2019 September We Are Sand Springs Magazine

Sept - Oct 2019

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Index Letter From The Editor Intro: Gather School Construction Update Senior In The Spotlight: Will Bouchard Events Calendar Softball Varsity Schedule Football Schedule Varsity Volleyball Schedule The Link Where Are They Now? Gerrie McClure Boo at Case Park | Miss Tirita's 30th Anniversary Gather Recreation Letter From City Official: Brent Kellogg West Fest Downtown News

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That Change Thing Change.

Why is it that we have such a negative physical reaction to the word?

It's as if the instant we hear the word CHANGE (<= insert Morgan Freeman's voice) our immediate reaction is to bear down and hold on tight to what is familiar, to what we trust, to what we "know". We assume that change will make us lose something we perceivably cannot live without.

Let's just be honest.. it's just you and me here.. we can be honest.. every one of us is white-knuckling some thing, some one, some habit in our life that has probably caused us more harm than good over the years.

Yet, we hold on tight in fear of the unknown, loss, or maybe just pure stubbornness.

So what is it. Why do we struggle to let go and grab onto something new?

I don't have the answers, shocking right... what I do know is that most of us if we look closely, are holding on out of fear. Our internal dialog, if I may, might sound something like this...

Well, no, I don't think I am doing what I need to be doing. As a matter of fact.. there are a lot of things that I wish were different. BUT, I know what I am doing and I am unsure of what life looks like any other way. So, I think I'll just stay here holding on. haha okay... maybe it's not that simple.. or maybe for you, it is..

Either way, what you should know is that...

1. We all do this. You are not alone in your reluctance. On some level.. we all act like a toddler that doesn't want to be picked up by "change" (at our house we call this maneuver the noodle, just to give you the visual).

2. You are perfectly and wonderfully made... what does that mean? It means you have so much purpose meant for your life and that "thing" you are fearful of... that "thing" you worry you might not be good at but you always seem to be thinking about.. yeah that... that thing. That "thing" could bring a new level of purpose into your life!

3. And on the flip side, that thing you're gripping onto so tight... that "thing" is what is keeping you from a feeling of purpose.

Fact: We all struggle with that change thing.. but just like anything the more we practice the behavior the easier it becomes. Who knows where change might take us.

This is not written with any agenda. There is no civic reasoning behind the topic what so ever. We all should hear just how great we are meant to be from time to time. I hope this gives you some courage and happiness, it did me.

Send us a letter or email: 118 N Main St Sand Springs, OK 74063 info@wearesandsprings.com 918-521-1810 4 WeAreSandSprings.com | September 2019

Danielle Myers

MOVING LIFE FORWARD FOR SAND SPRINGS. When Brian Tomsovic broke his hand, he came to Tulsa Bone & Joint Sand Springs as a walk-in and was able to been seen by a doctor immediately.

“I got an X-ray, Dr. Adams determined that it was broken, put a soft cast on it, and prescribed pain meds. I was in and out within 45 minutes,” he says.

Tulsa Bone & Joint Sand Springs was an efficient solution for Brian, and his hand has fully recovered. Thanks for allowing us to care for you, Brian!

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September 2019 | WeAreSandSprings.com 5

Gather

As summer comes to a close, we enter into a season of gathering. We gather for family functions over the holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Sunday services. Over is the time of taking vacations and resting or the business of kid's schedules; bring forth the time of congregating together.

Some gather over a meal, some over coffee, but we all gather in the community that surrounds us. So let us continue in the tradition of gathernig in Sand Springs! Let's gather our thoughts, gather our families, and gather together in this season.

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Sherry Durkee, SuperintendentSand Springs Public Schools The excitement of a brand new school year is exhilarating and refreshing.

We have a fantastic community who deeply values our city, our schools, each other, and our children. Our community is a partnership between people who are interested in improvement and making Sand Springs the best it can be.

As a school district, we share these values. We are committed to creating an environment that is safe for students and highly conducive for learning.

Our children are the most important investment for our future and we are determined to guide them to achieve to their greatest potential - EVERY student.

The most exciting news for CNGC is a project funded by our bond the community passed in March by an overwhelming 92.83% vote! Construction Sherry Durkee of the NEW Freshman Academy and STEM Center on the campus of Charles SSPS Superintendent Page High School is underway. This year’s 8th grade class will be the first to walk the halls of the new facility as freshmen during the 2020-21 school year. If you happen to drive by the CPHS campus now you will notice the preparation of the stem wall and footing. The building frame will start taking shape soon! Of course, the turf at Memorial Stadium was completed this summer in preparation for the fall football season and the Ed Dubie Fieldhouse will be getting a sound upgrade prior to basketball and wrestling seasons. It is likely the gymnasium/storm shelter project at Angus Valley Elementary will start earlier than projected! Truly, our bond dollars are at work making a brighter future for Sand Springs Public Schools students.

This year CPHS will be adding another unique program through our partnership with Tulsa TechnologyCenter. The new Foundation of Construction program will be in addition to our highly successful Manufacturing and Interior Design programs. Charles Page will continue to offer Bio-Medical, Engineering and Computer Science coursework through a grant from several community partners. The District is opening opportunities for students to investigate their personal interests and strengths when contemplating their career pathways. Our team has done a fantastic job of creating mechanisms by which students can design their own “best path” into adulthood. With AP coursework, CTE electives, Virtual Academy, concurrent enrollment through our partnership with Tulsa Community College, and Tulsa Technology Center options, our students have an array of choices for learning. Our goal is to fully prepare our students for life after secondary school while creating a school experience they will remember for years to come. Our administrative team, teachers, and staff are the best around. I am inspired every single day by their “all in”commitment to our students and community.

Also new this fall is our School and Community Partnership program. This program is designed to connect our seniors to viable internship opportunities that bridge high school to real work experiences. We are determined to provide ALL students relative experiences to prepare them for life outside of K-12 education. We have expanded Sand Springs Virtual Academy, allowing students in all grades K-12 to design their own educational plan. Students will now have the opportunity to choose full-time virtual education or a blended model schedule while accessing an expansive AP curriculum and still benefiting from all extracurricular activities available to all Sand Springs Public School students. It is entirely possible for a student to access one or more virtual classes and still be connected to programs offered on campus AND enroll in a TCC or TTC program.

Our students are in for a great experience at Sand Springs Public Schools! GO SANDITES! Sherry Durkee

September 2019 | WeAreSandSprings.com 7

Senior In The Spotlight

Will went to Central Elementary school for Kindergarten and 1st Grade, then transferred to Moriah Christian School until his 9th-grade year.

That’s when he came back to Charles Page High School to finish his schooling. During his stint at Moriah, he was involved with Drama and Piano.

Since he has been at Charles Page, he has joined Drama, Youth in Government, and is the copresident of NHS. Remembering his years in high school there have been several teachers that have influenced Will throughout his schooling in Sand Springs Public Schools. Mrs. Campfield, his Drama Director he has spent a significant amount of time with being in drama. However, Mr. Dester and Mr. Rotert were also big influences on Will. Mr. Dester, along with some of his friends, “got me into politics that year,” which has been a large part of Will’s time spent. “He is a good teacher and cares about his students,” stated Will. Mr. Rotert on the other hand, “people really like Rotert… and he’s a math teacher so that’s really saying something,” Will 8 WeAreSandSprings.com | September 2019

recounted, “he’s just a good teacher.”

Will has been involved with Youth in Government since his junior year but states, “I wasn’t in it my sophomore year, but I wish I had been.” Out of the several branches of Youth in Government, he is in the Legislative branch. This year he will be writing a bill and will present it this spring at the capital building with other Youth in Government students to see if his bill will pass.

Bouchard has been involved with Drama for as long as he could be. At Moriah, he was involved with the acting and was a stagehand; continuing his passion for Drama at Charles Page. This past year he was involved with the productions of A Mid Summer Night’s Dream, and Shrek the Musical. In Midsummer Night’s Dream, he played Theseus, and in Shrek, he played a variety of roles including the big bad wolf, a guard, and a villager.

He was also a part of a one-act for a competition where the group he was a part of made it to the international level.

Senior In The Spotlight

On another note, he will be a National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist this year. The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. With rigorous standards, the National Merit Scholarship is a prestigious standing in the high schools, and Will has made it to the Semi-Finalist position. If he advances he will become a Finalist and finally a National Merit Scholarship Winner. Good luck Will, as you progress through the rest of the competition.

In his spare time, Will is an avid D&D player.

He and his group of friends often continue campaigns for months at a time meeting weekly to continue their sessions. Additionally, he continues to play the piano and helped start the Philosophy Club at CPHS. The Philosophy Club meets and discusses different philosophical issues like the Gettier problem and the Trolley problem. The philosophy club is looking for new recruits this year so be sure to show up!

Will isn’t quite sure where he plans on attending college yet but is looking at possibly a liberal arts major, like political science. As he moves into his senior year at Charles Page High School, looking back he remembers some great advice to future generations of Sandites, “Do what you love, because you only get one shot.”

Will has certainly taken this advice and loved what he has done with the time he has spent at Sand Springs Public Schools. We wish you luck in all your future endeavors and in the National Merit Scholarship competition going forward.

September 2019 | WeAreSandSprings.com 9

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GRANDPARENT'S DAY

FIRST DAY OF FALL

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GREAT RAFT RACE 8am-5pm at River West Festival Park

SAND SPRINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OPEN FORUM At Tulsa Technology Center 12-1P.M.

26 TULSA STATE FAIR 1ST DAY From Sept.26 - Oct 6

11 6-8 SAND SPRINGS BMX 600 POINT STATE WEEKEND

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S.S. PUMPKIN PATCH FESTIVAL OPENING DAY Open daily 10am -7pm Sundays 12pm - 7pm

KEYSTONE ANCIENT FOREST OPEN HIKE Hike with your dog day From 8am - 2pm

__ SAND SPRINGS SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER LIVE COUNTRY MUSIC At 6:00pm (1st & 3rd Saturday Monthly)

16 STEPFAMILY DAY

21 KEYSTONE ANCIENT FOREST OPEN HIKE From 8am - 2pm __ SAND SPRINGS SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER LIVE COUNTRY MUSIC At 6:00pm

S.S Salvation Army : Winter League BB 1st8th Grade Sign-ups will start at the end of September. _____ Splash Pad will close the last week of September.

Enjoy Small Business Saturday deals all year long in Sand Springs. Every 1st Saturday of the month; September 7th and October 5th.

Visit wearesandsprings.com for more details.

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SAND SPRINGS SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER LIVE COUNTRY MUSIC At 6:00pm

COLUMBUS DAY

KEYSTONE ANCIENT FOREST OPEN HIKE From 8am - 2pm

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SSPS FALL BREAK

KEYSTONE ANCIENT FOREST OPEN HIKE From 8am - 2pm

7 SAND SPRINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OPEN FORUM At Tulsa Technology Center 12-1P.M.

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27 BOO AT CASE PARK

19 KEYSTONE ANCIENT FOREST OPEN HIKE From 8am - 2pm

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31 HALLOWEEN

SAND SPRINGS SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER LIVE COUNTRY MUSIC At 6:00pm

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12 KEYSTONE ANCIENT FOREST OPEN HIKE From 8am - 2pm

12-13 PLEASANT VALLEY FARMS 9TH AN. WINTER SQUASH AND PUMPKIN FESTIVAL

23 - 27

SAND SPRINGS PUMPKIN PATCH FESTIVAL LAST DAY

SALVATION ARMY: ANGEL TREE REGISTRATION

24 WESTFEST AT TCC WEST CAMPUS From 6:30pm - 8:30pm

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

September 2019 | WeAreSandSprings.com 11

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It’s Time Again!

You can easily pay the summer price for your residential propane in the middle of winter!

Give us a call! We’d love to hear from you.

310 E Morrow Rd Sand Springs, OK 74063 918.245.6616 800.684.9166 www.ferrellgas.com

It’s Time Again!

You can easily pay the summer price for your residential propane in the middle of winter!

Give us a call! We’d love to hear from you.

310 E Morrow Rd Sand Springs, OK 74063 918.245.6616 800.684.9166 September 2019 | WeAreSandSprings.com 13 www.ferrellgas.com

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September 2019 | WeAreSandSprings.com 17

Starting a business is one of the most arduous experiences any individual can undergo.

The process is sometimes isolating and always stressful. However, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s made easier with a partner in the process. Sometimes this partner is an individual, someone that goes into business with you; other times, it is a group of individuals or another business that comes alongside to aid in the journey.

The LINK is a business incubator located here in Sand Springs as a partnership between the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce and the City of Sand Springs. This partnership was formed in an effort to provide resources for starting and young businesses. Successful businesses require great attention, cultivation, and preparation. The LINK offers resources for success.

The mission of the LINK is to further the growth of Sand Springs and the entrepreneurial spirit that lives here. They hope to inspire, inform and empower people through education and implementation of their business ideas or continuing the growth of existing businesses in a professional environment.

With coworking offices, the business incubator, daily workspaces, and a mentoring program, the LINK offers the opportunity to entrepreneurs for personal and professional development. For more information go to www.thelinkok.com or call 918-245-3221.

HOURS Mon-Thu 8:30am-5:00pm Friday 8:30am-4:00pm Sat-Sun CLOSED 109 N. Garfield Ave. Sand Springs, OK 74063 @thelinkok

September 2019 | WeAreSandSprings.com 19

Where are they now?

Gerrie McClure

Where Are They Now? such a rich Sandite history and wonderful stories. Gerrie remembers a story with her grandson, while he was attending Charles Page High School (CPHS), it was Arbor Day and her grandson was so surprised that when CPHS was built there were no trees. Little did he know, that Gerrie planted one of the very trees he was learning about that Arbor Day.

Local Sandite Gerrie McClure has been a proud Sandite since 1957 when she, along with her mother and brother, moved into the Widow’s Colony here in Sand Springs. Gerrie began her life in Miami, OK but after the passing of her father the family found their forever home in Sand Springs.

It was then that Gerrie began attending Sand Springs Public Schools (SSPS) in the secondary school system, what was then Sand Springs High School. It wasn’t long before she developed a proud Sandite attitude! During her time in SSPS Gerrie worked as an aide at St. John’s Hospital and then moved to the switchboard at the Sand Springs Home’s offices.

This passionate Sandite shared with us that she has several people throughout her education in SSPS to thank for their influence in her life, including Ruth Hatch her English teacher. Mrs. Patch took Gerrie in and pushed her to achieve more. Gerrie said, “ She was a tough teacher. She pushed me to go to college on a scholarship for English and grammar.

She even signed my yearbook!”

After graduating, Gerrie attended business school for a time, but resolved, “there was too much work to do.” So, she started back at the Sand Springs Home, but this time in the Accounting office. She worked with the Sand Springs Home for 10 years, until she was offered a job at the Sand Springs Railroad. She then worked at the Sand Springs Railroad for 30 years, leaving as an Agent. At the time, the Sand Springs Railroad had a 30/60 rule for retirement, if you had worked for at least 30 years and were 60 years old, you can retire with benefits. Gerrie has always worked 2-3 jobs during the course of her life, following her mother’s example of “do with what you earned until you earn better.”

Gerrie had one daughter, who attended Sand Springs Public Schools and her grandson, who is now an airline captain, attended too! This Sand Springs family now has 20 WeAreSandSprings.com | September 2019

Gerrie’s mother was very thankful to the Widow’s Colony opening the doors to their family. Gerrie remembers her mother saying, “we’re together, we’re not hungry, and we’re warm.” This heart of gratitude stuck with Gerrie affecting her in all the best ways. She shared with us, “Sand Springs took us in, they made us a part of this town… and it’s been my “thing” ever since then.”

After Gerrie retired from the railroad, she went back to work, but in a volunteer role within civic organizations. Gerrie states, “you need to give back, it’s just what you do… before it was ‘pay it forward’ you just gave back to your community.”

She went to work with the Womroleen’s Chamber, working to get shoes for school kids who couldn’t afford them. She has held positions within Pilot International, American Heart Association, Rotary International, and the Sand Springs Women’s Chamber of Commerce to name a few. She also knew and helped with the Sand Springs Herbal Affair at the very beginning. Additionally, she gave service as a Sand Springs City Council member.

“You need to give back, it’s just what you do… before it was ‘pay it forward’ you just gave back to your community.”

Gerrie McClure

Where are they now?

Gerrie remembers near where she lived, there was a need for a stop sign, and going to the Sand Springs City Council, she repeatedly asked for a stop sign to be installed.

Continually they turned her away, at that point she was angry and decided to run for City Council. Needless to say, she won and fought what she called “the war” of fighting for recognition of the voice of the citizens of Sand Springs.

She had a hand in getting the contract with EMSA, making sure Sand Springs had access to paramedics in town, and Urban Economic Development, the water treatment plant, formed the Skiatook Area Reservoir Authority and built City Hall. These projects are only a handful of the projects she undertook while in the city council.

If you get to talking with Gerrie for any amount of time, you will undoubtedly know her passion for economic development in Sand Springs. The growth and excellence of Sand Springs is number one on her mind for any and all endeavors. Remembering the city she came to in 1957, she longs for the community involvement, participation, and passion that came with Charles Page as he followed his individual passion for helping those in need. “Why can’t we be that again,” Gerrie asks. “All it takes is someone getting mad enough to do something about it.”

Gerrie was inducted into the Sand Springs Education Foundation Hall of Fame in 2011, this is just one of the ways in which Gerrie has been recognized for her “Sandite Enthusiast” attitude. When asked what advice she would give to the next generation, Gerrie stated, “find your own passion and work towards it… go… find someone to help you work with it.” Her passion for small businesses and the continued spirit of Sand Springs is evident in all that she does. Thank you, Gerrie, for your passion and commitment to Sand Springs!

“find your own passion and work towards it… go… find someone to help you work with it.”

September 2019 | WeAreSandSprings.com 21

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Coming October 27th is the Annual Boo at Case Park Halloween Festival! Previously known as Boo on Broadway, the event is usually held on the triangle. This year, however, it will take place in the Case Community Park to allow for more events and attractions!

Boo on Broadway first started in Downtown Sand Springs on October 29th, 2011, with trick-ortreating festivities that took place at the same time as Fright Night at the old powerhouse on Main St. Throughout the years' events have been added and taken away but the theme has always been family-friendly fun.

The Local Church Network has taken the reigns in planning and staffing the event, with the local churches providing a majority of the events and candy for the community event. They are looking forward to this year and providing even more attractions and family fun!

30 years ago this year, the city of Sand Springs was blessed with the creation of Miss Tiritas Dance and Performing Arts Studio! Offering dance from ages 2 to adults, Miss Tirita hopes to provide a studio where success is measured throughout the enjoyment of dance. “For some, it’s the freedom of movement and expression, for others it the experience of performing before an audience. Whatever the motivation, encouragement, warmth and generosity are paramount and given to all.”

Miss Tirita fell in love with dance when she was three years old, continuing into jazz, tap, acrobats, and ballet, she won numerous honors and awards. She danced with the Tulsa School of Ballet under the direction of Moscelyne Larkin and the late Roman Jasinski, and was awarded a scholarship to study at the Quartz Mountain Arts Institute in Ballet. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education she utilizes her knowledge to train and develop children, tweens, and teens in the art of dance. She has logged over 1,000 performances in the musical “Oklahoma” at the outdoor theater production at Discoveryland, leading the role of “Miss Dream Laurey” and eventually becoming company manager and assistant director. She finished her 12 year career at Discoveryland by becoming the choreographer of the pre-show and “Oklahoma.”

Miss Tiritas Dance and Performing Arts Studio offers several classes, from Baby Bop, to Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, and Ballet and many more. Performances span local events from the Sand Springs Herbal Affair, and the Sand Springs Christmas Parade, to private events like the combined recital, churches, retirement homes, and many more.

In the 30 years since Miss Tirita started her studio, hundreds of kids have taken dance classes and they have performed many times to local audiences and beyond.

Several of her students have gone on to bigger dance groups and some have even made a profession of dancing. Please join us as we congratulate Miss Tirita on 30 years of sassy entertainment for the community of Sand Springs!

September 2019 | WeAreSandSprings.com 23

T

he word gather comes from the Old English gadrian, which translated means “unite, agree, assemble, collect, store up.”

Here at We Are Sand Springs, we can’t think of a better word to describe the season we are entering into. Fall has historically been a time of harvest, and here in Green Country, we know better than most that this is true for far more than the farms. For late winter, spring, and summer, we have put in the work; now, it is time to gather. But as we know, gather has several different meanings… and I don’t even garden! Yet for each meaning in the Old English, there comes a valuable lesson for us in this season of the year.

Unite.

Sand Springs experienced some tragedy in the early summer with the flooding of several neighborhoods, evacuations, and general panic and stress over the weather. In the recovery efforts we as a community came together to help those affected and aid in the practical needs of the neighborhoods.

That coming together was necessary, and now that our community has come together in the practical, we unite in the spirit of Sand Springs. We are so used to hearing from the school system, “Sandite, it’s who you want to be.” Yet sometimes it falls on deaf ears, or at least distracted ears; however, in the season of gathering that we find ourselves in, it seems to ring more true.

As Sandites, the spirit of Sand Springs, we unite in the philanthropy and helping hands where needed.

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Agree.

Being agreeable isn’t exactly a positive trait, and at first blush, that is exactly what this definition of gathering might seem to be.

However, if we take a deeper look, being in agreement is a coming together on our common ground. If we look there are plenty of things to disagree and fight on, yet we always have the opportunity to look for commonalities between each other. We cannot deny the fact that we have so much more in common with each other than we do differences.

With all of the divisive topics available to talk about: politics, the economy, sports, we can choose to focus on these negative topics, or we can look for the silver linings, the things we can gather and come to an agreement on.

Assemble.

One of the more obvious meanings to the word gather is an assembly of individuals. We gather as a community for the important things, and when it’s family, it doesn’t even have to be big or important to be a family gathering.

Over the next two months, there are specific events, like the Tulsa State Fair, that will assemble the eastern half of the state; and other less specific events like Breast Cancer Awareness month, that can gather an assembly of millions who have either been affected or know someone who has. Either way, whether we assemble with family for specific events or assemble with persons unknown for a greater cause, we can be sure that the season we find ourselves in is one of assemblies with those known and unknown for causes and ideas bigger than ourselves.

Collect.

Another rather obvious definition of the word gather is “to collect.” While this could mean a collection of individuals, I take this to mean a literal collection or harvesting of work. In the season of fall, historically has been harvest time, which gives a sense of satisfaction. We have put in the hard work, and now it’s time to collect the fruit

born of that hard work. Even if you haven’t put in the hard work this year, we have the opportunity to collect our thoughts and regroup in order to make a big push for the second half of the year. Here at We Are Sand Springs, we love this time of year because it’s a time for both! We have worked hard and are reaping some of the rewards from that hard work, but we are also regrouping, collecting our thoughts, and pressing forward through fall and into winter and next year.

Store Up.

Finally, we come to the last definition of the word gather. But what in the world are we to store up? As we go into the fall and winter seasons historically this has meant food and firewood, but what did food and firewood do? These have long been a symbol of health and safety. If you had plenty of food but no firewood you would freeze in the long winters, or vice versa you would be warm but starving. It takes both health and safety to get through the fall and winter months.

So let us store up the healthy habits, routines, and thoughts that will sustain us through the tougher times. Let us store up the safety in meaningful relationships, that fill us up with the best things in life. We cannot endure the tough times if we have not prepared and stored up the good.

My pastor has a saying, “You have to make hay while the sun is shining.” This takes on the meaning that when the good times are here we must prepare, gather, and “make hay” while we can. When times are tough, we cannot expect ourselves to go above and beyond to gather (in all senses of the word) while enduring. Now is the time, now we must gather.

September 2019 | WeAreSandSprings.com 25

It’s fall, so you know what that means… Gathering together as a family OUTSIDE!!! No longer do we have the heat-soaked days of summer, break out with the fall sweaters and Pumpkin Spice Lattes. As we head out and about this fall, take a look at just a few of the fall destinations Sand Springs has to offer.

Pumpkin Patch

SAND SPRINGS PUMPKIN PATCH 17516 W. 8th Street (Hwy 412 & 177th W. Ave.) The Sand Springs Pumpkin Patch is loaded with photo ops, pony rides, a petting zoo, festival games, kids hay maze, and of course, PUMPKINS. Admission is completely FREE with the option of getting an $8 unlimited activity pass for kids (note… they don’t let adults on the bounce houses…

I tried). They will be open daily in October Mon-Sat 10am-7pm and Sun 12pm-7pm. For all other info, just check out their website at www. sandspringspumpkinpatch.com.

PLEASANT VALLEY FARMS WINTER SQUASH & PUMPKIN FESTIVAL 22350 W. 71st St. With free admission, the Pleasant Valley Farm has a gift shop, hayrides, corn maze, photo ops, and much more. The 8th annual Fall Festival contains craft vendors, demonstrations, concessions and other special events. They are open daily in October from 9am-7pm. For more information, visit their website at www.pleasantvalleyfarmsok.com.

Trails

KEYSTONE ANCIENT FOREST LOOP - Sand Springs, OK 74063 Keystone Ancient Forest Loop is a 6.6 mile, lightly trafficked loop featuring Keystone Lake. The trail is rated moderate and has an elevation gain of 521ft. For more details check out the Keystone Ancient Forest Facebook page.

TWO RIVERS TRAIL - Sand Springs, OK 74063 Two Rivers Trail is a 1.9 mile, lightly trafficked loop trail off the Keystone Expressway. It features Keystone Lake and is rated as a moderate trail with an elevation gain of 170ft. It is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips.

Horse Riding

WEST EQUESTRIAN SERVICES & TRAINING - 5716 S Dip Creek Rd. From beginner to advanced levels, the West Equestrian Services & Training teach riders how to communicate effectively with the horses.

They have private, semi-private, and private group lessons available. Visit their website www.westhorse.net for more info.

FLYING G RANCH EQUESTRIAN CENTER 8 miles West of Downtown Sand Springs The Flying G Ranch Equestrian Center is a full-service equestrian center, offering riding lessons, trail riding, and full-service boarding. They have approximately 30 school horses available for lessons, for more info go to their website www.flying-g-ranch.com There is so much to do in Sand Springs this fall, be sure to get around Sand Springs and experience the season of gathering throughout. Be sure to take lots of pics and share them on the We Are Sand Springs Facebook Page!

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The Best is yet to come.

This year will certainly go down in the history books for our community. 2019 will be remembered for the flood waters that impacted so many in Sand Springs. It will also be remembered as the year a community came together to help and love our neighbors. It is incredible to see the faith community of Sand Springs come together in an hour of need. People were prayed for, physical structures were prayed over, the levee was prayed over and neighbors were helping neighbors. All of this was symbolic of what has become of our community.

It is incredible to see all God is doing in Sand Springs. From community and business development to a growing and thriving educational system. Our churches our working together like never before to make a difference in our community. This year we were able to help over 550 kids through a back to school supply give away as we partnered with Tulsa Tech – Sand Springs Campus.

October 27th we will be hosting Boo at Case Park. A free and safe event for the community where families can bring their kids for candy, costume contests and other activities. December 6th and 7th we will be partnering with the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce for the Hometown Holiday Christmas Celebration.

There are some incredible things ahead for our community. The Sand Springs Local Church network wants you to know, you have been prayed for. In the midst of all of the flood and disaster relief efforts the Local Church Network set aside seven days together to pray for our community.

“Seven Days that Changed a City” was a cooperative effort where we prayed for you. We prayed for our community. We prayed for our organizations and our leaders. We believe the best days are still ahead for Sand Springs and surrounding area.

"How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore." Psalm 133:1-3

Today we are believing God’s best for you and our community!

Brent Kellogg (Pastor of HillSpring Church) Member of Local Church Network September 2019 | WeAreSandSprings.com 27

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!!!

•FREE admission with a canned food item (benefiting the Student Food Pantry) •FREE Inflatables • FREE Games • FREE Candy • Exotic Animals • And so much more!

October 24th, 2019, From 6:30pm - 8:30pm AT TCC West Campus (7505 West 41st Street) 28 WeAreSandSprings.com | September 2019

D

owntown Sand Springs has long been a place of gathering in the community. Whether it’s for the annual Herbal Affair, the Homecoming parade, or just for an afternoon on the town, downtown offers some of the best that Sand Springs has to offer. Downtown Sand Springs has also been going through its own revival, with new businesses moving in and expanding, new events taking place, and overall energy flowing from the businesses downtown. We thought it would be good to highlight just a few of the changes in the downtown area! Long live the Sandite Spirit in Downtown Sand Springs!

OkieSpice is in the process of moving their store location to Main Street Sand Springs! We have been looking forward to this for some time and renovations have been quickly taking place. While the outside of the building has gotten a makeover, the inside has been gutted and will be retrofitted to make room for a retail area and an entire room devoted to CHEESE! They have been documenting the process of the renovations through their facebook page @okiespiceandtrade so go follow them to keep up to date. While no open date has been specified yet, they have been working furiously to get everything together. We can’t wait to see everything they have put together!

Boulder Coffee opened it’s doors on October 13th, 2018 and will be celebrating its one year anniversary this year. They have put out special drinks every month for the last year ranging from the “Hummingbird” to “The Bro Code” to the S’ mores Latte. Being open from 7am-6pm they have been a place for people to meet and gather together for meetings or just after school. While the events that Boulder Coffee has put on in the past year have been open to the public, they have started to promote their facilities as a place to host private parties after hours. For more information contact them via social media @bouldercoffeeok.

YellowHouse is also celebrating a birthday, their 3rd birthday this September! They will be having a Birthday Party on September 28th from 10am-4pm where there will be food, drinks, giveaways, & more! YellowHouse just last year launched their online presence at YellowHouseMarket.com where you can find their latest clothing and accessories. Their own statement is also their battle cry, “Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful.” They have been bringing their own kind of beautiful to downtown Sand Springs for years and will continue to do so for many years to come!

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Earlier this year Downtown Sand Springs opened their arms to El Nopal, Mexican and Latin American Cuisine. El Nopal features traditional Mexican fare as well as dishes from El Salvador, such as pupusas and the Central American breakfast of eggs, beans, cheese, cream, and fried plantains. The recipes are homemade and their biggest draw is the street tacos for $1 on Taco Tuesday!

We continue to look forward to new and exciting things from El Nopal as they continue the growth they have seen since they opened in February.

Napolis has been a staple in the Sand Springs community for many years.

They have been serving lunch and dinner at reasonable prices at the corner of Broadway and McKinley. A great place to dine in or to sit in the outside seating area, they continue to serve the Sand Springs community. Gathering with friends and family at a locally owned business has always been a favorite pastime for Sand Springs, and at Napolis we have plenty of space for the whole family to gather. Thank you for your continued delectable dishes served to the sand springs community!

Recently the City of Sand Springs unveiled it’s latest tool to be used in the campaign on litter. The “TRASH BANDIT” is a diesel engine, single operator, All Terrain Litter Vacuum. With a top speed of 15mph, it is a vacuum (not to be confused with a street sweeper) the “TRASH BANDIT” has been designed to go into non-traditional spaces around the city and remove litter. Mayor Jim Spoon has put forth efforts to improve quality of life in the city and states that the machine is a part of those efforts, “We’re always doing things to make the community look better, feel better,” stated Spoon. Additionally, Grant Gerondale states, “Cities everywhere struggle daily to keep up with the litter and trash produced by the public. With staffing resources stretched to the limit in most municipalities, Sand Springs has chosen to put our machine into service as we improve our efficiency and expand our reach on trash.” Grant is the Community Development Director for Sand Springs, he continues, “The TRASh BANDIT will be a fun way to get the attention of youth with fun graphics and educational messages to help our community by choosing not to litter. While the downtown area is just one of the areas that the “TRASH BANDIT” will be patrolling, Parks Director Jeff Edwards states that the TRASH BANDIT is capable of cleaning up the entire HWY 412 right-of-way from QuikTrip to Case Community Center in a short 45 mins. There are three priority sites that the “TRASH BANDIT” will be set upon, Downtown, Riverwest, and the Parks & Trails in Sand Springs.

We know this isn’t everything in Downtown Sand Springs… and that’s the point. We want to show you just a sliver of what Sand Springs has to offer in the downtown area, be on the lookout for more to come!

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