May 2024 Ponca City Monthly

Pictured: Ponca City Main Street’s Time Frame App Cover Design by Andy Hicks

Letter from the Editor

A few months ago my kids got in trouble. BIG trouble. Bad grades and too much technology is a dangerous combination in today’s world, so I decided it was time for a hard reset. I did what every parent both loves and hates to do, and took away every electronic device that my children cherish. Let me also just point out that my kids are not “children,” they are more like man-sized teenagers. I haven’t enforced this severe of a punishment in years, but they crossed the line with me this time. I was just in the right mood to jump to an extreme punishment. Taking away all electronics from teens isn’t just a punishment for the kids, it’s a punishment for the parents. As I packed controllers, ipads, phones and game consoles into a black bag and loaded it into the trunk of my car, I couldn’t help but feel like I had a load of illegal contriband.

Kids immediately go into the 7 stages of grief when they are deprived of screens. Through shock, denial and anger, they protested. But, I was determined to teach my kids a lesson this time, so I gave them no set date of when the technology embargo would be lifted. They whined, they bargained, they yelled, but they slowly began to come to terms with their new reality.

About seven days into the ban I picked them up after school and took them to a barber shop for a haircut. My older son looked at me and said, “Um, I can’t get a haircut without my phone.”

Perplexed, I said, “why on earth do you need a phone for a haircut?”

“Because,” he said matter-of-factly, as he launched into a fullfledged meltdown, “I have to go walk into that room and wait. I might have to wait for 5 minutes, or I might have to wait for 30 minutes and if I have to wait for 30 minutes what am I supposed to do? What, just look at people? Look at the walls?”

I sat there for a few seconds letting the words find their footing in my very confused millennial-mom brain. In that moment I realized that my child didn’t know how to “wait” without the crutch of technology to pass the time. I spent most of childhood technologyfree and spending hours at a track meet or looking out a bus window with nothing to do was the norm. It is not the norm for children today.

He went in to get a haircut without his phone. It wasn’t the end of the world. I’m not sure if he found a magazine or stared at the wall, but the entire conversation triggered another even more troublesome thought - when was the last time I waited for 30 minutes without looking at my phone?

Children aren’t the guilty parties here, they do what they’re taught and what they’re allowed to do by their parents. It’s very easy to point to kids and say how hooked they are on technology, but aren’t we all? The lesson here is simple, the next time you go to a doctor’s office or have a 30-minute wait to see your chiropractor - try it. Sit there, without looking at your phone. It’s not just kids that have lost the ability to sit alone with their thoughts - we all have, and that is a scary reality indeed.

editor@poncacitymonthly.com

Po-Hi Alumni Hall of Fame Slates Scholarship Fundraiser

Story by Carey Head | Staff Writer

“Most Likely to Succeed” is the tongue-in-cheek honor bestowed upon graduating seniors by their classmates. Traditionally, one senior boy and girl are recognized for their potential to go forth and do great things.

Like the senior votes, Ponca City High School’s Alumni Hall of Fame recognizes Wildcats doing great things. Their stories and portraits are on display in Po-Hi to serve as a reminder that giants tread these halls and you, dear student, can join them.

Sandy James, HoF Committee member, says the Ponca City High School Alumni Hall of Fame was established in 2017 to honor Po-Hi alumni, living or deceased who have made significant achievements in their post high school careers.

The group also provides scholarships to Po-Hi graduating seniors. The goal is to provide scholarships in an amount great enough to provide significant financial relief for the graduate’s continuing college and/or vocational education expenses. Funding for these scholarships is provided through the Po-Hi Alumni Hall of Fame Scholarship Endowment Fund. The Scholarship Endowment Fund aims to grow both the dollar value and number of scholarships awarded. For those thinking this is a duplication of Ponca City Public School Foundation efforts, Sandy explains the important distinction, “We differ from the Ponca City Public School Foundation in that they were established to provide grants to teachers for supplemental teaching materials and educational aids. The Hall of Fame Endowment was established strictly to provide scholarships to graduating Po-Hi seniors to help them reach their goal of furthering their education.”

Mike is a Po-Hi Alumni Hall of Fame inductee. The 1972 graduate gave the very first broadcast journalism report via satellite while working for the then fledgling Cable News Network. This live report signaled a paradigm shift in the reporting of world events that continues to this day.

Mike has since won Emmy and Peabody awards for his coverage of global conflict and foreign affairs. As a war correspondent, he has survived being shot at, bombed, kidnapped and chased through the streets by guerilla mobs.

For the Evening with Mike Boettcher event, Mike plans to share his insider’s insight into global events as few other humans can (that aren’t restricted by government security measures, that is). Mike will also field questions from the audience. Adam Leaming, Superintendent of Ponca City Public Schools, will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Hors D’oeuvres will be served, and a cash bar will be available.

Mike Boettcher takes a swift-running river in stride while carrying 85 pounds of extra cameras, batteries, tripods, food, water, change of clothes, camera lights and a portable satellite dish in his pack. Mike and son Carlos spent two years embedded with the Army’s 101st Airborne brigades. From their footage and experience came “The Hornet’s Nest,” a documentary available on streaming services, including Amazon’s Prime Video. (Photo provided by Mike Boettcher)

A scholarship benefit event, ”An Evening with Mike Boettcher” will be held Friday, May 17 at Pioneer Technology Center’s Conference Center.

James, sandyspack@gmail.com .

Where are they now?

Ponca City High School Alumni, Class of 1979

A Boy Named James: Life on His Own Terms

Story by Marlys Cervantes | Staff Writer

“James Yang always comes to mind when I need an illustration for a particularly complex idea. He distills abstraction into clarity with minimal line, bold color and unique images. James says so much with so little. James is amazing.”

~ Orlie Kraus, Art Director, The Wall Street Journal

James Yang grew up in Ponca City, but was always destined to go wherever his art took him. Although he’s certainly well-traveled, home for James and his wife, Abby Chancandanz, a choreographer and modern dancer, is a three-bedroom

apartment in Brooklyn with neighbors who are mostly creatives of one type or another. One of the rooms in his apartment serves as his studio, providing him both space and freedom to create when he feels moved (or the need due to deadlines) to do so.

Yang loves the variety of work in being a freelance illustrator and says it’s really the opposite of having a regular job. He says, “It’s a little like being a surfer except the pay is better and you can live life as you want—whether that’s a bohemian lifestyle or one that’s 9 to 5.”

Although he works with numerous Art Directors with the multitude of clients he serves, Yang has had the same agent since the beginning. He feels fortunate to have found an agent he describes as old-fashioned whose agency has grown with him into all his differing interests. David Goldman began with Yang in 1987 and has been his agent in all avenues of his career ever since. Goldman loves to talk and manages to find space for all people, so they love to work with him.

While Yang has illustrated for numerous wellknown magazines and organizations, one of his favorite projects is doing “Word on the Street” for the Wall Street Journal. He’s given a word or phrase, and there are often double meanings. Sometimes he also has a brief synopsis of the article to go on as he illustrates. He describes this as “Electric Company for adults,” which makes it great fun for him as he works on his illustrations.

Yang has won over 250 awards for design and illustration and has taught and lectured at various institutions, including SCAD and Parsons and was an executive board member for ICON, a biennial illustration conference.

One of his other favorite projects was for the Metropolitan Transit Authority, which fell into his lap when he was introduced to the director at a

Society of Illustrators’ talk and then contacted four years later to be part of the project. Only three artists designed posters, which were then made into wallpaper for the subway. Originally, these were only going to be on the subway for three years, but when COVID-19 hit the country, they were left on. You can still find Yang’s designs when you travel in New York City today!

The New York subway is a long way from Ponca City where James grew up. He remembers grade school as great, junior high as the toughest years of school, because things were hard, and he wasn’t allowed to fight. However, he sees that those times helped him develop his sense of (sarcastic) humor. He remembers riding his bike to the pond at the Marland Mansion. He wouldn’t give up the times of ups and downs that helped build the person he is today. Then, high school was when people spread out more, and he had friends who would drag Grand on weekends and just go to Ponca Lake and talk. Mostly, he enjoyed art and journalism in school, which is no big surprise.

“What’s

fascinating is I was the only Korean in Ponca City in the 1960s,” Yang says laughing, “and the most disillusioning thing I’ve learned is, I’m not the only Asian to grow up in a small town in the middle of the U.S., and 85% of us made really banger books that are best sellers now.”

Books have become a special interest for Yang. He began illustrating children’s books for others while his editor found a publisher for his books. He is currently with Viking Books, and they’ve been a great fit with each of his books seeming to be more successful than the last. His book Bus! Stop! was selected as an outstanding picture book by The New York Times. Stop! Bot! is a Geisel award winner for the most distinguished American book for beginning readers.

His newest book A Boy Named Isamu, which he based somewhat off his own childhood, received rave reviews and is the 2022 APALAAmerican Library Association Honor picture book for Asian American Literature. It is a beautiful book about Isamu’s experiences, and Yang had the idea early on but waited to write it until his name was better known in children’s literature circles because he felt it was a more important story for him to tell. You can see a variety of influences of his time

growing up in Ponca City, such as when Isamu spends time reflecting at the ocean like Yang did at Marland Mansion’s pond.

Waiting seems to have been a good plan since he now has another book due out this May about Charles and Ray Eames called Charles and Ray: Designers at Play. The Junior Library Guild has already named it a Gold Standard Selection, meaning it’s a book to watch for this year. His plans are to follow it up later with one about Carl Sagan. Seriously, I cannot wait for these. A Boy Called

“What’s fascinating is I was the only Korean in Ponca City in the 1960s,” Yang says laughing, “and the most disillusioning thing I’ve learned is I’m not the only Asian to grow up in a small town in the middle of the U.S., and 85% of us made really banger books that are best sellers now.”

Isamu is a favorite of mine, and I’ve given it as a gift on several occasions.

It is no surprise that Yang’s life as an illustrator took him to children’s literature. When I asked about his work projects, he described them as “homework. You get done and bolt outside to go play or something.” He says his 40 years in the illustration

field has been a great ride: “I’m very lucky to have made a living creatively. I’m like the mentor in the Kensington-Brooklyn neighborhood now.”

You can find more information about the creative work of Yang on his website at jamesyang.com, on Instagram at Yangblog or on his Facebook page. If you have children you need to buy for, or if you’d

enjoy the books yourself, like I do, check out the several he has available now and watch for those that are coming soon.

Yang considers himself a planner and feels he basically got where he’d intended even if his path was different than originally planned. He went in the direction of illustration because he felt he had something unique to offer, and it appears others agree. He graduated with his B.F.A. in Communication Arts and Design from Virginia Commonwealth University, and he still remembers a time his roommate’s dad was giving him a ride and offered a bit of advice that Yang considers a gift. The advice was to take the risks. He has remembered this advice many times when he might not have done so, and he feels grateful that he can look back and consider he did better than expected.

“We always worry about what life’s going to bring, but when a door does open, make sure to go through it,” Yang says. “Sometimes you don’t even know what you’re good at or what you’ll enjoy.”

James Yang has made sure not to miss out on life by going through door after door, taking the risks life has put before him with great gusto. His life choices are every bit as bold as the color found in his vibrant illustrations and brilliant children’s books

SEALES INSURANCE

Grand Mental Health (Breaking Down the Barriers to Getting Help) Because Mental Health Doesn’t Wait

Story by Chelsea McConnell | Staff Writer

Grand Mental Health (GMH) is Kay County’s hub for mental health support. Led by Clinical Director JacqueLynn Blackwell and Operations Director Samantha Goodno, Grand Mental Health is using a multi-pronged approach to help improve the mental health of citizens all over Kay County. Currently the facility serves over 1,500 clients in Kay County and every client is seen each month. Jacque and Samantha both point out that anyone can walk into GMH Monday through Friday, 8:00 –5:00. There is no waiting list. If a client doesn’t have insurance, a GMH staff member will walk them through the process of applying for Medicaid or SoonerCare. Samantha stresses that payment “should never be something that holds you back from services. You can walk in today and we'll help you with that.” Jacque underlines the importance of the issue by adding, “Mental health doesn't wait.”

Grand Mental Health is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). As defined by the State of Oklahoma’s website, “CCBHCs are designed to provide a comprehensive range of mental health and substance use disorder services to vulnerable individuals. CCBHCs represent an opportunity for states to improve the behavioral health of their citizens by: providing communitybased mental and substance use disorder services; advancing integration of behavioral health with physical health care; assimilating and utilizing

Photos provided by GRAND Mental Health

evidence-based practices on a more consistent basis; and promoting improved access to highquality care. Care coordination is the linchpin holding these aspects of CCBHC care together and ensuring high quality care and improved outcomes.”

Jacque breaks down what they do for us even further. “We focus on mental health, but mental health is more than going to therapy. We focus on case management, which involves providing

resources regarding housing, employment, food, electricity, wellness and more. If we're not taking care of our bodies physically or if we're financially unstable, all of that can bleed over to our mental health. So CCBHC means we offer a wider range of services.” GMH has Care Coordinators for their clients. These Coordinators make sure clients’ basic needs like food and shelter are met so the clients can focus on improving their mental health. Jacque explains that this approach of treating the whole person is vital. Diving into trauma and trying

65th ANNUAL

THURSDAY - FRIDAY - SATURDAY

8 PM NIGHTLY • JUNE 6 - 7 -8

Rodeo Grounds - Ash & Prospect in Ponca City

Countdown to the Greatest Show on Dirt!

THURSDAY (Tough Enough to Wear Pink)

6:00 pm Free BBQ from Danny’s BBQ Head Quarters with ADVANCE rodeo ticket purchase

7:45 pm Preshow

8:00 pm Rodeo Performance #1 - Community Appreciation Night (kids 12 and under free)

10:00 pm Live Concert: Matt Williams

10:00 pm WPRA Slack at the 101 Wild West Rodeo Arena

FRIDAY (Red, White and Blue)

8:00 am Registration for Rodeo Golf Tournament at PCCC, Tee off @ 9 am

7:45 pm Preshow

8:00 pm Rodeo Performance #2 - Honoring FIRST RESPONDERS

10:00 pm Live Concert: Pryor Baird

SATURDAY (90’s Night)

8:30 am Steer Roping at the 101 Wild West Rodeo Arena

10:00 am 101 Rodeo Parade in downtown Ponca City

Kid’s Rodeo following parade on the front lawn at the library

Stock Contractor

ANDREWS RODEO COMPANY

Sammy Andrews, left is a 2024 Inductee to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.

5:00 pm Kids Korral’s Tailgate with a Purpose brought to you by Stuteville Ford and Stuteville Chevrolet of Ponca City at the rodeo grounds with advance rodeo ticket purchase

7:45 pm Preshow

8:00 pm Rodeo performance #3 - Honoring MILITARY

10:00 pm Live Concert: Little Texas

TICKET INFORMATION

BEST PRICES ONLINE

ADVANCE DISCOUNT

GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS at these locations now thru June 6 at 5 pm

Tractor Supply & Merrick’s Boutique

Better prices than at the gate, however, online tickets are even less.

VIP Tables & Bundle passes are available online.

– THANK YOU TO OUR RODEO SPONSORS –

– NIGHTLY CONCERTS –

Concerts require a SEPARATE ticket. Tickets are available online (BEST PRICES) or at the gate.

THURSDAY Matt Williams

For online tickets or more information: 101wildwestrodeo.com THANK YOU to HRI Roofing & Post Frame for for donating the new ticket booth.

FRIDAY Pryor Baird

SATURDAY Little Texas

to heal is difficult in the best circumstances. That difficulty spikes to an unmanageable level if clients are worried about having enough food for dinner or not being able to pay their bills.

GMH has a staff of over 170 people, with almost 40 therapists. They employ individuals trained with a range of specialties and offer an equally wide range of services. One area that has grown in the last few years is the number of Behavioral Health Coaches in our local schools. A few years ago, GMH had only a few coaches in area schools. Now they have thirteen coaches working in schools in Ponca City, Tonkawa, Blackwell and Newkirk. These coaches are there to help students work through big emotions and difficult times. Having specialty-trained staff on-site offering these services allows teachers to teach and the principals to be principals. Behavioral Coaches can offer kids positive reinforcement, a quick reset, and give them the tools to cope. The ultimate goal is that through coaching, students can learn the skills

needed to help them eventually tackle difficulties on their own and stay in class. Another program GMH offers is called PACT, or Program for Assertive Community Treatment. This program focuses on helping individuals with a diagnosis that includes a psychosis feature. Individuals are met at least 3 times per week and 75% of the meetings have to be in the community. This means PACT team members are meeting them in their home, going with them to the grocery store or doing other things to help these individuals break out of isolation and lead normal lives. PACT clients have a 4-person team wrapping them in care including a Therapist, Care Coordinator, Peer Recovery Support Specialist and a Nurse. Jacque says the PACT team members are “the most welcoming, understanding, and openminded people you're ever going to meet.”

GMH also has a variety of social support groups anyone can join. They have a group that walks together, groups that focus on wellness, a cooking group, a crochet group, a parent support group, a healthy relationships group for teens, and more. There are also a lot of kid’s groups that come together in the summer when school is out of session. Groups help clients socialize and break them out of isolating habits. Being in community reminds them that everyone struggles and they are not alone.

In honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, GMH is partnering with other local agencies, groups and non-profits to host a Mental Health Awareness Event on Thursday, May 16th, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at War Memorial Park. The event is free and open to the public. There will be booths set up with information and free health screenings will be offered. They will have Yoga and Tai Chi in the Park, jump tents, free hotdogs, drinks, snacks, and other fun activities including a coloring contest for kids.

Another partnership Jacque and Samantha feel passionate about are the groups they work with through monthly Community Coalition meetings. These meetings take place at 10:00 a.m. on the

second Wednesday of each month at Pioneer Tech. In attendance are local non-profits and other service agencies that work to meet the needs of citizens in Kay County. Directors come together to share resources and solve the problems of our community. A recent initiative that came out of that group was the Winter Less Cold Warming Shelter. Jacque says anyone is welcome at these meetings and they would love to hear from community members who see needs in our community. Directly after the Community Coalition, the Infant and Early Childhood Coalition meets addressing the needs of those 0-5 in our community. Jacque shares that trauma can begin in the womb and she’s passionate about preventing a lifetime of stress for youth in Kay County.

Grand Mental Health has such a wide range of services. They offer adult and children’s therapy, individually, as a family or in a group setting. They offer youth services including strengthening families and infant mental health. They offer substance use & addiction services for opioid dependency and intensive outpatient programs. They also offer medication management, 24/7 crisis services and residential rehabilitation. These are just a handful of the services offered at Grand Mental Health.

The main thing Jacque and Samantha want our community to know about GMH is that they are there to help. Jacque adds, “It's okay to ask for help. It's okay if you're struggling because that's normal. We're all human.”

For more information you can call Grand Mental Health at 844-458-2100 or visit their offices at 407 W. South Avenue in Ponca City. Remember, walkins are more than welcome and GMH is committed to helping everyone who walks through their doors.

Ponca City Main Street’s Time Frame App

Linking the Present with the Past

Story by Chelsea McConnell | Staff Writer

Ponca City Main Street (PCMS) is at it again – enhancing the way we interact with our downtown by linking what we see in the present day to our community’s rich and unique history. In honor of National Preservation Month, PCMS will launch their Time Frame App in May.

The Time Frame app is a historical tour app that will allow users to take a self-guided tour of our downtown. The app will lead users on a route highlighting various properties downtown. At each of the destinations, users will be able to hold up their mobile device to see historic photos of the location layered over the present-day view. The app will use GPS and be able to give

specific instructions on where to stand, how far to walk to the next location, and the like. Users will find themselves across the street from the property, so they are able to view the entire building or space. They will then hold up their device and be transported back in time. All locations on the tour will feature multiple historic photos. These photos give insight to the history of the buildings and the history of our community. They are a glimpse into what life was like in downtown Ponca City over the years. Photos range from approximately 1895-1970.

In total, the app will feature 15 locations within our downtown.

Cherokee Strip Parade

Original Arcade Hotel

Users will get to experience over 90 historic photos, each taking them back to a special moment in our community’s past. At each location, the user will be treated to an audio

description of the building read by PCMS’s current Board President Jeff MacKinnon. Description details include information on the architectural style of the property, significant historical facts, and observations about notable changes throughout time.

You don’t have to be a history buff to appreciate the things you’ll learn using the app. You’ll see the property where greats like Will Rogers and Duke Ellington performed and the location where historic figures like William Taft and Theodore Roosevelt stayed. You’ll see the space that was a hub for millionaires in the 1920s. The app features historic parade shots with elephants marching down Grand Avenue. Properties showcased feature a variety of architectural styles including Spanish Colonial, Classical Revival, Italianate

Revival and more. You’ll see photos of a property that was built in one location and moved to another and even the locations of properties that, sadly, no longer exist.

According to Ponca City Main Street Director Maci Graves, “The Time Frame app is a historical tour app that is used to encourage historic preservation and highlight the heritage of our community using the latest advances in augmented reality. This project encourages tourism to our community and shows our

Goodyear Building, presently owned and occupied by the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce.

Marland Building Grand, East, 300 block, south side

Ponca City Bus Station, presently the office location of Mary Maddox, Edward Jones, Harvest Hall and 3 apartments. Owned by Dr. Aaron Neale.

Poncan Theatre

appreciation for the rich heritage of Ponca City.” There are currently ten Oklahoma communities featured on the Time Frame app. PCMS partnered with Ponca City Tourism and our local TSET (Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust) branch to bring this project to fruition.

Ponca City Main Street works in four broad areas designated by Main Street America called the Four Points. The Four Points are represented by PCMS’s four committees.

Committee members work diligently to carry out the program’s Mission and Vision through the countless projects they do each year. The Time Frame project has been spearheaded by the Economic Vitality Committee, led by Board Member Lori Henderson. Lori is incredibly passionate about our community’s history and our downtown. For years, Lori’s passion has fueled her service on the Main Street Board and Committees.

The Time Frame App project is just one of the exciting things Main Street has been working on recently. Committees are always busy pursuing new projects and ideas. If you are passionate about our community’s historic downtown, contact Main Street to get involved today. Volunteers have a huge impact on the program and new insight is always needed and appreciated. Any and all community members are invited to serve on committees. Because committees have no term limits, they are a great entry point to getting more involved in our community.

For more information on this project, any other Main Street project, or getting involved with the program, reach out to PCMS today. You can reach the PCMS office at (580) 763-8082, visit them in person at 400 E. Central Ave. in Suite 201G, or find them on social media. The Time Frame app can be found in the Apple Store or on Google Play.

According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, “Preservation Month began as National Preservation Week in 1973. In 2005, the National Trust extended the celebration to the entire month of May and declared it Preservation Month to provide an even greater opportunity to celebrate the diverse and unique heritage of our country’s cities and states.” Because our downtown is the heart of our community both geographically and historically, Main Street makes preserving our history and sharing it with our community a priority of the program.

Featured Properties:

City Hall, 516 E. Grand Ave.

Goodyear Tire Building, 420 E. Grand Ave.

Marland Building, 324 E. Grand Ave.

Masonic Building, 222 E. Grand Ave.

Farmers National Bank, 122 E. Grand Ave.

Union Bus Station, 201 N. 2nd St.

Jens Marie Hotel, 109 N. 2nd St.

Poncan Theatre, 104 E. Grand Ave.

Arcade Hotel, 104 W. Grand Ave.

Orville Savage Motor Company, 200 W. Grand Ave.

Kress Building, location 1, 105 E. Grand Ave.

Kress Building, location 2, 105 W. Grand Ave.

Souligny Donahoe Building, 121 E. Grand Ave.

Pabst Building, 201 E. Grand Ave.

Paris Furniture Building, 409 E. Grand Ave.

Firemen at Fire Station, City Hall

Souligny Building under construction

Cherokee Strip Parade

Elephants on Grand

wall | wôl | noun

a continuous vertical brick or stone structure that encloses or divides • a side of a building or room, typically forming part of the building’s structure • any high vertical surface or façade, especially one that is imposing in scale • a thing perceived as a protective or restrictive barrier.

mural | ˈmyoor(ə)l | noun a painting or other work of art executed directly on a wall.

30 30 New Murals to Grace Ponca City Walls

‘Sunny

Dayz’ Shines Light on Women, Marginalized Artists

Story by Carey Head | Staff Writer

Where there is a wall, a muralist sees a canvas. And, on that canvas, there is beauty to be created; a barrier softened and even healing to be helped.

A World Health Organization study found, “The arts can help across all conditions, from brain injury to mental illness to cancer, and shape behaviors from mother-infant bonding to speech and language development.”*

From Memorial Weekend through June 1, more than 50 muralists from Oklahoma, Texas and Alabama will converge on Ponca City to celebrate Oklahoma’s 4th annual “Sunny Dayz Mural Festival.” Over the seven days, artists will transform the exterior walls of downtown buildings using inspiration, patience and paint.

In total, there will be over 9,000 square feet of downtown walls transformed into public art for all to enjoy. The estimated value of

these murals is well over a quarter million dollars. Sunny Dayz Mural Festival raises the money from private donors, brings the investment to Ponca City in the form of artists’ pay and money to buy art supplies, works to provide meals and accommodations for the artists and their friends and families traveling here in support, and then leave at the festival’s conclusion with just enough money to get home and start plans for next year.

Sunny Dayz Mural Festival (SDMF) is the brainchild of Virginia Sitzes, an Oklahoma City artist, art instructor and businesswoman. Through Sunny Dayz, Virginia’s enthusiastic team of volunteers do more than showcase female and marginalized muralists, these artists are paid while they create. Private donors funding public art as it is created.

For muralist Alena Jennings, Ponca City, the

NEW MURALS Continued on page 26

NEW MURALS Continued from page 25

uplifting of women artists is important. “…Murals are more than just pretty pictures. Sunny Dayz is bringing over a quarter million dollars’ worth of art. It is representing women — which is at least 50 percent of our population — and minorities. It’s unlike any other festival in our state and that is why it is huge.”

To celebrate Ponca City’s 30 new murals, you are invited to the “festival” portion of the event. From noon to 8 p.m., Saturday, June 1, enjoy the action flowing from the outdoor stage at Fourth and Cleveland. Live music, DJ’s, vocal and dance performances will be featured as well as art activities. They are joined by food trucks and merchandise vendors. Admission is free.

Clarification: You are invited to be a part of the entire SDMF week. From bringing a lawn chair and visiting with the artists on site to volunteering with the many small details that make large events a success, Virginia says, “whether artist or art-curious, we really enjoy getting to know everyone and hanging out.”

Ponca City’s Kortny Miller created this mural for last year’s Sunny Dayz Mural Festival in Tulsa. Because she was a selected artist last year, this year Kortny is serving her hometown as a volunteer for the SDMF steering committee. (Photo by Andy Hicks)

Why Murals in Alleys?

The alley between Fifth and Fourth Streets will be the site of several new murals as part of the Sunny Dayz Mural Festival. According to festival founder Virginia Sitzes, “Prior to booking any artists, all property owners sign a contract granting Sunny Dayz permission to create and display a mural on their exterior wall. In this contract, the property owners acknowledge not to interfere with the artistic process or dictate the content of the mural.” (Photo by Carey Head)

By Carey Head/Staff Writer

I’ll admit I was a little troubled when I saw the Sunny Dayz Mural Festival map indicating where murals are to be installed. Why paint murals in downtown alleys instead of walls facing the street? So, I asked Virginia Sitzes, creator of the SDMF, for her take on alleyways as public art locations.

Virginia shares, “I think alleys are a great location for public art! Alleys often represent overlooked or underutilized parts of the urban landscape. By introducing murals, these spaces are transformed into vibrant, engaging areas that invite locals and visitors to explore parts of the city they might otherwise overlook.”

who might then continue exploring the surrounding shops and cafes! Alleys as mural locations can become celebrated parts of city art tours, scavenger hunts, and cultural walks, drawing those who are keen to explore and discover. The journey to find these artworks can enhance the viewer's experience and make the discovery of each mural feel like uncovering a hidden gem.”

The motivation behind Sunny Dayz Mural Festival is threefold: Provide career-building opportunities for women and marginalized artists through a juried selection process; enable these artists to create public art on

NEW MURALS Continued on page 29

Ponca City artist and Doodle Academy founder Alena Jennings will be among the 52 artists to paint murals in Ponca City. She was chosen from over 554 applicants to be a part of the 2024 Sunny Dayz Mural Festival. (Photo provided by Alena Jennings)

Murals have the potential to reduce bad behavior. Virginia adds, “Murals have been shown to be effective in reducing vandalism, littering, and crime. By placing murals in alleys they can contribute to the beautification of that space which may have previously been considered unsafe or unattractive, thereby promoting a sense of community pride.”

She also believes alleys provide a more laid-back experience for the viewer. “One way I find mural projects in alleyways unique, is that alleys can offer a very intimate and immersive experience that more open spaces might not.

Art in alleys can also activate these spaces by encouraging foot traffic and supporting local businesses.” She continues. “An alley known for its beautiful murals becomes a destination in itself, drawing visitors

Virginia points to the successful Sunny Dayz Mural Festival installation in Oklahoma City as an example of the economic benefits these art installations bring, “While the frequency of alleyways being used for murals varies by city, the Plaza Walls mural project in OKC is a great example of how an alley turned into a giant outdoor mural gallery has completely transformed the entire district.”

Sunny Dayz Mural Festival 2024 will take place in Ponca City beginning the Saturday of Memorial Weekend with artist arrivals and the official “welcome” get-together for artists, friends and sponsors. Throughout the next seven days, the public is invited to check the map (see map on page 33), find the artists at work and give them a friendly “hello, thanks for coming.”

The festival culminates Saturday, June 1, with a celebration featuring live music, DJs, children’s activities, food trucks and vendors. The June 1 hours will be noon to 8 p.m. Admission is free.

private property which will be provided free to the host community; celebrate the completion of public art projects with a day-long festival full of fun.

These 52 artists were selected from a pool of over 554 applicants from 41 countries — three of them are from Ponca City. To be chosen, the artist must submit photos of completed murals for committee members’ judging and to not have been selected to paint a mural in the previous SDMF. This guideline aims to provide opportunities to artists new to the festival.

Once selected, the artist signs a lengthy contract stating that their art will be consistent with the style depicted in their festival application, and that their mural may not contain offensive, vulgar or obscene content nor any advertisement for a business, product or service. This signed contract joins the contract signed by private property owners giving permission for their building to be used as a mural location.

The Sunny Dayz Mural Festival got its name from Virginia’s love of summer, the longer period of daylight to spend outdoors to be inspired and to create. Alena Jennings, owner of Ponca City’s

Doodle Academy, believes Sunny Dayz Mural Festival brings out the best in her, and she hopes it helps others, too.

“It is my responsibility to love and show love and light to this world. So, I’m going to show up. I’m going to love the crap out of everyone. I’m going to be kind, encouraging and loving and that’s what this is about: treating others with love and kindness and respect. That’s who I want to be in my life. That’s what I want these artists coming here to experience, it is my responsibility as a human, and I’m going to do it to the best of my ability, and I really want to challenge others to do the same.”

*Fancourt D, Finn S. What is the Evidence on the Role of the Arts in Improving Health and Well-Being? A Scoping Review. World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe. http://www.euro.who.int/en/publications/ abstracts/what-is-the-evidence-on-the-role-of-the-arts-inimproving-health-and-well-being-a-scoping-review-2019.

Virginia Sitzes, Oklahoma City, is the founder of Oklahoma City-based non-profit Sunny Dayz Mural Festival. Its mission is to support women and marginalized muralists through a gathering of juried artists. Both artists and the private property owners providing sites for the public art installations sign contracts agreeing to adhere to the non-profit’s rules. (Photo provided by Virginia Sitzes)

A Peek into the Muralist’s Mind

Story by Carey Head | Staff Writer

For any writer, a blank, 8 ½ by 11-inch piece of paper (formerly spooled into a typewriter, now Microsoft Word’s blank screen equivalent) can loom large and forbidding. That cursor benignly blinks away waiting for prose to flow through the writer’s fingers and onto that page.

Artists face the same challenge when confronting their own blank canvases. Muralists face a blank wall.

A really big one.

For those participating in the Sunny Dayz Mural Festival (artists begin arriving Saturday, May 25 to create their murals in time for the June 1 festival finale), the walls can be as formidable as 15 feet high by 23 feet wide.

Curious as to how these artists can imagine, design, transpose and then paint on a potentially

intimidating canvas, I asked a few muralists about their process. The responses are a lesson in facing a challenge, making it manageable and giving oneself permission to make course corrections in the process.

Kortny Miller, aka “Red Dirt Rosie” is a Ponca City artist who painted at last year’s Festival in Tulsa. This year she is assisting with festival marketing. Stephanie Wright is a Blackwell native and experienced muralist. This is her first Sunny Dayz Mural Festival. Aditi Panchal, Oklahoma City, has participated in Sunny Dayz Mural Festival since the beginning. This year she returns as a painter after volunteering the previous year.

Q: For Kortny and Aditi, you have been involved in Sunny Dayz Mural Festival for years, why do you keep coming back?

Kortny : Everybody that I have met that has been associated with the Sunny Dayz movement has been very loving, very excited and very

Creating under the pseudonym “Red Dirt Rosie,” Ponca Citian Kortny Miller stands before a mural she completed at an alley entrance off Fifth Street between Grand and Cleveland. (Photo by Carey Head)

supportive and encouraging … I really like the networking aspect and connecting in mural fest with other artists. It opens up a lot more moments of opportunity and moments of encouraging other people.

I love having an expansive network of artists that, everybody’s doing something different, all our styles are different, but, at the end of the day, we’re all just trying to make really big, beautiful art that changes the world.

Aditi: I participated as an artist in their inaugural year (2021), and I absolutely loved the community that it created. It is the first festival of its kind in this state, and it’s an organization that has created opportunities even outside of the festival, itself. You become a part of the family, in a way, and get to meet so many artists from all over the country (and the world, this year!) What’s not to like?!

Q: Once the design is on the wall does this become a giant paint by numbers?

Kortny : In my experience, it has varied. If I’m just tracing it, like with a projector, I usually stick pretty much with the plan. If it has a lot of detail — the lionfish had a lot of tinier spaces — then it does end up being like a giant paint by number. Other ones I’ve done, I’ve used a doodle grid which, basically, you draw scribbles on a wall and then superimpose the picture and then kind of free hand it up using your doodle grid and scribbles as reference points. There’s a lot more room for it to be organic in that nature … I feel a lot better just tossing it up and seeing how I feel.

Stephanie: My work never follows that neat of a trajectory. I am constantly growing and changing and so is my work. I have a hard time ever being finished! I love to paint and understand that I will not be able to keep working on the mural for more than the designated week, but I imagine I will be dreaming of new cool things I could have done to make it even better for years to come.

Aditi: Yes! Most of the work is already done, so once I project it onto the wall, it’s a paint by numbers and it’s very fun!

Q: Can little moments provide inspiration or inspire changes?

Kortny : I believe they can! You are definitely introduced to new elements while on site working, and it can very much benefit positive change to the installation. Any time someone stops by to visit and is excited about the piece is very inspiring. In the past I've changed colors, even minimal parts of the composition because the sunset played across the wall in a really neat way and why not have the composition play along with that?

Stephanie: Yes. I try to be open to inspiration and change is a big part of my artwork. My work rarely meets what I imagine so when the inspiration comes, and I (can) make the changes, it gets me closer to the ideal.

Aditi: Sometimes, if I think an element could benefit from more color or a gradient of some sort, I add it in there just for that extra level of detail. I’ve also

made adjustments to the “type” portion before if it needs it. Seeing it at a larger scale definitely inspires me to “do more” once I’m painting.

Q: Does having an audience watching you work affect your work?

Kortny : For me personally, I love popping in my headphones and working. Art is kind of my, not necessarily my escape, but I have a whole story in my head. Simultaneously, when you’re out working publicly and you’re making art, there’s so many phases of public art that are not “pretty” or people

Ponca City artist, businesswoman and community leader Theresa Sacket will take on this 15 x 23-foot “canvas” at Third and Cleveland.

The owner of Sacket Gallery and Studio is a veteran muralist.

(Photo by Carey Head)

Artist, muralist and designer Aditi Panchal, Oklahoma City, in the upcoming Sunny Dayz Mural Festival. (Photo provided by Aditi Panchal. Jessi Chapman, photographer)

chance to win the 1964 Ford Falcon Ranchero. Lots of Door Prizes all day. Cash Prizes. Grand Prize and Trophies will be given at 2:30 pm. Any and all vehicles or motorcycles are welcome to enter. Ponca

Vendor spaces are available at no cost to sell automotive-related items such as car parts, tools, auto memorabilia, signs, man cave items, etc.

BY THE NUMBERS

can’t tell what it is. So, it means a lot when people stop and are excited about what you are doing, and they want to ask questions. I think a balance. I like the solitude and just getting to work but I also love people sharing that they’re excited and they want to know what is being created and then coming back when it’s finished.

Stephanie: I have painted in public before in a megachurch during worship and in a lobby of a cancer center to add art and joy to those undergoing treatment. Painting live is like performing and it takes so much energy. I am concerned about the physical demands of an outdoor mural. I enjoy the audience support but at the same time I struggle to get (and stay) in the flow when I stop and engage with people. People are more important than painting is so it will be a conflict of attention. With only a week to do such a large mural on my own, I believe I will have to focus. Hopefully I will finish in time to enjoy people.

Aditi: Not really! I’ve had people watch me paint before, and even though I try to not make mistakes, sometimes there’s a small spill or a paint drip. They are usually super gracious and complimentary, so it takes the pressure off!

Q: If the reward is in the feedback from viewers enjoying your finished mural, what are some of your favorite reactions?

Kortny : One of my favorite things when I was painting the lionfish was a lot of the homeless community traffics that alley and they were all really excited to have something beautiful that they could enjoy seeing. And it kind of gave them some (ownership). Because, to them, it’s kind of “their” alley. Just getting to see something pretty, seeing somebody invest in something public that everybody can enjoy seeing means a lot. And that’s something I really love about public art: It calls people to have ownership about where they live, and it really breaks down the barriers. Museums are wonderful but not everybody can go, not everybody has access to get to them. And sometimes (the art) is installed in such a way that (some) people don’t know how to understand it. But, I think, when we put art in the very normal, day-to-day, places where people are, like alleys and walls, outside on windows, there is a whole community of people that maybe we aren’t even talking to regularly who are seeing that and enjoying that, and it makes them proud of their city and their community.

Stephanie: I am always hoping to connect to people through my work. When somebody picks up on a hidden message or really gets what emotion I am trying to convey then it brings me joy.

Aditi: My favorite reaction is “this makes me feel happy!” It’s always rewarding when the viewers are overjoyed by the vibrant and bold colors I use in my work. I almost always include an uplifting phrase in my murals as well, so that also usually resonates with my viewers!

Q: What is the response you hope to inspire from the viewer?

Kortny: I hope for excitement and wonder. I hope that it calls them to have some ownership and pride in and for their community, with public art being accessible to all. I very much hope that they see the value and beauty of putting color and ideas on walls rather than keeping them bare. I hope that, young or old, they are inspired to try their hand at creating. That's probably the big dream response I hope for. When someone stops and sees the art and is so excited and inspired that they want to create, in whatever form of their choice. Our creating should inspire others to create.

Stephanie: I would love the viewer to learn something profound that they did not see before. I believe there is power in art for everyone involved. I hope to use my power to create more love and glory on the planet. If someone responded to the way the mural moved them after the festival commotion passed, then I would know I made an impression.

Aditi: “This looks printed!” (haha) I’ve seen work from other artists who hand paint murals, and I could swear that they look printed on the wall in vinyl. I hope to get to that level soon!

Stephanie Wright is among three Ponca City artists selected from a pool of over 554 applicants from around the globe to participate in the Sunny Dayz Mural Festival. Her art will grace the southern exposure of this building once the dilapidated wood has been replaced. (Photo by Carey Head)

Native American Heritage Club: More Than a Clique

by Marlys Cervantes / Staff Writer

“We must trust our own thinking. T3we’re going. And get the job done.”

~Wilma Mankiller

With a vision of greater success for students, Sara Buffalo HeadBell reinstalled the Native American Heritage Club (NAHC) in the fall of 2022 after she was inspired by an Edutopia article that read, “Connectedness is directly correlated to higher academic outcomes.”

When looking at her vision for the club, she says, “I wanted this club to be a catalyst to more positive behaviors: less stress, lower absenteeism, to boost confidence and provide a safe space for all.” It would seem the club has been doing exactly that. They have a membership of over 50 now, which increases every month as students see

their activities and services through the school and their online presence for their outside activities as well.

Senior Ryan Buffalohead has been an active member since his sophomore year: “I was interested in being part of the group because I get to be with MY people and learn more about our

culture and traditions.” Building pride in self and culture is important to the sponsors of the club. That confidence carries on to the next step the students will take in life, whether that be moving into the workforce or higher education.

The Title VI Program and the Club provide opportunities for visits to

On Memorial Day and always, the Renfro Family Foundation encourages you to celebrate, honor and remember the brave men and women who have served and are serving in our military.

Carl Renfro

President

Randy Renfro Treasurer, CPA

Rick Renfro Secretary, Restaurateur

Cindy Gorrell Vice President, Investments

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

Brenda Renfro Rich Cantillon Ponca City Chamber, Retired Jeff Cowan RCB Bank, Retired Jerod Helling RCB Bank, Market President

Members engaged in a game of stickball at the OKC Thunder Native American Student Day and participated in numerous activities during Native American Heritage Month in November, even going to other school sites around Ponca City.

colleges and to find out about various careers, so students realize opportunities they have ahead of them. In addition, they provide opportunities to visit with elders in various tribes to glean from their wisdom and discover ways to serve their own tribal communities. Recently, students visited the home of Ponca tribal Chairman and Elder Oliver Littlecook, Sr., where they spent time in a teepee and heard the Ponca creation story.

Cultural activities and events are an important part of the Club.

Members engaged in a game of stickball at the OKC Thunder Native American Student Day and participated in numerous activities during Native American Heritage Month in November, even going to other school sites around Ponca City. They have an upcoming ribbon skirt making class and a

Senior Ryan Buffalohead has been an active member since his sophomore year: “I was interested in being part of the group because I get to be with MY people and learn more about our culture and traditions.”

drum class to learn about the drum and songs.

The group works to raise funds to help with their activities, such as a t-shirt fundraiser in January, a raffle and handgame in February, and a car wash in May to raise funds for an end-of-year trip, college tours and vocational adventures.

Ms. Buffalo Head-Bell explains that the club and the Title VI missions are one in the same. The club is an extension and expands on the vision. For those who are involved, it helps the program feel more like a family, and the youth have more ownership in all they do and achieve. It is the personal successes of the individual students that she and the others involved with the program find most important.

When asked where she wants to see the club go in the future, there are many goals. Along with increasing graduation rates, she would like to have higher rates of following former students through their next steps in life, whether those be career or higher education. She believes in the connectedness that led her to want to reinstate the club and feels maintaining those relationships can lead to even greater success.

She wants students to continue building leadership skills, and judging from the work the students did at the recruitment day at the junior high school club fair, it is obvious they are on their way with the skill. The students took over organizing their booth and talking to the younger students about the club.

Intergenerational activities are another area where growth is desired. The more crossing over of

activities between all generations, the better the understanding, learning and sharing of wisdom. This would seem an ongoing activity that could be valuable in all cultures.

Students do not have to be Native American to join the club. They invite all ethnicities and people to promote understanding among one another. Club meetings are held every other Friday during lunches with regular evening events every month. You can swing by room 210 in the main building at PoHi or watch their FB page for more information if you are interested in joining them.

The opportunities with this group are numerous. As he thinks about the memories he has made, Ryan Buffalohead says, “As I close out my last year with my club, I want to express how thankful I am to get to experience such an amazing club that has brought me closer with my Native peers.”

NAHC

V.P. Hannah Komesataddle dances jingle dress

Home is where your story begins, I can help you get there.

Looking back, I can trace my heart for community and helping others through generations of those before me. I am a 4thgeneration Kay County resident with my family spanning the Northeast part of Kay and Osage counties. My grandparents on my mom’s side owned Houser Hardware in Newkirk for decades and my dad’s family, the Olsen’s and Harris families, have been ranchers, landowners, & business men and women in Kay County since the early 1900s. Both sides instilled in me that being an active community member is how smaller rural areas survive. I feel this plays a large role in my daily work life in treating each client as if they are family.

When I say I have the “best job,” I truly mean it. I have a bachelor’s degree in human resource management and worked in marketing before Craig and I started our family. As our two boys Charlie and Harrison were growing up, I was anticipating the upcoming “empty nest” and I decided I was ready to go back to work. Real estate seemed like the perfect fit.

I am so very fortunate where this journey has taken me. I get to help people with one of the biggest decisions of their life, a home purchase. I love it when my buyers get to walk through the door for the first time in their new home and my heart goes out to those when they cross the threshold for the last time of the home they have cherished for decades. I get excited at the possibility of transformation when my investor clients find the perfect property to meet their needs. To say this is a business of the “heart” is 100% true! I have gotten to be a part of some very exciting closings, very sad goodbyes, and even challenging obstacles from contract to closing day.

In the past 7 years I have been given the opportunity to help hundreds of clients, closed over 414 transactions, and have had over $67,000,000 in total sales production. I am so thankful for each and every person I have met over the past 7 years and I look forward to helping many more in the years to come. I truly do have the “best” job in Kay County, because Kay County has the “BEST” people!

Investing in Downtown Ponca City

TriVest Properties Breathes New Life into Historic Pabst Building

Story by Chelsea McConnell | Staff Writer

Belen Caballero and Timias Woods, owners of TriVest Properties, LLC, have purchased the historic Pabst Building, located at 201 E. Grand Avenue in downtown Ponca City. Built in 1902, the property was originally a brewery and housed the Rose Saloon. When prohibition hit our state in 1907, the building stayed relevant housing other tenants until it eventually became home to the Cuzalina Pharmacy.

Belen and Timias have big plans for the property. They will soon begin construction on “The Lofts at Grand”, 4 luxury loft apartments on the upper floor of the property. Currently, the upstairs is a blank canvas, making the challenge of creating the spaces even more exciting for the partners. The lofts will be one bedroom each and have stunning views of our central business district. The lofts’ tall ceilings will allow natural light from the beautiful (& historically appropriate) windows to pour into each space. All the kitchens will be fully stocked with dishwashers, stoves, microwaves, and refrigerators. The upstairs

Belen Caballero and Timias Woods (photo by Chelsea McConnell)

has two access points – one off Grand Avenue and one off 2nd Street. Two of the lofts will use the Grand entrance and two will use the 2nd Street entrance, giving renters a little extra privacy.

Belen and Timias are currently in the process of finalizing quotes for the renovation. Once those are completed, they will be able to get permits and begin work on the space. They have already gotten architectural renderings from local firm Winterrowd Talley Architects and are very excited to see the plans come to fruition. The renovation will be no small feat. The project will involve a new HVAC system as well as new plumbing and electric. They will also be installing a new fire suppression system. Belen and Timias have worked with the City’s Development Services Department to ensure all their plans fall in line with the City’s codes and requirements.

The two also have big plans for the downstairs portion of the property. Most recently the downstairs was home to Boom-a-rang Diner, which closed a few years ago. Belen and Timias have recruited new restaurant Cancun Mexican Grill for the space. The Grill owners are planning to install a large bar against the east wall of the property.

Their menu will feature delicious Mexican staples and a full bar with a variety of margaritas. Belen and Timias share that the Grill owners are already looking forward to having a location in downtown Ponca City and getting involved in local events and activities.

Belen and Timias became friends through social media when they were both living in California. With both having backgrounds in real estate, the friendship was a natural fit. Belen is from California originally but began investing in properties in Ponca City several years ago before eventually moving here in 2021. Timias is originally from Oklahoma but was living in California when his wife accepted a job offer that brought them to Wichita. After Timias moved back to the region, he and Belen partnered up to create TriVest Properties, LLC. Their mission is “to guide investors through a smooth and effortless remodel.” Their vision is “to make the rehab process simple, seamless, and efficient.” Their goal as a business is, “to assist in the growth of our clients’ real estate businesses.”

Belen and Timias hope to begin renovation on the lofts in May. They estimate the project will take about six months. The Grill will have some of their

own renovations to do, but their process will be far less substantial than those needed for the lofts.

Ponca City has a long history of individuals who have cared for and invested in our downtown. It’s inspiring to see the next generation of those who will leave footprints on our community. Belen and Timias believe in transparency, value, and persistence. They both have proven track records of doing quality work in the real estate industry. This project is certain to be no different than their previous investments and is sure to be a feather in our beloved downtown’s cap.

For more information about The Lofts at Grand, contact Belen Caballero at belenthebuilder@gmail.com or Timias Woods at trivestpropertiesok@gmail.com. You can also follow them on social media to keep up with their progress. Find them on Instagram @belen_the_builder and @invstormantimias.

Photos were provided by TriVest Properties taken by Kayla Blaes Photography. The plans are by Winterrowd Talley Architects.

FLEISCHER SPEAKS AT NOC LECTURESHIP PROGRAM

Story by Scott Cloud Director of Public Information, Northern Oklahoma College

Former White House Press Secretary, President Ari Fleischer Communications, and FOX News

Contributor Ari Fleischer spoke at Northern Oklahoma College Tuesday night about the state of politics in America and the upcoming 2024 presidential election.

Tuesday’s speech was provided by the Renfro Endowed Lectureship Program.

In his political career, Fleischer said the most meaningful part was his time as President Bush’s press secretary.

“It was an amazing time for me personally,” he said. I would drive to work, park my car, enter the west wing and go to my office. My office was 30 feet from the Oval Office and 30 feet from the Podium of the briefing room. I loved every day I worked for President Bush because I believed in him and what he stood for and I hope that was expressed when I did my job every day.”

Fleischer said the press room at the White House is unlike any other.

“There are 48 seats in the press room and they are filled with all antagonists,” he joked. “They were all taking the other side than President Bush and it was up to me to deliver the president’s message and I loved every minute of it.”

He spoke fondly of traveling the world and seeing great places filled with amazing people.

“Being in Normandy (World War II Memorial) was definitely something I won’t forget,” he said. “The press secretary is afforded a lot of great opportunities and I am so thankful.”

In regards to politics, Fleischer commented that the Democratic and Republican parties have changed over the years.

“People who used to be Democrats (lower income, less educated) have now become Republicans and those of higher incomes and better educated have become Democrats. It’s fascinating what has happened in today’s politics,” he said.

“That is something we need to be aware heading to the 2024 election,” he said.

Fleischer then spoke of the 2024 election which he sees will be very close.

“The election boils down to seven (swing) states,” he said. “It’s going to be a close race that can go either way.”

In foreign policy, Fleischer said the Middle East is the most important crisis for the United States going forward.

“We need to support Israel anyway we can to defeat Hamas in Gaza,” he said.

Interestingly enough, Fleischer was raised a liberal democrat in New York state.

“I walked into Middlebury College a liberal democrat and left as a conservative. I became a conservative the first time I paid taxes,” Fleischer joked.

As a former White House Press Secretary, Ari Fleischer was the primary spokesperson for President George W. Bush and delivered the daily White House briefings from 2001 to 2003. He served as spokesman during the historic

presidential recount, September 11th, two wars and the anthrax attack.

His best-selling book, Taking Heat, details his years in the White House and reached #7 on The New York Times best-seller list. His most recent book, Suppression, Deception, Snobbery, and Bias: Why the Press Gets So Much Wrong – And Just Doesn’t Care was released in July 2022.

Since leaving the White House, he manages Ari Fleischer Communications, a company that helps corporations and sports organizations with their communication and media needs.

He has worked for a variety of major companies and leading sports leagues, teams, schools, and individual athletes as well. He graduated from Middlebury College.

Conservative political analyst Ari Fleischer spoke at NOC Tonkawa Tuesday at the Carl and Brenda Renfro Spring 2024 Renfro Endowed Lectureship Program. (photo by Shiloh Martin/Northern Oklahoma College)

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HCocktail Of The Month

Mixed by Jill Rowe/Staff Writer

ave you ever had those moments when you and your friends are just staring at the bar like it's a common core math problem? Completely dumbfounded on what to order. Amidst the confusion and indecision, trust in the reliability of a classic Lemon Drop to turn any puzzling moment into a refreshing delight.

In the late 1960s, a new type of bar emerged known as the "fern bar." The fern bar style is all about creating a bright and open space. Imagine, if you can, stained glass windows letting in lots of sunlight, Tiffany lamps and elegant chandeliers adorning the space, and plenty of greenery, especially ferns, bringing in a natural element to the décor. Patrons relaxing at their tables, furnished with cozy Victorian loveseats, completing the inviting and stylish atmosphere.

These bars aimed to be welcoming to both men and women, offering a cleaner and safer environment compared to their older, divey counterparts. They also introduced a shift in drink preferences, favoring lighter and more playful flavors like vodka and Puerto Rican rum over heavy whiskey.

Jill’s Lemon Drop Martini Recipe:

The Lemon Drop Martini, invented at Henry Africa's by owner Norman Hobday, became emblematic of this new bar culture, which was marketed towards women and young singles seeking fun. Bars like Henry Africa's and drinks like the Lemon Drop played a significant role in revitalizing the popularity of bars by fostering a sense of openness that had been absent since World War II.

The key to the best Lemon Drop Martini is balancing sour and sweet. Typically, equal parts of lemon juice and simple syrup or a sugary liqueur will do it. I like to add a bit of sour mix in mine, don't ask me why.

If you've been around the block, you already know that the Lemon Drop effortlessly transitions into a shot. Whether you're a seasoned veteran behind the bar or a fresh face in the industry, mastering this one is a breeze. So, take it from me, it's always a guaranteed good time. Cheers to that!

• 2 oz Vodka

• 1 oz Triple Sec (or Simple Syrup)

• 1 oz Lemon Juice

• 1 oz Sour Mix

• Lemon Slice

In a cocktail shaker packed with ice, combine all the ingredients and shake vigorously. Run a lemon slice around the edge of the chilled martini glass and dunk in a small amount of sugar for a coated rim. Pour the strained martini into your chilled glass and enjoy!

HStew On That

by Rachel Stewart / Contributing Writer

ave you heard of the 75 Hard Challenge? It’s essentially a physical and mental challenge that you do for 75 days; you work out twice a day, read a nonfiction book, follow a diet, drink enough water to fill a horse trough, I can’t remember everything else but it sounds terrible and I give such kudos to anyone who even attempts it, let alone completes it. I barely have the physical strength to walk up a set of stairs without an oxygen tank, and I sometimes don’t even have the mental strength to make a phone call to schedule a doctor’s appointment, so I can’t relate to someone who chooses to do this challenge of their own free will. SO, while I am not prepared to do this difficult of a challenge, I do still like to push myself, so I’ve created my own challenge. It’s called “14-ish Days Hard-ish.” The first rule is that you can’t tell anyone to their face that they’re stupid. Which is arguably going to be the most difficult task on the list, but hopefully I will muster the strength to prevail. Second, only have 3 glasses of wine in the evenings. That one only lasted 20 minutes before I failed, but I’m going to try again tomorrow

HOWDOESYOUR GARDENGROW?

by Patrick Jordan

ACROSS

1. Women who have been knighted

6. "¡___ la vista!"

11. Get a beer keg ready to pour

14. Fully informed (of)

15. Constellation with a "belt"

16. Wedding vow (2 wds.)

17. Tennis contest rankings (2 wds.)

20. Boxer Muhammad or Laila

21. Notions

22. Oktoberfest sausage

23. Finish in last place

24. Miles ___ hour (speed rate)

25. With 9-Down, Sonic snack

28. 2 for 8, and 5 for 125, to a mathematician (2 wds.)

34. This clue's direction

36. Football throw

37. Once around the racetrack

38. Regrets

39. Be dishonest with (2 wds.)

41. Schwinn product, for short

42. Unrefined mineral

43. Before long

44. Clean-___ (beardless)

46. Bumps on the tongue (2 wds.)

49. "___ you ashamed of yourself?"

50. Is in possession of

51. Chore

53. Visitor from Venus, say

56. Soccer scores

58. "Now, ___ was saying..." (2 wds.)

61. Destinations for some old soda cans (2 wds.)

64. Grow older

65. Spooky

66. Bert's pal on "Sesame Street"

67. Physique, slangily

68. Sprinkles granules on French fries

69. Look steadily (at)

DOWN

1. Computerized information

2. Missing G.I. (abbr.)

3. Hawaii's second-largest island

4. Mess up

5. 12th-graders

6. Food prep course, briefly (2 wds.)

7. District

8. Violates a Commandment

9. See 25-Across

10. Replies

11. Wedding cake layer

12. Finds a sum

13. Share on social media

18. Magazine revenue source

19. It replaced the franc and the lira

23. People born before Virgos

24. Mexican coins

25. Future-predicting card deck

26. Honda's luxury division

27. Birches, beeches, etc.

29. Turn topsy-turvy

30. Dracula, at times

31. Popeye's "sweet patootie"

32. Liam Neeson kidnapping film

33. Laid out cash

35. Untidy types

40. Letters of debt (abbr.)

41. Sound from a kennel

43. Spirit-contacting sessions

45. Aggravating problems

47. Those folks over there

48. Plays are performed on them

52. Mountain in a Swiss range

53. Saudi

(failure is not the opposite of success, it’s part of the success). Third, I’m going to limit the amount of posts I comment on the Community Watch page to 35 a day, which I know still seems excessive, but how else will people know that if a plumber is CHEAP then they probably aren’t going to be GOOD unless I tell them that? Fourth, only mutter “what the *$%^&” under my breath four times a day. I know, I know, seems impossible, but this is all about growth. Fifth, read 5 pages of a book each day. See? I’m such a grown up. (The book will absolutely have a shirtless man on the cover, but reading is reading, right?) I was going to add a sixth but got too lazy and don’t really want to push myself too hard, otherwise I’ll burn out. If anyone wants to join me on this journey of becoming a better version of yourself, well then just do it. You don’t need to tell me or anything. Good luck and godspeed!

citizen

Brand of toy bricks

Smeared frosting on

Pink-wearing baby, traditionally

"Step ___!" ("Hurry!"): 2 wds.

"Frozen" princess

59. Swirl a spoon in 60. "Now it's clear to me" (2 wds.)

62. Thompson of "Back to the Future" 63. Museum display

CHAMBER BUZZ

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

The Chamber’s Ponca Politics Committee recently embarked on an insightful journey to the Oklahoma Capitol, where vibrant discussions and learning about our state government and Capitol building occurred. Our committee had the opportunity to visit with our local legislators, Senator Bill Coleman, Representative Ken Luttrell, and Representative John Pfieffer, in a private conference room where we engaged in fruitful discussions with our lawmakers, informing them of concerns and advocating for policies that will impact our area. All three local lawmakers provided us with a comprehensive update on the current legislative process at the Capitol.

Following our private discussion, Senator Coleman gave us a tour of the Senate Chamber. Often serving as a presiding officer, Senator Coleman’s discussion of the Oklahoma Senate Chamber offered a fascinating glimpse into the heart of legislative decisionmaking, where the intricate balance of democracy unfolds. In the Senate Chamber of Oklahoma, strict protocols are observed to ensure the orderly conduct of legislative business and maintain decorum.

From there, we moved to the House Gallery to observe action on the floor. It was a very busy day in the Capitol and the gallery was full, and the Ponca Politics Committee received floor recognition from Representative Luttrell. Much to our surprise, once all the groups were recognized, the House adjourned as no bills had come out of committee as anticipated.

We ended the day with a docent-led tour of the most beautiful state capitol in the US. The Oklahoma State Capitol stands as a majestic testament to both beauty and history. Its grandeur is immediately apparent upon entering the Rotunda, where visitors are

greeted by an awe-inspiring sight of the Capitol’s 157-foot dome, adorned with colorful stained glass. We viewed artistic masterpieces throughout the Capitol transporting us through time and offering a wonderful glimpse into the state’s rich heritage. The Capitol houses many works by renowned artists that narrate a story of resilience, progress, and the vibrant spirit of the Sooner State.

The experience that had direct ties to Ponca City was our search for a steamboat painting done by Oklahoma artist Mike Wimmer depicting characters painted from a photograph of Ponca City men. Mayor Homer Nicholson attended the committee’s day at the Capitol and he wanted to find this specific painting for which he was a character. Our docent led us to Mike Wimmer’s painting “Steamboats on the Red River” which is a prominent piece displayed in the Oklahoma State Capitol. The painting depicts a scene from Oklahoma’s history, specifically showcasing the importance of steamboats along the Red River during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The oil painting measures 60” x 90” and was commissioned in 2008 through the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc., and later transferred to the Capitol Art Collection on permanent display.

men come to serve as the live models in this painting? Well, Mike Wimmer was in Ponca City because former Governor Frank Keating authored a children’s book titled The Trial of Standing Bear, which tells the story of the anguish and resolve of Ponca Chief Standing Bear and the Ponca people. The illustrator of the book was Mike Wimmer, and he was in Ponca City

to research to ensure his illustrations were historically accurate.

memorable experience for him!

The Ponca City men depicted front and center in “Steamboats on the Red River” are from left to right: Phil Bandy, Carl Renfro, Tim Burg, John Raley, and Homer Nicholson.

All of these men are particularly esteemed for their contributions to the community and their leadership in various capacities and all have connections to the history of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce, which I enjoy sharing with readers.

Phil Bandy was the owner of the long-time business Bandy’s Around the Corner, and he passed away in 2014. He served and volunteered in many organizations such as United Way, Land of Opportunity Tennis Classic; Cherokee Strip Golf Classic; Ponca City Tourism Authority, Pioneer Technology Center, and the Chamber of Commerce to name a few. He was named the Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year in 2003 and Citizen of the Year in 2008.

Mike Wimmer often uses photographs of live models as a reference in his paintings. So, how did the Ponca City

I called Mike Wimmer to learn more about why the Ponca City men were used as the live models in “Steamboats on the Red River”. He was eager to tell me the story of how he had gotten acquainted with Carl Renfro while researching for his illustrations in the Trial of Standing Bear. Mr. Wimmer told Mr. Renfro about being commissioned to paint “Steamboats on the Red River” and said he needed a photo of some live models to depict in the painting. Mr. Renfro and Mayor Nicholson gathered up a group of well-known figures in the community to serve as live models. Mr. Wimmer provided period-relevant costumes for the men to wear and took several photographs to get that perfect picture to achieve his artistic goal. He said they had the best time and it was a

Carl Renfro currently lives in Ponca City and is a visionary leader who dedicates his time, talents, and experience to projects that make a significant difference in our city and state. He serves on numerous boards and committees. He has established endowment funds for the Standing Bear Foundation, The University Center Foundation, the restoration of the Marland Mansion through its Foundation, and a lectureship series through the Northern Oklahoma College Foundation. He was named the Chamber’s Outstanding Citizen in 1995.

Tim Burg served as the Assistant Director for the Ponca City Development Authority from 2001-

2008. In 2007, he was the recipient of the International Economic Development Council’s Private Public Partnership Award. He owned and operated his own general contracting firm. In addition to his numerous civic and professional positions, Burg was the Chamber of Commerce Ambassador for the Year in 1994, was a member of the 1994 Class of Leadership Ponca City, and served as the Chair of the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce in 1996.

John Raley passed away in 2018. In 1969, following eight years as a federal prosecutor, he joined the Northcutt Law Firm in Ponca City. John was actively involved in civic and charitable activities.

In 1980, John was elected Mayor of Ponca City and later was appointed Associate Municipal Judge. He was named the Chamber’s Outstanding Citizen in 1984. In 1991, he was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to serve as the United States

Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

Homer Nicholson was elected Mayor of Ponca City in 2007 after a 38-year career with Conoco and still serves in this role today. Mayor Nicholson has served on the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority board since 2008 and became the Board Chair in 2020. Mayor Nicholson is actively involved in the Chamber of Commerce and seldom misses an event. He is a member of the 1998 Class of Leadership Ponca City, an initiative of the Chamber.

We had a wonderful day of learning at the Capitol and found a meaningful gem of artwork for our group! I highly encourage you to consider taking a tour of the Oklahoma State Capitol. I do not doubt that you will be captivated by its beauty and enriched by the stories it has to share.

Medicine and Wellness

Story Contributed by Shannon Somers / ASOM Owner

There’s a difference in medicine and wellness. Medicine focuses on treating disease, while wellness focuses on preventing the disease. We all know it is much easier to prevent something than to treat it. At Aesthetic State of Mind, we have launched a spring Wellness Wednesday campaign where we will be hosting informative lunch and learns to cover topics like hormone replacement therapy, skin health, weight loss (May 1) and nutrition.

Being named a key opinion leader, trainer and point of contact for Sciton Lasers, we are able to stay ahead of the curve when learning about the latest technology for skin health. Skin health is so important for many reasons, that aren't just aesthetic. As of January 2022, skin cancer rates in America have been steadily increasing over the past few decades. The three main types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Several factors contribute to the increasing rates of skin cancer in America, including excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds, a history of sunburns, fair skin, a family history of skin cancer, and a weakened immune system. Laser treatments offer a safe, effective, and versatile solution for addressing a wide range of skin concerns, with the potential to achieve noticeable improvements in skin health and appearance. However, it's essential to consult with a qualified dermatologist or skincare professional to determine the most suitable laser

treatment based on individual needs and goals.

Wellness and hormone balance are closely intertwined and can significantly impact overall health and wellbeing. Balanced hormones contribute to stable mood regulation. When hormones are in harmony, it can help reduce mood swings, irritability, and symptoms of depression or anxiety. Balanced hormones can enhance immune function, helping your body better defend against infections and illnesses. The body's response to stress is also influenced by hormone levels. Optimizing hormones can enhance resilience to stressors, leading to improved coping mechanisms and

Beauty

reduced risk of stress-related health issues. When hormones are optimized there is a feeling of sustained energy levels throughout the day, reducing fatigue and enhancing overall vitality. Hormonal balancing is crucial for brain health and cognitive function. Optimal hormone levels support concentration, memory, and overall cognitive performance. Hormone balance can contribute to graceful aging by minimizing the impact of age-related hormonal changes. Balanced hormones may help reduce the risk of age-related conditions such as osteoporosis, cognitive decline, and cardiovascular disease. Maintaining wellness and hormone balance often involves a combination of healthy lifestyle habits, proper nutrition, regular exercise, stress management techniques, and sometimes medical interventions under the guidance of healthcare professionals.

We would love to see everyone at our Wellness Wednesday Lunch and Learns or feel free to stop into Aesthetic State of Mind to speak with one of our highly trained providers.

“Steamboats on the Red River” painting by Mike Wimmer. Ponca City models (left to right) Phil Bandy, Carl Renfro, Tim Burg, John Raley and Mayor Homer Nicholson. This painting is currently located on the third floor in the Oklahoma State Capital.

(L-r) Kasey Swayden, PA-C, Sciton Luminary and Owner of Radiance Medical Aesthetics in OKC, Troy DeVan, Sciton Oklahoma Area Manager and Shannon Somers, MSN, FNP-BC, Sciton Luminary and Owner of Aesthetic State of Mind Med Spa in Ponca City

Why You Should Care About Mental Health

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Story by Kelli Northcutt| Contributing Writer

It seems like every time I turn on the news or open social media, I hear or see something about mental health. It would be easy to become less sensitive to the issue or feel inundated with mental health messages. So, why can’t we let this happen and why should we care?

Oklahoma is currently ranked fifth in the nation for the rate of mental illness. More than one in four adults have a mental illness, as well as one in ten individuals under the age of 18. Yet less than one in three adults and one in five adolescents with a mental health problem will receive mental health services. In the last 30 days, there have been 6054 calls to 988, the suicide and crisis hotline, from Oklahoma alone. Oklahoma is ranked seventh in the nation in rate of death by suicide.

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, and helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Over the course of life, mental health problems can affect thinking, mood, and behavior. Many factors contribute to

mental health conditions including: biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry; life experiences like trauma (physical, emotional or life-threatening harm) or abuse; a chronic physical illness; and family history of mental health problems. A Serious Mental Illness is a mental illness that interferes with a person’s life and ability to function. Despite common misperceptions, having a serious mental illness is not a choice, a weakness, or a character flaw. It is not something that just “passes” or can be “snapped out of” with willpower.

When we promote mental health, we help people improve their health and wellbeing, have positive self-esteem, and to be valued and contributing members of our communities. Mental health promotion also helps build resiliency in people, helping them cope better during life’s challenges. As a community, prevention interventions help reduce the likelihood of developing a mental illness or substance abuse disorder and can help delay the onset or reduce the severity of a mental illness.

Most people who experience mental illness will improve if they receive appropriate supports, services, and treatment. The first step in getting the right treatment is to see a health care professional and review symptoms and life circumstances. Treatment options are tailored to each specific person and condition.

Providing for and supporting good mental health is a public health issue just like assuring the quality of drinking water or preventing and managing infectious diseases. Communities prosper when the mental health needs of community members are met. Unaddressed mental health issues can have a negative influence on homelessness, poverty, employment, safety, and the local economy.

Statistics show us that mental health issues will directly affect you or someone you know. Without a doubt, mental health is affecting our community as a whole. If you haven’t been affected or cared about mental health yet, it’s time to care and maybe even do something about it.

MARLAND MANSION

It’s May Flowers

Story 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. For those of us that are grandparents, we just might squeeze in some gardening between all the things. And of course, take a moment to take in 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 take a stroll to admire

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 stirfried with other veggies, deep-fried and dunked in your favorite dip or just thrown on top of a salad for some beautiful, edible 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

normal or if this is its last hoorah before I HAVE TO cut it down. As with most things gardening: time will tell.

You are sure to see the fabulous

Quickly replaced by the overnight sprouting of the puffballs, so enjoy their sunniness now. But dandelions are important for many reasons. First, they are the first food for bees. Please leave them for as long as your organizational heart

Now is the season of fruit tree flowerings. If you were lucky, none of the possible freezes took out any of your blooms. Peaches should be amazing this year as well as plums and let’s hope, apples. One of the apple trees in my yard is covered in lovely pinkish blossoms. Again with the hope that each of those turns into a lovely apple. The plum tree that I was supposed to cut down (I just couldn’t do it people!), got a really good trim in February and seems to be surviving. It has little plums all over it. Only time will tell if it is getting back to

Fruit Plants

My blackberries were nonexistent last year. I now know that every three years, blackberries take a break from producing fruit. I have purchased two more plants to add to the yard in the hopes of more fruit this year. The sand cherries, which look like wild flowered bushes right now, should have a bumper crop since I trimmed them back quite a bit when I chopped the plum tree. Sand cherries are a cousin of sand plums and though small, are quite delicious in baked goods like coffeecake.

The other fruit in the yard is the fig tree. I ate five figs off the plant last year and I am hoping for even more this year.

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

marigolds, zinnias and, I hope, nasturtiums. The Painted Leaf also has all the houseplants you could possibly need for yourself, housewarming gifts or get-well thoughts. Follow Sunny Creek and The Painted Leaf on Facebook.

And mark your calendars for Herb Festival at LA Cann Gardens on June 1st. Pace yourself because that weekend is a doozy: The Farmer’s Market opening weekend, Sunny Dayz Mural Fest,TouchA-Truck, and the Library’s summer reading kick-off, are also that day. Should be a fantastic weekend.

surprise you. The sunflowers are returning to the yard in force. I will have them in a bucket by the sidewalk again this year for anyone to grab and put in the ground. These are second and third-generation sunflowers and really hard to kill. Promise.

Buying Plants

Two of my favorite places to get plants locally are Greenfields by Smith Home Furnishings and The Herb Festival here in Ponca City. And I have added two local suppliers: Sunny Creek Trading Post and The Painted Leaf in Newkirk. Sunny Creek started 12 seed varieties for me at $10 per seed pack (three plants if they made). The Painted Leaf will soon have for sale all the flowers for your yard including

Take time to check out the LA Cann Gardens themselves sometime this spring and summer when all the plants are in bloom. The City Parks & Rec and the Kay County Master Gardeners an amazing job of keeping the beds looking great, adding new plants and answering questions.

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

Avoid the “Summer Slide” with Summer Reading Programs!

In Ponca City, as the final school bell of the year rings, marking the start of summer break, the anticipation of freedom and fun fills the air. However, this period of relaxation can also lead to what we as educators term the “summer slide,” a phenomenon where students experience a significant loss in reading ability and other academic skills due to disengagement from learning activities. This academic backslide not only hampers the progression of young minds but also widens the educational gap among students. This gap has increased since COVID, but there is hope this summer that we can help close this gap.

How? Summer reading programs can stand as a crucial bulwark against this slide. By encouraging students to immerse themselves in books, we not only maintain their reading levels but also expand their horizons, foster a lifelong love for learning, and ensure a smoother transition back to school. Moreover, summer reading is not just an educational tool; it’s a gateway to adventures, mysteries, and new experiences that the school year might not accommodate. I would encourage you to look to our local library for more information on summer reading activities.

However, addressing the summer slide

requires more than just encouraging reading; it necessitates creating rich, engaging experiences that stimulate young minds. Integrating educational activities with the fun of summer—through camps, museum visits, and nature explorations—can provide children with a seamless blend of learning and enjoyment.

I encourage you to look up the summer experiences available in Ponca City! From the Marland Mansion, Arts, Pioneer Woman, and many other local places, children can learn and have fun! These experiences help in retaining and building upon the knowledge gained during the school year, making education a continuous, yearround process.

that not only align with the child’s interests but also challenge and stimulate growth. I would challenge each of you to see if you can take your children’s friends to attend camps and experiences with your own children. By creating a supportive environment that values and encourages educational pursuits even during the break, we can help mitigate the summer slide, ensuring that when the school doors reopen, students are not just ready to learn—they’re ahead of the curve. I sincerely hope you enjoy your summer, your school district will be ready with open arms and ready to meet our students, wherever they are from an enriching summer.

Supporting children as they transition from structured school days to the open-ended nature of summer is pivotal. Parents and educators play a key role in this transition, guiding the selection of books and activities

Congratulations to our Seniors from the class of 2024. I will truly appreciate this group of young men and women from my first year as a Superintendent. I look forward to watching them continue the POHI tradition of excellence. Safe travels!

Story by Adam Leaming, Ponca City Public Schools, Superintendent / Contributing Writer

Book Reviews

THE BEST WAY TO BURY YOUR HUSBAND

By Alexia Casale

We join Sally in the height of the pandemic. Her society has gone into serious lockdown to try to combat the virus spreading. While many are enjoying getting to stay home from work and leisurely time with their immediate family, others aren’t so fortunate. Some don’t have a loving husband to spend their days with. Some needed those days at the office to escape the abuse they suffered behind the closed doors of home. Sally eventually can no longer take the abuse and, as you might have guessed from the title, kills her husband. As Jim lays in a pile on the kitchen floor, Sally soon realizes the reality of what she’s done and how she will explain this not only to her kids, but everyone else as well. Should she just call the police and turn herself in? She could possibly get away with self defense, but what if she doesn’t and her children lose both their parents?

As Sally begins to explore possibilities of how to cover her tracks, she soon discovers she is not alone, in suffering from abuse and in killing her husband to protect herself and her children! Sally is soon joined by four other women who struck out in a moment of weakness, but now

have no regrets and simply need to figure out the best way to bury your husband! As the women strategize, they realize that friendship and laughter is what they need most in life- well, that and knowing how to get away with murder.

Will the ladies find happiness after suffering for so long? Will they remain friends once the pandemic is lifted? Most importantly will they figure out the best way to bury their husbands?

Reviewed by Tara Anson

The Princess Protection Program

by Alex London

I absolutely adore fairy tales, especially the Disney versions that have happily-ever-after endings. Many (perhaps most) of the original fairy tales don’t have happily-ever-afters. What if you’re the prince who’s supposed to marry your princess, but you know you don’t love her? What if you’re the princess and you really want to be able to make your own life choices instead of simply doing as your fairy tale expects?

Let me introduce to you the Princess Protection Program. It’s designed as a sanctuary for princesses (and the occasional prince) who need to do something about how her story goes. In that circumstance, the first door she enters will act as a “Door of Opportunity”. Crossing that door’s threshold immediately transports her to Home Educational Academy (HEA – also known as Happily Ever After).

HEA is a school for “wayward fairytale characters,” designed to educate princesses about the real world and how to successfully function in our world upon graduation. It’s run by a Fairy Headmistress, of course. Some of the princesses’

classes include Fashion Essentials, Digital Technology 101, Life Skills, Mathematics, and Modern Government. As long as the princesses stay within the HEA grounds, they are safe from their stories. If they venture outside the grounds, they are susceptible to Uponatimes. Uponatimes roam the world, searching for runaway fairytale characters. Once an Uponatime finds its prey, it captures and eats that princess, returning her to her fairy tale.

We meet Rosamund when she is abruptly (and quite rudely) woken by a prince’s kiss. She runs and arrives at HEA, where she manages to annoy professors by continually asking, “Why?” Most importantly, Rosamund wonders, “What if I return to my fairy tale and make my own choices?”

The Princess Protection Program is a fresh, imaginative, thoughtful, and thoroughly enjoyable novel. Two thumbs up!

Reviewed by Lorrie

Layton