Ponca City Monthly March 2022

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March 2022

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MARCH 2022

•

VOL. 3 NO.3 Publishing Company MyMediaMatters Creative Agency Editor-in-Chief Kelsey Wagner Associate Editor & Advertising Director Robyn Ryan 580-761-1295 robyn@poncacitymonthly.com

32

PEACHTREE LANDING PROVIDING GRACE, HOPE AND STABILITY FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Staff Writers Carey Head Jay Wagner Andy Hicks Chelsea McConnell Kayley Spielbusch Laina Smith Jill Rowe Jennifer Vaughan Ad Designer Robyn Ryan

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Magazine Designer Andy Hicks

ROCK’N IT TREASURES

64

FEATURE STORIES Grizz’s Print Shop It’s Magic

Business Spotlight: Brandt’s Ace Hardware Ponca Playhouse

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15

21

Sudoku

42

51

For the Love of Writing

59 67 71

Proud Member of the Chambers of Commerce of: Ponca City, Newkirk, Tonkawa, Blackwell, Arkansas City

4

March 2022

MONTHLY FAVORITES 38

With Liberty and Justice for All Team 476 Robotics

Copy Editor Patrick Jordan

Backyard Gardener

26

Do Good by Being Better

5 ACTIVITIES FOR INTROVERTS

17

COVER STORY

Pioneer Technology Works on Workforce Story by Chelsea McConnell

Story Editor Sherry Cable

Learning with Leaming Cocktail of the Month Book Reviews

Notes from A Tired Mama

Recipe: African Peanut Soup Crossword

Health and Beauty

41 44

45/47 46 48 49

52

Food Crush

55

Stew On That

58

Sounding Off

56

Contributing Writers Marlys Cervantes Janetta Cravens Richard Jones Patrick Jordan Amy Geurin Lorrie Layton Adam Leaming Kat Long Paul Muehlberg Steve Scott Rachel Stewart Ashely Hein © MyMediaMatters, LLC, dba Ponca City Monthly 2022.

For permission to reproduce any article in this magazine, contact editor@poncacitymonthly.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 by other electronic means without 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

Just down the road from my childhood home is the perfect stargazing point. Sitting on that dirt road intersection, you can see for miles in all directions. No lights as far as the eye can see, and no sounds except what nature intended. 2:00 am is the optimum stargazing window; that’s when the sky is darkest, so the stars shine brightest. My Dad and I enjoy stargazing. One year we caught a meteor shower that I will never forget - bright blue and green meteors for hours streaking across the dark sky! It was magical. But every clear night in the country is magical. You can look up and see the milky way along with millions of stars, bright, clear, and twinkling.

One summer, as a teenager, I landed a job working for my aunt babysitting my cousins. They lived in a beautiful home in Tulsa. But after the first few nights, I realized that when I

looked out the window, all I could see was a mixture of purple and blue lights. As much as I tried, I couldn’t see any stars.

There were also sounds all night long – sirens, honking, traffic.

The hustle and bustle of the big city were new to this country bumkin, and I longed for the big, beautiful silent sky at home.

I worked in Tulsa for about two months. When I finally arrived back at home, I drove out to that country road intersection, breathed in the cold night air, and spent a few hours gazing in silence at my stars I had missed so dearly.

Even today, I still long sometimes for that big, bright clear country sky, but I am grateful that in our beautiful town of Ponca City, I can look up from anywhere in the city and see a big, beautiful sky full of stars.

editor@poncacitymonthly.com

VIEW ONLINE AT PONCACITYMONTHLY.COM

Pictured on Cover: Johnny Thornburgh, Industrial Coordinator/Pioneer Technology Center Photo credit: Terri Busch, Communications & Marketing Coordinator/ Pioneer Technology Center

March 2022

5

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Story and Photos by Laina Smith/Staff Writer Ponca City is home to many different things. However, many people may not know that Ponca has its own 3D print shop.

Grizz’s Print Shop, owned and operated by Thomas Duff, was started in May of 2021 due to the pandemic. Duff, who went to school for engineering, uses the print shop as a way to create an additional income.

Duff started the business with one 3D printer. He then purchased a second and third. Now, with his business gaining popularity thanks to social media, he hasn’t had to purchase another printer when looking to expand as brands are now reaching out to give him supplies.

Duff also has many different colors and sizes of filament, a polymer plastic that melts when heated and ultimately cools into a solid, that he offers to customers. He even has a dual extrusion filament, color-changing from blue to pink.

As a way to promote his 3D models and show people what that process looks like, Duff creates content for TikTok, a video social media app, under the username grizzledgnome.

“I do 3D printing,” Duff said. “I take what I’m doing and I create content for TikTok. It started as just this thing I was doing where I

“It’s just a lot of fun,” Duff said. “I’ve become kind of an influencer in the last six months by accident.”

Grizz’s Print Shop has many different options as far as prints go.

Duff can print anything from a small slug that moves to a bust of Deadpool. He specifically likes to print Pokémon figures, even going so far as to create personal designs.

“I specialize in nerd stuff,” Duff said. “I’m a huge nerd. I normally do a lot of Pokémon … I make my own designs … Marvel stuff, like Iron Man … I do a lot of slugs for shows. Yeah, I specialize in nerd stuff.”

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, takes a digital file and turns it into a three-dimensional figure. The object typically starts as a CAD (computer-aided design) file and is then put into slicing software to create layers. Once layers have been made, the file is then sent to an SD card and entered into a 3D printer. From there, the file begins to print by layer.

“You basically just tell the printer what to do,” Duff said. “One of the things that I use a lot of is filament dry boxes. The filament can gain moisture over time. It keeps it fresh so I can use stuff after it being stored forever. I have basic tools like your scrapers, clippers, files for cleaning up the prints afterward and torches for smoothing out any kind of straight. There’s really not much equipment-wise.”

A large slug, named Gregory 3.0, is being printed on a Creality printer in Duff’s shop.

You can see a video of the finished product on his TikTok channel.

was making things for myself. Made a few videos and then it blew up really big and now we’re nearing 700,000 followers on there.

We crossed 10 million likes before the new year.”

see PRINT continued on page 8

March 2022

7

“People use them as stimulation toys,” Duff said. “They keep busy minds with hands in one place. A lot of people really like those because they’re satisfying. They’re really cool.”

Another outlet that Duff uses to create content and educate people about 3D printing, is YouTube. There, Duff creates videos with tips for people just starting in the business.

“I’ve done a few videos on my settings,” Duff said. “A lot of people like my settings because they turn out really smooth. They’re kind of quick, and I try to teach them some of the things I’ve learned along the way.”

Duff also uses Instagram as a way to showcase the finished models he’s made. You can find his Instagram under the handle @grizzled_gnome.

In the future, Duff hopes to broaden the variety of prints he makes. He wants to print more Pokémon, as well as other types of designs.

“One of my goals is to get into more realistic design where I can sculpt and make my own,” Duff said. “Because there is a lack of people out there designing stuff, there’s only so much that’s good quality. So, one of my goals is to make more, better quality stuff – more holiday-themed stuff.”

Duff’s favorite object to print is this Pokémon, known as Eevee, sitting on his Kingroon 3D printer.

If you would like to purchase a 3D print, you can contact Duff on Facebook at Grizz’s Print Shop. You can also follow and watch him on TikTok at grizzledgnome. Be sure to keep an eye out for Grizz’s Print Shop at Oktoberfest and the First Lutheran Church’s holiday craft show this year.

PRINT continued from page 7 Duff creates videos for TikTok daily. His video ideas come from files he finds and ideas from his followers. He also live streams the print process for viewers to watch.

One video in particular made Duff realize that he could actually make a name for himself by continuing his 3D prints.

Duff uses his Facebook page as the main outlet to place orders for prints. This allows him to discuss exactly what the customer wants and handle pricing.

Payments are made through either PayPal or Cashapp.

“I do all the communication personally through people with Facebook,” Duff said. “If they’d like to order something, I try to find a file or design a file for them. Most of the time I just kind of print what I want for TikTok and people reach out to me on Facebook, like ‘Hey, I really like that.’”

The most popular print that Duff makes is his fidget slugs.

8

March 2022

Owner of Grizz’s Print Shop, Thomas Duff, stands next to one of his largest prints known as a twist container. This container took around one week to complete.

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Story and Photos by Laina Smith/Staff Writer

onca City has a wide variety of locally owned

businesses and continues to grow in that area of

commerce. Many of those just so happen to be located in downtown Ponca, just like Rock’n It Treasures.

Rock’n It Treasures is owned by Ponca City resident Jacqueline Hobbs. Hobbs has always loved rocks, and her father played a huge part in that.

“We would go hiking,” she said. “We would pick up rocks, and some of them we would know and some of them we wouldn’t.”

Jacqueline Hobbs, owner of Rock’n It Treasures, is standing next to an amethyst crystal in her store.

Years later, Hobbs’ son was returning from California with an amethyst gemstone tree. Unfortunately, the tree broke on the flight home, and Hobbs’ son asked his mother if she could fix it.

“So I basically had to take the whole tree off, redo it and put it back together and wire wrap it all,” said Hobbs. “I made it bigger, and I thought it was prettier, and so did he. He was like, ‘Mom, you could make these and sell these.’”

Hobbs took that idea and made it a reality. She began making the wire wrap trees and selling them at Oktoberfest in 2016 when she moved to Ponca City.

She then took them to flea markets and sold them there as well.

The trees grew so popular that people began to ask for more products. Hobbs then started carrying trees and rocks. Now, Hobbs offers many other products on top of these.

“I almost sold out of all my trees,” she said. “I had about 150 trees. So I continued with it. I found out the flea market was open, and I could go to the flea market and sell them. Well, people wanted the rocks by themselves. So it went from gemstone trees to gemstone trees and rocks and then went from gemstone trees, rocks and then jewelry. Now I wire wrap jewelry. Then I went into ‘I want to shape them myself,’ and then it just expanded.”

In July of 2021, Hobbs opened Rock’n It Treasures in Ponca City after many years of wishing and hoping to have her own storefront.

See ROCK’N continued on page 12 March 2022

11

core, so you’re going to find petrified wood. You’re going to find rough stones. You’re going to find unshaped stones. You’re going to find stuff that I clean and mine up myself … Most of the shaped stones are going to be ordered. I can do small things and shape them to whatever you need. Opals are my favorite thing to do. I’ve got some really cool-looking opals. That’s pretty much what we do. Any kind of new mineral, if you ask for it, I’m going to find it.”

The store also offers many services on top of the stones, including shaping and wire wrapping. Hobbs can also share knowledge of the purposes the rocks they carry in-store offer.

Rock’n It Treasures offers a multitude of different rocks, crystals and petrified wood.

They also provide information on the metaphysical aspects of the stones in store.

ROCK’N continued from page 11 “I had been wanting to open a rock shop for a long time,” Hobbs said. “But I couldn’t find a place that I thought I could afford. If I would have known then what I know now, and how fast it has picked up, I could’ve had anything … I haven’t even done online stuff yet, and I’m excited about how well it’s taken off.”

Rock’n It Treasures sits on the corner of Grand and Second in Ponca City. Hobbs’ shop occupies Suite #101 inside Grand Central Court, and is one of many now in the building.

Rock’n It Treasures offers many different products of all shapes and sizes. Some are in their natural form, while others are polished.

“The products that we offer are anything that are rockbased,” Hobbs said. “I’m a true rockhound to the

“I will fix some jewelry if I’m able to,” Hobbs said.

“If you bring a stone in that you’ve had forever and you want it shaped, I can shape it for you. If you want it just buffed and polished, I can do that for you. If you want it to be a necklace, just simple wire wrapped necklace; I can do that. If you’re looking for a stone and you just can’t find it, I’m pretty sure I can find it. It just depends on how much you want to pay. And then metaphysical. We definitely do the metaphysical side of it. We’re still learning on it, but I can explain the science and the history of the uses of metaphysical to reality type thing.”

Rock’n It Treasures products are unique to Ponca City because they are timeless.

“Everybody’s wanting to do the blast from the past,” Hobbs said. “When were rock stores bigger than in the 70s? People are really getting into the metaphysical side of it. Probably 85% of my customers are metaphysical. But I’m also teaching them the science history side of it so they have a little more explanation they can do for it.”

Rock’n It Treasures brings a unique environment to Ponca City, not just because of its products.

“It is a learning experience,” Hobbs said. “When you come in, I will teach you about the rocks. Most of the time, if they come in, they want to know about rocks. And I’m willing to teach them. I love it. I learn new stuff

See ROCK’N continued on page 14

12 March 2022

We are community

RCB Bank is proud to be a part of the Ponca City family.

Contact us today to find out about our long-standing history of being a community bank and why our customers say, “RCB Bank, that’s my bank!”

Six Locations in Ponca City

212 N. 2nd St. | 2 Lake Rd. (ATM only) 1223 E. Highland Ave. | 2901 N. 14th St. 1000 S. Pine St. (ATM only) | 2005 N. 14th St.

Ask us what we can do for you.

855.BANK.RCB | RCBbank.com

March 2022

13

FREE

Community Event

presents

REWIND

with Sasha Neulinger Filmmaker, Speaker, Survivor

MONDAY • APRIL 4TH • 6 PM at Pioneer Technology Center in recognition of

Child Abuse Prevention Month

ROCK’N continued from page 12 every single day, and I’m happy to teach what I’ve learned. If they come in, they have a curiosity, and you will learn something, whether it be mystical or not.”

One service that many people may not know Rock’n It can do is cabochon or shaping natural rocks.

“A lot of people don’t know I do that,” Hobbs said. “So they can buy a raw stone in there that costs them $3, and I can have it cabbed for you in an hour and shape it into what you need.”

Because of the type of product Rock’n It sells, they do not have a niche target audience. Instead, the variety of products and purposes gives them a broad customer base.

“There is no target,” Hobbs said. “It’s inspiring, though.

My favorite demographic would be the little kids that come in, and they let me teach them.”

Rock’n It carries products of all prices ranging from 50 cents to $12,600. Rock’n It does not have a website yet, however, products can be purchased in person at their shop in Ponca City. They are open everyday from 10 a.m. — 6 p.m.

In the future, Rock’n It is hoping to expand its storefront to provide more for customers.

“Eventually, I would like to be big enough to where I have a window where people can watch me shape or cut or polish stones,” Hobbs said.

“That’s my goal because it drives tourism, and people want to see how people do it.”

Sasha Joseph Neulinger is the Founder and President of Voice For The Kids, as well as, Co-Founder and Head of Production at Step 1 Films.

Sasha made his directional debut at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival with his autobiographical, feature length documentary, REWIND. 14 March 2022

If you are ever in downtown Ponca City and looking to check out something new, stop in at Rock’n It Treasures. If you have questions or would like more information, call Jacqueline at 316-452-1632.

Rock’n It Treasures offers a display of wire-wrapped jewelry to its customers. Shown here are several stones and shapes of necklaces, earrings and bracelets.

C ry o St

d te u b tri n o

by

ard ch i R

Jones/Ponca City Astronomy

climbed up the stepladder and looked through the telescope at the moon and her eyes grew big and bright and she loudly exclaimed, “It’s Magic!” This is the type of response we like to hear, not only from the young people but anyone who looks through the telescope for the first time. When the telescope is pointed at Saturn and someone On a warm fall evening my friend sees the rings around it they are usually quite excited and and I set up our telescopes in front of emit some sort of exclamation, the Ponca City RecPlex in order to let as they have seen pictures of Saturn and its rings but people look at the moon, Jupiter and now they are actually seeing Saturn. One person asked why we it through the telescope and “It’s Magic!” When looking at set up in a place with so much light Jupiter, you not only see the and our response was that we are planet but also the four moons discovered by Galileo in the there where the people are. Our 1600s and faintly you can see the cloud bands around the goal is to inspire people to have planet. “It’s Magic!”

an interest in astronomy by allowing them to look through

our telescopes at objects

bright enough to see in the lit up parking lots of town.

One evening a young lady

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I am in my 70s and have been doing this for over 25 years and if I had a quarter for each person to look through my telescope, they would all be paid for (and I have a good collection of telescopes). Even now, each time I look at the moon it is awe-inspiring with

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the craters, mountains and lava fields. We choose to go out once a month, when it is warm, during a first quarter moon, as that is when the sun casts the shadows of the mountains and craters and the detail is much clearer. I never grow tired of looking at the moon, “It’s Magic!”

The winter is too cold for handling the telescope so we take a few months off to stay home and warm, but we will be there again when it warms up. If the weather is clear and not too cloudy, we should return on March 11 and 12; if March is still too cold, look for us around April 8 and 9.

Our motto is “Sharing the Universe With Our Community,” and our goal is to inspire young people to have an interest in science and space and to do well in school. Look for us when it warms up again in the spring and summer. You can arrange for us to bring our telescopes to your school, church, scouting group or just a neighborhood gathering.

Contact us at Astro74601@gmail. com for information.

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March 2022

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT:

Brandt’s Ace Hardware Story by Chelsea McConnell/Staff Writer

B

randt’s Ace Hardware,

owned by Lawrence “Larry”

and Linda Brandt, has been a staple in Ponca City since its

opening in 1968. Larry and Linda came to Ponca City with the plan of opening a hardware store in the 1960s. Larry’s brothers had

hardware stores in the Yukon and Chickasha area. This sparked the idea for Larry to move to Ponca City and open a store of his

own. Initially they rented a space downtown, but soon outgrew that location. So, on June 16, 1968, at the age of 28, Larry

opened Brandt’s on North 14th Street. At the time, there were

only two other buildings in the

same vicinity. He had a vision for

what Brandt’s would become and chose his location with a plan for growth.

Brandt’s started out as a pretty small store, estimated around 7,000 square feet. If you are familiar with the space today, what is now

the back room was the original sales floor. Larry bought the property with the original building in place and the plan to expand toward 14th Street into the Brandt’s you know and love today. Its size now is estimated to be well over 100,000 square feet of retail and office space. While expansions have taken place and updates have been made, some things have not changed.

They still have rows and rows of nuts and bolts in the back room. Shoppers can still find the vintage metal hardware display bin with buckets filled with nails and screws of various sizes. These historic staples are just part of the store’s charm.

Opening Day ad contact info

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One thing that’s very clear about the Brandt’s family of employees is that they truly are a family. Office Manager Carolyne Colberg worked for Brandt’s for 34 years, before retiring in

See BRANDT’S continued on page 18

Echo Weedeaters

Traeger Smokers

March 2022

17

Gene Dougherty Painting of Brandts

BRANDT’S continued from page 17

Seated, left to right: Linda and Larry Brandt and Carolyne Colberg; Standing: Steve Spaich

Brandt’s isn’t only set apart by the way they treat their employees, but also by their high-quality customer service standards.

Janis is a firm believer that their excellent customer service has been a key to their success over the last 50+ years. “I think our personnel and our customer service has been the big factor. We come in and we help

PCCOC Bus of Year Award

More Echo Equipment

18 March 2022

October 2021. Several employees there today have been there for decades, including Janis Partain.

Janis has been with Brandt’s since July 1989. She runs the store with Steve Spaich, who started working with the family in March 1987. Other longtime employees are Mark Hunget, who started in March 2004, and Kim Hoffman, who started in March 2009.

With workforce turnover what it is today, it’s obvious that Larry and Linda Brandt truly value and care for their employees. Janis says Larry has been “a wonderful boss to work for.”

people. We don’t just say ‘that’s not my department’ or, you know, try to push them off on someone else.

We actually help. We’re here for the people. I mean, sure, our sales are important, but I’m not going to sell someone something that they don’t need. If I can help them figure it out some other way, without spending a lot of money, they will remember that, you know, that we’re looking out for them, not just trying to make a buck. So I think customer service is what’s done it.”

In 2017, Brandt’s received the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year award. At a state level, they’ve also been given the Master Sales award several years for being one of the premier sellers in the state of Echo Brand Power Equipment. Locally, Larry and Linda have also been involved in the community over the years serving on boards and organizations like the Opportunity Center and the Tippers Club, as well as being active members of St. Mary’s Church.

You can follow Brandt’s on social media via their Facebook page https://www. facebook.com/Brandts-AceHardware-414774948557583.

“We come in and we help people.

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PONCA PLAYHOUSE

Entertaining Ponca City for over 60 Years on the Stage Coming Soon: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? directed by Bubba Keltch March 18-20 and 25-27

Story and Photos by Chelsea McConnell/Staff Writer According to Wikipedia, a Black Box Theatre is “a simple performance space, typically a square room with black walls and a flat floor. The simplicity of the space allows it to be used to create a variety of configurations of stage and audience interaction.” This definition will suffice if you want a modest explanation of what the Ponca Playhouse has been offering Ponca City citizens since 2009. However, if you prefer a description that gives you an idea of what it’s like to be at the theater, keep reading.

Playhouse Board Secretary Jennie Hinterreiter has this to say about the 120-seat theater space. “It’s more intimate. The audience is right there. If the script calls for audience participation, it’s more natural because there’s somebody literally right there and it could be somebody different every night. And I think it opens up more availability for the audience to actually see the actors’ faces. If you’re in the balcony [of a theater], you can’t really see facial expressions. I think it [also] opens up the avenue for more emotion, more experience, more relateability to what the actors are trying to portray. And, the set is close. You really have

March 2022

see PLAYHOUSE Continued on Page 22

T

he 2021-22 season of shows at the Ponca Playhouse marks the 63rd consecutively running season of community theater for the organization. Read that again. For 63 years the Ponca Playhouse has been bringing the gift of live theater to our community in various forms. For the majority of those years, shows were performed at the Poncan Theatre. They moved into their current location at 301 South First Street in 2001. Initially used as a rehearsal space, they eventually remodeled the space and created the first and only black box theater in Ponca City. The first season of shows performed there was the 2009-10 season, and they’ve been going strong ever since.

21

Man of La Mancha -Black Box example

PLAYHOUSE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 to make the set look realistic.” Jennie goes on to add that something that makes the Playhouse’s black box even more unique is the fact that the seats can be moved. Not all black boxes have this feature. It allows directors to really enter the space and make it their own for the show. As a creative trying to make a vision come to life, having flexibility is key.

If you’ve not been to see a show at the Playhouse, you’ve still got a few more chances coming up this season.

The theater will feature Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? directed by Bubba Keltch with shows on March 18-20 and 25-27. This will be the first time the Playhouse has done Virginia Woolf, a drama that was considered very daring

when it was originally written. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, directed by Eddie Dixon, will be the final show of the season and take place on dates May 13-15 and 20-22. It is a musical comedy that is sure to entertain!

The 64th Season will kick off later this year, September to be exact, with an exciting slate of plays already chosen to draw in local and area citizens. If you need some extra incentive to attend a show, the 64th season of shows will be announced at the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Playhouse Board members are thoughtful in planning shows chosen for each season. One important component are the types of shows that will be included. The goal is to have a good balance of comedy and

The Humans Actors John Badley & Kyla Radaker-James

see PLAYHOUSE continued on page 25

22 March 2022

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“It’s more intimate. The audience is right there. If the script calls for audience participation, it’s more natural because there’s somebody literally right there and it could be somebody different every night.”

Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew Cast

PLAYHOUSE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22 drama each season, as well as classic and modern pieces. They also try to push the envelope a little and bring plays that will give audience members something to think about.

The work of choosing the plays for each season begins at the level of the Reading Committee. The Reading Committee is always chaired by a board member, but can be made up of any collection of volunteers. If you’re wondering what they do, the name says it all. According to Jennie, they read everything they can get their hands on. Members read on their own, then meet back together to compare notes and toss out ideas about potential shows for the season to come. Then they break, read more and repeat until they’ve narrowed their list down to the best choices. They usually pick a few shows in each category, as their first choice isn’t always available. The rights to plays must be purchased and many considerations go into whether a show makes it to the black box or not.

Factors like a show being performed recently in our area may prevent them from being able to purchase the rights.

Once shows are chosen, directors are considered and hired. It is the director’s job to make sure their show is brought to the finest level of completion in all areas: cast, set, costumes, etc. The directors are also charged with staying within budget. Budgets are based on annual sponsorships and can

vary from show to show. This means Directors must be creative and also dollar conscious with every decision they make. This makes sponsorships incredibly important! In order to help ensure success, the Playhouse pairs each show with a Producer as well. The Producer is someone who serves on the Playhouse Board and acts as the liaison between the Director and the Board.

On top of hosting shows each year, the Playhouse also boasts a massive costume collection and prop room.

Items in the collection can be rented.

The Playhouse itself can also be rented when shows aren’t taking place for meetings, workshops, reunions, and the like.

The Playhouse Board consists of up to 12 board members. Board terms are three years and members may serve two consecutive terms if they wish. Current Board members include Chad Anderson, Chair; Ryan Brown, Vice Chair; Corie Stolhand, Treasurer; Jennie Hinterreiter, Secretary; John R. Andrew; Marlys Cervantes; John Kuhlmann; Kyla Radaker-James; Dolley Rolland; Chris Schelp; Todd Stuart; and Jay Wagner. In addition to volunteers serving on the Board of Directors, there’s always something to be done at the Playhouse if you find yourself wanting to get more involved.

Jennie says it’s important to get across

to people that you don’t have to be on stage. “You don’t have to be an actor.

You can be the prop master. You can help with costumes. We need people to help walk people to their seats, because some people have never been to the theater and they need to know where to go. We need people to run the concession stand. And you don’t have to be on the Board. You could volunteer just to help do lighting or build sets or any of those things without being on the Board.”

If you’re thinking about seeing a show or getting more involved, the Playhouse has a lot of upcoming opportunities. Individual memberships

start at $75, and family memberships start at $150. Memberships include tickets to all the shows for the entire season, plus the Rigatoni’s – the Playhouse’s annual awards event.

Tickets to individual shows can be purchased as well. More information about the Ponca Playhouse can be found on their Facebook Page, their website and you can even find Hats Off performances on YouTube. There’s a wealth of entertainment to be found in Ponca City if one is only willing to look for it. The Playhouse is a great place to start if you’ve never been to a show!

PoncaPlayhouse.com Facebook.com/PoncaPlayhouse YouTube.com/channel/UC8CZdtSzJgKafyHpyR1OPA *All photos courtesy of Playhouse website / facebook.

Cast & Crew of The Humans

March 2022

25

Welding Instructor Ian Freeman programming Cobot Welder as the arm is about to begin working.

Photo provided by Pioneer Technology Center.

Working

On Workforce

Pioneer Technology invests in new autonomous welding robot Story and Photos by Chelsea McConnell/Staff Writer

PIONEER TECHNOLOGY CENTER’S MISSION IS TO ENHANCE LIVES AND SECURE FUTURES, AND THEIR VISION IS “TO BE THE PREFERRED AND MOST TRUSTED RESOURCE FOR WORKFORCE AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.” Having a tech center of this quality available as a resource in Kay County has a massive positive impact on our area. You can go to their website to see all the stats. Here are a few notables – over 2,100 classes offered and 16 programs with a 96% positive placement rating. This article is just one example of how they see a problem and make a plan to solve it, all for the betterment of our community.

The word intentional is defined as being “done on purpose” or “deliberate.” After a short meeting with Pioneer Technology Center (PTC) employees Molly Kyler and Johnny Thornburgh, it’s evident that PTC acts with intentionality. A meeting that was set to discuss their new Vectis

26 March 2022

Automation Cobot Welding System, aka a collaborative robotic welder, quickly turns into a conversation about workforce, the areas where Kay County is struggling, and how PTC and a robotic welder can help out.

Industrial Coordinator Johnny Thornburgh breaks it down. “It all boils down to workforce. We don’t have enough people for the stuff we need to get done. So what do you do? You automate. And we’ve literally been pushed into that. Our [manufacturing] folks are dedicated to people in our county and district and they want to hire people and put them to work. They don’t like automation. One, it’s expensive; and two, they don’t want to put somebody out of a job. But you know, part of my job is to educate them on how to work smarter, not harder. Not putting somebody out of work, but helping them work more efficiently and get more product out the door and add money to the bottom line. We’re not putting people out of work. We’re putting automation into the redundant areas. You may make the same part 500 times in a row. So that lets that student program the welder to start making those parts, and then they

See WORK continued on page 29

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Brad Fredrick programming the Cobot Welder.

Photo provided by Pioneer Technology Center

Welding Instructor Ian Freeman and Dr. B with welder. photo provided by Pioneer Technology Center.

WORK Continued from Page 26 can go do something else. It’s more value added. We’re trying to supplement and add to the skill set for those folks.”

Initial conversations about the need for the system started with Johnny and Laurence Beliel, Director of Business Retention and Expansion at Ponca City Development Authority. Johnny and Laurence had discussed hosting an automation expo to introduce local manufacturers to automated systems and the potential they have for improving output. Unfortunately COVID-19 put that event on hold, but it didn’t stop Johnny and Laurence from discussing the need they knew existed. After talking to more than half a dozen manufacturers in our area considering automation on some level, PTC decided they needed to lead the charge and purchase a robotic welding system.

Brad and Pat came up with an idea to solve this problem. Their invention involves several parts that Brad and Pat were machining by hand. As you can imagine, making a dunnage rack (see photo for reference) entirely by hand was very time consuming and also very physically taxing work. Enter the Cobot Welding System, and now the robot can weld many of the parts. This means BUNKR can create inventory faster, leading to the opportunity for more sales. This also frees Brad and Pat up to do the many other things involved in running a new business that can’t be automated. BUNKR is just one example of the types of companies the robotic welder is able to help.

The education component is what Johnny and Molly deem as the most important reason for PTC to purchase the Cobot Welding System. Juniors and Seniors graduating today have grown up with computers. The majority of PTC’s welding students are still in high school. If Pioneer Tech wants to stay ahead of the curve, they need to be training their students on the latest technology. As Molly Kyler, Executive Director of Business & Industry Service, puts it, this type of technology “will allow students to acquire new skill sets that are

See WORK continued on page 31

PTC was able to use grant funding to purchase the Vectis Automation Cobot Welding System. The reasoning behind purchasing this system was multifaceted. Vectis has engineers that are also certified welders. This made a difference to Johnny. He felt they really understood what the robotic welder needed to do and how it needed to work for the welders and welding students that would be using the machine. Additionally, a few manufacturers in our area are using these types of systems already. They need Pioneer Tech to be able to train students on the machine. After all, PTC students are their future employees. As Johnny puts it, it’s also a way for PTC “to put the newest technology [in the hands of] grassroots manufacturing entrepreneurs” via their Business Incubator.

Johnny uses BUNKR Trailer Accessories as an example. BUNKR, a company started by Brad Fredrick and Pat Dowell, solves a problem many truck drivers have. Often, equipment such as dunnage boards and tarps need to be stored somewhere on a trailer. However, trailers don’t come equipped with a place to store them. This puts drivers in the position of having to create spaces to store things that are not only inconvenient but could also be potentially dangerous.

BUNKR pieces welded by robot photo by Chelsea McConnell

March 2022

29

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The University Center provides Higher Ed opportunities to the citizens of Ponca City, and North Central Oklahoma.

Do you have plans to start, resume, or finish your degree? Fall and Summer enrollment begins March 21st for NOC and NWOSU. Taking courses at the UC saves time, and money.

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30 March 2022

We offer multiple degrees. Some of the more popular degree programs include:

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View updated course catalogs by school online at ucponcacity.com for more degree and course offerings.

Academic advisement is available Monday through Friday to assist students in enrollment, admission and college selection. In addition, testing services are available for students pursuing their degree through online channels.

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BUNKR Dunnage photo by Lauren Payne Photography.

“It all boils down to workforce. We don’t have enough people for the stuff we need to get done. So what do you do? You automate.” training our young people to go into the manufacturing field. There’s a future in manufacturing for students with the drive to get the training. Partnering with Pioneer Tech is an excellent path for any student. Their passion for having the latest technology, fostering entrepreneurs and putting their students first is such a gift to our community. Their 13th Year Tuition Waivers for qualifying students and amazing Business Incubator facilities are icing on the cake. This local Tech Center truly has so much to offer our community and surrounding area. There’s no reason not to pursue a brighter future today with PTC.

Robotic arm photo by Chelsea McConnell

WORK continued from page 29

To learn more about Pioneer Technology Center you can find them online and via social media links listed below.

• •

pioneertech.edu facebook.com/PioneerTech

emerging and marketable in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math industries.” Molly goes on to explain that this system allows PTC to “move individuals’ capacity from mundane tasks to creating and leading innovation.” Creating employees who feel empowered to lead innovation is one of the reasons why PTC is vital to our community.

The Cobot System doesn’t just weld. It has welding arms, but other arms can be put on the machine as well. Johnny explains, “They’re called end-of-arm attachments. So it’s just the hand. It’s either holding a welding torch or a grinder or picking parts up and setting them over here or whatever you want it to do. You can tell it what’s on the end of that arm and program it the same way.” This means a student that learns how to use the Cobot System at PTC, even if they are only trained on the welder, could easily work the machine with any arm attached. This additional skill set makes students who go through the PTC Welding Program even more desirable to future employers.

A fun fact you may not know – Ponca City is the 5th largest manufacturing base in Oklahoma. That’s a pretty big deal for a town of our size. This is another reason why we need Pioneer Tech

Johnny Thornburgh running program that makes robot move

March 2022

31

Peachtree Landing

Providing Grace, Hope and Stability for the Homeless in our Community Story by Chelsea McConnell/Staff Writer

“We must look at everyone with compassion, sympathy and concern for their sufferings and misfortunes to give grace.

If we can make a lasting change in just one person’s life, we are succeeding.” – Terrie Hill, Peachtree Landing Executive Director.

To get to the core of what a nonprofit is truly about, one can

usually look to their Mission Statement to find what they need. While the Mission Statement of Peachtree Landing is well written and clear, the above quote from their Director gets straight to the heart of the program. Terrie Hill is the type of Director all nonprofits wish they had. She is compassionate, selfless and incredibly hardworking.

Board member and program Treasurer Kacey Flanery is quick to brag on Terrie and her impact on the program, “Terrie’s really good about taking initiative and getting things done. She’s very smart, very sharp. We’re lucky to have her. Terrie’s been amazing.”

Peachtree Landing is a stand-alone 501(c)(3) nonprofit that began in 1988 with a mission “to assist homeless individuals and families through Temporary Emergency Shelter and strengthen their capacity to live independently. It’s the desire to help in any way we can. Whether it is just a bed for a night or two, help finding employment, permanent housing, clothes, food, basic human needs – we are here.”

The name “Peachtree Landing” is symbolic of what the program strives to be and the outcome they work so hard to create for their clients. According to Terrie, “A landing provides a safe and secure place during a storm, and the blossoms of the peach tree symbolize hope and potential.”

Peachtree also runs the My Favorite Things resale shop located at 207 E. Grand Avenue. Donations to the shop are truly appreciated and profits from the shop benefit the program. Photos by Lauren Payne Photography

32 March 2022

As a shelter, Peachtree can house up to 16 individuals at a time and averages 90% capacity. They serve single women, single parents and families. They offer their services for up to 30 days at no cost to the client, which includes comprehensive case management. By assessing and managing client needs on a case-by-case basis, clients receive the precise help they need in order to get back on their feet. Services offered include Life Skills classes that range in topic from money management to job interview skills. The hope is for clients to enter a permanent housing situation when they leave Peachtree Landing. If the team at Peachtree is successful, the clients don’t come back.

See PEACHTREE continued on page 35

– MEET OUR TEAM – Phillip and Nancy Tyndall have been practicing dentistry in Ponca City since 2000.

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33

Bring on March!

Lots of exciting changes in March with the coming of good weather. Perfect time to think about a change in real estate. Whether you are looking for a new home or selling a property, let my experience make your change a great experience.

SUNDAY MARCH 13

The Renfro Family Foundation thinks we are lucky that so many people are investing in our community. There are several new businesses opening and existing businesses are expanding.

Ponca City’s future is bright!

THURSDAY MARCH 17

Frances Coonrod Frances.Coonrod @gmail.com

President

Directors Brenda Renfro

Randy Renfro

Carol Bouldin

Treasurer, CPA

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580-761-1712

Carl Renfro

Rick Renfro

Secretary, Restaurateur

Cindy Gorrell

SUNDAY MARCH 20

Vice President, Investments

Kay County Master Gardener

Jeff Cowan

Retired Banker

Rich Cantillon

President Ponca City Chamber/Tourism

We are proud to support Ponca City 501c3 organizations through charitable grants.

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Humanity Hospice brings together a team of specially-trained professionals and volunteers who work with the patient’s doctor to provide a plan of care designed to control the pain and ease end-of-life struggles for the patient and their family.

These professionals come from a variety of disciplines working together under the guidance of the Hospice Medical Director to meet the individual needs of your loved one.

We do so much every day with our patients from celebrating their birthdays, participating in activities and volunteering in their facility.

Toll Free (855) 782-2222 humanityhospice.com

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34 March 2022

The Mission of Humanity Hospice is to provide quality comfort care that enhances the lives of individuals with a life-limiting illness and their families through dignity and compassion.

for Friday, May 6. A single $200 ticket gets two people in the door and includes dinner, free wine, beer, champagne and live music. The Board hosts a silent auction at the Ball and does a major giveaway where one ticket holder wins either $12,000 in Chamber Bucks or $15,000 toward a new vehicle from a local dealership. Tickets for this fun event go on sale mid-March and can be purchased from any of the Board members listed below. If you’ve never been to this event, mark your calendars now. Tickets are limited and it’s a party you don’t want to miss!

You can find more information about Peachtree Landing on their website at PeachtreeLandingPC.com or via their Facebook page.

Peachtree Landing Board Members: Communal space at the Peachtree Landing Shelter.

Photos by Lauren Payne Photography

PEACHTREE continued from page 32

According to their Director, “Peachtree Landing is the only shelter in Kay County that takes women and children who are not victims of domestic violence.” Being the only shelter in our area serving that particular client base makes them even more vital to our community.

The nonprofit receives no state or federal funding. They do receive funds from the United Way of Ponca City. Peachtree also runs the My Favorite Things resale shop, located at 207 E. Grand Avenue. Donations to the shop are truly appreciated and profits from the shop benefit the program. Additionally, they host two fund-raisers annually. The Cowboy Ball is their biggest fund-raiser and is held each spring, usually on the first Friday in May. This event had to be canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19, but the Board and staff are already making plans for the 2022 event. They also began holding a Supermarket Sweep contest when COVID-19 hit. Tickets are sold and the winner gets to do a supermarket sweep-style run through a local grocery store grabbing whatever they want, receiving everything they can fit in their basket for free.

Doug Matney, President

Maci Heppel, Vice President

Kacey Flanery, Treasurer Deb Altman Paul Brown Scott Flanery Sadie Hainzinger

Jane Padgett

Tamee Peresko

Kate Snyder

Traci Thorpe

My Favorite Things Daily Sales: Monday – 50% Off Day. Everything in the store is half off.

Tuesday – Senior Day. Senior Citizens get 30% discount.

Wednesday – Yellow-Tag Day. ALL yellow-tagged items are 75% off.

Thursday – Kids’ Day. ALL children’s clothes, toys, etc. are 60% off.

Friday and Saturday – Secret Sale Day. You must come in to find out what the sale is!

So, who is Peachtree Landing? They operate a tight ship, so to speak, with a staff of only six people to run the shelter and the shop. Staff includes Executive Director Terrie Hill, Overnight House Manager Lindsay Bullard, Weekend House Manager Ruth Lewis and Evening House Manager Barbara Dewey, as well as two paid employees at the shop, Linda Gibson and Lori McBride. Hill acts as manager at the shop as well, where volunteer help is always needed. “We are always looking for volunteers at our resale shop, My Favorite Things. Volunteers are the heart and hands that help make us successful. Opportunities include sorting, washing, pricing clothing and miscellaneous items.” The shop offers different specials each day that include days where everything is half off, senior citizen discounts and the ever popular “sack sale,” where everything you can fit into your sack is only $6. More info on daily sales and specials at the shop can be found below.

Peachtree Landing is governed by a Board of Directors currently consisting of 11 members. Board members are tasked with taking an active role in the success of the program. Annually, they help plan and execute the two major fund-raisers. The Board recently made the move to get the program a new website, address listed below. This was a win for the Board and the program, as it gives Peachtree more visibility.

Prior to the website being built, Facebook was the only location for the community to find access to all the program provides.

Currently, the Board is busy planning the Cowboy Ball. This year’s event will be the 20th year for the Ball to be held and is tentatively scheduled

The Cowboy Ball is their biggest fundraiser and is held each spring,.

March 2022

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March 2022

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Backyard

Gardener

In Like a Lion

Story and Photos by Kat Long/Contributing Writer

I always liked that saying, “In like a lion, out like a lamb” and vice versa when talking about spring in Oklahoma. Always a dicey proposition, but this year especially. February brought us a bit of snow and cold weather (hurrah), so what will March gift us?

Hopefully, some rain, a few more snows and maybe a couple of sunny days. Can’t ask for much more; or can we?

Have you ordered/bought/organized your seeds for this season? No? Don’t worry. You are not alone. I am not the backyard gardener for nothing.

Gardening is a hobby for me with an added benefit of adding food, herbs and spices to my life. But I still keep it firmly in the hobby part of my life which means chaos reigns. Here are some tips if you are like me and want to add to your seed collection but have only an inkling of what you have currently.

answer is probably. If you have the room and the time, here is my favorite way to prove viable seed. Take 10 of the seeds and soak them overnight. In the morning, grab a paper towel and wet it down. Put the soaked seeds on the damp paper towel, fold it and put it in a plastic bag or Ziploc. Leave the bag open, but keep the paper towel damp. Any spray bottle will work to mist it down once or twice a day. In four or five days, take the paper towel out and open it up. Examine the seeds closely. Do any of them have a little tail sticking out? Or maybe just look a little fuzzy? If so, close the paper towel back up and repeat the process for a few more days. Any of the seeds with tails at the end of six to eight days should be given a chance. Also, the ratio of sprouted seeds to non-sprouted is your sprouting rate for the rest of the same seeds (two of the 10 sprouting is a 20% sprout rate).

Gathering Seeds

Seed Starting

You like to buy seeds when they are cheap (thank you, Walmart); when you see something you would like to grow (FLOWERS!); the seeds from those beautiful catalogs and, of course, all the leftover seeds from years past. Grab them all and take them to a table in the house, or even a table outside the house, and give them a good sort. If they have a date on the package, start sorting by date and type of seed (veggies, herbs, flowers). That’s enough.

I have started tomatoes and peppers at the end of February with the hope they can go out mid-April. Again, my favorite way of starting seeds is in a cardboard egg carton, with eggshells and some seed starting medium.

We eat a lot of eggs, but it still takes some time to gather 24 eggshells. I don’t rinse them before I plop them into the carton. Then I just add the seed starter soil right in each one. Mist or spray until the soil is very damp. I use three seeds per eggshell and cover with more seed starting mixture. Mist again until damp. Put the egg carton into a plastic sack in a warm spot away from sun and put a plastic bag or some type of barrier underneath to stop water from seeping out the bottom.

Now that they are sorted, ignore all that and buy what you want to get.

Seriously, you can pull the seeds you want to try to grow this year from your existing stash, but you definitely have my permission to buy that beautiful purple sunflower in the seed catalog this year and grow it (even if you have all the sunflower seeds stored from last year’s crop). It’s OK. In fact, it’s wonderful. I store all of my leftover seeds in labeled Ziploc bags and cardboard boxes. When I don’t have room for all of them, I sort and share. Seed Swap announcement at the end.

Viability Now that you know you have some older seeds, should you keep them? Will they germinate? The short

38 March 2022

If you are using a seedling tray, a great way to retain moisture during the germination process is to Saran Wrap the top of the seedling tray or wrap in a plastic grocery bag, trapping warm air and water droplets in with the seeds.

As your seedlings grow, remove the plastic and use high, even lighting over the top of them instead of trying to use natural light from a window. Window light from one direction can make seedlings “leggy” and weaken the overall plant. You can get an LED light bar from any hardware store in town and place the seedlings directly under so they grow up. If more than one seed sprouts, you can always separate seedlings when they get a bit bigger.

Keep the gardening magazines handy in case more snow heads our way this month. March is always an interesting windy/rainy/maybe cold kind of month. Maybe. And mark your calendar for Saturday, April 2 and attend The Seed Swap @ City Central The Link, 10 a.m. to 1p.m. Bring seeds to swap or just come and pick up seeds and chat with some gardeners. If you have extra seedlings or want to share plants, feel free to bring those too.

We have a lot of fun and you might learn something. And of course, Happy Gardening!

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Story by Adam Leaming, Ponca City Public Schools/Contributing Writer here’s absolutely no way it can be March now.

This year is flying fast and furious and with it comes an abundance of work in your schools.

By the time of print, you will see our school beginning to plan and stage for work to occur at Garfield elementary school. There you will find a new retaining wall and dirt work to help level their back playground.

Why are we leveling that dirt? Because our Garfield students are the only students without a playground behind their building. We will be changing that this summer as each of our schools gets a brand-new playground located on their grounds.

As soon as the ground warms to a consistent level, we can have playgrounds delivered and staged at each elementary school. Final design work for the High School Commons will be approved and bids will go out to interested contractors who would like to give that space a much-needed upgrade. We will also see work on the grounds of East as we remediate some erosion and level the ground with a new retaining wall there.

In addition to those projects, we will have a plethora of spring sports kicking off. To ensure a quality event, we find each of our facilities will need a good sprucing up before hosting our Wildcats, fans and guests each

week. Our maintenance teams and coaches are hard at work to ensure we’re putting our best foot forward in each of our events. We’re also busy consolidating surplus items across the district in anticipation of a surplus sale in May. School crews will be replacing HVAC filters, chasing down leaks in roofs, and it will soon be mowing time!

Other notable work for the schools will have been occurring each week in the Capitol rotunda in OKC. There your statewide and local school leaders will have been working hard to advocate for our kids in our community and ensuring we foster a stronger educational system with our statewide and local elected officials. There’s a number of education-focused bills out there, as there is each year, some good and some bad for our school system. Our hope is that by March 17, those bad bills do not get sent across the hallway to the other chamber for consideration, and that we’re helping usher those bills over that create more opportunities in our public school for our children.

Right now (Feb. 1), I don’t have enough print to break down even but a handful of the 2,300 bills that were filed this year, (I’m not counting the 2021 bills that can be revisited this year as well). However, on March 17, we will have a very clear picture of which bills have a possibility of becoming law, and I will be able to share with our readers their potential positive or negative impact on our school system. I do implore you to take a keen interest in our legislative session this year as our elected officials will be making some very difficult decisions as they shape our mission and vision of state services in the upcoming year. Whatever happens within our state legislative leadership does not deter from the fact that once again, the true heroes we will find in our classrooms, lunchrooms and buildings. We continue our diligent work to provide a safe and loving school environment for Ponca City’s most precious resources … its children.

March 2022

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Homes sold by Realtors, as opposed to homes sold by the owners, statistically sell for more money.

When you hire a Realtor, you are paying for their expertise, marketing of your home and someone to guide you through the process!

Give me a call if I call help you!

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6 5 3 2 SATURDAY, MARCH 19 7 PM

Charles Billingsley in concert with the Ponca City High School Choir & Orchestra at the Ponca City High School Concert Hall.

Sponsored by Heather Cannon Honda and St. Luke’s Church of the Nazarene.

42 March 2022

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SATURDAY, MARCH 26 10 AM

Ponca City Ambucs Charity Angels Parade starts at Pizza Hut

11 AM - 1 PM

Come test drive a Honda.

We will make a donation to Ambucs for every test drive!

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ANSWER ON PAGE 63

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.

City Central 400 E. Central Suite 201G 580-763-8082

March 2022

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H T N O M E H T OF Mixed by Jill Rowe/Staff Writer

For this particular cocktail of the month, let’s head back to 1918 for a New Orleans classic, the grasshopper. This electric green cocktail is sure to help you kick those winter blues out the door and usher in the spring!

e menthe 1 oz Crème d e cacao 1 oz Crème d am 1 oz heavy cre il er in a cockta e g dients to th re g in e th ll a y Shake a nice foam ur mixture has e shaker until yo artini or coup strain into a m nd a it, to y . nc ish consiste s for a garn colate shaving glass. Add cho

The grasshopper is such a fun drink it only makes sense it comes from the birthplace of cocktails, New Orleans. Around 1910 Philibert Guichet’s family purchased the Tujague. The Tujague, established in 1856, is the second oldest restaurant in New Orleans, the birthplace of brunch, and home to the oldest stand-up bar in America. It is also said that liquid spirits aren’t the only ones found at the establishment. Owners, staff, and patrons have many stories featuring ghostly and unexplainable encounters. Ghosts tend to go to places they frequented when they were alive, so I’ll likely end up at Vortex Alley Brewing in my afterlife.

Philibert Guichet, proprietor and bartender of the Tujague, submitted his recipe for the grasshopper into a New York cocktail competition around 1918, where he secured second place. No one knows who took first place, but it wouldn’t be a good cocktail story without some fuzzy parts. Regardless, he added the cocktail to the menu, and it has remained a winner at Tujague’s bar ever since.

The traditional recipe for the grasshopper is equal parts Crème de menthe, Crème de cacao, and heavy cream. There have been many grasshopper variations in the century since it was first created. For many Midwest drinkers, the quintessential grasshopper is a blended dessert drink, swapping the heavy cream out for ice cream. You may choose to boost the alcohol content by adding a float of Brandy, giving the sweetness a slightly fruity undertone and a bit more of a kick.

This beautiful green cocktail is a great after-dinner drink that doubles as dessert! It’s also great for St. Patrick’s Day with its bright green color. Although there’s nothing Irish about it, here in America, we equate anything green with being Irish, so sip, enjoy and celebrate!

44 March 2022

Review By: Lorrie Layton PROVIDED BY BRACE BOOKS & MORE

Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood

by Trevor Noah Wow. I’m not certain what I was expecting, but this book was so much more. Trevor Noah is a comedian, the host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central. He was born in South Africa during apartheid to a white Swiss/German father and a black African mother.

Trevor’s memoir is a love letter to his mother. She grew up poor and alone. She was adventurous, fearless and deeply religious. Throughout Trevor’s childhood, she consistently provided him with books, opportunities and an education unavailable to almost all black South African children during apartheid. She raised Trevor to be a good man who could think for himself.

She did everything within her power to ensure he would not be trapped in the socio-economic prison that was all life offered to most black men in South Africa, even after the end of apartheid. She didn’t see herself as a victim, although she and Trevor truly were.

Her determination, integrity and grit are amazing.

AUTO/TRUCKING ACCIDENTS

Trevor shares childhood stories – all-day church on Sunday, his mom throwing him out of a moving vehicle to keep them from being kidnapped, accidentally burning down a white family’s house, life in townships (think Nazi ghettos) and how he never fit in, anywhere.

The stories are hilarious, heartbreaking and uplifting.

He discusses apartheid and explains how devastatingly effective it was, even long after Nelson Mandela’s release from prison.

At one point, Trevor and his mom were also the victims of domestic abuse. He lived it. He knows the terror of living with a ticking time bomb. He understands loving and fearing the same person and the confusion that brings.

This is a truly amazing book. It made me stop and think, yet gave me hope.

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THE MODERN MOM LIFE: Story Contributed by Chelsie Hendrickson No matter how much somebody wants you to believe it, parenting is not like a 1950s sitcom. No matter how great your kid is, and not to be biased, but my kid is pretty great, there still come those challenges with being a parent. And you know what, I think more people should talk about that. Maybe, just maybe, somebody else is going through the same thing, and the feeling of not being alone is a powerful one. This stigma that you are supposed to love and bask in every minute of parenthood, even when they are screaming at the top of their lungs for no reason, is just a tad ridiculous. I love my son with everything I have, but I can guarantee I don’t particularly love the moments when he is throwing a temper tantrum on the floor, screaming and kicking the whole time, or when he throws his binky across the room behind the entertainment center, but then cries like it’s my fault the whole time I am struggling to reach it because, of course, it’s stuck in the worst spot possible. But hey, at least this time he isn’t dipping it in the toilet and trying to put it in his mouth. Or the times when sleeping was impossible because they must eat every two hours, at least. And I don’t need someone over here telling me, “Oh just enjoy it, they grow up too fast.” Look, I know they grow up fast; I just said I am tired, Janet, not that I don’t love my kid.

shaming” is alive and real, people. And hey, let’s throw in the fact that you are in the hospital for a couple days and then BAM, they send you on your way, still with no instruction manual, by the way. I’m sorry, did you not need any references? Letters of recommendation? So yes, just a tad scary. But spoiler alert – there isn’t just one way to parent. What works for one child, may not work for another. And when you feel like those challenging moments aren’t ever going to end, they do. And you look back at it and it was a blip in the radar. You make it. You might need a shower and your teeth brushed, but you still made it. And I realize it’s cliché to say that it’s all worth it, but it is.

So, in saying all that, of course becoming a parent is scary. Sure, it’s also fulfilling and a joyous time, but if you don’t think bringing a little person into this world without some sort of instruction manual isn’t at least a little daunting, then you are a better person than I am. Add that with the unsolicited advice, personal questions about breastfeeding and your birthing plan (mine was to get the kid out of me), and just the uncertain feeling that comes with becoming a parent, it can really take a toll, especially in today’s world where the “mom

My advice to all those new parents out there, do what works for you. If you breastfeed, have a strict bedtime, and only feed your kids organic, that’s awesome! But if you can’t or don’t want to breastfeed, are doing well to even get them to bed at the same time every night and feed your kids hot dogs, well you are just as awesome, friend. And if people want to put you in the “bad parent” category for that, well pull up a chair, you can sit right next to me.

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REVIEW BY: LORRIE LAYTON

Well Worth the Drive!

96 MILES

So when you lose power while your dad is out of town for his job, you aren’t worried. You’re prepared. You’ve got this. You hook up the generator and get on with your life, hoping your dad returns soon. Your neighbors check on you, making sure you’re okay … A little worrisome, but not scary. Right?

Reservations online or by phone:

You live way outside of Las Vegas in the desert. Your nearest neighbors are good friends, but they live miles and miles away. Your dad isn’t a hard-core survivalist; he isn’t prepping to survive the anarchy of the expected breakdown of society. He is, however, a staunch believer in self-reliance, partially because of where you live.

He’s taught you desert survival skills, and you all have enough food and water stockpiled that you can survive for months.

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Several days into the outage, armed men break into your home in the middle of the night. They hold you at gunpoint while loading up everything they find that might be of value. They take all your stockpiled food, the generator, weapons and ammunition and even your water tanks.

Now what? You can’t stay where you are. The only things you have in your favor are a couple of backpacks stocked with snacks, water and some camping supplies. (The midnight thieves didn’t find the backpacks because they were hidden under the floorboards.) Oh, and you have your brother. You two are a team. Between the two of you, you can handle anything.

You have two choices. Stay home and hope the power comes back on and your dad makes it home before you die – or head for the nearest neighbors who haven’t left the area, who just happen to live 96 miles away. What could go wrong?

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Recipe and photo by Andrew Hicks/Staff Writer This soup is thick and hearty, almost like a stew. After making this a few times, I found I wanted a little more flavor, so I add 2 - 3 tablespoons of Berbere spice, which is a traditional Ethiopian fiery spice blend.

Berbere is almost impossible to find locally, but it’s very simple to make.

This dish is versatile so you can leave out the chicken and use vegetable broth for an easy meatless Monday! Speaking of chicken, if you do go the chicken route, a rotisserie chicken is perfectly fine for this dish.

2 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 1 tablespoons ginger, minced 1 jalapeño, diced (remove the seeds and ribs for less heat) 4 garlic cloves, minced (1 tablespoon) 1/2 teaspoon pepper 2 teaspoons cumin 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes 4 cups chicken stock 1 sweet potato, peeled and diced 1 (14 oz) can chickpeas, drained 1 cup creamy natural peanut butter 4 cups kale, roughly chopped 1.5 lbs chicken, poached shredded 1 teaspoon salt (to taste) peanuts, crushed cilantro, chopped (optional) for garnish This is a big soup so grab a hefty stock pot or dutch oven and add the oil and start to sauté onions over medium heat. Cook until onions start to brown, about 5 to 10 minutes.

Next, add your remaining aromatics: ginger, garlic, jalapeño, salt, pepper, and cumin. Let the aromatics cook for a minute until the house starts to smell like garlic.

Now add the tomato paste and cook until it becomes a deep red.

About a minute or two.

Pour in the stock and using your spoon scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the pot (those brown

48 March 2022

bits are called, fond, this is where all the flavor is at!). Now add the crushed tomatoes, chickpeas, and peanut butter. Reduce the heat and let this soup simmer on the stove for at least 20 minutes, but you could leave it sitting for as long as you like. Just remember to stir it occasionally so nothing burns.

Right before you are ready to serve, throw in the kale and chicken and cook just until the kale wilts, which will take a minute or two.

You can serve this dish as is or over rice. Garnish with cilantro and crushed peanuts.

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MARCH 30: NATIONAL TAKE A WALK IN THE PARK DAY

by Patrick Jordan

Yours ___ (phrase in a letter) Occupy the throne Very long time periods Bert's pal on "Sesame Street"

DOWN 1. Talk on and on 2. Yearling's age 3. Advice columnist Landers 4. Chest muscle, for short 5. Advises strongly 6. Country singer Brooks 7. Shouts heard at bullfights 8. ___ Angeles, California 9. Climbs down a mountain 10. Wedding platforms 11. Refillable writing implement (2 wds.)

12. Company in Road Runner cartoons 13. Flag seamstress Betsy 18. Taps gently 22. Charlie Brown's "Darn it!"

23. Created a new version of 24. Sidestepped 25. Military officer who wears an eagle emblem (2 wds.)

26. Puts frosting on 27. Cures 29. Drying cloth 30. "House" star Hugh ___ 31. Motor 33. Wrench, hammer, etc.

36. Smoke-dried pepper 37. Went down like the Titanic 39. Word after booster or bucket 40. Figure out on a laptop 42. Weed with stinging leaves 43. Shrub 45. Funeral parlor stands 46. Comedian Roseanne

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ACROSS 1. Get very excited (2 wds.)

6. Top Olympic medal material 10. Way over yonder, poetically 14. Building extension 15. Soothing natural lotion 16. Loony, in Mexico 17. Lift while lying down (2 wds.)

19. Antacid tablets brand 20. Cheerios grains 21. Wrecking ball swingers 23. Spiritual experience 27. Blood-pumping organ 28. Tosses out a tenant 29. Shopping event under a canvas structure (2 wds.)

32. Female horses 33. Frogs' cousins 34. McKellen of the "X-Men" films 35. Produces a sum 36. Parts of Batman costumes 37. Like a bug in a rug 38. Nov. follower 39. Sneakers and sandals 40. Island near Italy's coast 41. "Modern Family" star (2 wds.)

43. Like some steaks and hams (Hyph.)

44. Jumps 45. Football injury result, perhaps (2 wds.)

46. Drunk, in slang 48. Thin strand of smoke 49. "If it ___ broke, don't fix it" 50. Environmentalist, informally (2 wds.)

56. Fishing line holder 57. Untruth teller

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In ___ of (as a replacement) Begin giving solid food to ___ de Janeiro Watchdog's warning sound

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53. Firing range weapon 54. Inventor ___ Whitney 55. Reuben sandwich bread

March 2022

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Kanza Human Development Division

MARCH MEETINGS & EVENTS

Cradle To College & Beyond

OFFICE HOURS Monday through Friday 8 am - 4 pm

EDUCATION Begins with Child Care, Johnson O’Malley Program, Higher Education and Graduate Assistance

Closed Federal & Tribal Holidays.

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.

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.

BROADWAY PLAZA

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201 E. Broadway Ponca City 580-762-4445

Simplified, Secure Living for Seniors & the Disabled • • • • • • • • • • •

FREE Wi-Fi throughout bldg.

Beautiful grounds & gardens Friendly and caring staff Rent based on income 1-bedroom apts. & efficiencies Carpet and mini-blinds Handicap-accessible units Friendship Feast transportation Meals on Wheels Potluck lunch Movie and game night

We take housing applications for the elderly and disabled.

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

Call 580-762-4445 for information or apply in person.

Office hours are Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 3:00 pm (Closed 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm)

50 March 2022

TUESDAY, MARCH 1 Ponca City Business Council will meet at 8 a.m. at the Chamber Office.

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1 & 2 35th Ponca City Leadership Class session on State Government in OKC THURSDAY, MARCH 3 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 10 a.m. for Bronze Bar & Boutique, located at 505 N. 14th Street, Suite A THURSDAY, MARCH 3 Cash Mob at 11:30 a.m. at Lowe’s Home Improvement THURSDAY, MARCH 3 Education and Workforce Development will meet at 4 p.m. at the Chamber office.

FRIDAY, MARCH 4 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 10 a.m. for Wes & Willow, located at 407 E. Grand Avenue.

MONDAY, MARCH 7 Presentation to the City Commission at 2 p.m. Tourism Bureau and Santa Buck Giveaway.

TUESDAY, MARCH 8 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 11 a.m. for McDonalds.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9 Leadership Oklahoma Planning Meeting at 3 p.m. at the Chamber Office.

TUESDAY, MARCH 15 Ambassador Committee will meet at 8 a.m. at the Chamber Office.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16 Finance Committee will meet at 11 a.m. at the Chamber Office.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16 Executive Committee will meet at 11:30 a.m. at the Chamber Office.

THURSDAY, MARCH 17 Community Development Committee will meet at 10 a.m. at the Chamber Office.

THURSDAY, MARCH 17 Kindness Campaign Meeting at 4 p.m. at the Ponca City Country Club TUESDAY, MARCH 22 Chamber Board of Directors will meet at 11 a.m. at the Chamber Office.

THURSDAY, MARCH 24 Tourism Bureau will meet at 9 a.m. at the Chamber Office.

THURSDAY, MARCH 24 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 11 a.m. for Frazier’s Restaurant, located at 3113 E. Hwy 60.

THURSDAY, MARCH 24 Chamber Business after Hours from 5 - 7 p.m. hosted by Phillips 66.

FRIDAY, MARCH 25 Ponca Politics Committee will meet at 11 a.m. at the Chamber Office.

FRIDAY, MARCH 25 Ponca Politics Forum with our Oklahoma Legislators from 12 – 1 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at City Hall.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30 School Board Candidate Forum from noon-1 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at City Hall

PONCA

CHAMBER OF

CITY

COMMERCE

…With Liberty and Justice For All

Light the Night Memorial for Crime Victims to be held at Ponca Lake in April Story Contributed by Ashley Hein, MA, BSW/Director Ponca Tribal Victim Services Ponca Tribal Victim Services will collaborate with local Domestic Violence Shelter, Survivor Resource Network to host a Light the Night Memorial for Crime Victims at Ponca Lake on April 29, 2022 at 7pm. This memorial will take place at Ponca Lake in Ponca City, Oklahoma in northern Kay County. The Ponca Tribe is a federally recognized self-governing tribe, with over 3,700 enrolled members. White Eagle is the tribal jurisdiction with over 101,000 acres of land that sits 8 miles South of Ponca City.

Kay County is also the home to the Kaw Nation and the Tonkawa Nation.

We anticipate many community members, survivors, and tribal citizens from all of Kay County, and the surrounding counties will attend this Memorial Honoring Crime Victims. Also in attendance will be local, state, and tribal partners. We will encourage each attendee to bring a guest that is not familiar with Crime Victims’ Rights Week. According to the 2020 Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board, there were 96 domestic violence related homicides in Oklahoma. Native American women are murdered at a rate 10% more than other races, and one out of three Native American women will be a victim of sexual assault in her lifetime. Ponca Tribal Victim Services will have a project team to plan the Light the Night Memorial with Survivor Resource Network and two peer counselors/survivors. The

project team will coordinate and plan the event with advisement from the Ponca Nation Tribal Council, District Attorney’s Office and Dearing House, the child advocacy center in Kay County. We anticipate having approximately 250 people in attendance. We will include two local Victims of Crime and have them share their stories during the event.

Ponca Tribal Victim Services and Survivor Resource Network will set up a sign in table for the evening of the event. When participants arrive at Ponca Lake, they will sign in and be given NCVRW literature, program brochures, Victim Rights information, and other resources.

The table will be decorated with National Crime Victim Rights Week (NCVRW) Theme Colors and will have a Large themed poster displayed on an easel for participants to view or take pictures beside.

After signing in, participants will receive a NCVRW bag in themed colors containing a NCVRW t-shirt.

There will be a large stage with local dignitaries and tribal council seating and behind them will be a displaying of state and tribal flags, NCVRW banners and decorations in theme colors.

The Office for Victims of Crime (“OVC”) annually makes funding available for local communities to organize, host, and publicize National Crime Victims’ Rights Week events, which takes place April 24-30, 2022.

Community Awareness Projects grants are awarded through the National Association of Violence of Crime Act Assistance Administrators.

The 2022 NCVRW theme is Rights, access, equity, for all victims. This year’s theme underscores the importance of helping crime survivors find their justice by— •

enforcing victims’ rights,

•

expanding access to services, and

•

ensuring equity and inclusion for all.

Join OVC in raising awareness of victims’ rights and services, celebrating progress achieved, and honoring victims and the professionals who serve them.

The event will start off with a Cultural Prayer by the Chairman of the Ponca Tribe, Oliver Littlecook.

Throughout this memorial, there will be native drumming and singing of sacred Ponca Songs.

Following the songs, Tara Tyler, Survivor Resource Network will read the Proclamation for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Both survivors will tell their stories and be gifted a shawl, which is Ponca Custom Tradition.

Collaborative partners will be recognized by being given a certification of appreciation for their efforts in combating crime. Next, participants will be given a lighted lantern that will be released by the lake to Honor Crime Victims. A Moment of Silence before release will be given by Ponca Tribal Victim Services Advcoate, Abigail Ruff in honor of NCVRW. Lastly, there will be an opportunity for the participants to come up to the stage and share their families’ personal testimony/story. Then, finishing up the program, the drummers will drum sacred native songs to allow the participants to dance and heal from their trauma.

The Office for Victims of Crime is one of six Program Offices within the Office of Justice Programs at the U.S. Department of Justice.

OVC is committed to enhancing the Nation’s capacity to assist crime victims and to providing leadership in changing attitudes, policies, and practices to promote justice and healing for all victims of crime.

Established in 1988 through an amendment to the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) of 1984, OVC is charged by Congress with administering the Crime Victims Fund (the Fund). Through OVC, the Fund supports a broad array of programs and services that focus on helping victims in the immediate aftermath of crime and continuing to support them as they rebuild their lives. Millions of dollars are invested annually in victim compensation and assistance in every U.S. state and territory, as well as for training, technical assistance, and other capacity-building programs designed to enhance service providers’ ability to support victims of crime in communities across the Nation.

March 2022

51

HEALTH

Finding Your Routine The fundamentals of a good training mix PART 2 Story by Kera Kester, NASM Certified Personal Trainer/Contributing Writer Part two of our series is here! We’ve been discussing fundamentals of putting together a great and well-rounded workout routine. For part one, we discussed how beneficial choosing a workout split is, along with some good options. How we split a weekly routine helps us navigate different schedules while avoiding overexertion. This is a major topic for a good, structured plan so go check it out if you haven’t yet! For this article, we will be discussing our second important fundamental – exercise selection! My go to exercise example is the push-up so do not be surprised if you see it come up a couple of times. Alright, let’s jump into it!

First, it is a good idea to think about specific muscles within our body. Making sure that we don’t neglect musculature that needs developing is something to keep in the forefront of our minds. Our larger musculature includes our legs, back, chest and shoulders. Our smaller muscles are the biceps, triceps, rear delts, hamstrings, calves and core. Compound movements recruit multiple larger muscle groups. These will enhance your session and pay off very nicely. Although smaller muscle groups are also recruited during compound movements, it is beneficial to give them special attention through isolated exercises. For instance, your triceps are recruited during a push-up. But incorporating a triceps specific exercise, such as a triceps extension, is a good idea for optimal development.

There are certain movements that are insanely necessary to include within each session. These include:

much so engaged.

Important side note – Strengthening your core is of utmost importance for stability and avoiding harmful compensations during lifts. Incorporate movements like leg raises, planks, anti-rotation for your TVA and crunches to ensure a well-rounded and safer routine.

Additionally, say you turn a regular squat into an overhead squat, now you’re working muscles in your shoulders, arms, back and chest to make this squat a full body exercise in one go!

2. Hinge This movement, coined the athletic position, emphasizes the glutes and hamstrings. Some examples would include goodmornings and deadlifts. When a hip hinge is done correctly, you are generating power through your hips while simultaneously protecting your spine.

3. Push and Pull Push and pull exercises emphasize your upper body musculature. We use different muscles to push as opposed to pull and vice versa. For pushing, we mainly use chest, shoulders and triceps. An example of this would be a push-up.

For pulling, we mainly use back, biceps and forearms. A pulling exercise would be a seated cable row. Including both movements into a routine ensures that all upper body muscles are strengthened.

4. Unilateral A unilateral exercise is a single leg or single arm movement. This would include exercises such as a box step up, reverse lunge or a single arm dumbbell shoulder press. Unilateral movements are amazing for training balance, rehabilitation, isolating muscle imbalances or dealing with overuse of a dominant side. Side note : When it comes to utilizing supersets, a nice beneficial pairing selection is a unilateral exercise with a bilateral exercise!

5. Transitional Transitional exercises are amazing for providing rest for a muscle group while putting demand toward different muscle groups. It is a good idea to pair this kind of movement with a compound exercise that most usually requires longer periods of recovery. For example, following a barbell reverse lunge with a transitional exercise, such as a push-up, would ensure continued work output during the recovery time for your legs. It’s a good idea to incorporate a transitional exercise that challenges muscle groups you have previously worked within that same session. This is especially optimal when sticking to a specific workout split.

1. Squat If you want one of the absolute best compound exercises in your routine, make sure to add a squat variation. You could go with a barbell front squat or a goblet squat, to name a few. It is easy to see that your lower body gets quite the challenge during this movement. However, your core musculature is also very

52 March 2022

Again, I wholeheartedly believe in incorporating the above movement patterns within each single session. Making sure all these movements are well developed enhances daily activities and living, such as lifting something onto a shelf, bending to tie your shoes, playing hopscotch with your nephews. Not to mention the benefit of helping to avoid injury as bone density decreases with age. We utilize these movement patterns every single day, so we might as well strengthen them. Go be great and remember – it’s not just about working harder, but also working smarter! Like always, I’m always here for you should you have questions or comments. Happy March!

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PONCA CITY MONTHLY

There is nothing I dislike about Mexican food. Seriously. I love mole.

I am crazy about braised meat. I love chili. I love me some Carne Asada. I adore churros. I love nopales. I can make the “I love all of the food” statement about a lot of cuisines, but Mexican is where my true loyalties lie. I cannot imagine living somewhere without Mexican food in every direction around me. Maybe it’s because I grew up in Oklahoma, where I think we have the best of both worlds – authentic Mexican fare and super scrumptious Tex-Mex.

are lucky to have right here in Kay County. Did you know? El Potrillo caters, which is super handy, and they do a great job with carryout. Case in point … taco boxes. That’s right. Boxes of tacos – 16 tacos loaded with chicken, steak and chorizo.

All topped with fresh onions, cilantro, grilled peppers and onions. AND you’ll get sides of rice, beans and chips with salsa.

Ponca City is fortunate to have an abundance of choices when it comes to Mexican food. One of my favorite spots in town for authentic Mexican eats is El Potrillo. Owned by local resident Pedro Lopez, El Potrillo has occupied the northwest corner of Waverly and South Avenue since March of 2005. With a recently enclosed patio expansion, his place is pushing out zesty, fresh, sizzling dishes as 718 S Waverly St, Ponca City quickly as they are ordered.

El Potrillo

580.762.6456

Another extra for me is that Pedro’s restaurants are all reasonably priced for the food you get.

I struggle to clean my plate, and it isn’t like I’m a light eater. Am I a messy eater? Absolutely.

But a light eater? Absolutely not.

Hours: For this gal, the Chile Verde is the best thing on the menu. Shredded pork cooked in a citrusy, Sun - Thursday: Fri and Saturday: spicy green sauce that is simply fantastic. I just There is this common thought that Mexican 11 am - 9:00 pm 11 am - 9:30 pm want to pour this sauce all over my life. It is the food is overly spicy and always heavy, and ideal complement to the perfectly tender pork. that just isn’t correct. Are there spicy dishes?

Also, up there on my list is the Molcajete, which Sure. Are there way heavy dishes? You bet, is actually the name of the vessel it is served in. My description will not but that’s not “common” in Mexican cuisine at all. Honest-to-goodness come close to doing this dish justice. Mexican food is really a treat for all your senses. It’s 1) bright, it’s 2) Steak, shrimp and chicken cooked with fresh and it 3) has depth. For me, El Potrillo hits these better than most. peppers, onions, tomatoes and that Happy Eating!! insane green sauce all topped with cheese and a roasted banana pepper.

It comes out roaring hot, served in the rock bowl (the molcajete) that it was cooked in. Paired with one of their margaritas, it is one of the most flavorful This is maybe the best spot in town for lunch. dishes in town.

They are fast, and the food is consistent.

TOP THREE FOR ME

Pedro has been a Kay County resident since 2001. In that same year, he opened his first restaurant, Los Potros, in Blackwell. Fast forward 20+ years, and Pedro now has six locations throughout Oklahoma, two of which we

The booths are high backed, which gives the diner a sense of privacy.

The staff is so, so friendly and accommodating.

For more delicious food fun, check out @foodcrushok on IG and Facebook Show us what you’re eating! Tag us on IG with #LookAtMePC

March 2022

55

Music in & Around Ponca City

Sounding Story & Photos Contributed

by Steve Scott

Off

My thoughts are continuing to appreciate the past.

It’s February 1, and winter finally made it to Ponca City. I’m literally “chilling” while sitting in the north stands at Sullins Stadium, remembering those cold Friday night football games, playing in the Big Blue Band, 160 students strong, both in the stands and on the half-time field. Of course, back then this hallowed sports arena was named Blaine Stadium, with the name change happening several years after my graduation. Those were some great days!

We spun a lot of records back then, and I have relished spinning one for this month’s column.

The Listening Room …

This month I’m reviewing a newly released album from Willie Cry Records, “Out of the Cellar and Over the Plains.” When I say “album,” I mean a vinyl record album. Willie Cry Records originated in Oklahoma, and the first recordings were laid down over 20 years ago at Shanghai Studios, located in Osage County not far from Ponca City.

Since then, the label continued to sign and promote musicians from not only Oklahoma, but several other states and currently has a roster of 15 artists, representing a wide cross-section of music styles and influences. Some of the artists are from the Ponca City area!

My turntable died several years ago after 50 years of service, so I borrowed one (Thank you, Kelsey!).

With the record player wired into my studio system,

56 March 2022

the tunes flowed, introducing me to new music and musicians.

Eleven different bands/artists are represented on this album. After my first listen (of several), I was struck by how many songs were heavily influenced by 1960s music. If the Beatles and a 1990s punk rock band had a child, then you would have the first song, “Drop the Baggage Keep the Goods”

by The Gardes. This is a driving, dance-beat tune representing some of the best of garage band music. “Let Go” by My-Tea Kind has a catchy melody that easily becomes an ear-worm and displays wonderful harmonies. “Mike” by The Gussissin is a nice change. This is a smooth tune with a driving bass line and clean melody, reminiscent of a modern jazz song. The envelope follower on the guitar lead is a nice touch.

“Million” by the American Darlings opens with pure punk rock in the sincerest form of the genre.

Personally, I’d love to hear a remix of this song with the vocals sitting more on top of the instruments.

Nevertheless, I really liked this one and have added it to my personal playlist.

“Clouds” by Andrew Polokow is a barebones recorded song – guitar, vocals and a washboard beat. You literally want to sing along!

“27” by Dinosaur Boyfriend and “JTAF3” by JTAF are both songs that represent writing just to experiment with possibilities and obviously have no

agenda to the format or a statement. Both are very ethereal in sound and demonstrate heavy use of reverb. JTAF should be writing for science-fiction movie soundtracks. They have the format down pat. “Amathyst” by Arms of London is another favorite of mine. This song fits right into the mid 1960s sound and reminded me of cruising Grand Avenue on a Friday night with the radio blasting. I have added this tune to my playlist as well.

The final song, “Put in a Good Word for Me” was written specifically to meet a three-minute vacancy in the lineup for the album. Featuring several of the Willie Cry stable of artists, this is a true dance tune, or even a road tune played as the white lines pass by. The ska rhythm reminds me of original songs by the Visa IV or the Swank Bastards. Overall, it represents a proper way to close the album, and yet leaves you wanting more.

This album is well worth adding to your collection. It is a limited edition of 450, and is available at stores in Tulsa, OKC and at Shanghai Sound in Ponca City.

The Bandstand …

Five Year Gap will be at the 51st Street Speakeasy in OKC on March 18 and are releasing their first album on March 4. You can catch it on all streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc.

Look for a review in next month’s column.

The always crowd-pleasing Larry Newsom will be at Zanotti’s in Stillwater on March 11 and 26.

Back2Sighs continues to bring live music to the masses with a tremendous line up: Larry Newsom on March 4, the hard-driving rock of the Curtis Moore Band on March 25, and New Dynasty will be back on April 1 (and that’s no joke!).

Ridin’ High, Northern Oklahoma’s high-energy music and dance club, is featuring the Robert Allan Band on March 12 (their CD is for sale at local Atwood’s stores), Jimmy Lee Jordan on March 26 and Brody Caster on April 2.

Finally …

Please note: Local bands are booking for the year. Give them a call! And keep an eye on the downtown “PC Entertainment District.” You never know what’s going to happen each week!

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

Biking/Hiking Trails

Lake Ponca Recreation Area

Record Fishing

Disc Golf

Hunting/ Camping

For more details on our attractions and events, go to:

www.visitponcacity.com or call 1-866-763-8092 toll free March 2022

57

T

his article is squarely for people who are on the fence about having children. If you’re already a parent, you know how scary and exhausting beautiful parenthood is, so reading on isn’t necessary. Alright, potential-parents-to-be, here’s some questions I think you need to ask yourself, and your partner, whilst deciding if you want to bring a sweet, innocent, precious, ear shatteringly, loud baby into this world. Do you enjoy leisurely waking up on Saturday mornings, making coffee, enjoying the peace and quiet while getting ready to go to the Farmers Market? If so, kids may not be for you. Do you enjoy being jolted awake by a tiny, but surprisingly strong, child roundhouse kicking you directly in the skull at 5:45 a.m.? Kids may be for you then. Do you love perusing Whimsy, Liles and Company or Hobby Lobby for adorable home décor or new clothes?

Kids may not be for you. If you would enjoy taking a rabid chimpanzee into a fine China store, then kids still may not be for you, because taking a rabid chimpanzee into a store is still preferred over taking my children into a store, especially if that store has toys. Do you enjoy cooking complex, delicious meals that have exotic and adventurous flavors that you’ll be able to sit down and enjoy while they are fresh and warm? I’ll tell ya right now, if it isn’t some combination of jelly and a nut butter, your kids won’t have it, nor will they sit quietly to allow you to enjoy the fruits of your labor. They can sense when you need peace and quiet, and not only will they not be peaceful, they’ll choose that exact moment to find the loudest, brightest plastic toy they own and play with it 1 cm away from your eardrums. Do you enjoy having someone else’s boogers wiped on your clothes that you are currently wearing on your body? If you do, kids are definitely for you.

(Side note, if you enjoy that, that’s really weird). Do you like sitting down and watching a show (that isn’t animated with talking animals) uninterrupted? You can still occasionally do this with kids, but if that show has a single solitary curse word, I don’t care if your child is upstairs and 200 feet away, they’ll hear that curse word, and they’ll repeat it at the most inopportune times. Kids are gross, loud, and sometimes I’m genuinely scared of them, but they’re also adorable, sweet, hilarious, so fun, and just when you think you’re at the brink of losing your mind, they’ll climb up on your lap and give you a sticky kiss, and all those exhausting, frustrating moments just melt away.

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58 March 2022

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Under departments, select Ponca City Energy Click on link, Electric University - online learning Call Ponca City Energy for more information or to request a free energy audit at 580-767-0405.

Do Good by Being Better

Story Contributed by Janetta Cravens,Vice President of Programs for the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits Show me a nonprofit organization with programs that are reaching the community and gaining the public’s trust as it picks up steam year over year, and I know I’m looking at a strong board of directors. Show me a board of directors that understands its roles and responsibilities, and I know I’m looking at an organization with reliably excellent programs. There is a strong relationship between board members and the impact of an organization’s programs. Doing good as a nonprofit may start by being better at being a board.

Being a board member of a nonprofit organization is more than being sympathetic to the mission of the organization. It requires carrying out specific legal duties and providing oversight of the delivery of the programs and the way the organization operates. Serving on a board of directors is a personal investment of time, treasure and talents, but it also means providing leadership as a governor.

To govern comes from a Greek word that means “to steer.” Board members are the legal “owners” of the nonprofit organization, and

they are responsible for steering the organization toward the fulfillment of its mission and the accomplishment of its goals.

They represent the public’s interest in the nonprofit and ensure that the organization maintains the public’s trust.

Boards must go beyond what is legally required and run the organization with high ethical standards. Boards of Directors steer by setting the direction for the organization, they protect the organization by providing resources, and they set the order the organization needs to be sustainable.

1. Direction: Boards set the direction by developing the plans and strategic initiatives that will take it into the future. It starts by knowing the mission of the organization and what they are aiming to accomplish in the community. What is the mission?

What is the organization’s purpose?

What does it want to accomplish?

A board should review the mission statement every 3-5 years and update it to fulfill the organization’s growing understanding of its programs

See GOOD continued on page 61 March 2022

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public inside the boardroom, but they are a bridge to the community and in their personal circles, they represent the decisions and mission of the organization as a whole – not their personal interests, votes or thoughts about the organization – when they are in the public and not in a meeting.

Protecting doesn’t mean preventing. It is often necessary for a board to fully debate opposing ideas in order to refine suggestions into workable solutions. In a board meeting, discourse should be honest, respectful, investigative, curious, humorous and representative of all present. Good facilitation is a gift to a board. Each board member can help create a culture by being mindful that their discourse sets a tone for the rest of the organization.

GOOD continued from page 59 and be willing to abandon the parts of their mission statement that no longer represent their service in the community. The mission may be forever, but how it accomplishes the mission, the words it uses to describe the mission and the activities associated with it need to adjust and keep up with the changing needs of the populations it serves.

The board also needs to understand the activities and programs conducted to fulfill the mission – and measure success in regard to what is currently needed in the community. Do all activities contribute to the fulfillment of the mission? Is this what the community needs? Is what we are doing making a difference?

its next key initiative. This means giving personally to the organization and being a champion for the mission in public. Board members need to be personal financial investors in the organization and participate in fund-raising activities. When board members have set the strategic direction of the organization, they are more likely to enthusiastically invest in that direction.

Protecting the mission of the organization also means supporting the board’s decisions in public even if that board member voted against the measure. In the boardroom, many voices. Outside the boardroom, one voice – is the well-known nonprofit meme. Board members represent the

We need healthy debate, but when that crosses into personal attacks or suspicions, we are out of alignment with what we aim to accomplish. Boards govern together. Protecting the mission often means narrowing the gap between the identification of a problem and finding an appropriate solution.

We need a culture where everyone can speak their mind and be heard, all ideas can be received with merit, and healthy discourse can move toward a workable solution.

See GOOD continued on page 62

Board members can look at program data and regularly review program dashboards to consider how operational effort aligns with mission impact.

This is the fiduciary responsibility of board members – they are caretakers for the mission and stewards of the activities that run its programs and give oversight to make sure that all investments of time, treasure and talent are going to fulfill the mission.

When board members know the mission, understand its programs, are prepared for meetings where items will be discussed to full programs – this is board members fulfilling their first legal duty, the Duty of Care.

2. Protection: Board members lead as governors when they invest in it personally; they ensure that the organization has the resources it needs to fulfill

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Being a board member of a nonprofit organization is more than being sympathetic to the mission of the organization.

GOOD continued from page 61 It’s essential then for board members to monitor in meetings when a director has more than one relationship with the organization: they are a board member and insurance agent, banker, construction manager, parent of a participant, printer/website designer, or serve on a board or are a key volunteer with another nonprofit organization. These dual relationships are called conflicts of interest. They are not illegal, but they must be disclosed to the board so that they can be managed in decision-making processes.

Usually board members with the dual relationship excuse (recuse) themselves during the discussion and vote when items come up that relate to their dual relationship. It is reflected in the minutes that they left the meeting during this portion and did not participate. No one board member should have undue influence on a decision of the board.

When board members are invested in the mission, give financially, and appropriately disclose and monitor their conflicts of interest in

meetings, they are staying loyal to the mission of the organization. All decisions should remain loyal to the mission – not our individual interests of the mission – and this is called fulfilling the second duty: the Duty of Loyalty.

3. Order: Board members lead as governors when they follow all laws, including the laws they set for themselves – their bylaws. Nonprofits must file a 990 with the IRS and a 512E with the state of Oklahoma each year, and these documents must be available to the public upon request. They must register every year in the organizations in which they are raising money – including Oklahoma, and follow all other laws related to their mission from employment law, to food handling, to child care.

Boards also need to follow their own bylaws, which include honoring term limits of directors, sequence for officer rotations and authorities given to committees. A board that does not follow their bylaws and yet continues to make decisions on behalf of the organization, may be an illegal board and thus operating without authority in its decisions. The purpose of term limits and rotations is so that a board is widening its reach

in the community by inviting new members who represent new segments of the public it serves.

The purpose behind officer limits is so that deep knowledge of leadership is shared by the directors increasing their investment. The reason to use committees is to share the work of the board and invite volunteers to be a part of the mission.

When boards are diligent about caring for themselves by following their bylaws and laws held by the federal and state governments, they also tend to be better stewards of other guiding policies like budgets, employee and volunteer policies, whistleblower and grievance policies, financial and investment policies – and other policies that create healthy guardrails for those who lead operations.

Creating order also means being mindful about who is around the table when decisions are being made. What segments of the community are represented? What lived experiences are here and is there representation of the communities served? The moniker, no decision about us without us, applies to boards of directors.

Boards that are diverse and represent groups within our community make better decisions by covering our blind spots and bringing different perspectives to solutions.

When boards are monitoring who is around the table, whether they are in compliance with laws including those they set in their bylaws, they are exercising their third legal duty: The Duty of Obedience.

There is a symbiotic relationship between a good board of directors and strong programs experienced by the community. The stronger the board, the stronger the programs. It is worth the energy to build a board that is as interested in working on the organization as in the organization and boards of directors lead the way as they steer the organization onward. *If you find your board could use assistance with improving its practices in any of these areas, the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits exists to support without judgment or prejudice. Calls and emails to OKCNP are confidential, and professional development opportunities for staff and board are designed to provide practical tools for implementing best-practices throughout the organization.

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Ponca City High School Alumni Hall of Fame Awards Dinner Thursday, March 3, 7:00pm Carolyn Renfro Event Center 445 Fairview Ave, Ponca City $50 / person Reserved Table for 8: $500 (Includes 8 tickets)

Debra Harden Rue

Don Mertz

Forest Mertz

James McNeese

Carol Suggs Bender

Patty McGraw Coatney

Congratulations to all the new Hall of Fame Inductees!

Tickets may be purchased at the School Administration building at 613 E. Grand. Enter through the south main entrance door and purchase tickets at the front desk, or call the school administration office and ask for Chryl Gillespie at 580-767-8000.

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Activities for Introverts in Ponca City Story by Jennifer Vaughan/Staff Writer

Seemingly opposite personality types – extroverts and introverts – are words first defined in the psychological context in the 1920s by psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Carl Jung. The terms were once commonly misunderstood as extroverts being social and outgoing,

64 March 2022

with introverts being shy and withdrawn.

Instead, introversion and extroversion are defined as perspectives. Extroverts interpret their world objectively, concentrating their energy outwardly with action and gain their energy by spending time with other people.

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Introverts interpret their world subjectively, focusing their energy internally with reflection and gaining energy through solitude.

In honor of National Introverts Week March 21-27, we celebrate the inherent strengths and qualities that make introverts such an integral part of our community by sharing a handful of activities that are perfect for introverts in Ponca City. Have a list of things that you would like to share? Email us at editor@poncacitymonthly.com!

1. Museum Tours

If the last time that you went on a guided tour of the Marland Mansion was when you were in elementary school, or if you’ve thought the venue was only for private events, we implore you to visit again soon. The Mansion offers guided tours at 1:30 p.m.

Monday through Saturday, and the tour is free for city residents!

The tour takes you through the 43,561 square-foot mansion, the Bryant Baker Gallery and Artist Studio and a portion of the grounds.

You’ll learn about the intertwined and rich history of our City and the Marland Family while witnessing the extravagant architecture which was inspired by the Palazzo Davanzati, a palace in Florence, Italy. Ponca City is home to an incredible number of phenomenal museums that can be found on the Arts and Culture page at www.

VisitPoncaCity.com, including the Pioneer Woman Museum and Standing Bear Museum.

2. Lake Ponca Park – Duck Pond Side

You can park in the lake-facing lot just north of the second entrance to the Festival of Angels, which is where you’ll begin your walk into the park. As you enter, you’ll take the very first slight right and continue past the pond and on toward the wooded area. In this area of the park with the waterfall and birds above providing a surprisingly effective barrier to sound pollution, the stone bridges and stairways will take you back to the 1920s as you can’t help but imagine families with picnic baskets spending their Sunday afternoons. If you’re looking for a park where all ages of children can stay entertained for hours or if you’re in need of an area where you can get lost in a book with nature singing all around you, this is the spot for you!

3. Floating Sound Bath Om Yoga and Wellness Center has officially introduced a Floating Sound Bath experience where guests are immersed in a one-hour session of live sound therapy. Those in attendance relax in aerial yoga hammocks or on a mat while allowing themselves to simply listen to the sound in the room, created by crystal singing bowls.

It’s truly an ethereal event that must be experienced! Om Yoga and Wellness Center can be reached at 580-718-9042 and is located at 319 ½ East Grand Ave., directly above the MyMediaMatters and Ponca City Monthly offices in downtown Ponca City.

4. Business on the Balcony Business on the Balcony is come and go from 7 a.m.-8:30 a.m. every second Tuesday of the month starting back again in April. It’s located at the Ponca City Development Authority (PCDA) offices at City Central in Suite #200. Kat Long is the most considerate of hosts and provides an astounding breakfast spread that caters to numerous dietary decisions. Her avocado toast on homemade sourdough is reason enough to attend! With the event taking place in the early hours of the morning on the spacious outdoor balcony, you aren’t dealing with large crowds and the conversation tends to be meaningful and focused.

5. Community Events Mark your calendars now for the 29th annual Herb Festival, held on Saturday, June 4 at the Cann Memorial Botanical Gardens. The festival offers free admission, a marvelous variety of vendors that line the beautiful brick walkways, live music, children’s activities, food trucks and more! Hosted by the Survivor Resource Network, proceeds from the event are used to support the nonprofit that offers survivors of abuse a 24-hour hotline answered by trained advocates, an emergency safe shelter in a secure location, case management, counseling, support groups and courtroom advocacy.

Brought to us by the Arts and Humanities Council, Down by Downtown (DXDT) returns in June and takes place the first Friday of each month through September from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. at Central Fair.

The partially shaded, intimate outdoor venue in downtown Ponca City comes alive with families and leashed pets who gather to enjoy live music, food trucks, beer and wine, yard games and various popup shops at this free community event. For a list of annual events, visit the Event Calendar page at VisitPoncaCity.com!

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

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KAY COUNTY EVENTS MAR

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Garden Council CANN GARDEN HOME 9:30AM The Ponca City Council of Garden Clubs will hold their general meeting at 9:30AM., Wed., March 2 at the Cann Garden Home. Hostesses will be the Four O’Clock Garden Club with refreshments served prior to the program and general meeting.

Shannon Mallory, Kay County Extension Agent, will be the guest speaker. Just in time for spring planting, Shannon will discuss what gardeners need to know and do relating to a variety of plants - watering, soil, shade vs sun and how to manage and care for them. The public is always welcome to attend.

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Spring Ladies Night DOWNTOWN PONCA CITY 5PM The events last from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. and are a great opportunity to plan a night out with your girlfriends in downtown Ponca City. Merchants all over the district plan amazing things for their customers. Many do trunk shows, gifts with purchase, special sales, and a variety of other unique offerings just for our local ladies. Each merchant offers a sip and a snack in their store.

Many partner with local caterers and restaurants to showcase delicious bites from some of our best local eateries.

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MAR

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2022 Western Wedding Show OLD WEST BUFFALO COMPANY 29521 U S Highway 60. Pawhuska (4.5 miles west of the Pioneer Woman Mercantile on US Highway 60) 1 PM Tickets (no charge but required) Guests must register online at bit.ly/ westernweddingshow The first 40 tickets reserved will get a free buffalo hay wagon ride.

The 2022 Western Wedding Show will feature western wedding professionals from throughout Oklahoma who were handpicked to be a part of this specialized wedding show.

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Twentieth Century Club Meeting MARLAND’S GRAND HOME 12:15PM The Twentieth Century Club will hold their next general meeting at 1:00 p.m., Friday, March 11 in Marland’s Grand Home. Executive Committee will meet at 12:15 p.m. in the sun room of the Grand Home prior to the meeting. Greeters will be Linda Vanderburg and Kara Wells; refreshments will be served following the meeting by hostesses Arleen Jacobson, Gay Kinkaid, Marcia Nelson and Ruth Wetzel. Tara Tyler of the Survivor Resources Center will be the guest speaker.

APR

4

Dearing House Presents REWIND PIONEER TECHNOLOGY CENTER

6PM Sasha Joseph Neulinger is the Founder and President of Voice For The Kids, as well as, Co-Founder and Head of Production at Step 1 Films.

Sasha made his directional debut at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival with his autobiographical, feature length documentary, REWIND. This is a free community event being held in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

TEAM 476 ROBOTICS

A LOOK INTO THE FRAMEWORK OF THE PONCA CITY HIGH SCHOOL ROBOTICS TEAM Story and Photos by Laina Smith/Staff Writer

Ponca City High School created its first robotics team in Nov. of 1999. Tanya Scott previously ran the program. Scott and a group of engineers from ConocoPhillips refinery volunteered time to the club. Conoco sponsored the team and still does to this day. In 2018, Ponca City High School’s physical science teacher Derek Taylor took over the club’s leadership.

“I’ve always kind of been fascinated with physics,” Taylor said. “That’s my subject. That’s what I teach. So whenever they said they had an opening, Mr. Dilbeck, the high school principal at that time, walked me around and kind of explained a little bit about the program and I said, ‘Yeah, sure, I’d be happy to take it over.’”

“In the beginning, they provided a workshop space,” Taylor said. “A massive workshop space on the plant and the students would meet there … They got together with the engineers from Conoco, and they competed in something called ‘FIRST Robotics.’ We have some of their legacy equipment still around.

They were wildly successful. They built 150 lb. industrial-size robots. They were massive things using vertical mills to cut their own screw holes. They machined a lot of the parts themselves because they had engineering help. It’s pretty amazing to see some of the stuff that was left behind that they hadn’t cannibalized yet for future robots.”

“One of the things that we’ve migrated into doing is … It’s not really an erector set, but you can kind of see where people would think that way,” Taylor said. “They have to custom design the robots. They have to code them in a new software. They can be autonomous or manually controlled, and they’re smaller scale, so they’re easier to box up and carry with us to competitions.”

Thanks to Phillips 66, formerly ConocoPhillips, the robotics team received new components for their robots a few years ago.

Students learn and use many different jobs to create a robot from scratch in the robotics club.

“We have programmers,” Taylor said. “Chase is our main programmer. He’s really taken ownership of that. Then we break out into builders and designers. Everyone has a say in the design. They break apart and look at a CAD drawing and build from that CAD file.

They are becoming proficient in being able to use CAD software and being able to work with hand tools and build something from scratch that they designed.”

When making a robot come to life, there is a process the team has to follow to accomplish their goal. The students follow that process step by step while incorporating skills learned to create a robot ready for competition.

“At the beginning of each season, VEX, that is the company that oversees the robotics world at this scale, and every April right after worlds they debut the next season’s challenge or game, as it’s referred to,” Taylor said. “You have the summer to be thinking and looking over how best to manipulate a robot to score points. When we meet back in August, we watch the game reveal to refresh that, and we spend the first couple meetings designing. So the first thing that has to happen is we have to have a design, so we’re not just down here cutting metal randomly.”

Once opposition research and designing are complete, the design is added to the design software. Once the robot’s design is complete, the team then brings that to the workshop and builds the robot.

“It takes months of hard work to get the robot actually built,” Taylor said. “Once we have all

See ROBOT continued on page 68

The Ponca City High School robotics club is composed of Po-Hi students who compete each year in multiple competitions leading up to the world championship. The team has many roles where students can showcase their knowledge and problem-solving skills.

“These students build robots to compete in a variety of competitions throughout the year,” Taylor said. “They compete with students from Oklahoma, Texas, all over the world really if they qualify for the world championships. It’s held once a year in April.”

Over the years, robotics has evolved into what it is now. As a result, there are fewer engineers involved in the club. It also means the team uses new software, and coding looks different.

Two Team 476 members are working on fixing a robot. The students are in the robotics lab in the Anderson Building at Ponca City High School.

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The team hopes to refurbish this t-shirt cannon from the original robotics team and use it at future Po-Hi sporting events.

robotics through high school if they are with the team for two years.

The knowledge learned during their time with the robotics team is something students at POHI will be able to take with them to college and even the workforce throughout their lives.

ROBOT continued from page 67 the parts in place, then it gets coded. Right now, we have several practice bots so that we can learn the code. We have a game manual that has where all the pieces would be in the arena. They’re set up in very specific locations and it tells you where they would be. You can set it up so you can practice your autonomous code.”

Once the robot is built, coded, and tested, the team takes it to competition. Of course, competitions come with nerves, but for the most part, the group focuses on creating partnerships to win hopefully.

“Somebody has to drive the robot and go score the points,” Taylor said. “When we are at competition, you have other team members that will be doing opposition research. Other team members that will be trying to forge alliances with other teams because it is played with an alliance partner. You want to know what those other robots can do so that you can team up with somebody that’s actually going to give you a chance to win. It is a team game up until a point, and after you get through so many rounds, then it becomes more of an individual one-on-one type basis.”

Robotics competitions are what is known as tournament style. Multiple high schools throughout the state of Oklahoma meet at a high school.

“In several different competitions, multiple of the same teams travel to several different competitions around the state. Stillwater has competitions at Stillwater High School. We can travel to Derby. Derby has competitions.

Oklahoma City has competitions. There are several around the area. It’s up to the school whether they want to host the competition.”

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Like other clubs and sports, State comes at the end of the season for robotics. The state competition requires a qualification to compete. Throughout the year, the team’s performance at other competitions and state then determines which teams will compete at the world competition.

Team 476 has won several awards at competitions throughout the years. In 2015, the girls’ team took first at a VEX competition in Plano, Texas.

“In the past, we have won the 2007 Lone Star regional in Texas,” Taylor said. “That was in first robotics. I can almost show you better than I can tell you. The list of accolades is huge.”

As well as awards, students involved in robotics can apply and win scholarships through VEX and First robotics. They can also letter in A Po-Hi robotics member is looking at the CAD file for the team’s robot

“It’s a STEM program,” Taylor said. “It creates problem-solving … You are physically creating the design that you imagined.

I think that in any workplace, that’s something that you will be doing a lot, problem-solving. It doesn’t matter if a lift motor goes out on a pipeline. You’ve got to figure out what’s happening, so you have to diagnose that. That’s what we do.”

For the students, the robotics team is a way to create new relationships and learn new skills in a group setting.

“We just have a goal that we work toward,” Mayer, one of the student builders said. “It feels nice to progress along that.”

Not only does the robotics team benefit the students, but also the school as a whole.

“I think it gives us an avenue to build on,” Taylor said. “It’s a solid foundation that we can draw experience from as we craft the new STEM program.”

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For the Love of Writing and Mental Health Story by Marlys Cervantes/Contributing Writer

In a world that becomes chaotic and makes us

oftentimes feel like we are meeting ourselves coming and going, it is sometimes difficult to find the beauty around us. Maybe we should remember the words of Maya Angelou: “This is a wonderful day. I have never seen this one before.”

The thought comes from an icon of literature, a woman who persevered much and found solace, comfort and a reason for living through her writing. Through that very writing, she inspired a nation.

In a month that includes both World Teen Mental Wellness Day (March 2) and World Poetry Day (March 21), let’s take a moment to look at the need to take care of ourselves and the value of writing to do that beyond the beauty and inspiration of the words.

The first challenge of every single day is simply maintaining a focus on the positive rather than being dragged down into the negative. Rick Hanson, Ph.D., psychologist and Senior Fellow at U.C. Berkeley, explains the problem in his book Hardwiring Happens, when he tells us our brains are “Velcro for the negative and Teflon for the positive.” Our instincts are to hang onto the negative over the positive even if there is far less of it. Only we can start to train ourselves and our brains to react differently, and it takes work.

Focusing on the positive instead of the negative is, of course, a beginning. It sounds simple, but it is researched truth. Leading neuroscientist Richard Davidson met His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in the early 1990s and discussed the power of meditation. In 1992 the Dalai Lama offered Davidson, founder and director of the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the opportunity to scan the brains of Tibetan monks. This 2001 study and others since have shown significant differences in brains focusing on the positive. Their inner peace

comes from practiced meditation, something we could all learn from.

However, since we cannot all spend hours daily in meditation, what are other pathways for finding some peace in the craziness of our world?

Write, you can write. Many psychologists and psychiatrists use writing in their practices for good reason. Philadelphia-based Anjana Deshpande, MBA/LCSW, teaches us about the issue of chaos and trauma as free-floating memory that has not yet processed in the hippocampus. I was lucky enough to be at a hands-on conference where Deshpande taught us about using writing to help people work through the chaos disrupting their lives, she talked about working with war veterans and success stories they had working through their own past trauma. She explained that writing is the most efficient way to organize and process our memories and thoughts. Deshpande is a therapist at a clinic, an instructor at a writing therapy institute and an officer of an international poetry therapy organization. She lives what she believes.

Social psychologist and linguist at University of Texas-Austin, James W. Pennebaker, has also researched writing as a mode for healing and found the same: “The emotional findings then suggest that to gain the most benefit from writing about life’s traumas, acknowledge the negative but celebrate the positive.” Pennebaker’s various research efforts discovered that not only do we need the positive focus, but that there is a tremendous role of language in this process.

Language and writing therapy can be used to look at multiple perspectives and develop a focus that leads to a positive and potentially constructive outcome.

So, write. Write when you need to figure out what you need to do next in your life; write when you are not sure about who you are anymore; write when you feel lost in the midst of the changes

happening around you or in your life; write. The method of writing doesn’t matter as much as the activity.

An easy way to begin, and a solid way to continue, is a journal. I love teaching journal writing. There are so many types of journals, so you can have fun with them. However, they can also just allow you to get what is on your mind out on paper. Put it all down. Even if it looks scattered and confusing coming from your mind to the paper, that’s a first level of organization – the thoughts are on a page. You can move forward from there to begin organizing those thoughts, making progress with your path.

Or, if you enjoy writing poetry, write any type of poetry. The type doesn’t matter. What matters is that you write. Rhyme if you like, but don’t stress about if you don’t. The point is to write. I write through many feelings in many different ways.

The type of writing often depends on what I am feeling or experiencing. Many times my first writing about subjects has all of the details in it. I need to know very specifically how I feel. Then I can organize those feelings into a more structured journal, which ends up, oftentimes, to eventually be an inspirational story. Later, I process feelings from the same experiences through poetry – I don’t need the details but just the feelings. That’s the way I process grief. Many of my poems don’t say what or who they are actually speaking about but rather just put the feeling forth, especially if the event is in the past very far. Sometimes I just still need to feel.

I hope you will take the time to write, in whatever way works for you. We are all just figuring out ourselves on our journeys in this life, and we are certainly ever changing beings. As Bob Dylan once said, “All I can ever do is be me, whoever that is.”

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