Shawnee Outlook

OBU Earns Top Rankings | Planning Ahead for Medicare Enrollment

WITH THE

FLOW

OCTOBER 2024 Vol. 21 Number 8

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CONTENTS

OCTOBER 2024

features

departments

9 Riding In: Stories, Life Found In Collection Created By Native Tribal Artists

6

KEEP THE CHANGE NUTRITION 101

10 On A Curve: OBU Earns Top Rankings From U.S. News & World Report 33 Straight Years

7 22

OVER THE FENCE

24

SONIC CONTEST

25

SHAWNEE HISTORY

26

MENTAL HEALTH

13 Planning Ahead: Medicare Enrollment Comes With Big Rx Changes For 2025

29 19 With The Flow: Kayak Club Hosts Disabled Veterans, OKC Kids Club At Twin Lakes

Okie Icon Media

MANAGING EDITOR

David Dinsmore

ADVERTISING SALES

Brad Carter

CREATIVE DIRECTION Kelsey Walker Fawn Wilson-Olivarez

10

13

PUBLISHER

CALENDAR

WRITERS

Andrea Beck David Dinsmore Brandon Dyer Danielle Mason-Rains Ann McDonald Angela Rowland Delaynna Trim

CONTACT US

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

To Advertise, call Brad (405) 445-3033

Volume 21, Number 8 Shawnee Outlook is a publication of Okie Icon Media. © 2024 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

COSTUMES ON COMMAND

I

’ve spent the past year learning how to be creative with costuming for various purposes and find it’s the first year I’m not nervous for my budget come Halloween. We’ve got plenty of options just under our noses, and here’s how you can too.

Become a hoarder. OK, not completely. Before throwing out old items of clothing, consider their potential usefulness as a costume.

Versatile items and solid colors have a lot of potential. Many looks – pirates, medieval char- Angela Rowland acters, vampires, flappers and more – can be created with some “normal” clothing from a typical closet paired together in atypical ways. Trust me, I’ve been all of those in the past year for events at our game store, The Guilded Grayland at 222 E. Main St. Dig around in your closet and see what you can put together.

Check clearance sales. You may not be super prepared this year but scour the aisles of local stores at the beginning of November, and you’ll find all kinds of Halloween clearance for items that aren’t necessarily limited to spooky costumes. Wigs, accessories, colored hair spray and more will all be significantly discounted after October has passed. Keep these on-hand for any costuming needs. If you have kids in school, you know those pop up at more than just Halloween.

Don’t forget thrift stores. If you still need just the right piece for a specific look, check thrift stores first. There are always great finds there for less than you’d find online. Speaking of online, check out sites like thredup.com, which is essentially an online thrift store. The inability to try items on makes this a riskier move but can lead to broader search results.

Use make-up. Face paints are cheap after Halloween, but regular make-up can go a long way to perfecting a certain look. Don’t be afraid to play around. 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 sharing her favorite tips and deals.

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nutrition 101

A

BOOSTING KIDS' IMMUNE SYSTEM

long with the start of fall in October and the approaching “holiday season” comes fighting off flu, strep throat, covid, viruses, a cold and everything else out there children tend to spread around. Have you ever thought about how your child’s diet could be affecting their immune system?

The desire to safeguard our children’s health fuels the search for effective preventive strategies.

There is a huge interest in how to support immunity for children naturally. This was mind blowing to me when I first learned this, but 70-80 percent of our immune cells are in our gut. So, it is no wonder the more we damage our gut the more often we get sick, and it affects how long we stay sick.

Think about these next three months. Halloween and fall parties with trick or treating followed by eating that Halloween candy for weeks after.

This precedes more fall parties and Thanksgiving treats followed by Christmas parties with all the Christmas treats. That’s three months of basically

eating sugar and junk. So is it really cold and flu season, or is it sugar-killing-our-immune-system season?

Dysbiosis – imbalances in gut bacteria – affects the body’s immune responses and makes us more susceptible to autoimmune diseases, allergies and frequent/more severe infections. Having a deficiency in vitamins A, Bs, C, D and E along with copper, magnesium, selenium and zinc all affect our immune system. If a child’s diet during these holiday months is more high sugar processed foods, it can be easy to see how they may not be getting in near enough fruits, vegetables, whole grains, unsaturated fats and lean protein.

During the next few months, think about how you can let your child enjoy the holidays without it completely taking a toll on their immune system.

They will end up enjoying the holidays that much more by not being sick. Enjoy making the below recipe to get some vitamin packed vegetables into your child’s dinner.

Veggie Chili The recipe below shows cooking it on a stovetop, but you can also throw this in a crockpot on low and let it simmer for hours. If you or your children don’t like big chunks of vegetables in chili or soup, definitely try blending them to get the great flavor and health benefits without the big chunks.

Ingredients: 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 medium yellow onion, chopped 1 medium bell pepper, chopped 2 cloves of garlic, chopped 1.25oz low sodium chili seasoning 2 – 14.5oz cans fire roasted diced tomatoes, not drained 15 oz can black beans, not drained 15 oz can kidney beans, not drained 15 oz can pinto beans, not drained 15 oz can corn, not drained Directions: Add all fresh vegetables to a food processor to finely chop/blend. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add all blended vegetables and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Add chili seasoning and cook for another 1 minute. Add all cans of vegetables and beans. Cover and let simmer for 15 minutes. If you have more time, it will continue to get better as it cooks, but it is pretty great after just 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container in the

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Makes: 6 servings, 1 cup each Nutritional Information per Serving Calories: 379 Total Fat: 9g Saturated Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 877mg Total Carbohydrates: 60g Dietary Fiber: 17g Protein: 18g Nutrition 101: If we are thinking about our immune system’s, this bowl of chili is like a vitamin in a bowl. You are getting so many different nutrients from the different colors of vegetables. The color from the beans, tomatoes, onion, pepper, corn and garlic all individually give our bodies the vitamins we need during cold and flu season. So eat up. S

Andrea Beck, a registered dietitian and personal trainer, received her master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. She offers personal training and nutrition education through an online platform, StrongHER along with functional nutrition and labs through Laser Focus. For inquiries, visit strongherwithandrea.com, or the Facebook page, Nutrition and Exercise 101 with Andrea.

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INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING

art of the matter

RIDING IN

Stories, Life Found In Collection Created By Native Tribal Artists SUBMITTED BY DELAYNNA TRIM, CURATOR OF COLLECTIONS AT MABEE-GERRER MUSEUM OF ART

O

ctober brings Fall with its pumpkin spice and falling leaves. There are a few holidays in October including Halloween and on October 14 – Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art houses and exhibits many Native American art and artifacts. In the Native American gallery, there are art and objects from many different tribes, including several from this area.

I love seeing the different styles from the different time periods and tribes.

There is a Kiowa dress made of buckskins from the 1890s, a Seminole ribbon shirt from the 1940s or 50s and an Osage dance outfit made for one of the monks from the 1980s. The wonderful thing about these pieces of clothing is that they open us up to the stories about the tribes during those times. What were these pieces of clothing for – everyday use, special ceremonies, etc.? What were the people who wore these pieces of clothing doing? Who were they? How is their life then different from ours now?

That is the wonderful thing about museums – everything in them tells a story.

Among the art are two pieces by Earnest Spybuck, an Absentee Shawnee tribal member who was from the Tecumseh area. His works are very detailed, showing scenes from everyday life.

In “Cattle Drive,” you can see what life was like for these cowboys. Some of the cowboys are cooking, some are playing cards and some are corralling the cattle.

There is even a dog looking for a snack.

You get a great sense of what life was like for these men.

The other Spybuck painting illustrates the beginning of the war dance known as “Riding In.” In addition to the men on horseback, you see the wagons and encampment in the back.

Anthropologist Mark Harrington was traveling among the tribes in Oklahoma when he heard of Spybuck’s artistic talent. Spybuck created many watercolors for Harrington of life among the tribes between 1910 and 1921. Many of Spybuck’s works are now owned by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian.

The MGMoA also has a ledger book by Chief Big Bow that shows images of daily life from the 1870s. Ledger books were often used because they were an easy-to-find source of paper in the plains in the mid1800s. Originally, the tribes used animal hides for their artwork. Ledger art was a way to capture scenes of everyday life as well as special occasions.

The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art’s collection contains a variety of Native American art and creations from several tribes and eras.

For videos on ledger art and other art projects, check out www.mgmoa.org/artprojects.

Ledger Art Scan this code to visit the MabeeGerrer Museum of Art’s at-home project page.

Supplies – lined paper and colored pencils, markers, or crayons Create your own ledger art by illustrating a day in your life. Who are you including? What are they wearing? What activities are they doing? S www.shawneeoutlook.com

9

education

ON A CURVE

OBU Earns Top Rankings From U.S. News & World Report 33 Straight Years COURTESY OF OKLAHOMA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

U

.S. News & World Report has again ranked Oklahoma Baptist University as the top Oklahoma university on its list of Best Regional Universities in the West.

OBU has been ranked on the list of Best Regional Universities in the West for 33 consecutive years and has been ranked the top Oklahoma institution for 30 years.

OBU was the highest-ranked university in the state of Oklahoma on the Best Regional Universities in the West with 13 other schools from the state ranking below OBU. “Best Regional”

10

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rankings are calculated through a few factors, including graduation and retention rates, social mobility, undergraduate academic reputation, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources for students, graduate indebtedness and multiple other measures of academic quality.

OBU was one of only two Oklahoma institutions to make the list of Best Value Schools for Regional Universities in the West. To select institutions for this list, U.S. News & World Report factors the academic quality and cost for each school after accounting for to-

With an increased enrollment of 1,569 students this fall, Oklahoma Baptist University has been ranked on U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Regional Universities in the West for 33 consecutive years and has been ranked the top Oklahoma institution for 30 years. — Photo submitted tal expenses and financial aid.

OBU was also one of only two Oklahoma schools to make the list of Best Colleges for Veterans for Regional Universities of the West. This ranking reflects which schools are affordable for veterans and active-duty

service members based on the benefits available to them.

OBU again was ranked on the list for Social Mobility Among Regional Universities of the West. This assesses how well schools graduate economically disadvantaged students.

The ranking factors – which feed standalone Top Performers on Social Mobility rankings – were computed by aggregating two distinct ranking factors assessing graduation rates of students who were awarded Pell Grants.

OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas is grateful for the recognition these rankings bring to the transformational, world-class education found on Bison Hill and for the value an OBU education offers to graduates.

“We are grateful to once again be recognized by U.S. News & World Report as not only an institution of the highest academic quality but also one of tremendous value for our students,” Thomas said. “We are grateful for our faculty, who care about their students in a meaningful, personal way while leading them to passionately seek knowledge through the lens of biblical truth in their disciplines.

“We are likewise grateful for the legacy of Christian liberal arts education, which began on Bison Hill more than 114 years ago. As our students learn to think critically and form a distinctively Christian worldview, they grow and ma-

ture into the future shapers who will one day transform our world as they live all of life, all for Jesus.”

With its campus located in Shawnee, OBU offers nine bachelor’s degrees with more than 80 fields of study and five master’s degree programs. In addition to U.S. News and World Report, Forbes.com consistently ranks OBU as a top university in Oklahoma and the Princeton Review has named OBU one of the best colleges and universities in the southwestern region of the United States for 20 consecutive years. S

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health

PLANNING AHEAD

Medicare Enrollment Comes With Big Rx Changes For 2025

BY DAVID DINSMORE

E

very year brings new challenges and new things to consider for those enrolling or switching their Medicare plans, but finding the ones that fit them best can be just what the doctor ordered.

And if what the doctor ordered includes the usual prescriptions, Medicare plan enrollees could end up paying less out of pocket for them at the pharmacy with a $2,000 out-of-pocket limit placed on Part D prescription coverage next year.

That is just one of the headline changes in Medicare coverages in 2025, but there are many others that agents like Ryan Busler with Navigating Medicare have studied and analyzed during the course of this year to ensure enrollees receive the best information to find the right plan for them.

Open enrollment for Medicare plans begins on Oct. 15 and ends on Dec. 7.

Whether for the first time or considering a change, people wanting to sign up during this time need to carefully review and consider everything they will need their plan to provide in 2025.

Agen services like Navigating Medicare come at no cost to Medicare recipients, and they are not government employees, Busler said. Their role is to help narrow down the options from the wide variety of Medicare and supplement plans available in each state and match one with the needs and resources of people enrolling.

One aspect of the Medicare system that some do not realize is that if they have any kind of plan, they do have an assigned agent earning a commission somewhere regardless if the planholder knows them, Busler said. Choosing a local agent, however, can make a big difference in making sure the plan fits the needs of its recipient.

Ryan Busler with Navigating Medicare can help those seeking to change or establish a new plan for 2025 during the open enrollment between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7. Visit navigatingrx.com or call (405) 2563342 for more information. — Photos submitted After enrolling in their plan, some clients will have questions throughout the year about things like adding a new provider or a change in their prescription affecting their coverage, Busler said. He is able to provide prompt, local answers for his clients to help them continue making the most of the benefits they chose during enrollment.

“The biggest thing I offer is helping people all year,” Busler said. “If someone calls you and signs you up for a plan, you may never talk to them again. You are calling customer service when you have a question or a problem. > www.shawneeoutlook.com

13

“I am the first point of contact for my people, and if they do need to call customer service, I can escalate it so that it gets priority attention.”

The Oct. 15-Dec. 7 enrollment period, however, is a very busy season for agents like Busler, who provide one-onone consultation and group presentations to discuss what upcoming changes may affect their Medicare coverage.

As previously mentioned, Medicare’s Part D prescription coverage will include a $2,000 limit on out-of-pocket costs in 2025 in an attempt to get rid of the coverage gap known as “the donut hole.” After the initial deductible, planholders will pay their coinsurance until reaching that limit. There will also be mandatory payment plans required for higher cost drugs, but Busler said many details about that aspect had not been released as of mid-September this year.

“On the surface, it looks amazing,” said Busler, noting that 2024’s limit was up to $8,800 by comparison.

However, these changes could impact the cost and coverage offered by some insurers and plans, Busler said. It’s important for all Medicare participants to understand how this either affects their current plan or one that they are considering during enrollment, whether it is increasing premiums or removing higher cost drugs from their list of covered prescriptions.

Additionally, some higher cost options kept on that list may now come with more “red tape” to approve their coverage at the pharmacy, Busler said. Even if it is a drug that a planholder has taken for years, they may need to go through a trial process with their doctor of switching to a lower cost option to prove its ineffectiveness to get the higher cost drug approved for payment again.

Insurers may also look at putting “tier deductibles” in place so that the planholders pay more for their higher cost drugs rather than more common and generic drugs.

The difference in the out-of-pocket limit on the part of the planholder comes at the same time as Medicare pulling back funding from some services – including prescriptions – with the requirement that the insurance carriers “pick up the slack,” Busler said. This could lead to some planholders getting upset with their insurance company when the changes are coming down from the decisions of federal officials.

Choosing the right insurance often comes down to deciding between flexibility and price, Busler said.

“If you want to have the most flexible insurance, you’re going to pay the most for it,” Busler said. “If you want all the 14

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perks they talk about on the commercials, you can do that, but you have to agree to a very small list of providers or give up control of other things to do that.”

This means this year in particular, enrollees need to consider whether their pharmacy of choice is in-network for the plan they are choosing, Busler said. Pharmacy relationships can be just as important as doctor relationships for some Medicare recipients, so they need to make sure they will be able to continue into next year with their current or new plan.

Another consideration comes from the need for insurers to have enough providers available in their networks within a reasonable radius of their planholders, Busler said. Medicare will penalize the insurers for not having enough providers for their members to access for care.

Some changes may cause certain plans to cancel in areas they served in the past, but Busler said this may not be as bad of a prospect for plan holders as it first appears.

When people first become eligible for Medicare, they are given a "blank check" to sign up for a plan or supplement that works for them without many hoops to jump through or screenings to complete for coverage. After that initial period, if they decide to add a supplement, it may come with certain criteria they have to meet to be eligible.

However, if the plan that they are on is no longer offered in their area, they once again become eligible for options that maybe they would not have qualified for if looking to simply switch from one to another.

"It's like winning the lottery,” Busler said.

That said, new rules last year do allow those with a Medicare supplement to switch to another if they’d like within two months of their birthdays, and Busler said an agent can also help with that process during the course of the year.

Consequently, this has led to an increase in the number of new supplements and companies offering them in Oklahoma.

In terms of the enrollment process this year, some changes this year have placed even more restrictions on how thirdparty organizations and their representatives from reaching out to eligible enrollees to offer their services, Busler said, but legal filing following the announcement of these changes may delay some of their implementation. Regardless of how these marketing restrictions affect the agents or agencies, enrollees should still make sure they are getting the right service and selecting plans. Having agents they can meet face-to-face in their community who are familiar with the market and have

an interest in caring for their neighbors could make a much bigger difference in what Medicare participants are able to get out of their plans.

"You need someone you can talk to who understands this stuff and can help you figure it out,” Busler said. “And most of the time, people can save money by coming to us.”

This does not just apply to people enrolling for the first time on Medicare but those also looking to make a change in their plan, he said. Often, insurers will offer a low price particularly on new plans to entice all enrollees to sign up and then begin to raise the price once they're signed up for it.

Once the 2025 plans go into effect at the beginning of the year, Medicare participants can decide if the plan works for them until March. If no changes are made by then, they will have to wait until the following enrollment period in the fall. The only exceptions are for those with chronic conditions who need plans that are able to meet their health requirements and may

need to switch their plan at any point during the year.

With enrollment beginning soon, there are some preparations anybody looking for new or a change in plans can undertake to help make that conversation most effective, Busler said. A complete list of prescription drugs, any medical professionals they currently see and current pharmacy information will narrow down which plans cover those specific criteria to ensure a smooth continuation of care. They should take care to include specialists they may not see as regularly, whether it’s a mental health practitioner, chiropractor, dentist or otherwise.

For those who are tech-savvy, Busler has established a self-service portal at navigatingrx.com that will allow him to be their agent while giving them the ability to make decisions efficiently on their own if they’d like.

For more information and a list of upcoming education events, visit navigatingrx.com or call (405) 256-3342. S

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COHESIVE HEALTHCARE HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE

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Phone 405-309-3950 • Fax 855-763-6146 Get local help with your Medicare questions I’m Ryan Busler, a licensed sales agent in Shawnee, Oklahoma. When it comes to Medicare, it’s important to consider all of your options. What works well for your neighbor may not be the best fit for you. I know the ins and outs of Medicare, and I’m ready to answer your questions and help you find a plan that fits your needs.

Call today to learn more about Medicare Advantage plans in your area Ryan Busler Licensed Sales Agent 405-256-3342, TTY 711 ryan@navigatingrx.com www.navigatingrxcom Sí, hablo su idioma.

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recreation

WITH THE FLOW

Kayak Club Hosts Disabled Veterans, OKC Kids Club At Twin Lakes

BY DAVID DINSMORE

The Wheelie Club from Oklahoma City’s Santa Fe Family Life Center joined the Pott County Kayak Club and vet-focused group Team River Runner for a kayak party on Sept. 8 at Shawnee Twin Lakes. — Photos submitted

M

embers of the Wheelie Club from the Santa Fe Family Life Center in Oklahoma City have headed to Shawnee Twin Lakes to take to the water with local kayak enthusiasts.

The Wheelie Club welcomes children of all ages to get together and learn skills with the community as part of the Santa Fe Family Life Center’s mission to improve the health of Oklahomans through sports and fitness programs, programming coordinator Cassidy Moore said. The goal with Wheelie Club is to teach kids who have ambulatory disabilities that they can still participate in any activity that their heart desires.

“Wheelie Club introduces our kids to

adaptive sports and recreation that they may not be able to access otherwise,” said Renee Jordan, veteran and member of Santa Fe Family Life Center. “My favorite thing about it, though, is that it gives them the opportunity not only to play with other kids who are challenged like them but also invite their able-bodied friends to come and – maybe for the first time for any of them – play together on the same level."

The Wheelie Club started with a focus on games typically found in physical education classes and has added many others, Moore said, such as tennis, basketball, “kickball,” swim, dance and curling with plans to introduce the kids to pickleball.

Through some members who came to kayak in Shawnee last year, Moore learned about the ADA-accessible kayak launch installed at Shawnee Twin Lakes and connected with members of the Pott County Kayak Club who worked to have it installed. She saw an opportunity to give her participants a chance to experience a new activity that maybe they hadn’t tried in the past, so the club planned its first official kayak party at Twin Lakes.

“Kayaking is a great sport that allows people with ambulatory disabilities to be able to participate just like everyone else,” Moore said. “We have Wheelie Club members who primarily use reverse walkers or wheelchairs, and they www.shawneeoutlook.com

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are able to paddle in a kayak through the Shawnee Twin Lakes just as they would pushing in their chairs on land.”

Volunteers from the Pott County Kayak Club and Team River Runner – a veteran-focused kayaking organization – met this year’s participants in early September to help guide them through an evening on the water focused on fun, fitness and safety.

“It was wonderful,” Moore said. “Everyone was so helpful with transferring kids into kayaks to teaching us how to turn.”

Prior to connecting with the Wheelie Club for its events, the Pott County Kayak Club began pursuing the accessible kayak launch soon after their formation in 2020, co-founder Denoda Martin said. At the time, a local community member asked how his ambulatory disabled son could get involved in kayaking, and the club members were not sure how to answer.

“I didn’t know how people in wheelchairs could kayak,” said Martin, who added that the top cause for injuries in kayaking is entering and exiting the craft. “Within about 12 hours of that conversation, I received information about accessible kayak launches.”

After researching how other similar organizations installed infrastructure to meet these needs, the local club began working with community partners to raise funds to have the launch installed, including the Avedis Foundation, BancFirst, First United Bank, Shawnee Community Foundation, Shawnee Twin

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Lakes Association, Shawnee Watersports and Sovereign Bank, Martin said.

The City of Shawnee provided funds for the concrete work for the launch.

“My hope as a kayak instructor is to be able to use the facility for classes and programming with groups like our local tribes and school districts in Pottawatomie County and beyond,” Martin said.

“I also want to have more groups for people with things like disabilities and autism.”

Having the launch made it possible for Brenda Goolsby’s family to participate in the Wheelie Club’s kayak event both years.

“While Connor loves ball and gym activities, it was nice to be on the water,” Brenda said of her ambulatory disabled son. “He enjoys seeing all of us out on the water together with friends.

“The ramp and launch are very important to families like ours as well.

Without the adaptive equipment, (husband) John and I would struggle to get Connor into a kayak and then into the water safely. This setup allows an activity that otherwise wouldn't be possible for us to do as a family. It's important for us to be included in our communities as much as possible.”

The launch helps more people access the water to enjoy the sport while also doing so in a safe manner, which is an aspect of its function that is equally important to certified kayak instructors like Martin.

“I’d like to have some kind of program that can facilitate teaching groups first of all about safety,” Martin said.

“That’s my number one goal.”

Whatever a person’s ability, this idea of safety has taken an even sharper focus for instructors as statistics from 2023 showed an increase in deaths involving paddle craft despite an overall decrease in boating-related deaths, Martin said.

The U.S. Coast Guard estimated that 39 percent of these deaths involved paddlers with less than 10 hours of experience on the water.

With proper instruction and access to waterways with experienced kayakers, Martin said all people interested in

picking up a paddle can find ways to enjoy the benefits that many have discovered in kayaking, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic when its popularity began to swell.

Among the Oklahoma kayak community, Shawnee’s launch has set in motion initiatives to discuss and provide similar access to public waterways in other communities around the state.

Martin said Siloam Springs added its own launch soon after seeing the one at Twin Lakes, and groups in Oklahoma City and Tulsa are working through processes to add launches.

Team River Runner has made it one of its goals to advocate for more launches particularly for the disabled veteran community to utilize as activities like kayaking have shown to not only assist with fitness but also mental health, said Martin, who is a local volunteer for that national organization.

The Pott County Kayak Club has not stopped its work to include people with

disabilities getting on the water with the installation of the kayak launch, Martin said. They have worked with city officials as well as they discuss the construction of an ADA-compliant recreational area with sidewalks, parking, access road and accessible restrooms at Twin Lakes to make it easier for families like the Goolsbys and groups like the Wheelie Club to enjoy the launch and the water.

“We think about accessibility so

much in daily life, so (kayaking) was a great activity to be a part of,” Brenda Goolsby said. “Physical differences and mobility limitations were a nonissue to participate with this group, and we loved every minute of it.”

Those interested in learning more about kayaking with the Pott County Kayak Club or the veteran-focused Team River Runner in the Shawnee area can contact Martin at (405) 275-0254. S

www.shawneeoutlook.com

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over the fence

WHAT WE DO

‘We Care.’ More Than A Slogan

A

BY BRANDON DYER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMUNITY RENEWAL OF POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY

few years ago, I was giving a prebut the most important point of emphasis had escaped her unsentation to a group of amazing til this very moment. folks who serve our community “It’s not just We Care. It’s We Care (pewith great passion and drive – the kind of riod),” I said. people whose very lives display the heart of Her eyes lit up. our organization’s mission.

I went on, “It’s not we care ‘if ’ you We Care. look like me or talk like me or vote like me.

It was one single point of emphasis that changed It’s we care (period).” everything for one of these incredible people.

That’s when she got it. The period is intenI was painting an overview of the mission of Comtional. The period changes everything. For her, the pemunity Renewal and our purpose for existing. Social riod transformed the slogan from a warm fuzzy to the connection is the backbone and foundation of any comperfect expression of who she wanted to be. munity. It is a city’s bedrock. However, despite modern Each of us can feel in our bones that we need a betconveniences that would seemingly make connection Brandon Dyer ter world than the one we have. We need a better world easier – social media, text messaging, etc. – the research than the one we are soon to pass off to our children and indicates that each successive generation is lonelier than grandchildren. Our opinions do not have to define us or the last. So much so that a former surgeon general said that lone- label us. Our opinions do not have to make us enemies. Opinions liness is our nation’s number one public health epidemic; a jaw are critically important, but people must always be more impordropping revelation for most of us. tant than our opinions. We will have the world we want when That’s not what most caught her attention. we first recognize that every life is precious and deserving of our I went on to explain that this epidemic is quite treatable. kindness and then direct our attitudes and actions to reflect that In fact, it is reversible. If each person would access and deploy fundamental principle. an inherent gift that virtually all human beings possess, we Oh sure, there will be days when our attitudes and actions could stem the tide of social disconnection and rebuild strong won’t reflect these fundamental principles that ought to govern foundations for our communities. That gift is the gift of car- our lives. We will all have days we will wish we could do over. It’s ing. Each human carries the capacity to care for other human been true in my life more times that I would care to admit, perbeings. It is what unites us at our core. It is what compels us to haps for you too. Let’s be generous with each other. Let’s forgive. help in times of crisis.

Let’s assume the best in someone’s actions or comments. Let’s acWe care. cept our neighbors, our coworkers, our family as human beings The wonderful woman had seen our signs around town. deserving of our kindness first. We can sort the rest out later.

She knew our slogan was “We Care.” She thought it was nice, It’s We Care (period). S

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shawnee history

HERE LIES

Fairview Cemetery Home To Ill-Fated Mausoleum, Strange Stories

W

BY ANN MCDONALD, COURTESY POTT CO HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBER

Many years earlier, a private company built a mausoleum ithin two years after the “run” of 1891, it was decided that a town should be established on the on the grounds of Fairview Cemetery. In 1927, it was advernorth side of the North Canadian River. Some sold tised as “Safe and Secure … Time Defying Stone, Marble and and donated portions of their claim, and homes and business- Bronze” with individual crypts and family rooms. This was designed for those who preferred not to be underground for es began to appear.

In those first few years, more settlers came to make their religious reasons or wanted to be in one of the “family rooms,” which contained vaults for several home in the new town of Shawnee. people.

City leaders rushed to provide citiFive hundred crypts are in the zens’ needs, one of which was a place mausoleum, which was built of marto lay those who died in the new terble imported from Italy and comritory. In June 1897, some of the land pleted with brass fixtures. About two originally claimed by Jennie McDithirds are currently occupied or are vitt – “a single woman of Pottawatosold for future use. One holds both mie County, Oklahoma Territory” a person’s body and their spouse’s – was dedicated as the city’s Fairview ashes.

Cemetery.

The mausoleum might be best The area – which at that point was known as the temporary resting quite a distance north of the newly place of Jim Thorpe. When Thorpe developing town – had already been died in California in 1952, his wife the site of several early burials, but contacted officials in Shawnee saynow it was official. Several women The Fairview Cemetery has marked the end ing he had wanted to be returned to developed the Cemetery Association of many Shawnee citizens’ stories, including his birthplace, but she didn’t have the to be responsible for “fixing up the the writer of “Home on the Range” and resources to bring him “home.” Locemetery,” as they called it, including temporarily the body of Jim Thorpe. — cal citizens raised the funds to bring planting trees and raising money to Photo submitted him back to Shawnee. Once here, his hire a man at $50 a month to landscape and mow the grass. In 1909, the city’s waterworks were funeral was held at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church before his body was placed in one of the crypts in the mausoleum while instructed to pipe water to the cemetery.

In 1912, rules suggested by the Cemetery Association were groups and individuals worked to raise what would be needed adopted by the city council, including that monuments and to build an appropriate local monument.

But his wife was eager to get it settled, so after a few months markers must be of bronze or stone. And there was a $2 charge for each 20 foot lot which many chose for a family. The rock she sent his body to Pennsylvania. The crypt where his body wall along Harrison Street was a Works Progress Administra- had lain was marked with a bronze sign, which the public could see when the mausoleum was open. tion project in the 1930s.

Deferred maintenance by the current owner of the mauFairview Cemetery was in the path of Shawnee’s 1924 devastating tornado. Starting on the west side of town and going soleum – The Fairview Mausoleum Association – has led the through the heart of the city’s residential area, there was major district court to place Shawnee in charge of the delicate task of destruction as nine residents died and 69 were injured. Three showing extreme care for the remaining entombed and their of those who lost their lives were on a farm just east of the families while dealing with a crumbling building. Any action the city takes now must be first approved by the court. cemetery.

Meanwhile, the city’s cemetery has been enlarged to 80 Another tornado swept through Shawnee’s downtown in acres and holds hundreds of Shawnee’s former citizens. Wan1970 with loss of life as well major damage to the town. And once again, Fairview Cemetery was in the path, and one of the dering through the well-kept grounds, one will see familiar names of those who had a part in making us who we are. S six fatalities was at a nearby trailer park. www.shawneeoutlook.com

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mental health

RED RIBBON WEEK

T

Fun Events Only Part Of Annual Drug-Free Campaign

BY DANIELLE MASON-RAINS

he last week of October is reserved each year for Red Ribbon Week.

Many people might remember Red Ribbon Week as a spirit week during elementary school, and while that is a fun part of it, there is so much more to it. The Mason-Rains history of the country’s oldest and largest drug prevention awareness campaign is actually rooted in tragedy.

In 1985, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique S. "Kiki" Camarena was killed by drug traffickers, and shortly after his death, citizens from his hometown of Calexico, California began wearing red ribbons to remember and commemorate his life. The first official Red Ribbon Week observation was created by the National Family Partnership in 1988, and NFP continues to annually coordinate the campaign for families, schools and communities across the nation. The red ribbon has grown to symbolize a commitment to reduce the effects of harmful substances in our communities.

Pottawatomie Alliance Toward Community Health (PATCH) invites the community to raise awareness about substance use and encourages parents, students, educators and community members to advocate for substance-free lifestyles. Red Ribbon Week runs during the last week of October each year, kicking off on Oct. 28 this year, and the theme for 2024 is “Life is a Movie, Film Drug Free.”

For the past few years, the PATCH coalition has encouraged not only schools but organizations and individuals to participate in Red Ribbon Week. Those interested can wear a red ribbon during the week or place a sign in their yard.

Other activities for the week include a spirit week for individuals and organizations to participate in.

The schedule for this year’s spirit week is as follows: • Monday, Oct. 28 - Crazy Socks Day • Tuesday, Oct. 29 - Peace Out to Drugs Day/Tie-Dye • Wednesday, Oct. 30 - Wear Red Day • Thursday, Oct. 31 - Superhero/Dress as your hero day/Halloween • Friday, Nov. 1 - Team Spirit Day At Gateway to Prevention and Recovery, we recognize that individuals suffering from substance use disorders deserve compassion and support on their journey to healing.

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As we raise awareness about the dangers of substance misuse during Red Ribbon Week, we also emphasize that recovery is possible and attainable. We believe in reducing stigma by treating everyone with dignity and care, providing a safe space where hope and recovery are always within reach.

If you or someone you know would like support on their recovery journey, do not hesitate to reach out to Gateway at (405) 273-1170 ext. 0 or send us a message through our Facebook page, Gateway to Prevention and Recovery, Inc. Our team is committed to helping individuals and families find the path to hope, healing and greater health. S Danielle Mason-Rains is the program director for the Drug Free Communities grant at Gateway to Prevention and Recovery. She has her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma. Outside of work, Danielle enjoys reading, running, spending time with her family and teaching group fitness classes.

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calendar Oct. 1-31: Gather or join your team and help the area Shawnee traverse the planet with Groove Around the Globe steps challenge through Nov. 1. The team with the highest number of steps, the team with the highest average steps and the individual with the highest number of individual steps will win grand prizes. Information: facebook.com/GrooveAroundtheGlobe2024

Oct. 12: The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art will host a monthly SWANshop art workshop from 9 a.m. to noon focusing on art and nature. These workshops will feature a monthly theme with this month’s participant exploring and expressing emotional well-being, creativity and sensuality of warmth, passion and joy in life. Information: mgmoa. org/swanshops

Oct. 5: The Citizen Potawatomi Nation House of Hope is hosting its annual Color Fun Run 5K to raise awareness for domestic violence starting at 9 a.m. at Raymond Peltier Park at 1702 S. Gordon Cooper Drive. Information: (405) 275-3176 or facebook.com/cpnhouseofhope

Oct. 12: Start the spooky ceremonies early with the NASWG Halloween Carnival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sac & Fox Multipurpose Center at 215 N Harrison, featuring a pumpkin painting contest, costume contest, cake walks, trick or treating, bounce houses, face painting, food and more.

Oct. 5: The Triple A Oklahoma City Baseball Club is partnering with Oklahoma Baptist University to host a free MLB Play Ball event from 10 a.m. to noon at Bobby Cox Field at Ford Park on campus at 901 W. 36th St. Kids can come have some fun learning and playing the game with students and athletes and have some fun with their friends. Information: okcbaseballclub.leagueapps.com/ events/4345877-playball-shawnee Oct. 5: St. Benedict Catholic Church is thrilled to announce the return of its beloved Fall Carnival. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever with an array of activities and attractions for all ages. The festivities will kick off with the much-anticipated Granny's Attic sale starting at 9 a.m. offering a variety of treasures and unique finds. Starting at 10 a.m., the carnival will come alive with kids' games, petting zoo, pony rides, inflatables, adult games, vendors, beer garden, live entertainment and a delicious assortment of food. Information: stbenedict.us Oct. 11-13: Travis Woodard's roping clinics provide a fantastic opportunity for individuals at all skill levels to enhance their roping abilities and horsemanship skills.

Whether you are just starting out or looking to refine your techniques, these clinics offer a comprehensive learning experience. Information: (405)-308-8634

Oct. 15: City leaders will share updates and future plans during Shawnee Insights & Visions: State of the City 2024 at 11:30 a.m. inside the Geiger Center on the Oklahoma Baptist University campus, aimed at providing an inside look at Shawnee’s progress and future vision.

Oct. 17: Bikes on Bell Bike Nights will start at 6 p.m. in downtown Shawnee in association with The Toolbox, Law Tigers and Bell Street Tattoo and will feature a monthly family-friendly gathering/celebration of motorcycle enthusiasts, riders and their friends and family with events, vendors, giveaways and charity fundraising, A portion of the proceeds will benefit Shawnee High School band boosters. Information: facebook.com/ToolboxLLC Oct. 17: The Third Thursday Poetry Reading will begin at 7 p.m. at the Lunch Box at 217 E. Main St. featuring Paul Juhasz, an Oklahoma City writer who likes to create prose poems. In “Ronin,” his range includes "Scar Stories," "The Problem With Inspiration" and his "Bucket List," where he reveals he's still searching for a wine that goes with Cap'n Crunch. As usual, the featured reading will be followed by an open mic session for attendees to read up to two poems of their own or from a favorite poet. The Lunch Box will open at 6 p.m. with desserts and drinks available. >

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calendar Oct. 19-20: Join the Community Art Gallery at its Spirits & Spells Halloween Festival starting at 10 a.m. inside and outside the Shawnee Mall for two days of fun free activities and vendors.

Information: (405) 432-7676 Oct. 19: Worrel’s Haven will host a Chili Cook Off Fundraiser starting at noon at Shawnee High School at 1001 N Kennedy to support the organization’s efforts to break the chains of addiction. Information: facebook.com/WorrelsHaven Oct. 19: The Historic Ritz Theater will host A Night of Metal featuring Neanderthal Jones, Dog Will Hunt and Apples of Eden at 8 p.m. at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee.com Oct. 24: The Community Market of Pottawatomie County is excited to host its annual Harvest Moon dinner from 6-9 p.m. at 120 S. Center St. This event is the market’s largest fundraiser and directly impacts the services they are able to provide to hungry families in communities in Pottawatomie, Seminole and Lincoln counties. It will be a night full of good food, great drinks and even better company. Information: ourcommunitymarket.org Oct. 26: Encounter PCG Shawnee Church’s Fall Festival will feature bounce houses, face painting, games, pulled pork meals for only $5, vendors and Mary Sue's Petting Zoo starting at 9 a.m. at 1102 N Center. Information: facebook.com/ EncounterPCGShawneeChurch Oct. 26: Scare up some pre-Halloween fun at Mummy Day at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1900 W. MacArthur. Information: mgmoa.org Oct. 26: FireLake Casino will host its annual Halloween costume contest for children at 3 p.m. and adults starting at 7 p.m. at 41207 Hardesty. Information: firelakecasino.com Oct. 26: Magicians John Shack and Solomon Strauss will perform their illusions as part of Haunting of the Ritz starting at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main. Information: ritzshawnee.com Oct. 31: Grab your candy cauldron and hit the streets for treats

during the official citywide trick or treat from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. throughout town.

Nov. 1: Redeemer Lutheran Church will host a free monthly movie night presented by for a fun night of fellowship, movie, pop and popcorn at 7 p.m. at 39307 MacArthur St. Parents and grandparents can enjoy a worry-free evening of movie entertainment while the kids watch an age-appropriate movie.

Information: facebook.com/redeemerlutheranshawnee Nov. 1: Songwriter Night @ Music Unlimited is back at 7 p.m. at 1109 W. Kickapoo Spur. Information: kevinhall8384@gmail.com Nov. 1: Tribute band Next Halen will pay homage to its legendary namesake rock band with a show starting at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main. Information: ritzshawnee.com Nov. 2: Local music shop The Guitar Vault will host a showcase of talented musicians starting at 7 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main. Information: ritzshawnee.com Nov. 3 : Locomotive Operators of Central Oklahoma will host its monthly public run 1-4 p.m. at 29626 Lake Drive in McLoud.

Ride the rails on powered ⅛-scale locomotives right outside of Shawnee Twin Lakes. Information: locotrains.org Nov. 7: The Bites & Books book club will meet at 6 p.m. at Speak8ery at 8 E Main St for dinner, drinks and discussion about a different book every month. Information: (405) 642-4889 Nov. 8: Comedian and social media personality Kevin “Officer” Eudy will bring his everyday observational humor from the beat to the stage with a show at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main. Information: ritzshawnee.com Nov. 9: The Fall Brawl 4 will take to the ring with amateur and professional boxing matches starting at noon at the FireLake Arena at 18145 Rangeline Road. Information: okcboxing.com If you know of any events you would like to see featured, email editor@shawneeoutlook.com. S

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NEW

HOURS

Monday – Thursday | 6 AM – 2 AM Friday & Saturday | Open 24 Hours Sunday | Open Until 2 AM