TulsaPeople July 2021

SAINT FRANCIS’ JAKE HENRY JR. LOOKS TO RETIREMENT

AREA BUSINESSES CONTINUE TULSA’S FISHING LEGACY July 2021

Kayaking baseball Water sports Fishing

fun iN the sun!

Tennis Sand Volleyball Sailing And more!

PLUS ANNUAL FACES OF THE 918

Value Matt & Mary Baldwin Owner/Operators, McDonald’s

“We’ve owned 15 McDonald’s, so we understand what providing value to the customer means.

And so does Mabrey. Sure, we’re often approached by national banks, but they can’t touch the personal service and solid value we get here. That’s why MY BANK IS MABREY.” Read more at MyBankIsMabrey.com/McDonalds

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Providing exceptional NICU care for the tiniest patients.

Dr. Raymond Sanders appreciates a challenge—an ideal attitude to have as a physician in the Henry Zarrow Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis. “Our patients often have unique, complex problems that challenge our team to think through solutions,” said Dr. Sanders. “As a Level IV NICU, the hospital can provide the highest level of advanced care for premature or critically ill newborns, in a family-centered environment.” Another challenge is helping rural families with infants needing the NICU’s specialized care. For these situations, the hospital’s Neonatal Transport Team is ready 24/7 to provide stabilization and transport via mobile NICU—a specialized ambulance. “Our transport program is one more thing that sets The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis apart,” said Dr. Sanders.

“Having these services right here is a big advantage for families throughout the area.”

To learn more about services and pediatric specialties at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis, call 918-502-6000.

Raymond Sanders, M.D. NEONATOLOGIST

SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL | THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AT SAINT FRANCIS | WARREN CLINIC | HEART HOSPITAL AT SAINT FRANCIS | SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL SOUTH | LAUREATE PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC AND HOSPITAL SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL MUSKOGEE | SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL VINITA | SAINT FRANCIS CANCER CENTER | SAINT FRANCIS HOME CARE COMPANIES | SAINT FRANCIS GLENPOOL

FIRST OKLAHOMA BANK PRESENTS

Business Leaders with Heart

HEALER. HUMBLE. HONORABLE. Twenty inches of snow blanketed the ground when Dr. Rollie Rhodes left Rochester, Minnesota, after completing his medical residency to move to Tulsa in 1965. Arriving here to fair skies and sunshine on a February day, Dr. Rhodes knew he had made a good choice. Tulsa became home.

His medical career in Tulsa spanned 50 years until his retirement in 2015.

Dr. Rhodes worked 10 years at Springer Clinic followed by 40 years at Eastern Oklahoma Ear, Nose and Throat Inc., which he and other partners formed in 1975.

Today, the octogenarian pursues several interests. Dr. Rhodes enjoys growing orchids – a hobby he started many years ago after a friend invited him to a meeting of the Tulsa Orchid Society. He also takes cello lessons, which reflects his love of music and involvement as a Board member for the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, where he also is a member of the Education Committee.

For a couple of years, he tutored at a local school through Reading Partners in Tulsa.

He volunteers at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, where he has served as a greeter and helped his Sunday school class.

Dr. Rhodes also is a Board member of Trinity Woods (formerly known as Oklahoma Methodist Manor) and is chairman of the facility’s Development Committee. He also is

a founding director of First Oklahoma Bank and chairs the Board’s Asset and Liability Management committee.

Family and church nurtured his desire to help others as a youth. “I was made aware that many people in our community, nation, and the world were not always as blessed with adequate food, shelter, clean water and health care as I was. I was taught to give some of my time and material assets to help the less fortunate,” Dr. Rhodes says.

He is a firm believer that through education and participation in the arts, children can rise above their life circumstances and aspire to a better future.

and helper. Some say he is the kindest person they have ever met,” says Chairman Tom Bennett Jr. of First Oklahoma Bank. “He is the perfect combination of the kindhearted Mr. Rogers, plus the brilliant Dr. Anthony Fauci, plus the astute financial adviser E.F. Hutton - when Rollie talks people listen. He knows what to do and does it with perfection.”

Dr. Rhodes says, “As a member of First Oklahoma Bank’s Board of Directors for 11 years, I have been impressed by the friendliness, open minds, and eagerness to help customers achieve their goals.”

“Rollie is a pillar of strength, faith, patience and wisdom. He is a life-long learner, listener

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JULY 2021 | VOLUME 35 ISSUE 9

P. 110 Watermelon mojito granita recipe

· Insight into Tulsa Innovation Labs. · One of Tulsa’s oldest neighborhoods to receive improvements. · Award-winning Retrospec Films is busy with local and national productions. · Building a foundation for first responder mental health.

25 ABOUT TOWN

· New releases from Chris Combs and Pilgrim. · New finds in the Red Fork Arts District. · ‘Focus: Black Oklahoma’ expands its reach. · Things to do this month. · Photos from the Tulsa Race Massacre centennial.

38 MAN WITH A PLAN

Saint Francis Health System CEO Jake Henry Jr. retires after celebrated career.

BY GAIL BANZET-ELLIS

41 GONE FISHING Tulsa’s been hooked on fishing for decades, and it remains home to several leading names in the industry.

BY KELLY BOSTIAN

4

TulsaPeople JULY 2021

45 FUN IN THE SUN

It’s summer in Tulsa, and there’s no shortage of activities to soak it all in.

BY LAURA DENNIS AND KELLY BOSTIAN

93 LIFESTYLE

· A new spot for a Tulsa lifestyle staple. · Earrings inspired by nature. · Kansas City is road trip worthy. · Connie Cronley experiences empathy.

105 TABLE TALK

· A taste of New Mexico at La Tertulia. · Tasting Tulsa seltzers. · Four places for smothered fries. · Three recipes for watermelon.

SPECIAL SECTIONS 53

Faces of the 918

ON THE COVER: Oklahoma Sports and Social plays sand volleyball most nights at Pearl Beach Brew Pub, 418 S. Peoria Ave.

MICHELLE POLLARD

7 CITY DESK

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stories of others. And when you schedule your first consultation, Ascension St. John doctors and care teams are ready to answer questions and create a care plan just for you.

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© Ascension 2021. All rights reserved.

FROM THE EDITOR

Volume XXXV, Number 9 ©2021. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher, including created advertising in a proofed or printed stage.

Gone fishing.

M

TulsaPeople Magazine is published monthly by

any days of my youth were spent

Summer is here, and I want you to soak it in.

on the banks of nearby lakes

A collection of ideas begins on p. 45. Want some

and streams or in the back of a

team sports? Check. Wishing for some fun on the

boat with a fishing pole in hand. As a youngster

water? Got it. Desire to kick back and relax to the

I loved my pink pole that even sported my name

sounds of live music? Done.

in script on the reel case. I would take that, or

Th is month Jake Henry Jr., CEO of Saint

any of the numerous other poles we had around

Francis Health System, retires after 19 years at

the house, down to the creek that ran behind the

the helm of the only locally owned and managed

house. There was a special spot next to our red

health care system in Oklahoma. Read about his

barn where I would dig for fat earthworms to bait

journey on p. 38, along with his plans for the

my hook.

future, including a much-desired road trip.

I’ve never fished for records; rather, as I’ve

I just returned from a much-needed vacation.

grown into an adult I’ve realized many of my

It was a road trip with a dear friend and one we

favorite memories are fish tales.

both needed. There’s something rejuvenating

A trip to the Illinois River landed me a

about the open road. Listening to podcasts and

21-pound striper one summer morning when I

some favorite albums while driving through the

was a teen. I remember fighting for that one and

mountains of New Mexico was just the ticket I

how impressed my dad was once it came in.

needed after the long haul of the past few months.

After graduating from eighth grade my best

Several nights were spent walking around

friend and I were treated to a fishing trip to Lake

a lake, talking to the locals who were fishing

Texoma, where we would drop a line and catch a

bankside.

fish. Seriously. Why can’t it always be that easy? go fishing than to a frat party signaled to me that

thing of a respite for your soul, taking you across

he was a catch. Today we’ll launch our kayaks in

the city to destinations both familiar and new.

I’ll be loading up my kayak with my pole to hit

catch a thing — those elusive stick bass are some-

the water soon. Will I see you there?

times all that’s biting — we at least can catch

As always, thanks for reading. TP

some peace and quiet.

Perhaps you are well aware of Tulsa’s fishintroduction to our city and its businesses roles

EDITOR CITY EDITOR DIGITAL EDITOR ABOUT TOWN EDITOR

Anne Brockman Morgan Phillips Tim Landes Blayklee Freed

EDITORIAL CONSULTING Missy Kruse, The Write Company CREATIVE DIRECTOR ART DIRECTOR MANAGING PHOTOGRAPHER VIDEOGRAPHER

Madeline Crawford Georgia Brooks Michelle Pollard Greg Bollinger

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Andrea Canada Josh Kampf Rita Kirk CONTROLLER Mary McKisick DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Amanda Hall

MEMBER

TulsaPeople’s distribution is audited annually by

If that’s not in the cards, I hope this issue is some-

ing legacy. Maybe our story on p. 41 will be an

PUBLISHER Jim Langdon PRESIDENT Juley Roffers VP COMMUNITY RELATIONS Susie Miller

I hope you, our readers, get to hit the road soon.

The fact that my then-boyfriend would rather

hopes we can catch some dinner. Even if we don’t

1603 South Boulder Avenue Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119-4407 P: 918-585-9924 F: 918-585-9926

Anne Brockman

Langdon Publishing Company sets high standards to ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable manner. This issue of Tulsa People was printed on recycled fibers containing 20 percent post-consumer waste with inks containing a soy base blend. Our printer is a certified member of the Forestry Stewardship Council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and additionally, meets or exceeds all federal Resource Conservation Recovery Act standards. When you are finished with this issue, please pass it on to a friend or recycle it. We can have a better world if we choose it together.

Disregard any TulsaPeople subscription solicitation that is not directly mailed from the Langdon Publishing office at 1603 S. Boulder Ave. Contact Langdon Publishing directly if you are interested in subscribing or renewing your TulsaPeople subscription.

EDITOR

in making Green Country a mecca for fishing enthusiasts.

In the June issue we erroneously stated Lola Palazzo recently purchased the Mausoleum at Rose Hill Cemetery.

Hal and Karyn Ezzell remain longtime owners of Rose Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery. We regret this error.

6

TulsaPeople JULY 2021

S AY N O T O H A T E

ON THE MAP

J

ust call Retrospec Films the underdog. The Broken Arrow-based production company recently won the 2021 YouTube Underdog Award for its “RoadTripOK” video series for the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. The award is one of 10 given by YouTube to those who create and champion the most innovative video campaigns that drive business impact in the United States.

For the 52-episode video series, that impact included driving nearly $11.8 million in projected lodging revenue and a 163-to-1 return on investment, according to Oklahoma Tourism. To film the series, four members of the Retrospec team, including owner Jason Burks, filmed their travel to attractions, accommodations and events in 67 cities and towns around the state. TP FOR MORE ON RETROSPEC FILMS, SEE P. 16.

COURTESY

Jason Burks, Jacob Hightower and Daniel Poulain film “RoadTripOK” on location at Greenleaf State Park in Braggs.

TulsaPeople.com

7

NOTEBOOK B Y MORGA N PHILLIP S A ND TIM L A NDE S

BLACK LIVES MATTER STREET UNVEILED

With a city bus stop but no sidewalks or crosswalk to access a popular shopping area, the area east of South Memorial Road and East Admiral Place concerns Mitch Drummond.

TR AFFIC signals

Commuters on North Peoria Avenue, from East 36th Street North to East Pine Street, now travel on Black Lives Matter Street. The Rev. Mareo Johnson led efforts to rename the street.

“The Black Lives Matter Honorary Street sets an example of how people can work together to attain a goal regardless of naysayers and haters. We are honored for this dedication, which I believe also entails all of the hard work that we have contributed to try to make our city and community safer and more productive,” Johnson said after the May 28 dedication. “One of our top priorities is police reform and community-based initiatives that will improve the lives of people in north Tulsa and the city abroad. I believe it’s part of a door opener with more things to follow concerning the building and revitalization of north Tulsa.”

The Rev. Mareo Johnson

Among the consequences of the pandemic was an uptick in Tulsa’s roadway deaths, which increased by 66% in 2020, according to data from the Tulsa Police Department. Mitch Drummond, chairman of the Tulsa Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, believes less busy roads led to increased speeds, which can be especially deadly for people walking and biking.

FOR THE REST OF THIS CONVERSATION, VISIT TULSAPEOPLE.COM. 8

TulsaPeople JULY 2021

Greenwood musical pitched for TV “A Song of Greenwood” actors Dharon E. Jones and Fernell Hogan and co-creators Jerome Johnson and Tim Long filmed a TV pitch video June 3 at Fly Loft.

Tulsans Tim Long and Jerome Johnson of LoJoWerkz Productions are working to bring the story of Greenwood from the stage to television.

Co-written by the longtime friends, “A Song of Greenwood” is about the events that sparked the Tulsa Race Massacre. First staged at Greenwood Cultural Center in 1998 with a cast and crew of nearly 40 area musical performers, the production was rewritten and revived for the 80th commemoration of the Massacre in 2001.

The current adaptation, rewritten during the pandemic as an eight-episode musical series ahead of the Massacre centennial, is being pitched to TV networks in collaboration with New York City-based entertainment company Acuity Productions.

The first two-thirds of the production is musical theater and even comedy, according to the writers/composers.

“We make the audience fall in love with these charming characters and these great dance numbers,” Long says.

“By the end of the show, the people you love are going to die tragic deaths. … The hard part hits deeper because these are people you know and love.” TP

DRUMMOND, ASOG: MORGAN PHILLIPS; BLM: COURTESY MAREO JOHNSON

HOW DOES TULSA FIT INTO A NATIONAL CONVERSATION ABOUT THE SAFETY OF WALKING AND BIKING? Tulsa sits at 26th in the nation for pedestrian fatalities.

We were 29th in 2019, and then by the beginning of this year (2021), we had moved up to 26. Tulsa is a city that grew up in the advent of the automobile. As city founders were expanding Tulsa in the ‘10s and ’20s, the automobile was the primary mode of transportation, and the city built a grid of streets that was focused on automobile traffic.

And we continue to do that today.

I think nationwide people are realizing cars are getting safer, with airbags and other technology that make it safer for the driver. But at the same time, those vehicles are getting larger and more deadly for pedestrians.

They’re able to go faster, they’re able to turn more sharply, while fatality rates for people outside of those larger vehicles are increasing. We’re building roads and streets and highways that allow faster travel for those vehicles.

We’re not building an infrastructure that is suitable for mass transit, people walking or people on bicycles.

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BIZ WHIZ TEDC SERIES

Learn about Tulsa Economic Development Corp.

Creative Capital and its clients.

Michael Benton, owner of MWB Studios

Covers

Woodworking company adds employees, equipment during pandemic.

BY JULIE WENGER WATSON

W

hat began as a hobby in his 400-square-foot backyard shed has grown into a thriving business for Tulsan Michael Benton. At his workshop near East 41st Street and South Sheridan Road, Benton and his three full-time employees craft unique wooden creations, shipping them all over the world.

From jewelry boxes to elaborate ceremonial tea trays, MWB Studios makes products for a list of clients, including a national sports league, large corporations, a private jet manufacturer and plenty of individuals searching for that special gift.

Benton and his team create these functional works of art from scratch, starting with the raw lumber. The marquetry, a type of inlay work adorning his creations, is self-taught. Customdesigned humidors make up about 60% of his orders. Engagement ring boxes and art decoinspired clocks also are popular items.

Most of Benton’s sales are online through outlets like Etsy, custommade.com and Amazon.

Last year, in the midst of the pandemic, Benton and his wife opened the Sky Gallery, a retail outlet and showroom at 1401 E. 11th St., so customers could view and purchase the products in person. The work of other Oklahoma artists also is on display.

Benton, who initially funded the business in 2011 by selling his motorcycle and cashing out his retirement account, is grateful MWB Stu10

TulsaPeople JULY 2021

A custom humidor by MWB Studios

dios not only survived the pandemic, but also managed to grow. He’s quick to give credit to TEDC Creative Capital, a Tulsa nonprofit that provides financial and educational resources to small businesses. Last year, the organization helped Benton obtain a loan to upgrade the company’s website, which will allow for direct selling to customers, and for new machinery.

Thanks to TEDC and the Paycheck Protection Program, as well as allies who have helped with everything from working through red tape to hiring, Benton is optimistic about the future and hopes to add more personnel. “Tulsa and Oklahoma have a fantastic support system for small businesses, and we are very thankful for that,” he says. TP

TulsaPeople’s February 2006 cover feature referred to actor/writer/comedian Bill Hader as “Saturday Night Live’s newest breakout star,” but in Tulsa, Hader had long been known for his comedic talent — at least since he was voted senior class clown at his alma mater, Cascia Hall.

Born and raised in Tulsa, Hader discussed his fortuitous introduction to SNL creator Lorne Michaels via Oklahoma actor Megan Mullally, who saw Hader perform at Second City in Chicago.

“Basically I just totally lucked out,” Hader said.

“I had the right person on the right night see me in the right show.”

Popular for his impressions and bizarre characters, Hader remained on SNL for eight years from 2005-2013, though he has returned to the show often. His acting and voice work has been extensive, and he earned back-to-back Primetime Emmys in 2018 and 2019 for his leading role in the HBO dark comedy series “Barry,” which he co-created.

Hader’s recent work includes voicing animated characters in Marvel’s 2021 “M.O.D.O.K.” TV series and the upcoming “The Addams Family 2” and starring in “Empress of Serenity,” a dramedy in pre-production, according to IMDb. He has three daughters with his ex-wife, director/screenwriter Maggie Carey.

In 2016 TulsaPeople checked in with Hader, who commented on his 2006 TP cover: “That person is someone who’s just figuring it all out. I’m trying to figure out how to write, how to perform, understanding how to do set construction, how you work with wardrobe … I learned all of that at ‘Saturday Night Live.’”

— MORGAN PHILLIPS

GREG BOLLINGER

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CHANGEMAKERS

Jennifer Hankins is one of Tulsa Innovation Labs’ eight staff members.

Pat Fluegel

TULSA 2.0

Organization is helping build a sustainable, high-tech workforce.

BY TIM LANDES

T

ulsa Innovation Labs, a nonprofit, techled economic development organization, is working to help grow Tulsa’s economy through data analytics, and data sciences education and training.

“What we’re doing is trying to make a direct intervention in the trajectory Tulsa’s economy is on today, to put us on a path toward jobs that are more sustainable, more protected from automation, and also trying to create new industry to diversify our economy here,” says Jennifer Hankins, TIL’s head of partnerships. “We’re going to do that through a series of programmatic investments.”

TIL programs include the University of Tulsa-Team8 Partnership, a global venture group supporting students of deep tech, cyber artificial intelligence and solutions for enterprise companies, and Holberton School Tulsa, a two-year software engineering program.

When TIL launched in early 2020, it hired global management consulting firm McKinsey

12

TulsaPeople JULY 2021

and Co. to do what Hankins calls a “deep industry analysis,” which identified five areas where Tulsa can take the lead in the innovation economy. Those are energy tech, virtual health, advanced aerial mobility, cyber and analytics.

“Tulsa is not trying to be Austin; we’re not trying to be the Bay area. We’re trying to be the best version of Tulsa 2.0 that we can,” Hankins says.

TIL is a subsidiary of George Kaiser Family Foundation. In June 2020 GKFF invested an initial $50 million in TIL to catalyze growth.

Hankins says multiple initiatives and partnerships will be announced by the end of the summer. TP Read more at TulsaPeople.com about how Tulsa Innovation Labs works with companies, local governments and tribes, and how it’s attempting to stop the brain drain of talented people leaving town after graduation.

One of the most crushing consequences of the pandemic was how difficult it became simply to help others. This, of course, proved troublesome for Crossroads Clubhouse, a mental health support nonprofit.

Crossroads is an example of the “clubhouse model” of psychosocial rehabilitation, one of two in Oklahoma. Clubhouse International, which represents 340 clubhouses around the world, is a recent recipient of the American Psychiatric Association’s Special Presidential Commendation Award for worldwide efforts to assist people living with mental illnesses.

Crossroads’ purpose is to provide a springboard for those suffering from severe mental illness, according to Executive Director Pat Fluegel. Staff members at Crossroads help their members find housing, employment, education and other social services, but they do not treat any illnesses. Crossroads is meant to be the destination after treatment — “that last place you go before total reentry into society,” Fluegel says.

For now Crossroads is located at 3500 S. Peoria Ave. in Southminster Presbyterian Church, but a new location designed by GH2 Architects is set to open at 925 S. Yale Ave. before the end of the year.

Crossroads typically is a bustling hub of its members. “They run the show,” Fluegel says. That includes helping with lunch and cleanup; administrative duties; gardening; fundraising; writing and putting together the Gazette, the clubhouse’s monthly newsletter; and outreach (calling members no one has seen in a while to check in).

A digital pivot paid off for the nonprofit with three members getting jobs during the pandemic. Lunch — normally available for $2 per member — continued production, as well. Over 3,000 meals have been delivered to members since March 13, 2020.

— ETHAN VEENKER

GREG BOLLINGER

Crossroads’ path forward

OUR FAMILY IS READY TO SERVE YOUR FAMILY

I AM

Kaylee Wenner stands outside Resonance Center for Women, 1608 S. Elwood Ave.

I AM AN ADDICT IN RECOVERY Tulsan works to regain her family.

STORY AND PHOTO BY TIM LANDES

W

hen Kaylee Wenner walked out of Eddie Warrior Correctional Facility on Oct. 3, 2019, after one year of incarceration, she knew she never wanted to return to prison.

Originally from Moore, Wenner had a friend who told her about Resonance Center for Women and its Take 2 Cafe that provides employment opportunities for women recently released from prison. Resonance is a nonprofit that promotes and supports women and their families challenged by the criminal justice system.

Less than two weeks after her release, Wenner was accepted into the nonprofit’s outpatient program and moved into a loft above the downtown restaurant where she worked for seven months serving lunch.

She says it taught her “work ethic, responsibility, accountability. It basically just taught me things I had forgotten over the years.”

“I really think it molded my path to the life that I have now,” says the 31-year-old, who in two months will have an ankle monitor removed that she has worn since her release. “Prison is what saved my life, and Resonance helped build me into the person I am today.”

Wenner says she started drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana at age 12 to get her parents’ attention after her 14-year-old brother was diagnosed with cancer. He eventually beat the disease, 14

TulsaPeople JULY 2021

“I don’t ever want to go back to what I was doing, ever. I’m super proud of myself.

I’ve come a long way.”

but she continued to struggle with addiction, escalating to meth and opioid abuse. By age 23 she began cycling in and out of county jails every two to five months before telling a judge if she was sent to prison, she’d stop using.

Last spring Wenner went from being helped to helping others battling their addictions through a job as a chemical dependency technician at 12&12, the state’s most comprehensive addiction recovery center. She says she can relate to clients and be an example of how people can change.

“Working with them reminds me of where I came from, and it keeps me humble,” Wenner says. “If I forget where I come from, then it’s not going to be a good thing, and this kind of keeps that daily reminder there for me.”

For the first time, she has a rent house in her name, and she’s never been late on her utility payments. She met someone at a Narcotics Anonymous meeting shortly after her release from Eddie Warrior, and they’ll marry in November. She is again spending time with her family, including her two daughters, ages 6 and 13, who are still under guardianship and spend time with their mom each month as they all work toward becoming a family under one roof again, something Wenner says could happen by the end of the year.

“With my oldest daughter, it’s really hard because she was around for a lot of my in-andout, and she remembers a lot of it,” Wenner says.

“I’m still trying to build that trust with her.

With my youngest daughter, it’s like we never skipped a beat. She just loves me so much. She’s all about it. So she hates going home. She loves coming over.”

Wenner says she loves her life and is truly happy for the fi rst time in decades. She has goals to go to school to become a case manager to help those with mental health issues and drug addiction. She understands to continue being successful she must stay strong and stay sober.

“Now that I’ve gotten a taste of what it’s like, it’s definitely the most important thing aside from my family and my kids,” she says. “I don’t ever want to go back to what I was doing, ever. I’m super proud of myself. I’ve come a long way.” TP

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MAG107433–0040

PASSIONS

Nina Johnson, Kristen Adair and Kimber Take

Retrospec Films’ Jason Burks films a commercial for client A-Best Roofing.

RACING FOR IMPACT Tulsan grows award-winning video production company.

BY LUCAS BRADLEY

W

hen you turned 16 and had to pay for car insurance, you probably waited tables. When it happened to Jason Burks 20-ish years ago, he founded a company that has now raked in armloads of awards, allowed him to fi lm in 49 states and on five continents, and certainly covered his insurance payments.

Retrospec Films, a Broken Arrow video production company where Burks employs 21 fulltime workers, has grown into a nationally recognized fi rm.

“It was just me for the fi rst three years,” Burks says. “My senior year in high school, I hired my fi rst employee, and he was just my buddy.” After graduating in 2002 from Broken Arrow High School, he piloted Retrospec to great success.

It’s still thriving, even in the face of the pandemic, which created a perfect storm.

“Any time a business pushes forward in something like this, the common theme is, ‘We need some videos. We need to tell our stories,’” Burks says. “It was the strong players wanting to push forward, combined with the fact that videos don’t transfer viruses.”

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Studios and broadcasters also struggled for content, leading Retrospec to produce an eight-episode series in 2020 that will be viewed

by Netfl ix this summer to consider purchasing.

“Everything in California got frozen,” Burks explains. “Netfl ix, Amazon, Hulu — they don’t have the content they need, and they’re all, ‘Hey, send us your ideas.’ Two years ago, you had to do anything you could to get your content looked at.”

Retrospec fi lms commercials (local and national), TV series, documentaries and docuseries. But Burks stays busy away from the camera, too.

He owns the climbing gym Climb Tulsa and married in 2019. Th rough all that, the pandemic and everything else, he has kept doing what he loves.

“There’s a fulfi llment and passion that comes from telling stories,” Burks says. “I think I get the most fulfi llment out of impacting people. I have a chance to impact people with the stories we get to tell. I like living in Oklahoma, and we’re making an impact. I like that.” TP

Many first responders and military combat veterans have been through unimaginable situations.

They deal with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder and struggle with getting help.

Some take their own lives.

“Twenty-two veterans die by suicide every day, and first responder suicides double all other causes of on-duty death,” says Kimber Take, co-founder of the Broken Arrow-based Warrior Kind Foundation.

Six years ago, Take and friends Nina Johnson and Kristen Adair lost someone close to them to suicide. They launched the nonprofit to bring more awareness to the mental health issues first responders and military veterans deal with, often silently, Take says.

“Personally, as a first responder this has a special place in my heart,” says Take, a deputy for Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office. “We see and have to do things on a daily basis that we take home with us, whether we want to or not. Providing resources helps relieve some of the compounded stress.”

Those resources are an ear to listen and referrals for mental health assistance. Warrior Kind utilizes donations to help pay for mental health treatment.

“As first responders we don’t make a ton of money,” Take says. “I like to remind people the average therapy session is $75 an hour, and a critical incident session can be upward of $150 an hour. Not to mention inpatient or outpatient care costs and medications can be pricey. Insurance doesn’t cover much. Knowing we can help by relieving a financial burden and leaving no excuses is big.”

Take says Warrior Kind is open to collaborating with businesses and individuals to raise funds. It hosts fundraisers like tie dye parties and accepts donations through its website, warriorkind.org.

— TIM LANDES

PASSIONS: COURTESY RETROSPEC; GREG BOLLINGER

Helping the ‘Warrior Kind’

EXPLORE the possibilities Private tours offered by appointment Monday-Friday from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

For virtual campus tours and more information about admission or tuition assistance, call 918-879-4755.

Learn more at hollandhall.org/open-house.

How Emergency Care Should Be More caring. More personal. More convenient.

Tulsa ER & Hospital was created to bring 24/7, concierge-level, quality emergency care to the Tulsa community. We strive to provide our patients with the best experience, short wait times and personalized care, in an up-scale comfortable environment. Visit our website for more information about services and insurance. tulsaer.com | 918-517-6300 | 717 W 71st St S

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LOCAL TALENT

MEET AND GREET NAME: Calvin Moniz

VIRTU(AL)OSOS Long-distance indie duo tackles song-a-week challenge.

BY BRANDON SCHMITZ

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fter watching Wes Anderson’s 1998 film “Rushmore,” Zach Fountain says he knew that if he were to ever start a band, it would be called Rushmore Beekeepers.

Although this began as a solo project in 2001, Fountain has performed off and on with others throughout the years. These days, the Beekeepers are comprised of Fountain and his sister-in-law, Amanda Hawkins.

“She lives in Arizona, so our songwriting process is a bit unique,” he says. “I’ll send her what I’ve put together through Garage Band. From there, she’ll listen to it and then edit whatever she wants into the song.”

In a particularly ambitious move, the indie-folk duo composed one song per week from March 10, 2020, to March 2, 2021.

“I did something similar to this challenge about 10 years ago,” Fountain says. “At that time, I felt kind of rushed, but my wife and Amanda helped inspire me to do it again.”

Having joined the project around week 11, Hawkins helped Fountain maintain his focus and discipline, he says.

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“Going in, my biggest fear was just coming up with song ideas,” he says. “I’d never put together a writing schedule before. I was always just like, ‘I need to wait for the inspiration to come to me.’”

To foster that inspiration, the singersongwriter not only pulled from life experience, but also took in as much art as possible across multiple mediums.

“Moving forward, I’m excited to work on a standard, 12-song album” at a slower, non-weekly pace, Fountain says, “though that one-song-aweek challenge definitely taught us to work well under pressure.”

Both Fountain and Hawkins will perform at the Tiny Porch Festival on Sept. 25 in the historic Owen Park neighborhood.

“We played (the festival) in 2019 and it was a blast,” Fountain says. “They didn’t have it last year, but 2021 looks promising.” TP Rushmore Beekeepers’ extensive discography is available at rushmorebeekeepers.bandcamp.com.

What are your goals for the Foundation? Saint Simeon’s has a long-standing history of support within the Tulsa community, especially through our annual Western Days event. Nevertheless, there are a lot of opportunities for gifts of any size to support the foundation. My goal is to welcome a new generation of donors to the foundation while honoring those who have been our sustaining partners for years. I also hope to diversify our foundation board of directors to better reflect the Tulsa community. At the end of the day, I never want a resident or resident’s family member to feel they were not adequately provided for. Thankfully, Saint Simeon’s provides the best care in assisted living, our memory care unit and skilled nursing.

How do you spend your free time? I enjoy volunteering in the Tulsa community. I volunteer with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the TU Alumni Association and Kendall Whittier Main Street. I also serve as chairman of the City of Tulsa HUD Community Development Committee. At home I have two fur babies, Pfeiffer, a black cat; and Piper, a Carolina dog.

— HANNAH MARSHALL

GREG BOLLINGER

Zach Fountain and his sister-in-law, Amanda Hawkins, write and record music from their homes in Tulsa and Arizona.

They expect to release their as-of-yet untitled album Oct. 1.

KNOWN AS: Executive director of Saint Simeon’s Foundation since December 2020. He has previously served in many roles around Tulsa, from senior advisor for university relations at Phillips 66 to fundraising roles for University of Tulsa’s University Advancement and Alumni Engagement.

Sun Patterns, Dark Canyon July 6 - October 30, 2021

Sun Patterns, Dark Canyon explores the art and career of the highly successful twentieth-century American printmaker and painter Doel Reed (1894-1985).

Reed is best known today as a Southwestern artist and “master of the aquatint”.

O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

The mountainous topography, geology, and history of New Mexico were an endless source of inspiration to Reed. This exhibition brings attention to this significant but understudied artist and demonstrates how Reed was both

7 2 0 S H U S B A N D S T, S T I L LW AT E R , O K 74 0 74

influenced by and contributed to national and international artistic trends over his long and prolific career. Included in the exhibition are over sixty works of art

M U S E U M .O K S TAT E . E D U

by Doel Reed and his contemporaries. An exhibition catalogue will be available.

Image: Doel Reed, Sun Patterns, Dark Canyon, 1979, Ed. 17/30, aquatint and etching on paper, 7 7/8 x 17 1/2 inches. Oklahoma State University Museum of Art, Stillwater, OK, DRC2011.015.001. This exhibition has been organized by Oklahoma State University Museum of Art. Support for the catalogue and exhibition has been provided by the Carl and Marilynn Thoma Family Foundation, the Terra Foundation for American Art, Kent and Jeanette Young, the Doel Reed Center, Neal and Lora Buck, the Vaughn Vennerberg II Endowed Chair in Art, Malinda and Dick Fischer, and the OSU Museum of Art Advocates.

JULY U PCOMING PROMOS

FIREWORKS SHOWS FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

JULY 2 JULY 3 JULY 4 FRIDAY

SATURDAY

BACK TO SCHOOL BACKPACK GIVEAWAY

SATURDAY, JULY 31

FRIDAY

JULY 23 JULY 24 JULY 30

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THEN AND NOW

New HEIGHTS CROSBIE HEIGHTS CHOSEN AS FIRST NEIGHBORHOOD IN VIBRANT NEIGHBORHOODS PARTNERSHIP.

BY BRIA BOLTON MOORE

J

asmine Aaenson-Fletcher was on a meditation walk through the Crosbie Heights neighborhood when a twostory, Craftsman-style house captured her attention. “Th at’s going to be my house,” she said at the time.

The lifelong Tulsan not only bought the home in 2014, she then became the Crosbie Heights Neighborhood Association president in 2019.

William Crosbie platted Crosbie Heights, one of Tulsa’s oldest neighborhoods, in 1908, just 10 years after Tulsa was incorporated. Situated just west of downtown’s Inner Disper20

TulsaPeople JULY 2021

sal Loop (I-244), Crosbie Heights is located between the Arkansas River and Highway 412 (Sand Springs Expressway).

The neighborhood includes Irving School, the second elementary school to open outside of downtown; Nogales Avenue Baptist Church, built in 1909; and Newblock Park, which was originally the site of the Tulsa Water Department’s water filtration plant. The plant’s 1910 brick building is now Water Works Art Center, a community art studio with classes for adults and children. Crosbie Heights also is home to the Cave House on Charles Page Boulevard, which was designed by architect Daniel Eichenfeld and opened in the early 1920s as the Cave Garden Restaurant. It is rumored to have been a speakeasy during Prohibition.

Aaenson-Fletcher describes Crosbie Heights as “a hidden little gem” and “a neighborhood in transition.” Despite the neighborhood’s rich history, there’s room for improvement.

In April, Crosbie Heights was selected by the Tulsa Planning Office as the fi rst neighborhood to participate in the Vibrant Neighborhoods Partnership, described by the City of Tulsa as “a holistic neighborhood revitalization program aimed at improving neighborhood conditions and resident satisfaction.” With partial funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the partnership is expected to last at least three years and provide support ranging from food access initiatives to pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, depending on the neighborhood’s needs.

Although specific projects and funding are yet to be determined, neighborhood beautification and pedestrian safety are a focus for Crosbie Heights neighbors, according to Emily Scott, neighborhood revitalization planner with the Tulsa Planning Office.

“There’s already this great element of neighborhood cohesion and working together on goals in the past,” Scott says of Crosbie Heights, which has over 400 homes and businesses with 8001,000 residents. “Its success is heavily dependent on the neighbors and the community members in the neighborhood working together.”

Aaenson-Fletcher says she’s excited to have resources to accomplish some of the goals she and her neighbors established through Crosbie Heights’ Small Area Plan a few years ago, including improving sidewalks and connection to downtown.

“In a lot of places throughout the neighborhood, the sidewalks end; they just stop,” Aaenson-Fletcher says.

She says they also plan to add lighting throughout the neighborhood, make the underpasses safer and more welcoming, and increase and improve the supply of housing.

“We just want it to be safe, healthy and a place that we can all enjoy,” Aaenson-Fletcher says. “We’re also really committed to maintaining diversity in our neighborhood. We have a lot of different people with different beliefs, different races, different income levels, and that’s one of the really key strengths I’d say Crosbie Heights has.” TP

GREG BOLLINGER

Jasmine Aaenson-Fletcher

NEWS FROM ADVERTISERS

Extending our congratulations to Wade Edmundson on his retirement after 45 years.

We thank Wade for his dedication to Commerce and the Tulsa Community.

Residents gather outside the entrance to Trinity Woods, formerly Oklahoma Methodist Manor.

WF867755 Wade Edmundson - Retirement Ad - Tulsa People.indd 1

Visit TulsaPeople.com to register for our

$500 SHOP& DINE

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Oklahoma Methodist Manor fi rst opened its doors in 1956 with a single building housing 25 seniors. Since then, the organization has consistently redefined itself to meet the needs of those it serves. Today, it’s a 40-acre campus offering the full continuum of care to nearly 400 members through residential homes and apartments, traditional assisted living, memory care assisted living, rehabilitative therapy and long-term care nursing options.

“Over the past several years, we have been working to create a culture that redefines aging,” CEO Steve Dickie says. “The new, more contemporary name of Trinity Woods celebrates our organic evolution from nursing home to life plan community.”

The name change is the result of nearly two years of strategic planning including feedback from the community’s members, board members, employees and Tulsa community leaders. The outcome of the process was the board’s unanimous decision to change the name from Oklahoma Methodist Manor to Trinity Woods.

The new name now accurately reflects and represents the organization and those it serves, as it is open to individuals of all faiths and encompasses a neighborhood of different residential and care options.

Bonnie Polak, vice president of development and public relations, affi rms Trinity Woods remains a separately incorporated, not-for-profit, singlesite, senior living community governed by an independent board. “The board meets monthly and is responsible for upholding the mission and setting strategic direction for the organization,” Polak says. “There is also a Community Member Council that includes elected representatives from the community. The council advises senior staff on issues that affect the community.”

Visit trinitywoodstulsa.com for more information.

6/21/2021 9:53:15 AM

TULSAPEOPLE.COM GIV EAWAYS

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Oklahoma Methodist Manor is now Trinity Woods

• 4 tickets to BRAUM’S An Affair of the Heart (July 16-18) with VIP parking and a $100 Visa gift card • $100 Braum’s gift card • Gift cards for The Chalkboard, In the Raw and Justin Thompson Restaurants!

Register by July 11

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Spring Fling Fifty children who are battling cancer, along with some who are survivors, were celebrated at Spring Fling on April 24 at the Tulsa Fire Department’s training center.

The party featured piles of gifts from Hydrants of Hope, a nonprofit run by Tulsa firefighters after its founding in 2012 by firefighter Mark Meyer, who died of cancer. Families enjoyed lunch, a petting zoo from Safari Joe’s H2O Water Park, princesses and comic book characters, and Joy in the Cause therapy dogs.

More than $26,000 was spent on kids at Spring Fling. Hydrants of Hope raises funds through the sale of T-shirts and calendars to pay for prescriptions, fuel, other urgent needs and fun items like bicycles, fishing poles and toys.

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1. A young Batman and older Batman kept watch for the Joker 2. Cancer warrior Cade Wegener showed off his Tulsa Metro Women on Fire calendar.

3. Kids enjoyed pizza after going through the gifts they received.

4. Firefi ghters Alexa Booth, Jayme Brooks, Kendall Williams and Kinsey Blunt with David Kanke, center 5. Addison and her parents

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Heart of Tulsa Digital Experience

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1. Sweethearts and Mavericks danced to music by Lady A. 2. The program closed with entertainment by country music group Lady A. 3. Kevin and Hayley Vann, chairs of the Tulsa Heart Ball 4. Pete Waldroop gave a toast to the Tulsa Heart Ball chairs.

5. Shae Rozzi of Fox 23 emceed.

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SPRING FLING: TIM LANDES; HEART OF TULSA: COURTESY

In its 50th anniversary year, the American Heart Association’s Tulsa Heart Ball went digital with the first Heart of Tulsa Digital Experience on May 20.

Guests watched the affair online, participated in a live auction and heard from Jamie Eckerd, whose three children were born with congenital heart defects (CHDs). Every year, one in every 100 babies is born with a CHD. A highlight of the program was the introduction of the Tulsa Sweethearts and Mavericks, as well as the presentation of the Heart of Tulsa Award by Vicky Laymon Hodson to AJ Johnson for his work with the Tulsa Dream Center distributing meals to north Tulsa families.

The Heart Ball campaign raised more than $731,000 for the American Heart Association’s research, education and awareness initiatives.

COMPILED BY AMANDA HALL

CHAR ITABL E EVEN TS

8 Native Arts Launch Gala Benefits Route 66 Native Arts Alliance.

DESTINATIONCATOOSA @ GMAIL .COM 10 Corvette Car Show Benefits Little Light House.

THECAPEBREWINGCOMPANY.COM / EVENTS / CORVETTE- CAR - SHOW 15 Great Futures Gala Benefits Salvation Army.

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Providing Oklahomans with effective, compassionate addiction treatment.

DETOX // RESIDENTIAL Cushing, OK OUTPATIENT // VIRTUAL Oklahoma City

17 Equality Gala Benefits Oklahomans for Equality.

OKEQ .ORG Tess Trail Run Benefits Tristesse Grief Center.

RUNSIGNUP.COM / RACE / OK / TULSA / TESSTRAILRUN 22 Pickleball Smash Classic Benefits Hospice of Green Country.

HOSPICEOFGREENCOUNTRY.ORG 31 Tulsa Team Hope Walk Benefits Huntington’s Disease Society of America Oklahoma Chapter.

OKLAHOMA .HDSA .ORG / ABOUT / TULSA-TEAM-HOPE-WALK

HELP 24/7: (800) 544-5101 Free Level of Care Assessments Most Insurances Accepted Visit ValleyHope.org

WEDNESDAYS Little Garden Explorers Drop-in between 9:30–11:30 a.m. (Outside, open-ended play for kids 5 and under and their caregivers.)

THURSDAYS Storytime 10 a.m., Fish Feeding 10:30 a.m.

SUPER FUN SUMMER at

FRIDAYS Family Nature Walk 10 a.m.

SATURDAYS Family Fun with Sprinkler Saturday!

10 a.m.–12 p.m. Bring your swimsuit and towel. Look for more Saturday fun events on our calendar, including art-making workshops, concerts with Hot Toast Music Co, and Saturday Storytime.

Advance tickets required. Kids 17 & under FREE. philbrook.org/calendar

TulsaPeople.com

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paradise never sounded So Good.

Tickets On Sale Now Leanne Morgan July 10 Brantley Gilbert July 15 Ramon Ayala July 24 All performances subject to change.

i Paradadseise r a P C OV E

C OV E

RIVER SPIRIT CASINO RESORT · Tulsa RIVER SPIRIT CASINO RESORT · Tulsa

Live Music

7 Nights a Week in 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar Fridays & Saturdays in Margaritaville!

Visit margaritavilletulsa.com for a complete schedule.

81st & RIVERSIDE • (888) 748-3731 • RIVERSPIRITTULSA.COM

ABOUT TOWN

TIM LANDES

Patrons attend the Greenwood Rising history center ribbon cutting on June 2 near the “Black Wall Street Forever” mural on East Archer Street in the Greenwood District.

History in real time T

1921 RACE MASSACRE CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION IN PHOTOS

ulsa commemorated the 100th year since the Race Massacre in 1921 with May and June events ranging from art displays and performances to informative conferences about equity. See photos and read more about the events on p. 35.

TulsaPeople.com

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JULY MUSIC LISTINGS

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SEE THE FULL LIST OF SHOWS UPDATED WEEKLY AT TULSAPEOPLE.COM.

It’s Food Truck Wednesday at Guthrie Green. From 11 a.m.-2 p.m., visit the Tulsa Arts District park and grab lunch from one of the local food trucks while listening to live music. Also July 14, 21, 28.

2–3 Hanson: Against the World — Cain’s Ballroom 15 Brantley Gilbert — The Cove at River Spirit Casino Resort 16 American Aquarium — Cain’s Ballroom 24 Ramon Ayala — The Cove at River Spirit Casino Resort

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Bring the kids to Kendall Whittier After Five as special activities, entertainment and more will be geared toward little ones.

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Hit the mother lode on the Mother Road. The historic highway and Route 66 Commission host Shop 66 Saturdays, an opportunity to shop, dine and have fun at participating businesses along Tulsa’s 28 miles of Route 66. The first 100 visitors at the Meadow Gold sign will receive a free tote bag.

The tradition returns. Signature Symphony will present “Fourth on the Third” with renditions of patriotic songs and arrangements at the Tulsa Community College Southeast Campus.

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Magic City Books welcomes Lauren Hough for a virtual event to discuss her collection of essays “Leaving Isn’t the Hardest Thing.”

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TulsaPeople JULY 2021

Two Tulsa soccer games hit the pitch. Get rowdy as the Tulsa Athletic take on Bartlesville’s Reign FK at Veterans Park. FC Tulsa takes on Louisville City FC at ONEOK Field.

Austin-based singer-songwriter Jonathan Terrell brings his take on Texas twang to Mercury Lounge.

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Shop to your heart’s content at the semiannual Braum’s An Affair of the Heart.

Approximately 450 vendors fill the River Spirit Expo at Expo Square with one-ofa-kind items, crafts, stylish finds and more.

Batter up! Tulsa Drillers begin a six-game homestand against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.

Catch “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” at Philbrook Museum of Art’s monthly films on the lawn series. Don’t forget to order a burger from Kitchen 27 and partake in planned outdoor activities.

Taste of Summer returns to Broken Arrow’s Central Park. Treat yourself to all-you-can-eat ice cream from Blue Bell, along with live entertainment, food trucks, activities and more.

24-25

Gathering Place hosts La Fiesta de Tulsa, a two-day celebration of Latin and Hispanic culture with food, drink, crafts and live performances.

Even ears can host art. Learn to make polymer clay earrings with local artist Sarah Bowen during a virtual event with Tulsa City-County Library. For ages 10-18.

Go on a journey more than 5,000 years in the making to discover Chinese culture through music and dance. Shen Yun and its classically trained dancers and orchestra are at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center for two performances.

29-Aug. 1

Circus acts like trapeze artists, motorcycle stunts, silly clowns and more will dazzle boys and girls of all ages at the 76th annual Akdar Shrine Circus at the Expo Square Pavilion.

31-Aug. 1

A taste of the country comes to the big city as the Professional Bull Riders Express Ranches Classic bucks its way to the BOK Center.

GREG BOLLINGER

Live horse racing continues at Fair Meadows on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and every other Sunday through July 25. Post time is 6 p.m. for this free, family-friendly entertainment.

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LOCAL INDEPENDENCE DAY FESTIVALS OFFER FREE FAMILY FUN. Through July 4

Have a D-I-Y fireworks celebration by visiting the Castle of Muskogee fireworks sale, 3400 W. Fern Mountain Road. Get your fountains, sparklers, Roman candles and more — all in air-conditioned comfort. OKCASTLE.COM/FIREWORKS

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Tulsa’s southern suburb starts the holiday early with the Bixby Freedom Celebration.

From 7-10 p.m. at Bentley Park, the festivities include a swearing-in of new military recruits as families gather on lawn chairs and picnic blankets for the 9:45 p.m. fireworks show. BIXBYFREEDOMCELEBRATION.COM

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In Tulsa, the Arkansas River sets the stage for the Folds of Honor Freedom Fest, an event that includes activities at Veterans Park and the River West Festival Park. Fireworks are set along the 23rd Street Bridge for an airborne extravaganza.

FREEDOMFESTTULSA.COM Owasso’s Red White and Boom annual fireworks spectacle from 9:30-10 p.m. is visible throughout the area. Launched from Owasso Golf and Athletic Club, 13604 E. 84th St. N., watchers are encouraged to tune radios to 100.1 FM for accompanying music.

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• One-of-a-kind Art Deco Lobby featuring both Modern and Zig Zag Deco styles.

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Festivities in Claremore kick off at 6:30 p.m. with the national anthem and raising of the flag by Claremore Fire Department. Music begins at 6:45 p.m., and fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. at Claremore Lake Park, located on East Blue Starr Drive. MORECLAREMORE.COM In Sapulpa, VFW Post 1320 hosts a viewing party at dusk for the fireworks sponsored

by American Heritage Bank. Before, enjoy patriotic food and drinks. FACEBOOK.COM/ SAPULPAVFW1320 TP

NCWRecovery.org

TulsaPeople.com

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MUSIC NOTES Jennifer Marriott, Jana Jae, Mallory Eagle and Cindy Scarberry perform May 29 at Maggie’s Music Box as part of the Women of Song series.

‘Women of Song’ MULTIMEDIA PROJECT HIGHLIGHTING OKLAHOMA MUSICIANS KICKS OFF WITH LIVE MUSIC SERIES.

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fter more than 25 years working in Nashville’s music industry, Brenda Cline (Cherokee) has returned to her hometown determined to shine a light on Oklahoma female singers and songwriters through a multimedia project called “Women of Song: The Heart and Spirit of Oklahoma.” Cline, WOS executive producer, has plans for an album, a music video and a documentary fi lm. It’s an ambitious undertaking, and one Cline believes is long overdue.

“After working in the music business for so long, I was well aware of how difficult it was for women artists to become successful,” explains Cline, who has experience managing artists, developing careers and as the chief operations officer of an independent record label. “It was much harder for women to get signed to record deals, radio play, tour dates and win major awards. …

Growing up in Tulsa I was surrounded by some of the best artists, musicians, and music on the planet. I was disappointed to learn that, outside of Oklahoma, many of these artists may never be discovered.”

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She’s recruited 19 entertainers, from established performers to emerging talent. Many live in the state, and all have strong Oklahoma ties. The list includes Ann Bell, who spent the early part of her 50-year career touring with names like Leon Russell and Joe Cocker; Jana Jae, championship fiddler and the fi rst female member of Buck Owens and the Buckaroos band; blues singer Jennifer Marriott; and 16-year-old Norman singer-songwriter Ken Pomeroy. WOS also will pay posthumous tribute to musicians Gus Hardin, Debbie Campbell and Betsy Smittle.

WOS kicked things off April 24, launching a monthly concert series at Maggie’s Music Box in Jenks the last Saturday of every month. Cline sees these events as a good way to raise awareness of the project, while introducing audiences to the artists involved.

The performances also are being fi lmed for the WOS documentary, which Cline says will include interviews with each of the artists, as well as industry professionals. Other portions of the fi lm will be shot on location around the state.

“We’re going to highlight the places where these women live in different parts of Oklahoma,” she says. “It’s going to have a ‘heart of America’ feel.”

According to Cline, the WOS album will be a compilation featuring both covers and original music, all of which will be about Oklahoma or written by Oklahoma songwriters. Cline wants to keep much of the production for the release in-state, too.

“My preference is to use Oklahoma talent in every aspect — musicians, recording studios, everything,” she notes.

Cline and many of the women involved with WOS as musicians and on the advisory board are Native American. For Cline, who recently learned her own roots include Cherokee ancestors on the Trail of Tears. “Th is discovery has been a very special gift,” she says.

“Th is project is about women supporting women, our great state of Oklahoma, and our Native American talent.”

Visit womenofsongok.com for more information. TP

GREG BOLLINGER

STORIES BY JULIE WENGER WATSON

TULSA TRACKS

Pilgrim frontman and guitarist Beau Roberson

Composer and producer Chris Combs

ROBERSON: PHIL CLARKIN PHOTOGRAPHY; COMBS: JEREMY CHARLES

Visit hortonrecords.org for purchase, download and streaming info.

Pilgrim’s June release showcases frontman’s songwriting chops

Chris Combs fuses musical styles for a refreshing sound

Pilgrim’s latest album “No Offense, Nevermind, Sorry” debuted June 25 on Horton Records. The collection of 10 original songs and one cover tackle everything from love and loss to redemption and betrayal. It’s a tour de force from a long-lived and muchloved local band, whose lyrics, vocals and musicianship rival any nationally touring act.

Thirty-seven-year-old frontman Beau Roberson’s songs are heartfelt and perfectly delivered with his powerhouse, emotive vocals. He’s backed by a gifted band, which includes friends and musicians John Fullbright (keys), Jesse Aycock (steel), Paddy Ryan (drums), Aaron Boehler (bass) and Stephen Lee (guitar).

Roberson says it’s a “grown up band.” “If you have anything to say to anybody, you just say it,” he explains. “There’s no animosity or anything. We don’t have time for that anymore. It’s just not worth it.”

Roberson was raised in a home with music. His mother, a former piano teacher, was always singing. He grew up on her soundtrack of Aretha Franklin, Tracy Chapman, Willie Nelson and more. His first CD purchases were two very different “Greatest Hits” collections: Bob Dylan and War. You can hear all of those diverse influences in his songwriting decades later.

Roberson began writing shortly after he picked up the guitar at age 14. His songs start with an idea or a line he likes, then he elaborates on the story. While he admits some songs are autobiographical, he won’t always tell you which ones. Whether he’s recounting his own experience or that of a friend, real or imaginary, hardly matters.

Many of us will recognize ourselves somewhere in these beautifully crafted reflections on the human condition.

Tulsa guitarist, composer and producer Chris Combs is an adventurous and versatile musician. Whether the idiom is jazz, hip-hop or rock, Combs is fluent. On his latest release, he takes his listeners on yet another sonic journey. With “Roche Blave: Large Ensemble Works Recorded Live in Switzerland,” Combs artfully explores the creative space where one musical style beautifully blurs into another. The result is intriguing, sophisticated and fun.

Jazzwerkstatt Bern, an international jazz festival based in Bern, Switzerland, commissioned Combs in 2012 to write this composition. Although the album’s six tracks were recorded live during the festival in 2013, Combs was waiting for the right time to release it. After recently mixing and mastering the recording, it debuted on all digital platforms at the end of April through Horton Records.

The 40-minute recording, which happily defies any one category, includes three string quintets. Written for a 12-piece ensemble, it’s a fascinating blend of those elegant strings and horns combined with a raucous rhythm section. Combs, who’s well known for his work in Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, cites influences like Charles Mingus, Duke Ellington and Ornette Coleman as inspirations for this project. While the release readily engages jazz aficionados, it’s equally accessible and enjoyable for untrained ears.

According to Combs, writing and recording the music was a dream scenario. In addition to JFJO band mate Jeff Harshbarger, the ensemble included musicians from Switzerland, Austria and Germany.

“They (Jazzwerkstatt Bern) gave me the freedom to put any type of band together, and they helped make it happen, using amazingly talented musicians from all over Europe,” he says. “It was such a special experience.” TP TulsaPeople.com

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CANNA CULTURE

Find out more about Amy Lee’s wellness coaching at thebohohealthcoach.com.

Help in high places LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER COMBINES CANNABIS WITH WELLNESS COACHING.

BY ETHAN VEENKER

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GREG BOLLINGER

W

hat do you get when you cross a cannabis consultant with a wellness coach? You get Amy Lee, owner and proprietor of Boho Health Consulting, who combined certifications in cannabis education and in wellness to become a cannabis wellness coach.

“One hundred percent of my clients come to me because they want to be helped, not high,” Lee says.

She fi rst tried cannabis medicinally after the birth of her daughter, at which point she suffered from a slew of medical issues including obesity and postpartum depression.

In 2019, after a stint with self-medicating and a subsequent consultation with her doctor who saw her off 10 prescriptions, she opened Boho Oils Co., a CBD store in McKinney, Texas, which became an online storefront after her move to Tulsa in 2019. She launched Boho Oils Co. and Boho Health Consulting and leased a storefront on South Yale Avenue until the pandemic hit.

Lately, Lee has carried business on virtually.

Clientele ranges from those seeking to ease medical issues and reduce prescription dependency to cannabis newcomers and even parents looking for non-THC products for their children. The focus for many is reducing the symptoms of inflammation, she says.

Lee sends clients low-inflammation meal recipes every month and a free “get lean in quarantine” workout initiative. Though she’s lost a good chunk of local clients during the pandemic, virtual consulting has expanded Boho Health Consulting across the country and into Canada.

“I still wanted to be there for my clients, even if they couldn’t pay me,” Lee says of the rationale behind going virtual.

John Proctor is an IT system administrator in Owasso and a client of Lee’s. “Whatever goals I’m wanting to achieve, she’s basically there to try and help me achieve those goals,” he says.

Proctor suffered from numerous medical issues and found himself going from doctor to doctor, test to test. As he puts it, he decided one day to become his own advocate and came across Lee’s business on TikTok (@thebohohealthcoach).

He claims his life was changed after a month, and he’s gone from nine prescriptions to one.

“I swear by Amy,” he says. TP

REAL COLLEGE RADIO

Tune into Tulsa’s eclectic, uniquely programmed, local music loving, commercial free, genre hopping, award-winning, truly alternative music station.

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TRAIL OF TEARS ART SHOW & SALE A V IRT UAL & IN-PER S ON EV E NT

JULY 2 – 31, 2021 Experience one of the country’s most prestigious Native art shows on its 50th anniversary.

Enjoy and purchase authentic Native art.

3377 Cherokee Springs Plaza • Tahlequah, OK Winner, 49th Annual Trail of Tears Art Show Grand Prize “Cultural Appropriation” by Jerry Sutton, Cherokee Nation (partial view)

TulsaPeople.com

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ART SPOT

Jeremy Charles

Todd Ruffin shot this aerial view of the Black Lives Matter street mural painted in June 2020 on North Greenwood Avenue downtown.

Inset: Todd Ruffin (center) and crew Greg Bollinger and David Bryning

BIRD’S EYE

LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER’S DRONE FOOTAGE HITS THE BIG SCREEN. STORIES BY JULIE WENGER WATSON

A

fter nearly two decades as a photojournalist, Todd Ruffi n took a leap of faith.

Sensing the growing potential for the commercial use of drone photography, he left his job at a Tulsa television station in 2015 to start Midwest Drone Productions. The company specializes in aerial photography in business sectors such as real estate, ranching and construction.

For Ruffin, whose creativity rivals his piloting skills, the recent growth in the Oklahoma fi lm industry has provided new opportunities.

“It’s been amazing for someone like me to be able to do this type of work without having to travel really far,” says Ruffin, who has shot on location in Oklahoma for three major film productions over the last few years. “It’s impressive how much work is coming out of these films for everyone in the state. It’s really beneficial for our economy.”

Ruffin recently finished fi lming in Terlton for an episode of the upcoming FX series, “Reservation Dogs.” The Native American comedy, which was co-written by Tulsa fi lmmaker Sterlin Harjo, is set in Oklahoma. Ruffin worked with his friends and frequent collaborators, photographers Greg Bollinger (TulsaPeople’s staff videographer) and Phil Clarkin, to get the drone shots.

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Last year, Ruffin and Bollinger also worked together on “Unplugging.” The fi lm features Eva Longoria and is scheduled for release this year.

Ruffin credits Dylan Brodie, a Ramona, Oklahoma, native with extensive fi lm production management experience, for those opportunities and for the chance to work on the award-winning “Minari” in 2019.

“Even though we just had a small part in it, we knew the movie was going to be something big,” Ruffin recalls.

He was right. In addition to awards at the Golden Globes, Sundance Film Festival and numerous other prestigious industry events, “Minari” was nominated for six Academy Awards this year, winning “Best Supporting Actress” for Youn Yuh-jung. It was an incredible experience for Ruffin to see the movie for the fi rst time on the big screen.

“When I saw that tractor shot in the theater, it kind of sunk in a little bit,” he laughs. “And then you wait and see all of the credits and the names of everybody local you know who worked on the project, and it just makes you proud.”

For more information on Ruffin’s work, visit midwestdroneproductions.com. TP

“MONEY ISN’T WHAT MOTIVATES ME. It’s the work that motivates me,” says Tulsa photographer and filmmaker Jeremy Charles (Cherokee). “I need purpose.”

In April, that work and purpose were recognized by the Native American Media Alliance; Charles was named one of nine fellows for the sixth annual Native American TV Writers Lab, which wrapped up May 23.

The five-week Writers Lab aims to prepare Indigenous creatives for careers at major TV networks with daily workshops, seminars and mentoring sessions. By the end of the lab, writers complete a pilot episode.

“We were all helping each other and working on our own concepts at the same time,” Charles says. “My brain has expanded ten-fold just being around all of these people. It’s exhilarating, and it’s a great opportunity.”

For Charles, working creatively with Indigenous people has been one way to accomplish many of his goals. In 2014, he created Fire Thief Productions to pursue his passion for producing film while nurturing a new generation of Native talent.

With the help of the Cherokee language department, Charles also has developed media for speakers and students to bolster the tribe’s efforts to preserve the language.

“Inage’i” (“In the Woods”), an animated series, and a live-action narrative film called “Totsu” (“Redbird”) are two of those projects. Charles recently began a third in collaboration with Horton Records. It’s a compilation album of songs and accompanying music videos by contemporary Cherokee musicians in the Cherokee language.

To learn more, visit firethiefpro.com.

DRONE: TODD RUFFIN; INSET: ALISON NAIFEH; CHARLES: COURTESY

TULSA FILMMAKER SHARPENS SKILLS AT NATIONAL WRITERS’ LAB

ART SPOT

Market montage RED FORK DISTRICT WELCOMES LOCAL ART EVENTS AND NEW CREATIVE SPACE.

BY BLAYKLEE FREED

Tulsa photographer Adam Koloff at the June 4 Art Crawl at Art Emporium 66

GREG BOLLINGER

Sand Springs artist Ken Brown sketches during the Art Crawl.

WASP NEST owner Nikki Perez helps a visitor at the shop.

J

osh Stout opened his art gallery in September 2020 in Tulsa’s Red Fork District dreaming to foster an art community.

Now that vision is becoming reality the fi rst Friday and Saturday every month with food, drinks, music and local art. Next to Stout’s gallery is Art Emporium 66, 2615 W. 40th Place, where the monthly markets occur.

Josh and his wife, Amanda, who runs things behind the scenes at his gallery and the Emporium, launched “Art Crawl on 66” on Friday nights in April, funded in part by grants from the Tulsa Route 66 Main Street organization. Since Tulsa is coming back to life, Josh says the goal is to raise awareness about the events.

So far, west Tulsans have given positive feedback about the markets, Amanda says. “We’re trying to invest and build something for this community,” she says, “and they have been excited about coming out and supporting.”

One of the more recent additions to the schedule: “Neon Nights” from 7-10 p.m. on fi rst Saturdays, which launched in June.

Another addition to the block, WASP NEST, opened in May inside the Emporium. Josh’s sister Nikki Perez owns and operates the shop, which sells everything from handmade pottery to succulents to jewelry.

A lot of the goods are locally sourced, Josh says, but some of them are “just interesting things we can’t find locally yet.”

Art classes at the Emporium begin July 15 with “Drawing from Life with Ken Brown Pioneer.” Ken Brown is a Sand Springs artist specializing in graphite and charcoal. Tickets are $35, and space is limited to 10 students. Josh says ceramics classes will also be kicking off in July with Kris Wright of Salt Prairie Ceramics.

Next up for the Emporium is The Gallery Unplugged, a ticketed series “striking all the artistic senses,” kicking off July 31, Josh says. The night will include food paired with spirits from Tulsa’s Red Fork Distillery and wine, live jazz and blues music and locally hand-rolled cigars by Ultimo. Watch social media for future registration dates, and visit artemorium66.com for more information. TP FOLLOW FACEBOOK.COM/ARTEMPORIUM66 AND @ARTEMPORIUM66 ON INSTAGRAM FOR THE LATEST MARKET ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CLASSES. TulsaPeople.com

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COMMUNITY Nathan Pickard is building a house in the Heights neighborhood that will give back to the environment.

“FOCUS: Black Oklahoma” co-host Arielle Davis and associate producer Bracken Klar

‘FOCUS: BLACK OKLAHOMA’ AMPLIFIES VOICES. STORIES BY JESSICA BRENT

“We make the news so often that we make the news rarely.”

WRITTEN QUINCEY, TULSA POET, EMCEE AND ARTIST Arielle Davis knows it seems cliché, but Oprah Winfrey is her biggest inspiration. She admires the way Winfrey asks deep questions, mining for information her viewers will be able to relate to and find meaning in. “I love her for that,” Davis says. She also loves learning from other people, which is why Kolby Webster, her fellow co-host on the radio show “FOCUS: Black Oklahoma,” is number two on that list. Webster’s extensive knowledge of infrastructure inequality is just one thing Davis appreciates, and his knowledge shapes “FOCUS: Black Oklahoma.”

The hour-long news program, which airs monthly, is a project of Tri-City Collective, a nonprofit with members in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Chicago. Bracken Klar, vice president of Tri-City Collective and associate producer of “FOCUS: Black Oklahoma,” says the collective seeks to deconstruct the idea of the Black monolith by showcasing the full depth and breadth of the minority experience.

“FOCUS: Black Oklahoma” launched on KWGS, Tulsa’s NPR station, in early 2020 but, like everything else, production halted as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded. The show returned to airwaves in December of 2020 on KOSU with the fi rst of a three part series about COVID in north Tulsa, funded in part by a grant from the Solutions Journalism Network.

In January the program began airing regularly on KOSU. Only six months into full production, the show has garnered attention from out-ofstate listeners and media outlets, including NextGen Radio, the BBC and WNYC, the latter of 34

TulsaPeople JULY 2021

which has chosen to work with “FOCUS: Black Oklahoma” on a Tulsa Race Massacre series.

Davis believes the show’s success lies, fi rst, in its ability to slow down and tell whole stories that humanize the subjects.

“Our interest is in telling the stories that underline and emphasize Black success, joy and excellence,” Klar explains. “We’re not afraid to tell the stories of Black trauma and pain but we aim to present the problem for about a third of the story and then focus on what’s being done to make it better.”

Second, Davis says the show works because it’s a fun listening experience. “It’s telling the truth and telling it with dope music and in a way that’s compelling and artsy.”

Klar says the show needs two things to help them expand their reach: more funding and more voices. The producers are interested in hearing from anyone with stories to tell; journalism degree not required.

“Oklahoma is a big place, and so much of it is rural,” Klar says. “It’s hard to get the stories from smaller towns.”

Klar and Davis hope the show open doors for other people to tell their stories and bring spotlights to their communities.

“It’s more like the Wu Tang Clan vision of the future,” Klar says. “We want to have as many members as we can that spin off and do their own side projects.” TP Listen to “FOCUS: Black Oklahoma” on KOSU (107.5 Tulsa) at 3 p.m. every third Sunday and the following Friday at 1 p.m., or download and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. Submit story ideas at tricitycollective.com.

“What if every act of design and construction made the world a better place?”

That is the question posed by the Living Building Challenge, and Tulsa resident Nathan Pickard hopes to answer with the Joinery at 640 N. Denver Ave. in the Heights neighborhood.

The Joinery is the first (and as of writing, the only) registered Living Building Challenge project in Oklahoma, aiming to join the few dozen Living Buildings, meaning it not only is self-sustainable, but also creates more water and energy than it uses.

As the single-family home and community space nears completion, we asked Pickard to reflect on the challenges and successes of the project.

“What I’ve learned is that building new is almost impossible in an environmentally responsible way,” Pickard says. “It’s painful because we’re trying to push the market.”

In sourcing new building materials, each component must be free from certain chemicals on the LBC “Red List.” Pickard says the process was painstaking but useful in pushing companies to consider what chemicals they are using in construction.

At the local level, Pickard and his team began working with the City of Tulsa in June 2017 on the Net-Zero Water Projects Ordinance, which allows sustainable buildings such as the Joinery to operate outside the City of Tulsa’s water and sewage system. The ordinance went into effect in July 2019.

Though the obstacles have been substantial, Pickard says the wins have been worth it. Using reclaimed materials brought a personal touch to the project. The first story’s wood floors came from Cain’s Ballroom and, after a light sanding and an organic clear coat, a patina remains.

“No way that could be recreated,” Pickard says. “It takes 30 years of dancing to make a floor like that.”

The challenge will continue even after construction is complete. Once the Pickard family moves in, they will need to monitor systems, hoping to prove that the building generates energy and water above what it uses. TP

GREG BOLLINGER

MAKING THE NEWS

CHALLENGING THE SYSTEM

1 1) The last known living Tulsa Race Massacre survivors Hughes Van Ellis, 100; Lessie B. Randle, 106; and Viola Fletcher, 107, wave to the crowds of the Black Wall Street Memorial March on May 28. The parade traveled from Carver Middle School, 624 E. Oklahoma Place, to Greenwood Cultural Center, 322 N. Greenwood Ave., kicking off Black Wall Street Legacy Festival.

I N

P H O T O S

Commemorating community TIM LANDES

SIGHTS FROM TULSA’S 1921 RACE MASSACRE CENTENNIAL EVENTS IN MAY AND JUNE STAFF REPORTS TulsaPeople.com

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2) Tulsa rapper St. Domonick performs with Fire in Little Africa on May 29 at Black Wall Street Legacy Festival in downtown Tulsa’s Greenwood District. The group’s self-titled compilation hip-hop album features more than 60 Oklahoma artists and dropped on digital platforms May 28. 3) Fire in Little Africa’s Steph Simon and OmaleyB on May 29 at Black Wall Street Legacy Festival 4) Vanessa Hall-Harper, Tulsa City Council chairwoman who represents District 1, speaks to a crowd at the Black Wall Street Memorial March on May 28 outside the Greenwood Cultural Center. 5) Viola Fletcher and Hughes Van Ellis attend at Black Wall Street Legacy Festival on May 30. The portraits on either side are by New Orleans artist Brandan “Bmike” Odums. 6) Hundreds of people took to the streets near downtown Tulsa on May 30 as part of an armed march to honor ancestors killed in the Race Massacre and champion their own Second Amendment rights.

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2-6, 10: TIM LANDES; 7, 10: BLAYKLEE FREED; 9: MORGAN PHILLIPS; 11: JIM LANGDON; 12: MICHELLE POLLARD

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7) The American Dream by Tulsa Artist Fellow Sarah Ahmad opened on May 26 at Oxley Nature Center, 6700 Mohawk Blvd. Ahmad says the handmade marigolds interwoven into multiple locations on the grounds resemble both the firebombs that destroyed the Greenwood District and the neighborhood renewal and rebirth. The exhibit culminates at a clearing with a refugee tent styled after the ones Tulsans used after fleeing the destruction. 8) Garth Brooks, Tim Blake Nelson, Wes Studi, Stanley Nelson and Alfre Woodard at “Sunday with the Stars: A Star-Studded Centennial Brunch” on May 30 at Greenwood Cultural Center. 9) Artist Udonna Wallace holds her sketch of Eldoris McCondichie, a survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre, at “A Century Walk: 100 Years, 1921-2021” on June 1. Wallace’s survivor portraits lined the start of the walk. 10) Greenwood Art Project organizers and artists speak from the steps of the Skyline Mansion, 620 N. Denver Ave., at an artist meet-and-greet on May 26. 11) Bishop William Barber, the Rev. Robert Turner, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Bishop Michael Mitchell on May 31 at the Vernon AME Church prayer wall dedication 12) GAP’s call-and-response poster project featured 11-by-17-inch posters on display through June 19 around Tulsa, as well as in three designated exhibit spaces north of downtown: the corner of North Greenwood Avenue and East Pine Street, in the field near OETA on the Oklahoma State UniversityTulsa campus, and at “the steps to nowhere” north of Interstate 244 near East Haskell Place. TP

TulsaPeople.com

37

Reading to the rescue

MAN WITH A PLAN SAINT FRANCIS HEALTH SYSTEM CEO JAKE HENRY JR. RETIRES AFTER CELEBRATED CAREER.

BY GAIL BANZET-ELLIS Jake Henry Jr. wasn’t necessarily ready to say goodbye to his Saint Francis colleagues and friends of 19 years, but after working a job since the summer after sixth grade he’s looking forward to a little downtime. The president and CEO of Saint Francis Health System retired in June, leaving a legacy of progress in community health care.

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Moving to Tulsa was never on his radar, but life has a way of presenting unexpected opportunities. A native Texan, Henry and his family moved around the state for his father’s job in the oil field. He had attended 11 grade schools before the fourth grade when the family finally settled in Sweetwater. During those early years on the road, Henry relied on the steady companionship of books, and reading remains an important part of his life today.

“You don’t have time to make friends when you’re moving around that often, so books were my friends,” he says. “My aunt Irene Hobson, who we called ‘Buck,’ was a teacher and an iconic person in my life. We were a poor family, and I looked up to Buck because she got a steady paycheck. That’s when I set my sights on education and I became so close to books.”

The limitless possibilities of education fascinated him, but he didn’t immediately take the college route. Henry was roughnecking on a Texas drilling rig after high school in the 1960s when he was drafted as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s military buildup in Vietnam. Little did he know a part-time job he had during high school would lead to a special assignment in the U.S. Army.

“My junior and senior year, I worked the 3-to11 shift as an orderly at our little 75-bed hospital in Sweetwater,” Henry says. “In those days you did the things respiratory therapists do, the things housekeepers do, the things nursing techs do. I gained some good perspective on those roles, and when I was drafted, I became a medic on a helicopter because of my hospital experience.”

Fate on a blind date When Henry returned to Texas after completing his military service in 1968, he enrolled at University of North Texas in Denton, but adapting to college alongside students who were younger than him was challenging for a veteran. After one semester, Henry returned to a drilling rig, but then fate stepped in and altered the course of his life.

“I met my wife on a blind date in May 1969, and that was a life-changing deal for me,” he says with a grin. “We’ll soon be married 52 years, so I guess it worked out pretty well. Kathy has been the person who has made the biggest difference in my life.”

The young couple received their undergraduate degrees from Texas Tech University in Lubbock where Henry worked his way through college in various jobs such as serving as an admitting clerk at St. Mary of the Plains Hospital.

“I wanted to get a Ph.D. in English and ultimately teach at the college level, but my life has always involved a connection to the medical field,” he says. “I got a call from a good friend of mine who said I needed to consider a master’s program in health care administration at Trinity University in San Antonio.”

The rest is history. Henry was accepted to graduate school and spent two years completing his academic requirements and administrative hospital residency. He worked nine months as an assistant administrator before landing his fi rst hospital CEO role at the young age of 30 in San Angelo, Texas.

Jake Henry Jr.

MICHELLE POLLARD

The power of strategy Over the next five decades, Henry’s career would progress to include several executive leadership and CEO appointments in Texas and California.

In 2002, he was serving as president and CEO of CHRISTUS Spohn Health System in Corpus Christi, Texas, when he was invited to Tulsa to interview for the CEO position at Saint Francis Health System.

The Warren family expressed their interest in a leader who could reduce the system’s financial dependence on the William K. Warren Foundation. In the 10 years prior to Henry’s arrival, five CEOs came and went at Saint Francis, and the system lacked a comprehensive vision for its patients and employees.

John-Kelly Warren, foundation chairman and CEO, recollects how Henry exuded a confidence in planning and managing details from their very fi rst meeting.

“He’s got this southern Texas charm about him, and his mere presence when he walks in a room gets your attention,” Warren says. “That was what we needed at the time. Little did we know he would be here over 19 years. That tenure alone is a testament to how pleased we are with Jake and how essential he was in making Saint Francis successful.”

Right away, Henry established a strategic planning group to achieve short- and long-term goals that would benefit both the main Saint Francis campus on South Yale Avenue and the other affiliated facilities across eastern Oklahoma.

“The basic elements of management require planning and building teams,” Henry says. The systems theory I learned in grad school is based on the idea that all things, whether organizational or biological, need fresh inputs all the time.

I wanted to increase market share and find more ways to generate revenue.”

Within his first few months on the job, he and his new Saint Francis team had identified key projects that would become significant milestones of Henry’s Tulsa career. Under his leadership, Saint Francis added more critical care beds to its main facility on Yale, built a children’s hospital and created an obstetrics/medical surgical presence in south Tulsa. Henry oversaw the acquisition of small community hospitals in Vinita and Muskogee, helped advocate for Medicaid expansion, which Oklahoma voters approved in 2020, and increased the organization’s market share. Earlier this spring, Saint Francis also announced it would add 120 beds, four operating rooms, support space and a new chapel to its south Tulsa facility.

“When you work in health care, whether that’s picking up dead and wounded in Vietnam

or providing acute care in a hospital, you are with people at the most intimate times in their lives,” Henry says. “As an organization, I think our mission has been effective in caring for patients in a Christ-like way.”

Henry says he’s proud to have contributed to the 60-year legacy of Saint Francis in Tulsa.

The only locally owned and managed health care system in the state, it was founded by William K. and Natalie Warren, who provided funding to open a 275-bed hospital in 1960. The Warren family remains involved at Saint Francis, but when Henry was hired they knew the network was in good hands and turned their attention to championing projects at the Warren Foundation.

Henry accomplished the family’s vision to transform Saint Francis into a self-sustaining, community-based model of health care. He eliminated all debt within the system, allowing the family to invest more in other areas of health care such as mental health treatment, telehealth and the new Institute of Emerging Technology.

“He exceeded our expectations and surrounded himself with great people and staff,” Warren says. “Th is allowed the foundation to explore other areas of interest, including mental illness, and establish the Laureate Institute of Brain Research.”

With Dr. Cliff Robertson poised to enter the CEO role, Henry hopes his successor will carry a couple of projects to the finish line.

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“Market share was about 33% across the board (St. John, Hillcrest, Saint Francis) when I came here in 2002,” Henry says. “Today we’re at about 45%. I was hoping to get to 50 before I left, but we’re the market share leader by quite a stretch.”

Not all hearts and flowers Henry steps into retirement on a high note after nearly two decades of successfully expanding health care coverage and improving the quality of care in eastern Oklahoma, but much like the rest of the world, 2020 tested him in unprecedented ways. Saint Francis responded quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic, setting up a 24-hour command center in early March 2020 to oversee testing at some of its locations and eventually administer the vaccine. Its officials also worked closely with Tulsa Health Department and the state to institute all protocols issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but a global pandemic knows no boundaries.

“I thought this (year before retirement) would be my victory lap, but as it turns out, I had COVID myself,” Henry says. “It was not all hearts and flowers the final year (at Saint Francis). It was pretty daunting and rigorous, but the wonderful part of what happened during that year was that we worked together as a team. There are remarkable people that work here. Some have a capacity for work that makes me wonder when they sleep.

All those things came together for good.”

At 75 years old, Henry says age isn’t so much about a number but about how you feel mentally.

He and his wife are looking forward to many adventures in retirement, including several trips to visit their daughter, son-in-law and teenage 40

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granddaughters in Connecticut. The tragic death of an older daughter in 2012 changed their lives forever.

“If you’re a person of faith, that helps, but if you’ve got a wife like mine that was the biggest thing that got me through,” Henry says. “It leaves a hole in your heart that never goes away.”

Whatever comes next The past 19 years of Oklahoma living have made quite an impression on Henry. Texas might have been his fi rst home, but Henry and his wife will remain Tulsa residents, a decision he says many people are surprised to hear.

“Tulsa is quite lovely. It’s a nice place to live, and it’s easy to get around,” he says. “The people are nice, and it’s a giving town. What’s not to like? We’re delighted we’re staying here.”

Henry enjoys fishing and bird hunting — hobbies he might make more time for now with a relaxed schedule. Also, he and Kathy are parents to a 1-year-old Yorkie named Luke, who will accompany them on some of their road trips.

“There are a lot of places we haven’t seen in the U.S.,” Henry says. “Luke, Kathy and I plan to get in the car and drive wherever we want to go. It will be the fi rst time to just do things on a whim, and I’m looking forward to that.”

Books will continue to play a large role in his life. Henry says his house is full of them, and those early days of escaping into the friendly pages of a book for stability and comfort will never fade. He often re-reads a book two or three times.

“The author I’ve read the most times over is probably John lé Carre,” he says. “I’ve read ‘Tinker

Tailor Soldier Spy’ three times. It’s not fiction or scholarly, but it’s history. That’s my fun reading.”

Presidential and American history books also top his reading list, and he anxiously awaits the release of a new biography on fellow Texan Lyndon B. Johnson. The LBJ era was one of international confl ict and civil unrest much like today, and if Henry could witness one event in the past, present or future, it would be to experience a time of peace and justice worldwide.

A diligent and thoughtful leader, Henry is known throughout the Saint Francis Health System as the man with the plan, a smart businessman with drive and vision who achieves the objectives laid out before him. His track record proves it, but Henry says people would be surprised to learn he’s not as serious as perceived.

“I can be pretty funny,” he says. “My wife laughs out loud a lot and asks, ‘Why don’t you laugh more?’ I say I chuckle inside, but I enjoy life.”

The list of peers, co-workers and friends who supported Henry along his Saint Francis journey is too long to mention, he says, but he’s thankful to the Warrens family for allowing him the chance to spread his wings and orchestrate several significant projects that have advanced the quality of life for Tulsans and regional residents.

“He’s been a great friend and mentor to me, and his legacy will continue,” Warren says. “We want to keep that Saint Francis culture he has created. He will always be respected for touching the lives of so many Oklahomans.”

After an admirable career, this Texan now is a Tulsan with a deep affection for his community.

“I’m going to miss being CEO, but I’m ready to put down that bucket and just do whatever comes next,” Henry says. TP

COURTESY JAKE HENRY JR./SAINT FRANCIS HEALTH SYSTEM

Left, Jake Henry Jr. receives a U.S. Army medal of valor; Henry served several years in the U.S. Army as a medic on a helicopter, including Vietnam War service.

Center, upon appointment at St. Mary of the Plains Hospital. Right, Henry student teaching in Texas.

L

Gone FISHING Tulsa’s been hooked on fishing for decades, and it remains home to several leading names in the industry.

BY KELLY BOSTIAN

ong involved in the fishing industry, Falcon Rods founder John Beckwith looks back to his early days and acknowledges, “Tulsa was the place. It was just the place to be.”

“I moved here from Lenexa, Kansas, where I worked for Johnson Outboards. I did a lot of fishing all over that state, but in Oklahoma it was a different deal. Just the intensity of the fishing business and just the fishing — the average guy here in Tulsa compared to the average guy in Kansas would be an expert angler.”

Tulsa had Zebco; it had Carl Lowrance and the early fish fi nders. The city was home to people who had early influence in the formation of the Bass Angler Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) with Don Butler and his Okiebug tackle shop frequented by guys like the now famous pro fisherman Roland Martin. Tulsa Tribune outdoor editor Bob Cobb would go on to be the recognized voice of B.A.S.S. worldwide. The weekly Joe Krieger Sportsman Show on Channel 2 introduced the world to a young fella by the name of Jimmy Houston — now known as the most recognized angler in the world.

Pick up a rod and reel and buy a boat in Tulsa and you’re not just going fishing, you’re taking your place in a city with a legacy of worldwide influence on the art of fishing that continues to this day.

“It’s just a hotbed of fishing,” says Gary Dollahon, an expert angler in his own right and owner of Dollahon PR, a communications fi rm that has represented many of the local fishing industry companies at one point or another — or at least taken leaders of those companies fishing.

For several years he was part of the Bobby Garland/Gene Larew company that, until 2019, manufactured and distributed the most popular crappie baits and one of the top bass baits in the world in east Tulsa. PRADCO Outdoor Brands, a national manufacturer and owner of multiple fishing product lines, purchased the operation.

The machines designed in Tulsa, and specialized specifically for those baits, were moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas.

“Tulsa is a unique situation with six large and really good fishing lakes within an hour’s drive of the center of the city,” Dollahon says. “It has turned out a lot of great anglers and in the heyday many of these fishing companies were started by people who actively fished.”

Carl Lowrance, with his sons Darrell and Arlen, debuted the Fish Lo-K-Tor in 1957 in Joplin, Missouri, when the patriarch of that fishing family applied his knowledge of World War II sonar to his fishing interests. When the company relocated to Tulsa in 1965 the “Little Green Box” was in use from Australia to Scotland’s Loch Ness. The company sold more than a million of what became the most popular fish sonar produced worldwide through 1984.

The company has come a long way from blips on a screen to live-vision sonar units found on

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Gary Dollahon has been involved in Tulsa’s fishing scene for decades as owner of Dollahon PR, a communications firm that has represented many of the local fishing industry companies over the years.

and, man, it changed everything.” The new small guides on the rod kept the line low, close to the rod, and provided the Lowrider name.

By 1995 a fishing trip to Falcon Lake in Texas gave rise to the new name for the fledgling company and sponsorship of a pro angler who was a whiz at using a popular new technique called the Carolina Rig proved pivotal. Carolina rigging is a fishing technique that uses a sinker trailed by a plastic bait that looks like a crawdad or a lizard. Beckwith came up with a rod with the right kind of flex in the tip to make the technique more effective, and called it the Lowrider Lizard Dragger.

“We were sponsoring Mark Davis and he was Angler of the Year, and I remember we airfreighted rods to him fishing the Bassmaster Classic and he won the Classic using the new lowrider,” Beckwith says. “That put us on the map.”

Beckwith and his son, Chris, head up the company based in Broken Arrow where, with a staff of about 15 people, they design, product test and distribute rods chiefly made overseas and sold worldwide. Italy is one of their biggest international clients. They also have a line of rods designed especially for peacock bass and other trophies on the Amazon River.

“In northern Brazil I think our rods are thought of as the best,” Beckwith says.

Falcon pioneered the idea of naming rods for the specialty uses they provide rather than just a length measurement and light, medium or heavy action. Shoppers can comb the catalog or local store shelves for everything from the BuCoo Ultralight to the Lowrider Heavy Cover Jig or a Jason Christie Signature Jig/Worm Pitchin Stik.

Jason Christie, a bass pro from Park Hill, is another in a long line of Oklahoma anglers with national and international followings and Tulsaarea roots. Currently ranked second on the Bassmater Elite Series circuit, he hits the water in a boat wrapped with the Falcon logo.

“Falcon is the only rod he has used since he started fishing nationally,” Beckwith says. “He is another great example of a local guy that made it big on the bass circuit, plus he is a local Native American and sponsored by the Cherokee Nation. People like Jason have made our brand.”

Dollahon agrees it is people like Christie, Tommy Biffle and other local pros, amateurs and everyday anglers who keep Tulsa’s legacy rolling.

“One of the coolest things about Tulsa is if you drive any one of the highways out of town from about 10 a.m. Friday on, there is a stream of boats heading in every direction — and it doesn’t matter what the weather is,” he says. “That’s what is behind it all, just all those people going fishing.” TP

MICHELLE POLLARD

competition fishing boats from Skiatook Lake to Sweden as a brand under the umbrella of international Navico marine electronics company, but its American headquarters remain in Tulsa.

Kansas-based Garmin opened a research and development facility in Tulsa in 2012, where a team concentrates on development of marine products that compete with the Lowrance brand.

In the 1930s and during World War II Tulsa’s Zero Hour Bomb Co. made electronic time bombs to break up rock formations for oil drilling, which helped supply the world with petroleum. Th ings changed after the war and the company went in search of a new purpose, connecting with an inventor by the name of R.D. Hull.

Hull and Zero Hour teamed up to change the fishing industry forever with the debut of their no-backlash “push-button” fishing reel in 1949. The iconic Model 33 was released in 1954, securing the company’s place in history when it became Zebco in 1956.

Recently acquired by the international Rather Outdoors Corp., Zebco headquarters remain in Tulsa.

Zebco has called Tulsa home since 1949 and maintains robust operations in the city, according to Balay Hartman, Zebco brand manager at the Tulsa headquarters. It houses multiple departments, including engineering and innovation, product testing, operations, marketing and sales, as well as warehousing.

Those classic (but slightly updated) Zebco 33 reels still fly off the shelves, along with other wellknown Zebcos with model numbers recognizable to most anglers. The 202, 404 and 606 reels are sold in North America.

It was into this world of innovation and international influence that John Beckwith came when he transferred in 1975 from Johnson Outboards to sell Shakespeare’s products, but started to see a need for specialty bass rods.

Looking back at that transition in the late 1980s, “I had never thought about being a vendor,” he says. “I was a rep. I was a salesman.”

He also had a friend who was a banker and who agreed to help him start a business. “I told him I was worried about how I was going to pay him back,” Beckwith says. “Today that kind of thing probably would never happen because a bank wouldn’t offer that line of credit.”

Most fishing rods in those days were designed for a consistent parabolic bend, handle to tip, but Beckwith saw a market for rods for specific techniques.

“No one made a rod to throw a particular kind of lure,” he says. He also was still a sales rep for Fuji fishing rod components, and he learned something from them.

“They had world championships for longdistance casting and they had choked down the line to run through smaller guides, so that’s where that idea came from,” he says. “We actually started with fly-rod guides on a new rod blank

DID YOU KNOW? Other fishing products created and designed in Tulsa or area communities are found on sporting goods store shelves nearby and worldwide, or in use on lakes and rivers internationally. See if you recognize these brands.

Zebco’s history in Tulsa dates to the 1930s. Above, an undated photo of reel production.

HYDROHOIST BOAT LIFTS World’s premier boat-lift maker based in Claremore since 1964.

WOHALI OUTDOORS Claremore-based Wohali has international reach and is home to Team Catfish and Fle-Fly Tackle.

ELK RIVER JIGS The family-owned Broken Arrow business ships hand-tied jigs across the country.

TOP: COURTESY ZEBCO; BOTTOM: COURTESY NAVICO; MICHELLE POLLARD

Father and son John Beckwith and Chris Beckwith operate Falcon Rods out of its Broken Arrow headquarters. The company is known for its rods made for particular kinds of bait and techniques.

THE BASS TANK One of the fastest-growing companies in the fishing industry, the Tulsa-based distributors sell and service a variety of fishing and outdoors products.

TODD HUCKABEE RODS Tulsan Ken Roberson, owner of Power Crappie, distributes signature series rods inspired by Lake Eufaula fishing guide Todd Huckabee. Todd Huckabee rods are found in several local stores.

Darrell Lowrance, speaking, with father Carl Lowrance in the dark suit

REDNECK RUBBER The Owasso-based family business distributes its crappie baits and jigs through bait shops across the southern region and nationally online.

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Oaklawn has all you need for the ultimate getaway. Book yours at Oaklawn.com.

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FUN IN THE SUN Temperatures are rising. The lakes and streams are calling our names.

Evenings call for a shady spot within earshot of live, outdoor music. Buddies are meeting up for a game of kickball. It’s summer in Tulsa, and there’s no shortage of activities to soak it all in.

PHOTOS BY MICHELLE POLLARD

Sailing on Lake Keystone TulsaPeople.com

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Team players

Sports are not only a way to stay fit, but also a way to socialize. by laura dennis

Teams from Oklahoma Sports and Social play on the courts at Pearl Beach Brew Pub. 46

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If you’re looking for some sporting competition this summer, look no further than Tulsa.

Oklahoma Sports and Social-Tulsa, headquartered at 418 S. Peoria Ave., organizes sand volleyball, kickball, bowling and fl ag football leagues for adults seeking a challenge and a chance to socialize this season. All OSSO sports are co-ed and are geared toward bringing people together. Registration dates vary based on the league, but each one is guaranteed six weeks of play plus one week of playoff s.

Sand volleyball is played Sunday through Friday at the Pearl Beach Brew Pub, also located at 418 S. Peoria Ave. Teams are organized with

Tennis, anyone?

Maybe you have a killer backhand. Tulsa’s RH91, 3030 E. 91st St., prides itself on offering activities for everyone (as young as 4 years old), no matter your level of play.

Access to RH91 facilities is membership based, with fitness only and tennis/fitness options for individuals and families. Cost varies depending on your choice of activity, but each membership option offers month-to-month and paid-in-full plans.

The club offers men’s and women’s groups, but co-ed options also are available through tennis socials, events and tournaments this summer. RH91 also offers pick-up pickleball games, group drills and private lessons. Signup deadlines vary based on the event or league, but indoor and outdoor courts can be booked in advance for an hourly rate depending on the time and day.

Summer crowd favorites at RH91 tend to be the yearly men’s and women’s pro-am tournaments, which feature many of RH91’s own tennis pros. Local pros, college players and up-and-coming amateurs from the facility are recruited to compete in a doubles tournament, which is open to public spectators and an entertaining experience for members.

Once a month, RH91 hosts adult mixers, usually accompanied by a festive theme. Additionally, the club holds open drills each week, which provide a great opportunity for new members to socialize and get to know current club members.

RH91 also offers a state-of-the-art fitness center and a full-time staff to help you meet your tennis goals. To join the club and book your game, visit rah91.com.

four or six members to accommodate all styles of play. The club provides volleyballs, nets, courts, team shirts and referees for all games. Game times vary each week.

A childhood favorite for many, kickball might be OSSO’s most popular league with more than 400 adults participating in previous years. Th is group meets from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Thursday nights at Lantz Park, 821 N. Yale Ave. The club’s bowling groups are offered yearround in Tulsa. OSSO partners with Dust Bowl Lanes and Lounge, located at 211 S. Elgin Ave., for the summer league on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. It’s a great way to make friends, is easy to participate in and makes for a whole lot of fun.

Lastly, OSSO’s top choice for club patrons, flag football, is held at Lantz Park on Tuesday

Competitors take to the courts for a pickleball game at RH91.

evenings with game times varying each week.

Teams face off eight-on-eight, though it’s recommended to have 12 players on the roster. If you can’t come up with 11 teammates, don’t fret.

OSSO will help you fill out the rest of your team.

For each OSSO league, you can sign up as a team or an individual. Costs for individuals depend on your sport of choice. Aside from the obvious perks of meeting new people and having a little summer fun, league members get drink discounts on game days at the Pearl Beach Brew Pub. For more information on sign-up dates,

ON THE BALL

Sandlot baseball is having a moment in Tulsa and elsewhere.

Across the country, the return to a dusty neighborhood diamond and the crack of wood bats is a grassroots movement that has been dubbed the Sandlot Revolution. The best part about sandlot in Tulsa: Everyone can play.

The Tulsa Rumblers, one of at least four local sandlot baseball clubs, welcome newcomers to Sandlot Sundays at their home field, Lacy Park, 2134 N. Madison Place. Usually commencing around 1 p.m. each Sunday as weather permits, Sandlot Sundays are "open practices/pick-up games" for the Rumblers, the Tulsa Breeze and the newest addition to Tulsa Sandlot, the Tulsa City Jesters. But, players of all ages and skill levels are welcome to play some hardball and make new friends. Visit tulsarumblers.com and follow the club's social media for weekly updates.

cost and equipment, visit sportstulsa.com.

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Lake life Summer in the Tulsa area means fun, sun and myriad ways to get out on the water. by laura dennis

Maurice Casad, right, instructs young sailors during a recent sailing camp at Windycrest.

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CrossTimbers at Skiatook Lake

Sailing Have you ever wanted to learn how to sail? In a state that’s

landlocked, learning this skill

Perhaps you considered buying your own boat this past year but were discouraged by the cost and responsibility of routine maintenance that inevitably accompanies such a purchase. CrossTimbers at Skiatook Lake, 12301 Cross Timbers Drive in Sperry, offers all the joys of boating without the upkeep associated with ownership.

Waverunners, ski boats, pontoons, paddleboards and kayaks all can be found for rent on the company’s website, crosstimbersmarina.com.

For a four-hour tritoon (similar to a pontoon) rental at CrossTimbers, the cost is $499. Compared to the average expense of owning and storing a pontoon boat, which in 2021 ranged from $15,000-$60,0000, according to the Ocean Sailing Guide, it seems like a steal. In addition to saving you money, renting gains you boating experience without the commitment. You can rent boats for any occasion; you’re not tied down to a single vessel.

The rental process at CrossTimbers can be done online. Rentals are available for four- or eight-hour reservations, but you also have the option of customizing your rental time.

might not have occurred to you, but that’s exactly what’s on the menu at Windycrest Sailing

Club, 761 Windycrest Road in

Sand Springs. The club, which has been around since 1965,

offers lessons for adults and children as young as 8 years old and provides training for beginning

and experienced sailors. The goal of each lesson is to improve your sailing skills, regardless of your

level of expertise. Rear Commodore Maurice Casad says you’ll

be captaining your own vessel in no time.

“It’s not like driving a car,”

he explains. “You don’t get a

permit or a license for sailing.

But, depending on the individual, one can learn to sail in a handful of lessons.”

During training at

Windycrest on Lake Keystone, students will learn about the

components of the boat, points of sail, knot tying, sail trim

(the way the sails are used and

shaped) and how the boat relates to the environment,

specifically the wind.

Guests are welcome to sail at

the club, but must be accompanied by a member. The club is

Tulsa Kayak

For additional information on

Kayaks

always open to new members. lessons and membership, visit

If there were any silver lining to the COVID-19 lockdown, it might be Tulsans finding solace in the great outdoors, particularly in the many lakes and rivers Oklahoma has to offer. Tulsa Kayak is riding that surge in demand, owner Dave Lindo says. The store’s kayak and paddleboard sales have reached an all-time high since March 2020.

“COVID’s got everyone outside,” he states. “Those who couldn’t get on airplanes or cruise ships in the last year or so are buying kayaks.”

The storefront, 411 S. First St. in Jenks, offers an assortment of nearly 2,000 kayaks for purchase or rental. Rental options are offered by the day, weekend or week. Currently, kayaks are the most sought-after boating option among the shop’s patrons.

“It’s the accessibility of it,” Lindo says. “Anyone can kayak no matter their size, shape or age.”

Common launch locations for kayaking in Tulsa include Riverside, Lake Bixhoma near Leonard Mountain and Keystone Lake, but Lindo claims there are hazards to be considered before taking your kayak on the water. He recommends kayaking with a group, checking the forecast and having some knowledge of the sport before setting out on the water. For more information on kayak purchases and rentals, visit oklahomakayak.com.

windycrest.com.

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Fishing at Jenks’ Veterans Park

Looking for a local fishing hole?

Try these spots. by kelly bostian

Off the hook If you’re new to Tulsa and you love to fish, or if you’ve lived in this town for years and would love to start casting a line, you’re in the right place.

Within the city limits, or a 20-minute drive from town, catfish, striped bass, largemouth bass, white bass, a variety of sunfish, and even prehistoric-looking paddlefish, can be found.

Start at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation website — wildlifedepartment.com — to buy your fishing license and learn the rules. The website will guide you to create an account and download the app for gooutdoorsoklahoma.com so you can have your license and regulations handy on your mobile device at all times.

Printed copies of the Department’s Hunting and Fishing Guide are available at sporting goods stores and the Wildlife Department office, 300 Aquarium Drive in Jenks.

An annual fishing license costs $25 for adults, or $5 for youth 16-17 years old, and none is required for children 15 and under. Lifetime licenses cost $225. Catch limits vary by species.

Here are a few close-to-home options that range from good spots for families with children to more adventurous adults.

Close-to-home ponds The Wildlife Department manages three Close-to-Home Fishing Program ponds stocked with catfish, bass and sunfish in the Tulsa area.

Two sunfish ponds are located near the trailhead at the Turkey Mountain Wilderness Area, West 68th Street and South Elwood Avenue. The other — which is handicap accessible with two covered fishing docks — is part of Veterans Park near the Creek Turnpike just east of Elm and Date streets in Jenks. Veterans Park Pond also is stocked with trout in the winter.

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Tulsa city parks Several of the city’s parks and water impoundments are fine spots to find panfish or catfish, though few are currently stocked. The panfish reproduce naturally and in some areas are very plentiful and tons of fun on light fishing gear. Bring your rod to Hunter Park, 5804 E. 91st St.; Braden Park, 5036 E. Seventh St.; Crescent Park, 8501 S. 71st E. Ave.; or the pond behind At Home, located near East 51st Street and South Garnett Road.

Arkansas River Learning the river is a must for both success and safety reasons. It can be a challenge, but everything from giant paddlefish (additional free permit required), big striped bass and flathead catfish to the prettiest little longear sunfish can be found in the river and its side tributaries.

Popular access points are found near bridge crossings, at Gathering Place and near East 71st Street along Riverside Drive. A 20-minute drive west on Highway 412 to the Oklahoma Highway 51 exit will bring you to the Tulsa District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers park at Keystone Dam where fishing access is easier.

Follow the anglers you see along the river and watch at first. Strike up a bankside conversation. Quiz Oklahoma fishing groups on Facebook. You’ll want to find a local to help you learn the ropes.

Mohawk Park Ponds and a lagoon on the west side of Mohawk Park near the Tulsa Zoo, East 36th Street North and North Sheridan Road, are places people catch a variety of fish. The ponds have been regularly stocked with catfish over the years and, thanks to a few recent floods, you never know what you might catch.

Oklahoma Fishing Trail celebrates the best in the state’s fishing opportunities As a collaboration between the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the state Tourism and Recreation Department, the Oklahoma Fishing Trail is a curated selection of species and fishing holes anglers can explore. Broken down into six loops — northeastern, southeastern, south central, southwestern, central and northwestern — the Trail breaks down popular species at each standout lake or reservoir. Those who catch all designated species can even claim the Grand Slam. More information can be found on the free program at fishinok.com.

FOR MORE ABOUT TULSA’S FISHING LEGACY, READ KELLY BOSTIAN’S ARTICLE ON P. 41.

Sounds of summer Plaza del Sol A favorite local spot at 9999 S. Mingo Road, Plaza del Sol has something for the whole family. With shopping, dining and live music Monday through Saturday night on the Ridge Grill’s patio, you’ll definitely want to check it out. See who’s playing and book your patio table by calling 918-994-4888 or visit ridgegrill.com.

The Yard Bar Located at 1924 Riverside Drive, the Yard Bar offers live outdoor music with a view several nights during the summer, including July 10 and 11 with Tulsa Little Jam. More dates are being set as the summer continues. Stay in the know by visiting facebook.com/yardbartulsa.

Casii Stephan performs at Kendall Whittier After Five.

Looking for some fresh air and local beats this summer?

Tulsa has a plethora of outdoor music options to get your hips swaying. Although many plans remain tentative, Tulsa’s outdoor music scene is re-emerging. by laura dennis

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TulsaPeople JULY 2021

Gathering Place Gathering Place’s signature events are back in full swing for 2021 after a yearlong hiatus. That means live music will be back on the Great Lawn this summer. On July 17, the park kicks off its concert series, followed

by La Fiesta de Tulsa on July 24. At 10 a.m. every Friday through July, Hot Toast Music Co. performs. The park is located at 2650 S. John Williams Way East. Visit gatheringplace.org for more information.

Guthrie Green Found in the heart of downtown Tulsa’s Art District at 111 E. Reconciliation Way, Guthrie Green is a community park for all to enjoy. In addition to fitness classes and community events, the park is set to host various local artists this summer. On July 2, Mark Gibson and Steve Liddell will perform. The Starlight Band Series will be every Tuesday evening in July. Find more details, dates and times at guthriegreen.com/events-calendar.

Kendall Whittier After Five Every second Thursday through Oct. 14, Kendall Whittier Main Street welcomes visitors to its outdoor entertainment series Kendall Whittier After Five. Live music, a pop-up park, special activities and more make this monthly event popular for those visiting the district at the intersection of South Lewis Avenue and Admiral Boulevard. Many of the area stores remain open longer with special shopping incentives. On July 8, it’s kids night. More information is available at visitkendallwhittier.com/afterfive. TP

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Addiction Recovery / 12&12 Inner Solutions

Healthcare / Saint Francis Health System

Auto Body Repair / Jim Blankenship Quality Collision Repair

Health Insurance / Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma

Bakeries / Nothing Bundt Cakes

Heating, Air Conditioning, Electric and Plumbing / Airco

Business Banking / Security Bank Business Technologies / JD Young Catering / Justin Thompson Catering Chicken Fried Steak / Bros. Houligan Commercial and Residential Painting / TLC Painting Commercial Cleaning / Final Touch Commercial Cleaning

EVERY BUSINESS HAS A STORY TO TELL. TulsaPeople is proud to present our fifth annual edition of “FACES OF THE 918,” a special sponsored editorial section that tells the stories behind a variety of locally owned businesses serving “the 918.” Each profile features owners and/or employees of 39 Tulsa-area companies with a description of their business. We hope you find this presentation informative and useful.

Each company represents a select business category.

Single-page and half-page profiles are presented alphabetically by category in two groupings.

Commercial Insurance / Insurica/Joe West Co. Commercial Real Estate / McGraw Commercial Properties Commercial Real Estate Appraisals / Green Country Appraisal Service Community Banking / First Oklahoma Bank Computer Services and Support / Jackson Technical Cosmetic Surgery / Plastic Surgery Center of Tulsa Credit Unions / Oklahoma Central Credit Union Disaster Restoration / Oklahoma Disaster Restoration Drywall Repair / Drywall Repair Fencing / Empire Fence Company Financial Planning / Northwestern Mutual Hands-on Art Studios / Pinot’s Palette

Interior Design / Kirkendall Design Management Consulting / Arrowhead Consulting Marble & Stone Countertops / Eurocraft Granite & Marble Mortgage Lending / Waterstone Mortgage Office of the Future / ImageNet Payroll Processing and Tax Compliance / Red River Payroll Pet Boutiques / Dog Dish Property Management / McGraw Property Management & Leasing/Winfield Property Management Residential Real Estate / McGraw Realtors Roofing / Native Roofing and Construction Sustainability / American Waste Control Tree Service / We B Trees Wedding and Event Venues / Station 13 Wine & Spirits / Ranch Acres Wine & Spirits Workforce Management and Staffing / Barracuda Staffing Wound Care / Tulsa Wound Center

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Phil Barton, M.D. Pediatric Intensive Care

Roopa Thukarum, M.D. Pediatric Intensive Care

Rachel Everette, M.D. Neonatology

THE FACE OF HEALTHCARE THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AT SAINT FRANCIS With a focus on family-centered care, The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis is eastern Oklahoma’s only hospital dedicated to the unique healthcare needs of infants, children and teens. Key pediatric services include the following: 24/7 Pediatric Emergency Center

Neurosurgery

The St. Jude Affiliate Clinic

Ophthalmology

The Henry Zarrow Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Oral/Maxillofacial surgery

Adolescent medicine Allergy/Immunology Cardiology Child abuse pediatrics Cystic Fibrosis clinic Eating disorders Endocrinology/Diabetes care

Oculoplastic surgery

Orthopedic surgery Otolaryngology (ENT) Pathology Pediatric MRI Pediatric stroke team Physical medicine and rehabilitation

Gastroenterology

Plastic and reconstructive surgery

General surgery

Pulmonology

Genetics

Radiology

Hematology/Oncology

Sickle Cell Clinic

Infectious disease

Sports medicine

Intensive Care/ECMO/CRRT

Trauma care

Neonatal transport team

Wound Care Clinic

Neonatology

Urology

Neurology At Saint Francis Health System, our mission is to extend the healing ministry and presence of Christ in all we do.

Proudly, The Children’s Hospital extends that mission to children throughout our region. For more information, please call 918-502-6000.

Greg Kirkpatrick, M.D. Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Samuel Leung, M.D. Pediatric Gastroenterology

6161 SOUTH YALE AVENUE 918-502-6000 SAINTFRANCIS.COM/CHILDRENSHOSPITAL

Austin Boyce and Chase Boyce

THE FACE OF HEATING, AIR CONDITIONING, ELECTRIC AND PLUMBING AIRCO SERVICE Airco is a “one call does it all” service company. With the largest service company in Oklahoma, Airco Service provides customers with the highest-quality products and services available in the areas of heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing. The company’s technicians are certified, trained, knowledgeable service professionals with excellent customer service and workmanship skills. Plus, Airco offers free estimates on product replacements.

Over 60 years in business and family owned, Airco has a reputation for reliability and the trust of customers who count on the company for excellent service, honesty and integrity. “We are fully committed to finding customers the best solutions and quality products for their home,” says owner Tom Boyce. “We also provide 24/7 service since we know not all emergencies happen during business hours.”

Airco is known for its maintenance plans, which provide routine maintenance for a residence’s heating and cooling system. This allows the system to operate efficiently, safely and reliably for the expected life of the unit. Routine maintenance not only extends the life of the equipment but can have dramatic effects on a home’s utility bills.

“The Company You Know” can now be found in four locations across Oklahoma in Tulsa, Edmond, Moore and the Grand Lake area.

TULSA: 918-252-5667 EDMOND: 405-715-2665 MOORE: 405-378-4500 GRAND LAKE: 918-782-2263 AIRCOSERVICE.COM

BACK ROW: Ron Brady, CMO; Lori Patrick, Revenue Cycle Management Director; Melanie Anderegg, COO; FRONT ROW: Bryan Day, CEO; Jennifer Rains, Human Resources Director

THE FACE OF ADDICTION RECOVERY 12&12 ADDICTION RECOVERY CENTER 12&12 Addiction Recovery Center 12&12 Inc. is the largest Comprehensive Community Addiction Recovery Center in Oklahoma. At 12&12, the only focus is to help men and women battle the brain disease of addiction and co-occurring substance abuse/mental health disorders. 12&12’s complete continuum of care provides multiple levels of treatment all under one roof including medically supervised detoxification, intensive residential treatment, transitional living, outpatient and intensive outpatient treatment. 12&12’s Bryce House, in downtown Tulsa, provides sober living and counseling for homeless veterans in recovery.

“For over 35 years, we have helped thousands of Oklahomans in the fight to get their lives back,” says CEO Bryan Day. “Our service model is based on a multidisciplinary approach that integrates medical oversight, psychiatry, nursing, counseling and case management.”

No one is ever denied services at 12&12 regardless of their ability to pay. Independently operated and located in the heart of Tulsa, 12&12 holds Behavioral Health Care accreditation from the Joint Commission, and is certified by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) as a Comprehensive Community Care Addiction Recovery Center (CCARC). When you’re ready to get real, get real recovery at 12&12 Addiction Recovery Center.

6333 E. SKELLY DRIVE | 918-664-4224 12AND12.ORG #GETREALRECOVERY

Marie Stephens

THE FACE OF BAKERIES NOTHING BUNDT CAKES Nothing Bundt Cakes owner Marie Stephens has been bringing the joy to Tulsans since 2014. “The key to bringing that joy is to create genuine connections with our guests and community, coupled with our delicious bundt cakes, of course.” says Stephens. “We want guests to have a stellar experience from the planning all the way to the first bite.”

The Tulsa bakery is a one-stop-shop celebration location. First, guests can choose from 10 delightful flavors of bundt cake. The cakes come in 4 sizes all topped with Nothing Bundt Cakes’ signature cream cheese frosting. Then they can add to any event or gift from the “bundt’ique” full of cute retail items, birthday candles, cards, balloons and much more.

The team is always happy to collaborate with each guest or business to ensure true bundt blissfulness for their celebration. Nothing Bundt Cakes offers delivery, wedding cake set up, curbside pickup and online ordering. Of course the best and most tempting option is a visit to the bakery.

We are excited about event season starting up again and getting the chance to attend and bring joy with our cakes.

7890 E. 106TH PL. S., BUILDING V, SUITE 10 | 918-970-4747 NOTHINGBUNDTCAKES.COM

FRONT ROW: Scott Wilson, Tom Gay, Dawne Stafford, Eric Bohne, Gil Eacret; MIDDLE: Ryan Webb, Joshua Cole, Mary Bieser, Dana Kennedy, Regina Hicks, Michele Taylor, Lynette Lambert, Jaime Keeler, Heather Hess, Ethan Gregg, Kathy Nicholson; BACK ROW: Andrew Haven, Darrell Horn, Austin Burkdoll, Tara Kirkes, David Martin, Shane Gibson

THE FACE OF BUSINESS BANKING SECURITY BANK Security Bank takes pride in building relationships with its business partners. “We believe in the 3 Big C’s: Customers, colleagues and community,” CEO Dawne Stafford says. “Our focus on the small business segment comes from our belief that the success of small businesses is important in building local economic vitality and shaping our community for the better.”

The bank brings customers the highest level of attention and service, with local decision-making from its headquarters at East 51st Street and Highway 169. Building trust through transparency and accountability is at the core of all business decisions.

“We are a locally owned community bank that is committed to providing exceptional customer service and finding banking solutions for business customers,” President

Tom Gay says. “A clear demonstration of our commitment to local small businesses has been our participation in the SBA Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loans.” Security Bank funded approximately 900 PPP loans, for over $150 million, since the beginning of the pandemic, the majority of which were in amounts less than $350,000.

“Our commitment to Tulsa exceeds business banking. Investing in Tulsa is part of the makeup of Security Bank,” Stafford emphasizes. “The bank’s employees take pride in supporting nonprofit organizations and charitable endeavors that make a difference within the community.”

10727 E. 51ST ST. | 918-664-6100 | SBTULSA.BANK | MEMBER FDIC

Bob Stuart, Jr. and Doug Stuart are grandsons of business founder Joe Young.

THE FACE OF BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES JD YOUNG “It’s hard for us to believe that nearly 70 years have passed since Joe Young first opened the doors of JD Young in Tulsa,” says Bob Stuart, CEO, and co-owner with Doug Stuart, Patty Stuart, and Deni Stuart. “Who could have known over 70 years later that his vision of serving Oklahoma’s business community would still be alive and thriving as it is today.”

Today, JD Young succeeds by adapting and evolving with the times, and staying on top of the ever-changing document management industry and needs of clients. “Companies all over the state contact us for direction and ideas on how to be more efficient in their workflow practices,” says Stuart. “We are skilled at offering the best products and services to our customers, and backing-up our sales with excellent maintenance by our highly-skilled service teams.”

JD Young’s mission is to help businesses better manage the flow of information and data through a more efficient usage of printing devices, software solutions and advanced IT technology. “Specifically, we are skilled in providing

information-handling processes that increase performance and reduce the cost of input, output and management,” noted Stuart. “It’s all about creating a document strategy for a business to identify how the company is managing its paper files. The strategy is a needed step toward managing documents more efficiently as a means of increasing profitability.”

The Stuart family realizes establishing and maintaining strong relationships with clients is the key to JD Young’s sustained success over seven decades.

“Our company’s guiding light from day one has been doing the right thing for customers…our business partners,” Stuart notes. “We count our blessings every day that we have a strong and growing base of customers and excellent employees to serve them.”

116 W. THIRD ST. | 918-582-9955 | JDYOUNG.COM

Brian Trufitt, Corwin Moore, Brandon Reavis Funk

THE FACE OF CHICKEN FRIED STEAK THE BROS. HOULIGAN A Tulsa classic, the Bros. Houligan specializes in comfort. Evident from the minute you walk through the door by the relaxed, casual atmosphere and welcoming wait staff.

Followed up by mouth-watering dishes that span the gambit of casual American food that will make you feel right at home, no matter where you are from.

The menu is full of delicious comfort food, including crispy Chicken Tenders and an array of delicious Burger options, as well as Steaks, Pork Chops, Shrimp, Salmon and White Fish. Freshly breaded fresh to order, fried entrees are never pre-made or frozen.

The Bros. Houligan became famous beyond Tulsa’s borders when the Chicken Fried Steak, repeatedly voted the best in Tulsa in various publications, had its recipe featured in a Southern Living Magazine cookbook. First-timers and veteran

“Houligans” alike rave about their special recipe green beans, and the Cottage Fries, waffle-cut fries served with a side of gravy, are the stuff of legend. The motto at the Bros. Houligan is “Eat More Gravy” and once you get your first taste you’ll know why.

The Bros Houligan has been a Tulsa staple for 34 years and has two locations.

Serving both lunch and dinner and featuring a full bar.

2508 E. 15TH ST. | 918-747-1086 4848 S. YALE AVE. | 918-254-1086 BROSHOULIGAN.COM

Ted Curato

THE FACE OF COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL PAINTING TLC PAINTING, INC. Established in 1997, TLC Painting will celebrate its 25th anniversary in January 2022. Owner Ted Curato feels “very fortunate” that the company that started with two employees and one van has grown to 18 on the team. Curato credits the great work of TLC’s employees along with business coaching and counseling from peers at The Alternative Board (TAB) for the company’s steady growth.

Today, TLC services larger commercial and industrial clients including shopping centers, apartment complexes, power plants, manufacturing facilities, schools, state and federal installations…as well as a broad range of residential projects. “We continue to broaden our services, too” said Curato. “Our newest

service offering is the installation of reflective roof coatings on metal, flat and low-sloped roofs.”

TLC is an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau. “Our overall goal is to retain and serve our residential and commercial customers for many years, and benefit from their good references,” said Curato. “I learned early on that it’s much easier to explain a price than it is to explain a bad job.”

7602 E. 46TH ST. | 918-663-3552 | TLCPAINTING.COM

Chelsea Hanoch, Lindsay Henderson, Jackie Vu, Brooke Taylor and Madi Ambrose; INSET: Sandra Mullins

THE FACE OF COMMERCIAL CLEANING FINAL TOUCH COMMERCIAL CLEANING After 36 years of operation in Tulsa, Final Touch Commercial Cleaning has gone national. The innovative cleaning company recently acquired the regional contract for a national telecommunications company and will be expanding into Arkansas, Kansas, Idaho, Iowa and Nebraska in July.

“We treat our team members like family,” says Final Touch President Sandra Mullins. “We are truly grateful for this opportunity that will allow them to grow professionally beyond the local level.”

Final Touch has always stayed on the cutting edge of cleaning everything from corporate offices and medical facilities to municipal buildings and universities all over Oklahoma. The company offers the latest technology to not only clean, but also disinfect and sanitize, more than seven million square feet of space each night.

Final Touch uses superior products that include natural, non-toxic cleaners,

sanitizers and disinfectants for everyday use, as well as specialized services including fogging and electrostatic spray technology. This process gives clients peace of mind to know their workspaces are sanitized and all viruses and bacteria are eliminated within a two minute kill time.

Throughout the pandemic, Mullins has stayed true to her belief that “to whom much is given, much is required.” It is the reason she has continued to create a culture of giving by donating thousands of dollars annually to local nonprofits.

“It’s the charitable work that really inspires us,” she said. “We’re so happy to be part of the Tulsa community.”

10404 E. 55TH PL. | 918-663-1919 FINALTOUCHCLEANING.COM

Account Manager Ryan Kusev

THE FACE OF COMMERCIAL INSURANCE INSURICA/JOE WEST CO. Any business that relies on a computer system to operate, whether for businesscritical activities or simply electronic banking, has a very real cyber exposure. Theft of funds, ransomware, extortion and non-malicious data breaches usually start with a human error or oversight such as clicking on a phishing link that allows cybercriminals to access your systems from the inside. The fact remains that humans are the weakest link in the cybersecurity chain no matter how hard we try.

Cyber insurance is a highly cost-effective way to gain access to the support you need in order to prevent and respond to cyber events. Most cyber policies come with a number of proactive risk management tools like phishing-focused employee training programs to help reduce phishing attacks. Most importantly

when it comes to responding to a cyber event, a good cyber policy will give you access to IT experts, forensic specialists, PR firms and lawyers often at no deductible for the insured. No matter how much a company invests in IT security, it will never be 100% secure. The purpose of an insurance policy is to respond in the event that the worst happens.

INSURICA has access to multiple cyber insurance markets and can place the right insurance to match any business.

406 S. BOULDER AVE., SUITE 500 | 918-660-0090 | INSURICA.COM

BACK ROW: Andrew Leach, Drew Dossey, Kalvin Burghoff, Gary Krisman, Dick Alaback, John Gray; SITTING MIDDLE: Amy Bors & Curt Roberts; SITTING FRONT ROW: Cara Leigh Ingram and Julie Buxton

THE FACE OF COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MCGRAW COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES McGraw Realtors Commercial Properties, was founded in 2008 and specializes in buying and selling commercial properties including office, retail, restaurant, service, industrial, investment, municipal, nonprofit, multi-family residential and vacant land. McGraw’s Commercial Properties and Property Management divisions work together to deliver comprehensive commercial real estate solutions, ranging from tenant and landlord representation to facilities and property management.

“This approach forms successful long-term relationships rather than one-off transactions,” Neil Dailey of McGraw Commercial Properties says. “Our longevity and know-how make McGraw Commercial the area’s go-to for commercial real estate and property management services.” Their commitment is to help commercial real estate

investors find the right property to profitably expand their portfolio.

McGraw Commercial Properties’ Multi-Family Sales Division has experienced exponential growth since the 2019 merger with Winfield Property Management.

This merger provided the Multi-Family Sales Division the ability to offer investors a reliable means of protecting their assets after a sale or purchase.

McGraw Realtors Commercial Properties has acquired the most sought-after listings in the greater Tulsa and enjoyed success putting commercial buyers and sellers together across Oklahoma, Arkansas, and North Texas.

4105 S. ROCKFORD AVE. | 918-388-9588 | MCGRAWCP.COM

The Green Country Appraisal Service team includes President Timothy M. Glass (right) and Christine Peck.

THE FACE OF COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE APPRAISALS GREEN COUNTRY APPRAISAL SERVICE Green Country Appraisal Service is celebrating 40 years of appraisal and consultation work for various banks, government entities, lawyers and individuals.

Commercial properties appraised include retail, restaurants, offices, churches, industrial, multi-family, mixed-use, vacant land, cattle ranches and conservation easements throughout northeast Oklahoma.

Timothy M. Glass, MAI, SRA is the company president and a licensed appraiser in the state of Oklahoma. In 2000, he was the president of the Green Country of Oklahoma Chapter of the Appraisal Institute. Nationally, he has served on the Regional Ethics and Counseling Panel of the Appraisal Institute. The National

Association of Realtors has awarded Glass with the Realtor Emeritus designation in recognition of valuable and lasting contribution to the real estate profession and the community.

The company’s secretary, Christine Peck, has been with the firm for 32 years and handles word processing, research of local market trends and report publishing.

Together, Green Country Appraisal’s team provides comprehensive appraisal reports for lenders, buyers, sellers and estate settlement.

1703 E. SKELLY DRIVE, SUITE 101 | 918-744-5744

First Oklahoma Bank Chairman and Co-CEO Tom Bennett, Jr. with President and Co-CEO Tom Bennett III

THE FACE OF COMMUNITY BANKING FIRST OKLAHOMA BANK As the economy revives and Oklahomans begin moving forward to their new, post-COVID-19 lifestyles, First Oklahoma Bank stands ready to help customers with a full range of financial needs.

Over the past year, First Oklahoma bankers have worked tirelessly to help hundreds of small businesses and individual contractors survive the pandemic by providing loans through the government’s Paycheck Protection Program. Now those businesses are poised to take full advantage of a resurgence in consumer activity.

We are grateful for everyone who has entrusted us with their business through a challenging phase of life. We look forward to helping customers as they pursue future financial dreams of buying a new home or refinancing an existing one, expanding or starting a business, and building their wealth and savings.

Our bankers welcome your calls, visits and questions. Rest assured, whenever

you call First Oklahoma, you will be greeted by a real person (not a pre-recorded message) who can answer your question or direct you to the right banker. Our bankers know the heartbeat of the community, understand our economy and make all decisions locally. Deposits made with First Oklahoma Bank stay within the community and help it grow.

First Oklahoma Bank was established on Nov. 4, 2009, with the vision of creating a better bank for area residents. Yearly, it has surpassed benchmarks to become the fastest-growing new bank in Oklahoma’s history.

First Oklahoma invites you to “Move Up to Better Banking” by calling or visiting its midtown Tulsa location or iconic six-story headquarters in Jenks.

4110 S. ROCKFORD AVE., TULSA | 100 S. RIVERFRONT DRIVE, JENKS 918-392-2500 | FIRSTOKLAHOMABANK.COM | MEMBER FDIC

Brian Loden, Jason Cox, Justin Teague, Noah Hill, Donna Laughlin, Kent Foust, Matt Graham, Tim Jackson, Steve Kendall, Mike Jones, Ashley Jackson, Brad Roby, Tyler Ramsey, Brian Lowery, Tanner Meyer, Josh Dzianott, Jon Beeler

THE FACE OF COMPUTER SERVICES AND SUPPORT JACKSON TECHNICAL At Jackson Technical, computer consultation services are the core of a business designed with the objective of supporting the success of clients, whatever their industry.

“Our staff has years of experience with up-to-date skills in the latest technologies,” says Tim Jackson, founder and president. “We offer complete computer systems management and maintenance with a proactive approach to prevent problems before they occur.”

Jackson is most proud of the culture and attitude of the team he’s assembled.

“I try to find highly skilled experts who have the technical skills required for the career, but don’t have the arrogance or condescending demeaner that is often associated with I.T. specialists,” he says. “I’m looking for that helper mentality.”

Jackson Technical combines information technology service with strong client

relationships to create a sought-after customer experience.

“We listen to needs, then we recommend, plan and implement,” says Jackson.

“Our team of experts can provide a company of any size with computer and communications solutions.”

The 20-year-old company moved into a new facility in December 2017, a threestory, 19,500-square-foot building in downtown Tulsa. The building’s open and inviting industrial-style look was created by the McIntosh Group and constructed by Thompson Construction.

“We have stressful jobs that often require after-hours work, so we do like to have fun when time permits!” says Jackson.

611 S. ELGIN AVE. | 918-585-8324 | JACKSONTECHNICAL.COM

FRONT ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: Pam Cyprian, Brittany Dominguez, Rachel Earl; BACK ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: Kylee Cantrell, Julia Wollmann, Kathleen Manning, Brittany Howard

THE FACE OF CREDIT UNIONS OKLAHOMA CENTRAL CREDIT UNION When Oklahoma Central Credit Union was founded 80 years ago upon the principle of people helping people by its 27 charter members, it created the credit union experience for credit union employees. Today, there are more than 45,000 members who reap the benefits of the not-for-profit financial cooperative in the form of lower interest rates on loans and higher interest rates on savings accounts.

“Oklahoma Central has grown with the principle that informed financial decisions contribute to a better life,” says President and CEO Gina Wilson. “A mortgage isn’t merely a loan but secures a place to call home. A student loan doesn’t just cover tuition and books but opens doors to a different kind of future. From someone opening their first account and learning how to check their balance in mobile banking, to a long-time

member preparing for their retirement, Oklahoma Central employees are there to provide the support and education needed to progress confidently.”

With 10 Tulsa and surrounding area locations, Oklahoma Central and its employees are committed to investments in the local community and serving the area for its members. As technology advances, the credit union provides advanced services to make banking as simple as the touch of a smartphone or the click of a mouse.

10 TULSA AND SURROUNDING AREA LOCATIONS | 918-664-6000 OKLAHOMACENTRAL.CREDITUNION

The team at ODR...

THE FACE OF DISASTER RESTORATION OKLAHOMA DISASTER RESTORATION Oklahoma Disaster Restoration (ODR) is a family-owned and operated business in Tulsa. Founded in 1988, ODR employs technicians who are certified in disaster restoration and reconstruction services.

“Our company utilizes state-of-the-art technology and equipment, and a highly trained staff for perils such as fire, water, sewer, mold and bio-hazard,” says Jay Stokes, president and co-owner of ODR with his wife, Tammy Stokes, who is general manager.

Oklahoma Disaster Restoration offers: Rapid Response Disaster Mitigation: The ODR team responds to calls within an hour, 24 hours a day. Callers talk to a live person with the experience to guide them through what can otherwise be a traumatic situation. We are a first responder for your disaster!

Quality Workmanship: ODR’s team is highly skilled in treating water and smoke damaged items, and offers a commitment to satisfaction and happiness with the outcome.

The Right Contractor: ODR can work as the general contractor to assume clients receive a quick return to their home or business. It is a third-generation owned company that adheres to these core values: perserverance, integrity, compassion, urgency, and stewardship.

Commercial Restoration: ODR is the one to call for your business property needs, too. Our seasoned project managers have the experience to put a business back together quickly with less down time.

“The difference is in our people. ODR is a great company for our employees. We invest in our team which which makes members more valuable to us, their families, and our customers,” notes Tammy Stokes. “We still adhere to old-fashion family values in managing our business.”

6565 E. 42ND ST. | 918-992-4ODR | OKDISASTER.COM

Empire Fence President and General Manager Nathan Nelson with founder Bob Richison, his grandfather

THE FACE OF FENCING EMPIRE FENCE COMPANY Empire Fence Company has become the “familiar face to turn to” for all of your fencing needs. All great things have small beginnings. When owner Bob Richison began the business in 1955, it was just a small backyard enterprise. With a lot of hard work, a love for helping others, and a big dream, Richison turned Empire Fence into a successful small business. When grandson Nathan Nelson joined the team in 1998, the two businessmen formed a dynamic duo. Together, they teamed to lead Empire Fence to becoming the leading “face” for residential fencing.

Although Richison has officially passed-the-baton of business leadership to grandson Nathan, who serves as President/CEO of the company, Bob’s face, name, and legacy will always remain at Empire Fence Company. Under Nelson’s

leadership, the company has expanded into the commercial industry and continues to grow and thrive.

“We have always done business the old-fashioned way since my grandfather first began Empire Fence,” said Nelson, “and we remain committed to a foundation of integrity by offering customers quality products and excellent service at a fair price. Bob Richison had a heart to serve others and that trait is in the DNA of Empire Fence Company. It’s an honor to carry on what my grandfather began over 60 years ago and continue meeting the residential and commercial fencing needs of northeast Oklahoma,” says Nelson.

22 N. GARNETT ROAD | 918-437-1671 | EMPIREFENCE.NET

Matt Longan, Rhianna Johnson, Bob Skaggs, Janelle English, Kristin Nylander

THE FACE OF FINANCIAL PLANNING NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL These days, it’s more important than ever for one to have a financial plan. At Northwestern Mutual, Bob Skaggs and Matt Longan, along with their team, are highly skilled and experienced in engaging clients to take a look at their financial “big picture”. From there they recommend the right insurance and investment strategies in one integrated financial plan.

“Our objective is to truly help each client connect their heart to their balance sheet,” Skaggs emphasizes, “we want to create a financial pathway that enables one to enjoy life to the fullest, make memories that bring happiness, take care of people and things that matter most in life. We want our clients to feel confident and secure in their financial decisions.”

“When we educate smart people about how their money works, we find they’ll make smart decisions on what to do with it”, Matt says. “ When the plan is the center of our conversation, we are able to align their actions today with the ideal outcomes for their tomorrow.”

Following a detailed conversation, the two advisors and their team work to position each client with the combination of liquid reserves, various pieces of insurance, and appropriately designed “investment buckets” that create the desired flow of income to enable the client to live and enjoy the life they desire.

As financial advisors and estate and business planning specialists, Skaggs and Longan have a combined 46 years of experience and success at Northwestern Mutual.

“Matt and I value and appreciate the fact that Northwestern Mutual’s guiding approach to financial planning is more long term in how we help people plan and in the way we do business.” Skaggs said. “This approach has served our clients well through all kinds of economic ups and downs for over 160 years”

201 S. DENVER AVE., SUITE 500 | 918-497-1167 | 918-497-1130 TULSA.NM.COM

BCBSOK employees at a Juneteenth wellness event in North Tulsa: Ashleigh Lindsey, Dennis Peschka, Kevin Holmes, Gayle Singleton, Darci Cole, Christian Gray

THE FACE OF HEALTH INSURANCE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF OKLAHOMA Since 1940, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma (BCBSOK) has been committed to supporting the health and wellness of all Oklahomans.

BCBSOK is dedicated to reaching communities across the state through a team of licensed enrollment specialists known as the Mobile Assistance Center (MAC).

The MAC team travels across Oklahoma’s 77 counties to personally assist Oklahomans with health insurance education and help those ready to navigate their options in a one-on-one, private setting. With more Oklahomans now qualified to receive extra funding through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the MAC team can check if individuals and families are eligible to receive additional financial assistance to help lower monthly health insurance premiums.

Any Oklahoman that needs individual coverage is eligible to apply during the

current special enrollment period, which runs through August 15, 2021. Citizens of a federally recognized tribe can enroll any time, year-round.

“With the new savings, more Oklahomans are able to qualify for lower cost health care coverage,” says BCBSOK President Joseph R. Cunningham, M.D. “As the state’s oldest and largest customer-owned health insurer, we are committed to providing quality, cost-effective coverage to every person in Oklahoma.”

To contact the BCBSOK MAC team directly, email MAC@bcbsok.com or visit BlueNearYouOK.com.

1400 S. BOSTON AVE. | 888-346-9636 BLUENEARYOUOK.COM

BACK ROW: Lora Crow, Madi Grace Thomason, Stacy Kaut, Heather Warden FRONT ROW: Jayne Hieger, Julia Kirkendall, Debbie Brummett

THE FACE OF INTERIOR DESIGN KIRKENDALL DESIGN Interior design is more than just creating a beautiful space. It’s a focus on creatively solving clients’ issues and improving their livability — something the full-service firm has done for 28 years in homes and businesses.

While some tout walking into a home that feels like it’s “out of a magazine,” owner Julia Kirkendall says her goal is to create surroundings that are current and stylish, but also personal to those using the space. She and her team source products, furnishings and art from all over the country. This enables them to make each client’s home reflect their personality, and how they live and enjoy their space.

When it comes to commercial design, the firm captures a company’s essence and helps it make a unique first impression before ever saying a word. Kirkendall

Design’s experience, details, communication, productivity and creativity lead to lasting results.

From kitchens and bath updates to space planning, window treatments, art procurement, styling and paint consulting, clients love working with Kirkendall Design. The years of experience and professionalism allow their clients to be confident in an amazing finished home or business they will enjoy for years to come.

918-250-1650 | KIRKENDALLDESIGN.COM

HELPING YOUR ORGANIZATION GET IN SHAPE!

BACK ROW: Cody Snow, Jeremy Moore, Jon Land, Bruce Jordan and Dalton Metzer FRONT ROW (SEATED): Kuma Roberts, Kris Reynolds and Ashley Arnold

THE FACE OF MANAGEMENT CONSULTING ARROWHEAD CONSULTING Arrowhead consultants act like “personal trainers” for organizations but instead of working on arms, legs and core, they provide solutions to strengthen a company’s people, processes and tools.

STEP 1: GET ON A TRACK WITH AN ORGANIZATIONAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT (OHA) Arrowhead Consulting eliminates the confusion and frustration stemming from not knowing where to start by providing a data-driven plan that focuses on the right improvement efforts.

STEP 2: TAKE YOUR RESULTS TO THE NEXT LEVEL Once the prescriptive plan is developed from the OHA, Arrowhead provides custom consulting solutions to achieve your strategic goals.

STEP 3: SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT Arrowhead offers a free one-hour consultation to discuss the OHA, training options or other consulting needs that you might have.

ARROWHEAD CONSULTING | 5314 S. YALE AVE., SUITE 500 918-631-7321 | ARROWHEADCONSULTING.COM

Samm Maxwell, Sherry Johns, Jamie Ogden and Hjorny Skaftason

THE FACE OF MARBLE & STONE COUNTERTOPS EUROCRAFT GRANITE & MARBLE When clients walk through Eurocraft’s doors, these are the faces of the women who greet them, and we are proud to have them represent us. Together they have the experience and expertise to tackle projects and make impossible deadlines a reality.

Sherry has been with Eurocraft for over 20 years and is affectionately known as the “Queen of Granite.” She has hand-selected the many beautiful slabs in homes across Tulsa, even reaching as far as Africa and the Caribbean. She wears many crowns, and in addition to purchasing, she schedules fabrication and installations.

Jamie has been a member of our team for over a decade and can be found at our 15th Street Showroom, which houses our most exotic slabs and a large selection of tile. She cares deeply about creating a smooth experience for our commercial projects, keeping each organized and on time. Additionally, she works with local designers to source one-of-a-kind selections from all over the world.

Samm is the newest member of our Eurocraft family and is our rockstar geology enthusiast who loves to educate us and her clients about the minerals that make up our remarkable slabs. She brings a fresh perspective to our team and is often the first smile you see when you come through our doors.

Stone is in Hjorny’s blood and Eurocraft is an integral part of her identity. A passion for business and putting the customer first are her family traditions. She officially started learning to take over the family business 6 years ago. From the quarries of Italy to Brazil, she is following in the footsteps of her parents to bring the finest stone and the highest level of craftmanship to the people of Tulsa.

16052 S. BROADWAY, GLENPOOL | 918-322-5500 2626 E. 15TH STREET, TULSA | 918-938-6914 | EUROCRAFTGRANITE.COM

BACK ROW: Meg Godwin, Patty Chumbley, Briza Turrubiartes, Valdemar Sanchez, Kerrick Draper, Roberto Arellanes, Jessica David, April Wright, Tanya Dickinson, Kim Atzbach, Kendall Basore; FRONT ROW, SEATED: Teresa Eisenman, Joey Scott, Mike David, Ronda Perkins; NOT PICTURED: Sheryl Browning

THE FACE OF MORTGAGE LENDING WATERSTONE MORTGAGE The purchase of a home is often the largest investment a person or family will make in their lifetime. The team at Waterstone Mortgage delivers the best mortgage experience possible, guiding customers to determine which of the company’s unique mortgage programs is the best fit.

“Mortgage loans are not one size-fits-all.” says Kerrick Draper, Waterstone’s Tulsa Branch Manager. “We offer a wide variety of loan products, along with a skilled and professional staff, some of whom have over 30 years experience. We excel at matching clients with the right loan program.”

Waterstone Mortgage was named to the Scotsman Guide’s “Top Mortgage Lenders” list for loan volume in 2020. It was the fifth consecutive year the company made the prestigious list. More than 19,000 individuals and families financed their home purchases or refinanced their mortgages with Waterstone in 2020.

“A pandemic, historically low interest rates, and the completion of our full eClosing solution made for an interesting year, which culminated with the highest annual loan volume in our history,” says Draper.

The Waterstone team is proud to be local all the way. “We work here. We live here. We are your neighbors, which means that we are always here for our clients at every step.” says Draper. “From our local Loan Officers to the drafting of the closing documents – it’s in-house from start to finish right here in Tulsa.”

Call or e-mail today and let Waterstone roll out the red carpet for you!

5705 E. 71ST STREET, SUITE 100 | 918.236.2951 WATERSTONE-TULSA.COM

EQUAL HOUSING LENDER. SUBJECT TO CREDIT APPROVAL AND LOAN PROGRAM GUIDELINES. WATERSTONE MORTGAGE CORPORATION (NMLS #186434) IS A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF WATERSTONE BANK SSB. (NASDAQ: WSBF). STATE OF OKLAHOMA LICENSEE EXEMPT.

STANDING: Justin Robinson, Roger Martin, Scott Morey, Mike McKay; SEATED: Ben Berghall, Alan Webb, Alex Midgett, Kyle Kempf

THE FACE OF THE OFFICE OF THE FUTURE IMAGENET CONSULTING Dreaming of an office with minimal clutter, few papers, colorful digital display walls, simple-to-use technology and maximum efficiency? That dream office may not be as far away as it seems.

ImageNet Consulting has been at the forefront of every technological step toward the modern workplace since our start in 1956 servicing typewriters out of a home garage. The Audio-Visual Division continues this tradition by providing innovative and creative solutions with precision and excellence.

“We look at every new opportunity through our client’s eyes and try to understand what they truly need, never convincing them of a predetermined ‘package solution’,” says Alan Webb, Oklahoma Market President. “I believe our approach is a breath of fresh air, and look forward to our continued growth as technology continues to push the boundaries of what is possible for businesses more than ever before.”

ImageNet’s engineers, technicians and consultants are focused on becoming a trusted business partner. “We are here to listen and understand your business challenges and provide solutions to help transform your organization,” says Ben Berghall, Tulsa sales manager. “Our vision is to provide state-of-the-art information technology solutions to improve each clients’ bottom line.”

“From managed print service, managed IT, software for document management, print devices, 3D printers, to digital signage and AV solutions, we’ve got it covered,” Webb says. “Let us share how we can help you create the ‘office of the future’ in your environment while adding to your bottom line. It’s possible!”

7231 E. 41ST ST. | 918-359-8602 IMAGENETCONSULTING.COM

THE FACE OF PET BOUTIQUES DOG DISH Question: Why does a store like Dog Dish devote much of its store space to bags and cans of food for dogs and cats?

Answer: Healthy pets are happier pets.

“We believe good nutrition will improve the quality and longevity of a pet’s life,” says Emily Bollinger, owner of the popular pet store. “Feeding a pet food with quality ingredients and controlling portion size are factors that can extend a dog or cat’s life. And proper nutrition can prevent common ailments such as ear infections, allergies and tear stains.”

Dog Dish carries kibble and canned pet food, as well as frozen and freezedried raw diets for dogs and cats that are continually growing in popularity.

The store offers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee on all foods.

Dog Dish, now in its 19th year of operation, is also known for its bakery case filled with a large variety of special treats for dogs, plus selections of pet toys, collars, quality beds, accessories and apparel.

“We strive to be a complete store for dog and cat lovers,” added Bollinger.

“The favorite parts of my job are getting to know our customers and their pets, scouting new products that are useful and fun, and educating about healthy dog food and treats.”

1778 UTICA SQUARE | 918-624-2600 THEDOGDISH.COM

Emily Bollinger and Moops, the shop dog

Back row, standing: Brian Scarbrough, Dawn Hughes, Krista Sands, and James Bailey.

Front row, seated: Ebony Morris, Danielle Spann, and Kim Henderson.

THE FACE OF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT MCGRAW PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & LEASING / WINFIELD PROPERTY MANAGEMENT McGraw Realtors Property Management and Leasing manages 374 doors in Tulsa. Founded in 2011, their mission continues to be to help property owners find the right tenant and manage their properties to make a profit. They are also committed to helping people find the right home to rent and manage their property the right way.

In June of 2019, McGraw Realtors merged with Winfield Property Management, and has continued to expand across the region. Winfield currently manages twenty-four properties stretching from Moore, Oklahoma, to Tontitown, Arkansas, with more than 3,095 units in their care. The partnership with McGraw’s MultiFamily Group has been very successful.

McGraw Realtors also continues to service Commercial Property Management needs for clients. McGraw Commercial Property Management currently manages 732,220 square feet of commercial space.

Collectively, the companies that share the same roof share the same commitment to property management services to their clients. The multi-faceted company continues to serve Northeastern Oklahoma and beyond.

4105 S. ROCKFORD AVE MCGRAWPROPERTYMANAGEMENT.COM | 918.388.6133 WINFIELDLIVING.COM | 918.995.2950

Bill McCollough, Heidi Wiliams, Jennifer Richard, Kathy Stacy, Holli Woodward, Rachel Hicks, Lindsey Schlomann, and Scott Crow.

THE FACE OF RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE MCGRAW REALTORS Tulsa-based McGraw Realtors has been proudly serving the real estate needs of Northeast Oklahoma for over 83 years. And as the fastest growing independent real estate company in Oklahoma and Arkansas, McGraw shows no signs of slowing. “I am excited that I will see McGraw celebrate 100 years during my career,” says Bill McCollough, company president. “It is truly rare to see any company succeed in business that long, especially one that stays true to its principles over the years.”

McGraw Realtors has nineteen total offices across Oklahoma and Arkansas, including six in Northeastern Oklahoma. “The company has always been an industry leader in terms of recruiting and retention, adaptation to technological advances, and providing our associates with the tools they need to give clients a stress-free and memorable real estate experience,” McCollough continued.

“I am honored to be associated with the finest real estate company in Oklahoma,” says founder Joe McGraw. “The contributions of many have made the business successful since our beginning in 1938. I am proud of our culture which inspires enthusiasm, innovation, devotion and a strong regard for the honor of all.”

McGraw Realtors has been embedded in the Tulsa community for more than 83 years and the company’s commitment to helping clients succeed in the real estate process continues to be the company’s driving force into the future.

4105 S. ROCKFORD AVE. | 918-592-6000 | MCGRAWREALTORS.COM

Standing: Jordan Gray & Kristin Gray with baby Kennedy.

Seated: Blake Gray & Lindsay Gray with kids Mason and Leighton.

THE FACE OF ROOFING NATIVE ROOFING AND CONSTRUCTION Owned by native Tulsans and brothers Jordan and Blake Gray, Native Roofing provides a full-service solution when it comes to residential and commercial roofing and construction. The Native team treats each customer as its neighbor and prides itself on transparency, efficiency and timeliness. “We will go out of our way to make sure your home or business is taken care of,” Jordan says. “Our mission is to change the way people think about roofing companies. We’re reliable, professional and we like to think we’re personable, too.”

With Oklahoma’s wide-ranging weather events, a sound roof is the first line of defense for protecting your property. Native can troubleshoot any needed maintenance or repairs, as well as define a home’s needs and install a premium roofing

system. Native also performs inspections, provides estimates and works with insurance companies to fulfill claims.

Jordan and Blake are proud that much of their business comes from customer referrals. Native’s professional crews also can provide additional services. “We specialize in roofing, but also offer general contracting services,” Blake says, “because often there is more than just a new roof that needs Native’s expertise and care.”

WE ARE NATIVE TULSANS. NATIVE OKLAHOMANS. NATIVE ROOFING.

1201 S. LEWIS AVE. | 918-552-0655 | NATIVEROOFINGOK.COM

Kenneth Burkett

THE FACE OF SUSTAINABILITY AMERICAN WASTE CONTROL Kenneth Burkett, founder and owner of American Waste Control (AWC), has been in the waste business since 1970. Today, Burkett manages a fleet of over 185 trucks and employs 250 people. AWC also operates its own recycling center and waste-toenergy landfill, supporting Burkett’s full-circle approach to sustainability.

“Sustainability is about stewarding resources responsibly for the benefit of our local economy, community, and environment for the next generation,” Burkett said.

This includes taking recycled material to local manufacturers to create new products here in Oklahoma. However, the recent fire at the Feed Mr. Murph recycling facility has affected this process.

Recycling facility fires are unfortunately common in the industry, mainly due to wishful recyclers placing lithium-ion batteries in the recycle cart. These fires can halt recycling efforts for years. Not in Tulsa. Burkett sees this as an opportunity to bring the latest recycling innovations to Tulsa, and he plans to do it in record time.

Recycling in Tulsa will be stronger and better than ever.

Burkett and his team at AWC are not giving up. “It’s about leaving an impact on people’s lives and our community in a positive and meaningful way,” Burkett said.

1420 W. 35TH ST. | 918-446-0023 | AMERICANWASTECONTROL.COM

Brian Weldon, Omar Caracheo, Whitney Fulkerson, Tim Nall, Barbara Nall, Dylan Nall, Zach Smith, Christopher Daniel and Office Pooch, Nala

THE FACE OF TREE SERVICE WE B TREES We B Trees provides professional tree care for established trees in the greater Tulsa area. Services include deep root fertilization, pruning and preservation, diagnostics, tree removal, stump grinding, cabling and bracing, and more.

In 2020 the company celebrated its 25th anniversary. We B Trees began as a small operation ran by owner/president Tim Nall, one crewman and one truck.

Today the company is a thriving family-operated business with multiple crews, a tree health care division run by Nall’s eldest son, and a subdivision – B Haulin’, a roll-off dumpster service.

“We have seen many changes and had many people to help build us into the company we are,” Nall says. “Trust and honesty are at the base of our existence and always have been.”

The company provides quality tree care that aligns with homeowners’ goals.

In fact, We B Trees has secured a coveted A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Company management values transparency and honesty with the customer above all else.

“We will be honest in whether or not a tree is in good health,” Nall says. “We don’t let our equipment dictate what we recommend for your trees.”

Nall and his crew hold decades of knowledge and experience to provide unmatched quality regardless of the size or complexity, from pruning to complete tree removal.

P.O. BOX 9563, TULSA, OK 74157 | 918-446-3473 WEBTREES.COM

Mary Stewart, Emily Stewart and Truman.

THE FACE OF WINE & SPIRITS RANCH ACRES WINE & SPIRITS Since prohibition was repealed in Oklahoma in late 1959, Ranch Acres Wine & Spirits has been in continuous operation at the original location in the Ranch Acres Shopping Center.

Owned today by Mary and Emily Stewart, the store is well known for its wide variety of wines, beers and spirits, and excellent customer service offered by a friendly and knowledgeable staff. A recent remodel has given the 58-year-old business an updated look.

“We specialize in pairing wines and helping our customers put together dinners,

parties and celebrations,” says Mary Stewart. “We also take pride in our recently expanded beer and spirit selection.”

Throughout the year, Ranch Acres hosts many events, allowing local brokers to feature their products. Customers are encouraged to sign up for the store’s email newsletter to learn about special happenings and receive discount coupons.

3324 E. 31ST ST., SUITE A | 918-747-1171 | RANCHACRESWINE.COM

Dr. Lam Le

THE FACE OF WOUND CARE TULSA WOUND CENTER Tulsa Wound Center is Oklahoma’s first comprehensive independent wound, hyperbaric and research center designed for the treatment of chronic, non-healing and complex wounds.

The wound center is a state-of-the-art, patient-friendly outpatient center that uses the most advanced wound technology. Dr. Lam Le and her team provide exceptional care and are dedicated to providing the highest quality care and treatments to patients who suffer from chronic, non-healing wounds.

“The benefit of going to an independent wound center is you receive care from a certified specialized wound and hyperbaric physician and staff without the additional hospital facility charges,” says Le, who has been a wound care and hyperbaric physician for 15 years, including as a medical director at one of Tulsa’s busiest and

most successful wound centers. “Eliminating the hospital facility charge, can be a cost saving over 75% for patients and insurance companies.”

Conveniently located in midtown at 4538 S. Harvard Ave., Tulsa Wound Center’s staff utilizes the latest advances in wound care when treating patients. Among the services are hyperbaric oxygen therapy, ultrasonic mist therapy, MolecuLight bacterial imaging, Natrox treatments, and dermaPACE® extracorporeal shockwave device.

For more information visit TulsaWoundCenter.com.

4538 S. HARVARD AVE., 74135 | 918-561-6661 TULSAWOUNDCENTER.COM

THE FACE OF AUTO BODY REPAIR JIM BLANKENSHIP QUALITY COLLISION REPAIR Jim Blankenship and his wife, Elizabeth, are proud that their downtown auto body repair business has been successful in Tulsa for over 40 years.

Blankenship purchased the company in 1975 from auto dealer Bob Spraker. “I had worked with my parents in their body shop starting at age 14,” says Blankenship, a 1960 graduate of Tulsa Central High School who attended TU and served in the National Guard before going into business.

“It has been our pride over these many years to provide our customers with the highest quality of collision repair, striving to achieve excellence on every job,” he says.

Blankenship is proud to have trained and mentored many students from Tulsa Technology Center and Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology over the years.

“I am very appreciative of the good company we have been able to build over the years and I thank Elizabeth for being so special to our customers, our employees and to me,” says Blankenship.

1216 S. DETROIT AVE. | 918-587-4356 JIMBLANKENSHIPTULSA.COM

THE FACE OF CATERING JUSTIN THOMPSON CATERING Featuring elevated cuisine and beverages inspired by concepts within the Justin Thompson Restaurant Group, the expert staff at Justin Thompson Catering will help you create the perfect menu for your next event. By pairing years of experience delighting guests with expertly trained service staff and longstanding partnerships with professional vendors, you have a fullservice catering company that you can trust to help you host a truly memorable event. Justin Thompson Catering specializes in catering for weddings, corporate events, special events and nonprofits.

PICTURED: John Woodworth, Amy Blackwell, Justin Thompson, David Helmick, Zach Francis

1115 S. LEWIS AVE., SUITE A | 918-779-6333 TULSACATERING.COM 88

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Jim Blankenship

THE FACE OF COSMETIC SURGERY PLASTIC SURGERY CENTER OF TULSA Dr. Greg Ratliff is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. His credentials and years of excellence in plastic surgery set him apart. He specializes in breast augmentation/breast procedures, but performs body contouring and more, including EMSCULPT NEO. He is medical director for Inject, an Aesthetics Bar, which focuses on Botox and neurotoxin injectables, hyaluronic acid fillers, HydraFacial MD, laser hair removal, Morpheaus8 microneedling, EMSCULP NEO and other non-invasive procedures.

“We strive to make your visit with us the best health care experience ever,” Ratliff says, adding the practice consistently receives great 100% authentic reviews on realpatientratings.com.

2107 E. 15TH ST. 918-712-0888 | PSCOFTULSA.COM 918-712-1767 | INJECTTULSA.COM

THE FACE OF DRYWALL DRYWALL SPECIALISTS INC. In 2003, Chad Potter founded Drywall Specialists Inc., a residential and commercial drywall installation company that has since completed over 10,000 projects in the Tulsa area. Potter is committed to the construction industry, a field he has worked in since high school.

“I personally train our professional staff and guarantee advanced wall and ceiling services, including drywall repair, plaster repair and finishes,” Potter says. “My team is committed to prompt service with strong attention to detail.”

Drywall Specialists Inc. has worked on thousands of Tulsa home remodels and new builds, as well as commercial properties such as medical facilities, office buildings and car dealerships.

Chad Potter

3904 CHARLES PAGE BLVD. | 918-437-9255 DRSPROS.COM

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THE FACE OF HANDS-ON ART STUDIOS PINOT’S PALETTE Pinot’s Palette has been Tulsa’s premier “Paint and Sip” destination since 2012. From the moment the doors opened, the community embraced Pinot’s Palette’s weekly public classes, private parties and company team building art programs. Local owner Lisa Riley has since opened two additional locations at Jenks Riverwalk and on Broken Arrow’s Main Street.

Riley’s passionate about bringing fun to the community and Pinot’s being a place for friends and family to spend quality time together. Riley serves on Tulsa Regional Chamber’s Small Business Connection Advisory Board. She also volunteers and advises nonprofits while mentoring other small business owners to help them navigate growth in their business. She is a six-year breast cancer survivor and advocates for awareness of the disease.

212 S. MAIN ST., BROKEN ARROW | 918-893-6447 300 RIVERWALK TERRACE, SUITE 160, JENKS | 918-518-5433 1621 E. 15TH ST. | 918-794-7333 PINOTSPALETTE.COM

Lisa Riley

THE FACE OF PAYROLL PROCESSING AND TAX COMPLIANCE RED RIVER PAYROLL Red River Payroll was founded on the belief that small business owners deserve a solution that combines the highest level of personal service with the latest technology. Steve Hobbs and Kevin Burr, the owners of the company, talked about how grateful they were to have the opportunity to build so many genuine relationships with the owners of other small businesses. “While we have maintained steady growth, we want our focus to be on taking care of our current clients,” says Hobbs, “because they are the reason we exist.” From offering a true paperless solution to ensuring compliance with the ever changing landscape of federal and state tax law, Red River allows their clients to focus on what is important: sharpening and growing their own business.

1660 E. 71ST ST., SUITE 2I | 918-488-6196 REDRIVERPAYROLL.COM 90

TulsaPeople JULY 2021

Steve Hobbs

THE FACE OF WEDDING AND EVENT VENUES STATION 13

Jackie Potter

After a year-long restoration project, Jackie Potter opened event venue Station 13 in January 2020. The former fire station was built in 1933 and designed by prominent Tulsa architect Albert Joseph Love featuring art deco zigzag design. Potter and her husband, Chad, bought the building with many of its original firehouse features still intact. “There’s no other fire station event venue in town,” she says, “and we’re located just a few minutes from downtown Tulsa.” The property is on the National Register of Historic Places.

“With 2,200 square feet of intricately designed indoor event space and over 18,000 square feet of beautifully landscaped outdoor space, Station 13 is able to meet the needs of a sizeable wedding reception, as well as an intimate dinner party,” Potter says.

3924 CHARLES PAGE BLVD. | 918-810-6765 STATION13TULSA.COM

THE FACE OF WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT AND STAFFING BARRACUDA STAFFING Kevin Burr founded Barracuda Staffing in 2009 amidst one of the biggest economic crises of our time. The resulting success was achieved of his belief he could build a higher quality staffing agency to serve the Tulsa business community. Barracuda has grown to a full-service staffing company with two sister companies, Barracuda Consulting and Red River Payroll, each serving clients and placing contractors nationwide.

“Our people made it happen.” Burr says. “Every member of our team is passionately committed to the success of our candidates and clients, and they live and breathe our core values every day.”

The company trademarked “a Four-Dimensional Matching process that allows the owners and managers to focus on team building and development instead of dealing with costly turnover.”

Burr says Barracuda Staffing thrives in an environment that fosters team members to “push each other to raise the bar, seek out creative solutions, and strive to consistently improve our service delivery model. At Barracuda, our belief is: “good enough is never good enough,” and our company motto is: “Expect More. We Do.” Barracuda has has been listed twice on the “Inc. 5000” list recognizing America’s FastestGrowing Privately-Held Companies,” and recognized on Inc. Magazine’s “Best Places To Work” list.

The company has supported the work of many local organizations over that past 10 years, including Solders Wish, Tulsa Christmas Parade, Tulsa Pop Kids, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma.

1660 E. 71ST ST., SUITE 2E | 918-488-0887 | BARRACUDASTAFFING.COM

Kevin Burr TulsaPeople.com

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Join us for Inspire! Celebrating Disability Inclusion chaired by Tiffany Bjorlie & Eric Hilaire and benefiting

Saturday, August 21, 2021 6 PM – 11 PM Cox Business Convention Center 100 Civic Center Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103 Legacy Hall Inspire! will include a reception, dinner, live music and dancing. In addition, Matthew Sanford will be recognized for his work of inspiring thousands of people by sharing his personal story and the importance of the mind-body relationship for people with physical challenges.

For information on sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, go online to www.inspirecelebration.org.

MICHELLE POLLARD

Jae Anthony-Wilson wears a pair of earrings she designed featuring her favorite colors, which she says connect her to her land, her Native heritage and herself. “I wear them when I need confidence and need to feel strong,” she says.

String T H E O RY

B

eadwork is something Jae Anthony-Wilson always wanted to do, but she never had the time. When 2020 hit, she found herself with plenty, and she began teaching herself the traditional art.

“Beading was healing during an anxious time and forced me to learn more about myself,” the Cherokee Nation citizen says. After returning home from college in Denver, she spent hours in this intricate task, giving her time to think and helping her reconnect with her Native heritage. “It had always been important to me, but beading helped me understand how the legacy could live on through my life today,” she says.

Beading became a sort of therapy, Anthony-Wilson says, giving her the opportunity to connect with nature while creating art. Upcoming collections are inspired by area birds such as the scissor-tailed flycatcher and cardinal, as well as Oklahoma flowers.

Anthony-Wilson sells her wares at local maker markets, as well as through Instagram: @j.birdbeadwork. TP

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STOREFRONT Made in California, this Abacus bar stool features custom fabric. $995.

Handmade Peruvian pottery can be baked in, used as a salad bowl or as a beautiful accessory on the counter.

Prices vary.

You’ll never see another like this handpicked onyx bowl. $200-$2,500.

Tracy Lorton Salisbury

New perspective

BY KIM BROWN

T

A Lorton has been a destination for stylish home goods, furniture and interior design services since 1988 when owner Tracy Lorton Salisbury opened her fi rst store in Utica Square. In the 1990s, TA Lorton moved to its longtime location on Cherry Street — and the store became a mainstay for more than 25 years.

For Salisbury, who defines her style as comfortable, layered, textured and handmade, the decision to move to the new location in August 2020 was bittersweet. The former space was owned by her longtime friend and mentor, the late interior designer Charles Faudree. But the new location, near East Sixth Street and South Lewis Avenue, was an opportunity to offer more for customers and her interior design clients.

“The location is always important. It has to be convenient — I don’t want to disappoint them. We’ve got to give them something good,” Salisbury says. It all timed out right, says the designer who has been in business for 33 years yet never owned her own building.

Her husband, Hal Salisbury, fi rst showed her the new space in the former 1920s-era Savage Building that had been vacant on and off for years. Over time it had been everything from a motorcycle shop to an ice cream shop to offices, a church and an art gallery, among other endeavors. They converted and renovated the 10,000-square-foot space into her store with an

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ample stock room and space for friend Katie Tuttle’s organizing shop, the Clear Home.

“I always have a tendency to overbuy,” Salisbury says, laughing. “I can’t resist gorgeous finds, which leads to a full store. I keep seeing beautiful things that I have to offer. I’ve also been doing more design work and selling more furniture.”

Now the store can display furniture and fully designed spaces — such as a full kitchen area — for customers and clients to better visualize a concept.

“I’m very visual and love to set things up,” she says. “I always say, ‘Let me just show you.’ The more sofas people see, the more they know I can give them what they want.”

TA Lorton continues to offer many of the hand-crafted lines and items unique to Tulsa from the former location, plus so much more.

“It’s been fun. People are really passionate about that building (the Savage),” Salisbury says.

“A lot of people come in to see what we’ve done with it. I like change. It doesn’t scare me. It’s been great to change the store and give it a new perspective.” TP

TA Lorton 555 S. ZUNIS AVE. | 918-743-1600 | TALORTON.COM 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday

Handmade in New Orleans, these gold and silver leafed hearts add style to any setting. $29-$165.

Baobab candles from Brussels come in a range of sizes from 6 inches to a foot. $140, $215, $430.

TA Lorton’s signature, handmade terracotta pots have been a shop favorite since 1988. $100-$190.

A nod to ’70s styling, this woven wicker outdoor chair has durable tufted cushions. $2,385.

SALISBURY: AMY HERNDON; PRODUCTS: MICHELLE POLLARD

LONGTIME HOME INTERIORS STORE TA LORTON MOVES TO KENDALL WHITTIER.

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BEYOND CITY LIMITS

KC OR BUST

ONLY A SHORT FOUR-HOUR DRIVE AWAY, KANSAS CITY DRAWS TRAVELERS WITH SUMMERTIME FUN.

City Market

BY ANNE BROCKMAN More than 30 merchants and restaurateurs welcome guests to City Market, a center for commerce since 1857.

Located at 20 E. Fifth St., City Market is open daily and hosts a robust weekend farmers’ market. Looking for a KC souvenir? Check out HyperKC, apparel designed by local artists. Since 1996, City Market Coffee House has been roasting fresh beans from around the world. Be sure to taste some of the global flavors from Taste of Brazil, Ethiopian cuisine at Blue Nile Cafe and authentic Vietnamese dishes at Hien Vuong. thecitymarketkc.org

The Crossroads Arts District is home to more than 400 local artists and 100 independent studios — and claims to be one of the most concentrated gallery districts in the nation. Monthly First Friday events are the perfect time to see debut exhibits and gallery receptions. Located just south of the Downtown Loop, the area’s known for an outstanding food scene, with favorites like Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop and Mexican food at Manny’s of Kansas City. Several local breweries also set up shop here. kccrossroads.org Known as the City of Fountains, Kansas City’s history with the waterworks date back to the late 1800s. Today, 200plus fountains can be found throughout the city. From the recognizable J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain near Country Club Plaza to the whimsical Children’s Fountain south of Waterworks Park and the smaller ones that dot the city’s parks and neighborhoods, explore the city to find your favorite. A 32-stop fountain tour brochure is available at kcfountains.com. TP 96

TulsaPeople JULY 2021

Art Course at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Crossroads Arts District

J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain NELSON-ATKINS: COURTESY NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART/ DANA ANDERSON; COURTESY VISITKC

Up for one of the most artistic rounds of mini golf? Art Course at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is a ninehole, artist-designed mini golf experience inspired by the museum at 4525 Oak St. Open regular museum hours through Sept. 6 (weekends only Sept. 7-Oct. 24), the Art Course suggests a reservation to play. Art Course tickets include admission to the museum, where Monet Water Lilies: From Dawn to Dusk, an immersive sound and light installation focused on the museum’s piece from the famed artist and series, is on display through Jan. 23. nelson-atkins.org

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MUSINGS

EXPERIENCING EMPATHY

BY CONNIE CRONLEY

F

or more than a decade I worked with a soup kitchen. It changed my life. I went from working at a ballet company where I wore little black dresses to hugging people who slept under bridges.

We fed hundreds of people every day of the year. About half of them were homeless. In the more sensitive terminology of the day, an unsheltered population is called “people experiencing homelessness.”

A minister who lived on the street for a couple of weeks to better understand the homeless community said the most painful part was becoming invisible. When people saw him, they looked away or crossed the street.

That inspired me to get a little Canon camera and photograph people at the soup kitchen. Th is was before everyone had a smart phone to take their own photos. With their permission, I posted the photos in the dining room and printed them in our printed materials. They loved it. Sometimes for holidays I brought hats and props and they hammed it up for the camera.

The photographs were a way of saying to them and to the world, “I see you.”

Recent news is fi lled with accounts of a growing homeless population and homeless encampments. I see individual make-shift shelters tucked away in my sleepy midtown neighborhood.

Enumerating the homeless population is important. When I gave talks about the soup kitchen to religious groups, sometimes I said,

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“Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep’; he didn’t say, ‘Count them.’” We fed them, but we counted them, too, because service agencies require documentation to solicit and justify funding.

I tried to personalize the numbers by telling the story of some of the people I photographed.

They approved the written story before it was published.

They told me about the dreams of their childhood: “I wanted to go to college and study psychology.” Young adults told me of unhappy foster homes. Gay teens told of being kicked out of their family home because of their sexuality. One young man said he was hospitalized repeatedly as a child: “My dad was a bad drunk.” Another told me of his abusive stepfather: “I woke up with him holding a knife to my throat.” Children told me about their favorite fruits: “Apples and bananas and grapes and pizza.”

Mothers told me of fleeing spousal abuse.

Pregnant women were stricken by sudden widowhood. They told me about bad life choices, criminal records, poor health and physical limitations, mental illness diagnoses, generational poverty and alcoholism. A college-educated old man living on the street said he had planned on being an alcohol counselor, but “I became a drunk myself instead.”

A grandmother walked 3 miles to and from the soup kitchen. It was a slow walk because she brought her two grandchildren, ages 3 and 2.

Her husband’s death and her chronic disease had

landed her in poverty and substandard housing.

She cried when she talked to me, not because of her situation, but because she worried about the fate of the children if she died.

They confided their wishes: get a GED, regain custody of their children, join the military. They spoke without self-pity or acrimony; this is what happened. A few told me whoppers, just like other people I know.

Some of us, not friends exactly, had a friendly relationship. Occasionally, they gave me little gifts. A Native American woman gave me a pair of earrings she had beaded; a man living under a bridge gave me a new yellow pencil he found on the street: “Never even been sharpened!” They gave me fashion advice: “Mama, those shoes you have on don’t go with that outfit.” And “Girl, those purple shoes are rockin.’” People who walk everywhere notice shoes.

Extraordinary accomplishments of young people who lived in homeless shelters are reported in the press with astonishment: Najee Harris, fi rst-round NFL draft pick; Chelsea Fearce, Yale medical student; Tanitoluwa Adewumi, child chess champion. As if they are not mortals who overcame incredible hardships, but mutants of some kind.

What I learned from the soup kitchen is that if we look beyond the numbers to see the people experiencing homelessness, we can learn something even more astonishing. We can learn to experience empathy. TP

HEALTH

BEAUTY & WEIGHT MANAGEMENT Dr. Mark Boomer

With the kids at home for summer, how can I maximize my beauty time with the biggest bang for my buck?

The BA Med Spa is the place to capitalize on value and time while getting ready for summer. We will offer our “Annual 12 Days of Christmas in July” sale, where you will find a wide selection of savings from injectables to laser services, Coolsculpting and Emsculpt. All of your favorite products and services are heavily discounted ALL July long! We understand your time is just as valuable as the savings you are craving during the summer months. Call today to rejuvenate your skin on your schedule and still pamper yourself the way you deserve. Call The BA Med Spa at 918-872-9999 to find out what Santa is leaving in your summer stockings.

Malissa Spacek and Dr. James Campbell BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center 510 N. Elm Place • Broken Arrow, OK 74012 918-872-9999 • www.baweightspa.com

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT My brother recently died without a will. He was not married and had no children. When our family met to discuss, there was a great deal of confusion. What is the process?

Breathing boom

BY ROBERT EVATT

MICHELLE POLLARD

F

or 25 years, pulmonologist Dr. Mark Boomer has helped patients with critical respiratory problems breathe easier. Though he enjoyed the work, he had a nagging feeling immediate respiratory care could be improved, as a trip to the emergency room was often the only option.

“I was bothered immensely, since it didn’t seem like the best way to take care of patients,” Boomer says. “There has to be a better way.”

That’s why he established RespirCare, one of the first outpatient clinics in the nation that specializes in treating acute breathing issues such as COPD, emphysema and bronchitis, as well as rapid treatment of less serious but long-term lung illnesses, including allergies and sleep apnea.

Boomer’s goal is to give patients the treatment they need quickly and to treat issues before they become serious enough to require hospitalization. RespirCare, located at 2832 E. 101st St., provides a wide array of pulmonary equipment, including high-flow oxygen machines, respirators, imaging equipment, an on-site lab, and even a crash cart — a rolling set of emergency equipment and medicine that can save a patient’s life if they go into cardiac arrest.

“When I founded RespirCare, I said, ‘Let’s do it right, let’s build a better mousetrap,’” he says.

Boomer founded the clinic in late 2019. He says word of mouth was just beginning to spread when the world was rocked by a new and potentially deadly respiratory threat: COVID-19.

RespirCare shut down for a time as the pandemic began, as patients avoided public areas that could spread the virus. But it started seeing patients again this past summer.

Now, in addition to offering rapid COVID-19 testing, Boomer treats patients who recovered from the worst of COVID-19 but still suffer from significant breathing issues due to the virus.

He says some of his patients endure lingering symptoms for months after infections, and that it’s impossible to predict who will deal with breathing problems for the long haul.

However, Boomer says he’s learning post-COVID issues aren’t permanent.

“Almost every patient will eventually recover fully,” he says about the patients he’s treated. “To this point, we haven’t seen people with long-term residual damage to lungs.” TP

When a person dies without a will or trust to direct the transition of assets, this is called dying “intestate”. Every state has provisions to settle an estate without direction. You should contact an attorney knowledgeable in estate tax laws in the state of domicile. Further complications can occur depending on the beneficiary designations of retirement plans and insurance policies. A probate process will occur through the courts, which could be in multiple states, to determine final distributions. Hopefully, living family members will pursue preparing estate documents to avoid repeating this occurrence. Depending on a state to determine the transition of an estate is usually a bad plan.

J. Harvie Roe, CFP, President AmeriTrust Investment Advisors, Inc. 4506 S. Harvard Ave. • Tulsa, OK 74135 918-610-8080 • hroe@amerad.com

SENIOR LIVING What is the most common objection to moving that you hear?

What will I do with all of my stuff? Most people love “their things.” Their things hold memories and exemplify hard work. At Trinity Woods formerly Oklahoma Methodist Manor we have found that most people can bring the things they love, then realize that they don’t miss what’s no longer under foot. Move managers can be a big help in helping you decide what you can’t live without. Let them help you plan and organize. It reduces the stress of the transition significantly.

Cari Owens, VP Marketing and Sales Trinity Woods formerly Oklahoma Methodist Manor 4134 E. 31st Street • Tulsa, OK 74135 918-574-2590 • TrinityWoodsTulsa.com TulsaPeople.com

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Dave Bryant Agency, Inc.

918.627.0191

Play Day Mah Jongg

BENEFIT

Experience the fun of playing Mah Jongg, the 19th century game developed in China and popular in the United States since the 1920s.

Our event—a benefit for the Alzheimer’s Association of Oklahoma—will include lunch, a silent auction, favors and prizes.

Suggested donation: $40.00. Come and have fun...for a great cause!

Questions? Email jenelle.schatz@gmail.com.

Thursday, August 19th, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Oaks Country Club 100

TulsaPeople JULY 2021

PROPERT Y GROUP

918-231-5637

thayes@mcgrawok.com

McGraw Realtors

LUXURY

TIM HAYES

SHERRI SANDERS

918-724-5008

ssanders@mcgrawok.com

A T M C G R AW R E A L T O R S

Call any of the Luxury Property Group Realtors about one of these homes, or any property that you have an interest in.

We will provide you with superior personal service with the highest integrity.

GORDON SHELTON

DIANA PATTERSON

918-697-2742

918-629-3717

gshelton@mcgrawok.com

dpatterson@mcgrawok.com

BROKEN ARROW

GRAND LAKE

5412 E Princeton St. Impeccably maintained private gated Estate on 26+ acres. Attention to every detail.

Beautiful grounds with pond & fountain. All bedrooms with private baths. 2 masters down. Pool & spa.

8 car attached heat/cool garage.

9 bay heated/cooled outbuilding with 5 stalls. 2nd building with greenhouse. 6 Paddocks. Offered at $2,499,900.

502 Bluebonnet Ave. This picturesque 17 acre property on South Grand Lake is within anhour’s drive from Tulsa. It offers1,652 feet of shoreline, a deep water cove, many mature trees and a protected 3-slip dock with maintenance-free decking. The primary residence has 3,113 s.f. of open living space, a large kitchen featuring granite, hardwoods and tumbled marble back splashes, 3 BR, 3.5 BA, vaulted great room with stunning fireplace, expansive covered & open deck space and an oversized, attached 2-car garage. Also included is a 2,377 s.f. 3 BR, 3 BA guest house with charming knotty pine paneling, open floor plan, fireplace, and outdoor living space. Both homes come completely furnished. The comfortable caretaker’s home has 785 s.f., 1 BR, 1 BA. Alternately, this luxury compound could accommodate 2-3 families. $2,450,000

WOODRIDGE FARM 17785 E 480 Rd. Woodridge Farm sits on 110.89 acres (m/l) close to highway access and close to Will Rogers downs. This was a working horse farm with 70-80 horses at one time. The main home was custom built, architect Ted Larkin & has 3 beds, 2.5 baths & 4 car garage.

There are 4 additional homes on the property. Multiple barns - 36 total stalls. 6 ponds. Separate office.

Workshop. $2,000,000

HISTORIC FRANKLIN CASTLE & CHAPEL 415 N College Avenue, Tahlequah. The Franklin Castle is an architectural jewel that was constructed during the Great Depression & totally restored in 2015.

The main house has 3 levels & features 5 beds, 3.5 baths. Living room, Dining room, kitchen, study & powder bath on first floor. There are many terraces, balconies, beautiful gardens, stone walkways, a waterfall & other water features. $799,900

BROOKSIDE COTTAGE 3132 S Owasso Ave. Located in the Brookside neighborhood & close to restaurants, the Gathering Place, Downtown, and Utica Square!

Vaulted ceiling family room that is open to the kitchen. A newer master bedroom, bathroom, walkin closet, and laundry room. 2 more bedrooms and another bathroom are on the east side. A deck with a 16’ swim spa w/ hot tub & a Finnish style sauna. $519,000

WOODY CREST 2827 E 39th Street. Fully Remodeled ranch style home in midtown. Top of the line updates throughout. Designer draperies, hardware, lighting, Gucci wallpaper, etc. Quartzite kitchen counter tops. Custom doors, new wood flooring. Walk-in pantry has an addition double oven. New back patio over looks backyard. $925,000

HIGHWAY 169 FRONTAGE 6606 N 113th East Ave. Approximately 6.34 acres on Highway 169 North between 66th St & 76th St North on the West side of Highway. 186 ft m/l Frontage on 169. Property currently has Home, Industrial Buildings & Mobiles. Paved asphalt lot. Two access entries. Currently zoned IM Industrial. $975,000.

E N J OY T H E LU X U RY L I F E ST Y L E YOU D E SI R E TulsaPeople.com

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McGraw Realtors

allison Mobile: 918.850.2207 jacobs 4105 S. Rockford Ave. Tulsa, OK 74105

Top 100 Realtors in Tulsa 19433 CLEAR BROOK RD $3,500,000 This incredible home, built by Tom Watts with American Heartland Homes, has so many custom features. Every bedroom has an en suite bath. Master Suite features a private balcony, exercise room, & storm shelter. Reclaimed antique barn beams from a New England barn stretch across the ceilings.

Spacious theatre room!

7 car garage features additional storage + wash bay, perfect for a car collector! Large pool, tanning ledge, & hot tub provide a perfect backyard setting for relaxing or entertaining. MUST SEE!

2446 S CINCINNATI AVE | $860,000

Many updates! New paint, marble countertops, & renovated into open concept living. New master suite w/ marble, double shower, & infrared sauna.

4 bedrooms up, all en suite. Custom bunk room.

Murphy Bed in study. 300+ more sqft outdoor, covered living on 2 large balconies & backyard entertaining. Newly fenced backyard opens to walking path. 5min walk to Gathering Place!

Incredible storage. Safe room in spacious garage!

2230 E 48TH ST | $450,000 Fabulous ranch style home with all the charm. 3 beds, 2 full baths & 1 half bath, 2 car oversized garage. Nicely landscaped half acre lot in the heart of Midtown. Newer roof + gutters, HW tank, HVAC, paint! Gorgeous kitchen & remodeled bathrooms. 2 large sheds & huge deck. Perfect for relaxing & entertaining!

1212 S GARY PL | $125,000

Value in the lot! House has been torn down & lot is ready for your new build. Signature Properties can custom build!

6902 E 115th Pl | Tulsa,OK

Extensively remodeled and updated with impeccable taste in the gated Devonshire.

Impressive Entry with sweeping staircase and Family Room with 24-ft ceilings. Formal Living Room extends to Office or Music Room. Gorgeous Kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances. Freestanding, 2-sided fireplace warms the Family Room and the Hearth Room/Casual Dining Area. Game Room has remodeled bar with ice maker beverage fridge. Master Wing includes large private Living Area, Master Bedroom with fireplace and spacious balcony overlooking pool. Luxurious Master Bath opens to spectacular custom-designed closet.

Outdoor Living Area with enclosed TV, cooking patio, sports court and infinity pool spilling over to plunge pool. No amenity has been left out!

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McGraw Realtors

Scott Coffman

918-640-1073 - scoffman@mcgrawok.com LD

SO

4109 E 63rd Place | Tulsa, OK 74136 | $370,000

232 Waterford Street | Catoosa, OK 74015 | $465,000

Family home on cul-de-sac street with tons of amenities/upgrades: new driveway & walkway, newer hardwoods upstairs in hall & master, some newer carpet, newer roof & hot water tank, new windows, new paint inside and out updated master bath. Balcony off master, large family room with fireplace & bookshelves, plantation shutters, extra office and a sunroom! Very large backyard perfect for a pool.

Stunning custom built Walterbach home perfect for entertaining with amazing views off back patio of treed park like yard. Custom trim and woodwork throughout. 2 Fireplaces. Newer paint in and out, newer appliances, enormous master closet on first floor, new A-Best roof 2015.

RODGER ERKER

rerker@mcgrawok.com 918.740.4663 ESPLANADE CONDOMINIUMS

South Tulsa’s prestigious gated neighborhood, Esplanade, offers a luxurious garden-style condominium home. Each home is one level and features a New Orleans-style private courtyard with pergolas and multiple outdoor living and dining areas. Spacious and inviting, with a beautiful and open kitchen, dining, and living space, plus so much more. These homes include large master bedrooms, guest bedroom with private bath. This neighborhood offers gracious living and many social gatherings.

GIVE ME A CALL IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN LIVING IN ESPLANADE, TULSA’S BEST KEPT SECRET! TulsaPeople.com

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McGraw Realtors

LauraBryant 918.808.4780

918.693.2961

mkeys@mcgrawok.com D

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IN G IN AY D D N E PE ON

2740 S Utica Ave. |Beautiful newer construction with amazing views of Philbrook out your back window! 4 bed, 5 bath with office, gameroom, pool and spa! Master and guest room down.

Amazing kitchen with separate prep area and pantry. All the bells and whistles you’d expect! $1,995,000

1038 E 34th St | Newer construction in heart of Brookside. 4 bed, 4 bath; Mstr & guest on 1st floor; Mstr bath has heated floors. Amazing kitch w/ Quartz counters, Jay Rambo cabinets, & built-in bar w/ wine/ bev fridge. Great screened in porch w/ FP & vaulted ceilings combines easily w/ family rm for lg gatherings. $765,000 3139 E 31st St | Perfect setting for this 2 bed, 2 bath beauty in the heart of midtown. Imagine having coffee on your patio as you watch the ducks from your lake front back yard. Open floor plan and large back patio makes it perfect for entertaining. New landscaping and front sidewalk. 2 car garage plus additional parking on side of house. $479,000

918.260.9455

mhackler@mcgrawok.com mcgrawrealtors.com

1915 S DELAWARE PLACE | $365,000 New Listing in Florence Park area. Updated throughout including the ultimate basement with bedroom, bathroom, wet bar and wine refrigerator, with plenty of room left for storage. Fenced backyard with flower beds and patio.

Detached garage. Call Marsha Hackler.

TulsaPeople JULY 2021

10709 S Gum St. | Custom Estate by Mike Harrison. 5 BRs all en suite w/2 BRs on 1st floor & 5.5 BA’s. Study/Game/Theater rooms.

Master w/ huge bath, dbl closets & bonus space. Back yard w/ pool, putting green, outdoor kitchen & fireplace. $1,550,000 5908 E 108th St S. | Gated Custom built 1 owner home in Jenks SE.: 5 BR’s, 5.5 BA’s, 4 car, 1st floor media room w/bar, up/down laundry, upstairs living room, gourmet kitchen. 2nd floor patio includes bar overlooking heated saltwater pool & spa. $1,299,000

3329 S Utica | 2 living, 3 bed, 3 bath in the heart of midtown. Newer construction with amazing amenities including heated floors.

Large master suite with fireplace and covered outdoor living! Close to Brookside. $625,000

MARSHA HACKLER

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lbryant@mcgrawok.com

6766 S Columbia Ave | Near Southern Hills on landscaped 0.83 acre lot w/ private yard. Chefs kitchen, formal & informal dining.

Large primary bedroom w/ closets. In-law plan. 2 beds & 2 full baths up. Pool with covered spaces for outdoor living. $1,100,000 4723 S Gary Ave | Renovated 3 bed, 2.5 bath Ranch. Spacious, fenced private back yard. 0.48 acre lot. Primary bedroom suite w/ two closets. Fully updated kitchen. Hardwood floors. Shop with electric. Roof 2017. Oversized 2 car garage. $399,999 G

1100 E Vancouver St | 4 bed, 3 full bath, 2 half bath, 3 car garage home. Renovated kitchen. Outdoor patio. Flexible room on rear of home use for office, game room. Open concept living space.

Roof 2018. New windows 2020 and gutters. $299,999

NG

4221 S Cincinnati Ave | Brookside Ranch home with 2 bedrooms & 2 full baths. Hardwood floors. Master suite with large closet & spacious bath. Updated kitchen and baths. Blocks from River Park trail system, Gathering Place and Brookside. $230,000

IN

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STEPHANIE MINGUEZ

918.671.7193

sminguez@mcgrawok.com mcgrawrealtors.com

7103 S Columbia Place, Tulsa OK 74136 Meticulously maintained entertainer’s dream tucked away in Rockwood Pond.

Home has an additional 2100 square foot basement perfect for entertaining & guests. Oversized chef’s kitchen perfect for hosting. Ample storage located throughout. Storage room upstairs could also be a game room. Craft room perfect for all your creative needs. Office /gorgeous paneling. Mudroom could be second office. Beautiful oversized lot with mature trees & large deck make the secluded backyard into a private retreat. $698,500

MICHELLE POLLARD

W Party PLEASERS

hen Luciane Teles came to America from Brazil 12 years ago, she fell in love with cupcakes. The single-serving cake was new to her, and she spent years perfecting recipes and adapting tastes to create a signature line of desserts for her business Cupcakes by Lu. Her bestselling flavor is caramel, a white cake filled with a dulce de leche filling, topped with Teles’ signature buttercream icing, a caramel drizzle, a pinch of sea salt and a caramel candy. Other standards include vanilla, red velvet and Chocolate Bomb, as well as seasonal favorites like sweet corn cake and piña colada. TP

SEE P. 108 FOR MORE ON CUPCAKES BY LU. TulsaPeople.com

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DINING OUT

Grilled trout with pinto beans and crisp potatoes, drizzled with chimichurri

Paying homage CHEF KEVIN NASHAN’S NEW RESTAURANT INSPIRED

BY HIS FAMILY’S LONGTIME SANTA FE STAPLE.

BY NATALIE MIKLES

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MICHELLE POLLARD

K

evin Nashan has a knack for creating buzz.

He did it when he opened Peacemaker Lobster and Crab Co. in 2018. Lines out the door and Instagram photos of Tulsans eating beautiful food made Peacemaker the “it” restaurant that year.

And he’s done it again — this time with La Tertulia. Since opening this spring, Nashan’s latest restaurant has become the place everyone is talking about.

The Santa Fe-style New Mexican food is worth the buzz. Nashan never could have imagined the recipes his grandparents and parents fi rst created at their restaurant in Santa Fe in 1972 are the same ones that have people talking nearly 50 years later.

La Tertulia is inspired by his grandparents’ restaurant of the same name that closed in 2000.

The restaurant, in Santa Fe, was open 27 years.

The original La Tertulia was a destination restaurant, known for authentic, made-from-scratch New Mexican food.

Nashan himself worked at La Tertulia when he was a teenager, but didn’t have the appreciation for it then as he does now. And he wasn’t exactly making good food then either.

“More like making messes,” he says. “I never really cooked. I bussed and washed dishes. The irony is that it took me going to culinary school to really appreciate what I had there.”

So even as Nashan gained notoriety as a James Beard award-winning chef for his work in St. Louis, and then gained further success with Peacemaker in St. Louis and Tulsa, La Tertulia was never far from his mind.

La Tertulia's combination plate

Chef Brian Green, bar manager Lauren Clark and owner Kevin Nashan

La Tertulia captures as much of the authenticity of New Mexico as possible, according to Nashan.

When the space next door to Peacemaker came available, Nashan considered what to do, and thought nothing could be better than an homage to his family with a rendition of La Tertulia.

“It’s like a warm hug, a little tiny space,” he says. “I wanted to capture as much of the authenticity as possible.”

But how do you do that when the original La Tertulia was a big space with character that had spanned the decades?

“What you do is you take all the amazing concepts and nuance and tell a story,” Nashan says.

That ends up being a story told through the decor — a style that exudes a Santa Fe warmth with white stucco walls, chimineas and artwork. But even more of the story is told through the dishes, most of which replicate the original restaurant menu.

Stewed meats with chiles are La Tertulia’s stars. The carne adovada, a slow-cooked pork in a red chile sauce, is especially good and comes in the enchiladas, burritos and tamales. Slowcooked chicken and beef also are excellent choices.

The best way to experience La Tertulia for the fi rst time is with the combination plate ($14.50) where you can have a taste of several things:

an enchilada, taco and tamale, carne adovada, posole, rice and pinto beans. A deluxe combination platter ($18.25) also comes with a chile relleno.

The pollo adobo ($13.25) is another dish not to miss. The roasted half chicken is covered in smoky adobo sauce with rice, posole and crema.

Another fabulous dish is the grilled trout ($18). The rainbow trout has a slight smokiness from the wood-fi red grill and is served with pinto beans and crisp potatoes. The potatoes are the perfect conduit for the chimichurri served over the trout. The trout was inspired by Nashan’s days camping in New Mexico, where after a day of fishing, they would grill fish and potatoes. It’s a dish that stands on its own but also holds the essence of the flavors of La Tertulia.

The same can be said for the steak verde ($35), a New York strip steak with grilled onions, mushrooms and green chile. The ribeye and rellenos ($48) also provides a taste of La Tertulia’s classic flavors with the green chile rellenos along with a smoky, juicy wood-fi red grilled ribeye.

Sopapillas (75 cents each; five for $3) can be ordered with entrees, as these big, airy pillows aren’t sweet. Much like a tortilla, the sopapillas are great for soaking up sauces or eating the last bites of your pork adovada. They also can be

ordered for dessert and come with honey.

La Tertulia’s appetizers pair well with the house sangria or margarita. The guacamole ($7.25) is super fresh with chunks of avocado and a brightness from the cilantro and lime juice. It’s served with thick, house-made tortilla chips. The chorizo flautas ($8) and blue corn tostadas ($8.75) also are favorites.

Nashan says the opportunity to honor his family’s restaurant in Tulsa seemed meant to be.

“You never know what’s going to work,” he says. “But the one thing I kind of knew going into this whole thing was the connection between Tulsa and New Mexico.”

He continues to honor the original La Tertulia. Nashan has tracked down seven longtime employees of the original La Tertulia and has invited them to a party with current staff at the new restaurant. TP

La Tertulia 311 E. SECOND ST. | 539-525-0853 11 a.m.-2 p.m., daily; 4:30-9 p.m., Sunday-Thursday; 4:30-10:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday TulsaPeople.com

107

A LA CARTE

Cake

CONNOISSEUR Luciane Teles grew up in the kitchen by her mother’s side, baking and cooking her favorite Brazilian sweets and savories. When she came to Tulsa in 2009 her passion for baking grew as she continued to learn English in an international school and perfect her own recipes. “We didn’t have cupcakes in Brazil — they were new to me,” Teles says. “I love that each person at your party can have a different flavor.

A flavor for everyone.”

Red velvet won her over and she spent a year learning and perfecting her cream cheese icing. “It’s so light,” she says. “I use much less sugar than a typical recipe.” Her buttercream also uses less sugar and has a soft, meringue-like consistency.

Eight years ago she opened a storefront in Tulsa where she sold her confections and developed seasonal recipes to match her customers’ wishes, as well as introduce them to new flavors. At Thanksgiving she loves to make sweet corn cakes using a corn flour she orders from Brazil. Her storefront is closed but she is looking to re-open a brick-and-mortar in the near future.

She sells cupcakes, cakes, iced cookies, cake pops and more at cupcakesbylu.com and through her social media channels @cupcakesbylu.

“I put all my love in here,” she says of her baking. “I want to give my customers what I would want to receive.”

— ANNE BROCKMAN

Calaca Fresh Mex's Calaca Fries

PILES OF fries IT’S OK IF YOU DON’T SHARE THESE SMOTHERED PLATTERS. When LONE WOLF opened, its kimchi fries became an instant classic in the Tulsa food scene. It is fries, jack and cheddar cheese, onion, jalapeño, cabbage and cucumber kimchi, choice of aioli and cilantro ($4.25, small; $7.25, large). Options for additions are numerous, including kung pao pork and cilantro pesto chicken, but ask almost anyone what to add and they’ll tell you the candied bacon is a must (prices vary for additions). 3136 E. 11th St., 918-861-4232; 203 E. Archer St., 918-728-7778; lonewolftulsa.com

RON’S HAMBURGERS AND CHILI is known for both staples, but the jalapeño chicken fries ($9.50) might be the best thing on the menu. Jalapeños are battered and then cooked with the chicken. If that sounds too hot for your taste buds, try the chili cheese or bacon cheese fries. Five Tulsa locations, ronsburgersandchili.com CALACA FRESH MEX features delicious street tacos, massive burritos and a breakfast menu. There also is a mountain of goodness called Calaca Fries ($7.95), which is comprised of chunks of steak or chicken, guacamole, pico de gallo and sour cream atop a pile of crispy fries covered in cheese dip. You’re going to need a fork.

6902 S. Lewis Ave, 918-481-7000, facebook.com/ calacafreshmex THE BROOK RESTAURANT AND BAR lists cheddar fries under starters, but it’s often served as a meal ($11.25; $6.75, half order). Fresh-cut fries are seasoned and double layered with melted cheddar cheese and served with a side of homemade ranch dressing. Add bacon bits, chives and jalapeño for $1.95. Three Tulsa locations, including Brookside, downtown and south Tulsa; brookrestaurant.com — TIM LANDES

Luciane Teles Neff Brewing 321 S. Frankfort Ave. | 918-367-0640 | neffbrewing.com

Chimera

Zoës Kitchen Multiple area locations | zoeskitchen.com

Pure Food and Juice 3524 S. Peoria Ave. | 918-392-8090 | purefoodandjuice.com

Big Baby Rolls and Donuts 3739 E. 11th St. | 918-551-6020 | bigbabyrolls.com

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GLUTEN-FREE MENU Readers turn to these top spots — winners of the TulsaPeople’s annual A-LIST Readers’ Choice Awards — when looking for alternative menu options.

MICHELLE POLLARD

212 N. Main St. | 918-779-4303 | chimeratulsa.com

Inspiration found here A BE AUTIFUL NE W MIDTOWN BUILD

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Tess Maune News On 6 anchor/ outdoorswoman

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12/18/19 3:22 PM

W H AT’S COOK ING?

WATERMELON MOJITO GR ANITA Makes 6 servings

5 cups peeled and seeded watermelon chunks ¼ cup sugar 3 tablespoons lime juice ⅓ to ½ cup white rum Fresh mint

In a food processor or blender, place the watermelon chunks. Add sugar, lime juice and rum, pulsing until mixed and sugar is dissolved, about 30 seconds.

Pour mixture into a large, shallow dish or bowl. Freeze 30 minutes.

Remove bowl from the freezer, and use a fork to scrape any ice crystals from the sides of the bowl. Stir to incorporate the crystals. Return to the freezer. Repeat this process every 30 minutes to 1 hour or until the consistency is snowy when scraped with a fork, about 4 hours. Serve in cocktail glasses or dessert cups with a sprig of fresh mint.

This take on a Caprese salad replaces tomato with watermelon. It can be stacked or tossed together.

WATERMELON CAPRESE SALAD Serves 4

Summer’s bounty USHER IN WATERMELON SEASON WITH THESE TIPS AND RECIPES. STORIES BY NATALIE MIKLES

W

atermelon is one of those things you want to eat as much of as you can while it’s in season. Local watermelons are great in July and August, so now’s the time to best appreciate them.

Using watermelon in dishes other than sweet might seem strange if you’ve never tried it, but the texture and thickness of watermelon can replace tomato in many dishes. Caprese salad is one. You can keep the other components traditional, with basil and mozzarella. Or you can replace those with feta and mint. Creating this salad as a stack makes a chic presentation.

Watermelon is great in salsa, and its sweetness can be easily balanced with jalapeño, onion and lime juice. Th is salsa is pretty for a party with a rainbow of vegetables, chips and crackers.

For something new, try a watermelon pizza.

Cut a watermelon into 1-inch-thick wedges and grill for about 5 minutes per side on hot, direct heat. Let cool, then top each wedge with arugula, feta, Greek olives, olive oil and a balsamic glaze.

Th is is a different way to eat salad this summer.

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TulsaPeople JULY 2021

TIPS TO PICK

1 small watermelon, sliced into rounds 1 mozzarella ball, sliced into rounds ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped 2 cups arugula Salt and pepper Extra-virgin olive oil Balsamic vinegar 4 tablespoons pumpkin seeds

Slice watermelon and mozzarella about the same size. On a serving plate, layer watermelon, mozzarella and basil on top of arugula. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds.

Alternately, you can cube watermelon and mozzarella, and toss all ingredients in a salad bowl.

Thumping the watermelon to see if it’s ripe does work, but it can be tricky if you don’t know what to listen for. Here are some tips for choosing the perfect watermelon:

This fresh, light salsa is perfect for summertime.

Look for a watermelon without bruises or dents.

WATERMELON SALSA

Turn the watermelon over to inspect the underside.

A watermelon with a creamy yellow spot means it sat on the ground and ripened in the sun, which is what you want.

Lift the watermelon.

It should feel heavy for its size.

If you want to thump your watermelon, listen for a dull, hollow sound. An unripe watermelon will sound almost clear.

Makes 3 cups

1 ½ cups seedless watermelon, chopped ¾ cup chopped cucumber ½ cup finely chopped yellow onion ¼ cup chopped cilantro 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped 2 tablespoons lime juice ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

In a bowl, combine all ingredients. Lightly toss together and let sit 1 hour to combine flavors.

Serve with tortilla chips.

RECIPE, GIGI'S, CHEERS: MICHELLE POLLARD; ALBERT: ANNE BROCKMAN

Watermelon caprese salad

Nico Albert

Tips f rom THE PROS

When the KitchenAid Senior PGA came to Southern Hills Country Club May 25-30, it was more than just golf pros showing off their skills.

The KitchenAid Fairway Club hosted three days of panels and demonstrations focused on Tulsa's culinary scene. Chefs like Glory Wells and Tyreiha Walker of Wanda J’s Next Generation and Nico Albert of Burning Cedar Indigenous Foods shared recipes close to their hearts.

On a perfect Friday afternoon, Albert showed how to make bean bread, a Cherokee staple, from an ancient recipe using corn and beans to create a patty wrapped in a corn husk, similar to a tamale. She demonstrated how to remove the corn kernel husk using a traditional method of boiling water with charcoal ash to naturally separate the husk. Albert said, “It’s important to know how these processes happen, and not just open a can.”

She weaved in modern techniques and used the signature KitchenAid mixer’s meat grinding attachment to make a dough. Albert suggested the recipe be served alongside a healthy stew. Watch the demonstration, and others, at srpgachampionship.com. — ANNE BROCKMAN

CHEERS

Happy Gigi

Gaga for Gigi’s Gigi Tan is more than the owner of the eponymous Gigi’s Chinese Cuisine.

It’s not just her name across the restaurant and sushi bar at 7105 S. Yale Ave. It’s her recipes, her aesthetic and her talent that keeps Gigi’s going.

Some longtime customers might not have met Gigi herself, and that’s because she’s often in the kitchen, making flat noodles with shrimp, steamed chicken dumplings, barbecued eel or any number of other specialties.

Gigi’s offers both the expected Chinese takeout offerings like fried rice, cashew chicken, and sweet and sour shrimp, along with spicy seaweed salad, mung bean jelly and cucumber with sweet chile sauce.

One of Gigi’s signature dishes is the Happy Gigi ($12.95), an appropriate name for this mix of sliced beef, chicken and shrimp in a house special brown sauce with broccoli, napa cabbage, bell peppers, carrots and bamboo shoots.

Many customers order take-out from the small restaurant, but there’s room for dining in at the tables or the bar, where customers can watch the sushi chef make custom sushi rolls.

Gigi’s is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Call 918-992-5822.

Sold on seltzer

A trip to your local bar, liquor store or grocery store will show you that hard seltzer is here to stay. Nielsen reports that between the spring and fall of 2019, the amount of Americans drinking hard seltzer at bars and restaurants grew 73%. Shelves and taps sport flavor pairings and bubbly sensations from big name brands as well as local breweries.

In Tulsa, American Solera and Welltown Brewing have tapped into the seltzer craze with their own creations.

At Welltown, 114 W. Archer St., hard seltzer is dubbed Well Water with varieties like the Mojito Hard Seltzer, Raspberry Hard Seltzer and Cherry Limeade Hard Seltzer. The 12-ounce cans have 5% alcohol content with 2 grams of carbs and 2 grams of sugar for 99 calories. Well Water can be purchased at the downtown brewery, as well as at several local liquor stores.

A rotating selection of on-tap seltzers can be found at American Solera, 1702 E. Sixth St. Purple Jammer, a grape sno cone seltzer; AmSo Cola, a hard seltzer with cola; and Quench: Fruit Punch, a sports drink seltzer; were all on tap in early June. Sometimes a seltzer makes it way to a can, which can be purchased at the brewery. All are 5% alcohol.

Who hasn’t doctored their favorite Sonic slush with a libation? In that vein, the Oklahoma City-based drive-in chain partnered with Oklahoma’s COOP Ale Works to develop a hard seltzer line inspired by Sonic’s most popular slushes. Now on shelves at local stores, variety packs include citrus and tropical themes with 12-ounce cans sporting 5% alcohol in 100 calories with 1 gram each of sugar and carbs. — ANNE BROCKMAN

TulsaPeople.com

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TULSA TIME WARP

FUELED FOR THE AGES STORY AND COMPOSITE IMAGE BY PATRICK MCNICHOLAS

B

uilt in 1924 by Robert Chastain of Chastain Oil Co., the Blue Dome service station was modeled after the Hagia Sophia museum in Turkey. It was considered one of the most beautiful stations in the entire southwest upon opening in January 1925.

The station, 202 S. Elgin Ave., could serve 12 cars at a time and was open 24 hours with an attendant who lived onsite inside the dome.

By 1926 the unique architecture and color of the station became somewhat of a landmark for travelers along the newly completed Route 66. The station remained successful despite a change in ownership and renovation to the building’s east side.

By 1932 however, Route 66 was rerouted, no longer bringing the busy route through the heart of downtown but instead along East 11th Street.

The Blue Dome continued as a service station until fi nally closing its doors in the early 1950s. The structure was converted into the Veterans Bar, a tavern that remained open until 1999. The 17-block Blue Dome Historic District was created in 2003 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. Jo and Chris Armstrong, owners of Arnie’s Bar, own the Blue Dome. TP

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TulsaPeople JULY 2021

BERYL FORD COLLECTION/ROTARY CLUB OF TULSA, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY AND TULSA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM

A 1940s image of the Blue Dome building as the White Star Service Station with Gulf advertisements on the exterior.

The image is looking southwest at East Second Street and South Elgin Avenue.

Nobody Cares for Residents Like

Saint Simeon’s.

“I may be the first smile

you see at Saint Simeon’s.

But I’m definitely not the last.”

– Jezreel Dagum, Security Officer

“I love working the front gate because I see my job as more than keeping the residents safe.

It’s also to welcome their families and make sure they know that their loved ones are surrounded by people who care. Even when I started here as a floor tech, it wasn’t all about cleaning floors —it was about the residents. That’s what those smiles are for. We love our residents.”

See more at: SaintSimeons.org/Join

Join our outstanding team!

Visit: saintsimeons.org/careers

Interested in exploring senior living options with exceptional resident care?

Call Donna at: 918-794-1902

Saint Simeon’s is a mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma

Learn more about the resilience of Greenwood before and after the Massacre at Greenwood Rising.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

JULY 14

Greenwood Rising admission will be free for the first year, but registration will be required so that we can ensure the safety of all guests. Timed entry tickets are required for the museum. To make sure you’re able to experience both the museum and memorial on your preferred days, we suggest reserving tickets online in advance of your visit.

GREENWOODRISING.ORG/VISIT

Download the Greenwood XR app and take an extended reality walking tour through Greenwood.