HEALTHY GRILLING: SMARTER CHOICES FOR SUMMER COOKOUTS
May is one of my favorite times of year. The weather warms up, schedules shift outdoors and there’s something special about cooking and eating outside with family and friends.
For many of us, this is when the grilling season really begins. The good news is that grilling can be a very healthy way to prepare meals — especially when you make a few simple, intentional choices.
Start with your protein. Instead of higher-fat cuts of meat, try leaner options like chicken breast, lean beef, wild game, fish or even plant-based choices like veggie skewers or marinated tofu. These options are lower in saturated fat and still full of flavor when seasoned well. Marinades made with olive oil, herbs, garlic and citrus can add great taste without relying
Grilled Salmon Salad
Grilled salmon is one of my favorite go-to meals during the warmer months — it’s simple, flavorful and perfect for cooking outdoors. Packed with protein and heart-healthy fats, it’s an easy way to build a nutritious meal the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients:
3 oz salmon
1 tsp liquid aminos
¼ cup dried cranberries, without added sugar
Directions:
¼ cup feta cheese
¼ cup chopped pecans
2 cups leafy lettuce
½ cup chopped cucumber
Grill salmon skin side down with ½ tsp of liquid aminos on the side facing up. About 4-6 minutes in, flip the salmon and remove the skin. Put the other ½ tsp of liquid aminos on the other side for the last 4-6 minutes of cook time. Remove salmon after about a total of 10-12 minutes of cooking time. Top with dressing of choice.
on heavy sauces.
Next, don’t forget the vegetables. Grilling vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, asparagus, onions and corn brings out natural sweetness and adds color and nutrients to your plate.
Be mindful of sauces and portions. Many barbecue sauces can be high in added sugar, so consider using them lightly or choosing lower-sugar options. Focus on building a balanced plate with protein, vegetables and a smart carbohydrate like fruit, beans or a whole grain side.
Grilling season is a great opportunity to enjoy fresh air, movement and nourishing foods. With a few small adjustments, your summer cookouts can support your health goals while still being delicious and satisfying. Try grilling salmon and using it on a salad in the recipe below.
Makes: 1 serving
Nutrition Facts per Serving (dressing not included): Calories: 571 Total Fat: 31g Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 90mg Sodium: 817.8mg
Carbohydrates: 43g Dietary Fiber: 24g Protein: 32g Nutrition 101 Tip: Don’t have access to an outdoor grill? Don’t let that stop you from making this recipe. You can prepare your salmon the exact same way using an indoor grill, air fryer or skillet. When choosing your dressing, read the ingredients and scan it for words you recognize, not a bunch of chemicals that are hard to pronounce. You are already getting a lot of great fat from the feta cheese and pecans, so I would recommend going with something naturally low in fat like a balsamic vinegar. You will notice that this one recipe has your healthy fats, fiber and protein all in one, so no need to add more to it. The recipe is already balanced for you. Enjoy!
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
RUFF STUFF
Using Clues In Portraits
To Solve Mystery Of Time, Place Of Origin
SUBMITTED BY DELAYNNA TRIM, CURATOR OF COLLECTIONS AT MABEE-GERRER MUSEUM OF ART
Did you know that one way to date a portrait is to look at the fashions worn by the sitter?
In “Portrait of a Lady,” we don’t know who the person is nor do we know the date. The area where the date is written was altered in later years, so it could be incorrect. So the best clue we have is to look at the clothing.
A good place to start is the ruff collar. Ruffs were popular all -around Europe in the mid-1500s through mid1600s. Ruffs were made out of linen and lace and were starched to stand out from the neck. They were separate from the rest of the garment for easy cleaning and starching.
Ruffs were worn by the wealthy to show their wealth and status. First of all, it was expensive to purchase that much linen and lace. Then, you had to have servants to keep the ruff clean and starched. Obviously, you could not complete much work wearing a ruff. Some ruffs used as much as 20-30 meters (65-99 feet) of fabric with more than 500 pleats.
Queen Elizabeth I popularized them in England. Everyone wanted to copy her style. Her successor, James I of England (James IV of Scotland), also wore them, but by the end of his reign, the
Using clothing and other historical and cultural clues can help fill in gaps about the time and place in which the subject of a portrait lived if that information has been lost to history.
ruffs were becoming lace collars that laid down instead of being pleated and standing out.
Ruffs continued to be worn until the 17th century in the Netherlands.
While the ruff is white in this portrait and others, there are many examples of dyed ruffs with blue, green and yellow being popular colors. Both men and women wore ruffs, and even children wore them.
Along with the ruff, women during
this time period also wore lace cuffs to match their ruff as you can see in this portrait.
Ruffs do continue to be worn today in some formal circumstances. Ruffs are part of the formal attire for bishops and other clergy in the Church of Denmark and a few other churches.
Another clue is her head covering. It is most likely a caul, which is basically a fancy hair net. Often beads were added for decoration. Less wealthy women
wore a coif, which was typically made of linen.
Based on these clues, it looks like our sitter is from the early 1600s. Of course, fashion can be misleading as some people wear fashions long after they are no longer in style, but assuming that for a formal portrait such as this one, the sitter would most likely be wearing their best clothing.
You can make your own ruff collar out of paper! For this and other fashion projects, visit www.mgmoa.org/art-projects or scan the QR code included.
Paper Ruff Collar
Supplies – 4 sheets of 8 ½” x 11” sized paper, scissors, hole punch, 20” ribbon or string
Fold paper in half lengthwise (repeat for all pieces of paper)
Cut along those folds.
this
Pleat your paper, beginning with the small end of the paper, fold the paper over (about ½ inch) repeat until the end of the paper making a zigzag effect.
Using a hole punch, make holes in the middle of each pleat along one side of each strip.
Using the ribbon, string your pleated papers together through the holes.
Spread out the ruffles or zigzags to create your ruff.
Scan
code to visit the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art’s athome project page.
over the fence
REAL MCCOY
Relationships Not Meant To Be Phoned In, Even If It’s Video Calls
BY BRANDON DYER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMUNITY RENEWAL OF POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY
When we were kids, my brother and I used to tag along with our dad to various gun shows around the state. Bristow, Tulsa State Fairgrounds, Oklahoma State Fairgrounds and Shawnee Expo Center are the ones I remember most. We didn’t particularly enjoy it, but it got us out of the house and kept us out of trouble — for the most part. I doubt we even had a choice to be honest.
The bright side was we always got to spend our saved up dollars on some gun show trinkets designed to keep kids entertained while their dads were wheeling and dealing, trading old treasures for new. It was usually some variation of a handmade rubber band gun or maybe a cap gun.
Our dad was never into modern guns. He preferred antique rifles. Gun show days were filled with conversations about muzzleloaders, muskets, flintlocks, caplocks and Kentucky rifles. Kentucky rifles were definitely my favorite. They dominated the American frontier for 100 years and were as much works of art as they were anything else. Collectors would pay top dollar for fine specimens.
technology can never be a permanent substitute for face-to-face interactions.
Relationships are living and breathing creations brought to life and maintained by human interactions. They are fragile and unique and must be cared for with intention. They are not static but instead are dynamic. This means our relationships are either growing together or they are drifting apart. There is no cruise control compatibility.
Dad owned several back then. He even built a few replicas as a hobby. As a matter of fact, the market was flooded with replicas. Sometimes sellers would try to pass off replicas as originals in attempts to fleece unsuspecting buyers.
I remember one time in particular that dad and a friend were negotiating with a seller over a particular rifle. The seller believed it to be a replica, and therefore the price was much lower. My dad and his friend believed it to be original. They knew what to look for. That was the moment his friend tossed out an expression that I’ve heard a thousand times since.
“This is the real McCoy,” he said.
If you ever are a little bored, run a Google search on the etymology of the phrase “The real McCoy.” There is no certainty as to its origins, but it was likely a Scotch whisky slogan from 1856.
“A drappie o’ the real McKay.”
McKay later morphed into McCoy as it traveled to America. I always ignorantly assumed it was a reference to the Hatfield and McCoy feud. Nevertheless, we all know this phrase means we are dealing with an original, not a one-off imposter.
Our lives have shifted dramatically as technology has given us more convenient options to stay connected, which offers a mixed bag of rewards and challenges. While I’m thankful for the technology that makes video calls possible, there’s something to be said with being able to collaborate in-person with staff, colleagues and friends, and I am convinced now more than ever that
A former coworker of mine was working from home a lot while looking after her full of life 3-year-old little girl. Periodically during our daily Zoom calls, she would pop into the room to see what mommy was up to. Sometimes, she would see the video call on the computer screen and buzz on by. Other times, she would crawl up into her mother’s lap and wave at the screen. We would smile and wave back, but to be quite honest, she was not that impressed. She may have been 3, but she could spot a fake when she sees one.
In-person interactions were far more valuable to her. They are for me too. Faces on a screen are simply not the real McCoy, and she knew it.
Dyer
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VIPs Volunteers Needed To Help Work With Police To Keep Family Fun Safe During Events
BY DAVID DINSMORE
The Shawnee Police Department is putting out a call for community members to step up and join its Volunteers in Police Service (VIPs) program, a special team of dedicated residents who provide help with community events and assist with non-emergency tasks.
Cpl. Vivian Lozano of the Shawnee Police Department emphasized that the VIPs program is vital for keeping officers available for emergency calls while ensuring community events remain safe and fun for all.
“They really help us as far as being an extra set of eyes and ears,” Lozano said. “They free up an officer to be on the street taking calls when they are needed when there are big events going on around town.”
The role of a VIP is multifaceted. They assist at events like 5K races, festivals and community safety programs. They patrol event areas in vehicles specially marked for VIPs, walk among crowds and notify officers if any issues arise. Lozano emphasized that VIPs do not intervene in conflicts nor possess any police authority, but they do serve in an important observe and report role.
“If they come across a fight or something, they wouldn’t get involved, but they would call us and we would respond,” she said.
The program was established more than 20 years ago and once was known as The Sentinels, and many people from the community have served in some capacity during that time, Lozano said. Volunteers can serve as long as they like, and there have been ebbs and flows in the size of the roster over the years.
“We like to have a minimum of 10 volunteers,” Lozano said. “That way, we can send at least two people to each event, which is our standard.”
VIPs also help free up police resources by handling tasks like fingerprinting services, such as those provided for children at schools or community fairs. The fingerprints — given to parents for safekeeping — can be critical in emergencies.
“In a moment of panic, a parent might not remember details like eye color or height,” Lozano said, “That piece of
Volunteers in Police Service attend large community gatherings and other events to provide extra eyes and ears to help police make sure everyone stays safe while having fun. — Photos submitted
paper has all the basic information we would need to start searching.”
When needed, VIPs can even assist at the police station with basic information calls or reports, particularly if other regular personnel members are out for an extended period.
The program is open to anyone 18 and older who passes a background check. Physical ability is not necessarily a barrier, and tasks can range from walking crowd patrols to
manning stationary posts.
“We have all ages and abilities,” Lozano said. “One of our best coordinators was in a wheelchair, and she was amazing.”
Volunteers should be prepared to work in both hot and cold weather as many of the events during which they serve take place outdoors throughout the year with each season coming with its own set of concerns.
Joining the VIPs program offers more than just the signature red polo and department camaraderie. For some, it’s an opportunity to fulfill a passion for law enforcement or community service.
“We will sometimes have people that at one time wanted to be a police officer and for whatever reason weren’t able to,” Lozano said. “Now they’re just looking to volunteer and give back to the community.”
For Shawnee residents who want to make a difference, the VIPs program offers a unique way to serve, protect community events and support the city’s police department.
“They’re volunteers, but they’re still part of our department,” Lozano said. “They’re considered a specialized unit within our agency.”
Interested residents can apply year-
round by stopping by the police records department at 912 E. Independence for an application. After an initial background check, recruits attend a training session to learn procedures and safety guidelines.
With event season ramping up at this time of year through the holidays, there are plenty of opportunities for new VIPs to bolster the roster to help police serve effectively while the community comes together to have some fun.
“We’re looking forward to building our team up,” Lozano said. “Anyone who wants to help is welcome to apply.”
To learn more or get an application, visit Shawnee Police Department at 912 E. Independence, email VIPS@ ShawneeOK.org or call (405) 214-5041 and ask for Lozano. S
HEALTH WEEK
Annual Community Event To Bring Fun, Food, Facts May 23-30
While it’s not technically summer yet, late May is when our minds turn to family gatherings, outdoor activities with friends and swapping our ovens for the grill.
Every May for more than a decade, Avedis Foundation has kicked off summer with its weeklong community-wide initiative, Health Week, with the goal of promoting wellness by introducing fun, engaging activities that encourage movement, time spent outdoors, community connection and recipes that support healthier lifestyles.
This year, Health Week 2026 returns May 23-30, representing a collaboration of several local organizations: Avedis Foundation, Community Renewal of Pottawatomie County, Pioneer Library
ABOVE: Former NFL Safety Shamiel Gary — keynote speaker for the Avedis Speaker Series luncheon held annually during Health Week — led football youth clinics after the luncheon last year. — Photos submitted
System, Pottawatomie Go (Pogo), registered dietitian Andrea Beck, Shawnee Parks & Recreation and the Shawnee Family YMCA.
As this community-wide celebration has grown in popularity over the years, Health Week features nearly everything summer in one action-packed week of free events for all ages to enjoy.
If you’ve been counting the days until summer, make plans to join these events: National Senior Health and Fitness Day, Wednesday, May 27 (come and go,
BY LAUREN ROTH >
Avedis Speaker Series Luncheon
Keynote Speaker, Charles Clark
Health Week ’26 Planning Committee, from left: John Bobb-Semple, Mary Sims, Ana Rose, Andrea Beck, Angie Kelly, Brendon Johnson, Macy Muirhead, Korie Hicks, Suhaila Nease, Dr. Kathy Laster, Audrey Seeliger, Travis Flood and Lindsay Goodson. — Photos submitted
8 a.m.-3 p.m.), sponsored by Shawnee Parks and Recreation, to take place at the Shawnee Recreation Center (401 N. Bell Street). This day of fitness activities, screenings and resources for adults 55 and older features a full lineup of activities, including a free morning health fair from 9-11:30 a.m.; Thursday, May 28, Avedis Foundation’s Speaker Series luncheon welcomes Charles Clark — a three-time national track champion turned motivational speaker and entrepreneur — as its keynote speaker. Clark will share his inspiring message on resilience and personal growth as he details his transition from the sixth fastest runner on the planet to an injured runner whose plans for the future would go off track from a career-debilitating injury.
The luncheon will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center at 1700 W. Independence. Admission is free, but registration is required at gopogo.org/ healthweek.
Also Thursday, May 28, Clark will lead two youth development clin-
ics at Oklahoma Baptist University’s Eddie Hurt Jr. Memorial Track on campus at 500 W. University. These interactive clinics for youth in grades 1-12 focus on a healthy mindset: confidence, accountability and personal leadership to help young people understand the power of their choices, the importance of character and how showing up with intention can positively impact school, sports and everyday life. Admission is free, but registration is required at gopogo.org/ healthweek.
Rest up for Friday, May 29, then round up your friends for FunDay at Kidspace Park from 9 a.m.-noon, resuming at 5 p.m. through 8 p.m. This big day of fun welcomes kids of all ages with a wide variety of activities and games throughout the day: Reading and STEM activities, Roll & Stroll morning walk, two Healthy Cooking demos, Pups & Pals activities, Free Throw Contest (ages 8-16) and a Community Connection evening walk. Participants can receive free tshirts while supplies last.
Save room for dinner! Food trucks
from Mission Monks, Peachwave, Psycho Taco and SCI Special Kneads & Eats will be available from 5-8 p.m.
One of Health Week’s most popular events returns Saturday, May 30 with the Shawnee Public Library’s BUGfest from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., combining science and nutrition with hands-on learning and bug demonstrations at the library at 101 N. Philadelphia. Pogo and registered dietitian Andrea Beck will present “Healthy Cooking with Honey,” featuring several honeys for guests to taste. Participants of all ages can enjoy safe, interactive experiences with bugs they may never have encountered before … so leave your heebie-jeebies at home!
For a full schedule of events — and updates in case May’s unpredictable weather affects scheduled activities — visit gopogo.org/healthweek.
Avedis thanks its Health Week 2026 community partners, volunteers and organizations who plan the lineup of activities for this annual event that helps participants of all ages and ability build lasting habits that lead to a better quality of life.
RIGHT: One of several Health Week cooking demos presented by Pogo and registered dietitian Andrea Beck.
community ‘SOUP, SOAP, SALVATION’
Salvation Army Celebrates Legacy Of 125 Years Of Faith, Community
The Salvation Army in Shawnee celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, which emphasizes a legacy of more than a century of service to a community that has embraced the organization since before Oklahoma became a state.
Established in 1901, the Shawnee corps — a term applied to the local Salvation Army church and community centers that serve a specific area — has weathered the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, the world wars and countless storms both literal and figurative while remaining steadfast in the organization’s mission to provide “soup, soap, and salvation.”
Captains Thomas and LeAnna Marion — who began serving in Shawnee in July 2025 — have immersed themselves in the local and organizational history in preparation of this milestone.
“When the Salvation Army first came into communities, it was often a tent church or openair meetings on street corners,” Capt. LeAnna said. “It was about feeding people, showing up in disasters and rallying the community to help their neighbors.”
In its earliest days, the Salvation Army followed the westward expansion, hopping off the railways much like the Methodist and Baptist churches that grew alongside it. Historical photos show youth groups with guitars, large divisional rallies and teen training programs like the Corps Cadets, which shaped young leaders. Shawnee even served as a gathering place for Salvation Army for divisional events like youth councils and
BY DAVID DINSMORE
women’s groups from around Oklahoma and Arkansas, signifying its early importance in the region.
During the decades, the unit’s footprint has expanded far beyond city limits. After the establishment of a unit in Seminole in 1940 that was later absorbed into the Shawnee territory, the local
corps’ service area now spans five counties across east-central Oklahoma.
“This is probably the largest coverage area the local unit has ever had,” Capt. Thomas said. “And it’s a testament to the support from this community that Shawnee has remained a standalone corps, even 30 minutes from Oklahoma City, when other similar-sized cities would be under another area command in a bigger city.”
While the heart of the mission has remained constant, the needs of the community have evolved, the captains said. Feeding programs and emergency disaster relief remain cornerstones, but modern challenges include childcare and youth development.
The Red Shield Youth Center — formerly the Boys and Girls Club — offers after-school and summer programs to support working parents.
“Back in 1901, 1920, we had programs for kids, but I think the extent of it has grown,” Capt. LeAnna said. “Today, with
both parents often working and costs rising, there’s a huge need for safe places where kids can learn, grow and feel supported.”
Capt. Thomas emphasized that their vision includes expanding STEM and arts opportunities for local youth.
“Some of these kids don't know anything else but what heartache is,” he said. “We want them to see a glimpse of what their future could be and to find their passions in life — whether that’s in science, technology, art or music. And if we could play a little part of that, that's great.”
The 125 years continuity of service celebrated this year highlights not only the Salvation Army officers who have served during that time but also the high regard in which Shawnee residents hold the organization’s work.
“This corps has survived the Depression, the Dust Bowl, recessions, and more because of the community,” Capt. Thomas said. “Other corps have had to close their doors, but because of the community over 125 years, we have been able to stay here and help people.”
The Marions have also experienced firsthand the warmth of Shawnee’s embrace.
“From day one, people were at our door with meals, welcoming us,” Capt. LeAnna said. “In other appointments,we felt that sense of belonging as we served there for a couple of years. Here, it was immediate.”
One of the unique factors they’ve
experienced during their Shawnee appointment has come in the partnership with tribal nations who have partnered to support their work through help with youth programs, facility improvements and holiday initiatives like Angel Tree.
The Shawnee unit has the added benefit of celebrating this 125th anniversary in correlation with National Salvation Army Week taking place May 11–16, which will feature many events that will provide new and familiar faces the chance to support the work done to serve those most in need.
Events for that week include a membership drive for the local women’s auxiliary, a meal delivery to first responders, a Serve Safe disaster preparedness training and a community service day to repaint the corps at 200 E. 9th St. and its Family Store at 330 E. 9th St. The Family Store will close to undergo a weeklong renovation and reorganization, culminating in a re-grand opening with new hours and a refreshed layout the following week.
For the Marions, being part of the 125-year legacy is both humbling and inspiring.
“We’re just a small piece of the body,” said Capt. LeAnna, referencing a biblical passage about the church having many parts working together as one. “Every officer that came before us, every Salvation Army volunteer, every community member who's supported us for the last 125 years, all brought the Salvation Army to where we are today. We have an amazing volunteer base. We have an amazing community of donors and supporters who are willing to come alongside the Salvation Army.”
As the Shawnee unit looks toward the future, the mission remains rooted in the founding vision of meeting human needs without discrimination.
“Soup, soap, salvation — that hasn’t changed,” Capt. Thomas said. “If we can meet people where they are and give them hope, then we’re doing what the Salvation Army has always done in Shawnee and will continue to do for the next 125 years.”
ABOVE: Crowd at the cornerstone laying ceremony for the Shawnee, OK Corps, 1930. Behind the cornerstone are Lt. Commissioner Alexander Damon, Territorial Commander, left, and Major Ernest R. Holz, Oklahoma Divisional Commander, right. — Photos submitted
LIFE IS A HIGHWAY
Shawnee One Of Many Communities Forever Changed By Interstate 40
BY ANN MCDONALD, COURTESY POTT CO HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBER
After the end of World War II, travel across the country began to gain popularity after Americans spent years rationing tires, gasoline and vehicles to help fight the Axis powers overseas.
So in the 1950s, citizens were ready to go on vacations, move across the country or visit family members they had not seen in years, and the federal government began looking at solutions to help accomplish this while being able to handle the increase in traffic.
After some research in the mid-1950s, an Interstate Highway System was developed and proposed. Transportation planners conceived and designed a cross-country, four-lane highway beginning in North Carolina through Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona before terminating in California.
The route ran through the middle of this state, including Oklahoma City and very near Shawnee at the time. Originally, the highway that would become Interstate 40 was planned a few miles north of town with an exit south toward Tecumseh. A couple of exits were planned on the west side of town leading to the heart of the city and downtown at the time.
Until the new interstate came along, local drivers would take Highway 270 though Dale and McLoud into Oklahoma City, but Interstate 40 promoted not only a faster path to the city but also one much easier to negotiate and likely safer.
up Kickapoo south to shop downtown Shawnee.
Finally in about 1962, the interstate corridor finished near Shawnee. Local dignitaries, those from state government and even some from Washington D.C. visited and made speeches to christen it. A few Shawnee citizens went out to view the event, but most just wanted to try this new mode of safe and fast travel right in their back yard.
Kickapoo Spur began to develop first with the construction of the Cinderella Motel, and by the end of the decade, Cook’s Discount Store (later to become Clark’s) plus a few little shops were opening their doors along Kickapoo Spur.
Shawnee citizens and dignitaries gathered in 1962 to dedicate the local stretch of what would become Interstate 40, which was designed and built to connect automobile travel from coast-to-coast and changed the face of communities along its 2,558-mile route. — Photo submitted
Oklahoma received 331 miles of the up-to-date highway from Interstate 40, which comprised 2,558 miles from coast to coast that gave travelers access to many towns along the route. This also created an advantage to the economy with the potential to bring in more industry and families.
Shawnee leaders applauded the plan, and citizens eagerly awaited the arrival of the interstate. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the construction of the new superhighway crept across the state. New businesses made plans to build along the exit, leading to an area just west of Kickapoo being designated Kickapoo Spur. It was expected visitors would come to shop or drive
Through the 1970s, other businesses filled out the mile to that entrance that originated from the I-40. They included Norton Chevrolet, Coca Cola Bottling Co., Brackeen Buick and a discount store called Walmart. Later, after the fire in their store downtown, C.R. Anthony filled a space.
And then an exit off I-40 was opened onto Kickapoo Street far north of the town of Shawnee at that time. Soon after, everything began to shift. In just a few years, businesses out on Kickapoo Street began to open, and then across I-40, an indoor shopping mall began to serve the area. Just like the malls in Oklahoma City, it had stores, movie theaters and restaurants. It even played host to a relocated Walmart.
Kickapoo Spur and that area remained and still features several good places to shop, but establishments like the Cinderella Motel — an anchor of the “entrance to Shawnee” — have gone. It once had been the place for special events from Kiwanis Club meetings to wedding rehearsal dinners. There was even a club that hosted musical performers.
Time has driven forward as development near I-40 has continued to expand, but more than 60 years ago, Shawnee benefitted from falling near a road that took motorists and industry from one side of the country to the other while making a local footprint. It did change the face of our town in a better way than if the city had been bypassed.
HOSPICE = CARE
Balancing Personal Wants, Loved One’s Wishes Facing
End Of Life
BY PAULANN CANTY, MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPIST, MS, LMFT
Dear Paulann, My mom has been battling breast cancer for the past four years. She was in remission for a while, but the cancer has returned and has spread to other parts of her body. Her doctor has told her there are no more viable treatments and suggested we consider hospice. Mom is open to at least getting more information. I know she’s tired, but my mom is the center of our family, and we are all struggling with the idea of hospice. It feels like giving up. How can we support our mother and deal with our own fear of losing her? — Hurting Son. Thank you for writing. I’m sorry to hear of your mother’s illness. You in-
cluded three important things in your question. You touch on the fact that in shared experiences, each person sees from their own perspective. You describe your mom as the center of your family. That sums up the impact it would have on you and your siblings to stop actively treating her illness and to yield to what feels like the pain and uncertainty of coming to the
end of her life, of letting go. To you that may feel like giving up. It is important to acknowledge where you are emotionally when faced with this depth of loss.
The second thing you mention is that your mother is tired. She has expressed being open to more information about hospice. When she says she’s tired, she may be telling you she is done. Done trying to be cured. As difficult as it is for you to hear that and to join her in changing the course from treatment to management, there may be no better gift to give her than to hear her. To hear what she is ready for, and what she needs from you and your siblings. To encourage her to be open with you so you will be better able to separate her needs and wishes from your need to do
Paulann
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
everything within your power to keep her here.
The pain of your anticipated loss is real and valid. I encourage you to allow others to stand with you, sharing the weight of all you feel. Friends and family can be a source of support. It can also be helpful to use resources, both locally and online such as grief support groups, podcasts and written materials. Your mom may be ready to consider living well the life that remains rather than continuing to pursue medical interventions that may extend the quantity of life but diminish the quality of life.
That brings me to the third important part of your question: hospice. Hospice is a resource that is often seen through a very narrow lens of care just before death. That fear can keep families from getting available care and support. I am not a hospice nurse, but I am a family member whose loved ones have received that care. I hope some of what I discovered may be of help to you, your mom and your siblings as you all find your way through this difficult time. Here are some things to keep in mind:
• Talking to someone at hospice doesn’t obligate you. Ask questions and invite information that will help you decide what best fits your mother’s needs.
• Hospice is designed to be flexible to meet the needs of each patient and their family members. Several of my immediate family members have been on hospice. Some had the service briefly, receiving the added support that brought physical comfort to our loved one as they approached death while allowing us to be present with them at home instead of a hospital. Several members were on hospice for as long as two years because care allowed for symptom management that brought greater comfort, stability and quality of life.
• Hospice helps educate caregivers to better meet their family member’s needs.
• Hospice serves the whole family/caregiver system by providing educational and grief support during family member’s care and for 13 months following their death. It is clear that you care deeply for your mother and that the
thought of her not being here is devastating. It also seems clear that you want to respect her understanding of what she wants and needs at this point. Conversations about our lives coming to an end are difficult and messy, but they are also some of the most important moments of connection. Give your mother the gift of talking and listening as you all find your way along this path. Here are some resources that you may find helpful. Resources for end of life:
• Hospice Foundation of America — hospicefoundation.org
• CaringInfo — www.caringinfo.org
• “Being Mortal,” Atul Gawande
• “Don’t Take My Grief Away: What to Do When You Lose a Loved One,” Doug Manning
• National Institutes of Health article: www.nia.nih.gov/ health/hospice-and-palliative-care/what-are-palliativecare-and-hospice-care
• Oklahoma Hospice and Palliative Care Association — ohpca.wildapricot.org
• Hospice Analytics/Oklahoma Hospice Locator — www. nationalhospicelocator.com/hospices/oklahoma
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. S
May 9: Make a difference with Styrofoam Recycling from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Shawnee Public Library at 101 N. Philadelphia. Bring your single-use soda cup to the library parking lot and watch it get compressed and transformed into reusable plastic using the Hybrid Styro Densifier. Information: pioneerlibarysystem.org.
May 8: Sib Raza And Josh Stramiello’s 20 Questions Comedy Show is part Cards Against Humanity, part Would You Rather and is coming to the stage at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee.com
May 9: Top Michael Jackson impersonator Danny Dash Andrews will performer one thriller of a tribute starting at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee.com
May 14: Oklahoma Baptist University will play host to the 2026 Oklahoma Kids Invention Expo (O.K.I.E.) featuring students in grades 2-8 presenting big ideas via poster boards and prototypes meant to solve real world problems at the intersection of imagination and engineering. Organized by Shawnee’s own Blue Phoenix Robotics Team, the event showcases the power of $100. Information: Blue Phoenix FRC 10661 Facebook page or
cooking demonstrations, Friday fun day at KidSpace Park, and more. Check out gopogo.org/healthweek for schedule and information and read the article on page 19.
May 29: Celebrate cancer survivors with Relay for Life of Pottawatomie County from 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center at 1700 W. Independence to help raise money for cancer research and programs designed to assist cancer survivors and those in the fight. Information: relayforlife. org and search by zip code or city/state for the local event.
May 29: Those looking for nothing but a good time can check out Bret Michaels when he brings his catalog of rock hits to the stage at 8 p.m. at the Grand Casino at 777 Grand Casino Blvd. Information: grandboxoffice.com
May 30: Crawl into BugFest at the Shawnee Public Library at 101 N. Philadelphia as part of the Health Week festivities. Hosted in partnership with the OSU Extension, this family-friendly favorite helps folks create a new appreciation and perspective of the world of creepy crawlies. Information: (405) 275-6353
June 1-3, 8-10: Get hooping this summer with OBU Basketball Kids Camp with two sessions focused on footwork, balance, agility, court vision, and other skills for boys and girls. June 1-3 will focus on grades pre-kindergarten through 4th >
comedy show featuring Matt from Nomads, starting at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main St. Information:
will roar into the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center with a full slate of behemoths ready to thrill audiences along with motocross, human cannonball and
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.
May 21: Bikes & Rods of Shawnee — formerly 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 fundraising, A portion of the proceeds will benefit Shawnee High School band boosters. Information: facebook.com/ToolboxLLC
May 23-30: Check out all of the activities taking place during Health Week with events for all ages all around town, including a nationally renowned speaker luncheon, youth track camp, senior fitness day, fun at Shawnee Splash,
grade. June 8-10 will bring in kids grades 5-8. Information: bisonwomensbasketballcamps.totalcamps.com/shop/event or (405) 585-5316
June 4, 11, 18, 25: Enjoy fun, family-friendly concerts it the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art courtyard on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m., featuring St. Paul’s Methodists Handbells, Atlas Quirk and friends, Joseph Craven and friends and Jennifer Peck. Bring a lawn chair as courtyard seating is limited. Concerts will be moved indoors in the event of inclement weather. Information: mgmoa.org/ concerts
June 5: 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
June 5: Omaha-based Eagles tribute band Hotel Desperado with a show starting at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee.com
June 6-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
June 6: The Shawnee Peace & Praise Community Choir presents And So We Sing Spring Concert to wrap its first year finale at 7:30 p.m. the St. Gregory’s Abbey church at 1900 W. MacArthur. Information: shawneepeaceandpraise.com
June 6: Missouri rock outfit T.R.O.Y. (The Reality of Yourself) will showcase their sound honed by the greats of the genre during a show starting at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee.com
June 7: 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
June 13: Singer-songwriter John Allen with special guest Cali Sickler will take the stage for a show starting at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee.com
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If you know of any events you would like to see featured, email editor@shawneeoutlook.com.
