Shawnee Outlook

keep the change

CHECK OUT THE LIBRARY

While we all know the library was a great place to grab a book when we were little, have you seen what your local library offers now? It’s truly one of the greatest free resources in our community for more than just books.

• Audio/Digital Books. Maybe you haven’t checked the library recently because you prefer reading on your Kindle. Did you know Pioneer Library System partners with Libby and Hoopla – two free apps offering rentals for audiobooks and ebooks? And if reading in any format isn’t your thing, Hoopla and Kanopy – another app partnering with your local library – also offer movies, TV shows, magazines, documentaries, and more.

• Movie Rentals. Your library has the latest movies on DVD at their Movie Box kiosks located at the library downtown, at the mall and the new station in the Homeland parking lot at 2705 N. Harrison. Reserve them online or check to see what’s available when you stop by.

• Maker Lab. Have you ever wanted to try a 3D printer? What about making a quick project with an embroidery machine, laser cutter, vinyl cutter or even a simple sewing machine? Did you know your library can help you with that? The Shawnee Library recently installed a Maker Lab with all of the above services available free of charge (though you may need to provide your own materials). Staff are even available to teach you to use the machines if you’re new to the process.

• Programs. Library programs have upped their game and now include stargazing, book discussions, art classes, ESL, Legos and more. They have free events for all ages and, of course, don’t miss the Summer Reading Program that will start at the end of next month for all ages – kids through adults.

If you’re curious about any of these things, visit pioneerlibrarysystem.org to learn more.

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

C nutrition 101

THE BUZZ ON CAFFEINE

affeine can be a controversial topic for many. What can be up for debate is how much caffeine we should have in a day, sources of caffeine and if children should be drinking caffeine. Coincident with the rise in caffeine use is the development of energy drinks. Energy drinks can contain caffeine levels ranging from 50 milligrams (equivalent to a can of soda) to 500 milligrams (equivalent to five cups of coffee). Sugar is typically a big ingredient in energy drinks. If it isn’t sugar in the drinks, then it is artificial sugar. Energy drink sales have grown by more than 50 percent since 2005.

While moderate caffeine use is “generally recognized as safe” by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the American Medical Association, this classification is largely based on studies conducted in adults. In fact, very little research has been conducted on children and adolescents. Another controversial topic around caffeine is if it is addictive or not. Children and adolescents are the fastest growing population of caffeine users with an increase of 70 percent in the past 30 years, according to a study from the National Library of Medicine. For children, the primary vehicle for caffeine is soda, which also contains a large amount of sugar. This liquid sugar intake is part of the rise of diabetes in children. The increased consumption of soda is associated with poor diet, excess weight and dental issues.

For adults, the Mayo Clinic advises that up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day appears to be safe for most healthy adults. That's roughly the amount of caffeine in four cups of brewed coffee. When having caffeine, find your cut off time in the day to make sure it is not disturbing your sleep.

Below is a great way to add in a healthy amount of caffeine for an adult but not too late in your day.

Blended Coffee

I sure enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning and as it warms up outside, I like to enjoy that coffee cold. I definitely enjoy this recipe, but I also enjoy not spending $7 for a coffee drink daily.

Ingredients:

8 oz brewed coffee, cooled

8 oz unsweetened nondairy milk of choice

1 tsp vanilla

Handful of ice

Stevia as desired

Directions: Add all to a blender and blend. Add more ice if you want it thicker.

Nutrition Information per Serving Makes: 1 serving

Calories: 84 Total fat: 4g Saturated Fat: .5g Cholesterol: 0g

Sodium: 80mg Carbohydrates: 5g Dietary Fiber: 2g Protein: 7g

Nutrition 101: When making this, I like to use organic soy milk. The soy milk provides more nutritional value than most other non-dairy milks. The fiber and protein in this recipe is coming from the soy milk. Other non-dairy milks include oat, almond, cashew and coconut. I also like to use stevia so I am staying away from chemical-based sweeteners. As noted above, pay attention to your serving sizes of caffeine and how late in the day you enjoy your caffeine.

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

Angela Rowland

WORLD ART DAY

Art Definitions Around The World Have Changed Across Millenia

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

D

id you know that World Art Day is April 15?

World Art Day is an international celebration of the fine arts, which was declared by the International Association of Art in order to promote awareness of creative activity worldwide.

Arts and Culture Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol is April 11. Oklahomans for the Arts hosts this advocacy day to let legislators know about important issues related to the arts and to celebrate the importance of arts and culture in Oklahoma.

The “arts” encompass everything from painting, drawing, weaving, mosaics and so much more. In western Europe during the Renaissance, they considered painting to be the top form of art with sculpture and other “crafts” below, but in areas with more Islamic influence, all forms of art were encouraged and considered to be of equal value.

What form of art is your favorite? Which are you best at?

Art dates back to the Upper Paleolithic period (10,00040,000 years ago) with cave paintings. People ground charcoal or burnt bones to create black pigment. They used limonite for yellow and hematite for red, and white came from ground calcite. They painted using moss and chewed twigs. We have it so much easier today. We just have to go to the store to buy paint and brushes.

Art has changed a lot during the centuries, especially as we near the current century. The popular style has changed from accurate human bodies in the Renaissance to more dramatic art in the Baroque. Impressionism shocked many people with its emphasis on light and color and not on details. Fr. Gregory Gerrer - for whom the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art was named – was not a big fan. Abstract expressionism shocked audiences again with eliminating any recognizable shapes and figures.

The question of “what is art?” has been around for a while.

Marcel Duchamp asked that question with his piece, “Bicycle Wheel,” which was a bicycle wheel that he installed on a stool in 1913. The circle of the wheel was reminiscent of a face while the stool looked like a pedestal, so it made one think of the

Roman portrait busts sitting on a pedestal. He once again pushed the boundaries in 1917 with “Fountain,” which was a urinal that he installed on its side and signed it R. Mutt.

Many artists since Duchamp have also questioned what made something art. Andy Warhol – with his silk screen prints of everyday objects such as Campbell’s soup cans – also pushed the boundaries of what defines art.

The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art has a wide variety of art ranging from ancient Egyptian pottery to Greek vases to medieval and Renaissance paintings to African masks to a clay Chinese camel to Native American beadwork and so much more. Being an encyclopedic art museum, we have artwork representing many civilizations across the world and across 8,000 years.

What is your favorite piece in the museum?

Come check out some great art by local high school students until April 28.

Art Project

Draw your favorite piece from the museum’s collection!

Visit mgmoa.org/collections for inspiration. Check out mgmoa.org/art-projects for videos on how to draw a Greek vase and more art videos that connect to our collection.

PATIENT FOCUSED

New Practice Puts Person, Not Disease At Center Of Treatment

BY DAVID DINSMORE

Shelby Parsons had a vision for the type of care she wanted to provide before she even completed her postgraduate studies.

She realized that vision in midFebruary when she became the provider at Triad Complete Healthcare at 4151 N Harrison St.

Her time as a nurse had provided a variety of experience and helped her narrow the focus of how she wanted to practice. Parsons was looking for an opportunity that fit with her desire to approach health care from the perspective of functional medicine, which is a systems biology-based approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease. She said this strategy helps take into account the whole person and not just the disease, and they can develop a plan or be on the lookout for concerns based on an individual without relying solely on universally applied standards.

“I want the patient to truly feel valued and that I listened to them, that I spent the time to get to know and develop relationships with them,” said Parsons, who emphasized the importance of depth of research involved in the functional medicine approach.

Not all patients will want to take this functional medicine approach and may come to her with treatment plans that are successful for them, Parsons said, so she makes sure to work with each person a strategy that has the best chance of participation and outcome. The goal is truly personalized care.

Initially, Parsons could not find the primary care opportunity she desired, so she began treating patients in an urgent care setting in Tecumseh,

which provided chances to gain a lot of experience in identifying and treating a wide variety of conditions and symptoms. It also further confirmed her preference to practice from a relational standpoint and not simply symptom treatment as needed. It was during this time – when she was not actively seeking a primary care position – that the opportunity with Triad Complete Healthcare presented itself.

“I absolutely fell in love with their vision and what they wanted to bring to Shawnee,” Parsons said. “This was exactly the job I had been wanting for three years.

“It truly was God’s timing.”

The Oklahoma-based Triad group had been working with Eric Winegardner – owner of the local Triad Completed Healthcare location in addition to Eric’s Pharmacy – to establish a clinic in Shawnee, and Parsons fit the mold of what they wanted in a provider to take care of patients.

a functional medicine perspective –which is a systems biology-based focus used to identify and address the root cause of disease to take into account the health of the whole person – at the new clinic located at 4151 N. Harrison.

Parsons – who grew up in the rural community of Vanoss before moving to the area and graduating from Tecumseh High School – knew she wanted to become a medical professional after watching nurses care for her grandfather as he battled illness for a long period of time when she was younger.

“I would spend a lot of time in the hospital with him, and I got to know the people taking care of him,” Parsons said. “I realized these people truly care and how much he enjoyed that.”

After some stints in the hospital, he moved to a long-term care facility where

— Photos by David Dinsmore >

Nurse practitioner Shelby Parsons at Triad Complete Healthcare approaches her treatment of patients from

the relationships with nurses and doctors inspired Parsons to pursue a career as a nurse and then follow in the nurse practitioner path.

Nurse practitioners generally begin their careers bedside caring for patients as they study to become nurses before moving into roles as providers, and Parsons said this provides a perspective unique to that position.

“As a nurse, you really have to get to know your patients,” Parsons said. “When you choose to be a nurse, you have a heart that wants to serve others.”

In addition to bringing a functional medicine perspective to her clinical approach, Parsons said access to health care is also at the heart of what she is looking to provide at Triad.

“I have had a heart for providing care to rural communities since I first began nursing,” said Parsons, whose small-town upbringing and ongoing participation in rodeo activities like breakaway roping keep her tied to her

roots. “We are country. We come from that background, and going to the doctor regularly is not always a thing.”

Parsons began seeing patients at Triad Complete Healthcare in midFebruary and has been establishing those relationships she desired when she was looking to enter practice at a pace that was faster than she anticipated, and she has kept the goal of caring for people as individuals during this time.

“I do my absolute best to not spend our time together charting, so I’m sitting there in front of the patient getting to know them, their backstory, their mindset so those can guide my treatment,” Parsons said.

In addition to partnering with patients who want to take on the work of pursuing a functional medicine approach to their care, Parsons also has collaborated with other types of professionals like dietitians and other medical professionals to whom she can refer to help identify resources and insight for her patients to use on

their journey.

In the next year, Triad is looking to establish a newly built clinic facility as it continues growing its practice. As of now, Parsons works alongside clinic manager Brittany Inman in scheduling patients in a way that gives her adequate time to conduct this type of visit, and she also serves as her own medical assistant at this time, which allows her to conduct the interview process at each visit asking the questions usually posed prior to the entrance of the provider.

“I hope that everyone who walks through the door feels seen, heard, appreciated and trusts that I do everything in my power to find the ‘why’ behind the diagnosis,” Parsons said. “It’s about customer service to me and truly caring for the patient and not just the problem.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Parsons at Triad Complete Healthcare at 4151 N. Harrison, call (405) 765-1091.

over the fence

LONG LIVE

Social Connectedness Shows To Improve Health, Longevity

BY BRANDON DYER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMUNITY RENEWAL OF POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY

How well do you know your neighbors? Do you simply smile and wave, or do you know them by name?

Have you ever shared anything with them? Maybe yard tools, sugar or eggs.

Do you gather their mail when they are out of town or pick up their newspaper? Does it even matter in this day and age?

I believe the answer is yes. It definitely matters. More than we could have ever imagined.

About 30 years ago, average Americans had three people in their lives they would consider a confidant. Today, the average is about one. In fact, the number of people who claim to have zero people they discuss important matters with has nearly tripled. This means there are a lot of folks out there who do not have the kinds of relationships necessary to make life meaningful.

I have a friend who shared a story with me that gave me hope. He was playing with his kids in the front yard when a neighbor drove by and stopped. She rolled down the window to say how wonderful it is to see children playing outside. Sadly, we don’t see enough of that anymore as kids often stay inside on electronics for entertainment. They chatted for a few minutes. My friend learned that the woman’s children were grown, and she lived alone. He invited her to have dinner with his family that night, and she accepted. She started coming over every Sunday night to enjoy a family dinner with his family. Little by little, they built a warm, neighborly friendship.

They don’t have anyone to celebrate the big moments in life with or to talk to when times are tough. Our social networks are actually decreasing in overall size, despite the ever-increasing size of our virtual networks through social media.

Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy sounded the alarm several years ago that our greatest health threat in this country is not heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or any of the other common debilitating health problems. He said that our greatest health threat is loneliness brought on by an overall lack of meaning, self-worth and social connection. Our hyperindividualistic culture has taught us to double-down on the pursuit of personal happiness, even if it chokes the relationships that make life meaningful in the first place. As a culture, we are cutting ourselves off from the second most important thing we need behind food and shelter. We are failing to nurture our need for social connection by an unhealthy pursuit of personal gain and by ignoring those closest to us in our lives.

The studies tell us it is sending us to our graves sooner. Brene Brown tells us in her book, “Braving the Wilderness,” that living with air pollution increases your chance of dying early by 5 percent. Obesity? 20 percent. Excessive Drinking? 30 percent. Not good. However, your chances of dying early from loneliness brought on by a lack of adequate social connection are increased by 45 percent. How do we ever get back on track?

Not everyone is as outgoing as my friend. That’s okay, but there are myriad ways to slowly begin rebuilding the foundation of our culture. It starts with being visible to each other and – to some extent – vulnerable. We need to be seen and known by the people we live close to. When we can become friendly with our neighbors, suspicion goes down and trust goes up. Our capacity to be empathetic toward our neighbors increases and suddenly we have more patience with an overgrown lawn or a dog that gets out frequently.

Increased social connection benefits everyone and helps create the kind of community we all want: a safe, connected and caring community. So maybe the key to a long life is not just healthy eating and exercise. Perhaps the most overlooked key to a long life is simply learning to be a good neighbor.

Brandon Dyer

Aerial shot from soon after the April

COMING

Volunteers from Shawnee and outside the community responded immediately to help clear damage and debris following the April 19, 2023 tornado through organizational and individual efforts. — Photo submitted by United Way courtesy of the Countywide News & Sun

Local Organizations Reflect On Triumphs, Challenges At One-Year Tornado Anniversary

F

or every scar left on buildings and the landscape by the tornadic storms of April 19, 2023, many more stories of disruption in the lives of the people of the community emerged in the year since.

Though the first relief came in the reports that the storm claimed none of those lives, the proceeding year saw relief arrive in as many forms as stories exist.

About 2,000 homes were damaged with more than 300 homes destroyed or sustaining major damage, according to statistics provided by the United Way of Pottawatomie County’s Long Term Recovery Group. About 50 percent of all damaged homes were uninsured, and 72 percent of Shawnee was without

power for three to five days.

“These statistics barely scratch the devastation that took place then, but Shawnee came together to pull through an unimaginable time,” stated a release received from United Way.

The early days of recovery saw scrambles to assess and repair critical infrastructure.

For instance, OG&E reported that 3,000 utility restoration personnel from throughout this region of the country arrived in town to string 48 miles of new power lines across the 600 replaced power poles to bring electricity to all identified structures able to receive power six and a half days after the storms came.

Immediately after the storm,

19, 2023 tornado showed extensive damage across a wide swath of the center of town.

— Photo courtesy of the City of Shawnee

BACK

Shawnee Public Schools and Oklahoma Baptist University leaders took to their storm-ravaged campuses to determine the feasibility of students returning to complete an academic year nearing its finish as well as the usability of facilities long-term as repairs and replacement became apparent. Shawnee Public Schools estimated in a statement that the tornado caused more than $30 million in damage across the school district.

Meanwhile, organizations and community leaders collaborated and worked to acquire and direct resources to where they could make the most impact in the lives of the residents of the Shawnee area.

The American Red Cross set up at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s festival grounds to provide meals and other necessities for residents.

Community Renewal put together a command center to gather and distribute donated and procured household items, food, hygiene products and other resources to anyone able to make it to the gymnasium on the Oklahoma Bap-

tist University’s Green Campus, where the Red Cross also operated a center for the intake of service requests. The center also dispatched work crews of volunteers to deliver necessities and provide cleanup in the first weeks of the recovery.

Life.Church also became a hub of activity and resources for those in the community to get what they needed and for service organizations to route supplies they were receiving from their donors and partners.

Community Market of Pottawatomie County Daniel Matthews said the impact of the early response stemmed from an intentional design from a few years ago to foster a spirit of collaboration in the community.

“A few years ago, the Avedis Foundation began a non-profit leaders roundtable,” Matthews said “Each month, the directors of local non-profits meet, work together on projects and build relationships. When disaster struck, working together was easy because the relationships already existed.

BY DAVID DINSMORE

TOP: All of Oklahoma Baptist University’s more than 50 buildings had damage from the April 19, 2023 tornado, but crews worked quickly and diligently to have roofs and other repairs completed on most by September. — Photo courtesy of OBU

ABOVE: Volunteers arrived at the Oklahoma Baptist University’s Green Campus gymnasium to help serve those affected by the April 19, 2023 in any way they can after Community Renewal established a response command center along with the American Red Cross. — Photo submitted

Clear lines of communication were in place, and everyone understood the areas of service of each organization. This made the local response fast, efficient and maximized its effectiveness.”

In just two weeks following the storms, Legacy Parenting Center distributed more than 18,000 diapers to 444 babies, including 109 specific to tornado relief, executive director Lacey Holt said.

“More than 5,400 of these diapers were distributed on the first day we reopened following the tornado,” said Holt, who noted this increase contrasted with 1,400 diapers distributed in a single day the week before.

Legacy also contributed more than $17,000 worth of tangible resources like diapers, clothing, infant formula, baby wipes and baby food to families between its facilities and the Community Renewal command center in addition to sharing emergency diaper assistance information with Community Renewal, Victory Family Church, Life.Church Shawnee, Salvation Army and Red Cross command stations to remind the community of this vital resource that helps families year-round.

And collaboration extended outside the Shawnee community as well. Matthews said Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma partners helped find solutions to preserve Community Market’s refrigerated foods while its main facility was without power.

“At the same time we were trucking food out, we were trucking in disaster supplies,” Matthews said.

Rose Rock Habitat for Humanity had recently undergone a name change and taken steps to expand into Pottawatomie County in the days just prior to the April 19 storms, so storm recovery support became an unplanned first foray into establishing partnerships in the Shawnee community, community engagement coordinator April Grant said. While not ideal, the crisis created needs that Habitat could help fill and build meaningful relationships at a much faster pace than may have been possible under other circumstances.

“We bonded through trauma, but we were glad to show the compassion and heart to bring hope through true action,” Grant said. “It was devastating that we had a tornado, but it was beautiful to see the community come together and support one another.”

For instance, Grant said Rose Rock Habitat was able to align their resources with Community Renewal and the Shawnee Board of Realtors to provide major clean-up projects along corridors to help repair and restore utilities in some areas.

Following the emergency response in those first few weeks, a clearer picture of the challenges that awaited the community came into focus along with the timeline required to meet them. Some homeowners have spent the last year discovering all of the fine points that come with working

through insurance claims following a natural disaster along with figuring out how to pay for the extra things not covered, and many businesses and organizations have learned the same lessons as they continue to grapple with the recovery process.

A year after the April 19, 2023, tornado, the City of Shawnee is still actively coordinating with insurance and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for repairs, according to a statement/ issued in late March. More than $6 million has been spent just on storm debris removal activities, funded through the city’s operating reserves, while repairs for most of the fleet vehicles as well as minor repairs to buildings, parks and facilities damaged by the storm have also been completed.

One of the current focus areas for city staff is fencing repair work. This includes work at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center, airport, public works facility, Shawnee Police Department gun range.

Additionally, demolition contracts have been awarded for the airport terminal, the t-hangars and a leased building at 702 W. Independence and is still processing bids for hangar 16. As demolition gets underway, the city will begin design work to rebuild these facilities that were declared total losses.

City staff are working with TAP Architecture, the on-call architecture firm for the city. TAP Architecture is putting together demolition packages for the Lion’s Club Ballfields near the YMCA’s building

Aerial shot from soon after the April 19, 2023 tornado showed extensive damage across a wide swath of the center of town. —

Photo courtesy of the City of Shawnee

Signs of Shawnee’s recovery from the April 19, 2023 storm damage have cropped up throughout the last year. —

Photo by David Dinsmore

as well as repair plans for the public works facility and other city properties in need of minor repair. City staff also are working alongside disaster recovery consultant, Del Sol Consulting, to coordinate with the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and FEMA through the reimbursement process for various projects.

“Del Sol Consulting, who was retained to assist in the claim filings, has been in our corner to make sure that the city is getting the maximum amount possible so that Shawnee can continue to rebuild,” the release stated.

Those efforts are occurring while city staff continue pursuing fixing the expo’s roof and the grandstand and rebuilding the announcers stand.

Before asking FEMA for financial assis-

tance, the city must prove that claims have been filed and processed through the insurance company to provide the value that was promised for the premiums paid. This process often includes back-and-forth communications that can also involve the legal system.

Preliminary damages have been estimated by FEMA to be between $15-$20 million for all of the storm-affected assets owned by the city. As the repairs are completed, these numbers will fluctuate. Inspections are conducted jointly by the city and FEMA, documented by “types” of similar damage and then given a project number. This begins the back-andforth process between FEMA and the city, which continues until the scope and estimated cost is agreed upon by both parties.

There are seven phases involved in the FEMA process, and each project is in a different phase. The city divided its projected 75 damaged locations into 27 projects, and only one project – emergency debris removal – has reached phase five of the necessary seven. The remaining projects are still in phases two, three or four.

As of late March, the City of Shawnee has received $3.2 million for the emergency debris removal project.

“Although we still have a long road ahead of us, the city’s efforts to rebuild continue diligently,” the release stated.

Meanwhile, local businesses and organizations have spent the last year finding ways to work together and coordinate their efforts to help provide for needs on scales from the individual to the institutional.

The local United Way launched the Pottawatomie County Long Term Recovery Group in October 2023 to fill the gap for unmet needs. These needs include utility bills, roof repairs, rental deposits, interior repairs, furniture, moving expenses and more. This group's mission is to provide disaster recovery services to individuals and families in Pottawatomie County affected by the Shawnee tornado. As of late March, the Long Term Recovery Group has been able to help 17 different families and individuals recover and has funded $55,096 towards those cases.

“Having the honor of being the Disaster Recovery Coordinator for United Way

Some renovations planned prior to the tornado and now since April 19, 2023 have been able to move forward in the wake of the storm. — Photo courtesy of OBU

LEFT: The officers of United Way of Pottawatomie County’s Long Term Recovery Group have been working to provide resources for those who need them after the 2023 tornado damaged large portions of Shawnee. RIGHT: The United Way of Pottawatomie County helped support Shawnee Public Schools’ recovery efforts during the last year. Following the storm, it started its Shawnee Recovery Fund that raised more than $800,000 from donors. — Photos courtesy of United Way (L) and Countywide & Sun

for the past six months has been very humbling,” said Laura Barrow, who has led the group since its formation. “The timeline and process of recovery looks different for every single person. It involves patience, trust, care, empathy and a lot of hard work. This work is heavy and exhausting, but I am encouraged and inspired by the number of resources and help within our community. It is so special. And it is our goal to see every single individual and family that was impacted fully recover from the tornado.”

One of the clients that benefited from the Long Term Recovery Group – which works closely with Catholic Charities in identifying needs – was a mother of four children who was living in a rental house

with her children when the tornado hit on April 19. The landlord was unable to make repairs to make the home safe and stable. The house was uninhabitable, so they had to leave immediately. They were either staying in their car, a tent or a hotel for nine months.

“In December, I called 2-1-1 and they referred me to Catholic Charities,” said the client, who wished to remain anonymous.

“My case manager at Catholic Charities was able to help with the rental deposit and utility deposit on a new rent house. I broke down crying when I got the help. I was so relieved. What I want people to know is that there is help available. Don’t give up.”

Resources are still available for those with disaster related needs, Barrow said. Visit www.unitedwaypottco.org/disasterrelief. Call the Catholic Charities Pottawatomie County Office at (405) 4653808. Please leave your name, number and a brief description of the disaster.

The United Way also worked with partner businesses, organizations and community leaders to establish the Shawnee Recovery Fund, which raised $805,136 from community donations. The fund has been able to contribute $39,000 to Shawnee Public Schools for facility repairs.

Given its deep involvement in the efforts of community members to recover from last year’s storms, the United Way is planning a couple of events around the anniversary to not only recognize and celebrate progress made during the last year in

the community but also making sure that those who still need help receive it.

Up first is an outreach event hosted by the Long Term Recovery Group starting at 4:30 p.m. on April 15.

“We are asking our community to volunteer with us as we go door-to-door to homes that still have severe damage from the tornado and make them aware of the assistance that is available through Catholic Charities Disaster Case Management Program,” according to the United Way’s release.

Those who would like to sign up can visit unitedwaypottco.org/outreach, or for more information, reach out to Barrow at recovery@unitedwaypottco.org.

The next event brings in some United Way partners at Pottawatomie Go, Shawnee Family YMCA and OBU along with anyone in the community who wants to participate as they take to the streets with the United in Strength Stroll starting at 5:30 p.m. on April 19, according to United Way’s release.

“This commemorative event is a beautiful symbol of our community’s collective journey towards healing and rejuvenation,” the release stated

Participants will gather at the steps of the Geiger Center located on the OBU campus as key leaders in the community share their hearts and hope for the future as Shawnee continues rebuilding. They will then walk to the YMCA for refreshments and a brief tour of its transformative reconstruction, which serves as a symbol of healing and restoration one year after the storms.

For further details about the United in Strength Stroll, contact Barrow at recovery@unitedwaypottco.org and follow United Way of Pottawatomie County on Facebook and Instagram.

“Together we will recognize the strength of our community, the help that is available and the increasing hope we have as we continue to embody the spirit of resilience that defines Shawnee, one step at a time,” the release stated.

Earlier in the day on April 19, OBU will host its Renewal Era Service, which is set

The United Way of Pottawatomie County’s Long Term Recovery Group is working with Catholic Charities to identify and assist people in need resulting from the 2023 tornado. — Photo courtesy of United Way

The south side of Shawnee Public Schools Performing Arts and Athletic Center (PAAC) is shown during renovations on Sept. 12, 2023.

— Photo courtesy Shawnee Public Schools

to begin at 10 a.m. in the Recreation and Wellness Center on the campus, according to the release. This event will serve as a testament to the resilience of the OBU community and the numerous volunteers who worked tirelessly to help with recovery in the face of adversity.

Following the service, a Renewal Era Celebration will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., including a unique opportunity for the OBU community, friends and volunteers to sign new tiles that will be used to roof the iconic Raley Chapel.

Reflecting on the challenges faced since the disaster, OBU President Heath Thomas said, “OBU stands at the forefront of one of the most significant opportunities in university history. Although the storm left in its path of destruction considerable damage to every structure on campus, God protected the lives of students, employees and the entire community. The university has moved from the wreckage of that moment to a renewal of the OBU campus.”

This renewal is not just about rebuilding and updating buildings and damaged campus grounds and structures; it’s about the opportunity to emerge from the disaster better prepared to transform lives and communities, according to a release issued by OBU. This commitment extends to both the restoration of physical structures and the enhancement of academic programs aimed at meeting evolving societal needs.

“Our goal is not to repristinate the past. Our goal is to shape the future,” Thomas said.

The tornado didn’t keep the university from moving forward over the past year, the release stated. While continuing with disaster clean-up and reconstruction of buildings, OBU also made significant strides in meeting educational, employment and societal needs through its programs and offerings.

Teachers, administrators, staff and students of Shawnee Public Schools have also found ways to continue making the most of opportunities amid the recovery, including a STEAM Showcase event hosted for elementary and middle school students at the end of last month. The event featured a

“The Shawnee community has really rallied around our district throughout this past year,” he said. “Our recovery from last year’s tornado is not possible without the support from all of Shawnee.”

As parts of the community complete or continue through different stages of recovery, the willingness and spirit of partnership has remained steady during the course of the last year, said Grant, who serves with the United Way’s Long Term Recovery Group.

“For organizations that don’t really have tornado recovery in their wheelhouse, coming together through this common mission to rebuild our community is really awesome,” Grant said. “It’s created and strengthened relationships. It’s the silver lining in this recovery.”

spelling bee, geography bowl, art show and family activities while middle school students demonstrated their inventions from the Kidvation program and elementary students manned informational booths demonstrating some of the the things they have been learning this year.

“I am incredibly proud of the resilience and successes of our students and staff,” said Aaron Espolt, Shawnee Public Schools superintendent in his first full year at the helm. “Even though we are still in a state of recovery throughout the district, our learners and their schools have never made excuses.”

Espolt also pointed to support and partnerships throughout the city and beyond that strengthened and emerged following the upheaval caused by the storms on April 19.

Looking back, many people will have their own memories of the tornado and the year that has followed, but it left an undeniable mark on those affected, those who responded and those working on the recovery.

“The events of the evening of April 19 will be ones that are in our memories forever,” Matthews said. “Feelings of shock that it happened, uncertainty of knowing exactly what and who was hit, and then the fear of what was next, but what will stick with me for years is the resilience of friends, neighbors, and our community that we saw over the next few days. The hands that came from near and far to help. The determination that our community had to get back the community we called home. Progress has sometimes seemed slower than we would like, but each day things get a little more normal.” S

Though many of the necessary repairs at facilities like the Shawnee Family YMCA building were interior, visible exterior progress has emerged in recent months as a symbol of the city’s recovery from the tornado. — Photo by David Dinsmore

The Shawnee Family YMCA stood along its community partners to happily announce its Coming Home grand reopening in the weeks leading up to the April 6 celebration. — Photo courtesy of the Shawnee Family YMCA

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Shawnee Banks Experienced Many Changes In 130 Years Of History

BY ANN MCDONALD, COURTESY POTT CO HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBER

The land that became Shawnee was opened for settlement in September 1891. Despite several groups and individuals seeing it as a potential “town,” it was about two years before there was much actual construction once some of the settlers divided up their claims to sell. Then from 1892 to 1896, the population grew from 250 to 2,500.

In 1895, the city was chartered. Some of the land owners convinced the railroads to lay their tracks on the north side of the river, and then Shawnee could call itself a full-fledged city. Before the turn of the century, Shawnee was racing Oklahoma City and Guthrie as one of the territory’s largest and most important towns.

By 1898, the town featured schools, churches, hotels, shops, feed stores, cotton gins, lumber companies, blacksmiths, newspapers as well as doctors, dentists, lawyers and even photographers.

And there were banks.

In fact, only seven years from the time the land was mostly dominated by forest, there were three banks. All located on Main Street, there was the First National Bank at the corner of Broadway; Oklahoma State Bank at Union; and Shawnee State Bank on the corner at Bell.

By 1901 in the days before statehood, the Oklahoma “State” Bank became the Oklahoma National Bank. Shawnee State Bank became Shawnee National Bank and was still in business through the 1920s before closing in 1934 when the owners couldn’t survive the bank failures.

That same year, Shawnee listed four other banks as well. Ten years later, the Federal National Bank – one familiar to more recent citizens – became part of the local business scene alongside the state and Shawnee banks.

Although Shawnee business didn’t suffer to the same extent as many other financial institutions in larger business areas of the country during the “crash” in 1929 at the start of the Great Depression, it was still a trying time. Most of the local banks were “tied” to the bigger ones, which had greater resources. When those had trouble, it filtered down to the local banks.

Banks in Shawnee have undergone many changes as they have served the financial needs of businesses and citizens of Shawnee for almost 130 years. — Photo submitted

Farmers and businessmen alike recognized the opportunity to be had in a fledgling territory, and once the railroads made travel available, there was a swarm of opportunists. Henry G. Beard was president of First National Bank. His wife was the first to dash across the line and make a claim on that day back in 1891. Her father and she built their first home there before she married Beard about six weeks later. First National Bank was listed among Shawnee’s banks for several years, but no longer among the six in 1910. It had either dissolved or had a name change, which was not uncommon. The Beards left Shawnee by 1909, which may have been the reason for its falling off record.

In the early days, the banks were either “state” or “national” depending on their qualifications and what firm might be supporting them in the new venture. In other words, these banks didn’t just appear as it was obvious that it took a great deal of money to be prepared for loans, payroll, rent and daily operations.

In 1934, Shawnee had two banks to serve the citizens and they have been part of the landscape for many years in different forms: American National Bank and Federal National Bank. American National Bank had purchased the assets of the State National Bank and opened in January of that year at its location on the corner of Main and Broadway. Federal National was down the street at Main and Bell and would replace the building in 1949.

American National was the first in town to have a drivethrough window. During the 1950s, officials built a window in the back of the building that opened into the alley. Over time, all banks had drive-throughs. In fact, Federal National constructed a facility designed for that particular purpose in the mid-1960s.

About the same time, American National built a new building two blocks north of its iconic structure on Main. Each of the long-time financial businesses also added branches around town. Then the two sold to other banking groups – American to Arvest and Federal to BancFirst.

Shawnee now has seven banks for citizens to choose which is most convenient to their home and work or which has the services they most likely need. It's not all that different than it was 130 years ago when banks were convenient for the 2,000 people who lived and worked in a smaller area of our town.

Addressing The ‘Elephant’ In The Room About Underage Drinking

BY DANIELLE MASON-RAINS

This month, the Pink Elephant campaign returns for a third year.

Businesses and organizations throughout Pottawatomie and Seminole counties will host the campaign mascot, “Harry,” an inflatable pink elephant who symbolizes the importance of parents talking to their teens about alcohol. The campaign – which coincides with both National Alcohol Awareness Month and prom season – is intended to remind adults and youth about the state social host law and the dangers associated with underage drinking.

location for the gathering. A social host can be an adult or minor, and they do not have to be physically present to be cited. Violation of the social host law can result in fines from $500-$2,500 and/or jail time.

According to the Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment, alcohol is still the most widely used substance by youth. Furthermore, many teens report obtaining alcohol from adults with permission and that there is a low perceived risk associated with drinking. For these reasons – plus the potential for harmful effects on youth brain development – it is important to raise awareness about underage drinking and remind adults about the social host law.

The state social host law in Oklahoma places the responsibility of underage drinking on the person providing the

The primary concern about underage drinking is the negative impact alcohol can have on youth brain development. The adolescent brain is not fully developed until about the age of 25, so alcohol has different effects on youth than it does adults. The prefrontal cortex – the part of the brain responsible for judgment, behavior and impulse control –is especially vulnerable to alcohol. Underage drinking can also damage the area of the brain responsible for memory and learning. Additionally, research has shown that youth who drink alcohol before the age of 15 are more likely to develop a substance use disorder than peers who delay use until the age of 21 or beyond.

The good news is that parents play an important role in the decisions that teens make about alcohol and other substances. Use this month as an opportunity to let your teen know your views on underage drinking and answer any questions they have. Remember, even though alcohol is

the most commonly used substance by youth in Pottawatomie County, the statistics show that the vast majority of teens are not drinking alcohol. Adults often think that teens are going to drink anyway so it’s safer to provide a location for them, but no amount of alcohol is safe for underage consumption.

It’s never too early or too late to have this important conversation with youth. If you are unsure of where to start, you can find resources at gatewaytoprevention.org/ events or reach out on social media.

If you are looking for your support on your recovery journey, do not hesitate to connect with us at (405) 273-1170 ext.

0. We would be honored to walk alongside you.

Danielle works at Gateway to Prevention & Recovery as the Program Director for the Drug Free Communities grant in Pottawatomie County. She obtained her Bachelor of

Mason-Rains

April 6-28: The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art will host its annual High School Juried Art Show featuring young Oklahoma artists displaying their talents with the chance to win recognition and prizes for their creations. Information: mgmoa.org

April 6: Bring the kiddos to Touch-ATruck and Beyond from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Raymond Peltier Park at 1702 S. Gordon Cooper to get a chance to get up close to some of their favorite big vehicles, ask questions, visit booths and learn all about emergency preparedness in this free family-friendly event presented by the Pottawatomie County & Citizen Potawatomi Nations' emergency management teams. Information: facebook.com/PottCoOEM

April 6: The Shawnee Family YMCA will celebrate Coming Home with a grand reopening party from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with free hot dogs, snacks, drinks, and

surprises at its 700 W. Saratoga facilities. Information: (405) 273-4386 or facebook. com/shawneeymca

April 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

April 8: Grab your special glasses and enjoy the total solar eclipse happening in the sky near you beginning around 12:27 p.m. and ending around 3:04 p.m. in the Shawnee area

April 10: Join the students and faculty of Oklahoma Baptist University’s Division of Music at the Bison Baroque performance

12-1 p.m. in the lower level of the Geiger Center on the OBU campus at 500 W. University. Information: okbu.edu

April 12-20: Shawnee Little Theatre will present a new take on a favorite classic with its production of The Addams Family: A New Musical, featuring the familiar kooky adventures of the spookiest family around. Information: shawneelittletheatre.org

April 18: The Third Thursday Poetry Reading will begin at 7 p.m. at the Lunch Box at 217 E. Main St. featuring a poet who prefers to be known as "Coffee." We assume some of her poetry will be dark roasted and maybe some sweetened by the milk of human kindness. Come and find out. As usual, her 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.

April 19: Citizen Potawatomi Nation's FireLodge Children and Family Services will host a Child Abuse Awareness Walk on April 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the CPN Festival Grounds Roundhouse at 1702 S. Gordon Cooper Drive. This come and go event will include gift cards and t-shirts. Information: (405) 878-4831

April 19: The United Way is partnering with Pottawatomie Go, Shawnee Family YMCA and Oklahoma Baptist University for the United in Strength Stroll commemorating the first anniversary of the tornado that struck the area last year as a symbol of the community’s collective journey toward healing and rejuvenation. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Geiger Center on the OBU campus at 500 W. University and will conclude with a walk to the newly reopened YMCA facilities at 700 W. Saratoga with refreshments served. Information: recover@ unitedwaypottco.org.

April 19: The Arts @317 will host its own Block pARTy from 5:30-8:30 p.m. featuring Betty Combe. Betty makes gnomes and decoupage vases and will be doing some demonstrations throughout the evening. Kevin Hall is returning to play a few tunes outside under the awning from 6:30-8:00 p.m. weather permitting. Also on display is the work of about 50 other different Oklahoma artists. Information: (405) 659-8193

April 20: Cargo Ranch will host its 10th annual Cargo Classic 5K and Fun Run benefiting the organization’s programs that use mentors and horses to build healthy relationships and share hope with students and families in the community. The event begins at 8 a.m. at 8895 Coker Road. Information: runsignup.com/race/ok/shawnee/ cargoclassic

April: 26: Join South Central Industries for A Night to Dream, a prom for individuals with special needs starting at 6:30 p.m. at FaithCo Church at 13116 US Highway 177. The event is free to participants, and SCI is looking for enthusiastic volunteers who want to make dreams come true for the special guests of the night. Information: southcentralindustriesinc.com/night-to-dream

April 26: Celebrate cancer survivors with Relay for Life of Pottawatomie County from 7-10 p.m. at the OBU Green Campus (formerly St. Gregory) at 1900 W. MacArthur to help raise money for cancer research and programs designed to assist cancer survivors. Information: relayforlife.org/pottawatomie.

April 27-28: Travel hither to yon Shawnee Mall for the annual Secret Garden Medieval and Fantasy Fair for art, acrobats, music, workshops, carnival style games, entertainment and more. Information: fb.me/ e/3s3rWw3uw

May 9: Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art will host its annual Off the Wall art sale fundraiser from 6-10 p.m. at 1900 W. MacArthur St., Shawnee, OK 74804. Participants have 30 seconds to choose a piece of artwork donated by local artists on display at the event, which also features appetizers, drinks, desserts, live music and more. Information: mgmoa.org/off-the-wall

May 10-12: The Oklahoma Cornhole Association will host a regional tournament featuring five divisions of competition across three days of competition at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center at 1700 W. Independence. Information: oklahomacornhole.com

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