Issuu

Christmas Crawl | Claus For A Cause

DECEMBER 20 Vol. 17 Number 10

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID SHAWNEE, OK PERMIT NO 33

City of Shawnee Ice storm Debris Drop-off Location: • • • • •

Heartland of Oklahoma Expo Center City of Shawnee Ice Storm Debris Drop-Off Location: Heartland of Oklahoma Expo Center

Information

Enter from W Independence St Follow Darrien Gordon Dr to the entrance east of the grandstands. Follow the signs. You must present a water bill and valid ID to drop off debris. Operating hours: o Mon: 8:00am – 5:00pm o Tue: 8:00am – 5:00pm o Wed: 8:00am – 5:00pm o Thu: 8:00am – 5:00pm o Fri: 8:00am – 5:00pm o Sat: 8:00am – 2:00pm o Sun: Closed

Debris Pick up Service

• •

•

Our teams will pick up curbside debris Code enforcement will not be issuing violations for curbside storm debris Do not cover your meter Our teams cannot clean debris from your property, nor can they remove stumps Consider hiring a licensed and bonded tree removal business for major tree damage cleanup.

For questions, please call (405) 878-1601 or visit www.shawneeok.org

www.shawneeok.org

For questions, please call (405) 878-1601, or visit www.shawneeok.org.

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CONTENTS

DECEMBER 2020

22 FEATURES 9

Local Businesses Bring Holiday Shopping Fun To Christmas Crawl Dec. 18, Weeklong Raffle Starting Dec. 12

Over the Fence: Washing Away Pride To Find Simple Solutions

For 2nd Year, 9-Year-Old Girl Seeks To Raise Money To Buy Christmas Gifts For Local Kids In Need

Claus For A Cause Photo, Toy Drive Event To Help Make Christmas Merry for Local Families As Director Retires After 35 Years, Gateway Looks To Future With Expansion of Facilities, Services LOCO's Christmas Fun To Feature Train Rides, Santa Pictures Dec. 19

Publisher

Okie Icon Media

Managing Editor

David Dinsmore

Advertising Sales

Brad Carter

Creative Direction

Kelsey Walker & Fawn Wilson-Olivarez

Writers

Andrea Beck Jamie Bergsten David Dinsmore Kelsey Dye Brandon Dyer Ann McDonald Angela Rowland

Distribution

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

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

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

DEPARTMENTS 6 KEEP THE CHANGE 6 NUTRITION 101 24 SONIC CONTEST 25 SHAWNEE HISTORY 26 MENTAL HEALTH 27 HELPING HANDS 29 THE BRIGHT SPOT 30 CALENDAR

Articles and advertisements in Shawnee Outlook do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or Okie Icon Media. Okie Icon Media does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The acceptance of advertising by Shawnee Outlook does not constitute endorsement of products, services, political candidates/parties or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service that is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Shawnee Outlook assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials.

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KEEP THE CHANGE

Work From Home Options

t the height of a worldwide pandemic, if you need some work-from-home opportunities to add a little cash to your 2021 budget, I have found a few good ideas during this year of distancing. Please note, all these options have a wide range of success. Individual results may vary. • Teaching English – If you speak English fluently and are a college graduate, you are a perfect candidate for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at many online programs marketed to children in Asia. The most well-known (also most saturated) program is VIPKid, but there are many others out there. Magic Ears, Palfish and Qkids are also other options. Do some research and see if these might be a good fit for you. • Teach Anything Else – You may not think of yourself as a teacher, but if you’re older than the age of 18, passionate about anything and generally like kids, you may want to check out Outschool, which is an online teaching platform that uses Zoom to teach classes to kids throughout the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. The topics are not limited – you get to create your own class, set your own price and manage your own schedule. My greatest success has been in social clubs. Even if you don’t feel comfortable teaching a particular subject, if you love subjects like video games, photography or animals, you can create a class for kids who like these things and give them a space to share their enthusiasm with other kids like them. • Try Direct Sales – Right now, with people going out less, direct sales companies have really taken off. People still like to shop, just from their own home. Find a company you love and try your hand at making some extra spending cash.

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

Understand Food Marketing

et’s talk about how food is marketed to you and the effects of that marketing. Certain labels and phrases like “gluten free” can be put in place to automatically make you think it is healthy. An electrolyte replacement drink may receive the designation of “sports drink” and cause people to think it is necessary when going outside for a 30-minute walk. The large corporate food companies have people that make a lot of money to do one thing: convince you to buy their product. The manufacturers are not primarily concerned about how that product affects your health; they are concerned about if you buy it or not. Their goal is for consumers to buy foods that can be addictive so that they continue to buy them. Food companies know to target children. They target children with advertisements on the front of a package. If an item has a picture of their favorite character on it, they are for sure going to want you to buy it. If the child sees a commercial in which everyone is having fun and laughing while enjoying the product, it can convince the child to believe that product will bring them that same joy. The University of Connecticut did research on marketing geared towards children. In 2015, $77 million was spent on advertising just baby and toddler food and drinks, and 6 out of 10 advertising dollars were spent on sugar sweetened drinks and nutritionally poor snacks. It is hard to market real food, and it just does not seem as fun. I heard something great, and it really made sense: “You can’t patent Mother Nature.” Nope. You sure can’t. You won’t see all the commercials for bananas and broccoli. It is up to us as the consumer to know what is better to buy and not rely on the big food industry to tell us what they think is good for us. Below is a recipe of all real food you can trust.

Creamy Wild Rice Soup I just love soup weather. I have been wanting to experiment with a multi-cooker like an Instant Pot, so this gave me a reason to do so. I loved the creamy consistency the recipe gave. Ingredients: 1 cup wild rice uncooked 1 cup diced carrots 3 stalks celery diced 1 cup diced onion 4 cloves garlic minced 8oz mushrooms sliced

4 cups low sodium vegetable broth ½ tsp thyme 2 bay leafs ½ tsp sage 2 large handfuls kale leaves

chopped with stems removed 1 tsp salt ½ tsp black pepper 4 Tbsp butter (vegan if desired) ¼ cup all-purpose flour 1 ½ cups canned coconut milk

Directions: Add rice, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, mushrooms, broth and seasonings to the Instant Pot and stir to combine. Close lid with vent in sealing position. Cook for 30 minutes in soup mode, then allow the pressure to release. Open the lid and discard bay leaves. Add the kale leaves and stir. While the soup is cooking, melt the butter in a pan on the stovetop. Add the flour and sauté for about 1-2 minutes. Whisk in the milk, a little at a time until you have a smooth, thick consistency. Add the roux to the soup and stir. Nutritional Information per serving: Makes: 7, 1 cup servings Calories: 215 Total Fat: 13g Saturated Fat: 9g Cholesterol:0 mg Sodium: 544g Carbohydrates: 19g Dietary Fiber: 3g Protein: 5g Nutrition 101: If you don’t have an Instant Pot, this recipe can easily be made in a slow cooker like a Crock-Pot cooking for 2-3 hours on high. Soups can be a great way to add vegetables to your meals. I paired this with a side salad to get the additional health benefits of having more vegetables and make the meal very filling. 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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Local Businesses Bring Holiday Shopping Fun To Christmas Crawl Dec. 18, Weeklong Raffle Starting Dec. 12 by David Dinsmore

he second-annual Shawnee Christmas Crawl will give shoppers a week full of merriment at local businesses featuring a raffle contest and culminating in an evening filled with holiday fun and activities at locations all around the city. The official Christmas Crawl event will take place 4-8 p.m. on Dec. 18 at participating businesses who will be hosting a variety of activities along with specials and discounts to help shoppers check off their Christmas lists, but the fun will kick off with the Main Street Market from 6-9 p.m. on Dec. 12 at 415 E. Main St. in the building housing Bayly Botanicals and the Gathering Place Coffee Co., which will feature the talents and wares of local artisans and craftspeople along with live music at Theopolis Social Club next door. There will also be live Christmas trees and wreaths and holiday-themed treats available during the Main Street Market event. Following the kick-off on Dec. 12, shoppers at participating businesses can enter a weeklong raffle contest running through the Christmas Crawl event on Dec. 18. Purchases made at participating businesses earn entries to the contest with the winner announced at 7:30 p.m. during a live event on Shawnee Forward’s Facebook page. Prizes include a $400 Airbnb gift card, $150 Visa gift card and $100 gas card. Shawnee Forward is organizing the event with a list of participating businesses including: • BancFirst • Bayly Botanicals, 415 E. Main St. • Coffee N Crafts, 5 E. Main St. • Collision Works, 4881 N. Harrison St. • Cuckoo Bird and Dashing T, 1817 N. Harrison St. • Fed+Well Kitchen, 415 E. Main St. • First United Bank • Ford Insurance Agency, 11 E. MacArthur • The Gathering Place Coffee Co., 415 E. Main St. • Guitar Vault, 20 E. 9th St Suite 110 • MacArthur Creek, 6 W. MacArthur St. • Mainstream Boutique, 1049 Vision Blvd Suite 400 • Wystle, 1725 N. Kickapoo Ave.

The second-annual Christmas Crawl will offer fun activities and discounts for shoppers 4-8 p.m. on Dec. 18 at businesses across Shawnee with a weeklong raffle leading up to the event starting Dec. 12 at participating businesses. The winner of the prizes will be announced by Shawnee Forward Dec. 22 on Facebook. Stock photo

Some of the businesses participating will also be partnering with other local merchants to put together their activities for the evening of Dec. 18. “This year, we’ve encouraged businesses that aren’t retail to partner with a retail business … to encourage collaboration between different types of businesses,” said Amanda Johnson, who helped develop the idea of the first Christmas Crawl last year and work as First United Bank’s local Spend Life Wisely ambassador. The Christmas Crawl will mark MacArthur Creek’s first event, and it along with Ford Insurance Agency will showcase what the area has planned for the near future. The evening’s activities will include pop up booths, food trucks, live music, llamas and a photo booth offering one free photo per family. We will have hot chocolate,

a food truck and shopping. Mainstream Boutique will host a cookie decorating class showcasing Brandi Abbott of locally owned OMC Cookies along with coffee, cocoa. and treats. Participants must enroll in advance. Call (405) 395-4372 for information. Cuckoo Bird and Dashing T is partnering with First United to offer a stockingful of fun in the store, including refreshment, discounts and drawings for door prizes. Wystle will partner with BancFirst and Greta Shuler, owner of Heavenly Grind Coffee Co., to offer a great experience for parents and children, such as a children’s photo booth with tons of toys and props and Christmas caroling led by BancFirst’s talented staff. In addition to trying to create a unique holiday tradition the community can look forward www.shawneeoutlook.com

to each year, Shawnee Forward and participating businesses see an annual Christmas Crawl as a way to highlight the importance of small business to the community and build relationships with new friends and neighbors with whom they share their home. “Shopping small is important because we are the people supporting the nonprofits in town, giving prizes for high school events and doing all we can to make sure Shawnee is an awesome place to live and shop,” said Micah Barton of Cuckoo Bird & Dashing T. Reaching new customers can be more difficult for small businesses that do not have dedicated marketing departments and large budgets for blanket campaigns. That’s why a statement from the staff at Wystle said the boutique gift store is participating in the Christmas Crawl “to show a united front for locally owned businesses in our community and to offer good community fun.” Shopping locally is not only important for the businesses themselves but also for the people who live in the community, said Charlotte Ford-Barnett of the Ford Insurance Agency. “All small and locally owned businesses need the support of the community, or we will be overtaken by corporate America,” she said. “Let's stick together and support each other. Work together forever as a team. Shawnee is a great place to work and live – support the businesses that make that happen.” Shawnee Forward director of marketing and events Jeremy Davidson said the idea for the event came out of conversations with Johnson last year. It made sense to organize efforts of Shawnee Forward and its partner businesses to help make a big splash with local shoppers on the hunt for the perfect gift. “At that time of the year, this where a lot of businesses will do 70-plus percent of their entire business (for the year),” Davidson said. “We want to showcase them … so whatever we can do to help that.” Having a variety of small businesses working together toward a goal can sometimes catch the attention of shoppers who may have visited one store but not others and help open new options for customers and business owners alike, Johnson said. “Through Christmas Crawl, we thought we could provide an opportunity to patronize local businesses in a fun and innovative way,” she said.

DEC

Some of the response to the first-ever Christmas Crawl last year took some businesses by surprise. Kali Dearing, community relations director at Collision Works, said more than 800 people participated in their event featuring photo ops with characters from the classic Grinch tale that they only planned and began promoting two weeks prior. “It was a very exciting experience for our company and for our employees to be involved,” Dearing said. “We took on a situation of bringing the community together and brought our company together while doing so.” Though Shawnee’s location not only provides residents with a variety of shopping options in town but also in Oklahoma City, merchants like Jesse Ingram do not want local shoppers to think it is necessary to travel to find a cool experience or special item. That’s one reason Ingram – who has ownership in Bayly Botanicals and The Gathering Place Coffee Co. – is not only participating in the Christmas Crawl but also hosting the kick-off event in the Main Street Market that he is looking to establish as its own annual event. “We want to have a place where people who are creative have an avenue to put themselves out there,” Ingram said. “We want to create a space where peo-

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ple can showcase what they can do and then also to gain the trust of the town.” Having established recurring events like Christmas Crawl can give locals and those around the area something reliable to add to their holiday shopping plans each year, Ingram said. Earning the trust and business of customers in the community can help small merchants play a big role in elevating the city’s profile locally and beyond. “There’s a goal to make Shawnee a destination,” Davidson said. “Part of that is what we can do collectively to make these great environments … working together like (these businesses) are where there may be … three or four distinct businesses converging in one location to help create a real Christmas spirit.” Participating businesses also indicated that they are planning around the challenges presented by the response to the coronavirus pandemic when organizing their Christmas Crawl activities and are taking steps to ensure the health and safety of their customers this year as best they can. Visit the News & Events section of shawneeforward.com or the events tab of Shawnee Forward’s Facebook page for a link to the free Christmas Crawl tickets available on the Eventbrite page. Call (405) 273-6092 for more information.

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Over the Fence:

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

Washing Away Pride To Find Simple Solutions

everal weeks ago, our dishwasher stopped working. It’s always bad timing when an important household appliance bites the dust, but this was particularly bad timing. My wife and I were working nights and weekends to get her store ready for her grand opening, and I simply didn’t have time to deal with it. Very little time anyway. Like some of you, I am a Mr. Fixit kind of guy. There are few things that go wrong at my house that I can’t remedy in some way. Especially with the help of the internet. So, busy as I was, I spent a few minutes researching possible solutions and settled on what seemed to make sense. The control panel had gone out. I ordered a new one and spent 20 minutes installing it only to be frustrated by the fact that, despite my certainty, it was not the control panel. Have any of you Mrs. or Mr. Fixits been here before? You’ve descended into the rabbit hole of replacing part after part? Sometimes you get lucky and solve it quickly. Other times you replace so many parts that you may as well have bought a new one altogether. Having fallen victim to that madness one too many times, I hesitated on buying the next expensive part. Now the truth is I hesitated an excruciatingly long time. Just ask

Brandon Dyer

my kids, who around our house are assigned the dreaded chore of washing the dishes. Each time I grabbed a “clean” hand washed glass out of the cabinet, I was reminded just how valuable a functioning dishwasher was to our family. Maybe even to our health. So, a friend talked some sense into me and recommended I call someone. This sounded like wisdom to me as I was at my breaking point. I’m pretty sure my family had already decided to change the locks if I didn’t solve this problem, pronto. So, I swallowed my

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pride and asked for help. The friendly fellow scheduled an appointment. He also suggested I check one simple thing before he came out. Have you ever had trouble getting an electronic device to start up, and someone has the gall to ask if you’ve tried restarting it or recommends unplugging the cord for ten seconds? Well then, you know exactly how I felt when the gentleman asked if I had checked the power connection. Except that I had not checked the power connection. As it turned out, the wire nuts had come loose. Once I retightened them, voila, it worked. Instantly, I felt both the elation of having solved the problem and frustration for having overcomplicated it. The solution was so simple I simply overlooked it. Sometimes, we allow problems to spiral to a point where they seem impossible to remedy. Honest effort upon honest effort often leave us with little resolve. Believing the solutions must be too complicated, we sometimes stop trying altogether. Have you ever been there? Our country seems to be in such a place. Each of us knows there is a problem. That much we agree upon. But what is the solution? A casual observation of our unbridled rheto-

ric would seem to suggest that we believe the solution is to “just agree with my side, and it will all be OK.” That solution is not only impossible, it is inconsiderate. It doesn’t recognize the value that each individual brings to the discussion table. Even worse, it doesn’t recognize the value of the individual. Unfortunately, we have made it acceptable to dismiss any person who doesn’t agree with us. We have reduced a person to an argument who is either on my side or on the “other” side. Perhaps our own identities are too indistinguishable from our opinions. Surely, each of us is worth more than the sum of our particular persuasions? Is it possible that human beings have intrinsic value beyond such things? Maybe reweaving the fabric of our society is not quite as simple as tightening the wire nuts, but it surely isn’t as complicated as we often seem to make it. In order for us to find solutions that work we must both gain and give cooperation. We call it compromise, and it is only made possible by a booming economy of trust. Trust requires willingness, and someone always must make the first move. No, it’s not always easy, but swallowing our pride and asking for help is a great first step.

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For 2nd Year, 9-Year-Old Girl Seeks To Raise Money To Buy Christmas Gifts For Local Kids In Need

by Jamie Bergsten

s a popular holiday song proclaims, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” For many that is true, however, there are those in the community who are struggling right now. They have lost loved ones or have encountered financial troubles that will make Christmas gift-giving difficult this season. That makes a local child’s plan to help other kids especially important. Lillian Flores came up with the idea last year at this time, and her current goal to bring holiday cheer is even more impressive in 2020. Lillian – or Lill as she’s also known – is a 9-yearold Bethel student. She loves to bake, play soccer and is even trying her hand at wrestling for the first time this year. Perhaps her favorite role, though, is that of a Santa of sorts, helping children she doesn’t even know to have a merrier Christmas. “She came up with this idea last year when she realized how fortunate she was to have things some kids may or may not have,” Lillian’s mother Stephanie Dodd said. “She wanted to make Christmas possible for those that may not be able to experience it otherwise.” Dodd helped her daughter by creating a Facebook page that collected donations, and by her 2019 deadline, Lillian had raised $620. “She was able to help eight kids with those funds,” Dodd said. The children ranged in age from 18 months to 17 years and were all Shawnee residents except for one young girl from Moore. “We also reached out to OU Children’s Hospital because that is where Lillian was born and spent time in the NICU, so it holds a special place in her heart,” Dodd said. “The hospital gave her a wish list for items they were wanting, and we purchased those as well.” Lillian’s dream has grown, and this year she would like to assist 20 local children with their holiday wishes. Her fundraising goal has also grown to meet that need and currently sits at $1,000. All contributions last year came from individuals, but at the time of this writing Lillian had already received at least one corporate donation from a local salon. “When we did this before, some parents gave us a list of interests and requests their children had,” Dodd said. “Once the items had been purchased, I met with each parent individually. Some gifts were wrapped, but other families requested we leave them unwrapped so they could enjoy wrapping them for their kids.” None of the recipients knew that the presents were from Lillian, and she has no interest in receiving credit for her efforts. “She’s said that this year her goal is that none of the children know she’s the gift-giver,” Dodd said. “Sometimes moms and dads just need a little help, and that’s okay.” 14

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Lillian Flores spent her holidays last year gift shopping for less fortunate kids she did not even know after raising $620 online with the help of her mom. She gave the gifts without the recipient kids realizing she did so, and this year Lillian wants to raise at least $1,000 to provide gifts for at least 20 kids. Photos submitted

Lillian’s shopping list last December included board games, dolls, stuffed animals, toy trucks, Minecraft toys, nail polish, makeup and other items, all purchased for other children to enjoy. “I would like for this to become a tradition and impact my community as it grows each year,” Lillian said. The mother/daughter team will continue raising money for the project until Dec.13 this year to allow them time to shop for and distribute the gifts. Those who would like to contribute have multiple ways to do so. “My PayPal is stefi292001@yahoo.com, and my Venmo is @Stephanie-Jordan-51,” Dodd said. Fellow Santa’s helpers can also message her on Facebook for more information about what Lillian hopes to accomplish. Dodd works for Orthodontic Specialists of Oklahoma in Shawnee, and her husband Jason, Lillian’s stepfather, is a sheet metal mechanic for Tinker Air Force Base. Lillian’s father, Matthew Flores, lives in McLoud and is a state production superintendent for the United States Air Force. Lillian also has three siblings, Avery Flores (15), Gabe Dodd (13), and Max Dodd (10). They all have reason to be very proud of Lillian’s kind heart, ingenuity and generosity.

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CLAUS FOR A CAUSE

Photo, Toy Drive Event To Help Make Christmas Merry For Local Families

by David Dinsmore

wo local business owners are putting Santa Claus to even more use this year to help provide a merry Christmas for local boys and girls. Cuckoo Bird and Dashing T Boutique and Rachel Cleere Photography are partnering to host the first-ever Claus for a Cause event in Shawnee, part of which includes a toy drive that will be open until Dec. 16. Those who donate a new toy at the boutique located at 1817 N. Harrison St. will receive 15 percent off discount on an item from the store. The toys will benefit the clients of Legacy Parenting in Shawnee along with all the proceeds from prebooked Santa photo sessions taking place at the store on Dec. 13, all of which were reserved even prior to Thanksgiving. The idea started with a Santa photo event at Cuckoo Bird and Dashing T, which had held private Santa events for the last couple of years. Owner Micah Barton said it had grown with each passing year. “I was trying to think of a way to evolve it to include more people, but then (the COVID-19 pandemic) happened,” she said. “Then, (photographer Rachel Cleere Ervin) came in and asked if I wanted to do something like this, and it grew from there.” Cleere said she had done some research about other communities that use such events for fundraising. With the impact some families have experienced because of the response to the pandemic, it seemed like the right time to try and help as much as they could. Barton and her boutique had worked with Legacy Parenting in September during the Diaper Need Awareness Week sponsored by the National Diaper Bank Network. She contacted executive director Lacey Holt about how they best could use the event to help meet the needs and wishes of Legacy’s client families. Legacy Parenting provides parenting education to local families and houses a boutique-style store where participants can trade education credits for baby essentials along with fun items to bring a smile to their children’s faces. “For those families, a new toy would be super special,” Barton said. “When they come into (Legacy’s store), it’s usually a gently used toy, which is helpful and beneficial, but they rarely get brand new toys. That can be really special around this time of year for them to be able to get something 18

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Cuckoo Bird and Dashing T Boutique and Rachel Cleere Photography are partnering to host the first-ever Claus for a Cause event in Shawnee, which includes a toy drive that will be open until Dec. 16 and a photo day with Santa that has already been filled due to limited capacity resulting for the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photos submitted

brand new and take it back to give their kids as a gift for Christmas.” Barton and Cleere were initially able to secure two hours of Santa’s time during his busiest season to host the photo portion of the event. The pair put the word out on social media in November about available time slots for photos along with what they were planning to do with Claus for a Cause, and they filled the allotted sessions for the two-hour period. After word got back to Mr. Kringle, he gladly offered a couple more hours out of his schedule, which also filled quick-

ly along with a waiting list compiled all before Thanksgiving. “People were really excited to get their Santa photos but also give back at the same time,” Cleere said. As with any new project, Barton said she was not sure what the response would be to an event like this, especially given all the concerns people have about staying healthy and keeping their loved ones healthy this year. “The response really shows how good Shawnee is about supporting organizations like Lega-

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cy here,” Barton said. “It shows they really care. People really want to do something good.” As with almost every event this year, the photo portion of the event came with concerns resulting from the current public health emergency. Barton and Cleere wanted to make sure to provide as safe an environment as possible for the photo participants and the big guy himself. “We did the photos by 10-minute slots so we could keep a good flow but not have too many people at one time,” Cleere said. “We can sanitize in between. Kids can talk with him. We’ll have some other chairs set up, so that they don’t have to be directly on top of his lap this year.” Though they will limit the capacity for the photos this year, the quick response by those who booked encouraged Barton and Cleere to look ahead at hosting this event in future years when health concerns are not as prominent, and they can open up the event to more participants and help raise more money for the families who benefit from Legacy’s services. In addition to the kids whose Christmas may be a little brighter as the result of a new toy donation, the Claus for a Cause planners also want to make sure to

provide some holiday magic for the kids participating in the photo sessions as the events of the year have taken enough of those types of moments from little ones already. They are also looking at having some crafts or activities outside the boutique depending on the weather so that those arriving for their turn with Santa will be able to revel in some yuletide fun, Barton said, and they will also have some treats to take home from their time with Santa. “We want it to be a fun experience all together and not just run in and take a picture and run out,” Barton said. “We’re trying to make it a special moment for them.” For more information, contact Cuckoo Bird and Dashing T at (405) 214-1992 or Rachel Cleere Photography at (405) 5841491. Follow each on social media for updates in regards to public health concerns. Legacy Parenting is also still serving diaper needs for their clients and others in the area, so they are also partnering with other organizations and events to do diaper drives throughout the holidays. For in2700 N Kickapoo formation about those events and needs, Shawnee, OK 74804 call (405) 432-2844, visit legacyshawnee. (405) 585-2907 com or follow Legacy Parenting on social store6963@theupsstore.com media. theupsstorelocal.com/6963

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As Director Retires After 35 Years, Gateway Looks To Future With Expansion Of Facilities, Services

s Gateway to Prevention and Recovery prepares for the retirement of its longtime leader at the end of this month, the organization is also preparing for a large expansion that will help it greater serve the needs of those facing substance abuse and behavioral health illnesses. The expansion will be another chapter in the story of an organization that got its start as parent groups that began meeting almost 40 years ago to address the issues surrounding the growing use of recreational drugs at that time. Outgoing Gateway executive director Sallie McLaughlin remembers the worries that parents like her had about what their children may be facing as drug use grew in the community, but it was not easy for everyone to find information or to address those concerns. “You talked to your next-door neighbor or someone else you knew … but there wasn’t really any way to know where to go,” said McLaughlin, who has served with Gateway since its inception in 1985 under the name DARE. Her involvement began as a thought and a prayer for her son. “I said, ‘Lord, if anything bad happens to my son, I’m going to do something about this drug stuff,’” McLaughlin said. “And then I thought, ‘Why does something bad have to happen before I do something?’” From those groups grew concerted efforts to find solutions for those facing real problems with drug abuse in the community, and eventually their work led to the establishment of a program called the DARE program of Shawnee in 1985, and McLaughlin was there serving as the treasurer of the nonprofit organization. By the next year, the organization that later became Gateway had four full-time staff members with McLaughlin as its director and secured a grant in 1987 to provide a best practice prevention program called School Team Training, which was in place in other states like Kansas. McLaughlin continued to lead Gateway as it evolved from a group helping locals find outpatient treatment in other communities into its modern role as a comprehensive source of prevention, intervention, treatment and training services for Pottawatomie and surrounding counties, and most of its growth came because of effective relationship building in the community, the state and around the country. The key in the early days to building those rela-

tionships came down to one factor for McLaughlin. “Being brave enough to talk,” she said. With a knowledgeable and compassionate approach, addressing tough subjects that even today carry some stigma has helped Gateway form coalitions and task forces within communities in surrounding counties, McLaughlin said, and working with members of communities in initiating prevention programs and helping those seeking recovery has helped the work continue to make a bigger impact. “Teams are more effective,” McLaughlin said. “A team would be any kind of a task force or group working together. You can’t do this kind of work by yourself. You have to invite others to join in with you.” When McLaughlin started working in the, many people in the community faced a lot of misinformation about substance abuse and behavioral health illness treatment and prevention, McLaughlin said. It was important that the staff working for Gateway continually stayed educated on the best ways to provide treatment and prevention services based on the most effective and current research available. That strategy continues today even as the staff has grown to include about 50 people working in a variety of roles addressing behavioral health illnesses and substance abuse. Jon Greenwood joined this team 20 years ago and worked his way to director of prevention before receiving the title of interim executive director this summer in preparation for McLaughlin’s departure this month. In that time, he has come to understand the advantage of a two-pronged approach in addressing substance abuse and behavioral health illnesses. “(McLaughlin) has always seen the value of treatment and prevention together and the need for both of them,” Greenwood said. As the demand and interest in Gateway’s services and programs has increased, so has its need of find way to accommodate those services and offer them effectively to those who need them, which has led the purchase of a property at 36609 W. 45th Street with facilities and space to allow the organization to bring the treatment and prevention staffs together at the same location. McLaughlin’s decisions have allowed Gateway to operate debt-free and gave the organization the ability to buy the property featuring a former warehouse and two homes, Greenwood said, but the development needed to remodel and create the necessary facilities to bring the organization’s goal of giving the best treatment and prevention services

by David Dinsmore

possible to the community has led to an unprecedented fundraising campaign. Gateway’s first-ever Expect Hope campaign began in October, and it will incorporate a variety of funding strategies to provide the $5.8 million needed to construct the 25,000 square foot facility envisioned by the organization’s staff, Greenwood said. Gateway has outgrown its current 8,000 square foot facilities and does not have the ability to expand at that site. The property will also give Gateway the option to add more programs in the future that would not be possible currently, such as equine therapy or residential services. “It gives Gateway another 50 years,” Greenwood said. “Sallie got us through the first 35 years to get here and gave us the foundation to get here. The legacy that she’s built, now we can expand that and grow on that.” For more information or to donate, email expecthope@gatewaytoprevention.org or call (405) 2731170. Though this is the first full-fledged fundraising campaign for Gateway, McLaughlin said asking the community to get involved in helping with its services is part of the foundation for the organization. “People support what they help create,” she said. The growth of Gateway under her leadership and now as it prepares for the next steps it will take with the expansion of its facilities has often tied directly to the support of the community, McLaughlin said. Seeing what Gateway has been able to accomplish during its existence has reinforced for her repeatedly that the work matters and is important to people in the community, but it is also a testament to the dedication and passion of the people working through Gateway and its programs. “People don’t get into this work because they think it will be a great career that they can get rich off of it,” McLaughlin said. “They do it because it is something in their heart to do. It’s like a ministry more than anything else.” Though her own work with Gateway winds down just after her 80th birthday this month, McLaughlin said she will still involve herself in other work where she thinks her skills and experience could help. “It will be totally different for me,” McLaughlin said. “There might be something else in my life I might be called to do. “I won’t be idle. There are lots of valuable organizations in Shawnee, and I really treasure what they do. I might want to volunteer with some of them.” www.shawneeoutlook.com

LOCO's Christmas Fun To Feature Train Rides, Santa Pictures Dec. 19 F or the last few years, the Locomotive Operators of Central Oklahoma train club has opened its 1/8th scale tracks to anyone looking for a memorable holiday ride through a festively decorated wonderland. The club hosted one Christmas event earlier this month and will give holiday lovers and train enthusiasts another chance to ride the rails before Christmas from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Dec. 19 at its property at 29626 Lake Drive in McLoud. The train club features gas and batteryoperated train engines that carry passengers over bridges, inside a tunnel, through townships and past other surprises, and during the holidays, the members dress the paths along the tracks with continuous strands of Christmas lights for visitors to enjoy along with some hot cocoa available at the station for those waiting for their turn to ride.

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This year, LOCO also has added a couple celebrity guests in Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will be riding in by train for pictures and to double check who has been naughty and nice. The club is hosting two Christmas events this year partly because it was not able to offer as many public ride events this year. Though LOCO typically offers train rides to nonmembers once a month, state regulations in response to the coronavirus pandemic limited the clubâ€™s ability to do so until the fall this year. The extra holiday event will give more people who missed their chance to ride the trains earlier this year an opportunity to do so before the holidays hit. The club also offers its facilities to host train-themed birthday parties and other special events. For more information, visit facebook. com/locotrains or call (405) 277-0032.

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SHAWNEE HISTORY

Local Art Student Designed State Flag As Part Of A Contest In 1924

By Ann McDonald, Courtesy Pott Co Historical Society Member

he first flag that flew over Oklahoma once it became the 46th state in the union was red with the number 46 in blue inside a white star. While it was a fitting representation of the new state, many felt another design could better tell the story of the people of Oklahoma. In 1924, a contest sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution was held. The winning entry was designed by a Shawnee woman, Louise Funk Fluke. She was the daughter of longtime local librarian, Trimmier Funk, and Richard Funk, a salesman at the Marquis Furniture. The family lived at 1120 N. Beard. A well-known art student, she was asked by the local DAR chapter to enter the contest. She had studied under Shawnee teacher Marjorie Dodge Tapp and had taken courses at Columbia University and the Chicago Art Institute. In an interview during a later visit to Shawnee, Mrs. Fluke was quick to give credit to her art teachers, but she admitted that her real drive had been her love for Oklahoma and the knowledge she had gained about the state during her classroom days in Shawnee. She had also studied at Oklahoma Baptist University before she married George Fluke, both of whom were 1918 graduates of Shawnee High School. For inspiration, she drew on Oklahoma’s Native American heritage for her design and did further study at the Oklahoma Historical Society. The center of the design is an Osage shield fringed with eagle feathers, and the small crosses are a sign for stars to indicate reaching for heights. Across the face of the shield is a peace pipe, representing the many tribes in Oklahoma, and an olive branch depicting the white settlers. The color of Mrs. Fluke’s flag was sky blue. She explained that the crossed pipe and olive branch were to illustrate “the love of peace by a united people.” The flag design was adopted in April 1925, and the new flag was first raised over the state

This original design made in 1924 by local art student, Louise Funk Fluke, became the basis of the Oklahoma flag, though some changes were made to the design over the years including the addition of the state’s name in 1941. Photo submitted

capitol a few days later. The flag that was shown to the Oklahoma legislature was made by the young woman herself, and it featured fringe around the edges. She said later that she worked on the flag and on her wedding dress at the same time. George and she were married the following December. In 1941, the word Oklahoma was added because of what some said was an effort “to combat widespread illiteracy.” Over the years small changes were made by some to the original, such as colors or stylized emblems. In 2005, an Oklahoma Boy Scout leader planned to design an emblem for the National Jamboree, and while looking for an

image of the state flag noticed how many different renderings there were. He brought his concerns to his state representative, and a bill was passed the following year to standardize the colors and shapes. It was signed by another Shawnee native, Governor Brad Henry. After their marriage, the young couple moved to Oklahoma City then to Ponca City where George worked for Marland Oil. They had a son, George Rogers Fluke. In March 1953, Louise Fluke’s husband was killed in an auto accident in which she was seriously injured. She lived to the age of 86 and died July 27, 1986. The Flukes are buried in Shawnee’s Fairview Cemetery.

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MENTAL HEALTH

Recovery Storytelling: A Catalyst To Overcoming Mental Health And Substance Abuse Stigma

n the United States, there were millions affected by mental illness and substance abuse in 2019. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, there were 20 million adults with a substance use disorder, 51.5 million with any mental illness, 61.2 million with cooccurring disorders and 12 million who experienced suicidal ideations. Unfortunately, only a fraction diagnosed with a mental illness or substance use disorder received treatment; and some may never receive treatment due to a variety of barriers. The second largest barrier for individuals seeking treatment for a substance use disorder is stigma. Social stigma is based on a set of beliefs created by a society or group with deceptive information. Thirty-one percent of individuals stated they wanted to seek treatment for mental health concerns but opted out due to stigma. One method to combat social stigma is with community integration supported by education, awareness and connection. An effective method for providing education, awareness and connection throughout the community is through recovery storytelling. Recovery storytelling involves an individual’s journey with mental illness, substance use disorder or co-occurring disorders. The intended outcome for self-disclosure is to reduce stereotypes, provide healing and motivate others to seek treatment. With that being said, I advocate to overcome social stigma because I am in remission from co-occurring mental illnesses and substance use disorders. My motivation for self-disclosure is to prevent others from experiencing barriers I encountered regarding stigma and be able to pursue recovery with increased support and understanding from the community. My recovery journey began with the origin of my co-occurring disorders. The onset of my disorders began during my parents’ addiction. My parents’ addiction resulted in my genetic predisposi26

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tion to substance abuse and would later surface as a result of environmental influence. Unfortunately, my father’s disease led to a drug overdose when I was 8 years old and contributed to the deterioration of my mental health. When I was 12 years old, I began to experience noticeable symptoms of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideations. A few years later, I began abusing substances to cope, so I was admitted to various institutions, such as a youth shelter, juvenile detention facility, psychiatric hospital and Gateway to Prevention and Recovery. Ultimately, I walked through the doors of Gateway following experiences at past institutions that proved ineffective. I was 17 years old and consumed by mental illness, substance abuse and suicidal ideations. By this time, my co-occurring disorders reduced my will to live. Fortunately, I began treatment and realized why the motto at Gateway to Prevention and Recovery was “Expect Hope.” For the first time since entering adolescence, I was hopeful and in remission from mental illness, substance use and suicidal ideation. Due to my remission, I was discharged from treatment and continued my journey in recovery. Following discharge from treatment, I remained sober for a period of time until I experienced additional trauma, stopped prioritizing my mental health and ultimately relapsed. My relapse turned into a progressive, three-year addiction to opiates and deterioration of my mental health. After three years, I was ready to expect hope once more and walked through Gateway’s doors for a second time. Following my re-engagement in treatment, I entered long-term

sobriety from opiates on Nov. 1, 2014 and noticed improvement in my mental health. When I entered long-term sobriety, I set a goal to amend the three years I lost to substance use and mental illness. I knew I had found my calling, so I enrolled in college to pursue a career in treating those seeking help with their mental health and substance abuse. With this career in mind, I emailed my resume to Gateway to Prevention and Recovery, which directed me through Gateway’s doors for a third time. Following the interview, I was hired in June 2018 and shortly after graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science degree. I am currently employed as a case manager, peer recovery support specialist and behavioral health wellness coach. Through my past experiences and now my employment, I can advocate for change. With millions in the United States affected by mental illness or substance use disorder last year, I challenge you to advocate for change. As a community, we can work together through education, awareness and connection to overcome stigma and embrace recovery. One way you can do this is by being a part of the Recovery Action Wellness (R.A.W.) Community Calls that take place the last Tuesday of each month from 12:00-1:00 p.m. This is a time to be inspired by recovery storytelling and connect to other community members that support recovery and wellness. If you are interested, please connect with Gateway wellness director Alicja Carter at 405-432-2750 or acarter@ gatewaytoprevention.org for access to the Zoom link.

Kelsey Dye has worked at Gateway to Prevention and Recovery for two and a half years as a case manager, peer recovery support specialist and behavioral health wellness coach. Her greatest achievements include being a mother and earning her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Oklahoma.

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HELPING HANDS

Local Organizations Respond To COVID-19 Pandemic Local businesses and organizations have not only found creative ways to operate while navigating the response to the coronavirus pandemic, and many have also found ways to give back and lend a helping hand to their neighbors in the community. Here are a few some people told us about and some others who are still offering any assistance they can. If you are part of a group or know of a group who has been working to help locally, please email editor@shawneeoutlook.com or contact us via facebook.com/shawneeoutlook.

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

Emmanuel Episcopal Church/United Presbyterian Church Throughout the pandemic crisis, Emmanuel Episcopal Church has continued its daily lunch program. Hearing that patron numbers were increasing and that some supplies were becoming more difficult to obtain, United Presbyterian's Session decided to contribute to Emmanuel's efforts. In November, the Session of United Presbyterian Church of Shawnee voted to contribute $5,000 to Mission Shawnee to support their food pantry and

any special food baskets prepared for the holiday season.

OHCE Oklahoma Home and Community Education chapters around the state responded to the call for masks as soon as the need became apparent. From mid-March through early June, OHCE groups worked together to produce 42,000 masks, including 2,500 from chapters in Pottawatomie County. These masks have gone to several medical facilities, firefighters and military personnel as well as many family and friends. Those who would like to help OHCE’s efforts with community projects such as this and others including assisting women’s shelters, church organizations and more, contact the county OSU Extension Office at (405) 273-7683.

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

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

Immanuel Baptist Church Visit ibcshawnee.org/serve-coronavirus or call

From staff reports

(405) 273-2105 for opportunities to serve, such as: • Signing up to deliver groceries, prescriptions, DVDs and other essentials to those in need. • Sew face masks for health care providers. • Make care packages for health care providers. • Providing free to-go meals from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. every Thursday at Mission Shawnee at 126 S. Center St.

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

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

Oklahoma Blood Institute Blood donation typically takes only about an hour, and one donation saves up to three lives. Appointments can be made by calling 1-877-340-8777 or clicking here or visiting a donor center listed below: • Ada – 1930 Stonecipher Blvd. • Central OKC – 901 N. Lincoln Blvd. • Edmond – 3409 S. Broadway, Ste 300 • North OKC – 5105 N. Portland Ave. Please be aware of and observe all local distancing guidelines and social restrictions when deciding how to donate.

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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.

Every moment in your life, make it count. Don't let go as it mounts. Time – it's a dream. It's only a created thing.

Dreaming in Time

Bringing his deep caring love, never ending, to His hopeful flock. Time is only a dream, it's only a created thing. God is forever, and so are you.

By Patrick Breen

Time is only a dream, It's only a created thing. Across the divided line, It's whatever is in your mind. Direction where it's only a stare, It's only for us to bear. Press in hard but think of it softly. Pressing out is what it's all about.

Caught moments from your past: Seal it in or seal it out. You're only the one who is in doubt. God is all truth, seeking you out.

A Small Town Winter Story By Patrick Breen

Like voices howling through pine trees delight, With strong blowing clouds of soft powdered snow, drifting in the cold night. Walking past Bill's old hardware store. Same sled in his front Christmas window for 25 years! Hope-

fully, he will be around another 25 years. Twenty-one days into December, winter's first day, full white moon, walking past the windy scorned, and Greenhorn's grocery store. Glancing over to the right, I see those old frozen gloves still clinging to the hose, stretched out toward Green Tears Lake. Iced over frozen street signs, going across Old Iron Bridge, now a city hall Landmark since '61. Leading to downtown's favorite, Hotel Brown – had a fire there back in '71. Same year Elvis survived his comeback run. Boots making crunchy sounds on the frozen snow beneath my feet, as down the slippery lane I go. Past Kaye's Bakery by the old picture show and newly plowed snow. As for me, I've worked for the Beacon News early morning delivery for more than two decades now. What I've come to know: time waits for no one, no, not even you. God is waiting for all of us, so let's have some safe fun – and Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!

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CALENDAR

December Events All events subject to change and incorporate a variety of guidelines regarding public health standards. Please contact each organizer for complete and up-to-date information Dec. 11: Community Art Gallery will host a Christmas-themed craft workshop. Keep an eye on Shawnee Mall's Facebook page as details are available. Dec. 12: A Main Street Market will bring together local makers and businesses to offer some holiday cheer and unique items starting at 6 p.m. at 415 E. Main St. The market will also kick off a weeklong raffle event taking place at local businesses leading up to the Christmas Crawl shopping event taking place the following Friday. Look for more information on social media from Bayly Botanicals, Gathering Place and Theopolis Social Club. Dec. 12: Trent Smith and The Rip it up Band will play The Ritz of Shawnee starting at 7 p.m. at 10 W. Main St. Information: facebook.com/theritzofshawnee Dec. 12: Guitar Vault will be hosting a holiday event featuring pictures with the Grinch, live music and free hot at its location on the ground floor of the Aldridge building at 20 E 9th St #110. Information: https://www.facebook.com/ guitarvaultok Dec. 12-24: Santa Claus is scheduled to come to the Shawnee Mall this year for 12 days with health-focused protocols in place. Check out shopshawneemall.com for information and reservations when they are made available. Dec. 17: The Shawnee Senior Recreational Center will host a Ugly Holiday Sweater/Shirt Day at 401 N. Bell. Information: (405) 878-1528 Dec. 18: Merchants around Shawnee will have their Christmas cheer on full display during the Shawnee Christmas Crawl from 4-8 p.m. Many will be 30

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offering discounts and fun activities throughout the evening. Tickets are free and unlock special deals all night long. Search "Shawnee Christmas Crawl 2020" on Facebook and Eventbrite for tickets and information. Dec. 19: The Locomotive Operators of Central Oklahoma train club will host a Christmas-themed ride event from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at 29626 Lake Drive in McLoud. Trains will take riders through a festively lit stretch of ⅛ scale rails featuring bridges, a tunnel and surprises along the way. Riders can warm up with some hot cocoa back at the station while waiting to take a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Information: facebook.com/ locotrains or (405) 277-0032. Dec. 19-20: The G&S Shawnee Gun Show will take place this weekend at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center at 1700 W. Independence. Admission is $8. Dec. 19-Feb. 14: Just in time for Christmas, the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art will present “Blessed Virgin: Images of the Virgin Mary” featuring works from the permanent collection of the MGMoA featuring the Virgin Mary from medieval to modern. The works vary in medium, style and country of origin to showcase the different ways that the Virgin Mary has been portrayed. As of late November, the museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday 10-5 with a limited number in the gallery and timed tickets available. Contact the museum at (405) 878-5300 for the most up-todate information. Jan. 9: Travis LeDoyt will bring to life Elvis Presley in his prime during the 1950s and 1960s with a show starting at 6 p.m. at The Ritz of Shawnee at 10 W Main St. Information: facebook.com/ theritzofshawnee If you know of any events you would like to see featured, email editor@shawneeoutlook.com.

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Who will win their

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Christmas Toy Drive DECEMBER 1 – 20

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Christmas Dinner

Ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, roll and piece of pie (pumpkin or pecan)

$4.99