January 2024 Ponca City Monthly

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Time for a Refresh in the New Year?

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JANUARY 2024 VOL 5 / ISSUE 1 Publishing Company MyMediaMatters Creative Agency Editor-in-Chief Kelsey Wagner Associate Editors Robyn Ryan Hayley Harrison Advertising Director Robyn Ryan 580-761-1295 robyn@poncacitymonthly.com

United Way of North Central Oklahoma: United We Thrive Page 6

Kim Manning: Hometown Gal Makes Good and Travels the World

NOC Offers Micro-Credential Criminal Justice Program Page 29

Buy The Book!

Brace Books & More: A Local Mainstay Page 13

Page 17

Get Fit with Kera Kester Page 39

Signs of Excellence: MakeKings Shines in Ponca City Page 21 COVER STORY

12-Month Healthy Challenge Page 25

In Every Issue

Sudoku Challenge Chamber Buzz Higher Education Crossword

26/44 30 35 35/44

Book Reviews Food Crush Stream It Stew On That

41 42 44 46

Cocktail of the Month Page 36

Staff Writers Everett Brazil, III Carey Head Andy Hicks Chelsea McConnell Jill Rowe Hayley Harrison Patrick Jordan Marlys Cervantes Ad Designer Robyn Ryan Magazine Designer Andy Hicks Story Editor Sherry Cable Copy Editor Patrick Jordan Contributing Writers Kat Long Rachel Stewart Steve Scott Tara Anson Scott Cloud Shelley Arrott Lorrie Layton Kelli Northcutt Circulation Carol Murphy

ABOUT THE COVER

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Cover Photo by by Kelsey Wagner/Editor-in-Chief

© MyMediaMatters, LLC, dba Ponca City Monthly 2024.

For permission to reproduce any article in this magazine, contact editor@poncacitymonthly.com.

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Letter from the Editor

I hope you are reading this note full to the brim with a week’s worth of hugs, joy, laughter and happy times with friends and family. The end of December and the beginning of January are an important time - they mark the end and beginning of a year in your life.

I’ve been blessed in my life with a strikingly good memory. It’s not photographic, but I am able to remember moments in my life so vividly that I can take myself back to where I was in the memory. I can remember the smells, the sounds and I can remember what I was wearing and who I was with. Having such an active recall of my memories has helped make me a better storyteller and writer. I think one reason I’m able to do this is because of my habit to sit and “soak in moments.”

To stop what I’m doing, and take in everything around me in, using all my senses.

It’s something I’ve done since I was a very young child, and to this day I can recall vivid memories throughout my entire life just by simply closing my eyes.

One of the very first New Year’s Eve celebrations I can remember was at my childhood home. I was with my mom, dad and older sister, and I must have been somewhere around the age of four. My mom had small chairs for us to sit in, and we were running around playing. My mom had made special snack foods and mixed us up a fancy punch. I remember her telling us it was a new year, and that we were going to watch a ball drop, which meant we were allowed to stay up past our 8:30pm bedtime. I remember sitting in our little chairs, drinking tasty punch and thinking how fun this New Year’s holiday was if it meant snacks, punch and staying up past my bedtime. I don’t remember watching a ball drop that year, and I can only assume it’s because I fell asleep early, but the idea of celebrating the New Year was permanently imprinted on my memory.

I remember being so excited for another New Year to come around. As a child you don’t do much planning ahead, you just take the days as they come. I had no concept of time other than my mom said it happens once every year. I remember when the next New Year celebration came around thinking to myself that it took an ABSOLUTE ETERNITY for a year to pass. A year as a child might as well have been a lifetime. If you consider the proportion a year is to a young life, it makes sense.

And as such, with each passing year, the proportion of the year compared to our life gets ever so slightly smaller. Like peeling back the layers of an onion only in reverse.

Time is relative like that. It ebbs and flows based on our understanding and experience with it. But even though I know the years pass by more quickly than they used to, I’m grateful that as I get older, I have learned to stretch out my days and soak in all the moments I can. I’ve always been someone that enjoys “stopping to smell the roses” and the older I get, the more roses I find myself stopping for.

My father always said, “The days are long, but the years are short.” As we all wrap up 2023 and look forward to this New Year, I hope you find new and interesting ways to stretch your days out. I hope you take time to stop and smell the roses and to make fancy punch. To be sure to soak in all the moments around you using all your senses, because our memories are something we can cherish and treasure for the rest of our lives.

editor@poncacitymonthly.com

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United Way Volunteers in Action: Front-Steve Kelly, Bryanna Lewis, Sarah Jones; Back-Jeffery Lewis, Kailye Anderson, Nick Liegerot.

UNITED WAY OF NORTH CENTRAL OKLAHOMA

United We Thrive Story by Chelsea McConnell | Staff Writer

United Way of North Central Oklahoma (UWNCO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit program located in Ponca City with a mission to “improve lives with the caring power of our community.” It envisions “a community working together to ensure all of its members flourish and thrive.”

Our United Way offers its services to all of North Central Oklahoma. It facilitates an annual fundraising campaign each year to fund projects and initiatives within our area that make life better for our citizens. With a staff of just two, Executive Director Tara Goldman and Administrative Assistant Krista Urioste are an incredibly hard-working and efficient team.

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United Way is a global network spanning 37 countries and 1,100 communities. Our local program began in 1938, raising $19,500 its first year under the name “Ponca City Community Chest.” Now called United Way of North Central Oklahoma, the program has raised over $30 million dollars during its 85 years of service to our area. United Way is not just a fundraising organization. So much of what it does involves connecting community partners, donors, volunteers and leaders within our area to “focus on the root causes of our community’s most critical issues,” as Goldman puts it.

UWNCO raises money to fund programs that improve lives in three over-arching areas: Education, Financial Stability and Health/Safety.

Agencies that wish to receive funding from United Way must complete an application in the spring. The application must outline their plans

for the funding and how the plans fit into one of UWNCO’s three tenets. Agencies are required to be a 501(c)(3), with a proven track record of running effective programs and being financially stable. UWNCO has an Allocations Committee

If buying or selling residential or commercial property is in your plans for the new year, I would love to assist you.

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J.W. COBB’S Family RESTAURANT

3200 N. 14th • Ponca City • 580-762-8525 Hours: Monday thru Saturday 7 am - 9 pm

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Dear Community Members, The new year brings new beginnings, and I am excited to introduce myself to you as the new CEO of Hospice of North Central Oklahoma. I know that you have options when it comes to hospice care, and as your only local, nonprofit hospice provider, I am so proud that our team’s services have been consistently the highest rated for quality in our area. We are a five-star-rated provider and we’re also a level four participant in the We Honor Veterans program. Whether you are looking for compassionate care for a loved one, grief support for yourself or a family member, or even a place where you can volunteer and make an impact on the lives of others, I hope you’ll come to us!

Sincerely,

Amanda Doran, MPA Chief Executive Officer 8

JANUARY 2024

445 Fairview Avenue • Ponca City • (580) 762-9102

that reviews all applications and makes decisions based on the “merit of organization and program performance and the resources that are available for investment.” Simply put, it strives to do the best that can be done with the funds donated each year.

Education initiatives aim to help children and youth achieve their potential by ensuring access to quality childcare that prepares children for school and learning, offering programs that teach young people positive life skills and helping students maintain or improve grade point averages and stay in school. United Way supports education efforts at the Child Development Center through a program that emphasizes life skills and school readiness through creative “hands and minds.” It also sponsors Leadership Camps for the Boy and Girl Scouts of America.

These camps train through programs meant to build personal character on several different levels.

Financial Stability initiatives work to promote greater financial stability and independence through meeting basic needs of food and shelter, stable housing and senior access to healthcare resources. UWNCO partners with New Emergency Resource Agency (NERA), Peachtree Landing, Survivor Resource Network’s Reach & Rapid Re-Housing and the Retired Senior Volunteer Medical Transport Program in these efforts. The medical transport program alone has aided elderly residents in our area in getting to over 270 medical appointments. United Way also partners

with NERA to help provide food to our community.

It has partnered with Peachtree Landing and Survivor Resource Network to help house citizens in our area.

The Health and Safety tenet involves improving access to healthcare services, promoting a healthy lifestyle, promoting safe environments for seniors and those in need; children and youth advocacy, and health and safety investments. To reach this goal, UWNCO has worked with the Retired Senior Volunteer Ramp Program, Northern Oklahoma Youth Services (NOYS) and the Survivor Resource Network’s Child Advocacy Program. United Way has facilitated RSVP volunteers building over 50 ramps through the ramp program.

The program has also supported efforts of NOYS and Survivor Resource Network in protecting the children of our area.

Partnerships listed above reflect efforts that have been funded in the past through

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annual allocations. That is already a lot. However, United Way is doing so much more in our community! On top of the projects and its annual allocations fund, United Way also partners with various agencies on additional projects to further meet needs in its three areas of concern.

Through a partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, local children can sign up to receive an age-appropriate book each year until they are five years old. Since launching the program in 2020, United Way has funded the distribution of over 16,500 books for children in Ponca City, Tonkawa, Newkirk, Burbank, Fairfax, Shidler, Marland, Red Rock and Kaw City.

Each year, United Way hosts an Annual Days of Giving food drive to help those with food insecurity over the holidays. The food is given directly to those in need, as well as used to fill local blessing boxes and donated to nonprofits.

United Way recently started the first Day of Caring.

This project organized over 100 volunteers who engaged in 16 different service projects at eight nonprofit agencies in our community. This year,

United Way is running its first Cover Me Campaign.

It is partnering with Survivor Resource Network and others to address needs of the unhoused population by providing blankets, sleeping bags, hats, gloves, coats and more. United Way also facilitates a program called the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA). Through this program, volunteers helped prepare 726 tax returns in 2023.

For several years, UWNCO has partnered with community organizations to host the Drug Store for local 5th-7th grade students. Its goal with this event is to “take area students on a journey that will teach them the deadly truth about drug abuse.”

An exciting new venture for 2024 is United Way’s Collaboration with the Community Health Foundation of Kay County, to improve the health of our community. Through this combined effort, Goldman and Community Health Director Kelli Northcutt, have created a calendar for 2024 that has monthly and daily prompts encouraging users to make healthy choices. Each month has a different theme to keep things interesting throughout the year. Anyone can get the calendar by signing up for a copy (or copies) on UWNCO’s website. This would be a great tool for offices to

use throughout the year to encourage their staff to stay healthy. Some of the themes are healthy goal setting, heart health, building a balanced diet, stress awareness, mental health and exercise.

These are only a handful of the programs and initiatives United Way is facilitating in our community. The work it is doing is vital to our citizens. United Way believes when we “Live United, We Thrive.” Our local office is certainly proving that to be true. If you’re looking for a place to share your time, treasure or talent this year, United Way would be a fantastic place to start. Goldman stresses that UWNCO is volunteer driven, and she and Urioste could not accomplish all they do without the help of our incredible community. Goldman says, “United Way brings people together from all walks of life to be a part of local solutions. Hundreds of local citizens and corporate partners are engaged in improving our community by raising money, volunteering their time and advocating our message.” You can find out more about its work on its website at uwnco.org/ or on its Facebook page by searching for United Way of North Central Oklahoma.

300 S. 2nd Street • Ponca City • 580-765-6637

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION Save the Dates!

Stop by for our sale event all week and for our feed Friday, March 8th from 11-2.

10 JANUARY 2024

Tool & Filter

SALE EVENT

Thank you for supporting our locally-owned ACE hardware store for the past 55 years!

Every year becomes a little more difficult to compete with the big box stores. We hope our excellent customer service sets us apart from them.

We appreciate our customers!

March 4-9th

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We Offer Simplified, Secure Living for Seniors and the Disabled

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• Carpet and mini-blinds

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• Movie and game night • Seasonal events

We take housing applications for the elderly and disabled.

You must be at least 50 years of age or receiving disability benefits.

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Stop by soon for a cocktail and dessert or a dessert cocktail!

Call for information or apply in person.

Office hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 3 pm, Closed 12:30 pm - 1 pm

Reservations online @ RustyBarrellSupperClub.com or by calling 580-765-6689.

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from the Ponca City Monthly Team!

12 JANUARY 2024

Business Spotlight

Buy The Book!

Brace Books & More: A Local Mainstay Story by Chelsea McConnell | Staff Writer There’s just something about a bookstore: the smell of the books, usually mixed with the rich aroma of coffee, the friendly staff who are equally excited about books and reading as their most avid customers are and the way it always manages to feel like home away from home. A good bookstore is a gift to the community it manages to prevail in, particularly in the days of Amazon and instant gratification. Here in Ponca City, Brace Books is all of those things, “& More.”

30 years before she passed away in 2015. Jerry knew that the trajectory of the business was going to change. “After Jeannie died, it was clear to me that we needed two people to be running the store. It’s a complicated store with a lot of stuff to

Brace Books & More was opened by Jean and Jerry Brace in 1983 in the Ponca Plaza.

They moved to their current location in 1987, expanding into the space next door just a few years later. At the time of opening, Jean was ready for a new project and thought opening a bookstore was a good idea. Jerry had been laid off from Conoco and was looking for a new venture as well. The couple decided to give it a try. Jerry remembers thinking, “We’ll see how long we can last. I’ll just go look for a job if it doesn’t work out.” Little did they know how well it would work out.

Jean and Jerry ran the store together for over

Tara Anson at Brace Books as a child

keep up with and it’s easier with two people. And Jeannie and I kind of divided it up.”

Over the years, Jean and Jerry had built a relationship with Jerry Bakewell and Associates through the accounting work the Bakewells did for the store. Jerry Bakewell did the books for many years before retiring, then his daughter Kayla Smith took over. Kayla and her daughter Tara Anson were longtime customers and loved the store. Tara grew up visiting the store often and has many core memories tied to Brace Books. She lived nearby and would walk over after school and on weekends. When it came time to have the first Ree Drummond signing after Jean’s passing, Jerry knew he needed help running the event. He reached out to Kayla and Tara to see if they would be willing to help.

They both were, and this was the beginning of a new era.

Tara says this of the transition, “I officially bought the store Jan. 1, 2018. We worked the Ree Drummond signing in 2015, then I started as a regular employee in 2016. My mom and I were pretty certain we wanted to go ahead and take it over. At that point it had been almost 35 years and we just didn’t know that Ponca would survive without Brace Books. In 2017 we started the transition. Then in 2018, Jerry decided I was ready to take the reins.”

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10 Things to know about Brace Books:

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Fun promotional events happen all year, including toy sales, Bible sales at Easter, Ladies’ Nights, Crazy Days and Educator’s Week, just to name a few.

Pictured left to right: Mary Carver, Jerry Brace, Brooklyn Ninrichs, Tara Anson and Alyssa Rice

Even with Tara taking the reins, Jerry can still be found at the store most days. He continues to guide Tara and work alongside her, but no longer has to carry the weight of the less attractive tasks. He says the free coffee is just a bonus. Tara adds, “It’s been very helpful for me to have Jerry still here. And, you know, we wish Jean was still here too, but Jerry’s been pretty good at passing the torch and trying to put me on the right path.”

Jerry is quick to name the many people who helped them along the way, but also stresses that the store wouldn’t be what it is today without Jean. As he describes her impact on the store he says, “That’s just the kind of person she was.” Warm. Inviting.

Smart. Kind. “She knew a lot of people, and she volunteered in the community a lot.” Tara adds, “Way before I came along, Jean was in the community.

And not just promoting the store but

being a person who cared about the community and wanted the best for the community. And I think that’s what people see in the store, that we are here for them.”

When asked about their favorite parts of the business, Jerry and Tara have different things they enjoy. Jerry enjoys the mechanics of the store and interacting with customers. One example of this is choosing which books to get from a publishing company. A company like Simon and Schuster might send them a list with 1,100 books. The list has the book’s title, author and maybe a few notes from the sales rep. Jerry and Tara use this limited amount of information to decide if they want the book and how many copies to buy. They use their best judgment based on what they know about their customers and what has sold historically to make decisions.

On the other side of things, Tara enjoys the holidays and helping customers find the perfect gift for a loved one. The “& More” of Brace Books & More covers a whole range of items. Jerry explains that they began stocking small gifts and stuffed animals pretty early on. This then grew to carrying a wider range of toys. Over the years they have expanded the gift items and now carry a wide range of things including games, toys, jewelry, clothing, candles, journals, calendars and seasonal décor. They also boast a generous selection of kitchen items and cookbooks.

Brace Books is such a wonderful addition to our business community here in Ponca City. Whether you’re an avid reader and book lover, or you just need a quick stop to grab a gift, Brace Books is worth the visit to spend a few minutes, “& More”.

Did you love this article? Want more? Check out our video interview featuring Tara Anson with Brace Books online at PoncaCityMonthly.com.

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Brace Books will purchase gently used books from customers that they then re-shelve and resell. This allows even those on a budget to get good-quality books.

3

With a “Booker’s Dozen” card, every new book you buy is recorded. Once you’ve purchased 12 new books, the total spent is averaged and you get that amount in store credit!

4

If you sign up for Brace Books’ email list, they’ll email you a 20% off coupon each month that can be used on ANY item in the store.

5

Ree Drummond visits Brace Books for every one of her cookbook signings and has from the very beginning!

6

Brace Books can order almost any book you’d like and most will arrive within 2-3 days!

7

Brace Books always gives a discount to churches, schools, libraries and educators!

8

They upgraded their coffee operations and began selling fancy coffees after Twister was filmed in Ponca City and cappuccinos were all the rage with crew and cast members.

9 10

Bestselling hardback books are always 20% off.

If you need a good hand lotion (and you know you do or you live with someone who does) buy Duke Cannon’s Bloody Knuckles. Just do it. It’s the best. Trust me. Tell them I sent you. Just kidding, they won’t care.

But seriously, go buy it now!

ASIZE PPRCHANGE OVEDOR WITH EAR AT THE YELLOW PAGES HEADING LISTED BELOW. NO AD PROOF IS NOT RETURNED THE AD WILL BE PUBLISHED AS SHOWN BELOW. CHAN GES

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Kim Manning: Hometown Gal Makes Good and Travels the World Story by Marlys Cervantes | Staff Writer

“That’s life. It’s all change.” ~ Gloria, Barbie While you are pulling together your dreams for the New Year, thinking about what resolutions might help you get there, you can keep in mind the people you know who have made their dreams come true — in many different ways. One such person is former Ponca Citian Kimberly Manning, a young woman whose diverse skills and everexpanding creativity led her to meet one goal after another.

Lately, if you know Manning and have been watching her on social media or elsewhere, you will have seen her in a several important and interesting places — places that show she understands both the blessings and the hard work associated with her career path. If you saw the hot new film Barbie, she is in the awesomely fun outdoor roller-skating scene, and if you’ve been watching the recent SAGAFTRA strike, you may have seen her on those lines as well.

Manning understands advocating for others just as she’s confidently advocated for herself her entire career. When she was contacted last year by the casting director to help select four trick skaters from several who had submitted for work in an unnamed project, she didn’t feel any were a good fit for the project and, instead, pulled together a quick pitch video of six skaters she works with and thought they would be a perfect

fit. The casting director agreed and submitted the video proposal to Mattel Films. The film went with her whole group and decided to have her choreograph. She didn’t even know it was for the Barbie film until they were on location on Venice Beach.

Having been in several films, Manning realized you never know if you’ll end up on the edit floor.

However, at one point, she remembers hearing “Barbie” director Greta Gerwig say, “Well, let’s just get a shot of her even if we don’t use it.” With much appreciation, Manning says, “That ended up

being the opening shot where you see me twirling into the Venice world. I’m happy that all my ‘Royal Rollers’ made it into the movie.”

Of the Barbie paparazzi, Manning says her group shot beginning at 8 a.m. one morning, and by noon that day she and her skaters were already on several news sources. One even ended up in People magazine, and she was highlighted on sports.yahoo.com. All that was even before they knew if they’d make the cut through the editing process. Since the film’s release, her IMDb Starmeter has shot up to 5x its previous number.

This isn’t the first time Manning has been on television or film. She was Peachez on the first season of Flavor of Love, and she’s been on David Letterman, The Grammys and Jay Leno, singing and/or skating

JANUARY 2024 17

Greta Gerwig says, “Well, let’s just get a shot of her even if we don’t use it.” Of that moment, Manning says, “That was my one shot. I had two seconds to make it happen, and that’s the main shot you see in the Barbie movie. You never know when it’s your opportunity, but when it comes, it comes, so you best make yourself ready!” with George Clinton and P-Funk (who she sang and traveled with for a decade). She can be seen on Shameless, Jane the Virgin and was nominated for a SAG-AFTRA Best Background Actress of the Year award for work on Strange Angel.

Manning is known to many as Clinton’s Roller-skating Songstress, but she also has three solo albums and has been featured on countless other albums and worked live with artists such as Snoop Dog, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Common, Atmosphere and Future. I could go on and on with the list of credits of shows where she has sung or skated or performed acrobatic or stunt work. She says her various careers seem to cycle back into one another in meaningful ways.

18 JANUARY 2024

When talking to Manning about some of her experiences, I can see why it’s important to her to work with those on strike — for her own benefit and for others. She talks about the first movie she worked on, Rock the Cradle, with Vanessa Redgrave (not yet Dame Redgrave). Filming in NYC, there was a break where they brought water bottles to the stars. One background actor asked for water but was denied. Manning says Ms. Redgrave stood up making it impossible for filming to continue, and she said she would continue to stand until they brought that gentleman water.

Manning feels that is exactly what occurred with this strike. Stars stood with everyone else to get equal treatment, respect for the craft and hard work.

The stars lost their jobs for the jobs of others. Manning says, “It is because of them that our union is strong.”

There were many concerns for those like Manning who rely on the work and benefits of a wonderful but sometimes

fickle career. For one, insurance doesn’t stay consistent. It depends on the amount of money made each year, and since there are so many issues with residuals on streaming contracts that have made income not nearly as consistent as it should be, even for those whose faces we see on our screens. Another more recent issue that is found in many fields is AI and scanning. Scanning is an issue in film because if a person is scanned their likeness can be utilized in other films in perpetuity, which seems unfair when Manning, also a musician, compares it to other fields like music where the artist would receive pay if their songs were used again. So, it would seem, the likeness of stunt persons, skaters, background actors and so on should be the same. Manning tells of being scanned back in 2019 with the threat of losing the job if she didn’t agree to it.

Hard choices for actors and stunt people needing to work for both pay and benefits. The changes may take work from many, but we are seeing a beginning.

It appears the SAG-AFTRA strike has come to a tentative agreement, and although we do not know the exact details yet, many of these concerns appear to be at least addressed in the contract.

In a message to members, the union said the contract is valued at over $1 billion and includes pay increases, a streaming participation bonus and regulations on AI. It is also said to include caps on health and pension funds, compensation increases for background performers and protections for diverse communities. While we do not yet know

of the union. We hope those professionals like Manning see advances and protections for them in their career field.

Manning went to school in Ponca City and then received her Musical Theatre degree at the University of Tulsa. She’s been onstage with Ponca Playhouse and for Kem’s Gym and Inciardi School of Dance at the Poncan Theatre. She’s performed at other venues around town and presented workshops. She comes back for family events and, even though she lives in and travels to big cities, has filmed many of her social media tutorials outside the beautiful Marland Mansion, which she often calls Lydie’s Mansion. what exactly those mean, at least they are the beginning. We will hope for a solid one since it is said to be the largest contract gain in the history

who is intelligent, knows her worth and isn’t afraid to go out and seek one adventure after another.

What Manning would tell you is, don’t waste those moments because sometimes that is all you have.

Remember that moment when filming Barbie?

Greta Gerwig says, “Well, let’s just get a shot of her even if we don’t use it.”

Of that moment, Manning says, “That was my one shot.

I had two seconds to make it happen, and that’s the main shot you see in the Barbie movie. You never know when it’s your opportunity, but when it comes, it comes, so you best make yourself ready!”

Ponca City may be home, but the world is Kim Manning’s creative canvas.

Her creations have been music, dance, skating, choreography and more. She is a young woman

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Manning knew how to twirl into her few seconds when the opportunity came to her.

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Business Spotlight:

Signs of Excellence:

MakeKings Shines in Ponca City Story by Everett Brazil, III | Staff Writer

For a business to reach potential customers within the community, they need a sleek, bright sign to catch their attention, especially as they are driving down the street. Whether in a big city like Oklahoma City or a smaller community like Ponca City, one doesn’t have to go far to find creative signs begging for a driver’s, and customer’s, attention. Justin Schacknies is helping local businesses find that creative sign with his company, MakeKings Signs, and has taken that creativity across the region to help businesses promote themselves to potential customers.

Located only a few blocks from Grand Avenue on South First Street, for the past six years, they have occupied a building once owned by Southwest Business Products, a facility where they design and manufacture signs that will one day promote area businesses, from Ponca City up into Kansas.

“We make signs big and small, from banners all the way up to metal signs, where we have to go out and weld, dig and pour concrete,” he said.

His signs have been seen across the community.

One of the most recent is Nifty Car Rental owned

by Michael Mattera and HC Spiffy Auto Spa, for Heather Cannon. They also recently replaced a

sign for J.W. Cobb’s Family Restaurant. Other signs they have installed include Pretty Paws/Muddy Paws as well as Auto Intintions, both on Hartford Ave., Klingers Collision Center, on Monument Road off 14th Street and MyMediaMatters on Grand Ave. Ponca City is not the only community where they help businesses promote themselves. In addition to building new signs in Oklahoma, they have also expanded into Kansas.

“We have about a 100-mile radius. We’re currently working on a sign for Winfield, Kansas,” he said.

They have also helped Ponca City businesses expand into other communities, including Enid.

“Los Portales Restaurant here in town –they have another restaurant that they are opening up in Enid, Catrina’s Mexican Restaurant,” Schacknies said.

Helping businesses reach a new audience and customer base is but one of the things they offer.

They also help service signs, replacing lights as needed to keep the business visible long after the sun goes down.

They also work with other groups to locally install signs that were manufactured in other states, companies that may not be able to travel to Ponca

City.

“Ziggi’s Coffee, here in town, a company in Colorado made the signs, and they sent them to us in Ponca City,” Schacknies said. “That was the same for the Sonics in town that changed over to the blue signs. A company in Tennessee made them.”

Six years in business as MakeKings stemmed from a chance encounter on eBay, where Schacknies found a machine for making promotional materials for local businesses.

“When I was 18, I found a vinyl sticker cutter and I thought it’d be a great way to do business. I always wanted to go into business for myself. The first job paid for the machine,” he said.

JANUARY 2024

21

do it on the side, but I wasn’t full-force about it,” Schacknies said. “When I was 32, I was working on a little fun project, and I thought, ‘Why don’t I throw in my free time, try it and expand my abilities.’”

He would follow that with a larger machine, with equal results.

“I bought a bigger machine, and the second job I had paid for that machine,” he said.

He would put the idea of signage and advertising on the back burner, as he would later find work in other places, including the ConocoPhillips refinery.

It wouldn’t leave his mind, however, and he would later take the plunge into sign making.

“I left it as a hobby, and let it go dormant. I’d still

He asked that question about himself and ran with it.

“Within three to four years, I was able to open up the shop,” he said.

“When the first week of COVID-19 came out we had no calls. Then I realized that I had broken my routine of praying with my family every morning for the business , I got back into the routine and immediately everything picked back up, and we haven’t slowed down, learning things along the way,” Schacknies said.

showroom, where he shows potential customers their equipment, and what they can do for their shop.

“We always encourage people to come in the showroom and visit,” he said. “It is really beneficial from a face-to-face meeting, and shows the different materials, different options.”

While the jobs take a lot of work and creativity to get that special message out to the public, the best part is meeting a businesses needs, creating a sign they will be proud to display in front of their office.

“I think it is fun to take somebody’s existing logo and make it dimensional, and model it and bring it to life on the computer screen,” Schacknies said. “I enjoy having something to look at, and know I did that. I drive around town and I see my work. That brings a lot of joy to me.”

One of the ways they remain successful is a

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12-Month Healthy Challenge |

New Year,

New Slightly Slightly Improved ed Me

Story by Kelli Northcutt| Contributing Writer

Is it too early to celebrate “Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day”?

Normally, I’d wait until the national celebration on Jan. 17, but maybe we could get a jumpstart. According to a study by the University of Scranton, 80% of people who make resolutions don’t stick to them. Implementing small changes and maintaining those changes over time is much more effective.

As the Director of the Community Health Foundation and more than 20 years as a Registered Nurse, my goal is to improve the health of individuals and of my community. The state of our community’s health, though, is distressing. Health is not just the absence of disease, says the World Health Organization, it’s a state of physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and even financial wellbeing. In overall health, Oklahoma is listed in the annual America’s Health Rankings Report as 45th out of 50. Oklahoma’s high prevalence of nonmedical drug use, high percentage of household food insecurity and high uninsured rate are cited as some of Oklahoma’s biggest challenges contributing to our poor ranking. These conditions, along with lack of nutrition (Oklahoma is 49th in

fruit and vegetable consumption), lack of physical activity (Oklahoma ranks 42nd in states who get enough) and the frequency of mental distress (again Oklahoma is 42nd), contribute to our poor health. While these rankings are disappointing, I’m not willing to do nothing, and neither should you. Each of us can adopt small, healthy changes that over time can improve our own health and the overall health of our community.

United Way of North Central Oklahoma and the Community Health Foundation of Kay County both have a mission to improve health and have partnered to bring you a health calendar for 2024. Each month provides tips for good health and unique monthly challenges that focus on everything from scheduling your preventive health screenings to getting

Meet Kelli Northcutt

Kelli Northcutt is the Executive Director of the Community Health Foundation of Kay County, Oklahoma. She started in this role in October of 2018. The Community Health Foundation is a non-profit organization that works to improve the health of Kay County through grants, community education, and scholarships. The Foundation awards over $35,000 each year in scholarships to students pursuing a degree in a healthcare field and more than $170,000 in community grants to organizations with a health-related mission.

Kelli grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma and graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2001. She worked as a registered nurse in postpartum and labor and delivery then later as a nurse for a high-risk pregnancy clinic before moving to Ponca City with her husband, Dr. Jeff Northcutt. Kelli spent several years in Ponca City as a stay-at-home mom, community volunteer, and part-time nurse in her husband’s clinic before taking the position at the Foundation.

Meet Tara Goldman

Tara Goldman is the Executive Director of United Way of North Central Oklahoma since 2021. United Way is a nonprofit organization that brings our community together to focus on the most important human needs — building partnerships, forging consensus and leveraging resources to make a measurable difference. United Way and our partner agencies focus on community needs under 3 focus areas, Education, Financial Stability and Health/Safety.

We want to help children and youth succeed, strengthen and support families, promote self-sufficiency, collaborate to insure vital and safe neighborhoods, and support vulnerable and aging populations.

Tara is a longtime resident of Ponca City and a graduate of Ponca City Public Schools. Tara graduated from University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Child Development. Tara has 20 years’ experience working in the mental health field. This experience gave her a deep appreciation for advocating, linking and referring those in need to resources.

Tara’s husband Jesse is an employee of Stolhand-Wells Group. Tara is a proud step-mother to Kaylea, Justice and Caitlin.

JANUARY 2024 25

8 5 9 4 6 7 9 8 4 2 4 1 6 6 4 8 1 8 2 5 4 8 3 7 9 5 adequate sleep and drinking enough water.

We invite you to download a copy from United Way’s website at uwnco.org or by requesting a free printed copy atuwnco.org/health-wellnesscalendar.

23 - Medium

January’s calendar focus is on writing small, realistic, achievable health goals.

If you currently spend every waking moment at your desk or on your sofa and rarely engage in any physical activity, working out for an hour each day at 5 in the morning, might not be the most realistic and achievable goal for you. Setting a goal to move your body for 10 minutes, three times per week, just might.

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In choosing health goals for 2024, select one goal or several. The key is to make a plan and stay positive. A study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) explains that changing behavior might be best achieved by partnering an already established habit with a new healthy habit. You

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likely already have some of these partnered habits – automatically washing your hands after flushing the toilet, for example, or immediately buckling your seatbelt after shutting your car door. In making new health habits, try drinking a full glass of water each time you sit down for a meal, or following each lunch with a small serving of fruit. In this study by NIH, participants kept the new habits better overall when paired with another automatic habit. Missing an occasional new habit did not impair the overall adoption of that habit and the new habit became much more automatic for the participants over two months of its continued use.

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After getting your own copy of the Health Calendar, consider initiating a challenge with coworkers, friends or family. Let’s ditch the New Year’s Resolutions, but declare 2024 as a year to move, even if ever so slightly, in a healthier direction.

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Education |

NOC offers Micro-Credential Criminal Justice program Story by Scott Cloud | Northern Oklahoma College Northern Oklahoma College Tonkawa announced a partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections to offer micro-credentials and scholarships for correctional institutions statewide.

The criminal justice program at NOC is working with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections Office of Professional Development to create customized courses allowing their correctional employees to expand on the knowledge and skills in their chosen field.

Corrections,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs Diana Watkins. “Troy has worked closely with registration, academic affairs, finance and scholarships to develop this partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. Brad

Funding for this program was provided by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education through the Upskill OK initiative. Through this funding, NOC is providing scholarships to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections for the new partnership.

NOC Criminal Justice Program Director Troy Cochran said, “I’m excited to partner with prisons all across the state in such an innovative new way to increase the knowledge of the field of corrections and provide Oklahoma Department of Correction institutions and employees beneficial and real-world education.”

“I’m very pleased with Troy Cochran’s leadership and the way the team at NOC came together to prepare to offer this micro-credential in

Griffith at the State Regents office was instrumental in guiding us through the micro-credentials process, and this is the beginning of some exciting offerings to come at Northern.”

NOC’s micro-credential program consists of three courses online in an eight-week, self-paced academic environment.

Courses include a college-level academic course in corrections, one custom tailored to Oklahoma Departments of Corrections’ specific training needs as an institution and institutional crosstraining that provides an overall institutional benefit. Career exploration experiences allow the student to investigate specific job requirements and work environments.

Once all three courses are complete, the employee will receive a total of four digital micro-credential badges with the final badge in Detention and Correctional Officers, as well as nine credit hours through Northern Oklahoma College.

Digital badges are a web-based artifact that contains metadata that documents students’ completion of a credential, such as a microcredential, certificate or degree and can be shared and verified electronically.

Future plans are to expand this program at the county jail level in the surrounding area.

This program is designed for traditional students and also nontraditional students that have already earned college credit. More information is available at Noc.edu/academics/programs/ reach-higher.

NOC Criminal Justice instructor Troy Cochran demonstrates the use of handcuffs for Criminal Justice students. (photo by Shiloh Martin/Northern Oklahoma College)

JANUARY 2024 29

CHAMBER BUZZ

Story by Shelley Arrott, Ponca City Chamber of Commerce CEO | Contributing Writer

Happy New Year, Ponca City! As we stand on the threshold of a new year, I want to express my gratitude to our Chamber Investors for your resilience and dedication as we went through a year of change at the Chamber. Rich Cantillon retired in February 2023 after 19 years of service with the Chamber; he laid a wonderful foundation through his dedication to our community. Tiffany Hermann stepped up as Interim Director and performed two jobs from Feb. 25 through June 4; Kelly Cross began as our Membership Coordinator on June 9; and Zach Trantham steadfastly maintained his Tourism Coordinator duties and supported the Chamber through the transition. After serving six months as the Chamber CEO/President, I am blessed to be a part of our strong Ponca City Area Chamber Team that is ready to make a difference in our community!

In addition to the amazing staff team, in 2023 we had an incredible Chamber Board of Directors and Executive Committee, with Rick Hancock leading the charge as the 2023 Chamber Chair. Even with the monumental changes at the Chamber, we had wonderful

achievements in 2023 that have laid the foundation for a successful 2024. The year 2023 was an auction year for Party at the Palace, and we had a highly successful fundraiser.

Remember, the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce only has a fundraiser every other year!

As of Nov. 22, 2023, when this article went to press, we have 68 new Chamber Investors; we have increased our social media reach by 1,000 followers; and we have had record attendance at our Chamber events. We are recognizing our investor milestones, spotlighting our investors weekly and tracking new investor touchpoints through the Ambassador Committee. For the first time, the Ponca Politics Committee is developing a Legislative Agenda tailored specifically to the needs of our community for which to advocate during the 2024 Legislative Session. These accomplishments set the stage for the anticipation of creating new experiences for our Chamber Investors, in addition to our wonderful opportunities already in place. The unwavering commitment, collaboration and shared values among our investors have been the driving force behind our collective achievements.

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As we embark on this Investment Drive, I want to extend a heartfelt invitation to both existing and potential investors to actively participate in this initiative. Together, let’s build bridges, forge connections and amplify the impact of our business community. Whether you are a seasoned investor or are considering investing for the first time, your presence and activity in our Chamber family are integral to our shared success.

Investing in the Chamber means investing in our community! In the spirit of unity and growth, understand that it takes all of us working together to promote the success of our community and each other. We are very excited to share details of many new Chamber experiences for 2024! Join us in shaping the future because, in our collective strength, we find the power to thrive!

From everyone at the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce, we wish you a wonderful, healthy and prosperous new year!

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The upcoming year is a scheduled Investment Year, meaning the goal will be to expand our network of Chamber Investors. As we reflect on years past, it has been six years since the Chamber has focused on an Investment Cycle. Typically, on years we do not have a Party at the Palace auction we have an Investment Drive.

However, two years ago Wendy Stobbe Martin led us in the muchneeded Kindness Campaign and four years ago, we were sidetracked by the pandemic. Kelsey has a wonderful vision and dynamic goals to take our Chamber to new heights.

Her vision for our Investment Drive is to “Invest in Success and Grow Your Business.” With great thought, Kelsey is going to lead us in an “Invest in Success” social media hashtag campaign, with an Investor Spotlight Series, Tips for Success for your Business, Interactive Q&A Sessions, Weekly Success Challenges, Educational Opportunities to help grow our area businesses and much more! The heart of this vision lies in our Investment Drive, a strategic initiative aimed at bringing together a diverse array of talents, ideas and perspectives under the banner of

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Thoughts on Higher Education Story by Stephen Scott | Contributing Writer Everyone seems to love a good spy story. Often they can be very inspirational. Moe Berg was born in the Harlem district of New York City, the youngest son of Ukrainian immigrants. He really enjoyed school and started playing baseball at the age of seven. He graduated high school at the age of 16 and went on to eventually be accepted at Princeton where he graduated with his BA magna cum laude in modern languages, having studied Latin, Greek, French, Spanish, Italian, German and Sanskrit. Upon graduation, his talent playing baseball landed him a position with a team eventually known as the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Moe went on to play professional baseball for 15 seasons on four different American League teams. But his thirst for knowledge never left him, so he used the “off season” time to earn his degree in law. He was a very popular player in his day and was constantly invited to social events, many overseas; and with his skill with different languages, he was approached by the U.S. Government Office of Strategic Services (OSS, now known as the CIA) to perform intelligence work. He readily accepted the opportunity to

JAN. 25 IS OPPOSITE DAY

by Patrick Jordan

69. The Minnow on "Gilligan's Island," for one 70. Org. for teachers (abbr.)

71. Bath soap brand DOWN 1. Jar's top 2. Cookie brand with an annual Halloween variety 3. Cow's kid 4. Steak slicer 5. Luau dance 6. Singer Baker with eight Grammys 7. Heavy ___ (rock music genre) 8. "But by the ___ token..."

9. Horned plow-pulling beasts 10. Deflated tire 11. Bowling pin count 13. Robert of "Killers of the Flower Moon" (2 wds.)

14. Forwarded, as a package (2 wds.)

20. Cheering shout in Mexico 21. Tiger Woods's sport 24. "Stretch" cars, briefly 25. City in central Florida 26. ___ bear (child's bedtime toy) 28. "The Cosby Show" daughter 30. Financial plans for the senior years (abbr.)

31. Submitted a ballot 32. "Come on in!"

33. Vampire-stopping stick 35. Bears hibernate in them 37. "Is that ___ much to ask?"

38. Humble response to praise (2 wds.)

43. It's on your right if you're facing north 44. Spouting swimmers 45. Frat party featuring beer 49. Contented sigh 52. Shown again, as a TV program 53. ___ and beyond the call of duty

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Inquiring minds like Moe Berg want to learn, and he is just one example of what an education can do for you. Maybe even a life of mystery and intrigue!

At the University Center of Ponca City there are no age restrictions to attend college classes in many fields, and we are working to bring even more courses to the UC. The possibilities are endless.

Over half of the jobs needed in our state require a college degree, and our goal is to help students successfully complete classes in their chosen field, and in the process we can produce graduates to support current workforce demands and foster growth for our city and the state. We can help you with applications for grants and scholarships, both local and at the state level.

An education is key to being independent and self-sufficient. Take some time to think about your future and see if the UC could be your pathway to get there.

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ACROSS 1. Secure with a key 5. Breakfast meat choice 8. Pillowy 12. Country west of Afghanistan 13. Sandy desert hills 15. Wheel-to-wheel shaft 16. Supermarket section with prepared foods 17. Like an aristocrat's status 18. Intend to say 19. Straying from the main subject (4 wds.)

22. Giants quarterback Manning 23. Medium-range choir voice 24. Parking area 27. Commit a blunder 29. Pimento-stuffed tidbits 34. Smeared frosting on 36. Leading the race (3 wds.)

39. Created 40. Tiny circle over an i 41. "___ boy!" ("Way to go1") 42. City in a classic Sinatra song (3 wds.)

46. Look for 47. Complies with a dentist's request (2 wds.)

48. Supporting vote in the Senate 50. Rapping Dr. who was on "Black-ish" 51. ___ Lee (frozen dessert brand) 54. Kind of order that forbids commentary 56. Site of Custer's defeat (3 wds.)

62. It has a punch line 63. Wear down, as soil 64. Haunted house noise 66. Has another birthday 67. Many a bank account holder 68. Sharp part of a 4-Down

help our nation during World War II and traveled around the world using his celebrity status to gain access to people and locations which might have been difficult for others.

For instance, as part of an All-Star team sent to Japan, he gained access to their military harbors. He made friends in Switzerland with a German nuclear weapon scientist to track Nazi progress in developing an atomic bomb. Even after the end of WWII, he continued to accept assignments from the CIA using his personality and social networking skills to get information from businessmen and politicians.

Before his death in 1972, he stated, “I’m happy I had the chance to play pro ball and am especially proud of my contributions to my country. Perhaps I couldn’t hit like Babe Ruth, but I spoke more languages than he did.”

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60. Took a train or a truck, say 61. Reminds persistently 62. Quick boxing punch 65. It hangs from a basketball hoop

JANUARY 2024 35

COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH Mixed by Jill Rowe/Staff Writer

Bellini 2 oz. Peach Puree Chilled Prosecco

Pour the peach puree into a champagne flute and top it off with chilled prosecco. Keep in mind the prosecco will bubble up as you pour, so be sure to pour slowly. Give a gentle stir with your bar spoon to combine.

Although it’s a new year, some traditions are worth keeping. And what’s a New Year’s celebration without some bubbly? While champagne and prosecco are delightful on their own, it’s fun to add a little pizzazz to your glass. If you’re a peach lover like me, the Bellini is for you! It’s as easy to make as heating up ramen noodles and packs a punch with my favorite fruit flavor.

Let’s peel back the layers of time and step into the enchanting world of Harry’s Bar in the 1930s. Established in 1931 by the visionary Giuseppe Cipriani Sr. in Venice, Italy, this cozy venue became a magnet for the crème de la crème of society.

The air was alive with the chatter of writers penning their next masterpiece, painters finding inspiration in every corner and aristocrats mingling with kings and queens. In the heart of post-war glamour, as Venice ruled the socialite scene, Harry’s Bar became a vibrant canvas where the city’s cultural elements mixed seamlessly.

The proprietor and bartender created a cocktail that would become an iconic symbol of elegance

36 JANUARY 2024

and taste. The Bellini is more than just a drink; it’s an homage to the artistic legacy of Giovanni Bellini. Cipriani named this cocktail as a nod to the renowned Italian Renaissance painter and his beautiful color palette.

Authentic Italian Bellinis are made with white peaches, but they can be tough to come by throughout the year. Fortunately, you can easily substitute with peach nectar or yellow peaches, fresh or frozen. For optimal taste, chill the peach puree in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. If using frozen peaches, throw those suckers in the food processor, and they’re ready to go.

If you happen to find yourself in Venice, stop in Harry’s Bar, but if you order a Bellini, it will set you back about 25 bucks.

Yikes! Not a peach lover? Your loss! If you don’t believe in the power of peaches, remember the wise words of the Presidents of the United States: “Millions of peaches, peaches for free. Millions of peaches, peaches for me.” Imagine a world where fresh and abundant produce is free. That’s the kind of world I want to live in.

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If buying a new vehicle is in your plans for 2024, we hope you’ll give us a chance to earn your business.

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KERA KESTER Year 2024 has arrived! I’m so excited for all the amazing moments and memories this year will bring for us all. As I was thinking about all of the beauty there is to look forward to, the timeline of our lives crossed my mind. Being alive on this earth is a gift, and I am so appreciative of every breath that I am blessed with. However, the day will come where we are no longer here. That statement makes us feel a little sad, appreciate and make the most out of each moment we get, cherish time with our loved ones or a culmination of all three together! More cool thoughts that crossed my mind are all of the remedies and gifts we have that allow us to stay in good health for a longer life of greater quality! Here are three ways to live a longer and fuller life!

Treat yourself and others with love and generosity

Serving people is one of the most fulfilling things you can ever do in life. Taking the time to be a listening ear, helping hand, encouraging mouthpiece or comforting spirit can make someone’s day in ways you’ve never imagined. Not only could the people you touch return the favor, but they could also pay it forward in a beautiful domino effect of selfless kindness. Making a good difference in someone’s life is a very fulfilling role that we are called to exemplify every single day. Not only does it foster a sense of purpose, but it can teach us to give that same kindness and grace to ourselves. Don’t be afraid to take care of, and treat yourself well. Emphasize the beauty of your identity, find healthy coping mechanisms, strengthen or reconcile relationships, or make time for fun or relaxing adventures. We all need help, and we can all give it in countless ways!

Make healthy lifestyle choices

I am a broken record when it comes to encouraging good lifestyle habits. You will live with much more vitality, happiness and longevity if you exercise, have a clean diet and get adequate sleep and hydration. Your body functions 1000 times better with these types of habits in place! Additionally, spending time with good and loving people will increase your happiness levels like crazy! Just giving and receiving hugs has been shown to strengthen your immune system and decrease stress, blood pressure and even high heart rates. Studies have also shown that prayer and meditation reduces stress, anxiety and depression, as well as increases life expectancy. It is vital to build and maintain a healthy and holistic lifestyle!

Be mindful of harmful substances and keeping your brain active

One of the safest things you can do for your body is to avoid illicit drugs, tobacco and destructive alcohol consumption. The beauty in doing this is promoting decreased risk of cancer and cardiovascular and/or chronic diseases. Avoiding these substances can also help brain functioning and cognition. Speaking of the brain, make sure to challenge and engage it! This can help prevent brain fog, dementia and boredom. Using puzzles, engaging in stimulating family discussions or debates, card or board games, and reading can strengthen and improve your mental health greatly.

Sharing this earth with you is such a blessing! My desire is for you to live a life that is full of meaning, passion and love. Start this new year strong, and let’s all keep growing and learning step by step. I can’t wait to hear your emails, messages and stories of the amazing things this year has in store for you. Happy New Year to all of you!

JANUARY 2024 39

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ALCATRAZ VS. THE EVIL LIBRARIANS

by Brandon Sanderson

The book opens on Alcatraz’s 13th birthday.

Alcatraz Smedry has grown up in the foster care system; he’s been in it since birth and knows nothing of his parents, although he’s certain they must have had a twisted sense of humor. Seriously, who names their child after the most infamous prison in the United States? He’s forever breaking things, which doesn’t endear him with his foster parents, so he’s been shuffled around a lot.

Back to Alcatraz’s 13th birthday: The postman delivers a gift for him from his parents. It’s his inheritance. It’s a bag of sand. Weird, huh?

What’s even weirder is that people seem to want Alcatraz’s new bag-o-sand. They’re willing to steal and even murder to acquire it.

The weirdness just continues. An older gentleman wearing a tuxedo and driving a

Model T shows up claiming to be Alcatraz’s grandfather. They discover the bag-o-sand has been stolen by those Evil Librarians and rush off to retrieve it.

It turns out that the Evil Librarians are out to take over the world by spreading fake news and silencing the truth. It’s up to Alcatraz and Grandpa Smedry to battle the Evil Librarians and save the known world. Sadly, the only thing that Alcatraz is good at is breaking things. Grandpa is amazed. It seems all Smedrys have a Talent, and the Talent of breaking things is an incredibly powerful Talent that hasn’t been seen in centuries! In case you’re wondering, Grandpa Smedry’s Talent is arriving late.

Aiding the Smedrys are a sword-wielding knight and a collection of dinosaurs (with British accents). This was such a fun book! ___________________________ Reviewed by Lorrie Layton

WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN?/WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN NOW?

By Mary Higgins Clark I will start this review by saying Mary Higgins Clark is known as the “Queen of Suspense” and for good reason! If you are looking for a perfect mystery that leaves you guessing until the end, you are in the right place.

Where Are the Children? was originally published in 1975, but has been reprinted over 75 times, as it remains on bestseller lists throughout the United States and United Kingdom.

We join Nancy as she is still recovering from the tragic murder of her children that she was blamed for, though not convicted.

Nancy has attempted to move on. She has relocated to the quiet Cape Cod area, met and married a wonderful man and now has two more beautiful children. Nancy is careful to protect these children as she still fears her past. She is so careful that she can’t believe when the children disappear right from her own backyard. Once again she is thrown in to the spotlight, and it’s

suggested that she had something to do with the disappearance. As the search for the children proceeds, we are introduced to numerous characters, who seem innocent, but how can we really know?

With clues and surprises along the way, you will be guessing until the last chapter who took the children!

Book Reviews

In Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, Brandon Sanderson kicks off a giggle-inducing, laughout-loud fantasy series for middle grades. The title is what originally caught my attention – you know, the “Evil Librarians”?

Forty-eight years later, Mary Higgins Clark has blessed us with a sequel to her bestselling suspense novel. Where Are the Children Now? joins Nancy 40 years later, as she prepares for her daughter Melissa’s wedding day. Melissa is welcoming a young stepdaughter into her family.

When the girl disappears, Nancy can’t help but relive her past and feel like it is happening for a third time to her poor family! Where Are the Children Now? ___________________________ Reviewed by Tara Anson

JANUARY 2024 41

For more tasty food fun, check out @foodcrushok on IG and Facebook. chips/salsa/Jalapeno Bean Dip hits the mark every time. Pro tip: Grab a pint of salsa to go.

Opened in 1983, the Avila family has owned and operated this hometown restaurant from the start. The love this family puts into their craft and their community is apparent in every bite of food.

Hosting blood drives, throwing dance parties for customers and supporting local events, such as the Hispanic Heritage Festival, are a few examples of how owner Mercedes Avila and the entire staff at Enrique’s are committed to strengthening our community. Not only that, they make really tasty flautas. Happy Eating!! ________________________ Enrique’s Mexican Restaurant 2213 Waverly, Ponca City It’s at the airport!

Enrique’s Mexican Restaurant

Top Three For Me

Story & Photos By Amy Dewitt Geurin | Contributing Writer If Cuban food and Mexican food joined forces and created a CubeMexiAmercian-ish cuisine, it would be the food at Enrique’s Mexican Restaurant. A Ponca City constant for over 40 years, this vibrant restaurant has been serving original Mexican-inspired dishes sprinkled with some Cuban influence to those of us in Kay County and to people across the country.

Arguably one of the most well-known menu items in northern Oklahoma, the puffy chips at Enrique’s are one-of-a-kind. Made fresh to order, these corn tortilla chips puff up when fried, leaving the lucky diner with a distinctive, airy version of a commonplace staple served at Mexican restaurants nationwide. Take a bite off the corner and fill with salsa. These chips are unforgettable and stellar.

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Another familiar and popular dish is the Texas Hot and Spicy Burrito. Lots of tender chuck roast, lots of beans, lots of cheese and lots of jalapeno gravy make this sucker true to its name. This mountain of food is available in two sizes, small and large, and is topped with a whole-roasted jalapeno. Do not be fooled.

The small is not small. It’s just not quite as massive as the large, and the small comes with rice and beans.

Don’t sleep on the sauces/dips at Enrique’s.

The salsa is freshly made, and it is easy to automatically smother every single bite of food with it. Order the Jalapeno Bean Dip with the chips and salsa. This is the best dip in town. Served sizzling hot, this spin on a traditional bean dip has a little bite and a ton of flavor. Paired with a favorite cerveza, the

Order the Asado al Cubano. Pulled pork Cuban goodness.

Where else can you watch airplanes take off and land while enjoying a meal? Most exciting location around.

The chicken soup!

Only available at lunch, this is my favorite soup in town.

Hours: Lunch: Monday-Friday 11 am-2 pm Dinner: Monday-Thursday 4:30-8 pm Friday 4:30-9 pm Saturday 11 am-9 pm enriquesmexicanrestaurant.com @enriquesmexicanrestaurant

If You Find Yourself In …

Denver and you’re looking for irresistible Cuban food, go to Cuba Cuba on Delaware Street. Open for dinner only, enter through the door of two historic homes that have been converted into a crazy good Caribbean spot. Start with two Croquetas de Jamon, flash-fried ham croquettes and a legit daiquiri (not frozen!). Order the Ropa Vieja de Casa, slow-cooked shredded beef that melts in your mouth.

Order a blackberry mojito. Get the flan. Pair it with rum, whatever your server tells you to order. Grab a Cuban Sandwich to go and eat it tomorrow. 86 the pickles. I know.

Pickle people LOVE pickles. Pickles are gross.

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This is a stunningly beautiful show, with exquisite backdrops, gorgeous gowns, and tailored suits. You are truly transported back through time while watching. Julian Fellowes, who was the creator and writer for a little show called Downton Abbey, is also the creator and writer of the Gilded Age. So, if you were a fan of his daring, yet concise story lines in Downton, you will be absolutely enthralled by what he has created in The Gilded Age.

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and she is wise enough to “invest” in friendships that will rocket her atop the New York social scene.

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If you are a lover of historical fiction, period dramas, and over-the-top costuming, you will absolutely love The Gilded Age. Set during the 1880s in opulent New York City, The Gilded Age follows the saga of two families, the van Rhijns (old money) and the Russells (new money), and the ways in which their paths continue to intermingle. Agnes van Rhijn (flawlessly played

by Christine Baranski) has been an insouciant, life-long member of New York City’s elite upper-class, and she is used to entertaining and rubbing elbows with the likes of other New York City socialites such as “The” Mrs. Astor, but when “new money” neighbors, (the Russells) start moving in across the street, Agnes is immediately affronted by their ostentation and vows to do what she can to keep the Russells on the fringe of New York’s polite society. Meanwhile, Bertha Russell (played by Carrie Coons, who could not be more perfectly suited for the role) fully intends to use her vast, newfound fortune to do whatever it takes to elevate her family’s status within New York society. She has more money than cares,

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You can stream both seasons of The Gilded Age on MAX (formerly HBOmax), and if you are a little bit nerdy like me, there is also a really fun companion podcast for the series aptly titled “The Official Gilded Age Podcast” which is available on all podcast streaming services.

Happy Streaming, Friends!

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Stew On That

by Rachel Stewart / Contributing Writer

I

’m going to be really raw and vulnerable for a minute. My husband and I have been through a lot in our marriage. He was so young when we got married, the ripe young age of 28, nearly 30, almost 3 decades, so he had a lot of growing up to do. I was 23, so pretty much a fetus, I had very little life experience. We became parents twice, have attempted to raise two wild and beautiful boys into good humans, started a business, started another business, ran those businesses, have essentially grown up together and have been through all of the trials and tribulations you’d expect in a 13-year marriage … and one thing nearly ended it all. Our

laundry room remodel.

Make no mistake, our laundry room isn’t even big. In fact, it is tiny. Not even a room, more like a laundry alcove. Even the word “remodel” is being generous, it was essentially just painting, taking down a cabinet and putting up shelves. And I’m not joking, we both had contacted lawyers to start splitting up our assets midway through the project. I was mad at him because he wasn’t excited about the remodel and didn’t share my vision, he was mad at me because he bought the wrong size of wood for the shelves even though I’d told him approximately 14 times that we needed 2x12’s but he still got 2x10’s. The washer leaked everywhere when we moved it and he was mad

at me about that but not as much as I was mad at him about that.

I told him we should clean our dryer vent while the dryer was pulled out and his reaction was like if I had suggested to murder three dozen puppies. He had the audacity to question my interior design choices even though just weeks prior he had suggested we get one of those Big Mouth Billy Bass singing fish to hang on the wall. Thankfully, our laundry room is done, it’s beautiful, our marriage is still intact, if not slightly bruised, and we both agreed to marriage counseling if we decide to remodel anything else in our house.

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