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Tourism Makes Cents | Service a Thanksgiving Tradition

NOVEMBER 17 Vol. 14 Number 9

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CONTENTS

NOVEMBER 2017

Publisher

Okie Icon Media

Managing Editor

David Dinsmore

Advertising Sales

Brad Carter

Creative Direction

Kelsey Walker & Fawn Wilson Olivarez

Cover Photo

David Dinsmore

Writers

Peyton Bates

Jamie Bergsten

Andrea Beck

15 FEATURES

Alicja Carter

David Dinsmore

Ann McDonald

Angela Rowland

Thresa Swadley

Carrye Wells

8 Sunday School Teacher Starts Special Needs Class at Church to Help Kids, Parents 11 Business Owners Put Faith, Values into ‘Action’

DEPARTMENTS

18 Service a Thanksgiving Tradition at Salvation Army’s Annual Meal

6 NUTRITION 101

23 OBU Celebrates 80th Anniversary of Hanging of the Green 24 The Summit Mentor Program Seeks to Help Students Achieve Peak Performance

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

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12 Tourism Makes Cents 15 The American Experience: 5,210 Miles Can’t Separate Us

22 Have a Happy, Healthy Holiday Season

Distribution

6 KEEP THE CHANGE 20 SONIC CONTEST 21 SHAWNEE HISTORY 26 MENTAL HEALTH 30 ART GUIDE

29 Future Tense: Everything Else is Gravy

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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

Save Some Green to Keep Away Christmas Blues With Halloween finished, Christmas has officially taken over the stores. If seeing red and green has you mostly seeing green – all those dollar bills going out the door – maybe now is the time to rein in your holiday spending. Here are some tips: • Plan ahead. It’s a little late now, but maybe this can start getting you prepared for next Christmas. Begin in January and determine how much you typically spend through the holidays. Think about traveling, gifts, postage for gifts and cards and meals. Divide that number by 12 – or 11 to be ready before December – and start tucking that amount away every month. By the time Christmas comes, you’re ready. • Buy ahead. If you’ve budgeted to set aside a certain amount every month, it might help to determine how much of that is just for gifts. Then as you come across deals, sales or just the right gift throughout the year, you can spend without bending the budget. The cost will come from what you’ve already set aside. It might even be that by the time December arrives, you’ll already have finished all your shopping, and your budget will have barely felt a pinch. It will feel great not going into January with holiday debt. • Scale back. If you calculate your magic number for holiday spending and it freaks you out a bit, it may be time to decide where you can cut back. Start with gifts. The meaning of the holiday has little to do with gifts, and you’ll find your family and friends can feel equally treasured even with less under the tree or with a special homemade gift. If that’s not where your overspending is, look at your other options and consider creative ways you can cut back.

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

Now Is the Time to ‘Fall’ into Healthy Habits I love fall. The weather is getting cooler, the days are getting shorter and the holidays are right around the corner. As the year comes to an end, we are faced with three incredibly wonderful, magical and super unhealthy holidays back-to-back-to-back. It all seems to come at once, the frigid temperatures, the candy, frantic shopping and holiday cheer. As a dietitian, it is my job to help people get through all of this in the healthiest way possible without missing out on all of the fun. The average American gains five pounds during the holiday season. What if we took a proactive approach and started an exercise routine before the holidays? It would be so beneficial. Exercise is the antidote to holiday overindulgence. It is the justification we need for that second piece of pie, and the boost to our metabolism to get us through the New Year. Procrastination is a natural human trait. In part, procrastination stems from fear. Fear of the unknown is something we all can relate to, and it is a common issue for people just beginning an exercise program. Some fear what others might think, which leads to a feeling of insecurity or feeling left out or alone with no solutions to the many questions they have. Anytime Fitness was built with all these things in mind. At our core, we are here to coach, care and connect with our members every day. We provide resources and expertise to create a positive experience. We build genuine, personal relationships with everyone we encounter, and we develop connections that go above and beyond expectations. So, ignore the excuses, start a new routine, join an exercise class and ask for help if you need it. Don’t wait for a New Year’s resolution. Now is the time. Also, enjoy this taco soup recipe on those cool fall evenings.

Taco Soup We finally have had some fall weather, which calls out soup weather to me. There are so many versions of taco soup out there, and you really just can’t go wrong. Try this one next time to get some veggies in there with it. Ingredients: 1 lb ground turkey 2 ½ cups frozen corn 2 cups of salsa 2 cans of diced tomatoes with green chilies

1, 15-oz can of black beans, drained and rinsed 2 Tbsp taco seasoning 1 ½ Tbsp dry ranch mix 2 ½ cups vegetable broth

Directions: Cook turkey in a large pot; drain fat and return to stove top. Add in remaining ingredients, stir together until well-combined and simmer on medium/low for 30-40 minutes. Optional: top with cilantro and/or sliced avocado. Makes: 6 servings Calories: 315 Total fat: 6.5g Cholesterol: 53mg Sodium: 1216mg Dietary Fiber: 10g Protein: 24g

Saturated Fat: 2 g Total Carbohydrates: 43g

Nutrition 101 Tip: Using frozen corn instead of canned corn helps reduce the sodium levels some. If you need to reduce the sodium levels even more, make sure to drain and rinse the beans, and you can even make your own taco seasoning. To make a salt free taco seasoning, try using seasonings like black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin and cayenne pepper. Soups are definitely a part of this wonderful weather, but try to not have so many cream based soups that are loaded with fat. Andrea Beck, a Registered Dietitian and Certified Personal Trainer, received her Master’s in Nutrition and Dietetics from UCO in Edmond. She offers her nutrition consulting services, personal training and strongHER workouts through Anytime Fitness Shawnee. Andrea offers personalized meal plans and workout plans. Andrea specializes in weight loss, running, childhood obesity, pregnancy health and diabetes. Andrea is an active member of Junior Service League and her church, Life Church. For nutrition or exercise questions, you can contact Andrea at andrea.beck@anytimefitness.com

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Sunday School Teacher Starts Special Needs Class at Church to Help Kids, Parents

by David Dinsmore

Annie Worlund is not a typical Sunday school teacher. Rather than making nativity scenes out of Popsicle sticks, Worlund created Greatest of These, a class at Immanuel Baptist Church specifically designed with special needs children in mind. “I’ve always had a heart for these kids,” Worlund said. “I knew in every bone of my body that this was going to happen.” A church should be somewhere that families feel welcomed and loved, Worlund said, and often in society families with special needs children can feel distanced. This can be a result of a lack of understanding or experience with the dynamics involved. Having a class designed for children with special needs helps those families who want to get more involved in church, and it also provides an environment for those who want to get to know those families but might not have another way to do so. “It’s all about being aware of their needs,” Worlund said. “People who are hands-on or just present in the room see how wonderful these children are. “Whether it’s watching them draw or those who are nonverbal speaking in their own language, they light up the room.” Worlund researched similar classes at other churches prior to starting her own, she said. This covered some basic logistical components – such as having dedicated on-call medical personnel available at the church every week – as well as specific approaches to providing fun and safe environments in which special needs children can learn. One of the aspects she discovered was the importance of a flexible teaching structure. While traditional children’s Sunday school classes might have a formula they follow every week, those leading special needs classes have learned how to base their lessons on how their kids are responding that week. Much of this involves a lot of movement and handson learning. For instance, after storms swept 8

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Annie Worlund discusses the previous night’s storm with James and Mercedes Glenn as a way of relating to the story about Noah’s ark. Photo by David Dinsmore

through the area the previous night, kids in the Greatest of These class spent some time talking about the story from the Bible involving Noah’s ark. Using real-life events as teachable moments helps the kids relate to the world around them and how that connects with the stories shared by their teachers. The class spends a lot of time outside in the fenced-in playground adjacent to the children’s area of the church. When weather permits, the children in the class can interact with nature while the volunteers might talk about related nature topics discussed in the Bible. There are also stimuli like a soft, steady stream of music playing in the

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background for children to hear, but the staff also provides methods for those who might need a break from visual and auditory inputs. One method is the use of a swing suspended in the middle of the Greatest of These classroom that is mostly enclosed so a young child can shy away from the lights and sounds for a moment. Volunteers will also take children for short walks in the halls on a one-on-one basis if they need a little time away. Though she took a lot of pointers from her research with other churches, Worlund did not enter into this venture without her own experience. A connection she had with a child in middle school led her to work with a special

needs camp in Guthrie when she was in high school, she said. It was from these experiences that she first realized that she wanted to be able to help special needs children and their families. Greatest of These first met in late September 2015 with one child in attendance. Worlund’s class now hosts about five children regularly with the help of many volunteers, she said. These helpers range in ages from college students to people in their 70s, and all undergo a background check and some orientation before joining the class. Some kids might need oneon-one attention while others might participate more in group activities, so Worlund coordinates enough volunteers every week to make sure the kids will have what they need. “These volunteers truly make our ministry possible,” Worlund said. “They truly have a servant’s heart.” Serving the needs of the children was a key motivator for Worlund, but she said being able to help the parents also factored greatly into her decision to start Greatest of These. “For our parents, it’s been a true blessing for them because they now can plug in with their peers,” Worlund said. “I want parents to know they are not alone.” For more information about Greatest of These, visit ibcshawnee.org/ministries/greatest-of-these or call 405273-2105.

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Court Reporter Program This program will prepare students for licensure as an Oklahoma Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR). Reporters are in high demand in Oklahoma and across the nation as official court reporters, freelancers, closed captioners, and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) reporters. The Department of Labor has projected more than 5,000 vacancies nationwide in the next five years.

This class includes a combination of hands-on machine shorthand practicum, theory, professional reporting practices, internships, live and recorded video, guest speakers, and real world scenarios. This is an intensive two-year plus vocational program, ideal candidates should be proficient in English, like to read, have strong concentration and listening skills, and have few outside distractions or additional obligations. Class begins January 2018. For more information, call 405.273.7493 and ask for Joni or Fran or email jonis@gctech.edu.

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Business Owners Put Faith, Values into ‘Action’ For Katie and Andy Landes, the name of their business – Action Physical Therapy – is about more than getting their patients up and moving again. It’s about living out their values and providing an example of what it takes to be responsible business owners and citizens of the community. Lifelong Shawnee residents, Katie and Andy graduated high school here before earning their degrees from Oklahoma Baptist University. Andy began teaching and coaching in Meeker and Shawnee as Katie earned her master’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Oklahoma in 2003. While working as a therapist in a variety of settings, Katie said she began gathering ideas and developing philosophies that she would later incorporate into her own practice. For instance, she found it important to make sure each patient that came to her was seen for who they were and not just the problems they were having. “I wanted to bring an individualized touch to the people in our community,” Katie said. “They’re a name, not just a diagnosis.” The first Action Physical Therapy opened in 2011 where Katie began putting her ideas of personalized care into practice as Andy moved from education to operating the marketing department of their business full-time, they said. It wasn’t long before their clinic was full of familiar faces. Through their work with Action Physical Therapy, the couple has been able to give something back to those in the community who made an impact on their lives growing up. Whether for a patient or an employee, their business has given them the chance play a key role in the health and happiness of the people near and dear to them. “The people here – a lot of them – we’ve known our whole lives,” she said. “We grew up here. They’re either our teachers or friends or church members all the way up through college professors.” Katie passes the message of “doing the right thing every time” to anyone who works for Action, she said, whether the employee is the first face clients see when they walk in the door all the way to the people guiding patients through the necessary therapy programs. “We’re very passionate about taking care of our people,” Andy said.

Andy and Katie Landes have made it the central theme of their business, Action Physical Therapy, to provide personalized care to their patients and to serve to make the community a better place to live for everybody. Photo submitted

This straightforward approach with patients has also paid off in terms of success for the business as Action Physical Therapy has expanded to four locations in Shawnee, Seminole, Tecumseh and Harrah. Though running four different locations demands a lot of their time, the Landes family said they still make sure to stay involved with a variety of civic organizations and causes in the community. They have turned their business success into opportunities to teach their two children the importance of using the benefits of hard work to improve the lives of those around them. “We’ve been trusted with a lot, so we have to use our time and resources to give back,” Katie said. “It’s not just writing a check. It’s boots on the ground. Let’s figure out how we can give back.” Katie said their faith also plays a large role in their desire to serve in a civic capacity, and they view the blessings they’ve experienced through

by David Dinsmore

their business as a way for them to make their community a better place for everyone to live. Katie contributes her time to groups like the Junior Service League, Shawnee Lions Club and OBU’s Paul Dickinson College of Business Mentor Program among others. In addition to serving with organizations, the Landes family has made a point in getting involved with seasonal opportunities that help kids in the community, whether it’s donating money to help provide Christmas gifts for children in foster care or helping with funds that go toward lunches served to schoolage kids during the summers. Andy also draws on more than a decade of coaching experience in public schools to offer his services as a volunteer coach with the South Rock Creek football team. Through her work with the Lions Club, Katie also chartered a youth-oriented community group called the Shawnee Leos, which gives kids the chance to get involved in serving their community. Passing down the legacy of civic duty to their kids and others that age is crucial for the good work done through community groups to continue into the next generation, Katie said. Seeing the impact this kind of work can have on people in need while serving at a young age can carry over into adulthood and motivate those who are young now to stay involved in their community throughout their life. “It keeps that spirit alive,” Katie said. “It’s important to show them that there are people out there who need things, and we have an obligation, a duty, to do what we can to help.” They also encourage all of their employees to get involved in community outreach, whether it is officially through Action Physical Therapy or on their personal time. When they begin screening new employees for hire, they make sure to be upfront about their vision and mission for the business and its role in the community. Katie said they’ve been fortunate to have people come through their doors who understand the standards Andy and she have set and are willing to do everything they can to help the patients and the community beyond. “You have to be willing to take a timeout and care,” Katie said. For more information about Action Physical Therapy’s services in Shawnee, call 405-2140300 or visit actionphysicaltherapyok.com. www.shawneeoutlook.com

Tourism Makes Cents “What does Visit Shawnee do?” We get asked this question frequently, and the confusion is understandable. It can be easy to muddle the roles of the Chamber of Commerce, Shawnee Economic Development Foundation and the City of Shawnee, because we’re all working toward one common goal – economic development. Whether it’s recruiting industry to Shawnee, creating a strong local government, promoting tourism or helping local businesses to thrive, we all are working to make Shawnee a wonderful place to live and visit. At Visit Shawnee, we are tasked with increasing travel and tourism to the city. Tourism is an important industry for the area, because it brings in a new source of spending; people who aren’t already living, working or shopping in Shawnee. Visit Shawnee – like many other destination marketing organizations – is funded through hotel occupancy tax paid only by visitors staying in our hotels. In the tourism industry, we like to say visitors give us “no-strings-attached” money. They come stay in hotels or RV parks, pay admission to museums, eat and shop here, gas up and then leave. Visitors don’t have any expectations on how their tax money is going to be spent in Shawnee. We pay less taxes and receive a higher level of benefits because of tax dollars collected from visitors.

In Oklahoma tourism is the third-largest industry, and according to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, the tourism industry employs more than 86,500 people. Visitors to Oklahoma spent $8.6 billion dollars here in 2016, which meant $634 million in state and local tax revenues. According to economic research done by Dean Runyan and Associates for the State of Oklahoma, in 2015 there were nearly 360,000 overnight visitors to Pottawatomie County, which resulted in 908,000 hotel night stays. The total visitor spending in the county was over $96 million, and Pottawatomie County visitors contributed $3.5 million in local taxes. Additionally, the tourism industry in Pottawatomie County employed over 1,700 people. So the job of Visit Shawnee is very important, and we take it very seriously. It is easy to do, though, as we live in a great town that offers some unique expe-

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riences. For example, the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art is home to the only ancient Egyptian mummies in the state, Citizen Potawatomi Nation has one of only seven eagle aviaries in the entire U.S. and the Santa Fe Depot offers a beautiful view with a historical perspective of how it all started. Visit Shawnee distributes 35,000 visitor guides each year to people all over the world. We place ads in magazines like “Oklahoma Today” or do digital advertising on top sites like TripAdvisor. We attend trade shows and try to maintain a strong social media presence. We work with reporters and writers to get stories written about the area, and earlier in the year our website underwent a complete redesign making it easier for visitors – and locals – to use. We help recruit and service events and provide welcome bags to groups coming into town. We provide directions and maps and happily answer visitors’ questions about where to eat, shop or play. We are some of the biggest cheerleaders for Shawnee. The holiday season is quickly approaching, which means that friends and family will be in town for a visit. We would like to encourage you to utilize our new website, VisitShawnee.com, for ideas on activities and events in Shawnee. Visit Shawnee is here to answer any questions or offer tips on things to do.

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The American Experience:

5,210 Miles Can’t Separate Us Though Shawnee’s two universities, Oklahoma Baptist and St. Gregory’s, have become increasingly popular with international students in recent years, there is also an ongoing tradition of delegations from sister cities Shawnee and Nikaho, Japan visiting one another’s homes. A long-distance friendship that can withstand 27 years is pretty strong. Such is the case with Shawnee and Nikaho, Japan – sister cities that have enjoyed each other’s company since 1990. Residents of both cities have made trips back and forth since that time. Today, those affiliated with the local organization say the friendship is stronger than ever. This summer, a delegation of Shawnee eighth graders-to-be and their chaperones comprised a group of 13 who visited Nikaho. During the trip, they toured Tokyo for a day before meeting the host families with whom they stayed. Favorite activities included the Kanto Lantern Festival in Akita, the time spent in Tokyo and a welcome banquet in Nikaho where everyone dressed in traditional Japanese attire. However, participants said that the most memorable part of the journey was getting to know their host families and spending time with them. During the last week of October, a group of 17 Nikaho residents got to experience American life during a visit to Shawnee. They stayed with local host families and did things typical of kids their age: visiting a ranch where they learned to ride horses, dressing up for a Halloween party, stopping at Sonic and Hamburger King and spending time with their hosts. Some even got to tour Bricktown and nearby museums. Jennifer Price, 2017 Shawnee Sister Cities chairperson, said volunteers and hard work have been the key to sustaining the relationship between these two communities over the years. “The trip is usually 7-10 days, depending on school schedules, travel

Students from Shawnee and Nikaho, Japan participated in games during a welcome dinner Oct. 25 at St. Anthony’ Shawnee Hospital. Photo by David Dinsmore

expenses and such,” Price said. “Once our delegates are selected, they begin a four- to five-month training program where they study Japanese culture, take language classes, learn the history of the program, prepare for international travel, sample Japanese cuisine and perform community service. They volunteer at local events, work in the Peace Garden and help at the Community Market to name a few.” Delegates must also gather the financial means to make the trip, Price said. “Each person usually has to cover $1,600 to $2,000 for their portion of the trip,” she said. “In the past, they’ve used GoFundMe campaigns, sold baked goods and crafts and worked odd jobs. The family of Taylor Ricks – a 2009 delegate – also established a scholarship in his memory, and delegates can apply for that as well.” In addition, the group holds an international dinner fundraiser with proceeds being used to cover expenses when the Japanese contingent visits Shawnee each year, said Price, who became involved with the Sister Cities organization after her daughter was selected as a 2015 delegate.

“After seeing how much the kids matured and grew through the experience, I had to be a part of it,” Price said. “Without continued volunteerism from the parents and community, this program couldn’t succeed. Staying involved is a way for me to give back to the City of Shawnee and the program that’s changed so many young lives.” Each January, applications are delivered to all Shawnee schools that have seventh graders. Students wishing to apply must have a physical address with a Shawnee zip code as this is a City of Shawnee-sponsored program. The applications – including four essays and references – are then reviewed by the Sister Cities Council, and interviews are conducted by a panel of judges. A points system is used to choose the delegation. “Traveling to Japan changed my life,” said Maggie Price, Jennifer’s daughter. “I got to experience so many new things and meet the most wonderful people. The ongoing friendships that I share with my fellow Shawnee delegates and my friends in Japan are something I’ll always treasure. The Japanese people are warm and gracious, and their culture is beautiful.

by Jamie Bergsten

My advice to anyone considering applying for this program is a resounding ‘go for it.’ You won’t regret it.” Ella Swantek, a Shawnee High School freshman and 2016 delegate, echoed these thoughts. “I worried a little going into the trip about the language barrier, but I couldn’t have been more wrong,” Swantek said. “The people there are so kind. My favorite memories are the ones I spent just with my host family. They welcomed us as special guests and cared for us like their own. I’ll never forget the friendships I made.” Sometimes visiting delegations from both sides of the Pacific get more adventure than they originally planned. For instance, the 2014 delegation from Nikaho came in the spring of 2015 instead because of the Ebola scare in the U.S., and once here, that group was met with more excitement in the form of tornado warnings. The Shawnee group was jolted from bed in Tokyo this summer thanks to a strong earthquake, and luggage has been misplaced over the years. A Japanese delegate even tried to take a jack-olantern home in her suitcase last year, but airport security considered that a bad idea. “I was, and still am, overwhelmingly proud of Ella for wanting to go on this adventure,” said Rebekah Swantek, Ella’s mother. “The process to be selected as a delegate consists of a lot of work, yet she took it on herself and tackled it. When she was gone we were anxious, but the hospitality of the people of Nikaho is second-to-none. “Our family also hosted two girls from Nikaho in October 2016, and we were excited to have them in our home. Google Translate got a lot of action that week. We enjoyed showing them around our city, and they enjoyed shopping. I know they missed their families, but they are the sweetest girls, and Ella is still in contact with them today. We will have those connections across the globe forever.” www.shawneeoutlook.com

Mko Kno soars

A juvenile bald eagle, hatched at Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s Eagle Aviary March 21, was released Sept. 20. The release marks the second time that CPN; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; the Raptor View Research Institute in Missoula, Montana; and Sia, the Comanche Nation Ethno-Ornithological Initiative partnered to release and track a juvenile bald eagle. However, the occasion marks the first time that an eagle was hatched at and released from a tribal facility. Love nest

Although it’s unusual for birds in captivity to show interest in nest building, Kyla and Charlie began to do so shortly after they were introduced to each other. Kyla laid her first eggs in 2015 but broke them due to her inexperience. In 2016 she laid again, but the eggs were not fertile. “Kyla initially showed some interest in nest building and started pulling twigs and branches and things off the greenery in the enclosure,” said Aviary staff member Bree Dunham.

“We provided nest material for them, and she went through the process, but didn’t really have a good idea what she was doing.” Charlie was an adult when Kyla came to the aviary, so choosing a new partner was also unusual for him. However, he showed interest in Kyla from the moment she entered the enclosure. “It’s really important for us to give them the quality of life in captivity,” said Aviary Manager Jennifer Randell. “Charlie was one of our original first eagles. When we introduced Kyla a few months later, it was love at first sight. Charlie began following her around watching her bathe, watching her eat. And she’s about three times his body weight. So we didn’t really know if this is going to work out or not because Kyla didn’t really understand since she was a juvenile when we first received her.”

Working through challenges

The aviary has had a relationship with U.S. Fish and Wildlife since its inception, operating under a Native Religious Use Permit. Less than a dozen of these permits are issued in the United States, and CPN is the only facility that has released a juvenile bald eagle hatched at its facility and the first to do so with telemetry to monitor the eagle. Each time the staff encounters something new, a consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife is required. Because each tribe operates differently than other facilities, and eagles and other animals have different meanings to each tribe, the process for the consultation is often lengthy. “U.S. Fish and Wildlife is very supportive,” said aviary staff Bree Dunham. “We operate under the Native Religious Use Permit. When they designed that permit, they had really good intentions, but I don’t think they understood the scope of what they were talking about. Each tribe is so different. What we believe is culturally important to us may not be the same for another tribe, so all tribes wouldn’t necessarily want to release an eagle.”

The aviary opened June 2012 and was partially funded with a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Tribal Wildlife Incentive Grant. The facility now houses 14 eagles and continues to advance its education and outreach through aviary programs. “This responsibility that the tribe has taken on is multigenerational,” CPN Tribal Chairman John “Rocky” Barrett told the Hownikan. “We plan to meet that responsibility by passing legislation that ensures this facility remains adequately funded and staffed. Our tribal legislation needs to detail how the program is funded and what training is required of the employees. This is our governmental responsibility, not the federal government. We are sovereigns and we have a responsibility as sovereigns to behave as a sovereign government. We must develop legislation that prescribes how this is done since we were the pioneers in developing these methods.” Building on success

Kyla and Charlie had a little practice being parents before this eaglet we would come to know as Mko Kno hatched. After unsuccessful attempts at hatching eggs of their own, aviary staff partnered with Sia: The Comanche Nation Ethno-Ornithological Initiative to make them parents. It was the first time on record that bald eagles have raised a tawny eagle chick.

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“Luckily, here in the state of Oklahoma, we have three Native American aviaries and every aviary is unique in what its focus is,” said Randell. “The focus of Sia is captive propagation, so they have their permit to let their eagles breed and they have exotic eagles. We were able to get a foster chick from them after Kyla and Charlie were unsuccessful in having an eagle of their own.”

After Wadasé was released, it took her approximately 23 days to return to the aviary. Within three weeks of his release, Mko Kno had already flown as far north as Kansas. The aviary staff can retrieve telemetry data every three days and noticed he’s been in great habitats near rivers and large bodies of water, a hopeful sign that the young eagle is finding food for itself.

The tribe marked another first when it became the first Native American tribe to use a GPS device to track a rehabilitated eagle. Wadasé Zhabwé, one of the first eight eagles to call CPN Eagle Aviary home, was released in April 2013. Rob Domenech from the Raptor View Research Institute equipped the eagle with a GPS device and her travel and hunting progress has been monitored for more than four years. Wadasé regularly returns to the aviary and has flown several thousand miles since her release.

At the time of his release, Mko Kno weighed about seven pounds and had a wingspan of almost 6 1/2 feet.

Domenech also helped equip Mko Kno with a similar device. Due to the risk involved, the aviary staff consulted Domenech because of his experience in putting telemetry devices on eagles in the wild. “Every time you put a transmitter on a young eagle there’s a 70 percent mortality rate,” Domenech said. “That first year of life for any young eagle is difficult.” Domenech said the tracking and growth of Wadasé has been remarkable, calling it an amazing success story. Bill Voelker from Comanche Nation Sia also helped with the release. Voelker began operating Sia in the 1970s under a special use permit before there was a tribal aviary permit. The Sia facility is now home to more than 140 eagles and its staff specializes in propagation and education. Aviary staff trained at the Comanche facility before helping open the CPN aviary. “The tribal aviary permit allows each tribal entity to do their own thing and establish themselves in a unique way,” Voelker said. “We’ve trained many people and have established a foundation for a cultural protocol that we’re greatly honored to be able to share with people like Jennifer and Bree, but the Citizen Potawatomi Nation has established its own position.” Longest flight of its life

A telemetry device similar to what was used for Wadasé was placed on Mko Kno before he was returned o the enclosure where he’d spent his entire life. The enclosure was modified so the young eagle could come and go as he pleased, a process called hacking, which is more natural. Although staff thought he might take quite some time to get accustomed to his new surroundings, he took off almost immediately. Memorial donations in honor of tribal member Stan Brown, who requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the aviary in his name, helped to fund the telemetry device. “Once we set the bird on the ground, we expected it to walk about and accustom itself to the equipment,” Chairman Barrett added. “Instead, the moment he was put back in the enclosure he flew off without even taking a step. He flew straight out the hole at the end of the enclosure and off into the trees and within a matter of seconds took longer flights than it had taken in its entire life without any hesitation.”

“Males were much smaller, so a normal male wingspan is about six feet, making him substantially bigger than usual,” Jennifer Randell said. “We think that’s good because it gives him a better opportunity out there in the wild. Before his release, we measured the wings and weight to make sure he’s healthy and of the right weight to fly. We also checked his feet and beak, so we knew we’re not releasing him with any sort of struggles or handicaps.” Healing

For aviary staff, the release of this eagle signifies healing for Kyla and Charlie and the Potawatomi people. Charlie, whose Potawatomi name is Zagéndem-nené (Nervous Man), and Kyla, whose Potawatomi name is Kche-Gizhek (Big Sky) both had more serious injuries and were kept in a smaller enclosure with eagles who had less ability to fly. When U.S. Fish and Wildlife confiscated Kyla from an individual with no permit, she had been held in a large kennel for an extended period. She wore the feathers off a portion of her wings and had calluses from turning around in the kennel. Jennifer and Bree trained with Charlie at the Comanche aviary and chose to relocate Charlie to the aviary when it opened. Charlie had injuries to his wing consistent with being struck by an automobile. “Kyla has come full circle,” Breed Dunham said. “To have an injured bird, who didn’t even really understand how to eat whole food, lay an egg and raise her own chick, it has been that healing process for her.” The eagle release also has spiritual meaning for Citizen Potawatomi. The Potawatomi Eagle Story explains that Eagle saw that the Potawatomi were still living in the right way and reported that back to the Creator, saving them. As such, many Potawatomi believe that Eagle helps deliver our prayers to the Creator. “The eagle delivers a message to the creator that people on this earth are still doing the right thing, so the sun comes up and the earth lives another day,” Chairman Barrett explained. “Releasing this eagle goes a long way toward fulfilling that.” The young eagle was named to reflect this healing and represent the time of year it was hatched. Mko, which means bear in Potawatomi, was chosen because the eagle was hatched during the bear moon. The bear clan was also known as the healing clan for the Potawatomi. “It really means a lot for Kyla, his mother,” Jennifer Randell added. “I think he was healing for her and she came from a really bad place. To see her come from not even knowing she was an eagle to having a young eagle that we can let go in the wild is fantastic. That’s coming full circle for her.” Check cpn.news/eaglevisions frequently for updates about Mko Kno, Wadasé, and the other eagles at the aviary.

citizenpotawatomination | potawatomi.org | 405-275-3121 | 1601 S. Gordon Cooper Dr | Shawnee, OK

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Service a Thanksgiving Tradition at Salvation Army’s Annual Meal

by David Dinsmore

Some families have made it a tradition to serve meals on Thanksgiving day every year at the Salvation Army’s location at 200 E. 9th St. Photo submitted

Some plan their Thanksgiving around what they will serve to their guests. Others plan it around what they will serve to complete strangers. “When somebody goes beyond themselves and say they are going to start doing this every year, that’s what I love,” said Capt. Jamie Clay, corps officer with the local Salvation Army. The community Thanksgiving meal will take place 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Nov. 23 – Thanksgiving Day – at the Salvation Army location at 200 E. 9th St. The goal of the event is to serve those who do not have a family with whom to have Thanksgiving dinner, but it also allows those spending the holiday with family to participate in a service project. Families that come in to serve every year include multiple generations for whom it has become as much of tradition as cranberry sauce and dressing. “They’re able to teach that service, that art of being able to help their fellow brother or sister that’s on down times,” Clay said. One of the best parts of Thanksgiving meals served in communities around the country is watching people new to volunteer service discovering a passion for it, said Clay, who has been involved with 15 meals during her time with Salvation Army. After serving the food, the 18

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volunteers can also sit down to have dinner with the people they just served. This gives volunteers and recipients the chance to get to know the people behind the faces along the line. “They learn each other’s stories,” Clay said. “They’ll share what each other does or has done in the past.” The connections made can take unexpected forms, such as a girl from a local elementary school finding out that a man she served in the line went to the same school at one time, Clay said. They were able to share memories and happenings from their time at that school at the dinner table. The event generally employs the talents and willingness of about 250 volunteers from preparation to clean-up, Clay said, but the implications of efforts like this – whether giving or receiving – goes beyond those served and serving at the Thanksgiving meal. “What you see as an impact on a community is that it unifies everyone,” Clay said. “It truly keeps everyone realizing that we need each other.” Besides the volunteers directly involved with the day’s events, many within the community make this Thanksgiving meal possible. The hundreds of people who bought a meal during

Salvation Army’s Spaghetti Day fundraiser last month helped generate proceeds that will go toward the Thanksgiving efforts while local businesses also will lend a hand, Clay said. Donations can take various forms like items given by FireLake Discount Foods to time and resources from Robb’s Smokehouse and Van’s Pig Stands, which will use their facilities to cook the turkeys for the meal. Last year, about 500 people came to eat at the Salvation Army’s Thanksgiving meal, but they provided another few hundred meals for the employees and inmates at the jail that day, Clay said. Additionally, the Salvation Army staff compiles a list in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving of elderly and others unable to leave their home to whom volunteers deliver meals on the holiday. This can account for another 150 meals, bringing the total number of people served to nearly 1,000 around the community. In addition to serving meals, the Salvation Army will also have coats available for those who do not have something to help them stay warm during the upcoming winter season, Clay said. They save coats that people donate throughout the year at the store located at 330 E. 9th St. For more information, call the Salvation Army office at 405-275-2243.

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Pott County Veterans Among Honored POWs on Monument Just more than 75 years ago, the United States was in the midst of a war that changed the world – and individual lives – forever. Hundreds of local young men and women marched off to serve, and too many never returned. Families feared the telegram that told them their son, brother or husband was missing or dead. Blue stars hanging in the windows of those families were turned to gold, representing another casualty from Shawnee-area homes. At least 268 men with connections to Pottawatomie County died as a result of the war, including seven sets of brothers. Deaths touched all, from prominent families to farm boys to boys who quit high school early to join up. Others were recalled from prior service or were students at Oklahoma Baptist University. They died in combat, in training accidents, aboard ships, shot down from the sky

and some died as prisoners of war. Germans held 29 county men as POWs who all came home at the end of the war. The Japanese captured 27 – mostly in the Philippines – but half of them died while POWs, seven in unusual circumstances. David E. Hardin, Otha L. Holladay, Ennis M. Maynard, Keith J. Renshaw, Jr., Kenneth O. Ritchie, Reynolds H. Watkins and Ross E. Watkins all died Oct. 24, 1944. They were captured during the invasion of the Philippines in 1941, then held there in prison camps until Allied Forces were retaking the islands. The Japanese rushed POWs aboard freighters for transport to their mainland. Coincidentally, seven boys with Pott County ties were herded onto the Arisan Maru. American submarines had no way of knowing that 1,800 beaten and starved POWs were in the stifling hold of the ship, so assuming the

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ship held supplies to replenish the Japanese forces, they fired torpedoes. Some prisoners made it into the water but were abandoned by their captors to drown. Hardin was the son of Sadie and David Hardin. His wife’s name was Ruth. His brother, Robert, and sister, Allie, were also serving in the military. Holladay was a career army man who listed his home as Pottawatomie County. His parents Frank and Lela and several sisters lived in McCurtain County. Maynard grew up in Shawnee then moved with his parents Ennis and Maggie Maynard to California. His grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. R.G. Hodges, lived in Shawnee. He had a cousin who also died in the South Pacific as a navy bomber pilot. Renshaw was from Ratliff City but after being orphaned was living with his aunt and uncle, Thomas and Lula

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Doherty, in Shawnee. He had two brothers in the service. Ritchie attended Shawnee High School and was working as truck driver when he enlisted in 1941. His parents were John and Emma Ritchie. Reynolds Watkins, a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps, was the son of Carl and Kate Watkins of Tribbey. His brother, Jack, was in the Marines. Ross Watkins – the two Watkins don’t appear to be related – was from Shawnee. He had been a newspaper delivery boy before enlisting. His mother was a widow, and he came from of a family of eight. Two of his sisters were teachers in local schools. They and their fellow POWs who died in the prison camps or on “hellships,” as they were called, are remembered on a monument in the American Cemetery in Manila, Philippines.

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Have a Happy, Healthy Holiday Season The holiday buzz is startfruits and vegetables,” ing. It’s that time of year Wells said. “Then add your when families gather and meat option and one starchy enjoy each other’s company side. Then for dessert mayand the holiday season. It be take a smaller portion.” is also a time when those Wells also recommends extra pounds can sneak up. drinking water throughout During the holiday season, Carrye Wells the day to help control your we are surrounded by famcravings and the amount of ily and lots of food. food you eat. “During this time of year, when we “The hunger and thirsty signals in get together with our family, food is our body are similar and can someusually the centerpiece of the event,” times be confused,” Wells said. “Also said Carrye Wells, lead dietitian at St. having a glass or two of water before Anthony Shawnee Hospital. you hit the sweets table will be a nice It’s a commonly cited statistic that little way to avoid overindulging on the average person gains sevens to sweet treats.” 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and Another way to help with the poNew Year’s. With all the delicious food tential holiday weight gain is to get that we are surrounded by, it’s hard active after dinner. Instead of taking not to eat more during this time of a nap after the holiday meal, create a year. But the reality is we can con- new tradition that will burn off those sume between 3,500 and 4,000 calo- extra calories and promote more famries during our Thanksgiving meal. ily fun and interaction. “It’s about mindfully eating,” Wells “Take a walk after dinner; it’s a said. “Holidays are about celebration, great family activity,” Wells said. “A so don’t deny yourself your favorite nice stroll for 15-20 minutes will be food, but don’t fall into a food coma. very beneficial.” It is about eating in moderation and Other activities Wells suggests inwhittling down the calories to a rea- clude riding bikes and playing a famsonable amount.” ily game of football or soccer. Wells said that you can still enjoy “Plan ahead and consider what you your favorite holiday indulgence, but really want to eat and save your caloyou need some balance to your plate. ries for the foods that you really love,” “Start by filling half your plate with Wells said.

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OBU Celebrates 80th Anniversary of Hanging of the Green Oklahoma Baptist University’s Hanging of the Green is an 80-year tradition that ushers in the Christmas season for many in the Shawnee community. The 80th Hanging of the Green event will be at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 in Raley Chapel on the OBU campus. The first service that was held in WMU Memorial Hall in 1937 was simple in nature, with the singing of carols and representatives from the dormitories lighting candles of goodwill from the Christ candle and taking the light to their own houses. Planners moved the ceremony to Britain Hall in 1957 and then to Raley Chapel in 1961, where it continues today. In contrast to the first ceremony, the service now typically includes more than 300 musicians with more than 1,000 people in attendance. Starting as more of a community outreach effort, Hanging of the Green has evolved through the years as it has reflected changes at the university and more specifically the personalities of the various deans of the Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts who have overseen the preparation of the program. An example of this was the performance of the “Boar’s Head Feast” by faculty during a dinner before the program during the years that Jim Woodward was dean before his successor Paul Hammond transformed the program into more of a reflective and sacred service. During recent years, the Hanging of the Green program has given the Shawnee community opportunities to hear major Christmas oratorios like Handel’s “Messiah” and Bernard Shaw’s “Christmas Suites” along with theatrical pieces including Menotti’s “Amahl and the Night Visitors.” Past programs have also included King’s College’s “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols,” Chrismon patterns and a live crèche – which is a visual representation of the scene of Christ’s birth.

Associate professor of voice Louima Lilite adds his tenor tone to Oklahoma Baptist University’s Hanging of the Green Christmas event, which will take place Dec. 2 this year. Photo by Jeremy Scott/Oklahoma Baptist University

Current dean of fine arts Christopher Mathews said he sees Hanging of the Green not only as a celebration of Christmas but a time for the Shawnee community to connect with OBU. “Hanging of the Green is not only an occasion to tell the Christmas story but also an opportunity to present to the Shawnee community the different areas of the university and represent the 2,000 diverse people on campus,” Mathews said. “We want to creatively think how to present the differing elements of the university without disrupting the Christmas story being told.”

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This year’s program will include scripture readings from the Old Testament prophecies through the narratives of Jesus in the New Testament gospels, Mathews said. Woven through this will be choral music that is appropriate with the passages being read. “Our goal is to incorporate not only readings and music but also lighting and subtle theatrical elements to help us celebrate the awesome mystery of Christmastime,” said Rebecca Ballinger, OBU assistant professor of voice. The Shawnee community can

by Thresa Swadley

look forward to the traditional carol singing as well as performances by the OBU/Shawnee Orchestra, University Chorale, Bison Glee Club and Bisonette Glee Club, according to the event’s program. The University Ringers will also be playing in the foyer of Raley Chapel before the service begins. Preparing the chapel for Hanging of the Green is a campus event, school officials said. OBU students, faculty, staff and their families spend days during the weeks preceding the event hanging wreaths, decorating trees, testing light strings, tying bows and placing greenery throughout the chapel in preparation for the Christmas season. Though the decorations can vary each year to accommodate individual programs, at the center of the decorations are the wreaths that 20 honored seniors hang at the beginning of the service to usher in the Christmas season. “While Hanging of the Green is an OBU event, it is in reality a Shawnee tradition,” said James Vernon, OBU professor of music. “Individual churches present great events during the Advent season, but we feel the quality and scope of the OBU Hanging of the Green helps the entire Shawnee community kick off the Advent season in a positive way.” More information regarding the event can be found at www.okbu.edu.

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The Summit Mentor Program Seeks to Help Students Achieve Peak Performance

by David Dinsmore

Mission Shawnee is working with local schools and volunteers to help students reach new heights through The Summit, a mentor and tutor program started last year. The program matches students identified by teachers and administrators who need some help with school concepts or focus with people willing to invest in a child to help them succeed academically and in life, said Ryan Brooks, executive director of Mission Shawnee. Elementary students meet with their mentors on Tuesday afternoons at Mission Shawnee’s 126 S. Center St. location, and middle school pairs meet on Wednesday afternoons on the campus at 4300 N. Union Ave. “We want to see students excel within their academics and in all areas of life,” Brooks said. “A great way to be able to do that is providing mentors for them to be able to walk with them through the things they are going through in life.” Though he got matched with his mentor in the middle of the last school year, Nicholas Hernandez saw the impact of his weekly meetings with retired engineer Mike Atchley on his final report card, which featured all As and Bs. “I wouldn’t have dreamed of getting that,” said Hernandez, who was having trouble in fifth grade when his teacher offered to recommend him for The Summit. “I was so impressed.” Atchley downplayed his role in that final report card. He said it wasn’t just the mentoring that led to those grades. Hernandez was willing to put in the work to learn what he needed to succeed. In middle school now, Hernandez said he went to the first Summit meeting this year hoping that Atchley would again be his mentor and was happy to see that was the case. That consistency is part of the goal of The Summit, Brooks said. It’s crucial for kids to have a constant presence and source of encouragement through the years as they go from grade to grade and school to school. When screening and training his mentors, Brooks stresses the importance of consistency and dedication to “showing up” every week as that is the key to a successful relationship with kids in programs like The Summit. They ask for a minimum commitment of a year with the goal of a long-term relationship that lasts throughout the child’s time in school. As a former teacher who worked at Shawnee Middle School for 16 years, April Humphrey would have liked to been able to have more one24

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Nicholas Hernandez works with mentor Mike Atchley on a math-based version the board game Jenga during their weekly tutoring session at Shawnee Middle School. Photo by David Dinsmore

on-one opportunities, because there are many kids who need it, she said. She also had students who had people in their lives and saw the impact it had on them academically while they were in her classes, so she is glad that she is now able to fill that role for Sherri Stiles, the sixth grader she has mentored since last year. “It’s nice to be on this end of it,” Humphrey said. “I’m just for her. I’m encouraging her.” Mission Shawnee works with schools to each identify 10 kids who could benefit from the guidance and presence of a mentor in their life, Brooks said, but most of the time they don’t have enough mentors to match even that number of kids. Even still, the number of kids needing a little help goes beyond the limit they ask from the schools, so there is a great need for people willing and able to lend a hand. The tutoring component of the program might seem intimidating to some considering mentorship, but The Summit works with schools to provide resources to make that aspect easier. Elementary teachers provide as part of the application three goals for mentors to work on with students along with related resources, Brooks said. With the middle school, it mostly involves going over homework assignments and making sure the kids understand what is needed for those. School goals played a part in their early meetings last year, Atchley said, but Hernandez and

he spent much of the time getting to know each other. They were able to take advantage of Mission Shawnee’s facility, which includes a basketball gym with a variety of equipment. “Every week, I’d run myself completely ragged playing with the kids,” Atchley said with a laugh. This year, the pair meets at the middle school where they still play games – such as a mathbased version of the board game Jenga – but also tackle homework and work through some of the lessons Hernandez is facing in class. Like most kids moving from elementary to middle school, Stiles went from having one teacher last year who led most of the subjects to having nine teachers this year. Having that the kind of consistency that comes from having a single mentor can help a lot with this transition. And with meetings of only an hour and a half, Humphrey said it’s not hard for people with some downtime to make room in their schedule to help kids with these needs. “What we’re looking for are people who really care about making an impact on a child’s life,” Brooks said. “There’s lots of ways to do that. You don’t have to be cool or hip or know a lot about pop culture to relate to these kids. “Showing up is the biggest thing we’re looking for.” For more information about The Summit and Mission Shawnee, call 405-275-5433 or visit missionshawneeok.org.

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MENTAL HEALTH

It’s All a Matter of Perspective Awakening Pretty girl so insecure Who told you you weren’t right? These ideas that hold you down each day And haunt you in the night. Lovely girl so full of hate Toward the one that’s in the mirror Scrutinizing every flaw Assuming you’re inferior. Beautiful girl with days consumed Comparing one trait with another And falling just a step behind With no confidence to recover. I wonder how your days would differ With another set of eyes Would a new perspective bring about a change Or at least a nice surprise I am curious if you’d find satisfaction With parts too large and loud And begin to admire each piece of you That makes you stand out from the crowd I can’t wait to see you approach the world With self-love and not despair Choosing to see the good inside Because it was always waiting there. -Alicja Carter

Alicja Carter, LADC, BHWC, has been working in the behavioral health and addiction treatment field for nearly ten years. She is a licensed alcohol and drug counselor and wellness coordinator and coach for Gateway to Prevention and Recovery. Alicja is passionate about collaborating with others for the purpose of stimulating positive change in her community. 26

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Think about your reaction to the following situations: 1. Your air conditioning goes out in your vehicle, and it’s 95 degrees outside. 2. You get a message at work that you have made a mistake and need to fix it immediately. 3. You lend someone $10, and they never pay you back. 4. You make a commitment to go to the gym three days per week, and then you never go. Here are some possible reactions: 1. It’s so freaking hot! I am suffering here! 2. Geez! I am already doing more than my share, and they just want to point out everything I’m doing wrong! 3. I can’t believe people. I would never do that to somebody. That’s what I get for trying to help. 4. I’m lazy. That’s why I didn’t go. What would those reactions look like from a different perspective? Maybe: 1. It’s hot, but I am so glad that I don’t have to walk. 2. I’m glad that I have people doublechecking me and that they give me a chance to fix my mistakes. Nobody’s perfect. 3. Next time, I’ll only give what I can afford to lose. Not everyone has the same values that I do about paying people back. 4. Man, this week I was slammed at work, was fighting a cold and didn’t remember to pack my gym bag. I will put it in my car tonight and try again tomorrow. The Mayo Clinic suggests that redirecting negative self-talk and practicing a more positive outlook can significantly benefit our mental, emotional and physical health. The following suggestions can help us to uproot our bleak outlooks and replace them with more life affirming attitudes. Identify areas to change. If you want to become more optimistic and engage in more positive thinking, first identify areas of your life that you usually think negatively about, whether it’s work, your daily commute or a relationship. You can

by Alicja Carter

start small by focusing on one area to approach in a more positive way. Check yourself. Periodically throughout the day, stop and evaluate what you’re thinking. If you find that your thoughts are mainly negative, try to find a way to put a positive spin on them. Be open to humor. Give yourself permission to smile or laugh, especially during difficult times. Seek humor in everyday happenings. When you can laugh at life, you feel less stressed. Follow a healthy lifestyle. Aim to exercise for about 30 minutes on most days of the week. You can also break it up into 10-minute chunks of time during the day. Exercise can positively affect mood and reduce stress. Surround yourself with positive people. Make sure those in your life are positive, supportive people you can depend on to give helpful advice and feedback. Negative people may increase your stress level and make you doubt your ability to manage stress in healthy ways. Practice positive self-talk. Start by following one simple rule: Don’t say anything to yourself that you wouldn’t say to anyone else. Be gentle and encouraging with yourself. If a negative thought enters your mind, evaluate it rationally and respond with affirmations of what is good about you. Think about things you’re thankful for in your life. So, which perspective is right? Is the second set of answers just sugarcoating the situations or do they hold their own set of truths? Until recently, it seemed realistic and even reasonable to point out the flaw or frustration in any given situation. I would even get slightly annoyed with people who didn’t want to complain about or rehash their disturbances. Does anyone else find it strange that we snuggle up to dissatisfaction, self-pity and criticism while shying away from gratitude, self-love and acceptance? An Ojibwe saying states, “Sometimes I go about with pity for myself, and all the while the great winds are carrying me across the sky.”

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Future Tense: Everything Else is Gravy Each month during the school year, “Future Tense” will feature student writers sharing something they enjoy about the community – whether they are temporary visitors to local universities or lifelong residents. Looking back at the last three years of my life, committing to St. Gregory’s and coming to Shawnee was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Community is the core of St. Gregory’s, and I have learned from my university how to create a sense of community even when away from my home in Edmond. I have watched Shawnee grow in many ways during the past few years as I have witnessed myself discovering more of this town as well. Kickapoo Street has gained multiple new restaurants and businesses and has fostered a lot of attention from the college students in town. Yet among all of the new, there were some places I had

yet to discover in Shawnee. During my junior year, my boyfriend Alec Venegas and I had been discussing how we always ate the same thing Peyton Bates after church on Sundays. One day we were leaving church, and I started to drive toward Kickapoo when Alec said he was going to search online for breakfast places in Shawnee just to see if there was a restaurant we hadn’t visited. When Sunny Side Up popped up, Alec pulled up the directions, and we headed straight to the restaurant. When we walked inside, the first thing I noticed was how busy the restaurant was. It was 1 p.m., and it seemed like half of Shawnee was packed into the space. We sat for an

THE FIFTH ELEMENT 16 e main

•

CURIOS WHIMSIES

Matthew 13:3

hour and talked about our couple of years at SGU while enjoying each other’s company with some eggs, bacon and lots of fluffy biscuits. As soon as we left, we decided this would be our “go-to” lunch and breakfast spot. “It’s really easy to get caught up in school work, sports and life,” Alec said when I told him I was writing about our time at the restaurant. “Having a place to spend time with one another and relax is something I’m very grateful for.” As my third year at St. Gregory’s flew by, it was an anomaly if I did not eat at Sunny Side Up once a week. It became an escape from schoolwork and stress, creating a place where my friends, boyfriend, family and I came to eat and just have conversations about life. Alec and I even found a specific booth in the restaurant that remains our favorite place to sit. I have brought my parents when I was missing them, and we were able to sit as long as we

wanted just to catch up and talk. At times, I even went alone to find a little quiet time away from the busy schedule I had. The restaurant became a place of peace and an escape from the stresses of college. It was and still is where I have been able to find some sense of community in Shawnee. My family, close friends and boyfriend know that whenever I need cheering up or some yummy biscuits and gravy, the place to take me is Sunny Side Up. I am thankful that I have found a place where I am able to become stress-free and relax with some delicious food. Even after I graduate next May, I will continue to visit the restaurant. And I guess I should give Alec some credit; he is the one who found it for us, of course. Peyton Bates is a senior communication studies major at St. Gregory’s University.

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Halverson said, “The only risk in the seed approach: Once 9/14/17 9:30 AM it grows and becomes a part of those in whom it's planted, you will get no credit.” The credit for what the WORD does in those around us belongs to God. But if you can do without the credit – you'll reap a rich harvest.

Some lives it changed - not at all or not enough. Some it For those hurt with word bullets, Psalm 107:20 says the CHANGED. It brought forth much fruit even a life of LORD sent his WORD and healed them. Heaven's increase. Oh the joy of Heaven's increase. For healing or a rich harvest, go to JESUS where you can RC Halverson wrote “Bullets or Seeds”. We kill or bless receive the WORD. with what we offer to those around us. The WORD can be used as a bullet or a seed. How do you think JESUS used the WORD? He was looking for the harvest yet to come! So for Heaven's increase.

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ART GUIDE

November Arts Events Studio 112 and a half will feature Tecumseh artists, Barbara Hertz and Belinda Hilburn, and Shawnee artist, April Carter, in November. The opening reception will be between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 4 at 112 ½ Main St.

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Oklahoma Baptist University’s Fall Choral Concert will be at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 7 in the Yarborough Auditorium of Raley Chapel. The program will feature the University Chorale, Bison Glee Club and Bisonette Glee Club. The concert is free and open to the public. Award-winning pianists, Alan and Alvin Chow, will be performing at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 9 in the Yarborough Auditorium of OBU’s Raley Chapel. The twin piano duo will be performing works of Milhaud, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Corigliano and Gershwin. The concert is free and open to the public. Casting Crowns will stop during The Very Next Thing Live Tour along with Zach Williams to perform at 7 p.m. on Nov. 11 at Firelake Arena located at 18145 Old Rangeline Road. Tickets: www.firelakearena.com. Children can enroll in the MabeeGerrer Museum of Art’s after-school art class “Illustrating Egypt” with artist Alisha Weston. Classes will meet Nov. 14-Dec. 19. Registration and information available at www.mgmoa.org. St. Gregory’s University will present “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” adapted from C.S. Lewis’s classic. Performances will be at 7:30 Nov. 16-18 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Nov. 19. Tickets will be available at the door of Sarkeys Performing Arts Center on the St. Gregory’s campus.

Enjoy pieces from beloved operas and musicals at OBU’s Musical Theatre and Opera Scenes program at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17-18 in the Yarborough Auditorium of Raley Chapel. Featured operas and shows will include “Carmen,” “Le nozze di Figaro,” “White Christmas,” “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” and “Annie.” The show is free and open to the public. Shawnee’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be at 6 p.m. on Nov. 18 in Celebration of Life Park at 301 E. Main St. during the monthly Block pARTy. Choirs from the Shawnee grade schools and the Shawnee High School band will be performing for the ceremony. The event will also feature some Christmas shopping at the businesses and art galleries on Main Street. The downtown holiday festivities will roll on with the annual Shawnee Christmas Parade of Lights at 7 p.m. on Dec. 7. Get in the holiday spirit with Under the Streetlamp’s “Hip to the Holidays” show at 8 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Grand Casino. Tickets available at www.grandboxoffice.com. The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art will host its Roaring 20s Gala annual fundraiser at 6 p.m. on Dec. 1. The evening will include live entertainment, dinner, wine and silent auctions. The annual gala benefits the education program for the museum. Tickets available ata www.mgmoa.org/gala. Usher in the Christmas season at OBU’s annual Hanging of the Green at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 in Raley Chapel. The program is free and open to the public.

Thresa Swadley is a freelance cellist/teacher who has been active in the Shawnee Arts Community for 20 years. She is a member of the OBU/Shawnee Community Orchestra and is a Suzuki-certified cello teacher. Please contact her if you know of an upcoming arts event. Email: tswadley@sbcglobal.net.

A SPACE

for Health & Healing

St. Anthony Shawnee Women’s Center The second floor of the St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital’s new West Tower houses the Women’s Center. This state-of-the-art facility includes six labor and delivery rooms, 18 private postpartum suites and a secure nursery equipped for babies in need of special care. Patients will find comfort in large rooms featuring flat-screen televisions, bathrooms, and wide windows. Delivering more than 800 babies every year, the staff and physicians of St. Anthony Shawnee are blessed to grow with your family.

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FOR AN APPOINTMENT WITH ONE OF OUR WOMEN’S SERVICES PHYSICIANS, CALL 405-273-5801. Paul Jennings, MD • Elise Slaybaugh, MD • Darin C. Sparkman, MD • Stephen Trotter, MD • Shannon Plumb, PA-C • Jessica Strong, APRN

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