Upfront

Welcome to March, Friends!

Over the last two years, we have made our March issue about Health and Wellness. In this month’s issue, we do focus on Health and Wellness, but we took a turn and made our feature and cover about “Woman Suffrage.” This year marks the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.

In September of last year, retired District Judge Janice Dreiling contacted me to see if Christy and I would put a story of women’s suffrage in bmonthly. After meeting with Jan, we decided to move forward with her story and make our March issue about the celebration of women (thank God for them!) I looked at over 500 of Jan’s pictures, searched the Internet and the Library of Congress to find the special picture, which tells the story of that time in our history. Wow! I believe this cover picture says it all. “See Me ... Here I Am ... I Have a Voice.”

Jan writes this incredible story about how the women’s suffrage really began in 1848 with a few ladies like Susan B. Anthony. I promise that you will walk away after reading this story saying you did not know all this happened. Christy and I spent many hours with Jan hearing all the stories and being educated on this part of history. After reading her story, I was blown away by the courage and strength these women have shown just to have the right to have a voice and be heard.

We often have people ask us if we will ever run out of stories to share. We always say ... No ... there is so much out there to tell and write about. We love to write about the incredible history of this area. We also want to tell the stories of common men and women who have helped pave the road, and those who are making a difference today.

We chose Mrs. Debbie Halpin, with Hopestone Cancer Support Center of Bartlesville, as the profile this month. She is making a tremendous difference in so many lives. Let me just say that her passion and love for helping so many women, men, and children facing cancer are unmatched. She is with each person through each battle every step of the way. Thank you, Debbie, for all you do for our community. In March of 2017, Brian Engel bought this 36-page magazine, which was in serious decline, called Bartlesville Monthly. He asked if Christy and I would come on board to help get the magazine back where it used to be in 2011. We agreed to join Brian. But after the first three or four months, we wondered if we made the right decision. We prayed harder, we believed bigger, dug in, and put our heads down. As we look up, almost three years later, we see an 88-page magazine, which has become one of the most read and sought out magazine in the state. We have subscriptions in 20 states, and our magazine is being sent to many different countries each month. Our Facebook followers went from just over 14,000 to now over 21,000 in all 50 states and 17 countries around the world. What?! That’s crazy to us! People everywhere are reading about Bartlesville and this area because of the incredible history and the people who helped Bartlesville become an international city known all around the world.

God has truly blessed Christy and me with the privilege and honor of bringing this magazine to you each month. I would have never dreamed 13 years ago while sitting in Cushing, Oklahoma at Valley Hope Treatment Center ... a broken man beyond recognition ... with Christy, who never gave up on me ... holding Grace, just 5 days old ... that we would be where we are today. I never would’ve believed that I would be writing my story for thousands to read. I am writing a life story ... my life, our life. Without the forgiveness given to me, the prayers of many, and the unconditional LOVE Christy showed me, I wonder where I would be today? God Bless! Volume XI Issue III

Bartlesville Monthly Magazine is published by ENGEL PubLishiNG Offices located in Downtown Bartlesville in the historic Price Tower 510 Dewey Ave, Suite 400, Bartlesville, OK 74003

P.O. Box 603, Bartlesville, OK 74005 www.bartlesvillemonthly.com facebook.com/bartlesvillemonthly

Publisher Brian Engel brian@bartlesvillemonthly.com

Art Direction Copper Cup Images design@coppercupimages.com

Director of Sales & Marketing Keith McPhail keith@bartlesvillemonthly.com

Community Liaison Christy McPhail christy@bartlesvillemonthly.com

Project Manager Andrea Whitchurch andrea@bartlesvillemonthly.com

Calendar/Social Media calendar@bartlesvillemonthly.com

Contributing Writers Debbie Neece, Kay Little, Jay Webster, Maria Gus, Tim Hudson, Brent Taylor, Lori Kroh, Lori Just, Roseanne McKee, Kelly Bland, Rita Thurman Barnes, Keith McPhail, AJ Webster, Lori Roll, Matt Clarke, Sara Gagan, Janice P. Dreiling, Joe Todd, Dr. Kerri Williams, Amanda Daniels, Stevie Williams

Contributing Photographers Debbie Neece, Bartlesville Area History Museum, Grace McPhail, Connor Sitton, Kathy Peaster

School Calendar Jessica Smith

All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied or otherwise, without prior permission of Bartlesville Monthly, Inc.

ABOUT THE COVER

Photo provided by Janice P. Dreiling Creative Concept by Keith and Christy McPhail Design by Copper Cup Images