October 2023

DONALD DENNIS

Donald (“Don”) Dennis was born in Atwood, Colorado, but moved to Parsons, KS to live with his grandparents during World War II while his mother worked in a bomb factory and his adopted father fought in the military.

The family moved to Enid in 1945, after the war was over. In 1946, Don’s father, Fred Dennis, opened Dennis Plumbing at the location it still exists. Don attended Enid High School, and volunteered for the Navy during Vietnam. He served for four years on the Navy Destroyer, Floyd B. Parks, which operated in the Pacific Ocean during the war. Upon finishing his service, he returned to work in the family business.

Since returning, Don devoted himself to quietly working and serving in the community. He is a longtime member of the local Masonic Lodge and Shriner’s organization where he has personally sponsored dozens of families to be able to go to a Shrine Hospital for treatment. As a Shriner, he was known for volunteering to help at all their projects, including the old Shrine Rodeo, usually behind the scenes, and helping make them successful.

Don has two children, Riley Dennis, who has also joined him in the family business, and Dawna Capaldi, who is starting a Vodka Distillery in Belize. He is impatiently waiting for grandchildren. He married his wife Cheryl in 2002 and they enjoy going to the lake, working at the farm and traveling to attend Navy reunions of the Floyd B. Parks around the U.S.

Riley said “My dad has great integrity, is a hard worker, dependable and I’ve seen him help people my whole life. Anything he does he goes all out. He’s just a really good dad and good person.”

And for that, he’s this month’s Local Legend.

BLAK E REESE

Hey everyone! For those of you who don’t recognize me, my name’s Blake, and I’m the Advertising Director and Coeditor for Enid Monthly. It’s finally October, and that means fall is here! In my opinion, fall is the best time of year. The temperatures start dropping, the trees start changing colors, and, best of all, sweaters and hoodies can finally be brought out. With all of the enjoyable things fall brings, it also brings harder times for the animals here in Enid who are left out on the streets. And that’s what makes this month’s cover story so appurtenant. The shelters are filling up, and there’s still more animals coming in. Keep these fur babies in mind when you retire to the comfort of your home at the end of the day, and, if possible, please lend a helping hand! Adopt, foster, donate, or share the posts trying to give them a second chance. Anything and everything helps!

Blake Reese

Co-Editor

STORY

BY B L AKEREESE

A Second Chance Enid Shelter Dogs in Desperate Need of Good Homes

According to American Humane, there are an estimated 3-4 million animals waiting to be saved from the shelters. Here in Enid, we have a few places/organizations that do all they can to help the animals in town, and each organization makes its own efforts to try and help animals who are looking for their forever home. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals helps promote and sponsor Adopt a Shelter Dog Month every October, and they do so in an effort to help dogs get the second chance they deserve.

Shelter dogs include many different types of dogs for many different reasons. Whether the dog was an owner surrender, mistreated and abused, abandoned, or lost, many of them tend to end up at the shelters. Organizations like the ESPCA do everything they can to ensure that those dogs find themselves a forever home, and places like the Enid Animal Shelter do all they can to enforce the laws of Enid and keep the animals and people of Enid safe. With that being said, these organizations can only do so much, and there’s a reason October is recognized as Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. According to National Today, “No one knows the exact number of dogs that find safe harbor and temporary housing in community animal shelters each year. But these shelters are the last hope for an estimated 3.3 – 4.5 million misunderstood, unwanted, abused, or neglected dogs in need of a fresh start with a compassionate human friend.” These shelters and organizations are often dogs’ last chance at a life they deserve.

American Humane states, “Be a hero this month and adopt a dog from your local shelter or rescue group. You’ll be saving his or her life and greatly improving your own as dogs are amazing, supportive, and heroic companions.” Dogs can make such an impact on the lives of those they love, and that alone is reason enough to want your own special companion. Whether you want an emotional support dog, a service dog, or just a friend to wag their tail when you come home, a dog will add so much to your life. There’s a reason they say a dog is a man’s best friend, and that’s because they are loyal, and they love you unconditionally. In addition to their unconditional love, there are many other reasons why people should get a dog. The Animal Health Foundation lists 8 reasons why people should own an animal, which are more physical activity, less stress, lower blood pressure, lower risk of heart attacks, alleviation of depression, allergy prevention, low blood sugar detection, and less risk of stroke. Giving a dog a second chance and rescuing them from a shelter can improve your overall physical health in addition to giving you a new best friend and purpose.

In order to get a better understanding of just how relevant Adopt a Shelter Dog Month is, we spoke with the ESPCA and EAS, and we also spoke to a couple of community members who’ve actually adopted and saved a shelter dog to get their input and experiences.

Vickie Grantz is the director of the ESPCA, which is a local non-profit that works with lost, abandoned, and unwanted animals in the Enid area. Their website states, “Our mission is to provide compassionate care to companion animals awaiting adoption” and, “Our vision is to end pet overpopulation and create a community of responsible pet ownership.” The ESPCA offers many programs and resources to

8 Reasons

to Own an Animal

1. More physical activity

2. Less stress

3. Lower blood pressure

4. Lower risk of heart attacks

5. Alleviation of depression

6. Allergy prevention

7. Low blood sugar detection

8. Less risk of stroke

According to The Animal Health Foundation

help better the lives of the animals in Enid. Whether you’re looking to adopt, spay or neuter your animal, or even just for some extra help with feeding your animal, the ESPCA has you covered! They offer a low-cost spay and neuter program for dogs and cats in an effort to foster responsible pet ownership and help keep future dogs off the streets and out of the shelters. They also have a pet food pantry, which helps keep families together by providing food assistance for those difficult times in life. They also have a Rescue Wagon that helps transport animals to their forever homes, and they offer a free spay/neuter and microchip voucher when you adopt from the EAS. They do all of this to not only help you and your fur baby, but it also helps better the future of Enid, animals of Enid, and shelters in Enid. If you’re interested in being a hero and adopting a dog today, visit enidspca.org for more information! You can find their adoption applications online, and you can find ways to help, whether that be volunteering or donating. To start your process, stop by the ESPCA or visit their website to see what dogs are awaiting their forever home. Once you’ve found a dog you’re interested in, fill out their adoption application. Filling out an application starts a conversation. You’ll then be presented with the option to

Dot (check ESPCA for availability)

Jaye (check ESPCA for availability)

Brick (check ESPCA for availability)

meet the animal you’re inquiring about, and their mission is to ensure a good match for both you and your potential pet. After all, these dogs deserve a forever home, not a temporary home that’ll eventually land them back in a shelter. So, before you consider adopting and rescuing, be sure you know what you’re getting into. Dogs are amazing and bring so much love into your life, but they’re also dependent on you for their needs and well-being. The bottom line is that pets are more than a Christmas present, so don’t adopt unless you’re willing to provide them with a home and love for the rest of their life.

Allen Elder is the Supervisor for the EAS, and we sat down with him to further discuss adopting shelter dogs. To start the adoption process at the EAS, stop by to see what dogs are available, or visit their Facebook page, which is Adopt-A-Pet (ENID Animal Shelter), as they post their animals daily. When you adopt an animal from the EAS, you’ll receive a voucher for spay/neutering, shots, and a microchip, and it’ll all be free. The EAS and the ESPCA work together on those vouchers to encourage adoptions and keep your fur babies healthy. There are no prerequisites or inspections required when adopting. Allen says,

“We just want you to take a dog and save its life.” The animals are first come, first serve, and the EAS’s main goal is for you to save an animal. However, their main mission is to uphold and enforce the animal laws of Enid, which protects citizens and animals. Throughout the week, you can stop by to look at animals and adopt them from 10:00am6:00pm, and on the weekends, their hours are 12:00pm-3:00pm. The EAS also takes volunteers and donations, so if you’re unable to adopt, you can still help!

After interviewing the shelters here in Enid, we decided to sit down and interview a couple of people who’ve actually adopted from the shelters in Enid. We interviewed Cari Mattox, and Cari adopted Dunkin

Cari with Dunkin & Gunner

Dunkin & Gunner

Gunner and for Dunkin to meet Gunner, and she said, “by the time our meet and greet was over, we knew he was coming home with us.” She continued with, “he is by far the best dog I have ever had the privilege to love.” They recently celebrated Gunner’s 7th birthday, and she says he’s thriving. She goes on to say, “Both of our dogs that we adopted at the ESPCA have different personalities, but they both deserved a second chance, and we are so thankful we could give that to them. I truly believe that we needed them just as much as they needed us.” Cari said that the staff at the ESPCA was amazing, and she goes on to say “The staff at the ESPCA will always be family to our dogs. They gave them what they needed until we got them.” Cari’s advice for future adopters is, “Give the animals time to adjust to you and your home. Do not give up on them within a day, week, or month of bringing them to your home. It takes time for them to feel safe and secure, so give it to them, and you’ll have the best pet/best friend you could ever hope for.”

and Gunner from the ESPCA. She decided to rescue/adopt because she saw the shelters continuously filling up, and she realized shelter dogs desperately need homes. They adopted Dunkin when he was a few months old, and Cari later adopted Gunner. Gunner had been in the shelter for almost a year after his previous owner passed away. She said, “I kept seeing him posted on the ESPCA Facebook page, and every time I saw him, my heart ached for him. You could just see how much life his sweet 6-year-old self still had and how badly he wanted to give it to the right person.” When they began the adoption process with Gunner, they set up a meet and greet for them to meet

Bo (check ESPCA for availability)

We also sat down with Keith Holsten from K/H Financial. Keith stumbled upon a post from the ESPCA on his page about a Great Pyrenees they currently had up for adoption. They decided to go and have a meet and greet, and that’s how they ended up with Jasper Parker James Holston, also known as Parker the Barker. You may have seen him around town at places like Settlers Brewing Company or at K/H Financial as he’s there to greet anyone who walks in. Jasper and Keith are now next to inseparable. Keith says, “After 2 days, he just made himself at home. He always comes to bed at night and sleeps through the night, and then he gets up at 6:30am when the suns coming up ready to go to work.” Keith mentions that some people may have misconceptions about shelter dogs, whether it’s that they’re aggressive, have issues, or are dangerous, but he says that’s not always the case. He said, “I feel like, in most rescue cases, they will adapt to their new environment.” When it comes to those misconceptions many have about dogs, Keith says he feels the opposite about shelter dogs. He says, “I feel like rescue dogs seem to inherently be more appreciative and loving because of their situation.” In reference to Jasper, he

Keith & Jasper

Jasper at Settler's

goes on to say that, “It’s been wonderful. I didn’t know that I wanted or needed a dog. He’s sweet to everybody in our family, but he chose me as his person for some crazy reason. It’s amazing – we’re not even deserving of their affection. I don’t know that I deserve that, but that’s what he gives me.” Because of Jasper, Keith and his business have begun donating to the ESPCA. His business has 5 causes that they regularly give to, and the ESPCA is one of those causes. Keith’s advice to future adopters is to, “Make sure your committed because it’s a big life decision. And it’s important to interact with the animal before you get them, and one of the coolest things about the ESPCA is that they provide that environment.”

From October 1st to October 15th, the adoption fee at the ESPCA is being reduced to $50 thanks to the Empty The Shelters Program! The Bissel Pet Foundation exists to assist animal welfare organizations, and their Empty The Shelters Program has moved over 140,000 pets into forever homes. Saving a pup and providing them with a forever home has never been easier, so please take the time to check out the shelters website’s and help a fur baby today. Even if you can’t adopt, you can foster, volunteer, or donate - anything helps! In addition to volunteering and donating, you can also share these organizations Facebook posts and pages. Vickie states, “If you share that, then you’re opening up a new window for the amount of people who are going to see that animal and possibly think about them. And we ask you to do that because it’s actually life and death for these animals.” Even if you can’t adopt or give much, you can still make a difference by simply spreading the word.

Bruiseberry (check ESPCA for availability)

Chandi Dayle (check ESPCA for availability)

Cowboy (check ESPCA for availability)

Children's Book Review

Reviewed by Chloe Fuksa, Putnam Six Bookstore

The Bellwoods Game

Author: Celia Krampien

Celia Krampien has illustrated numerous children’s books, but The Bellwoods Game is her author debut – and it is an absolutely perfect read for October. Published in July 2023, this spooky middle grade book follows a group of students as they take part in their town’s annual Halloween tradition. The objective of the game is to reach the bell in the middle of the forest before the ghost of Abigail Snook can stop them – or the town becomes cursed with bad luck for a year.

The three contestants are Fen, the popular kid, Carmen, the nerd, and Bailee, the outcast. They think they understand what they’re getting involved in, but what lurks in the for-

est is beyond any of the stories they’ve heard before. The paths keep changing, and the three must battle against attacking bats, endless spiders, and vicious ropes of algae – all while not falling into the icy river below. Plus, the spirit they are up against is not at all what they thought it was going to be. Only with teamwork, creativity, and bravery can they save themselves and their town.

Complete with a stunning cover and illustrations throughout, The Bellwoods Game is a fabulous book all around. If it is a child’s first dabble with the horror genre, some parts may be a bit too intense. But if a kiddo loves spooky books, loves to be on the edge of their seat, they can surely handle this one. So, this month, while costumes are being planned and candy is getting stocked up, kiddos can get even more excited for the holiday with The Bellwoods Game!

Visit us in Sunset Plaza or call 580-297-5089 to get your copy of The Bellwoods Game today!

Adult Book Review

Reviewed by Chloe Fuksa, Putnam Six Bookstore

Looking Glass Sound

Author: Catriona Ward

This reviewer is not at all one for horror stories, but in the spirit of Halloween this month, I reached for Catriona Ward’s latest release, Looking Glass Sound, to get outside of my comfort zone. What starts off as a seemingly coming-of-age tale soon melds into a sickening murder mystery, which melds into a mind-bending book about a book – about another book? I’m still not fully sure what I read. Looking Glass Sound certainly won’t be for everyone, but if you like books to envelop you in an absolute rollercoaster ride of an experience, hop aboard.

The book opens with three teenagers – Wilder, Nat, and Harper –on summer vacation on the Maine coast. They’re boating and swimming and thinking about young love – typical beach time activities. But also present in their town is a serial killer who has been going after women for years. When Wilder goes off to college afterwards, his panic attacks from the deadly cave are unending. He is befriended by a classmate, Sky, who helps him with his demons – but who has dark secrets of his own.

Aside from the gruesome killings, Looking Glass Sound really doesn’t seem like a true horror read. Instead, it’s an intricate, complex web of a psychological thriller. It certainly is impressive what the author has been able to accomplish, with the artistry and mastery of the different characters and plots. And I do imagine it would be quite interesting to re-read this book a second time through, with the knowledge of how the different puzzle pieces fit together. Looking Glass Sound really is a captivating page-turner that will have readers questioning everything they see and hear and believe.

Visit

EASY SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU

FOCUS ON Wellness News from

Be Smart About Breast Health

Roughly 1 in 8 women in the United States develop breast cancer in their lifetime.* As a patient, friend or family member, nearly everyone is affected by this disease in some way.

Rebecca Lewis, MD, primary care physician with St. Mary’s Physician Associates, talks about the importance of screenings for early detection of breast cancer.

Why is early detection of breast cancer so important?

Regular breast cancer screenings are important because they can detect breast cancer years before symptoms develop. Early detection is key, because success rates are much higher when breast cancer is detected and treated during its early stages. A visit with your primary care physician is a good first step in breast health care because he or she can provide guidance on what screenings may be appropriate for your personal health.

What types of screenings are important?

There is a comprehensive range of imaging and biopsy services available including:

• 2D and 3D digital mammography (breast cancer detection)

• Invenia™ Automated Breast Ultrasound System (ABUS) system (breast cancer detection)

• Bone density assessment (for fracture risk due to osteoporosis)

• Breast biopsy (ultrasound, fine needle, stereotactic)

• Resources for breast cancer patients

How effective is digital mammography?

Mammograms are the most widely used imaging method for detecting breast cancer, often spotting issues before anything can be felt. Low-radiation digital mammograms are very effective, identifying upwards of 85% of all abnormalities in the breast. The American Cancer Society strongly advises women who are age 40 and older to have a yearly mammogram. Individuals who are at higher risk of breast cancer, such as those with a family history of breast cancer or history of high-dose radiation exposure prior to the age of 30, may require screening earlier than 40. If you believe you are at a higher risk, make sure to talk to your primary care physician about when to begin screenings.

St. Mary’s Women’s Imaging Center also offers 3D mammography, which is also called tomosynthesis digital mammography. 3D mammography is different from standard mammography because it takes multiple images of the breast at various levels and provides more detail. This can help make it easier to identify abnormalities and is particularly useful for evaluating dense breast tissue. It can also reduce the number of callbacks for repeat testing.

What does having dense breasts mean and what screening is needed for this?

Dense breasts have a higher proportion of glandular and connective tissues as compared to fatty tissue. Women who have been told they have dense breasts should be aware that it can make it difficult for screening mammography to detect tumors. What’s more, women who have dense breasts are also at increased risk for breast cancer.

Additional imaging tests - ultrasound, MRI or molecular breast imaging - may be needed for complete evaluation.

What is breast ultrasound?

Ultrasound is a noninvasive, non-radiation examination that uses sound waves to detect disease and locate possible abnormalities in breast tissue.

It is designed to provide doctors with precise images for efficient diagnosis of breast problems, and can be effective in distinguishing certain abnormalities in the breast such as lumps, solid masses and cysts. The systems enable the physician to perform high-resolution panoramic imaging or 3D scanning in real time.

The Women's Imaging Center is the first provider in the Northwestern Oklahoma and Southern Kansas regions to use the Invenia Automated Breast Ultrasound System (ABUS) for breast cancer screening. This system is used in addition to mammography for asymptomatic women with dense breast tissue and no prior interventions. ABUS can help improve detection of small cancers in dense breast tissue that cannot be seen on a mammogram alone.

When would a breast biopsy be necessary?

Breast biopsies are used to check suspicious or unusual areas in breast tissue for cancerous cells. The newest procedure, vacuum-assisted breast biopsy, uses a minimally invasive system in which the doctor uses mammography (stereotactic-guided biopsy) or ultrasound to locate the suspicious area. He or she then makes a tiny incision in the breast and uses a small probe with a vacuum to gently draw, cut and collect tissue into the probe's hollow chamber.

To make an appointment with Dr. Lewis, call 580-233-5553. To view the provider directory, visit stmarysphysicianassociates.com. To learn more about our imaging services, call 580-2493930 or visit stmarysregional.com/imaging.

Physicians are on the medical staff of St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice.

*American Cancer Society (ACS)

Rebecca Lewis, MD

BYSOP H I A FAULK

October Teen SCENE

Hi! And welcome to Teen Scene, October column in ENID MONTHLY. Wow. I cannot believe 2023 is almost over, congrats on making it this far. The month of October brings some of our favorite things! Fall, Halloween, pumpkins (my personal favorite), nice weather, fun dates, and so much more. For this month I would like to share all of my favorite things about fall and what I love doing and include my favorite cookie recipe for this pumpkin season. LET'S GO!!

If you know me well, you know that my favorite scents and flavors of EVERYTHING is Pumpkin and Vanilla. I especially love Pumpkin Candles. My grandma also owns a pumpkin patch outside of town that is so fun to walk around and see all of the different shapes, sizes, and colors of the pumpkins. Sometimes I’ll go and help her when it gets really busy. Carving Pumpkins is definitely not my strong suit, but it is really fun to dig out all of the guts and then bake the seeds for a little snack. For cross-country season, October has the best weather for our meets. The Oklahoma State Cross-Country meet also takes place in October making the month even better since this is our biggest race of the season, and we are trying to make it as a team this year and have a really good chance!

I know people argue about what age you should stop trick or treating but I personally do not think you are ever too old. Even if it's you going with your family and watching your little sibling go

up and get candy, I would still consider it trick or treating. Every year my mom, dad, little sister, and I (and sometimes stepdad) go trick or treating together in my neighborhood and then eat pizza after. It is always really fun, especially in our neighborhood of Indian Hills. There are people EVERYWHERE!

I also really like baking during the fall. Here is my favorite pumpkin cheesecake cookie recipe from Chelsweets!! I hope you enjoy them if you make ‘em!! https://chelsweets.com/pumpkin-cheesecake-cookies/

Thank you for reading this month's article!! I hope you enjoyed it. I would love to hear about your favorite things to do in October so let me know at tweensceneenid@gmail.com. Also, if you have any comments, questions, or ideas for upcoming articles email me for that too!! I hope you all have a Happy Halloween and an amazing October! See you next month!!

OCTOBER 1 – 20

10 am – 5 pm

Tuesday – Saturday

This is how we Rebuild Exhibit

Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (507 S. 4th St.)

OCTOBER 1

8 am – 4:30

Blue Thumb Training for New Volunteers

Autry Technology Center (1201 W. Willow)

Enid's Enid's E-vents E-ventsE-vents

October Events

7:30 pm

Trivia!

Settlers Brewing Co. (202 E. Randolph)

OCTOBER 5

6 pm Trivia!

Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)

OCTOBER 6 –7

Tombstone Tales

Enid Cemetery (212 W. Willow Rd)

Must purchase tickets in advance at Enid Welcome Center, 201 W. Garriott

OCTOBER 6

6 – 9 pm

First Friday | Oktoberfest Downtown Enid

7 pm

Live Music: Stacey Sanders

Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)

7:30 pm

Live Music: Roots & Boots Tour with Sammy Kernshaw, Collin

Raye & Aaron Tippin

OCTOBER 5–7, 12–14, 19–21, 26–28, 30–31

7:30 – 11:30 pm

Nightmare Warehouse Gold Spot Dairy (424 W. Walnut)

OCTOBER 4

7 pm

Karaoke

RED Nightclub (302 E. Maple)

Stride Bank Center (302 S. Grand)

7:30 pm

Live Music: Carter Combs

Settlers Brewing Co. (202 E. Randolph)

OCTOBER 7

8:30 am

Paint Enid Pink 5K Color Fun Run

Crosslin Park (1520 W. Oxford)

11 am – 3 pm

History Alive!

Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (507 S. 4th St.)

Re-enactment characters portray life at the time of the Cherokee Strip Land Run of 1893

11 am – 3 pm

Family Farm Day

Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (507 S. 4th St)

6:30 – 9:30 pm

Chautauqua Gala: An Evening with Patsy Cline

Oakwood Country Club (1601 N. Oakwood Rd)

Tickets are $100 each, avail-

able at Enid Welcome Center, 201 W. Garriott

7 pm

OKTOBERFEST

RED Nightclub (302 E. Maple)

$1 Domestic Drafts

8 pm

Live Music: Bobby Bennett Moose Lodge (302 E. Purdue)

OCTOBER 11

7 pm

Karaoke RED Nightclub (302 E. Maple)

7:30 pm

Trivia! Settlers Brewing Co. (202 E. Randolph)

OCTOBER 12

6 – 9 pm

Paint Your Pet Tipsy

Artist (Furever Friends Fundraiser)

SpringHill Suites

(5815 KL Dr.)

6 pm

Trivia!

Enid Brewing Co.

(126 S. Independence)

OCTOBER 13

9 am – 7 pm

Hospice Circle of Love

Book Sale

Hospice Circle of Love (314 S. 3rd St)

7:30 pm

Auto Racing

Enid Speedway (312 E. Oxford Ave)

7:30 pm

Live Music: Seth Carlson Settlers Brewing Co. (202 E. Randolph)

OCTOBER 14 – 15

Sooner State Kennel Club Dog Show

Chisholm Trail Expo Center (111 W. Purdue)

OCTOBER 14

9 am – 12 pm

Enid Cars & Coffee: Christmas in October (1601 W. Chestnut)

9 am – 5 pm

Hospice Circle of Love

Book Sale

Hospice Circle of Love (314 S. 3rd St)

If you would like a free listing for your event, please email robert@enidmonthly.com by the 5th of the month PRIOR to your event! Events are as accurate as possible as of print date. Please see VisitEnid.org for any updates/changes.

7 pm

DJ Dance

Moose Lodge (302 E. Purdue)

7 pm

Live Music: Backstage Pass

Chicarro’s Happy’s Place (3030 N. Grand)

7:30 pm

Auto Racing: Winter Nationals

Enid Speedway (302 E. Oxford)

9 pm

Latin Night ft. DJ Danny RED Nightclub (302 E. Maple)

OCTOBER 17

7:30 pm

Live Music: Alice Cooper

Stride Bank Center (302 S. Grand)

OCTOBER 18

7 pm

Karaoke

RED Nightclub (302 E. Maple)

7:30 pm

Trivia!

Settlers Brewing Co. (202 E. Randolph)

OCTOBER 19

6 pm

Trivia!

Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)

OCTOBER 20 – 22 Fri. & Sat.: 7:30 pm, Sun.: 2 pm

Live Theater: The Book of Will

Gaslight Theatre (221 N. Independence)

OCTOBER 20

5:30 – 6:45 pm

Big Blue Block Party

Enid High School (611 W. Wabash)

7:30 pm

Football: Enid vs. Broken Arrow Selby Stadium (801 W. Iowa)

7:30 pm

Live Music: The Bays Brothers

Settlers Brewing Co. (202 E. Randolph)

OCTOBER 21 11 am – 3 pm

History Alive!

Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (507 S. 4th St.)

Re-enactment characters

portray life at the time of the Cherokee Strip Land Run of 189

OCTOBER 25

7 pm

Scare-aoke (Dress-up Karaoke)

RED Nightclub (302 E. Maple)

7:30 pm

Trivia!

Settlers Brewing Co. (202 E. Randolph)

OCTOBER 26

6 pm

Trivia!

Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)

OCTOBER 27 – 28

6 – 9 pm

Haunted Gym

Champion Park (700 N .10th St)

OCTOBER 27

7 pm

Live Music: ZZ Top Stride Bank Center (302 S. Grand)

7:30 pm

Live Music: Stacey Sanders Settlers Brewing Co. (202 E. Randolph)

OCTOBER 27 – 28

7:30 pm

1 – 9 pm

HALLOWEENID Food Truck Festival

200 block of East Maple

7 pm

Big Scary Halloween Party

RED Nightclub (302 E. Maple)

Costume Contest, Drink Specials

7 pm

Halloween Party Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)

8 pm

Live Music: Lost River Band Moose Lodge (302 E. Purdue)

6 pm

Oakwood Bowl Trunk of Treat Oakwood Bowl (4709 W. Garriott)

7:30 pm

Symphony: Concerto De Aranjuez

Enid Symphony Center (301 W. Broadway)

8 pm

Live Music: Shiloh

Moose Lodge (302 E. Purdue)

9 pm

Twiinception Bday Party Blowout

RED Nightclub (302 E. Maple)

Live Theater: The Book of Will Gaslight Theatre (221 N. Independence)

OCTOBER 27

6 pm

Halloween Singo

Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)

OCTOBER 28

10 am – 5 pm The Market Halloween

Craft Show Stride Bank Center Grand Ballroom (301 S. Independence)

OCTOBER 29

2 pm

Free Movie (Hocus Pocus) and Food Drive

Stride Bank Center (301 S. Independence)

OCTOBER 31

7 pm

Halloween Night Sexy Rave RED Nightclub (302 E. Maple)

Hospice • Advantage Personal Care Behavorial Health

WHAT IS HOSPICE?

Hospice is a comprehensive program of medical, emotional, and spiritual care for patients and families facing life-limiting illness.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to provide professional and compassionate care that enhances the lives of our patients, improves the quality of life with a focus on comfort, and offers symptom control and pain management.

MYTHS

• Patients have to get off their meds

• Patients have to be actively dying

• Patients can’t go back to their doctors

THESE ARE ALL MYTHS!

We take care of patients at their homes, and in nursing homes, assisted living, and independent living.

We are also a resource for a patient’s loved ones and support systems. We stay on with families for 13 months after their loved one has passed.

FOR A FREE INFORMATIONAL CONSOLATION/ ASSESSMENT, CALL CRYSTAL CADDELL AT (580)-541-1049

For any other questions, call (580)-237-1819

Crystal Caddell

(580)-541-1049

Second-year Enid High Volleyball Coach Gabe Watts wants his players to leave a legacy at Enid, as players, and as people. And since Enid just started playing volleyball in 1994, there is not a lot of history and legacy to compare it to. “There were some good teams in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, but its been a long time since we have made the State tournament. We almost did it in 2018-2019, but didn’t quite get there, but that’s always our goal, and we are set up to have a pretty good run,” says Watts.

And after coming up just shy of finishing .500 last year (14-16), and graduating six seniors, this year’s Pacer Volleyball squad has a little ways to go. “We are such a young team this year. Out of our 8-9 min rotation players, only three are Seniors, and we have a lot of Sophomores and Juniors we have to rely on to be competitive,” Watts says. “This year we have

been right there with some teams, but we are just killing ourselves and have made too many mistakes. But we are just going to keep grinding, getting these young kids some experience (some girls are playing JV and Varsity to get reps) and we could find ourselves chasing .500 again, and maybe even doing a little damage at regionals if we end up playing some of the east schools again.”

And to do that, it’s going to take stellar play from team leaders like Junior Addison Polesky. “Addison is an all around good player, and can do just about anything from the outside hitter position. She leads the team in kills, and is second in digs and is who we look to to lead us to wins.” Junior Baylee Ross and Sophomore Lauren Jackson are also players that need to play well for Enid to reach their goals. “Baylee is a really good soccer player that is coming into her own as a volleyball player and playing well this year,” said Watts, and Lauren has come in this year, and shown that she can play good at this level.”

If these girls keep improving and getting experience, it would be a pretty good bet, they will leave a legacy for future teams to remember.

BYDALE N MCVAY

THE LAW OF THE Land Early Bow Season –A Couple of Tips

I had good bucks on camera and figured “ah heck, I’m good enough, I’ll be fine.” What happened you ask? Opening morning I had a good shot at an old, wide 8 point mainframe. As he cruised closer to my stand, he went behind a couple cedars which gave me the opportunity to draw my bow. When I did, the peep sight tubing snapped. While I generally replace them every year, my lack of preparation cost me a shot at a really nice deer. Of course, I never saw him again.

Howdy y’all, it’s me again. By the time you’ll be reading this, it’s DEER SEASON!

I hope by now your feeders are full of corn, the cameras are giving you a glimpse into the deer on your property and your tree stands are secured and shooting lanes cleared. As of the first week of September, (when this article was composed) I hope you’ve left your hunting lands alone. Pressuring the deer early in the season (whether scouting, brush hogging, etc) could force the deer to find a new place to call home.

To me, the biggest “tip” for bow season is having your bow properly tuned and maintained, but also to PRACTICE. When I was a young bowhunter, I made the mistake of not practicing prior to the season.

Another paramount consideration (especially bow hunting) is controlling your scent. Prior to the season, I like to wash all of my hunting clothing in scent killer laundry detergent. There are several different brands available on the market. After doing so, I cut a few cedar branches and put the branches and clothing into a ScentLok airtight bag. I put the bag into a ROAM airtight dry box and store it outside. While also playing the wind is vitally important (that’s why it’s important to have multiple stands or blinds set up, if possible) eliminating human odors will substantially increase your ability to harvest that trophy buck.

Obviously, these are just a couple important tips for (hopefully) early bow season success, but to me they are two of the most important. Happy hunting!

P.S. If you have a child that bow hunts and harvests a good deer (or has a good story) email me a pic and synopsis of the story to dalen@ mcvaylawfirm.com and I’ll select someone to be the feature in an upcoming article.

PUZZLE ANSWERS

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

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EASY SUDOKU

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HARD SUDOKU

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Garden Tool Maintenance

If an edge of the tool has a cutting edge, such as pruners, tree trimmers, hatchets, axes, flat-edged shovels, hoe blades, or even a trowel, take the time to sharpen it with a whetstone. Remember to draw the stone in one direction with the same tilt every stroke to maintain a consistent edge. This is especially important for pruning shears and tree trimmer blades. If the blades are dull, nicked, or improperly sharpened, they are potentially dangerous to the user and they will damage the stem or branch rather than cutting it. Check your owner’s manual for tiller blades and lawn mower blades, as they can benefit from sharpening and oiling, too. If you don’t feel confident to sharpen your own, there are several shops in town and plenty of hobbyists who will be happy to do it for you. Just ask friends for recommendations. With any gas-powered equipment, remember to drain your gas and clear the fuel line. Gas will dry out and turn into a varnish in your fuel line and engine, preventing it from working properly next spring.

It’s time to pack up the summer gardening and get ready for the fall and winter. October is the perfect time to plant all those spring bulbs like daffodils, tulips, crocuses, and hyacinth. It’s also time to plant pansies, mums, and ornamental cabbages. But, a big part of packing up is prepping all those gardening tools for winter. Sticking them in the shed and then getting them back out in the spring is not the best way to preserve your tools and keep a healthy garden. Many bacteria and molds can live through the winter on your tools. Most metal tools will tend to rust and deteriorate over the winter if not properly put away. With a little bit of thought and effort, you can save yourself time, money, and heartache next season by taking care of your tools now.

All gardening tools should have the dirt thoroughly scrubbed off, preferably with soapy water or even bleach water. Bleach water will kill any molds or bacteria on the tools prior to storage. If the tool is rusty, use some fine steel wool and polish off the rust and rewash it.

Next, using a soft rag, rub in some household oil on the metal blades or tines of your hand tools, mowers, and tillers. This will help prevent rusting over the winter. Be sure to coat it liberally and wipe off any drips. Remember to do the tines of your flat garden rake and the yard leaf rake, too.

Check the grips and handles of your hand tools. Remember that splinter?! Splinters can be prevented by sanding down any rough patches on the wooden handle. Rub linseed oil or mineral oil into the wooden handles to keep them from drying out. If you want to seal it, use spray paint or a varnish after sanding instead of oiling the handle.

This season is a great time to get deals on gardening tools. Get rid of that old, duct taped, baling-twined garden rake that your great grandpa used and get a new one. Use the old one as decoration in that patch where you planted those spring bulbs and pansies and mums. Remember how well great grandpa took care of his tools so that they lasted for many, many years and follow his footsteps.

BYMOLLY NICHOLAS

RE al Life

Mortgage Rates…What’s Up?

Mortgage rates are currently the most discussed aspect of purchasing Real Estate. Despite years of Real Estate experience, there are times when it is necessary to ask experts in their own area of expertise. This month, I will be sharing an article directly from REALTOR.com. I found this article extremely informative and useful in addressing mortgage rate predictions.

Mortgage Rates Just Dropped Again—and More Good News for Housing This Fall

By Margaret Heidenry

Mortgage Rates fell for the second week in a row, averaging 7.12% for a 30-year fixed-rate loan in the week ending Sept. 7, according to Freddie Mac. This downward trend is a welcome relief after rates spiked to a 22-year high two weeks earlier. Still, these rates are formidable—more than double what they were two years ago when they dipped below 3%—which has ground America’s housing market to a near standstill. “The housing market has shuffled along at a slow pace for more than a year now as the market waits for mortgage rates to stabilize or decline,” says REALTOR.com data Scientist Sabrina Speianu. “Heading into the fall housing season, mortgage rates, home prices, and housing availability continue to remain a challenge for both home buyers and home sellers who themselves may need to purchase a home as they sell their current one.”

What’s next for mortgage rates?

With the Federal Reserve slated to meet on Sept. 19 and 20 to discuss whether or not to raise benchmark interest rates, many are trying to read the economic tea leaves and forecast whether mortgage rates will rise or fall in response. “All eyes are on macroeconomic indicators such as job market strength and inflation, which will guide the Federal Reserve in charting the path forward for interest rates,” says Speianu. With the job market robust but cooling off and inflation slowing down, “the market is not anticipating the Federal Reserve to increase rates in September and it is also less likely that they will raise rates before year-end,” predicts Speianu. With a possible end to rate hikes in sight, the housing market might just begin to inch forward.

How high mortgage rates lead to fewer listings

Until mortgage rates drop, the supply of homes for sale will remain slim. For the week ending Sept. 2, the number of new listings sank by 8.5% compared with one year ago. “While the number of newly listed homes increased from July to August, new home listings have once again begun to decline as is expected heading into September,” says Speianu. Fewer sellers are listing their homes since many have low mortgage rates they’re reluctant to give up—thus keeping sellers in their homes and locking buyers out. As a result, overall inventory (of both new and old listings) has also declined, lagging behind year-ago levels by 5.2%.

Home prices edge upward

As if high mortgage rates weren’t daunting enough for would-be buyers, low housing inventory has inflated home prices. After a welcome stretch of annual price declines in June and July, median list prices rose year over year in August. And for the week ending Sept. 2, median home prices rose by 0.2% compared with last year. The bad news? Home prices are not likely to fall dramatically anytime soon. “A renewed existing-home inventory crunch is still supporting listing prices making homebuyers find fewer opportunities compared to last year,” adds Speianu.

Why the slowing pace of home sales may speed up soon

Any sellers who can break free of their mortgage rate handcuffs will likely be rewarded with a quick home sale. The pace of home sales has been slowing for weeks, but that might soon turn a corner. “The gap is now only two days more than the same time last year,” says Speianu. “While the demand for homes has pulled back due to affordability constraints, there are still eager home shoppers on the market browsing through a declining inventory of homes for sale.”

Although the information presented in this article will provide helpful guidance, it will not replace the expertise of an experienced REALTOR® and lender to help you navigate through your next transaction. They are just a call away!

NOW SERVING!

Meatball Soup

With Fall, I think hearty, comfort foods. Crockpots, casseroles, and my family favorites, soups! Chicken noodle, chicken and wild rice, and this recipe, Meatball Soup, are savory staples requested almost weekly. This Meatball Soup recipe hails from Chihuahua, Mexico, where it can be made into large batches and frozen, spicy or not, as you prefer! Either way, the soup is extremely flexible in recipe, can be prepped before hand, or set to simmer and let its’ mouthwatering aroma fill the air as you complete other tasks. With the hamburger, it can be molded into adorable meatballs, or just ground up, depending on the time you have. Please expirament, and make this amazing, nearly infallible recipe your new favorite!

Meatball Soup

Serves 10-12

Ingredients

• 2.25 lbs ground beef-cooked and drained

• 6 carrots, peeled and chopped

• 6 celery stalks, chopped

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 4 tbsp beef bouillion powder (Caldo de Res recommended)

• 2 tbsp dried, crushed jalapeno flakes (optional)

• 16 cups hot water

• Two 8.8oz bags Uncle Bens Ready Rice in Spanish Style (Or you can make your own Spanish rice!)

Directions

1. Add the carrots, celery, and rice to a large stock pot. Add the hot water, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and beef bouillion powder to the pot and mix well. Turn on high heat, bring to a boil. Once at a boil, lower heat to simmer.

2. As the ingredients in the stock pot are heating, combine your hamburger and jalapeno flakes in a large frying pan. Cook thoroughly and drain. Once drained, add your meat and any jalapeno bits to the soup. Let all simmer until vegetables are cooked to your preference.

Serve immediately, a slice or two of your favorite bread is suggested. Or, you can cool it and divide into bowls and freeze. To reheat, run container under hot water until soup can be removed and transfer to a pot. Heat and serve as usual!