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keep the change

CELEBRATE IN STYLE

Healthy Hearing

e had a few celebrations in our house last month, but also a strict budget, so some creativity was in order to keep those moments special without sacrificing our spending. Here are some tips: Use gift cards. Maybe it's just us, but digging through old wallets and purses unearths a trove of unused gift cards. In addition, I earn gift cards year-round through some of my preferred apps (lately it's been Fetch). I prefer to cash in for movie tickets or restaurants that we might not afford otherwise. Don't forget loyalty points or credit card rewards — those add up, too.

Look for promotions. Many venues offer discounts or free items for birthdays, but even without those, keep an eye out for options like half-price days (Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the most common times to find these) or bundled deals to lower the overall costs. Programs like Kids Bowl Free and theaters offering summer movies for $1 are also great choices to lower the costs of family outings.

Use passes. If you already have a season pass to a certain venue, make sure you maximize your usage and get creative with it. Go on a date to the zoo or create a scavenger hunt at an alreadyfamiliar location to make it feel new. If you don't have your own pass, check with friends or family to see if they have passes that offer discounts for guests. Don't forget the local library also offers pass rentals to many popular locations — for free.

Check Tourism Boards. TravelOK, Visit Shawnee and MetroFamily all offer great resources for interesting (and many free) sites you may have missed. State parks and local festivals are usually cost-effective and offer great family memories.

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

BENEFITS OF COOKING AT HOME I

n today’s busy world, it can be tempting to grab takeout or stop by a restaurant after a long day. While eating out can be convenient, cooking at home offers many benefits for both your health and your wallet.

One of the biggest advantages of home cooking is having control over the ingredients. When preparing meals at home, you can choose lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and healthy fats while limiting excess sodium, added sugars and saturated fats. Restaurant meals often contain larger portions and more calories than we realize, making it easier to consume more food than our bodies need.

Cooking at home can also save a significant amount of money. A family meal prepared at home often costs a fraction of what the same meal would cost at a restaurant. For example, a homemade chicken and vegetable dinner may cost just a few dollars per serving while dining out can easily cost two to three

One-Pan Baked Chicken, Rice, Broccoli & Mushrooms

This one-pan baked chicken, rice, broccoli and mushrooms is the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you want a healthy, homemade meal without a lot of cleanup. Tender chicken thighs, rice and colorful vegetables bake together in one dish, creating a balanced meal packed with protein, fiber, and flavor. Simply assemble and bake to enjoy a comforting dinner the whole family will love.

Ingredients

1½–2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1½ cups uncooked rice

3 cups low-sodium chicken broth

2 cups broccoli florets

8 oz mushrooms, sliced

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp Italian seasoning

½ tsp black pepper

½ tsp salt (optional)

Directions: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a 9x13 baking dish, combine rice, broth, mushrooms, olive oil and half of the sea-

times as much.

Over the course of a month, those savings can add up quickly. Another benefit of cooking at home is the opportunity to build healthy habits and spend time together as a family. Involving children in meal preparation can help them learn valuable life skills and encourage them to try new foods. Family meals have also been linked to better nutrition and healthier eating patterns.

The good news is that home-cooked meals do not have to be complicated. Simple recipes, one-pan meals, crockpot dishes and meal planning can make cooking easier and less stressful. Even preparing just a few more meals at home each week can have a positive impact on your health and budget. By cooking at home more often, you can enjoy nutritious meals, save money and create healthy habits that benefit your family for years to come.

mixture. Drizzle with the remaining one Tbsp oil and sprinkle with the remaining seasonings. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 50 minutes. Remove from and carefully uncover. Stir the broccoli into the rice around the chicken. Re-cover and bake another 10-15 minutes until the rice and broccoli are both fork tender. Let rest five minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving

Makes 6 servings: one chicken thigh + ¾ cup rice mixture

Calories: 425 Protein: 33g Carbohydrates: 33g Fiber: 4g Total Fat: 17g Saturated Fat: 3.5g Sodium: 310mg

Nutrition 101 Tip: One-pan meals are a great way to create a balanced plate without extra work. This recipe combines lean protein, grains and vegetables in one dish, providing fiber to support digestion, protein to keep you full, and nutrients that help fuel your body. Plus, cooking at home allows you to control sodium, fat and ingredient quality while saving time and money.

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.

art of the matter

Art Played Role In Early World Atlases

SUBMITTED BY DELAYNNA TRIM, CURATOR OF COLLECTIONS AT MABEE-GERRER MUSEUM OF ART

A MAP IT OUT

ll the publicity around America’s 250th celebration got me thinking about maps, specifically, old maps. We have some fantastic maps in the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art collection, many of which date to the 16th and 17th centuries. Since we are celebrating freedom from being an English colony, I thought we might look at this map of England from 1632.

The most celebrated of English cartographers, John Speed (1552-1629), produced the first English world atlas — A Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World — in 1627. Speed was born in Cheshire and had 18 children by his wife, Susanna.

Speed used much of the work of John Saxton and John Norden, enhanced by his own survey work. He was given an allowance by Sir Fulke Greville to research and produce English county maps, and Queen Elizabeth I granted him use of a room in the Custom House. His atlas, The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine, was published in 1610 and contained the first set of individual county maps of England and Wales and included maps of Ireland and a general map of Scotland.

Early atlases featured elements of art as cartographers attempted to illustrate the world as they understood it.

It is amazing to consider what it took to create these maps. One great addition to this map is the eight figures along the sides of the map. There is a nobleman, a gentleman, a citizen and a country man, along with their wives. This is a great visual record of what men and women of different social classes wore in the 1630s in England. The clothing for “A Lady” is much more structured and elegant than those for “A Country Woman.”

Of course, my favorite part of this map, and many of these older maps, are the “sea monsters.” We can see some whale-like and even alligator-like monsters emerging from the waters. Notice how large they are compared to the ships. Sea monsters were most likely based on real stories of encounters with whales, giant squid and other sea creatures. Most seafaring cultures have folk tales about sea monsters. Stories of a giant octopus or kraken have been around since the 16th century. A giant squid was described by Aristotle in Historia Animalium. Pliny the Elder also described a giant squid with a head as big as a cask in his Naturalis Historia in the first century A.D.

Create Your Own Map

Regardless of sea monsters, maps give us a large amount of information not just locations of cities and towns but also of the life and culture of the creator of the map. For other map related art projects, check out www.mgmoa.org/ art-projects or scan the QR code.

Scan this code to visit the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art’s athome project page.

Supplies: paper, pencil, markers or crayons

1. Choose where you want your map to be. Maybe draw a map of your neighborhood or a place you like to visit.

2. Sketch your map

3. Add some details like houses, trees and maybe even a sea monster or two! Don’t forget to add a compass rose for direction.

4. Use crayons or markers to add color to your map

Optional: Before you begin, you can use tea bags to stain your paper to make your map look old.

TINY THREADS

Seemingly Isolated Acts Of Kindness Weave Close-Knit Communities

BY BRANDON DYER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMUNITY RENEWAL OF POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY

few years ago, I heard a story that made me proud to be from our incredible town.

A son was working in the heat one afternoon to mow his mother’s lawn. The mother had served our community for many years as a police dispatcher and administrative assistant and had recently experienced some serious health problems that left her unable to care for her yard. The son suffered from his own health problems, but he wasn’t going to let that stop him from taking care of his ailing mother’s yard.

In an effort to do a very good thing, the son became overheated. A nearby neighbor called 911, and the fire department arrived to help the son recover.

As they were tending to the son, one of the firemen observed the situation and felt compelled to go the extra mile. He took the lawn mower and finished mowing the yard. No big deal according to his battalion chief. It’s what the fire department is all about: lending a hand and going the extra mile. And he’s right. Our fire department is fantastic.

Stories like this happen every day in our community. Why? Because our community is full of hard-working, selfless folks who do the right thing when given the opportunity. These are people who go the extra mile when a need is perceived and who understand that neighborhoods are full of neighbors who are worth knowing and looking out for. They realize that what we have in common is more important than what we don’t.

These days it’s easy to become convinced that this simply isn’t true. At times, we let our differences dictate our attitudes. It’s easy to define people by what they are not, such as how they

are not like us, do not vote like us, do not raise their kids like us, do not possess a certain faith like us or do not manicure their lawn like us. When we allow ourselves to dismiss folks by our perception of difference, we begin to lose a little bit of what it is to be human. A fragmented, isolated society is no society at all. The world is a better place when we look for points of commonality and use them as bridges to build meaningful relationships, however messy they may be at times.

So get to know your neighbors. Smile. Invite them over for a barbeque. Learn their kiddos’ names. Be helpful when there is a need. Take them food when they are sick. Mow their grass when they are out of town.

These simple acts of kindness matter. They’re not isolated, but rather, they’re woven together like tiny threads in the beautiful tapestry of the human community. We really are better together.

Dyer

Office: 405-273-1761

Direct: 405-615-3603

cwhite@firstunitedbank.com cwhite.firstunitedteam.com

2675 N. Harrison St. | Shawnee, OK 74804

74804 405-214-4971 Jacob Russell

4010 N Kickapoo Ave, Ste 1 Shawnee, OK 74804 405-214-1978

E MacArthur St Shawnee, OK 74804 405-788-0040

OK 74804 405-395-2006

community DECADE OF DIGNITY

Community Market Celebrates 10 Years Of Serving Neighbors

BY DAVID DINSMORE

Community Market of Pottawatomie County has distributed more than 30 million pounds of food in its first 10 years to families in Pottawatomie, Seminole, and parts of Lincoln County. It will mark its milestone anniversary with an open-house reception from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14 at its 120 S. Center St. market. — Photos submitted

This month, Community Market of Pottawatomie County will celebrate 10 years of serving the families of Shawnee and beyond with an open-house reception from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14 at its 120 S. Center St. market at the corner of Main Street.

The occasion marks a decade of evolution, resilience and a steadfast commitment to one of its core philosophies: restoring dignity to those who need it most, said Emily Heath, the organization’s chief operating officer.

“Our goal is to normalize the charitable food system as much as we can,” Heath said. “Our goal would be,

say a single mom brings in her 5-yearold, that that kid would just kind of think it's a weird grocery store. We want to restore dignity in everything we do.”

What began as a single brickand-mortar storefront in Shawnee has expanded its reach to serve all of Pottawatomie and Seminole counties, along with portions of southern Lincoln County. Today, it has become a cornerstone of local support, having distributed over 30 million pounds of food within the last decade.

Yet, for Heath, the numbers tell only part of the story. The true measure of the organization’s success lies in the way it has adapted to meet the complex,

shifting needs of the region.

“Food insecurity is really complex,” Heath said. “It touches almost every facet of poverty and the needs that lowincome families struggle to meet.”

Community Market’s growth was spurred by necessity and an eye toward breaking down barriers to food access. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the organization to transition to outdoor, drive-through distribution for 18 months, the staff realized that for many families, transportation was a significant hurdle, Heath said. That realization prompted the launch of the mobile market program in 2020.

Throughout its history, the team has navigated unexpected crises, including the 2023 tornado and disruptions to SNAP benefits. Heath credits the ability of the organization’s staff and supporters to "think on a dime" to a culture of flexibility and compassion.

“My greatest reward is being able to work alongside a great team of staff and volunteers that just continue to always rise to the occasion,” Heath said. “Whether it's surviving a pandemic

together or providing disaster response after the 2023 tornado, we are always able to rise to the occasion, and it's really sweet to be part of such a great team.”

Heath was one of the first members of that team, arriving in 2017 soon after graduating from Oklahoma Baptist University with a motivation that encapsulates the heart that guides the work of Community Market. As a student coming from McAlester, she said the Shawnee community’s spirit captured her early on and helped form her career goals after school.

“I knew that I always wanted to give back to my community,” Heath said. “I didn’t necessarily know what that looked like. Community Market happened to be my first job post-college. I fell in love with the community of Shawnee, met my husband here and knew we wanted to stick around and continue contributing.”

This type of commitment shows up in the work put in at Community Market, from the training staff members receive in motivational interviewing

— which helps connect clients with broader resources — to simple touches like having snacks available in the lobby for those waiting.

One of the most defining characteristics of the Community Market experience is the “client choice” model, Heath said. The organization sidesteps the traditional, sterile food pantry experience, opting instead for a shopping environment that mirrors a typical grocery store. Families receive a list from which to shop the shelves and cases for their own food, browsing produce, freezer and shelf-stable sections before checking out.

“It's really vulnerable to have to ask for help to meet such a basic need,” Heath said. “We want to be able to provide as many benefits to our services as possible.”

As the organization marks its milestone birthday and noting the impact its people have been able to make, it is also looking toward the future. Community Market looks to partner with Impact Seminole to establish a new brick-and-mortar

location in Seminole within the next few years. Heath said they also aim to expand mobile markets into south Pottawatomie and Lincoln counties, continuing to bridge the gap for families living in rural areas.

Though Community Market benefits from the staff that help serve the needs of its clients, the organization has also benefitted from the support of many other people and groups within the community. For those interested in supporting the mission, Heath emphasizes that there are numerous ways to get involved.

Beyond monetary donations — which can be made online at OurCommunityMarket.org — the organization relies heavily on volunteers to pack boxes, assist shoppers and manage the warehouse. Employers and other groups are encouraged to bring teams for service days, and advocacy remains a vital pillar of support. As the market enters its second decade, the scope has expanded while the mission remains to

serve with compassion, adaptability and dignity.

“Volunteer, donate, come stop by and get a tour and hear what we’re about,” Heath said. “And (people can) just advocate for the needs of families in our

community. Make sure that if they know of families that need assistance, they get them in touch with us.”

For more information, visit ourcommunitymarket.org or call (405)

SETTING THE PACE

Health Week ’26 Kicks Off A Healthy Summer

BY LAUREN ROTH

Shawnee celebrated its annual kickoff to a healthy summer May 23-30 during Health Week ’26, a communitywide event sponsored by Avedis Foundation that welcomed participants of all ages to take part in free activities focused on health, wellness, education and connection.

Health Week ’26 was presented as a community collaboration led by Avedis Foundation in partnership with City of Shawnee Parks & Recreation, Community Renewal of Pottawatomie County, Pioneer Library System, Pogo, the Shawnee YMCA and registered dietitian Andrea Beck. These community partners, along with volunteers and local organizations, worked together to plan a week of activities and educational opportunities throughout Shawnee.

Kathy Laster, president and CEO of Avedis Foundation, noted that Health

Week sees increased participation among the community each year, particularly in 2026.

“Health Week has truly become Shawnee’s favorite kickoff to a healthy

summer, and this year’s participation exceeded our expectations,” Laster said. “We are incredibly grateful to our community partners, volunteers, Health Week Steering Committee members and everyone who contributed their time and talents to this special week.”

The week began with National Senior Health & Fitness Day at the Shawnee Recreation Center, where 129 seniors gathered for free health screenings, exercise classes, wellness resources and social engagement.

City of Shawnee senior program supervisor Angie Kelly, her staff and a dedicated volunteer team — including Joyce Hishaw, Jessica Guinn, Mary Johnston, Vonda Bryce, Fran Ryals, Marilyn Mackey, Shaylee Crowder, Rain Samsal, Quita Castleberry, Beth Perry, Jeri McEntire, Jeanne Story, Linda Fred, Sally Murphy, Kathy Reynolds,

National Champion track star Charles Clark greets participants as they arrive at one of his afternoon youth clinics during Health Week '26. — Photos submitted

Participants cautiously move in for a closer look during BugFest at Shawnee Public Library.

Midgie May, Pam Pollard and Gayle Stacy — helped create a welcoming experience for participants.

The week’s focus on healthy habits included Healthy Snacks and Hydration at Shawnee Splash, led by Pogo and its Fruit & Veggie UP! Coalition volunteers, encouraging attendees to stay energized and hydrated while learning practical strategies for summer wellness.

More than 400 guests attended Avedis Foundation’s Speaker Series Luncheon on Thursday, May 28, at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center. The luncheon, presented by Avedis and Pogo, welcomed keynote speaker Charles Clark, a three-time national champion in track, 10-time All-American, entrepreneur and motivational speaker. Clark shared a message about resilience, purpose and overcoming adversity, encouraging attendees to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.

During the luncheon, Avedis Foundation recognized Sue Nelson as the 2026 recipient of the “We’re Here for Good” Service Award, honoring her decades of volunteerism and leadership. As part of the award, Avedis Foundation also made a $5,000 charitable donation to the local organization of Nelson’s choosing. She designated The Salvation Army-Shawnee to receive the donation.

Citizen Potawatomi Nation Vice Chair Linda Capps was also recognized for her legacy of leadership and service to the community. As she prepares for retirement, Capps was honored for her contributions to education, economic development, tribal advancement and community improvement across Oklahoma and within Shawnee.

Christi Luka and the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center staff, along with Ken Stafford and Droffats Catering, helped make the event a success.

Following the luncheon, Pogo organized two youth track clinics at Oklahoma Baptist University’s Eddie Hurt Jr. Memorial Track featuring

speaker Charles Clark, who provided hands-on instruction and encouraged resilience through his lessons about perseverance in overcoming adversity. Nearly 50 students from grades one through 12 took part in the development clinics, assisted by a volunteer team that included Cama Watts, Micah Barton, KJ Price, Blaine Robison, Kyle Kaaiwela, Skyren Cleary, Jason Gates, Sara Dame, Savy Spratt, Steve Maxwell and Olivia Wilson.

Pogo also recognized Oklahoma Baptist University and Tanner Morris,

ABOVE: Youth participants listen to instructions and encouragement from track standout Charles Clark during one of Clark's youth clinics.

LEFT: One of several four-legged friends that attended the Pups & Pals festivities during FunDay at Kidspace Park as part of Health Week '26.

associate athletic director for external operations, for their partnership and support.

Between morning and evening schedules (and the occasional downpour), Friday’s FunDay at KidSpace Park delivered a full day of recreation, competition, learning and socializing for kids, families and fourlegged friends. City of Shawnee Parks & Recreation staff — including Amy Riggins, Rain Samsal, Chris Spillers, Beau Ingram, Emiliano Derueda and Levi Gregory — prepared the park for the event, while Community Renewal’s Michael Phillips found his next calling as a DJ by keeping the energy high with music and family-friendly entertainment.

FunDay at KidSpace Park included reading and STEM activities presented by Pioneer Library System in addition to kid-friendly activities and competitions for prizes throughout the day. A Roll & Stroll Walk and

Community Connection Walk encouraged residents to enjoy the park’s walking trails with neighbors and friends.

Pet owners and their four-legged besties took part in Pups & Pals, an annual crowd favorite which featured photo opportunities, games and top-dog prizes. Beverly Mabry, Sandy Stormes, Danielle and Ember Luna of the Bethel 4-H Club welcomed dozens of pups and their humans, while AbiGail King and Dr. Marr of Dogwood Veterinary Hospital provided pup-approved giveaways.

A “Sweet Fixes” healthy cooking demonstration, presented by Lindsay Goodson from Pogo and registered dietitian Andrea Beck, drew an eager crowd who sampled healthier summer recipes that relied on honey as a sugar replacement. Volunteers Neil Lindenbaum, Lynn Cowie, Julie Gibbs and Channing Goodson assisted with the demonstrations.

Avedis Foundation provided complimentary dinners and desserts Friday evening from Special Kneads and Eats, Mission Monks, Psycho Taco and Peachwave, whose food trucks served nearly 400 children and adults.

Health Week wrapped up Saturday, May 30, with BugFest at Shawnee Public Library. BugFest attracted 425 brave attendees who defied their heebie-jeebies and explored insects, pollinators and ecosystems through hands-on exhibits and educational activities. While hosting BugFest,

Mary Sims and the entire Shawnee Public Library team welcomed nearly 900 visitors to the library in a day. Behind the scenes, steering committee members worked throughout the past year to make Health Week ’26 possible: Amy Riggins, Angie Kelly and the City of Shawnee Recreation; Korie Hicks, Lindsay Goodson, Suhaila Nease, Macy Muirhead and John Bobb-Semple with Pogo; Andrea Beck, registered dietitian; Traci Fuhrman and Teri Sigman with the Shawnee YMCA; Mary Sims with the Shawnee Public Library; Travis Flood with Community Renewal; and Audrey Seeliger with Avedis Foundation. S

PLAY BALL

Shawnee’s Baseball History Precedes Statehood

BY ANN MCDONALD, COURTESY POTT CO HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBER

It is hard to conclude which came first in the new settlement of Shawnee — baseball or the trains. Both were here well before 1900.

New settlers reported their lives were busy with work but also play, which included baseball. Fields were soon full of games and citizens lined up to watch. In 1898, a clothing store’s team, the Olympians, had a four-year run against visiting teams. Before statehood, Shawnee had teams in leagues. The Browns competed against Chickasha, Oklahoma City and Guthrie, while the Blues’ league included Muskogee, Tulsa and McAlester.

Shawnee High School baseball began about 1911 and continues today, even being designated national champion as recently as 2017 after posting a perfect season record.

Early games were played at several locations across the area until 1928, when a real park was constructed on the western edge of town. City leaders learned the St. Louis Cardinals were interested in bringing a minor league team here, and it happened. The Robins came for a twoyear stay on a field modeled after the one in Missouri.

before a full house.

Baseball among the youngsters grew so popular that their own fields were built around town by citizens groups and companies, helped by the city that allowed groups to construct on unoccupied space. Evenings found those places filled with youngsters waiting their turn at bat. Softball was also popular, especially teams from churches, businesses and companies. Any open space suddenly became a ballfield.

From 1962 to 1967, the Colt (15-16 year olds) League World Series was held at Shawnee’s Memorial Park. The tournament featured champions of four areas of the country. Meanwhile, the Lions Club asked to mark off a couple of fields on unused city property left under the water tower when the Navy base closed after the war. There was a field for softball, and the baseball fields were also used for soccer. As the years went by and more age groups were added, another field was added and then another. Fencing was put up, and dugouts were set in place.

Generations of kids — and some adults — have enjoyed the game of baseball in Shawnee since before the turn of the 20th century. — Photo submitted

Now that Shawnee had a real baseball stadium, a couple of major league teams sent their teams here for spring training games; the Cleveland Indians and New York Giants were the first to come. The Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox also appeared.

Then the U.S. entered World War II, sending players and coaches overseas. The park was empty. It fell into disrepair and was even used for a rodeo. When the war finally ended, the boys came home, and everyone was eager to get back to life. Baseball was part of those lives. So, totally through volunteers with their work and their money, the stadium was rebuilt and featured a monument to fallen heroes from the county. Baseball returned.

From 1950 through 1957, the Hawks, a Dodgers farm club, made their home in Shawnee. Now known as Memorial Park, the baseball field was well used those days not only by the pros and the high school but even youngsters. Grade school leagues played there by simply moving the bases in closer. Schools were divided into leagues, and the top teams played a World Series

During the 1980s, city government included a youth activity staff that joined the nationally known Little League so Shawnee could compete in their tournaments and even host some. When that office closed, baseball became a volunteer parent group. Their board moved to the Pony League since more Oklahoma teams were involved. The dozens of teams from T-ball through age 14 were each sponsored by a local business.

Also, local baseball backers hosted the Sunbelt Classic from 1995 to 2002 for just-graduated high school players. They stayed with families while showing off their talents for pro scouts at games played at Memorial Park, Oklahoma Baptist University and Tecumseh.

Lions Club fields had grown to host leagues and tournaments and hundreds of young ballplayers, but then there was that tornado three years ago. Considerable damage was dealt to most of the ballfields and their structures. These features have since been demolished. While youth baseball in the area does continue at fields just outside the city of Shawnee, youngsters today have more options to develop a variety of interests. Baseball will still be America’s game — if not its only game.

LESS COUCH

Summer Social Survival Guide To More Community

BY MACY MUIRHEAD

Getting out and finding your people not only helps make the most of summer days but also can improve health, combat the ill effects of loneliness and strengthen communities. Check out the lists of events and opportunities included here.

Look, we hear you. Oklahoma summers are basically an argument for staying inside and making the A/C your BFF. But here's the thing: people who get out and stay socially active tend to be healthier, happier and report a better quality of life across the board.

That’s because staying socially connected is just as foundational to your health as eating your greens and getting your sweat on. The U.S. Surgeon General even made it official in 2023, declaring loneliness a public health concern — with risks comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Fifteen.

Pottawatomie County's Community Health Needs Assessment confirmed it's a problem close to home too, with 42 percent of residents saying they don’t feel connected to their community. That same report, though, identified more than 120 ideas for fixing that. And turns out, Pottawatomie County

has plenty of ways to get plugged in.

Get Moving with Good Company

Research shows people who exercise with others stick with it longer, push harder and actually enjoy it more. Good thing Pottawatomie County has more trails, parks, pools, courts and lakes than you can shake a stick at. The activity almost doesn't matter. Nor does your expertise level. Getting out the door and into the same space as people who are glad you showed up? That's the real win.

Show Up For Someone Else

Check on a neighbor. Help a buddy

move. Drop off a meal for a sick family member. Some of the smallest acts pack an outsized impact. Community Renewal of Pottawatomie County has built their entire model around this idea — intentional, neighbor-toneighbor relationships are what actually strengthen a community from the inside out. Volunteering works the same way. Ask any regular volunteer why they keep coming back, and they'll say the same thing: it's the people. If you’re looking to get plugged in here in Pottawatomie County, local food pantries, schools, nonprofits, hospitals and community events are always looking for helping hands.

Mix the Generations

Whether you're hanging with the grandkids or befriending the older regular at your favorite diner, spending time with different ages is good for everyone. According to AARP,

adults with close intergenerational friendships report boosted emotional support, stronger overall wellbeing and less feelings of isolation. Younger people gain perspective and a mentor they didn't know they needed. Just ask the retiree and the twentysomething who discovered they're evenly matched on the pickleball court or the kid whose grandpa just baited his first hook. Walls come down, stories get shared and everybody feels a little less alone.

Eat Together

There's a reason every culture on earth built its traditions around a table. Food is the original icebreaker. Whether it's a church potluck, a backyard barbecue, a tailgate or just two coworkers grabbing lunch, sharing a meal brings people together and gets us talking. Know someone who eats alone most nights? Invite them to the cookout. An extra plate costs you little, but could be a lifeline to the right person. From food trucks to farmers markets and coffee shops that already know your order, filling your belly with friends is a great way to fill your cup.

Get Your Head in the Game

Few things get people off the couch and into the same room quite like sports and live entertainment. Rec leagues, pickup basketball games in the park and even cheering on your kids

little league baseball game are some of the fastest ways to keep your social circle strong — and growing. A familiar face on the field or in the stands has a way of becoming an actual friend by the final inning.

Find Your People at Church

Faith communities came up in nearly every focus group of the CHNA as one of the primary ways residents feel connected, and it makes sense. A congregation gives you somewhere to be on a regular basis and a network of people who notice when you're not there. Whether you're already a regular in the pews or looking for the right fit, the Shawnee area has a church community on nearly every corner, ready to welcome you with open arms.

Put Local Events on Your Calendar

Pottawatomie County always has something going on, and community events are one of the best places to socially connect. The International Finals Youth Rodeo (July 12-17), FireLake Fire Flight Balloon Festival (Aug. 7-8), Pottawatomie County Free Fair (Sept. 9-12), Pedal Palooza (Sept. 19), Worksite Wellbeing Summit (Sept. 24) and Tecumseh Frontier Days (Sept. 26) are all coming up. So make sure you’re there too. You never know who you might run into.

Now Get Out There!

At the end of the day, the how doesn’t matter much. Actually doing the connecting does. This summer, Pogo is making it easy with the Gather & Go Challenge — made possible alongside our Social Connection & Active Lifestyle Committee led by Brandon Dyer of Community Renewal of Pottawatomie County and Mindy Mew-Palmer of Vyve Broadband. Team up with your family and friends, log your steps and take on social prompts designed to get you out of your comfort zone and plugged back into your community. The top two steppers will take home $100 cash. Scan the QR code to sign up.

Pogo is a community wellbeing organization serving Pottawatomie County. Learn more at gopogo.org.

D BACK AGAIN

Navigating Past Family Resentment, Future Growth

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

ear Paulann, My mom wasn’t really involved in my life much growing up. Now that I’ve got kids, she’s wanting to be around a lot, especially for holidays and birthdays. I know it sounds mean, but I feel resentful for the way she thinks she can just show up now. — Uncertain

Dear Uncertain,

“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” You may indeed be at a time that seems to call for a finite solution, but a twostrikes-and-you’re-out rule in relationships does not make space for the possibility of healing, growth and change over time.

to how we behave. Unfortunately, sometimes we are so eager to restore the connection that we do not acknowledge the wounds and our role in their creation.

Sometimes the lessons of the past and the possibilities of the future seem so counter to each other that it is hard to imagine living with them in a shared space. It sounds like you are struggling with how to get from one to the other when it seems the only reasonable response is either/or.

If a wound has not been acknowledged, it can be difficult to take the risk of allowing reconnection. We are in danger of deciding from a place of,

One-and-done does not allow for additional information along the way that offers the option to redecide. Relationships need space across time to acknowledge missteps and their lessons and to apply what we have discovered

Your mom’s lack of involvement in your life left a wound. As a little girl, you may have thought her absence was about you not being good enough or lovable enough. As an adult with children of your own, you may know it was not your fault. You did not cause her absence, but the little girl in you may still feel the sting of that wound and the need to protect herself from being hurt again.

You may decide to separate yourself completely from your mother, or you may choose to talk with her about the pain of the past and how to create a healthy relationship for the future. Either way, it is important to make those decisions from a growing awareness and clarity of who you want to be as a person

Paulann

moving forward, not in reaction to the wounds of the past. Change and growth ask us to do something different. Consider these points if you want to break the patterns of the past:

• What is the cost and gain of holding on to anger to protect yourself or to heal past wounds?

• What is the cost and gain of opening up to connection?

• Moving forward in a relationship with your mother does not mean forfeiting boundaries.

As you name what you would like to be different, you begin to see the baby steps that can move you toward the changes you want, such as a healthier relationship or a more secure self. Becoming clearer about what you want will help you know what actions to take:

• What would I like my mother to know?

• What would I like to ask her?

• What am I feeling in addition to anger?

There are times when being healthy is about leaning in to take a close look at a moment, an event or an age to understand ourselves and others better. That microscopic view acknowledges the impact of life experiences while allowing us to update our responses and self-management.

The counter-balance to focusing on one paragraph of our lives is to consider the panoramic view that our lives consist of many chapters. Some were written before we were born. We will write others in the future as we live our lives. Still more will be

written by future generations, containing the seeds sewn during our lifetime.

Perhaps one of the most important questions for the coming moments is what you want for your children in terms of their own relationships across time? It can be difficult to separate our children’s position in family relationships from our own. It is hard not to project our own perspective and historical pain onto them, but the truth is our children are not us. Our ability to see them as unique can help us avoid giving them unnecessary baggage from our own history.

You cannot erase the pain of your mother’s distance in the past, but you can begin showing your kids how to write better chapters for themselves and future generations of your family. You have the right to see your mother pay for the pain she brought to you, or you have the possibility of letting go of monitoring her punishment to focus on creating a promising, vibrant landscape for the future.

The fact that this is an either/or choice can feel hard. I wish grace and wisdom for you as you decide how to write your next chapter.

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.

The science is clear. People who stay socially engaged are healthier, happier and live longer. So this summer, keep it simple with the 3-2-1 method.

• Pick up the phone for 3 actual conversations.

• Sit down for 2 meals with someone new.

• Show up for 1 community event. It doesn’t take a lot to feel a lot more at home in Pottawatomie County. So get out there, because a more plugged-in you is waiting.

July 10-Aug. 30: The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art will host a specially curated exhibit Echoes of Time and Place: Sauk Art and Culture featuring selections by Indigenous artists and educators Tony A. Tiger and Janae Grass with an opening reception at 7 p.m. on June 6. Information: mgmoa.org/ echoes-of-time-and-place

July 10: The Women Of Music concert featuring Dani Carson, Cali Sickler, Miranda Mulkey and Alana will take the stage at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee.com

July 11: American Slang blends '90s grit with Red Dirt influence and rock energy that will be on display with a show starting at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee.com

July 12-17: The International Finals Youth Rodeo is the ultimate rodeo event for up-and-coming cowboys and cowgirls. This six-day event features two performances each day by contestants from all over the United States. Bring the whole family out to the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center at 1700 W. Independence to watch this exciting youth rodeo that includes barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, goat tying, team roping, calf roping, steer wrestling, bull riding,

saddle bronc riding and bareback riding. Information: ifyr.com

July 12: Join Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art for its inaugural Shawnee Indie Author Showcase from 1-4 p.m. at 1900 W. MacArthur. Attendees can find their next favorite summer read as they meet independent and small-press authors, browse a variety of genres, purchase books directly from the writers and get copies signed. Information: mgmoa.org

July 15: Shawnee Splash is calling all teenagers to its Waves & Worship evening from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the waterpark along with candlelight worship in the park followed by snow cones. Information: facebook.com/shawneesplash or (405) 273-0700

July 16: 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.

July 16: Bikes & Rods of Shawnee roars into downtown at 6 p.m. This monthly family-friendly gathering/celebration of motorcycle enthusiasts, riders and their friends and family. >

July 17: Comedian Alex Reymundo brings his ALMA Award-winning style to the Historic Ritz Theatre at 10 W. Main with a show starting at 8 p.m. and featuring his storytelling-style comedy without an agenda. Information: ritzshawnee.com

July 18: Grammy award winning duo Brothers Osborne will bring their progressive but deeply rooted country style to the stage of the Grand Casino Event Center. The show begins at 7 p.m. at 777 Grand Casino Blvd. Information: grandboxoffice.com

July 18: Motley Crue tribute band The CRUEligans will play a show with special guest Sacred Rose starting at 8 p.m. and featuring his storytelling-style comedy without an agenda. Information: ritzshawnee.com

July 23: Come play Bingo for Babies at 6:30 p.m. at the Grand Casino at 777 Grand Casino Blvd. Presented by First United Bank, proceeds from this event will benefit Legacy Parenting Center’s work with families with young children in the community. Information: legacyshawnee.com/bingo

July 25: Get ready to ball at Hoops for Hope, a colon cancer fundraiser and awareness event. A 3v3 basketball tournament, silent auction, and a fun run/walk are in the mix at this event starting at 3 p.m. at Rotary International Boy Scout Park at 1400 E. Main St. Information: (405) 5510656

Aug. 2: 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

Aug. 4: Join the monthly Main Street Shop and Stroll the first Tuesday of each month to see the latest food, shopping, and entertainment downtown businesses have to offer from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Grab your passport and fill it with stamps as you visit participating merchants to enter for a chance to win prizes at the end of the night.

Aug. 6: Ronnie McDowell’s Red, White & Blue Tour will bring an unforgettable night of classic country, powerful talent, and patriotic fun with a show starting at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee.com

Aug. 7: 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

Aug. 7-8: 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. Information: firelakeballoonfest.com

Aug. 7-8: After 70 years in Okmulgee, The Roy LeBlanc Invitational Rodeo will make its Shawnee debut at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center at 1700 W. Independence St. As one of the oldest Black rodeos, the event brings cowboys and their fans from all over the country and has garnered national attention – including a spot on the hit TV series, “The Simpsons.” It may be changing locations, but the heart of the rodeo remains the same. Information: royleblancrodeo.com

Aug. 15: Get ready to roll with the third annual Marshal Rock Radio Festival featuring Aqua Fire, 19 Never, Rotten Cotton Candy, Beggars Whiskey and Grudge Finger. The show starts cranking at 7 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee.com

If you know of any events you would like to see featured, email editor@shawneeoutlook.com.