Shawnee Outlook

StoryWalk | Greenhouses Gone

RX

TAKE BACK DAY

APRIL 21

Vol. 18 Number 2

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CONTENTS

APRIL 2021

21

14

25 FEATURES 10

Greenhouses Gone From North Broadway Area For First Time In More Than A Century

Publisher

Okie Icon Media

Managing Editor

David Dinsmore

Advertising Sales

Brad Carter

Creative Direction

Kelsey Walker & Fawn Wilson-Olivarez

Cover Photo

Ed Bolt

Writers

Andrea Beck Jamie Bergsten David Dinsmore Brandon Dyer David Holland Ann McDonald Angela Rowland Carmen Wolf

Distribution

The Shawnee Outlook is delivered FREE by direct mail to 25,000 homes and businesses.

Contact Us

PO Box 1365 Shawnee, OK 74802 E-mail: info@shawneeoutlook.com

To Advertise, call Brad at (405) 445-3033.

DEPARTMENTS 6 KEEP THE CHANGE 6 NUTRITION 101

13

Over the Fence: Seen Any Good Shows?

14

Tecumseh Library Invites Visitors To StoryWalk Through Slick Humphrey Park

24 SONIC CONTEST

18

Agencies, Businesses Partner For National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

29 THE BRIGHT SPOT

21

Art of the Matter: Spring Birdhouse Collage

26

Prescription Drug Take Back Day Necessary After Year of Record Overdose Deaths

22 HELPING HANDS 25 SHAWNEE HISTORY 30 CALENDAR

Volume 18, Number 2 Shawnee Outlook is a publication of Okie Icon Media. © 2021 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

Furnish On A Budget

D

uring the past year, we’ve updated several rooms in our home, and I’m sure we’re not alone. These changes have prompted many searches for affordable furniture. Here’s what we did: • Shop used – Check Facebook Marketplace for local pick-up options. This is a great way to find affordable hand-me-downs. You can also check local thrift stores like Goodwill or Salvation Army and antique stores.

Just take a meander down Main Street or check out similar local shops.

• Shop local – Check local furniture shops. We found the inventory that included the same brands you’d find in OKC but for lower prices. Don’t forget that stores like TJ Maxx and Ross also have affordable options for smaller pieces and, while representing big chains, still employ local residents.

• Shop online – Amazon can be hit or miss. Some deals are great, but sometimes sellers have elevated prices and the quality can be questionable. Be sure to check reviews. And look for reviews that may appear to be paid or automated. I always start at the negative reviews and decide if the things that upset others are things that would bother me. We have found desks, bookcases, side chairs and even mattresses on Amazon. Other websites I hit for cheaper options are Wayfair and Overstock. These sites can also have some inflated prices, but they also have great deals. The furniture I’ve found has been of decent quality.

• Travel – I’ll admit, I’m an IKEA fan. Sometimes they are the only place I can find what I need at a price I can pay. In these instances, I find that the cost of gas can be outweighed by the savings I gain. You might find the same to be true of other out-of-town stores. Don’t be afraid of a little road trip.

If you’d like to read more about my frugal journey, scan the QR code to visit my blog on the topic!

Angela Rowland is an OBU graduate and a stay-at-home mother of four. She enjoys finding new ways to stretch the paycheck and even posts some of her favorite tips and deals on her blog (steadfaststeward.blogspot.com)

6

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NUTRITION 101

It Is Time To Get Out

T

he weather is nicer, and the sun is up longer in our day. For months we have been saying, “it is too cold to go outside and walk/run.”

Well, that is no longer the case on most days in April.

I am already loving this time of year to be able to be outside more. With the sun being up longer, there is time to even do my workout outside after work now. Whether you enjoy biking, walking, running, taking the dog for a walk or doing yard work, now is the time you get to start back to it.

You may need to get yourself motivated to get back to a routine. I find that getting a cardio routine down is mainly a mental game more than a physical one. Cardio can feel hard from the start. When you are out there trying and all you are feeling is how hard it is, remind yourself that this is a mental struggle. Find a good motivating quote that you can repeat to yourself while you are struggling to push through.

Music or a podcast can help you just zone out. Having a special playlist or someone you really enjoy listening to can help take your mind off your struggles. If using headphones while out on the street, though, I recommend just putting in one headphone so you can still hear people, dogs and cars coming your way.

Going out with a friend or with a pet can keep you company and also help you to feel extra safe. Having that extra motivation from your friend is crucial, and you end up relying on each other.

Different scenery can feel like you are out exploring and sightseeing. Choosing different locations to be outside makes it feel like it doesn’t get boring.

Get out there and enjoy the sunshine.

Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Sometimes, we all need that little bit of something sweet.

These are not your traditional cookies, but they sure hit that spot for me when I need something sweet. If you have anybody who is dairy free and/or gluten free, this would be a great treat for them. I enjoyed these leftovers as a breakfast cookie as well.

Ingredients: 3 ripe bananas 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats

¼ cup chopped nuts ¼ cup non dairy milk 1 cup dark chocolate chips 1 tsp vanilla 1 tsp cinnamon

Directions: Mash bananas in a bowl. Add remaining ingredients to the bowl and stir until well combined.

Put cookies in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.

Nutritional Information per serving: Makes: 18 cookies Calories: 126 Total Fat: 6g Saturated Fat: 2g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 7mg Carbohydrates: 19g Dietary Fiber: 2.5g Protein: 1.5g Nutrition 101: Even when something is made with healthier ingredients, we still have to watch our serving sizes. Portion control with all foods we eat is a big part of living healthy. You don’t have to take out food groups or follow extreme diets. Just eat real food but continue to pay attention to how much of it you are consuming. It can be helpful to read serving sizes on packaged food you are eating to make sure you aren’t eating multiple servings, even something as healthy as an apple. I wouldn’t want anyone sitting down and eating three apples at one time. So enjoy all real foods but continue to pay attention to your portions.

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 through an online class and nutrition services through SSM Health St. Anthony in Shawnee. For inquiries, you can contact her at Andrea.beck1@ ssmhealth.com or through her Facebook page, Nutrition and Exercise 101 with Andrea.

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Greenhouses Gone From North Broadway Area For First Time In More Than A Century

by Jamie Bergsten

S

ince the first greenhouse was built on North Broadway back in 1908, much has changed, but the beautiful work created by what became Grave Floral more than 50 years after their construction remains the same.

Bob and Pam Fincher, owners of the business since 1994, are also its historians.

“The builder and owner of the original greenhouse at this location are unknown,” Bob said, “Sam Jones bought it in 1919, eleven years after its construction, and it became Jones Floral Co. He was active in the business for many years, but in 1938 John and Lucy Graves bought into it, and the name switched to the Jones-Graves Floral Co. The name was changed to Graves Floral Co. when the Graves family purchased the entire business in the 1950s.”

Mr. and Mrs. Graves also operated a downtown storefront at 113 N. Bell until 1964 when they consolidated the two shops. After 40 years, the Graves sold the business to Bob and Sue Maynard, who in turn sold it to the Finchers.

Lately, locals may have noticed changes in the structural landscape near the business at 1525 N. Broadway in the past few months as the most recent iterations of the greenhouses have given way to two new homes being constructed just north of the flower shop. Though the buildings may not be part of the neighborhood, their utility began to wilt more than 20 years ago.

“The greenhouses onsite were closed around the year 2000,” Bob said. “The expenses far outweighed the profit of maintaining them. Prior to the early 1980s, all the cut flowers and flowering plants used here were grown on location.

“After that, blooming plants like mums and poinsettias were the only things grown in the greenhouses, because it was more cost effective to have the cut flowers flown in.”

Photos submitted

One surprise for regular passersby was the revelation of a remaining structure long hidden behind the greenhouses that served as a potting shed.

“That’s where the old boiler system was housed,” Bob explained. “The greenhouse maintainers would also sleep there to keep an eye on things overnight and keep the coal burning to maintain the temperature inside until temp alarms were installed.”

Pam’s experience with Graves Floral began nearly 20 years before Bob and she took over as

United Presbyterian Church

owners, and she now has nearly 50 years in the floral trade. She came to work at Graves Floral after attending Oklahoma State University’s then-new floraculture program. She learned design under Mr. and Mrs. Graves and became manager under the Maynards in 1989. She’s been an Oklahoma Master Florist for over 20 years and continues her education through Teleflora Design schools and shows. She serves as the shop’s wedding consultant and specializes in sympathy design.

“While subtlety is an art achieved, big and showy work is what I love,” Pam said. “I’ve also had the pleasure of designing for the Zoo Amphitheater for such artists as The Pretenders, Alison Krauss and Heart.”

The changes come amid a time that has been hard for most small businesses as the response to the coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll.

“Weddings stopped or were postponed, there were no proms, no big events and funerals were postponed or limited as well,” Bob said.

Just as the removal of the greenhouses from the area has marked a change in times from when the first structures went up more than a century ago, the Finchers are starting to see some changes from even this time last year.

“Now, things are beginning to resemble precovid days, and people are able to have weddings and memorial services,” Bob said. “We look forward to things getting back to a full normal with weddings and proms and all the big days in people’s lives.”

And even in the absence of the long-standing greenhouses, it doesn’t mean there will not be room for other innovative methods of community growth.

“Those can be replaced with hoop structures, but the colorful history of the shop can never be replaced,” Bob said.

Travis Alexander REALTOR

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NOTICE APRIL 2021 COVID-19 testing 5:30pm-6:30pm:  Tues., April 13th  Tues., April 27th ANTIBODY testing 5 :00pm - 6:00pm (LAHC only):  Thurs., April 1st  Thurs., April 15th  Thurs., April 29th

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Wear a mask Bring identification

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COVID-19 testing 5:30pm – 6:30pm  Wed., April 7th  Wed., April 21st For inquiries please call 405.695.1787. In the event of adverse weather, testing may not be conducted.

Follow the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Health System on Facebook or our website for updates asthealth.org.

Testing is open to the public.

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Over the Fence:

Seen Any Good Shows?

By Brandon Dyer, Executive Director of Community Renewal of Pottawatomie County

“H

ave you watched any good shows lately?”

How often do you hear this question? My answer is “often.”

I love hearing about a new TV show a friend is watching and giving it a try. Unfortunately, that show better nail its tryout with me, or I’m on to the next one. It’s true. I’m guilty of not giving a show enough time before I pull the ripcord and eject. Perhaps I need to be reminded not to judge a show by its first 5 minutes?

That was the case with a show my wife and I were recently watching. It’s sort of a “whodunnit” about a criminal profiler whose father – formerly a world renowned surgeon – happened to also be a convicted serial killer.

With each case in which detectives brought him in to profile a suspect, flashes from his past would surface, forcing him to work out his own childhood trauma in his troubled mind. I loved the premise, but the production quality and acting just weren’t cutting it for me. So, I half-heartedly watched alongside my wife throwing in an occasional eye roll while I scanned the interwebs for something else. I know.

Don’t judge me.

There was, however, one episode that caught my attention. The serial killer father was being interviewed for a news story. At the same time, a mentally unstable convict escaped, ran to the interview room and stabbed the cameraman. As he laid seriously wounded on the floor with paramedics unable to reach them, a decision had to be made. Would they let this man die, or would they risk handing the serial-killer-surgeon a scalpel in order to save this man’s life? They chose the latter, he performed a procedure and the cameraman survived. Now the show had me.

In just a few moments, the writers posed what was to me a very thought provoking question, albeit an extreme example.

Brandon Dyer

Do human beings still possess value after their transgressions?

As a general principle, I’d like to think that most people would answer yes. It’s a question about redemption after all, and none of us would be where we are if we hadn’t been afforded such opportunities along the way.

I have a fundamental, core belief that all human beings possess intrinsic value regardless of their utility or function in society regardless of who they are or what they have done. This is not the same as saying I get along with all people all the time or that every person

is safe. We all know that’s not true. This is not pie in the sky, rainbows and unicorns talk. It just means that everyone is worth it, and we would bring more value to our lives if we took the time to notice that same value in each other.

Certainly, there are extreme cases and unhealthy relationships which require a very real and different response. However, I am advocating for a way of being. A way of seeing each other equal as a collection. Imagine what sort of good we could create together if we chose to see the intrinsic value in each other first, before we recognized differences.

In the song “Invisible” by U2, there is a beautiful refrain sung over and over, especially in live versions.

“There is no them, there is no them,

there’s only us, there’s only us.”

As long as we see our neighbor as “them,” we can never love our neighbor as ourselves.

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Tecumseh Library Invites Visitors To StoryWalk Through Slick Humphrey Park

by David Dinsmore

T

hough created prior to the 2020 response to the coronavirus pandemic, the StoryWalk concept seems the perfect product of a year that saw the emphasis on outdoor activity and challenges for libraries to get their resources in front of the communities they serve.

The StoryWalk model incorporates stations featuring panels that can be used to display a book page by page installed in public spaces like a park to provide visitors the opportunity to learn something new or enjoy a new tale while getting some exercise at the same time.

The first StoryWalk was created in 2007 by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and was part of a collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in that state, and now that model is making its way through the Pioneer Library System, which installed the second StoryWalk in its territory at Slick Humphrey Park in Tecumseh.

The library worked with the City of Tecumseh to install the StoryWalk with panels running alongside the walking trails winding through the park, according to a Pioneer Library System press release. Walkers can move panel by panel through a book as they make their way through more than 20 stations. The StoryWalk begins at the west end of the parking lot near the splash pad, and each panel will give instructions or hold a one-page spread from a picture book.

The inaugural book displayed in the new StoryWalk is “We're Going on a Bear Hunt,” a 1989 children's picture book written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, but that doesn’t mean the appeal is limited to the youngest readers.

Soon after the StoryWalk’s opening, Tecumseh Public Library branch manager Beth Lyle received word from the family of 93-year-old Tecumseh resident Barbara Robinson, who visited Slick Humphrey Park to enjoy the new panels.

Library administrators are looking to change out the content in the StoryWalk panels every four to six weeks and are looking at material that covers topics like local nature, the importance of literacy, history of the city and other topics of interest to visitors.

“We were so impressed with all the options you could do with those panels,” said Beth Lyle, branch manager at the Tecumseh Public Library.

The StoryWalk followed a similar setup along new walking trails at Purcell City Lake in Purcell, according to the release, and more Pioneer 14

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Tecumseh resident Barbara Robinson, 93, enjoys reading a book panel by panel during a walk through Slick Humphrey Park, which features a new StoryWalk installed by the Pioneer Library System, Tecumseh Public Library and the city incorporating 20 stations throughout the park that house pages from a book or other educational materials for visitors who want to stroll through a learning journey.

Photo submitted

Library System communities are eyeing similar projects, including the one McLoud administrators are currently planning.

The library system hosted a ribbon cutting for the StoryWalk on March 12 with State Sen. Zack Taylor and State Rep. Dell Kerbs attending.

They presented an official proclamation from the state of Oklahoma to the library regarding the Story Walk.

The roots for the StoryWalk came from health literacy grant funds provided by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Lyle said. In the past, funds from these grants have helped provide programming at the library, such as a women’s health conference hosted in 2019.

With the shift to more virtual programs due to the response to the coronavirus pandemic, Lyle and her staff were looking for ways to use

those funds to help focus on projects to combine health and literacy. In fact, those emphases have helped inform the upcoming choices for the materials that will feature in the new panels of the StoryWalk.

“We really tried to focus on health topics,” Lyle said. “This is a great way to promote healthy living and literacy at the same time.”

Readers are encouraged to scan the QR code on the final panel and take a short survey to help Story Walk funders about their experience, and the library is also providing a little incentive for walkers to go the distance.

“Children who stop by the library afterward to let us know they have completed the Story Walk will receive a gift,” Lyle said.

Find out more about any of the services offered by the library by calling (405) 598-5955 or visiting pioneerlibrarysystem.org/tecumseh.

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Agencies, Businesses Partner For National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

by David Dinsmore

T

he response to the coronavirus pandemic did not put a stop to all other health and safety concerns, particularly the opioid epidemic affecting communities across the country.

Combating the rise of this crisis has garnered national efforts leading to events like the semi-annual Take Back Day led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which will occur 10:00 am2:00 pm on April 24 in communities around the country including Pottawatomie County. Though the event has a national focus, it is the involvement of people within individual communities that have the greatest impact in making sure events like this are successful.

Strategic Prevention Framework and Partnership for Success coordinator David Holland understands not only the importance of events like this due to his role with Gateway to Prevention & Recovery but also the willingness of people and organizations in this community to lend their time and resources to help.

“It makes me happy to see our community come together on such a large scale for this,” said J.R. Kidney, chief of the Tecumseh Police Department whose personnel will oversee security at one of the local Take Back Day locations.

Pottawatomie County will house four drop-off sites to make it easy for participants to bring any unused, unneeded prescription medications for destruction comprising: • SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital – Shawnee, 1102 W MacArthur St. in Shawnee • Walmart Pharmacy, 196 Shawnee Mall Drive in Shawnee • Ralph’s Pharmacy, 211 N Broadway St in Tecumseh • Kickapoo Tribal Health Center, 105365 S Hwy #102 in McLoud During the event, people can anonymously and easily bring any unused, unneeded prescription medications to these sites to drop off and await pick up by DEA representatives after the event. Local law enforcement agencies comprised of members of the Shawnee Police Department, Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office, Tecumseh Police Department and Kickapoo Tribal Police Department will be on hand to provide security for the drugs dropped at the locations, but they will not be present in any investigative role. Drugs can be dropped off with no questions asked.

“It’s important to safely dispose of unused medications, and we are happy to partner with Gateway to Prevention & Recovery to host this Take Back event on our campus,” said Angi Mohr, President of SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital – Shawnee.

Though willful abuse plays a factor, one of the 18

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Multiple private, law enforcement and public organizations worked together to host four sites in Pottawatomie County for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. on April 24.

Photo by Ed Bolt

major reasons behind proper drug disposal comes from keeping mistakes from happening within the home where unused prescription may be, said Sarah Becker, Native Connections grant coordinator with the behavioral health department of the Kickapoo Tribal Health Center in Mcloud.

“This is about protecting families,” said Becker, who added that it is easy for teens or other household members to take these medications accidentally or unaware of the strength of their effects.

“Prevention is important, and education needs to be universal.”

Those in her field try to make sure parents and caregivers understand the principles of safe storage and safe disposal of these medications, which are typically prescribed for the adults in a household but wind up used for various purposes by teenagers and children.

Kidney said his department has seen the “grave effects” of what can happen when a family member for whom the prescription was not intended takes them whether on purpose or not.

“When we respond to a call like that, we try to remove these substances if possible or at least encourage family members to do so,” said Kidney, whose department offers a year-round drop box in their lobby at 109 W. Washington St. where residents can leave unused prescriptions for proper disposal by the DEA. In fact, Holland said Gateway has helped es-

tablish year-round drop boxes throughout the area where residents can dispose of their prescription medications with no questions asked at the following locations: • Mcloud Pharmacy, 704 S. 8th St Suite B in McLoud • CVS Pharmacy, 4500 N. Kickapoo Ave in Shawnee • Shawnee Police Department, 16 W. 9th St in Shawnee • Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office, 325 N. Broadway Ave in Shawnee • Asher Police Department, 117 Main St in Asher • Maud Police Department, 208 W Main St in Maud • Earlsboro Police Department, 110 Lamar Ave in Earlsboro Seeing the agencies and people who have gotten involved in the Take Back events reflect the longterm partnerships formed within the community with Gateway, which encourages those working the prevention field full time, Holland said. He compared it to somebody who is trying to lose weight.

They can't see the changes happening on a day to day basis, but when they see someone they know every once in a while, that person points out how much of a difference they notice and reinforces the efforts taken.

When Gateway started organizing local Take

Back events a few years ago, they had one site at the Shawne Senior Center for a while, but then other organizations took notice and reached out to Holland about hosting a site. They received about 10-15 pounds of prescription drugs during the first three or four years, but at the latest event in October collection sites took back about 150 pounds. Holland said he would like to see that number double with the event on April 24.

Though the primary focus of Take Back events centers on addictive substances like painkillers, pharmacist Brenda Carlile said people should take care to dispose of all unused prescription medications to avoid the chance of self medication and the results. For instance, it’s easy for someone to get confused and accidentally begin taking two different blood pressure medications, which has health impacts beyond the concerns of addiction. Patients coming out of hospitals can sometimes receive prescriptions for a similar type of drug they already have at home and start “double dipping” without realizing it.

“Having a place for people to come get rid of those is a good thing,” said Carlile, who is the pharmacy manager at Walmart in Shawnee and has 24 years of experience as a pharmacist.

On the front end, Carlile said it is important for those in her field to educate patients to make sure they understand the importance of taking their medications only as prescribed and then disposing of them properly after they are no longer needed. The pharmacy at Walmart also offers a drop box for people wanting to dispose of their unused medications.

Some people think throwing these prescriptions away or flushing them suffices, but Becker said there are concerns that someone living with addiction can dig them out of the trash and there are environmental concerns with introducing these substances into water supplies.

“Just like it takes a village to raise a child, it takes an entire community to make a change,” Holland said. “We’ve got so many different people throughout the community partnering with us on this, and we’re very grateful for that.”

For more information about the statistics and details about the Take Back Day event, please see Holland’s article in this issue of Shawnee Outlook and visit deatakeback.com.

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Art of the Matter:

Spring Birdhouse Collage S

pring has sprung! Are you as excited for the beautiful weather as I am? I’m already seeing birds returning from their migratory journeys, plants poking up through the soil, and buds on trees just waiting to explode into leaves. After a long winter this thrills me! This month we are going to embrace spring and explore and expand our creative talents.

Our project this month is to create birdhouse collages for all the beautiful birds that are returning.

Birds have been an important part of art for centuries. Birds have been used in art to signify peace, knowledge, immortality, freedom and spirituality.

Birds are important in art in many different cultures. The phoenix and heron are used in Asian cultures. The Ho-o-do is a temple in Japan meant to look like a phoenix landing on the water. It also has phoenix statues on the roof. In Japanese culture the heron represents longevity, good luck, and divinity.

The goldfinch is used in many religious paintings in Western Europe to represent resurrection. There is a legend that the red on top of its head comes from the blood from Christ's crown of thorns. The goldfinch also eats thistles and thorns which again connects it to Christ’s crown of thorns.

I challenge you to take a tour through the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art permanent gallery and find as many birds and birdhouses as you can. Sometimes they are sneaky and show up in unusual places, so keep your eyes open!

When some birds make a nest, they become scavengers and they use all kinds of materials to create their home. We are going to do the same.

First, we have to gather our supplies.

Some possible materials could be old magazines, junk mail, wrapping pa-

per, tissue paper, bubble wrap, cotton balls, paper bags, feathers, etc. Be creative, just make sure to check with your parents before cutting up magazines or mail. Don’t forget colored pencils, paint, markers or crayons, and the glue.

Once you have your supplies we’ll start on the bird house. Take the paper you want to use for the bird house and fold it in half vertically. Draw half of your bird house on the fold and then cut it out. It can be a square, a rectangle, a polygon, any shape you want that can be mirrored. When you unfold it, you will have the body of the bird house.

Don’t forget to cut out a hole so the bird can get in and out! I used construction paper and bubble wrap for one of my bird houses.

Next, we are going to make the roof. You can be as creative as you want, it doesn’t have to have straight lines and look like a typical bird house. Again, we start with a piece of paper folded vertically. Draw the mirrored profile of your roof and then cut it out. When you are done, open it up and see how the body and roof fit together. You can add a piece or two to go in between if you want.

Now let’s think about the background. Do you want your birdhouse

by Carmen Wolf, Board Member of Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art

to be on white paper, colored paper, strips of tissue paper, or do you want to paint the sky and grass? Maybe you want to paint swirls like a van Gogh painting. Again, there are no limits so be creative!

Once the background is complete and dry, it’s time to start assembling. Place your bird house and roof on the background and decide where you want it. Does it look lonely all by itself? Maybe you want to add a bird or two, some plants, or even clouds in the sky.

After you have all the pieces ready it’s time to glue. Start with the pieces that will be covered by other pieces, the bottom layer. Then keep adding the layers until you are happy with your creation. Set it aside so glue can dry. Wow! You created a masterpiece!

But wait, we’re not done yet.

Now let’s use another part or our imagination. Pretend you are perched on top of your bird house looking around. What do you see?

Where is your bird house located?

Are there other animals around?

Maybe some people? Create a story about you as a bird returning to your new bird house and include it with your artwork. Be sure to take photos of your work and share on social media using hashtag #MGMOAart. I can’t wait to see your beautiful artwork!

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

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HELPING HANDS

Local Organizations Respond To COVID-19 Pandemic Local businesses and organizations have not only found creative ways to operate while navigating the response to the coronavirus pandemic, and many have also found ways to give back and lend a helping hand to their neighbors in the community.

Here are a few some people told us about and some others who are still offering any assistance they can.

If you are part of a group or know of a group who has been working to help locally, please email editor@shawneeoutlook.com or contact us via facebook.com/shawneeoutlook.

Salvation Army The Salvation Army is still providing all social services – including vouchers to its Family Store for clothing items – along with food pantry, shelter services and Boys & Girls Club activities. For more information about details about the Salvation Army’s local response to the public health crisis, call (405) 275-2243. Those needing emotional or spiritual help can also reach out to (844) 458-4673.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church/United Presbyterian Church Throughout the pandemic crisis, Emmanuel Episcopal Church has continued its daily lunch program. Hearing that patron numbers were increasing and that some supplies were becoming more difficult to obtain, United Presbyterian's Session decided to contribute to Emmanuel's efforts.

In November, the Session of United Presbyterian Church of Shawnee voted to contribute $5,000 to Mission Shawnee to support their food pantry and

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any special food baskets prepared for the holiday season.

OHCE Oklahoma Home and Community Education chapters around the state responded to the call for masks as soon as the need became apparent.

From mid-March through early June, OHCE groups worked together to produce 42,000 masks, including 2,500 from chapters in Pottawatomie County.

These masks have gone to several medical facilities, firefighters and military personnel as well as many family and friends.

Those who would like to help OHCE’s efforts with community projects such as this and others including assisting women’s shelters, church organizations and more, contact the county OSU Extension Office at (405) 273-7683.

Gateway to Prevention and Recovery Any community member can contact our Shawnee office at 273-1170 ext. 0 Monday-Thursday, between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m.-3p.m. and speak to a behavioral health professional free of charge.

Community Renewal Community Renewal is providing a list of resources that it updates every weekday. Visit communityrenewal.org to find a link to its resource page.

Immanuel Baptist Church Visit ibcshawnee.org/serve-coronavirus or call (405) 273-2105 for opportunities to serve, such as:

From staff reports

• Signing up to deliver groceries, prescriptions, DVDs and other essentials to those in need.

• Sew face masks for health care providers.

• Make care packages for health care providers.

• Providing free to-go meals from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. every Thursday at Mission Shawnee at 126 S. Center St.

Shawnee Forward The organization is gathering and posting information for local businesses to help understand the impact of the current crisis and where they can find help. Visit shawneeforward.com.

United Way United Way Worldwide is operating its COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund and has already helped provide resources for local organizations providing relief to families. Visit unitedway.org/recovery/covid19 for more information.

Oklahoma Blood Institute Blood donation typically takes only about an hour, and one donation saves up to three lives. Appointments can be made by calling 1-877-340-8777 or clicking here or visiting a donor center listed below: • Ada – 1930 Stonecipher Blvd.

• Central OKC – 901 N. Lincoln Blvd.

• Edmond – 3409 S. Broadway, Ste 300 • North OKC – 5105 N. Portland Ave. Please be aware of and observe all local distancing guidelines and social restrictions when deciding how to donate.

Protect your family.

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SHAWNEE HISTORY

By Ann McDonald, Courtesy Pott Co Historical Society Member

Shawnee Weathered Great Depression But Saw Little 'Dust Bowl' Effect From Drought

T

he decade of the 1930s was a dismal economic time in the U.S. usually referred to as “The Depression” and the “Dirty Thirties.”

Those days began in October 1929 with the stock market crash. At first, that event didn’t affect Shawnee as much as other parts of the country, but the drought in addition to the Rock Island railroad strike and its eventual closing did.

While Pottawatomie County escaped the dust problems of the state’s northwestern plains, local citizens didn’t escape the decade’s tough times.

Shawnee banks failed, jobs disappeared, drought shriveled crops, farmers lost the markets for their produce and the rains didn’t come.

Farmers struggled and some couldn’t keep up payment to the bankers who had loaned the money for seed and equipment. Foreclosures followed. Some businesses had shut their doors when residents could no longer pay their bills.

They were tough times, but local folks were better off than their neighbors in the northwest corner of the state.

On Sunday, April 14, 1935, Shawnee got a better understanding of what their far west neighbors were enduring. They had heard of the dust storms out in the Texas panhandle, southeast Colorado, southwest Kansas and the northwestern corner of Oklahoma brought on by mismanagement of cultivation coupled with the severe drought. The prairie was literally blowing away, but Shawnee and the eastern three quarters of the state had not been affected the same way. The state was basically divided by what was known from what early explorers called the Cross Timbers. The eastern part of the state was forested, and the soil content was different.

But on Sunday, April 14, 1935, the dust storm was so bad that much of the country felt the effects. The winds picked up the dirt in the Dust Bowl described in most accounts as the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles. Before long, much of the entire state was under the dirt cloud, including Pottawatomie County.

Shawnee residents experienced a dusting, and some reported staying in their houses and shutting windows. One report told of the workers in City Hospital hanging wet sheets over their windows to protect their patients.

The Tuesday, April 16, 1935, edition of Shawnee Morning News made no mention of “Black Sunday” only two days after the dust storm event from the plains near the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma that had effects as far as the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico.

Photo submitted

While Pottawatomie County wasn’t part of the famous Dust Bowl, citizens then felt compassion for their western neighbors who endured such an event many times, and it wasn’t only the country’s midsection that experienced the worst day of the dust storms. There were reports of the dust up in the atmosphere falling on the decks of ships in the Gulf of Mexico, and some wrote of seeing signs of dust on buildings as far away as Washington D.C. and New York.

It was such a light touch in Shawnee that the local newspaper didn’t even mention the event.

The headlines in the local paper on the Tuesday after what was later called “Black Sunday” featured the opening day of Major League Baseball and an upcoming cooking school. One article told of the “Terrible Dust Storm” in Cimarron County, and two days later there was a small story about state lawmakers approving funding for the “dust harassed farmers” in the panhandle.

Fortunately for Shawnee and the area, citizens were spared the harassment of the dust storms but not the Great Depression. In the

midst of the trials of the 1930s, the federal government came to the rescue with their programs.

People were put to work and companies got contracts to build. First on the list was Jefferson School. When a tornado swept through the north side of town eight years earlier, the school had suffered damage. Debris on the top floor was cleared away, and school continued in the four remaining classrooms. Then in 1932, Jefferson became the first structure built in Oklahoma by one of the government programs. Shawnee then gained more schools, the county courthouse, Municipal Auditorium, sidewalks, swimming pool, the lake and pump station and other work to help the town through the dark days.

Despite movies and books that depicted Oklahoma, and “Okies,” in a different light – and Shawnee didn’t escape the sad decade – it wasn’t as some would report. The Dust Bowl was real, but locally the drought, the shutdown of the Rock Island shops and the closing of banks were the problems. And Shawnee survived the Great Depression. www.shawneeoutlook.com

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GATEWAY TO PREVENTION

Prescription Drug Take Back Day Necessary After Year of Record Overdose Deaths

I

n 2019, nearly 50,000 people in the United States died from opioid-involved overdoses. The misuse of and addiction to opioids – including prescription pain relievers, heroin and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl – is a serious national crisis that affects public health as well as social and economic welfare.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the total "economic burden" of prescription opioid misuse alone in the United States is $78.5 billion a year, including the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment and criminal justice involvement. Nationwide efforts to reduce the amount of overdoses by opioids over the past five years had seen very positive efforts; however, overdose deaths have risen since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The CDC reported the following data from May 2019 through May 2020: • A health alert was issued in December indicating a significant increase in overdose deaths from May 2019 through May 2020, including concerning trends during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 81,230 people in the United States died of a drug overdose in just one year (May 2019-May 2020).

• This is the largest number of drug overdoses on record in the United States within a one year period and an 18 percent increase in deaths from the previous year.

• The increase in drug overdose deaths appeared to begin prior to the COVID-19 health emergency, but accelerated significantly during the first months of the pandemic.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has played a very important part of battling the opioid crisis. In 2010, they created an initiative called the “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day” that takes place nationwide. This event occurs the last Saturday in April and the last Saturday in October each year. Here are some amazing statistics reported from the last take back event in October 2020: • DEA collected a record amount at its last Take Back Day, making it the largest collection since the program began in 2010.

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• With 4,153 law enforcement participants at 4,587 collection sites, the event brought in a total weight of 985,392 pounds (492.7 tons).

• This brings the total weight to 13,684,848 pounds – more than 6,842 tons – of prescription drugs collected in the history of the program.

April 2021 marks the 20th Take Back Day event in the history of the ten-year initiative. Gateway to Prevention and Recovery, along with many other community and law enforcement partners, will be a part of this initiative, hosting several sites throughout Pottawatomie County. Here are some important things you need to know: • Information for DEA’s spring National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is available at www. deatakeback.com.

• The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications.

• The initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse.

• Collection sites will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in order to maintain the safety of all participants and local law enforcement.

• Given the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, DEA wants to ensure that the public is aware of other ways they can dispose of unwanted prescription drugs without having to leave their homes. More information is available at www.deatakeback.com.

• Every day can be Take Back Day. In addition to DEA’s official National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, prescription drugs can be disposed of at any of the 11,000 authorized collectors at any time throughout the year. For sites, visit: https://apps2.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s1.

• DEA also encourages the public to reach out to their local law enforcement to find out if they

have any permanent drug disposal locations throughout their local community.

• Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

• Helping people to dispose of potentially harmful prescription drugs is just one way DEA is working to reduce the addiction rates and overdose deaths plaguing this country due to controlled prescription medications.

• DEA will continue to accept vaping devices and cartridges at any of its drop off locations, as long as the lithium batteries are removed. DEA is doing all it can to help dispose safely of vaping devices and liquids to get these products off our streets and out of the hands of children.

• DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, sealed liquids and other solid forms. Intravenous solutions, syringes and other sharps and illegal drugs will not be accepted.

• This service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Do your part by properly disposing of any expired or unused medications. Visit www.dea.gov or www. gatewaytoprevention.org for questions about prescription medications.

David Holland is the PFS Coordinator for Gateway to Prevention. He is also the pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Shawnee. He has been married to his wife, Connie, for 29 years. He has three children – Trevor, Maddie and Traye – and a son-in-law, Corey, who is married to Maddie. He has two grandkids – Jaxon, 19 months, and Taya, 2 months.

He loves the Lord and his family. He loves being back where he grew up and helping make a positive change in the community.

Vintage • Antique • Wood Crafted • Metal Art Glass Art • Artisan Foods • Boutiques • Repurposed Junk • Beautifully hand crafted, unique items

APRIL 23-24, 2021 9 AM to 4 PM

16505 COKER ROAD, BETHEL ACRES Food vendors on site. $3 admission (10 and under free)

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The Stories of Shawnee.

New Comic Co nvention Sw oops into Sh awnee!

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THE BRIGHT SPOT

No greater love you know than love from him.

Amid the bad news and Set Worthy Goals

By Kay Vance bickering out there, sometimes Because on the third day Christ arose, it’s nice to read a little You know we all like to. Setting goals is part of HOPE And on the third day the stone had been rolled, The price was paid on Calvary's cross, encouragement. The Bright – hoping and wishing. Never, never give up on Hope; With the blood of the Lamb to save all the Lost, no, not for a minute.

No matter the number of failures.

Spot is a space to share some The Savior lives; yes, Jesus saves, Life itself is a precious gift from God. Even if our goal is inspiration or reassurance He proved he was God's own on the third day. never caught, if we try, we build endurance. with the community through Beware of discouraging words Remember, Satan is poetry or prose. If you have an the accuser. Don't let negative words find a corner to Ode to Ashley

By Kay Vance idea or something to brighten hide. They will only torment your mind.

We must choose to live on the Sunny Side. Choose the someone’s day, submit it to When four young boys are all grown up, with homes good; reject the wrong. You won't regret it. Go forward. editor@shawneeoutlook.com. and families of their own (God willing), they will remiIf you do glance back now and then, only see the bless-

About Being Happy

By Kay Vance

A few abbreviated song lyrics credited to Roger Miller: "Ya can't roller skate in a Buffalo herd (repeat X 2) But you can be happy if you've a mind to.

Well, ya can't go a'swimmin' in a baseball pool...

Ya can't go fishin’ in a watermelon patch, But you can be happy if you've a mind to.

All ya gotta do is put your mind to it – Knuckle down, buckle down, do it, do it, do it.”

Now I'm thinking, this is fun...

Ya can't grow a garden and not get in dirt.

Ya can't clean your thoughts by washing your hands.

Ya can't pig-out and still lose fat.

But you can be happy if you've a mind to.

Ya can't wash dishes in a puddle of mud.

Ya can't go to church by watching TV Ya can't cling to idols and still be free.

But you can be happy if you've a mind to.

Ya can't shake hands with an elbow bump.

Ya can't speak freely with a mask on your face.

Ya can't rule the world, 'cause that's God's place!

But you can be happy if you've a mind to.

Now you might sing a few of your own.

All you gotta do is put your mind to it.

So knuckle down, buckle down, do it, just do it.

Let's start being happy!

Jesus put it like this: "Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world."

ings. As time goes by, even tribulations are revealed as blessings. May all our goals be worthy.

The Third Day

By Sheila Hughes

He was hunted down and captured for a crime, He was guilty only for his love divine, Sentenced then to hang upon a cross and die, And there the sweet Messiah gave his life But on the third day Christ arose, On the third day the stone had been rolled, And the price was paid on calvary's cross, With the blood of the Lamb to save all the Lost.

The savior lives; yes, Jesus saves, He proved he was God own on the third day, And as he hung by rusty nails for me and you, He cried forgive them for they know not what they do.

With his dying breath he said it is through, That's because of what the mighty savior knew, Yes, on the third day Christ arose, Yes, on the third day the stone had been rolled.

He knew our price was paid on Calvary's cross With the blood of the Lamb to save all the Lost The Savior lives; yes, Jesus saves, He proved he was God's own on the third day.

He's waiting for you to confess your sin, Ask forgiveness and into your heart ask him in, In Jesus you will find a faithful friend,

nisce with children of their own, about their mother, well-remembered: "She was our angel, our star, our caretaker, our teacher. She was precious as no other can be."

They will not remember her selfless sacrifice, tribulations, her exhausting work load, her pioneer spirit. They will remember the many good memories made with the family, and do their best to pass along that heritage to their descendants.

So have a Happy Special Day, Dear, and know that your rewards are too great to be measured!

Victory Has My Name

By Sheila Hughes

The joy of the Lord gives me strength, To fight and the power, yes, to stand, Resting in Jesus's finished work, I am who he says I am.

Victory already has my name, Scripture, my heavy artillery, I say to the mountain move, The mind of Christ is me.

I find everything inside God’s word, Find your tools and answers there, Our common ground is a need for God, How sweet is the power within prayer.

The joy of the Lord gives me strength, To fight and the power, yes, to stand, Resting in Jesus's finished work, I am who he says I am.

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CALENDAR

April/May Events Don’t let weed distract you from your team, your club, class, or anything else...

If you’re caught using marijuana, it can seriously impact you at school. You can be kicked off sports teams and banned from extracurricular activities...you can be suspended or expelled.

School is already stressful enough on its own, so to avoid losing things you love, don’t use marijuana in the first place.

Breathe easier and cleaner...

Like smoking cigarettes, smoking weed and secondhand smoke from weed can irritate your lungs and make it harder to breathe. Heavy marijuana smokers can have a cough or wheeze even when they aren’t using. Vape products can contain nicotine, marijuana (THC or CBD), or other substances like flavoring agents or additional chemicals.

While vaping products have grown in popularity, we have seen outbreaks of lung illnesses linked to vaping.

Don’t lose the trust of family and friends...

If you get caught with weed, you can lose your parents’ trust and the freedoms you worked hard to earn. Your friends could also feel disappointed or uncomfortable if they find out you’re using marijuana.

For more information about youth substance abuse prevention and/or treatment, please call 405-275-3391 or email aflood@gatewaytoprevention.org

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

is conducted outside in a wooded area. Safe practices will be in place. Registration deadline is April 19. Text or call (405) 651-2324 for information.

April 16: Safe Events for Families has planned the 2021 Redbud Festival: A Night on the Bricks starting at 6 p.m. on Main Street near the intersection with Philadelphia in front of the Shawnee Public Library. The free community meal event will be served from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with Blackwater Smoke entertaining attendees from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Information: facebook.com/SEFFShawnee

April 24-30: Oklahoma Baptist University’s College of Fine Arts will present a week of spring concerts featuring a wide variety of vocal and instrumental selections to please any ear. The Bisonette Glee Club will perform its spring concert at 7:30 p.m. on April 24. The Bison Glee Club will perform at 7:30 p.m. on April 26. The University Chorale Concert will sound off at 7:30 p.m. on April 27. The Symphonic Winds Concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. on April 29. The OBU Bison Jazz Orchestra will wrap up the musical week with a concert at 7:30 p.m. on April 30.

The events are free and require reservations. For reservation and location information: okbu.edu/ fine-arts/events.html.

April 16: The Arts@317 will host its first Block pARTy event of 2021 with a book signing by Kathy Spurgeon from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event will feature on “Fremont’s Promise,” which is the third in her series. The event will occur at 317 E. Main St. April 20: The OBU/Shawnee Community Orchestra is a collaborative ensemble of Oklahoma Baptist University students, faculty and alumni as well as musicians from Shawnee and the surrounding areas under the leadership of Teresa Purcell-Giles, OBU’s assistant professor of music and director of bands. They will be performing a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Information: okbu.edu/ fine-arts/events.html April 23: Five-time Grammy nominated Christian music artist Matthew West will bring a special acoustic set of his Truth Be Told tour to the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center at 7:30 p.m.

In addition to his own No. 1 hit, “The God Who Stays,” West has more than 130 songwriting credits to his name with collaborations with artists like Rascal Flatts, Scotty McCreery, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Mandisa, Danny Gokey, Casting Crown, Jeremy Camp and more. Information: shawneeexpo.org.

April 23-24: Market on the Meadows is an outdoor shopping event with a large variety of vendors offering a wide range of handcrafted wares and unique items. The event happens each day 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 16505 Coker Road. There is $3 admission with ages 10 and under free.

April 24: A Dutch oven workshop will take place 10 a.m.-4 p.m. west of Prague. The workshop will include hands-on instruction. Learn differences in Dutch ovens and method in controlling temperature with both charcoal and with wood. Attendees will cook an array of recipes, which all will share in a meal. Booklets of recipes and instructions covered will be given as well as workshop prizes. Equipment is furnished. Cost is $50 per person. Limit 15 participants. Workshop

April 30-May 2: Oklahoma Baptist University Theatre will present “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” at 7:30 p.m. on April 30-May 1 and 2:30 p.m. on May 1-2. The play adapted by Dwayne Hartford from the book by Kate DiCamillo follows Edward Tulane, a toy rabbit made of china, who gets unwillingly tossed into a journey that teaches him what it is to love, the sorrow of losing that love and how to find the courage to love again. This music-filled play for children and youth is very adult-friendly and is best suited for children ages 6 and above.

May 1: The Sober Sports Volleyball Tournament will serve up its second annual event 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Bridge facility on the First Baptist Church campus at 120 Reid St. in Seminole. The event is presented by Gateway to Prevention and Recovery supporting Sober Sports, which is a group led by people in recovery for people in recovery who love getting together to have fun and compete in a safe and healthy environment. Information: (405) 273-1170.

May 1: Country singer-songwriter Chris Janson will perform at FireLake Arena with special guest Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights.

Doors open at 6 p.m. at 18145 Old Rangeline Road. Information: firelakearena.com May 1: KISS tribute band Dressed to Kill will bring Detroit Rock City to the Ritz of Shawnee theater at 7 p.m. at 10 W Main St. Information: facebook.com/theritzofshawnee.

May 2: The Oklahoma Baptist University Music Preparatory Department Choirs will present a spring concert at 3 p.m. in Yarborough Auditorium of Raley Chapel on the OBU campus. Information: fine.arts@okbu.edu.

Now Hiring: Know someone right for the Job? Police officer Lifeguard – Part Time (Seasonal) Head Lifeguard – Part Time (Seasonal) Attendant – Part time (Seasonal) Aquatics Supervisor – Part Time (Seasonal) Aquatics Instructor – Part Time (Seasonal) Head Attendant – Part Time (Seasonal) Software Support Specialist Lube and Tire Technician Financial Accountant Grants Administrator / Program Manager Billing Clerk / Customer Service Clerk II

Apply Today at www.bit.ly/ShawneeOKJobs

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FREE PLAY FRENZY

RING IN THE

EARN 40 POINTS

2 PM - 8 PM AND GET $10 FREE PLAY

Tuesday-Wednesday

EARN 50 POINTS

Thursday-Sunday 10 AM-10 PM for your chance to win Drawing takes place

Every Saturday at 11 PM Courtesy of

TAX RETURN CHECK CASHING CASH YOUR TAX RETURN CHECK AT FIRELAKE CASINO AND RECEIVE $10 BONUS PLAY. Offer expires May 31, 2021.

Must have valid OK ID and address.

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Earn double entries every Sunday 10 AM-10 PM

$200 Hot Seat Saturdays 6 PM-10 PM Must be a Hot Rewards Club member. Must be present and wagered on the day of the drawing. 18+ to enter. Valid ID required. FireLake Casino reserves the right to cancel or change a promotion without advance notice.

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SUNDAY-FRIDAY 3 PM - 8 PM $1 Draft Beer $2 Margaritas

SATURDAY

9 PM - MIDNIGHT $1 Draft Beer $2 Margaritas