Shawnee Outlook

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CONTENTS

JANUARY 2022

27

MANAGING EDITOR David Dinsmore ADVERTISING SALES Brad Carter

WRITERS

Andrea Beck Misty Brewer David Dinsmore Brandon Dyer Madelyn Kufahl Ann McDonald Angela Rowland Carmen Wolf

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CONTACT US

PO Box 1365 Shawnee, OK 74802

E-mail: info@shawneeoutlook.com

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8 10

Dragon Art: Chinese New Year Looking In: Outsiders Productions Winning Emmys, Pursuing Dreams

14

Elevate: Community Renewal Class Aims At Higher Goals For Truant Kids

19

Slam Dunk: Potawatomi Fire Basketball Team Prepares For Debut Season

27

Nature & Healing: MGMOA Planning More Therapy Workshops, Certification Classes

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features

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departments 6

KEEP THE CHANGE

6

NUTRITION 101

13

OVER THE FENCE

22

MENTAL HEALTH

24

SONIC CONTEST

25

SHAWNEE HISTORY

30

CALENDAR

Volume 18, Number 11 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

DINING WITHOUT DASHING

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e’ve turned the page on another year, ever hoping our lives will get a touch better. Here are some tips for those resolved to get a handle on the age-old question, “What’s for dinner?”

Plan ahead. I know, I know. This is easier said than done, but there really is a lot to be said for sitting down once a week or once a month – if you’re really ambitious – to plan what your family will eat so that you’re not scrambling and heading for take-out at the last minute.

Prepare freezer meals. The ability to pull something out of the Angela Rowland freezer last-minute that wasn’t processed and bought in a box really speeds things up at meal time and gets your family on a healthier track. If you’re stuck for resources, there are plenty of options online. I’ve recently paid for lifetime access to meal plans from TheFamilyFreezer.com that go straight from the refrigerator to the slow cooker, and I’ve found it was worth the investment.

Order ahead. Once you’ve made your plan and you’ve picked your recipes, head online and prepare a grocery order. Locally, there are several options to order ahead for grocery pick-up directly from stores like FireLake Discount Foods, Braum’s or Walmart and pick-up or delivery through services like Instacart that work with stores like Homeland and Aldi. You could also order groceries from Imperfect Foods or Misfits Market. Either option saves precious time in scouring the shelves, but it also keeps your list focused as there will be less aisle-perusing and impulse purchasing.

Stick to the plan. Every morning or the night before, refer to the plan to see what you’ll need to have ready for dinner. If it means thawing something from the freezer, be sure to get that thawed. If it means putting something in the slow cooker, pull together everything you need so it can be done quickly at the proper time.

Good luck, and bon appetit. 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.

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nutrition 101

TWO MINUTES TOWARD MORNING ROUTINE T

here is something to having a morning routine. I am not quite sure why it is so useful, but you can really tell it changes things once you get out of that routine.

I was reading an article that stated that adding just two minutes of a routine to your morning helps to get that routine started. I have personally played around with having that routine in the morning versus after work versus after kids are in bed.

Feeling like you have accomplished so much for yourself before the day officially gets started helps your mindset throughout that day.

Think about what it is you are wanting to add to your morning routine. Maybe it is time to yourself, time with God, exercise, reading, flossing or just being up earlier. What is that one thing in the morning that would help your day and your mindset?

Once you figure out that one thing, add it in just for two minutes at first. Two minutes of reading, prayer or core exercises on the floor would each be great starts. Simple acts that go unnoticed on any given day can lead to a profound impact on your health.

When one small action becomes the norm, it leads to another. Then another. Until suddenly you have established a routine or habit. Besides, it is just two minutes. What do you have to lose?

TACO TOFU

Before you throw away this recipe just because of the title, it is worth giving it a try. I was personally surprised how easy this was to make. I was also surprised how versatile it was to go with multiple different meals. Go ahead. Give it a try.

Ingredients: 1-14 oz block of organic 1 tsp onion powder extra-firm tofu 1 tsp Mrs. Dash chipotle 1 tsp chili powder ½ tsp black pepper 1 tsp ground cumin Cooking spray 1 tsp garlic powder Directions: The tofu will be sitting in liquid in the package. Remove the tofu from the package and wrap in multiple paper towels. Let tofu sit in the paper towels on a plate for 10-30 minutes, helping get the moisture out. Unwrap the paper towels and pat the tofu dry. Spray your skillet with cooking spray and turn on medium-high heat. Place the block of tofu in your skillet and use a spatula to crumble the tofu into small pieces. The tofu should be in small bits.

Add all seasoning to your tofu and stir around until evenly coated. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and lightly crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Serve with your favorite taco dish.

Makes: 4 ½ servings, 3 oz each Nutritional Information per Serving Calories: 90 Total Fat: 4.5g Saturated Fat: 0.5g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 5mg Total Carbohydrates: 3g Dietary Fiber: 1g Protein: 9g Nutrition 101: There is a lot of misinformation related to the health benefits of soy. The Harvard School of Nutrition states that tofu eaten several times per week is part of a healthy diet. Soy is a nutrient-dense source of protein that can safely be consumed several times per week. It is likely to provide health benefits, especially when you eat it as an alternative to red or processed meats. When adding soy to your diet, make sure you are buying real, pure soy and not “soy protein isolates.” 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 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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7

art of the matter

DRAGON ART

The celebration of Chinese New Year will begin on Feb. 1, 2022. This at-home art project can help kick off the festivities while incorporating some traditional iconography surrounding the holiday.

Celebrating Chinese New Year

SUBMITTED BY CARMEN WOLF, MABEE-GERRER MUSEUM OF ART BOARD VICE-CHAIR

H

ow did you and your family celebrate the New Year? Guess what?

There’s another new year just around the corner. It’s the Chinese New Year – also called the Spring Festival in Asia – on Feb. 1, 2022.

Wait a minute. How can there be a different new year? Actually, there are several different new years depending on who is observing it.

For example, Islamic countries base their religious holidays and celebrations on the Islamic calendar and Jewish people base their religious holidays and celebrations on the Hebrew calendar. The Islamic New Year this year will start the evening of July 29 and end the evening of July 30, and the Hebrew New Year will start the evening of Sept. 25 and end the evening of Sept. 27.

So, why are these dates so different from what we are used to? The calendar we use in the Western world is called the Gregorian calendar, and it is based on a certain number of months and days that stay the same each year. Most of the other calendars are lunisolar and based on the phases of the moon and the seasons. That means that holidays and celebrations are on different dates each year. Most of the world has adopted the Gregorian calendar for daily living and business, but important religious dates still use the lunisolar calendars.

Let’s get back to the Chinese New Year, because it is such a vibrant and colorful celebra-

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tion. The Chinese started celebrating their new year more than 3,800 years ago. The story is that there was a mythical beast called Nian that would come every year and eat villagers, especially children. One year, the villagers decided to hide from the beast. An older man came to the village to get revenge on the beast. He put up red paper around the village and set off firecrackers and scared the beast away.

This story started the most prevalent traditions of the Chinese New Year – the color red and fireworks. Red symbolizes luck, joy and happiness in Chinese culture, and fireworks are used to drive away evil spirits. People celebrating the Chinese New Year dress in red, hang red lanterns, give and receive red envelopes filled with money and hang red paper cutouts of Chinese symbols and zodiac signs.

The Chinese New Year is celebrated throughout the world because people of Chinese descent live all over the world. It is a time for family gatherings and honoring their ancestors. For many people, the new year is the only time they can travel home to see their family.

There is another aspect to the Chinese New Year: Chinese Zodiac signs. Each year in the Chinese calendar has a specific animal based on a 12-year rotation. The current year (until Feb. 1) is the year of the ox, next year (2022) will be the year of the tiger. Each animal has its own personality and character traits. The Chi-

nese believe that a person’s personality, horoscope and love compatibility are tied to their Chinese zodiac sign, which is based on the year they were born.

Chinese New Year is celebrated for 15 days.

The first 11 days will be the Spring Festival starting Feb. 1, and the last four days will be the preparation and celebration of the Lantern Festival. During this time people hang colorful lanterns, some of them have riddles on them.

If the person gets the riddle correct, they get a small gift. The celebration also includes parades, fireworks and lion and dragon dances.

The most popular treats are sticky balls of rice filled with fruit and nuts. On the last day of the festival, thousands of lanterns are released into the sky.

If you want to see some Chinese artifacts in person, take a trip to the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art. They have several different pieces from China.

We can have our own Chinese New Year celebration. Let’s make a Chinese dragon puppet.

To start, we need to make a dragon head and tail. There are many ways to draw them. For our purposes it’s best to draw the dragon’s head from the side. I found different versions of dragon head and tail templates online to use as a start. Don’t forget some big teeth scales. Only draw the head and tail.

We will add the body later.

1

2

6

 Testing5:30pm-6:30pm: on drawn, color it with and glue one to the back lots of bright colors – esof the dragon head and th pecially red. After you are Jan. done the other of the tail.

Thursday, 6 to, the&back Jan. coloring, cut the dragon pieces Now you can control your dragon out. while you march in your parade.

20th

3

Once you have the drag-

Now let’s make the body.

Take some red construction paper and cut a strip as wide as the neck and tail of the dragon. Cut the strip on the long edge of the paper so you have th with. plenty of paper to work Next we are going to make accordion folds.

Fold over the end of the paper about one inch, then flip the paper over and fold it one inch the opposite way. Continue this until you have folded all the paper.

Glue one end of the paper to the back side of the dragon head and the other end to the back side of the tail.

Take two popsicle sticks

I can’t wait to see your beautiful dragon puppets. Be sure to take a picture and post it to social media using hashtag #MGMoAArt or email to education@ mgmoa.org.

 ANTIBODY Testing- 5pm6pm (LA only) Thursday, Jan. 20 S

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9

entertainment

LOOKING IN Outsiders Productions Winning Emmy Awards, Pursuing Dreams

BY DAVID DINSMORE

Based in the Shawnee and Dale area, Outsiders Productions has won multiple awards for its feature films, short films and series across the country, including three consecutive Heartland Chapter Emmy Awards for its work with the “Play It Loud” web series in partnership with the Grand Casino. — Photos submitted

W

hat started as a college project has become an awardwinning venture that has garnered recognition across the country for a local production company.

Outsiders Productions got its start in 2004 when Jason Alexander needed to complete a senior project during his time at East Central University in Ada. He enlisted some postgraduate help from Adam Hampton in writing a script for a film titled “Thunder Road.”

The pair split the duties with Hampton directing and Alexander filming and editing it.

The two reached out to Kenny Pitts for help with producing the project along with Jason Garner, who was a longtime friend and fellow Dale resident that starred in the movie.

“Once we shot that movie, at least for me, it was like I knew what I was meant to do, and who I wanted to travel with on that journey,” Hampton said.

In 2010, Alexander, Hampton, Pitts and Chad Mathews – known in the group as

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“Beard” – established Outsiders Productions, which derives its name partially from S.E. Hinton’s novel along with the feeling they had as students at ECU. “We just liked the idea of doing our own thing our way,” Hampton said. “There was something about the spirit of that; it kinda made us want to embrace that individuality and grit. And finally, there was a professional wrestling tag-team that went by that name back in those days. Made it kinda cool. Or so we thought.”

Outsiders has created four feature-length films since their founding, comprised of “Looking For Hope,” “The Cellar,” “Bowlin’ Alley” and “The Unusual (Calling of) Charlie Christmas.” They’ve also produced a short horror film called “A Beautiful Day” and four one-hour long episodes of a comedy series called “Rough Cut.” This work has garnered opportunities and awards at film events from coast-to-coast, including stops in New York, California and Miami. Pitts said the 10 awards he listed have

incorporated a range of elements from their productions, including acting, cinematography and overall film.

“The two most successful projects have been our series, ‘Rough Cut,’ and our feature film, ‘The Unusual (Calling of) Charlie Christmas,’” Pitts said.

Some of Outsiders Production’s biggest accolades have come from their work in producing the “Play It Loud” series in conjunction with the Grand Casino. This web series – now in its eighth season – features interviews with some of Oklahoma’s best musical artists and highlights their talents.

The Grand Casino has also hosted live performances after the season finales featuring the artists profiled.

When Mathews proposed the series to his Outsiders partners, it seemed like a natural fit as they are also music lovers with Pitts also working as a musician in addition to his role with Outsiders.

“The shared experience – from music to film – makes the interviews, at their best,

into conversations about the journey,” Hampton said. “There’s a lot of shared love there. I think that feeds into the rewarding nature of the whole thing – by telling the story of these stubborn, talented artists. We’re crossing all kinds of genre lines and even artistic mediums.”

The work that goes into telling these stories has garnered attention not only by those in the state but also within the 19 regions covered the Heartland Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which has bestowed three consecutive Emmy Awards for Best Interview or Discussion Program, Series or Special upon the “Play It Loud” series.

“Creatively, it’s been awesome to just sit and talk with other folks in pursuit of their own windmills and sort of vampire off of that,” Hampton said. “I love

being around passionate, artistic, driven people. It’s a little like when you play chess or tennis against someone better than you; it elevates your game. I think the same can be said with the artists we’ve showcased on Play ‘It Loud.’”

Overall, their work with each production has brought lessons and honed their skills as filmmakers and artists, and Pitts said they have been able to check off items on their creative wish lists, such as playing big festivals and events around the country.

“One of the biggest things learned – not just with Play It Loud but from the beginning – is respect and relationships,” Pitts said. “Always be respectful to everyone, regardless of budget, pay or frustrations. The community, the fellow filmmakers, the actors and the seemingly endless amount of others involved

in making a film, it’s not just us four. It’s a huge extended family of Outsiders Productions that made it all possible. Shawnee and Oklahoma are always there for us too. Overall, you have to be real, honest and respectful and keep it up even on your worst days.”

Though they are continuing to work with “Play It Loud,” Hampton said he is looking forward to putting together more feature-length films as well with Outsiders Productions while incorporating all of the elements they have learned and come to love while chasing this shared passion.

“While it’s a rewarding thing to pursue an endeavor like this with tremendously talented people like this crew has, it transitions into something pretty dang beautiful when you can call those same business partners your best friends,” Hampton said. S

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over the fence

TIME CAPSULES

Examining The Moments Created, Left Behind

D

BY BRANDON DYER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RENEWAL OF POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY

id you ever create a time capsule as a date 10/12/1977 written on the back, which was two weeks after I was child? I remember making one by born. The shower was 44 years old. stuffing some random tidbits in a Wow. I had found a time capsule. Maybe not glass jar and burying it underneath a as historically significant as the copper box found maple tree in my grandmother’s backyard. Years in Richmond but significant nonetheless. It was a later, I went to dig it up but unfortunately couldn’t physical marker of a specific moment in time, but remember the exact location and subsequently was unmore importantly it was a physical marker of a specific successful. If you ever leave one, make sure you remember moment in time left by a specific person. Someone had its location. been there before me. As my life was just beginning, before I A few weeks ago, a 36-pound copper time capsule was discould even have memories, someone thought of me. Not of covered and removed from the base of a monument to forme specifically, of course, but this person understood that one mer Confederate General Robert E. Lee in Richmond, Virginia. day another person would stand there in the exact same place Brandon Dyer These sorts of things have always fascinated me for some reahe had stood, dismantling his creation and he wanted to be son. I love imagining what life was like at that time or how remembered. Like “Brooks was here” carved into the wooden they decided what was important enough to include and why. beam above his room in “The Shawshank Redemption” and years later Was it a widely known event, or were there only a quiet few who next to it “Red was too,” this tiler left his mark. secretly planted the capsule? Who were they?

About 7.9 billion people are alive today on this planet. History will Regardless of who buried it, inside the box they placed a number of only remember a few, but we can all leave our mark. In fact, we are items including coins, a newspaper, military memorabilia and a widely leaving it each day. Every seed of love and compassion we sow will outcirculated photo of President Abraham Lincoln in his coffin – a chill- live us in the lives of the people we impact. No amount of time and ening thought. ergy invested in such things is ever wasted. It can never be destroyed.

Just days before this discovery, I was working on a fairly large projEach of us is a time capsule of sorts, daily curating our own legacy. ect at my house. One of our showers had reached the end of its life and When the memory of your life is opened up, what will be found? What needed replacing. I had already removed a wall and the majority of the did you spend your life sowing that will matter in the moment? How tile and backer board when I tore into the tile bench. It was well built do you want to be remembered? and had never leaked, which is pretty remarkable considering its age.

We each have something beautiful and unique to offer the world, How could I be sure of its age you ask? Hidden between two cement to leave behind. We should offer that, but in the end, let us offer love blocks of the base was a business card of the tile contractor with the more. S

JAN

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878-0040 Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-1pm North of Hardesty Road & Hwy 102 www.shawneeoutlook.com

13

education

ELEVATE

C

Community Renewal Class Aims At Higher Goals For Truant Kids

BY DAVID DINSMORE

onnection and building rebuild relationships with these students lationships define the work to help them understand what their of Community Renewal of goals are, why they have them and how Pottawatomie County. they can pursue them now and after Whether it is working at the individgraduation. ual level building its neighbor to neigh“The main thing that we wanted to bor network to encourage more events present was how to find a successful and opportunities for residents to meet pathway to their goals, whatever their new friends down the street or buildgoals may be,” Wells said. “We wanted ing Friendship Houses to give people them to believe and hope that their fuin neighborhoods a place to meet, learn ture could be better than their past, and and grow, Community Renewal has that they would have an instrumental committed to combating the “loneliness responsibility in that.” epidemic” in the area.

At the high school level, they focus The organization’s staff has achieved on 10th and 11th grade students who their goals with the help of volunteers have some time to adjust the trajectory and community leaders – current and of their lives prior to graduation if they future. Community Renewal’s We Care. want to implement the lessons they reCampus programs focus on character ceive during their time in the Elevate Participants in the Elevate program classes conducted building, leadership training and sup- by Community Renewal at Shawnee High School and program. port among students particularly at the Shawnee Middle School receive instruction, experience, The staff meets with their group of middle and high school levels guided participation and support opportunities to help break students for first hour class every mornby the fact that an estimated 78 percent chronic absenteeism at school and focus on identifying ing to discuss pertinent topics in the and achieving their long-term personal goals. ­— Photos of today’s students will continue calling submitted curriculum, share recent experiences Pottawatomie County home. As such, and make decisions about upcoming helping those students reach their goals and potential helps improve the projects. The idea of meeting first thing in the morning is to increase the lives of not only the students but their future neighbors and community chances that once the students make it to school for their Elevate class, as well. they are likely to stay there for the rest of their classes as well.

That’s the idea behind the Elevate program at Shawnee Middle School The class does not simply focus on the academic path to reaching and Shawnee High School that got its start during the 2020-2021 aca- their goals. Folks with Community Renewal highlight the importance demic year. That pilot year had Mandi Wells – community coordinator of life skills that help them in the workplace and at home, whether it is with Community Renewal – meeting every day with seven girls at Shaw- practicing interview skills or understanding the importance of budgeting nee High School during the fall semester and seven others during the to save toward financial goals. spring semester.

The biggest key to working with students and helping them get the After gleaning some lessons from last year and focusing on the same most out of their time in the Elevate program is forming relationships, group of students throughout the entire school year – with a few new which does not simply mean interacting with the students at school. It’s additions this spring – the Elevate program also added a boys class at the crucial the students understand that their Community Renewal friends high school level led by Community Renewal director of campus pro- are exactly that and are available when they need them. grams Michael Phillips and a mixed gender class of 17 students at the “They have to be able to know me and know my story,” Wells said. middle school led by another pair.

“They have to be able to trust me and know that 24/7 I’m there for them.”

The schools identify students who have demonstrated a pattern of It is not uncommon for them to receive a message in the morning missing school on a regular basis, and Community Renewal staff work to from students or even their parents that they missed their bus and need

14

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a ride to school. In fact, Phillips said some parents prefer this contingency plan versus their children riding to school with another student they don’t know, especially if they are new drivers.

This daily approach is also a necessary component in helping broaden and strengthen the relationships Community Renewal staffers build with the students in their classes, Well said. Many students have struggled to establish healthy and meaningful relationships with the adults in their lives, so those working with the students want to make sure the students have someone in their life every day focused on helping them identify and achieve their goals emotionally, socially and professionally.

“It’s about letting these kids see there is a caring adult in the world that does care about them and does notice them,” Phillips said.

Though Community Renewal had discussed starting some sort of program like this, it was a chance meeting between executive director Brandon Dyer and a representative of the Paul Milburn fund managed by the Oklahoma City Community Foundation – part of which sought to reduce truancy among Shawnee students – that opened the door to the Elevate classes.

“They wanted to see if we could come up with a program that targeted chronically absent students to see if we could get them in school and hopefully get them graduated,” Phillips said.

Community Renewal met with Shawnee Public Schools assistant superintendent Teresa Wilkerson, who had overseen a similar program in a previous school district, Wells said. With a willingness and infrastructure to support the schools, Community Renewal began identifying the curriculum and goals of the new Elevate program.

Another major portion of the program comes in the relationships Community Renewal has built with local businesses and organizations.

The Elevate program has brought its students to meet with leadership at Georg Fischer Central Plastics and Eaton to see what local employers can offer and what they seek in candidates; sit down with people from Gateway to Prevention and Recovery to discuss important mental health topics; understand the help available to those with abusive backgrounds through organizations like House of Hope; and take a private tour of Gordon Cooper Technology Center to see what other options they have should they decide traditional college is not for them.

“We have a lot of wonderful opportunities in Shawnee, but some of these kids have never been exposed to it or have never seen it,” Phillips said.

The Elevate program has also created an interest in a few students who had ruled out college to pursue this path after seeing how they could obtain it, and Wells said they have helped a few participants begin the application process at area schools when the time came.

The program also emphasizes the importance of connection and social well-being for its students, and organizers have put together events like a “friendsgiving” dinner last November to offer a different component from some of the more formal aspects of the Elevate classes.

The middle school class is also planning on establishing a small coffee operation to understand some of the fundamentals of how to conduct business.

“We’re always practicing and looking at what they need to do to get them to their goals,” Wells said. S

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Specialty Care for Shawnee J. Antonio Cantu-Clatza, MD Endocrinology SSM Health Medical Group is proud to welcome board certified endocrinologist J. Antonio Cantu-Clatza, MD to SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Shawnee.

Dr. Cantu-Clatza diagnoses and treats a wide range of hormone-related diseases and conditions, including: • Diabetes • Thyroid disorders • Growth disorders • Adrenal disorders • Male hormone health • Obesity • Pituitary disorders • Transgender health • Lipid disorders • Thyroid-FNA biopsy • Diabetes technologies (CGM/Insulin pump)

Call 405-273-5801 or ssmhealth.com/JuanCantuClatzaMD to schedule an appointment.

SSM Health Medical Group 3315 Kethley Rd. Shawnee, OK 74804 All of our hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other facilities have implemented enhanced safety measures. These include requiring all individuals to be screened for symptoms and requiring face masks for all upon entry. This will ensure you and your family are protected every step of the way. © 2021 SSM Health, All rights-reserved.

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sports

SLAM DUNK

Potawatomi Fire Basketball Team Prepares For Debut Season

BY DAVID DINSMORE

A

Citizen Potawatomi Nation last year became the first tribe in Oklahoma to own a professional basketball team after reaching an agreement with The Basketball League to establish the Potawatomi Fire. The season starts March 4 with the first home game March 19 at the FireLake Arena at 18145 Old Rangeline Road. — Photos submitted

fter hosting numerous concerts, stage productions, trade shows and other events, FireLake Arena will become home to the first professional basketball team owned by a Native American tribe in Oklahoma.

The Potawatomi Fire will take to hardwood for their debut season as part of The Basketball League on March 4 with their first home game on March 19 against the Little Rock Lightning. The season will include 12 home games at the arena located at 18145 Old Rangeline Road in addition to any potential preseason and playoff games.

Before the team can tip-off its campaign, however, coach Derrick Rowland and general manager David Qualls have a lot of work to make sure the roster and facility is ready to make a championship bid.

“We are very excited to bring professional sports to Shawnee,” said John “Rocky” Barrett, CPN Tribal Chairman, in a statement announcing the formation of the team. “The families and sports fans who live in the area deserve high-quality, affordable entertainment, and we are sure the community will come out to

support their team.”

Rowland began the process of roster construction shortly after the tribe officially announced the formation of the team in fall 2021. Having coached in the league – including two championship titles – Rowland was familiar with some of the players and talent available. Additionally, he attended some combines in places like Atlanta and Houston to assess other potential candidates for the Potawatomi Fire.

“We’re trying to accumulate guys for the veterans camp, which will take place Feb. 15,” said Rowland, who added that they are also looking at bringing in players from The Basketball League draft Feb. 4-6 in Indianapolis.

Rowland will whittle down his group of 20 players down to a final roster of 12 before the start of the season.

“Once the roster is picked, it’s really not final then because then they have to perform,” Rowland said. “It’s a process that goes a long way.”

Rowland has relished the opportunity to build his team his www.shawneeoutlook.com

19

way. He knows what success looks like as a college player, professional player and coach, so he has a precise understanding of what kind of players he wants representing the Potawatomi Fire on and off the court.

“It’s a formula that I understand,” Rowland said. “I know what it takes to win. I know winning is a process. I know the type of player that I’m looking for. I need the guy with high character. I’m looking for the guy who’s going to go into the schools twice a week and the player who’s willing to help the community, and he’s on board with what we’re doing here on the floor. I know that when I come across it.”

The Basketball League closely follows NBA rules, and Rowland – a former Denver Nuggets draft pick – said most teams’ tactics are run similar to those used at that level.

“My system is definitely geared off the NBA … probably 60 percent pick and roll, transition basketball,” Rowland said. “The players in this league, you have to have motivation here. I’m working with the guys who are looking to move up. This is a platform for the players.”

To prepare to host the team, its opponents and a new fan base at FireLake Arena, Qualls said his group has undertaken the task of creating new locker rooms for the players and developed a system for laying the portable NBA regulation maple wood court. Additionally, his team has also been working on the marketing components of the team to drum up excitement and ideas for this new entertainment option in the community.

“A game with Potawatomi Fire is going to be more than four quar-

ters of basketball,” said Qualls, who has 30 years of entertainment experience. “It’ll be pregame entertainment, timeout entertainment, halftime entertainment, postgame entertainment, food vendors, activities for the kids … corporate networking through VIP suites.”

In addition to lining up acts and promotions to incorporate into the fan experience, Qualls said the Fire are also looking at including theme and special recognition for different segments of the service industry as part of some of the home game events.

“It’s a community event wrapped around a basketball game,” Qualls said.

For updates about preseason events and more information about the upcoming season, visit potawatomifire.com. S

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mental health

CELEBRATING FORMER ADDICT'S JOURNEY TO RECOVERY, PEACE M

BY MISTY BREWER WITH MADELYN KUFAHL

isty Brewer has been an employee at Gateway hard and painful and sobriety is rewarding and joyful. since August. She works at the Seminole locaQ. What would you like to say to individuals still suffertion as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist. In ing from their addiction? this article, she answers questions about her former battle A. I would like to tell the individual still suffering that with addiction, how she got help, and what her life looks like it's never too late to ask for help. I also want to tell them that now that she is in recovery and able to help others with the they will know that it's time. When the idea of getting soMisty Brewer same struggles. ber moves from your mind to your heart and soul, it is time Q. What were the experiences in your life that may have to get clean. That's what happened to me. I had a spiritual made you more likely to use substances? awakening. It is in my heart that I do want this new way of A. At a young age, while I was still in high school, I startlife. ed going to parties. As I got older, it was easier to connect Q. What is your favorite part about working at Gatewith people and have something in common with people at way? bars and clubs. It started off pretty innocently, just trying to Madelyn Kufahl A. My favorite part about working at Gateway is being fit in. I was not even aware I had a problem. able to share my experience, strength and hope and be there Q. What made you realize it was time to ask for help? for others. I love helping the underdog because at one time someone A. I have three DUIs, but I did not realize I really needed help until did that for me. my third. The first DUI was “shame on me.” I got behind the wheel Gateway recognizes that addiction affects the entire person, family and got caught. The second DUI was “I don't have a problem drink- system and surrounding community and is intentional about creating. I have a problem getting behind the wheel.” ing a program of recovery and healing that does the same. To learn I went through drug court and completed the program success- about options and get additional support, please contact us at (405) fully, but I was in denial the entire time. The third DUI, I was involved 273-1170 ext. 0. S in a high speed chase because I knew I was going to get arrested. I was caught. At this point, I realized I had a problem. I was sentenced to 18 Madelyn Kufahl assisted in the interview process. Madelyn is a senior at Oklahoma Baptist University. She is majoring in psychology: pre-counseling and minoring in months in prison and then the drug court program again. professional writing and editing. She is currently the writing intern at Gateway to Q. How did you feel going into treatment at Gateway?

Prevention and Recovery. She enjoys reading, playing volleyball and spending time A. It was scary, but I was ready to fix my disease of addiction. I with her loved ones. opened up to the fact that I had a problem, and I was honest that my life had become unmanageable.

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shawnee history

CAPITAL IDEA

S

Early Shawnee Considered For State Capital

BY ANN MCDONALD, COURTESY POTT CO HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBER

hawnee as Oklahoma’s state capital? was occupied by local attorney David Kennedy and his family.

It was closer to happening than many know. As statehood The 600 block of North Park was a busy place with several large homes. got closer to being a reality, a group of local men began work- Some of those houses had boarders, which was not unusual for the times. ing on a plan to capture the title of state capital. Guthrie had held that Several Rock Island railroad employees lived in the same block as did position since the first land run in 1889, and in 1890, the location was one of the town’s doctors. Over the years, the big house at 618 N. Park has set in motion by the Organic Act. This provided for Guthrie to remain served as a private residence and several times as an apartment house. the capital at least until 1913. In 1906, the federal government also apBut its role as the governor’s mansion never materialized. Even proved that Guthrie remain the capital when Oklahoma was admitted though much of the eastern part of the state backed Shawnee as the to the union. state capital in the vote June 11, 1910, the Many state residents resented interfertown came in third. Oklahoma City won by ence by the federal government. Oklahoma a huge margin with 92,261 votes against the City was quickly outgrowing all other cities 31,303 votes for Guthrie in second place. in what would become the 46th state. The Shawnee trailed with 8,382. citizens there had long wanted the city to Guthrie didn’t go down without a fight. become the capital and didn’t plan to easily Their citizens appealed to the courts for a give up the dream. Muskogee also spoke up decision in its favor, recalling the Organic that residents in the eastern part of the state Act’s provision that the state capital was – which at the time was still designated “Into remain in Guthrie until 1913, but the dian Territory” – should also be considered. state Supreme Court decided that act null Then there was Shawnee. The fans of that and void. Oklahoma’s Gov. Charles Haskell selection felt the town had several selling called a special session of the legislature points, including being a railroad hub. Also, and the issue was settled. Oklahoma City Shawnee was closer to the Indian Territory was made the capital of the new state. FearDuring their bid to establish Oklahoma’s border a few miles to the east versus either ing Guthrie would still try to hold onto permanent state capital, city officials looked at Oklahoma City or Guthrie. Muskogee re- the home at 618 N. Park in Shawnee as a possible hosting the capital, Oklahoma City enthualized they weren’t favored because of the governor’s mansion should the city earn the title. siasts moved the state seal to their own hid— Photo submitted distance from the center of the state, so that ing place during the middle of the night. municipality chose to back Shawnee.

Excavation was begun on the capitol Many prominent Shawnee citizens met at the Chamber of Com- building in July 1914 and completed in 1917 at a cost of $1.5 million. merce and came up with offers if they were named the state capital. The governor’s mansion – a 17-room home built of limestone – wasn’t This included free capitol building sites and buildings to cost no less finished until 1927. than $1.5 million. This included Woodland Park or four blocks in lieu Shawnee supporters who promoted the state capital for “The Forest thereof in any part of the city and/or 1,800 acres of land adjoining the City” – a popular local nickname – reportedly said that the town “was present city limits. The second proposition included 13 sections of not nearly so disappointed over the loss of the capital as it would have school indemnity land three miles from the business center of the city been some time ago.” City leaders recognized what they referred to as and 2,000 acres adjoining sites selected for the Catholic and Baptist “stupendous problems connected with it that had to be worked out by universities recently located in Shawnee. someone else.” One such issue was the question as to whether the home Also suggested by some on the citizen committee was the promise of a on Park Street would have been adequate to serve the family of Oklahome for the governor. The house – located at 618 N. Park – was a stately homa’s governor. structure in a well-developed area. It’s not clear who built the house, but The house now is listed on the National Registry of Historical records indicate it was constructed in 1903, well before the state capital Homes and certainly a place that Shawnee folks can admire and ask, plans were being made. In 1906, during the push for statehood, the home “What if?” S www.shawneeoutlook.com

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art

NATURE AND HEALING MGMOA Planning More Therapy Workshops, Certification Classes

M

BY DAVID DINSMORE

any art classes focus on helping people discover a new passion or develop a technique for their current artistic pursuits.

They often include a project that participants can undertake and display to show to their friends, family and visitors who may see it.

The Art, Nature & Healing workshops offered at Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, however, take on a different goal that is less about what the participants produce and more about what their experiences before and during the class, said Amber DuBoise-Shepherd, the museum’s manager of education and outreach. The workshops – led by Madeline Rugh and Maureen Harvey – aim at helping participants “reduce stress and feel uplifted” regardless of previous art experience.

The museum began offering these workshops in early spring 2021 and found they struck a chord with participants, particularly in light of stresses brought on by responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Just when the world feels like it's closing down, here comes another MGMOA Art and Nature workshop: expansive, healing, replenishing, restorative … and you're back on the journey of life with joy," participant Chari DuMond said.

The workshops sprung from conversations between museum and chief curator Dane Pollei and Madeline Rugh, a board certified art therapist with a doctorate in adult and community education who had also taught psychology and art at St. Gregory’s University for 15 years.

For the past 30 years, Rugh has been a consultant and educator specializing in the role of spirituality, art and nature in health and wellness, according to information provided by the museum. She has taught nationally and internationally in Canada and Ireland, and she developed innovative coursework while at St. Gregory’s transformational learning through spirituality, art, and nature. Rugh also works as a visual artist and author, and she is currently an adjunct professor

The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art began offering Art, Nature & Healing workshops open to the public last spring, and this year organizers are looking to add courses for professionals who want to earn an art therapy certification as part of their continuing education. ­ Photos submitted — at the Pratt Institute in New York City in the creative arts therapies graduate program, serving as a thesis advisor and summer faculty teaching coursework in soul ecology. Rugh is also an adjunct professor in the University of Oklahoma’s graduate counseling program.

In creating these workshops, the instructors focus on aspects of nature and encourage participants to express how they relate to this element or concept. DuBoise-Shepherd said several people participating in the class with her discovered some interesting things about themselves in trying to create a piece that reflected what the instructors were emphasizing.

“I had an amazing experience,” said Bridget Moore, a participant who also works as a high school art teacher. “The instructor led a very spiritual-like journey with nature as a guide. I have never experienced anything like it.”

While the workshops do not require art experience, those who have received traditional art instruction focusing on technique and have worked as an artist have expressed that this type of workshop provides a distinctly different experience.

“Participating in the art and nature workshops enable me to reach www.shawneeoutlook.com

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deeper into the process of creating,” said Lynn Pollei, an elementary and middle school art teacher that participated in these classes. “The workshops allow me to think about and experience the importance of creating and connecting to our natural world. Learning the value of being able to listen to nature as it guides and directs our innate ability to express ourselves.”

DuBoise-Shepherd – who works as an artist in addition to her education role at the museum – said one of the most informative aspects of the workshops in which she participated came from the times near the end of the sessions during which attendees could talk through what led them to create what they did.

Rugh would encourage them to look at why they decided to add or omit what they did to help them further understand themselves and their state of mind.

“A lot of the pieces I created (in the workshops) were very personal,” DuBoise-Shepherd said. “It helped me look at some art differently.”

While the workshops – resuming sometime this spring after organizers solidify the schedules and subjects – aim to give the attendees the chance to apply and experience the prin-

ciples of art therapy, the museum is also gearing up for another aspect of the program that will give professionals the opportunity to take courses to earn education credits, Dane Pollei said. Through this component, those looking to advance their knowledge will receive training for certification with the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association under the registered expressive arts consultant and educator category.

“When St. Gregory’s closed, we started talking about doing something as a museum,” said Dane Pollei, who had talked with Rugh during her time at the university about establishing a place for Oklahoma professionals to come and expand their knowledge about art therapy.

“That was something we felt like we could do here.

“We’re not sure that’s something we’ve seen offered by a museum anywhere else.”

They started laying the groundwork, but they halted those pursuits in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but continued looking at other elements that could benefit the larger program once they established it, including the the implementation of the workshops offered

last year and some videos that helped the work of art therapists in other part of the world. Dane Pollei said they are hoping this year will see the start of the professional component of the program offered at Mabee-Gerrer.

The certification program could help enhance the work of those with careers in education, counseling, nursing, social work, the arts or ministry who are looking to further develop their creative capacity.

The course will not qualify participants to become art therapists, but according to information provided by the museum, it can offer another tool for professionals looking to “skillfully provide arts-based learning and experiences that benefit the whole person body, mind and spirit.”

“We want to create something that will last and will benefit Oklahoma and beyond,” Dane Pollei said. “That’s what we’re laying the groundwork for.”

For more information, call (405) 878-5605 or email education@mgmoa.org. Updates on upcoming workshops and the certificate program will be made available at mgmoa.org or via the museum’s social media platforms. S

United Presbyterian Church

120 N. BROADWAY, SHAWNEE | UNITEDPRESBYTERIANSHAWNEE.COM Worship at 10:45 | Rev. Elizabeth Affsprung, Pastor

Sunday Service during Advent will combine the Holden Village Service

Protect your family.

Prepare for their future.

Natalie Arnett, Agent 700 E Independence Street Shawnee, OK 74804 Bus: 405-273-4644 natalie@nataliearnett.com

Worship in person or watch Live on FB or YouTube.

I can help with both.

Stop by for your free State Farm Insurance and Financial Review .

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

CALL ME TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION. ®

WORSHIP SERVICE SUNDAY’S 10:00 AM December 24 - Candlelight Service 6pm December 26 - Lessons and Carols 10am

ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH

3610 N. Union Ave., Shawnee www.stjohnshawnee.org 405-273-1539

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Mike and Robert return to serve Shawnee Area Residents.

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BancFirst’s Brightest

Following the success of our BancFirst Student Board members

Matt Watson Student Board 2012-2013

How do you think growing up in Shawnee helped shape you into the person you’ve become/prepared you for your job?

M: It prepared me for who I became. It helped me develop a strong sense of community and reinforced the importance of meaningful relationships with people. It gave me a strong sense of togetherness and I built lasting relationships.

Bethel High School - Valedictorian (2013)

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

Oklahoma Baptist University - Bachelors Finance (2017)

M: Student Board taught me about Financial Literacy. They helped me set up my first account. Financial Literacy was not a class offered in my high school and I wish it was. It’s invaluable.

Current employer: Paycom (2018)

How has the BancFirst Student Board contributed to your success?

Quality Assurance Team Lead - Team Leader for software testing, and responsible for maintaining Paycom’s internal Environment.

M: BancFirst Student Board gave me several connections. I used those connections to apply for my job at BancFirst. I worked in Shawnee as a teller from 2015-2017.

Shawnee

Te c u m s e h

McLoud www.shawneeoutlook.com

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calendar All events are subject to change and incorporate a variety of guidelines regarding public health measures. Please contact each organizer for complete and upto-date information.

Jan. 13-Feb 17: The MabeeGerrer Museum of Art invites high school students to register and submit for its annual juried art exhibition that will occur in spring. Information: mgmoa.org

We are pleased to be able to serve our patients and new patients at both locations!

Jan. 15-Feb. 13: The MabeeGerrer Museum of Art is showcasing its exhibition, “Sancta Familia: Images of the Holy Family Medieval through Modern,” featuring iconography of the holy family from medieval through modern times, using a variety of media.

MGMoA Friends will also host a free and open reception discussing the gallery at 6 p.m., which will feature a talk by curator of collections Delaynna Trim. Information: mgmoa.org Jan. 15-16: The HERPS exotic reptile and pet show will crawl into the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center at 1700 W. Independence St. Thousands of reptiles, amphibians, inverts, feeders, supplies and more are all available. Information: herpshow.net

SHAWNEE 405-273-2002

smileshawnee.com

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www.shawneeoutlook.com

HARRAH 405-445-6999

smileharrah.com

Jan. 21: The Arts @ 317 will host its first Block pARTy of 2022 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. featuring local artists, writers or craftspeople at its 317 E. Main Street location. Information: (405) 659-8193 Jan. 22: FireLake Arena will host a night of country music featuring Gary Allan and Oklahoma’s own Wade Hayes starting at 7 p.m. at 18145 Old Rangeline Road. Information:

firelakearena.com Jan. 22: Comedian, ventriloquist and magician Andy Gross will bring the talent that has garnered him immense internet fame to the historic Ritz Theatre of Shawnee at 10 W. Main St. with a show starting at 8 p.m. The show is meant for audiences 18 years and older.

Information: facebook.com/ theritzofshawnee Jan. 28: The Shawnee Police Foundation Banquet will recognize the efforts of officers, volunteers and citizens in keeping the community safe.

TV anchor Kevin Ogle will emcee the event, and Shiloh Steel will perform at the banquet starting at 6 p.m. at the Grand Casino Event Center at 777 Grand Casino Blvd.

Information: (405) 501-3357 Feb. 5: Oklahoma Baptist University will showcase a faculty recital led by tenor and music professor, Louima Lillite.

The free concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Raley Chapel on the campus. Information: music@ okbu.edu Feb. 6: The Locomotive Operators of Central Oklahoma invite the public to come ride the rails on oneeighth scale model trains at their 29626 Lake Drive in Mcloud.

Information: locotrains.org Feb. 12: INSIDER – A Tom Petty Tribute will take the stage at 8 p.m. at the historic Ritz Theatre in Shawnee.

Information: facebook.com/ theritzofshawnee If you know of any events you would like to see featured, email editor@shawneeoutlook.com.

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

We commend our teams willingness to keep seeing patients as their need arises and that we are able to provide both Home Health care and Hospice throughout the COVID crisis.

Enriching the lives of our patients and their families every day.

Heartland Home Health Care • Accredited by Accreditation Commission for Health Care • All RN On Call Staff • Home Care Elite 2004 - 2016 • Best of Shawnee Award 2016, 2017 and 2019

Phone 405-214-6441

Heartland Hospice Services • SHP Best Hospice Caregiver Satisfaction Superior Performer Award 2016, 2017 and 2018 • All RN On Call Staff • Volunteer Program Supports Families and Veterans • Bereavement Programs open to the public year round

Phone 405-214-6442

heartlandhomehealth.com/Shawnee heartlandhospice.com/Shawnee www.shawneeoutlook.com

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OPEN 11 AM–2 AM

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