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keep the change

TONE DOWN YOUR HOLIDAY

There’s no doubt that this season of wonder tends to drain us — sometimes emotionally, but usually financially. It seems all the ways to bring happiness to our families come with a steep price tag. How can you disengage from the money grab and still have a joyous Christmas?

Christmas lights are free to look at if you just drive around neighborhoods. Make some cocoa at home and bundle up in the car to go for a drive (or a walk, if the weather allows) to appreciate the hard work of your neighbors. The Pottawatomie County Historical Society has a musical display on the north side of the Pottawatomie County Museum located at 207 N Minnesota downtown. Nearby, there will be a new family-friendly Winter Wonderland open Fridays and Saturdays this month until Christmas at the Santa Fe Depot, featuring lights on the depot, holidaythemed food trucks and free Christmas movies playing on the jumbo screen. It will be closed during the Shawnee Christmas Parade on Dec. 12 — another free family event.

Christmas cookies can be a fun family activity — either find a recipe to make at home together or find a store-bought cookie dough you love and spend time together in the kitchen. Another easy alternative, make sandwiches of Ritz crackers and peanut butter and dip them in chocolate almond bark. If you’re feeling fancy, you can even drizzle them with white chocolate. These make an easy Christmas tradition everyone can help with, and as a bonus, you can gift the extras (if there are any) to neighbors and friends. Chocolate dipped pretzel rods also offer a similar easy kitchen experience with gift-giving potential.

Christmas movies are easy to find on any streaming service. Maybe focus on the classics. Pop some popcorn and settle in for an easy family memory that means more than a ride on the Polar Express.

Angela Rowland is an OBU graduate and a stay-at-home mother of four. She enjoys finding new ways to stretch the paycheck and sharing her favorite tips and deals.

Rowland

TIPS FOR SMART HOLIDAY SNACKING

The holiday season is a time of celebration, connection and tradition, but it also comes with a constant stream of sweets, treats, office potlucks and family gatherings — often turning December into a month of nonstop snacking.

While food is an important part of the season, it’s easy for mindless munching to take over, leaving many people feeling sluggish, bloated or frustrated by January. The good news? With a few simple strategies, you can enjoy your favorite holiday foods without overdoing it. As a registered dietitian, here’s my guide to smart, balanced holiday snacking.

Start With a Balanced Breakfast: Snacking goes up dramatically when people skip meals — especially breakfast. Beginning your day with protein, fiber and healthy fats helps stabilize blood sugar, reduces cravings and keeps you satisfied longer. A veggie omelet, Greek yogurt with berries or peanut butter on wholegrain toast are all great options. Eating consistently throughout the day helps prevent the late afternoon “grazing spiral.”

Use the Protein + Produce Strategy: A simple guideline for holiday snacking is pair a protein with a produce item. This helps keep snacks balanced, filling and low in added sugar. This combination helps prevent the blood sugar spikes that can leave you feeling tired and hungry soon after. Some examples include:

• Apple slices + peanut butter

• Bell pepper strips + hummus

• Cheese sticks + fruit

• A handful of nuts + a clementine orange

Choose Mindful Portions of Your Favorites: Attempts to avoid treats entirely often backfire, leading to overeating later. Instead, choose small portions of the foods you look forward to all year — Grandma’s fudge, your favorite cookies or holiday party dips. Serve yourself a portion on a plate, sit down and truly savor it. Enjoying treats intentionally is far more satisfying than mindless nibbling while standing around the snack table

Create a “Snack Plan” for Busy Days: Between school events, shopping, travel and winter sports schedules, December is full of rushed days. Planning helps you avoid fast food traps and vending machines. When healthy snacks are convenient, you are far more likely to eat them. Prep a few simple, portable options:

• Trail mix

• Cut veggies

• Hard-boiled eggs

Stay Hydrated: Thirst is often mistaken for hunger, and winter dehydration is surprisingly common because people drink less water in cold weather. Aim for consistent hydration throughout the day. Warm herbal tea, infused water or even sparkling water with lemon can help curb unnecessary snacking.

Honor Hunger and Fullness Cues: Holiday busyness makes it easy to tune out your body’s signals. Pause and ask yourself, “Am I actually hungry, or am I bored, stressed or eating just because food is nearby?” Building awareness around these cues supports healthier, more satisfying choices.

Enjoy the Season With Balance: Smart holiday snacking isn’t about restriction — it’s about intention. By staying aware, planning ahead and enjoying your favorite foods without guilt, you can celebrate the season while supporting your health and energy. With a few strategies in place, you’ll enter the New Year feeling empowered, nourished and ready for what’s ahead.

Give the below recipe a try for a balanced meal to help fight those feelings of wanting to snack more.

Chicken and Vegetables Sheet Meal

I always love when I can cook a whole meal at once. This helps with time and clean up afterward. Feel free to use whatever vegetables you have handy.

Ingredients:

1 lb chicken breast

4 small potatoes (about 1 lb total)

1 lb carrot

1 onion

2 bell peppers

2 Tbsp olive oil

Italian seasoning

Pepper Squeeze of lemon

Directions: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss all ingredients on a sheet pan with olive oil and seasonings. Roast for 30–40 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Makes: 4 servings

Nutrition Facts per Serving: Calories: 328 Total Fat: 14g

Saturated Fat: 2g Cholesterol: 85mg Fiber: 6g Sodium: 417mg Carbohydrates: 39g Protein: 34g

Andrea Beck, a registered dietitian and personal trainer, received her master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. She offers personal training and nutrition education through an online platform, StrongHER along with functional nutrition and labs through Laser Focus. For inquiries, visit strongherwithandrea.com, or the Facebook page, Nutrition and Exercise 101 with Andrea. S

art of the matter

MADONNA & CHILD

Artists Took Various Approaches To

Portraying Christ

Child, His Mother

SUBMITTED BY DELAYNNA TRIM, CURATOR OF COLLECTIONS

MABEE-GERRER MUSEUM OF ART

Every winter since 2016, I have curated a Christmas or religiously themed exhibit to coordinate with the Holiday season.

This year, “Madonna and Child: Medieval to Modern” will open Dec. 20, exploring the complex and changing imagery of the Virgin Mary and the Christ child from medieval figures to modern prints.

In the medieval era, there were lots of theological questions about how to portray Christ and Mary. Was it okay to portray Christ as a baby? This led to some of the Christ child figures that look like miniature adults. Everyone did not suddenly forget how to draw a baby. They were struggling with the theological ideas behind whether Christ could be portrayed as a child or not.

Late medieval and Renaissance portrayals of the Madonna and Child portray the Christ child physically as a child and also behaving as a child. So, we see more images of Christ playing with Mary’s veil or touching her face — very realistic childlike activities.

Did you know that some wooden medieval Madonna and Child sculptures like the ones in the exhibit have a hole in the bottom? They were attached to a wooden pole and paraded through the town square during religious festivals.

I find it amazing that these wooden sculptures have remained intact all these years. One famous wooden Madonna and Child — the Virgin of Essen — was completely covered in gold. Eventually, the wood rotted underneath the gold, leaving only the golden covering.

Mary is often shown wearing a red dress and a blue cloak. The blue represents the Heavens, and the red represents the blood of Christ as well as love and passion. Often, the colors are reversed in Eastern orthodox icons.

That deep blue color used for Mary’s clothing is named Marian Blue for the association with Mary. Many artists used ground lapis lazuli to create this color. Later, azurite was used as lapis lazuli due to the cost of the latter.

The gold, disc-like halos reference the Greek and Roman god, Apollo. He was thought to bring the sun across the sky. Much of early Christian symbolism

Artists and craftsman debated across the centuries how best to depict the Virgin Mary and the Christ child in their creations, and the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art will display some of these interpretations with a new exhibit titled “Madonna and Child: Medieval to Modern” opening Dec. 20.

originates in Greek and Roman iconography.

Mary became very popular in the medieval era because Christ was seen as a judge and ruler, so people were drawn to Mary’s humanity and kindness.

Madonna and Child Art

• Draw a mother holding her child.

• If you want to create it traditional, use blue and red for her clothing. Or make it yours and use your favorite colors.

• Don’t forget to add the halos.

For more Christmas-themed art projects, visit mgmoa.org/ art-projects or scan the QR code.

"W over the fence

SHARE FIRST

Generosity, Not Condemnation, A Focus For The Holidays

BY BRANDON DYER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMUNITY RENEWAL OF POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY

hat would you do?”

Do you remember the television program series by ABC News reporter, John Quiñones? His show was a social experiment where he scripted and produced uncomfortable social situations in public settings with actors and filmed the reactions of the bystanders. Scenarios included coaches yelling at a young athlete or a mother leaving her eight-year-old son alone at the beach. There were dozens of episodes, and the reactions of the folks observing were what made it so interesting.

Some years ago, I darted into a local grocery store for a couple of ingredients we needed in order to cook dinner. I quickly nabbed my items and made my way to the long lines at the checkout stands. This was before self checkout was as common. No one loves waiting in long lines at the grocery store, but instead of rolling my eyes and making impatient gestures, I decided to relax and began observing the people around me.

Directly in front of me was a young fireman. He only had a couple of items and was probably there to get the necessary items to cook dinner like me. In front of him was a woman with two or three sacks of groceries and was paying with her card. Her card only covered a portion of the balance, so she proceeded to reach into her purse for the remaining cash to complete the transaction. Unfortunately, she was short several dollars. She had her small children with her, and they were anxious to leave, tugging on her jacket.

The line behind me was getting longer with about three or four additional people waiting impatiently. I saw the embarrassment and worry on her face. She began to put back the milk. And then the eggs. And before I could get to my wallet, the young fireman in front of me very politely asked the cashier to put those items on his ticket. He leaned over to the mother and told her that he didn’t mean to embarrass her, but that he had been there before and simply wanted to help. She managed a sheepish “thank you” as a tear began to form in the corner of her eye. Her children helped with the groceries, and she left.

If Quiñones had been there, his cameras would have caught a tear forming in my eye as well. You see, the card that didn’t have enough to cover the transaction wasn’t a debit card. It wasn’t a credit card either. It was a food benefits card. I’m certain the fireman noticed it, as did I. People seem to

have strong opinions about this subject, so it makes me wonder what Quiñones’s cameras would capture? Would people help as the fireman was eager to do? Or would their opinions cause a moment of personal conflict? I suspect that virtually every able person would have helped the young mother in that situation, regardless of their opinion. After all, people really do care. Which brings me to my point this holiday season. Opinions on social issues are strong these days. Very strong. All the polls and statistics tell us that the war over opinions is becoming a zero-sum game. You are either right, or you are wrong. With me or against me. My goal is not to say that one opinion is right or wrong here. However, if we are ever to rebuild the foundation of our disintegrating society, it starts with our capacity to care for other human beings. Period. It starts with the generosity of spirit and goodwill toward our fellow sisters and brothers we live alongside in our communities. As important as the diversity of our opinions are, people must be more important than our opinions.

Share first. Ask questions later.

Dyer

community ANGEL TREE

Salvation Army, Supporters Aim To Give 520 Kids A Merry Christmas

BY DAVID DINSMORE

More than 100 people gathered before Thanksgiving last month to start the Christmas giving season early as the local Salvation Army kicked off its annual Angel Tree program.

The annual event served as a way to spread some Christmas cheer as the Will Rogers Elementary School filled the lobby of Sovereign Bank with joyous sounds of the season and to give community partners the chance to pick up their packets featuring the tags to place on their Angel Trees.

It also served as a way for both of the new captains — Thomas and LeAnna Marion, who arrived this past summer to lead the Salvation Army in Shawnee — to share the special connections they had to some of the organization’s special programs long before they ever joined as officers.

“The Angel Tree is especially important to me,” said LeAnna, addressing the group of students.

“When I was about your age, I was an Angel Tree kid, and so was my husband.

“There were many Christmases that if it weren’t for the Angel Tree, I would have gotten nothing. That gave us hope during the Christmas holiday, that there

Photos by David Dinsmore

were people out there who loved us and wanted to help us.”

The Salvation Army partners with businesses and organizations to place trees throughout the area that feature tags corresponding to a child selected based on need earlier this year. Some partners set up trees in public spaces to give any passerby the chance to fulfill some Christmas wishes while other partners keep their Angel Trees private to give their members and employees the chance to make a difference each year.

“We work closely together with our partners to make sure we get these gifts for our children, and we call them ‘our’ children because we kind of adopt them during this,” said Robbie Foxx, who is heading up this year’s Angel Tree activities.

The local Salvation Army had a list of more than 520 children participating

this year as of the kickoff event last month with 41 sponsor businesses and organizations in Pottawatomie, Lincoln, Seminole and Okfuskee counties taking charge to get their wishes into the hands of donors willing to help this Christmas.

“These are kids who will not just receive toys, but clothes and food for their families,” Leanna said.

Donors can select tags from these trees with details about the anonymous child whose family may not be able to provide Christmas this year due to circumstances. The items requested on the tags do not just include toys for little girls and little boys. Parents registering their children for the program often put needed basic items on there that some families have trouble affording after bills, rent, groceries and living expenses. Each tag lists suggestions for children’s needs and wishes that could make their holiday a little merrier.

“Each time you adopt an angel from the tree, it brings cheer to a child who may not have had any kind of Christmas,” Thomas

said. “Each kid on these trees is special, and they need to be shown so much love.”

In addition to setting up a tree at their business or picking up a tag for a youngster during the holidays, people have found other ways over the years to pitch in to help the recipients of the Angel Tree program.

For instance, the Ritz developed the idea of a free concert as a way to celebrate the holidays and showcase local talent, and planners decided it would also be the perfect time to do a toy drive for any local group distributing Christmas gifts to local families. The Angel Tree program was the right fit.

Despite some current challenges at their Main Street venue, concert organizers will still host this benefit concert starting at 8 p.m. in the Sarkey’s Performing Arts Center on the St. Gregory campus at 1900 W. MacArthur with free admission for those who bring a new toy to donate to the Angel Tree program.

Once the Salvation Army collects all of the donations brought to them by those who selected an angel from a tree, volunteers

Here is a list of locations with public Angel Trees in Shawnee where willing donors can select kids for whom to provide needed items and gifts this Christmas.

• Atwoods, 716 W. Ayre St.

• BancFirst, 1939 N. Harrison St.

• First United Bank, 2675 N. Harrison St.

• Higginbotham Bros., 603 E. Independence St.

• Lowes, 4817 N. Kickapoo Ave.

• Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, 1900 W. MacArthur St.

• Mad Tatter, 2304 N. Harrison St.

• MidFirst Bank, 2320 N. Harrison St.

• Pottawatomie Co. Courthouse, 325 N. Broadway Ave.

• Shawnee Elks 657, 13500 Acme Road

• Sovereign Bank, 130 E. MacArthur St.

• Vision Bank, 31813 N. Harrison St.

• Walmart, 196 Shawnee Mall Dr.

• Walls Bargain Center, 2009 N. Harrison St.

WORTHY General Manager

CAMERON

from groups like the organization’s Women’s Auxiliary help organize and get everything ready for the kids to receive before Christmas, and there’s always a need for more hands to help in that part of the process as well.

“We cannot do what we do without community support, volunteer support, donor support,” LeAnna said. “We connect community members and donors with those in our community who are in need.”

For locations of publicly accessible Angel Trees, check out facebook.com/SalArmyShawnee. For more information, call the Salvation Army at (405) 275-2243.

Volunteers are on a journey. Along the way, they seek to find personal satisfaction by using and developing their skills and talents and to make a difference to people and organizations who need help. No other area of volunteering provides the opportunities that hospice volunteers have. At the end of life, the stakes are high. The needs are big. The laughs (and tears) are real.

OH, WHAT FUN!

Holiday Events Set To Provide Free, Festive Family Fun

BY DAVID DINSMORE

Check out our list of great holiday events in the back of this issue along with other great resources like the events calendar on Visit Shawnee’s website for great ideas for festive family fun this season.

Here are a few free highlights to hit for holiday hijinks for the whole family.

Gingerbread Village

Now until Jan. 2

The Oval, east side of Oklahoma Baptist University campus

This third annual community event features 20 largescale gingerbread houses on display for a drive-through experience in the Oval on the east side of OBU’s campus at 500 W. University. The village kicked off earlier this month with music, games, activities and merriment as part of its annual traditions, and businesses, organizations and groups will get the chance to show off some color and creativity with their different themes for their houses for passersby to enjoy until Jan. 2.

For more information and updates on the Gingerbread Village, visit facebook.com/shawneegingerbreadvillage

Photos submitted

Shawnee Christmas Parade

7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 12

Main Street

A staple of Shawnee holiday tradition, the annual nighttime Christmas parade will get rolling around 7 p.m. along Main Street with a snow globe theme this year. Crowds of more than 20,000 have historically lined the street to watch almost a 100 participating groups spread some Christmas cheer, including a special appearance by Santa Claus and a grand fireworks finale at the conclusion of the event.

For more information and updates, check out facebook. com/SEFFShawnee.

Photos by Ed Bolt

NEW THIS YEAR

Winter Wonderland

6-10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 20 (closed for parade on Dec. 12)

Santa Fe Depot area downtown, north of 614 E. Main

The first-ever Winter Wonderland will transform the Santa Fe Depot into a festive gathering place filled with music, lights, entertainment and family-friendly activities, including rides and an ice rink.

Grab dinner at a local downtown restaurant then head over to Winter Wonderland for sweet treats available for purchase from holiday-themed food trucks. Classic Christmas movies will play on the jumbo screen throughout the season along with special guest entertainment on select nights to make each visit memorable.

Winter Wonderland will be closed on December 12 so that the community can enjoy the Christmas Parade and fireworks.

For more information and updates, check out facebook.com/SEFFShawnee.

Photos by David Dinsmore

BRIDGE BUILDERS

This Year Marked By Big Impact Of Partnerships, Dedication

BY JOHN BOBB-SEMPLE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF POTTAWATOMIE GO

While walking through Rotary Boy Scout Park with my wife one Saturday morning, I was struck by how peaceful and bright everything felt. Just a week earlier, Woodland Veterans Park had been bursting with families at the first-ever Fall Festival hosted by the City of Shawnee. Quiet or crowded, both places reminded me of the same truth: when people show up, our community grows stronger. Those moments — though very different — showed me how community health grows through connection, care and everyday choices long before it grows through big programs or policies.

The trees in Boy Scout Park were glowing red, orange and gold. The Fall Festival down the street had been a huge success too. Thousands of families and dozens of community partners gathered to play, laugh, visit and enjoy being together. The City of Shawnee Parks and Recreation Department created a fun and exceedingly successful event, and the city’s investment has made these shared spaces come alive. It has clearly been worth it for our parks, our families and our quality of life.

hard on families. Many households depend on SNAP to stretch their grocery budgets, and when those benefits are disrupted, the impact is immediate and widespread. Our county stepped up in powerful ways.

Research backs this up. Our 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment shows that safe places to walk, roll and play increase physical activity and social connection, which are two proven factors that improve health outcomes.

This year truly felt like “The Year of Building Bridges” at Pottawatomie Go (Pogo). Volunteers showed up early and stayed late. Tribal partners, schools, hospitals, churches and organizations joined hands in new ways. Building bridges also meant standing with neighbors recovering from the tornado two and half years ago. As we look back on the 2025 Pottawatomie County RETREET event, the hundreds of trees planted remind us of what can grow when people come together. Almost 100 volunteers helped plant trees across the county, and those young trees now stand as signs of healing, hope and community progress.

But just as we celebrated these moments of connection, we also faced real challenges. The recent federal government shutdown caused stress for families who rely on SNAP to buy food. In a county where our CHNA shows that 19 percent of residents face food insecurity, even a short delay becomes very

At Community Market — a Pogo Partner — I watched CEO Daniel Matthews, COO Emily Heath and their staff respond with calm, compassion and creativity. In just three weeks, they served 2,000 households representing 8,000 people. They extended hours, managed the sudden rise in need and made sure every family felt dignity and care. Daniel and Emily are true bridge builders in our community.

They were joined by many others. Community Market volunteers added extra shifts; donors and supporters gave generously; and the Board of Directors acted quickly and wisely. Alongside support from many faith congregations, Victory Family Church demonstrated powerful collaboration by hosting an emergency distribution with the Market and providing volunteers, resources and hands-on support. Life. Church Shawnee also stepped in with critical aid, awarding $15,000 in grants to to cover unexpected November expenses while rallying their congregants to give financially and serve at the Market.

Because of all this, we were reminded once again that no single organization carries the weight of community need alone. It takes many partners, serving side by side.

As we close out the year, I am filled with gratitude. Gratitude for our volunteers, donors and partners. Gratitude for our community’s tribal nations, schools, health systems

“When we build bridges together, we build hope.”

Bobb-Semple

and churches. Gratitude for community leaders who show up. Gratitude for the City of Shawnee and the continued investment in parks, sidewalks and public spaces. And gratitude for all our friends and partners who make Pottawatomie County a place of resilience, beauty, community and thriving.

If this year taught us anything, it is this: small steps taken together, create big impact. And when we build bridges with those steps, we build hope. Hope carries us into a new year of connection, strength and possibility.

The need in our community continues. To support Community Market, you can donate or volunteer by visiting https://ourcommunitymarket.

Welcome Home

cwhite@firstunitedbank.com

cwhite.firstunitedteam.com

Community Renewal believes that relationships strengthen communities.

This Christmas, we ’ re celebrating the kindness, connection, and neighborly support that make Shawnee shine. Whether it’s caring for a neighbor, supporting families, or building stronger blocks, every act of kindness brings us closer together.

MARCH ON

Shawnee’s Love For Parades Evident Since 1890s

BY ANN MCDONALD, COURTESY POTT CO HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBER

hawnee citizens have always loved a parade.

The first ones took to the streets before 1900. Once the railroads came to town, it was easy to bring in circuses and other such shows, which meant parades. Residents lined the street as performers and animals paraded from the train cars to the site of the events. The public display encouraged onlookers to come to their shows.

Any celebration was reason enough for a parade, whether a traditional holiday or sports activity. As early as 1895, people from outlying areas came here for a Fourth of July barbecue in Woodland Park, and their travels were reported as “parade-like."

In 1905, Shawnee’s Fourth of July celebration was described as a “magnitude unequaled in the two territories.” Clubs, committees and individuals designed, promoted and worked the parade, the rodeo and other activities. The following year, Shawnee promised to “distance all competitors” with “monster fireworks” as well as the “Calithumpian Parade.” The parade was led by the chief of police followed by the mayor and city council. Entrants of bands, cowboys, ball teams and lady equestrians collected on 9th Street between Bell and Broadway hoping for one of the prizes.

Shawnee Navy base and the air cadets at Oklahoma Baptist University. Favorites were those when the returnees came home from the wars.

Shawnee’s birthday continued to be celebrated into the 1970s, although a parade wasn’t always on the list. Since Shawnee’s “birthday” is in October, other parades during that time were plentiful, including Labor Day, school events, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Most were planned and directed by individual groups like the Chamber of Commerce, Jaycees, clubs, businesses and school officials.

Shawnee has taken to the streets to celebrate holidays, events, achievements and other milestones with parades dating back to at least 1895. — Photo submitted

Shawnee seldom let a holiday pass without planning a parade — not just the 4th of July. In 1934, locals celebrated the town’s 43rd anniversary. The parade was declared to be “record breaking” with awards going to Marquis Furniture for their commercial float. Steffens Dairy placed second in industrial floats; Shawnee Public Schools won the Display by School award; and the BPW Club won Display by Lodge or Club.

During wartime, there were several parades, some joining those already part of the city in regular celebrations. There were those held to see troops off on the trains. During World War II, some parades were for the sailors at the

Local folks turned out to watch and support parades because they likely had family and friends who worked as part of the event, such as bands, roundup clubs, PTA, Camp Fire Girls, Boy Scouts, churches and clubs like Lions, Rotary, Kiwanis, etc.

In these later times, there’s little argument that the largest Shawnee parade was the second event for astronaut Gordon Cooper. When the new reserve center at the airport was being built, it was dedicated to Cooper’s father, Leroy G. Cooper, Sr. The older Cooper had died earlier after serving as a long-time Pottawatomie County judge and served as a major in the military’s judge advocate general corps during World War II.

The younger Cooper had yet to blast off when that parade occurred, but after he made his space journey, he returned with his wife and daughters to his hometown for several events, including a parade. Shawnee theater owner Johnny Jones — chairman of the homecoming committee — promised it would be Shawnee’s biggest parade ever, and they delivered. In June 1963, an estimated 60,000 people witnessed the parade, including 75 newsmen from around the world.

Though time changes things with the introduction of technology and different expectations among attendees, each Christmas season brings folks to Main Street for a familiar event that demonstrates that Shawnee still loves a parade.

ON HOLD

Managing Phone Use Without It Managing You

BY PAULANN CANTY, MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPIST, MS, LMFT

Paulann Canty is a licensed marriage and family therapist and longtime Shawnee resident whose practice, Growthlines LLC, has decades of experience helping community members with a range of issues. She believes seeking therapy takes courage, and she will be answering questions from the community in the Shawnee Outlook every month.

Have a question for Paulann? E-mail your question to editor@shawneeoutlook.com with the subject line, “Ask Paulann.”

Ifeel I’m addicted to my phone. I have to have it on for work, but in recent years I’m seeing my screen time creep up and up. I don’t like how much time I’m spending on it, and I feel like I’m not present or enjoying real life as much. Tips?

Before I get to any tips about managing the presence of cell phones in our lives, I want to look at some things you mention that matter information that moves us beyond the question of whether phones in our lives are good or bad and pulls us toward looking at the role they play in our lives and how we manage them.

You note that you have your phone on for work, but that over time it has become more present in your daily life. We can agree that our phones are valuable and often necessary in the work place and in other parts of our lives. You mention that you have watched your screen time creep up and up over time. At some level, you recognize this is a process that begins in small, subtle ways, gradually becoming more prevalent over time until you are giving large blocks of time to your phone and less and less to being present in your real life. We are all at risk of living “pseudo” lives in a smartphone world.

and credibility

• instant access to information without healthy and thorough assessment of its truth and value

• increased risk of assuming safety while being exposed to harm

• decreased productivity due to time lost phone surfing

• complications in daily life

How do we find balance in our engagement with all that cell phones and their vast technology bring to us? In our haste to take advantage of all these advances, we are in danger of assuming that the technology itself will be its own regulator. We just lean into consuming with little awareness of what is required of us to manage all that our phones bring to us. We don’t have the luxury of choosing between good or bad. We are left to develop management skills that help us be clear that the technology doesn’t govern itself. Therefore, we must.

When we look at the cost and gain of life with a cell phone, we discover some interesting overlap. The gain includes:

• enhanced communication

• instant access to information

• improved safety

• increased productivity

• convenience in daily life

Ironically, the cost echoes the gain from the opposite side, including:

• plentiful communication, but with decreased meaning

An unmanaged cell phone is like an unmanaged child. Your phone will always think more is better. You have to be the one who understands that in this case, less is more. The growing awareness that you feel addicted to your phone calls you to accept and lean into your role as manager. You are the unmanaged child when it comes to your phone. It can be a little disconcerting to realize that the foundation of healthy phone use requires that you manage yourself and that you must set boundaries for yourself. Your cell phone can be a wonderful life tool, but it will not manage itself. In fact, if given a chance, it will choose to manage you.

It is evident that a core part of you values leaning into life and being fully present. That desire is a good starting place to explore what you want to put in the place of the screen time that comes at such a high cost to you. As humans we can come up with a number of plans for change. We can implement them and see some measure of success. However, lasting change means starting from a new foundation.

You asked for tips. Here are a few to consider:

Tip #1: Take some time to listen to your core inner voice — that part of you that already knows you want to make some changes. As you listen, make a list of the things that matter most to you. Those things that you already realize you

Paulann

are forfeiting for time spent on your phone is a good place to begin. Pick one to begin practicing during the coming week. Remember, you’re not looking for perfection. You’re looking to build a process of living out of daily intention instead of random muscle memory habits.

Tip #2: Think about the value of eye contact in human connection. Cell phones demand our attention, but staring at a blue light screen is not the same as looking into the eyes of another human being. Looking at your phone screen doesn’t ask much of you other than to keep looking. Take a moment to put your phone down (or even away) and look at someone with the intent of really seeing them, and allowing them to see you. You may feel some unexpected discomfort that suggests your “muscle” for eye contact has atrophied from lack of use. Don’t let that derail your intent. Press on. You may discover eye contact with someone you care about offers more than the blue light of your phone ever will.

Tip #3: If there are children in your life, be aware of the role and impact of cell phones on a child. At this point, most children are far more tech savvy than the average adult. Have a problem navigating your phone or operating your Apple watch? Hand it to a first grader, and they will take care of your technological problem in the blink of an eye. That can be really helpful, but the cautionary piece we often miss is that tech savvy doesn’t mean tech wisdom. Where we fall short in technological operations, adults have years of experience navigat-

Independence doesn’t mean you have to be alone

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ing life. Don’t dismiss the importance of your life experience in setting healthy and safe parameters for your child’s access to and use of a cell phone. It is our job as adults to be purposeful in measuring the gain of a phone in our child’s life while counting the potential cost or risk and building in safeguards.

Tip #4: One of the blessings of your smart phone is the access it offers to connections across miles, such as grandchildren video calling with grandparents from miles away. For both work and play, that access can be a gift when well managed. One of the curses of your smart phone is the way it shrinks the space between stimulus and response. Another is the heightened sense of urgency it brings. If a call or text comes through, it must be important, so it is necessary that you check it and respond immediately. There are risks when you make a rapid response to an urgent need. You don’t pause to think about what you heard or read. You don’t take time to explore what your best self would do. You miss the opportunity and value of a delayed response or even no response at all. Well managed, cell phones can be a valued connection. Poorly managed, they are a relationship train wreck waiting to happen.

Your willingness to shoot straight with yourself about the ways you may not be managing either your phone or you can feel like a moment of admitting defeat. I hope you see it as a moment of truth that becomes the pathway to living your best life.

Dec. 1-Jan. 2: The Gingerbread Village welcomes back visitors all month in the Oval on the east side of the Oklahoma Baptist University campus at 500 W. University. Come experience the magic of this holiday drive through experience featuring 20 large gingerbread houses sponsored by local businesses and organizations with proceeds this year benefitting Rose Rock Habitat for Humanity. Information: facebook.com/shawneegingerbreadvillage

Dec. 5 & 6, 13, 19 & 20: Winter Wonderland is coming to historic downtown Shawnee on Fridays and Saturdays this month. Enjoy these free family nights 6-10 p.m. with holiday-themed food trucks, classic Christmas movies on the jumbo screen, special guest entertainment and opportunities to shop and dine at local downtown businesses. The merriment will pause on Fri., Dec. 12 to give families the chance to enjoy the annual Shawnee Christmas parade on Main Street.

Dec. 5: Enjoy a Night at the Museum during the 2025 MabeeGerrer Museum of Art gala starting at 6 p.m. at the museum at 1900 W. MacArthur. Experience interactive art moments, cocktail-style atmosphere with elevated hors d’oeuvres and signature drinks, curated performances, a silent and live auction and exclusive raffle experiences while raising money for the museum’s many educational and cultural programs offered free to the public. Information. mgmoa.org/gala

Dec. 5: Redeemer Lutheran Church will host a free monthly

movie night presented by for a fun night of fellowship, movie, pop and popcorn at 7 p.m. at 39307 MacArthur St. Parents and grandparents can enjoy a worry-free evening of movie entertainment while the kids watch an age-appropriate movie. Information: facebook.com/redeemerlutheranshawnee

Dec. 6: Oklahoma Baptist University's Hanging of the Green is an art and music tradition that has taken place at OBU for more than 75 years, featuring vocal and instrumental ensembles to usher in the Christmas season. This year’s performance will take place at 7 p.m. in the Recreation and Wellness Center on the OBU campus as Raley Chapel is still undergoing remodeling. Reservations required. Information: events.okbu.edu

Dec. 7: Cooper Funeral Home will present its 34th consecutive memorial program, A Christmas Keepsake at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Cooper Funeral Home at 210 W. Walnut in Tecumseh. The Christmas Tree of Remembrance will be on display in the foyer all December, celebrating each of the lives of friends and neighbors who died this year. The name of each deceased loved one will be engraved on a beautiful snowflake ornament presented at the conclusion of the program to families served by Cooper.

Dec. 11: First Christian Church welcomes the Shawnee Peace and Praise Community Choir to its 1625 N Broadway sanctuary for a night of Christmas Hope filled with hope, love and joy beginning at 7:30 p.m. Information: facebook.com/shawneepeaceandpraise

Dec. 12: Enjoy one of Oklahoma's largest nighttime Christmas parades at 7 p.m. on Shawnee's Main Street, which features a snow globe theme for 2025. Watch as downtown comes alive with lights, marching bands, floats and a special appearance by Santa Claus. Stay until the end for a breathtaking fireworks display. Information: facebook.com/SEFFShawnee

Dec. 13: Santa & Mrs Claus are back this year with a Candyland Forest Adventure from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Gentry’s Studio Suites at 406 E. Main St. This free photo event for the whole with hot cocoa, snacks, crafts and an adventure through the Candyland Forest for a photo with Santa & Mrs Claus. Information: facebook. com/gentryhairstudio

Dec. 13: Shawnee Milling presents Milling About Main, a tasting tour in downtown Shawnee. Stop in each participating location for a special course on your tasting tour. Tickets: resy.com/cities/shawnee-ok-ok

Dec. 13: Bring a new toy to donate as a Christmas gift for a local child and enjoy a free benefit concert for Salvation Army’s Angel Tree starting at 8 p.m. in the Sarkey’s Performing Arts Center on the St. Gregory campus at 1900 W. MacArthur. Information: facebook.com/ theritzofshawnee

Dec. 14: Jingle All the Way down to the Christmas market presented by Farmers Market at OneSixty. This show will be indoors 12-5 p.m. at the Shawnee American Legion at 522 Saratoga. Information: (405) 788-6713

Dec. 14: Oklahoma Jazz Preserve is coming back for Jazz Sundae 2-4 p.m. at 1895 HomeMade Ice Cream at 102 E. Main. Information: (405) 510-6961

Dec. 14: Theopolis Social Club will host a Christmas Cocktail Class at 6 p.m. at 419 E. Main. Learn to make cocktails for your holiday events. Tickets: resy.com/cities/shawnee-ok-ok/ venues/theopolis-social-club

Dec. 16: Get ready for a heartwarming holiday concert the whole family will love as the Oklahoma City Philharmonic presents Merry & Bright – Songs of Christmas, a magical evening filled with festive favorites, joyful sing-alongs, and timeless Christmas classics. At 7:30 p.m. at the Grand Event Center at 777 Grand Casino Blvd. Information: okcphil.org/

concerts/merryandbright.

Dec 16, 18: Join Theopolis Social Club for an exclusive Private Wine Pairing Class & Tasting at 6 p.m. at 419 East Main St. designed for those who appreciate exceptional wine and elevated experiences. Tickets: resy.com/cities/ shawnee-ok-ok/venues/theopolis-social-club

Dec. 18: The Third Thursday Poetry Reading will begin at 7 p.m. at the Lunch Box at 217 E. Main St. with a reading by a featured guest followed by an open mic session for attendees to read up to two poems of their own or from a favorite poet. The Lunch Box will open at 6 p.m. with desserts and drinks available.

Dec. 19: Texas comedian William Lee Martin – affectionately known as “Cowboy Bill” – will bring a couple friends for a holiday hootenanny starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Sarkey’s Performing Arts Center on the St. Gregory campus at 1900 W. MacArthur. Information: facebook.com/ theritzofshawnee

Dec. 20: Enjoy the excitement of bull riding and support youth rodeo in the region during the Winter Storm Bull Riding Series riding into Shawnee at 7 p.m. at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center at 1700 W. Independence. Information: rdoheritage.com

Dec 31: New Year’s Eve Party at Theopolis will ring in 2026 with dinner, live music and a midnight toast and party starting at 8 p.m. at 419 East Main St. Tickets: resy.com/cities/ shawnee-ok-ok/venues/theopolis-social-club

Jan. 2: Songwriter Night @ Music Unlimited is back with a collection of featured artists every month starting at 7 p.m. at 1109 W. Kickapoo Spur. Information: www.mu1978.com

Jan. 4: Locomotive Operators of Central Oklahoma will host its monthly public run 1-4 p.m. at 29626 Lake Drive in McLoud. Ride the rails on powered ⅛-scale locomotives right outside of Shawnee Twin Lakes. Information: locotrains.org

Jan. 10: The “World’s Best Young Elvis” Travis Ledoyt returns to Shawnee with two shows in one at 6 p.m. planned at the Historic Ritz Theatre at 10 W. Main St. Watch facebook.com/ theritzofshawnee for potential venue updates. If you know of any events you would like to see featured, email editor@shawneeoutlook.com. S

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