Ponca City Monthly September 2020

SEPTEMBER 2020

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Mural Project Moving Forward Ponca Chief Standing Bear: A Tribute to All Native Americans Digital Media Institute: The Power to Create

VIEW DIGITAL EDITION AT PONCACITY.COM

always tested ~ always top quality

LLC

MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY

1301 E. South Avenue • Ponca City, OK 74601 pc420degrees.com 9 am - Midnight ever day Happy Hour 4 - 6 pm

2

September 2020

Best Little Steakhouse in Oklahoma

Foreign and Domestic Repair Genesis Laser-Guided Frame Equipment Exclusive

Technology

Free Estimates • Guaranteed Repairs

580-762-3716

Sweety, fruity and delicious Come try our tasty

Strawberry Daiquiri 14th & Lake Road Ponca City

Owned and Operated by Larry & Stephanie Klinger

Make Reservations Online at

RustyBarrellSupperClub.com or by phone

580-765-6689

Law of of Lawfirm firm

Boettcher | Devinney | Ingle | Wicker

Boettcher | Devinney | Ingle | W Personal Injury ♦ Social Security Disability Workers’ Comp ♦ Medical Malpractice Truck Wrecks Se Habla Español

580-765-9660 or 866-800-9660 115 East Grand, Ponca City

www.boettcherlawoffice.com Offices also in Tulsa, Stillwater & Oklahoma City

L to R: Derek Ingle, Brad Wicker & Jim Devinney September 2020

3

SEPTEMBER 2020

•

VOL. 1 NO. 6 Publishing Company

FEATURES 6..... The Story of Downtown 16..... Mural Project Moving Ahead 22..... Ponca Chief Standing Bear: A Tribute to All Native Americans

28..... Ponca City: We Love You Gary Miles

HEALTH & BEAUTY 34..... Success in Self 34..... 5 Products You Have to Try 35.... 4 Essential Hair Care Products Everyone Should Have

FOOD 24..... Taste: Local Flavor

Lakeside Grill’s Chicken Fried Steak

45..... Recipe: Breakfast Salad with Espresso-Balsamic Vinaigrette

ARTS 12..... ARTSPACE: Kayla Maxwell

EDUCATION 27..... Digital Media Institute: The Power to Create

BUSINESS 36..... Business Spotlight: Stobbe Design

BOOK REVIEWS

39..... Children's Book Review:

Editor-in-Chief Advertising Director Staff Writers

Ad Designers

Copy Editor Staff Photographer Office Manager Circulation

MyMediaMatters Marketing Agency Kelsey Wagner Robyn Ryan Carey Head Jennifer Vaughan Brenda Baugh Robyn Ryan Kelsey Wagner Christina Wright Sherry Cable Jay Wagner Brenda Baugh Patrick Blackwell

Spy School

39..... Adult Book Review: The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires

GARDENING 42..... Backyard Gardner: As August Draws to a Close

HUMOR & ENTERTAINMENT CALENDARS 19..... Stew on That by Rachel Stewart 44..... Chamber Link: 19..... Crossword Puzzle September Chamber Events 44..... Crossword Puzzle Answers 44..... Calender of Events:

You’ve Got to Be in the Magazine!

If you would like to advertise in Ponca City Monthly, please call Robyn Ryan, Advertising Director, at (580) 761-1295, or email robyn@poncacitymonthly.com

Cover Photo by Jay Wagner

Ponca City September Events

4

September 2020

© MyMediaMatters, LLC, dba Ponca City Monthly 2020.

For permission to reproduce any article in this magazine, contact admin@my-mediamatters.com. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Autumn Is Not Canceled September is the month when things start to transition. The kids are back in school, college is in session, pools are closing, fall events are ramping up (or are USUALLY ramping up) and autumn, the oh-so-coveted cool weather and pumpkineverything season is so close we can almost smell it.

But this September, most of our favorite events are already canceled (see Rachel’s Stew on That for her take on canceled events), football season may be played, but it won’t be the normal “Oklahoma” football season we know and love and almost every other in-person activity is either being scaled back, switched to online-only or canceled. It’s enough to make us extroverts feel like all is lost.

But there is good news! There are lots of events that are not canceled – family dinners at the table, game nights, cuddles on the couch, playing catch in the back yard – and best of all – there is zero chance of autumn being canceled. The leaves will turn their beautiful colors, the air will turn crisp, pumpkin-flavored everything will happen and we all will have a great few months to make some wonderful family memories.

Sincerely, Kelsey Wagner Editor-in-Chief Ponca City Monthly

CHUCK HODDY GLASS CO Quality window and door glass and screen repair and replacement

727 N. Union Ponca City

580-762-9844

Mon - Fri 8am - 5pm

Free Estimates

www.HoddyGlass.com

Serving Ponca City Since 1983

Financing Available!

Planned Maintenance Agreements Residential & Commercial Service Family Owned and Operated Installation & Replacement Free In-Home Estimates Duct Cleaning

580-762-9513 info@wardsac.com

September 2020

5

Story by Kelsey Wagner / Ponca City Monthly Editor-in-Chief Historic photos provided by Lori Henderson

The 1900s Population: 2,521

Ponca City’s downtown was founded after the historic Cherokee Strip Land Run in 1893, the fourth and most massive government land resettlement. The run resulted in one of the largest land grabs in the country’s history. Winning landowners established farms and communities in the land still known at that time as Indian Territory, years before Oklahoma’s statehood. Four days after the run, after surveyors had selected locations for streets and lots, a box was placed on Grand Ave between 3rd and 4th street, and those who had purchased certificates for city lots lined up to receive their assigned lots.

What followed for Ponca City’s downtown was the beginning of a boom and bust cycle, which was very much in play for a century, in a state and a town where the oil industry dictates so much of the economic condition. Ponca City, home to oil tycoon E.W. Marland and founder of Marland Oil Company, was particularly dependent because of the large number of jobs tied to the one company.

By the turn of the century, the new municipal government had formed, and many new businesses and professional services were established to serve the city residents. However, a devastating fire occurred in 1900.

It burned several of the first buildings constructed of frame and locally mined stone, including the first iteration of the Pabst saloon building, which was later rebuilt with brick. Many businesses chose to rebuild with more permanent, solid materials.

The first big boom for downtown Ponca City began around 1905 after discovering natural gas led many, including E.W. Marland, to the city in search of more buried energy sources. Already a bustling center for trade, a sly move by city founder B.S. Barnes moving the Santé Fe train depot from Cross to downtown Ponca City fully cemented Ponca City’s dominance as the center of commerce for Kay County. The railroad, which ran just west of downtown, was crucial to downtown Ponca City’s success as a means to import and export goods. The Arcade Hotel was also initially located in the town of Cross and relocated in 1897 to its new location in downtown Ponca City.

Many of the very first large stone and brick buildings were built in downtown Ponca City, including The Donahoe Bothers/JP Souligny Building (1909), the Old United States Post Office, 311 E Grand, (1911) and the Municipal Complex, 500 E. Grand (1917).

The 1920s Population: 7,051

The roaring 1920’s swept into downtown Ponca City as money poured into the city from new oil wells. The population of Ponca City doubled in size during the oil boom and along with that, so did the increase in building permits. In 1923, the Royalty office building, 401 E Grand, was financed by E. W. Marland and designed by John Duncan Forsyth. Forsyth would go on to design Marland’s Palace on the Prairie, the Marland Mansion, which began construction in 1925 but was not completed until 1928. Between 1918 and 1929, over 25 new downtown buildings were built. Notable buildings constructed during that time were Gill’s Mortuary Building, 122 N. 2nd (1924), Union Bus Station, 201 N. 2nd (1926), the Ponca City News Building (1924), Community Building, located at 223 E. Grand (1925) Masonic Building, 222 E. Grand, Poncan Theatre (1927), Paris Furniture Building, 409 E. Grand (1927), Marland Building 322-324 E. Grand (1928) and the Nonnamaker Building, 205 W. Grand (1929).

6

September 2020

The 1930s Population: 16,136

The 1930s saw the first bust cycle after the stock market crash of 1929.

Despite the nationwide economic downturn and hostile takeover of Marland Oil in 1928, Ponca City still benefited from Marland’s refinery , which was now known as Continental Oil Company (“Conoco”), that he worked so hard to build. Growth in downtown Ponca City continued, but at a slower and steadier pace. On January 15, 1935, after serving as a Congressman from 1933-35, Marland was inaugurated as governor of Oklahoma. Fifteen new buildings were constructed downtown between 1930-1939, including the new USPS Office and Federal Building, 402 E. Grand (1935), the Ponca City Public Library, 515 E. Grand (1935) and Ponca City East Middle School, 612 E. Grand (1939).

The 1940s Population: 16,794

The war effort brought new economic opportunities for Conoco, and another influx of financial prosperity flowed into Ponca City. Conoco assisted the U.S. Government by increasing production and also performed research and development of new petroleum products. Approximately 20 new buildings were built downtown in the 1940s. Notable new buildings included the Andersen Building, 200 N 2nd (1940), and the Odd Fellows Building, 116 N. 4th (1940).

The 1950s Population: 20,180

The Ponca City refinery continued to bring wealth and prosperity to the city and downtown businesses. Though Conoco decided to relocate its headquarters to Houston in 1949, the decision was made to build Continental Oil’s central Research & Development Center in Ponca City in

1952 and double the R&D center in size by 1962. The 1950s were a golden era of high wages and job security for Conoco employees. Downtown buildings, many still occupied by the same businesses that built the structures, flourished.

The 1960-80s

Population: 24,411 to 26,238

The early 1960s saw the first hints of the downturn of the central business district. Aging buildings, cheap land prices, outward expansion, and urban sprawl all contributed to the decline. Though new construction and commercial development in downtown Ponca City slowed drastically by 1960, downtown was still primarily filled with thriving businesses, including clothing and retail, hardware and supply shops, print shops, law and doctor offices, and financial firms. Residents shopped downtown for the bulk of their home goods, as their parents had done before them.

Many children of that period have fond memories shopping for school supplies or buying clothing.

A large swath of land on the east side of town underwent substantial commercial development in the early 1970s, including the Ponca Plaza.

Downtown lost several businesses during that time, such as JC Penney. To adapt, many building owners began to change the outward appearance of their buildings.

According to an Intensive Level Survey completed in 2008, “The clerestories that had once provided illumination for deep store interiors now conflicted with the air conditioning systems and electric lighting, so they were often covered and sometimes removed. The carefully crafted brick facades that once signaled a respectable and prosperous establishment now were taken by some to mean old-fashioned, or at least not up-to-date, and they were often covered with shiny materials or worse.”

Throughout the remainder of the 1970s, businesses slowly began to shutter as commercial development continued on 14th Street. By 1980 many of the once beautiful buildings had boarded up windows, metal facade coverings and were in disrepair. Conoco thrived in the 1980s and 1990s, but the economic benefit was not in downtown’s favor. (continued on Page 8)

September 2020

7

“It’s really about the small, steady moves that you make every single day that impact downtown in the end.”

(DOWNTOWN from Page 7)

-Chelsea McConnell, PCMS Director

Downtown continued to deteriorate, and, realizing its significance, concerned citizens came together and partnered with the City of Ponca City, and stepped in to help preserve it. Verona Mair recalls traveling to New York state to a National Historic Trust meeting the very first year the Main Street program was introduced. Verona, the only downtown female business and building owner at the time, felt that bringing the Ponca City Main Street program (“PCMS”) was the best path forward to save downtown. Verona says she faced push back from many who said the program was unnecessary. Still, she and a host of other supporters, including Larry Hughes and Bret Carter, continued to push to implement the program. The PCMS was eventually formed in 1988 to revitalize the downtown district and run by a group of dedicated volunteers for 13 years.

The 1990s Population: 26,637

By the 1990s, many buildings downtown were over 60 years old and in desperate need of restoration. The new main street program’s first major project undertaken was to save the Poncan Theatre. David Keathley, Larry and Susan Buck, Phil and Ann Bandy, and many others raised over $300,000, and through their efforts, the theatre was saved. The restoration of the Poncan Theatre became a benchmark for a new era in downtown Ponca City, a period of historic preservation, and reinvigorate the central business district.

The 2000s Population: 26,093

By the early 2000s, the Main Street program had great success providing training and holding downtown events, but due to ongoing organizational issues, the board voted to go inactive as of November 2001 with plans to reactivate within 18 months. City Commissioners ultimately voted

8

September 2020

unanimously to restructure the program, and it was officially revived in February 2003. A new board of directors was appointed, and Jayne Detten was hired as the Executive Director.

The 2010s Population: 25,387

Under Jayne’s leadership, and with a tremendous amount of support from the City of Ponca City, many new programs and events were put into place that are still in existence to this day. Goblins on Grand and Crazy Days are two of the most popular. Jayne was able to focus on board and member development, and she also worked with Fred Boettcher on the massive Veterans Plaza project, which cost more than $600,000 to complete.

Richard Winterrowd, a local architect, has been assisting and supporting PCMS since 2003. New sidewalks were installed, new flowerbeds, and a series of historic murals strategically placed on and off Grand Ave. The visual appeal of Grand Avenue during the early 2000s improved significantly, but Richard says he believes the facade grant made the biggest impact in the overall appearance of downtown.

“There were a lot of absentee store owners, and the properties were being used for storage because property values were low. The grant was, and probably still is, the biggest grant in the state, up to $5,000. There were boarded up second-story windows, covered façade, and it was honestly a fire hazard. There are probably still four buildings that have metal façade or boarded-up windows. There were over 30 before the façade grant program,” Richard says.

Richard is a property owner himself and owns two historic properties, including the five-story Equity Bank building. Richard says local building owners who are engaged in the upkeep and maintenance of the downtown buildings, are the key to raising property values and the downtown district’s overall success, which is one reason why he is such an avid supporter of PCMS. This historic mural features images from the Miller Brothers Ranch and is located at Grand Ave. & Union St.

The Next Generation

In 2014, Jayne left as Director, and Chelsea McConnell was named as new Executive Director. Chelsea is driven and her enthusiam and determination is ushering in a new generation of downtown supporters. Chelsea has overseen an unprecedented resurgence of interest and support for downtown. With a particular focus on place making and art advocacy, Chelsea and her team of dedicated volunteers push hard to keep the momentum of downtown continuously moving forward. PCMS volunteers have recorded more than 1,220 hours of volunteer so far this year.

Art in the Alley, located behind the Royalty Building, 4th & Grand Ave.

Jayne, who now works for the City of Ponca City at the Marland Grand Home, says the continued positive changes downtown are thrilling to watch, and she is happy that her time as PCMS director played a part in that change.

“What I think went right, is we had a dead program, we had the right people involved in restarting it including Chris Henderson, Barbara Impson, Phil Bandy was a huge part, Fred Boettcher and Richard Winterrowd to name a few. We did the foundational work to form a healthy organization, and the next group that has come in, they have given it fresh energy. They have been able to grow it and are going full-speed ahead. It was time for a change, and with a firm foundation to grow from, the new group has made it all happen,” Jayne says.

Kevin Emmons is one of the most recent property owners to make a considerable push to reinvest in downtown properties. He has purchased six properties in the last several years and has poured countless hours and dollars into renovating them. Kevin has fond memories shopping downtown as a child, eating ice cream, and hanging out with his friends on Grand Ave.

Community created mural located at City Central, 4th & Oklahoma St.

“A huge motivation for me to continue to invest in downtown is the amount of what I consider ‘kids’ (only because of the proximity to my children’s age) that are so interested in downtown revitalization - people like Terron Liles, Kelsey Wagner, Chelsea McConnell, Kacey Flanery, and so many others, along with a mix of ones closer to my age, such as the Vortex gang, Bret Carter and C.J. and Julie Good. The energy surrounding downtown and the motivation by everyone involved keeps me going. Even when we have different approaches and opinions, we are family, and I love what’s happening at the end of the day.”

Chelsea McConnell lived on 7th street growing up as a child and recalls walking downtown to the Gift Shoppe to buy rock candy and to Central Typewriter to purchase school supplies.

“I feel like we’ve really progressed since I started. When I started, I thought we would just magically change things overnight, which didn’t happen. But we’ve seen a lot more color downtown with the artwork and murals, the signal boxes and the banners. It’s really been a slow and steady progression of changes. I think that is the most valuable lesson I’ve learned – when the Veterans Plaza opened, it is beautiful and expensive and is an amazing thing that was done, but it didn’t change the landscape of downtown overnight.

It’s really about the small, steady moves that you make every single day that impact downtown in the end.”

Signal box art created by Melinda LittleCook, located at the Ponca City Library, 6th & Grand Ave.

For information about supporting PCMS or to become a member, please visit them online at www.downtownponcacity.com.

September 2020

9

✕ Vote Kem’s ❑ ✕ Exceptional ❑ ✕ Experienced ❑ ✕ Experts ❑ A Full Dance, Gymnastics & Tumbling Program!

18 months & up (Family discounts)

Proudly serving Ponca City and surrounding communities for over 20 years

Dr. Phillip & Nancy Tyndall

STILL ENROLLING

(580) 765-7726

Hi-Stepper Classes Homeschool Classes

105 E. Grand • Ponca City KemsGymandDance.com

It’s a great time to sell!

Call me for a Free Market Analysis of your home.

To see list of available properties, visit https://lizgreene.kw.com

580-765-0825 • 411 N. 14th • Ponca City

Each Keller Williams office is independently owned & operated.

10 September 2020

Email: LizGreene@kw.com

LIZ GREENE - 580-763-4887

Call today to schedule your appointment!

ATTENTION MEDICARE PATIENTS You may be 100% covered for our new in-house Concierge Care Program…

• Access to medical care and in-house testing

• 24-hour access to pharmacist

• Prescription management… no more worrying about running out of refills or prescriptions expiring • Flu shots, Shingles and Pneumonia Vaccines

is a new clinic located inside Bintz Pharmacy.

The clinic was created

by Bintz Pharmacy, and all services are managed by an on-staff practitioner.

• More!

Give us a call and we’ll qualify you over the phone… 580-765-9451

2701 N. 14th • Ponca City www.BintzPharmacy.com 580-765-3033 September 2020

11

ART SPACE Kayla Maxwell Story & Photos by Brenda Baugh / Ponca City Monthly Staff Writer

Jimmie Eatherly & Artist Kayla Maxwell Kayla Maxwell’s imprint can be found in multiple places throughout downtown Ponca City; the murals behind Main Street businesses or her smiling face when you enter Sharp’s Indian Store and Pawn to see the beautiful beadwork displayed for purchase. Kayla is a force to be reckoned with, and it does not look like she will be stopping anytime soon. Her mission is to make Ponca City the next epicenter of the art world, and while looking back on her life, this goal was planted at a very early age.

Even at a young age, Kayla Maxwell was interested in art and has been for as long as she can remember. Kayla recalls from her childhood that, “I always wanted art supplies for my birthdays.” She stated that she has always

12 September 2020

This new mural is located behind the Chamber of Commerce building

Mural commissioned for a little girl’s bedroom

been fascinated with colors, from “sidewalk chalk to beads.” Kayla still has a fascination with the multicolors that can be found in bead work. This lifelong love for color is now a part of her family’s business and has made this part of her career by selling beads and beadwork through the Sharp’s store and online. Kayla Maxwell’s roots are in Ponca City, but after a brief time living in Texas, she decided to return to her hometown.

While spending her school years in Ponca City, she would always choose art electives when it was offered, but it wasn’t until she met her seventhgrade art teacher that she really became inspired by art. This inspiration came from Ms. Sharon Maddox, the art teacher at West Middle School.

Maddox opened Kayla’s eyes to the possibilities that she could use her talents. The time she spent in Ms. Maddox’s class is when Kayla’s hobby became an obsession.

“Painting murals is new for me but I love the feeling of exhaustion and being so involved in what I am doing that everything else is completely tuned out.”

If you ever see her working on a mural, Kayla goes on to say, “Feel free to show up with a Poweraid from Sonic. It’s my go to mural beverage in between mass amounts of water.”

Kayla Maxwell is definitely a woman who knows what she wants and works until exhaustion to get what she wants. Her goal is to give back to the community where she was raised by creating these works of art for everyone to see and enjoy.

During college, she took ceramics, but instead of learning about firing clay, Kayla learned that she did not enjoy being told what to do and realized that the structure of art school limited her creativity. After a brief time spent in culinary school, jeweler’s school and time at the Creative Arts Center of Dallas, Kayla Maxwell discovered that she found working independently and challenging herself did far better for her and her art.

Of course, the dynamite in a small package known as Kayla Maxwell cannot stop with just creating these murals around downtown. She has found another way to have a even further impact on the Ponca City art community by donating the profits from the mural artwork towards an Arts Initiative Fund. Along with the generous support of citizens, Ponca City Arts Association, business’ and private donors; Kayla’s dream of making Ponca City the new hub of the art world is starting to come to fruition. Future plans include a annual art crawl to further support our Oklahoma Artists and act as our annual fund-raiser. A more diverse selection of Oklahoma-based artists and medias’ will soon flood Ponca City, adding to our smalltown charm, economic growth and tourism.

“I’ve never really considered myself an artist.

I just love colors, doodling and creating,” says Maxwell. She goes on to say, “Most of the pieces I’ve created have been gifts. I like to see others happy.” Mostly, she finds peace and healing when she is creating, and in the past few months, that peace is being found by creating murals.

“If you or your business are interested in a mural, I would be happy to work with you. As I am currently donating any art-made profits to this program, payments made are eligible for tax deductions upon request. If you would like to contribute to this initiative, donations can be made to the Ponca City Arts Association with

Custom Shoes

Mural on the back of Speak Now Film Productions building

September 2020

13

STEWART

THE PONCA CITY CHAMBER IS WORKING TO MAKE PONCA CITY THE PLACE TO WORK, LIVE AND PLAY!

ESCROW & TITLE CO.

THE TOP GOALS OF OUR COMMITTEES:

1922 Lake Road • Ponca City (580) 765-6806

Proudly serving Kay County and the surrounding areas with all of their real estate closings, abstracting and title insurance needs.

Albright

Abstract & Title Guaranty Company

Est. 1899

(580) 362-2525 • 102 N. Main • Newkirk United Way of Ponca City Launches New Literacy Program!!

IMAGINE if every child in Ponca City entered school ready to learn and with a love of reading. United Way of Ponca City has launched the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, 400 children will receive a FREE age-appropriate book mailed directly to their home until they turn five years old.

By getting onboard with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the children will be able to lay the tracks for a promising future. “Our gift to your child is free books, your gift to them is the power to read and be ready for school,” says Lacey Bolling, UW President. Created in 1995 by Parton, the Imagination Library aims to ensure that children have access to books in their homes, regardless of family income, with a specific goal to increase and encourage literacy among children. United Way strongly supports early childhood education so that children will make a successful transition to adulthood. This is done with a focus on improving the quality of early childhood programs and promoting early literacy. Who is eligible? Preschool children ages birth to five who are residents of Ponca City. How do I register? Call the United Way office at 765-2476, and we will register your child. To read more about the program, go to www.unitedwayponcacity.org and click on the Imagination Library logo.

United Way of Ponca City’s goal is to put a book in every child’s hand birth to age five at no cost.

With your help, we can achieve this goal. If you would like to help sponsor this literacy program or need more information about United Way, contact Melissa Young at 765-2476.

14 September 2020

Ambassadors To work with existing members and seek their views on how the Chamber can better serve them.

To work with the Chamber staff to update membership contact information.

Ponca Politics Committee To conduct public forums such as “Ponca Politics” to discuss pertinent issues on a non-partisan basis.

Legislative issues: Support passenger rail service; support adequate funding for Oklahoma Department of Tourism; support adequate funding for K-12 education, technology centers and higher education.

Community Development To collaborate on common issues with federal, state, regional, city, education and county officials.

To advocate for a comprehensive multi-modal transportation system (streets, highways, trails, public transportation, air and rail service).

Leadership Ponca City Develop a pool of committed well-informed leaders who will actively participate in the growth of the community by accepting leadership roles in civic, charitable, or governmental organizations.

Education and Workforce Development To seek support of Chamber Businesses for the (PIE) Partners in Education Program so that each school has at least 2 active partners.

To provide a platform for all Ponca City schools to present ideas and concerns.

To hold a “Stuff the Bus” school supply collection event.

Tourism Bureau To increase tourism traffic to Ponca City at our attractions.

To increase our marketing efforts throughout Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and with snow birds traveling I-35.

* Visit our website below for a complete list of our goals.

580-765-4400 WWW.PONCACITYCHAMBER.COM

INVEST

IN YOUR HEALTH

TAKE A TOUR TODAY!



•



TAKE A TOUR TODAY!

BASKETBALL/PICKLEBALL COURTS Basketball/pickleball



RACQUETBALL COURTS



courts

• Racquetball courts



WALKING & JOGGING TRACK





KIDZONE



• Walking & jogging track • Kidzone

CARDIO MACHINES & FREE

WEIGHTS • Cardio machines & free weights

GROUP FITNESS CLASSES

• Group fitness classes AQUATIC AREA

• Aquatic area

RUBY NUTRITION

• Ruby Nutrition

1604 W Grand Ave Ponca City, OK 74601 | 580-767-0430 www.poncacityok.gov

1604 W. Grand Ave., Ponca City • 580-767-0430 • www.poncacityok.gov

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

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

PROUDLY

Thank you for shopping where you’re always appreciated!

Quality

Kitchen Products • American-made products Since 1948 • Fresh coffee beans from Oklahoma Available • in New, ourexpanded Kitchen Kitchen Korner Korner!

• Fresh-made fudge We have • Delicious everything truffles for beginner • Hallmark cooks and Gold gourmet Crown Storechefs!

• More!

THE GIFT

SHOPPE

(580) (580) 762-5345 762-5345

301-307 E. Grand 301-307 Grand PoncaE.City Ponca City thegiftshoppe@poncacity.net thegiftshoppe@poncacity.net www.kitchenkornerpc.com

“Where you always find the unusual.”

“Where you always find the unusual.”

www.kitchenkornerpc.com Merle Norman Cosmetics - (580) 765-3143

Merle Norman Cosmetics - (580) 765-3143

Toni' s WESTSIDE DRUG & RX

BOGO

Back to School

3 - Generation Family Tradition.

Buy a facial microneedling treatment, get FREE hand or neck microneedling ($99 value).

Face Shields Disposable Masks Cloth Masks Hand Sanitizer Non Contact Infrared Thermometer

Toni Gibson, Owner

301 W Grand Ave.

(580) 765-4456

Mon - Fri: 8 am - 6 pm Sat: 8 am - 2 pm

1 2 3

Buy a corrective IPL photo facial, get FREE underarm laser hair removal ($175 value) or FREE neck treatment. ($99 value)

104 S. 4th St. (580) 382-4034 aestheticstateofmind.com

Buy one syringe of filler, get FREE express facial or FREE lip flip.

September 2020

15

Mural Project Moving Ahead Story by Carey Head / Ponca City Monthly Staff Writer Photos Contributed by Rick Sinnett For generations of travelers, the sight of the Ponca City grain elevators has signaled “almost home.” The journey across western Kay County’s farmland is nearly complete.

Stretched across the silos is the gracefully fading Robin Hood Flour logo. Coming close enough to read this often causes thoughts to turn from present travel to home’s waiting chores.

Thanks to a successfully funded private and public partnership, vibrant hand-painted art will refresh the elevators and beckon travelers across the miles with a new message. The "Ponca City Grain Elevator Project" will establish an American Folk Art installation to be painted on the east and west walls of the former Robin Hood Flour grain elevator.

Ponca City Main Street’s Kelsey Wagner retraced the project's journey from a passing thought to a $100,000 public art installation to bring attention and traffic to Ponca City’s downtown district.

“This project began with a lunch,” she reports. “John McNeese gathered 15 people in January 2018 who he knew were arts leaders in Ponca City and challenged that he would entertain a matching grant up to $50,000 to help fund projects if they promoted art in Ponca City.”

In February 2018, Ponca City Main Street brought Rick Sinnett to Ponca City to pick out a wall for a mural. “Not even a big wall, a small wall. Definitely not a grain elevator, just a wall. But Rick was moved by our city, its beauty and he just kept gravitating to the Grain Elevator,” Wagner added.

Rick Sinnett painted a mega mural on the Rocktown Climbing Gym in Oklahoma City Local art enthusiasts began pledging funds to meet McNeese’s $50,000 challenge grant.

On Aug. 12, 2019, the Ponca City Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to pledge $49,000 of the hotel/motel tax fund toward Ponca City Main Street’s Grain Elevator mural proposal. The final commission vote to approve Ponca City’s contribution of $49,000 was held April 13, 2020.

Mustang, Oklahoma, artist Rick Sinnett is commissioned to create two huge murals on the abandoned grain elevators. Sinnett has journeyed across Oklahoma painting eye-catching American Folk Art on buildings, large and small. The Ponca City project will be the largest he’s created, to date.

Sinnett says, “I’ve painted giant murals, but this is the biggest mural project I’ve encountered. I’m calling it, for me personally, the pinnacle, the mega mural.”

Two murals are planned. “Beauty of Life” will grace the west side of the silos, “Oklahoma Sunrise” on the east face. “’Beauty of Life” immortalizes his mother and her battle with cancer.

After losing two women in the family to breast cancer, Sinnett said his mother was “aggressive with her checkups. She went from nothing at one checkup to Stage 4 at the next.”

“Oklahoma Sunrise” artwork to be painted on the east face of the Ponca City Milling Elevator

16 September 2020

He explains, “when I first found out I was angry. The second day I was

very sad. Then on the third day I sat down and started to think about the good, the bad, and the ugly and the total sum of the three makes life beautiful.”

happen,” he says. “But the pain and agony is what makes it so beautiful -- dealing with the elements, the heights, doing something so large (and) making it up as we go.

His design began with a simple circle which evolved into a flower in the middle with eight butterflies dancing around the flower to represent the metamorphosis of life.

“We have a proven track record and are very confident we can make it happen. But there is no one we can call or a book we can pick up to tell us how to do this. We are, in a sense, inventing the wheel with this project.”

Along with expressing gratitude for his mother, the design is “my way to express my appreciation for life’s beauty,” he said. “I have painted it a couple of times. I’m going to paint it all over the world.”

The east face mural, “Oklahoma Sunrise,” will include Sinnett’s favorite symbols of Oklahoma, including wheat, bison, scissor-tailed flycatchers and butterflies.

Though the Ponca City project is not his first silo, its concrete “canvas” will serve as the “canvas” for public art that measures 115 feet by 160 feet. “Times two, because I’m painting the front and the back,” Sinnett said.

As for prepping the towering space for a long-lived art installation, Sinnett says it’s already taken care of.

“I’ve been on the structure and have used drones to assess the site. Mother Nature has done much of the preparation, sand blasted it, if you will.”

Sinnett and his art assistant will count on high-end, 300-foot lengths of climbing rope, along with harnesses and hard hats to keep them safe as they work 12 stories above the ground. They also will utilize a 50-foot powered platform, called a swing stage, as the suspended scaffolding.

Over 150 4’ x 8’ panels will be laser cut from his original design, scaled up from concept on his computer to 16 stories tall. Each will be numbered to avoid confusion while working at height.

Sinnett’s system is to find the center of the structure, plumb a line vertically and then horizontally. The intersection of the two is the planned mural’s center. The stencil panels are affixed to the building from the center and ready for tracing.

And his tracing instrument of choice? Sharpie pens. He expects to go through over 500 Sharpies to complete a mural.

“I joke about the pain and agony, use the words loosely, but the sum of all three ­— pain, agony and beauty, is what is my reality. I’m almost 50. You have to work hard. And when you produce a good quality job, it has an effect.”

-Rick Sinnett

“A swing stage is a very safe, very reliable piece of equipment. The people providing it are the people supplying them to Phillips66 in Ponca,” he adds.

At either end of the platform is a motor attached to a stirrup. These motors allow the suspended platform to be repositioned via the operators, in this case, Rick and his assistant. Once deployed, the swing stage will allow for painting half of the design. Then the swing stage will be moved so the remaining half can be completed.

Sinnett credits his love of serigraphy for inspiring him to use stencils to facilitate the creation of giant public artworks.

“I developed a passion for screen printing. Found out I couldn’t make a living (by selling an) original print. But I could screen print them on T-shirts and sell them. So, I was able to make a living like that. And it fed my passion. It was what I consider the beginning of my career. Draw, digitize, add color, and then print - socks, coffee mugs, T-shirts, scarves. It all translates,” he says.

“I took my knowledge of serigraphy and expanded it into a larger format. What I do is make a giant fine art print. Nobody does this kind of stuff at this scale. To be honest, it’s painful, making everything

“I’ve tried everything else…

Sharpies aren’t cheap. I had no clue I would have to spend $2,000 on Sharpies. But nothing works like a Sharpie.”

Once traced, the artist will reposition to begin painting inside the lines. He has defined a palette of 15 colors for his art.

Sinnett plans to use Valspar paint and purchase it in Ponca City. He plans to purchase as much material in Ponca City as possible, including his brushes.

“I primarily use 2-inch cut-in brushes. It’s daunting, pain and agony. We are WORKING at it.

Yeah, it sucks, but this is my method.”

He continues, “I joke about the pain and agony, use the words loosely, but the sum of all three - pain, agony and beauty, is what is my reality. I’m almost 50. You have to work hard. And when you produce a good quality job, it has an effect.”

Donations of $125,000 was raised committed to cover the costs for painting the mural itself. Phase I of fund-raising exceeded the $100,000 goal and an additional $25,000 was raised to cover additional expenses ensuring the project has more than enough funds to be done to completion.

Sinnett is excited to begin the murals. The mural stencils are currently being created, and Sinnett will begin paining on April 1, 2021. He recalls the memories of his first massive mural project, a mural painted in El Reno.

“People would come by day by day to watch. They would bring picnic lunches and just experience the process,” he says. “Each person innately took ownership of it because they got to see the process.

And I felt like ‘this is what I’ve been put here to do. It’s a passion. I have no choice, really. Even if I don’t get paid.”

Crossword Answers on Page 36

September 2020

17

Home is where your story begins. . .

I will help you get there!

HERITAGE REALTORS®

3216 N. 14th • 580.765.8888

BECKY POET

580.763.1871

beckypoet@gmail.com

0% for 90 NO PAYMENTS Days* Financing Options*

Tops, Bottoms, Dresses, Shoes, Swimwear, Accessories and Much More!

GUARANTEED CREDIT APPROVAL!*

324 E. GRAND HONEY-BEEBOUTIQUE.COM (580) 749-0880

TOP TRADE VALUES! WE BUY USED CARS! * OVER

25R0S

YEA

of PONCA CITY EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE in

SERVICE & SALES

NOW OPEN FOR

SATURDAY SERVICE 8 AM - 2 PM

SATURDAY SPECIAL

s y a w l A It's

BBQ TIME AT DANNY'S BBQ HEAD QUARTERS 1217 E. Prospect, Ponca City 18 September 2020

580-767-8304

5-Qt.

29

OIL $

CHANGE

95**

Includes tire rotation

2415 N. 14TH • 765-5533 StutevilleFordPonca.com StutevilleLincoln.com *See dealer for details. **Excludes diesels.

Humor & Entertainment By now, you’ve probably seen that most of our beloved community events have been canceled. It’s such a bummer, but what’s been an even bigger bummer is seeing the people complain and talk badly about the organization or volunteers who put these events together, and the fact that they decided to cancel. Did you know the majority of our community events are planned, hosted, organized and run by volunteers, and that these events typically benefit nonprofit organizations? Crazy, right? These volunteers spend their own personal time away from their families and jobs to plan fun events for our community, which directly benefit these nonprofit organizations that are working hard to make our community better. So, yes, be sad you can’t attend, but please realize these nonprofit organizations rely heavily on these events to raise money for their programs, so I promise you, they’re way sadder than you are. Please also consider that these events don’t appear out of thin air, it takes months and months, sometimes even a year or more, to plan and organize a large, community-wide, successful event, and most of this planning should have begun, or was halted,

PONCA CITYʼS DOWNTOWN STREETS

by Patrick Jordan

ACROSS 1. Crying droplet 5. Sheep's sounds 9. Slightly foggy 14. Rod between wheels 15. Recommend strongly 16. Famed trick shooter Oakley 17. Past the deadline 18. Lender's property claim 19. Calls a halt to 20. With "The," spinoff series of "Family Guy" (2 wds.)

23. Gain popularity on Twitter 24. Airport screening grp.

25. Thurs. follower 28. Scooby-___ (cartoon Great Dane) 30. More dignified 33. Pocket bread 37. Elegant keyboard instrument (2 wds.)

40. Gladiator's fighting place 42. Tavern order, at times 43. Coin in many an arcade 44. Cooling feature in a home (2 wds.)

47. Imitates Betsy Ross 48. Object with a distinct existence 49. Fall behind 51. The Little Mermaid's home 52. Mouse sighter's scream 55. Annual state and county events 59. Slightly reddish hair color (2 wds.)

64. Not as healthy-looking 66. Detest 67. Inspired thought 68. Performance with 6-Downs 69. "Can you ___ forgive me?"

70.

71.

72.

73.

Ooze through a crack Mexican money Smaller amount Gets around like a bunny

DOWN 1. Bath powder source 2. Hold in high regard 3. Change for a better fit 4. Christopher of "Superman" fame 5. Sturdy, short-haired canine 6. Soprano's song 7. Insurance or real estate seller 8. Puts in the mail 9. Alan Alda series 10. "What's gotten ___ you?"

11. Particle in a blizzard 12. Good waitperson's reward 13. Word of agreement 21. Gridiron pass catcher 22. Hourglass particles 26. Order more issues 27. Wrinkle-removing appliances 29. Like a swallowable medicine 31. Make a choice 32. Life stories, for short 33. Walks the floor worriedly 34. "Fame" performer Cara 35. Squid's arms 36. One who votes "no" 38. Chicken ___ king (2 wds.)

39. Pioneering astronaut Armstrong 41. Gallery display 45. Agreements from sailors 46. Beams in attics 50. Talk excessively 53. Lucy's landlady in a classic sitcom 54. The ___ of Hearts (tart stealer in a nursery rhyme)

1

2

3

4

when our state shut down. It’s not a decision that can be made a few weeks out whether to have the event or not. Not to mention, nonprofit organizations aren’t typically in a position to run the risk of hosting an event that has the potential to be negatively impacted by oh, let’s just say, a global pandemic, because then there’s a chance they could lose money on the event.

There’s also the issue of “social responsibility” to consider. Organizations have a responsibility to their community to keep its citizens safe, and I’m going out on a limb here, but I’m betting they aren’t relying on their buddy from high school who works at the gas station and posts conspiracy theories on Facebook to get their information, they are looking at the recommendations of medical professionals. Some organizations will continue with their events, some will cancel. If you are super bummed about a particular event being canceled, consider donating to the nonprofit organization that hosts it, or volunteering your time to help plan the event next year, when they’re back and better than ever. Let’s all be sad together, but please, for the love of Dolly Parton, show some grace and compassion and kindness.

5

6

7

8

9

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21 24 28 34

35

36

40

29 37

41

44

30 38

42

52

64

53

61

65

31

46 49

60

25

26

27

57

58

32

54

47 50

55

56

62

63

66

67

68

69

70

71

72

73

56.

57.

58.

60.

61.

13

43

48

59

12

39

45

51

11

22

23

33

10

Born in Dublin 101 Ranch contest, once Clean with a broom Hercules or Tarzan, for example Historical periods

62.

63.

64.

65.

Sport ___ (rugged vehicles, briefly) Catches a few winks Cork-removing noise Chimp or gorilla

Crossword Answers on Page 44

September 2020

19

Tile Envy!

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

58 0-762 -1552

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

Hardwoods • Vinyl • Carpet • Tile • Quartz • Granite • Kitchens • Bathrooms

FASTEST & MOST RELIABLE COVID-19 TEST! We can file these tests with your insurance!

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

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

Welcome to your Future!

We offer degrees in:

• Education • Leadership • Counseling • Marketing • Psychology • Management • Accounting • Business Many more programs available

2800 N. 14TH ST. PONCA CITY

Call today for more information: 580-718-5600

20 September 2020

COVID-19 TESTING

Results in 15 Minutes!

FDA-APPROVED RAPID TEST

– ANTIBODY TESTING AVAILABLE –

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

MINOR EMERGENCY

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

Kelsey Burnett, PA-C, Amanda Behar, PA-C

OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE

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

September 2020

21

Ponca Chief Standing Bear A Tribute to all Native Americans Story by Jennifer Vaughan / Ponca City Monthly Staff Writer Photos by Jay Wagner Visitors to Standing Bear Park, Museum & Education Center are welcomed by a 22-foot bronze statue of Ponca Chief Standing Bear, located where the Chief is believed to have walked more than a century ago. Created by Cowboy Artist of America, Oreland C. Joe, Standing Bear’s right hand extends to the east as he overlooks the ancient Arkansas River Valley. The 63-acre park encompasses more than eight fully developed acres that includes off-street parking, a one-acre pond with central arrowhead island, a walking trail winding through native grasses and wildflowers to the monument site, and a shaded memorial grove at a peaceful sitting area along the way. A colorful 60-foot diameter circular viewing court is located at the feet of Standing Bear and contains large sandstone boulders around its parameter affixed with the official bronze seals of the six area tribes: Osage, Pawnee, Otoe-Missouria, Kaw, Tonkawa and Ponca. The names of eight clans of the Ponca Tribe are inlaid in the floor of the plaza in earth tone colors of terra-cotta red, pine green and various shades of browns.

A center pool reflects the sky, and at its center, the eternal flame of “grandfather fire” burns on a large round sandstone pedestal.

The Standing Bear Native American Foundation began as the Native American Committee that was started as the result of controversy, cultural clashes and misunderstandings. They shared a vision for education about the Native American culture uniting people within our community.

They began meeting in late 1993 with their selection for the subject of the statue being one of the first decisions made. The committee welcomed representatives from the six area tribes: Osage, Pawnee, Otoe-Missouria, Kaw, Tonkawa and Ponca to nominate the Native American they believed should be honored.

It was Ed Pensoneau with the Ponca Tribe

22 September 2020

who suggested Standing Bear. After much deliberation, all six representatives decided on Standing Bear as the subject for this monumental tribute to all Native Americans.

Standing Bear was a Ponca chief and Native American civil rights leader who successfully argued in U.S. District Court in 1879 in Omaha that Native Americans are “persons within the meaning of the law” and have the right of habeas corpus, thus becoming the first Native American judicially granted civil rights under American law. His landmark speech stated that all American Indians deserved the same recognition and protection under the law as white men. Standing Bear held up his right hand and said, “That hand is not the color

of yours, but if I pierce it, I shall feel pain. If you pierce your hand, you also feel pain. The blood that will flow from mine will be of the same color as yours. I am a man. The same God made us both.”

Standing Bear was born around 1829 in the traditional Ponca homeland near the confluence of the Niobrara and Missouri rivers in Nebraska. About 30 years later, the tribe sold its homeland to the United States,

retaining a 58,000-acre reservation between Ponca Creek and the Niobrara River. When the federal government created the Great Sioux Reservation in 1868, the Ponca Reservation was included within its boundaries, depriving them of tiT.Le to their remaining lands. In 1877, the federal government decided to remove the Poncas to Indian Territory. Standing Bear protested his tribe’s eviction, but federal troops enforced the removal orders, forcing the Poncas to travel 600 miles by foot to Indian Territory in the summer of 1878. One-third of the Ponca tribe died, including Standing Bear’s daughter, during Ponca’s Trail of Tears. Once they arrived to Indian Territory in Oklahoma, it was too late in the summer to plant crops, they were not provided with rations from the government that forced them from their land and they were not prepared for the heavy rains and harsh winter.

The death of Chief Standing Bear’s 16-year-old son in late December of 1878 set into motion a series of events, which ultimately brought a measure of justice to all Native American people.

Wanting to honor his son’s last wish to be buried in the land of his birth and ancestors, Standing Bear and a group of men, women and children of the Ponca Tribe began the long journey back north. Word of their arrival to the Omaha Reservation in Nebraska soon reached the government. Under orders from the Secretary of the Interior, Carl Schurz, who also directed the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Brigadier General George Crook had the Ponca arrested for having left the reservation in Indian Territory. The army took Standing Bear and the others to Fort Omaha, where they were detained. Although the official orders were to return them immediately to Indian Territory, Crook was sympathetic to the Ponca and appalled to learn of the conditions they had left. He delayed their return so the

The museum is located at 601 Standing Bear Parkway and is currently open Monday thru Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 A.m. to 2 P.M. There is no admission charge, “because the stories we represent and the artifacts here are not ours. They belong to the tribes that have shared them with us and we try to be very respectful of that.” says T.L

Ponca could rest, regain their health, and seek legal assistance.

Crook told the Ponca’s story to Thomas Tibbles, an outspoken advocate of Native American rights. Tibbles, an editor of the Omaha Daily Herald, publicized the Ponca’s story widely. Attorney John L. Webster offered his services pro bono and was joined

by Andrew J. Poppleton, chief attorney of the Union Pacific Railroad. They aided Standing Bear, who in April 1879 sued for a writ of habeas corpus in U.S. District Court in Omaha, Nebraska. Standing Bear, who didn’t speak fluent English, utilized an interpreter named Susette LaFlesche. The case is called United States ex rel. Standing Bear v. Crook.

General Crook was named as the formal defendant because he was holding the Ponca under the laws at the time.

On May 12, 1879, Judge Elmer S. Dundy ruled that “an Indian is a person” within the meaning of habeas corpus. He stated that the federal government had failed to show a basis under law for the Ponca’s arrest and captivity. It was a landmark case, recognizing that an Indian is a “person” under the law and entiT.Led to his/her rights and protection. “The right of expatriation is a natural, inherent and inalienable right and extends to the Indian, as well as to the more fortunate white race,” the judge concluded.

The army immediately freed Standing Bear and his followers. The case gained the attention of the Hayes administration, which provided authority for Standing Bear and some of the tribe to return permanenT.Ly to the Niobrara valley in Nebraska. Standing Bear relinquished his tiT.Le of Chief when he left Oklahoma and was not permitted to return. Michelle Hunt, enrolled member of the Ponca Tribe and Community Outreach Specialist for Kaw Nation, stated, “I feel like he fought for civil rights. He wasn’t viewed as a person, a citizen, a man. What was he? He fought hard for his people to show that they were human and citizens. In the long run, by him leaving to go back to Nebraska, he did more for his people than staying where he was on reservation land. He proved all

Native Americans are human.”

Standing Bear Park, Museum & Education Center celebrates all Native Americans with tribal displays, traveling exhibits, artwork, and other educational material. Prior to the museum opening in 2007, Whit Todd, an architect in Tulsa, was contracted for the design. The Native American Committee sent the architect with a handful of notecards listing specific feelings and emotions they hoped visitors would experience while at the museum. T.L Walker, Executive Director for the Standing Bear Native American Foundation, shared, “Whit’s design for the museum was created from a list of emotions, and it was exacT.Ly what we had hoped for. The building itself has won several architectural awards. The building is actually made of glass panels held together with walls. There are no square rooms and no same-shaped rooms in the building to assist with creative thinking.” T.L started with the project in 1994 as a volunteer and was hired on as the full-time director over 22 years ago.

She fondly remembers starting in a 10 feet by 20 feet metal building she referred to as “the litT.Le hut” with window air conditioning units, space heaters, no running water and a porta-potty out back.

All six area tribes are honored with displays featured in the rotunda of the museum that they maintain. Above each display is a 3-D seal for the tribes that Dan Jones created at the time he was chairman of the Ponca Nation. There are beautiful bronze sculptures throughout the museum that were part of Jo Saylors’ collection, which was obtained

by Carl Renfro who donated pieces to the museum, Ponca City Chamber of Commerce, Northern Oklahoma Humane Society, the City of Ponca City, Northern Oklahoma College, Hospice of North Central Oklahoma and The University Center. The entrance to the museum features a quote from Carl and Carolyn Renfro, who were instrumental in the Standing Bear project, that states, “This project has set an example of national significance – two cultures have come together to overcome misunderstandings, learn to work for a common good and honor

Native American heritage.” Pottery featured on display and sold at the museum is made

by Clyde Otipoby, a Comanche Indian who grew up at Chilocco Indian School, where his father was a teacher. Following four years of service in the United States Air Force, Clyde himself became a teacher and for 34 years he taught art in Ponca City elementary schools.

The Jerry and Pat Evans Art Gallery in the museum is filled with an incredible collection of Native American artwork created by some of the most notable artists of their time, donated by C.D. Northcutt.

The Exhibit Hall has hosted exhibits from the Oklahoma Museum Association and the Smithsonian and currently has an exhibit curated inhouse featuring six different local photographers: Rich Cantillon, Tyler VanArsdale, Paul Gorrell, Winston Henry, Gordon Patton and Zac Robertson.

The NOC Education Center features a painting by artist Mike Wimmer, depicting the moving moment when Standing Bear rose in the courtroom to speak. The artist painted from a photo taken in the Education Center, set up in courtroom style, with local members of the community posing for the photo: Kathy Adams, Phil Bandy, Tim Burg, Chris LitteCook, Hunter LittleCook, Mindy LittleCook, Tara LittleCook, Mike Mott, Homer Nicholson, John Raley, Carl Renfro and Christina RichSplawn. This painting by Wimmer was created for Governor Frank Keating’s book, “The Trial of Standing Bear”.

September 2020

23

Lakeside Grill’s

Taste

Chicken-Fried Steak Story & Photos by Kelsey Wagner / Ponca City Monthly Editor-in-Chief

You might be from Oklahoma if the phrase “smothered in gravy” brings back fond food memories.

If you visit Lakeside Grill, a quaint, locally owned and operated restaurant nestled near the shores of Lake Ponca, well, you’ve now reached smothered-in-gravy heaven.

Lakeside Grill opened in November 2018. Walking in, patrons are greeted with an eclectic, yet warm, atmosphere. Fishing decorations dot the walls and fireplace, an ode to the building’s marine locale. But in addition to the nautical touches, there are also rare pop-culture movie posters, Ponca City memorabilia and autographed celebrity photos.

These items have been collected over a lifetime by Toby Epperson.

The memorabilia collection on display shows the depth of Toby’s dedication to, and appreciation for, quality and uniqueness.

“I’m a bit of a ‘mantiquer,’ I guess you could say.”

Toby has the same affinity and appreciation for quality, homemade food. Born and raised in Ponca City, Toby and his wife, Tracie, began their food journey with a concession trailer called “T & T Concessions,”

but a trip to purchase equipment for an additional food trailer ultimately ended with the purchase of what was formerly Pauline’s Supper Club.

“We came to the auction to buy equipment, found out the property was for sale, and went ahead and purchased it,” Toby says.

Toby says of all the dishes at Lakeside Grill, their hand-battered Chicken-Fried Steak is by far their most popular, and that it was Tracie who came up with the recipe entirely by accident.

“We were trying to recreate the Del Rancho flavor, but we messed up – and it ended up being a good mess up,” says Toby.

The chicken-fried steak comes in three sizes: senior, which takes up a third of a plate; regular, a half-plate chicken fry; and the XL, a monstersized, deep-fried slab of chicken-fried steak that overhangs the plate.

Aside from the infamous chicken-fried steak, Lakeside boasts a Monster Burger Challenge that has only been bested once. Handbattered catfish is also on the menu, a family recipe created by Toby’s Aunt Sherry. Steak is a recent addition to the menu, but Toby says most people still prefer the chicken fry, which is served with your choice of two sides, patrons can choose from fresh-cut French fries, baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, green beans, mac and cheese, or coleslaw.

Though there is an excellent selection of sides, every real Oklahoman knows that when you eat chicken-fried steak, you have to go with the mashed potatoes and – you guessed it – everything smothered in gravy.

Lakeside Grill is open Tuesday - Saturday 11 am to 8 pm Find updates and the menu on Facebook or call the restaurant at (580) 304-7740.

24 September 2020

JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE & SUSHI BAR

Are you working with the best?

Coldwell Banker, Heritage Realtors continues to reign as the #1 REAL ESTATE COMPANY in North Central Oklahoma!

I would love to help with your real estate needs!

MARY BETH MOORE 580-401-3456 mbclarkmoore@yahoo.com

HERITAGE REALTORS®

3216 N. 14th • 580.765.8888

Winter will Did you know yoube here before own your local you know it!

power utility?

Winter safety and savings should be on our minds.

If you haven’t already, Thank you Ponca City for believing in & supporting call Ponca City Energy at your very own Municipality!

Local Control 767-0405, for an energy wned by the Customers we Serve!”

Reinvestment audit to find out where Reliability you can save the most, Accessibility and consider making a larger Did youCommunity know youinvestment for long-term own your local energy savings.

OurLocalPower.org power utility?

ng the Benefits cal Power!

bility. ssion is to serve the customers. m community goals. crews located in the community.

nt – not-for-profit electricity

ric distribution system aesthetics

Thank you Ponca City for believing in & supporting your very own Municipality!

“Owned by the Customers we Serve!”

Local Control Reinvestment Reliability Accessibility Community

Electric Universe Online Learning

poncacity.electricuniverse.com

OurLocalPower.org

We offer Heat Pump Rebates! Call Ponca City Energy at 580-767-0405.

3000 N. 14th • Ponca City www.sakuraponcacity.com

10% OFF

580-762-9777

YOUR ENTIRE MEAL

\Mon. - Thurs. 11 am - 10 pm, Fri. & Sat. 11 am - 10:30 pm Sun. 11 am - 9 pm, closed Mon. - Fri. 3 pm - 4:30 pm for lunch break

Must present coupon at time of purchase.

Coupon expires September 30, 2020.

NOW FEATURING Thomas Blonde Candles

Made in Oklahoma

AND

Mudpie Gifts & Women’s Clothing

Shop online @ lilesandco.com

Curbside pickup still available.

BOUTIQUE & SALON Full-service boutique and salon offering gorgeous clothing, quality handbags, fun jewelry and fabulous beauty products and services.

205 E. Grand • Ponca City • 580-762-8828 Store Hours: Tues.-Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-4

Ponca Playhouse

The Sound of Music

PRESENTS

SEPTEMBER 10-13, & 17-20

SPECIAL LIVE STREAMING NIGHT ON SEPTEMBER 19 TICKETS FOR LIVE STREAMING $20 TICKETS SOLD ONLINE BEGINNING AUGUST 31 Thank you to Cherokee Strip Credit Union for its continued sponsorship of this production!

301 S. First Street 580-765-5360 www.poncaplayhouse.com

$5 OFF

1 ENTRY

The Sound of Music @ Ponca Playhouse

SEPT 10-13, & 17-20

*BRING THIS COUPON TO THEATRE FOR A DISCOUNT ON ONE IN-PERSON TICKET

s and technology to meet

other entities such as police, fire, library, to name a few, by ty’s general fund. ect and powerful voice in decisioncommunities elected officials.

September 2020

25

Fishing for Real Estate Guidance?

Call or text me, and I’ll help you catch up on current values!

Frances Coonrod

580-761-1712

Frances.Coonrod@ gmail.com

We recently sold land on Hartford, next to Paladin Apartments. Let the guessing game begin!

PALADIN APARTMENTS

CENTURY 21 GROUP ONE

301 West Hartford • Ponca City paladinapartments.com • 580-762-7164

WALKER’S HARDWOODS 405-990-0037

walkershardwoods.com

- Historical Preservation - Hardwood Floor Installation - Professional Wood Floor Restoration - Old World Distressing & Hand Scraping - Custom Hand-Tooled Woodwork We are a family owned and operated flooring business. Our foundation is built on years of experience and hundreds of happy customers.

26 September 2020

đ&#x;˜†đ&#x;˜†đ&#x;˜†đ&#x;˜† đ&#x;˜†đ&#x;˜†đ&#x;˜†đ&#x;˜†

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary!

‘Official’’ List: ‘Official’’ List: 1st - Paper 1st - Paper 2nd 2nd -- Cotton Cotton 3rd Leather 3rd - Leather 4th 4th -- Fruit Fruit 5th 5th -- Wood Wood 6th 6th -- ... ...

That’ baby, diamonds! diamonds!

That’ss just just funny! funny! Diamonds, Diamonds, baby,

Kay County’s Oldest Jewelers Kay County’s Oldest Jewelers 219 219E.E.Grand GrandAvenue Avenue 580.765.2636 580.765.2636 Layaway & Custom Engraving Layaway & Custom Engraving

đ&#x;’?đ&#x;’?đ&#x;’?đ&#x;’? đ&#x;’?đ&#x;’?đ&#x;’?đ&#x;’?

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

DIGITAL MEDIA INSTITUTE: THE POWER TO CREATE Want to be part of the Creation Station of Imagination?

Northern Oklahoma College, under the tutelage of instructor Brad Matson, offers a Digital Media Institute (DMI) Program for students interested in computer animation and design.

“The DMI program is designed to examine the latest technologies and techniques used in professional animation and design and bring that experience into our classroom,” Matson said. “We offer a comprehensive curriculum that can help students gain digital design and animation skills, as well as experience in the real-world production environment.

“The DMI program redefines reality by focusing on specific methods used to transform ideas and concepts of digital media into creative digital portfolios and demo reels that show the skills needed for today’s competitive employment environment,” he added. “After graduation from the Digital Media Institute, the students will have the knowledge and skills necessary to communicate their ideas through the art of advanced computer graphics in order to gain entry-level work and employment that could offer greater challenges in gaming, motion graphics, visual effects, and video/film production.

“DMI’s educational experience in animation and digital media can lead to jobs in several industries,” Matson said. “In the entertainment industry, job offerings exist in video game asset creation, broadcast design, visual effects, video, and digital film production. Other job opportunities are in the fields of government, healthcare, military, and industrial professions with This image of the ship in peter pan was created in the NOC DMI program.

Brad Matson heads the Noc Digital Media Institute Program. simulations and animations, advertising, communications, and marketing: commercial spots, bumpers, rebranding, social media promotions, station identity, and corporate identity. DMI sits at the forefront of educational experiences. We are the only school in the expanded Midwest that houses a sixty- (60-) seat render farm, the biggest arsenal of industry software, and emerging technologies that are included in the new course of DMI’s curriculum: motion capture, projection mapping, testing Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality technologies, 3-D printing for ABS and PLA Filament, and drone video creation.

“There are several companies that contact me when they have a position to fill, so the opportunity is there,” Matson said. “CVW Media in Norman has several DMI graduates working for them. Kevin Hanley, CEO of CVW Media, loves the creativity and the work ethics of DMI students, so he hires some of my students. Pluralsight, formerly known as Digital-Tutors, worldwide leader in online media, currently has numerous graduates employed at the studio,” Matson commented.

Matson graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1988, where he studied film-making and video productions. He has worked in the media field for the past 30 years with TV studios, film companies, Assistant Director for the Breckenridge Film Festival, Digital Tutors, worked on scenes from Hollywood films (Dumb and Dumber, Christmas Vacation) commercial work for Remington Park, RSI, AT&T and Cingular. Matson is also the Founder and CEO of an International digital media company, ITG-Creative, www. itg-creative.com, where he hires DMI graduates to create digital content.

Initial applications for DMI can be found at http://dmi.noc.edu/start-yourapplication/. Please contact brad.matson@noc.edu or 580.628.6458 for questions about DMI or NOC.

September 2020

27

Ponca City: We Love You Story & Photos contributed by Gary Miles

When Ponca City Monthly invited me to write an article, a dozen potential subjects came to mind. I asked Ponca City’s eminent historian and good buddy Joe Glaser, for suggestions. He told me to, “Pick a topic you know something about.” That advice severely limited my options.

I do know a little about the Ponca City AMBUCS. We were the American Business Club when my dad, Ken, was president in 1953. They had chartered in Ponca City 25 years prior. My mom, Pauline, was president of the “Dames”. Later, brothers Kip, Kelly and myself would join. My wife, Alvie, serves on the Board of the Charity Angel AMBUCS and has spent countless hours assisting with our projects. It has become a family tradition.

One of my favorite experiences as a child was the annual Christmas Party. Those AMBUCS couldn’t have worked all the time, as there was always an abundance of young baby boomers in attendance. (I wonder if I can find the picture of John Brown sitting on Santa’s lap.) I later learned that Santa was Jack Newman. He

played the part for many years and entertained a lot of kids. I heard Santa used to dress up like Jack Newman just for fun.

It was summer; I was seven. A bunch of us were having a great time hanging out at the AMBUC fireworks stand. It was on Lake Road right across from Odie’s Bait Stand. (Yes, they actually sold worms and minnows. Can you believe it?) Bob “Beefy” Braden was entertaining us kids by shooting off Roman candles. Beefy was having way too much fun. Nobody ever knew what he was aiming for, but what he hit was the fireworks stand. That was back in the day of BIG firecrackers!

(Cherry bombs are like big hailstones, except they leave a black ring around the dent on your hood.) I know the City puts on a good show on the Fourth of July, but this one was better. It was also the last time the AMBUCS sold fireworks until the Charity Angel Ambucs came along many years later.

When I turned ten, my “Official” title was tractor driver/post-hole driller. The AMBUCS and the Sports Car Club of America were hosting the annual Ponca

17th Annual Ponca City Grand Prix 28 September 2020

City Grand Prix. Every year, I would drill about 400 post-holes and a crew would follow putting up posts and spectator fence. After the Fourth of July, the fence came down and the holes got filled with sand. We did this for so many years that, on occasion, I would hit the same hole again. You knew you hit an old hole when, instead of dirt, all that came up was sand and beer cans.

The Ponca City Grand Prix really put Ponca City on the auto racing map. We were one of the very few open road courses left and one of the most challenging.

Drivers came from all over the Midwest to race the famous Lake Ponca course.

It seemed the entire town would turn out for tech inspection downtown on Friday night.

“The Ponca City Grand Prix really put Saturday was practice and qualifying, and was a full day of racing. Thousands Ponca City on the Sunday of spectators crowded the infield and the auto racing map.

AMBUCS ran concessions, crowd control, We were one of track maintenance and everything else. It the very few open was hard work. My Dad was concession chairman one year, but Mary Sutton was road courses left ALWAYS in charge. Leo Jueschke cooked and one of the most hamburgers ‘till his face was grilled. The challenging. “ crowd was hungry, and they started running out of meat. Mary’s family owned Monsour’s Market so she called for more. They got an order together and my dad told me to drive to town and pick it up. I did. I was thirteen.

Fast-track to the 1980s. John Sutton and I alternated as Race Chairman. We still had great races and a wonderful relationship with the SCCA. We always had a social on Saturday night ,and those SCCA folks sure knew how to party.

Unfortunately, times were changing. The AMBUCS had become involved in motocross, and asking the members to work two major events within one month was not met with enthusiasm. In addition, the insurance underwriter made us move the fence back until the spectators only saw racing off in the distance. Jack Hinkle’s Birdcage Maserati and Fred Parkhill’s McLaren no longer shook the leaves on the trees. Instead of watching Shelby Cobras race Stingrays and Jaguars, we saw Volkswagen Rabbits chased by Audi Foxes. At the same time, Hallett Motor Racing Circuit opened west of Tulsa. They could provide year-round racing without closing off public roads and building fences. The party was over.

The best way to motivate an AMBUC is to tell them “It can’t be Done”. Pat Ozment, Park Department head, told us old Bogan Pool was going to be condemned. Ponca City was in dire need of a new swimming pool, but the City had no money to build one. Ignoring the advice The best of wiser individuals, we decided to raise $600,000 and way to build a swimming pool. The entire town got involved.

Conoco gave $100,000, but most contributions motivate an AMBUC is were much smaller. Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, church groups and civic clubs went door-to-door one Sunday to tell them, afternoon and collected over $17,000. One afternoon, ‘It can’t be I was at the pool site. The principal from Garfield Done.’

Elementary across the street approached and handed me a cigar box full of coins and a few dollar bills. The (continued on Page 30)

Bogan Pool

Dedication

September 2020

29

Ponca City: We Love You

from page 29

kids, watching out the windows, had taken up a collection that amounted to almost a hundred dollars. I was determined to give those kids their money’s worth.

Groundbreaking was quite a spectacle.

A couple hundred kids and adults grabbed a long rope tied to a horsedrawn plow, ready to pull for all they were worth. Mayor John Raley had one handle;

“Groundbreaking was quite a spectacle. A couple hundred kids and adults grabbed a long rope tied to a horse-drawn plow, ready to pull for all they were worth.”

I had the other. “Son”, he asked, “Have you ever plowed behind a wild mule?” I confessed that I had never been granted the opportunity. He informed me that “If we don’t bury this thing, they are going to drag us across this field.” We did; they didn’t. It sure was a deep furrow. That wasn’t the last time I got valuable advice from my dear friend. I sure do miss him.

Back in the day, my dad and his childhood friends would schedule their visit to old Bogan Pool. “You didn’t go on Monday, because the water was cold and it burned your eyes,” he related. Friday and Saturday were best. The water was warm (from sunlight, let’s assume), and the chlorine had long since lost its potency.

Saturday night, the plug was pulled and all the water went down the creek through Garfield Park. Sunday was fill day, and Monday it was back to business.

Thank God, times have changed. The water purification system for the new pool would be state of the art, but the plumbing for the system and the bathhouse would be a major expense. Scotty Wilson contacted the local Plumbers Union and convinced the members to get on board. Amesco gave us all the materials at cost. The plumbers showed up Saturday morning and went to work.

In one weekend, the entire job was finished. Total labor cost: Buckets of fried chicken, a lot of beer and a donor plaque.

The whole project was a community effort. If people could not donate money, they donated time or materials. Nobody was immune to solicitation. People would not make eye contact with us. When John Sutton and I walked into the Elks Lodge, folks hoped we wouldn’t sit at their table. (The Elks do have a big bronze plaque on the wall, thanks to John and a lot of other good members.) When all was said and done, we built the pool under budget and had money left over

30 September 2020

“The whole project was a community effort. If people could not donate money, they donated time or materials. “

to put in slides and lights. Our $600,000 fund-raising project resulted in a pool that appraised for $1,000,000. That is about $2.6 million today. The Garfield kids got their money’s worth . . . so did everyone else.

It was quite a dedication. Park Department employees Jim Sindelar and Terri Sherbon had put their hearts into this project. They hung colored balloons from one end of the pool to the other. They also removed the ducks that Kip Miles and the Enid AMBUCS had donated the night before. We did the speech thing with some dignitaries and then 80-year-old AMBUC Past National President Herman “Smitty” Smith went off the diving board. A few hundred yelling kids were right behind him. Forty years later, kids are still enjoying the water and learning to swim in a beautiful pool.

The Grand National Motocross is a story in itself. The first races were held at the VFW. Frank Davis and Jack Blevins, among others, convinced the City to let them use 80 acres east of the airport to expand the track. The rest is history. Today, Dr. Bill Stuever and his staff (including his dad George and son Evan) work tirelessly to promote our event and Ponca City. The income from that race helped build Ambuc Pool. It has funded the handicap-accessible playground and pavilion at Lake Ponca. The tourism income the motocross brings to town helps a lot of local businesses. It bought K-9 dogs for the Police Department, vests and radios for County deputies and two Jaws of Life rescue tools for area Fire Departments.Scores of kids and adults with special needs have received AmTryke therapeutic tricycles.

Christmas aid programs have helped many families, and a lot of Easter eggs have been spread across Lake Ponca Park. A lot of smiles were put on a lot of faces.

We have one of the biggest Veterans Day Parades and celebrations in the

Forty years later, kids are still enjoying the water and learning to swim in a beautiful pool.

The AMBUCS were serving Ponca City long before I came along, and they will still be in business long after I’m gone. For the past 90-odd years, they have received recognition and awards from the National AMBUC organization, the City, and many other entities that they have assisted. Six National Presidents and five National Big Hat Presidents called Ponca City their home chapter. It has been very rewarding to be involved in their mission. It is more rewarding to remember the people I have met, the friends I have made and the lives that have been touched.

It is hard to imagine growing up in Ponca City without being an AMBUC.

state. The AMBUCS contribute to the event and assist with preparing and serving the noon meal in War Memorial Park. It would seem logical that every single Parade Chairman would be a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, but each one of them, Chuck Gregg, Bob Robbins, Bob Thomas and myself, have been members of the Ponca City AMBUCS as well. This year, our Grand Marshall is Joe Day, a highly decorated Vietnam veteran. He is also a Ponca City AMBUC.

Downtown Ponca City space available for rent.

• 319 E. Grand, next to Veterans Plaza at 4th and Grand, great location • Downstairs, 1,800 square feet±

Beautifying and Protecting Homes for More than 44 Years.

• Parking at back of building

• Call 580-761-5810 for details

Siding • Windows • Doors Sunroom/Patio Covers – Visit our showroom! –

111 Patton Dr., Suite 1, Ponca City (In the Merrifield Building)

580-762-5800

Open 8-5 Monday thru Friday • 9-12 Saturday

We Have Served Over 15,000 Area Customers!

“Ponca City’s Siding & Window Store Since 1976”

1723 North 3rd • Ponca City • (580) 762-8122

Offering quality care in the convenience of your home.

We focus on the science of healing, the art of compassion and the personalization of care. Services we provide include: • Physical Therapy • Skilled Nursing - RN & LPN • Occupational Therapy

• Home Health Aide • Speech Therapy • Certified Wound Care

• Certified Psychiatric Nursing • Wound VAC Therapy

• Ostomy Care • Nurses on Call 24/7

September 2020

31

PRIMARY CARE PRIMARY CARE

GENERAL SURGURY

BRAD LISTON, D.O.

TIM GILBERT, M.D.

AARON WILCOX, D.O.

WILLIAM SLATER, M.D.

1908 North 14th Ponca City, OK 74601 580-762-9355 Fax: 580-763-5901

415 Fairview, Suite 201 Ponca City, OK 74601 580-762-9355 Fax: 580-762-9358

121 Patton Drive Ponca City, OK 74601 580-762-6676 Fax: 580-762-3463

1908 North 14th Street, Suite 202 Ponca City, OK 74601 580-718-4506 Fax: 580-765-0688

RHONDA GREEN, M.D.

415 Fairview, Suite 201 Ponca City, OK 74601 580-762-9355 Fax: 580-718-4529

TRACY OGDEN, APRN, CNM 1908 North 14th Street, Suite 205 Ponca City, OK 74601 580-762-9355 Fax: 580-762-1660

EVA CASE, APRN, FNP-C

1908 North 14th Street, Suite 201 Ponca City, OK 74601 580-762-9355 Fax: 580-765-0605

URGENT CARE URGENT CARE

ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY

MARY MURRAY, APRN, CNM

DAVID SPARKS, M.D.

CARRIE CULVER, APRN, CNM

SUNIL MENON, M.D.

1715 North 5th Street Ponca City, OK 74601 580-762-9292 Fax: 580-762-1660

1715 North 5th Street Ponca City, OK 74601 580-762-9292 Fax: 580-762-1660

WOMEN’S SERVICES TAMMY DEXTER, APRN, CMW 1908 North 14th Street, Suite 203 Ponca City, OK 74601 580-718-4509 Fax: 580-765-0605

32 September 2020

415 Fairview, Suite 201 Ponca City, OK 74601 580-762-0202 Fax: 580-762-0219

415 FAIRVIEW, Suite 202 Ponca City, OK 74601 580-718-4507 Fax: 580-763-4584

NEUROSURGERY GERY HSU, M.D.

1908 North 14th Street, Suite 205 Ponca City, OK 74601 580-718-4510 Fax: 580-762-3215

X FOR SALE BY OWNER X X

✄COUPON✄

✄COUPON✄

2400 COPPERFIELD AVENUE Chicken-Fried Steak Dinner

$

with 2 sides

9

99

One coupon per person, expires 10-31-2020.

1114 LA Cann Dr. • Ponca City

580-304-7740 Hours: Tues.-Sat. 11-8

Burgers • Flame-Kist Steaks Seafood • Chicken-Fried Steak Home of the “Monster Challenge” Kids/Senior Meals • Much More!

Chicken-Fried Steak Sandwich with medium drink and fries

$

799

One coupon per person, expires 10-31-2020.

Get Skilled.

Now is the time for a fiscal Single story, 3,300-sq.-ft. home on corner lot featuring 4Now bedrooms and 2½the bathrooms. Large amount of built-in is Now is the check-up storage, including walk-in closets in each bedroom. Many Now isCallthe 399,500. extras. time for fiscalor 580-761-4982 time for aa580-765-8656 fiscal time for a fiscal check-up check-up check-up Now is the $

No more excuses for not knowing how your finances and investments line up with your life goals and retirement expectations.

Call todayexcuses for a free consultation, and we’ll No for not how your Nomore more excuses for notknowing knowing how your explore investment strategies designed to life finances and investments line up with your finances andexcuses investments line up with No more for not knowing howyour yourlife help you protect yourself today, tomorrow and goals and retirement expectations. goals and retirement expectations. and investments line up with your life intofinances the future. goals and retirement expectations.

Call and we’ll Calltoday todayfor foraafree freeconsultation, consultation, and we’ll explore strategies for protecting yourself and explore investment strategies designed to Call today for a free consultation, and we’ll helping you prosper today, tomorrow help you protect yourself today, tomorrow and explore investment strategies designed to and into the future.

No more excuses for not knowing how your intohelp theyou future. protect yourself today, tomorrow and finances and investments up with your life We’re with you every step of theline way. into the future.

We’re We’re with with you you every step of the way.

time for a fiscal check-up Markets fluctuate.

Markets fluctuate.

Relationships Relationshipsshouldn’t. shouldn’t. goals and retirement expectations.

GET PAID. pioneertech.edu

17 FULL-TIME CAREER PROGRAMS SHORT-TERM & ONLINE ADULT CLASSES BUSINESS & INDUSTRY SERVICES

(580) 762-6890

Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Compliance-Approved Title Member SIPC. Ferguson, Mulligan & Poet, Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), George Ferguson, Address and Suite Number LLC is a separate entity from WFAFN. CAR 0420-01303 Branch Manager, City Name, State Zip XXX-XXX-XXXX • 8XX-XXX-XXXX Web or E-mail Address

L to R: Craig Poet & Patrick Mulligan, Financial Advisors;

Vice President

• Nursing service with 24/7 emergency care • Personal care by Certified Nursing Assistants • Medical social services • Spiritual support and counseling • Light housekeeping services • Volunteer services • Bereavement services • Ancillary services: Occupational therapy, Physical therapy, Speech therapy and Dietician service • Durable Medical Equipment and supplies for palliation of the symptoms for terminal illness • Medications used to treat symptoms of the terminal illness

445 Fairview Ave. • Ponca City (580) 762-9102

Extra Care Offered by Hospice of NCO (Not required by Medicare): • Massage therapy • Community bereavement support including Butterfly Wings (formerly “Raindrops”) support for those who experience a miscarriage or infant loss • Pet Therapy • We Honor Veterans Program • Community equipment loan program • Educational in-services to the community

Remember, when choosing a Hospice provider, there is a difference.

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

Italian Restaurant

Markets fluctuate.

Relationships shouldn’t.

Investment and Insurance Products:u NOT u NOT FDIC Insured u NO Bank Guarantee u MAY Lose Value Investment and Insurance Products: FDIC Insured u NO Bank Guarantee u MAY Lose Value WellsFargo FargoAdvisors Advisors, LLC, Member isby registered and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

Fargo Advisors thetrade trade nameSIPC, used byatwo two separate registered Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, and LAdvisors, to R:[Practice Craig Investment Insurance Products: ubroker-dealer NOT FDICbroker-dealers: Insured u NO Bank Guarantee u MAY Lose Value Wells isisand the name used separate registered broker-dealers: Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, and Poet Wells Fargo Advisors is the trade name used by two separate registered Wells LLC, and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC, Members SIPC, non-bank affiliates of Wells Fargo &&Company.

Name] ©2009 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved.

0509-2351 [74021-v1] Investment and Insurance Products: u NOTbroker-dealers: FDIC Insured uFargo NO Bank Guarantee u MAY Lose Value Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC, Members SIPC, non-bank affiliates ofA1266 Wells Fargo Company.

[Practice Name] is a separate entity of WFAFN. ©2010 Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC. All rights reserved.

0512-3417 [74029-v3] A1015 Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC, Members SIPC, non-bank affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company.

[Practice Name] & Patrick Mulligan, Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. is a separate entity of WFAFN. ©2013 Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC. All rights reserved. 1113-03428 [74029-v4] A1015 Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, registered broker-dealer a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

Wells Advisors, Member SIPC, isisa aregistered broker-dealer a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. is a separate entity ofFargo WFAFN. ©2010LLC, Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC. and All and rights reserved.

0512-3417 [74029-v3] A1015 ©2010 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All reserved.

1010-2902 [74021-v2] A1266 ~Wells FargoWells ©2010 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. Allrights rights reserved.

1010-2902 [74021-v2] A1266 Name ©2010 Advisors, LLC. ~Wells FargoWells ©2010Wells WellsFargo FargoFA Advisors, LLC.All Allrights rightsreserved. reserved.1010-2902 1010-2902[74021-v2] [74021-v2]A1266 A1266Financial Advisors;

Pioneer Technology Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex/gender, age, religion, disability or veteran status.

BASIC CARE (Required by Medicare):

FA Name Call today for aAdvisors free consultation, Wells Fargo ,Title LLC and we’ll Compliance-Approved Ferguson, Mulligan & Poet, LLC explore investment strategies designed to Address and Suite Number (580) 762-6890 • 1926 Lake Road • Ponca City, OK 74604 help you protect yourself City Name, State Zip today, tomorrow and XXX-XXX-XXXX • 8XX-XXX-XXXX into the future.

Web or E-mail Address FA Name 1926 Lake Road FA Name Compliance-Approved Title Investment and Insurance Products:Pat u NOT FDIC Insured u NO Bank Craig Guarantee u MAY Lose Value George Ferguson: Mulligan: Poet: Bryant Ferguson: FA Name Suite #3 Address and Suite Number Compliance-Approved Title Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells & Company. Financial Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells FargoFargo & Company.

Managing Senior Financial Senior Financial Compliance-Approved Title A1266 ©2010 LLC. All rights reserved.

FargoWellsCity, OK 74604 ©2010Wells WellsFargo FargoAdvisors, Advisors, LLC.Name, All rights reserved.

1010-2902 [74021-v2] A1266 ~WellsPonca City State Zip1010-2902 Address and Suite Number[74021-v2] Principal Advisor Advisor Advisor Address and Suite Number We’re with you every of way. xxx-xxx-xxxx • 8XX-XXX-XXXX City Name,step State Zipthe (580) 762-6890 City Name, State Zip Web or E-mail Address XXX-XXX-XXXX • 8XX-XXX-XXXX XXX-XXX-XXXX • 8XX-XXX-XXXX Web orSuite E-mail #3, Address 1926 Lake Road, Ponca City, OK 74604 Web or E-mail Address Investmentand andInsurance InsuranceProducts: Products: u NOT Insuredu NOuBank NO Bank Guarantee MAYValue Lose Value Investment u NOT FDICFDIC Insured Guarantee u MAYuLose

580.762.8336

Ponca City, 3202 N. 14th

We Cater Large Orders, Family & Business Events!

Family Special

4 for $39.99 All you can eat pasta!

NapolisPoncaCity.com 580-765-2491

www.NapolisPoncaCity.com

napolis2020@hotmail.com

Hand Tossed Pizza

Back to School Special!

2 for $20

Kids eat Free

Any size, any topping

Spaghetti with meatballs/meat sauce or marinara,

Restrictions Apply. One coupon per table. On coupon per visit. Not valid with other offers. Expires 10/1/2020

Restrictions Apply. One coupon per table. On coupon per visit. Not valid with other offers. Expires 10/1/2020

*with purchase of adult entree

*Excludes seafood & pizza.

Restrictions Apply. One coupon per table. On coupon per visit. Not valid with other offers. Expires 10/1/2020

September 2020

33

HEALTH Beauty Stacie Hobbs Aquatic, Fitness & Community Event Coordinator City of Ponca City

“Success in Self” comes down to intention, discipline, and finally – follow through. I should also mention that these are in no specific order – prioritize them yourself to create the desired outcome! If you’re in a place of redevelopment, consider how important these key factors are in your daily life.

1. Develop a Passion: Finding a

Success in Self

creative outlet not only relieves stress and encourages you to take a break from daily tasks, it also allows you to explore yourself and improves your self-esteem! A leisure activity or new hobby may just be your ticket to some muchneeded life perspective.

2. Social

Well-Being: Everyone wants to feel fulfilled in all sorts of relationships.

In both personal and professional scenes, social well-being is incredibly important. If you feel lacking in an area, volunteer for a company event, start a neighborhood food drive or encourage an employee lunch event. People are relational creatures and sometimes it takes a little creativity to kickstart the engagement of peers.

3. Financial

Responsibility: Establish a retirement account as early as possible and seek advice from a professional on ways to make your money work for you! I would go as far to say you can’t ever be too young to save for your future. Not all of us are given positive direction on financial success. If you need help, ask a mentor or someone who’s where you want to be in life. Don’t be afraid to hustle either. Work a second job and save that income for specific goals. Write down a plan and check off your successes daily. Implement a few “no spend days” a month and pay attention to needs vs. wants!

4. Sleep: It’s actually vital in making memories,

regenerating and repairing cells, along with the obvious recharging of your body.

The American Heart Association found that the “ideal” duration of sleep, which was

34 September 2020

associated with the lowest risk of early death, is seven hours each night. This isn’t an excuse to excessively sleep though. In fact, too much sleep can actually raise your risk of early death and can be associated with major negative side effects!

I would encourage you to research the relationship between sleep and life expectancy – then find a balance.

5 Products You HAVE To Try

5. Tobacco Use: I know I’m the bad guy here .

Tara Harkins Owner and Stylist Royalty Salon & Spa

. . but stop using tobacco products! The risk far outweighs the temporary satisfaction.

There are several successful support programs available to those seeking a change. A great Oklahoma resource is www.stopswithme.com, but the motivation to get help starts with you!

6. Physical

Health and Movement: Reflect on your daily movement. Do you remember the last time you went for a walk or hit the gym several times a week? Our bodies need to move, and you’re the one responsible for making it happen. You will feel better if you choose to move, so crank up your music and start with 30 minutes each day!

7. Balance

in Nutrition: Most of your daily calories should come from fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and lean proteins or pure proteinrich alternatives (be careful to look for unnecessary fillers and junk additives when shopping for protein alternatives) Research your Daily Recommended Intake (DRI) on carbs, protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and yes – water. Your body needs a minimum of each of these to function well.

They say that when you’re merely surviving, you’re not thriving. If you feel stuck, make a small change in your daily lifestyle. Take one day at a time, but be intentional in your efforts.

My friends, take care of each other, check in on a friend or neighbor, and be well in your mind and self.

The best way to love yourself is by taking good care of your body and mind. Gifting things to yourself, healthy lifestyle choices, therapy, a good diet, exercise, and the products we use all have an incredible effect on our mental and physical well-being.

I have handpicked five products this month that I am loving and I hope you do too!

Treat yo’self.

HACK!

1.

When removing eye makeup, soak cotton rounds then place over eyes. Allow makeup remover to soften the eye makeup before removing gently.

Makeup Remover “I Dew Care Berry Melting Makeup Remover Balm” Ulta.com $23 Wipes are harsh on skin. Excessive rubbing can cause wrinkles, redness/dryness and inflammation. Make the switch to an oil cleanser or oil based makeup remover.

2. Toner “Pixi Retinol Tonic”

4

Essential Hair Care Products

Everyone Should Have

Alexis Keltner Owner and Stylist HAIR BAR

PixiBeauty.com $15 Cleansers can be too clarifying at times and strip our faces of it’s natural PH Balance and of all the good oils that your skin actually needs. Swap your daily cleanser out with a good PH Balancing Toner to simplify your routine and to help restore your skin’s glow.

3. Shampoo & Conditioner Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo & No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner.

Available online and in store at Royaltyblushco.com $28 each.

These products have made it onto our list this month because of its LASTING power and amazing bond repairing abilities, and it’s signature floral fragrance. All of my clients swear by this product! It is fantastic for all hair types, especially for thinning or fine hair. Olaplex rebuilds the disulfide bonds in the molecular structure of your hair making it healthier from the inside out.

Have you ever had shampoo and conditioner last you six months? A dime-sized amount (I mean it!) is all you need and you will have a lather like no other! Technically you are saving money with this duo for a whopping $10 a month!

4. Face Mask “Pixi Glow Glycolic Boost Sheet Mask” PixiBeauty.com $10 Heaven. Just Heaven in a face mask. Your skin will thank you.

This product is fantastic for brightening and hydrating your skin for a youthful glow.

5. Teeth Whitening “Beautiful Smile Teeth Whitening Kit” Available in store and online at Royaltyblushco.com $50 This Kit is great. My husband and I both love how much it actually lightens in one use. You can see up to three shades of lightening after just 30 minutes. This three-month supply kit is only needed twice a month and come with a shade guide to track your progress.

I hope you choose to embrace this pampering for your everyday lifestyle or the occasional spa night and realize that self-care is absolutely necessary for your confidence and well-being.

You Google search a simple question like “how to stop frizz,” and now you’re being bombarded by Facebook ads, Instagram tutorial videos, and Pinterest pictures, all pushing a different product that is supposed to be the solution to every one of your hair-care woes. With such a large selection of products on the market and paid advertisements being pushed on you 24/7, it can be hard to pinpoint exactly what hair products you should be using. To simplify the process for you, here are four hair products everyone should have: SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER

We will treat these as a package deal, for obvious reasons. The key here is to find one made for your hair type and condition. Whether you are a curly girl, color treated, fine, thin, blonde, coarse, or frizzy, there is a specific shampoo and conditioner for your needs.

Pro Tip: Your hair and scalp need its natural oils to be healthy, so the less you shampoo, the better! Scrub your scalp two to three times a week, MAXIMUM, for ultimate hair health!

MASQUE

Masques are one of the most important products you will use! With all of the heat, brushing, coloring, and bleaching so many of us do, it is essential we put moisture and keratin back into the hair to keep it shiny, bouncy, and healthy! Once a week, shampoo your hair, towel dry, apply and leave in your masque for as long as directed, and always condition afterwards to seal it in!

OIL

To keep ends healthy, moisturized, and less likely to split, oil is a great product to use a small amount of daily.

Fine or thin hair should use a light, dry oil. If your strands are coarse or curly, you can use a thicker, heavier oil to eliminate frizz and enhance moisture and shine.

Pro Tip: Find an oil with added heat protection to help protect your ends and give you silky, smooth locks after a blow-dry or hot-tool use.

HEAT PROTECTANT

If you use any kind of heat tool on your hair, you need a heat protectant. Use it every single time! Heat is healthy hairs’ worst enemy, but by layering up your heat protectant products you’re combating split ends and dull strands. Buy a blow-dry spray with heat protectant to use before blow-drying; an oil for drying or flat ironing; and a spray heat protectant with hold for curling or to keep stubborn hairs in place.

By starting with these four essentials, you will be well on your way to building an arsenal of awesome hair care! For even more guidance, ask your stylist what they would suggest for your specific texture, length, chemical history, and condition.

Investing in your hair is investing in your confidence, so whether you’re a bougee babe or ballin’ on a budget, finding quality products that work for you is worth every penny!

September 2020

35

Business Spotlight: Stobbe Design

Story & Photos by Kelsey Wagner, Ponca City Monthly Editor-in-Chief

Steve Stobbe, Owner of Stobbe Design Donors are the backbone of a community. They give to help establish new organizations, build new facilities, and invest in vital programs that help push communities forward. That is as true for Ponca City as it is anywhere. The list is long: Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, the Ponca City Family and Aquatic Center, the Child Development Center, Northern Oklahoma Humane Society, New Emergency Resource Agency, the University Center – all built and in operation now in part because donors chose to give. But these organizations have one other thing in common – beautiful donor recognition displays – all created by one local person, Steve Stobbe.

“The first (concept of) donor recognition displays came from churches,” says Steve.

“It’s the tree. The tree with the leaves and the rocks below – that is what started it. The idea of ‘we’re going to put something up on the wall for everyone to see.’ That comes from donor trees.”

Steve owns Stobbe Design, which is based out of Ponca City and specializes in donor recognition displays. Steve describes his official title as Owner/ Installer/Everything Else. Steve is a company of one, but he loves that aspect of it. He loves that he can see a project from concept to installation.

36 September 2020

“I think I started in 2006. It’s a big blur,” Steve laughs.

Steve is tall and slender with kind eyes and an infectious laugh. Stobbe is a humble one-man operation, but despite his humor, it is clear he has a deep and authentic dedication to the donor recognition projects he creates.

Steve has a degree in graphic design from Oklahoma State University, where he met his wife, Wendy. After college, Steve moved to Kansas City to work for a company that did interior construction and design work for AMC movie theaters. Though he thought he would inevitably work in print media, this job was his first introduction to construction design work.

The company Steve worked for soon combined with another, one that specialized in something Steve had never heard of before – donor recognition walls. Steve was asked to be Lead Designer for the newly formed business.

“I did design, helped with fabrication and did installation,” Steve says, “that really was my true education in the donor recognition world.”

Steve loved his job but knew the big city life was not what he or his wife wanted for their children. After their children were born, Steve and Wendy wanted to move back to Oklahoma to be closer to family. Because it is a niche

industry, Steve knew it would be difficult to find a traditional job making donor recognition displays, so he decided to start his own business.

The options were Shawnee, Stillwater, or Ponca City. Steve’s family is from Shawnee, Wendy’s family is from Ponca City, and Stillwater was a good “in the middle” option. Steve applied and was accepted into Pioneer Technology Center Business Incubator program. At that point, the choice was clear – the Stobbe’s were moving to Ponca City.

Steve said it took everyone’s support – Pioneer Technology Center, Wendy, his parents – to start his business. Steve is excellent at graphic design, but he admits the business management aspect was something he had to really work at. Steve says his first year in business didn’t go quite as planned.

“Wendy was a great help in keeping me organized and focused and keeping things moving forward,” Steve says. He was naïve with his estimation of how long it would take to develop a client base.

“It didn’t work out in the way I wanted it to,” he laughs, “it took me a lot longer to develop a client base than I originally thought. It was slow going,” Steve said.

But, set on success, and with a family behind him in support, Steve spent his first year attending conferences and honing his skills. Steve built 3-D models of donor walls that modeled real-world displays.

“I went to a ton of conferences. I didn’t have any work to show, because I couldn’t use the displays from my previous job. I put my 3-D renderings in frames and prayed that they would think they were somewhat realistic.” Steve laughs and smiles, recalling the memory.

But the 3-D renderings did work. Steve landed three local jobs – the hospital,

the Newkirk library, and another in Stillwater.

“Those were the three jobs that really helped me at least establish a real portfolio to show a client.”

Steve says every single job is unique and different.

“Everyone has a different way of recognizing their donors. It’s really based on how they feel the donors are going to react to different types of displays,” says Steve.

Now, 11 years later, Steve has installed donor recognition displays all over the United States from Michigan to New York to Florida to Texas to Arizona. After a few years, Steve left Pioneer Technology Center and now has a small shop where he fabricates all his projects, from start to finish. Steven then travels to each location and installs the display.

“They usually put the display in the lobby, somewhere highly visible. It’s kind of a billboard for the foundation. They use it to recognize their donors and tell people there is a foundation and that if you want to give, this is how you can give.

Also, these people have given, so you can join this community,” says Steve.

Steve now has one child in college and another in high school. When he looks back, it seems insane to move to a place with no job, young children, and start from scratch, but he is so glad he did. Steve is grateful to live and work in a town that supports local businesses. He says that is not the case in a larger city like Kansas City or Dallas, where the mindset is different.

“People within this town . . . when they need something, they will definitely call you first. It’s nice that people in Ponca City want to do business in town,” says Steve.

“People within this town . . . when they need something, they will definitely call you first.

It’s nice that people in Ponca City want to do business in town,” says Steve.

f

f o 0 $10

tal Den ent* m t a Tre

Dr. Roger Andrews and his team at Ponca City Dental Group are here to serve you. Let our family care for yours!

Call us today!

580-762-9119 poncacitydentalgroup.com

Dr. Roger Andrews

1216 E. Hartford Ave., Suite 1A, Ponca City, OK 74601 *New patients only. Call for details. Offer cannot be combined with other offers and expires in 4 weeks.

September 2020

37

✄ ✄ COUPON ✄ ✄

$

250 OFF

*

Attic and Crawl Space Insulation *Initial service only, financing available WAC

Our insulation is pest controlinfused, environmentally friendly, fire resistant, and helps to reduce exterior noise!

Member FDIC

www.mybankcnb.com 901 E. Prospect, Suite C • Ponca City (580) 762-3886

We’re looking forward to serving you very soon at our new location at 5th and Prospect!

Call for your FREE ESTIMATE: 580-762-6614 3616 Lake Road Ponca City

www.parkerpestcontrol.com

NOW BOOKING

2021

EVENTS!

VITAMINS • SUPPLEMENTS • HERBS

Healthy Foods • Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products Housewares Made from Recycled Products Natural Pet Foods and Remedies Stevia Cosmetics • Kid’s Products Protein Powders Oil Herbal Teas Sugar Capsules More!

Substitutes Salve Tea

CBD & HEMP

KETO

Since 1971

Sugar Free…

AROMATHERAPY

] MARLAND MANSION ]

901 Monument Road • Ponca City • 580-767-0420 38 September 2020

Essential Oils Carrier Oils Diffusers

Chocolate Bars BBQ Sauce Ketchup More!

Air Fresheners Room & Body Mist Body Cream & Body Polish Foam Bath, Mineral Bath

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

Spy School

CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW BY LORRIE LAYTON

By Stuart Gibbs

Ben Ripley is a 12-year-old mathematical genius and, of course, a complete nerd at the bottom of his middle school’s social hierarchy. Therefore, when he arrives home after school one day, he is surprised to find a real-life spy (in a tuxedo, no less) in his living room. When that extremely suave and debonair spy (think James Bond) hand-delivers an invitation for Ben to join the Academy of Espionage of the Central Intelligence Agency, he is completely floored. Really? The CIA wants me? This is his dream come true! Or is it?

someone has embellished Ben’s file and is using him as bait to flush out a mole. Ben definitely did not sign on to be used as bait and is crushed to discover that he didn’t actually qualify for Spy School.

Not to be deterred, Ben decides to prove that he does have what it takes to be a spy and save the world, one mission at a time.

Besides that, he desperately wants to impress Erica (the most beautiful girl he has ever seen – and the most impressive student at the school). He hunkers down, makes a few friends, works at his studies, Life at Spy School isn’t exactly what Ben and pays attention in those classes that had expected . . . snipers, ninjas, and the don’t put everyone to sleep. most beautiful girl he’s ever seen show up on Will Ben discover the identity of his first day there, followed by an attempted the mole? Will he get Erica’s kidnapping. Everyone at the school seems to think Ben is a cryptography whiz who has attention without totally embarrassing created “Pinwheel,” which allows the user himself? to circumvent serious mainframe security.

Read the book!

Everyone, that is, except Ben. It seems

Our thanks to Brace Books for providing these book reviews!

ADULT BOOK REVIEW BY TARA SMITH

The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires

By Grady Hendrix

When this book first hit the shelf, I knew it would be nothing short of crazy! Grady Hendrix has written a few books that were a little out there, but rarely disappoint! This one was no different.

If you are looking for a book about a group of women in a fairly quiet, up and coming community in the early 1990s that get bored and start a book club and live a fairly normal life, then the first two chapters are for you! If you are looking for mystery, suspense, vampires, zombies, possessed marsh rats, a grandmother who appears to be losing her mind (but is actually telling you how to defeat

the monsters), and women taking a stand, the rest of this book is for you!

Sending the husband off to work each morning with a packed lunch, shuttling kids to school and other activities, and taking a night off for book club once a month seems like your fairly average life of a housewife. Until one night your son forgets to take out the garbage before bed and you decide to be nice and do it for him. As you make it just out of the light from the porch, a creature of the night advances on you. Suddenly you realize it is your crabby old neighbor, and she has her mind set on feasting on you! Things only get worse as you try to figure out if you are going crazy or if it’s the others that are.

This book will have you questioning your shady neighbors, afraid to turn off the lights, locking all your doors and windows, and never trusting those too good to seem true! But in the end, your friends will always have your back and good defeats evil!

September 2020

39

WHAT IS A CREDIT UNION?

CREDIT UNIONS ARE NONPROFIT. Credit union members are the sole owners of their cooperative.

There are no outside stockholders to please, so any profits – in excess of operational costs and required reserves – are returned to the members as monthly dividends on deposits, or as special dividends as may be declared by their Board from time to time.

"The focus isn’t on Wall Street, but on Main Street."

All things considered; credit unions are quite simply a better way to bank.

Reach out and speak with a Member Advisor today!

#BANKLIKEABOSS

Or swing by and pick up our new “menu” and see what we can do together.

www.cherokeestrip.com 580-718-4050 1508 East Prospect Ave 40 September 2020

1508 West Hartford Ave

The Renfro Family Foundation would like to thank Ponca City Police Department, Ponca City Fire Department, Ponca City EMTs, AllianceHealth and all medical personnel for keeping our community and our families safe and well.

Carl Renfro

Directors

President

Brenda Renfro

Randy Renfro

CHEVROLET • BUICK • GMC

3330 N. 14th • Ponca City • 800-456-2438 www.StutevillePonca.com Vehicle disinfection & long-term antimicrobial protection available EXCLUSIVELY at Stuteville in Ponca City!

Carol Bouldin

Treasurer, CPA

What is the most dangerous thing you can do behind the wheel of your car?

University Center Board

Rick Renfro

Secretary, Restaurateur

Patrick Collogan

Attorney

Cindy Gorrell

Jeff Cowan

Vice President, Investments

TOUCH IT!

RCB Bank

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

KILLS KILLS

99.999% of Bacteria on Hard, Non-Porus 99.9 of Bacteria on Carpet.

Surfaces.

Winterrowd Talley Architects 112 N. 3rd • Ponca City (580) 765-3317

AVAILABLE ONLY AT Stuteville Chevrolet Ponca City 3330 N 14th St, Ponca City (580) 749-5976 stutevilleponca.com

BUY LOCAL, be a Stuteville S.T.A.R.

www.WTAOK.net

• Complimentary lube, oil & tire changes • Complimentary car wash • Courtesy loaner vehicle • Express shuttle service • Express services • Accessory discount • Enhanced trade-in value

September 2020

41

Backyard Gardener As August Draws to a Close

Story & Photos by Kat Long / Ponca City Monthly Contributing Writer As August draws to a close, you might be wondering what to do in your garden. Then again, you may just be enjoying your bounty and ignoring the yard for awhile. Both are reasonable viewpoints in the hot August weather.

In my yard, I am obsessed with two things: cutting herbs for drying and gathering seeds. Neither has much to do with gardening, per se. Both are more of a “will need in the future” task. So, let’s start with seeds.

You, dear reader, may notice I mention seeds often, because they are that important. You may ask, “Why?” And I will respond with, “What? You don’t know the umpteen reasons to gather seeds?” You will just buy them in the spring? Isn’t it a lot of work? I am shocked with your seed callousness.

Has COVID taught you nothing? For those of you reading this while trying to figure out where to put all the seeds you have collected, good job. For everyone else, let me count some ways why seed saving is important. Yes, It may seem like extra work, but it is so very rewarding.

The plants you grew in your yard, like your yard. They REALLY LIKE your yard. These seeds are the result of your very hard work (or in some cases benign neglect) and deserve to be grown again next year. Especially the benign neglect plants. We love those. And if you don’t want to grow them again, someone else in Ponca City might want to. Ahem, see info about the seed swap on the following page.

You say you got the seeds from a catalog or store and can do the same thing next year? Well, maybe not. Each seed packet is different; unique even. The seeds your plants have grown have matured with Ponca City water, Ponca City soil, and your unique fertilizers and soil additives. Why deny the plants all that hard work of maturing by not saving their seeds to plant next year? And if you gather the seeds, you have them next year when it’s time to plant.

date (especially the year) and where the plant grew: things like shaded area, north side, little water, etc. . . . helps the gardener the following years when planting or gifting seeds to others.

The example pictured is from my sage plant, which is common sage. It has the beautiful purple flowers in the spring and seeds by fall. There are one to three seeds in each flower, but many have already been eaten by the birds. I gathered what stalks were left and grabbed my sharpie and envelopes. Though I usually have a pile of “saved” envelopes, as mentioned above, I put most of the saved paper into the compost pile during the last COVID cleaning. So, I splurged and bought a box of envelopes from Staples.

Kat Long

After gathering dried stems, to make the seeds fit in the envelope, I crushed the flowers and separated the seeds. Sage seeds are a bigger seed and easy to sift out of the pile. Write the info on the envelope, pop in the seeds, seal and add to your seed box. Grab your next group of stems and repeat.

And seed saving is not that hard or that much work.

Necessary items for saving dry seeds (seeds that are ready to save while on the plant) include a pen, an envelope and a cool, dry place to store the seeds. I collect envelopes from credit card advertisements, extra bill envelopes and garage sales (think cards and stationery). If the seed pods are dry and you don’t want to take the extra time to sort seed from pod, just stick the whole thing in a big enough envelope, seal and label. In the spring, use these seeds first by just crushing the pods into your planting holes/ areas.

For longer and better storage, take a sheet of white paper and crush the pods above it. The seeds will be easier to see and sort from the chaff on a white background, and you can use up your small envelopes. This method is especially good for finer (teeny-tiny) seeds like herbs and flowers.

Remember to label with type/name of seed,

42 September 2020

Seed Swap Demonstration

Seed Swap

Now, about that Seed Swap. Our April Seed Swap was canceled, but a Fall Seed Swap is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12 at City Central in the Lobby area. There will be sage, sunflowers, hyssop, bell peppers, green onions, parsley seeds and much more. Hopefully, there will be several people with seeds and/or plants, as well.

You don’t have to bring seeds to be a part of the swap. We usually have quite a few seeds to share, so come check them out.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at City Central Lobby.

There will be an herb drying demonstration at noon. And of course, Happy Gardening.

BOOK TITLE RECOMMENDATIONS: Seed Sowing and Saving: Step-by-Step Techniques by Carole B Turner; published

by Storey Publishing, 1998 The Complete Guide to Saving Seeds by Robert E. Gough; published by Storey Publishing, 2011 Seed swap: The Gardener’s Guide to Saving and Swapping Seeds by Josie Jeffery; published by Roost Books, 2013.

UNITED TOGETHER

As Oklahomans, we know what it means to go through storms. We know what it is to watch life go from a peaceful calm to absolute devastation in a matter of minutes. At United Way of Ponca City, we are committed to improving the health, safety, education and economic well-being of individual families in need by connecting community resources with responsive and accountable health and human services agencies.

“United Together” we can tackle the most challenging problems and find new solutions to old problems. We are proud to be the community partner that you can count on during times of extraordinary circumstances. Many people have been introduced to United Way for the very first time. That introduction came by the way of needing food from our local food bank, New Emergency Resource Agency; support for physical and mental abuse, Survivor Resource Network; or being

United Way of Ponca City

homeless for the first time, Peachtree Landing. No matter what you’re going through, we will be here. It’s what we do, it’s what we’ve always done, and it’s what we will always do.

The support needed has never been greater as we have all faced the challenges of the pandemic. Your support will make a tremendous difference in the lives here in Ponca City. Now, more than ever, we need your help.

You have the power to help others heal, grow and thrive in and beyond life’s fiercest storms.

Because every gift and donation, however large or small, matters.

Will you join United Way’s history of supporting local partner agencies? American Red Cross, Boy Scouts-Cimarron Council, Child Development Center, Girl Scouts of Eastern OK, Golden Villa Adult Day Services, New Emergency Resource Agency, Northern Oklahoma Youth Services, Peachtree Landing, Retired Senior Volunteer Program and Survivor Resource Network.

If you would like more information about United Way of Ponca City, call 580-765-2476, stop by and see us at 205 N. 2nd or visit our website… www.unitedwayponcacity.org September 2020

43

VFW

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE U.S.

FLEA MARKET

Sundays 6 am - 1 pm Vendors & Public Welcome 2821 E. Prospect • Ponca City CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS

T E A R

B A A S

M I

L A T E

L I

S T O P S

U R G E

A X L E

S T Y

A N N I

E N

E

C L E V E L A N D S H O W T R E N D

P I

T A

T S A

F R I

G R A N D P I

A N O

D O O

A R E N A

N O B L E R

A L E

T O K E N S E W S

C E N T R A L A I

R

S E A

F A I

E N T I

T Y

E E K

L A G

R S

C H E S T N U T B R O W N

P A L E R

H A T E

I

P E S O S

L E S S

H O P S

O P E R A 44 September 2020

E V E R Puzzle on Page 19

D E A

S E E P

Recipe

Recipe & food photos by Paul Muehlberg / Ponca City Monthly Contributing Writer Love brunch but also wanting a healthier option? Try this deliciously simple breakfast salad! Soft-boiled eggs, seared mushrooms and smoky bacon give us the meaty protein we

crave for breakfast, while the tangy espressobalsamic vinaigrette adds a zesty punch to the fresh greens and creamy avocado slices.

Enjoy!

Breakfast Salad With Espresso-Balsamic Vinaigrette Ingredients • • • • • • •

4 store-bought butter croissants Grapeseed oil as needed for sautéing 8-oz sliced bacon, cut into lardons 8-oz shiitake and/or oyster mushrooms 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder 1 teaspoon sugar 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

• • • • • • • •

3 tablespoons olive oil 8-oz of mixed greens, bite sized 2 avocados, sliced 4 soft-boiled eggs 1 teaspoon fresh chives, chopped Sea salt flakes for finishing Freshly ground black pepper Kosher salt

Servings: 4; Prep-time: about 30 minutes Directions Preheat oven to 450 F. Halve croissants and spread out cut side up on a large baking sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes or until toasty and golden brown. Let cool and tear into bite-sized pieces.

Heat a large skillet with 2 tablespoons of grapeseed oil over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook for 1012 minutes or until bacon is crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Drain the fat from the pan, leaving about 2 tablespoons. Add the mushrooms in a single layer and cook 3-4 minutes or until golden brown.

Flip mushrooms over and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and cook until golden brown.

Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

In a small mixing bowl, add the espresso powder, sugar, 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (or more if desired), and a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper; whisk to combine. Allow the sugar and salt to fully dissolve 1-2 minutes and then slowly whisk in the olive oil until glossy and emulsified about 30-60 seconds. In a large mixing bowl, toss together the mixed greens and half each of the vinaigrette, the avocado slices, the bacon lardons and the croutons. Transfer to a large serving bowl.

Top salad with the soft-boiled eggs, mushrooms and the remaining bacon, croutons and avocado slices. Drizzle top with remaining vinaigrette.

Garnish salad with the fresh chives. Finish with a couple pinches of flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

September 2020

45

Chris Bugg, DDS

Single Tooth Implant & Crown

Crowns

2,195

$

Includes Abutment and Crown Expires in 90 Days $300 OFF our regular price

100 OFF!

$

Any Denture

Starting at

895

$

Per Unit

Purchase Over $500

580-749-9370 46 September 2020

Come by and check out

BROADWAY PLAZA APARTMENTS 201 E. Broadway Ponca City 580-762-4445 • • • • • • • • • • •

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

Simplified, secure living for seniors and the disabled.

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

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

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

Residential and Commercial

ASPHALT PAVING Why Choose Us?

• All work is guaranteed • Family owned since 1960 • Specialized equipment • We volunteer & invest in Ponca City

For more information or a free estimate, call Rick Allensworth: 580-765-6693

Proud member of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce.

CONSTRUCTION CO.

September 2020

47

Saving lives isn’t cancelled.

Donate Today to Save a Life!

Just

19

$

a month Or whatever you can afford.

You are needed.

Your support will allow us to continue to change the lives of pets and people in Northern Oklahoma.

Please join us, as no amount of giving, just like kindness, is ever too small.

DONATE NOW by phone or online

Connecting animals in need with people who care in Northern Oklahoma.

48 September 2020

580-767-8877 nokhs.com