Shawnee Outlook December 2022

Gold Star Families Memorial | Care Packages For Veterans

DECEMBER 22 Vol. 19 Number 10

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BancFirst’s Brightest

Following the success of our BancFirst Student Board members

Olyvia Nguyen Student Board 2015-2016 How do you think growing up in Shawnee helped shape you into the person you’ve become/prepared you for your job?

Tecumseh High School (2016) Rose State College - A.A. Enterprise Development (2018) University of Central Oklahoma - B.B.A. International Business (2021)

Employer: University of Nebraska Residence Hall Director

O: I think coming from a small town allows you to experience a sense of community that you can’t quite get from a larger city. It taught me to care for and get to know people on a deeper level. I learned to treat people with kindness since you never know what someone could be going through. Today, these experiences help me interact with students as I get to know them, and I can help set them up for success.

Any special memories of your time on the BancFirst Student Board?

O: One of my favorite memories was visiting the Shawnee Economic Development Foundation. I really enjoyed learning about their role in Shawnee and how they help the city. When I was on the board, our group got the inside scoop on a lot of businesses that were coming to Shawnee.

How has the BancFirst Student Board contributed to your success?

O: The student board taught me the importance of community and the value of making connections. I think those connections have contributed to my success.

Shawnee

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CONTENTS

PUBLISHER

DECEMBER 2022

features

departments

9 Holiday Tradition Owes Its Roots To 19th Century England

6

KEEP THE CHANGE

11 SRC Students, Helpers Pack 145 Care Packages For OK Veterans

6

NUTRITION 101

22

MENTAL HEALTH

24

SONIC CONTEST

25

SHAWNEE HISTORY

29

OVER THE FENCE

30

CALENDAR

13 NAMAH Owner Honors Brothers’ Memories Through Activities, Products 19 Gold Star Families Memorial Monument Unveiled 26 Cooper Funeral Home Hosts 31st Annual Program Remembering Those Lost

Visit WWW.TCPSHAWNEE.COM to sign up for the Mobile App!

The Clinic Pharmacy Tim Barrick, DPh.

405-273-9417

3210 Kethley Road Shawnee, OK 74804

MANAGING EDITOR

David Dinsmore

ADVERTISING SALES

Brad Carter

CREATIVE DIRECTION Kelsey Walker Fawn Wilson-Olivarez

13

19

Okie Icon Media

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THE CLINIC PHARMACY (SHAWNEE)

WRITERS

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PO Box 1365 Shawnee, OK 74802 info@shawneeoutlook.com

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Volume 19, Number 10 Shawnee Outlook is a publication of Okie Icon Media. © 2022 Okie Icon Media Articles and advertisements in Shawnee Outlook do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or Okie Icon Media. Okie Icon Media does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

The acceptance of advertising by Shawnee Outlook does not constitute endorsement of products, services, political candidates/parties or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service that is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Shawnee Outlook assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials.

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keep the change

LAST MINUTE GIFTING

I

t’s mid-December by the time this is hitting your mailbox, and while some have had their gifts wrapped for months, others are still scrambling. Don’t worry. You have time. Here are some gift ideas for those still looking: • Try a swap. If you’re shopping for kids, especially younger kids, many won’t know the difference – they’re happy with anything that is new to THEM. The same could work for an older audience – maybe you have a re-gift pile that you don’t Angela Rowland want to re-gift to your circle but could swap with a friend who has their own stash. These gifts are technically “new,” and hopefully now going to a home where they’ll be happy and won’t cost you a penny.

• Gift food. If you can bake, get in the kitchen. Wrap up some cookies or muffins in pretty paper and give away as much as you can whip up. Try savory options.

Put together a soup mix or even a spice mix. Check Pinterest for ideas. If you’re not handy in the kitchen, find unique options in a local shop, such as Savvy Bites or Crow’s Market on Main St. The best thing about consumable gifts, such as food, is that they don’t create clutter.

• Gift a kit. Know a crafty friend or child?

Put together a simple kit – a drawing pad, markers, paint, brushes or stencils.

It doesn’t have to be fancy. New supplies are often loved by anyone who uses theirs quickly, and there are a lot of fun options even at Dollar Tree.

• Still stuck and aren’t as concerned with saving? Try a gift card to a local shop so they can try something new or visit a place they already love. S

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.

6

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nutrition 101

HEALTHY DURING HOLIDAYS

H

ere is your yearly reminder that you can be healthy during the holidays.

It doesn’t have to all go out the door the moment the calendar turns to fall. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), “Americans are consuming 60 percent of their overall calories in highly-processed foods, and this means an overconsumption of processed sugar. The average American consumes 23 teaspoons of added sugar each day.”

The AHA recommends no more than 6 teaspoons of sugar for women per day and 9 teaspoons for men. Those statistics are for an average day, not for a day where processed sugar may be even more increased during October through January.

Somehow, we have lost the connection between processed sugar and our health.

Research after research shows us the connection between added sugars and conditions like cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and digestive disorders. Finding that balance of enjoying the holidays without becoming diabetic or sending your already high blood sugar readings through the roof would be a great goal.

Try the 80/20 approach and eat healthy 80 percent of the week and set aside 20 percent of the week to enjoy a holiday get-together. Often the weight that is put on during the holidays is not taken off at the new year, which leads to a gradual climb in weight every year. As obesity and diabetes numbers are in our country, it would be worth the time to make yourself a plan during this season. Think about how to incorporate fruits, vegetables, water, healthy fats and daily activity into your holiday season.

Try the below recipe for a great start to your morning.

Homemade Protein Bars

I love quick bars for either a post-workout grab or quick breakfast. The problem with so many of them is that they are loaded with sugar and other manmade ingredients. This recipe was fun to play around with. They are a bit crumbly, but I really enjoyed them with a cup of coffee in the morning after my workout.

Ingredients: 2 cups quick cooking oats 4 scoops of a plant based ½ cup all natural nut but- vanilla protein powder ter of choice (I used al- ½ cup unsweetened non mond butter) dairy milk (I used almond) Directions: Line an 8x8 glass baking dish with wax or parchment paper. Mix all ingredients by hand in a medium size mixing bowl. Press mixture down into a dish using either a spatula or your hand. Freeze for 30 minutes and then transfer to the refrigerator.

Makes: 6 servings Serving size: 1 bar each Calories: 389 Total Fat: 18g Saturated Fat: 6.6g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 213mg Carbohydrates: 30g Dietary Fiber: 6g Protein: 22g Nutrition 101: I find it very helpful to have all my nutrients in one thing on a busy morning. When educating, I am pushing the idea of a meal having a balance of fiber, fat and protein. These bars have that combination. Read the ingredients when shopping for a protein powder. Steer clear of ingredients like: sugar, cane sugar, high fructose corn syrup, soy protein isolates, whey isolates, dextrin/maltodextrin, artificial sugars (sucralose, aspartame and saccharin), vegetable oils and gums. Protein powders aren’t cheap, so don’t let them fool you by putting in cheap ingredients and charging you way more for the product. S Andrea Beck, a registered dietitian and personal trainer, received her master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from the University of Central Oklahoma. She offers personal training through an online class and nutrition services through SSM Health St. Anthony in Shawnee. Contact her at Andrea.beck1@ssmhealth. com or through her Facebook page, Nutrition and Exercise 101 with Andrea.

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Monday 9 AM - 6 PM Tuesday 1 PM - 7 PM Wednesday 8 AM - 5 PM Thursday 8 AM - 5 PM Friday 7 AM - 2 PM

art of the matter

CHRISTMAS CARDS

Holiday Tradition Owes Its Roots To Artists Tracing Back To 19th Century England

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

Oklahoma artist Derald Swineford created pieces reimagining the Nativity scene in different settings, particularly in Old West. Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art features his work and other pieces in “Messiah: Christ in Art” on exhibit from Dec. 17, 2022-Jan. 22, 2023 at the museum at 1900 W. MacArthur.

D

o you send out Christmas cards? Do you receive turing famous art works. In 1958, Salvador Dali created a custom line of Christmas cards for Hallmark. Norman Rockmany Christmas cards?

Artists have enjoyed creating their own Christ- well designed a popular Christmas card set for Hallmark, mas cards for many years. It is a chance for them to create which is still occasionally reprinted.

Artists have created unique holiday cards, something special for their friends and family. such as Michael Bidlo’s card created out of a The first Christmas cards were created in flattened Brillo box. Josef Albers, Alexander England in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole. He was Calder and Robert Motherwell all created overwhelmed by having to handwrite responsunique Christmas cards to send to their family es to all the letters he was receiving leading up and friends. to Christmas, so he asked an artist friend, J.C. In the MGMoA exhibit, “Messiah: Christ Horsley, to design the card that he had printin Art,” you may notice two prints by Derald ed and sent out to his friends, family and acSwineford. Swineford was an Oklahoma artist quaintances. known for his paintings, sculpture and linoThe first Christmas cards printed in the Scan this code to visit the U.S. were created in 1875 by Louis Prang in Mabee-Gerrer Museum of leum prints all with an Oklahoma or SouthBoston. The modern Christmas card industry Art’s at-home project page. west influence. From 1940-1983, he created a series of prints for Christmas that he sent to started in 1915 with the Hall brothers’ comhis friends and family. While these had a Western theme, pany (later renamed Hallmark) in Kansas City.

By 1948, Hallmark released a line of Christmas cards fea- many also connected to the Christmas holiday.

>

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9

Both pieces are reimaginings of the Nativity scene in new and different settings. In “Teepee Manger,” Swineford reimagines the Nativity with Native Americans. In “Wagon Train Nativity,” he reimagines the Nativity featuring people who are on a wagon train moving West. Both use the idea of the Nativity, but instead of the traditional Mary and Joseph in a barn, he uses figures from other cultures and time periods.

“Messiah: Christ in Art” is on exhibit from Dec. 17, 2022Jan. 22, 2023 at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art at 1900 W. MacArthur. For more information, visit www.mgmoa.org.

Make your own artist Christmas card

• All you need is paper and something to draw with – pencil, markers, colored pencils, paint, etc. Use what you have and be creative.

• Fold the paper in half • Decide the image you want for the front of the Christmas card. Do you want a Christmas tree? Your family? Angels?

Nativity? Your pet?

• What colors do you want to use? Do you want to use glitter?

• Now decide what you want the card to say inside. Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings or something else.

2700 N Kickapoo Hours: 2700 Nforget Kickapoo Hours: • Don’t to sign the card. Mon Shawnee, OK 74804 - Fri 08:00 AM-06:30 PM Shawnee, OK 74804 Mon - Fri 08:00 AM-06:30 PM (405) 585-2907 Sat 09:00 AM-02:30 PM • Now it to a friend or family member.

2700 Ngive Kickapoo Hours: (405) 585-2907 Sat 09:00 AM-02:30 PM store6963@theupsstore.com Sun Shawnee, OK 74804 Mon Fri 08:00 AM-06:30 2700 Nyou Kickapoo When are done take a photoHours: or your Closed artwork and PM share store6963@theupsstore.com Sun Closed theupsstorelocal.com/6963 (405) 585-2907 Sat - Fri 08:00 09:00 AM-06:30 AM-02:30 PM PM Shawnee, OK 74804 Mon it on store6963@theupsstore.com social media with the hashtagSun #MGMOAArts. theupsstorelocal.com/6963 S ClosedAM-02:30 PM (405) 585-2907 Sat 09:00 We have partnered up with Gordon Cooper Technology center in Shawnee for the month of December and placed a Christmas tree decorated with ornaments that list signs of abuse and different types of abuse.

theupsstorelocal.com/6963 store6963@theupsstore.com theupsstorelocal.com/6963

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Closed

Our hope is to bring domestic violence awareness to students and staff and provide information about our services to those who may be experiencing intimate partner violence stalking or sexual violence.

Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are Limit one coupon perand customer.

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2016with The UPS Inc. redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are Offer Expires 12/31/2018 independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc. Offer Expires 12/31/2018 Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc. Offer 12/31/2018 Limit Expires one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and 2700 N Kickapoo Hours: location. The UPS Store centers are redeemable only when presented at a participating independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc. Shawnee, OK 74804 Mon - Fri 08:00 AM-06:30 PM 2700 N Kickapoo Hours: Offer Expires 12/31/2018

Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are Limit one coupon perand customer.

Not©valid otherStore, offers. independently owned operated.

2016with The UPS Inc.Restrictions apply. Valid and redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc. Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc. Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc.

2700 N Kickapoo Hours: 2700 N74804 Kickapoo Sat Hours: (405) 585-2907 Shawnee, OK Mon - Fri 09:00 08:00AM-02:30 AM-06:30PM PM Shawnee, Mon - Fri 08:00 AM-06:30 PM store6963@theupsstore.com Closed (405) 585-2907 OK 74804Sun Sat 09:00 AM-02:30 PM Shawnee, OK 74804 Mon - Fri 08:00 AM-06:30 PM 2700 N Kickapoo Hours: theupsstorelocal.com/6963 store6963@theupsstore.com Sun Closed 2700 N Kickapoo Mon Hours: Shawnee, OK 74804 - Fri 08:00 AM-06:30 PM (405) 585-2907 Sat 09:00 AM-02:30 PM theupsstorelocal.com/6963 (405) N585-2907 Sat 09:00 AM-02:30 PM (405) 585-2907 Sat - Fri 08:00 09:00 AM-02:30 PM 2700 Kickapoo Hours: Shawnee, OK 74804Mon Mon 2700 N74804 Kickapoo Hours: store6963@theupsstore.com Sun - Fri 08:00 ClosedAM-06:30 PM store6963@theupsstore.com Sun ClosedAM-06:30 PM Shawnee, OK theupsstorelocal.com/6963 store6963@theupsstore.com Sun ClosedAM-06:30 (405) 585-2907 Sat 09:00 AM-02:30 PM (405) 585-2907 Sat - Fri 08:00 09:00 AM-02:30 PM Shawnee, OK 74804Sun Closed Mon store6963@theupsstore.com theupsstorelocal.com/6963 theupsstorelocal.com/6963 theupsstorelocal.com/6963 store6963@theupsstore.com Sun ClosedAM-02:30 PM (405) Sat 09:00 2700 N585-2907 Kickapoo Hours: 2700 N Kickapoo Hours: theupsstorelocal.com/6963 Shawnee, OK 74804 MonSun - Fri 08:00Closed AM-06:30 PM store6963@theupsstore.com Shawnee, OK 74804 Mon - Fri 08:00 AM-06:30 PM 2700 N Kickapoo Hours: (405) 585-2907 Sat 09:00 AM-02:30 PM theupsstorelocal.com/6963 (405) 585-2907 Sat 09:00 AM-02:30 PM Shawnee, OK 74804 store6963@theupsstore.com 2700 N Kickapoo store6963@theupsstore.com (405) 585-2907 theupsstorelocal.com/6963 Shawnee, OK 74804 theupsstorelocal.com/6963 store6963@theupsstore.com (405) 585-2907 theupsstorelocal.com/6963 store6963@theupsstore.com theupsstorelocal.com/6963

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www.shawneeoutlook.com

Mon - Fri Sun Hours: Sun Sat - Fri Mon Sun Sat Sun

Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc. LimitExpires one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and Offer 12/31/2018 redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc. Offer Expires 12/31/2018

Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc. LimitExpires one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and Offer 12/31/2018 redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc. Offer Expires 12/31/2018

Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc. Offer Expires 12/31/2018

Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc. Offer Expires 12/31/2018

Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc. Offer Expires 12/31/2018

Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc. Offer Expires 12/31/2018

08:00 AM-06:30 PM Closed Closed 09:00 AM-06:30 AM-02:30 PM 08:00 ClosedAM-02:30 PM 09:00 Closed

community

WE CARE CHRISTMAS

SRC Students, Helpers Pack 145 Care Packages For OK Veterans FROM STAFF REPORTS

T

he We Care Christmas Baskets for Veterans is back for its fifth year and will serve all VA centers in Oklahoma.

The project has garnered support from businesses and organizations around the state in helping provide gifts to thousands of Oklahoma veterans during the high point of the holiday season.

Participants in the project gather materials to place in bags and baskets that are given to veterans in a variety of living situations. Items included in the bags and baskets range from the practical to fun, such as a puzzle books, decks of cards, dominoes, calendars, fleece blanket, pajama pants, socks, white t-shirts, deodorant, shampoo,

body wash, shaving cream, razors, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouth wash, lotion, lip balm and denture cleaner.

The South Rock Creek Student Council – with the help of all our teachers, students and parents – were able to complete about 145 bags.

Care packages will travel to facilities around the state like those in Norman, Sulphur and Talihina. The representatives from the student council delivered some of the packages on Pearl Harbor Day on Dec. 7.

For more information about the We Care Christmas Baskets for Veterans project, visit facebook.com/aboutoklahomaveterans or call Jessie Newell at (405) 2148633. www.shawneeoutlook.com

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wellness

ABOUT HEALTH

NAMAH Owner Honors Brothers’ Memories Through Activities, Products Offered At Shop

BY DAVID DINSMORE

The mural on the western wall of NAMAH’s location at 1819 N. Harrison suite 1 features two bison representing owner Amanda “Cedar” Shirey’s younger brothers, Noah and Mike, the latter of which started the CBD and Kratom shop to help people dealing with addiction, pain, seizures, arthritis, anxiety, stress and more. — Photos by Loren Knight

I

t started with a phone call from her younger brother, Mike.

Amanda “Cedar” Shirey already had developed a pretty thorough knowledge of the CBD industry through her work in Arkansas when he reached out to her in 2017 about opening their own shop in Shawnee with a focus on a different plant called Kratom.

It had been about 10 years since their brother, Noah, had passed away, and Mike traversed some dark times in the interim as he wrestled with addiction.

The all-natural Kratom had changed things for him, and he began recommending it to other people in the community facing the same struggles. By the time he called Shirey, he had already come up with a name for the business he wanted to open: NAMAH.

“I said, ‘Oh, that’s cool! Like namaste?”

Shirey recalled. “He said, ‘It stands for Not. About. Money. About. Health.’ I thought it was a great name that carried a lot of positive meaning.”

They discussed the idea of using a combination of CBD and Kratom to help people dealing with addiction, pain, seizures, arthritis, anxiety, stress and much more, Shirey said, and from those ideas came the first NAMAH location at 1819 N. Harrison suite 1. Mike used his creative skills to craft countertops and shelving the shop still uses today and built a place he envisioned as helping people.

“It was humble beginnings, and he just kept at it,” Shirey said. “He was really hands-on and was such a great guy, loving guy. He cared about and connected with people on a genuine, human

and personal level. He wanted to help people.”

Shirey moved to Tahlequah and opened another NAMAH storefront downtown and later sold that business during the height of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, Mike continued to expand in the central Oklahoma area with locations in Norman and Midwest City, and a family friend opened a NAMAH location in Ada. In 2019, the family opened the medical marijuana dispensary NAMAH Cannabis Co. a Medical Marijuana dispensary a few blocks north on Harrison Shawnee. Shirey led the cannabis dispensary operations with an emphasis on using reusable glass jars, recycled ocean plastic and biodegradable hemp packaging.

>

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“I was trying to set an industom plant. It is tested overseas, try standard and veer people and when we receive it, we have away from single use plastic pop it independently tested right top packaging,” Shirey said. here at a lab in Oklahoma. We The family had seen the want to ensure the product we advantages of cannabis when put out under our brand is ortheir aunt began using it durganic and free of heavy metals, ing her battle with breast canchemicals and pesticides.” cer, Shirey said, and she was NAMAH also carries Charglad to be able to offer the same lotte’s Web CBD, whose reputype of relief to others in the tation as an industry leader has community before selling the even garnered a partnership dispensary in 2020. recently as the official CBD NAMAH recently returned/ product of Major League Baserelocated to its original locaball produced by a company tion at 1819 N. Harrison. founded by owners with Shaw“It feels great,” Shirey said. nee roots, Shirey said.

“It’s ‘full circle.’ The parking Additionally, NAMAH ofsituation for our (customers fers other wellness items like loand friends) is much better.” cally crafted soy/beeswax canEven though Mike has now dles, soaps, CBD-infused bath passed away as well, Shirey said bombs, sage, cedar and sweetpeople still come in all the time grass, high quality incense, and tell stories of how he helped essential oils and fragrances, them, and often it brings them handmade jewelry, quartz crysAmanda “Cedar” Shirey operates NAMAH in honor to tears. As an example, Mike tal and more along with seasonstarted a “credit book” where of her brother Mike (pictured in the frame on the al products that Shirey makes, we let people charge products counter), who started the shop to help those he knew including organic elderberry in the community struggling with a variety of issues. and pay as they were able. syrup and fire cider that she was Shirey recently commisplanning to teach how to make sioned a mural on the western in a workshop this month. wall of the building facing Harrison as an homage to her For more information, call (405) 585-2911. little brothers, Noah and Mike, who are represented by the Shirey also is looking to the future of NAMAH by adding two bison. an Indigenous/Bohemian inspired boutique with clothing, “I have always felt Noah, and now Mike, throughout the home goods, high quality raw crystals/gemstones and silver years when there are sun rays shooting magnificently across jewelry. She also aims to feature local artists’ artwork each the sky,” Shirey said. “The flowers I picked are native Okla- month, a monthly women’s circle and a monthly drumming homa and medicinal varieties. For the message my Mom circle in the spring. and I decided on ‘Believe in yourself and don’t give up.’ I Shirey also wants to offer opportunities for community think this is what Noah and Mike are constantly telling us educational meetings focusing on a range of important topics from heaven, and we try to source strength from that.” like fentanyl awareness, what Kratom is, and MMIW. S In addition to her brother Mike, Shirey said her mom was a driving force of NAMAH all these years, and she is the strongest person Shirey knows.

“We hope anyone who drives by, or who comes into NAMAH will see the mural and be lifted up and inspired by it,” Shirey said.

Shirey keeps her brother’s legacy in mind through the operation of NAMAH by offering the highest quality products the Kratom and CBD industry has to offer.

“In this day and age when you can buy Kratom and CBD products in gas stations and stores that are popping up every day, I implore people to be informed consumers,” Shirey said.

“We import directly from the people who harvest the kra14

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We express our gratitude for our dedicated team of healthcare providers for continuing to work and see patients during these difficult times.

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community

STAR BRIGHT

Gold Star Families Memorial Monument Unveiled At Veterans Day Ceremony FROM STAFF REPORTS

E

arlier this year, the Oklahoma Veterans Memorial Park committee began increasing efforts to raise funds to complete a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, and they saw the fruits of that work unveiled at a Veterans Day ceremony at the Oklahoma Veterans Memorial Park last month.

Members of the veteran community locally, at the state and national levels and representatives of the Woody Williams Foundation gathered on a chilly Friday morning to honor the families of those who paid the ultimate price in defense of liberty.

The term Gold Star family applies to any immediate family members of a fallen service member who died while serving in a time of conflict. This modern term traces its

Photos by David Dinsmore roots to flags and banners first flown by families during World War I. The flags included a blue star for every immediate family member serving in the armed forces, according to information available from the United States Army. If a loved one died during a time of conflict, the blue star was replaced by a gold star and signified to the community the price that the family had paid in the cause of freedom.

In the spirit of that tradition, the Woody Williams Foundation has been working to establish permanent Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments in communities across the nation to recognize and pay respect to the sacrifices made by families in that area.

Shawnee’s monument stands in Oklahoma Veterans Memorial Park alongside the wall displaying the 7,568 names > www.shawneeoutlook.com

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of veterans with associated Oklahoma addresses when killed in wars from the Spanish-American War through the present.

Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments are a two-sided tribute made of black granite with the front side featuring the inscription, “Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, a tribute to Gold Star Families and Relatives who sacrificed a Loved One for our Freedom.” The other side uses the four granite panels that communities can customize to tell the unique story of their Gold Star Families through the concepts of homeland, family, patriotism and sacrifice.

At the center of this tribute is an empty silhouette formed between two of the granite panels of a saluting service member, which represents the legacy of the loved ones who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, ac$10 each or donation of any amount.

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From left to right on the backside of the Shawnee monument, the first panel signifying homeland has the flag of Oklahoma with a rising sun in the background. The sun represents the beginning of the day, life and being. The family panel has loved ones watching their sons and daughters serve in the nation's military branches. The patriot panel features the service these families provide for the protection and freedom of the nation. The sacrifice panel depicts the ultimate sacrifice families endure from losing their loved ones for our freedom. On the top is the following inscription: “We pay tribute to all Oklahomans who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.” S GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE!

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mental health

R.A.W. LUNCHEONS

W

The Opposite Of Addiction Is Connection

BY ALICJA CARTER

hen was the last time you felt connected to someone?

Maybe when sharing coffee with a friend, cooking a meal with your family, or petting your dog after work. Congratulations! Having strong social ties can Carter add years to your life.

Unfortunately, 2022 research from Cigna and Morning Consult finds that about 58 percent of U.S. adults consider themselves to be lonely. Loneliness can be physically, mentally and emotionally dangerous for anyone, especially those suffering from an addiction or other mental health conditions.

“Many people with mental and/or substance use disorders are not fully engaged in their communities, either through personal relationships, social events or civic activities.” wrote R.A.W. Luncheons hosted by Gateway to Prevention and Cesar Gamboa, a staff reporter and editor with Addiction Recovery – such as this event attended by 130 people at Life.

Church in Shawnee – have grown from the first meeting June Now referencing information from the Substance Abuse and 24, 2015 with six people in attendance.

Mental Health Services Administration in a 2016 article. “Unfortunately, many individuals often remain socially isolated gap to community. R.A.W Luncheons – originally called Wellness Lunches – got their start on June 24, 2015 with six people and excluded.”

“Professor Peter Cohen argues that human beings have a in attendance. The Shawnee Public Library, Shawnee Senior deep need to bond and form connections,” Johann Hari wrote Center and Mission Shawnee were all gracious hosts throughin an article titled “Can Connection Cure Addiction?” pub- out the years, reaching an average attendance of 55 people lished by the University of California, Berkeley's Greater Good by the end of 2019. These lunches have always been less of a meeting and more of an experience with the primary Magazine. “It’s how we get our satisfaction. If we can’t focus being sharing local resources and making conconnect with each other, we will connect with anynections, eating a delicious and affordable lunch, and thing we can find – the whir of a roulette wheel or listening to a personal story of recovery. the prick of a syringe. He says we should stop talking When the COVID-19 pandemic made its way about ‘addiction’ altogether, and instead call it ‘bondonto the scene in 2020, Gateway pivoted from in-pering.’ A heroin addict has bonded with heroin because Scan to view a son gatherings to virtual Connection Calls and conthey couldn’t bond as fully with anything else.” tinued to do so throughout early 2022. An average Gateway’s Wellness Program recognizes that cre- highlight from a recent R.A.W. of 25 people joined each call, and people continued ating and supporting opportunities for all people to Luncheon to cultivate healthy bonds and spread the message of experience authentic social connection is absolutely necessary for people to begin to “Expect Hope.” These rela- hope in recovery.

In 2022, the planning team decided that it was time to gathtionships, which create a sense of belonging, become a foundation for accessing resources, sustaining recovery and ex- er together again in person. All five of the R.A.W Luncheons ploring greater well-being in other areas of life, including one’s were held at Life.Church, Shawnee, between 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The luncheons – typically hosting between 100 and 150 higher purpose.

Gateway’s R.A.W. (Recovery Action Wellness) Luncheons individuals with projected growth for 2023 – were open to have been one dynamic example of many people working to- the entire community, which included Gateway staff, patients, gether to break down the stigma of addiction and bridge the graduates, family members, volunteers, community organiza-

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tions, individuals and sponsor “It feels good to celebrate representatives. and encourage others. We are Gateway and community all working towards wellness volunteers were essential to in our own specific way, but planning and carrying out still together.” -Gateway Volthe vision. Businesses and unteer organizations such as First Gateway looks forward United Bank, Shawnee Millto its continued partnership ing Company, SSM Health St. with Life.Church to host four More than 50 R.A.W. Luncheon attendees gathered at Mission Anthony Hospital – Shawnee, Shawnee to support and provide personal connections in the R.A.W. Luncheons in 2023.

Gateway’s Community Ser- community for those in recovery.

The 2023 dates are still to be vice Team and Citizen Poannounced. If you or your ortawatomi Nation sponsored ganization would like to team the cost of the food so that money was never a hindrance for up with us this year, we would be honored to work alongside someone coming to participate. Those that attended expressed you. You are welcome to participate as an attendee, volunteer, feeling seen, hopeful and a necessary part of something deeply resource table or sponsor. Please email Alicja Carter at acartimportant. Additional reflections include some of the follow- er@gatewaytoprevention.org or text (405) 432-2750 to share ing sentiments: how you’d like to be involved. Partnership makes it possible “The R.A.W. Luncheons allow me to be present with people to create a moment in time where everyone present can feel in the community that I would not be able to connect with a sense of belonging, purpose and hope. The good that flows otherwise.” -Treatment Staff from that can never be measured. S “These are a great resource for staying informed about Alicja Carter, MHR, BHWC, has been working in the behavioral health and community resources that can improve my recovery and well- addiction treatment field for more than 14 years at Gateway to Prevention ness. They are also a great way to expand my personal healing and Recovery. Alicja is passionate about wellness and collaborating with others for the purpose of stimulating positive change in her community. community.” -Person in Recovery

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Member SIPC To contact a local Edward Jones Financial Advisor please call 1-800-ED-Jones www.shawneeoutlook.com

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shawnee history

MARCHING ON

S

City Has Rich History Of Parades, Especially In Early Days

BY ANN MCDONALD, COURTESY POTT CO HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBER

hawnee loves a parade.

Almost as soon as the town was founded, citizens held parades. Early events celebrated and showed off the many businesses and manufacturers hardly more than 10 years after the “run” when the same area was little more than undeveloped, tree-covered land.

In September 1904, the newspapers lauded the Labor Day parade that was “two miles long” with “thousands thronging the streets to witness the Monster Procession.” It took 45 minutes for all entries to proceed behind six mounted policemen. The firemen and the Labor Day Queen followed. Local unions – such as plasterers, machinists, butchers, plumbers, blacksmiths, clerks, railroad employees, cannery workers, millers and even bartenders – were represented. Some of the “very pretty floats” were “those representing the millinery establishments with a bevy of handsomely dressed young ladies riding in a beautiful float.”

There seemed to be a parade for every special event, such as for Prohibition in 1907. The school board voted to not close the schools so the children could participate, saying that it was a political question “to which children should not be mixed.”

There were parades when circuses and rodeos came to town, and typically they were held for usual holidays of Fourth of July and Christmas but also Labor Day parades continued to be popular in the early days. After World War I, the veterans paraded through the city streets to the cemeteries and laid wreaths for their fallen comrades. Stores and businesses closed in honor and joined the procession even though it was on a Saturday.

In 1934, the city was celebrating its birthday with a “gala round of activities” including the Pawnee Bill rodeo at Athletic Park (now Memorial Park), which began with a “record breaking” pioneer parade. During World War II, there were several parades – some to see citizens marching off to military duty and some for patriotism for those who stayed behind to work and encourage. In May 1943, the city asked for the use of “at least 25 cars” to bring pre-aviation cadets stationed at Oklahoma Baptist University into town for special Memorial Day activities, which featured veterans organizations including those from the Spanish-American War. At the war’s end, Shawnee citizens were ready to celebrate with normal activities, such as the Redbud parade, high school homecoming and Christmas parades. There was even an ‘89ers parade despite Shawnee not being a part of that more well-known land run. Local folks loved a parade. As many as 20 floats participated in the Christmas parade in 1948. In 1955, there was a Shriners Parade, and two years later a Bicycle Safety parade made up of youngsters on their bikes.

By the ‘60s, the homecoming and Christmas parades were

Shawnee has marked holidays and special events throughout its history with parades since nearly the founding of the city.

— Photo submitted staples in downtown Shawnee, both primarily made up of young people from local high school bands, school classes, Scouts and Camp Fire Girls and other clubs. And from the beginning, horses were always a big part of parades whether pulling floats, circus acts or the Round-up Club. Most parades featured contests and prizes, and Santa Claus usually made his appearance at Christmas riding on a fire truck as his “elves” tossed candy to the children.

The one parade most Shawnee people are likely to remember is the second one that featured astronaut Gordon Cooper. The hometown boy was in Shawnee soon after he was named one of the seven original astronauts, but that event was actually for his father, Leroy G. Cooper Sr., who was being honored a few months after his death by having the military reserve center named for him. The elder Cooper had been a lawyer and judge in the county for many years and then served in the army’s judge advocate’s office. It was only a few months after NASA’s announcement, so Cooper’s hometown celebrated both events with a parade.

The second parade – a huge one for Gordon Cooper after his flight into space – was in June 1963, and officials agreed that thousands lined Shawnee’s streets to wave at the local hero. Area bands, businesses, youth groups, floats, service clubs, dignitaries and round-up clubs participated in the parade featuring Cooper along with his wife and daughters.

Parades in Shawnee have continued over the years – although not as much – featuring citizen groups as participants. Locals still find ways to celebrate and honor various events and holidays … with parades. S www.shawneeoutlook.com

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christmas

NEAR TO US

Cooper Funeral Home Hosts 31st Annual Program Remembering Those Lost

T

BY DAVID DINSMORE

he Cooper family had experience with grief.

They had operated a funeral home in Tecumseh for generations. They had witnessed it. They had consoled people in the midst of it. They had helped other families plan for it.

Sitting at the holiday table one year, however, an empty seat led some of them to realize at a deeper level the impact it can have. The chair had belonged to Thelma Cooper, the matriarch through whom all things with the family flowed. Dinners. Gatherings. Holidays.

J Cooper – the fourth generation to own and operate Cooper Funeral Home – remembers the mood that evening as they all felt the absence of his grandmother.

“It was a horrible time,” Cooper said.

“Usually we cut up. There’s a lot of laughter. There’s a lot of visiting. There was nothing. Nothing felt right.”

Cooper’s father wondered how other families were faring who did not have as if an experienced family like theirs was having that much trouble.

“We’re around the grieving process,” Cooper said. “We were aware of how it worked, but we’re a mess.

“He wanted to find some way to let people know that they’re not alone in their grief.”

From that dinner arose a holiday program at Cooper Funeral Home now in its 31st year. The Coopers began putting up

26

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Cooper Funeral Home at 210 W. Walnut St. in Tecumseh honors those who have passed and whose families they have served during the previous year with a special program that includes A Christmas Keepsake ceremony, the Christmas Tree of Remembrance featuring engraved snowflake ornaments, the Candle of Love and the Scroll of Honor in its foyer over the course of the month of December. — Photos submitted the Christmas Tree of Remembrance every year with an ornament featuring the name of someone who passed that year.

The funeral home also offers a special memorial program called A Christmas Keepsake in its chapel early in December and invites the families to gather to remember the loved ones lost in the past year.

Throughout the month, the funeral home displays the Christmas Tree of Remembrance in its foyer of Cooper Funeral Home’s 210 W. Walnut St. location. The tree allows loved ones and the community to visit the memorial and stands with the Candle of Love and a special Scroll

of Honor listing the names of those lost from Dec. 1 the previous year through Nov. 30 of the current year. At the conclusion of the program, the engraved snowflake ornaments are presented to the families the funeral home has served during the past year.

The nostalgic nature of the holiday season can make even the happiest memories painful for those who are grieving, Cooper said. In remembering loved ones with these traditions, his staff and he not only give the families something to keep but writing all the names on the scroll also gives them another chance to remember those they’ve served.

“We may not know everybody, but when they come in to make arrangements, we get to know their story,” Cooper said. “We may or may not have known them, but we don’t know their whole story until then. There are several people I’ve known growing up in Tecumseh, but I had no idea how they were a younger person.

There’s some incredible stories.”

Through these remembrances, the importance and impact of the relationships and community that shaped those come to light, Cooper said, and it was those latter elements that drew him to enter the family business.

In college, Cooper eyed career paths and opportunities that would lead him to larger cities with different opportunities. Yet while at a meeting to sign a contract for a new marketing job, a revelation kept his pen from touching the paper.

“I realized what I need is here in trying to help families who helped raise me,” said Cooper, noting that carrying grief alone can put too big of a burden on one person. “Grief shared diminishes that. We’ve seen it.”

For decades, he saw his family treating their neighbors like a member of their own, and he’d heard from them what that meant in such a dark time, Cooper said. Understanding the community and its people is a crucial element in people being able to create the perfect farewell to their loved ones. This has sometimes taken on unexpected forms, such as transporting a casket to the cemetery on a bass boat or bringing motorcycles into the chapel.

Making these kinds of accommodations came out of Cooper’s family tradition of serving as best they could, a lesson exemplified by his grandfather and grandmother, Lynn and Thelma Cooper, who were the second generation to operate the business.

Thelma’s involvement and understanding of how to help loved ones during a difficult time is one of the things Cooper loves about their 31-year-old holiday traditions at the funeral home, and he knows these remembrances would have received her stamp of approval.

“She’d be honored,” Cooper said. “We take care of families. It’s more than just the service. You follow up. You check on them.

Every time you follow up, they’re in a different mindset.

“We hope this special ceremony will offer comfort to the families we’ve served. We want them to know we continue to care about the loved ones they’ve lost this year as well as the grief they’ve encountered.”

For more information about these programs, call Cooper Funeral Home at (405) 598-2124. S

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over the fence

CONSTANT VIGILANCE

Instead Of Searching For Outside Threats, Check Inward First

M

BY BRANDON DYER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMUNITY RENEWAL OF POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY

ous levels. This chronic stress state releases destructive stress y daughter brought something unhormones into our brains. When these levels are elevated over usual to my attention on a recent long periods of time, they can lead to serious Sunday morning during the worhealth problems like heart disease, diabetes ship service at our church. and more.

We were sitting in our seats singing when she The reason why vigilance occupied my mind leaned over and whispered, “Dad! I think the canthe rest of the day is because I began to think dle is too close to the wreath!” about how we have all changed over the past 15-20 I looked up and sure enough, a wreath was positioned years. More acutely, in the past 10. Our society has on the wall near the lectern with a candle burning danfeasted on the proliferation of perceived threats, both gerously closeby. The wreath itself was not in much danreal and often manufactured, which seems to have ger, but one of the ends of the beautiful red ribbon was elevated our collective, healthy vigilance to an unconhanging close enough to the candle that the flames’ heat Brandon Dyer trollable, compounding state of hypervigilance. We was causing it to move ever-so-slightly. Everything in have been influenced to believe that people who don’t me wanted to jump up, run right past the reader and jerk the candle out of the way, but I didn’t want to disrupt the look like us, talk like us, love like us, worship like us or vote like us are our enemies. Social media has given us the avenue to beautiful service and unnecessarily cause a scene either.

What if my eyes were deceiving me? We watched the flame display our worst selves, and our addiction to likes has licensed very, very carefully. I was sitting on the end, so I knew it would us to continue with no consequences.

The thing is, we all know this is destroying us. We have beonly take me a few seconds to get there if it actually burst into come addicted to this madness, and – I do not say this lightly flames.

All at once it happened – in slow motion. Have you ever – we need a 12 step program to help us see clearly again who we thrown a styrofoam cup in a campfire and watched it shrink? really are. There is a reason these programs have been effective That’s what began to happen to the corner of the red ribbon as for so many years and are led by volunteers. Vigilance is turned it curled from the heat. I straightened my back to jump up and inward in these programs, because they call us to look in the run when an acolyte on stage happened to move the candle for mirror and give an honest account of ourselves. They call us to the next portion of the service. The ribbon stopped curling and do things like admit our wrongs, be willing to make amends and never caught fire. After a deep breath and a moment staring at to seek forgiveness. The kinds of things we teach our children each other in disbelief, we rejoined the singing. Fortunately, no are the right things to do. Honest personal reflection is perhaps the hardest thing in the world to do, but it’s the thing we must do one else seemed to notice the almost crisis.

Interestingly enough, Father Tom in his homily brilliantly if we want to build a better world. S discussed the virtues of watchfulness, courage and vigilance.

The irony wasn’t lost on me.

It was vigilance that occupied my thoughts the rest of the day.

CUSTOM GRANITE, MARBLE & ENGINEERED STONE Vigilance is keeping a watchful eye out for danger. My daughter beautifully demonstrated healthy vigilance when recognizing a potentially dangerous situation and alerting me. She didn’t SCOTT show up that morning expecting danger. Danger wasn’t even on STEVE her mind. But she knew how to use her voice and respond apMARY propriately when she spotted something potentially dangerous.

FAX: 405-273-4141 There is a healthy form of vigilance or watchfulness as displayed by my daughter, and there is also an unhealthy form.

We call this hypervigilance. It is sort of like a state of ongoing 618 KICKAPOO SPUR • SHAWNEE, OK panic. It puts our bodies and minds in a chronic state of stress and overactivates our normal awareness of threats to danger-

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calendar Dec. 9-23: Sunshine Shelly’s Spirit of Christmas celebration returns as the pumpkin patch transforms into a winter wonderland. Get a fresh-cut Christmas tree, enjoy wintery refreshments, a Christmas light hayride through the Tunnel of Light and shop handmade artisan goods while the kids play in the "real" snow playground, then settle in to watch a Christmas movie on the big screen. Information: (405) 401-1994 or sunshineshellys14@yahoo.com Dec. 10: Bring the kids to take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 1-4 p.m. at the Pottawatomie County Museum at 207 N. Minnesota. Admission to the museum is free on these two Saturdays. Information: (405) 275-8412 Dec. 11, 17: Ride the rails through a winter wonderland with Locomotive Operators of Central Oklahoma’s Christmas Light Night Run at 5:307:30 p.m. with strands of lights and decorations adorning the club’s scale tracks at 29626 Lake Drive in McLoud.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be in attendance for photo opportunities.

Information: facebook.com/locotrains and (405) 277-0032 Dec. 9-10: Experience a Living Nativity from 6-8 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church at 39307 W. MacArthur featuring live animals, hot chocolate, cookies, crafts for children, Christmas carols with a live choir and a telling of the Christmas story. Information: (405) 273-6286

Dec. 10: Sleigh Bells Market returns from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center at 1700 W. Independence with holiday shopping featuring gifts for anyone and everyone.

Information: revolve-productions.com Dec 9-10: Make plans to browse the Absentee Shawnee Holiday Pop Up Shops featuring Native artists and other crafters. Information: pjackson@astribe. com or (405) 275-4030 x6416 Dec. 9-10, 13-15: Get out of the weather and come see the Indoor Synchronized Christmas Light Show at the Pott County Museum featuring thousands of Christmas lights synchronized to music, including talking trees and a snowman.

Browse the numerous local history artifacts that have been donated by county residents over the years and enjoy an hourly light show. The lights shows are included in the normal admission to the museum at 207 N Minnesota Ave. Information: (405) 274-8412 Dec. 11: Shawnee Parks and Recreation and Oklahoma Baptist University students will partner to host a free youth basketball clinic at 3 p.m. for ages 9-13 with scrimmages, games, and a raffle to win free tickets to an OBU game. Information: facebook.com/ events/618206963369733 Dec. 16: The Arts @317 will host its own Block pARTy from 5:30-8:30 p.m. featuring artist Norma Pettitt, a painter from Meeker. She will have several of her pieces on display and will also be

available to visit with the public. Information: (405) 659-8193 Dec. 17-Jan. 22: Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art will present the limited exhibit “Messiah: Christ in Art” to explore the different ways that Christ is depicted in art through the ages. The free-to-thepublic gallery talk and reception featuring curator of collections Delaynna Trim will be at 7 p.m. on Jan. 20th at the museum at 1900 W. MacArthur. Information: mgmoa.org/messiah-christ-in-art/ Dec. 18: The Return of the Nutcracker will present a holiday night of comedy, music and surprises at 8 p.m. with brand new stand-up material from comedian William Lee Martin plus guest comedians MJ Moody and Barry Laminack and singer-songwriter, JD Monson at the Historic Ritz Theatre at 10 W. Main.

Information: ritzshawnee.com Jan. 6: Songwriter Night @ Music Unlimited will feature artist Fred Hill and other Oklahoma songwriters 7-9 p.m. at 1109 W. Kickapoo Spur St. This live music event is free of charge and open to the public. Information: kevinhall8384@ gmail.com Jan. 7: The "World's Best Young Elvis" Travis Ledoyt will pay homage to the King of Rock ‘N’ Roll starting at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W Main St. Information: ritzshawnee.com If you know of any events you would like to see featured, email editor@shawneeoutlook.com. S

Christmas Worship Times Emmanuel Episcopal Church Christmas Eve, December 24th • 5:30 pm & 10:30 pm Christmas Day 10:30 am emmanuelshawnee.com • 501 North Broadway, Shawnee, OK 30

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