Oklahoma Magazine December 2022

Here to Help You Rebuild Your Life®

during the marriage should be divided through the divorce.

Tracing separate property or assets in a divorce can be an im portant issue for lots of individu als. Take a situation where some body has a 401k or IRA before marriage. They have put money into this account before marriage.

They then get married. After marriage, they continue to con tribute to this 401k or IRA. At this point, pre-marital separate funds and marital funds are be ing mixed.

The parties then file for di vorce. In these situations, the one spouse is often asking that the entire 401k or IRA be divid ed in the divorce. The spouse who had funds in these accounts before marriage argues that the pre-marital portion should be set aside to them entirely. And they argue that only the funds put in

The reality, however, is that the separate funds need to be traced out from the account. This often requires a forensic accountant re viewing statements and doing an analysis to determine the amount that was in these accounts during the marriage.

At a minimum, parties may need to subpoena the statements from the date of the marriage to try to determine the amount that was in there. However, it can of ten be hard to obtain statements at the exact date of the marriage.

In addition to 401ks or IRAs, tracing can be important for oth er assets like bank accounts, in vestment accounts, whole life in surance policies, and other assets where a party might have built up cash value before marriage. In some instances, a party might consider having a prenuptial agreement drafted before getting married.

Stange Law Firm, PC lim its their practice to family law matters including divorce, child

custody, child support, paterni ty, guardianship, adoption, me diation, collaborative law, estate planning and other domestic re lation matters.

Stange Law Firm, PC gives clients 24/7 access to their case through a secured online case tracker found on the website. They also give their clients their cell phone numbers. Call for a consultation today at 855-8050595.

The choice of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Stange Law Firm, PC is respsonsible for the content. Principal place of business is 120 South Central Ave, Suite 450, Clayton, MO 63105. Court rules do not permit us to advertise that we specialize in a particular field or area of law. The areas of law mentioned in this article are our areas of interest and generally are the types of cases which we are involved. It is not intended to suggest specialization in any areas of law which are mentioned The information you obtain in this ad vertisement is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contact ing us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results afford no guarantee of future results and every case is different and must be judged on its merits.

Tulsa County Office

6660 S. Sheridan Road, Suite 240 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133

Oklahoma County Office

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Home for the Holidays

e crispness in the air, the twinkling lights, the aroma of hot cocoa, the sweet sounds of jingle bells ... these elements and many more mean one thing: the festive season has arrived. We o er you a comprehensive guide to all the holiday happenings, from light displays to performances, markets and concerts.

Great Companies to Work For

In today’s ever-changing work climate, businesses need to truly stand out to attract the brightest talent. What draws employees in, however, changes from person to person. Some look for the most competitive pay; others are more interested in a healthy work life balance or a strong culture. Some have their hearts set on nding a company dedicated to community service; others seek out places on the cutting edge of their elds. e businesses included in Oklahoma Magazine’s 2022 Great Companies to Work For feature, however, o er all of those perks and more. Industries run the gamut, from architecture to nance, construction, healthcare, technology, law and everything in between.

FROM THE EDITOR

Happy ho-ho-holidays, dear Oklahoma Magazine readers. We’ve got plenty of festive o erings for you this month, but rst, one of our biggest features of the year: Great Companies to Work For (page 46). Spotlighting businesses that go above and beyond for their employees – and for the state as a whole – GCTWF includes write-ups on over 120 companies, in industries ranging from architecture to technology, law and healthcare.

Now, onto all things merry and bright! Don’t miss the comprehensive holiday guide (page 42), which presents an array of outings throughout the month, including light displays, ice skating, parades and performances. We get philanthropic in the State cover (page 9), outlining a handful of volunteer opportunities, and we talk to a few Oklahoma businesses about preparing for the holiday rush (page 16). Stick around for a discussion on the origins of beloved Christmas traditions (page 12), and advice on how to avoid internet and text scams this month (page 30).

Other must-reads include a dive into Tulsa-based chef collective Et Al. (page 72); a talk with the head of the Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership (page 80); a virtual tour through the hidden gem vacation spot Lummi Island (page 27); and a spotlight on academies of music around Oklahoma (page 22).

Wishing you and yours a peaceful holiday season!

Mary Willa Allen Managing Editor

What’s HOT at OKMAG.COM

COMING IN DECEMBER

Our December issue is just about as festive as can be – so much so that some of that merry and bright content couldn't t into the print edition. Head to okmag.com for bonus images, content and cheer – covering all things holiday!

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AMERICAN MADE. BY YOU.

Proud To Call Oklahoma Home

For More Than 70 Years.

As an industry pioneer started in Perry, Oklahoma, we’ve not only worked hard to transform infrastructure across the globe. But to also create meaningful livelihoods for the hundreds who call Ditch Witch® their work family.

THE STATE

A Brighter Holiday for All

Nonpro ts work tirelessly to ensure in-need

Oklahomans have a cheerful December.

Oklahoma nonpro ts and charitable organizations provide necessary services and outreach to those in-need yearround. is December, several local organizations are rolling out festive programs that aim to make it a joyful holiday season for all. To make these programs possible, these organizations rely on a robust volunteer base and the generosity of others.

Above: The Tulsa Day Center serves an average of 200-400 clients daily, and is always seeking new volunteers.

Photo courtesy Tulsa Day Center

Next page: OKC’s Positive Tomorrows holds both a Merry Market and a Christmas Carnival for families in need.

Photos courtesy Positive Tomorrows

“ e holiday season can really instill a lot of hope that the future is brighter,” says Margaret Creighton, president and CEO at OKC’s Positive Tomorrows. From gift-wrapping to bell ringing to donations, there are a variety of ways for people to make a di erence.

The Salvation Army

Serving over 131 countries, the Salvation Army is the evangelical arm of the Christian church that provides a wide range of services

and disaster relief to those in need. Every Christmas, the organization holds its Angel Tree and Red Kettle campaigns to spread cheer.

Each of these programs has been a staple of the Salvation Army’s holiday programs for many years. In the spirit of carrying on these traditions, the Tulsa Area Command is in need of approximately 1,000 volunteers this month. ose interested in the Angel Tree program can sign up to process and sort gifts at the Joy Center, or assist with the Angel Tree booth at Woodland Hills Mall.

“It’s really a fun time, and a busy time, when we involve a lot of volunteers in something very meaningful,” says Wayde Normandin, volunteer and disaster resource manager.

e Salvation Army is also looking for 250 individuals to participate in its Red Kettle Challenge, which is a new spin on the bell-

ringing tradition; those who sign up for the challenge will have a goal to raise $1,000 by Dec. 24. Collected donations will go towards feeding and providing rent and mortgage assistance to those who are struggling. To learn more about these and other volunteer opportunities, check out salarmytulsa.org.

The Tulsa Day Center

Founded in 1986, the Tulsa Day Center operates with a mission to serve those who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. e organization provides emergency shelter, clothing and hygiene items, rental and move-in assistance, and other services that meet its clients’ general needs.

For 2022, the Tulsa Day Center has opened over 18,000 new client les, serving an average of 200-400 clients daily. To meet this demand, the Tulsa Day Center needs donations to help

its clients get through the winter season.

Most-needed items include clothing – such as socks and underwear – along with towels and bedding. ose interested in donating or learning about other charitable opportunities can visit tulsadaycenter.org/give-help.

Sharing Tree

In 1981, a group of community leaders wanted to provide in-need families with a digni ed, no-cost shopping experience in a department store setting, in which they could pick out gifts for the holidays. Led by Barbara Fagin, this group of leaders collected donated goods and set up shop in an abandoned warehouse, eventually serving 363 families.

is shopping experience became known as Christmas Connection, and it is the origin story of Sharing Tree. Although the organization has expanded since its humble start, Christmas Connection remains a xture of its programming. is year marks Sharing Tree’s 41st annual Christmas Connection, and its goal is to serve 500 metro-area families.

From Dec. 1-14, Sharing Tree holds its shopping days, and it needs volunteers to help stock the warehouse and assist families with shopping. ose interested in volunteering can visit sharingtreeok. org/christmas.

Sharing Tree also accepts donations for brand-new, unwrapped toys and

To view the Sharing Tree’s full list of acceptable gifts, go to sharingtreeok.org/ toylist.

Child Abuse Network

Located in Tulsa, the Child Abuse Network (CAN) provides collaborative intervention services to child abuse victims, aiming to help kids embrace a future driven by hope.

Since its founding in 1988, the organization has served over 40,000 children.

CAN encourages others to support those in need this holiday season by hosting a comfort item drive. At these drives, volunteers collect stu ed animals and blankets, which often provide emotional relief to children who are experiencing trauma. CAN distributes comfort items to approximately 150 kids each month at its Children Advocacy Center. To learn how to get involved, visit childabusenetwork.org.

Tomorrows

Positive Tomorrows is a fully accredited private school and social services agency that serves children and families who are experiencing homelessness and/or poverty. is holiday season, the organization holds its Merry Market and Christmas Carnival, two of its ongoing holiday traditions that empower its 378 clients.

Beginning Dec. 10, the organization

kicks o its week-long Merry Market. e market consists of two shopping centers, one for parents and one for children.

Clients can shop for unique gifts free of charge, and receive assistance with gift wrapping.

“We give our families the gift of choice,” says Creighton. “Volunteers are a huge part of that, whether it’s wrapping gifts or helping us to set up the store.”

Holiday Cheer

No matter how big or small the gesture is, there are many ways that you can spread holiday cheer.

• Donate canned food and unwrapped presents to local nonprofits

• Give blood

• Go caroling

• Volunteer at a soup kitchen

• Pay it forward in a drive-through line

• Create care packages for those in-need

• Shovel a neighbor’s driveway

en, on Dec. 16, Positive Tomorrows holds its Christmas Carnival, which gives families the opportunity to celebrate the holidays while enjoying carnival-style activities. To pull o this event, the organization seeks volunteers to set up booths and host activities. ose interested in participating can visit positivetomorrows.org for more information.

“ e joy that these two events bring is tremendous,” says Creighton. “[Our kids]… make some amazing memories that they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.”

FAITH HARL

This photograph, used for a story in the Daily Oklahoman in 1971, ran with the caption: “Governor’s Christmas tree prompts radiant smiles from Nancy Hall, left, and Mrs. Jo Hall at the mansion. The tree, a balsam fir, is double-flocked.”

Rife with Ritual

As the holiday season begins, we often defer to storied traditions.

As the winter season gets into full swing, most people have some variation of traditions they look forward to – regardless of what holidays they celebrate. Christmas decorations are speci cally rife with ritual. Some of these traditions have gained traction more recently, but others have a rich history.

One can go all the way back – before the advent of advent – to nd the beginnings of indoor decorations with greenery. Many cultures, from ancient Egyptians to early Romans to Celts and Vikings, decorated their homes with boughs from evergreen plants during the cold, dark winter months.

is was often in celebration of the winter solstice – the shortest day of the year. ese plants reminded ancient forebears that spring time, and easier living, would come again.

e Christmas tree (in a form that current celebrants would recognize) was popularized in Germany in the 16th century, where the modern era of Christmas decorating began. Legend (and the History Channel’s history.com) tells that the Protestant reformer Mar-

tin Luther, who was born in 1483, can be credited with adding candles to the trees that devout Christians would use as inside decoration during the winter.

e story goes that Luther was walking home at night and was so inspired by the stars that he recreated the scene for his family using candles on their tree. In more modern times, omas Edison’s partner and friend, Edward Hibberd Johnson, added electric lights in strings around a Christmas tree.

In any discussion on Christmas decor, one shouldn’t forget Oklahoma’s o cial oral emblem: the mistletoe. Mistletoe is a festive and romantic aesthetic touch during the holidays, as the tradition compels anyone standing beneath it to kiss. But it also has a long history dating back to medicinal uses in ancient Greece. It likely gained its romantic reputation from the rst century Celts as it bloomed in winter and became a symbol of fertility and vivacity.

BONNIE RUCKER

Christmas Songs with Oklahoma Roots

Many people enjoy special tunes during the holidays, with the majority picking out a few to dub their favorites. Did you know that there are at least two famous Christmas ditties that have direct ties to Oklahoma?

Oklahoma born child star Gayla Peevey stole hearts in 1953 when she sang “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.” The Oklahoma City Zoo later used the popularity of the song as part of a fundraising campaign to “buy a hippo for Gayla.” She then donated the baby hippo, Matilda, to the zoo, where it lived for 45 years.

Ralph Blane was born in Broken Arrow in 1914. He became a singer and vocal arranger, later teaming up with the likes of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and Richard Rodgers during his career. But he played a part in shaping Christmas music forever when he, along with his musical partner Hugh Martin, wrote “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” for the 1944 movie Meet Me in St. Louis.

Made with help from History.com

But where and when did they originate?

Photo by Bob Albright courtesy the Oklahoma Historical Society

A Passion for Ping-Pong

Zealous

Table tennis, the original name for the game often referred to as Ping-Pong, originated in England in the late 1880s. e game evolved from lawn tennis, becoming the “indoor” version to accommodate cold weather.

e early equipment consisted of balls made of cork and bats made of dried animal skins, stretched across a wooden frame. In England, the term is “bats,” but in the U.S. they are referred to as “paddles.”

As the game evolved, animal skins were replaced with rubber padding, and pimples, or “pips,” were later added to o er more ball control.

Competition paddles often have a smooth side for adding spin to the ball. e “pips” side cushions the return or the serve, and slows down the ball’s spin.

In 1970, Tulsa’s rst table tennis club began at the 17th and Memorial YMCA. Today, the Tulsa Table Tennis Club has facilities at Bixby Community Center and the John Knox Church; club membership allows you access to play at both locations. For each player’s rst two weeks at Bixby, play is free.

Afterward, membership is $40 per year. Knox Church costs $100 per year. For beginners, TTTC o ers loaner paddles and can o er guidance on what type of paddle would suit various players and their respective styles.

Oklahoma City Table Tennis Club has players ranging from beginner to advanced. ey have loaner paddles as well as a pro shop. On Monday evenings, the club hosts its League Nights, and on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, OCTTC o ers open play. Lessons are also o ered on Saturdays. Monthly memberships are $45 for adults.

Table tennis is the world’s most popular racket sport, and is distinct from Ping-Pong in one way only: Ping-Pong is a trademarked term, and table tennis is the generic and historical name used in competitions.

Some of the rules for table tennis include:

• Players each serve twice and then the alternate player also serves twice.

• Unlike traditional lawn tennis, a player does not have to win speci cally o their own serve in

order to score a point.

• If a game ties at 10-10, a player must win by 2 points.

• If a served ball hits the net, it is considered a “let,” and the point must be replayed.

• Each table tennis serve must cross the table diagonally to be legal. Table tennis promotes entertainment, athletic competition and physical tness, and also serves as a catalyst to encourage interaction among different generations. Table tennis is unique to most sports, in that it is size and gender-neutral.

Oklahoman Ray Pestridge recently won gold medals in both doubles and singles at the Senior Games in Florida in June 2022. When asked what it takes to get started, he told the interviewer: “All you need are sneakers and a paddle.”

JEFF THOMPSON

Key Dates in Table Tennis History

1880-1890: Table tennis originates in England.

1901: The first table tennis tournaments and organizations are created.

1901: The name “Ping-Pong” is trademarked by English Firm J. Jaques & Son.

1901: The Ping-Pong Association is formed.

1902: A Japanese university professor introduces table tennis to students in Japan.

1902: The first unoff icial “world championship” is held.

1922: The Ping-Pong Association is renamed the Table Tennis Association.

1926: The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) forms in Berlin.

1926: The first off icial championships is held in London.

1930: The American Ping-Pong Association becomes the first organized association for the sport in the U.S. – only Parker Brother’s Equipment is permitted for play.

1932: U.S. Amateur Table Tennis Association and the National Table Tennis Association are formed.

1935: APPA, USATTA and NTTA combined to become the U.S.A. Table Tennis Association.

1948: Parker Brothers files a trademark for “Ping-Pong” in the U.S.

1952: Foam rubber rackets are introduced in Japan.

1970: Tulsa Table Tennis Club is formed.

1971: The U.S. Table Tennis Delegation visits the People’s Republic of China – an event dubbed “Ping-Pong Diplomacy,” credited for significant improvements in U.S./China relations.

1988: Table tennis becomes an Olympic sport.

2000: Competitive games begin being played to 11 points instead of 21.

2000: The size of the regulation ball changes from 38mm to 40mm.

table tennis players are found across Oklahoma.

The Tulsa Table Tennis Club welcomes both novices and experts into their eager ranks.

Photo courtesy TTTC

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Buying Smart

Running a business is tough – regardless of the time of year. ere are thousands of things to think about and even more to accomplish. Add in the holiday season and the stress can compound; shoppers come out in droves and companies hunker down for the biggest rush of the year.

“ e business totally changes in the fourth quarter of the year,” says Brittney Matlock, co-founder and CEO of Plenty Mercantile. “ e pace picks up at the end of October and becomes even more fun.”

Plenty, described as a sustainable, eco-friendly retail store, has three locations in the OKC/ Edmond area. O erings include everything from candy to home goods, bath and body products, puzzles and books.

“All of our products are always responsibly sourced and have a positive impact or environmentally friendly component,” says Matlock.

Within the holiday timeframe, deals, discounts and specials are almost always on the table. Plenty’s website also boasts a full holiday collection page with ornaments, books, wreaths, candles and plenty of Santa-themed goodies.

Lance Cheney, president of Tulsa-based Richard Neel Interiors, says the holidays look a bit di erent at the store than they used to.

“I am old-school Christmas, which doesn’t really exist anymore,” he says. “I used to budget $15,000-

$30,000 annually for Christmas inventory; today $5,000 seems like too much.”

Richard Neel, a home furnishing and interior design store, deals in new, vintage, antique and one-of-a kind home accessories – from photography to furniture, art and other products. And despite taming things a bit, Cheney says the store’s o erings continue to be festive this time of year.

“We are doing a natural theme of preserved greens, like boxwood, magnolia and berries, as well as a large assortment of tabletop LED Christmas lights,” he says. Along with bookcases or side tables, there are plenty of accessories on hand to spice up your home or o ce for celebrations.

Ease the Stress

Even if Oklahomans aren’t running a business, the holiday season can be stressful for buyers if they don’t plan ahead. Gift buying is, generally, a major component to the holiday season, but it doesn’t

have to be overwhelming.

First of all, determine how much you can (or want to) spend. Budgeting out the amount you’ll need for gifts, as well as travel, food and events, can help set your mind at ease.

Secondly, pare down your giftgiving list; don’t feel obligated to get something for every person you know. Your circle of potential gift recipients might be vast, but sometimes, simply meeting a friend for co ee is more than enough. Setting a spending limit for gift exchanges is also a great compromise.

Online shopping helps with gift buying, but don’t wait until the last minute to get it nished. Keep an eye out (or set alerts) for any deals.

Lastly, get creative with your presents. It truly is the sentiment that counts around the season –like a drink with a friend, a batch of homemade cookies or a handpainted ornament.

DREW JOSEPH ALLEN

OKC-based Plenty Mercantile offers shoppers just about every item under the sun, from books and candy to home goods.

Photos courtesy Plenty Mercantile

Digging Up the Past

Archeological sites abound around the state.

The history of Oklahoma often gets obscured by the fact that many don’t think back past preliminary European contact. But there was a rich history here many millennia before the rst Europeans arrived – and archeology is the way to study these prehistoric civilizations.

“Knowing what past people in Oklahoma were doing really does inform the present, and our understandings of who we are and how we got here,” says Amanda Regnier, director of the Oklahoma Archeological Survey.

But for people who aren’t archeologists, there are a couple of ways to learn about this important work.

So far, there are more than 25,000 prehistoric sites found in Oklahoma, some dating back as far as 33,000 years ago, says Dennis Peterson, manager at Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center. “But the only place people can actually experience that part of the past, anything before European contact, is at Spiro Mounds,” he says.

Spiro o ers an opportunity to learn about a Native civilization that lived in the area and ourished between 700 and 1300 A.D. According to Peterson, there were cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people – and more than six million people were directly connected to Spiro. Warfare was extremely rare, and the controls were social, economic, political and religious, with a very early writing system allowing for this national confederation.

Visit Spiro Mounds

The site is open Wednesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

Visitors can walk the two miles of trails to get a look at all twelve mounds, as well as study the inside, which houses interpretive exhibits that showcase the artifacts of culture and art found at the site. Celebrations and events also take place throughout the year. 18154 N. First St., okhistory.org/sites/spiromounds

For people who would like to delve further into history, another avenue to get involved in archeological work is through a membership in the Oklahoma Anthropological Society. OAS is a group of amateur and professional archeologists interested in the preEuropean-contact history of the state. Regnier has worked on several projects with this group, including archeological digs at Fort Washita in Bryan County, Fort Gibson near Muskogee, and one near Muldrow, Okla., which researches a small site of mound-builder households dated from 1050 to 1250 A.D.

It’s important to study this time in the state’s history for multiple reasons. e civilization at Spiro Mounds started to disappear around 1300, potentially due to a drought cycle that started about the same time. is, according to Peterson, provides some lessons for Oklahomans today in our current environmental situation.

“I think part of the reason why it’s so important to understand what happened at Spiro especially, but in the past in general, is that every time we are faced with almost exactly the same situations … we make the same mistakes over and over and over again,” he says. “We’re doing it in this time, we did it in 1300, we’ve done it for the last ten thousand years. But eventually we’ve gotta learn. And that means you have to understand the history in order to do that.”

BONNIE RUCKER

Captured here is the final photograph of the 2009 excavations of the officers’ quarters from the original stockade at the Fort Gibson Historic Site.

Photo by Leland Bement

Inside the Fab Lab

Fab Lab Tulsa is providing a pathway for Oklahomans to improve their world by building, prototyping, experimenting and fabricating.

e lab, a not-for-pro t that aims to empower the Tulsa community, o ers education and programming that teaches innovation, design-thinking, problemsolving and change-making. In addition, the lab provides open and equitable access to advanced manufacturing and digital fabrication tools, equipment, and technology.

brightest at a top university?” e organization is one of over 1,800 o cially chartered Fab Labs in more than 78 countries. e originator, MIT professor Neil Gershenfeld, encouraged others to open similar labs in communities around the world.

The New Building

When the Fab Lab Tulsa reached capacity in 2015, the board of directors knew they needed a new space. ey formed the strategic planning committee to assess the outreach programs and determine future growth.

“What we knew was Tulsa needed more makers,” says Pritchett. “Over the past decade, the skills and expertise of the maker community have grown, but we were not always able to keep pace.”

“Fab Lab Tulsa was inspired by the community-based Fab Lab in south Boston,” says Pritchett. “Our founders felt it would have the same transformative e ect on Tulsa. e team formed in 2008, and after three years of development, we opened our door at our original location in September 2011.” e Fab Lab has continued to grow over the last decade, which enabled the construction of a new 14,000-square-foot facility, called the Hardesty Hub for Makers.

e Hardesty Hub for Makers, at 501 S. Lewis Ave., opened in April 2022, and it made a di erence for Fab Lab Tulsa. e organization added two classrooms for learning, one large enough to seat 32 students comfortably, and more space for popular lab machinery such as laser cutters and CNC mills. It also allowed for more lab machinery capabilities.

e new facility had the most signi cant impact on the summer programs, Pritchett says.

Tulsa’s

of Fab Lab

classrooms, maker spaces and topof-the-line equipment.

“Fab Labs began as what can be described as an accidental outreach program from MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms in the famed Media Lab,” says Nathan Pritchett, executive director of Fab Lab Tulsa. “ e concept was simple: what happens when we give the students and adults in our neighborhoods access to the same digital fabrication resources we give to the best and

Pritchett says the Fab Lab motto is “Anyone can make (almost) anything.” And it holds true for the Tulsa lab.

“Makers are a broad spectrum of people, from students to professionals, from artists to engineers,” he says. “If you share the maker mindset and enjoy learning, Fab Lab Tulsa is the place for you.”

Lab director Dan Moran leads programming and is supported by three full-time lab assistants,

“For the rst time, we had classroom capacity large enough to host on site summer camps,” he says. “Generally, we’re still growing into the new space. We’re still receiving, installing and learning how to use new equipment. e true impact will be felt over the next one to three years as we get our rhythm and ramp up outreach.”

Membership prices are $39 per month. Visit fablabtulsa.org for more information.

ALAINA STEVENS

Began as an outreach program at MIT, Fab Labs can now be found in 78 countries across the world.

iteration

boasts

Above photo courtesy GH2 Architects, below by Josh New

Traver Fencl, Rebecca Williams and Justin Ortiz. Together, they research, design and direct the programs’ teaching curricula, materials and processes.

THE BEST LEADERS ARE THE BEST LISTENERS.

There’s nothing more important than creating a culture where employees are motivated to put their best foot forward. One of the best ways to accomplish this task is to ask employees what matters most to them.

- Bob Funk

It's not just personnel, it's personal.

All About the Music Academies and conservatories of music dot the Oklahoma map.

Oklahoma houses a variety of colleges with well-respected music programs, but several academies that focus solely on the music also exist for students of all ages.

Oklahoma Music Academy, located in Tulsa, o ers private lessons and tutoring for guitar, drums, voice, piano and bass guitar.

“We also o er a rock band style ensemble class for quali ed students that focuses on contemporary music, called After School Rock,” says Mac Ross, co-owner and instructor at the academy.

ere, he teaches guitar, bass and ukulele.

A similar program, called Summer Jam, ends with a big performance at Cain’s Ballroom.

“ e concert is free to enter and we raise money for Fostering Connections, a local nonpro t,” says Ross. Summer Jam requires either an audition or a recommendation from a teacher.

e academy also o ers classes for those just starting out; Little Maestros is a learning track for young children.

e other brand new class at OMA is called Mini Mozarts: Mommy and Me, which caters to children under the age of ve. Each session has music-based lessons including crafts, music memory games, exploring rhythms and creating instruments.

Red Dirt Music Academy, located in Oklahoma City, was opened by Cory Moon in 2018. e academy o ers half-hour,

GET ROCKIN’

OKLAHOMA CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC, OKC okconservatoryofmusic.com

OKLAHOMA MUSIC ACADEMY, TULSA okmusicacademy.com

THE BART CENTER FOR MUSIC, TULSA thebart.org

The Oklahoma Music Academy in Tulsa offers an ensemble rock bandstyle class for qualified students.

Photo courtesy Oklahoma Music Academy

“We branded it to create a delineation from other branches of our general program, so that parents of children ve to eight years old could see that we have instrumental tutoring available for this age group,” says Ross.

THE LEGATO SCHOOL OF MUSIC, BROKEN ARROW legatoschoolofmusic.com

RED DIRT MUSIC ACADEMY, OKC reddirtok.com

SCHOOL OF ROCK, OKC schoolofrock.com

hour and group lessons for guitar, banjo, ukulele, drums, mandolin, voice, piano, violin, viola and bass.

“We o er all types of music lessons for all levels of musicians,” says Moon, who owns the academy and acts as its director. During the summer months, Red Dirt held a musical theater production camp where students sang songs, acted out scenes and learned dances from Shrek e Musical.

“We also have di erent types of camps that end with a concert performed by the students,” says Moon. On top of that, group ensembles are incredibly popular at Red Dirt.

“One is a folk/bluegrass ensemble and the other is a rock band ensemble,” says Moon.

If parents are unsure about how lessons will go or what instrument their children want to learn, Red Dirt o ers a free trial lesson. Here, the teacher can get to know the student, gure out what goals he or she wants to achieve, and subsequently build a game plan.

Moon also created a program called Ukes for Kids. Partnering with the Children’s Hope program at the Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children OKC, the weekend course provides group ukulele lessons for kids who might not be able to participate otherwise.

DREW JOSEPH ALLEN

A Collector for the Ages

Just a couple of blocks o Oklahoma 66, down Pine Street in Catoosa, sits the D.W. Correll Museum, an incredible repository of rocks, minerals, fossils, antique cars and carriages, jewelry, bottles and decanters, toys, model ships and autos – and more. ere’s so much, in fact, that the collection takes up two buildings.

At every turn, you’ll nd something intriguing. Among the major attractions is a room featuring a big display of orescent minerals, which change colors when they’re bathed in ultraviolet light; a fossil plate from Morocco, dominated by remains of the ancient creatures known as ammonites; and a collection of horse-drawn carriages and automobiles, two of which were recently borrowed for the lming of Killers of the Flower Moon

But for all of that, my favorite exhibit in the whole museum turned out to be something a bit, well, weirder: a mummi ed cat in a display box. Museum director and curator Eric Hamshar calls the long-defunct animal “Flu y,” although it’s anything but.

“Flu y the Cat is our unocial museum mascot,” Hamshar explains. “He came from the old

Catoosa post o ce, which was built in 1885. Mr. Correll bought it at an auction in 1969 for $400.”

After Correll moved that building to his property, notes Hamshar, it became “a small private museum with rocks and minerals,” a repository for some of the items Correll had amassed throughout his life.

“It had been boarded up for many years when he bought it, and when they opened it up, inside was this naturally mummied cat. I guess he thought, ‘Well, that’s kinda cool.’ So he kept the cat, put him in a little box, and he went into the museum.”

e old post o ce building was destroyed by a tornado in 1993, but, Hamshar says, “Flu y survived, and he’s still with us.”

Not long ago, the Catoosa Historical Society built a replica of the former post o ce, which stands not far from the present-day Correll Museum and contains a lot of local-history material.

“When they did that,” says Hamshar with a chuckle, “I asked if they’d like to have Flu y back for their building. For whatever reason, they did not want Flu y. So we kept him here.”

From his display-box home, Flu y stands sightless watch over an impressive collection of cars and carriages, including a 1917 Packard and 1922 Franklin used in Killers of the Flower Moon. ey share space with the likes of a 19th century fringed surrey, an 1898 steam-powered Locomobile, a 1902 Oldsmobile, a 1906 Cadillac runabout, and several others. As impressive as those are, they only represent a fraction of the interests that enlivened the life of longtime Catoosa resident Correll – who, in the 1950s, moved to Oklahoma into a house that sits on the grounds of the present-day museum. (One of his sons currently occupies the residence.)

“It’s an interesting story,” says Hamshar. “D.W. was originally from Rocky Ford, Colorado. His father was a blacksmith during the Depression, so they had hard times. But during World War II, D.W. moved to California and got a job working for McDonnell Douglas, building aircraft. ey had two big plants – one in Bakers eld, California, the other in Tulsa.

“While he was in Bakers eld, D.W. met his rst wife, who was an Okie. ere was a fellow living in

Fossil plates, horse-drawn carriages, vintage automobiles and even a mummi ed cat can be found at Catoosa’s D.W. Correll Museum.

The D.W. Correll Museum, teeming with rich history, houses a variety of interesting and one-of-a-kind objects.

Photos courtesy the City of Catoosa

that house [on the museum grounds] who worked for McDonnell Douglas in Tulsa. Somehow, these guys came in contact with each other, switched jobs, and switched houses – traded lives, I guess you’d say.”

He chuckles again.

“So that’s how he got to Oklahoma. He worked for McDonnell Douglas for many years, but he did a lot of other things. He owned a service station in Cushing. He had some gas wells. He had a gold mine in Oklahoma, but it was not a pro table endeavor. He did land development, demolition, construction, raised exotic birds, sold rocks, and later in his life, became a jeweler.”

And along the way, he collected. As the museum’s displays re ect, Delmar Webster Correll was a man whose varied enthusiasms led him in all kinds of di erent directions. Whatever direction he took, he always returned with a lot of keepsakes.

“It’s not unusual, when a good-sized group comes in, for some to get stuck looking at rocks, some ending up with cars they haven’t seen in ages, some to go other places. ere’s something for everybody here,” says Hamshar, as he shows me still another exhibit, a display of 100-year-old mining artifacts, minerals and photos.

“ e Tri-State Mining District went from Picher, Oklahoma, to Joplin, Missouri, to Galena, Kansas, [with] lead- and zinc-producing mines for about half a century,” he says. “ e ammunition we were ring in both the world wars came out of those mines.”

Nearby stands a mini-library of newspaper tearsheets, featuring local-interest articles from days gone by, and across from those, a seriously impressive array of novelty whiskey decanters that takes up several shelves – two more areas, apparently, of interest to Mr. Correll. And, while the exhibits and displays have been in some instances supplemented by material from others –including Silver Wolf Trading Post owner Harvey Shell and Hamshar himself – the bulk of it was acquired by the city of Catoosa upon Correll’s passing in August of 1998.

“He donated the museum, but did not leave money to run it,” explains Hamshar.

“ e city had to do that. ey made that agreement before he passed away. So the city owns and operates it; my assistant, Jane King, and I are city employees.”

Also at the museum the day I visited was Alex Reiman, who’s with an outreach e ort called the Geoscience Program, which the museum picked up, Reiman says, after COVID forced the Tulsa Geoscience Center, its original administrator, to shut its doors.

“It’s a program for kids, and we o er these services for any school that wants to learn more about earth science,” says Reiman.

Activities include fossil digs, lessons on how to identify rocks and minerals, and a chance for students to create their own ‘fossil.’

e rock and mineral emphasis continues with the museum’s Bob Hicks Memorial Lapidary Shop, named after a longtime museum employee who helped set up the extensive rock-cutting and polishing equipment and train the employees in how to use it. He died from COVID during the pandemic.

e shop’s nished product, says Hamshar, is either work done on commission or sold in the museum’s gift shop, where the cut and polished stones (including slices of dyed agate rock for a dollar) and many other items (like fossilized trilobites for ve dollars each) can be purchased for comparatively little money. e low prices extend to admission charges – $3 for adults, $2 for seniors – with youth under 18, active military personnel, and those holding a Catoosa Library card getting in for free.

“We don’t want anybody to come here and say, ‘Oh, I don’t have the money to do this,’” Hamshar explains. “And we’re trying to keep the prices where everybody can get something [at the gift shop] – especially kids. We want them to go home with a rock or two. Sometimes, that’ll start their own collection.” e D.W. Correll Museum, 19934 E. Pine St. in Catoosa, is open Tuesday through Saturday. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and ursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

JOHN WOOLEY

(Note: In the print edition of my October column, I miswrote the last name of the Cain’s Ballroom’s David Standingwater. I regret the error, and I thank David for forgiving me.)

THE PROFESSIONALS

Why should I – and how can I –rebalance my portfolio?

The chief purpose of rebalancing is to ensure your portfolio remains allocated according to your long-term financial goals. Here are some tips to help you achieve a balanced portfolio. 1: Assess the big picture. Ideally your portfolio is some combination of the four asset classes (stocks, bonds, cash, and in some cases alternatives). 2. Diversify to insulate your portfolio. Diversification is a strategy of owning a variety of investments within asset classes. 3. Buy and sell strategically. Your financial advisor can help you evaluate stock returns and weed out losers. 4. Revisit your portfolio periodically. Let your financial advisor know about life events that may alter your risk profile. 5. Consider professional advice. A trusted financial advisor with fiduciary responsibility can help you select suitable investments to meet your investing goals.

David Karimian, CFP®, CRPC®, APMA® Prime Wealth Management

A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial 2431 E 61st St, Suite 400, Tulsa, OK 74136 918.388.2009 David.x.Karimian@ampf.com www.primewealthmgmt.com

I can understand why you would be hesitant. But in recent years, Botox has gone from being a secret to a normal part of our self-care regimen. To give anyone Botox is to say, “I love your confidence and when you feel beautiful, and I want to support you.” Every December, during BAMS’ annual 12 Days of Christmas Sale, we have thousands of Tulsa area residents buy Holiday Botox for gifts and for themselves, too. It is the best time to buy, with our lowest pricing of the year on all products and services! Remember, when shopping for someone else, get your gift wrapped and ready to go under the tree. But if you’re still on the fence, there is always a beautiful BAMS gift card that can go towards the service of their choice.

Melody Hawkins, Chief Financial O icer

BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center

510 N. Elm Place

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74012 918.872.9999 www.baweightspa.com

DAVID KARIMIAN CFP®, CRPC®, APMA®

My wife wants Botox for her Christmas gift this year. Is it taboo to give Botox as a gift?

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

MELODY HAWKINS

Leading Oklahoma to a Healthier Future

LIFE & STYLE

A MAP TO LIVING WELL

Luxury in Lummi

A tiny island just shy of the Canadian border welcomes travelers for hikes, boat rides and delicious eats.

The island is a skinny, ninemile-long spatula, serving up thick slices of scenic country road bicycling, mountain hiking and world-class kayaking under the curious eyes of leaping black and white orca whales.

Lummi (rhymes with yummy) Island, Wash., lies just shy of the Canadian border, o the coast near Bellingham, protected on its western ank by the San Juan Islands. To be truthful, Lummi is a bit of a late bloomer. Some of its more popular neighbors include hilly Orcas Island, atter Lopez Island and the county seat, San Juan Island, home of hopping Friday Harbor.

The nine-mile Lummi Island offers nature galore, alongside boating adventures, luxury accommodations and fine dining.

Named after the Lummi tribe, the island is small and remote with rolling farmlands, thick forests and broad beaches. It’s accessible only via an eight-minute car ferry from Gooseberry Point. Be sure to ll up on the mainland – there are no gas stations on this island of fewer than 1,000 residents.

e best time to visit weatherwise is between April and October, when highs irt with the 70s. Farmers markets sprout up weekly in the spring and summer, and a chili festival is held in mid-July. Many artists who call Lummi Island home open their studios to tours on Memorial Day, Labor Day and the rst weekend in December. ree preserves grace the island, maintained by the Lummi Island Heritage Trust. e Curry Preserve includes an historic community garden, and both it and the Otto

Preserve are sanctuaries of forests and elds, laced with laid-back, easy strolls.

e Baker Preserve down south presents more of a challenge. e hike up 1,660 feet to the peak of Lummi Mountain is strenuous, but the intrepid are rewarded with stunning views of the San Juan Islands and Rosario Strait.

Among the public beaches on Lummi are Church Beach, behind the Congregational Church, which has a cool stone labyrinth on its grounds. Sunset Beach is right

across from the Willows Inn on the north end of the island, and the Lummi Island Beach Access is located where the ferry used to dock. It’s a park now, with an observation deck from which car ferries can be seen plying the Salish Sea through Hale Passage.

e sea kayaking is superb in the San Juan Islands; the natural scenery above the water, certainly, but also what lurks below: porpoises, Chinook salmon, harbor seals and the occasional pod of orcas.

Down south, check out original essences derived from local owers at Tree Frog Farm and across the island, peony nurseries like Full Bloom Farm produce gorgeous summertime blossoms in awesome hues.

e Beach Store Café is a Lummi Island institution. Down by the ferry dock, the happy yellow house specializes in seafood – mussels, shrimp, cod and salmon – as well as breakfast omelets, burgers, pizza and happy hour specials.

Nearby, the Islander, the only grocery store on Lummi, showcases baked goods and fresh-brewed co ee. As for vino, the Artisan Wine Gallery keeps a respectable selection of hand-crafted vintages on hand.

Up at the northern tip, Nettles Farm is a small, family-run working farm and ne bed and breakfast featuring farmhouse suites and fully-stocked kitchens, including wood- red stone pizza ovens. Guests are encouraged to prepare their own meals using Nettles Farm fresh produce and herbs and local seafood, all provided.

Charter boats are available to get from island to island and for shing excursions. Just for fun, think about booking a seaside tour of lighthouses in the area: Admiralty Head along with the beacons on Burrows and Patos Islands. In your spare time back on Lummi, enlist a local tru e guide (and dog) to start getting dinner together. e Oregon blacks are outstanding.

CHUCK MAI

With the holidays drawing near, many are engaging in online shopping to get in a festive mood. Some of those shoppers don’t realize, however, that this season can add greater fraud and phishing risks – whether they’re from the additional purchases or just from letting defenses go down as the spirit of giving takes over.

Jack Kelley, assistant vice president and manager of fraud at Tinker Federal Credit Union, has some timely advice.

“We used to see scams ramp up

and, unfortunately, fraudsters will take advantage of this through romance scams.

“If someone you meet online starts asking for money or wants to send you money, be very cautious, no matter how serious you think your relationship is,” he says.

Another occasion for caution: If you receive an email you weren’t expecting that includes suspicious links or attachments, do not click the links or open anything. Immediately delete the email.

“If you are unsure whether the email is legitimate, check the sender’s address against previous emails from the same organization,” says Kelley. “If the address has a misspelling or includes various numbers, then it is likely a phishing scam.”

Smishing

Along with classic scams, Kelley warns that a new tactic has been developing as of late: smishing.

thing to do is to delete the text message immediately and do not click on any links that may be included in the message.”

Staying Safe Online

Kelley adds there are ways to protect your identity and credit card information online – all year-round.

“Make sure you are being proactive and know who you are sharing your information with,” he says. “If you are online shopping, make sure the website URL matches the SSL certi cate by looking for the lock icon next to the URL you are visiting. Most modern browsers will highlight the URL as green if it has been veri ed. Visit websites directly and avoid any third-party links that redirect you, as they could be sending you to a spoofed site.”

Kelley reiterates that everyone should keep their personal information private.

around the holidays, but now with advanced technology, we see scams year-round,” he says. “Fraudsters never take a break. One scam that might occur during the holidays is individuals going door-to door asking for money for either gifts for their children or medicine for their ill family members.”

Kelley goes on to explain the holidays can be lonely for some people

“Smishing scams, similar to phishing scams but by using text messages, are on the rise,” he says. “Fraudsters will send a text, usually stating it is urgent, and ask the user to provide their online banking username and password. TFCU or any reputable nancial institution will never ask for your online banking username or password either by email or by text message. e best

“No one should be asking for your banking username and password, so be sure to keep that information con dential. If you receive an email, text message or phone call that you think may be fraud, contact the institution or organization directly. We always suggest erring on the side of caution as you can never be too safe.”

DEBI TURLEY

Curbing Holiday Cravings

More than any other time of the year, the holiday season awakens cravings. Whether it’s a unique avor that’s perfect in the winter months or the nostalgia of grandma’s spiced apple pie, December is a time of indulgence. While giving in to that proverbial sweet tooth is enjoyable in the moment, there’s a way to nd a balance. Experts o er advice on helping manage holiday cravings while keeping health goals on track.

Katie Eliot, Ph.D., RDN, is an associate professor of the department of nutritional sciences with the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. She encourages people to stay in tune with their bodies.

“Some of the biggest mistakes I see people make during the holidays are eating just to eat and skipping out on exercise,” she says.

To avoid these temptations, make sure you’re only indulging in the foods you really want.

“You can do this by asking yourself: ‘Is this a food I truly enjoy or am I just eating it because it’s here?’” she says. “You would be surprised by

how often we eat food just because it is available.”

She also says to plan for physical activity.

“During the holidays, it’s easy to let several days pass without moving our bodies if we don’t schedule it in,” says Eliot. “ ink about activities you can do with your family that get you up and moving– a turkey trot, ice skating, walking through holiday lights. You might even try something new this year.”

Jessica Barlow, RDN/LD, with Ascension Saint John Health System, says ‘out of sight, out of mind’ is always sound advice.

“Keep tempting foods out of the house and avoid taking home treats from family and friends,” she says. “If they insist, you can always give the treats to a neighbor or co-worker who would enjoy a sweet surprise.”

And instead of depriving yourself, enjoy the foods you love – in moderation.

“Have some of your favorite foods and be cautious of liquid calories,” she says. “Forgo sweet tea and alcohol if you’d rather have a slice of pie for dessert.”

She also says to avoid sitting around the table after the meal is over, as it’s too tempting to go back for seconds and thirds. Consider creating family traditions that aren’t centered around food.

“My family plays card games and

dominoes tournaments for hours on end,” says Barlow.

A strategy many employ during the holidays is trying to ‘bank’ calories by eating little to nothing during the day with plans to splurge at a party that night. But Barlow says showing up hungry will increase your chances of overeating. Instead, she says to stick with your normal eating habits and avoid ‘saving calories.’

“Trying to make up for extra calories often back res,” says Eliot. “Try to maintain your usual healthy diet, focusing on fruits, veggies and whole grains, and recognize that it is okay to enjoy food along with family and friends.”

It’s also smart to watch your alcohol intake.

“For many people, parties involve alcohol – which can lead to consuming more food than you normally would,” says Eliot. “Try to alternate between water and alcoholic beverages or aim to just have mocktails.”

Barlow suggests bringing a healthy dish to ensure there’s at least one nutritious option available.

“Add small servings to your plate if you want to try a few bites of everything,” she says. “ at way, no one can be o ended if you didn’t try the foods they brought. And if you overindulge, be kind to yourself and remember that tomorrow’s a new day!”

REBECCA FAST

Keeping your tness goals on track during this season is tricky but doable.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

City of Ardmore 580-226-2100 ardmorecity.org

Ardmore Main Street Authority 580-226-6246 ardmoremainstreet.com

Shiloh Morning Inn 580-223-9500 shilohmorning.com

Ardmore Chamber of Commerce/Tourism Authority 580-223-7765 exploreardmore.com

Ardmore Convention Center 580-226-2862 ardmoreconventioncenter.com

Lake Murray State Park Park: 580-223-4044 Lodge: 580-223-6600 travelok.com/state-parks

University Center of Southern Oklahoma 580-319-0300 okhighered.org

Greater Southwest Historical Museum & Military Memorial Museum (580) 226-3857 gshm.org

Merry & Bright Ardmoreites

December’s the perfect time to visit Ardmore, which o ers its residents a massive lights display among other attractions.

Oklahomans are (quite literally) lighting up the sky to celebrate a joyous holiday season, and nowhere in the state do the lights twinkle brighter than Ardmore, which o ers one of the state’s biggest holiday extravaganzas.

e awe-inspiring, 1.5-mile drive through the Festival of Lights display in the city’s sprawling Regional Park – complete with an ice rink – is Ardmore’s way of wishing local folks and visitors alike a joyous season. e display, begun nearly 20 years ago, is preceded each year by a parade and treelighting in the city’s Central Park.

Ardmore seems a tting place to celebrate the yuletide season in style; the Carter County seat of just under 25,000 seemingly has much to o er, with a robust economy, top-notch meeting facilities, lodging, dining and entertainment.

And nearby lies Lake Murray State Park, one of the state’s most-visited parks with its sparkling 5,700-surface-acre Lake Murray, a modernistic lodge, watersports and a challenging 18-hole golf layout.

e display is set up in the city’s sprawling Regional Park, and goes through Dec. 30. With more than 150 di erent portions inside the park, it’s arguably the largest holiday display in southern Oklahoma, says Alicia Henry, assistant parks director.

e seasonal show began in 2001 with a dozen displays, says Henry, and has grown each year. Admission is free, but donations are welcomed. She says the ice rink o ers open skating, corporate and birthday events, as well as skating packages.

Established in 1897 in Pickens County, Indian Territory, Ardmore has grown steadily over the years, owing much of its early existence to the Santa

Fe Railroad. Later, it found itself in the middle of one of Oklahoma’s most pro table areas – the Healdton Oil Field.

Situated almost equidistant between Oklahoma City and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, today’s Ardmore de es stereotypes, in the words of its Chamber of Commerce, which proclaims Ardmore as “pro-business, entrepreneurial, pioneering and hardworking.”

Among its assets are: e Ardmore Convention Center, which o ers 13 meeting rooms and 50,000 total square feet of space. e privately-owned Shiloh Morning Inn, a luxurious, 73-acre bed and breakfast retreat 10 miles east of Ardmore o U.S. 177 that includes a ve-room main house and four cottages, plus walking trails and wildlife. Lake Murray State Park, a 12,500-acre gem surrounding crystal-clear Lake Murray. Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the park o ers diverse terrain, exceptional trails and historic sites. It has a choice of campsites, 56 cabins, or the modern, 32-room lodge. Water sports and shing are available year-round, and the park features an18-hole golf course complete with a waterfall. e University Center of Southern Oklahoma, created by the Oklahoma Legislature, provides an array of associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees from East Central University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Murray State College and OSU-Oklahoma City.

But for a tting and lasting taste of the season’s best, a visitor should check out downtown, where the Main Street Authority sponsors a bevy of events that help make the season full of comfort and joy.

HENRY DOLIVE

Ardmore welcomes holiday enthusiasts with a bevy of rousing activities.

Photo courtesy the City of Ardmore

Stronger Together

A decade of progress is a team effort. We are forever thankful for the thousands who have made us their employer of choice, whose work creates a positive and lasting impact on our communities in this great state.

HEALTHY BUSINESS, HEALTHY TRIBE

Exploring Senior Living

Opting for continuing care is paramount to achieving a prosperous journey through retirement and beyond.

Planning Ahead: Continuing Care

Arranging for retirement – and, more importantly, how you want to spend the latter years of your life – can be daunting, but decisions you make today can o er security in the future. It’s one of the reasons why senior living communities continue to grow in popularity. Many are designed to provide residents with the amenities for a full and active lifestyle, but if one’s health status should change, services are already in place to meet growing medical needs.

and Bixby. “By having priority access to di erent levels of care – independent living to start and then options for assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, long-term care and rehabilitation services – residents and their families have peace of mind knowing that a health plan is in place, should they ever need those future services.”

“ e worst time to develop a plan is under duress of a medical emergency; knowing their folks have a plan for their future is the best gift you can give your adult children.”

Social Engagement

Prepping for retirement means focusing on continuing care, as well as socialization, fitness and finding the right community.

Photo courtesy Covenant Living at Inverness

“A continuing care retirement community (CCRC), also known as a life plan community, is designed to relieve stress for residents and their families,” says Cari Bashaw, director of sales with Covenant Living at Inverness, one of the nation’s largest not-for-pro t retirement housing organizations with locations throughout the U.S., including Tulsa

And odds are that you might nd yourself needing medical care. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, someone turning age 65 today has nearly a 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care services.

is type of planning can be especially helpful for adult children who live out of state, says Bashaw.

“A continuing care retirement center provides a roadmap to know their parents will be well cared for, transitioning as needed in the same community,” she says.

Another clear bene t of senior living communities is the regular convenience of social engagement. “Studies clearly show that the greatest threat to the health and wellness of seniors is lack of socialization,” says Bashaw. “ ere are many situations that a ect an individual’s social opportunities –weather, transportation, friends who move closer to family or for other reasons are no longer available, to name a few. None of these situations change the lifestyle of a resident in a community like Covenant Living at Inverness. e lifestyle at this community is dependent only on the interests of the residents and how busy they want to be.”

Fitness and Enrichment

Senior living communities can also help support residents in keeping and maintaining their health through nutrition and physical tness.

Bashaw says too often, seniors, especially single ones, slip into unhealthy habits of eating frozen dinners and nutrient-lacking snack foods, neither of which are optimal for maintaining healthy minds and bodies.

“Nutrition is the fuel that keeps our bodies moving forward,” says Bashaw. “Senior living communities o er easy access to on-campus dining venues with a wide variety of healthy foods where residents enjoy the company of friends, which encourages better eating habits.”

With accessibility being paramount, she says having an onsite gym means residents are more likely to exercise. Full-time tness professionals are on sta to provide support and guidance, along with facilities o ering an indoor pool, group tness classes, weights and exercise machines.

In addition, senior living communities may provide a variety of activities such as gardening, painting or dancing, as well as osite trips, like visiting an art gallery, attending a concert or taking in a sporting event.

Bashaw says residents feel a huge sense of relief after moving to a continuing care retirement community.

“ ey know they have removed the burden from their children of making decisions or providing care,” she says. “And just as important, they have made their plan for a stress-free, active and healthier lifestyle.”

Choosing the Right Community

In the coming years, more Americans may nd themselves seeking out senior living communities. Since 2010, approximately 10,000 Baby Boomers – individuals born from 1946 to 1964 – have reached retirement age each day, and by 2030, all Boomers will be at least 65 years old, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

To help nd the right place for you, Bashaw says to visit several communities

and nd the one that feels like home.

“Schedule a tour to visit,” she says. “Is it well maintained? Tour apartments and cottages to see what size and layout meets your needs. If you love your morning co ee on your back porch, does your new home have a place for that? If you have a dog, is there an extra charge to bring your furry family member?

“Ask to meet current residents. Are they

When mapping out postretirement life, experts say that fitness and wellness activities, from field trips to gardening and scrapbooking, can often make all the difference.

Photos courtesy Covenant Living at Inverness

warm people you feel drawn toward, who share a similar background or interests?

And most importantly, don’t hesitate to ask right up front about how the nances work to move into a continuing care retirement community. You’ll never know if it is a good nancial t if you don’t fully explore the options.”

REBECCA FAST

Wade Christensen, Mary Fallin, Susan & Mike Turpin; Second Annual Broadway Bash, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, OKC

Laurie Fiocchi Brumbaugh, Dana S. Weber, Rilla Askew, Lisa A. Stewart, Thomas J. McIntosh; Homecoming event, University of Tulsa

Roger & Terri Ramseyer, Angela & Sean Kouplen; Rock the House, Green Country Habitat for Humanity, Tulsa

Mack Haltom, Monica Martin, Rep. Regina Goodwin; World Homelessness Awareness Day, Tulsa Day Center

Dcn J. Thomas, Kelsie Thomas, Bishop Konderla, Fr. David Webb; Enlighten 2022 Gala, St. Philip Neri University Parish, Tulsa

Zelda Weathers, Bill Parker, Jim Gentry; Halloween Extravaganza, Tulsa Air and Space Museum

Quraysh Ali Lansana, Joel Daniel Phillips, Scott Stulen, Holly Hughes; Truth is in the Eye: History through the Lens of an Author and Artist, Philbrook/Tulsa Town Hall

Andrea Weig, LaNeka Wilson, Jocelyn Hansen; Circle of Hope Reception, Upward Transitions, OKC

Joe Castiglione, Shannon L. Rich, Sherri Coale, Jennie Baranczky; Sherri Coale book signing, Oklahoma Hall of Fame, OKC

Chief Gary Batton, Mike Hearne; Second Century Board outreach event, Oklahoma Hall of Fame, OKC

Gordy & Charlotte Guest, Sarah & Walker; Rock the House, Green Country Habitat for Humanity, Tulsa

Frank Keating, Stratton Taylor, Bill Baird; Fundraising launch, Will Rogers Memorial Museums, Claremore

Home for the Holidays

MERRY AND BRIGHT PERFORMANCES

Beloved Christmas ballet, e Nutcracker, can be found in venues across the state this month. Enjoy Tulsa Ballet’s rendition at the PAC from Dec. 9 to 23, and OKC Ballet’s at the Civic Center Music Hall from Dec. 10-18. Other Nutcracker-themed showcases include RACE Dance Company’s Hip Hop Nutcracker on Dec. 2-3 and 10-11 at the OCCC Performing and Visual Arts Center in OKC; the World Ballet Series’ rendition Dec. 10 at Midwest City’s Hudiberg Chevrolet Center; and another variation at Nancy O’Brian Center for the Performing Arts in Norman on Dec. 17-18.

Less dancing, more acting? You got it! e story of e Christmas Carol can be viewed in Tulsa, OKC and Guthrie. Visit the PAC for American eatre Company’s showcase from Dec. 9-23; OKC’s Harn Homestead for Lyric eatre’s o erings from Dec. 16-23; and Guthrie’s Pollard eatre for A Territorial Christmas Carol, running through Dec. 23.

By Mary Willa Allen

Other performing arts companies bring the heat in December. At the Tulsa PAC, enjoy Elf in Concert courtesy Tulsa Symphony on Dec. 2; Festive Bell Ringers performances Dec. 7; and David Phelps on Dec. 16. At Tulsa’s TCC Van Trease PACE, Signature Symphony’s Christmas in Tulsa concert runs Dec. 16.

At the OKC Civic Center, enjoy OKC Phil’s Coming Home for Christmas on Dec. 2; Canterbury Voices’ A Canterbury Christmas on Dec. 4; and A Magical Cirque Christmas on Dec. 22-23.

Other goodies include the Cement Opry Dec. 3 at 410 N. Main in Cement; the Pauls Valley Opry on Dec. 3 at the Pauls Valley High School Auditorium; Trans-Siberian Orchestra at OKC’s Paycom Center on Dec. 8; and Cirque Dream Holidaze on Dec. 18 at the BOK Center.

COMMUNITY FESTIVITIES

Before or after catching a show, you can bring the entire family out to a variety of community events around the state, ushering in Christmas cheer by the boatload.

OKC welcomes Downtown in December through Jan. 27. roughout the area’s six districts, OKC residents and out-of-towners alike can enjoy ice skating, light displays and even free water taxi rides. For the kiddos, don’t miss e Polar Express train rides, which depart from the Oklahoma Railway Museum until Dec. 27. At OKC’s BancFirst Tower, enjoy Red Earth Treefest through Dec. 30 – inside, you’ll see a variety of Christmas trees decorated by Oklahoma’s Native tribes. And you can swing by RiverSport OKC for Winter Glow until Dec. 30, with indoor and outdoor themed decor and activities.

New this year, the Route 66 Christmas Chute runs through New Year’s Day in downtown Sapulpa, where you can walk through blocks of decor and lights.

In Tulsa, Arvest Winterfest runs through Jan. 8, with ice skating and carriage rides across from the BOK Center. Stick around for Castle Christmas at the Castle of Muskogee, with lights, in atables and games through Dec. 31. Another option is the Route 66 Twinkle Tour across Route 66, which is a self-guided, driven lights and attraction spectacle.

In Stillwater, Merry Main Street continues until Dec. 18, o ering holiday shopping, picturesque views and lots of lights. And the historic Territorial Christmas Celebration runs in Guthrie until Dec. 10 all across downtown.

SKATE AWAY

If you’re gunning to get on the ice this month, lace up your skates and head to the following:

Tulsa Arvest Winterfest

Through Jan. 8, downtown OKC/Edmond

Edmond Ice Rink

Through Jan. 15, Mitch Park

Devon Ice Rink

Through Jan. 29, Myriad Botanical Gardens

OTHER EVENTS TO VISIT

Pryor Christmas Parade of Lights

Dec. 1

Downtown Pryor pryorchamber.com/christmasparade-of-lights

Olde Tyme Christmas Dec. 1

Downtown Tonkawa tonkawachamber.org

Sleigh Bells Market Dec. 4

OKC Farmers Public Market revolve-productions.com/ upcoming-events

Gingerbread Workshop Dec. 15

The Clubhouse, Ardmore ardmorecity.org

Depot Green Christmas Train Dec. 15-18

205 Elgin St., Muskogee muskogeechamber.org

Norman Crest on Ice

Through Jan. 8, 2550 Mt. Williams Dr.

Broken Arrow

BA Ice Rink

Through Jan. 2, 418 S. Main St.

Enid Holidays on Ice

Through Jan. 7, 400 S. Independence Ave.

Yukon

Yukon Ice Rink

Through Jan. 2, 500 W. Vandament Ave.

Garden of Lights, Tulsa Botanic Garden; photo courtesy TBG

Winterfest, downtown Tulsa; photo by Phil Clarkin

The Nutcracker, Tulsa Ballet; photo courtesy Tulsa Ballet

PARADES GALORE

Get nice and bundled up to enjoy a few Christmas parades this month.

December 3: Chickasha Lighted Christmas Parade at 100 Chickasha Ave.; Chandler Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Festival starting downtown; Norman Main Street Christmas Holiday Parade starting downtown; Cowboy Christmas Parade in OKC’s Historic Stockyards City; Miami Route 66 Christmas Parade starting downtown; Marlow Christmas Parade on Main Street; and the Lighted Christmas Parade and Fireworks in downtown Kingfisher.

December 10: Jay Christmas Parade at 538 W. Krause St.; Grand Lake Christmas Light Boat Parade at the Cherokee Yacht Club and Marina in Afton.

December 17: Medicine Park Christmas Parade and Carnival at 154 E. Lake Dr.

HOLIDAY MUSIC

MUST-HAVES

Not sure what to add to your Christmas playlist? We’ve got you covered!

• “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey

• “Last Christmas” by Wham!

• “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” by Jackson 5

• “Believe” by Josh Groban

• “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” by Harry Connick Jr.

• “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” by Michael Bublé

• “(There’s No Place Like) Home For the Holidays” by The Carpenters

• “Sleigh Ride” by The Ronettes

• “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms

• “Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney

• “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby

• “The Twelve Days of Christmas” by John Denver & The Muppets

• “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” by Bruce Springsteen

• “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch” by Thurl Ravenscroft

• “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” by Frank Sinatra

• “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee

• “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by Darlene Love

• “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” by The Chipmunks

• “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” by Elmo & Patsy

• “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” by Bing Crosby

Norman Main Street Christmas Parade, Visit Norman; photo courtesy Visit Norman

Philbrook Festival, Tulsa; photo courtesy Philbrook

LIGHTS ON!

Holiday displays are just about everywhere. Here’s a comprehensive list: Woolaroc Wonderland of Lights

Through Dec. 18

Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve, Bartlesville woolaroc.org

Kingfisher Winter Nights

Through Dec. 25

Kingfisher City Park kingfisherwinternights.com

Lights on the Island Through Dec. 25

Lake Wister State Park, Wister poteauchamber.com

Festival of Lights Through Dec. 30 Regional Park, Ardmore facebook.com/ardmoreparksandrec

Twin Bridges Park of Lights

Through Dec. 30

Twin Bridges Park, Fairland facebook.com/twinbridgesparkpartners2

Fantasty Land of Lights Through Dec. 30 Johnstone Park, Bartlesville fantasylandoflights.com Garden of Lights Through Dec. 30 Tulsa Botanic Garden tulsabotanic.org

Christmas in the Park Through Dec. 31 Yukon City Park, Freedom Trail Park, Chisholm Trail Park, Yukon yukonok.gov Philbrook Festival Through Dec. 31 Philbrook Museum philbrook.org Chickasha Festival of Light Through Dec. 31 Shannon Spring Park, Chickasha chickashafestivaloflight.org

Holiday in the Park Through Jan. 1 Elmer Thomas Park, Lawton lawtonfortsillchamber.com

OKC Zoo Safari Lights

Through Jan. 1 OKC Zoo okczoo.org

Downs Family Christmas Lights Through Jan. 1 2900 72nd Ave. S.E., Norman downsfamilychristmas.com Edmond Electric’s Luminance: An Enchanted Stroll Through Jan. 1 Mitch Park edmondlights.com

Winter Wonderland Christmas Light Tour Through Jan. 1 Pine Lodge Resort, Afton pinelodgeresort.com

Rhema Christmas Lights Through Jan. 2

Rhema Bible College, Broken Arrow rhemalights.org

IN TODAY’S EVER-CHANGING WORK CLIMATE, BUSINESSES NEED TO TRULY STAND OUT TO ATTRACT THE BRIGHTEST TALENT. WHAT DRAWS EMPLOYEES IN, HOWEVER, CHANGES FROM PERSON TO PERSON. SOME LOOK FOR THE MOST COMPETITIVE PAY; OTHERS ARE MORE INTERESTED IN A HEALTHY WORK LIFE BALANCE OR A STRONG CULTURE. SOME HAVE THEIR HEARTS SET ON FINDING A COMPANY DEDICATED TO COMMUNITY SERVICE; OTHERS SEEK OUT PLACES ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF THEIR FIELDS. THE BUSINESSES INCLUDED IN OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE’S 2022 GREAT COMPANIES TO WORK FOR FEATURE, HOWEVER, OFFER ALL OF THOSE PERKS AND MORE. INDUSTRIES RUN THE GAMUT, FROM ARCHITECTURE TO FINANCE, CONSTRUCTION, HEALTHCARE, TECHNOLOGY, LAW AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.

Profiles by Tracy LeGrand Write-ups by Tracy LeGrand and Mary Willa Allen

Williams: Setting the Pace in Clean Energy

Williams handles 30% of the natural gas in the United States that is used every day to heat homes, cook food and generate electricity. Founded in 1908, the Tulsa-based FORTUNE 500 company owns and operates energy infrastructure across the natural gas value chain spanning the United States.

As the world moves to a low-carbon future, Williams is well-positioned to leverage its natural gas-focused strategy to meet the growing need for reliable energy while also addressing climate concerns. Because of its focus on the environment, Williams ranked No. 1 in its peer group in the latest Dow Jones Sustainability Index and was the only U.S. energy company to be included in both their world and North American indices.

“We have prioritized our natural gas-focused strategy because we see firsthand the critical role it plays in providing safe and dependable low-carbon energy while supporting the growth of renewables,” says Alan Armstrong, the company’s president and CEO. “At the same time, we recognize

that more needs to be done to mitigate the risks of climate change and stimulate technology growth needed to build a viable clean energy economy.”

With aspirations of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, Williams launched New Energy Ventures to drive the commercialization and implementation of innovative technologies and markets in the clean energy business. By combining company infrastructure, employee expertise and strategic relationships, Williams is developing new solutions to meet growing demand for energy while reducing emissions.

Williams’ nationwide infrastructure network is well-suited to support the growth of renewable natural gas and clean hydrogen, as well as carbon capture, utilization and storage. Williams is currently pursuing and executing several opportunities across these fronts, including green hydrogen production in southwestern Wyoming to potentially serve markets in the northwest.

Another clean energy advancement at Williams uses digital platforms that provide market transparency for next generation natural gas. It will overlay satellite monitors and blockchain technology on the company’s core infrastructure to provide end-to-end measured, verifiable

and transparent emissions data for real-time decision-making capabilities.

Williams is executing multiple solar projects along its footprint as part of a broader initiative to power company operations with power from the sun. In addition, Williams continues to add new renewable natural gas interconnects onto its system so that methane from landfills and livestock farms can be captured and used –instead of escaping into the atmosphere.

“Our history of innovation, determination and drive for excellence would not be possible without the dedication of our employees,” says Armstrong. “Anchored by our core values, we operate in a safety-driven manner that protects fellow employees, contractors and the public, while also safeguarding our assets and the environment.”

Williams and its employees have positively influenced the local communities they call home through charitable giving, outreach and volunteer efforts. In 2021, Williams and its employees contributed over $12 million to more than 2,100 organizations across 48 states through community giving channels, including cash contributions, in-kind donations and matching programs; employees recorded more than 23,000 volunteer hours.

WILLIAMS

OG&E: Aiming Higher

Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company (OG&E) is the state’s largest electric company. For more than 120 years, the company has provided customers in Oklahoma and western Arkansas the safe, reliable electricity needed to power their businesses and homes with some of the nation’s lowest electric rates.

“OG&E serves approximately 887,000 customers across our service area,” says Aaron Cooper, manager of corporate communications. “We have 7,207 megawatts of electric generation capacity. Because of our strong system reliability, high customer satisfaction and consistently low rates, we regularly rank among the highest performing utilities in the nation.”

Safety, optimization and giving back are some of the company’s cornerstones.

“Safety is at the core of who we are, and we work to achieve an incident-and-injury free workplace for our employees, as well as a safe

environment for our customers and communities,” says Cooper. “We energize life, providing life-sustaining and life-enhancing products and services, while honoring our commitment to strengthen our communities.

“We live, work, and volunteer in the communities we serve and are deeply invested in helping them grow and thrive. Our 2,185 employees generously give their time, talent, and resources to support communities and local nonprofit organizations across our service area.”

The future of OG&E shines brightly with bold growth and continued excellence.

“In the past two years, OG&E has invested $1.7 billion in capital for infrastructure and technology upgrades that improve our electric grid, minimizing the number and duration of service interruptions to our customers in Oklahoma and Arkansas,” says Cooper. “As we look to the future, we will continue to invest in our communities by building an affordable, resilient and ever-cleaner electric grid that will support

community growth for generations to come.”

Technology has become more user friendly at OG&E in recent years.

“In 2021, we launched a new website experience for OGE.com, utilizing customer to design and build functionality,” says Cooper. “A new outage map quickly followed and continuous improvements are underway. A new mobile app is the next step in our digital customer experience journey.”

Aside from what it offers to clients, OG&E provides a lot to its employees, too.

“At OG&E, we provide ... products and services that make a difference in the lives of our friends and neighbors,” says Rose Royal, the company’s director of ethics, equity and inclusion. “We care about our employees and the communities we serve. We invest in our employees by providing them with the necessary resources and tools for success, and we invest in our communities by volunteering our time and energy. Truly, OG&E is a great place to work.”

OG&E

TBS: Investing in Its People

It’s all about supporting truckers and trucking at TBS Factoring Service.

“TBS’s mission is to serve the transportation industry, strive to make truckers’ lives easier by assisting with all aspects of owning a trucking company, and be a leader in technological advancements for them,” says Hailey Benton-Thomas, the company’s CEO.

The booming business, however, had humble beginnings.

“TBS started in Oklahoma City as Truckers Bookkeeping Service in 1968. It was a small company that assisted trucking companies with fuel taxes, registration, tags and other regulatory paperwork,” says Benton-Thomas. “When its dedicated, loyal client base began asking for assistance with financial products, TBS met their call by introducing factoring – and TBS Factoring Service was introduced in 2004. Though TBS now ranks as a top transportation factor globally, it remains important that those pain points of being a small business are not forgotten along with TBS’s humble beginnings.”

Over the last few years, TBS has grown exponentially, with new off ices and a suite of technology.

“As the global economy changes, TBS is focused on continuing to find new products and tools that will support its clientele in navigating new environ-

ments,” says Benton-Thomas. “TBS has recently begun leveraging its network to negotiate discounts for its clients that would traditionally only be available to the largest fleets, thereby evening the playing field for the independent trucker.”

TBS invests in its workforce, earning it a variety of industry accolades for, simply put, being a great company to work for.

“TBS maintains a work culture built around our core values: respect, valuing others, teamwork, honesty and integrity, and striving for excellence,” says Benton-Thomas. “We want everyone to be their true and authentic selves at work each day. We operate on the philosophy that our employees are number one, and we cultivate an engaged and motivated workforce who, in turn, go above and

beyond for our clients. TBS is a trendsetting employer of choice, and we recognize that our growth and success is because of our teams, which we continually connect to our mission and philosophy.

The company will continue to grow with the times – using forward momentum to evolve.

“Being an employer of choice looks different today than it did years ago, but TBS continues to be successful by leading with the same principles,” says Benton-Thomas. “Communication with the people we serve helps us deliver the right environment and culture, and while we have not figured out exactly how to approach every challenge in this new environment, we know that we are on the right path, because we allow those decisions to be made in collaboration with our teams.”

KKT: Character, Creativity, Collaboration, Community

Founded in 1989, KKT Architects, Inc. is an architecture, interior design and structural engineering firm located in Tulsa.

“KKT has been committed to engaging in Oklahoma’s future by aligning closely with local organizations to create spaces that improve lives and enrich communities,” says Kate Cofer, AIA, IIDA, PMP, principal and business engagement lead at KKT. “Our core values of character, creativity, collaboration and community are the heart of our how and why we do what we do. We have built a reputation on innovative design solutions, client partnership throughout design, elevated customer service, repeat clientele, and adherence to project budget and schedules.”

KKT is led by president and CEO Sarah Gould, along with the leadership of experienced department leads and principals who help guide the team of more than 65 architects, engineers and designers.

“Our goals are to focus on enriching the day to day lives of our family, friends and neighbors, and create buildings that will positively enhance our local community,” says Cofer. “Through our diverse project types – education, corporate, healthcare, nonprofit, hospitality and multi-family – we have been able to consistently design high quality, signature buildings, each project distinctly reflecting the image of the organization it represents.”

The future of KKT is bright, with compelling inprogress projects including a 200,000-squarefoot facility for Bixby High School; four new branch libraries for Tulsa City-County Libraries, including the new Rudiskill/Greenwood location;

several projects for Oklahoma State University; a 68,000-square-foot, two-story Family Safety Center in Tulsa; and a $137 million, 330-bed ODMHSAS Mental Health Hospital in OKC.

Alongside an impressive slew of undertakings and accolades, KKT also works diligently to keep its employees happy.

“Everyone is so encouraging and passionate about their work, and it spreads like wildfire,” says employee Chris Humber. “Every day I get to be challenged while also having fun with what I’m doing.”

Another employee, Wanas Jasim, weighs in: “In my opinion, the most powerful aspects of KKT’s culture are appreciation and trust. These aspects create an ideal environment to nurture creative and talented individuals. Working at KKT is like being part of a big family, where everyone’s voice is heard and considered.”

Cofer’s excited for the future.

“We are honored to be a design innovator, proud of our Oklahoma roots and focus, and utilizing our professional team’s local and national expertise to uplift our community. We look forward to all the energy, excitement and future developments to come in Oklahoma. While the firm now employs over 65 design professionals, we have retained the collaborative, client-focused culture on which we were founded,” she says. “We are unique in that our staff represents five different generations in the workplace, and we are constantly learning from each other and sharing our knowledge and skill sets. We also encourage engagement beyond standard project work through volunteering, board service and sponsorship support for many organizations and nonprofits. And in the past several years, we’ve had many opportunities to share our profession with students K-12 through outreach, job shadows, internships and conversations.”

KKT ARCHITECTS INC.

TO WORK FOR COMPANIES

ACCOUNTING

HoganTaylor

OKC AND TULSA

As the nation’s largest accounting firm, HoganTaylor boasts more than 350 personnel, providing expertise in a spectrum of services including accounting, tax, assurance, wealth management solutions and technology. The firm employs CPAs and advisors who serve individual investors, small businesses and large entities.

Weaver

OKC

Since 1950, Weaver has offered tax, advisory and assurance services with the aim to help clients achieve their objectives. With 14 off ices across the United States, Weaver is ranked as the largest independent accounting firm headquartered in the southwest by Accounting Today magazine.

ARCHITECTURE

KKT Architects, Inc.

TULSA

For more than three decades, KKT has served clients’ needs as a full-service architecture, interiors and engineering firm. Recent accolades include

recognition by Interior Design Magazine as a 2022 Healthcare Giant and Top 100 Rising Giant. Project types at KKT are wide-ranging, in sectors like education, healthcare, historical renovation, civic and multi-family housing.

Rand Elliott Architects

OKC

With a focus on the aesthetics of light, place and purpose, Rand Elliott Architects is a multi-disciplinary firm founded in 1976. Recent projects include the renovation of Science Museum Oklahoma, which received a Citation Award for Commercial Architecture at the 2021 AIA Oklahoma Design Excellence Awards.

TriArch TULSA

Renowned firm TriArch Architecture continues to serve the community with empathy and authority, touting projects in the commercial, residential, tribal, education, religious and wellness sectors. Recent projects include the Whimsy Cookie Company, Will Rogers Downs Casinos and Chickasaw Ada Wellness Center.

BANKING, FINANCE AND INVESTING

Ameriprise Financial

STATEWIDE

Ameriprise Financial places emphasis on helping clients with a personalized and comprehensive approach to wealth management. Services include estate and retirement planning, taxes, education savings, stocks, mutual funds, securities-based lending, brokerage sweeps accounts, insurance annuities, asset management and more.

Arvest STATEWIDE

Arvest offers personal and business banking across four states, and was again voted as one of America’s 100 Most Loved Workplaces by Newsweek in 2022. Clients in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma utilize services including mortgage programs, investment planning, wealth management and myriad banking offerings.

Bank of America

STATEWIDE

In addition to serving clients as a multinational investment and financial services bank, Bank of America is a community partner that formed an environmental business initiative in a commitment to sustainable finance. Internally, Bank of America strives to cultivate a diverse, inclusive workplace with varied perspectives.

BOK Financial TULSA

Top 25 U.S.-based bank BOK Financial offers a diverse portfolio with sophisticated expertise in wealth management, loan assistance, and commercial, personal and business banking. BOKF also serves the nonprofit community with over $6 million in yearly contributions and ample volunteerism.

TULSA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

WALLACE DESIGN COLLECTIVE

MABREY BANK

HOGANTAYLOR

Charles Schwab OKC, NORMAN

AND TULSA

Charles Schwab is all about helping clients meet their unique fiscal goals – whether that’s financing college, buying a home or saving for retirement. The company offers full-service wealth management and has ranked in the top three of Investor Business Daily’s Best Online Brokers for 10 years running.

Fidelity Investments STATEWIDE

Fidelity Investments offers expertise to make complex financial matters more understandable. Offering sage planning and advice, straightforward pricing and robust investing tools, Fidelity tailors its offerings to each client’s unique needs, helping nearly 23,000 business and 3,600 advisory firms.

First Fidelity Bank STATEWIDE

Privately owned First Fidelity Bank has worked diligently to supply a high level of care to individual, business and commercial banking clients. Each of First Fidelity’s nearly 350 employees are focused on establishing meaningful relationships and providing the best in customer service.

banking tools, wielding multi-trillions in client assets. With a focus on diversity, the institution has hired over 10,000 veterans since 2011, and 49% of new global hires are women.

Mabrey Bank STATEWIDE

For nearly a century, family-owned and operated Mabrey Bank has offered toptier personal and business banking services. With a focus on giving back, Mabrey serves over 100 organizations in the community annually through volunteerism and financial contributions, with core values that include integrity, teamwork, reliability and professionalism.

Merrill STATEWIDE

Known for its utilization of cutting-edge financial tools in the management of wealth and investments, Merrill – a Bank of America company –provides clients a pathway to reaching financial objectives. Individual advisors offer personalized advice, preparing people for major life milestones.

MidFirst Bank STATEWIDE

Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Oklahoma City, MidFirst Bank serves nearly a million customers and is the largest privately owned bank in the country. Providing clients with convenience, value, service and financial strength, MidFirst is dedicated to giving back to the community through a variety of volunteer programs and corporate partnerships.

Morgan Stanley STATEWIDE

First National Bank & Trust Co. STATEWIDE

With convenient branches and ATMs across central and southern Oklahoma, First National Bank has served Oklahoma since 1984. The bank offers business and commercial loans as well as personal and business banking, with the stated purpose of creating a legacy by making dreams a reality.

Gateway First Bank JENKS

Gateway First Bank provides banking and mortgage solutions for a variety of clients. The institution offers award-winning service and has amassed numerous national accolades in its tenure, including Top 100 Mortgage Companies from Mortgage Executive Magazine from 2012-2021.

JPMorgan Chase

STATEWIDE

JP Morgan Chase began as a financial institution in 1799 and today offers a variety of investment and

A global leader in financial services, Morgan Stanley assists families, individuals, institutions and governments as they raise, manage and distribute capital. Offerings include investment banking and management, sustainable investing, as well as sales, trading, research and inclusive innovation.

Regent Bank STATEWIDE

Garnering awards for superlative service and work culture, Regent Bank operates with a passion to serve. The bank, founded in 1898, provides business and personal banking services, and assists small and mid-market businesses with their goals. Core values at Regent include going above and beyond, being a lifelong learner and remaining truthful and transparent.

UBS Wealth Management

OKC

UBS Wealth Management, founded in 1862, employs more than 70,000 people worldwide. The firm specializes in mortgage planning, digital experience, and retirement and financial planning, with objectives to connect people and reimagine the power of investing.

Wells Fargo STATEWIDE

Founded with the purpose of building businesses and managing money, Wells Fargo has offered innovative financial services to help its clients get ahead since 1852. Experts can assist with personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking, alongside wealth management and small business backing.

COMMUNICATIONS

AT&T STATEWIDE

The world’s largest telecommunications holding company, AT&T is all about creating connections –providing fast, reliable and secure 5G to customers. AT&T stays at the forefront of their industry, preparing for clients to consume at least five times more data in 2025 than they did last year.

Cox Communications

STATEWIDE

Offering telecommunications services, home automation and bundles with excellent value, Cox Communications focuses on speed, support and reliability. Committed to creating meaningful moments of connection through technology, Cox is passionate about community engagement through volunteerism and expanding digital equity.

CONSTRUCTION

Crossland Construction

OKC AND TULSA

At Crossland, the team believes that if you can dream it, they can build it. The family-owned and operated business completes projects in the

CENTER FOR ORTHOPAEDIC RECONSTRUCTION AND EXCELLENCE

ARVEST

COMMUNICATION FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

education, retail, medical, civic and industrial sectors, among others. The company aims to make it into the top 50 contractors in the U.S. by its 50th anniversary in 2027.

Flintco

OKC

AND TULSA

Flintco is a full service general contractor. This year, Flintco’s OKC off ice moved to the city’s historic Automobile Alley District, and the company has nearly completed a renovation to the Freede Little Theatre at the Civic Center. The company also celebrated completion of another iconic structure at 222 North Detroit Ave in Tulsa.

J.E. Dunn Construction Group

OKC AND TULSA

J. E. Dunn Construction Group considers clients to be their indispensable business partners – from the first meeting to project completion. A privately owned company headquartered in Kansas City, J.E. Dunn operates with the vision to enrich lives through inspired people and places.

Manhattan Construction Group

STATEWIDE

Manhattan Construction Group, founded more than 120 years ago, offers services from pre-construction to design/build and construction management. The company won the 2022 Best Engineering News-Record Regional Project Award of Merit for two projects – the OKC Convention Center parking garage and the Oklahoma State Capitol interior restoration.

Nabholz Construction Corp. STATEWIDE

Although it’s grown into a megalithic, multidiscipline construction company with expertise in construction, custom fabrication and environmental hazard services, Nabolz began as a family-owned enterprise in 1949. Projects span myriad industries, including arts and culture, higher education and healthcare.

Ross Group

OKC

AND TULSA

Began in 1979 as a small contracting company, Ross Group has grown to employ more than 125 people in three off ices. The company, focused on meeting clients’ construction, engineering and development needs, has an impressive portfolio of projects that include the Tulsa Club, the Eufaula Indian Health Center and Tulsa Hill’s Warren Clinic.

as one of the safest financial institutions in the country.

Oklahoma Central Credit Union TULSA

OCCU has served Oklahoma since 1941, beginning with 27 charter members and $628 in assets. Today, the credit union offers financial services including traditional banking and checking accounts, online banking, money management, auto loans, financial planning and mortgages.

Tinker Federal Credit Union STATEWIDE

Nearly half a million members strong, Tinker Federal Credit Union is Oklahoma’s largest credit union, with services including banking, financial coaching and planning, loans and investments. What began as a single branch in 1946 has evolved exponentially, now offering $6 billion in assets and 32 branch locations.

CREDIT UNIONS

Communication Federal Credit Union STATEWIDE

Recognized by Forbes as Oklahoma’s No. 1 credit union in 2018 and 2020, Communication Federal Credit Union focuses on best serving its nearly 100,000 members. With 22 branches and multiple ATMs across Oklahoma and Kansas, the credit union employs more than 200 people and is known

WeStreet Credit Union TULSA

Currently at 56,000 members strong, WeStreet Credit Union offers modern banking and personalized services including checking, mortgages, loans and business banking. WeStreet aims to build a strong future with a modern vision, approachable atmosphere and a sense of authenticity.

DISTRIBUTION

Fabricut TULSA

The world’s largest distributor of wholesale and decorative fabric in contemporary, traditional and transitional styles, Fabricut is family-run and employee-owned. With a storied history dating back to the 1950s, Fabricut has partnered with Sustainable Tulsa to become a leader in sustainable business practices.

NABHOLZ CONSTRUCTION CORP.

ROSS GROUP PHOTO BY DOUG HENDERSON

MANHATTAN

CROSSLAND CONSTRUCTION

Beyond the design

180 Medical OKLAHOMA CITY

180 Medical is a company dedicated to supplying the highest quality ostomy supplies available on the market – along with education and unparalleled service. Staff works with prescribing physicians and insurance carriers to provide clients with their specific medical supply needs.

ENERGY

Chesapeake Energy OKC

Gunning to help deliver a profitable and sustainable future, Chesapeake Energy aims to achieve net-zero direct GHG emissions by 2035. Headquartered in OKC, Chesapeake’s core values include integrity, trust, respect, transparency and open communication, with a focus on maximizing shareholder return.

ONEOK TULSA

A diversified corporation with a primary focus on natural gas, ONEOK was founded in 1906 as an intrastate natural gas pipeline business. Headquartered in Tulsa, the company’s values include a commitment to diversity and inclusion, excellence, ethics, innovation and a zero-incident culture.

Public Service Company of Oklahoma TULSA

Founded as the Vinita Electric Light, Ice and Power Company in 1889, Public Service Company has grown to now serve 30,000 square miles of the state. Recently, PSO scored highest in the ‘South Midsize’ segment of the J.D. Power 2021 Electric Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study.

Summit Utilities STATEWIDE

Summit acquired gas distribution assets of CenterPoint Energy in early 2022 and now serves clients in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas. The company’s employees log thousands of volunteer hours a year, and Summit is dedicated to sustainability, decreasing methane intensity by 18% since 2018.

Williams TULSA

Magellan Midstream Partners TULSA

Magellan Midstream Partners is a leader in the refined petroleum and crude oil industry. Based in Tulsa, Magellan flows steady with a 9,800-mile refined products pipeline system, and a vision to curate an engaged and innovative workforce with safe, reliable and eff icient operations.

OG&E

OKC

OG&E serves more than 887,000 customers and is the largest electric company in the state. Founded in 1902, OG&E consistently ranks as one of the highest performing companies of its kind in the nation, and works to provide life-sustaining and life-enhancing products and services that make a difference in the community.

ONE Gas TULSA

A 100% regulated natural gas utility, ONE Gas serves more than 2.3 million customers in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas. Founded in 1906, the company assists clients in the residential, commercial, industrial, transportation and wholesale industries, with core values that include safety, ethics, inclusion, diversity, service and value.

Founded in 1908, Williams handles 30% of all natural gas in the U.S. The company, dedicated to sustainability, is committed to leveraging its natural gas network to create a better world for generations to come, and aims to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Williams and its employees consistently give back – contributing over $12 million to various organizations in 2021.

ENGINEERING

Burns & McDonnell

With more than 60 off ices and 10,000 employees across the U.S., Burns & McDonnell provides

engineering, consulting, construction, architecture and environmental services. Formed in 1898, the company works in such industries as aviation, manufacturing, government and telecommunications.

CEC

OKC,

NORMAN, TULSA AND DUNCAN

A multi-service engineering firm with off ices in OKC, Tulsa, Norman and Duncan, CEC operates with a simple but eff icient motto: Get stuff built right. CEC provides a vast array of engineering services, alongside 3D visualization, materials testing, surveying and more. The company’s vision is to “eliminate aging infrastructure and drive community growth.”

Garver

OKC, TULSA

AND NORMAN

Garver is an award-winning, industry-leading, multi-disciplinary engineering, planning and environmental services firm. Named one of the Healthiest Workplaces in America by the Wellness Council of America, Garver is committed to its employees’ overall well-being. The company has also supported over 500 organizations since 2015 through its corporate giving program.

Olsson

OKC AND TULSA

With a passion for engineering possibilities and leaving the world better than they found it, the team at Olsson provides customized engineering and design solutions, as well as field services, consulting services, and civil, structural and electrical engineering. Oklahoma-based projects include collaboration on Tulsa’s Gathering Place and OKC’s Lake Thunderbird.

GARVER

CEC

CITIZEN POTAWATOMI NATION

PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF OKLAHOMA

Wallace Design Collective

OKC AND TULSA

Wallace Design Collective, with six off ices in five states, provides a bevy of structural and civil services, along with survey consultation and landscape architecture. Aiming to redefine, advocate, inspire and connect, Wallace’s projects span sectors including hospitality, wellness, adaptive reuse and retail.

ENTERTAINMENT

BOK Center

TULSA

Seating over 19,000 in the heart of downtown, BOK Center is Tulsa’s premier entertainment hub. Presenting world-class concerts, performances, community events and sports, BOK Center also operates with a focus on giving back. Last year, BOK Center donated over $275,000 to local nonprofits.

Choctaw Casino Resort Durant DURANT

Raising the bar for what a world-class resort can be, Choctaw Casino Resort – a AAA Four Diamond hotel – offers 1,700 rooms, along with immersive live entertainment, a stateof-the art poker room and more than 7,000 slot machines. Other amenities include spa services, bowling, a luxury pool area, movie theatres and 16 dining options.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa TULSA

“Live it up” is the motto at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, which presents guests with a bevy of casual and fine dining options, alongside live entertainment and the latest gaming choices. Enjoy a poker room, electronic and table games, and 454 rooms and suites with a luxury resort pool area.

Oklahoma City Thunder

OKC

More than a riveting NBA basketball team, the Oklahoma City Thunder provides its employees with competitive benefits, tuition reimbursement, gym membership options and newborn/adoption leave. The Thunder is a community partner in a variety of philanthropic endeavors, offering employees an array of community service opportunities.

Osage Casino Hotel TULSA

Osage Casino Hotel is a destination for great dining, luxury amenities and best-in-class entertainment options at the lauded Skyline Event Center. Designed with guests’ comfort in mind, the hotel includes thoughtful furnishings alongside artwork crafted by Osage tribal artists.

Paycom Center

OKC

Hosting everything from NBA games to nonprofit events, concerts and performances, Paycom Center acts as OKC’s core entertainment venue. The center – which seats over 18,000 and offers a bevy of suites, restaurants and clubs – recently underwent renovations funded by a 15-month sales tax.

River Spirit Casino Resort TULSA

Offering its guests 483 hotel rooms and suites, plus a 200,000 square-foot casino, dining options, a spa, pool area and entertainment venue, River Spirit Casino Resort brings a slice of paradise to Tulsa. Proceeds from the resort’s gaming operations fund Muscogee (Creek) Nation service programs like housing, education and elderly assistance.

FOOD/BEVERAGE/ CONVENIENCE INDUSTRY

Bama Companies TULSA

With humble beginnings in 1920s Dallas, Bama Companies has expanded exponentially, now producing two million biscuits a day, alongside hand-held pies, buns, pizza crusts and other baked goodies. This year, the company was named in the 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned Businesses by the Women Presidents Organization.

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores

STATEWIDE

With nearly 600 locations in 42 states, Love’s aims to provide a safe, clean haven for truck drivers and motorists, offering fuel, travel items, food and more. Employing more than 37,000 people, Love’s has also raised more than $35 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

QuikTrip

STATEWIDE

Founded in Tulsa in 1958, QuikTrip offers its guests a bevy of food and drink options – including madeto-order treats – alongside fuel for the road. The company, which employs over 24,000 people, has over 900 stores in 14 states, and donates 5% of its annual net profits to charitable organizations.

HEALTHCARE

Advanced Orthopedics of Oklahoma

TULSA

Advanced Orthopedics is a leader in northeastern Oklahoma for orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. The practice offers four clinics and seven physical therapy centers, with specialties ranging from issues of the ankle, back, spine and elbow to joint revision and replacement, as well as concussion management.

Ascension St. John Health System

TULSA

With the primary goal of understanding you, your health and your life, the professionals at Ascension St. John Health System aim to deliver tailor-made

BAMA COMPANIES

RIVER SPIRIT CASINO RESORT

NORMAN REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM

ASCENSION ST. JOHN HEALTH SYSTEM

care to each patient. Medical specialties within the complex network of doctors, nurses and care teams are vast, and include cancer care, cardiology, neurology, orthopedics and everything in between.

Center for Orthopaedic Reconstruction & Excellence JENKS

Utilizing the newest and most reliable surgical techniques – including robot-assisted surgery – the talented care team at CORE excels in total joint replacement, back and spine health, general surgery and sports medicine. Other specialties include pain management, emergency care and fracture/tendon repair, performed by highly trained physicians in top-of-the-line facilities.

INTEGRIS OKC

INTEGRIS – the state’s largest Oklahoma-owned health system – partners with patients to live healthier lives. The system has recently taken steps to make that mission easier than ever with the opening of more urgent care centers, along with the introduction of home hospitalization programs and a hospital-based Medicare Advantage program.

Norman Regional Hospital MOORE/NORMAN

Touting an award-winning women’s heart program, six accredited Centers of Excellence and 350+ doctors and advanced practice professionals on staff, Norman Regional recently opened its newest facility – Norman Regional Nine – in October. The center offers an ER department, primary and specialty care, physical therapy, cardiology and imaging.

Dean McGee Eye Institute OKC

Employing both national and international leaders in the field of ophthalmology, Dean McGee Eye Institute is known as Oklahoma’s premier eye center, and has been a reliable healthcare provider for more than four decades. Specialties include comprehensive ophthalmology, glaucoma, uveitis and ocular oncology, as well as cosmetic treatments of the eye and face.

Eastern Oklahoma Ear, Nose and Throat TULSA

Providing all-inclusive ear, nose and throat care to patients of all ages, Eastern Oklahoma ENT is the largest ENT practice in eastern Oklahoma. Patients receive top-of-the-line care in everything from the treatment of head and neck cancers to hearing aid fittings, sinus issues and allergy testing.

Oklahoma State University Medical Center TULSA

One of the largest osteopathic teaching hospitals in the nation, OSU Medical Center houses Oklahoma’s top ranked wound care and hyberbarics clinic. Other departments include rehabilitation, cardiovascular medicine, emergency services, surgery, nutritional education, and maternal child health –which offers private birthing suites.

The Orthopaedic Center TULSA

The Orthopaedic Center operates with the end goal of restoring motion and getting patients back to their normal lives. With a team of fellowship trained surgeons and a dedicated support staff, specialties at TOC include total joint replacement, sports medicine, hand surgery, and upper extremity/joint pain.

OU Health OKC AND TULSA

Offering a nationally ranked children’s hospital and the state’s only Level 1 Trauma Center, OU Health provides comprehensive health services in everything from cancer care to pediatrics and geriatrics. OU Health also focuses heavily on research, using innovative studies to produce groundbreaking treatments.

Saint Francis Health System TULSA

Providing care when you need it, the multi-faceted team at Saint Francis Health System excels in everything from women’s health to cardiology, cancer care and orthopedics. With a dynamic system of specialty hospitals and clinics, Saint Francis is wellknown in the region for its outstanding healthcare and top-of-the-line technology and treatment options.

OSU FOUNDATION

TULSA ER AND HOSPITAL

INTEGRIS

STEPHENSON CANCER CENTER

Stephenson Cancer Center OKC

Described as “research-driven and patient-centered,” Stephenson Cancer Center touts over 250 ongoing and original biomedical research projects to explore cancer and develop more effective treatments. Additionally, Stephenson is the only NCI (National Cancer Institute) designated cancer center in the state.

Fostering a culture of learning and discovery, NSU provides students with passionate professors, along with 59 undergraduate and 26 graduate programs. Ranked as one of the most affordable online colleges in the country by Study.com, NSU also offers one of only 23 optometric training schools in the nation.

Oklahoma Panhandle State University GOODWELL

Rooted in “progress through knowledge,” OPSU focuses on student learning, resource optimization, graduate production and life-long learning. Begun in 1909 as Pan-Handle Agricultural Institute, the university has grown to include four colleges, various degree programs and dynamic academic resources.

Oklahoma State University STILLWATER

class education in an urban setting, in the heart of the Greenwood District. With a student population of just under 2,500, OSU-Tulsa offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as myriad community engagement initiatives for students, faculty and staff.

Rogers State University CLAREMORE

RSU is geared towards student success, offering a variety of master’s, bachelor’s and associate degree programs. The school provides financial aid to 84% of its students, as well as over 30 student organizations, career placement programs, degrees entirely online, and a 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

Tulsa ER & Hospital TULSA

Providing Tulsans with cutting-edge equipment and expert emergency care, Tulsa ER & Hospital handles everything from CT scans to clinical labs, ultrasounds and digital radiology. The hospital boasts a wait time of under five minutes, and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with a full pharmacy on-site.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Northeastern State University TAHLEQUAH

A nationally ranked research university, OSU focuses on affordability and quality of life for its students, touting a 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The school, which offers 300 majors and minors, and over 200 master’s and Ph.D. options, welcomes students from across the U.S. and more than 100 countries worldwide.

Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences TULSA

In its 50+ year history, the OSU Center for Health Sciences has never wavered from its mission to heal, discover and educate, helping over 3,700 physicians find their callings. Training doctors to serve Oklahomans in rural and under-served areas, OSUCHS thrives through its dedication to innovation and excellence.

Oklahoma State University-Tulsa TULSA

The research-focused OSU-Tulsa provides world-

Tulsa Community College TULSA

TCC understands there’s more than one path to a successful career, and offers work-ready certificates and associate degrees, as well as easily transferable credits to four-year universities. The college also presents ample money-saving opportunities with competitive tuition rates and substantial financial aid.

OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF TULSA

REGENT BANK

BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF OKLAHOMA

University of Oklahoma NORMAN

Boasting a major university experience with a private college atmosphere, OU provides its students with over 170 academic programs, ample study abroad opportunities, dynamic athletic programs, as well as a vibrant on-campus life; the Princeton Review even ranked OU as one of the happiest student bodies in the U.S.

University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma CHICKASHA

Attracting bright and curious students from across the globe, Science & Arts presents rigorous, dynamic and interdisciplinary academic programs, with 28 majors and 29 minors. Nationally recognized for its affordability, the university provides ample scholarships, grants, loans and work-study programs.

University of Tulsa TULSA

Founded in 1882, TU has grown to become a top 100 private research university with six colleges. The university works diligently to ensure students are prepared after graduation; recently, TU enacted a ‘job placement guarantee’ to students who follow its CaneCareers program.

HUMAN RESOURCES AND STAFFING AGENCY

Express Employment Professionals

STATEWIDE

One of the top staff ing agencies in the U.S. and Canada, Express presents job opportunities and workforce solutions in an array of industries. The company also offers ExpressLearn – an online educational program featuring courses in high-demand fields like accounting, medical coding and customer service.

Key Personnel

OKC

AND TULSA

With four divisions – clerical, industrial, professional and medical – Key Personnel strives to take the headache out of finding the perfect candidate ... or the perfect job. With tenured recruiters and a reputation for quality service, Key Personnel provides staff ing solutions and best-in-class employment strategies to Oklahomans.

Robert Half

OKC

AND TULSA

Offering up both dream jobs and dream candidates, Robert Half presents opportunities to businesses and job-seekers alike in industries like accounting, administration, technology, law and marketing. The firm has won numerous accolades, including Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies in 2022.

INSURANCE

American Fidelity Assurance

OKC

Among the vast offerings at American Fidelity include HR solutions – like custom benefit strate-

gies, enrollment and administrative expertise, and benefits compliance. Additionally, the company offers competitive employee benefits packages in the education, public sector, automotive and healthcare sectors.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma STATEWIDE

As Oklahoma’s only statewide, customer-owned health insurer, BCBSOK believes Oklahomans deserve premium healthcare and great insurance services. With a company cornerstone of customer value, BCBSOK is over 800,000 members strong, offering individual and family plans as well as Medicare and Medicaid.

CommunityCare TULSA

With a history dating back to 1993, CommunityCare has grown to become an award-winning insurance provider, with the goal of offering high-quality, costeffective healthcare management services. CommunityCare is highly involved in local philanthropic efforts, and also offers 24/7 online care and telemedicine.

DITCH WITCH

CALVERT LAW FIRM

AAON

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA AMERICAN FIDELITY

CompSource Mutual Insurance Company

OKC AND TULSA

For more than 85 years, CompSource has provided reliable workers’ compensation insurance coverage to an array of Oklahoma businesses, with knowledgeable, passionate agents that care about client success. CompSource’s goal is simple: to protect Oklahoma’s workforce.

Delta Dental

STATEWIDE

A leading provider of dental insurance in the U.S., Delta Dental is a not-for-profit organization that offers dental coverage to all 50 states with a focus on quality and affordability. DeltaDental’s website provides its clients with cost estimators, as well as oral health resources.

GlobalHealth

OKC AND TULSA

With a passion for genuine care and optimal health for its members, GlobalHealth presents a vast network of providers, hospitals and pharmacies, offering Medicare Advantage plans and state, education and municipal

employees plans. GlobalHealth is also committed to the community through local volunteer efforts.

Insurica

STATEWIDE

Providing specialized insurance programs to both individuals and businesses, Insurica operates with cornerstones that include integrity, industry leadership and excellence. Insurica, among the 50 largest insurance brokers in the U.S., serves a variety of industries, from agriculture and construction to manufacturing and technology.

Rich & Cartmill

OKC AND TULSA

With a century of expertise, Rich & Cartmill has become a leading insurance provider in the region, with a team of over 60 independent agents in Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas. Serving industries including healthcare, energy, education and technology, the company is committed to superior customer service.

State Farm STATEWIDE

With a mission to help people manage risk, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams, State Farm’s foundation is rooted in quality service, mutual trust, integrity and financial strength. Along with insurance coverage for virtually every need,

State Farm also offers expertise in banking and investments.

LAW FIRMS

Barrow & Grimm TULSA

Boasting a firm of twenty-five highly trained, specialized attorneys, Barrow & Grimm guides clients through an array of legal matters. The firm specializes in business services and litigation, tax law, labor and employment, estate planning and construction litigation/surety law. The majority of its attorneys have been honored in the prestigious Super Lawyers publication.

INSURCA

JONES GOTCHER

OSU Foundation

Calvert Law Firm

OKC

The attorneys at Calvert Law Firm are ‘your partners in the fight,’ offering expansive knowledge for a variety of complex litigation and business transactions. With a well-established reputation of excellence in Oklahoma, Calvert works diligently to create longterm relationships with clients – which range from individuals to Fortune 500 companies.

Hammons, Hurst and Associates

OKC

Providing effective, ethical representation for employment law litigation, the attorneys at Hammons, Hurst and Associates are committed to creating a healthier workplace for all. Working to expand and redefine discrimination law in Oklahoma, the firm’s practice areas include pregnancy, age, disability and race discrimination, as well as sexual harassment and denial of overtime pay.

The Handley Law Center

EL RENO

Helping clients overcome legal roadblocks with reasonable fees, The Handley Law Center can assist with everything from personal injury to family law, criminal law and oil and gas litigation. The firm has an expansive list of successful recoveries, as well as professional aff iliations, special honors and prestigious awards for its work.

Jones Gotcher

TULSA

With a steadfast devotion to practicing law with integrity, Jones Gotcher excels in a variety of industries, from appellate cases to family law, employment and education. The dedicated staff of partners, associates and paralegals believe practicing law is a privilege, and offer their full attention to each client and case.

Latham Steele Lehman

OKC AND TULSA

A full-service law firm, Latham Steele Lehman takes on cases in areas including estate planning, workers’ compensation, banking and medical malpractice defense. Boasting lawyers with more than 300 trials underfoot and honed expertise, LSL is committed to providing comprehensive, effective counsel to each client.

The Oklahoma State University Foundation is proud to be named one of Oklahoma Magazine’s “Great Companies to Work For.” We are looking for passionate, motivated and creative professionals to join our team to advance OSU’s priorities.

We foster a fun work environment that values authenticity, integrity and service while offering growth opportunities, worklife balance, flexibility and a competitive benefits package.

Do something means something.

At Williams, we don’t offer jobs — we offer opportunities for people like you to apply your passion to vital work. Our employees impact people’s lives every day, helping fuel the clean energy economy with abundant, low cost and reliable natural gas. We make clean energy happen and so can you. Bring your energy to ours.

Theeban T., Corporate Development Analyst II ©

Stange Law Firm

OKC AND TULSA

Specializing in divorce and family law since 2007, the team at Stange Law Firm understands that clients need an unwavering ally in a tumultuous time. The attorneys work attentively to support each client and make the legal process easier, providing common sense solutions for issues surrounding everything from child custody to estate planning, family violence and alternative dispute resolutions.

MANUFACTURING/ INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY

AAON

TULSA

Manufacturing semi-custom HVAC equipment, AAON is committed to upholding and continually improving their sustainability practices, alongside honoring each employee’s individual talents.

AAON’s Norman Asbjornson’s Innovation Center in Tulsa consists of ten testing chambers that help the company meet and maintain industry standards and certifications – and also sets them apart as a pioneer in the HVAC industry.

Brainerd Chemical Company, Inc.

TULSA

Leading the way in chemical manufacturing and distribution, Brainerd Chemical Company serves industries including animal health, food safety and metal manufacturing. What began in 1959 as a small business has grown to become a top chemical provider in the U.S. with over 3,000 customers.

Ditch Witch PERRY

A pioneer in the manufacture of underground utility construction equipment, Ditch Witch is dedicated to providing top-of-the-line tools and unparalleled support/job site training, along with transforming the industry as a whole. Ditch Witch firmly believes in creating strong partnerships, evidenced in glowing client testimonials across the globe.

Hilti

OKC AND TULSA

Founded in 1941, Hilti develops, manufactures and

markets a variety of construction and maintenance equipment, from power tools to construction chemicals. The company’s goal is to help all their customers build faster, safer and more sustainably, with a focus on leaving a strong legacy.

Kimray, Inc.

OKC

Leading the charge in the manufacture of oil and gas control equipment since 1948, Kimray pledges the highest quality valves and control tools, alongside top-notch customer service and employee benefits. CEO Thomas Hill III says that “at Kimray, we believe everyone has intrinsic value and deserves dignity and respect.”

Matrix Service Co.

TULSA

Matrix Service Co. presents “a higher standard in service,” boasting 38 years of experience in design/ build/maintenance of critical infrastructure in the oil and gas, alternative fuels, energy and mining industries, among others. Touting strong client relationships, 75% of Matrix’s business comes from repeat clients.

Webco Industries

SAND SPRINGS

Made up of seven manufacturing plants, two distribution facilities and more than 1,000 employees, Webco Industries is a leader in the manufacture and distribution of steel tubing. The company excels through a teamwork-oriented work culture, as well as a strong code of ethics and a commitment to community.

Zeeco BROKEN ARROW

A global leader in advanced combustion technology, Zeeco has provided groundbreaking environmental solutions throughout its 40 year history. Company culture at Zeeco focuses on accountability, excellence and quality, with a commitment to long-term customer relationships, the environment and the community.

MISCELLANEOUS

Alert360

TULSA

Alert360 ensures Oklahomans stay connected and protected with a variety of security and automation technology options. Touting customized and smart service, professional installation and 24/7 monitoring, Alert360 works to stay on top of the newest advancements in the field

and has been in business for over 45 years.

Oklahoma State University Foundation STILLWATER

Managing donor dollars in an effort to create the best educational opportunities possible for OSU students, faculty, staff and alumni, the OSU Foundation operates with core tenants that include dignity and respect for all people; open communication; accountability; teamwork; and appreciation.

REAL ESTATE

Chinowth & Cohen Realtors

OKC AND TULSA

Chinowth & Cohen Realtors began in 2004 as a

HARD ROCK HOTEL AND CASINO TULSA

ALERT 360

CHINOWTH & COHEN REALTORS

one-off ice, 25-associate real estate company and has grown to become the largest independent real estate company in Oklahoma, boasting over 700 associates, plus ample resources and training for all its agents. According to Real Trends, Chinowth & Cohen has the largest sales volume per agent and the most transactions per agent in the Tulsa market.

Coldwell Banker STATEWIDE

Coldwell Banker transformed the way people bought and sold homes upon its inception in 1906. Now, the company is one of the most trusted real estate brands in the world with over 3,000 off ices. The goal, however, remains the same: unparalleled customer service and a commitment to ingenuity.

Keller Williams Realty STATEWIDE

The mission at Keller Williams is to “build careers worth having, businesses worth owning, lives worth living, experiences worth giving, and legacies worth leaving.” The broad network of experts provides expertise in real estate, but also entrepreneurship and technology that’s helping to advance the industry as a whole.

McGraw Realtors TULSA

For more than 80 years, McGraw has worked to keep real estate transactions as easy and smooth as possible for its clients. With more than 750 experienced associates at the ready, McGraw strives to remain committed, loyal and tenacious in its work, utilizing innovative technologies and a collaborative network of professionals.

TECHNOLOGY InterWorks TULSA

A people-focused tech consultancy, InterWorks specializes in business intelligence and IT strategies – gunning to add a human touch to the industry. Core commitments include diversity, equality, open communication and stewardship;

At INSURICA, we’re proud to be one of the 2022 Best Places to Work in Oklahoma. But, we’re even more proud of our Colleagues.

They made it happen. To Our INSURICA Colleagues and Friends:

We couldn’t have done it without you.

INSURICA.COM

the company even has a philanthropic arm called IW Gives Back.

Paycom

OKC

Providing comprehensive HR and payroll technology, Paycom believes the future of their industry is employee-driven. With Paycom’s software, companies of any size can combine talent acquisition and management, payroll, HR, and time and labor data into one easy-to-use product.

TRANSPORTATION

Melton Truck Lines

TULSA

Melton Truck Lines serves customers from coast to coast as a leader in flatbed and step deck trucking. Attracting top-tier drivers with competitive base and tarp pay, plus benefits and recognition programs, Melton employs over 1,250 people with a focus on top-notch customer service and safety programs, with state-of-the-art equipment and communication techniques.

Private Jets, Inc.

BETHANY

Providing jet charter flights for private and business

travelers, Private Jets, Inc. owns an impressive fleet and operates with an emphasis on providing an exceptional travel experience for clients. With safety as the No. 1 priority, Private Jets’ safety programs hit and exceed FAA requirements.

TBS Factoring Service

OKC

Freight factoring company TBS has helped truckers run their business smoothly and eff iciently for over 50 years, with cutting-edge technology, first-class customer service and a commitment to digital transformation. The company excels in cash flow solutions, insurance down payment assistance and free authority process, with 24/7 account service.

TRIBAL ENTERPRISE

Cherokee Nation

CATOOSA

A community of more than 400,000 citizens, the Cherokee Nation operates Cherokee Nation Businesses, which touches industries including hospitality and cultural and economic development. Under the umbrella is Cherokee Nation Entertainment, which runs Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, alongside nine other casinos, hotels and more. Additionally, Cherokee Federal consists of government contracting professionals that rapidly build innovative solutions to help solve global issues.

Chickasaw Nation

ADA

Culturally vibrant and economically strong, the Chickasaw Nation has worked to build a diverse business portfolio since the 1980s. With a threedepartment government, the Nation encourages and supports infrastructure for strong businesses, upholding the newest technologies and dynamic business strategies within its myriad ventures.

Choctaw Nation

DURANT

Focused on faith, family and culture, the Choctaw Nation has over 200,000 tribal members and employs more than 11,000 people. The Nation offers a broad range of services to its citizens, and its business sector touches industries including defense services, agriculture, restaurant franchises, tourism and economic development.

Citizen Potawatomi Nation

SHAWNEE

Operating with a people-first mentality, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation represents over 37,000 tribal members. Business enterprises within the Nation are vast, spanning recreation, dining, banking, gaming and more. Known as “people of the place of the fire,” CPN works diligently to honor their unique traditions, language and sovereignty, with a stateof-the-art cultural heritage center.

Muscogee Nation

OKMULGEE

Concentrating on economic development and technological advancement, Muscogee Nation’s commerce department works to foster, promote and develop both foreign and domestic business dealings. The Nation, which has over 97,000 citizens, offers a diverse entity that boasts cultural tourism, gaming, businesses and a higher learning institution.

Osage Nation

PAWHUSKA

The Osage Nation is committed to fostering a viable, sustainable economy for its many citizens, with emphasis on civic engagement, education, culture and health. The Nation also focuses on sustainability, conservation and responsible stewardship, and offers crisis assistance, education, employment and housing services, among other offerings.

Seminole Nation

WEWOKA

Rooted in the past but looking towards the future, the Seminole Nation works diligently to foster its culture, with language retention programs and a historical preservation committee.

Tribal services offered are vast, and include transportation, childcare, environmental health and social services.

MELTON TRUCK LINES

CHICKASAW NATION

STATE FARM

TASTE

FOOD, DRINK AND OTHER PLEASURES

A Culinary Love Language

Tulsa-based collective Et Al. o ers creative control to a dozen talented chefs.

On a recent Saturday night in autumn, eager dinner guests lled a normally quiet coffeehouse – Foolish ings, on the fringes of downtown Tulsa. A server brought the rst of the seven course dinner: a tart with roasted beet ganache, whipped goat cheese and pomegranate in a walnut crust.

It didn’t taste like beets or cheese, but like a rich, decadent dessert. is was Chloe Butler’s dinner – she’s a pastry chef, and each of the seven courses was a creative dessert.

“People don’t realize how exible you must be to be a pastry chef,” she says. “Temperature and humidity matter. You have to do what the pastry wants you to do. It can be disappointing when you put in hours of love and care and then a cold front blows through and you lose everything.”

Every Tuesday, Herrera supervises a Mexican meal centered around tacos. e corn he uses is heirloom varieties that come by truck from Oaxaca. He starts cooking it Monday evening, lets it soak overnight, then begins six hours of hard work –cooking and grinding it with stones. It makes a tortilla that lls your mouth with avor, and the Et Al. chefs will work as long and hard as it takes to get great quality.

“We tried ways of doing it faster,” says Garret Lewis, Herrera’s coworker, “but they just don’t work.”

Herrera grew up in El Paso. His family is from Chihuahua, a vast land of prairie, deserts and pine forests just south. Many of the dishes he makes evoke his childhood.

“We were poor growing up in El Paso,” Herrera explains while serving a tortilla de tamal. “And my grandmother, who comes from Michoacan, used to make these pancakes for us.”

Many of the chefs in Et Al. are drawn to cooking meals inspired by childhood memories.

roots and childhood memories in one place, yet adult lives in another. e chefs draw on these deep, profound, elusive memories and use them to enrich the dishes they create – with great success.

Julia Johnson is Et Al.’s newest member. She grew up in a family where food was the love language; her happiest, most meaningful childhood memories revolve around it. When Sato asked her, back in March, if she wanted to lead an evening dinner, her childhood food was a natural t. But it’s not just a matter of reproducing mom’s old recipes.

“We elevate the food,” says Johnson. “We give it a twist. It’s viewed and changed by our adult perspectives. And, like everything else at Et Al., it’s a group e ort. We started making the menu in April and we didn’t complete it till October. We read a million cookbooks, tried a million dishes. ere were a lot of tastings, a lot of experiments. It’s misleading to have my name on the dinner because it’s a whole team project.”

In that project, though, Johnson was the leader, and that’s not always an enviable position.

Based in downtown Tulsa’s Foolish Things coffee shop, Et Al. offers several chefs the opportunity to plan and run their own dinners.

Photo courtesy Et Al.

e next day, chef Marco Herrera began preparing for Tuesday’s dinner service; that night, he was to be the lead chef. Butler and Herrera are both members of Et Al., a chef’s collective where all are equal, and jobs are rotated so the server one night is the chef the next.

“When I eat those meals, I’m a child again,” says Colin Sato, who, along with Herrera, is one of the founding members of Et Al. “ ose meals are comforting and homey, and they connect with people on a visceral level.”

Et Al. members are diverse, many with

“ e leader is rst to do the toughest jobs,” says Sato. “‘Collective’ means everyone sacri ces on behalf of the group. Everyone here could leave and get a better paying job.”

And yet, the group – 12 at last count – sticks together. In a way it’s like Johnson’s childhood: Et Al. is a family where food is the love language.

BRIAN SCHWARTZ

KW Preferred 4745 E. 91st St., Ste. 100 Tulsa, 74137 (918) 496-2252

Broken Arrow 2438 W. New Orleans St. Broken Arrow, 74011 (918) 251-2252

KW Advantage 2651 E. 21st St., Ste. 100 Tulsa, 74114 (918) 712-2252

Sand Springs 11 E. Broadway St. Sand Springs, 74063 (918) 241-7653

Southwest 12133 S. Yukon Ave, Ste. 100 Glenpool, 74033 (918) 291-2425

KW Premier 12150 E. 96th St., Ste. 100 Owasso, 74055 (918) 272-0809

Claremore 2002 S. Highway 66 Claremore, 74019 (918) 283-2252

AROUND TOWN

Where can you go to enjoy a festive atmosphere alongside delicious food and drink? We’ve got you covered.

Tulsa: Roosevelt’s rooseveltstulsa.com

Hodges Bend hodges-bend.com

Bird and Bottle birdandbottletulsa.com

Ti Amo Ristorante Italiano tiamotulsa.com

Smoke Woodfire Grill smokewoodfiregrill.com

OKC: Vast vastokc.com

Whiskey Cake Kitchen and Bar whiskeycake.com

Flint flintokc.com

Mary Eddy’s Dining Room maryeddysokc.com

Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse mickeymantlesteakhouse.com

SWEET TREATS

If you’ve got a hankering for sweet treats this holiday season but aren’t sure where to start, there are a bevy of locations in Tulsa and OKC that can help.

Tulsa: Barbee Cookies barbeecookies.com

Oh Honey Cookie Co. ohhoneycookieco.com

Nouveau Chocolate nouveauchocolate.com

Cricket and Fig Chocolate cricketandfig.com

OKC: Bricktown Candy facebook.com/bricktowncandy

Apple Tree Chocolate appletreechocolate.com

Eileen’s Colossal Cookies eileenscookies.com

OKC Sweets okcsweets.com

WHERE & WHEN

GREAT THINGS TO DO IN OKLAHOMA

EVENTS LISTED ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. CHECK INDIVIDUAL WEBSITES FOR UPDATES.

IN TULSA PERFORMANCES

TULSA SYMPHONY PRESENTS: ELF IN CONCERT Dec. 2 Tulsa

PAC This magical holiday movie comes to life via the Tulsa Symphony. tulsasymphony.org

BROWN BAG IT: FESTIVAL BELL RINGERS Dec.

7 Tulsa PAC Visit the PAC for free noontime concerts this month. tulsapac.com

TULSA BALLET PRESENTS: THE NUTCRACKER Dec.

9-23 Tulsa PAC The beloved story of the Nutcracker returns courtesy of Tulsa Ballet. tulsaballet.org

AMERICAN THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS: A CHRISTMAS CAROL Dec. 9-23 Tulsa PAC A city traditions for more than 40 years, enjoy this story about the joys of giving back. tulsapac. com

TREVOR WALLACE: ARE YOU THAT GUY?

TOUR Dec. 11 Cain’s Ballroom Comedian Trevor Wallace visits Cain’s Ballroom for one night only. cainsballroom.com

DAVID PHELPS Dec.

16 Tulsa PAC Celebrate the

holidays with one of the world’s best tenors. tulsapac.com

SIGNATURE SYMPHONY PRESENTS: CHRISTMAS IN TULSA Dec. 16 TCC Van Trease PACE Celebrate the emergence of the holiday season with Christmas in Tulsa, a concert that promises

timeless holiday favorites for a magical night with friends and family. signaturesymphony.org

CIRQUE DREAMS

HOLIDAZE Dec. 18 BOK Center Cirque Dreams Holidaze is set to dazzle Tulsa audiences with its acclaimed and whimsical holiday spectacular. bokcenter.com

ON THE STAGE

CONCERTS

STYX Dec. 1 River Spirit Casino Resort The six men comprising Styx have committed to rocking the Paradise together with audiences far and wide. riverspirittulsa.com

CODY JOHNSON Dec. 3 BOK Center Hot on the heels of his first-ever multiweek No. 1 single, Cody

JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING

Johnson announces a slew of new tour dates. bokcenter.com

TRAVIS TRITT Dec. 3 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa Enjoy a night of music with Travis Tritt. hardrockcasinotulsa.com

THE EDGE CHRISTMAS CONCERT FEATURING SILVERSUN PICKUPS, WILDERADO AND

Just in time for the holidays, performing arts companies in Oklahoma have plenty of programming this month.

In Tulsa, don’t miss Elf in Concert on Dec. 2 at the PAC. e Tulsa Symphony will play alongside one of modern cinema’s most beloved movies. (You can also see the show Dec. 1 at Stillwater’s McKnight Center for the Performing Arts!)

For your Nutcracker x, you won’t want to miss both Tulsa Ballet’s and OKC Ballet’s renditions. At the PAC, see the show Dec. 9-23, and at the OKC Civic Center Music Hall, enjoy performances Dec. 10-18.

Additionally, both major metros o er a version of A Christmas Carol this month. In Tulsa, you can watch American eatre Company’s take from Dec. 9-23 at the PAC. In OKC, Lyric eatre o ers the beloved holiday tradition through Dec. 23 at the Hard Homestead.

For Cirque Du Soleil enthusiasts, see Cirque Dreams Holidaze on Dec. 18 at the BOK Center, and OKC Broadway’s A Magical Cirque Christmas on Dec. 22-23 at the Civic Center.

Other holiday goodies include Signature Symphony’s Christmas in Tulsa concert on Dec. 16 at the TCC Van Trease PACE; OKC Phil’s Coming Home for Christmas concert on Dec. 2-3, and Canterbury Voices’ A Canterbury Christmas on Dec. 4 at the Civic Center; e Swingles in concert on Dec. 3 at Stillwater’s McKnight Center; and A Territorial Christmas Carol, which runs through Dec. 23 at Guthrie’s Pollard eatre.

CAFUNÉ Dec. 5 Cain’s Ballroom Get in the holiday spirit at Cain’s Ballroom. cainsballroom.com

TRAMPLED BY TURTLES WITH SUMBUCK Dec. 7 Cain’s Ballroom Enjoy TBT with special guests Sumbuck. cainsballroom.com

CLAY WALKER Dec. 8 River Spirit Casino Resort There’s more to the duality of Clay Walker’s debut album Texas To

Tennessee than the title. riverspirittulsa.com

MARTINA MCBRIDE Dec. 16 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa Enjoy a one night only performance with Martina McBride. hardrockcasinotulsa.com

ELI YOUNG BAND Dec. 28 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa Country group Eli Young Band visits Tulsa. hardtockcasinotulsa.com

A CANTERBURY CHRISTMAS

WILLIAM CLARK GREEN Dec. 31 Cain’s Ballroom Ring in the new year with WCG. cainsballroom.com

ART

VISIONMAKERS 2022 Dec. 2Jan. 22 108 Contemporary VisionMakers2022 is 108 Contemporary’s signature juried biennial exhibition of contemporary fine craft-based artists in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico and Texas. 108contemporary.org

IT’S CORN! Through Dec. 31 Philbrook Museum of Art Predating this viral, songified interview with the “Corn Kid” by thousands of years, Native American tribes have been and continue to sing the praises of corn. philbrook.org SHOP 108 Through Jan. 22 108 Contemporary The gallery features handcrafted and winter-themed work made by local artists, perfect as gifts for loved ones this holiday season. 108contemporary.org

SLUMGULLION: THE VENERATE OUTPOST Ongoing Philbrook Museum of Art Philbrook is proud to partner with award-winning artist Karl Unnasch to present Slumgullion, a full-scale log cabin built from the skeleton of a late1800s pioneer home. philbrook.org

SPORTS

TULSA OILERS Dec. 1-23 BOK Center See the Oilers take on a variety of competitors. bokcenter. com

CRIMSON & CARDINAL CLASSIC: OU VERSUS ARKANSAS Dec. 10 BOK Center The University of Oklahoma and University of Arkansas men’s basketball teams are headed back to the BOK Center. bokcenter.com

COMMUNITY

FIRST FRIDAY ART CRAWL Dec. 2 Downtown Tulsa Since 2007, the Tulsa Arts District has presented the community with rotating art displays as part of the First Friday Art Crawl. travelok.com

TULSA FARM SHOW Dec. 8-10 Expo Square Farmers and ranchers

descend upon Expo Square for this three-day event. exposquare.com TULSA DOG TRAINING CLUB AKC AGILITY TRIAL Dec. 9-11 Expo Square Enjoy talented canines as they prove their agility at this exciting competition. exposquare.com

SECOND SATURDAY ARCHITECTURE TOUR Dec. 10 100 E. Second St. Take a fun and educational walking tour during the Second Saturday Architecture Tour. tulsaarchitecture.org

TULSA SHOOTOUT Dec. 28-31 Expo Square Enjoy a racing event perfect for the whole family. exposquare.com

GARDEN OF LIGHTS

Through Dec. 30 Tulsa Botanic Garden Visit a magical garden aglow with festive lights. tulsabotanic.org

CASTLE CHRISTMAS

Through Dec. 31 Castle of Muskogee Experience one of the world’s largest collections of holiday inflatables and Christmas lights during Castle Christmas, hosted at the Castle of Muskogee. okcastle.com/ castle-christmas

PHILBROOK FESTIVAL

Through Dec. 31 Philbrook The Philbrook Museum of Art hosts the Philbrook Festival each winter, an annual holiday tradition in Tulsa. philbrook.org

ROUTE 66 CHRISTMAS CHUTE Jan. 1 101 E. Dewey Ave., Sapulpa The Route 66 Christmas Chute is a unique experience in downtown Sapulpa. You will be amazed as you are walking under blocks and blocks of Christmas lights and decorations. route66christmaschute.com/

RHEMA CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Through Jan. 2 Rhema Bible Church, Broken Arrow Join thousands of annual visitors at the Rhema Christmas Lights and witness over three million shimmering lights synchronized to Christmas music across 110 acres. rhemalights.org

CHARITABLE EVENTS

BATTLE OF THE BANDS: MENTAL HEALTH AND

SUICIDE AWARENESS FUNDRAISER Dec. 1 Cain’s Ballroom At the Alternative, the vision is a suicide, bullying and drug free culture. Enjoy this battle of the bands concert to support. cainsballroom.com

PEGGY V. HELMERICH DISTINGUISHED AUTHOR AWARD GALA Dec. 2 Central Library The Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award is an annual award given by the Tulsa Library Trust and Tulsa City-County Library. Its purpose is to give formal recognition to internationally acclaimed authors who have written a distinguished body of work and made a major contribution to the field of literature and letters. tulsalibrary.org

IN OKC PERFORMANCES

ARMSTRONG AUDITORIUM PRESENTS: DELIRIUM MUSICUM Dec. 1 Armstrong Auditorium Delirium Musicum is a self-conducted, ethnically diverse chamber orchestra dedicated to providing impassioned and engaging musical performances that deeply connect audience and musicians. armstrongauditorium.org

OKC PHIL PRESENTS: COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS Dec. 2-3 Civic Center Music Hall The holidays are all about family and friends enjoying the magical sights and sounds of the season. okcphil.org

RACE DANCE COMPANY PRESENTS: HIP HOP NUTCRACKER Dec. 2-3 OCCC Performing and Visual Arts Center Ring in the holidays with a fun remix of a Christmas classic at RACE Dance Company’s production of the Hip Hop Nutcracker travelok.com

CANTERBURY VOICES PRESENTS: A CANTERBURY CHRISTMAS Dec. 4 Civic Center Music Hall An Oklahoma City holiday tradition, Canterbury Christmas will deck the halls and fill the Civic Center with joyful holiday standards, featuring John Rutter’s jubilant

WHERE

Gloria. okcciviccenter.com

WORLD BALLET SERIES PRESENTS: THE NUTCRACKER Dec. 10 Hudiberg Chevrolet Center Step into the whimsical, magical world of one of the most beloved fairytales, coming to the Hudiburg Chevrolet Center this holiday season. okcciviccenter.com

OKC BALLET PRESENTS: THE NUTCRACKER Dec. 10-18 Civic Center Music Hall Oklahoma City Ballet’s traditional version of The Nutcracker has been enchanting audiences for decades, and this year will feature all new choreography by acting artistic director Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye. okcballet.org

OKC BROADWAY PRESENTS: A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS Dec. 22-23 Civic Center Music Hall The world’s greatest entertainers unite for a spell-binding and incredible holiday production. okcciviccenter.com

LYRIC THEATRE PRESENTS: A CHRISTMAS CAROL Through Dec. 23 Harn Homestead Lyric Theatre celebrates its 12th anniversary of A Christmas Carol with an outdoor production. lyrictheatreokc.com

OKC BROADWAY PRESENTS: CATS Dec. 30-Jan. 1 Civic Center Music Hall CATS, the record-breaking musical spectacular by Andrew Lloyd Webber that has captivated audiences in over 30 countries and 15 languages, is now on tour across North America. okcbroadway.com

CONCERTS

K-LOVE CHRISTMAS TOUR Dec. 4 The Criterion See holiday favorites K-Love on their holiday tour. criterionokc.com

TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA Dec. 8 Paycom Center Trans-Siberian Orchestra brings The

&

WHEN

Ghosts of Christmas Eve Tour to Oklahoma City 8. paycomcenter.com

LUKE COMBS Dec. 9-10 Paycom Center Luke Combs is bringing his Middle of Somewhere Tour with special guests Jordan Davis and Lainey Wilson for not one, but two nights. paycomcenter. com

PARKER MCCOLLUM Dec. 30 Paycom Center Parker McCollum is coming to Paycom Center with special guests Flatland Cavalry and William Beckmann. paycomcenter.com

ART

YOU HAVE DIED OF DYSENTERY Dec. 10-May 7 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum “You have died of dysentery” is a line from the famous ‘game over’ screen from The Oregon Trail series of computer games. The quote also calls out the connection between Western themed play and the often-dark realities of history. nationalcowboymuseum.org

SOMBREROS TEXANAS AND BOSSES OF THE PLAINS: COWBOY HATS FROM THE PERMANENT COLLECTION Through Jan. 8 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum This exhibition examines the development of what is known today as a “cowboy hat” using the museum’s permanent collection. nationalcowboymuseum.org

LA CASA QUE NOS INVENTAMOS: CONTEMPOARY ART FROM GUADALAJARA Through Jan. 9 Oklahoma Contemporary La casa que nos inventamos provides an opportunity to consider how, since the 2000s, one city in Mexico has built upon its rich cultural history as the capital of the state of Jalisco. oklahomacontemporary.or HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ROSE FAMILY GLASS COLLECTION Through Jan. 15 OKCMOA Highlights

provides visitors with a deeper contextual understanding of OKCMOA’s collection of Chihuly glass by showcasing the broader story of the Studio Glass movement. okcmoa.comg

ABBAS KIAROSTAMI: BEYOND THE FRAME Through Jan. 15 OKCMOA Kiarostami: Beyond the Frame is a multimedia, retrospective survey of artworks by acclaimed Iranian filmmaker, photographer, and visual artist, Abbas Kiarostami. okcmoa.com

LOOKING THROUGH THE WINDOWS TO THE WEST

Through Feb. 19 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum From 1991 to 1996, Wilson Hurley devoted his life and artistic skills to creating five enormous triptychs that depict the grandeur of the American western landscape. nationalcowboymuseum.org

ART OF THE NORTHWEST COAST Through May 1

National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum From painted totem poles to ben wood boxes, northwest coast artwork is known across the world. nationalcowboymuseum.org

OUTLAWMAN Through May 7 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Using the museum’s material culture object collection, works of art, and the Glenn Shirley Collection in the DRC, this exhibition examines the often-thin line separating the outlaw from the lawman. nationalcowboymuseum.org

CHIHULY THEN AND NOW: THE COLLECTION AT TWENTY Ongoing OKCMOA Redesigned in collaboration with Chihuly Studio, Chihuly Then and Now: The Collection at Twenty incorporates a unique design, featuring five decades of glass and painting and tells a comprehensive story of Chihuly’s groundbreaking career. okcmoa.com

Photo courtesy Canterbury Voices

SPORTS

2022 NRHA FUTURITY SHOW

Through Dec. 3 OKC Fairgrounds The National Reining Horse Association is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to promote the reining horse. okcfairgrounds.com

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Dec. 4, 11, 18 Lloyd Noble Center, Norman The OU women’s basketball team takes the court. soonersports.com

OKC BLUE BASKETBALL Dec. 4, 27 Paycom Center Enjoy plenty of home games with the OKC Blue. paycomcenter.com

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA MEN’S BASKETBALL Dec. 6, 17, 31 Lloyd Noble Center, Norman Enjoy the OU men’s basketball team as they take on regular season foes. soonersports.com

OKC THUNDER BASKETBALL Dec. 14, 16-17, 19, 21, 23, 27 Paycom Center Don’t miss the state’s NBA team take the court against regular season adversaries. paycomcenter.com

COMMUNITY

FIRST FRIDAY GALLERY

WALK Dec. 2 Paseo Arts

District Visitors can enjoy art openings, wine tastings, live music and other activities. thepaseo.org

OPERA FAIRE Dec. 3 8421 N. Walker Ave. If you’re interested in metaphysical subjects, you’ll want to check out the Opera Faire in Oklahoma City. operaoklahoma.org/opera-faire

JUNIOR BOTBALL CHALLENGE Dec. 3 OKC Fairgrounds Watch as sharp students across the state compete. okcfairgrounds.com

SAINTS SANTA RUN Dec. 3 1000 N. Lee Ave. Take a festive walk or run through the streets of downtown Oklahoma City at the annual Saints Santa Run. downtownindecember. com/saints-santa-run WONDERS AND WISDOM Dec. 16-17 OKC Fairgrounds Enjoy this exciting arts and crafts show. okcfairgrounds.com

THE POLAR EXPRESS

Through Dec. 27 Oklahoma Railway Museum Get in the holiday spirit with a festive ride on the Polar Express. okcthepolarexpressride.com

WINTER GLOW Through Dec. 30 Riversport OKC Head to Winter Glow, an indoor/outdoor, holiday-themed event at Riversport in Oklahoma City. riversportokc.org

OPENING NIGHT Dec. 31 Various locations Opening Night is a New Year’s Eve celebration with music, dancing, theater and fireworks. artscouncilokc.com

OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS

Through Jan. 1 OKC Zoo This winter, go wild and fill your holiday season with the magic of light! okczoo.org

EDMOND ELECTRIC’S LUMINANCE: AN ENCHANTED STROLL Through Jan. 1 Mitch Park Experience the joy of the holidays during Edmond Electric’s Luminance - An Enchanted Stroll in Mitch Park. travelok. com

CREST ON ICE Through Jan. 8 2550 Mt. Williams Dr., Norman Enjoy a holiday ice skating adventure in Norman. crestonice.com

EDMOND ICE RINK Through Jan. 15 Mitch Park The Edmond Ice Rink returns for its 12th season. edmondicerink.com

DOWNTOWN IN DECEMBER Through Jan. 27 Downtown Spend your holidays experiencing fun activities as downtown Oklahoma City is turned into a winter wonderland. downtownindecember.com

DEVON ICE RINK Through Jan. 29 Myriad Botanical Gardens Get ready for another great winter of outdoor ice skating. downtownindecember.com

CHARITABLE EVENTS

50 SHADES OF PINK FUNDRAISER Dec. 2 The Venue at Crew 50 Shades of Pink is a wine tasting fundraiser hosted by Locs of Strength. okcnp.org

THE SANTA MARKET CRAFT SHOW FOR ALZHEIMER’S Dec. 2-3 OKC Fairgrounds Shop at a family-friendly market to help support Alzheimer’s research. okcfairgrounds.com

ANNUAL SILENT AUCTION AND BBQ DINNER Dec. 9 Canadian Valley Vineyard and Winery, Lexington Enjoy the second annual silent auction and barbecue dinner. okcnp.org

THE STATE PERFORMANCES

PAULS VALLEY OPRY Dec. 3 Pauls Valley High School The Pauls Valley Opry revived a 1960s and 1970s tradition built on traveling the state to play country, rock and folk music in a variety of clubs. travelok.com

THE CEMENT OPRY Dec. 3 410 N. Main, Cement The Cement Opry is a monthly live variety show held in the Jesse James Ballroom, which is located above the Cement Museum. travelok.com

THE SWINGLES: TOGETHER FOR THE HOLIDAYS Dec. 3 McKnight Center for the Performing Arts, Stillwater What better way to get into the holiday spirit than with songs of good cheer brought by The Swingles? mcknightcenter.org

CTAC LIVE PRESENTS: ELEANOR DUBINSKY QUARTET Dec. 8 The Simmons Center, Duncan The Chisholm Trail Arts Council presents a series of seasonal concerts hosted at the Simmons Center in Duncan. chisholmtrailarts.com

JOHN MULANEY Dec. 16 Choctaw Casino and Resort, Durant Well-known comedian John Mulaney visits Durant. choctawcasinos.com

POLLARD THEATRE PRESENTS: A TERRITORIAL CHRISTMAS CAROL Through Dec. 23 Pollard Theatre, Guthrie Experience an Oklahoma tradition this season with Pollard Theatre’s performance of A Territorial Christmas Carol thepollard.org

CONCERTS

ELF IN CONCERT WITH THE TULSA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Dec. 1 McKnight Center

for the Performing Arts, Stillwater Experience your favorite Christmas film transformed with the music of a live symphony orchestra. mcknightcenter.org

TRAVIS TRITT Dec. 2 Choctaw Casino and Resort

Durant See the crooner with special guest Trea Landon. choctawcasinos.com

CLAY WALKER Dec. 9 Choctaw Casino and Resort Durant Country singer Clay Walker visits Durant. choctawcasinos.com

REO SPEEDWAGON Dec. 10 Choctaw Casino and Resort

Durant One of the most beloved rock bands of all time visits the Choctaw Casino and Resort. choctawcasinos.com

SPORTS

TACKY SWEATER 5K Dec. 3 Chandler Park, Purcell Find your ugliest Christmas sweater and head to Purcell’s Chandler Park for the annual Tacky Sweater 5K. pruittqualityhomes.com/tackysweater5k

OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Dec. 3, 6, 18, 20, 31 Gallagher-Iba Arena The women’s basketball team plays regular season foes this month. okstate.com

OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY MEN’S BASKETBALL Dec. 6, 20 Gallagher-Iba Arena The men’s basketball team plays at home this month. okstate.com

DANGERZONE BULL RIDING WORLD FINALS Dec. 31 Claremore Expo Center Witness the DangerZone Bull Riding World Finals in Claremore on New Year’s Eve. travelok.com

COMMUNITY

SANTA’S WORKSHOP Dec. 2-3 Ardmore Regional Park For one special weekend, Santa lets visitors inside his workshop at Ardmore Regional Park. ardmorecity.org

MINCO HONEY FESTIVAL Dec. 3 Minco High School Satisfy your sweet tooth at the Minco Honey Festival with pure Oklahoma honey. minco-ok. com/minco/festival

A TERRITORIAL CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION Through Dec. 10 Historic District Downtown, Guthrie Historic authenticity meets holiday festivity during A Territorial Christmas Celebration, a tradition for over 35 years. guthriesterritorialchristmas.com

WOOLAROC WONDERLAND OF LIGHTS Through Dec. 18 Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve, Bartlesville Visitors to this much-loved event are invited to ride a wagon or stroll the grounds to enjoy a spectacular display of more than 750,000 glistening lights. woolaroc.org

MERRY MAIN STREET

Through Dec. 18 Downtown Stillwater Get in the holiday spirit with the help of Merry Main Street over the course of four weekends in downtown Stillwater. visitstillwater.org

FANTASY LAND OF LIGHTS Through Dec. 30 Johnstone Park, Bartlesville Bring the family out for this drive-through Christmas light show. fantasylandoflights.com

FILM AND CINEMA

A JAM-PACKED FINALE

December is here, it’s stacked, and I don’t have time for an intro because there are too many lms!

First up is Pinocchio, a stop-motion animated musical from Guillermo del Toro. Starring newcomer Gregory Mann as Pinocchio, the lm looks to retell the 1883 story made famous by the 1940 Disney adaptation. e rest of the cast is A-list, with Ewan McGregor, Tilda Swinton, Christoph Waltz and Cate Blanchett rounding out the ensemble. It was released in limited theaters in November, but hits Net ix on Dec. 9.

Next up is a romantic drama, Empire of Light. Written and directed by Sam Mendes (1917), the lm follows a love story revolving around an English movie theater during the 1980s. Olivia Colman and Michael Ward lead the cast that also includes Colin Firth and Toby Jones. e trailer indicates some beautiful cinematography is in store when it hits the cinema on Dec. 9.

If you want a more bleak psychological drama, check out e Whale. Starring Brendan Fraser and directed by Darren Aronofsky, the plot sees a 600-pound man trying to reconnect with his seventeen year old daughter (Sadie Sink), years after he abandoned his family. Early reviews have been extremely positive about Fraser’s performance, so we’ll see if that can hold everything else together when it releases on, yet again, Dec. 9.

If you’ve been clamoring for a sequel to a movie from thirteen years ago, strap in for Avatar: e Way Of Water. Directed by James Cameron, the lm is a follow up to his commercially and nancially successful 2009 lm Avatar, and follows the family of Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and their troubles a decade after the original story. Cameron hopes to recapture the magic (read: money) of the

original when this blockbuster hits theaters on Dec. 16.

For your murder mystery x, look no further than Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. Written and directed by Rian Johnson and a sequel to his 2019 lm Knives Out (although it can easily be a standalone), this story sees the return of Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) as he attempts to solve another whodunit. Featuring an all-star cast on an island getaway in Greece, the movie welcomes Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn and Dave Bautista, among many others, and aims to follow up the original with more thrills, twists and turns when it hits Net ix on Dec. 23.

For your epic period piece, make sure to see Babylon. Written and directed by Damien Chazelle (La La Land), the story takes place in 1920s Hollywood and follows a Mexican-American actor (Diego Calva) pursuing his dreams. With Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie and Tobey Maguire leading a huge ensemble cast, the trailer indicates a large-scale delight with beautiful cinematography and music to compliment the plethora of famous faces. It comes out on Dec. 25.

Lastly, your foreign lm to see is Broker. Written and directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda and starring Song Kang-ho (Parasite), the plot follows characters associated with baby boxes – places people can abandon babies to be cared for by others. It releases on Dec. 26 in the U.S.

DREW JOSEPH ALLEN

2022 still has a few surprises up its sleeve as a selection of anticipated lms release this month.

Jane Jenkins

As president and CEO of Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership, Jane Jenkins brings over 36 years of experience in downtown revitalization and management. An internationally recognized speaker on urban issues, Jenkins is the former chairman for the International Downtown Association Board of Directors, and earned accreditation from the Congress for New Urbanism in 2014. Heavily involved in the OKC community, Jenkins began her career as an educator before pivoting into the revitalization sector. Jenkins plans to step down from the DOKC in March to start her own consulting rm. We caught up with Jenkins and got her thoughts on ...

... her career shift.

In 1986, an opportunity presented itself and I took a leap of faith. I answered an ad in the Tulsa World (no internet in 1986) for an historic renovation position in Wagoner. For all I knew, it was a construction job, but I ended up on the ground oor of the newly created Oklahoma Main Street Program. I never meant for the change to be permanent; I always considered it a “break” from teaching. Over 36 years later, I am still on my “break.” What I miss about teaching is the sense of community that permeates the walls of a school. I missed football on Friday nights and co ee in the teacher’s lounge. But what I missed the most were the students. Fortunately, through the magic of Facebook and other social media, I am still in touch with many of my former students.

... her proudest accomplishments at DOKC.

I am proud that we have been able to establish and brand a separate identity for all the districts that make up downtown Oklahoma City. I am proud of the district manager program and the green team. e light curtains on Broadway were my idea during my rst holiday season in Oklahoma City, but I am most proud of the team that I have built. e sta members at DOKC are solid professionals, committed to the work of urban design and placemaking.

... Downtown in December.

We start our planning for the holiday event season in the middle of summer. Downtown in December is our largest fundraising e ort for Downtown OKC Partnership, and

the funds raised not only go toward promoting the numerous community events and attractions taking place downtown during the holiday season, but allow us to activate and promote downtown all year long.

It’s a great way for businesses to engage with the downtown community during the holidays and create brand awareness, all while supporting a healthy downtown. Downtown in December rst started in 2002 with only the tree lighting, ice rink and holiday lights. e series has since grown and evolved to include over 30 attractions, with community partners from across the city. Plus, the OKC tree lighting can now be enjoyed from the comfort of your home while shopping our local stores online. View this great showcase of how OKC celebrates the season by watching the Virtual Holiday Special online at downtownindecember.com.

Photo courtesy DOKC ONLINE

TO READ MORE OF OUR INTERVIEW, VISIT OKMAG. COM/JANEJENKINS

I grew up in Virginia and South Carolina, so I have always been interested in colonial history. When I was a college student, I worked summers and breaks at the County Assessor’s o ce in Charleston. e o ce was in the heart of the Charleston historic district, so I walked around historic buildings every day and researched historic properties as part of my job. When I learned that the Main Street Program was based on historic preservation as an economic development tool, I knew I had landed in the right place.

... her passion for revitalization and preservation.

Guard