TulsaPeople November 2023

THE PETS ISSUE PET URGENT CARE | TRIBAL TOURISM | HOLIDAY EVENTS GUIDE November 2023

MAKING PEACE

HOW 2 MARINES REMEMBER THEIR FALLEN BROTHERS

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SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT For more information or to determine eligibility, visit our website or call the Saint Francis Lung Cancer Screening Program Coordinator at 918-494-6467.

Based on a National Cancer Institute study.

*

Know Your Risk for Lung Cancer Are you between the ages of 50 and 80, and have a history of smoking?

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NOVEMBER 2023 | VOLUME 38 ISSUE 1

7

CITY DESK New music releases.

Local animal rescue endeavors.

A club of curlers.

Miniature White House dreams.

63 Dr. Chris Johnson with Tucker at Tulsa Animal Urgent Care

LIFESTYLE Vintage finds meet new threads and wares.

Maintaining balance.

A holiday tradition continues.

50 WINTER WONDERLAND

2 local Marines join forces in support of their fallen brothers in arms.

BY TIM LANDES

Get into the spirit of the season with a robust calendar of things to do in Tulsa and nearby.

BY SEVYN BAHNTU

41 AFTER-HOURS HELP

54 5 WEEKENDS TO SHOP

Pet urgent care services ramp up in Tulsa.

BY JULIANNE TRAN

Shop local this holiday shopping season.

BY ANNE BROCKMAN

47 RESERVATION EXPLORATION

SPECIAL SECTIONS

6 tribal destinations to educate, entertain and enlighten.

BY RHYS MARTIN 4 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

55 Holiday Hints 69 Senior Living

Connie Cronley goes cowboy.

79

TABLE TALK The latest from McNellie’s Group.

3 favorite reuben sandwiches.

ON THE COVER: Marines and friends Adam Green and Anthony Marquez, with Green’s dogs Birdie and Brisket.

PHOTO BY MICHELLE POLLARD

Cirque Coffee Roasters expands.

A new local spirit.

MICHELLE POLLARD; CITY DESK: GREG BOLLINGER

37 MAKING PEACE

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. NMLS 7233

FROM THE EDITOR

Volume XXXVIII, Number 1 ©2023. 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.

TulsaPeople Magazine is published monthly by

A

s the pages of the calendar turn to November, it’s hard to not become reflective as this year inches toward the next.

Headlines have been fluctuating between two wars, economic woes, congressional leadership, questions of ethics, education milestones and the like. Heavy topics that seem to be ever present in our daily feed.

One thing I’m certainly grateful for this year is the ability to tell the stories of Tulsans doing good and lifting others up. It’s a perk of this job and I can only hope you turn to TulsaPeople every month for a dose of positivity.

My colleague, Features Editor Tim Landes, provides this in his cover feature on p. 37. Adam Green, a Marine and owner of Mac’s Barbecue in Skiatook, has supported Anthony Marquez, a Marine whose experiences in Afghanistan and back home left him wanting to honor fallen brothers in arms and their families. Marquez was inspired to take up chainsaw art, creating battlefield crosses for families of fallen comrades. It turned into a passion that led to a documentary film about his journey delivering these 17 sculptures across the country.

It’s an inspiring and important story.

I’m grateful to Oklahomans like Green and Marquez for their service to our country.

Nov. 11 is Veterans Day, an opportunity to thank all service members — both past and present — for their sacrifice at home and abroad. I say a prayer for you all.

I’m also grateful to organizations like Quilts of Valor, Megan’s Mission and Coffee Bunker, where service is appreciated and help is provided to those seeking it. Read about each of these in this issue.

6 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

War is currently ongoing in the homeland of Shahaf Feinkuchen, who arrived in Tulsa in August as an Israeli emissary. Arts and Entertainment Editor Blayklee Freed had already written a story about the start to his tenure when war broke out. She was able to pivot and provide a unique, local perspective to this international topic. Read it on p. 14.

This month we will gather around the table for Thanksgiving and prepare for the upcoming holidays. There’s plenty going on in Tulsa and the surrounding region to get into the spirit — just see our roundup of holiday events starting on p. 50.

I had the distinct pleasure of talking with local shop owners Kari Babcock of Garden Deva and Morgan Gillispie of Modern Cottage for a story on p. 54. Fourth quarter is critical for shops like theirs to meet sales goals. They are just two of the thousands of local businesses vying for our dollars this busy and expensive holiday shopping season. I encourage you to shop local before purchasing something online for friends and family. To help you in this endeavor, browse through our Holiday Hints advertising section starting on p. 55. Talk about gifts galore!

There’s another thing I’m grateful for: You. Thank you for reading TulsaPeople and loving Tulsa.

We couldn’t do this without you. TP

1603 South Boulder Avenue Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119-4407 P: 918-585-9924 F: 918-585-9926 PUBLISHER Jim Langdon PRESIDENT Juley Roffers VP COMMUNITY RELATIONS Susie Miller EDITOR Anne Brockman FEATURES EDITOR Tim Landes ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Blayklee Freed EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Tiffany Howard EDITORIAL CONSULTING Missy Kruse, The Write Company CREATIVE DIRECTOR Madeline Crawford ART DIRECTOR Georgia Brooks GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ashley Guerrero MANAGING PHOTOGRAPHER Michelle Pollard VIDEOGRAPHER Greg Bollinger SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Andrea Canada ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Josh Kampf Rita Kirk CONTROLLER Mary McKisick RECEPTIONIST/MARKETING ASSISTANT Madison Walters INTERN Sevyn Bahntu

MEMBER

TulsaPeople’s distribution is audited annually by

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.

Anne Brockman EDITOR

S AY N O T O H A T E

Eric Vardeman, founder and president of Tulsa Curling Club, at a recent practice

Stone cold GREG BOLLINGER

I

nspired by the sport that in Oklahoma only seems to be on TV every four years during the Winter Olympics, Tulsa Curling Club has operated out of Oilers Ice Arena at 6413 S. Mingo Road since 2012. It will soon move to the new ice rink facilities at the WeStreet Ice Center on Yale Avenue and 41st Street.

The current curling season, which began on Sept. 27 and ends mid-December, will be the last one at the old rink.

Instructional leagues occur every few months as well, providing novices with the opportunity to learn about the sport and get some repetitions practicing it in a relaxed environment before jumping into a competitive season. TP

SEE P. 26 FOR MORE ON TULSA CURLING CLUB. TulsaPeople.com 7

NOTEBOOK C O MP I LE D BY ANNE B R OC K M AN

Coffee Bunker Executive Director Michael Horton

City councilors and representatives from the Mayor’s Office of Resilience and Equity announce with Mayor G.T. Bynum the formation of an Asian American Affairs Commission

Asian American Affairs Commission established

Hidden talent Tulsa Day Center is busy working on its newest fundraising extravaganza, The Big Show Off. Online auditions from singers, musicians, comics and other talented individuals eager to step into the spotlight are being accepted through Nov. 10 at thebigshowoff.org/submissions.

After the closed, semi-final competition this month, finalists will be invited to participate in the live production on Feb. 3 at Cox Business Convention Center.

The first-prize winner receives a check for $10,000 with the runner-up receiving $5,000. Celebrity judges include Zac Hanson, Danny Boy O’Connor and Olivia Jordan.

Buy sponsorships and learn more at thebigshowoff.org.

8 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

Brew from the bunker About 25 veterans a day stop into the Coffee Bunker, 6365 E. 41st St., to seek help transitioning from military to civilian life, needing services ranging from medical, employment and education, to counseling, housing or financial.

“The work of the Bunker is a unique expression of care, concern and commitment by the Tulsa community and Tulsa-area communities to ensure that the transition back to civilian life is successful for every veteran,” says Michael Horton, Ed.D., the executive director of the 13-year-old organization. “This commitment includes veterans and their families from active-duty service, National Guard and Reserves. The Bunker is like a battle buddy or wingman. Everybody needs a Bunker.”

To support the cause, Coffee Bunker will host Bunker Bites on Nov. 9 at Tulsa Elks Lodge 946, 5335 S. Harvard Ave., with live music, beverages and a variety of signature bites from local chefs and restaurants. Buy tickets and learn more at coffeebunker.org.

HORTON: GREG BOLLINGER; COMMISSION: COURTESY CITY OF TULSA

In September, Mayor G.T. Bynum and city leaders announced the establishment of an Asian American Affairs Commission, which joins five other Title V Commissions supported by the Mayor’s Office of Resilience and Equity.

“Tulsa’s Asian community has grown more than 50% in the last 10 years, with 26 Asian countries represented at our naturalization ceremonies since we started hosting them in 2019,” Bynum said in a press release.

In fall 2022 a working group was created to help plan and design what the commission would look like.

The group, which consisted of 26 Tulsans with various sector/background experiences, worked for more than six months to make key recommendations on the structure, membership and areas of focus for the commission.

The commission consists of 15 members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Tulsa City Council and will focus on workforce and economic development, research and data collection, community development, education and civic engagement.

Members will represent private and public sectors, education and health, with three members appointed from the three largest Asian populations in Tulsa.

“The creation of the Asian American Affairs Commission will strengthen representation of Asian immigrant and refugee communities in our city,” Nem Lun, the City’s Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Manager, said in a press release. “Having community leaders on committees such as this creates opportunities and encourages participation and engagement in city government.”

The commission is expected to start meeting in January.

COMPILED BY BLAYKLEE FREED

10 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

NOV. 1 URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY CONFERENCE Hear premier horticulturists speak on topics tackling the science of tree health. Tulsa Garden Center, 2435 S. Peoria Ave. | okcfc.org

NOV. 12 SECOND SUNDAY ARTS AND EATS MARKET The fresh foods and goods need not end with summer thanks to this monthly event by Tulsa Farmers’ Market. Whittier Square, 1 S. Lewis Ave. | tulsafarmersmarket.org

NOV. 3 DECIMATION Tulsa Artists’ Coalition members from Green A Studios Christyn Overstake and Robin Baker open a show that runs through Nov. 25. TAC Gallery, 9 E. Reconciliation Way. tacgallery.org

NOV. 12 TIME TRAVELER’S EXPO Step back into yesteryear with over 40 vendors offering vintage clothing, retro-inspired handmade goods and more. Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N. Main St. timetravelersexpo.com

NOV. 4 MOTHER ROAD MARKET BIRTHDAY BASH Tulsa’s one-stop shop for all things local is turning 5 and is ready for a celebration.

Mother Road Market, 1124 S. Lewis Ave. motherroadmarket.com

NOV. 17 BRAUM’S AN AFFAIR OF THE HEART The show returns for the last time this year with artists, creators and small retailers in one place for a shopping spree in time for the holidays.

SageNet Center at Expo Square, 4145 E. 21st St. | aaoth.com

NOV. 4 ROCK-N FOLK-N CHILI COOK-OFF Every year for a decade, Tulsa cooks have delivered recipes fine-tuned to perfection for this event benefiting Horton Records. Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N. Main St. | cainsballroom.com

NOV. 18 SYMPHONY MEETS MARIACHI Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan is accompanied by Tulsa Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Hector Guzman in this collaborative concert. Tulsa Performing Arts Center, 110 E. Second St. | tulsapac.com

NOV. 10 TULSA MUSEUM TOURS IN ASL The latest in this monthly series exploring Tulsa in American Sign Language with a deaf educator pays a visit to a local art museum. Philbrook Museum of Art, 2727 S. Rockford Road | lololook.org

NOV. 21-26 BEETLEJUICE Catch the off-Broadway show based on Tim Burton’s beloved film here in Tulsa for six days only. Tulsa Performing Arts Center, 110 E. Second St. | tulsapac.com

NOV. 11 THE REALLY REALLY FREE MARKET No need for cash, bartering or trades — just bring what you can, and take what you like. Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, 621 E. Fourth St. instagram.com/rrfm_tulsa

NOV. 26 OILERS FAMILY FUN DAY Join the post-game skate with Tulsa Oilers players after they face Wichita Thunder at home. The first 300 fans to enter get a free hockey card pack. BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave. | tulsaoilers.com

NOV. 11 TULSA HARD CIDER AND DOUGHNUT FEST Fall doesn’t feel right without cider, and this event pairs autumn-worthy sweet sips with tasty treats from five restaurants. The Local Bison, 522 S. Boston Ave. tulsaciderdonut.eventbrite.com

THROUGH JAN. 14 BILLIE HOLIDAY AT SUGAR HILL See 50plus images of the American jazz icon that “challenge the tragic narrative that frequently defines her” captured by Jerry Dantzic. Woody Guthrie Center, 102 E. Reconciliation Way. woodyguthriecenter.org

WOODWARD PARK: MICHELLE POLLARD; MOTHER ROAD MARKET, WOODY GUTHRIE CENTER: GREG BOLLINGER; CHILI, TIME TRAVELERS, FARMER’S MARKET: TIM LANDES; AFFAIR OF THE HEART, DECIMATION, SYMPHONY: COURTESY; ASL ILLUSTRATION: ASHLEY GUERRERO; BEETLEJUICE: MATTHEW MURPHY, 2022

NOVEMBER

VISIT TULSAPEOPLE.COM/ABOUTTOWN FOR MORE LOCAL EVENTS AND A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF WEEKLY MUSIC LISTINGS.

paradise never sounded So Good.

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Dwight Yoakam NOV 2 STYX NOV 10 PETER FRAMPTON NOV 18 MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS DEC 9 All performances subject to change.

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.

8 3 3 0 R I V E R S I D E PA R K W AY T U L S A , O K 7413 7 8 8 8 . 74 8 . 3 7 3 1 • R I V E R S P I R I T T U L S A . C O M

CHANGEMAKERS

Seth Hoff Above left, Seth Hoff and Jason Hoff of Stained Glass by Shenandoah place a restored stained-glass window at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.

SHINING THROUGH

A CHERRY STREET CHURCH’S WINDOWS SEE NEW LIFE AFTER NEARLY A CENTURY. STORY AND PHOTOS BY TOM DEKLE

T

he 52 stained-glass windows at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1442 S. Quaker Ave., tell the story of Christ in the universal languages of art and pictures in vibrant color, both inside and out.

“For some, the music is important. For others, it’s the windows, like any artistic expression, and it gives us a story,” says Twila Gibbens, a retired minister and former pastor at St. Paul’s. “Pictures teach us something of our faith, even when we are sitting with the visual representation you just know you are in a holy place. It is a way to remind people of their faith … It makes the room more alive and filled with God’s beauty.”

Installed in 1925, 26 of the 52 windows have been restored as part of a $159,000 12 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

capital project parishioners are eager to see completed.

It was these windows that first brought Terri Miller to St. Paul’s. “I always refer to the windows as ‘the sacred stainedglass windows of St. Paul’s,’” says Miller, who started attending St. Paul’s before the pandemic. “They’re just stunning. I cannot count how many thousands of glass pieces are there.”

The first steps tackling the project included research. Approximately four years ago the Rev. Kathy Brown created a video displaying the problem and formed a committee to address the situation.

Those leading the effort include church trustee Ron Brooks, Michael Smith, Dea-

coness Sandy Wickberg, Miller and Brown.

In addition to the two-year fundraising and pledge campaign, some seed money was provided through insurance to address hail damage sustained in a recent storm.

The mission to find the right company to tackle the stained-glass windows took two years and numerous interviews, Wickberg says. “We had to learn the right questions to ask,” she says. “The whole process was a learning process.”

They interviewed several companies and received five bids for the work, Wickberg says. In the end, Stained Glass by Shenandoah based in Front Royal, Virginia, won the bid and was chosen to tackle the project. The company has broad experience with both restoration and renovation needs, both of which would be needed at St. Paul’s.

The most critical repairs are done in the studio, including complete restoration with new lead, glass replacement and other critical repairs. Renovation usually takes place outside and involves exterior paint renovation, wood rot repairs and exterior framing done on-site.

Donna Dunkerson is another member with a deep appreciation for the windows and the long history that accompanies them.

Dunkerson’s great-grandfather was one of the men who helped dig the foundation for St. Paul’s cornerstone, which is dated 1923.

“Windows add atmosphere and colored glass helps enhance the warmth and is welcoming,” Dunkerson says.

According to church records, St. Paul’s Methodist Episcopal Church, as it was then known, held its first service Dec.14, 1924 and was dedicated on Jan. 4, 1925. The church did not change its name until 1939, when unification of the three branches of Methodism took place in 1939.

Through the years, St. Paul’s has become known as an open, accepting, affirming and welcoming church, according to Brown. “It’s just part of the DNA of this church to be open and valuing,” she says.

St. Paul’s also is known for its food programs, feeding people in the Cherry Street community, at the Tulsa Day Center and in other missions. St. Paul’s has a membership of about 250, with about 100 active and about 80 attendees on a typical Sunday, Brown says. TP Editor’s note: Tom Dekle is a photographer and freelance writer who attends St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.

Hadas Cohen, left, and Shahaf Feinkuchen on the campus of the Jewish Federation of Tulsa. The couple arrived in Tulsa in late September to fulfill Feinkuchen’s role as shaliach, Tulsa’s emissary to Israel.

INTERNATIONAL INFUSIONS NEW ISRAELI EMISSARY BEGINS STATESIDE STAY WITH LOCAL JEWISH FEDERATION PROGRAM.

BY BLAYKLEE FREED

T

hirty-two days after Shahaf Feinkuchen landed in Tulsa to begin his tenure as shaliach, Tulsa’s emissary to Israel, terrorists attacked his home country.

“When we moved to Tulsa, we never imagined such horrific events happening back home in Israel,” says Feinkuchen, 30.

“Sadly military confrontations and terror hit Israel from time to time, but we have never imagined a massive inhumane, barbaric and savage attack.”

Aside from his brief visit in May that was part of the application and interview process, 14 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

neither he nor his wife, Hadas Cohen, had been to the U.S. before; the word “Oklahoma” registered only as a Broadway musical.

They arrived Sept. 5, leaving family and friends — including Feinkuchen’s mom, brother, nieces and 92-year-old grandmother — for a potential three-year term in Tulsa.

While Feinkuchen serves as shaliach, Cohen will teach Hebrew to children at Congregation B’nai Emunah.

“It’s hard being away from home during such times,” he says. “Our families and friends are safe but have to go to the shelters almost every day. My friends got called back

to the army and I hear about horrible deaths every day.”

Before becoming emissary, Feinkuchen worked with Israeli youth, who were taking a gap year between high school graduation and their mandatory service in the Israeli Defense Force, volunteering in their communities. Prior to his work with Israeli youth, Feinkuchen was commander of an infantry unit in the IDF. “I came to bring Israel here and to bring Tulsa, the Jewish community of Tulsa and the Jewish community in the United States back to Israel,” he says. “When I’m done here, I’ll be back home with all the cultural and personal connections and knowledge, but while I’m here, I’m trying to make connections between people and communities.”

That’s the point of the program, explains Sandy Sloan, director of communications for the Jewish Federation of Tulsa, which celebrates its 85th anniversary this year.

For 50 years, the Jewish Federation of Tulsa has partnered with the Jewish Agency for Israel, an international organization, for the Shlichut program that places an shaliach/emissary from Israel in locations around the world, including Tulsa. Shaliach in Hebrew refers to an emissary or person on a mission. More than 10,000 Israelis apply to be shlichim (plural for shaliach) in a process that involves tests and multiple interviews.

“The program brings Americans and Israelis together to learn from each other and discover our commonalities,” Sloan says, and that 50-year mark puts Tulsa’s program as one of the oldest in the world. “This is no easy feat for a small Jewish community the size of Tulsa. To put this into perspective, Austin, Texas, a community 10 times larger than Tulsa with approximately 30,000 Jewish residents, just welcomed their first (emissary) this year.”

Before the attacks, Feinkuchen was in a time of organizing, planning and meeting with local Jewish organizations. Now, there’s a greater sense of urgency. Back home, thousands of Israeli civilians are volunteering and making huge efforts to help wherever help is needed, he says. “Our bodies are in Tulsa, but our hearts are in Israel,” he says. “We focus on telling people in Tulsa and all over the country about what is happening in Israel, fighting fake news and hate, and promoting support and donations to Israel. We wish for better times for the people of Israel, and all people at war no matter where. Pray for them.” TP

GREG BOLLINGER

CULTURE

I’m a teacher at Holland Hall and an alumna.

What makes a Holland Hall

Holland Hall, Tulsa’s PreK-12th

teacher? Someone who is

grade independent Episcopal

passionate, who is a master

academic curriculum, but also more than 30 arts classes,

at their area of study and

state championship athletic

who cares deeply about

teams and faculty members

forming relationships and learning about kids.”

who have time to really know your child. Ask about a private tour and tuition assistance.

— Tyne Shillingford ’03 Upper School Fine Arts Department Chair

hollandhall.org

school, offers a rigorous

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(539) 476-8244

APPLAUSE

Dogs practice ‘place’ during a recent Dog Training Elite Oklahoma session.

Dogs rescued by the Tulsa SPCA from a puppy mill gather with their adopted owners at Gunboat Park for a play date.

From left, Nicole Nedom-Pann with Ruby, Melissa Watkins with Alice, Jean Shipley with Lulu, Caleb Cummins with Freya, Rachel Barker with Maybee, and Sylvie Embry with Phoenix.

CAUSE FOR PAWS

HOARDING RESCUE CREATES A COMMUNITY FOR ADOPTED DOGS AND THEIR OWNERS.

BY MATTHEW ENDACOTT

O

n July 2, 2022, the Tulsa SPCA received a call to assist the Oklahoma Alliance for Animals and local law enforcement with a massive dog rescue operation at a puppy mill in Pontotoc County. Once on-site, the crew, which consisted of the entire Tulsa SPCA staff, immediately recognized this job required a bigger team.

More than 75 poodles, doodles, bernadoodles and Bernese mountain dogs were discovered in poor health and deplorable living conditions. The breeds in this case are highly sought after because of their intelligence, personality, demeanor and classification as a “designer breed.” According to Mindy Tiner, Tulsa SPCA CEO, shortly after sharing videos of the animals on Facebook, numerous volunteers joined the rescue efforts and raised over $30,000 in donations in one day. The impressive team effort saved all the dogs, however, most of the animals needed medical attention and all needed to find loving homes.

Luckily, many of the volunteers who helped rescue the animals that day adopted some of them. Nicole Nedom-Pann was one of those volunteers. During the rescue, Nedom-Pann noticed one poodle in particular and knew she would be wonderful in her family. After the dog’s rehabilitation, 16 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

Nedom-Pann adopted Ruby. This passion brought more than a new pet into her life, with the standard poodle joining three toy poodles and a cat at home.

“I saw news stories on Facebook of poodles in horrible circumstances and that they desperately needed help. It was impossible not to,” Nedom-Pann says. “It’s special to take care of the little guys that have had a rough start to life.”

One volunteer created a Facebook group named “Rescue Poodle Playdate” and it quickly became a recurring social hour. These rotate between Gunboat Park, Bark West and Joe’s Station.

“One of the best aspects of the group is the humans I’ve connected with. Through this rescue and subsequent meetings, I’ve met like-minded people I wouldn’t have met otherwise,” Nedom-Pann says. “The first meet-up happened in October 2022 and improved socialization was noticeable from the July intake. The dogs used to tuck their tail and hide and are now playing and allowing contact from people.”

Tiner says this is just one instance of the power of community. “The bright futures the dogs now have serve as an example of the impact we can have when we all work together,” she says. TP

The holidays can be a stressful time for everyone, including our pets.

Second to the Fourth of July, “the holidays, in general, can be stressful for dogs with all the changes, the noises, the people, the difference in their regular routine,” says David Foster, owner of Dog Training Elite Oklahoma.

Whether your dog gets anxious, overly excited, more aggressive or withdrawn, Foster says several things can reduce some of those behaviors.

First, find a safe and comfortable place for your pet. Foster uses crates to train as it can be the dog’s safe space. “It’s their home,” he says. “It’s the place where they can go during the day if they get tired and just want to relax and take a quick nap …

And then when these changes take place, that’s going to be comfortable and quiet and a safe spot for them during those activities and festivities.”

Second, keep to their routine as much as possible. If you take them for walks, continue to take them for walks. If people are coming over, the exercise helps gets some of their energy out.

Continue to work on training, too, Foster says, as it keeps them mentally fit, provides structure and the discipline they crave. “One of my favorite commands … is ‘place,’ which is all four feet on an object,” he says. “We’ve got little place cots in our house and when we have company coming over or someone comes to the door, I put my dog on place.” It accomplishes a few things, he continues, as they’re less inclined to run out the door or jump on the guest as well as getting the dog used to the visitor.

Foster always asks house guests to “do what we do” as a general rule. Informing them to not give the dog any people food and suggesting a few basic commands.

“Most people, they want to be good guests,” Foster says. — ANNE BROCKMAN

COURTESY

Party prep for pups

COMMUNITY

Maggie Brown and Ivy Graham

BETTER TOGETHER

LOCAL ANIMAL RESCUE GROUPS COLLABORATE TO URGE CONVERSATIONS ON ANIMAL WELFARE.

BY ANNE BROCKMAN

I

n 2022, 12 animal welfare organizations came together to form Healthy Animals, Healthy Tulsa, a coalition focused on elevating conversations and pursuing action at the intersection of animal and human well-being. What does that mean?

“You can’t spell community without unity,” says Samantha Polen, director of T-Town TNR (Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return), an HAHT partner. “Healthy Animals, Healthy Tulsa stands behind the idea that a city’s physical, social and economic well-being is determined, at least in part, by the community commitment to ensure its animals thrive.”

While the number of cats arriving at Tulsa Animal Welfare has decreased, perhaps in part to T-Town TNR’s efforts, Polen says, the number of dogs in need of homes and medical attention is as great as it’s ever been.

As of Oct. 6, TAW was over capacity.

Overpopulation in the shelter “is a national crisis,” says Susan Braselton, a volunteer and foster home for TAW for the past six years. “No one wants to euthanize healthy animals.”

HAHT’s goals include slowing Tulsa’s animal population growth to reduce the need for shelter animal euthanasia; collaborating with the public and city leaders for policies and practices that support live 18 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

outcomes at TAW; support access for all citizens to microchip, vaccinate and spay/neuter their pets; advocating for policy changes to meet the regional and national animal welfare standards; and growing the network of animal and human-focused nonprofit members and strategic partners.

Over the past year HAHT has advocated to Tulsa City Council for shelter needs, which include providing input for the new Tulsa Animal Welfare shelter expected to open in 2024. HAHT surveyed council candidates on their animal welfare topics and published their responses on the HAHT website. The initiative plans to participate in community events to encourage responsible animal welfare and perform outreach.

“We’re looking for others in the community who can be advocates — especially those in law and media,” says Andrea Kyle, president of Paws in Need Tulsa, a HAHT member organization. Future plans may include bringing in people and organizations beyond the nonprofit world.

Right now HAHT is working on a matrix to outline the varied services provided by each partner organization. It also hopes to work in partnership with the City Council’s Animal Welfare Working Group to help focus on the issues that impact both animals and humans in Tulsa.

Visit haht.org to learn more. TP

The new location of Animal Aid Thrift Store, 6811 E. 21 St., continues the unique way of supporting Animal Aid’s overall mission: helping stray cats and dogs in need of medical attention.

In November 2021, Animal Aid moved to a new location. “Moving to this store was a huge plus,” says Ivy Graham, president of Animal Aid. Graham acknowledges how iconic the old store was but “it wasn’t going to serve us anymore,” she says due to the lack of space and safety measures.

Animal Aid Executive Director Maggie Brown says the 62-year-old nonprofit is always in need — of volunteers, funding and items.

“Within the thrift store specifically … everything we sell is donated to us from the public. So we can use people to help take those donations, sort them, do research to price them, put things out in the store and help keep the store clean,” Brown says.

The store offers a variety of things — from clothes, vinyl records, art, kitchen goods, attire and more.

Donations are accepted at the store on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Funds from purchases go toward the vet bills for Animal Aid. This continues the goal for the store, contributing to the organization’s mission of expanding and educating on animal care.

Those interested in volunteering or learning more can visit animalaid. org. — SEVYN BAHNTU

ANIMAL AID THRIFT: GREG BOLLINGER; HAHT: TIM LANDES

From left, Andrea Kyle, president of Paws in Need Tulsa; Samantha Polen, director of T-Town TNR; and Susan Braselton, Tulsa Animal Welfare volunteer, at a recent community event at Whiteside Park. All three organizations are part of the 12-member coalition Healthy Animals, Healthy Tulsa.

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Bob Persson, center, is presented a quilt from Pat Morris, left, and Norlene Grigsby, right, members of the local chapter of Quilts of Valor. Since 2009, the group has awarded over 1,174 quilts to veterans.

STITCHED INTO MEMORY LOCAL QUILTERS HONOR PAST MEMBERS OF THE ARMED SERVICES.

BY BRENDA CAROL

I

f you’ve ever talked to a veteran of a war for more than five minutes you will walk away with an understanding of the sacrifice no one can quite convey except the ones who have lived, sacrificed and known those who ultimately died for it.

There is a very determined group of quilters in Tulsa who refuse to let our brave men and women be relegated to the shelves of history. A local chapter of the nationally based Quilts of Valor was founded in 2005 by LeAnn Weaver and Mary Ellen Thweats.

Today, the Northeast Oklahoma Quilts of Valor meets at the Broken Arrow Library on the second Saturday of every month.

“We have about 12-15 people who come on a regular basis,” says Norlene Grigsby who currently serves as the group leader.

“We work on our quilts for a few hours, then host several recipients whom we award the quilts.”

The quilts are awarded regardless of the branch of Armed Services members were involved with. As an apolitical group, Quilts of Valor is focused on the mission of recognizing the extraordinary amount of service that goes largely unrecognized.

Grigsby summed up one of the most 20 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

common reactions among the recipients.

“We’ve often had service members tell us, ‘No one has ever thanked me. I don’t even think I deserve something like this. You should give it to someone else.’”

Regardless of that initial reluctance to be honored in any way, recipients are truly touched to have their service recognized, Grigsby says. “They’re always very humble, and often I feel like the tribute means as much to us who create the quilt as it does to the service members we wrap it around.

There are definitely a few tears now and then.”

Since January 2009, the group has awarded over 1,174 Quilts of Valor and the momentum is only building. “We’re just one little chapter,” Grigsby says.

For quilters, the participation is more than working with thread and fabric. “It’s even more than fellowship and a common interest in quilting,” says Cheryl Neely who has been a member of the group for about five years. “It takes many hours and many hands. There’s always a tremendous feeling of accomplishment knowing you’re a part of a group that collectively creates such a meaningful, loving tribute to those who make our freedom possible.” TP

On the January 2009 cover, Dr. Gerry Clancy was announced as the Tulsan of the Year for his innovative ideas and visionary leadership to improve academic medicine and health care for the community.

After 14 years at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa, Clancy was recruited in 2016 to be president of the University of Tulsa. During his four years as president, he helped to significantly improve student graduation and job placement rates, grow enrollment and provide long-term financial stability.

“I missed being a doctor,” he says. He also wanted to be closer to his mother who had turned 90, so he moved back to Iowa in 2020. As the pandemic began, Clancy also felt called to serve by providing medical care and teaching.

At the University of Iowa, Clancy was tasked with providing care in emergency and intensive care settings. He also led efforts to fight health care worker burnout, including addressing the decline in the number of physicians providing care since the start of the pandemic. Clancy and his peers are creating innovations to improve clinician well-being and retention that are being implemented across the country.

He has helped create new programs that develop leadership skills among young physicians and encourage early retired physicians to return to clinical work.

Clancy also hosts, writes and researches for the podcast Rounding@Iowa which educates physicians around the world on emerging medical issues.

“I am a science nerd at the core. I love science, but I also love working with people and serving people,” Clancy says. “And one of the best crossover opportunities for science and helping people is medicine.”

— SEVYN BAHNTU

GREG BOLLINGER

Covers REVISITED

MUSIC NOTES

Paul Benjaman

FRESH CUTS

5 NEW RELEASES FROM LOCAL TALENT

BY JULIE WENGER WATSON

I

f you follow the local music scene you already know Tulsa is home to a diverse community of talented artists creating original music in a wide range of genres. There is literally something for every music fan. This has been a prolific year for both established and upand-coming musicians. Here are just a few.

SCOTT BELL AND THE MAKERS OUT “Emerald Firefly” | themakersout.com The first single from The Makers Out, a multimedia project by Tulsa audio engineer and musician Scott Bell, weaves ethereal lyrics through a dreamy, atmospheric melody. Bell, a 20-year music industry veteran, wrote and produced the song. He also provides guitar and synthesizer, while talented friends like Aaron Boehler (bass), Chris Combs (guitar), Bobby Moffet (electric piano), Matt Maxwell (upright bass) and Jake Lynn (drums) round out the recording. Bell’s new wife, artist Jillian Bell, adds backing vocals alongside Sarah Maud and Liz Coffman. Look for a full album in spring 2024.

CODY CLINTON AND THE APRIL FOOLS “Bells at Night” | codyandthefools.com What started out as a COVID lockdown project for musician Cody Clinton has churned out some enjoyable singles, including “Bells at Night,” a nostalgic tune about Bell’s Amusement Park, the loss of which is greatly lamented by many Tulsans.

The languid, dreamy tune evokes a potent feeling of freedom and anticipation associated with being a young teen hanging with friends and no adult supervision at an undefined point in the past when life seemed simpler. Clinton, who is known for his musical collaboration Desi and Cody with his wife, Desirae Roses Clinton, has a gift for rendering both the literal details and the more illusive “vibe” of actual locations and the people who inhabit 22 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

them with just a few simple verses, creating a complete story in an enjoyable pop song.

KING CABBAGE BRASS BAND “Kings and Queens” | kingcabbagebrass.com Since its formation a few years back, King Cabbage Brass Band has been spreading its NOLA-inspired sound across the region with tremendous success.

Bandleader Greg Fallis has assembled a talented crew of Tulsa musicians to create a party-ready blend of brass band classics, hip-hop, R&B and more. “Kings and Queens,” an original single off the band’s October full album release, is a perfect example. Upbeat, genre-defying and exuberant, it’s a tune that is sure to get any audience on its feet and dancing.

DICED “DEMO?” | cultlovesoundtapes.bandcamp.com For crowds that love all things loud, try a cut off “DEMO?” by DICED. The digital album (the limited run of cassette tapes are long gone) features six tracks from this Oklahoma hardcore punk supergroup made up of former and present members of Lizard Police, Blurt, Holy Void, Senior Fellows and more. Recorded by Thomas “Tip” Crowley, the general manager of KRSC Radio (Rogers State in Claremore), the tracks aggressively carry the punk torch forward.

MANTA RAYS “Vic” | instagram.com/manta.rays Managing to be both retro and fresh, “Vic” by indie-rock band Manta Rays is a catchy tune that will please Millennials and Gen Zs. while also beckoning their parents, who came of age during the early days of MTV. The band takes its cues from Britpop and ’70s rock and infuses its sound with contemporary pop and indie influences. TP

On Nov. 25, 1975, The Band performed their last concert, which was filmed and turned into a documentary by a young Martin Scorsese.

This year, on Nov. 19, local musician Paul Benjaman will perform the music from the documentary’s soundtrack as part of the return of the annual benefit, The Leftover Last Waltz.

Held at Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N. Main St., this concert benefits the Foundation for Tulsa Schools and its educator grants focused on music education.

This all-ages event includes a Thanksgiving meal catered by Mac’s BBQ as well as a silent auction and raffle, and a unique, memory-making photo booth experience.

The Leftover Last Waltz started in 2014 and was organized by former Tulsan Matt Schultz.

“This has been such a wonderful event over the years, and a great way to raise funds for several well-deserving local organizations,” says Greg Bollinger, one of this year’s event organizers and TulsaPeople videographer. “Although Matt is no longer living in Tulsa, we want to honor what he and his family started nine years ago and keep this tradition going. We are excited about the band Paul is creating specifically for the evening. The music from ‘The Last Waltz’ is outstanding, and it’s going to be a lot of fun hearing it performed live by a group of Tulsa musicians.” — ANNE BROCKMAN Editor’s Note: Langdon Publishing is a presenting sponsor of The Leftover Last Waltz.

NOV. 19 The Leftover Last Waltz 6 p.m., doors; 7 p.m., show $35 plus fees, advance tickets; $45 at the door. All tickets include a Thanksgiving meal.

CAIN’S BALLROOM, 423 N. MAIN ST.

BENJAMAN: BRENDAN STEEVES PHOTOGRAPHY; ALBUMS: COURTESY; MANTA RAYS: RYAN CASS

A Thanksgiving tradition returns

ON STAGE Comics Leon Purley and Mark Ivy perform together for the first time in September at NewView Oklahoma’s annual luncheon fundraiser in Tulsa.

THIS MONTH AT

Circle Cinema TWISTED ARTS FILM FEST Nov. 2-5 Twisted Arts is dedicated to advancing, celebrating, elevating and amplifying LGBTQ+ artists by showcasing the best independent films, music, performances and all forms of mixed media. Tickets and lineup at twistedfest.org.

2 MEN SHARE BOND OF COMEDY AND BLINDNESS.

BY LAURA DENNIS

T

he art of stand-up comedy has always appealed to the thrill-seeking, laugh-getting personalities of those brave enough to take the stage. Mark Ivy was captivated by stand-up comedians from a young age. “I was infatuated with it,” he says. “Whether I was trying to do a skit on home video or at the dinner table, I constantly was searching for a laugh.”

When he began to lose his vision as a teen, he was forced to give up his first love: baseball. Life for Ivy afterward was a relentless search for that adrenaline rush he got from swinging a bat. “I (finally) went to an open mic,” he says. “And I got that same feeling I get when I’m playing competitive sports.”

For Leon Purley, aka Leon the Jokester, the journey to comedy was abrupt. In 2016, he worked as a case manager for a Tulsa nonprofit when vision loss forced him out of his career. Always having had an interest in comedy, he signed up for a three-month class at The Looney Bin Comedy Club. “I’ve been into comedy ever since,” he says. “It’s free therapy.”

Ivy and Purley met in 2017 when Purley sought assistance at NewView Oklahoma, a nonprofit that serves people with impaired vision and blindness, where Ivy works as a development manager. The two shared much in common, including their hereditary eye disease, Retinitis Pigmentosa, which affects the retina and eventually leads to blindness.

Between their humor and diagnoses, the two became fast friends. Now both performers 24 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

deliver laughs layered with awareness for the blind community.

Purley is passionate about “super-clean comedy,” a term he’s coined to ensure everyone can enjoy his routine. Stand-up has been his outlet and an opportunity to give the disabled community a voice. “(My routine) is all about sharing my story and how I get around as a blind person in Oklahoma,” he says. “I walk by faith and not by sight, literally.” Purley’s success has materialized a full schedule of shows, yearly comedy camps, a teaching gig at Tulsa Community College and more. Find his lineup at leonthejokester. com.

Ivy now performs monthly open mic nights in Oklahoma City and says he hopes his humor highlights an organization that has helped him, NewView Oklahoma, and reaches someone who needs its services. “I’m telling jokes, but those jokes are supporting what it means to be blind in 2023,” he says.

“It’s knocking down questions like ‘Well how’s a blind person work? How do they even see their computer?’ With technology, I tell people all the time, if you’re thinking about going blind, now’s the time.”

After Ivy and Purley’s first performance together at NewView Oklahoma’s annual fundraiser, they hope to have more opportunities to work together in the future, but regardless, Ivy says they’ll remain friends, and they always will have jokes. Purley adds, “Love, hope and laughter is what we bring to the table.” TP

DREAM SCENARIO Opens for daily screenings Nov. 10 Hapless family man Paul Matthews (Nicolas Cage) finds his life turned upside down when millions of strangers suddenly start seeing him in their dreams. But when his nighttime appearances take a nightmarish turn, Paul is forced to navigate his newfound stardom.

TELL IT TO THE MARINES (1926) 11 a.m., Nov. 11 This month, see Lon Chaney in a wartime drama for the Second Saturday Silent Series. A gruff Marine sergeant and a handsome new recruit compete for the affection of a nurse. Tickets just $5, adults; $2, kids 16 and under.

NEXT GOAL WINS Opens for daily screenings Nov. 17 Directed by Academy Award-winner Taika Waititi (“Jojo Rabbit,” “Thor: Ragnarok”), “Next Goal Wins” follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for its brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001.

THE HOLDOVERS Opens for daily screenings Nov. 22 From director Alexander Payne, the film follows a curmudgeonly instructor (Paul Giamatti) at a New England prep school who stays on campus during Christmas break to babysit the handful of students with nowhere to go. Eventually he forms an unlikely bond with one of them and with the school’s head cook, who has just lost a son in Vietnam.

Compiled by Circle Cinema’s Ryan Thomas. Visit circlecinema.org for pricing and more information.

COURTESY

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ARAB FILM FEST TULSA Nov. 9-12 Back for a third year in collaboration with Circle Cinema and Tulsa Artist Fellowship, this festival presents contemporary Arab, Southwest Asian and North African directors and showcases an underrepresented, diverse and brilliant world of film. Schedule and tickets at circlecinema.org.

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SPORTS

Tulsa Curling Club members Kelli and Jesse Fettkether, Pete Sandretto and Brandon Fox Kendra Guthrie, Humble Warrior Collective executive director, leads a recent Megan’s Mission yoga class at VFW Post 577.

MEGAN’S MISSION YOGA CLASSES HELP VETERANS AND OTHERS DEALING WITH PTSD. STORIES BY JOHN TRANCHINA

A

shley Ramsey wanted to honor the memory of her best friend, SPC Megan Widner Johnson, a combat medic in Operation Iraqi Freedom who suffered from severe post-traumatic stress after returning home. Johnson died in September 2019, and Ramsey started Megan’s Mission in 2021, under the umbrella of the Humble Warrior Collective, a yoga program helping provide veterans with the tools to manage their PTSD. Classes are free and occur Wednesday evening at the VFW Post 577, 1109 E. Sixth St., and they have been helping veterans, as well as civilians, deal with the impact of trauma in their life.

Jeremy Founds, member at VFW Post 577, served in the Marines for six years and deployed to Iraq for about a year. He’s attended classes with Megan’s Mission since they began. “I suffer from post-traumatic stress … Coming back, it took me a while to start finding help and of course, you try to tough through it, but it kind of all caught up to me at once, and I found yoga,” Founds says.

Taught by trauma-informed yoga teacher Mary Sinnett, the sessions are designed to reduce stress and empower students both in and out of class.

“I like for them to bring away tools, things they can do in daily life, that’s not something you have to be on a yoga mat to do for an hour, so even just balance poses and things that help with focus and mindfulness,” Sinnett says.

26 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

That’s proven successful for Founds, who has grown more aware of how stress affects his body. “I notice my breath is very short and choppy. I usually take five breaths, and I try to build more off of that,” he says. “When I feel the anxiety coming on, (breathwork) just slows it down.”

Gratitude also has been central to Founds’ healing. “It teaches you how to be grateful for what’s going on in your life, because no matter how bad it gets, there’s always things to be grateful for. So I think, ‘I had a great breakfast this morning,’ or ‘the weather’s great.’ I guess I use those moments of stress to help remind me, and I just use some of those tools that I’ve picked up in yoga, and it just helps. It really does.”

Class size varies from 4-15 depending on the day. Sometimes in pleasant weather, the group relocates outside to Veterans Park across the street, which usually increases attendance.

“I am hopeful for this program to grow,” Ramsey says. “We take donations, or we would love an individual sponsor or corporate sponsor for this class or additional classes. If anybody knows where a class can be hosted, we have the teachers that can do it. We’re willing to travel, too.”

Visit humblewarriorcollective.org for more information. TP Read more of this story at TulsaPeople.com.

Eric Vardeman, founder and president of Tulsa Curling Club, got hooked on curling after watching it on TV in 2010. He discovered a flyer for the Oklahoma Curling Club, which started that year at the Arctic Edge Ice Arena in Edmond, and he began driving back and forth to get his fix until the Tulsa club’s formation in 2012.

For several years, curling in Tulsa only attracted a small following, and Vardeman nearly gave up on it in 2017, but the United States winning the Olympic gold medal in February 2018 resulted in a rejuvenating crowd of newcomers eager to check it out.

Since the pandemic, the club has been slowly building back participation. Right now there are approximately 90 active members, and the club’s Curling and Cocktails instructional information session on July 5 sparked a lot of new interest (providing about half of the participants in the recent Instructional League), so things are looking pretty good right now.

“Every time we’re in between Olympics, we have a lull,” Vardeman says. “People get drunk on the Olympics and want to come try it out, they think they’re going to be an Olympian. Whatever it takes to get you out here.” With the next Olympic cycle in 2024 and the move to the WeStreet Ice Center, Vardeman expects participation to increase. “We’ll have more room, we’ll have different nights to do stuff like (more Instructional League sessions).”

Vardeman believes having more ice time options will open up the sport to even more participants. He has even explored the possibility of setting up a new local high school league, with the Oilers’ support. “If it wasn’t for the Oilers, we wouldn’t be on the ice to begin with,” he says. TP

GREG BOLLINGER

HEALING WORK

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National Philanthropy Day Award Winners Announced for 2023 Three individuals and one organization will be recognized as recipients of the National Philanthropy Day Awards at the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Eastern Oklahoma Chapter conference and luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 8th. National Philanthropy Day signifies the importance of working together for the common good of the community. The day is to recognize the great contributions of philanthropy – and those people active in the philanthropic community – to the enrichment of our world. Here are the amazing community members and organization being honored this year: Outstanding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Philanthropy – Phyllis Danley Phyllis Danley is the Director of Grant Relations at the Tulsa Day Center. In the seven years she has been there, her commitment to writing stellar grants to the city, foundations and other entities has been an inspiration. A couple of years ago, she took note of the diversity, equity, and inclusion issues in the city and created measures tracking important information to make the board, staff and clients better understand the importance of DEI. Her passion for diversity shines and she emphasizes DEI in every grant she writes.

Outstanding Individual Philanthropist – Frauke Peterson

Frauke Petersen is a dedicated volunteer with a wide variety of interests (from arts to social services) who works each day to make the region a great place to live, work and raise a family. She serves as a board member/trustee of Tulsa Area United Way, Tulsa Ballet, Tulsa Regional Chamber, Philbrook Museum, and the Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma, supporting and advocating for each of these organizations. She is a previous board member of Global Gardens, a volunteer fundraiser for the Mental Health Association, and a volunteer fundraiser for Hearts for Hearing, just to name a few. In addition to her financial support and leadership, she also works with nonprofits to develop sound financial strategies.

In 2019, Tulsa Area United Way awarded Frauke the Clydella Hentschel Award for Women in Leadership for her significant work.

Outstanding Fundraising Professional – Colleen Mansur Colleen Mansur is currently a Regional Philanthropy Officer focusing on corporate and foundation accounts for the American Red Cross serving the Tulsa Area Chapter. In her first year, Colleen raised over $1 million in revenue. In her time at the Red Cross, Colleen has developed crucial and lasting relationships that have led to incredible mission fulfillment. Her excellent relationship building was put on display this past May during the Tulsa storms, when she

raised over $500,000 in just two short weeks – many of the gifts from corporations who do not historically donate to the Red Cross. Collen was recently award Rookie of the Year for her division, and she was named runner-up for Fundraiser of the Year.

Outstanding Foundation – The Robinson Family Foundation The Robinson Family Foundation supports six education facilities, three faith-based organizations, and 16 basic-needs nonprofit organizations, giving over $1.3 million in 2022 alone to these deserving recipients. Furthermore, three family members give of their time, talent, and resources in addition to their full-time careers. The foundation is run by two family trustees who are preparing their daughter to carry their legacy into the future.

The Foundation’s investments in basic needs, mental health needs, education, and faith-based entities create a profound impact in the Tulsa area.

Visit tinyurl.com/npdeastok to register for the event and more information.

TulsaPeople.com 27

ART SPOT

FIT FOR A PRESIDENT MAN TURNS LOVE OF DRAWING AND ARCHITECTURE INTO A WHITE HOUSE MODEL.

BY BLAYKLEE FREED

I

IT’S GOGH TIME Here are the details on each of Tulsa’s immersive displays of world-renowned painter Vincent van Gogh’s artwork.

28 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

Charles Griffin with the replica White House he built; inset, the Blue Room.

holidays visiting family. Griffin has amassed a vast knowledge of White House history and can recite the history of each of his model’s 15 rooms. The Blue Room, brought to the White House during President James Monroe’s presidency, is his favorite. “In the early 1800s, he brought a lot of furniture and silver and gilded pieces back from France,” Griffin says.

The model includes miniature chairs that Griffin upholstered with blue fabric specifically for the Blue Room. Paintings on the walls in that room and the others are images of real artwork hanging in the White House.

Griffin downloaded them from the White House Historical Association website and printed them on thick cardstock.

Though he kept dimensions generally accurate, Griffin notes it’s not an exact replica.

In fact, he had fun taking some creative liber-

ties with the project, interpreting some spaces either not seen by the public or not used in their original capacity, like the Map Room.

“It’s not used as a map room anymore,” he says. “According to what I’ve read, it’s nothing (like) what it was in the 1940s during World War II. No one ever talks about this room, so I just decorated it.”

Today his youngest sister resides in the home they grew up in, where the White House model is stored in the garage. Someday Griffin hopes to see it on tour “making the rounds in various museums around the country, including Houston,” he says. Since the interview for this article, Griffin has added more framed art and purchased some additional furniture and decorative objects, so all rooms are finished, though at some point he will replace the remaining clear film windowpanes with glass. TP

NOW THROUGH DEC. 31 Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience Guests are surrounded in 360-degree projections on 8,000-square-feet of screens with virtual reality options.

Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Hours vary. Tickets required.

EXHIBITION HUB TULSA ART CENTER IN COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA, 3364 E. 51ST ST. | VANGOGHEXPO.COM/TULSA

NOV. 18, 2023-FEB. 1, 2024 Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience More than 300 artworks are projected across more than 30,000 square feet with virtual reality options.

Closed Monday. Hours vary. Tickets required.

OKPOP MUSEUM, 422 N. MAIN ST. VANGOGHTULSA.COM

GRIFFIN: GREG BOLLINGER; VAN GOGH: THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE: EXHIBITION HUB; BEYOND VAN GOGH: PAQUIN ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

n the midtown home Charles Griffin grew up in, his mother kept a roll of drawing paper at the ready so the kids of the house could draw to their heart’s content. The eldest of four spent his youth drawing and expressing his creativity with drawing, painting and balsa wood models of houses. At 16, based on the excitement of touring the White House on a family trip to Washington, D.C. in 1974, he started a sketch that would eventually turn into an intermittent lifelong project: A miniature model of the White House.

“It took probably two years to draw it all out, so at 18 I was ready to build it,” Griffin says. He carefully pieced together the wood, painted it all white and outfitted it with windows and trim — a facade fit for a president.

A 1980 bachelor of fine arts graduate from the University of Tulsa, Griffin started an arts career illustrating for KTUL Channel 8 part-time in 1981 but a few months later pivoted to oil and gas, keeping art as a hobby. Griffin moved to Dallas, and later Houston where he lives now, and the model project was stowed away in Tulsa.

“From ’88 to 2016 it sat idle in the garage,” he explains. But he was reinvigorated and began outfitting the home with miniature furniture and decorations during

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Pageturners

BOOKWORM Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award recipient Amor Towles

3 RECENT RELEASES FROM LOCAL AUTHORS

“Honey, If It Wasn’t For You”

BY BARRON RYAN

A MOMENT IN TIME

This heartfelt story is about Don Feagin, who wrote songs to his wife before he died of cystic fibrosis. His wife, Linda, thought she would never hear his songs again until Tulsa pianist Barron Ryan created the music of Don’s last love song to Linda, “Honey, If It Wasn’t for You.”

NOVELIST AMOR TOWLES TO RECEIVE PEGGY V. HELMERICH DISTINGUISHED AUTHOR AWARD.

BY TIM LANDES

30 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

deeply satisfying and moving, and sort of the culmination of, as I say, a childhood dream.”

Towles is known for devoting many years to writing each of his bestselling novels that take place from the late 1930s to 1950s.

“That’s a moment in time where we as a reading community, as a generation, we all are familiar to some degree with what the world looked like 50 years ago, 70 years ago, but very few of us have a personal experience, particularly with 70 years ago ... so we have a keen sense of that moment in time in America.

But on the other hand, we don’t really have a personal experience with it,” he says.

That also provides him with a creative license to concoct some details to help get to his truth.

“Because the readers were not there at the time, they aren’t exactly aware of how everything was laid out,” says the 58-year-old. “It allows me to create sort of this environment which is in between the imagined and the factual and then use that as a narrative environment in which really to investigate timeless themes, which therefore means they’re contemporary themes, too, but they’re only contemporary in the sense that they’re timeless. They’re not contemporary in the sense of I’m putting a spotlight on what’s happening in the United States today.”

Visit TulsaPeople.com to read his thoughts on the importance of libraries in our society. TP

“A Civil War Legacy”

BY MARVIN BYRD

In his third publication, native Oklahoman Marvin Bryd explores the vengeance of James Wright and his nephews John and Albert Templeton after their fathers’ deaths as a youth. Revenge consumed their lives until death, but that isn’t where the story ends.

“Derricks’ Bridgehead”

BY LT. COL. MAJOR CLARK

Black Oklahoma veteran Lt. Col. Major Clark shares his eye-opening firsthand account of World War II all-Black U.S. Army unit — the 597th Field Artillery Battalion, 92nd Division. It explores the successes and oppressions the Black soldiers faced, led under the impressive guidance of Col. Wendell T. Derricks. — SEVYN BAHNTU

TOWLES: DMITRI KASTERINE; BOOKS: COURTESY

A

mor Towles spent his early life writing lots of fiction. Then he devoted 20 years to a career in the investment business before a serious return to writing that has resulted in three consecutive bestselling novels in the past 12 years.

Towles will visit Tulsa for the first time this month to receive the Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award, which is an annual award given by the Tulsa Library Trust and Tulsa City-County Library.

Towles is honored for having “written a distinguished body of work and (making) a major contribution to the field of literature and letters,” according to TCCL. He will receive a $40,000 cash prize and an engraved crystal book during a Dec. 1 black-tie gala at Central Library, 400 Civic Center. The day before he will do a free public presentation and book signing at 5:30 p.m.

“I didn’t get around to publishing my first novel (2011’s “Rules of Civility”) until my mid-40s. When that became a bestseller, I retired from the investment firm, and I’ve been a full-time writer since,” says Towles by phone from his Manhattan home. “With the publication of ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ and then ‘Lincoln Highway,’ to finally be fulfilling in essence, my childhood dream of writing fiction, and putting it out in the world, that’s a satisfaction in and of itself, but then to have that work accepted by readers and recognized with an award like this is

Help Seniors Keep Their Beloved Companions: Support the PAWS Program Today!

The Meals on Wheels Pets Assisting Wellness in Seniors (PAWS) program provides dog and cat food each month to clients.

27%

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of recipients said they would be unable to care for their pets without PAWS

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP: Volunteer : Deliver pet food to our seniors on the 3rd Saturday of the month.

Donate : A contribution of $13.74 provides one month of pet food for one pet.

We also take donations of cat and dog leashes, toys and beds.

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All donations go directly to seniors in need.

By supporting the PAWS Program, you become a lifeline for seniors and their furry friends.

TulsaPeople.com 31

Burt B. Holmes

PRIVATE CITIZEN, PUBLIC OPINIONS WHAT’S EATING BURT B. HOLMES THESE DAYS?

BY CONNIE CRONLEY

A

lot of us may gripe about politics.

Burt B. Holmes takes it to another level: He buys full-page ads in the Tulsa World for his soap box.

Some ads are in support of issues: “Black Lives Matter” (“I believe that,” Holmes says), while another advocates for LGBTQ+ equality (“I believe that, too.”)

Although Holmes identifies himself publicly as a lifelong Republican, most of his ads are diatribes against elected Republican leaders’ actions or policies. His platform isn’t cheap.

A recent ( July 9, 2023) full-page ad had only 10 words: “Ryan Walters We are tired of 32 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

your Lies and B.S.!” Holmes wanted tougher language, but “(the newspaper) wouldn’t let me say ‘bullshit.’” That ad cost $7,000.

Holmes thought it was worth it. He had 200 email responses, only four in opposition.

In person and in print Holmes is as blunt and plainspoken as Harry S. “Give ‘Em Hell” Truman who famously said, “I never gave them hell. I just told the truth and they thought it was hell.”

A Holmes ad of November 2019 asked: “Republican Men of the House and Senate … Where is your testicular fortitude?” He regretted the newspaper “wouldn’t let me say ‘balls,’ but people got the idea.”

Holmes is 92 years old, a successful entrepreneur (notably as QuikTrip co-founder with grade school classmate Chester Cadieux) and a generous philanthropist of myriad nonprofits (especially Tulsa Botanic Garden). “I didn’t get interested in politics and public policies until I was in my 60s,” he says. “I was always working a lot.” Now he is paying attention with a sense of civic duty to speak up. He’s been buying newspaper ads and political cartoons by Bruce Plante since 2019.

“I’m not afraid to tell people the truth.

The problem with politics is no one wants to hear the truth,” Holmes says. “People don’t ask enough questions in politics. If we ask enough questions, the answers will arrive.”

Holmes values what John Hope Franklin called “the unvarnished truth.” In that vein, his ads have chastised U.S. Sens. James Lankford and Markwayne Mullin; U.S. Reps. Stephanie Bice, Tom Cole and Kevin Hern; State Rep. Frank Lucas and former President Donald Trump.

His public grousing calls to mind Hank Williams Jr.’s popular song “Family Tradition.” His father, Dan P. Holmes, a successful Tulsa businessman and civic leader, is remembered for his 1970s radio and television ads promoting his insurance firm that ended with “Now let’s talk about Highway 33.” He carped for years about the condition of old Highway 33 (now Scenic U.S. 412,) the road between Tulsa and Siloam Springs, Arkansas. One TV station took his ads off the air citing a policy against mixing opinions with news and commercials, so he switched his advertising to another station, saying “When I pay for my own time, I thought I could say what I wanted if I didn’t malign anyone or put the station in jeopardy.”

The public loved Dan’s ads and politicians eventually found funds for the highway improvement. A new bridge over the Verdigris River was named in his honor in 1975. He died in 1983 at age 80. Four years later, a highway section from Tulsa to Chouteau was named the Dan P. Holmes Expressway.

What’s next for Burt B. Holmes?

Privately he’s concerned about the issues of homelessness and mental health. Publicly, he’s voicing support of public education with no state money for private education, vouchers or tax credit. State Superintendent of Education Ryan Walters is in his sights, Holmes says, because he is not offering answers or solutions.

Got a beef with that? Contact Holmes at burtbholmes@gmail.com. TP

MICHELLE POLLARD

CITIZENSHIP

World War I veteran Patrick Hurley was the first Oklahoman to hold a cabinet position, serving as Secretary of War for President Herbert Hoover. Also a prominent banker, Hurley financed the construction of the Ambassador Hotel, seen here circa 1930. Growing up, Hurley worked as a ranch hand alongside Will Rogers. Below, the two are seen in this 1933 photo outside Tulsa Municipal Airport.

MAN OF MANY TALENTS PATRICK HURLEY’S LIFE RANGED FROM A COAL MINE MULE DRIVER TO U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE.

BY MICHAEL OVERALL

A

t the outbreak of the SpanishAmerican War in 1898, a 15-yearold boy from Indian Territory made his way alone to San Antonio, Texas, to enlist with the famous Rough Riders.

It wasn’t just patriotism. Patrick Hurley was looking for a way out of the coal mines in what is now southeast Oklahoma, where he went to work as a mule driver at age 11, making 75 cents a day to help support his family.

The Rough Riders, however, told Hurley he was too young and sent him away. Instead of charging up San Juan Hill that summer, Hurley found a job as a ranch hand and worked alongside a young cowboy named Will Rogers.

They would remain lifelong friends. And both would become rich and famous some34 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

day, but in wildly different ways.

Hurley worked his way through law school and became an oil and gas attorney at the height of Tulsa’s oil boom, making enough money to begin investing in local real estate. Over time, he amassed a fortune.

Despite his newfound wealth, Hurley volunteered for the Oklahoma National Guard and saw combat in World War I, earning a promotion to lieutenant colonel.

After the war, he returned to Tulsa as president of First Trust and Savings Bank.

In 1928, Hurley coordinated Herbert Hoover’s presidential campaign in Oklahoma. And Hoover appointed him as Secretary of War the following year, making Hurley the first Oklahoman ever to hold a cabinet position.

That same year, Hurley financed con-

struction of Tulsa’s Ambassador Hotel, a 10-story landmark near Main and 14th streets. A widely held belief suggests the hotel got its name from the fact Hurley served as a U.S. ambassador, but he didn’t get that post until the 1940s. “The Ambassador” was, in fact, a common name for luxury hotels at the time.

Hurley returned to active duty in World War II and became a brigadier general, overseeing the resupply of besieged forces in the Philippines before Franklin Roosevelt named him ambassador to China, where he resisted the spread of communism. Hurley resigned at the end of the war and bitterly condemned the new Truman administration for allowing the Soviet Union and Chinese communists to gain more influence in the region.

Instead of returning to Tulsa, Hurley moved to New Mexico. And that’s where he rose to national prominence as a candidate for the U.S. Senate.

He would have attracted plenty of media attention by winning the election of 1952, but he undoubtedly gained far more publicity by losing it.

Democrats were clinging to a one-seat majority when Hurley, a Republican challenger running as a fierce anti-Communist, came within roughly 5,000 votes of upsetting the balance of power in Washington, D.C. A day after the election, Hurley refused to concede and challenged the results, alleging widespread fraud and irregularities.

Indeed, a subsequent Senate investigation determined that as many as 17,000 ballots had been fraudulently altered. Election officials also had allowed non-citizens to vote, and 21 counties failed to provide voting booths, depriving residents of the right to cast secret ballots.

Nonetheless, five Republicans ultimately joined 47 Democrats in supporting the incumbent and Hurley went back to Santa Fe defeated.

He died in his sleep on July 30, 1963, at age 80. And Hurley remained a controversial figure in New Mexico — to some, a champion of democracy; to others, a zealot who tried to steal a Senate seat.

In Tulsa, however, he has always been fondly remembered as a gregarious attorney and a savvy real estate developer. The Ambassador, after an extensive renovation in the late 1990s, remains one of the city’s finest hotels. And Hurley’s eight-bedroom Riverside mansion now overlooks Gathering Place. TP

TULSA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING

November Charitable Events COMPILED BY ANNE BROCKMAN

Through Nov. 5 Care Card

10-12, 17-18 Bloomingdeals

Benefits Family and Children’s Services.

Benefits Junior League of Tulsa.

2 HEROIC: Honoring heroes in recovery

11 Movers and Shakers

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Benefits Sangha Inc. SANGHATULSA.ORG

3 Amp It Up to 10

JLTULSA.ORG

Benefits Food on the Move.

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14-16 Stories of Light Radiothon Benefits Make-a-Wish Oklahoma.

Benefits Amplify Youth Health Collective.

WISH.ORG/OKLAHOMA

Art Party

16 Barbecue, Beer and Cigars

AMPITUPTO10.ORG

Benefits Tulsa Girls Art School.

TULSAGIRLSARTSCHOOL.ORG

4

Farm to Fire Harvest Dinner

Benefits Tulsa Boys’ Home.

TULSABOYSHOME.ORG

Dinner of Reconciliation Benefits John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation.

Benefits RG Foods.

JHFCENTER.ORG/DINNER-OF-RECONCILIATION

Rock ‘N Folk ‘N Chili Cook-Off

19 The Leftover Last Waltz

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Benefits Horton Records.

Benefits Foundation for Public Schools.

6

24-Dec. 30 Philbrook Festival

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Pink Ribbon

Benefits Oklahoma Project Woman.

OKLAHOMAPROJECTWOMAN.ORG

9

Annual Scholarship Auction and Dinner

CAINSBALLROOM.COM

Benefits Philbrook Museum of Art. PHILBROOK.ORG

24-Dec. 30 Botanic Garden of Lights

Benefits Rogers State University Foundation.

Benefits Tulsa Botanic Garden.

Bunker Bites

28 Visions Awards

TULSABOTANIC.ORG

RSU.EDU/AUCTION

Benefits Coffee Bunker.

COFFEEBUNKER.ORG

Night of Honor

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On-Site Mohs Micrographic & Reconstructive Surgery Cosmetic Dermatology ANDREA M. JURGENS, MD, MPH, FAAD

OKCNP.ORG/PAGE/VISIONS

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Benefits TYPROS Foundation.

General Dermatology

Benefits Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits.

Benefits Soldiers Wish.

10 Boomtown Awards

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(918) 994-4400 EDITOR’S NOTE: HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS SPONSORED

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TulsaPeople.com 35

MIX Tulsa’s premier annual cocktail competition, MIX, was held Sept. 15 in Philbrook Museum of Art’s expansive gardens. Funds raised benefit museum programs. DJ Majda Phillips spun music for the nearly 750 guests in attendance.

Ten bartenders from some of Tulsa’s best restaurants and bars created cocktails judged by locals Tony Collins, alcoholic beverage educator; Andrew Saliga, cocktail connoisseur and food and beverage photographer; and Emily Stewart, owner of Ranch Acres Wine and Spirits. Tiffanie Barriere served as the event’s national judge.

Critics’ choice went to Il Seme’s Ella Spencer and Valkyrie’s Harris McCulloch won people’s choice.

1. Steven Garcia and Taylor Dolezar from TXMZ prepare drinks for the crowd.

2. Guests mingled in the museum’s gardens, which were decorated for the soiree with lights.

3. MIX patrons enjoy food from Prossimo Ristorante.

4. Funds raised from the annual cocktail event benefit the museum’s programming.

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2

3

4

Cooking for a Cause On Sept. 28, 275 guests gathered at The Vista at 21 for Cooking for a Cause benefiting Iron Gate, Tulsa’s largest stand-alone soup kitchen and grocery pantry that has been serving Tulsa’s hungry and homeless for 45 years.

Guests were treated to culinary creations from 15 local chefs and restaurants. Many sported groovy ’70s attire as they browsed a silent auction, gift card and wine pull, as well as other festivities.

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4

1 36 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

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5

COOKING FOR A CAUSE: MIKE AND BRANDI SIMONS; MIX: TOM GILBERT

1. Paula Alfred, Event Chair Sarah Alfred-Cobb and Kevin Cobb 2. Chef Greg Bossler from SushiFork and guests 3. Melissa Minton, Dan Graves, Shea Bilby, Rachel Gusman, David Zepeda, Chad McLain 4. Peyton Shaffer, Logan Roehm, Esther Sanders, Susan Jones, Lindsey Bushyhead, Michael Green, Andrea Spencer 5. Rick Pieper, Michelle King, Iron Gate Executive Director Carrie Vesely Henderson, Mary Burchett and Brandy Peper

Adam Green and Anthony Marquez in Green’s screening room, where they have watched many versions of Marquez’s documentary. Learn more about “Make Peace or Die” on Instagram at @xvii.films.

Making peace 2 local Marines join forces in support of their fallen brothers in arms.

BY TIM LANDES

MICHELLE POLLARD

I

t’s the summer of 2011 in Sangin, Afghanistan, where a group of U.S. Marines from the 1st Battalion, 5th Regiment, are in another battle in the most dangerous region in the war. It is chaos. When the shooting subsides Marines load one of their own who has died onto a helicopter.

Moments later all is calm as a group of Afghan children play in an opium field. They are amongst Marines from the “Geronimo” battalion there to protect the country’s biggest cash crop going on a decade into the war.

Among them is Sgt. Anthony Marquez of Owasso. His job is to work alongside his improvised explosive device-sniffing dog, Allie. It’s the first deployment to war for both.

A bit later Marquez is driving with Allie riding shotgun when the front passenger-side tire rolls over an IED that explodes on impact. He and Allie are still

alive, but Marquez will soon develop headaches and other neurological issues that never go away. But he does return home to rural Oklahoma.

Seventeen Marines from the 1/5 give the ultimate sacrifice during the seven-month tour. Six of them are in Marquez’s platoon.

Close friends. The other 11, brothers in arms.

Marquez had to come home and get some distance from the war before he realized he had a new mission. A new purpose in life that was connected to the previous one.

It’s at that moment his documentary “Make Peace or Die” actually begins.

It’s a story about Marquez’s experiences in Sangin that summer. It’s about his relationship with his Labrador companion.

It’s about those who died and the loss and grief felt by those left behind. It’s about the ongoing issues a combat veteran faces years after fighting in the war.

It’s a story about a Marine from Green Country, who found an artistic way to honor those who died and a way to connect with their families.

It’s a story that couldn’t have been told without a Marine veteran in Skiatook rallying the community to help support Marquez in his life-changing endeavor, and literally helping put the keys in his hand to get behind the wheel and start driving.

Hell on Earth Marquez, 35, grew up in Owasso, where he dreamed of becoming a U.S. Marine like his uncle. He sported a flattop and wore Marines-themed shirts as he drove around town in his father’s old Jeep. He was so eager to join he enlisted during his junior year of high school.

American military forces were nearly six TulsaPeople.com 37

From Chattanooga to Skiatook and Baghdad in-between Adam Green, 45, wanted to be a Marine as long as he can remember. As a child growing up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, he was in awe of his grandfather James Edwin Green, 38 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

A poster for Marquez’s documentary

Marquez and Allie while deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan, in the summer of 2011.

an Army soldier who fought in World War I and World War II, and his father, Edwin Guerry Green, who fought as a Marine in Vietnam.

Green enlisted out of high school in 1997 and served until 2001.

“I moved to Oklahoma after active duty and went to flight school at Spartan,” Green says. “Flying wasn’t for me. Too many rules and not very much social interaction.”

Although he didn’t enjoy his time in flight school, he did like Tulsa. He had found a new home. After 9/11, Green returned to service, this time enlisting in the Oklahoma National Guard, which he served in until 2011.

It was in 2007 when Green found his civilian life’s calling. He just didn’t know it yet. He started assisting on catering jobs for Mike McMillan, who started Mac’s Barbecue in Skiatook in 1985. Green and his wife, Holly, made the sauce each week.

Just as he was getting the hang of that

signature award-winning barbecue sauce, duty called. Cpl. Green was deployed for a year to Baghdad, Iraq, as part of the 1245th Transportation Company and with the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Fast forward a couple of years and Green had ended his military service and was working for Cox Communications during the day and spending more and more evenings helping out around Mac’s. Not only getting to know the ins and outs of the job, but also getting to know the customers.

“I was immediately hooked on barbecue. I’ve always loved cooking,” Green says.

“Watching Mac at competitions made me want to try it.”

Green catered at bars and small corporate functions as a side hustle from his kitchen and backyard. “Total bootleg gig,” he says, laughing, “but it’s all I wanted to do.” He asked McMillan to help him open a restaurant, but that’s when McMillan offered to sell Mac’s to Green in 2013. “I

MICHELLE POLLARD; COURTESY

years into the war against the Taliban when Marquez graduated as part of the class of 2007 and joined the United States Marine Corps.

In his fourth year of service, Marquez and the 1/5 shipped out to the southern Helmand province of Afghanistan to live their motto “Make peace or die.” They were enroute to relieve Marines in the 3rd Battalion, 5th Regiment, which a year before had taken over occupation and defense of Sangin, relieving British forces that had spent four years fighting to a stalemate, according to media reports at the time. It wasn’t just the gun fights. It was the IEDs. One of the 3/5 Marines told NPR it was “hell on Earth.”

According to a 2016 Washington Post report on soldiering in the region: The only way to move was single-file, along a trail painstakingly cleared by a point man with the mine detector. Stepping out of line risked death or dismemberment — a popular U.S. Marine platoon sergeant lost his legs that way — and when troops came under fire, they couldn’t even roll into the nearest ditch for cover, so likely was it to be mined.

It was Marquez’s and his IED-sniffing dog Allie’s job to locate explosives as they walked. The two had trained together for five weeks before deploying. They did their job, considered to be among the most dangerous in the war in the most dangerous region, and went through everything together. There were firefights. Together they survived an explosion. There was an unspeakable bond between the two Marines.

In April 2011 two Marines from the 1/5 were killed in action. In June there were nine more. In July, four more, including Lance Cpl. Robert S. Greniger, 21, of Greenfield, Minnesota. By the time Marquez and Allie boarded a plane to leave the battlefield, 17 Marines in the 1/5 had been killed in six months.

As American forces marked 10 years at war, Marquez returned stateside. He said goodbye to Allie, who returned to her contractor. His service in the Marine Corps ended in 2012. Allie would do two more deployments before President Barack Obama ended the dog program in 2014.

“As soon as we landed back in California, the company that contracted with the government was there,” Marquez says. “They took her and she was gone. And you know, I’m a young Marine, yeah it hurt.”

Marquez carves a battlefield cross during the Marines birthday party at Mac’s in Skiatook on Nov. 10, 2021. It now resides at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

didn’t bat an eye, but Holly probably did,” Green laughs.

Green quit his cushy corporate office job and went to work in the world of smoked meats with that award-winning sauce.

“Once Mac was confident I wouldn’t screw it up, we did some paperwork. Boom!

I’m a restaurant owner,” Green says.

As Green evolved into his role of barbecue restaurant owner, he found success, developed friendships and began giving back every way he could to first responders, children battling cancer and most importantly to veteran causes, like his beloved Skiatook VFW Post 7977.

“I serve barbecue so I can give as much as I can and help those who need it,” says Green, who also operates the Mac’s inside Cain’s Ballroom.

Reunited It was 2014 and Marquez was working for his family’s trash service, driving his route when recent news of the dog program ending got him thinking about Allie. He made some calls and learned as Allie’s first handler he had first refusal for adopting her.

Word got out and people did what they could to help reunite the two Marines.

Former University of Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer helped secure Marquez a private jet to go pick her up. Switzer, with help from friends like Toby Keith, later also helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for Marquez’s artistic endeavors.

“I think we probably reunited for reasons that I can’t explain, but she helped me through a lot,” Marquez says. “She was there for a lot of bad times in my life. Then there was a point where she wasn’t there, and then we were back together. I always knew when I got her back that when I lost her a second time that it is because she has passed away. So, it was kind of a blessing and a curse in that sense.”

Sept. 24, 2021, marked the end of watch for Allie. She was surrounded by former Marines, family members and friends, like Green, when she died.

“I knew when I lost her that second time that I was losing her forever,” he says.

COURTESY TOM HARRIS

Battlefield crosses and barbecue It had been five years since his deployment when Marquez felt compelled to reach out to his platoonmate Greniger’s mom and talk about the war and to talk about her son. A year later, Marquez heard she had attempted dying by suicide, and he felt like he had to do something more to help her and the other families. That’s when he decided to create chainsaw art.

Having never done it before he used Google and quickly learned chainsaw artist Clayton Coss was the best in the state and was nearby in Wagoner. After a couple of conversations, Marquez learned from Coss as they carved a battlefield cross, which is comprised of a soldier’s rifle stuck into the ground or a soldier’s boots, with a helmet on top. As soon as they finished it Marquez loaded it into his truck and drove through the night to Minnesota to gift it to Greniger’s mom.

“From that point, I was like I need to do it for the other 16,” Marquez says.

Over the next three years he carved the 16 and delivered them, driving more than 12,000 miles to do so. Plus, he’s carved 63 more for various fundraisers benefiting veterans and nonprofits that provide services to veterans, some selling for $25,000.

When he wasn’t working or carving, Marquez found enjoyment in skydiving at Skiatook’s Skydive Airtight. To date he has completed 643 jumps from planes.

It was there Marquez says he met Green when Mac’s donated barbecue for a skydiving function. Green says he actually met Marquez a few times before that, but back then Marquez was very quiet. He didn’t speak much. He was just there.

“Marines like to spend time with other Marines,” Green says. “It took us four or five times of hanging out before he said anything.”

“Make Peace or Die” In August 2021, Marquez’s parents retired, ending their business after 46 years. Suddenly he was without a job. He had been talking with his filmmaker brother, Manny, about making a documentary about his art and connecting with the Gold Star Families.

His goal: to remember those who died and remind viewers there are families out there who continue to grieve.

Manny instantly agreed to direct it.

TulsaPeople.com 39

The brothers Marquez, under the banner XVII Films, began strategizing, contacting the families and, maybe most importantly, fundraising.

One of the first calls he made was to his friend, Green. His buddy had success hosting a fundraising event that summer.

What if they threw a birthday party for the Marines on Nov. 10 and raised a bunch of money for Marquez to rent an RV, hit the road and start filming his documentary?

They had a month to put it together.

“Dead Armadillo Brewery jumped in and did some custom beers for us and OK Distilling did some custom whiskey,” Green says. “We had custom boxes made for them that we could auction. And then we had arranged for a traditional Marine Corps birthday cake cutting ceremony. That was really cool.”

The party was an overwhelming success.

“People started donating things to raffle off and then friends in the bourbon community started donating bottles. My friend Joseph Madrid who I served with in the Marine Corps has a YouTube channel and does bourbon tastings and things,” Green says. “Well, he hit up the whole bourbon community on YouTube. He drove all the way from California to Oklahoma to present Anthony a check for $4,500.”

Between an online auction for the whiskey and a live auction that included a battlefield cross carved by Marquez on-site that now sits in the 1/5 unit at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, they had raised $34,000.

40 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

The next day, Veterans Day, “we went on the road in a Cruise America RV, and in 40 days went to 34 states over 12,000 miles and revisited all 17 Gold Star families, plus 23 Marines,” Marquez says.

They began filming within months of U.S. military forces withdrawing from Afghanistan and concluding America’s longest war. It created an opportunity for them to talk to parents and other family members about the ultimate sacrifice of their Marine and whether it was worth it. At each visit, Marquez collected one piece of each Marine’s uniform and then assembled it all into a memorial that resides in the National Museum of the Marine Corps along with a Marquez-carved battlefield cross.

To date, it has cost more than $270,000 to produce the documentary. They compiled 165 hours of footage that has been trimmed down to around 90 minutes in the latest cut by editor Barry Poltermann of September Club, whose most recent work includes the Ethan Hawke documentary series “The Last Movie Stars” about the lives of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.

They have started doing film festival submissions in hopes of helping secure a distribution deal for a 2024 release.

“At Greniger’s memorial five days after his death, our battalion commander, Lt. Col. (Thomas) Savage, said Greniger died for millions of Americans who will never know his name,” Marquez says. “With this film, I hope that a million Americans will know all 17 of their names and all the struggles the

families go through.”

At a recent screening of “Make Peace or Die” at Green’s house, Green’s 2-year-old black Lab sisters Birdie and Brisket spent their time comforting viewers as everyone watched scenes of Marquez and Allie together, scenes from combat and then talks with grieving families. Then there’s also footage of Marines teaching Afghan children how to say “I love you!” and “I love chocolate!” There wasn’t a dry eye in the room when it ended.

“Every time we’ve screened this documentary, I’ve sat back and watched the girls go from person to person,” says Green, a producer of the film. “It’s like they know.”

Green and Marquez have become so close over the years, Green considers Marquez his little brother. Green was there when Allie died. He was there when Marquez married in April, serving as a groomsman.

Green says “Make Peace or Die” has already done its job. Yes, it’s a story about remembering those who died and remembering those who live on and carry the pain of a lost loved one.

But it’s also a story about a Marine from Owasso, who has never stopped fighting for his brothers and himself.

“What Anthony doesn’t see is it’s also a story about him,” Green says. “Couple years ago, he wouldn’t have talked to you. It’s incredible what this has done for Anthony.

It’s changed him for the better. He’s a totally different person. He’s better.” TP

MICHELLE POLLARD

Green and Marquez walk into Green’s home in Skiatook that has held many meetings, screenings and whiskey tastings.

I

t’s 5:30 p.m. when I walk into the waiting room expecting rows of tired pet owners and their worse-for-wear animals, heads bowed in defeat and exhaustion. Instead, as my shoes squeak on newly cleaned floors, I look into a room of empty benches, no patients or their owners in sight.

For the first time, I was at a doctor’s office, after hours and without a wait time.

Suddenly, a woman breezes into the waiting room, followed by a young girl anxiously cradling a small yorkie in her arms. They fill out some paperwork and relief fills their faces as a nurse calls them back.

There are now two animal urgent cares across the city, primed for pet patients late into the night and ready to provide quick answers and necessary services when a patient arrives. They come at a time when needed pet care overwhelms veterinarians.

“We saw an increase in our caseload of about 25% to 30% during COVID, which is significant, and we were already short-staffed in veterinary medicine as a whole,” says Dr. Corynn Cackler, veterinarian and owner of STATVet Animal Urgent Care, the first pet urgent care in Tulsa at 2702 E. 15th St. As the pandemic ramped up across the country so did pet ownership and veterinarian visits.

“People were home all the time, so they got pets and spent time at home all day looking at their pets. There’s also the factor of not traveling, not going out to eat and not spending money on those disposable income things, so people had more money available to take care of their pets,” Cackler says. “All of that created a perfect storm for veterinarians.”

Pets and casework have overwhelmed veterinarians at primary care practices and animal emergency hospitals. As wait times and burnout increased, two veterinarians saw an opportunity to fill the needs.

AN IN-BETWEEN

“I thought there was a need for (something) in between a general practitioner who you go to for all your wellness care, vaccinations and disease management and a full-blown 24-hour ER where your pet might stay in the hospital for three days because of a life-threatening illness,” Cackler says.

Cackler, a Tulsa native, opened STATVet in May 2022 after 10 years working in an animal intensive care unit.

She hoped to take some of the burden off general care veterinarians and pet hospitals.

“If an animal is sick or has been injured in some way, we can see almost all of those cases, unless it is just really severe and needs to be in a hospital,” Cackler says.

Her office often sees dogs and cats for vomiting, ear problems, lacerations, wounds, toxin ingestions and more. It is fully equipped to run diagnostics and perform surgeries. Because primary care offices close at the end of the workday, Cackler decided to open her urgent care after hours. STATVet is open in the evenings on weekdays and throughout the day on weekends.

An exam is $109.

“We do tend to be a bit more expensive than a primary care veterinarian,” Cackler says. “The reason for that is we’re staffed in the evening and we’re staffed seven days a week, including the weekends, so I have to pay my staff a bit more than general practice staff. Prices are a bit more than general practice, but less than an ER.” Getting pets seen within the same day eases their owners’ worries and lightens caseloads from general practitioners.

“Four in the afternoon is right when people start calling their primary care vet to try to get squeezed in before the end of the day, but because veterinarians are so busy, it’s very unlikely that they can (see your pet) by closing time,” she says.

A NEW MODEL

Dr. Chris Johnson wanted to fill in the same time gaps in care availability while focusing on another factor: affordability.

Tulsa Animal Urgent Care, 6119 S. Mingo Road, opened in June 2023 after Johnson noticed the same problem Cackler saw with overwhelmed and overworked veterinarians in general care and emergency settings.

“A big part of our platform is being affordable because emergency care can really get expensive.

We really strive to be as affordable as possible and our prices reflect that,” Johnson says.

The urgent care animal hospital has a flat $60 exam fee. “(We focus on) patients being seen quickly, being approachable and being affordable.

We want to practice good medicine and provide all the diagnostics necessary.”

Johnson, who spent almost 15 years in emergency and critical care veterinary medicine prior to opening this urgent care, is passionate about using diagnostic ultrasounds, which is incorporated in their physical exam.

“It just helps us decide what to do right then and there without missing things,” says the Tulsa native. “It truly is lifesaving.”

The office provides blood testing, general wellness checks, fecal and urine analysis, X-rays, endoscopies, euthanasia and surgeries.

“There’s such a wide spectrum here,” Johnson says. The hospital’s seven vets will see anything from skin problems and itchy dogs to hit-by-car trauma within the same day.

WITHIN THE ECOSYSTEM

Working closely with primary care veterinarians, urgent cares want to benefit, instead of harm, business at general care practices.

“We’re trying to work with the veterinarians in the community, not against them,” Johnson says.

“If your dog needs to be seen that day and (general care offices) can’t get them in, there needs to be some other avenue.”

Dr. Chad Lewis, veterinarian and owner of Chimney Hills Animal Hospital, 6211 E. 91st St., says from his perspective as a general practitioner, pet urgent cares fill a huge need.

“We do our best to get our clientele in as quickly as we can, but our answering machine says if it’s an emergency and we’re not available because (we’re closed) to go to these (urgent cares),” Lewis says.

AFTERHOURS HELP PET URGENT CARE SERVICES RAMP UP IN TULSA.

BY JULIANNE TRAN

“It’s been really helpful because imagine it’s 3 o’clock on a Thursday and an animal comes in and needs its spleen taken out,” Lewis describes. “I don’t have time to do that surgery (before the end of the workday), but the urgent care that’s open until 10 p.m. can get that surgery done.”

These veterinarians describe the connection between animal urgent cares and general practices as a symbiotic relationship, referring patients from one to the other.

“We work extremely closely with all the primary care vets in the city, particularly the ones within a 5-mile radius,” Cackler says. “About half of our caseload actually comes from a primary care veterinarian telling the client to come here.”

They hope this relationship will result in the best care for pets.

IN MORE SEVERE CASES

Before urgent cares, pet owners relied on 24-hour hospitals when they thought their animal needed to be seen quickly. Now, owners can turn to urgent cares when they do not know how severe a problem is and want their pet examined.

“We want to be a bridge or a steppingstone between figuring out if something actually needs to go to an ICU,” Johnson says. “What’s happened is that ICUs have been completely overrun with seeing cases that are felt to be urgent but might not be life-threatening.”

Cackler says, “By taking less critical patients off of their plate, ICUs are better able to take care of animals that truly need a critical care setting.”

If that pet needs to get intensive care, pet urgent cares work closely with 24-hour hospitals to transfer patients.

“It’s very cohesive,” Cackler says. “We call (hospitals) and tell them everything about the case and what we’ve done to treat it.” The urgent care will give the animal pain and anti-nausea medication or fluids before sending them to the emergency room.

“All of it really moves seamlessly,” she says.

And with limited wait times and fast diagnoses, these urgent care veterinarians found they are sometimes helping owners more than their pets.

PROVIDING PEACE OF MIND

“We’re focused on quality of life mostly for the patient but also for the client (who is) so affected by (their pet’s health),” Johnson says. “It’s like with my own kids. I know that something probably might not need to be seen today but gosh, I would have peace of mind if I could have that looked at. And the same thing goes with animals. It’s maybe even worse because they can’t talk, so you don’t know exactly what they’re feeling.”

Johnson says one of the best answers he can give is that there’s nothing wrong with a pet.

“Peace of mind is worth a lot, even a ‘no,’” Johnson says, especially when that ‘no’ came quickly, without waiting to get scheduled at the primary care veterinarian or sitting in an emergency waiting room.

Cackler says people often apologize for coming in when there is not a major problem. “We would always rather see your pet before they have a critical issue and before they have an expensive issue,” 42 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

Above, Dr. Corynn Cackler, veterinarian and owner of STATVet Animal Urgent Care with Sandie.

Below, the staff of Tulsa Animal Urgent Care with owner Dr. Chris Johnson, bottom right, with Tucker.

Cackler says. “There’s no reason to not have your pet taken care of. Almost no problems are made better by waiting and almost everything is less expensive and less intensive to take care of if we deal with it from the beginning.”

From removing a jar from a dog’s head to identifying an escalating problem, an answer to a pet crisis awaits at an animal urgent care, no waiting needed. TP

STATVET ANIMAL URGENT CARE 2702 E. 15th St. Noon-10 p.m., Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday-Sunday TULSA ANIMAL URGENT CARE 6119 S. Mingo Road Every day, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

“Our doors first opened in 1965 in Tulsa…

As a walk-in only veterinary clinic, we see pets from all around the Tulsa area and treat a wide range of illnesses and injuries. From wellness checks and vaccines to hospitalization and surgeries, we have what it takes to meet all of your pet’s needs. The walk-in nature of our clinic allows us to spend the time needed to review records and develop individualized care plans that are right for every family and pet, without worrying about going over an allotted amount of time. One of the things that set us apart from other clinics is the dynamic of our staff. We are a family that encourages the best in each other and we pride ourselves in our commitment and compassion for our patients. A large portion of our clients have been with us for a long time and we know them very well. We reminisce together about pets that have long passed and we share in the simple joys that are felt when adopting new pets. We also enjoy meeting new people and getting

to know their fur families in detail. We accept new clients at any time; no need to call ahead. Whether you are a long-standing client or a fresh face, we will prioritize your pets needs and treat you with respect. We look forward to meeting you and your pets!

Mark Shackelford, DVM

Erin Green, DVM

Kara Herrington, DVM

Kris Haak, DVM

15th Street Veterinary Group (918) 835-2336 • 6231 E 15th St, Tulsa, OK 74112

Caring for your pe ts and making a difference in the lives of Oklahomans!

6520 E. 60th St. (60th & S. Sheridan), Tulsa 74145 • 918-298-0104 Open Tues.–Sat. 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m. www.streetcatstulsa.org www.facebook.com/streetcatsinc

Gabe is a classic brown tabby weighing about 8 lbs. and he’ll be one year old on 12/14/2023. He is outgoing, loving, and playful. He enjoys wand toys and loves whatever game you play with him. He is also affectionate and active until it is nap time. He enjoys wet and dry food and treats. He is healthy and happy and ready for a forever home possibly with a pet companion. We always have wonderful cats for adoption in case Gabe has already been adopted when this issue comes out. All StreetCat kitties are fully vetted and microchipped prior to coming into our Adoption Center.

StreetCats has a wonderful boutique with “purrfect” items for cats as well as cat lovers.

StreetCats also has a spay/neuter/vaccinate $25 voucher program for homeless cats on the streets. All volunteer, nonprofit, supported by donations for 26 years!

Grooming & Bathing

2234 E 56th PI, Tulsa | (918) 749-5255 | muddy-paws.org

happy holidays from Dogtopia of South Tulsa

Schedule your overnight stays today!

DOGTOPIA OF SOUTH TULSA 8170 S. Lewis Ave • 918-891-3110 dogtopia.com/south-tulsa 44 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

IS ANYONE STAYING WITH YOUR DOGS OR CATS AT NIGHT? Our staff is on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Next month, we celebrate nine years of caring for dogs and cats (and even fish, ferrets and pet chickens) in the Tulsa Metro area. Thank you for trusting us to care for your beloved fur kids as you travel or entertain guests in your home over the holiday season. Have a new furry family member? Our daycare staff does an amazing job of entertaining and socializing dogs of all sizes and shapes in a safe, controlled environment. Come take a tour or give us a call. We would love to meet you!

— Delana Taylor McNac D.V.M. Owner/Manager

9535A E 47th Place 918-949-6070 kittycitytulsa.com

9525 E. 47th Place 918-949-6070 dogville-daycare.com

Animal Emergency Center Established in 1987, we are Tulsa’s original veterinary emergency and urgent care hospital! Locally owned and operated, AEC stands ready 7 days a week to help you and your pets at your time of need!

• Minor Injuries/ Wounds • Major Injuries/ Trauma

• Stomach upset • Toxin exposure • Emergency Surgery

• Intensive Care • Endoscopy • Ultrasound • On-site Lab

WHEN YOU NEED US...

WE’LL BE HERE! (918) 665-0508 AECTULSA.COM

4055 S. 102nd E. Ave., Tulsa, OK 74146 TulsaPeople.com 45

46 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

Reservation exploration 6 TRIBAL DESTINATIONS TO EDUCATE, ENTERTAIN AND ENLIGHTEN

BY R H YS M A RTI N For years, Oklahoma’s state tourism moniker was “Native America.” We all know Oklahoma was Indian Territory before it became the 46th state in the union, but how many of us have a true understanding of the tribal nations within the state’s borders? If you do a deep dive into the cultural experiences these nations offer today, you’re likely to discover so much more than you expect. There’s so much to see and do that is made possible by our tribal neighbors.

RHYS MARTIN

Cherokee Nation’s Anna Mitchell Cultural and Welcome Center in Vinita, Oklahoma

TulsaPeople.com 47

Cherokee Nation

Choctaw Nation

The southeast corner of Oklahoma is the home of the Choctaw Nation. At nearly 7 million acres it’s the second-largest reservation behind the Navajo in Arizona and New Mexico. The Choctaw was the first tribe to be forced along the Trail of Tears. They resettled at Tvshka Homma (Tuskahoma) where their red brick capitol building was built in 1884. Much like the Cherokee capitol, this is the centerpiece of their tribal history that covers the Choctaw story from pre-European engagement to the Trail of Tears to Choctaw Code Talkers and more. Notably, the Choctaw Nation owns the Wheelock Academy Historic Site in Millerton. This complex was a Native American girl’s school until 1955. LeFlore Hall, the best-preserved building on-site, houses a museum that explains what school life was like here.

The Choctaw Cultural Center in Calera is the best place to visit and learn the story of the Choctaw people through art and exhibition. The Living Village is an immersive, interactive outdoor exhibit 48 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

Muscogee Nation’s Creek Council House in Okmulgee, Oklahoma

that gives a deeper insight into Choctaw culture and expression.

The expansive Choctaw Reservation has seen a tremendous resurgence in tourism in the past few years thanks to the bounty of outdoor activities available at Beavers Bend State Park and the greater Ouachita Mountains area. Hochatown, in particular, has seen quite an influx of restaurants, breweries and more. The Talimena Scenic Byway is the perfect Oklahoma autumn drive.

If you’d rather park instead and enjoy a relaxing weekend, the Choctaw Casino and Resort in Durant will provide a respite from the daily grind.

This landmark on U.S. Highway 75 just north of the Texas border boasts state-of-the-art gaming and attracts national-level entertainment. The Sky Tower also houses a Choctaw Art Walk featuring more than 6,000 pieces by over 30 Native artists.

CHOCTAWCOUNTRY.COM

Muscogee Nation

The Muscogee Nation is headquartered in Okmulgee, the tribe’s home since the end of the Civil War. The Creek Council House stands proudly at Sixth Street and Grand Avenue downtown and was one of the first sites in the country listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It, too, serves as a hub of Muscogee culture with exhibits, artifacts and the

history of a people forcibly relocated. It was renovated in 2018 and restored to the original layout it had in the years before statehood.

Less than an hour to the east in Muskogee, the Five Civilized Tribes Museum features many unique artifacts from the Muscogee tribe in addition to the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw and Seminole people.

When the Muscogee originally arrived in Indian Territory, they famously made camp and had meetings at what is known at the Council Oak Tree near the Arkansas River in Tulsa. There’s a monument acknowledging the Trail of Tears and another one across the street commemorating the popular Muscogee game of stickball. Further south in Tulsa, the tribe’s Council Oak Comprehensive Healthcare, 10109 E. 79th St., houses the largest collection of Muscogee art with hundreds of pieces from more than 30 artists.

A little farther down the river, River Spirit Casino Resort has become the centerpiece of another network of gaming and entertainment hubs in the region, the proceeds of which go to tribal programs. River Spirit is more than a casino — the towering complex has one of the city’s hottest event venues and multiple restaurants, notably the late Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville.

VISITMUSCOGEENATION.COM

CHICKASAW, CHOCTAW, FRIST AMERICANS: RHYS MARTIN; MUSCOGEE, OSAGE: TIM LANDES

Cherokee Nation is the largest tribe in the country and has a vast business portfolio of economy generating businesses, including its cultural tourism program.

The capital of the Cherokee Nation is about an hour from Tulsa in Tahlequah. The original capitol building was restored in 2019 and houses the Cherokee National History Museum. This historic site is a great place to learn about the Cherokee story and participate in modern arts and crafts events. There are festivals throughout the year here. Not far away sits the Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum and the Cherokee National Prison Museum, both built in the 1800s as mechanisms of justice during the Indian Territory days.

They, too, offer a history of the Cherokee Nation but through a very specific lens. Notably, the Supreme Court Museum showcases one of the original printing presses from The Cherokee Advocate newspaper. The paper started in 1828 as The Cherokee Phoenix in present-day Georgia and is older than The New York Times. After forced removal, the paper resumed operations as the Advocate until 2000 becoming the Cherokee Phoenix, which continues to be printed in Cherokee syllabary and in English. Credited for influencing dozens of languages internationally, the syllabary was created by a man named Sequoyah. For more on his story specifically, visitors can tour his cabin museum in Sallisaw.

One of the Cherokee Nation’s newest landmarks is the Anna Mitchell Cultural and Welcome Center in Vinita. This free attraction is named after an artist and pottery expert, and as such the facility focuses on art and culture with permanent exhibits and installations. All of these locations are near Cherokee Casinos and hotels, each of which offer their own calendar of concert events, dining and gaming options, plus tribal history exhibits. Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Catoosa is a visible landmark and popular destination for gaming, concerts, dining and other entertainment. visitcherokeenation.com

Choctaw Nation capitol building in Tuskahoma, Oklahoma

First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City

Osage Veterans Memorial at the Osage Nation Museum, in Pawhuska, Oklahoma

Osage Nation

The Osage Nation blossoms from Pawhuska, a town that has seen revitalization over the past few years from several sources, but all eyes are on Osage history this fall.

The Osage, like the other Indigenous tribes, have a long and storied history. The Osage Nation Museum, which sits just north of the iconic Osage County Courthouse, is the oldest tribally governed museum in the U.S. Exhibits and art here represent the evolution of Osage culture throughout its relocations and its final move to Indian Territory.

They were one of the few tribes to purchase their land in what would become Oklahoma, so they had the rights to its minerals. The discovery of oil on that land in the late 1800s led to the chapter of Osage history known as the Reign of Terror that was captured in the book and film “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Although the story takes place mostly in the town of Fairfax, Pawhuska substituted for the town in Martin Scorsese’s motion picture. Some buildings still bear signs from the production, which turned the downtown street to dirt to simulate Osage County of the 1920s.

Perceptive visitors will find many corners of town that loomed large on the silver screen, even if it was only for a moment.

Many small bed-and-breakfasts operate in Pawhuska these days and there’s a new Osage Casino Hotel on the east end of town. One other site in town of particular interest is the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, which has several stunning stained-glass windows that depict the Osage people. Tours are available most Thursdays and Fridays.

The actual town of Fairfax is not a long drive away and its Tall Chief Theater currently hosts an exhibit on the “Killers of the Flower Moon” story.

The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve north of town continues to grow in recognition as the largest protected area of tallgrass prairie in the world.

OSAGECULTURE.COM

Chickasaw Nation’s capitol building in Tishomingo, Oklahoma

Chickasaw Nation

The Chickasaw Nation is spread across 13 counties in south-central Oklahoma, covering the southern edge of Oklahoma City all the way to the Red River on the Texas border. One of Oklahoma’s most beautiful natural wonders, Turner Falls, sits in the heart of Chickasaw Country. It’s the tallest waterfall in the state and is the namesake of a large park that offers camping, hiking and more.

A little further south along the Interstate 35 corridor, the Chickasaw National Recreation Area surrounds the Lake of the Arbuckles and is anchored by the town of Sulphur. Outdoor lovers will find scenic campgrounds, cabins for rent, miles of hiking trails and the Travertine Nature Center.

For a more upscale experience, book a stay at Sulphur’s Artesian Hotel, Casino and Spa. The Artesian opened in 2013, inspired by the original hotel of the same name that burned down in 1962 and was rebuilt in 1965. The tribe purchased it in 1972.

It’s more than just a monument to history, though; this boutique accommodation is known throughout the region for the Sole’renity Spa and its therapeutic treatment options. The indoor-outdoor pool and modern-day bathhouse are inspired by the natural springs that made the original hotel such a popular destination. Of course, there are also numerous dining and shopping options in and around The Artesian to provide a complete getaway experience.

The Chickasaw Cultural Center stands a few miles to the west, near Veteran’s Lake, and hosts events throughout the year at their Traditional Village and Ayowa’ Garden, the latter of which features bimonthly Garden to Gourmet agritours. Check out the Stomp Dance, which is demonstrated daily.

For the history and architecture-loving traveler, the Chickasaw Nation also has a historic capitol building in Tishomingo. The Victorian-gothic building, like its cousins, serves as a museum and showcase for Chickasaw culture. Save the date for Nov. 17, as the Nation is celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Capitol Dedication and is planning to ring in the anniversary with family friendly activities. CHICKASAW.NET TP

This is only a small part of what you can experience by visiting one of our 39 tribal nations in Oklahoma. Visit their websites and other media to learn about other events throughout the year and ways you can interact with these rich cultures. As with any people, it’s more than just history, education and commemoration. It’s the people that make each one special — and it’s that personal connection that truly brings us all together.

First Americans Museum Oklahoma is the home of 39 tribal nations, all of which have some representation in this state-of-the-art showcase on the Oklahoma River in Oklahoma City. Partially funded by Chickasaw Nation, the First Americans Museum opened in 2021 after more than 30 years of planning and construction.

Even the grounds of the museum are full of meaning and intention; the museum buildings and a large mound of earth form two partial circles. Inside the mound, a small tunnel perfectly captures the light of the setting sun on the shortest day of the year. In the summer, the sun sets at the top of the mound. At the front of the museum, a metal hand suspended underneath an arch welcomes visitors in the spirit of friendship. Once inside, the attention to detail and meaningful design doesn’t stop. A tall glass dome, called the Hall of People, has 10 columns representing the 10 miles a day Indigenous people walked during their forced removals to present-day Oklahoma in a journey that stretched more than 5,000 miles.

As you enter the exhibit hall, you are enveloped in the creation stories of multiple tribes. Afterwards, you are taken through a rich timeline filled with cultural touchstones, intricate artifacts and accounts of those who endured.

On the second floor, exhibits on loan from The Smithsonian tell another tale, one of appropriation and collection. Many of the items on display haven’t been seen publicly in over a century and have a continued life of sacred duty. Plaques explain some cases might be empty because the items are not meant to be seen by everyone, or the item may be out on loan for active use in tribal ceremony.

The museum also features a restaurant with authentic Indigenous cuisine and a gift shop full of items made by local artisans as well as a robust event calendar.

FAMOK.ORG TulsaPeople.com 49

Winter Events at Gathering Place

Winter wonderland

COMPILED BY SEVYN BAHNTU

All events free unless otherwise stated.

50 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

Nov. 7 STRAIGHT NO CHASER 7:30 p.m. | $59.50-$89.50 | Tulsa Performing Arts Center, 110 E. Second St. | tulsapac.com Be entertained by the male a cappella group with holiday classics and more.

Nov. 11 DOCTOR JUNIOR’S FRIENDSGIVING II 8 p.m. | $15-$20 | The Vanguard, 222 N. Main St. | thevanguardtulsa.com Be surrounded by friends as groovy music engulfs you.

Nov. 12 SECOND SUNDAY ARTS AND EATS MARKET 9 a.m.-noon | Whittier Square, 1 S. Lewis Ave. | tulsafarmersmarket.org Shop local purveyors or art, jewelry, decor and more.

Nov. 16 CHRISTMAS IN BA KICK-OFF 6:30-9 p.m. | Rose District Plaza, 418 S. Main St., Broken Arrow | brokenarrowok.gov See the tree and lights turn on along Main while listening to live music from Grady Nichols and his band, shopping, ice skating and more.

Nov. 16 LIGHTS ON! JENKS 5-8 p.m. | Jenks Main Street | jenkschamber.com Hosted by KOTV meteorologist Travis Meyer, watch the lights illuminate along historic Main Street as well as other fun festival activities.

Nov. 16-Dec. 31 ROUTE 66 CHRISTMAS CHUTE 5 p.m. | Downtown Sapulpa | route66christmaschute.com As you stroll down historic Route 66, enjoy an 800-foot-long canopy decked for the season.

Nov. 17 LIGHTS ON BIXBY 5-9 p.m. | Charley Young Event Park, 50 W. Dawes Ave., Bixby. | bixbychamber.com Watch the Christmas lights turn on to illuminate the streets and buildings as a kick-off to the holiday season.

Nov. 20–Dec. 9 BIXBY’S WINTER WONDERLAND Nightly | Charley Young Event Park, 50 W. Dawes Ave., Bixby. | bixbychamber.com Enjoy the fourth annual event that brings the community into the spirit of Christmas.

Nov. 22–Jan. 1, 2024 RHEMA LIGHTS 6 p.m. | Rhema Bible Church, 1025 W. Kenosha St., Broken Arrow | rhemalights.org Enjoy the Christmas lights with synchronized musical trees and dancing snowflakes, plus the ultimate photo backdrop: the park bridge.

Nov. 23 FESTIVAL OF THE TREES LIGHTING CEREMONY 5 p.m. | Bixby Historical Society, 24 E. McKennon Ave., Bixby | bixbychamber.com Watch as 120 tree displays are synchronized to music, and stroll along to view other must-see attractions.

Nov. 23 LIGHTS ON! AT UTICA SQUARE 6:30 p.m. | Utica Square Shopping Center, 21st Street and Utica Avenue | uticasquare.com Celebrate the holiday season by counting down the beaming lights, while enjoying Christmas carols and taking photos in the gardens.

GATHERING PLACE: MICHELLE POLLARD; PARADE: TIM LANDES

There are so many ways to get into the spirit of the holidays, we picked some of our favorite festive events throughout the city and region to ring in the holiday season.

Inspired by the German Christmas markets, peruse and purchase from 24 local vendors and artisans while nibbling on Bavarian fare.

Nov. 24–Jan. 2 ARVEST WINTERFEST Times and prices vary. | BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave. | tulsawinterfest.com Indulge in the magical holiday spirit with Arvest Winterfest by taking in the holiday lights and outdoor ice skating.

Dec. 2 A DRAG QUEEN CHRISTMAS 7 p.m. | $35-$249 | Tulsa Theater, 105 W. Reconciliation Way | tulsatheater.com Be entertained by the live performances of your favorite queens.

Nov. 24-Dec. 30 BOTANIC GARDEN OF LIGHTS Times and prices vary. | Tulsa Botanic Garden, 3900 Tulsa Botanic Drive | tulsabotanic.org Enjoy the lights and holiday activities throughout the garden.

Dec. 2 CIVITANS CHRISTMAS PARADE 10-11:30 a.m. | Rose District Plaza, 418 S. Main St., Broken Arrow | brokenarrowok.gov Brighten the morning with floats, bands, clowns and more at this annual downtown parade.

Nov. 25-26, Dec. 2-3 CHRISTMAS TREE LOT 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; noon4 p.m. Sunday | Cascia Hall Preparatory School, 25th Street and Utica Avenue | casciahall.com Bring your family or friends with you to pick out the best Christmas tree.

Nov. 24-25; Dec. 1-2, 8-9, 14-16, 20-23 and 27-30 PHILBROOK FESTIVAL 5:30-9:30 p.m. | Prices vary.

Philbrook Museum, 2727 S. Rockford Road | philbrook.org/festival Enjoy holiday lights, music, and fun indoor and outdoor experiences.

Nov. 24 TURKEY TROT 5K 8:30 a.m. | $35-$45 | BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave. | fleetfeettulsa.com A Black Friday tradition. After the race enjoy the downtown Tulsa Winterfest celebration.

Nov. 25 LIGHTS ON OWASSO 6-7:30 p.m. | Redbud Festival Park, 109 N. Main St. | cityofowasso.com The Redbud District becomes aglow with lights.

Nov. 25 LIGHTS ON THE TRAIN 6 p.m. | Route 66 Village, 3770 Southwest Blvd. | route66village.com The holiday season is here and embrace it with Christmas lights on the train, Red Fork Depot and Cottage Gas Station.

Nov. 25 SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY IN KENDALL WHITTIER 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | Kendall Whittier, Admiral Boulevard and Lewis Avenue | visitkendallwhittier.com

Tulsa Christmas Parade

Pick out something for yourself or for a person’s gift by shopping small at these participating retailers.

Nov. 29 CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE 7:30 p.m. | $33-$103 | BOK Center, 200 S Denver Ave. | bokcenter.com See holiday storybook characters come alive with original musical scores, twists on holiday classics, sets and more.

Nov. 30 TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY 6-8 p.m. | German American Society of Tulsa, 2301 E. 15th St. | gastulsa.org This is a pre-event to Christkindlmarkt. Enjoy the outdoor Tree Lighting along with hot chocolate and cider, music and carols.

Nov. 30, Dec. 1-3, 7-10 THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER Times vary. | Clark Youth Theater at Henthorne Park, 4825 S. Quaker Ave. | clarkyouththeatre.com Don’t miss this theatrical tradition of six misfit children teaching their town the true meaning of Christmas through a Sunday school Christmas pageant.

Dec. 1 GLOW ON THE GREEN 6-9 p.m. | Guthrie Green, 111 E. Reconciliation Way. | guthriegreen.com

On First Friday, stroll through a market before the lights are turned on at 8 p.m. Lights will remain lit through the first week of January.

Dec. 1 SAND SPRINGS CHRISTMAS PARADE 7 p.m. | Downtown Sand Springs | sandspringschamber.org It’s a “Peanuts” themed parade this year in Tulsa’s neighbor to the west.

Dec. 1-25 WINTER EVENTS AT GATHERING PLACE Times vary. | Gathering Place, 2650 S. John Williams Way | gatheringplace.org Each day the public park will host free activities from bird watching and craft making to holiday happy hours, visits with Santa, as well as celebrations of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

Dec. 1 TULSA SYMPHONY PRESENTS “HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS” 7:30 p.m. | $24.50-$74.50 | Tulsa PAC | tulsapac.com Watch the film as the orchestra performs the film’s score live.

Dec. 1-3 CHRISTKINDLMARKT 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sunday | German American Society of Tulsa, 2301 E 15th St. | gastulsa.org

Dec. 2 THE GREAT PHILBROOK GIFT SWAP 1-4 p.m. | Prices vary. | Philbrook Museum, 2727 S. Rockford Road | philbrook.org Open to all ages, bring a gift to swap with someone else and stay around to capture the memories shared.

Dec. 2 HOLIDAY MART MEMBER ART SALE 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | The Center, 815 S. Utica Ave. | tulsacenter.org Get into the holiday spirit by shopping for artwork including paintings, ceramics, pottery and more.

Dec. 2 JINGLE BELL RUN 10 a.m. | River West Festival Park, 2100 S. Jackson Ave. | jbr.org/tulsa Wear holiday attire with family or friends while running or walking in this charity race.

Dec. 2 YULETIDE MARKET 8:30 a.m.-noon | Whittier Square, 1 S. Lewis Ave. | tulsafarmersmarket.org Shop locally for holiday gifts with vendors, artists and crafters.

Dec. 2, 9 BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Times vary. | $7-$41 | Tulsa Zoo, 6421 E. 36th St. N. | tulsazoo.org Enjoy a hot breakfast, arts and crafts, and meet Santa Claus at the zoo.

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Marie Osmond’s voice will mesmerize you as she belts out her classic hits and other holiday classics.

Lights On! Utica Square

Dec. 15 DAVID PHELPS CHRISTMAS 7:30 p.m. | $30-$60 | Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center, 701 S. Main St., Broken Arrow | brokenarrowpac.com The Dove Award winner is a favorite of the holiday circuit.

Dec. 5 GRADY NICHOLS CHRISTMAS SHOW 7:30 p.m. | $25-$55 | Mabee Center, 7777 S. Lewis Ave. | mabeecenter.com Get in the holiday spirit by hearing upbeat, funky, original and familiar Christmas favorites played by Nichols and friends.

Dec. 6 BROWN BAG IT: TULSA FESTIVAL RINGERS 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. | Free, reservation suggested. | Tulsa PAC, 110 E. Second St. | tulsapac.com Be immersed into the holiday season with handbell ringing.

Dec. 7 FIRST NIGHT HANUKKAH LIGHTING 5-6 p.m. | Temple Israel, 2004 E. 22nd Place | templetulsa.com Enjoy some doughnuts, hot cocoa and songs while watching a giant menorah illuminate.

Dec. 8-23 A CHRISTMAS CAROL Times vary. | $25-$45 | Tulsa PAC, 110 E. Second St. | americantheatrecompany.org For more than 46 years, this Tulsa tradition recounts the timeless tale of hope and redemption.

Dec. 8-10 HOMETOWN HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS Times vary. | $12-$15 | Broken Arrow Community Playhouse, 1800 S. Main St., Broken Arrow | bacptheatre.com A variety show featuring local groups and acts performing skits from many seasonal traditions.

Dec. 8-10, 15-17 AN ENCHANTED BOOKSHOP CHRISTMAS 7 p.m., Friday; 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday | $10-$15 | Tulsa Spotlight Theater, 1381 Riverside Drive | tulsaspotlighttheater.com

52 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

Dec. 15 TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA: THE GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS EVE 7:30 p.m. | $43-$113 | 75 BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave. | bokcenter.com This rock group plans to take holiday traditions to a whole new level.

It’s four days before Christmas as characters are reminded the best gifts don’t come wrapped in pretty paper and bows.

Dec. 9 OWASSO CHRISTMAS PARADE 9 a.m. | Smith Farm Marketplace, 9002 N. 121st E. Ave. | cityofowasso.com With the theme Christmas Carols on Parade, watch floats, bands and more in this annual morning parade.

Dec. 9 TULSA CHRISTMAS PARADE 11 a.m. | Starts at East Sixth Street and South Cincinnati Avenue. | tulsachristmasparade.org The annual holiday event features dozens of floats weaving through downtown. Strawberry Shortcake illustrator Muriel Fahrion will serve as grand marshal.

Dec. 9 BIXBY CHRISTMAS PARADE 6-8 p.m. | Charley Young Event Park, 50 W. Dawes Ave. | bixbychamber.com Bring the whole family to enjoy this event before the Buy Bixby Grand Finale.

Dec. 9 JD MCPHERSON – SOCKS: A ROCK N’ ROLL CHRISTMAS TOUR 7:30 p.m. | $26-$52 | Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N. Main St. | cainsballroom.com

Hear live renditions of songs from McPherson’s 2018 Christmas album.

Dec. 9-10, 15-17, 21-23 THE NUTCRACKER Times vary. | $35-$125 | Tulsa PAC, 110 E. Second St. | tulsaballet.org A holiday classic set in 19th century Germany where a young girl has a magical journey on Christmas Eve. Dec. 9 RUDOLPH RUN 5K 8:30 a.m. | $35-$45 | Fleet Feet, 303 S. Main St., Broken Arrow | fleetfeettulsa.com Enjoy a run or walk with family or friends and post-race hot chocolate.

Dec. 10 44TH ANNUAL ABATE OF TULSA TOY RUN 10 a.m., departure starts at 2 p.m. | Must have an unwrapped toy to be able to ride/admission. | Expo Square, 4145 E. 21st St. | abateoftulsa.com Benefiting Toys for Tots, thousands of motorcyclists ride through town to bring joy to children in northeastern Oklahoma.

Dec. 10 MARIE OSMOND: AN ORCHESTRAL CHRISTMAS 8 p.m. | $39-$59 | Osage Casino Tulsa Skyline Event Center, 951 W. 36th St. | osagecasino.com

Dec. 15-16 CHRISTMAS IN TULSA 7:30 p.m. | $39-$79 | VanTrease Performing Arts Center for Education, 10300 E. 81 St. | signaturesymphony.org Emerge into the holiday season with a concert that delivers timeless holiday favorites that family and friends will enjoy.

Dec. 16 SAPULPA CHRISTMAS PARADE OF LIGHTS 6-9 p.m. | Begins at Main Street and Taft Avenue, Sapulpa | sapulpachamber.com Enjoy this community celebration of twinkling lights for the holiday season.

Dec. 31 RACE INTO THE NEW YEAR 11 p.m. | Prices vary River West Festival Park, 2100 S. Jackson Ave. | runnersworldtulsa.com Put on your onesie and take a walk or run into the new year with friends or family. Enjoy snacks after the race and look to the sky at midnight for fireworks.

Jan. 6-7 AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., Jan. 6; 2:30 p.m., Jan. 7 | $15 | Tulsa PAC, 110 E. Second St. | tulsaopera.com Performed by Tulsa Youth Opera, enjoy this story about how Amahl offers his gift to the Christ child. TP

MICHELLE POLLARD

Dec. 5 71ST ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON AND FASHION SHOW 10 a.m. | $75 | Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center, 6808 S. 107th E. Ave. | salarmytulsa.org Hosted by the Women’s Auxiliary, watch a live fashion show during lunch and participate in a silent auction.

HAVE SOME HOLIDAY FUN BEYOND THE METRO Nov. 11-12 CHRSTKINDL MARKET 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday. | Hilton Garden Inn, 205 S.W. Frank Phillips Blvd., Bartlesville | okmmusic.org A traditional Bavarian market filled with local artisans and craftsmen.

Plus, save room for yummy German treats.

DECEMBER 9-23 • TULSA PAC

Nov. 18 BOARE’S HEADE FEASTE 7 p.m. | $59.95 | Castle of Muskogee, 3400 W. Fern Mountain Road, Muskogee | okcastle.com A great way to start the holiday season with friends, music and food.

Nov. 17-18 DICKENS ON THE BOULEVARD 6-9 p.m. | Lilac District, Will Rogers Boulevard and Route 66, Claremore. | downtownclaremore.org This Victorian-themed Christmas event includes live entertainment, a costume contest, period-themed dancing, carriage rides, late-night shopping and more.

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Dec. 2, 9 WILL’S COUNTRY CHRISTMAS 11 a.m.–2 p.m. | Will Rogers Memorial Museum, 1720 W. Will Rogers Blvd., Claremore. | willrogers.com Snap a photo with Santa.

ON SELECT SEATS

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Nov. 24–Dec. 17 WONDERLAND OF LIGHTS 5-9 p.m., every Friday, Saturday and Sunday | Free, members and children 3 and under. $7, adults; $2, children 12 and under. | Woolaroc, 1924 Woolaroc Ranch Road, Bartlesville | woolaroc.org This holiday tradition returns for you to enjoy the beautiful lights throughout the campus, get a view of Clyde Lake, meet Santa and more.

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Nov. 23-Dec. 31 CASTLE CHRISTMAS 5:30-10 p.m. | Free drive-thru; activities vary. | Castle of Muskogee, 3400 W. Fern Mountain Road, Muskogee | okcastle.com Drive through the holiday displays whether in your car, on a hayride or on a train through the Castle village and more.

Nov. 18-19 THE BIG CHRISTMAS EXPO 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | $5 for 13 and older | Hatbox Event Center, 640 S. 40th St., Muskogee | visitmuskogee.com This two-day event is a shopper’s dream with Christmas carolers, storytime with Mrs. Claus and more.

Nov. 24-25, Dec. 1-2 POLAR EXPRESS PAJAMA PARTY 6-8 p.m. | $15 | The Roxy Theater, 220 W. Okmulgee St., Muskogee | roxymuskogee.org Be entertained by this holiday cinematic classic while sipping on cocoa.

TULSABALLET.ORG | 918.749.6006 TulsaPeople.com 53

Morgan Gillispie is the owner of Modern Cottage, which features a wide variety of holiday gifts and decor like these popular glitter houses.

5 weekends to shop LOCAL RETAILERS ARE COUNTING ON YOU TO SHOP LOCAL AND OFTEN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

BY ANNE BROCKMAN

T

he sounds of the holiday shopping season vary depending on who you are. For kids it might be a “Ho, Ho, Ho” from Santa Claus. For adults, perhaps it’s the sound of a cherished carol playing over the loudspeaker at our favorite store.

If you’re a retailer it’s the finger tapping of a credit card machine and the opening of cash drawers.

“Christmas season, fourth quarter is our biggest time of the year. It is so important,” says Morgan Gillispie, owner of Modern Cottage, 1325 E. 15th St. “We plan for this all year. We start in January — a lot of people are surprised to know that we order Christmas around Jan. 10 for the following year.”

At Garden Deva, 1326 E. Th ird St., owner Kari Babcock and her seven employ-

54 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

ees have been busy all year planning, designing and creating the metal art sculptures, ornaments and decor the 35-year-old business is known for.

“Christmas time is our busiest time of the year,” Babcock says. “Everything here is conceptualized, designed, manufactured, marketed and sold all under one roof, so we are completely local, and we are artistically focused.”

For these retailers, any many like them, shopping local has never been more important. In Tulsa County, 5,008 retail establishments employ 62,901 people, according to data compiled by Gale research analysis.

It also estimates the average Tulsa County consumer expenditure for gifts in 2022 was $1,045.40.

“Whenever you spend $1 at a small business, the vast majority of that dollar is going back into the community, whether that’s through suppliers, through employees, through their taxes — everything all around is getting reinvested back into the community,” Babcock says. “That’s a really powerful thing. It’s not to be underestimated.”

Beyond finding the perfect gift — whether that’s for someone you love or yourself — shoppers at local retailers are likely to find customer service a priority. It’s something Gillispie was taught by her mom, Malinda Anderson, who owned a vintage shop in Owasso before joining her daughter at Modern Cottage.

“We are here for the customers,” Gillispie says. “I believe that is what sets us apart from a lot of chains here in town. It’s either me or my mom here every day. We make everyone feel like they are appreciated because they are here supporting me and my family.”

As the calendar turns to November, both Babcock and Gillispie are busy.

Th is holiday season will be the biggest yet for Gillispie’s Modern Cottage, which recently quadrupled its retail space with a move next door. By Nov. 1 the store will be completely transformed and fi lled with holiday options in all its departments such as baby, clothing, home decor, furniture and more.

At Garden Deva, the staff is working on custom ornaments for upcoming corporate gifts and fundraisers, as well as special projects and creations for its seasonal sales. On Nov. 10-11, Garden Deva will host shoppers at Garden Deco, a holiday shopping event with classic and new art deco holiday collections plus live music and more than 20 local art vendors. On Black Friday, Nov. 24, and Small Business Saturday, Nov. 25, Garden Deva discounts its inventory in time for gift giving.

“Our customers are really the reason why we do what we do,” Babcock says.

“We’re really grateful to be incorporated and thought of for meaningful moments in people’s lives.” TP

GILLISPIE: MICHELLE POLLARD; BABCOCK: COURTESY

Garden Deva owner Kari Babcock, pictured here with husband and Garden Deva artist Bobby Babcock, says the holiday season is the busiest time of the year at the 35-year-old shop.

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Located next door to Mother Road Market for more local food and shopping in the Tulsa Market District 56 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

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• NEW BREAKFAST MENU • AT HYATT REGENCY CAFE

New Saturday & Sunday brunch service

324 E 1st St • winebartulsa.com Monday-Friday 4 PM-12 AM Saturday 11 AM-12 AM Sunday 11 AM- 7PM

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All your holiday needs in one place: local food, fun gifts, and rentable event space!

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62 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

Dog-gone GOOD

W

MICHELLE POLLARD

hen Kristin Bond’s aging rescue dog James came down with an auto-immune disorder, she started looking closely at the food and treats he was being fed. Bond started Okie Doggie as a gourmet treat and wellness line made from as many local, nutrientdense ingredients as possible.

Find Okie Doggie online at okiedoggie.com or at the following markets, events and more: Rose District Farmers Market, Tulsa Farmers’ Market Second Saturday Market, Farm Hippie in Collinsville, Okie Family Market in Broken Arrow, Braum’s An Affair of the Heart or 181 Ranch’s Christmas at the Ranch. TP

Small breed snacks, $6; large breed pumpkinshaped snacks, $12; sweet potato chips, $9; all from Okie Doggie.

TulsaPeople.com 63

STOREFRONT

Curating connection UMBER SHOPPE OFFERS COMMUNITY AND CREATIVITY IN RETAIL.

BY GRACE WOOD

F

Carolina Gonzalez Hammock

Umber Shoppe 1640 E. THIRD ST., UNIT B | UMBERSHOPPE.COM Noon-5 p.m., Tuesday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Wednesday-Saturday; noon-4 p.m., Sunday

or Umber Shoppe owner Carolina Gonzalez Hammock, running a store is not just about curating an inventory, but a community, too.

Her store, located near Utica Avenue and Th ird Street, offers a unique mix of clothing, home decor, accessories and a plethora of vintage items hand-picked by Gonzalez Hammock herself.

Umber Shoppe also hosts events and workshops — like candle making classes, sound baths, pop-up markets — which Gonzalez Hammock says are part of an effort to create an experience for customers that extends beyond just shopping by also providing a platform for other small business owners and artists to expand their reach.

“For me, it’s not just about the shopping — it’s about the community, the collaboration and creating an experience,” Gonzalez Hammock says. “I really want people to feel something when they walk in the door.”

Gonzalez Hammock started Umber Shoppe in June 2021. While she has found success in her day job in the oil and gas industry, she wanted to find balance between her analytical/corporate position with a creative outlet and a way to share her lifelong love of all things vintage with the world.

Deciding to take a chance and invest in her dream, Gonzalez Hammock — who had no prior retail experience — moved into her space, renovated it and fi lled it with her carefully curated vintage collection within just one month. Now, in addition to vintage, she sells items from all over the world and has her own clothing line in production.

“I saw a gap in size inclusivity and the styles of clothes that were available, so I’m excited to create a small collection that’s super inclusive,” she says.

In an age where the online retail industry continues to grow, Gonzalez Hammock says she’s continually proud of her choice to open a brick-and-mortar store.

“My favorite part of my weekend is opening the store in the morning and welcoming people in,” Gonzalez Hammock says.

“Talking to my customers and making connections — that’s what I’m after.” TP

The Miriam cropped blazer and skirt set is a go-to outfit, but also two fundamental pieces that can be easily mixed and matched. $74.

64 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

Mia jewelry’s designs, quality and price point make it a perfect fit for Umber. Earrings, $28.

Vintage denim vest. $46.

Each textile in the Toto collection features a unique design and rich hues of indigo.

Pillow, $68.

MICHELLE POLLARD

SHOP FAVORITES

HOME

L S UP P OR T T U L S A’ S langdon Contact adservices@

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advertising info.

Carols and Crumpets Co-chairs Marcia Clark and Patsy Wynn at Tulsa Garden Center

SPRIGS AND SPIRIT

W

MICHELLE POLLARD

inter is a season of delicious, warming smells like cinnamon cider on the stove and sprigs of fresh herbs decorating holiday festivities.

Herb enthusiasts and connoisseurs are invited to a day of shopping and celebration at Carols and Crumpets, Tulsa Herb Society’s annual fundraiser with vendors that will help make this season one to remember.

“This event is a really fun kickoff to the Christmas season,” says Nancy Foster, president of Tulsa Herb Society.

On Dec. 2, vendors — both THS members and others like Okie Bee Farms, Prigmore Pottery and The Mostly Magic Kitchen — will have handmade Christmas decor items such as ornaments, wreaths and greenery, as well as holiday herbed jams and herbal vinegars. Shoppers also can expect jewelry, food, garlands, potted Christmas trees and garden-themed items, Foster says.

“It’s a great thing to go to if you’re looking for gifts that are handmade,” Foster says. “All of our vendors are local and everything is handcrafted.”

Tulsa Herb Society has been active since 1988, with a mission to foster an appreciation and knowledge of herbs and their many uses. Carols and Crumpets has happened for more than 30 of the 35 years the group has been active, making it a staple to its fundraising and outreach efforts. Any proceeds earned from the event benefit Tulsa Garden Center as well as garden-related charities in the area.

The group aims to educate both its 150-plus members and the public on various aspects of herbs through teaching, organizing workshops and developing educational programs. One of several horticultural organizations headquartered at Woodward Park, Tulsa Herb Society provides the herbs planted in the park’s Teaching Garden, Foster says.

For updates about the event and for more information, follow Tulsa Herb Society on Facebook. — GRACE WOOD DEC. 2 — CAROLS AND CRUMPETS 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | Free admission Tulsa Garden Center, 2435 S. Peoria Ave. FACEBOOK.COM/TULSAHERB

Come visit Charlie while you shop for your holiday gifts!

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TulsaPeople.com 65

HOME

Winter is coming

A

s fall turns to winter and temperatures begin to drop, it is important to protect your family’s biggest investment — your home. Austin and Chase Boyce are third-generation owners of Airco Service, which has been offering heating, air conditioning, plumbing and generator services to northeast Oklahoma for more than 60 years. The two shared the following tips to get your home ready for winter.

WATER SAFETY Disconnect water hoses and drain them. Cover all outdoor faucets during freezing temperatures, especially north-facing faucets.

Outdoor faucet covers come in a range of prices and can be purchased online or at hardware and home improvement stores. For indoor faucets and pipes, open cabinets under sinks along exterior walls to let heat circulate during especially cold spells and allow a small flow of water to run from faucets, especially those furthest from the meter. Water continuously flowing throughout your pipes can prevent them from freezing.

ARE YOU ON OUR

LIST?

SYSTEM CHECK Be sure to get a furnace tune up and thorough safety inspection before it gets too cold. The best times to have routine maintenance done on AC and furnace units are during the shoulder seasons: spring and fall. An experienced technician will look out for common issues and make sure the system is running efficiently and safely. And do not forget to change air filters and clean air vents to remove the buildup of dust and dirt that can cause inefficient airflow.

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FAB FINDS

PROTECT Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are extremely important year-round, but especially during the winter months when residents are more likely to use gas appliances. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, in living rooms and dens and on every level of your home. Also, test alarms each month and change the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors annually.

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66 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

INSULATE Insulation is the most cost-effective way to keep a home warm in the winter. Make sure attic insulation is in good condition to protect pipes throughout the home. Also check around exterior doors and windows and seal places where chilly air may get in with weather stripping, caulking and spray foam.

A visit with Patrick A painter of consistent habits,

Gordon

a man of contrasts and change.

READ MORE

Family Affair Q&A with Cherokee artist Kindra Swafford on Cherokee Art Market, which is this weekend at Hard Rock Tulsa. READ

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HAVE A BACK-UP PLAN Generators are great to have during winter. Oklahoma can get some brutal winter weather, so a generator means you do not have to worry about not having heat during a bad winter storm — or a prolonged power outage as much of Tulsa endured this summer. The primary hazards when using a generator are carbon monoxide poisoning and electric shock.

Never run gas-powered generators indoors. — SARA PLUMMER

SENIOR LIV ING

Chris McDonald serves as a nursing manager in Ascension St. John’s Medical Center orthoneuro trauma center.

As a veteran, McDonald leads an initiative to identify fellow patients who served.

‘Heartfelt CONNECTION’ A

FORMER ARMY MEDIC HONORS VETERANS IN HIS ROLE AT ASCENSION ST. JOHN. MICHELLE POLLARD

BY GAIL BANZET-ELLIS

s a prior service U.S. Army veteran, Chris McDonald has completed many successful missions, but his current role in health care is one of his biggest to date. McDonald leads the OrthoNeuro Trauma Veteran Identification Initiative at Ascension St. John’s Medical Center, and he strives to ensure all veterans under his care receive the honor and respect they deserve.

“When I became nursing manager of the ONT unit 18 months ago, our VP of nursing challenged me to run the department like it was my own personal business,” he says. OrthoNeuro combines orthology and neurology, where traumatic injuries affect both the musculoskeletal system and brain and spinal injuries. “Being a veteran from a very long line of military

service in my family, I wanted to improve the way we recognize veterans when they come into the facility.”

St. John’s method of acknowledging veteran patients was to issue them a branded veteran bracelet, if he or she happened to be identified. McDonald expanded on that, leading an effort 18 months ago to develop an acrylic department logo to place on each door of the ONT 28-bed unit. Unit coordinators introduce themselves and audit information boards, asking if the patient has a veteran status. Those identified as veterans receive special signage on their door with their branch of service. Unit staff also can update the boards.

“The initiative brings pride to veterans, and anybody who walks into their rooms sees the logo and can spark a conversation,” McDonald says.

In addition to his prior service in the Army, McDonald’s immediate boss and one of his direct report staff members formerly served in the Marines. Two months ago, a prior service Marine was admitted to the ONT floor on the evening shift. Thanks to his early identification as a veteran, McDonald could chat with him the next morning.

“I said, ‘Good morning, Marine. How are you?’ and we started talking,” he says. “My boss was doing rounds and walked in to say hello. The gentleman actually teared up on us. He said he felt like he was among friends and not a patient.”

The camaraderie is medicinal for McDonald, too, connecting him with individuals on a more personal level. A native of Mounds, Oklahoma, he left for Army basic training after high school graduation and became a paratrooper/ parachute rigger and test jumper, testing parachutes and new airborne equipment and platforms for the U.S. military. He was later retrained as a combat medic and completed military service with the Oklahoma National Guard as a state flight medic in the Oklahoma Military Department. Interacting with veterans as a nursing manager at St. John’s reminds McDonald of his own service and the commitment he made to his country alongside brothers and sisters of all ages and backgrounds.

“In the hecticness of modern health care, that’s the period of time when I get to decompress and have those fun conversations with people that don’t involve their broken bones or the trauma that happened to them,” he says. “It is absolutely about the heartfelt connection.” TP TulsaPeople.com 67

SENIOR LIV ING

5 financial tips as you inch toward

Life lessons

RETIREMENT

L

earning something new every day isn’t just about gaining knowledge. Experts say lifelong learning is good for mental health, self-esteem and can help prevent cognitive decline. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute realized this value and has launched programs at over 120 universities throughout the U.S. to bring non-credit, ungraded courses to adults over the age of 50. Oklahoma has several institutions that participate in the program and provide an array of learning opportunities for students that range from Audrey Hepburn filmography to participating in an actual Global Renaissance college course.

— JORDAN COX UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF TULSA*

LIFE SENIOR SERVICES* LIFE offers a range of opportunities targeted at seniors and caregivers that include topics such as Medicare, legal issues, estate planning and caregiving topics, as well as personal interest opportunities.

OU’s program — offered in Norman, Oklahoma City and via Zoom — boasts over 50 courses offered each semester. Courses range in topics such as art, history, world cultures, literature and political science.

Courses include tours of famous Tulsa landmarks like the Oklahoma Aquarium and Fab Lab, to topics like Cherokee history, film, jazz and geography.

Learners are invited to audit real college courses and participate in the course for the length of the semester.

“The main benefit is learning in its purest form.

Since this is a non-credit program, our members are not looking for a degree or a way to advance their career. They simply want to learn about a topic that interests them.”

— Chris Elliott, director of the division of lifelong learning

“Our students are all 50+ and cover a wide range of backgrounds and education levels. We are inclusive and welcoming of all who are interested in continuing their love of learning, social engagement and educational travel. We offer socialization with peers, and educational opportunities in Stillwater, Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Bartlesville, as well as online and through the greater OLLI network. We also offer educational travel through our ed-ventures.”

— Robbin Davis, OLLI director

“The students are enrolled in a real class with faculty and college students.

This also allows alumni or anyone who wants to learn new programs that have developed since they graduated or just take something for enjoyment.

No homework, papers or tests to take. They have access to the faculty, library and fitness center.

One of our lifelong learners told me that it keeps his mind active and he enjoys conversation with our students.”

— Stephanie Boulden, manager of special projects and technical needs

“Some of our most popular ‘fun’ topics have included genealogy, two iPhone photography classes and having a curator from Philbrook give us a preview of the Rembrandt to Monet exhibit. There are so many options out there, I encourage them to mix things up and include both learning for fun and learning to aid good decision-making in the more serious areas of life.”

— Carol Carter, education and community events specialist for LIFE Senior Services

$5-$50 per course

$0-$50 per course

$500 per course

Free

Classes range from 2 hours, to 1 day/week for 4-6 weeks

1 day to 8 weeks

A full semester

Most classes are 60-90 minutes

olli.okstate.edu

artsandsciences.utulsa. edu/life-long-learning/ life-long-learning-courses

pacs.ou.edu/olli

*NOT ASSOCIATED WITH OSHER LIFELONG INSTITUTE 68 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

lifeseniorservices.org/ community-education

*NOT ASSOCIATED WITH OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE

I

n the U.S., 10,000 people turn 65 every day, according to AARP. As many of those look forward to retirement, Rhonda Bailey, private bank officer at Mabrey Bank, gives advice on moving on financially.

CHECK IN OFTEN WITH YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR This is the No. 1 thing you can do as you prepare for retirement, Bailey says. “Even if you have been planning, saving and investing wisely throughout your career, a trusted financial advisor will be able to expertly provide data, project market trends and offer wise financial counsel as you wind down your career,” she says.

As a person nears the final clock-out, meeting with an advisor on an annual or semi-annual basis is appropriate.

COMPILE YOUR RESOURCES Your 401(k) retirement plan, investments in the stock market, real estate or a pension might be some of the resources you have to build your retirement foundation.

Social Security at age 62 and Medicare at 65 might just be “icing on the cake,” according to Bailey. “Ensuring you have as many resources as possible at your disposal is critical to maximizing your retirement,” she says.

STICK TO A BUDGET Big expenses like a mortgage and college tuitions have hopefully passed and it’s critical to set financial expectations for the future, Bailey suggests. With help from your financial advisor, tally monthly bills, subscriptions, memberships and vacations, as well as setting some money aside for unexpected home and car repairs, medical costs and unexpected family support.

TEST THE BUDGET “Live off your retirement budget for three months while you are still working as a trial run,” Bailey says. “Stick to the numbers you and your financial advisor have prepared. This will help you recognize any necessary tweaks or changes before you draw from your retirement resources.”

STAY SHARP Not only in terms of your mental clarity and ability to maximize your retirement dreams, Bailey says seniors must also stay vigilant against fraud as they are often targets. — ANNE BROCKMAN

HEALTH

Saint Simeon’s Senior Community Saint Simeon’s Senior Community • saintsimeons.org

S

aint Simeon’s Senior Community was established in 1958 and welcomed its first residents to its campus a few short years later. Today, Saint Simeon’s provides residential care to those ages 62 and older with assisted living, assisted living memory care, memory care, long-term care, Parkinson’s care, and skilled nursing and rehab.

“What really sets Saint Simeon’s apart from other communities is our four levels of assisted living,” President and CEO Angela Green says. “All levels of care — assisted living through all kinds of long-term care — are under one roof with a highly skilled staff all trained in dementia care, along with our beautiful and secure location set on a wildlife refuge that boasts peacocks, turtles, deer, ring-necked pigeons and more.”

There’s no buy-in required at Saint Simeon’s, Green says, encouraging Tulsans to think about assisted living before it’s a necessity. Saint Simeon’s residents enjoy “chore-free” living with activities and a robust social calendar. Safety and security are paramount across the campus, and family members can visit without the pressure of caretaking, housekeeping and other stresses.

The community’s core values — patience, dedication, humility, respect, accountability and compassion — are evident. With the continuous support of the Episcopal Church, Saint Simeon’s has grown and evolved over the past six decades to accommodate the best in senior care practices, technology-enhanced therapies, cutting-edge training and exceptional hospitality.

“We are dedicated to preserving the emotional, social and physical well-being of each resident and to advance the standards of care for seniors in an atmosphere of compassion and comfort for all — residents, staff and family members alike,” Green says.

Amenities • 50-acre campus in the Osage Hills near downtown Tulsa • Indoor and outdoor walking paths • Courtyards with gardens, patios, a koi pond and a gazebo • Chapel of Saint Anna and a Common Room that welcomes all faiths and denominations • Ice cream parlor • Resident library with more than 2,500 volumes • Utilities (except telephone and cable) • Wellness Center with heated saline pool, specialized exercise equipment, personalized exercise classes and wellness programs • Bistro with fireplace, hosting weekly happy hours • Carla’s Corner coffee spot and cooking demonstration kitchen • William S. Smith Therapy Gym offering physical, occupational and speech therapy • Billiards tables

Saint Simeon’s Senior Community 3701 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

(918) 425-3583 TulsaPeople.com 69

SENIOR LIV ING

Michelle McElroy, DO My goal is to guide my patients to their best lives by helping them to feel and look their best. I specialize in bio-identical hormone replacement and root cause medicine. Schedule a free consultation at AgingGracefully.co.

Services

Menopause • Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Weight Loss • Nutrition • Intermittent Fasting Heart Disease • Functional Medicine

Aging Gracefully, Michelle McElroy, DO 715 W Main St, Ste K, Jenks • AgingGracefully.co Aging Gracefully does not accept insurance.

Janie Barnes does a mobility exercise called hip swings at a recent LIFE Senior Services functional movement class.

BALANCING IT ALL

Free in-home consultations

Need hospice? Call 918-742-6415 We are here for you to offer hope and care

Miller Hospice is a proud sponsor of these outstanding organizations: 918-742-6415 | millerhospicetulsa.com | info@millerhospice.com miller.hospice

70 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

millerhospice

MICHELLE POLLARD

L

ife is always about balance, right? But as we age, that phrase takes on as much literal meaning as it has figuratively. Balance plays a role in fall prevention, mobility and even cognitive processing.

“It’s important for your overall well-being,” says Brenda Weaver, a licensed physical trainer at LIFE Senior Services. One of her many roles at LIFE is to lead each functional movement class, one of the many fitness and balance classes LIFE offers.

The relationship between balance and movement is paramount for seniors: to be able to keep good movement, you must be balanced, and movement contributes to gaining better balance. “It’s all about a good foundation,” says Weaver, who has been teaching personal training with LIFE for eight years.

Weaver explains balance aligns the whole body in one effort. Before the body is even able to align feet to ankle to knee to hip, the inner ear provides data about its spatial orientation, which takes cue from the eyes. All of this working together creates the ability to balance. Balance can begin declining around age 50 and can become increasingly more of a factor in quality of life as people age.

Weaver says the members of her class are dedicated and come each week.

“I’ve got people in my class who are (age) 80-plus.” The class offers community, socialization and routine, as well as sneaking in the basic tenants of good balance. “Push, pull, bend, lift, rotate — they’re the movements you do each day,” Weaver says.

LIFE offers several classes, including functional movement, yoga and tai chi — all of which require and contribute to better balance. And come January, all of these classes, and more, will be offered under one roof at LIFE’s new facility, the Roma Berry Center for Seniors. The new, over 10,000-square-foot facility will offer everything from pickleball to square dancing and also house the other services that LIFE offers senior citizens in the Tulsa community.

“Keep moving,” Weaver says. “Walk every day. That’s good for your brain. The more seniors walk, you herd off dementia and Alzheimer’s.”

For a list of LIFE fitness classes, visit.lifeseniorservices.org/seniorline/ seniorcenters.asp. — JORDAN COX

20 YEARS—

and stronger than ever!

Proud of what we’ve accomplished.

Excited about where we’re going!

Over the course of our 130-year history, Covenant Living has grown to serve 5,500 residents in 19 communities across 10 states. We are one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit senior living organizations and, with a strong fiscal foundation, an excellent retirement choice. We’re proud to be in Tulsa and we’re committed to offering seniors a future filled with promise by providing happier, healthier, engaged living surrounded by friendship, purpose and security.

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Learn about Gunda’s legacy & how to leave yours.

T U L S A ZO O.O RG / L E G AC Y

When the first elephant, Gunda, arrived at the Tulsa Zoo in 1954, no one could have imagined the impact she would have on the community or the legacy she would leave behind. When you make a planned gift, adding the Tulsa Zoo to your will or estate plans, you become a member of a very special group, Gunda’s Circle.

TulsaPeople.com 71

HEALTH

Christopher Treat, D.O. Christopher Treat, D.O. • christreatortho.com

A

s we age, it’s only natural for our bodies to show signs of wear and tear. But the desire for an active, fulfilling life never fades. Whether it’s the result of an injury or simply the passage of time, experienced orthopedic surgeons play a crucial role in enabling us to live life to the fullest.

Dr. Chris Treat is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in total shoulder replacement and revisions for older adults who want to get the most out of life. His professional journey, deeply rooted in a small-town upbringing, has made him a true advocate for active aging.

When asked why he chose to become a shoulder specialist for aging adults, Treat credits the decision to how he was raised.

“I always knew I was meant to be a physician,” Treat reflected. “I grew up playing sports year-round in a tight-knit community in rural Oklahoma where my father was a family doctor. Those experiences showed me the importance of helping others and building lasting relationships. I naturally gravitated to orthopedics and completed shoulder, elbow, hand and wrist fellowships so I could help people continue doing the things they love the most.”

Even after performing thousands of successful surgeries, Treat still brings a small-town approach to patient care. He is open, honest and encouraging, treating each patient like a member of his own family. He often tells them, “If you were my mom or dad, this is what I would do.”

Making active lifestyles possible for older adults is a dream come true for Treat, who believes age should never be a barrier to living life to the fullest.

“Being an orthopedic shoulder surgeon isn’t just about fixing shoulders,” he said reassuringly. “It’s about reigniting that spark of joy people get when they realize they can continue living the life they love.”

Highlights

• Dr. Christopher Treat is known as a skilled shoulder replacement surgeon for aging adults.

• Treat offices and performs surgery in Tulsa.

• Additional conditions treated include upper extremity trauma, arthritis, sports injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, fractures and cysts.

Utica Park Clinic Bell Building III 1809 E. 13th St., suite 402, Tulsa, OK 74104 (918) 579-2300 Utica Park Clinic 8803 S. 101st E. Ave., suite 100, Tulsa, OK 74133 (918) 574-0220 Utica Park Clinic 1308 E Carl Albert Parkway, suite A, McAlester, OK 74501 (918) 558-6970

HEALTH

FIVE TULSA AREA LOCATIONS

GREEN TREE

PRAIRIE HOUSE

LEGEND AT MINGO ROAD

5

YEARS

LEGEND AT TULSA HILLS

THE STONEHAVEN

Legend Senior Living Legend Senior Living • legendseniorliving.com

L

egend Senior Living is a collection of five Tulsa area senior living residences for older adults looking for an independent lifestyle, socialization, new friends, and uncompromising care that only a family-owned company can provide.

“We’ve become the premier choice of Tulsa’s families by fulfilling the mission of care, independent choice, and well-designed residences started by the founding family nearly 30 years ago,” says Paul Hansen, Vice President of Marketing with Legend Senior Living. “We take the well-being of the people who trust us with their care seriously. And we provide vibrant, stress-free living with just the right amount of care. Our reputation is national. Our heart is right here.”

Legend’s five properties offer Assisted Living & Memory Care and are Legend at Mingo Road with 75 apartments; Legend at Tulsa Hills with 86 apartments; Green Tree with 76 apartments; Prairie House with 105 apartments; and The Stonehaven with 134 apartments.

Socialization is critical to happiness and vibrancy at any Legend Senior Living. Studies show loneliness is a key contributor to poor health and may lead to dementia, malnutrition, heart attack, and stroke. Legend designs its buildings to promote independence and dignity while providing opportunities to socialize, meet new friends, learn something new, and have a renewed purpose.

“Legend residences have never looked anything remotely ‘institutional.’ Instead, our residences are well-designed with wonderful amenities that provide privacy, comfort, friendship, support, and fun just outside your door,” Hansen said.

Legend residences are recognized as Great Places to Work®, have ranked among the Top 25 Best Senior Living communities in the country by Fortune® magazine, and appear on U.S. News & World Report’s Best of Senior Living.

Amenities

(may vary by location) • Three chef-prepared meals and snacks available in the full-service restaurant and lounge • Theater, media room, and other common areas • Fitness center • Full-service salon and barber shop • Outdoor spaces and courtyards • Private residential apartments with all fully equipped kitchenettes • Dozens of monthly activities, creative classes, social events, and outings • Scheduled transportation, residential housekeeping, and linen services • Pet-friendly • 24-hour staffing with licensed nurses • Medication management and individualized care plans Stonehaven 10802 E. 81st St. (918) 203-0210 Legend at Mingo Road 7902 S. Mingo Road (918) 893-3500 Legend at Tulsa Hills 701 W. 71st St. (918) 588-3600

Green Tree 4402 S. 129th W. Ave., Sand Springs (918) 246-8733 Prairie House 2450 N Stone Ridge Dr., Broken Arrow (918) 249-8000

For 20 years, Montereau has delivered exceptional services to build equally exceptional lifestyles for the seniors of Tulsa and beyond.

Are you ready to live life to the fullest?

Call 918-921-8907 to take the first step.

The 2023 A-LIST

featuring Tulsa’s BEST businesses in 125 categories is available anytime/anywhere!

montereau.net | 6800 South Granite Ave. | Tulsa, OK 74136

LONG TERM CARE | MEDICAID PLANNING | VETERAN’S BENEFITS | SPECIAL NEEDS

Accredited Attorney

Planning for Long-Term Care is important. As Elder Law attorneys, we are focused on preparing seniors for the future and protecting assets for their families and loved ones. Our experience with Medicaid Planning and asset protection allows clients to focus on the care they need. Contact us for a discussion on estate planning and long-term care.

PROTECTING THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST. 74 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

2120 EAST 15 TH STREET | (918) 901-7777 | OKSENIORLAW.COM

R EAL W EDDINGS

Sophia Porotsky and Edward Dornblaser

RIANN HASSELL

BENEDICTE PUGERUD EKREM

JOHN MURRELL

SEPT. 16, 2022

The bride and groom met after Sophia moved to Tulsa to spend a year clerking for a federal judge. She matched with Edward on a dating app and by the third date the couple was in love.

During a dinner at Brookside’s Freya, the couple started discussing their imminent move to New York. Suddenly, Edward was overcome with an irrepressible urge to propose. He blurted out, “Will you marry me?” Sophia said, “Yes!” The whole restaurant cheered.

On the couple’s one-year anniversary they held a vow renewal ceremony at Cain’s Ballroom that can be described as expressive, heartfelt and joyous. Good music, good barbecue and a fun time was had by all.

The couple makes their home in Brooklyn, New York. She’s a litigation attorney; he’s a consultant and a graduate student at New York University studying health law and strategy.

TH E DE TA I L S Ceremony and reception site: Cain’s Ballroom Bridal gown: Rembo Styling Bridal jewelry: Custom opal earrings by Atelier Eline Menswear: Custom suit by Watson Ellis made from Loro Piana fabric Wedding cake: Antoinette Baking Co. Caterer: Oakhart Barbecue Music: Cooper Union Band Flowers: Anthousai Rentals: Party Pro Rents Lighting: Integrity Lighting TulsaPeople.com 75

MUSINGS

I CAN SEE BY YOUR OUTFIT THAT YOU ARE A COWBOY

BY CONNIE CRONLEY

1. Who you are. Remember how the Sorting Hat in Harry Potter’s Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry intuitively assigned the students into the right house? The Sorting Hat could read the students’ character. Same with a cowboy hat. It tells the world — and the wearer — who that person is. Or, aspires to be.

Not just the shape of the hat but also how it is worn. Th ink of these examples.

The theatrical, oversize Tom Mix hat with its tall crown and wide, bound edge brim says “Western movie character.” We see that hat riding our way and we know we’re in for some entertaining derring-do.

How James Dean’s rakish character Jett Rink in “Giant” wore his hat, either perched on the back of his head or tipped low over his eyes, illustrated how his fortune and attitude changed.

Sometimes, the hat wears the cowboy.

In the TV series “Justified,” Timothy Olyphant’s Raylan Givens is an Old West style deputy U.S. marshal. His tan Stetson Marshall (hand modified 6X beaver) is so distinctive it becomes a character itself.

76 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

Hats were specially designed for the lead characters in the “Lonesome Dove” TV miniseries about two former Texas Rangers. Robert Duvall’s talkative and charming philosopher Augustus “Gus” McCrae has a white Stetson with a wide brim (a dip in the front) and a high crown with a Montana crease. His partner, taciturn and grim Woodrow F. Call, wears a classic black Boss of the Plains style.

Both hats became so iconic they can be ordered by name, the Gus and the Captain Call.

Currently, the most famous cowboy hat is the one worn by Rip Wheeler on “Yellowstone,” a dark brown classic cowboy hat with a Reiner crease worn low over his eyes. Out of character, Cole Hauser looks like a pleasant man with a round face and rather beady eyes. Put a dark beard and mustache on him, dress him in a tight Western jacket with the collar turned up, add sunglasses and that sharply creased ranch hat and he is tough and menacing.

2. How you behave. Hats have the power to change you. In a cowboy hat you may be drawn to cowboy etiquette, removing your hat politely during the national anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance, indoor weddings, prayer, at a funeral procession and when meeting a woman or elder. Most of all, you won’t mess with another cowboy’s

hat. As Lyle Lovett sings, “You can have my girl but don’t touch my hat.”

I wondered if my style might be the wide-brimmed, round crown Elsa Dutton wears in “1883,” so I went to Cavender’s Western Outfitter and Tack Shop for a consultation. Hat seller Stevie Allen gave me a hat tutorial including how to choose the right hat for jaw line and face shape, with a brim that begins to crease at the ears. A drugstore cowboy, she told me, wants whatever hat is in style.

3. You may strut your stuff. Put on a cowboy hat and it can change your posture, your attitude and your outlook.

Mimi Weddell, the subject of the documentary “Hats Off,” had a collection of 150 hats. “The only romantic thing left in life,” she said, “is a hat.”

Put on a cowboy hat and you’re ready to rodeo, ready to ranch, ready to bank or ready to dance.

The right cowboy hat can make us feel more honorable, more adventurous, more respectable and even braver than when we are bareheaded. However, what we’re aiming for is authenticity. We’re all familiar with the type of person who is — in a famous western description — “all hat and no cattle.”

Here’s a good piece of advice I came across: Never wear a hat that has more character than you do. TP

ASHLEY GUERRERO

W

e would be better people, individually and as a society, I have concluded, if we all wore cowboy hats.

Let me make my case.

Wearing a cowboy hat says many things about us.

TIM HAYES

SHERRI SANDERS

thayes@mcgrawok.com

ssanders@mcgrawok.com

GORDON SHELTON

DIANA PATTERSON

gshelton@mcgrawok.com

dpatterson@mcgrawok.com

918-231-5637

918-724-5008

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.

JENKS

One Level Full Brick home on .57 acre.

Open floor plan includes Formal Dining, Study & Game/Theater room.

Master Suite has private Spa which includes a sauna, steam room, small indoor pool & pool bath.

Four Seasons room off great room with fireplace, hot tub & HVAC. Spacious backyard featuring beach entry salt water Pool, Pergola, Grill area, storage building & basketball area.

Brand new Roof in 2023.

4 car tandem main garage has walk up attic/storage.

Detached garage has lift & is heated/cooled.

Home is situated in Jenks West School District on a small private cul-de-sac. $735,000

918-697-2742

918-629-3717

GRAND LAKE

The Lodge in North Point on Grand Lake-custom, large & beautiful lake home w/grand entry into 24 ft vaulted ceilings in living rm, kitchen & dining area, w/bridge timbers from upper NY st thru-out home, river rock fp w/gas logs, many special chandeliers, hardwood floors main level & stained concrete in walk-out basement. 2 main suites on main level w/full BA & walk-in closets, office, tons of storage, utility rm w/sink, half BA, mud rm & rm designed for elevator.

Lrge screened-in porch off dining area. Kitchen has Wolf oven & range, an addl sink on 7x11 ft beautiful wood island, cement countertops, 2 dishwashers.

Basement has game & Theater rm. 3 bd. Unfinished room above garage w/indoor-outdoor entrance. Gentle slope to a 3 slip covered boat dock w/storage, tanning deck & treks flooring. $1,777,500

GOLDEN OAKS

MIDTOWN

SIGNAL HILL

This English styled home was built in 1926 and professionally remodeled to todays standards. Hardwood floors, granite counters in the kitchen and a newer master bathroom are just a few of the modern features.

A newer Kitchen Aid gas range was installed in the kitchen. There is a family room with a gas log fireplace that overlooks the back yard.

The master bathroom was added upstairs and features a walk-in shower, whirlpool bathtub, double vanity sinks, and a walk-in closet. Enjoy the close by private schools, Utica Square shopping center and St. John's Hospital! $698,000

Custom one owner hilltop home on .96 acres in Jenks NW School district. Nested in the trees with 3 Porches around the home. Study & Formal Dining. Great Room opens to Kitchen. Master has private bath, walk-in closet, separate tub & shower. Gameroom up with 3 bedrooms. 2 large attic spaces. Lots of hardwoods & big windows. Fire pit & sport court. $599,900

This newly renovated home sits on an acre of land that overlooks mature trees, private backyard, swimming pool and is located in a gated community. It includes 5 bedrooms (2 down), 5 bathrooms, a chef's kitchen, large butler's pantry, gameroom, formal dining, breakfast nook, 2 WBFPs, dog washing station, and a 20+ CAR GARAGE! This is a home that you don't want to miss, it is spectacular.

Enjoy the Luxury Lifestyle you desire TulsaPeople.com 77

McGraw Realtors

LUXURY PROPERTY GROUP

McGraw Realtors

2933 E 75TH CT, TULSA, OK 74136

9514 E 36TH ST, TULSA, OK 74145

4 BED | 3.5 BATH | 2 CAR GARAGE

4 BED | 2.5 BATH | 2 CAR GARAGE

Great family/multigenerational home close to ORU.

Spacious family home close to everything. Master down.

CATHERiNE SANTEE HUGHES 918.639.4199 CHUGHES@MCGRAWOK.COM RESiDENTiAL | LAND | FARM | INVESTMENT

THANK YOU FOR BEING TOP 100 REALTORS AGAIN THIS YEAR!

LauraBryant 918.808.4780

918.693.2961

mkeys@mcgrawok.com

lbryant@mcgrawok.com

2411 E 34th Street | One of a kind, Majestic midtown mansion sitting on over an acre. Built in 2010, this home boasts high ceilings, bright open rooms all overlooking the amazing backyard oasis. Entertainers dream w/several game rooms, theater (seats 11) 2 gyms, billiards room, cigar lounge vented to outside, 1000 bottle wine room, huge pool, spa, outdoor kitchen & covered living!

6 bed | 6 bath | 2 half bath | $4,790,000

2200 S Utica Place 7C | Located in one of Tulsa's most luxurious high rise buildings across from Utica Square. Exclusive penthouse community with limited number of residences for low maintenance elegant living . 24 hour security provides residence comfortable secure living. Dramatic ceiling height and abundant natural light fill the rooms. Secure private garage parking in the residence only garage. Large outdoor

4241 S Madison Place | New luxury contemporary construction in Midtown!

Blocks from Riverparks and Brookside! Primary bed has vaulted ceilings, large bath with separate shower and tub w/ expansive walk-in closet. Upstairs game room, 3 car garage! Covered outdoor living with room for a pool. Finishes and attention to detail are amazing! 4 bed | 3 bath | $899,000 3121 S Rockford Drive | Seller to offer $50,000 towards a rate buydown or a decorating allowance. Step inside this midtown custom home, built by LaBella Homes. Beautiful hand scraped wood floors, high ceilings, iron railings, and security gate. Large primary bed on first floor along with office w/full bath. Theater/game room upstairs with bar. New carpet, paint and amazing landscaping surrounds the property.

Back gate allows for easy entrance to Zink Park. 5 bed | 5 bath | $1,275,000 11235 S 49th Avenue W | This spacious ranch home on 3 acres near Tulsa offers a serene rural lifestyle close to urban conveniences. The modern interior boasts high ceilings, updated hardwood flooring, and ample storage. With four generous bedroom suites, a stocked pond, garden, and outdoor entertainment spaces, this property is perfect for both relaxation and hosting. 4 bed | 5 bath | $549,900 2524 E 12th Street | Beautiful Home on a Corner Lot in a desirable Midtown location! Four Bedrooms, three full and one half baths! This Spacious Home features an Immaculate Glass Staircase with Gorgeous Hardwood Floors throughout. Stunning Kitchen Granite Countertops with newer appliances A professionally landscaped backyard with a privacy fence and a large patio!

4 bed | 4 bath |$479,000

78 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

terrace with outdoor kitchen. Gardening space on balcony. Highest level finishes throughout the building and residence. 2 bed | 2 bath | $1,690,000

PENDING

1921 E 35th Street | Fully Remodeled Gem with Luxury Upgrades!

This stunning home has been transformed to perfection, featuring a modernized kitchen with high-end Jenn Air appliances, a cozy family room with a fireplace, and exquisite white oak accents. Enjoy top-notch amenities like hardwood floors, quartz countertops, and a private primary suite with heated bath floors and backyard access. Conveniently located in midtown. 3 bed | 3 bath | $849,000

PENDING

2837 E 29th Street | Updated single story home in a quiet secluded midtown location near the Tulsa Tennis Club. Gunite pool and spa lush yard with mature landscaping. Newer windows and roof. Hardwoods throughout. 2 living areas. Kitchen/dining combo that opens to living.

Kitchen overlooks yard. 3 bed | 3 bath | $725,000

Me gusta Maples

T

he Birria Pizza Platter ($23.99) at 918 Maples Tacos and Cantina is a riff on its popular birria tacos.

Juicy, slow-cooked beef, crispy tortilla and melted mozzarella in each bite make a perfect combination of texture and flavor, especially when dipped in the accompanying consommé or one of 918 Maples’ signature salsas. TP

MICHELLE POLLARD

317 S. TRENTON AVE., SUITE A | 918-764-8107 MAPLESTACOSANDCANTINA.COM

READ MORE ON P. 86.

TulsaPeople.com 79

DINING OUT Chilean sea bass with a creamy dill aioli served alongside warm potato and pea salad

Memory LANE JIMMY’S CHOPHOUSE IS A NOD TO CLASSIC TULSA FINE DINING.

BY NATALIE MIKLES

80 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

MICHELLE POLLARD

J

immy’s Chophouse is the latest restaurant opening by the McNellie’s Group.

Like each restaurant Elliot Nelson opens, this one came after much research, planning and vision. His appreciation for old school Tulsa charm is a nod and respect paid to classic Tulsa steakhouses and fine dining restaurants.

Nelson has a sixth sense of knowing what people will want even when they don’t know it themselves. Jimmy’s Chophouse is just that.

“I wanted a restaurant people could eat at once a week,” he says. “Maybe one week you’re having a steak, but you come back next week for a salad.”

So while steaks and chops are central, they’re just one part of a dinner menu that includes grilled salmon with lemon butter, spaghetti pomodoro, roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and asparagus, and fettucine Alfredo.

We visited Jimmy’s Chophouse for lunch and dinner and found both occasions to be exceptional. The experiences were quite different, but both just as they should be.

Lunch diners can have a business meeting over a steak salad ($24) or shrimp scampi ($28). Or you can be seated in view of the TVs to catch a game over a prime rib sandwich ($23) or burger on brioche ($16).

It’s too bad the prime rib sandwich is only served at lunch. You won’t leave hungry — served on focaccia bread with a mountain of sliced prime rib, it’s one of the most popular lunch options.

For dinner, Jimmy’s menu of baconwrapped fi lets (10-ounce, $62), lamb chops ($48) and veal chop parmesan ($48) signals special occasion. It was important to Nelson to have a range of price points at Jimmy’s.

But Nelson didn’t want Jimmy’s to just be a special occasion restaurant.

“It’s getting prohibitively expensive to go to a nice steakhouse,” he says.

We loved the bacon-wrapped fi let with smokiness from the bacon and a tender, perfectly cooked medium-rare inside. The Brussels sprouts also were great, with a touch of sweetness and a nice crispy exterior.

Our waiter recommended the Chilean sea bass ($45), a wonderful dish served with a warm potato and pea salad and a creamy dill aioli. The dill, combined with the potatoes and peas was a really delicious dish — not too heavy but full of flavor.

A menu of side dishes — like mac and cheese, creamed spinach and crispy bacon Brussels sprouts — are available, but you can get by without them since steaks and chops are served with a choice of mashed potato, baked potato or fries.

We didn’t try the appetizers at Jimmy’s, but regretted that decision when we saw two in particular. The giant meatball with red sauce ($15) is indeed that. The big meatball isn’t a one-note dish, as one might expect. That’s because it’s served with a light and fresh whipped lemon ricotta.

Diners at a table next to us were digging in to the stuffed mushrooms ($12), which looked fabulous. Boursin cheese, shallots and a lemon garlic butter covered the sizzling hot mushrooms. Th is is another very popular dish.

Desserts ($10-$12) here are classic, almost to the point of kitsch, like the banana split. But the banana split, and others like a brownie sundae and cheesecake, are superb.

It was restaurants like the Phoenicia and the Italian Inn that Nelson remembers going to with his grandparents and parents when he was a kid. The plate of fresh vegetables, thin breadsticks and a sharp cheddar cheese spread may be a core memory for anyone who remembers dining at the Italian Inn. It’s also the fi rst thing diners at Jimmy’s Chophouse will see on the table. TP

Jimmy’s Chophouse 3348 S. PEORIA AVE. | 918-236-0560 JIMMYSCHOPHOUSE.COM Open at 11 a.m., seven days a week.

Jimmy’s Chophouse, located in Brookside, is the latest from the McNellie’s Group.

Mango mezcal sour

Jimmy’s Club Banana split

WHAT’S NEXT The McNellie’s Group has several projects on the horizon. Next up is City Hall Steak and Cocktail in Jenks.

The restaurant is part of the rebranding of Main Street in Jenks and will be in the space of what was once City Hall in Jenks.

Another project, an Italian restaurant, will be part of the Santa Fe Square development downtown.

A third restaurant planned is Maple Ridge Grocer, near 18th Street and Cincinnati Avenue. Nelson says he sees this one as a neighborhood or family spot serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The building is the site of a long-closed grocery store. The only thing missing from that plan was a pub.

“I thought, ‘I don’t think I can build something this close to my house and not have a pub,’” he says. “I first got into this because I love pubs.”

So next door to Maple Ridge Grocer will be a pub called Bishop Quigley.

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WHAT’S COOKING

Sweet as PIE T

here’s no doubt turkey is the star of the Thanksgiving feast. But the final act — the standing ovation of the holiday — is

pie.

Occasionally you’ll find a cake or a pudding at Thanksgiving dinner. But we’re here for flaky crusts, sweet fillings and dollops of whipped cream.

We each have our own favorites, but it’s hard to imagine Thanksgiving without a couple of classics: pumpkin and pecan. We’ve given you recipes for both, though each with a twist. — NATALIE MIKLES

For crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor, pulse crackers, melted butter, sugar and salt until fine crumbs form. Press mixture over bottom and up sides of a 9-inch tart pan. Bake 12-15 minutes. Set aside to cool.

For filling: Increase oven temperature to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk ingredients. Pour into crust. Bake 45 minutes, until filling is just set. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

For cream: For best results, use a chilled bowl to beat the cream. Pour cream, powdered sugar and cinnamon into cold bowl, beating with an electric mixer until it holds stiff peaks. Serve with pie.

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Pumpkin pie with cinnamon whipped cream

MICHELLE POLLARD

Triple shots of cinnamon — in the crust, the filling and the whipped cream — make this pumpkin pie extra delicious.

PUMPKIN PIE WITH CINNAMON WHIPPED CREAM CRUST: 1 1/2 cups cinnamon graham cracker crumbs (about 12 full crackers) 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1 tablespoon granulated sugar Pinch of salt FILLING: 3/4 cup brown sugar 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin 1 1/4 cups heavy cream 2 eggs, beaten CINNAMON CREAM: 1 cup heavy whipping cream 1/4 cup powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Chocolate chip pecan pie

Pumpkin-peanut butter dog treats

GOOD DOG Good doggies love a little treat when they sit pretty, stay or shake.

Homemade dog treats are extra special. They’re fun to make and will be appreciated by your favorite doggos.

One of our favorite recipes has all the delicious flavors of fall in a crunchy, tasty biscuit. Even dogs will appreciate a little pumpkin spice in their lives! — NATALIE MIKLES

Chocolate and pecans come together for an irresistible pie.

CHOCOLATE CHIP PECAN PIE 1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust 3 eggs 1 cup light corn syrup 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 stick butter, melted 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup pecan halves, toasted 1/2 cup semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mediumsized bowl, add eggs, light corn syrup, sugar, butter and vanilla. Mix together. Add pecans, stirring until coated.

Sprinkle chocolate chips on the bottom of the pie crust. Gently pour the pecan pie mixture over the chocolate chips.

Bake 55 minutes or until center is set. It’s OK if the center has a very slight jiggle to it. Remove from oven, and let rest 2 hours to completely set up.

PIE OH MY A recent survey by The Harris Poll set out to find Americans’ favorite pies for Thanksgiving. The results aren’t a surprise, though some may take issue with some of their favorites being left off the list. Sweet potato pie, anyone?

Here are the rankings of the top 5 most popular Thanksgiving pies.

1. PUMPKIN 2. APPLE 3. PECAN 4. CHOCOLATE CREAM 5. CHERRY

PUMPKIN-PEANUT BUTTER DOG TREATS Makes about 2 dozen, depending on the size of your cookie cutters 2 1/2 cups oat flour 1/2 cup fresh or canned pumpkin puree 1/2 cup peanut butter 1/4 cup molasses 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 cup water, more or less as needed Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, pumpkin, peanut butter, molasses, cinnamon and baking powder. Add water as needed, but the dough should be stiff and dry.

Roll to 1/2-inch thickness.

Cut with your favorite cookie cutters. Place on greased cookie sheets. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until hard. If you made very small shapes, start checking at 20 minutes.

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Freshly GROUND Cirque Coffee Roasters started simply in a brick building in the Pearl District.

It’s a place where the smell of fresh roasted beans is intoxicating, and where coffee lovers can linger over lattes and Americanos.

But in 2020 when Cirque had to change its approach during the pandemic, a pivot was made to create a model where coffee could be delivered quickly and easily to coffee lovers. Owners Garrett O’Dell and Austin Fogt created Cirque at 14th Street and Utica Avenue out of a shipping container

with an idea that would optimize every piece of the real estate for their drive-thru/curbside model.

“We really believe our drive-thru model is the most efficient way to get quality food and beverage products to customers, and hope to keep growing and share that with as many people as possible.

We’re focused on Tulsa for now, and hope to expand to other markets in the future,” Fogt says.

Cirque also has a drive-thru at 101st Street and Riverside Drive. Cirque works to keep the drive-thru moving quickly to get high-quality coffee delivered without a wait. Orders are app-based, allowing customers to customize their orders then pull up to pick up their coffee.

Cirque has all the coffee staples plus a few unique to them. Like the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Latte, with an extra sweet, end-of-the-cereal-bowl taste. — NATALIE MIKLES

aims to evoke the nostalgia of the old-fashioned doughnut diner culture and bring people together around the box.

Clockwise from left, Jessica and Cole Rigsby, Shay Ryan and June

BY THE DOZEN You know it’s a good day when you accidentally stumble upon a new doughnut shop.

June’s Donuts and Cafe, 1101 S. Detroit Ave., caught our eye one recent morning, and we were so glad to have found it. The doughnuts are fantastic — and we love that the shop is named after the owners’ dog, June!

We talked to owners Cole and Jessica Rigsby about June’s. (Shay Ryan is also an owner.)

TELL US ABOUT JUNE’S. We are a local familyowned shop keeping the love for doughnuts alive in the neighborhood! In taste and aesthetics, June’s 84 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

HOW DID YOU CHOOSE THE LOCATION? We noticed downtown Tulsa was underserved with regard to fresh breakfast, especially quick-service, affordable options. Our drive-thru window right off the Highway 51 Detroit exit is exactly the convenience that we, as downtown residents, would benefit from, so we jumped at the chance to make it happen for our neighbors.

WE WOULD LOVE TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR DOG, JUNE. Not even doughnuts could be as sweet as June. We adopted our beautiful husky/Lab after she was surrendered to a shelter at age 7. Since then, June has brought so much joy to us and others, never passing up an opportunity to meet a new friend and shake their hand. She loves sunbathing, playing tag, swimming and a good nap on a fluffy bed — and doughnuts of course!

WHAT ARE THE MOST POPULAR THINGS SOLD AT JUNE’S? Nothing beats a fresh glazed doughnut.

The kind that tastes like they used to — handmade with love this morning, not factory produced last week. — NATALIE MIKLES

WHAT THE ALE

Red Flag Rum comes in a 750ml bottle, is 80 proof and 40% alcohol by volume.

Rum diaries Red Fork Distillery and The University of Tulsa have teamed up for a new spirit: Red Flag Rum. The University commissioned Tulsa artist Josh Stout to make the label’s painting to reflect the spirit of the University of Tulsa with Red Flag Rum. Stout’s artwork depicts two hurricane warning flags flying in the wind. “It was all about the hurricane,” Stout says. “The magnificent wind and torrential rain for this custom label, plus a small hidden tribute to Route 66 in the base of the flagpole.”

Red Flag Rum, aged a minimum of six months in new American charred oak barrel, is described as “barrel-aged with notes of caramel and vanilla from the aging process, with a smooth and rich taste for a refined connoisseur.”

Red Fork Distillery, located at 3310 Southwest Blvd., distills various spirits. It was started by Michael and Dana Hoey in 2015. The couple enjoyed sharing an occasional drink at parties and events and thought they would try out opening a distillery. The Hoeys have a background in construction and promotional services.

“The importance of this rum and label being made by Tulsans in Tulsa for The University of Tulsa cannot be understated,” says Jason Malay, TU’s senior associate athletic director of external affairs. “We are proud of Red Flag Rum and hope Golden Hurricane fans enjoy this great product responsibly!”

Last year, Red Fork Distillery debuted another partnership spirit, Botanical Vodka, in collaboration with Tulsa Botanic Garden. — TOM GILBERT

JUNE’S DONUTS, CIRQUE: MICHELLE POLLARD; WHAT THE ALE: TOM GILBERT

Cirque Coffee Roasters opened a second drive-thru at 101st Street and Riverside Drive.

Dine Local A guide to Tulsa favorites

Downtown • Midtown • Tulsa Hills AlbertGs.com

Main & Archer • 918-576-6800 sisserousrestaurant.com

TULSAPEOPLE HOLIDAY GIV EAWAY Visit TulsaPeople.com to register for our special

HOLIDAY FUN GIVEAWAY SHOP, DINE AND HAVE FUN WITH OUR HOLIDAY FUN PACKAGE VALUED AT OVER $500!

PACKAGE INCLUDES: • 4 tickets to Grady Nichols Christmas Show featuring Kelly Ford and Andy Chrisman on December 5 • 4 tickets to Tulsa Ballet’s The Nutcracker on December 16th • Plus, gift certificates for Justin Thompson Restaurants and Travers Mahan

REGISTER BY NOVEMBER 20*

*Winner will be notified on November 21 and should respond by November 27 or another winner will be chosen.

TulsaPeople.com 85

A LA CARTE

Chilaquiles

Sandwiched in YOU CAN’T GO WRONG WITH ANY OF THESE SANDWICH SPOTS.

BY NATALIE MIKLES New on the scene, GAMBILL’S JEWISH DELI came out swinging. There’s a collection of sandwiches, plus soups and specials on the recently expanded menu. We’re fond of the reuben. At Gambill’s, the pastrami is dry-cured rather than brined like corned beef. Covered in red wine vinegar, rubbed with spices, smoked and steamed, this pastrami is a labor of love. Served with Russian dressing, sauerkraut and Swiss on seedless rye bread, the result is a triumph. 1102 S. LEWIS AVE. | FACEBOOK.COM/GAMBILLSDELI The corned beef. The sauerkraut. The Russian dressing.

Each ingredient is perfection, and when melded together, it’s a dream. Sandwiches at TRENCHERS DELICATESSEN are never skimpy. Portions are big enough you can likely eat half and take half home for leftovers. But that may be easier said than done once you bite into the Trenchers reuben with its deliciously brined corned beef. Creamy Russian dressing adds to the flavor profile. If you’re looking for something in the same flavor family, try the hot pastrami with whole grain mustard on rye.

2602 S. HARVARD AVE. | 918-949-3788 | FACEBOOK.COM/TRENCHERSDELI A reuben without the beef? Don’t knock it until you’ve tried the cracked pepper turkey reuben at LAMBRUSCO’Z DELI. We’re big fans of this one on marbled rye with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Lambrusco’z house reuben sauce. Of course you can also have it the classic way with corned beef. But if corned beef isn’t your thing, this is a super good alternative. And don’t leave without dessert. Cookies and brownies here are some of the best in town. 1344 E. 41ST ST. | 918-496-1246 | LAMBRUSCOZ.COM 86 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

Trenchers Delicatessen

Lambrusco’z Deli

GREAT VIBE, BIG FLAVOR Cozy little Studio Row has a flavorful new addition. 918 Maples Tacos and Cantina opened in November 2022 at 317 S. Trenton Ave., Suite A. The location is the fourth of owner Jose Bamaca’s already flourishing Maples businesses.

The flagship location, 918 Maples Cafe and Catering, located at 8151 E. 21st St., achieved success and built a reputation by providing consistent, high-quality food across the menu, and thus Bamaca has been able to expand his portfolio. In 2021 he opened 918 Maples food truck — which will be re-opened at its permanent location, 7901 E. 41st St., later this month — as well as a private employee kitchen at Corporate Woods.

Every item is a winner on Maples’ well-stocked menu. Some of our favorites are the Chilaquiles ($14.99) and the MexiSampler platter ($15), which consists of chicken flautas, one beef and one chicken empanada, and a cheese quesadilla all served with a side of queso, lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream and some of the freshest, best restaurant guacamole we have tried. In case you need more flavor, most dishes also come with sides of house-made salsa roja (the spicy one) and salsa verde (the mild one). Both are excellent.

As for the atmosphere, 918 Maples Tacos and Cantina is casual and colorful, fun and friendly. The Studio Row location makes guests feel tucked away, but is still close enough to downtown to do dinner there before heading to a concert at BOK Center. The interior decor was masterminded by manager Heather Williams and Bamaca as a fusion Williams calls “a contemporary twist on traditional Mexican folk art and old cantina, with inspiration from Andy Warhol and Frida Kahlo.” — GEORGIA BROOKS

MICHELLE POLLARD

Gambill’s Jewish Deli

6 P. M . S U N D A Y N O V E M B E R 1 9 A T C A I N ’ S B A L L R O O M FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFO, HEAD TO CAINSBALLROOM.COM

Bill and Julie Watson

TULSA TIME WARP

A crowd of shoppers crosses the intersection on Fourth and Main streets during Downtown Tulsa Day in August 1956. Businesses like Walgreens and Clarke’s are seen on the right while Froug’s and Palace Clothiers are on the left.

MAKE IT A DAY

I

n 1950s Tulsa, downtown was still the biggest city destination for shopping, but merchants were beginning to take notice of the changes from the developing suburbs and searched for remedies.

One solution was to re-launch “Tulsa Downtown Day,” a marketing technique by downtown retailers during the Great Depression to encourage shoppers at their establishments.

The second rendition of this shopping extravaganza began in 1954 as a three-day event called “Tulsa Downtown Days.”

However, downtown merchants, and business operators under the name Downtown Tulsa Unlimited, took control of the event and renamed it “Downtown Tulsa Day,” which was instead a one-day event every three months.

The event flourished under the leadership of Downtown Tulsa Unlimited. A committee was chosen to organize a year-round

88 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2023

campaign of advertising and publicity for the series and others.

At its peak, Downtown Tulsa Day and its organizers covered the cost so shoppers would have free downtown bus service, parking, movie tickets for kids in downtown theaters and affordable back-to-school supplies. Giveaways included a new car, airline and sports tickets, and gift cards distributed by mystery shoppers.

Despite the loss of flagship stores downtown, like Sears in 1958, Downtown Tulsa Day continued until the late 1960s when it was competing with the new Southland Shopping Center (1965) and Southroads Mall (1967).

Downtown Tulsa Unlimited ultimately changed its focus to real estate and reimagining what downtown should look like, eventually becoming a major player in the creation of the Main Mall in the ’60s. TP

TULSA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM

STORY AND COMPOSITE IMAGE BY PATRICK MCNICHOLAS

1523 EAST 15TH STREET, TULSA, OK 74120 | DIAMONDCELLAR.COM