July/August 2022ionok.com Rich Strike’s Run for the Roses Full Circle Bookstore celebrates 50th anniversary Dispatchers deliver calm in the storm New Choctaw resort development to open in 2023 Oklahoma City Town Hall 2022-23 Lecture Series Lifestyle … Culture … Entertainment
6 ion Oklahoma July/August 2022 publisher : Don Swift assistant : Joni Yeager editor : Tim Farley editiorial assistant : Darian Woolbright videographer : Jeremy Gossett director of photography : Michael Downes web site developer : Patrick Moore with Set Sail Media web site developer : Nina Jones, Data Design Inc. illustration : Rosemary Burke graphic design : Wendy Mills Advertising Sales Don Swift Photographers Jeremy Gossett Hugh Scott, Jr. Tracy Reece Jerry Hymer Advertising Consultants Peter fashionContributorsPreksto:LindaMiller social issues : Garland McWatters community : Lauren Wright contributing writer : Sandi Davis contributing writer : M.A. Smith contributing writer : M. J. Van Deventer contributing writer : Kristen Marckmann OKnStyle - ion OK 3240 West Britton Rd Suite 101 Oklahoma City, OK 405-816-3338405-607-093073120
8 ion Oklahoma July/August 2022 COVER STORY 12 Rich Strike Runs for the Roses: Owner increasing number of horses in stable by Tim Farley PEOPlE 28 Dispatchers deliver calm in the storm by Dana lance 34 A Mission of FIRE and Water Matt Hangen, Water4 col laborate to provide water pumps in Africa by Garland Mcwatters 40 Full Circle Bookstore to Present International Bestselling Oklahoma Author Scarlett St. Clair 45 Author of book driving national headlines comes to Full Circle Bookstore for book signing, discussion: “This Will Not Pass” author Jonathan Martin and Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt by Angi Bruss 60 Chickasaw student learning to fly high by KC Cole BuSinESS 64 Full Circle Bookstore celebrates 50th anniversary by Angi Bruss DESiGn 66 Remodeling 2020: Three Case Studies show off motivations, design trends by Jo Meacham 6612
July/August 2022 ion Oklahoma 9 PlACES 24 French Quarter main attraction for tourists in New Orleans by linda Miller 38 New Choctaw resort development to open in 2023 FAShiOn 32 Summer time = Sandal time! by linda Miller 40 The eyes have it by linda Miller EVEnTS 20 Oklahoma City Town Hall 2022-23 Lecture Series 47 FAM Public Programs Schedule 49 Myriad Gardens Events SPORTS 54 Dodgers schedule 56 OU 2022 Football schedule 57 OSU 2022 Football schedule 58 TU 2022 Football schedule 59 UCO 2022 Football schedule in EVERY iSSuE 10 Publisher’s Note 242860
10 ion Oklahoma July/August 2022 P u B li S h ER ’ S nOTE
Students will soon be returning to a new school year in Oklahoma. College football is starting pre-season practice sessions at OU, OSU, and many other Oklahoma colleges, universities and high schools across the state.
During the fall we are planning the NextGen Under 30 Awards Program on October 21, 2022 and are adding the inaugural event titled “55 Over 55 Inspiring Oklahomans“ Award Program Reception on November 4, 2022 at the Oklahoma History Center located in Oklahoma City from 4:30pm – 7:30pm
Again, we are planning a NextGen Talks at UCO during the 2022 Fall Term and soon will announce the event date that will take place at the Nigh University Center on the UCO Campus.
ion Oklahoma Magazine has grown to over 49,755 subscribers located primarily in four counties and 89 zip codes of central Oklahoma. Our six printed editions published annually and can be downloaded FREE from our website or printed copies can be ordered on demand and mailed directly to your home or office.
Every year NextGen Under 30 Award Winners often mention older Oklahomans they admire and want to recognize their contributions to make Oklahoma more attractive for people to call home. Together the 2022 NextGen under 30 award winners will host and honor the 2022 55 Over 55 Inspiring Oklahomans at this event.
At ion Oklahoma Magazine we plan to publish many of the quality lifestyle stories from Oklahomans who are best repre senting the “Oklahoma Spirit.” We want to hear from you, our readers, and your stories, so please email your ideas, thoughts and success stories.
NextGen TALKS Oklahoma was created and inspired by the very successful TEDx Talks media programs. NextGen TALKS Oklahoma showcase the NOW, NEXT, and NEXTGEN Leaders in Oklahoma who want to share their experiences, successes and contributions in making Oklahoma a great state for everyone to live and follow their careers and dreams.
It is and has been our mission as storytellers to share the success stories about Oklahomans and the continuous upward progress Oklahoma is making as a state.
In 2022, the NextGen Under 30 Award Recognition Program will be celebrating its 12th year Anniversary. In 2022, we will honor over 300 young adults in 21 different career categories and from a total of 241 organizations, associations or companies.
Welcome to ion Oklahoma Magazine. 2022 is the beginning of our 12th year anniversary in the publishing business of an online digital lifestyle magazine and news-entertainment website www.ionok.com.
DonaldSincerely,B. Swift, Publisher, www.ionok.com
www.uco.nextgentalksok.comwww.NextGenUnder30.comwww.occc.nextgentallksok.com “Like” us on facebook.com/pages/IonOklahoma-OnlinefacebookFollowusontwitter@IonOklahoma
During our 2021 NextGen Award Ceremony we hosted a contingency of Kansas officials to observe and learn the dynam ics of honoring talented young people between the ages of 18-30 in an effort to encourage them to follow their careers and dreams living in Oklahoma.
July/August 2022 ion Oklahoma 11 CURRENT CommercialAVAILABILITYDevelopment:TheCommonsofYukon,Yukon,OK10+ acres Landmark Dr, Yukon, OK331 S Ranchwood Blvd., Yukon, OK Church for Sale: Land for Lease: Residential Lakeside Lots: 1001 N Council Rd., Oklahoma City 3351 N Gregory Rd., Yukon, OKLegacy Lakes Phase I Replat, Yukon Debra J. Cook Broker Associate / REALTOR License#147258 Specializing in Commercial Real Estate, Investment Real Estate, Land Development and New Construction (405) 922-7199 debdjac@gmail.com EPIC REAL ESTATE 631 N Mustang Rd. Mustang, OK 73064 (405) 590-4412 EPIC OPPORTUNITIES IN LOCAL REAL ESTATE
ich Strike won an improbable Kentucky Derby race in May, skipped the Belmont Stakes and finished sixth at the Preakness, but that’s hardly the end of his career.
Owner Rick Dawson, of Edmond, isn’t sure how the horse will run but he’s hoping for a repeat of the Kentucky Derby, which surprised everyone in the stands and watching on television.
“I felt if we could only get into the race we had a chance. We were an also eligible, #21 on (the) list, 20 horses get to run. Our horse was getting better and better each race leading up to the Derby,” he said. BY TIM FARLEY
“Every horse is subject to most things going right like getting a good trip and being able to run as planned. He’ll be right there at the end.”
Rich Strike’s Run for the Roses Owner increasing number of horses in stable Rich Strike
However, Dawson made it clear he wasn’t totally shocked by Rich Strike’s Derby performance.
ion Oklahoma July/August 2022
COVER STORY
Most recently, the Derby winner is prepping for the Travers Stakes Aug. 27 at Saratoga, New York, followed by a likely appearance at the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 5 at Keeneland Racecourse.
“He’s looking and doing great,” Dawson said of Rich Strike’s preparation for the Travers Stakes.
R
The work paid off for Dawson and Rich Strike who entered the race at 80-1 odds, which meant a huge payday for Dawson and few other lucky bettors, including Dawson’s friends at the Thunder Roadhouse off-track betting facility in Oklahoma City.
Rich Strike became the first horse that was ever claimed out of a race, to then go on and win the Kentucky Derby. Dawson and Reed claimed the colt for $30,000 out of a race at Churchill Downs on Sept. 17, 2021. Trainer Eric Reed was as surprised as anyone about the Derby win in his comments to Bloodhorse.com.
also told Paulickreport.com, “After a while I real
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ized that if it was worth owning a horse, it was worth owning the horse 100%. I got out of the partnerships I was in and refocused.”Sincethe Kentucky Derby, Dawson has purchased three younger“Timehorses.willtell if they turn out to be runners and at what level,” he said. “My hope is to always work hard to succeed and give my horses the best possible chance to win. Run ning in the Derby again would be a great thrill.”
Looking back a few months after the Derby win, Dawson said, “I’m still astonished that so many things had to hap pen just right in order for us to get into the race on Friday morning & then on Saturday, WOW, one of the greatest rides by a jockey, Sony Leon, and a complete race by horse, Rich Strike, I’ve ever seen, anytime or anywhere. Great effort by trainer, Eric Reed, and Reed Racing.”
“Someone mentioned to me how Rich Strike is a modern day Seabiscuit,” he said. “The world has seen some hard times in the last few years during the pandemic and people have been under a lot of stress. Now, like in the 1930s with Seabiscuit, here comes this little trainer with a little jockey and a horse no one knows anything about Left, Sonny Leon, Eric R Reed, Richard Dawson. Below, Rich Strike,
Dawson, who owns and races horses as Red TR-Racing, has appreciated a racehorse’s athletic ability and pure beauty for decades. The semi-retired oil and gas man started watching horse races in 1981 and became a horse owner five years ago. He started owning horses while on a fact-finding mission with another prominent breeder and owner from Oklahoma. In an interview after the Derby, Dawson told the Paulickre port.com, “I ran into Everett Dobson at Oak Tree National (Golf Club), where I live in Edmond, and started picking his brain about owning horses. I always liked going to the track, I’ve been doing that for 30-40 years. There is a great thrill in racing. I enjoy the handicapping, the studying, the problemsolving in wagering. I thought it was time to maybe own a horse. Everett invited me to a sale with him in Lexington, Ky., where I was able to shadow him and pick his brain about everything. When I left, I had become a small minority owner in five horses. I went there to observe and came away an owner.”Dawson
and they shock the world. He becomes a fan favorite and gives some people a lot of happiness after such horrible times. To me, that’s the best part of it.”
Meanwhile, Dawson believes Rich Strike’s heroic and almost-unbelievable Derby race will never be forgotten. “He’s a wonderful athlete with a big per sonality. His story of coming from way, way back in the Kentucky Derby will be remem bered for years.”
Most recently, the Derby winner was prepping for the Travers Stakes where he finished out of the money during the Aug. 27 race at Saratoga, N.Y. Now, Rich Strike and his team will now turn their attention to a likely appearance at the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 5 at Keeneland Racecourse. n ion Oklahoma July/August 2022
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HORSE RACING IN KENTUCKY IS RICH, dating back to 1789 when the first race course was laid out in Lexington. However, it was almost 100 years later, in 1875, that Churchill Downs officially opened and began its tradition as “Home of the Kentucky Derby.”The founding of Churchill Downs began in 1872, when Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark traveled to England and France in 1872. Clark attended the Epsom Derby in England, which sparked his ambition to create a spec tacle horse racing event in America. Upon his return to the states, Clark began the development of the racetrack, with intentions to showcase the Kentucky breeding industry that eventually became known as “Churchill Downs.”Thetrack was constructed on 80 acres of land that Clark leased from his uncles, John and Henry Churchill, approximately three miles south of downtown Louisville. To fund the initial construction, Clark raised money by selling membership subscriptions to the track. With 320 membership subscriptions sold for $100 each, Clark raised a total of $32,000. This profit was used to construct a clubhouse, grandstand, Porter’s Lodge, and six stables on site for the opening of the track. Throughout the years, the initial structures still stand, but the racetrack has continued to grow and modernize. Today, Churchill Downs spans 147 acres with its most significant structure being the Twin A history Spires, an architectural feature which sits atop the grandstand and has become the universally recognized symbol for Churchill Downs and the KentuckyChurchillDerby.Downs had its first official race day, which formally opened the track on May 17, 1875. For the opening meet, Clark created three major stakes races- the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and Clark Handi cap. These were modeled after three premier races in England- the Epsom Derby, Epsom Oaks and St. Leger Stakes. The winner of the first race was Bonaventure; however the winner of the day’s featured race, the Kentucky Derby, was a three-year-old chestnut colt, Aristides. Owned by H.P. McGrath, Aristides was trained by and ridden by two African-Americans, Ansel Wil liamson and Oliver Lewis. A crowd reaching 10,000 spectators witnessed
16 ion Oklahoma July/August 2022 the 15 thoroughbreds run the first 1.5 mile long Kentucky Derby. Aristides’ victory launched a tradition that has been held continuously at Churchill Downs annually since their debut in Today,1875.Churchill Downs Racetrack is owned and operated by Churchill Downs Incorporated. Churchill Downs currently holds the record for the longest-running, continuous sport ing event in the United States. In 1875, the track’s inau gural meet reached nearly 10,000 spectators, unknowingly initiating an annual ritual that is now universally recognized bringing in record-breaking crowds of more than 170,000.
1889 – Bookmakers demand that Colonel Clark remove parimutuel betting machines, because they are cutting into the bookmakers profits. Spokane wins the Derby.
1908 – The use of pari-mutuel wagering machines is restored, and bookmakers are outlawed. The Derby day crowd bets a total of $67,570 of which $18,300 is placed on the Derby race alone. Stone Street wins the Derby.
1894 – Due to the growing crowd size, a 285-foot grand stand is constructed to accommodate race fans. Chant wins the Derby.
1913 – The fees to enter a horse in the Derby and the Derby winning prize money are restructured. The new charges are $25 to nominate a horse for the Kentucky Derby and $100 for the horse to actually run in the race. With those collected fees, plus Churchill Downs adding $5,000 to the purse, the winning horse receives $5,475. Donerail wins the Derby, and becomes the longest shot to win. He pays $184.90 to win bets, $41.20 to place bets, and $13.20 to show bets.
1914 – Old Rosebud wins the Derby and sets a new track record, finishing the race in 2:03:04 and eight lengths ahead of the second place finisher.
1911 – The minimum bet is reduced from $5 to $2, and a betting booth is introduced. Two men are stationed in a booth to receive fans’ bets – one sells the wagering ticket, and the other operates a clicker to account for the number of tickets sold. Meridian wins the Derby.
1903 – Now under the leadership of Colonel Matt J. Winn, the racetrack celebrates its first profit after the Kentucky Derby on May 2nd where Judge Himes wins the race.
1899 – Founder of the Kentucky Derby, Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark, commits suicide on Apri l 22, 1899, just twelve days before the 25th running of the Kentucky Derby, where Manuel wins.
Followingsports.
1895 – The famed Twin Spires greet the Kentucky Derby crowd, on May 6th. Halma wins the Derby.
1915 – For the third consecutive year, the Kentucky Derby splashes the news, as the first filly, Regret, wins the race.
1883 – Leonatus wins the Derby, and the name “Churchill Downs” is first used to landmark the racetrack that is the home of the Kentucky Derby.
1896 – It is thought that the distance of the Derby race is too long for three year old Thoroughbreds that early in the spring, so the distance of the Derby race is shortened from one and a half miles to one and a quarter miles. Ben Brush wins the Derby, and he receives a floral arrange ment of white and pink roses.
With many changes over the course of three centuries, the Kentucky Derby is known to be the most exciting two minutes in are some key dates of the Kentucky Derby.
1904 – The red rose becomes the official flower of the Ken tucky Derby and Elwood wins the race.
This publicity establishes the Kentucky Derby as a premier sporting event in America, after its 41st running.
1922 – Mor Vich wins the Derby and, in addition to the win ning purse, he receives a gold buffet service piece includ ing a cup and candlesticks. The prize is valued at $7,000 and is the first Derby presentation of its kind.
1931 – The Kentucky Derby is permanently scheduled for the first Saturday in May, as opposed to an undetermined date in mid-May. The move was largely due to the popularity of the idea of a Triple Crown winner, and allowed for a con sistent racing schedule for horses that would participate in the three races – The Kentucky Derby, followed by the Preakness Stakes, followed by the Belmont Stakes.
1924 – Black Gold wins the 50th running of the Kentucky Derby, and he receives a trophy, exactly like the one pre sented today.
1919 – Sir Barton wins the Derby and is also the first winner of what would become the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. In the span of just 32 days, Sir Barton won the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, the Withers Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes.
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1925 – The first network radio broadcast of the Kentucky Derby takes place on May 16th, with about 5 to 6 million listeners tuning in to hear Flying Ebony win the Derby. Also, notable in the year, the phrase “Run for the Roses®” is coined by Bill Corum, a sports columnist for the New York Evening Journal and the New York Journal - American.
1930 – Gallant Fox wins the Derby, and the term Triple Crown is officially used by the New York Times to describe his combined wins in the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes.
1932 – Despite the Great Depression, the Kentucky Derby race continues to take place and has much to celebrate. The race is internationally broadcast, reaching England’s British Broadcasting Company, and the winner, Burgoo King, is the first Kentucky Derby winner to be draped in a garland of red roses.
1938 – A tunnel is constructed under the racetrack that con
1984 – The Kentucky Derby is simulcast at 24 racetracks across the nation, allowing those racetracks to live wager on the Kentucky Derby race. A North American record is set for wagering on a single race, at $18,941,933. Swale wins
18 ion Oklahoma July/August 2022 nects the grandstand, spectator seats to the field inside the racetrack, called the “infield”. Admission is 50 cents to enjoy the Derby from the infield. Lawrin wins the Derby and he is the first to take to a stand built in the infield for the official presentation to the Kentucky Derby winning
1952 – The public exposure of the Kentucky Derby is ex panded with the first national live television coverage in its history. An estimated 10 to 15 million viewers tune in to watch Hill Gale win the Derby.
1968 – Dancer’s Image is the first Derby winner to be dis qualified. Following the race, Dancer’s Image tested posi tive for an illegal medication, so the purse is taken from him, and awarded to the second-place finisher Forward Pass, who is declared the winner.
1977 – Seattle Slew wins the Kentucky Derby and goes on to win the Triple Crown. He is the 10th Triple Crown winner, and the only horse to take that title while also undefeated.
1978 – Affirmed wins the Kentucky Derby and goes on to win the Triple Crown.
1973 – In the 99th running of the Kentucky Derby, Secretari at wins with the fastest finishing time to date. Secretariat completed the race in 1:59:40, and went on to win the Triple Crown, for the first time in 25 years.
1970 – Diane Crump is the first female jockey to ride in the Kentucky Derby race. Crump finished 15th out of 18 horses in the field; and even though her Derby race wasn’t a win, she brought women to the forefront of horse racing. Dust Commander wins the Derby.
1974 – The second largest crowd in the history of U.S. Thor oughbred racing watches Cannonade win the 100th Derby. There were a total of 163,628 fans at Churchill Downs to watch the race, which also had a record large field size of 23 horses.
1943horse.–Regardless of the war-time travel restrictions from World War II and no out-of-town tickets sold to the Ken tucky Derby, 65,000 fans gather at Churchill Downs to see Count Fleet easily defeat the field at 2-5 odds.
1954 – The Kentucky Derby winning purse exceeds $100,000, and Determine is the horse to cash in.
1966 – The famed “Millionaires Row” dining room is intro duced, and Kauai King wins the Derby.
1949 – The 75th Kentucky Derby is locally telecast for the first time, and Ponder wins the Derby.
2000 – This year marked the third century in which the Ken tucky Derby was run; Fusaichi Pegasus wins the Kentucky 2004Derby.–The Kentucky Derby winner is Smarty Jones, and he is later featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
2018 – Justify wins the Kentucky Derby and continues on to clinch the Triple Crown. He is the last horse to date to win the Triple Crown. n Sources: Churchi Downs and Kentuckyderby.com
1999 – The Kentucky Derby celebrates its 125 running, and Charismatic wins the race. This is the first year Kentucky Derby fans are able to place Future Wagers. The Future Wager allows fans to bet on contenders leading up to the Derby race, when the odds are higher and there is an op portunity to win more money if the contender wins.
2006 – Barbaro wins the Kentucky Derby, by six and a half lengths; the largest victory since 1946. Barbaro was injured just weeks later in the Preakness Stakes, and passed away after complications of that injury. He was a Kentucky Derby fan favorite, and a bronze statue is placed above his remains at the entrance of Churchill Downs
1988 – Winning Colors wins the Derby, she is only the third filly in racing history to capture the Kentucky Derby win.
1986 – The home of the Kentucky Derby race, Churchill Downs Racetrack, is formally placed on the register of National Historic Landmarks. Ferdinand wins the Derby.
July/August 2022 ion Oklahoma 19 the Derby.
1985 – The Kentucky Derby Museum is opened on the grounds of Churchill Downs Racetrack just one week before the Kentucky Derby is run. The museum’s mission was, and still is, to continue to preserve the history and to share the fun of the Kentucky Derby experience. Spend A Buck wins the Derby.
2012Racetrack.–The138th Kentucky Derby was a record-setting year. I’ll Have Another wins the race in front of the highest attended Kentucky Derby of 165,307 fans. Wagering also set a record, with $133.1 million wagered on the Kentucky Derby race across all-sourc es.
2015 – American Pharoah wins the Kentucky Derby and goes on to win the Triple Crown. He breaks a Triple Crown drought lasting over 30 years.
1995 – Thunder Gulch wins the Derby, when the purse is increased to $1 million.
1996 – The Kentucky Derby general admission price is raised to $30; it was only 50 cents when it was first opened in 1938. Grindstone wins the Derby.
20 ion Oklahoma July/August 2022 EVE n TS
klahoma City Town hall is set to welcome its latest series of nationally recognized lecture guests featuring a Black hawk Down hero, a legal scholar, one of America’s greatest thinkers, news and television personalities, and a geopolitical strategist.
O
All lectures will be held at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Servant, located at 14343 N. MacArthur Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73142.
Seating is limited. Reserve seats today with a season mem bership for all six lectures for $125. Individual tickets for any lecture may be purchased for $30 on the day of the lecture. In addition, luncheon tickets are available as add-ons to lecture tickets for an additional $150 for the season or $25 for each lecture. CDC guidelines will be followed. To learn more about the 2022-23 Town Hall Lecture Series, visit okctownhall.org.
“OKC Town Hall continues its mission to provide a forum for entertaining and educational speakers to Oklahomans with our 2022 - 2023 lecture series,” said Town Hall Presi dent Dawn Hopkins. “Our speakers engage audiences with thought-provoking and informative discussions on a wide range of subjects that will bring cultural and educational enrichment to the vibrant Oklahoma community.”
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October 20, 2022 Prof. Jonathan Turley
LEGAL ProfessorSCHOLARTurleyhas written extensively in areas ranging from constitutional law to legal theory to tort law. He has written over three dozen academic articles that have ap peared in leading law journals at Cornell, Duke, Harvard, Georgetown, Northwestern and other schools. After a stint at Tulane Law School, he was awarded the prestigious Shapiro Chair for Public Interest Law at George Washington Law School. In addition to his extensive pub lications, Professor Turley has served as counsel in some of the most notable cases representing whistleblowers, military person nel, judges, and members of Congress. He is also one of the few attorneys to successfully challenge federal and state law.
Tammy Bruce NEWS
September 15, 2022 Jeff Struecker Best known for his formidable role in the U.S. military action known as Black Hawk Down.
November 17, 2022 Victor Davis Hanson ONE OF AMERICA’S GREATEST VictorTHINKERSDavis Hanson is the author of hundreds of articles, books reviews, scholarly papers and newspaper editorials ranging from ancient Greek, agrarian and military history to foreign affairs, domestic politics, and contemporary culture.
Mr. Hanson has written or edited 24 books, written for the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, International Harold Tribune, New York Post, Claremont Review of Books, Ameri can Heritage, New Criterion, Policy Review, Wilson Quarterly, Weekly Standard, and Daily Telegraph. He has been inter viewed on National Public Radio, PBS Newshour, Fox News, CNN and C-Span’s Book TV and In-Depth. He is recognized as one of America’s greatest thinkers.
torypoliticalauthor,host,diodentTammyPERSONALITYBruceanindepenConservative,isaraandtelevisiontalkshowNewYorkTimesbestsellingcolumnist,andFoxNewscontributor.Afterahisinthe1990sofbeingaleftist community organizer and leading feminist, she now works to make sure that her expe
Jeff is a man of courage and faith using his personal story of survival on the battlefield to teach listeners how they can overcome any obstacle. He has received many awards and accommodations throughout his military career. His experience includes participation in Operation Just Cause in Panama, Operation Iris Gold in Kuwait, Operation Gothic Serpent, UNOSOM ll Mogadishu, Somalia and more than a dozen tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. He has been a major participant in a major chapter of our military history.
February 16, 2023
TELEVISION PERSONALITY
March 16, 2023
He has been listed on Red’s 30 Under 30 and News max’s 30 Most Influential Republicans Under 30. Mr. Jones attended the University of North Texas and is a native of Garland, Texas, where he served on the Dallas County Wel fare Board.
GEOPOLITICAL STRATEGIST
Lawrence Jones currently serves as an Enterprise Reporter for the “Fox & Friends” franchise and a Fox Nation host. He was the editor and chief of Campus Reform, hosted his own radio show on The Blaze Radio Network and served as contributing host on The Blaze TV. He consistently goes after hart-hitting and untold stories, reporting on the nation’s border crisis, homeless problem, and the issues in today’s public education system.
22 ion Oklahoma July/August 2022
Peter Ziehan is a geopolitical strategist, which is a fancy way of saying he helps people under stand how the world works. He combines and expert understand ing of energy, demography, economics, politics, technology and security to help clients best prepare for uncertain future.
April 20, Lawrence2023B.Jones
Peter Ziehan
rience is used to expose and help defeat the leftist agenda. She also speaks to a variety of groups nationwide, including college, civic, and business organizations about a variety of topics. Her most requested commentary is “Con trary to Popular Belief: How Conservative Ideals Empower Women, Gays, and Blacks.” She is one of the few com mentators who can speak to both sides of major issues and provide clarity.
Over the course of his career, he has worked for the U.S. State Department in Australia, the Washington D.C. think tank community, and helped develop the analytical models for Stratfor, one of the world’s premier private intelligence companies. Mr. Ziehan, founded his own firm, Ziehan on Geopolitics in 2012 to provide clients direct, custom analyti cal products. Today those clients represent a vast array of sectors including energy, financial institutions, business as sociations, agricultural interests, universities, and military.
BY LINDA MILLER PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE WOODS NEW ORLEANS, La. – Millions of tourists head to New Orleans every year and many of them choose to spend some time, if not all of it, in the French Quarter.It’sthe city’s oldest and most wellknown neighborhood brimming with centuries-old history, live jazz, colorful and interesting architecture, charming shops that tempt passersby and plenty of good food from fine restaurants to unpretentious eateries that refuse to let anyone leave hungry.
24 ion Oklahoma July/August 2022 P l ACES
While it’s easy to walk and explore on your own, a tour – and dozens are available – is a more convenient and thorough way to learn the his tory, habits, twists and turns of the French Quarter, the original city of New Orleans. It was founded by French Canadian naval officer Jean Baptiste Bienville who sailed down the Missis sippi River and settled here in 1718. The city was under French con trol, then Spanish and then back to French before being acquired by the United States with the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. The treaty was signed in Paris but in 1803 was transferred and finalized in the Cabildo, built from 1795 to 1799 as the city hall for New Orleans. Today it’s part of the Louisiana State Museum system and houses rare artifacts of Louisiana and American history.The Cabildo, an elegant Spanish colonial building bordering historic Jackson Square, sits next to its equally impressive neighbor the St. Louis Cathedral which rose from that first cornerstone in 1789 to completion in December 1794. The cathedral is the oldest in continuous use in the United States. With triple steeples, it makes a picturesque backdrop for the square’s bronze statue of Andrew Jackson, hero of the Battle of New Orleans. Jackson Square is in the heart of the French Quarter. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960. The square, all 2 ½ acres, exudes en ergy and excitement. It’s a popular site for weddings and many artists gather there to exhibit and sell their work. Most days, musicians entertain with upbeat, distinct sounds that cause Interior of the St. Louis Cathedral, completed in 1794.
French Quarter main attraction for tourists in New Orleans
tours are extremely popular, perhaps because few people have seen such a multitude of above-ground tombs. Certainly, the topography was a main concern for Jackson Square in New Orleans’ French Quarter is a gathering place for artists and visitors. The St. Louis Cathedral anchors the square. Much of the architecture features Iron work and mezzanines.
July/August 2022 ion Oklahoma 25 visitors to stop and watch. At the Mississippi River side of the square, mule-drawn carriages carrying four or more passengers line the block. These tour guides know the French Quarter, everything from interesting tidbits about architecture and history to where to hear the best jazz to the most popular shopping street to the location of famed chef Emeril Lagasse’s restaurant. Many of the French Quarter’s original buildings – 856 of 1,100 -- were destroyed by fire in 1788. Six years later a second fire and two hurricanes left more destruction. Monumental changes appeared as rebuilding took place.
Cypress shingles were replaced with baked tile and quarried slate. Buildings were made of brick with common firewalls. Spanish-style influences such as vertical, long and narrow townhomes, often accented with iron work and mezzanines, replaced the French-styled wide and shallow hipped roof and galleried townhouses. Much of that and more is shared during tours. Take your pick of walking, bus or carriage options. Several tours dive into the French Quarter’s dark side, including the story of a socialite who tortured her slaves. When authorities learned of her behavior, the slaves were removed from the home but later after a fire, nude slaves, most of them dead, were found chained in cages or strapped to tables. Many had been tortured and mutilated. People still claim the LaLaurie mansion is cursed. Ghost, vampire, and voodoo tours take visitors through eerie sites with stories of witchcraft and more. The 1803 Creole townhouse of the first licensed pharmacist in America is now the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum where visitors learn about questionable medical practices in the 19th century. Lafittte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar is the oldest bar in America and is said to be one of the most haunted locations in theCemeterycity.
For more on New Orleans and the French Quarter, go to neworleans.com and frenchquarter.com. n Above-ground tombs, often filled with doz ens of family members, fill the cemeteries in New Orleans. Street musicians play throughout the day and evening. Carnival season lasts several weeks in New Orleans, giving visitors plenty of opportuni ties to watch a parade.
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this type of burial since much of New Orleans is below sea level. Before levees, floodwalls and floodgates were fortified, extreme flooding and storms occasionally caused the dearly departed who were buried in ground to depart downstream. One tour guide shared that there’s only so much land for burials and if everyone were buried under ground, New Orleans would be one giant cemetery. It’s not unusual to see tombs that are the burial place for dozens of family members. Society tombs for those who belonged to different organizations or “societies” are common, too. Tall tombs tend to resemble small houses in a neighborhood, earning cemeteries the name “cities of the dead.” The most visited tomb in all of the New Orleans cemeteries is that of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. Her final resting place is in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, established in 1798 and the oldest in the city. Not into voodoo, ghosts or cemeteries? Food tours at famous eateries may be more enjoyable and often include tastings of Creole brisket, beignets and gumbo. Mississippi River cruises are a relaxing way to spend a couple of hours or hop aboard an airboat for an adventure through the swamp. There are also garden district tours and, if you’re up for a bus ride, several plantations are about an hour away. The impressive National World War II Museum is in the Arts & Warehouse District, about a mile from the French Quarter.Ifyou visit the during the weeks of Mardi Gras celebra tion, know that many shops and restaurants close on some days. But if you get the chance to take in one of the many parades, go for it. Everybody loves a parade. And cemeter ies, it seems.
CHICKASAW NATION MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICE T
Working 12-hour shifts, LHP dispatchers answer emergent and non-emergent telephone calls and perform a wide-range of tasks including coordinating officer response to identifying vital programs and services for Chickasaws and First Ameri cans and connecting callers with those resources.
The Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Department dispatchers answer about 1,900 phone calls each week and respond to 400-500 requests for service.
Dispatchers deliver calm in the storm BY DANA LANCE
The work of this dedicated group, along with thousands of other first responders was recognized during the recent National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.
ion Oklahoma July/August 2022
he Chickasaw lighthorse Police Department (lhP) dispatchers are a group of well-trained professionals who offer calming assistance during a time of crisis throughout the Chickasaw nation, and beyond.
P EOP l E
Ten dispatchers cover calls 24-hours a day, seven days a week from the Ada precinct, where they answer calls placed throughout the Chickasaw Nation and sometimes across the United States, said Kelly Kidwell, LHP communication manager.
“In addition to responding to requests for a police officer, dispatchers receive questions about resources,” Kidwell said. “We have been able to direct them to the right resourc es in their area.”
These calls require dispatchers to be knowledgeable on available programs for First Americans in Chickasaw Nation treaty territory, which cover 7,648 square miles of south-central Oklahoma and encompasses all or parts of 13 Oklahoma “Sometimescounties.wehave to contact the local authorities to make sure an ambulance or officer arrives at the scene. We communicate a lot with agencies inside the Chickasaw boundaries,” Kidwell said. “It’s good we have a good work ing communication with them.”
Even though it’s not face-to-face, it is a form of a public service. It’s a calling.”
“I grew up wanting to help others in need and had a primary goal to become a police officer,” she said. “When I had an opportunity to seek out a career in dispatching, I realized I could help a lot of people, even if it was from behind the phone. It became really rewarding for me, and I decided to stay in dispatching and do as much as I can in this area of law enforcement.”
“I absolutely love it; it is another way of helping people.
Amber Castino, LHP lead dispatcher, agrees.
Kidwell, who has 26 years of experience in the field of law enforcement, said despite the challenges of the job, it is a rewarding profession.
Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police dispatchers answer calls placed throughout the Chickasaw Nation and sometimes across the United States from the department’s Ada headquarters.
PHOTO PROVIDED
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Castino, who has served with Lighthorse for seven years, has obtained several advanced certifications.
Dispatchers must rely on training, particularly during high priority stressful calls, and offer a calming voice to a frantic “Ascaller.long as I can remain calm, it helps calm the caller and makes it easier to get the information,” Castino said.
Following high-stress calls, dispatchers have access to a department peer support group to de-brief and are encour aged to utilize Chickasaw Nation counseling resources.
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“Even though we are not a 911 center, we still have situa tions where we fall back on our training. You have to have the skills and knowledge,” Kidwell said.
To contact Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department, call (580) 436-1166. n
Both women are grateful of the support from fellow officers, LHP administration and command staff, and the Chickasaw Nation’s emphasis on mental wellness.
Dispatchers must also listen to background sounds, espe cially when the caller is in a situation where they cannot answer and relay all the information to the officer.
“Our department has been good about wanting us to grow in our training. I never thought I would get this opportunity. I couldn’t be more blessed in this department to be able to expand on my knowledge of this career,” she said.
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32 ion Oklahoma July/August 2022 FAS hi O n S andals are the one fashion choice most women can agree on when the weather gets hot. Some of us may say no to shorts. Ditto to sleeveless and midriff-baring tops. Even swimsuits (at least without a coverup). But no way are we going to run from sandals. Right, BC multi-color slide from Betsy King Shoes. BC neutral-colored woven sandals with chunky platform sole and adjustable buckle straps from Betsy King Shoes. BY LINDA MILLER PHOTOS BY LINDA MILLER Summertime = Sandal time!
Cecelia New York yellow multi-buckle strap slide sandals from Betsy King Shoes. Chunky wedge and platforms in blue floral print and flirty fringe, both by Cecelia New York from Betsy King Shoes.
Below, Kat Maconie pink and orange sandals with gold chain heel from Betsy King Shoes.
ion Oklahoma July/August 2022 33
When Oklahoma’s sweltering weather and moisture-sucking wind make us dream of beaches and umbrella drinks, sandals at least keep our feet looking and feeling cool. And since some of this summer’s offerings are real headturners, that just adds to the fun of slipping into a pair and showing off for all to see. Choices include easy going flat, thong-style sandals, no-fuss slides and kitten-heel mules to sexy, strappy sandals and mile-high platforms that beg for second looks. And for those who like to deck their feet out in color and prints, this is the summer of your dreams. n
Matt Hangen, Water4 collaborate to provide water pumps in Africa
PEOP l E A Mission of FIRE and Water
BY MCWATTERS OF LeADiNg
The desire to serve came after several families reached out to serve and encourage him as he struggled to find his way during his adolescent and teenage years. “I was told I was a hopeless delinquent by the school board,” Matt confesses about being kicked out of the seventh grade in his small south Alabama hometown. His parents used an inheritance to enroll him in a private school. There he met a
GARLAND
et out to serve and solve problems and become a leader in the process. Matt hangen, president and CEO of the faith-based non-profit Water4, is one of the latter.
THe SPiRiT
34 ion Oklahoma July/August 2022
July/August 2022 ion Oklahoma 35
handful of people, “Who saw beyond the troubled child that I was and saw some potential.”
He described having a, “profound religious experience” his senior year in high school. “I heard a voice say that I didn’t need to hurt or hurt others anymore.” The experience moved him to enroll in a Bible college and go into Christian ministry to serve. First trip to Africa During his junior year at Faulkner University, Matt became involved in missions and raised money for a relief effort in Uganda to help the internal displaced person (IDP) crisis there. He went to Uganda to deliver the money and ended up spending two months hitchhiking the country passing out food and blankets at IDP camps.
The experience motivated Matt, with his new bride, Grace, to head for tiny West Africa nation of Togo as missionaries. That’s when they discovered the huge water crisis. “One out of five kids die before the age of five from the water crisis. Eighty percent of women in sub-Saharan Africa have to carry water more than three miles a day.”
He started building pumps and saw first-hand how clean water changed an entire village. Matt was cobbling together makeshift pumps from Dick Greenly, Water4 founder (right), with Nesto Togoles, local entrepreneur
scavenged parts and working with local men to dig wells in the community. He searched the internet for resources and any kind of direction he could to help him make better pumps. That’s when he found Water4 and Richard Greenly. Serendipity? Richard Greenly, and his wife Terri, were the successful owners of Pumps of Okla homa. Richard had committed himself to addressing the water pump failure problem in Africa but couldn’t find a way to make his pumps available in those countries.Water4 came into being after Rich ard had ventured into the international issue of clean water shortage because a customer challenged him to take a trip to rural China to install one of the first solar water systems there. When others heard of Richard’s trip, they provided startup fund ing for what became Water4, a faith-based non-profit dedicated to getting pumps into sub-Saharan countries in dire need of cleanMattwater.began using Water4’s drill kits and worked alongside the village men to dig and maintain their wells. That also gave him the credibility to do what he went to Africa to do—share his faith.
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Staff in Ghana Celebrating new Piped Water System, above. Right, Matt with Akua Annoh local entrepreneur and water systrem customer. Matt competes in Tulsa Ironman competition
Matt affectionately refers to Greenly as a, “Serendipity magnet. He says yes to everything. He’s totally not risk adverse. Good stuff just happens because of that spirit.” empowerment through enterprise n 2010, Matt and Water4 joined forces. Matt became the director of training over the continent of Africa. He trained locals to install and maintain the water systems. As he learned, the pump technol ogy was not the real problem. There were pumps all over the continent, but the organizations that installed them did not
a faith-based message with their mission to install both free standing hand pumps and entire commu nity piped water systems. It is based on an acronym, FIRE, standing for Faith, Innovation, Reimagine, and Empower.
July/August 2022 ion Oklahoma 37 maintain them. The locals did not regard the pumps as an asset. Water4 found a better way. Instead of merely installing pumps without leaving a way to maintain them, Water4 developed locally owned enterpris es that had the incentive to install and maintain the pumps using the Water4 technology.
Passing the torch
Listencom/088-matt-hangen-fire-and-water4/https://liveinpowered.tothecompleteSpiritofLeadingpodcastinterview at https://liveinotholes/ n Local franchise team in staff meeting
Matt believes in virtuous enterprise where business owners and customers meet to support each other.
“If the pumps could be seen as a monetary asset, there would be a natural incentive put in place to maintain it.”
Matt says the Water4 experience has taught him that leadership is not spending all your own energy making things happen. Instead, he describes it as using your own torch to light another person’s torch who passes it on to oth ers and so forth. More gets done sooner that way.
Matt says one of his most powerful leadership lessons learned is that you can’t judge a book by its cover. He ex plained that we often are conditioned to see people living in material poverty as helpless and needing someone to rescue them when, in fact, they are eager for empowerment and self-reliance.Water4couples
Listen to the entire conversation with Matt Hangen on the Spirit of Leading podcast.
The four-story, 200,000-square foot Choctaw Landing will cost $165 million to construct and will create more than 2,000 new jobs. It will include 100 hotel rooms, 600 slot machines, eight table games, several restaurants and bars, a pool, an outdoor venue with an amphi theater, beer garden and a family friendly game zone. A 12,000-square-foot mercantile will offer a small grocery store, three dining options and a fuel station with 24 pumps.
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New Choctaw resort development to open in 2023
P l ACES
C
hoctaw nation of Oklahoma has broken ground on its new entertainment and resort development in hochatown in southeastern Oklahoma.
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“We are excited to get started on bringing to life what promises to be an amazing destination for Oklahomans and our friends and neighbors in Texas, Arkansas and Louisi ana, said Janie Dillard, senior executive officer for Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. “In addition to the gaming, hotel and entertainment amenities, we plan to offer our guests an opportunity to learn more about our history, our culture and what it means to be Choctaw.”
The name Choctaw Landing signifies that guests have arrived at a place that feels like home. It will serve as an outlook into the natural beauty of the surrounding area and as a guide into the history of the Choctaw people.
Hochatown is the site of a historical Choctaw Village and many Choctaw still live in the area. The design of the mer cantile and the resort will reflect the tribe’s culture and the property will include historical information about the tribe and feature Choctaw art created by tribal members.
Choctaw Landing will open in late 2023. n
Quay Australia tortoise cat-eye sunglasses available at Dillard’s.
40 ion Oklahoma July/August 2022 FAS hi O n
The eyes have it
Sunglasses are a year-round accessory in Oklahoma, but summer is when many of us think about adding a new pair to our stash. This summer, plenty of new colors and styles are just waiting to come out and play in the sun. Tortoise is a classic but consider it in an unexpected color such as orange or purple. Or take a different approach by slip ping into a new pair of shades in soft pink or barely there blue. Bigger is another stylish choice. Oversize and chunky ovals, square and 8urectangu lar styles are sure to get second glances. In a good way, of course. Not into big? Minimal metal frames are a tempting alternative. So are tinted and gradient lenses in pastel tints. Step out in pink frames with yellow lenses because, well, sunglasses should be fun as well as functional.
BY LINDA MILLER
Let’s not forget the cat-eye style either. This summer’s modern take is a little larger than expected with edges that are squared. One of the best things about sunglasses is that you can spend a little or a lot of money for an accessory that makes a big statement. n Tortoise sunglasses from Eden. New styles of sunglasses from Eden boutique in Paseo Arts District. Kate Spade Dionna/S pink sunglasses available at Dillard’s July/August 2022 ion Oklahoma 41
The new book also illustrates St. Clair’s interest in creating fantasy“Theworlds.inspiration came from a few different things, mostly my interest in the afterlife and Greek Mythology,” St. Clair explained.
Full Circle Bookstore welcomed international bestselling Oklahoma author Scarlett St. Clair
PEOP l E
“‘When Stars Come Out’ addresses challenges we face in our late teens,” St. Clair said. “At its core, ‘When Stars Come Out’ is essentially a book about a girl who is strug gling with her identity while grieving the loss of her grand father, and a boy who begins to question the rules of an organization to which he was once completely loyal.”
“‘When Stars Come Out’ is about Anora who has the abil ity to see the dead and turn lost souls into gold coins. She doesn’t understand it, and it turns out the only people who can help her also want to exploit that ability. She must navigate this while also surviving a new school which has secrets of its own.
efore she was an international best selling author, Scarlett St. Clair loved frequenting Oklahoma City’s Full Circle Bookstore. The way the book store provided a welcoming environment for established and aspiring authors gave her hope that one day her books would line the shelves too. This makes her official release of her newest book “When Stars Come Out” on July 26 even more meaningful. St. Clair had a book signing to commemorate the release at Full Circle Book store at 6:30 p.m. St. Clair said, “When I moved to Oklahoma City, Full Circle was one of the first bookstores I ever visited. I remember walking through the stacks, especially the Young Adult section, and imagin ing my books on those shelves and when my friends would have signings, I’d always think, ‘I’m next!’ So, to have something I have daydreamed about come true is just a very magical moment and I am very grateful for it.” Since those days of wondering through the bookstore, St. Clair has become an international and USA Today Bestselling author. She has written 10 books and is currently working on several others. She writes young adult fiction but said with this new book she is transitioning into new adult fiction.
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Scarlett St. Clair is the bestselling author of the “Hades X Persephone Saga”, the “Hades Saga”, “King of Battle & Blood”, and “When Stars Come Out”. She has a Master’s degree in Library Science and Infor mation Studies and a Bachelors in English Writing. She is also a proud citizen of the Muscogee Nation. She is obsessed with Greek Mythology, murder mysteries, and the afterlife. Scarlett is based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.DanaMeister, Full Circle Bookstore General Manager said, “It is such a thrill for us when one of Oklahoma’s own makes it big. This is our first time to host Scarlett St. Clair and we are so appreciative of the opportunity. We are all big fans.” They held a reading from “When Stars Come Out” and a question-andanswer time, followed by the book signing at Full Circle Bookstore in The Garden Café on July 26 at Full Circle Bookstore, located in 50 Penn Place on the first floor at 1900 NW Express way in Oklahoma City. n Scarlett St. Clair
July/August 2022 ion Oklahoma 45 P EOP l E
BY ANGI BRUSS T he tumultuous 2020 election is re counted in the new book “This Will not Pass” by The new York Times reporters Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns. Based on never-before-seen docu ments and recordings from the highest levels of government, the book has head lined national news.
The authors describe how both political parties handled the Coronavirus pandemic, detail the 2020 election includ ing the January 6 attack on the Capitol, and reflect on President Biden’s first year in the White House.
event featured “This Will Not Pass” author Jonathan Martin and Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt
“Jonathan Martin is an incredible reporter and it’s hard to imagine anyone has more depth on the political land scape and history in all 50 states. He’s a walking encyclo pedia,” said Mayor Holt. “Jonathan reached out wanting to visit Oklahoma City for his book tour. I’m convinced he has
Martin took audience questions at the end of the Martinpresentation.explained, “‘This Will Not Pass’ began as a campaign book, but in the aftermath of the 2020 election it became clear the moment demanded something bigger. So we wrote what is the first history of 2020-2021, an extraordinary period in American politics. We interviewed hundreds of officials in both parties, often in real time as events unfolded.”
Author of book driving national headlines comes to Full Circle Bookstore for book signing, discussion
Martin came to Full Circle Bookstore for a book signing event on May 24, where he was joined by Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt for a moderated discussion about the book with nearly 200 people in attendance.
Jim Tolbert, Full Circle Bookstore owner, said, “Full Circle is honored to host Mr. Martin and the state launch of this most important book. We pride ourselves on being an open outlet for discussion of important matters affecting all Americans. We are especially grateful that Mayor Holt will be taking time from his busy schedule to join the discus sion.”Politics is what brought about a friendship for Holt andMayorMartin.Holt explained, “I first met Jonathan Martin in 2014 when he came to Oklahoma to cover the U.S. Senate race happening here. We’ve stayed in touch ever since and catch up almost every time I’m in D.C.” “I’m thrilled to return to Oklahoma City,” Martin added. “I’ve visited a few times on work trips and am looking forward to my con versation with a figure who is attempting to bridge our two warring political parties in these polarized times, Mayor DavidTheHolt.”book is an account of the 18-month crisis in America and exposes the degree of the strain that the two-party system has endured.
“I love the genre of telling in-depth history shortly after it has occurred,” Mayor Holt said, “It’s an important gift we can leave to the historical record. This book will contribute greatly to the way we understand recent events, but it also leaves a record for us to consider decades from now.” The book also highlights Oklahoma in parts of it.
Dozen of extra chairs were added for the discussion and book signing at Full Circle Bookstore. Many pointed ques tions from audience mem bers were asked and Martin answered thoughtfully and thoroughly.Tolbertexplained, “Full Circle is a place where all are welcome and civil discourse is encouraged.”Nationalreporters have also commented on the book. “Martin and Burns have chronicled a tumultuous time with precision and scope and their tireless reporting un earths revealing new details. Their wide-angle lens reminds us how much was—and re mains—at stake. Masterful!” said George Stephanopoulos, ABC News anchor. “What an account of these extraordinary times. Martin and Burns deliver reporting from deep inside both parties with fresh facts and new details on nearly every page about a political system pushed to the brink. When future historians chronicle this time of crisis they will turn to this book as a deeply valuable account of our all too human leaders,” said Peggy Noonan, The Wall Street Journal. n
46 ion Oklahoma July/August 2022 a soft spot for us. We’re honored to host him and I’m thrilled we could partner with the legendary Full Circle Bookstore to make it happen.”
Martin said, “Notably for Oklahoma readers, we recount former President Trump›s now-infamous visit to Tulsa dur ing the first months of the Covid pandemic and take readers inside Representative Tom Cole›s Capitol office as rioters stormed the Congress on January 6th.”
newest
Emerging
UPCOMiNg INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY
•
you
Hear
WHY YOUR VOICE MATTERS: •
Monday, Oct. 10, 2022 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. FREE | No Tickets Required
GEN Z:
•
• According
country BATTLE OF THE
We invite all young Native artists to enter our Indigenous Peoples Day youth art contest. All entries will be exhibited digitally during our Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on Monday, Oct. 10. Works should address the theme of This Has Always Been Indian Country, a message that greets visi tors to our galleries. Prizes for winners in each age category! All entries are due Sept. 11, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. Submit Your Art information through the link on the Calen dar entry under Exhibitions online at famok.org n EVE n TS
This family friendly celebration of First Americans arts, mu sic and culture features hands-on art activities, traditional sports and games and curated performances ranging from hip-hop to stomp dance. Thirty Nine Restaurant will serve Indigenous-inspired meals, and food trucks will be available to satisfy appetites. Youth Art Contest
July/August 2022 ion Oklahoma 47 Public Programs Schedule
$5 | Tickets required Your vote, your voice! Partnering
ic. Create
First Americans Museum is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. The museum is closed each Tuesday. VOTE THE FUTURE Friday, Aug. 26 | 6–9 p.m. Five Moons Theater and Lobby with Rock the Native Vote, this non-partisan event is an informative experience for the voting bloc. music from live Indigenous bands while community organizers host Q&A’s that engage audi ences on topics important to the 18–24 year old demograph unique designs at live screen printing stations while food trucks keep cool and fed during a hot summer night. No alcohol is permitted at this event. Oklahoma is second in the nation with the highest popu lation of voting-age Native peoples One-in-ten eligible voters in the 2020 elections were clas sified as Generation Z In 2020, 24 million eligible voters were between the ages of 18 and 23 to National Congress of the Americans Indians, 1.2 million Native Americans are not registered to vote across the BANDS Indigenous bands are invited to compete to win a grand prize sponsored by Skydance Brewery. Bands should include at least one Indigenous member and the majority of band members must be under 30. All performers must be 18 or older. Submit an application to participate in our Battle of the Bands by August 8 at 11:59 p.m.
FAM
The Gardens strives to create a relaxing environment where you can exercise, listen to great music, learn dance moves, and learn about horticulture. Look at the August calendar; mission accomplished! Visit myriadgardens.org to register.
The Myriad Botanical Gardens has enhanced its FREE exercise programs thanks to the generosity of sponsors including Fowler Automotive, First United Bank, KeepMovingOKC, OU Health, Tinker Federal Credit Union, and TSET Oklahoma. We now have six exercise programs available, four of which run multiple days per month. Sing 2 will round out the SONIC Summer Movies on August 2. We have adult and youth education programs; now is the time to plan your coolseason vegetable gardens for the fall.
Rounding out the summer programs and events
RACE Dance Company will perform and teach K-Pop moves at our final Dancing in the Gardens of the series on the Sea sonal Plaza. Don’t forget about the Thunder Fountain and the Seasonal Plaza splash pads, which are free and open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mo’s Carousel has made many people happy this summer and will continue to spin into the holiday season.
48 ion Oklahoma July/August 2022ion Oklahoma November/ December 2021 EVE n TS
August in the Gardens
The Gardens, with sponsorship from Ad Astra, will present a tribute concert to legendary singer/songwriter/musician pioneer Stevie Wonder, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking record Higher Ground, as part of our annual concert tribute series, which has previously included the 50th anniversaries of Woodstock and Joni Mitchell’s Blue album. As with previous tributes, this one features local Oklahoma musicians.
• Recommended for all ages
Dancing in the garden featuring K-Pop!
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Sponsored by Ad Astra
• Friday, August 26, 7:30pm
Sponsored by Tinker Federal Credit Union Seasonal Plaza
• Recommended for all ages
ion Oklahoma July/August 2022 49 FeVeNTSiNALSONiC Summer Movie: Sing 2 • Tuesday, August 2, Food & Fun -7:30pm; Film at 9pm (rescheduled from July 20) • Devon Lawn and Band Shell • FREE Sing 2 (2020) Buster Moon and his friends must per suade reclusive rock star Clay Calloway to join them for the opening of a new show. Food trucks include Sasquatch Ice, Big Biang Theory, Frisbee Burger, Just Desserts and JStew’s Ice Cube. Face painting by Kaleidoscope Arts and LOL Cartoons. JUMP! At Myriad gardens Sponsored by the American Heart Association • Saturday, August 6, • Seasonal Plaza • Recommended for all ages This is an opportunity for children of all skill levels to learn jump rope/double Dutch techniques. An instructional lesson will be followed by a performance by the Preston Pirate Jump Rope Team. The American Heart Association will also be handing out fun prizes, providing free jump ropes, and educating people about heart health. At the arts and crafts booth, kids can make their own jump rope for $5, and food trucks will be serving delicious treats! Full Moon Bike Ride Sponsored by OU Health • Friday, August 12, 8:30pm • Leave from Seasonal Plaza • Suggested $5 donation Bring your bike and join us for a leisurely nearly one-hour, six to eight mile ride. Steve Schlegel plans downtown routes specifically. Participation requires the use of lights and hel mets. Ride OKC and Spokies both have bike rental options. Visit their websites for costs. Final rides are the Corn Moon on Saturday, September 10, at 7:30 p.m., and the Hunter Moon on Sunday, October 9, at 7 p.m.
• Friday, August 19, 7-10pm
• Devon Lawn and Band Shell
• FREE As part of our annual tribute series, the Myriad Botanical Gardens will present the music of legendary singer/songwriter/musician pioneer, Stevie Wonder, performed by OKC’s best live acts. An eclectic group of local artists covering Wonder’s top hits like “I Just Called to Say I Love You”, “Superstition”, “Signed, Sealed, Deliv
Join us for our very first Kpop Dancing in the Gardens! RACE Dance Company will teach us Kpop dances, as well as Dance Battles and Random Dance! The Big Friendly will be serving beer, and Oh My Gogi and Big Biang Theory will be selling food. Higher ground: A Stevie Wonder Tribute Concert
• Children’s Garden Porch
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Visit the Children’s Garden for a variety of activities that explore and celebrate the world of plants. Every weekday brings a new theme. Bring a picnic and blankets during the summer months. Weekday themes are: Make-It Monday; Plant-astic Tuesday; Reading Wednesdays; Blooming Thurs day and Find-it Friday.
• Monday through Friday, August 1-12, 10am -12pm
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50 ion Oklahoma July/August 2022 ered”, “Isn’t She Lovely”, and “For Once in My Life.” Local musicians (to date) include Koolie High (Koolie and the Wise Men), J Stew, Lacy Saunders (Soft Hands, Echo-21), Eric Hi man (The Nightly Dues), De’vin C. Lewis (Shortt Dogg), Rob Clay and Renee Hayes, with future acts to be announced. Just Desserts, Oklahoma Kettle Corn, Oh My Gogi, Psycho Taco, and Wicked Hangry Burgers are among the food trucks. MYRiAD iN MOTiON Myriad in Motion: Yoga Presenting sponsor Fowler Automotive Sponsors First United Bank, KeepMovingOKC, OU Health, Tinker Federal Credit Union and TSET Oklahoma • Tuesdays 6 pm and Saturdays, 9 am • Bring a mat, water • Instructors from YMCA • Devon Lawn (locations can Yogachange)intheGardens has the added benefit of recon necting you with nature. The Gardens provide a beautiful and tranquil setting to help you relax and unwind. Classes are open to yogis of all levels, whether they are beginners or seasoned practitioners. Myriad in Motion: Jump and Shout • Saturdays, 8:30am & 9am • Children’s Garden • Recommended for 4-8 year olds This is a class full of fun, integrated exercises with explosive movements like jumps, kicks, rolls, hops, and even some yoga! Easy to learn functional large motor skills with a jammin’ playlist. There’s also lots of teamwork opportunities with group games, relay races, and an ob stacle course. Myriad in Motion: Hip Hop Cardio • Saturdays, 10:15am • August 6, 13, 20 & 27 • Devon Lawn • Instructors from YMCA Hip-Hop Cardio is intended for complete beginners with no prior experience; all you need is a positive attitude. This class will raise your heart rate and tone your body by alter nating between dynamic and slow, controlled movements infused with hip-hop swag. Prepare to pop, lock, and tone your body with a class that will make you forget you’re work ing out and make you feel like you’re at a dance party.
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WeeklyeDUCATiONWalkups
Myriad in Motion: Zumba First & Third Thursdays of the month, 6:45pm August 4 & 18, September 1 & 15, October 6 & 20 Seasonal Plaza Bring your workout clothes and comfortable shoes and join us on the Devon Lawn after work for FREE Zumba! Evelin Pino leads this fitness program that includes cardio and Latin-inspired dance. She provides the upbeat music and instruction to make this an effec tive workout system in a beautiful outdoor setting like the Gardens. Remember to bring water.
ART EXHIBIT BLUe: Nature’s Rarest Color • On exhibit through September 7 • Crystal Bridge Art Gallery With
July/August 2022 ion Oklahoma 51 guided garden explorer Tour • Friday, August 12, 1pm • Saturday, August 27, 10am • Meet in the Visitor Lobby Wheelchair and stroller friendly, leashed dogs welcome Join the horticulture team for FREE Guided Gardens Tours on the second Friday of each month at 1pm and the last Satur day of each month at 10am. We’ll look at perennial flowers, shrubs, and trees that our staff looks forward to each year. Get seasonal advice! Fall Vegetable gardening • Saturday, August 13, 10 – 11 AM • Terrace Room • Member $10; NM $15 • Kaitlin Bacon, Children’s Garden Manager Register by Thursday, August 11 at myriadgardens.org While spring arouses the desire to garden, fall is one of the best times to do so in Oklahoma. Fall is an excellent time to start a garden and have enough harvest by frost, as well as a few tips to possibly extend your season even further as temperatures begin to fall and daylight begins to fade. Join us as we plan our own Fall gardens for the spaces we have, from concept to harvest. Workshop: Needle Felting Succulents • Saturday, August 20, 10amnoon • Terrace Room • Member $20; NM $25 • Joel Bacon, Textile Artist & Teacher Register by Thursday, August 18 at myriadgardens.org
Needle-felting is a wool-based textile art that is rapidly growing in popularity and wellness trends, allowing you to create a finished piece in a process that many people find very therapeutic. Join us as we learn about the tools, sup plies, and methods used in this art form, and take home your very own felted succulent in a tiny terra cotta pot! All materials are provided so that you can continue working on this craft long after you leave our class. one notable exception, every instance of the color blue you see in nature is due to the chemistry and physics of how colors are produced, and how we see them. This exhibit explores the instances of blue in nature and why. Works of art will be available for sale. The art exhibits are free to view during regular lobby
52 ion Oklahoma July/August 2022 hours: Monday through Saturday, 10am-5pm and Sunday, Participating12-5pm. Artists include Dennis Burian, Martha Burger, Amber Casper, JD Epperson, Kristin Gentry, Debby Kaspari, Linda Kukuk, Kurt McDaniel, Jerry Piper, Krysta Quinn, Amanda Marie Reich, Kyndall Rainey, Connie Rish, Lauren Rucker, Adrienne Wright, and Janice Yeary ADDiTiONAL FROM OUR FRIENDS AT THE ARTS COUNCIL OF OKLAHOMA CITY Sunday Twilight Concert Series • August Sundays, 7:30-9:30p • Devon Lawn and Band Shell • Visit artscouncilokc.com/twilight Meet on the Devon Lawn on Sunday evenings for the Twilight Concert Series: Presented by the Chickasaw Nation. Each week we will bring you a different genre of music from local and regional acts from 7:30 – 9 p.m. Bands for the final month include: Aug. 7-The Latin Band (Latin); Aug. 14-Cliff Top (Blue Grass); Aug. 21-Edgar & The Brave Amigos (Vir tuoso Variety) and Aug. 28-Shortt Dogg – R&B/Smooth Jazz/ Funk. Mo’s Carousel Located on the west side of the Gardens, next to the Children’s Garden and Thunder Fountain. Open Monday-Friday, 5-8pm and Saturday & Sunday, 11am8pm. Cost is $3 per rider. FREE for Gardens Family Plus Members. Water Features Thunder Fountain and the Seasonal Plaza Splash Pads are open 10am-8pm daily. n
54 ion Oklahoma July/August 2022 SPORTS
DATE OPPONENT TIME Sat, Sep 3 UTEP 2:30 PM Norman Sat, Sep 10 Kent State 6:00 PM Norman Sat, Sep 17 Nebraska 11:00 AM Lincoln, NE Sat, Sep 24 Kansas State TBD Norman Sat, Oct 1 TCU TBD Tulsa Sat, Oct 8 Texas * TBD Norman Sat, Oct 15 Kansas TBD Norman Sat, Oct 29 Iowa State TBD Ames, IA Sat, Nov 5 Baylor Baylor TBD Norman Sat, Nov 12 West Virginia TBD Morgantown, WV Sat, Nov 19 Oklahoma State TBD Norman Sat, Nov 26 Texas Tech TBD Libbock, TX 2022 SOONERS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
2022 COWBOYS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE DATE OPPONENT LOCATION Sept. 3 Central Michigan Stillwater Sept. 10 Arizona State Stillwater Sept. 17 Arkansas Pine Bluff Stillwater Sept. 24 - OPENOct. 1 Baylor Waco, Tx Oct 8 Texas Tech Stillwater Oct. 15 TCU Tulsa Oct. 22 Texas Stillwater (Homecoming) Oct 29 Kansas State Manhattan Nov. 5 Kansas Lawrence, KS Nov. 12 Iowa State Stillwater Nov 19 Oklahoma Norman Nov. 26 West Virginia Stillwater Dec. 3 Big 12 Championship Game Arlington, TX
58 ion Oklahoma July/August 2022 TULSA GOLDEN HURRICANE 2022 F O O T B A L L S C H E D U L E DATE OPONENT LOCATION Sep 3 (Sat) 2:30 p.m. (CT) Wyoming Laramie, WY Sep 10 (Sat) 6:00 p.m. (CT) Northern Illinois Tulsa Sep 17 (Sat) 6:00 p.m. (CT) Jacksonville State Tulsa Sep 24 (Sat) TBA Mississippi Oxford, Miss Oct 1 (Sat) TBA Cincinnati Tulsa Oct 8 (Sat) 2:30 p.m. (CT) Navy Annapolis, MD Oct 21 (Fri) 6:30 p.m. Temple Philadelphia, PA Oct 29 (Sat) TBA Southern Methodist University Tulsa Nov 5 (Sat) TBA Tulane Tulsa Nov 10 (Thu) 6:30 p.m. Memphis Memphis, TN Nov 18 (Fri) 8:00 p.m. (CT) South Florida Tulsa Nov 26 (Sat) TBA University of Houston Houston, TX *Game may be played Friday, Nov. 25
July/August 2022 ion Oklahoma 59 UCO BRONCHOS 2022 F O O T B A L L S C H E D U L E DATE OPPONENT LOCATION
Sep 1 (Thu) 7 p.m. Missouri Western St. Joseph, Mo. Sep 8 (Thu) 7 p.m. Emporia State Univ EDMOND Sep 17 (Sat) 5 p.m. Missouri Southern State Univ Joplin, Mo. Sep 24 (Sat) 2 p.m. Northwest Missouri State Univ EDMOND, Hall of Fame Game Oct 1 (Sat) 2 p.m. Lincoln University of Missouri Jefferson City, Mo. Oct 6 (Thu) 7 p m Northeastern State Univ President's Cup EDMOND Oct 15 (Sat) 2 p m Fort Hays State University EDMOND Oct 22 (Sat) 1 p.m. Washburn Topeka, Kan. Oct 29 (Sat) 2 p.m. Pittsburg State Univ EDMOND (Homecoming) Nov 5 (Sat) 12 p.m. University of Nebraska Kearney, Neb. Nov 12 (Sat) 2 p.m. Central Missouri EDMOND (Senior Day)
With both classroom and hands-on activities, the Ada High School aviation program has encouraged Ellis to study STEM fields. Favorites for her have been the flight simulators and real-world flying experience. The goal of the program is to teach students like Ellis that STEM skills can lead to exciting occupations in interesting fields.
As a junior in high school, she is now mentoring younger participants of the aviation program. She spends time guid ing students at Ada Junior High and prepares them for what to expect when they officially enter the program their fresh man year. She shares her experiences, using her leadership skills to help others succeed.
60 ion Oklahoma July/August 2022 P EOP l E Chickasaw student learning to fly high BY KC COLE
S
Now, the 17-year-old is learning the ins and outs of the lucrative and male dominated aviation industry as part of “The Sky is Not the Limit: Cruising Altitude” program, which primes students to study aviation degrees in college and find work within these fields after graduation. Like the annual Chickasaw Nation Aviation and Space Academy, the school’s aviation program provides students with the fundamentals of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and how they apply to aviation careers.
ara Ellis is one of the few girls enrolled in Ada high School’s avia tion program.
“I never thought I would want to be in the aviation field,” Ellis said. “I was not good at math or science. The aviation program has taught me that if you have something that you really want to do, like flying, it makes things like calculus easier when you see how they are applied.”
“I have been in the aviation program since my freshman year,” Ellis said. “I got involved in the aviation program when my friend asked me to join with her, because she didn’t want to be the only girl. I did not realize how much fun I would have, and I love it. The program has inspired me to pursue a career in aviation.”
“The aviation program is incredible,” Ellis said. “There are so many people that you get to meet and make connec tions with. I would not have done half the things I have done so far without the aviation program. I have met some of the first women who have had careers in aviation at conferences I have attended. I recommend Ada’s aviation program to everyone.”Ellisspends time studying traditional math and sci ence classes offered at school, as well as spending many additional hours each week studying topics that allow her to work toward earning her pilots license. She enjoys the structure the aviation program provides.
CHICKASAW NATION MEDIA RELATIONS
“The first year, we focus primarily on the history of avia tion,” Ellis said. “The second year, we learned about the mechanics of flight. This year, we have been focusing on the smaller details of flight. Next year, we will learn more about
“The simulators we use are fun, but the plane I flew is amazing,” Ellis said. “It was a tiny little Cessna. I was a little scared because the plane was so small, but it was ex citing. That first flight was the motivation I needed to know that this is what I want to do.”
Nationwide, First Americans are an underrepresented demographic within STEM fields. Ellis was invited to attend the Aerospace and Aviation Academy at Rice University in Houston, Texas, this summer. She will explore future career opportunities, attend flight ground school, participate in a flight prep simulation and learn the importance of flight planning. She will also have the opportunity to visit NASA facilities and the Lone Star Flight“SaraMuseum.isanasset to our program,” Eckler said. “She was one of our first female students in the aviation pro gram. If you look at the statistics, women in aviation is a minute factor. There are many scholarships and opportu With both classroom and hands-on activities, the Ada High School’s aviation program has encouraged Sara Ellis to study science, tech nology, math and engineering fields. BY THE CHICKASAW NATION
Ellis said Ada High School aviation instructor Chris Eckler is an encouraging role model. Eckler is a positive influence in keeping her interested in the program and making sure all aviation students have opportunities to see aviation careers in action. He also makes students aware of scholarship opportunities.
Ellis received a $3,000 scholarship awarded to her by the Ada Schools Aviation Program, Inc., also referred to as ASAPTheFoundation.aviationprogram teaches STEM fields to First Americans at a substantially higher percentage than the national average. The program reflects a larger than aver age First American population living within the community.
PROVIDED
“A large percentage of the students in the aviation program at Ada High School are Native American,” Eckler said. “This is because of where we are positioned. At the high school, we just gave out six scholarships and of those six, I think four were to Native American students.”
July/August 2022 ion Oklahoma 61 the certifications and processes needed to fly.”
Sara Ellis is working on earning her pilot’s license with the help of the aviation program at Ada High School. As an aspiring pilot, she must complete preflight checks before taking to the skies at the Ada Regional Airport. PROVIDED BY THE CHICKASAW NATION
High School aviation program has afforded Sara many awesome opportunities,” her mother said. “Sara has met people within the industry who have encouraged her desire to be a part of aviation in one way or another, especially being a female in the traditionally male dominant field.”Ellis is active within the Chickasaw Nation. She partici pated in the Chickasaw Nation’s Toksali SMART summer employment program for three years. During her employ ment, she was given the opportunity to gain competence and workplace skills in a real-world environment while develop ing “Weself-confidence.arebeyondgrateful for our tribe’s confidence in Sara’s abilities and their contributions to her future suc cess,” her mother said. “She is very proud to have her name in the same circles as Chickasaw aviation greats such as John Herrington and Pearl Carter Scott.”
62 ion Oklahoma July/August 2022 nities for her to be had. She has drive and passion. She is excited about aviation.”
“Sara currently works at Ada Walmart. She excels at cus tomer service and her leadership skills have already been noticed at work,” she said of her daughter. “She credits her self-confidence and excellent work ethic in part to what she learned with Toksali SMART.”
Ellis is the great-great-granddaughter of Joseph Sim Miller, full blood Chickasaw and original Dawes enrollee. She is proud of her heritage and is a strong Chickasaw woman with a warrior spirit. “My Chickasaw heritage is important to me,” Ellis said. “Our family has always known where we come from. I receive my Chickasaw heritage from my mother’s side of the family. My great-great-grandmother spoke Chickasaw. I have many family members who work for the Chickasaw Nation, includ ing my mother and two of my brothers who currently work in information technology. The Chickasaw Nation has been supportive in everything I have wanted to do.” n
According to Machelle Ellis, Sara’s mother, attending the academy at Rice UniversityCUTL is a once in a lifetime opportunity.“TheAda
K I T C H E N S | B A T H ROO M S | I N T E RIO R S H I S T ORIC R E N O V A TIO N S S I N CE 19 9 9 FIND US ON Urban Kitchens Jo Meacham | Owner | Designer Neila Crank-Clements | Partner 405-702-7747 4410 N Western Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73118 See us on HOUZZ or urbankitchensok.comvisit Cabinets by Showplace
In addition to offering thousands of books, magazines, and more since opening its doors the beloved bookstore has presented engaging opportunities for the community to meet world renowned New York Times bestselling authors and hundreds of local authors. Full Circle Bookstore is the larg est independent, locally-owned, general interest bookstore in Oklahoma.Tohonorthe success and love shown by the community for this locally-owned bookstore, Full Circle celebrated its 50th year anniversary with a special event on June 5 to a crowd of more than 300 that packed into the bookstore. The crowd included some of the first people to work at Full Circle Bookstore when it opened five decades ago.
Full Circle Bookstore celebrates 50th anniversary
Jim Tolbert said, “Full Circle has more than 60,000 new titles in stock featuring every genre imaginable, like fiction, biography, history, culture, mystery, cooking, crafts, fashion, home decor, women‘s studies, education, health, entertain ment, travel, and classic literature. We also have large sec tions devoted to Oklahoma authors, Native American books and regional interest titles as well as magazines, gift cards, maps, and book-related gifts.”
The celebration included wine and cham pagne, birthday cake, and live music. There were remarks from Full Circle Bookstore owner Jim Tolbert as well as longtime friends of the store. Among community members who gave remarks were Chairman of BancFirst Corpora tion Gene Rainbolt, Myriad Gardens Foundation and Scissortail Park Foundation CEO and President Maureen Heffernan, and internationally renowned photographer and author Yousef Khanfar.
B u S in ESS 64 ion Oklahoma July/August 2022
There’s an unmistakable ambiance and charm in the bookstore with its 13-foot oak bookcases with roll ing ladders and wood-burning fireplaces. Customers are also entertained by classical, jazz, and folk music played throughout the store. Many have expressed their love for the bookstore, as shown on Full Circle’s website.
BY ANGI BRUSS
“As an author I’ve signed books at Full Circle, my hometown independent bookstore, enjoyed friendship and kindness and found wonderful books that have touched me
F or five decades, Full Circle Bookstore has been a pillar of the Oklahoma City community, serving as a reliable, trustworthy, and authentic space for people to find enjoy ment and enlightenment.
Dana Meister, Full Circle Bookstore General Manager explained how Full Circle Bookstore is immersed in the local community.“Weare more than a bookstore, we are a place where memories are made,” said Meister. “We have hosted wed dings and proposals, baby showers, and memorial services. We want to thank our friends for supporting us.”
July/August 2022 ion Oklahoma 65 deeply,” said Carolyn Hart, Edgar Award Winning Author. “It is Oklahoma City’s great good for tune that owner Jim Tolbert’s idea of happiness is to spend time in the very best bookstore he could create, a bookstore with a heart, a nurturing oasis for readers. Full Circle’s impact on me has been profound and I am only one of thousands who have come to the store.”Full Circle also boasts The Garden Café, which serves a delectable breakfast and lunch. Patrons can enjoy coffee, locally brewed beer, and wine. Along with a delicious selection of soups, salads, sand wiches, and sweets.
Publisher of a wide and varied selection of Oklahomacentric nonfiction, Full Circle has published more than a dozen local books. These publications are books not found anywhere else. Books like, “Operation Scissortail,” “Skirvin,” “Big League City,” “Foraging in Okla homa,” and, “Oklahoma City’s MAPS for “FullKids.”Circle has been our city’s all-but-official bookstore for decades, but it is so much more than a book store—it is a publisher of important local histories, it is a host of impor tant local policy discussions, it is an intellectual refuge. Full Circle Books is Oklahoma City’s brain,” said David Holt, Mayor of Oklahoma City. n
emodeling has become more popular than ever. Before Covid, updating kitchens and bathrooms were on the rise, but during covid, with the closing of schools and many businesses, everyone had a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend time in their home.
Remodeling Case Studies show off motivations, design trends JO MEACHAM
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66 ion Oklahoma July/August 2022
Not only did we need to make room to work at home, but many families also had children that needed room for school time. We all became aware of our home’s advantages and disadvantages. Open kitchens can be great but sometimes too much togetherness becomes a problem. Outdoor spaces that were seldom used, were turned into a place to relax. Outdated kitchens and bathrooms with cosmetic flaws and functional concerns were frustrating. Post-Covid, housing has become scarce, and when they could find something in their price range, many homebuyers purchased properties that needed to be updated. Boomers
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Bock House
The Bocks have lived in their home for over 15 years, raised their family in this house, and decided to stay – not downsize. Urban Kitchens first worked with the family a few years ago, to completely update the master bath and bedroom. Completely demolishing the bathroom, removing a corner garden tub, extending the existing shower, and providing all new cabinets, countertops, flooring, and paint ing. Once this project was competed, the Bocks and Urban Kitchens tackled the kitchen, family room, the entire second floor including two bathrooms and the downstairs powder room. The entire interior received a fresh coat of paint.
that had once considered downsizing, decided to remain in place by adding handicapped features while updating kitch ens and bathrooms. Everyone connected to building and remodeling has seen a huge uptick in business, countered by labor material shortages and fixture delays never before experienced.TheBock House, the Giacona Master Bath, and our Designer’s Kitchen are all examples of recent remodeling motivations and design trends. Boomers deciding to stay in their family home in a neighborhood with friends, couples wanting updates that express their personality and make them happy at home and new kitchens and baths to update our existing inventory of older homes.
The project included the family room attached to the kitchen and dining area. One goal was to reduce clutter with the goal of a clean and simplified space. Wood trim throughout the house was painted white. On either side of the fireplace, countertops matching the kitchen tops were installed on the base cabinets. A television was installed above the fireplace. The downstairs powder room was updated with a new countertop, fixtures and fun, floral wallpaper.Theentire house was updated but the owners love of an tiques was respected and all their favorite items remained in place. New furniture was limited to upholstered pieces with a few new accent items.
68 ion Oklahoma July/August 2022
The Bock House is an excellent example of renovating an existing home with excellent bones. The resulting de sign remains true to the homes architectural features yet is updated and ready for the next 10 – 20 years of Bock residency. giacona-Conlon Master Bath Living in a historic home always presents challenges. The Giacona-Conlon’s home is in the Gatewood Neighbor hood just a mile west of downtown Oklahoma City. Close to the Plaza District, this charming collection of Tudor and Colonial homes has become a popular destination for young professionals and their families.
The kitchen, of course, was the main event. The Bocks love to cook and entertain so all past annoying features were removed, and every new cabinet installed served a specific purpose. A collection of beer glasses was given a dedicated space and a buffet with glass doors was installed to feature a large collection of hand-painted Mackenzie Childs ceramicware.The color palette was white and soft blue, with Shaker style doors and white engineered quartz countertops with a soft gray and white design. A light and bright custom hood with recycled wood trim became the focal point for the project. While modern in design, the kitchen colors and features were planned to integrate a beautiful, existing French Country dining table and chairs.
July/August 2022 ion Oklahoma 69
The Giacona-Colons are university professors, both with strong streaks of creativity. During Covid Christine took some of her down time to create a bright and cheerful mural in the downstairs hallway. When she and her partner started thinking about renovating a small, dark upstairs bathroom to be a colorful and useful master, the idea of a second mural became a reality. The small bathroom was demolished, and the renovation began. Beautiful walnut cabinets were selected for the vanity which was topped with a custom fabricated terrazzo countertop. The floor is covered with black tiles with a ter razzo pattern. The dominating color for the project is the turquoise tile that lines the walls of the shower. The subway shaped tile is installed vertically using white Schluter to edge and define the sides and the niche. The shower floor is a matte black penny tile. The shower glass was wrapped around the corner of the shower to provide a maximum amount of light.
The Giacona-Conlon’s one-of-a-kind master bath is per fect for this couple, while also designed well. Homeowners want something that is unique and special. This is a trend that ignores the idea that you should always be thinking of resale and confirms the idea that you should love where you live. When creative projects are well done, they are often well received by new owners. This is where you hear someone say, “I would never have done this, but I love it!
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The mural, provided by the owner, adds lavender, coral, bright yellow and turquoise to the project. All highlighted with brushed gold fixtures and gold and white lighting.
Of course, every kitchen designer wants to have a new kitchen. But just like everyone else, timing and budgets just don’t make it possible. Until – your house floods. In September of 2020, the year of Covid, Silver Lake in north west Oklahoma City flooded some of the homes around the lake due to a fast and furious rainstorm. The MeachamPace house had some updates, including some paint and a new kitchen island. While “baby blue” was not a color the couple would have selected, it was cute, and they called it “the lakey look.” They installed some new pendants over the island and decided it would work for a while. After the flood they decided to take advantage of the opportunity to gut the entire kitchen. The water had been about three inches high in the kitchen and the base cabinets, range and refrigerator were all water damaged. This kitchen design came easily to me because for several years Jo had in mind using a particular cabinet door for a new kitchen. Warm in color, it was a slab door with a textured melamine finish. Perfect color, easy to keep finish, it was a go. The entire first floor required new flooring and we selected a large scale, neutral tile with colors ranging
Meacham-Pace Residence
The main laundry is in the basement, inspiring the owner and Urban Kitchens to define a space for a combination washer and dryer for the new master bath. Although the space was small, the undercounter washer/dryer was locat ed next to the vanity. A bonus was more countertop space.
Urban Kitchens focuses on the client and how they live and work in their home. It is where many of us spend most of our tie, so why not make it a functional, beautiful, happy place. You deserve it in these uncertain times,Happy
The floor plan was slightly changed and a coffee bar with its own faucet to the left of the refrigerator was added. With a large two-drawer cabinet below, the convenience and the excellent storage has been ap preciated.
Remodeling! Jo Meacham n Owner and designer, Urban Kitchens 72 ion Oklahoma July/August 2022
The island was shifted slightly to allow for betterThecirculation.downstairs was repainted white and white up per cabinets were installed to carry out the simplified design. The refrigerator became a stand-alone-piece and the standard big cabinet on top was eliminated.
The Silestone countertops have a creamy, flat finish with white zellige 4” x “tile on the backsplash.
from cream to light gray. This became the foundation for the kitchen.
