Ponca City Monthly October 2023

HARD TO FIND CHEVY MODELS at COUNTRYSIDE MOTORS in WELLINGTON WE HAVE WHAT MOVES YOU

MLZ

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Letter from the Editor

When I was in grade school, I loved sitting in the front row. I learned later that the jocks called that the “A” row, because supposedly that’s where the smart kids sat. I was blissfully unaware that my seating choice held any signficance. All I knew, was that I loved when we had animated teachers that made learning fun, and I also knew that sitting in the front row gave me the chance to better interact with them.

I have always been an overly-eager student. I loved doing homework (yes, I know, that’s odd), but I’ve always been the type of person who loves a challenge. My eager personality would, at times, rub some other students the wrong way. I think they thought I was trying too hard, or perhaps trying to show off. The notion of that bothered me. I didn’t like it, but being an eager student just came naturally. By 6th grade I had learned to not raise my hand first, to sit quietly and to not draw too much attention to myself. If I answered questions too enthusiastically, or if my performance showed too much of an interest in the subject, it would always open me up for criticism.

I was quickly deemed a “nerd,” a title I gladly accepted and found that I fit in much better with that demographic anyway. If you’ve ever met a nerd, you get it. Nerds LOVE things. They love all types things with a great passion, and

they embrace each other’s interests and quirks. By high school, I had found my ultimate nerd friend group in the Yearbook class. These nerds loved layout and design, they loved photography and they loved technology. Little did I know, my four years as Editor of our high school yearbook was a precursor to the creation of the magazine you're reading today.

Today, I've wholeheartedly embraced my nerd identity. I genuinely love learning, working hard, and tackling challenges. I still have a group of nerdy friends who accept me in all my eagerness, possibly even more because of my enthusiasm and penchant for delving deep into subjects, though there are still people who don't quite grasp my ardor for learning.

As a wise individual once said, "I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." I resonate with this sentiment. I believe the finest individuals in this world are those who, despite societal pressures to quash their natural curiosity, maintain their fervor for learning and exploration. The wise individual who spoke these words, despite being driven from his homeland, persevered in his pursuit of knowledge and discovery and today, we call him the father of modern physics. Albert Einstein is one of my ultimate nerd heroes, and we can all only aspire to be as tenaciously curious as he was.

editor@poncacitymonthly.com

Cover Design by: Kelsey Wagner/Editor-in-Chief

Photo coursey of Ponca City MX Facebook page

ON GRAND goblins

October has long been known as the “creepy month,” and for good reason, as goblins and ghouls roam the streets on Halloween, Oct. 31. For many kids, though, it is also one of the most fun, as they dress up as their favorite characters or monsters in search of candy. For those looking for a family-friendly atmosphere for their children chasing after their favorite sticky treats, you can head to downtown Ponca City for the popular Goblins on Grand.

Goblins on Grand is a project of Ponca City Main Street, and many businesses from all over Ponca City will welcome those families with booths setup downtown on Grand Ave.

The event was originally conceived as a way to bring a new program downtown.

“Main Street’s mission is to grow downtown, so hosting the festival downtown, all the stores stay open late and hand out candy, and the kids dress up,” said Liz Leaming, PCMS Promotion Committee chair. The Promotion Committee oversees the planning of the event each year.

The event was first held in 2006, and nearly 20 years later, has almost tripled in size.

“This year, we added 20 more spaces, so we are up to 80 booths,” Leaming said.

PCMS Director Maci Graves gave a

comparison of the event today, versus its first year.

“When it first started, it was about 30 booths,” she said.

An estimated number of participants today sees thousands of people crawling Grand Avenue.

“We have an average of 3,000 people attending,” Leaming said.

Many entities downtown can participate to fill the bags of the kids, including businesses,

Story by Everett Brazil, III / Staff Writer Photos by MyMediaMatters

organizations and nonprofits, but so many other activities will take place at the event, lots more fun and games than simply a harvest of sweet treats, presenting a truly carnival-style atmosphere for families participating.

While many of the booth sponsors are PCMS businesses, they don’t have to be organization members to participate.

“We do charge non-PCMS members a nominal fee to participate to be involved,” Leaming said.

Even businesses outside Ponca City’s downtown district can

including in front of the

mentioned that about 2,000 kids visit the booths each year.

Those seeking candy can get a discount locally for the event.

“Farha Wholesale is giving a 10% discount to people who buy from them,” Leaming said.

For families worried about the number of people attending the event, there are law-enforcement officers keeping peace.

“We have off-duty officers that are hired for the event,” Graves said.

The overall atmosphere of Goblins on Grand is one of excitement, a real carnival where families can be together in a safe environment, enjoying the night with the rest of the Ponca City and surrounding communities. It is truly a chance where families can simply come together in fellowship.

“It gets a jumpstart on Halloween, to see your family and friends,” Leaming said. “I think this is more fun because when you bring your kids, you get to see more people you know, you get to see more costumes. These are the moments that make you feel more connected to your community.”

options for all the

Goblins on Grand will be held downtown, on Oct. 19, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. A rain-out date will be held Oct. 26 in case of inclement weather. The cost is $2 per trick-or-treater, and they are asked to bring their own bags or other containers. Wristband presales are available at local businesses, or can be purchased that night. Nonmember vendors will be charged a $25 fee for the event.

For more information, including business registration, visit the PCMS website at: Downtownponcacity.com

the streets. Graves

Spanning an impressive 24,000 square feet, this remarkable venue offers an unrivaled experience for your special event. The arena features a full bar and a fully-equipped industrial kitchen. The horse stalls add a touch of rustic charm, while the picturesque pond provides an idyllic backdrop for unforgettable photo opportunities. What’s more, our venue boasts an attached fully-furnished house, elegantly designed as the perfect bridal suite, offering a tranquil retreat for your wedding preparations. Discover the magic of MLZ Ranch – a place where dreams become cherished memories. For more information or to book your event, contact us at the number below.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Nestled amidst the vast landscapes of Kay County, a green and white building stands back from north Pecan Rd, just north of Ponca City. MLZ Ranch, as it’s now called, is a facility that seamlessly blends rustic allure with contemporary comfort and is set to become a staple for large celebrations.

Noel Melendez is a multi-preneur, and the proud owner of MLZ Ranch. Melendez also owns the crowd favorite El Patio Restaurant, along with Los Portales Mexican Restaurant.

For Melendez, a seasoned entrepreneur in Ponca City, the MLZ Ranch facility marks yet another remarkable venture.

Reflecting on the facility’s transformation, he states, “The facility was an old horse arena, and I turned it into an entertainment venue.” While some vestiges of its equestrian past remain, the MLZ Ranch has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis.

With seating for 300 guests, this 24,000-sq.-ft. facility can cater to events of all sizes. The facility itself is breathtaking, with fine wood finishes that give it an upscale feel.

Upon entering MLZ Ranch,visitors are greeted with beautiful decorative concrete floors, a major investment and upgrade from the original dirt floors. In the back of the arena is a full bar that can be used

for events. Bar catering is provided by the staff of El Patio, who are well known for their delicious libations. The MLZ ranch arena has soaring ceilings, and Melendez has made sure to install some climate control measures to make events more comfortable.

Though the arena has changed tremendously since Melendez took over, he made sure to retain some of

Story by Everett Brazil, III / Staff Writer

Photos by Jay Wagner / Staff Photographer

elements from the past.

The origins of this facility trace back over two decades to the construction of an equestrian haven on North Pecan Road.

Allison Watson, Melendez’s partner, chronicles the history, stating, “Bill Jefferies and family established the original Busy B Arena in 1999, driven by their passion for horses. It became a hub for show horses, particularly Missouri fox trotting horses, encompassing activities from trading and breeding to training.”

Following the passing of its original owner in 2006, the arena remained empty until Melendez assumed ownership a few years ago. Initially uncertain of its ultimate purpose, Melendez recounts, “Originally, it was a house for sale, along with the property and arena. I made an offer, and they accepted it, not knowing what I’d do with it. Eventually, I decided to transform it into a venue.”

For Melendez, a seasoned businessman with a flair for renovations but no particular enthusiasm for horses, the decision to convert the Busy B Arena into an event center was a bold leap. The transformational journey commenced in September 2020, progressing through three distinct phases, with the bulk of the work transpiring between March 2021 and April 2022.

The result is a venue that exudes opulence suitable for weddings, corporate events and so much more.

Melendez proudly points out, “There are full living quarters attached to the arena, perfect for use as a bridal suite.

Additionally, a picturesque pond adjacent to the arena

serves as a captivating backdrop for wedding ceremonies.”

Beyond weddings, MLZ Ranch has also hosted quinceañeras, birthdays, and a recent celebration for Father Carson Krittenbrink, the esteemed Priest at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. MLZ Ranch also hosted the popular Cowboy Ball fundraiser.

As MLZ Ranch officially opens its doors this month, it has already garnered a wealth of enthusiasm and support. Melendez shares,

Located at 4610 N. Pecan Road, MLZ Ranch emerges as a testament to Ponca City’s entrepreneurial spirit and a new chapter in the county’s celebration spaces, offering an exquisite blend of rustic charm and modern convenience.

For more information or to find out booking information, visit them online at MLZRanch.com.

“People who have heard about it have been referring the place. Everyone loves it—they want a spacious venue.”

Ponca City Resident Celebrates Centennial Milestone

Maxine Schneider has seen a century of history through her eyes. Born in 1920, she experienced the early days of Ponca City built through the oil and gas industry and has lived through more than 10 decades of what has made Ponca City great. She has now been recognized for her life’s experiences, being named as the “Centenarian of the Year,” with her own children at the awards ceremony to support her.

Schneider is a resident at Creekside Village Assisted Living and was honored by the Oklahoma Assisted Living Association (OALA) at a special ceremony in Oklahoma City Aug. 22. Present at the event were sons Charles, Ponca City; Richard and wife Hallie, New Braunfels, Texas; and daughter Janie (Schneider) Felts, Stockton, California. Husband Tom Felts was unable to attend. Also present was Cheryl Salyer, LPN, Creekside Village Assisted Living director, who nominated Schneider for the award.

“It was great. I was very proud of her to be celebrated,” Salyer said. “The milestone she’s achieved, not very many people can achieve.”

Schneider was honored at the OALA’s annual Convention and Trade Show, held Aug. 2224 at Embassy Suites by Hilton, located at 3233 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City.

She arrived at the hotel with her entourage that morning ahead of the awards ceremony Aug. 22. It was a one-day whirlwind of celebration for the family.

“The first thing we did when we got there was pose for the pictures,” Charles said.

There were plenty of booths at the trade show, but they didn’t have time to stop and visit.

“It was a real big show, but we didn’t have time to go to the exhibits. Once they took our picture, we were escorted to a convention hall, and they proceeded to sit us down in front,” Charles said. “They introduced themselves and made us feel at home. All the other participants were seated at the tables, and there were probably 40 there.”

They were treated like royalty at the awards ceremony, with Creekside taking home awards for “Best Facility,” “Best Maintenance Worker” and “Best Aide,” among many others.

“It was (represented) all across the state for assisted living centers,” Charles said. For all the pomp for the awards program, Maxine was the center of attention, receiving her own special treatment outside their recognition.

“She got a standing ovation from across the room. It felt really good that we were able to see that, and actually participate in the ceremony,” Charles said.

She was the last award presentation, and the family went out to dinner before returning home to Ponca City that evening. It was a true family fun day, a celebration of the Schneiders.

Story and photos by Everett Brazil, III / Staff Writer

The celebration was the culmination of more than 100 years of history. Hers was a lifetime that saw many changes in technology, from propellor-prop airplanes to jet airliners that would one day fly the world, a space program that put men on the moon, and multiple wars, one of which she was part of through the draft. Hers was also a story of the courage and challenges of Ponca City, and she saw it from the early days when oilmen built a small city on the prairie.

She was born in Ponca City on Feb. 3, 1920, to Arthur and Leota (Kirk) Schneider. She would meet her future husband, Oran “C.L.” Schneider in high school, though she was in a higher grade.

“I was a senior, and he was a sophomore, but we were the same age,” she said.

They would marry in Independence, Kansas, on July 25, 1942, and their three kids were born of this union.

Their children, Charles, Richard and Janie, grew up in a loving home.

“Mom and dad gave us a very blessed childhood. They provided the best they could,” Janie said. “It was a very Christian home. We went to First Christian Church, and she still does daily devotionals to this day.”

They were also active in many extracurricular activities.

“She kept us involved in school activities and music lessons – violin and piano, and sports, and made sure we got to them on time,” Charles said.

She may not have met oil magnate E.W. Marland, but she did work for another oil developer, Lew Wentz. He had a whole floor at Security National Bank, a building that housed many different offices at the time. It was also the original home of the Ponca City Masonic Lodge and was at one time known as the Masonic Lodge Building.

“I was just an office worker,” Maxine humbly said of her work for Wentz. “At the Security Bank building there were lots of doctor’s offices up there, and the Wentz office was the second floor.”

That wasn’t her only job, as she also saw employment at the Homer Luther Music Store located between Third and Fourth streets on Grand, and the Selective Service during the Vietnam War. The Selective Service at the time was located at the U.S. Post Office downtown.

Their children would later grow into mature adults themselves, raising their own families and bringing grandchildren and great-grandchildren into their lives.

Oran would later pass away in 2005, but she maintained her independence for many years, at least until a severe injury and ensuing diagnosis left her unable to live alone.

“She developed a cancer in her right arm bicep, and when she picked up a trash bag, the arm broke,” Charles said.

She added that she had trouble with vision at night, and would move in with Charles and his wife, but it was a difficult situation.

“She lived with us a couple of months until we found (Creekside Assisted Living),” Charles said. “You don’t know the pressure, the worry that has been taken off my

wife and me.”

While many may be ambivalent about living in such a facility, Maxine thoroughly enjoys the center.

“It feels comfortable. I feel secure, and I like it fine,” she said.

Stepping in the front door at Creekside Assisted Living is like stepping into a hotel. There are many halls and corridors one can explore, seeing where they take the overnight guests. Like that hotel, Maxine has her own room, television, controlled heat and air. She has a bathroom and a small kitchenette, all in her own room.

There are lots of activities for those living there, along with their visiting families. The day of the interview, a group of residents gathered around a few musicians, with some of the residents participating as musicians, as they played folk and Gospel tunes. There are plenty more activities to keep them busy as well.

“We walk the halls for exercise,” she said. “There is entertainment. We do jigsaw puzzles.”

In the center of the facility is a courtyard for relaxation and solace when the weather is right. There are also pets in the courtyard for residents to enjoy searching for.

“There are turtles in the inside patio. The residents enjoy watching them,” she said. She added that they are brought in from outside the facility and adopted by the residents.

Maxine is well-known at the facility for being friendly and involved.

“She’s very active, pleasant,” Salyer said. “She’s a friend to others.”

Her family is also thankful for the facility.

“They really do a great job,” Charles said.

For Maxine, she is simply living her life, enjoying every day with her friends at Creekside Assisted Living. For her children, however, they are honored that she is still a part of their lives, and humbled that she was rightfully recognized for her milestone, a century of making everyone’s life better.

“It makes you feel longevity, you have time with the person, even when you’re in your golden years. It is a warm feeling, but also a lucky feeling to have her here that long,” Janie said. “We’re proud of her. I think anything like this would lift your spirits. She’s remarkable and she’s certainly a standard to live up to.”

KARI ELLIOT, DNP

Phantasmagoria Ponca City’s Own

Finally, spooky season is here, and what better place to have a spooktacular time than in Ponca City? Considering that many historic buildings and locations around our town are well into their 100s, there are bound to be a few ghostly apparitions bemusing themselves. One local photographer has made it his mission to capture all the spooky side of our community.

Jesse McClelland, of Jesse M Photography, first found his love for photography when he was a Ponca City High School student.

“I was always taking pictures with my friends in high school, I was in art class and making art, and photography was something that naturally grew from that, and people just encouraged me, so I started my business.”

While McClelland’s website and social media accounts are dotted with smiling family faces, it doesn’t take long to realize that he isn’t like most photographers. Many of his photographs focus on the spookier side of life. He says that his love of horror movies from a young age always found its way into his photography, so before long, he was proudly labeled “the weird photographer.”

Story by Andy Hicks / Contributing Writer

Photos by Jesse McClelland

“Normal is boring,” he says with a laugh. He points to the film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, Carrie, as the start of his love of horror.

“Sissy Spacek, when she is staring at everybody at prom, because I wasn’t supposed to be watching those movies, I can remember hiding behind the couch and watching it and watching her stare so intensely. I related to her because she was an outcast, and I was an outcast.”

McClelland says his love of capturing photos is connected to his passion of helping his community. When he wasn’t taking pictures of friends in high school, he was taking pictures of his Scout Troop.

“I was in the Scouts from grade school through high school. I became an Eagle Scout in 2015. If I can be of service to help someone, I have lived my fulfillment. I got to learn that through Boy Scouts while camping and working in the community; it was very exciting.”

While his horror photography certainly stands out as unique, he admits that it is his favorite but that he loves all kinds of photography.

“I did normal stuff; I do regular family photos; and I have recently gotten into real estate photography. When I am behind the camera, I feel like I am in another world, and when I look through the lens, I get to capture it all. When I photograph houses, I show off the architect’s work with my work.”

Architecture is a presence in his photos. Many of his pictures use the Marland Mansion as a backdrop for witchy scenes and iconic horror characters.

“People ask for my opinion, and it just kinda depends; if people lean toward nature, I take them to Cann Gardens. I try to highlight local locations because there are people who have lived here their whole lives and have never been to Cann Gardens. When I take pictures at the Marland Mansion, some people learn about the mansion and may go inside and learn its history. When we walk downtown, I tell them about businesses like the Doodle Academy, a great place to learn art.”

I couldn’t help but wonder, with all his spooky photo sessions he had done at the Marland Mansion, had he ever photographed a real ghost?

“Around Halloween, people always ask me if the Marland Mansion is haunted. I definitely say yes.”

Are you interested in a horror-themed mini-session? Jesse is running a month-long spooky photo special for $30. You can visit his website at jesse-mphotography.mypixieset.com or find him on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram for all the details.

When I am behind the camera, I feel like I am in another world, and when I look through the lens, I get to capture it all.

Doors open 1 hour before each show. Admission is $5 per person. Prop bags will be available for sale. For a discount, buy onlne at PoncanTheatre.org. No outside props allowed. Concessions will be available for sale, including a cash bar for beer and wine.

The bass federation

of the organization.

“We are celebrating our 55th year. Our club was born in 1968 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. That was our first club,” he said. “The national office moved here in 2003. I was elected president and CEO.”

It is

Oklahoma is well-known for its many lakes, all of which help the state have more miles of shoreline than the East Coast and offer a multitude of fishing opportunities to the many anglers at home. Kay County also has plenty of places to enjoy the outdoors, from Lake Ponca and Kaw Lake, to neighboring Sooner Lake not too far to the south. It is quite fitting then that Ponca City is home to The Bass Federation, representing state organizations across the United States and Canada, and promoting youth events and conservation along the way.

Ponca City played host to the National Convention July 26-28, with a youth National Championship at Sooner Lake. Robert Cartlidge is the president of the organization and discusses the importance

That was only 20 years ago, so it was only fitting the convention was held at home in Ponca City on a special milestone anniversary.

“There are 52 teams (here) from all over North America. We have one from Canada,” he said. “There are about 400 guests in town, between anglers, boat captains and families.”

The organization began with humble roots, with each state having an organization across the United States and the Canadian Provinces, with the exception of Alaska.

“It didn’t have an office at that time; it was run in various places,” he said. “There really was no national organization, and it was decided to be here in Ponca City.”

Story by Everett Brazill, III / Contributing Writer

Photos courtesy of the Bass Federation Facebook Page

“Fishing is not an escape from life, but often a deeper immersion into it.”

- Harry Middleton.

those local chapters that keep the organization functioning.

“All the state programs are volunteers. The volunteers make the organization run,” he said. “Without them, it wouldn’t happen.”

Like many organizations, The Bass Federation has a set of core values that they promote to the community, which are fishing, youth participation and conservation.

“On the fishing side, we are the largest, and oldest, grassroots organization in North America,” Cartlidge said. “Each state has one chapter, and the states own the organization.”

They also focus on youth, with junior high and high school students having their own tournaments,

culminating in a national championship.

“We are the founders of the National High School Fishing Program in 2007, and we are the founders of the National Junior Fishing Program, which is eighth (grade) and under,” he said.

They also put an emphasis on conservation, which includes clean waters, but does so much more.

“We’ve done clean water programs in every state for many years,” he said, adding they have also performed boat ramp projects, along with fish hatchery programs and many others.

In addition to conservation programs, they also put an emphasis on fishing opportunities across North America, and not just for bass fishing.

“We run about 160 events a year, at least one in

every state and Canada – bass, walleye,” he said. While this is the first time the National Convention was held in Ponca City, there have been many other events held in the area, including at Kaw Lake. The convention floats across the continent, with other events being held in places like Tennessee, Florida and Ohio.

The highlight of the convention was the youth fishing tournament, focusing on the junior division, eighth grade and under. It was held at Sooner Lake. Getting to Ponca City and the Championship started at home, however, with youth anglers competing against one another, first on a state level, then at a district level.

“They had to qualify to come here. The top angler from their state or province comes here,” he said. “We have North America split up in five districts.

The history of squash blossom necklaces is a little cloudy. Some say that the Navajo created the squash blossom after seeing the pomegranate design frequently used as decoration by the Spanish people, including on the buttons of the soldiers’ uniforms. The Naja symbol, or the centerpiece of the necklace is said to have originated in the Middle East, where the Moors brought horse shoe shaped jewelry with them as a ward against the evil eye of Spain. From there the Spanish conquistadors brought it to the Navajo, who adopted it, and of course a symbol of the flower that grows with squash. Petroglyphs have been found in the southwest dating as far back as the 1870’s. Native Americans originally used the silver coinage to create their silver pieces. With federal laws surrounding currency, in modern times sheet metal is used. However, we love a good necklace with beads made from silver dimes! *swoons while throwing a side eye the feds* Along with protection, the Naja also represents the womb and when a single turquoise stone is hanging from the center is representing a child inside the womb. Squash’s were and still are worn as a symbol of one’s status, culture belonging, and wealth. Vaguely speaking, when natives made jewelry for themselves, the general rule was the bigger the better, but toned it down and made more smaller, simplistic pieces for non-natives. With

most jewelry pieces, they offer protection. It is said that if or when a turquoise stone breaks, it has done its time protecting the wearer. Most tribes have a variety of origins behind the squash blossom, but one thing that cannot be argued is the importance of squash to the Native American’s of the Southwest. Many tribes speak of squash in their creation story, it is used as a clan symbol among many, and one of three listed as a spiritual and physical sustainers of life. A squash blossom necklace is an investment of fine art, a piece of history, and a talisman full of meaning and purpose. The squash blossom’s in these photos were created by artist’s Alex Sanchez, Roie Jacque, L. Yazzie, J. Etsitty, Gabby and E. Largo. Stop by Sharp’s Indian Store at 118 South 2nd Street in downtown Ponca City and check out the largest selection of sterling silver and turquoise jewelry in Oklahoma. Specializing in unique and hard to find turquoises, coral, spiny oyster, lapis lazuli, conch, onyx, bumble bee jasper, wild horse, white Buffalo, opal, mother of Pearl, Navajo pearls, serpentine, Pearl, moonstone, geode, and more.

When they come here, they need to be at the top of their district.”

Those competing do so for free, as it is all about a love of fishing.

“We’ll never charge an entry fee for kids,” he said There are rules, however, and once weighed, all fish are returned to the water; none may be taken home. They must be kept alive on the boat.

“We put them back, always,” he said. “We penalize them if they bring in a dead fish, and that could be the difference between winning or losing.”

Like many youth competitions, there is a lot of money to be made through the fishing events, including college scholarships.

“This year, we awarded close to $3.4 million through our youth programs, most of it through the high school program,” he said.

There was so much more to be enjoyed that week, starting with a pool party at Wentz Pool alongside Lake Ponca Thursday evening, a chance to cool down after a long day of fishing.

“We brought them to a pool party. We brought in pizza,” he said. “It was hot, and they needed to cool down.”

They also went sightseeing in Ponca City, as there is so much history to look at within the community. “Ponca City has a lot to offer, and a lot to show the families,” he said.

The Bass Federation isn’t a stand-alone organization as it has many ties to the fishing community, not just with state organizations, but with many more that promote fishing.

Like so many of the fishing families at the event, fishing is in his blood, something he immensely enjoys, and promotes any chance he can.

“I’ve been fishing all my life,” Cartlidge said.

The Bass Federation is located at 5998 N. Pleasantview Road. For more information, call (580) 765-9032, visit their Facebook page or Website at www.bassfederation.com.

MISSION OF THE BASS FEDERATION

Since 1968, the independent state bass Federations have worked together to support the grassroots growth of fishing and the growth of the entire sport fishing/outdoors industry in their states. Simply put, The Bass Federation, Inc. (TBF) and our affiliated state Federation’s are 100% member owned and do not work for any one organization in particular, although we do have several longterm relationships and partnerships in the industry.

TBF is proudly partners in fishing with MLF: majorleaguefishing.com.

The main focus of the The Bass Federation (TBF) is to work for:

• The members

• The member State Federations

• The industry as a whole

• Youth, by establishing activities for them that foster their learning and skill levels pertaining to the sport of fishing

• Conservation, by joining together to demand clean waters, to protect anglers rights and by making additional funds available to the member states through our partners, sponsors and other avenues to assist with conservation projects

• Fishing, by providing a means for the members to compete in the majority of the most prestigious tournaments in the world

• While their name contains the word “bass” and would imply we are bass fishermen only. That is not the case.

”Our mission is to support fishing and support the industry. We are “about fishing.”

A Time to Share our Gratitude

2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer LT

Rustic Roots Family Farm and Enchanting Venue

The preparation and planning for Rustic Roots began in 2015, and the farm opened for its first season in 2016. Sarah Aldrich initially started Rustic Roots as a part-time job so she could spend the off season focusing on her children and family. When Aldrich first started planning for the venue, it was going to be a simple pumpkin patch where families were invited to come out and pick pumpkins to take home. Aldrich remembers as they got closer and closer to the opening date, they just kept adding things. Pretty soon there was a hay bale fort and a native grass maze made up of Blue Stem grasses.

That first year of creating additional activities that would add value to the venue has become a trend that Aldrich has continued every season. With 2023 being their 8th season open for business, Rustic Roots has grown and evolved every year. Annual numbers range from 10,000-12,000 folks coming to visit each year. The farm hosts lots of families, field trips from area schools,

and even the occasional wedding. Sitting just outside Lamont, Oklahoma, Rustic Roots is a short drive from many of our northern Oklahoma communities, making it a great day trip destination or afternoon getaway.

After their first year in business, Aldrich got involved in agrotourism in Oklahoma. It was through this network that she got the idea to do a corn maze and began planning a maze for their second season. This year will be their 7th maze creation. Just like a regular farm, Aldrich’s crops are affected by our temperamental Oklahoma weather. The droughts of the last two years have not been kind to the corn, and it has not been quite as tall as a result. The designs are no less sophisticated though. Corn maze creation has become much more high-level over the years as past maze designs at Rustic Roots show. Past years have included a bee theme, an American flag and an intricate motivational “You Are” maze. While the maze is a fun part of the Rustic Roots charm, Aldrich’s favorite part of the annual additions are the photo op areas she designs and creates for each new season. These vignettes are situated all over the farm. They are a perfect backdrop for fall family photos. One of the bigger and more challenging obstacles she tackles each year is turning their barn into an enchanted wonderland with multiple photo ops throughout

Story by Chelsea McConnell / Staff Writer

Photos courtesy of Rustic Roots

the space. Aldrich chooses an annual theme and sets to work making the space look as magical as possible. She says prepping the barn for the season usually takes about two weeks. Aldrich knows it is well worth the time spent when the end result is a creation that encourages families to capture memories as they make their way through the space.

customers asked for more seating, so Aldrich and her team built 11 new picnic tables. The tables are big, sturdy and ready to seat some new guests this season!

The farm also has a petting zoo with some adorable animals, including an alpaca, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, a mini cow, a mini zebu, turkeys, a guinea and KuneKune pigs.

Aldrich shares that one of her overall goals for Rustic Roots is to create a place where kids can be kids, and maybe even adults can be kids too. Everything is designed for entertainment and fun – from the corn cannon to the pumpkin smash to the hay fort to the tractor tire playground – kids can run around and play their hearts out. Rustic Roots is a place for fun! She goes on to explain, “I’m hoping people realize how hard I’m trying to work each year to add that feeling [of fun]. It makes you feel like a kid. I want that not only for these kids, but for the parents or any kind of grownup that just wants to come out and have fun.”

to add something, I want to add something that is going to bring value to their next year.”

The fun at Rustic Roots begins this season on Saturday, Sept. 30 and goes through the last day of their season on Oct. 29. Their regular hours during the season are Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m.6 p.m. and Sunday 1-6 p.m. Their 4th Annual Fall Festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 14, with extra fun and activities taking place that day. Entrance to the farm is $12 per person and gets you access to a ton of activities and all the spaces/play areas. You can follow their Facebook Page to stay up-to-date on upcoming events at the farm or reach out via email (rusticrootsevents@gmail.com) to plan your group trip to Rustic Roots.

New additions this year also include a tractor tire playground complete with obstacle course-type toys all made from wood and tires. At the request of their customers, they’ve also built several new picnic tables to help facilitate large group gatherings, like school classes and parties. Aldrich tries to use customer feedback to help guide improvements that can be made to the property. Last year

When asked how she comes up with new ideas, Aldrich says she’s constantly jotting down notes and doing research for future projects. She gets to the heart of why continuous improvement is important to her. She works so hard each season for the people who come to enjoy the farm. She adds it’s “because of the smiles and the memories that it helps people create. When a family comes out to the farm, they’ve chosen the farm to be a part of their memories. Time is so valuable. You don’t get a lot of it ever. So, to be a little glimpse in peoples’ lives, to me, it’s a privilege. Whenever I’m trying

A Sweet Success

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the exceptional team at the Ponca City Country Club, the dedicated staff at the Wentz Memorial Golf Course, the gracious hosts at the Marland Mansion and the dedicated staff of the Opportunity Center Your unwavering support and contributions were pivotal in making this weekend an extraordinary success

We would also like to spotlight those remarkable individuals who went above and beyond in their volunteer efforts A special thanks to Kaity Beaty, Aimee Snyder, Casey Pruitt, Traci Fluty, Tara Laughlin, Kevin Kreger, Jeff Washko, Julie Grigsba, Rob Bays, Dennis Zimmerman, Dereck Cassady, Caila Huster, Charlie Yundt, Chris Fluty, Bobby Garrett, Troy Brower, Cynthia Wilson, David, Angela,& Amelia Kinsinger, Abby Alexander, Morgan Swain, Trina Sims, Kelly Conrady, Cindy Russell, Amy Geurin, Ashley Villines, Brandon Tracy, Lisa Robinson, Rich Cantillon, Denise Sodowsky, Jack Rawlins, Jason Snyder, Chris Greenwood, Heather Cannon, Darla James, Suzie Greenwood, Molly Kyler, Jodi Cline, Ashlee Mayse, Joe Mallott, Sean Smethers, Adam Meeks, Jeff Denton, Pioneer Technology Center, Kay County Sheriff’s Department, and the incredible team of over 100 volunteers Also, we want to thank the anonymous donors whose generosity made this phenomenal weekend possible Your support and commitment to our cause have left an indelible mark on our event and the community we serve We apologize if anyone s contribution was inadvertently omitted Your generosity is deeply appreciated Thank you for helping us create lasting memories and a positive impact

THANK YOU to the auction donors including Rick & Carol Scott, Cookshack, Paul Muehlberg & Terron Liles, OPC Foundation, Big Fork Ranch, Holly Labossier & Marcia Hull, Nick White, Clark Nickles, Gary Bintz, Hainzinger/Hat Ranch, John Hron, Alan Hagar, Pat Collogan, Jeff Webster, Chip Huston, and to all the generous bidders & buyers

Thank you to all of the donors for the ladies' golf tournament goody bags raffles & gift certificates: Carl & Brenda Renfro Oscar & Essie's Dorada Foods Village Screen Print Aesthetic State of Mind, Patterson Company, Skyway Auto, Farha Wholesale, Brace Books & More, Bakewell & Associates, Alliance Health, Tyndall Family Dentistry, Grand Mental Health, Cremers Lawn & Landscape, RCB Bank, First National Bank of OK, Cherokee Strip Credit Union, Deanna Cummings, Titan Title, Herc Rentals, Redland's Office Solutions, State Beauty Supply, Cast Iron Co, Rikki s Market, Danny's BBQ - El Potrillo Mexican Restaurant & Pedro Lopez donated lunch The most anticipated award was donated by Okie Co Creations - Katlynn Hill Morgan Swain, Ryleah Tyndall, Amber Carson, Katrina Wicker, and Kelli Kinkaid made this tournament possible

We are profoundly grateful for this remarkable community for embracing our dear friends at the Opportunity Center with support and kindness Stephanie Blum & Stuart Powell, Co-Chiefs of the Cherokee Strip Golf Classic and the Opportunity Center Foundation Board

The Alley An Abstract Space for Creatives

The Alley, located in downtown Ponca City at 114 N. 4th Street, is a new gallery space and event venue that is sure to act as a catalyst for the arts and creativity in our community. Founder Seth Hammock describes it as a temple for creativity.

“It’s a wellness place. It’s a place for creativity. It’s an artist residency. It’s a hub for creativity and stepping out of your comfort zone and becoming something really, really amazing. It’s a place for people to come and be. I’m an abstract-thinking person. This is sort of an abstract idea. It’s like an amoeba, it will grow and change as the needs come along. I see this as just one component of the rebuilding of the economy of downtown Ponca City. It’s an open-minded, open-hearted space where people come and see the best of what they have to offer and then they find common ground.”

Hammock has been working on the space for about a year and a half with three phases to his planning and rehabilitation of the venue. Phase One involved revamping a small portion of the building and hosting a soft opening. Phase Two involved revamping the other two-thirds of the downstairs portion of the building. Phase Three will involve the artist residency portion of the building on the second floor. It will include two studio apartments and a common space.

As things progress, The Alley will be hosting a variety of events. Hammock gives some background. “It’s not a traditional, open nine to five space. It’s more about having really impactful big events, at select times throughout the year and then I’m sure that will evolve. I’m shooting for

Story by Chelsea McConnell / Staff Writer

Ponca City events we hope you will support this month are, the Grand National Motocross Races at Ambuc Motocross Track

5-8, Oktoberfest at the Marland Mansion Oct. 7-8 and Goblins on Grand, downtown Ponca City on Oct. 19.

is a short list of all the exciting things happening in October in our town!

support Ponca City 501c3 organizations through charitable grants.

You Asked… We Listened!

Last Saturday hours available thru Dec. 2023. If there is enough response, we will continue to open the last Saturday monthly in 2024. 64820 US Highway 60 • Ponca City 580-749-4081

In addition to our extensive menu and daily specials, we also offer the following buffets:

10 to 12 really awesome events in a year’s period of time.” The events will range in size and type and include public events, private events, parties, healing retreats, events focused on art and more.

The event hosted in mid-September was a wellness retreat focused on energy medicine. Hammock explains this concept. “Energy medicine is based on the invisible world of the energy that we exchange with other people and the energy that we exchange with ourselves. It’s the power of thought and consciousness, and it’s allowing people to use tools like yoga, deep breathing, ecstatic dance, sound healing and walking.”

Hammock’s ambition and vision for the space can be felt during conversation with him. He has the kind of energetic and contagious compassion that makes for a successful entrepreneur. Be sure to follow The Alley on Facebook and check their website at www. thealleypc.com for information and tickets to upcoming events.

“It’s not a traditional, open nine to five space. It’s more about having really impactful big events, at select times throughout the year and then I’m sure that will evolve. I’m shooting for 10 to 12 really awesome events in a year’s period of time.”

The GRAND Ghost

There is a “diamond in the rough” in downtown Ponca City, a hidden gem that once brought beauty next to the Poncan Theatre. Predating the theater by several decades, it was once a vibrant hotel and retail facility, providing lodging for not just locals, but those passing through in Ponca City’s heyday. That building has long since disappeared from the community, or at least from an outward view, as the façade was swallowed up to help modernize downtown. That antique beauty is slowly coming back, as Ponca City business developer Kevin Emmons is slowly peeling back the façade and returning it to the glory it once had, in the early days of Ponca City.

Once part of the larger RCB Bank building downtown, later known as Grand Central Court when the bank vacated the facility, it is now his latest project to restore downtown Ponca City, lovingly named “The Grand Ghost.”

“I owned the entire bank building, and sold it to Fairfax Medical Clinic, and kept the stand-alone building to restore it,” Emmons said.

That stand-alone building is “The Grand Ghost.”

The plan to restore the structure to its glory days takes a step back, a look at the facility’s own history.

The building, which was originally a building all to itself, is one of the oldest downtown, and one of the earliest occupied, dating back to 1901.

“It was the second building built on the block, and probably the third downtown built on Grand,” he said. “It was a 19-room hotel, with retail space downstairs.”

“The west end was a stand-alone building,” he said. “The east end of the building was three separate buildings, and the center section was rebuilt after the building burned.”

When the hotel was in its prime, there were many modern amenities, including early electricity and plumbing. By today’s standards, they were very primitive, but proved functional.

“It predates the Poncan Theatre by over 20 years. The upstairs, when it was built, did not have electricity,” he said. “It had gas lights.”

It would eventually have that luxury, but it was very limited for each hotel room.

“When electricity came to downtown, it had two strands of wires, and pull chains in the rooms,” he said. “There had never been plugins; there had never been switches.”

Plumbing wasn’t much better.

“The way it was set up, they would have a sink in each room so you could wash up, and a shared bathroom, with a toilet you had to share,” he said, adding that patrons also had shared showers.

The facility began to decline by the 1940s, and access to the building became limited, much like the utilities inside.

In many buildings downtown, the upstairs quarters were not accessed from a stairway inside, but from an adjoining staircase between buildings. For The Grand Ghost, that would be closed off to the public; and the only access was a fire staircase on the backside of the building, limiting the ability

Story and photos by Everett Brazil, III / Staff Writer

to enter the upstairs floor.

“The last time anything was used upstairs in the building was probably in the 1930s. It had been all cleaned out,” he said. “The hotel probably closed in the 1940s. They expanded the door front and took out the door (upstairs). There was only one way to get upstairs, in a back door, and that was just if you needed access, and there would never have been access to it on a regular basis.”

The street level space would continue to be used as a retail store, the most recent in the 1970s, when it was a fabric store.

First National Bank would buy the building, combining it with the rest of the city block to the east for the bank.

It was part of a move to make downtown districts look modern, to keep customers returning and their businesses open.

“When stores started moving to strip malls, there was an idea to modernize downtown in an effort to keep businesses from moving out,” he said.

Covering the façade of the building to blend with the bank building didn’t herald the end of the structure, however, as they still continued using it, at least the lower level.

“It became a part of the bank, for boardrooms and offices,” he said.

Emmons would later purchase what became of the hotel. Though he later sold the structure, he retained the stand-alone sweetheart building, nestled next to the Poncan Theatre, the building it predates, because he saw something special in it.

“I know the history of just about every building downtown,” he said. “This building has a very unique architectural style, especially the arched dome going upstairs. This one intrigued me. This is really exciting, because this is my next renovation project.”

Many downtown buildings in small towns across the state have upstairs quarters. Some were built for apartments, some for hotels, others for doctors’ offices, lawyers and other businesses. Ponca City and Newkirk are no different, but unlike some downtown districts with upstairs quarters, local buildings have separate staircases between buildings for access to the upper levels.

What has been uncovered through the renovations has been a gorgeous arched staircase entry, one that may resemble the Poncan Theatre, but it still predated the famed entertainment hall by two decades.

“That was not common to see that much amount of detail in it,” he said. “It is unique,

with the porthole window and arched doorway.”

One-hundred years ago, weary travelers would make their way upstairs, looking for a room to stay the night. In time, those travelers stopped coming, leaving a ghost of a hotel in their wake. The rooms would later be shuttered, sitting empty for nearly 100 years, and while nothing original remains upstairs, at least in terms of furniture, it still is a time capsule only recently reopened.

Emmons is looking to bring the building back to life, with one foot forward in the future, in that he is bringing new life into an ailing structure, but also looking back to its glory days. What he plans will be a complete look back at what made the building great in its very heyday.

The upstairs will once again see occupancy like it did a century ago, though on a lesser capacity, and more amenities than simple pull chain lights. That in itself is limited, to help keep the Roaring 20s alive, at least to some semblance, remembering what made Ponca great in its early days.

“It’s going to be a six room boutique hotel, all 1920s style. I won’t even have televisions in it,” he said.

He added that it will have modern utilities, including electricity and plumbing.

Each room will have its own theme, such as the oil industry, Ponca City history, historic automotives and even foxes.

“There’ll be a fox room, carrying on the tradition of foxes downtown,” he said.

The downstairs section won’t be retail as before, but rather a restaurant. It is uncertain what the menu will have, but possibly a steakhouse.

“It will be fine-dining of some kind,” he said on what they would offer.

Everything in the facility will harken back to a lost time a century ago, whether it be historic, or something modern but with a vintage flair.

“I have reclaimed a few historic pieces around town, like a baby grand piano,” he said. “Around the (staircase) door, there were stones that said ‘1901,’ and I’ll use stones to replicate it, and they are from an historic home in town.”

Even modern aesthetics will make it feel like one is in a time lost a century ago.

“It will have period-correct lighting, chandeliers, but it will all be upgraded,” he said, adding that some lights will be LED. There is a very specific target clientele he

is seeking, namely tourists, those who want a very special experience outside the standard hotel or motel.

“I’m looking to have clients who don’t want to have to stay at a motel with 200 other people,” he said.

Emmons said he hopes to have it fully opened in 2024.

One big part of the project came through the city of

Ponca City, which provided help in fire protection for the facility, something they didn’t have a century ago.

“This would not have been possible at all except for the city of Ponca City putting in matching funds for a fire suppression system,” he said. “When I get my certificate of occupancy, they will reimburse me a lot for fire suppression. Without that I never would have developed any type of residential project.”

As the project progresses, there are many fellow business owners who are thrilled to have the opportunity to see the old façade slowly revealed as the covering is stripped away.

“My first thought was, ‘wow,’ and I can’t believe that was under there all these years,” said Shawnda Shiek, Waymakers Floral, who has been watching the renovations with her employees across the street.

“I’m super excited to have a front-row seat to see the transformation.”

A question could be asked about why Emmons

named his new love “The Grand Ghost,” especially as he is currently revealing the beautiful structure, with plans to inject new life into it.

Actually, it really is about ghosts, especially in the boardroom of the former bank occupant, located downstairs in the building.

“There are rumors that someone was murdered up in the building,” he said. “I own eight buildings downtown, and nearly every one of my tenants say their building is haunted; there are always creepy things, like noises.”

Beyond ghosts though, Emmons is excited about Ponca City, especially downtown, and wants to be a part of renovating such a vital part of the community and bringing it back to life.

“When I grew up, downtown was the place, and it hurt me to see everything move,” he said. “It is great seeing the ones younger than I buying and revamping the buildings downtown.”

MoToCross

sTuever dirTworks parTnership with ponCa city motocross benefits ponCa city

Editor’s Note: This interview and story was originally completed in July 2023, but the story is being published in October in coordination with the MX Playground event, which is Ponca City Motocrosses biggest event of the year.

Story by Everett Brazil, III / Staff Writer

It is almost a fair-like atmosphere at the Ponca City Motocross (MX) track on a cool Saturday afternoon in early summer. The road around the track is alive, with rows of trucks, trailers and campers lining the drive around the property, some packed in several vehicles deep. Kids are out having fun, riding their motorcycles around the facility, laughter pouring from their smiling faces, parents mingling about with one another.

In the background, heavy equipment is seen cleaning mud from the track following recent rains, preparing it for the big races Sunday.

Riders from across the state, and even the region had fun together for the regional event for the Oklahoma State Motorcycle Series (OSMS) of Motocross, June 4, and the Ponca City South Central Youth Regional Championship, June 16-18, which is a qualifier for the Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, July 31-Aug. 5, to be held at Loretta Lynn’s Campground. It is considered one of the finest MX tracks in the country.

Bill Stuever is the co-chair of the organization that operates the track and related many changes that have taken shape at the track in recent years in an effort to keep competing on a national

level, including infrastructure repairs, as well as increased space for parking.

“We’ve invested the bulk of our profits to improvements,” he said. “We are reaping the benefits right now, because our general growth rate is 10% a year.”

That growth is definitely seen as many families, with their motorbikes, arrive from not just Oklahoma, but regionally throughout the afternoon, at one of the most respected tracks in the country.

The MX track wasn’t always at its current site on West Prospect and Lindsay, but there has definitely long been a racing spirit in the Ponca community.

The track was originally near VFW Post 1201, near Ponca Lake, built through Jack Blevins and Frank Davis.

“Frank Davis was a motorcycle dealer, and they started having races at the VFW on East Prospect,” said Gary Miles, Ponca City Noon AMBUCS. “The track was between the lake and the building and held MX races, American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) sponsored races.”

The track was sponsored by AMBUCS, short for American Business Clubs, and they would soon pick up speed with a secondary sponsorship.

Photo by Everett Brazill, III

“In the early 1960s, we got approached by the Sports Car Club of America, and at that time it was a regional sports car Grand Prix,” he said. “We did that through the 1980s, but by that time, it was getting harder to do it because of the safety regulations,” he continued, adding that it was hard to juggle two major events with one team.

Today, the track is a far cry different from what it looked like in times past and is nationally recognized by the AMA as one of only a handful of top-tier tracks in the country, one that can sponsor national events.

The other tracks include Gatorback Cycle Park, Alachua, Florida; Freestone County Raceway, Wortham, Texas; Underground MX, Kemp, Texas; Baja Acres, Millington, Michigan; and Loretta Lynn’s Campground, Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, what Stuever referred to as the Super Bowl of MX.

The City of Ponca City owns the property and has recently expanded land adjacent to it, buying land to the north and all the way to Hubbard Road. That has been beneficial, as it has allowed the race park to expand to accommodate a growing number of racers to the park, which gave them about five extra acres. “That is where we park more campers,” Stuever said.

The city has provided many amenities for

the campers and RVs at the facility, including electricity and water, as well as waste removal. That gives Ponca City MX an advantage over the other large tracks.

full services.”

A secondary benefit is that the track is located within the city limits, while many others are found outside the community.

“Another thing that makes this race track so popular is because you’re so close to town — eating, getting groceries,” he said. “If you want to stay in a motel, it is only minutes away.”

It is also a pet-friendly site for those traveling with their dogs, or even cats, in their RVs.

For those not wanting to leave for a meal at the event, there are local food trucks that are invited, including Cheeky Burger from Newkirk and Taco Stop from Ponca City.

Stuever added that an average race can bring in more than $1 million to the Ponca City community, according to an Oklahoma State University economics report.

The MX track is maintained with heavy

equipment, including bulldozers, which are used for care of the track itself, such as cleaning the jumps for the riders after it rains. That falls to a small staff, as well as volunteers for the track. That Saturday afternoon, Stuever’s son, Evan, is seen in a dozer himself, helping push thick mud off the jumps so smaller equipment can smooth over the dirt. Evan has a knack with the equipment, quickly learning how to operate the machines at a young age in what would become a career in construction through Stuever Dirtworks, LLC in Ponca City, and he hasn’t even graduated high school yet.

Stuever Dirt Works does indeed work with dirt, moving the earth and making way for sidewalks, parking lots and even city streets, including a recently completed project Steuver did for the City of Ponca City. Wet or cold mornings are spent more indoors, doing maintenance on equipment and other chores.

“Most of the times you have inside work (when it rains), and in the winter you plow snow,” he said. “I’d rather it be snow in the winter than raining.”

The gravel lot surrounding his office is small, and only a few pieces are parked, ready for a job. They have quite an extensive number of vehicles however, most sitting on jobs across the area, as Stuever Dirtworks is always at work, helping improve Ponca City, from dirt and sand to concrete and anything that needs done construction-wise.

“It would be very difficult for us to put on races at this level without the help of Ponca City,” he said. “Ponca is the only one with

Photo by Everett Brazill, III

CATFISH DINNER

SUNDAYS 3 pm-9 pm

Enjoy two filets, your choice of natural fries, sweet potato fries or homemade chips with coleslaw, cornbread, side salad and ice cream for dessert.

$2195

BRAMAN I-35, EXIT 231

Evan has been at work in Ponca City for about five years, but the roots are much humbler, simply playing on a bulldozer as a kid.

“It all started at the MX track. My dad had an old bulldozer, and I was intrigued, and started messing around with it,” he said. “It was a challenge to run, the steering and foot controls, and just starting to drive.”

He soon fell in love with the engineering masterpiece.

“It was a great dozer to run. I wanted to run it all day, every day,” Evan said. “I’ve been running tractors since I was about 8 years old.” His experience soon spread, and he was receiving calls of jobs.

“I did a couple of creek crossings, pushed out some trees near Marland for hire,” he said. “They’d be calling us to do dirt work, community development, concrete work. We can do residential driveways, really anything with heavy equipment.”

Doing multiple jobs requires much equipment, and he has it strung across the community. That includes a dozer and loader from Case Construction, the manufacturer of the dozer he learned on. He also operates Caterpillar skid-steer loaders and dozers, a John Deere excavator and a Kubota mini excavator, along with water and dump trucks, each used on the project as needed. There is even more equipment than that the company operates.

Most are on-site during projects.

“We try to keep everything on jobs. We don’t have enough lot here if it was all here,” he said. Obtaining jobs is easy, starting simply with a phone call of a potential client seeking a property improvement.

“First, they call, and you go out and meet the customer and see what needs done and put a bid on it,” he said. “If they say ‘yes,’ then you order the materials, get the work done and then bill them.”

The time on a particular project depends on the work being performed, whether a few hours, to much more labor-intensive.

“It varies. We do some jobs that take a day, or a couple of hours, and we’ve done jobs that take four months,” he said. “On average, it is about a week to two weeks.”

Having more jobs at once also makes it easier to store the equipment.

“We always have more than one going on at once, usually three,” he said.

He just wrapped up a project for maybe his biggest client yet, the City of Ponca City, located on Prospect Avenue just east of Union Street.

With every project he does, Evan works during the day, and does his high school studies at night.

“Currently I’m enrolled in online school, so I do that in the evening,” he said. “During the day, I work at jobs.”

What happened to the Case dozer he learned on? He refurbished it and sold it to expand his business.

“It was sold, and a guy out in the Osage bought it,” he said. “We bought the Case dozer we have now, and the money from that dozer went to the newer one.”

It all goes back to a love of not only heavy equipment, but also helping the community. That, and seeing something new.

winners going to the Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, July 31-Aug. 5, to be held at Loretta Lynn’s Campground. Another big event, The MotoPlayground Race, is happening October 5-8.

Ponca City MX certainly plays a role in the championship, and with the recent growth in participants from across the country, they see a bright future for the facility.

“The future’s good for the facility,” said Dereck Cassady, who helps maintain the facility. “We would like to see the MotoPlayground Race (in October) get bigger. We get about 6,000-7,000 people at the Moto Playground, and that is one of the biggest races in the country.”

The MotoPlayground is a national race held annually at Ponca City MX, sponsored by MotoPlayground, the national publication for the sport.

None of it could happen without the support of the City of Ponca City.

“We receive great support from the city, and that has helped out a lot,” Cassady said.

The bulk of the riders are in their youth, and for some, it’s something new, but for many more, it’s a family tradition over several generations, all at home in Ponca City.

Evan was seen running equipment that day, all to get ready for the latest race, the OSMS of Oklahoma, held all day Sunday, June 4.

Another race was held June 16-18, the Ponca City South Central Youth Regional Championship, with

“The kids that were in it in the 1990s and early 2000s, now they bring their kids to race,” Bill Stuever said. “It is exciting, there is a little bit of danger and they want to go fast.”

“There is something new every day, and you get to see projects made; you get to be a part of a lot of different things, and help a lot of people out,” he said.

Photo by Everett Brazill, III

Pioneer Technology Center Is Celebrating 50 Years

Pioneer Tech is celebrating 50 years of Enhancing Lives and Securing Futures. The vote to establish Pioneer Area VoTech school was March 9, 1971. Kay County voters showed their enthusiasm for the school with a vote of 1,732 to 239.

Ground was broken at a ceremony on Monday, Nov. 13, 1972, at 10 a.m. Pioneer Technology Center officially opened in August 1974, under the name Pioneer Area Vocational-Technical School District No. 13 with first board of education members Larry Cannon, president; Carl Balcer, member; Ralph Lester, member; and Dr. James Kirk, member. Dr. James Carpenter was the first superintendent for Pioneer Area Vocational-Technical School.

Although the building was not completed, board members voted in January 1973, to proceed on schedule with a proposed Licensed Practical Nursing program for the fall term. A $40,000 budget was approved and a director was hired. Arrangements were made with Blackwell General Hospital for classes to be held there with on-the-job training to be conducted at both Ponca City Hospital and Blackwell General Hospital.

Substantial completion of the building was recognized in late June 1974, with the board accepting the building July 1, 1974.

An advanced showing of the facility was held on Aug. 22, 1974, at 10 a.m. A full complement of teachers for day classes was hired during the summer months with instructors reporting for duty Aug. 1. School officially began Aug. 26, 1974, although the LPN class had been held at the facility since the July completion. An Open House took place

Story contrubuted by Terri Busch / Communications and Marketing Coordinator, Pioneer Technology Center

on Oct. 20, 1974, and the public was able to view the entire facility at that time.

In 1980, Pioneer Area Vo-Tech added 25,000 square feet to its existing 74,500 square feet of floor space. The new addition included five new shop areas and a student break area. Total enrollment for the fall classes at that time was 943 students. Of that number, 444 students were fullor half-time students in day classes and 499 area adults enrolled in part-time (short-term evening classes).

In 1990, Pioneer Technology Center held a groundbreaking for the business assistance center and incubator now known as the Business and Industry Services building. Although some of the programs in the business assistance center were already in place, the business incubator provided an added benefit to area entrepreneurs looking for a place to start. The clientbased programs like the small business management, self-employment training and bid assistance program started in 1988 and 1989.

In 2004, Pioneer Tech’s Practical Nursing program changed from being Lock-Step to a more flexible Self-Directed learning format, with classes being held Monday through Friday. The program still utilizes this contract-based method of instruction, allowing students to complete the program in 12 to 14 months.

“Pioneer Tech is a special place filled with an incredible group of people who fully

embrace our mission of Enhancing Lives and Securing Futures. We know and can see that our work makes a difference each day. Few things are as gratifying for an educator as hearing from former students about the profound influence you’ve had on their lives.”

In 2012, Pioneer Tech renovated and added an additional 26,000 square feet calling it the Health Wing, which houses all health careers on campus.

In 2018, the Hartford Avenue property was purchased and began being used for Truck Driver Training. Also, in the summer of 2019, an Emergency Services Training Center was built on the northeast corner of the campus. It opened for training in August of that year.

Westward Expansion project. This affected the Culinary Arts and Cosmetology programs. The addition made way for the Conference Center/Safe Room to house graduations and provide safety during severe weather.

“I am immensely proud of Pioneer Technology Center and the achievements we’ve attained over the last five decades. We have had the opportunity to provide education, training and resources within the region and have supported economic growth and development in the communities we serve. The diverse range of programs we provide evolves as business and industry respond to change within their fields, and the feedback we receive from our stakeholders, partners, clients and students is the driver for our innovation and change. We are looking forward to the future of PTC and continuing to provide a positive impact within North Central Oklahoma,” remarked Traci Thorpe, Pioneer Technology Center Superintendent.

Today, approximately 500 students attend Pioneer Technology Center in full-time programs each year. Also, over 8,000 individuals take advantage of our Adult Training and Development courses and/ or business and industry services training programs annually. The school employs 100 full-time employees and many short-term instructors. For more information about their 50th year, visit pioneertech.edu

Thoughts on Higher Education

Story By Stephen Scott/Contributing Writer

At some point in each of our lives we are inspired by others, where their influence drives us to do something bigger than we ever imagined. During my career at Conoco, Ernie Boyer gave me one of those moments. Realizing I lacked “future focus,” he told me about a paper written by a Harvard Professor called “The Time Horizon Theory (TH).” It essentially describes how a person should mature.

A baby has a TH of zero. Change my diaper NOW. A 4 to 5-year-old will still be at zero, but a 6-year-old should understand the concept “I’ll give you a candy bar now, or if you can wait 24 hours, I’ll give you a case of them!” By graduation from high school, a person’s TH should be where they want to be in 5 years. Many of my fellow PO-HI students had their careers worked out by that point in time, started their own businesses and are very successful today.

Others went the college route, so that in 5 years they had a Bachelor’s Degree and a year into a job. A TH doesn’t stop there. For some of the rich and highly innovative people, their TH extends beyond their own death, such as the Rockefellers who built libraries and museums and many other monuments left to serve mankind.

When Ernie gave me this lecture, I realized my TH wasn’t even at the high school level, and as such I started thinking about what I needed to do (talk about deep thoughts!). At the late age of 41, circumstances happened and I started 1996 sitting in college classes, full load, totally dedicated to my goal, and eventually graduated with my BS in Electronics Engineering. That move changed my (and my wife’s) life dramatically for the good!

We travelled and lived overseas as diplomats representing our nation at embassies, and ended my government career living in Las Vegas, NV with my working at the Nuclear Weapons Test Site. All of this proves it is never too late to consider getting a degree if that is attractive to you and your future.

The state of Oklahoma has over 400,000 residents who started but never finished college. And the state has the Reach Higher program to help prior students re-engage with college and complete their degree.

Ponca City is fortunate to have the ONLY University Center in the state. This facility allows working adults to attend classes locally and earn their Associates or Bachelor’s degree without travel to a college.

Think about it. If this interests you, please contact the UC today. The staff is there to help!

AUTUMNCOLORS

by Patrick Jordan

ACROSS

1. Hollywood's Catherine ___-Jones

5. They're partnered with papas

10. Word on a happy Realtor's sign

14. Villainous

15. County adjoining Kay

16. Ask for divine intervention

17. National seafood restaurant chain (2 wds.)

19. Autumn yard tool

20. Metal, before refining

21. Pecan and pumpkin, for two

22. Acquired more of, as weight

24. Suspenders alternative

25. Human ___ (person)

26. Popular steak variety (hyph.)

28. Groups of four singers

31. Jacks, aces, etc.

32. ___ sack (burlap bag)

33. ___ Arthur of "The Golden Girls"

34. Popeye's "Hello!"

35. Imitate Picasso or Rembrandt

36. Slyly clever

37. Cut grass

38. Like a toad's skin

39. Some salamanders

40. Aliases for authors (2 wds.)

42. Surveys

43. Swallows noisily

44. Action star ___ Reynolds

45. Vice President Kamala

47. Group in a parking lot

48. Clampett with a mustache

51. Historically distinctive periods

52. Award that a hit song might earn (2 wds.)

55. Like a TV program in real time

56. Traditional proverb

57. Colossal continent

58. Gives a salary to

59. Did some darning, perhaps

60. "What will ___ think of next?"

DOWN

1. Ninety-eight minus ninety-eight

2. "Will you ___ learn your lesson?"

3. It rolls in at the beach

4. Entirely

5. What the M in "M*A*S*H" stands for

6. Valuable possession

7. They're under yoga students

8. Ice or Iron follower

9. Army rank above corporal

10. Short-distance race

11. Annual Florida football event (2 wds.)

12. See 26-Down or 49-Down

13. Turned blue jeans green, perhaps

18. Takes the lid off of

23. Adjective for a well-ventilated room

24. Murder mystery discovery

25. Carrot chewer Bugs

26. With 12-Down, Nevada resort area

27. It's poured on mashed potatoes (2 wds.)

28. Witty comments

29. Sends messages by cell phone

30. Utters

31. "Rough it" in the woods

32. Chess, Clue, and others

35. Does a filling station chore (2 wds.)

36. Sensed by touch

38. Indonesian tourism island

39. Kind of mythology with Thor and Odin

41. Certain hospital staffers

42. Made a 54-Down sound

44. Merit ___ (Scout award)

45. Assistance

46.

Soprano's chance to show off 47. Weapon on a bear's paw 48. Tease good-naturedly

49. With 12-Down, one of five "great" bodies of water 50. June 6, 1944 invasion (hyph.)

53. Appreciative poem

54. Feline pet

C CKTAIL

of the month

he Green Fairy he Green Fairy

Mixed by Jill Rowe /Staff Writer

The Green Fairy

• 3/4-ounce Absinthe

• 4 ounces Dry Sparkling Wine or Champagne

• 1 teaspoon Simple Syrup

• Lemon Peel

1. In a chilled champagne flute, pour the absinthe and simple syrup, give it a gentle stir.

2. Gradually add your chilled bubbly until the drink takes on an opalescent, milky hue.

3. Rub the lemon peel on the rim of the glass for extra flavor.

4. Then drop the peel into the glass as a garnish or trash it.

Greetings, boils and ghouls! It’s that special time of year, granting me to unite my two greatest passions, craft cocktails and spooky stories. This month embark on a chilling journey to unveil a liquor that has long woven its own web of myths and legends. Prepare to sip on a concoction that holds the essence of the “green fairy” and a spine-tingling mystery as we delve into the intoxicating history and allure of the elusive absinthe.

Absinthe is a green anise-flavored spirit, a harmonious blend of wormwood, anise, fennel and other botanicals. The taste of herbs comes together and finishes with a strong black licorice flavor, an echo of its storied past. Absinthe’s infamous hallucinogenic claims are nothing but a myth, yet they led to its prohibition for almost a century.

Absinthe was banned for several reasons, driven by genuine concerns and sensationalized narratives. One important reason was thujone, a substance in wormwood, a key ingredient in making absinthe. Thujone was believed to have psychoactive properties and is thought to cause hallucinations and erratic behavior when consumed in large quantities. While the actual levels of thujone in absinthe were not high enough to cause such effects, the fear of its potency led to exaggerated claims.

The emerald elixir became linked with Bohemian culture and the societal changes of the time, causing moral panic. Its popularity among artists and writers led to the perception that it fueled eccentric and depraved behavior, exacerbating concerns about its impact on social order and morality. Absinthe may or may not have cast its shadowy influence over the night Van Gogh chose to sever his ear.

Ernest Hemingway, a great author known for his eccentricity and partying, was undoubtedly an absinthe enthusiast. His expertise extended to the realm of cocktail creation as well. One of the beverages he’s widely known for is “Death in the Afternoon,” which takes its name from his book with the same title. Originally made with just absinthe and champagne, it has become common to add simple syrup and an expressed lemon peel to make it a bit more palatable.

These days, you don’t encounter as many absinthe cocktails, largely due to the complexity of its flavor. It’s not a widely embraced choice, and the lingering belief that it might still be illegal to purchase in America doesn’t help. But if the taste of black licorice beckons to you, I extend an invitation to explore its mysteries! As for the spirit of absinthe, it continues to whisper its secrets to those who dare to explore the unknown.

NOC nursing graduates achieve 100% nursing exam pass rate

Northern Oklahoma College 2023 nursing graduates achieved 100% first-time pass rate on the national registered nurse licensure exam. On April 1, 2023, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing launched the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) Examination, an enhanced version of its predecessor, the NCLEX.

NOC graduates performed ahead of state and national averages on the next generation NCLEXRN achieving a 100% pass rate during the period of April 1-June 30, which is the first testing period of the NGN. In comparison, the state pass rate was 93.77%, and the national pass rate was 94.31% for the same time period.

“NOC nursing faculty have worked diligently to implement changes to prepare students for practice with improved clinical judgment and decision-making skills,” said Dr. Nikole Hicks, Nursing Division Chair. “We are very proud of our graduates who are helping to fill a critical need for nurses in their communities.”

The NOC associate degree nursing program is approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). “NOC has been dedicated to providing exceptional nurses for our communities for over 50 years, and NOC nurses are changing lives all over the world,” Dr. Hicks said. “Come join us. Change lives. Be exceptional. Be an NOC Nurse.”

The Northern Oklahoma College Nursing Program is accepting applications for the Spring 2024 Semester (Oct. 1) and for the Fall 2024 Semester (March 31) at the Tonkawa, Enid and Stillwater campuses.

Northern Oklahoma College, the state’s first public two-year community college, is a multicampus, 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. Seventy-five percent 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.

NOC student nurses pictured at a Nursing Skills Lab held Sept. 1 (photo by Shiloh Martin/Northern Oklahoma College)

Story by Scott Cloud/Northern Oklahoma College

Here are some things I wish older people had told me when I was a young adult: Being hungover at 36 is an entirely different ballgame than being hungover at 22. Hungover 22-year-old Rachel would stay up until 3 a.m. then wake up at 7 a.m. locked and freaking loaded for work. Hungover 36-year-old Rachel can’t move off the couch for 3-5 business days. On that same note, bedtime. I look forward to bedtime all day. 22-year-old Rachel would leave the house to go out at 10 p.m., now I won’t even start a movie past 8 p.m. Area rugs, throw pillows and nice trash cans are shockingly expensive. No one knows why, either. You’ll continue to surprise yourself at how ugly you’re willing to go out in public. Young Rachel wouldn’t be seen in public without a cute outfit and/ or at least some type of makeup on my face. The other day I went to a meeting with greasy, unwashed hair, my husband’s shirt that said “World’s Best Dad” (worn as a dress) and a pimple patch on my face. One time I took my sick child to the doctor, and the doctor asked if I was sick too. I wasn’t. That’s just how

little effort I put into my appearance now, which is apparently “middleaged-womanwith-bubonicplague” vibes. I know it’s an ongoing joke with the younger generations, but technology truly is harder. I was in Microsoft Excel the other day absolutely fighting for my life trying to figure out how to find the sum of a column. I had to pull up a YouTube video to figure it out. Hustling. Young Rachel wanted to do all the things, ambitious at work, always on-the-go, making plans for every day of the week, now? I’d rather die. Being lazy is my favorite hobby. I don’t get why it’s so villainized. I’m just a better person if I can rot on the couch like a corpse for at least 4 to 32 hours a week. My last little tidbit of knowledge I can bestow on the youths of today, never take advice from a rando who writes a magazine article. One time I read in a magazine to put lemon on my hair and go out in the sun and I’ll have beautiful blonde highlights, but all it did was give me a chemical burn on my scalp.

Morpheus8 targets subdermal layers of the skin and tissue to remodel collagen on the face and body. This fractional tissue treatment simulates the production of collagen in the underlying layers of the dermis. Morpheus8’s modular tips enable procedures to be customized for large or small body areas.

For more information, please call 620.741.5499 or stop by 119 E. Chestnut Avenue in Arkansas City, Kansas.

Chestnut Wellness, dedicated to making you a better you.

Dr. Blatchford

4.99%

*Introductory Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 4.99% available on new lines of credit only, with combined loan-to-value (LTV) ratio (including prior mortgages or liens) of 80% or less. Introductory rate offer not available for refinances of existing Equity Bank Home Equity Lines of Credit. Initial rate not based on index, and margin used for later rate adjustments. After the introductory 6-month period, the rate is a variable subject to change based on index and margin, and will be Prime rate plus 0.25% or 0.50%. As of March 8, 2023, the variable rate for Home Equity Lines of Credit ranged from 8.00% APR to 13.00% APR. Rates may vary due to a change in the Prime Rate, a credit limit adjustment, and credit score and/or credit approval. Repayment options may vary based on credit qualifications. Limited time offer. May be canceled without notice.

CHUCK HODDY 580-762-9844

727 N. Union•Ponca City www.HoddyGlass.com

ADULT BOOK REVIEW

Review by Tara Anson

PROVIDED BY BRACE BOOKS & MORE

The Toybox

by Charly Cox

I have a few things I need to say to preface this review:

1. This is the second book in this series, so if this review interests you, please start with All His Pretty Girls. The third book, Alone in the Woods, comes out on Oct. 10.

2. Charly Cox writes with great detail and has researched and has real life experience in the topics she writes about. This makes her an absolutely amazing writer; however, the depth in which she portrays scenes might be graphic and triggering to some.

Book one, All His Pretty Girls, packed such a punch, I could not believe that it was Cox’s first book! I also could not wait to get my hands on the second in the series. We once again join Detective Alyssa Wyatt, as she returns from her latest crime-solving spree and is immediately called in to look into a young, beautiful college girl who didn’t return home from a party. While on the case, more girls of the same age and general appearance start to disappear as well, including her daughter’s good friend. Then when a dead body turns up, Alyssa knows she’s running out of time and things need to be solved fast, before any more girls reach the same fate! A local billionaire lands in the hot seat,

but is he truly the one behind what appears to be a trafficking ring, or is someone framing him? How many girls will go missing before Detective Alyssa can find the answers?

Charly keeps you guessing with every page and finally hits you with a shocking ending that leaves you questioning why you weren’t able to put the pieces together yourself. Charly Cox is still a fairly new author, but she’s on the fast track to best sellers!

BOOK REVIEW Trex

by Christyne Morrell

Once upon a time, long, long ago – actually, about eight years ago – a little boy named Trex was in a terrible car accident. His father died before the ambulances arrived. Trex had horrible brain injuries, but luckily, he was taken to a trauma center with access to cutting-edge technology that could save his life.

There was just one problem with this silver lining scenario. The company that provided the technology that was implanted in his brain claimed that since they owned the hardware and software that was now in Trex’s brain, he needed to be where the company’s scientists could monitor him at all times.

Trex’s mother did what any parent would do when their child was in danger – whatever she could to keep her son safe. She snuck him out of the hospital in the middle of the night and the two went on the run. They never stayed in one place very long; his mother feared

Puzzle on Page 51

Review By: Lorrie Layton

PROVIDED BY BRACE BOOKS & MORE

the company would find them and take him away from her, resigning Trex to life as little more than a lab rat.

Trex has been homeschooled; he desperately wants to attend public school, just like a normal kid. When they move (again), his mom finally allows him to go to school like all the other kids do. There, he makes his first friend (besides his dog, Barnaby), Mellie.

Mellie is a quiet girl. She gets awful stomach cramps whenever life gets too stressful. She plans to be a detective when she grows up and is already practicing the logic and observation skills necessary to become an effective detective.

Mellie just happens to notice a real spy – complete with dark glasses and a trench coat – hanging around the neighborhood, who seems to be spying on Trex. What will these two do to keep Trex safe?

FOOD CRUSH

Story By Amy DeWitt Geurin/Contributing Writer

Garrett

Wrangler

1) You don’t really consider yourself a morning person, just a breakfast person. This is why when a restaurant serves breakfast all day, you immediately take notice. In rural areas, it’s not always easy to find a good breakfast, especially at 3 p.m. – enter Garrett Wrangler in Ponca City. Located on South 14th Street, this familyowned restaurant is dishing out simple stuff, done right and served at reasonable prices. Opened in 2009 in the space that formerly housed Cornerstone (if you’re reading this and were born after 1987, it’s difficult to understand how amazing Cornerstone was at 2 a.m. when you were dying for some breakfast to soak up the night), Garrett Wrangler renovated, making this popular space completely its own and kept home-cooked breakfast at the heart of the menu.

4) Bacon. Bad, bad, bad for you. But good, good, good with Cinnamon Roll Pancakes. As someone who likes bacon more well done, it’s a treat to find a place that consistently cooks it the way it’s ordered.

out

2) It is the only meal where it is acceptable and encouraged to eat dessert as the meal – the entire meal. How can anyone keep a straight face and explain pancakes as anything other than a delectable dessert? Breakfast, that’s how. If sweetness is the breakfast goal, the Cinnamon Roll Pancakes are the answer. Two pancakes with cinnamon swirled into the batter and drizzled with vanilla icing. Hot and sweet and super yummy, these will satisfy the sweetest tooth.

3) Eggs are the ultimate canvas for all things savory at breakfast. Love them or not, they are a breakfast staple for a reason. With so many ways to enjoy eggs, deciding can be hard. Try the Campfire Scrambler and get all the savory breakfast staples mixed up in one, hearty dish. Scrambled eggs are mixed with sausage, hash browns, American cheese (it melts the best, no question), onions and peppers. Add a side of crispy bacon and some hot sauce, and it’s hard to beat this unpretentious dish – straightforward and tasty.

IF YOU FIND YOURSELF IN …

5) When you first watched The Breakfast Club, you were completely stoked, until you realized no actual breakfast was being given to anyone.

Breakfast lover or not, this is a warm and inviting place with good food that is familiar and comforting. Mornings can be hard, but the kind faces and homespun dishes at Garrett Wrangler make days brighter and a little easier. Happy Eating!!

TOP THREE FOR ME

Not a breakfast lover? There are 13 different burger options on the menu!

The “Seasoned Hands” section of the menu. “Designed with seniors in mind, available to anyone.” This is great because it is open to everyone regardless of age and sometimes less is more, even with breakfast.

Best hashbrowns in town. Crispy on the outside edges, soft on the inside. Perfect with a side of bacon (see above).

Oklahoma City and you’re looking for an unforgettable breakfast, go to the corner of Harvey and 13th in Midtown and check out Harvey’s Bakery & Kitchen. Order the BEC, a bacon, egg and cheddar sandwich stuffed between two pieces of homemade everything focaccia. Order a Cortado and a mimosa. Sit at the bar that faces the baker’s kitchen and watch these amazing humans at work, creating the most incredible pastries and breads in the city. Grab a Kouign Amann (The Queen pastry) to go on your way out.

Survivor Resource Network is a comprehensive victim service provider offering a 24-hour hotline, 24-hour text line, emergency safe shelter, advocacy, counseling, sexual assault advocacy, rapid re-housing, children services, community outreach, legal advocacy assistance, Batterers Intervention Programs, Teen support groups, and community education.

Get Help 24/7

SRN TEXT LINE

(580) 352-4255

SRN HOTLINE

(580) 76ABUSE

(762-2873)

We welcome calls to just discuss your options and safety plan.

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 members 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

• Survivor Resource Network

• Kaw Nation Family Trauma Healing Center

• Tonkawa Tribe Victim Services

• Otoe-Missouria Tribal

DV/SA Program

• Otoe-Missouria Tribe Social Service/

Tribal Victim Services Program

• Ponca Tribal Victim Services

• Batterers Intervention Program Providers

• Local probation and parole officers

• Kay County Sherriff’s Office

• Ponca City Police Department

• Tonkawa Police Department

• Newkirk Police Department

• Blackwell Police Department

• Tribal Police

• Bureau of Indian Affairs

Coordinated Community Response Team

– A Proud United Way Agency –

October Harvesting

Busy October. And then some.

October is, for the gardener, only second to April as the busiest month of the year, as we reverse most of the process of putting in the garden. Well, at least for me. Let me count all the October things. Tearing out all the “dead” things in the garden, planting more greens, because frost is just a five-letter word to kale and parsley, especially if you have a cold frame set up. And then there is Halloween, Hispanic Heritage Festival, Ponca Con, the daughter’s birthday and during all of this, I am expected to work too. Statement, not a question. Keeping all this in mind, let’s see what we can do in the garden before the holidays descend. I am talking about getting those homemade goodies ready for Christmas and of course, more seed saving.

For Christmas

If you had herbs in your garden, they might be giving you new shoots and the final “hurrah” before the first hard freeze. Take advantage and clip those green shoots of lemon balm, lemon grass and any of the mints, grab some 100-proof vodka and make a tincture. Tinctures are herbs covered in alcohol in a glass jar and then put in

the cupboard or basement for six to eight weeks to get all the good stuff out of the herbs. You can bottle them in small, dark bottles with cute labels and give as stocking stuffers.

If you have some last remaining basil or parsley, might I suggest a flavored salt. Get some sea salt or Himalayan salt from Rikki’s Market (or your favorite vendor) and put it with some washed and dried basil or parsley (or both) into your blender and pulse a few times. Spread the salt/herb mixture out on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and bake for 30 to 40 minutes at 220 F. Let the salt cool and package in a glass container and store in a dark place. I would make extra for gifts, because you know you are going

to use this salt up before Christmas. You can do this with any herb or herb combo. These are just the herbs I have still growing.

Seed Saving

On to the good stuff: seed saving. We talked tomatoes last month. This month is flowers. All the flowers in your yard, your neighbor’s yard, your church’s yard … you know the drill. Save those seeds. If you like how it looks, tie a string or paperclip or some type of marker on the plant so you know which one to harvest. My favorites of all the sunflowers I grow are the autumn-colored ones and the tall ones. Those are the sunflower seeds I am saving this year. The sunflower heads in the box of seeds are from the tallest sunflowers. I sorted those out first. Other seeds in the box are (clockwise from the bottom) tall sunflowers,

Story by Kat Long / Contributing Writer

Autumn Colored Sunflower

catnip, echinacea, bee balm, prairie coneflowers and hairy vetch (the ones that look like green beans). Easiest seeds to sort and save: bee balm. Hardest: echinacea.

One note about seed saving: save for the BEST characteristics. Big flowers, best smell, brightest colors; whatever characteristic you love about that plant, make sure to mark that seed head so you save the right one. This goes for vegetables and fruit as well. I know I mentioned it earlier, but it bears repeating. Carry on.

Identify One Seed at a Time

You can group your seed heads together like I did in the box, but dismantle your seed heads one type of flower at a time. All the seeds that fell off in the box will go into an envelope labeled with all the seed names on it. Those I will scatter into my wildflower patch for next year. Well, maybe not the sunflowers. The wildflower patch must stay below the three-foot level because of where I have it in the yard. Rules, rules. So many rules. The easiest way to save the seeds is to get some white pieces of paper and tap the seed heads onto the paper. If you don’t know what the seeds are supposed to look like for your flower, Google it and compare what comes out of your seed head. Echinacea are a bit confusing, but after some trial and error, I got the right part of the seed head into the envelope. Check out the pictures of the echinacea process. After you shake all the seed heads, just work on sorting the seeds from the chaff. A little air (either fan on low or gently blowing on the pile) and

maybe a small strainer will help the sorting process. There are some great YouTube videos; one of my favorite garden ladies is Laura and here is her seed-saving video. https://bit.ly/3P76882 There is also an oldie, but goodie from Oklahoma Gardening about saving vegetable seeds here: https://bit.ly/3P76882

The Next Three Months

We are heading into a dormancy period for the yard for most of us. I encourage you to do some research on cold frames, garlic planting and cleaning gardening tools. I have written about most of these topics at one time or another and PoncaCityMonthly.com has all of the old articles in their archives. Go look and take advantage of these upcoming colder days to do some research and development for 2024.

Here is why: I am taking a break from writing for the next three months. I promise I am coming back in February 2024 and I am not giving up the garden. It’s just life stuff. So much stuff is happening as the world opens completely and I have to keep up. Also, the grandson is playing three sports this year and if you think I am going to miss any of those games, you don’t know me very well.

Some of the upcoming events that I have been helping to plan and facilitate are listed to the right. I will be at all of them, so come out and have some fun and we can chat about what comes next in the garden. Happy Halloween. Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and especially Happy New Year.

Iris Festival – 20-year Reunion

Tuesday, Oct. 10, Noon

City Central – Leverage Room

Help bring back the Iris Festival on May 4, 2024. Volunteers are needed.

Hispanic Heritage Day Celebration

Sunday, Oct. 15, 3 to 8 p.m. City Central in the Summit Music, Food, Dancing and Giveaways

If you would like to volunteer, call 580.761.3028.

Ponca Con

Saturday, Nov. 4, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. City Central Geek Garage Sale, Cosplay Contest, Workshops and Gaming

If you would like to volunteer, call 580.761.3028

Donuts and Dilemmas for Small Business

Friday, Dec. 1, 7:30 to 10 a.m. City Central – Redbud Room

Bring your business dilemmas for a brainstorming session. We have the donuts and coffee; let’s work out the answers.

Free Coworking Day

Friday, Jan. 5, All Day City Central – The Link

Take advantage of free Wi-Fi, meeting space, coffee and small business support.

Apple

Get Fit!

KERA KESTER

Happy October everyone! I hope you all have enjoyed summer! One of my favorite days this month is coming upon us – International Day of Nonviolence. Many times, the word violence makes one solely think of physical harm. However, equally as important to discuss is internal harm. It is easy to beat ourselves up over our past or even present. Amidst all of the busyness and deadlines of studies, personal life and work, we can’t neglect sharpening and focusing on the whole of our self-care and improvement. In order to enjoy life to the fullest, two vital topics that we must master are believing in ourselves and forgiveness. Let’s talk about it!

First, let’s discuss believing in ourselves and our capabilities. This is tricky, as common questions are sure to arise within our minds. What if it feels like everyone is doubting me? What if this is something I’ve never done? What if I’ve done it before and completely messed up? What if the outcome is embarrassing or disappointing? What if I don’t know how? Every single one of these questions are valid in various situations. However, they are not impossible to conquer. Here are two ways to overcome them.

1. Continually say and remind yourself of empowering truths. I’ll use one of my favorite truths as an example – doubt can be present without being paralyzing. If you have a goal, there doesn’t need to be 0% doubt in order for you to start or continue to pursue it. In fact, faith is literally believing in what you may not see just yet. No one has massive tangible biceps before they begin to grow them. There is a process and sometimes setbacks. However, you don’t have to let doubts limit your capabilities and the knowledge or development that you can attain.

2. Open yourself up to a healthy community. It is easy to get caught up in our own thoughts and perceptions when we are isolated. Furthermore, it is just as easy to give our ears to negative statements from discouraging voices. Having the right good people around can strengthen, edify and progress us in ways that we could’ve never even dreamed of. We can’t do

everything on our own and there are times when a person can be the key that unlocks exactly what we need, whether we knew we needed it or not. They can ride by your side through fun and tough situations and even carry you when things don’t go as planned or desired. The coolest part is that you can do the same for them on the flip-side!

The second subject that we should aim to master is forgiveness. This topic can be difficult and have so many layers of complexity. At times, we can hurt people because we’re hurting. Other times, we can hurt people by accident due to something we weren’t aware of. Furthermore, some situations have little to do with other people and we actually need to just forgive ourselves. Here are some thoughts that may help.

1. Accept that humans inevitably make mistakes. It is okay to acknowledge that everyone, including ourselves, needs forgiveness multiple times throughout life. Sometimes unsound logic or perspective have been instilled in us from childhood, experience or because we trusted a voice that led us in the wrong direction. We are not all-knowing beings. Therefore, we should allow ourselves time to work through flawed mentalities or any unhealthy areas within our hearts.

2. We may have to accept that someone won’t allow themselves to forgive us. We cannot control others’ capacity to love. However, the standard of forgiveness that is put on us from another, is oftentimes not the end-all be-all standard. They may just need time to come around as they master the art of forgiveness just as we all are.

Finding ourselves in circumstances or stages of life that we are not 100% happy with is common. However, it is so important to forgive yourself and others so that you can move into a healthy future. Instead of possibly inflicting physical and internal harm, it is a great idea to reflect on these topics. Self-improvement can be done daily and it reaps great benefits for ourselves and everyone around us! I hope the best for you and am so excited for all of the amazing moments that your future holds!

– Maria Edgeworth

Chamber Buzz

Story by Shelley Arrott/Contributing Writer

Hello, Ponca City Monthly readers! It’s been another fabulous month at the Chamber!

What does engagement with a chamber of commerce mean to a community? While pondering that question, I really tried to focus on the spirit of a chamber of commerce. At its essence, the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce is a nexus of collaboration. Engaging in the Chamber’s activities brings together entrepreneurs, professionals and industry leaders under one umbrella. To me, the significance of engaging in the Chamber’s activities stands out as a beacon of opportunity.

With that in mind, I started thinking about Chamber investors who significantly engage with the community, and we have many investors in Ponca City and surrounding areas who are very active! However, one of our new investors came to mind – B & B Window Cleaning. This business is a startup company owned by two young entrepreneurs, Brody Spencer and Brian Marshall, and they have only been Chamber investors since May 19, 2023, so less than six months.

From day one, Brody and Brian have been

totally engaged in Chamber activities. As with all new investors, we invited the young men to the Chamber Connection luncheon at the Ponca City Country Club and they sent their RSVP immediately. Basically, Chamber Connection is our monthly orientation for new investors to learn more about the Chamber and how interaction with activities can help your business, organization, industry or just help improve the quality of life for individuals in Ponca City. Brody and Brian soaked up the conversation and were highly engaged in the discussion; they are ALL IN when it comes to doing whatever they can to build their business. There were several new investors at that event and by the time it was over, the B & B boys were networking with the group and promoting their business. After Chamber Connection, they immediately scheduled and had their well-attended ribbon cutting, which gained their business front page and social media coverage.

Undoubtedly, one of the most valuable aspects of Chamber involvement is the networking opportunities. Business success hinges on building meaningful relationships, and Chamber activities

serve as a natural forum for establishing these connections. With that said Brian and Brody attend EVERY Business After Hours opportunity. They wear their B & B shirts, bring their business cards to exchange and network with the crowd, many of whom have used their window cleaning service and have shared their positive experience. Brian and Brody realize that the Chamber’s networking activities open doors to a diverse array of individuals who might otherwise remain beyond their reach.

The B & B Boys, which many of us have dubbed them, make it a priority to be a part of every Chamber opportunity. When the Chamber’s Party at the Palace occurred, Brody and Brian were “all in”! They donated two certificates for their window cleaning service to the silent auction knowing the service would give B & B Window Cleaning the chance to prove to the lucky winners that they provide an excellent service. These certificates were quite popular auction items, and the boys attended the Party at the Palace looking quite dapper, I might add! It may have been the first time I had seen them when they were NOT proudly wearing their B & B black polos!

How is the community engagement through Chamber activities working for the B & B Window Cleaning Company so far? I thought I would just ask Brody and Brian, and here is what they had to say: “Anyone can buy a squeegee and a mop, but it takes a lot to turn a hobby into a business. Being an active Chamber investor is so important to us, as it has allowed our business to network and engage with clients in ways we never thought were possible. Our confidence and motivation have doubled, along with our clients, due to our opportunities with the Ponca City Chamber.”

Teamwork fuels our collective success! More to come …

Have a great October!

Shelley Arrott

As the autumn leaves start to fall and the air grows crisper, Ponca City schools are buzzing with activity. For a Superintendent, October is a pivotal month that demands a delicate balance of strategic planning, student engagement, and community involvement. This crucial time sets the tone for the rest of the academic year, and my responsibility becomes the driving force behind our school district’s success.

One of the primary roles of a superintendent in October is to oversee the implementation of our established educational goals. Each year our building level principals, curriculum directors, and teachers set educational goals for our students. This includes assessing the progress made during the first weeks of school, identifying any areas that need attention, and making necessary adjustments in our teaching and content. Collaborating closely with principals and teachers, superintendents ensure that the curriculum is on track and that students are receiving the best possible education. In our district, our students have performed all Fall benchmark assessments, and using that data, our teachers and administrators are diligently working to identify student’s weaknesses and creating plans to help address academic gaps.

Another key aspect of a superintendent’s October agenda is fostering a sense

of community within the district. We are set to conduct our Fall parent teacher conferences. This is a pivotal opportunity for teachers to meet individually with parents and discuss each child’s progress for the first part of the year. This is also a time that parents can be assured they can have time to sit down with our teachers in an intimate setting to discuss their child. These occasions provide opportunities to interact with students, parents, and teachers, reinforcing the importance of building a sense of community inside our buildings. Many of our principals seek donations from businesses to feed our teachers dinner on Parent/Teacher Conference nights. I love how Ponca City wraps its arms around our schools and the children we serve.

October is also a time when superintendents focus on student engagement and enrichment. Celebrating Wildcat victories in Softball, Football, Volleyball, and Cross Country our district is participating in a number of regional and state playoff experiences. Our student athletes and coaches set out to excel in the field of play and in the classroom each day. Many districts organize cultural activities, workshops, and performances that highlight the importance of creative expression in education during October. Ponca City is no exception. Be looking for the opportunities that we’re excited to bring to our students this month.

You can find more information on the district website, www.pcps.us, or on our Facebook page. We strive to partner with our local organizations and leaders to get in front of our students.

Equally vital in October is financial planning for the district. As the first quarter of the fiscal year draws to a close, we are set to review budgets and allocations, ensuring that resources are being utilized efficiently. This task involves making critical decisions about resource allocation, prioritizing needs, and making necessary adjustments to maintain a balanced budget. In my first year as a Superintendent, everything we do is on the table for scrutiny and improvement. We are actively looking at how we are doing school enrollment, teacher placement, and allocating resources for the upcoming school year!

In essence, October is a multifaceted month for myself and the school district. It requires me to be an educational leader, community ambassador, and financial steward. Our district commitment is aimed at creating a vibrant and successful learning environment shaping the experiences of students, educators, and the entire school community. By embracing these diverse responsibilities, we can set the stage for a productive and fulfilling academic year. I hope you can come out to support the Wildcats!

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