disrepair and was razed July 2018 in anticipation of the establishment of a Popeye’s Chicken restaurant. When the project failed, Fast Track Tire and Service opened in 2025.

Now You Know * JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

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OUT & ABOUT

BARTLESVILLE CHRISTMAS PARADE

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OUT & ABOUT

HOLIDAY JOY AT THE CENTER

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bmonthly | JANUARY 2026

LOOKING BACK

Pecans & Old-Time Variety Remembering the Caswells

by Kay Little, Little History Adventures Ed Caswell was born in South Dakota in 1914, but he grew up on a farm in Kansas, where he learned how to work hard, but also to enjoy farm life. After he married Louise, they moved to Austin, Texas, beginning his career with Phillips Petroleum as branch manager of mapping and surveying for the engineering department.

When Ed was transferred to Bartlesville in 1946, he could not find a place to live with his family. He would go to the utility office almost daily so he would know when a place became empty.

The Hanes Greenhouse had a house with some land, so Ed purchased it and moved his family here. In 1964, he planted pecan trees on the first ten acres, and raised cattle on the rest of the land. Ed retired from Phillips in 1979 and spent his time taking care of the pecan trees and cattle.

In 1986, the Caswells’ lives changed dramatically. When the October ’86 flood happened, the land was ruined for the cattle. Louise had a great idea; plant the other 40 acres with pecan trees. They knew it would take years and much work to see results, but they were used to hard work. Their son, Bill and his wife Rosi, came home to Bartlesville temporarily, to help with the cleanup and care of the trees. When Bill first brought Rosi home to meet his family, they put her to work. She grew up on a farm in Louisiana and was also used to hard work.

Bill was born in 1944 in Austin, Texas. The family moved to Bartlesville when he was two years old. He attended Highland Park Elementary.

When he entered first grade, he

realized on the first day of school he wasn’t getting naps and snacks he had grown accustomed to in kindergarten, so he ran away from school. He did go back and graduated from College High in 1962.

As he was preparing for a career in advertising, he was drafted into the army to go to Vietnam. After his time in Vietnam, he pursued an advertising career. After ten years, he decided to pursue his lifelong dream – a career in music, singing and writing songs.

He moved to Nashville and met Rosi, who also was pursuing a career in music. They married in 1984 and started writing music and performing together. They performed on rare old-style instruments, including the ukelin, mandolin-guitar, bell-harp and tremeloa. Bill performed his music on Hee Haw. The two performed at Dollywood for five seasons.

Bill co-wrote “Kentucky Homemade Christmas” which Kenny Rogers recorded. That opened doors for Bill to work with other musicians. Recently I visited with my history friend and chiropractor, Mike Bush, and he told about one of his favorite songs, “Sweet Allis Chalmers”.

Mike was shocked to find out his friend, Bill Caswell, had written that song about an old tractor he drove while growing up on the family farm.

Perhaps you had the privilege to hear the Caswells sing at different events in our community. Bill died in 2023 and Rosi sold the pecan orchard, but still lives in the family home. I recently was able to visit with Rosi and she said, “The 40 years with Bill were the best years of my life!” The Caswells have left a great legacy!

JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

39

Contact us today to experience our resident-first community!

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®

LOCAL ELECTIONS

Lessons in Service:

How Family and Volunteerism Shaped Todd Cone

by Maria Gus For Bartlesville attorney Todd Cone, service has never been a résumé line. It has been a way of life learned early, modeled daily, and practiced quietly. Long before courtrooms and boardrooms, Todd absorbed lessons about community from two people who lived them without fanfare, his parents.

Todd’s father, Don Cone, was the kind of man who rarely said no when help was needed. A military veteran and lifelong volunteer, Don believed service was simply part of being a good neighbor. If someone needed a truck, a hand with a paintbrush, a lawn mowed, or a ride to a doctor’s appointment, Don showed up.

He volunteered everywhere, from Sooner Junior miniature golf course and the Red Cross to Woolaroc, the Frank Phillips Home, Freedom Fest, OK Mozart, and The Center.

He ushered, served meals, worked festivals, helped with youth sports, and even donated an astonishing 15 gallons of blood over his lifetime.

“Dad might be the most volunteering person I’ve ever known,” Todd says. “He lived his faith by loving his family and loving others.”

The example left a lasting impression. Todd recalls watching his father give time without expectation of recognition and learning that meaningful service often looks like small, consistent acts repeated over years. Todd keeps a favorite quote from Mr. Rogers close at hand: “I hope you are proud of yourself for the times you’ve said ‘yes,’ when all it meant was extra work for you and was seemingly helpful to somebody else.” It is a sentiment that feels tailor made for Don Cone and for his son who aspires to follow in his footsteps.

Todd’s mother also shaped his understanding of service in powerful ways. As a teacher, she went far beyond lesson plans and bell schedules. She invested deeply in her students, often going the extra mile to make sure each child felt supported and capable. From her, Todd learned patience, empathy, and the quiet impact of showing up day after day for others. “Watching my mom give so much to her students taught me that service is not always visible,” Todd says. “But it lasts.”

Those lessons followed Todd into adulthood, where service became woven into nearly every aspect of his life. Over the

years, he has volunteered with and served on boards for a wide range of organizations focused on education, youth, elder care, the arts, and humanitarian efforts. His roles have included Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Bartlesville Public School Foundation, service on classroom grant committees, leadership with Washington County Elder Care, board membership with the American Red Cross and Bartlesville Civic Ballet, and participation in United Way budget review committees. He has also served as a trustee for charitable foundations dedicated to strengthening the community.

Todd has shared his time and expertise through education as well.

He taught as an adjunct professor at Oklahoma Wesleyan University, offering courses in United States Government, Business Law, and Negotiation Strategies. He has also served as a guest lecturer for OK Mozart, speaking on American history and the foundations of civic life.

While Todd has spent more than three decades practicing law and many years serving as a municipal judge, he is careful not to define himself solely by his profession. “The law has given me the opportunity to serve people at important moments in their lives,” he says. “But community service has helped me understand people outside the courtroom, their needs, their struggles, and their hopes.”

That balance between professional responsibility and personal commitment has shaped Todd’s outlook as he prepares for the next chapter of public service. He credits his parents with teaching him that leadership is less about position and more about presence. Showing up matters. Listening matters. Treating people with dignity matters.

Todd is the first to admit he cannot fill his father’s shoes all at once. “But like Mr. Rogers often did,” he adds with a smile, “I will try putting on one shoe at a time.”

In Bartlesville, that steady, thoughtful approach to service has made Todd Cone a familiar figure, not just as an attorney or judge, but as a neighbor who understands that strong communities are built by people willing to say yes, again and again, when help is needed.

JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

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SPORTS WITH TUPA

Mat Glory & Courage

by Mike Jerry Tupa

While not a powerhouse in Oklahoma high school wrestling history, Bartlesville boasts many vibrant chapters of mat glory and courage.

He lost in the semifinals — making a risky move while he was behind on points, getting caught and suffering his first defeat since the 2012 state finals.

From a state championship brother duo to gritty conquerors that overcame the odds to reach the top, Bartlesville’s prep grappling legacy is memorable.

Even though no longer in contention for the title, Hamilton decided to press on into the consolation round.

Wrestling more on sheer guts and spit than technique and polish, Hamilton won that match, 5-4, and moved into the third-place match.

At least nine warriors from College, Sooner and Bartlesville high schools have earned the crowns of champions.

This elite list includes Chuck Hetrick (Sooner, 130, 1967, 1968), Lyle Taylor (College, 130, 1971), Ed Shaw (148, 1973), Ben Bolt (115, 174), Cline Eads (215, 1995, BHS), Wes Barnhart (152, 1996, BHS), Tim Hamilton (132/145, 2010, 2011, 2012, BHS), Michael Hamilton (152, 2013, BHS) and Laif Jones (120, 2018, BHS).

Finally, mercifully, Hamilton’s excruciating ordeal of character ended.

His coaches and parents decided he had enough. He forfeited the third-place match and brought home the fourthplace medal — the third year in a row he medaled at state.

MIKE & TIM HAMILTON

A few key insights: Tim Hamilton is the lone Bartlesville Bruin to place in the top three at state all four years in high school. … Barnhart finished as state runner-up in 1995, the year before he won it all. … Eads burst through the 1995 season with a perfect (37-0) record.

Beyond these important tidbits are tales of incredible courage and desire that can’t be reflected by results.

As peerless sportswriter and blue-collar philosopher Grantland Rice wrote: “For when the one great Scorer comes To write against your name, He marks — not that you won or lost — But how you played the game.”

By this standard, Michael Hamilton was better than a champion in 2014 — he was a gold medalist of the heart.

After finishing as a Class 6A state runner-up his sophomore season (2012) and winning the state title his junior journey (2013), Hamilton entered the 2013-14 season as a favorite to two-peat.

But fate threw up looming roadblocks that season — an earlyseason injury that forced him out of action, followed by a broken hand (with his record at 8-0) that should have ended his season.

championships.

With the four medals — and three championships — won by older brother Tim, the Hamilton brothers finished their Bruin wrestling careers with a total of seven state medals and four

Another local champion, Lyle Taylor, left behind a legacy of courage and positive impact.

The dynamic Black athlete became the first-ever state wrestling king from College High — while also battling at times against racism.

In one match his senior year, a Tulsa-area opponent made a slur that led to Taylor backing up and popping him.

Even though he was kicked out of the match, Taylor would later meet the same opponent in the 130-pound state final.

With just 17 seconds left in the second overtime, Taylor scored a reverse and won the state title.

But Taylor also valued education. He gave up college wrestling at Oklahoma State so that he could focus on his studies and graduate.

After he failed to land his dream job, he spent the rest of his life working at a variety of jobs — and dealing with an alcohol issue.

Just an hour into his first practice in six weeks, Hamilton suffered a tear in his rib cage.

But he never gave up on his dream of helping young people.

He encouraged them in their studies, he served as an inspiration as someone who had graduated college. Even though his life did turn out as he hoped, he served as a tutor and an impetus in lifting young people and helping them achieve their dreams.

He refused to be deterred and entered the regional anyway, at 160 pounds; he gritted his teeth and overcame pain and foes to finish second and qualify for state.

Like Lyle, other former Bartlesville wrestling champions — and those who tried as hard as they could to win — have made the world better.

He went on a fast track to recovery and the doctor released him to return — just in time to prepare for the regional.

At state he muscled into the semifinals — while enduring agony few of us will ever imagine.

That is, after all, the real measurement of success JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

43

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bmonthly | JANUARY 2026

NEVER FORGOTTEN

Mrs. Viola Fletcher Remembering A Bartlesville Legend

by Shavonne Annette Some people live in history books.

Others live in the hearts of their neighbors. Mrs. Viola Fletcher lived in both.

To the world, she became known as one of the last living survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Her voice helped awaken a nation to truths that had been buried for far too long. But long before cameras ever found her, and long before the world called her a symbol, she was simply Mrs. Vi to us.

She lived just one block over from the Westside Community Center.

That mattered because it meant she was present. Not just nearby, but involved. Watching. Caring. Showing up in ways that shape children and steady neighborhoods. She was the woman who made sure kids got where they were going and made it back home safely. If there was an event, she had a car full. And she did not drop them off and leave. She stayed in that car and waited, every time, until the event was over and every child was safely back with her.

Long before the world began to call her Mother Fletcher, this was already her ministry, quietly lived out in parking lots and neighborhoods. The name simply caught up to who she had been all along, a mother to many, not just her own family. She never needed a title or a stage to serve. She simply did.

One of the photos we treasure shows her here at WCC, standing tall in full cultural pride during our annual Black History Fashion Show. There is strength in that image. Quiet confidence.

A woman who understood the importance of being seen without ever needing the spotlight. She showed the next generation that history is not only something you learn about. It is something you step into.

Another photo tells the story even deeper. Mrs. Vi stands with her granddaughter, Mona. You can see it instantly. The protection in Mrs. Vi’s posture. The pure joy on Mona’s face. It is love without performance. Covering without condition. The kind of presence that makes children feel safe just by standing near you. That was her gift.

She carried that same spirit everywhere she went. We remember her chaperoning youth trips in the 1990s, including visits to the Kirkpatrick Center, known today as Science Museum Oklahoma. Even then, she was doing what she had always done.

Watching over children. Making sure they were exposed to more than their immediate world. Making sure they were safe while they discovered it.

So many people came to know her later in life through the lens of survival and justice. At just seven years old, she fled Greenwood as her community burned. She lost everything except her life. She carried memories no child should ever have to carry. For decades, she lived quietly, working hard, raising

children, and helping others without telling the fullness of her own pain.

We often speak of her as a survivor, and that is true. But survival did not mean the trauma ever left her. She lived with it. She carried it. And perhaps it is because of what she walked through that her love ran as deep as it did. I will never fully understand how the Tulsa Race Massacre reshaped those who lived through it, how it rewired their sense of safety, trust, and belonging.

What I do know is this. The survivors I came to know personally, people like Dad Clark and Mother Fletcher, carried none of the bitterness the world would have understood. To witness what they saw, to carry what they carried, and still choose tenderness, still choose care, still choose to show up for others, challenges me. It calls me to love harder, forgive more, seek understanding with grace, and never underestimate the quiet power of presence.

Her heart never hardened.

She chose love. Over and over again.

She chose care when bitterness would have made sense.

She chose to protect children when her own childhood had been stolen. That is who she was. Not only a survivor of unspeakable trauma, but a builder of everyday goodness.

Her life reminds us that history is not only stored in courtrooms and archives. It lives in carpools. It lives in community centers. It lives on neighborhood streets and in the back seats of cars full of children headed to their next adventure.

It lives in the quiet, faithful work of women who pour into children that are not biologically theirs, but belong to them just the same.

Mrs. Vi was not only a witness to tragedy. She was a creator of safety. A keeper of children. A neighbor who became family.

Westside Community Center honors her not just for what she endured, but for how she lived. With steadiness. With watchfulness. With a heart that always made room for one more.

To the world, she was Viola Fletcher.

To us, she will always be Mrs. Vi. Thank you for loving us as children.

Thank you for covering us with care.

Thank you for being part of the soul of Westside.

Your legacy lives on in every child you ever loaded into that car, knees touching, laughter filling the backseat, every student you ever chaperoned, every grandchild you ever protected, and every neighborhood child who knew they were safe because you were watching.

Rest well, Mrs. Vi. You were deeply loved.

JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

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TRI COUNTY TECH

TECH TALK ALL TH E TALK HAPPEN I NG AT TECH HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

IMPORTANT DATE

If you miss application day at your high school, reach out to your counselor or contact Savannah at 918.331.3315 or Savannah.Hayman@TriCountyTech.edu

SALON APPOINTMENTS

Tri County Tech is proud to introduce its newly approved Hybrid Practical Nursing program. Created for busy adults, this flexible format combines self-paced online coursework with in-person clinicals and skills labs. It’s a new, accessible pathway for those who want to become Licensed Practical Nurses while continuing to work.

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.

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!

BOOK HERE!

BOOK HERE!

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.

Explore our trainings, such as Radio 100 on January 27, or join one of our monthly CPR courses.

VISIT TRICOUNTYTECH.EDU TO LEARN MORE! 6101 Nowata Road, Bartlesville, OK

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bmonthly | JANUARY 2026

Curious if this new hybrid nursing option could be the right fit for you?

Scan the QR code below to dive into program details, explore how the flexible format works, and see future start dates. applications are due by January 5th for the February cohort, or you can get a head start on submitting your application and material for the next cohort.

Have questions?

Contact us at 918.331.3333 or EnrichingLives@TriCountyTech.edu

APPLY HERE!

This January, a TCT representative will visit your high school to help you submit your online application. During this visit, you’ll choose your top two programs and answer a few quick questions—the application takes about 20 minutes.

NEW NURSING PROGRAM

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Discover how you can build a meaningful and rewarding career with Tri County Tech. Scan the QR code below to explore current job openings, learn more about our workplace culture, and find the opportunity that best fits your skills and goals. Join us in shaping a brighter future for our community.

SCAN HERE!

If you weren’t able to make it—don’t worry! You can still apply and get connected with the programs that interest you most.

UPCOMING TRAININGS

SCAN HERE!

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.

CALLING TO THE GOOD

When Money Gets Tight

by Kelly Hurd

receiving money in that manner. So. my idea was eaten by the red tape monster.

Dear All Y’all, Can I just speak to the situation at hand and into your hearts for just a moment?

Tis the season that Christmas is over and many may fear facing uncertain economic circumstances as we venture into 2026, with the rising cost of groceries as well as almost everything else - except for maybe fuel.

Heck, you know – I’ll admit, sometimes it just gets me down. I know how it used to be. I think I know how it ought to be. But I struggle with how it is – until every now and then - I get a glimpse of gumption to do something about it – and just the thought of making a positive difference improves my attitude and my own outlook.

For example, last night I sat at the Pawhuska City Council meeting and listened to the leadership decide they could not afford to give city employees the usual safety incentive money at this time of the year due to dwindling city funds. This safety incentive money has always been like a Christmas bonus for employees. It never was much – but it was something, something for those who work the regular shift and the overtime shift when the power is out, a wreck occurs, a storm blows through, or a water line breaks. You know, those workers who dig the grave before the graveside services for our loved ones and then come back and cover it up after everyone leaves – those silent and unseen public servants who are working to support their families – they are the ones who weren’t to receive a bonus with which they could bless their families.

But – just the thought still inspired me – because the backbone of the issue is this: What if when faced with tough situations, painful decisions, and disappointing bleak outlooks – what if, just what if, we decided to do what we could, from where we were, with what we had, to make it just a little bit better for someone else?

It’s that “someone else” part that is the ticket to overcoming less-than-perfect personal outlooks. Change the focus from our outlook to looking outward - and into the eyes of “someone else,” and determining we’re going to choose to look for the good and then ask the Lord to give us a good idea of what we can do.

I don’t know anyone who couldn’t use an encouraging word.

There’s not a person you’ll see that a smile wouldn’t brighten their day.

And who knows, if we start living that way – it just might be contagious and set the stage for the overall atmosphere in our community to be a little more on the bright side – because we did our part to make “someone else’s” day a little better.

I want to close this letter by telling all the city workers in Pawhuska – I see you and appreciate what you do for your community. Thank you.

As I sat there listening to the tough decisions being made, I asked myself how much money I had in my purse that was on the floor beside my chair. I had noticed a handful of city workers in attendance on the back row. If I had had it with me, I would have walked back and handed each of them a hundred dollar bill.

And for those out there worrying about the debt load, the workload, and the boat load of uncertainty – the Lord sees you, and I want to encourage you to be generous in your world to those “someone elses” - with a little kindness, a few encouraging words, smiles, and whatever else you have in your hand to share.

I went to sleep that night thinking about it and woke up with an idea I’m pretty sure was Divinely inspired. I thought to myself, what if I took my concern to friends in Pawhuska and we all pulled our funds together and donated money to the city earmarked for a little something extra for every employee?!

And when you open your heart to give, may all those loads you’re personally carrying feel a little bit lighter, and may you too begin to be Divinely inspired to believe that your best days are yet to come as well…

Yes! That could be just the thing! I could feel my own outlook on the situation brightening.

Well, I’ll tell you – unfortunately, it didn’t work out. Before I headed into town to do just that, I spoke with the interim city manager about this possibility, and while she loved the idea, she didn’t think it would be in good practice for the city to handle

My prayer for every reader is that you would live to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalm 27) And then share it with someone else when you do…

Blessings in Abundance, Kelly #CallingToTheGood JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

47

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JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

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TRIBUTE

Wes Butcher

Remembering A Woolaroc Legend

by Bob Fraser

Legend is defined as “someone of extraordinary achievement, a lasting and influential legacy, and widespread recognition that transcends their time. This often involves inspiring others, creating a significant impact, having stories about them passed down through generations, though some legendary feats may be exaggerated over time.” Without a doubt, whoever wrote that definition, was properly describing my friend, Wes Butcher.

Wes died unexpectedly on November 25, 2025 and with his passing, he left a hole that will be hard, if not impossible, to fill. For a man who was born in Pawhuska, Oklahoma and spent his entire life in Nelagoney, Oklahoma, Wes left a legacy that stretched around the world.

A stone mason by trade, he had a deep love for the outdoors....whether it was hunting elk in Colorado with his black powder rifle or fishing a country stream or pond, he loved and respected nature. In addition, Wes had a great interest in the lifestyle and history of the 1800’s mountain man/ fur trader....how they lived among the Native American tribes, how they sold their furs and how they survived amidst the most difficult of conditions.

Starting in the 1970’s, Wes began to do more than just “have an interest” in the Mountain Man lifestyle, in his free time he started living it, dressing the part on weekends at camp outs and often joining others on what would later be called “rendezvous.” In 1992, he came up with an ideal that even he thought was a long-shot....he went to the Tallgrass Prairie outside Pawhuska and proposed that they allow him to set up an historical mountain man camp where he could share the history of those fascinating times. He was told no, but that hardly slowed him down. Wes’s next stop was Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve where he again pitched his idea.

Woolaroc agreed to give Wes a two week temporary trial to see if it worked....and that turned into 30+ years of history, education and sharing his passion. During his tenure at Woolaroc, Wes hosted well over ONE MILLION guests to his

Mountain Man Camp.....that is Woolaroc “magic!”

Over the years, Wes’s dream grew larger and larger. Not only was his Mountain Man Camp a success at Woolaroc, he organized an annual Spring and Fall trail ride with 100+ riders that rode across parts of the ranch that were never seen by the general public. In addition to that, he started a Spring and Fall Mountain Man Rendezvous that drew hundreds of similar mountain men (and women) to set up their camps at Woolaroc, where they competed in various competitions from target shooting to bow and arrow contests, selling their wares and enjoying a brotherhood with the family of participants.

The ultimate of Wes’s dream was ten years ago when thanks to what he created over the years, Woolaroc hosted a National Rendezvous that attracted over 1,000 mountain men to the grounds of the ranch.

Now, remember the part of the definition of Legend that I described in the first paragraph of this article that said “....some legendary feats may be exaggerated over time...”, well that might apply to some of the terrific stories about Wes, but trust me, his stories and tales didn’t need much exaggeration, they were always the best on their own merit!

I always said during my years as CEO at Woolaroc that Wes was a critical piece of the “magic of Woolaroc.” From teaching children how to throw a tomahawk, shooting targets with his black powder rifle, living in his buckskin tipi or dazzling guests at Christmas time with his “electric horseman”, I always thought it was safe to say that Wes made as many memories for our guests as did the world class art collection in the incredible museum at Woolaroc.

I often joked that if I was working at a convenience store and in walked Wes in his full attire and “larger than life” self, it would have most definitely given me pause (and a bit of fear!), ironically, that would have been so wrong....Wes Butcher was truly one of the nicest, kindest man I have had the privilege to call “friend.” To say he will be missed doesn’t do him justice....Wes Butcher will always be a huge part of the history at Woolaroc, interwoven with the lives of family, friends and guests. Thank you Wes, for sharing your passion with so many. God speed friend!

JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

51

FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK

by Jay Webster Happy New Year, friends.

Like many of you, I find myself starting 2026 with organizational goals. For me, that begins with my digital devices.

I’m trying more and more to spend less time on my phone. All the research says I should. The problem is, my phone is my camera, my research tool, my planner, my flashlight, and my avoidance technique when I see someone in a grocery line... Oddly enough, the thing I use my phone for the least is to make calls.

But of all the apps on my phone, the one I use the most by far - is Notes. Every random thought, list, plan, and itinerary I have is in Notes. So periodically, I have to go through and clear out the clutter and outdated entries. This is random, but I thought we could go through some of them together to make it 52

bmonthly | JANUARY 2026

easier for me? Thanks.

Let’s scroll through here. Oh, here’s one that says, “The song ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ is the ‘Welp’ of Christmas carols.” I don’t know if you remember, but a few issues ago, I told you that at family events, we’ve started to employ a not-soinconspicuous signal that it’s time for everyone to move on. It goes like this: You’ve been together for an extended period of time (or extended enough, as the case may be). Maybe you’re sitting around the kitchen table or standing in the front yard, and there is a slight pause in the conversation. Maybe it’s a place that naturally falls on you to respond, and so you offer the “Welp…”

And that’s the signal—this has been fun, but it’s time to move on. Well, that’s what the song “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” says. No one sings “We Wish You” and then jumps back into

FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK “Jingle Bells.” “We Wish You” IS the closer. There’s no coming back from “We Wish You”… so it’s the Welp of Christmas Carols.

Aren’t you glad you asked?

Let’s see…what else is in here?

Oh, this note just says “Infested.” My daughter Evanjalyn and I often wonder why reporters refer to coastal waters as “SharkInfested.” It’s the ocean. That’s where sharks live. If anything, it’s “human-infested.” That’s usually how the conflict starts. The shark is just in the kitchen eating lunch, and someone drives a jet ski into its home. The shark then reacts to the home invasion.

If a bear showed up at your front porch looking for food, they wouldn’t report a bear was found in a “human-infested” suburban home. I think the term reporters are looking for is “inhabited.”

Here’s another one that says “Chagrinery,” as in the state of experiencing chagrin. Example: “Jeff found himself in full chagrinery when blank stares met him after misusing the term “lowkey” in the board meeting.”

Here are a few random ones, not like the jewels I’ve already shared… “Love will strike at the heart of control.” “Whatever we plant grows.” “She wore her sadness like a uniform.” “Hate is not sustainable in the long run.” “Never let the facts get in the way of a good conspiracy.” “It sounded like the second song by a one-hit wonder.”

Here’s a note that simply asks: “Is my prayer in the queue?”

And then this one just says: “Scarcity.” It refers to the scarcity of money. Often, we are told there simply isn’t enough money.

Not enough money for health care, to solve the homeless problem, or to pay for education. There is a money scarcity or shortage. It’s as if we haven’t mined enough of it yet, or it’s a limited resource. Which, in the broadest sense, might be true.

But practically, it is anything but true.

Let’s consider the homeless issue as an example. The rough estimate of what it would cost to house the homeless population in the U.S. through Rapid Re-Housing or Permanent Supportive Housing is just under 10 BILLION dollars. That’s a lot of money.

(It’s likely much more than what’s needed to prevent most homelessness through education, counseling, rehabilitation, and support groups, but that’s a separate issue.) So, 10 billion dollars may seem like an astronomical amount until you realize that Americans spend nearly 13 BILLION dollars each year just on candy and costumes for Halloween. We spend roughly 28 BILLION dollars annually on Valentine’s Day. With that kind of budget, we could house everyone twice over and still have enough left to send our lovers candied hearts and handmade cards.

millionaire is yesterday’s rich person. In 2025, we saw almost a 20 percent jump (in just ONE year) of BILLIONAIRES. We now have over 900 billionaires in America alone. There is no money shortage. There is plenty of it. Does it sometimes get dammed up? Yes. Could just one percent of that new wealth transform healthcare, education, and homelessness in this country? Yes. It’s an interesting perspective. Is that likely to happen? No. But it can start with us. Because even in our smaller-than-billiondollar bank accounts, it’s not a matter of scarcity; it’s a matter of allocation. We can use what we have to do the good we can.

Man, you guys really got hung up there. Let’s see if there are any other noteworthy Notes in here to share.

Here’s a note with an idea for a coffee mug that just reads, “Coming in hot.” That was followed by the entry, “He looked like a fashion terrorist.” And, “His underwear could journey no further.” And finally, “He smelled like a truck stop. Like disappointment and regret mixed with cheese and aggressive pine cleaner.”

Are your Notes this random?

To be clear, I also have shopping lists along with all the imaginary things I need to get done this weekendm in here.

There are the start of essential emails and social media posts I had to write, but will never publish. There are brilliant inventions, world-changing aspirations, and relationship-healing missives.

There are exercises and stretches I should start doing before bed, promotional tools to implement so I become “more,” and people I really should reach out to. There are a couple of prayers here, a lot of wants, and more than a few confessions.

Anyway, I appreciate you helping me with all this. Sometimes these big projects can feel impossible to tackle alone.

It’s a new year, and that’s when many of us make resolutions.

I don’t usually do that, so I’ll stick to the one we typically mention at this time. There’s so much good we can do—let’s go out and do it. Otherwise, you might find yourself facing intense chagrinery.

From that perspective, there isn’t really a money shortage; it’s a money allocation problem.

Here’s another way to look at it: In 2024, America added a thousand new MILLIONAIRES a day. Think about that. We now have 40 percent of the world’s millionaires, even though we only have 4 percent of the global population. But hold on to your Monopoly Guy monocle... there’s more…because being a

JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

53

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

A Network of Care

... Centered on Women and Families

by Maria Gus

Ascension St. John Jane Phillips Medical Center serves Bartlesville and the surrounding region through a broad network of physicians, advanced practice providers, and care teams across many specialties. From preventive care to complex medical needs, the shared goal is to deliver compassionate, personalized healthcare close to home. Women’s health offers a clear example of how that commitment is carried out every day, through coordinated care that supports patients at every stage of life.

Within obstetrics and gynecology, three board-certified physicians provide comprehensive women’s health services, combining medical expertise with an individualized approach to care.

Dr. TaRynn N. Freeman, DO, provides obstetric and gynecologic care tailored to each patient’s needs. Her clinical interests include high- and low-risk pregnancies, breastfeeding medicine, postpartum care, and minimally invasive procedures such as laparoscopic vaginal hysterectomy. She also treats conditions including abnormal uterine bleeding, abnormal Pap smears, urinary incontinence, pelvic floor prolapse, and sexual health concerns. Known for promoting overall wellness, Dr. Freeman partners with patients to support healthy lifestyles and long-term reproductive health, offering compassionate care throughout pregnancy, delivery, menopause, and beyond.

Dr. Monique T. Modest-McKoy is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist who emphasizes listening and collaboration. She provides prenatal care, labor and delivery services, and care for a wide range of women’s health needs, including reproductive health conditions, menopause care, breast health, and emotional well-being. Patients appreciate the time she takes to understand their concerns, preferences, and goals, creating a care experience built on trust and partnership.

Dr. Aldon E. Corle, Jr. provides OB-GYN care to women of all ages, with special interests in minimally invasive surgery and high-risk obstetrics. His expertise also includes menstrual disorders, menopause management, urinary incontinence, and vaginal or uterine prolapse. Known for his approachable manner and thorough care, Dr. Corle is dedicated to helping patients feel informed and confident in their healthcare decisions. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters, traveling, gardening, and collecting Legos.

Supporting women’s health across the lifespan is a strong foundation of family medicine services. Nurse practitioners play a vital role in preventive care, early detection, and ongoing management of health concerns, helping patients maintain wellness beyond specialty visits.

Lyndee J. Taylor, APRN, CNP, is a board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in family medicine with Ascension Medical Group in Bartlesville.

She is dedicated to delivering compassionate, personalized care by taking time to understand each patient’s health concerns and family medical history.

Lyndee diagnoses and treats illness and injury, prescribes medications, and provides comprehensive nonsurgical care for patients of all ages, with an emphasis on prevention and long-term well-being.

Judy A. Carpenter, APRN, CNP, provides family medicine care focused on personalized treatment and long-term wellness. Her services include routine check-ups, preventive screenings, vaccinations, and management of both acute and chronic conditions. She emphasizes early detection and patient education to help individuals stay healthy through every stage of life.

Dori A. Raycob, APRN, CNP, rounds out the family medicine team with a compassionate approach to comprehensive primary care. She provides preventive health screenings, routine care, and treatment for minor illnesses and injuries, while also managing ongoing health concerns. By listening closely and tailoring care plans to each patient’s needs and family history, Dori helps patients achieve and maintain optimal health.

Together, these providers reflect the broader mission of Ascension St. John Jane Phillips Medical Center to care for the whole person. Through specialized women’s health services and trusted primary care, the hospital’s care teams work collaboratively to support women and families through every chapter of life, delivering healthcare rooted in expertise, compassion, and community.

JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

57

Green Country Pet Cremation Service offers private pet cremation with timely return of ashes in your choice of a decorative wooden urn with an engraved nameplate. If no return of ashes is requested, the ashes will be gently scattered on a beautiful pastoral/garden property.

We are located in Bartlesville, Oklahoma and gratefully serve pet owners from a wide area surrounding Bartlesville, Dewey, and Northeast Oklahoma.

For our fee schedule, please feel free to call us at any time.

918-766-3812 GCPetCremation@aol.com 58

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A FRESH PERSPECTIVE

A Ripe Life

by Brent Taylor

I’m a typical boomer, believing I’ve lived inside the most remarkable span of human history ever. Maybe so, maybe not. One giant step for Neil, one giant leap for mankind.

Walkie-talkies, radio, TV, computers, the internet, self-driving cars, AI. This long arc of innovation has changed my life—perhaps even my nature.

Technological change over the past fifty years is often defended as linear progress, and in some ways it is. But most of the ways progress is measured are quantitative. Wendell Berry points out that there is rarely an effort to determine the net result of that progress.

In other words: what does all this advancement cost us?

“After several generations of technological progress… we have become a people who cannot think about anything important. How far down in the natural order do we have to go to find creatures who raise their young as indifferently as industrial humans now do? Even the English sparrows do not let loose into the streets young sparrows who have no notion of their identity or their adult responsibilities. When else in history would you find ‘educated’ people who know more about sports than about the history of their country, or uneducated people who do not know the stories of their families and communities?”

—Wendell Berry, Feminism, the Body, and the Machine My brother visited from New York over Thanksgiving and brought fresh apples from a local orchard. They were perfectly ripe—crisp, sweet, juicy. It made me think that maybe our lives should be considered this way. Ripe means ready to harvest and eat, fully developed, fully flavored.

I’ve been fortunate to live in this community for most of my life, experiencing it in all its ripeness—even though I never worked for Phillips 66. As a result, I was an outsider of sorts. I never quite felt fully at one with the cultural zeitgeist of Bartlesville. And yet, even as a non-“Phillips guy,” there were moments that rooted me deeply here.

When I was very young, Dad said, “Let’s go watch the micromidget car races.” He took me to the Phillips 66 Riverside Speedway, just west of the concrete mix plant on Tuxedo. We watched incredibly loud, tiny cars tear around the eighth-mile oval.

Dad leaned over and pointed to a man sitting on the front row.

“I used to work at the Phillips station downtown on Jennings and Third—ole’ number one, they called it. One day the president of Phillips 66 drove in with a flat tire. I changed it for him. He gave me a one-dollar tip. That’s him right there—Boots Adams.”

I was terrified he might speak to me. He was the president, after all. Most of my youth baseball coaches were Phillips men.

Somehow, when I was pitching, I felt like the king of the world— like I finally belonged. Nothing felt better in my hand than a new baseball fresh out of the box, rolled onto the grass next to the mound at Price Little League Fields. It wasn’t roughed up with mud like major-league balls. It was bright white cowhide with clean red stitching. I couldn’t wait to stroll out, pick it up, and feel that perfectly ripe baseball in my hand.

Years later, I read bedtime stories to my son beside his window, looking west across Silver Lake Road on Friday nights. The treetops along the river glowed, lit by the high school football stadium lights.

Sometimes we put the book down and simply listened to the Bruin band, its low rumble wafting through the timber so easily it felt like they were playing in our front yard. They were ripe moments of fatherhood. There was nothing better.

My hometown memories are forever part of my fully developed self. My father passed away across the breezeway where my mother and sister still live. My children grew up here, married here, and now bring their children to visit. I drive past my sister’s grave most days. My grandparents are buried nearby.

It is difficult to measure what we own collectively. We feel those who have gone before us lean down and pray over us. We are tied together—shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart—by shared experience, by things that cannot be quantified, only felt in the tender ripeness of a shared life JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

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B THE LIGHT

B the Light Update: 2026 Already?

by Miriam Walker Our residents are settling in well and making great progress. Three of our residents have secured employment, and two are honing their skills creating handcrafted woodworking items. These unique items were sold in our once-a-month pop-up shop, an event that was a wonderful success.

Others have been busy making Christmas ornaments and rice warmer heat packs, all of which were well received.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! Welcome to new beginnings and a renewed sense of purpose.

2025 has come and gone, but not without leaving quite a bit of uncertainty behind.

In our city alone, the number of neighbors feeling the effects of tightened finances is more than those who felt it last year.

This is evident in the number of people we serve each day. It is my hope that with the new year, whatever you may be facing is met with a resolve and a renewed sense of determination to push through every circumstance as you meet it head-on.

At the writing of this update, we are experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures, despite the holiday decorations that have adorned our city.

Ironically, though, we just closed our 2nd emergency warming shelter this winter. With temperatures dipping as low as 17 degrees. B the Light was as busy as ever, keeping our Bartlesville unhoused population warm.

The compassion shown to our impoverished and homeless neighbors reaches far beyond B the Light. We are grateful for partnerships with Agape Mission, Concern, City of Compassion, Grand Mental Health, as well as the many individuals who donate daily. Our community is filled with people who feel called to serve.

Holocaust survivor and psychologist, Viktor Frankl, says it like this; “The true meaning of life is to be discovered in the world, rather than within man or his own psyche. The more one forgets himself by giving OF himself, to a cause or to serve another person, or to love, the more human he is. Being human always points and is directed TO, something or someone other than oneself.”

Viktor saw four of his family members killed in Auschwitz and still found purpose within his life. It is my desire that we all find a renewed sense of purpose as we begin 2026. And whether at B the Light, Agape, the church next door, or your next door neighbor, if you want to feel better this year than you felt last year, if you want to find somebody to help, just look in any direction of our city and there you will find purpose.

The positive momentum since we’ve been open has been amazing, and we’re excited to offer a snapshot of all that’s happening at B the Light.

Our monthly shop continues to grow, and we’re thankful for the increasing community support. Be watching for our next pop-up shop in January!

our primary goal.

As mentioned above, we’ve opened twice as a warming shelter for two days each time, serving eight people and four dogs.

While some came and went without staying overnight, everyone who stopped by was able to take a hot shower, enjoy a warm meal, and receive warmer clothing. Meeting immediate needs when it matters most will always be

We were also excited to partner with Dora Patzkowski and the Marines’ Toys for Tots again this year. Seeing the smiles on the faces of children, parents, and grandparents is truly priceless. This yearly event is always a big hit here in Bartlesville. Thank you to all the volunteers who came and helped to make this a great success.

The entire building is now complete and ready for Phase Two of our program when the men are ready to take their next step.

More details will be shared soon but in the meantime, we invite you to come take a tour and see firsthand what’s happening at B the Light.

Working with our residents each day is a highlight for those who serve at the Mission, and it certainly is for me. I’d like to end this update by thanking all of our faithful volunteers. The task goes far beyond sorting clothing, answering the phones or checking in at the front. Our volunteers are the heartbeat of B the Light Mission, and without them, we would not be able to function. 2025 was a huge success at B the Light due to our faithful volunteers who come in to serve each day.

As always, we sincerely appreciate your continued support and your heart for serving our community.

Here’s to a new year full of promise!

See you next month!

JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

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QUALITY OF LIFE

All That Jazz

Celebrating 75 Years of Community Impact The Westside Community Center will mark its 75th anniversary with a night of music, celebration and community spirit at the 19th Annual All That Jazz, held Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at 6 p.m. at Hillcrest Country Club.

This year’s event is co-chaired by longtime Bartlesville educators and civic leaders Chuck and Jennifer McCauley, whose decades of service have shaped the city’s educational landscape.

Chuck McCauley has served as superintendent of the Bartlesville Public School District since 2016, overseeing more than $100 million in bond-funded improvements and earning national recognition for STEM innovation, career pathway expansion, and student support initiatives. He will retire at the end of the 2025–26 academic year.

Jennifer McCauley, an eighth-grade math teacher at Central Middle School and former Teacher of the Year, continues a family legacy of excellence in education.

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“We appreciate all that the Westside Community Center has done for the Bartlesville area and its citizens over the course of the past 75 years,” said the McCauleys. “With a wide array of programs and services for people of all ages, the Center is poised to remain a positive force throughout Green Country for decades to come.”

The evening will feature live jazz performances, community tributes, and fundraising efforts to support the Center’s ongoing mission.

Tickets Available for Purchase Guests may purchase tickets by scanning the QR code on the official event poster, obtain sponsorships on the Westside Community Center’s website at https://wccbartlesville.org/atjsponsorship or by visiting the Eventbrite site at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/all-that-jazztickets-1972844793886?.

All That Jazz 2026 will honor the past, celebrate the present, and invest in the future of Bartlesville.

ALWAYS REMEMBER

Fake News Radio

by Paul Lukacs

The April morning is perfect for hanging laundry.

I pin Paul’s shirts to the line, one hand steadying the basket against my swollen belly. Seven months now.

Our first.

The radio plays through the open window— folk music, then news. Bombing in Libya. Then something about technical difficulties at a facility, already resolved. Then how to spot Halley’s comet. I keep hanging laundry.

Paul arrives home quieter than usual. Over dinner he mentions the incident on the radio.

Colleagues gossiped about it at work.

“The news said it was resolved,” I say.

He cuts his chicken. “Yes. That’s what they said.”

He’s an engineer. He understands how things fail.

On May first, we go to the parade. Streets full of people, flags, children eating custard. Paul rests his hand on my belly, but he’s watching the crowd, not the parade.

That evening, my neighbor stops by. “My husband heard about Sweden. Their scientists are measuring something in the air.”

“What does that have to do with us?”

She shrugs. “My sister says she’s keeping the children inside this week. Just to be safe.”

After she leaves, Paul stands by the window. “The Swedes have good equipment,” he says. “Their scientists aren’t fools.”

“The radio hasn’t said anything serious.”

“That’s what worries me.”

On the third, the radio addresses it directly. Western media spreading rumors. Fake news from foreign outlets trying to embarrass the administration. Our own experts have assessed the situation. No threat to Hungarian citizens. “See?” I tell Paul. “She was worrying over nothing.”

He’s at the back door. “Come here,” he says.

There’s a fine gray film of dust on the garden table. On the fence. On the rainwater barrel. “What is it?”

He examines it, then goes inside to wash his hands. “When did it rain last?”

“A week ago? That heavy rain.”

He nods, something dark crossing his face. “Of course.”

That night he wipes down the furniture, mops all floors, washes the vegetables for a long time. “No more from the garden. And no fresh milk.”

“But the radio said—” “I know what the radio said.”

On the fourth, whispers at the market grow louder. But our radio has a special report. Foreign media exaggerating to embarrass our great Union. We have our own task force. Trust them, not foreigners with agendas.

Finally, over a week later, the radio shifts. Yes, there was an incident at Chernobyl. But levels here are safe. As a precaution, wash vegetables, avoid fresh milk for a few days. The ministry has been monitoring from the beginning. Completely under control.

Risk is very, very low.

Paul turns off the radio. “Over a week. They waited over a week.”

I think of the gray film. The vegetables I ate. The milk I drank. My hand moves to my belly. “But I feel fine.”

He kneels beside my chair, puts his hand on my stomach. “I hope so. God, I hope so.”

Two weeks later, a nurse comes. She’s visiting all pregnant women. The department wants to give injections.

“What kind?” Paul asks.

“Vitamins,” she says quietly.

“Iodine,” he whispers to himself. She nods, almost imperceptibly, not looking up. “Now? Weeks after?” Paul’s voice goes flat.

The nurse looks at him directly. “I have a daughter. She’s seven.” Her hands shake as she prepares the syringe. “This is what they’re letting me do now.”

The needle pinches. The liquid burns.

Through the window—the peach tree, the grass, the fence.

Everything looks normal.

“They protected their lies,” Paul says. “Not the people.” A dark, determined anger burns into him— permanent. “Truth has perished…”

By summer, people talk about it less. The radio returns to normal programming.

Our son is born in August. Paul, after his father. Ten fingers, ten toes. The doctor says he’s healthy. See? Nothing to worry about.

For years, I almost believe it.

When he’s four, the fevers begin. Without pattern, without cause. He catches every illness. A cold becomes pneumonia. A scrape becomes infected. Blisters bloom in his mouth.

More tests. More doctors.

“What caused this?” his father asks, though he already knows.

The doctor hesitates and looks at me. “Were you pregnant in the spring of 1986?” “…and if people had been warned immediately?”

The doctor says nothing.

Little Paul misses school regularly. Every few weeks, fevers spike and his body shuts down for days. He will live with this forever—this inheritance I never meant to give him.

“They chose the lie over life,” his father says. “And the son paid the price.”

Sometimes I think about the nurse with the trembling hands.

Sometimes I think about the radio. Sometimes I think about the rain on the twenty-ninth, washing everything down, and how I stood at the window thinking how fresh everything would look and smell afterward.

The ash has long since washed away, but what it carried remains, written into my son’s cells. Their lies are graven into his fevers.

His shivers are echoes of their deceit.

The blisters are bursting to say the truth.

The radio still plays.

I listen now, always—but only for the silence their words are meant to drown out.

JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

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COMMUNITY

Washington County Aviation ...By Barnstorming Daredevils and Aeronauts

by Debbie Neece During my 18 years of career investment in the Bartlesville Area History Museum and 12 years of writing for the Bartlesville Monthly Magazine, my goal has been to help keep the history of Washington County in the forethought of your minds. Once I retired, a valley opened allowing me to explore so much more and Washington County Aviation became my passion.

I have acquired a deep admiration for the characters who had no idea they were making history. They woke each morning and set forth to accomplish as much as possible before the sun set and called them home to rest.

Some names like: Joseph Bartles and Joe Knight, Frank and L.E. Phillips, Billy Parker and Art Goebel, Wiley Post and Will Rogers, and many more. But also, the unintentional History Heroes; names like our early photographers: Oscar Drum, Frank Griggs and Elmer Sark. Through their lenses, these men recorded on film the events that would have been lost to time without their work. Their lives all tangled divinely and purposefully.

Oklahoma’s Washington County planted humble aviation roots. Each brave aviator set forth in search of their own wings; unfortunately, some wings were not physical…but heavenly. The early birdmen were not trying to duplicate, but push the boundaries. A plane crash was not a roadblock, rather a learning opportunity to set the bar higher.

When most people think about aviation, their thoughts are drawn to Wilbur and Orville Wright; however, the exploration at the hands of the Wright Brothers was just the tip of the iceberg. Through the inquisitive minds 64

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and sheer determination of early birdmen and aviation notables, Washington County has laid claim to early birdmen, airplane factories, flying schools, aviation fuel, her own share of plane crashes, and a Ponzi scheme.

It was Joseph Bartles, son of Bartlesville and Dewey namesake Jacob Bartles, who brought early aviators to the Dewey Roundup; and, pursued the federal government during WWI to establish an airplane factory in Dewey, only to become frustrated and invested his own money in the Dewey Airplane Company.

And, it was the dapper, Billy Parker who romanced flight into an artform. He also established the Billy Parker School of Aviation and organized the Star Aircraft Company at the Phillips Airport. He assisted the famed Wiley Post in developing of the first stratosphere flight suit and was a team-player in Art Goebel’s Dole Air Race across the Pacific Ocean, which brought Phillips Petroleum Company notoriety when the Woolaroc won. The Woolaroc I is on exhibit at the Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve.

The growth of Bartlesville has been greatly attributed to the prosperity of Phillips Petroleum Company, who was a key player in the creation of aviation fuel that took the art of flying to a whole new level. If your interest has been sparked, there is so much more to share. You may purchase the history of “Washington County Aviation” at Moxie on Second Street or the Bartlesville Area History Museum for $35. In addition, I will be giving an aviation presentation at the History Museum on January 15 at noon.

Watch for their advertisements.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Hometown Care...

Meets Next Generation Healing at NuJoint

by Maria Gus In Bartlesville, some businesses feel less like newcomers and more like natural extensions of the community.

NuJoint Chiropractic and Regenerative Medicine is one of them. Though the clinic has been serving patients for three years, its roots run much deeper, grounded in family legacy, hometown pride, and a forward thinking approach to wellness.

At the heart of NuJoint is Dr. Lance Bailey, a Bartlesville native and graduate of Bartlesville High School. Long before he was caring for patients, Dr. Bailey was learning about discipline, teamwork, and physical performance as a student athlete. Those early lessons shaped his understanding of the human body and sparked a desire to help others stay active, resilient, and healthy.

Chiropractic care is part of Dr. Bailey’s family history.

His father, Dr. Charles Bailey, practiced chiropractic care in Bartlesville for decades, serving generations of families.

Growing up, Dr. Bailey saw firsthand how hands on care could ease pain, restore movement, and improve quality of life. That experience planted the seed for a career that blends tradition with innovation.

When Dr. Bailey returned home to open NuJoint Chiropractic, his vision was clear. He wanted to create a place that went beyond quick fixes and short term relief. From the beginning, NuJoint focused on personalized care and long term results. Over time, that vision expanded, and today the practice has grown into NuJoint Chiropractic and Regenerative Medicine.

more. Patients have access to advanced joint and soft tissue treatments, regenerative medicine therapies, medical weight loss support, IV hydration and wellness therapy, and collaborative care between chiropractic and medical providers. This integrated approach allows patients to receive comprehensive care in one location, without the need to juggle multiple appointments across town.

What truly sets NuJoint apart is its focus on restoring function and improving overall quality of life. Many patients come in seeking alternatives to surgery or long term medication, while others simply want to move better and feel stronger. Care plans are tailored to the individual, with an emphasis on education and empowerment so patients understand their bodies and their options.

That thoughtful approach has earned NuJoint a strong reputation in the community. Positive reviews frequently mention the friendly atmosphere, clear communication, and genuine care shown by the staff. Patients often note how listened to they feel and how thoroughly treatments are explained, creating trust and confidence throughout their care journey.

Behind that experience is a dedicated, multidisciplinary team. From chiropractors and medical providers to wellness professionals and front office staff, each team member plays a role in delivering patient centered care. Collaboration is key, ensuring that every patient benefits from multiple perspectives and expertise under one roof.

Located even closer to the heart of downtown Bartlesville and next door to NuYou, the clinic’s clean, sharp space reflects its mission. Professional yet welcoming, the environment is designed to help patients feel comfortable, informed, and supported from the moment they walk in the door.

As NuJoint Chiropractic and Regenerative Medicine continues to grow, its focus remains steady. Dr. Bailey and his team are committed to honoring the legacy of chiropractic care in Bartlesville while embracing modern solutions that help people live healthier, more active lives.

NuJoint serves a wide range of patients, from busy professionals and parents to athletes, active adults, and individuals managing chronic pain or mobility issues. While chiropractic care remains foundational, the clinic offers much

It is a balance of hometown heart and next generation healing, and for many Bartlesville residents, it feels exactly right.

JANUARY 2026 | bmonthly

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LET FREEDOM RING

The Continental Union Flag

by Jay Hastings

On January 1, 1776, General George Washington raised

Despite the importance of this flag in American history,

the Continental Union flag at Prospect Hill in Charlestown

few people recognize the design. With the obvious nod to

(present day Somerville), Massachusetts. British soldiers

England, the design lost its popularity as the war gained

had surrounded the city and, when they saw the flag,

momentum, resulting in the eventual emergence of the

believed it to been a sign of surrender. Conversely, the

original Stars and Stripes.

flag was representative of the original colonies, and the day would signal a shift toward a more unified American identity.

British rule were snubbed. Consequently, the Grand Union design never saw a great demand for reproduction. Fewer

The Continental Union flag, then also known as the Cambridge or Grand Union flag, was so called because it combined the British Union flag, acknowledging the Kingdoms of England and Scotland, with thirteen stripes, representative of the thirteen United Colonies. The original flag name was derived from a combination of the words “Continental,” referring to the Continental Congress, and “Union Flag,” referring to the British Union Flag of 1707, then flown in the Colonial areas. In its design, that first flag was intended to symbolize a new America, co-existing with the British. That, however, soon proved less than possible.

Through the American Revolution, additional names were attributed to the flag to include Continental Colors, American flag, and Flag of the United Colonies.

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As ties to England were severed, visual reminders of

bmonthly | JANUARY 2026

than ten flags were known to exist from its inception into the 19th century.

The flag was used to represent the United Colonies from 1775 to 1776, and the de facto flag of the United States until 1777. In 1777, the 13-star flag was adopted by the Continental Congress. Each of the stars were representative of the 13 original colonies, and replaced the British Union Jack insignia.

Though its active presence was brief, the development and use of the Continental Union flag is relevant to our country’s history. First raised 250 years ago this month, the City of Somerville recognizes and remembers that original design each year, complete with a flag raising ceremony.

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