Shawnee Outlook

Cops N Kids | Uncanny Expo

THE

Bari AUGUST 21 Vol. 18 Number 6

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CONTENTS

AUGUST 2021

9 21 10

Publisher

Okie Icon Media

Managing Editor

David Dinsmore

Advertising Sales

Brad Carter

Creative Direction

Kelsey Walker & Fawn Wilson-Olivarez

Writers

Andrea Beck Troy Becker David Dinsmore Amber DuBoise-Shepherd Brandon Dyer Ann McDonald Angela Rowland

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.

FEATURES 9

Cops N Kids On The Beat Again Aug. 28

10

Art of the Matter: Narratives – Telling Stories Through Art

13

Over The Fence: If Lost In The Woods, Do The Next Right Thing

14

Moai Group Helped Shawnee Resident Face Drastic Life Changes During Last 18 Months

18

Student Jazz Saxophonist Wins National Competition

21

Uncanny Expo Expands To Grand Casino Hotel, Event Center For Third Annual Con

26

Recognizing Signs of Gambling Addiction

29

Mabee-Gerrer’s Free Exhibit Showcases Relevant Satire By 19th Century French Artist

DEPARTMENTS 6 KEEP THE CHANGE 6 NUTRITION 101 24 SONIC CONTEST 25 SHAWNEE HISTORY 30 CALENDAR

Volume 18, Number 6 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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5

KEEP THE CHANGE

Bon Voyage!

L

ooking to get away? If you’re not tied to school schedules, it’s a great time to make a plan. September and early October are a few of the cheapest times to travel as families with school-age travelers are settling in for the school year. If you’re looking for more than a day trip, here are some tips for the penny-pinching traveler: • Take advantage of your perks. If you have a membership to Sam’s or Costco, you can save on car rentals, theme parks and local attractions to many popular destinations. You may also be able to find deals or special cash back offers through your credit card company. Think of all the cards in your wallet that may give you a leg up on your travel plans.

• Check discount sites. There are plenty of discount travel sites on the internet, all with comparable services. Kayak.com, Expedia.com, Hotwire.com and Travelocity.com are the first to come to mind.

They’re all good places to start.

• Check company websites directly. Discount sites can be helpful, but not all travel companies are represented. For instance, airlines like JetBlue and Southwest only post prices on their own sites. There may be smaller, cheaper airlines flying to your destination. It can take a bit to Google for the right airline to meet your needs, but it could save hundreds.

• Fly out of a different city. OKC is close but flying out of bigger cities can give you more options. If you don’t mind a small drive, flying out of Dallas directly might help your budget.

• Pack light. Check with your chosen airline on luggage restrictions – packing too much could add a lot of hidden costs to your flight.

Wherever your journey takes you, do your homework first, and then have a great time.

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)

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NUTRITION 101

Weighing In On Essential Fats

F

ats. Are they good, or are they bad? If you eat fat – are you going to be fat?

Fat is one of those many nutrition topics that has changed over the years. Low-fat diets were part of one of the past trendy diets. After further research, we found that we actually need some fats. Fats carry your vitamins A, D, E and K that we need.

It is true, however, that we need more of the ‘good’ fats and less of the ‘bad’ fats. This month, I am going to focus on making sure we are getting in enough of the good.

Your body can produce most of the fats it needs except for two – omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These two fats are called essential fats because you need to eat them to get them.

Here are nine ways to get them in: 1. Leafy greens actually have essential fats 2. Fish like salmon, sardines, anchovies, mackerel and trout are great choices 3. When choosing beef, choose grass-fed 4. Hemp, flax and chia seeds are great seeds to add into oatmeal or smoothies 5. If able to choose wild caught game, you will get animal protein with more nutrients 6. Flax and hemp seed oils are great oils to use cold on dishes like salads 7. Seek out your local farmer to get pastured and free range eggs and poultry 8. Add walnuts and pumpkin seeds to your next trail mix or homemade granola bar 9. Steer clear of refined oils such as vegetable, soybean, canola and safflower. For high heat cooking, use small amounts of coconut, ghee or grass-fed butter.

The following recipe is a great way to add in a good source of essential fats.

Chia Seed Pudding I have been wanting to play around with chia pudding for a while, and I finally got brave enough to give it a try. I have seen a lot of options for this recipe and wanted to start with blueberries. You could try this with mangos, peaches or any other fruit. You could also serve this as a dessert or for a quick breakfast.

Ingredients: 1 cup frozen blueberries 1 ½ cups unsweetened non1/3 cup + 2 tsp chia seeds dairy milk 2 Tbsp maple syrup Directions: The night before serving, place frozen fruit and nondairy milk in a blender and blend. Add the mixture to a container with a lid. Mix the chia seeds in with a whisk or fork so that the chia seeds are evenly distributed and don’t clump together. Stir in maple syrup. Set the chia pudding in the fridge in an airtight container to thicken overnight. Serve in the morning and top with optional fresh fruit.

Makes: 2 servings Nutritional Information per Serving:

Calories: 280 Total Fat: 10g Saturated Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 133mg Total Carbohydrates: 38g Dietary Fiber: 16g Protein: 10g Nutrition 101 Tip: As mentioned above, adding in essential fats can be very beneficial for your health. Chia seeds are a great and easy way to add those fats in. Chia seeds can be put on top of toast with almond butter or added to a smoothie or mixed into oatmeal. Adding chia seeds to something simple doesn’t take a lot of preparation, so you aren’t adding more time to your food prep.

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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NOTICE AUG.-SEPT. 2021 AFTERHOURS COVID-19 & ANTIBODY TESTING & VACCINE CLINIC LITTLE AXE HEALTH CENTER For Your Visit, Please...

LITTLE AXE For Your Visit…

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•

• Wear a mask (no cloth masks Testing5:30pm-6:30pm: • Bring identification TESTING NOTICE 1,permitted).

2020 th, Aug. 19th, SEPT 5:30pm - 6:30pm Thursday, Aug. 5EFFECTIVE • All clinics areidentification. open • Bring Thursday, Augustrd5 to the public, walk-in th • All clinics are open Sept.

9 , Sept.

23 19 Thursday, August only, no toappointment the public, walkThursday, September 9 needed. in only, no Thursday, September 23 ANTIBODY testing-5 pm-6pm (LAFor Antibody appointment Testing...

ANTIBODY TESTING th • Be prepared to have needed. only): Thursday, Aug. 26 , Sept.

5:00pm - 6:00pm (LA only) blood drawn 30thThursday, August 26  •Wear a mask Antibody ThisFor type of testing Thursday, September COVID-19 testing 30 held

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3rd Tuesday on the 1st &5pm-7pm: VACCINATIONS • Vaccinationsfrom 5:30 pm-7:30 pm 5:00pm - 7:00pm Thursday, Aug. 5th,5Aug. 12th, Thursday, August ANTIBODY testing held9th, Thursday, August Aug. 19th, Aug. 26th12 , Sept. st & 3rd 19 Thursday, T hursday on the rd 1 August Sept.

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SHAWNEE CLINIC SHAWNEE CLINIC 405.878.5850 405.878.5850

COVID-19 testing held TESTING nd & 4th Wednesday on 2 • Testing5 :-36:30pm 0 pm-6:30pm: 5:30pm from 5:30 pm th10 - 7:30 pmth Tuesday, August

Tuesday, Aug. 10 , Aug. 24 , Tuesday, August 24 For call th , Sept.

28please Sept.

14thinquiries Tuesday, September 14

Tuesday,405.695.1787 September 28 In the event of rain or VACCINATIONS • Vaccinations5pm-7pm: adverse 5:00pm - weather, 7:00pm testing will Tuesday, Aug. 3rd,3Aug. 17th, not be conducted.

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Cops N Kids On The Beat Again Aug. 28

A

by David Dinsmore

fter a year off-duty in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cops N Kids will return 12-4 p.m. on Aug. 28 with games, prizes, food, activities and more at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center at 1700 W. Independence.

This year’s event marks the fifth anniversary hosted by the Shawnee Police Department as a way to help local kids meet law enforcement personnel and first responders while having fun with friends and family.

“I didn't know how much of an impact cops and kids had until we did cancel it last year, and I received several messages on our Facebook page,” said Sgt. Vivian Lozano, who has coordinated and led the planning of the event since its inception.

“Cops N Kids was meaningful for the kids. The kids were enjoying it, and we need to continue to have it.

So I'm super excited.”

The event has brought in more than 30 agencies and 20 private organizations across local, state and federal levels, and Lozano almost all of 2019’s participants expressed a similar level of enthusiasm at having the chance to attend again.

One of the goals behind the planning of the first Cops N Kids was to create connections between law enforcement and kids in a fun environment where they could ask questions and play games, Lozano said. Seeing the people behind the uniform in an informal setting can help kids realize that many are just neighbors whose job it is to keep their community safe. If the only interactions kids have with law enforcement comes in times of crisis, it’s more difficult to build those kinds of relationships and impressions.

Past events have given kids the chance to sit in a squad car or explore a command unit used by federal agencies like the U.S. Marshals to coordinate operations. They have climbed into the cockpit of a news helicopter they’d seen on TV during severe weather coverage, watched K-9 officers performing demonstrations of how they assist in investigations and chases and tackled a rope course.

Lozano also likes to work in a big surprise or two every year, such as the arrival of a Sikorsky UH60 Black Hawk helicopter at the 2019 Cops N Kids.

“No telling what we'll have this year,” Lozano said. “As always, I have a surprise planned, so you have to show up to see it.”

In addition to these unique opportunities to see

Cops N Kids canceled its 2020 event in response to the COVID-19 pandemic but returns for its fifth anniversary 12-4 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center at 1700 W. Independence.

Photo submitted

inside the world and learn about the tools of law enforcement, Cops N Kids has many of the traditional attractions for young attendees. There has been face painting, inflatables, bike raffles and other prizes.

Law enforcement and first response personnel help with many of the games available for kids to play.

Again this year, the first 1,000 kids to sign in at the event will receive a free T-shirt and a goodie bag, and there also will be about 3,000 free hot dogs, chips and cookies available to the early arrivals at Cops N Kids.

Planning this year’s event – as with many annual events that build upon previous years – presented some new challenges not faced in the first few Cops N Kids, Lozano said. Given that planners had to make decisions early in the year amid the public health emergency, sponsorship and other funding options were not as concrete as in previous years.

In response, Shawnee Police Department hosted its first-ever Cornstock cornhole tournament in June as a fundraiser for the Cops N Kids event happening Aug. 28, which received a good response despite some challenges that have given Lozano some ideas on how to improve it moving forward. Still, the willingness of the cornhole tournament competitors to brave the heat and participate also speaks to the importance community members place on Cops N Kids.

In addition to the young kids who are learning about the roles of officers, deputies and other first responders in their community, Cops N Kids has also had an impact on older folks as well. Lozano specifically remembers the story of a young man who was trying to decide which direction he wanted to go in the future. After interacting with some of the per-

sonnel in attendance at Cops N Kids, he found inspiration to serve and enlisted in the military.

Cops N Kids also works with other local agencies that provide support and protection for the community outside of the traditional law enforcement and first response structures. Groups that work with those looking to escape abusive situations attend and provide information to those at the event along with those who help make senior citizens receive help and support if needed.

Overall, Lozano said she is happy to see how much Cops N Kids has grown since she planned the first one in 2017 at Woodland Veterans Park.

“I had three months to plan it,” Lozano said. “”I remember it being 6 a.m. at the park, and it was kind of sprinkling, and I remember thinking and praying, ‘Please let there be 50 kids show up. Fifty kids to 100, I would be happy with that.

“At the end of the the night, I found out that we had 720 kids that signed in, and I think our estimate was 1,500 to 2,000 overall with parents and kids and everything.”

At the last event in 2019, Lozano said they had about 2,000 kids sign in for the event with an estimated attendance of about 4,500.

“With Cops N Kids ... I want them to be familiar with law enforcement and know that we are friendly,” Lozano said. “We're here for them. We're here to protect and save them if they need it.”

“It makes my day just to see those kids excited about seeing things like a helicopter, being in the helicopter, and walking around wearing their little Cops N Kids T-shirt or taking pictures with the officers. Just the smile that you get to see on their faces, it's incredible.” www.shawneeoutlook.com

9

Art of the Matter: Narratives – Telling Stories Through Art Submitted by Amber DuBoise-Shepherd, MGMoA Manager of Education & Outreach

S

ome artworks may be still-life depictions of fruit or vases and others may be of landscapes, but there are some artworks that are created as narratives or tell a story.

At the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, there are many paintings and artworks that tell a story. There is an untitled painting by Sac & Fox artist Antowine Warrior that shows an Indigenous family cooking and enjoying their time near their lodges. Another painting is by Absentee Shawnee artist Ernest Spybuck depicting a large gathering of Indigenous warriors on horseback riding into their camp. There are other large oil paintings in the gallery such as “Esther Before Ahasuerus” painted by Francesco Barbieri that shows Queen Esther pleading with King Ahasuerus to spare her people and “Adoration of the Three Kings” painted by Dirck Barendsz that depicts the biblical stories of the three kings gifting presents to baby Jesus and Mary at the stable.

Many cultures all around the world have used storytelling to teach, laugh and entertain. Stories are told by word of mouth, through reading books and even through art and music. There are many ways to tell a story, and one way is through drawing or painting. How do you start a narrative or story10

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Narrative artwork tells a story visually, such as “Esther Before Ahasuerus” painted by Francesco Barbieri that shows the biblical story of Queen Esther pleading with King Ahasuerus to spare her people.

telling artwork? Follow the simple directions below to help you get started Step 1: First you need some paper and a writing tool. Notebook paper, drawing paper, a notepad, even a sticky note could be used to help you brainstorm. Maybe you are inspired by space and the open seas, so try a narrative drawing of space pirates. Or maybe a more classical idea like a demigod who becomes a hero fighting a monster to save the people. You can even create a narrative drawing of you playing with your cat and/or dog or going fishing with family or friends and catching a big fish.

Comic books and Japanese manga are a collection of stories about various life events or imaginative worlds created by illustrators, and maybe you have an idea inspired by one of your favorite ones.

Video games could fall under your inspiration or a favorite movie.

Step 2: Once you have your idea, you need to see what materials you have to create your narra-

tive art piece. You can create a drawing, a painting or even digital art using a tablet drawing app.

Step 3: Decide what the narrative will look like.

Will the characters be in the center or to the side?

Sometimes you have to do a few quick sketches to see if the story makes sense. You can even ask your family or friends to view the sketches and ask them for help and guidance.

Step 4: Once you have chosen your final idea for narrative artwork, you are ready to get to work.

Take your time, and if you are really ambitious, you can create a small series of artworks depicting your story and characters. Any material you have would work in creating your narrative artwork as simple as a piece of paper and a pencil.

The last thing to remember is that you are the artist, and you can tell your story or narrative any way you would like. Storytelling is a part of our human history and has been for a long time, so be inspired and expressive with your ideas. If you need more inspiration, come by the MGMoA and view and study the paintings mentioned above. There are more stories to be shared through the artwork at the museum, which one inspires you?

Once you have completed your artwork, be sure to share it at #MGMOAart. Looking forward to seeing your story depicted in art.

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

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Over the Fence:

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

If Lost In The Woods, Do The Next Right Thing

A

few weeks ago, my family and I had a chance to get away for a little while up in Colorado Springs. If you’ve been to the mountains in the summer, you know it’s one of the best times to visit. The dry air makes the afternoon heat bearable, and the evenings and mornings are cool. We stayed at a house about an hour up from Manitou Springs with a perfect view of the west side of Pikes Peak. We loved waking up a little early each morning to watch the sunrise over the peak with a cup of coffee and a light blanket before its rays warmed the air.

The location of the house was pretty secluded. In fact, the tiny road that led to the house was barely passable and quite steep in places, which I loved. It added a little something to the adventure. At 8,000 feet in elevation, it doesn’t take long to realize the air is thin as one climbs up and down the stairs. But after a couple of days, breathing gets a little easier.

The owners of the house had thought of everything we might need.

Every kitchen accessory and cooking gadget you could ever want was carefully labeled and tucked in its proper place. They also left flashlights, extra propane for the grill, glassware for dining inside and plastic for outside. We were set. They even created about a mile and a half hiking trail that weaved its way in a large circle up the mountain before descending its way back down near the house.

On day three, we were getting a little cabin fever, so we decided to go on a family hike on the trail. Once again, the owners thought ahead and had drawn a map to guide us on our trek.

Instead of a worn-down trail to follow, they had tied bright colored markers around trees to keep you moving in the right direction. Rather than the markers acting as a series of breadcrumbs to be followed, they were spread out a bit haphazardly so you could explore a little without losing your way. So long as you could spot a marker, you were ok.

“I see a marker down this ravine!”

I shouted back to my family. So we followed along that direction, talking about life and the beauty of nature.

My son spotted another marker as we continued on. A few more moments

Brandon Dyer

passed. Yet another marker and more talking. Sometimes you sense you’re in a special moment that will make a great memory one day, but you can’t feel it yet.

And then sometimes you know.

Before long I heard one of my daughters say, “Dad, you got us lost!”

That couldn’t be. I had been paying close attention to the abundance of markers in front of us. She was mistaken. Except that she wasn’t. Sure enough we couldn’t spot one single marker ahead or behind us. My family’s confidence in my ability to get them home safely was in serious question. I had made a series of navigational decisions along the way that were solid, and then at some point I had made one that turned out to be wrong.

I have a pretty good sense of direction. It’s one of those skills that seems to have been included in my starter kit when I was born. At that precise moment, however, it was being put to the test. I knew about which direction the house was, so we moved right and headed that direction. Turns out there was a reason the owners had marked the trail where they did. We encountered some pretty rough terrain on our voyage back. After an hour of climbing over a high ridge only to discover another high ridge, legs were growing tired and the crew was getting grumpy.

It was time for a break. We stopped on top of a large flat rock looking back east to rest, hydrate and take in yet another beautiful view of Pikes Peak.

As stunning as the peak was, nothing stunned my family more than spot-

ting the roof of our house just a little bit ahead and suddenly realizing that their old man didn’t really get them lost after all. As the sense of relief rolled over them, I saw a learning opportunity. This is what I told them.

It wasn’t easy correcting my mistake. It was a much more difficult path home, but was it really a mistake? Sure, we can call it one. If the answer has to be yes or no, I suppose we would say yes. But what if we chose to see it as an opportunity? What if there was a third way to answer that question? What if we could answer, “not necessarily?”

We all make decisions every day with varying degrees of consequence.

On one hand, we can legitimately make mistakes that have serious consequences. Right and wrong choices do exist. On the other hand, there are many decisions that are morally neutral and aren’t necessarily right or wrong. When we find that a decision of

this kind did not produce the outcome we wanted, an opportunity is born. We can see it as a mistake and with disappointment let that opportunity come to an end, or we can view it as simply part of the process of making the right decision, learn from it and make the next choice to get us to our goal.

On that trail, I never doubted I would choose a path that would lead us home. Although one decision certainly could have made that path easier. In the same way, life is more often a “choose your own adventure” story in which we are afforded the opportunity to choose and then choose again. Our stories will be filled with unexpected twists and turns as we journey on until our time here has ended. Sometimes, we will wish we had made a different choice. Sometimes we should have made a different choice, but in either case, it’s the next choice that matters most.

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Moai Group Helped Shawnee Resident Face Drastic Life Changes During Last 18 Months

N

by David Dinsmore

early everyone was facing new and immense challenges in the spring of 2020 stemming from the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the changes in Taqiyyah Oliver’s life went beyond the public health emergency.

Her family life had rapidly transformed after a divorce from her husband of more than 20 years coupled with her daughter returning to her home more than 1,000 miles away. At a time when people had already experienced so much isolation due to lockdowns and restrictions, the changes left Oliver on unstable footing.

With some health issues arising within the family, Oliver followed the urging of her daughter and began to find more ways to get active and improve her fitness.

“She told me, ‘Mom, you have to dedicate at least an hour every day to yourself to get back healthy,’” Oliver said.

She met a few different individuals while she was beginning her own personal fitness routines. They would meet occasionally to exercise together, but it was not always consistent due to timing or other factors.

On an afternoon in May 2020, Oliver went to Boy Scout Park alone to walk the trail and spend some time praying and weighing the challenges in her life. A group of women walking together nearby sensed Oliver was struggling and asked how she was doing. The conversation led to tears and an invitation to join their group on the walk.

“I found my people that day,” Oliver said. “Without them, I honestly don’t know where I would be right now.”

The relationships began developing even further as they began meeting for other outdoor activities in those first few months. The five friends eventually began meeting for other activities like Zumba and yoga classes, celebrating birthdays together 14

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Stemming from an informal group of friends that met May 2020, this Moai group facilitated by Blue Zones Project of Pottawatomie County in January 2021 has helped Taqiyyah Oliver face a difficult divorce and other life changes along with encouraging her to pursue fitness goals that have already helped her lose more than 70 pounds since last spring.

Photos submitted

and checking in with each other every day. On particularly rough days – and sometimes late nights – Oliver knew she had someone she could reach for support.

“It has been a God-given thing,” Oliver said.

Though groups of friends that bond quickly and deeply do not always have a name, there happened to be an initiative locally that fit their dynamic through the Blue Zones Project of Pottawatomie County, which encourages and helps facilitate the formation of Moais to help residents connect with each other.

The word Moai comes from Okinawa, Japan and means "meeting for a common purpose”. In Okinawa, neighbors use Moais as support systems to help those in need. Based on this tradition, Moais provide social

interaction and support that are just as important to a person’s overall well-being as the physical benefits of exercise.

Each Moai usually consists of between five and eight participants that meet regularly over a 10-week period for potluck meals and to walk together. The small size of the groups allow the members to focus on building strong friendships to enhance social connections and well-being.

This concept coincided with the group Oliver had spent the last half of 2020, so a couple of the friends who had participated in Moai purpose groups previously suggested they establish one. They approached some members of their Zumba class and others in the community about joining their Moai, and Oliver saw her new family expand to about 10 people

in January 2021.

They would meet at the Healthy Hive at 101 E. Main St. every Saturday morning for an hour during the 10 weeks to talk. Blue Zones Project also provided some material about Moais and ideas to help develop the purpose-focused group.

“We always try to be uplifting and motivating with each other through our struggles,” Oliver said. “The makeup of our Moai group is diverse both in ethnicity and faith.

“The group includes Christians of various denominations, Muslims such as myself and people that don’t necessarily subscribe to any particular faith. And our group includes AfricanAmerican, Native American and Caucasian participants. I personally claim ancestry from all three ethnicities.

But we all respect, support and love

each other unconditionally and appreciate and learn from our differences.”

The Moai also helped Oliver stay focused on her fitness goals by participating in activities like Blue Zones Project’s Move to the Moon challenge, in which communities tracked their miles of natural movement with a goal of collectively reaching the 238,855 miles representing the distance between the Earth and the moon.

The official end of their 10-week Moai program concluded, but the group has continued to participate in activities together, such as Denim Day, where people around the world wear denim to show support for survivors of sexual violence. The group has also continued to meet for weekly workouts, frequently enjoys meals together and even meets for roller skating some evenings. Many of the participants are still journaling every day and exchanging affirmations, which are positive statements that can help challenge and overcome self-sabotaging and negative thoughts.

“The Moai group helped me identify and focus on my purpose and to trust others more,” Olive said. “It made such an impact on all of us that

even though the 10 weeks of the program are up, we are still meeting and in touch with each other all the time.

“We’re not a Moai per se but more of a family, and I think it will be that way for the rest of our lives to be honest.”

In her personal journey, Oliver continues to further educate herself regarding the lifestyle choices she makes, and is sharing her enthusiasm and newfound knowledge with others. She has also made an effort to strengthen connections with some family members from which she had grown distant. While not following any particular diet plan, Oliver has also lost more than 70 pounds as an indirect result of her efforts to strengthen her physical and spiritual well-being.

“I’m so thankful for my Moai,” Oliver said. “I didn’t know what I was here for, and the Moai helped me focus on other people. People in the group felt like they didn’t have anyone, but we know that we have each other.”

Members of Oliver’s group have also discussed and worked toward helping other people they know create formal groups like Moais as well

as finding opportunities to use their resources to help those in need they encounter in the community.

“I’ve learned that my purpose is to live a healthy life and to help other people identify and live for their own purpose, regardless of where they may

be in their own journey,” Oliver said.

“It’s never too late to take care of yourself.”

For more information about Moais, visit pottawatomie.bluezonesproject. com or facebook.com/BlueZonesProjectPottawatomieCounty.

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Student Jazz Saxophonist Wins National Competition

North Rock Creek High School junior Tansy Brooks pitted her jazz skills against other young musicians from around the country in a competition sponsored by The Gerry & Franca Mulligan and won a $500 prize along with the confidence that comes from the accomplishment.

Photos submitted

by David Dinsmore

T

his summer started on a high note for high school saxophonist Tansy Brooks after The Gerry & Franca Mulligan Foundation chose her as a first place winner in the 2021 Gerry’s Jazz Challenge national competition.

In addition to receiving $500 for her performance in the contest, Brooks also gained something nearly as valuable for someone eyeing a career in music: confidence.

“It gave me reassurance … that I’m doing the right thing,” Brooks said. “You also have to keep humility, especially as a musician. There are some days that you’re not going to get things and some days that you are.”

Brooks has grown up in a musical family. Her father and uncle played jazz and introduced her to that musical style at a young age, though she said her appreciation for it did not take root until she was older.

She picked up the guitar at age 7 with some guidance from her grandfather, but that was only her first foray into the world of music, having since developed her talents on instruments like piano, banjo and clarinet as well.

It was in middle school, however, that her band teacher at Grove School introduced her to 18

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the baritone saxophone, and she has pursued that passion ever since. “(Playing music) is a direct extension of your entire personality,” said Brooks, who will be a junior at North Rock Creek High School this year.

“With jazz improvisation, it’s almost like a language. You’re speaking with the notes.

“It gives you the freedom to be yourself.”

Justin Pierce – Brooks’ saxophone instructor at Oklahoma Baptist University – first told her about the competition, which asked young musicians to record and submit a performance of Mulligan’s “Out Back of the Barn” on their instrument of choice. Given that Mulligan earned a reputation as one of the greatest baritone saxophone players in history, Brooks and her instructor thought this contest would fit her style well.

“Anything of Gerry Mulligan’s I enjoy learning,” Brooks said.

The contest is held each year to honor Mulligan’s April 6 birthday and Jazz Appreciation Month, according to a press release received from the foundation. In addition to the prizes, the foundation also provided a free educational video, lead sheets and big band charts.

While most of the entries were baritone saxo-

phone players, young musicians also submitted entries playing trombone, trumpet, drums and guitar, The release stated. Entries were received from all over the country including California, Indiana, New York, Oregon, Virginia and more.

“This is an exciting time of year for the foundation because we introduce a new audience to Gerry’s music,” said Franca Mulligan, president of the foundation. “He would be so proud.”

While Gerry Mulligan had admirers globally, one of his most famous fans was fellow saxophonist President Bill Clinton, who said, “No one ever played that horn like he did, and no one ever will.”

Brooks received the sheet music about two months before the deadline to submit her performance. Though each student received the music as composed by Gerry Mulligan originally, the contest did allow for some creativity within the arrangement for students to make it their own during the performance.

“They do give you that artistic freedom to embellish where you feel need be,” Brooks said.

“That’s a lot of jazz … you kind of turn it into your own without losing the feeling of what it is.”

In the end, Brooks only needed two takes to play the piece how she wanted it, opting to sub-

mit the first for the competition. Then came the waiting.

“I felt like I had a really good chance at placing ... but you always have that little doubt in your mind,” Brooks said. “You don’t want to be overly confident.”

When she received word that she had won Gerry’s Jazz Challenge – while she was actually at a saxophone lesson with Pierce – Brooks said she was “overjoyed.” Moments like that for aspiring musicians can help confirm that their dedication is worthwhile.

While many high school students look forward to their summer break and the leisure it provides, Brooks said she appreciates getting more time to practice and hone her craft. She has continued taking piano lessons in addition to saxophone, and she also actually teaches guitar lessons to students of her own. She also has begun playing clarinet in marching band and also picks up the banjo just for fun and to keep sharp.

With the goal of becoming a saxophone professor of jazz and classical studies, she knows that achieving a career in music requires a lot of

hard work and hours spent playing and practicing as well as competing.

Brooks has entered competitions previously and will continue to do so, but accomplishments like winning a national honor like Gerry’s Jazz Challenge certainly help the prospects of a young musician looking to make a career out of her passion.

“This is really what prepares you for your future,” said Brooks, who is currently applying for the NYO Jazz at Carnegie Hall in New York. “My parents have always told me to do what you're passionate about … and I knew this is what I wanted to do.”

The Gerry & Franca Mulligan Foundation seeks to fulfill Gerry’s wishes to provide music education and free music to young musicians, donate musical instruments to inner city schools and perpetuate the music of Gerry Mulligan. As a composer, arranger, saxophonist, and bandleader, Gerry Mulligan remains one of the greatest jazz legends. The Library of Congress serves as the repository for the permanent Gerry Mulligan Collection.

To view the winning YouTube performance by Tansy Brooks, visit youtu.be/Mb9VA4cBsu4.

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Uncanny Expo Expands To Grand Casino Hotel, Event Center For Third Annual Con

By David Dinsmore

T

he Uncanny Comic Expo will undergo its first-ever crossover event from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Aug. 28 as it moves from the FireLake Arena to the hotel and event center at the Grand Casino in Shawnee.

Last year’s comics and pop culture convention in February was one of the last large-scale events to happen locally before policymakers at all levels put in place restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the 18 months in between have given Peter Purin time to examine how best to continue expanding Shawnee’s largest homegrown “con,” a popularized term coined for events like these. Looking at the attractions spilling into the halls and outside of the venue that housed the first two events, the Uncanny Events, LLC president knew they may have to look for different accommodations to help organize all of the different facets of the expo.

Earlier in the year, Purin and his team faced the same issues as nearly everyone in charge of planning an event in 2021 in terms of timing in the face of restrictions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic response.

“We really wanted to wait until the vaccine was in full effect and a large number of people had access to it,” Purin said. “Every month we looked and said, OK, how's it looking? How's it looking?”

Finally in spring of this year, they inked their August date and began reaching out to vendors and organizations to get an idea of the size of the 2021 Uncanny Comic Expo.

One of the biggest expansions for the Uncanny Comic Expo will come from its gaming elements, Purin said. The Grand’s facilities offer rooms that will be able to host a variety of gaming activities, including video and analog games.

“Esports will be coming back, it has its own big room for that with maybe some retro arcade machines set up in there as well and console gaming,” Purin said. “And of course the tournaments are coming back.”

Additionally, there will be two rooms for trading card games like Pokémon and Magic the Gathering with tournaments and free play available, and there will also be a space for Dungeons & Dragons players. Uncanny is also working with the Oklahoma Tabletop Game Designers organization to run a tabletop game room.

This year’s expo will also have a bigger emphasis on bringing in more artists and creators with a room dedicated to that as well, Purin said.

Other typically spring conventions moving to

The Uncanny Comic Expo will host its third event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Aug. 28 at the Grand Casino hotel and event center with collectibles, cosplay, gaming, featured artists, competitions and more.

Photos submitted

the fall this year has been common this year, so Purin and his team will likely look at moving the date again next year depending on a variety of factors. He also said they are looking at possibly doing other Uncanny-branded events in other parts of the state and maybe region, but he sees Shawnee remaining the home of the expo.

Many of the decisions and priorities put in place for the 2021 Uncanny Comic Expo come from interacting with vendors and attendees of the first cons, Purin said. The Star Wars and Ghostbusters groups will return this year and will add a steampunk cosplay organization that will interact with attendees.

The 7 Fathoms mermaid group will also add an element of fantasy to the proceedings in addition to the other cosplay elements incorporated into previous Uncanny Comic Expos.

The expo is also bringing back its student art competition and cosplay contests.

“We try to hear what people are saying and what they liked and run with it,” Purin said.

Despite all of the challenges presented by the last 18 months, one of the unexpected outcomes was the demand for collectibles as people spent more time at home and discovered – or rediscovered – new hobbies and interests. Purin said the demand for some collectibles has exploded, which

only adds to many vendors’ desire to get back to conventions with their wares for new and longstanding customers. Those relationships are another focus of the Uncanny Comic Expo this year.

“Being able to kind of have a community again is a big deal,” said Purin, who has attended events like this as both a fan and vendor. “That is really what we're trying to get going on here for this show, because the community is what we're all about.”

With the growth in venue and elements, Purin realized he needed to hand over some responsibilities of the planning process and decided to hire some staff to help. With an eye to building more events in other communities, this made even more sense, but for now he wants to keep developing Shawnee’s own comic con experience.

“Being able to bring the event back is such a joy,” Purin said. “Having it come back for a third year, it's been really great and exciting.”

Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for veterans with ID, and kids ages 12 and under are free.

There are also premium tickets available for $35 this year that include early access, merchandise and other perks.

For more information and registration for tournaments and other elements, visit uncannycomicexpo.com. www.shawneeoutlook.com

21

Dear Patient, We, the Physicians and Advanced Practicing Providers of Shawnee, Tecumseh, Seminole, Okemah, Chandler and Mcloud, ask you to clear your minds and open your hearts. We ask you to hear us, now. We do our best to keep you healthy and take care of you as individuals. However, there are times when we are faced with a medical challenge that goes beyond our ability to treat an individual patient. There are times when the choices you make as individuals impact not only your health, but the health and lives of every person you see and touch. The SARS-CoV-2 virus with all of its variants is one of those challenges, and this is one of those times.

Each person in this community is depending completely on every other person in this community to rise up and protect themselves and protect each other from this virus and the COVID-19 illness it causes. A COVID-19 illness for many is a miserable week of fever, cough, congestion, nausea, body aches, chills, headaches and fatigue, sometimes with a side of nausea, stomach upset, and diarrhea. For far too many others, that week leads to more serious symptoms, hospitalizations, and even death. The vast majority of people will survive the illness and get back to “normal life.” For far too many people, the after effects of COVID-19 will be life changing.

For each individual who gets COVID-19, they act as a host to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They have provided it a home to replicate and mutate into new variants. They have acted as an unwitting transportation vehicle to spread the virus to others. (The virus begins its period of highest transmission 12 hours before an individual gets their first symptom!) The cycle then repeats itself. This is happening hundreds of times a day in our community RIGHT NOW. We have seen this show before. It ends with our hospital filled with COVID-19 patients with no room to treat all of the other medical needs of our community. YOU CAN STOP IT. YOU CAN TAKE A STAND. YOU CAN PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR NEIGHBORS. The Oklahoma Standard is being called on once again. It is time to unite, stand together, and overcome the obstacles in our path. It is time to get a vaccine.

The signatories to this letter represent a broad range of political ideas. We cheer for different sports teams. We go to different churches. We come from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Some of us were born in Oklahoma, and some of us chose to move here. We all agree on this: The science behind the COVID-19 vaccines is sound and trustworthy. It is a modern day medical miracle. The COVID-19 vaccines SAVE LIVES and PREVENT life changing complications.

COVID-19 has had a MASSIVE impact on everyone’s life. The impact has been so enormous that it is impossible to even list the direct and indirect ways it has altered everyone’s life. You know this. If we want to take control of our lives, we have to stop it. As long as the virus has hosts (people without antibodies), it will continue to spread and continue to have mutations that creates new variants. Some of these variants may be even worse. The time is now. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. YOU CAN GET VACCINATED. WE CAN STOP THIS TOGETHER. There are vaccines readily available of various brands and types. You can contact your primary care provider, your local pharmacy, your local county health department, or call the SSM Health vaccination clinic at 405-273-5801 to make an appointment.

Gregory Grant, MD, FAAFP, Family Medicine Bansal Shivendra, MD, Family Medicine Braden Parmer, MD, Family Medicine Kelly Lucas, APRN, Family Medicine Brandi Strayhorn, PA-C, Family Medicine Jake Borgsmiller, DO, Family Medicine Mickey Borgsmiller, DO, Family Medicine Mitchell Wolf, MD, Family Medicine Chris Carpenter, APRN, Family Medicine Kacie Cassaday, DO, Family Medicine Ajay Varughese, MD, Family Medicine Kim Hanigar, MD, Family Medicine Roselyn Dean, MD, Family Medicine

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Wendell Richards, MD, Family Medicine Tony Haddad, MD, Pulmonology Mark Davis, PA, Pulmonology Venkata Damera, MD, Nephrology Kelli Koons, MD, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics Jeremy Holter, MD, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics Michael Butcher, MD, Internal Medicine David Holland, MD, Internal Medicine Nicki Sherman, ARNP, Internal Medicine Sudhir Gupta, MD, Cardiology

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SHAWNEE HISTORY

McDivitt Family Instrumental In Bringing Railroad, Fairview Cemetery To Early Shawnee

By Ann McDonald, Courtesy Pott Co Historical Society Member

M

any people had a part in the “founding of Shawnee,” not just those who may be more well-known.

William McDivitt served as a hospital steward with the 178th Ohio Infantry during the Civil War. Once he returned to his home in Illinois, he became a physician, married Sarah Hartuss and had four children – Nannie, Jennie, Frank and Mary.

With the opening of Oklahoma Territory, the family came to what became Shawnee in 1891. Their 22-yearold daughter, Jennie, staked a claim to 160 acres, which included where Harrison Street now runs, then to the east and extending north from the North Canadian River.

In 1894, she “sold” a quarter of that land for $1 to the Choctaw, Oklahoma & Gulf Railroad – now known as the Rock Island – with the promise that within two years a town, railroad and depot would be established in the immediate vicinity.

Some of the donated land also was to establish a city cemetery, something that was another way to attract the railroad by showing that Shawnee would be a growing and viable city.

Fairview Cemetery was dedicated by the City of Shawnee on June 21, 1897.

The area was being used for burials before that time as there are several graves dating back to 1891.

The rock wall facing Harrison Street was built in the early 1930s, and the grounds have continued to be ex-

AUG

panded covering over 60 acres.

The McDivitt family lived in Shawnee at 420 N. Broadway across the street from Woodland Park. The home was built by William McDivitt in about 1904. It remained in the McDivitt family until the late 1950s when the houses and apartments along there began to be replaced by businesses, including a doctor’s office.

William McDivitt remarried after his first wife died, but his second wife had also died by 1920. He was one of Shawnee’s early physicians and also farmed. His oldest daughter, Nannie, married a railroad agent, Emmett Whittaker, and they had three children. Her husband had died by 1940, and she moved to Oklahoma City where her son, James, lived. He was a musician there with a dance band.

The settling family’s son, Frank, had a farm in Pottawatomie County’s Brinton District (east of Tecumseh), and he and his wife Bertha had nine children. He worked his farm for about 20 years before they moved to Lawton where he managed a garage.

Likely the most well-known McDivitt to the citizens of Shawnee was Mary. She was educated at Illinois State Normal College and studied at Oklahoma Baptist University when they came to Shawnee. She then became a teacher to several generations of Shawnee children. Her career began first at Central School then at Washington, but she spent 33 years overall at Irving. In 1947, she retired after a

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The establishment of Fairview Cemetery came in part from a land donation by Jennie McDivitt, whose family settled in Shawnee in its earliest days. The donation also enticed the railroad to build a depot that helped the city establish and expand in the early 20th century.

Photo submitted

total of 47 years in the classroom.

Mary was a charter member of Irving’s PTA in 1932 and was a member of the Classroom Teachers’ advisory board. For many years, “Miss Mary” taught a boys’ class in the Wesley Methodist church’s Sunday school.

Her family and she belonged to that church from its earliest days.

Neither Mary nor her sister Jennie married. They lived together at the family home on Broadway, and Jennie managed the house for the two. They often also entertained their nieces and nephews and sometimes had boarders, which usually included other local teachers. In 1940, three of Mary’s colleagues were living with them: Iva

Allred, Effie Proctor and Florence Ledford, who all became longtime Shawnee educators.

Jennie died in January 1953, and Mary died a year and half later in October 1954. Both were buried in Fairview Cemetery with their parents, brother, sister and other family members.

The McDivitts are not a family often mentioned in the development of what has become Shawnee, Oklahoma. Driving by our city cemetery, one might remember them, especially Jennie’s land donation to entice the railroad to build their tracks and depot on the north side of the North Canadian River and thus ensuring the survival of a fledgling community.

2021

2008

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

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GATEWAY TO PREVENTION

Recognizing Signs of Gambling Addiction S ince Oklahoma made casino gambling legal in 2004, the industry has exploded.

Until the pandemic in 2020 there were 128 licensed casinos in the state, which generated over $2 billion in revenue and more than $123 million in tribal gaming exclusivity fees for the 2020 fiscal year. Primarily due to the pandemic, 2020 was the third lowest year for exclusivity fees in the past 10 years. In addition to the revenue generated, there is a downside to this booming industry.

Problem gambling has had serious effects on some families and communities. Fortunately, a large number of people are able to gamble recreationally without experiencing any serious negative consequences. Unfortunately for others, it becomes a life-altering, chronic disorder where the gambler is unable to stop regardless of the ever-increasing negative consequences.

The Oklahoma Association on Problem & Compulsive Gambling states “Two million (1 percent) of U.S. adults are estimated to meet criteria for pathological gambling in a given year. Another 4-8 million (2-3 percent) would be considered problem gamblers; that is, they do not meet the full diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling, but meet one or more of the criteria and are experiencing problems due to their gambling behavior.”

Signs that you or someone you care about may have a problematic relationship with gambling include: • increased preoccupation with gambling • irritability when trying to stop • trying to win back money from previous losses • increasing the amount of money bet.

Consequences addictive gambling may include but are not limited to: • harm to any and all relationships (ie, spousal, parent-child, coworkers, and friends).

• poor work performance • increase in drug and alcohol use • financial ruin • legal issues • suicidal thoughts or attempts.

A common question posed to those who suffer 26

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from problem gambling by others is “Why don’t you just stop?” As someone who has previously worked in the casino industry and now works with those struggling with gambling addictions, I can attest to the fact that it simply is not that easy. These are normally not people that others would have thought of as “weak” or lacking selfcontrol, but instead, many of them have been viewed as strong and responsible.

The effects on a problem gambler are very similar to other addictions like drugs and alcohol even though it’s not a chemical that can be consumed. Gambling alters their mood and mental state, aiding them in avoiding other issues they may be dealing with or giving them a break from their reality. Much like drugs and alcohol, the more often they do it, the more tolerance they develop, making it necessary to increase their activity and/or the amounts they gamble to continue to achieve the same effects.

As those behaviors increase, the gambler’s ability to resist gambling decreases.

Having support from outside sources and being able to talk to other people who understand has been proven to help those struggling with problem gambling. If you or someone you know needs assistance, there is help available.

• Connect with http://www.oapgg.org and take their self-assessment and/or fill out the self-exclusion form.

• Call the 24-hour confidential helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

• Contact Gateway to Prevention and Recovery at 405-273-1170 for a free gambling assessment, individual counseling, and group sessions.

Troy Becker has worked as a Licensed Professional Therapist at Gateway to Prevention and Recovery since 2018. He is currently a clinical supervisor at Gateway’s Shawnee treatment site and is an active member at Life.Church

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

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

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

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

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Mabee-Gerrer’s Free Exhibit Showcases Relevant Satire By 19th Century French Artist

by David Dinsmore

W

hen Delaynna Trim began exploring the idea of putting together the MabeeGerrer Museum of Art’s current special exhibit back in 2019, she could not anticipate how appropriate its eventual title would be today.

“Interesting Times: The Art of Honoré Daumier” showcases lithographs by the 19th century French artist who found inspiration and humor amid the tumultuous times he witnessed during a life that encompassed the 1830 revolution through the fall of the second Napoleonic empire.

The works on display at Mabee-Gerrer through Aug. 29 offer satirical commentary on the societal trends, concerns, fashions, weather and life of an era nearly two centuries past and an ocean away. Yet, despite the time and distance – and beneath the physical forms of these ideas – Daumier’s work in this medium underscores some very recognizable concepts to present-day people living in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Human nature, for the most part, stays very similar,” said Trim, curator of collections at the MabeeGerrer Museum of Art. “It’s very constant over long periods of time and cultures.”

Born in Marseilles in 1808, Daumier was a young man at the time of the Three Glorious Days in 1830 in which unrest led to revolution that saw King Charles X abdicate the throne and France establish a constitutional monarchy. This followed on the heels of turmoil across continental Europe in which the major powers tried to redraw the national lines following the fall of the first French Empire ruled by Napoleon Bonaparte.

The monarchy established by the Revolution of 1830 fell in 1848 and later became the Second French Empire under the self-proclaimed Napoleon III, who also fell in Daumier’s lifetime in 1870.

All of this occurred while much of the Western world was facing the fallout of an Industrial Revolution and rapid changes in research, technology, science and philosophies that provided increasing convenience and challenges for society.

Having spent much of his life supporting himself as a caricaturist and cartoonist, Daumier had no end of inspiration from which to draw as he tried to make sense or critique modern life of that era. Though he also worked as a painter, sculptor and printmaker, the commentary he offers through his lithographs offer more slices of life that are relatable to those who see the underlying causes of the moments captured in his works.

After the Mabee-Gerrer museum received a gift that featured some of Daumier’s work, Trim decided to see what else may be available in other collections to round out a special exhibit.

“I contacted the Oklahoma City Museum of Art

The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art presents “Interesting Times: The Art of Honoré Daumier” for free through Aug. 29 featuring lithographs by the prolific 19th century artist known for his societal, cultural and political commentary.

Photo submitted

and the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (at the University of Oklahoma), and they both agreed to loan to us,” Trim said.

She planned for the exhibit to go on display in 2020, but the response to the COVID-19 pandemic put those plans on hold along with most everything else, Trim said. A third contributor was not able to accommodate the date change, but she was able to proceed with what the other two museums could provide.

Though the events of the last year and a half would seem to fit the theme of “Interesting Times,” Trim said the 27 pieces in the exhibit focus on his societal and cultural commentary rather than the political statements made by Daumier, who was briefly imprisoned for some of his criticisms. Given the events of the last year and a half, his political satire could have easily made its own exhibit, but Trim saw how many parallels between the cultural and societal concerns of Daumier’s fellow French citizens and those among modern day Americans.

“It might not be the exact thing that's happening today, but it definitely bears on what happens in today's society,” Trim said.

For instance, Daumier illustrated some sentiments about women’s fashion of the day by depicting a young woman with a very large hoop skirt taking to the air in the wind. Trim said that while women may no longer wear hoop skirts, there are certainly elements in today’s fashion that cause some to scratch their heads.

“He touched on every part of everyday life,” Trim said. “He was a wonderful observer of what was happening with human beings and our foibles.”

Though the often realistic Daumier produced many caricatures and cartoons, his paintings and other works had some influence on impressionist and post-impressionist icons, even among contemporaries like Vincent Van Gogh. Poet Charles Baudelaire called Daumier “one of the most important men, not only, I would say, in caricature, but also in modern art.” During his lifetime, however, much of his more “serious” work did not receive as much widespread praise or recognition until very late in his life and posthumously.

Estimates indicate Daumer created more than 100 sculptures, 500 paintings, 1000 drawings, 1000 wood engravings and 4000 lithographs, though “Interesting Times” focuses on the lithographs that sustained him and for which he was most well-known during his lifetime.

“Because they're black and white, lithographs can kind of be overshadowed by brightly colored large paintings,” Trim said. “This exhibit kind of gives the eye a moment to kind of really take in all of the details, so we just focused on his lithographs for this exhibit.”

Visitors to the exhibit will also have the benefit of getting to see it for free as the museum is open at no charge through the month of August. Also, the museum will also host a free Community Art Day from 1-3 p.m. on Aug. 14 that is open to all ages. The format will be drop-in with no registration and all supplies included as artist Bridget Moore guides attendees in making their own gelli prints.

The Daumier exhibit also has an interactive component where participants can draw their own cartoons and put them on the wall at the museum. There is also some information on how people make lithographs as part of the educational elements of this exhibit.

Along the lines of education, Erin Duncan O’Neill will give a lecture on the “Life and Times of Honoré Daumier” at 7 p.m. on Aug. 27 at the museum.

With the wide variety of subjects and approaches featured in Mabee-Gerrer’s Daumier exhibit, Trim would like to see those who visit the exhibit to see some of the universal themes in his work and think about how they may apply today.

“People in the 1800s had the same problems, had the same issues,” Trim said. “Maybe with slightly different modes, but we all have a lot of the same issues. These are just issues of human nature. I really want (viewers) to come out of this thinking, ‘Hey, this is very timely,’ and then be shocked by the date that these were made.”

The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art museum is located at 1900 W. MacArthur. For more information, call (405) 878-5300 or mgmoa.org. www.shawneeoutlook.com

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CALENDAR

Upcoming Events Aug. 1-29: The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art at 1900 W MacArthur St. will present the special exhibition, “Interesting Times: The Art of Honoré Daumier,” which looks at the artist’s satirical works that explore themes of corruption, ineptitude and class divides that are still relevant today. Daumier’s satires seen through a modern lens are very timely and relevant. The exhibition is presented by the Art Dealers Association of America along with the Oklahoma Arts Council, Allied Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, Avedis Foundation and Mr. and Mrs. R.J. Wissinger Memorial Fund.

Information: mgmoa.org and (405) 8785300

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Come get your on with us!

Aug. 13-14: The FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival offers two days of balloon glows, balloon launches and rides in a family-friendly entertainment.

Information: firelakeballoonfest.com Aug. 14: Enjoy a free Community Art Day 1-3 p.m. at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art. Open to all ages. Drop-in, no registration, first-come basis at 1900 W MacArthur St. All supplies included.

Join artist Bridget Moore to learn and create your own gelli prints. Information: education@mgmoa.org or (405) 8785605 Aug. 18: The Shawnee Senior Recreation Center presents Basics of Visual Astronomy at 11 a.m. at 401 N Bell St. with a presentation by Nick Lazzaro, resident astronomer at Ten Acre Observatory. Free & open to the public, with limited seats. Registration: (405) 899-4016

from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art at 1900 W MacArthur St. Participants will focus on connecting outward and inward experiences, nature and self and make a three-dimensional piece honoring that connection.

Information: mgmoa.org and (405) 8785300 Aug. 25: The Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center at 1899 Gordon Cooper Dr. will host a workshop 10 a.m.-2 p.m. teaching how to make traditional buckskin baby pucker toe moccasins. RSVP: chculturalactivities@ potawatomi.org Aug. 26: Learn powwow dances at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s Cultural Heritage Center starting at 10 a.m. All ages are welcome to attend, but those under 12 will need to be accompanied by an adult or older sibling. Information: chculturalactivities@potawatomi.org Aug. 28: Uncanny Comic Expo, Shawnee’s premier family-friendly comic book and pop culture convention, is back from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. with collectibles vendors, gaming, cosplay, artists and more. The event moves to the Grand Casino event center at 777 Grand Casino Blvd. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for veterans with ID and kids 12 and under are free. Premium tickets are available for $35. Information: uncannycomicexpo. com.

Aug 30: An open house for Silver Lining Arts Academy offering classes including singing, acting, theater, and movement will be at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 301 N. Beard, from 6-8 p.m. Those who enroll are eligible to win a $50 Amazon gift card. Information: www.slaaok.com, melissa@slaaok.com or (405) 585-8886.

Aug. 20: The Arts @317 is excited to host its own August Block pARTy from 5:30-8:30 PM. Our featured guests are abstract artist and author Douglas Gordon and author Katie Ward. Both will be signing their newly released books, and Gordon will also be showing his paintings. Guests may also view the works of over 45 different artists and authors while in the gallery.

Sept. 8-11: The Pottawatomie County Free Fair will be held at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center at 1700 W. Independence. Information: freefair.org or pottcofreefair@gmail.com

Aug. 21: Licensed professional counselor will lead Art, Nature, & Healing Workshop: Integrating Spirit & Nature

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

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