January 2026 for Issuu

VOTE NOW FOR THE BEST OF THE BEST AT OKMAG.COM JANUARY 2026

JANUARY 2026

A Healthier Year Ahead Turning goals into habits

Plus: Oklahoma Wedding

What’s Happening in 2026 Exploring the year’s highlights

Future-Proof Your Finances Preparing for retirement starts now

Oklahomans of the Year

Celebrating our state’s innovative leaders

OU HEALTH STEPHENSON CANCER CENTER IN TULSA Top 2% Nationally in Elite Cancer Care — Coming to Tulsa OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center — Oklahoma’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer center — will bring world-class cancer care closer to home. The new cancer center, located at the University of Oklahoma’s Schusterman campus, will be a major step forward in expanding research-driven care to northeast Oklahoma. This 176,000-square-foot expansion in Tulsa will give thousands of residents access to medical oncology, radiation oncology, infusion services, clinical trials and more.

Opening in 2028:

• Dedicated clinical trials not available at any other Oklahoma cancer center • 70 exam rooms • 45 infusion spaces • Full imaging: MRI, PET-CT & more • Access to state-of-the-art technology and innovative treatments

We are currently seeing patients in Tulsa at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center at Hillcrest at 1245 S. Utica Avenue, offering compassionate care and clinical trials. To make an appointment, call (918) 579-3850. Together, we’re lifting the health of Oklahoma — turning breakthroughs into hope for generations.

New Year, New Luck

PARADISE AWAITS

8 3 3 0 R I V E R S I D E PA R K W AY T U L S A , O K 7413 7 8 8 8 . 74 8 . 3 7 3 1 • R I V E R S P I R I T T U L S A . C O M

Oklahoma Magazine

24

Contents

January 2026

Features

54 44 34

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

JANUARY 2026

2

38

State

6 Starting Off Across Oklahoma, STEM students are mastering technical know-how.

8 Updates 10 Nature 11 Sports 12 Places 13 Culture 14 Education 15 Sports II 16 Outdoors 17 Tech 18 Happenings 19 Hobbies 20 History 21 Issues 22 Insider

Life & Style 24 Destinations Discover a city defined by thermal baths, dramatic architecture and a spirit that bridges East and West.

26 Health 27 FYI 28 Outside the Metro 30 Scene

Taste

56 First Bite Jenks' Pure Kitchen marries vegan hits with comfort food.

57 Local Flavors 58 Chef Chat 59 Tasty Tidbits

Where & When

60 Entertainment Kick of 2026 with community events, sports, concerts and more.

63 Film & Cinema 64 Closing Thoughts

VOTE NOW FOR THE BEST OF THE BEST AT OKMAG.COM JANUARY 2026

56

5856

31 Future-Proofing Your Finances Smart financial planning is a lifelong process, but the most important step is simply getting started, no matter your age.

34 Oklahomans of the Year Bold, confident and visionary leaders drove Oklahoma's momentum in 2025, pushing industries forward, lifting communities up and proving that belief in our people can take you just about anywhere.

38 A Healthier Year Ahead Despite what you may see online, ‘wellness’ doesn’t have to be an overwhelming or all-ornothing effort.

41 Things to Do in 2026 From once-in-a-century Route 66 celebrations to athletic championships and long-awaited infrastructure upgrades, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year.

44 Oklahoma Wedding Every January, Oklahoma Magazine presents the Oklahoma Wedding special section, with expert advice, plus photo-rich spreads.

A Healthier Year Ahead Turning goals into habits

Plus: Oklahoma Wedding

0126 Cover FINAL.indd 1

What’s Happening in 2026 Exploring the year’s highlights

Future-Proof Your Finances Preparing for retirement starts now

Oklahomans of the Year

Celebrating our state’s innovative leaders 12/18/25 8:41 AM

ON THE COVER: IF YOU'RE READY TO MAKE YOUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS LAST, READ OUR HEALTH & WELLNESS FEATURE FOR EXPERT TIPS, STARTING ON PAGE 38.

LEADING CHEROKEE NATION

BUSINESSESS & OKLAHOMA FORWARD Congratulations to Cherokee Nation Businesses chief executive officer, Chuck Garrett, for his well-deserved recognition as an Oklahoman who made the biggest impact in 2025.

Businesses

3

OKLAHOMA Letter from the Editor

“This is totally gonna be my year.” I’ve said it. You’ve said it. Hell, Taylor Swift has probably said it. We wake up on New Year’s Day with a renewed sense of self — and maybe a hangover — only to abandon our lofty resolutions by February. While there's no magic formula for staying motivated on the journey towards a “better you,” there are ways to make it easier. In our annual Health and Wellness spotlight (page 38), experts break down how to turn goals into habits and find exercise you can (gasp!) actually look forward to.

Speaking of making it a year to remember, we profile five Oklahomans who went above and beyond in 2025 in our Oklahomans of the Year spotlight (page 34). From mental health advocacy on college campuses to plant-based plastics manufacturing to snagging our state’s first NBA championship, these leaders helped put our state on the map in 2025.

If you’re in a January slump, because yes, this month can be bleak, flip to Things to Do in 2026 (page 41). We round up infrastructure updates, can’t-miss events and other bright spots to help you kick the postholiday blues.

No matter your age, retirement plans should be on your radar. In Future-Proofing Your Finances (page 31), pros offer smart financial advice for every decade, helping you prep for stress-free golden years.

And finally, our Oklahoma Wedding special section returns (page 44), filled with gorgeous gowns, bouquets, cakes, advice and a few standout honeymoon ideas for couples planning their big day.

Happy 2026, lovely readers. Make it your year.

Mary Willa Allen Managing Editor

OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA PRESIDENT AND EDITORIAL DIRECTOR DANIEL SCHUMAN

PUBLISHER AND FOUNDER VIDA K . SCHUMAN

MANAGING EDITOR

MARY WILLA ALLEN

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR JOHN WOOLEY

GRAPHIC DESIGNER BRYAN MEADOR

DIGITAL CONSULTANT JAMES AVERY

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS STEPHANIE PHILLIPS, BRENT FUCHS

CONTACT US ADVERTISING INQUIRIES:

ADVERTISING@OKMAG.COM

EVENTS AND CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS: EVENTS@OKMAG.COM

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT CONTENT: EDITOR@OKMAG.COM

Art in Bloom, photo courtesy OKCMOA

ALL OTHER INQUIRIES: MAIL@OKMAG.COM

What’s HOT at

OKMAG.COM The Best of The Best voting is live!

Head to okmag.com and click the banner on our homepage to make your voice heard.

Oklahoma Magazine is published monthly by Schuman Publishing Company P.O. Box 14204 • Tulsa, OK 74159-1204 918.744.6205 • FAX: 918.748.5772 mail@okmag.com www.okmag.com Subscriptions are $18 for 12 issues.

Mail checks to Oklahoma Magazine P.O. Box 14204 Tulsa, OK 74159-1204

Copyright © 2026 by Schuman Publishing Company.

Oklahoma Wedding, The Best of the Best, 40 Under 40, Single in the City, Great Companies To Work For and Oklahomans of the Year are registered trademarks of Schuman Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Reproduction without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

All photographs, articles, materials and design elements in Oklahoma Magazine and on okmag. com are protected by applicable copyright and trademark laws, and are owned by Schuman Publishing Company or third party providers.

Reproduction, copying, or redistribution without the express written permission of Schuman Publishing Company is strictly prohibited.

All requests for permission and reprints must be made in writing to Oklahoma Magazine, c/o Reprint Services, P.O. Box 14204, Tulsa, OK 74159-1204. Advertising claims and the views expressed in the magazine by writers or artists do not necessarily represent those of Oklahoma Magazine, Schuman Publishing Company, or its affiliates.

440 0 UNDER

™

918 MAGAZINE

4

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

TM

TOGETHER FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

A

L

L

F

O

R

O

K

C JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

5

The State ALL THINGS OKL AHOMA

The Sooner Competitive Robotics Team at the University of Oklahoma helps its members learn both technical STEM skills alongside executive functioning skills. Photo courtesy the Sooner Competitive Robotics Team

Engineering the Future

Across classrooms, colleges and clubs, students are mastering technical know-how that will power long-term STEM success.

O

klahoma’s myriad array of STEM programs are preparing students for future careers. Across the state, these programs give students an unusual blend of both technical and executive functioning skills meant to support long-term success in a variety of careers.

Dylan Zemlin, president of Sooner Competitive Robotics (SCR) based at the University of Oklahoma, can speak to this long-term success – as can his faculty advisor, Noah Zemlin.

“A core part of what we teach is problem solving and creativity,” says Dylan.

“Collaboration is also a huge part of what we do.”

Emily Mortimer, Ph.D., is vice president of STEM Ecosystems of Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance, where she leads 6

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

a team delivering statewide efforts that connect classrooms, industries, higher education institutions and community organizations through realworld, hands-on STEM learning.

“Robotics and drones are STEM – and students are gaining real expertise in coding, engineering design, data collections, physics and flight operations. What surprises students and families is how strongly these programs build the executive functioning skills behind great engineering work.”

Photo courtesy the Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance

Dylan continues: “A core part of engineering is being able to go through the full process: design, build and test. Being in an organization like ours gives them almost full freedom over their respective projects. This means that they get to

Starting Off | The State

The Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance leads statewide efforts to connect classrooms, industries, higher education institutions and community organizations with real-world, hands-on STEM learning. Photo courtesy the Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance

apply their design to the parent project – e.g. a robot – and must figure out all of the individual constraints while also designing the actual part. They get to go through the process of actually building their parts, reiterating on designs and testing their parts.”

Mortimer, Dylan Zemlin and Noah Zemlin all agree that part of the learning process includes making mistakes.

“By doing so, you can learn exactly what went wrong, how it went wrong, and what can be improved to prevent it from happening again,” says Dylan.

There are many other learning experiences in the mix. Mortimer explains that executive functioning skills help students in robotics and STEM programs, as well as life. All of these “build essential skills such as strategic planning and organization; critical and analytical thinking; collaboration and communication; creativity and program-solving; adaptability and reflective thinking – preparing students for a future where technology and career pathways evolve rapidly.”

The programs interface with universities, local businesses and nonprofits.

For example, SCR hosts its own robotics competition called STORM. “We designed it from the ground up to be an educational STEM program for universities,” says Noah. “Each year, we release a new set of completely unique rules and challenges that clubs or programs at universities compete in.

We design the rules such that the robots must feature tough problems across several disciplines such as mechanical, electrical or software.”

Mortimer says that industry partners bring current technologies, tools and

Photo courtesy the Sooner Competitive Robotics Team

real-world problems to the table, making learning relevant and career-connected.

“Universities extend this by offering access to research environments and emerging innovations that deepen both teacher and student understandings of STEM concepts,” she says. “Nonprofits and informal educators add creative, community-based approaches that make STEM more inclusive and culturally grounded.”

Noah mentions that STEM clubs, especially robotics, give students unique opportunities due to the breadth of work

these projects require.

“It’s very rare that a single project can be completed by just one student due to the amount of different disciplines needed such as programming, mechanical design and manufacturing. Kids in STEM clubs must work together with others to design, build and test whatever it is they are working on. As part of that process, they learn better communication skills and the importance of teamwork in developing a complete and working project.”

CAROL MOWDY BOND

The Future of STEM STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – programs use various tools to measure the impact of their programs on students’ educations and career readiness.

Noah Zemlin says alumni often tell him that SCR-type robotics clubs prepared them for engineering careers.

“We hear over and over how impressive it was to interviewers to hear stories about how our alumni worked together with so many engineers of different disciplines to complete a robot in only two semesters.”

In November 2025, the Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance announced a major initiative called MOMENTUM. It’s a new, statewide digital credentialing system that helps students earn verified badges for both their technical STEM skills and the executive functioning skills they build through robotics, drone programs and hands-on STEM learning.

MOMENTUM gives students a way to make their skills visible, and it helps educators and employers speak a shared language about what students can do.

JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

7

The State | Updates

Exploring the Bell-to-Bell Ban

Starting with the 2025-2026 school year, all personal electronic devices are banned from morning to dismissal bells at Oklahoma’s public schools. We explore the potential impacts.

W

hen each day starts within any Oklahoma public school this year, the only ringing that will be heard is the school bell, thanks to Senate Bill 139, which passed before the start of the 2025-26 school year.

From the first bell at the start of the day until the dismissal bell, personal electronic devices – cell phones, smart watches, smart headphones, laptops, tablets and smart glasses – are prohibited. It’s a step lawmakers and school administrators are taking to keep students 8

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

on track in their educational journey by reducing classroom distractions and improving student focus, academic performance and social interaction.

“Removing distractions from our school environments benefits the experiences of young people in our buildings,” says Caroline Crouch, executive director of communications for Tulsa Public Schools (TPS), “allowing them to more fully engage with their teachers, their classmates and be fully focused on their learning.”

TPS already had cell phone restrictions in place prior to SB 139 with a “phones away, just for the day” policy beginning with the 2024-25 school year.

“Because of that, there was less of a transition for our students and families,” Crouch says. “With the benefit of being one of the first districts to introduce a limit, we were already on-board with the idea and had strong practices in place.”

Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) did not have a district-wide policy regarding smart devices prior to SB 139, but administrators have given schools an opportunity to develop their own policies and procedures that follow the new law.

“This year, we’re trying to find out what works best,” says Shaun Ross, senior executive director of support and accountability for OKCPS. “So schools have some autonomy in how they interpret the law, which says no devices from bell to bell. In some schools, that means collecting devices and others have students store them in lockers.”

Ross says consequences for phone violations are focused on teaching student responsibility.

“We’re really trying to make it where there’s some learned responsibility for students, “ he says. “Not really being punitive from the word go. There are some in-school suspension options, but we’ve set out to where this is not something that’s going to keep a kid out of school and more of an opportunity to be responsible for their devices.”

Both TPS and OKCPS have exceptions for students with medical conditions that require them to monitor their health via a smart device.

Measuring the success of the policy is an evolving process, involving surveys set up for the spring for students, parents, staff and principals to obtain quantifiable data, Ross says.

“What you can see is a reduction in the number of referrals district-wide from one year ago to today,” Ross says.

“We have roughly 32,000 students and we’ve had 1,700 wireless device infractions. It’s a small number, roughly 14% of our total disciplinary actions for the year had been around wireless devices.”

So far, silencing cell phones appears to be a good decision.

“Because these practices have been ongoing within our district for well over a year now, and based on the response from our community,” Crouch says, “we believe that reducing distractions during the school day continues to have an overall positive impact on our district.”

GRETCHEN EICHENBERG

NOVEMBER 2025 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

9

The State | Nature

Roots in the Red Dirt

Oklahoma is known for its red dirt. Scientists explain how it’s created.

O

klahoma is known for its red soil.

But what, exactly, makes our soil red?

Professor Shiping Deng, Ph.D., of Oklahoma State University, says it’s the iron oxides – and although the oxidized form of iron is actually orange in the pure state as observed in the laboratory, it shows up bright red in the soil because of the fine crystalized hematite particles scattering light.

Hematite comes in a variety of colors, from black or silver-gray, brown to reddish-brown, or even red tones, and while the color may vary, all hematite contains rust-red streaks, and its name derived from the Greek word for blood.

Deng goes on to say that iron oxide forms in the process of ‘soil weathering’ in tropical and subtropical climates, where iron minerals in rocks and sediment are exposed to oxygen and water, and undergo oxidation, which is observed as rusting. Simply put, soil weathering is the process by which rocks and minerals break down into smaller particles, thus forming soil.

The formed pigment will persist and remain on soil particles if conditions remain aerated, or in the presence of oxygen.

So why, then, is Oklahoma home to so much red dirt as compared to other states and regions? Oklahoma’s climate is conducive for the rocks to oxidize because of our warm and dry climate.

The relatively dry conditions of a semiarid climate help preserve oxygenated air in the soil and reduce leaching, which prevents iron from being removed from the soil profile.

The soil profile consists of layers (or what is called ‘horizons’) beginning with the surface horizon; some soils have an organic horizon that lays on top of the surface horizon, followed by the subsoil, and then the substratum.

Deng shares that the variation of the soil parent material (rocks) and the climate make red soil common in certain

10

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

parts of Oklahoma. Higher rainfall may cause iron to leach from the soil and reduce the iron content. Because water drives oxygen out of the soil, it creates reduced conditions.

However, red soil is not exclusive to Oklahoma, although we’re known for it. It can be found in other U.S. states such as Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arizona and New Mexico.

Clay soil has shaped the way people farm here in Oklahoma.

“In the past 30 years, the farming community in Oklahoma and nationwide have implemented many management systems to improve soil health and sustainability,” says Steven L. McGowen, a state soil scientist.

There are many ways to manage clay soil that helps it become more usable for

agricultural purposes, such as reduced tillage, no-till, cover crops and regenerative agriculture. These management practices “aim to retain the soil moisture, build organic matter, restore natural soil microbial communities, improve nutrient cycling and improve overall soil health,” McGowen says.

McGowen explains that NRCS soil health systems focus on four major factors to protect and feed the soil system: (1) minimize disturbance, (2) maximize cover, (3) maximize biodiversity and (4) maximize living roots.

“By implementing management practices that follow these principles, crop producers and ranchers can care for the soil resource and sustain production potential for the future,” says McGowen.

JENNIFER LEE

Sports | The State

A Game on the Rise Lacrosse takes root in Oklahoma.

L

acrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, and that momentum is increasingly visible in Oklahoma. The appeal is easy to understand once you see the game in motion: It’s fast-paced like soccer, strategic like basketball and physical like football — yet open to athletes of all body types and skill levels.

“What I love about lacrosse is that any athlete can succeed,” confirms Jason Armstrong, director of lacrosse for Broken Arrow's Indian Nations Lacrosse Club. “You don’t have to be the biggest or the fastest. If you work hard and learn fundamentals, there’s a place for you.”

While lacrosse does blend recognizable elements of other sports, it also offers something totally unique.

“Everyone’s a quarterback on the field,” adds Brandon Newman, head coach at 405 Lacrosse, a similar club based in OKC. “There’s something about having a stick in your hands that’s just special. That’s why [Native Americans] call it the medicine game. It just feels good every time you play.”

The sport builds community as much as athleticism. While college scholarships are a possibility, coaches emphasize that lacrosse also opens doors into coaching, officiating, college club programs and lifelong recreational play. The lacrosse world is known for being tightly connected, with players frequently continuing in the sport well beyond their youth or high school years.

Although often perceived as a boys’ activity, girls’ lacrosse has a meaningful and growing presence in Oklahoma.

Indian Nations introduced girls lacrosse in 2014, but the early years were marked by tension over player assignments and organizational structure, leading to a split that left girls’ programs operating separately for several years.

That changed in 2023, when a coalition of clubs came together seeking a unified system from youth through high school. The result was a renewed partnership: high school teams aligned

405 Lacrosse is dedicated to building a competitive and supportive community for the sport across OKC. Photo courtesy 405 Lacrosse

under the Oklahoma Lacrosse Association, while youth programs, including Bixby, Broken Arrow and Metro Christian Academy, rejoined Indian Nations.

According to Indian Nations commissioner Chad Lott, this shift represented “a new era of growth and collaboration for girls’ lacrosse in Oklahoma.”

Lott notes that the growth hasn’t been linear, but it has been driven by passion.

“A small but highly committed group of coaches, administrators and parents has created a strong foundation for the sport,” he says. “Their focus is on supporting the athletes and expanding the game’s reach.”

Many girls arrive from other sports, especially softball and cheerleading, bringing athleticism and competitive drive.

The helmets and contact may suggest rugby at first glance, but lacrosse places far more emphasis on spacing, ball movement and stick skill. Rugby relies on continuous physical tackling, while lacrosse blends controlled contact

with the finesse of passing, shooting and positioning. Strategically, it resembles basketball more than rugby, with rotations, screen plays and coordinated attacks driving play.

“There’s truly a role for every player type,” Newman said. “Big, small, fast or strategic — there’s space for you.”

Oklahoma lacrosse participation declined during the pandemic, when the number of players dropped to about 500.

But Indian Nations has nearly doubled its youth numbers in recent years, and more families are discovering the sport every season.

Armstrong believes this upward trend is just beginning.

“Once families understand the game — not just the rules, but what it offers their kids — they really buy in. I truly believe lacrosse is going to take off in Oklahoma.”

ROCCO GEPPI JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

11

The State | Places

Chasing Waterfalls

Oklahoma’s got more than flat plains, with stunning hidden waterfalls scattered across the state.

W

hen one thinks of Oklahoma, they don’t typically picture beautiful, cascading waterfalls — but the state harbors plenty of hidden gems. If you’re on the hunt for a gorgeous waterfall view ( following a hike, most likely) we offer a few worth seeing in person.

Cache Creek Falls, Wichita Mountains Tucked deep in the mountains of southwest Oklahoma is Cache Creek Falls, a stunning waterfall that is not seen in person as often as others due to the hike to get there. It’s called the Forty Foot Hole and it is only accessible by a rugged trail in the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge.

While the Oklahoma trails are only 2.4 miles round-trip, there are cliffs and rocky terrain, so tread carefully!

Turner Falls, Davis Turner Falls Park is the oldest park in Oklahoma and is named for Mazeppa Thomas Turner, a pioneer citizen and politician in Oklahoma Territory.

The park is nestled below the famous Arbuckle Mountains and forms Honey Creek, which then cascades down a 77-foot fall to a natural swimming pool, making the majestic Turner Falls one of the largest waterfalls in Oklahoma.

The Arbuckle Mountains are the oldest known formations in the United States between the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains. The park itself has been a recreational area since 1868, and is accented with beautiful picnic areas, nature trails, caves, geological wonders and two natural swimming pools.

The grounds also include a walk-in castle that was built on the property in 1930. The entire park is family-friendly and boasts cabins, campsites, shelters, bunkhouses, wagons, RV sites and pavilions available for rental.

12

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

Natural Falls State Park, West Siloam Springs

Located near the Oklahoma/Arkansas border in the scenic Ozark Highlands region of northeast Oklahoma, Natural Falls State Park features a stunning 77-foot waterfall cascading through rock formations and creating a hidden, serene atmosphere at the bottom of a narrow V-shaped valley.

A railed observation platform allows hikers to overlook the falls, and another observation deck with seating is located at the foot of the falls, offering two vantage points to enjoy one of the most scenic The state teems with hidden waterfalls, like this one, found in the Ouachita National wonders in the state.

Forest in the foothills of the Kiamichi Mountains. Photo by Stacy Freeny courtesy the The vista may look faOklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation miliar to many visitors because scenes from Beavers Bend Waterfall, the 1974 movie Where the Red Fern Grows McCurtain County were filmed in the park.

Located in McCurtain County in southeast Oklahoma near the towns of Broken Little Niagara Falls, Sulphur Bow and Hochatown, Beavers Bend State Little Niagara Falls is a gorgeous Park is an outdoor wonderland that’s swimming hole with crystal-clear cold perfect for all types of adventurers. Its water, tucked away in the foothills of piney forest rests in the foothills of the the Arbuckle Mountains in southern Kiamichi Mountains and the Ouachita Oklahoma. Plus, it’s more than just a National Forest, along with Broken Bow waterfall/swimming hole; there are Lake and the Mountain Fork River. miles and miles of beautiful hiking trails, Beavers Bend State Park is located mineral water streams and lakes to enjoy. approximately nine miles north of the The recreation area has a bevy of town of Broken Bow, just off of Highway hiking trails, many leading to natural, 259 and just west of Hochatown. There spring-fed swimming holes. The Travare several activities to take part in once ertine Creek Trail is an easy hike at just in the park that include hiking, fishing, under three miles round-trip. It will take tubing, all kinds of water sports, horseyou along the Travertine Creek and over back riding, golfing, bird watching, tent to the Little Niagara Falls swimming camping, RV camping and lodge rentals hole, and is described as well-mainwith stunning lake views.

SHARON MCBRIDE tained and an easy trek.

Culture | The State

Rolling Strong

From roller derby teams to park meet-ups, Oklahoma’s roller skating scene builds community, confidence and connection.

Roller blading and roller derby (including at Twister City Roller Derby, pictured here) help people form connections, get exercise and try new things.

Photos by Rude Boy Photography/Dylan Richards

R

oller skating and rollerblading cultures are thriving in Oklahoma — with enthusiasts found at roller rinks, during derby games, on sidewalks and in parks and other outdoor meet-ups around the state.

Abbey Haughey is the public relations chair for the adult roller derby team the Roughneck Rollers Derby, and the head coach for Roadkill Rollers, the junior team, both based in Tulsa.

“We offer community, friendship, empowerment and so much more,” she says. “You end up becoming your own hero by discovering what you’re capable of. We are skaters, refs and non-skating officials.”

Haughey says roller derby is a hardhitting sport, and many skaters get to travel to play other teams, helping them to make friends with folks across the region.

“We have kids who are ages seven to 17 who we coach and train,” she shares.

“They blow me away with their grit and perseverance.”

As public relations committee head at Twister City Roller Derby (TCRD) in Oklahoma City, Ellen Lechel says that roller skating is “an excellent form of exercise because it offers an engaging, low impact, cardiovascular workout that engages the entire body. But when you add the game of roller derby, there will be some impact!”

TCRD offers competitive and recreational roller derby play for adults 18+ across Oklahoma and the southern region.

“We have volunteer opportunities for those who maybe don’t want to go hurdling into their friends for fun, but

still want to be part of this amazing community and contribute to making roller derby special, on or off skates,” says Lechel. “We also have an affiliate junior’s team, the Dust Devils, for ages eight to 17.”

Lechel mentions that LCRD is always looking to welcome new members into the ranks.

“We post on social media and [post] flyers around town about upcoming new recruit events which teach adults how to skate and the rules of roller derby,” she says. “Overall, skaters have a tendency to find their people pretty quickly.”

Haughey mentions that for the Roughnecks, “recruitment for new skaters is typically in February or August. There are also skaters in the community who organize skate nights through social media. The adult skate nights usually have different people from all the communities. But you can typically find the roller derby players by our big knee pads.”

Roller skating sports, such as roller derby, dance/jam skating and park skating create a strong sense of community, allow skaters to express themselves and help with overall fitness.

“We get a community out of it,” says Haughey. “It’s also amazing cardio and a way to move your body while being a little softer on your knees. There is a lot more core and leg strength needed for roller skating, so it truly serves as a full body workout while being fun and empowering.”

Lechel concludes: “Oklahoma skaters look out for each other, teach each other and encourage new people to join. It’s not just a sport; it’s a full social life and a culture.”

CAROL MOWDY BOND JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

13

The State | Education

Beyond the Traditional Classroom

From coding robot dogs to raising chickens, Oklahoma families are embracing diverse educational models that reflect the state’s frontier spirit.

E

ducation has changed drastically since Oklahoma’s first class convened in 1889. In that private or “subscription” school, parents paid tuition of $1.50 per student. Today, most Oklahomans are used to a far more “traditional” educational route, but the creative spirit lingers with different approaches to educating Oklahoma youth.

Charter Schools

Students with Dove Science Academy charter public school are teaching a robot dog new tricks … like how to impress dignitaries. The students write code to program the pooch to balance on his forelegs, jump and perform other acts. The dog even shook hands with U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon when she visited Oklahoma last summer.

The metallic gray dog recently ran through his paces for Oklahoma Magazine.

“My name is BenBen,” he says, as a blue light flashes across his face. “I’m your loyal and adorable robot dog.”

At his handler’s command, the beaglesized pooch answers questions using ChatGPT, bounces to his feet and shakes his back end.

“It’s very agile. But I think the coolest thing we’ve done with it so far is we’ve actually used the programming language Python to code it,” says Dove student Rayan Elmhami.

The dog, as well as drones and other robots, are key elements of the charter school’s STEM focus, says M. Atay, principal of Dove’s high school in Warr Acres.

Dove is one of 26 charter schools attended by over 38,000 students in Oklahoma.

These tuition-free, state-funded public 14

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

Dove Science Academy is one of 26 charter schools in Oklahoma, attended by over 38,000 students.

Photo courtesy Dove Science Academy

schools develop their own curriculum, but must meet their contract, or “charter,” performance standards. Dove also offers one of seven online public charter schools serving kids across Oklahoma.

Montessori Schools

On any given day, you might find Undercroft Montessori private school students selling jars of locally sourced honey or cooing at McMomma’s baby chicks scratching in the school’s chicken coop.

In the classrooms, teachers or “guides” step back and let kids from three years old through eighth grade forge their own pathways in hands-on learning, ranging from pounding steel drums to carving the moon’s phases in Oreo cookies’ creamy filling.

The private school in Tulsa is one of about 20 Montessori institutions in the state.

“The children are learning all kinds of skills,” says Nancy Davis, head of school at Undercroft. “Having that freedom of choice allows them to respond to their own developmental needs.”

Today, about 5,000 Montessori schools teach 1 million students nationwide.

Home Schools

Oklahoma’s hands-off attitude toward homeschooling is an excellent policy, according to Jana Belcher, a former public-

school teacher who homeschooled her own four children.

“I think homeschooling really provides a lifelong learning mentality more than anything else,” she says.

About 46,000 kids are homeschooled today in Oklahoma, and programs operate legally as long as 5- to 18-year-old children are schooled for 180 days a year.

The first step of developing curriculum doesn’t have to be a pain point for parents, as they can buy or access free packages online or develop their own customized lesson plans. The Coalition for Responsible Home Education offers guides and how-tos, as well.

“We offer all kinds of resources,” Belcher confirms.

Homeschoolers often come together as a microschool in which a paid educator, specializing in chemistry, for example, walks five or six students through the curriculum. Co-ops consist of parent-led groups that share teaching duties. Experts teach homeschoolers about physics, movie making, crocheting, entomology, geography, photography, conducting mock trials and much more.

“At the end of the day,” Belcher says, “all of my children, when they want to learn something, they are on fire for it.”

SONYA COLBERG

Sports II | The State

Sports Without Limits

Adaptive sports foster fierce competition and crucial inclusivity efforts.

I

The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges organizes a variety of adaptive and accessible sporting programs, as well as other services.

Photo courtesy The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges

n Oklahoma, athletes with disabilities are reshaping the world of sports through creativity, resilience and innovations that make competition more inclusive than ever.

Through adaptive sports, anyone with disabilities can join in on fun – or the fierce competitiveness.

“The Center offers adaptive sports at various levels of development, recreational and competitive play,” says Margie Crossno, director of programs and volunteer services at The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges, based in Tulsa. The Center offers people with physical challenges opportunities to enhance their quality of life through adaptive and accessible programs and services. “We have ongoing sport class instruction in recreational classes as well as select competitive sport practice,” she continues.

Sporting options run the gamut – ranging from wheelchair tennis, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair softball to goalball, air rifle, cycling and climbing.

“If somebody wants to take it to the

next level, we also can coach them up to where they can be connected to a USA Paralympics Team,” says Anthony Meadows, the Center’s adaptive sports coordinator.

Getting involved is as easy as expressing interest or going online to find a community.

“Athletes usually get involved by reaching out through the website,” says Cathryn Tamney, volunteer and coach at Oklahoma Adaptive Sports Association – a leading provider of adaptive sports programs for children and adults with physical disabilities. “Sometimes we meet athletes at Chicken N Pickle [an OKC restaurant with pickleball and bocce ball] at the monthly para-sports night,” she continues.

If you’re looking to get involved, the Oklahoma Adaptive Sports Association has wheelchair basketball running from September to April, as well as track and field events from February to July.

If you want to attend any of these events, you can — without digging out your wallet.

“Another beautiful thing about wheelchair sports and adaptive sports

in general – there are no fees to come.

There is no charge. It’s free and open to the public,” says Meadows.

Perhaps the most important thing about adaptive sports is its ability to become an uplifting and essential tool for kids, empowering them to believe in themselves.

“These leagues provide a community for people with disabilities,” says Tamney. “Sports also build character, leadership skills and grit.”

Meadows wholeheartedly agrees.

“It’s important for kids, so that they can see somebody that’s just like them,” he says. “I love to see kids in sports, especially adaptive sports, because they can finally see that ‘there is a place for me.’

I’m not just going to be put off ... or just shut in at the house not having anything else to do. Everything that they see on TV is about other people doing these sports, whereas if they come and watch adaptive sports, they can see themselves, a kid with a disability, or see an adult being active as a disabled athlete.”

DREW JOSEPH ALLEN JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

15

The State | Outdoors

Where the Line Meets the Current

Fly fishing is a relaxing pastime for some and a competitive sport for others.

O

klahoma’s waters are buzzing with a new wave of flyfishing fever, as anglers discover the state’s untapped potential for hooking warm water species with artificial flies. Far beyond its trout-centric reputation, fly fishing is reeling in enthusiasts chasing temperate bass, black bass, panfish and nongame species, according to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC).

But what, exactly, is fly fishing?

Chance Maxville, co-owner of Owasso fishing store Green Country Fly Company, which also offers guided fly fishing expeditions, explains.

“Fly fishing is a fishing technique that uses an artificial fly — made of hair, fur, feathers or other materials — to mimic insects and other prey, casting it onto the water using a specialized rod, weighted line and reel. The weight of the line, not the lure, casts the fly, and anglers use different fly types (dry, nymph, wet or streamer) to imitate the prey fish are feeding on. It is a skillful, often relaxing yet challenging pursuit that connects the angler to the water and the natural world.”

Fly fishing, long celebrated as a trout angler’s art, is gaining traction among Oklahoma’s warm water fishing com16

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

are also a great resource, as there are chapters everywhere across the country; we have two local chapters in Oklahoma alone. The internet is a great place to research and learn about the sport. It’s literally at your fingertips these days, almost anything that you want to know,” he continues.

The basics to get started include a fly rod, reel, fly line, leader, tippet and a basic assortment of flies for your local area. The possibilities are endless past those items, with waders, vests, packs, fly boxes, tools, clothing and sunglasses to consider. It’s a gear-heavy sport — which can be intimidating to new anglers. However, clubs are available to help guide you.

The two Trout Unlimited chapters based in Tulsa and OKC offer “many members that host meetings, classes and

munity, with the state’s diverse fish populations proving just as eager to strike a well-presented fly.

The ODWC highlights the growing popularity of this technique, noting that the state’s rivers, lakes and streams offer a gold mine for fly anglers targeting species like bass and panfish.

As more anglers Owasso’s Green Country Fly Co. offers guided fly fishing trips, classes and gear.

Photos courtesy Chance Maxville trade traditional gear for specialized rods and weighted lines, Oklahoma’s events throughout the year,” says Maxwaters are becoming a hotspot for this ville. “They also have Facebook pages for skillful pursuit. those clubs that are a great resource.”

Getting involved is easy, says Maxville.

Oklahoma’s waters offer prime destina“There are tons of resources for tions for both novice and seasoned fly aspiring fly fishers to seek out that can anglers. Maxville highlights spots like give them so much info on how to get the upper and lower Illinois Rivers, Blue started,” he says. “Local fly shops like River, Lower Mountain Fork, Arkansas ours, and then JD Adams & Co. in OKC, River and Spavinaw Creek, alongside local city or farm ponds as excellent starting are great places to start, where you can points. For those willing to venture furseek out local knowledge and expertise ther, the nearby Ozarks in Missouri and for your area, check out all of the gear Arkansas provide endless possibilities. and take classes.

TRACY LEGRAND “Local clubs like Trout Unlimited

Tech | The State

Inside Oklahoma’s Drone Scene

The state's growing drone racing community welcomes newcomers, as national championships and local festivals put our state on the map.

D

rone racing is gaining popularity in Oklahoma.

In fact, our state played host to the 2025 MultiGP Drone Racing Championship, and hosts the Thunderbird Drone Festival in Tulsa.

Tad Douce, executive director of MultiGP Drone Racing, explains the burgeoning phenomenon.

“Drone racing is special because the pilot is wearing a set of goggles, getting a video feed from a camera mounted on the drone, so it feels like being in the drone, like in the pilot seat if it were an aircraft, and it feels like you’re flying – not like a radio-controlled car or airplane.”

Drone racing, Douce says, has been around for ten to 15 years.

“My background is in education, and I saw some people doing it with small drones you fly indoors, so students could build and repair. And I thought it was great for kids to learn the skills.”

MultiGP is the largest organization for drone racing across the world, started by Chris Thomas in Florida. He wanted to fly with others as a hobby, so he started the first real community of hobbyists and racers. The organization now has 30,000 pilots all over the world.

“It’s getting more mainstream,” says Douce. “When I started in 2019, there weren’t a lot of resources; you had to know somebody. The drones are not simple to set up, fly and repair; it takes some knowledge, and there’s a learning curve. Now it’s getting easier to get started, as in the last three years, there are more companies selling them with the drone already put together and the ability to buy a kit and open up drone

Students compete during the 2025 Season Championship in Houston, Texas, hosted by EduEverything, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding technology and robotics education for schools and educators.

Photos courtesy EduEverything

racing for more people.”

Douce says that with time spent building skills, anyone can participate in drone racing.

“It’s a skill that anyone can do, as it’s not hard to learn the basics, but to get good at it, it’s like any sport,” he says.

“Like basketball – if you give someone a ball, they can dribble it, shoot a basket.

But it takes practice to get any real skills.

With drone racing, it’s a skill. When I was first getting started, it was hard for me to fly accurately.

“A lot of people use Veloci-drone – a software that you can plug your controller into a computer and you can practice in virtual mode, and you get better,” Douce continues. “I realized it got me better, but it takes hours of practice to get muscle memory. There’s a lot of strategy to it. Every track is different, and can have spirals, loops, turns and structures,

so you’re learning different maneuvers.

Children often learn quickly, and I admire some of our students in the Drones in School programs as they can develop real speed like a real-life video game.”

For adults and children alike, drone racing has the added benefit of getting people outside.

“It’s like a video game, but outdoors,” he says. “You interact with other people and touch grass. It crashes, you figure out how to fix it [and you gain] real life skills."

If you want to get involved in the activity, Douce says, “find a chapter close to you and, most of all, practice.

The MultiGP community people are enthusiastic, and they’ll help you and give advice on equipment and share their knowledge. Plug into an organization in your community.”

TRACY LEGRAND

JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

17

The State | Happenings

Oklahoma’s Otter Revival

Thanks in major part to two Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation employees, river otters are thriving in the state.

R

iver otters feed on small fish, crayfish and turtles, and thus “are an important part of river systems in keeping those populations in control,” says Mark Howery, a non-game biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

And, Howery says, “they are often a species that people find very endearing.

They enjoy watching them and having them around.”

But as with most wild animals, it’s a case of look, but don’t touch.

“It’s a bad idea to try to feed them,” Howery says. “You don’t want them to get habituated to people and view people as food sources. They might come up around houses and attack small pets and chickens, and get into fights with small dogs.”

And it’s illegal to capture river otters and try to make pets out of them, Howery says. As a non-game biologist, Howery works primarily with wildlife species that are not hunted or fished.

River otters were absent or nearly so during the first 60 years after statehood, 18

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

While river otters are objectively adorable, experts advise not to interact with or feed them. “You don’t want them to get habituated to people and view people as food sources,” says biologist Mark Howery.

Photo by Stacy Freeny courtesy the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

Howery says, but “now we have them in nearly every county east of I-35,” and a few in the southern part of the state, as far west as the Wichita Mountains.

River otters were heavily trapped in the late 1800s and early 1900s, before wildlife laws were enacted, Howery says.

“They were harvested for their fur,” he shares. “As a result, the Oklahoma population was decimated prior to statehood.”

In the late 1960s and early '70s, river otters began making their way back, migrating from Texas and Arkansas.

Historic predators such as wolves, bobcats and mountain lions were gone or diminished. Another factor in the population rebound was a “population augmentation” by the wildlife conservation department, Howery says.

Two employees who have since retired, John Skeen and Richard Hatcher, “worked out a trade with the state of Louisiana, and traded wild turkey in exchange for river otters,” Howery says.

Eighteen river otters were placed at the McGee Creek and Wister reservoirs between 1985 and 1987.

“The populations increased to the point that by about 2008 or 2009, we

reopened a limited fur harvesting season on them in certain counties,” Howery says.

As many as 2,000 people still work as fur trappers in the state, primarily harvesting bobcats, beavers and raccoons, Howery says.

River otters are now plentiful in such rivers as the Arkansas, Canadian, Kiamichi, Washita and Red River, Howery says, but also thrive near streams.

At night, they disperse to ponds to look for fish, he says, moving overland up to a couple of miles. They aren’t so welcome by property owners who are nurturing fish and turtles in their ponds, however.

River otters typically live eight to nine years in the wild, and Howery estimates the Oklahoma population is now between 3,000 and 5,000. They create their dens in river and stream banks and produce litters of two to four pups, also known as kits.

The animals will usually slide into the water when they encounter people.

“They are a curious animal, but don’t tend to approach people,” Howery says.

KIMBERLY BURK

Hobbies | The State

A Beginner’s Guide to Composting

Oklahoma experts explain how turning yard waste into nutrient-rich compost can cut landfill costs, boost soil health and help gardens thrive.

A sign from Tulsa County Master Gardeners shows which materials are great for composting, and which are not. Photo courtesy TCMG

“I

Composting is a relatively low-maintenance activity that can help communities thrive and gardens grow. Photo courtesy OSU Extension

n Oklahoma, yard trimmings and grass clippings can make up 15 to 25% of a community’s waste,” says David Hillock, a consumer horticulturist with the Oklahoma State University Extension. “The costs of collecting and transporting yard waste and the subsequent landfill tipping fees may be a considerable portion of a community’s waste management budget. These costs may be reduced if communities encourage and practice backyard yard waste composting.”

Compost systems can be simple and slow, such as a heap or pile, which is turned occasionally during the year.

“In general, a bin of some sort makes it easier to manage,” says Hillock. “This can be a large container or a structure made from simple materials like wood, wire or concrete blocks. A more relaxed method is just creating a pile in the

corner of the landscape where you throw all your scraps. You can dig a wide but shallow hole to help keep it somewhat contained.”

But what, exactly, can be composted?

Most yard waste, such as grass clippings, leaves, twigs and excess vegetation, alongside food scraps without fat, twigs or chipped branches, coffee grounds and tea leaves. The list of what can’t be composted is a bit longer, including large branches, fatty foods, grease, meats, dairy products, fish, bones, synthetic products like plastics, diseased plants, weeds and vegetables that produce abundant seed, and pet or human waste.

The benefits of composting are vast.

You’re recycling natural materials; reducing the amount of chemical fertilizer and the amount of material going to landfills and the landfill tipping fees; and extending landfill life.

And if you aren’t sure what to use your compost for, it can:

• Improve soil structure and texture; • Increase the water-holding capacity of sandy soil; • Loosen clay soil and improve drainage; • Add nutrients to improve soil fertility; • Aid erosion control; • Work as potting soil; • Substitute as mulch around landscape plants to retain moisture.

“Essentially, we are helping nature do its work by turning ‘free’ plant-based material into a rich source of organic matter and nutrients that improve soil health, which helps plants grow,” says Hillock.

So, you have decided to start composting. Where do you place the compost pile? The best place for a pile is where you’ll actually use it, says Patrick Morey with the Tulsa County Master Gardeners.

To harvest compost, it should ideally be sifted through 1/4”-1/2” hardware cloth, says Morey.

“Whatever falls through can be used in gardens. What doesn’t fall through can be tossed back into the pile to decompose further,” he says.

The best compost has a variety of carbon material (browns) and material with higher nitrogen content (greens).

“For example, carbon rich browns would be dried leaves, straw, shredded paper and paper towels,” says Morey.

“Nitrogen rich material would be kitchen scraps like veggies and fruits, even potato peels, orange peels, celery stalks, carrot ends. Finished compost can be turned into the soil prior to planting veggies, or can be used as a top-dressing for perennial flowers, shrubs and trees.

Compost helps everything grow better.”

SHARON MCBRIDE

JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

19

The State | History

Exploring America’s Outback

The reason Oklahoma harbors its own panhandle may surprise you.

T

he Oklahoma panhandle is a curious part of state. Previously known as No Man’s Land, the approximately 6,000 square miles were added to Oklahoma upon statehood in 1907.

“The Oklahoma panhandle is a product of the reduction of the boundaries of the Republic of Texas following its admission to the Union, as the Missouri Compromise and later the Compromise of 1850 mandated any territory above the 36’30 line to be ‘free,’” says Matthew Pearce, Ph.D., state historian with the Oklahoma Historical Society. “About a decade later, the creation of Kansas Territory in 1854 left a tiny sliver of land to the south between Kansas and Texas,” he continues.

The 36’30 refers to a line established within the Missouri Compromise that dictated where slavery was permitted.

South of the line permitted slavery, while north of the line prohibited it.

“One could argue that slavery had almost everything to do with the creation of what became the Oklahoma panhandle, starting with the debate over the boundaries of Texas upon its admission to the Union,” says Pearce. The Compromise made Texas relinquish any claims north of the line while also establishing boundaries of New Mexico Territory west of the panhandle.

“The Kansas-Nebraska Act established what ultimately became the panhandle’s northern boundary. Upon gaining statehood in 1861, Kansas designated its western boundary as the 102nd meridian and ceded any of its territorial claims west of that line, which ultimately became part of Colorado,” he continues.

“All of this helps explain why the panhandle is bordered by four states.”

With the Organic Act of 1890, which organized Oklahoma Territory, the panhandle was formally placed within the territory.

“The panhandle originally comprised

20

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

one county, Beaver County.

Upon statehood, the panhandle was divided into three counties: Cimarron, Texas and Beaver,” says Pearce.

Because of the almost disconnected nature of the panhandle, the area has developed a distinct identity from the rest of the state.

“Historically the panhandle was cut off from the rest of Oklahoma, and the region remains an afterthought for many in Oklahoma even today,” says Pearce. “Economic

Photograph used in the Daily Oklahoman has a caption that reads: "Showing off the antelope he killed during the recent open antelope season in the Oklahoma Panhandle is Bob Williams of Houston, Texas." c. 1966; photos courtesy of The Oklahoma Historical Society

This photo depicts a one-way plow covered by sand from the field. Pictures of this type are quite common in the Panhandle area; this plow is covered by the soil which it helped remove. This was one way plows were blamed for much of the destruction of cultivated wheat fields. c. April, 1935.

development in the region occurred later than the rest of the state and the population in the panhandle was relatively small, with about 3,000 people in 1890.” The first railroad didn’t arrive until 1901, nearly thirty years after other areas in the state, and even now, Cimarron County has the smallest population of any county in Oklahoma.

“As a result, the area has developed a

sort of ‘frontier’ identity not all that different from the nearby Texas panhandle,” continues Pearce. “There are a lot of similarities culturally, socially and economically between the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles. For these reasons, the historian Richard Lowitt described the panhandle as ‘America’s Outback.’”

DREW JOSEPH ALLEN

The Professionals

Furry and Fit

Issues | The State

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Pet obesity rates are high — and it’s up to owners to help animals get and stay healthy.

A

cross Oklahoma, and the country at large, more pets are tipping the scales, and not in a good way, says Rob Miller, DVM, with Woodland West Animal Hospital in Jenks. National surveys show nearly 60% of dogs and 61% of cats are overweight or obese, and Oklahoma veterinarians here report seeing similar, if not higher, rates in practice.

“Obesity in pets isn’t just about appearance,” says Miller. “Extra weight increases the risk of arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. In cats, it’s especially dangerous. If an overweight cat becomes ill, the stress can trigger a potentially fatal condition called hepatic lipidosis, or liver failure. The good news?

With a few changes in routine and mindset, most pets can return to a healthier weight and a more active life.”

After all, if domesticated animals are overweight, it’s not their fault.

“Sometimes there are hormonal shifts, a slowed metabolism after spaying or neutering, or underlying conditions like hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease,” says Miller. “These conditions can make

weight loss far more difficult, even with strict diet and exercise. If your pet is gaining weight despite careful feeding, or if you notice other symptoms, such as hair loss, changes in thirst or urination, or unusual lethargy, it’s time to see your veterinarian for bloodwork and a full exam. Treating the underlying medical issue is often the key to unlocking healthy weight loss.”

Sometimes, lessening the serving size isn’t enough — the type of nutrition has to change. Today, clients have options, including specialized diets and foods.

Pet owners can also measure amounts based on a veterinarian’s calculation for exact daily caloric needs based on weight, age, breed and activity level.

Speaking of activity levels, “movement matters just as much as diet,” says Miller.

“Regular walks, scent games and short training sessions help burn calories and keep pets mentally sharp. And here’s the bonus: walking your dog doesn’t just help them, it helps you. That movement benefits both species, reinforcing the idea that shared exercise routines improve longevity, emotional well being and cardiovascular resilience.”

If you’re not sure how to make that exercise fun, Miller has some suggestions.

“Dogs may enjoy scent games, puzzle feeders, agility courses, dock diving, fetch with a twist, swimming or group walks,” he says. “Cats can benefit from climbing towers, feather wand play, food dispensing toys, laser pointer chases or window perches for bird watching. Both species can enjoy short training sessions using part of their daily food allowance, or low impact rehab exercises for pets with mobility issues.”

The best – and lowest calorie – pet treat is a pat on the head, a kind word or a moment of play.

“Food rewards have their place, but affection and interaction go even further toward building the bond between owners and their fur kids,” says Miller.

“A hungry dog can make you feel like you’re the villain in their life story just for eating a cracker. And while that ‘feed me’ face is undeniably cute, it’s not good for them — or for us — if it works every time.”

He concludes: “With the right support and a little consistency, most pets can lose weight safely and keep it off. The payoff isn’t just physical. A healthier pet moves more, plays more and lives longer for more love and fun.”

TRACY LEGRAND

JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

21

The State | Insider

Preparing for a Grand Centennial

Tulsa’s official designation as the Capital of Route 66 sets the stage for a centennial celebration, and for a new book that captures the city’s enduring connection to America’s most iconic highway.

S

This photo from the 1950s showcases Tulsa’s Meadow Gold sign in its original location on 11th St. at Lewis Ave. The sign was later refurbished and moved two miles west. Photo courtesy Beryl Ford Collection/Rotary Club of Tulsa

omehow, I missed the news a couple of years ago about how Tulsa had been officially designated as the Capital of

Route 66.

In case you missed it, too, here’s what happened: In April 2024, following what the City of Tulsa website calls a “process that lasted more than two years and involved exhaustive research and surveys,” the federal government approved Tulsa’s request to copyright the title “Capital of Route 66.” That process came about through the city’s Route 66 Commission, and it concluded in plenty of time for the Mother Road’s big centennial celebration, kicking off this year.

One of the first 100th-birthday celebrations comes with Route 66 in Tulsa, a new book compiled and written by Tulsans Steve Clem and Becky Hatchett.

Published by the South Carolina-based Arcadia Publishing as a volume in its “Images of America” series, Route 66 in Tulsa combines vintage and a few contemporary photos with prose chapters and captions that give historical context.

Thanks to all the hubbub around the centennial and the strong Tulsa-66

22

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

Those driving down Route 66 in Tulsa can view the Buck Atom Space Cowboy, one of several giants on the Mother Road. Photo courtesy Melissa Winterscheid

connection, there’s little doubt that the release of this book was perfectly timed – which, of course, was Steve Clem’s idea all along. At least, sort of.

“A year or two ago, I did plan to write a [Route 66] book for the centennial,” he says. “But really, I started the project that became this book about a decade ago, when I began driving around Tulsa with a spreadsheet on my computer, chronicling and documenting where every old motel used to be – on 11th Street, on Southwest Boulevard, on Admiral Place.

I’ve had a longtime fascination with the old motels and their neon signs, so I devised that spreadsheet and went to all those locations to see what was there now.

“I was asked [by a publisher] if I wanted to do a ‘then and now’ book about Route 66 and Tulsa, but you can’t really do that,” he adds with a chuckle.

“You’d be photographing too many parking lots. So much of what was on Route 66, especially when it comes to the old motels and restaurants, were just razed.”

If that sounds like the observation of a longtime Mother Road aficionado to you, you’re right on the money. Clem has, for many years, been an admitted “fanatic”

about the Main Street of America; he’s attended events with fellow members of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association for more than a quarter of a century.

“I’ve always been fascinated with the strong connection Tulsa has to Route 66,” he says. “The father of Route 66, Cyrus Avery, was a Tulsan, and he was incredibly instrumental in not only getting Route 66 founded, but also in getting it routed through his adopted hometown of Tulsa. And the other connection is Michael Wallis, who started the renaissance of Route 66 back in 1990 with his book Route 66: The Mother Road.

Both he and Cyrus Avery came from other cities to Tulsa and did some of their most outstanding work while they were living here.”

Like all of the books in the “Images of America” series, Route 66 in Tulsa is extensively photo-illustrated. Most of those vintage shots, Clem says, came from the collections of the Museum of Tulsa History and the Tulsa City-County Library.

“It was the combination of those two sources, which both do such a wonderful job with archival photos, and three postcard-collector friends of mine,” he notes. “They’re Route 66 friends I see at

Insider | The State

The Professionals

who was the city councilor over there for a long time, finally decided to just call us all Westsiders, and that’s what’s stuck.

But we are all these little towns. We are Financial advisor not a unified whole.

Can you offer important “I also think that people forget we advice for the ‘Sandwich even have Route 66 over there; we have Generation’? four miles of it. And we have some great If you’re between the ages of 35 and 60, you attractions. Maybe a lot of Tulsans don’t may be feeling a financial pinch from both your growing — or grown — children and know about the Route 66 Historical Vilyour aging parents or in-laws. You may also find yourself juggling your work commitments lage, but the people who come in from and the expectations of family members for your time and support. If you’re wondering out of town and from all over the world how to keep yourself financially on track in DAVID KARIMIAN the face of these competing demands, the folCFP®, CRPC®, APMA® to the Historical Village know we’re lowing strategies may help. 1. Pay yourself first. Instead of paying your bills and other there.” expenses and then saving what’s leftover, automatically route a portion of your paycheck to your 401(k), Roth IRA or other retirement savOriginally, Clem sought Hatchett’s Tulsan Cyrus Avery, known as the Father of Route 66, was part ings account. 2. Talk openly about finances. Discuss the basic tenets of the committee that created the national highway system help on Chapter Four of Route 66 in Tulof sound money management with your children to help them develop in 1926. Avery ensured that U.S. Highway 66, from Chicago to good saving and spending habits at an early age. 3. Make sure financial sa, the one that deals with the city’s west Los Angeles, came through his adopted hometown of Tulsa. and legal documents are up to date. Whether it’s you, your parents or your children, it’s important to determine whether you’ll need a Durable Photo courtesy Cyrus Stevens Avery Collection/Department side.

However, he says, “she did such a Power of Attorney, a Healthcare Proxy, a Living Will and a Last Will of Special Collections and Archives/ and Testament. 4. Discuss long-term care insurance. In-home health Oklahoma State University-Tulsa great job describing it and coming up care costs or a lengthy nursing home stay can be very costly. If you or your parents don’t already have long-term care insurance, it may be conferences and conventions and festiwith archival images that she just started wise to look into it to see if it fits with your family’s goals and options.

5. Explore resources to help offset costs. If your children are attending vals, and they have massive collections helping me with the rest of the book, and college, research the scholarship opportunities or work-study programs that may be available to them. 6. Set limits. If you have the desire and of Route 66 and other postcards. All it rose to the level that I asked her if she financial resources to support adult family members, it’s important to three of them were kind enough to lend wanted to be a co-author. That’s how it balance your generosity with ensuring you have enough money to last through retirement. their images to this book.” happened.”

David Karimian, CFP®, CRPC®, APMA® Clem also had assistance in the text “It was,” says Hatchett of the co-author Prime Wealth Management department – which is where his cooffer, “nice of him, gracious of him, to A private wealth advisory practice author, Becky Hatchett, first came in. do that. And I’ve learned a whole lot of Ameriprise Financial “I was searching for an expert on from Steve. For instance, I don’t think 2431 E 61st St, Suite 400, Tulsa, OK 74136 918.388.2009 David.x.Karimian@ampf.com the west side of Tulsa,” he explains. “I I understood how important the 11th www.primewealthmgmt.com research a lot of stuff, and I could’ve just Street Bridge [spanning the Arkansas researched the west side and written River] was to Route 66 being routed something about its history. But I didn’t through Tulsa. I didn’t really realize the want to be a guy on the outside looking effort that it took to build the road all in at that particular area of town. It’s got the way through, that it started out as all its own character, its own feel. There’s a these little patchworks of roads working Medical director of aesthetics & Wellness kind of east-meets-west dynamic there around property lines, until the REDESIGN ORpeople’s COPY CHANGES. Is there a treatment for that we mention in the book, the uptown government got involved.” cellulite reduction and FIRST PROOF oil interests vs. the people on the west The authors devote the book’s final skin tightening that has 1 2 3 4 5 6 no 7 side who worked in the refineries and chapter to current Route 66 roadside downtime? had the neighborhoods. So I was looking attractions. Some of them, like Tulsa Fig Medical a No Additional Charge $35 $35 $35 At $35 Spa, we use $35 $3 radiofrequency system utilizing for expertise and ran into Becky, who’s entrepreneur Mary Beth Babcock’s FDA-approved channelRedesign or copy changes at this stage of production will result in addition connected to the west side in so many giant statues and the aforementioned optimizing RF energy technology that delivers incredible results ways.”

Route 66 Historical Village, are bona fide Please read your ad carefully! in the treatment of cellulite and DR. CRISTIE HAWKINS “Steve and I have many mutual tourist attractions.

Others are less wellskin tightening. This technology friends,” adds Hatchett, “but we had nev- Dearknown simultaneously delivers to – what both Hatchett and Clemto correct errors that may have Advertiser—this is your final opportunity occurred during theheat production of you multiple layers of the skin while also using vacuum er met each other. He was asking around errors callmay “hidden gems.” during the importing process. Corrections have occurred due tothe ourpenetration errors areoffree of charge. therapy to enhance RF energy, for someone who could help with the local bloodcharges circulation, and promoting Fororexample, says Clem, a Redesign copy changes at this “There’s stage of production will increasing result in additional of $35.00 per change. Please lymphatic drainage. The procedure is pain-free, west side perspective – and he knew that We wonderful historical marker near Howneed to hear from you within 24 hours of the date we sent.

If we fax your Friday, your is due the non-invasive, and has ad zeroondowntime.

It is response great Westsiders are kind of sensitive about ard Park on Route 66, which is also offifor all skin types and can be performed year-round. smoother reduction of do not hear as from within 24 Highway. hours, your ad willResults print are as tightened it appears in thisskin, transmission. some things. We want to be called by the If we cially known theyou Will Rogers circumferential fat, and improvement in cellulite. correct names, for example.

Right after Will’s death [in 1935], Tulsans Most patients notice results immediately after treatment withand continued “People will talk about that whole side AD PROOF CHECKLIST: a xittothat indicate youbehave thoroughly reviewed proofedimprovement each item; please indicate any neede lobbied CongressPlace to give name over the next few months. The most popular treatment of town as being West Tulsa. That is not cause it was a road that connected Tulsa areas are the arms, thighs, buttocks, abdomen, nLogo________________________________________________________________________________ flanks, and neck (under the chin). This RF treatment West Tulsa. West Tulsa is just that little to Los Angeles, and Will lived in Los is perfect for patients who have stubborn cellulite, Phone number, address______________________________________________________________ area right across the 11th Street Bridge. n Angeles.

Then, in 2001, a few different wrinkled or crepey skin, or mild to moderate skin laxity. To schedule an appointment or find out more It was an incorporated town from 1907 organizations got together to place these nSpelling______________________________________________________________________________ information on skin tightening, call Fig Medical Spa to 1909. markers along Route 66, and the one I’m at 918-932-8810. n Body Copy___________________________________________________________________________ “I’m from Red Fork, and when it was talking about is a beautiful large granite Cristie Lehr-Hawkins. M.D., Additional annexed to the City of Tulsa in 1927, marker Changes_____________________________________________________________________ with Will Rogers’ image – and a Fig - For Inner Good - Medical Spa 8921 S Yale Ave - Tulsa, OK 74137 the Tulsa World, I believe, ran a contest, Wallis quote. ” n Michael Ad approved-no changes, Advertiser’s Signature______________________________________ 918.932.8810 - figtulsa.com trying to come up with a name for the Route 66 in Tulsa is available at the whole area. They were going to give a Museum of Tulsa History, Buck Atom’s CosFax back to: 918.748.5772 or EMAIL TO GRAPHICS@OKMAG.COM prize, but it was never decided,” she mic Curios and online at amazon.com.

Oklahoma Magazine, PO Box 14204, Tulsa, OK 74159 Office telephone 918.744.6205 JOHN WOOLEY notes with a laugh. “I think Darla Hall, SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Advertising designs and photography are for use in Oklahoma Magazine only. Use in other publications or materials is

AD PROOF

JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

REDESIGN OR COPY CHANGES.

23

Life & Style

A MAP TO LIVING WELL

Budapest: Leaving You Hungary for More

The Gothic-style Hungarian Parliament building in Budapest is a show-stopper.

Discover a city defined by thermal baths, dramatic architecture and a spirit that bridges East and West.

L

et’s do some travel math. Here’s an equation some might not know: Buda + Pest + the Danube River = Budapest! A city made up of the three aforementioned places is bound to delight! Buda is the hilly area where castles and cathedrals astound, while Pest is flat and full of boulevards.

Between the two is the romantic Danube River, flowing underneath ornate bridges of sheer excitement as people stroll across, marveling at the lion statues and grandiose details.

Budapest is a city of daily celebration.

Restaurants along the Danube River are filled with people simply gawking at the

24

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

beauty cresting on the Buda hillside.

Riverboats glide by with passengers surrounded by “two cities in one,” Buda and Pest, where one side feels modern and the other feels historic. Whatever your mood fancies, just go there; Buda for castles and a town of yore or Pest for places like Andrassy Avenue with its boutiques and taverns.

Distinct features like the Opera House and the thermal baths make Budapest the epicenter of culture that it is. In fact, the opera house motif happens elsewhere in the city at cafes and hotels.

The mind-blowing New York Cafe is a three-story restaurant designed as an opera house with Venetian chandeliers.

People pose on various perches there for photos to celebrate the glamour. This

travel writer enjoyed a Cortado coffee beverage with gold leaf sprinkles, a famous menu feature. Not only was the beverage delicious but the resulting gold lips afterwards made it a memorable moment. Reportedly, the Dalai Lama has even dined there.

Imagine starting your Budapest adventure with mystery ... like at the Mystery Hotel. Entering the boutique hotel, there’s a magic carpet suspended from the ceiling over the front desk. Instantly, you’re in the mood for something special. The elevator doors are designed to look like stage curtains and the elevator interior has “portraits” of famous royals from floor to ceiling. A massive piece of art hangs over the bed. The room has red velvet everything, from the banquette to drapes covering the bathroom and closet areas. You are literally draped in the glamour of an opera house or art museum. Best of all is the “Turkish bath” experience in the spa where a sauna and whirlpool await you within a solarium.

The opera-like restaurant even has a balcony.

All this luxuriating is helpful for your vigorous strolls. You won’t leave

Destinations | Life & Style Budapest without a stunning outfit or two. After dinners of goulash or other local food, have a beverage at the Callas Cafe across from the Hungarian Opera House in homage to Maria Callas. After all, what is more opera than the diva herself ?

Walk into Buda over the iconic Szecheny Chain Bridge, a symbol of unity of the two cities, and take the funicular or tram that ascends the steep hill. You’re instantly transported to historic times as you gasp through buildings within the castle complex. Enter the St. Matthias Church where the gonging bells lift you up into heavenly heights. The palace isn’t only glorious, but it also has interactive experiences like the sketching room where visitors can engage in art activities.

Luckily, there are cafes where you can catch your breath and recharge with refreshments overlooking the Danube River and the city in one fell swoop. The Ottoman influence and Hungarian style in the architecture puts its stamp on the landscape. The gothic, massive Parliament building dominates the rivers’ edge and serves as the centerpiece of the city.

Feast your eyes on Budapest. It’s a travel buffet that leaves you Hungary for more.

GINA MICHALOPULOS KINGSLEY

A popular Budapest tourist destination is the Central Market Hall.

The Old Fisherman Bastion offers stunning views.

Burgviertel is a picturesque neighborhood in Budapest, perfect for window shopping.

Train cars in Budapest are ideal to avoid steep stairs.

Liberty Bridge is just one example of Budapest's outstanding architecture.

JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

25

Life & Style | Health

Understanding Invisible Diseases

Autoimmune diseases affect more than eight percent of the U.S. population.

A

utoimmune diseases can be complex and difficult to diagnose, often lacking visible symptoms.

Providing insights to this vast and diverse category of diseases is Mary Beth Humphrey, M.D., a rheumatologist with OU Health in Oklahoma City.

“Autoimmune diseases most often occur when the immune system is unable to distinguish healthy cells and tissues (self) from foreign or abnormal tissues (non-self), such as those resulting from infections or cancer,” says Humphrey.

“Autoimmunity results from a combination of genetic factors that lead to increased stimulation or decreased ability to turn off the immune system, coupled with environmental triggers, including infections, sex hormones, chemicals or toxins and smoking, among others.”

She says there are many autoimmune diseases, with estimates ranging from 80 to 150, depending on classification criteria. Some target specific organs, like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves’ disease and Type 1 diabetes. Others are systemic, affecting multiple organs and tissues, such as lupus and scleroderma.

26

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

While autoantibodies are detectable in many cases, diagnosis requires clinical symptoms.

“For some diseases, autoantibodies may be found many years before the autoimmune disease causes symptoms,” says Humphrey. “At this time, there are no cures for autoimmune diseases, but most can be managed lifelong with therapies. In the near future, we may achieve cures with advanced cellular therapies, including genetically engineered immune cells that will target the autoreactive cells.

More than eight percent of the United States population has an autoimmune disease. The most common include psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. Others include multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, Sjogren’s disease, systemic lupus erythematosus and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Some autoimmune diseases are more common in women due to several factors including sex hormones and X chromosome genes, with lupus occurring nine times more often in women than men. However, some conditions like type 1 diabetes and Crohn’s disease are more

common in men.

Humphrey explains that early in the course of the disease, symptoms like painful joints, severe fatigue, mouth sores and headaches may come and go, making diagnosis challenging. Patients may feel unwell but lack obvious signs of illness like casts or surgical scars, which could lead others to underestimate their condition.

Humphrey says there are many ways to help manage chronic illnesses, including autoimmune diseases.

“It is very important to find a provider that listens to you and offers you treatment plans that address your symptoms and conditions,” she says. “Staying active with walking, Tai Chi, yoga and water aerobics can help maintain joint and muscle health and improve pain and sleep. Some people find that changing their diet to a Mediterranean diet or a more restrictive elimination diet for autoimmune conditions (Autoimmune Protocol) can improve their symptoms.

For those working or avid hobbyists, an occupational therapy assessment can be useful for modifying their environment and work or hobby tools to help them be as productive as possible.”

In addition, she says illness-specific support groups can help with anxiety and depression while providing practical management tips, and cognitive behavioral therapy and meditation can help manage illness-related stress.

Humphrey also shares that recent research breakthroughs have led to new treatments providing sustained remission for many autoimmune diseases, with promising new therapies using genetically engineered immune cells in early trials.

“We also now understand that uncontrolled diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis lead to early heart disease, causing strokes and heart attacks,” she says. “Therefore, we treat these diseases more aggressively to prevent these early conditions. Overall, we have significantly improved our ability to get patients into remission and allow them to remain free of disability or early death.”

REBECCA FAST

FYI | Life & Style

Burn Smarter

Fire officials share essential guidance on selecting, storing and safely extinguishing firewood to keep homes and backyards hazard-free.

W

ith colder temperatures here to stay ( for now), folks who burn wood in fireplaces, backyard firepits and chimeneas are on the hunt for good firewood. Most are undoubtedly aware that in burning wood, they’re literally playing with fire, but might need some additional guidance finding good firewood and using it safely.

A lot of newer homes have built-in, gas-fueled fireplaces, says an official with the Oklahoma City Fire Department’s fire marshal office, but there’s still plenty of demand for firewood, and plenty of opportunities for things to go wrong in outdoor fireplaces, chimeneas and firepits.

“Before you go to bed or leave the house, make sure that the fire is completely out, cool to the touch,” is the advice from Capt. John Chenoweth, assistant public information officer with the Oklahoma City Fire Department, for families with wood-burning fireplaces.

“Embers can burn for several hours.

Even if you think it’s completely out, it can still burn and potentially cause a

house fire.”

Chenoweth also advises making sure any wood being burned indoors is dry – completely – and seasoned. Wood that isn’t completely dry tends to produce a lot of unwelcome smoke inside a residence, he mentions.

The location for storing firewood, whether it’s for an indoor fireplace or an outside firepit or fireplace, chimenea or barbecue grill, should be at least 20 feet from the house.

“Fire piles can attract pests, and can potentially catch fire and set your house on fire,” he shares.

Further, Chenoweth recommends an annual chimney inspection and cleaning.

For wood-burning fireplaces, Chenoweth says that a good metal screen in front of the fireplace can catch any escaping embers.

Riley Coy, Urban Forestry Coordinator for Oklahoma’s Agriculture, Food and Forestry Department, is also adamant about making sure any kind of fire is completely out before leaving the space.

Coy’s particular area of emphasis, working for the state in forestry management, is outdoor burning, but the same rules apply indoors.

Regarding campfires, Coy urges attention to the old advice from Smoky Bear about forest fires: Feel what’s left of the embers with the back of your hand.

“If you feel heat, bury it with a shovel,” he says.

Coy says many people locate firewood by word of mouth: “I know a guy who knows a guy,” is how he puts it. Firewood can also be found at most big-box retail stores, he mentions.

The most desirable woods to burn are Osage orange and black locust.

“Those are the two hottest burning trees we have in Oklahoma,” he says.

Oak and hickory continue to be popular woods, as well. He recommends against burning elm in indoor fireplaces.

“Elm produces a nasty smell,” he says.

Coy mentions that a big problem with firewood is invasive pests, such as the emerald ash bore and the spotted lantern fly, all of which he says travel in firewood. His department’s advice for anyone burning wood outdoors is to “burn it where you find it.”

Chenoweth offers a final word of caution in burning logs inside the home: “Our winter months, not only here but nationwide, are our busiest time for structure fires, and that does include fireplace fires.”

HENRY DOLIVE

For More Information Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry 405-521-3864 ag.ok.gov/divisions/ forestry-services City of Oklahoma City Fire Department 405-297-3314 okc.gov/Services/ Public-Safety/Fire City of Tulsa Fire Department In Tulsa: 311 Outside Tulsa: 918-596-2100 cityoftulsa.org/government/ departments/fire

JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

27

Life & Style | Outside the Metro

McJerry’s Route 66 Gallery in Chandler offers Route 66 artwork, maps and travel guides. Photos courtesy McJerry’s Route 66 Gallery

The Heart of 66

From interactive Route 66 exhibits to pioneer museums and vibrant local culture, Chandler turns a supposed simple stop into an unforgettable experience.

L

ocated along the iconic Route 66 highway in Lincoln County, Chandler offers a mix of nostalgic Americana and attractions that make it a great stop for travelers and locals alike.

As the county seat, this vibrant small town captures the essence of the Mother Road with its historical landmarks, all while buzzing with new developments, especially as the Route 66 Centennial approaches this year. Whether you’re cruising the highway or seeking a weekend getaway, Chandler’s blend of pioneer spirit, interactive museums and community energy promises something unforgettable.

Start your journey at the Lincoln County Museum of Pioneer History on Main Street, a free, donation-supported gem that’s been welcoming visitors since the 1980s. Here, you’ll often find volunteer Liz Gulliver sharing stories with locals and Route 66 explorers, highlighting the town’s deep roots in Oklahoma’s frontier past.

For a true immersion in Route 66 lore, head to the Chandler Route 66 Interpretive Center, housed in a 1937 WPA-built former National Guard Armory made of locally quarried, hand-chiseled sandstone, 20 inches thick. The structure

28

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

served the Oklahoma National Guard until 1971, and executive director Susan Pordos emphasizes its interactive appeal with “six video stations and a cozy theater [which] enhance the individual experience with state-of-the-art technology. The glitter-speckled, vintage-style motel beds bring a whole new meaning to the term ‘Rest Stop.’

“Your Route 66 journey takes place from the seats of a Model A, a Willy’s Jeep, a Ford Mustang and from relaxing motel beds – all of it designed to cultivate a nostalgic mood for a cruise through yesteryear,” she concludes.

The center appeals to all ages, taking visitors on an “interactive trip on the Mother Road – a pilgrimage experienced through an array of audio/visuals portraying the sights, sounds and history of America’s legendary highway,” says Pordos.

The center also features photography of Oklahoma Route 66 icons donated by Tulsa Community College students.

Chandler’s designation as the “Hometown of the Oklahoma National Guard” shines through, thanks to Howard Dickman’s efforts in documenting its history since 1898, with a framed citation proudly displayed on Main Street.

Pordos urges visitors to explore the Route 66 Bowl, where owners Sid and

LaDonna invested years in planning the space.

“They have the original Route 66 Bowl Neon Sign from OKC as well as hundreds of vintage signs, gas pumps and multiple [pieces of] memorabilia,” she says.

Chandler celebrates roadside culture artist Jerry McClanahan, recently inducted into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame. He authored the Route 66 EZ Guide and coauthored the Here It Is Map Series with Jim Ross, exploring the highway since 1980.

“The City of Chandler was recently awarded grant funding from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to partially fund a new park in honor of McClanahan to celebrate the 2026 centennial,” built on land that was formerly a baseball/softball field and will be called McClanahan Park, shares Pordos. “You can view his artwork at McJerry’s Route 66 Art Gallery downtown.”

Beyond downtown, gems like the Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum, a 1920s building with 140 vintage bikes curated

by Jerry Ries, draw global visitors.

“Visitors from all over the world come in, you can’t name a spot they haven’t come from,” Ries says.

Nearby, Painted Gate Farm, a working cattle ranch and Airbnb owned by Wayne and Janis Baldwin, offers rural charm.

“We fell in love with Chandler because it’s a ‘live’ small town, not a bedroom community,” says Janis Baldwin. “The downtown is alive every day, all day except Sunday, then the churches are alive.”

She praises the active movie theater, Lincoln County On Stage theater group, beautiful parks with walking trails and murals, and agricultural hubs like veterinarians and farm centers.

With its historical significance on Route 66 and exciting additions like McClanahan Park on the horizon, Chandler isn’t just a pit stop – it’s a destination brimming with fun, history and heart.

TRACY LEGRAND

Coming in April

Know a young professional who deserves to be recognized?

Nominate them here: okmag.com/ nominate40under40 918-744-6205 Advertising@okmag.com

3549 South Harvard, Tulsa 918-742-9027

January Ad Watermark 0126010_Toni's Flowers.indd 1

Coming in March

Home & Garden

Since 1964

12/3/25 11:35 AM

Specializing

in frameless heavy glass

shower doors, mirrors,

A spring refresh, inside and out

framed

shower doors, glass tops

and insulated glass units.

Don Tracy Glass Co. Advertising opportunities available.

Contact advertising@okmag.com | 918.744.6205

January 2026 Home and Garden Ad 1:4.indd 1

1335 S. HARVARD ● TULSA, OK 74112 OFFICE: (918) 744-1815 FAX: (918) 744-0917

www.dontracyglass.com

12/18/25January 3:18 PM Ad Watermark 0126009_Don Tracy Glass.indd 1 JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

29 2:48 PM 12/17/25

Life & Style | Scene

Kimberly Johnson, Peggy Helmerich, Hernan Diaz, Annette LaFortune Murray; Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award Gala, Tulsa City-County Library

Phil Cline, Veronique Conway, Steven & Alicia Uerling; Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award Gala, Tulsa City-County Library

The Helmerich family; Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award Gala, Tulsa City-County Library; all Helmerich photos by Emily Steward Photography

Hans Helmerich, Marsha DeWalt, Shelby Rice; Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award Gala, Tulsa City-County Library

Sam Presti, Michael A. Mares, Eddy Gibbs, Mautra Staley Jones, Ronnie Dunn, Bert Mackie, Taylor Hanson; Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Oklahoma Hall of Fame, OKC

Susan Pefanis, Eden Turrentine, Debra Stalcup, Natalie Walker; Paseo Arts Awards, Paseo Arts Association, OKC

30

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

Amy & David Cottrell, Ellen Fleming; Circle Club Holiday Party, Allied Arts, OKC

Tricia Everest, Gov. Bill Anoatubby; Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Oklahoma Hall of Fame, OKC

Amanda Bleakley, Joy Reed Belt; Paseo Arts Awards, Paseo Arts Association, OKC

Lori Byrd, Cindi Rapp; Celebrate Pink, Oklahoma Project Woman, OKC

Mark Daigneault, Sam Presti; Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Oklahoma Hall of Fame, OKC

Dr. Bruce Saxon, Pete McBride, Kevin Fedarko, Jan Saxon; Pete McBride and Kevin Fedarko speaking event, Tulsa Town Hall

FutureProofing Your Finances Smart financial planning is a lifelong process, but the most important step is simply getting started, no matter your age. From leveraging the luxury of time in your 20s to protecting wealth and planning a legacy in your 70s, experts outline achievable moves that build stability decade by decade.

By Kimberly Burk

Your 20s & 30s People in their 20s and 30s, who are likely far from their peak earning years, might find it difficult to prioritize saving for retirement. But Oklahomans who have devoted their careers to helping people thrive financially during retirement say it’s well worth the discipline involved.

“Young people really have one of the most powerful tools on their side: time,” says Dawnetta Moore, assistant vice president and Mustang branch manager for First Fidelity Bank. “Compounding interest means your money earns interest, and then that interest earns more interest.

Luke Preaus, president of Regent Private Wealth, seconds the advice to get started early, adding that “time in the market is better than timing in the market.”

He continues: “Historically, the United States has not been very good at household savings. If you can save between 15-20% of your gross income, you would be considered a world-class saver. If you can do 10%, that’s a huge win. By investing a small amount consistently in the early years, you start building a habit.”

It’s also never too early to start an emergency fund, says John Kiosterud, senior client adviser and senior vice president with Arvest Wealth Management, and the goal should be a savings account with six months’ worth of income.

“When you get too much, move it to an IRA,” Kiosterud says.

It’s also crucial to take advantage of an employer’s 401(k) match, which Kiosterud emphasized is “free money.”

For people who want to start saving and investing beyond a 401(k), “you want to look at traditional versus Roth individual retirement accounts,” Kiosterud adds. “It depends on when you want to pay taxes.”

Contributions to a Roth IRA are made with after-tax dollars, so there is no immediate tax break, but qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax-free.

With the traditional IRA, contributions may be tax-deductible, but withdrawals in retirement are taxed as ordinary income.

JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

31

Your 40s Michael Manghum, vice president of Regent Private Wealth, says that by the time people hit their early 40s, “you might have found yourself in the rat-race wheel, or in the comparison game. It’s a great time of life to pause and figure out where you want to go, what you want your lifestyle to look like in retirement. Before you spend the next 20 years working toward a question mark, do some planning now.”

Some people in their 40s might be reaching an elevated point in their careers, Manghum says, “so it’s an opportunity to turn up the dial a little bit” when it comes to saving and investing.

Many people in their 40s are sending their children off to college, and Kiosterud has some advice: “Avoid the 100% trap of paying for your kids’ college,” he says, which can get in the way of saving for retirement. “I raised two kids and I helped my kids through college,” he says. “But they had to work. Both graduated with no debt.”

Moore mentions that she and her husband realized when they were in their 40s that they were not on track to meet their retirement goals. But, she says, “there’s still plenty of time to adjust course. It’s time to assess, not stress. Small adjustments can make a really big difference later.”

A common rule of thumb, Moore says, is to have two to three times your annual salary saved by age 40, and three to five times your annual salary saved by age 50, although personal situations vary.

“Most 401(k) programs have calculators for you to see if you are on track,” Moore says. “And this is a really good time to meet with your banker to identify any gaps, to see where your goals are and what your risk tolerance is.”

Your 50s By the time they reach their 50s, “most people are getting out from underneath debt, so cash flow is hopefully becoming more positive for them,” says Preaus. It’s also a good time to take advantage of catch-up contributions.

At age 50, Preaus says, employees can apply an additional $7,500 a year in a catch-up contribution to a 401(k), an extra $1,000 to an IRA and an additional $1,000 annually to a health spending account.

The 50s “are typically the bridge between building wealth and protecting it,” says Moore, who mentions that it’s time to “shift gradually to a more balanced asset mix,” such as bonds, certificates of deposit and diversified mutual funds.

“The 50s are about fine-tuning and protecting what you’ve built,” she concludes.

It’s also a time to evaluate the pros and cons of long-term healthcare insurance.

32

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

Your 60s When it’s time for people in their 60s to consider a retirement funds withdrawal strategy, factors to be considered include when you plan to retire and when you plan to start receiving Social Security, says Manghum. A general rule of thumb, Manghum says, is to withdraw first from taxable accounts, then use investments that were tax-deferred, and finally, make withdrawals from Roth IRAs. How and where you want to live will also affect personal budgeting once the decision is made to retire, says Moore.

“Retirement becomes real rather than theoretical in your 60s,” she says. “You can reduce expenses, and simplify your life.”

Retirees might find that the home in which they raised their children is no longer needed.

“My husband and I have bought property and we are going to downsize in a few years, and build something more efficient in an area with a little less taxes,” Moore continues. “You can save quite a bit by downsizing.”

Selling a larger home, especially if it’s paid for or nearly so, can also free up funds for retirement. Less property upkeep means more freedom to travel, and to volunteer, too.

While relocating can help retirees cut their overhead and allow them to live closer to family members and healthcare facilities, there are financial and emotional considerations, Moore says.

“Moving costs can be significant,” Moore says. “And there can be an emotional attachment to leaving your family home and establishing in a new community.”

Your 70s For people in their 70s and beyond, Manghum says he likes to use the “paychecks and playchecks” philosophy.

“Look at your guaranteed forms of income, such as your pensions and Social Security,” he says. “If you add them all up and it covers most of your bills, we would call that a retirement paycheck. If that covers at least 90% of what you need, you have your baseline needs pretty much covered. Now your retirement savings are not as much needed.”

With those additional funds, retirees have the freedom to do things such as invest more aggressively, spend money on travel or set aside gifts for their grandchildren.

If it hasn’t been done already, estate planning should be on the financial agenda of people in their 70s, says Kiosterud.

“Estate planning is essential,” he says. “You want to assure that all your wishes and goals are fulfilled.”

One decision to be made is who to entrust with your power of attorney should you become incapacitated. Another is deciding whether to leave a will, which must be probated, versus a trust which is a way to bypass probate.

“There are a lot of situations where a trust is needed,” Kiosterud says.

Kiosterud says he enjoys working with clients of all ages, but especially enjoys his relationships with long-time clients he has helped meet their retirement goals.

“I could have retired a few years back, but I can’t leave my clients,” he mentions.

JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

33

Oklahomans of the Year 2025 was a landmark year for our state. In fact, Oklahoma didn’t just move forward – it surged ahead.

Bold, confident and visionary leaders drove that momentum, pushing industries forward, lifting communities up and proving that belief in Oklahoma’s people can take you just about anywhere.

The impact of these honorees, whether in business, sustainability, sports, leadership or education, is unmistakable, and their influence only grows as we enter 2026. These Oklahomans of the Year are doing more than leading the way; they’re setting the standard, and the state is following.

Profiles by Kimberly Burk, Tracy LeGrand and Mary Willa Allen

Chuck Garrett

CEO, Cherokee Nation Businesses

Photo courtesy Cherokee Nation Businesses

34

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB) thinks of itself as a “forever company,” says CEO Chuck Garrett.

“We really have to thrive in every type of economy,” he says. “To do that, you can’t really rely on just one stream of revenue. The vision is that CNB will build a portfolio of diversified companies that provides a sustainable, durable dividend for the Cherokee Nation forever.”

Garrett described CNB, with more than 11,000 employees, as “a large enterprise with several different business units, but we have one shareholder, and that shareholder is the Cherokee Nation.”

An Oklahoma native, Garrett attended the University of Oklahoma and Harvard Law School with the help of tribal scholarships.

CNB, he says, provides a career path for tribal citizens.

“The Nation has invested heavily in education,” he shares. “This pipeline of talent has served the Cherokee Nation well.”

CNB, with more than 45 companies that generate nearly $2 billion in annual revenue, has holdings in gaming and hospitality, retail, tourism, television and film, investment management and government contracting. CNB has contributed $1.25 billion to Cherokee Nation in the past 10 years through its 37% shareholder dividend.

“We recently purchased a company focused on cybersecurity for various federal agencies,” Garrett says.

Other recent initiatives include “the acquisition of various cloud-computing solutions that help support some of the federal government agencies,” Garrett says. “And we have made significant investments in private equity funds as limited partners. That’s a new type of investment for us. We measure very carefully our efficiencies and our margins, and we work very diligently to make sure we are running efficient and competitive businesses.”

Garrett joined CNB in 2013 and became CEO in 2019, with a background in law, commercial real estate, gaming and investment banking.

“I have been fortunate to work in many different industries,” he says. “That has certainly influenced my leadership style and my leadership focus. I’ve had a lot of good mentors.”

Garrett said he sees “a CNB in five years that has added portfolio companies in different industries, and we will have doubled the capacity of our funding for the Cherokee Nation.”

- KB

Sam Presti

Executive Vice President/General Manager, Oklahoma City Thunder Sam Presti is intent on building a legacy.

Not for himself, but for the Thunder organization – and Oklahoma at large.

Hired in 2007 as the general manager for the Seattle SuperSonics, Presti became the second-youngest person to ever hold the position within the NBA at 30. Today, he is also the third-longest-tenured head of basketball operations in the league.

But you won’t find Presti bragging about that – or any of his achievements – although many of the Thunder’s greatest successes have hinged upon his methodical roster building and eye for scouting young talent. Presti makes it clear: He is just one part of a well-oiled machine that aims to make Oklahoma better for everyone.

“Professional sports in a small market is truly a team effort,” Presti says. “We couldn’t exist in Oklahoma without support from our sponsors, fans and friends. Our on-court success certainly helps, but our hope is our backing is not entirely transactional. We hope people see us as an additive piece to the community and grander future of the city and state, and that their support for the team is grounded in something deeper.”

The Thunder’s record-breaking 20242025 regular season culminated with the franchise’s first-ever NBA finals win. When the team raised the trophy at Paycom Center last June, it was Presti’s vision that helped get them there. Seven months later – with a new Thunder arena in the works poised to boost OKC tourism exponentially – the organization appears stronger than ever. It’s proof that no one, Presti included, is content to rest on their laurels.

“We look at decisions and initiatives on a continuum,” Presti says. “In other words, we are always building, iterating, adapting and hopefully, evolving from our vision for the organization. That vision was established in 2008, and although we have certainly evolved, there is a focus on building a legacy in real time.”

Community engagement is central to the Thunder’s identity, most notably through its charitable arm, Thunder Cares. All Thunder organization members participate in some capacity.

“When we talk about pursuing progress, that is not confined solely to our competitive endeavors, but also our outreach and relationship with our community,” Presti says. “Oklahoma has a beautiful heart, and beautiful intent, and a beautiful future. We always want to work together with our civic leaders and broader Oklahoma community to help recognize that future.”

Many GMs focus solely on franchise improvement: draft strategies, trades, player evaluations. And it goes without saying that Presti excels in the hard skills needed for the job. His understanding of Oklahoma City’s heart, however, is what truly separates him

Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

from his peers. Case in point: When any new player comes to the franchise, Presti sees to it that he visits the Oklahoma City National Memorial first thing.

“It’s our belief that to represent something authentically, it is imperative to understand the history and, in this case, our team simply would not be in Oklahoma City if it were not for the response to the bombing in 1995,” Presti says. “The darkest day in state history also revealed the deep powers of humanity and resilience that have long been held in this community for generations.

“The lessons from that event and the response that followed in the years thereafter are so vast, it’s only right that we ensure our people are educated and reminded that what we are doing is representing, win or lose, good years or bad, something much larger than a ball dropping through a basket.” - MWA JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

35

asked everybody around us if they needed anything. We picked up things for everybody.”

His mother was fullblood Choctaw, and she met Batton’s non-Native father when he was stationed at Fort Sill.

“My father really pushed my culture more than my mom did,” he says.

Batton was the first in his family to earn a college degree. He went to work for the tribe in 1987, was appointed assistant chief in 2007 and became chief in 2014.

Even now, he still has a heart for rural Oklahoma.

“We have decentralized a lot of our functions to put jobs back into rural areas,” he says. “Indian Child Welfare has 56 social workers located throughout the Choctaw Nation.”

Housing has been a major initiative, with 1,300 homes built in the past five years. Some are offered on lease-purchase contracts to help tribal citizens who had been paying higher rent rates. The tribe also builds affordable rental properties and homes for elders.

“With those three types of housing, we are committed to building 350 per year,” he says.

The Nation has 235,000 citizens and employs 13,500 people, many of whom received college scholarships and vocational training funded by the tribe. As executive director of health, Batton also oversaw construction of the first tribally-funded health facility in the United States. The tribe continues to expand its healthcare offerings, with a recent focus on substance abuse treatment and children traumatized by domestic violence.

“I make it a point twice a month to be out in the community,” Batton says. “I listen to tribal members and take notes. It’s great Photo courtesy the Choctaw Nation to get that feedback.”

In addition to the 151 businesses managed Gary Batton by the tribe, the economic development team works to attract Chief, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma private businesses. Eighteen were recruited in the past five years, The traditional attire worn by Choctaw Chief Gary Batton features including Academy Sports, Auto Zone, Braums, Starbucks and a diamond pattern representing the rattlesnake, an animal revered Olive Garden. by the tribe.

Batton bases his leadership, he says, on “faith, family and culture.

“It’s just to remind everybody of our culture and our history, and If it wasn’t for God and Jesus I would not be here today. It’s in our more importantly what it stands for,” Batton says. history to believe in a Creator.”

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake was a respected animal Tribal culture is about tradition — but also about looking fornot only for its lethality and because it gives a warning before it ward, Batton says. strikes, but also because it helped remove hungry rodents from “Our Choctaw people change, mature and evolve. We always say agricultural fields, tribal historians say.

Batton, 58, is a longtime tribal employee who was schooled early we are warriors, but warriors fight for the right reason. They don’t fight just to fight.” for a lifetime of service.

- KB “We lived in a rural area,” he says. “When we went to town, we 36

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

Sharina Perry

Founder and CEO, Utopia Plastix Sharina Perry never planned to revolutionize plastics. Growing up Black in late-1980s Oklahoma, Perry first learned what it felt like to be the “other” – police stops in small towns, the weight of judgemental, unfamiliar eyes. Around the same time, she watched her grandfather, a proud landowner, hand her his legal papers and smile: “Come here, little attorney,” he said, because others had tried to take advantage of him. Those moments taught her that disadvantage usually comes from lack of access, not lack of effort and certainly not lack of worth.

“I made a promise to God,” she says. “If He helped me navigate the barriers, I’d hold the door open and make sure there were seats prepared for others who looked like me.”

That promise became Utopia Plastix. With no formal training in chemistry or engineering, Perry taught herself about the industry by reading more than 600 papers, praying in her kitchen and refusing to fear the unknown. What began as a search for plant-based health products pivoted when plastic-straw bans hit the news. One disastrous homemade straw – collapsing the moment she sipped – unlocked the breakthrough: a tough, fully plant-based material that outperforms plastic and biodegrades harmlessly. Experts later told her, “if you’d been a trained chemist, you never would have seen it.”

Her perceived flaw as an outsider became her advantage.

Utopia’s patented polymers are grown on American farmland, pulling carbon from the air four to five times faster than trees. Her client farmers, many minority landowners, earn far more per acre than with traditional crops and plant with a guaranteed buyer. The result? No market risk, a higher income and the pride of feeding a closed-loop system that turns harvests into everything from cutlery to packaging.

Perry leads the way humbly. She’s the first to roll up her sleeves, and insists faith, integrity and tough questions always stay at the table.

“Sustainability without justice is just new exclusion,” she says.

So every contract, every acre, every job is intentionally steered toward equity. When people ask why game-changing green tech is coming out of Oklahoma instead of Photo courtesy Utopia Plastix Silicon Valley, Perry smiles.

“I never looked the part—no chemistry Ph.D., no coastal pedigree,” she says. “But when you’re aligned with purpose and walking with God, you don’t need permission to change the world.”

Her hope is simple: That one day Utopia is a household name, carried forward by her children and theirs, and that every person who hears her story – especially the little Black girl in a small town – understands the gifts inside her are enough. Barriers bend, boxes break and the future can be built anywhere by anyone willing to stay true to themselves. - TL

Jim Hess

need: increased enrollment for working President, Oklahoma State University adults at OSU-Tulsa, filling rural physician Since assuming the presidency of Oklahoma State University as shortages through its 19th leader in July 2025, Jim Hess, Ed.D., has made one message clear: “Students are the reason we’re here.” the Center for A board-certified pediatrician, decades-long classroom professor Health Sciences, and former president of OSU-Tulsa and the OSU Center for Health and orchestrating Sciences, Hess brings a rare blend of frontline teaching experience the complex acquiand proven administrative vision to his leadership. sition of OSU Med“Every major decision we make starts with one question: What ical Center. Those is best for our students?” says Hess. That question now fuels two experiences continoverarching priorities: expanding access so every qualified Oklahoma student who wants to can attain an OSU degree, and transform- ue to inform his vision: “Where are the ing the student experience into one that feels undoubtedly like needs greatest, and home. Expanded scholarships, enhanced academic advising and how can OSU help?” mental health investments top his agenda.

Even small gestures Demonstrating that commitment is Cowboys Care, the university-wide mental health initiative launched last fall by First Cowgirl reveal the professor Angela Hess. Knowing that his wife struggled with anxiety since still at his core. He Photo courtesy Oklahoma State University childhood, Hess recognized the need for proactive support on surrendered the campus. presidential parking space to students, asking, “If they’re paying to “We know students cannot perform academically if they are not park, why shouldn’t I?” mentally well,” Hess says. “Cowboys Care was born out of a need For Hess, leading a university remains fundamentally about peoto wrap our arms around students before crisis hits. Asking for help ple. shouldn’t be an act of courage; it should be part of campus life.”

“The greatest moral calling a person can accept,” he says, “is to The initiative’s ambassador program places hundreds of trained change another human being’s life – to encourage them, support faculty, staff, resident advisors and peers throughout dorms, classthem and say, ‘I believe in you. Whatever your dream is, you can rooms and student organizations, ensuring help is always just a achieve it, and I’ll help you get there.’” hallway away.

- TL Hess’s career is marked by building what communities actually JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

37

A Healthier Year Ahead Despite what you may see online, ‘wellness’ doesn’t have to be an overwhelming or all-ornothing effort. With a focus on rest, joyful movement, smart eating and other positive daily habits, this year can be all about building routines you can sustain.

By Rebecca Fast

Breaking the Burnout Cycle The strain of daily life, a busy work schedule, caring for kids and other surprise stressors can leave us feeling overwhelmed, immobilized and completely burned out.

Sarah McClanahan, D.O., a psychiatrist and the executive director of behavioral health at Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital in Tulsa, shares that one of the most effective ways to prevent stress from becoming overwhelming is maintaining consistent routines and prioritizing self-care.

“Our brains thrive on structure, and routines provide a sense of stability when life feels chaotic,” says McClanahan. “Sleep is often the first thing to suffer when we’re stressed, yet it’s one of the most important factors in keeping our bodies and minds functioning well.”

She recommends going to bed and waking up at the same time each day to regulate internal rhythms and keep stress levels manageable. Equally important is carving out time for self-care, whether it’s crafting, taking a bubble bath, exercising or enjoying a quiet moment.

“These activities help us stay grounded and prevent stress from escalating into something more serious, like an anxiety disorder,” says McClanahan. “Stress is a normal part of life, but if it begins to interfere with your ability to do everyday tasks, that’s a sign to reach out to a therapist or doctor for support.”

And when life feels maxed out from busy schedules or the monotony of your day-to-day, McClanahan emphasizes the importance of intentional scheduling and boundary-setting.

“Too often, we pack our calendars so full that we forget to include time for ourselves,” she says. “Making self-care a non-negotiable part of your schedule helps restore energy and perspective. Equally powerful is learning to say ‘no.’ Boundaries protect your time, your energy and your mental health. It isn’t always easy, but it’s a vital skill for reducing stress and avoiding burnout.”

38

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

Dental Health’s Link to Longevity

Eating for Energy When you choose a meal, what matters most? Taste? Convenience? Calorie count? From a health perspective, food is meant to sustain our daily activity. But what if you ate primarily for energy instead of pleasure? How would that change your choices?

To explore these questions, we call upon nutritional expert Jenny Witherspoon, MS, RD, CSO, LD, director of clinical nutrition and integrative services at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center in OKC. She notes that whether people prioritize pleasure or count calories and carbs, both approaches often miss what matters most: nutrient content.

“Unless someone is an athlete, it’s rare for people to think about how their food choices can impact their energy levels,” Witherspoon says. “Food choices are made for various reasons – to achieve a certain physique, meet sports-related weight goals, respond to a health diagnosis, find comfort during stressful times, or simply due to convenience or work schedules. In some cases, food choices are influenced by scarcity.”

Viewing food as fuel encourages a goal-oriented mindset, she explains, but balance is essential.

“The pros include optimizing performance, providing clarity in making food decisions and aligning eating habits with performance goals,” Witherspoon says. “However, the cons arise when this mindset goes too far, leading to an all-or-nothing mentality, which can contribute to disordered eating, neglecting the social aspect of sharing a meal and oversimplifying what the body needs for optimal health and performance.”

She recommends starting with a balanced plate of fruits, veggies and lean proteins, though individual needs vary on healthy conditions, goals and activity levels. For intense activities like marathon training or long hikes, focus on replenishing glycogen stores through carbohydrates while ensuring adequate protein and hydration.

“Consulting with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist on goal setting, lifestyle changes and sports nutrition is key,” she says. “They possess extensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology and chronic diseases, and can create a personalized care plan tailored to your current health state, goals and resources.”

Healthy teeth and gums mean more than a great smile. According to the American Academy for Oral & Systemic Health, poor dental hygiene can lead to serious health issues including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, respiratory problems and certain cancers.

The mouth serves as a doorway to the body – harmful bacteria that enters or originates there can spread through the bloodstream. In addition, some health issues can be first detected by examining the mouth.

Cardiovascular disease: Periodontal disease may be linked to artery inflammation. When bacteria from the mouth enters the bloodstream, it can contribute to inflammation of the arteries and possibly blood clots, which can increase one’s risk of stroke and/or heart attack. Poor oral health is also associated with high blood pressure and elevated LDL cholesterol.

Other systemic conditions: Oral bacteria has been implicated in Alzheimer’s and dementia development. Women with periodontal disease are six times more likely to give birth prematurely. There’s also a strong correlation between gum disease and pancreatic, lung and blood cancers. Additionally, bacteria from the mouth can be inhaled, leading to respiratory infections like bronchitis, pneumonia, COPD and lung disease.

In short, preventing gum disease through daily oral care and regular dental visits is essential to maintaining both oral and overall health.

JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

39

The Rules of Rest The quality of our sleep matters. Getting a good night’s sleep affects our overall health and impacts every aspect of our daily lives.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), approximately 50 to 70 million American have a sleep disorder, and about one in three adults do not regularly get the recommended amount of uninterrupted sleep. Current recommendations suggest adults 18 and older need seven to nine hours of sleep per night. To help achieve your best night’s rest, consider these simple steps toward better sleep.

1 2 3 4

Maintain a consistent sleep schedule.

Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.

Limit caffeine intake later in the day.

Avoid caffeine at least six hours before bedtime.

Create a peaceful environment.

Keep your room cool and comfortable with a fan or room-darkening shades.

Avoid lightemitting screens before bedtime.

Put away phones, tablets and laptops at least an hour before bed.

Avoid scrolling social media or catching up on work while in bed.

5 6

Stay physically active.

Regular exercise promotes better sleep, but avoid vigorous workouts too close to bedtime.

Quiet your mind.

If worries keep you awake, try journaling your thoughts or making a to-do list for the next day to help calm your mind for restful sleep.

40

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

Beyond the Gym: Learning to Like Exercise Don’t like to exercise? You’re not alone. A recent poll of 2,000 Americans who frequently exercise found that 50% of respondents don’t enjoy it. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that approximately 76% of U.S. adults don’t meet the federal guidelines for physical activity, which recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise per week, plus muscle strengthening activities twice a week.

So, instead of trudging to the gym, take stock of what you like. Doing things you enjoy can lower stress and increase fitness. Here’s a quick list of fun and engaging activities that can help break up your routine.

1. Grab a friend and explore nearby natural areas – like the Redbud Valley Nature Preserve or Turkey Mountain in Tulsa or the trails in Martin Nature Park or Lake Stanley Draper in Oklahoma City.

2. Want to try rock climbing? Take a beginner’s course at Climb Tulsa or Threshold Climbing + Fitness + Yoga in OKC. It’s never too late to try something new.

3. Get your groove on. Dance is a full body workout that challenges the mind and body. The Tulsa Country Western Dance Association offers lessons for beginners and the OKC Swing Dance Club offers activities for all ages to enjoy.

4. Don’t underestimate a neighborhood walk. Simply stepping outside your door can get your heart pumping and lift your mood.

The Power

of Small Habits

A habit, in its simplest form, is something we do regularly without much thought. These are tasks we must first perform consciously, but after much repetition, they become automatic – something we do without needing to think about it. Small changes each day that build positive habits can make a big difference in our lives.

The 1% rule, a concept popularized in James Clear’s book Atomic Habits, focuses on progress rather than perfection through manageable daily actions that build momentum.

The idea is simple yet powerful: a 1% improvement each day can result in nearly a 37-fold increase over a year.

Consider these micro-habits to improve your physical, mental and emotional health:

• Drink a glass of water upon waking up • Stretch before bedtime • Add a vegetable to every meal • Choose one healthy snack to always keep on hand • Avoid social media until a certain time of the day • Start your day with a positive affirmation

2026 Things to Do in From once-in-a-century Route 66 celebrations to athletic championships and long-awaited infrastructure upgrades, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for the Sooner State. We explore the biggest events, new developments and everyday experiences that will help keep the post-holiday slump at bay.

Left: USA Gymnastics; photo courtesy Visit Tulsa Below: Philbrook Wine Experience; photo courtesy Philbrook Lower top: A Capital Cruise event; photo courtesy Visit Tulsa Bottom: Tulsa skyline; photo courtesy of Visit Tulsa

By Faith Harl

Community Events Galore This year marks the centennial for U.S. Route 66, which will bring new experiences to communities across Oklahoma. In the years leading up to the 100th anniversary, state officials have partnered with the Route 66 Centennial Commission to kick off a series of events and activities to commemorate the special occasion at both the state and national levels.

“We’ve got the inner city of Chicago, the cornfields of Illinois, the Missouri Ozarks and the Native American heritage in Oklahoma – all the way through New Mexico to the West Coast,” says Rod Reid, who serves as the chair of the Route 66 Centennial. “There’s so many experiences for people to enjoy and see how Route 66 made our country what it is.”

Alongside, plenty of Oklahoma’s most beloved events return – meaning more fun for everyone.

Tulsa 2026 SEC Championship March 21 For the first time ever, the Southeastern Conference for competitive collegiate athletics will host this year’s SEC Gymnastics Championship at Tulsa’s BOK Center.

Philbrook Wine Experience April 24-26 Dubbed the Best Wine Festival in the country by USA Today, the Philbrook Wine Experience returns April 2426 with 50 internationally renowned vintners, alongside regional restaurants and a high-end auction to benefit Philbrook. Since the event’s inception in 1992, donors have raised over $27 million to benefit the families and children of Tulsa through programming at Philbrook Museum of Art.

Route 66 Capital Cruise May 30 Thousands of classic and vintage cars will complete a 5.5-mile cruise along the historic Mother Road in an attempt to set the world record for the world’s largest car parade.

2026 USA Gymnastics Championships June 22–27 USA Gymnastics will return to the BOK Center for its 2026 championship, which is expected to draw nearly 2,000 athletes from across the country.

JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

41

Route 66 Road Fest June 27-28 Presented by AAA, the Route 66 Road Fest will take place at the SageNet Center at the Expo Square and will feature an interactive historical exhibit, a classic car show and a plethora of family-friendly activities.

Tulsa’s Route 66 signage; photo courtesy Visit Tulsa

Route 66 Tulsa Birthday Bash & Veteran’s Day Parade Nov. 11 Planned in conjunction with Tulsa’s annual Veteran’s Day Parade, a mix of live entertainment and musical performances will take place at various locations throughout downtown Tulsa and eventually culminate in a concert at the Cain’s Ballroom.

Oklahoma City 2026 NCAA March Madness March 19, 21 For two nights, basketball enthusiasts will get the chance to see the first and second rounds of the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship at the Paycom Center.

The proposed OKC Thunder arena; rendering by MANICA

Paul Reed: A Retrospective at Oklahoma City Museum of Art Through April 12 This artist retrospective consists of over one hundred paintings, sculptures and works on paper from the prolific Paul Reed. The checklist is drawn primarily from OKCMOA’s permanent collection with additional loans from museum and private collections. On Jan. 18, March 1 and April 1, you can also enjoy public guided tours of the exhibition.

Festival of the Arts April 23–26 As a long-standing rite of spring, hundreds of artists will bring their best works and performances to Oklahoma City’s Bicentennial Park for the 60th annual Festival of the Arts.

OKCMOA gallery events; photo courtesy OKCMOA

OKC’s Scissortail Bridge; photo courtesy Visit OKC

42

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

Route 66 “Kickin’ It” Centennial Birthday Bash May 30 A city-wide birthday bash for Route 66’s 100-year anniversary will take place in Scissortail Park and the Myriad Botanical Gardens, blending classic Americana nostalgia with modern-day festivities.

2026 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships July 20–25 The International Canoe Federation has selected RIVERSPORT in Oklahoma City as the destination for its world championships, marking the first time for the event to be held in North America in over a decade.

New Infrastructure & Developments Cities across the state anticipate an increase in tourism in connection with the Route 66 centennial.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity for our state,” says Mike Neal, president and CEO at the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce. “People from across the country and international travelers from around the globe will come to tour our community and celebrate the centennial of the Mother Road.”

To capitalize on the historic event, state and city leaders have invested millions of dollars into infrastructure and recreation. From improved roadways to art installations, here’s a rundown of some of the projects that will help strengthen Oklahoma’s unique identity and enhance the quality of living.

Kicks 66 Installation Created by local artist Cameron Eagle, a 35-foot-tall neon installation of a boot, dubbed “Kicks 66,” will pay tribute to the Route 66 Centennial.

The installation, which features lyrics from American songwriter Bobby Troup, will be completed this summer and on display in front of Oklahoma City’s National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

Oklahoma City Animal Shelter A new, two-story animal shelter will open in 2026, drastically increasing the city’s capacity to shelter and deliver critical treatment to animals in need. As a MAPS 4 project, the city broke ground for the construction last February, which will feature an expanded veterinary, lab and kennel facilities.

“It’s been much anticipated,” says David Todd, MAPS 4 Program Manager. “It’s going to offer about two and half times what they [the Animal Welfare Center] have right now in space.”

U.S.S. Oklahoma City Submarine Memorial In 2024, the Oklahoma City Council unanimously approved funding for the construction of a memorial for the USS Oklahoma City (SSN-723) submarine in Wiley Post Park. Slated for completion this year, the memorial will include the submarine’s sail, two dive planes, interpretative components and a flag plaza.

Enjoying the Post-Holiday Season in Oklahoma 2025 GO Bond Package Oklahoma City voters approved the passage of a $2.7 billion general obligation bond in October of last year. The bond package will fund over 547 projects locally, with the majority focused on improving the city’s roadways and public infrastructure, including library and learning centers, parks and recreation, and emergencyresponse services.

“It’s massive,” says Zac Craig, president of Visit Oklahoma City, in reference to the bond. “A lot of it is the brass tacks of what’s needed to run a city of our size and that is ever-growing.”

Air Traffic Control Complex Construction of a 257-foot traffic control tower at the Tulsa International Airport will be completed this fall, helping elevate the safety, efficiency and reliability of air traffic control services. In addition to the new tower, the Tulsa International Airport will also roll out direct flights to San Diego, Cancun, Minneapolis, and Seattle in 2026.

“Tulsa’s airport is such a gem already,” says Jonathan Huskey, senior director of communications at Tulsa Regional Tourism. “Adding more direct and international flights and improving the infrastructure of the airport itself with a new control tower is super exciting. It means there’s a lot of good things on the horizon for the airport and Tulsa as a whole.”

Even after the holiday season winds down, there’s an abundance of entertainment and recreation for Oklahomans to enjoy during the cold winter months. Check out some of the following activities to beat the winter blues this year:

• Visit the state’s museums and cultural centers, including the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton and the Discovery Lab in Tulsa.

• Grab a bite to eat at an award-winning restaurant, such as Country Bird Bakery in Tulsa or Nonesuch in Oklahoma City.

• Go to a live music venue – whether it’s large scale like the Paycom Center or BOK Center, or more intimate like Cain’s Ballroom or the Criterion.

• Attend a Thunder basketball game or a Tulsa Oiler’s hockey match.

“The January and February days are kind of dark and dreary, but we have some fantastic indoor amenities,” shares Huskey. “No matter the season, no matter what you happen to be in the mood of doing, you can find something to do to bring some spark to your life.”

Renovations at Woodward Park One of Tulsa’s oldest and beloved green spaces, Woodward Park has been undergoing major renovations since last June. The $6.7 million project, which will be completed later this year, includes reconstructing the park’s ponds, improving its native landscaping and expanding its irrigation and stormwater systems.

Gilcrease Museum Gilcrease closed to the public in 2021 to build a new facility on the same site as the original museum. The $157 million project is nearing completion, with the installation of its collections beginning later this year.

“So much of the collection that people know and love will be here,” says Brian Lee Whisenhunt, the museum’s executive director. “But the way that we are sharing those objects is a little different. What we’re really doing aligns with Mr. Gilcrease’s original vision for his collection, which is to tell the story of the Americas.”

Although the museum won’t officially re-open until 2027, visitors can catch a glimpse of the new facility through its “UnCrease” program, which will enable nearly 50 artists to use the new museum as a space for performances, workshops and community events.

“I’m excited to see what we can bring to Tulsa and what is represented from all these ideas… and I know these will become subsequent programs and collaborations in the future after we open,” says Whisenhunt.

Clockwise from top left: Gilcrease Museum’s new facility; photo courtesy TU/ Gilcrease Inasmuch Bricktown Cloud Embrace rendering; photo courtesy of Visit OKC MAPS4 multipurpose stadium in OKC rendering; photo courtesy the City of OKC An exhibition at the First Americans Museum in OKC; photo courtesy Visit OKC CLOUD EMBRACE CONCEPT RENDERING

Plenty of room for everyone!

Lots of photo opportunities

JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

Visit OKC & Inasmuch Foundation

43

OKLAHOMA WEDDING | PL ANNING

The Complete

Wedding Playbook

From cinematic photography to a focus on A+ entertainment, weddings in 2026 are all about creating unforgettable moments while staying mindful of costs.

Couples are investing in what matters most: guest experiences, strong fashion statements and meaningful details, while trimming unnecessary extras. Our guide also includes tips for handling Oklahoma’s unpredictable weather, curbing post-wedding blues and learning proper etiquette for every role in the celebration.

By Mary Willa Allen

The Yearly Trend Forecast What’s hot, what’s not? What’s classic, what’s cringey? It changes by the hour ... but here are some trends we think might stick around this year.

Editorial photography: Documentary and editorial-style photography remain a popular choice for couples in 2026. Think less posed, more ‘in the moment,’ emotional and atmospheric snapshots.

A courthouse wedding experience: Many couples are choosing to get legally married in a more low-key manner – still dressed to the nines, of course. Social media posts of said event then garner even more traction and buzz for those couples still 44

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

planning a larger party for guests.

Live ceremony music: While reception bands are as hot as ever, more folks are choosing live music for the ceremony, too.

Think dreamy string quartets playing romantic versions of your favorite hits.

All color, all the time: While there’s something to be said about keeping things sleek and muted, couples today are going all out with color – bold florals, painted cakes, colored veils and bright suit jackets – you name it!

A hyper-local focus: Think native flowers, goodie bags with local swag and utilizing Oklahoma-produced spirits at the bar.

Splurging on: • Photography and videography: Cinematic or editorial-style documentation of the wedding is becoming non-negotiable.

• Guest experience: Think signature cocktails, welcome gifts, personalized touches and top-of-the-line entertainment.

• Fashion: From “getting ready” outfits to chic wedding gowns, luxury accessories and reception outfits, fashion is everything, baby!

• Design-forward florals: Flower installations are looking more like pieces of modern art these days – adding to that rich ambiance with stunning colors.

Cutting back on:

A 2026 Budget Shift Weddings are expensive, no matter where you are, how big your guest list is, or how much budgeting you do. However, in 2026, many are splurging on some must-have elements, while saving money and DIYing on others. We explore just a few of the options.

Weather-Proofing Your Oklahoma Wedding I’ll save you the long-winded (wind – get it?) spiel on how unpredictable Oklahoma weather is and just get down to brass tacks: You need to have contingency plans and preparations in place to deal with it. Consider: • Heat: If you plan to get married in Oklahoma between June and August, barring a miracle, it’s going to be a scorcher. For outdoor weddings, make sure you have hydration stations with things other than alcohol, alongside handheld fans, misters or shaded awnings. You can also time your ceremony during cooler moments in the day. For those with hair that reacts poorly to humidity, make sure your stylist knows in advance.

• Storms: Storms are inevitable in Oklahoma. If a thunder storm is predicted on your big day, make sure you secure a designated indoor space for your wedding – or at least have a covered location on standby. More luxurious preparations can include a full tent with flooring, umbrellas for everyone or transportation/shuttles for guests to avoid getting drenched.

• Ice: If you’re marrying in the winter, Oklahoma may surprise you with an apocalyptic snow storm. If that’s the case, make sure your communication with guests prior to the day of is as consistent as possible, and encourage carpooling to get less cars on the road. Salt walkways to avoid falls, and splurge for some large heaters if any elements of your ceremony are outside. Bonus idea: Serve hot drinks upon guest arrival!

• Wind: We’re known for it, after all. If the breeze is extra steady on your wedding day, make sure you have secured all your decor tightly – whether that’s linens, candles or florals.

Choose wind-friendly hairstyles, and opt for weighted signage that will stand firm against gusts.

• Large guest lists: Many couples are opting for smaller, more intimate gatherings while providing a richer per-guest investment.

• Bloated wedding parties: While your second cousin might get their feelings hurt if they aren’t a bridesmaid, couples are taking that risk with smaller wedding parties. This helps cut costs like bridesmaid favors, additional dresses and tuxes, make-up and hair services and other hidden costs.

• Traditional extras: Many are skipping a formal cake-cutting moment, overly elaborate dinner services or over-the-top desserts.

• Printed goods: Cheaper and more eco-conscious, couples are choosing to send digital alternatives for wedding programs and save-the-dates.

Kicking the Post-Wedding Blues After spending months, or even years, planning your “biggest party ever,” it may hit you harder than you thought when everything is said and done. Instead of wallowing in the sadness, try one of the following: • Space out your wedding from your honeymoon. Taking a week or more between the events will keep your anticipation high – and give you a chance to rest up.

• Host a farewell brunch. If you aren’t quite ready for the joy to be over, invite family and friends to a post-wedding brunch for a final goodbye.

• Set up scheduled mini-moons. Plan sporadic weekend getaways with your partner somewhere close by to keep the newlywed vibes going.

• Schedule a wedding highlights night. Plan an evening with your spouse in which you watch your wedding video, peruse celebration photos, read through your guest book, re-read your vows and relive your proposal night.

• Work on thank you notes together. You’ll be ticking off two things at once – fulfilling a wedding duty and reminiscing with your spouse about all the amazing presents you received.

JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

45

OKLAHOMA WEDDING | PL ANNING The Etiquette Cheat Sheet In a society that loves to say “you don’t owe anybody anything,” you do, in fact, owe people proper behavior – especially at weddings.

While the most heinous offenders of behavioral issues are often the wedding guests, we offer suggestions for everyone involved in the big day to ensure you’re minding your Ps and Qs:

Wedding Party

Do’s: • Attend all required events, like the rehearsal dinner, bridal shower and bachelor/bachelorette parties.

• Support the couple throughout planning with encouraging texts and favors here and there.

• Help guests feel welcome and comfortable on the day-of.

• Be proactive about solving minor problems without bugging the bride or groom unless necessary.

Don’ts: • Dominate the spotlight – it’s the couple’s day.

• Complain about expenses ... at least publicly.

• Make assumptions about family dynamics or seating arrangements.

• Post behind-the-scenes photos or shots of the couple without permission – they may want to be the first to post!

Wedding Couple

(Yes – you have etiquette expectations, too!)

Do’s: • Communicate clearly about expectations with your wedding party, family and guests – whether that’s dress code, gifts, plus-ones or social media posting during the wedding.

• Send thank you notes out within an appropriate time frame.

• Plan moments to enjoy the day together as a couple, and don’t let obligations keep you apart.

• Respect your guests by honoring your start and end times, and by taking time to greet and thank them – even briefly.

Don’ts: • Forget to eat and hydrate!

• Stress your wedding party and guests with overly complicated requests or last-minute changes.

• Micromanage every detail at the reception –it’s best to trust your planner, your wedding party designates or your venue staff.

Parents of the Couple

46

Wedding Guests

Do’s: • Support the couple’s choices, even if they differ from tradition or your own ideas.

• Offer help with logistics, budget or family coordination.

• Encourage positive interactions between guests, families and vendors.

• Help coordinate travel with out-of-state family members.

Do’s: • Dress according to the code – no experimenting!

• Arrive early, but not too early. The time on the invitation is typically when the ceremony itself begins.

• Bring a gift, or contribute to cash funds / honeymoon funds.

• Be courteous to vendors and staff – they may be working, but they are not your personal butlers for the evening.

Don’ts: • Wield budgetary involvement as a means to control certain aspects of the wedding.

• Show disappointment publicly if the wedding doesn’t match your expectations or vision.

• Attempt to manage the wedding day yourself – enjoy your time and let the couple or planner lead.

Don’ts: • Bring uninvited plus-ones or children unless they’re on the invite.

• Post photos or videos on social media before the couple does unless they’ve given the green light.

• Monopolize the couple’s time during cocktail hour or reception.

• Give unsolicited advice on marriage, wedding planning or parenting.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

SAY YES TO HARD ROCK When you get married at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, it will be as memorable for your guests as it will be for you.

Contact the sales and catering office today to book your wedding reception and/or hotel rooms for your out-of-town guests: 918.384.7931 JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

47

January Ad Watermark 0126005_Summit Club.indd 1

12/3/25 9:19 AM

Celebrate your love with sweeping views of the Arkansas River and Tulsa’s skyline.

The Riverside Rooftop offers modern elegance with a covered terrace, perfect for weddings and receptions.

Capacity: 230 indoor seated | 350 indoor/outdoor seated Versatile Space: Ideal for ceremonies, receptions, and unforgettable photos Reserve your date today discoverylab.org/private-rentals

918-295-8144 ext.2509

Photographed by: Ashton Marie Photography

January Ad Watermark 0126014_Discovery Lab.indd 1

48

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

12/17/25 2:55 PM

OKLAHOMA WEDDING | DESIGNER GOWNS

Aisle-Ready Couture We showcase fresh silhouettes and details from top designers around the globe.

Galia Lahav Keepsake; photo by Claire Rothstein

BERTA Amara

Monique Lhuillier; photo by Kessler Studios

All photos courtesy the designer unless otherwise marked

Designer Gowns

JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

49

50 Anne Barge; photo courtesy Michele Marie PR

Arava Polak; photo by Dudi Hasson

Pronovias Privee; photo courtesy Michele Marie PR

Pronovias Privee; photo courtesy Michele Marie PR

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 BERTA Amara

BERTA PRIVEE No. 15

BERTA PRIVEE No. 15

Esé Azénabor; photo courtesy Atelier PR

Jenny Packham

Monique Lhuillier; photo by Kessler Studios

Monique Lhuillier; photo by Kessler Studios

Designer Gowns

Jenny Packham

OKLAHOMA WEDDING | DESIGNER GOWNS

Galia Lahav Charmed; photo by Claire Rothstein

Galia Lahav Keepsake; photo by Claire Rothstein

Vera Wang Bride x Pronovias; photo courtesy Michele Marie PR

Oscar de La Renta

Sareh Nouri; photo courtesy Atelier PR

Vera Wang Bride x Pronovias; photo courtesy Michele Marie PR

Oscar de la Renta

Oscar de la Renta

Reem Acra; photo by Fadi Acra

Designer Gowns

Sareh Nouri; photo courtesy Atelier PR

Nicole + Felicia; photo courtesy Atelier PR

Pronovias Privee; photo courtesy Michele Marie PR

OKLAHOMA WEDDING | DESIGNER GOWNS

JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

51

OKLAHOMA WEDDING | CAKES

Layers Of Love

Wedding cakes crafted by Oklahoma bakers blend artistry and flavor in equal measures.

All photos courtesy the respective bakery unless otherwise marked

Amy Cakes, Norman; photo by Judy Wagner Photo

Amy Cakes, Norman; photo by Emily Nicole Photo

Sweet Devotion Cakery, Tulsa; photo by Ashley Cook Photography

Antoinette Bakery, Tulsa; photo by Hummingbird Creatives

The Round House Bakery, OKC; photo by Hanna Runner Photography

All Things Cake, Tulsa

52

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

Andrea Howard Cakes, OKC

OKC Sweets, OKC

Bouquets That Bind

OKL AHOMA WEDDING | FLOWERS

Oklahoma florists turn blooms into lasting memories.

All photos courtesy the respective florist unless otherwise marked

Toni's Flowers and Gifts, Tulsa; photo by Holly Felts

Divine Designs by Mandy, Tulsa; photo by Lillian Rose

Penelope and Lu, Broken Arrow

Rathbone's Flair Flowers, Jenks; photo

by Gracie’s Glimpse/ Summer Dawn Co.

Rootstock Floral, OKC

Mary Murray's Flowers, Tulsa

JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

53

OKLAHOMA WEDDING | HONEYMOONS

Head-Over-Heels Honeymoons Imagine if you will ... a quintet of great escapes after the big day.

Kerry, Ireland The wind-swept tip of the rugged southwestern coast of Ireland has long been a haunt of the wealthy. Now, many of the stately Victorian-era mansions are fine hotels, ripe for honeymooning.

Our home base is Tralee, Kerry County’s largest town (pop.

26,000) and Barrow House bed and breakfast, a 300-year-old Georgian manor built right on Barrow Harbor. Grab the binocs and look for seals and mallards out in the water. Then hit the nearby links followed by seafood chowder and a pint of Guinness at a cozy Irish pub.

But enjoying luxurious digs and breathtaking seascapes is just part of the county of Kerry’s appeal.

Killarney National Park is criss-crossed with a remarkable array of hiking and bike trails leading up mountains and past tall waterfalls. Rent a bike or take a “jaunting car,” a dreamy horse-drawn carriage.

A medieval village is displayed at the Tralee County Museum, in the same park as the romantic Rose of Tralee Rose Garden.

Shop for Aran sweaters, crystal and Irish linen.

Sardinia, Italy Welcome to a land of stunning island beaches, ancient ruins and great cheese. An autonomous region of Italy, Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean (Sicily is No. 1).

In the capital city of Cagliari, the 100-year-old Palazzo Tirso Mgallery welcomes honeymooners with a rooftop terrace, spa and gourmet restaurant. The boutique hotel’s luxury suites come with vistas of the Mediterranean Sea and a portside historical district specializing in high-end shopping and quaint cafes.

From here, it’s an easy walk to one of the island’s best beaches, Cagliari’s five-mile-long Poetto beach. A more secluded choice would be the beaches of Oasi of Biderosa. Soft, white sand, shallow, emerald water, and five intriguing coves.

Bronze-era defensive stone towers at Su Nuraxi di Barumini are actually truncated cones, unique to Sardinia.

You’ll find bargains on finely-crafted filigree jewelry, cork products and pecorino sardo, an excellent cheese made from sheep’s milk.

54

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

OKLAHOMA WEDDING | HONEYMOONS Kawela Bay, Hawaii Hawaii hits your senses all at once from the first breath. The air is filled with the intoxicating fragrances of gardenia, jasmine and plumeria.

And once you get to Kawela Bay on the north side of Oahu, the sights include calm blue waters, sea turtles, lush green hills (home to splendid hiking trails) and a wonderful crescent-shaped beach.

It’s also close to Turtle Bay Resort, now the Ritz-Carlton O’ahu Turtle Bay, where the top-of-the-line restaurant, Alaia, will get your taste buds dancing with locally-inspired dishes, heavy on greens and seafood.

Out on the bay, kayak or paddleboard the smooth, clear water, snorkel suspended above beautiful coral reefs, learn how to surf and then go horseback riding. The resort is on Kawela Bay, hemmed by Hanaka’llio beach, a park, a wildlife refuge and the sound of the surf.

There’s a large multi-trunked banyan tree down by the beach that you might recognize from Lost or Pirates of the Caribbean. Aerial roots everywhere and a huge sprawling canopy.

Mackinac Island, Michigan If your sweetie wants to go to Mackinac Island for the fast food, chain motels and used car lots, forget it. None of that stuff is there.

Cars aren’t even allowed. Folks get around the island in vintage horse-drawn carriages and on bicycles.

It’s been that way since late in the 19th century when carriage owners complained the automobiles were scaring their horses.

And it’s worked out great. The island (pronounced MACK-in-awe) runs on different time, more relaxed and a bit old-fashioned. Good buys include ornaments, fudge and stoneware.

Go in season, May through October, and stay at the renowned Grand Hotel, the 138-year-old grand dame of Mackinac Island, famous for her distinctively themed suites, broad, wrap-around front porch and evening dance music with a live orchestra.

From the Grand, the downtown shops, restaurants and Fort Mackinac are accessible via a short walk around the 18-hole golf course and past the Secret Garden with its mysterious hidden entrance.

Mauritius Off the eastern coast of Africa is a stunning island filled with thundering waterfalls, alabaster beaches and endless fields of sugar cane.

The nation of Mauritius is a decidedly Creole country residing in the Indian Ocean, 700 miles east of Madagascar.

Bustling markets (spices, silk and Mauritian rum), 18th century architecture and a deepwater port tells us we are in the island’s capital, Port Louis, on the northwest coast. Occupiers over the centuries have included the Dutch, French and British and each left their mark. Independence came in 1968.

Thirty miles south is Le Morne and one of the nicest beaches on the island. White sand complimented by tall, billowing casuarina trees. Above the shore, Le Morne Brabant stands guard – the massive basalt monolith juts 1,800 feet into the sky.

Watch for sea turtles, dolphins and an unexpected underwater waterfall as you snorkel, sea kayak and kitesurf above the coral. Stay at the St. Regis Le Morne Resort, a former sugar baron’s plantation house and now a sumptuous hotel sporting five restaurants.

CHUCK MAI

JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

55

Taste

F O O D, D R I N K A N D O T H E R P L E A S U R E S

The New Balanced Bite

The walnut and coriander crusted salmon is a diner favorite at Jenks' Pure Kitchen. Photos by Stephanie Phillips

Jenks' Pure Kitchen marries Pure Food’s vegan hits with rich, comforting fare like sirloin and Bolognese – proof that one menu really can please all palates.

C

hef Cynthia Beavers has the poise, grace and celebrity following to be famous herself.

After all, Amber Valletta has been a regular at her restaurants since 2009, Leonardo DiCaprio ate at her Brookside location eight times – yes, she kept count, wouldn’t you? – and Luke Wilson, Air Supply and Depeche Mode have all dropped by. Celebrity chef Sean Brock even declared her burger the best in town.

And he didn’t even know it was vegan.

But really, all of that is not important – what is important is that she’s a great chef.

“I can take vegetables,” she says, “and do miraculous things.”

And at her new Jenks restaurant, Pure Kitchen, you can get real beef burgers too, along with sirloin and filet. There’s even an “Adult Happy Meal” – a big burger and a martini.

Earlier in life, Beavers became a Realtor, and just for fun, she started a side hustle: preparing ‘healthful’ meals. ‘Healthful’ meant fresh, with a lot of vegetables.

56

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

“I’d go from my Realtor power suits to T-shirts and jeans, selling healthy meals,” she recalls, “and I loved it!”

A restaurant followed, first in Dallas, later in Tulsa, where she moved to be with her aging parents. For the past eleven years, Pure Food’s sleek, minimalist decor and totally vegan menu have been a staple on Brookside. (It’s soon going to get a makeover: fancy new decor and some menu items from Pure Kitchen, including filet mignon with green peppercorn and cognac cream sauce.)

Beavers’ vegan entrees are indeed wondrous. She never went to cooking school, but somehow she has created a full palette of sweet, savory and salty ... all without using salt or sugar.

But, she recalls, “I had so many customers say, ‘If only you had a filet on the menu, my husband would come.’ So I decided to have a place with both. You can come to Pure Kitchen in Jenks and have the best of both worlds.”

“Oh, if I’d known it was this elegant, I would have dressed so much better,” said

A hearty and healthy option is the Fall Harvest Salad with butternut squash, cranberries, blue cheese, bacon and vinaigrette.

one woman as she walked into Pure Kitchen and saw the sleek, long bar trimmed in black and gold, tables with crisp white linen, and a swooping modern chandelier.

Despite all this, Pure Kitchen welcomes all, and there’s no dress code.

The food looks elegant, too. It’s very much in Beaver’s style, which features rich blends of unusual flavors, and, she says, “in my style, food should look good, as eyeappealing as it is delicious.”

The dishes have creative contributions from two other chefs. One is Pure Kitchen’s chef de cuisine, Robin Michaels.

Taste | First Bite

Local Flavors | Taste Takaramono

The salmon poke tacos include avocado, tobiko, scallions and chili mayo.

And the other is Justin Donaldson, acclaimed chef at Baron’s on 1st in downtown Tulsa. He gave plenty of input.

“How could he not?” asked Beavers. “We’re married and all we talk about is food!”

Michaels adds: “The dishes are global, and we’ve given them a twist with modern fine dining techniques.”

Start with the chicken satay. It’s marinated for many hours in ginger and garlic. Instead of the traditional Indonesian

Japanese gastronomy is the name of the game at Takaramono in OKC, a modern Izakaya restaurant with distinctly Japanese roots.

Start with miso soup; the Takaramono salad with seaweed, cucumber, ginger and white fish; or the crunchy rice tuna with avocado.

Then, venture to the sushi and sashimi sections, with rolls including tuna, Photo courtesy Takaramono salmon, beef, flounder, shrimp or squid.

For those not too keen on sushi, try the grilled and fried section, with options like chicken, grilled salmon and wagyu skewers, grilled pork ribs, miso cod, chicken wings or garlic shrimp olive oil.

If you prefer a very hearty dish, the prime beef steak, wagyu beef burger, fried rice or udon beef sukiyaki should do the trick.

End the night with something sweet, like the pistachio burnt basque cheesecake, raspberry Earl Grey mousse cake or the matcha tiramisu. You can't lose.

En Fuego

Pure Kitchen's staff is helmed by expert chefs, bartenders and front-of-house staff including owner Cynthia Beavers (fourth from left).

peanut sauce, they use a sauce made of almond butter and chili peppers. It’s addictive. Or you might prefer the tuna poke tacos, made with avocado, tobiko and scallions.

“I don’t eat raw fish,” admits Beavers. “But Robin said, ‘you have to try this!’ Now it’s one of my favorites.”

The entrees are equally varied. You can get enchiladas, Pure Kitchen also offers cocktails like the or a rich, memorable chicken Chambery Spritz (above). and dumplings, or spaghetti Bolognese. Or you can splurge with filet mignon with cognac cream sauce or halibut accented with gremolata or sirloin with chimichurri sauce. Or, of course, there’s always that Adult Happy Meal.

BRIAN SCHWARTZ

Sitting pretty within Tulsa’s Guthrie Green, En Fuego is a tequila and taco bar perfect for a casual bite or night out with friends.

To kick things off, classic starters include queso, elote dip, wings, street nachos and carne asada fries.

No matter the taco you’re searching for, En Fuego has it – whether you’re craving elote chicken, grilled fish, garden veggie, carnitas, tempura fish or a classic street taco. Hungrier diners should try the Photo courtesy En Fuego Big Fuego Burrito, with refried beans, seasoned rice, sauteed onions and peppers, sour cream and guacamole with your choice of protein. Other goodies include quesadillas, chopped salads and the Baja Burger, replete with chorizo and ground beef, queso frio, cole slaw and fries. Desserts include churros, paletas and tres leches bread pudding.

Classic and house cocktails are abundant, alongside a bevy of MARY WILLA ALLEN tequilas, beers and mocktails.

JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

57

Taste | Chef Chat

A Chef, Reimagined

After a life-altering medical event reshaped his future, executive chef Josh Moore found his calling in the kitchen, and now leads the Oklahoma City Convention Center’s dynamic culinary program.

Chef Josh Moore works on meals for anywhere between 25 and 2,000 people as the executive chef at the Oklahoma City Convention Center.

E

A favorite dish of chef Moore's is the duck l'orange; you can find his recipe for it at okmag. com. Photos courtesy OKCCC

xecutive chef Josh Moore’s kitchen origin story reaches back a few years. The youngest of four children, he grew up cooking for his family, and he loved it. But he never considered making food prep his career until he reached his late 20s. That’s when he suffered a devastating and transformative medical event that forced him to pause and rework his life ideas. He says that during recovery, “I knew it was time to take a chance at my passion for culinary, and pursue professional schooling.”

As a graduate of Platt College Culinary School, Moore first wore the chef ’s hat at Chesapeake Energy Arena, now the Paycom Center.

“Starting from the bottom as a cook, I worked my way up into various roles within the company over the years,” Moore says. “When COVID-19 hit, I was

58

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

acting sous chef at the Paycom Center.

Like most restaurants during that time, we had a huge shift in the industry, which affected every aspect from how we dine, the availability of food, to significant staffing concerns.”

Then the Oklahoma City Convention Center (OKCCC) opened its doors in 2020, and they came calling. With food and beverage operations focused on conventions, plated dinners and receptions, they tagged Moore from the start.

“I was asked to make the move to this building as executive sous chef to help build the culinary foundation necessary to create an illustrious large occupancy event center for the city.”

During 2024, OKCCC promoted Moore to the top spot. Now with a busy schedule, he says no two days are ever the same, because everything is tied to scheduled events. So, he stays flexible with menus while concentrating on clients and diners.

“While I have never been one to narrow down my style to one specific cuisine, I gravitate towards culinary elevated comfort foods,” Moore says. “At the convention center, I create personalized menus for our clients that combine their ideas and visions into a beautiful and delicious culinary creation.”

OKCCC caters events for anywhere from 25 to 2,000 people. And about 90% of what Moore does in the kitchen is prep work, with 10% cooking and firing the food for the event.

Nevertheless, Moore says, “besides family, there is no greater happiness than serving a guest a meal like they have never before experienced.”

CAROL MOWDY BOND

Online Exclusive: TO SEE MOORE’S RECIPE FOR DUCK L’ORANGE, VISIT OKMAG.COM

Tasty Tidbits | Taste

District Burger

Photo courtesy District Burger

Carnivores will certainly be flocking to District Burger, with two locations in Jenks and Broken Arrow.

If you couldn’t glean it from the name, the burgers are the star of the menu at District. Try the iconic Oklahoma onion burger: two smash patties with onions, American cheese and housemade burger sauce, or the Wagyu: an 8 oz. patty with cheddar, tallow onions, truffle sauce and jalapeno jelly – all locally sourced.

Chicken sandwiches include the Southern, with crispy fried chicken, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles, as well as the Pesto, with grilled chicken, tomato, arugula, mozzarella and pesto mayo. Veggie lovers can enjoy the Torta with a black bean patty, onions, jalapenos, pepperjack cheese and avocado, or opt for the vegan chicken sandwich with all the fixings. District also offers a handful of shakes, craft cocktails, a variation of starters, plus breakfast and brunch menus.

Photo courtesy Nhinja Sushi

Nhinja Sushi

With four locations in the OKC metro, Nhinja Sushi is your go-to for a quick lunch or leisurely dinner.

Begin your experience with classic apps like lettuce wraps, steamed gyoza, spring rolls or tempura fried shrimp. For those looking for smaller portions, soups and salads include the seaweed salad, seared ahi tuna salad and miso soup.

You’ll find just about every sushi roll you could want – with fillings ranging from steak to shrimp, veggies, tuna, yellowtail and more. Nhinja also offers an array of sashimi and nigiri options. For those hoping for a safer option, fear not – Nhinja has shrimp lo mein and chicken fried rice, too, as well as options for kids, family meals and more.

Fogo de Chão Photo courtesy Sweet Lisa’s

Sweet Lisa’s Cafe

Nestled within Tulsa’s Greenwood District, Sweet Lisa’s Cafe serves up soul food done right. Combos are the name of the game, with fish, chicken, porkchops and burgers on deck, too.

Try the catfish combo, with two filets, your choice of two sides, plus toast. Other highlights include the wing combo, wing sandwich, chicken breast combo and whole bone-in fish combo.

Extras and singles range from tilapia to wings, porkchops, cornbread and chicken breast. Burgers are can’t-miss as well – try the cheeseburger, and don’t forget to add bacon and cheese. Make sure to ask about the specials, too!

Photo courtesy Fogo de Chão

For an upscale, authentic Brazilian steakhouse experience, venture to Fogo de Chão in OKC. Guests begin with dishes like jumbo shrimp cocktail, chilled lobster and shrimp, or the seafood tower – with lobster, shrimp, snow crab and mussels. Shareable sides include the indulgent lobster mac and cheese, crispy Yucca fries and the burrata and roasted tomatoes.

If you want to go the traditional route, try the ‘Churrasco Experience,’ in which diners enjoy a variety of fired-roasted meat cuts, including sirloin, roasted chicken and lamb chops.

Other entrees include cauliflower steak, pan-seared salmon and Chilean seabass.

Fogo de Chão also offers brunch and lunch, alongside cocktail and dessert menus.

JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

59

Where & When

G R E AT T H I N G S T O D O I N O K L A H O M A

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

IN TULSA

Performances

Tulsa Spotlight Theater presents: The Drunkard and the Olio Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24,

31 Tulsa Spotlight Theater It began on Nov. 14, 1953, and has never stopped! That's how The Drunkard became America's longest-running play. More than 3,000 Tulsans have participated on or offstage. tulsaspotlighttheater. com

Theatre Tulsa presents:

Frozen Jan. 9-25 Tulsa PAC For the first time in forever, experience the magic of one of Disney's most beloved musicals - a powerful tale of sisterhood, acceptance and finding the real meaning of true love. theatretulsa.com Signature Symphony presents: III – Brahms' Symphony No. 2 Jan. 10 Tulsa PAC Guest conductor Brett Mitchell takes guests on a journey through Brahms' work. tulsasymphony.org

Liz Carr Training Winter Musical Theatre Event Jan.

10 Tulsa PAC Liz Carr Training presents a Winter Musical Theatre Concert in collaboration with Excel Theatrical Training. The concert will include original works by acclaimed choreographers Sean Aaron Carmon, Liz Carr, Taeler Cyrus and Erin Moore. tulsapac.com

PERFORMANCE

Curtains Up on 2026

com Tulsa Opera presents: The Pirates of Penzance Jan. 30, Feb. Everclear Jan. 17 Hard Rock 1 Lorton Performance Center Gilbert and Sullivan's classic comic opera about misguided pirates comes to Tulsa. This family-friendly event is a classical music adventure with plenty of memorable songs, costumes and more. tulsaopera.com

14-15 Tulsa PAC Welcome to production of the beloved musical Hadestown, where a song can change in over 25 years. This enchanting your fate. Winner of eight 2019 Tony and timeless tale, filled with the Awards including Best Musical and romance and grandeur audiences the 2020 Grammy Award for Best know and love, has been brought Musical Theater Album, Hadestown to life like never before, with is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never spectacular new sets and dazzling costumes. celebrityattractions.com lets go. celebrityattractions.com

Signature Symphony presents: TPAC presents: The Magic of Copland and the Wild West Jan. Motown Jan. 31 Tulsa PAC Journey

through some of Motown's best hits at this exciting event. tulsapac.com

Concerts

Travis Ledoyt as Elvis Jan.

11 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino TPAC presents: Wind the Willows Jan. 27 Tulsa PAC Journey Tulsa See the beloved Elvis

impersonator for one night into the Wild Wood on this only. hardrockcasinotulsa.com multi-media adventure based on Kenneth Grahame’s beloved children’s Casey Donahew Jan. 15 River novel. Wind in the Willows mixes Spirit Casino Resort Country classic storytelling with projected crooner Casey Donahew illustrations to tell the trials of Mole comes to Tulsa for one night and Rat on an all-night race against only. riverspirittulsa.com time as they venture through the Red Not Chili Peppers Jan. hidden wonders of the forest to 16 Cain's Ballroom The beloved find the young Otter before it’s too Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute band late. tulsapac.com is coming to Tulsa. cainsballroom.

60

DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Kick off 2026 in style with entertainment options galore.

At the Tulsa PAC, Theatre Tulsa presents the beloved Frozen from Jan. 9-25. While you’re there, don’t miss Signature Symphony’s III – Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 on Jan. 10, or Celebrity Attractions Hadestown, back by popular demand on Jan. 14-15.

The month concludes at the PAC with Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, running Jan. 30-Feb. 1 courtesy Celebrity Attractions. (Psst – if you find yourself in OKC, the show also runs at the Civic Center from Jan. 20-25). Other Tulsa gems include Signature Photo by Daniel Boud courtesy Celebrity Attractions Symphony’s Copland and the Wild West on Jan. 24 at the TCC Van Trease PACE, as well as Tulsa Opera’s presentation of The Pirates of Penzance on Jan. 30 and Feb. 1 at the Lorton Performance Center.

In Oklahoma City, the Civic Center hosts OKC Phil for two performances this month: Mozart’s Rivals – Race to the Top on Jan. 10, as well as Tango Caliente! – a night of seductive tango classics – on Jan. 30 and 31.

Oklahoma City Community College also welcomes Afrique en Cirque, offering African circus arts, traditional dance and the mesmerizing rhythms, on Jan. 13.

Outside the metro, support local theaters by visiting the Bartlesville Community Center for The Choir of Man on Jan. 20 and Guthrie’s Pollard Theatre for Funniest Night of Your Life from Jan. 23-25.

Celebrity Attractions presents: Disney's Beauty and the Jan. 30-Feb. 1 Tulsa PAC Be Celebrity Attractions and Tulsa Beast our guest at Beauty and the Beast, PAC present: Hadestown Jan. Disney’s first North American

24 TCC Van Trease PACE Experience Aaron Copland’s vibrant picture of the American West, complete with cowboy songs and folk melodies. signaturesymphony.org

1

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

Jordan Ann Craig: Do the Patterns Notice Me? Through

divisions and unique elements like the 777 Jackpot for Platinum Club members. exposquare.com Oct. 10 Philbrook In her paintings, Hotel and Casino Tulsa See Chili Bowl Nationals Jan. Jordan Ann Craig shares an these rockers at the Hard Rock 12-17 Expo Square The Chili Bowl important belief: there is a pattern Wall Flowers: Patrick Gordon Live. hardrockcasinotulsa.com Nationals is a massive, week-long waiting to be noticed in even the Paintings Through Jan. indoor dirt track event held annually The Band Perry Jan. 23 Hard smallest of moments if we are 3 Philbrook Philbrook Museum at the SageNet Center, featuring Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa The willing to look. philbrook.org of Art presents Patrick Gordon’s Midget Sprint Cars, dubbed country singers of the Band Perry first museum retrospective, which "Racing's Winter Super Bowl" for dirt Slumgullion: The invite you to a nice of great hits and racing. exposquare.com great fun. hardrockcasinotulsa.com features over fifty paintings that Venerate Outpost span a career of more than fifty Ongoing Philbrook Philbrook is PBR Tulsa Jan. 23-24 BOK KC and the Sunshine years. philbrook.org proud to partner with award-winning Center PBR: Pendleton Whisky Band Jan. 29 River Spirit Casino Metamorphosis! Butterflies Velocity Tour will buck into Tulsa artist Karl Unnasch to present Resort You won't want to miss this January 23-24. Bull riding fanatics Slumgullion, a full-scale log cabin and Botanicals by Maria won't want to miss it. bokcenter.com exciting concert. riverspirittulsa. built from the skeleton of a lateSibylla Merian Through Jan. com American Finals Rodeo Jan. 293 Philbrook Before artist-scientist 1800s pioneer home. philbrook.org 31 Expo Square The American Finals Art Maria Sibylla Merian, Europeans Rodeo is a major professional rodeo Sports believed insects spontaneously series where cowboys and cowgirls 24 Hours of Wonder Jan. generated from mud. Her compete in standard events like bull 2-17 Living Arts 24 Hours of Wonder revolutionary practices of observing Tulsa Oilers Hockey Jan. 2-4, riding, roping and barrel racing for big 16-17 BOK Center The Oilers take the is an invitational and growing prize money and a chance to advance living insects and documenting archive devised by Leticia Bajuyo to the national finals for a shot at the their many life stages demonstrated ice this month. bokcenter.com and Sabine Senft. This exhibition Tulsa Shootout Through Jan. $1 million bonus. exposquare.com that they were actually born from 3 Expo Square The Tulsa Shootout is an evolving international eggs and often changed form, or Community is an indoor micro sprint car racing art installation and archive metamorphosized, many times held at the SageNet Center. that connects artists through through their life cycles. philbrook. event Rhema Christmas tulsashootout.com interdisciplinary and cross-cultural org collaboration. Living Arts will AEW Presents: Dynamite Jan. Lights Through Jan. 1 Rhema Bible Church Join thousands of annual The State of Craft Through 7 BOK Center All elite wrestling be the fourth exhibition and will visitors at the Rhema Christmas returns for an epic night of feature sixty artworks in the Myers Jan. 24 108 Contemporary 108 Lights and witness over three million Contemporary is excited to professional wrestling as AEW Gallery. livingarts.org shimmering lights synchronized present the biennial Oklahoma Dynamites invades the BOK Contours of Time Jan. to Christmas music across 110 Center. bokcenter.com Members exhibition, The State 2-17 Living Arts Contours of acres. rhemalights.org of Craft 2025, juried by Pauline RC Chili Bowl Jan. 7-17 Expo Time is a three-person exhibition Verbeek. 108contemporary.org Square The RC Chili Bowl is the First Friday Art Crawl Jan. 2 exploring the relationship between world's largest remote-controlled (RC) Downtown On the first Friday of Interwoven: Cherokee, landscape, material, and duration, dirt oval racing event, held annually every month, guests will be able Muscogee & Yuchi highlighting how artists translate in Tulsa alongside the famous full-size to see a new exhibit opening and their experience of land and time Baskets Through Feb. Chili Bowl Nationals. exposquare. enjoy live music, a cash bar and through distinct material languages. 8 Philbrook Learn about Tulsa’s com snacks. humanities.utulsa.edu interwoven history with the These artworks explore how time All Star Team Roping Jan. Muscogee (Creek), Yuchi and and space can be momentarily 10-11 Expo Square The All-Star Team Broken Arrow Ice Rink Through grasped through material while the Cherokee people, who share the Roping (ASTR) event is a major team Jan. 5 418 S. Main St., Broken ancestral art of basketry. philbrook. roping competition featuring top land itself endures our presence, Arrow Skate under the festive competitors, huge payouts, various twinkle lights at Broken Arrow's org featuring artwork by Patrick Kikut, Robin Baker and Chris Overstake, with curatorial participation by Leticia R. Bajuyo in the West End Gallery. livingarts.org

Entertainment | Where & When Know Your Enemy Tour to Tower Theatre on January 17. Catch his comedy specials on Netflix or HBO Max, then see him bring the laughs live on OKC’s most historic stage. towertheatreokc.com

at Tower Theatre with Austin Dixon! the first devoted to the artist, will Revered as one of the genre’s present a survey of Paul Reed’s art finest and most authentic modern and accomplishments from his early voices, Wade Bowen has become days as a graphic designer to his synonymous with country music, success as one of the founding artists songwriting and captivating live of the Washington Color School in the performances. Don't miss him 1960s. okcmoa.com OKC Broadway presents: live on the most historic stage in Jakian Parks: The Black Disney's Beauty and the town! towertheatreokc.com Land Through June 1 Oklahoma Beast Jan. 20-25 Civic Center Morrissey Jan. 13 The Contemporary The Black Music Hall Be our guest at Beauty Criterion Morrissey is an iconic Land envisions a pyramiding and the Beast, Disney’s first North structure, layering the historical American production of the beloved English singer-songwriter known for his distinctive baritone voice phases from Black captivity to musical in over 25 years. This and provocative lyrical style. contemporary Black equestrianism. enchanting and timeless tale, filled Rising to fame as the frontman of oklahomacontemporary.org with the romance and grandeur Performances audiences know and love, has been The Smiths in the 1980s, he has Chihuly Then and Now: The brought to life like never before, with since established a successful Collection at Twenty Ongoing Dinner Detective Comedy solo career that has spanned spectacular new sets and dazzling OKCMOA Redesigned in decades. paycomcenter.com Mystery Dinner Show Jan. costumes. okcciviccenter.com collaboration with Chihuly Studio, 9, 17, 24 Skirvin Hilton OKC Don't Ian Moore Jan. 22 Tower Chihuly Then and Now: The miss one of the biggest interactive The Magic of Motown Jan. Theatre Blues-rocker Ian Moore is Collection at Twenty incorporates 23 Civic Center Music Hall Journey comedy shows in America as the headlining the most historic stage in "Dinner Detective Comedy Mystery through some of Motown's best hits at town on January 22. Don't miss him a unique design, featuring five Tulsa High Performance decades of glass and painting and Dinner Show" comes to Oklahoma this exciting event. tulsapac.com perform live at Tower Theatre this Expo Jan. 17 Expo Square The tells a comprehensive story of Jeff Dunham Jan. 29 Paycom winter. towertheatreokc.com Tulsa High Performance Expo features City. thedinnerdetective.com Chihuly’s groundbreaking career.

Center Comedy superstar and vendors selling new and used racing OKC Phil presents: Mozart's Rewind: The Ultimate 2000s okcmoa.com ventriloquist Jeff Dunham is bringing parts, tools, cars, go-karts, trailers Rivals – Race to the Top Jan. Rave Jan. 30 Tower Theatre Step his hilarious cast of characters Hock E Aye Vi Edgar Heap of and more, plus auctions, connecting 10 Civic Center Music Hall What into a time machine and relive the back to Oklahoma City with the Birds: Neufs for Oklahoma racers and enthusiasts. exposquare. does it take to rise to the top? Don’t early 2000s like never before at Artificial Intelligence Tour!

Known com Autumn Ongoing Campbell miss Mozart’s Rivals with the OKC Rewind: The Ultimate 2000s Rave. worldwide for his quick wit, sharp Philharmonic — featuring violinist Enjoy the biggest Y2K hits, remixes, Art Park/Oklahoma Tulsa Foundation for humor, and unforgettable puppets, Contemporary Oklahoma Hannah White, Canterbury Voices Architecture Tours Jan. Dunham has become one of the most and mashups from the 2000s Contemporary is honored to and a moving performance of 17 Downtown Tulsa Take a fun successful stand-up comedians of all era. towertheatreokc.com present Neufs for Oklahoma Mozart’s Requiem. okcciviccenter. time. paycomcenter.com and educational walking tour Autumn, a basketball court Art com through downtown Tulsa and installation commissioned as a OKC Phil presents: Tango other historical local sites during Afrique en Cirque Jan. ArtNow 2025: Materials public art iteration of the Neuf Caliente! Jan. 30-31 Step into an Saturday Architecture Tours, 13 Oklahoma City Community and Boundaries Through painting series by renowned unforgettable evening of passion, hosted by the Tulsa Foundation for College Experience the richness artist Hock E Aye Vi Edgar Heap of Feb. 16 Oklahoma rhythm, and elegance as OKC Phil Architecture. tulsaarchitecture.org of African culture through circus Birds. oklahomacontemporary.org Contemporary Organized by presents a night of seductive tango arts, traditional dance and the Go Short, Go Long, Go Very guest curator Alexa Goetzinger classics that will stir your soul.

Cynthia Daignault: mesmerizing rhythms of West Long Jan. 17 Tulsa River Parks and guest curatorial assistant Featuring a esmerizing soprano Oklahoma Ongoing OKCMOA African music. occc.edu Trail System This annual 5K, 10K, whose voice smolders with emotion Virginia Sitzes, Materials and This exhibition features one 25K and 50K is back again with Boundaries is the 2025 edition Jerry Seinfeld Jan. 16 Civic and a dazzling bandoneón virtuoso painting, Oklahoma by Cynthia distances for every level of runner or Center Music Hall Don't miss one of whose fingers bring fire to every of the Oklahoma Contemporary Daignault, as a tribute to the walker. runsignup.com ArtNow biennial exhibition, the world's most lauded comedians note, this concert promises an highlighting new and recent art from history of the Oklahoma City on his newest tour. okcciviccenter. experience is thrilling as the dance Tulsa Martin Luther King Jr. bombing from 1995. okcmoa.com a selection of artists active in the com itself. okcphil.org Parade Jan. 19 N. Detroit & John state. oklahomacontemporary.org Hope Franklin Blvd. Head to the Rory Scovel: Know Your Sports Concerts annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade Enemy Tour Jan. 17 Tower Paul Reed: A through Tulsa to honor a legend 50th Jr. Open Wrestling Wade Bowen Jan. 9 Tower Retrospective Through April Theatre Comedian, actor and and celebrate freedom with the Theater Wade Bowen is performing 12 OKCMOA This major retrospective, Championship Jan. 1-3 OKC writer Rory Scovel is bringing his community. mlktulsa.com

only outdoor skating rink. Bring your ice skates or rent them directly on-site and glide across the ice under the pavilion at the Rose District Plaza. baicerink.com Oklahoma Boat Expo Jan. 9-11 Arvest Convention Center Stroll through the booths featuring a variety of outdoor products and services.

Stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technology offered by premier outfitters, and make your next outdoor adventure more fun with great new gear from the Oklahoma Boat Expo. okboatexpo.com Oklahoma Card Show Jan. 10-11 Expo Square The Oklahoma Card Show is a major event featuring sports cards, Pokémon, TCGs and collectibles with lots of tables, vendors and fun for collectors of all types. exposquare.com

Charitable Events

Nonprofit Sector Connector Jan. 7 Virtual Join the

Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits on the first Wednesday of each month for the Nonprofit Sector Connections.

These live virtual calls are for open to the public, although one-time series registration is required. okcnp.com Advocacy Roundtable Jan. 16 Virtual Welcome to the Advocacy Roundtable! This free, virtual biweekly call scheduled around Oklahoma's legislative session brings together nonprofit leaders to discuss policy, exchange ideas and offer support and advice to one another. This group is full of dynamic, policy-minded nonprofit professionals. okcnp.com

Town Hall: Convening Nonprofits and Community Leaders Jan. 21 Martin Luther

King Center, Muskogee The OG&E & Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits Community Town Hall: Convening Nonprofits & Community Leaders is a unique opportunity to bring nonprofits, civic leaders, and community partners together around a shared vision for rural Oklahoma’s future. okcnp.com

Crisis Management: Readiness for the Unexpected Jan. 28 OKCNP Legacy Plaza Nonprofits face unexpected challenges ranging from personnel disruptions to external emergencies. This session offers a framework for crisis response

and strategies for improving preparedness before issues arise. okcnp.com Rendezvous Jan. 31 Arvest Convention Center Rendezvous ( formerly known as Toyland Ball), held every January, is The Parent Child Center of Tulsa’s signature fundraising event. This elegant evening, with its whimsical theme, offers a night of dinner, dancing, entertainment and a live auction. toylandball.org

IN OKC

SPORTS

Winter Action Heats Up

2

Fair Park The USJOC is a major national youth wrestling tournament that has been a proving ground for young wrestlers from across the country for half a century. okcfairpark.com OKC Blue Basketball Jan. 2, 4, 20, 26 Paycom Center Enjoy games with the OKC Blue. paycomcenter.com

2026 Cattlemen's Congress Jan. 3-15 OKC

Fair Park The OKC Cattlemen's Congress is North America's largest cattle show, bringing together cattlemen to showcase, market and sell elite genetics and production cattle through national shows, sales (bulls, heifers, embryos), a large trade show and educational events for breeders. okcfairpark.com OKC Thunder Basketball Jan. 5, 7, 11, 13, 23, 25, 27 Paycom Center Enjoy games with the NBA champs, the OKC Thunder. paycomcenter.com

CommunityArt

First Friday Gallery Walk Jan.

1 Paseo Arts District Make your way to the First Friday Gallery Walk in Oklahoma City's Paseo Arts District to enjoy art gallery openings, wine tastings, live music and more. thepaseo.org

Arcadia Lake Eagle Watch Jan. 2-4 9000 E. Second

St., Arcadia Come out and witness bald eagles displaying their grace and beauty during the Arcadia Lake Eagle Watch in Edmond. Dress warmly, bring your binoculars and embark on an adventure around the lake's 26 miles of picturesque shoreline. edmondok.gov

Bingo Loco: World's Biggest

Bingo Party Jan. 3 Tower Theatre Bingo Loco is crashing into Oklahoma nightlife with

TULSA OILERS

While it may be freezing outside, indoor sports are bigger and better than ever this month.

In Tulsa, the Oilers take to the ice at the BOK Center January 2-4 and 16-17. If you’d instead like to watch some remotecontrolled car races, head over to Expo Square for the RC Chili Bowl, Jan. 7-17.

In conjunction, the Chili Bowl Nationals run Jan. 12-17, when spectators can enjoy indoor dirt track sprint car racing – often dubbed “Racing’s Winter Super Bowl” for dirt racing. Stick around Expo Square for the American Finals Rodeo, Jan. 29-31, or Photo courtesy the Tulsa Oilers loop back around to the BOK Center on Jan. 23-24 for PRB (Professional Bull Riding).

In Oklahoma City, NBA champs the OKC Thunder play at the Paycom Center all month long, alongside the G-League OKC Blue. Venture to the OKC State Fair Park for the 2026 Cattlemen’s Congress on Jan. 3-15 – North America’s largest cattle show, bringing together cattlemen to showcase, market and sell production cattle.

Lastly, head to Lazy E Arena in Guthrie on Jan. 15-18 for the International Finals Rodeo, where the top 15 cowboys and cowgirls from across the U.S. and Canada compete for world championship titles.

JANUARY 2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

61

Where & When | Entertainment (motorhomes, fifth wheels, a wild mix of bingo, rave, and comedy. Enjoy the early or late trailers) and boats (yachts, fishing, show featuring comedian MCs, pontoons), offering big discounts, DJ-spun throwbacks, mountains giveaways, and showcasing of confetti, and crowd-hyping CO2 outdoor gear. okcfairpark.com cannons. towertheatreokc.com 2026 Home and Garden Full Moon Yoga Jan. 4 Mix-Tape Show Jan. 23-25 OKC Fair at Factory Obscura Participants Park The Home and Garden Show of all skill levels are invited to join is Oklahoma's premier consumer this relaxing class under the full event for home improvement, moon. factoryobscura.com remodeling and landscaping, featuring hundreds of local Sparkle Holiday Walk at Scissortail Park Through Jan. experts, vendors, live demos and inspiration for interior and exterior 4 Scissortail Park This holiday season, Oklahoma City's Scissortail home projects. okcfairpark.com Park will shine with festive National Pigeon Association cheer at the all-new SPARKLE Grand National Show Jan. Holiday Walk at Scissortail 23-25 Oklahoma State Fair Park. scissortailpark.org Park This event is held annually in alternating regions of the 2nd Friday Norman Art United States and showcases over Walk Jan. 8 Norman Arts 200 breeds of fancy, exhibition District The 2nd Friday pigeons. okcfairpark.com Norman Art Walk, a monthly celebration of the arts in Norman, Lights on Broadway Through connects the downtown arts Jan. 30 Automobile Alley Get in district with outlying galleries, the holiday spirit at the annual performance halls and Campus Lights on Broadway event in Corner. 2ndfridaynorman.com Oklahoma City's Automobile Alley. downtownindecember.com Second OHOF Saturdays Jan. 9 Oklahoma Hall of Edmond Ice Rink Through Fame Second Oklahoma Hall of Feb. 1 Mitch Park, Edmond Enjoy Fame Saturdays invite families holiday ice skating in Mitch to learn about an Oklahoma Hall Park at the Edmond Outdoor Ice of Fame member with crafts and Rink. edmondicerink.com activities. oklahomahof.com Devon Ice Rink Through Feb. OKC Spirit Fair Jan. 10-11 Reed 1 Myriad Botanical Gardens Skate Conference Center, Midwest across 5,500 square feet of real ice City See the unique work that and indulge in seasonal food and local crafters and vendors have beverage offerings, while losing to offer at the OKC Spirit Fair. yourself in a magical, park-like Interact with like minded, nonatmosphere surrounded by traditionalists looking to explore glittering lights. myriadgardens. the eccentric items and services org available at the event. spiritfair. com Charitable Events OKC RV and Boat Show Jan. 16-18 OKC Fair Park The OKC January Kit Packing Boat & RV Show is a large annual Party Jan. 10 100 NE 5th event where various dealers St. Come help reduce period display hundreds of new RVs poverty in OKC and help Period

COMMUNITY

OKC prepare for local needs.Spend Center presents: The Choir season. muskogeeparks.com Ole 360 Jan. 30 Choctaw a couple of hours putting together of Man Jan. 20 Bartlesville Casino and Resort, Durant Made Yukon Ice Rink Through period supply kits for organizations Community Center Raise your in Hancock County, Kentucky, Ole Jan. 4 500 W. Vandament Ave., and schools in need. eventbrite. glass to the wildly popular 60 is not your father’s country Yukon Part of Yukon's Christmas in com British musical, The Choir of Man band. Caught in the crosshairs of at the Bartlesville Community indie rock sonics, folk songwriting, the Park event, the Yukon Ice Rink Glitterball: The Road welcomes skaters of all ages for Center. thepollard.org and country sensibilities, the to Oz Jan. 10 Oklahoma six-piece from Hawesville shot to the holiday season. yukonicerink.

Contemporary At this extravagant Pollard Theatre presents: fundraising gala, Oklahoma notoriety in 2024 with “smoke & a com Funniest Night of Your Contemporary will be brought Holidays on Ice Through Life Jan. 23-25 Pollard Theatre, light." choctawcasinos.com to life with live music, dancing, Jan. 4 301 S. Independence Ave., Guthrie Get ready to laugh out Sports cocktails and cinematic elements loud as comedian and ventriloquist Enid Experience holiday magic at provided by the deadCenter Film International Finals Holidays on Ice in Downtown Enid. organization. deadcenterfilm.org Todd Oliver returns to the Pollard Rodeo Jan. 15-18 Lazy E Arena, Located in the Stride Bank Center’s Theatre for The Funniest Night of OKC Lunch and Learn: Guthrie Every year, the top 15 Your Life. thepollard.org parking lot, you will have the Build Your Best Credit cowboys and cowgirls from Concerts across the US and three Canadian opportunity to skate under festive Future Jan 14 Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits Join the Oklahoma Los Tucanes de Tijuana Jan. provinces travel to Oklahoma and twinkle lights at this outdoor Center for Nonprofits for quick, compete for world championship ice skating rink located near 16 Winstar World Casino and Enid's "Under Her Wings Was the focused sessions on key nonprofit Resort, Thackerville Los Tucanes titles in seven standard rodeo topics in a convenient lunchtime Universe" sculpture. skateenid. de Tijuana are a highly influential events. ipra-rodeo.com format. The Lunch and Learn series com Mexican norteño band, founded in provides short trainings that fit Community KNID Agrifest Jan. Tijuana in 1987 by Mario Quintero easily into the workday. Each Lara, known for pioneering a First Day Hike Jan. 1 Oklahoma 9-10 Chisholm Trail Expo Center, session highlights one concept State Parks This event is held in or skill area relevant to nonprofit grittier norteño sound. winstar.

Enid KNID Agrifest, northwest com conjunction with the America's professionals. okcnp.org Oklahoma's largest farm show, State Parks First Day Hikes provides informative seminars Oklahoma Quarter Horse Hall Jodeci Jan. 17 Winstar initiative that will take place in World Casino Resort, and demonstrations as well as of Fame & Convention Jan. all 50 states. The First Day Hikes Thackerville Establishing 24 Embassy Suites by vendor booths, activities and more. offer individuals and families the themselves as a trendsetting Hilton Celebrate the individuals, opportunity to begin the New Year Though this Enid event is geared force throughout culture with horses, ranches and businesses connecting with the outdoors and toward ranchers, farmers and their signature style, soulful who significantly impacted producers, there's something for Oklahoma’s equine industry at the harmonies and chart-topping hits, staying active. travelok.com everyone. enidlive.com Oklahoma Quarter Horse Hall of Jodeci has sold over 20 million New Year's Ball Drop on Fame and Convention. okqha.org records worldwide and achieved Route 66 Through Jan. 1 2 S. Big Om Yoga Retreat Jan. Main St., Miami Held in downtown 9-11 Sequoyah State Park Lodge, The National Black Cowboy three number-one albums on Miami, this countdown event is a Hulbert Relax and reach a sense Rodeo Awards and Gala Jan. the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart. winstar.com perfect way to celebrate the New of inner peace at the Big Om 31 National Cowboy and Western Year along with the start of the Heritage Museum This special Aaron Lewis and the Yoga Retreat. During this calming event will recognize 50 cowboy Stateliners 2026 American Route 66 Centennial year. There yoga retreat held at Sequoyah will be food trucks, live music by and cowgirl rodeo legends Tour Jan. 23 Choctaw Casino State Park & Lodge in Hulbert, as well as special category and Resort, Durant Aaron Lewis, Jacob Clark and more at this festive immerse yourself in nature and nominees. thebcras.com the Vermont-born powerhouse first event. travelok.com disconnect from your normal found success with Staind – the Garden of Lights Through routine. bigomyogaretreat.com 2000s-era hard rockers who Jan. 1 Honor Heights Park, HERPS Oklahoma Exotic injected meditative muscle into Muskogee Drive through Honor an era better known for mindless Reptile and Pet Show Jan. Park and view 130 acres Performances aggression. choctawcasinos.com Heights 10-11 Heart of Oklahoma Expo of trees, bushes and water areas decorated for the holiday Bartlesville Community Center, Shawnee Thousands of reptiles, amphibians, inverts, feeders, small mammals, supplies and more will be available for purchase from the top vendors in the U.S. at the HERPS Exotic Reptile MONSTER TRUCK WARS & Pet Show. herpshow.net

THE STATE

Local Events Worth Exploring

3

In Tulsa, the Oklahoma Boat Expo comes to the Arvest Convention Center on Jan. 9-11, when visitors can stroll through booths featuring a variety of outdoor products.

After, head to the Oklahoma Card Show on Jan. 10-11 to view (and maybe purchase) a bevy of sports cards, Pokemon cards, TCGs and other collectibles. Another community event is the Tulsa Foundation for ArchitecPhoto courtesy Monster Truck Wars ture’s monthly tours, happening Jan. 17 at the Benedictine Sisters of St. Joseph Monastery. If you want to get out and get active, visit the Go Short, Go Long, Go Very Long run on Jan. 17 at Tulsa River Parks and participate in a 5K, 10K, 25K or 50K. Lastly, celebrate the legacy of a hero at the Tulsa Martin Luther King Jr. Parade on Jan. 19, starting at N. Detroit and John Hope Franklin Blvd.

In OKC, options are endless: Try the OKC Spirit Fair on Jan. 10-11 at the Reed Conference Center, or the OKC RV and Boat Show on Jan. 16-18 at the OKC State Fair Park. For a quirky weekend exploration, try the National Pigeon Association Grand National Show, also at the OKC State Fair Park on Jan. 23-25. And if you’re holding onto the Christmas spirit, the Edmond Ice Rink at Mitch Park is open until Feb. 1.

Outside Tulsa and OKC, there’s an event for everyone. Visit the KNID Agrifest, Jan. 9-10 at the Chisholm Trail Expo Center in Enid; the Big Om Yoga Retreat, Jan. 9-11 at Sequoyah State Park Lodge in Hulbert; the HERPS Oklahoma Exotic Reptile and Pet Show, Jan. 10-11 at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center in Shawnee; the Mad Dog Demolition Derby, Jan. 17 at the Claremore Expo Center; the Duncan Monster Truck Wars, Jan. 17 at the Stephens County Fairgrounds in Duncan; or the MLK Day Parade and Celebration, Jan. 19, starting at 625 E. Main St. in Ardmore.

62

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

Western Hills Winter Bluegrass Festival Jan.

15-17 The Lodge at Sequoyah State Park, Wagoner This bluegrass festival is a fast-moving display of musical talent with a handful of bands showcasing their skills on the fiddle, banjo and guitar. travelok.com

Mad Dog Demolition Derby Jan. 17 Claremore Expo

Center Drivers will compete in figure eight, mower derby and Hornet car circle racing. This event is fun for the whole family, with a mini car derby kids will love and a full-size derby fit for adults. motorheadevents.com

Duncan Monster Truck Wars Jan. 17 Stephens County

Fairgrounds, Duncan Experience the thrill of 12,000 lb monster trucks in head-to-head competitions. monstertrucks.fun

MLK Day Parade & Celebration Jan. 19 625 E.

Main St., Ardmore Honor the long-lasting life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the MLK Day Parade & Celebration in Ardmore. travelok.com

Film & Cinema | Where & When

A Private Life; photo courtesy Sony Pictures Classics, all rights reserved

New Year, New Cinematic Fare

From thrillers to science fiction and foreign language fun, January’s a mixed bag at the box office.

J

anuary is an oddity for films. Often seen as a dumping ground for low budget schlock that likely won’t bring in much revenue, I’ve managed to cobble together a hopeful list that might just break the trend.

For your crime genre fix, don’t miss Dead Man’s Wire. Based on the true story of Tony Kiritsis, the plot follows his kidnapping of a mortgage broker and the subsequent standoff that ensued.

Starring Bill Skarsgard (It), Dacre Montgomery (Stranger Things), Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride) and Al Pacino (Heat), along with being directed by Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting), the film is stacked with talent. Early reviews are positive, so we’ll see for ourselves when it hits theaters on Jan. 9.

If you want a bit of French cinema, take a look at A Private Life. Jodie Foster

(True Detective: Night Country) stars as a renowned psychiatrist who begins an investigation into the death of one of her patients – which she’s convinced is actually a homicide. The entire film is in French, and it looks to be a fun black comedy and an excellent way to broaden your cinematic horizons when it opens on Jan. 16.

For an action thriller that has “January” written all over it, look no further than The Rip. Starring Matt Damon (The Bourne Identity) and Ben Affleck (The Town), the story follows a team of Miami cops who discover a large sum of cash during a raid, leading to loyalties being put on the line. The trailer looks like it has sizzling action and some fun performances from Damon and Affleck, along with very cliché police action thriller movie tropes. Director Joe Carnahan has a respectable career with winners like The Grey and Boss Level, so hopefully he can helm another success here when it hits Netflix on Jan. 16.

If science fiction is your bag, check out Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die. Sam Rockwell (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) stars as a man from the future who travels back to the past to recruit a specific number of people

to help him save the world from rogue artificial intelligence. Directed by Gore Verbinski, known for the first three films in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, this will be his first directorial effort since 2016, with hopefully better results than his last two films. The plot is unique and Rockwell is always a joy to watch, but we’ll find out for sure on Jan. 30.

Lastly, if you’re looking for a psychological thriller, don’t skip Send Help.

The plot follows Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams, Game Night) who is stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash with the only other survivor – her boss, Bradley (Dylan O’Brien, Maze Runner).

The two, despite their past differences, must work together to survive. The movie looks to have some excellent rapport between the two bitter leads, along with what appears to be some horror elements tossed in courtesy of director Sam Raimi (Evil Dead). It releases on Jan. 30.

DREW JOSEPH ALLEN

2026 | WWW.OKMAG.COM January Ad Watermark 0126011_Utica Square Skin Care.inddJANUARY 1

63 4:49 PM 12/3/25

Closing Thoughts

Monroe Nichols

T

ulsa’s 41st mayor Monroe Nichols IV has spent his first year in office prioritizing tackling homelessness, boosting student success, enhancing public safety and increasing affordable housing. We caught up with Nichols and got his thoughts on ...

... ending homelessness in Tulsa by 2030.

Our goal of reaching functional zero homelessness by 2030 is ambitious, but after one year in office, we’re proving it’s achievable. The progress we’re making is the result of deep coordination across departments, across agencies and across the nonprofit, private and philanthropic sectors. Earlier this year, I signed an executive order on homelessness establishing four priorities: a coordinated multi-agency encampment decommissioning plan; expanding shelter capacity; preparing for winter weather; and reducing evictions. We’ve acted on each of those: Our winter shelter opened this November and is serving Tulsans in need, helping expand the number of beds we have available this winter; we have reached an agreement with Tulsa County to purchase the former Juvenile Detention Center so we can establish Tulsa’s first true low-barrier shelter; our eviction mitigation coalition is now meeting, bringing landlords, renters and service providers to the same table; and alongside our partners, we recently launched Safe Move Tulsa – Tulsa’s coordinated effort to end street homelessness.

... focusing on day-to-day maintenance and long-term infrastructure.

A great city has to deliver on both: the basics that residents see every day, and the long-term investments that shape our future. Over the last several years, Tulsans voted three different times to implement critical infrastructure projects that we’re now seeing implemented across our city. We’re delivering on what we promised and creating a city that is more resilient and ready for our future.

Because of these investments, Tulsa is continuing to see the largest streets improvements project in our city’s history, 64

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026

and I’m proud of the continuous work of our teams to deliver on that investment.

At the same time, we’re improving internal systems: streamlining permitting, strengthening department coordination, and creating tools that allow residents to track progress in real time. That means we can handle the day-to-day streetlights, potholes, and repairs more efficiently while still moving forward on major projects like housing expansion, public safety investments, and economic development.

... addressing recruitment and retention challenges within the police department.

Like cities across the country, Tulsa faces a police staffing shortage. In November, I was honored to ... tag along with the TPD recruiting team on a trip to UNT in Denton, Texas. That was a great reminder of what it takes to bring the best to Tulsa, and I know if we continue to prioritize our officers and our public safety teams through investment, we’ll bring the best and brightest to Tulsa. Over the last year, we graduated two police academies, and another is underway with some of the strongest enrollment in recent memory.

Crime is down across all levels, even with staffing challenges, which speaks to the professionalism and dedication of our officers. But public safety is no longer just the responsibility of law enforcement.

We’ve expanded mental health response teams, diverting more than 4,000 calls from police and fire to trained clinicians.

These numbers are a great reminder that safety is strongest when enforcement and community engagement work hand in hand. That’s why we’re planning to launch a Community Task Force to provide ongoing input on our Alternative Response Strategy.

... what “success” would look like at the end of his first term.

Success to me means Tulsans can look around their city and clearly see the difference we’ve made: Fewer people living on the streets because we scaled the strategies that work; 6,000 new affordable housing units that were built, blight that was significantly reduced and our neighborhoods were revitalized; police and fire departments that are fully staffed, well supported, and have the alternative strategies in place to thrive; children with safe places to go after school, robust summer learning opportunities and a pathway to economic mobility; businesses - large and small - choosing to invest here because we invested in ourselves; and tribal nations, working hand-inhand with the City to make Tulsa the best city it can be.

Most of all, I hope Tulsans can see that we’re facing big challenges, and instead of backing down, we’re stepping up and choosing progress.

Photo courtesy the City of Tulsa

Online Exclusive: FOR MORE WITH NICHOLS, VISIT OKMAG.COM.

Where kids come first.

Care designed for kids.

We care for children as they grow—children like yours.

Saint Francis Children’s is the region’s only specialty children’s hospital, backed by a full network of pediatric clinics and board-certified specialists in everything from surgery to oncology. More than a hospital, we’re a trusted partner in your child’s health.

Saint Francis Children’s—where kids come first.

Hospital | Clinics | Physicians saintfrancis.com/childrens

STEPHANIE Collinsville, OK

MAURICE Bartlesville, OK

DAMON Sallisaw, OK

Where do you go to be the center of it all?

Osage Casino, where our stars are the folks we welcome every day. Whether you’re here for the exciting games, the overnight retreat, the live tunes or quiet dinner for two, we go all in so you can go all out.

osagecasino.com

SARAH Sperry, OK

BRENT Broken Arrow, OK