Ponca City Monthly May 2021

FREE PUBLICATION Serving Northern Oklahoma

MAY 2021

PANDEMIC PARTNERS

HOW WHITE EAGLE HEALTH CLINIC AND THE PONCA TRIBE STEPPED UP TO SAVE LIVES IN OUR COMMUNITY’S GREATEST HOUR OF NEED

VIEW DIGITAL EDITION AT PONCACITYMONTHLY.COM

We Know Exactly What You Wan t for graduat ion!

EASY CREDIT APPROVAL* GREAT PRE-OWNED INVENTORY! *See dealer for details

2415 N. 14TH • PONCA CITY • 580-765-5533 StutevilleFordPonca.com • StutevilleLincoln.com 2

May 2021

62nd ANNUAL

HHHHHHHH

GIVEAWAYS NIGHTLY!

THURSDAY - FRIDAY - SATURDAY JUNE 10 - 11 -12 • 8 PM NIGHTLY Ash & Prospect in Ponca City THURSDAY

6:00 pm Free Rodeo BBQ under the tent with ADVANCE rodeo ticket purchase 8:00 pm FAMILY NIGHT & TOUGH ENOUGH TO WEAR PINK NIGHT - Wear pink… proceeds

to benefit Breast Cancer Awareness *Rodeo Slack after the rodeo performance

Be sure to get a

Numbered Souvenir Program for your chance to win.

HHHHHHHH

NIGHTLY SPECIALTY ACT Tomas Garcilazo

FRIDAY

8:00 pm Rodeo performance honoring FIRST RESPONDERS

SATURDAY

10:00 am Rodeo Parade in downtown Ponca City 10:00 am Steer Roping at Rodeo Grounds 8:00 pm Rodeo performance honoring MILITARY

FREE CONCERT & DANCE

THURSDAY Matt Williams FRIDAY The Great Divide SATURDAY Jeremy Studdard

H ADULT WEEKEND PASS H

Good for all 3 nights - ONLY $25

ADVANCE DISCOUNT TICKETS at these locations now thru June 11 at 3 pm Equity Bank • RCB Bank • Tractor Supply Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce

THURSDAY FAMILY NIGHT Ages 12 & under: FREE, Adults: $15 Advance, $18 at the Gate

FRIDAY & SATURDAY

6 & under: FREE, Ages 7-12: $5, Adults: $15 Advance, $18 at the Gate

For online tickets or more information: 101wildwestrodeo.com May 2021

3

MAY 2021

FEATURES

7 Classic Beauty Schooners Cruzin Grand & Classic

Car Show Set for June 4 and 5

10 The Fairfax Chief

Small Town, Big Stories 13 Tarynn’s Journey to a New Heart Local Teen Suddenly in Need of

Lifesaving Heart Transplant

14 Gotham Comes To Ponca City

Festive Events Planned in Downtown

Ponca City

15 For the Love of Julian

#JujuStrong 24 Flags Over Ponca City Scout Troop 524 Brings Patriotic Service to Ponca City

28 Pandemic Partners

White Eagle Health Clinic

68 Jockeys & Juleps

•

VOL. 2 NO. 5

HUMOR & ENTERTAINMENT 40 Stew on That

by Rachel Stewart 40 Crossword Puzzle 49 Ponca City Monthly’s Geocash 56 Crossword Puzzle Answers 56 Children’s Book Review 57 Adult Book Review

CALENDARS

43 Chamber Link May Chamber Events 64 Kay County May Events

ARTS

36 Sounding Off

Music in & Around Ponca City 58 ARTSPACE Levi Thomison

HEALTH & BEAUTY

EDUCATION

routine 45 Birth in the time of COVID

67 Maccaroni and Cheese

COVID-19 Related Deaths 34 Pioneer Tech Business and Industry Services Works for Clients Success 39 Students Tour Poncan Theatre

Cowley Students Draw Inspiration From Historic Site 48 Education Corner Congratulations Graduates!

GARDENING

FAMILY & CHILDREN

May Flowers

Fostering Social Skills in an Era

42 Stretch to improve your workout

FOOD

Easy Pot-luck Favorite 62 Taste of theTown El Patio

51 Backyard Gardener

BUSINESS

18 Business Spotlight

Triad Complete Healthcare 4

May 2021

23 FEMA to Help Pay Costs for

55 Learning How To Play Again

of Social Distancing

69 Water Safety

Tips for Staying Safe on the Water

Publishing Company MyMediaMatters Marketing Agency Editor-in-Chief Kelsey Wagner Associate Editor & Advertisting Director Robyn Ryan Staff Writers Carey Head Jennifer Vaughan Jay Wagner Lauren Payne Andy Hicks Ad Design Robyn Ryan Magazine Design Andy Hicks Story Editor Sherry Cable Copy Editor Patrick Jordan Contributing Writers Paul Muehlberg Rachel Stewart Patrick Jordan Adam Leaming Lorrie Layton Kat Long Steve Scott Nancy Laffey Kera Kester Carol Conner Terri Busch Carrie Ballard Christina Rich-Splawn Gabby Anderson Marlys Cervantes Derion Schieber Dr. Margaret Bowman

© MyMediaMatters, LLC, dba Ponca City Monthly 2021.

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

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

Letter from the Editor

Partners These last few months, I’ve felt a recurring theme around about the importance of partnerships. Partnerships between businesses, between organizations, between governments, between tribes and even between friends. The pandemic laid bare the illusion that going it alone, or the theory that “every man/woman for themselves” is the best way to operate. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that people need other people. We do not exist in a vacuum, and especially in trying times, we rely on others for help. Not only do we need them; our social connections give us purpose. They provide meaning to our life. Our family and our community are the unseen fabric that weaves us together, and it is the thing that has held our society together as we have worked through the cultural complexities that are 2020 and 2021.

more important, “me”? Or “us”? Partnerships force you to look outside yourself and your own selfish interests and view the world from someone else’s perspective. Whether the partnership is raising money for an injured child, or one that needs a heart transplant or providing lifesaving vaccines to your neighbors, the next time you feel like something is missing in your life, look outside yourself for a moment, and find a neighbor to help. You’ll be amazed at how fulfilled you will suddenly feel.

Partnerships force people to decide one thing – which is editor@poncacitymonthly.com

FREE PUBLICATION Serving Northern Oklahoma

MAY 2021

PANDEMIC PARTNERS

HOW WHITE EAGLE HEALTH CLINIC AND THE PONCA TRIBE STEPPED UP TO SAVE LIVES IN OUR COMMUNITY’S GREATEST HOUR OF NEED

VIEW DIGITAL EDITION AT PONCACITYMONTHLY.COM

ON THE COVER

Marilyn Rink, LPN; Yvonne Warrior, Vaccine Coordinator; Kimberlee Burgess, RN/PHN; Daniel Sherron, Health Services Director; Kaycie Childs, LPN; Kari Pitts, RN from the White Eagle Health Clinic.

See Pandemic Partners on Page 28 Photography and Design by: Kelsey Wagner

HARRY MYERS, REALTOR-ASSOCIATE Your Friend in Real Estate!

Call or text me on my “Sell Phone” 580-382-1979. he.myers@yahoo.com CENTURY 21 - GROUP ONE 525 Monument • Ponca City • 580-762-0400

May 2021

5

Farm ! e l b a to T

The Housing Market is ROCKING, so let’s get ROLLING to sell your house and/or find your new one.

Mark Gibson, Realtor Metro Brokers of Oklahoma

0) 761-8124 8 (5 t a e m t x te r o Call and let’s play YOUR song!

o.com o h a y r@ o lt a re n o s markgib

Response

MORE

Attention

Ponca City 222 E Grand Ave (580) 718-9990

1417 E Hartford Ave (580) 718-4150

MORE

Expertise Newkirk 102 S Main St (580) 362-2511

equitybank.com Member FDIC

May 2021

Catering & weekday parties available.

– RESERVATIONS ONLINE OR BY PHONE – www.TSFork.com – 800-928-1840

is accepting new patients!

802 E Prospect Ave (580) 718-4100

6

Dinner served by reservation Friday and Saturday nights.

Set menus may be viewed online or on Facebook.

Phillip J. Knight, MD

Equity Means More MORE

A unique dining experience, TS Fork is a destination for locally sourced and farm-fresh food in plentiful servings with wonderful ambiance and atmosphere.

Dr. Knight has been practicing general medicine for 40+ years.

To schedule an appointment, please call 580-765-2498 Office located in Doctor’s Park at 400 Fairview, Suite 15, Ponca City

Schooners Cruzin Grand and Classic Car Show Set for June 4 and 5 Story by Lauren Payne/Staff Writer Photos Contributed by Mike Wynn Cruzin Grand and the Classic Car Show have been a longstanding part of Ponca City's event scene. The Classics Car Club started the events several years ago. After facing a decline in membership, they approached Mike and Krista Wynn of the Schooners Car Club to host the events five years ago.

Mike Wynn fell in love with classic cars at 16 with his first car, a 1950s Chevy. Krista Wynn has worked on cars with her Dad since she was a little kid. Together, they own 18 vehicles, nine classic cars, and one motorcycle.

"It's pretty much been a lifetime passion,” Krista Wynn said. “Just like anybody that likes cars, we just enjoy being a part of it.”

In recent years, Cruzin Grand has been held in conjunction with other community events like Ponca City Main Street's Battle of the Burger competition. This year there will be live music downtown as hundreds of Ponca City residents pack Grand Avenue.

"We don't try to restrict anything going on," Krista continued.

"Although we didn’t partner with the band or Ponca City Main Street for this year’s event, Ponca City Main Street always shows up for the city with something planned."

In the wake of the Corona pandemic, the Wynn's held Cruzin Grand and the Car Show last June with record-breaking numbers.

November 3, 2017 - Schooners Car Club with a donation to the automotive tech program at the Pioneer Technology Center

Friday night's Cruzin Grand averages 180-220 classic cars any given year because logistically, they can't fit more vehicles in the designated area, and more often than not, they're turning entries away. However, the Classic Car Show rivaled the previous years, increasing participant numbers from 40-60 to around 100 classic cars. Cars in attendance were from all over Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and even New Mexico.

See CAR Continued on Page 8

May 2021

7

CLASSIC BEAUTY Continued from page 7

"There were very few car shows within a 500mile radius last year. So,

by June, everyone was ready to get out and show off their vehicles,” Krista said.

They're projecting numbers to similar to last year's, as well.

"We received a lot of positive feedback from last year's events, so we're looking for a great turnout. We're hoping they'll return even if they have alternative options,” Krista added.

Cruzin Grand will be held Friday, June 4, from 6-10pm.

Participants must enter a vehicle 25 years or older or a special interest vehicle.

The Classic Car Show will kick off Saturday, June 5, from 8am-3pm at Lake Ponca. There's no restriction on what vehicles can be showcased at the car show.

There will also be a swap meet where vendors can come out for free and sell automobile-related items.

The registration for Cruzin Grand is $10, and the Classic Car Show entry is $20. Part

8

May 2021

"It's pretty much been a lifetime passion, just like anybody that likes cars, we just enjoy being a part of it.” of the proceeds each year are donated to the Pioneer Technology Center's automobile department.

In lieu of cash donations, the Wynn's purchase automobile-related items like oil, oil filters, and tools that are sometimes hard to procure with grant money.

Schooner's Car Club holds monthly meetings open to any car enthusiast, not necessarily a classic car owner. They meet the second Tuesday every month at Lakeside Grill at 6pm. They also have a Schooner's Car Club Facebook page where you can follow for more information on upcoming meetings and events.

h

WE’VE MOVED to 410 Fairview Avenue in Ponca City!

e s y .”

RYIAN CRENSHAW

Owner/Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist, OK Lic. #1069

ASHLEY LARIMER

Patient Care Coordinator

580-749-4227

www.hearinggroup.com Check us out on Facebook at Hearing Group Ponca City May 2021

9

The Fairfax Chief Small Town, Big Stories

Story & Photo Contributed by Carol Conner/The Fairfax Chief Photo Above: Left to right CNN cameraman Jordon Guzzardo films, CNN Reporter Sara Sidner interviews Carol Conner Editor of The Fairfax Chief and CNN’s Anna-Maja Rappard adjusts the lighting. The CNN crew was in the Osage covering the story of the Osage Nation effectively vaccinating both Osages and others for the COVID virus.

Being a small-town newspaper editor just isn’t the job you might think it is. Locals and outsiders alike think it only means you know the owner of every stray dog or cat.

But in over five years as editor of The Fairfax Chief, we’ve had several local stories turn into national stories. The corrupt practices of the owners of The Fairfax Community Hospital; the incredible story of our hospital employees working for four months without pay to save the place; and the subsequent bankruptcy made the front page of The Washington Post, as well as ABC News.

The wind farm built around Highway 60 without permission from the Osage Nation or their trustee, the federal government, has generated national and international attention. Enel, the international company that mined Osage Nation’s minerals without permission, even appealed to the Supreme Court, to no avail.

over the town for hours – then move on. Within a week they will begin filming in various sites here. Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro have been just across the street from our office.

We’ve been interviewed by several TV stations about the murders in the 1920s; about tornadoes that ripped the roofs off our most historic buildings, including the TallChief Theatre; and about the hospital situation.

But CNN hits like nothing else. Wanting to cover the story of Osage Nation and other tribes effectively getting vaccines to people, they reached out through the newspaper network – and Rusty Ferguson at The Cleveland American gave them our name.

Sara Sidner and her crew – Anna-Maja Rappard and Jordan Guzzardo – came in to The Fairfax Chief office in a pouring rainstorm – camera gear at the ready.

These incredible professionals quickly set up to film, drank one sip of coffee, then Sidner started in with an hour or more of questions that felt more like a conversation with a friend.

The story of the Osage murders in Fairfax in the 1920s has brought attention for years now. Once David Grann’s book, The Killers of the Flower Moon, was published in 2017, people have driven here from all over the country and calls came from many people in many places.

And then there you are a few short hours later – on national TV. Every idiosyncratic gesture, every hair out of place, every pandemic-inspired new pound and wrinkle – right there on national news for all of one sentence.

Dozens and dozens of movie folks – led by Martin Scorsese – take

Sidner and her crew were among the nicest media people we’ve met, but in the midst of trying to get the newspaper done and trying not to say anything foolish, the experience all felt pretty unreal.

And then there you are a few short hours later – on national TV. 10 May 2021

But the good news about being a small-town editor is that reality is never far away. Once the crew packed up and was gone, a local dog, panicked by the rainstorm, ran up onto our front porch. So, we did our small-town editor job and made sure it found its way safely home!

When you see something at an independent store that costs a little more, try to remember that big box stores don’t buy ads in the local football program, donate prizes to your silent auction and probably won’t sponsor the high school prom.

Celebrating

43 YEARS serving your pharmacy needs.

Toni’s

Artfully Crafted!

Shutters & Blinds

WESTSIDE DRUG & RX

3-Generation Family Tradition

301 W. Grand • Ponca City • 580-765-4456 Hours: Monday - Friday 8-6, Saturday 8-2

509 N. 1st St. • Ponca City • 580-762-1736

Showroom Hours: Mon. - Fri. 10 am - 5:30 pm, Sat. 9 am - 2 pm

Rod Wohl, Owner

New owner, Rod Wohl would like to thank the Wheeler family for trusting us to take over in Stan’s memory.

1501 N. Union Ponca City

580-765-5112

CELEBRATING

19 YEARS

3211 N. 14th • Ponca City

580-765-9339

Tari Stanbrough, Manager

Fully stocked! Stop by and check out our new items.

Same great staff!

SEE YA!

Always drink responsibly!

• Beer cave packed with ice cold beverages • Specializing in hard-to-find wines and spirits Always drink responsibly!

May 2021

11

OUR MISSION

is to serve Ponca City & its citizens by promoting quality of life through the revitalization of downtown. Our Vision is to make downtown the of our community! Our Transformation Strategies are Arts & Entertainment and Community Connection.

❤

Who Benefits from a Revitalized Downtown District?

Stakeholders Retail Business Owners

Property Owners

Financial Institutions

Benefits Greater opportunity for growth and expansion Expanded customer base Improved image Quality of business life District marketing strategies Less financial risk Stable or higher rents Increased occupancy rates Improved marketability of property Higher property values Assistance through Improvement Grants Expanded business customer base Expanded residential customer base Improved public image and goodwill Fulfillment of community reinvestment mandate

This is a partial list… look for more next month!

INVESTOR SPOTLIGHT – RICHARD WINTERROWD

Eastin Properties

Winterrowd Talley Architects, Inc.

Each month we will be featuring a long time Investor in Ponca City Main Street. It is through the support of these investors that we have been able to continue to improve the heart of our community, making it more vibrant each year.

Our first Investor Spotlight is Richard Winterrowd, of Eastin Properties and Winterrowd Talley Architects. Richard began his involvement with PCMS as a member of our Design Committee several years ago, before serving multiple terms on the Board of Directors. During Richard’s years of service, he was personally recognized with the “Spirit of Main Street” award and our “Main Street Hero” award. The Spirit of Main Street award was created to recognize the achievements of those who go above and beyond by Ponca City Main Street’s standards. Our Main Street Hero award goes to one outstanding community leader who has displayed a commitment to downtown and our program. We are so grateful for Richard and his endless support and dedication to Ponca City Main Street. “I think it’s important to support the downtown and revitalization especially as architects and design professionals”, says Richard. To him, supporting Main Street is “just like wearing your seat belt.” He views the investment as one every business should make.

Eastin Properties is a 60,000-sq.-ft. building located on a prime corner at 3rd Street & Grand Avenue. Eastin offers spectacular views of our downtown with build-to-suit office spaces that are available for rent. Richard and his wife Debbie began renovating the historic 1924 Masonic Building in 2013. Prior to their ownership, the property had suffered from deferred maintenance and dwindling occupancy. Richard and Debbie have put their time, talent & treasure into rehabilitating this historic gem. Since they purchased the property in 2013, they’ve grown the occupancy from 5 to 25 tenants in some of the most beautiful office spaces downtown! Winterrowd Talley Architects is owned by Richard Winterrowd and Salley Talley.

Some of the projects in their portfolio include Ponca City High School’s Football Locker Room, Sullins Stadium Press Box, Weight Training Facilities at Robson Field House and the Ponca City Concert Hall. The project nearest and dearest to our hearts is their design of the Veterans’ Memorial Plaza in downtown Ponca City.

Our sincere thanks go out to Richard and his team for their support of PCMS as Investors through both Eastin Properties & Winterrowd Talley Architects.

YOU CAN HELP

❤

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

12 May 2021

T t

DINE-IN • TAKE OUT • CURBSIDE • CATERING

Salad Bar Friday & Saturday Nights • Saturday Breakfast Buffet

J.W. COBBS’S

BUY ONE BURGER, GET ONE 1/2 PRICE ALL DAY Wednesday Coupon expires May 31, 2021

✄ COUPON ✄

Local Teen Suddenly in Need of Lifesaving Heart Transplant

3200 N. 14th • Ponca City • 580-762-8525 • HOURS: Mon.-Sat. 7 am - 9 pm

✄ COUPON ✄

Tarynn’s Journey to a New Heart

J.W. COBB’S Family RESTAURANT J.W. COBBS’S

15% OFF

Dine-In Purchase of $20 or more

Coupon expires May 31, 2021

Story & Photos Contributed by Carrie Ballard (Tarynn's cousin)

Gifts for Moms & Grads Vera Bradley bags, robes & throws in a variety of prints and OU and OSU Consuela Handbags • Gift Certificates Too many other gift items to list!

Tarynn Stewart is a 15-year-old, lifetime resident of Ponca City who is now suddenly facing the unimaginable – she needs a heart transplant.

On March 31, 2021, Tarynn’s mom Sarah noticed some swelling in her legs. She contacted Tarynn’s regular pediatrician who did not seem concerned. Sarah, following mother’s intuition, took her to urgent care in Ponca City. Tarynn was immediately rushed to OU Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City, where she remained for the next 12 days, undergoing many tests including an MRI scan and a heart catheter.

The final diagnosis was ‘Restrictive Cardiomyopathy.’ There is no treatment or surgery to cure this condition or prolong the heart’s viability. The only cure is a heart transplant.

On April 11, 2021, Tarynn returned home to Ponca City, but only long

324 E. Grand, PC • (580) 749-0880 • honey-beeboutique.com Tarynn with her cousin, Addie Rower.

enough to visit with family and get prepared to travel to St. Louis a week later. On April 19, Tarynn checked into St. Louis Children’s Hospital to undergo testing to ensure her body would be strong enough for the transplant surgery. The doctors have said she will remain in St. Louis for about a week, and then will be able to return to Ponca City until a heart becomes available. She will see her cardiologist at OU Children’s Hospital biweekly while waiting for her new heart.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

Taking pre-orders for Mother’s Day

1904 JANE • PONCA CITY • 580.749.5404

See TARYNN Continued on Page 21

Get smart about your discounts!

Call me at 580-762-4461

KENNY WHEELER

Tarynn with her parents in Honduras during a cruise.

216 E. Grand Ave. Ponca City, OK 74601 Lic: #3000167216 May 2021

13

THURS. JUNE 3

Starting at Dusk - Free “Batman and Robin” Movie (1997) with costume contest.

RecPlex, 1604 W. Grand Ave. Presented by Ponca City Parks and Recreation.

FRI. JUNE 4

Festive Events Planned in Downtown Ponca City Story Contributed by Christina Rich-Splawn and Kat Long HOLY CREATIVE COMMUNITY! Several downtown organizations are joining forces to bring our favorite caped crusader and his cast of friends and foes to Downtown Ponca City for a city-wide arts and culture celebration June 3rd – 5th. The weekend promises a little something for fans of every age to don their cape and cowl and wander Grand Ave. The project is a creative one-two punch by Kat Long with the City Development Authority and the Ponca City Playhouse and local artist Christina “X-tina” RichSplawn. Meeting in the dynamic duo’s secret lair high above Ponca City’s main street, the two discussed how the idea for a creative comic book themed weekend took shape.

"For several years, Kat and I have bemoaned that getting all the arts and culture organizations to cooperate on a project wasn't on anybody's radar. So, we put our heads together and came up with an initial proposal which would do just that, as an experiment,” said Christina. “It is generally acknowledged that Kat and I are dangerous when we work together.

We are also very determined!" she added with a laugh.

Dangerous and determined are two very important components to being a good superhero, but they didn’t need their superpowers to make this event happen. Kat explained the once the idea took shape it did not take long for the whole city to come together behind the idea.

“It started with talk of a Ponca City weekend event and when The Arts Center, Main Street, RecPlex, Poncan Theatre, Playhouse and Christina came together in the first meeting, a Batman theme with Gotham Comes to Ponca City was chosen. The Ponca City Arts Council and PC Tourism joined the group as well as Survivor Resource Center, whose organization hosts Herb Festival and our little Weekend in Ponca City Collaboration was formed.”

14 May 2021

On Saturday June 5th at 7:00pm Christina will lead a superhero cast presenting “Batman in The Courtyard” at the City Central Courtyard. The show will be a live production of the classic Batman TV sitcom using both talents from the Ponca City Playhouse along with a little audience participation. But do not be surprised if you run into Poison Ivy or other characters around downtown popping up at various events.

"This weekend will showcase so many of Ponca CIty's art organizations and give those visiting Ponca City for Herb Festival or The Art Crawl other reasons to stay in town and love Ponca City as much as we do," explained Christina.

And loving Ponca City is the real theme hiding behind the mask of all the weekend's planned happenings.

Kat said she is excited to be able to present most of this year’s events for free thanks to $1000 donation made by a local arts supporter and a grant from Oklahoma Arts Council that will cover the cost of the movie royalties, costuming, lighting, and marketing. Check out the full list of events to the right.

6-8pm “Batman Lego Movie” Special Child Care package for the evening.

Poncan Theatre, 104 E. Grand Ave. $5 per child, includes special craft session, photos with Bat-Man and movie.

9pm “Batman” (1989) Special admission price of $5 per person.

Presented by Poncan Theatre and Ponca City Parks and Recreation.

SAT. JUNE 5

8am-4pm Herb Festival, a celebration of gardening at LA Cann Garden, 1500 E. Grand Ave. Presented by Survivor Resource Network.

Noon-7pm Arts Crawl on Grand Ave. Spotlighted artists and shops in the Grand Arts District. Presented

by Ponca City Art Association.

7pm-9pm “Bat-man in the Courtyard” free audience participation performance of the TV series, City Central Courtyard, 400 E. Central Ave. Presented by Ponca City Development Authority and Ponca Playhouse.

"These types of events assist to recruit workforce to our area," stated Kat. "Quality of Life is important when looking for a new community and this collaboration hopes to showcase the arts organizations and events that our wonderful town has to offer someone visiting or seeking a new place to live."

9pm-11pm Free Concert/Dance with Mark Galloway and Jerry Wilson, City Central Courtyard, 400 E. Central Ave. Presented by Ponca City Arts and Humanities.

Get your friends on the Bat-phone and make plans to attend all the exciting events planned for the weekend of June 3rd -5th. Don’t forget to check the Ponca City Monthly events page at poncacitymonthly.com for this and other great events happening in Kay County.

7pm-11pm Cash Bar, Central Fare 210 S. 4th St. Organized by Ponca City Main Street and Ponca City Art Association.

Bat-Chow - Food Trucks Available, City Central parking lot, 400 E. Central Ave. Organized by Ponca City Main Street.

Please note: All times and locations are subject to change due to weather

For the Love of Julian #JujuStrong

Story & Photos Contributed by Kat Long and Gabby Anderson Some of you may have seen the banners, the yard signs, heard parts of the story or even already donated to the fund.

This story is about a boy who was badly injured in a freak accident. But even more than his story, this is the story of family and friends here in Ponca City and how we take care of our own.

It was a Friday like many other Fridays; except the kids were in school on a day they were not expecting to be in school.

And there was a bus. And a hill. And a young man on a bike. And then there were frantic phone calls to parents,

lifeflights, emergency surgeries, tearful updates and the always horrible waiting.

Julian Aguilar was involved in a horrible accident on Friday, April 2nd. And as he fought for his life this past Easter weekend with his parents by his side; as he was life flighted twice in as many days, his Ponca City friends and family came together and made a plan. A Go Fund Me was created, flyers were made and distributed, a beer was named, a rib fundraiser was started, yard signs were staked and business banners put up.

And prayers for the family. Lots and lots of prayers.

Julian Dec

26, 2020

This isn’t a short story. It is a long story; a continuing story about our community rallying around a family in need. It isn’t the first time and it won’t be the last.

Sergio Aguilar, Julian’s dad, is well known for helping out; for pitching in when a family or friend is in need. Now is our chance to give back. #JujuStrong

Aguilar’s Christmas 2019

The Go Fund Me is halfway to its goal of $100,000. A bank account for the family to access funds has been created through Equity Bank and food card donations for the three siblings here in Ponca City

See Julian Continued on Page 17

Scan the QR code above to donate to the Go Fund Me.

May 2021

15

16 May 2021

2021 PC United all academy and competitive teams show their support for Julian.

JULIAN Continued from page 15

waiting for their brother are much appreciated. Keep in mind their grandmother is more of a cook than a drive thru Grand, so grocery gift cards are the best.

Cash’s Cookin has hosted a rib cook with proceeds going to the Aguilar family.

Businesses can host a banner by reaching out to Anderson & Co Salon at 580.749.5807 and yards signs for houses can be rented for support of the Aguilar family by calling A2Z Yard Cards at 580.401.5608. Vortex Alley Brewing released a black currant/blackberry/ raspberry sour ale on April 15th named For the Love of Juju with a large portion of all sales going to the family. Pioneer Nutrition donated 50% of sales on April 10th and Chili’s Restaurant had three Give Back Nights in Julian’s name in April. Lily Moore, Stephen and Shawn Young printed t-shirts and stickers as fundraisers. Sweets and More hosted a Facebook auction where small businesses donated items and all the proceeds went to the Aguilar Family.

Juju’s sports families quickly had t-shirts made, bracelets ordered and took pictures with signs to show their support; their love for Juju.

As we enter into May, we know Ponca City family and friends will want to continue to support the Aguilars. Scan the QR code on page 15 to donate to the Go Fund Me, purchase a day or week of signs for your yard or business and send up a prayer for Juju and his family.

CR UZIN’ GRAND & CA R SHOW PONCA CITY

CRUZIN’ GRAND FRIDAY JUNE 4 6-10 pm

To cruz Grand, vehicle must be at least 25 years old or a special interest vehicle.

Cost to cruz is $10. Must have valid driver’s license and insurance.

Christmas 2020: Aguilar boys left to right, Front: Christina; Back: Sergio, Clayton, Julian (Juju)

Line up will be at 3rd and Central downtown.

CAR SHOW & SWAP MEET

CAR SHOW

CASH PRIZES HHH

ORS FOOD VEND

Saturday!

CAR SHOW PRIZE $ 1,200 Tyner’s Transmission Gift Certificate

SATURDAY JUNE 5 Lake Ponca Park Registration starts at 8 am.

Cost is $20.

Awards will be presented at 2:30 pm.

All vehicles welcome.

Swap Meet: no set-up fee for vendors.

Plenty of space.

Thrift Store

111 N. 3rd Ponca City, Ok

For questions, call Michael Wynn at 580-716-1175 or contact us at facebook.com/SchoonersCarClub.

Julian playing at home field in Ponca on March 27, 2020.

Schooners Car Club is a proud sponsor of Pioneer Technology Center’s Automotive Education Program.

May 2021

17

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18 May 2021

Second Generation Expands Family Business Into Family Practice Bintz Brothers Expand 40-Year Pharmacy Business Into Full-Service Medical Care Story and Photographs by Carey Head/Staff Writer Walking into Bintz Pharmacy, customers are greeted with smiling, familiar faces. The Bintz family has owned and operated the small drugstore since 1979. The business was built upon the expert fulfillment of both commercially available pharmaceuticals and the custom creation of compounded medications for specific patient issues when commercial drugs couldn’t meet their needs.

But many things have changed in their 40 years of business.

Customers now enjoy the convenience of four high-speed drive-through lanes, refill text alerts and online prescription refills. This year, Bintz Pharmacy is adding another dimension to customer care: a full-fledged medical practice

under the same roof.

Imagine the convenience, the relief, of leaving a visit to the doctor’s office with more than just a written prescription but the actual medication in your hand.

Prescription fulfillment is just steps away – actually, just across the waiting room.

This streamlining of medical care is exactly what brothers Matthew and Damon Bintz have in mind.

The opening of this full-service medical clinic is the first of several new services they plan to offer customers.

The venture, Triad Complete Healthcare, offers medical care under the same roof as Bintz Pharmacy. Kay County’s only pain

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Stop by soon to enter our drawing to win this 36” Blackstone Grill.

It’s our way of welcoming Spring. Drawing is May 21st.

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Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm • Saturday 9 am - noon Tamra Newlin, Manager • Diana Almanza, Asst. Manager

We offer cash loans starting at $15900 Most approvals in 15 minutes or less!

Bad Credit, No Credit, Previous Bankruptcies, ALL WELCOME! Don’t pre judge your credit • $20 Referral Bonuses Paid Brothers Damon Bintz, left, and Matt Bintz purchased Bintz Pharmacy from their father Gary Bintz in 2017. Gary purchased his interest in the former O’Connor Pharmacy in 1979.

Carrying on the family tradition, Damon and Matt serve as presidents of Bintz Pharmacy and Triad Complete Healthcare. Triad is housed inside Bintz Pharmacy, 2701 N. 14th, Ponca City.

management specialty service, along with full primary care is at the heart of Triad clinic. Both businesses are owned by Damon and Matt after they purchased Bintz Pharmacy from their father Gary Bintz in 2017.

Clinical Pharmacist Alex LaBossiere explains how the idea became reality. “The (area) doctors have been full for years, and then Ponca lost several doctors recently, and that’s when we decided to fulfill that need.

It’s not just a problem here in Ponca, it’s a ubiquitous problem outside any major metropolitan area that you don’t have specialty talent. That’s why we got into this business: to improve access to care.”

Mark Oatman, M.D., leads the medical staff. He is joined by Family Nurse Practitioner Natalie Downing; Megan Lawver, NP;

IMAGINE THE CONVENIENCE, THE RELIEF, OF LEAVING A VISIT TO THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE WITH MORE THAN JUST A WRITTEN PRESCRIPTION BUT THE ACTUAL MEDICATION IN YOUR HAND.

See BINTZ Continued on Page 20

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19

BINTZ Continued from page 21

Alex LaBossiere is a clinical pharmacist balancing his time between Triad Complete Healthcare and Bintz Pharmacy. The Ponca City native is one of four staff pharmacists at Bintz Pharmacy, along with (not pictured) Darin Coggins, Augusta Wyatt and Caryen Fergeson rounding out the Doctor of Pharmacy-degreed staff. Breia Willaford is Pharmacy Manager.

and Shyann Voss, CNA. Alex handles chronic care management. Burgandy Trant and Amy Rosenthal manage the medical practice.

The staff began seeing patients in August 2020. Demand has grown exponentially with the need for space moving to the top of the to-do list. A 2,160-square foot addition will be constructed at the building’s existing west side to house the clinic.

Triad is an authorized vaccine distribution site for COVID-19, flu, pneumonia and shingles. In addition to pain management, cardiac care, diabetic care, hormone replacement therapy, sports physicals, pediatric and women’s health care are offered. For more information, visit www.BintzPharmacy.com or call 580-765-9451.

Nurse Practitioner Natalie Downing, left, and Triad Office Manager Burgandy Trant pause to remove masks and smile for a quick photo. Natalie earned her advanced Family Nurse Practitioner, or FNP, degree from University of Southern Alabama, Mobile.

L w h m d m d

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20 May 2021

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We stock Traeger wood pellets, rib racks, drip tray liners, bucket liners, covers and more!

S

CENTURY 21 GROUP ONE

Yard sign placed at Tarynn's home on April 16

FRANCES COONROD

TARYNN Continued from page 13

Once doctors can confirm Tarynn is strong enough for the surgery, and that there is a good chance her body will accept the heart, they will determine her place on the transplant list. While in St. Louis, she will be fitted for a Life Vest, which is a device that will monitor her heart rhythm, and in the event her heart goes into a life-threatening arrhythmia, it will shock it back to normal rhythm.

Luckily, because of Tarynn’s age, she will be able to accept a full-size adult heart, which should make it easier to match her with a donor heart. Finding donor hearts for small children is much more difficult, as small hearts do not become available as often.

If you would like to follow her story, search “Tarynn’s Journey to a New Heart” on Facebook. If you would like to help, there are several ways you can:

iI

Family members have setup a GoFundMe account to benefit the Stewarts, and it can be found at: https://gofund.me/ca9ddfed

580-761-1712 Frances.Coonrod@ gmail.com

MULTI-COLORED MAY POLE

Let me help you keep your buying or selling transaction untangled.

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Negotiations and Market Savvy to Bring You Great Re Call or Text me @ 580-761-1712 To Experience th Kanza Human Development Division

There is also a fund set up at RCB Bank Ponca City under “Tarynn Stewart Benefit Fund.”

If you would like a “Tarynn Strong” T-shirt, you can order at this website, and all proceeds go to benefit Tarynn and her parents: https://form. jotform.com/211063077854152

Cradle To College & Beyond 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.

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

Sales from "Tarynn Strong” t-shirts will go towards Tarynn's medical costs.

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

OFFICE HOURS Monday through Friday 8 am - 4 pm

Closed Federal & Tribal Holidays.

To set up an appointment, please call

580-749-5420

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

OFFICE LOCATION City Central Building 400 E. Central Avenue Suite 206 May 2021

kanzahumandevelopmentdivision.com

Tarynn is the daughter of Hershel and Sarah Stewart, and granddaughter to Will and Sandy Kirkpatrick, of Ponca City, and the late Terry and Vickie Stewart, also of Ponca.

The family is beyond grateful for the outpouring of support for Tarynn, and for the prayers being sent her way. Please keep them coming!

21

NOW HIRING (Full- & Part-Time)

• Habilitation Training Specialist • House Manager • Maintenance

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• Cashier/Cook (Grand Cafe) Apply in person — 3rd floor of Marland Mall, 417 E. Grand, enter through alley, PLEASE BRING 2 FORMS OF ID. You may also email Jennifer at sclhrassist@sclok.com BENEFITS • Starting pay is $8-12/hour, based on experience • Raises/promotions available • BCBS healtth insurance • Insure Oklahoma available • Paid life insurance ($10K) • Company-matched 401K • Paid vacation • PTO • Paid training — CPR, MAT certification • Referral bonuses • PPE & safety equipment • COVID-19 vaccine clinic

REQUIREMENTS • Must be 18 yrs. of age • High school diploma or GED • Valid Oklahoma ID • Pass OSBI background check

H CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT THROUGHOUT PANDEMIC H

Are You Storm Weather Ready?

Call Ponca City Energy at 767-0405 and we will send you a complimentary copy of “Guide to Power Outages.” This booklet provides information about how to stay safe and stay ing the Benefits informed during Thank you Ponca City for believing in & supporting power loss. ocal Power! your very own Municipality!

FEMA to Help Pay Funeral Costs for COVID 19-Related Deaths Do you qualify for compensation?

Story by Andy Hicks /Staff Writer As COVID-19 swept across the planet the effects were felt here in Ponca City and across Kay County. Many of our neighbors and friends were unexpectedly faced with hospital bills and funeral expenses. A new program from FEMA hopes to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic.

Q: Who is eligible to receive the FEMA assistance?

Starting in April, FEMA will begin providing financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020 for deaths related to coronavirus (COVID-19).

Preston Childress who is a funeral director at Trout Funeral Home answered a few questions to help us better understand who is eligible for assistance and how to submit the application.

C: They will need an official death certificate that attributes the death to COVID-19 and shows that the death occurred in the United States.

The death certificate must indicate the death “may have been caused by” or “was likely the result of” COVID-19 or COVID-19-like symptoms.

Similar phrases that indicate a high likelihood of COVID-19 are considered sufficient.

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22 May 2021

C: To be eligible for assistance the death had to have taken place after Jan. 20, 2020 and the death will have to be attributed to COVID-19.

Q: What kind of documents does someone need?

See FEMA Continued on Page 25

Treatment programs include, but are not limited to: ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

CHF/Cardiac Care Orthopedic Needs Wound Care Needs Medication Education Blood Disorders Pain Management

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

Diabetes COPD CVA Post-Surgery or Injury Needs

ACCEPTING COVID-19 PATIENTS TELE-HEALTH PHYSICIANS’ VISITS

Leave Window Cleaning to the Experts!

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS!

We thank all nurses in Ponca City and all over this nation.

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Personal Injury • Workers’ Comp • Social Security Disability Medical Malpractice • Truck Wrecks

Jim Devinney

Derek Ingle

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23

Flags Over Ponca City Scout Troop 524 Brings Patriotic Service to Ponca City Story by Jay Wagner/Staff Writer Photo Contributed by Billy Palmer Editor's Note: Jay Wagner is the Scoutmaster for Ponca City Troop 524, chartered by First Lutheran Church.

On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

This is the Scout Oath, a mantra repeated by millions of boys and girls at their weekly meetings all across the country. They are learning about the importance of community service and the qualities it takes to be a good citizen. They are learning about love of country and to have a sense of duty and a belief in selflessness. Scouts also learn other important qualities described in the Scout Law such as trustworthiness, loyalty, honesty and even how to be thrifty by helping earn their own way to afford monthly campouts, paying dues and going to summer camp (which is often

their greatest expense). As with other programs (such as sports and performing arts) the costs can add up often burdening a family’s wallet, so scouting troops seek various fundraisers throughout the year to help offset these costs on the family.

The most notable fundraiser comes every Fall when you see Ponca City canvassed by Scouts and their younger Cub Scout counterparts dressed in their uniforms knocking on your door asking if you’d like to buy various tins of popcorn and/or donate some to military personnel abroad. While this is a great opportunity for scouts to earn their way, it often doesn’t fully offset costs. The money earned through popcorn sales is trickled down through the popcorn vendor, the local scouting council, the troop and then finally to the scouts’ accounts. This is typically enough to help pay for dues and monthly campouts but not uniforms, camping gear or, especially, the higher cost of a summer camp or a high adventure expedition such as a Philmont trek. Events such as these are the Super Bowls of the scouting world. They are where troops from all across the nation gather and put their skills to the test, to let loose and have fun in a camp setting for at least a week away from the distractions of the city. These are what the scouts sign up for, what they love about the program.

However, these events take a lot of planning, effort and manpower to put on. There’s food to prepare and supplies that are needed, which drives costs up for these camps.

So, this is why citizens may see different scouting troops offering various products or services throughout the year such as car washes, beef jerky sales, event parking fees or services, golf scrambles, pancake feeds, etc.

See FLAGS Continued on Page 28 Jason Palmer, Life Scout

24 May 2021

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number 844-684-6333 | TTY: 800-462-7585

ACCIDENTS HAPPEN!

No matter what your health care needs may be, we are here to help.

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (ET) FEMA Continued from page 22

Additionally, you should have documents related to your funeral expense such as receipts and funeral home contracts that include the applicant’s name, the deceased individual’s name, the amount of funeral expenses and dates the funeral expenses were incurred.

Q What if I received financial assistance to help pay for my funeral?

C: You will need to provide a list of funds received from other sources specifically used toward funeral costs.

The FEMA assistance program may not duplicate benefits received from burial or funeral insurance, financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, federal/state/local/tribal/ territorial government programs or agencies, or other sources.

Q: Are pre-planned and prepaid funerals eligible for reimbursement if the individual died due to COVID-19?

C: Unfortunately, No. Any source of payment designated specifically to pay for a funeral in anticipation of a future death cannot be reimbursed under this assistance. This includes burial or funeral insurance, a pre-paid funeral contract, a pre-paid trust for funeral expenses, or an irrevocable trust for Medicare.

Q: What If multiple family members helped pay for the funeral? Can we all apply?

C: If multiple individuals contributed toward funeral expenses, it would be best if they applied under a single application as applicant and co-applicant. FEMA will also consider documentation from other individuals not listed as the applicant

and co-applicant who may have incurred funeral expenses as part of the registration for the deceased individual. However they will still need to provide receipts and contracts that include the applicant’s name, the deceased individual’s name, the amount of funeral expenses and dates the funeral expenses were incurred.

Q: if I had multiple deaths in my family, can I apply multiple times?

C: An applicant may apply for multiple deceased individuals.

Q How much financial assistance could I receive?

C: This assistance is limited to a maximum financial amount of $9,000 per funeral and a maximum of $35,500 per application.

Q: How will I receive my payment?

C: If you are eligible for funeral assistance, you will receive a check by mail, or funds by direct deposit.

You can choose how you receive your payment before completing your application.

Q: Can I just bring my paperwork to you and have you apply on behalf of the family?

C: Unfortunately, we cannot apply on behalf of a family or to be a coapplicant on the Funeral Assistance application. The person applying must be an individual, not a business, and must show they incurred expenses related to a funeral.

To begin your application or to find out more information about this assistance, visit COVID-19 Funeral Assistance FEMA.gov., Currently there is no deadline to apply.

WALK-IN CLINIC, NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY Ponca Plaza Shopping Center, 2101 N 14th, Suite 114

580-762-1552

Open 7 Days a Week • Mon.-Sat. 9-8:30 & Sun. 10-5:30 MINOR EMERGENCY

• On-site lab • EKG • On-site digital x-rays • Laceration/wound care • IV fluids & medications • Flu shots • Sports physicals • Fracture care: splints/casting, crutches & follow-up care

OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE

• Treatment for work-related illness/injury • Follow-up with continuity of care • Pre employment physical exams • DOT physical exams • Referrals to physical therapy • Specialists & specialized testing • Employee drug screening (DOT/non-DOT) • Pulmonary function testing • Basic vision & hearing testing

COVID-19 TESTING – Results in 15 Minutes!

FDA-APPROVED RAPID TEST We can file these tests with your insurance!

May 2021

25

FLAGS Continued from page 24

Ponca City, OK

In an effort to streamline fundraising, and as a patriotic service to the community, Troop 524 is offering a subscription-based fundraiser to bring a patriotic flair to your yard and neighborhood. Subscriptions in this inaugural year will be limited, so slots will fill up fast.

Imagine seeing our great American flag posted all over Ponca City on holidays such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veteran’s Day. Troop 524 hopes this fundraiser will bring a sense of pride, patriotism, respect and love for our country and put it on full display throughout our beautiful city.

How does this fundraiser work?

le la, Nicole, Tiffany, Jessica & Michel

L to R: Teonna, Kerry, Jennifer, Kay

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

Scouts and adult leaders will visit each residence and prepare a semipermanent spot in the front yard approximately 18 inches from the curb where they can easily post the flag on five separate holidays from

Imagine seeing our great American flag posted all over Ponca City on holidays such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veteran’s Day. Memorial Day to Veteran’s Day. On each holiday morning, the Troop will post a large 3ft x 5ft American flag in your yard and then retrieve it that evening.

This fundraiser is a great opportunity for Scouts from Troop 524 to share their patriotism and love of their community with you. Sign up today at www.FlagsOverPoncaCity.com and let freedom ring!

DETAILS WHO: This benefits Troop 524 of First Lutheran Church &

School

WHAT: A 3ft x 5ft American flag on a 10ft pole displayed in your yard from morning to evening.

When: Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day & Veteran’s Day

(if inclement weather arises on any particular holiday, Scouts will trade that holiday with Patriot’s Day (Sept.11).

Challenge Accepted!

WHERE: Centered in your front yard approximately 18 inches

from the curb

WHY: To help with costs associated with uniforms, gear, sum-

mer camps, and experiences.

Foreign and Domestic Repair Genesis Laser-Guided Frame Equipment Exclusive asTech™ Technology

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26 May 2021

HOW MUCH: $50/yr subscription. Automatically renews so you don’t have to worry about missing a sign-up period. Just sit back and enjoy the beauty of having Old Glory on display year after year!

HOW TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT: Simply go to www.FlagsOverPoncaCity.com and subscribe!

In Celebration of

National Stroke Awareness Month

AllianceHealth Ponca City would like to remind you to

BE FAST

and CALL

911

When it comes to STROKE

n p n t

Balance Eyes Face Arm Speech Time

y e r y m

Watch for sudden loss of balance.

Check for vision loss.

Look for an uneven smile.

Check if one arm is weak.

Watch for of balance. for sudden trouble loss speaking and confusion.

Call 911 right away.

Stroke symptoms are always urgent. Don’t hesitate to call 911 to seek emergency medical treatment.

We help people get well and live healthier by providing safe, quality healthcare, building enduring relationships with our patients, and providing value for the people and community we serve.

1900 N 14th St Ponca City, OK 74601 AllianceHealthPoncaCity.com

AllianceHealth Ponca City is certified in Acute Stroke Readiness by The Joint Commission.

May 2021

27

PANDEMIC PARTNERS How White Eagle Health Clinic And The Ponca Tribe Stepped Up To Save Lives In Our Community's Greatest Hour Of Need Story by Kelsey Wagner/Editor-in-Chief Editor’s Note: On Feb. 25, 2021, I drove to White Eagle Health Clinic (WEHC). I had never been to the tiny community of White Eagle, which lies just five miles south of Ponca City. But in my desperate search to find a vaccine, I reached out to a tribal friend who said WEHC had extras, and that anyone, including nonnatives, were now eligible for the leftover vaccines. That February morning, I called in hopes of making an appointment, and by 2 p.m. that same day, I received my first vaccine. As I sat in the chair, the nurses sweetly asked me how I was doing, if I needed anything and thanked me for choosing to be vaccinated. Most lifelong Oklahomans are aware of the historic injustices done to Native Americans. At the moment I received my vaccine, sitting in that chair, in a clinic I had never been to, the ironic juxtaposition of their complete and utter selflessness hit me all at once, and I began to cry quietly. Here I was, a white woman, receiving a lifesaving vaccine from one of the many tribes who have been historically mistreated. I will never forget the kindness of the Ponca Tribe members that day. Many of my friends went to WEHC in the days and weeks after that and were all vaccinated. Because of WEHC, I received my vaccine one month before I would have otherwise been eligible to receive it from the state health department. After a long year living in fear of getting sick, I will be forever grateful to the Ponca Tribe. Racial issues are complex, and I have no answers on how to fix them.

Yet, I am compelled to tell the story of how and why the Ponca Tribe chose to vaccinate nonnative members.

The First Vaccine in Kay County Daniel Sherron was the first person in Kay County to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Sherron is also the Director of WEHC for the Ponca Tribe Indians of Oklahoma and understood that he was setting an

28 May 2021

example for his tribe and fellow citizens.

“Everyone was kind of hesitant,” Sherron said. “There was a lot of misinformation out there on vaccines, the positives and the unknown reactions. To try and help ease that worry, I was the first person to take it in Kay County on Dec. 17. We wanted to be able to film it, post it on

"To try and help ease that worry, I was the first person to take it in Kay County" social media and show people that this is no different than getting a flu shot.”

Sherron explains that each tribe was given the option to coordinate with either the state or federal government on vaccine distribution.

All the tribes of Oklahoma opted to coordinate with the federal government, and by October were working closely with the Indian Health Service to prepare for distribution.

Sherron says essential tribal members immediately began receiving vaccinations after Dec. 17 – no appointments or sign-ups needed.

The WEHC conducted vaccinations based on priority, and people were encouraged to walk in any time from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

“When our rollout started, we targeted our elders first. They were a top priority,” said Sherron.

Native Americans have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, with overall higher rates of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths than any other racial or ethnic group.

As of March 2021, Native Americans were 1.7 times more likely than white Americans to contract COVID-19, and 3.7 times more likely to be hospitalized with it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

They also were 2.4 times more likely to die from the virus, the CDC found.

Sherron says the Ponca Tribe has lost many, many members, but the loss has been especially devastating as many of those lost were elders.

“The COVID-19 virus doesn’t recognize race, color or ethnicity. We have a lot of fresh graves at our cemetery [due to] COVID-19, and I’m sure the other cemeteries in the area do too.

Due to our people’s high rate of comorbidities,

See PARTNERS Continued on Page 30

Daniel Sherron receiving the first COVID vaccine in Kay County.

(Photo contributed by Daniel Sherron)

You Are Welcome Here…

So Much to Offer for Families, Couples and Singles!

GOLFING • DINING • TENNIS • SWIMMING • MUCH MORE!

I would like to extend a personal invitation for you to consider becoming a member of your Ponca City Country Club. Please give me a call for more information and a tour.

Chad Barney, General Manager, 580-762-2436, cbarney@pccclub.com

Ponca City Country Club

1101 N. Pecan

Remodeled

Pro Shop NOW OPEN!

We offer an 18-hole par 72 Perry Maxwelldesigned scenic golf course on 260 acres.

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poncacitycountryclub.com May 2021

29

PARTNERS Continued from page 29

along with other minorities, our death rate is higher,” says Sherron.

Vaccinating Educators

Daniel Sherron, Director of WEHC

Daniel Sherron, in addition to being the Director of WEHC, also serves on the faculty at both Northern Oklahoma College and Southwestern College, Kansas, and as a teacher, understood deeply how important vaccinating educators was. Sherron recalls his discussion with Kim Burgess, Public Health Nurse for the Ponca Tribe.

Kim leads all COVID-19 response at the clinic.

“After we started going through our tribal priority people, it bothered us that teachers were not moving on the state’s level of priority,” Sherron said.

“I talked with Kim, and we both had the same idea. Until our teachers are vaccinated, sending our students to school isn’t safe for our tribal people, because a lot of our kids and tribal members live in multigenerational households. We wanted to help, so we talked to Shelley Arrott and offered our services near the end of January,” said Sherron.

“I knew early on there was going to be an influx in vaccinations, and I knew the overall scope was going to change.”

In her response to Ponca City Monthly’s inquiry regarding any impact WEHC may have had on PCPS vaccination accessibility, Arrott wrote, "As a superintendent, the safety and health of the students and staff is always the top priority.

While we tried to keep our students in school for as much in-person learning as possible, with COVID-19 Risk Levels reaching an all-time high after the holidays, we still did not have a definite date of when the educator phase

"The forward thinking, generosity and kindness of the White Eagle Health Center prevented numerous health issues and likely saved lives from implications of COVID-19."

for vaccines would begin. WEHC had vaccinated tribal elders and members of the Ponca Tribe and made the decision to put teachers next on the inoculation list, which was a very powerful statement. As sovereign nations, tribes could create their vaccination priority list, and tribal efforts have been critical to the vaccination of educators statewide."

WEHC provided a total of four clinics to vaccinate 160 staff, which equated to about 35% of the staff members who wanted the vaccine, with the initial and booster dose. The four clinics were

30 May 2021

completed prior to PCPS’s Spring Break on March 12. With many educators in other counties not being fully vaccinated until well after this date, Arrott says she knows that having staff vaccinated early probably saved lives.

She writes, “The forward thinking, generosity and kindness of the White Eagle Health Center prevented numerous health issues and likely saved lives from implications of COVID-19. I cannot even express enough how appreciative and honored the team at PCPS feels about the support from White Eagle Health Center.

Shelley Arrott Superintendent of Ponca City Public Schools receives vaccine. (Photo Contributed by Shelley Arrott)

Kay County Vaccine Distribution Sites PONCA CITY

Kimberlee Burgess, RN/PHN, WEHC

Their dedication and service is a touching tribute of their caring hearts and love for the community. The service, care and professionalism of the entire WEHC were top notch. I will forever be grateful and hold the Ponca Tribe with great admiration and respect. Their partnership with PCPS is highly valued, and it takes a team approach to be successful. Throughout this entire process I have been amazed by the support with vaccinations from our community partners, including Kay County Health Department, Phillips 66 and White Eagle Health Center. Thanks to these wonderful partners, 99% of our staff who wanted the vaccine are fully vaccinated. On behalf of PCPS, we are blessed to live and work in such a wonderful community!"

Several other school systems were also vaccinated

by WEHC, including NOC (all three campuses), Blackwell Public Schools, Ponca City Public Schools and Tonkawa Public Schools.

Making Vaccines Accessible to Everyone After educators in Kay County were vaccinated, the question was whether to open it up to anyone in the community or to continue to limit the vaccines.

“I had family on my non-Indian side that had a very hard time getting through the state’s portal. And that is no criticism to them, their target population is just much larger than ours,” said Sherron.

“We had so many vaccines arriving each week, we were of the mindset that we’re never going to allow a vaccine to go to waste. Regardless of the color of arm it gets shot into, if there’s a willing participant, and we’ve exhausted the people we can serve for that week, then it’s time for us to put those into somebody else’s arm. It was our hope that would foster a positive relationship.”

It was decided by the Ponca Tribe that leftover vaccines at WEHC would be available to anyone, native and nonnatives, ages 18 and over.

See PARTNERS Continued on Page 32

TRIAD Complete Healthcare (inside Bintz Pharmacy) 2701 N. 14th Street Call (580) 765-9451 to schedule your appointment.

Appointments available Monday, Wednesday and Thursday Kay County Health Department 433 Fairview Avenue Register and book appointment online: vaccinate.oklahoma.gov (580) 762-1641 White Eagle Health Center (Ponca Tribe) 200 White Eagle Drive (10 miles South of Ponca City) Call for appointment: (580) 765-2501 Family Discount Pharmacy 310 Fairview Avenue Sign up online: familydiscountpharmacy.com (580) 762-6335 Walgreens 2300 N 14th Street Schedule on Walgreen’s app.

If you have questions, call 1-800-Wal-greens Walmart Pharmacy 1101 E. Prospect Avenue Schedule an appointment in person or by calling: 580-765-0152 or online: walmart.com/covid NEWKIRK Kanza Health Clinic (Kaw Tribe) 3151 E. River Road Call to schedule an appointment: (580) 362-1039 Newkirk Family Health Center 716 US-77, on East side as you enter Newkirk Call (580) 362-2555 and press 1 to schedule BLACKWELL Hutton Pharmacy 119 N. Main Street Appointments may be made online: huttonpharm.com or by calling (580) 363-2137 Walmart Pharmacy 1219 W. Doolin Avenue Schedule an appointment in person or by calling: 580-363-4090 or online: walmart.com/covid TONKAWA - none

May 2021

31

"The ultimate goal for everyone giving the vaccine, is to hopefully one day be back to normal."

PARTNERS Continued from page 32 News of the vaccine surplus at WEHC spread quickly. Many nonnative community residents were being vaccinated and large industries were reaching out to WEHC asking if they could request on-site vaccines for their employees and staff. Locations that received on-site vaccinations included Carbon (aka Carbon Black), Mertz, Dorada, Johnson Control, Custom Mechanical Equipment, Precision Tool and Die and Pioneer Vo Tech – all vaccinated on-site at their locations by WEHC staff. WEHC made all accommodations possible and vaccinated thousands of people across Kay County.

Healing a Historic Divide “Historically, we have always felt that there is a disconnect between the tribal community and Ponca City, and this was a way for us to reach out and offer something that was lifesaving and would also foster the hope that it would improve relations between our community and town.

“Our cemetery is directly across the street from the Ponca City landfill,” Sherron says.

“When we go to bury loved ones, it’s across the street from the dump. There are veterans buried there that date back to World War I that fought for the United States of America.”

Sara Bell, Tribal Administrator Ponca Tribe

32 May 2021

Sherron understands that the decision to place the city landfill in its current location, just across the road from the Ponca Tribal Cemetery, was made over 50 years ago, and he also says he understands the logistics

WEHC drive thru vaccine clinic workers

and financial hurdles of moving it are immense, and that it will likely never be moved. Sherron says he uses this only as an example to illustrate the issues of the past. Despite a history of turmoil and disagreement, he says there is renewed hope on both sides to heal the divides and come together.

“My vision and main goal has been for the local tribes and community to have better coordination and communication,” says Sherron.

Partnering to End the Pandemic Sherron knows the fight to end the pandemic is not over, but is proud of what his tribe has been able to accomplish to save as many lives as possible.

“If you look at the big picture, this is not an “I,” this is a community wide, statewide, nationwide problem, and you need as many hands on deck as you can get. I think you’ll see that statewide, tribes have really stepped up and have moved at a much faster pace than the state has been able to. That is not to knock any county health department, they are doing the best that they can with the resources they have. A lot of times, we can do things faster, and we have the dollars and the manpower and the desire to help,” said Sherron.

“The ultimate goal for everyone giving the vaccine, is to hopefully one day be back to normal. As many people as we can help, while also focusing on our own, to me is just paramount to fighting the pandemic overall.”

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Pioneer Tech Business and Industry Services Works for Client Success Story & Photo Contributed by Terri Busch/ Pioneer Technology Center In the state of Oklahoma, 96% of our businesses have 50 or fewer employees. The Ponca City region closely reflects that statistic, and if you dig deeper, you will find that in Kay County, 68% of our businesses employ nine or fewer employees.

That is why our Business and Industry Services (BIS) team puts great effort into helping small businesses at Pioneer Tech.

Each year, our BIS team works with over 200 businesses and more than 10,000 employees, managers and leaders to support their success in the marketplace. The greatest satisfaction in our work comes from seeing our clients succeed.

After working on strategic topics and processes with one of our local manufacturing leadership teams, that company’s corporate director of operations commented, “working with Pioneer Tech played a significant role in the transformation,” of its Ponca City site. Testimonials like this demonstrate what our team is all about. We strive to help our businesses accelerate their success.

We often use the mantra, “Your Time, Your Place, Your Way.” This philosophy is how we approach

Not only do our incubator clients have access to lots of business resources and low overhead costs, they receive benefits to their bottom lines years after their graduation. our work with businesses. A prime example of that is our partnership with the refinery. We provide safety training for all of the contractors entering the refinery gates. As with any client, we strive to meet their needs, which means for the Phillips 66 turnaround we start work at 6 a.m. or work on weekends, even Easter; we do this because that’s what it takes to help clients meet their goals.

We recognize that whether you’re starting a new venture

“Don’t let anyone talk you out of your dreams. Pioneer Tech has helped me make my dream come true. I’m very grateful.” -Recent Incubator Tenant or running an established business, it can be hard; we have a team of business professionals who can help make it easier. Our certified business incubator is a significant tool used to help start-ups and other young businesses grow, develop and test concepts in a low-risk, supportive environment. Years ago, Oklahoma passed an act that enables the tenants of a certified incubator facility to be exempt from state tax liability on income earned as a result of occupancy for up to 10 years. When our tenants work with us and meet the guidelines, they qualify for the exemption which remains in effect after the tenant is no longer an incubator occupant. So, not only do our incubator clients have access to lots of business resources and low overhead costs, they receive benefits to their bottom lines years after their graduation.

While our clients can put a dollar amount on what they might save in operational costs and taxes, what they can’t put a dollar amount on is their dreams. One of our recent incubator tenants

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commented to us, “Don’t let anyone talk you out of your dreams.

Pioneer Tech has helped me make my dream come true. I’m very grateful.”

To make sure we are accountable to the community we serve, we measure our success. This includes the number of businesses we serve, the number of clients we visit and the number of workshops we hold. We are keenly aware that you cannot quantify all success. Because, really, how do you measure confidence and courage? How do you measure clarity? The fact of the matter is that it’s hard. So, when a business coaching client tells us, “I don’t think I would have had the confidence or courage to face some of my problems if you hadn't helped guide me through them,” that is a win for our team.

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Music In & Around Ponca City

Sounding Off Story & Photos by Steve Scott/ Contributing Writer

W

hile writing this column, your “freelance music blogger” is munching on a Reuben sandwich with kettle chips at the Ground Round Restaurant in Ponca City. It’s been a year since my band played this juke-joint, always packing the place to SRO (standing room only). I, like many others, sure miss those good times. But there are positive signs on the horizon.

While doing a little clerical work in preparation for my column, I ran across something remarkable on my laptop screen: A long line of shows that took place in Ponca City over the month of March. I have to say that live entertainment in our area has started a slow, but sure, revival. There is demand, and the town is getting busy again. Live music is returning!

I feel like singing Handel’s Hallelujah chorus!

The Bandstand

at Finn’s Pub in Manhattan, Kansas, and back to Zanotti’s in Stillwater on May 25.

Ridin’ High hosted three bands in April, and opens May with Gannon Freeman & CCrev. April 2 Native Stone and J.D. Brower really packed the joint, so look for more band announcements soon.

The Grand Cigar lounge in downtown Ponca City broke the ice with the Arms of London Unplugged performing an acoustic act. With the arrival of nice weather, look for more buskers on their Second Street patio soon.

Astoria hosted Matt Thompson to a full house in March and announced some remodeling to their building, including re-felting of the pool table and a new dartboard.

"You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.”

As of press time, it appears the local bars are booking just a week or two in advance, which is not good for a publication. But perennial rockers Mother Kelly, Dirty Erin and Morrison 33 have “their people talking with the bar’s people” to set dates. Look for announcements soon.

On the lighter side, the peerless team of Backroads Music continues to establish their place on the entertainment scene. Bookings at Rand-Shan’s in Pond Creek and Zanotti’s in Stillwater were pending at press time.

Guitar great Larry Newsom has a solid calendar going forward, and added Back2Sighs to his list of stops in March, packing the house and giving an extra set for the crowd. Look for him May 1 at the Paul Schatte Memorial Chili Cook-Off, May 13

36 May 2021

Morgan Reynolds

The Hayes Brothers Band looks to have a busy summer, with four bookings on the calendar with more pending.

Something happening …

The Arts and Humanities Council will have Mike Seals on piano with his jazz trio, featuring Paul Palma on bass and Don Long on drums in the amphitheater at City Central on May 13 and 27. The one-hour concerts start at 7 p.m. and will feature different light-jazz songs.

May starts the North Central Oklahoma Arts Council “Full Moon Concert Series.” The NCOAC brings outstanding music acts to perform in the Tonkawa downtown park gazebo, entertaining hundreds of people each month and, more importantly, supporting the music arts. Each free event occurs on the night of a full moon, so the days of the week vary with the lunar cycle. Bring your lawn chairs or a blanket to enjoy these concerts that start at 7:30 p.m. each month. The lineup for this year includes: Wednesday, May 26 – Morgan

Thursday, June 24 – Hillcrest Ensemble Friday, July 23 – Harwood, Roberts and Thompson Sunday, August 22 – Holly and the Guys Monday, September 20 – The Hayes Brothers Band Kicking things off is Morgan. This is an unplugged performance featuring Morgan Reynolds, a multi-instrumentalist (piano, sax, guitar, flute) and vocal master from Stillwater. Morgan has a background in gospel and classic rock with an OSU degree in music and vocal performance. She is a powerhouse act, and regularly performs across the United States, as well as in Mexico and Europe. In addition, she has worked with multiple Grammy winners. Locally, you can catch her act at Ponca City, Stillwater and Oklahoma City venues. Her live performances give an audience the feeling of seeing something truly extraordinary. Bottom line: Morgan is a must-see show!

Finally

This last year reinforced the old adage, “You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.” As a musician, I crave performing for audiences and being a part of people enjoying themselves. That all quickly vanished this last year as everyone went home, locked their doors and hunkered down with rooms full of toilet paper. But out of this experience, I am reminded that each day is a gift and just how blessed we all are.

For our local bands, the time was not lost. Music continued to emanate all over town. And not just from the “normal” places. Everyone continued to practice. New music was created in bedrooms and garages, and some was taken to the studio for new albums. Everyone’s sound has developed, which means when our local musicians hit the stage this spring, they are bringing their “A” game. Overall, everyone wins. And, I’m personally ready to get out there and start “winning”!

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

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Students Tour Poncan Theatre

Cowley Students Draw Inspiration From Historic Site

"It was a great and inspirational experience to see how other writers are influenced by the world around them."

Story & Photo Contributed by Marlys Cervantes/

Humanities and Communication Department Chair, Cowley College

T

he beautiful Poncan Theatre provided inspiration for Cowley College creative writing and literary students when Christopher Radaker-James gave the group a tour of the historic facility with stories of its history, collection of vintage posters, and ghost stories.

The group then viewed the poetry documentary Louder Than a Bomb, which was timely since the next night was their Writers Corner event.

Humanities and Communication department chair, Marlys Cervantes, says, "It's good for the students to see how recent the history of segregation actually was to now, and being in a theatre with that history, one that kept physical elements of it available for us to view, is breathtaking. Then, to celebrate with a film about achievements in poetry of youth from all walks of life just culminates the day's experience."

Of the film, Sophomore Makayla Dick, who is active in both the Creative Writing and Mass Communication programs, said, "It was a great and inspirational experience to see how other writers are influenced by the world around them."

The afternoon began with lunch hosted at Cervantes' home in Ponca City and ended with the group of students inspired to continue to think and write.

Pictured left to right: Sam Creek, Garri Reyes, Bryce ck Johnson, Runyan, Seth Karen Rodrig Valentine, Pr Director Chr uez ofessor Ryan istopher Rad Doom, Ponc aker-James, Tyler Thiele an Professor M n, Makalya arlys Cervant Dick, Braden Shreffler, an es, Snider, Julie d Hannah A n Eaton, M bou-Faissal. acy

May 2021

39

Humor & Entertainment

Happy May, y’all! Mother’s Day is May 9, and if you haven’t already, you better start planning something special for that angel of a mother you have. You put her through the ringer, and she deserves you to lavish her at least this one day a year. Think of all the nights you kept her up worrying and fretting over you. No, not as a baby, when you were a teenager and told her you were sleeping over at a friend’s house but you were really drinking Natural Light in a field at a high school party until 2 a.m. The times you were an absolute jerk to her for literally no reason other than she had the audacity to ask how your day was at school – all the eye rolls and sarcastic comments and outbursts.

She is a saint for not murdering you during those years, and you better plan something delightful and thoughtful for her because not only is she the woman who gave you life, but she also chose to not take that life away when you were a hormonal teen. Not to worry, I have a few tips

LOCAL TOURISM GUIDE

by Patrick Jordan

ACROSS 1. Fitness resorts 5. Cook in a skillet 8. Neckwear resembling a scarf 13. Price for using a turnpike 14. Kindergartener's adhesive 15. David's slingshot missile 16. The biggest continent 17. Enjoys an eggplant, say 18. Bearlike Australian animal 19. Ponca City attraction with a rock-climbing wall 21. In need of a cleaning 22. Organ with a pupil 23. First positive number 24. It may form at a checkout counter 25. Ponca City park/museum attraction (2 wds.)

30. Frankenstein's neck features 33. Appreciative poem 34. The Kentucky Derby, for example 35. Creative thought 36. Holey variety of cheese 38. Upper-body limbs 39. Film ___ (black-and-white movie genre) 40. Wrestling match ender 41. Small map within a larger map 42. Annual car-based Ponca City event (2 wds.)

46. Painting, sculpting, etc.

47. Rainbow's shape 48. The lion, in a horoscope 51. Puzzles with twisting paths 53. Lake Ponca summer activity 55. Eisenhower's first lady

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61.

62.

63.

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Quick boxing punches Above Change, as the Constitution "The Andy Griffith Show" kid Wristwatch information Like the taste of barbecue sauce Receive National ice cream brand

DOWN 1. Look without blinking 2. Actress Parker in "Superman Returns" 3. She visited Wonderland 4. Open-handed smack 5. Straw-colored, like some hair 6. Groove in a muddy path 7. Positive response to a request 8. Posing a question 9. Sam's Choice, at Walmart (2 wds.)

10. Winter garment 11. "Beauty is ___ skin-deep" 12. Afternoon beverage in Britain 14. ___ Davis of "Beetlejuice" 20. A great quantity 21. Has the evening meal 24. Tupperware covers 25. Observing twinklers in the night sky 26. "What on earth are you ___?"

27. They're long on a 44-Down 28. Wile E. Coyote's catalog company 29. Take a break 30. Fasten securely, as a book's cover 31. Stinky smell 32. "Star Wars" princess 36. Rotisserie rods 37. Claims the victory 41. Native of an old Peru empire 43. Wanting to own everything 44. Cotton-tailed creature

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Left the bed Extremely angry The Riddler, to Batman Shrek and his wife, for two Papa's partner

Answers on page 56

40 May 2021

3

for you: Don’t wait until you’re on your way to see her to pick up a card at Dollar Tree, slap your name on the bottom and think that’s good. It isn’t.

She deserves better. If all you can afford is a card, then write a lengthy, thoughtful message in it telling her all the ways you love and appreciate her. If you are a dad to young kids, it’s on you to make sure your lovely wife has an amazing Mother’s Day, so you better start thinking now about what you can put your kids’ handprints on, because we love those types of gifts.

You can ask her what she wants to do that day, but don’t you dare let her plan it – you make all the plans and facilitate them. Let her sleep in, and if she wants the day to herself then you make plans for you and the kids and let her have some alone time.

She wants you to cook? Cooking INCLUDES the prep work and cleanup after, don’t you dare go leaving her a dirty kitchen! A little bit of effort is all we want! Happy Mother’s Day to all you fantastic women!

57

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Prayer's final word Carry Item under a yoga student Run for exercise Gorilla or chimp

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HEALTH &

Beauty

Stretch To Improve Your Workout Routine

Story by Kera Kester, NASM Certified Personal Trainer/Contributing Writer Every time I enter a fitness facility for a workout, I see gym-goers immediately go into holding 30-second stationary stretches before anything else. Prior to doing some research, I was doing the same thing. Nowadays, it makes me cringe! You might be thinking, “… But shouldn’t you stretch before you jump right into exercise, Kera?” The answer is yes and no. Let me explain.

There are different types of stretching – static, active-isolated and dynamic.

These types of stretches should be used purposefully and progressively to prevent injury most effectively.

Static Stretching

We want our muscles, bones and ligaments to be top-notch and allowed to work at full efficiency and capability.

Static stretching is what we most commonly see. It involves staying in one place with movements, such as placing your hand on your head and slowly lowering your ear to your shoulder or going from a standing position to touching your toes without bending your knees. You would hold these stretches for 30 seconds. Holding specific muscles in a stretched position for this duration causes stimulation in your Golgi Tendon organ which produces an inhibitory effect on the muscle spindle. All of that fancy wording just means that your muscle relaxes and allows for elongation. Although that sounds great, this is a type of stretching that I would not recommend going into cold. Studies, like one founded by Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, inform us that static stretching for longer than 60 seconds could cause injury as opposed to preventing it. Static stretching is not wrong or bad. It corrects muscle imbalances, lengthens and relaxes tight muscles and increases flexibility.

However, it is wise to warm up first or in place of static stretching. Great warm-ups include walking or even light dancing! Your muscles will be more loose and ready to go!

Active Stretching Now we move on to active-isolated, or active, stretching.

Agonist and synergist

42 May 2021

muscles are used in a process that causes joint motion. In other words, this type of stretching involves range of motion as opposed to staying still in one place (like static stretching). An example of this type of stretch would be lying flat on your back, bending one knee in toward your stomach and extending that leg up to the sky and then back into a bent 90-degree angle. Active-isolated stretches are done for 5-10 reps with a 1-2 second hold at the top of the stretch. It is amazing as a preactivity warm-up for sports competitions or high-intensity workouts. For those with muscle imbalances, it is recommended as a progression after mastering self-myofascial release (stretches with a foam roller) and static stretching.

Dynamic Stretching

Dynamic stretching is my favorite! There is so much fun to be had in doing a dynamic stretch session. This type of stretching uses the force production of a muscle to take a joint through full extensibility. More simply put, your body uses momentum to bring a specific muscle through its full range of motion. A great example of this type of stretching is hip swings or a bodyweight squat with a calf raise. This type of stretching is a progression following static and/or active stretching due to its demand for ability to balance, good extensibility and core stability. For this reason, it is commonly seen as a warm-up before athletic activity. This type of stretching is usually done for 10 reps of 3-10 dynamic stretches.

Whatever level of difficulty your workouts are, it is important to strive to be functional. We want our muscles, bones and ligaments to be top-notch and allowed to work at full efficiency and capability. So, do yourself a huge favor and make sure stretching is included before and/or after each session you smash! Just think about all the countless amazing things that our bodies do for us.

Therefore, taking care of it should be a priority. Arming yourself with this knowledge will do wonders for your next workout. You deserve to reap rewards for all the time and effort you put into workouts. What an amazing sight it will be, to see your body more efficiently move as the powerful machine that it is!

Tue-Thur 11am-9:30pm. Fri-Sat 11am-10pm. Sun 11am-9pm

Italian Restaurant Ponca City, 3202 N. 14th NapolisPoncaCity.com 580-765-2491

MAY EVENTS MONDAY, MAY 3

Cash Mob at 11:30 a.m. at Completely Quilted Bernina Sewing Center

www.NapolisPoncaCity.com

napolis2020@hotmail.com Hand-Tossed Pizza

2 for 20 $

Any size, any topping Restrictions apply. One coupon per table. One coupon per visit.

Not valid with other offers. Expires 5/31/2021

TUESDAY, MAY 4

Ponca City Business Council will meet at 8 a.m. at the Chamber Office

SENIOR SPECIAL

10% OFF MEAL Seniors are 65 and older, excludes beverages

R

of $20 or more, excludes alcohol Restrictions apply. One coupon per table. One coupon per visit.

Not valid with other offers. Expires 5/31/2021

Restrictions apply. One coupon per table. One coupon per visit.

Not valid with other offers. Expires 5/31/2021

THURSDAY, MAY 6

15% OFF

Total Dine-In Purchase

RV

Education and Workforce Development Committee will meet at 4 p.m. at the Chamber Office

TUESDAY, MAY 18

Regina Vidricksen

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

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19

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

THURSDAY, MAY 20

580-230-9401

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

reginajonesvidricksen.exprealty.com Buyer’s and Seller’s Agent

TUESDAY, MAY 25

Chamber Board will meet at 11 a.m. in the Summit at City Central Building

TUESDAY, MAY 25

Business after Hours 5 - 7 p.m. hosted by First National Bank of Oklahoma

THURSDAY, MAY 27

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

Insurance and Risk Management Solutions Since 1931.

FRIDAY, MAY 28

410 E. Grand Avenue Ponca City

FRIDAY, MAY 28

580-765-5566

Oklahoma Legislative Wrap Up at noon in the Summit at City Central Building

MONDAY, MAY 31

Chamber Office Closed for Memorial Day

For other events taking place, go to visitponcacity.com

PONCA

CHAMBER OF

CITY

COMMERCE

www.PoncaCityChamber.com • 580-765-4400

www.loftiswetzel.com billwetzel@loftiswetzel.com

Gifts for Mom’s & Grads!

BOUTIQUE & SALON

Ponca Politics Committee will meet at 11 a.m. in the Summit at City Central Building

Suggestions… ◆ Kendra

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205 E. Grand, Ponca City • 580-762-8828 • lilesandco.com May 2021

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26TH ANNUAL

26th Annual Memorial Golf Tournament Friday, May 28, 2021 a.m. Tee Time SHOTGUN8:00 START

HOSPICE GOLF TOURNAMENT

FRIDAY • MAY 28 • 8 AM LEW WENTZ GOLF COURSE

Register at Wentz Golf Course 445 Fairview • Ponca City 580-762-9102 Lunch and awards immediately SCHEDULE OF DAY: following golf at Ody’s Bar Where: Lew Wentz Golf Course & Grill,Ponca 3700 Lake Road City, Ok Return service requested

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762-1854 • Open Mon. thru Sat. 9 am - 7 pm 2906 N. 14th, Ponca City (next to Hobby Lobby)

Golf time: 8:00 Shot-Gun start Lunch and awards immediately following golf:

Congratulations Ody’s Bar and Grill 3700 N Lake Road

to each of the graduates who are earning a degree.

Do you “want to graduate?”

Call the UC at 580-718-5600 to find out how you can earn your degree today!

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HEALTH & Beauty

BIRTH IN THE TIME OF COVID Raising a Baby in the Era of COVID-19: No Right or Wrong Way in Any Situation Story and Photo Contributed by Derion Schieber

Last year around this exact time, eight months pregnant, the mysterious COVID-19 entered into the United States. I was one of many expecting to bring life into this world covered in fear. Some of us, like me, were sent to work from home. This for me was a blessing in disguise. When you’re eight months pregnant, you just want to roll out of bed in your oversized T-shirt and pajama pants and not move. I was able to bounce on my ball and take multiple walks a day, and finish some nesting that was much needed. We live in a pretty remote town.

What was there to be afraid of? At first, just thinking this all was an overreaction and it would never come close to home. I would soon realize that a lot of the joys about the last months of pregnancy were going to be taken away from us, and this was just the start of raising a “COVID-19 Baby.”

For most women, the last few months are filled with excitement. You are preparing for your baby showers, family get-togethers and even some lastminute date nights with the hubby. We dreamed of these moments getting showered with love; grandparents and everyone touching your sweet belly to feel little kicks or hiccups. Instead, we had drive-thru baby showers, or even over this thing called ZOOM. It wasn’t about getting items off our registry or the large backlog of diapers. Heck, you couldn’t even order diapers or wipes because the grocery stores were wiped clean. (See what I did there?) Even Amazon. Amazon never runs out. It was about being surrounded by the ones that love you the most in one of the most turning points in your life, but COVID-19 ripped those moments from our hands.

In most states, women were limited to one guest or no guest for the OB appointments. Imagine, you just created this life with your significant other, but you have to go by yourself to hear the sacred sound of the heartbeat, in a cold, dark room by yourself, wearing a mask and hiding back tears. During a time where you’re meant to feel the most love, turned out to be some of the loneliest moments for many

of us. Now 39 weeks pregnant, when the baby’s arrival was right around the corner, you couldn’t be surrounded by your loved ones and that was the most heartbreaking part of this whole process.

You couldn’t call your friends over, overwhelmed, to have a girl’s day. There was this fear of getting COVID-19 and then being separated from the baby you just spent nine months creating.

Before COVID-19 made its appearance, we had planned for my mom to come the last week of my pregnancy and then also be a part of the delivery.

I do not know about you, but I needed my mom.

I needed my mom to be there to hold my hand through every contraction, to rub my back and hold my hair while sweat and tears poured down my face. The one to say, “You are tough; you are almost there.” But instead, my mom had to sit at our house, waiting for each text, phone call or even facetime of any update I could provide. A time where she is supposed to be right by my side, she felt the furthest away. Not only was that hard on me, but incredibly heartbreaking for my mom. She dreamed of watching her daughter bring life into this world, hearing the first cry and seeing sweet Ava open her eyes for the first time. Instead, these moments had to be over the screen. I had a whole birth plan that I handed to all the nurses and prepared my family on the details, but apparently COVID-19 didn’t read it. I was one of the lucky ones that were able to have my husband by my side. He was the one clenching my hand, squeezing my hips, watching me shake uncontrollably from the pain. Some hospitals banned guests altogether. Can you imagine?

Doing all of this alone? I could not and hate to even imagine. So, I will spare those details.

So now, sweet, healthy Ava is here. We

See BIRTH Continued on Page 47 May 2021

45

46 May 2021

HEALTH & Beauty BIRTH Continued from Page 45

spent a couple days in the hospital just us three, while everyone else was at home waiting patiently for pictures or videos. Wondering if she had dad’s lips, mom’s eyes or if they won the weight bet. I thought the toughest part was behind us. Boy, was I wrong. Postpartum is already raw, vulnerable, bloody, happy, sad, anxious and confusing. Add COVID-19 to that and you have quite the mixed drink. Would we allow visitors? Would they wear masks? Would they have to quarantine before they come? There is no “how to” book on how to welcome a newborn into a global pandemic. But maybe I should write one? On the outside, of course, I wanted them to come visit, they have been waiting nine months to meet her, but on the inside, I was riddled with fear and anxiety.

The next several months, would soon become some of the hardest months of my life. Postpartum is underdiscussed, plain and simple. Add a pandemic to it, it’s a foreign language. How do you navigate wanting help but fear of them giving us COVID-19? How do you navigate telling your best friend, who is an ER nurse on the frontlines of COVID-19, the real hero, “Sorry, you have to meet Ava through the window”? My friendships, family and marriage suffered. I gained some and lost many because of fear and anxiety of this unknown. The anxiety created this heavy edge that any moment I was about to crash, like an addict on edge waiting to get a fix.

It was a feeling that was unknown. My chest constantly feeling like it was being crushed by a million demands.

Every day, I was doing my best to protect myself and the baby and sometimes that came across as rude, angry or even selfish. Many moms out there faced these same challenges. Some people gave us grace, while others thought we were crazy. We had to set boundaries with people we loved and have difficult conversations about washing hands, wearing a mask and even saying no.

I had to be cautious on who watched Ava and if I felt comfortable with them watching her. They might be COVID-19 free, but who have they been around? Did they wear their mask? Are they COVID-19 positive?

Does Ava have COVID-19? Is she going to die? These might seem like overreactions but as a mom her sole responsibility is to protect the life she just created.

Don’t even get me started on the hormones. Postpartum depression is real. Postpartum anxiety is even more real.

A recent study in the Frontiers in Global Women’s Health showed before the COVID-19 pandemic, 15% suffered from postpartum depression and 29% from postpartum anxiety – compared to during the COVID-19 pandemic 40.7% from depression and 72% anxiety. So we are not alone. Postpartum is already isolating, you wear diapers, none of your clothes fit because you are too

small for pregnancy clothes, but too big for your normal clothes.

You want to go out in public to finally feel some sort of normalcy – control. It was about control, and I no longer had control of anything in my life, emotions, relationships or simple outing to Marshalls. There was no control with COVID-19. Each day we saw the numbers rise, people we know contracting COVID-19, people close to us dying and no way to control it. The anxiety finally broke me into pieces that not even my family or husband could help pick up. I had to own that something was wrong, and I needed help. I went and saw a therapist for a few months. Trying to find a therapist, that won’t break your bank or even just to find one, anyway, is a challenge and it shouldn’t be. But I will save you my rant. She helped me pick up the pieces. She helped me realize that it was my body that was out of control, not me. My hormones were on a never ending roller coaster. I learned coping skills.

The biggest takeaway was to understand what anxiety was at its core. I was one of “those” people that thought anxiety was just another buzz word for stress, but boy was I wrong. From then on, normalizing mental health for moms is one of my missions. We do not have to always have it all together, and that’s okay!

"Every day, I was doing my best to protect myself and the baby and sometimes that came across as rude, angry or even selfish."

Each mom had a unique experience and had her own way to handle the pandemic, and there was no right or wrong in any situation. Sure, I made many mistakes along the way, but I learned from it.

2020 was a hard year for everyone.

There is no way around it. There were physical consequences, but many mental consequences. We all felt that. As humans we need personal interaction, we are created as social beings. If that is taken away, our mental health suffers. For new moms, I see you. I hear you. We faced bringing a new life into this crazy world with fortitude, grace and grit. We had to make sacrifices in order to protect our little one, and one day your loved ones will understand that. You are strong, brave and are a damn good mother. We are almost on the other side of this pandemic, and soon this will be the end of raising a COVID-19 baby.

*Source: Davenport H, et al. Front Glob Womens Health. 2020;doi:10.3389/fgwh.2020.00001.

May 2021

47

Education Corner Congratulations Graduates!

Story by Adam Leaming, CEO/University Center/ Contributing Writer

T

his is the end! I once was told a story of how in an educator’s world, May signifies the end of the year, and August the beginning. It makes for a continual cycle of hope, anticipation, and celebration and I love it!

This month is a time to celebrate and say goodbye to our graduating students. It’s time for parents to weep when their toddler completes daycare and moves to school in the Fall. Or we weep again at watching our teenager complete high school and symbolically wrap up their childhood. We watch our friends and loved ones graduate with a degree and witness the joy on their faces as they had overcome a number of obstacles to earn that diploma.

It’s time to celebrate the culmination of efforts of the many and the sacrifices made by themselves and their support systems to reach this point. Finally, it is a time to welcome the summer and celebrate the end for many students.

There’s many students graduating in our community and area that makes May a tremendous season of hope, joy, and a celebration of a brighter future. This month I’m celebrating each of our graduates but one in particular stands out to me. A woman, who decided to attend the UC to turn her life around from her past life path that was full of destruction and negativity, will be graduating with a graduate degree in Counseling/Psychology this May. I learned quickly about her story when I first started working here that she decided to stop the path that she was on and instead of

48 May 2021

giving her life up to drugs, crime, and poverty she was choosing to go back and study to help others get out of their own addiction and developing coping mechanisms to deal with life and to secure a better future for herself and family. She quickly excelled and stood out as she voraciously attacked her coursework and soon found herself accumulating the hours she needed for a degree.

Her higher education path was not full of rainbows and sunshine, she ran into employment issues as she tried to clear background checks. Opportunity after opportunity was closed to her as her background precluded her from gainful employment. Her hope and heart faltered a few times as opportunities seemed to pass her by and she wondered if her past would even allow her a chance at a future. But as time continued, she never gave up, she soon graduated with her bachelor’s degree.

She was undeterred and was committed to more, as she knew a graduate degree would open even more opportunities. Today, after countless hurdles, roadblocks and challenges, she’s walking this month with her master’s degree. I am happy to report she has found full time employment in Ponca City as she aids those who find themselves in a familiar setting she once did several years ago.

This is one reason why I celebrate graduation. Stories like these happen each semester at the University Center. We’re thankful for the opportunity to help students earn a degree and become gainfully employed. I hope you can take a moment to reach out and celebrate a recent graduate in our community!

“ Ponca City Home Sweet Home Realty has a specialized team to accomplish every aspect of your home buying and selling needs.”

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

50 in Chamber Bucks.

$

109 W. PROSPECT PONCA CITY

580-749-5856 MEET THE TEAM, left to right…

NEW REAL ESTATE AGENT, Tammy Cunningham, 580-491-2823 Haley Goddard, Marketing Director & Certified Home Stager and Drone Imaging Services, 580-352-4575 Vie Bottger, Managing Broker, 580-761-6925 Christy Thompson, Owner/Agent, 316-393-1449 Lisa M. Breedlove, Business & Accounting Manager, Notary

ralinq

2 State Farm Agents, ONE CONVENIENT LOCATION 713 N. 14th Street Women Business in Poncain City Ann Bandy has been a State Farm agent since 198 7. Prior to that she taught English at West and was Ponca City's teacher of the year. She is a graduate of Leadership Ponca and Leadership OK. She was the recipient of the Larry Hughes Leadership Award. She has won the district community volunteer of the year award from State Farm and volunteer of the year award from the Ponca City Chamber. She LARRY WEEMS ANN BANDY � currently serves A. as chair of the board for ��������� Hospice 580-762-1672 of North Central OK, appointed 580-762-1254 by state attorney general Mike Hunter to Ann@AnnBandy.com Larry@LarryWeems.com serve on the OK Education Technology Trust, and is a member of Professionals Today.

Ann Bandy, State Farm Agent

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

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

Sarah Kelly, Winner of April’s GeoCash

Contest Rules:

Be the first to find the cache, and bring in the special code for your prize. Also, inside the container will be a collectible coin to keep! The cache will only be hidden for a limited time for each issue, so hurry to find it fast!

If you are the first to find the cache, please retrieve the special code and coin but leave and sign the included note saying that the treasure has been found. Once the deadline has passed, the code will no longer be valid for the prize. A new PC GeoCash will be placed as the next issue of Ponca City Monthly is released.

Winners may not win more than once per calendar year.

May Clue: Another great relic Of the past In nineteen aught two I was cast To play for those On two to four Four separate notes I would score I entertained those well As I had intended My customers well known As being best-friended Gathered ‘round One would think To stop and converse While enjoying a drink

Location of April’s GeoCash at the E.W. Marland Statue on Grand Avenue

Difficulty: Terrain: Size: Deadline:

Bring the Special code to: NeighborhoodOfGood.com

From the very beginning, women have had vital roles at State Farm. We're proud to celebrate the women who helped pave the way for future good neighbors.

We're committed to serving customers and remaining a

→→→

Easy (located in 10-15 minutes) Easy (mostly flat surfaces) Small (size of a golf ball) 20th of each month

My Media Matters / Ponca City Monthly City Central 400 E. Central, Suite 203

May 2021

49

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

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

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

Please call or stop by if we can help.

505 W. Grand • Ponca City • 580-765-4411 Read obituaries online @ troutfuneralhome.com 50 May 2021

Backyard

Gardener May Flowers Story & Photos by Kat Long/Contributing Writer

May is a fabulous month in Oklahoma. Well, for gardeners; for parents of graduating seniors, it is hectic; for parents of kids in sports, wow, talk about coordinating schedules.

Throw in pandemic, vaccinations and the world wanting to get back to normal, whew, gardening is looking pretty good.

May is also a time, and I mean this literally, to stop and smell, look and enjoy the flowers. Flowers and flowering plants are blooming everywhere; and they will not stay forever. So grab those graduating seniors, those sports kids that wolf down their dinner or snack to get to the next practice; heck, grab your best friend or hubby and stop to smell the flowers.

Here is what’s blooming around town. First off, grab a picture in front of the Bradford Pear Trees.

Nonexistent on the eating list, but man, are they beautiful.

And then,

Dandelions Are My Favorite!!

check out a dandelion or two.

Ode to the Dandelion You are sure to see the fabulous yellow dandelions everywhere; quickly replaced by the overnight sprouting of the puffballs, so enjoy their sunniness now. But dandelions are important for many reasons. First, they are a first food for bees.

Please leave them for as long as your organizational heart will allow, as these early blooms give bees and other pollinators some quickly gathered pollen for themselves or the hive.

Second, the yellow flowers are edible and can be stir-fried with other veggies, deep-fried and dipped First Apple in your favorite dip or just thrown on Blossoms in top of a salad for some beautiful, edible the Long Yard garnishment. And third, but not least, the puffballs have been entertaining kids for years. Do not deprive your littles of picking them and blowing the seeds to the wind.

Fruit Trees Now is the season of fruit tree flowerings. Also, let us bow our heads for all the little blooms lost to that last freeze.

I know some peach trees, nectarine trees and other early bloomers will not be bearing much or any fruit this year.

However, I cannot contain my joy in announcing one of my

See BACKYARD Continued page 54 May 2021

51

DOES YOUR FAMILY NEED PRIMARY CARE? To schedule your appointment or for more information

Call 580-765-9451 Inside Bintz Pharmacy 2701 N. 14th, Ponca City

52 May 2021

www.BintzPharmacy.com

COVID-19 VACCINES by appt. every Monday, Wednesday & Thursday ALSO… Flu • Pneumonia Shingles

Pain Management

Cardiac Care

Diabetic Care

Pediatric Care

Women’s Health

Hormone

Sports Physicals

Replacement

Therapy

To schedule your appointment or for more information

Call 580-765-9451 Inside Bintz Pharmacy 2701 N. 14th, Ponca City

S P E C I A L T Y C A R E

www.BintzPharmacy.com May 2021

53

BACKYARD Continued from page 51 apple trees has bloomed this year! I planted three dwarf apple trees four years ago, and one (only one) has finally produced blooms.

And there was much rejoicing! I may or may not get apples, but the happy dance was done for the blooms.

The nectarine tree has blooms as well, but after last spring, I am not holding my breath on fruit. And May is shaping up to be a rather boisterous wind/storm season, so hang on, shore up the trees and make sure to give them some fertilizer, compost and support if needed.

Fruit Plants The blackberries did so well last year, I added two other fruiting plants to the yard – sand cherries and blueberries. Oddly enough, the blueberry plant was a no go. It started out well, and I have grown blueberries in the yard before, but by August last year, it had shriveled and pretty much made itself nonexistent. The sand cherry bushes did great! Sand cherries are a cousin of sand plums, and I am hoping to get some fruit this year as all the branches were covered in blossoms by early April. I will let you know if they are worth eating straight off the plant or gathering for jelly.

The other fruit in the yard is the fig tree. It has done well for the last three years; coming back each year with longer stems and more

leaves. But that last freeze may have been the last. No leaves yet, but I keep saying a prayer, doing a dance and sending good thoughts her way. We shall see.

Flowers For those of you who have perennial plants, say hello to all the flowers for me – irises, tulips, daffodils, crocus, violets and sage, just to name a few. So many flowers; so little time, but make the time. For all of us working on the annual plantings, you never know when an annual may pop up and surprise you.

This little orange wildflower even beat the bachelor buttons in popping up and making me smile all week.

Getting Plants Lots of people ask me where I get my plants; my seeds; my patience. Well, the plants I get everywhere; the seeds are from a few places listed below and my patience comes from my mom, I believe, or possibly age. Lots of stuff comes with age, so let’s just go with that one.

Two of my favorite places to get plants are on the horizon: Greenfields by Smith Home Furnishings and The Herb Festival here in Ponca City. Greenfields greenhouse has some great plants for your garden or your planters. I have always enjoyed the pepper plants and any herb plants purchased there.

The marigolds and sweet peas are great as well. Make sure to check them out in May. And mark your calendars for Herb Festival at LA Cann gardens on June 5. Pace yourself, but visiting the festival early in the day is better than later when shopping for plants.

Of course you can do both like I do, and we can have a drink together around 3:30 p.m.

The dollar herb lady on the south side of the walk has some great herbs, and there is always Bustani Gardens with their perennials and landscaping plants. On a side note, The Farmer’s Market at Pioneer Woman Circle opens that weekend, as well.

First Wildflower in the Yard

54 May 2021

Take time to check out the Cann Gardens themselves sometime in May and June when all the plants are in bloom. The City and the Kay County Master Gardeners do an amazing job of keeping the beds looking great,

Sand Cherry Blossoms adding new plants and answering questions.

This year Gotham comes to Ponca City Herb Festival weekend, so make sure to check out the Bat-man themed events happening Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You may even see Poison Ivy or the Man himself wandering the streets of PC. Grab a few minutes for yourself this month.

Smell the flowers; plant some plants and get your hands dirty. Your soul will thank you. It may even give you some patience for everything and everyone else – and of course, Happy Gardening.

Seeds I still have seeds leftover from the seed swap, so give me a call at 580.761.3028 if you would like any – sunflowers, basil, okra, lemon balm and flower mixes, to name a few. www.rareseeds.com www.anniesheirloomseeds.com www.Johnnyseeds.com www.seedsavers.org (great stories about generationally grown seeds) Jay’s Farm & Ranch – Jay has seeds in bulk, as well as other gardening supplies. Go check him out at 307 W. Grand. He also answers questions. I love that about Jay’s.

LEARNING HOW

TO PLAY AGAIN Fostering Social Skills in an Era of Social Distancing As the COVID-19 pandemic stretches on, children who have been called on to do their part still may not fully understand why they have had to skip play dates or avoid sitting together at lunch tables inside school cafeterias. Older children who are cognizant of much more may be growing weary of social distancing and may have started to question the benefits of staying home.

Social distancing helps maintain public safety, but there’s no denying such measures have produced some difficult side effects, some of which may be felt long after the pandemic has ended. For instance, some experts suggest that social distancing has the potential to affect long-term social development. ”When young children are learning the basics of being social beings, their parents and siblings can provide most of the input they need,” says Amy Learmonth, Ph.D., a developmental psychologist who runs the Cognition, Memory and Development Lab at William Paterson University in New Jersey and has studied children as young as eight weeks old. In fact, having parents and siblings home much of the time actually can be a boon for children age five and younger.

Conversely, Learmonth says older children and adolescents develop social skills by learning to “navigate complex social groups of peers.” Prolonged isolation from peers could be stripping opportunities to naturally develop social skills, particularly the longer social distancing goes on. “Establish new routines, following CDC guidelines, to help children cope with the circumstances of the pandemic,” says Dr. Peter Sinton, pediatrician for Northern Oklahoma Regional Pediatric Clinic here in Ponca City.

Clinical psychologist Laura Markham, founder of the site Aha! Parenting, indicates that kids “practice reading social cues and learn constructive social responses, including the give-and-take of conversation, how to self-regulate when they get annoyed at another person, and how to ask for what they need in a socially acceptable way through in-person encounters.”

Families can get creative to help foster social skills in their youngsters as the world continues to confront social distancing and its potential side effects. Schedule virtual play dates. While it may not be the same as hanging out in person, virtual play dates can provide one-on-one interaction with friends and help to maintain preexisting positive peer connections.

“Play outdoor sports and plan other outdoor activities (remember to wear sunscreen,)“ says Dr. Sinton. “Reduce screen time: turn off all the screens and use board games, card games, and family meals to interact. Use video-chats to talk with relatives

and friends that aren’t vaccinated yet.”

Plan outdoor activities. When weather allows, people from different households can interact outdoors, provided they keep safe distances. This can be advantageous to teenagers chomping at the bit to hang out with friends. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says one can become infected with COVID-19 when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks and those droplets enter the mouth or nose of another. Outdoor fresh air disperses virus particles and people are more able to keep their distance from others. Sitting in a backyard, walking a boardwalk or riding bikes together are some ways for adolescents to safely maintain social connections. Practice good manners. When at home, families can continue to interact and offer opportunities to talk, listen and practice social manners. Foster game nights. Encourage social interaction at home with family game nights that involve board games or video games. Teens and tweens also can do multiplayer games with friends over the internet through their favorite gaming consoles. A little creativity can help parents find ways to promote socialization in their children as the world continues to practice social distancing.

Reduce screen time: turn off all the screens and use board games, card games, and family meals to interact.

May 2021

55

CHILDREN’S BOOK REVIEW

BY LORRIE LAYTON, BRACE BOOKS

Justin & Natascha Holloway

580-716-8998

Find us @ Natascha Holloway/KW Select

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Crossword Puzzle on Page 40

56 May 2021

Each Keller Williams office is independently owned & operated.

The Dog Who Lost His Bark

by Eoin Colfer

When Oz was a very little puppy, his mother told him that somewhere out in the wonderful OUTSIDE there was a human who was just perfect for him.

When Oz was still a young puppy, he was sold to a family with a boy. Oz hoped this boy was his special human, but sadly, this family was mean to him and threw him away like a bag of trash.

Patrick has wanted a dog for years, but his dad is VERY allergic to dogs so the answer has always been a great big “no.” As Patrick and his mom are on their way to spend the summer with his grandpa, his mom asks if he would like to get a dog. Patrick wonders how having a dog will work with his dad’s allergies,

but he just can’t pass up the opportunity to have his very own dog.

Grandpa takes Patrick to the local rescue shelter. Patrick seriously observed every dog.

He stopped at a small puppy that seemed sad and lonely.

Patrick felt this little dog could be his best friend and decided this was the dog he wanted.

Zane, the shelter volunteer, tried to discourage Patrick because this puppy had been mistreated, starved and abandoned. The little dog was so traumatized that he had lost his bark.

Patrick insisted this was the perfect dog for him. He promised he would devote himself to helping Oz learn to trust humans again, so he could rediscover his bark. (You’ll have to read the rest of the story.)

I read this charming little chapter book in one sitting and fell in love with it. This sweet, simple story is beautifully illustrated and is one of the best children’s books that I’ve read in years.

ADULT BOOK REVIEW

BY LORRIE LAYTON, BRACE BOOKS

Walk in My Combat Boots: True Stories From America’s Bravest Warriors

by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann, First Sergeant, U.S. Army (Ret.)

James Patterson is an accomplished storyteller and an accomplished reporter. First Sergeant U.S. Army (Ret.) Matt Eversmann was part of Task Force Ranger, the unit depicted in the book and movie Black Hawk Down. Together, they conducted hundreds of interviews with soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, from which they constructed Walk in My Combat Boots.

These brutally honest stories allow us an insider’s look at the courage, integrity, patriotism and pain these warriors have experienced while serving our country. They share their pride in wearing the uniform, the huge range of emotions when in combat and the difficulties they encounter when returning home. A few of the heroes you meet are: • A young single mother who figures out how she can raise her son and be the mother he needs while still flying Black Hawks in-country

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• Several people who, on September 11, 2001, chose to enlist because they needed to make a difference and help protect our nation • Those who serve as medics, risking their lives to save others • The man who never told a soul about what he saw and did during his 20 years of service. He boxed up the stories along with his uniforms and medals. When his teenage daughter asked about his uniform she found in the attic, he realized he needed to share this with her. They created a business that salvages old uniforms and transforms them into high-end clothing and accessories. Each piece includes the story of the soldier who wore that uniform. The profits help support the families of fallen heroes.

The next time I thank a serviceman/woman for his/her service, I’ll have a much better understanding of what I’m thanking them for.

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9/25/2019

Art

Space

Story & Photos by Chelsea McConnell/ Contributing Writer

Levi Thomison

get exactly what he wanted, he was going to to make it himself. It was then that he began "He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works have researching knife making, watching YouTube with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works videos and doing countless hours of research to create something that would meet his standards with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist." in both quality and craftsmanship. His success – Francis of Assisi was not overnight, but his passion for the craft stayed with him. He even built his own forge in the process, before purchasing one. After years Knife maker. Bladesmith. Cutler. Art takes many forms. Levi Thomison of trying to make knives, Thomison finally made "one worth using." of Crawlin' T Knives practices the art of knife making. After a brief He showed his creation to friends at work and quickly sold the first conversation with him, it's apparent he works with his hands, head knife he ever made. As Levi puts it, and heart. "… I sold it to him, and then Thomison grew up in Oxford, Kansas, before moving to Ponca City I needed to make with a friend in 2005. After working for a local contractor, Levi was a n o t h e r able to quit his full-time job to pursue his passion for knife making one. in early 2020.

Several years ago, Levi purchased what he believed was a handmade knife. His goal was to find a good-quality knife with a unique look. Soon after making the purchase, he learned the knife didn’t pass the test. He realized to

58 May 2021

May 2021

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ArtSPACE

Then next thing you know, I just made some for everybody else and now I still don't have one of my own."

After selling the first knife, other friends requested knives as well. Soon orders were pouring in and Crawlin' T Knives officially started in 2018. Each knife has Levi's family Crawlin’ T brand stamped on it. The brand was created by his dad and uncle to honor the Thomison family name. Levi liked the idea of using it in his business to carry on his family’s legacy. By 2020, Levi had so many orders stacked up for his wares he decided to devote himself full time to his craft.

Raw materials used to make handles and blades.

Levi's talents don't stop at knife making. A creative at heart, he has tried his hand at making many items, including straight razors, grill tools, spurs, toothpicks and even wedding bands. He made he and his wife's wedding bands out of brass and nickel. He proposed with a traditional diamond engagement ring, but his wife prefers, and primarily wears, the band handmade for her by her husband.

Levi has made several other sets of rings out of materials like Damascus steel, wood, epoxy and an acrylic material called kirinite.

Thomison’s custom grill sets, which include a knife, fork and meat hook, would be a fantastic addition to anyone’s collection as we approach summer.

Thomison’s custom grill sets, which include a knife, fork and meat hook, would be a fantastic addition to anyone’s collection as we approach summer.

His process for knife making involves several steps, which vary depending on the type of knife and materials being used. In some cases, he makes his own materials; and in some cases, he purchases the raw materials from other makers. Customers usually place orders in one of two ways.

Some customers know what they want and give Levi specific parameters. Levi's favorite projects involve a customer who knows what they want to spend and what they need the knife to do. When Levi is left to figure out the rest, his creative side shines and he’s able to create works of art. He maps the project out in his head before getting started. There are no paper plans or sketches in Levi's workshop.

Thomison starts his process by annealing the steel in his forge.

Annealing is a heat treatment that makes materials more workable. He uses Damascus steel, files and even cable wire as steel for his knives. With the desired metal inside, he brings the forge up to around 1700 degrees and then lets it cool down slowly. Heating the steel to this extreme temperature allows the molecules in the metal to relax so it can be more easily worked into the desired shape.

After the basic desired shape is achieved, Thomison cleans up the profile using a belt grinder and creates the bevel or knife edge. Next, he drills the holes needed to attach the two sides

60 May 2021

of the handle. Once the knife is completely shaped, the metal is heat-treated again in the forge before being quenched in oil, at which point it hardens and becomes brittle. Next, the metal gets tempered at around 400 degrees. After the tempering process, it's time to clean the knife up, polish if needed and get ready to add the handles.

Damascus steel requires an additional step at this point called etching that makes the different types of steel stand out from each other.

Levi says he spends most of his time polishing the knife handles. It's a lengthy process using a belt sander and sandpaper that starts at 400 grit and goes all the way up to 2500-3000 grit. The last step is to use buffing wheels to get the handles polished. Thomison has made handles out of antlers, buffalo horn, bone, epoxy, acrylic, wood, mammoth tooth, mammoth tusk, brass, nickel, copper and turquoise.

After being brought several knives with antler handles that needed repair, he even created his own process for stabilizing antlers in a vacuum chamber. Thomison is also able to add custom colors to antlers to make his handles look even more distinctive.

Levi truly works with his hands, head and heart on each knife he creates. He collaborates with his customers to create a piece of art that often exceeds their expectations. With an inventive spirit and a nature for problem solving, Thomison is ready to tackle custom orders and new projects alike.

Find Crawlin' T Knives on social media for examples of Levi's work.

Facebook: Crawlin' T Knives (public group) TikTok: @levithomison

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DR. PHILLIP & NANCY TYNDALL Proudly serving Ponca City & surrounding communities for 20 years!

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1926 Lake Rd., Ste. 3, Ponca City, OK 74604 4 580-762-6890

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Call today if we can help you with your dental needs!

580-762-7857

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BROADWAY PLAZA APARTMENTS

THE PONCA PLAYHOUSE presents Based on the novel Don Quixote

201 E. BROADWAY • PONCA CITY

Simplified, Secure Living for Seniors and the Disabled

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

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

Call for information or apply in person.

580-762-4445

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

Directed by Ryan Brown

MAY 14-16 & 20-23

at Ponca Playhouse, 301 S. First Street SPECIAL LIVE STREAM NIGHT ON SATURDAY, MAY 22 TICKET FOR LIVE STEAM IS $20

ONE ✄ ✄ $5 OFF ENTRY TICKETS SOLD ONLINE @ PoncaPlayhouse.com beginning Monday, May 3… Adults $20, Students $10 75% capacity seating and masks are requested to be worn.

AT PONCA PLAYHOUSE MAY 14-16 & 20-23

Coupon must be presented at the Box Office when purchasing tickets for the performance.

May 2021

61

T e h n t o w of TASTE

Fun Meets Tasty at El Patio Mexican Restaurant Story & Photo by Nancy Laffey/Contributing Writer One of the busiest restaurant dining days of the year is coming soon. May 9 is Mother’s Day, and restaurants will be teeming with families ready to treat the selfless and hardworking mothers in their lives to a meal away from home. With spring in full bloom and the weather getting warmer, outdoor dining is now a reality again!

El Patio has the best patio in town to enjoy a refreshing margarita and some excellent Mexican cuisine. Every mom deserves this special treat and zero dishes to clean. El Patio Mexican Restaurant is my go-to establishment for quality service for large or small groups.

They serve consistent dishes every time without question.

For my Mother’s Day starter, I ordered the Guacamole Mexicano, fresh-made chunkystyle guacamole.

Don’t get the regular guacamole dip, it’s not the same, you must splurge for the primo stuff. I want to see all those avocado chunks, not just a green creamy paste! This guac is chock full of all the freshest ingredients and not too much lime. Treat yourself to this starter, along with their classic white queso; your mom deserves both. rita Sangria Marga

62 May 2021

Among my friends, El Patio is known for a sweet and stiff margarita, a classic on the rocks or frozen one that will compliment your meal nicely. But I ventured out this time with a Sangria Margarita from their specialty drink menu. It was colorful, with a swirl

of berry-colored sangria and that classic tart lime flavor in the margarita. She was the perfect marriage of cocktails for a Mother’s Day treat!

After all that, the main course arrives speedily, and I think I’m full of chips and dips … but somehow I clean my plate every time. El Patio has an extensive menu of classics and dishes that are unique to them. I have never ordered anything that wasn’t fresh and flavorful. My go-to dish at El Patio is the Chicken Avocado Enchiladas. They aren’t your typical enchiladas, in that the meat inside is more of a fajita-style chicken with grilled bell peppers and onions. The filling is wrapped in corn tortillas, which cooked properly are superior to flour.

They are topped with a spicy salsa Verde, and I also add the white queso to the dish for a creamy and cheesy addition.

The avocado part of this dish is served in slices on the side, not every bite needs a bit of avocado but it is a nice cool balance to the spice of the Verde sauce. The dish is served with rice in a neat pile, some sour cream and a slice of tomato. I love the presentation of the dish, unlike all Mexican restaurant dishes, I think this one goes to great lengths to be an upscale option, and I really like that they take pride in making each dish unique this way.

Cheers to all the wonderful mothers, I hope your families treat you well this Mother’s Day and every day.

“EXCEPTIONAL SENIOR LIVING Don’t settle for ordinary!”

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63

N E T V S E Y A

Y T N U O KAY C

MAY

1

M 2nd Annual "Sid Wilson" Memorial Ranch Rodeo 5PM - 7PM

101 Rodeo Arena, Ponca City Open Men's Rodeo 80% Payout $1,200 Added Money $5.00 Gate Fee/12 & Under FREE Silent Auction Concessions Available Events: Stray Gathering, Sort & Pen, Doctoring, Branding 20 Team Limit 4 Man Teams $100 per Man Call In: 580-716-2771

MAY

1

Schatte Memorial BBQ Extravaganza 9AM - 4PM 1104 North 4th, Ponca City The "Schatte Memorial BBQ Cookoff" was started in the fall of 2020 as a way to recognize and honor the legacy of Paul Schatte, a long time member and former teacher/principal of First Lutheran Church & School, and a legend

64 May 2021

in the BBQ world. A portion of the proceeds from this event will be designated to a memorial scholarship fund set up for the grandchildren of Paul Schatte. This event will be competitive by nature, but light-hearted in honor of Paul.

Vendors will be open from 9-4.

Cookoff tasting kits will be available from 11:30-1:30.

MAY

1

Gannon Fremin & CCREV at Ridin’ High 9PM - 12AM 2200 East Coleman Road,

Ponca City Gannon Fremin & CCREV Advanced Tickets: $5.00 At The Door: $8.00

MAY

1

Jockeys and Juleps 3:30PM - 7:30PM 901 Monument Rd, Ponca City Join the Kay County OSU Alumni Chapter for a fun-filled afternoon at the Marland Mansion for Jockeys &

Juleps and the 147th airing of the Kentucky Derby!

Tickets to this exciting event are $50/person. Admission includes Kentucky-inspired heavy hors d'oeuvres, traditional Derby beverages and games.

Derby attire is optional. Hats for the ladies and ties/bowties for the gentlemen would be a great way to get in the spirit.

Net proceeds will benefit a scholarship fund for students attending OSU from Kay County.

The Oklahoma State University Alumni Association (“OSUAA”) cannot prevent you and/or any other attendees from becoming exposed to, contracting, or spreading COVID-19 while attending OSUAA’s event.

Attendees choose to accept the risk of contracting COVID-19 and indemnify and hold OSUAA harmless from all liability. [see article on page 18 for additional details]

MAY

5

Movies on the Lawn 8PM - 10PM 1604 West Grand, Ponca City This FREE event is back at the RecPlex lawn! Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and bug spray.

Youth and teens under the age of 14 are asked to have adult supervision. Please practice proper social distancing. The lawn opens at 8:00 p.m., and the movie starts at dusk.

Coco Wednesday, May 5.

Batman and Robin Thursday, June 3.

Wonder Woman Saturday, June 19.

MAY

5

Highway 60 Tire & Service - Customer Appreciation Day 11AM - 2PM 64643 Us-60, Ponca City Join us Wednesday, May 5th, from 11am to 2pm as we celebrate the most important part of our business… you!

Lunch will be served from 11am – 2pm and will include deep-fried pork tenderloin, pulled pork, hot dogs, sides and a drink.

There will also be drawing for a Free Set of Four Hankook, Mastercraft, Kumno or General Branded Tires (Your Choosing, Up to $500) from your friends at Highway 60.

MAY

5

1 Million Cups with Kay County Election Board Pioneer Technology 8AM - 9AM Center - 2101 North Ash Street, Ponca City OK 74601 Come and hear all about the

Want to have your event listed? Submit your events to events@poncacitymonthly.com before the 5th of the PRIOR month. workings of the Kay County Election Board with Election Board Secretary, Cheryl Howard.

MAY

8

Color Blast Fun Run 9AM - 10AM RecPlex - 1604 West Grand, Ponca City Join the RecPlex on May 8th for a 5K Color Blast Fun Run! Color blast runs are a fun way to experience a 5k race with friends and family.

Enrollees will receive a race shirt that will be perfect to wear as you run through 5 various color stages.

In order to ensure a shirt enrollment must be completed by April 23rd.

The race will take place at the RecPlex Outdoor Walking Track and will be gun timed.

The run will include a 5k and a 1 mile route and is open to all ages and abilities.

Registration is $15 To register, visit www.poncacityok. gov/parksandrec-registration or by calling the RecPlex at 767-0430.

MAY

8

William Lee Martin Returns to the Poncan Stage 7:30PM - 9:30PM Poncan Theatre - 104 East Grand, Ponca City William Lee Martin returns to the Poncan stage!

After his successful 2020 tour, he's coming back!

Come see this great comedian and enjoy your favorite Poncan Theatre

alcoholic beverage.

Tickets start at $20!

The show begins at 7:30 on Saturday, May 8th, 2021. https://www.poncantheatre.org/

than a dozen national Number One singles and over 30 Top Ten hits.

PLEASE NOTE: Use the "Pick Your Own Seats" option after clicking on "Buy Now" to choose specific seats!

For more information visit Sevenclans.com/first-councilcasino-hotel.

MAY

22

Wacky Golf 9AM - 12PM Wentz Golf Course 2928 LA Cann Drive, Ponca City This is not your average round of golf. This will be a fun golf tournament with plenty of laughs.

The course will feature an activity/challenge on all of the par 3 & 4 holes; par 5 holes will play as normal.

2 Person Teams. Scramble format. $70 per person / $120 team Includes cart, lunch, and 2 beverages Some of the activities & challenges may include: Ready 4 Launch- Tee off using a sling shot instead of driver.

What a Racket - Tee off by tossing ball in the air and hitting with a tennis racket.

Random Draw - Draw to see what club you will use for the entire hole.

Cue Ball - Must putt using putter like a pool cue.

Tee Ball - Tee off using a batting tee & baseball bat.

Dizzy Drive - Close your eyes and spin 3x before teeing off.

Proceeds benefit the Charity Angel Ambucs to help with their mission to provide mobility and independence to people with disabilities.

Hole and corporate sponsorships also available. ambucs.org

MAY

28

26th Hospice Memorial Golf Tournament Wentz Golf course 8AM - 12PM 2928 LA Cann Drive, Ponca City The 26th Hospice Memorial Golf Tournament to be held at Wentz

Golf course. 8:00 a.m. shotgun start followed by lunch courtesy of Ody's and D&P Tank at outside courtyard at Ody's. 18-hole scramble with partner of your choice. Blind draw. $100 per player includes cart and lunch. Honor a loved one with a hole sponsor for $200.

Call Wendy at 580-762-9102 for more information.

MAY

28

The Oak Ridge BoysElvira 40 Tour 1981 - 2021 8PM - 10PM 12875 North Highway 77, Newkirk Doors: 7PM - This event is All Ages Theirs is one of the most distinctive and recognizable sounds in the music industry. The four-part harmonies and upbeat songs of The Oak Ridge Boys have spawned dozens of Country hits and a Number One Pop smash, earned them Grammy, Dove, CMA, and ACM awards and garnered a host of other industry and fan accolades. Every time they step before an audience, the Oaks bring four decades of charted singles, and 50 years of tradition, to a stage show widely acknowledged as among the most exciting anywhere. And each remains as enthusiastic about the process as they have ever been.

The group has scored 12 gold, three platinum, and one double platinum album - plus one double platinum single - and had more

MAY

29

Alien - ($5 Movie) 2PM - 4PM

Poncan Theatre- 104 East Grand, Ponca City Enjoy your favorite movies at the Poncan!

An INTERACTIVE showing will take place at 7PM! For those who desire a classic movie-going experience, we suggest the 2PM showing.

In deep space, the crew of the commercial starship Nostromo is awakened from their cryo-sleep capsules halfway through their journey home to investigate a distress call from an alien vessel.

The terror begins when the crew encounters a nest of eggs inside the alien ship. An organism from inside an egg leaps out and attaches itself to one of the crew, causing him to fall into a coma. poncantheatre.org

Visit PoncaCityMonthly.com for a full list of events.

May 2021

65

Affordable Dentures & Implants – Oklahoma, PLLC - General Dentistry

Chris Bugg, DDS

Affordable Dentures & Implants – Oklahoma, PLLC - General Dentistry

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SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY!

(580) 200-2261 580-749-9370 www.DDSPoncaCity.com 66 May 2021

Macaroni

& Cheese Easy to Make Potluck Favorite

Recipe & Photo by Paul Muehlberg/Contributing Writer

INGREDIENTS

• 3 ounces kettle style potato chips • 1 tablespoon melted butter • 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, (approximately 1/8 cup) • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (½ tsp if using dried) • 1 pound casarecce pasta or your preferred pasta shape • 5 tablespoons butter, divided • 4 large shallots, finely chopped • Kosher salt as needed • ¼ cup all purpose flour • 1 quart whole milk • freshly ground black pepper, as needed • 1 teaspoon ground mustard • 4 ounces aged white cheddar, grated (approximately 2 cups) • 12 ounces gruyere cheese, grated (approximately 4 cups) • 5 tablespoons butter, divided

With Mother’s Day and Memorial Day potlucks and picnics in full swing, it’s time to pull out my tried ‘n’ true Mac ‘n’ Cheese recipe.

Our family tradition for both of these holidays is to pick up a bucket of chicken from KFC; everyone brings a side, and we head to Lake Ponca for lunch and a day in the sun.

DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

minutes or until the edges are just beginning to brown. Stir in the flour and the ground mustard.

Pulse the potato chips in a food processor to Cook for two minutes. Slowly whisk the milk a sandy texture about 10-15 seconds. Add 1 into the flour and slowly heat to a gentle tablespoon of the melted butter, parmesan and simmer. Remove from the heat and add the cheddar and gruyere cheeses. Stir until smooth the thyme. Pulse to combine about 2-3 pulses. and the cheese is fully melted. Salt and pepper to taste. (you may not need In a large pot of salted boiling any salt depending on the water, add the pasta and Prep Time: 15 minutes saltiness of your cheese). cook to al dente according Add the pasta and stir until to package directions. Drain Cook Time : 60-75 minutes well combined. Transfer to pasta and rinse under cold Servings: 6 a baking dish and sprinkle water. the top with the potato chip topping. Bake for 25-30 Set a large heavy bottomed pot under medium heat and melt 5 tablespoons minutes or until the pasta is bubbly and the top of the butter. Add the shallots and a pinch of salt. is golden brown.

Sweat the shallots over medium-low heat for 5-7

May 2021

67

Jockeys Juleps Derby-Inspired Fundraiser to Benefit Kay County Students

Story Contributed by Dr. Margaret Bowman “Go, baby, go.” The Oklahoma State University Alumni Association – Kay County Chapter is bringing back a Kentucky Derby-inspired fundraiser event to Kay County. “Jockeys and Juleps” is a scholarship fundraising event that directly benefits Kay County high school seniors.

On May 1, this outdoor event will be held at the Marland Mansion starting at 3:30 p.m. Regular tickets to the event are $50 per person. “Jockeys and Juleps” will highlight the Kentucky Derby atmosphere with an afternoon of entertainment, Kentucky-inspired heavy hors d’oeuvres, traditional derby beverages and airing of the 147th Kentucky Derby races.

The OSU Alumni Association – Kay County Chapter’s primary mission is to generate funds to provide scholarships to local high school seniors who plan to attend Oklahoma State University. Our local chapter, formed in 2004, has awarded $16,000 in scholarships to area seniors representing every high school in Kay County. Recently, our organization has increased the number of scholarships awarded each year. Numerous qualified and accomplished high school seniors apply for our scholarship that awards the

68 May 2021

student $2000 each year.

“Jockeys and Juleps” will serve as the Kay County Chapter’s yearly fundraiser for scholarship funds. The goal is to generate enough proceeds to be able to provide each deserving applicant a scholarship award to support his/her education. On average, our local chapter has six to ten applicants from Kay County high schools each year. With an annual fundraiser such as “Jockeys and Juleps,” we hope to start awarding scholarships to every applicant starting with the 2022 senior class.

We hope to #seeyouatthederby this May 1! Derby attire is optional. We will have awards for best hat for the ladies, tie or bowtie for the gentlemen and face mask at the event. Ladies' derby hats will be available for purchase at Liles & Company prior to the event. A portion of those proceeds will be directed to the Kay County scholarship fund. Regular and VIP tickets are available in person at Pioneer Veterinary Clinic, Liles & Company, Sugar Lips, Ponca City Chamber Office and from our board members: Amy Wilcox, Katie Liston, Dondi Rowe and Margaret Bowman. Tickets can also be purchased online at ORANGECONNECTION.org/jockeys. Follow our hashtags: #poncacityderby #jockeys&juleps

Simple safety tips for water sports enthusiasts Bodies of water like lakes, rivers and oceans often elicit fond memories of fun times spent under the sun. Safety should always be a priority when spending time on the water, especially when participating in water sports, including swimming and water skiing.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 40 people die by drowning every hour of every day, which equates to around 372,000 deaths each year. Many of those deaths, the vast majority of which occur in low- or middleincome countries, are preventable, and safety is at the core of drowning prevention.

Though drowning incidents are not as prevalent in the United States and Canada as they are elsewhere in the world, the popularity of water sports in both countries underscores the importance of revisiting the various ways to stay safe when out on the water.

• Take water sports lessons. The carefree nature of

spring and summer can make it easy for water sports enthusiasts to forgo lessons before trying their hands at water skiing and wakeboarding. But such lessons can teach people techniques that can keep them safe on the water. Courses teach everything from how to get up and out of the water to how to properly handle a tow rope. They also can teach boaters how to navigate waters while towing skiers, tubers and wakeboarders.

• Learn hand signals and go over them before getting

in the water. The National Safety Council emphasizes the importance of basic hand signals, which can be used to help boaters communicate with the people they're towing. Hand signals are vital because water sports tend to be noisy, so nonverbal communication may be the only way boaters can communicate with the people they're towing. Signals can be used

to communicate anything from directions of turns to speed requests to the condition of the person being towed. A list of hand signals can be found at www.boaterexam.com/safety/safety-commonhand-signals.aspx.

• Inspect tow lines. The NSC advises inspecting

tow lines prior to beginning. Such inspections can confirm that tow lines are not caught in the propeller or wrapped around anyone before the activity begins.

• Wait for the propeller to stop before getting back

on the boat. People being towed should always wait for propellers to stop before climbing back into the boat. It doesn't take long for propellers to stop, and those extra few seconds can dramatically reduce risks for accidents or injuries.

• Avoid water sports at night. Visibility is compromised once the sun goes down. That can make it hard for boaters to see any obstacles that might appear in the water, and it also makes it very difficult for them to communicate with the people they're towing. As a result of such difficulties, the NSC urges water sports enthusiasts to only engage in such activities during daylight hours.

Water sports make summer even more fun.

Safety should always be the utmost priority for anyone involved in such activities.

May 2021

69

P O N C A

C I T Y

Recycling Center 1001 W. Prospect, Ponca City (580)-762-7296

Operated by Supported Community Lifestyles

Wednesday through Sunday 9 am – 5 am Please pre-sort all items to save you time

Please remove all bags and strings

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE ACCEPTED: CARDBOARD

Corrugated cardboard, cereal boxes, paper towel rolls, brown paper bags

PAPER – All paper must be pre-sorted:

Newspaper Magazines, catalogs Office paper Computer and white office paper (no color) Telephone books Books Shredded Paper – Bagged

TIN/STEEL CANS GLASS Green Brown / Amber Clear

ALUMINUM CANS

70 May 2021

VARIOUS ASSORTED METALS Copper Brass Aluminum foil / pie tins Steel Water heaters

LATEX PAINT

Good paint in the original can. Rusted cans are not accepted. No containers larger than 1 gallon.

ELECTRONICS

Computer towers / laptops (hard drives destroyed by DocuGUARD Certified Shredding for no charge) Keyboards Computer Mouses Printers / copiers / scanners Cell Phones Wire / Cables

May 2021

71

Together, We'll Make Ponca City a

NO-KILL CITY

Northern Oklahoma Humane Society embraces the goal of Ponca City becoming a no-kill city by the end of 2025 and applaud the city commissioners who voted and unanimously approved the resolution on 4-12-2021.

Together, we will find A HOME FOR THEM ALL What it means to be a no-kill city or community…

A no-kill community is one that acts on the belief that every healthy, adoptable dog and cat should be saved, and that its focus should be on saving as many lives as possible through pet adoption, spay/neuter, trap-neuter-return and other community support programs.

Connecting Animals In Need With People Who Care.

580-767-8877 nokhs.com