PARK PECANS
PARK
PARK PECANS
PARK PECANS
keep the change
TRAVELING ON A BUDGET
t’s that time of year again when friends and family take to the skies to visit their loved ones for the holidays. If your plans involve an upcoming flight, here are some ways to ease the financial burden:
Price check. Old stand-bys for comparing multiple airlines are still around, but these days you can also set alerts to be notified when cheap flights are found. Going.com offers free and premium services to keep you aware of budget flights, but Google also offers a similar service — simply search for “flight tracker” to find the option to give Google your preferred departure airport and destination and you’ll be notified when flight prices for that travel path change. Be sure to check multiple airports. For instance, flying out of Tulsa or Dallas can often save money over choosing OKC.
Check a “flight calendar.” If your travel dates are flexible, check budget airlines directly. Some airlines like Southwest offer a “Low Fare Calendar” to see what the cheapest days are to fly around your preferred dates. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays tend to offer the lowest fares, so if you can arrange your travel plans to match those days, you could save hundreds.
Parking. Parking at the airport is a hidden cost we often forget to take into consideration when making plans. If you’re flying out of a higher-traffic airport like DFW, it can save you time and stress to choose to park off-site at a place like The Parking Spot and catch a shuttle to the airport from there. Local hotels may also allow non-patrons to use their parking lots and shuttles, so those are options worth looking into as well. Of course, you could always ask a friend or family member to drive, but if so, offer to help with gas.
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
TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH DURING NATIONAL DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH
ovember is National Diabetes Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on one of the most common — and preventable — chronic diseases in the United States. More than 37 million Americans have diabetes, and another 96 million are estimated to have prediabetes, meaning their blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetes range.
The good news is that with the right lifestyle choices, diabetes can often be prevented or effectively managed. At Laser Focus Health and Wellness, we’re focusing this month on empowering you to take small, sustainable steps toward better health.
As a registered dietitian, I work with individuals to help them understand how nutrition, exercise and other daily habits can make a big difference in blood sugar control and overall wellbeing. Whether you’ve been recently diagnosed or are simply looking to reduce your risk, personalized nutrition guidance can help you feel your best.
Diabetes affects how your body processes glucose, your main source of energy. When your body doesn’t make enough insulin — or can’t use it properly — glucose builds up in the blood instead of fueling your cells. Over time, this can lead to complications such as heart disease, kidney damage and nerve problems. But by staying informed and making thoughtful lifestyle choices, many of these risks can be reduced. Simple ways of getting started:
Build balanced meals. Fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables like broccoli, spinach or green beans; one-quarter with lean protein such as chicken, fish or tofu; and one-quarter with whole grains or starchy vegetables like brown rice or sweet potatoes.
Be mindful of portions. Even healthy foods can raise blood sugar if eaten in large amounts.
Move more. Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week — it helps your body use insulin more effectively. Stay hydrated. Choose water over sugary beverages to keep blood sugar levels steady.
Get regular checkups. Monitoring your A1C and blood glucose can help catch changes early.
create a realistic plan that fits your lifestyle, culture and preferences. Together, we can develop strategies that promote steady blood sugar, increase energy and support your long-term health goals.
One-Skillet Chicken, Veggie & Potato Skillet Meal
I always find it so handy when you can have multiple food groups in one dish. It saves on dishes and time.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 Tbsp olive oil (divided)
2 cups diced white potato
1 cup diced sweet potato
2 cups broccoli florets (or a mix of broccoli, zucchini and squash)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried Italian seasoning (or a mix of basil, oregano, and thyme)
¼ tsp black pepper
Directions: Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add potatoes, season lightly with pepper and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden and forktender. Remove and set aside. Add remaining 1 Tbsp olive oil. Add chicken, paprika and Italian seasoning. Cook 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and fully cooked. Stir in vegetables. Cook 5–7 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender. Return potatoes to the skillet and toss to combine.
Makes 4 servings
Nutrition Information per serving: Calories: 340
Saturated Fat: 2g Total Fat: 13g Sodium: 270mg
Carbohydrates: 28g Fiber: 5g Protein: 30g
Nutrition 101: Scrub those potatoes and leave the skin on. Leaving the skin on potatoes boosts their nutritional value. The skin is rich in fiber, which supports digestion and helps keep you full longer. It also contains potassium, iron and antioxidants that support heart health and immune function. Keeping the skin adds nutrients and texture without adding extra calories.
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
SOMETHING EXOTIC
Middle East, North Africa Provided
Inspiration For Traveling Artists
SUBMITTED BY DELAYNNA TRIM, CURATOR OF COLLECTIONS
MABEE-GERRER MUSEUM OF ART
Looking closely at Jean Leon Gerome’s “Femme en Serail” at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, you notice all the intricate details of the tiles and the ironwork. This piece and the nearby portraits by Charles Landelle and Franz Xaver Kosler are all examples of the style of Orientalism. Orientalism was a popular style in the 19th century. This style focused on the exotic Middle East and North Africa.
Gerome visited Egypt, Jerusalem and Damascus in 1856. During his travels he sketched these locations as well as purchased clothing and artifacts that he brought back to his studio. Back in his studio, he would then use his sketches as inspiration and add models dressed in these clothes and holding these artifacts to create these exotic paintings.
In “Femme en Serail,” we can see the peacock fan in her lap, the hookah on the small side table covered with a beautiful floral fabric and the tiger rug in the bottom of the painting – all exotic objects at the time. “Femme en Serail” refers to a woman living in a harem. While he likely did not actually visit a harem, he did travel extensively in the Middle East and North Africa, so his travels informed this painting.
Born in Vienna, Franz Xaver Kosler studied painting at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste (Academy of Fine Arts Vienna). From 1886 to 1892, Kosler visited Montenegro, Albania and Egypt. Two years later, he returned to Egypt thanks to Archduke Ferdinand Karl, the younger brother of Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination helped spark World War I. Kosler painted many portraits of women like “The Sultana” as well as paintings featuring common people and detailing everyday life.
In 1837, Charles Landelle was admitted to the Ecole des Beaux Arts (School of Fine Arts Paris) when he was 16. In 1856, he traveled to the Middle East and North Africa. He returned in 1860 and 1866. In 1875, he sailed the Nile River with explorer and Egyptologist Auguste Édouard Mariette. From 1881 to 1892, he traveled every winter to Algeria to paint. He specialized in portraits like ours and the woman featured in “Armenian Lady.”
These artists were fascinated with the people and culture of the Middle East and North Africa. They wanted to capture the impression of the people and culture that they saw for others to enjoy. Later, Impressionists would be captivated by the different qualities of light there as opposed to darker Europe.
Artists like Jean Leon Gerome, Franz Xaver Kosler and Charles Landelle traveled to the Middle East and North Africa to find inspiration among what was considered exotic styles and cultural imagery in the 19th century.
Create decorative tile art like you see in the background of Gerome’s painting. For the directions on this project and other tile art, check out mgmoa.org/art-projects or scan the QR code 2 – 3x3 post it notes (or paper cut to 3 inches by 3 inches)
Paper
Markers
Place one 3x3 piece of paper or post it note over the other at an angle to create an 8-sided shape. Trace this shape onto your paper, starting with one end and filling your paper.
Now that you have the basic shape, start decorating your tiles. Be creative.
Scan this code to visit the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art’s athome project page. S
over the fence
SHOCK AND AWE
Moments Of Awe Create Perspective, Shared Experiences
BY BRANDON DYER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMUNITY RENEWAL OF POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY
There we were in a dangerous predicament, standing next to 30,000 gallons of propane filling my two small tanks while the fury of mother nature filled the sky behind us with flashes of lightning followed by deafening cracks of thunder.
My family was camping in Missouri recently over fall break as a cold front was passing through, bringing with it colder temps and storms along the front’s edge. We tarped down camp to weather the storm, and I raced toward town to make sure we had propane for our heaters before the weather got bad. I thought I had more time, but as I got closer I could tell that it was about to hit. Fortunately, Sportsman’s Corner gas station on Highway 76 was open so I decided to take a chance and see if I could quickly fill my tanks before the storm arrived.
As I pushed open the glass door, chimes above it turned the heads of six men in my direction as they sat in a circle of metal folding chairs. I had interrupted Saturday morning coffee and contemplation for the locals. Nevertheless, I received a warm welcome and with a point of the finger was offered a hot cup of coffee. Sheepishly, I turned to the store owner — who had his feet propped up on the counter and his hands folded behind his head — and asked if he was willing to fill my tanks in light of what was looming. As expected, he explained to me that lighting was his primary concern, while chewing on the toothpick in the side of his jaw. To my surprise, however, he pulled his feet down, grabbed the keys and walked toward the door with me following behind. I waved to the coffee bunch and told them to stay out of trouble, to which they chuckled and continued talking about the disappointing loss from last night’s high school football game.
Outside, the owner was fiddling with hoses and valves while casually explaining to me the seriousness of the situation. He was standing in such a way that he could not see the storm behind him. It very much reminded me of The Nothing from “The Neverending Story,” which is a movie from my childhood that still haunts me to this day.
He deliberately mentioned three times — with very little fear in his voice — the great threat lightning posed to us
both next to this giant, explosive compound. He spoke as if reciting the laws of physics and combustion would somehow insulate us from the consequences of our poor judgement, but he never flinched. He just filled the tanks with the same friendliness and lack of urgency he has likely exhibited for decades. With each thunderous boom, my wide-eyes jumped up and studied the very low hanging clouds as they mysteriously changed shape and inched closer to us over the beautiful green of the Ozark Mountains, carrying both beauty and bad intentions. What an incredible sight. I should have felt afraid, but instead I was experiencing a vivid moment of awe.
In your own life, you have no doubt experienced countless moments of awe. The birth of a child. A breathtaking sunset over the ocean. A speechless moment of worship. Believe it or not, awe is an emotion, and a very important one at that. There are researchers who study its powerful effects.
One such researcher is the University of CaliforniaBerkeley’s Dacher Keltner. He tells us that there are 8 primary forms of awe
1. Spiritual experience — encountering the divine
2. Moral beauty — witnessing in other humans esteemed values like kindness, courage, humility, perseverance and compassion
3. Contemplation of life and death
4. Collective effervescence — moving together, singing together, vocalizing together
Dyer
5. Epiphany — large ideas difficult to put into words
6. Music
7. Visual patterns
8. Nature — the very kind of awe I experienced at Sportsman’s Corner, along with some contemplation of life and death as an appetizer.
It turns out that moments of awe — especially shared moments of awe — aren’t just unforgettable experiences; they strengthen important values in us as well. Whether planned or spontaneous, moments of awe help us become more altruistic, feel less entitled, create stronger connections to people and to nature and interestingly enough decrease ideological polarization. In short, moments of awe have a way of grounding us in the present and helping us intuitively prioritize the things that matter most. Things like family, connection, and caring for others. This is true across every culture and people group in the world.
Awe has a way of bringing out the best in us and everyone around us. It activates our ca-
pacity to care for each other in ways few things can. Once activated, this collective capacity for care becomes an unfailing antidote for a world plagued by fear, hatred and division, an unstoppable force for strengthening our communities. When we immerse ourselves in it, awe has an equalizing effect that allows us to recognize important similarities we share under the surface and reveals that, at the end of the day, we all want the same things for the people we love.
For my family, retreating to the serenity and beauty of the Ozarks each fall and spring break has created a collective experience of awe that deepens and grows over time.
What about you? Where do you experience awe?
I’ve learned that we don’t have to wait to experience it on special occasions. Each day is full of these little healing moments if we will look for them and create space for them. Here’s to your next moment.
Did this inspire a positive thought or action? Community Renewal would love to hear from you! outlook@communityrenewal.org
community BLACK SUNDAY
Myers’ Sonnets Named to Wall Street Journal’s 5 Best Dust Bowl Stories
SUBMITTED BY OKLAHOMA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
Benjamin Myers’s 2019 sonnet cycle, “Black Sunday,” has been named one of the five best stories of the Dust Bowl by The Wall Street Journal, earning recognition alongside John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath.”
The national spotlight came in a June 25 column by novelist Hazel Gaynor, who praised “Black Sunday” for placing readers “right there, as if we are peering through the window of a homestead on an Oklahoma prairie.”
Myers, director of the Oklahoma Baptist University honors program and the Crouch-Mathis professor of literature, said, “My initial reaction was complete surprise.
“A friend pointed the article out to me,” said the former Oklahoma poet
Oklahoma Baptist University professor and former Oklahoma poet laureate Benjamin Myers received national recognition earlier this year by the Wall Street Journal as having written one of the five best Dust Bowl stories with his 2019 sonnet cycle, “Black Sunday.” — Photo submitted
laureate and author of multiple books of poetry and nonfiction. “Otherwise, I would have had no idea.”
The article lauded “Black Sunday” — a compact collection of personal poems written in sonnet form — for its vivid portrayal of rural life during the Dust Bowl through the imagined voices of a farmer and his wife, their daughter, a teacher, a minister and others.
“His lines are as vivid as photographs,” Gaynor wrote, citing images like “She hacked and coughed so hard it shook her bones like pine trees in high wind.”
“Any artist is happy to receive affirmation that the work is connecting with an audience,” Myers said. “I’m very happy to know that the book has found readers not only in Oklahoma but also nationally. Poetry doesn’t get a lot of
press, so praise in the pages of The Wall Street Journal is an unexpected bump in the book’s reach, for which I am very grateful.”
He began writing “Black Sunday” while serving as Oklahoma’s poet laureate in 2015–2016.
“I reasoned that the Dust Bowl is to Oklahomans something like what the Trojan War was to the Greeks and Romans, so it seemed like a subject I should take up as laureate,” Myers said. “Beyond that, as a Christian poet, I was looking for a way to write about faith, hope and love, but you can’t write about those things without also addressing suffering and fear.”
He grounded the project in extensive research, including firsthand accounts from the era.
Myers said he felt lucky that his poet laureate duties took him to the Oklahoma Panhandle so that he was able to “spend some time in the landscape.”
The recognition is even more significant considering the company. Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” – published 80 years before “Black Sunday” – remains one of the most enduring portrayals of the Dust Bowl and its toll on families.
“It is an honor to be in the company of a great American writer like Steinbeck,” Myers said. “His book is probably one of the first things most people think of when they think about the Dust Bowl.”
Myers first encountered Steinbeck’s novel in high school but was already familiar with its cinematic counterpart.
“Before that, I had already seen John Ford’s film version many times, as my family watched it every year when it came on television,” he said. “I think both the book and the movie helped me realize that the stories of my place and my people could be a fit subject for literature and could be compelling to people from many different places and backgrounds. It helped me realize that the stories that happen in Oklahoma are simply particular versions of the universal human story.”
Late in the writing process, Myers reread “The Grapes of Wrath” and also discovered Sonora Babb’s “Whose Names Are Unknown,” another Dust Bowl novel.
“I love Steinbeck’s grand mythic
treatment of his subject, but I think that Babb’s novel is the more intimate and humane treatment,” he said. “I tried to land closer to that inside view that Babb gives.”
The recent Wall Street Journal article singled out Myers’s work for making history feel “present.”
For Myers, that phrase carries weight.
“I was very pleased to see that phrase because I believe history is always present,” he said. “As Faulkner famously said, ‘The past is never dead. It isn’t even past.’ Christians, especially, are aware of how the past lingers in the present, because we can observe God working through time when we read Holy Scripture. So much of the Bible is dedicated to history and to poetry.”
Myers said poetry has a particular power to pull the reader into a moment.
“A poet’s job is not to tell the reader about something but rather to put him or her into a particular time and place. When poetry engages with history, it can have a pronounced power to bring the subject to life.”
The formal constraints of poetry, he added, are part of that power.
“I really like the challenge of getting Okie dialect into iambic pentameter,” he said. “But, more than that, I wanted a form associated with intimacy and interiority, since most of the poems are presented as the private thoughts of the characters.”
In Myers’s view, the sonnet form offered the right emotional register.
“The sonnet has a long association with dramatizing the thought process, particularly in relationship to feelings of longing,” Myers said. “Shakespeare’s love sonnets come to mind, but also John Donne’s sonnets about God. That seemed like a good form for exploring what passes through the mind of someone in the midst of trial, someone longing for hope.”
While writing “Black Sunday,” Myers said, he discovered who the central figure had become.
“The hero of the book, the one carrying the hope for the others, was Lily Burns, the mother and wife,” he said. “I think I based that aspect of her character on observation, having seen many strong women carry the hope and faith for entire families.”
Myers said he hopes students and young writers everywhere see a message in this national recognition.
“I hope young writers see that you can write seriously as a Christian, that being a Christian writer doesn’t mean glossing over difficulty or tragedy,” he said. “I hope they will see that Christian literature should meet and exceed all the same standards as secular literature. Our first obligation is to steward the talents and opportunities that God has given us and thus to make the best art we can, which means telling all the truth we can. I also hope they see in all art, not just in my writing, that beauty is an important part of our experience of who God is.” S
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MERRY & BRIGHT
OKC Philharmonic To Perform Christmas Concert In Shawnee
BY DAVID DINSMORE
The Oklahoma City Philharmonic will bring a full orchestra and special guest vocal performers to a special Christmas concert in Shawnee at 7 p.m. on Dec. 16 at the Grand Event Center. Tickets and information at grandboxoffice. com, okcphil.org/merryandbright or (405) 964-7263. — Photos submitted
The Oklahoma City Philharmonic will bring some holiday magic — and perhaps a new tradition — to Shawnee this season with a special concert, “Merry & Bright — Songs of Christmas,” at 7 p.m. on Dec. 16 at the Grand Event Center.
“Being able to bring an accessible, affordable concert to Shawnee has always been a dream of mine,” said Rachael Geiger, president of the OKC Orchestra League — which helps support the educational initiatives and fundraising needs of the Philharmonic.
When director of education and community engagement Shannon Lockwood approached the League earlier this year to discuss nearby towns that could host a performance, Geiger quickly offered Shawnee as a possible location, she said. For community members who don’t have much experience with orchestral concerts, she also saw a holiday event as
a great opportunity for them to connect with orchestral music in a familiar way.
“Christmas is really such a universal thing,” Geiger said. “So for me, it’s even more about creating community through that Christmas spirit and using that jumping off point to truly create community.”
The festive evening plans to bring timeless holiday favorites, nostalgic symphonic arrangements and fun for the whole family. When putting together the song selections for the concert, music director Alexander Mickelthwate started with a simple question.
What would the kids and families like to hear?
Since joining the organization in 2018, Mickelthwate has put together many programs for the Oklahoma City Philharmonic — which features multiple concerts as part of its classics, pops and discovery family series
annually along with special events — but he does not recall building one so specific to American children. His own upbringing in Germany provided a different perspective when it came to traditional Christmas music with a more classical emphasis. He had a long list of these “holy, warm, calm, beautiful” Christmas pieces to showcase the talents of his musicians, but he also knew that American traditions also inject other genres like jazz, blues, pop and cinema into the catalog alongside the traditional.
The result became somewhat of a twopart program with engaging familiar pop culture favorites balanced with traditional fare to give concertgoers a flavor of the fun and range a 60-70 person orchestra can bring to music, Mickethwate said, who included musical favorites from movies like “Frozen 2,” “The Polar Express” and “Home Alone” and radio favorites like “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and “All
I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth.”
“We want to have families and kids excited to come to the concert and have a real Christmas experience,” said Mickelthwate, adding that the aim of the program is not to just entertain those in attendance who are children at this time but also to evoke warm memories from their adult counterparts.
“It becomes this beautiful, joyful but also nostalgic concert.”
Rounding out the sound along with the full orchestra will be the Windsong Chamber Choir and vocalist Audrey Logan, Mickelthwate said. There will also be opportunities for audience members to join in the fun singing along with traditional carols and Christmas standards.
“When we sing together, we create community together,” Geiger said. “That's one of the things that was so important to me, that what we create in Shawnee is not just a listening experience but an experience where we actually participate.”
Mickelthwate shares the Philharmonic’s goal of getting outside the metro area to promote a love and appreciation of music for audiences that may not travel to the city for a concert.
“I just really try to push us to get out into the communities in the state,” he said. “This gives more opportunities to perform for our musicians but also to spread the word of music in a way.”
So while he worked on constructing a program to entertain audiences in communities like Shawnee and Elk City this holiday season, a ground team of Geiger, Lockwood and Philharmonic executive director Brent Hart began meeting with potential community partners in the public and private sectors to drum up
support for the concert.
Focused on the importance of quality of life to the overall success of a community, officials from the county and the Citizen Potawatomi Nation offered their support in helping bring this world-class opportunity to the community, Geiger said. The organization also began meeting with local business and civic leaders in October to discuss not only this concert but the Philharmonic’s work in communities around the state supporting music education and the benefits it provides.
“These are those award-winning music education programs that the orchestra league has built its reputation on,” Geiger said.
The aim is to not only create potential new professional musicians to carry on the tradition of organizations like the Oklahoma City Philharmonic but also “professional audience members” who understand the roles that art and music play in the quality of life in a community.
“We have to care enough to fill the orchestra and to offer these educational opportunities to provide the spark of love for playing the music and also for enjoying the music,” Geiger said.
Events like the “Merry & Bright” concert can help open that world for some Shawnee residents in their own backyard with a spirit that is warm and familiar.
“We want this to turn into a Shawnee tradition where we come back year over here and sing ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ together as we go out and usher in the season,” Geiger said.
For tickets and information, visit grandboxoffice.com and okcphil.org/merryandbright or call (405) 964-7263. S
Winter Storm
TOYING AROUND
Shawnee PD Taking Applications, Donations For Annual Toy Drive Through Dec. 15
BY DAVID DINSMORE
The Shawnee Police Department is accepting applications for kids 18 and younger for its fourth annual Christmas toy drive. Scan the QR to register a child and for more information. — Photos submitted
The Shawnee Police Department is gearing up to be one of Santa’s helpers again with its fourth annual citywide toy drive.
The department is currently taking applications for 200 local children to receive toys, winter accessories, school supplies and other goodies this Christmas season, said Cpl. Vivian Lozano, public information officer with SPD. Once their list is made — and maybe checked twice — volunteers from around the community will help sort and hand out the donations at the annual giveaway event, which is always a special treat for all involved.
“It’s great to see the smiles on the kids’ faces, and they’re so excited,” Lozano said. “One year, we had this little girl, and she fell in love with this doll in the box. That's the only thing she would take. Her mom ended up picking out another couple of toys for her, but she didn't want anything else. She just wanted this one little doll, and as soon as she grabbed it, she sat there
on the ground and started playing with it.”
Families looking to apply can scan the QR code included with this article, visit eventcreate.com/e/spdtoydrive2025.com and check out the City of Shawnee OK’s Facebook page for more information.
About 1,000 items were collected during last year’s drive, including clothes, sticker books, coloring books, crayons, toys, sports equipment, electronics and more, Lozano said. Volunteers from the community helped sort and organize the donations according to age groups the day before the giveaway event.
“We couldn’t do this without the community’s help,” Lozano said. “They came out and helped pass out toys, put the toys together, divide the toys and everybody that donated toys, whether it was here at the police department or the additional locations.
The event got its start with a partnership between the
department and Resthaven Funeral Home and Memorial Park, and Lozano said new community partners have joined over the years to help provide donated items, volunteers and food the day of the giveaway.
Starting the second year, the police department has also worked with community partners like Resthaven and the Shawnee Public Library to create ornaments with each child’s name that they can hang at home. Lozano said having something just for them has meant as much to some of the children as the toys, books and clothing they receive from the drive.
Scan
The police department has also received a lot of support from individuals in the community who have donated toys, clothing items, books, hygiene items, school supplies and other treats for the youngsters selected.
The event accepts donations of new toys and gifts for ages 0-18, Lozano said. They generally see a lot of gifts for younger children, but they tend to be lighter on gifts for teens who participate. Popular items among this age group tend to be makeup kits, nail kits, small portable speakers, headphones and sports equipment, such as basketballs and footballs. The toy drive does not accept gift cards at this time.
This year, an anonymous donor is providing 200 blankets — one for each child — and the department is asking that donors consider giving gloves and scarves to go along with toy
donations, Lozano said.
Donors can bring their selections to the police department from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and leave them either with records or Lozano herself. They are accepting donations through Dec. 15 to make sure they allow for plenty of time for the community to contribute to a child’s Christmas memories, and Lozano said she has been grateful to see the response from the community the last three years.
“One year, we had a lady that saw our article about the toy drive, and she happened to be at Big Lots at the time,” she said. “They had some toy sales going on, so she brought me like five or six bags of toys she had just collected and brought them in.”
Once the giveaway day arrives, families — who will receive information about time and location of the event — will check in and receive the children’s ornaments. They will then move throughout the event to different stations, some of which include general items like blankets and others that have toys and gifts for specific age ranges. There will also be a variety of activities and food for families to enjoy that day to add to the festive fun.
“We know it is hard out there right now for some families, so we just want to help make sure these kids have a good Christmas,” Lozano said.
For information about registration, donations or volunteering, call (405) 273-2121. S
ON AIR
KGFF A Part Of Shawnee Culture For Nearly A Century
BY ANN MCDONALD, COURTESY POTT CO HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBER
GFF radio is another part of Shawnee’s history that’s still in use today nearly 100 hundred years later.
D.R. Wallace of the Wallace Radio Institute of Oklahoma City started KGFF, and it may have been here as early as 1927 when he brought his Alva offices to Shawnee. The studio was set up in the Aldridge Hotel with a T-shape antenna of wire strung on wooden poles between the hotel and Masonic Building across the street.
The KGFF studio was located on the mezzanine of the hotel. Church broadcasts, merchants’ advertisements and lots of local music were the first broadcasts. The music often came from the Aldridge Hotel Orchestra or other local groups, including school choirs. Broadcasts also included the news coming from the newsroom of the Shawnee Evening Star, which usually ended the day’s broadcast.
In December 1930, an event over the airwaves began that continued for decades. A special broadcast was done during the tallying of local votes … the one that decided if Shawnee would become or Tecumseh would stay the Pottawatomie County seat. It was likely the biggest night of KGFF’s election coverage but started a “vote counting” trend that continued for decades.
the signal and moved to the Shawnee Country Club. Until then, all the station’s programs were local or recorded, but listeners began to demand network shows so the station joined the Mutual Broadcasting System.
The year 1941 brought shows to KGFF featuring Dinah Shore, Lum & Abner, Fibber McGee & Molly, The Green Hornet and others. It was also helpful during the World War II years when the station was able to bring the latest news. The FCC even requested the station be prepared to become inoperative in case of a forcible takeover by enemy agents.
After the war, there was concern about another invasion … television. Radio still offered favorites like “Terry and the Pirates” and “Dick Tracy.” It was then that sporting events began to be a big part of the broadcasts like the World Series. During the 1960s and 1970s, KGFF broadcast St. Louis Cardinals games then switched to the Kansas City Royals in the 1980s before being replaced by the Texas Rangers.
Many talented Shawnee groups and individuals got their start on the radio during the 1930s. Until then, they had to go to Oklahoma City to make appearances. In 1931, Ross Porter filed to transfer the KGFF license from Wallace to the KGFF Broadcasting Co. In 1933, sponsors listed included Sears, Marquis Furniture, Mammoth Department Store, Moody’s, Norton Motors, Resthaven Memorial Park and others.
In 1935, a self-supported single tower was built on top of the Aldridge Hotel, and two years later, the local station became a charter member of the Oklahoma Network when it was first formed. KGFF was considered one of the leaders among the state’s smaller markets. The following year, management considered a rural site for the transmitter to improve
In 1955, KGFF took its entire operations to the country club site. Eventually around 1973, their own building was constructed on North Bryan across from Grove School. With the popularization of television, not as many local listeners depended on the radio for as much of their information and entertainment but still enjoyed the music, news and weather, but they especially looked forward to sports broadcasts. It was not only national sports but Shawnee events, including the area colleges. KGFF followed the teams with professionally produced programs.
In the early part of this century, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation purchased the long-time radio station, and the station is now located south of Shawnee. It continues as part of the local scene just as it has for nearly 100 hundred years.
After all the time, change and progression, it’s still KGFF at AM 1450 — along with 100.9 FM — on your dial. Tune in and listen to the Shawnee Wolves football game each Friday night during the season.
KGFF radio has called several locations home in and around Shawnee during its nearly 100 years on the air. — Photo submitted
BEST & WORST
Embracing The Ups And Downs Of The Holiday Season
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.”
Dear Paulann, I feel a growing sense of dread as the holidays get closer. I keep telling myself to “get over it.” I should be excited about time off work, being with family and celebrating with friends like everyone else. But I am tired even thinking about the energy it will take. I don’t know how to shake the sadness I feel. — Colleen W.
Dear Colleen,
There are some things that I want you to know. The first is you are not alone. Thank you for being open about your struggle. Your courage can help others. It’s not just you. Many of us face the holidays with a broad range of feelings. In his novel, “A Tale of Two Cities,” Charles Dickens opens with, “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.” In those two sentences he captures the reality that light and dark, hard and soft, joy and sorrow often share space in the same moment. His words also fit the mixed feelings we can have this time of year.
The second thing I want you to know is holidays tend to magnify these contradictory feelings. The meaning we attach to these occasions, both positive and negative, begins in childhood. Many of us as adults still hold those subconscious views. Whether we remember past holidays as perfect or catastrophic, those persistent expectations often make updating and adapting seem like disloyalty to our inherited story. It’s okay to feel sad and even regretful. The best news is that even with sadness or regret, we don’t have to stay stuck repeating outdated patterns. The habits and traditions that are disrupted by the passage of time and circumstances provide opportunities for change. We can decide what changes to make based on our increasing self awareness. The worst news is that old habits die hard, which means the consistent commitment to practice new ways of being is a necessary part of our growth.
Consider these points of view. Which ones are driving your decision about what changes to make?
• Let your feelings inform you, not judge you. Information brings growth. Judgement focuses on punishment and loss of worth.
• “Yes” and “No” are both okay. What matters most is that you are clear about the reason you’re choosing either one. Does your response fit with how you intend to act as a person of integrity or is it designed to avoid conflict, gain the upper hand, or manipulate?
• Am I choosing to be fully present in this moment in both my assessment, decision making, and response? Or am I experiencing this moment through the lens of the past, and reacting to old scripts?
So how do you hold space for the best of times and the worst of times in the same moment? News broadcaster, Robin Roberts, tells of learning from her mother that we can feel and express joy and sorrow at the same time. While directing the gospel choir at her father’s funeral service, Roberts’s mother told the singers to be more upbeat. To consciously express the happiness found in the good memories despite the sorrow of his death. Robin continued to hold that thought as she went through treatment for cancer. We can choose to express happy sorrow over sad sorrow. When we do, we find more strength and hope for the journey.
Take time to think about your holiday memories. I imagine some of them contain both hurtful and comforting feelings sharing space in the same moment. The third thing is you don’t have to be held captive by the hurt. You get to decide how you will carry it. Give yourself permission to make changes. What would you keep, discard or adapt? Remind yourself that it’s okay to keep some things, just as it can be good to add something new. Our decision about how we participate in the holidays doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
Fourth, consider adding a volunteer component to your holiday celebration. Giving of ourselves by helping others can restore and energize us. Choose something other than giving money, like investing sweat equity in a soup kitchen, toy drive, etc. There is a time to take care of ourselves and a time to give ourselves in service to others.
Fifth, lower your expectations and offer grace to yourself and others. There is a place for sadness about loss and change, people and places gone. There is also a place in the midst of loss and grief for discovery and creation. What if there are many ways to honor, celebrate and express our connection with ourselves and with others? A place to be who we are now and to look forward to who we will become.
Thank you for giving voice to being human. May you lean into the holidays having discovered your strength to choose, and the ability to embrace the shared space of discomfort and growth. S
Paulann
Nov. 8: It’s time to shine the wheels, rev the engines, and rally together for first-ever Driven for Justice Car Show, a fundraiser for the Child Advocacy Center. Information: info@cacc-ok.org
Nov. 8: It’s an event 2,000 years in the making as the MabeeGerrer Museum of Art celebrates Mummy Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1900 W. MacArthur. Information: mgmoa.org
Nov. 8: The Fall Brawl 5 will take to the ring with amateur and professional boxing matches starting at noon at the FireLake Arena at 18145 Rangeline Road. Information: okcboxing.com
Nov. 8: Mark your calendar for the United Way Havana Nights annual gala at 6 p.m. at the Grand Casino event center at 777 Grand Casino Blvd. featuring dinner, drinks, dancing, raffles, a cake auction and the LIVE UNITED Award. Proceeds provide for the work of the United Way of Eastern Frontier Country and its support of nonprofit organizations throughout its territory. Information: unitedwayefc.org/events
Nov. 14: Fleetwood Mac tribute band Return of the Mac will
break the chain with a show starting at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theatre at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee.com
Nov. 20: 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
Nov. 20: The Third Thursday Poetry Reading will begin at 7 p.m. at the Lunch Box at 217 E. Main St. with author and songwriter Nathan Brown, has published 30-ish books. Most recent are the first two books in his new memoir series, “The Birth of a Vagabond.” His recent poetry collection, “Karma Crisis: New and Selected Poems,” was a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award. His earlier book, “Two Tables Over,” won the 2009 Oklahoma Book Award. His most recent album of original songs is “The Streets of San Miguel.” Nathan's reading will be 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.
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Nov. 21: Metal Night rocks out with The Treatment, Nevermind the Embers, Index Paradox amd Too Burnt with a show starting at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theatre at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee.com
Nov. 22: Classic Country Night moseys into downtown Shawnee featuring Tyler Kupper and local favorites for a show starting at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theatre at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee.com
Nov. 27: The Guilded Grayland is inviting enthusiasts to spend the holiday together during ThanksGAMING, with food and fun at its 222. E Main St. with its entrance across Philadelphia Street from the Shawnee Public Library. Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite side or dessert (and of course, games) to accompany the ham and turkey provided at the event starting at 4 p.m. Information: theguildedgrayland.com
Dec. 4: Join us for an uplifting night of Carols and Cocoa featuring the new Shawnee Peace & Praise Community Choir. Free cocoa for all at the event starting at 7 p.m. in the Woodland Veterans Park Amphitheater located at 100
Event Center at 777 Grand Casino Blvd. Information: grandboxoffice.com
Dec. 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
Dec. 11: First Christian Church welcomes the Shawnee Peace and Praise Community Choir to its 1625 N Broadway sanctuary for a night of Christmas Hope filled with hope, love and joy beginning at 7:30 p.m. Information: facebook.com/ shawneepeaceandpraise
Dec. 16: Get ready for a heartwarming holiday concert the whole family will love as the Oklahoma City Philharmonic presents Merry & Bright – Songs of Christmas, a magical evening filled with festive favorites, joyful sing-alongs, and timeless Christmas classics. At 7:30 p.m. at the Grand Event Center at 777 Grand Casino Blvd. Information: okcphil.org/ concerts/merryandbright.
If you know of any events you would like to see featured, email editor@shawneeoutlook.com.
Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art gala starting at 6 p.m. at the art moments, cocktail-style atmosphere with elevated hors silent and live auction and exclusive raffle experiences while cultural programs offered free to the public. Information.
fellowship, movie, pop and popcorn at 7 p.m. at 39307 MacArthur St. Parents and grandparents can enjoy a worryfree evening of movie entertainment while the kids watch an age-appropriate movie. Information: facebook.com/ redeemerlutheranshawnee
Dec. 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
Dec. 5: Grab your lady and come sail away on the familiar sounds of Styx as the Chicago-based band plays its way through the hits that made them a radio mainstay in the 1970s and 1980s at a show starting at 8 p.m. in the Grand
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