Letter from the Editor
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
I grew up in a farm house surrounded by miles and miles of fields of crops. To get to any place where you might meet city folk required the use of a vehicle. When I sat on the east side of the house to watch the sunrise, or the west side to watch the sunset, all I could hear was everything and nothing at the same time. Only everything in this case was birds, bugs, leaves and wind and absolutely nothing else.
If you’ve ever sat outside for a long period of time in a place where you can’t hear the sounds of cars, sirens or all the myriad of noises that humans create, you know what it means to hear the hum of the earth.
The word “hum” is both a noun, and a verb, which is why it’s so suited to this particular scenario. Hum as a noun means, “a low steady, continuous sound” and as a verb, it means, “to be in a state of great activity.”
On those warm July evenings, my sisters and I would go outside to the field by our farm house and chase lightning bugs. We would laugh and play and run, in the warm, sticky summer air.
But I remember stopping to listen to the buzzing cicadas, which would reach a fever pitch right at sundown. The symphony of sounds pulsing in waves from the trees those evenings felt like the very heartbeat of the universe. And then slowly, as the light faded below the horizon, the symphony would soften, quieting bit by bit until only a few sounds remained.
Those childhood summer memories stick with me, and if I close my eyes I can still see the lightening bugs in the field again.
I hope your summer months are filled with beautiful sights, wondrous sounds and memories that will stick with you for a lifetime.
editor@poncacitymonthly.com
Brin ging Sound Down town!
by Marlys Cervantes | Staff Writer
“The best music is essentially there to provide you something to face the world with.“
~ Bruce Springsteen
Music will fill the air in Ponca City when Down by Downtown (DXDT) returns for 2024 on July 5 and Aug. 2 for its First Friday live music Summer Music Series located at Veteran’s Plaza, 4th Street & Grand Avenue, in the very heart of the city. The series is sponsored by Ponca City Arts & Humanities Council (“PCAHC”) and runs from 6-9 p.m. with food trucks and fun for people of all ages to enjoy the evening together outdoors.
Executive Director of PCAHC, Theresa Sacket says that these events are a special time for families to enjoy their community, and that there will be a new adventure this year: “August will be a big collaboration with Main Street for Crazy Days. DXDT will bring the entertainment and food trucks, and Main Street will have specials to encourage shopping for tax-free weekend.”
Past Director of PCAHC, Leslie Schauvliege, remembers first obtaining a grant about 2012 for an emerging artists’ showcase. Five years later, Kelsey Wagner brought forward DXDT to build on the idea of music in an outdoor setting for the community. Schauvliege explained the move to Veteran’s Plaza provided a more family-friendly setting with shaded areas, games and water for the kids and more room for food trucks. In addition, merchants can stay open later
for customers to shop while the community enjoys the event.
Stephen Scott, along with his long career in engineering and with the government, has played in bands for decades and has been
Story
Morgan Reynolds featured here with her band. Morgan Reynolds will take the stage solo at the July DXDT.
Baker Material & Supply LLC
in charge of selecting bands for DXDT from the beginning. He loves music and enjoys traveling to listen to singers and bands and find good fits for our community. Scott says, “DXDT has gone on just long enough now that musicians are telling one another about our event!” He says it’s advantageous because Ponca City is getting a positive reputation for being a “place worth driving for” and musicians want to make the trip.
By now, there are favorites that people want to see return. This year will bring Morgan Band to the outdoor stage in July and Hayes Brothers Band in
August. Both are community favorites. Scott says, “Morgan has been here before, but this time she is bringing her band with her. She is a powerhouse by herself (always loved at prior DXDTs), and this will be even greater!” Hayes Brothers Band always draws a crowd because of the wide range of music they play, so it will be the perfect group to combine with Main Street for the Crazy Days collaboration.
The team working to bring Main Street together with DXDT includes Derion Bailey-Schieber, who is thrilled to have more entertainment included
in their annual event, and if you attended the Mr. Ponca City event earlier this year, you heard more than one contestant mention they would love to have Crazy Days be more active and fun “like it used to be!”
Of the Aug. 2 event, Bailey-Schieber says, “Ponca City Main Street is thrilled to collaborate with DXDT. Together, we are eager to host a grand joint event in the historic downtown area. We admire DXDT’s work and believe this partnership will highlight how Main Street can truly be the heart of the community! Shifting it to tax-free weekend will be advantageous for numerous downtown merchants and yield excellent results!” The event continues to grow, and it appears this year will be no different.
Stephen Scott dreams that 10 years from now, DXDT may be a festival like those you see in larger cities. With the people and organizations we have in Ponca City coming together to build stronger and more vibrant events for the community, there’s no telling how this First Friday music event may continue to grow. Hope to see you at the Plaza!
The Hayes Brothers Band
Kay County’s First Farm Hub
SUNNY
CREEK TRADING POST
Story by Chelsea McConnell | Staff Writer
Elizabeth Threlkeld is the proud owner of Sunny Creek Trading Post. Sunny Creek partners with local growers and producers to bring homegrown foods and products to Ponca City and the surrounding areas. Threlkeld shares this as the heart of what Sunny Creek is doing. “We don’t just provide produce; we are empowering producers. We don’t just provide food; we provide food security. We don’t just provide supplemental income; we provide supplemental purpose.”
While Threlkeld is newish to owning her own business, she is not new to the world of entrepreneurship or agriculture. While growing up, both her parents and grandparents had their own businesses. She also grew up working in the garden with her parents and grandparents. Her time spent in the garden left her with a love of plants and a passion for growing her own food.
While raising her own kids, Threlkeld always had a garden and enjoyed canning and preserving. She dreamed of one day creating
a pathway to share her food locally. She is also passionate about disaster preparedness. She helped with disaster relief efforts around our state when her children were young. In this arena, she received training from organizations like the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. She learned that the food supply chain can quickly fall apart during disasters, and then watched that happen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fortuitous convergence of Threlkeld’s passion for local produce and disaster preparedness, along with the passing of the Homemade Food Freedom Act in 2021, are what led her to start Sunny Creek Trading Post.
The Homemade Food Freedom Act
The Homemade Food Freedom Act was passed in Oklahoma in November 2021. This Act expanded the types of food items a producer can make and sell from their home. This act has opened the doors for smaller producers to enter the sales arena and led to
the way.
“Dear Hospice staff,
Thank you! The expertise and services your organization provides allows us the privilege to care for dad at home and for him to be able to still experience life with his family.”
Jackie Bridges, Assistant Vice President and Commercial Lines Specialist at Cherokee Strip Insurance Agency has been awarded Oklahoma’s Young Agent of the Year. This is an outstanding recognition on a State and National level. Jackie is passionate about identifying her clients risks and exposures to ensure that they are adequately protected. Jackie is proud to have the opportunity to provide the Ponca City community and surrounding areas with exceptional service and insurance solutions.
• General Liability
• Bonds
• Commercial Property
-Patient family
the growth of many home-based businesses.
When Elizabeth first started Sunny Creek, the business was sharing homegrown food through produce subscription boxes. These were a huge hit with our community! So much so, she had to quit advertising them because she was selling out so quickly.
Last fall, Sunny Creek applied to become a part of Pioneer Technology Center’s Business Incubator Program. The Incubator Program is designed to nurture the growth of new businesses and help them with things like business plans, marketing plans and even provides space for them to house their start-ups. The space Sunny Creek has at Pioneer Tech allows them to manufacture food items that fall outside of the Homemade Food Freedom Act. The incubator space will give them more product versatility and allow the business to grow better than it could if it remained in a home kitchen space.
While working on finding a manufacturing space and with growing season at an end for the year, Threlkeld shifted focus and began hosting popup events selling value-added food products like pickles, jellies, salsas and more. Sunny Creek hosted their first pop-up at City Central in December 2023, and went on to host two more at the beginning of 2024.
In April, Sunny Creek took part in Ponca City Development Authority’s Pitch Off event. Threlkeld shared her dream to own her own storefront and share her goods and produce from local vendors with the public. She shares this as a part of the goals of the business, “We are the bridge between producers and consumers. We are pioneers at the forefront of a new frontier in local food industry committed to educating ourselves, vendors and
customers how and why to eat locally, seasonally and healthy.”
Sunny Creek took second place in PCDA’s pitch-off. As part of their winnings, they have been granted temporary use of a retail space on the first floor of City Central. This space will house the sales floor of Sunny Creek Trading Post and will be open each Monday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunny Creek partners with a myriad of area vendors allowing them to offer value-added food items, as well as fresh produce and a handful of nonfood items. The retail space is meant to bring a convenience to healthy eating by offering a one-stop-shop for locally grown and preserved items.
For now, the retail space will be open on Mondays to complement the schedule of our local Farmer’s Market, held on Tuesdays and Saturdays. She plans to add additional days in the future so our citizens have access to locally grown foods even more often than three days per week.
Threlkeld has other dreams and goals, as well. She plans to eventually own a property with a commercial kitchen and a retail space. The ideal property would have good visibility and some land available for a garden. The green space would allow Sunny Creek to host gardening classes and other outdoor events. She would also like to grow the offerings of Sunny Creek Trading Post. She is currently looking for vendors who make teas, spices, dehydrated foods and canned goods like sauces. She has plans to purchase a commercial display refrigerator so she can sell local meat and dairy products in the future.
“We are the bridge between producers and consumers. We are pioneers at the forefront of a new frontier in local food industry committed to educating ourselves, vendors and customers how and why to eat locally, seasonally and healthy.”
In the midst of pursuing her goals, Threlkeld also works hard in her own garden. She and her family have tons of fruit trees, including peach, cherry, nectarine, pear, apple and mulberry. They grow a variety of berries, including blackberries, strawberries, goji berries, blueberries and gooseberries. They grow other things like tomatoes, grapes, cucumbers, green beans, cabbage and asparagus, just to name a few.
When asked how she does it all, Threlkeld candidly states, “I don’t do it alone. That’s how I do it. My family is completely supportive.” She goes on to say how incredibly grateful she is for the individuals and organizations within our community who have been so supportive. “There are so many people that help me with the business. I would not have a business if it weren’t for them. Everybody from my best friend who helped me launch, to one of our vendors who now became one of my partners, all the people at Pioneer Tech and PCDA, and the community –friends telling friends, telling friends. It looks like a lot, but I don’t do it myself. That’s how I do it.”
For more information, visit Sunny Creek’s Facebook page. You can also reach out to Threlkeld via email at hello@sunnycreektradingpost.com or via phone at (580) 304-3623.
1974-2024
Judy and Bill Coddington 1974-2016
Kim and Rick Hancock 2016-2024
Thank you for 50 Great years!
Thank you to our customers for allowing us to be part of your birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and special occasions. My mom Judy and Bill Coddington and now my wife Kim and I are thankful for your patronage. We have enjoyed entertaining guests from 90 foreign countries and all 50 states! This wouldn’t have been possible without our outstanding staff. Our reputation as “The Best Little Steakhouse in Oklahoma” is something all of you made possible. Kim and I look forward to many more years of serving this great community!
NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED FOR LOUNGE.
Dining reservations online @ RustyBarrellSupperClub.com or by calling 580-765-6689.
Rick Hancock
Nifty & Spiffy Making the Most of Partnership
Story by Chelsea McConnell | Staff Writer
HC Spiffy Auto Spa and Nifty Car Rental are jointly located at 3801 N. 14th Street in Ponca City. Both ventures came to life out of different forms of necessity. The timing just happened to align so the businesses could be housed in a shared location. HC Spiffy Auto Spa is owned by Heather Cannon and Nifty Car Rental is owned by her husband Michael Mattera. This duo is proving that when partnerships are strong, they can work in more ways than one.
While Heather Cannon Honda is a local Honda dealership primarily selling new and used cars, the dealership also offers many other services. Among those services is car detailing. Heather often travels the country to find used cars to bring back to Ponca City. The dealership also gets many cars as a result of trade-ins when a customer is getting a new vehicle. These cars need a good detail job done to get them looking brand new for Heather Cannon Honda customers. The detail bay at HCH was always busy, showing Heather that she and her team could use more space for this service. This is where the idea for HC Spiffy Auto Spa came to life.
Heather and Michael were on a trip when the idea for Nifty Car Rental came to them. They were in a larger metro area and were having issues finding a rental car. They started thinking about Ponca City and how the car rental businesses in town had closed. Michael had been in the car rental business several years previously and knew the ropes. Realizing he knew a place where he could purchase nice, reliable vehicles to create a rental fleet (wink, wink), the idea for Nifty was off and running.
Once the legal end of things was taken care of, Michael began purchasing cars to build his rental fleet. He initially ran the business out of Heather Cannon Honda with a fleet of four cars while they waited for the Spiffy/Nifty location to be completed. Heather and Michael worked with Winterrowd Talley Architects to design their space. They started the building process in
2022 and finished the space in 2023. They opened in August of last year. A Ribbon Cutting was held by the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 12, 2023, along with a celebration hosted by Spiffy & Nifty. Chamber Chair Rick Hancock presented both Heather and Michael with their first dollar returned on their investment in our community.
Heather and Michael have a solid team in place managing the day-to-day operations of Spiffy & Nifty. Marcus Leavell is the HC Spiffy Auto Spa and Nifty Car Rental Brand Manager. Michael calls Marcus “the glue that really keeps everything running smoothly.” Fabian Chavez is the Detail Manager. Heather says, “He does a fantastic job” and is one of the hardest working people she’s ever met. The other two teammates that help with detailing are Edward Isam and Brooks Bratcher. Detail work is back-grinding work, and Heather is incredibly proud of her team.
HC Spiffy Auto Spa mostly handles jobs for Heather Cannon Honda, but also does a few detail jobs each week for other customers. Spiffy offers a range of cleaning and detailing services, allowing customers to choose a package based on their needs and preferred price point. Services include interior and exterior cleaning options, allowing customers to treat their car to a true spa experience. Most car manufacturers recommend owners clean and wax their vehicles every six months. Spiffy can do this for you. They even take it a step further with their top-of-theline interior cleaning using their special “Germ Buster” equipment that cleans and disinfects each vehicle. At Spiffy they believe “every detail counts” and that “every car deserves to shine, no matter its age or model.” Before and after photos of jobs they have
completed show just how hard the Spiffy team works and that they truly take their company motto to heart. Heather says, “Our team takes pride in providing a level of exterior and interior cleaning and restoration that cannot be found at a typical car wash.”
Nifty Car Rental has a fleet of nine vehicles of various sizes and capacities, including smaller to mid-size sedans, SUVs, minivans and pickup trucks. The vehicles are purchased brand new and traded in each year to ensure the fleet has the safest and most reliable cars available for their customers. Michael reports the majority of vehicles are rented due to customers needing a loaner vehicle while their car is being repaired. For this reason, Nifty accepts direct pay from insurance companies and works with Geico, Progressive, State Farm,
Farmers, as well as a few others. Vehicless can also be rented to avoid racking up miles on your own vehicle while driving to those summer destinations or on work trips. Nifty Car Rental is “here to keep you moving.” Customers can walk in and rent a vehicle or utilize their website to secure a rental.
Heather and Michael are proof that when partnerships are done well, they can lead to fun and fruitful endeavors. Find more information about Nifty Car Rental on their website at niftycarrentalpc.com, on their Facebook page or by calling (580) 576-7681. Find out more about Spiffy Auto Spa on their website at spiffyautospa.com, via Facebook or give them a call to schedule your detail appointment at (580) 749-7001.
Fabian Chavez Detail Manager
4th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
You are invited to join us to help ASOM celebrate four years in business. We will have snow cones, drinks, snacks, deep discounts and lots of giveaways! Hope to to see you there!
Shannon Som s Shannon Som s
Tuesday, July 9th, 4-7 pm, 104 South 4th St, Ponca City
Carl Renfro
President Randy Renfro Treasurer, CPA
Rick Renfro
Secretary, Restaurateur
Brenda Renfro
Rich Cantillon Ponca City Chamber, Retired
Jeff Cowan RCB Bank, Retired
Cindy Gorrell Vice President, Investments Directors
Jerod Helling RCB Bank, Market President
T.L Walker Executive Director Standing Bear Foundation As
Ponca Playhouse Dedicates a Mural!
Story by Marlys Cervantes | Staff Writer
Ponca Playhouse board of directors had a reception for the ribbon cutting hosted by the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce for their new mural painted by artist Theresa Sacket. Chamber CEO/President Shelley Arrott and Chair Kelsey Wagner greeted the many members who were present to celebrate the new design, which pulls in both theatrical elements as well as the local fox theme found around the Ponca City community.
Project coordinator and Playhouse board member Marlys Cervantes welcomed the
guests who came prior to photographs being taken, especially noting the donors who helped make the mural possible. Chief among those was the matching grant provided by the Foundation of John and Mary Anne O’Neill. Others donating so far who sent stories in memory of directors, actors and volunteers from the Playhouse’s 65-year history were Ann Bandy, Sandy Bishop, Cynthia Bizik, Ryan Brown, Royce & Kathy Cauldron, Jose & Marlys Cervantes, Tom & Linda Cowley, Brian & Ruslyn Hermanson, Karen Mason, Tom & Sherry Muchmore, Homer & Barbara Nicholson, Rick
& Gay Norris, Shawna & Dolley Rolland and Marsha Shields.
Ponca Playhouse’s longevity is well-known in theatre circles, and the mural is dedicated to the many who have helped make its continuous success possible. If you are interested in being part of the Playhouse, whether that is by purchasing a season membership or volunteering, please reach out to them at 580-765-5360 or email at poncaplayhouse@gmail.com.
Just Like New
| Contributing Writer
Story by Kenneth Campbell
Remember that beat-up old bicycle waiting for the trash truck?
It can be repaired, recycled, and made available to a deserving youngster whose parents can’t afford the high-priced Big Box Store new bike. It will be safe, mechanically sound, and something a kid will treasure for a long time. How, you might ask?
A while back I was riding my electric bicycle running some errands when for the first time in over a thousand miles my back tire began losing air. I keep an emergency inflator with leak sealant in my bag so I was able to air it up and keep going. I thought it was fixed. Being an experienced bike rider (over 60 years) I should have known better.
The next day I was returning from the RecPlex (old YMCA) when again it went flat. And stayed that way. My emergency inflator was empty and I had not yet replaced it.
So I had to get it fixed. A flat front tire is easy to fix: just loosen and remove the wheel, take off the tire and patch or replace the tube. The rear wheel on my e-bike is a different matter. The hub motor makes it a bit complicated and I am lazy. And I tend to lose parts in the grass. In years past I would have to drive at least an hour to find a bicycle shop in Ark City or Stillwater but I remembered seeing one near downtown. So downtown I went, bike in the back of my car.
He fixed my bike! Yeah!
Paul Reeves, a retired Conoco employee, opened his shop three years ago when, being an avid bicyclist, he noticed there was no place to get repairs done in Ponca City.
He takes in old abandoned bicycles for $5, fixes them up and
sells them to kids for just enough to cover his costs. Adult bikes he’ll sell for a bit more, but a whole lot less than buying a new one.
He barely breaks even. Might even lose money most of the time. Most of his income comes from storage units nearby. And he sometimes sleeps in a room in the back.
My unusual bike would not fit his repair stand so he grabbed a quilt off his bed and used it to place the bike on upside down. I noticed the quilt on the floor and asked where he got it. He’d made it, he said. He's a quilter. His two sisters are quilters, also. So I made a deal with him: a copy of my late wife Elsie's quilting book Winning Stitches as well as copies for his sisters in trade for a new tube, tube liner, and labor. Deal, he said.
So, Ponca City has a bicycle repairman who quilts and likes beautiful murals on his walls. Next time you need a good used bicycle or want to get your neglected ride (and you) back in shape, go see Paul. He also sells scooters and parts. Address: on west Cleveland two blocks past the RR tracks. You can’t miss it. He calls it “The Virtual Realm.”
JOHN SEALES
50 Years Providing Memories: Rusty Barrell
Story by Marlys Cervantes | Staff Writer
“The
Best Little Steakhouse in Oklahoma“
On almost any given evening over the last 50 years you can find people inside Ponca City’s favorite steakhouse, Rusty Barrell Supper Club, making special memories they will remember for the remainder of their lives. Talk to almost anyone who has lived here for very long and they will have at least one story which took place within the walls of this local treasure.
“The Rusty Barrell Supper Club is not just a restaurant,” says Shelley Arrott, President/CEO of the Chamber, “it’s a cornerstone of Ponca City’s cultural and social scene, embodying decades of shared memories and community gatherings.”
After having lived in several much larger cities, Rick Hancock moved back to Ponca City to take over his family’s business in 2016. Rick knew the Barrell was deeply-rooted in Ponca City, having been established in October of 1974 with seating for two dozen people. Rick’s family has owned it since 1976.
There are many in Ponca City who have been around from the very beginning. One such couple is Dick and Arleen Jacobson. Arleen talks about knowing the original couples who first opened the restaurant, Charles and Janice Perry and the Browns. She graduated from Po-Hi with Janice and remembers hearing about their dreams for Rusty Barrell before it opened. Charles built the grill that is still used today, while Janice ordered food and supplies and helped run the business.
Then, Bill and Judy Coddington purchased the restaurant in 1976. Judy was also a Po-Hi classmate of Arleen’s who had been her friend all through
Rick & Kim Hancock
high school. The Jacobsons continue to be customers and celebrate anniversaries, birthdays and many days between at the steakhouse because it is a sentimental favorite. Arleen says, “I know Bill and Judy would be pleased with what Rick and Kim have done with the Barrell.”
Rick remembers the bringing together of two families when his mom married Bill, with each having four children. He says the day they got married, they immediately headed to one of the kids’ ballgames. Such is the life of a large, busy family.
There have also been ups and downs over the years. In thinking back, Rick remembers a time when his folks had to ask their staff if they would work the weekend without their Friday pay because there just wasn’t money in the bank to pay them that day, but they knew after the
weekend they could do so on Monday. The staff didn’t agree to do so and left, and the entire family pitched in and worked to make a go of the weekend. All hands on deck!
Staffing isn’t the same problem now. If you go to the Rusty Barrell, chances are you see familiar faces from years past. Rick is thankful for a crew that has been with him for a long time and feels like family, maybe because many of them are
related to one another. It says something very positive about a business when individuals want to bring their daughters or in-laws onboard along with them and patrons call in their reservations asking for waitstaff by name.
Arrott agrees that “the family-owned and operated restaurant’s importance lies in Rick and his team’s ability to elevate the restaurant through their unparalleled personal service and commitment to quality which brings people together from all walks of life, creating a sense of unity and belonging within Ponca City.”
Even the COVID-19 years didn’t completely set business at Rusty Barrell back. When the governor deemed many such businesses as nonessential for safety reasons, Rick knew he had decisions to make. He explains he decided to go by “faith not fear,” and instead of just sitting back, he began his most recent remodel and expansion.
Rusty Barrell’s remodel includes additional upstairs dinner seating for 42 people, which allows them not to have to turn so many away on weekends as they’ve had to in the past.
It also includes the remarkable lounge area where people can sit while they wait for dinner or just enjoy themselves, even if not planning to dine that evening. The lounge offers a wonderful selection of drinks and Barrell Bite Appetizers in an atmosphere that is both cozy and classy at the same time.
When Rick discussed the remodel, he also talked about what he doesn’t want to change. One of the details is the Barrell has always kept the doorbell at its alley door and even added one for the street entry into the lounge
Judy & Bill Coddington
with the remodel. When they opened, until September of 1984 when Oklahoma became the 49th state to allow liquor by the drink, patrons had to bring their own bottles which created a true club atmosphere. The law changed, but the atmosphere was too good to give up.
Another patron favorite is the salad bar. Rick even did a survey asking people if they would prefer ready made salads brought directly to the table., but he found 95% wanted to keep the salad bar. If you ask around town, after the excellent steaks, the perfect salad bar is next on the list of why the Rusty Barrell is so well-known and craved. Rick even mentioned the many times he’s either attempted to remove items or been unable to get them for a time, how that was enough to disgruntle long-time customers! (Baby corn, black olives, pepperoncini peppers, to name a few). We do like what we like, don’t we?
The truth of it is Rick and his family have always worked to give the best to Ponca City. Rick and Kim celebrated 44 years of marriage this past May, and it was a big decision for them to move home to take on the family business. “They knew the importance the Barrell holds within the community and they are making sure that it remains a place where cherished memories are formed, for visitors and long-time patrons alike
The Barrell has “a pivotal role in tourism and economic development by offering visitors a unique dining experience that reflects the local culture and hospitality and is a testament to Ponca City’s community life and history,” Arrott explains. “For this same reason, businesses across various sectors in Ponca City and surrounding areas choose The Rusty Barrell for client meetings and dinners because they recognize the unique ambiance of the speakeasy vibe and quality dining which encourages deeper exploration of our area.”
Rick also knew he wanted to be part of the overall community. His jobs before had always included travel, so he had never had the opportunity to serve the communities in which they had lived. In coming home, that changed. He knew the place to begin was the Chamber, and he became involved with Ponca City Leadership and the Chamber of Commerce. He is now Past President of the Chamber, where he serves businesses and people throughout this area. Rick laughs as he describes the Chamber as the “Hotel California” of Ponca City where “you can check out, but you can never leave.” However, he doesn’t see himself lessening that involvement. Rick enjoys giving back to the place that has meant so much to him, both growing up and now.
“to make Ponca City the best place to live, work and play.” His involvement with the Chamber and his dedication to maintaining the history of the Rusty Barrell proves that..
Do you have a favorite memory from your time at the iconic Rusty Barrell? I do. My sweetheart proposed to me there at a romantic dinner table in the main downstairs area. Our 40th anniversary was this past June. The place has, of course, been very special to us ever since. You can make reservations by calling 580-765-6689 during their business hours, or online on their website rustybarrellsupperclub.com or their Facebook site to begin making memories of your own. You will not be disappointed.
Look where they began with room for 24 and where they are now — with an ability to serve up to 110 in the main dining areas, a banquet room that seats 40, and a lounge with an occupancy of 65. The memories that continue to be made within these growing walls are many. It seems Oklahoma’s best steakhouse isn’t so little anymore!
“I want to do as much as I can,” Rick emphasizes,
SPRAY’S
Schooners would like to thank our 2024 Cruzin Grand and Car Show participants, spectators & supporters, listed below, for a very successful event.
Next Schooners
Cruzin Grand & Car Show to be held in June 2025.
Tessa
Grand Design
Story by Marlys Cervantes | Staff Writer
Marland’s Grand Home sits proudly at 1000 East Grand Avenue, with a lovely yard in front, flowers and plants around, a regal flag flying in the Louise Fluke Flag Plaza and an inviting porch on which to relax. Melinda Littlecook has been involved with the Grand Home’s Board of Directors since before they were known by this name. Previously called the Cultural Center, they were rebranded in 2000 to ensure the community and others understood the significance as it relates to the overall history of E.W. Marland and Ponca City.
This rebranding was a good move. Marland and his family lived at this location from 1916 to 1928 before moving into the Marland Mansion. Virginia Marland passed away in 1926 while the Mansion was being built, so the warmth of the Grand Home was hers. History and intrigue permeate within these walls.
Outside, the Louise Fluke Flag Plaza stands just east of the Grand Home and is named after a member of the local Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) chapter who designed the Oklahoma State Flag after entering a contest. The Oklahoma State Legislature adopted her design for our State Flag on April 2, 1925.
The DAR chapter has met at the location since 1967 and assists in its upkeep. Littlecook, a member of DAR, says she’s even taken her turns in polishing silverware and dusting furniture and the wonderful pieces found in the Home.
There are numerous exhibits inside to admire: American Indian Museum, 101 Ranch Museum, Marland Family Museum
and the DAR Museum. There is so much history and beauty to explore inside the lovely Grand Home.
The DAR organization is active alongside the Friends of Marland’s Grand Home Board in working to raise needed funds for upkeep and other necessities. This is where Littlecook has used her creativity a couple of times on the Board and then other times as a volunteer working to raise both funds and
awareness for the organizations and Grand Home.
Even though it is extremely elegant, Littlecook says, “Don’t you just feel the warmth when you walk into the Grand Home and look around?”
You can tell immediately how important the place is to her. Her first larger volunteer time was when her husband, Chris, served on the board and they were hosting a tablescape at Christmastime. He thought she should do that and, of course, she did. Melinda remembers that as her first real contribution, and she’s been hooked ever since.
If you’ve been watching activities at Marland’s Grand Home, you’ve seen their fox-related activities, with clay Whit ornaments, Whit color books, Whit Storytime and so on. You’ve also noticed Swedish woven hearts made from old
Christmas cards, new awning replaced on the side and a wonderful recipe book that includes family stories. They’ve hosted reenactors events and every year 3rd graders come for a day of history and fun. As Littlecook says, every time creativity is needed for an event, her 8-year-old self shows up to help.
“It is a goal of Marland’s Grand Home to embrace the tremendous history of Ponca City and share it in interesting ways with generations to come.”
“Grand Home has brought so much interest to people. Sometimes places go dormant — you must give it a hug and wake it up.”
Oh, and you certainly cannot have missed the recent 150th anniversary celebration that began weeks in advance with artists picking up photographs from the various aspects of Marland’s Grand Home to paint on a 5x5 canvas that would later sell for donations during the Grand Home birthday celebration. Artists could be unique to their own styles in the painting, which led to a beautiful diversity of paintings offered to the public.
Marland’s Grand Home Operations Specialist Sonya Abercrombie explains that Marland’s Grand Art Collection was Littlecook’s idea, and that “it was an opportunity to build a sense of community between Ponca City residents and talented artists from across the United States.”
The big day on May 4 was a day of music, revelry and visiting, with reenactors of the Marland family inside and vintage cars from the period outside, and the fund-raiser was a hit. It was a fitting fundraiser since Marland was a supporter of the arts. Abercrombie says, “E.W. Marland loved art which was demonstrated through both his private art collection and through the art demonstrated in the architectural styles of his homes.”
Guest speakers on May 4 included U.S. Congressman Frank Lucas, Oklahoma House Representative Ken Luttrell and
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Senator Bill Coleman, who served as Master of Ceremonies. Numerous local dignitaries were also in attendance. Littlecook expresses how fortunate we are that Ponca City supports so many historical sites and parks. The Grand Home was full on its birthday celebration, just as it should be.
As Littlecook says, “We must educate the community about Marland’s Grand Home and other treasures in Ponca City. We all love this town dearly, but people have to know about it to care.”
Abercrombie says they have introduced activities to highlight all four of the museums over the past year: “It is a goal of Marland’s Grand Home to embrace the tremendous history of Ponca City and share it in interesting ways with generations to come.”
You can find more information about Marland’s Grand Home at their website marlandgrandhome.com or on their FB page The Friends of Marland’s Grand Home of Ponca City, or by calling 580-767-0427. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. On their website, you will find a wonderful interactive tour which will be helpful for your visit. Abercrombie says to watch these online pages for upcoming events!
Littlecook considers these major events like hugs for the place and says, “Grand Home has brought so much interest to people. Sometimes places go dormant — you must give it a hug and wake it up.”
Senator Bill Coleman
by Patrick Jordan
from a party
49. Wile E. Coyote's supplier
50. Belonging to that guy
53. Have yet to pay back 54. Historic American name on an insurance company (2 wds.)
58. Boating paddle
59. Aristocratic group
60. Marisa of moviedom
61. It may turn blue jeans green
62. Lukewarm
63. Do a janitorial chore
DOWN
1. Bart's older sister
2. Wax-coated Dutch cheese
3. Spineless person
4. Letters on a note of debt
5. First part of a process (2 wds.)
6. They're occupied in theaters
7. Gets married
8. Notable time period
9. It's taken at a target
10. Changes the dimensions of
11. Historic American name on a furniture company (2 wds.)
12. Be in first place
13. Coolers with spinning blades
18. "___ time, no see!"
23. Miles ___ hour
24. Location
25. Places to buy bagels and lox
26. Bread baker's chamber
27. Doors in backyard fences
28. Share an opinion
29. Historic American name on Oneida flatware (2 wds.)
30. They hold Amazon shipments
31. Honking farm bird
32. Receded, as the tide
34. ___ Carlo (Monaco resort city)
37. Turns brown on the beach
38. Huge bodies of water
40. Executive's aircraft, often (2 wds.)
41. Mice, rats, and hamsters
43. Athlete with a salary
In total 52 artists created over 30 murals to brighten some blank walls in downtown. Created in alleyways, the murals bring vivid art to rarely used areas.
The 4th Annual Sunny Dayz Mural Fest took place on Saturday, June 1st. The event brought artists from across the country to Ponca City.
City Arts Executive Director Terron Liles and Assistant Executive Director Kestrel Tinklenberg
Photos by Jesse McClelland | Jesse M. Photography
Virginia Sitzes, Oklahoma City, is the founder of Oklahoma City-based non-profit Sunny Dayz Mural Festival. Its mission is to support women and marginalized muralists through a gathering of juried artists.
Virginia Sitzes - “I think alleys are a great location for public art! Alleys often represent overlooked or underutilized parts of the urban landscape. By introducing murals, these spaces are transformed into vibrant, engaging areas that invite locals and visitors to explore parts of the city they might otherwise overlook.”
Over 9,000 square feet of downtown walls were transformed into public art.
CHAMBER BUZZ
Story by Shelley Arrott, Ponca City Chamber of Commerce CEO | Contributing Writer
Happy July, Ponca City! It’s hard to believe but half of 2024 is in the books! As my sweet grandma always told me, “Shelley, the older you get, the faster life goes.” She was NOT wrong!
With that said, Kelsey Wagner, our 2024 Chamber Chair has completed half of her tenure. Let me tell you, serving as a chamber of commerce chair is time-intensive! The chamber chair attends ALL of our Chamber events, including ribbon cuttings, business recognitions, networking and business advocacy events, not to mention leading board meetings, strategic planning, community engagement and overseeing investment growth and retention. If you do not know, Wagner runs multiple businesses, including Ponca City Monthly, MyMediaMatters Creative Agency and is a Ponca City Commissioner. Her family is highly involved in Boy Scouts and she serves several nonprofits. Despite these commitments, Wagner still dedicates significant time to leading the chamber, advocating for local businesses and overseeing chamber activities. Without a doubt, committing to being a chamber chair indicates the drive to make a meaningful impact on the local business community and leverage the opportunity for networking and leadership development! True to the history of the Ponca City Chamber Chairs, Wagner does just that!
short of incredible. This month, I want to share some history of a father, son and like-family trio of past Ponca City Chamber Chairs – Lloyd (Jerry) Evans (Chair 1977), Lee Evans, Sr. (Chair 2012) and Linda Brown (Chair 2003).
“Jerry” Evans, originally from Cody, Wyoming, moved to Oklahoma while working for Haliburton in Guymon, Oklahoma. Jerry and his friend, Jim Throop, purchased the Auterson Construction Company in Ponca City in 1960 that consisted of one asphalt plant and 11 pieces of equipment on April 15, 1960, and the business was called “Evans & Throop.” In January 1975, the company was renamed Evans & Associates Enterprises, Inc. and remains in Ponca City with the same name today. Jerry was committed to Ponca City and his benevolence and work ethic have continued through generations. Jerry served as the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce Chair in 1977 and was known for his teambuilding approach, dedication to developing leaders and love for Ponca City. Jerry was also named “Boss of the Year” by the Ponca City Jaycees and was named Outstanding Citizen by the Ponca City Chamber in 1997. He passed away in 2002.
and was named Outstanding Citizen in 2006. Even though Brown does not bear the Evans name, she may as well be family. Today, she manages the Evans Family Foundation and is a consultant with Evans & Associates Enterprises, Inc.
“Jerry” Evans’ son, Lloyd “Lee” Evans, joined the Evan’s & Associates Team permanently in November of 1997. As a student, Lee, now known as Lee, Sr. worked in the field with the Evans employees to learn the trade, and according to Jerry, “You cannot make decisions related to employees until you have experienced what they experience regularly!” So, Lee, Sr. learned the trade and knows what it is like to walk in the shoes of Evans employees!
Before returning to Evans & Associates Enterprises, Inc. permanently, Lee, Sr. worked for Arkla, Inc. in Shreveport, Louisiana. He served as Vice President of the company and grew within the Arkla, Inc. ranks very quickly, taking over several different positions. With Jerry as an exceptional leadership mentor, guiding Lee, Sr. and others with unparalleled insight and compassion, Lee, Sr. took over as President of the Board and CEO of the family business in 2012.
As I once again stroll down the memory lane of former Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Chairs, the past chairs are nothing
In 1975, let’s cue in Linda Brown, who became part of the Evans & Associates Team that year. Fresh off the farm and 21 years old, Linda began as the receptionist at Evans & Associates Enterprises, Inc. and thought she had the best job ever! Jerry took Linda under his wing and made her the leader she is today. Jerry always said, “Give me someone fresh off a hardworking farm who has common sense, and I will make a leader of them.” He did just that with Brown, and she rose from receptionist in 1975 to President of the company from 2002-12. She served as the Ponca City Chamber Chair in 2003
Jerry taught Lee, Sr. the importance of benevolence, instilling in him the values of kindness, generosity and empathy toward others. As did the entire Evans family, Lee, Sr. loves his community. Being a quiet, benevolent community member, Lee, Sr. and his family members before him have contributed significantly to nearly every local cause in Ponca City through the Evans Family Foundation. They do so without seeking recognition or accolades. As his family has done for years, Lee, Sr. finds fulfillment in the positive impact he makes quietly behind the scenes. In his father’s footsteps, Lee, Sr. served as the Chamber Chair in 2012 and was the Chamber’s Outstanding Citizen in 2014.
From Jerry’s mentorship, the Evans family has a way of building a team and developing leaders. They highly value not only their community
but their employees, as well. Evans & Associates Enterprises, Inc. is the epitome of a corporate family; no one is a number and everyone is much appreciated at all their businesses across the state.
Something I am so impressed with is a tradition started by Jerry that is still carried out today. Years ago, the company based only in Ponca City had a huge Christmas Party upstairs at their current location and gave everyone a turkey. Jerry believed it was imperative to touch the hand of every person who worked for the company and thank them for their service. Currently, Evans & Associates Enterprises, Inc. is the “granddaddy” of many subsidiary companies located across the state, and it is just not feasible to deliver turkeys from Ponca City to Altus, Alva, Miami and everywhere in between! Jerry began a tradition of loading up the Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team on a bus to go to all subsidiary locations to provide each employee with a monetary gift, shake their hand and thank them for their service during the 1st week of December each year. That tradition still exists today and symbolizes the family’s commitment to valuing each employee, emphasizing a hands-on, inclusive approach to leadership and appreciation.
Lee Evans, Sr., CEO and Chairman of the Board, carries on the stand of excellence set by his father, Lloyd “Jerry” Evans, and has recently welcomed his son, Lee Evans, Jr., to the management team that will lead the company into the future. Without a doubt, Lee, Jr. worked in the field as did his father, Lee, Sr., before joining the management team! After all, how can you make decisions about employees if you have not walked in
their shoes?
Not only are the Evans family members loyal to the community, but they are also loyal to the Chamber. Lee and his amazing wife, Laura, whom he met at Oklahoma State University, are sponsors of all Chamber events, always donate auction items and provide the use of their incredible Big Fork Ranch for the annual Chamber Retreat and Elected Officials Picnic.
The Evans family has a rich history with the community of Ponca City and with the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce, serving in key roles, fostering business growth and mentoring new investors. Mentored by his father, Lee Evans, Sr. provides balanced, thoughtful guidance and support to many community members, helping us navigate challenges and make informed decisions while inspiring and nurturing the next generation of leaders.
The leadership provided to the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce by Jerry Evans, Lee Evans, Sr. and Linda Brown has been instrumental in our success and we appreciate their dedication immensely! We also see continued Chamber leadership mentored by the Evans family. Currently, Brad Fox, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Human Resources, serves on our Chamber Executive Committee as our Treasurer and is a Tourism Bureau Trustee, and Jason Grace, President of Kaw Land & Cattle Co., another subsidiary company of Evans & Associates Enterprises, Inc., is on the Chamber Board of Directors.
The Evans family legacy of leadership illuminates a path of hope and inspiration for generations to come in Ponca City!
Book Reviews
CHLOE AND MAUDE
by Sandra Boynton
My family – all four of us – love Sandra Boynton’s books. The illustrations are fun and a bit silly. The text is fun, silly and bouncy. A few of our favorite Sandra Boynton books are:
• Moo, Baa, La La La! (Lots of silliness)
• Barnyard Dance (Read it like you’re calling a square dance!)
• Blue Hat, Green Hat (Our boys called this one “The OOPS Book.”)
• But Not the Hippopotamus (It’s not fun to be excluded.)
• Oh My, Oh My, Oh Dinosaurs! (Opposites)
We can all quote several of Ms. Boynton’s books. But enough about us.
Sandra Boynton’s newest book is Chloe and Maude. It’s comprised of three small stories about two adventurous little cats who are great friends, but not much alike at all.
Chloe loves to draw. She draws dragons, castles, families, forests, spaghetti, elephants and trains. Maude doesn’t like to draw, because her drawings
don’t look like what they’re supposed to be. (It’s not a green jump rope; it’s a snake!) Of course, it doesn’t help that everyone can easily tell what Chloe’s drawings are supposed to be.
Chloe is quieter, while Maude tends to be LOUD! Chloe likes to pretend; Maude likes things the way they are. You should check out when Chloe decides to pretend that she’s Sophia. Maude really doesn’t handle that well. (Sophias don’t hike, bike or bake – but Maudes do!)
Both girls love to play SCARY MONSTERS! They’re also both a little bit afraid of the dark . . .
These three small stories celebrate the joys and frustrations of friendship, as well as discovering how to be great friends even if you’re almost nothing alike. Chloe and Maude is a fresh, lovely and boisterous frolic I think you’ll enjoy with your little ones.
Reviewed by Lorrie Layton
The Thursday Murder Club
by Richard Osman
The first I knew of this series was when the second book came out, but I couldn’t get my hands on a copy of the first book, The Thursday Murder Club. Now that we’re four books into the series, I finally had a chance to read the first book – so here we go!
The members of the Thursday Murder Club are residents of Coopers Chase Retirement Village, a luxury retirement village located in the lovely countryside of Kent, England. There’s Ibrahim the psychiatrist, Joyce the ER nurse, Ron the labor activist and Elizabeth the spy, who combine their individual talents to review and solve cold cases. When Tony Curran, the contractor who built Coopers Chase, is bludgeoned to death just hours after being fired by the center’s developer and owner, Joyce and Ron feel obligated to share with the police that they saw the two men arguing the day of the murder.
Recently, the group met Donna, a police constable who wishes she was hunting serial killers, when she visited the center to discuss
“Practical Tips for Home Security” with the retirees. Elizabeth manages to get Donna assigned to the team working the Curran homicide, so they’ll have access to information uncovered during the investigation. It will also allow them an avenue to share with the police information they uncover in their own investigation.
A few days later, the Thursday Murder Club, Donna, her boss and sixty-odd other retirees are present when Ian Ventham, the center’s owner, is murdered. This is exciting and unbelievable –two murders within a week, both tied to Coopers Chase Retirement Village! Of course, the only thing to do is to pitch in and help the police with their investigation of both murders.
I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this series!
Reviewed by Lorrie
Layton
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Water you waiting for?
Story by Kelli Northcutt| Contributing Writer
Drinking water is vital to health. It plays a key role in many of our body’s functions. In fact, our bodies are about 60% water! Not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration and problems throughout the body.
There is no universally accepted “perfect” amount of water that you should drink. Most resources suggest each day that men drink 13 to 15 ½ cups, women drink 9 to 11 ½ cups, pregnant women 10 cups, breastfeeding women 12 cups, and kids and teens 6 to 8 cups. Some experts advise to drink ½ ounce to 1 ounce per pound of body weight per day or 1 ounce per pound if playing sports or working outside in the heat. The perfect amount for each person depends on activity level, health conditions, height, weight, and gender. Drinking too much water is almost never an issue for healthy, well-nourished adults. You are drinking enough water if you rarely feel thirsty and your urine is colorless or light yellow.
Dehydration, or losing more fluids that you take in, can happen to anyone, but is most dangerous for young children and older adults. Typically, children get dehydrated due to vomiting and/ or diarrhea and older adults naturally have less water in their bodies. Older adults may also have a medical condition or take medications that can increase the risk of dehydration. Many people, especially older adults, will not be thirsty until they are already dehydrated. Besides urine color and thirst, indicators of dehydration may be fatigue, dizziness, light-headedness, dry mouth or lips, and/or urinating less than four times per day. During the hot summer months, consuming enough water every day is the best way to prevent heat illness. If increasing your water intake does not improve your symptoms of dehydration, contact your medical provider.
Try using the chart at right, or in the Health and Wellness Calendar available for download on the United Way of North Central Oklahoma website, to track your water intake this month. Challenge yourself to increase your water intake each week or challenge a friend or family member to see who can meet their water intake goal for the month!
Scan the QR code to download the Health and Wellness Calendar available from the United Way of North Central Oklahoma website
According to Medical News Today, water in the body:
1. Lubricates joints – Cartilage, found in joints and in the spine, contains about 80% water. Dehydration can decrease the joints’ shockabsorbing ability, leading to joint pain.
2. Forms saliva – Saliva helps us digest food and prevents friction in our nose and eyes.
3. Delivers oxygen throughout the body –Blood is 90% water and blood carries oxygen to all parts of the body. Oxygen is the fuel that makes organs and muscles work as they should.
4. Boosts skin health – If dehydrated, the skin becomes more vulnerable to skin disorders and premature wrinkling.
5. Cushions the brain and spinal cord –Dehydration can affect brain structure and function as water is used in the production of hormones and neurotransmitters. Not enough water can lead to problems with thinking and reasoning.
6. Helps to regulate body temperature –Water is stored in the middle layers of the skin and comes to the skin’s surface as sweat when the body heats. When there is too little water in the body, it may be less able to tolerate heat stress.
7. Aids in digestion – Bowels need water to work properly. If dehydrated, it can lead to constipation and an overly acidic stomach, causing ulcers or heartburn.
8. Flushes body waste – Water is needed in both sweating and the removal of urine and feces.
9. Helps maintain blood pressure – Not enough water can cause the blood to thicken and increases blood pressure as a result.
10. Makes minerals and nutrients accessible –These resources dissolve in water so that they can reach different parts of the body.
11. Keeps kidneys working properly –Dehydration can lead to kidney stones and other kidney problems.
Get Fit!WITH KERA KESTER
How many times have you ever been simply going about your day and then BAM, a headache hits out of nowhere. It maybe even intensifies as the minutes drag on. I will be the first to say that I probably have a lower-than-average pain tolerance. But low pain tolerance or not, I have never met anyone who says enduring a headache isn’t that bad. Thankfully, there are aids to help relieve or completely remove them! Before we talk about those, let’s talk about what a headache even truly is.
There are many different frequencies, locations, intensities and over 150 types of headaches. For example, a tension headache (which is the most common) happens when the muscles in your head or neck tighten. Whereas a stress headache is more-so stimulated by chemical activity within your brain. Your body houses nerves called nociceptors. These pain-sensitive nerves have specific triggers, such as certain odors, stress, specific foods or lack of proper hydration/nutrition, straining during exercise, vigorous crying, lack of sleep, nicotine consumption and even some medications. These nociceptors signal the thalamus which responds with the sensation of pain.
I can hear some of you now, “thanks a lot nociceptors!” But wait! There are some positives to their job success. For instance, when your hand touches a hot stove, they are the ones who trigger your body to respond with pain in order to let your brain know to move your hand away. So, now that we’ve established some causes and internal processes, we should definitely discuss how to alleviate them. Here are three great options to give you a running start!
Pinpoint the specific trigger and type of headache
Narrowing in on the cause is a great way to make the necessary change(s) to keep it from happening again. Additionally, if the headache is a serious or
life-threatening type, recognizing that in the early stages is vital. For instance, a spinal headache or thunderclap headache needs to be tended to immediately.
Stress management
It is so beneficial to be aware of your levels of stress. Biofeedback, such as heart or breathing rate, body temperature, brain activity or muscle tension can be great signs to let you know. Sometimes, lowering your stress levels is enough to fix the problem. Of course, in many cases, this is easier said than done. However, there is always one step at a time that can be done. Venting to a wise and trustworthy confidante, finding a prayer partner, delegating certain things off your plate, and/or seeking out professional help, or utilizing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or muscle relaxation are amazing ways to find balance.
Take strategic steps
If you suspect a tension headache, then try some stretching exercises. If you suspect a dehydration headache, drink water. Other great actionable steps include a massage, taking a walk or nap, consuming multivitamins, or applying an ice pack or heating pad to the affected area.
Pain is not fun. The last thing I want any of you to deal with is any type of painful or annoying headache. My hope is that this article was useful and benefited you in some way! My other hope is that if in the future you deal with a headache, these tips and suggestions kick its butt quickly! As always, I wish you all the best, as well as a life full of blessings and joy! Much love and Happy Fourth of July!
•
COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH
Mixed by Jill Rowe/Staff Writer
Bloody Mary, the not-so-secret weapon against the dreaded hangover. With its socalled magical healing properties, it's pretty much the closest thing to a cure-all potion, promising to resurrect our sorry selves from the depths of our post-party misery. Has this cocktail always been the breakfast of champions, or has it just recently become the ultimate hangover remedy?
I felt compelled to delve into its history and find out.
In the 1920s, during Prohibition in the United States, people flocked to Europe where alcohol was still enjoyed freely. French bartender Fernand Petiot found himself working in a New York-style bar in Paris, which was popular among Americans craving a taste of home. At the same time, Russian immigrants escaping the revolution arrived, bringing with them vodka and caviar. Despite finding vodka's taste bland, Petiot experimented, combining American tomato juice, Russian vodka, spices, and lemon juice. Initially called the “Bucket of Blood,” after its return to the U.S., it briefly went by the name “Red Snapper,” before ultimately becoming known as the Bloody Mary.
Bloody Mary
How the Bloody Mary name came to be is a mystery. I think the most likely explanation is linked to the Queen Mary Tudor of England, known for her tumultuous reign marked by brutality and bloodshed in the 16th century. While I don’t condone violence, having a drink named in one’s honor does hold some allure. We could call it, Bitter Jill, or Jill’s Wrath, it would start sweet but pack a mean punch at the end!
In recent years, bars and restaurants have been trying to outdo each other with their elaborate Bloody Mary creations. Every new version seems to be crazier than the last. The days of a basic garnish with green olives, a lemon slice, and celery are long gone. One of my favorite local summertime Sunday spots is the Hideaway Marina. They make a killer Bloody Mary, loaded to the brim with an array of delicious fried goodies. Making one at home? Grab your vodka, favorite tomato juice base, a skewer loaded with kitchen cupboard treasures, and you’re all set. Cheers to the opportunity for redemption, with the unwavering support of the Bloody Mary.
• 2 oz Vodka
• 4 oz Tomato Juice Base
• 1 tsp Horseradish
• 2 dashes Tabasco
• 2 dashes Worcestershire
• Lemon
• Lime
• Olives
• Celery
In a pint glass rimmed with Tajin, pour in your vodka and tomato base (I like Zing Zang) over ice, squeeze in a lemon and lime wedge, add the rest of the ingredients and stir. Throw your garnishes on a skewer and enjoy!
REPUTATION
TRIBUTE TO TAYLOR SWIFT
JULY 6 TH
SELENA FOREVER
TRIBUTE TO SELENA JULY 20 TH
DUNN & BROOKS
TRIBUTE TO BROOKS & DUNN AUGUST 17 TH
ZZ-KC
TRIBUTE TO ZZ TOP AUGUST 31 ST
7 SUMMERS
TRIBUTE TO MORGAN WALLEN SEPTEMBER 7 TH
KLYMAXX
FEATURING CHERYL COOLEY SEPTEMBER 14 TH
“I MISS YOU” “MEETING IN THE LADIES ROOM”
PARTY AT THE PALACE DIAMONDS & ICE
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23
6:30 PM - 10 PM
MARLAND MANSION ESTATE
901 MONUMENT ROAD
By Popular Demand…
10 Silent Auction Packages
Diamonds & Ice!
Limited number of tickets for special Giggle Juice or Old Fashioned drinks are available for purchase. Each drink will have 1 large ice cube. The ice cube in one drink will have a Genuine 1-Carat Diamond and the others will have CZs. Enjoy your drink, then take your ice cube to Brent Buller, Spray’s jeweler onsite to determine if your diamond is real! Spray’s will also have merchandise for sale at the event. Thank you to Spray’s Jewelry & Gifts for donating the diamond.
Amazing “Date Night” Packages!
Ticket Information
$50 Event tickets and $25 “Diamonds & Ice” drink tickets go on sale at the Chamber Office, 5th & Grand on Monday, July 8.
Event ticket includes:
• Heavy hors d’oeuvres and 2 regular drink tickets
• Live 80s music by Band #9
Diamonds & Ice drink tickets give you a chance to win a genuine diamond!
Casual Attire
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Stew On That
by Rachel Stewart / Contributing Writer
Iwas recently talking to a friend, and she told me that she and her husband were discussing whether or not they wanted to have children. They were concerned that having kids would prevent or hinder them from experiencing new things, and to that I said to her, “No, no, no! You can absolutely still do things with kids! They just won’t be fun at all!” And obviously it goes without saying that my children are the light of my life; I would literally lay down and die for them; I’m obsessed with them; they are the most perfect humans who have walked on this planet, but the reality is, some things just aren’t as fun with kids. Vacations are no longer relaxing (in fact, we no longer even call them vacations, they’re just called “trips”); it’s just doing all the things you normally do, just in a different ZIP code, and it’s harder because you don’t have all the normal comforts of home. You can still run to Starbucks every morning to get your venti cherry vanilla cappuccino espresso with giraffe milk, you’ll just have to spend an additional $7 on a drink for your tiny, adorable, dirty-faced roommate. Otherwise, they’ll cry for 24 minutes straight, and then once you get them the drink, they’ll only have one drink out of
it, maybe zero drinks. You can run all the errands you want, you’ll just need to make sure they’re well-fed, well-rested, have packed an extra change of clothes (or two), 4-23 toys to keep them occupied, a drink, 55 snacks, a 500-pack of baby wipes, and that you’re going somewhere that has a restroom, because even if you make them go to the bathroom before you leave the house, they will absolutely need to go again the moment you get to your destination. And even when you think of a fun, simple activity, like a quick little bike ride down your street, that couldn’t possibly go wrong, you, in fact, will be wrong, and you’ll be cursing yourself whilst you’re carrying both a 40-pound, limp, deadweight toddler AND a small bicycle back to your house. You’re thinking to yourself, “Oh, no, just plan kid-friendly activities!” Nope. You could take them to the zoo, with all the snow cones, adorable animals, unlimited toys from the gift shop and your child will still somehow be blind with rage, for no inconceivable reason. And in the midst of all the chaos, when you are about to lose your mind, someone, probably your Aunt Linda, will say to you, “Oh, you’ll miss this one day!” and ya know what, I think that ol’ broad is right.
Backyard Gardener
Fabulous Fruit Season
by Kat Long / Contributing Writer
Our wonderful editor, Kelsey, gives all us writers a heads up before each month: themes, dates, deadlines. You know. The checkmarks to keep all of us moving forward and on time.
For July, what caught my eye was National Park and Recreation Month. How fitting for those of us in Ponca City with our exceptional Parks and Rec Department. July 7 is Chocolate Day, lest we forget it in all the Fourth of July hustle and bustle.
An Ode to Parks & Rec
Fourth of July is the BEST in Ponca City because of our Parks & Rec.
If you have ever stopped to admire the flowers and plantings up and down Grand, say Thank you to Parks & Rec.
Ponca City is a Parks kinda town. And, since it’s in their title, just thank Parks & Rec.
Frisbee Golf Courses, Wentz Pool, Recplex, Lake Ponca, Senior Center, programs, classes, dog parks and facility rentals, Unity Gym and the Lake Shelters to name a few. Find the Summer Recreation Guide here: it.ly/45eCWDR and all the other information on Parks & Recreation on their City of Ponca City webpage: Poncacityok. gov/213/Parks-Recreation.
Eating Seasonally – It’s Time for the Fruit
June through September are the best because of the fruit. Whether you are a strawberry, peach or apple fan, all of these delightful sweets can be found in our neck of the woods. But there are so many more. Blackberries, nectarines, plums, blueberries, persimmons, ground cherries, regular cherries, sand plums and on and on. Birds and critters with opposable thumbs know what they are doing when accessing fruit right before the humans get to picking.
Some things I have learned over the years of growing fruit in the yard.
If you have a compost pile, plant your favorite fruit tree within five feet of it or vice versa. The compost will feed the tree roots and you will get the sweetest fruit. Found this out by accident with my nectarine tree, which is three feet from my outdoor single-container compost bin.
again. This spring has been especially tricky on timing sprays correctly.
Pick off bad leaves whenever you see them and throw them in the trash. Do not compost and do not throw them on the ground. All the fruit diseases transfer easily and will stay in the area if the leaves fall to the ground. Same if you put them in your compost. Put diseased leaves in your burn pile or in the trash to ensure those diseases do not spread.
Pick fruit every day; preferably in the morning. Or at least give the trees/plants a good look over to get the fruit off before the critters get to it. Picking in the morning keeps the fruit from spoiling quickly.
Try new recipes. TikTok and YouTube are fabulous for seeking out new recipes for using fruit. I never knew the joy of blackberry pie until a TikTok came across my “for you” last year. Sooooo goooood.
And then there is Chocolate Day on July 7. Since I have never excelled at growing the fabulous cacao bean tree, let’s talk about what is good to eat with chocolate: Fruit.
Use the Copper Fungicide. In past years, I have tried to let everything be natural, but fruit trees get rust, rot, bacteria, fire blight or scab and all the leaves fall off. Or heaven forbid you get Japanese beetles (Google Japanese beetle traps). So, I started spraying the copper fungicide on my apple and plum tree leaves (which are not close to the compost container) last year. Every two weeks after the blooms set, spray in the evening, right before dark so you don’t spray all the beneficial insects flitting around the garden. Keep an eye on the weather when spraying, because if it rains during the night on a spray evening, you need to spray
These are some of my best fruit tips: Don’t ask me when to stop spraying the copper fungicide. I stopped in June last year after the fruit was getting bigger and one of my apple trees still lost most of its leaves to apple scab. This year, I will continue to spray until a couple of weeks before the fruit is ripe or I pick off all the leaves that look like they are getting diseased! Porter Peaches should be making the rounds at Farmer’s Market, Saturdays 8 to 11 a.m. and Tuesdays 4 to 6 p.m. Sunny Creek Trading Post Farm Hub store is open Mondays at City Central, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you have extra produce from your backyard garden, Sunny Creek wants to sell your extra for you. Find them on Facebook or just drop into the store next Monday and chat with Liz.
And with that side-hustle tip, I wish you all Happy Gardening.
Dads.
Story by Hayley Harrison | Staff Writer
If you’re a mom reading this, I’m willing to bet that you’re the first-string QB of your household. You are the one who knows what to pack in each lunch, the one that knows who’s already had their allergy medicine for the day, the one that fights the good fight against the laundry pile to keep everyone in clean undies, and the one that holds the answers to all 98,502 questions that your precious pumpkins ask you each and every day. You’re the star of the show. No doubt about it. And though it’s awesome to be #1 in the hearts and minds of the tiny humans that live in your house, it can also be a little intense and overwhelming at times; and that means that every once in a while you may need to pull the undiscovered talent off the bench,
dust him off, and throw him into the game. And that player is affectionately known as “Dad”.
The first time that I mentioned to my girls that their daddy was capable of carrying out the same tasks as I am, they almost froze with shock. I was cooking dinner, when my oldest came up to me asking for something to be opened and I replied, “I’ve got my hands full right now, but Dad can.” She looked at me as if I had just spoken in a different language. True bewilderment played out across her face. And then when he indeed opened whatever it was that she needed, it was like she was meeting her dad for the very first time.
And now my youngest, who just turned three the end of April, has started catching on to the idea that her daddy can do things like pour her apple juice in the morning, or brush her teeth before bed, and the world will still turn, and Bluey will still play. And though she still wants her mama for most things, there are rare occasions that she finds me busy with something else and she’ll look at me with her big, brown doe eyes and earnestly ask me, “Can my dada do that?”
Building Positivity and Connectedness: Strengthening Our Community and Schools
Last week I had the opportunity to hear author Jon Gordon, the author of “The Energy Bus,” speak on his work with positivity and connection. As I was listening my mind continued drifting to my endless summer to-do lists, activities for my children, staffing for next school year, and throwing myself into planning the return of students and staff in August. It was so difficult to shift my mind to his message on positivity, but as his talk went on, I was reminded why fostering a strong sense of community and positivity within our schools is more important than ever.
As the Ponca City Public School’s Superintendent, I challenge my team to be dedicated to nurturing an environment where every student, teacher, and community member feels valued and connected. I couldn’t help imagine what it would be like in Ponca City where every student, teacher, and community member felt positive and connected to their school system? Jon challenged me to be a great leader who creates a great culture.
Why do we need to be a positive school district? Positivity is a powerful force that can transform not only our schools but also our community. When we cultivate a positive atmosphere, we create a foundation for academic success, personal growth, and overall wellbeing. Here are a few key benefits of fostering positivity:
1. Enhanced Learning: Students perform better academically when they feel supported and encouraged. Positive reinforcement and a nurturing environment help students develop a love for learning and a willingness to take on new challenges. I live off praise, but I recognize that in today’s world a school Superintendent is not typically praised.
2. Improved Mental Health: A positive school environment contributes to better mental health for students and staff. As we move on from COVID, it’s necessary to recognize that it took a toll on mental health. Our aim as Administrators is looking for
ways to reduce stress and anxiety to create a safe space where individuals can thrive emotionally and socially.
3. Stronger Relationships: Positivity fosters trust and mutual respect. When students, teachers, and parents feel valued, they are more likely to engage actively and collaboratively in the educational process. I will work tirelessly to remove the negative out of our school district.
Mr. Gordon then spoke on the importance of building “connectedness.”
Connectedness refers to the sense of belonging and attachment individuals feel towards their school and community. I tell our principals and administrators to seek the following to help connect us;
1. Encourage Parent and Community Involvement: Schools are at their best when they are an integral part of the community. Encourage parents and community members to participate in school activities, volunteer opportunities, and decisionmaking processes. This involvement strengthens the bond between schools and the broader community.
2. Promote Collaborative Learning: Encourage students to work together on projects and activities. Group work and peer-to-peer learning foster a sense of teamwork and mutual support, helping students feel connected to their classmates.
3. Celebrate Diversity: Embrace and celebrate the diverse backgrounds and cultures within our community. Cultural events, heritage celebrations, and inclusive curricula promote understanding and respect among students and staff.
4. Mentorship/Internship Programs: Establish mentorship programs that connect students with positive role models in the community. These
relationships can provide guidance, support, and inspiration, helping students feel more connected to their school and future aspirations.
As the Superintendent I want to encourage our parents and community members to use these tools to help us be a positive and connected school district;
1. Be Involved: Attend school events, parent-teacher conferences, and community meetings. Your presence and participation show students that their education is a shared priority.
2. Volunteer: Offer your time and skills to support school activities and programs. Whether it’s helping in the classroom, coaching a sports team, or assisting with extracurricular activities, your involvement makes a difference.
3. Communicate: Maintain open lines of communication with teachers, administrators, and other parents. Sharing ideas, concerns, and feedback helps create a collaborative and supportive environment.
4. Model Positivity: Demonstrate a positive attitude and approach to challenges. Your behavior sets an example for students and contributes to a positive school culture.
By working together, we can create a vibrant, positive, and connected community where every student can thrive. As the PCPS superintendent, I am committed to fostering an environment where positivity and connectedness are at the forefront of our efforts. Let’s join hands to build a stronger, more supportive community and ensure that our schools are places where every student feels valued and empowered to succeed.
Forgive the cliche, but it still rings true, together, we can make a difference!
Story by Adam Leaming, Ponca City Public Schools, Superintendent / Contributing Writer
STREAM IT
Story by Hayley Harrison | Staff Writer
Under Paris
Do you love superbly bad movies? I’m talking movies that have a iv, v, vi installment? Movies that are complete trainwrecks, yet you can’t peel your eyes from the screen? Movies that won’t come close to making the invite list for the Oscars, but were the jewel of your Friday movie night? Then boy-oh-boy do I have the movie rec. for you!
Just imagine, you’re a marine biologist studying the effects of ocean pollution on sharks, when the shark that you’ve been tracking for months leads you to the floating island of plastic out in the middle of the ocean. Your entire team suits up and dives in order to obtain a blood sample from said shark, and then things quickly turn for the worst. Fast forward a few years, and you are now working in oceanic conservation in Paris, when you are suddenly blindsided with the
knowledge that the shark you were tracking all those years earlier, has now made its home in the catacombs of the Seine River, under Paris. You now feel it is your responsibility to save the good people of Paris from this vicious shark, but you are thwarted at every turn by politicians, police, and protesters. Will you cut through the red tape in time to save lives, or will the shark gain a permanent French residence?
My family loved this movie, and we all thought it had the perfect mix of jumps, gasps, twists, turns and that unmistakable cheesiness that makes any lower budget sci-fi movie a winner in our books. It made for a great movie night, and we are desperately hoping Netflix opts for a sequel!
Puzzle on Page 36
Surf’s Up Snowcones
The key to defeating, or at least countering, the sweltering summer temperatures in Oklahoma is to indulge in tasty, cold desserts. Maybe it’s not the key, but sweaty adults and children agree, it is a good start. Maybe the best summer staple is crunchy, cold ice balls blanketed with rainbow-bright syrups. With plenty of stands around the area, there is only one mobile snow cone-slinging school bus around, and it is serving up happiness in a cup.
Owner/operator Michelle Hunt keeps people coming back again and again with her Surf’s Up Snowcones food truck. Unique flavors, sunny smiles and syrupy sweetness permeate from the bright yellow school bus that cannot help but attract attention.
Topping the list of the most popular flavors is Tiger’s Blood. A refreshing combination of orange, strawberry and pineapple syrups,
this fruity blend of flavors is as sweet to taste as it is vibrant to see. And the name is pretty cool, like an exotic treat out of the flavor jungle. Also toward the top is Wedding Cake. A towering mixture of almond and vanilla flavors, it is unexpected how close this resembles the flavor of a traditional wedding cake.
One of the most interesting and unusual flavors found on the sugary bus is Mangonada. This is a fusion of mango, Chamoy and Tajin with a chili stick. Bold. Fun. The mixture is both sweet and tangy with a smidge of heat. This is certainly one to put on the list to try for the first time or to try again.
Snow cones are a delightful way to chill out any time of year, but they feel especially fitting THIS time of year. Partnering with local businesses to surprise employees with a sweet treat on a hot day and setting up shop
Is it even summer without Blue Raspberry snow cones? The residual blue mouth that follows is a sure sign summer is here! For more tasty food fun, check out @foodcrushok on IG and Facebook.
at local daycares to serve hundreds of snow cones to exuberant children are just part of what makes Surf’s Up special. Local supporting local is something we can all get behind. So, when the brutal heat seems to be at its peak, grab a snow cone at Surf’s Up and give yourself a brief moment of reprieve. Happy Eating!!
Check out Surf’s Up Snowcones on Facebook at @snowconebus and watch for info on local community watch pages.
Top Three For Me
Book Surf’s Up for your next event! Lighthearted and a break from the seriously hot summer.
Fun fact: Michelle will cater “adult” snow cones upon request. Frozen sugar water with a touch of alcohol? Yes, please!
IF YOU FIND YOURSELF IN…..
Oklahoma City … and need a cold pick-me-up, head to Boom Town Creamery on NW 23rd. Locally owned, this ice cream is what dreams are made of. With 15 creative core flavors that are always available in scoops and pints, you really can’t go wrong here. Topping my list are the Breakfast Milk-alicious, which has Fruity Pebbles ice cream and Fruit Loops and Cap’n Crunch pieces mixed in, and the Bananas Foster featuring roasted banana ice cream, caramel rum sauce and banana pieces. Boom Town also has fabulous vegan flavors and limited releases. And, I have to admit, their Hazelnut Fudge is popular. But be warned … with Nutella ice cream and fudge swirls, this sucker has chocolate in it. Lots of it. If you’re into chocolate, go for it. Me? I’m sticking with the bananas.
Story & Photos By Amy Dewitt Geurin | Contributing Writer
