Livability Muskogee, OK 2014

livability.com/muskogee

MUSKOGEE OKLAHOMA

Fun in the Sun

First-rate outdoor activites bring sportsmen and families to the area

ONE OF A KIND

People, attractions and dining showcase city’s unique flair

COLORFUL INSPIRATION

Art scene casts a lasting impression

2014 | SPONSORED BY GREATER MUSKOGEE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Muskogee is ‌

Economic Development Information:

P.O. Box 2819 Muskogee, OK 74402 (918) 682-7887 www.muskogeedevelopment.org

The regional retail hub One of the top 10 most affordable cities Oklahoma’s capital for motorcycle tourism

Retail Development Information: 310 W. Broadway Muskogee, OK 74401 (918) 682-2401 www.muskogeechamber.org

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Livin’ Right.

Bein’ Free.

VISITMUSKOGEE.COM

Home of a castle, a submarine and the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Home to the International Port of Muskogee One of the state’s largest manufacturing cities

Tourism Information:

310 W. Broadway Muskogee, OK 74401 (918) 682-2401 www.muskogeechamber.org

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CONTENTS

2014 EDITION

VOLUME 9

Muskogee

OKLAHOMA

9 Welcome to Muskogee

Things to Do 12 Attractions One of a Kind

An introduction to the community

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People, attractions and dining showcase city’s unique flair

6 Activities 1 Fun in the Sun

First-rate outdoor activities bring sportsmen and families to the area

0 Local Favor 2 Take a Bite

Diverse local flavor entices food lovers

22 Arts & Culture Colorful Inspiration Art scene casts a

On The Cover River Country Water Park Photo by Michael Conti

lasting impression

24 Sports & Recreation Going Places Residents can play at

several recreation facilities li vability. com /muskogee

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CONTENTS

28

Living

Business

28 Community Leaders Agents of Change

40 Business Overview Made Here

City’s leaders taking AIM at improving Muskogee’s quality of life

32 Education Schools of Thought

Muskogee schools begin early to train ready and willing workforce

35 Health Doctor’s Orders

Residents have access to many medical locations

Muskogee: A regional center for manufacturing

42 Working Here Home Grown

Entrepreneurs find

success in their own backyard

47 Chamber Letter Keeping It Real

48 Economic Profile

37 Community Profile

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e

muskogee oklahoma

Fun in the Sun

s bring door activite first-rate out families to the area sportsmen and

One Of a Kind

ns and People, attractio city ’s dining showcase flair unique

COLORfUL aTiOn inSPiRscen e casts a

Art ion lasting impress

SORed 2014 | SPOn

MUSKOGee

by GReaTeR

eRCe beR Of COMM aRea ChaM

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Greg Gaither Financial Advisor

Angie Cantrell Sr BOA

Carolyn Daniel BOA

600 Emporia, Suite D Muskogee, OK 74401 918-687-4786

600 Emporia, Suite D Muskogee, OK 74401 918-687-4786

600 Emporia, Suite D Muskogee, OK 74401 918-687-4786

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Index MORE ON MUSKOGEE Go to the links below for more articles and photos about Muskogee’s business climate, recreation, food, schools, health care, culture and more.

TOP EMPLOYERS livability.com/muskogee/ ok/business DEMOGRAPHICS livability.com/muskogee/ ok/facts

Muskogee residents proudly showcase their heritage. See more historical attractions at livability.com/muskogee/ok/ attractions.

SCHOOLS livability.com/muskogee/ ok/schools

HEALTHCARE livability.com/muskogee/ ok/health

Photos

NEIGHBORHOODS livability.com/muskogee/ ok/living ATTRACTIONS livability.com/muskogee/ ok/attractions FOOD livability.com/muskogee/ ok/food

DON’T MISS A THING See Muskogee and more great images from around the area. livability.com/muskogee/ok/ photos-videos

Music

TAKE A TOUR See who’s inducted in the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. livability.com/muskogee/ok/ attractions

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Muskogee History CoMes Alive

Five Civilized Tribes MuseuM 1101 Honor Heights Dr. Muskogee, ok 74401 918-683-1701 • www.5tribes.org open yeAr rounD: Mon.-Fri.: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. sat: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

2014 events: • student Art show • Art under the oaks Art show and Festival • Five tribes story Conference (Winner of oHC project of the year 2013) • Masters Art show

Three rivers MuseuM 220 elgin • Muskogee, ok 74401 918-686-6624 www.3riversmuseum.com www.facebook.com/3riversmuseum open: Wed.-sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

ThoMas-ForeMan hisToriC hoMe 1419 W. okmulgee Muskogee, ok 74401 918-682-6938 www.thomas-foremanhistorichome.com www.facebook.com/ thomas-Foreman-Historic-Home open: Fri-sat.: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

AT A GLANCE

Muskogee, OK A QUICK, COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW OF WHAT’S GREAT ABOUT THE COMMUNITY A crossroads of culture, commerce and lifestyles, Muskogee evokes a sense of pride in residents.

Viewed by many as a burly, bootstrapping place, this town brought together cowboys and Indians, outlaws and lawmen, even hippies and manly men. Okie Nation is a place where it’s hip to be real, and there’s no better place to be real than Muskogee.

REAL FUN The city’s festivals reflect residents’ fun-loving nature.

Events like the Soul Food CookOff, Bare Bones Film Festival and Cardboard Boat Regatta unify the town in the pursuit of a good time. Parks, lakes, and golf courses provide opportunities for adventures, while theaters, casinos and restaurants create a sophisticated and entertaining atmosphere.

Attractions such as the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and the USS Batfish submarine honor the past.

REAL BUSINESS Muskogee businesses command access to major markets throughout North America. Located near three highways, Interstate 40 and three major rivers, Muskogee is strategically placed for trade. An educated and motivated workforce provides well-trained employees to a variety of companies. More than 220,000 people live within a 30-minute drive of the city, and local businesses report that 60 percent of sales are made to people who live outside the city limits.

REAL ORIGINAL Muskogee’s historic homes and buildings remain treasured pieces of the past, yet they hold modern restaurants and stores.

In Muskogee, Native American traditions are celebrated, individualism is applauded and creativity is cherished.

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MUSKOGEE COUNTY

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LOCATION Muskogee is in northeastern Oklahoma, about 50 miles southeast of Tulsa and 50 miles west of the Oklahoma-Arkansas state line.

POPULATION

38,981

TIME ZONE Central

DISTANCES TO THREE MAJOR CITIES NEARBY Oklahoma City, Ok., 140 miles Little Rock, Ark., 227 miles Dallas, Tx., 234 miles

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Greater Muskogee Area Chamber of Commerce 310 West Broadway Muskogee, OK 74401 Phone: (918) 682-2401 Fax: (918) 682-2403

ANNUAL RAINFALL

43”

National Average: 30”

ACCOLADE Bare Bones Film Festival named one of the Top 10 Film Festivals

by Livability.com

www.visitmuskogee.com

li vability. com /muskogee

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THINGS TO DO Muskogee’s must-do attractions, activities and dining

Fish at Three Forks

Grab your fishing pole and reel in a catch at Three Forks Harbor & Marina. The River Center, a 10,000square-foot multipurpose venue hosts an array of community and private events, including fishing tournaments.

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Motorcycling

History

Water Park

Theater

HIT THE ROAD

SEE TRIBAL ART

TAKE THE PLUNGE

CATCH A SHOW

Get on your motorcycle and ride throughout the biker-friendly Muskogee region. Need a map?

Pick up a Motorcycle Ride Guide that details five scenic trips in eastern Oklahoma totaling more than 700 miles at the Muskogee Chamber of Commerce.

Explore Native American culture at the Five Civilized Tribes Museum, which focuses on preserving the art, history and culture of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee (Creek) and Seminole tribes.

Haul the family to River Country Water Park, open from Memorial Day to Labor Day with attractions like an inner tube river, Crawdad Corner for younger children and the Whoop’n Holler Hollow with two large, thrilling water slides.

Mosey into downtown Muskogee for a film festival, live concert or play at the Roxy Theater.

The building first opened in 1946 and retains an old-Hollywood feel with art deco glass and tile.

The exterior features a 1940s neon sign.

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THINGS TO DO

Break a Leg

Make plans to attend performances at the Muskogee Little Theatre, whose troupe has presented plays since 1980. Each season begins in July and includes three to seven plays, plus a Young Actors Studio and Kids Summer Camp.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN HASLER

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN HASLER

Volleyball

Festival

Outdoor Activities

Racing

GET FILTHY

EAT WITH HENRY VIII

START YOUR ENGINES

Wear very casual clothing if you choose to participate in the raucous Mudstock, a mud volleyball tournament held in Muskogee each summer. Volleyball teams compete in 2 feet of soft, sticky mud to raise money for charities.

Go back in time to all things medieval at the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival. The event occurs every weekend in May at the Castle of Muskogee, with activities such as a Queen’s tea, Scottish party and King’s Feast with Henry VIII.

FIND SOME CARDBOARD

Head to the pier at Three Forks Harbor to compete in the River Rumba Regatta, a cardboard boat race occurring over two days in late August.

A Friday night party is followed by all the racing on Saturday morning.

Get in on the intense racing action at Outlaw Motor Sports, where stock car events are staged Saturday nights from April to October.

Racing divisions at the 3/8-mile dirt oval include street stocks, modifieds and super stocks.

li vability. com /muskogee

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THINGS TO DO

One of aKind P

PEOPLE, ATTRACTIONS AND DINING, SHOWCASE CITY’S UNIQUE FLAIR

eople who visit Muskogee often try to take a little piece of it home with them. From unique attractions to one-of-a-kind dining, Muskogee’s charms can’t be found anywhere else.

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A Walk Through Another Time

Actors such as Jonita Mullins from the Bass Reeves Legacy Troupe perform stories highlighting local icons including Bass Reeves and Alice Robertson.

BASS REEVES LEGACY TROUPE For starters, everyone here is justifiably proud of the city’s heritage. So much so, that one group works regularly to keep Muskogee’s history very much a part of its present. The Bass Reeves Legacy Troupe tells the story of Bass Reeves, the first African-American U.S. deputy marshal who lived and worked west of the Mississippi, and eventually served in the city’s police department until his death in 1910.

The troupe also highlights other trailblazing locals, such as Alice Robertson, Oklahoma’s first U.S. Congresswoman, says troupe member Jonita Mullins.

“It fulfills a passion of mine,

which is sharing Oklahoma’s great history,” Mullins says. “We enjoy telling these stories, so that more people can learn about who these people were, and how many of them came to be world renown.”

USS BATFISH Muskogee is proud to honor its servicemen and women at War Memorial Park, and there you’ll find a submarine? Yes, the park’s home to the USS Batfish, launched in 1943 and holder of multiple awards and citations, as well as more memorabilia and history in the nearby museum and 8 acres of parkland.

“It does surprise people that it’s

“It does surprise people that it’s here, and it’s not a little one. It’s 300 feet long, and we offer self-guided tours through the submarine itself, as well as through our museum and the grounds.”

RICK DENNIS, PARK MANAGER OF THE BATFISH

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SNAPSHOT

famous Paul’s Diner ser ves its h gravy. wit s ble am scr an trashc

ACCOLADE Muskogee was named one of 12 Distinctive Destinations for 2011 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation

here, and it’s not a little one,” says Park Manager Rick Dennis of the Batfish. “It’s 300 feet long, and we offer self-guided tours through the submarine itself, as well as through our museum and the grounds.”

ONE-OF-A-KIND DINING Then there’s Muskogee’s restaurant scene, which quickly demonstrates why this is a very good place to be hungry.

Take Paul’s Diner, where you’ll find the famous trashcan scrambles: bacon, sausage, hash browns, eggs, cheese, gravy and more, all scrambled together for a taste that brings people back again and again. If that doesn’t fill you up, stroll on over to Chet’s, where the addictive hot dogs and fixings have remained unchanged since the 1950s.

Have room for more? Then don’t miss the white sauce at Hamlin’s El Toro. It’s so good that a Google search turns up

several recipes that claim to be “almost” it. But they’re not, because the ingredients have been a closely held secret for more than 40 years, says Darren Kilpatrick, owner.

“It was an accident,” he says.

“They were trying to make a new salad dressing and were testing it on chips. They didn’t like it for salads, but it was great on chips, so that’s how it was born.”

As for efforts to copy the sauce, Kilpatrick says “let ‘em try.”

“Everybody thinks they have the recipe, but they really don’t,” he says. “It’s very unique, and there are items in there you can’t get out of the grocery store. You can kind of match it, but you can’t get true to what it really is.”

That pretty much sums up Muskogee: You can copy it, but you can’t duplicate it.

by Joe Morris by staff photographer Michael Conti

Honor Those Who Helped Keep Our Country Safe

The War Memorial Park and Museum in Muskogee honors the past by paying tribute to servicemen and women who served in World War II. The 300-foot USS Batfish is the park’s main attraction, and visitors can take self-guided tours through the submarine and grounds. The park also features a museum that showcases other WWII submarines, memorabilia, photographs and artifacts.

Visitors can also walk through a series of bronze stands honoring more than 3,500 sailors and 52 submarines that were lost during the war.

LIVING

Hit the Streets

Motorcycle enthusiasts and the Muskogee Chamber work to make the city a top destination for motorcycle tourism. Travelers can pick up the Ride Guide, which details the best places to ride.

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Fun in the

Sun

FIRST-RATE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES BRING SPORTSMEN AND FAMILIES TO THE AREA

G

reen hills. Lakes. Winding roads. For Max Boydstun, they’re what make Muskogee a motorcycle heaven. But don’t worry. We’re not talking Marlon Brando and his wild bunch roaring into town intent on mayhem. We’re talking tourism and fun.

Bikers enjoy touring the 122-acre Honor Heights Park to enjoy Muskogee’s natural beauty and landscapes.

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High-speed Entertainment

Rapidly gaining popularity, extreme dirt bike racing combines dirt bikes and Grand Prix style, with bikes going up to 90 miles per hour. In 2013, Muskogee hosted AMA’s ATV Extreme Dirt Track National Championship Series.

MOTORCYCLING “Some people still have that image of motorcyclists, but it’s as far from the truth as you can get,” Boydstun, a self-identified “blues singer, diamond dealer and Oklahoma banker,” says about the motorcycle buffs who have made Muskogee a top destination.

“These are people with disposable incomes, who like to travel and like the freedom of a motorcycle. It’s one of the last romantic ways to travel.”

Boydstun and the Muskogee chamber have led the way in supporting motorcycle tourism, even preparing an award-winning Ride Guide that details 750 miles of great motorcycling routes over twisty, beautiful roads motorcyclists love.

ATV RACING Another wheel sport, extreme dirt track racing, is also building 18

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a following. Combining elements of Grand Prix racing with dirt bike and ATV racing vehicles that reach speeds of 80 to 90 miles an hour on a dirt track full of turns and jumps.

In May 2013, Muskogee hosted the American Motorcyclist Association ATV Extreme Dirt Track National Championship Series at Hatbox Field, where 250 to 300 racers from around the country competed before more than 1,000 spectators.

“Riders came from Washington State, Florida, the Carolinas, Virginia, you name it,” says Dan Chepkauskus, a race supporter whose son and daughter both compete. “There are only eight of these events in the country, so this is a big plus for Muskogee.”

FISHING Drawing big crowds and big-name anglers are the Muskogee area’s five lakes and three rivers where fishermen can find

largemouth bass, spotted and white bass, crappie, and catfish.

Bass, particularly, have helped boost Muskogee’s national reputation as a fishing spot. The city’s Three Forks Harbor has been the site of the prestigious Bassmaster Elite and Open Series national fishing tournaments, which in 2010 brought crowds of more than 5,000 people a day to the harbor.

“People come here before the tournament to pre-fish and during the tournament to see their favorite anglers,” says Treasure McKenzie of the Muskogee chamber. “We love these events – they give our local citizens a chance to get involved in something on a national level.”

MEETINGS AND REUNIONS Muskogee’s emergence as a place to have fun has boosted the city’s convention and reunion business, McKenzie says. To compete with larger cities, the

The city’s waterways attract anglers from all over the country. Three Forks Harbor has hosted the Bassmaster Elite and Open Series national fishing tournaments.

chamber has honed its target market – clubs, organizations and nonprofits – and focuses on smaller meetings, weddings and reunions. Creativity is key.

“We offer welcome speeches by our mayor, personal tours of the community, goodie bags, honorary Okie from Muskogee plaques, welcoming messages on marquees,” says McKenzie, recalling a Mysterious Women of Muskogee ghost tour for the Soroptimists and a Jimmy Buffett-themed convention of city managers, with invitations printed on flip-flops. “We may not be Orlando, but we can do specialized things that will make them remember us for years.” McKenzie says.

by Laura Hill by staff photographer Michael Conti Learn more about recreation in Muskogee at livability.com/ muskogee/ok/activities.

Pack Up and Enjoy the Outdoors

The Muskogee area is a hotbed for fishing and water recreation.

Greenleaf Lake is one of the area’s five lakes, stocked with fish such as bass and sunfish. Also on site, the Greenleaf State Park offers plenty of places to set up camp and relax, including 14 cabins.

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THINGS TO DO: LOCAL FLAVOR

Take a Bite

DIVERSE LOCAL FLAVOR ENTICES FOOD LOVERS Restaurants in Muskogee showcase diverse menus, comfortable atmospheres and award-winning foods, all with great service and a smile.

Local Favorites

Desserts

HOMESTYLE COOKING

FRESHLY MADE SWEETS

At Club Lunch enjoy homestyle cooking off the menu, in the daily blue plate, from the lunch special, or at the hot steam table. Paul’s Diner could be called a “mood diner.” In the mood for spaghetti? Goulash?

Stew? Chili? Paul’s has it. The restaurant even serves breakfast anytime.

The Amish Country Store and Fudge Factory offers Amish artisan breads, cheeses, pies, jams and jellies, and more than 40 kinds of fudge. For 60 years, Chet’s hot dog joints – Chet’s Dairy Freeze and Chet’s East – have had Okies coming back for their famous chili dogs.

Dessert Girl’s Bakery and Cafe features a full-service coffee bar, serves lunch, and sells cheesecakes, cupcakes, eight-layer chocolate cake, square cakes for everyday, cookies (even stuffed cookies!), pies and breads. Janet Brown’s Sweet-n-Sassy Cafe and Bakery specializes in desserts, specialty and custom-decorated cakes, as well as cupcakes. Lunch fare includes soups, salads, sandwiches and baked potatoes, served Tuesday through Saturday. The Bite Market and Café offers lunch and dessert in the heart of downtown Muskogee.

The menu choices include flat bread plates, soups, quiche, gourmet sandwiches and for dessert there’s pie, hello dollies, pineapple cake and much more.

The Harmony House has been part of Muskogee for 20 years. It’s very down- to-earth home cooking, and everything is made from scratch.

This is a gem in Muskogee, and I hope it continues its tradition for 20 more years.

CHEFERY M., YELP.COM REVIEWER

Have a Side of Harmony

Named “Best Place for Lunch” by The Muskogee Phoenix and praised in Southern Living magazine, Harmony House’s menu lists dishes like sour cream enchiladas and a tuna crunch sandwich.

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Learn more about Muskogee’s great eats at livability.com/muskogee/ ok/food.

Make It a Date Night

Gino’s Italian Ristorante and Pizzeria is known for its homemade Italian bread and a variety of pastas, chicken, veal and seafood dishes.

Chicken and sausage with bell peppers, ham, black olives, in a white wine cream sauce with a touch of marinara, all served over spaghetti is their specialty.

Proudly Serving the Greater Muskogee Area Since 1979

Casual Fine Dining

BARBECUE, STEAKS AND SEAFOOD Maxwell’s Restaurant features casual fine dining with a view of the greens and Muskogee Golf and Country Club, the oldest country club in Oklahoma. The club is private, but Maxwell’s is open to the public.

Runts Bar-B-Q and Grill serves up classic barbecue and homemade sides.

Three varieties of catfish plus steak and shrimp plates set Runts’ menu apart from other barbecue joints. Miss Addie’s Cafe and Pub has been a popular Muskogee eatery for almost 20 years. Pairing casual elegance with fine dining, Miss Addie’s entrees include seafood, chicken, steak and pasta.

By Cyndie Todd

www.herringshaw.com

li vability. com /muskogee

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THINGS TO DO: ARTS & CULTURE

Colorful Inspiration ART SCENE CASTS A LASTING IMPRESSION

Walk through the doors of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame & Museum, and you’re face to face with some of Muskogee’s favorite sons and daughters and some of the city’s favorite art.

Parties and Events

FOOD AND WINE In April, the Rotary Club hosts a wine, beer and food tasting Party in the Park at the Papilion. The popular party raised money for the club’s water-well drilling project in Tanzania in 2012 and 2103. Can’t wait for spring? The Shriners’ annual Wine Tasting Festival at the Bedouin Shrine Center in February offers a chance to taste local wines from more than a dozen wineries, and food, music and fashion shows, all to benefit the Shrine Hospital Fund.

In 2013, Musko gee natives th e Swon Brothers bega n touring afte r placing third on NBC’s The Voice.

PHOTO COUR TESY OF

NBC UNIVERS

AL MEDIA, LLC

SNAPSHOT

Music

MUSICAL ROOTS

Local Artists Fit Right In

Artist Lance Hunter makes his own impact on the Muskogee art scene with a 12-foot-tall mural on the wall of the Gaddy Drug store. The work depicts a young waitress holding a tray with Coca-Cola, the Gaddy name and Quality You Can Trust.

“It’s absolutely wonderful, and we’re hoping we can have more murals like it downtown.”

TREASURE MCKENZIE, MUSKOGEE CHAMBER

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Before captivating a nationwide audience with their soulful harmonies on NBC’s The Voice, the country duo of brothers Zach and Colton Swon sharpened their skills playing festivals, charity events and even birthday parties in Muskogee. The Swon Brothers, who grew up in Muskogee, started performing as a duo when Zach was 12 and Colton was 9. They say one of their best gigs was playing a sold-out show at the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame & Museum.

Hall of Fame

REMEMBERING ROGER DAVIS

Don’t Miss the Lights at Honor Heights Park

When it comes to culture, Honor Heights Park is central, hosting everything from wine festivals and holiday light shows to flower trails and a new butterfly house. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day each year, the Garden of Lights turns the 122-acre park into a glittering fantasyland of more than 1 million lights of various colors.

And in summer, visitors and residents alike flock to free Symphony in the Park performances.

Roger Davis, a much-loved Muskogee artist, passed away in April 2013, but he left an indelible mark on the city’s art scene with his oil portraits, still lifes and landscapes, and especially his popular portraits of Hall of Fame inductees, including such luminaries as Kristin Chenoweth and Hoyt Axton.

“Roger’s paintings have a huge impact on people who came to the Hall of Fame,” says Ron Boren, museum curator. “His artwork stands out so beautifully here, and people love it.”

By Laura Hill

Explore more of Muskogee’s cultural scene at livability.com/ muskogee/ok/attractions.

For All Your Real Estate Needs RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL At Interstate Properties, it’s more than just buying or selling property. We’re about finding a home to raise your family, locating that perfect spot 317 W. Okmulgee Muskogee, OK 74401 (918) 682-1119 www.interstateproperties.com

for your business and helping you make real estate investments for your family’s future.

THINGS TO DO: SPORTS & RECREATION

Walk Through Beautiful Gardens at Honor Heights Park

Floral gardens and water features create a delightful place to walk and explore native plants. Visit the new butterfly house to see colorful, flittering butterflies that often land on outstretched arms.

Going Places

RESIDENTS CAN PLAY AT SEVERAL RECREATION FACILITIES Numerous recreational activities and attractions like a water park, walking trails, tennis facilities and a swim/fitness center give Muskogee residents plenty of ways to play and stay active.

City Parks

PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS Muskogee’s 18 public parks, and the nearby Greenleaf and Lake Eufaula state parks, give residents year-round recreational opportunties. The most visited city park in Muskogee is Honor Heights Park, a regional draw whose 122 acres include five lakes and ponds, tennis courts, a splash pad, trails, and The Papilion (a butterfly house). Spaulding Park, with a lake, tennis courts, walking trail, picnic areas, basketball courts and fishing dock, is also popular.

Indoor Recreation

SWIM & FITNESS CENTER The facility includes a weight room, aerobics studio and indoor six-lane, 25-meter swimming pool. Classes offered at Muskogee Swim & Fitness Center include high-intensity body sculpting, yoga and zero-impact aquatic resistance training.

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“We offer memberships but also feature programs for non-members, such as open swimming on the weekends. The center can also be booked for party rentals and corporate functions.”

BROOKE HALL, MUSKOGEE SWIM & FITNESS CENTER MANAGER

Learn more about recreation in Muskogee at livability.com/ muskogee/ok/activities.

Trails

RUNNING AND WALKING Muskogee features more than 8 miles of walking trails, with trail names such as Audubon, Civitan, Henry Bresser Nature, Spaulding and Centennial. The popular asphalt Centennial Trail has two sections – one 3.1-mile loop around Love-Hatbox Sports Complex, and a 2-mile portion connecting Love-Hatbox to downtown Muskogee at the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and Three Rivers Museum.

Tennis

TENNIS FACILITIES If tennis is your racket, public courts are available for free at Honor Heights Park, Rotary Park and Spaulding Park. Courts are fenced and can be used from dawn to dusk.

By Kevin Litwin

Take the Kids to the River Country Family Water Park at Love-Hatbox Sports Complex

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, River Country Family Water Park opens its pools, slides, playgrounds, volleyball court and inner tube river to anyone looking to cool off at the complex. The water park has become an area attraction ideal for families with children. Smaller kids can splash around and explore at Crawdad Corner and Tugboat Beach.

918-684-6302 • info@muskogeeparks.org • www.muskogeeparks.com

LIVING Schools, health care and neighborhoods in Muskogee

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Batter Up!

The Love-Hatbox Sports Complex hosts sports leagues and tournaments for baseball, softball, football and soccer. Visitors can also walk the 3.1-mile Cenntennial Trail or enjoy the Outdoor Skate Park.

Check out a collection of photos that highlights Muskogee’s top spots and major attractions at livability.com/muskogee/ok/ photos-video.

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LIVING

Agents of

CHANGE CITY LEADERS TAKING AIM AT IMPROVING MUSKOGEE’S QUALITY OF LIFE

L

ed by a passionate mayor and other movers and shakers in the community, Muskogee residents are taking action as never before to make their city a better place to live. Here’s a look at four community leaders who are making a difference.

Mayor Bob Coburn works to unite the community and bring in new business.

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THE MAYOR Bob Coburn was elected mayor of Muskogee in February 2012, but he has been an advocate for the city since re-establishing residence in his hometown back in 1983.

Some 30 years after his return, Coburn is seeing a citizenry that is enthusiastic about transforming Muskogee. He especially noticed it during a series of community meetings held in 2012 to create the Action in Muskogee (AIM) initiative. More than 350 people came to multiple meetings.

“I’ve never seen that kind of community involvement in the last 30 years I’ve been back, so there’s an obvious desire for change among our citizenry,” says Coburn, who is particularly passionate about the prospects for development here.

“There is an excitement about retail and restaurant development in Muskogee,” he says. “We need to do things to create sales in our community, because the more successful we are in creating retail sales, the more successful we are in recruiting more restaurants.”

Schedule a Shopping Day

Stroll down Muskogee’s sidewalks to visit local boutiques and grab a bite to eat. Local officials and residents work together to attract new business while maintaining a small-town vibe.

li vability. com /muskogee

29

Residents can connect with local farmers at the Muskogee Farmers Market.

THE COACH Lisa Wade knows the numbers all too well when it comes to health and fitness in Muskogee.

As founder and president of Empower Change, a consulting company that helps a variety of companies and organizations, she has her finger on the pulse of the community. Wade, a communications and public relations expert, founded the business in 2004. She’s a strong community activist who aims to enhance the quality of life in Muskogee.

“We’re working to raise awareness and bring opportunities for people to choose healthier lifestyles,” Wade says.

She points to a health and wellness initiative she is helping to steer and its three guiding principles: eating better, moving more and becoming tobacco-free.

The city is adding more bike lanes and walking tracks, and residents can also take part in community gardens.

“We’re encouraging people to be more active, and we’re trying to improve access to healthier eating,” Wade says.

THE COLLEGE PRESIDENT The foundation for improving Muskogee as a whole comes through the AIM initiative, and heading that 30

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up is Dr. Tim Faltyn, president of Connors State College. He is optimistic that AIM is exactly what the city has been aiming for in the last several years.

Through a series of meetings, “we figured out what the priorities are in our community and what we want to accomplish and, ultimately, what we want to be known for,” Faltyn says. “Out of that came eight initiatives.”

Those initiatives include educational excellence, safe and secure community, strong economy, community pride, clean and beautiful community, great place to live and visit, health and wellness, and community infrastructure.

Similar efforts have been previously discussed, but nothing really got past the talking stage.

“It has been exciting,” Faltyn says. “There are a lot of people involved, and they come from all walks of life.”

THE NONPROFIT LEADER As executive director of the Nonprofit Resource Center, Kim Lynch leads a staff of dedicated individuals committed to making Muskogee a better place through a variety of initiatives.

Its mission is to provide services, training and resources to help nonprofits meet

community needs.

According to the Resource Center’s vision statement, “We envision a strong, cohesive nonprofit community composed of successful organizations that have the financial, professional and human resources to improve the community by successfully meeting their mission-driven goals.”

by John McBryde by staff photographer Michael Conti

“We’re working to raise awareness and bring opportunities for people to choose healthier lifestyles.”

LISA WADE RAASH, PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF EMPOWER CHANGE

LIVIng

Agents of

Change

schedule a

shoppin

Stroll down g day Muskogee ’s sidewalks local boutiques to visit and grab a officials and bite residents work to eat. Local attract new business while together to a small-town maintainin g vibe.

City iMprovin Leaders taki ng aiM g Muskogee ’s quaLityat of Life

L

ed by a passion shakers in the ate mayor and other

movers

community, and are taking Muskogee residents a better place action as never before to leaders who to live. Here’s a look at make their city four commu are making nity a difference.

Mayor Bob Coburn unite the communit works to y and bring in new business.

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MuSkog

ee

The Mayor Bob Coburn was elected he has been mayor of Muskogee an in February his hometown advocate for the city since 2012, but back re-establish Some 30 years in 1983. ing residence in after his return, is enthusiast Coburn is seeing ic about transformi it during a a citizenry series of communit ng Muskogee.

He especially that Action in Muskogee y meetings noticed held in 2012 multiple meetings. (AIM) initiative. to create the More than 350 people “I’ve never came to seen that kind years I’ve been of community our citizenry,” back, so there’s an obvious involvement in the desire for change last 30 prospects for says Coburn, who is particularl development y passionate among here.

“There is an about the excitemen in Muskogee t about retail ,” and restaurant communit y, he says. “We need to developme do things to because the nt create sales sales, the more more successful successful we are in creating in our we are in recruiting retail more restaurant s.”

L i va b i L i

t y. co M /M

uSkog e

e

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DIGITAL MAGAZINE Read it online or on your tablet and quickly share articles with friends

Have Fun and Get Into Shape

At the Swim and Fitness Center in Muskogee, those looking for a healthier lifestyle can work out by swimming, taking a spin, body sculpting or yoga class and joining a boot camp.

li vability. com /muskogee

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LIVING: EDUCATION

Schools of Thought

MUSKOGEE SCHOOLS BEGIN EARLY TO TRAIN A READY AND WILLING WORKFORCE From a school tailored for 4-year-olds to a college program that helps provide a workforce for the region’s health-care industry, education in Muskogee is innovative, engaging and, most of all, a path to success.

AN EARLY START With 20 classes and typically a waiting list each year, the Muskogee Public Schools district’s Early Childhood Center has had a significant impact on area public schools since it opened in 1999.

It features a structured academic curriculum and activities that promote social and language skills and physical development.

“We accomplish so much with the students that prepares them for kindergarten,” says Malinda Lindsey, the school’s principal.

Students at the center study subjects such as literacy, math and art, but also have time for free play. In addition, they take field trips to places like a pumpkin patch and the zoo, as well as to local parks.

“Although we accomplish a lot of things academically, we wrap everything in the right kind of package for 4-year-olds,” Lindsey says.

Muskogee Public Schools also oversees a high school, junior high, eight elementary schools, a science academy, an arts magnet school and an alternative learning academy.

CHANGING LIVES To encourage students to stay and work in the region’s thriving health-care industry, Connors State College offers a special

It’s Never Too Early to Receive a Good Education

scholarship to the school’s nursing and allied health programs.

The Muskogee Difference Healthcare Scholarship is designed to alleviate the financial burden of undergraduate students while providing the industry a skilled workforce.

Students in the MDHS program must commit to work for two years as a health-care professional in the greater Muskogee area, which includes three hospitals, two Native American clinics and other health-care facilities.

“It’s really a pretty amazing program, and we’re very proud of it,” says Dr. Tim Faltyn, president of Connors State. “It’s one of these deals where it’s really changing lives for people, and that’s the bottom line.”

by John McBryde

Preschool students at the Early Childhood Center study a structured curriculum that supports personal development, both mentally and physically, while encouraging hands-on learning and exploration.

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Training for the Future

Connors State offers scholarships to students looking to join the growing health-care industry.

OTHER COLLEGES Muskogee residents have more options for higher education, including these schools: • Northeastern State University • Indian Capital Technology Center • Bacone College

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LIVING: HEALTH

Challenge Accepted

The St. Joseph Outdoor Fitness Center gives residents of all ages access to an asphalt track, exercise equipment and playgrounds in hopes of promoting healthy lifestyles and increasing awareness.

Doctor’s Orders

RESIDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO MANY MEDICAL LOCATIONS St. Joseph Catholic School elementary teacher Kelly Watson wanted to help make students and her community more healthy, so she applied for a Muskogee Foundation grant in late 2012 to have an outdoor public fitness area constructed at St. Joseph. Today, a quarter-mile asphalt track is in place at the pre-K through grade 8 school, as well as accompanying playground exercise equipment stations for elementary and middle school students.

“I wanted the exercise facility on our property to be used by our students and teachers, but it is also open to the entire community during non-school hours and throughout the summer,” says Watson, who teaches physical education along with health and

wellness classes at St. Joseph.

“The playground equipment is located within the track, with easier stations for elementary students and more difficult exercise areas for middle school kids. Besides teaching, I’m also a registered nurse, so I know the importance of getting people moving, especially in these days of obesity in America.”

CARDIAC CLINIC AND VA MEDICAL CENTER Muskogee has good medical care options for its residents, including the Cardiac Clinic of Muskogee that offers several specialties at three convenient walk-in offices. CCOM has served the region since 1979 and provides services such as family

medicine, cardiology, oncology, pediatrics, general surgery and sleep disorder testing.

The Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center in Muskogee offers care for more than 44,000 armed services veterans in eastern Oklahoma. Its medical services include surgery, psychiatric care, cardiology, dentistry, oncology, optometry, orthopedics, prosthetics and urology. A women’s department offers gynecology, mammography and menopause support.

NAME CHANGE Muskogee Regional Medical Center and Muskogee Community Hospital have combined to form the EASTAR Health System.

As a two-hospital, 320-bed fullservice health system, EASTAR li vability. com /muskogee

35

The Doughboy statue at the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center greets visitors and honors World War I veterans and Native Americans who lost their lives during the war.

provides a comprehensive range of medical services.

EASTAR main campus, a 329bed Level III-certified trauma center, maintains a staff who can treat almost any medical condition right here in Muskogee. Services at EASTAR include cardiology, oncology, pediatrics, and diagnostic procedures like MRI, ultrasound, mammography, radiology and exploratory surgeries. The surgical wing features eight advanced operating suites. The EASTAR East campus has 45 beds and was the first hospital in the nation to earn LEED-Gold certification for new construction.

by Kevin Litwin

Learn more about Muskogee’s hospitals and health-care centers at livability.com/muskogee/ ok/health.

STAMP OUT BREAST CANCER WITH YOUR FEET.

Caring People, Caring for Others At Green Country Behavioral Health we understand the hardships faced by families and individuals. We have served our community for more than 30 years, providing services to adults and children through crisis intervention, outpatient behavioral health and substance abuse programs. We operate a 24-hour crisis phone line and an adult crisis stabilization center.

Our programs are certified, and partially funded, by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. We accept Soonercare, private insurance and various EAP programs, and our services are available regardless of income. Call us at 918.682.8407, or drop in at either of our offices. You will find a friendly atmosphere and a professional, well-trained staff. It’s in our motto: Caring People, Caring for Others.

MUSKOGEE 619 N. Main

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www.gcbhs.org

EUFAULA 101 Alexander

Every step you take in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® helps raise vital funds for the fight against breast cancer. But don’t let your journey stop there. Take a step toward improving your own health by educating yourself about the disease and getting regular screenings. Step by step, this Race will be won.

Learn more about the Komen Race for the Cure by visiting www.komen.org or calling 1-877 GO KOMEN. This space is provided as a public service. ©2008 Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

COMMUNITY PROFILE

$33,196

ETHNICITY 15%

25%

White

Hispanic

Black

Other

60%

Median Home Price

15% 56%

$543 Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment

16%

17 and Under

Median Household Income

$86,000

13%

AGE

COST OF LIVING

18-64 65 and Over (percentages based on the total = 38,981

(percentages based on the total = 38,981)

TRANSPORTATION Median Travel Time to Work

TEMPERATURE July Average High

January Average Low

93.1°

16 minutes 76°

25.2°

31°

Closest Major Airport Tulsa International

January Low National Low

July High

51 miles

National High

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www.a-avanti.com EAST

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WEST

4421 W. Okmulgee Muskogee, OK 74401 (918) 683-2391

WAGONER

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MUSKOGEE*

719 N. 41st E. Muskogee, OK 74403 (918) 686-6776

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Due Diligence: Very Important Before Investing in Commercial Real Estate!

• Consumer protection laws applicable to home purchases seldom apply to commercial real estate transactions.

The rule that a Buyer must examine, judge Wand test for himself applies to the purchase of commercial real estate.

• A KEY element to successfully invest in commercial real estate is performing an adequate Due Diligence Investigation prior to becoming legally bound to acquire the property. An adequate Due Diligence Investigation will assure awareness of all material facts relevant to the intended use or disposition of the property after closing.

• Conducting an effective Due Diligence Investigation in a commercial real estate transaction to discover all material facts and conditions affecting the Property and the transaction is of critical importance. Unlike owner occupied residential real estate, when a house can nearly always be occupied as the purchaser’s home, commercial and industrial real estate acquired for business use or for investment is impacted by numerous factors that may limit its use and value.

• The scope, intensity and focus of any Due Diligence Investigation of commercial real estate are relevant to the objectives of the party conducting the investigation.

Working with a knowledgeable Commercial Realtor who can help with the checklist for property, Buyer, Seller or for financing a Commercial Property can help the transaction go smoothly. To sell or for your next purchase contact:

Specializing in: Hotel/Motels Retail Investment Properties Offices and Land Development

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Contributed by R. Kymn Harp, Robbins, Salomon & Patt, Ltd., Chicago, IL

BUSINESS Info on Muskogee’s top employers, jobs and success stories

Travel With Ease

The Davis Field Airport provides businesses easy transportation access. The airport is located on US Highway 64, only five miles south of the downtown district and convenient to Tulsa International Airport.

See more photos about what it’s like to live and work in Muskogee at livability.com/ muskogee/ok/photos-video.

li vability. com /muskogee

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BUSINESS: OVERVIEW

Made Here

MUSKOGEE: A REGIONAL CENTER FOR MANUFACTURING When manufacturing comes to mind, so should Muskogee. This small port town is known for its large manufacturing companies, whose products range from tiles to paper products to tasty treats.

Top Industries

PORT OF MUSKOGEE The Port of Muskogee, a full-service facility that offers easy access to rail, truck and barge transportation, is located along the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, allowing freight to be transported to the Gulf Coast and around the world via the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers. This access to land, rail and water transportation is what makes Muskogee a top choice for manufacturers.

Just ask Dal-Tile officials.

The company, America’s leader in ceramic tile manufacturing and distribution, chose Muskogee for this reason in 2003. After the company received 171 acres of land, tiles from all over the world were slated for decorative production.

Porcelain, ceramic, and natural stone tiles and slabs are just a few of the products available.

Headquartered in Muskogee, Acme Engineering and Manufacturing Corporation manufactures fans, blowers and ventilation equipment. Its 350,000 square feet of manufacturing facility allows Acme to produce one of the broadest lines of airmoving equipment in the industry.

FOOD, DRINK AND PAPER PRODUCTS Founded in 1908 by John T. Griffin, Griffin Food Company is best known in Muskogee for

The Port of Muskogee attracts manufacturing companies looking for easy shipping and distribution access throughout the United States.

40

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Read more about Muskogee’s business climate and workforce at livability.com/muskogee/ ok/business.

its signature breakfast products, Griffin Waffle Syrup and Griffin Strawberry Preserves. The company ships many products to its customers, including syrups, jellies and preserves, mustards, salad dressings, shredded coconut, barbecue sauces, vanilla and peanut butter.

Georgia-Pacific also has a facility in Muskogee, which produces familiar consumer paper products, including Brawny, Mardi Gras, Quilted Northern, Sparkle, Vanity Fair and Angel Soft.

In addition to a variety of products, Muskogee also offers a variety of benefits. With a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office, veterans, their dependents, and their surviving spouses and children have an opportunity to receive disability, education and training, vocational rehabilitation and employment, and life insurance and burial benefits.

By Tiffany Williams

Love Bottling Company

One of the area’s top employers, Love Bottling Company is a 135,000-squarefoot bottling facility that produces CocaCola, Dr Pepper and Love Beverages.

Since moving to Muskogee in 1926, Love’s products and services have expanded. The company offers home and office water delivery, cooler rentals, teas, coffee, energy drinks, juices, snacks and more.

BUSINESS

Find Your Place

Small businesses such as The Erly Rush Coffeehouse feel at home in Muskogee. The cafe offers customized flavors and treats in an intimate setting.

Home

Grown ENTREPRENEURS FIND SUCCESS IN THEIR OWN BACKYARD

L

arge corporations may choose Muskogee for its ease of transportation or its low cost of living, but local entrepreneurs and small business owners look to the residents themselves as one secret to their success.

A diverse mix of locally ownedand-operated endeavors hang their shingles in Muskogee thanks to a close-knit community and a mayor, Bob Coburn, who is working to revitalize the historically rich city.

One stimulating sign of downtown change can be seen in The Erly Rush Coffeehouse.

Launched in November 2012 by then 22-year-old native Nicholas Wilks. The intimate café sits in the middle of a cluster of antique shops, including Hattie’s House

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and Vintage Market, both owned

by Wilks’ mother, Sherry Wilks.

“People like that they can walk from one end of the strip to the other and stop by for coffee in the middle,” Wilks says, who will craft anything from a caramel macchiato to a peppermint mocha for his guests.

SHOW IT OFF Like Wilks, who has been developing his business plan since high school, Muskogee native

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43

Business Spotlight OKLAHOMA INTERPAK This manufacturer of machineassembled chipboard and corrugated pads focuses on divider partitions, primarily for cardboard boxes. The company has been in business since the early 1980s. okinterpak.com

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH The congregation supports programs that include a free medical clinic, food pantry and children’s summer camp. Some members have even organized a faith-based motorcycle club. fbcmuskogee.org

ARROWHEAD MALL More than 60 stores and restaurants, one of the largest aquariums in the state, a movie theater and children’s play area provide residents with plenty of entertainment options. arrowheadmallmuskogee.com

Jump Start

Show it Off offers more than 50 types of inflatable bounce houses, slides and obstacle courses, including water slides, as well as a family entertainment center, which is located inside an old airplane hanger at Love-Hatbox Sports Complex. Owner Jason Jones, a Muskogee native, says the city is a great supporter of his new business.

WHITLOCK WISHOUSE Built in 1919, this eclectic 5-bedroom bed and breakfast sits atop Horn Hill. It features a koi pond, hot tub, gazebo and swimming pool.

918-682-7879

HERRINGSHAW WASTE MANAGEMENT Since the late 1970s, Herringshaw Waste Management has served the Greater Muskogee area with residential curbside service.

The company also offers special pickups and metal dumpster rentals. herringshaw.com

Check out Muskogee’s top employers at livability. com/muskogee/ok/ business/top-employersmuskogee-ok.

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Jason Jones got his entrepreneurial start at an early age. After many years honing his business skills, in September 2011, Jones expanded his burgeoning online inflatable rides business, Show It Off, to a larger scale by offering rentals as well as a family entertainment center, which is located inside an old airplane hangar at Love-Hatbox Sports Complex.

“The city wanted to expand Hatbox and helped us with the building, which was a great stepping stone,” Jones says.

“The city has been a very supportive partner.”

Show It Off’s entertainment center includes huge inflatable slides and obstacle courses, as well as an arcade room and two party rooms.

“I’ve had lots of people tell

me, ‘we needed something like this!’ Parents are always looking for more stuff to do with their kids,” he says.

PARTY TIME Susannah Stephens also saw a void that needed filled, and teamed with partners Jim Harris and Darren Kilpatrick to launch Kilharen’s Lodge, an in-demand “party place” and wedding venue on West Fern Mountain Road, not far from the easy-to-spot Castle of Muskogee.

Stephens managed and cooked in restaurants for years before starting the catering company that would evolve into Kilharen’s Lodge. “We got very used to traveling for catering clients,” Stephens says, “but also felt that Muskogee really needed a place for events.”

Locally owned Kilharen’s Lodge specializes in weddings and provides ample seating and catering.

Local couples saw Kilharen’s Lodge as an ideal wedding locale due to its rustic charm and ample seating (up to 400 in the main ballroom), which prompted Kilharen’s to expand to include an outdoor wedding garden.

Stephens notes that even during the recession, Kilharen’s Lodge maintained solid bookings thanks to support from Muskogee.

“People always have to eat,

and they’re always going to get married!” she says.

Stephens and other entrepreneurs cite the people of Muskogee as one of its greatest assets.

“I’ve lived in Muskogee all my life,” Jones says. “Show It Off has grown so much in the past year and a half, and that’s due to the people of Muskogee.”

by Heather R. Johnson by staff photographer Michael Conti

“The city wanted to expand Hatbox and helped us with the building, which was a great stepping stone.

The city has been a very supportive partner.”

JASON JONES, OWNER, SHOW IT OFF

li vability. com /muskogee

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2014 EDITION

VOLUME 9

MUSKOGEE OKLAHOMA Editor | Mitch Kline Contributing Writers | Laura Hill, Heather R. Johnson, John McBryde, Joe Morris, Cyndie Todd, Tiffany Williams Content Coordinator | Jessica Walker Boehm Staff Writer | Kevin Litwin Proofreading Manager | Raven Petty Lead Designer | Jackie Ciulla Senior Graphic Designers | Stacey Allis, Laura Gallagher, Kris Sexton, Jake Shores Graphic Designers | Kacey Passmore, Matt West Creative Technology Analyst | Becca Ary Lead Photographer | Michael Conti Senior Photographers | Jeff Adkins, Brian McCord Staff Photographers | Wendy Jo O’Barr, Frank Ordoñez Color Imaging Technician | Alison Hunter Integrated Media Manager | Matt McWhorter Sales Support Project Manager | Sara Quint Sales Support Coordinator | Christina Morgan Sales Graphic Designer | Rachel Lorance Ad Production Manager | Katie Middendorf Senior Graphic Designer | Vikki Williams Ad Traffic Assistants | Krystin Lemmon, Patricia Moisan Web Project Manager | David Day Digital Project Manager | Jill Ridenour Digital Products Designer | Erica Lampley Web Developer I | Nels Noseworthy Web Designer II | Richard Stevens Web Product Manager | John Hood We are mobile so text the word ArrowheadMall to 90210 and receive updates on the latest fashion trends, news about the mall, discounts, store sales, mail events, job postings, “how-to” tips and much more. Get connected to get informed.

Chairman | Greg Thurman President/Publisher | Bob Schwartzman Executive Vice President | Ray Langen Senior V.P./Sales | Todd Potter, Jarek Swekosky Senior V.P./Client Development | Jeff Heefner Senior V.P./Operations | Casey Hester V.P./Content Operations | Natasha Lorens Audience Development Director | Deanna Nelson Creative Services Director | Christina Carden Distribution Director | Gary Smith Photography Director | Jeffrey S. Otto Web Services Director | Allison Davis Controller | Chris Dudley Senior Accountant | Lisa Owens Accounts Payable Coordinator | Maria McFarland Accounts Receivable Coordinator | Diana Iafrate IT Director | Daniel Cantrell Executive Secretary | Kristy Giles Human Resources Manager | Peggy Blake

Livability Muskogee, Oklahoma is published annually

by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Greater Muskogee Area Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses.

For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by email at info@jnlcom.com.

For more information, contact: Greater Muskogee Area Chamber of Commerce 310 West Broadway • Muskogee, OK 74401 Phone: (918) 682-2401 • Fax: (918) 682-2403 www.muskogeechamber.org Visit Livability: Muskogee, Oklahoma online at livability.com/muskogee ©Copyright 2013 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent.

Member Member

The Association of Magazine Media Custom Content Council

Member Greater Muskogee Area Chamber of Commerce

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BUSINESS: CHAMBER REPORT

Keeping It Real

CHAMBER, TOURISM LAUNCH NEW COMMUNITY SLOGAN A new community promotion program has Muskogee getting “real.”

In late 2012, the Greater Muskogee Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism hired Oklahoma-based Cubic Creative to help upgrade the chamber’s longstanding “Okie from Muskogee” branding slogan with the new slogan: REAL. OKIE. “We will always be proud to be Okies from Muskogee, but it was time to update the image to make us more current,” says Jim Eaton, former chairman of the Muskogee Chamber. “We believe the two words – Real and Okie – encompass what people of Muskogee are all about today.”

Chamber president/CEO Treasure McKenzie says T-shirts, hats and bumper stickers displaying the REAL. OKIE. slogan are now available to the public. Several billboards in Muskogee are further spreading the message.

“The billboard message gives examples of what it means to be a true Muskogee resident, including the words ‘genuine, strong, character and characters,’” she says. “The words ‘character and characters,’ respectively, describe the character of people in this community and point out that Muskogee has a lot of characters that make up its proud population.”

McKenzie says the slogan was introduced to the chamber membership at a January 2013 banquet. The marketing effort and official introduction to the community went into full swing in June 2013.

“As many of us know, the ‘Okie from Muskogee’ theme derived from Merle Haggard’s same-titled album that was released in the late 1960s, but we found that many young people today don’t know about the song or really don’t think about the message,” she says.

“It was time for a new theme like REAL. OKIE. to be launched, and the chamber is proud to be behind this whole Muskogee community pride effort.”

McKenzie predicts that once the word gets out more, many people from throughout all of Oklahoma – not just Muskogee – will want a REAL. OKIE. T-shirt,

hat or bumper sticker.

To get some REAL. OKIE. swag, visit www.visitmuskogee.com.

by Kevin Litwin Stay plugged into Muskogee’s business community at livability.com/muskogee/ ok/business.

Visit Our adVertisers A-Avanti Self Storage www.a-avanti.com

Green Country Surgical Arts www.greencountrysurgicalarts.com

Arrowhead Mall www.arrowheadmallmuskogee.com

Hampton Inn www.muskogee.hampton.com

Cherokee Nation Entertainment LLC www.cherokeestarrewards.com

Herringshaw Waste Management & Recycling www.herringshaw.com

City of Muskogee www.cityofmuskogee.com

Indian Capital Technology Center www.ictctech.com

Connors State College www.connorsstate.edu

Interstate Properties www.interstateproperties.com

Creek Nation Casino Muskogee www.creeknationcasino.com

Muskogee Parks & Recreation www.muskogeeparks.com

Dal-Tile www.daltilecareers.com

Muskogee Public Schools www.mpsi20.org

Eastar Health System www.eastarhealth.com

Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame & Museum Inc. www.omhof.com

Edward Jones – L. Greg Gaither https://www.edwardjones.com/en_ US/fa/index.html&CIRN=742950 Five Civilized Tribes Museum www.fivetribes.org Georgia-Pacific www.gp.com Grace Episcopal Church www.gracemuskogee.org Greater Muskogee Chamber of Commerce www.muskogeechamber.org Green Country Behavorial Health Services Inc. www.gcbhs.org

Port of Muskogee www.muskogeeport.com Reach Higher Program – Northeastern State University www.nsuok.edu Sooner Realty Properties www.soonerrealtyproperties.com The Fuller Agency Inc. www.fulleragency.com Three Forks Harbor – Port of Muskogee www.threeforksharbor.org Three Rivers Museum www.3riversmuseum.com

li vability. com /muskogee

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Ad Index

37 A-AVANTI SELF STORAGE

46 ARROWHEAD MALL

C4 CHEROKEE NATION ENTERTAINMENT LLC

C1A, 1 GREATER MUSKOGEE

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

47 CITY OF MUSKOGEE

36 GREEN COUNTRY BEHAVORIAL HEALTH SERVICES INC.

34 GREEN COUNTRY SURGICAL ARTS

C3 HAMPTON INN

8 GEORGIA-PACIFIC 45 GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

4, 5 CONNORS STATE COLLEGE 46 CREEK NATION CASINO MUSKOGEE 2 DAL-TILE 34 EASTAR HEALTH SYSTEM 6 EDWARD JONES – L. GREG GAITHER 47 FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES MUSEUM

21 HERRINGSHAW WASTE MANAGEMENT & RECYCLING

41 INDIAN CAPITAL TECHNOLOGY CENTER

23 INTERSTATE PROPERTIES

Ad Index (cont.)

25 MUSKOGEE PARKS & RECREATION 2 MUSKOGEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

14-15 OKLAHOMA MUSIC HALL

OF FAME & MUSEUM INC.

47 PORT OF MUSKOGEE

33 REACH HIGHER PROGRAM – NORTHEASTERN STATE UNIVERSITY

38 SOONER REALTY PROPERTIES

48 THE FULLER AGENCY INC.

C3 THREE FORKS HARBOR – PORT OF MUSKOGEE

7 THREE RIVERS MUSEUM

ECONOMIC PROFILE City Sales Tax

1.15%

73%

TOP EMPLOYERS

County Sales Tax

High School Graduate

State Sales Tax

Associate Degree Bachelor’s Degree

9.65%

Master’s Degree

Total Sales Tax

SCORECARD

$764M

Acme Engineering, City of Muskogee, County of Muskogee, OG&E Electric Services, Wal-Mart

TRANSPORTATION Davis Field Airport www.cityofmuskogee.com

$200,000+ 227

$81M

8,380

3,191

Georgia Pacific, Dal-Tile, Muskogee Public School District, EASTAR Health System,

HOUSEHOLD INCOME

Annual Retail Sales

Annual Hotel and Food Sales

U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center

4.5%

EDUCATION LEVEL

1000+

4.0%

11%

200499

7%

500999

TAXES 9%

$30,000-199,999 $29,999 and under

Union Pacific www.up.com

7,065

Union Pacific www.up.com

Number of Businesses

THIS SECTION IS SPONSORED BY

The fuller AGENCY, Inc.

Selling Muskogee with Integrity, Competence and Reliability Since 1948

www.fulleragency.com Please visit our website to search properties.

Nick FuLLer Owner/Broker (918) 869-2345

VoNda Haddock Realtor (918) 869-8643

LesLie scott Realtor (918) 348-9250

HazLe Pruitt Realtor (918) 685-2234

1001 W. Broadway Muskogee, OK 74401 (918) 687-6394

We Love Having You Here!

3100 Military Blvd.

Hwy. 69 & 62 Junction Muskogee, OK 74401 (918) 682-2587 tel (918) 683-0249 fax www.muskogee.hamptoninn.com • High-speed Internet

• Complimentary breakfast

• Business center: Computer, fax and copier

• Microwave/refrigerators in all rooms

• Indoor heated pool, sauna and spa

• Hair dryers in all rooms

• Exercise room

• Coffee maker in all rooms

• Free local calls

• Iron/ironing board in all rooms

For reservations, call: (800) HAMPTON

L I VA B I L I T Y M U S KO G E E , O K L A H O M A • 2 0 1 4 E D I T I O N | VO L U M E 9