Ponca City Monthly July 2021

Serving Northern Oklahoma

FREE PUBLICATION

JULY 2021

Wentz P l and Camp A Gift to the Youth of Ponca City AND Oklahoma

VIEW DIGITAL EDITION AT PONCACITYMONTHLY.COM

Member FDIC

709 E. Prospect, Ponca City

www.mybankcnb.com (580) 762-3886

www.mybankcnb.com

Stop by soon and find out why we should be YOUR Community Bank!

Lobby Open Monday-Friday 9-5 Drive-Thru Open Monday-Friday 9-5:30 and Saturday 9-Noon

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July 2021

LET FREEDOM RING! Happy

4

th

of July!

2415 N. 14th • Ponca City 580-765-5533

StutevilleFordPonca.com StutevilleLincoln.com We’ll buy your vehicle. Swing by for your complimentary appraisal.

July 2021

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JULY 2021

•

VOL. 2 NO. 7

FEATURES

HUMOR & ENTERTAINMENT

Ponca City Vintage Swag’s Cuff Links Featured in Hollywood Shows 12 The Hidden Equestrian Trails of of Kay County Discover the Joys of Horseback Riding 7 Peek Inside the Historic Marland 1 Mansion 28 Wentz Pool and Camp A Gift to the Youth of Ponca City and Oklahoma 45 Evans Children’s Academy The Legacy of Patti Evans 47 Raise the Roof Campaign A Message from the Poncan Theatre Board 59 Small World Stories It’s a Small World After All

Beautiful Contest 48 Stew on That

by Rachel Stewart 48 Crossword Puzzle 58 Crossword Puzzle Answers 60 Ponca City Monthly’s Geocash

8 The CUFF of Fashion LINKed to

HEALTH & BEAUTY

52 The Importance of a Healthy Gut

FOOD

57 Grilled Korean Chicken Wings Sweet and Spicy Summer Treat!

GARDENING

24 Amateur Gardener

Professional Nature Lover 39 Backyard Gardener Front Yard Personalities

11 PCM’s Keep Ponca City

CALENDARS

50 Chamber Link July Chamber Events 50 Events Calendar July/August Community Events

Publishing Company MyMediaMatters Marketing Agency Editor-in-Chief Kelsey Wagner Associate Editor & Advertising Director Robyn Ryan Staff Writers Carey Head Jay Wagner Lauren Payne Andy Hicks Chelsea McConnell Ad Designer Robyn Ryan Magazine Designer Andy Hicks Story Editor Sherry Cable

ARTS

42 Sounding Off

Music in & Around Ponca City 53 ARTSPACE Sheridan Greer

EDUCATION

7 Summer Learning Loss

What Is It, and What Can We Do About It?

BOOK REVIEWS

35 Children’s Book Review Ashlords 37 Adult Book Review Arctic Storm Rising

Copy Editor Patrick Jordan Staff Photographers Jay Wagner Lauren Payne Staff Interns Kayley Spielbusch Alexia Smith Contributing Writers Paul Muehlberg Rachel Stewart Patrick Jordan Lorrie Layton Kat Long Steve Scott Kera Kester Marlys Cervantes Theresa Sacket

BUSINESS

56 Small Business Cyber Security Proud Member of: Ponca City Chamber of Commerce Newkirk Chamber of Commerce Tonkawa Chamber of Commerce Blackwell Chamber of Commerce Artk City Chamber of commerce

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July 2021

Don’t Get Hacked!

© MyMediaMatters, LLC, dba Ponca City Monthly 2021. For permission to reproduce any article in this magazine, contact admin@my-mediamatters.com. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Ponca City Monthly is a Member of the Society of Professional Journalists.

We believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. We strive to ensure a free exchange of information that is accurate, fair and thorough. We pledge to: Seek the Truth, and Report It; Minimize Harm; Act Independently; and to Be Accountable and Transparent. To read our full pledge, visit: spj.org/ethicscode.asp

Letter from the Editor Inattentional Blindness The weather has been beautiful this summer, and if you have taken advantage of the City of Ponca City’s great trail system (and you should!), it’s likely that you walked past the Marland Mansion. If you did, you probably had headphones in or you may have been texting your friends or swiping through Facebook. Or perhaps you were on a bike and zoomed by the mansion without a second glance.

“The mansion is beautiful,” you might think as you zoom past it. “I’ve been inside the mansion; I’ve seen it all.” But have you?

Serving Northern Oklahoma

FREE PUBLICATION

JULY 2021

There’s a phenomenon called “Inattentional Blindness.” Inattentional Blindness is the psychological phenomenon that causes humans to miss things that are right in front of their eyes.

Human beings have a finite amount of attention they can dedicate to take in information at any given time. When we drive, are in a meeting or are out walking, we split our attention based on priority and our brains try to filter out unnecessary information to help us function more efficiently.

The phenomenon occurs and our brains essentially hide things that are in plain sight. It happens all the time, and many people are not even aware.

So you say you have been to the mansion? How much of your attention were you able to dedicate?

Did you see the $2 million chandeliers or the gilded gold-leafed ceiling in the ballroom? How about the stone-carved dog heads in the entryway, or the hand-painted ceiling in the Winter Room that traces the history of Oklahoma from the days of the pre-Columbian Native Americans through the discovery of oil by Marland Oil Company?

Ponca City is blessed with more beautiful architectural and natural treasures than most cities. So the next time you are at Wentz Pool, Cann Gardens, Ponca Lake, the Marland Mansion, Marland’s Grand Home or any other of our local historic treasures, try and give it your full attention and see what your brain has kept hidden from you all these years.

Wentz P l and Camp editor@poncacitymonthly.com

VIEW DIGITAL EDITION AT PONCACITYMONTHLY.COM

ON THE COVER

Wentz Pool on a sunny day Photo by Natalie Fraser

see Wentz Pool and Camp on Page 28 Design by Andy Hicks

July 2021

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July 2021

Summer Learning Loss What is it, and what can we do about it?

Story by Alexia Smith/Staff Intern Children lose up to 40% of their gains over the school year while on summer break. It is also said that higher-achieving students forget more over the summer than average students.

Without an element of active education, the summer break has the potential of setting back a variety of the progress your kids have made during the school year. Some studies say that students can lose 1-3 months of learning throughout the summer. There are many benefits to enrolling your kids in a program during the summer months.

First, it’ll minimize the danger of learning loss while they’re not at school. By working and practicing their reading skills over the summer, you’ll be helping them develop great reading habits. Luckily for us, we have two local organizations in Ponca City willing and able to help and support children.

The Ponca City Public Library

The Ponca City Public Library offers many wonderful things in its Summer Reading program, such as setting goals for the kids. The library has broken down the students into three groups: Early Literacy group, Children and Teens.

The Early Literacy group covers 0-4 year olds; it provides activities that mom/dad, etc., can help with, such as drawing, storytelling and observing.

The Children’s group reads for a minimum of 20 minutes; in doing so, children receive a sticker on their log.

Teens read thousands of pages of any books of their choosing. At the end of this program, July 25, they receive a prize if, and only if, they complete their mark.

“A significant way to encourage a young mind into reading is to read in front of your kids,” says Kathleen Auschwitz, Manager of Ponca City Public Library, who also oversees the program.

“They say kids fall into a summer slump; this is a way to keep their brains active and is a way to keep them interactive with others. That way, once they go back to school, they are semi-ready.”

This year Mrs. Auschwitz turned the young minds of Ponca toward the outdoors, making Summer Reading into something more educational, as well. This year’s theme for the library is Tails and Tales. However, Mrs. Auschwitz took a different tactic, naming it Trails and Tales.

All classes are entirely free through the Ponca City Public Library; they hold classes and allow kids to go home and complete tasks by themselves with Summer Reading.

If you want to do this at home, you can pick up a log or print it offline.

Classes are held on Mondays at 11 a.m. Picking up a brochure at the

library will help you know all the dates and times for events. Classes are around an hour long; if your child is under 8, a parent must stay. If your child is 8+, you may leave your child there, but she encourages you to stay because the class may run shorter.

Brace Books & More

Brace Books also gave us some insight into its Summer Reading program.

“By encouraging kids’ reading, Brace Books hopes to help close the gap on ‘Summer Lag’ so kids are ready to head back to school in August,” says Tara Smith, owner of Brace Books & More.

“Brace Books’s summer reading challenge at our local, small-town business is an at-home program that does not require you to keep a log yourself. Brace Books has an Honor System for each child to verify that they have read the book, and they trace the number of books you take home,” says Tara.

“Kids fall into a summer slump; this is a way to keep their brains active”

After reading 10 books, the child gets a $10 Brace Books coupon that can be spent on anything in the store, or you can save it and collect more money along the way. At the end of each month, the child who has read the most books for that month will get a gift basket with goodies and gift cards from several local businesses.

Sun ‘N Fun and Farha Wholesale have teamed up with Brace Books to give these children the perfect end-of-the-summer prize, while also offering discounts on their book purchases and a coupon program that they can exchange for books.

Brace Books and More offers trained staff members to help children find the right book that makes them want to continue reading throughout the summer. They offer books and other learning materials that are geared toward any child’s needs and abilities.

Kids have through August 31 to read as much as possible, and since it’s an at-home program, you can read at any time.

For Brace Books to accurately track your kids’ reading, they require the books to be purchased from inside their store, and luckily Brace Books has children’s books starting at just 45 cents. Brace Books holds amazing deals in its store for ages Pre-K-12 grade. The Ponca City Public Library and Brace Books and More both offer incredible deals and experiences. Summer reading should be about helping the young minds of our up-and-coming generations find ways to be encouraged to read and learn.

July 2021

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The CUFF of Fashion LINKed LINK ed to Ponca City Vintage Swag’s Cuff links Featured in Hollywood Shows Story and Photos by Chelsea McConnell/Staff Writer Downtown Ponca City is a beautiful area with lots of hidden treasures to discover. Chief among them is a gem of a shop just west of the tracks called Vintage Swag. If you are an antique lover, Vintage Swag is definitely worth a visit! The shop is located in the historic Nonnamaker Hall property at 207 West Grand Avenue. They house a massive variety of vintage items, including china, silver, glass, ties, cuff links, tie clips, light fixtures and more.

Carter has provided cuff links to stylists from shows like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and the Reagan biopic being filmed in Oklahoma. With his vast collection of other vintage items, he also helps with set props as well.

Items sold recently include a 1952 TV set and an antique model of the firstever desktop computer.

It all started when owner Bret Carter was gifted a pair of cuff links from his son several years ago. That first pair started an infatuation for Carter who has been collecting cuff links, tie clips and ties ever since. When he bought his downtown property a few years ago, it was the perfect opportunity to open up a shop to share his cuff link collection and other vintage finds with our community and the surrounding areas. Carter has been told by other dealers that his cuff link collection is the largest they’ve come across in the United States. Carter has over 2,000 pair. He admits that he’s lost track of how many pair he has because at some point, he “just quit counting.” The cuff links come in a huge variety of materials, shapes and sizes, with the oldest pair in the collection dating back to the 1870s. Cuff links in Carter’s collection came in a range of materials, including Wedgewood, onyx, Delph, royal Copenhagen, Brazilian topaz, cameos, sapphire, tiger’s eye, jade, mother-of-pearl and even some with precious stones like diamonds and emeralds.

Carter’s collections boast well-known brand names among collectors like Swank & Destino.

Much to our delight, Carter does a few things that set him apart from other dealers. As a history buff, Carter is familiar with doing his research and has found several vintage advertisements for the cuff links he has in the store. When he’s able to, he lists his cuff links for sale with the original ads. This gives buyers more information than a simple description, as well as proof of the fashion era in which they were designed. Carter has been told that these ads are what set him apart from other dealers on sites like Etsy. Additionally, Carter likes to include a matching tie with cuff link purchases when he’s shipping a pair off to a customer. Having a tie collection in the store, he can easily find a matching, era-appropriate tie to send along. When several pairs of cuff links are being purchased by a single customer, he’s also been known to send them in a vintage cuff link jewelry box.

Historically, men’s shirts were held together with ties or strings. As fashions changed over the centuries, so did the way men’s shirts were worn. According to Carter, in the 1800s, men’s shirts didn’t have buttons on them. Shirts had paper cuffs, and cuff links were created to hold the paper cuff to the shirt. It’s also where the saying “off the cuff” comes from. Speakers would write their notes on their cuff when preparing for a speech. When referencing their notes, they were literally speaking “off the cuff.”

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July 2021

Next time you’re in downtown Ponca City, make sure to stop at Vintage Swag. No matter where your interests lie, Carter likely has something you’ll want to leave the store with!

URGENT CARE

When you or a loved one experience a minor illness or injury, you need two things - quality care AND convenience. At AllianceHealth Urgent Care Ponca City, you’ll find both. Our clinic has extended hours during the week and is even open on the weekend. Our experienced medical team is available 7 days a week – no appointment needed.

Meet the Providers:

Carrie Culver, APRN Family Medicine

Lindsey Hester, APRN Family Medicine

Mary Murray, APRN Family Medicine

Amy Stangeland, APRN Family Medicine

To learn more about our Urgent Care providers or to Save Your Spot in line visit www.AllianceHealthPoncaCityDocs.com Our walk-in Services include: X-rays EKGs Sore throats Sinus Infections Lab testing Occupational medicine Sprains, strains and broken bones

Hours:

Abrasions, cuts Aches and pains Burns Cold and Flu Flu Shots Asthma and Allergies Wellness and sports physicals

Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 6:30pm Saturday: 9:00am - 3:00pm Sunday: 12:00pm - 4:00pm

Ear problems Urinary symptoms Bladder/kidney Infections Drug screen collection Breath alcohol testing Splints and stitches

Location:

1715 N 5th St Ponca City, OK 74601 580-762-9292

* Urgent and walk-in care is not intended to be used for life-threatening emergencies or as a substitute for your personal physician. When in doubt about the seriousness of an emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to an emergency room.

July 2021

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Hello, sweltering summer.

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HOW IT WORKS

TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH of somewhere in Ponca City that needs cleaned up BEFORE you clean it up. Try and include a street sign or location marker in your photo.

CLEAN UP the location! Whether it is full of trash, limbs, clutter or the grass is overgrown, do something to make the location cleaner.

TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH of the location AFTER you’ve cleaned up! Make sure and keep the same angle.

Post the before and after photos on Facebook, tag @PoncaCityMonthly and use the hashtag #keepponcacitybeautiful to enter to win. You must post your photos online to enter no later than August 20th! Everyone who submits a photo will be entered into a contest for $ 100 in Chamber bucks. The winner will be announced, along with all before and after photos in the September issue of Ponca City Monthly magazine.

Good luck, and remember to KEEP PONCA CITY BEAUTIFUL! Contest brought to you by

July 2021

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The Hidden Equestrian Trails of Kay County Discover the Joys of Horseback Riding Story By Kayley Spielbusch/Staff Intern Photos provided by Tera Moyer

Located on the southeast side of Kaw Lake is a little-known series of trails. Known as the Five Fingers and Eagle View trails, these trails are a hidden gem of Kay County. The Five Fingers trail stretches from Sarge Creek to Burbank Landing for approximately 17 miles, and if the loops that deviate from the route and lead back to it are included, it spans 76 miles.

The Eagle View trail stretches from Osage Cove to Burbank Landing for a total of 12 miles.

cleared about three miles into each trail and have begun marking them.”

Their goal is to ultimately connect Five Fingers and Eagle View so they can be experienced as one trail.

The trails are open for horseback riding, walking and nonmotorized vehicle use. If patrons wish to ride horseback, they must bring their own horses. The trails feature various sceneries, and if one is lucky, they might spot some wildlife during their time on the trails. The trails remain open year-round, outside of hunting season.

The trails used to be a popular recreational landmark in Kay County.

Each year, the annual Eagle Watch would be held at the Eagle View trail. The trails were well-known, with riders and hikers always occupying the paths. Then county-wide flooding in 2019 left them damaged, and the trail ambassadors at the time moved from the area. Maintenance and upkeep stopped being performed, leaving the trails overgrown and difficult to use. As a trail ambassador with the Oklahoma Equestrian Trail Riders Association (OETRA), Tera Moyer and her husband have been working to change that.

Restoration of the Trails “The trails were so overgrown we had to rediscover them,” Tera recalls. “So far, we have

Tera and the OETRA are working on getting facilities added to the trails. They are currently working to get some equestrian pens added to the Osage Cove Campground.

There are currently pens at the Sarge Creek Campground, which would allow riders to spend the night with their horses.

Both Burbank Landing and Sarge Creek also have areas to day park if patrons are not planning to camp.

There is still a lot of work left to be done on the trails. Tera and her husband would be grateful for any volunteers who would be willing to help. They have dedicated workdays to go out to the trails, but they are also willing to work with others’ schedules to get them out to the trails. She also believes that

See TRAILS Continued on page 14 12 July 2021

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TRAILS Continued from page 12 the volunteer work on the trails would be a good community service opportunity for organizations such as 4-H and the Boy Scouts.

If you are interested in volunteering, Tera can be reached at (580) 716-4787. Another way individuals can help with the trails is by becoming a member of the OETRA. Individuals can join for $25 a year, and families can join for $35 a year. These funds go toward the upkeep of equestrian trails around Oklahoma, including the Five Fingers and Eagle View trails. More information can be found at oetra.com.

The Five Fingers and Eagle View trails are not the only equestrian opportunities located in Kay County. New Life Trails is a local, nonprofit organization dedicated to reaching at-risk citizens using animals. They are based on a 25-acre farm and work with schools, nursing homes and therapy centers to share the joy that farm animals can bring. They have a variety of services, including horseback riding lessons. The lessons occur once a week for 30 minutes for only $25. They plan on extending their services to include their own trails that are available to riders.

They hope to acquire more standard horses so they can rent them out to those who wish to ride the trails but do not have a horse.

The work that is being done on the local equestrian trails marks an exciting time for riders and those who wish to get into riding and are another exciting addition to the recreational opportunities of Kay County.

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Creative Cabinets July 2021

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16 July 2021

Marland Mansion Peek Inside the Historic

See MANSION Continued on page 18 Story compiled by Kelsey Wagner Photos by Jay Wagner/Staff Photographer

The statue of Lydie Marland, the once stepdaughter and eventual wife of the 1920s oil Tycoon E.W. Marland, looks on at the home that is as magnificent and unbelievable as the lives of those that lived within its walls.

July 2021

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MANSION Continued from page 17

The

Accessed by a curved double staircase in the entrance hall, a multiple arched loggia with vaulted ceilings, featuring hand painted chinoiserie canvases, and a terrazzo floor with each tile individually poured between brass dividers, runs through the center of the house to the ballroom.

Marland Mansion is a 43,561

square feet Mediterranean Revival-style mansion built between 1925 and 1928 in Ponca City.

The mansion is spread out over three floors and features: 10 bedrooms 12 bathrooms 7 fireplaces 3 kitchens

ARCHED LOGGIA

BALLROOM The spacious ballroom upstairs features an ornate coffered ceiling that was gilded in $80,000 of gold leaf, and lit from imported Waterford crystal chandeliers with wrought iron bases that originally cost $15,000 each. To replace the ceiling and chandeliers today would cost an estimated $2 million.

ENTRANCE HALL

To the left of the entrance hall is the Elizabethan formal dining room featuring wall panels of hand-cut pollard oak cut from an English royal forest, as well as a suspended cast plaster barrel ceiling that was molded at bench level, and then hoisted and wired into position to the structural beams.

MANSION Continued on page 21 18 July 2021

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July 2021

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1924 Lake Road•Ponca City•Fax: 580.763.4549 20 July 2021

MANSION Continued on page 18

WINTER LOUNGE CEILINGS

SUMMER LOUNGE At the far eastern side of the house downstairs are two lounges, the inner lounge known as the Winter Lounge, and the outer lounge known as the Summer Lounge.

The Winter Lounge has a large fireplace with a hearth that hides a small entry to a panic room that could have been used by the family during any dangerous situations. Above the concrete beams of the ceiling are decorated with artwork tracing the history of Oklahoma from the days of the pre-Columbian Native Americans through the discovery of oil by Marland Oil Company.

The ceilings in the Summer Lounge were designed and painted by Vincent Maragliotti free of charge and pay homage to the spirit of the 1920s.

The third kitchen is located just off the Winter Lounge and is known as the Hunt Kitchen, as this is where guests assembled for breakfast before the fox hunts. Adjacent to the Hunt Kitchen is the secret Poker Room that concealed a hidden Whiskey Room and door to the 550 foot tunnel leading to the Boat House and Artist Studio.

WINTER LOUNGE

POKER ROOM

The mansion is located at 901 Monument Road in Ponca City, and is open to the public Monday-Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Admission is free for residents of Ponca City. For information of guided tours, please call (580) 767-0420.

HUNT KITCHEN

SECRET TUNNEL TO BOAT HOUSE July 2021

21

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Pain Management • Primarcy Care • Acute Illness • Diabetic Care • Cardiology • Petriatics • Women’s Health 22 July 2021

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TRIAD COMPLETE HEALTHCARE July 2021

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Pr

A

G r a u r e , d r e e n t a m ional Natur s s r e e L e o v f o Story by Marlys Cervantes/Contributing Writer

Don’t fear starting new gardening experiences in your yard! New projects may seem overwhelming, but if you don’t begin somewhere, you’ll never learn. It is easy to feel like you need to know everything before you begin, but oftentimes, that leads to you never beginning.

As part of the pandemic last spring, we did a variety of pandemic home projects that challenged our family. We built 16-foot-tall cedar pillars and then put them up on the front of our porch; we poured cement stepping stones and expanded our front steps in our front yard; and we built a raised garden bed out of cement blocks and covered them with stucco for aesthetic purposes in the backyard.

Caterpillar eating milkweed prior to moving into process of chrysalis, where it will then transform into a monarch butterfly

24 July 2021

My backyard is my haven. We live on Grand Avenue, so it’s not exactly an isolated place.

However, when you go to the back, it feels like it is. For years, we’ve kept it to plants

and flowers, primarily those that are, yes, attractive to the eye and nose, but mostly those which also will attract bees and butterflies.

At some point in more recent years, I decided I’d like to attempt to grow fresh vegetables. It just took a pandemic to get us moving on the space to begin that project. Our first year, last year, was quite an interesting one. We planted numerous types of hot peppers and bell peppers (we love salsa and cooking with peppers), yellow squash, zucchini, a few types of tomatoes, basil, cilantro, oregano, dill, lemon grass, blackberries and strawberries. It was quite an undertaking for a couple who had never grown their own food before, but we were ready to learn.

See GARDENER Continued on page 26

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GARDENER Continued from page 24

Well, we sure learned.

Through many successes, we had some stress. It wasn’t long before both the yellow squash and zucchini plants had to be moved out of the raised bed and into a different garden area because they were taking over so much space and invading every other vegetable we had planted. Even doing that, I found I had to read up on how to manage them, as well as buying long gloves to save my arms. However, I love both types of vegetables, so it was well worth it in the end.

Peppers may be easy for everyone to grow, I don’t know.

We were very successful and kept many friends in the salsa business. It was wonderful.

Our tomatoes weren’t quite as successful, so luckily we had friends who kept us going with some of theirs.

Frankly, more than anything, the time in the dirt and with these additional growing items in my backyard kept me with more of a sense of sanity and calmness during a horribly busy time with

Raised bed garden shortly after planting

work during the ensuing pandemic. I needed the time in the dirt as much as the plants needed my care.

This year we took what we learned last year when we planted. We put the yellow squash and zucchini, as well as several of the tomato vines, in individual containers rather than the raised bed or garden beds, so they aren’t fighting with others for space.

We’d also read in a FB group of people with raised garden

Raised bed garden after 3 weeks of growth.

Milkweed, native variety that attracts monarchs

beds, and then confirmed through a Farmers’ Almanac website, about putting marigold flowers in vegetable gardens because “the marigold is one of the most well-known insect-repelling plants,” so we did that. I didn’t know if it was just an old wives’ tale or not, but I don’t really care.

They look nice either way.

We also read about “companion planting” on gardenguides.com. Basil helps with garden pests, too, and a few other sites also mentioned it helps tomatoes develop a sweeter flavor. We planted basil by all of our tomato plants, and since we love to use the basil for pesto, we’re fine having more of it whether it works to enhance the tomatoes’ flavor or not.

Adding more tomato varieties, cabbage, fennel and a few more herbs for teas were growth areas for us. As far as flowers, we keep adding ones that draw butterflies to

our garden, such as several varieties of milkweed for monarchs and dill for the black swallowtails. We keep discovering more ways to help the butterflies and bees.

There’s a reason the American Heart Association touts the benefits of relaxing in nature as a way to reduce the stresses of life.

The yard and other nature areas are where I write most often, so I find my inspiration among this outdoor life.

There’s a reason the American Heart Association touts the benefits of relaxing in nature as a way to reduce the stresses of life. I’m so glad we jumped right into growing vegetables and are having this rewarding experience. My advice to you is not to wait. Enjoy the outdoors now.

Take a chance and learn as you grow.

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27

Wentz Pool and Camp A Gift to the Youth of Ponca City and Oklahoma Story by Chelsea

McConnell/Staff Writer

Photos courtesy of the City of Ponca City

L

ouis Haines Wentz (Lew) was known to have once said, “When you mention my name, emphasize the ‘We’ in Wentz.” This is a fitting statement from a man who did so much for the community of Ponca City.

Wentz was born in Iowa in 1877 before moving to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he spent the remainder of his childhood and high school years. He came to Ponca City in January 1911 to manage oil interests for John G. McCaskey. A few years later, he went into the oil business for himself.

While Wentz eventually became quite wealthy, his reputation for philanthropy began long before his financial success. He made his first million in 1920, and by 1927, he was making one million dollars a month. Wentz Oil Company had its offices on the 3rd floor of the Masonic Building in downtown Ponca City. He kept rooms at the Arcade Hotel, also located in downtown Ponca City.

Wentz was incredibly passionate about children’s welfare. As early as 1914, Wentz is remembered for providing Christmas gifts to the children of

families on the City relief rolls. He is known to have bought tickets to the circus and movies for local children. Wentz also provided funding for public playgrounds and helped fund athletic programs.

In 1925, he established the Oklahoma Society for Crippled Children and then the Crippled Children’s Hospital, now Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City.

In 1926, Wentz created the Lew Wentz Foundation to provide scholarships for students to attend the University of Oklahoma, as well as Oklahoma A&M College, now Oklahoma State University.

In 1925, construction began on Wentz Camp followed by construction of the swimming pool in 1928. Along with the pool, towers, gateways, cabins, pavilions and terraces were constructed out of locally quarried sandstone. All of these architectural aspects combined create a wonderland in the Romanesque Revival style just outside of Ponca City. The pool was completed and first opened to the public in August 1930.

To this day, the pool remains one of the most magnificent municipal pools in the state of Oklahoma. Wentz is said to have spent more than $350,000 building the pool in camp, equating to over $4.5 million dollars today.

See WENTZ Continued on page 31

28 July 2021

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29

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS!

JULY EVENTS Happy 4th of July!

TUESDAY, JULY 6

Ponca City Business Council will meet at 8 a.m. at the Chamber Office Commercial•Residential•High-Rise Commercial • Residential • High Rise Commercial•Residential•High-Rise

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MONDAY, JULY 12

Cash Mob at 11:30 a.m. at Tractor Supply Company, located at 3008 N. 14th Street

WEDNESDAY, JULY 14

Leadership Chairs meet to plan Orientation Session at 9 a.m. at the Chamber Office

THURSDAY, JULY 15

Community Development Committee will meet at 10 a.m. at the Chamber Office

TUESDAY, JULY 20

Ambassador Committee will meet at 8 a.m. at the Chamber Office

WEDNESDAY, JULY 21

Finance and Executive Committee will meet at 11 a.m. at the Chamber Office

THURSDAY, JULY 22

Tourism Bureau will meet at 9 a.m. at the Chamber Office

TUESDAY, JULY 27

Chamber Board will meet at 11 a.m. at the Chamber Office

TUESDAY, JULY 27

Business after Hours 5 – 7 p.m. hosted by RCB Bank at 1223 E. Highland Avenue

Give me a call!

For other events taking place, go to visitponcacity.com

PONCA

Each office is independently owned 411and N.operated.

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www.PoncaCityChamber.com • 580-765-4400 30 July 2021

WENTZ Continued from page 28

The pool is an incredibly impressive structure on first sight, but equally impressive is the underground area.

Still intact are the original locker rooms and pool maintenance equipment, like the sand filtration system. Walking down those historic tile steps, one can easily imagine children of the 1930s and beyond walking down to store their belongings in their assigned baskets near the restrooms and retrieve their towels to go swimming in the grand pool.

One of Wentz’ wishes in creating the community space was that recreational groups of young people would have a place to gather. While initially created as a camp for the Boy Scouts, the camp’s hospitality has extended much further over the last 90 plus years. Historically, as part of the closing events each year, the Wentz Bathing Beauty Revue was hosted around the pool area on the Sunday prior to Labor Day. Young women could enter in two categories, the “Baby Ponca” category for girls under 5 and the “Miss Ponca City” category for “unmarried ladies under 12.” The pool was also the location for Oklahoma’s state beauty contest in 1933 to select the candidate for the Miss America contest.

Wentz’ other contributions to our community and state are vast. He gave a $25,000 donation to help pay for the Pioneer Woman Statue. He purchased Lake Ponca and the land it touches and donated it all to the City of Ponca City. Wentz gave scholarships to the first Kiowa students to attend the University of Oklahoma’s art school.

In 1936, Wentz and Gordon Matzene contributed an Asian collection of 758 objects to the University of Oklahoma, enabling them to establish the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art.

alright to be plain, but don’t ever be common!” This sentiment helps sum up the legacy he left for our community in Wentz Pool and Camp.

The community gathering place is anything but common. However, with grand historic properties come grand maintenance price tags.

Exceptional care must be taken for historic properties to be maintained in a historically accurate way. Eric Newell, Ponca City Parks & Recreation Director, reports Parks & Rec is on year 4 of the 5-6 year process of restoring the cabins, restrooms and dining hall on the grounds. That timeline doesn’t even begin to cover the restoration work the pool itself needs. That ~ restoration will cost substantially more than is possible for Parks & Rec to work into their annual budget. However, Newell is dedicated to seeing Wentz Pool and Camp brought back to its original glory.

o t t h g i r l “It’s a t u b , n i a be pl e b r e v e t ’ don ” ! n o m m co w Wentz ~ Le

The pool is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 1-7 p.m. The facility can also be rented out for use by the public for activities like class reunions, community events, family reunions, sponsored camps and wedding receptions. The Dining Hall features a working kitchen, as well as tables and seating for up to 120 guests. The grounds overlook beautiful Lake Ponca, a gift to our community from Wentz as well.

Wentz is also known for saying, “It’s

July 2021

31

INVESTOR SPOTLIGHT EQUITY BANK

Each month we will feature a long-time Investor in Ponca City Main Street. It is through the support of these investors that we have been able to serve our community through efforts focused on economic growth, historical preservation, cultural development, and revitalization of the downtown and surrounding areas.

Spike Henderson

Our investor spotlight for July is Equity Bank. Equity provides a full-service bank for Ponca City. It was a privilege meeting with Spike Henderson, Equity’s Regional President for Northern Oklahoma. Spike oversees banks in 5 locations across Oklahoma including 3 offices in Ponca City, an office in Newkirk, and one in Cordell. Spike is the head of budgeting and commercial lending. Spike expresses “We have a really solid, seasoned team of managers at each location that all work really well together to help each other succeed. We have a lot of successful employees who get promoted within our banks.” Upon walking into Equity you can guarantee to be greeted with a friendly face, great customer service, and people willing to serve our community. We want our customers to remember “It’s your money we are just taking care of it for you.” Spike truly believes that “Character is who you are when nobody else is looking.”

Something that is fundamental for Equity is that they want their employees to be involved in the community. To him, the employees wear the Equity brand 24/7. He says “Whenever you see our employees, I want you to see Equity bank. The employees we have here are really involved around town and represent our company well. We want to be in the community, be involved, and for people to get to know us and like us for who we are.”

At Ponca City Main Street we are honored that Equity has allowed their very own, Vice President and Commercial Lender, Jeff Mackinnon to volunteer his time and energy with our organization. Jeff has been such a great asset to our team since he joined our board of directors in 2020. We are excited that Jeff will be our upcoming Chair-Elect in July. Jeff feels that serving on the PCMS Board has allowed him the opportunity to collaborate and invest with local small business owners, who in return have invested in Ponca City. The true spirit of small businesses and their success lies within the support of our community.

We are thankful for the annual support that Equity Bank provides to us as a loyal investor in our program and for being an active participant in many of our local events throughout the year.

OUR MISSION is to serve Ponca City and its citizens by promoting quality of life through the revitalization of downtown.

Our Vision is to make downtown the heart of our community!

Our Transformation Strategies are Arts & Entertainment and Community Connection.

32 July 2021

YOU CAN HELP

❤

If you believe our downtown is the of our community, we hope you’ll honor that belief by investing in our program in 2021. For more information on investing in Ponca City Main Street visit www.downtownponcacity.com and click on “Invest Now!” You can also call us at 580-763-8082 or visit our office in City Central at 400 E. Central, Suite 201G.

FEMA to Help Pay Funeral Costs for COVID-19-Related Deaths FEMA is providing financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020 for deaths related to coronavirus (COVID-19) to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic.

Acting FEMA Administrator Bob Fenton stated that “The COVID-19 pandemic has caused immense grief for so many people and although we cannot change what has happened, we affirm our commitment to help with funeral and burial expenses that many families did not anticipate.”

For more information about this assistance, visit COVID-19 Funeral Assistance ❘ FEMA.gov We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Please call or stop by if we can help.

505 W. Grand • Ponca City • 580-765-4411 Read obituaries online @ troutfuneralhome.com July 2021

33

Party at the Palace FRIDAY • AUGUST 20 at the

MARLAND MANSION Starting at 6:30 pm

Tickets are on sale now at the Chamber Office, 5th and Grand, 8-5, Monday thru Friday.

Cost is $45 per person.

Get your ticket today!

AND

CHAMBER AUCTION Great food, music, incredible silent auction and an over-the-top live auction!

We are selling $100, numbered Golden Tickets again and will only sell 100. Prior to the live auction, a Golden Ticket number will be drawn and the ticket holder will get to choose any one of the live auction items. Golden Tickets go fast!

Come by and get yours today. We can’t invoice for the Golden Tickets. We do take cash, check or credit card. Remember some of our live auction items go for thousands of dollars.

The Chamber Executive Committee, left to right: Adam Leaming, Wendy Stobbe, Rick Hancock, Shasta Scott and Garrett Bowers

34 July 2021

PONCA

CHAMBER OF

CITY

COMMERCE

CHILDREN’S BOOK REVIEW

BY LORRIE LAYTON, BRACE BOOKS

Ashlords

by Scott Reintgen Ashlords occurs during this year’s annual Races where ELITE alchemists race phoenix horses over the multiday race. A critical part of the race is the riders’ ability to resurrect the phoenix horses from ashes and alchemy each sunrise. The horses then die in flames each night. The real danger begins after sunset, when the riders must not only survive the night, but also protect their ashes at all costs.

While murder is against the rules, crippling riders and tainting ashes are not only allowed but actually encouraged.

Let me introduce you to the three main characters of Ashlords: Pippa is an Ashlord; the only child of two former champions who has been trained since birth to win this race. The dark-skinned, darkhaired Ashlords are the powerful, entitled ruling class in the Empire. They believe their superiority is directly tied to their gods who require blood sacrifices.

Adrian is the son of a Longhand rebel. He has been groomed to win the race and become the face of his father’s planned revolution.

The Longhands were once Ashlords, but some years ago they rebelled and chose to be responsible for their own lives, rather than relying on the Ashlord gods.

Imelda has become a household name since her Phoenix Alchemy videos went viral. She is the token Dividian who has been invited to race as a charity case. The fair-skinned Dividians are not native to the Empire. They were originally explorers who landed on the Empire’s shores and failed to conquer the native Ashlords. The Dividians are now oppressed and persecuted by the Ashlords.

Ashlords is a dystopian fantasy – something I never even considered might exist! I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed The Hunger Games. I’m looking forward to the sequel, Bloodsworn.

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Arctic Storm Rising

by Dale Brown

Dale Brown is a master of the military adventure, and he kicks off his new series spectacularly with Arctic Storm Rising.

Captain Nick Flynn is an Air Force intelligence officer who has been exiled to a remote radar station in the remote Alaskan wilderness after being blamed for a CIA covert mission that spectacularly went up in flames (literally). The intent of this new assignment is to destroy his military career. To add to Nick’s frustration, he is given command of a group of misfits and screwups who remind him of The Dirty Dozen.

Colonel Alexei Petrov is Russia’s premier military test pilot – and the disgruntled son of a Hero of the Motherland. Petrov proposes a single rigorous and complex exercise designed to assess the full range of its new strategic bomber’s strike capabilities. He argues this will cut through months of bureaucratic red tape, allowing Russia to field a force of combatready stealth bombers much more quickly. To

enhance the authenticity of the exercise, Petrov suggests the bomber carry its full wartime payload of missiles and fuel. The Russian president approves Petrov’s recommendation.

Midway through the exercise, Petrov slips away into the Alaskan wilderness. He then offers the prototype to both America and Russia.

Russia is frantic to recover the stealth bomber and determines the prototype is most likely in North America. Russian aircraft begin penetrating Canadian and American air space to search for the prototype, despite the horrific winter storms covering the area.

The Pentagon also wants to find the prototype first. They realize Flynn’s team is the only airbornequalified force available that can reach the site in the next 24 hours.

I’ve only touched on the intrigue … You need to read this book!

Have a safe and happy 4th of July holiday!

LIZ GREENE

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Email: LizGreene@kw.com

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Each Keller Williams office is independently owned & operated.

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July 2021

37

See FRONT YARD Continued on page 41 38 July 2021

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Backyard

Gardener Front Yard Personalities Story and Photos By Kat Long/Contributing Writer

How does your garden grow? Very well, thank you. Cannot keep up the weeding, mowing and harvesting but everything looks fantastic! Said everyone in the state of Oklahoma. This weather has been amazing and it looks, other than getting hotter, to continue to be a fantastic “Let’s grow things” summer.

To entertain myself as I waited to harvest strawberries, greens and herbs, I have been driving around looking at other people’s yards and porches. An editor told me when I first started writing about gardens and yards that it isn’t trespassing or stalking if I look closely and take pictures of the fronts of houses. I need to knock and be invited into the backyard. Front yards for the win this month. There are so many different, and beautiful, ways to grow in your front yard. I just wanted to share a few of my favorites and tell you why I love them so much.

Xeriscape Let’s start with something completely different: a xeric yard: very little to no grass, some plants but mostly rock and ornaments.

Lots of room for interpretation in this type of yard. My favorite is on the southwest side of town, and it may have evolved since I

last saw it. Quite frankly, I do not remember what street or exactly where this yard is located. I just know it made me stop and look more closely to the yard when I saw it.

Since seeing that yard a few years ago, succulents and small cacti have become all the rage for indoor or outdoor planting. This large bowl of succulents is under the breezeway at City Central, and it is beautiful. Succulents are the perfect plant for this dry and sometimes very windy part of the building. And don’t let anyone tell you they won’t survive in your yard. Sedums are the most popular and have a variety of sizes, shapes and bloom colors. My mom has them all over her yard, and they survived that horrible coldness in April like champs. There are over 300 species of sedum, which means they range from small, think hens & chicks, to over 18 inches tall. Apparently, the larger sedums have been moved into a separate genus, meaning they are still sedums, just under another scientific name. Gotta love science.

The Gorgeous Porch This is one I aspire to: You’re driving from Point A to Point B and your eye catches a truly southern porch. Chairs out front and plants; gorgeous Decorative circle found on one of my walks.

Xeric-style yard here in Ponca City. Love the entire decor. Plants in the middle are sedums.

See FRONT YARD Continued on page 41 July 2021

39

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Backyard

Gardener

FRONT YARD Continued from page 39

flowers and green leaves; grasses and plants that just make you want to ask if you can have a small cutting or several. Anything that this very talented man or woman can part with from their yard would be wondrous. I know my haphazard way of growing and gardening will never achieve this level of form, function and beauty, but boy do I admire it. “Stop the car, grab the camera and hope they will give me a tour” admire it.

There are several of these types of front yards in Ponca City. Take a drive and you will see the hanging plant and potted plant porch, gaily decorated with beautiful plants in plain pots or decorative pots. Hanging baskets overflowing with flowers, so pretty you can smell them from the street. My favorite front porches change every year with different plants by the steps, roses climbing up the Wild pollinator patch in another yard in my neighborhood. side trellis and, of course, some type of iris or elephant ear or hydrangea … you get the idea. These are people I want to hang out with, just so I can sit on their porch. You know who you are and I salute you.

The Potted Plant Brigade These are different from the Porch People. These are the gardeners who know they will not be able to handle a garden, but they want their salsa; they want their tomatoes. So pots it is. Small pots, large pots, single plants in pots and occasionally a larger pot housing all the herbs. I have seen a couple of these houses, but it has been raining or I have been late getting from Point A to Point B and could not stop to get a picture. I love and admire you all the most. You will grow your favorite food, even if you cannot do it in the ground. Pots are good and you have that porch area just sitting there, so more power to you. You can come pick mint in my yard anytime, because you will not waste a pot on that invasive stuff.

The Decorative Garden I tried doing a decorative garden circle and it turned into the blackberry patch. It was good one year with herbs and a few flowers and then boom; I planted a couple of blackberry plants and circle? What circle?

I love a good circle, oval or stand-alone bed of plant decoration. This is one I saw while walking through the neighborhood, and I cannot wait to see it when it is filled out and blooming. You must be able to visualize what the bed WILL look like: Not too many plants, a nice arrangement of other decorative objects and everything has to “go together.” This is not my forte, but I do love them when I see them. I am collecting these types of pictures as inspiration if I ever try this again.

The Wild Thing – of course, this is mine. Welcome to the Jungle! Takes on a whole new meaning, but I love my wild yard so much. I will give you all a picture tour next month, I promise. In fact, starting next month, I am touring a few yards in town to give you some ideas as we go into fall and winter again. But I am not alone, there are some wonderful patches of wildness in many neighborhoods and the bees and pollinators love every one of you for creating a wonderful, inviting place for them to hang out.

Take a few minutes this month and stop to literally smell the flowers. You will have a smile on your face the rest of the day. I promise. And, of course, Happy Gardening.

Large planter with succulent varieties at City Central.

July 2021

41

Music in & Around Ponca City

Sounding Off Story & Photos Contributed by Steve Scott

JJ

uly 4th always brings a sincere, patriotic appreciation for our nation’s birth, and Ponca City is packing some “Pow and Wow” into the annual holiday. A classic fireworks spectacular is planned at Wentz Camp on Lake Ponca, with the pyro erupting at 9:50pm. I am personally tying the excitement of the fireworks display to the general relaunch of live entertainment across the city.

I’m am a “foodie,” with a love for all delicacies American. But I also enjoy the plethora of choices from other nations that assimilated into our culture, bringing their recipes and nuances to the kitchen.

One I especially enjoy is Napoli’s Italian, where it is so easy to grab a table in the corner, order authentic cuisine, and gather my thoughts for this column on my laptop while enjoying a garlic bread knot. I don’t believe anything could be more “American,” other than the fact live music continues to slowly and steadily return to northern Oklahoma.

The Band Stand…

The next Down by Downtown! (DXDT) is scheduled for July 2nd and will feature keyboard virtuoso Mike Seals. Mike returned home to Ponca City after a successful career with the Army stage band, and entertaining Americans in Kuwait for several years.

His light jazz makes you feel good, so take your family and friends to Central Fare where there will be food trucks, drinks and an open mic! You just can’t ask for more!

Ponca City’s traveling minstrel Larry Newsom will be performing at Finn’s Pub in Manhattan KS on July 8th, followed by July 17th at the Enid Moose Lodge.

Dirty Erin will be bringing the house down on July 10th at the Elks Ballroom in Stillwater.

42 July 2021

Arms of London

The Grand Cigar Lounge, a perennially cool downtown hang, is featuring the Arms of London on July 1st.

The North Central Oklahoma Arts Council “Full Moon Concert Series” will have the triple-threat trio of Harwood, Roberts and Thompson performing under the gazebo in downtown Tonkawa on Friday, July 23rd at 7:30pm.

The June TS Fork Block Party was incredible, and you do not want to miss the next one on July 17th. Holly the Jazz Singer will be jamming with her full band, Holly and the Guys. Holly is a regular entertainer at TS Fork every Friday and Saturday evening.

Astoria Blvd Bistro, a favorite Grand Avenue evening destination, will be featuring Matt Thompson with Haley Joe Kalb on July 3rd.

The Hideaway Marina on Kaw Lake has an entertainment-packed July, with Michael Murphy’s Dueling Pianos on July 3rd, 2 Country for Nashville on July 4th, Candice and the Business Casual on July 17th, and Kristin Arthurs and the Trainwrecks on July 31st.

In addition, the Pioneer Cove Marina is featuring the Robert Allen Band on July 3rd, and waiting on deck will be the Whiskey Gingers on July 24th.

Ridin’ High has Mas Tequila scheduled to perform in July. Watch their Facebook page for band announcements as they happen each month, as well as karaoke nights.

Something Happening…

Kevin Emmons is bringing back a favorite entertainer in July. To quote, “the man, the myth, the legend, the one and only Thomas Martinez.” The

date is being finalized, and the location will be the parking lot behind PC Provisions. I can personally testify that his last concert, on the roof of the Royalty Building downtown, was a sold-out party. You do not want to miss this magic!

Local Stars…

This month I am featuring Ponca City’s own Arms of London. The group was formed by Joel Hibbs (owner of Shanghai Music & Sound) in 2010 and also includes Mike McAlister (drums), Mike Archer (bass) and Lee Searcy (bass/guitar). All of the band members are multi-instrumentalists which supports their diverse song list and capabilities. Joel has been playing guitar since the age of 6, and has been performing live with bands since 1987. The other band members are well-known staples of the Ponca City music scene. You have probably heard them at the Fox or at the Grand Cigar Lounge.

Sometimes the band appears as “Arms of LondonUnplugged” which is an acoustic show with Joel and Mike Archer, and sometimes as a trio with drummer Mike McAlister. Bottom line- the band has the unique ability to scale to venue and audience requirements.

While known for a wide variety of music, the band was featured on OKC’s KSBI’s “Oklahoma Live” television program performing original songs. Arms of London is a Willie Cry Records artist, and I ordered their CD a couple of years ago while still living in Las Vegas and enjoyed adding it to my regular playlist.

Finally…

Two of Ponca City’s attributes are hospitality and entertainment. The “fuse has been excruciatingly long and smoldering for over a year,” but I can honestly say that the musicians and venues in Ponca City are ready to set off a firecracker this 4th of July, declaring summer is here, and they will provide the celebratory music. Life is good!

If anyone has information on live music events, please write me at smscott54@hotmail.com.

PEAK ALERTS

You may hear PEAK ALERT announcements on local radio stations. PEAK ALERTS are not a notice of a power shortage, they are simply a load management effort used to reduce the demand for electricity and keep your cost of power as low as possible.

Did you know you wn your local ower utility?

Thank you Ponca City for believing in & supporting your very own Municipality! wned by the Customers we Serve!”

Things you can do to help reduce demand: Local Control

Have a • Set your air conditioner thermostat up Reinvestment 5 degrees and use fans.

Happy & Safe Reliability

FAMILY-FOCUSED

• Use electricity for work (such as laundry,

Independance Did • Avoid using the oven during the heat of the day. own your local • Close curtains/drapes to block out the sun’s Day! OurLocalPower.org power utility? heating rays.

Accessibility running the dishwasher, ironing, cleaning, Community in the early morning or late evening. you knowetc.)you

g the Benefits al Power!

lity. on is to serve the customers. community goals. ews located in the community.

Thank you Ponca City for believing in & supporting your very own Municipality!

“Owned by the Customers we Serve!”

– not-for-profit electricity

415 E. Hartford Ponca City

• Unplug unnecessary electric appliances and equipment.

Local Control Reinvestment • Turn off indoor and outdoor decorative lighting.

Reliability • Reduce exterior door openings and closings.

Accessibility Community • Replace older model heat/air units with more efficient models or heat pumps.

OurLocalPower.org

Our staff is committed to providing the best dental experience for you and your family. We are passionate about offering quality treatment in a relaxing and fun environment that will make your family look forward to their dental visits.

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The Tyndall family with Pistol Pete, left to right: Ryleah, Dr. Phillip, Nancy & Sydney

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Ponca City’s Earth Day Celebration is Wednesay, April 22, 9-1 at Unity Gym.

Ponca City’s Pump Rebates!

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Evans Children’s Theatre production of the Broadway classic, “Oklahoma”

Evans Children’s Academy of Performing Arts The Legacy of Patti Evans Story by Kelsey

Wagner/Editor-in-Chief

Photos Provided by Speak Now Productions

All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players.

-Shakespeare But in Ponca City – the players are children, and the stage is the historic Poncan Theatre.

In a small town in northcentral Oklahoma, you may not expect to find a world-class theatre troop of amazing young performers, but thanks to one forward-thinking arts advocate who helped form the Evans Children’s Academy of Performing Arts and an entire host of supporters who followed in her footsteps, that’s exactly what you’ll find.

Broadway-quality productions brought to the stage: Into the Woods, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Oklahoma, Les Misérables and The Wizard of Oz – all with children playing lead roles and belting out show tunes not one night only, but for multiple showings.

Evans children’s show productions also have a history of playing to a packed house.

Eddie Dixon has had a front-row seat to the success of the Evans Children’s Academy. Eddie has directed dozens of shows in his six years with the Poncan Theatre, and now works full-time for the theatre as the Artistic Director. Eddie’s first show was a production of Peter Pan, and after the success of that show, he helped to plan four-show seasons.

See EVANS Continued on page 47

In 2009, Patricia “Patti” Evans gave a gift of $25,000 to form this special program to foster and grow the talent of Kay County’s children.

“The Poncan Theatre is one of Ponca City’s treasures, as are our children. I am passionate about the arts and feel privileged to participate in affording this opportunity for children to experience theatre art in this unique manner,” said Patti, after bestowing her gift to the Poncan Theatre.

Patti Evans was a champion for children and the arts, and a talented businesswoman and philanthropist. Ponca City lost Patti Evans in 2018, a true pillar of the community, but her legacy lives on through her family and the programs she founded and supported.

Since the founding of Evans Children’s Theatre in 2009, there have been countless

Left to Right: Dave May, Becky Hatton, Patti Evans, Larry Buck

July 2021

45

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Family Fun Day

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ADDI ONAL ATTRAC ONS:

There are THOUSANDS of dollars in scholarships available for students attending the UC this semester, including tuition waivers for high school students.

Visit ucponcacity.com to learn more or to schedule an appointment today.

­­ ­ 46 July 2021

Now Enrolling for Fall Classes!

2800 North 14th St. • Ponca City • 580-718-5600

Evans Children’s Theatre production of Eva “The Lion King.”

EVANS Continued from page 45 “One of the hallmarks of success of this group is that once kids join, they tend to stay for a long time. They do one show, and that turns into a whole season of shows.

I have kids in shows now that started with me six or seven years ago – they maybe have missed one show – but they have been in every single show – over 20 shows since we started back with Peter Pan,” says Eddie.

Many children who shine on the stage also take vocal or dance lessons, and as the children have grown up in the program, the level of difficulty for the productions has grown as well.

One common misconception is that Evan’s Children’s Academy is a separate entity from the Poncan Theatre. Eddie Dixon says they are one and the same.

Evans Children’s Theatre production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.”

“We are the same entity. There isn’t one and the other, we all are the Poncan Theatre. We are inextricably joined. Having the space, being able to perform and practice there – if we had to rent a space, it would not be financially viable to have a Children’s Theatre,” says Eddie.

The big summer production for the Evan’s Children’s Academy will be Shrek the Musical. The parts have been cast and tickets are on sale soon and can be purchased online at www.poncantheatre.org.

Show dates for Shrek the Musical will be July 9-11 and 16-18.

Raise the Roof Campaign A Message from the Poncan Theatre Board

The Poncan Theatre needs your help.

Home to many memories and events over the last 100 years, The Poncan Theatre has also had its share of trials. After shuttering in 1985 due to disrepair, it was reborn in 1994 because of a community that values its history while looking to its future.

Many organizations have benefited from the rejuvenation of the theatre. The Ponca City community brought it back to life, and it has not since been forgotten. The

Poncan Theatre Board has been hard at work ever since stewarding our beloved theatre. Annually, the theatre is used for the Ponca City Concert series, various dance recitals, community and venue rentals, traveling entertainment and a variety of movies. But, of the many things the Poncan Theatre Board of Directors has done to ensure the success of our theatre, debatably none has had as much community impact as the Evans Children’s Academy of Performing Arts.

See CAMPAIGN Continued on page 49 July 2021

47

Humor & Entertainment ou know what has been an interesting thing to watch evolve?

Technology, specifically the internet and social media. I was 6 when the internet was “made public” and living outside of town. My family didn’t actually have access to it until many years later, and it took 10 minutes to connect to the internet via a telephone line and if someone dared to pick up the phone you would be disconnected. It took upward of 2-3 minutes to load one single web page, IF and only IF it had no graphics whatsoever on it. Now if it takes longer than one millisecond for something to load on my phone, I just simply give up.

I had to take TYPING class in middle school and now I’m pretty sure my 3-year-old can type 80 words per minute with 98% accuracy. But with social media, (or chatting … remember chat rooms, anyone?) I remember all the warnings: Don’t give out your address, don’t tell anyone your real name, age, location, etc., and don’t EVER meet

SOUNDS LIKE A FIREWORKS SHOW!

by Patrick Jordan

ACROSS 1. Glasgow citizen 5. Fresh from the factory 8. Slight colorations 13. Choir voice range 14. Deal with problems 15. Parting word in Paris 16. Golf stroke on the green 17. China's continent 18. Encountered less often 19. Large sound recorder on a film set (2 wds.)

22. Elephant's flapper 23. Life story, for short 24. Activate an aerosol can 27. Rhyme writer 29. Suit perfectly, as clothes 32. Fall into a faint 33. Bites playfully 34. Calcutta dress 35. Proposes marriage (3 wds.)

38. Unsmelted minerals 39. Ostrich relatives 40. Sharp-witted 41. NFL game scores (Abbr.)

42. ___ vera (lotion additive) 43. Separates, as laundry 44. Every bit 45. Lowest poker card 46. Purchased product's satisfaction value (4 wds.)

54. Radio station sign (2 wds.)

55. Opera solo 56. Potting ___ (gardener's bagful) 58. One of a square's four 59. Penny 60. "Will there be anything ___?"

48 July 2021

61. Stunned with a special gun 62. Beer dispenser 63. Talk back to DOWN 1. Maple syrup's base 2. Caveman's weapon 3. Bart Simpson's bus driver 4. Pooch who revealed the Wizard of Oz 5. Negative reply to a sergeant (2 wds.)

6. Heroic tale 7. Be dressed in 8. La Brea tourist attraction (2 wds.)

9. Its capital is Boise 10. Robert De ___ 11. High schooler, agewise 12. Certain 14. Beauty soap brand 20. Intended 21. Way beyond chubby 24. Knight's blade 25. Catholic leaders 26. Motown legend Diana 27. Arouse, as one's curiosity 28. Many a classical composition 29. Barely visible 30. Wrinkle-removing appliances 31. Extremely small 32. Dick and Jane's dog 33. Clownfish in Pixar movies 34. Night sky twinkler 36. "Howdy!"

37. Shaggy's canine pal, familiarly 42. Suspense master Hitchcock 43. Perspire 44. Effortlessly athletic 45. Five-fingered Addams family member

1

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up with anyone you meet online! And NOW look at us? I’ll give someone a GPS pin to my house with the message, “Your lamp is on my porch; leave the $5 under my porch mat.” without even blinking an eye. (I’m kidding, mom, I only do this if I have mutual friends with them and they don’t look serial killer-y.)

And don’t even get me started on online dating. Did you know in 2020, almost 40% of couples met online?!

When asking a couple how they met, I’m literally shocked if they met the old-fashioned way (you know, in real life, through a mutual friend, etc.)

Online dating is literally like a game now, similar to how you can swipe your finger to throw an angry bird to knock out some pigs, with the swipe of a finger you can find your soul mate (for life, or for the night, no judgment here).

Anyway, I’m on my way to meet someone in the Hobby Lobby parking lot to sell them toddler clothes and frozen hamburger meat.

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Vessel at a marina Comic actress Faris Reminds annoyingly Wine or spice holder Cedar or sycamore

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Finds a function for Pepsi, for example Smooch "___ Misérables" (Victor Hugo novel)

Answers on page 58

CAMPAIGN Continued from page 47 As the Poncan prepares to enter its 94th season as a community theatre and event center and 13th season as a Children’s Academy, we are in need of the community’s help once again. Over the last year, it has been realized that The Poncan Theatre’s roof is in dire need of attention. After having it assessed by two separate companies, we were informed that it would need to be completely replaced.

For information about the Evans Children’s Academy of Performing Arts, contact the Poncan Theatre at 580-765-0943 from 1-5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday or stop by the theatre office at 104 E. Grand.

Our campaign officially started April 9 and goes to July 18 , running 100 days – 100 days to raise $100,000. Why so fast? Its current state requires urgency. Every day the roof worsens, more damage to the interior occurs and the cost to repair it increases.

The Poncan Theatre has been home to the Evans Children’s Academy of Performing Arts since 2008, when it was established by Patricia Evans in conjunction with the Poncan Theatre Board of Directors. Our academy has made great use of it ever since, putting on many productions over the last 13 years and seeing hundreds of children cross its stage. Five to seven days a week, community children rehearse on the theatre stage. For them, the theatre has become a place to go after school, where they can create, perform and grow.

The Poncan Theatre is community-owned. It is NOT owned or maintained by the City of Ponca City as many might think. As Poncan patrons, it is our responsibility to ensure its continued success in making future patrons of the theatre. Every Evans child is a child making memories, and every Evans kid is a future Poncan Theatre patron. Your help today will make patrons for tomorrow.

Please donate today and help us put a roof over the heads of the Evans Children’s Academy. Help us continue to be a place that houses nostalgia and memories. Help us continue to breathe life into our community theatre.

Aerial view of the Poncan Theatre roof, which is in need of replacement, so no further damage is done to the interior of the theatre.

We would love to have your support as an advertiser in Ponca City Monthly Magazine!

Please contact me for more information… Robyn Ryan 580-761-1295 • robyn@poncacitymonthly.com July 2021

49

N E T V S E LY

Y T N U O KAY C

JU

FUN SUMMER EVENTS

COMING UP IN JULY AND AUGUST! JUL

1

Freedom Fest 220 East Central Ponca City

12PM - 10PM VAB and The Grand Cigar & Lounge are doing it again. The 1st Ponca City, FuGrande Dist, Freedom Fest.

There will be some amazing drinks available at both locations. Food Trucks, Live Music and a great time to be had by all.

JUL

4

Ponca City Freedomfest Fireworks Lake Ponca Ponca City 9:45 PM - 11PM Bring the family and enjoy the celebration! The fireworks display can be seen from the docks, watercraft on the lake, shoreline and for miles surrounding the lake.

JUL

5

Lake Ponca Beach Clean up Lake Ponca Beach Ponca City 10AM - 12PM Join us the day after the 4th of July for a Lake Ponca Beach Clean up!

50 July 2021

We have teamed up with Farha Wholesale Co. to remove trash from the public beach the day after the fireworks show.

Help us keep Ponca City beautiful.

JUL

13

Business on the Balcony 400 East Central Ponca City 7AM - 8AM Business on the Balcony is back! A come & go networking opportunity for small businesses, employers and employees to chat and get to know each other. Have a little breakfast, make a new business connection. On the Balcony at City Central, PCDA Office Suite #200

JUL

30

Crazy Days Street Party​ Veterans Plaza Ponca City

5PM -9:30PM The Crazy Days Street Party is a free community event hosted by Ponca City Main Street on the last full weekend in July each year. The

Party happens at the Vet Plaza in downtown Ponca City, at 4th & Grand from 5:00 - 9:30 p.m. and includes food trucks, live music and various other activities. The Party on Friday night coincides with Crazy Days Sales in downtown Ponca City that start on Thursday and run through Saturday, with many stores extending their business hours during these three days. Visit merchant locations to see each store’s specials and sales during Crazy Days.

JUL

30

Terry Fator with Special Guest Preacher Lawson 12875 North Highway 77 Newkirk

8PM - 10PM Doors: 7:00 PM - This event is All Ages Terry Fator became a household name in 2007 when he won Season 2 of “America’s Got Talent” with his unique brand of entertainment that combines singing, comedy, and unparalleled celebrity impressions.

My name is Preacher Lawson and I’m a Stand Up Comedian chasing my dream in LA! “Don’t Follow Your Dreams, Lead Them” PLEASE NOTE: Use the “Pick Your

Own Seats” option after clicking on “Buy Now” to choose specific seats!

AUG

7

All Fired Up Benefit Steak Dinner & Auction 64464 US Highway 60 Ponca City

6PM - 8PM Vote for your favorite team of grilling firefighters, proceeds from this event go towards support of the new training center. Held at Osage Casino, grilling starts at

Want to have your event listed? Submit your events to events@poncacitymonthly.com before the 5th of the PRIOR month.

6PM with dinner served at 7PM. $25 per ticket and will be available at Rainmaker Sprinkler Co. and The Ponca City Chamber of Commerce. For more information contact 580-763-4963.

AUG

7

Marland’s Place Family Fun Day 1300 Summers Place Ponca City 4AM - 8PM Join us at Marland’s Place on August 7th for an evening of family fun! We will have bounce houses, food trucks, a petting zoo, beer & wine garden, craft vendor booths and more! It is only $10 a car to enter! All proceeds go to supporting foster parents and children of Marland’s Place in Kay County!

AUG

For more details check out our website at marlandsplace.com/ familyfunday.

If you are interested in sponsoring this event or having a booth, please email development@ marlandsplace.com for details!

10

Business on the Balcony 400 East Central Ponca City 7AM - 8AM Business on the Balcony is back! A come & go networking opportunity for small businesses, employers and employees to chat and get to know each other. Have a little breakfast, make a new business connection. On the Balcony at City Central, PCDA Office Suite #200

june 4 july 2 Aug 6 sept 3

6-9 pm

210 south 4th street

summer MUSIC SERIES

July 6 Trolls World Tour 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM July 13 Sonic The Hedgehog 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM July 20 Honey, I Shrunk The Kids 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM July 27 The Addams Family 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Aug 3 Scoob!

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Aug 10 Dr. Dolittle 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

sponsored by:

July 2021

51

The Importance of a Healthy Gut Story by Kera

Kester, NASM Certified Personal Trainer/Contributing Writer

Hello friends! Hopefully you beautiful people have begun your amazing fitness journeys. Either we are keeping a consistent gym routine schedule, gradually raising the number of steps taken each day or incorporating active habits into our daily lifestyles. That is noteworthy, and I applaud you for it! There is an infinite number of topics that we could delve into when it comes to exercise. However, today I’d like to discuss two foundational elements of overall health. Wall sits, cardio and weightlifting are great but that is not all there is to health and beauty! What is a perfect push up without proper gut function? What is an energizing runner’s high without a solid immune system? These essential functions are more than just additives to working out; they are core foundations that create the capabilities that our bodies work from.

Gut Health/Digestion If there is one thing that I always talk about, it is the importance of a healthy gut! Your intestines house important gut microbiome or gut flora. These intestines, along with your esophagus and stomach, allow proper food digestion through joint effort within our bodies. The gut is where food is broken down and delivered as nutrients through our bloodstream. When functioning properly, good bacteria and immune cells fight off bad bacteria and viruses. A healthy gut improves your immune system and is even shown to relieve symptoms of depression.

Our gut microbiome – the microorganisms inside of your intestines, can become compromised. This affects your brain, mood, skin, heart, hormone levels and ability to absorb nutrients. Yes, your gut has a part to play in every aspect of your health! Even better, it will let you know when it needs aid. A bodily alarm may sound as an upset stomach, bloating, constipation, heartburn, unintentional weight fluctuations, constant fatigue, skin irritation or food intolerances. When it sets off an alarm, taking vitamins or drinking tea specific to gut health can come to the rescue. Taking pre- and probiotic supplements is also ideal. Some probiotic foods you can incorporate are bananas, garlic, asparagus, onions and yogurt. Additionally, getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night, eating slowly, resisting the urge to overeat and staying hydrated will do wonders. Avoid fried, high-sugar and high-fat foods. Instead, eat plantbased, high-fiber and whole foods as the main bulk of your food intake while ingesting caffeine and alcohol in moderation if you enjoy these.

Fun Fact: You can replenish electrolytes within your body by adding lime and a pinch of salt to your water!

Immune System The immune system is a network of cells, tissues, chemicals and organs.

Your primary lymphoid organs create immune system cells called lymphocytes. These biological processes ward off disease pathogens like bad bacteria, parasites and fungi. Antibodies are created to distinguish viruses from your own healthy tissues in order to maintain bodily health. If you are frequently sick, tired, stressed, infected or

52 July 2021

HEALTH &

Beauty

A HEALTHY GUT IMPROVES YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM AND IS EVEN SHOWN TO RELIEVE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION.

dealing with an upset stomach, then your immune system may need a boost. Thankfully, there are many ways to improve it! Avoid foods high in salt, omega-6 fats and sugar additives, as well as highly refined carbs and foods that are processed or fried. Some other enhancements are exercising regularly (which aids in stress relief), choosing veggies and fruits as a good bulk of your diet, getting 7-8 hours of sleep and avoiding high levels of alcohol or smoking.

One of my favorite aids is colloidal silver. I have been a huge activist for this amazing liquid for years! Since I began using it, I rarely ever get sick.

My body can always tell when it’s been without it for a couple of days because I feel SO much better after taking it! There is even a gel form to speed up the body’s healing process when applied on a wound. I highly recommend incorporating this into your lifestyle! I should add that is ideal to consult with a doctor before ingesting colloidal silver since all bodies do not function and respond the same.

I hope this information has served as either an amazing epiphany or a great refresher for you! I care about your total health and wellness, not just where your VO2 max sits or how long you can hold a plank!

Prioritizing and stewarding your gut and immune system is arguably one of the top essentials of all that you do. If you get anything out of all that I write, know that those two foundational blocks of life are what I will always be highly emphatic about. If you have any questions or topics you’d like to throw my way in regards to health and beauty, feel free and go for it. I am here for you! Much love and prosperity to you all!

ArtSpace: Sheridan Greer Story by Chelsea McConnell/Staff Writer Photos provided by Sheridan Greer

The saying goes that a picture is worth a thousand words. If that is truly the case, then a portrait by the ever-talented Sheridan Greer is worth far more words than this article will be able to lend her. There’s something to the simplicity of black, white, and the shades in between what Sheridan is able to draw from her graphite and charcoal tools that bring each subject to life in a way that a photo simply doesn’t.

Sheridan Greer comes from a creative family, with creatives on both her mother’s and father’s side of the familial tree. She is, what I would characterize as, a born artist. Some of us are simply born with the desire to pick up the tools around us and create. Sheridan’s earliest memory of drawing actually comes from her mother. As her mother remembers, Sheridan had drawn an exact replica, only smaller, of Snow White & Prince Charming. Her mother thought she had traced the image, until she realized the difference in size and realized Sheridan had created a perfect copy.

It was evident then, Sheridan had inherited the family’s artistic talent.

Sheridan continued her creative endeavors as most young people do, here and there, sketching friends and loved ones in her free time. For those of us that grew up in a time pre-social media, we didn’t always

have photos of friends. Sheridan saw her drawings as just another way of capturing those images. It wasn’t long before some of her friend’s parents saw her talent and paid her to do portrait drawings for them. After high school, Sheridan went to Cowley County Community College to pursue a degree in art.

Sheridan Greer and Family

It was actually a request from a family member that began the journey for Sheridan to where she is now. Her grandmother requested portraits of each of her 11 grandchildren one year for Christmas.

Sheridan shared these on Facebook, and soon after her business took off. Now, years down the road she is well known in our area for her portrait work and also being recognized for her transition into western art as well.

Sheridan says, “I have always just liked drawing exactly what I see and seeing if I can make it look exactly like the photo.”

Many of Sheridan’s clients reach out to her in an effort to help them heal after the loss of a loved one. Often they want images created of two dear ones who never had the chance to meet, like a grandfather who passed with a grand baby who arrived shortly after.

The most touching of these is the story of the Harrison family. John and Carla lost their baby girl, Billie. They had another little girl, Charlie, after Billie passed, but would never have a picture of their whole family together. After hearing their story and witnessing their faith and strength through such a difficult loss, Sheridan knew she had to create a piece for them.

She said she practically heard God yelling in her ear, “DO THIS FOR THEM!!!” Sheridan spent hours researching pictures of each family member – mom, dad and all four adorable kids to make sure she had the perfect photo of each one of them to create the family portrait they would never otherwise have.

She worked with a mutual friend for months to plan

See ARTSPACE Continued on page 55 July 2021

53

Here Comes the Sun!

For your convenience, we offer a magazine subscription at a rate of $25/year to cover postage.

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For more information about protecting your home or business from termites give us a call at 580-762-6614.

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ARTSPACE Continued from page 53

While she’s not busy drawing, Sheridan is a wife and mother to three adorable kids. While she admits that balancing all of it isn’t always an easy task, she’s rewarded with both the support and pride of her husband and kids. She calls her husband, Jeff, her “best cheerleader” and says “he shines” when it comes to talking about her art. Sheridan manages to combine being a mom, wife and artist in a way that’s both admirable and graceful. You can find Sheridan on social media at Sheridan Greer Portraits and through her website at sheridangreerportraits.com.

the perfect day to deliver the portrait, but plans kept falling through. When they were finally able to meet, on what Sheridan described as a “random Wednesday,” she gifted Carla with the family portrait. Little did she know, this random Wednesday was the six-year anniversary of sweet Billie’s funeral. If you need a good cry, the video of Carla receiving the gift can be

seen on Sheridan’s Instagram. It is absolutely worth the watch. More recently, Sheridan has been trying her hand at western art. ‘Big Bruce’ is my favorite of her ventures into this arena. The bull with his black spots and wrinkled skin has been drawn so precisely it could be mistaken for a black-and-white photo. He’s a

NOW BOOKING EVENTS!

beautiful specimen to behold. She finds inspiration for her western work in photos with the perfect amount of light and shadow. A good photo can spark her creative eye, inviting her to replicate the image in charcoal and graphite. She’s drawn bison, bulls, horses, cowboys on horseback and more. These pieces have opened up avenues for her art through Oklahoma and into Texas, where she’ll be participating in an art show soon. She’s also working with a photographer to create more pieces with a western theme. These pieces allow her a little more flexibility and have been a nice change from the portraits she’s concentrated on for so many years.

Photos of these pieces can be seen on her social media, and prints of many of them are also available. For those looking for a deeper dive, the time lapse videos of her drawings are fascinating!

Thinking of selling your house?

There’s never been a better time to list in the land of the free, BECKY POET “HOME” of 580.763.1871 the brave!

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MARLAND MANSION

901 Monument Road Ponca City 580-767-0420

NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR

Start the process at pioneertech.edu/enroll or call Karen at 580.718.4234 Pioneer Technology Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex/gender, age, religion, disability or veteran status.

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DON’T GET HACKED!

SMALL BUSINESS CYBERSECURITY

Story provided by Braden Lampe, ABT Solutions/Contributing Writer Though we’re in the midst of an unprecedented rise in high-profile cybercrime incidents, it’s easy to assume that our own much smaller businesses are safe. Sure, we think, hacking into the data stores of Colonial Pipeline, JBS, J.P. Morgan, the U.S. Government or Virgin America can net hackers millions and millions of dollars.

Why would they bother with a small business?

But unfortunately for all of us, hackers actually do bother with small businesses across the country – they just don’t make the news. By some estimates, including one reported in Media Planet, more than half of small businesses have had their data compromised.

According to StaySafeOnline.org, these attacks,

targeting small to mid-size companies, now compose over 70% of all data breaches. What’s worse, this digital onslaught shows no sign of slowing. In fact, ransomware attacks alone have increased 250% in the last year, accompanied by higher rates of malware, phishing and other forms of cybercrime.

Once you see these numbers, it’s easy to understand why hackers seek the little guy.

These days, massive corporations like Google or Citigroup employ incredibly sophisticated digital measures. Their digital vaults, though containing ludicrously attractive sums of potential money to grab, are located at the end of a virtual labyrinth covered in traps, with

See CYBERSECURITY Continued on page 58

Thank You!

Kanza Human Development Division

Cradle To College & Beyond

EDUCATION Begins with Child Care, Johnson O’Malley Program, Higher Education and Graduate Assistance EMPLOYMENT/TRAINING Begins with Adult Education, Adult Vocational Training and on-the-job training. Developing business opportunities for tribal members to be employed in all areas of a business.

CHILD CARE Providing child care for tribal members who are parents, single or married, who need employment, education or training to be self-sufficient.

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OFFICE HOURS Monday through Friday 8 am - 4 pm

Closed Federal & Tribal Holidays.

To set up an appointment, please call

580-749-5420

Bring your Tribal card, driver’s license, proof of residence and Social Security card.

OFFICE LOCATION City Central Building 400 E. Central Avenue Suite 206

kanzahumandevelopmentdivision.com

The Kaw Nation has opened an office in Ponca City to better serve all federally recognized tribal members. The Kanza Human Development Division staff offers assistance with education, employment/training and child care.

A+ Printing Bruce Davis Alignment Bill Correll Body & Paint Tyner’s Transmissions Heather Cannon Honda Loftis & Wetzel Insurance RCB Bank Osage Trading Co. Brower, Inc. Blanton Chiropractic Clinic Equity Bank Okie Dokie Express Paladin Apartments Champlin Motors Wynn’s Thrift Store O’Reilly’s— Blackwell Ponca City and Arkansas City Provisions Coffee House & Eatery

Schooners would like to thank our Cruzin Grand and Car Show participants, spectators & supporters, listed below, for a very successful 2021. Save the dates, next year’s events are scheduled for June 3 and 4, 2022.

Ward’s Air Conditioning Custom Powder & Blasting MJ&H Fabrication Watson Construction Sonic of Ponca City Family Vision Care Budget Towing

Danny’s BBQ Head Quarters Mo Mothes Memorial Sooner Heat & Air Shelter Insurance— Tom Henley Anderson Flooring Performance Plus HWY 60 Tire Affordable Tree Trimming Trackside Auto TEAM Radio Lakeside Grill Domino’s Pizza Ground Round City of Ponca City Ponca City Police Ponca City Chamber and Tourism

Grilled Korean chicken wings Sweet and Spicy Summer Treat!

Recipe & Photo by Paul Muehlberg/Contributing Writer These sweet and spicy grilled barbecue wings have a crispy outside and a juicy inside. Grilling them on a gas or charcoal grill adds a smoky flavor, but you can also make them in the oven. Just place the wings in a 425-degree oven on the middle rack for 20-30 minutes then broil until brown, caramelized and crispy!

INGREDIENTS • 1/4 cup Gochujang • 1/4 cup Soy Sauce • 1 head garlic, roasted & smashed into a paste • 2 tablespoons lemon juice • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil • 3 tablespoons brown sugar • 1 inch piece grated fresh ginger • 2 teaspoons sambal oelek or sriracha (or more for heat if you like) • 3 pounds chicken wings

DIRECTIONS In a large heat-proof mixing bowl, add the When the wings are fully cooked, transfer them gochujang, soy sauce, garlic paste, lemon juice, to the bowl with the gochujang sauce and toss to sesame oil, sugar ginger fully coat. Transfer wings to the and hot sauce. Whisk until direct heat side of the grill. Grill well combined. for approximately 2-3 minutes Prep time: 10 minutes turning occasionally until Cook time: 18-25 minutes evenly charred and cooked Prepare grill for direct/ Servings: 4 through and crispy. Transfer indirect heat. Place room wings to a serving bowl and temperature chicken wings top with green onions and on indirect side of grill.

Close grill lid and grill 10 minutes, checking toasted sesame seeds. Serve with your choice occasionally for any flareups. Turn wings and of steamed rice and cold crisp vegetables such continue grilling for approximately 10 minutes. as sweet peppers and cucumber.

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CYBERSECURITY Continued from page 56 a final, inches-thick steel door protecting their assets for good measure.

In contrast, the digital assets of small businesses are often hidden behind nothing more than a single, often weak, password. With thousands of business owners going about their day-to-day, utterly oblivious to their paper-thin security, the question turns from “Why would hackers bother with my small business?” to “Why wouldn’t they?”

Though cybercriminals may come away with less than they might have had if they targeted a Fortune 500, it certainly isn’t going to seem cheap to you.

According to one TechRepublic analysis, an average cyberattack on a small business can cost as much as $256,000. Is that a sudden cost your company can weather?

Luckily, there is hope. Though small business owners often assume that effective cybersecurity solutions lie far outside their budget range, robust digital security is now more affordable than ever. By investing in comprehensive protection, small businesses can deflect even the most persistent hackers.

Today, a cyberattack on your business is almost statistically inevitable. And when that attack comes, you’ll definitely want to be prepared. If you haven’t needed a doctor for the past two years, does that mean you’re going to abandon your health insurance coverage? Of course not. What about car insurance? Does it become unnecessary in the absence of a crash? No, because even if you’re the best driver in the world, sometimes a collision is out of your control.

What’s more, both your body and your car require regular upkeep and maintenance to remain in peak condition. It’s no different with your network

security. As technology hurdles forward at an ever-increasing speed, the ways that hackers can infiltrate your network multiply. The best digital security platforms constantly update, enabling them to anticipate these shifts and prevent them from becoming liabilities. This way, you can be proactive prior to a digital crisis, ensuring that no matter what comes, your network is protected.

Even as digital crime climbs at a staggering rate, and hundreds of small businesses are forced to close their doors for good, thousands of owners fail to notice, assuming they’ll somehow be spared from an attack. Don’t be one of them. Invest in regularly maintained, powerful cybersecurity and ensure the future of your company.

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B A N G F O R T H E B U C K O N A I

PALADIN APARTMENTS 301 W. Hartford • Ponca City • paladinapartments.com • 580-762-7164

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Small World

Stories It’s a small world after all Story and Photos by: Theresa

Barney & Theresa

Sacket/Contributing Writer

I love meeting new people and exploring new places. I especially

love when I meet people along life’s journey that are connected to other people or places I know. My name is Theresa Sacket, and I just returned from a two-year adventure living abroad with my family in Chiang Rai, Thailand. However, this story starts with an encounter I had with Barney Barnwell (aka Barney the Barber) in May 2019.

Barney had asked if I could paint a mural for him, but I was getting ready to leave for Thailand that week so I went to visit with him and give him a list of other artists. We quickly began talking about many things and when I mentioned Thailand he told me all about some exchange students that stayed with him over a decade ago. A brother and sister named Thoe and Ja stayed with his family at different times throughout their high school and college careers.

After talking for a bit, we said our goodbyes and a week later my family arrived in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

a

Barney and Vond

My husband, Jeremy, and I hadn’t overplanned anything for our journey. We live on the prayer based on Proverbs 16:9 “Lord, as we make our plans, please direct our paths.”

We had intended on homeschooling our three children and were only going to help teach English at an orphanage and church. We began teaching English a couple times a week, but quickly felt like we needed to do more and that

our kids needed more interaction with other children. This led us to Chiang Rai International Christian School. They were in need of a kindergarten teacher and a part-time computer science teacher. This seemed like a good fit for our kids and for us.

All non-native teachers are volunteers/missionaries from all around the world. It is a smaller school with around 200 students K-12th grades, with students from over 22 different countries. We began teaching at this school in August 2019 while continuing to help with English classes at the orphanage and church in the evenings and on Saturdays. We did all of this while still working our other full-time jobs. To say we were busy is an understatement.

There were many times we would look at each other and ask, “What are we doing with our lives?”

If you are like me and questioning your life choices, sometimes it only takes that little “sign” or confirmation that you are in the right place at the right time to keep you going. For me that confirmation came during my second week of teaching. I had 10 sweet little kindergartners in my class. I always send a note home with families telling who I am and where I come from. One day after school, Tien’s dad stopped to talk with me. He said, “I finally read that letter you sent home and see that you are from Ponca City … do you know Barney?” After picking my jaw up off the ground I responded, “Yes.” Tien’s dad just so happened to be Thoe, the exchange student who stayed with the Barnwell family. Thoe told me about how he and his sister Ja had both stayed with Barney at different times and how they really enjoyed their time in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Thoe and his family had lost

See SMALL Continued on page 61 July 2021

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BROADWAY PLAZA APARTMENTS 201 E. BROADWAY • PONCA CITY

Ponca City Monthly’s very own geocache-style game where following the clues can lead you to

50 in Chamber Bucks.

$

• FREE Wi-Fi throughout building • Beautiful grounds and gardens • Friendly and caring staff • Rent based on income • 1 bedroom and efficiencies • Carpet and mini-blinds • Handicap-accessible units • Meals on Wheels • Movie and game night • Potluck lunch • Friendship Feast transportation

GeoCashing Story by Jay Wagner/Staff Writer This month’s Geocash was found by Beau Hendrickson. We’d like to congratulate him on his $50 reward in Chamber Bucks, which was awarded to his for the return of our special code!

Good luck to next month’s geocachers and happy hunting on your next GeoCashing quest!

Contest Rules:

Be the first to find the cache, and bring in the special code for your prize. Also, inside the container will be a collectible coin to keep! The cache will only be hidden for a limited time for each issue, so hurry to find it fast! If you are the first to find the cache, please retrieve the special code and coin but leave and sign the included note saying that the treasure has been found. Once the deadline has passed, the code will no longer be valid for the prize. A new PC GeoCash will be placed as the next issue of Ponca City Monthly is released. Winners may not win more than once per calendar year.

July Clue: In West Pennsylvania I wasn’t born, but raised.

On a diamond is where I spent many ‘a days.

Managing, Coaching, And building a team That rivaled the Pirates Or so it would seem.

We take housing applications for the elderly and disabled. You must be at least 50 years of age or be receiving disability benefits.

Bring the Special code to: 60 July 2021

→→→

Call for information or apply in person.

Beau Hendrickson and family Winner of June’s GeoCash

June Winners

1. Beau, Alice, Patrick & Calder

Hendrickson (Winners) 2. Charlotte Shiever 3. John E. James 4. Kenna Fitzpatrick 5. Courtney Cox 6. Jenna Hooper 7. E. Anderson 8. M. McDougan 9. Becky Williams

When out of nowhere As I was campaigning for funds, I took a job making sauerkraut To put on your buns.

When a few years later I was sent down To check on Ernie And see what he found.

When to my amazement I saw with my own eyes The gushing release Of ole “Wilie Cries” This was the beginning Of the life that I made As I sat on my throne, Inside the Arcade.

Simplified, Secure Living for Seniors and the Disabled

580-762-4445

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

As the world slowly gets back to normal, the Renfro Family Foundation encourages you to support local, non-profit organizations and their events.

Last year was a difficult year for these organizations, with most of them having to cancel all fundraising efforts.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Carl Renfro President

Location of June’s GeoCash Metal Bison Sculpture located at the northwest corner of Grand Avenue and 2nd Street.

Difficulty: Hard (located within 30 ft.)

Terrain: Easy (mostly flat surfaces) Size: Small (size of a golf ball) Deadline: 20th of each month My Media Matters / Ponca City Monthly 319 E. Grand Ave. Ponca City, OK 74601

Directors Brenda Renfro

Randy Renfro Treasurer, CPA

Rick Renfro

Secretary, Restaurateur

Cindy Gorrell Vice President, Investments

Carol Bouldin

University Center Board

Rich Cantillon

President Ponca City Chamber/Tourism

Jeff Cowan

RCB Bank

We are proud to support Ponca City 501c3

organizations through charitable grants.

cket

llin, Lillian, Owen Sa

Jeremy, Theresa, Da

SMALL Continued from page 59 touch with Barney through the years, so I quickly reconnected them again. We both had goosebumps at this fateful coincidence.

Before my family returned to the states in May 2021, I talked with Thoe and he said he and his sister Ja have been talking with Barney and Vonda via Facebook and are thankful to be reconnected.

It truly is a small world and this small world experience was what I needed to feel like I was doing the right thing for myself and my family during this season in life. I also wanted to add some details from Barney’s point of view, so I went to visit with him in June 2021 to get more information from him. During my visit with Barney, I learned that he served as the Regional International Student Exchange Director for our area for 10 years. He helped place over 50 exchange students in Ponca City and surrounding areas. Vonda and Barney opened their own doors to many of these students from places like Thailand, Japan, Mexico, Turkey and more. As I talked with Barney and Vonda, they radiated with joy reminiscing about each of these students.

They’ve tried their best to stay in contact with all their students but had lost contact with Thoe and Ja until I was able to reconnect them.

forget. The Barnwell’s were unknowingly ambassadors for Ponca City. In the same way he makes everyone feel welcome in his barber’s chair, Barney made these kids feel welcome in his home. Thank you, Barney and Vonda, I’m glad your story became my story.

We all have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Sometimes we get to see how those exchanges play out and sometimes we don’t. I hope you find a way this week to make a difference in someone else’s life; to open your door, to share a coffee, to write a kind note, to encourage someone else in their journey. If you have a small world story, we’d love to hear it.

Email your story to: editor@poncacitymonthly.com Bonus points if your story connects to Ponca City!

Maybe in another article I’ll share more details on how my family of five sold everything and traveled as digital nomads for three years.

We learned a lot during that time, but I knew the first story I wanted to tell was about how a barber from Ponca City impacted the life of a Thai kid who gave me peace of mind at a time when I needed it most!

I, for one, am thankful that Barney and Vonda’s generous hearts and hospitality became a part of my story. The Barnwell’s will probably never know the scope of their impact on the lives of these students. I can tell from Thoe and Ja’s experience that Barney and Vonda treated them as their own children, and Ponca City is a place they will never

JA

Theresa, Thoe, and

Tien

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RACK LOCATIONS PONCA CITY

• Chamber of Commerce, 5th & Grand • Ponca City RecPlex, 1604 W. Grand • Homeland, 2005 N. 14th • Homeland, 904 S. 4th

• Ponca City Discount Foods, 2405 N. 14th • Equity Bank, 3rd & Grand

• City Central, 400 E. Central • Walmart, 1101 E. Prospect

• RCB Bank, 14th & Highland • El Patio, 731 N. 14th

• First National Bank, 1501 E. Prospect

• Rusty Barrell Supper Club, 2005 N. 14th • Osage Casino C-Store, 64464 US-60

• Danny’s BBQ Head Quarters, 1217 E. Prospect

• Enrique’s Mexican Restaurant, 2213 N. Waverly • J.W. Cobb’s Family Restaurant, 3200 N. 14th • Community National Bank, 709 E. Prospect

TONKAWA

• Venture Food Market, 1315 N. Main • NOC Student Union, 1220 E. Grand

BLACKWELL

• United Supermarket, 1221 W. Doolin

NEWKIRK

• Apple Market, 601 W. South

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Ponca City Monthly Magazine is also available at all of the businesses that advertise with us.

The magazine is also available (for free) online at poncacitymonthly.com Additionally, we offer a subscription service provided at a cost to cover postage.

HHH WE’LL BUY YOUR USED VEHICLE HHH

580-765-2511 • bobhurleyponca.com 3501 N. 14TH STREET • PONCA CITY

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64 July 2021