Shawnee Outlook

Toy Drives Planned | Red Kettle Volunteers Crucial

'Christmas at Pemberley' DECEMBER 19 Vol. 16 Number 10

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CONTENTS

DECEMBER 2019

11

8

Publisher

Okie Icon Media

Managing Editor

David Dinsmore

Advertising Sales

Brad Carter

Creative Direction

Kelsey Walker & Fawn Wilson-Olivarez

Writers

Erica Bass

Andrea Beck

Jamie Bergsten

David Dinsmore

Carolyn Lawrence

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

FEATURES 8

Salvation Army Red Kettle Volunteers Key To Helping Families Throughout the Year

11

The Fowlers Keep Sports All In The Family With 5 Coaches At Pott County Schools

13

Over the Fence: 'In Knowing My Neighbor Better, I Better Remember Myself'

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

DEPARTMENTS 6 KEEP THE CHANGE

14

Toy Drives Planned To Benefit Local Angel Tree Christmas Gift Program

18

Holiday Magic Takes Center Stage With 'Miss Bennet: Christmas At Pemberley'

21

How To Protect Yourself (And Others) This Flu Season

25 SHAWNEE HISTORY

Hazel Dell Pet Resort Owners Bring Family Feel, 16 Years Experience to 10-Acre Facility

30 CALENDAR

29

6 NUTRITION 101 22 THE BRIGHT SPOT 24 SONIC CONTEST 26 MENTAL HEALTH

Volume 16, Number 10 Shawnee Outlook is a publication of Okie Icon Media. © 2019 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.

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

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NUTRITION 101

KEEP THE CHANGE

Try Your Hand At A Homemade Holiday Gift

I

n the past, I’ve suggested homemade gifts for the holidays in an effort to save money and reduce the overall commercialism of Christmas. This year, I wanted to give a practical idea for even the least crafty among us.

Why not share a recipe with your loved ones?

The following chili/taco seasoning would be so cute in a little jar with the recipe for the seasoning – because they’ll definitely want to make more when they run out – pasted/taped to one side and the recipe for chili on the other. This is the exact way I keep it in my own cabinet.

If there’s not enough space to attach it to the side of the jar, you could gift it with a couple recipe cards. If you want to give your gift a little more oomph, tie it with a pretty ribbon and attach a new wooden spoon or ladle. Because the recipes are so easy, it’s a gift anyone can enjoy.

Homemade Taco/Chili Seasoning 4 Tbsp chili powder 2 Tbsp flour 2 Tbsp cumin 1 Tbsp garlic powder 1 Tbsp onion powder 1 Tbsp sugar 2 tsp paprika

1 tsp oregano 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp sea salt 1 tsp crushed red pepper 1 tsp cayenne pepper 1 tsp parsley

Use 2 ½ Tbsp. seasoning to replace 1 pkg chili or taco seasoning

Jen’s Three-Bean Chili 1 can diced tomatoes 1 can chili-ready tomatoes 1 can ranch-style beans 1 can black beans 1 can red kidney beans

1 can tomato sauce or condensed tomato soup 1 pkg chili seasoning Optional: 1 lb ground beef Optional: 1 Tbsp cocoa powder

Mix in slow cooker. Cook for 4 hours on low or 2 hours on high, or on the stove, let it simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.

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

www.shawneeoutlook.com

Liver Health Tied To Other Concerns

T

he liver is one of the hardest-working organs in the body, performing more than 500 functions, including carrying away waste and breaking down fats in the small intestine, producing proteins and cholesterol, converting glucose into glycogen for storage, regulating blood levels of amino acids, storing iron, clearing the blood of drugs and bacteria and regulating blood clotting.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are a number of causes of liver disease, from excessive alcohol intake and obesity to autoimmune diseases and damage from prescription drugs and some over-the-counter supplements. The most common form of chronic liver disease affecting between 30-40 percent of adults in the U.S. is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

NAFLD is the result of a buildup of excess fat in the liver that is unrelated to alcohol. Nutrition is the most important environmental factor in prevention. Most people with NAFLD are either overweight or obese. Individuals with morbid obesity typically have greatly enlarged livers as a result of fat accumulation. Gradual weight loss can reverse the condition.

Studies have suggested that diets high in saturated fat worsen NAFLD where diets high in omega-3 fatty acids may play a protective role. Soft drinks are high in fructose and fructose stimulate fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis in the liver. Lastly, physical activity has been shown to reduce the risk of diabetes, thereby reducing risk of NAFLD. To wrap all that up, lifestyle changes – including dietary changes – plays a critical role in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. If this is something you would like to talk to your doctor about, you can start by asking for a liver enzyme test to be done.

Nondairy Hot Cocoa When the weather starts cooling off, one of the first things I want to have is hot cocoa. You may be following a non-dairy diet for health reasons or for any reason. I personally have a 2-year-old son who is lactose intolerant. This makes it a little challenging at times to grab pre-made mixes that are made with dried milk. I played around with this recipe a little until I got the taste I was looking for.

Ingredients: 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk 1/3 cup canned coconut milk 3 tbsp Dutch cocoa or 2 tbsp regular cocoa

1-2 tbsp stevia Dash of salt ½ tsp pure vanilla extract

Directions: Whisk all ingredients except vanilla in a pot over medium heat. Once the liquid starts simmering, stir in vanilla. Serve warm.

Nutritional information per serving: Makes 2 servings, 6 oz each Calories:103 Total Fat: 9g Saturated Fat: 7g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 168mg Carbohydrates:5g Fiber: 2g Protein: 2g Nutrition 101: This recipe is a little high on saturated fat, so you want to make sure to only have one serving. The recommended intake for saturated fat is 25g in your day. The canned coconut milk is what makes the fat content high, but it is also what makes the drink creamy. When having a drink that has fat to it, you want to make sure that your meal is not high in fat. We can easily overdo it on fat – good and bad – without realizing it. The high-fat diet trends are doing a number on the liver and heart to just name a couple. Even immediate weight loss from these diet trends does not mean you are helping your insides entirely. It is hard to think about making our organs healthy when we can’t see them. Dairy free or not, I hope you enjoy this with your loved ones while staying warm.

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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For the past several years, PA Simpson has also been performing cosmetic procedures such as Botox and Juvederm injections as well as laser therapy.

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7

Salvation Army's Red Kettle Volunteers Crucial To Helping Families Throughout The Year

by David Dinsmore

S

teve and Michelle Wallace did not need to stand outside the U.S. Post Office downtown in the chilly wind on a cloudy, late November day.

As the recently named president of Vision Bank, Steve Wallace probably had a long list of things that needed his attention back at the office, and Michelle Wallace also started a new position with the school system’s central office after serving for years as a school counselor.

That experience working with local kids, however, has shown her the impact of the Salvation Army’s programs on local families, so the Wallaces saw their time on that Ninth Street sidewalk as well spent.

“We believe in what the Salvation Army does,” said Steve Wallace, who has rung the bell for several years through his previous work in Norman and his membership with the Kiwanis Club of Shawnee. “It makes you happy being out here.”

He pauses to greet a few people passing by to conduct their business at the Post Office while his wife continued ringing the bell beside the iconic red kettle.

“I love knowing that I’m giving back,” said Michelle Wallace, whose new job gives her some flexibility to volunteer. “I worked as a school counselor for years, so I know the difference this can make.”

While the Salvation Army also puts much emphasis on its Angel Tree program during the Christmas season – which helps provide toys and essentials for children selected for the program based on need – the funds raised by the Red Kettle campaign extend beyond the holiday season.

The Salvation Army does provide some jobs for people to ring bells, but volunteers manning the posts at the 19 locations in this area are the backbone of the campaign, said Capt. Patrick Connelly, who is overseeing the local Christmas initiatives for the first time since taking over command of the Shawnee location in June along with his wife Capt. Stacey Connelly.

“We need as many volunteers as we can get,” said Stacey Connelly, who served as an officer with her husband for nine years in Mississippi before coming to Shawnee. “When we have volunteers man the kettle, that’s more that goes directly to helping people here in the community.”

The coins and small bills many people drop into the kettle go a long way to providing the kind of assistance the Salvation Army offers to local individuals and families in need, Patrick Connelly said. The money raised represents roughly 10 percent of the location’s annual budget and can make or break some programs, which includes 8

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Steve and Michelle Wallace are just a couple of the numerous volunteers ringing the bell for the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle campaign to raise funds for its benevolence programs that benefit locals in need.

Photo by David Dinsmore

combating hunger, providing elderly services, offering shelter and more.

New this year is Kettle Pay, which helps people use their smartphones at kettle locations to access an online resource to donate, Patrick Connelly said. This technology also allows those donating outside of their home area to help their local community as the funds go to the zip code attached to the billing information used to make the online donation.

As of mid-November, they had 67 volunteer groups or individuals on the roster, which meant that they could place someone at each of their 19 locations for about three days. Those involved with Salvation Army as employees, board members or volunteers take it upon themselves to recruit friends, family, club members, church parishioners and others to commit to giving some of their time during the holidays to ring the bell.

“Time is valuable for everybody,” Patrick Connelly said. “To see people give of their time, it means a lot. When we don’t have a location filled, we’re losing the potential of someone who wants to give but doesn’t have an avenue there to give.

“When people ring bells for us, their joining themselves with us to keep people in their homes, to help people keep their lights on, to keep food on their tables, to keep people in out of the cold, to provide after school programs for children.”

Beyond the feeling of making a difference in local families’ lives, being part of the Red Kettle campaign comes with other benefits as well.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Connelly said. “Personally,

when I’m out there – especially in my uniform – what I love are the stories. People are always willing to stop and share.”

Some tell stories about a family member who got help at a Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center with a substance addiction or were able to provide needs for their families after a job loss or other unexpected life event thanks to Salvation Army assistance, Stacey Connelly said. Some are veterans whose first few moments back home involved a friendly face from the Salvation Army offering some coffee or doughnuts.

There is no specific personality type that suits bell ringing best, the Connellys said. It only takes a willingness to smile and say hello to passersby and a heart to help others to get the job done. It doesn’t even take a great amount of physical effort as the bell’s tone does most of the hard work and takes little effort to execute.

“The bell grabs their attention, so they know you’re there,” Patrick Connelly said. “You’ve got to speak to everybody. It’s not a matter of whether someone is giving or not. It’s a matter of human decency. “(The bell) is a constant call that there is a need. We used to print a slogan on our signs that ‘need knows no season,’ because we do a lot of fundraising right now. But this really is what sets up to meet needs throughout the year.”

There is no deadline to volunteer for bell ringing, which happens until Dec. 24. Call (405) 2752243 or visit the Salvation Army offices at 200 E. Ninth St. for more information.

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CELEBRATING KING JESUS Isaiah did not live in a holiday season. Israel was sliding into darkness and evil again. Even so, Isaiah celebrated the coming King.

Isaiah heard the LORD say in Isaiah 1:18, ‘Come now let us reason together though your Sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow.’ He heard the ONE who can deal totally with sin. Do you think he celebrated that GOD wanted to eliminate the Sin Problem? Of course he did.

Matthew 17:20

In Isaiah 2:4 the prophet understood that GOD, through the coming KING, would satisfy and heal the nations and end the destruction of war. Do you think he celebrated that GOD would cause war to cease?

Of course he did.

In Isaiah 6 Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up and

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His holy Presence filled the temple. Isaiah said woe unto me for I am a man of unclean lips in the midst of a people of unclean lips, then an angel brought a coal from off the altar and cleansed him. Do you think he celebrated that GOD would cleanse HIS people and give them a life filled with purpose. Of course he did.

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In Isaiah 9 the prophet understood that the MESSIAH – THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH would come as a babe to Israel. This he celebrated too.

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Isaiah would say today, Do you see what I saw? Do you hear what I heard? Do you know what I know?

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South Rock Creek School basketball coach Darrin Fowler is one of five members of the same family who are shaping the lives on and off the court and field as teachers and coaches at schools in Pottawatomie County this year.

Photo submitted

The Fowlers Keep Sports All In The Family With 5 Coaches At Pott County Schools This Year

by Jamie Bergsten

A

family’s name can become well-known in a small town like Asher.

Daryl and Barbara Fowler raised three sons there and watched each one rise to athletic glory. Now, their descendants have taken on new challenges in the sports world, and coaching seems to come as naturally to them as playing did. In fact, five family members are currently leading a variety of Pottawatomie county teams – sometimes against one another.

Darrin Fowler, Daryl and Barbara’s youngest son, graduated from Asher High School in 1988 and went on to play baseball at Oklahoma Baptist University while earning a kinesiology degree. He sought a teaching/coaching position at an area school but became a Shawnee fireman instead, working for the department from 1993 until last year.

“It turned out to be a blessing,” he said. “I applied at Bethel but didn’t get the job.”

After his retirement from the SFD, he took on a new role at South Rock Creek School. He’s

now teaching physical education, coaching eight elementary and junior high basketball teams and serving as the assistant softball and baseball coach. Just a few weeks into the hoops season, his teams had already played 54 games.

One of his opponents in those contests featured his son, Zach Fowler, who teaches and coaches at Asher. Zach’s position includes heading up the third through eighth grade basketball and junior high baseball teams. As a pitcher, he had his own successful baseball career at Asher and OBU during his playing days.

Darrin’s teams came out on top in the early meetings, but the two will face each other again soon.

“So far, so good, for me against Zach at this point,” he chuckled.

Daryl and Barbara’s middle son, Chad Fowler, is the father to Kyle Fowler, a Bethel High School football and slow pitch softball coach who also serves as the personal finance and careers teacher. Kyle’s job path also began outside

of education; he worked for Love’s Travel Stops as a safety specialist but found his faith leading him to a new profession.

“I felt God calling me to work with students and help them deal with the difficult transition into adulthood,” Kyle said. “God has given me a testimony and an opportunity to make a difference in others’ lives, and I didn’t want to waste that. I want to be (a source of) stability and trustworthy to any kid that needs it. That’s what is most important to me.”

When asked if he’s surprised that so many in his family have gone into coaching, Kyle said, “No. My wife always jokes that anytime our family gets together, all we discuss is sports. It’s something we all have in common.”

That includes some of Kyle’s and Zach’s cousins.

Daryl and Barbara’s oldest son, Billy Fowler, is the father of Charity (Fowler) Kilinc and Tanner Fowler, both of whom are basketball coaches at North Rock Creek. Billy’s wife Teresa Fowler www.shawneeoutlook.com

11

recently retired after her own lengthy coaching career at Liberty and Asher.

Charity was mentored by her mother at Liberty before going on to earn All-American honors and a conference defensive player of the year nod at OBU. Now in her second year at NRC, she’s teaching algebra and coaching varsity and junior varsity girls basketball.

When asked which coach in the family is the most competitive, Charity gave an honest assessment.

“Can my answer be myself?” she said. “All Fowlers are pretty dang competitive. It’s in our blood, but I would say I dislike losing the most, thus making me the most competitive.”

She’s also not surprised to find so many in her family sharing the same career.

“We’re all sports-minded, and as cousins we grew up playing football, basketball and practically any game we could think of at our grandparents’ house in Asher after church.

Sports have always been a big part of our families’ lives.”

Charity’s squads have also battled teams led by members of her family.

“My mom and I actually coached against each other in the Pott County tournament last year, which is something I’ll never forget,” Charity said.

“I coached against Darrin last year, too. We’re all competitive, but it’s still really cool seeing your loved ones getting to do what they love, which just happens to be what you love too.”

Tanner, a science teacher and junior high basketball coach at NRC, sees sports as part of his family’s legacy.

“My grandparents went to each of their sons’ games all the way through

their careers, and that carried on to each of their grandchildren,” he said.

Though still a young teacher, Tanner has already gained valuable insight.

“The biggest thing I’ve learned is the need these kids have just to have someone to lean on,” he said. “There are so many ‘role models’ kids look up to nowadays that are cussing, fighting, arguing with refs and coaches or throwing attitudes on the field or court. Kids need positive role models in their lives.

I’ve also learned that middle school is where I’m meant to be.”

If the coaches in the family played a pickup game in any sport now, who’d win?

“I’d win every time,” Tanner said, noting the relatives he’d include on his team. “It’d be hard to say which one of us coaches wants to win the most, but the competitive nature in me wants me to say myself.”

Darrin seemed to echo his niece’s and nephew’s sentiments about intrafamily competitiveness.

“We’re all competitive for sure, but I think Kyle hates to lose more than the rest of us,” Darrin said. “We all want to win.”

Beyond the competitive streaks, the family also shares the importance of valuing commitment toward a common goal.

“It’s in our blood, to be honest,” Kyle said. “Coaching and teaching aren’t 8-to-5 jobs. The teams that work best together typically win, and I think that’s why the emotional side of coaching is so lucrative to me.”

Whether cheering each other on or facing one another across field or court, it looks like there will be Fowlers on the sidelines at area schools for many years to come.

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Over the Fence: 'In Knowing My Neighbor Better, I Better Remember Myself'

Submitted by Community Renewal staff member Erica Bass

A

t an event last week, I saw a little girl, sad and pining for a little toy that all of her classmates had just purchased.

She looked up at me and said, “I wish I could have one of those … but I am poor.”

Startled and unsure of how to respond, I said, “Aww. It’s okay to be poor.”

She continued “That means we don’t have money to buy things.”

And then, I remembered.

All at once, a long-asleep piece of my identity awakened – a part of my own childhood experience, as the little daughter of a single mother working two jobs and going to school. Oh! My heart stung. So many memories – sweet and bitter – came rolling back, and suddenly, the veil of privilege I have come to take for granted in my adulthood fell

from my shoulders. I remembered.

Not so long ago, I was poor too.

Suddenly, I found again a compassion that my fragile prosperity had helped me lose – my cynicism instantly injured by these memories in a way that may not be able to be repaired. I dare say, perhaps, that it is good.

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There’s something about acknowledging the complexity and dignity of another human being upon no other premise than they’re here as much as you are. It cultivates a profound keenness for the parts of our experience that we might have left behind in the flow of time.

Somehow, in knowing my neigh-

bor better, I better remember myself – who I am, who I used to be, who I’d like to be.

Last night, as I drove home in the early dark of winter, past rows of houses full of strangers, I remembered that giddy feeling you get when you’re passing by the home of a dear friend. I don’t really remember the last time I felt that. I wondered what it would be like if I knew my neighbors so well, that just turning into my neighborhood felt like that, the whole way to my driveway?

I wondered, what if I parked my car – if just for a moment – outside of the garage, so I could get out and wave to my neighbor across the street, an elderly woman who plays basketball in the yard with her granddaughter on Tuesday evenings?

I think it would be beautiful.

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Toy Drives Planned To Benefit Local Angel Tree Christmas Gift Program

by David Dinsmore

S

everal organizations will rally to help kids in need by hosting toy drive benefiting the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program.

The Salvation Army partners with businesses and organizations to place trees throughout the area that feature tags corresponding to a child selected based on need earlier this year.

Each tag on the tree presents details about the anonymous child whose family may not be able to provide Christmas this year due to circumstances and offers suggestions for needs and wants that could make their holiday a little merrier.

Some, however, choose to contribute to the larger effort by donating gifts at toy drives hosted in the community that add to list of gifts the angels receive.

The Grand Casino Hotel and Resort has hosted a toy drive for Angel Tree every year since 2007, helping collect toys along with monetary donations that have contributed more than $13,000 to local charitable organizations in that time, general manager Joe Garcia said.

The Grand’s toy drive this year is scheduled 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Dec. 4 at 777 Grand Casino Blvd.

“Our employees love the idea (of helping with Angel Tree), and this allows them to participate and give back to the community,” Garcia said. “It brings a lot of cheer and happiness (to employees at The Grand).”

The Grand gives a T-shirt to anyone who brings a toy of $10 value or more or accepts monetary donations for three different organizations, said Garcia, who has seen the effect receiving these gifts can have on area kids through his work on the board of the local Boys & Girls Club.

“We just try to do our part to help these families that are in need,” Garcia said.

The toy drive is just one of the charitable activities employees at the Grand and the Citizen Potawatomi Nation overall participate in throughout the year. A poll taken by officials revealed that about 60 percent of those employed

by CPN volunteer their time in some way in the community.

Another such event that will help kids make new Christmas memories will utilize the resources of a place filled with many old memories. The Ritz of Shawnee will host its second annual Toy Drive Concert starting at 7 p.m. on Dec. 14 at its 10 W. Main St. theater. Perform14

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Grand Casino Hotel and Resort general manager Joe Garcia helps lead an annual toy drive benefiting the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, which provides children in need with gifts and essentials for Christmas.

Photos submitted

ers scheduled as of mid-November include the Immanuel Baptist Church handbell choir, Cami Stinson Engles and Crosswalk 3:16.

“It’s awesome to be able to do something to help these kids,” said Dell Kerbs, president of Safe Events for Families, which is the parent owner of The Ritz. “Our whole thing is to give back to the community and do great events like this.”

One of the goals of bringing The Ritz back to its former glory is to help foster a “hometown feeling” of community, Kerbs said. Benefitting local kids while showcasing local talent personifies those efforts.

“If we just get one toy, that’s one toy a kid didn’t have before,” Kerbs said.

“Toy drives go a long way,” said Capt. Stacey Connelly, who leads the local Salvation Army location alongside her husband Capt. Patrick Connelly. “For those who want to drop a toy off,

I would ask for people to bring gifts for older children.”

In her nine years of experience as an officer, Stacey Connelly said the kids ages 10-12 tend to be the ones that have gifts donated that are suited to their interests when it comes time to organize and send out the gift to the recipient families. Some examples of good gifts for those ages would be books, remote controlled cars, sports balls, board games, jewelry-making kits, art supplies and makeup kits.

In addition to adopting an angel from one of the many trees in the area, people can help by donating to a toy drive event like the concert at the Ritz – which will offer a 10 percent off coupon at Theopolis Social Club for those who bring a gift to the concert.

“We have some phenomenal partners who really come through … to make sure these angels are well taken care of,” Stacey Connelly said.

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Shawnee Little Theatre will present “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley,” which follows the adventures of some of Jane Austen’s immortal “Pride and Prejudice” characters as they celebrate the holidays in 1815. The production will run Dec. 6-14 Photo by David Dinsmore

Holiday Magic Takes Center Stage With 'Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley' at Shawnee Little Theatre

by Carolyn Lawrence

‘T

is the season for Shawnee Little Theatre to stage another must-see production from Dec. 6 to Dec. 14. at the company’s 1829 N. Airport Drive home.

“Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley” is a sequel to Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” set two years after the novel ends. “Miss Bennet” continues the story, only this time with bookish middle-sister Mary as the unlikely heroine. Director Rebecca Fry said the play combines romance, comedy and poignancy into a delightful story. It is a family-friendly show filled with the bubbling pressures of courtship and marriage and makes a good fit for a holiday-themed show.

When asked how the cast will put their own personal mark on this production, Fry said, “Jane Austen belongs to everyone so it’s hard to take her characters and do anything different with them than what the author intended.

“As a director I’m trying to convey the way the play merges modern wit with a period style.

It will delight Austen fans and newcomers to the Austen world as well. If you haven’t read ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ you’ll be okay.”

Fry said this play caught her eye because it has humor and spirit, which are two things that feed our soul that we could all use more of.

“It’s about sisterhood and family,” Fry said.

The play is also about choices. Mary is unmarried and struggling to reconcile her dreams with

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society’s misogynistic rules. She has a curiosity for reading, scholarship and the world beyond.

She dreams of travel and adventure, but living with the limitations of 1815, she knows that may never happen.

“I wonder: Can one live a large life in mind alone?” Mary wonders during the play.

The play addresses the choices women have and some they don’t in that time. Three women in the play must choose to redefine their next steps in life, even within a very narrow set of circumstances.

Fry felt it was important to remember that Shawnee Little Theatre is totally volunteer-driven. Rehearsing a play in this time slot presents scheduling problems with fall break, Thanksgiving and busy lives interfering.

The cast has been wonderful to work with and has gone above and beyond to make the schedule work, Fry said, but it has been a challenge.

Another challenge comes in presenting a period piece. The cast and crew must work harder to make sure it is authentic. The costumes, props and the set should look like they belong in 1815 during the Regency Era at Mr. Darcy’s Pemberley.

Another of Fry’s favorite lines in the play is when Mr. Bingley tells Miss Bennet, “‘Tis the season to have faith in your fellow man.”

Audiences will like the simple charm of “Miss Bennet,” Fry said. The cast and crew are a perfect

fit for this beautiful play. There is romance, a happy ending, a kiss and snow – and it all happens at Christmas.

“I hope SLT audiences will enjoy ‘Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley,’ our holiday gift to them,” Fry said.

The play was written by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon. The two fleshed out the structure of the play on a Starbucks napkin during a road trip. The two felt America needed a new holiday play, one with a sense of familiarity and beloved characters. That led them to some of the most iconic characters in literature: the Bennet sisters.

It was not designed to be like another holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol.” “‘Miss Bennet’ is the exact opposite – it is designed to be a pleasant, joyful, delightful fun experience not only for the audience but for the actors as well,” Melcon said in an interview after the play premiered in 2017.

Gunderson noted another key difference: “Our main character Mary doesn’t change like Scrooge does. It is not required for her to adjust to the world, but for the world to adjust to her.”

Miss Bennet was one of the top 10 produced plays in 2018, according to industry publication, American Theatre.

Tickets and information available at shawneelittletheatre.com or (405) 275-2805.

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SSM HEALTH MEDICAL GROUP

How to Protect Yourself (And Others) This Flu Season A common misconception is that the flu primarily causes vomiting and diarrhea. Studies indicate that only 2 to 30 percent of people with the flu ever develop vomiting or diarrhea.

“Unfortunately, we confuse the ‘stomach flu’ with true influenza,” said Shivendra Bansal MD, SSM Health Medical Group. “Influenza is primarily a respiratory disease. Influenza viruses Dr. Bansal cause symptoms we associate with the common cold, such as nasal congestion, cough, fever, headache and body aches.”

These symptoms can be much more severe with influenza when compared to the common cold, and severe complications even leading to death are much more common with influenza.

Typically, influenza often starts with headache, nasal congestion, cough, fever, body aches and fatigue. These symptoms are only occasionally accompanied by vomiting or diarrhea. The fever, chills, nasal congestion and body aches can typically last for five to seven days, but often the cough can linger long after the other symptoms have improved.

“The basic treatment of the flu is similar to the treatment of the common cold,” Bansal said. “This includes bed rest, pain relievers (such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen but NO aspirin) for body aches and headaches as well as lots of fluids to prevent dehydration. While your appetite will be decreased, it is important to continue to drink lots of fluids.”

Antibiotics should not be used for the treatment of either the flu or the common cold. Those are saved for the rare bacterial complications of the flu or cold virus infection. Over-the-counter cold medications have little proven benefit and should be avoided in all children less than four years of age. A teaspoon of honey – but only for those older than one – can be an effective way to calm the cough. The return of a new fever or an increase in symptoms when you should be getting better may indicate a serious complication, such as a secondary bacterial infection.

Be sure to see a doctor for further evaluation to see if antibiotics are needed.

Influenza is unique in that there are some antiviral medications that may be indicated for people who are more likely to suffer complications of the flu, such as the very young, people with asthma or heart disease or those with other underlying diseases that make them less able to fight off the flu.

“These antivirals do not ‘cure’ or necessarily decrease the severity of flu symptoms,” Bansal said. “They just shorten the duration of the symptoms by one to two days and decrease the risk of serious complications for those at increased risk. And they are most effective if given within the first two to three days after onset of symptoms.”

The best way to treat the flu is to never get the flu. Since the flu virus is primarily spread by respiratory droplets from someone with the flu who is sneezing, coughing or blowing their nose, it is important to frequently wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after touching something that might have those respiratory droplets so you don’t transfer the virus-containing droplets to

your own nose and eyes, especially during flu season.

Another way to decrease the chances of getting the flu is to be sure to get your flu shot several weeks before the flu season starts. It takes several weeks for the flu shot to work to generate immunity, and since the flu season can start as early as October or November, it is important to get the flu shot as early as possible, such as in September or October. It is never too late since the season may start as late as February or March.

“All of us should get the flu shot every season,” Bansal said.

“The flu vaccine changes every year to match the viruses that are predicted to strike in the upcoming flu season. It is thought that our immunity wanes after a year.”

In addition to protecting yourself by getting the flu shot, you are also protecting others. If you don’t get the flu, you can’t give it to someone else. The flu shot contains only fragments of the flu virus, so there is no way to catch the flu from the vaccine. The flu shot is not always effective. So, you might get the flu after the shot, but you did not get the flu from the shot.

Dr. Bansal suggests that if you do catch the flu, try to stay away from others while you are sick. You might do OK with the flu, but the person to whom you might give the flu may not do so well. So, get your flu shot so you’re less likely to catch the flu and give it to others.

Dr. Bansal is accepting new patients at his practice located at SSM Health Medical Group, 3214 Kethley in Shawnee. He focuses on a full spectrum of family medical care for infants, children and adults. To schedule an appointment, please call (405) 273-5801.

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21

THE BRIGHT SPOT Amid the bad news and bickering out there, sometimes it’s nice to read a little encouragement. The Bright Spot is a space to share some inspiration or reassurance with the community through poetry or prose. If you have an idea or something to brighten someone’s day, submit it to editor@shawneeoutlook.com.

My Bus Ride

By Kay Lynne Vance Riding along on the finest bus Surrounded by friends.

Just watching the beauty of nature go by at the window.

Thank You, God, for giving me this sweet bus ride.

By and by, another bus pulls alongside.

There the happy people on that bus are all eating pizza!

My first thought: “We have no pizza. Sure wish we had pizza on our bus ride!”

“Never mind,” God said, “Just take your eyes off that other bus and remember how sweet is your bus ride.”

You are right! Thank You, God, for my sweet bus ride!

Thank You for precious friends. And thank You for all the beauties of Your glorious nature!

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How Do I Measure Up?

By Kay Lynne Vance Yes, it is possible to measure the exact distance from the South Pole to the North Pole.

Yet, on the equator, you have an East and a West.

If you look East, you will never reach West; and if you look West, you will never reach East.

It is an enigma; an unknowable mystery. East from West simply cannot be measured. Yet, God, in Jesus Christ, His Son, has removed all our sins “as far as the East is from the West, never to be remembered.”

I'm so thankful to Him that He did not say, “As far as the North is from the South.” Because in our fallen state of humanity, we are all sinners and deserving of death.

Jesus gives us eternal life.

He alone “measures up.”

Reading Old Poetry

By Kay Lynne Vance I thought I'd read old poetry To put me in a frame of mind, To rhyme my words more easily – My thoughts to fit their kind.

What I've learned is just amazing, From those folks of long ago; Before all present-day technology, Just grazed in meadows of “suppose.”

They still went far with feelings, Emotions common to us all.

Their sense of understanding From their soul, to us doth call.

You will have to be the judge, Weighing only of their theme, Reading slowly, as if tasting At the edge a little cream.

Strong To Carry On

By Sheila Hughes I miss those gone before me, Each and every minute every day.

So, to keep their memories alive, I spend time with them along life’s way.

I still remember the distinctive smiles Along with tear-stained cheeks, and happy happy birthdays, those days my heart’s calendar keeps.

Etched within my memories heart and soul are the I love yous and the kisses.

I long to join you on high, your heartstrings mine misses.

So, make a place for me in heaven – Not forgotten though your gone – You live on in my every breath.

You made me strong to carry onIf you know of any events you’d like to see featured, email editor@shawneeoutlook.com.

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SHAWNEE HISTORY

Pearl Harbor Attack Spurred Volunteers To Serve Abroad, At Home

by Ann McDonald, Courtesy Pott Co. Historical Society Member

I

t was just a little over two weeks until Christmas in 1941. The stores in Shawnee’s downtown were crowded with shoppers, holiday decorations filled homes and children were composing their letters to Santa.

And then, on that first Sunday of December, as citizens emerged from their places of worship, word spread over town. Our country had been attacked by a foreign enemy.

They were aware of the hostilities in Europe. The military draft had already been implemented, and 19 Pottawatomie County men had been part of the first levy in November. But such an attack was unexpected.

During the rest of that day Shawnee citizens joined fellow Americans realizing what this meant.

They listened to President Roosevelt’s radio speech when he said, “This is a day that will live in infamy.”

Twenty local families who had sons in Hawaii, worried if they were safe. All but one, Harrell King Mattox, escaped death that day.

Sgt. Edward Levelle, the army recruiter in Shawnee, reported that by 7:30 the next morning there was a line of men at his office. On Tuesday, the first group of volunteers left with more following about every other day, and less than a month later, a large group of draftees reported for basic training.

In the early days, draftees and enlistees had big send-offs. They had breakfast at the City Cafe before the American Legion led them to their departure point, sometimes accompanied by the high school band. The City of Shawnee provided a carton of cigarettes, a Bible, postcards and snacks for their trip.

As it became apparent this new life as a warring nation was not going to be a quick affair, home folks made adjustments. Most men and many women were gone for the “duration,” a word that became common along with the phrase, “You know there’s a war on.” It was often used in jest. Everyone was aware, but it helped when rationing was implemented. Citizens were only allowed three pairs of shoes a year because the soldiers needed boots. Only six gallons of gasoline a week was available to ordinary Shawnee drivers because the fuel was needed for planes and tanks to help win the war.

Simple things like the lowering of speed limits saved that precious gasoline. Housewives gave up pots and pans to the metal drive. Coffee and sugar were in short supply. Manufacturers came up with oleomargarine to replace butter. Simple things like soda pop was not available because the metal for the caps was needed in the war effort. Even chewing gum was scarce since any available was put in the men’s K-rations.

Gardening and canning became popular. Nearly

Headlines like this landed on newsstands in communities across the country soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 in Hawaii.

Photo submitted

every spare inch of ground in Shawnee was turned into Victory Gardens, including school yards. Shawnee planted twice as much in English peas as it had before the war. Onions were found amid rose bushes.

Schools allowed the women to use their kitchen for canning, and in 1943, 15,000 pints of vegetables were canned at Washington School.

Rubber tires were no longer available, and local grocer Troy Garrett of the Sunshine grocery store reverted to “horse power” in his home deliveries with his wagon and team. No new cars were being manufactured, so some Shawnee folks put their vehicles up on blocks. Even civilian clothing saw a change.

Men’s trousers could no longer have a cuff and the suit coat had to be single breasted. Women’s skirts were shortened and the two-piece bathing suit came into style, all to save a few inches of material. The war even caused a change in Shawnee High School’s colors. Until the war, SHS colors had been purple and white. When it became impossible to obtain red dye to make purple, the color scheme was changed to blue and white.

The Shawnee Naval Air Station was built about a year after the war began and gave jobs to local citizens, including many women. The wives, sisters and sweethearts of the men in service became an important part of keeping things moving back home. Many from Shawnee found positions at what is now Tinker Air Force Base. Shawnee lost many of its nurses to the military, leaving a shortage at the city’s two hospitals.

Retirees and those who had left the profession to raise a family were called on to help.

The absence of men even caused court trials to be postponed because so many were in the military or were dismissed from the jury pool because their work was “essential.” It wasn’t until 1951 that women were eligible for jury duty, so if enough men couldn’t be found the trials had to be moved.

Another busy place was City Hall, where servicemen went to acquire a marriage license. After office hours, many visited clerk John Coleman’s home to get the document before running to a minister’s house for the ceremony before dashing to catch his train.

Shawnee citizens found many ways to do their part in winning the war. It wasn’t only sending people into the military but also the willingness to do whatever they were asked. Doing without was a small price to keep the world free. Many met the trains that crisscrossed Shawnee transporting military personnel from place to place. They provided snacks and magazines to help their journey more bearable. Some had been on a train for days and appreciated the efforts of the local folks. Later, some citizens told of getting a postcard from an unknown soldier who had found a magazine on the train containing the original address, wanting to thank the one who had passed it on.

Shawnee earned a reputation of doing all it could to help win the war … even giving up 102 of its “boys” who never returned. www.shawneeoutlook.com

25

MENTAL HEALTH

Restoration Through Relationships Help Communities 'Expect Hope' O

klahoma has some of the highest rates for mental illness and substance use disorders in the country.

Based on 2012 data, Oklahoma ranks third in the nation for rates of any mental illness and second in the nation for rates of any substance abuse disorders. This means that between 700,000 and 950,000 adult Oklahomans could greatly benefit from services.

Emotional disturbances and substance abuse among children and youth also occur at alarming rates. About 10 percent of Oklahoma youth have a mental health disorder and an additional 10 percent have a substance abuse issue.

A Pew Research Center survey conducted in August 2017 found that 46 percent of U.S. adults say they have a family member or close friend who is addicted to drugs or has been in the past.

Addiction does not discriminate. Its impact is hard-hitting, far-reaching and unavoidable. Addressing this overwhelming challenge requires the help of both professionals and local community members. Fortunately, we have both.

Gateway to Prevention & Recovery is an established nonprofit who understands that addiction is a devastating, complex and progressive disease. When left untreated, it can negatively affect every area of a person’s life. That is why Gateway is dedicated to serving individuals, families and communities in Oklahoma who have been affected by addiction and mental health disorders.

More than 35 years ago, local parents, including Gateway CEO Sallie McLaughlin, gathered out of a deep concern for their teenagers who had begun to develop problems with drugs and alcohol. Because resources were extremely limited, these individuals formed a planning group and established a hotline to support other families who were facing similar issues.

Through community partnerships and private donations, funding was acquired to start providing addiction treatment services to the community.

Soon after, Gateway sought guidance from programs in Kansas and acquired the necessary information and resourc-

DEC

es to bring a prevention program back to Oklahoma. To this day, Gateway is the only substance abuse treatment provider in the state that has its own prevention program.

Today, Gateway’s treatment services are rooted in Pottawatomie, Lincoln and Seminole counties, providing substance abuse, mental health and gambling services to more than 500 community members – including children and youth – every year, with that number steadily increasing as programs develop and expand.

Gateway’s prevention services stretch across six counties, including a great majority of rural communities that would not otherwise receive the support, resources and education necessary to improve their health and wellness and decrease their susceptibility to developing substance abuse and mental health disturbances.

Gateway is extremely proud of its efforts over the years as it has helped individuals, families and communities experience a greater sense of overall health and wellness. However, Gateway understands that engaging in sobriety and healthy decision-making requires exciting, inspiring and supportive environments that exist both inside and outside of the treatment or prevention setting.

In his Ted Talk, “Everything you know about addiction is wrong,” Johann Hari said, “The opposite of addiction is not sobriety. The opposite of addiction is connection.”

People are wired to seek connection and will find it even though such connections may or may not be “healthy.” However, if presented with adequate support, resources and opportunities to engage in their purpose, individuals can and will turn away from destructive patterns and embrace a more fulfilling and productive way of life.

That is why Gateway is thrilled to announce that it has been chosen as a Life.Church local mission partner alongside Community Renewal, Legacy Parenting and Cargo Ranch. Life.

Church is committed to providing relief and restoration to its communities through partnerships with local organizations.

This assistance comes in the form of volunteers and yearly grants.

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Alicja Carter, LADC, BHWC, has been working in the behavioral health and addiction treatment field for nearly 12 years. She is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Wellness Director for Gateway to Prevention and Recovery. Alicja is passionate about collaborating with others for the purpose of stimulating positive change in her community.

Timmy Young

2019 2008

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Gateway looks forward to utilizing volunteers in some of the following ways: Mentoring program – Serve as a mentor/friend to a Gateway participant and/or take on an administrative role that will help support and expand the mentoring program.

Wellness program groups – Attend wellness program meetings, practices and activities to offer friendship and additional support where needed. Gateway currently has participant/alumni-led groups such as the Community Service Team, Sober Sports, Walk the Walk Alumni Group and Wellness in Recovery Team Lunch. These groups were created

by Gateway participants to increase their practice of giving back to the community, engaging in healthy physical and social activity and staying connected after treatment ends.

Site/event support – Serve at specific Gateway sites and events to help fulfill needs identified by the staff.

Sebastian Junger said, “When people are actively engaged in a cause, they have more purpose, with a resulting improvement in mental health … people will feel better, psychologically, if they have more involvement with their community.”

Gateway believes that this partnership stands to benefit everyone involved. As local people solve local problems, individuals, families and communities can expect hope.

If you have additional interest or questions, please feel free to contact Alicja Carter at acarter@gatewaytoprevention.org.

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HAZEL DELL PET RESORT

PET BOARDING DAYCARE Formerly Lake Road Pet Boarding.

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Hazel Dell Pet Resort Owners Bring Family Feel, 16 Years of Experience to 10-Acre Facility

by David Dinsmore

F

rankie and Nancy Spears were just looking at a home – and ended up with a home-awayfrom-home for thousands of area pets over the years.

In 2003, their realtor showed them a place at 1929 W. Benedict Street. Frankie said he liked the building behind the home because it would allow him to have space for a shop or a play area for kids and grandkids.

The building had served as the Barker Pet Hospital in the past. It still had the facilities needed to house pets, and after a few conversations with their realtor and previous owner, the Spears decided to try their hand at something new and opened Lake Road Pet Boarding.

“They talked us into giving it a shot,” Frankie said.

The Spears began taking on more clients as Frankie continued working as an electrician at nights at Tinker Air Force Base until he retired in 2016.

By that point, Lake Road Pet Boarding had built a great reputation among their customers and their pets, but Frankie began looking at expanding and adding to the services they offered their customers.

This led him to a 10-acre spread just north of Shawnee.

In June 2018, the Spears built and opened Hazel Dell Pet Resort at 39812 Hazel Dell Road and began offering even more amenities to their customers and their pets.

“When the pets come here, they can rest and play and run,” Frankie said. “There’s nothing here for them not to like.”

Each pet or family group gets a run that has a climate-controlled interior along with an exterior component for when the temperature is just right.

They can go in and out of these different areas as they please in addition to all the larger areas that allow them to run off some energy throughout different parts of the day.

They offer daycare service from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. along with longer term boarding for people who are traveling without their pets, the Spears said.

They do require that pets come with current records of veterinarian-administered vaccinations.

One of the elements Frankie knew he wanted to expand with their new location was their grooming services. Opening Hazel Dell Pet Resort has given them the space and resources to offer a dedicated grooming area.

Customers can ask for their pets to receive a fullservice grooming as part of their stay, Frankie said, but owners can also bring their pets in for the day for a little pampering.

The key to providing the best service to their guests is to treat every one that comes in the door as

Hazel Dell Pet Resort owners Frankie and Nancy Spears brought more than 15 years of pet boarding experience from owning Lake Road Pet Boarding when they opened their new location in 2018 at 39812 Hazel Dell Road.

Photos by David Dinsmore

your own pet, Nancy said.

“You have to love animals for this to succeed,” she said. “You can’t just like animals.”

For her, it’s easy to love animals because of the love they show in return because of their unconditional loyalty and innocence, she said. Though the job of boarding pets does come with its share of sacrifices, the love of the work itself makes it easy for the Spears to do what they do for their guests at Hazel Dell Pet Resort.

The impact they have on their guests is apparent in the stories they hear from the pet owners. When their regular dogs arrive, many don’t need to be on a leash, Nancy said. They will stand in front of the Spears and wait eagerly for a pat or a hug.

Nancy said she measures the success of Hazel Dell Pet Resort – in addition to their previous place – by how much the animals in their care love being there. They have heard numerous stories from customers who said their furry friends perk up when they realize they are getting close to the Spears’ place. Regulars will even begin heading straight back to their usual area as soon as they arrive.

At their former location, a golden retriever who would come on a regular basis. Nancy said they were so familiar with what he liked that they made sure to include a swimming pool in the outside portion of his run. The dog enjoyed himself so much that when it came time to go home, he would run back to his

space if the owner would put down the leash at any point during the pick-up process.

“That tells me that we’ve been successful, because they are comfortable here,” Nancy said. “They love being here.”

One of the key focuses for Hazel Dell Pet Resort is providing a clean environment, which is clear when walking through the boarding and play areas, Frankie said. The Spears make sure that regular monitoring and maintenance takes place throughout nearly every point of the day to ensure that cleanliness.

Frankie said their ability to provide the appropriate amount of attention to their guests is in big part to the help from his sister, Tonya Spears-Stief, who has been working alongside them “since day one.”

“She’s always here for us,” Frankie said.

In addition to getting to know the pets, the Spears also enjoy meeting and building relationships with their owners as well. Their facilities at Hazel Dell Pet Resort have a lobby with a sitting area for customers have some coffee and chat if they’d like.

Some customers who brought their pets for grooming have chosen to stay and relax in the lobby while watching TV or reading.

“You’ve got to care for the pets, but you’ve got to care for the people, too,” Frankie said.

For more information or reservations, call (405) 395-9775, email hazeldellpetresort@gmail.com or visit their location at 39812 Hazel Dell Road. www.shawneeoutlook.com

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December Events Dec. 7: Oklahoma Baptist University presents its 82nd annual Hanging of the Green Christmas program. The community is invited to attend this free holiday celebration at 7:30 p.m. in the Potter Auditorium of Raley Chapel. Information: (405) 585-4301 or music@okbu.edu.

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Call Terry Rodgers, Betty Phillips or Kennzie Mendoza

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405-273-2412 Hello!

Would you like some insurance?

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Dec. 8: Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang will bring an animated Christmas tradition to life with “A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage” featuring two shows at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at FireLake Arena at 18145 Old Rangeline Road.

This theatrical adaptation of the classic television special features the original dialogue accompanied by the unforgettable music of Vince Guaraldi’s musical score.

Tickets and information: firelakearena.com.

Dec. 8: The Music Preparatory Department Choirs at Oklahoma Baptist University will present a Christmas concert. The groups featured in the program include the Shawnee Honor Choir and the Concert Choir at 3 p.m. in Potter Auditorium of Raley Chapel on the OBU campus. Information: (405) 585-4329.

Dec. 10: Kids and their grown-ups can have Supper with Santa and The Grinch starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Shawnee Family YMCA at 700 Saratoga St. Information: facebook.com/shawneeymca and (405) 273-4386.

Dec. 13: Get ready to celebrate A Blue Christmas Elvis Tribute featuring Trent Smith at 7 p.m. at The Ritz Theatre at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee.com or facebook.com/theritzofshawnee.

Dec. 14: Musicians and groups will lend their talents to help make local children’s Christmas morning a little brighter with a concert and toy drive at 7 p.m. at The Ritz Theatre at 10 W. Main St. for the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Christmas program benefiting kids in need. Everyone that brings a toy will receive a 10 percent off coupon at Theopolis Social Club. Information: ritzshawnee.com or facebook.com/theritzofshawnee.

Dec. 14-Jan. 19: Biblical Stories Re-imagined will feature works on paper from the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art’s permanent collection from the 19th-21st centuries that illustrate Biblical stories as depicted

by Marc Chagall, Jean Charlot, Rev. John Walch and Stephen Gyermek. Information: mgmoa.org.

Dec. 15: The Broadway Tenors will ring in the holidays with their ‘Tis the Season show featuring music from Broadway’s Golden

Age to the newest hits and back again in a thrilling and moving evening of Broadway’s most beloved holiday songs. The show at 7 p.m. at Firelake Arena at 18145 Old Rangeline Road. Information: firelakearena.com.

Dec. 20: Arts @317 will host artist John May, who makes rings and bells out of coins. He will be demonstrating how he makes these pieces along with some of his work for sale. The gallery will also host a book signing featuring Phillip Cimei and his new book, “A Perfect Religion: A Beacon to the True Kingdom of God.” The event will happen 6-9 p.m. at 317 E. Main St. Information: (301) 648-1709.

Dec. 23: Jones Theatres presents its 98th annual free children's Christmas show at 10 a.m. at the Hornbeck Theatre at 125 N. Bell downtown. On screen will be the animated family holiday favorite “The Grinch" rated PG – featuring the voices of Benedict Cumberbatch and Angela Lansbury – which tells the classic Dr. Seuss story of a cynical grump who goes on a mission to steal Christmas only to have his heart changed by a young girl's generous holiday spirit.

Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Free to all ages, attendees will receive free Christmas candy as they exit.

Dec. 28: Comedian, actor, singer and writer Rodney Carrington will ride into the Grand Casino at 7 p.m. with the relatable, memorable and hilarious act that has won him awards and made him one of the most successful comics working today. Information: grandboxoffice.com.

Jan. 3-5: Shawnee Little Theatre will present “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” a jukebox musical in conjunction with The Ritz Theatre and Safe Events For Families. This smash off-Broadway hit takes audiences to Springfield High School’s 1958 prom where four girls have hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts and meet later at their 10-year reunion to reassess those goals.

The soundtrack includes 30 classics from the 1950s and 1960s. The show will feature four shows at 7 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Information: shawneelittletheatre.com and (405) 275-2805.

Jan. 7: Oklahoma Baptist University's Division of Music welcomes the regional junior and senior high school honor band students to rehearse with three distinguished guest conductors for the presentation of a concert at 6:30 p.m. in the Potter Auditorium of Raley Chapel on the OBU campus. Information: (405) 585-4301.

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

W. John Haddad, MD, FACC is back in Shawnee with Oklahoma W OHH South welcome OHHHospital.

South welcomes Heart

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Oklahoma Heart Hospital is nationally Long-time Shawnee cardiologist W. John Haddad recognized as a top performing facility Long-time Shawnee cardiologist W. John has joined Oklahoma Heart Hospital andHaddad will providing exceptional satisfaction. be seeing patients at patient the OHH Southand campus. has joined Oklahoma Heart Hospital will We are proud to proudly have cardiologist, Dr.John W. Dr. has Shawnee beHaddad seeing patients atcardiologist theserved OHH South campus.

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Oklahoma Heart Hospital is providing nationally exceptional recognized patient satisfaction. We’re proud to welcome as a top-performing facility providing exceptional Oklahoma is nationally recognized Dr. HaddadHeart to theHospital OHH team! patient satisfaction. facility We’re proud to welcome as a top-performing providing exceptional Dr. Haddad to the OHH team! patient satisfaction.

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