Ponca City Monthly October 2022

H 100% OF INVENTORY WILL BE SOLD - ALSO SELLING COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE H

LEGAL: Lot 4, Block 4, Lessert Subdivision, Osage County, OK • Approximately 1 acre more or less • Frank Childers – Owner

REAL ESTATE sells w/owner FINANCING AVAILABLE “IF QUALIFIED.” Includes (3) separate buildings. ALSO has (2) hi-flow water wells on site– concrete block 2-bay welding shop with 3 phase elec – utilities on this property’s right-of-ways. Said commercial property fronts Hwy. 60, a hi-traffic highway on prime commercial corner at Hwy 60 & City View St. –south across Hwy. 60 from the Osage Casino & Resort Properties.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER

custom-built velvet-lined wooden box… never been fired &

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

Letter from the Editor

October is my favorite month of the year. Football is in full swing, the weather is cooling off and all the fall colors are beginning to show the oranges, golds, and browns that we know and love. Fall officially arrived on September 21st, and it brings an entirely new mixture of seasonal happenings. Goblins will be frolicking through the streets soon, and before we know it, we will be gathered around the table with loved ones giving thanks for our many blessings. Time is a funny thing. It just continues, without thought or care. It marches on, day by day, ushering in the tiniest of modifications, which go unnoticed to the untrained eye. Yet those same changes, when taken all in at once, seem to pass us by completely. “Where did the time go?” I hear

people say, as they look around and see all the leaves have already fallen off the trees. But they go from work to car to house, every day, completely missing the delicate changes that happen every day. It takes effort to see what’s around us every day. It takes a diligent, intentional dedication to observe the world around us. So, take some time this fall, and go outside every day. Pick one tree. Pick one limb. Visit that same tree everyday (or maybe just a couple times a week if you are very busy) and notice the small changes it makes in its journey over the fall season as it becomes winter.

editor@poncacitymonthly.com

On the cover: Sacket Street Art, read more on page 38

Cover Design by Andy Hicks

Photos by Kelsey Wagner/Editor-in-Chief

NOC Printing Services Earns Awards

Story by Scott Cloud, Public Information Officer/ Northern Oklahoma College

Northern Oklahoma College Printing Services received five awards at the Oklahoma Collegiate Public Relations Association’s annual awards contest and conference, held recently at the Artesian Hotel in Sulphur, Oklahoma.

NOC Graphic Designer Paige Larson received three awards in the Poster Design Category. She received an Achievement Award for her Social Science T-Shirt Design. She also received Honorable Mention recognition for her “Student Art Exhibit Poster” and “Little Women, the Musical” poster.

NOC photographer/videographer John Pickard received an Achievement Award for a Recruiting Video Featurette, and Honorable Mention for the Video Feature, “Scholarship and Financial Aid.”

“Congratulations to Paige Larson, John Pickard and the entire NOC Printing Services team,” said Sheri Snyder, Vice President for Development and Community Relations. “We are truly blessed with some amazing and talented employees. It is nice to receive external validation on the high quality of work they continue to produce.”

The OCPRA awards competition recognizes the best in professional communicators from educational institutions, both public and private, throughout the state of Oklahoma.

This annual competition is designed to reward achievement, recognize excellence and encourage a healthy competitive spirit by those who represent higher education to the public. Materials are submitted by individuals who work in public relations, sports information, video, development, digital media and printing at any of the state’s higher education institutions.

Northern Oklahoma College, the state’s first public two-year community college, is a multi-campus, land-grant institution that provides high quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities and services.

NOC serves nearly 4,000 students through the home campus in Tonkawa, branch in Enid, and NOC/OSU Gateway Program in Stillwater. Of these students about 80% receive financial aid and/or scholarships. 75% of NOC students complete their degree with zero debt.

The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers associate degrees in three general areas: Arts, Science and Applied Science; the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs; and the Accreditation Commission for Education and Nursing.

For more information about Northern Oklahoma College please call (580) 628-6208 or visit the NOC website at www.noc.edu.

Northern Oklahoma College Printing Services earned five awards at the recent Oklahoma College Public Relations Association (OCPRA) convention this summer. Pictured (L-R): NOC Photographer John Pickard and Graphic Designer Paige Larson. (photo provided)

“Rewind” Coming to the Poncan Oct. 29

By popular demand most of the cast of the Jubilee show, which was seen last year at the Poncan, will be back with a second entertaining show Oct. 29 at 7:30PM. This show will feature songs from the immediate past and far past.

Come and enjoy “Rewind” – sit back, relax and reminisce with tunes from

the past. When the biggest problem with teenagers was “Smokin in the Boys’ Room,” times were easier then, although we didn’t think so at the time.

Tim Muniz is back, along with Broadway Performer, Cara Kem Cassens. She traveled with two Broadway tours and lived in New York for 10 years. Dana Poulson will also be in the cast. She was a featured entertainer in Branson and was the lead vocalist with a band in Los

Angeles. Poulson was also cast in top shows in Atlanta. Local guest artists, along with the professional cast, will combine to present this evening of family entertainment. Vocal, dance and comedy will use tunes from the past from country, pop, gospel and musical theatre.

Part of the funds will benefit the Poncan Theatre. New theatre seats are now installed and director of “Rewind,” Suzanne Kem, would love to see the front curtain replaced. “We don’t want to see rags from the lining sticking out when the curtain is closed.

”The Poncan is one of Ponca’s jewels, and we need to keep it in top shape. Come enjoy the show and help preserve the theatre at the same time.”

Realtor Associate 580.761.6431 Mobile 580.765.8888 Office

Tim Muniz

Cara Kem Cassens

Story contributed by Suzanne Kem

The Wildcat Way

The Student Participation Award

Story by Kendra Stolhand/Staff Intern

shows not only Wildcat support, but it keeps students on their toes, quite literally. All PoHi students should feel welcome to join, but warning, they are called the Rowdies for a reason! Either way, show some spirit with Wildcat merch, as well as support for the student-athletes!

One of the easiest ways to participate is through student sections at sports games. Dress up with the theme picked by StuCo (student council), be part of the wave, do chants with the cheerleaders and cheer for the Wildcats! The themes are super easy and fun to plan outfits to wear. Some themes StuCo came up with so far this year were Hawaiian, America and Camouflage! The first game theme for football this school year was Frat Boys vs. Sorority Girls, and people went all out! The biggest student sections are at the varsity football and volleyball games, but they also happen at basketball, wrestling and other sports. Do not worry – all high school grades are invited! A word of advice to Freshmen interested in the student section – be prepared to stand for the entire game! It

Dress-up weeks are also fun and easy! Homecoming week is a schoolwide personal favorite! Last year, students participated in

As a high schooler, it can often be hard to get involved and find activities that are fun in which to participate.

Jersey Day, Country Club vs. Country Wild and Triplet Day. The Yearbook committee is always prepared to take pictures for the Cat Tale Yearbook! It is so cool to see everyone go all out and be so creative! The Student Council thinks of the craziest ideas for themes. Everyone plans their outfit the night

before when a theme day is coming up. Do not be afraid to look a little dorky during Dress-up weeks. The week ends with Homecoming Day, in which students and faculty wear their spirit gear and homecoming shirts during the school day, then later attend the game. While Homecoming week has already been put into motion, October holds opportunities as well, such as Wild Week. Wild Week is planned to be Oct. 2428. There are plenty of other ways to get involved at PoHi besides dressing up.

The Ponca City High School is also involved in the community. One activity happening in October is Ponca City Main Street’s annual Goblins on

Grand, where the PoHi Student Council will be hosting a booth. Kids can play games and get candy while dressed up in their Halloween costumes. Goblins on Grand is planned to be Thursday, Oct. 20 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. with a rain-out date of Oct. 27 having the same twohour period. The school has many other upcoming community opportunities in the future after the month of October.

PoHi has an amazing number of clubs and classes that involve extracurricular activities. These often push students out of their comfort zone. Some that involve being enrolled in the appropriate class are Chorale, StuCo, Orchestra,

PoHi has an amazing number of clubs andclasses that involve extracurricular activities.

Doors open 1 hour before each show. Tickets will be $5 at the door. Discount will be given if you buy your tickets online at PoncanTheatre.org. Prop bags are $10 each, No outside props allowed.

Concessions will be available for sale, including cash bar for beer and wine.

Celebrating the Benefits of Local Power!

•Equal or greater reliability.

•Customer-focused mission is to serve the

•Emphasis on long-term community goals.

•Quick response from crews located in the community.

•Local employment.

•Economic development – not-for-profit electricity attracts business.

•Control over the electric distribution system aesthetics and design.

•Innovation techniques and technology to meet energy needs.

•Local Power supports other entities such as police, fire, park and recreation, library, to name a few, by contributions to the city’s general fund.

•Customers have a direct and powerful voice in decisionmaking through their communities elected officials.

•Local Power makes a difference every day: you live in a Local Power Community. Appreciate it and support it!

Learn more about Our Local Power by visiting www.OurLocalPower.org

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April 22,

Gym.

Suzanne Boettcher

Band and all the sports that PoHi offers. But not all activities require enrollment in a certain class for it. Some groups, such as Key Club, Gay/Straight Alliance, the Wildcat Theatre Company, Anime Club, Chess Club, Youth Traffic Court, Class Officers, Robotics, Students Standing Strong (S3), the National Honor Society (NHS), etc., meet before or after school, rather than during the school

day. Getting involved one way or another can be a vital part of how the school year goes. Most students would agree that being involved in a club, sport or class that has extracurricular activities makes them feel more in touch with what is happening around school.

These are all just some ideas for the month of October! This school year is going to be fantastic! Get out, get involved and even get a little crazy! GO CATS!

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Westward Expansion:

New Pioneer Technology Center Spaces Are Open for Business

Story submitted by Terri Busch Communications & Marketing Coordinator, Pioneer Technology Center

training in hair, cosmetics, aesthetics (manicures, pedicures and facials)

demonstrations on 65” monitors to prepare their students for workand dry stations, a customer waiting area and State Board of Cosmetology assessment preparation space, Cosmo is not only ideal for instruction but for providing our students and clients a first-class Cosmetology service learning experience!

According to Kahle Goff, Executive Director of Full-Time Programs, “The Cosmetology program is extremely popular and the classes are consistently full. The new facility allows PTC the opportunity to expand course offerings and provide students the chance to serve more clients before program completion.”

Teaching Kitchen: The Culinary Arts Instructional Kitchen at Pioneer Tech packs state-of-theart equipment into 4,429 square feet. Brenda Pollak’s instructor’s station is equipped with overhead cameras that capture the nuances of instructional demonstrations, including grilling, baking and even fabricating chickens for broadcast on three 65” monitors. With both stainless steel and baking tables for student workstations and four student cooking stations around the learning space (clones of the instructor’s station), this workable space promotes collaborative culinary skill-building and next-level career opportunities in the Culinary Arts.

“We are excited about the opportunities for enhanced culinary instruction and training, not only in our FullTime Programs but also in our Short-Term offerings. All Culinary Arts students will have access to technology, providing an enriched participation in their curriculum,” Traci Thorpe, Superintendent/CEO explains.

Production Kitchen: The Production Kitchen and Serving Line for Pioneer Tech gleams with the stainless steel equipment featured in both spaces. Serving entrees, desserts, salad and drinks through a unique cafeteria-style line, the Culinary Services team welcomes customers from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. every day for the latest delicacies and is prepared to cater events in the new Conference Center or other rooms available for reservation on campus.

Kahle Goff, says, “We have moved the Culinary Services team to their own space to help support the new Conference Center and focus on breakfast and lunch service, which is open to the public.” He goes on to say, “Pioneer Tech discovered that prior to construction, morning and afternoon Culinary Arts students experienced different learning opportunities and curriculum as they assisted in the Production Kitchen. The new culinary facilities provide consistency within both the Production Kitchen and Culinary Arts classroom. Now students have the opportunity to hone their culinary skills in a state-of-the-art instructional environment.”

Conference Center: The Conference Center and Safe Room space have over 7,000 square feet, including the lobby. As a multifunctional area, PTC can serve large groups and it provides a Severe Weather Refuge region for campus personnel, visitors and students. The large LED board in the middle of the room is a flat panel display that uses an array of light-emitting diodes as pixels for a video display. Large panel monitors also hang on each end of the room. This allows the space to be divided into three different rooms. The area can accommodate a little over 700 people in audience style and over 300 in banquet style. A camera is also included in the area so events can be livestreamed not only over the internet but also in the lobby for those who might miss a meeting due to taking an important phone call.

EXPANSION Continued from Page 16

Pretty Words for His Glory by Cindy Grubb

Story and photos by Chelsea McConnell/Staff Writer

1 Peter 4:6 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” This verse comes to mind when listening to artist and calligrapher Cindy Grubb talk about her gifts. When asked about her calling, Grubb doesn’t hesitate. “I always knew I wanted to be an artist; I just didn’t know how that was going to happen. Then I had a friend who showed me how to hold the calligraphy pen. And I guess it was just my gift, because it came naturally and I was able to do it and then change it to my style.” It is often simple moments like this when, if you’re paying attention, you can find a calling that is meant to join you on your path in life.

In the 1980s, Grubb dabbled in painted woodwork as well as calligraphy. Using her gift of calligraphy, she created cards, bookmarks, prints and other items. For her sister’s wedding, she created personalized cards for the bridesmaids. Her friend Kay Lucas saw the cards and

offered to host a show for Grubb at her home in order to share her work with others.

As a busy mother of three, she was naturally a little nervous, but agreed to the idea. Many of the items she had in the show at Kay’s home had scriptures on them. The home show was a success. Things began moving from there.

In 1983, she heard the Lord urge her to create a calendar. She explains it like this, “I seriously heard the Lord say in my head, ‘Why don’t you do a calendar?’ And I said out loud, ‘Oh, who’s going to buy a

calendar? Nobody.’ For a couple of days, I was arguing about that with Him and then I just decided, ‘Okay, well maybe I could do a calendar.’” She began creating illustrations to go along with scriptures and printed her first 100 calendars in 1983 for the 1984 calendar year. That year, Grubb did the artwork, had the calendars printed, and friends and family helped her hand paint all 100 calendars. She repeated this system for the 1985 calendar. After that, it became clear that the calendars were becoming more popular, so in 1986 they began printing hundreds of calendars each year in color.

During these years other aspects of her work were taking off as well. She and her family were attending wholesale shows all over the United States. They traveled to Dallas, Atlanta, and even made a last-minute trip to Washington, D.C., when a spot opened at a show there. The family went to Birmingham, England to sell her work. These shows allowed

Grubb to build relationships that have lasted over the years. She met and was able to work with Sandi Gore Evans, an artist she admired who also became a friend. She met customers who continue to order hundreds of calendars today. She also met book publishers like Harvest House who connected her with popular authors like Emilie Barnes, giving her the opportunity to do illustrations and calligraphy for a few cookbooks over the years.

Grubb also sold her work at craft shows like Affair of the Heart and other similar events. Her work became so popular that for some years they had a business called Grubbies (a play on her last name) with 10 employees who worked packaging, processing and shipping orders. While this arm of the business closed in 2000, the calendar has remained an integral part of Grubb’s work thanks to loyal customers. Today she ships to North Carolina, Texas, New Mexico and Alabama. She comments on what it means to still have these customers today, “These people have made their own little ministries out of my ministry.” Over the years, Grubb’s ministry has spread through her artwork like a ripple in still water.

The illustrations depicted in each month of the calendar are little moments taken from her life: the bird feeder from her daughter Annie’s backyard; the beautiful floral arrangement on her best friend Laurie’s table; her son Ben as a boy in the garden. When you view them with this insight, each illustration becomes even more special. Grubb is sharing her life with us through the scenes we enjoy each month in the calendar. She talks about what

creating the calendar feels like. “I love doing it every year, but it’s hard. My heart and soul go into that. Then when someone buys it, it’s kind of like you’re giving a piece of yourself over to somebody.”

When asked how long she will continue to create the calendar, she answers simply, “As long as my hand works.”

With 2023 being the 40th anniversary of the calendar, Grubb decided to do something special. She went

back through the 39 years of artwork and chose her favorite 12 pieces to be featured in next year’s calendar. She says going through the artwork was like “going through the last 40 years of my life.” January 2023, very appropriately, features artwork from January 1984, the year that started it all. Today, she enjoys simply getting to create her art. Grubb is inspired by artists Sandi Gore Evans, Carlene Wallace and Kelly Rae Roberts. She spends her spare time enjoying being a mom and a Mimi to her grandchildren. She has an amazing part-time employee, Nikki Yarbrough, who began working for her in 2016 and handles the administrative details of the business.

She calls Nikki her “office manager, shipper, encourager and everything in between.”

Grubb has indeed been a faithful steward of God’s grace. She learned about her gifts of calligraphy and illustration and leaned into them. She received a call and followed it. She has continued to follow it and now has the joy of celebrating the 40th anniversary of her calendar. If you’d like to share that joy with her, you can find a 2023 calendar on sale now locally at Brace Books or Whimsy. Grubb also sells beautiful prints, bookmarks, notepads and many other items that can be found in her Etsy store or by contacting her directly using the information below.

www.cindygrubb.com cingrubb@gmail.com

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56 Feed Co.

Kaycee Brandon stands behind her counter at 56 Feed Co. The business is housed in a little blue building on North Main Street in Newkirk, and for more than 40 years it was known as NAPA Auto Parts. It still is, but a banner on the south side of the building displays a new name and a new logo. She took over the business a little more than a year ago and is still seeing great success.

“It was a little overwhelming in the beginning, but it has gotten a lot better,” she said. “I think we have a much better handle on the business than we used to.”

A little more than a year ago the store was filled with racks and walls lined with automotive and tractor and truck parts, and while they are still available through NAPA, so much more is offered today, from animal feed, garden supplies, kitchen items and even a unique boutique, all in an effort to offer something special to the Newkirk community.

What became 56 Feed Co. lies in the ashes of Whiskey Creek Boutique, but its roots also go back many more years, to a life on a farm near Newkirk.

Kaycee, along with brother Charlie, grew up immersed in agriculture on the family farm

with parents Virgil and Nila. They did typical youth farm work, including driving tractors, harvesting crops and raising livestock, both as part of farm operations, as well as livestock show exhibitions for 4-H and FFA.

“I was very involved in extracurricular activities, and I was active in 4-H and FFA,” Brandon said. “I showed pigs in my younger years, and in FFA, I showed sheep and cattle.”

They also raised pets, which she added were actually goats.

She studied agricultural economics at Oklahoma State University, graduating in 2005. That degree would do her well in her business pursuits, which ultimately would bring her back to Newkirk in 2020, although she never really left in the first place.

Brandon opened Whiskey Creek Boutique in 2008, turning it into a full business the next year.

“I started Whiskey Creek in 2008 as a hobby and got a sales tax number in 2009. That made it a business, and I opened a

storefront in 2011 in Fairfax,” she said.

Whiskey Creek also would have stores in Ponca City and Stillwater at a later point.

“I moved the business to Ponca City in fall of 2011, and opened in Stillwater in August 2012,” she said.

The Ponca City store would close in August 2013.

She later opened a new boutique in Pawhuska, named Pierce Arrow, an auto

Story and Photos by Everett Brazill, III

Kaycee Brandon, and her mother, Nila Brandon

FEED Continued from Page 27

famous during the early 20th century.

“We named the store after a model that was very prominent, and because Pawhuska was very prominent in that day,” she said.

Whiskey Creek and Pierce Arrow are now in Brandon’s rearview, as she saw a reason to return to Newkirk, or at least business-wise. She had been driving long hours to Stillwater and Fairfax, as well as Pawhuska, during those years and wanted a business of her own back home. Part of that had to do with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brandon opened 56 Feed Co. Aug. 21, 2021, and Aug. 12-13 of this year they welcomed the community once more for their first anniversary.

She chose the name in honor of her late father, Virgil, who was born in 1956, as well as recognition of her family’s dedication to livestock, especially in youth livestock exhibits.

Stepping through the front door of 56 Feed Co., NAPA auto parts still line the racks and shelves on the north side of the building. Anything not available in-store can also be ordered.

The bigger south end has been transformed to a boutique and feed store. There are women’s and men’s clothing, including jeans, boots, jackets, hats and more. Major brands include Hey Dude shoes, Justin boots, Wrangler, Hooey and Red Dirt Hat Co.

So much more has been brought in however, including kitchen items, candles, travel mugs, children’s clothing and toys and decorative metal yard art, which have proven to be quite popular, she said.

Seasonal items are also on display depending on the time of year, such as spring items like soil, fertilizer and yard tools.

Those items have brought people from across the region, from Tulsa up to Wichita, Kansas.

Brandon herself travels a great distance to find the items and network with vendors at the Dallas Market in Texas.

“It is a showroom with 15 floors of businesses that sell their goods down to consumers like me,” she said.

There are similar markets in other large cities, like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, Atlanta and New York City. Many of the vendors spend about a week at the market, she said, but some do have a permanent booth space.

She was most recently at the Market Aug. 23-26.

“I look at items, and I place my order based on what they offer,” Brandon said. “I’m already ordering next fall, and I order, sometimes, a year in advance.”

Behind the boutique in the feed part of the store, she places a focus on livestock, especially brands preferred for livestock show producers, including Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), MoorMan’s ShowTec, Lindner and Sunglo.

“Those are the livestock show feed standards people can go to,” she said.

They are the most popular feeds for livestock show exhibitors, at least in part in that they are formulated to meet the best dietary needs of the animals, as livestock shows themselves have become increasingly competitive for the exhibitors.

“It is the make-up of the feed that is conducive to the animals’ performance,” Brandon’s mom Nila said. “Livestock shows have become a business entity in itself.”

That business side finds its way back home, not just with the exhibitors, but the feed livestock show animal producers themselves prefer.

“We have producers in the area that specialize in selling show animals, and they are also coming down to buy the feed,” Nila said. “She didn’t even know it was a potential (opportunity) opening up.”

She began searching for a business to operate at home in Newkirk and found it in NAPA Auto Parts.

“I was looking for a building to open a feed store, and Bruce (Horinek) was selling the building, in addition to the NAPA Auto Parts, if someone was interested,” she said. “I knew it had been in the community 40 years and survived itself through a number of economic changes and would sustain itself until I grew my feed and boutique side.”

Hosting a feed store and boutique in an auto parts store may seem a little incongruent, but it’s working for 56 Feed Co., especially seasonally, helping to keep customers walking through the doors for products they need.

“They complement each other because usually the feed side of the business is in the fall and winter, and the NAPA side is slow because no one is harvesting, and when the feed and boutique are slow in the summer, people are harvesting,” Brandon said.

“Life changed, and I wanted something central to Newkirk,” she said. “I wanted something that would still have income at that time.”

Bill Wetzel, President

Are you in control of your retirement savings?

Changing jobs or being laid off can cause you to look at your Qualified Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (QRP) savings.

You generally have four options for your QRP distribution:

1. Roll over your assets into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA)

2. Leave your assets in your former employer’s QRP, if allowed by the plan

3. Move your assets directly to your new employer’s QRP, if allowed by the plan

4. Take your money out and pay the associated taxes

Each of these options has advantages and disadvantages and the one that is best depends on your individual circumstances. You should consider features such as investment choices, fees and expenses, and services offered. Your Financial Advisor can help educate you regarding your choices so you can decide. Be sure to speak with your current retirement plan administrator and tax professional before taking any action.

Wells

Advisors

Patrick

OCTOBER MEETINGS & EVENTS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4

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

• Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 2 p.m. for The Cell Barn, LLC

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5

• Chamber Customer Service Training at 11:30 a. m. at the Chamber Office. You must RSVP to attend.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6

• Cash Mob at 11:30 a.m. at Atwoods Home + Ranch

• Education and Workforce Development Committee will meet at 4 p.m. at the Chamber Office. MONDAY, OCTOBER 11

• Chamber Office Closed for Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12

• 36th Ponca City Leadership Class Session on Civic and Human Resources

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13

• Chamber Kindness Campaign Meeting at 4 p.m. at the Ponca City Country Club TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18

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

• Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 2 p.m. for CASA For Kids, Inc. located in the City Central Building, Suite 400 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19

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

• Finance and Executive Committee will meet at 11 a.m. at the Chamber Office TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25

• Chamber Board will meet at 11 a.m. at the Chamber Office THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27

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

• Business after Hours from 5-7 p.m. hosted by RCB Bank, 1223 E. Highland Ave.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28

• Ponca Politics Committee will meet at 11 a.m. at City Hall in the McFadden Room

• Ponca Politics Forum at 12 p.m. on Kay County Education in the Commission Chambers at City Hall

Find other events taking place at visitponcacity.com

Investment

Investment

Investment products and

are

ered through

SIPC,

Ferguson, Mulligan & Poet,

broker-dealer

a registered broker-dealer and a separate nonbank a liate of Wells Fargo & Company. © 2012, 2014-2016 Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC. All rights reserved.

Ferguson, Mulligan & Poet, LLC is a separate entity from WFAFN. 1016-03264 [86267-v5] A1929 (3372903_505066)

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(WFAFN), Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and a separate nonbank a liate of Wells Fargo & Company. © 2012, 2014-2016 Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC. All

nonbank a

reserved.

entity from WFAFN.

Ferguson, Mulligan & Poet, LLC is a

1016-03264 [86267-v5] A1929 (3372903_505066)

1016-03264 [86267-v5] A1929 (3372903_505066)

from

Patrick

Ferguson,

Patrick Mulligan

Bryant Ferguson

Rhonda Skrapke & Kacey Flanery

Dynamic Duo. Tag Team. Powerhouses. Partners in Progress. These are all fitting descriptions for City Grant Administrator Rhonda Skrapke and Development Services Administrative Assistant Kacey Flanery. Each woman alone is a force to be reckoned with. Together, they are unstoppable.

Rhonda Skrapke began consulting for the City of Ponca City as their Grant Administrator in 2002 and came on in an official capacity in 2008. Skrape worked in the law field for 20 years before becoming a grant writer. She has years of experience reading and composing legal documents. This set her up well to step into the grant world where governmental regulations are king and grant applications are voluminous, often hundreds of pages long. In her words,

Find out about these, and other programs PCDA has at www.GoPonca.com

City of Ponca City: Grant Department

Story by Chelsea McConnell/Staff Writer

she is “able to read federal regulations and understand them and put them into practical applications.” This is a critical component to successful grant writing. When asked about her best attributes Skrapke says, “I’m very resourceful. If I don’t know

something, I can find it out. I also think one of my biggest strengths is relationships.” Most grants involve dealing with state and federal agencies. In those arenas, relationships are key.

Kacey Flanery began working for the City of Ponca City as the Development Services Administrative Assistant in 2015 and celebrated her seven-year anniversary in August. Flanery has a background in banking and previously worked analyzing loan applications. This experience has served her well, as much of preparing grant applications is analyzing information and ensuring that every detail is attended to. Skarpke believes Flanery’s attention to detail is a big part of why the pair works so well together.

Skarpke is a big picture thinker and can see the global analysis. She is proficient at organizing grant applications and developing a project into a cohesive story. Flanery brings the details together after a grant is funded

by organizing spreadsheets, filing timely reports and all things necessary for the successful implementation of a project. The combination is what makes each grant project successful. The pair has never had any audit findings on any of the grants they’ve administered. Grants are audited during the City’s annual audit, as well as by the grant awarding agency. Skrapke and Flanery are so dedicated to following each guideline to the letter, they can justify every grant dollar spent for every project. Neither can remember a grant they applied for on behalf of our City and didn’t receive.

They both agree that the best part of the job is securing grant funds to help the people in our community.

See GRANT Continued on Page 34

ATTENTION ALL TRIBAL MEMBERS:

Cradle To College & Beyond

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

EMPLOYMENT/TRAINING Begins with Adult Education, Adult Vocational Training and on-the-job training. Developing business opportunities for tribal members to be employed in all areas of a business.

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

To set up an appointment, please call 580-749-5420. Bring your Tribal card, driver’s license, proof of residence and Social Security card.

OFFICE LOCATION and HOURS

City Central Building, Suite 206 400 E. Central Avenue, Ponca City Monday thru Friday 8 am - 4 pm Closed Federal & Tribal Holidays

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

Kanza Human Development Division

Photo by Chelsea McConnell

“I think the best feeling is when I’ve helped someone get a new sewer or get their heat turned on because they’ve been without heat for two years. They’ll call me crying because they’re just so overwhelmed and happy that we were able to help them. That’s the best part of the day when those calls come in,” Flanery explains.

Projects like that are typically funded with Community Development Block Grants money but have recently also been funded by American Rescue Plan Funds.

While the pair excel at getting their grant applications approved, that is just step one in

a lengthy process. Once grants are approved, guidelines and policies must be put into place. Internal mechanisms must be created to ensure grant funds are used properly and every single step along the way must be documented. Skarpke goes on to explain, “Then you have to bring the right people to the table. It’s obviously a team effort because it takes a lot of moving parts to get these grants into play successfully.”

Flanery says it takes “hours of conversations and meetings with people.” With each grant, the two must analyze which partners

need to be at the table to spend each grant dollar as efficiently as possible for the betterment of our community.

While many jobs slowed down in 2020 when COVID-19 hit, Skrapke and Flanery pressed their noses even harder to the grindstone. Skrapke explains, “The last two years we have been extremely, extremely busy because of all the federal funding that has become available due to COVID-19.” Their normal grant writing didn’t stop during this time. They saw opportunities for our community to get federal grant monies and added that additional responsibility to their plates. Due to their extreme diligence and expertise, Ponca City was the first community in Oklahoma to receive CARES Act funding.

Ever the team player, Skrapke speaks to how Ponca City’s diligence helped our state as a whole. Skrapke was asked to sit

on panels, speak at conferences and meet with communities across the state to help them apply for ARPA and CARES Act funding. “We didn’t want any city in Oklahoma not to get their money. We reached out to them, helped them get set up and helped them get their money because it was important. We want all the small rural communities in Oklahoma to be able to benefit and not lose their money. So I’ve spent the last year, not only doing my full-time job but also have been doing this as a public service for other small municipalities.” Flanery goes on to add, “I don’t know how many people have told me that she is hands down the best grant writer in Oklahoma. And I tend to agree.”

Another important factor is knowing what the pair can effectively and efficiently handle. There are millions of grant opportunities and they are a two-woman team. Skarpke and Flanery have to analyze which of those opportunities make sense for Ponca City. They always keep in mind the City’s Comprehensive Plan and work to attain grant monies for projects that fall in line with said plans. They both speak to the amazing support they get from our Mayor and Commissioners, City Manager Craig Stephenson and Development Services Director Chris Henderson when it comes to listening to their ideas and helping them maximize every grant dollar received while keeping the City’s overall goals in mind. An important aim is always to be forward-thinking and anticipating the needs of our community.

“Due to their extreme diligence and expertise, Ponca City was the first community in Oklahoma to receive CARES Act funding.”

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There are numerous projects around our community that have been funded by grants. One project Flanery and Skarpke worked on in tandem with the City Park and Recreation Department was the Deep Water Boat Ramp at Lake Ponca. This is where forward-thinking comes into play. If Lake Ponca was to go into a drought, citizens wouldn’t be able to get their boats in the water. When a grant came available from the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the idea was formed to install the Deep Water Boat Ramp ensuring lake access even in potentially drier seasons. Phase One of the Lake Ponca walking trails, restrooms

and parking lots in that area were all funded with grant monies as well.

Working with partners at PCDA in 2017, the duo was successful in getting a $1.275 million grant for renovation of City Central building in downtown Ponca City from the U. S. Economic Development Administration. During COVID-19, the pair acquired grant funding for a Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program, Utility Assistance Program and additional funding for our local food bank. A current project involves upgrades to the Senior Center, including a new HVAC system, ADA accessible restrooms and a new roof. Also in the works will be

a new restroom at the Attucks Community Center, as well as resurfacing the basketball court there. The splash pad at Attucks was funded with grant money as well. Grants were awarded for three phases of exterior renovation to Marland’s Grand Home. Recently the City was notified that a $2,000,000 grant funded through the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to renovate the Santa Fe Depot was approved. This short list is only a slight nod to the many, many projects in our community funded with grant monies. Over the last 20 years, over $45 million dollars has been granted to the City of Ponca City.

The pair also acts as staff liaisons for the Historic Preservation Advisory Panel (HPAP). They do many projects with the Certified Local Governments funding from the State Historic Preservation Office. Some of those projects include getting over 30 properties in Ponca City listed on the National Register of Historic Places, surveys of historic districts, a historic driving tour and app and design guidelines for the downtown district. Most recently, they worked with local artist and HPAP member Melinda LittleCook on creation of a fox-

themed youth activity book that focuses on historic properties in Ponca City. The book includes coloring pages, word searches, drawings of historic locations and other activities. The book “Let’s Go Finding” will be distributed to all the elementary schools in Ponca City.

Both volunteer in our community as well. Skrapke was involved with Ponca City Main Street for many years and served as President of the organization for two years. She currently serves on the City Arts Board. Flanery has served on the Peachtree Landing Board for 15 years. She currently also serves on the Ponca City Main Street Board and has been Treasurer/ Secretary since 2018.

It’s easy to understand how Rhonda Skrapke and Kacey Flanery have become go-to women in our community. With their track records in and out of the office, they can and will handle anything that comes their way. Both have a servant’s heart. They care about our community and the well-being of the people who live here. Our community is undeniably a better place because of their unwavering dedication.

Acrop of public art has been seen popping up across the Ponca City community in recent years. From signs and murals, foxes to historical monuments, there is much to see if one is willing to look. There are many people involved in the displays, including Theresa Sacket and her husband Jeremy. Theresa is now realizing her latest vision, a quest to beautify the community she loves.

Sacket’s planned project is underway on Highland Street, on the underpass below Union Street. The project has two phases, the first being the Union Street bridge, and the second phase which is planned to take place on the BNSF bridge parallel to Union Street.

It is only the latest in a string of art projects she has undertaken in recent years.

“I like to go big or go home, so murals give me the opportunity to do something I love,” she said.

The mural will feature many entities native to the Ponca City community, including Standing Bear, the famous Pioneer Woman statue and even foxes –the colorful canines that have found a place in Ponca City pop culture.

“The Highland underpass mural has pop art designs, with bold, bright colors,” she said. “Underpasses are generally dark, and I wanted to use colors that show up.”

AStory by Everett Brazil, III | Art Photos provided by Theresa Sacket

216

Those colors include orange, yellow and even pink, she said.

The mural, once finished, will be her most recent realization of a dream in the world of art.

“I feel like I’ve been drawing since I could walk,” she said.

“I was 6 years old when my family moved to South Haven, Kansas, from Streator, Illinois, and I found myself always drawing during this time of transition. My art teacher in South Haven, Norma Hiatt, inspired a lot of creativity and made art fun. She encouraged students to enter pieces in the fair and local coloring contests.

I remember getting my first blue ribbon for a picture I did of Bambi and Thumper, and it fueled my desire to keep creating at a young age,” she said. Sacket moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma, when she was 14. She graduated from Ponca City High School in 1999 and received an art

Grand

Ponca City, OK 74601

scholarship from pieces she created in high school.

Theresa studied art at NOC in Tonkawa under the guidance of Audrey Schmitz and Neo Kirby. She would later study elementary education at Oklahoma State University and currently teaches second grade at Woodlands Elementary School in Ponca City. She would somehow find a way to intertwine the two disciplines, education and art, later on.

Her first opportunity to display a mural came in 2018 for Ponca City Main Street.

“Ponca City Main Street was doing an artist call for a mural on a partition in front of City Central,” she said. The mural ‘DayBreak’ is an abstract sunrise Theresa designed and painted, and it is prominently displayed on the northwest corner of City Central. DayBreak was the first nonhistoric mural painted in downtown Ponca City.

Her second mural was located near the Doodle Academy, on North First Street.

“I painted a pop fox, which had Standing Bear and Pioneer Woman in its glasses,” she said.

Her most recent depicted an athletics-themed mural on the side of 5150 Liquor, just east of 14th Street on South Avenue.

Her absence in Ponca City from 201921 was due to traveling across the United States and abroad, including

Thailand, with her family. It was there she fell in love with public arts.

“Through our travels I loved all the public art I saw and was inspired to bring more murals to my hometown,” she said. “When we moved back to Ponca City in May 2021, I quickly got

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As an educator, Sacket is proud of her rolein teaching the youngest generations.

Continued from Page

involved in the art community again through teaching art camps and creating my own pieces of art.”

Her latest project is her largest in scope and is expected to go well into next year for completion of the two phases.

Two overpasses cross above Highland Street, just west of First Street. One is two lanes on Union Street, with adjacent parallel tracks operated by BNSF. Phase One focuses on the Union Street underpass, with the second phase planned for next year.

The project began only a few months ago, when she contacted Mike Lane, traffic engineer manager with Ponca City’s Traffic Engineering.

“In June 2022, I sent an e-mail to Mike Lane at traffic services, letting him know my vision for the Highland underpass,” she said. “We sent a few e-mails back and forth, and it was decided to move forward by presenting a more detailed idea of what I wanted to do and present it to

the city commission.”

The city commission approved the measure at their July 18 hearing.

“All commissioners voted yes in support of the project,” she said. “I then met with Mike Lane and Chris Henderson and signed a very detailed agreement with the city concerning safety and what my end of the project was, and it was signed by Mayor Homer Nicholson in August 2022.”

Henderson is the Ponca City Development Services Director.

Sacket also approached several entities seeking funds, who were more than happy to help with the new beautification project, including the Carl Renfro Family Foundation and Bobby Garrett, of Mid-Con Energy Services.

“I approached Bobby Garrett and the Carl Renfro Family Foundation, and they graciously and generously agreed to fund the project, and I was able to move forward with the project,” she said.

There is much traffic at the scene, both on Highland and on the overpasses above, so safety is a concept they are taking seriously.

SACKET Continued on

“The city is going to put out safety cones in accordance with safety laws,” she said. “The cones will be put on a single lane so that way traffic can still go through and not close the busy road.”

Phase One began in September, following the rehabilitation of the Union Street bridge.

Due to Sacket’s role as a Ponca City educator, the actual work is taking place in the evening, with the help of her husband, Jeremy, she said.

A second phase will focus on the BNSF bridge. Work will begin next year, and Sacket is already in talks with the railway.

“I’m in negotiations with BNSF to paint murals on their bridge,” she said. “I’m hoping I can begin Phase Two in spring or summer of 2023.”

The biggest problem is deciding what she wants to paint in vibrant colors to bring the overpass alive. Sacket is considering several concepts for the phase.

“Ideas in Phase Two will be things representing our city; for example, I’m thinking I’ll do a mural representing oil or electric,” she said. “I’m also thinking of doing one that is patriotic, with a flag, eagles.”

As an educator, Sacket is proud of her role in teaching the youngest generations. She infuses art into her lesson throughout the school year. “I’m always excited when I see children using their creativity. I tell my students, ‘They are artists,

illustrators, authors, etc.,’ in the present tense. It’s not something that they have to wait until they are older to be,” she said.

As for her murals, including those still under creation, it is about the public display of art and encouraging new artists even when they are just starting out.

“Murals are available to everyone. If you’re walking by, it’s like a museum,” she said. “This also brings people to our community. Everyone has good things to say about the murals, and they are there for all public arts in our community. I’m just proud to be a part of the process.”

Music in & Around Ponca City Sounding

Story & Photos by Steve Scott / Contributing Writer

Fall is here! And with it, the world returned to traveling and enjoying live entertainment. Perusing the list of performances below, we have a dazzling array of live music events in northern Oklahoma!

The Bandstand …

The final Full Moon Concert Series, sponsored by the North Central Oklahoma Arts Council, will feature a multi-act performance, including members of the NOC Roustabout Singers and alumni, led by the impeccable musicianship of Brandon Haynes. This is a fantastic show you must see, so put Sunday, Oct. 9 at 6:30 p.m. on your calendar. And I will see you at the Tonkawa downtown gazebo!

A column fave, Larry Newsom returns to Zanotti’s in Stillwater on Oct. 14 and Oct. 22 and at the Solo Club in Bartlesville on Oct 21. Larry has an impressive vocal range and also a great range in his set list. Country, R&B, rock, polka … He does it all. Well, not the polka.

The groundbreaking local rock band, Five Year Gap, will be entertaining the crowds at River Spirit Casino and Resort in Tulsa on Oct. 14 as the featured act on the Margaritaville Stage!

Are you ready to rock? The Curtis Moore Band is at Back2Sighs on Oct. 21. This group is a powerhouse; the riffs are rad and the volume is jacked up. Just what a rock ‘n’ roll soul needs!

M-Pyre hits the stage in Sparks for the

annual Halloween Bash on Oct. 14.

Rock & Brews Casino in Braman is a well-received, high-end addition to the northern Oklahoma area, and was featured in my May 2022 Ponca City Monthly magazine column. Throughout September and October, they are supporting the “live music” scene by featuring a number of local bands and musicians whose forte` emulates the venue’s “classic rock vibe.” Band #9 is booked for Oct. 15. Check them out; they also have new PR photos on their Facebook page!

Reliable crowd-pleaser Cassy Kendrick is a featured act at the Top of Oklahoma Jam in Blackwell on Oct. 8.

Ridin’ High, the iconic largest dance club in northern Oklahoma, has the Classic Cowboys Back on Stage Oct. 15 followed on Oct. 29 by the annual Halloween Party with Kota Lewis and the Flyers. And don’t forget to celebrate Tricia’s birthday on Nov. 12 with Dax Perrier on stage!

The Kay County Amphitheater will close its first season with Salt Fork Revival on Oct. 7, followed on Oct. 8 by Grand Ole Opry Guest Artist and award-winning musician, Kyle Dillingham, who has represented America with his fiery performances in over 40 countries. Both concerts start at 7 p.m. This is a fantastic close to a wonderful performance venue for both Newkirk and Kay County. Bring the family and enjoy the quality entertainment!

OffVortex is really “hopping” this month! (I know, bad play on words!). The featured visual artist is Kayla Maxwell whose works will be displayed around the tavern (and available for purchase!). Trivia nights are Oct. 6 and Oct. 20, and Singo happens on Oct. 14. Musical guests this month include the Oklahoma Red Dirt sound of Timothy Bays on Oct. 7 and the soulful ballads of Stacey Sanders on Oct. 28. All events feature Nena’s Taco’s on-site. And don’t forget the 5th anniversary celebration Nov. 2-5!

need for greater seating capacity. With the demise of the Hutchins, concerts moved to the historic Poncan Theatre. I attended a number of these concerts while growing up in Ponca City and each was always a wonder to behold. The acts were world-class talents, coming from not only America but internationally as well. Most had performed in famous locations such as Carnegie Hall, on Broadway and the Lincoln Center. The common denominator is their ability to entertain and inspire the audience. And that they did.

Our local Community Concert Association is one of a network of 300 across the U.S., and because of the immense number of venues, international acts are more than happy to tour between the cities in America. Each year the local association sells memberships and based upon the income from those sales, the budget is set for booking the acts for the next season. Four events are scheduled for the 2022-23 year, but for your nominal membership fee you can attend both the Ponca City and Bartlesville association concerts, which doubles your entertainment value.

Looking back, the acts we enjoyed over the years included everything from classical to popular, dance and ballet, and recently featured acts from the America’s Got Talent TV show.

A trip down cultural lane …

Ponca City has a legacy of fostering cultural opportunities normally not available to cities of our size. One of these was the establishment of the Community Concert Series starting in 1935. The tradition has continued for 87 years, only missing two along the way: one in 1945 because of World War II and the other in 2020 because of the pandemic. This is an impressive record!

The first concerts were held in the East Jr. High auditorium and continued at that location until 1962 when they moved to the newly-built Hutchins Memorial Auditorium because of the

I was personally influenced by the music at these events, and I can tell you that parents, and those with children, should take advantage of this opportunity in Ponca City. I would encourage everyone to visit www.PCConcertSeries.org and see what is coming up (next concert is Nov. 21 with Pauline Yang who is coming here right off a gig at Carnegie Hall). Please consider attending and joining Community Concerts. Trust me … it will expand your mind!

Until next month …

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

Renderings of

that

painted by artists Theresa and Jeremy Sacket. Painting will

2022.

Bobby Garrett

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

It is a wonderful feeling when a cool autumn morning is met with a warm afternoon. The students and staff of Ponca City Public Schools would make you proud if you could witness the magic that happens within our walls daily. Are there days and weeks that question my sanity? You bet. But repeatedly, I see students engaged in classrooms with loving and caring adults. Those moments are what drive me to serve the students and staff I work with each day.

As we inch our way toward November, there is a growing dark cloud forming on the horizon in our state. A growing cry has been made that the only way to improve public schools is to dismantle the institution of public education that our state founders worked so hard in creating. Teachers, administrators and public schools are being referred to as broken, indoctrinating and ineffective. However, my greatest fear is we have forgotten the once dearly agreed upon and shared value among us Oklahomans of a robust and strong public school system funded by the state.

On the first page of our Oklahoma constitution, our founders felt it was vitally important to the future of our citizens that they carved out this beautiful statement, “Provisions shall be made for the establishment and maintenance of a system of public schools, which shall be open to all the children of the state and free from sectarian control.” With those broad strokes,

we brought forth the public schools that serve as the community cornerstones across our state and in each of our communities.

Up to this point, we have heard from candidates in two primaries and now the field has been narrowed to the general election in November. Make no bones about it, the state’s original commitment to free education for ALL the children in Oklahoma, free from sectarian control, is on this November’s ballot.

As a graduate from a small school, and now a 6A administrator, I have witnessed firsthand the passion our citizens have for their schools and the wonderful adults who answer the calling to serve in education.

The American education system is one of this country’s greatest creations. America did not invent education, but they made it one of the best, most robust and open systems that could help assist anyone to reach the goals their heart desired.

I can go on and on about how our education system is one of our American cornerstones that makes our country great. Our public schools are full

of wonderful people who gather each fall to educate and grow our future citizens. Let us not forget this magic that happens each year, because it is there. Instead, let us commit to making informed decisions about which political leaders will help enhance our public education system for the good of ALL Oklahoma children, as our state founders originally desired.

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JoAnn Muchmore Inducted Posthumously into to OSU’s Hall of Fame

Story and photo contributed by Sherry Muchmore Recenthly, several members of the Muchmore family gathered at the Wes Watkins Center in Stillwater for the OSU College of Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame Ceremony to honor Distinguished Alumni. The Posthumous Award was given to Ponca City’s own JoAnn Muchmore, who earned her bachelor’s degree in ‘57 at OSU and later returned, while honing her directing skills at the Ponca Playhouse, to also earn her masters in Theater - the first female to earn this degree at OSU.

JoAnn McBride Muchmore moved to Ponca City following her graduation in ‘57 from OSU where she became a Po-Hi teacher in Theater and Journalism. Jo accepted a job with the Ponca City News, where she met and later married co-publisher Gareth Muchmore. Gareth became the adopted father of Jo’s son Les. JoAnn was always active in the civic organizations of Ponca City. She was a founding member of the Marland Estate purchase and renovation project.

Whether directing, acting or writing, JoAnn was a larger-thanlife thespian sharing her love of

the theater across the US from the Dick Cavett Show in NYC, to Texas, Colorado and New Mexico and then returning to her beloved Ponca Playhouse, where she was a founding member and remained committed throughout her life; and the Poncan Theatre where in 1991 she headed the Poncan Theatre restoration project. Since conception, JoAnn also directed 19 “Taste and Tasteless” productions, an annual Poncan Theatre fundraiser of dining mixed with political satire. Jo also found time to write a children’s book about her beloved blue heeler, friend and companion Johnny Dog,“Johnny Rides Again.”

JoAnn Muchmore was an active, out-going personality with a wellrounded, far-extending list of activities, loves and lifelong friends. She loved her family and family of friends - from all parts of her life—grade school, High School, colleges and likely every state in the U.S.A. To her bridge buddies, book club pals, travelers, theatre folk or wherever you fit into one of these groups, if you became a friend of JoAnn, you were a friend forever.

There’s never been a better time to buy!

“If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves.”

– Maria Edgeworth

can live your best life now.

Left to right: Eva Case, PRN-FNP-C; Taylor Lewis, APRN-CNP; Gigi Campbell, APRN FNP-C; Not pictured: Mark Oatman, MD and Jodi Wiley, DO

Ponca City will get its first taste of Día de los Muertos (Day Of The Dead) this year with a series of events that will kick off the first-ever festival for Ponca City. The event will center around 4 events that span the last week of October and the first days of November. While the holiday uses skeletons, also called Calaveras, it’s important to note that Día de los Muertos is not related to or a part of Halloween.

So if it’s not Halloween - what is Día de los Muertos? Día de los Muerto or more commonly know as The Day of the Dead is a holiday traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2. It largely originated in Mexico, where it is mostly observed, but also in other places, especially by people of Mexican heritage. Día de los Muerto is a holiday of joyful celebration rather than mourning. The multi-day holiday involves family and friends gathering to pay respects and to remember friends and family members who have died.

Traditions connected with the holiday include honoring the deceased using Calaveras and aztec marigold flowers known as cempazúchitl, building home altars called ofrendas with the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these items as gifts for the deceased. The celebration is not solely focused on the dead, as it is also common to give gifts to friends such as candy sugar skulls and to share traditional pan de muerto with family and friends.

Calavera

One element that makes Dia De los Muerta visually stunning is the use of papier-mache Calaveras (also called calacas). A calaca, a colloquial Mexican Spanish name for skeleton, is a figure of a skull or skeleton (usually human) commonly used for decoration during the Mexican Day of the Dead festival, although they are made all year round.

Tracing their origins from Mayan imagery, calacas are frequently shown with marigold flowers and foliage. As with other aspects of the Day of the Dead festival, calacas are generally depicted as joyous rather than mournful figures. They are often

shown wearing festive clothing, dancing, and playing musical instruments to indicate a happy afterlife. This draws on the Mexican belief that no dead soul likes to be thought of sadly and that death should be a joyous occasion. This goes back to Aztec beliefs, one of the few calaca to remain after the Spanish conquest.

Calacas used in the festival includes carved skull masks worn by revelers, small figures made out of carved wood or fired clay, and sweet treats in the form of skulls or skeletons. Calacas are sometimes made of wood, stone, or even candy.

Want to make a Calavera? Ponca City Rec Plex is hosting a papier-mache Calavera class. Participants will learn to make papier-mache Calaveras (Skeletons) which are used as decorations during Dia de Los Muertos. Participants will be provided all the basic materials for creating the Calaveras through donations from the Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council. Participants under 14 years old require parental supervision. The

class is for two days. On the first day, we will build and cover our designs with papier-mache. We will spend the second day decorating and painting our Calaveras. This is a great family or group event.

Don’t want to papier-mache? Thursday Oct 27th at 6pm The Doodle Academy will host a Día de los Muertos painting class. Come on out for a night of Ceramic painting. Each person will paint a ceramic skull

Story by Andy Hicks/Staff Writer

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A Coordinated Community Response Team is a multidisciplinary team that provides a coordinated approach to issues around domestic violence, while collaborating with service providers and system mem bers to strengthen communication and networking with a goal of bringing to light gaps in services needed to support survivors.

At its core, the CCRT team operates under the assumption that domestic violence is a community issue and requires the engagement of entire communities to address it.

Kay County operates a CCRT program comprised of members from:

• Kay County District Attorney, Brian Hermanson’s Office

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Coordinated Community Response Team

Backyard Gardener

Beea utiful

F a l l Gardens

Ahhhh, October. This is my favorite month. There is Halloween; my daughter’s birthday; first date with my hubby many, many years ago; and did I mention, Halloween? Walking the yard this week has been a blast. As I start cleanup on the sunflowers and other dying things, the orb spiders have made an appearance. Apparently, they were hiding under the sunflower canopy which sheltered them from hungry birds. I know, I know: Spiders. But they are very important

of a good ecosystem, along with ladybugs, bees and wasps. So, let’s talk fall chores and what is still edible in the yard.

Five things the yard ready for spring now while you do fall

Grab a Hoe

I found a new tool this year. It is called a hula hoe. It is a hooped hoe that works really well to displace weeds so you can pull them up. Great reviews and I really like it. If you need a new hoe, I recommend this one.

Fork It

After you get all those pesky weeds up, grab your fork and move that soil around. Big forks, known as digging forks, are great for moving your compost pile around as well. If you are looking for a digging fork, may I recommend a fork with thicker tines and a nice stout handle. Better to turn dirt and compost piles over.

Myco Bloom

This is a granular mycorrhizae inocula which helps build strong roots and increases plant access to nutrients in your soil. Myco Bloom is the one I am using, and I will let you know if it helps with the squash borers and other live-in-the-dirt and eat-yourplants critters. And speaking of nutrients …

Story and Photos by Kat Long / ContributingWriter

Small Bee Apartment

Chives flowering - bees, wasps and butterflies love these!

Worm Castings and/or Compost

Mix the Myco Bloom about 1 to 10 into worm castings. If you are going to use compost, don’t mix the Myco Bloom with compost. It messes up the mycorrhizae’s symbiosis process. And worm castings alone or compost are great. If using the Myco Bloom, sprinkle on the hoed, forked soil. Using a rake, work it in and then use the flat side to smooth the bed down. If adding compost, add on top and before …

Straw makes a great mulch and grass barrier. Bonus: straw will decompose over the winter and add to your bed while making sure grass seeds don’t get a foothold. If you have access to sourced wood chips, you can also use those on top of the bed. It won’t decompose as well as straw, but it’s still a pretty

effective grass/weed barrier. Just make a hole in the straw/wood chips in the spring and plop those seed starts into the ground.

Bonus Points

Think about where pollinators can overwinter in your yard. Solitary bees like small branches and hollow tubing to lay eggs for next year. Ladybugs will lay their eggs in mulch/leaf piles as well as the bottoms of perennial plants. Spiders, mantises and other similar beneficials will attach egg sacs to existing vines and leaves, so keep a lookout for them when cleaning up dense areas like fruit bushes, grape plants or climbing vines. If you do come across an egg sac, try to keep it in a similar setting, but move it somewhere it will not be disturbed. This is a great science project for the young’uns.

In The Yard

Right now, I am still at the cleanup stage. Small snafu in the front yard: I have had to move perennials around due to street sight lines. The sunflowers all have to be cut down, all the branches trimmed back, including the sand cherries, blackberries and bee balm. The good news is I have plenty of seed from the bee balm to replant somewhere not in a street sight line.

As I was cutting the sunflowers, I found an orb spider, an egg sac, ladybugs and some praying mantises. I also found a few butterfly chrysalises which I left alone, as they might be monarchs. I will say the grasshoppers this year have eaten most of the mint outside the fence: lemon balm, spearmint, mojito mint and hyssop have all been eaten down to

nubs. Inside the fence, I am still waiting on tomatoes (I think there have been four or five little ones), but the peppers have loved the heat this summer. And the basil: mmmmmm, basil. So much basil! Thank goodness for all the ideas on preserving basil from TikTok: freezing, pesto, drying, Oh My! Other things ready for harvest are lemongrass, oregano and thyme.

Halloween idea: When cutting down tall stalks, bunch them together with twine. You can use these like cornstalks and stretch spider webbing between two or three. Then, throw them in the compost pile after Halloween. I am using sunflower stalks about eight feet tall on either side of a window for decoration. Next month, we prepare for Christmas. So, save those seeds, dry your herbs and of course, Happy Garden Cleanup.

Basil - Cinnamon and Large Leaf

Lemongrass - ready to harvest

GARDEN Continued from Page 57

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

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

Our Transformation Strategies are Arts & Entertainment and Community Connection.

Get Fit!WITH KERA KESTER

There are four vital words that we all must heed – listen to our bodies! This article deserves an emphatic opening statement because it’s one of the most important learning experiences we will ever undergo. Our bodies do not give off signals for nothing. There is a term called biofeedback, which is defined as “the process of gaining greater awareness of many physiological functions of one’s own body.” Listening and tending to what our bodies communicate can make the difference between health and illness. So, what do we need to pay attention to? There are many factors at play. But, here are four general signals that will do wonders for us when we are sensitive and active toward them.

If you’re satisfied or full, stop eating. As children, some of us sat at restaurants or dinner tables hearing “clean your plate before you can get up.” These voices may have even gone as

far as to induce guilt by speaking of starving kids not fortunate enough to have a full plate in front of them. In addition, someone spent hardearned money for your meal. This can be a strong conditioning to overeat. However, it is important to consider hunger cues. From general discomfort to the body’s digestion efforts and more, the effects of overeating take a toll. Furthermore, the portion sizing on plates can sometimes be enough for two to even three meals! Additionally, it is not mandatory to have an appetizer, main meal and dessert in one sitting. If your body is telling you that it has had all that it can comfortably handle, listen!

Certain food cravings may be caused by nutrient deficiency. Studies show that those consistently craving sweets, may simply need to increase magnesium intake. Magnesium helps regulate glucose (or blood sugar) and insulin.

Now, I would say that lack of nutrients is not the only cause for food cravings. There are several arguments that insist these cravings are instead due to sight; smell; or deficiencies in sleep, hydration, relaxation or joy and fiber, to name a few. Whichever view you hold, when our bodies are signaling certain food cravings, it is wise to consider if lack of a nutrient or any of the above reasons are the cause. For instance, I may get a sudden urge for banana bread. Instead of impulsively reaching for a slice, I may consider that my body may be craving bananas because they are rich in potassium. Is it a crime to have a slice of banana bread? Absolutely not! However, it is important to consider whether my craving may be satisfied by simply eating a banana, which nourishes my body without any added sugar or refined simple carbs.

How is your energy and sleep quality? We’ve all heard the saying “you snooze, you lose.” However, I would say the opposite is true. If you don’t snooze, you lose. The pros of adequate sleep are a list that goes on and on and impacts our lives greatly. However, the body doesn’t just do amazing things based on the quantity of sleep hours; it also sends out alarm signals based on the quality of sleep. If you are constantly hungry, not sleeping well or always hit with fatigue and low energy – your body is telling you something!

Are you eating too few calories? Are you eating too many calories in one sitting? Does your stress management need work? Are you missing out on sleep hours because of time constraints or poor time management? Do you wind down without your phone before you get some shut eye? Are you over-training in the gym? Are you ingesting enough dietary fiber? Reflect on some possible reasons and make an effort toward change. Your body, and especially your mental state, will function SO much better!

Is it hunger or thirst? It is common to mistakenly think you are hungry when, in actuality, a glass of water would bring the satisfaction! So how do you tell the difference? It’s most likely hunger if the feeling comes on gradually, or you are moody, feeling weak, have stomach rumblings or feel the need to eat more than every three to four hours. It’s most likely thirst if you have darkly colored urine, a headache, dizziness or dry eyes and skin.

Note that feelings of thirst are usually indicative that you may be dehydrated, so drink liquid throughout the day. If you are still confused as to which one it is, a simple test is to drink a glass of water and wait 20-30 minutes. If you’re still hungry, and cravings or emotional eating is not a factor at play, then it’s probably a good idea to get some food into your system! Take care of yourselves, and happy October!

October is a fun month with lots of activities and changing weather. I can make October a month to remember for you and your family.

Call or text @ 580-761-1712.

Do you all ever wonder how you’re still alive? Or did you make good decisions when you were a young adult? (Mom, I’d like to invite you to stop reading now.) I was just thinking about all the stupid and dangerous things I used to do and am genuinely shocked I’m still here and relatively unscathed. My dumb friends (no offense ladies, but we were so dumb) and me would get into cars with much older boys who were practically strangers and go “back roading” until the wee hours of the morning. We’d get in random people’s boats and be stranded in the middle of the lake for hours with people we’d met 27 seconds earlier. We’d consume certain types of beverages in random fields with random people nearly every weekend. One time at a gas station at 2 a.m. a man on a motorcycle invited my friends and me to a house party and said, “It’s the house with the couch on the porch, and we’ll get you whatever booze you guys want” and for a brief moment, we considered going. And now here I am, in my mid-30s, married to that motorcycle guy from the gas station (just kidding, but

I did marry one of those back-roading boys, so I guess the jokes on me), and my neck hurts because I turned around too fast in the car to say to my kid, “If you wipe a booger on your brother again, I’m going to cut your finger off.” (I feel like I need to state that this is a joke, I probably would never actually do that.) I’m now at the age where I get nervous that I took my gummy vitamin twice, and seriously consider calling poison control. I used to be able to pass out on any random couch (except ones on porches) or floor, but now if I sleep without my normal four pillows surrounding my entire body it feels like a semi truck ran me over. I used to be able to drink a baker’s dozen of vodka and Crystal Lights, and now if I drink two glasses of wine it feels like I got roundhouse-kicked in the dome and I feel like death for three business days. I used to leave my house at 10 p.m. to go out, now I won’t start a movie past 7 p.m. because I will immediately fall asleep. I’m just thankful none of my terrible decisions killed me, or worse, led me to that house party with the porch couch.

a Celebration of “All ThiNGs Nerdy”

Story by Everett Brazil, III

Images provided by Christina Rich-Splawn

The arts community offers many ways to express ideas and feelings creatively, whether that be film and television, video games and even books like graphic novels. Many of these concepts are learned and shared throughout the arts community, from large events like Comic-Con, to more genre-specific events like Star

Trek conventions in the world of sci-fi and fantasy. While most are outside Oklahoma, a few pop culture enthusiasts are looking to bring that experience back home, with Kay County’s first PonCon to help build a new movement in Ponca City.

The event is planned for Nov. 5, to coincide with Ponca City’s Veterans Day celebration. Sponsors for the event are Ponca City Public Library Friends of the Library, Ponca City Art Association and Ponca City Development Authority. Premier Sponsors are Hall of Heroes and Tyndall Family Dentistry.

Christina Rich-Splawn had an idea, a dream of bringing popular culture to Ponca City so locals who also had an interest in such events don’t have to leave home to

celebrate the arts.

“We are dipping our toes into the pop culture community convention world,” she said.

Although PonCon is a fresh, new event, it is falling in the wake of a previous event which itself proved successful, eventually setting the stage for PonCon. That event also

See PONCON Continued

bringing a series of comic book-focused events to Ponca City

had a comic book and graphic novel theme to entice the art community to come out in support of the event.

“We did our experiment of ‘Gotham Comes to

Ponca City,’ and we did it as a way to see about getting all of our local arts and crafts nonprofits to work on an event,” she said. “After we did the event, we decided to do another event, and the group came up with the event of PonCon.”

Joining Rich-Splawn is a whole team of individuals, who themselves are immersed in the art community, from The Ponca City Public Library (PCPL) to the Poncan Theatre.

That includes Holly LaBossiere and Shalom Owens, both of PCPL. LaBossiere serves as director of the facility and Owens, herself, has attended related Star Trek Conventions.

Dave Guinn is owner of the Hall of Heroes, 112 N. First St., Ponca City. They are only a handful of participants hoping to bring PonCon to a reality.

While many conventions are large in scope, attracting arts enthusiasts from across the country, and in some cases, the world, PonCon is expected to be much smaller in size, focusing on the local arts community in Kay County.

See PONCON Continued on Page 67

Dave Guinn, Owner of Hall of Heroes

1604 W. Grand Ponca City 580-767-0430 poncacityok.gov

OCTOBER

YOUTH PROGRAMS

Youth Volleyball

Class

Kids Night Out

October 10th

October 14th & 15th

October 15th

Little Ballers Basketball October 29th

EVENTS

Haunted Trail Run (at Lake Ponca)

Paper Mache Calavera Class

October 14th

October 22nd & 23rd

Now taking applications for warehouse and maintenance workers at our Ponca City Distribution Center.

We are seeking individuals who possess a desire for long-term employment in a temperature-controlled environment that is fast paced, team oriented with opportunities for advancement.

Albertsons offers excellent pay and benefits including:

Medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance

vacation

with company contribution

albertsons.com/careers

No phone calls, please.

“We wanted to do something that is small, to see if it would work,” Rich-Splawn said. “Our idea is to have an event that is supported and nurtured by regional creators, rather than a big vendor event or film emphasis.”

The committee has been meeting regularly to plan events for PonCon, hoping to build excitement for PonCon itself.

PonCon is primarily focused on celebrating the talents of local artists, especially writers. A writing contest will help stimulate the craft, focusing on micro-fiction and graphic novels. Micro-fiction is a form of storytelling told in as few words as possible, while a graphic novel is like a comic book, with the story told on the level of a novel.

Submissions are currently being accepted until Oct. 15. The organization is taking submissions in three age groups: children through age 12, teens aged 13-18 and adults 19 and older. First-place winners receive $50 and an award certificate, and second prize and third prize receive gift bags and award certificates.

Oct. 29, the Saturday leading up to PonCon, will feature a “My Hero Academia,” Marathon, with movies at the PCPL at 10 a.m.

Nov. 3-18 will be the City Arts Graphic Novel Art Show.

The real celebration will follow the Veterans Day Parade, and organizers encourage participants to attend the parade as well as PonCon. A Geek Garage Sale will be held at City Central, 400 E. Central Ave., just south of Grand Avenue.

“Anybody can buy a table and sell their nerdy, geeky items,” Rich-Splawn said. “The tables are $10, and you can get your table through the Hall of Heroes.” The Hall of Heroes is located at 112 N. First St.

The winners of the graphic novel and micro-fiction contest will also be

announced by organizers at the Geek Garage Sale at noon.

The fun continues with a cosplay runway, where participants can display their costumes of their favorite characters.

“This gives them a chance to indulge in their creativity,” Rich-Splawn said. “Everybody who goes to a sci-fi convention, they always dress up, so cosplay is artistic in their fandom.”

There is so much to learn from such events, whether it be popular culture or simply the development of a new love of the arts.

The local library can be ground zero for learning about those events.

“The library is a unique cultural institution, with a mission to bring people, ideas and information together,” LaBossiere said. “Bringing people together to talk about their creative process is an intriguing way to challenge your own ideas about art, writing and ‘making.’”

Owens has attended Star Trek Conventions on her own and has a unique understanding of how an event like PonCon

can foster creativity. “Pop Culture conventions give us a window of time we can schedule for where we can talk about our favorites with other people who care just as much,” she said.

Owens also has a love of anime, which will be on full display throughout PonCon.

“I support this effort because anime is one of the most open and accepting ways of learning about another culture, and because it covers such a broad range of topics,” she added. “That makes anime a breath of fresh air; something that can surprise and delight you in ways you’re maybe not used to anymore.”

For others, it is the excitement of being around fellow creators in the arts.

“Comic-Cons have such a great collection of eclectic people, merchandise and events full of people just wanting to enjoy the hobby and have fun,” Guinn said. “For some of us ‘super nerds,’ we have been immersed in this world for many years, but lately, it has become more mainstream and you can find a convention almost every weekend within just a few hours of home.”

That is the goal and idea of PonCon, to celebrate the arts back home in Kay County.

“How do we support local people who want to make their own graphic novels or writing fiction for the genre?” RichSplawn asked. “That is why we wanted to have the contest,” she answered.

For more information about PonCon, including submitting micro-fiction and graphic novels, visit www.Facebook. com/ponconconvention. To submit artwork for the Graphic Novel Art Show, contact terron@pcarts.org.

FOOD CRUSHFOOD CRUSH

Jalapeño Grill is located at 408 E. Hartford, Ponca City.

Phone 580.761.4937.

Hours:

Mon.-Sat., 10am-8 m Sun. 10 am-5pm

Follow Jalapeño Grill on Facebook at @jalapenogrill

Southern California is a street food lover’s nirvana. An eclectic mix of Mexican, Thai, Filipino, Japanese and even Southern classics make the landscape of the SoCal street food scene inviting for hungry diners across the globe. But what does this mean for us – those of us in northern Oklahoma, not on the sunny, palm tree-lined coast of the Pacific Ocean? Inspired by a mix of southern California and Tijuana street food, it means that Jalapeño Grill is closing the gap between the Cali coastal, laid-back vibe and the Sooner state … at least as far as food is concerned.

Summer Messenger opened Jalapeño Grill in November of 2019, right before the world, and restaurant business, took a dramatic shift. Moving from her home base of southern California to Ponca City to take advantage of a slower pace of life for her family, opening a small restaurant felt befitting, as Summer had a successful homemade chips and salsa business back home.

The tacos are street style, served on a soft corn tortilla, a choice of protein and topped with cilantro, homemade salsa and onion. The

Quesataco is a combo taco, featuring a cheese quesadilla that serves as the taco shell. All the bits of cheese that have tried to escape while cooking turn into perfectly crunchy, salty bites that complement the taco. The taco salad is a standout. Hearty and fresh, this salad is loaded with beef, homemade salsa, corn, guacamole, shredded cheese, pico de gallo and sour cream. All is housed in a crispy tortilla shell that begs to be eaten with Jalapeño Grill’s queso.

A new seasonal, hybrid dish available Oct. 1 is the Birria Ramen. A dark tomato beef-based broth encompasses tender chunks of slow cooked beef, wavy noodles, citrusy cilantro, white onion and limes. On the side, a taco is filled with the stewed meat, then the tortillas are dipped in the liquid that flavors the meat when cooking and the entire taco is thrown on the griddle for an addictively crispy texture.

In addition to Summer and her two sons, Cody and Chase, cooking every day in the restaurant, Jalapeño Grill has a thriving take-out business and is ready to cater any event from weddings to holiday parties, big or small. Order the three-foot custom burrito and the queso fountain and watch as guests at the event post pictures and take food selfies through the night.

Every region in the country has food that is specific to that area. It’s well-

known, it’s comforting and the people who live there loved it before it was the “cool thing.” There is something really special about people like Summer planting roots in our community and bringing a piece of their home to share with everyone. There are a lot of Mexican restaurants in our community, but every interpretation is different. Each brings a portion of the region that influenced them. Show some appreciation by eating your weight in tacos this month with zero guilt. Oct. 4 is National Taco Day, after all. Happy Eating!!!

TOP THREE FOR ME

Did you know? Jalapeño Grill has breakfast burritos!

The sweet, salty, tart, creamy street corn is a MUST.

The mouthwatering burgers are infused with Mexican flavors and ingredients.

BOOK REVIEW

My Killer Vacation

by Tessa Bailey

I absolutely adored this book! I must admit though that my mother would not read this book. Moreover, she would be terribly disappointed in me if she learned I had read it. So please, please, don’t tell my mom. Please.

Taylor is an amazing second grade teacher. Her brother, Jude, and her parents are adventurous and courageous.

Taylor, on the other hand, is the sensible one, the one who makes safe choices. Taylor and Jude have just arrived at their Cape Cod rental for a lovely vacation when they discover a corpse in their house. The corpse just happens to be their landlord, Oscar Stanley. What a way to kick off a relaxing vacation.

Myles is a bounty hunter who has been asked to investigate this murder by a friend of the family. Myles is rude, intimidating, and he doesn’t do relationships. He likes his life simple and unattached. So when this perky second grade teacher insists on helping him – because she’s listened to

Review By: Lorrie Layton

PROVIDED BY BRACE BOOKS & MORE

countless hours of true crime podcasts, making her an expert sleuth – Myles is exasperated, to say the least. He’s shocked as he finds himself desperate to protect Taylor when attempts are made on her life.

Taylor is surprisingly pleased to discover she’s much braver than she has believed she can be. Discovering a corpse didn’t cause her to faint. Attempts (plural) on her life didn’t cause her to back off or run and hide. Is it possible she has always been brave, but just believed others when they said she wasn’t?

This murder-solving duo must do some serious digging since the only suspect the police are willing to consider couldn’t possibly have murdered Oscar. There’s much more to this situation than just a simple murder. Myles and Taylor just need to stop fighting long enough to solve Oscar’s murder.

HALLOWEENCOSTUMES

ACROSS

by Patrick Jordan

by

By B. B. Alston

Amari’s family is warm, supportive and loving. Her mom works long hours at the hospital to support them. Her older brother, Quinton, is unbelievably intelligent, her best friend and her hero. They live in the Rosewood Projects where Quinton tutored kids in the neighborhood to help them reach their full potential, rather than what society expects of kids from the projects.

Sounds amazing, right? It should be, except for two things:

1. Amari attends Jefferson Academy on a tuition-assistance scholarship. A group of girls has bullied her in person and online since her first day at the academy. These girls believe Amari doesn’t belong at Jefferson and they make sure she knows how they feel.

2. Quinton has been missing for the past six months. There have been no leads on what could have happened to him. His disappearance has crushed both Amari and her mother.

The bullying escalated to the point that Amari has now managed to lose her scholarship and get herself grounded forever. At Amari’s lowest point of her life (now), she receives a special delivery from her brother! Inside she finds an invitation to interview for the summer leadership camp Quinton attended for several years before he graduated from

high school, along with the gaudiest suit Amari has ever seen and a Post-It note insisting she wear the suit to the interview.

This might be the only opportunity Amari has to find Quinton, so she dons the green-and-purple-striped suit, leaves home while grounded and follows some completely ridiculous instructions to arrive for the interview. The interview consists of one question: “Will you accept this invitation to our summer camp?” No, they won’t tell her more. Amari’s answer? “I accept.”

This is a great novel and the sequel, Amari and the Great Game, has just been published!

Pan de Muertos

Mexican Bread of the Dead

Pan de Muertos is a bread that is traditionally made to celebrate Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead.) which is celebrated on Nov. 1st and 2nd. Some traditions state that the rounded or domed top of the bread represents a grave. Bread of the dead usually has skulls or crossbones added in extra dough. The bones represent the deceased one, there is normally a baked tear drop on the bread to represent goddess Chīmalmā’s tears for the living. The bones are often represented in a circle to portray the circle of life. Enjoy this sweet soft bread.

Ingredients

Bread:

¼ cup milk

¼ cup margarine

¼ cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

3 cups all-purpose flour

¼ cup white sugar

2 teaspoons anise seed

1 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast

½ teaspoon salt

2 eggs, beaten

1 tablespoon orange zest

Make bread:

Glaze:

¼ cup white sugar

¼ cup orange juice

2 teaspoons orange zest

2 tablespoons white sugar

Heat milk and margarine in a medium saucepan over low heat until margarine melts. Remove from heat and add warm water. Mixture should be around 110 degrees F (43 degrees C).

Combine 1 cup flour, sugar, anise seed, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. Beat in warm milk mixture, then add eggs and orange zest; beat until well combined. Stir in 1/2 cup flour and continue adding more flour until dough is soft.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic. Place dough into a lightly greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours.

Punch dough down and shape into a large round loaf with a round knob on top. Place dough onto a baking sheet; loosely cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until just about doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 35 to 45 minutes. Cool slightly before brushing with glaze.

Make glaze:

Combine 1/4 cup sugar, orange juice, and orange zest in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil for 2 minutes. Brush glaze over top of warm bread. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar.

Cocktail OF THE MONTH MONTH

Mixed by Jill Rowe/Staff Writer

Spooky season is upon us, and I’ve been waiting (not so patiently) for fall since mid-July. Not just because it’s been blazing hot this entire summer (I can barely keep up with my electricity bill), but because I LOVE Halloween and all things creepy!

The scariest things I can think of are those we don’t fully understand, things that have remained a mystery over time. So, gather around close for a special spooky edition of Cocktails of the Month and place yourself in one of the creepiest settings I can think of: the Bermuda Triangle! Submitted for your approval from the Midnight Society, I call this, The Tale of the Dark ‘N Stormy.

Due to mysterious disappearing people, ships and planes, the legendary Bermuda Triangle in the Atlantic Ocean has captured people’s attention for decades. Many ships were discovered completely deserted for no apparent reason, while others made no distress calls and vanished without a trace. It is the world’s shipwreck capital, covering an area of 200 square miles. This watery graveyard is home to 300 known sunken ships and is where our story of the Dark ‘n Stormy begins — a rather unsettling scene to picture.

In 1806, James Gosling set sail for America aboard the Mercury, a chartered ship carrying 10,000 pound sterling in wines and spirits. I’m no mathematician, but that’s just shy of a million dollars in booze today. The voyage of the Mercury, however, did not exactly go to plan. After 91 turbulent days at sea and successfully crossing the havoc-wreaking triangle, they landed in Bermuda.

Gosling decided to stay and start a business after falling in love with Bermuda shortly after arriving there. The Goslings improved their blending technique over time and eventually created one of the best and most distinctive dark rums in the world.

Gosling’s rum was sold in barrels until World War I. People would

bring their own bottles to be filled. Black Rum was eventually sold in champagne bottles reclaimed from the Royal Navy Officers Mess, with corks sealed with black sealing wax, – thus earning it the name “Black Seal.”

Through trial and error, the sailors discovered that a hefty splash of the local Gosling’s Black Seal Rum was a great addition to ginger beer. The name Dark ‘N Stormy is said to have been coined by a sailor who said, while enjoying the cocktail, that it was “the color of a cloud only a fool or dead man would sail under.”

Goslings and the Dark ‘n Stormy became synonymous, and not just in Bermuda. As the company gradually expanded its rum export business, the cocktail followed it to the United States and beyond. Gosling Brothers Ltd. successfully applied for two trademarks on the recipe in 1991, which is incredibly difficult to do! Only three other cocktails are similarly trademarked – the Hand Grenade, Painkiller and Sazerac. So technically, if you use any other rum in a Dark ‘N Stormy, you’re breaking the law!

Dark‘NStormy

2 ozs. Gosling’s Black Seal Rum1/2 oz. Fresh Lime JuiceCan of Gosling’s Ginger BeerIn a highball glass, add 2 ozs. of Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, 1/2 oz. of lime juice, pack with ice and top with Gosling’s Ginger Beer. Give it a stir and enjoy!

The Dark ‘N Stormy is a simple, yet refreshing, combination of dark rum, ginger beer and lime. A simple recipe that evolved through the mists of time into a legendary tale that any sailor would be proud to tell.

Warning Signs

Common warning signs of breast cancer are:

New lump in the breast or underarm

Skin irritation or dimpling

Breast or nipple pain

Nipple discharge

Screening and Examination

Source: cdc.gov

Mammograms are recommended every two years for women 50 - 74 years old who are at average risk.

Women between 40 - 49 years old should begin talking to their doctor about when to start screening and how often.

Women should regularly perform breast self-examinations to check for warning signs and notify their doctor of any changes.

The Kaw Women’s Health Program

Story by Kayley Spielbusch/Staff Writer

The Kaw Women’s Health Program provides free breast and cervical screenings to any woman who does not have health insurance. The program receives funding from a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The grant was authorized through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act of 1990.

According to the American Cancer Society, so far in 2022, there have been an estimated 3,280 new incidents of breast cancer in Oklahoma, with 570 breast cancer-related deaths. There have been an estimated 210 new cases of cervical cancer with 90 related deaths.

“Our goal with this program is to help any woman with no health insurance be able to get her yearly breast or cervical cancer screenings at no cost,” said Project Director Lori George.

The program covers the cost of mammograms and PAP smears. If there are any follow-up services needed, such as diagnostic labs, biopsies or further images, those costs are covered as well.

“We want women to receive timely diagnostic and treatment services,” added George.

All uninsured, low-income women are qualified for the program. Patients aged between 40 and 64 are eligible for a mammogram. Those aged between 21 and 64 can receive cervical cancer screening. It is open to any woman in the state of Oklahoma.

Women with any questions or who wish to book an appointment with the program can contact Lori George at Kanza Health Clinic, lori.george@ ihs.gov, or (580) 362-1039 ext. 207, to fill out the paperwork.

Matzene Collection Spotlight

Artist Birger Sandzén’s Soul Messages

Story by Chelsea McConnell/Staff Writer

“A work of art is a personal message from soul to soul and cannot be made after formulas.” – Birger Sandzén

Ponca City is the beneficiary of over 20 such soul messages from Birger Sandzén. We are a city of hidden gems. Many of them hide in plain sight. We’ve grown so accustomed to them being there, we forget to drink in their presence. On occasion, we must be reminded.

One of the more notable but often overlooked gems is the Richard Gordon Matzene Art Collection housed within the Ponca City Library. Upon his death in 1950, Matzene donated a large portion of his personal art collection to the Ponca City Library. Over the years, the Library has been gifted other pieces, making the collection what it is today. The collection boasts well over 150 pieces of art including oil paintings, gouache, watercolor, lithographs, linocuts,

clay pottery, sculptures and more. The collection is often highlighted for its many pieces of fine Asian art. Our Library has created a wonderful guide of the collection that is free to the public. The guide is available at the front desk and makes a selfguided tour of the collection a true delight. Visitors can also contact the Library in advance for a staff-led tour.

Also worth noting, the collection includes over 20 pieces of Birger Sandzén’s work, making him one of the biggest contributors to the collection.

Library Director Holly LaBossiere has this to say about Sandzén’s work and the collection, “Birger Sandzén’s work is amazing. Imagine how awesome it is to

1932 Birger Sandzén portrait by Gordon Matzene. Photo credit: Sandzen.org

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work in a place filled with so much to inspire. We have been fortunate to host the permanent display of Mr. Sandzén’s creations for over 60 years. For many children in Ponca City, a trip to the Library is their first exposure to worldclass art in a very intimate setting. Being so close to the works always provides opportunities to have discussions about the process of creating – viewing the brushstrokes or looking at the crisp lines of the prints, or consider the reasons you might prefer the bold colors or the minimalist monochrome. For the very interested, we can even look closer at how he mixed his paints and how these choices can affect how paintings evolve over time as they age and are exposed to light and air.”

Birger (Sven Birger) Sandzén was born in Sweden in 1871. He studied art in Stockholm and Paris before moving to Lindsborg, Kansas, in 1894. Sandzén worked for Bethany College in Lindsborg for over 50 years teaching art. According to the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery, “Throughout this period, and after he retired as Professor Emeritus, he was a prolific painter and printmaker until his death in 1954. During his lifetime, he completed in excess of 2600 oil paintings and 500 watercolors. He created 207 lithographs, 94 block prints and 27 drypoints, which when the editions are totaled amount to over 33,000 prints. In addition, he was a consummate draftsman, filling over 80 sketchbooks.”

Sandzén painted in an impressionistic style, reminiscent of Van Gogh, using bold strokes. It

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“Being so close to the works always provides opportunities to have discussions about the process of creating –viewing the brushstrokes or looking at the crisp lines of the prints, or consider the reasons you might prefer the bold colors or the minimalist monochrome. “

Birger Sandzén Oil on Canvas – The Hill Near Lindsborg, Kansas; Period – 1912

Birger Sandzén Oil on Canvas – Sunset, Smoky River, Kansas; Period – 1921

Birger Sandzén Oil on Canvas – Aspen in Colorado; Period – 1923

seems he saw painting landscapes as a challenge worthy of his life’s work as an artist. He was on a journey to find truth and beauty

and was determined to do so wherever his travels took him. Pieces in the Matzene collection feature representations

of Kansas, Colorado, Arizona and more. He referred to nature as his “great teacher.” In a paper he wrote entitled, “The Southwest as a Sketching Ground” Sandzén says, “The real artist will find beauty in almost any kind of surroundings. He sees with the curious eyes of a child, his naïve

love and admiration touch nature with a magic wand and conjure up marvelous visions.”

Sandzén’s curious eye is evident when viewing his art. His use of color is breathtaking, truly like a magic wand gently kissing the Colorado Rockies and rolling hills

Head of R. Gordon Matzene – Bronze Sculpture on green marble base by Claude A. Northcutt; Period – 20th Century

“Mr. Matzene and Li Jingfang” – photo; Period – 1924. Mr. Matzene visits his friend, a Chinese diplomat who hid him during the Boxer Rebellion. *Photo possibly set by Matzene himself.

Arthur Vidal Diehl, Oil on Multi-ply Paperboard; Period – 1926. Chelsea’s caption –This piece is stunning and well worth the trip to the lower level.

BIRGER Continued from Page 81

A true practitioner of what he taught; you can see symphonies of color in each of his pieces. Spend a few minutes in front of “Sunset –Smoky River, Kansas.” This massive oil painting graces the east wall

others, the outcome is no less exquisite.

Sandzén’s lithographs are impressive as well, especially given what he’s able to convey in

“The real artist will find beauty in almost any kind of surroundings.”

of Kansas. As a longtime art teacher, it is no surprise he had strong opinions on the use of color saying, “It is no pleasure to work with a poverty-stricken palette. The color-gourmet wants the individual flavor of his beloved pigment to be left alive on the canvas. Again I say: let us experiment and learn to know the joy of orchestral color.”

of the Children’s Section of the Ponca City Library. The reflection of the hills and trees on the river are stunning. The colors are warm and inviting, as if you can feel the setting of that Kansas sun. Another favorite, located on the south wall of the Children’s section is entitled “Summer Evening.” It depicts a copse of trees and a cottoncandy sky that makes it hard to tear one’s eyes away. “Arapahoe Peak” is another striking piece. While the colors used in this piece are slightly more muted than his

that style of medium. Sandzén was one of the founding members of a society called the Prairie Print Makers that focused on making art more accessible. Many prints could be made from a single carved lithograph. Sandzén once said “The sooner the young artist realizes that there are no shortcuts in serious art, that he has a long and hard road before him, the better.” Sandzén did not shy away from the long and hard road. He taught art for a living and pursued it in other ways during his free

Birger Sandzén Oil on Canvas – Arapahoe Peak; Period – 20th Century

Birger Sandzén Oil on Canvas – Summer Evening; Period – 1922

Birger Sandzén Lithograph – Solitude; Period – 1916

Birger Sandzén Linocut – Early Moonrise; Period – 1916

time, ever the student and teacher.

During his career he exhibited his works all over the United States and Sweden. According to www.sandzen. org, his works can be found today at many notable locations including, “every major Kansas art museum and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts in Santa Fe, the Library of Congress, the Chicago Art Institute, the Denver Art

Our city is a more magical place today because of Birger Sandzén’s dedication to creating personal messages from his soul to the soul of anyone who admires his work. Next time your soul needs a personal message, visit the Children’s Section of the Ponca City Library. Spend some time with Birger Sandzén.

Museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the National Museum of Stockholm.” Add Ponca City to that list.

Various pottery from various Indian tribes ranging from 1920-50

Oil on Canvas Painting by Nicolai Ivanovich Fechin. “The Princess,” is believed to be a painting of Fechin’s daughter, Eya, who died in 2002.

BIRGER Continued from Page 83

KAY COUNTY EVENTSKAY COUNTY EVENTS

October 1

Evan’s Children Academy of Performing Arts Presents: Cats

Poncan Theatre, 104 E. Grand

9/29 - 10/2

Thurs. – Sat. 7:30pm, Sun. 2:30pm

The Evans Children’s Academy of Performing Arts purr-forms your favorite feline musical: CATS! 4 shows will take place at the Poncan Theatre. For more information go to ponantheatre.org!

October 6

The Motoplayground Race at Ponca City

10/6-10/9

Join us for The Most Amazing Display of Dirt Bike Culture Ever Assembled... The Motoplayground Race at Ponca City

October 7

Young Frankenstein Poncan Theatre

104 East Grand, Ponca City 7pm & 9:30pm

October 8

Kildare School Classmates Reunion

Kildare Public School

Noon - 2:00pm

Join us at St. Mary’s Catholic School for our annual Fall Fest!

Inflatables, Games and prizes, Food, drinks, and desserts, Cake Walk, Special game area for children five and younger, Live DJ, Live and Online Auctions, On-site security, and more! We’re so excited to finally be back in person for Fall Fest this year! Everyone is invited to attend. Join us for fun, food, and fellowship. An online auction will go live two weeks prior to the event. Be on the lookout for more information!

Poncan Theatre – Theatre Employee Reunion

104 East Grand, Ponca City

6:00pm, Movie starts at 7:1pm

Have you ever worked for a theater in Ponca City or known someone who has? You might be eligible to join us

for the first-ever Employee Reunion! Who is invited? Guests should have been employed or closely related to someone who was employed by: The Poncan Theatre, Downtown Theater Center / Capri, Murray / Kay, Ritz Theatre, Sky-Vue Drive-In, Airline Drive-In, Those who participated in the Poncan restoration.

Join us at the Poncan on October 8th to reminisce about the good ole’ days. Refreshments will be served at 6, and a special showing of “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” will begin at 7:15. The screening will be open to the public, but the reunion at 6:00 is only for special guests. Tickets will be available soon! Mark your calendars and spread the news.

October 9

Twilight Saga

Ponca City Oktoberfest

Marland Mansion Grounds

10/1 - 10/2

Experience the greatest outdoor fall fest in the area, the Ponca City Oktoberfest - live music, crafts & vendors, children’s activities, beer garden, delicious food, sports on the big screen and much more, all on the grounds of the historic Marland Mansion Estate.

Kildare Alumni are hosting the second all year’s class reunion at the Kildare Public School. All ages and all years coming together to reminisce. Kildare, OK School Classmates is the Facebook page to be up to date with activities for Kildare Classmates and Alumni. For more information, please contact Darlene Fields cell # 580-7633326 text message or e-mail: ssfbdf@poncacity.net.

St. Mary School’s Fall Fest

415 S. 7th St., Ponca City

6:00pm - 9:00pm

Poncan Theatre

104 East Grand, Ponca City Sundays in October

10/9 - 7pm 10/16 - 7pm 10/23 - 7pm 10/30 - 5:30pm & 7:45pm

October 10

Northern Oklahoma Humane Society Community Cat Clinic St. Francis Church/School 610 W 9th St, Newkirk

October 11

Ponca City Chamber’s Ponca Young Employees Club

Whimsy 318 E Grand Ave

5pm - 7pm

PYE will host Plant & Sip at Whimsy on October 11th from 5pm-7pm. Margaritas and snacks will be provided. Potted plants start at $8 each plus 20% off all in store purchases.

October 14

1st Annual Haunted Trail Run Sponsored by Ponca City RecPlex and Heather Cannon Honda Ponca Bike Trails at Lake Ponca

7pm

Dress in your Halloween costume! Register at poncacityok.gov/ parksandrec-registration. For more information call 580-767-0430

Circus on Ice

Poncan Theatre

104 East Grand, Ponca City

4pm & 6:30pm

October 15

Humane Society Adoption Event

Stuteville Chevrolet, 3330 N 14th St, Ponca City

October 20

Ponca City Main Street’s Goblins on Grand Grand Avenue

5:30pm - 7:30pm

Ponca City Main Street hosts Goblins on Grand each year in downtown Ponca City. This festive, family-friendly Halloween carnival will take place Thursday, Oct. 20, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in downtown Ponca City, with a rain-out date scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 27, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Main Street partners with the City of Ponca City, local businesses, clubs, churches, and various organizations within our community to provide a fun and safe trick-or-treating environment.

Halloween Town

Poncan Theatre

104 East Grand, Ponca City 4pm – before Goblins on Grand

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Poncan Theatre

104 East Grand, Ponca City 6:15pm – during Goblins on Grand

October 21

Rocky Horror Picture Show Presented by Ponca City Arts & Humanities

Poncan Theatre

104 East Grand, Ponca City 8pm & 11:30pm

October 22

Blackwell’s Fall-OWeen Festival

Blackwell Event Center, 800 South Main 3pm – 8pm

Come on out and Celebrate Blackwell’s Fall-O-Ween Festival on Saturday, October 22nd, Located at the Blackwell Fairgrounds! There will be Food, Contests, Vendors, Games, Photo Props, Giveaways, Bouncy Houses & More! CC&G will be Hosting a Haunted House from 6-11 p.m.

October 24

Humane Society Spay/Neuter Clinic

Ponca Tribal Cultural Center 230 White Eagle Drive 10/24 – 10/28

From Oct. 24 through 28, Northern Oklahoma Humane Society is partnering up with Greater Good Charities, The Good Fix Program, and Banfield Foundation to offer free spay and neuters for up to 500 local pet owners. Over the span of four days and two different locations, NOKHS and their partners will save thousands of animal lives by sterilizing up to 500 pets.

October 27

Identifying Child Abuse and Neglect Training

Pioneer Technology Center

Noon - 1pm

Marland’s Place will be hosting a free training that is open to the public at Pioneer Technology Center on October 27th from 12p-1p in room B120.

October 27

Community-Wide Drive-Through Trunk & Treat

Sponsored by Heather Cannon Honda and Ponca City Parks & Recreation Lake Ponca

5pm - 7pm

Enjoy treats brought to you by local businesses from the safety of your own car.

Goldwings Road Rider Ralley Lake Ponca 10/27- 10/29

October 28_

Doodle Academy Art Exhibition

103 E. Grand Avenue 10/28

5pm - 7pm

The Doodle Academy hosts an Art Exhibition every 4th Friday of the month and we are looking to fill our 2023 year. Chelsea McConnell and Alena Rae Jennings are the featured artists in October.

Psycho

Presented by City Arts 7pm

Poncan Theatre 104 East Grand, Ponca City

October 29

Kildare Baptist Church Fall Fest

1100 Church Street, Ponca City 2pm - 6pm

Everyone is welcome! All FREE: Walking tacos, popcorn, cotton candy, desserts, games and prizes and hayrack rides.

Rewind Variety Show

Poncan Theatre

104 East Grand, Ponca City 7:30pm

Fundraising event benefiting the Poncan Theatre developed by Inciardi Dance & Kem’s Gym. This live show will feature a variety of acts executed by professional performers.

October 31

Trick or Treat

USW – United Steel Workers Local 13-857

1202 W. Ponca Avenue 5:30pm - 8pm Stop by for candy!

November 4

Ponca City Main Street’s Fall Ladies Night Grand Avenue 5-8pm

Ponca City Main Street hosts Ladies Night on Grand two times a year at participating merchants in downtown Ponca City. Spring Ladies Night happens the first Friday every March and Fall Ladies Night happens the first Friday every November, both take place from 5-8 p.m. This fun event gives area women the perfect opportunity to join friends downtown for a fabulous night of shopping and socializing. Merchants all over the district plan amazing deals and shopping opportunities for customers with trunk shows, gifts with purchase, special sales and a variety of other unique offerings for our local ladies. Shoppers also have the opportunity to play Ladies Night Bingo for a chance to score amazing items and gift cards from downtown shops. Many shops also offer snacks and drinks for ladies to enjoy while they shop.

November 5

Ponca City Veterans Day Parade Grand Avenue

Gather in downtown Ponca City for a celebration of the troops. Community members will line up on Grand Avenue to witness a procession of servicemen and women parade down the street in honor of those who gave their time in the military. The annual Ponca City Veterans Day Parade will also include plenty of fun events and entertainment options like museum tours, bagpipe performances, Po Hi cheerleader routines and airplane fly overs. Hot dogs and drinks will also be on hand, as well as tanks, vintage military equipment, traveling displays, warbirds, bands, re-enactors and more.

Ponca City Chamber of Commerce’s Santa Buck Giveaway Kicks Off!

This promotion keeps local shoppers in Ponca City! Shop from Nov. 5thDec. 21st, at participating merchants to receive a ticket, and increase your chances to win $5,000 in Santa Bucks plus a chance at two $1,000 prizes and four $500 prizes!