TulsaPeople December 2023 by TulsaPeople

WELLNESS GUIDE | THE STORY OF PHILBROOK’S ‘SHEPHERDESS’ December 2023

HOME C O O K I N G F O R THE HOLIDAYS

4 chefs share their favorite festive recipes PAGE 38

Holidays not all they’re cracked up to be?

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DECEMBER 2023 | VOLUME 38 ISSUE 2

CITY DESK A Christmas parade history lesson. Caroling career. Where to hear live music this holiday season. Pop-up shops return to downtown.

TABLE TALK 4 cookie recipes. Hop over to Hop the Grifﬁn.

32 AN OKLAHOMA LOVE STORY

38 HOLIDAY HOME COOKING

How an early Oklahoman’s love of paintings impacts many today at Philbrook Museum of Art. BY CONNIE CRONLEY

Tulsa’s executive chefs cook up special recipes for their own holiday tables. BY NATALIE MIKLES

36 LEGENDS: GAIL LAPIDUS

SPECIAL SECTIONS

Retiring executive director of Family and Children’s Services BY GAIL BANZET-ELLIS

53 Holiday Hints 73 Wellness

Getting cozy on Cherry Street. Warm up with a broth bowl.

LIFESTYLE Colorful ceramics for decorating. A holiday home.

ON THE COVER Alexandra Coppinger’s Beef Daube with Macaronade Pasta PHOTO BY MICHELLE POLLARD 4 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

Jingle all the way to four nearby destinations. Connie Cronley converses with her cat.

MICHELLE POLLARD; CITY DESK: GREG BOLLINGER

From left, Nico Williams of Burning Cedar Sovereign Wellness, Manny Mendez of 3 Sirens Restaurant Group and Alexandra Coppinger of Common Tart; seated, Ben Alexander of McNellie’s Group

EVs AVERAGE RANGE IS

245 MILES.

AVERAGE HOLIDAY TRAVEL IS

275 MILES. Electric vehicles get you home for the holidays. With an average range of 245 miles on a single charge, plus more than 1,000 charging stations across Oklahoma, electric vehicles go the distance this holiday season – and any season. Still have questions about EVs’ performance, reliability, charging capabilities, and range? Find answers and a charging station at: GetToKnowEV.com.

FROM THE EDITOR

Volume XXXVIII, Number 2 ©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.

married a cookie monster. “Cookies are the best thing about Christmas cooking,” he said to me the other day. “Oh, and don’t forget the pie. And fruit cake.” This guy has loved cookies — and all things sweet and chocolate — forever. He grew up eating sugar cookies in fun shapes like a toothbrush, fire engine and truck. My mother-in-law is a divine baker and always makes a spread of cookies during the holidays that includes everyone’s favorites. There’s gingerbread, snickerdoodle, peanut butter with chocolate kisses and pfeffernusse. I had never had one of these German sweets — much less known how to spell them — until marrying into the family. Now the holiday season isn’t complete without one … or several. For me, cookies have always been a genuine way to say “I love you.” As a kid, my family would always receive a Christmas box full of several dozen gingerbread men. Some were tiny, while others were much larger with three shiny buttons made of cinnamon candies. It was my mother’s aunt who sent them every year and they were one of my favorite packages to receive. She sent them as long as she could. These days, my aunt knows no one needs another bit or bauble. Her package of biscotti, from a recipe she’s made for decades, is welcome. There’s nothing quite like dunking one of those anise and almond cookies into a warm cup of coffee. While I have my cookie-monsterapproved recipes I turn to every holiday season, I look forward to trying out the four cookie recipes my friend and food writer Natalie Mikles has whipped up on p. 48. Perhaps there’s a new one in there to add to your rotation, too.

Favorite recipes make up our cover story starting on p. 38. As editors we are always wondering what our local chefs are eating and preparing at home. So, this year we asked them about the holiday table and their favorite dishes. It’s no surprise we loved the results. Common Tart’s Alexandra Coppinger’s beef daube is a family tradition and one you’ll want to try. Nico Williams of Burning Cedar Sovereign Wellness spices up a traditional sweet potato souffle for a sweet and savory bite. Those interested in something different for this year’s holiday feast should try Manny Mendez’s pork tamales, which also will be featured on the Holé Molé menu this month. Go big with a juicy prime rib courtesy of Ben Alexander of McNellie’s Group. Pretty sure you can’t go wrong with any of them. I hope 2023 has treated you well. At a recent planning meeting I told the fantastic team I get to work with how excited I am for 2024. Not only will it be an even year — does anyone else have a thing about oddnumbered years? — but a new year brings a fresh opportunity for everything. A lot is going on in Tulsa. The TulsaPeople team wants to tell you all about it. Countless people are making this city a place we want to celebrate. Thank you for continuing to turn to TulsaPeople for your local journalism and a dose of good news. TP

Anne Brockman

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

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EDITOR

Correction: In the November issue we incorrectly identified the veteran awarded a quilt from Quilts of Valor. His name is Leon Kunitz. We apologize for the error. 6 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

TulsaPeople Magazine is published monthly by

S AY N O T O H A T E

The Tulsa Carolers are, from left, Jacob Gates, Afton Mancini, Whitney Lee-Moeller and Caleb Ricketts.

GREG BOLLINGER

Sounds of the season D

o you hear what I hear? Iconic Christmas songs are a must for many hosting holiday soirees and gatherings. Newly formed The Tulsa Carolers debut this season with a cappella quartets decked out in costume while singing the soundtrack to the season. TP LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TULSA CAROLERS ON P. 22. TulsaPeople.com 7

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

En pointe Mayor G.T. Bynum and Mr. Monopoly at the game unveiling

GAME TIME

On Oct. 29, Tulsa Historical Society and Museum unveiled and rededicated the refurbished bronze statue of Osage ballerina Marjorie Tallchief. The statue was stolen in spring 2022 from the museum grounds. “People were outraged when the artwork was found in pieces,” says Cray Bauxmont-Flynn (Cherokee), THSM interim executive director. “The pieces had been sold at a scrap yard for a few hundred dollars.” The museum partnered with Osage Casinos to upgrade the security of the Five Moons Sculpture Garden and museum.

Also that afternoon, Marjorie’s sister, Maria Tallchief, was posthumously honored with a presentation of her likeness on the 10th coin in the American Women Quarters Program. The quarter depicts Maria in one of her breakout ballet roles, “The Firebird.” The day also celebrated “Tallchief” by Osage poet Elise Paschen. Featuring new and collected works about Maria, the author’s mother, the book is the ﬁrst published by Magic City Books.

Tulsa was named a “Tech Hub” by the U.S. Economic Development Administration in October. Tulsa’s proposal, the Tulsa Hub for Equitable and Trustworthy Autonomy, will advance the development of autonomous technologies, such as uncrewed aerial systems, drones, cybersecurity and generative artiﬁcial intelligence. THETA was led by Tulsa Innovation Labs, and coalition members Black Tech Street, Madison Strategies Group, Oklahoma State University, PartnerTulsa, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College and Tulsa Economic Development Corporation. The Tech Hubs designation makes Tulsa eligible to apply for up to $75 million in implementation funding from the EDA. Learn more at tulsainnovationlabs.com.

VO I C E S O F O K L A H O M A “Radio transmission in those days was not very good. Our family had a battery-powered radio but you always listened to one program a day or very little listening time because you needed to preserve the power of the battery. On the day of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, our radio would not work well. Many of the people in the neighborhood did not have radios. I remember neighbors all gathering on the front porch of a neighbor … to listen to the radio transmission because they had a radio that was powered by electricity. We sat there and listened to the reports that came in, a lot of misunderstanding. … I remember one incident that the reporter on the radio made the comment that Long Island was being invaded. That frightened everyone because they thought well they are invading the continent. They later came on and said no I meant Guam island. … It was an interesting time keeping up with those radio transmissions that were sometimes garbled and a lot of misinformation came about.” — Clarence G. Oliver Jr. — journalist, Army ofﬁcer and retired superintendent of Broken Arrow Public Schools — recalling the Dec. 7, 1941, bombing of Pearl Harbor “Voices of Oklahoma” is an oral history project founded by John Erling in 2009. Visit voicesofoklahoma.com. 8 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

OLIVER: MICHELLE POLLARD; TALLCHIEF STATUE: GREG BOLLINGER; QUARTER: COURTESY U.S. MINT; MONOPOLY: COURTESY

The ofﬁcial MONOPOLY: Tulsa Edition board game is now for sale across Tulsa. Completely customized to T-Town, 26 local businesses and landmarks made the board, including Gathering Place, Cain’s Ballroom, Ida Red General Store, Circle Cinema and more. The game costs about $40 and is available for purchase at 15 locations, including those aforementioned.

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DECEMBER COMPILED BY BLAYKLEE FREED

DEC. 21 WINTER WONDERLAND Get your ticket for a carriage ride through Woodward Park and Terwilleger Heights with cocktails and tasty nibbles. Tulsa Garden Center, 2435 S. Peoria Ave. | tulsagardencenter.org/winter-wonderland

DEC. 17 OILERS FAMILY FUN DAY Tulsa Oilers take on Wichita Thunder for a Sunday afternoon of hockey, plus a post-game skate with the players. BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave. | bokcenter.com DEC. 19 EVAN HUGHES SHOWCASE Tulsa’s sweetheart comedian takes the stage for a night of laughter and camaraderie in Kendall Whittier. The Whittier Bar, 2405 E. Admiral Blvd. | thewhittierbar.com

DEC. 2 YULETIDE MARKET Back for the most festive market of the season, Tulsa Farmers’ Market vendors join dozens of local creatives with handcrafted goods, plus carolers from Tulsa Opera and Santa for photo ops. Tulsa Farmers’ Market, 2408 E. Admiral Blvd. | tulsafarmersmarket.org DEC. 7 BOOK CLUB Join others for a discussion about the Japanese culture book “Ikigai” by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles with free snacks and Turkish tea. Raindrop Turkish House, 4444 W. Houston St., Broken Arrow | facebook.com/ raindropturkishhousetulsa DEC. 8 OK, SO TULSA Engaging storytellers hit the stage to deliver true stories based on a theme — December’s is “home” — in this monthly story slam event. Living Arts of Tulsa, 307 E. Reconciliation Way | oksotulsa.com 10 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

DEC. 8 DOWNTOWN WRITER’S RETREAT Sharpen your skills at this monthly workshop with guided creative exercises led by an expert, writing consultation and refreshments to keep you in the zone. 320 South Boston Building, 320 S. Boston Ave. | thebookwritingcoach.com DEC. 9 EGGNOG PAJAMA JOG Before the Tulsa Christmas Parade, enjoy the 1-mile fun run downtown with participants donning spirited sleepwear. Downtown Tulsa, Sixth Street from Cincinnati Avenue to Main Street | facebook.com/tulsaparks DEC. 9 DRAG BRUNCH Join performers for an entertaining all-ages show with food and friends hosted by Bosston. Elote, 514 S. Boston Ave. | elotetulsa.com DEC. 9-23 THE NUTCRACKER The holiday classic takes guests on a journey to 19th-century Germany on Christmas eve. Watch as toy soldiers take on the Mouse King and sugar plum fairies frolic. Tulsa Performing Arts Center, 110 E. Second St. | tulsapac.com

DEC. 20 CREEPY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS Tulsa Spirit Tours’ Teri French tells disturbing legends, traditions, stories and folklore about Christmas from around the world while touring spectacular displays of holiday lights. tulsaspirittour.com DEC. 23 CLIFFDIVER RETURNS Headlining a hometown venue, CLIFFDIVER takes the stage to wrap up its national tour, with special Oklahoma guests Ben Quad and When The Clock Strikes, plus Chicago’s pop-punk rockers Action/Adventure. Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N. Main St. | cainsballroom.com DEC. 29-31 ROCKY HORROR SCREENING Circle Cinema’s New Year’s Eve tradition continues with fun before “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” hits the screen and in-movie interaction. Circle Cinema, 10 S. Lewis Ave. | circlecinema.org

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

COURTESY TULSA GARDEN CENTER

DEC. 1 GLOW ON THE GREEN Lights turn on at sundown for this annual event that illuminates Tulsa’s downtown green space with holiday cheer. Guthrie Green, 111 E. Reconciliation Way | guthriegreen.com

COFFEE WITH

ROGELIO ESPARZA ART HOUSE CO-FOUNDER AND PHOTOGRAPHER STORY AND PHOTO BY TIM LANDES

t’s a nice fall afternoon when photographer Rogelio Esparza meets for coffee at Chimera Cafe, 212 N. Main St. An immigrant from Mexico, Esparza grew up in Tulsa and graduated from Union High School in 2011 and then Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology in 2015 before moving to New York City and Los Angeles. He returned home in 2019. He’s co-founder of the nonprofit Art House, which has a mission to organize and facilitate community art shows and gatherings by providing a platform for local artists to showcase their work and connect with a diverse audience. ESPARZA THOUGHT HE WANTED TO WORK IN PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY, BUT PREFERS HIS ARTISTIC FREEDOM ... I learned the creative stuff is stuff that does not pay, and stuff that I hate to do is the stuff that’s going to pay. So I was like, “Maybe I don’t want to do photography as a job,” and I think that’s how I’m still thinking about it now. I like to do it more as a hobby. THAT SAID, IN AUGUST 2021 HE PHOTOGRAPHED SINGER-SONGWRITER-ACTOR STURGILL SIMPSON IN PAWHUSKA FOR ROLLING STONE, AND SHOT TURNPIKE TROUBADOURS AT PHILBROOK MUSEUM OF ART FOR THE MUSIC PUBLICATION EARLIER THIS YEAR ... With the Sturgill shoot I probably got my favorite images I’ve ever taken. I’ve probably got like over 150 images where I was like, “I like every single image.” It was because I didn’t over prepare. He was like, “Here are my two shirts that I brought. We have till sunset. We can do whatever we want.” … I took photos of him for a good two hours on the horse on the hills as much as I could, and that was it. He was really nice. 12 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

AFTER SETTLING BACK INTO TULSA, ESPARZA AND ROOMMATE ALLISON WARD DEVELOPED THEN LAUNCHED ART HOUSE IN DECEMBER 2019. IT HAS EVOLVED INTO A NONPROFIT THAT HAS SPAWNED NINE MORE SHOWS THAT HAVE SPOTLIGHTED MORE THAN 125 LOCAL ARTISTS WHO PAINT, SCULPT, CREATE FASHION, DO PHOTOGRAPHY AND MORE ... The way we see ourselves is like the middle person. We want to be able to get money from people and then funnel it to the artists who live in Tulsa, want to live in Tulsa and are doing stuff in Tulsa without getting paid to move here and then leaving. I think for us as artists in Tulsa, we feel a little salty. We want to live here. We’re creating here. Why don’t you help us a little bit to continue to build it? People have the drive to do it for free. Imagine what people can do with a little bit of money. So I think that’s where we find ourselves, where if (funders like Tulsa Artist Fellowship) are not willing to do it, then we should do that ourselves.

ART HOUSE STARTED IN ESPARZA AND WARD’S HOME WITH THE INAUGURAL EVENT, THEN GREW TO A FAMILY MEMBER’S BACKYARD BEFORE BECOMING SO BIG IT NEEDS 22,000-SQUAREFEET OF WAREHOUSE SPACE TO SHOWCASE THE INSTALLATIONS. THE GOAL IS TO MAKE ART HOUSE SO BIG IT GROWS INTO REGIONS SURROUNDING TULSA TO HELP LOCAL ARTISTS GROW WITHOUT MOVING AWAY ... I feel like that’s where Art House is moving toward. We want to make it regional, so it expands to Oklahoma City and maybe a little bit of northwest Arkansas because I feel like a lot of artists feel they have to move to a big city to make it, but I feel like that’s not necessarily the truth. I want to build stuff, but I want to build it here. I don’t want to move back to New York and build something I feel like would be more special here in Tulsa. Learn more at arthousetulsa.com or on Instagram @arthousetulsa. TP

Happy Holidays NOW ENROLLING

for the 2024-25 school year. Tours available by appointment or by scheduling at hollandhall.org/admission.

10:1

Student to Teacher Ratio

100

Years of Experience

100%

College Acceptance Rate

Tulsa’s Early PreK-12th Grade Episcopal School

Chantelle Lott, left, and Lisa Jae, right, are co-owners of 5th & Fab, a boutique at the corner of Fifth Street and Boston Avenue that opened in last year’s Pop-Up Downtown program. Its brick-and-mortar storefront is now open year-round. This year’s new batch of pop-ups will be open in the Deco, Arts and East Village districts from Dec. 1-Jan. 19.

POP BY POP-UPS

PROGRAM PROVIDES AFFORDABLE RENTS TO LOCAL BUSINESSOWNERS FOR PRIME SHOPPING SEASON. BY JULIANNE TRAN

ulsa’s downtown is the perfect backdrop for a wintry stroll — a blanket of buildings to keep away winter chills and gold details glistening off the tops of buildings like sleigh bells. And in once-vacant storefronts, you’ll find new popup shops offering local goods and gifts. These shops are part of Downtown Tulsa Partnership’s holiday program Pop-Up Downtown, which gives small business owners the opportunity to set up shop downtown during the holiday season with lowered costs. 14 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

“(We recognized) that our downtown has vacant ground-floor retail space which has been agitated by COVID,” says Emily Scott, director of planning and vitality at DTP. “We also know there’s plenty of entrepreneurs out there who would love to take a stab at a brick-and-mortar but who are going to shy away from our traditional two-year lease.” Scott notes cost is one of the biggest barriers for these entrepreneurs, so DTP creates short-term leases and distributes micro-grants.

The pop-up shops are open now through mid-January, prime time for holiday gift shopping. “We prioritize non-traditional entrepreneurs and want to make sure we’re bringing minority, BIPOC, female-owned local businesses into our downtown economy,” Scott says. “We want to make sure we are welcoming the greatest diversity of entrepreneurs here in downtown Tulsa.” Pop-Up Downtown launched last holiday season. Scott and her team were hoping two or three businesses would participate. They were surprised when they had nine shops by the start of the program. 5th & Fab, a boutique that showcases local up-and-coming makers and designers, was born out of this pop-up program. Co-owners Lisa Jae and Chantelle Lott were involved in Pop-Up Downtown last year with separate shops. Jae, a designer and stylist, sells curated clothing and styles clients. Lott’s brand offers a patented, high-impact sports bra for women with large breasts. “When we came into the pop-up program, we were two different businesses. We didn’t know each other at that time, but we were fortunate to be (placed) in the same space (during last year’s program),” Jae says. “When we got in the space, we thought ‘Why not just use the space together?’” Lott recounts. “So then we decided to make it a collaborative effort with other designers and beauty makers.” At 5th & Fab, these co-owners sell their brand’s products alongside other goods like jewelry, clothing, shoes and beauty products. Pop-Up Downtown allowed these women to move beyond an online market to a physical storefront. “It helped for people to be able to come into a storefront to be able to try it on, to touch it and feel it,” Lott says of her sport bra options. “It has been a great experience simply because it brought more brand awareness that we wouldn’t normally have with people finding you online,” and expanding distribution channels, Lott says. “It was a great opportunity for us.” After a successful pop-up experience, Lott and Jae decided to keep operating their store in its location. This holiday season the shop offers twice the inventory of last year. Visit downtowntulsa.com/ popupdowntown for more information. TP

GREG BOLLINGER

BIZ WHIZ

NEIGHBORS

NEW DIGS ON THE BLOCK PHOENIX DISTRICT BETTER BLOCK INITIATIVE BRINGS POP-UP SHOPS, EVENTS TO NORTH TULSA NEIGHBORHOOD.

he fall launch of the Phoenix District Better Block initiative in north Tulsa has ignited an economic revitalization of the area with events and pop-up shops that bring local businesses, nonprofit organizations and the community together. The complex at 1124 E. 36th St. N. includes vendor stalls and booths, some of which are situated behind building facades painted in vibrant, energizing colors. There local entrepreneurs sell goods and present services, while Tulsans can enjoy the seating and open green space. The Phoenix District Better Block is designed to accommodate pop-up events, according to Tracie Chandler, CEO of the Phoenix Development Council. “We’ve set it up so anyone can ‘rent’ the space for free and bring their vision to life through their unique pop-up activation. While the focus is primarily on special events, the concept of ‘renting’ for free ensures that a diverse range of events and pop-ups can be hosted, catering to different community interests.” Chandler says the vision for the Better Block program and development of the Phoenix District was inspired by its thriving economic history. It was home to the former Northland Shopping Center, the first fullline open air shopping center in the city. “Northland was built in the 1950s and was a symbol of prosperity until about 1980,” Chandler says. “It was referenced as the ‘crown jewel’ of Tulsa. Our goal is not just to return to its former glory, but to exceed it with each passing year. We want to showcase talented entrepreneurs who may not have 16 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

The September Better Block pop-up marketplace opening

had the opportunity to be recognized in Tulsa’s mainstream economy.” Since its September opening, the Phoenix District has hosted events focused on art and community. “We have had amazing events like the Reignite Arts Festival where the community was given a canvas to showcase the artistic talents. There were art classes that brought out hidden talents,” Chandler says. “Art is extremely crucial in telling a story,” she says. “It is visual and can tell a story even if individuals do not speak the same language. Art also can be used as an element of healing.” Chandler says the Better Block program — part of the Better Block Foundation that revitalizes and activates blocks in underutilized neighborhoods — comes at an important time.

“This country is in vital need of healing,” she continues. “An example of the need for healing is evident in Tulsa due to unresolved issues surrounding the Tulsa 1921 Race Massacre. We want to provide an avenue to display the artistic creativity of our residents. The Phoenix District’s revitalization is more than just physical construction; it’s about building strong community ties and showcasing the vibrancy of north Tulsa.” Not long after the Reignite Arts Festival, the Fall Festival hosted by Crossover Impact and Invest North turned out large crowds. “There’s a renewed sense of community spirit with a growing sense of pride in the area,” Chandler says. “It’s heartwarming to see families come together, kids playing and local talents being celebrated.” TP

Pictured are scenes from recent pop-up events in the Phoenix District’s Better Block initiative. Learn more at phoenixdistricttulsa.org.

COURTESY PHOENIX DISTRICT/BETTER BLOCK

BY BLAYKLEE FREED

CHANGEMAKERS

Modisane Kwanza, Financial Empowerment Center coordinator, and Janae Bradford, director of the Ofﬁce of Financial Empowerment and Wealth, inside the FEC’s midtown ofﬁce.

GOOD CENTS

FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT CENTER CELEBRATES 3 YEARS OF PROVIDING FREE FINANCIAL COUNSELING TO TULSANS. BY KRISTI EATON

GREG BOLLINGER

undreds of clients have received free financial services since the Tulsa Financial Empowerment Center, also known as FEC, opened in December 2020. “The FEC three-year anniversary is a great accomplishment for Tulsa — the launching of the Financial Empowerment Center or FEC has been a catalyst for so much of our financial resilience work,” says Krystal Reyes, City of Tulsa’s chief resilience officer. “In the City of Tulsa, we think financial resilience is part of our overall resilience. Our financial empowerment efforts advance our economic opportunity pillar with our city’s resilience strategy. When residents are financially se-

cure, they are better positioned to buy homes, support city businesses and contribute to the local economy.” Since its opening, there have been 696 clients who have had at least one session with a counselor. And 2,257 sessions have been completed, according to Janae Bradford, director of the Office of Financial Empowerment and Community Wealth. Collectively, FEC clients have increased their savings by $244,129 and reduced their debt by $791,811 (as of Oct. 26). Of the clients, 71% are female and the average age is 42. Clients work on outcomes, defined in the FEC model as banking (opening a safe

and affordable banking account and using it actively), debt (decreasing non-mortgage debt by 10% and reducing the number of delinquent accounts), credit (establishing a credit score and increasing it by at least 35 points), and savings (setting aside at least one week’s worth of income and adopting new saving behaviors). Clients have achieved 529 outcomes and clients can and do achieve multiple outcomes. “Most commonly, clients are looking for guidance on how to pay down debt — 45% of clients are working on a plan to reduce debt or build credit,” Bradford says. “Others are wanting to save for a future purchase such as a car or a home — 36% have goals set around building savings.” The FEC also works in multiple languages. Currently, there are counselors who are fluent in Spanish, Zopau, Dari and Pashto, Bradford says. “For clients who speak languages other than these, we also have access to interpreters and will work to break down language and other barriers as much as possible so all Tulsans can benefit from working with a financial counselor,” she adds. As the City marks the third anniversary, Reyes says the City of Tulsa has made a commitment to building municipal financial empowerment programs — and to lead efforts to embed financial resilience into city services. “And this effort is not done alone by city government,” she says. “It is accomplished in partnerships with dozens of stakeholders, including nonprofit providers, schools, universities, banks and others who believe that financial empowerment is a function of city government.” Bradford adds since FEC launched, the City of Tulsa and Goodwill Industries of Tulsa have partnered to provide professional one-on-one financial counseling at no cost to Tulsans. “The FEC program has been so well received that the City has decided to expand to a second provider partner, Tulsa Responds,” Bradford says. “As we celebrate the FEC’s third anniversary in December, we also will be celebrating that, through our two provider partners, we will be able to double the program’s capacity and more seamlessly integrate financial counseling into existing programming in town.” TP The Financial Empowerment Center is located at 1703 S. Yale Ave. Those interested in an appointment should call 918-802-7279 or visit cityoftulsa.org/fec. Tulsa Responds will open at 2174 S. Sheridan Road ready to take appointments this spring. TulsaPeople.com 17

MUSIC NOTES

Steve Liddell

Behind THE MUSIC

EXHIBITING CONNECTION GROUP CREATES MUSIC-FOCUSED EXHIBITIONS FOR INSTITUTIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. STORIES BY JULIE WENGER WATSON

s a passionate music fan and activist, Deana McCloud has shared her time and talents with numerous organizations over the years, from her work with the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival to her term as the founding executive director and chief curator of the Woody Guthrie Center. In 2022, McCloud started a new venture called Museum Collective. While based in Tulsa, the job has taken her around the world with a host of museum professionals and immersed her in a world she loves. McCloud credits Bob Santelli, the founding executive director of the GRAMMY Museum and current executive director of the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music, for the idea to form the Collective, which creates special exhibitions and programs for museums and cultural institutions. In addition to McCloud, Santelli and some Los Angeles-based specialists — Tulsans Steve Howie (Route 66 Wraps and Signs), Ari Palitz (Narrator Studio) and master craftsman Jim French — all contribute their skills to the different projects, which have included exhibits for Boston’s Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame and its historic Wang Theatre. “I think my favorite part is working with such incredible people to honor the past, celebrate the present and nurture the future,” McCloud says. “We knew our Collective 18 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

family was supportive of one another, but we’re gathering so many new friends to the tribe, which makes work so much more gratifying and inspiring. I come away from each project with incredible pride and joy based on the way the host facilities feel about working with us. That’s a pretty beautiful thing.” McCloud’s work allows her to get up close and personal with some pretty amazing music artifacts — items like Lead Belly’s 12-string Stella guitar, Pete Seeger’s banjo, instruments from the Dropkick Murphys and even guitars and a stage outfit from Aerosmith’s Joe Perry. McCloud is working on a retrospective traveling exhibit on The Band. With The Band’s (now deceased) drummer Levon Helm’s close ties to Arkansas, McCloud hopes the exhibit will make its way to this region. In the end, it’s all about connection. “The relationships that were formed from my time working on programming for the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival and then the Woody Guthrie Center are vital to everything we do,” she says. “So many of the lenders from whom we borrow treasures aren’t just business contacts; these are dear old friends who know we can be trusted to tell the stories and care for their items.” Learn more on Instagram @museum_ collective. TP

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR WORK? Providing fellow musicians with a space to perform and getting bands to town to show them what’s going on in Tulsa. The word is out now, but there was a time when Tulsa was sometimes getting overlooked — even by Tulsans. There have always been talented musicians and cool venues, but I feel the audiences are getting more invested in recent years. MOST MEMORABLE SHOW? There have been quite a few. One time, touring band Forgotten Space was playing and a transformer blew at 18th (Street) and Boston (Avenue). Everybody lost power. The show must go on so I opened up the doors and lit candles. The band got down on the ﬂoor and did an acoustic thing. It was this vibey, intimate show that wasn’t planned, but ended up being memorable. ANY ADVICE FOR OTHERS WHO WANT TO GET INTO THIS BUSINESS? Talk to other club owners and promoters and ask them questions. My partner has been doing this 20plus years and his experience is valuable. There’s a lot that goes into it. Sometimes show day starts before 12 p.m. when the act doesn’t go on until 10 at night. More information at steveliddell.com and tulsashrine.com TP

MUSIC COLLECTIVE: COURTESY; LIDDELL: GREG BOLLINGER

Last year Deana McCloud, left, and Bob Santelli, right, founded Museum Collective, which creates special exhibitions and programs for museums and cultural institutions.

Tulsa musician Steve Liddell co-owns and co-manages Shrine, 112 E. 18th St., with Donnie Rich. Opened in 2013, Shrine brings a wide range of national touring bands to town and helps spotlight local acts. For Liddell — who performs locally and internationally under his own name, as well as with his project Steve Liddell and the String Lifters, and on bass with Tennessee Jet, Zac Wenzel and The No Name Heroes — working at the venue means he wears many shared hats. On any given day, he could be found checking out bands to book, ordering, stafﬁng, running sound and lights, and at times being the plumber. Liddell focuses “on staying ﬂexible and go where you’re needed, but learn to delegate when you can.”

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WHERE TO

HEAR HOLIDAY TUNES

3 PERFORMANCES AT 3 DIFFERENT VENUES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS MONTH. BY SEVYN BAHNTU

6:30 p.m. | Dec. 9 Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N. Main St. cainsballroom.com

Signature Symphony — Christmas in Tulsa 7:30 p.m. | Dec. 15-16 Signature Symphony, 10300 E. 81st St. signaturesymphony.org

For King and Country — A Drummer Boy Christmas 7 p.m. | Dec. 16 BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave. bokcenter.com

20 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

Musician JD McPherson combines the nostalgia of Christmas music with classic sounds of rock and roll along with punctuations of pop, soul, R&B and funk for a festive dance party concert. Playing tunes from his 2018 holiday album titled “SOCKS,” which is composed of all-original holiday songs, McPherson’s fourth annual SOCKS: A Rock N’ Roll Christmas Tour brings a new spin to Christmas music. Concertgoers will hear songs like “All the Gifts I Need,” “Hey Skinny Santa!,” “Socks” and more.

Be immersed in the holiday spirit as Tulsa’s longstanding professional orchestra brings the magic of Christmas to life with the soaring sounds of timeless holiday favorites. Enjoy this time with family and friends as these talented individuals play and are accompanied by the beautiful voices of the Tulsa Opera Signature Chorale on this festive night. As the evening winds down, raise your own voice in the annual holiday sing-along. Plus there might be a special guest from the North Pole.

The Christian pop duo of brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone will bring Christmas to Tulsa with A Drummer Boy Christmas: The 2023 Tour Experience. They heighten the holiday cheer by performing holiday classics and brand-new songs such as “Little Drummer Boy” from A Drummer Boy Christmas, and No. 1 hit single “For God Is With Us” from their recently released album “What Are We Waiting For?” and more. This production blends festive visuals, lighting and staging effects for a high-energy show. TP

MCPHERSON: JIM HERRINGTON; COURTESY

JD McPherson — SOCKS: A Rock N’ Roll Christmas Tour

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ART SPOT

The Tulsa Carolers

Jim Thompson has found a career as an artist after retiring from the building and architecture industries.

ARCHITECTURE TO ABSTRACTION

LONGTIME ARTIST FINDS NICHE IN RETIREMENT. BY MATTHEW ENDACOTT

n artist steps back from his wet canvas to assess the latest brush strokes of his newest composition. The darkness of night seeps through the window. It’s 3 a.m., but the hour inspiration strikes matters not to Jim Thompson. The clean, white studio aesthetic highlights the bright and bold abstract paintings, making them pop into focus. He moves from side to side on the sprawling 5-by-5foot canvas, taking in all the angles he can to get a feel for what this piece needs next. His clients sometimes give him a fabric or pillow to pair a painting with their home decor, but this one wasn’t like that. This one is called, “Native Sunset.” He likes to have a story for each project. It makes it more interesting while directing and guiding the process. New to Tulsa, Thompson moved from Oklahoma City a few months ago to be with his brother. He retired from his career as a builder a few years ago and now fills his time and walls with abstract paintings. “I love abstract painting. It gives the best opportunity for creativity as opposed to trying to recreate a subject realistically,” says Thompson, who paints in acrylics. “Love the freedom it provides. So much goes into it: composition, color schemes, trying to reach for complexity, texture. 22 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

Many avenues lead Thompson to painting. His mother and sister were artists and inspired him creatively. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s in architecture at Oklahoma State University where he learned design, composition and drafting. After working at a firm for a year, Thompson’s dad asked if he wanted to join him in the design and building business instead. So Thompson pivoted and built residential architecture and hotels with his father. “It was great to lay down the pencil and see your work come to life,” Thompson says. He painted off and on throughout those years, but now that’s where he channels all his passion. “I’m inspired to leave this planet knowing I have built things that will last past when I’m gone, to use my God-given talent to my fullest ability. ... When I like (the painting) and the client does too, it’s the best thing,” Thompson says. He encourages clients to be involved in the process and to come over and share their concept and ideas. Many times their suggestions are excellent and insightful, he says. Thompson is excited to be a part of the art scene in town and already has a few paintings in the Price Gallery with interest in more. TP Learn more at jimthompsonart.square.site.

When Tulsa native Afton Mancini moved back to her hometown after 14 years in southern California, she knew one of her ﬁrst endeavors would be to form a caroling company. “When I lived in Los Angeles, I worked for two different caroling companies and it was so much fun. I loved it,” Mancini says. “I thought that would work so well in Tulsa.” A classically trained freelance singer who performs mostly sacred music these days, Mancini worked as a caroler for several holiday seasons. “It was fun to put on a costume, be a little anonymous and go out and sing in these quartets and have a really good time,” she says. So, she brought the fun to Tulsa. The Tulsa Carolers’ public debut happened at November’s Owasso Lights On event, and they plan to perform at Tulsa Garden Center’s Winter Wonderland festivities. Mancini is booking public and private events and parties with two quartets to sing traditional hymns like “Silent Night,” modern arrangements such as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and holiday favorites like “Carol of the Bells” and “The Nutcracker Suite.” The Tulsa Carolers quartets appear in Dickensian costume to lean into the aesthetics of the season. Mancini auditioned and hired professional talent for the a cappella groups to “make sure the quality was the absolute best.” The Tulsa Carolers can be hired for one to three hours, with options for strolling, stationary or background singing. Visit thetulsacarolers.com for pricing and availability. — ANNE BROCKMAN

GREG BOLLINGER

CAROLING CREATIVES

ON DISPLAY

Covers REVISITED

Steve Liggett is the instructor and director of The Paper Lab at Liggett Studios. “Beat to a Pulp” is an exhibition this month at the venue showing the variety of ways artists use handmade paper.

PULP AND CIRCUMSTANCES EXHIBIT SHOWCASES THE DIVERSITY OF PAPERMAKING. STORIES BY SEVYN BAHNTU

GREG BOLLINGER; FAUSSER: COURTESY STEVE LIGGETT

n artistic medium dating back nearly 2,000 years has been utilized by local artists to create artwork that will be on display this month at Liggett Studio’s group show “Beat to a Pulp.” The medium is paper. Not the typical construction or notebook paper, but material comprised of cellulose fiber that’s been beaten to a pulp and molecularly interconnects in the water through hydrogen bonding, according to Steve Liggett, instructor and director of The Paper Lab at Liggett Studios. “It’s a chemical process,” says Patti Shanks, Liggett Paper Lab instructor and show participant. “Beat to a Pulp” is the finished work of art papers and shows the capacity of paper for artmaking, Shanks says. Each of the 11 participating artists will have several works in the exhibition, showing how they use this versatile, multi-faceted art medium, including Terri Higgs, a silk painter who embeds silk into handmade paper bowls; Jean Ann Fausser, a paper sculptor and mixed media artist; Kathryn Clark, the co-founder of Twinrocker Handmade Paper Studio, whom Liggett studied; and more. By visiting the showing, a person can not only see the art, but learn the creative process behind it. For instance, see how different types of fibers produce a composition, and the mixed media that can be included in

“Seed Pods” by Jean Ann Fausser

paper like bamboo and wire. “It’s just kind of going to be a tremendous education. We’ll probably do some demonstrations also of making paper,” says Liggett, who has work on display in an exhibit he calls diverse, educational and experimental. Shanks says, “The paper is the art.” She is excited to see what the other artists have done with the knowledge of this ancient medium invented by the Chinese in 105 AD. Opening night is from 5-8 p.m., Dec. 1. The exhibit continues through Dec. 16 at Liggett Studio, 314 S. Kenosha Ave. For more info visit liggettstudio.com. TP

In February 1997, Henry Primeaux appeared on the cover named as Tulsa’s No. 1 community volunteer in TulsaPeople’s Readers’ Choice Poll. Primeaux gave to charities and organizations that helped underprivileged areas like north Tulsa. He gave money to high schools McLain and Booker T. Washington for students who did not live in an environment that could afford certain needs. Throughout the years of giving to different students, he looks at their success and that brings him joy. He still believes giving back is crucial. Primeaux is retired and resides in Tulsa with his wife, Jane — they’ve been married for 63 years. As Primeaux looks back at his life he says he wouldn’t change a thing. He and his wife worked hard to give themselves, their children and others a wonderful life. As the owner of automobile dealerships in Tulsa for more than 30 years, he has seen much change in the industry. He says some of that change has not been the best due to a changing consumer product, such as the electric vehicle. Once the industry adapts to this shift, Primeaux sees a bright future for the automobile business. “I’m a collector to a fault,” Primeaux said in the 1997 article. His Sheridan Road dealership displayed numerous sports memorabilia — with a special collection relating to Oklahoma’s own Mickey Mantle. Recently Primeaux embarked on a journey to part with some of his unique collection. “I’ve always collected stuff,” he says. He has a signiﬁcant amount of rare art, books and sports pieces. While he loves them, he is ready for someone else to enjoy them. The New Orleans native plans to spend the rest of his days in Tulsa and blissfully watch the city evolve. Though he believes some things still need ﬁxing, such as racial tensions throughout the community, “I think Tulsa has a wonderful future,” he says. TP TulsaPeople.com 23

SPORTS

THIS MONTH AT

Circle Cinema WHITE CHRISTMAS Select weekends in December Circle Cinema presents its annual sing-along version of “White Christmas.” Follow along with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Vera-Ellen and Rosemary Clooney to all the hits like “Sisters,” “Count Your Blessings,” “Snow,” and of course, “White Christmas.” Plus, sing-a-long props, trivia with prizes before the film and more. A TOWN CALLED VICTORIA 7 p.m., Dec. 4 Free documentary screening as part of the Indie Lens Pop-Up series with expert Q&A after the film. When the local mosque is burned to the ground in an apparent hate crime, the town of Victoria must overcome its age-old political, racial and economic divides to find a collective way forward.

KICKING IT UP

UNION GRADUATE FINDS SUCCESS ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD AT 2 DIVISION I UNIVERSITIES. BY STEPHEN HUNT

icking has always been part of Noah Rauschenberg’s life, whether as the Tulsa Union High School football team’s placekicker or more recently at Baylor University or the University of North Texas. “I love the pressure it brings,” he says. “Everything’s on you, so if you miss, it’s because of you. That pressure brings out that adrenaline, knowing each time you go out there, you have an opportunity to change the game and add to your team’s chances of winning.” At Union, he was part of the 2016 state title squad, earned first-team all-state honors in 2018, and still holds many Union kicking records. “I’m a very competitive guy, love to win, so having those records, it’s cool,” he says. “I hope they don’t get broken, but it would be cool to see if they do get broken. If they do, we’ll see what happens and who it is. Hopefully I can help them succeed.” Before landing at UNT prior to the 2023 season, Rauschenberg was a kickoff specialist for four years at BU and twice earned first team Academic All-Big 12 Conference recognition there. “I loved Baylor, every

24 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

second of it. It was tough, especially those first couple years feeling out how to mature, growing into an adult athlete, learning the ins and outs of college football, understanding, and learning stuff the hard way,” he says. “It was challenging but wouldn’t trade it for a second. It got me to where I am now.” Now a fifth-year senior at UNT, Rauschenberg is the Mean Green’s primary placekicker, a role he relishes. “Even though I may have a mishap here or there, (the coaches) still have the belief in me that if I go out there, I can make any kick,” he says. “It’s not having to worry what happens if I miss, it’s knowing they have my back no matter what.” Whether at Baylor or North Texas, one constant for him at every game, whether at home or on the road, has been his parents, Jeff and Michelle. “Especially in my last year, it’s something I am grateful for, to know not everybody has the same availability of parents as I do,” he says. “It’s really cool to see all the sacrifices they’ve made to see every game.” TP

THE BOY AND THE HERON Opens for daily screenings Dec. 8 Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki returns with his first film in a decade. In this semi-autobiography, a young boy named Mahito yearning for his mother ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead. There, death comes to an end, and life finds a new beginning. DON’T CHANGE YOUR HUSBAND (1919) 11 a.m., Dec. 9 Presented with the Second Saturday Silent Series, a woman falls out of love and divorces her unkempt husband, but her new beau turns out to be a two-timing playboy, and she starts doubting her decision. HAXAN: WITCHCRAFT THROUGH THE AGES 9 p.m., Dec. 21 Emmy-winning Tulsa composer Dustin Edward Howard plays a live, original score to the silent horror masterpiece. Part documentary and part horror film, this 1922 film traces the evolution of witchcraft. THE IRON CLAW Opens for daily screenings Dec. 22 The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, played by Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White, who made history in the competitive world of early 1980s professional wrestling. Through tragedy and triumph, the brothers seek larger-than-life immortality on the biggest stage in sports. Compiled by Circle Cinema’s Ryan Thomas. Visit circlecinema.org for pricing and more information.

ZACH DEL BELLO, UNT ATHLETICS

Union graduate Noah Rauschenberg is a placekicker at the University of North Texas.

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VISIT TULSAPEOPLE.COM each week for a new list of live music performances throughout Tulsa!

TulsaPeople.com 25

PAGETURNERS

SEASON’S READINGS

PERUSE THESE BOOKS PUBLISHED THIS YEAR BY TULSA AUTHORS OR ABOUT THE TULSA REGION — A PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT FOR THE BOOKWORM IN YOUR CIRCLE. BY BLAYKLEE FREED

100 Things to do in Oklahoma Before You Die

The Buried Plymouth: A Story Unearthed in Tulsa

BY TERI FRENCH • Non-fiction, Travel This local entrepreneur and expert of all things Tulsa history (especially the haunted histories of places) is back with a follow-up travel companion to her beloved “100 Things to do in Tulsa Before You Die.” French’s suggestions span the state and cover the world’s tallest hill, “little Italy” and other memorable attractions. reedypress.com

BY SANFORD MILES • Historical Fiction In 1957, Tulsans watched as a brand-new Plymouth Belvedere was buried on the Tulsa County Courthouse grounds, which would be unearthed 50 years later for the state centennial. Along with historic items buried with the car, one man stashed away a cultural treasure that might stun the world — if it survived the elements. buriedplymouth.com

BY HANNA C. HOWARD • Young Adult Fiction

Our Divine Mischief

Fahrt & Weiss: Are Split Second Decisions Random or Pre-Destined?

When coming-of-age protagonist Àlia embarks to a special island where a goddess reveals a destiny for villagers like her, she ﬁnds nothing — except a mangy dog. Fantasy, mythology and history blend together in this young adult ﬁction novel that follows three characters connected by magic and love. blinkyabooks.com

Diving into a rich family history, Lehnert examines how her grandfather fared from Ireland to Ellis Island under another man’s name, launching the trajectory of her family for generations. The Tulsa author interweaves history and spirituality as she examines fate. amazon.com

26 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

BY MARY LEHNERT • Memoir/Family Biography

Don’t Let Them Bury My Story: The Oldest Living Survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre in Her Own Words BY VIOLA FORD FLETCHER AND IKE HOWARD

Memoir, History When Ford Fletcher was 7 years old, she was ﬂeeing the burning streets of Greenwood during the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Now as a 109-year-old family matriarch and the oldest living survivor, she’s seeking justice for afﬂicted families — in part by telling her story with her grandson, Howard. mahoganybooks.com

The Global Gardens Cookbook

Cookbook The green-thumbed educators of Tulsa have put together a cookbook companion to supplement the nonproﬁt’s STEM curriculum that gets youngsters engaged with plants, nutrition and community. The cookbook details recipes for all ages, making cooking a fun and interactive experience. global-gardens.org

Grady Nichols

The Girl on the Belvedere: Finding Meaning Through Travel, Friendship and French BY CHERYL Y. FORREST • Memoir

A lifelong language student, former dancer and ballet historian, Forrest dives into the tales of her travels in this memoir about transformative friendships and gratitude. Follow along her journey that begins with a French immersion program in Canada. thegirlonthebelvedere.com

Bob Dylan Mixing Up the Medicine

BY MARK DAVIDSON AND PARKER FISHER • Non-fiction

Poring through Dylan’s massive archive of artistry is no easy feat, but this book highlights a curated selection of photos, drawings and drafted lyrics — and it gives a special window view into Tulsa’s compendium of culture housed at the Bob Dylan Center. callaway.com

COURTESY

The Magical Story of Buck Atom

BY MARY BETH BABCOCK • Children’s Written by shop owner Babcock and illustrated by William “Bubba” Flint, this paperback tells the ﬁctional story of how Buck Atom, Tulsa’s favorite Mufﬂer Man and cosmic cowboy, came to life. buckatomson66.com

Opera Encore: Collected Essays on the Grand

BY JOSEPH A. KESTNER • Non-fiction The internationally recognized scholar died in 2015, but his iconic essays on the inﬂuence of world-famous operas live on in this collection that explores the intricacies of the onstage artform. thecalliopegroup.com

Tulsa Botanic Garden Cookbook

BY PAT WOODRUM • Cookbook Founding Executive Director Pat Woodrum compiled a collection of recipes with her husband — both are connoisseurs of gardening and cooking — in honor of the couple’s 60th wedding anniversary. All proceeds beneﬁt Tulsa Botanic Garden. tulsabotanic.org

Killing the Negative: A Conversation in Art and Verse BY QURAYSH ALI LANSANA AND JOEL DANIEL PHILLIPS

Poetry, Visual Art A multi-year collaborative project culminates with this collection of images and prose meant to inspire dialogue while exploring complexities of representation, truth and power. leftﬁeldbooks.org

Jingle jam Celebrate the season and support a local nonprofit on Dec. 5 at the Grady Nichols Christmas Show. Proceeds from jazz saxophonist Nichols’ annual holiday performance — featuring vocalists Andy Chrisman and Kelly Ford, along with a full band — will benefit Lisa Bain Ministries, an organization helping those facing illness, special needs or other crisis situations. Lisa Bain, LBM founder, created the nonprofit 15 years ago in response to her mother’s cancer diagnosis. Projects include “Cancer Warrior Resilience Care Boxes” for those undergoing cancer treatment, and “Hope Bags for the Homeless” backpacks filled with practical items for Tulsa’s unhoused population. The Christmas show is the organization’s main fundraiser this year. “We’re excited about this one,” Bain says. “We’re tickled to be able to partner with Grady. It’s going to be an amazing concert with some really neat surprises planned.” Nichols is equally excited to support Bain’s ministries. “Audiences at Christmas are hungry for you to draw them into the spirit of Christmas and that’s exactly what we do,” he says. “I love being part of that tradition of doing these concerts every year and hope to do them for as long as I am able to do so. The other great thing about these shows is they are philanthropic in nature, so you can feel really good about buying tickets to the concert because you’re helping out the Tulsa community as well!” — JULIE WENGER WATSON DEC. 5 — GRADY NICHOLS CHRISTMAS SHOW Benefits Lisa Bain Ministries. 7:30 p.m. • $25-$55 Mabee Center, 7777 S. Lewis Ave. lisabain.com, mabeecenter.com

TulsaPeople.com 27

Vandevers Department Store was a downtown mainstay operated by Gary Vandever (second from left in top right photo) seen here in an August 1948 photograph with fellow Christmas parade planners. Below, Santa, elves and reindeer appear in the 1926 parade.

SANTA’S HELPER

GARY VANDEVER’S HAND IN EARLY CHRISTMAS PARADES ENTICED SHOPPERS TO FILL DOWNTOWN STORES. BY MICHAEL OVERALL

triped red and green like a candy cane, a single-engine monoplane circled downtown Tulsa after sunset on the last Saturday of November 1927 while thousands of people watched from the sidewalks below. The darkening sky made it hard to see the pilot, but everyone knew it was Santa Claus. His 31-hour flight to Tulsa — ostensibly nonstop from the North Pole, outdoing Charles Lindbergh’s record-smashing flight across the Atlantic earlier that year — had been heavily promoted for weeks in local newspapers. Red and green fireworks shot from the

28 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

wingtips before the plane turned east to land at McIntyre Airport, a precursor to Tulsa International. Then Santa found a ride back downtown to lead Tulsa’s after-dark Christmas parade, and he stayed overnight to visit local boys and girls the next day at some of the city’s most popular department stores. Santa’s tour that weekend started at Vandevers, an iconic local department store near Fifth and Main streets. And it was most definitely not a random choice. That year, 1927, was only the second for Tulsa’s Christmas celebrations to come downtown. Before 1926, official festivities remained at Owen Park, northwest of the

central business district. The annual event left stores mostly empty for the evening, which annoyed Gary Vandever. Vandever had come from Illinois straight out of high school in 1912 to work for his oldest brother, William A. Vandever, who owned a dry goods store in Tulsa. The younger Vandever started as an errand boy. By 1926, however, he was serving as vice president of Vandevers department store and had been elected president of the Retail Merchants Association. Under Vandever’s leadership, the Retail Merchants won permission from the city to line several blocks of Main Street with Christmas trees, each decorated by a different store. And they encouraged every downtown shop to create elaborate window displays, all unveiled on the same evening in late November, an event they promoted as the launch of the holiday shopping season. Vandever’s group promised “to make Tulsa one of the most brilliantly decorated cities in the United States” and hoped to attract “multitudes of out-of-town shoppers,” according to coverage in a local newspaper. Santa and his reindeer appeared, as usual, at Owen Park in December 1926. Vandever, however, hadn’t gone through all the trouble of decorating downtown just to let his customers slip away for a whole night. An evening parade zigzagged through downtown in mid-December to bring Santa to the old county courthouse at Sixth Street and Boulder Avenue, where the Retail Merchants erected a corral for the reindeer and an igloo for St. Nick himself. “Many thousands” watched the parade despite frigid temperatures that night, according to the Tulsa Tribune. And Vandever must have been pleased with the massive crowds flowing through downtown shops. A year later, Santa’s airplane was inspired by Lindbergh’s visit to Tulsa in September 1927. While Santa was on his tour of downtown stores, his plane went on display at Second Street and Elgin Avenue, where some overeager kids began removing parts to take home as souvenirs. A wing also suffered damage from hitting a tree as the plane was being transported from the airport. For 1928, Santa reverted to using his traditional sleigh. But the parade had become firmly entrenched as a downtown tradition, and stores stayed open late to make it one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Going to Vandevers after the parade remained a cherished part of the holidays for many Tulsa families until the downtown location closed in 1970. The last suburban Vandevers closed in 1992. TP

REINDEER AND GARY VANDEVER: TULSA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM; STORE: BERYL FORD COLLECTION, ROTARY CLUB OF TULSA, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY, AND TULSA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING

COMMUNITY

Jay Betz and Colleen Stice of Meals on Wheels of Metro Tulsa

New strategy, same mission

The ABATE Toy Run collects thousands of gifts for the Toys for Tots program.

REVVING UP

ABATE’S TOY RUN IS AN ANNUAL TRADITION FOR MANY MOTORCYCLISTS. BY ABIGAIL SINGREY

ABATE: COURTESY JAMES CHAMBERS CLARK; MOW: GREG BOLLINGER

or the past 44 years, the spirit of Christmas has received a boost — not from Santa’s reindeer — but from the roaring engines of the motorcycle community, all thanks to the ABATE Toy Run. Scheduled for Dec. 10, the ABATE Toy Run is an annual event that brings together a staggering 6,000-8,000 motorcycles, depending on the weather. It’s one of the largest in the country, according to event director James Chambers Clark, who notes better riding conditions tend to draw larger crowds. As their entry fee, each rider contributes at least one new unwrapped toy, although many go above and beyond. Two regular attendees arrive each year dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus, with a trailer filled with presents decorated as a sleigh. All the donated toys are collected, then distributed by the U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots campaign. “It’s quite a sight,” Clark says. The motorcyclists gather at Expo Square. Many arrive early for a reunion bike show for the riders. Then the parade of bikes embarks along the

route to the Jenks Riverwalk, where two large trucks wait to collect all the toys. For those who may not have a motorcycle but still want to contribute, a separate drop-off point for cars is set up at the fairgrounds, ensuring that everyone can play a part in spreading holiday cheer. For ABATE, which stands for A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education, the toy run serves a dual purpose. It’s not just a social activity; it’s also an outreach effort to raise awareness about its mission. ABATE is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advocating for motorcycle-friendly legislation and the protection of riders’ rights. ABATE encourages members and non-members alike to participate in the toy run. The toy run is also a huge benefit to the local community, as all donated toys stay in northeastern Oklahoma. “It fills my heart with joy to see all the toys arriving,” Clark says. “The motorcycle community is very responsive to needs, and (toys for children) is a huge need.” TP

The pandemic changed the course for a lot of organizations such as Meals on Wheels. Founded in 1970, MOW’s core mission has been to provide nutritious meals, safety and personal contact to the elderly and home-bound people. The pandemic challenged its mission, forcing single rather than multiple deliveries per week. However, MOW was driven to continue its mission. Implementing wellness checks via phone calls to MOW’s 1,600-plus clients was the answer. The calls provided an extra visitation via phone to verify the clients were doing OK mentally and physically. “Our volunteers stay at home and they get a list of clients that they call. So, our clients each get one call a week,” says Collen Stice, MOW care coordination manager. According to Stice, it was rather easy to implement this new program because their volunteers were eager to assist. Information received from the clients is uploaded to their app which “is secure and only accessible by certain individuals,” says Jay Betz, MOW president and CEO. With that information, they’re able to assess if their clients need any mental or physical help and if so, provide resources. MOW attempts to keep in contact with their clients even when they enter the hospital to see if anything needs to be changed within their accounts. As for the future of MOW, they will continue wellness checks and hope to fully return to multi-day deliveries. Betz says they’re working toward collaborating with medical/health organizations to better help their clients’ health once discharged. MOW is looking to increase its volunteer numbers by hundreds, especially skilled craftsmen volunteers to aid with home improvements. — SEVYN BAHNTU TulsaPeople.com 29

Hospitality Under the Stars Hospitality House of Tulsa hosted friends and supporters on Sept. 21 at its Hospitality Under the Stars event. The organization celebrated 18 years of providing a home away from home for families in medical crisis. More than 200 guests enjoyed a dinner from Ludger’s Catering in the center’s atrium while hearing inspiring family stories relating to the work of Hospitality House. Patrons participated in a silent auction and wine pull before the night’s entertainment. 1. Event Chair Jennifer Potts and her husband, Joe 2. Host Eric Schick, vice president of finance and chief financial officer at the University of Tulsa, and his wife, Julie 3. Entertainment included a wine pull. 4. Guests were hosted in the lobby of the Roxanna Rozsa and Robert Eugene Lorton Performance Center at TU. 5. Tom Basler and Rodney Brown of Dueling Pianos International performed on the theater’s main stage.

Green Country Habitat for Humanity’s signature gala, Rock the House: A Tribute to Van Halen, took place Oct. 7 at the Cox Business Convention Center. The night was a high-energy, ’80s rock concert-style event with three live bands and dancers, with surprises throughout the evening. The Atomic Punks, the nation’s top Van Halen tribute band, made its Tulsa debut from Los Angeles in front of 700 attendees. Event planner TPC Studios orchestrated the annual, one-of-a-kind experience paying tribute to some of the world’s best performers. Proceeds from the event help build quality, affordable homes for Tulsa-area families.

1. Casey Stowe, Meagan Farley and Scott Rodehaver 2. From left, President and CEO Cameron Walker and wife Sarah Walker; and Event Co-Chairs Curtis Fisher, Shonda Fisher, Jo Lynn Jeter and David Jeter 3. Brian Gellar from Atomic Punks, a Van Halen tribute band, wows the crowd. 4. Local dancers, gymnasts and cheerleaders were part of the night’s entertainment. 5. From left, Co-chairs Jo Lynn Jeter, David Jeter, Curtis Fisher and Shonda Fisher

1 30 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

HOSPITALITY UNDER THE STARS: HESS PHOTOGRAPHY BY HEATHER DRAPER; ROCK THE HOUSE: TOM GILBERT; GELLAR: KIM OMEILIA

Rock the House

December Charitable Events COMPILED BY ANNE BROCKMAN

Through Dec. 30 Philbrook Festival

Holiday Mart: Member Art Sale

Beneﬁts The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges.

Beneﬁts Philbrook Museum of Art.

TULSACENTER.ORG

PHILBROOK.ORG/FESTIVAL

Jingle Bell Run

Botanic Garden of Lights

Beneﬁts Arthritis Foundation.

Beneﬁts Tulsa Botanic Garden.

JBR.ORG/TULSA

TULSABOTANIC.ORG/BOTANIC-GARDEN-OF-LIGHTS

Grady Nichols’ Christmas Show Beneﬁts Lisa Bain Ministries. LISABAIN.COM

9 MITA’s 5K

Beneﬁts MITA's Foundation.

MITASFOUNDATION.ORG/5K-WALK-RUN

2-3 Christmas Tree Lot

1 Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award Gala

Beneﬁts Cascia Hall Preparatory School. CASCIAHALL.COM

Beneﬁts Tulsa City-County Library. TULSALIBRARY.ORG

2, 9 Breakfast with Santa

2 Art in the Park Holiday Festival

Beneﬁts Tulsa Zoo. TULSAZOO.ORG

Beneﬁts Arts Alliance Tulsa.

World Class Gala

Beneﬁts Greenwood Chamber of Commerce. HISTORICTULSAGREENWOODCHAMBER.COM

10 ABATE of Tulsa Toy Run Beneﬁts Toys for Tots. ABATEOFTULSA.COM

ARTSTULSA.ORG

5 Christmas Luncheon and Fashion Show

Carols and Crumpets Beneﬁts Tulsa Herb Society. FACEBOOK.COM/TULSAHERB

Beneﬁts The Salvation Army. SALARMYTULSA.ORG

EDITOR’S NOTE: HIGHLIGHTED E VENT S SPONSORED BY TULSAPEOPLE

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AN OKLAHOMA LOVE STORY How an early Oklahoman’s collection of paintings impacts many today at Philbrook Museum of Art. BY CONNIE CRONLEY 32 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

CLUBB: LAURA CLUBB, C. 1915-1925. PHILBROOK MUSEUM OF ART, TULSA, OKLAHOMA.; PALMER: MICHELLE POLLARD

Laura Clubb stands among her painting collection at her residence in the 1920s. Two decades later she donated 86 paintings to a young Philbrook Museum of Art.

This is a love story. Multiple love stories, actually. They begin with Susan Fuller Palmer, a newly minted docent at Philbrook Museum of Art. She never does anything lackadaisically. She catapulted from being a personal trainer to owning Firm by Susan Fuller, one of Tulsa’s earliest fitness centers. In preparation for a trip to France, she took college French classes and also became a certified sommelier in French wines. So naturally she began her volunteer work at Philbrook with the ardor of a new love affair.

The first love story

Palmer fell in love with “The Little Shepherdess,” an 1889 painting by WilliamAdolphe Bouguereau. For decades the painting has been a pillar of the Philbrook collection and a longtime favorite of visitors, says Susan Green, who holds the solemn Philbrook title of Marcia Manhart endowed associate curator for contemporary art and design, who fizzes and bubbles with enthusiasm for art. Children copy the shepherdess’ costume for Halloween, Green says, and visitors mimic her pose. And then Palmer noticed in tiny, tiny lettering on the identifying plaque that the painting was part of the Laura Clubb Collection. Who was Laura Clubb? What was her collection? For information, she went to the Philbrook library and archives to research with the help of Saige Blanchard, library and collection information specialist. There she discovered another love story.

The second love story

Laura Abigail Rutherford was born in 1873 in Missouri. Her father came to Oklahoma Territory for the Run of 1889 and the family lived near Kingfisher. She was a 16-year-old teacher in a one-room, sod schoolhouse when she met a cowboy from the neighboring claim, Ike Clubb, 10 years older and wearing a 10-gallon Stetson. Two years later they married. He was no more than a boy when he left home in Arkansas to drive cattle herds. He wanted his own spread and was building his own herd. They moved to a corner of Osage and Kay Counties, acquired 1,280 acres of grassland and buckled down to the hard pioneer life.

Susan Fuller Palmer with "The Little Sheperdess."

Laura continued to teach school and as a rancher’s wife, cooked for the ranch hands and ran the ranch alone when Ike was away on cattle business. She took the weak, sickly calves Ike culled from the herd, fattened them to health and sold them back to him at $3 each. With that money and what she made selling chickens, eggs and butter, the 33-year-old woman who had been married 14 years went back to college in 1906 at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. In 1908, she joined her much younger graduating class on a European tour of museums and galleries and saw, for the fi rst time, great works of art. Back home she taught oratory at Oklahoma State Baptist College in Blackwell. They kept the ranch, but moved into the town of Kaw City when their three adopted children were school age, and there she took in boarders.

Ike chose a prime tract of grassland in Kay County, but someone with political connections “rookie-dooed” him out of it, so he settled for an adjacent tract nobody wanted. (Author’s note: His leases were not illegally obtained Osage land. I checked.) In 1920 — oil! Frank Phillips said Ike’s 80-acre tract was “the richest in the (Burbank) Field.” The tract he fi rst chose had no oil. In what seems a remarkable marriage of equality for the time, Ike and Laura agreed to split the oil profits 50-50. Ike used his share to buy more land and cattle, Arabian horses, an orchard in Texas and to develop Kaw City where in 1924 he built a fourstory hotel at a cost of $136,600 — $2.3 million in today’s cash equivalent. Laura spent her oil money on art. She had pinched pennies; now she bought rare books, antiques and fine linen. Paintings were her first love and she bought hundreds of them, accumulating one of the finest private collections of American and European paintings in the world. Much of her collection was European (Joshua Reynolds, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, John Constable, William Hart) but she also bought Oklahoma paintings (Nan Sheets, Frederick W. Becker, Oscar Jacobson, Emil W. Lenders) and other Americans (George Inness, Thomas Moran). She owned more Moran paintings than any collector and filled two hotel rooms with them, including her favorite, “Grand Canyon.” The Clubbs decorated their new home in Kaw City floor to ceiling with paintings until the art overflowed into the Clubb Hotel and fi lled it. The one-street town with a peak population of 1,001 became famous for Laura’s art collection. TulsaPeople.com 33

paintings and sold others to fund upgrading its collection. Philbrook still has 59 paintings from the Clubb Collection.

The third love story

Hotel residents could rent a room for $2 a night, spend 75 cents for a meal in the dining room and look at a $50,000 Thomas Gainsborough (“Milking Time”) for nothing. People from all over the world streamed through the hotel, open 24 hours a day, free of charge to see the art. Sundays drew 500-1,000 people. If they wanted more information, Laura took off her apron and walked over to the hotel to give a private tour. Newspaper reporters described her as charming, gracious and motherly. She certainly looked it with her puff of white hair and a figure as soft and round as a pudding. Laura had always been vivacious and outgoing with a beautiful voice and a gift for storytelling. Ike was a quiet, dyed-inthe-wool cowboy who loved his horses and never learned to drive a car because the contraption didn’t understand “Whoa there.” He was a member of the Cherokee Strip Cowpunchers Association, friends with Gordon W. “Pawnee Bill” Lillie and Zack Miller of the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch. Sometimes he and other old cowpokes retreated to a private space at the hotel fi lled with a buffalo hide and cowboy memorabilia and sipped “snake medicine.” When Laura bought a pastoral painting by Émile van Marcke for $12,000, he laughed, “For that amount I could have 34 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

bought a train car of cattle.” But he was proud of her and her accomplishment. Laura never learned to drive either; she had a chauffeur. As she aged, Laura made plans to secure her collection after her death. She was a pioneer who loved Oklahoma and wanted it to stay in Oklahoma, said her granddaughter Annette Pittman, now 92 and living in Texas. Laura offered the collection to Ponca City, but town fathers said they would accept it only if she built a building for it. “She was so disgusted, she got up and left,” Pittman says. Laura tried to loan it to Oklahoma City’s new Historical Society, but the official in charge, former Gov. Robert L. Williams “made a fuss,” Laura said, about insuring it. He thought a fi reproof building with guards on duty was sufficient safety. And so, in 1947, she donated 86 paintings, and many rare books, to the young Philbrook Museum of Art, a gift to the city of Tulsa by Waite and Genevieve Phillips that had opened eight years earlier. It was transformative, one of the museum’s largest gifts and, according to Thomas Young, Philbrook’s librarian/assistant registrar, the backbone of the museum’s collection. Some reports said its appraised value was about $1.5 million (almost $14 million in today’s purchasing power). Philbrook kept some

The fourth love story

Each February, Philbrook visitors are given a paper heart to lay on the floor below their favorite work of art, curator Green says. Some “tear their heart into pieces to spread the love around.” In recent years, Kehinde Wiley’s “Equestrian Portrait of Philip IV,” a 2017 acquisition, has received the most hearts. “The Little Shepherdess” is a close second. Last year, a top contender was Worthington Whittredge’s “Morning in the Woods,” another painting from the Clubb Collection. “Laura had an eye for art,” Green says, “and a heart for art.” Laura died Jan. 13, 1952, at age 78. Ike had died four months earlier. In the late 1960s, with the Arkansas River’s Kaw Dam near completion, Ike’s beloved hotel was demolished and Kaw City was flooded. The hotel is gone, the original town is gone, only Laura’s paintings live on in fact and in the hearts of the public. So does docent Palmer’s love affair with Laura Clubb, Bouguereau’s shepherdess and Philbrook. Being among the museum’s collection, she says, “takes me out of my daily routine and into an alternate universe.” The museum loves its docents right back. “They are crucial,” says Melissa Ski, manager of tours and school programs, “vital to our mission and some of the most dedicated people I have worked with. I say that out of my heart.” That is the fi fth love story. TP

CLUBB: LAURA CLUBB, C. 1915-1925. PHILBROOK MUSEUM OF ART, TULSA, OKLAHOMA.; SHEPHERDESS: MICHELLE POLLARD

Top left, Philbrook hosted a dinner for Laura Clubb (pictured upper left) when she donated her collection. Right, Clubb in 1906, bottom right, Philbrook Museum vistors view William-Adolphe Bouguereau’s "The Little Shepherdess."

One painting not included in her donation was “Christ and the Children” by Franck Kirchbach, a public favorite. At 9.5 feet by 12.5 feet, it covered an entire wall of the hotel. In 1950, she agreed to sell it to a group of Tulsans — Mrs. Eugene Lorton, Mrs. F. B. Parriott and Mr. and Mrs. John Zinke — who bought it for Philbrook. Young speaks reverentially of that longdead generation. Th is is the third love story: community-minded citizens with a love for a cultural institution. Philbrook was managed at the time by Victor C. Hurt, a former football coach (Oklahoma Baptist University and University of Tulsa) known as “the gentleman coach.” With more public decorum than art knowledge, he had clothing painted on the naked children in the painting. Laura “hit the ceiling,” her granddaughter said, and made them repaint it. Years later during a renovation, the massive painting was taken down, stored and eventually sold. By 1952, another painting from the Clubb Collection rose to take its place in popularity: “The Little Shepherdess.”

NE WS FROM OUR A DV ERTISERS

Arvest opens Community Resource Center

From left, Cinthya Allen, diversity, equity and inclusion ofﬁcer; Saida Boniﬁeld, language access program manager; Julissa Perez, mortgage lender; Ruth Carpio Rivera, real estate loan advisor; Andy Chapa, business development; Jorge Ibarra Machuca, business development; Jimmy Rodriguez, Arvest Wealth Management community service and sales advisor; Kirk Hays, bank president; at the Oct. 4 opening of Arvest’s Community Resource Center at 4301 S. Garnett Road.

AT HOME WITH PATRICK GORDON | 5 UP-AND-CO MING TULSA

MUSICIANS

In October, Arvest Bank opened the Arvest Community Resource Center, which is designed to house multiple departments with bilingual associates in one location to better serve Spanish-speaking customers with various financial needs. Located at 4301 S. Garnett Road and open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., MondayFriday, the Center is an expansion of the bank’s previous Financial Education Resource Center, which was created more than eight years ago to conduct financial education for the Hispanic community in Tulsa. Aside from offering financial services, the new center also includes a space dedicated to financial educational workshops. “We’re very excited to open the doors to the Arvest Community Resource Center, as we have seen continued demand for financial resources in our Hispanic community,” says Kirk Hays, Arvest Bank president for the Tulsa region. “We believe this one-stop-shop approach is unique to assisting not just our Spanish-speaking community but everyone who might be looking for financial resources. This center truly reflects our bank’s mission: People helping people find financial solutions for life.” Arvest associates will be able to assist Spanish-speaking customers in areas of mortgage, wealth management, consumer loans, business banking and retail banking. The center also will provide a larger dedicated space to conduct financial education for the community in Spanish and English. With more than $27 billion in assets, Arvest Bank is a community-based financial institution serving more than 110 communities in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri with 200-plus banking locations. Established in 1961, Arvest Bank meets the needs of its more than 830,000 retail and business customer households by providing loans, deposits, treasury management, wealth management, credit cards, mortgage loans and mortgage servicing as a part of its growing list of digital services. To learn more visit arvest.com.

Happy Holidays WELLNESS GUIDE | THE STORY OF PHILBROOK ’S ‘THE LITTLE

SHEPHERDE SS’

October 2023 December 2023

44 ways to explore

from the

HOME HOLIDAYS

COOKING FOR THE

4 chefs share their favorite festiv e recipes P. 38

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LEGENDS

Gail Lapidus FAMILY AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RETIRES AFTER 49 YEARS WITH THE ORGANIZATION. BY GAIL BANZET-ELLIS

Gail Lapidus 36 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

MICHELLE POLLARD

ail Lapidus launched her career at Family and Children’s Services in 1974. She became the nonprofit’s associate director in 1986 and never looked back. “For all of those children who have been abused or traumatized, sexually assaulted and abused, we make a world of difference, and that’s what has always kept me going,” she says. “We get up in the morning to make the agency the very best it can be. I train all my staff to have all the skills they need to meet a client’s needs and change the trajectory of the lives of the people we serve.” After nearly 50 years with Family and Children’s Services, Lapidus plans to retire this month. “When I started, we had maybe 40 employees and now we have 1,200 employees,” Lapidus says. “Our budget was less than $1 million, and it’s now $155 million. You just have to work harder and make sure you’re bringing the best to your employees, so they can deliver their best to the clients who are seeking our help. That’s what’s always driven me.” The idea of retirement will take some getting used to, but Lapidus knows Family and Children’s Services will continue to thrive after her final day in the office. Her career has garnered many accolades including the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Oklahoma’s Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences and the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits Pat Potts Visionary Award she received in November. From one season of life to the next, Lapidus finds purpose in caring for children and their families.

WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY? WHY? I grew up on Long Island in New York. I moved to Tulsa my senior year of high school, which was the most defining moment in my life. A lot of people looked at me with a look of horror like, “you moved your senior year, the most important year of your life!?” My dad’s company merged with a firm in Tulsa, and we moved the week before school started my senior year. I was going to go to college back east, but I changed my mind because I realized I was too close to my family. You don’t learn those things until push comes to shove. I graduated from Memorial High School in 1969 and wound up going to the University of Oklahoma and studying social work. I wasn’t sure when I got to school what I was going to study, but it was at the beginning of all those movements that were taking hold in America: the women’s movement, the African American movement, the Vietnam War protests, so it was like a perfect little segue into school social work that focused on social justice issues. WHEN YOU ARRIVED IN TULSA, WHAT WERE YOUR INITIAL PERCEPTIONS? It was 1968. Back in New York, I looked like every other girl, so when I got here (at age 17), I didn’t like the attention or the fact that I looked different. I had already worn a mini skirt for a year or two, and they hadn’t even arrived in Oklahoma yet. My makeup, hair and clothes were different. It was very traumatizing for me at that age because I wanted to look like everybody else. It was sort of earth-shattering, but I learned resilience from that. DID YOU HAVE ANY SIBLINGS TO NAVIGATE THE EXPERIENCE WITH YOU? My older sister had gotten married. There are three girls, I’m in the middle. My younger sister and I are only a few years apart and very close. When it came to moving, I couldn’t leave my sister. We’re still very close all these years later. We navigated it together. We shared our experience of feeling like the odd one out. WHAT AGE DO YOU FEEL RIGHT NOW AND WHY? I’m retirement age. It takes over your entire being — this transition. There are days I still feel 40, 50, 30. I’m healthy, I’m youngspirited. Do I feel like I’m old enough to be retiring? Absolutely not. I have the same vigor and energy I’ve always had. WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO IN RETIREMENT? I’ve only made one commitment and that is to the Tulsa Area United Way to serve on its centennial committee. I thought since I’ve been a United Way agency and benefitted from its generosity, I would give back to them. Plus travel commitments. It feels sort of unreal. I mostly work my life, not live my life, and I’m getting ready to live my life. That’s what is ahead for me.

“An exciting change (in Tulsa) is the diversity of our city is really different now. I love to meet people from different parts of the world and from different cultures who speak different languages, and we have a taste of that in Tulsa now.” HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS DESCRIBE YOU? Loving and caring. I’m trustworthy. I think some friends see me as a great problem solver, like what girlfriends do, you talk about issues in life and try to help each other. I’m a great listener. Loyal and fun to be with. I like to laugh with my friends.

We’re seeing huge rises in suicide attempts and major depression in children, and that breaks my heart. One year of a child’s life is like five years or 10 to a grown-up. They’re developmentally changing, their brains are developing, their social life, their social meaning, their connectivity to community, school, church and activities — everything was disrupted. I think we’re going to pay the consequences of that now, and we just need to pay attention to it and be thoughtful about it. WHAT IS A FAVORITE TULSA MEMORY? I’ve lived here most of my life. I was 17 when we moved here, and now I’m retiring. I feel grateful I got to live my life in Tulsa. It’s like this collective memory experience that’s all very positive. I can’t think of one memory or moment. When John Lennon was shot, I was devastated like many people. A recurrent memory I have is there was a vigil held in his memory the day after he died downtown, and we all gathered and sang John Lennon songs. There was a speaker and we lit candles. I remember thinking that even in Tulsa, the community gets formed over different issues from different people, and that was very meaningful to me that I was able to experience that.

WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? Even though I’m very public in my position, inside, I’m actually very shy and was extremely shy as a child. I started school too young. I didn’t want to talk out loud. I’m very shy inside, still. I think that’s one reason why I’m often late because shy people never want to be the first person anywhere.

WHAT HAVE BEEN THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGES YOU’VE EXPERIENCED IN TULSA? An exciting change is the diversity of our city is really different now. I love traveling because I love to meet people from different parts of the world and from different cultures who speak different languages, and we have a taste of that in Tulsa now. It presents challenges for some, but it’s also one of the most exciting opportunities when you get people from different places, cultures and religions. That’s what I notice the most.

WHAT CONCERNS YOU TODAY? The No. 1 concern is all the divisiveness of the narratives, the words, the harsh rhetoric in our country today. It has weighed heavy on me. Along with this, I was not prepared to see an incredible rise of racism, antisemitism and oppression of ideas, voices and books. That has shocked me that we would have such a split, and it scares me, too. On a simpler level, when you talk about my career and investment in children, children is where my heart always goes — my grandchildren, my nieces, our community of children. I have grave concerns since COVID of what’s going to happen to children. I don’t think we know how to measure it yet, and now children can’t read ... I think we have a dim future unless we jump on that one issue we can control. I think there are many things individuals need to do to help children adjust and thrive academically and socially through the next phase of life, post-pandemic.

TELL ME THE ROLE FAMILY PLAYS IN YOUR LIFE. I’ve been married for almost 50 years. I don’t feel old enough to be retired, so I definitely don’t feel old enough to be married to someone for 50 years. I was not able to have my own children. Children are the most important to me. I wound up being fulfilled through my stepsons and my work with children. I have two stepsons who are married and four grandchildren who are the loves of my life. I love being a grandma. I’m called Nonnie. That’s my favorite person of me — Nonnie. I adore my grandchildren. I equally adore my little sister’s children. I worship my niece and nephew and now they have four children between them, and those are my other loves of life. I spend a lot of time going to visit them. I find children are the spark that everybody needs to have a more meaningful life. I have surrounded myself with children and trying to help children throughout my whole career, which has brought tremendous joy to my heart. TP TulsaPeople.com 37

HOLID HOME COO

38 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

TULSA’S From left, Nico Williams of Burning Cedar Sovereign Wellness, Ben Alexander of McNellie’s Group, Manny Mendez of 3 Sirens Restaurant Group and Alexandra Coppinger of Common Tart

DAY OKING

EXECUTIVE CHEFS COOK UP SPECIAL RECIPES FOR THEIR OWN HOLIDAY TABLE. STORY BY NATALIE MIKLES PHOTOS BY MICHELLE POLLARD

amily recipes and traditions are what make the holidays special for so many of us.

It’s the cherished old recipes, passed

through the generations, that are part of our own history. The pineapple-glazed ham that’s only made on Christmas, the cherry cream pie mom learned to make from her mom and she from her own mom and on and on it goes. Food and recipes bind us and make the holiday season even more meaningful. Knowing what others make for the holidays is such fun. Learning a friend’s or neighbor’s traditions gives us a window into their world. So this year, TulsaPeople asked some of Tulsa’s best chefs about their favorite Christmas recipes and traditions. You might just want to try one of these and make it your own.

THANK YOU TO MAGPIE FOR TABLE STYLING AND THE STUDIO AT KIRKENDALL DESIGN FOR PROVIDING THE SHOOT LOCATION. TulsaPeople.com 39

Nico Williams’

APPALACHIAN ALLSPICED SWEET POTATO SOUFFLE

Through her nonprofit, Burning Cedar Sovereign Wellness, Nico Williams (Cherokee) works to educate people on American Indian wellness by feeding both body and soul. The 100% Indigenous women-led group provides catering and classes on wellness practices to the Tulsa area. Williams shared a recipe, using Indigenous ingredients, that’s a take on the classic sweet potato casserole. 40 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

Appalachian Allspiced Sweet Potato Souffle

Make 9 servings 3 pounds sweet potatoes 4 tablespoons butter 1/3 cup maple syrup 3 large eggs 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground spicebush berry (aka Appalachian allspice; regular allspice can be substituted) 1/2 teaspoon ancho chile powder (optional) 1/4 teaspoon salt TOPPING: 1 cup chopped pecans 1/2 cup maple sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Preheat oven to 400 degrees, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Wash sweet potatoes. Arrange sweet potatoes on the baking sheet, with room between each. Roast until very tender. (You should be able to poke a skewer through each potato with no resistance.) Baking time will depend on the size of the sweet potatoes; start to check them after 40 minutes. Remove the potatoes from the oven and set aside until they are cool enough to handle. Peel each potato — the peels should easily pull away from the flesh inside. Alternatively, you can slice each sweet potato in half and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh into a large mixing bowl. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees. Grease an 8-by-8-inch baking dish. Into the bowl of sweet potatoes, add the butter, maple syrup, eggs, cinnamon, ground spicebush berry, ancho chile powder and salt. Use a hand mixer to beat the sweet potato mixture until smooth and well-incorporated. Spoon the batter into the prepared baking pan. In a medium bowl, combine all the topping ingredients and toss together until everything is evenly coated. Sprinkle the topping mixture evenly over the sweet potato mixture. Bake for 3540 minutes, until the sweet potato batter is cooked through (should reach 160 degrees in the center), and the topping is golden and toasted.

TulsaPeople.com 41

Manny Mendez’s

OAXACAN STYLE PORK TAMALES Manny Mendez, executive chef of 3 Sirens Restaurant Group, thinks about food day and night. He creates and perfects the menus at the restaurants, including Bramble, Bird and the Bottle, and Holé Molé. Christmastime is no different except it’s his own family’s holiday menu that he’s perfecting. It’s Mendez’s favorite holiday because it’s time for family to spend together. For him, it wouldn’t be Christmas without champurrado, a traditional

Oaxacan Style Pork Tamales

Mexican drink made with Mexican

Makes 10-12 servings 6 ounces lard, divided Salt, to taste 5 cups masa harina 3/4 cup warm chicken broth, divided 1/2 ancho chile pepper (stems, seeds and veins removed) 1/2 mulato chile pepper (stems, seeds and veins removed) 1/2 clove garlic, minced 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper, or to taste 1 pinch crushed dried oregano 1/2 pound cooked and shredded pork butt 10 banana leaves, softened

chocolate, milk, cinnamon, vanilla extract and piloncillo (unprocessed cane sugar). Mendez says it’s something his grandma made every year as soon as the weather turned cold — and always for Christmas. Another childhood favorite is pork tamales. For his tamales, Mendez simmers tender pieces of pork in a red chile sauce, then wraps it in masa dough. For a Christmas dessert, Mendez loves bunuelos. These fried discs of dough are dusted with cinnamon and sugar. “They are crispy, crunchy and very delicious,” he says.

42 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat 4 ounces lard until creamy. Add salt and continue beating for a few minutes. Add masa harina and beat well until combined. Add chicken broth, 1/8 cup at a time, beating until masa has a smooth and workable consistency similar to cookie dough, about 1/2 cup of broth total.

In a blender, combine ancho chile pepper, mulato chile pepper, garlic, salt, pepper and oregano; blend until smooth. Heat the remaining 2 ounces of lard in a skillet and cook pepper sauce until lightly thickened, 3-5 minutes. Add shredded pork and a little of the remaining chicken broth. Cook over low heat until pork filling has thickened, about 10 minutes. Spread 2-3 tablespoons masa mixture onto 1 banana leaf, filling it up to 2 inches from the bottom and 1/4 inch from the top. Add 1 tablespoon of the pork filling in the center of the masa mixture. Fold sides of banana leaf together, one over the other. Fold the bottom of the banana leaf over the seam of the 2 folded sides and tie together with kitchen string. Repeat with remaining banana leaves. Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add tamales with the open side up and cook until filling is heated through and separates from the leaf, about 1 1/2-2 hours.

TulsaPeople.com 43

Ben Alexander’s

PRIME RIB On Thanksgiving and Christmas, Ben Alexander’s kitchen at McNellie’s Group is closed. He and his family usually eat their Christmas dinner at Mandarin Taste, a restaurant known for its authentic Szechuan cuisine and Szechuan Hot Pot. That said, Alexander’s favorite holiday dish is prime rib, and he’s given us his best tips to wow your family on Christmas. “It’s super easy to make and you can season it a few days ahead of time. Actually, it’s best if you season it ahead of time so that the salts and seasonings have a chance to really penetrate the meat,” says Alexander, who earlier this year was named a James Beard Award Semifinalist for Outstanding Chef Southwest. This creates a pellicle, or skin, on the outside that creates an amazing crust, he says. And it’s important to let it refrigerate uncovered so that the outside dries out. Ben’s hot tip: During the holiday season beef prices always go up. To bypass this, buy your ribeye early or be a part of Prairie Creek Farms’ Cattle Club for grass-fed pasture-raised beef in Kellyville. If you’re feeling fancy, go for the 100% wagyu from Grand Cattle Co. in Adair.

Ben Alexander’s Prime Rib Make 10-12 servings 1 10-pound prime ribeye 1/2 cup kosher salt (Morton’s preferred) 1/4 cup course ground black pepper 1 teaspoon flavor enhancer (MSG) 1 tablespoon granulated garlic (this is different than garlic powder) 1 tablespoon granulated onion (this is different than onion powder) 1/4 cup minced fresh rosemary 1/4 cup minced fresh thyme Mix all spices and herbs together and rub the prime ribeye heavily with seasoing mix. Let the ribeye sit uncovered for at least 6 hours, but it’s best at 24 hours, on a wire rack in your refrigerator. Two hours before cooking, pull the ribeye out and let it come to room temperature. Light up your preferred smoker setup and get the temperature to 225-275 degrees.

44 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

Cook until internal temperature reaches 115 for cool red center. Add 10 more degrees for medium rare, and so on and so forth. Heat oven to highest temperature and cook the ribeye for 10 minutes. Let it rest for no less than 15 minutes. Carve and serve. Note from Alexander on the cooking procedure: “I like to use my Hasty Bake Barrel Smoker. I get my charcoal and heat up to 250-275 degrees, then place my prime rib on the top grate. I use a Firebird thermometer and cook it slow and low until the internal temperature hits 115 degrees. That takes about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. I will then take it out of the smoker and fi re up my oven as hot as it will go, 500 degrees preferably. Cooking it for about 10 minutes, then taking it out of the oven and letting it rest for no less than 15 minutes. Carve, serve with au jus, creamy horseradish, and finishing salt like Maldon salt.”

Au Jus

“The best way to make au jus is to put a pan on a lower rack in the smoker while cooking to collect the juices. Then fortify the juices with beef stock or broth. I like to add some onions, garlic and thyme to my au jus,” Alexander says.

Creamy Horseradish

1 cup pressed and drained spicy prepared horseradish. (I prefer Atomic Brand.) 1 cup mayonnaise (I prefer Duke’s. I’m from Richmond, Virginia, and we aren’t allowed to eat any other brand of mayo.) 3/4 cup sour cream Juice from half a lemon 2 teaspoons kosher salt Pinch of white pepper 1/4 minced chives (optional)

Mix all ingredients and let sit in the refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight. The flavors will change and meld together over time.

TulsaPeople.com 45

Alexandra Coppinger’s

BEEF DAUBE with MACARONADE PASTA You might know Alexandra Coppinger from her one-of-a-kind pies and pastries at Common Tart. And while there’s always pie served at Coppinger’s family holidays, she’s shared with us one of her family’s favorite savory holiday dishes. “Gift giving is truly our family’s love language. The gift exchange time has been known to carry on for several hours. My mom has always had a very specific reason for purchasing each gift, and we have joked for years that all her gifts include a ‘story.’ Well the joke is on us, because we have now become the same type of story-telling gift givers,” Coppinger says. After a slow and relaxing Christmas morning, it’s time to eat. And one of the family’s food traditions is a Beef Daube with Macaronade Pasta, a French peasant dish similar to stew that her mom makes every year for dinner. “This Christmas tradition may be simple, and far from flashy, but our time together is deeply meaningful to each of us. So while this dish may have simple and humble roots, its richness and fully bodied flavor is the perfect accompaniment to our Christmas Day,” she says.

46 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

Beef Daube with Macaronade Pasta Makes 4-6 servings 2 1/2-3 pounds chuck roast, cut into 3-inch pieces. 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 pound carrots, peeled and chopped into half-inch pieces Salt and pepper to taste 4 cups cranberry juice 32-ounce can diced tomatoes 1 head of garlic, peeled and thinly sliced 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes Bouquet garni (2 bay leaves, 4 sprigs rosemary, 4 sprigs thyme — tie these herbs together with kitchen twine) In a large stock pot, heat oil, add meat and brown on all sides. Make sure to season the meat with salt and pepper once it is in the pan. When pieces are browned, remove from pan.

Add carrots into the stock pot and cook until slightly tender. Season with salt and pepper. Add the browned meat back in with the cooked carrots, then add in the cranberry juice, tomatoes, garlic, red pepper flakes and bouquet garni. Bring to a simmer, then tightly cover and cook in a preheated 325-degree oven for 3-4 hours. Check the daube every hour and give it a gentle stir. Remove from oven, remove bouquet garni and cool down to room temperature. Keep covered and place in fridge overnight. Two hours before serving, pull out of fridge and skim off the fat while the daube is still cold. Place on the stove and bring to a simmer. Leave the daube covered and continue simmering for 2 hours. Prepare your macaronade pasta and serve alongside the Beef Daube.

Macaronade Pasta

2 tablespoons butter, plus more for greasing 8 ounces penne pasta Salt 1/2 cup Gruyere cheese 1/2 cup “daube sauce” 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs Freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a gratin dish. Cook pasta in salted water according to package instructions. Drain, then toss with the cheese and “daube sauce.” Place into the gratin dish, and cover with breadcrumbs, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then dot with the 2 tablespoons butter. Bake for 15 minutes. TP

TulsaPeople.com 47

WHAT’S COOKING

BRING ON THE BAKING N

o food feels more like Christmas than cookies. Many of us eat our fill this time of year. Whether at a winter holiday celebration, school or office party or making cookies as part of our own holiday traditions, cookies are a sweet way to enjoy the season. There are frosted, filled, shaped or decorated cookies of all kinds. Break out the Santa and dreidel cookie cutters, tint frostings in shades of red and green, and bake the cookies that are a little trouble to make — but so worth it. Maybe you’ve been ambitious enough to do a 12 days of cookies baking spree or to spend an entire day making each family member’s favorite. Those traditions are incredibly fun. Shake it up: Make something you know you love and another that’s brand new to you. Something old and something new! Here are four to pick from for this season. You could make them all for a fun baking day, or try one a week. — NATALIE MIKLES

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt until evenly combined. In a large bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar, and beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the vanilla, then add the eggs and yolks 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the flour mixture and beat on low until the dough just comes together. Add the M&Ms, oats, pretzels and white chocolate chips, and stir with a large spoon until evenly mixed. Use a 1/4 cup to scoop large balls of cookie dough. Place on baking sheet, then press down to slightly flatten each cookie. Bake 15-18 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Cool the cookies 1 minute before removing to a cooling rack. 48 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

DULCE DE LECHE SANDWICH COOKIES Makes about 2 dozen 1/2 cup butter, room temperature 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon lemon zest 4 egg yolks 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 3/4 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 (13.4 ounces) can of dulce de leche 1 cup shredded coconut, toasted 1/2 cup white chocolate chips In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in lemon zest. Beat in the egg yolks and vanilla. In another bowl whisk the flour, baking soda and

salt together. Gradually beat into creamed mixture. Shape dough into a disk, wrap and chill for 2 hours. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Roll out dough on ﬂoured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut dough into 2-inch circles. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 8 minutes, or until lightly browned on the bottoms. Let cookies cool completely. Then spread a spoonful of dulce de leche on the bottom cookie, placing another cookie on top to make a sandwich. Press together and roll in shredded coconut. Repeat with remaining cookies. Warm white chocolate chips in microwave until melted. Using a spoon, drizzle evenly on top of each sandwich cookie. Note: Coat these cookies with white, milk or dark chocolate chips. You can also decorate the top of each cookie with frosting and sprinkles.

MICHELLE POLLARD

HOLIDAY MONSTER COOKIES Makes 3 dozen 3 cups all-purpose ﬂour 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1 cup granulated sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 eggs plus 2 egg yolks 2 cups red and green M&Ms 2 cups rolled oats 2 cups roughly chopped pretzels 1 1/3 cups white chocolate chips

It doesn’t get easier than this cookie that starts with a cake mix. SNOWBALL COOKIES Makes about 3 dozen 1 box white cake mix 1/4 cup butter, melted 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1-2 cups sweetened coconut flakes In a mixing bowl combine cake mix, butter, cream cheese and vanilla. Use an electric mixer to combine or use a wooden spoon, stirring vigorously. Roll into balls, then roll each in coconut. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 10-15 minutes or until baked through. CHOCOLATE-RASPBERRY FUDGE TASSIES Makes about 5 dozen 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar 2 eggs 2 teaspoons almond extract 2 cups flour 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 teaspoon salt FUDGE FILLING: 1 stick butter 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 cup sugar 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk 1 teaspoon raspberry extract or 2 tablespoons raspberry liqueur Powdered sugar for sprinkling (optional) In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs and almond extract until well-blended, about 2 minutes. In another bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder and salt. Add to butter mixture and mix well. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Shape dough into about 60 balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Roll in granulated sugar to coat. Place each dough ball in mini muffin pan and press dough into bottom and up the side, creating a cup. (If you’re not using a nonstick pan, spray the pan with nonstick cooking spray.) Prepare fudge filling: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over low to medium-low heat. Stir in cocoa and sugar. Add sweetened condensed milk. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, about 5-8 minutes, or until perfectly smooth. Remove from heat and mix in raspberry flavoring. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Fill each cookie cup with 1 teaspoon fudge filling. Bake in preheated oven 15 minutes or until firm. Cool in pan 5 minutes. Remove cookies from pan and sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

Special DELIVERY Here’s a holiday gift idea you maybe haven’t heard of — Tipsy Truck Delivery. We’re big fans of this team that delivers boozy gift baskets all over the Tulsa area. Tipsy Truck is available year-round with gift basket deliveries for birthdays, housewarmings, anniversaries, thank-yous and any other reason you may want to send beer, wine, bubbles, cocktails or seltzers. Add chocolates, pretzels, snacks and mixers, and you’ve got yourself a party at the doorstep. The holidays are especially busy for Tipsy Truck. This year owners Jo and Chris Armstrong have gift baskets including Tipsy Beer Advent Baskets and Tipsy Wine Advent Baskets. These baskets offer 25 days of holiday beers or wine. Each brew is hand-wrapped — and a pint glass is included. It’s a fabulous gift, though just as much fun to order to keep for yourself. Tipsy Truck has added more gifting options recently, including ﬂowers from Gas Petal, chocolates from Glacier and treats from Antoinette Baking Co., which can be added to any basket. All gifts include a custom gift tag that can be personalized at the time of ordering. “Our Tulsa metro customers have a highly varied interest in what they like to drink, so we may deliver box wine to one customer while their neighbor down the street drinks Duckhorn and Silver Oak — and that’s OK! That’s part of the fun of what we get to do,” Jo says.

All ordering is made through Tipsy Truck’s website, tipsytruckdelivery.com. So if it’s available on the site, it’s ready for fast delivery. Orders are guaranteed delivery within two hours, and scheduled deliveries are possible, too, she says. Tipsy Truck has grown considerably since the Armstrongs (who also own Arnie’s Bar in the Blue Dome District) started it in 2020. The business essentially has two sides — standard alcohol delivery and boozy gifting. The business also has expanded to providing booze to weddings, showers, backyard parties and corporate happy hours, and restocking residential and commercial bar fridges. — NATALIE MIKLES

COUNTING DOWN The fun of an advent calendar, of opening a tiny box each day to reveal a piece of chocolate, is a joy of the holidays. We were thrilled to learn of a new advent calendar made by local artist Sara Bost Fisher and local chocolatier Cricket and Fig. This Tulsa partnership is a match made in holiday heaven. The calendar box features 25 different chocolate truffles — one for each day of December until Christmas Day. Cricket and Fig’s chocolates are beautifully made, with no preservatives. Each piece has the flavor of high-quality pure chocolate with unique flavorings. The advent calendar features original art by Bost Fisher, known for her colorful and whimsical multimedia works. The advent box is $75 and for sale at Cricket and Fig, 5800 S. Lewis Ave., or online at cricketandfig.com. — NATALIE MIKLES

TulsaPeople.com 49

A LA CARTE

Neighborhood Jam

Cozy on CHERRY STREET

BREAKFAST These eateries — the winners of

WHAT BETTER WAY TO WARM UP THAN WITH FOOD AND DRINK.

TulsaPeople’s annual A-LIST Readers’ Choice

BY NATALIE MIKLES

the morning.

Just walking in the door to the COFFEE HOUSE ON CHERRY STREET feels like a hug. Cozy chairs, comfortable sofas, nice tables for laptops and warm lighting all contribute to the homey atmosphere here. Choose from a variety of hot coffee drinks and teas, which can be served to-go or in mugs. The bakery case items are great — pumpkin muffins, chocolate espresso cream pie, carrot cake — and some are gluten-free or vegan. 1502 E. 15TH ST. | 918-779-6137 | CHOCSTULSA.COM Yes, it’s upscale, but it’s cozy nonetheless. THE HEMINGWAY is elevated comfort — crystal chandeliers mingling with the warmth of a fireplace. Warm yourself with the braised beef pot-au-feu, a braised short rib with root vegetables and a horseradish veal broth. This is comfort food of the highest order. Or try the Billi Bi soup, a French-style crab and lobster soup laced with saffron and sweet cream. 1515 E. 15TH ST. | 918-248-0185 | THEHEMINGWAYTULSA1515.COM Warm up with one of the best brunch menus in town at SMOKE. Be sure to order the cinnamon-sugar French toast for the table. It’s rich, so sharing might be wise. Smoke also has a list of brunch cocktails including a mimosa with pineapple-infused vodka. Yes, this is definitely the most important meal of the day. 1542 E. 15TH ST., 918-949-4440 | 201 S. MAIN ST., OWASSO, 918-401-4343 | SMOKEWOODFIREGRILL.COM 50 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

Awards — are sure to get you out of bed in

Neighborhood Jam 4830 E. 61st St., Suite 300 918-508-7744 thatsmyjamok.com Bramble Breakfast and Bar 121 N. Ash Ave., Broken Arrow; 539-367-1419 1302 E. Sixth St., 539-664-5635 400 Riverwalk Terrace, Suite 100, Jenks; 918-528-3054 bramblebreakfastandbar.com Savoy 6033 S. Sheridan Road 918-494-5621

The Hemingway

eatsavoy.com Brookside by Day 3313 S. Peoria Ave. 918-745-9989 brooksidebyday.com Wildﬂower Cafe 1306 E. 11th St., Suite F 918-764-8843

SMOKE

wildﬂowercafetulsa.com

MICHELLE POLLARD

Coffee House on Cherry Street

Dine Local A guide to Tulsa favorites

Savor the Joy, Gift the Flavor

BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY PARTIES AND CATERING EVENTS AT AT BOURBON ST CAFE

Downtown • Midtown • Tulsa Hills AlbertGs.com

Main & Archer • 918-576-6800 sisserousrestaurant.com

211 E. 2nd St.

918-583-5555

bourbonstcafe.com

TulsaPeople.com 51

TRY THIS!

WHAT THE ALE

Hop the Grifﬁn owner and brewmaster Steve Grifﬁn

Broth bowl FROM BON BROTH BAR 8152 S. HARVARD AVE. | BONBROTHBAR.COM TOUGH CHOICE Broth bowls come with lots of options. Choose the broth (beef, chicken or veggie), then the meat (chicken, roast beef or mushroom), then the grain (brown rice noodles or basmati rice), all mixed with onions, garlic, cabbage, kale and carrots, and topped with microgreens. $12. GET DIPPIN’ We opt for a side of sourdough toast as it is some of the best bread we’ve eaten. Customers can purchase it by the loaf or try it in Bon’s avocado toast or roast beef and cheddar sandwich. SHOPPER’S DELIGHT Bon has a curated selection of local, healthy and well-minded foods and accessories in its market. Frozen options of Bon’s bowls, broths and broth pops are at the ready, as well as meats, dairy and other cooking staples.

52 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

Tulsa has breweries both big and small, and Hop the Griffin Brewpub and Wine Bar at 7143 S. Yale Ave. is among the tiny but mighty dotting the local libation landscape. Owner and brewmaster Steve Griffin started homebrewing with friends seven years ago and liked the feedback he received on his homebrews and experimenting with recipes. “I loved home brewing. Friends would come to try the beer. Of course, your friends are going to always tell you it’s good because it’s free beer,” Griffin laughs. “Seeing people enjoy it and then getting to change the recipes and make it just how you want is just fun and exciting to me.” A few years later Griffin brewed some beer for a wedding, and the comments from strangers were very positive. Griffin and his dad, who he has brewed with over the years, both knew they had something special. Griffin had experience running restaurants and thought putting a microbrewery together would be a good fit in south Tulsa. “I’d always have to drive to Pearl District or downtown for a brewery. And a lot of times for really good cocktails. I just wanted something different,” Griffin says. Hop the Griffin opened in 2021 with a large selection of wine, spirits and cocktails, and the beer is brewed on-site. The food menu consists of nachos, tacos, charcuterie boards, pizzas, pub rolls, chili and more. Hop the Griffin just celebrated its second anniversary, and Griffin says the trial and error throughout the process has helped them to learn and get better. “So now we’ve been here two years, we’re established, we have a great staff,” he adds. “We’re just really coming into our own. This is a real special place. I don’t think there’s anywhere else like it in Tulsa.” — TOM GILBERT

BON BROTH BAR: MICHELLE POLLARD; WHAT THE ALE: TOM GILBERT

HOP TO IT

Holiday Hints GIFT GUIDE

Personal Assistant

Busy life? Give yourself the gift of

time all year! Learn how a personal assistant can make it happen. Call 918-640-4362 or email tmtate@cox.net

UNWRAP THE BENEFITS OF A PERSONAL ASSISTANT SKILLED IN: Estate, Office, and Vendor Management, Project and Vacation Research, Shopping, Gift Wrapping, Organization, and Seasonal Decorating and so much more!

Yale Village Shopping Center at 91st & Yale • 918.728.7250

The Gift that Gives Back Get a bonus $10 for every $50 in gift cards purchased! www.jtrgroup.com/shop

TulsaPeople.com 53

MYTHIC CITY

SOUTHWOOD HOME & GARDEN

CURATIONS BY GILCREASE

GAMBILL’S JEWISH DELI

VISIT TULSA VISITORS CENTER

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

TAKE THE HOLIDAYS BY STORM Check every box on your gift list this season with exciting sports, cozy clothing, sophisticated sips and a new board game to delight Golden Hurricane fans!

utulsa.edu/ giftguide

TU is an EEO/AA institution, including disability/veteran.

54 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

All your holiday needs in one place: local food, fun gifts, and rentable event space! W W W. M O T H E R R O A D M A R K E T . C O M

Holiday Open House T h u r s d a y, D e c e m b e r 7 th 4pm-7pm light bites and bubbles

HOUSEWARES, APOTHECARY, PAPER GOODS AND JEWELRY 1335 E. 11th St. Suite E. Tulsa, OK 74120 located on historic Route 66

On l i ne Shoppi ng @ j en k i n s a ndcotu ls a .com jenkinsandcotulsa

56 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

TulsaPeople.com 57

1701 S. Boston Ave. | (918) 515-1181 | davidsons-on-boston.com 58 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

RICHARD NEEL INTERIORS 3742 South Peoria • 918.742.4777 • Brookside • richardneelhome.com

DE SIGN • CUS TOM FURNISHINGS • GIF TS 196 0 UTIC A SQUARE • @THEDOLPHINFINELINENS

2020 UTICA SQUARE • (918) 743-6478 • HICKSBRUNSON.COM TulsaPeople.com 59

Visit Dog Dish for the best selection of holiday gifts for your pets.

PREMIUM FOODS • TREATS • TOYS • GEAR BRING YOUR DOG WITH YOU! 2803 SOUTH HARVARD AVE | 918-624-2600 | OPEN MON.–SAT. 10-6, SUN. 12-5

Join us for

Christmas Worship Christmas Eve 11:00 a.m. Traditional worship 11:00 a.m. International worship 5:00 p.m. Children’s Live Nativity 7:30 p.m. Lessons & Carols 11:00 p.m. Christmas Watch Night

Christmas Day 11:00 a.m., Christmas Day worship

First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa 709 South Boston Avenue FirstChurchTulsa.org 60 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

R L BARTHOLOMEW ART GALLERY

» Tulsa landmarks » Home portraits » Traditional and contemporary art » Wall hangings » Notecards

Special Christmastime selection

Wednesday-Saturday, 12 PM - 4 PM | 421 E. 11th St. | 918-704-1104 | RickL.Bartholomew@outlook.com

AVAILABLE ANYTIME, ANYWHERE. TulsaPeople.com/ digitaledition

$ 2 5 O F F A L L A N N U A L M E M B E RS H I P S N OW T H RO U G H D E C . 3 1 , 2 0 2 3 · T U L S A ZO O.O RG / S A L E

New member of the family? We would love to provide veterinary care for your new pet!

SHOP SMALL. SHOP LOCAL. Support Tulsa’s Museum!

As a “walk-in only” veterinary clinic, there is no need to make an appointment - just come on by! We can care for all the members of your fur family, from vaccines and wellness to injuries, illness, and surgeries. With an in-house laboratory and quality imaging equipment, we are ready to diagnose and treat your pets’ health issues on a firstcome first-serve basis.

Give us a call for more information on hours and services. We look forward to meeting you!

15th Street Veterinary Group (918) 835-2336 | 6231 E 15th St.

Visit us at The Shops at Mother Road Market for Native American-made jewelry, locally made merch and art, Tulsa gifts and souvenirs, and more!

Go to www.gilcrease.org/store for hours and location. TulsaPeople.com 61

TULSAPEOPLE’S 11TH ANNUAL NONPROFIT GIVING GUIDE

• New stuffed/plush toys • New blankets • Teen clothing (tops and bottoms) • Backpacks • Unwrapped toys, ages 4-12 To donate: Bob Beard • 918-624-0250 bbeard@childadvocacynetwork.org www.childadvocacynetwork.org 2815 S. Sheridan, Tulsa, OK 74129

• Winter coats for children and adults • HUGS (hats, underwear, gloves, socks/scarves) • New, unwrapped children’s toys • Toiletries • Monetary donations To donate: Jessica Hayes • 918-600-3815 development@fcsok.org | fcsok.org 650 S. Peoria Ave., Tulsa, OK 74120

• Teacher supplies (flip charts, Expo markers, Sharpies, Post-its, etc.) • Student supplies (notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, etc.) • Gift cards for teacher appreciation and student incentives • Hygiene products (toothbrushes, deodorant, feminine products, etc.) • Uniform bottoms and underwear particularly for elementary To donate: Brena Meadows Thrash • 918-746-6602 meadobr@tulsaschools.org foundationfortulsaschools.org 3027 S. New Haven, Ste. 116, Tulsa, OK 74114

• Cereal • Dry beans • Canned soup • Rice/pasta • Canned pasta sauce To donate: Carissa Gutierrez • 918-879-1702 info@irongatetulsa.org | irongatetulsa.org 501 W. Archer St., Tulsa, OK 74103 (Enter through West gate) 62 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

• Paper towels • Copy paper • Liquid laundry soap • Individual hand soap • 13 gallon trash bags To donate: Christian McLain • 918-893-6150 CMcLain@clarehouse.org | clarehouse.org 7617 S. Mingo Rd., Tulsa, Ok 74133

• Toothbrush and toothpaste • Non-perishable food • Deodorant and body wash • Underwear (men and women’s) • Grocery and gas cards To donate: Janine Collier • 918-742-7480 jcollier@fsctulsa.org | fsctulsa.org 600 Civic Center., Ste. 103, Tulsa OK 74103

• Hats, gloves, socks (youth and adult) • Hygiene products • Family games • Individually wrapped snacks • Gift cards or monetary donations To donate: Hillary Sutton • 918-745-5202 HSutton@gseok.org | gseok.org 4810 S. 129th E. Ave, Tulsa, OK 74134

• Name brand lotion • Shampoo/conditioner • Gamebooks/crossword puzzle books • Walmart/Visa gift cards • Household cleaning items To donate: Lauren Zeligson • 918-850-0815 lzeligson@lifeseniorservices.org LIFEseniorservices.org 5330 E. 31st., Ste. 800, Tulsa OK 74135

TulsaPeople thanks you for giving!

• Hygiene items (deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, period products) • Diapers/pull-ups (especially sizes 4 and 5) and wipes • High-protein non-perishable snacks (protein bars, canned tuna, nuts/trail mix)

• Socks & undergarments (all sizes, adult and child) • String backpacks (for emergency kits; already branded is fine) To donate: Cathy Wilkie • 918-508-2709 cwilkie@dvis.org | dvis.org 3124 E. Apache St., Tulsa OK 74110

• Peanut butter • Canned fruit • Canned protein • Packaged meals (mac and cheese, hamburger helper, etc) • Jelly (non-glass) To donate: Claudia Butler • 918-585-2862 development@okfoodbank.org | okfoodbank.org 1304 N. Kenosha Ave., Tulsa OK 74106

• Feminine hygiene products • Juice boxes/Capri Sun • Hothands • Body wipes • Socks To donate: Taryn Norman • 918-749-8378 info@hopetesting.org | hopetesting.org 3354 E. 51st St., Tulsa, OK 74135

• Toys and books for students aged 0-6 • Paper goods: paper towels, toilet paper, copy paper, resume paper • Trash bags (all sizes) • Cleaning supplies (Lysol wipes, hand soap/hand sanitizer) • Batteries (AA, AAA, 9V) To donate: Sara Emery • 918-664-6746 semery@littlelighthouse.org | littlelighthouse.org 5120 E. 36th St., Tulsa, OK 74135

TO PROVIDE NEEDED ITEMS FOR TULSA NONPROFITS

• Men & women’s winter clothing • Feminine hygiene products • Travel size hygiene products • Men & women’s undergarments • Tents & blankets To donate: Jessica Manion • 918-382-2426 jmanion@mhaok.org | mhaok.org 5330 E. 31st St., Ste. 1000, Tulsa, OK 74135

• Gift cards for QT for fuel • Gift cards for Home Depot • Gift cards for Lowe’s • Gift cards for Amazon for office supplies • Cases of printer paper To donate: Jennifer Barcus Schafer 918-742-6241 x204 jennifer@revitalizettown.org | revitalizettown.org 14 E. 7th St. Tulsa, OK 74119

• Men’s and women’s shoes • Men’s and women’s coats with hoods • Men’s jeans • Men’s underwear • Bath towels To donate: Co Edwards • 918-583-5588 cedwards@tulsdaycenter.org | tulsadaycenter.org 415 W. Archer St., Tulsa, OK 74103

• Non-perishable, nutritional food (www.voaok.org/wishlist) • New household items (kitchen towels, full-size sheets, dishes, etc.) • Hygiene items • Cleaning supplies (including vacuum cleaners) • Monetary donations (www.voaok.org/donate) To donate: Susan Kenny • 918-307-3021 development@voaok.org | www.voak.org 9605 E. 61st., Tulsa, OK 74133

• Gasoline cards to offset fuel expenses • Van cleaning supplies (Clorox wipes, paper towels, Windex, Febreeze/Lysol)

• Band-Aids (character theme for children) • Stickers/small giveaway items for children • Visa gift cards for phone/data expenses To donate: Kelly Crowder • 918-688-2679 kcrowder@bcbsok.com oklahomacaringfoundation.org 1400 S. Boston Ave., Tulsa, OK 74119

• Assorted hygiene items • Socks/undergarments • Band-Aids • Gloves/scarves/hats (new) • Reusable plastic water bottles

• Hygiene items (toilet paper, toothbrushes, soap, etc.) • Feminine hygiene products • Diapers • New backpacks and school supplies • Peanut butter, cereal or pineapple To donate: Sharon Catalano • 918-582-5766 Scatalano@restorehope.org | Restorehope.org 2960 Charles Page Blvd., Tulsa, OK 74127

• White T-shirts (men’s sizes S-XL) • Pillows, sheets and comforters (twin size) • Black belts (men’s sizes 30-42) • Socks • Hygiene products

To donate: Jennifer Leck • 918-587-7801 Tulsa.OK@uss.salvationarmy.org | SalArmyTulsa.org 924 S. Hudson, Tulsa, OK 74112

To donate: Mike Murphy • 918-245-0231 mmurphy@tbhinc.org | tulsaboyshome.org/ 2727 S. 137th W. Ave., Sand Springs, OK 74063

• Women’s sanitary products • Baking mixes • Shampoo, conditioner and any ethnic hair care products • Hair brushes and accessories • Cleaning products

• Purina One dog, cat, puppy or kitten food (dry or canned) • Martingale Collars (all sizes) or Pet Safe Easy Walk front pull harnesses (all sizes) • Stainless steel pet bowls, metal slow feeder bowls and lick mats • Aggressive/heavy chewer toys or Power Chew Nylabones • Potty training pads

To donate: Hope Robinson • 918-248-0202 info@tulsagirlshome.org | TulsaGirlsHome.org 7315 S. Lewis Ave, Tulsa, OK 74136

To donate: Lori Long • 918-428-7722, x1037 giving@tulsaspca.org | tulsaspca.org 3000 Mohawk Blvd, Tulsa, OK 74110

• Holiday treats for homeless youth • Two-person outdoor tents • Adult cold weather sleeping bags • Adult size underwear • Hair care products for people of color To donate: Caroline Olsen • 918-382-3461 colsen@yst.org | www.yst.org 311 S. Madison Ave., Tulsa, OK 74120

Visit TulsaPeople.com for more information.

• Swimming pool noodles • Baby bottles, baby formula, swaddles, and diapers (all sizes) • Scarves and winter coats (adult and children’s sizes) • Bassinets and car seats (all sizes) • Baby clothes (all kinds and sizes) To donate: Kyle Rutledge • 918-858-2372 krutledge@ywcatulsa.org ywcatulsa.org/get-involved/donate/ 1910 S. Lewis Ave., Tulsa OK 74104 TulsaPeople.com 63

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Enjoy the magic all season long Tim Nall #MW-0199A

64 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

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Clockwise from top, ginger jars, $64$120; nutcracker, $48.50; gingerbread house, $56; reindeer, $54; trinket tray, $60.50; Kringle’s shop, $56.

Rosy cozy As the holidays near at Ruby Clay Co., 409 E. Eighth St., Suite B, visions of holly-adorned ginger jars, rosy Christmas trees and more come into creation. The ceramic art supply company and design studio’s line of artisan home goods includes ready-made and customizable creations all glazed and designed in downtown Tulsa.

MICHELLE POLLARD

SEE A FULL LINEUP OF CERAMICS, AT RUBYCLAYCOMPANY.COM.

TulsaPeople.com 65

STOREFRONT

Designer dreams FULL-SERVICE INTERIOR DESIGN FIRM AND RETAIL SHOWROOM FINDS HOME IN BROOKSIDE. BY KENDALL BARROW

Lance Cheney with dogs Daisy and Dash

Lance Cheney at Richard Neel Home 3742 S. PEORIA AVE. | 918-742-4777 | RICHARDNEELHOME.COM 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Tuesday-Friday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday

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66 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

Cynara chandelier, $2,705.

Flocked stag head, $147.

MICHELLE POLLARD

ance Cheney always knew he wanted to be an interior designer. After attending his first class toward the degree at The University of Oklahoma, however, he found himself to be the only man in a class of 200 and got cold feet. “It was just more than I could handle in my life at the time, so I switched to political science,” Cheney says. He later transferred to The University of Tulsa and by chance met the late Charles Faudree who recognized Cheney’s talent and mentored the young designer. Two days after graduation, however, Cheney moved to Washington D.C. where his mother lived. While working for the National Endowment for the Arts he was given the opportunity to design a house on the Capitol Hill home tour. “After that I quit my job and jumped off the cliff and decided I was going to be who I wanted to be,” he says. “It reaffirmed that I could do it and I wanted to do it.” After 20 years in D.C. Cheney moved back to Tulsa in 2007 and started his own accessory line, Man’s Best Friend, a collection of antique dog items including dog food bowls from the 1930s and ’40s, dog paintings, statues, pillows and more, which he sold through a booth at Windsor Market. One day he approached interior designer Richard Neel and pitched the line for Neel’s shop. “He immediately took it on consignment and in two weeks he sold out of the 20 pieces I’d given him, so he did it again and again,” Cheney says. Cheney began working for Neel in 2013, and when Neel retired in 2016, Cheney purchased Richard Neel Home from him and continues to run the business as a full-service interior design firm and retail showroom. Cheney says clients often come in and say they need their whole house or a room done in the next three weeks. “We have enough merchandise and inventory to do a couple jobs like that at once,” he says. Cheney says he could not run the business without Ali McFarlane, an ASID designer who keeps him organized. “She takes off the rough edges that I have, she’s far more patient than I am,” he jokes. Cheney says he and McFarlane try to set the store up as if someone lives there. “That’s how things sell. People come in and see how we’ve done it and that’s how they want it for their home.” Cheney recently started rebranding the shop as Lance Cheney at Richard Neel Home. “I didn’t want anything to change right away,” he says. “This was a 40-year-old business and I needed Richard to be a part of it for a while, but I’m ready.” TP

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HOME

Merry and bright A TULSA HOME’S HOLIDAY DECOR INFUSES DOSES OF RED AND CLASSIC TRIMMINGS FOR A TIMELESS DESIGN. BY ANNE BROCKMAN

Metallic ﬂourishes shimmer on the lit tree swaddled in red velvet ribbon trimmed with gold. Small evergreen touches were made throughout the home by interior designer Emily Davis, owner of Emily Davis Interiors. Like fresh ﬂowers, Davis says fresh evergreen instantly elevates a design, helping transport the home’s holiday visitors to an old-world Christmas. 68 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

KACEY GILPIN PHOTOGRAPHY

hen Emily Davis’ longtime clients enlisted her to help with holiday decorating, she jumped at the chance to work with the family of four. Along with a shared love of style, the designer and homeowners both share a passion for the color red. “Red is my favorite color,” Davis says, claiming it’s a hue people either love or don’t. “The fact that this client feels the same way that I do about red was just so much fun. It was a real thrill.” Along with splashes of crimson, cherry and ruby that are permanent fi xtures of the home’s aesthetic design — such as the curtain trim and seat cushions in the dining room, a gingham fabric in a custom cabinet window face, and infusions in rugs and elsewhere — red is a must for the holidays. It makes its way in the form of ribbons garnishing packages, trees, wreaths and much more. TP

1) Antique ornaments are matched with velvet ribbon to adorn a small tree. 2) The dining room’s pink shell-lacquered walls create a sense of magic for anyone who enters it. “It just glows,” Davis says of the space. 3) Davis notes all of the owners of the 1936-built home have kept its original layout. Following in the steps of David Easton and Charles Faudree to design the home, she adds, “It’s very much a modern iteration of how I think the house was meant to be.” Photos of children with Santa are strung over the archway leading to the dining room. 4) Davis worked with Woodstock Cabinets to create this custom hutch, on which the door faces boast a red gingham fabric year-round. To add some holiday charm to the timeless piece, Davis adds a touch of evergreen. TulsaPeople.com 69

A Loblolly pine outside the Linnaeus Teaching Garden at Woodward Park

Pine tree CHRONICLES COMMON PINE TREE DISEASES AND HOW TO MANAGE THEM. BY ALLEN ROBINSON

ome of the best loved and prettiest trees around are pines. They provide an appealing addition to the landscape with year-round color. They do fairly well in our region but, like most trees, can fall victim to one or more diseases. Environmental stressors such as drought and winter damage predispose pines to one or more diseases. Here are three of the more common diseases that pine trees face in our area. DIPLODIA TIP BLIGHT / CANKER This is common on mature trees that are more than 15 years old that have been stressed by drought or other environmental factors. Symptoms begin in the spring when new needles are killed as they emerge and elongate. The stunted needles turn yellow, then brown. White, crusty resin droplets may be visible on killed needles and shoot tips. Cankers may be visible on larger branches. The disease kills larger branches and/or substantial portions of the tree as it progresses and, left uncontrolled, may disfigure or kill a tree over several years.

70 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

The disease is more severe in years with rainy springs. Management/Control: Irrigation during periods of drought and maintaining fertility with essential plant nutrients is helpful. Pruning and sanitation (clean up) are often effective methods for control. Remove diseased shoots immediately, and it’s best to prune during dry weather. Discard diseased clippings by burning or tossing in the trash. Where infections have been severe, fungicides may facilitate disease control. For severe infections, apply a fungicide containing copper hydroxide early in the spring as the buds open, and at least once more as the needles elongate at 7–10-day intervals. DOTHISTROMA NEEDLE BLIGHT Dothistroma Needle Blight s a serious pine tree disease that causes premature needle drop. Loblolly, Austrian and Ponderosa pines are susceptible to this blight. Scots or Scotch pines are more resistant. Needles are infected in the spring, but the symptoms do not develop until the

fall. Early symptoms consist of yellow and tan spots that may be bordered by a watersoaked band. As spots enlarge, needle tips will die while bases remain green. The dead portion of the needle may break off leaving a blunted tip. Needles may be prematurely shed or cast from the tree, especially needles on lower branches. Left uncontrolled, trees may be weakened and eventually killed. Management/Control: Removing fallen needles from the ground and discarding in the trash helps lower disease severity during the next season. Sanitation is not completely effective since some needles may remain attached to branches. A copper-containing fungicide can be applied once the new needles are fully expanded, usually midMay. A second application 7-10 days later can help especially if the weather is cool or rainy. Generally, fungicide applications are not needed in the summer since hot and dry conditions are unfavorable for the disease. PINE WILT DISEASE Pine Wilt is a devastating tree disease affecting many older (10+ years) non-native pines in eastern Oklahoma. The disease can kill trees in as little as three weeks. It is caused by a microscopic (1 mm) roundworm called the pinewood or pine wilt nematode. The disease is more common in exotic pine species, although native pines are susceptible if under stress from other pests, disease problems or environmental stress. Symptoms appear in July and may develop through December. Needles on a few branches will initially fade to green-gray and wilt because resin flow is reduced. The disease spreads rapidly inside the tree and, within a few weeks, the entire tree may show symptoms of wilt and browning. It is not uncommon to see infected trees near healthy trees. Dying or dead trees typically exhibit blue stain symptoms in the wood when cut. Management/Control: It is possible to treat healthy trees with an insecticide to kill beetles and prevent pine wilt infection. Preventative injections of abamectin can be made every one to two years by a tree care specialist. There is no cure for pine wilt once a tree is infected. Dead/diseased trees should be destroyed by burning, chipping, or burying. The stump should be removed or ground down and buried under 6 inches of soil. The first line of defense is to select and plant disease-resistant trees. While pines are not indigenous to northeast Oklahoma, they are quite common with the Loblolly being the most recommended. Also, Bosnian and Vanderwolf pines can be found as selections in Oklahoma Proven. TP Thank you to Tulsa County Master Gardeners for their expertise. Allen Robinson has been a Master Gardener since 2010.

ANNE BROCKMAN

GAR DENING

BEYOND CITY LIMITS

Sapulpa’s Christmas Chute

Jingle all the way SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS FILL THE CALENDAR IN NEARBY COMMUNITIES. BY RHYS MARTIN

GUTHRIE: COURTESY GUTHRIE’S TERRITORIAL CHRISTMAS FOUNDATION; CHRISTMAS CHUTE: RHYS MARTIN

he holiday season is usually associated with spending time at home with family, sitting next to a crackling fi replace or perhaps making cookies to give out to those we love. If you’re looking for an excuse to get out of the house or would just like something different to do this year, there are some uniquely Oklahoma celebrations worth the drive. Just past the town of FORT GIBSON on your way to Tahlequah stands a community steeped in Oklahoma history. The original fort was established in 1824 — nearly 100 years before Oklahoma statehood — and wasn’t abandoned until nearly the 20th century. For Christmas, the historic fort hosts nighttime candlelight tours featuring depictions of what Christmas was like on the edge of the frontier. Be sure to get your tickets in advance for this event on Dec. 9; if you can’t make that, there’s a big Gingerbread Bake the following weekend. On Dec. 16, FORT RENO in central Oklahoma is partnering with the Daughters of the American Revolution for a Wreaths Across America event. Th is ceremony honors the American military servicemen and women interred at the Post Cemetery. That same afternoon, the fort’s Parade Grounds is home to the annual Christmas

Guthrie

Guns event. Th is tradition, brought over by German immigrants, is tied to the belief the fi ring of cannons wards off evil spirits in preparation for the holiday. The same traditions also involve storytelling, food and Santa Claus. Many folks have heard of GUTHRIE’s Territorial Christmas because this celebration has been a beloved part of Guthrie’s holiday season for over 30 years. There are activities throughout the month, but my favorite part happens on Dec. 2 and 9: the Victorian Walk. Visitors are joined by locals dressed in early-1900s period clothing, creating an immersive experience back through time. There’s nothing else in Oklahoma quite like it. Shepherd’s Cross in CLAREMORE sits on 120 acres, making it a great getaway not too

far from the bustling streets of Tulsa. The farm puts on a Living Nativity Dec. 7-9 and 14-16 featuring over 100 people recreating the story of Jesus’ birth. It’s a working farm, so in addition to the people you have sheep, donkeys, horses and more that help recreate the biblical era. The animals are housed in an impressive 6,000-square-foot Amish-built Gambrel roof barn. The shop is open during the event, so you can return home with Amish-made gifts, baked goods and other handmade items. A group of communities along ROUTE 66 between Sapulpa and Edmond have come together to create a 100-mile corridor of Christmas fun. Sapulpa’s Christmas Chute is a must-see and has been featured on The Today Show. The “Midpoint Corridor” of Oklahoma Route 66 as you head west is decked out with each town showcasing a different theme. Luther transforms into Whoville. Bristow is decorated for Cowboy Christmas. Wellston, the midpoint of Oklahoma’s 400-plus miles of Route 66, is the Land of Misfit Toys. Each of these communities boast other Christmas events like parades, lights-on ceremonies and winter markets throughout the season. It’s a great way to get out and see some of these historic Main Streets in a different light. TP TulsaPeople.com 71

MUSINGS

ISABELLE THE CAT AND I HAVE A CONVERSATION

“S

o,” I said, making a big happyface expression. “What do you think?” I had just walked into my office where Isabelle the cat was on her supervisor’s perch at the window getting the afternoon sun. “About what?” she asked. “My makeup. I need some Lady Gaga energy, so I thought — Lady Gaga makeup! And, check this out.” I did a spin to show off my unusually dressy clothes. “I thought some extra zing might give me more vitality. Stop squinting,” I told her. “They’re not that flashy.” “Party clothes,” she said, “for a party of one.” “You’re here, too,” I told her. “And the dogs,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “The thing is,” I said, getting serious. “I have a lot of work to do. A lot of deadlines. And not a lot of energy so I thought I could gin it up on the inside with some splash on the outside.” “Mmmm,” she said. “It’s part of my new philosophy. Listen to this article I read online about something called the season of self care.” “Don’t read to me.” “It says, ‘The Season of Self Care is a new way to approach the holidays.’” “No reading.” “It says ‘You’re allowed to take care

72 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

of yourself, in whatever way works best for you’ in this unique time of year. So, I thought, festive clothes. Make every day a special day.” Isabelle rolled over so the sun shone on her tummy. “And look at this.” I went out of the room and came back with an armload of flowers. And I did it again. And again. An orchid, a vase of roses and a potted plant. “Now usually,” I told her, as if she didn’t know this, “we have flowers in the living room or dining room, but this is where I need them right now. The office. Not just a dull, functional workspace but a place of joy and creativity.” Isabelle looked worried. “You do know that you’re the only one who comes in here, don’t you?” “That’s why it’s up to me to cheer myself up. I found this motto, ‘If it’s going to be, it’s up to me.’” “Ohhh, no mottos.” I didn’t know cats could groan. “And here’s another thing,” I said, showing her an article from The New York Times. “The headline is ‘One Leaf at a Time.’” “No more reading.” I read, “Creatives find a hip new career by leaving a green thumbprint in city offices.” I went on, “It says people are leaving their jobs in theater, fashion, media and the arts and becoming horticulturists.”

Isabelle interrupted, “Dorothy Parker said…” “I know what Dorothy Parker said,” I said, “just listen to this. The point is creative people are becoming plant keepers. They’re designing plant installations for big companies — Bank of America, Cartier, Netfl ix — and then maintaining them. Plants as art. That’s what they do for a living. They take care of plants in office buildings. Creatives are becoming plant keepers.” “Are you saying you’re a creative?” “Not exactly. Well, kind of. The real point is, the article says plants are good for the people taking care of them and good for the people in the offices. Everybody is feeling happier because of the plants. One guy calls himself a plantfluencer and another one says he’s a plant coach. They say it gives everybody, including the office workers, a sense of well-being. So,” I concluded, looking around at all the plants and flowers in my office, “What do you think?” “It’s like an Altar to the Written Word,” Isabelle deadpanned. “That’s it!” I exclaimed. “An altar. Where I sacrifice my time and offer up my skills and praise an inspiration …” “If there’s praying to be done,” Isabelle said, “I’m praying there’s chicken for lunch.” It’s hard to tell sometimes whether cats are chill or cynical. TP

ASHLEY GUERRERO

BY CONNIE CRONLEY

• Dental care leads to prevention • Researching chronic pain in Native communities • Mental health and grief during the holidays • Women’s health • Combating viruses with vaccines • Eye health • Tech and holistic methods meet at a local wellness clinic

A MEAL, A SMILE, A LIFELINE This holiday season, combat senior isolation. Volunteer or donate to brighten a senior's mental health today.

https://www.mealsonwheelstulsa.org 918-627-4105

TulsaPeople.com 73

BRUSH UP

FOR A HEALTHY SMILE, IT’S ALL ABOUT PREVENTION. STORIES BY ANNA HOLTON-DEAN

“I

’d rather get a root canal than …” is a common expression to show how much someone wants to avoid something, comparing a dental visit to the worst thing imaginable. While many people who share that sentiment put off routine checkups, preventative visits can help prevent pain, extensive procedures and hefty related costs. “Prevention is important in dentistry,” says David Scheuerman, D.D.S., dental director at Morton Comprehensive Health Services. “A small fi lling is much less expensive than a root canal.” He explains regular cleanings prevent bacteria buildup that causes tartar and can lead to loss of bone around the teeth and tooth loss. “It’s important to identify the problems early before they become more severe, requiring more dental work,” Scheuerman says. Experts describe oral health as a window into one’s overall health. Oral diseases can have systemic manifestations and vice versa, Scheuerman explains. Plaque bacteria that causes inflammation in the mouth also can cause inflammation in the heart. Gum disease and tooth decay can make it harder to regulate blood sugar in diabetics, and, relatedly, diabetes increases one’s risk of developing gum disease and cavities. “There has been some research linking gum disease to Alzheimer’s disease,”

74 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

Scheuerman adds, referencing a recent analysis led by National Institute on Aging suggesting the bacteria associated with periodontal disease are also associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, especially vascular dementia. Systemic diseases that result in oral manifestations include anemia, which causes very light-colored gums, and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), which can cause acid erosion, leading to premature wear and sometimes significant sensitivity. Other factors and habits can contribute to dental decline as well. Grinding can lead to severe wear, cracks and tooth fractures, and poor oral hygiene habits can lead to bone loss around the teeth and eventual loss of teeth if the poor habits continue. And simply using a medium or hard toothbrush can cause toothbrush abrasion. Food and medication-related issues are another concern. High sugar intake can lead to tooth decay, and diets that cause heartburn can lead to acid erosion of the teeth. Dry mouth from medications can cause tooth decay to develop more quickly. While an array of issues can affect the health of one’s teeth, the way to alleviate concern is clear: “By seeing a dentist regularly, these changes can be seen and addressed early,” Scheuerman says. “Prevention, prevention, prevention!” TP

Dental care AT EVERY AGE The need/frequency of routine dental checkups varies based on age and individual conditions. An annual checkup is the bare minimum, according to David Scheuerman, D.D.S. Dental visits should start as soon as a child’s first tooth erupts and before his or her first birthday. “This appointment is mostly for the parents to learn how to properly care for their child’s teeth,” Scheuerman says. Preparing younger children before dental visits is important for reducing anxiety and ensuring a positive experience. “Read books about going to the dentist; practice opening and closing in the mirror,” Scheuerman advises. “Most importantly, keep everything positive!” Orthodontic evaluations should be considered around age 7 or 8 since abnormal bites can usually be seen between the ages of 6-12. Ultimately, age plays a factor in tooth health and integrity, but maintaining a healthy smile for years to come is possible, especially when keeping up with routine preventative care. “Sometimes as we age, our dexterity changes. It can be difficult to grip/grasp a toothbrush or dental floss, and we’ll get creative to help these patients be successful at home. With that being said, I had a patient in her 90s that had all her teeth and had never had a cavity. Every mouth is different!” TP

MICHELLE POLLARD

Dr. David Scheuerman treats dental patients at Morton Comprehensive Health Services.

Jamie Rhudy, Ph.D., Travis Lowe, Ph.D., and Joanna Shadlow, Ph.D., are a team researching how chronic pain affects Indigenous communities.

PAIN AID

TULSA RESEARCHERS INVESTIGATE FACTORS BEHIND ELEVATED CHRONIC PAIN RATES AMONG NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES. BY GRACE WOOD

MICHELLE POLLARD

n a groundbreaking study, researchers from The University of Tulsa and Oklahoma State University-Tulsa are diving deep into a complex and often overlooked topic: Native American pain disparity. Th is study’s research is conducted by Joanna Shadlow, Ph.D., (Osage) a professor of psychology at OSU-Tulsa; Jamie Rhudy, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at TU who is transitioning to The University of Oklahoma-Tulsa in January; and Travis Lowe, Ph.D., an associate professor of sociology at TU. According to Rhudy, about one in five Americans experience chronic pain, while about one in 13 experience chronic pain that disables them most or all days. Focusing solely on Native American communities, however, the data show an alarming trend: nearly one in three Native American people experience chronic pain and nearly one in seven experience chronic pain that disables them most or all days. “We’re talking about a really big health inequity,” Rhudy says. “We want to find out what the reasons for this disparity are.” Shadlow and Rhudy have studied Native American pain disparity since around 2010,

when Rhudy brought a study to Shadlow’s attention: an article reporting Native Americans experience higher rates of chronic pain relative to other racial and ethnic minorities. Because little research had been done on the topic, Shadlow and Rhudy decided to see if they could determine the reason for this pain disparity. “Many of the studies we saw 10 and 12 years ago were epidemiological — they didn’t look at why (this is happening), there was no experimental or mechanistic research,” Shadlow says. “We were the fi rst, and currently only, lab in the world that’s doing this research on Native Americans.” Since starting their research over a decade ago, Shadlow and Rhudy’s exploration of Native American pain disparity has yielded significant findings. By measuring the way their subjects processed pain, as well as the impact of psychosocial stressors — adverse childhood experiences, life stressors, discrimination — the researchers could predict which of their subjects would develop chronic pain within two years. “The experience of psychosocial trauma, interpersonal discrimination, and the resulting stress leads to a cascade of changes in the way people think and feel, which

changes how the body reacts to painful events,” Rhudy says. “These things combined seem to place Native Americans at a higher risk for chronic pain.” The gravity of these findings piqued the interest of the National Institute of Health, which in 2022 gave the team their fourth grant — $2.75 million — last year to fund five more years of research. The study’s latest iteration, which started recruitment in February 2023, is looking at three facets of Native American pain disparity: the sociological factors that contribute to chronic pain, how the stress system works in the body to understand how it contributes to chronic pain risk, and the cultural resiliency that helps Native American communities buffer against the negative effects of stress and structural racism. “Many people think of pain as an individual thing or a biological thing, but we’re also connecting it up to things that are external to individuals that impact entire communities, like structural racism and discrimination,” Lowe says. The implications of experiencing chronic pain are serious and wide-reaching, Rhudy says. The goal of this research is to empower Native American communities with information about chronic pain so they can have more awareness about the issue. “Anytime you’re working with Native communities, the research and data we collect belong to them,” Rhudy says. “Part of our mission is to get the word out that this is a public health problem, that if you’re not dealing with it in your communities, it can lead to higher risk for suicide, opioid abuse, and it increases disability, so you’ve lost work and productivity. It’s something that touches all areas of life — if you know someone with chronic pain, you know it affects not just them, but their family members and their community.” The team is working closely with local tribes to ensure the research is safe, to hear their input about the direction of the study and to recruit new subjects, Shadlow says. “We have lots of goals, but two of them are to disseminate our knowledge so people know what’s contributing (to the pain disparity), and to get the word out so we can recruit more people to be part of this project,” she says. The study is looking for more pain-free Native Americans — especially men — to be part of the research. If you are interested in participating in the study, scan the QR code below. TP

TulsaPeople.com 75

‘Give people hope’ 2 TULSA-BASED PROVIDERS JOIN FORCES TO HELP PATIENTS WITH MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH. It goes without saying living in the modern world can be stressful. There are the traditional loads everyone carries — like bills, familial responsibilities, work and health. In 2022, the American Psychological Association reported approximately three-quarters of American adults report having experienced health impacts due to stress in the prior month. “Stress is at an all-time high,” says Henry Penix, CEO of Soaak Technologies Inc., a Tulsa-based global healthtech company. Before the pandemic started, Penix’s company developed sound therapy technology administered in clinical settings in 20 minutes, two to three times a week. Penix says patients were seeing positive outcomes without an invasive therapy. Now the therapy is available through Soaak’s digital app and is used in 133 countries with more than 20 million minutes of sound therapy administered in two years, he adds. “If we can reduce (stress) without a $3,000 or $4,000 price tag, we will do it,” he says of his app’s membership that costs $29.99 a month. “A lot of people come to us as a last-ditch effort. Medicine, pharmaceuticals have failed. People need a salvation.” Penix wants Soaak to “give people hope.” Earlier this year, Soaak acquired RenuYou, a 15-year-old local wellness clinic that has been doing similar work with innovative approaches to mental health and physical wellbeing. Now one, RenuYou recently moved to a new location, 2448 E. 81st St., Suite 5100, to better assist patients in an expanded footprint. Clinic patients are often challenged with pain, anxiety, depression, insomnia, attention deﬁciencies and hyperactivity. Neurofeedback, thermography and personalized therapies — such as light and sound, as well as individualized and group talk therapy — are just a smattering of offerings, says Laura Widney, president and co-founder of Soaak Clinics. She explains neurofeedback uses brain mapping to show under-performing and active pathways. Each protocol is speciﬁc to the patient, with the therapy providing ways to “re-wire” the user’s brain. Widney says the typical patient undergoes an average of 30 sessions, with the availability to do another round to address more severe issues like autism or dementia. These daily life tools are “all helping people and optimizing life,” she says. Those interested in RenuYou and Soaak’s services don’t need a prescription or referral, Penix says. He sees this treatment of mental and physical health as the future. “I believe in 10-12 years, medicine will be more holistic,” he says. Learn more at soaak.com and renuyou.com. — ANNE BROCKMAN 76 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

Roxanne Stewart is the founder of Sanicle, a company dedicated to ending period poverty and equipping young women with the tools and knowledge to care for their menstrual health.

EMBRACING THE NORM LOCAL COMPANY WANTS TO EMPOWER A COMMUNITY TO TALK ABOUT MENSTRUAL HEALTH. Tulsa-based Sanicle wants to change the conversation around menstruation while also empowering women. Created by Roxanne Stewart and her husband, Chaste Inegbedion, the organization aims to be a “one-stop-shop” for information about women and their periods, normalizing the way we perceive this fundamental aspect of human biology and removing any shame or embarrassment around the topic. Stewart, a native of Jamaica, and Inegbedion, who grew up in Nigeria, founded the company in 2021 at a time when COVID-19 uncovered long-existing social and economic disparities. “People were focusing on food insecurity, but if you don’t have food, you really don’t have access to products for menstruation, either,” Stewart says. “We wanted to see how we could help end period poverty.” Sanicle often provides free feminine hygiene products that it distributes at its events. In the beginning, the company focused on the relationship between fathers and daughters, providing accurate information about menstruation to facilitate communication. “Your father is your ﬁrst role model,” Stewart notes. “We wanted to make sure that once that conversation started, it can spread to friends and signiﬁcant others, but you need to spread correct information. That creates a sense of security for girls.” Since then, the company has expanded its mission to include “FemTech,” software, diagnostics, products and services that use technology to support women’s health. Sanicle plans to build an educational game to teach about periods. Learn more at sanicle.us. — JULIE WENGER WATSON

SANICLE: MICHELLE POLLARD; RENUYOU: COURTESY TURNER PHOTO

This year, Soaak, a digital health company, acquired RenuYou wellness clinic. Its patients can utilize services like brain mapping and other personalized therapies.

Bringing the Highest Level of Cancer Care to All Oklahomans

You can access one of the nation’s top cancer centers in just 90 minutes. Oklahomans no longer need to leave the state to get access to the most advanced cancer therapies and treatments. Named after generous benefactors and Tulsans Peggy and Charles Stephenson, the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences was created to be a beacon of hope for all Oklahomans. OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center is the state’s only National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center. As one of 72 such centers nationwide, Stephenson Cancer Center represents the top 2% of cancer centers in the U.S., providing the highest quality of cancer care and support services. The cancer center’s expert physicians trained at the nation’s leading institutions, including Mayo, MD Anderson, and Harvard, and bring you a comprehensive, team-based approach to cancer care. Make an appointment or schedule your second opinion today at (405) 271-1112.

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LIST? Lethal fentanyl poisoning is real. The drastic increase in opioid overdose deaths is largely due to fentanyl poisoning. Illegal fentanyl is cheaper than most other drugs on the streets and is being intentionally substituted into cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and drugs like counterfeit Adderall®, Percocet® and Xanax® as well. Learn the facts and protect those you love.

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Michael Gaydos, O.D.

MENTAL WELLNESS FOR THE GRIEVING It’s that time of year when warm, cheery images of families and friends happily gathered for joy-ﬁlled holiday celebrations are ubiquitous. But in reality, the holidays can be tough for many, especially those who’ve experienced a loss. Lucretia Pardiñas, a licensed clinical social worker and director of programs at Tulsa’s Tristesse Grief Center, offers some advice.

“Yearly eye exams are important not only for vision but also because they can provide a window into a patient’s systemic health,” says Michael Gaydos, O.D., owner of Vision Source Owasso. “This is especially important for people who don’t keep up with annual visits to their primary care providers.” Routine eye exams can spot ocular maladies like uncorrected refractive error and binocular vision issues. Ocular health issues such as dry eye syndrome and cataracts are common as a person ages. Some ocular problems, such as glaucoma, progress so slowly that a patient not routinely checked by an eye care professional may not notice the loss of vision until it is at an advanced stage. Optometrists and ophthalmologists also can play a key role in detecting non-ocular maladies through routine exams. “We’ve spotted everything from hypertension and diabetes to a brain tumor and stroke as part of our routine work up,” Gaydos says. Ideally, routine eye exams should begin at 6 months of age and continue every one to two years, depending on visual needs. Patients over 50, because of their risk for diseases such as glaucoma and cataracts, should be seen annually. While aging is unavoidable, Gaydos says there are ways to proactively help keep one’s eyes healthy. “Eating leafy greens and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are the best ways to keep eyes healthy,” he says. “There are many over-the-counter vitamins that are based on scientiﬁc study and can be helpful to supplement what is not in a patient’s diet. Look for vitamins based on the AREDS 2 study.” Additionally, for alleviating eye strain and potential prescription progression, Gaydos recommends maintaining a well-lit reading environment and taking frequent breaks. He also recommends the 20-20-20 rule. “Every 20 minutes of screen time or near work, take a 20-second break and look at something at least 20 feet away,” he says. “It also helps to make sure you’re blinking regularly as silly as that may sound. Lack of adequate blinking can lead to severe dry eye issues over time.” He continues, “Even if you think you are seeing well, there are still major beneﬁts to keeping up with annual visits, not just for your vision but potentially your overall health as well.” — ANNA HOLTON-DEAN 78 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR THOSE STRUGGLING DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON? We recommend those who are grieving during the holidays create a thoughtful and practical plan to help them cope and ﬁnd moments of comfort. 1. Identify who you’ll spend the holidays with and consider their feelings about the loss. 2. If involving others, schedule a family meeting and include everyone, even children. Discuss challenging traditions, share your concerns, and brainstorm ways to make them easier. 3. Address roles and responsibilities that may need to change or be shared. 4. Finalize your plan, consider support needs, and communicate what you can and can’t handle this year. 5. Support children affected by the loss, let them enjoy the holidays without guilt and create a signal or code word for when they need a break. 6. Plan how you’ll take care of yourself during tough moments, including seeking support and allowing yourself to grieve. 7. Find ways to incorporate your person into holiday traditions to feel their presence and honor their memory. You can start new traditions in their honor, continue their cherished traditions, hold a candle-lighting ceremony, reserve a place at the dinner table for them, or invite family and friends over to share memories. Pardiñas says it is important to remember grief is unique to each individual. If you ﬁnd yourself really struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out to family and friends for support or consider getting connected with a grief counselor. For more information about Tristesse, visit thegriefcenter.org. — JULIE WENGER WATSON

MICHELLE POLLARD

VISION, VITALITY

WHY ARE THE HOLIDAYS PARTICULARLY HARD WHEN IT COMES TO GRIEF? The holidays can really hit hard for those dealing with grief, and there are many reasons why. First, there is a big emphasis on family and togetherness during the holidays, which can make you acutely aware of your person’s absence, especially if this is the first holiday without them. On top of that, there’s this societal pressure to be festive and cheerful, leaving some to worry about dampening the celebrations and holiday spirit. For some, this only intensifies feelings of isolation or loneliness. Others may find their grief magnified when the holidays align with their person’s death anniversary. This complex blend of emotions, coupled with the usual added stress of the season, can be a lot to handle when you’re grieving.

HOT SHOTS

LOCAL EXPERTS RECOMMEND 3 VACCINES TO HELP COMBAT VIRUSES. BY LAURA DENNIS

he season of sickness is upon us, and it carries with it the unwelcome presence of some common and highly contagious viruses, including influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (commonly known as RSV). For those who meet the criteria, vaccines for these illnesses are readily available at most health care clinics and pharmacies in the Tulsa area. Flu, COVID-19 and RSV are respiratory diseases that impede the body’s ability to move fresh oxygen into the bloodstream and remove waste gases. Lindsey Hammond, a registered nurse and supervisor of immunizations at Tulsa Health Department, says these sicknesses present similar to a normal cold but can lead to severe and even life-threatening lung infections. “We recommend vaccinating for all three,” she says. “Like with all vaccines, they protect and prevent diseases. They’re not only to protect yourself, but also to protect others.” Vaccines spark an immune response by introducing a mild version of an illness to the body. Th is allows the immune system to get a ‘quick win,’ so that it remembers the bug and attacks any future infections, according to the Department of Health and

Human Services. Lorrie Pinkston, a registered nurse at Indian Health Care Resource Center, contends that getting vaccinated might just keep you off a ventilator. Each year in the U.S., RSV alone is responsible for approximately 60,000-126,000 hospitalizations of adults age 60 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Vaccines can keep (you) out of the hospital,” she says. The CDC recommends COVID-19 and flu shots for everyone ages 6 months and older, while the newly released RSV vaccine is approved for adults 60 and up, infants born just before or during the RSV season and pregnant women at 32-36 weeks of pregnancy. However, a select few should avoid the injections, despite falling into this demographic. “If they are allergic to any component of the vaccine or if they’ve had a reaction to a previous vaccine, that’s something they need to talk about more in depth with their provider before getting vaccinated,” Hammond says. Pinkston adds minor allergies sometimes can be prevented with an antihistamine prior to injection, but it warrants a doctor’s approval. The best time to get these immunizations is before the season’s peak. “The season starts in September and ends

in January, with the height being in November and December,” Pinkston says. RSV is remarkably high at this time of year, and it can be especially dangerous in older adults and infants. It is a common cause of lower respiratory tract disease, which affects the lungs and can cause pneumonia and bronchiolitis (the swelling of the small airway passages in the lungs). In July 2023, the FDA approved the RSV immunization, Beyfortus, for infants, but Hammond and Pinkston both say it’s been challenging to acquire. “Everybody wants it,” Pinkston says. For adults age 60 and up, the RSV vaccines Abrysvo and Arexvy are on the market. Th is age group tends to be immunocompromised, so RSV presents more severe and often requires hospitalization. “For this reason, we want you to get vaccinated as soon as possible,” Pinkston says. Abrysvo is also the vaccine recommended for pregnant women. Receiving this vaccine not only protects the mother, but the newborn, Hammond says. Alongside RSV (Abrysvo) Tulsa Health Department and Indian Health Care Center currently are offering the updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines. To find more information or to schedule an appointment, visit tulsa-health.org/flu or ihcrc.org. TP TulsaPeople.com 79

FACES OF

Health and Wellness 2023 TulsaPeople is proud to present the inaugural Faces of Health and Wellness, a special sponsored editorial section telling the stories behind a variety of locally owned health care and wellness practitioners. We hope you find this presentation informative and useful.

Healthy Sleep

Dr. Lori Hare

he reality is 80% of sleep apnea goes undiagnosed. Beyond making one feel extremely exhausted, the condition has been shown to increase the risk for virtually every type of mortality, including high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes. It also can cause memory problems, weight gain, depression, impotence and headaches. The signs of sleep apnea include loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, daytime sleepiness, fatigue and morning headaches. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious, life-threatening conditions. It can cause a person to stop breathing during one’s sleep for hundreds of times per night and last for several seconds up to one to two minutes per episode. At Heathy Sleep in Tulsa, professionals provide treatment for sleep apnea using a custom fabricated oral appliance as an alternative to a CPAP machine. The appliance fits over one’s teeth like a small mouth guard. You might be wondering about an oral sleep appliance. “The CPAP machine is designed to force oxygen in to the airway. If the airway could

80 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

Dr. Robin Ross

Dr. Billie Reeder

remain open on its own, it wouldn’t be needed, and that’s where the oral sleep appliance comes in,” says Dr. Lori Hare. “It fits on the upper and lower jaw. The concept is similar to CPR. When you perform CPR you bring the lower jaw forward and it opens up the airway, and that’s what the appliance does.” The process begins at Healthy Sleep with a Home Sleep Study. Sleep apnea therapy can be partially covered by one’s medical insurance and plans like Medicare. Call our office for a complimentary sleep consultation.

HEALTHY SLEEP 1326 E. 43rd Court, Suite 100, Tulsa 201 N. Lynn Riggs, Claremore 918-409-0914 | healthysleeptulsa.com

YMCA of Greater Tulsa

he YMCA of Greater Tulsa is all about building better communities. And that starts with a community of one...you. Understanding your goals and aspirations helps us create programs and activities built around a collective of shared ambitions. From sports activities to social interaction to ongoing health education, we’re here for you and for all. The YMCA of Greater Tulsa is more than simply a recreational center, it’s a community center at heart - committed to improving the health of our community. Experts guide attendees through programs like diabetes prevention and education, blood pressure self-management, Parkinson’s cycling program, smoking cessation programs and community health assessment days. Learn new skills in youth sports, spark passion through social responsibility in the new teen program, find your quiet place during yoga

or share coffee after taking a class. Find your community at the YMCA in new ways. Spirit. Mind. Body. These three pillars have been part of the YMCA’s mission since its earliest beginnings. They’ve been the guiding force behind all the programs and activities that YMCA offers. And while these pillars focus on the individual, the heart of the YMCA is community. See, as we work to improve ourselves, we also improve our communities. Which makes us more than a recreational center. We’re a community greatness center.

YMCA OF GREATER TULSA 14 locations throughout Green Country, including Bixby, Broken Arrow, Okmulgee, Owasso and Tulsa | ymcatulsa.org

Club Pilates

hen Army veteran Khara Davis attended her first Pilates class at Club Pilates midtown, she had no idea the journey the exercise method would take her. In early 2023, at the highest weight she had ever been, she took an introductory class and was hooked. She now attends three to five classes a week. “I have muscle definition and visible changes in my figure,” she says. “My self-confidence has skyrocketed and I love being me again. I feel like I am becoming the best version of myself and in the best shape of my life.” Tulsa Club Pilates owners Curt and Victoria Clark beam when they hear from clients like Davis. “We believe that Pilates is the path to a fuller, more satisfying physical existence,” Victoria says. “We believe being in control of your body helps you be in control of your life. And best of all, you can start anytime.” The Clarks have owned Club Pilates, a 2022 TulsaPeople A-LIST winner, for six years. They are proud of the countless individuals who have created a strong foundation for balance, strength, mobility and flexibility with the Reformer Pilates Signature Classes or private training options. “Pilates is for anyone at any age or fitness level,” Victoria says.

Eastern Oklahoma Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

astern Oklahoma Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (EOOMS) is committed to providing comprehensive oral surgery care. They practice the full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Common procedures include wisdom teeth and dental extractions with intravenous anesthesia for patient comfort. They specialize in all aspects of dental implant surgery, bone grafting and jaw reconstruction. As a group they offer 24-hour practice coverage and take trauma calls for local hospitals. EOOMS is comprised of five experienced oral surgeons: Todd Johnson, D.D.S.; Gregory Segraves, D.D.S.; M.S. Heath Evans, D.D.S.; Dr. Cody Mumma, DDS, and Chris Ray, D.D.S. All EOOMS surgeons hold memberships in numerous dental societies including the Tulsa County Dental Society, Oklahoma Dental Association, American Dental Association, Southwest Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

82 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

Dr. Todd Johnson, Dr. Cody Mumma, Dr. Chris Ray, Dr. Greg Segraves, Dr. Heath Evans

For patients’ convenience, most of the group’s services are provided in the EOOMS offices. The offices are board certified for office IV anesthesia to ensure patient comfort. Quality of care and patient safety are always the group’s primary concern. The EOOMS staff is a committed group of employees who strives to achieve the highest standard of care. Their surgical team has specialized training in oral surgery and anesthesia assisting, which provides for a more comfortable and safe oral surgery experience.

EASTERN OKLAHOMA ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEONS Broken Arrow | 4716 W. Urbana St. | 918-449-5800 Owasso | 12802 E. 101st Pl. N. | 918-274-0944 Eooms.com

FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers

YZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers has clinics conveniently located in Owasso, Glenpool, and Tulsa. We offer a wide range of services including Orthopedic Rehabilitation, Balance Therapy, Sports Rehabilitation, and Neurological Rehabilitation. FYZICAL specializes in a personalized approach to therapy where you will receive a program designed uniquely for you. Our clinics are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment that enables our therapists to design the most advanced and effective rehabilitation programs to get you feeling better, faster! Our team at FYZICAL has advanced clinical education and training including certifications like Trigger Point Dry Needling, Spinal Manual Therapy, and Virtual Reality. With decades of experience providing hands-on healing, and an emphasis on establishing whole-body wellness, our therapists have helped thousands of community members. At FYZICAL, we continually respond to advances in research, technology, and healthcare to ensure our patients are receiving the best care. Beyond the degree and licensing required by law, a core requirement for all our therapists is a caring and helpful personality. Our Northeast Oklahoma region is led by Regional Director Dr. Rachel Stinson, PT, DPT. Dr. Stinson graduated from the University of Oklahoma

in 2012 where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Exercise Science. She continued her education at Langston University and earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2016. Dr. Stinson is certified in manual techniques including Augmented Soft Tissue Mobilization (ASTYM) and cupping. She also holds a unique certification, Complete Concussion Management Inc (CCMI). Her primary interests within the physical therapy industry are in Sports Medicine, Manual Therapy, Vestibular Rehabilitation, and Fall Prevention. Dr. Stinson enjoys helping her community members feel better and get back to doing what they love! Our compassionate, highly skilled team at FYZICAL is committed to helping you achieve your optimal health and wellness. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please visit fyzical.com/northeast-ok.

Balanced Wellness

ISO Club

Adele and Dustin Weaver

tep into a sanctuary where fitness meets optimization at ISO Club, Brookside’s concierge fitness and recovery studio, seamlessly blending cutting-edge technology with a personalized touch. The journey begins with personal training led by certified coaches, guiding each client through sessions that pack the punch of hours in just 20 minutes, thanks to ISO’s state-of-the-art machines. ISO Club is more than just a workout haven; it’s a go-to for holistic wellness. Take a comprehensive approach to recovery with amenities like the infrared sauna, cold plunge therapy, compression boots and top-notch physical therapy options, ensuring your body stays in condition for an active lifestyle.

Jessica Brewer, APRN-CNP

essica Brewer, APRN-CNP, wants to help you achieve your optimal health and wellness goals. As the owner of Balanced Wellness and a board-certified nurse practitioner, Brewer uses a personalized and integrative health approach that incorporates specialized micronutrient, hormone and food sensitivity testing. A nurse practitioner since 2012, she opened Balanced Wellness in 2019, which focuses on preventative primary care services including nutrition, weight loss and hormone replacement therapy. “I love being able to spend extra time with my patients, addressing the root cause of their symptoms and giving them options regarding their health plan,” Brewer says. “I use a patient driven approach to create a personalized plan for everyone.” *accepts most major insurances*

ISO CLUB 3734 S. Peoria Ave. | 918-578-9077 | theiso.club

BALANCED WELLNESS 4146 S. Harvard Ave., F-6 | 918-716-9717 | balancedwellness.health

Tulsa ER and Hospital

Swallowing and Neurological Rehabilitation

Medical Director Dr. Mark Blubaugh

ulsa ER and Hospital is a locally owned and operated physician-owned hospital specializing in emergency room services. Its board-certified and residency-trained physicians are prepared to diagnose and stabilize all emergencies, including strokes, heart attacks, severe pain, traumatic injuries, pediatric illnesses and acute surgical issues. The hospital is equipped with 24/7 CT, ultrasound, MRI, X-ray, a laboratory and a pharmacy. “We adapt to the needs of the community, while our lean management and direct ownership style allows us to make quick and effective improvements,” says Medical Director Dr. Mark Blubaugh. “We can customize our services for community providers and patients without the bureaucratic delays and hurdles typical in larger corporate health systems.”

wallowing and Neurological Rehabilitation treats individuals with diagnoses such as head and neck cancer, progressive neurological diseases, strokes, traumatic brain injuries, laryngeal injuries or other voice pathologies, dementia, autoimmune conditions and others. “My team and I offer several highly specialized services that no one else in the area provides,” says owner Tiffany Turner, a board-certified swallowing specialist who opened the highly specialized practice nearly 10 years ago. The team, which consists of five speech language pathologists specializing in adult rehabilitation, provides endoscopic swallow studies, videostroboscopy voice exams, swallowing impairment therapy and a wide array of treatments individualized for each patient.

TULSA ER AND HOSPITAL 717 W. 71st St. | 918-517-6300 | tulsaer.com

SWALLOWING AND NEUROLOGICAL REHABILITATION 2121 S. Columbia Ave., Suite 501 | 918-928-4700 | tulsasnr.com

84 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

Mickie Bingham Lori Lassman 918.630.4434 918.760.7844

hank you for your gift of friendship and being a bright light in our year!

Tucker & Vickie Kevin & Julia Connor & Madison Kate & Maia

Pam Mickie Lori

Shonda

Joan Hayden Mitch & Ronda

Sarah

Tong

David & Teresa Jennifer Ryan & Haley

Mariel Scott & Glenn

Borger Homes Kim

Josh & Jacque

Chase

Stephen & India

Julie

Louise Scott & Casey

Kelsey & Grace Rick & Dicksie

Kim Will &

Kathryn Martyn & & David Elizabeth

Tammy Brian Laurie & John Chris & Aimee Schuyler & Shaida Patty

Lindsey

Tim & Monica

Eula May

David

Chris & Melony

TulsaPeople.com 85

McGraw Realtors

Pam Case 918.809.3247

Wishing You All A Mary Ann Joyful Dianne Eric & 2024!

McGraw Realtors

LUXURY PROPERTY GROUP

TIM HAYES 918 -231-5637 thayes@mcgrawok.com

SHERRI SANDERS 918- 724-5008 ssanders@mcgrawok.com

Gordon Shelton (918) 697-2742 gshelton@mcgrawok.com

Diana Riley Patterson (918) 629-3717 dpatterson@mcgrawok.com

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.

CHARLANE ESTATES Ranch style home with walkout basement located in charming Charlane Estates! Wood deck covers back of house. Open kitchen, 4 bed, 3.5 baths. Master has floor to ceiling glass windows overlooking backyard with tree top views. New roof October 2023. $799,000

GARDEN PARK Open floor plan with oversized rooms. Entire home is flooded with natural light. Totally updated recently Transitional style. Living room with built ins & fireplace. Large dining & Den connects to living. Amazing kitchen with all new cabinetry & stainless appliances. Both baths are gorgeous & have been updated recently. Brand new hardwood floors & new paint throughout. Huge master bedroom with 2 closets & built ins. Many closets throughout. Sought after 3 bed, 2 bath. Newer Heat & Air. 2 Car carport & 2 private courtyards. Sprinkler system. 2 community pools available. Quiet Living with Security Guard gated entrance.

GOLDEN OAKS This one-owner custom hilltop home in Jenks NW School district sits on a .96-acre lot. It features three inviting Southern-style porches, an open great room with a fireplace and wet bar, a wellequipped kitchen with a butler's pantry, a first-floor master suite, and additional bedrooms and a game room on the second floor. The property also includes an extra-large three-car garage and a covered porch, a patio with a fire pit, and a sport court. The location provides a country feel while being conveniently close to Highway 75.

SIGNAL HILL

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. $1,850,000

Enjoy the Luxury Lifestyle you desire 86 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

GRAND RIVER The Smallwood Ranch is for sale! This incredible home and land is located just west of Langley, just a mile off of highway 28 and 5 minutes to Reasors. There is 86 acres (+or-) with 4 ponds, and Grand River frontage, boat ramp, enclosed boat dock, 3,600 s.f. under roof barn with 1,800 s.f. concrete flooring electric throughout as well as a horse barn that is 20 by 48 feet in sections of 12 with one section enclosed for storage. It also has electricity and water. The main home offers 3 BR, 4 BA and is 4,308 s.f. The home has been totally updated with great taste. The outdoor living space includes an inground pool, kitchen and hot tub that all overlooks the beautiful ranch land. The second 3 BR, 2 BA home is a Clayton manufactured home and is only three years old and is around 2,300 s.f. It has ramps for a wheelchair and has all high end interior finishes. There is also a storage building by this home. Come and enjoy the peace and solitude this property provides. $2,500.000

MIDTOWN

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

McGraw Realtors

RESIDENTIAL | LAND | FARM | INVESTMENT

An Architectural Masterpiece 3 BD |5 BA |1 HB |7,166 SF | $1,999,999 9927 S Urbana Ave. One of Tulsa's finest works of art designed by the famous architect, E Fay Jones. This home boasts the style of the most famous apprentices’ of Frank Lloyd Wright, custom built by one of Tulsa's most prestigious builders, Don East. This is a rare opportunity to purchase a true masterpiece. This midcentury design offers natural lighting so nature flows endlessly from exterior landscaping though the interior of home. Amenities include vaulted & beamed ceilings throughout, 17 skylights, interior finishes in clear redwood & solid oak, custom handmade doors, windows & light fixtures, copper screens throughout, two floor- to-ceiling flagstone fireplaces, flagstone floors, & timeless geometric designs. This property is located in the heart of South Tulsa with over an acre of lush landscaping tucked away in the beautiful trees offering plenty of privacy for the swim spa nestled in the back .Brighton Oaks is a prestigious, gated community in South Tulsa with enchanting streets surrounded by mature trees and lush landscapes.

LOVE WHERE COME JOIN OUR GROWING COMPANY 918.592.6000 | MCGRAWREALTORS.COM

Savannah Armstrong Licensed Real Estate Agent 918 633 5654 sarmstrong@mcgrawrealtors.com

TulsaPeople.com 87

TULSA TIME WARP

SANTA’ S FIRST TULSA PARADE STORY AND COMPOSITE IMAGE BY PATRICK MCNICHOLAS

n the evening of Dec. 3, 1926, Tulsa held its first downtown Christmas parade. An estimated 50,000 people were throughout downtown hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus, who had built up the anticipation by sending out telegrams updating his journey from the North Pole to Tulsa in weeks leading up to the parade. Despite a planned arrival at Owen Park, many thousands of onlookers were disappointed to find out that Santa had mistakenly landed just north on the Tulsa Country Club golf course. However, he was just in time for the evening’s parade. From his landing spot, Santa crisscrossed the parade path through downtown until finally reaching the old Tulsa County Courthouse where an igloo was built outside for him and his reindeer. The inaugural year had proven to be a success and organizers were intent to continue the event annually. The Retail Merchants Association, under the leadership of Gary Vandever of

88 TulsaPeople DECEMBER 2023

Vandevers Department Store, took control of the planning of the parade — first changing the time of day of the parade and then the date in which it was held. By the 1930s, downtown retailers saw the new parade direction as an opportunity to encourage early shopping in their stores. Many retailers extended their business hours in coordination with the parade times. Over the years, the parade has seen many changes but one thing has remained the same: Santa has been a consistent guest. This year’s parade, themed Have a Holly Berry Christmas, begins at 11 a.m. on Dec. 9. The theme is inspired by a character created by artist Muriel Fahrion, 2023 grand marshal. TP FOR MORE ON GARY VANDEVER AND THE HISTORY OF THE TULSA CHRISTMAS PARADE, SEE P. 28.

IMAGES OF AMERICA: TULSA CHRISTMAS PARADE BY JESSICA GULLO (HOWARD HOPKINS, COURTESY DEWEY F. BARTLETT JR.) TULSACHRISTMASPARADE.ORG/BOOK

An image taken during the 1949 Christmas parade shows Main Street near its intersection with Sixth Street. Santa can be seen gesturing toward the crowd while atop a ﬂoat with sleigh and reindeer. Many business signs can be seen in the background including Vandevers and Brown Dunkin department store, Sinclair and Shell Oil, Jenkins Piano, Palace Clothiers and more.

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