OKLAHOMA Corridor Magazine August 2022

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CORRIDOR Magazine AUGUST 2022 / VOLUME I / Issue VI

A Magazine About Your Oklahoma Corridor

Advanced care for your heart without the travel.

Dr. Farguson sees patients in Cushing and Stillwater, so you don’t have to travel far for expert cardiology care.

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OUR COVER

Do We Have Some

Mickie Belveal, the almost 5 year old daughter of Kyle and Briea Belveal, will be in Kindergarten at Cushing Lower Elementary. She is a ball of energy and loves to learn! Eli Bryan, left, will be in 8th grade and Emma Bryan, right, a sophomore. Both attend school in Manhattan, KS. They are enjoying an extended visit with their aunt, Trudy Evans, and cousin, Kayla Dees, this summer. Parents are Emily and Harlan Bryan. Harlan is a 1988 graduate of Cushing High School.

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IN THIS ISSUE...

Back To School OUR AUGUST 2022 FEATURE STORY: IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!

Editorial

by Trudy Evans

6 It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

by Dr. Melissa K. Amon, Cushing Schools Superintendent 8

Pastor Paul’s Passages

by Paul Ragel

12

OKLAHOMA Corridor Kids

by Jeree Milligan

14

Back to School Tidings

by Emma Bryan

16

Oklahoma’s International BlueGrass Festival #25

by Jill Hunt

20

Delilah’s Dilemmas

by Diane Brown

26

Pets of the Month from Stillwater Animal Welfare

29

Oklahoma Corridor High School Football Schedules Compiled by Trudy Evans

34

Recipes

by Jeree Milligan

by Dr. Melissa K. Amon / Page 6

Quality care for your whole family.

HARMONY RD.

Blaire Blankinship, APRN | Amber Reinecke, PA-C | Colm McCauley, DO

MAIN ST. (HWY 33)

SAME-DAY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE!

Now at a new location!

2340 E. Main St. | Cushing Schedule an appointment at 918.725.1901

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Happy August Y’all!

Just after I graduated from high school, I made a comment to my Mom about how fast time flies and she turned to me and said, “Sweetheart, the older you get, the faster time flies!” If she were still here with us today, I would say, “Yes Mom, you were right…again! “ It seems like a couple of weeks ago when all the fanfare that accompanies Christmas and the New Year was here. Seems the end of the 2021-22 school year ended only a week or so ago and now... here we are. In a few short weeks, some schools will be opening their doors for the beginning of the 2022-23 school year.

Some students will be starting their very first year and others will be starting their very last year of public education.

When you see your ‘baby’ start his or her first year of school, an almost unbearable event for many moms, you will definitely feel that time is swiftly passing! They become more independent and their little brains begin to absorb more information than

ever – so much so that it’s hard to imagine. Then your ‘baby’ will drive off to start the last year of this segment of their life – their senior year of high school! Your daily ‘job’ is nearing completion. They may go away to college or trade school within the year or become gainfully employed at a job that just may take them far away. Your day to day job is done, Mom and Dad. They have had about eighteen years or so of daily instruction and interaction on how to live life and be the best person possible. Hopefully you have taught them to treat others with respect and to treat others in the way they themselves would want to be treated. But above all, you and the teachers have hopefully given your child enough instruction on survival in this world so that they will do well now when you are not at arm’s length.

Summertime is great. It’s fun. It’s a time to rest your brain. It’s a time to grow and mature. It’s a time to move around. Then after all that, it’s time to go Back-to-School! Make it a great year!

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It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

by DR. MELISSA K. AMON, Superintendent Cushing Public Schools

Back to school is absolutely one of my most favorite times of the year.

Back to school is a time of new experiences – new friends, new teachers, new schools, and new opportunities. hether your student will be attending school for the very first time or starting their senior year, back to school is a time of excitement, hope and promise for the school year to come. Back to school is also the perfect time to remind everyone about a few things that can help make the new school year a safe and rewarding experience.

First, prepare to slow down! Back to school means that we are going to start seeing more students, buses, and cars on the road both before and after school. While it is important to pay attention and slow down all year long, it is especially important in the first few weeks of school as both students and parents learn new school routines.

Please watch for students waiting at bus stops, loading or unloading buses, and walking to school. School buses are the most regulated vehicles on the road; they are designed to be safer than passenger vehicles in preventing crashes and injuries; and in every state, stoparm laws exist to protect children from other motorists

(NHTSA, 2022). Yellow flashing lights on a school bus mean slow down because the bus is preparing to stop.

There are likely students waiting to get on the bus or parents waiting nearby to pick up students. Red flashing lights mean stop, and wait at least 20 feet behind the bus, because children are getting on or off the bus. Stay stopped until the red lights stop flashing, the extended arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins to move. Even when lights aren’t flashing, watch for students, particularly in the morning or mid-afternoon, around school arrival and dismissal times. Be alert as you back out of a driveway, or drive through a neighborhood, school zone, or bus stop.

Please remember to slow down in school zones when the lights are flashing. The flashing lights are an indicator that students are in the area and may be walking near or crossing the road. We will face a unique challenge in Cushing as the school zone near Cushing High School is also under construction. Cushing High School is an open campus during lunch and there is a

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large number of students who walk to nearby restaurants which requires them to cross the highway. Please be sure to stop and allow students to cross the street using the marked crosswalks.

Second, help ensure that your student is in attendance as often as possible. A growing body of research tells us that student attendance is one of the biggest indicators of academic success. Simply being present at school matters! Chronic absenteeism (missing 10 percent or more of school days for any reason) can have devastating effects on student performance at all levels of education (Attendance Works, 2022).

Although students must be present and engaged to learn, thousands of this country’s youngest students are academically at risk because of extended school absences when they first start their

grade test scores (Allensworth and Easton, 2007). Good attendance makes a difference for students of all ages.

Finally, providing students with balanced, nutritious meals is another key to student success. Students who eat a complete breakfast have been shown to work faster and make fewer mistakes on math problems and to perform better on vocabulary tests than those who ate only a partial breakfast. They also showed improved concentration, alertness, comprehension, memory and learning (Levin, 2011). The child nutrition program at your child’s school provides healthy, balanced meals for both breakfast and lunch. Although the USDA is not continuing free school breakfast and lunch for all students in the 20222023 school year, financial assistance is still available for families. Please be sure to apply for Free and Reduced Meal benefits for your student, even if you are not sure you will qualify. Multiple factors are taken into consideration when applying for Free and Reduced Meal benefits including household size and income. Even if you have previously applied for and received Free and Reduced meal benefits, a new application is required yearly. In addition to providing free or low cost meals for students, Free and Reduced meals are important for district funding. Even if your child doesn’t need meals through the program, Free and Reduced meals are an important way for school districts to receive funding. n

school careers.

Although students must be present and engaged to learn, thousands of this country’s youngest students are academically at risk because of extended school absences when they first start their school careers. Nationally, an estimated one in 10 kindergarten and first-grade students are chronically absent (Chang and Romero, 2008). Attendance for older students is equally as important. High numbers of absences for secondary students correlate to higher risks of dropping out before finishing high school. Attendance rates in sixth grade can be used to predict sixty percent of students who will not graduate from high school (Balfanz, Herzog, and Maclver, 2007).

Ninth grade student attendance has been found to be a better predictor of high school graduation than eighth

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Students who eat a complete breakfast have been shown to work faster and make fewer mistakes on math problems and to perform better on vocabulary tests than those who ate only a partial breakfast.

Have a Great 2022-2023 School Year!

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by PAUL RAGLE

Children Are Delightful! amilies have already begun their “Backto-School” rituals for the 2022-2023 school year. My Daughter Israel begins a new career as a high school English teacher.

Her twin 12-year-old daughters are preparing for seventh grade. Theodore will be headed to kindergarten. New shoes, new school clothes, backpacks, school supplies, and court shoes and knee pads for volleyball. It is a major work to have a family ready for the first day of school.

The church also helps families get ready for the beginning of school. We’ve already scheduled a “blessing of the backpacks” on the Sunday before school opens. We invite all students (including our college students) to bring their backpacks to church for the blessing. We’ll make a large pile of backpacks on the chancel during our children’s moment.

We’ll have a special time of prayer and give each student a packet of school supplies with a backpack ornament to remind them that they are loved and are being prayed for as they return to school.

Picking up on the old “an apple for the teacher” addage from days gone by, we will place a tree in the church worship center. During our prayer time, we’ll invite members of the congregation to hang

paper apple cutouts on the tree with the names of school teachers, administrators and staff written on them. We value their work with our students and ask God to empower them as they educate and care for students. folks will also place backpack cutouts on the tree with the names of students who we lift in prayer.

Children are delightful. Within the chaos of Bible School last week, I shared Bible stories with groups of kids. I told them about the woman in Mark 5:25-34 who touched Jesus’ garment on the streets of Capernaum.

She had been ill for 12 years, had consulted many doctors, but had not found any help to ease her misery. “What was her illness?” asked a little girl going into second grade.

“Oh, she was bleeding,” I answered.

“Where was she bleeding from?” she inquired.

All the adults in the room looked at each other, but I was the person who had to answer. “She was bleeding in a private place,” I responded.

“Oh,” she said.

May the Holy One bless our students as they return to the classroom. May their teachers be given much wisdom and patience.n

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DO OR DYE

COLOR FUN RUN! GEOGRAPHIC CLUB 2022

AUGUST 20, 2022 REGISTER WITH

AN EVENT FOR THE YOUNG AND THE YOUNG AT HEART! WHITE AT THE STARTING LINE! ONLY TWO EASY RULES... 12 -- WEAR FINISH PLASTERED IN COLOR!

PRE-REGISTER NOW ONLINE OR AT QUALITY FORD IN CUSHING PRE-REGISTRATION FEE - $25 Register by August 12 for guaranteed T-shirt Children - 12 Grade Registration - $5 (T-shirt not included) If you pre-register after August 12, 2022, a past run shirt will be substituted if the current run shirt is sold out.

Same day registration will be at the Cushing Amphitheater for $30 There is a competition between all schools Cushing, Drumright, Oak Grove and Ripley) The school with the HIGHEST PERCENTAGE of participation will win $200

R APHIC C OjustGcelebrated E G L its UB E H T th

100 Year!

We are celebrating 100 years of raising money to put back into our community!

Some ways we have contributed...

• Built the Ampitheater in Cushing Memorial Park and the Cushing Skate Park Helped purchase playground equipment for Cushing Lower Elementary • Purchased shade awnings at Cushing Upper Elementary Purchased new furniture for the Cushing High School lobby area • $750 Scholarship to a deserving student Purchased property for Centennial Park • Major contributor for bleacher covers at sports complex CONTRIBUTIONS TO VARIOUS COMMUNITY PROJECTS INCLUDE: Cushing United Fund • Student Back Pack Program • 3rd Grade Safety Swim • Cimarrron Valley Humane Society • Girls State Oklahoma Wondertorium • Project Graduation • Love, Inc. • AFA Scholarship • Cushing Hospital Foundation...and more!

SUE MEDLOCK, PRESIDENT / LAURA BROCK, RUN CHAIRMAN SINCE 2013 O K LA HO M A C OR R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / AU G U S T 2 0 2 2 9

REAL ESTATE

AUCTION 399 +/- ACRES FRIDAY, AUGUST 12 / 10:07 AM

DRINK & REFRESHMENTS SERVED!

PROPERTY ADDRESS: 34285 W. 281st St. South / Bristow, OK 74010 5 miles south of Bristow off Hwy 48 (Dowdy’s Corner) North side of 281st

• NEWLY RESURFACED PAVED ROAD!!!

• Extensive paved road frontage • Offered in multiple tract combinations • Less than 1 hour from downtown Tulsa • 1.25 hours from downtown OKC • Surface rights only • Small barn with electric and water • Multiple ponds • Great for running livestock • Fenced and cross fenced • Excellent hunting and wildlife habitat • 2 bed / 1 bath home w/attached carport • 30 x 40 shop w/concrete floor, concrete covered walkway on one side, animal lean-to on other side

AUCTION WILL BE CONDUCTED AT TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH

Roland Tidwell Youth Center / 420 W. 4th / Bristow / 74010

If you are wanting to create your home close to the city for a quick night out, stay on all paved roads, but have the peace and quiet of the country, this rance will capture your interest with all the features it has to offer. You can enjoy raising your family with your livestock grazing close by, fishing the multiple ponds, and/or setting up food plots to hunt the active wildlife on the property. if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the fast lane, this property would make an excellent get-away or an Air BNB for those traveling through. Here is a great opportunity to purchase a beautiful property with endless opportunities!

• 10% DOWN DAY OF AUCTION - Non Refundable • CLOSING approximately 30 days after auction

LIKE US!

Pecos and Sarah McNiel

P.O. Box 1197 / Bristow, OK 74010 / 918-671-3652 (Pecos) or 405-702-3202 (Sarah)

WATCH OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR UPDATES!

Announcements made at sale supersede any advertisement

For a COMPLETE LIST of items and more pictures, VISIT OUR

PAGE / McNiel Auction Services

www.mcnielauctionservices.com

“Specializing in Farm, Real Estate & Personal Property Auctions”

FOR MORE PICTURES & INFO, VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE McNIEL AUCTION SERVICE or Call Pecos @918-671-3652 to view the property by appointment O K LA HO M A C OR R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / AU G U S T 2 0 2 2 1 0

THINK BIG THIS SCHOOL YEAR

As your growing child gets ready for a new school year, think beyond shopping for a bigger backpack or a bigger pair of shoes. You may also need to upgrade to bigger speeds for your home’s internet connection — to better handle the bigger demands of more online homework (not to mention more streaming when the homework’s done).

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Cornerstone Group © 2022

Central Oklahoma Telephone Co. offers A+ internet plans with speeds up to 500 Mbps, and they all include responsive customer service and support by our local team.

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Back to School Tidings

by EMMA BRYAN

ack to school season is just around the corner and students are getting prepared for their first day back. Gathering school supplies and brushing the dust off their backpacks after a summer full of activities are just a couple of things needed to get ready. High school students are preparing for their next year and all the events that come with it, the new freshman are excited for their first year of high school, and so on with the younger students. And with the new year comes new possibilities and potential friends.

There will be new favorite classes and fun facts to learn during and outside of class. Everyone is looking forward to their new classes and classmates.

Between different classes and sports or clubs, there will be plenty of time to interact with one another. Every student is different and that will show through their personalities. In my personal experience it’s important to find the people you most enjoy being around, those with whom you can be yourself. It’s the best way to figure out who your friends are, even if it sounds a little corny. This also may work with teachers. They’re at school to educate and help you. Find the teachers you like the most, either through clubs or classes you’re in. Those are the ones who will be most likely to help you through school.

Most importantly, students, have fun with school!

You’re there to learn and be social! Sure, you have assignments and homework, but you also have the chance

to befriend at least one other person. Just about everyone could benefit from having at least one or two close friends in their life. Be careful, of course, because not everybody is looking for a friend. But there should and will be someone looking for a friend like you. It’s just a matter of looking in the right places, even if they seem unlikely.

Now that I’ve said something to the students, I don’t want parents or teachers to be left out. So, parents and teachers keep trying your best. Keep trying your best to help your students to feel safe at school and at home.

Parents, listen to your kids even if it’s just about the day they had at school. Teachers, keep an eye out for the students at school. They must look to the teachers for help and guidance while at school. If something is going on, then please listen to them. Make sure the students feel safe and secure while in the building. As someone who has been through school, it’s easy to forget that teachers are on your side most of the time. Be sure that the kids at your school and in your neighborhood know you can be trusted. They need to know that you’re on their side so they can feel safe coming to you with questions and issues. Of course, all that being said, many adults are doing the best they can already and just need to keep up the good work!

All I have left to say is: Best of luck this year students and teachers! I hope everything goes well, and this school year leads to many great adventures! n

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PHOTO by GABRIEL SAWYER

Oklahoma’s International

BlueGrass Festival #25

by JILL HUNT

Guthrie, Okla.- Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper is one of four groups headlining Oklahoma’s International Bluegrass Festival this upcoming October in Guthrie. The festival celebrates its 25th Anniversary this Fall with over 20 bands playing throughout the three-day event. OIBF has been bringing great bluegrass, traditional, western swing, Americana and other music to Guthrie since 1997.

Joining the starting line-up are Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen, The Kruger Brothers and The Grascals. All four groups will take turns closing out the Byron Berline Stage during the evening performances scheduled for October 6, 7 and 8.

“We’ve been able to secure top notch bluegrass musicians again this year. We’re very fortunate to have artists like Michael Cleveland and Frank Solivan, who will not disappoint,” Kenny Parks, OIBF board member, said.

Cleveland began fiddling at age 4 and quickly progressed. He was invited to play with the legendary bluegrass artist Bill Monroe at the ripe old age of 9. He played

the Grand Ole Opry as a guest of Alison Kraus and was picked for the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Bluegrass Youth Allstars before he was 14. He has performed with Vince Gill, Tim O’Brien and The Kruger Brothers to name a few. He has been awarded Fiddle Player of the Year 12 times by IBMA and won a Grammy in 2020.

Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen’s last two albums have both received a Grammy nomination for Best Bluegrass Album. They have been named Instrumental Group of the Year twice by IBMA and have earned other nominations including Male Vocalist of the Year, Mandolin Player of the Year and Banjo Player of the Year.

The Kruger Brothers are returning to OIBF representing the international flavor the festival is based on. Jens and Uwe Kruger were born and raised in Europe. Both were influenced at a young age by their musical family.

CBS Records signed them when Jens was just 17. The duo was joined by Joel Landsberg in 1995 and they’ve been playing together since. They moved to America in

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MICHAEL CLEVELAND and FLAMEKEEPER

FRANK SOLIVAN and DIRTY KITCHEN

2002 and are based in Wilkesboro, NC. The Grascals rounds out the headliners. Their unique sound has earned them three Grammy nominations and two Entertainer of the Year awards from IBMA. They have appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and been featured on the Grand Ole Opry over 200 times. In addition, they performed twice for President George W. Bush and at President Obama’s inaugural ball.

While the headliners are sure to please music lovers, an additional 19 groups with impressive stats of their own will bring Cottonwood Creek Flats to life. This was the dream of the late Byron Berline who was the brainchild of the festival. Berline was a three-time national fiddle champion and the president of OIBF until his death in 2021. A complete listing of artists is available at oibf.com.

“Byron started this festival as a way to expand the bluegrass music genre. He wanted to inspire and help young musicians. We always keep that top-of-mind. It’s inspiring to see young talent budding. Just take a walk through the campground and you’ll hear pickers from all walks of life, all ages, all playing music together,” Parks said.

Festival goers can participate on stage during Jim Paul Blair’s Random Band Jam as well as performing on the Cottonwood Creek Stage in the campground. The Cottonwood Creek Stage gives amateurs the opportunity

to perform before a live audience throughout the festival by signing up for a slot on the open mic stage.

Youth band and instrument contests are held on stage in the Youth Tent on Saturday. Contestants can sign up Saturday morning with cash prizes for the winners. Both band and instrument contestants must be 18 years of age and younger.

Oklahoma’s International Bluegrass Festival provides music scholarships for young musicians. The scholarship program awards nearly $10,000 each year to a number of students who demonstrate budding talent on acoustic stringed instruments. For more information or to apply for a scholarship, go to oibf.com.

As with any outdoor music event, attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs. Camping is available within easy walking distance to the festival stage. The campground has 300 electric and water hook ups for RVs and plenty of room for tent camping. Specific camping locations within the grounds are first come, first serve. The campground opens at noon on Saturday, Oct. 1.

Tickets are available online at oibf.com or may be purchased at the gate. Children 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. OIBF is a non-profit organization and is possible with the assistance of the Oklahoma Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

THE KRUGER BROTHERS

THE GRASCALS O K LA HO M A C OR R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / AU G U S T 2 0 2 2 1 7

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DELILAH’SDILEMMAS “I get the feeling you’re like, uncomfortable with me,” Lizzy said, with an air of concern so convincing Delilah knew instantly that she was up against a master manipulator.

“I get the feeling you’re like, uncomfortable with me,” Lizzy said, with an air of concern so convincing Delilah knew instantly that she was up against a master manipulator.

The two women sat on the sofa in the living room at the Royal Flush Ranch. Eli and Joel were already upstairs preparing for bedtime.

Delilah wondered if she should apologize for acting in a manner that would make Lizzy uncomfortable? After all, if she was perfectly honest, she would have to admit a measure of reserve where Lizzy was concerned. But she didn’t want to acknowledge that. Or should she confront Lizzy’s passive aggressive behavior and shut it down before it went any further? Or a third option, put Eli smack dab in the middle of it.

The Eli option was not necessary. Yet. The Machiavellian/Godfather philosophy came to mind. ’Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer.’

“You know, Lizzy,” Delilah began in her syrupy southern drawl. “If it seems I’m uncomfortable with you, it’s probably because I don’t know you that well.”

“I get that,” Lizzy said cautiously. “Except everyone else seems to accept me, and they don’t know me any better than you do.”

“By everyone, you mean the boys?” Delilah asked with a grin. “Lizzy, you’re young and pretty, which makes you automatically acceptable, if not endearing, to young men.”

Or any man with a protective nature. Delilah thought.

Lizzy and Delilah laughed.

“I’ll make you a deal,” Delilah said, placing a hand on Lizzy’s arm. “I’ll try to be less . . . distant, if you’ll be a little more patient with me warming up to you.”

Lizzy smiled but there was a brief and practically imperceptible flash of refutation in her eyes. Fol-

with

DIANE BROWN

lowed by a slight giggle and nodding.

“It’s a deal,” Lizzy said. “You’re so understanding.”

Eli and Lizzy had spent well over three hours in Stroud, getting to know each other. Delilah had no idea what they had talked about. She had decided not to question Eli about their conversation, but rather to allow Eli to share that information in his own time and in his own way. However, that did not squelch her curiosity. And she hadn’t made that same promise where Lizzy was concerned. So, she could engage Lizzy in conversation, which would reassure her that Delilah was making an effort to be closer, while perhaps collecting information about Eli’s and Lizzy’s conversation.

“Did Eli tell you anything about my cousin, Abigail?” Delilah asked.

Lizzy blinked and shook her head. “No,” she began. “We didn’t really talk about you. I mean, except about your aunt. You know, why . . . how he was connected to the ranch. A little about his past where it pertained to my mom. But mostly he wanted to know about me.

“Why?” Lizzy continued. “What about your cousin? Abigail, you said?”

“Yes,” Delilah said. “It’s nothing, really. She’s a bit of a criminal.”

“A bit of a criminal?” Lizzy said with a chuckle.

“A long story for another day,” Delilah said, rising from the sofa. “But now it’s my bedtime. Do you want to stay up and watch TV?” “No,” Lizzy said. “I’m tired, too.”

Two days passed with Lizzy shadowing Eli as often as she could, and Delilah when it wasn’t convenient for Eli. She was learning the chores around the ranch, but doing few. Eli defended Lizzy’s inaction by claiming she just needed to get the hang of it.

Delilah kept silent to keep the peace.

Truth was, no one knew if Lizzy’s visit was of vacation duration or if she was going to become a per-

O K LA HO M A C OR R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / AU G U S T 2 0 2 2 2 0

manent member of the Royal Flush Ranch extended family. As a temporary guest of the ranch there would be no expectations for her contribution to daily tasks. The same would not be said if she was living there.

It was Saturday, the last day of June. Breakfast had been prepared and eaten. The kitchen had been cleaned. Dooby was in Cushing at Karon’s house. Joel was checking on the horses. Delilah, dressed in blue jeans, a fuchsia pink tank top with matching Converse Chuck Taylors, was going through the pantry making her grocery list.

“I transferred $1000.00 into the household account yesterday,” Eli said as he entered the kitchen with a basket of dirty clothes, and dropped it on the floor in front of the washer.

“Oh, thanks,” Delilah said. “I appreciate that. I’ll probably spend half of that on groceries today.”

“Do you need more?” Eli asked while loading the washer with garments.

“No,” Delilah said on a sigh. “I’ve got all the utilities paid for July. But while we’re on the subject.

We have enough in the ranch account to make it to mid-fall. And then we’re either going to need to sell one or both of the foals, or breed Henry again.”

“Delilah,” Eli began, as he set the dials and added the detergent. “Why do we always have this conversation? You know we’re not strapped for

cash. And Dooby has more money than a forest has trees.”

Delilah rolled her eyes and sighed. “You aren’t strapped for cash, and Dooby has more money than a forest has trees,” Delilah said. “I’ve made it perfectly clear that I can’t rely on either of you for funds to run this ranch. It will either be self-sufficient or non-existent. For me anyway. Where’s Lizzy?”

“Not sure,” Eli said.

He stepped up behind Delilah and put his arms around her waist. He kissed her neck. She giggled and wriggled.

“Be good, now,” Delilah said, doing nothing to stop Eli. “I am good,” Eli said with a low chuckle. “You’ve said so yourself.”

“Eli!” Delilah exclaimed. “What if Lizzy . . .”

“What if Lizzy what?” Lizzy said from the door to the hall. She was wearing a pair of blue jeans, a light pink T-shirt, and pink sandals.

Eli and Delilah jumped and quickly separated.

“There you are,” Delilah said. “I was going to see if you wanted to go to town with me. I have to get groceries.”

Lizzy paused a moment, looking first at Eli, and then at Delilah.

“Yeah, sure. I guess,” Lizzy said.

“I can understand your hesitation,” Delilah said

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with a laugh. “Shopping here pales in comparison to shopping in the big city.”

Thirty minutes later, the two women were on their way to Cushing, in the ranch pickup. Though the sky was cloudy, it did little to suppress the heat, dripping with humidity. They swapped banal stories of each other’s lives. For Lizzy’s part, it was no more than Delilah had discovered three days earlier when she used Eli’s password to access the dossier he’d already assembled.

For Delilah’s part, she kept the information limited to her childhood; specifically, the summers she spent on the ranch. She told Lizzy about Aunt Nettie, and a little about her parents. She reserved her five dead husbands for another time. Primarily because she hated telling the tales. She’d typically wait for someone to ask, and Lizzy hadn’t asked.

For Delilah’s part, she kept the information limited to her childhood; specifically, the summers she spent on the ranch. She told Lizzy about Aunt Nettie, and a little about her parents. She reserved her five dead husbands for another time. Primarily because she hated telling the tales. She’d typically wait for someone to ask, and Lizzy hadn’t asked.

Delilah and Lizzy returned to the ranch, and after unloaded the groceries, and putting them away, Lizzy joined Eli and Joel who were watching a baseball game in the living room.

Delilah grabbed her purse to extract her cell phone, but it wasn’t there. She had been known to let the battery run down, but she had been doing so much better lately at keeping it charged. She had rarely misplaced it. She scurried down the hall and up the stairs to her bedroom. She looked everywhere but could not find it. She checked the bathroom, knowing full well it wasn’t in there. She did a cursory check of the other two bedrooms.

No phone. On the way back down stairs she tried remembering where she last used it.

“Eli?” Delilah said as she stood in the door to the living room. “Would you call my cell phone. I can’t find it.”

“Oh, is this it?” Lizzy said pointing to a phone on the coffee table.

“How’d it get there?” Delilah said under her

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breath, as she stepped around the sofa to retrieve the phone.

“She used to have a problem keeping her phone charged,” Eli told Lizzy jokingly.

“Yes, I did,” Delilah said with a mirthless laugh.

“But I’ve gotten better about that.”

Delilah went to the kitchen and called Karon to see if she and Dooby were coming for dinner.

Dooby had decided to stay in Cushing again that night, but would be back on the ranch the following day.

It was Sunday evening when Dooby and Karon joined the rest for dinner that a peculiar thing happened. The subject of exes came up. First Dooby talked about his ex-wife and mother of his children, never once saying anything derogatory. Then Eli made lite of his disastrous marriage to the South American model.

“You were married five times,” Lizzy said nonchalantly, forking a bite of pasta. “Right, Delilah?”

Delilah froze. “Right,” she replied. “How did you know that?”

“You told me,” Lizzy said. “Yesterday on the way to town. You don’t remember?” n

IS THE ANSWER

NO?

Is Delilah losing her mind?

Is Lizzy

GASLIGHTING? If so, why?

One must continue reading

DELILAH’S DILEMMAS in September....only in the OKLAHOMA Corridor Magazine!

Stillwater Medical welcomes Ashley Tucker, APRN!

• Strains & Sprains • Minor Burns & Cuts • Ear & Eye Infections • Cold & Flu • Fractures • School Physicals • Fever • Adult Immunization • Occupational Medicine • And more!

Walk-ins Welcome!

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Quality care close to home.

• Pediatrics & Adults • Annual Wellness Exams • Well Child Checks • Urgent Illness & Injury • Joint Injections • Women’s Health • Sports & DOT Physicals • Diabetes & Chronic Illness Care • Injuries & Laceration Repair

Julia Nelson, M.D. - FAMILY PRACTICE

Wednesday: 8:00am–5:00pm 580.724.8370 • 414 W. Hwy 64 • Morrison

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Mon, Tues, & Thur: 8:00am–5:00pm Friday: 8:00am–12:00pm 918.762.2522 • 300 Boulder St. • Pawnee

OUR SEPTEMBER ISSUE will feature restaurants here in the OKLAHOMA Corridor!

GREATEATERYS should be shared!

TO ADVERTISE PLEASE CALL TRUDY @ 918-223-1044

If you have a favorite restaurant in this area we call the OKLAHOMA Corridor, how about going to our Facebook page to share that with other readers!

You may know of a great place that others need to find out about!

Or we may already agree that it’s a great place!

We are an ALL NEW magazine, OKLAHOMA Corridor under new ownership and management!

O K LA HO M A C OR R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / AU G U S T 2 0 2 2 2 4

FIND US AT OKCORRIDOR

HELPING PEOPLE Maintain Their Independence GENESIS HOME HEALTH is a local community-based home health care company.

Our agency has offices located in the Cushing and Yale communities under the direction and guidance of Medical Director, Dr. Randy Grellner.

Our highly qualified nurses, therapists and home health aides are experienced and able to tailor a program to meet the needs of each individual patient. Our goal is to help our patients in their wellness journey so they can maintain their independence.

GENESIS HOME HEALTH, LLC 625 W Broadway Yale, OK 74085

CONNECT WITH US: PHONE: 918.387.2233

FAX: 888.851.6045 www.genesishomehealthyale.com EMAIL: genesis@genesishomehealthllc.com

O K LA HO M A C OR R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / AU G U S T 2 0 2 2 2 5

PETS OF THE M NTH HUMANE

from

SOCIETY

of

S T I L LWAT E R

1

3

1

HAZEL

2

is a 1 year old female Belgian Malinois mix and would do best with an active family that will make sure she gets plenty of exercise

2

REX is a 2 year old boxer mix who recently completed heartworm treatment. He would do best in a home with no other animals.

6 4

5

3

KARMA is a 2.5 year old lab/pit mix who loves to play and knows all her basic commands. She needs a big, secure yard and no other female dogs.

6

5

4

TRINITY

SIERRA

MAYA

is a 2.5 year old domestic shorthair cat that loves to play.

She would do best in a home with no other cats.

is a 2 year old Jack Russell terrier mix who would love to live on a farm and run all day! She will need a home with all the exercise and attention she can get!

H U M A N E S O C I E T Y o f S T I L LW AT E R 1710 South Main Street / Stillwater Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm ADOPTION FEE: CATS - $40 / DOGS - $60

Oklahoma

CORRIDOR Magazine

O K LA HO M A C OR R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / AU G U S T 2 0 2 2 2 6

is a 1.5 year old catahoula leopard dog mix, meaning she is full of energy and excitement.

She would do best with a family that will give her play time and cuddles.

PHOTO BY SARAH BARKER HUHN

PHOTO BY GABRIEL SAWYER

More Fun Photos from the 2021 Oklahoma’s International PHOTO BY SARAH BARKER HUHN

PHOTO BY GABRIEL SAWYER

BlueGrass Festival!

PHOTO BY GABRIEL SAWYER

PHOTO BY GABRIEL SAWYER

O K LA HO M A C OR R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / AU G U S T 2 0 2 2 2 7

AFTER A FAST AND FUN SUMMER...

It’s Time to

PLEASE WATCH OUT FOR CHILDREN!

Previously The Corridor Magazine IS UNDER BRAND NEW OWNERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

We want to bring you interesting stories about interesting folks who live in this interesting place we call the OKLAHOMA Corridor!

We’d love to get to know you and hear your story ideas!

We’d also love to get your business advertising message out to all the folks in this area!

We distribute the OKLAHOMA Corridor Magazine to these great towns and hope to expand to others in the future...

CUSHING / CHANDLER / DAVENPORT / STROUD / BRISTOW STILLWATER / PERKINS / MANNFORD / DRUMRIGHT

MEEKER / PRAGUE / LUTHER / YALE / AGRA / OILTON

KELLYVILLE / SPARKS / TRYON / ARCADIA / WELLSTON

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL TRUDY EVANS @ 918-223-1044 O K LA HO M A C OR R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / AU G U S T 2 0 2 2 2 8

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS The Corridor Magazine would like to recognize all the young men that have been putting in countless hours of rigorous training and hard work to prepare for the

FIRST GAME OF THE 2022 YEAR!

In the following pages, you’ll find the schedules for many high school teams along The Corridor.

We would love for you to come out and support these athletes this fall!

The Corridor would also like to wish all the players of the teams in this issue good luck and a safe and competitive season.

And all you fans....don’t forget to head out Friday nights, or the occasional Thursday night, and cheer your team to victory!

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2022 FO HIGH

SCHOOL

CUSHING TIGERS CIRCLE

S

MEATS

823 N. LITTLE AVE. / CUSHING / (918) 223-9507

Sept 2 Sept 9 Sept 16 Sept 23 Sept 30

Bristow @Perkins Berryhill @Miami @Catoosa

Oct 7 Oct 13 Oct 21 Oct 28 Nov 4

Wagoner McClain @Cleveland Oolagah @Skiatook

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DEPEW HORNETS Aug 26 Sept 2 Sept 16 Sept 23 Sept 30

@Maud Drumright Dewar @Yale @Midway

Oct 7 Oct 13 Oct 21 Oct 28 Nov 4

@Wetumka Weleetka qStrother @Summit Christian Davenport

PERKINS-TRYON DEMONS 918-225-5101

1501 East Main / Cushing

Sept 2 Sept 9 Sept 16 Sept 23 Sept 30

Tecumseh Cushing @Marlow Kingfisher @Metro Christian

Oct 7 Oct 13 Oct 21 Oct 28 Nov 4

@Anadarko Mount St. Mary @North Rock Creek @McLoud Mannford

KELLYVILLE PONIES Cosmetic Dentistry F Comprehensive Dentistry Crowns & Bridges F Implant Restorations F Teeth Whitening

Rebecca Davis, DDS

918-225-1356 F 1330 East 9th Street FCushing

Aug 26 Sept 2 Sept 9 Sept 16 Sept 23 Sept 30

Hominy @Morris Bye @Mounds Chandler Bethel

Oct 7 Oct 13 Oct 21 Oct 28 Nov 4

O K LA HO M A C O R R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / AU G U S T 2 0 2 2 3 0

@Meeker Luther @Star Spencer Jones @Crossings Christian

OOTBALL ON THE OKLAHOMA CORRIDOR

YALE BULLDOGS Sept 2 Sept 9 Sept 16 Sept 23 Sept 30

Coyle OBA @Davenport Depew @Garber

Oct 7 Oct 13 Oct 21 Oct 28 Nov 4

Olive @Drumright @Regent Prep Pioneer @Barnsdall

DRUMRIGHT

A F F O R D A B L E

GRAPHIC DESIGN

TORNADOES Aug 26 Sept 2 Sept 8 Sept 15 Sept 23

Strother @Depew Wetumka @Garber Keota

Oct 7 Oct 13 Oct 21 Oct 28 Nov 4

@Regent Prep Yale @Pioneer Barnsdall Olive

posters / business cards / newsletters & brochures ad design / magazines / logo design cherylpay@gmail.com / 405.743.9573

DAVENPORT BULLDOGS Aut 26 Sept 9 Sept 16 Sept 23 Sept 30

@OBA @Regent Prep Yale @SW Covenant Alex

Oct 7 Oct 13 Oct 21 Oct 28 Nov 4

Strother @Summit @Weleetka Wetumka @Depew

223 Broadway / Davenport, OK

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BRISTOW PIRATES Sept 2 Sept 9 Sept 16 Sept 23 Sept 30

@Cushing Chandler @Mannford Inola @Dewey

Oct 7 Oct 13 Oct 21 Oct 28 Nov 4

@Verdigris Jay @Cascia Hall @Holland Hall Tulsa Central

OFFICE: 918-377-4362 DAVENPORT, OK www.orr-construction.com

O K LA HO M A C OR R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / AU G U S T 2 0 2 2 3 1

2022 FO HIGH

SCHOOL

chandler Lions 223 Broadway Ave. / Chandler, OK

918-377-2241

The Salon 918.306.1240

Cynthia Thompson

Sept 2 Sept 9 Sept 16 Sept 23 Sept 30

Stroud @Bristow Poteau @Kellyville Meeker

Oct 7 Oct 13 Oct 21 Oct 28 Nov 5

@Bethel Crossings Christian @Jones Star Spencer @Luther

Oct 7 Oct 13 Oct 21 Oct 28 Nov 4

@Hartshorne @Konowa Mounds Wewoka @Savanna

STROUD TIGERS Sept 2 Sept 9 Sept 16 Sept 23 Sept 30

@Chandler Colcord Okemah @Liberty Allen

PRAGUE

Dena Floyd 201 E MAIN ST STE A, CUSHING, OK 74023 Tel 918.225.0726 Fax 918.225.0732 DFLOYD@FARMERSAGENT.COM

RED DEVILS Aug 26 Sept 2 Sept 9 Sept 23 Sept 30

@Luther Meeker NRC Henryetta @Keys

Oct 7 Oct 13 Oct 21 Oct 28 Nov 44

@Roland Talequah Sequoyah @Warner @Vian Okemah

HAVE A O K LA HO M A CO R R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / AU G U S T 2 0 2 2 3 2

OOTBALL ON THE OKLAHOMA CORRIDOR

MANNFORD TAG AGENCY

MANNFORD

Service With a Smile

PIRATES Aug 26 Sept 2 Sept 9 Sept 23 Oct 7

Perry @Cleveland Bristow Anadarko @Kingfisher

Oct 13 Oct 21 Oct 27 Nov 4

@McLoud @Metro Christian Mount St. Mary @Perkins-Tryon

STILLWATER Greenwood Yukon Norman US Grant @Tulsa BT Washington

Oct 7 Oct 13 Oct 21 Oct 28 Nov 4

@Sand Springs Bartlesville @Putnam City West @Talequah @Muskogee

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Oklahoma

LIONS Prague @Perry @OCS Crossings Christian Star Spencer

PHONE: 918-865-4418 FAX: 918-865-6418

GRAPHIC DESIGN

LUTHER Aug 26 Sept 2 Sept 9 Sept 23 Sept 30

251 W. TROWER / MANNFORD Hours: Mon - Fri 9:00 - 5:30 / Sat 9:00 - Noon

A F F O R D A B L E

PIONEERS Aug 26 Sept 9 Sept 16 Sept 23 Sept 30

Titling • Registrations • Renewals Driver’s Licenses • Driver’s Manuals Notary • FAX • Copy

Oct 7 Oct 13 Oct 21 Oct 28 Nov 4

@Jones @Kellyville Meeker @Bethel Chandler

CORRIDOR M A G A Z I N E

GREAT SEASON! O K LA HO M A C OR R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / AU G U S T 2 0 2 2 3 3

O K LA HO M A C OR R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / AU G U S T 2 0 2 2 3 4

Back To School

Cook chicken on Sunday evening in the crockpot and portion it out for recipes later in the week! BOOM! EASIER WEEKDAY MEALS!

O K LA HO M A C OR R I D O R M AG A Z I N E / AU G U S T 2 0 2 2 3 5

405-258-0055 800-339-0851

Just Off I-44 / Exit 166

CHANDLER, OK

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