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A FREE PUBLICATION | SEPTEMBER 2026

ENID HIGH SCHOOL HEAD FOOTBALL COACH AND ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR CHRIS ELERICK

2 | SEPTEMBER 2026 | ENID MONTHLY

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BY NICOLE HOOD

DAVID C. HENNEKE For more than four decades, David C. Henneke has practiced law in Northwest Oklahoma, but when he needs to keep his sanity, you’re more likely to find him on the farm than in the courtroom.

David’s roots in the area run deep. Born in Enid in 1955, he grew up in Drummond, where he played basketball and baseball and was active in FFA, showing and judging cattle and competing in speech contests. His family’s connection to the land goes back even further. The Henneke family homesteaded their Drummond farm in the 1907 land run, and David’s father, Charles, still lives there today.

David now owns and operates more than 4,000 acres of farm and ranch land, raising beef cattle and growing wheat, canola, sesame seed, milo, and alfalfa.

Of course, farming is only part of his story. David graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1978 before earning his law degree from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 1980. He also attended law school at Queen’s College and Oxford University, in England. He was admitted to the Oklahoma Bar Association in 1981 and the U.S. Supreme Court in 1986.

While his career has kept him busy, David has made serving his community a priority. In 1993, he was instrumental in passing a $15 million Garfield County sales tax to build Enid’s Chisholm Trail Expo Center and has since served as Chairman of the Garfield County Fairgrounds Trust Authority.

That willingness to serve has led David to numerous other organizations, including the Oklahoma State University Board of Governors, Oklahoma Board of Corrections, Garfield County Criminal Justice Authority, Grand National Quail Foundation, Enid Woodring Airport Wall of Honor, and Metropolitan Area Planning Commission.

His employee, Debi, says there’s a simple explanation for the lengthy list. “It’s hard

for him to say no when he is asked to do something for someone,” she says. “He has a true servant’s heart.”

When he does find some free time, David enjoys collecting guns, traveling, golfing, and hunting.

Most importantly, he enjoys time with his three children, Bret, Ryan and Lauren, and his seven grandchildren. Recently, the entire family even managed a trip to Mexico—all 14 of them.

Whether in the courtroom, on the farm, or serving his community, David has spent decades investing in the place he has always called home, and that makes him a Local Legend.

ENID MONTHLY | SEPTEMBER 2026 | 3

EnidMONTHLY

LETTER from the EDITOR

AUGUST 2026 | VOL. 7 • NO. 8

3 RECOMMENDED BY THE CHEF.. 16

LOCAL LEGENDS..........................

David C. Henneke LETTER FROM THE EDITOR...........

DOWNING'S DOODLES.................

COVER STORY.............................

Game Season Is Back

Single 8-Inch Baked Cheesecake

SCENE............................ 19 4 TEEN College Life

4 PUZZLE ANSWERS..................20

6 RE LIFE................................. 21 AL

Do Open Houses Really Help Sell Your Home?

12 SIMPLE PLEASURES................ 23

ADULT BOOK REVIEW................

The Crazies: The Cattleman, The Wind Prospector, And A War Out West CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW.......

Wilderness Hacks CROSSWORD PUZZLE..............

Kicking Off Kickoff Season FOCUS ON HEALTH..................

Abdominal Pain

Romanticizing Your Daily Routine

13 ENID'S E-VENTS......................28 13 15

Publisher: Robert R. Faulk Editor: Blake Reese Designer: Andy Hicks Advertising Director: Jacque Herrera

109 E. Randolph, Enid OK 73701 405.826.0418

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Enid Monthly is a monthly publication by Enid Monthly, LLC serving Enid and Garfield County. Enid Monthly is free to the public. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Enid Monthly is not responsible for the care and/or return of unsolicited manuscripts, artwork, photography, books, or any other material that is submitted for possible publication.

4 | SEPTEMBER 2026 | ENID MONTHLY

BL

A K E R EESE

This year is zooming by as we approach September! Routines are back in place, school is in session, and work has resumed.

Oh, and of course we can’t forget, football season has returned as well! Football is a way for many people to connect, whether you watch games with your family, go out to watch them at a local spot with friends, or enjoy them from the comfort of your couch, for many people, football season is a highlight in their year.

This month’s cover story not only acknowledges the season but celebrates it and shares some of the fun things accompanied by it, and it brings football home and talks about Enid’s rich football history. Happy football season!

Blake Reese Editor, Enid Monthly

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You know it's game season when you hear Oklahoma native, Carrie Underwood, singing the iconic lyrics. “Waiting all day for Sunday night!” Whether you grew up in a household that follows high school, college, or NFL ball, you know that as Fall approaches, it's time for America’s favorite pastime - football.

Football as we know and love evolved from a combination of English soccer and rugby. It combines the ability to handle the ball with hands from rugby with the concept of opposing end scoring from soccer, along with other traits. While football is beloved across the United States, early American football originated from Ivy League colleges in the Northeast in the 1860s, after which it spread across the country.

Not long after its inception came some of the first reports of the game taking place in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Historical Society reports that the first football game occurred, “in November 1894 between an Oklahoma City town team, the Terrors, and the local high school.”

In a short time, the Oklahoma High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) was established in 1911. Enid was one of the original members of

6 | SEPTEMBER 2026 | ENID MONTHLY

OHSAA but it wouldn’t be until 1944 that there would be an official state championship, including a playoff structure (Oklahoma Historical Society).

Over the many decades since that first football game took place, Enid has continued to create and export famous players and coaches to the highest levels.

Among the most famous is Steve Owen, who started as a tackle at Phillips University. In 1926, Owen left for New York to play a game as part of the Kansas City Cowboys. After an unusual situation in which his team was being defunded, he ended up getting an offer to join the Giants, which Owen accepted. Little did Owen know at the time that this would lead to an iconic decades-long career. Throughout Owen’s career with the New York Giants, he would go on to win the NFL Championship in 1927 as a player, and the 1933, 1935, 1939, 1941, 1943 and 1944 NFL Division Title and 1934 and 1938 NFL Championship as a coach (Oklahoma Historical Society).

Lydell Carr, another Enid football legend, is known around the country as one of the best running backs.

Carr played for the University of Oklahoma and was part of the team that brought back the 1985 national championship title and four Big Eight titles back to the college (City of Enid). His career would later take him to the NFL and World League of American football. If you take a drive around Enid, you might even notice that the City of Enid dedicated a street in his honor, Lydell Carr Drive, in September 2024.

With so many football icons from Enid, it makes you wonder who the next great legend to come out of

our town will be. That’s in part what makes high school football so exciting to watch, because it's where raw talent meets the dedication and experience of coaches to shape them into the best ball player they can be.

Enid High School Football Enid High School Head Football Coach and Assistant Athletic Director, Chris Elerick, joined the team back in February of 2026. Elerick describes himself as, “a husband, a dad, a Christian, and a football coach,” and beamed speaking about his wife of twenty-nine years and his twin sons. Football clearly runs in his family, as both his sons played for Elerick in high school and then proceeded to play four years of college football at Northeastern State.

Football has been at the core of Elerick’s career which is in part because it’s Elerick’s passion.

This passion started in Yale, Oklahoma where Elerick became head coach at the young age of twenty-four where he would spend a total of eight years. Following his time in Yale, Elerick headed to Stroud, Oklahoma where he was the head coach for fifteen years through the 2019 season.

After a quick coaching break to support his sons playing ball, Elerick

missed leading a team, sharing “I like coaching ball, I like coaching kids, I like being around coaching, I like competition.

It’s where I need to be.” Ultimately, Enid High School was able to snag Elerick to join the Athletics Department, beginning with the 2026 season. Elerick is, “excited about the challenge and opportunity to come build something in Enid.”

Elerick held the first official team practice on Monday, August 3 and shared his expectations for the upcoming 2026 season. Elerick’s expectations for the team are for the players, “to be the best version of you. If everybody on the team will just focus on being the best version of themselves, day in and day out, day by day, winning takes care of itself.”

This approach is centered around focusing on, “the process of winning,” as opposed to just winning itself.

By uplifting and pushing players to be

ENID MONTHLY | SEPTEMBER 2026 | 7

the best version of themselves, Elerick wants his student athletes to be able to, “look themselves in the mirror at the end of a game and be okay with it.” In taking this approach to coaching players, Elerick explains that it helps avoid finger-pointing if winning doesn’t happen because they will trust that everybody on the team did their best. As a result, it helps create a team environment where players “are accountable for themselves, [and] accountable for their actions.”

Of course the goal for playing, Elerick says, is straightforward: “to win football games…and win as many games as we can,” and looking down the line to consider, “can we win a district championship.”

This year, Enid’s schedule will be quite different than the previous two years, according to Elerick, as Enid High School adopts an independent schedule for the next two years. This has enabled some, "freedom in the scheduling,” that Elerick explains, “gives [more] freedom in who we play.”

Enid High School strives to have a roster of 80 players which, along with 11 coaches and other staff, can make eating on the road expensive.

Elerick shared that one of the best ways to support the team beyond buying tickets to attend games and rooting them on is by, “helping with some team meals,” and that they would, “love to get an email from you.” If you, your business, or organization is interested in supporting, you can visit the school’s website for contact information.

Anyone who watches football knows that sometimes the game’s hype song is just what you need to set the tone. It sounds like the Enid High School team will take inspiration from one of Coach Elerick’s favorite hype songs, Cut the Cord by Shinedown. Some of its powerful lyrics declare,

8 | SEPTEMBER 2026 | ENID MONTHLY

“Now victory is all you need, so cultivate and plant the seed.” With the 2026 season upon us, the Enid community is certainly excited to see the knowledge, encouragement and coaching planted by the team’s coaches come to fruition!

The Enid High School football team schedule is now available online, which shows four games in September, two of which will be held at the Selby Stadium here in Enid. Tickets can be purchased at the door or season tickets are available online at GoFan.

College Ball Rivalry & Watch Party Time Of course, one, if not the, most famous rivalry in Oklahoma is between the University of Oklahoma (OU) and Oklahoma State University (OSU). This rivalry is almost as old as the state and goes back to the early 1900s when OU and OSU (formerly Oklahoma A&M) would play a Thanksgiving game in Oklahoma City. After

number, these are sure to keep the kids entertained while mom and dad root for their team.

twelve years of playing, OSU had its first victory in 1917 (Oklahoma Historical Society).

Take a drive around Enid, and there is no doubt you’ll see the feud is alive and well in license plates, garden decorations, or the painted house number on curbs. OU has won 7 national championships with the most recent win in 2000 (OU Athletics). OSU, interestingly, has won one national championship, retroactively. According to OSU, they were awarded the 1945 champions by the American Football Coaches Association after a panel of national championship coaches was asked to select winners from 1922 to 1949 (OSU Athletics).

Another great way to kick off the season is by creating a game day ready porch.

Consider grabbing some pumpkins and painting them in your team colors or logo for a fabulous way to blend the onset of Fall and football season. Luckily for OU and OSU fans, finding mums in matching colors is another subtle nod to let your neighbors know which team you are rallying for while brightening up your front porch.

Regardless of how many championships each team has, Oklahomans look forward to the day that these two teams have a matchup in the Bedlam Series. Unfortunately, for the time being, the series will be on pause as OSU and OU currently compete in different conferences.

The last Bedlam Series was in November 2023, when OSU defeated OU 27-24 (OU Sports). But that shouldn’t stop you from gathering with your friends and family to root for your favorite team!

There are lots of fun ways to celebrate your favorite college team with affordable, easy decorations. One way to get your kiddos involved in rooting for your family’s favorite team is to set up a DIY team pennant craft. All you need is felt, hot glue and some scissors. Whether it's making the pennant the 50-yard line, decorating it like a football, or your favorite player’s jersey

Game Time Treats

if you aren’t exactly Let’s be honest, even we can all agree the biggest football fan, food might be just as on something; tailgate watching the game. good (if not better) than rger and dogs or that Whether it’s a classic bu p, indulging in en di delicious buffalo chick rt of the experience. pa is re fa y da e m ga e som

ENID MONTHLY | SEPTEMBER 2026 | 9

Lauren Baker, owner of Lauren Baker Photography, shared her favorite game day recipe - homemade artichoke spinach dip paired with fresh sourdough bread!

To make it, Lauren combines 8 ounces of Cream cheese with 16 ounces of light sour cream, 1 stick of butter and 2 cups of freshly grated parmesan on medium heat until melted. Once it starts to bubble, she adds in 14 ounces of drained and coarsely chopped artichokes and 4 ounces of drained and diced jalapenos. The finishing touch is stirring in 2 to 3 pressed garlic cloves. With such a delicious recipe, there is no doubt that this will be the perfect addition to your next tailgate or watch party!

Coach Elerick’s favorite gameday food is often overlooked - tailgate breakfast! He shared that when his boys were playing ball and had early kickoff times, he loved gathering with friends and making, “breakfast burritos, cinnamon rolls…all the good stuff.” When it comes to typical kickoff time, Elerick shared his love for the classic jalapeno poppers.

Local butcher, T&C Meats, located near the Neighborhood Walmart, is a fabulous place to pick up some local meat to take your tailgate or gameday cook-

10 | SEPTEMBER 2026 | ENID MONTHLY

off to the next level. T&C Meats was started in 2017 by Eldon Campbell and Tyler Tate.

According to their website, “with a background in food science and a passion for agriculture and customer service,” the duo launched a shop for gourmet meats. Among their offerings is steak fingers, bacon wrapped pork medallions, pinwheels and more!

Some other great food options for parties include a DIY nacho bar. This is a versatile option if you have a mix of dietary needs as it allows for people to make their own choices.

Various tortilla chips, shredded pork, ground beef, cheese, jalapenos, and sour cream are crowd-pleasing toppings. For something sweet, making cupcakes and leaving team-colored sprinkles for guests to use to decorate according to which team they are rooting for is a delicious way to revel in the competition.

Just like Carrie Underwood sings, “Come on, Get up and Cheer!” Game season is officially here and there are so many fun ways to root for our teams and make memories with our favorite fellow fans - our loved ones.

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ENID MONTHLY | SEPTEMBER 2026 | 11

Adult Book Review

Reviewed by Chloe Fuksa, Putnam Six Bookstore

The Crazies: The Cattleman, the Wind Prospector, and a War Out West Author: Amy Gamerman | Rating: AA AAA AAB As a small-business owner, I don’t go on too many vacations, but I am going on one this month, and I am so very excited. I lived up in Montana for a brief stretch right after college, and this will be my first time back since. Naturally I’ve being doing all the things in the lead up: I put Missoula into my weather apps, I’ve been following webcams at Glacier, I’ve been watching Taylor Sheridan shows, you get the gist. I wanted to read a book as well, so I picked up The Crazies, by author Amy Gamerman. It was released in 2025 and is part history, part environmental policy, part rural sociology, if you will.

The Crazies are a mountain range in south-central Montana, and it has some of the windiest conditions in the country. Rick Jarrett, a fifth-generation rancher, owned 2,000 acres but wasn’t making very much money at all.

When Marty Wilde, a wind prospector, approached him, it seemed like a perfect solution – by putting up turbines on his own land, Jarrett could capture all that wind coming down from the mountains and put his ranch on a much better financial footing for his children. His property was surrounded by billionaires, though, and they were not happy with that plan. The most

prominent, Russell Gordy, was a Texan in the oil and gas field who owned 44,000-acres, and he was not about to have the turbines block his views of the mountains. What followed was a costly, years-long legal fight between Jarrett and Wilde, and Gordy and the other landowners.

I found this book to be so interesting and timely and thought-provoking.

It covers private property rights, clean energy development, land being bought up by the wealthy, the struggle of farmers and ranchers to make a living, and so on. I do think it could have been written a little better, a little sharper, a little more polished, but the subject matter helped make up for that. I won’t be anywhere near the Crazies on my vacation, but reading this book certainly helped with my enthusiasm while also teaching me about this really fascinating showdown between the two sides.

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

EASY SUDOKU 7

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Puzzle by websudoku.com

Children's Book Review Reviewed by Chloe Fuksa, Putnam Six Bookstore

Wilderness Hacks

Author: Kaitlyn Hill | Rating: AAABB The cover of this month’s children’s book is honestly one of the best I’ve ever seen. The colors are so bright and vibrant, and how the title and author are incorporated into the picture is very clever. Don’t let the pretty cover fool you, though. Wilderness Hacks, by Oklahoma author Joslin Brorsen, is a toughas-nails survival novel. Think Hatchet, but with a few more modern add-ons.

The main characters are Rad, a 13-yearold social media influencer, and Sadie, the 12-year-old winner of a competition for Rad’s show. The two do not start off on the right foot though – Sadie thinks Rad is a fake who just wants sponsorship deals, and Rad thinks Sadie is just a fangirl who can’t hold her own in the wilderness. They go river rafting in Colorado to shoot footage, but what begins as an easy float trip quickly turns chaotic and lifethreatening when an earthquake causes a dam upriver to collapse. Rad and Sadie are able to get off the ferocious river and climb to the top of a

KICKING OFF KICKOFF SEASON

by Patrick Jordan

ACROSS 1. 1975 killer shark film 5. Like a diamond or dried cement 9. Wild, as some stray cats 14. Operatic highlight 15. Maker of Regenerist skin products 16. Sports or rock concert setting 17. Revealing skirt type 18. Car item with a tread 19. Golfer's aide 20. Oklahoma football rivalry last played in 2023 (2 wds.)

23. Clever as a fox 24. Parrot or puppy, perhaps 25. Party attendants 29. Place for a facial 30. Octagonal road sign 32. ___-la-la 33. Enid footballer with a namesake street (2 wds.)

37. London resident, slangily 38. Having a screw loose 39. White bill in Monopoly 40. Ancient Greek philosopher 41. Patty or Selma, to Lisa Simpson 42. Enid footballer who had a decades-long career (2 wds.)

44. 60-sec. period (abbr.)

45. "I'm ___ my ears in work!" (2 wds.)

47. Picnic pest 48. Whatever person 50. Member of Attila's army 51. Insult, in street talk 54. Enid High School's football coach/ assistant athletic director (2 wds.)

58. Event with riding and roping 61. Butcher's merchandise 62. King-sized continent 63. Perfect

64. Lay down asphalt 65. "Law & Order: SVU" actor (hyph.)

66. Coin that's no longer minted 67. Toy for a snowy slope 68. Collection of folktales DOWN 1. Upright parts of door frames 2. Disney's little mermaid 3. Like a good kite-flying day 4. Travel like Columbus did 5. Dinner fresh from the oven (2 wds.)

6. Like the best-known celebrities (hyph.)

7. Not often seen 8. Salon coloring expert 9. How cards are turned after a poker hand (2 wds.)

10. Rub off a chalkboard 11. Ripe tomato's hue 12. Also 13. ___ down the law 21. Offer oneself for a job 22. "Young Frankenstein" assistant 26. Soda slurper's need 27. Overused, as some phrases 28. Occupied as a chair (2 wds.)

29. Placed in the mail 30. ___ Domingo (Caribbean capital) 31. Maple or mahogany 33. Pack animal in the Andes 34. "Boy, are ___ trouble now!" (2 wds.)

35. 1970s singing idol Osmond 36. Price 37. Dab with a paper towel 40. Tube-shaped pasta 43. Leaped over a bar using a pole 45. Like a satanic pact 46. Miles ___ hour 49. Pacific or Indian 50. Throw forcefully

mountain, but they must put aside their animosity toward each other if they are going to make it out alive.

My first comment is that while this is a middle-grade book, it is not for sensitive readers – there were definitely some rather intense and graphic scenes. The other thing, I think Brorsen could have utilized her secondary characters better. We learn about Rad and Sadie’s family members and follow them for the first third of the book, but then they just disappear until the final scene where they magically appear on the trail and help to save the day. I don’t think any kiddo is going to complain about that, but I would have enjoyed perhaps the families’ perspective during the search and rescue, for instance. All that being said, this was the author’s debut novel, and through that lens, I think it was a pretty good read. I don’t know if this is the start of a series or a standalone, but I look forward to seeing what Brorsen follows this up with.

Visit us in Sunset Plaza or call 580-297-5089 to get your copy of Wilderness Hacks today!

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ENID MONTHLY | SEPTEMBER 2026 | 13

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Wellness News from

ABDOMINAL PAIN:

When Should You Worry and When Might Surgery Be Needed Abdominal pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care, but not all stomach pain is the same.

condition that can be treated medically or one that may need urgent surgical care.

According to David Shepherd, MD, FACS, St. Mary's General Surgery Clinic, understanding the cause of abdominal pain is important because some cases can be managed with rest or medication, while others may require surgery.

A: If your pain is mild and improves, it may not be an emergency.

But if your pain is severe, persistent or accompanied by concerning symptoms, seek medical care right away. Do not wait if you are worried something may be seriously wrong.

The following information explains what symptoms to watch for and when it may be time to seek prompt medical evaluation.

The doctors at St. Mary’s General Surgery Clinic are available to evaluate your abdominal pain, answer your questions and provide the care you need so you can get the reassurance and treatment you deserve.

Q: What causes abdominal pain?

A: Abdominal pain can come from many different causes, including indigestion, gas, constipation, infections, gallbladder problems, appendicitis, ulcers, hernias and other conditions affecting the digestive system or nearby organs. Some causes are minor and temporary, while others can become serious if left untreated.

Q: What should I do if I have abdominal pain right now?

In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest ER. To learn more or to find a provider, visit stmarysphysicianassociates.com.

Q: When should I be concerned about abdominal pain?

A: You should pay close attention if the pain is severe, sudden or keeps getting worse. Other warning signs include fever, vomiting, swelling, inability to pass stool or gas, blood in the stool or vomit or pain that makes it hard to stand up straight or move normally.

Q: Does abdominal pain always mean surgery is needed?

A: No. Many types of abdominal pain do not require surgery.

However, if the pain is caused by a condition such as appendicitis, gallbladder disease, a bowel blockage, a perforation in the intestines or a hernia complication, surgery may be the best treatment option. The key is getting the right diagnosis as early as possible.

Q: How do doctors decide if surgery is necessary?

A: A doctor will usually ask about your symptoms, perform a physical exam and may order tests such as blood work, imaging or other studies. These help determine whether the pain is coming from a

ENID MONTHLY | SEPTEMBER 2026 | 15

Recommended

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TeenSCENE College Life

Hi there! And welcome to Teen Scene, but the college edition. Yes, you heard that right. I am officially an Oklahoma State Cowgirl and drumroll please…… an OSU Kappa Kappa Gamma!! I am obviously so excited to share my recruitment journey with you, so let’s get right to it!

At OSU we have four rounds: two days of open house/Zoom rounds (Round 1), two days of Philanthropy (Round 2), one day of Sisterhood (Round 3), and lastly one day of Preference (Round 4). This process lasts for 10 days, and then on the Saturday after Preference, we have the best day ever: BID DAY!!!!

Before formal recruitment even starts, all of the girls are put into groups that are organized by the dorm building you are living in. This is a great way for us to get connected with other girls that are rushing and that also live right down the stairs or even next door!! OSU is one of few universities that does zoom rounds for open house, but somehow we all made the frozen screens and dropped calls work, LOL! All of the PNMs (Potential New Members) get to move in wayyyyyy earlier than everyone else, which I thought was such a perk. We have one day in between moving in and Philanthropy (day 1) to settle in, walk our classes, and prepare for the long, amazing, draining (in every way), and exciting week ahead.

During philanthropy, you can have a maximum of nine out of 12 houses back, but you aren’t guaranteed even four (hypothetical of course)! The average is about five or six, so when I opened my schedule and counted eight, I actually screamed!! This means across the two days of philanthropy, I got to learn about each of the eight

houses’ national and local philanthropies, as well as speak with two or three women that are members one on one. It was so fascinating to see how passionate these women were about these philanthropies, and it really made my heart happy.

After two days of philanthropy, we then have our one day of Sisterhood. Sisterhood is a time to learn about what really makes the houses a home. On this day, you are only allowed a maximum of six houses, the average being three or four. I was again fortunate enough to receive all six houses back. This also came with an extremely long day and a difficult decision at the end of the night. By around 9 p.m., we had to cut down to only two houses. Luckily for me my decision wasn’t as difficult as some, but I was still not guaranteed the two houses I picked.

When I woke up at 6 a.m. on Preference, I opened my schedule to two of my top three options!! I didn’t get one choice back, but I was so excited to be lucky enough to get two of my top three!! I know you're probably thinking that this is so crazy and makes no sense, but going through it was a lot simpler than saying it out loud. Preference round is all about you choosing a house that is best for you. This day is very special and one to be kept to yourself so you don’t spoil it. I will say that at the end of the day, my decision was very difficult and took many conversations with my family, friends, and especially my Gamma Chis, but eventually I realized where home really was.

Waking up on Bid day and receiving my Kappa bid felt like two out-of-body experiences. Getting ready in all of my blue accessories and finally running home to my amazing bid day buddy, Chaise, will be things that I will never EVER forget. I believe if you ever have an opportunity to rush, you need to take it. It was truly the best experience I could have ever gone through, and I now have so many new besties in every house.

Thank you for reading this month's article. I hope you enjoyed it! If you have any questions, comments, or ideas for upcoming articles email me at tweensceneenid@gmail.com. As always, be kind and now I can say: be a KAPPA!!

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Do Open Houses Really Help Sell Your Home?

If you're preparing to sell your home, you've probably wondered whether hosting an open house is worth the effort. Open houses have long been a traditional part of the home-selling process, but in today's digital real estate market, many sellers ask the same question: Do open houses actually help sell homes?

The answer is yes—but perhaps not in the way most people think.

Open Houses Create Valuable Exposure An open house is an excellent way to introduce your home to a large number of potential buyers in a short amount of time. Instead of scheduling multiple individual showings, interested buyers can conveniently tour the property during a designated window. This can be especially effective during the first weekend your home is on the market, when excitement and buyer interest are typically at their highest.

important—if not more important—than the open house itself.

Are Open Houses the Reason Homes Sell?

In most cases, the answer is no. Many buyers ultimately purchase a home after scheduling a private showing through their real estate agent. These buyers are often pre-approved for financing, have carefully narrowed their search, and are actively preparing to make an offer.

However, that doesn't mean open houses aren't valuable. They create additional opportunities for buyers to experience your home, increase overall exposure, and can even create a sense of competition when multiple buyers are viewing the property at the same time.

Security Matters Before hosting an open house, it's important to remove or secure valuables, medications, firearms, financial records, and personal

documents. Your real estate agent will monitor visitors, but taking these simple precautions provides added peace of mind.

The Bottom Line An open house alone rarely sells a home—but it can absolutely help. It provides additional exposure, introduces your home to more potential buyers, and can generate momentum during those critical first days on the market.

When paired with expert pricing and professional guidance, an open house can be another valuable tool to help your home stand out from the competition.

If you're thinking about selling your home, we would be happy to discuss whether an open house makes sense for your property and develop a personalized marketing strategy designed to attract qualified buyers and maximize your home's value.

Open houses also attract neighbors who may know someone looking to move into the area.

While they may not be purchasing themselves, word-of-mouth referrals can be surprisingly effective.

Most Buyers Find Homes Online First Today's buyers almost always begin their home search online. Professional photography, virtual tours, detailed property descriptions, and exposure across the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and major real estate websites are what initially capture a buyer's attention.

By the time someone attends an open house, they've often already viewed the home online and decided it's worth seeing in person.

This is why high-quality marketing is just as

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Romanticizing Your Daily Routine

If you are online, you’ve probably seen a trend about “romanticizing” your everyday life. These videos typically have dreamy music played over a video of some influencer getting a $12 daily coffee and hitting their $300 per month gym. While I could roll my eyes at the thought of romanticizing what most Americans would consider luxury, the trend still has merit. Afterall, the majority of our time isn’t filled with family vacations, milestones, and big projects. Rather, our lives are filled with mundane to-do lists, chores, and routine.

With summer ending and most of us returning to predictable rhythms, I thought it would be fun to suggest a couple of ways you could romanticize your everyday routine to enjoy life’s simple pleasures, a little bit more.

1. Thrifted Makeup Dish: Most of us have our makeup in some random bag that is probably overdue for a wash or strewn about a bathroom drawer. After seeing some inspiration on Pinterest, I decided to swap my makeup bag out for a thrifted dish that cost $3.99. It now sits on my bathroom counter looking incredibly chic and actually makes me want to put on makeup in the morning to feel my best.

2. Produce Bowl: At least in our house, I often toss the netted bags of produce into our pantry or it lays on our counter and slowly flakes away the more we grab from it. It recently occurred to me that I had stoneware mixing bowls hanging out in the back of my pantry that would make the perfect catch-all for produce on my counter. Even better, the bowl was thrifted for $6.99 from Park Avenue. Does anyone see the bowl in the pantry? No, but it makes the mundane task of chopping

produce feel a bit more Martha Stewart.

3. Scrapbook the Inside of a Kitchen Cabinet: Remember being at your grandma’s house and she would have the back of a door or inside of a cupboard covered in recipe cards, photos, appointment reminders, etc? Just thinking about it probably made you feel nostalgic. Now imagine if everyday you went to grab your coffee mug from the cabinet you felt this way. Ideal, right! I have it on my list to snag random extra photos, my go-to recipe cards, momentos from trips, and use gentle tape to decorate the inside of my mug cabinet. Again, nobody sees it except for me, but it’s a soft and sweet way to make your morning coffee even more special.

4. Fresh Eucalyptus in the Bathroom: When we get caught up in the day-to-day rush out the door routine, we often miss our chance to enjoy a 5-minute reset in the shower.

That’s why I highly recommend picking up some fresh Eucalyptus to hang upside down behind your shower head. Each time you step into the shower, squeeze the leaves with your hand so the steam picks up the fresh aromatherapy and remember to take a deep breath.

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s ' d i n E E-vents

E-vents

September 2026

SEPTEMBER 3 12pm to 10pm

Thirsty Thursday Rock Island Liquor (2705 Rock Island Blvd)

6-8 pm

Trivia Enid Brewing Co. and Eatery (126 S. Independence)

7-10 pm

Music Bingo Enid Axe (104 N. Independence)

SEPTEMBER 1 5-7 pm

Chess Night Enid Brewing Co. & Eatery (126 S. Independence)

6-8 pm

NOC Planetarium Show NOC Mackie Planetarium, Michael Hedges Blvd.

SEPTEMBER 2 7-10 pm

Casual Karaoke Wednesday Mixology at Enid Axe (104 N. Independence)

6 pm

Singo Elk’s Lodge (700 W. Oxford)

7:30 pm

Trivia Settlers Brewery (202 E. Randolph)

28 | SEPTEMBER 2026 | ENID MONTHLY

6:30 pm

Singo Settlers Brewing Co. (202 E. Randolph)

SEPTEMBER 4 6-9 pm

First Friday Downtown Enid

6-9 pm

Downtown Teens First Friday Auto Show Downtown Enid

9 pm-12 am

First Friday Karaoke Mixology in Enid Axe (104 N. Independence)

SEPTEMBER 5

10 am-2 pm

A Day in the Northwest Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (507 S. 4th St.) Amazing Race-inspired Oklahoma history adventure.

7:30 pm

Auto Racing: Sooner Late Models Enid Speedway (302 E. Oxford) Factory Stocks, Hot Shots, Sport Mods/B Mods

9 pm-12 am

Saturday Karaoke in Mixology Mixology in Enid Axe (104 N. Independence)

SEPTEMBER 8 5-7 pm

Chess Night Enid Brewing Co. & Eatery (126 S. Independence)

SEPTEMBER 9 6 pm

Singo Elk’s Lodge (700 W. Oxford)

7-10 pm

Casual Karaoke Wednesday Mixology at Enid Axe (104 N. Independence)

7:30 pm

Trivia Settlers Brewery (202 E. Randolph)

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, or scan this QR code.

SEPTEMBER 10-13 9 am-8 pm Thursday-Saturday; 12-4 pm Sunday Garfield County Free Fair Garfield County Fairgrounds (111 W. Purdue) The Carnival is back!

7:30 pm

Anne Nelson’s The Guys Turpin Room at Gaslight Theatre (221 N. Independence)

SEPTEMBER 12-13, 18-20

7:30 pm Fri & Sat, 2 pm Sun

SEPTEMBER 10

Witch Gaslight Theatre (221 N. Independence)

12pm to 10pm

SEPTEMBER 12

Thirsty Thursday Rock Island Liquor (2705 Rock Island Blvd)

6-8 pm

Trivia Enid Brewing Co. and Eatery (126 S. Independence)

6:30 pm

Singo Settlers Brewing Co. (202 E. Randolph)

10 am – 2 pm

$1 Hot Dogs Atwoods (5400 W. Garriott)

6:30 am

The Great Land Run Red Bird Farm (8812 N. Hwy. 81) 5K, 10K and HM

9 am-12 pm

Enid Cars & Coffee 7Brew Coffee (4010 W. Garriott)

11 am

Watch Party (OU v. Michigan) Elk’s Lodge (700 W. Oxford)

9 pm-12 am

Saturday Karaoke in Mixology Mixology in Enid Axe (104 N. Independence)

SEPTEMBER 15 5-7 pm

Chess Night Enid Brewing Co. & Eatery (126 S. Independence)

SEPTEMBER 16 6 pm

Singo Elk’s Lodge (700 W. Oxford)

7-10 pm

Casual Karaoke Wednesday Mixology at Enid Axe (104 N. Independence)

7:30 pm

Trivia Settlers Brewery (202 E. Randolph)

SEPTEMBER 17

7-10 pm

12pm to 10pm

SEPTEMBER 11

6-8 pm

Music Bingo Mixology at Enid Axe (104 N. Independence)

6 pm

Young Adult Club Enid Oddfellows (2920 E. Cypress Ave)

Thirsty Thursday Rock Island Liquor (2705 Rock Island Blvd) Trivia Enid Brewing Co. and Eatery (126 S. Independence)

ENID MONTHLY | SEPTEMBER 2026 | 29

E-vents SEPTEMBER 17 - CONTINUED

SEPTEMBER 19

SEPTEMBER 23

6-9 pm

7:30-10 am

6 pm

The Encore: Fall Edition Stride Bank Center Grand Ballroom (301 S. Independence) Experience a one-night only chef-curated menu.

6:30 pm

Singo Settlers Brewing Co. (202 E. Randolph)

7-10 pm

Music Bingo Mixology at Enid Axe (104 N. Independence)

SEPTEMBER 18-19 Friday 11 am-1 pm; Saturday 9 am-1:30 pm

Cherokee Strip Celebration Downtown Enid Indian Taco lunch Friday; Festival and Parade (10:30 am) Saturday

Monthly Breakfast Fly-In Woodring Regional Airport (1026 S. 66th St.) Barnstormers Breakfast Buffet $10.99 each.

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.

8 pm

Live Music: 12 Pack Poets Elk’s Lodge (700 W. Oxford)

9 pm-12 am

Singo Elk’s Lodge (700 W. Oxford)

7-10 pm

Casual Karaoke Wednesday Mixology at Enid Axe (104 N. Independence)

7:30 pm

Trivia Settlers Brewery (202 E. Randolph)

SEPTEMBER 24 12pm to 10pm

Saturday Karaoke in Mixology Mixology in Enid Axe (104 N. Independence)

Thirsty Thursday Rock Island Liquor (2705 Rock Island Blvd)

SEPTEMBER 22

6-8 pm

5-7 pm

Chess Night Enid Brewing Co. & Eatery (126 S. Independence)

Trivia Enid Brewing Co. and Eatery (126 S. Independence)

6:30 pm

Singo Settlers Brewing Co. (202 E. Randolph)

7-10 pm

Music Bingo Mixology at Enid Axe (104 N. Independence)

SEPTEMBER 25-26 5 pm-8 am

Camping in the Park Meadowlake Park (1200 E. Rupe) Free, but must reserve your spot by Sept.

21 through COE Parks & Recreation Dept.

SEPTEMBER 25 6 pm

Young Adult Club Enid Oddfellows (2920 E. Cypress Ave)

SEPTEMBER 26 9 am-3 pm

Harvest Market Red Bird Farm (8812 N. Hwy. 81)

30 | SEPTEMBER 2026 | ENID MONTHLY

September 2026

10 am-5 pm

The Market Shops Fall Craft Show Stride Bank Center Grand Ballroom (301 S. Independence)

8 pm

Live Music: Lack of Discipline Elk’s Lodge (700 W. Oxford)

9 pm-12 am

Saturday Karaoke in Mixology Mixology in Enid Axe (104 N. Independence)

E-vents

SEPTEMBER 30

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, or scan this QR code.

6 pm

Singo Elk’s Lodge (700 W. Oxford)

7-10 pm

Casual Karaoke Wednesday Mixology at Enid Axe (104 N. Independence)

7:30 pm

Trivia Settlers Brewery (202 E. Randolph)

SEPTEMBER 29 5-7 pm

Chess Night Enid Brewing Co. & Eatery (126 S. Independence)

HOT OFF THE PRESS!!

GRAB YOUR COPY OF ENID MONTHLY AT THESE LOCATIONS

Jumbo Foods North (2311 W. Willow)

Jumbo Foods South (1716 S. Van Buren)

Cash Saver (531 E. Broadway)

Walgreens (929 W. Garriott)

Park Avenue Thrift Enid (507 S. Grand)

Hutch’s (3206 S. Van Buren)

Denny Price Family YMCA (415 W. Cherokee)

Enid Axe (104 N. Independence)

Jumbo Foods East (221 S. 30th)

Garfield County Courthouse (1st Floor)

Ace Hardware (2215 W. Willow)

Rock Island Liquor & Wine (2705 Rock Island)

Autry Technology Center (1201 W. Willow)

Visit Enid (201 W. Owen K. Garriott)

Jiffy Trip (2327 W. Garriott)

INTEGRIS Health (600 S. Monroe)

Settlers Brewing Co. (202 E. Randolph) Enid Brewing Co. & Eatery (126 S. Independence) Jiffy Trip (5314 W. Garriott) Patricia’s (4810 W. Owen K. Garriott)

Enid Tag Agency (115 W. Garriott) Public Library of Enid & Garfield County (120 W. Maine) Hope Outreach Thrift Store (215 S. Van Buren)

Napoli’s Italian Restaurant, Excellent Food & Premier Cocktails (225 S. Grand)

ENID MONTHLY | SEPTEMBER 2026 | 31

OPENS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 Wednesday & Thursdays 11:00am-12:30pm Join us for lunch as you experience our state-of-the-art culinary arts facility!

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