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Stillwater Living Magazine 4 6 9 10 12
Makeover Masterpiece Rawissada "Kat" Sukittiworakol gets a fresh new look just in time for the holiday season. Carbon Monoxide Keep your home safe from this not-so-friendly visitor! Flaming Festival An annual holiday event presented by the alums of Kappa Alpha at the Theta House at OSU. Tobacco Free Stillwater An effort to keep our town clean and tobacco free!
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YMCA Biggest Winner Challenge Stillwater Family YMCA offers a competitive challenge to help you stay healthy and keep up with your new years resolution.
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stillwaterliving.com
Editorial Thoughts from the desk of the editor.
New Wondertorium Executive Director Named The Oklahoma Wondertorium makes an exciting announcement.
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December 2014
Le Petit Noel Alane Zanotti spreads holiday cheer to her small apartment in a big way. Stillwater Ukulele Association A group of local musicians using their talents to bring joy to Stillwater residents.
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Stillwater's First Christmas A in depth look at Stillwater's first holiday season. Preparing Your Home for Holiday Guests A few tips on getting your abode ready for all of that seasonal company.
On the Cover: Alane Zanotti's beauiful holiday apartment. Photo by Apple of My Eye Portraits
editorial (Cue jingle bells tune) “Cough-cough-cough, sniff - sniff -sniff , with Kleenex all the way…” That’s how my holiday season started! Even after religiously gett ing a fl u shot in October, I got “the bug.” After two weeks of people in and out of the offi ce with the sniffl es, I woke up on a Saturday (of course!) with full blown fl u symptoms! So I was a good girl and stayed home, banished the kids and husband to keep them from gett ing it, and camped out on the couch. After two miserable days, I’m back on the mend and working full steam ahead. So my question to you readers is: are you taking good care of yourself this holiday season? YOU are important to us! I’ll admit, I’ve been burning the candle at both ends lately, and it’s obviously taken its toll on my immune system. So as I type this, my cup of Emergen-C runneth over with good intentions of good health and well-being! I’ve got to get healthy, there’s so much to do in the coming weeks. I love decorating for the holidays and I believe it helps embed timeless memories for our family. Each year we do a themed tree, and this year is no diff erent- I’m just not sure what the theme will be! I think this year I’ll let the boys help me choose! So what do you think? Will we be decorating a Whovian theme as my oldest would have it? Perhaps this year will be pixelated in Minecraftia? Stay tuned, I’ll post a pic on our facebook page! Speaking of facebook, you’ll want to follow us there for all the latest fun and adventures! Did you catch our twelve-part Jingle Bells feature contest? That lovely young lady providing the vocals is our social media director, Lori Prahl. Add in Matt Jack on the camera and editing, and special appearances by Santa, Safari, Ryan Smith to name a few, and you’ve got a fun collection of holiday videos. They’ll be live for a while, so even if you didn’t participate in the contest, check them out. They’re good for a laugh or two. We’re launching our annual Best Of contest online as well. To vote for your favorite local business, just login to stillwaterliving.com and fi nd the post about our best of contest at the top of the page. Visit the contest page and click away to enter your vote. If you’re a local business, share the contest link out to your followers and ask them to vote for you! The winner in each category will get a write-up in our next Best Of edition and a stylish collectable certifi cate to proudly display! Good Luck! No matt er how you start your holiday season this year, we wish you the very best, and thank you for your continued patronage of Stillwater Living Magazine. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at SLM!
Stillwater Living Magazine P.O. Box 2264 Stillwater, OK 74076 405-533-1500 www.stillwaterliving.com EDITORIAL STAFF Sarah Little | Editor Matthew Jack | Graphic Design ADVERTISING SALE S DIRECTOR Kelly Boyer 405-714-8903 Produced by White Peacock Productions, Inc.; Stillwater Living Magazine is a copyright publication of White Peacock Productions, Inc., and is locally owned by White Peacock Productions, Inc. The opinions expressed by our contributing writers are not necessarily the opinion of the management of Stillwater Living Magazine. Medical articles are not meant to substitute consultation with your personal physician.
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please call Kelly Boyer at 405-714-8903. To submit story ideas, comments, questions, or for information call 405-533-1500; or e-mail editor@stillwaterliving.com Stillwater Living Magazine Produced by White Peacock Productions, Inc. Mail: P.O. Box 2264 Stillwater, OK 74076. Stillwater Living Magazine © 2014 by White Peacock Productions, Inc.
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style
Makeover Masterpiece: Rawissada “Kat” Sukittiworakol B Y B R O O K LY N L A N E , L A R I T Z S A L O N & S P A
Rawissada “Kat” Sukittiworakol is a new guest at LaRitz Salon & Spa. She was excited to get a totally new look that would make her feel fantastic. Kat is busy balancing a music profession with being a housewife. She enjoys teaching piano, vocals, playing sports, and trying new things with her family. When Kat sat in Nitaya “Add” Driskel’s chair, they discussed how she could still maintain a simple getting ready process while looking on trend. Kat’s hair history was long so she was looking for a change without adding more damage. Her existing hair color was grown out with medium brown throughout the mid lengths and ends. Add had recently learned a new highlighting technique and Kat was willing to let her work her magic. The result was a modern version of the ombré trend. A conditioning color gloss was used at her new growth to repair, deepen the color, and add shine. A new layered haircut added the volume and shape that Kat was wanting. Before blow drying, Add prepped her 6
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hair with Redken Guts and Full Frame mousse. The curls were set with Redken’s Iron Shape and finished with Pureology’s Shine Texturizer. Courtney Hughes worked with Kat on creating a natural glam make up look. Courtney used all bareMinerals on her skin. Kat was prepped with Purely Nourishing Moisturizer for combination skin, Neutralizing Prime time, and Light 2 concealer. Using the new BareSkin foundation, Bare Shell was best suited for Kat’s skin. Well-Rested was used for highlighting and The Skinny Dip for contouring. These
style are basic essentials for everyone. The Secret’s Out gave her cheeks a very natural color. Courtney and Kat decided to go with a smokey eye to make them appear larger. The Epiphany was the perfect pallet. Absolute Black was used for lining and Lash Domination for mascara. For a pale pink lip, Courtney applied Exhilarated liner and Speak Your Mind lipstick. Original Mineral Veil finished the look perfectly. All of these changes and new techniques really gave Kat a brighter, more youthful appearance. It’s easier to maintain and she thinks her husband is really going to like it! LaRitz Salon & Spa has a very talented team of stylists to give you a gorgeous transformation. Call 405-372-8223 or come by 115 W McElroy, or visit laritzsalon.com for more information!
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living well
A DEADLY VISITOR IN YOUR HOME: CARBON MONOXIDE BY GENE HOY T JD, MD,FCLM
Baby, it’s cold outside. Turn up the heater! I’m hungry, can I bring the grill inside? We all remember the snow in November and the rush at the store to get milk and bread. Then, we all rushed home to get warm. We often forget winter brings many different risks. Some are obvious like ice and falls, and others are more insidious like Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Carbon Monoxide poisoning is not uncommon. Each year, hundreds of emergency room visits can be directly related to this potentially deadly gas. Carbon Monoxide is odorless and colorless. It can’t be tasted. It is produced in our homes everyday but even more so in winter. If it burns, it produces Carbon Monoxide. Any fuel, natural gas, propane, gasoline, diesel, charcoal and yes, even that cigarette produce Carbon Monoxide. Your fireplace, woodstove and space heaters are also potential culprits. Your gas hot water heater, stove and oven and even the fancy generator you used during the ice storm are also incriminated. Carbon Monoxide poisoning occurs from breathing this odorless, colorless gas. Carbon Monoxide replaces oxygen in your blood stream. Oxygen is essential to life! Organ systems shut down without oxygen and you can die! Please take time to learn the symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Symptoms may be very slow or be catastrophically rapid in onset. Early on with exposure, a person may have flu like symptoms: headache dizziness even nausea. Symptoms can rapidly progress to shortness of breath, confusion and vision problems. Seizures and collapse may also follow. At first, symptoms may be very vague. But, if you and others in the family or at the office have the same symptoms of similar onset, you must think of Carbon Monoxide poisoning. If you are in an enclosed space and everything gets better when you are outside, again, you must think of Carbon Monoxide poisoning. The first part of treatment is recognition of the risk. If you have symptoms get outside fast. Call your physician. Call your local ER. This may sound extreme. Many other conditions may produce the same symptoms, but in 2006, 180 people in Oklahoma died of Carbon Monoxide poisoning. In the ER, a specific blood test can measure the amount of Carbon Monoxide in the blood. Fresh
air and 100% oxygen are the most usual treatments. In extreme cases hyperbaric oxygen may be used to clear Carbon Monoxide from the blood. We all should have CO detectors installed at home and work. These detectors look and work much like fire detectors. They are inexpensive and sound what could be a life saving alarm. About 35% of Oklahoma Carbon Monoxide deaths are caused by defective heating systems. Faulty installation, faulty maintenance and plugged flues are common problems. Surprising to me, nearly 45% of Carbon Monoxide deaths can be attributed to portable generator use. Improper placement of the generator in the house, too close to the house or in the attached garage have all led to disastrous outcomes. You shouldn’t need to be told, but never, never warm the car up in an enclosed garage. In summary, 1. Have all fuelled home appliances, furnaces and hot water heaters serviced by a qualified person yearly. Don’t use the stove or oven as a heater. 2. Have your fireplace and chimney checked yearly. Creosote buildup can cause fires and flue obstruction. Make certain the damper is open before a fire is started and until the fire is fully and absolutely out. 3. If you want to cook on the grill, do it outside. Never cook or heat with your grill, regardless of the fuel source, inside your home. 4. Never use a generator in or even near your home. 5. Be aware of the real risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning in our homes. Flu like symptoms: headache, dizziness and nausea, become even more important if several family members become ill at the same time. This is especially true if things get better in the fresh air outside. 6. Lastly, invest in a CO detector and install it in your home, your shop and in all the places where you and your family live and play. BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY AND SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON! Gene Hoyt MD
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cause for applause
Flaming Festival
Each year at Oklahoma State University, as the holiday seasons approach, while everyone is busy preparing for the cooler weather, the alums of Kappa Alpha Theta are busy brainstorming creative ideas and picking out décor for tablescapes for their annual Flaming Festival at the Theta House in Stillwater. When the Flaming Festival got started, it began as a fundraiser and a place where people could buy unique candles for the holidays. Now, it has become an entire table decorating fundraiser event, where the alums of Kappa Alpha Theta show off their greatest table decorating ideas as a unique way to kick off the holiday season. Volunteers at the event set up their own tablescapes, often with a fun party or holiday theme. The decorators will look for occasions that people decorate for, come up with a fun hook as a title and decorate ac10
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cordingly. Not only is it a way for alums to display their creative side, it get attendees into the holiday spirit and sparks new inspiration for people decorating their own homes for the holidays. Betty Townsend, one of the main organizers of the event, said, “I want everyone to be able to walk away with ideas.” And that is exactly what happens! As well as the beautiful tables to see at the Flaming Festival, there is also the Christmas Market stocked with candles, ornaments, decorations, and other gifts for the holiday season. The proceeds from this event go to their national philanthropy, CASA as well as many other local agencies such as Wings of Hope, The Payne County Youth Shelter, Mission of Hope and the Child Advocacy Center. If you missed the event this year, be sure to catch it next year for a festive time with a great cause!
cause for applause
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living well
Tobacco-Free Stillwater B Y: B EC K Y TAY L O R , PAY N E C O U N T Y T O B A C C O P R E V E N T I O N C O O R D I N AT O R I love this time of year—cooler temperatures, the holidays, changing leaves, and more play time outside. I have two sons—a 5 year old and a 3 year old—and their favorite part of the day is when our entire family is outside playing together. Usually, our time spent outside consists of playing baseball in our front yard, taking a bike ride around our neighborhood, or walking to a nearby city park. A new park just went in a few blocks away from our house, and it has quickly become a family favorite. The park is great and the boys love playing there, but often, while my boys are playing in that park or any other local park, there is someone smoking nearby and tobacco litter scattered on the ground. The presence of smoking and tobacco litter at parks bothers me for several reasons. First, there is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure; also, secondhand smoke exposure can have immediate health consequences on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. According to Repace Associates, secondhand smoke levels in outdoor public places can reach levels as high as those found in indoor facilities where smoking is permitted. Parks are established to promote an active lifestyle and community wellness—tobacco use is not consistent with this goal. So, allowing it in parks does not set a standard of health for our children. Second, cigarette litter is dangerous and takes away from the beauty of our local parks. Discarded cigarettes pollute the land and water and may be ingested by toddlers, pets, birds, or fish. Thirdly, I want the community in which I live to promote wellness and build an
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environment that is supportive of such priorities. 90% of current smokers started before the age of 18. One of the many deceptive practices of the tobacco industry is to target youth as their replacement smokers—to replace the 1200 people that die every day in this country from their products. Recently, the leaders of our communities took a stand for our children and advocated for their health by passing a Resolution that prohibits all tobacco use from Stillwater’s park system. This is a great start at setting a community norm that tobacco use is not an acceptable behavior for young people or adults. A tobacco-free resolution will potentially limit the number of teens that become lifelong tobacco users. Health is a complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease. It takes a village to promote wellness in our children—it takes the home, our schools, worksites, neighborhoods, parks, and community as a whole to raise strong children that will have the potential to live full lives. The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline (1-800-QuitNow) is a free resource to those who need help quitting or staying quit. The Helpline offers free nicotine replacement therapy as well as one-on-one help from quit coaches. Stillwater is making changes to become a healthier place for us to live; it is our turn to make a decision to live healthier as well.
press release
Oklahoma WONDERtorium Names New Executive Director S T I L L W AT E R , O K ( N O V E M B E R 3 0 , 2 0 1 4 ) The Oklahoma WONDERtorium is pleased to announce the appointment of Clayton Moore as its new executive director, eff ective December 1, 2014. A diverse committ ee of community volunteers chaired by WONDERtorium Board Secretary Christy Lang selected Moore after a three-month national search. He will work with the board of directors and the museum staff to expand and enhance the museum’s exhibits and program off erings as well as lead the continued growth and expansion of the museum’s impact regionally. Moore brings extensive experience in museum programming, management, and non-profi t fundraising, as well as an award-winning background as an educator and performer. Most recently at Allied Arts in Oklahoma City, Moore managed the Business Development and Employee Giving eff orts to advocate on behalf of 26 member organizations, building new partnerships and establishing new donors for the arts throughout central Oklahoma. Prior to his work at Allied Arts, Moore managed live theatre and all museum live programming at Science Museum Oklahoma, which involved the development and execution of original productions, performance, grant writing, exhibit design, event production and staff management and training. He also served as a liaison for community and corporate partnerships, with such organizations as the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, and the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board. Moore’s passion for education and the power of learning through play was ignited by his time as a public high school educator and instructor at the college level. “I am honored to be appointed to serve as director of the Oklahoma WONDERtorium,” Moore shared. “I look forward to joining with Stillwater and surrounding communities to grow the museum’s role in the life of our children and families in north-central Oklahoma. I am excited to work with and lead this talented and successful team of professionals and supporters, to expand the impact and to broaden the reach of the museum.” “Clayton brings an incredible mix of personality, passion for our mission, fundraising success, and management experience that will serve the museum well for years to come,” WONDERtorium Board President Will Joyce said. “We’re excited to work with Clayton and to see his impact on the continued growth of the museum.” Mid-summer of this year, the museum’s founding executive director, Ruth Cavins, announced her wishes to resign at the end of 2014. She began employment in 2006 when the WONDERtorium was named 14
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Stillwater Children’s Museum and all programming was in outreach format through a program named “Museum Without Walls.” In 2011, the now-named Oklahoma WONDERtorium opened the current facility at 308 West Franklin Lane in Stillwater as a museum with walls. Cavins’ direction in the last three years has led to numerous awards, higher-than-expected att endance numbers, statewide recognition, and fi nancial stability. She will continue to advise and consult with the staff through March of 2015. About the Oklahoma WONDERtorium The Oklahoma WONDERtorium, a children’s museum, is located at 308 W. Franklin in Stillwater (just north of the Stillwater High School Football Stadium). Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. Closed Monday. Telephone: (405) 533-3333. The Oklahoma WONDERtorium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofi t organization. For more details about the museum, its programs and events, please visit htt p://www.okwondertorium.org.
living well
YMCA’s Biggest Winner Challenge As 2014 is coming to a close and the New Year is approaching, it’s the time again to start think about your New Year’s resolutions. So many times, one’s resolution is to be healthier, whether it’s losing weight, or just staying in shape and eating right. But how many times have we all made this resolution, and then lost track once January settles in and the year doesn’t seem quite as new? Before the frustration hits in, just know that this year can be different. In 2015, the Stillwater YMCA will be hosting their YMCA Biggest Winner Challenge. Based off the TV show, The Biggest Loser, the goal is to compete for 12 weeks toward losing the most body fat percentage while staying in the healthy zone. While the YMCA has held challenges based off of The Biggest Loser in the past, this is the first year they have their very own personal trainer, Dylan Allen, leading the competition and training the teams. The challenge will be between teams of five to eight people, and anyone above the age of 18 can join, whether you have a team you want to sign up with, or if you just want to join one there. Each team will have a weekly training session with Allen, and then all the teams will meet up together, to discuss healthy living and to have a group exercise. There will also be two recipes sent out weekly, so that competitors can have motivation at home to eat well, along with their motivation to exercise. As well as having the goal for people to lose weight, the main purpose of this competition is to give
the competitors the tools to have a healthier lifestyle in general, and be able to stick with it. “The real goal is to get the folks in a healthy habit routine,” Allen said. The challenge begins January 5, 2015, and will run until March 23, and the winning team will win $500 to go to a charity of their choice. As well as the winning team prize, there will also be a cash prize awarded to the top three individuals who
have lost the most body fat percentage within their healthy zone. Sign up is at the Stillwater YMCA until January 3, and entry is $99 dollars to YMCA members and $199 to potential members. So what are you waiting for? Visit the Stillwater YMCA on 204 S. Duck St. to get signed up for what could be your greatest New Year’s resolution yet!
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spotlight
BY SARAH LITTLE, EDITOR PHOTOS BY VICTORIA HOLT, APPLE OF MY EYE PORTRAITS For years, we’ve shown you a spectacular home in our December issue. We’ve shown you big houses, not-as-big-of-houses, lake houses, farm houses, city houses, and country houses. This year, we’re showing a home that packs a big punch of holiday spirt… just in a smaller container! Alane Zanotti recently downsized to an upscale apartment in Stillwater. When moving from a larger home, she wasn’t sure exactly how her typical holiday spread might be accommodated in a smaller space, however, I think it works just fabulously! Alane has always shown that she has exquisite taste whether it be in fashion, furnishings or even in wine! She mixes her love of textures and color elegantly with vintage finds and fun holiday décor. Instead of her usual vertical wine rack and display, Alane converted the space into a hot cocoa bar complete with peppermint swizzle sticks and marshmallows. The living room is adorned with a beautiful tree decorated with a mix of all of Alane’s loves. From OSU collectable ornaments, to fun snowmen in many styles and shapes, to “Cowboy” themed baubles, this fun tree is skirted with plaid and topped with a fun Santa hat! Instead of the stockings being hung by the chimney with care, Alane has hung them on the hall tree. What an innovative use of space! 16
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spotlight The addition of a couple of large, fluffy, polar bear-esque pillows make the sofa a wonderful place to cozy up and catch a Christmas classic. On the bar into the kitchen, Alane combines oversized ornaments, candles and a Christmas decorative sign with branches and family photos to make a beautiful statement. Behind the display is the tower of OSU coffee mugs, because Alane says that during the holidays, its ok to mix a little red with the orange- if is Christmas red, and not crimson! Alane proves that you don’t have to have a huge space to make a big impact with your holiday dÊcor. For more pics, visit www.stillwaterliving.com and check out the full gallery of photos!
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spotlight
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cause for applause
Stillwater Ukulele Association
Music. It makes people happy, and it brings us together. It can have such a joyful impact on lives, and can unite people of all different backgrounds. Music is an influential part of life in Stillwater as well, and on every first and third Tuesday of the month at Daddy O’s Music Co., a fun group of ukulele players is proving just that. The Stillwater Ukulele Association is a group of ukulele players from all around the area that come together to jam, learn from their peers, and support one another in an inviting and informal setting. Kami Koontz, the founder of the Stillwater Ukulele Association, formed the group at the end of July when she was learning to play ukulele and looking for fellow players to play with. She had been going to groups in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, and while she enjoyed them she thought, why not start a group in Stillwater too? And that’s just what she did! Little by little, the group has continued to grow by word-of-mouth. From the first few meetings when there were about three people attending, to now, having 30 people on the email list and about 17 showing up regularly, the group has grown into a fun circle of players, who are always excited to welcome new faces. The SUA is free to join and is open to people of all skill levels. It’s more focused on beginners and advanced beginners, but more experienced players are welcome to come and play chords up the neck, DECEMBER 2014 | STILLWATER LIVING MAGAZINE
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cause for applause do different picking patterns and share their talents with the group. Or if you’re just learning and haven’t played at all, coming to the meetings would be a great way to start. Kami has even led some members from within the SUA in forming a performance group. They will be doing some Christmas performances at Golden Oaks for the Pre-K and seniors, and they are performing at the Stillwater Parade of Lights on December 4. The SUA is also planning an Open Mic Night and Jam, hosted by Scott and Cara Carson on December 29 from 6-9 P.M. at Dancing Deer Lodge on 2019 Range Road. This event is open to the public so come out and support the ukulele players of Stillwater! If you are interested in joining this group, just stop by Daddy O’s Music Co. at 115 N. Main, every first and third Tuesday of the month, at 6:00, and come jam! For more information visit facebook.com/ StillwaterUkuleleAssociation or email Kami at stillwaterukuleleassociation@ gmail.com.
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cause for applause
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historically speaking P I C T U R E D B E L O W: D AV I D PAY N E , W I L L I A M C O U C H A N D B O O M E R S
Stillwater’s First Christmas B Y A M M I E B R Y A N T, S H E E R A R M U S E U M O F S T I L L W AT E R H I S T O R Y D I R E C T O R Given the title of this article, you might imagine that Stillwater’s first Christmas occurred on December 25, 1889, just eight months following the first Land Run into the Unassigned Lands. But that presumption would be wrong. Stillwater’s first Christmas actually occurred five years before that in 1884. Throughout the mid-1800s the land that would eventually become the state of Oklahoma served as a place for the United States Government to forcibly remove Native American tribes from their homelands all over the county. This
relocation of the tribes began with the Indian Removal Act of 1830 when the government forced the Five Civilized Tribes out of traditional lands in the south-eastern states. The Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole were forced to follow what became known as the “Trail of Tears” due to their suffering from exposure to the harsh elements; they were hungry and sick and far too many died along the route. Gradually more tribes traveled their own “trail of tears” to share Indian Territory—the land that the U.S. Government promised would
be their home “as long as the rivers run.” Because some members of these tribes fought on the southern side in the Civil War, the treaties were revised in 1866 to diminish the size of the original Indian holdings, which allowed the U.S. Government to remove more tribes to the Indian Territory as they were defeated during the Plains Indian Wars. After the Civil War, the only non-Indians permitted in Indian Territory were cattlemen with grazing leases and permit holders among the Five Tribes.
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historically speaking In the center of Indian Territory there remained a section of land called the Unassigned Lands. By the 1880s, this area had not been “assigned” to any tribes for relocation and was being held in reserve for future Indian settlement. The area became a focus of conflict for years between the U. S. Government, various business interests, and landhungry settlers. It was in the northeast corner of these Unassigned Lands that present day Stillwater was eventually founded. The influential railroad lobby introduced several bills in Congress to open up the land. These bills were opposed by the Five Tribes and the cattlemen’s lobby. Because of this opposition, railway companies hired professional promoters to mobilize home-seekers to demand settlement in the Unassigned Lands on the basis of the Homestead Act of 1862. The Act was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on May 20, 1862 and it stated that anyone who had never taken up arms against the U.S. government (including freed slaves and women), was 21 years or older, or the head of a family, could file an application to claim a federal land grant. One of these promoters was David L. Payne, who made many illegal incursions into the Unassigned Lands. By making these “raids” into the unassigned lands with his followers, Payne tried to force the U.S. government to open the area for settlement. Payne, a colorful Civil War veteran, established several Boomer camps on the Kansas-Indian Territory border, known as “Payne’s Oklahoma Colony.” They called themselves “Boomers” because they maintained that the Unassigned Lands were where the next big economic boom would take place—they saw the land as a great opportunity to build successful farms, businesses, and communities. The Colony was financed by money from memberships and by the railroads and other businesses interested in the opening of the ter24
ritory. Payne published a newspaper to boost morale in the camps, and also printed fliers designed to increase public interest in Oklahoma settlement. Payne’s Boomers had chosen a wooded valley just 60 miles south of Arkansas City, Kansas as the target for their raids into the territory. The Boomers camped near where two streams joined, along a creek that became known as “Still Water”. The spot had been chosen because of its proximity to water and supply and mail lines as well as its respite from the bareness of the treeless prairie. Many attempts were made to settle at Still Water beginning in 1879, ten years before the first land run. Each time the Boomers made an attempt, they were forced to leave, and were escorted back to Kansas by U.S. Soldiers. Payne led many expeditions into the territory before he died of a heart attack in Wellington, Kansas
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on November 28th, 1884. A fellow boomer, William Couch, would continue the crusades into the “Unassigned Lands.” Which brings us to Still Water’s first Christmas. On December 8, 1884, Couch assembled 300 followers and set out from Kansas for the Unassigned Lands. On December 12, 1884, the Boomers reached Still Water, this time with the intent of standing their ground. The Boomers worked in the cold and wintery mix of spitting snow and sleet to build shelters and fortifications. More wagons from Kansas joined them during the following two weeks, and the population of the settlement grew, doubling its original size. According to Lieutenant W. M. Day, on December 24, 1884, he and forty cavalry troops arrived at the Boomer town and were met by “about 200 men armed with doublebarreled shotguns and Winchester
historically speaking rifles. I made every endeavor to arrest them peaceably, but they resisted. I placed a troop in camp in the town and sent a courier to Fort Reno for instructions.” In his report on the encampment Lt. Mathias Day said, “The settlers call this place the town of Stillwater.” This is the first documented reference to the name of “Stillwater.” While, this was not the first time soldiers had been sent to force the Boomers to leave, it was the first time they were met with resistance. The troops were outnumbered and instructed to return to Camp Russell to await a larger force. Thus, Stillwater’s first Christmas was experienced by the Boomer Colony as they worked in defiance to build a settlement along the Stillwater Creek, while being monitored by the U.S. Army whose assignment had been to remove them
from the Unassigned Lands. It was a cold and uncomfortable Christmas fraught with tension between the opposing sides of the issue of whether the Unassigned Lands were public domain and subject to settlement under the Homestead Act of 1862 or reserved for future Native American resettlement. A month later, on January 25, 1885, Colonel Edward Hatch leading approximately 600 cavalry with two cannon arrived. Couch managed to restrain the more hotheaded Boomers from firing on the soldiers, insisting that if shots were to be fired, it would be the soldiers who initiated the altercation. Colonel Hatch chose to cut off the Boomers’ supply lines, effectively giving them no choice but to give up. The standoff made national headlines in the New York Times, and forced Congress to to clear a path
for the Springer Amendment to be added to the Indian Appropriation Act of 1889. The Amendment would allow settlement of the Unassigned Lands under the Homestead Act of 1862. The bill was signed into law on March 2, 1889, which allowed President Benjamin Harrison to issue a proclamation opening the lands “at and after the hour of 12 o’clock noon on the 22nd day of April next.” On April 22, 1889, at noon, the cannons fired signaling the race to acquire land in the territory that would eventually become present day Canadian, Cleveland, Kingfisher, Logan, Oklahoma, and Payne Counties. Overnight, cities were born in Oklahoma, and new beginnings were made. And among the cities that sprang up overnight was Stillwater, where the struggle for this beginning of Oklahoma originally started just a decade before.
P I C T U R E D A B O V E : D AV I D L . PAY N E A N D H I S B O O M E R S D E TA I N E D B Y B L A C K U . S . C AVA L R Y FEBRUARY 1883
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historically speaking P I C T U R E D B E L O W : C A P TA I N PAY N E A N D T H E BOOMERS CROSSING THE LINE INTO OKL AHOMA WINTER
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Preparing Your Home for Holiday Guests B Y H O L LY F R A N K L I N ‘Tis the season for pumpkin pie, stuffing your face with turkey, and out-of-town guests! Taking some time to make your home a truly welcoming place can really make all the difference to your family and friends. A lot of times, we don’t take into account the best way to make a guest feel at home during their stay. Using these helpful tips as a guide, you and your guests are bound to have one of the most successful holidays yet!
the old one to the guest room), the holidays are a great time to shop for a new mattress. Many of the best mattress manufacturers, such as Serta and Tempur-Pedic, offer special deals during the holiday season. Another way to ensure your guests are sleeping comfortably is to make sure the sheets are freshly washed before your guests arrive. Also, make sure you have plenty of pillows. While most of us just keep two pillows on the guest bed, many people need multiple pillow for If you have a dedicated guest room: maximum comfort. And don’t forget some extra blanThink about what you like in a hotel room. Many kets in case your guests’ feet get cold at night. people consider the bed the most essential aspect of a Some other comfort features to consider include a relaxing visit. You may want place the greatest con- nightstand with a generous amount of tabletop surface sideration on the condition and size of your mattress. for guests’ electronics, reading glasses, and books with If you find your guest room mattress to be incredibly a nice bedside lamp. Be sure there is easy access to an uncomfortable, so will your guests. Also, since queen electrical outlet so you guests can plug in their cell phones sized mattresses are only six inches wider and five inches and laptops. If you really want to make your guests feel longer than a full size bed, upgrading will make your like they are staying in a five-star hotel, place a mint or guests a lot more comfortable by only taking up a little chocolate on their pillow. more space. If you are considering a new bed for the Since your guests will be relaxing here in their down guest room (or upgrading your mattresses and moving time, make sure it is a comfortable place to lay back and 28
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style unwind. Try to keep it from feeling like a wall-to-wall storage bin for leftover furniture and knick-knacks— even if that is what it normally is used for. One solution might be including a storage bench. Not only does it give guests a place to store their personal belongings, but it also provides added surface space while concealing the clutter.
If you don’t have a dedicated guest room:
Think of ways to make your guests comfortable without having to give up your own bed. Since Stillwater is such a great place to visit, it is not unusual for homes to be maxed out on sleeping space. During special times, like homecoming, every room of my home is filled with friends and family. If every bed is taken, you may need to think of an alternative solution. It seems like many kids have their own rooms these days. Consider adding a trundle bed or bunk bed to your children’s rooms. They can bunk together for the night and clear out some space for extra guests. The addition of memory foam and adjustable air mattresses to sleeper sofas has made them more comfortable than in years past. If you are considering a new sofa or sectional anyway, make it a sleeper. You will be surprised how often you end up using it, especially if it is a comfortable one! The main complaint we hear about sleeper sofas is that they are heavy and hard to move. If you like to move your furniture around, try this trick: Remove all the cushions, remove the mattress and use some rope to tie down the mechanism. By doing so, the sleeper will be no heavier than a traditional sofa. Investing in furniture sliders is another option. If you like the idea of a sleeper sofa, but it is not in the budget to buy a new sofa, the Air Sofair air mattress sits right on the edge of any sofa with removable seat cushions. This way it takes up less floor space than a standard air mattress. The sofa holds the air mattress in place and your guests can lean against the sofa to relax and watch Christmas movies. If you’ll have guests sleeping in a common area like a living room, here are a few tips to make them more comfortable. 1. Talk to your family and designate nighttime hours in which the common area will become private for your guests. Once everyone is up, take a few moments to fold the sheets and blankets and tuck them away during the day. 2. Make your guests have a place to put their belongings. If there is a bathroom right by the living room, designate a drawer or shelf to place their toiletries. When I travel, I always bring home extra hotel toiletries and store them in a jar or basket in the bathroom. It’s nice to have some choices of lotions, soaps and conditioners for them.
3. Setting up a privacy screen is another way of instating a personal sense to make your guests feel like they have their own room.
Accommodating Special Circumstances:
It is important when you have guests to accommodate any special circumstances they may have. It seems as though at least one person you know is allergic to something these days. For instance, if you have a guest staying with you who is allergic to peanuts, avoid
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style making peanut butter cookies or serving mixed nuts on game night. It is okay to ask if your guests are allergic to anything specific to avoid a visit to the emergency room. It could really ruin Aunt Gertrude’s holiday if your specialty stuffing with your top secret ingredient (peanuts) sent her into anaphylactic shock!
Entertaining Guests:
If your Wi-Fi is password protected, be sure to leave the password on a pillow or nightstand so your guests can enjoy posting pictures of the delicious turkey with cranberry sauce on Instagram without fear of using their data. Don’t want your guests or family members sitting mindlessly in front of the television or on their phones? Have a game night! Game nights are great ways to connect with your guests. I remember several nights of staying at a friend’s house playing dominos or Uno until midnight or later. However, a cozy movie night is never a bad thing to do after a long day of Christmas shopping! Holiday classics to set the mood such as Home Alone or Miracle on 34th Street are some good ones to consider. While watching your favorite holiday cinematic adventure, string some popcorn for your Christmas tree.
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Do be mindful of your guests! If your laundry room is right next to their room don’t do a load of dirty laundry right before everyone goes to sleep. Try to do it in the morning or earlier in the evening while everyone is still awake.
Guests, there are a few things for you to consider when staying at someone else’s humble abode.
1) Do not sleep in until the late morning or afternoon. You are still a guest in someone’s house. Be sociable! Most hosts want to talk and see what new and exciting things are happening in your life. 2) Be mindful of your manners! In your house, it’s perfectly acceptable to lounge in your boxers all day with un-brushed teeth and disheveled hair. However, when staying at someone’s house, please wear appropriate clothes; this includes a shirt and pants. Be polite and chivalrous. Remember “please” and “thank you” still go a long way in today’s society. Maybe even offer to do small chores such as setting the table or washing the dishes! 3) Once you return from your stay, be sure to write a thank you card to your host.