Ponca City Monthly August 2023

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Letter from the Editor

Let’s talk for a minute about things that are not part of our jobs. Yes, we all have jobs (or most of us do) and there are things we have to do as part of those jobs. Our jobs take up a large majority of our time, and yes, it’s always great to have a job we enjoy, but that’s not what I want to talk about. I want to talk about the things that we don’t have to do, but that we choose to do in our free time. The things that we look forward to doing all week, and then when the weekend finally arrives, we wake up Saturday morning so excited to *finally* have some time away from work to do those things.

If you don’t know yet, I am fascinated by people. I know I’ve said that before in my editor’s notes, but I still find myself so intrigued by people and their behaviors. Everywhere I go I meet interesting people with such different hobbies. You have the people who dedicate time to church or their favorite nonprofits, or who love hiking. You have the fitness gurus or people who fly across the globe to take their kids to competitive cheer competitions. You have the garden club enthusiasts and the weekend football tailgaters. You have the hard-core motorcycle enthusiasts and the lovers of all things lake life and cabins. As for me, just last weekend I spent an entire day on a sandy hill near the Salt Fork River hunting for wild sand

plums so I could make a few batches of homemade sand plum jelly, just like I used to make it with my grandma. Everyone has such vastly different hobbies, yet we all still wake up Monday mornings, we make our coffee, we take our kids to school, and we come together to do our jobs and make sure the world keeps spinning.

I think in the age of COVID, many of our hobbies were ripped away from us. In person activities were shuttered and our normal and innate human behavior to gather together was very abruptly interrupted. Many longtime clubs and activities still haven’t recovered. I was told that the Ponca City High School’s Chorale Group, which used to serenade people all throughout the year was one such casualty of COVID. Chorale, a storied and successful club of the high school, was decimated by COVID and has yet to recover.

But I have hope. I’ve seen so much more activity this year than I did last year. More traveling, more huge events. Many events that were cancelled for two and three years have resumed and are growing bigger and better than ever. Movie theaters and concerts seem to be thriving. Humankind is getting back to what it loves to do most - be together, and enjoy life.

editor@poncacitymonthly.com

On the cover: L to R (clockwise from top)- Camila Bohon, Alyssa Komesataddle, Khyla Komesataddle, Alex Zimmerschied, Kathleen Headman Taylor, Mash-ta Littlecook, Lilyan Godfrey, Ethan Pappan. Read more about Title VI on page 38

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: SHEFFIELD TRAVEL AGENCY

There’s No Place Like Home

by Marlys Cervantes / Contributing Writer

Loving the adventure of travel and exploring new cultures both in our nation and across the world, I wore my favorite Tolkien quote (above) about travel when visiting the home of my favorite travel experts, Todd and Julie Sheffield. However, in our talk, I found much more about home, too, that stood out.

Home for both individuals has always been Ponca City, as they were both born here and graduated from Ponca City Senior High School (although in different years). In a time when many dream of leaving the place they grew up, these two instead stayed in a number of customer service positions most of their lives.

Todd remembers growing up here and spending time at the lake and hunting with family friends. Time was carefree and included riding bikes all over the neighborhood, including clear out to the lake or to the Country Store for snacks. Mainly, there was time outdoors from sunup to sundown. He says, “The best thing about growing up in Ponca City is that you knew your neighbors — next door or not, and someone was always watching

you whether you wanted it or not. You were going to be parented by somebody.”

Julie agrees that Ponca City allowed you to know your community. She says, “I still know the people here I knew then.” Julie was active at Camp McFadden teaching the younger girls there to ride horses. She also loved to roller skate, and in high school she worked for Ruslyn Hermanson at Lady Charles boutique. Both Julie and Todd remember dragging Grand as part of their youth and both were lifeguards at local swimming pools. When asked about their draw to working in customer service positions, both mentioned “helping others” as their prime motivation. Julie reminded me she had worked as a social worker prior to having Sun-n-Fun with her sister, which

“Not all those who wander are lost.”

- J.R.R. Tolkien

certainly is a career involved fully in helping others. Todd, too, worked with family when he and his family owned Sears stores for several years. So, working with and helping clients had been in their history quite some time already prior to the opening of their agency in January 2017.

Both credit another local businesswoman for the inspiration to open a travel agency. Apparently after they returned from a wonderful trip to Saint Lucia, one that both indicate is still a favorite trip they would recommend to the rest of us, Deena Marazas, owner of Perfect Touch Therapeutic Massage, suggested they should help others with trip planning. It was an idea that took hold.

They both enjoyed travel and remembered times from their childhood fondly involving travel. Todd remembered trips to the beach with his family, especially enjoying his first one to a beach house in Galveston. He expresses, “You see things in person

you’d only read about.” Julie was much the same remembering trips with her mother to travel to California to visit an aunt, and how they would drive up and down the coast of California visiting so many wonderful locations like Carlsbad and San Diego.

So, as they began to consider working from home, this seemed to move to the top of the list of options. First, they had both worked with family in the past, so that wasn’t new for either of them. Then, there were other reasons that made working from home appealing. Julie’s mom needed more care and having her live with them was something that would be easier if they were there more often. Also, they had merged families into their large, beautiful one, and this would allow them more time they might want with their children. Only one of their children, Jackson, is now still in high school. The others are grown and working, going to school or building their own families. They also enjoy travel, often as a family, and Jackson indicated his favorite so far was the Dominican Republic because it was with family members he doesn’t get to see often (oh, and he loved the crepes and fruit every morning).

Todd and Julie have never regretted their decision to begin Sheffield Travel, even though COVID-19 greatly affected their business just as it did so many. They thoroughly enjoy helping people find their perfect trip and can do just that for you. As a team, they’ve settled into their jobs reflecting their best skills and their interests. Julie loves to work with cruises and all-inclusive trips, and Todd works with the research end of the agency, dealing with European and Hawaiian trips and others requiring more searching, with hopes to offer more tours later.

When asked what misconceptions people probably have about working with an

“The best thing about growing up in Ponca City is that you knew your neighbors — next door or not, and someone was always watching you whether you wanted it or not. You were going to be parented by somebody.” ~ Todd Sheffield

agency, both felt it was cost. They do not add anything to the cost for their clients, so there’s no downside to using them. However, the benefits seem endless: they can take the stress off you for planning, counsel you about how to stretch your money to go the furthest, alleviate fears and help with your travel itinerary Dos and Don’ts to certain locations for a safety-first approach to good customer service.

The Sheffields both hope to go on an African safari at some point as their dream trip for the future. Maybe they’ll make that a tour some of the rest of us can join them on. The main thing to remember is travel can be to beaches or mountains, to other countries or within this one. You can travel by plane, train, car or riverboat. The fun is endless.

However, they always enjoy knowing they have Ponca City as home when they come back. They mentioned enjoying the various Caribbean islands and learning their history and seeing the cultures of the people there.

Vera Nazarian, author of The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration, says, “Whenever you go on a trip to visit foreign lands or distant places, remember that they are all someone’s home and backyard.” Todd and

Julie have made their own backyard one that is reminiscent of the places they love to visit, so they can enjoy time at home even more.

We should all travel more to learn about others and to discover ourselves more fully. In the words of television producer for Discovery and Syfy channels, Josh Gates, “Travel does not exist without home … If we never return to the place we started, we would just be wandering, lost. Home is a reflecting surface, a place to measure our growth and enrich us after being infused with the outside world.” Travel, be inspired to grow and then come back to a beautiful sanctuary you, like Todd and Julie, make here at home.

Many people rely on medical infusions and injections to fight many illnesses; and until recently, area patients relied on a local infusion facility for the procedures. That facility unfortunately closed, forcing those patients to drive far and wide for the treatments. They can once again have them done locally as Shannon Somers and Stephanie Austin have brought the procedure downtown with the new Oklahoma Infusion Clinic.

Somers and Austin both have differing career paths, but that is what makes the facility unique, as they both have a role to play in the business.

Somers is an MSN, FNP-BC (Nurse Practicitoner) and owner of Aesthetic State of Mind on South Fourth Street, and will be behind the medical side of the business.

“We do medical aesthetics, which is Botox, fillers, facials, permanent makeup,” she said of some of her procedures. “Fillers are a gel that is used to add volume to the lips or face.”

Austin owns her own business consulting firm called Philo Solutions, and offices out of City Central.

“I help businesses create best practices and how to manage and grow their businesses,” Austin said. “I have a few businesses that are very new, within less than a year of opening, but most of my clients have been in business at least two to three years.”

With their own respective backgrounds and needs, they knew they would make a great partnership for Oklahoma Infusion Clinic.

Infused Into the Community Many

The clinic uses injections and infusions for the patients when they need specific medications. How they work though is different. While both procedures are offered at hospitals like AllianceHealth Ponca City, these outpatient clinics offer alternatives to the patients, something the hospital itself may not offer.

Story and photos by Everett Brazil, III / Staff Writer

Injections use syringes for the procedure, much like a vaccine.

“Injections are like a shot, but sometimes they have to be pushed slowly, or monitored by nurses for 15 minutes to make sure there is not a reaction,” Somers said.

Infusions are similar to an IV (intravenous) in a hospital room.

“Infusions are done intravenously through the vein. It slowly runs from a bag on a pole,” Somers said. “A lot of times the hospital won’t offer these services if the patient does not need to stay overnight at the hospital.”

The injections and infusions in an outpatient clinic are important so they may not have to go to a hospital.

Another reason the partnership works so well is that Austin herself uses it for her own health issues, and knows personally the importance of having such a facility in the community.

“I have an autoimmune disease that requires special medication and injections, and with the hospital closing the outpatient clinic, there was no place to go in surrounding communities to receive the medical treatment,” Austin said.

Oklahoma Infusion Clinic works closely with the patient and their physician.

“It works with the primary care provider or specific physician, and they get an order for an outpatient infusion or injection,” Somers said. “The physician will send us the referral and we will contact the insurance, and contact the pharmacy to get the medication.”

Insurance providers they accept include Medicare and Medicaid, Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Health Choice, United Health Care and Aetna.

They will also contact the patient to set appointments for the clinic. Once they arrive at the clinic, it will be like other facilities.

“We will check them in, and we will review their medical history and start the process, start the infusion,” Somers said.

For an injection, it is very similar to a shot, where the patient is quickly treated.

“Injections will be for conditions like osteoporosis. It helps increase bone density,” Somers said.

Infusions are much more intensive, and involve treatments given through the bloodstream. Like an IV in a hospital room, medication will be in a bag and go into the bloodstream. Unlike a hospital room, however, the patient will be surrounded by comforting furniture, including a chair and pillows.

“When a patient first comes to the clinic, they are first going to meet our clinic coordinator, and get checked in. Then, they’ll be taken to the infusion (area), which is a reclining chair,” Austin said. “From there, the nurse will do the initial assessment of vital signs. The patient will rest in the infusion area with as much comfort as possible – the reclining chair, pillow, blankets.”

Rest and ease will be of utmost importance for the patient.

“Our goal is to make it as comfortable as possible,” Austin said.

Infusions help patients who have trouble with the medication in other forms of administration.

“It depends on who is getting an infusion. It could be for people who lack the ability to absorb iron. We’re putting it through the bloodstream because some people don’t have the ability to absorb it through the gastrointestinal tract, like the stomach,” Somers said. “We can treat a variety of infections. We can (also) treat for autoimmune disorders, neurological disorders.”

“Offering this service helps those who need them, such as autoimmune patients and those who are chronically low on iron or other various health concerns, and increases their access

to come,” Somers said.

How long the process takes and how many times they need a treatment depends on each individual situation.

“The frequency will vary depending on what the physician orders for them, so someone who is getting an iron infusion, it will be predetermined by the primary care provider or specialist,” Somers said.

There are other health concerns they can address, such as the flushing of ports, which are implants that allow medications to be applied directly into the body through other means.

“Some people have ports inserted for chemotherapy and sometimes other disorders they might have, and they have implantable devices they need to access, and need flushed,” Somers said

Injections typically take about 15-20 minutes, as the patient must be monitored by a nurse to check for reactions, but infusions can take up to two-three hours.

There are several procedures they will not do, however.

“We won’t do dialysis or chemotherapy. We also won’t do any plasma infusion,” she said. “If someone needs a blood transfusion or plasma, they’ll have to go elsewhere.”

All procedures must be performed at the clinic; any home-based treatments must be done through a home healthcare provider, she said, adding that all procedures are safe.

“There has to be a healthcare professional at the bedside when the infusion is happening,” Somers said.

Bringing this much-needed service back home to Ponca City is important, and for those who use it, they are grateful it is once again here.

“I am tremendously excited it is coming here. I know firsthand how difficult it can be to travel, especially when you don’t feel good. Not everybody has that luxury to take a day off a month for treatment,” Austin said. “I am glad we can help a lot of great people in our community.”

Oklahoma Infusion Clinic LLC is located at 322 W. Grand, Ponca City. For more information, call them at 580-491-9155.

2023 PARTY AT THE PALACE

Tickets are $50 per person and include 2 drink tickets, heavy hors d’ oeuvres, Danny’s BBQ Head Quarters buffet and music provided by Team Radio. Tickets available at the Chamber Office, 420 E. Grand, Monday - Friday, 8-5. For more information, phone the Chamber at 765-4400.

•Bid on100 Amazing Silent Auction Items

In addition, make plans to participate in the Party at the Palace Live Auction Trifecta!

•Bedlam Battle – Auction Battle to win OU & OSU Package

•Several Incredible Gold Live Auction Items

•2 Over-the-Top Platinum Live Auction Items

Optional purchase:

100 “Golden Tickets” are for sale at $100 each. The lucky Golden Ticket winner (ticket # is drawn) will select their choice of any GOLD auction item before the live auction starts!

(The winner’s choice of live auction items will not include our Bedlam Battle or Platinum Auction Items.)

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PONCA CITY

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

ArtSpace

Out Of This World Art of Debra Womack

Interview and Photos by Bradley Hayes/Contributing Writer

B: Thanks for doing this! Do you remember what first sparked you to make original art?

D: When I was four or five, I spent hours creating in sand and dirt with pebbles, seeds and such. My mom gave me a sifter and I could make the softest dirt, and I loved the way it felt. I’ve always loved paper, pencils and crayons with anything blank I could draw on.

B: What do you think of the art happening around Ponca City? The interest in the last few years has been pretty wild.

D: I think the art happening around Ponca City is great. I’m loving seeing the different murals going up; especially in the darker, unexpected areas. Specifically, a favorite area is a block

north of Grand Ave. on Cleveland Street between First and Oak. I hope it continues, and I would very much like to be a part of it one of these days. Love the idea of “the arts,” such as music, visual, performance, etc., being a BIG PART in our community. Involving all ages sharing ideas, thoughts, learning new ways of expression and from a new voice. It could get the lonely out of their homes, along with the bored or folks just feeling forgotten or trapped. Also getting potential criminals or

vandals interested in something positive, something maybe only they can share, a talent perhaps unnurtured that can be inspired and encouraged.

B: Who are your influences or simply artists you admire?

D: Hmmm, who inspired me? First, I would have to say God’s creation. I have always been amazed by color, the intricacies in things around us, textures, etc. I’m very visual and emotional, and generally have a million things going on in my head at once. Art and music (I never pursued music, but very much wanted to as a child) has been a way to focus and explore for me all my life. My mother was an artist (unknown) who could draw, paint, and did some sculpting with clay she dug from the ground. She loved rich earth tones and vivid, bold colors. My dad was mostly blind and could not see many things (colors and details), so I was very often his eyes when it came to descriptions. I was blessed to have had a mom and lots of aunts that taught me sewing, knitting, crochet and embroidery. My grandma could make a dress by simply

seeing a photo of it! The same aunts, and some of my uncles and cousins, could also sing and play instruments. When we were all together sharing those things, were some of the best days and evenings ever. When I was in third grade, my Art teacher, Mrs. Murphy (I wish I could remember her first name), inspired me a lot. At West Junior High, Judy Harlocher, was a big inspiration and my introduction to historical artists, etc. Hard to say who I liked the most — it’s like choosing a favorite color or flavor, I can’t do it.

B: Do you have any words of wisdom to other artists or folks you would like to thank?

D: I would like to thank Bradley Hayes for his encouragement to do this interview. Jennifer Green for the opportunity to hang my art in her wonderful coffee shop, The Perk (I was beside myself!) Zach and Jessica Kirby, who saw said art, and chose me to paint a fox for them (I am so excited!) And to all my friends and family for always having words of encouragement regarding my creative adventures.

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Members of the TRIAD Family.

ATTUCKS COMMUNITY CENTER Leadership Ponca City Raising Funds for Attucks

Story by Chelsea McConnell / Staff Writer

Attucks Community Center is a historic building located on the Attucks “campus” in Ponca City. The campus is and has been home to many things over the years. It was the site of the “Attucks Separate School” from 1926-66, when the school closed due to desegregation. It’s been the site of countless community celebrations for the African American population in our community, including the long-running Juneteenth celebration that takes place each year mid-June. Today, it’s the home of the Attucks Community Alliance nonprofit and a beautiful park and splash pad. It continues to be a gathering place for Ponca City citizens.

Leadership Ponca City (LPC) is a program held annually by the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce. The objective of Leadership Ponca City is to “develop a pool of committed, well-informed leaders who will actively participate in the growth of the community by accepting leadership roles in civic, charitable or governmental organizations.” Each year, a new group of LPC classmates enter the program to learn about our great community. Class days educate members about local history, nonprofits, art and culture, government and many more topics about Ponca City. The class year culminates in a class project meant to do something good for Ponca

City. The project is chosen and organized by the class, with guidance from the Leadership Chairs.

So, how do these two seemingly unrelated groups intersect? Each LPC class has a session on Ponca City History. During this year’s history day, the 36th Leadership Ponca City class was able to hear about the history of Attucks Community Center from Attucks Alumnus Norris Frederick. In the same way that a smell or a song can bring back memories of a person or time in our lives, important places can act as memory conductors as well. Attucks is such a place for Frederick as he shared during his time with the Leadership Class. It was also during their time with Frederick and his wife Sue that the class learned of the many struggles facing Attucks, including building rehabilitation projects involving the HVAC systems, the roof and the kitchen. While many class projects were proposed and considered, this year’s class chose to host a clean-up day at Attucks Community Center, as well as a fundraiser benefiting the Center. The class also installed a new bench and picnic table at the Center.

Class member Jason Grace explains the fundraiser, which is a basic concept that’s well-known for making money in rural areas like ours. “So, the fundraiser is a $20 chance at a firearm and a Cookshack Smoker.” The winner will get first pick between the items and the second ticket holder drawn will get the remaining item. The class set a goal of members selling 20 tickets each to raise

$12,000 for Attucks Community Center. The “Attucks Separate School” was built in 1926, with additions being built in 1928, 1936 and 1937. The campus has been a part of so many lives over the last (almost) 100 years. The school was closed in 1966. Frederick can still remember being sat down in the gym and being told the school would close at the end of the semester. More of his memories on the property are happy rather than sad though. “This was the safe house. We had carnivals and we had fairs. [Today] it’s just a fragment of what it used to be. But it’s still so true and dear to so many people.” The site is also the host location of our local Juneteenth Celebration. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, and is the celebration of the end of slavery in the United States, coming more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

In 1998, Attucks Community Alliance received their 501(c)3 nonprofit status. This allows the organization to apply for grants and other donations to help with the ongoing maintenance and rehabilitation of the Attucks property. Their Board is made up of 13 people who volunteer their personal time, talent and treasure to make sure the Attucks

Community Center stays in good enough shape to remain a beacon in our community. This sentiment is what he was able to convey to LPC Class 36, just how much this place means to Ponca Citians. That is precisely why the class decided the property and the Alliance would be a worthy recipient of funds raised.

Frederick is grateful for assistance the nonprofit receives from partners in our community. He’s especially grateful for the City of Ponca City and businesses like Phillips 66. “Phillips has been good to us. The City of Ponca City has been great to us.” The city has partnered with the Attucks Community Center on events like Juneteenth, helping with things like trash barrels and picnic tables. The splash pad and the playground equipment upgrade were both completed in 2018. That project was funded by a Community Development Block Grant, a Phillips 66 Grant and the City of Ponca City.

Frederick mentions new improvements coming to the campus this year, with

the old tennis courts being turned into proper basketball courts. Development Services Administrative Assistant Kacey Flanery expands on the details of these improvements, “We just finished installing Poured-in-Place playground surfacing this spring. Future updates include installing a CXT Precast Concrete Restroom, basketball court upgrades, which include demolishing and replacing concrete, installing six new basketball goal systems and court paint, and extending the concrete sidewalk from the playground and splash area to the new restroom facility. We are planning to have that project packaged and out for bid in July with the Notice of Award in August. That project will be partially funded by Community Development Block Grant Funds.”

Thanks to the work of Ponca City’s Historic Preservation Advisory Panel and its volunteers, the Attucks Community Center was added to the National Register of Historic

Places in 2018. The National Register is our nation’s official list of places deemed worthy of preserving by the National Park Service. This designation is significant because it tells our community and the world at large that Attucks Community Center is a place worth saving.

As a proud Board Member and volunteer for the Attucks Community Alliance, Frederick is not shy about his love of this place. It must have shown through to the Chamber’s most recent Leadership Class to have won the hearts of class members and become the focus of this year’s class project.

The Attucks campus is located at 1001 S. 12th St. in Ponca City. For more information on the Attucks Alliance Board, email Attuckscommunitycenter@gmail.com. For information on the Ponca City Chamber’s Leadership program, visit Poncacitychamber.com/leadership-ponca-city or call (580) 765-4400.

“This building is still a focal point. It still means so much to so many people,” Frederick said.

SECRETS OF THE MARLAND MANSION

To anyone who has lived in Ponca City for a significant amount of time, the Marland Mansion is a familiar sight. The stately “Palace on the Prairie” has proudly looked over the town of Ponca City for almost 100 years. Today, the mansion holds tours and other events that allow the public to get a view inside the magnificent and beautiful home. If you’ve attended one of these tours or an event hosted at the mansion, you might think that you know everything there is to know about it. However, the mansion was constructed in a period of history full of secrets and subterfuge, the evidence of which is still displayed in the mansion today if you know where to look.

Construction on the Marland Mansion began in 1925 and would finally be completed by 1928. The building had been ordered to be built by eventual Oklahoma governor E.W. Marland and was designed by John Duncan Forsyth. When most people think about the 1920s, there’s a tendency to think of flappers, jazz, and decadence. When considering all this remembered glitz and glamor, it can be easy to forget that the so-called Roaring 20s also took place in a time of temperance. The building of the mansion took place during the Prohibition era, a time in American history where the manufacture, transport, and sale of alcohol was made illegal by the 18th Amendment. However, as it would soon be understood by everyone, banning alcohol did very little to stop people from drinking and instead, Americans,

especially those with money to spare, became more crafty and secretive to evade these laws.

The Marlands were no exception. Off one of the main kitchens, there stands a door disguised as a pantry. It leads into a small room that has neither any ventilation nor any windows. This room was reserved for playing poker, another activity that was banned in the state of Oklahoma. On the wall of this hidden room is a door disguised as a safe. Once this door is opened, it reveals a small staircase leading to a tiny windowless cellar where alcohol was once kept.

These kinds of secret rooms were hardly unusual, especially for the rich who could afford to have them built and who could also pay the price for illegally smuggled booze. Even in E.W. Marland’s

Story and photos by Lexie Cuttler / Staff Intern

room, he hid a liquor cabinet near his personal safe and behind his closet door. For the rich, illegal liquor was always hidden within reach.

This prevalence of smuggled liquor leads into another type of secret room the Marlands kept hidden in their large mansion. Alongside Prohibition, there was an explosion of gang related activity as organized criminal organizations began to earn huge profits from the trade of illegal alcohol, especially in larger cities. This is the time of Al Capone in Chicago and events such as the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Alongside this type of more organized crime, bandits and outlaws were also becoming more prevalent. The time of the outlaw would peak slightly after that of the mobster, reaching its height in the 1930s when people turned to crime in order to earn money during the Depression. Especially when it came to the outlaws, many had the reputation of stealing from the rich to give to the poor, though whether any money was actually given to the poor is debatable. Whatever the truth may have been, these rumors made those with money wary. On all sides, the rich were wary of becoming victims of crime, especially those who took part in things such as the illegal alcohol trade.

In the room dubbed the “Winter Room” to the right side of the hearth, is a hidden concrete

room meant to be used as a safe room in case of a home invasion. If the home were to ever become unsafe, the Marlands ensured they had a place to hide from anyone who meant to do them harm, a fairly reasonable precaution in their turbulent times with a house as extravagant as the Marland Mansion.

Finally, while this isn’t necessarily a secret, I found it to be a fascinating detail and wanted to include it in this article. In Lydie Marland’s bedroom, there are no right angles to be found. It was hypothesized that ghosts could become stuck in the corners of rooms, so the curved walls allowed the ghosts to move freely and, in theory, flee out the chimney and away from the room. Along with the lack of right corners, owls were carved into the paneling of

the wall to watch over and protect Lydie at night. Along with physical threats from the likes of the law itself and criminals who operated outside of it, this aspect of the Marland Mansion indicates that it wasn’t only physical harm the Marlands attempted to protect themselves from, but spiritual harm as well.

Today, the Marland Mansion is the site of tours, wedding receptions, and many other kinds of modern events. It’s easy to drive by it every so often and become used to its existence and forget about its past. However, the very architecture and features included in the layout of the mansion represent the era of United States history in which it was created and displays very succinctly the fears and desires that its owners held during its construction. While the past remains unreachable to us in the present, there will always be features that remain that remind us of the humanity and personalities of those who came before hidden in the corners of the places we call home, even long after they’re gone.

Top of Oklahoma Museum

Blackwell, situated on the “Top of Oklahoma,” is one of the closest towns to the Kansas state line in Kay County. The Top of Oklahoma Museum represents not just Blackwell but also the little towns that once dotted Kay County, preserving their memories. Thanks to several grants, the museum is now better poised than ever to continue representing this history for many years to come, all within its historic facility.

On a warm spring afternoon, visitors are seen exploring the museum, immersing themselves in the displays that bring Blackwell and Kay County’s history to life. Among them are out-of-town travelers, taking a break from their journey to

experience the history they’ve never encountered before.

“About 70 percent of our visitors are not from Blackwell,” said Diane Braydon, a Board of Directors member, serving seven years as Board President.

The museum, a white-fronted building on South Main Street, U.S. Highway 177, topped with a dome, is engrossing, grouping its history in themed exhibits. These exhibits cover a range of topics, from Native Americans and military service to schools, home parlors with original organs and pianos, pioneer doctors, railroads, oil fields, and even a dedication to the 1955

The museum’s significance lies not only in celebrating Blackwell’s history but also in understanding the history of the building itself. Originally, in the 1970s, it started as a culture and arts center in Kay County, a town born in the 1893 Land Run.

tornado that affected both Blackwell and southern Kansas.

Story and photos by Everett Brazil, III / Staff Writer

Construction began in 1911, and it opened to the public in 1913, known then as the Electric Park Pavilion, with its dome adorned with electric lights, a remarkable sight in those days when gas lights were still in use.

Over time, the facility faced disrepair, and there were discussions about tearing it down, but community efforts saved it. A leaking roof was one of the major issues that plagued the facility for years until the city of

Blackwell stepped in and spent around half a million dollars to restore the building’s exterior, including the roof.

In the early 1970s, the transformation into the Top of Oklahoma Museum began. However, the process wasn’t without challenges, given the influx of historical items from Blackwell and Kay County’s past.

The museum received three grants, each worth $20,000, which enabled them to renovate the facility, redo the exhibitions, and update the flooring and lighting.

A recent grant from the Oklahoma Historical Society will be used to create a new exhibit room, unveiling the original auditorium, an essential part of the historic facility. Currently, they are in the process of inventorying the items and preparing historical displays for this new space.

“We have tens of thousands of items. Every item is photographed and described and

“There was no inventory, ever, of the items in the museum,” Braydon said. “We didn’t know what we had, or where it was, so we applied for a grant from the Oklahoma Historical Society.”

Our exceptional staff remains unchanged, providing the topnotch service you expect. With Skyway Auto Group’s rapid expansion and extensive resources, we offer the largest selection of new and pre-owned vehicles in town. The amount of preowned inventory they’ve delivered already is incredible!

They bring not only the largest buying power of pre-owned vehicles in north central Oklahoma and southern Kansas, but also a commitment to supporting Ponca City, just as they proudly do in all the other communities where their dealerships are located. Experience

New 2023 Jeep Gladiator Freedom

New 2023 Ram 2500 Tradesman

Bob Hurley DCJR in Ponca City, is now Skyway Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Ponca City!

numbered, and it’ll be put into museum software, so it’ll be available online,” Braydon said.

Community volunteers play a significant role in the museum’s operation and development, as the majority of the work is done by them, with only one paid employee.

Despite being located off the beaten path, the museum attracts numerous visitors, both local and from out of town, including those traveling on Interstate 35 from Texas to Kansas and points in between. To make their presence known, they have signs on the state line in southern Oklahoma and the Kansas border.

The museum not only caters to out-of-state tourists but also reaches out to the local community, engaging children from Blackwell in learning about their history through art contests and elementary school tours, led by Museum Director Melissa Hudson.

One of the most popular exhibits is about the 1955 tornado, as it was the first local weather occurrence to make national news, with pictures sent to Chicago and shared throughout the United States. Overall, museum supporters take pride in preserving not just an historic part of Blackwell but also the history of the surrounding farm communities, making it a significant cultural institution, particularly since most small museums are not open daily.

“This is not just a place; it is a 12,000-sq.-ft. building filled with the history of the local area, and not just Blackwell. We have things from the surrounding farm communities around Blackwell,” Braydon said. “Most (small) museums aren’t open daily, so a small town that has a dedication to keep it open daily, I think that is significant.”

Pioneer Woman Museum to Host

2023 Prairie to Palate Dinner

The Pioneer Woman Museum is gearing up for its annual Prairie to Palate fundraising dinner, set to take place on Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. This much-anticipated event will be hosted on the picturesque lawn of the Pioneer Woman Museum, promising an enchanting outdoor, farm-to-table dining experience.

Guests can look forward to an evening filled with delectable food, fine wine, live music, and an enticing silent auction. The dinner will be expertly catered by Stagecoach BBQ & Catering, while Banana Crate will be providing the mouthwatering desserts. For drinks, attendees can enjoy offerings from Vortex Alley Brewing and El Patio. Live entertainment for the night will be provided by talented musician Ryan Burkett.

Beyond being a night of delightful indulgence, Prairie to Palate serves a meaningful purpose as all proceeds go towards supporting the operational costs of the Pioneer Woman Museum & Statue throughout the year. Tickets for this unforgettable

evening are priced at $50.00 each and can conveniently be purchased online via the PWM website. For those looking to enhance their dining experience, Bottomless Drinks with a Souvenir Etched Pioneer Woman Museum Pint or Wine Glass can be obtained for an additional $12.50.

To secure a spot at this not-to-be-missed event, guests are kindly asked to RSVP by Friday, September 15, 2023. For corporations interested in showing their support, Corporate Sponsorships are available at a cost of $1,000 each. This sponsorship package covers eight dinners with Bottomless Drinks and Souvenir Glasses.

The Pioneer Woman Museum, located at 701 Monument Road, Ponca City, Oklahoma, is thrilled to host Prairie to Palate and welcomes all interested parties to join in the festivities. For further details and inquiries, individuals can reach out to the museum directly at 580-765-6108 or visit their website at www.pioneerwomanmuseum.com.

Meeting the Needs of a Community: Title VI, Indian Education Sara Buffalo-Head Bell

Story by Marlys Cervantes / Contributing Writer

“I don’t think anybody anywhere can talk about the future of their people or of an organization without talking about education. Whoever controls the education of our children controls our future.”

~Wilma Mankiller, First Woman Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation

When Sara Buffalo Head-Bell and her family moved back to Ponca City from Austin in 2011, their plan was for the move to be temporary while her husband Jermaine completed additional college education (they had met while attending Oklahoma Wesleyan University where they both graduated in 2005). They figured there was more support for them here since she had been raised in Marland, graduating from Frontier High School, and has family in the area. Ever since then, it

seems to be she who has been providing support for others.

Although Buffalo Head-Bell now serves as the Indian Education Director for Ponca City Public Schools, she has also worked for Kaw Nation and as Tribal Administrator of the Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma.

She is a member of the Hisada clan of the Ponca tribe, which she explains as why she is enjoying the

Back-to-School Expenses?

rain coming down on this day, we are meeting at a coffee shop for her book club (Hisada is a weather clan). Even with the clouds above and the rain coming down, she enters the shop with a smile on her face and a bounce in her step. She loves the changing temperatures and keeping her pulse on those changes. There is something to be said for connecting to who you are internally.

Her current position is funded by a formula grant, which means it is not competitive but the funds for the grant have to do with the numbers of students in the program. Title VI, from the American Indian Act, is the longest singlefunding support for Indian education.

When people ask her about the reason that there is separate funding for this type of program, she mentions that you must look at the history of these nations of people and the large number of broken treaties that have occurred along the way (if you cannot remember these or weren’t provided this history when you were in school, just go to the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City for a refresher or to learn).

Buffalo Head-Bell remembers her father citing an 1829 quote by President Andrew Jackson when promising Indians that no one would bother the tribes after they were moved (you surely remember Indian Removal) to different land: “There your white brothers will not trouble you; they will have no claim to the land, and you can live upon it, you and all your children, as long as the grass grows or the water runs, in peace

and plenty. It will be yours forever.” However, we have all heard about the ongoing stories of removals suffered, and the quote itself has come to represent the failure of numerous U.S. presidents to fulfill their promises to American Indians.

The need for reparations is real, but she understands “cultural competency looks different in every setting,” which is why she works for connectedness and understanding between all people.

The first step to doing this is education. The program has 50 tribes represented; and in Ponca City schools, there are 871 members. However, Buffalo Head-Bell estimates there are at least 100-200 additional students who should be in

the program to benefit from all it has to offer. When discussing what she sees as the most important part of the program, she states “connectedness.” Everything she does promotes this in several ways. She is a huge advocate of before- and after-school programs. She’s worked to develop positive ones at each step of her career.

One of the fun and educational activities Buffalo Head-Bell developed Kaw Nation’s program establishing gardening for the students, which ran from 2011-17. The students grew their own food, and then that food was eaten. Before long, parents couldn’t believe their children were eating vegetables. When children have such an active role in the program, they are eager to be part of all it offers. Even though the Kaw program is in the small community of Newkirk, it grew to four times the size it started during the time she spent there.

Buffalo Head-Bell had always been interested in the Indian Education Director position, which was held locally by Chris Littlecook for 19 years until he retired. Littlecook explains, “Title VI is a federal program administered by PCPS to ensure that Native American students have equal access to opportunities for academic success in a culturally sensitive atmosphere. We offer assistance in academics to help close the achievement gap and provide activities to promote native culture for native and non-native students.” Littlecook and Buffalo Head-Bell had discussed the position at various times. However, it wasn’t time for him to leave the position yet, and another

opportunity opened for her, the one with the Ponca tribe.

She served as Tribal Administrator for 2½ years, which basically means she was the liaison between all staff and the council and served as an advisor regarding the daily operations, programs and growth, working under the auspices of the sevenbodied tribal council, who are voted into their positions. She said she even wondered about this position since she had her eyes and heart set on the other eventual opening, and yet the job with the tribe was at a critical time — first, due to financial and government situations they were having to deal with, and then when COVID-19 hit. To her it felt like God had put her there, which was so needed, yet was dangling her dream job before her. However, serving others was right in line with Buffalo Head-Bell’s desires and skill set.

It’s no wonder she thrives in her position as Indian Education Director. As director, she continues to work with the idea of connectedness — sometimes with the earth, the land, but always including people. She wants to open dialog for her youth and for the Ponca City community in general because she knows the only way to bridge gaps between people is to create safe space on both sides. Buffalo Head-Bell makes it clear she is a branch of support in her current position, and she will always look for ways to work on

AUG.9ISNATIONAL BOOKLOVERSDAY

by Patrick Jordan

connectedness between people. She wants to create safe spaces for all to be able to discuss the past and ask questions.

She hit her one-year anniversary in the position this July, and she has already hosted her first successful National Indian Education Association (NIEA) conference this past June. She has also recently hosted a spring Drum Series in April and May, a Blanket Exercise Community workshop along with the conference, and a beading workshop. Among other activities, the Native American Heritage Club is having a summer reading series with the book Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Potawatomi professor Kimmerer discusses the role of indigenous knowledge and how it can be used in place of, or along with, Western mainstream methods.

She desires to facilitate a program that provides culturally competent practices for the youth in it, as well as ways to merge this competency further into the overall community. She feels she has an advantage at seeing the disconnect since her mother is white and her father is Native. She feels it is important to educate both sides in ways that are not demeaning. Even when discussing the tough climate of today, she gives this as her creed: “Elevate what I love instead of bashing what I hate.” Buffalo

66. Congressional assistant (2 wds.)

68. "The Andy Griffith Show" boy

ACROSS

1. Will Smith's actress/wife

5. Shiny lip application

10. British "Bye-bye!"

14. Very often (2 wds.)

15. ___ the virtues of (praise)

16. Dry like a desert

17. Ultimate achievement in many 31-Across (2 wds.)

19. "What ___ of an idiot are you?"

20. What a sailor breathes (2 wds.)

21. Consumes too much

23. Has a look at

25. Story with a grand scale

26. Genre for Eminem

29. ___ Bell (fast food franchise)

31. Athletic activities

35. Commits a blunder

37. Scientists' workplaces, briefly

39. To no ___ (without results)

40. Run ___ (behave wildly)

41. Use oars

42. Rock group Better Than ___

43. "Garfield" or "Peanuts"

45. Terror

47. Smell very bad

48. ___ Horse (mythical wooden object)

50. It falls during a blizzard

52. Direction opposite NNW

53. Region

55. Twirl a spoon in

57. Ghosts

61. Dog, frog or hog

65. Standing Bear ___ (Ponca City attraction)

69. Like a tailgater's cold beer cans, often (2 wds.)

70. They have pupils and retinas

71. Good trait for a diplomat

72. Backs of necks

73. Indicates "yes" with one's head DOWN

1. Classic shark movie

2. Soother in some skin lotions

3. TV's animated explorer

4. Volume full of maps

5. "Quit talking nonsense!" (2 wds.)

6. 61, in Roman numerals

7. "The Simpsons" bus driver

8. Finish a crossword

9. Dozes

10. "Seek shelter!" (2 wds.)

11. Opera highlight

12. Slight coloration

13. Hits the + button

18. Try to shed a few pounds

22. "Live!" cohost Kelly ___

24. Neck wrap worn

26.

27.

28.

30.

32.

33.

34.

36.

38.

44.

46.

49.

51.

in winter

Smile after hearing a joke, e.g.

Knight's metal suit

Publicity ad, briefly

Long black woodwinds

Tears down, as an old building

Foursome on most cars

Eliminate, as a thirst

Garment for a Vail visitor (2 wds.)

Graceful swimming birds

Vehicle in a shopping center

Revolves

Liam of the "Taken" films

Burgundy or chianti

54. Facility for hockey or boxing 56. Turn red, as a tomato 57. Dalmatian marking 58. Biggest of the Three Bears 59. Guitar guru ___ Clapton

60. Hedge-clipping sound 62. BLT condiment, often 63. Had another birthday 64. Reduced amount 67. High card in poker

Buffalo Head-Bell stresses, “We are one (very important) limb on the tree that is PCPS. The tree gives life to all the branches, and each branch supports the tree. We are not better than, or less than, anyone else. We are all connected and can learn so much from each other if we walk together.”

Head-Bell naturally keeps her pulse on the temperature of all that is around her.

Even though this position has the lowest budget she has worked with, she certainly makes her dollars go far. Buffalo Head-Bell makes sure we understand that the Teacher Assistants with the program are the “heartbeat of the program.” There are seven TA’s now serving eight locations, and she hopes to extend that to have one TA at all 10 locations, to provide oneon-one tutoring services to the Native American children. The TAs have classrooms at their sites that are safe spaces and designed to promote cultural connections. She stresses how much more the TAs do besides just tutoring. Their support of the children extends much further, and they serve many needs for them.

One of the most promising collaborations has been the PCPS internship program and how students connect with area tribes. Since the tribe’s culture and history are connected to daily operations, students working within them get to experience the unique communal aspect to their inner workings and how operations promote tribal family first. Buffalo Head-Bell expresses, “There is a humble and gentle way business is conducted. It’s an honor for me to see students at Po-Hi (Native and non-Native) experience this for themselves.”

Her future goals include more language integration, possibly even a floating program for learning tribal languages. In addition, she wants to go further than ensuring graduation of Native youth and, instead, hopes to also ensure job placement and/or college prep for all.

Besides those longer-term goals, Buffalo HeadBell has plans for many upcoming activities. She hopes to visit the various area tribes this summer

to encourage participation and support, gaining more stakeholders in the program. Another way that will happen is through her work to embed enrollment for the program into the school’s enrollment process. Also, she will have meetings with parents for their input into the programs, and then she will finalize the upcoming academic year activities.

A few items that are possible for the year are a stickball tournament, a teepee contest or demonstration, a writing workshop, adding storytelling to the Rock Your Moc event, a family workshop about healing generational trauma, and live Facebook Q&A’s about a variety of topics. Some of these activities, especially the FB Live series, could add connectedness within the tribe by allowing members who are displaced, who are far from “home,” to attend virtually and reconnect with people here and their culture. Her major position may deal with Native youth in the Ponca City School system, but her reach is far.

When it was “time” to return to Austin, Buffalo Head-Bell knew there was more to do here. She and Jermaine’s daughters — Niome, now 17; Anaiah, 16; and Evangeline, 5 — are active in sports and school activities, so they didn’t want to move them, and she had already started a journey of helping those in her tribe and others. Ponca City was home, and they decided to stay.

She has a vision for the future of the program and those in it, and it begins with casting a wider net to include the Native American children who are not yet in it and benefiting from the support it provides.

Buffalo Head-Bell stresses, “We are one (very important) limb on the tree that is PCPS. The tree gives life to all the branches, and each branch supports the tree. We are not better than, or less than, anyone else. We are all connected and can learn so much from each other if we walk

together.”

Although this position had been on her mind as her dream job, she believes there is more to do in her future. She’s unsure right now if that focus will deal with policy development or other needs, but she is looking forward and excited about what the rest of her journey holds. I have no doubt she will go where she can promote connectedness as she honors her Hisada clan by continuing to keep her pulse on the temperature of the community around her which she serves so soundly and beautifully.

As Deb Haaland, member of Laguna Pueblo tribe and U.S. Secretary of the Interior, says, “We must shift our thinking away from short-term gain toward long-term investment and sustainability, and always have the next generations in mind with every decision we make.”

Chamber Buzz

Story by Shelley Arrott/Contributing Writer

It is August and we all know what that means! Yes, it is time to start gearing up for back to school! With the start of a new school year, there are many memories that come to my mind. As a student, I always looked forward to back-toschool activities. One such memory was my parents taking me to get new school supplies. There was nothing more exciting than fresh notebooks and sharp crayons! That experience was always memorable for me, but with inflation and the rising costs of literally everything, many parents struggle to purchase those new school supplies each year. Knowing kids have what they need for school provides kids with the confidence to progress and learn because they are on par with their peers. The “Stuff the Bus” Campaign will be held on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at our local Walmart, located at 1101 E. Prospect. It is such an impactful feeling to make a child’s and his/her parents’ back-to-school experience a little less stressful. You can make a difference by bringing supplies to the Chamber Office or coming to the “Stuff the Bus” event. We will fill that bus to the

brim with supplies so no child has to worry about not having school supplies!

Each year, the Ponca City Chamber hosts the New Teacher Luncheon. They are treated to a bus tour of our exquisite city, engaging conversations, a wonderful meal at the Ponca City Country Club, information about opportunities our city has to offer to meet new people and enhance their lives and a $10 Chamber Buck. Each year, this event is a favorite of the new teachers, and it is no surprise they say they have never felt more welcomed! This amazing event will be held on Thursday, Aug. 17, and If you would like to be a luncheon sponsor of one of our new teachers, the cost is $50. This cost covers the teacher’s meal, your meal and a $10 Chamber Buck. Please call the Chamber office at 580-765-4400 if you would like to be a sponsor; we will recognize all of our sponsors at the event. Let’s show our new teachers what a great place Ponca City is to live and work!

Finally, the extraordinary Chamber event of the year, The Party at the Palace, is Friday, Aug. 18, at the beautiful Marland Mansion. As you know, this year is an auction year and the Chamber staff and our amazing board and volunteers have gone above and beyond to make this event superb! In addition to silent auction items, this year we will have the Bedlam Battle Live Auction, many amazing Gold Live Auction items and one outstanding Platinum Live Auction item, this is beyond expectations! Come enjoy a wonderful evening with friends and community members. Tickets are available now and the cost for each is $50; they include two drink tickets, all you can eat heavy hors d’oeuvres and full access to these exciting auctions! We have 100 “Golden Tickets” for sale for $100 each that give the lucky Golden Ticket winner his/her choice of any Gold Auction item. The Party at the Palace is an unforgettable experience and is one more reason we all love Ponca City!

The third weekend of August in Ponca City will be one for the records. Being engaged and involved builds and sustains cohesive communities! We hope you are a part of these incredible events!

THURSDAY, AUG. 17: New Teacher Luncheon Ponca City Country Club

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

FRIDAY, AUG. 18: Party at the Palace Marland Mansion

6:30-11:00 p.m.

SATURDAY, AUG. 19: Stuff

Ponca Playhouse, which will celebrate its 65th continuous season with the 2023-24 season, will be presenting the popular musical “Forever Plaid” in August. “Forever Plaid” is full of classic barbershop quartet harmonies with its nostalgic pop hits of the 1950s.

Director and cast member in the show, Playhouse regular and Director of Musical Theatre at NOC, Chad Anderson, says, “I have loved ‘Forever Plaid’ since its initial surge in popularity in the 90s. The harmony grabs you first, then the personalities, humor, and heartfelt stories of the four characters, the Plaids. It’s a night of music, laughter, and fond memories from the line-up of classic standards.”

Joining Anderson in the cast of four are talented singers Eddie Dixon, Chris Schelp and Ryan Smykil. The four have been singing together in different settings for years, so the opportunity to present this

production to raise funds for the Playhouse seemed a perfect idea.

Dixon is a mainstay on Ponca City stages with the Playhouse and Poncan theatres. He has served as Artistic Director for Evans Children’s Academy since 2016. Smykil lives in Newkirk now and serves as music leader for the Catholic Church there, but he had a touring career in musical theater for a time after attending Cowley College’s theatre program before moving back to this area to begin a family and continue promoting music in the area.

Of the experience being in this production, Shelp, Music Director at First Lutheran Church, says, “It’s a lot of really fun music to sing, and

Chad Anderson, Director of Forever Plaid

About 25 years ago my sweet, soft, quiet, angel of a mother threatened to go get my father’s gun and shoot our TV if my sister and I didn’t quit fighting over it. And I’m not saying that facetiously, my mother is truly an angel walking on this earth. She is the nicest, kindest, most patient person I’ve ever met. And for that saint of a woman to threaten such an act, I know my sister and I must have been being especially annoying and obnoxious in that moment, and that she was at her wit’s end. And at the time I remember thinking that my mom was off her rocker, that she finally had flown the coo-coo nest. But ya know what? It worked. We immediately quit fighting over the TV. And I remember us, sort of, laughing. But not at her, it was a nervous laughter. A scared laughter. And now that I’m a mother, I have never related to her more than in that moment. I think a healthy dose of fear is appropriate as a parent. So, here’s a quick list of threats I’ve made to my children, just since school has been out for the summer: “If you don’t eat the food, you just asked for then you’re not allowed

any more snacks for 2 weeks. Or drinks. No snacks or drinks for 2 weeks.” “If you don’t use your legs and walk up the stairs, I’m cutting them off and donating them to a kid without legs so he can walk.”

“If you don’t turn off the Super Mario Brothers Movie, I’m going to call Amazon Prime and tell them to delete it. So, you’ll never be able to watch it again. And we’re going to get in the car and find Mario and run him over with our car.” “Put your toys away or I’ll put you in a box and mail you to Africa, where they don’t have toys, so maybe you’ll appreciate them more.” Unfortunately I think maybe I’ve gone a little overboard on the threats, because not only do they not work, but now my kids have started to threaten me, like “Mom, if you don’t take us to get snow cones, we’ll scoop out your eyeballs with a spoon so you can’t watch The Real Housewives anymore,” so I have no other choice but to take them to get snow cones.

it’s an absolute pleasure and privilege to be able to sing it with three guys as supremely talented as Chad, Ryan and Eddie.” Schelp is looking forward to bringing this show to Ponca City audiences.

Music for the production will be led by Suzanne Sumpter on piano and Ally Riddle on bass. John Badley is production designer/manager.

Besides being excited to bring this poignant musical about dreams and friendship to the Playhouse stage, Badley says, “’Forever Plaid’ presents us with an incredible opportunity to combine the great talent of our quartet with the Playhouse’s intimate setting to produce a night you won’t soon forget.”

Meghann Borum is the show’s producer, and Ryan Brown serves as stage manager for the production.

When looking at the considerable musical experience of the four cast members, Brown says, “All four men have been my music director in one show or another going back to the first days of Evan’s Academy through to our last show at the Playhouse. So, I’m very excited to hear these

incredibly talented voices join together in such a sweet and funny show!”

Current sponsors for the production include Hugh Pickens, who has consistently sponsored the Playhouse’s summer fundraisers, and Spray’s Jewelry.

Tickets are on sale at $25 each. The production will run August 11-13, with Friday and Saturday performances at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2pm. Proceeds from this play will go toward building improvements, such as a new air conditioner.

The cast, crew and Playhouse’s Board of Directors invite you to come join in the musical fun! You can purchase tickets and find information at poncaplayhouse.com. Contact Ponca Playhouse at 580-765-5360 with any additional questions you have.

Tickets are on sale for $25 each. The production will run August 11-13, with Friday and Saturday performances at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2pm. Proceeds from the show will go toward building improvements, such as a new air conditioner.

FOOD CRUSH

Story By Amy DeWitt Geurin/Contributing Writer

Unpopular

Prairie Smoke BBQ is located at 116 N. Main Street, Blackwell Phone 580.363.0747

Hours:

opinion: While barbeque that is expertly smoked and slow cooked to melt-in-your-mouth perfection is hard to top, it seems most barbeque restaurants have the same offerings. Same standards continuously on repeat everywhere. Tucked in the back of the shared business space known as The Marketplace in Blackwell is Prairie Smoke BBQ – a small, unconventional barbeque restaurant that is doing its part to give typical barbeque a funky, fun personality.

Let’s talk bacon burnt ends. BACON. BURNT. ENDS. Prairie Smoke slowly smokes pork belly, then cubes and marinates it in their house-made sauce. After soaking in the sauce, the bacon is put in an oven at high heat and the fat is rendered down. Bathed in sauce again, the high heat caramelizes the sauce and these little nuggets transform into succulent bites that move to the top of every barbeque bucket list.

Lifelong Kay County resident, Phillip Scott, purchased

IF YOU FIND YOURSELF IN …

Oklahoma City and you’re looking for barbeque with an offbeat vibe, go to Bandee’s Barbeque in the rapidly growing Chisolm Creek area. With an impressive selection of Oklahoma beer, snuggle up to the lively bar, order a local brew and start with the Green Chile Cornbread. Order the Skillet Enchiladas, loaded with seasoned brisket, fresno chiles, jalapeños, a variety of cheeses, banana peppers and topped with salsa verde, queso and cilantro. This is a hearty, rich, stick-to-your-ribs dish that will satisfy any appetite.

Prairie Smoke in 2018 from his parents, who opened the restaurant in 2015 with friends. After Smith Tool relocated to Houston, Phillip was looking for a new adventure and his parents were looking to slow down. Phillip has continued to produce delicious food, continuing Prairie Smoke’s “Best of Kay County” recognition from 2015 through current day.

As a chicken wing fan, finding great wings that are not commercially produced and pumped out to the masses (sorry not sorry, Buffalo Wild Wings) can be challenging. Prairie Smoke offers wings that are smoked in-house. With 12 different savory, sweet and spicy sauce or dry rub options, these wings are tender and pack a bold punch. To achieve the juicy texture, the wings are both smoked and cooked via sous vide, which is the most fabulous and underutilized form of cooking meat. They are easy to eat and to quote my food-loving, 12-year-old niece, “You have to clean the bone or you’re not eating wings right.” She’s not wrong.

In an industry with never-ending options, it is refreshing to see a local spot heavy on flavor, creativity and kindness. Keeping a family business in the family and utilizing a space that is 100ish years old (the former

home to OTASCO!) is everything rural Oklahoma needs. If barbeque is your thing, visit Prairie Smoke BBQ and go crazy. As legendary Pitmaster Mike Mills famously said, “Life is too short for a half rack.” Couldn’t agree more, Mike. Happy Eating!!

TOP THREE FOR ME

Homemade buttermilk ranch dressing Reminiscent of Kay County’s forever favorite ranch that is no longer available.

Local beer offerings! Barbeque and Vortex beer just go together, like tacos and Tuesdays.

Smoked chicken BLT sandwich. Smoked, shredded chicken on a BLT is exactly what I didn’t know I needed in my life until now.

For more delicious food fun, check out @foodcrushok on IG and Facebook and www.foodcrushok.com

Story by Adam Leaming, Ponca City Public Schools, Superintendent / Contributing Writer

Happy reading, Ponca City Monthly readers!

It’s August, and even though we have not started school in Ponca City, that does not mean we’re not ready and excited to see you! We have another late start, August 24, for the first day of school. This late start was a result of us trying to accommodate extensive construction projects. Especially those projects that are reliant on cooperative weather! I hope you know how your school district has been busy this summer with construction, staffing and budget planning. I feel like we’re going to have a stellar year with expanded and enhanced services we’re providing our community.

Projects that will be completed before our students come to school include a remodel of Liberty elementary. This project includes a main office expansion, a new teacher work room, offices for counselors and other visiting professionals and a larger library. Our cafeteria is getting a much-needed facelift as well. Each of the doors in Liberty are being replaced in an effort to enhance classroom safety and convenience for our staff. The exterior of Liberty is being given a little facelift to bring it more neighborhood curb appeal. I hope you can swing by and see how beautiful this school will be when completed. I’m confident it will make Ponca City proud.

The High School campus will have wrapped up phase two of the bathroom remodels. As

part of this project each bathroom has had the ceiling raised, new fixtures added, flooring and wall coverings installed. We’re hoping that these restrooms create a better environment for our students and guests who utilize the high school on a daily basis. The softball stadium enhancements will be nearly completed by the start of school. The last portion of our project will be the aluminum bleachers from the manufacturer. We are at the mercy of the weather and our supplier but our field, dugout and new bathrooms should all be ready to go for fall softball games.

Our Anderson STEM remodel and the Concert Hall classroom additions are all making great progress. Each of these spaces will create spacious classrooms for further exploration and development of student skills. We will be ready soon for ribbon cuttings and tours of these incredible spaces that will make for great additions to our high school campus. I hope you can make it a point to see our new facilities when it’s time!

It’s not all construction we’re focused on in the school district this summer. We’re also reviewing our organizational goals and mission. At Ponca City Public Schools, I want to instill the belief that education is not solely about imparting knowledge; it is about nurturing growth, fostering a sense of belonging and instilling a lifelong love for learning. With this vision in mind, we are dedicating ourselves to

creating an environment where students can thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

One of our key objectives will be to consistently deliver excellent customer service to the students and families we serve. We understand that each individual’s needs are unique, and it is our responsibility to listen, support and guide them throughout their educational journey. Our dedicated staff members are being trained to provide personalized assistance, ensuring that everyone feels heard and valued. We want to simplify the school experience for our families and students. We respect the trust our community places in us to ensure students are safe, educated and taught how to succeed in a global society.

As we continue our journey toward becoming the finest public school system in Oklahoma, we remain steadfast in our commitment to excellence, inclusivity and continuous improvement. We value the trust you have placed in us and assure you that we will work tirelessly to provide an exceptional education and outstanding customer service to our students and families.

Together, we will build a brighter future, one student at a time.

Thank you for choosing Ponca City Public Schools! Go Wildcats!!!

Story by Mallory Kyler / Staff Intern

Summer is typically a kid’s favorite time of year. No school or homework allows for a never-ending season of play. However, this free time can become overwhelming and under stimulating for some, and I know this from experience. Kids who aren’t in sports or other activities dread the wave of summer boredom. If you or someone you know are desperate to become a part of something, look no further! Evans Children’s Academy is the perfect program for kids, teens and even adults to express their passion for the arts, as well as the community.

Being a part of an Evans production is more than just getting the leading role and simply being onstage. Theatre people know that there is so much more going on throughout the entire process. It’s always been about putting in the work, and everyone at Evans gives 110 percent. With that, young minds can greatly benefit from a program like this, and I have observed growth in others and myself.

In the summer of 2019, I auditioned for Beauty and the Beast at the Poncan Theatre. I wanted to be Belle so bad, and I felt that I had worked super hard during the musicals leading up to this. I didn’t want my hard work to be for

nothing. A couple of weeks after my initial audition, I was cast as the understudy for Belle. Saying that I was disappointed would be an understatement. This specific occurrence is relatable to all theatre kids, and it tends to make them question their purpose. Despite all of the negativity I felt at that moment, I got over it very quickly. I tell myself, “Everything happens for a reason.” I’ve found that some people hate that saying, but I find it very applicable to theatre and the arts as a whole. I constantly reminded myself that I was still cast for my hardworking qualities, which means that I was wanted. With that in mind, I marched into rehearsals ready to learn and grow, and this allowed me to completely dismiss any negative thoughts. As a result, Beauty and the Beast became one of my absolute favorite musicals at Evans. I grew as a performer, and I bonded with my cast mates more than I ever had before. The environment that this program built made me into the coachable, passionate and engaged individual I am today. Summer 2019 will forever hold some

of my favorite memories

Evans Director Eddie Dixon is pictured leading the kids in choreography. Eddie is always working closely with his cast to make sure they’re performing to the best of their abilities.

because of Evans, and because I chose a positive mindset. Everyone around me was supportive, and every day of rehearsals was full of motivation and progress. The reward for our work was the performance. I remember feeling elated, and in that moment any past disappointment didn’t matter. My hard work never once felt like it was for nothing.

Jumping forward to summer 2023, Evans is putting Newsies onstage. The kids have been begging for this musical for years, and Eddie Dixon (Director), as well as the other adult staff, finally caved. To summarize, Newsies follows Jack Kelly in the events of the 1899 Newsboys Strike in New York City. The musical is chock-full of catchy ensemble songs, as well as memorable character pieces. Aside from that, Newsies is known for the intense dance numbers that include tap routines, turns, leaps and even some tumbling tricks. Don’t think for a second that Evans would hesitate to include such challenging feats. The dedicated cast and crew include skilled dancers that use their abilities to help teach others who

aren’t as experienced. It isn’t uncommon to see a younger person demonstrate and guide their peers toward success. This is highly admirable and one of my favorite parts of community theatre. At Evans, anyone can contribute.

I think it’s important to get the backstage scoop when discussing the impact Evans has had on the kids in this community. Because I was not directly involved in the production of Newsies, I decided to interview a couple of young cast members to get some of their thoughts regarding their experience in theatre.

Q: What’s your favorite part of Evans?

A1: “One of my favorite moments is the first day of tech week when everything comes together.” (Tenley Friess, age 11)

A2: “I really just like being on the stage and participating in it (Evans).” (Addyson Harmon, age 15)

Q: Has Evans taught you anything new?

A1: “Evans taught me how to not be afraid of being onstage, and it taught me

how to be confident in myself.” (Tenley Friess)

A2: “Evans taught me how to work with people better. I feel like it has affected the way I talk to others.” (Addyson Harmon)

Q: What or who inspired you to do Evans?

A1: “My sister started doing theatre after we saw Beauty and the Beast, and then I wanted to do it with her.” (Tenley Friess)

A2: “I remember watching Oliver!, and I was like ‘Oh, my stars, people are just doing this! And some of them are my age!’” I loved it. I thought, “I have to do that!” (Addyson Harmon)

Q: Would you say that Evans helped you make more friends?

A1: “Yes. I feel like it brings a lot of people together.” (Tenley Friess)

A2: “Oh, absolutely! 90% percent of my friends are from theatre.” (Addyson Harmon)

Q: For the near future: What are you most excited about and what do you hope to see?

A1: “I hope to see lots of new people come in and try theatre because I feel like they would enjoy it.” (Tenley Friess)

A2: “I’m really excited for Mean Girls because it’s new. I hear it’s pretty great, and I want to be a part of it!” (Addyson Harmon)

The Poncan Theatre hosts numerous performances and events throughout the year for people of all ages. Evans is happy to announce their 2023-24 season, and you won’t want to miss any of these productions. Aside from the musicals, the theatre has had live concerts and movie showings. Check the Poncan Theatre’s events page online for details. Make your outings more memorable for you or your family by attending an event in one of Ponca’s most famous historical landmarks!

My goal in writing this is to motivate readers to spread the good word about children’s theatre. When participating in the performing arts, kids are exploring ways to express themselves when working as a team. No one works alone in this program. On the surface, kids are learning how to sing, dance and act, which are amazing feats alone. There is so much more growth aside from that. Kids are developing better social, leadership and speaking skills. Overall, Evans Children’s Academy of Performing Arts is the perfect place for young, bright performers to thrive. I encourage everyone to audition or become involved in this magnificent program!

I played Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical summer 2021. This is by far one of my favorite roles!

Students practice some of the moves featured in Newsies. It’s impressive what these kids can accomplish.

Here we see Faith Ballinger leading her fellow castmates by sharing her skills and knowledge while teaching a dance routine.

Kids Say the Darnedest Things

You Don’t Even Know Them!

Story by Hayley Harrison / Staff Writer

No one prepares you for how quickly you become an embarrassment to your children. I thought that typically happened around ages 12 or 13, but nope I was very mistaken. I also thought that I could never embarrass my children because I’m a super cool mom, who exudes ultra “chill” vibes and loves to use fun acronyms while texting. You know, the opposite of a “Karen”. Turns out that I was very wrong. Apparently, my friendly, small-town nature makes my seven-year-old daughter want to duck down and hide behind her booster seat while riding in a vehicle with me.

It all started last April when we were driving through town, jamming out to our favorite radio station (see how cool I am, I still listen to the radio) when all of a sudden, I heard a

shame- filled voice in the backseat say “MOM, WHY ARE YOU WAVING AT THEM!? YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW THEM!”. This took me aback because I didn’t even realize I was waving. I think it’s just something you instinctually do when you’re from a small town like ours. The only explanation I had for her was “Well Sister, I guess you can take the girl out of the town, but you can’t take the town out of the girl.” I could almost hear her roll her eyes in the backseat, and I giggled to myself because I can still remember getting embarrassed by my mom for doing the exact same things that I do now. And one day, if she so chooses, my daughter will likely do the same to her future children. It’s a sacred cycle that I am so grateful to take part in!

BOOK REVIEW

A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning

By Lemony Snicket

If you’re around my age, then you grew up while Lemony Snicket was publishing the worst book series to ever come about. It was the story of everything bad that could possibly happen, happening to three very unfortunate children. For whatever reason, this series has surpassed the test of time and is now being considered a classic!

We join the Baudelaire children, Violet age 14, Klaus age 12 and Sunny the baby, as they receive news that their beautiful home and both of their parents have perished in a fire. Before this terrible information, the Baudelaire children’s life was quite perfect. Unfortunately, they are now in for the worst events of their lives. Without their parents’ love and guidance, they are turned over to a distant relative they have never met, only to find him absolutely dreadful. Count

Puzzle on Page 45

Review By: Tara Anson

PROVIDED BY BRACE BOOKS & MORE

Olaf forces the children to do unthinkable chores and entertain his unruly friends. He allows them only one bed to share and a pile of rocks as toys. As they wake up every day and try to come up with a plan to escape the clutches of this miserable person, Olaf makes plans on how to acquire the fortune left to the children. It seems each time the children see the light of getting free; Olaf comes crashing down on them again. Each friend they make ends up mysteriously vanishing. How will the children survive? Will they be able to get away from this terrible man? Will Olaf end up with all of their money? Will they ever find out what actually happened to their parents? Will they ever be happy again? Will we get the answers we need in the 13 books of Unfortunate Events?

Welcome Payton Terrill, our New Groomer!

Payton grew up in Arkansas City, Kansas where she met her husband. They have a great dane named Paisley, a labrador retriever named Apollo, an orange cat named Sundance, and a calico cat named Pebbles.

She started working at a veterinary hospital when she was only 14 years old! She decided to make a change from the medical side of animal care to pet grooming a little over a year ago and she fell in love with the profession.

Payton has earned two college degrees, a grooming certificate, and is certified in Fear-Free Grooming. She also has experience in basic dog training.

Payton is eager to continue learning to better serve people’s beloved pets. She has always been an animal lover and loves to get to know all the personalities of different pets. Payton is so excited to serve this community in the top notch environment that Pioneer Veterinary Clinic has created!

Cocktail OF THE MONTH

A Bittersweet Symphony:

THE NEGRONI

Ifyou’ve never had a cocktail heavy on Campari, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise. Both bitter and sweet, just like the complexities of life itself, and no, I’m not referring to my own charming disposition, but rather the timeless classic known as the Negroni. This legendary drink is the epitome of classic Italian mixology.

One of the best things about the Negroni is its status as a classic aperitif. But what exactly is an aperitif, you may wonder? Think of it as a dazzling prelude to a symphony of flavors. A liquid appetizer designed to whet your appetite and prepare the palate and stomach for food, tantalize the taste buds, and prepare the body and mind for the feast to come.

The origins of the Negroni can be traced back to the early 20th century in the vibrant city of Florence, Italy. Legend has it that the cocktail was born when Count Camillo Negroni, a well-traveled and adventurous nobleman, requested a twist on his regular Americano cocktail. He wanted something bolder and stronger. The bartender at Caffè Casoni, Fosco Scarselli, replaced the soda water in the Americano with gin, and thus, the Negroni was born.

THE NEGRONI

• 1 oz Gin

• 1 oz Campari

• 1 oz Sweet Vermouth

• Garnish: Orange Peel

Combine all three ingredients in a rocks glass filled with ice or a large cube and stir. For aromatics, twist a thin piece of orange peel over the drink and use it as a garnish in the cocktail.

The Negroni’s timeless appeal lies not only in its taste but also in its versatility. While traditionally served on the rocks and garnished with an orange peel, variations of the Negroni have emerged over the years. Some bartenders experiment with barrelaging techniques, infusing the cocktail with additional layers of complexity. Others explore creative twists by incorporating different spirits or introducing unexpected ingredients.

Among its devoted fan base, you’ll find esteemed chefs, masterful bartenders, and those well-versed in the art of hospitality who appreciate the craftsmanship of a good drink. So, if you’re feeling adventurous (or just masochistic), give it a shot. Who knows, maybe you’ll acquire a taste for this boozy enigma. Cheers, my brave soul!

Mixed by Jill Rowe/Staff Writer

Backyard Gardener

It’s Fall, Y’all

I know, I know. It is only August; but if a fall garden and adding some good stuff to your soil is on your to-do list, now is the time to plant. Or start plants. Or throw some seeds in the yard. So, let’s chat about cover cropping, fall produce and green manure. Probably not in that order, but hey, it’s August and I have summer brain. Still. Let’s get organized.

Go Through Your Seeds

I listened to a podcast Fourth of July weekend and one of the people being interviewed was this guy, Bevin Cohen, who presses oils from the things he grows at Small House Farm. That’s not the takeaway, but the fresh oil pressing was very interesting. The takeaway for me was when Bevin said, “Always be planting seeds ... Every couple of weeks, just plant the seeds. Doesn’t matter what it is or if it is “too late” in the season, just plant the seeds; put in the plants.” That statement resonated with me, especially this year when every couple of weeks I have new wildflowers coming up from succession planting. To listen to this podcast, go to gardennerd. com/tip-of-the-week-podcast. Kristi, the podcaster, interviews gardeners from all over the world.

Going through your seed stock is the best way to

spur interest in planting all the things. And if you don’t have a stockpile of seeds, now is the time to hit the Dollar General, feed stores or any place that usually carries seeds and be on the lookout for sales. Dollar General usually marks their seeds down to four for a dollar or even less going into fall. And this goes for flower seeds as well. If flowers are on your wish list for the yard/garden, August is a great time to seed those areas for late fall flowers and the areas will be re-seeded for next year. And don’t forget the dollar on-sale plants at Lowe’s, Atwoods, Keathly’s or Tractor Supply. Be on the lookout for those sad plants you can bring back to life. On the cheap.

Speaking of Flowers

If you don’t plant flowers in your garden, you should. If you don’t plant produce in your flower beds, why not? But back to the flowers, I was an “only if I can eat it” flower planter. But I see the error of my ways and I am enjoying all the pollinators. Now is the time to put those flower seeds and plant starts into the garden for the pollinators. Pollinators need fall food of various sizes and shapes: moths and hummingbirds need tubular flowers without a lip like butterfly plants and honeysuckle. Bees like shallow tubular flowers with landing platforms

like mints, sunflowers and lilies. Flies (yes, flies are pollinators too) like shallow flowers that smell not the best, think carrot or parsley flowers, and butterflies are attracted to the showy, bright flowers like coreopsis, zinnias, hollyhocks and salvia.

For all you flower gardeners, save seeds for those of us that produce food. We can meet up at the Seed Swap next March. And be thinking about a Bok choy border or maybe some red cabbages planted in and around all those flowers and shrubs. Cabbages and brassicas are nutritional powerhouses and are excellent for fall planting.

Cover Crops and Green Manure

If you have an area that you want to turn into a garden next year, now is the time to get it ready. Plant some cover crops in that area. Good crops for fixing nitrogen and adding nutrients to your soil are buckwheat, vetch, crimson clover and annual ryegrass. But you could also sow cabbage seeds and any of the pea family as late as September to grow what is called a “green manure.” For dense or clay soils, radish seeds (daikon are great) or turnips are great to grow and leave overwinter to break up the soil and add nutrients.

One caveat to cover cropping: you need to

Story by Kat Long / Contributing Writer

gardennerd.com/ tip-of-the-weekpodcast.

process it into a mulch or work it into the soil before it goes to seed. The seeds from the cover crop will compete with your plantings next season. For example: I planted hairy vetch a couple of years ago as a cover crop in a new area of the yard in late August. I got distracted by the pretty purple flowers and let them go to seed. I mulched it when I realized I had seed pods on some of the plants, but not soon enough. Fast forward a couple of years and I am still finding vetch all over that side of the yard. I can identify it by the pretty purple flowers. Green manure is the mulch and cuttings from the cover crop. The cover crop and the mulch are an effective way to control weeds in a garden bed.

You Don’t Have to Till

I know many gardeners till up the soil to plant

their garden. All I can think of is all those glorious, wonderful worms getting rototilled. Shudder. Here are a couple of methods to get your yard ready for the fall garden or for next year.

Solarize. For a quick weed kill or to break down an area before planting, stretch out a clear (three sunny days) or a black tarp (three weeks or more) over the area you want to kill weeds or get ready for planting. Pros and cons: The clear tarp will kill pretty much everything, beneficial bugs, eggs, etc. … because of the heat and sun combination. But it will kill everything like squash bug and grasshopper eggs included. The black tarp will get rid of the grass and weeds without baking the bugs.

Cardboard. I like this method, but many people don’t like the way it looks. I put down two to three layers of cardboard and then cover it with hay, straw, mulch or green manure. This is a great way to get a new garden area ready for planting for the next planting season. Do this in the fall for spring planting and vice versa. This keeps all the beneficial worms and bugs and adds nutrients to your soil. Try to get all the tape off and only use brown cardboard. Colored and white cardboard boxes are bleached and have toxic inks. And the tape will stay in your yard FOREVER.

Options for Planting Outside

For those wanting a break from working outside, might I suggest a hydroponic inside garden to grow some herbs or greens? Or maybe a couple of planters with a few plants to tide you over? I have the hydroponic Tower Gardens at work I tend, but I am using this dirt-based grow tower at my house to see what I can keep alive. Bonus points: the dirt garden tower has a worm farm in the center. Yup, vermiculture. And it is amazing. The worms work through the kitchen scraps about every other week and compost comes out of the bottom of this amazing little tower. It is really cool. If you want to check it out, the website is gardentowerproject.com. And if you are a tired gardener, and a fall garden is beyond your scope of planning, might I suggest supporting our local producers at the Farmer’s Market. The markets this year have an amazing selection of plants, flowers and meat, as well as fruit, herbs and added value items like breads, cakes and cookies. The Ponca City Market hours are Saturday 8 to 11 a.m. and Tuesdays 4 to 6 p.m. at the Pioneer Woman Circle. The Tonkawa Farmer’s Market is open on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Ray See Park in Tonkawa. If you want to have your local produce delivered, locally, find Sunny Creek Trading Post on FB and get signed up for a subscription box once or twice a month. And as always, Happy Gardening!

Story by Hayley Harrison / Staff Writer

Audiobooks. I am not sure why I’ve waited so long to get on the audiobook train; I think it’s because I have always felt like I had to physically flip the pages of a book in order to get the full experience, but I could not have been more wrong, and I have to give a major shoutout to my best friend (Major props to you, Sal!) for bringing me into this century and always giving me the absolute best book recommendations! One of which I am now going to highly recommend to you! A spicy, addictive, emotionally charged (my husband calls it smut, I roll my eyes and call it art) book, titled The Idea of You.

The Idea of You, written by author Robinne Lee, follows the story of 40-year-old divorcee and single mom, Solène Marchand, as she navigates an unexpected twist of fate, catapulting her into a romantic relationship with ultra-famous boy band member, Hayes Campbell (think Harry Styles here), who is half her age but her absolute match in every other way. What starts as a lighthearted fling between Solène and Hayes quickly grows into something much more

STREAM ITSTREAM IT

tangible, and the pair find themselves entangled in love and in life. Their whirlwind and worldwide romance takes the readers across the globe from L.A. to Paris to Japan, with each stop causing the breath to catch in your chest, just wondering what will happen next.

The best part of the audiobook, and the reason that I found It to be a good fit for “Stream It”, is that is has been adapted for TV! Yes, that’s right, we will be able to watch this heart-gripping saga play out in our own living rooms! And what’s even better- ANNE HATHAWAY is the leading lady in the screen adaptation! We also know that Hayes will be played by Nicholas Galitzine (if you haven’t heard of him, it’s definitely worth a google) and that filming wrapped in 2022. Other than those few, sparse facts, Amazon Productions has remained tightlipped about a release date or any other pertinent information. So, this is me giving you all a heads up to download or read The Idea of You ASAP so that you are fully prepared for when Amazon decides to get its act together and release the movie!

Happy streaming, friends!

Rhubarb is a perennial plant with vibrant red stalks and wide green leaves. The edible part of the plant is the fleshy, pink stalk, which is often cooked with sugar because it is very sour. Rhubarb grows well in cool climates and is sometimes planted as an ornamental plant.

Rhubarb is rich in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, which give it its red color. These antioxidants have anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties, which can help protect against healthrelated issues such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Rhubarb is often used in pies, compotes and preserves, and sometimes as the base of a wine or an aperitif. It pairs well with strawberries and vanilla, which neutralizes some of its tartness and enhances its sweetness.

Dear reader, I am not a dessert type of person, so the fact that I have now made you two desserts is a miracle in itself. But I digress.

I recently signed up for a subscription box from Sunny Creek Trading Post. It’s basically like a farmers market delivered to your front door. They posted on Facebook they had grown rhubarb! I’ve never cooked with it so I was super excited. Unfortunately they only had a small amount and I begged for the last of it.

I set out with the most earnest of intents to make a picture perfect pie to show the folks at Sunny Creek Trading Post how grateful I was of my rhubarb. After slicing 5 million strawberries and even cutting a lattice top (that took forever) and waiting all day for cooled perfection, my pie failed to set up properly and was just a gloppy mess.

A chef I work with has a saying, “But, will it eat?” Meaning, despite its appearance does it still taste good? The answer was an absolute yes! Fresh rhubarb is tangy and tart and the strawberries and sugar balance with sweetness. A perfect summer treat!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups fresh strawberries (sliced)

• 3 cups fresh rhubarb (sliced)

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1/4 cup cornstarch

• 1 Pkg (2 sheets) of Pre-made Pie Dough

ANDY’S GONNA EAT IT!

Rhubarb Pie

1. Prepare the Filling: Whisk corn starch into 1/4 cup water until well blended. Combine with rhubarb and sugar and heat in medium-sized pot over medium-low heat until thickened, about 10 minutes. Combine with strawberries and allow to sit for 30 minutes.

2. Preheat your oven to 375°F

3. Add your dough to the pie dish, pressing it gently into the bottom and sides.

4. Add the Filling: Add fruit mixture to pie shell. Dot with butter.

5. Create the Top Crust: Roll out the second disc of chilled pie dough on a floured surface. You can create a lattice top, a solid top with slits for ventilation, or use cookie cutters to make fun shapes to place over the filling. Be creative!

6. Seal and Trim the Edges: If using a whole top crust, place it over the filling and trim any excess dough from the edges. Press the edges of the top and bottom crusts together and crimp them using your fingers or a fork to seal the pie.

7. Bake the Pie: Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any drips. Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown, and the filling is bubbling. Turn the heat off and leave the pie in the oven for 15 minutes.

8. Cool and Serve: Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least an hour before serving. This allows the filling to set.

Starring Andy Hicks / Contributing Writer