Safe Streets
Financial strategies built just for
Michael P Garbutt, AAMSTM Financial Advisor 3813 N Harrison St Shawnee, OK 74804 405-214-4971
Jacob Russell Financial Advisor 4010 N Kickapoo Ave, Ste 1 Shawnee, OK 74804 405-214-1978
David W Spires, CFP® Financial Advisor 39004 W MacArthur St, Ste 110 Shawnee, OK 74804 405-878-0990
Chris Jones Financial Advisor 2510 E Independence St, Ste 100 Shawnee, OK 74804 405-395-0068
Brent S Morris Financial Advisor 923 E MacArthur St Shawnee, OK 74804 405-788-0040
Trey Thee III Financial Advisor 318 W MacArthur St Shawnee, OK 74804 405-395-2006
keep the change
PHONE IN THE SAVINGS
Saving money these days often includes an onslaught of mobile apps, and it seems like they’re changing every day. Here are some apps I’ve found helpful when scrolling for savings.
Upside — This app gives cash back for purchases at local restaurants and gas stations. Simply find an offer you’re interested in — like 25 percent back on a fuel purchase at a certain gas station — then fuel up and either snap a photo of the receipt or link your form of payment to the app so it can keep track of it for you. Earnings are easy to cash in directly to your bank account.
Fetch — Many apps out there offer cash back savings on gro cery purchases, but what makes Fetch unique is its ability to scan your store and e-receipts to find the offers that apply to your purchases. There’s no need to pre-select offers or dig around for savings. Fetch also offers the opportunity to earn points for play ing games on your phone. All earned points are traded in for gift cards to a wide range of retailers or entertainment venues — or just trade them in for Amazon or PayPal rewards.
Restaurant Apps — Most restaurants have some form of an app these days, and many of these offer savings for things like or dering from your phone or earning rewards on purchases. Before ordering from your favorite restaurant, check to see if they have an app, and if so, are there any offers to be found?
Retailer Apps — Much like those restaurant choices, some re tailers — such as PetSmart and Staples — offer their own apps and give customers the opportunity to earn points. These points are redeemed as cash off future purchases through a variety of offers that rotate regularly. Don’t overlook this easy way to save.
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.
Angela
Rowland
SLOW COOKER MAKES HEALTHY MEALS EASY
s we all ease into the back-to-school routine, busy evenings full of homework, sports and after-school activities can make it hard to get a healthy dinner on the table. That’s where the slow cooker (often called a Crock-Pot) comes in as it provides a simple, hands-off solution for stress-free meals that are ready when you are.
Using a slow cooker allows you to prepare dinner in the morning or during your lunch break and come home to a hot, nourishing meal with little effort. It’s perfect for soups, stews, shredded meats and veggiepacked dishes that can feed the whole family. There are many reasons to use a slow cooker:
• Saves time: Just toss in your ingredients and let it cook while you’re at work or running errands.
• Reduces dinner stress: No last-minute cooking or takeout needed.
• Budget-friendly: Great for using up pantry staples or more affordable cuts of meat.
• Healthy and hearty: You control the ingredients – lower in sodium, added sugars and saturated fat than store-bought options.
I have shared a lot of slow cooker recipes here over the years. Some I have included in the past are:
• Chicken tacos (use chicken breasts, salsa and seasonings)
• Vegetable soup with beans and gluten free pasta
• Lentil chili with diced tomatoes and bell peppers
• BBQ chicken served on a potato
• Stew with roast meat, potatoes and carrots
That is just a few of them. As you can tell, I love utilizing the slow cooker. You can even double your slow cooker recipe and freeze half for later. That way, you’ll have a healthy back-up meal ready to go when schedules get even busier.
The below recipe was a new one to play around with. My family loves Thai food so much, and this reminded me of that. I gave it a try, and I’m glad that I did.
ing it on. Then, give yourself another 10-15 minutes before serving it to add your rice/noodles and your side of veggies to the meal. Talk about a quick and delicious meal that will cost way less than the restaurant. Ingredients:
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
½ cup natural peanut butter
½ cup liquid aminos
¼ cup honey
¼ cup lime juice
2 Tbsp rice vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
½ tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
½ cup unsalted chicken broth
Directions: Place chicken in the slow cooker. In a bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients and pour over the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 2.5-3 hours. Shred chicken and stir into sauce. Serve with rice or noodles. Optional to garnish with green onions and chopped peanuts (not in the nutrition facts). Makes: 6 servings
Nutritional Information per Serving: Calories: 346 Total Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 4g Cholesterol: 201mg Sodium: 1468g Carbohydrates: 13g Fiber: 0g Protein: 41g
Nutrition 101: This recipe offers all the protein and fat you need and a small amount of carbohydrates. To make it balanced, you will need one more serving — about 15 grams worth — of carbohydrates and two servings of vegetables. I would suggest serving this with a little jasmine rice or rice ramen noodles. I enjoyed a side salad with this meal for my vegetables.
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.
Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken
Dr. Brian Chaffin DC
art of the matter
MMEMORIALS
Paying Tribute To Notable Historical Figures Takes Many Artistic Forms
SUBMITTED
BY
DELAYNNA TRIM, CURATOR OF COLLECTIONS
MABEE-GERRER MUSEUM OF ART
emorials can be created large or small, simple or fancy, and for a variety of reasons.
You might have just walked past the Robert Louis Stevenson memorial in the gallery at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art. Stevenson is most known for his books, such as “Robinson Crusoe,” “Treasure Island” and “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.”
Augustus Saint-Gaudens captured his friend in bronze in 1887 depicting him reclining in bed, reading and smoking a cigarette. Stevenson was often ill, so depicting him reclining in bed was very natural. Doctors at the time thought him to be suffering from tuberculosis but now believe he suffered from bronchiectasis or sarcoidosis.
Also included on this circular bronze plaque is a poem that Stevenson wrote. The poem was from his book, “Underwoods,” which he dedicated to the doctors who had helped him.
Saint-Gaudens met Stevenson through a mutual friend, Will Low, an American artist and art critic in 1887. In fact, the poem that is included on this memorial was titled “To Will H. Low.” Stevenson sat for Saint-Gaudens only a couple of times before moving to the South Pacific, but they wrote often to each other. Saint-Gaudens greatly admired Stevenson and had once said he would “gladly go a thousand miles for the sake of a sitting” with him.
This memorial became so popular especially after Stevenson passed away in 1894 that Saint-Gaudens created a few variations, including one where Stevenson is holding a quill instead of a cigarette. This version was created for St. Giles Cathedral in Scotland in 1904 and was the only memorial of Stevenson in his native country.
Saint-Gaudens was born in Dublin but raised in New York City. He is known for his memorials, monuments and coins. At the age of 13, he became an apprentice to a cameo cutter in New York City. He would carve an object often a gem with a raised relief image with a contrasting color background. In 1876, Saint-Gaudens received his first major commission, which was
a monument to Civil War Admiral David Farragut in New York's Madison Square.
He designed the $20 Double Eagle gold piece for the U.S. Mint considered one of the most beautiful American coins ever issued and the $10 “Indian Head” gold eagle coin at the request of President Theodore Roosevelt.
For this and other coin related art visit, https://www.mgmoa.org/art-projects or scan the QR code.
Coin Rubbing Art
Supplies: paper, colored pencils, coins
Collect several different kinds of coins. To create a rubbing of a coin, place the paper over the coin and rub your colored pencil over to create an image of the coin.
You can use the coin rubbings to create leaves on a tree or petals on a flower or just be creative.
Author Robert Louis Stevenson had several memorials created by artist Augustus Saint-Gaudens, including this one on display at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art.
Scan this code to visit the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art’s athome project page.
CONNECTION BOOST
Uplift Mentoring To Expand After-School Program Through Partnerships
BY DAVID DINSMORE
Uplift Mentoring — formerly known as Mission Shawnee —recently underwent a name change to bring it in line with its goal to pair elementary and middle school students with mentors to help them thrive academically and socially. —
Photos submitted
At the heart of its work, Uplift Mentoring is about connection. There are the connections made with community partners to help create in-school tutoring and mentoring opportunities for local students.
There are organizational connections to help provide efficient spaces and programs to the kids it serves.
And then there is the connection made by the one-on-one focus provided by mentors to students during its afterschool program.
For the last few years, elementary and middle school students have come to Uplift Mentoring’s building at 126 S. Center Street to meet with their dedicated mentor one day a week during the school year, said Ryan Brooks, executive director of Uplift Mentoring. Each week, the pairs play games, take on new activities and explore healthy ways to face the academic and social challenges that may arise in their lives.
This year, Uplift Mentoring is looking to supplement these after-school activities by offering program participants the
chance to come up to four days per week to promote further growth in areas where students have interest.
“We felt like there was a need for a lot of kids that we are working with that could benefit from additional support,” Brooks said. “We have seen a lot of great and meaningful relationships being formed through the time they have with their mentors, but we want to be able to offer more time for them to come and be a kid and have some fun after school.”
In addition to a one-on-one mentor day, Uplift will also offer days with activities focused on subjects like art, sports and recreation or STEM – science, technology, engineering and math, Brooks said. These expanded programs will bring into play those community connections with partner organizations working in these areas to help give Uplift’s students opportunities they may miss out on otherwise.
“There are a lot of great organizations
in our community that are serving youth and providing awesome activities,” Brooks said. “I wanted our kids to link up with things that are already happening in our county.”
For instance, the OSU Extension office has several STEM-related activities it offers for students, and the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art also has a major focus on arts education and activities, Brooks said. Uplift Mentoring has worked with some of their community partners who will participate in these new enrichment activities during other initiatives, such as summer programs or one-time events.
“It’s great to have so many people with the willingness to jump in and help where they can,” Brook said. “The ones I have talked to have been excited about this.”
While the need for individual mentors will not be the same for these activities as it is with the one-on-one program, Uplift is working to bring in volunteers who can help with small groups of students to keep on task during these additional activities Monday through Thursday afternoons, Brooks said. There also are
opportunities – such as transportation or snack preparation – that won’t require as much handson involvement with the activities if volunteers would like to help in those support areas.
While the one-on-one mentoring relationships are a key focus of Uplift’s work, Brooks said he’d like to see their expanded afterschool activities also provide opportunities for students interested in each subject but who don’t necessarily need the more focused aspects of their offerings.
“We want to give every student the opportunity to have fun and be a kid if they have a love or passion for something like art or STEM,” Brooks said. “With this, we can provide that opportunity on a weekly basis for kids to get involved.”
The organization got its start as Mission Shawnee with services focused on immediate needs of community members on a broader scale such as food, clothing and housing assistance but as more groups began addressing those elements, it turned its focus to helping younger students.
The key to helping that population succeed at school and life came from focusing on long-term relationships between students and
mentors, Brooks said. In 2016, he brought experience from another organization with a focus on tutoring for students who need it, and that gave him a starting point for Uplift Mentoring’s current slate of programs.
One statistic Uplift Mentoring looks to address through its services comes from a biannual survey of local schools that indicate one in three students do not feel they have a reliable adult presence in their lives they can trust, Brooks said. Uplift Mentoring recruits and pairs mentors with students in need of a longterm relationship who can help cover that gap.
After bringing mentors onboard, Uplift Mentoring also helps plan the itineraries for the pairs to do together so they can focus on getting to know each other better during their time together, Brooks said. They participate in a variety of themed activities at the facility that focus on fun and education for about an hour and a half to two hours.
“We’re focused on helping these kids connect with their mentor and grow within their development,” Brooks said.
For more information about volunteering, becoming a mentor or enrolling a student, visit upliftmentoring.org. S
over the fence
WON’T YOU BE?
Passing Along Lessons Of Neighborly Kindness, Compassion
BY BRANDON DYER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMUNITY RENEWAL OF POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY
It was billed as a show for children — ages 2-5 to be specific — but PBS recognized that this very special show was “appropriate for all ages.”
And indeed, it was.
“Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” first aired on Feb. 19, 1968 and concluded its regular run nearly 34 years later in August 2001.
Fred Rogers, of course, was the central figure of this show. He wrote, acted, played the puppets, played the music and provided the inspiration for each episode.
A few years ago, Shawnee was fortunate enough to have the documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” come to town. The documentary was a beautiful account of the life and times of Fred Rogers, and the television show he made famous. His show is fixed in the hall of television history, but it is his message of kindness and love that lives on.
Sitting in the theater with my family, I munched on popcorn and felt like a kid again. I remembered watching “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” as a child. There was something about him that I probably couldn’t have articulated at such a young age, but he made me feel loved and special. Little bitty me. I was special. I somehow
mattered to Fred. In fact, I believed he was my friend, or at least I wanted him to be. He was an adult I knew I could count on to tell me the truth. You see, Fred didn’t shy away from difficult subjects as we often do with children.
We sometimes think children are too young to understand certain things, but Fred believed children had feelings that were just as valid and equally as complex as everyone else. He knew children could become scared and confused by the grown-up world around them, so he tackled timely and complicated issues like assassination, racism, divorce and death. He even came out of retirement to produce a single show in response to the tragedy of 9/11.
it compel them toward Fred’s solutions of love and kindness, or will it lead them down the lonely spiral of isolation and social decay? One path leads to human wholeness. One leads to collapse.
Fred said it best.
“The greatest thing we can do is to help somebody know that they’re loved … and capable of loving.”
ponent’s political sign is our friend?
The simple love and kindness that Fred offered is needed now more than ever, it seems. As I sat there watching the show, I couldn’t help but look at my children and think about the world in which they were growing up. Fear, polarization, mistrust and general meanness are everywhere. What’s even worse is they have something we didn’t: instant access to all the world’s ugliness in the palm of their hand 24/7. Will
No action can produce more fruit, and the most fertile soil for this message to take root is hidden in plain sight of our neighborhoods. What kind of world could we reveal to our children if we could learn to love our neighbors as we are learning to love ourselves? What if we could show them that all humans carry intrinsic value, even the ones we disagree with? What if we could teach them that the neighbor across the street with our op-
Fred’s mother taught him that in times of tragedy he only needed to “look for the helpers. There will always be helpers.” We have helpers on blocks all over our community. They believe this world is possible, and they’re bringing it into existence by making friends on the blocks where they live — friends that are like them and friends that are not like them. Their slogan is “We Care.”
Dyer
COPS N KIDS
Family Event Back With New Adventures, Familiar Favorites
BY DAVID DINSMORE
SThe free Cops N Kids 2025 event will feature games, activities, food, giveaways and family fun for everyone along with the chance to interact with the vehicles and gear of law enforcement and the men and women who use them to keep their communities safe. — Photos submitted
ince 2017, families from Shawnee and beyond have come together for some late summer fun and to learn more about the people, vehicles and gear used by law enforcement and first responders to help keep them safe.
The free, family-fun event will light the lamps and sound the sirens from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 23 at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center at 1700 W. MacArthur with plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained.
Over the years, the event has brought in people representing local departments, sheriff’s offices, state troops, tribal agencies, military units and federal entities alongside firefighters, paramedics, emergency management personnel and even the occasional TV news personality.
The event has seen thousands of attendees come for the chance to meet each of these participants and learn more about the work they do in their communities to help in the good and bad times. Kids and their grown-ups can climb into a helicopter, sit atop a motorcycle, try on a protective vest and helmet used for special tactical purposes, explore a surveillance and mobile command center and learn the special working relationship between officers and their K9 partners.
While the roster of participating agencies can vary year to year, there have been some like Mark Woodward with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics who make sure to have Cops N Kids on their annual must-do list.
“These types of educational opportunities for kids are very, very important,” said Woodward, public information and education officer with OBN. “That’s what events like these are designed to do, to give us a space to visit with these kids about what we’re here to do, which is to protect them and give them somebody they can trust.”
Chief among the goals for the event is to promote positive relationships between youth and families and law enforcement in Shawnee and throughout the State of Oklahoma, said Vivian Lozano, Shawnee Police Department’s public information officer and one of the planners of the event. Often, the only encounters some kids have with members of law enforcement happen when they are responding to a negative event, whether at home, school or elsewhere.
It’s not just law enforcement who work to keep their communities safe. First responders from other agencies charged with protecting families from fire, managing wildlife
in their habitats, treating and transporting the sick and injured and guarding against disasters as part of the military will also be in attendance to help highlight their missions.
Among some of the most popular attractions featured by first responder agencies are the helicopters and fire trucks available for kids and their adults to check out while at Cops N Kids. There is also an annual surprise vehicle arranged by Lozano that makes an appearance during the event.
Local businesses and community organizations have also joined in the fun every year by providing games, activities, entertainment and giveaways during Cops N Kids.
“Seeing all the families not just kids by themselves come through is very encouraging,” said Amy Price, agent and owner of the Shelter Insurance office at 304 W. MacArthur. “It’s a great event that everyone can enjoy.”
Price has participated in each event held in Shawnee since 2017, and she started her involvement as a family affair recruiting her daughters and their friends to operate a face painting booth. She has continued this tradition each year and has been happy to see it grow. If families and law enforcement can continue building strong relationships through events like Cops N Kids, it can help make the community safer for all.
“I have family who work in law enforcement, so it’s always been important to me that when they are doing their job that it
Kids in attendance will find a wide variety of activities like racing their friends on inflatable obstacles courses and water slides, trying their hand at tailgating favorites like corn hole or watching some rope tricks performed by Buckaroo Bart. Attendees this year also can get face-to-face with some new exotic animal pals, try their hand at some tie-dye activities, check out the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine and take on a bike rodeo.
The first 1,000 kids in attendance will receive a goodie bag with a T-shirt and other fun giveaways, Lozano said. All attendees also can register for a chance to win a bike and other great prizes during the event, including bicycles given out at the end of the day.
While they last, free hot dogs will also be up for grabs at the event, and a food truck will be available for those seeking other fare.
Step Up. Plug In. Grow Together.
“This has always been one of our favorite events,” Woodward said. “You see the people each year participating, and they always look forward to it because of the fun they’ve had every time.” A laid-back group for men ready to grow emotionally, mentally, and relationally. No pressure. Just real conversations. A 14-week journey for fathers and father figures to build stronger relationships at home and in the community.
SAFE STREETS
Roads Represent Physical Examples Of Community Connectedness
BY JOHN BOBB-SEMPLE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF POTTAWATOMIE GO
The City of Shawnee received a $172,000 federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant to help develop and address plans that will improve safer use of local roadways for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.— Photos submitted
There’s a certain kind of quiet that follows a crash.
Not the crash itself. That’s loud. But what comes after. The moment everything stops. The stillness. The questions and seeking answers to prevent this from happening again.
This past June, I witnessed something I’ll never forget. A man tried to cross MacArthur Street where there was not a crosswalk near Park in Shawnee.
Bobb-Semple
He was hit by a car. Emergency crews responded quickly, and he was taken to the hospital. Days later, we learned he didn’t survive.
The driver wasn’t speeding or distracted. They did nothing wrong, but
their life changed forever, too. Two lives. Two families. One community. This and many similar stories impact our friends and neighbors. My heart goes out to the families affected by this tragedy.
A new way to think about our streets
This fall, the City of Shawnee along with the University of Oklahoma are
starting something hopeful.
Thanks to a $172,000 U.S. Department of Transportation Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant, the City of Shawnee is developing the Safety Action Plan. This plan can guide new road designs, safer crossings and additional lighting among other solutions.
The Shawnee Safety Action Plan is a shared vision. The goal is for Shawnee and Pottawatomie County to be places where people can walk, bike, roll and drive safely and places where streets reflect our care for one another.
At Pottawatomie Go, we’re proud to be a partner of the City of Shawnee and the University of Oklahoma by helping gather community input. This plan is rooted in community engagement. The
>
goal is to listen first, and then design with purpose.
Why it matters to you and to me
During the past year, I’ve spoken with parents who are afraid to let their kids bike to school; seniors who wish they could walk the block but feel unsafe doing it; and residents who simply want to feel more connected.
Our Community Health Improvement Plan created from the 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment with dozens of local partners, identified safe transportation, neighborhood safety and active living around connection as top priorities. According to the Pottawatomie County Community Health Needs Assessment, 10 percent of households rely on walking as a primary mode of transportation. The Shawnee Safety Action Plan will consider this data along with community members’ perspective to address these issues and bring improvements closer to reality.
That’s why this work matters.
The Shawnee Safety Action Plan is not just about sidewalks and signs. It’s about health, dignity and the freedom to move confidently through our neighborhoods and community, from families with toddlers in strollers to seniors using mobility aids and everyone in between.
What we’re learning from listening
The Pottawatomie Go Built Environment Committee brings together city leaders, public health advocates and residents. We’re walking neighborhoods, taking notes and collecting data.
We’ve learned that when we ask people where they feel safe and where they don’t, they share more than locations. They share memories, concerns and hopes.
That feedback is shaping the future of Shawnee’s streets. And it starts one conversation at a time.
Your Voice Matters
Here’s how you can help:
• Bring the family to bike rodeo at Cops N Kids
• Ride at Pedal Palooza
• Celebrate National Walk to School Day
• Share your ideas at a public workshop
• Cheer from the sidewalk
What’s happening this fall
Scan to check out the Safe Streets Action Plan website.
Bike Rodeo with Cops N Kids — Friday, August 23
• Last year, more than 80 kids learned how to ride safely in a fun and educational environment, and this year will be the same with our annual Bike Rodeo.
Pott Co Pedal Palooza — Saturday, September 20
• A free, family-friendly event with food, music and fun bike rides for all ages. More than 200 people joined last year. This year, we’re expanding with more demonstration routes and community partners.
National Walk to School Day — Friday, October 8
• A day to acknowledge safe walking routes and encourage active school commutes.
Safe Streets Shawnee Action Planning Workshops — October through November
• Share your ideas at a public workshop or local happenings. Dates and times to be announced. These aren’t just events. They’re how we build safer streets, step by step together.
Every step our community takes brings us closer to a healthier, safer place to live. Let's build streets where we walk, bike, roll and drive safely. Let’s build streets where we all belong and where we all get around Shawnee and back home safely.
Visit www.safe-streets-shawnee.org to see event dates and share your input. For more information about the Community Health Needs Assessment, visit www.gopogo.org/chna. S
LEARNING TOGETHER
How Can We Make Sure Our Child Starts School The Right Way?
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.”
Ray and Joy ask: Do you have any advice for parents sending a child to school for the first time? Our son starts school soon and we’re really excited, but we’re worried about all the bad things that potentially happen when he’s there.
Starting school is a growth step for both parent(s) and children. Each may feel the weight of expectation from themselves and others. A child may be charged with blazing a new trail that sets the bar for others … or charged with living up to or restoring the bar set by the family members that came before. Parents often have their own version of educational history — positive or negative — by which they measure themselves.
In her book, “The Essential Conversation,” Sara LawrenceLightfoot describes being caught off guard by her feelings as she sat in the tiny desk at her daughter’s first parent/teacher conference: “I was drawn back in time, immediately made to feel small, powerless and infantilized.”
Sara is a professor of education at Harvard University, but in that moment, she experienced being a little girl again in school. No wonder parent/teacher conferences are at risk of becoming an uncomfortable thing to be endured rather than an ongoing conversation by team members who are joining forces on behalf of a child’s healthy development.
Healthy educational development isn’t just about reading, writing and arithmetic. It is critical that we take a broader view of our child’s education to include building healthy relationships, good decision making, partnering with others for the good of the community and becoming a person of integrity. Each school day offers opportunities for students, parents and teachers to become better versions of themselves while learning and building an educational skillset. It can feel like there is a lot riding on that first school day, but the greater value is in recognizing that education for each of us is a continuing process across our lifespan rather than a one-time project to complete.
It is important to develop a healthy educational environment. Start from a positive position, believing that you, your child and his/her teachers are all on the same team. Choose to believe in the good intention of all the players. How do we get there?
• Communicate. Communicate. Communicate some more. Remember that communication is both speaking and listening. Most school districts offer an easily accessed app to com-
municate with teachers. It is a way to get helpful procedural, scheduling and calendar information as well as a way for parents and teachers to reach out directly with questions or concerns. Effective communication reduces the risk of assumptions and focuses on mutual understanding. Be aware that understanding brings greater clarity — sometimes with agreement and sometimes without — but because the goal is the success of your student, it is worth the effort.
• Be aware of your own school experience as a student. That history may influence your participation in your child’s experience in both positive and negative ways. Being more aware will allow for better self-management.
• Ask questions for clarification instead of assuming you know what someone is thinking. For example:
• How does my child interact with others?
• Does my child ask for help with schoolwork? With relationships?
• How can I (the parent) help you (the teacher)? Or what information can I give you that will help you know my child better?
• Remember this is a process, so allow for rough drafting and do-overs. Shoot for greater clarity over time, not perfection in the moment.
• Allow space for humor. Healthy humor can support us through difficult passages.
• Offer grace to yourself and others. Grace allows room for us to try again.
Here are a few resources for the journey.
• Books:
• “The Essential Conversation: What Parents and Teachers Can Learn From Each Other,” Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot. A practical book encouraging parents and teachers to enhance education for children by teamwork.
• “Among School Children,” Tracy Kidder. A fascinating bird’s eye view of a year spent in a 5th grade classroom with 20 students and their compassionate teacher. An insightful picture of education struggles in America, and of the commitment of teachers to their students.
• Websites:
• ptaourchildren.org has a great article titled “10 Ways to Get Involved in Your Child’s School.”
• pbs.org/parents – PBS Parent Resources has many good resources for raising kids who thrive.
There are many other books, websites and programs available at a county, state and national level. Please feel free to share helpful discoveries with your community. S
Paulann
NOW OPEN
Del Plaza Shopping Center Helped Change Local Shopping Landscape
BY ANN MCDONALD, COURTESY POTT CO HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBER
As the city entered the 1960s, some folks in Shawnee were beginning to go to the big city to take advantage of a new form of shopping that was growing in popularity. As a result, local businessmen started looking into the prospect of developing a local shopping center for the convenience of customers.
Shawnee’s downtown had always been lined with stores and businesses and places to eat. Yet, the town was growing, and there was concern that it needed to “keep up.” Parking was inadequate along Main Street. City officials even tried parallel parking to give more space to larger vehicles having trouble maneuvering along narrow Main Street. So a shopping center away from downtown with plenty of parking was exciting.
Del Plaza originally planned 500 parking spaces to serve 15 businesses at the corner of Harrison and Independence, offering accessibility for an increasingly mobile shopping base growing in Shawnee.
Del Baker owned 12 acres on the corner of Harrison and Independence, and he began outlining plans to include a shopping center with 500 parking spaces. He began contacting potential businesses to fill spaces in his planned shopping center. Some of the interested businesses included the IGA grocery chain and the Woolworth Company, whose representative indicated Shawnee might be large enough for a second store.
Baker’s plan was for 15 stores, including a department store, a barber shop, a beauty shop, auto supply company, dress shop and furniture store. Baker explained that the center to be called Del Plaza would be a one-stop place for local shoppers.
Del Plaza did come to be, but the initial concept Del Baker had for his dream took longer to realize than anticipated and involved several changes. Shawnee’s first shopping center eventually became an important part of the local scene but was somewhat different from what was first pictured. The 500 parking places were never needed, but shoppers did like it being easy to find a space near where they planned to shop.
Brannon’s Grocery anchored the east end of the mall for many years, and today the well-attended Save-A-Lot grocery store occupies the same spot. Woolworth never built a second store in Shawnee, but Ben Franklin moved there and became one of shoppers’ favorite stops. A drug store was also nearby.
Though fewer parking spaces were created than planned, Del Plaza helped keep local shoppers from having to go out of town to find what they needed, but it also changed the long-established downtown shopping scene. — Photos submitted
Over the years, Colonel Sanders opened one of his Kentucky Fried Chicken places. There was a submarine sandwich business for a while along with a popular Mexican restaurant. There have been barber and beauty shops and one of the dollar-type stores. A laundromat was on the end for many years. Today the “strip” is occupied by different businesses, places to eat, offices and various small shops.
So Del Baker’s dream of “moving” some of Shawnee’s shoppers to an outlying area was successful. Over time, more malls have developed, which included Kickapoo Spur when it was expected to be the entrance into Shawnee from I-40.
While it might not have been his plan, some of the reason shoppers began to drift to the stores away from downtown was because of the businesses at his mall, especially the variety of stores that stayed open on Sunday, This was uncommon in Shawnee at the time. Over time, the downtown stores began to see their customers taking advantage of the mall’s Sunday hours, so they began to stay open in the afternoon. Then, it was all day.
Del Plaza businesses offered new options for local shoppers and may have inadvertently helped with a cultural change as customers responded to new options and hours. Now, Shawnee has all kinds of shopping centers with hours convenient for customers … along with plenty of parking.
mental health
SUPPORTIVE STRATEGIES
Finding Ways To Thrive During Perimenopause
BY CANDI MARTIN
Let’s be honest. Most of us didn’t get the full story about menopause.
You might have heard about it in passing — maybe even joked about hot flashes or mood swings —but few of us were truly prepared for what happens before menopause actually begins. This transitional phase, called perimenopause, can feel like your body is throwing curveballs. One day, everything feels normal. The next, you're waking up at 3 a.m. in a puddle of sweat, wondering what’s going on.
Yes, there are emotional shifts, a sense of disorientation and moments of doubt, but there’s also something else emerging — a growing awareness of your strength, your needs and your evolving identity.
Perimenopause is as much an emotional and mental shift as it is physical. It reminds us that change is constant, and even in this in-between space, there's room to grow, reflect and redefine what it means to be yourself.
So, What Is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the natural transitional phase leading up to menopause, when your ovaries gradually produce less estrogen and progesterone. It usually begins in your 40s, but for some, it can start as early as the mid-30s. This phase can last
for several years and brings with it a host of changes — some subtle and others impossible to ignore.
You might notice irregular periods, sleep disruptions, sudden mood swings or that familiar 3 a.m. wake-up call drenched in sweat. One moment, you're feeling just fine; the next, you're anxious or inexplicably sad. If it feels confusing, you’re not imagining things. These are all real, physiological changes your body is going through.
Why Your Body Feels Like It’s Betraying You
During perimenopause, your hormone levels begin to fluctuate. Estrogen and progesterone production slows, but your brain — specifically the hypothalamus — keeps trying to stimulate your ovaries to produce more, according to 2015 data published by Nature Reviews Endocrinology. The hypothalamus also regulates body temperature, which is why it can suddenly misfire and trigger hot flashes. The body responds by increasing blood flow and activating sweat glands, leaving you overheated, flushed and reaching for the nearest fan.
You're not powerless, however, and small lifestyle shifts can make a big difference in how you feel.
Supportive Strategies: Movement, Food, and Flow
A balanced diet and regular physical activity can help regulate hormones and support both mood and metabolism.
Martin
Research has shown moderate movement like walking, dancing, strength training, yoga or swimming can reduce stress, improve sleep and support bone and heart health . Here’s a simple day-long routine to consider:
• Morning: 10-minute walk or light stretching
• Afternoon: Strength and cardio combo. Try squats, pushups, glute bridges or a 10-minute dance workout.
• Evening: Gentle yoga or a 5-minute guided meditation. Online video sites have great free options.
Food matters too. Try incorporating hormone-supportive choices like:
• Tofu, edamame, soy milk
• Flaxseeds, chickpeas, lentils
• Leafy greens, fatty fish, low-fat dairy
• Pumpkin seeds, almonds, eggs, avocado, dark chocolate
Also, try unplugging from screens an hour before bed. Your sleep will thank you.
Relationships, Brain Fog and Libido Changes (Oh My)
Perimenopause can sneak into your relationships like an uninvited houseguest who adjusts the thermostat and eats all your snacks — but with hormones. One minute you're cuddling; the next you're irrationally annoyed by how loudly your partner chews.
It’s common to experience libido changes, too. You may find yourself more interested in reorganizing your spice rack than anything romantic.
And then there’s the brain fog: mid-sentence, your thoughts vanish into thin air. Frustrating? Absolutely, but with communication, patience and a shared sense of humor, you and your partner can get through this time without resorting to separate zip codes.
Check in with each other. Educate one another. Let this time be a chapter of bonding, not just surviving.
Mental Health and Mindfulness
The emotional ups and downs of perimenopause can sometimes mirror symptoms of anxiety or depression. This is where health professionals can help distinguish between hormonedriven mood changes and clinical conditions.
In the meantime, you can support your mental well-being with practices like:
• Mindful breathing: Inhale for four counts, hold for four, exhale for six to eight
• Progressive muscle relaxation: Tense and release muscles in sequence
• Guided imagery: Listen to calming audio to reduce cortisol and improve mood
• Journaling: Helps you process emotions and find clarity
• Apps: Try Headspace, Calm or Insight Timer for sessions designed for women’s health
Creativity helps, too. Take a class, write, paint or garden. Small joys matter. And don’t forget — caffeine and alcohol can worsen hot flashes and disrupt sleep, so be mindful of your intake.
You’re Not Alone — And You’re Not Broken
Perimenopause is a natural stage of life, not a personal failure or a medical crisis. Yes, it can be uncomfortable, disorienting, even overwhelming at times, but it can also be empowering.
By understanding what’s happening in your body and embracing supportive practices, you can move through this season with resilience and self-compassion. You are not the same person you were. That’s not a loss but a transformation.
Perimenopause is not just a phase of endings. It’s a chance to evolve, to reconnect with yourself and to step into the next chapter with clarity and strength.
If you or someone you know would like support on their journey with mental health, substance misuse or gambling, do not hesitate to reach out to Gateway at (405) 273-1170 or send us a message through our Facebook page: Gateway to Prevention and Recovery, Inc. Our team is committed to helping individuals and families find the path to hope, healing and greater health.
Candi Martin, MS, CHC, CLC is an assistant program coordinator for the TSET Healthy Living Program. She has worked with adolescents and adults in a behavioral health setting for more than 10 years. She has been in the fitness and industry for 15 years and is passionate about substance misuse prevention, education and overall holistic well-being. S
REDISCOVER SOUND
Aug. 8-9: The FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival offers two days of balloon glows, balloon launches and balloon rides with a carnival, inflatables, food trucks, vendor market and live music in a family-friendly environment in and around Raymond Peltier Park at 1702 S. Gordon Cooper. Live music will include Cam Allen, Craig Wayne Boyd, Jesse Keith Whitley and Ricochet. Information: firelakeballoonfest.com
Aug. 8-9: The Outdoor Nation Expo returns to the FireLake Arena at 18145 Old Rangeline Road with a free event to help families find all the ways to enjoy the great outdoors featuring camping, hunting, and fishing events along with booths and attractions. Information: outdoornationexpo.com
Aug. 8-9: The Spinning Spools Quilt Guild 2025 Quilt Show will feature dozens of beautiful handmade quilts on display in 11 judged categories, plus non-judged quilts and the opportunity to vote for your personal favorite in the People's Choice Award at the Geiger Center on the campus of Oklahoma Baptist University at 500 W. University. Information: ShawneeSpinningSpoolsQuiltGuild.com.
Aug. 9: The Shawnee Public Library will help families get ready to return to the classroom with Making a Difference: School Prep for Success from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the
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library 100 N. Philadelphia. In addition to learning about all of the resources the library offers to support students, attendees also can receive pencil cases with school supplies, grab a snow cone, and even become a blood donor.
Information: (405) 275-6353
Aug. 9: Head on over to Woodland Veterans Park downtown for a Back To School Bash at 6 p.m. to enjoy music, games, food and fun. Information: events.visitshawnee.com/event/ back-to-school-bash
Aug. 9: Pay tribute to classic rock bands Foreigner and Boston with a show featuring Double Vision and Dallas Boston Experience at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theatre at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee.com
Aug. 16: Put on your game face and get ready to Battle on the Big Screen, a quarterly gaming event starting at 9:30 a.m. hosted at Gordon Cooper Technology Center’s seminar center at 1 John C. Bruton. Information: rooksdigital.com
Aug. 21: Bikes on Bell Bike Nights returns at 6 p.m. in downtown Shawnee. This monthly family-friendly gathering/ celebration of motorcycle enthusiasts, riders and their friends and family features events, vendors, giveaways and charity
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fundraising, A portion of the proceeds will benefit Shawnee High School band boosters. Information: facebook.com/ ToolboxLLC
Aug. 21: 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.
Aug. 22: Sam Donald will take to the stage with Cade Roth & Blacksheep for a show starting at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theatre at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee.com
Aug. 23: The Rocket Man Run is an annual 5K race and onmile fun run hosted by the Gordon Cooper Technology Center Foundation to raise funds to meet its goal of helping students succeed. The event is set to start at 7:30 a.m. at the Gordon Cooper campus at 1 John C. Bruton. Information: runsignup. com/Race/OK/Shawnee/RocketManRun5KFunWalk
Aug. 23: Cops N Kids returns with a full afternoon of from all levels showcasing the skills and tools that help keep inflatables, giveaways, vendor booths and more from 11 a.m. Independence. Information: facebook.com/Shawneecopsnkids
of their talented musicians with a concert starting at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main. Information:
will host an from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 326 W. 11th St., inviting everyone in the community to meet the staff, learn about their programs and pick up back-to-school resources for children and families. Information: yfrcshawnee.org or (405) 275-3340
Sept. 1-30: Legacy Parenting Center will be hosting a monthlong diaper drive for Diaper Needs Awareness Week (Sept. 15-21) to collect diapers and wipes for families in need in the areas they serve in Shawnee and beyond. Visit legacyshawnee. com/dnaw or call (405) 432-2844 for information about drop off sites.
Sept. 3-6: Make your way to the Pottawatomie County Free Fair in Shawnee for an array of activities perfect for children and the whole family. Check out the open class competitions, arts and crafts, commercial vendors, educational booths and delicious fair food. Daily livestock shows and exhibitions will include poultry, goats, cattle, rabbits, sheep and more. Don't miss the fair's farmhand olympics, as well as an antique tractor
display, garden tractor pull and demonstrations. Information: freefair.org
Sept. 4: Get ready to revel in the rhythms of the second annual Dancing with Shawnee competition fundraiser as six local pairings boogie down for a chance to win the mirror ball trophy. Enjoy a night of food and fun starting at 6 p.m. at the Grand Casino event center at 777 Grand Casino Blvd with proceeds supporting the Shawnee Rotary Club and its work in the community. Information: givebutter.com/ dancingwithshawnee
Sept. 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
Sept. 5: Comedian Matt Ferrell comes to Shawnee for a night of laughs starting at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main. Information: ritzshawnee.com
If you know of any events you would like to see featured, email editor@shawneeoutlook.com.
www.shawneeoutlook.com
Earn 100 points Sunday–Saturday from July–September for entry into the FireLake Bronco Giveaway with Seminole Ford at 10 PM on October 4, 2025
August 8-9
