TulsaPeople March 2026

SAKURA SEASON

TULSANS TACKLE MENOPAUSE

BEST LAWYERS® March 2026

A’Tyria Walker, Wanda Armstrong and Glory Wells at Wanda J’s Next Generation Restaurant

WOMEN IN BUSINESS TULSA WOMEN CARRYING ON FAMILY BUSINESS LEGACIES

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FIRST OKLAHOMA BANK PRESENTS

Leaders with Heart COMPASSION. COMMITMENT. COMMUNITY CENTERED. Brian and Amy Diener are the kind of people whose dedication quietly strengthens the community. Their careers, volunteer work, and family life all reflect a shared belief in caring for others.

Brian, an osteopathic doctor, is a tenured professor of surgery at the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences and a General Surgeon at OSU Medical Center. A natural interest in anatomy drew him to surgery. His specialties span general and advanced laparoscopic surgery, robotic surgery, gastrointestinal procedures, complex hernia repairs, and endoscopy.

Originally from Enid, Brian chose to stay in the Tulsa area for the opportunity to teach the next generation of physicians. Helping train future physicians who will provide medical care to underserved rural and urban areas within the state is extremely gratifying, he says.

“Once you help someone in need and they feel better, you feel better also, and you want to keep doing it. I feel blessed by God to have the mental and physical ability to do it,” he says.

Amy’s path into healthcare began differently. With a journalism and public relations degree from OSU, an internship at Stillwater Medical Center sparked her passion for helping others. Her early career took her to the

American Red Cross and The Oklahoma Investment Forum, where working for Sue Bennett helped her understand the importance of authentic, personalized care. “Together these jobs made me realize my passion for building relationships and wanting to help others,” Amy says.

In 1999, she joined Pfizer as a pharmaceutical sales representative and has spent more than two decades advocating for patients and building trusted relationships across eastern Oklahoma.

Brian and Amy “bleed orange” as longtime OSU fans, whose connections with the university and Stillwater run deep. Both earned degrees at OSU. Their oldest son, Bryson, graduated from OSU with three degrees, while their youngest son, Luke, is currently an OSU junior majoring in industrial engineering and was recognized as a Top 10 Freshman. Both their parents also live in Stillwater.

Chi Omega, Beta Theta Pi, and more.

When asked what she gains from serving, Amy sums it up simply: “Joy. It’s always joyful to give back.”

“I’ve known Brian and Amy for more than 35 years. While they’ve built impressive careers in medicine, their greatest success is the way they give back. They’re extraordinary people, and I’m grateful for decades of friendship and look forward to many more years to come,” says Tom Bennett III, President and CEO of First Oklahoma Bank.

In recognition of the bank, Brian says, “Customer service is excellent. They make you feel like family and friends rather than customers.”

Amy adds, the Bennetts “expect nothing but the upmost personal care and attention to all customers.

They are pillars of the community and demonstrate integrity in all they do, and the staff exhibits the same results and family culture.”

Their passion for service extends well beyond their careers. Individually or together, they’ve volunteered with New Life Ranch, Redeemer Covenant Church, Jenks High School Baseball,

Midtown: 4110 S. Rockford Avenue | South: 100 S. Riverfront Drive, Jenks FirstOklahomaBank.com

Compassionate

women’s care for all phases of your life.

Micah Relic, DO | Board certified in obstetrics and gynecology

Dr. Relic is dedicated to providing comprehensive obstetric and gynecologic care with a focus on peri- and menopausal transition, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, hormonal therapy, and minimally invasive and robotic gynecologic procedures.

OSU Obstetrics & Gynecology | 717 S. Houston Ave., Suite 200, Tulsa | 918-586-4500

Care that goes beyond.

osumedicine.com

Contents MARCH 2026

VOLUME 40 ISSUE 5

7

CITY DESK Lives change at Lindsey House.

Floral finds at Gathering Place.

St. Paddy’s parties.

59

LIFESTYLE Color and culture at Valeria’s.

SAKURA SEASON

TULSANS TACKLE MENOPAUSE

Connie sees your hair extensions.

BEST LAWYERS® March 2026

26

41

A New Leaf welcomes CEO Maranda Figueroa and Phase II of The Village.

BY JULIE WENGER WATSON

Tulsans take on menopausal treatment misconceptions.

BY MARNIE FERNANDEZ

LIVE. LEAF. LOVE. TULSAPEOPLE

A’Tyria Walker, Wanda Armstrong and Glory Wells at Wanda J’s Next Genreration Restaurant

MARCH 2026

WOMEN IN BUSINESS TULSA WOMEN CARRYING ON FAMILY BUSINESS LEGACIES

ON THE COVER A’Tyria Walker, Wanda Armstrong and Glory Wells at Wanda J’s Next Genreration Restaurant PHOTO BY MICHELLE POLLARD

4 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

Arizona’s stretch of Route 66.

28

FAMILY TIES Local women carrying on their family business legacies.

BY ABIGAIL SINGREY

COMIN’ IN HOT

67 SPECIAL SECTIONS 34 WOMEN IN BUSINESS 44 BEST LAWYERS®

TABLE TALK Take 2 is expanding.

Girl power at Amelia’s.

Peruse plates from Plaza 21.

TABLE TALK, LIFESTYLE: MICHELLE POLLARD; CITY DESK, ROBINSON: GREG BOLLINGER

Seen here tending to microgreens, Kat Robinson is the owner of Robinson Ranch — a female-run, regenerative-certified farm in Bixby at 2505 E. 141st St. Robinson also launched A Bigger Table Foundation, which is the farm's educational nonprofit arm that teaches kids and adults how to grow (and why they should eat) real food like fruits and vegetables.

THEN. NOW. ALWAYS. 100 YEARS OF CARE. ONE ENDURING PROMISE.

ascension.org/StJohn © Ascension 2026. All rights reserved.

CONTENTS

EDITOR’S LETTER

My dog, Maz, enjoying a stroll through the blooming cherry trees at Gathering Place in March 2025. This photo was shot on a potato. You can go see the blossoms yourself this March, and enjoy the updated Dog Day schedule that now includes Sundays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

A

bout a year-and-a-half ago, I had coffee with

TulsaPeople’s then-Digital Editor Tim Landes and

asked if TulsaPeople would cover the

cherry blossoms at Gathering Place. If you weren’t aware, the park has been cultivating the largest collection of cherry trees

in Oklahoma over the last few years. So,

for a few weeks each March, you can head to the Chapman Foundations Adventure

Playground for an immersive sakura expe-

make Tulsa — and the world — a better

place. On p. 21 you’ll meet Paige Johnson, founder of Ten-Nine Technologies — a Tulsa-based company that produces an innovative nanomaterial that enhances battery efficiency. Other entrepreneurs

included this month are Kayla Parschauer and Ashley Tucker with the family-

oriented concierge service Simplify (p. 20)

and Valeria Dowdy of Valeria’s Mexico Art Shop (p. 60).

In the feature well, writer Marnie

rience. (Th is month, you’ll very likely find

Fernandez dives into how Tulsans are

along Caterpillar Bridge.)

mendations around menopause hormone

me and my dog, Maz, taking in the sights

When I proposed the topic, Tim let me

in on one of the harder realities of print — photos to go along with a seasonal story like this would need to be shot nearly a

year in advance so they could run in the

magazine that month. Thankfully the idea

responding to recent changes to recom-

Volume XL, Number 5 ©2026. All rights reserved.

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

TulsaPeople Magazine is published monthly by

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 Lauren Rogers DIGITAL EDITOR Madison Walters ASSISTANT EDITOR Tiffany Howard CREATIVE DIRECTOR Madeline Crawford GRAPHIC DESIGNER Allyssa Reeder MANAGING PHOTOGRAPHER Michelle Pollard VIDEOGRAPHER Greg Bollinger SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Andrea Canada ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Melissa Givens Josh Kampf CONTROLLER Mary McKisick INTERN Makayla Morgan

MEMBER

therapy, also called hormone replacement therapy (p. 41). We also explore women

TulsaPeople’s distribution is audited annually by

carrying on their family business legacies (p. 28) and developments at A New Leaf

led by their new CEO Maranda Figueroa (p. 26).

our videographer Greg Bollinger went out

Café — which provides immediate employ-

you’ll see on p. 7 and 18. Th is story is even

prison — is moving to a larger location

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

We can have a better world if we choose it together.

Amelia’s welcomes a new head chef, Terra

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

made it back to the rest of the team, and last March to shoot the delicate blooms more special since it coincides with our

annual Women’s Issue. Writer Sarah Kate Synar took this opportunity to highlight two women from the Gathering Place

horticultural team, Botanical Collections Curator Kendall Golden-Spradlin and Horticulture Manager Kellyn Lee.

In honor of Women’s History Month,

the March magazine gives us a chance to recognize women working every day to 6 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

On the food front, Take 2: A Resonance

ment to women recently released from

(p. 70). And longtime Arts District staple

Rubio (p. 68). As always, if there’s anything you’d like to see in the magazine, please let

me know at lauren@langdonpublishing.com.

Thanks for reading! tp

Lauren Rogers EDITOR

S AY N O T O H A T E

City Desk NEWS

CAUSES

PASSIONS

PRETTY IN PINK

GREG BOLLINGER

At Gathering Place (2650 S. John Williams Way) you can find a collection of more than 70 cherry trees — the largest such collection in the state. With species including the Yoshino, Akebono, Higan and weeping cherries, the park pops with pink and white petals each March. Read more about the women behind the blooms on p. 18. tp

TulsaPeople.com 7

CITY DESK

IN CONVERSATION

WHAT EVENT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR? I’m really excited about TYPROS Day at the Capitol this year (March 9). It’s a program that’s been running for multiple years, but this year we’re doing it the day before the (Tulsa Regional) Chamber Day at the Capitol, and the reason that we’re doing that is to give young professionals a glimpse into the way that business leaders interact and engage with the civic process. And, also, to give young professionals more access to the legislators and decision-makers that are driving change forward in Oklahoma, so that they can understand if they have the ambition to sit in those seats and to run for those offices — we want to make sure that they are able to do that from the most educated and informed place possible.

Reagan Gowens The new CEO at TYPROS (and new mom!)

BY LAUREN ROGERS

A

midst celebrating its landmark 20th anniversary last November, TYPROS also welcomed Executive Director Reagan Gowens to the helm. She joins the young professionals organization led by the Tulsa Regional Chamber, bringing experience from her time working for the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce and Gradient: Tulsa’s Innovation Hub. Originally from Stillwater, Gowens is a 2020 graduate of Oklahoma State University.

BEFORE COMING TO TYPROS, YOU WERE THE PROGRAMS ENGAGEMENT MANAGER AT GRADIENT. ARE THERE ANY LESSONS YOU LEARNED FROM THAT POSITION THAT WILL INFLUENCE HOW YOU APPROACH YOUR NEW ROLE?

8 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

Something that I saw modeled really well during my time there was a super clear understanding of what the ‘why’ was, and how we were packaging our programming and our offerings at Gradient to be clear to (both) the end user and to the stakeholders whom we were trying to bring in as partners. And so, I would say that is chiefly, for me, something that I have taken on board in my role in TYPROS ... really being clear about: What is the value proposition for young professionals looking to get involved?

What is the value proposition for businesses looking to get their (young professionals) involved in TYPROS? And using our website, our (social media) and all of the touchpoints that we have with young professionals and stakeholders to communicate that as clearly as we’re able.

WHAT IS AN AREA OF GROWTH YOU SEE FOR TYPROS? I think that there is an opportunity in 2026 and beyond to be more attuned to the needs of the business community in regard to the development of their young professionals. So, making sure that, when TYPROS is shaping (our) programming offerings and planning events, we’re doing so from a seat that’s informed by what the needs of the business community are. You know, ultimately, TYPROS should be a place where businesses can trust that their young professionals are receiving the development that they need not just to positively impact the culture of the company that they’re working for, but represent their company well in the leadership roles, opportunities, (and other)

GREG BOLLINGER

TYPROS Executive Director Reagan Gowens at a recent networking event. The young professionals organization will host its next Pub Club — a conversational happy hour for TYPROS members and nonmembers alike — at Puck’s Bar & Grill inside the WeStreet Ice Center on March 17.

ARE THERE ANY MORE BROAD IDEAS DEVELOPING WITHIN TYPROS THAT YOU’RE EXCITED ABOUT WORKING ON THIS YEAR? Something that I am really passionate about is making sure that TYPROS serves as kind of a common ground, a place where there’s commonality and understanding between those sitting in positions of business and civic leadership now, and those who will eventually sit in seats of business and civic leadership. Making sure that TYPROS acts almost like a bridge, so that those two groups can relate to each other in hopes that the core principles and tenants of what it has meant — either civically or in business — to invest in the future of Tulsa are carried forward with the young professionals that will eventually be sitting in seats of influence.

points of contact with the Tulsa community that they might fi ll during their employment with (these businesses). We want to make sure that — regardless of if they’re representing TYPROS, them being young professionals, or they’re representing their employer — that we’re giving them the tools, education and access that they need to do that well.

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WANT YOUNG PROFESSIONALS IN TULSA TO KNOW ABOUT TYPROS? I would hope that young professionals would feel like TYPROS offers them practical tools, training and inroads to pursue positions of leadership. I think that it starts fi rst with education, right? We want to make sure that before you’re stepping into leadership roles — whatever it looks like, whatever the context — that you’re trained up and prepared for what the stakes of that leadership position might look like. But beyond that, we want to connect you with entities and leaders and opportunities in the community that will up the ante of what it means for you to be a leader. We want to be a bridge for young professionals to engage in meaningful ways with leadership opportunities in the business, civic and nonprofit realms.

SWITCHING GEARS: WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN WHEN YOU’RE OFF THE CLOCK? I am a mom of a seven-month-old (Holly), so right now fun for me looks like raising my daughter with my husband (Brandon) and, you know, laughing at her as she learns to do really basic things that every human knows how to do but babies don’t know how to do.

I love a good coffee shop. I’m a big PonyCoffee girl. Paréa coffee shout out.

Love the local business and food scene in Tulsa, and ... I just love community. So, you can often fi nd me hosting a dinner party, attending a dinner party, attending a game night, hosting a game night ... Really, as a person, I’m just all about bringing people together.

WAIT, BACK UP — YOU JUST WELCOMED A NEW BABY WITHIN WEEKS OF STARTING AS TYPROS’ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR? It’s funny ... But, you know, I plan to be in Tulsa for a long time, and ... I see Holly being raised in Tulsa and learning what it means to invest in the community and lead with purpose in this context. So to me, yes, I’m talking broadly about young professionals of Tulsa, but I would hope that the seeds that are being sown now, and the access points that are being developed now, and the relationships

that are being strengthened now would lend to my daughter having more clear inroads for what it means to be a leader in Tulsa, when that time comes for her.

HAVING A NEW BABY AND A NEW JOB ALL AT ONCE MUST HAVE BEEN STRESSFUL. I’m going to say ‘no.’ And the reason I’m saying ‘no’ is because I’m a big believer that I’m going to be a better mom to Holly if I’m fulfi lled by the thing that I’m doing professionally.

Right? I think sometimes women are put in positions where it’s like, either you are investing really deeply in your children and you’re there and you’re present, or you’re just super hyper focused on career and what it means to advance in your career. And I think I say ‘no, both and.’

Holly is getting a better version of me, truly, when I’m investing in things that matter to me professionally. I would say to moms, in general, who are trying to balance both this ambition to impact the community that you live in via your profession and also ‘I want to be a mom that shows up and is present’ — you can do both. Your kids seeing you do both and be fulfi lled and be excited and be passionate, in my opinion, is a gift that you can give them. tp

TulsaPeople.com 9

CITY DESK

TULSA 10

MARCH COMPILED BY MADISON WALTERS

March 3 THE HISTORY OF TURKEY MOUNTAIN Uncover the hidden stories of Turkey Mountain at the Hunt Club during this free lecture about the mountain’s fossil record, oil field past and transformation into the park we know today. thehuntclubtulsa.com March 6 A CONVERSATION WITH DUDLEY BROOKS AND FRED SWEETS Philbrook Museum of Art will host a conversation on the influence of Gordon Parks’ work with Black photographers Dudley Brooks and Fred Sweets, who will also share photos from their careers. tulsafl yer.org March 7-8 NATUREWORKS ART SHOW AND SALE America’s top wildlife artists will be in attendance to sell and display their work during this special event at Marriott Tulsa Hotel – Southern Hills. natureworks.org March 14-15 DINOSAUR ADVENTURE Experience the prehistoric age and encounter your favorite dinosaurs up close at Dinosaur Adventure, a family-friendly exhibit designed for children and families coming to Expo Square. dinosauradventure.com March 14 KUNG FU TRIPLE RIPPER Head to Circle Cinema for March’s iteration of the Graveyard Shift, which is a martial arts marathon of three kung fu movies from the ’70s on rare 35mm film. circlecinema.org March 17-20 SPRING BREAK AT MOTHER ROAD MARKET Enjoy a full lineup of events including Balloons & Bingo March 17, a movie night March 18, $3 Lunch Club March 19 and a silent disco March 20. motherroadmarket.com

March 13 “FREEDOM FRIDAYS” AT GREENWOOD RISING Greenwood Rising’s “Freedom Fridays” returns, offering free admission to the museum for Oklahoma residents once a month. greenwoodrising.org/freedom-fridays-ttcu 10 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

March 26-29 “CASANOVA” Exiled from the priesthood and overwhelmed by his desires, a young violinist seeks solace in the arms of lovers in this Tulsa Ballet production. tulsaballet.org March 28 HOCKEY ROMANCE NIGHT Only One Bed Book Truck, the OKC-based mobile romance bookstore, will be making its first stop here in Tulsa ahead of the Oiler’s matchup at the BOK Center. onlyonebedbooktruck.com tp

JAMES PARKER

VISIT TULSAPEOPLE.COM FOR TULSA 10 WEEKLY RUNDOWNS.

March 21 OKGO MARKET Attendees can expect to shop from 200 of Oklahoma’s finest local businesses and creators at OKGO Market, taking place in Expo Square. okgomarket.com

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

A round-up of area St. Patrick’s Day happenings — from all-day street parties and bar crawls to festive running events and family-friendly activities.

COMPILED BY TIFFANY HOWARD

March 7 SHAMROCK THE ‘VILLE Downtown Bartlesville Times vary • $25 • All ages Don a crazy green costume and run for a great cause — all proceeds benefit Mary Martha Outreach, which provides food and necessity items to those in need. shamrocktheville.com March 13-15 TULSA IRISHFEST 2026 Cabin Boys Brewery, 1717 E. Seventh St. Times vary • $16.95 • All ages Endeavoring to become the best Irish festival in the world, Tulsa IrishFest is packed full of authentic live music, culture, art, food, whiskey tastings and more. tulsairishfest.org

March 14 THE OFFICIAL LUCKY’S ST. PATRICK’S DAY BAR CRAWL Downtown Tulsa 4 p.m. • Prices vary • 21+ Get ready for some ultimate bar-hopping fun with included food and drink specials and a photographer on hand to capture all the shamrock-ing shenanigans. crawlwith.us/tulsa/stpattys ST. PATRICK’S DAY RUN RunnersWorld Tulsa, 3920 S. Peoria Ave. 8:30 a.m. • $40 • All ages With over 1,000 runners decked out in their festive green best, this is one of Tulsa’s most anticipated fun-run/5k events.

Even better? All proceeds benefit Special Olympics Oklahoma. sook.org/stpatrun ST. PATRICK’S DAY STREET PARTY Downtown River District, 12 West Dawes Ave., Bixby 2:00 p.m. • Free • All ages Enjoy music and festive, family-friendly activities until 5 p.m.! facebook.com/bixbymetrochamber TIME TO PADDY Riverside 96th Street Park, 9700 S. Delaware Court 7:55 a.m. • $17-$73 • All ages This St. Patrick’s-themed run for the whole family includes a kid’s dash, 1 mile, 5K,

10K and the Lucky 13.1 Half Marathon. runsignup.com/race/events/ok/tulsa/ timetopaddy5k10klucky131tulsa March 14 and 17 MCNELLIE’S 22ND ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY BLOCK PARTY McNellie’s Pub, 409 E. First St. 1 p.m. • Free • All ages before 6 This year you have two different days to enjoy some outdoor St. Paddy’s fun on the patio that will include a DJ, Irish fare, the Guinness Gig Rig, bagpipes, dancing and other festive activities. mcnellies.com ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARTY Caz’s Pub, 21 E. Reconciliation Way 7 p.m. • Prices vary • 21 + Little pub, big party! St. Patrick’s Day at Caz’s never disappoints. Celebrate with drink specials, giveaways and more! @cazspub TULSA ST. PATRICK’S DAY BAR CRAWL Start at Fassler Hall, 304 S. Elgin Ave. 1 p.m. • Prices vary • 21+ Come out on either St. Patrick’s Day or the Saturday before for a blowout bar crawl celebration at some of Tulsa’s top bars.

Enjoy ticket inclusions such as exclusive holiday-themed cocktails, food deals and free after-party entry. pubcrawls.com

Sláinte to seven decades Arnie’s Bar owners Chris and Jo Armstrong

One of Tulsa’s longest running St. Patrick’s Day traditions is turning 70 this year.

Arnie’s Bar, originally established in 1956 on Cherry Street, has been Sham-rocking the Blue Dome District each year with their legendary St. Patrick’s Day street festival since moving to Second Street and Elgin Avenue in 1998.

This year’s March 17 block party offers patrons live music, along with Irish drinks and a food truck lineup including Andolini’s Pizza, El Ranchero, MASA and Rub Truck.

In celebration of their landmark birthday, Arnie’s has partnered with GreenHouse Outfitters to design a line of 70th anniversary swag. GreenHouse will be on-site at the event to live print this year’s festival shirt and provide hoodies, sweatshirts and hats for purchase. Attendees will also have a chance to take home one of the celebratory 70th anniversary drinkware designed for the occasion.

Learn more about this year’s festivities at arniesbar.com. — STAFF REPORTS 12 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

March 16 ADULT CRAFT NIGHT: FELT FOUR-LEAF CLOVERS Zarrow Regional Library, 2224 W. 51st St. 6:00 p.m. • Free • Adults Grab a friend or two and spend St. Patrick’s Day eve creating your own four-leaf clover out of felt! Registration is required. events.tulsalibrary.org/events March 17 ARNIE’S BAR 70TH ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY Arnie’s Bar, 318 E. Second St. 11 a.m. • Free • All ages until 8 p.m.

Hang out with all of T-town in the middle of East Second Street and South Elgin Avenue for Arnie’s 70th annual St. Paddy’s celebration. Enjoy live Irish music and performances throughout the day, as well as food trucks, live commemorative t-shirt printing and, of course, beer. arniesbar.com/st-patricks-day KILKENNY’S BLOCK PARTY: Cherry Street, 15th Street and Rockford Avenue 11 a.m. • Free • All ages Bring the family out for this highly anticipated annual Cherry Street tradition packed with food vendors, live music, kids’ activities and more. tulsairishpub.com tp FIND UPDATED LISTINGS AT TULSAPEOPLE.COM.

NEW JIGS FOR TULSA IRISHFEST Gearing up for a sixth year of celebrating Irish and Celtic culture, Tulsa IrishFest will take place March 13-15 at Cabin Boys Brewery, 1717 E. Seventh St. This is the first year the brewery will host the event, which has taken place previously at River West Festival Park and the Guthrie Green. The family-friendly festival offers free admission to children under 12, with programming including a dynamic Little Leprechaun Kids Zone sponsored by TulsaKids Magazine.

Additional entertainment will include armored combat demonstrations by the Tulsa Tyrants.

In addition to Cabin Boy’s brews, those 21 years and older can enjoy a curated Whiskey Tasting with local whiskey connoisseur John Buchanan. Once you’ve built up an appetite, you can try hearty snacks from vendors like Scotsfare Bakery Heritage Meat Pies. Following the festivities on March 14, the fun will continue with a VIP after party at the Brut Hotel. Sunday will feature a free-to-attend Catholic mass by Bishop David A. Konderla. Regular admission is $16.95, with all-weekend VIP tickets priced at $97.70. Learn more and purchase admission at tulsairishfest.org. — STAFF REPORTS

GREG BOLLINGER

(SHAM) ROCK ON!

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CITY DESK

Inset, Maggie Hoey is the president and CEO at Lindsey House, a nonprofit that provides a supportive living environment to women and their children overcoming difficult situations. Right, Hayley Witt, Lindsey House resident and mom of three, recently increased her earning potential and ability to support her family through securing a job in structural welding.

A ‘2-generation’ impact Lindsey House empowers women and their families on their journey to independence.

BY TIFFANY HOWARD

T

he colorful new playground at Lindsey House is more than just a fun place to play; it’s a symbol of the nonprofit’s dedication to breaking cycles of generational trauma for the families who live there.

Serving mothers experiencing situational homelessness with their children, Lindsey House provides a supportive living environment for families that begins with a fully furnished apartment in a communal complex. Women follow a one-year, curriculum-based program that focuses on strengthening life skills, financial literacy and workplace proficiency — a threepronged approach aimed at helping them unlock higher wage-earning potential and build a strong foundation for their families moving forward.

“We get to see people overcome really difficult situations,” says Maggie Hoey, Lindsey House’s president and CEO, “and see the kids grow up in an environment that is stable and safe. Our goal is to break 14 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

generational cycles of poverty, addiction, incarceration and abuse.”

Hoey explains the level of trauma mothers at Lindsey House experience before turning 18 is often much higher on average than the general population, meaning it has also been considerably harder for them to stabilize in life without support.

“People are not here because they did something wrong; people are here because they endured some really unfortunate circumstances long before they had a say,” Hoey says. “That understanding has been huge, and it’s really helped reaffi rm this two-generation approach of, if moms end up needing a place like Lindsey House because of the trauma they experienced in childhood, how do we ensure that the kids who call Lindsey House home don’t experience that same amount of trauma and therefore won’t need this kind of support moving forward?”

In addition to providing access to therapy for both moms and their kids as

needed, community also plays a huge role within the Lindsey House program.

“It’s a good feeling to have, knowing somebody is always around,” says Hayley Witt, who lives at Lindsey House with her three children. “You know that (the other residents) are doing just as much as you are to succeed in life, and that you’re not the only one.”

Witt came to Lindsey House upon learning it was a DHS-approved avenue to having her children live with her again after she’d lost parental rights for three years.

“I was in addiction, running the streets, didn’t really have any purpose in life,” she says of her life prior to Lindsey House.

She’d heard about the nonprofit while participating in Women in Recovery, a prison diversion program.

Now, having completed welding school and landed a job in structural welding, Witt has tripled her hourly wage from her previous position and is working hard to support her family. She says the financial literacy aspect of the program has been particularly helpful to her, as has the structure of adhering to certain Lindsey House expectations.

She and her kids — ages 13, 6, and 1 — enjoy spending quality time together while also building new routines and exploring their individual interests.

“My 13-year-old is into boxing and soccer, and my 6-year-old is into arts and crafts and painting. Then my 1-year-old — she’s just into tearing up everything,” Witt says, laughing. “It’s a lot of running up and down stairs, taking groceries in the house, relaxing. A lot of self-care (and) just family time, really.”

She adds that there is a lot of time spent with other families as well, especially in the complex’s shared kitchen/recreational space. “We hang out and watch movies down there, we play charades and have birthday parties. It feels good knowing you can just walk outside of your apartment and everybody’s all smiles.”

Witt’s goal is to contribute financially to helping her mother finish building her home, and to watch her kids continue to dream of who they want to become.

“I think women are capable of a lot of things, and we’re working in a world that sometimes makes that difficult to navigate,” Hoey says. “Motivation and willingness alone are not enough. You need support, you need connection.”

Lindsey House is 100% community funded; see multiple ways to support the organization at lindseyhouse.org. Hoey also invites those interested in learning more to attend a come-and-go Community Open House event April 2 from 4-6 p.m. tp

GREG BOLLINGER

CHANGEMAKERS

To learn more about how OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center is transforming cancer care for northeast Oklahoma, visit StephensonCancerCenter.org/Tulsa.

Stephenson Cancer Center

CITY DESK

Sarah Inboden is vice president of experience and events at Tulsa Regional Tourism, a division of the Tulsa Regional Chamber. Her team is helping facilitate the 2026 SEC Gymnastics Championships, taking place at the BOK Center for the first time March 21. Preliminary estimates anticipate the event will attract thousands of attendees and result in a $1.6 million direct economic impact on Tulsa.

SEC’s in the city BOK Center to host the Southeastern Conference Gymnastics Championships.

BY JOHN TRANCHINA

F

or the fi rst time, the Southeastern Conference Gymnastics Championships will take place March 21 at the BOK Center.

Local sports fans will likely be most excited to see the University of Oklahoma — the defending winners of three of the last four NCAA Division 1 national titles.

16 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

The Sooners are seeking their fi rst SEC Championship, finishing as runners-up to Louisiana State University last year after winning 11 of the previous 12 Big 12 Championships. OU entered February ranked No. 1 in the nation, followed by fellow SEC squads Florida and LSU in second and third, respectively.

“When selecting venues to host SEC championships, the Conference seeks cities that are committed to delivering the SEC standard of excellence for both studentathletes and fans,” says Misty Brown, SEC assistant commissioner for competition and student-athlete engagement. “Tulsa meets that standard through its premier venue, the BOK Center, and its proven experience hosting elite events such as the USA Gymnastics Championships.

“Additionally, Tulsa is within convenient driving distance of three SEC institutions: Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri. We hope this will ensure strong attendance and an energetic championship environment.”

Sarah Inboden, vice president of experience and events for Tulsa Regional Tourism, believes it will, and that the weekend will bring an estimated $1.6 million influx to the local economy.

“That’s based off a conservative estimate of attendance numbers,” Inboden says, adding that the total number will likely be much higher given Tulsa’s proximity to OU. “I expect that our location is going to provide a really incredible athlete experience for all the teams.”

Other SEC schools competing include No. 4 ranked Alabama, No. 6 Auburn, No. 8 Georgia and the ninth conference member, unranked Kentucky. Th is will actually be the fi rst year all nine SEC schools that have gymnastics programs will compete for the conference title; previously, they limited competition to the top eight.

“We are expecting an incredible reception as we showcase some of the world’s best gymnastics,” Brown says.

After being held in Birmingham last year and New Orleans the year before, the addition of Oklahoma in 2024 represented a new territory for the SEC to expand.

“The SEC Gymnastics Championship rotates annually, with an emphasis on selecting host locations within our institutional footprint to maximize fan engagement and enhance the student-athlete experience,” Brown says. “While regional growth is always a consideration, the primary factor in selecting Tulsa was its ability to deliver a strong, accessible championship environment.”

Find session schedules and purchase tickets at bokcenter.com. tp

INBODEN: GREG BOLLINGER; PHILBROOK: COURTESY OF MARIE WATT AND MARC STRAUS GALLERY. © MARIE WATT

SPORTS

CITY DESK

ON EXHIBIT

TOUCH THE ART

Three shows to tap into this spring at Philbrook Museum

The "Marie Watt: Heart in the Sky" installation is one of multiple interactive exhibitions currently on display at Philbrook Museum of Art. This Marie Watt piece, “Sky Dances Light (Forest) XVI,” is made with tin jingles, polyester twill tape, polyester mesh and steel. Visitors can walk beneath the 96-inch-tall artwork to immerse themselves in the soothing sounds of the jingles.

Philbrook Museum opened a trio of exhibitions simultaneously last month, each with interactive elements.

“Marie Watt: Heart in the Sky” presents the works of Oregon-based Seneca artist Marie Watt. Open through June 14, the display features silver cloud forms made from “jingles” (rolled tobacco tin lids) that are suspended from the ceiling. While jingles are normally used in regalia for healing Jingle Dress Dances, Watt uses them to densely adorn the hovering clouds. Visitors are encouraged to immerse themselves within the hanging clouds to activate their soothing sounds.

The Marie Watt installation coincides with Philbrook’s presentation of “Andy Warhol: Silver Clouds,” which also runs through June 14. This surreal Andy Warhol experience originated in 1964 when the artist was inspired to create a “floating painting” with Scotchpak, a new material at the time that was primarily used to wrap sandwiches. The weightless forms are inflated with a proprietary mixture of air and helium, offering an ever-changing reflection of their surroundings as viewers immerse themselves among the art.

On view through June 19, “Homeward to the Prairie I Come: Gordon Parks Photographs from the Beach Museum of Art” presents the work of one of the 20th century’s most influential photographers. Best known for his photojournalism from the 1940s to the 1970s, Kansas native Gordon Parks documented American life and culture, particularly the Civil Rights Movement and the experiences of African Americans. Presenting a wide range of Parks’ photography from portraits to experimental works, the exhibition also includes an engaging re-creation of a photo darkroom. — STAFF REPORTS

Your support helps local Tulsa families have a home of their own.

Join us for Rock the House: Studio 918, on May 9, 2026, at Arvest Convention Center, where you can turn your generosity into safe, affordable homes for local families. Grab your disco attire and sign up online for the event of the year!

Homebuyers

TulsaPeople.com 17

CITY DESK

Gathering Place is geared up for spring thanks to Botanical Collections Curator Kendall Golden-Spradlin and Horticulture Manager Kellyn Lee, pillars of the park’s horticultural team. With the largest cherry blossom collection in Oklahoma, Gathering Place will be painted pink and white with petals this month.

Here comes the bloom

Longtime Gathering Place gardeners discuss flora visitors can expect to see at the park this spring.

BY SARAH KATE SYNAR

B

y the time visitors notice the fi rst blossoms of spring at Gathering Place, Botanical Collections Curator Kendall GoldenSpradlin and Horticulture Manager Kellyn Lee will have already spent months preparing for the park’s most intense season. For these garden professionals, spring is the most demanding season of the year — and the most rewarding.

18 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

Both Golden-Spradlin and Lee began working at Gathering Place in 2018, before the park opened. The two women trace their interest in horticulture back to early life experiences surrounded by agriculture and gardening.

Lee grew up in Higginsville, Missouri, on around 5 acres, gardening with her mother and grandmother, later discovering floriculture through high school activities.

“It was something that I really liked, that came naturally to me,” she says.

Golden-Spradlin was raised in Morris by agriculture educators. Both of her parents were huge “AG-vocates” who took care of the greenhouses at their respective schools and encouraged their daughter to take part in floriculture. Her love of plants extends outside of work. She keeps orchids and other house plants in her home, and even tends to a miniature greenhouse and propagates seeds, which she shares with her coworkers.

Lee describes the Gathering Place staff ’s teamwork as the most special part of her role. “The team and their own motivation, their vision, just really align with the park,” she says. “They are what makes this happen.”

The team spends the winter months taking care of plants while they are domrant. “Even in winter plants need water — especially if it is a dry winter,” Lee says. “Winter is also the time of year for our biggest horticulture task at Gathering Place: We put our plants ‘to bed’ and start cutbacks on our perennial plants. (We) tuck them in for the season by mulching most of the park in just a 4-week period.”

All of that hard work pays off when the fi rst signs of spring begin to show.

“Whenever you see that spring flush, you finally get this sense of, ‘okay, we made it.’

It’s so beautiful, and everybody loves it,” Golden-Spradlin says.

Visitors entering the park in early spring can expect to see cornelian cherry, flowering quince, forsythia, hellebores, paulownias, saucer magnolias, viburnums, witch hazels and winter jasmine, as well as the park’s signature cherry trees. Gathering Place is home to the largest cherry blossom collection in Oklahoma, which are primarily located along Caterpillar Bridge.

“We try to centralize them to give that wow factor,” Golden-Spradlin says, explaining that the design allows visitors to walk directly beneath the blooms. Peak bloom typically falls in mid- to end of March, often around spring break, depending on weather conditions.

Moving forward into April and May, visitors can expect magnolias, fothergillas, redbuds, groundcovers like vinca and ajuga, and hydrangeas in vibrant pinks, blues and whites. Flora fans can sign up for a horticulture newsletter at gatheringplace.org/ horticulture to keep up with both breaking blooms and park happenings. tp

GREG BOLLINGER; ROBINSON RANCH STUDENTS: COURTESY

OUTDOORS

CITY DESK

PASSIONS

Kat Robinson is the owner of Robinson Ranch — a female-run, regenerative-certified farm in Bixby at 2505 E. 141st St. — as well as the founder of A Bigger Table Foundation, the farm's educative nonprofit arm. Inset, Broken Arrow students interact with cows during a field trip to Robinson Ranch.

Touch grass A Bigger Table Foundation educates the community on how to grow and eat real food.

BY TIFFANY HOWARD

W

hen Kat Robinson held up a cucumber in front of her son’s second grade class in April of 2022, only two out of 26 students knew what it was.

As the owner of Robinson Ranch — a regeneratively grown family farm in Bixby that also offers a hyper-local retail shop on-site, as well as a grocery subscription service — this moment made Robinson realize it was time to expand into the community more, so she established A Bigger Table Foundation in 2023.

As the nonprofit arm of Robinson Ranch, A Bigger Table works to bring awareness to the connection between food and health, and to help people know how to access, eat and grow real food.

“Most of the things that are presented to us as food are not real food,” Robinson says.

“Your body can’t heal if you’re not giving it real food.”

Though Robinson says she and her family do still buy certain items from the grocery store, she shares an example of just one of the modern food industry secrets to be wary of: an “organic” label does not necessarily mean a product is as clean as possible.

“We were organic-certified for two years, and I learned that the organic certification through the USDA had a list of 30 different things you could still spray — they literally used the term known poisons and unknown poisons,” she says. “Organic is still better than conventional, but ideally you want things that say ‘regenerative’ on it because essentially that’s zero chemicals.”

A large part of A Bigger Table’s mission is focused on doing school visits to teach kids about the difference between whole

foods and processed foods, so they can grow up knowing how to properly fuel the body.

“If you realize what foods make you feel good and what foods don’t early on, you can save yourself a whole lot of trouble later,” says Robinson. “We say we, ‘take the farm to the school.’ We talk about the farm and give a slide presentation, and then we start a plant, and the students can keep it there, or they can take it home, but they have some instruction on how to keep it alive.”

Robinson adds they also talk about other related topics — such as how important bees are for the environment — as well as how real and “fake” foods can impact mood, behavior and even test performance.

For middle and high school students, topics explore more in-depth concepts, such as regenerative agriculture.

To get kids outside of the classroom, Robinson Ranch also hosts field trips to give students of all ages a chance to experience farming fi rst-hand.

“They start a plant, they eat things, they smell things, they touch things. They chase chickens. We usually feed the cows. It’s very immersive, because I think that’s how you remember stuff,” she says.

Any school can request a field trip or classroom visit from Robinson by emailing abiggertablefoundation@gmail.com. If desired, Robinson can also assist with setting up or guiding a full-fledged gardening program within a school as well.

“Many schools can get a garden paid for in a grant, but then it has no champion,” she says. “What we have found is that unless one of those teachers is just obsessed with gardening and wants to be there, it turns into a weedy mess.” Robinson notes she can help the school get a garden set up and ready to go in August, or provide each student with a plant to start from seed in February that can later be transferred to the school’s garden.

For adults, A Bigger Table offers classes at Robinson Ranch teaching concepts such as gardening basics, cultivating microgreens, homesteading and more. Upcoming classes include canning basics on March 14 and cut-flower gardening April 11.

To learn more about A Bigger Table and to see a full list of programming options — including kids’ summer camp sessions and the nonprofit’s annual farmto-table fundraising dinner March 28 — visit abiggertable.foundation. For more information on Robinson Ranch’s retail products and delivery options go to robinsonranchveggies.com. tp TulsaPeople.com 19

CITY DESK

BIZ WHIZ

Kayla Parschauer (left) and Ashley Tucker (right) are the Tulsa moms behind Simplify, an online-hybrid concierge service that offers both in-person and virtual services designed to make life easier for busy families.

SIMPLIFIED SUPPORT Women-owned concierge service provides assistance for everyday tasks.

BY MEREDITH BOE

20 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

GREG BOLLINGER; JOHNSON: COURTESY

T

ulsa moms Kayla Parschauer and Ashley Tucker know fi rst-hand the pressures parents face to “do it all,” so they’ve launched a new service designed to help tackle all those time-consuming tasks moms and dads juggle every day. Simplify, an online-hybrid concierge service, offers both in-person and virtual forms of assistance that free busy families from wrangling minutiae; allowing them more time to enjoy life and each other.

“From errands and scheduling to home organization and life admin, our goal is simple: give families back time, clarity and breathing room so they can focus on what matters most,” Tucker says. Parschauer adds that Simplify also aims to “remove the shame from needing help, and to normalize the idea that outsourcing doesn’t mean you’re failing; it means you’re being intentional with your time and energy.”

Families can choose from one-time options to subscription plans for everything from grocery pickup to home organization to paperwork support. They also can get help with calendar management, seasonal planning and prepping for special life moments, like welcoming a new baby or moving.

With time freed up, Parschauer says parents can be more present at work and home, and can also spend a little time on themselves.

“We exist to ease the mental load in every season of parenthood,” Parschauer says. “We manage the details and build systems that bring order to everyday life.”

Tucker fi rst came up with the idea while looking for help with tasks like scheduling sports, researching summer camps and tracking birthday parties. She says she mostly found services that were 20 to 40 hours a week, or had a prohibitively high cost per hour with a minimum requirement.

Simplify offers options that the founders believe better align with more families’ actual needs and budgeting goals.

Parschauer and Tucker are planning to expand Simplify to Houston this month — followed by Oklahoma City — all while they continue to work on developing systems and resources that best serve parents. “(We’re) proud to be a women-owned business rooted in Tulsa, serving families who are doing their best and deserve support along the way,” Tucker says.

To learn more about Simplify, go to hellotosimplify.com. tp

CITY DESK

TECH TALK

Founder of Tulsa-based Ten-Nine Technologies Paige Johnson’s interest in science began with a microscope from her parents she received when she was 11 years old. After years of innovative dreaming and hard work, her company is set to begin tonnage production of TENIX — a nanomaterial that improves battery efficiency — later this year.

Girl-powered Local female-founded company produces a patented material that prolongs battery life.

BY ROBERT EVATT

P

aige Johnson began Ten-Nine Technologies in 2014 with a vision that led to the invention and patenting of TENIX, a breakthrough nanomaterial that improves battery durability and longevity.

“TENIX is like anti-aging for batteries,” Johnson says of the material that can revolutionize battery life for everything from smartphones to power tools to large electric vehicles. “It is able to keep the battery functioning efficiently and smoothly.”

Th is year, Ten-Nine Technologies will officially begin tonnage production of TENIX in a west Tulsa facility. The material will then be sold to companies that make rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

When added into the manufacturing process, TENIX not only enhances the battery’s longevity but also boosts battery power and performance.

Th is groundbreaking accomplishment has long roots that extend back to Johnson’s childhood. She says her interest in chemistry began at age 11, when her parents gave

her a microscope, and she began to explore the world of science.

“I think these kinds of early conversations are really impactful for children,” she says. “It was for me.”

A graduate from The University of Tulsa with a master’s degree in chemistry, Johnson worked for a time as an industrial chemist at an oil and gas company before joining TU’s chemistry laboratories. While there she gained meaningful experience working on established, grant-funded research projects until a local angel investor heard about Johnson’s personal scientific work and offered funding so she could pursue it.

Because she works with materials at the nanoscale, Johnson named her new company Ten-Nine, a scientific pun on 10 to the negative ninth power — dividing a meter into a nanometer.

Though taking TENIX from a promising idea to reality took longer than expected, she made it happen with the support of the Ten-Nine team and a growing group of investors, most of whom are based

in Oklahoma. While Johnson appreciates the opportunity to help build Tulsa’s reputation as a tech hub, she also takes pride in becoming a safe, stable employer to more than 30 people.

“I’ve really enjoyed becoming an employer and giving people a respectful yet scientifically exhilarating place to work,” she says.

To other Tulsa-area women considering careers or leadership roles in their own tech companies, Johnson’s key advice is to never count yourself out before you start, and to surround yourself with people that support you and your dreams.

“It was a difficult thing for me to look at the risk of starting my own company,” she says. “But saying ‘yes’ launched a journey that has changed not only my life, but allowed me to help shape the future of energy innovation. Ten to the minus-nine is a nano, but Ten to the positive-nine is a billion — a reminder of the many people whose lives can be improved with better batteries.” tp TulsaPeople.com 21

CITY DESK

MUSIC NOTES

‘My time’ Local musician embraces a new chapter.

BY JULIE WENGER WATSON

Tulsa musician Amber Watson will host a release party for her new single “Where You Want Me” March 14 at Mercury Lounge; you can find the song on most streaming platforms.

22 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

WATSON: SUSANNE EARLY; BOB WILLS’ TEXAS PLAYBOYS: COURTESY; RODGERS FAMILY: GREG BOLLINGER

S

ince moving to Tulsa three years ago, singer-songwriter Amber Watson has been immersed in the local music scene, surrounding herself with a group of talented players whom she credits with helping her find her voice, and her confidence, as a solo artist.

“Every single one of these people is a genius,” Watson says. “They’re all better than me, and I love that. It pushes me to be a better person and a better musician.”

Watson’s “Where You Want Me” will be available to stream March 14, and she will also host a single release party at Mercury Lounge that same day. The single is part of a five-song EP (releasing later this summer) co-produced by Andrew Bair and Chris Combs; the five original songs showcase both Watson’s vocals and her skill as a songwriter, as well as her gifted band: Combs (electric guitar), Bair (keys), Olivia McGraw (violin), Josh Raymer (drums) Josh Nanna (bass) and Turnpike Troubadours’ Hank Early (steel guitar).

For Watson, the record represents a personal transition. “I am saying goodbye to my past and allowing growth and a new chapter in my life,” she says. “These songs have been in the making for a long time, and now I’m ready to release them.”

Watson also believes it’s never too late to switch it up in life and start pursuing a new passion. “Everyone’s time is different and this is my time,” she says. “Screw age and ‘shelf life’ or whatever that saying is.

I am giving myself the chance to do what I love with people I love. I want to travel the world and play music.”

Visit amberwatsonmusic.com for more information. tp

To honor legendary western swing singer Bob Wills, whose birthday is March 6, Cain’s Ballroom is hosting Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys for two nights March 7 and 8. The all-ages shows are produced by Doc Roc Productions. Learn more and purchase tickets at cainsballroom.com.

Bob’s birthday bash See Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys at Cain’s Ballroom March 7 and 8 In celebration of western swing icon Bob Wills 121st birthday March 6, Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys will host back-to-back shows on March 7 and 8 at Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N. Main St. Sometimes called “The House that Bob Built,” Cain’s Ballroom owes

MEMORY LANE

40 years of TulsaPeople

EASTON & MAIN

much of its initial 20th century rise to fame to Wills’ daily lunchtime show on KVOO featuring his Texas Playboys. What started out as in-studio productions in the mid-1930s eventually grew to ballroom-worthy broadcasts produced on location at Cain’s.

Following Wills’ death in 1975, a group of ex-Playboys led by Wills’ former steel-guitarist Leon McAuliffe banded together to keep Wills’ sound alive. The lineup was hand-picked by McAuliffe and Bob’s widow, Betty. The men made a promise to one another that when the first of their number died, they would disband. True to their word, the group dissolved following the death of piano player “Brother” Al Stricklin in 1986.

Eventually, with the blessing of the Bob Wills estate, guitarist-producer Tommy Allsup, a longtime Wills collaborator, and Leon Rausch, the Playboys’ last great vocalist, took over Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys. They continued to delight old fans and make new ones until Allsup’s death in 2018, and the retirement of nonagenarian Rausch.

The newest Texas Playboys iteration is led by two-time Grammy winner Jason Roberts, who was hand-picked by both the Wills estate and Rausch.

Roberts’ nearly two decade career in the western swing band Asleep at the Wheel includes an eightyear stint playing Bob Wills in the band’s nationally touring musical-theatre production, “Ride with Bob.” The lineup also includes Oklahomans and Texans alike with trombonist Steve Ham, trumpeter Mike Bennett, drummer Tony Ramsey, fiddler Shawn Howe, pianist Wayne Glasson, steelguitarist Dave Biller, saxophonist Larry Reed and bassist Albert Quaid.

A live broadcast of the show ‘Swing On This’ will take place during the Saturday performance.

On Sunday, special guest Katie Shore will join the band. — STAFF REPORTS

In 2024 legendary Tulsa venue Cain’s Ballroom celebrated its 100th anniversary. In anticipation of this landmark occasion, TulsaPeople selected the Rodgers family as the 2023 ‘Tulsans of the Year’, highlighting their decades of dedication to the historic dance hall. Co-owners and brothers Chad and Hunter Rodgers have served as Cain’s custodians through countless concerts, rehearsals, fundraisers, press conferences, dance lessons, cookoffs and even weddings.

Since its 2002 purchase by Alice Rodgers and her former husband, late neurosurgeon Jim, Cain’s Ballroom has hosted over 2,000 shows featuring hundreds of musicians of all genres. Some of these guests graced the Cain’s stage multiple times before filling bigger arenas like the BOK Center or beyond. Thanks to the Rodgers family's preservation efforts, the venue continues to uplift emerging artists and serve as a memento to musicians and fans alike.

Langdon Publishing released a special “Cain’s 100” issue reflecting on the venue’s impact on generations of Tulsans in December 2024. In it, Alice herself shares a letter exploring her experience restoring the iconic space. “The original bouncy pine floor (80 years old when we bought the building in 2002) in the ‘log cabin’ design, stage and curtains, equipment, photographs, sconces, disco ball and star, bar, entry etc. — all needed to be addressed,” she explained.

You can dive into the Cain's legacy at tulsapeople.com/cains-100. — STAFF REPORTS TulsaPeople.com 23

CITY DESK

COMING NEXT MONTH:

BENEFITS

March charitable events COMPILED BY TIFFANY HOWARD

APRIL 1-12 TulsaPeople readers are invited to VOTE for your favorite businesses in these five business areas starting April 1st!

Dine Local Fun for All Services Head to Toe Shop Local A-LIST voters will have a chance to win one of THREE great prize packages valued from $150- 500!

7-8 Dress ReSale Benefits Bailey Education Foundation. baileyeducationfoundation.com

26 2026 Jenks Chamber Gala Benefits the Jenks Chamber of Commerce. facebook.com/jenkschamber

1-May 31 Tulsa Botanic BLOOMS Benefits Tulsa Botanic Garden. tulsabotanic.org/calendar

9 Arrowhead Consulting 4th Annual Charity Golf Tournament Benefits Circle of Care. arrowheadconsulting.com/golf

Bridges Back Roads Bash Benefits Bridges Tulsa. bridgestulsa.org

5 Bunco for Boobies Benefits The Stonebrook Project. thestonebrookproject.org Reconciliation in America National Symposium Benefits John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation. jhfnationalsymposium.org 6 Legacy Luncheon Benefits Lindsey House. lindseyhouse.org

Give Back Night at Pub W Benefits Saint Francis Children’s Hospital. facebook.com/pubwtulsa 12 Healing Hearts Gala Benefits the Tristesse Grief Center. thegriefcenter.org/gala Hops for the Opp Benefits The Opportunity Project. theopp.org

7 Gospel, Grits and Gershwin Benefits Booker T. Washington Foundation for Excellence. btwfoundation.net/school-events

14 Butterfly Conference Benefits Women Helping Other Women. whownetwork.org

Opera Ball Benefits Tulsa Opera. tgoto.org

St. Patrick’s Day 5k Benefits Special Olympics Oklahoma. sook.org

Pickleball Tournament Benefits Heroes Hope. heroeshope.net

21 Raising Hope Blue Tie Gala Benefits The Demand Project. thedemandproject.org

Pink Stiletto Gala Benefits Susan G. Komen Foundation in Tulsa. komen.org/tulsapinkstiletto Sapphire Celebration: Adventure on the Mother Road Benefits Riverfield Country Day School. riverfield.org Splash!

Benefits the Fish Friend’s Scholarship Fund. splashokaq.com WSA Legacy: Nashville Nights Benefits West Side Alliance Soccer Club. wsasoccer.org

24 Bunco for a Cause Benefits Tulsa County OHCE. baileyeducationfoundation.com 25 Advocacy Day at The Capitol Benefits Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits. okcnp.org Tickets on Sale for St. Jude Dream Home Benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. dreamhome.org

Dinner with Friends Benefits Meals on Wheels of Metro Tulsa. mealsonwheelstulsa.org/events Oysters and Ale Benefits Hospice of Green Country. hospiceofgreencountry.org/ oystersandale 26-June 7 (select evenings) ZooLIGHTful Benefits Tulsa Zoo. tulsazoo.org/zoolightful 27 Pinnacle Awards Benefits YWCA Tulsa. ywcatulsa.org/pinnacle-awards 27-28 2 Minutes to Tulsa Benefits Horton Records. hortonrecords.org 28 Roots and Boots: Barn Dinner and Dance Benefits A Bigger Table Foundation. abiggertable.foundation Brainiac Ball Benefits Family and Children’s Services. brainiacball.com GLOW Gala Benefits Global Gardens. global-gardens.org/glow-gala Sparta Gala Benefits Bridge the Gap Bixby. facebook.com/spartagala Spring Bailey Vendor Fair and Bazaar Benefits Bailey Education Foundation. baileyeducationfoundation.com

EDITOR'S NOTE: HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS SPONSORED BY TULSAPEOPLE.

24 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

COOKING FOR COMPASSION: ACE CUERVO PHOTOGRAPHY; EAT, DRINK AND BE GIVING: COURTESY OF THE CENTER FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH PHYSICAL CHALLENGES.

A-LIST VOTING ROUND

1-May 3 Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects exhibit Benefits Tulsa Botanic Garden. tulsabotanic.org/calendar

Hop On Over Family traditions bunnies of all ages will love!

21ST ANNUAL COOKING UP COMPASSION A giant party raising $2.45 million to support Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma took place Feb. 7 inside Arvest Convention Center’s grand hall. The disco-themed evening began with appetizers prepared by 18 local chefs, followed by a seated dinner prepared

by Chef Devin Levine. The 1,220 guests in attendance were entertained by event chair Frank Cooper’s dance moves, as well as live music provided by the Red Hot Revolution Band.

EAT, DRINK AND BE GIVING On January 27, 84 guests (including Angela and Weydan Flax, pictured here) braved the cold and ice to attend Eat, Drink and Be Giving — an annual fundraising event that benefits The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges. Held at Duet Restaurant and Bar, the intimate gathering allowed supporters to visit and connect while enjoying a multi-course dinner with wine. Owner and Chef Tuck Curren donated 100% of the proceeds to The Center to support its programs and services.

Visit TulsaPeople.com for event photo galleries.

We Welcome You To Attend Sunday Services at Downtown’s Historic Episcopal Church…

Join us for Eucharist at either 8:00 a.m. (spoken) or 10:30 a.m. (choral)

Trinity Episcopal Church 918-582-4128 | 501 S. Cincinnati Ave TrinityTulsa.org

TulsaPeople.com 25

(Left) Maranda Figueroa became the CEO of A New Leaf this past September after spending nearly a decade with the organization. (Right, above) A New Leaf offers clients a variety of vocational training and employment options, including gardening. (Below, from left to right) Pam Baker, job coach supervisor at A New Leaf; Shanice Ross, direct support professional at A New Leaf; and A New Leaf client Catey Jirka.

Live, leaf, love

BY JULIE WENGER WATSON

26 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

A

MICHELLE POLLARD

A New Leaf’s multi-phase expansion increases safe and affordable residential living for clients, as well as vocational opportunities.

pproximately 31,000 people in the Tulsa metropolitan area have an intellectual or developmental disability.

For close to 50 years, A New Leaf has been serving that community by providing job training, life skills and, most recently, residential services. The nonprofit organization, which began in 1979 with one job coach and two clients, has grown to a staff of 300 that assist close to 600 individuals.

“We’ve experienced tremendous growth,” says Maranda Figueroa, who took the helm as CEO of A New Leaf this past September.

“When I started 10 years ago, we were a $5 million organization, and today we are a $17 million organization. We’ve grown from two programs to six, plus a neighborhood in Owasso. I think we’ve had 246% growth in the last 15 years.”

Horticulture is at the heart of A New Leaf ’s mission to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live and work with maximum independence. Gardening serves as one of an array of vocational training and employment options available for clients at 31 different job sites. The organization has six greenhouses (located in Owasso and Broken Arrow), a three-acre farm in BA called “Blooming Acres,” and community retail sites where clients can learn how to grow and sell produce and plants.

“The garden centers and other horticulture components of our organization provide jobs for our clients, but it is also our community interface,” Figueroa says. “It’s how we get to interact with the community in the most natural way.”

When Figueroa joined the organization in 2016, A New Leaf was developing plans for The Village — a neighborhood that would include safe and affordable housing for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. A New Leaf had previously acquired the organization Home Life in 2013, which allowed them to directly provide residential services to clients and, ultimately, informed their approach to expanding these offerings. “(The Village) was born of the problem that there is not safe and affordable housing specifically for people with developmental disabilities, and they need an alternative path to success,” she says.

Completed in 2022, Phase I of The Village is located on a 50-acre site in Owasso that integrates recreational gardens with housing services for 62 of A New Leaf ’s adult clients.

“What makes The Village truly unique is the way mission and design are inseparable,” says John Griffin, The Village’s project manager and associate principal with Narrate Design, the architectural design firm behind the development. “Every decision, from the layout of the site to the detailing of the finishes, was driven by the goal of creating dignity, independence and opportunity for people with developmental disabilities ...

Add to this the inherent beauty of the more

rural site, which led to traditional frontporch architecture that feels right at home in this agricultural setting.”

The residential buildings accommodate a range of needs. Living options include single-family homes, apartment buildings and a group home. Approximately two dozen of these spaces fully meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards for accessible design. There is also a dormitory for students of the Hardesty Transition Academy, which operates in partnership with Tulsa Community College, offering classes onsite at The Village and at TCC’s Northeast campus. The community grounds are connected with walking paths and trails that wind through recreational areas, gardens, scenic lookouts and ponds.

The development also features a garden center which is open to the public. Here, clients learn about horticulture and build retail skills including customer service.

Ensuing sales help support the residents while providing employment opportunities.

“At Narrate, we often work on projects that serve communities, whether that’s through education, civic or nonprofit spaces, but The Village stands out in how completely the built environment is used as a tool for empowerment,” says Griffin. “It’s not just a housing project or a community center, it’s a place designed to expand what’s possible in people’s lives. That’s rare, and it’s an honor to be part of it.”

Figueroa, who previously worked as a food scientist, is also honored to be a part of the project and finds her job at A New Leaf incredibly gratifying.

“One of the reasons I made the switch (to nonprofit work) is that when I worked as a food scientist, my primary responsibility was pizza, and although I liked that work, at the end of the day, it was just pizza.

There wasn’t a ‘purpose’ component that would make that career choice fulfi lling,” she says. “Now, every day, even on the hardest days — and there are some really hard days — I at least know that there’s purpose in the work that I do.”

According to Figueroa, construction of Phase II should finish in August. When

complete, The Village will be able to double its current capacity and house over 130 residents. Demand for this unique community is high; there are already over 700 individuals on the waiting list.

“Design-wise, Phase II builds on what we learned in Phase I,” says Griffin. “We’ve incorporated more variety in residential types through the introduction of a larger multifamily courtyard apartment building and created additional outdoor gathering spaces, including a new dog park, pickle ball courts, bocce ball courts and a cornhole lawn. There’s a thoughtful evolution happening — refining the village concept, increasing accessibility and supporting a wider range of needs — all while staying rooted in the original vision.”

The Village’s layout is envisioned to support vocational training opportunities for many more clients beyond those who live on‐site. Plans include an educational space dedicated to serving 100 additional program participants who may not reside at The Village.

For Griffin, this project is much more than a job; it’s the chance to envision inclusivity with a purpose.

“It challenges assumptions about what supportive housing looks like and demonstrates how environments designed for people with disabilities can be beautiful, functional and integrated with the broader community,” he says. “In a larger sense, this project invites the community to rethink how we support one another. It shows that creating spaces of dignity and independence for people with different abilities isn’t just good design; it’s good citizenship. When we build places that foster connection, belonging and opportunity for everyone, the entire community becomes stronger.” tp

For more information about A New Leaf, visit anewleaf.org. You can purchase produce seasonally from A New Leaf’s retail locations in Owasso and Broken Arrow. Online shopping is also available through the website.

(Left) The Hilti Grow and Develop Center, part of Phase I of The Village, provides space for both growing plants and retail. (Center) John Griffin, project manager for The Village at A New Leaf and associate principal with Narrate Design. (Right) Housing and community gathering space at Phase I of The Village.

FAMILY TIES TULSA WOMEN CARRYING ON FA M I LY B U S I N E S S L E G AC I E S

BY ABIGAIL SINGREY

Across Tulsa, women are carrying family businesses forward, honoring the generations before them while reshaping what comes next.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, these stories spotlight daughters and granddaughters who stepped into legacy roles — preserving tradition, mentoring others and proving that family history is still being written.

28 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

“I get to build on my family’s legacy while becoming part of other families’ traditions, too.”

T H E TO M ATO M A N ’ S DAUGHTER

MICHELLE POLLARD

—LISA MERRELL

Known as one of Tulsa's most prolific tomato growers, the “Tomato Man’s Daughter” Lisa Merrell holds a photo of herself with her late father, the “Tomato Man” Darrell Merrell. To the right is Merrell’s daughter, Ruby.

A passion for preserving heirloom tomatoes led to Darrell Merrell being known around Tulsa as the “Tomato Man,” and now his daughter, Lisa Merrell, proudly claims the title of the “Tomato Man’s Daughter.”

Growing up in Oklahoma City and later moving to Seattle, Lisa returned to Oklahoma in the early 2000s to learn from her dad’s passion for educating and inspiring vegetable gardeners.

“Dad never treated it as a business,” Lisa says. “It was his hobby that went wild.”

Also cultivating her own farm at that time, Lisa and her then-partner appeared on TulsaPeople’s March 2008 cover for raising awareness on the importance of buying local food and leading a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle. Devastatingly, her father was also battling cancer at that same time, and she remembers showing him the cover while he was in a cancer treatment facility.

“He just sat there with a huge grin, which I had not seen in a while,” Lisa recalls. “After all the years of publicity and attention he had received for his work, I had doubts that I could ever fill his shoes. Dad gave me a big hug from his wheelchair and said, ‘See Lisa Girl, you have already accomplished something I didn’t — you’re on the cover of TulsaPeople Magazine!’ He was such a great dad.”

Before Darrell passed away in 2008, Lisa told him she was thinking of calling herself the “Tomato Man’s Daughter” to honor his work, and he loved it. She admits she was nervous to move the nursery from “the old Merrell homeplace,” but after years spent working and building trust within Tulsa’s sustainability community, she finally opened The Tomato Man’s Daughter Heirloom Plant Nursery at 2515 W. 91st St. “It took me from 2008 until the spring of 2017 to begin to embrace the fact that I was worthy of continuing my dad’s legacy as myself,” Lisa says. “Our customers came rolling in, telling me they would follow me wherever I went!”

Today, the operation offers 82 varieties of tomato plants, as well as close to 150 other varieties of plants appropriate to plant in April, such as different types of peppers, herbs and companion plants. Additionally, customers can purchase “Dad’s Recipe” — the Tomato Man’s own plant food blend that can help to grow stronger plants.

“It’s (all) products that I use myself,” she says. “What we try to do here is just keep it as simple as possible.” To further help customers navigate the potentially overwhelming selection, she even provides a “top ten” list of recommended tomato varieties, which customers can access at tomatomansdaughter.com.

“I don’t want anyone leaving the garden gates feeling like they don’t know what they’re doing with the plants they leave with,” Lisa says.

“Anybody can come in and ask questions about what’s going wrong. They can email me or (submit) social media questions. I’m here for the full support of their growing experience.”

Over the years, she has built a strong sense of community with her customers as she works to educate them on the art of growing tomatoes.

This passionate approach has created something lasting that continues to build on what her father started many years ago, connecting generations of families through time.

“I now have customers who tell me they remember their grandpa bringing them to visit the Tomato Man’s nursery,” Lisa says. “Now they’re grown and coming to me for plants for their own gardens. I get to build on my family’s legacy while becoming part of other families’ traditions, too.”

The nursery is tentatively set to open at the beginning of April, but Lisa suggests keeping an eye on social media since Mother Nature can sometimes have her own plan. Visit @tomatomansdaughter or Tomato Mans Daughter.

TulsaPeople.com 29

RANCH ACRES WINE AND SPIRITS “ I T ’ S I N C R E D I B LY I M P O R TA N T TO U S T H AT A N Y T I M E YO U C O M E I N TO T H E RANCH THERE IS SOMEONE TO H E L P W I T H FOOD AND WINE PA I R I N G S .”

– E M I LY S T E WA R T

Even though Emily Stewart joined her mother’s midtown business, Ranch Acres Wine and Spirits, more than 17 years ago, she’s still considered a newcomer by the Ranch’s standards — where many employees have been on the job for 25-30 years.

Stewart didn’t plan to land at her mother’s business, but a part-time job turned into full-time employment, and now she happily dedicates herself to the Ranch.

“The most exciting part is keeping up with new trends,” Stewart says. “My customers teach me something new on a daily basis.”

Stewart and her mother, Mary — who still works a few days each week — both share a focus on excellent customer service.

30 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

“We love to help customers with dinner parties (and) gifts,” she says. “We specialize in large event planning.”

With one of the largest wine selections in the state, Ranch Acres is committed to helping patrons find the right bottle.

“It’s incredibly important to us that anytime you come into the Ranch there is someone to help with food and wine pairings,” Stewart says, adding that the team annually participates in continuing education through the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Wine and Spirit Education Trust.

Ranch Acres is also this year’s wine sponsor for the Saint Francis Tulsa Tough, and Stewart commits her expertise to Philbrook Museum for all their wine needs

— helping organize their largest fundraising event, Philbrook Wine Experience.

They also publish a newsletter featuring wine reviews, helping customers discover new bottles and expand their palates (sign up at ranchacreswine.com or in-store).

The most important lesson Stewart has learned from her mother is the importance of always giving back, and being an active participant in the community.

“Over the years the Ranch has been involved in countless fundraising events,” Stewart says. “We continue to support the conservation efforts through the Tulsa Zoo, Tulsa CARES, HOPE Testing, and any local school fundraising when we can.

We (also) host voter registration drives and encourage participation in local elections.”

MICHELLE POLLARD; HENRY: COURTESY

Ranch Acres Wine and Spirits Owner Emily Stewart carries on the legacy of the liquor store that first opened in 1959. She picked up the baton from her mother, Mary, who still helps out in the shop a few days per week.

L E W I S PA R K FA M I LY DENTISTRY

Having spent her early years watching her father Nicholas Hunter, D.D.S., (left) run Lewis Park Family Dentistry, Kathy Henry, D.D.S., knew she wanted to be a dentist.

Now Kathy and her cousin Justin Young, D.D.S., (right) co-own her father’s practice.

“My father taught me to take care of patients the way I’d want to be taken care of.”

—KATHY HENRY For Kathy Henry, D.D.S., time spent growing up at Lewis Park Family Dentistry, her father’s dental practice, offered an early glimpse of a workplace that felt genuinely joyful, where people cared deeply about one another. The experience made her career choice easy: she wanted to become a dentist and work alongside her dad, Nick Hunter, D.D.S., Following her father’s retirement, Henry now owns the practice with her cousin, Justin Young, D.D.S. Their office, located in the Lewis Park Building at 5319 S. Lewis Ave., Suite 222, has been on Lewis Avenue since 1975.

“The ‘Family’ part (of the practice name) is because it is family-owned, and we see whole families — from kids to great grandparents,” Henry says.

At a time when corporate dentistry is becoming the norm, she takes pride in keeping the practice family-focused.

“My father taught me to take care of patients the way I’d want to be taken care of,” Henry says. “If you do that, they’ll come back, and they’ll bring their family and friends.”

Henry encourages other young women to consider dentistry, noting the profession offers the flexibility to shape a good work-life balance. When her father attended dental school, there were no women in his class. That has since changed dramatically: according to the American Dental Education Association, in 2018, women applied to dental school in greater numbers than men for the first time.

“I think that’s a good thing,” Henry says. “Dentistry combines artistry and science, and that’s something women do particularly well.”

Wanda J’s Next Generation Wanda Armstrong knew she wanted to cook as soon as she could talk, sneaking into her mother’s kitchen to experiment with ingredients as a young girl. When she opened the original Wanda J’s in north Tulsa more than 50 years ago, she cooked everything from scratch with her two children — who were 7 and 8 at the time — as her first employees.

“They had food handlers’ cards and everything,” Armstrong recalls.

Over the decades, the restaurant has remained a family affair, with Armstrong also employing her five sisters, countless nieces and nephews, and now her grandchildren — creating a business legacy she could pass down. Her granddaughters Glory Wells and A’Tyria Walker now manage Wanda J’s Next Generation at 3014 N. 74th E. Ave., alongside their father (Armstrong’s son), Ty Walker, who is now the owner. Wells’ and Walker’s other three sisters — Tyreiha Walker-Lewis, Tykiaha Lowe, and A’lexis Wells — also assist with catering and events.

For Wells, stepping up to manage the operation gave her a chance to apply the managerial skills she was learning — both from her business studies at Tulsa Community College and OSU-Tulsa, and from her grandmother.

One of her first challenges was standardizing the cooking and replicating her grandmother’s legendary peach cobbler.

“My grandmother didn’t have many recipes,” Wells says. “We all knew what the food was supposed to taste like ... but (with different cooks) it didn’t have that consistency.” She tackled the peach cobbler, experimenting to get the crust to turn out perfect every time.

“When it finally got my grandmother’s approval, that was big,” Wells says. With an appetite for learning, Wells is continuing her education at The University of Tulsa College of Law while staying connected to the family business.

“ W H E N ( M Y P E A C H C O B B L E R ) F I N A L LY G OT M Y G R A N D M OT H E R ’ S A P P R OVA L , T H AT WA S B I G .”

–GLORY WELLS

A’Tyria Walker and Glory Wells showcase a spread of comfort food available at Wanda J’s Next Generation. The two sisters — granddaughters of the restaurant’s namesake, Wanda Armstrong — now manage the establishment.

TulsaPeople.com 31

Carrie DeWeese, Chinowth and Cohen “ D O N ’ T B E A F R A I D TO PICK UP A HAMMER OR L E A R N TO S E T A TO I L E T.” –CARRIE DEWEESE

Thanks to her father, local homebuilder Brian D. Wiggs, Carrie DeWeese grew up watching homes take shape from the ground up. As an adult, she initially stepped away from the industry, pursuing a career as a lobbyist. But when stress prompted her to consider a vocational change, DeWeese found herself drawn back to the home industry. Since beginning a new chapter as a real estate agent 18 years ago, DeWeese has found the skills she learned from her father invaluable.

“I encourage people to look for (a real estate agent) who knows how to do more than open a door and make a sale,” DeWeese says. “You want someone who’s familiar with home maintenance and understands how good construction is supposed to look.”

Having expanded into the remodeling business, DeWeese currently serves as the chair for the National Association of Home Builders’ Professional Women in Building Council, which has provided her with the opportunity to mentor other women in the industry. DeWeese is also a a founding member of the Greater Tulsa HBA Professional Women in Building Council and is passionate about encouraging the next generation to consider the trades.

“I would encourage young women to learn a skill,” DeWeese says. “Don’t be afraid to pick up a hammer or learn to set a toilet ... Those skills can provide you with a solid, stable economic future.”

Currently the chair for the National Association of Home Builders’ Professional Women in Building Council, real estate professional and home remodeler Carrie DeWeese is the daughter of local homebuilder Brian D. Wiggs.

“My mother had so much heart. She was so full of life and joy, and she made everyone feel welcomed and loved.”

—JEANNIE REED

Many Tulsans know and love Felini’s Cookies and Deli, the breakfast, lunch and treat staple at 3533 S. Harvard Ave. Vikki Martinus originally opened the shop downtown on Bartlett Square in 1987. She was later joined in the business by her husband James and their daughter, Jeannie Reed. Reed remembers her first duties at the shop were stocking chips and talking to customers at age five.

Reed moved away for several years, but she decided to return to help carry on the family business when her brother stepped away from the helm in 2018. Reed knew she had big shoes to fill when her mother passed away the following year, as Martinus’ larger-than-life personality had been a cornerstone of the restaurant for years.

“My mother had so much heart,” Reed says. “She was so full of life and joy, and she made everyone feel welcomed and loved.”

One of the biggest lessons Reed learned from her was not to overextend herself.

“We’re pretty comfortable with doing what we do well,” Reed says.

“I don’t try to chase every trend.”

There are still echoes of her mother in the building — from customers who drop by and share memories to recipes that have endured for 40 years, such as certain cookies, egg salad and chicken salad.

While she’s added a few more cookie recipes and switched to mostly organic produce, Reed still makes everything just as Martinus did, which includes following her mother’s advice for achieving truly outstanding cookies: using a heavy hand when it comes to both the vanilla and chocolate chips!

32 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

Jeannie Reed took on leading her family’s restaurant, Felini’s Cookies and Deli, in 2018 after her brother decided to shift his focus elsewhere. Reed first began helping out at the establishment when she was five years old.

MICHELLE POLLARD

FELINI’S COOKIES AND DELI

THE DOLPHIN FINE LINENS

Kitina Bartovick (left) and her daughter, Maria (right), stand on either side of Kitina’s mother, Cristina Woods, and shop dog Rosie. After Woods began working at The Dolphin Fine Linens in 1992, she eventually purchased the business and began a legacy that now employs her granddaughter, who grew up knowing clients as extended family.

“ I T T R U LY F I L L S B OT H M Y H E A R T A N D H E R G R A N D M OT H E R ’ S H E A R T W I T H J OY.” – K I T I N A BA R TOV I C K When Cristina Woods fi rst answered a “help wanted” newspaper ad to begin working at The Dolphin Fine Linens in 1992, she had no idea that she was shaping her family legacy for generations to come.

She did, however, encourage her daughter, Kitina Bartovick, to join her and take summer shifts.

When the opportunity later arose to buy the store, Woods remembers pausing to ask herself, “Is this truly what I want?” She was married and understood that buying a business is, in many ways, entering into another lifelong commitment. She spent a great deal of time “in prayer, talking with God and asking for guidance — seeking clarity and reassurance about what He wanted for (my) path,” she says.

Her decision to say “yes” to the store

would ultimately shape Bartovick’s career.

After college, she fi rst would work for the Gabler Group in Dallas, helping to launch businesses like The Dolphin in Missouri and Kansas, until a customer told her to “go back home and run the shop with your mom.” The words resonated, and Bartovick followed the advice.

Bartovick’s love of working at The Dolphin was cemented by the relationships she built and the chance to introduce new lines of quality products to Tulsa.

Last year that passion paid off when The Dolphin, 2048 Utica Square, became the nation’s top seller of Yves DeLorme, a European luxury linen brand.

“We were (also) honored to be named one of their Top 10 performers in 2015 and were invited to Paris as their guests,” Bartovick says. “We brought my children

and my parents, and Yves Delorme hosted us for three unforgettable days.”

But for Bartovick, success is measured in more than sales; instead, it’s measured in family legacy. Today, her daughter, Maria, has joined the business as well.

“Maria frequently shares with others how unique and fulfi lling that experience is, and it truly fi lls both my heart and her grandmother’s heart with joy,” Bartovick says. She adds that her son, Alex, credits his time spent growing up around the shop with shaping his entrepreneurial mindset, and today he successfully owns his own business.

“Watching the next generation fi nd their own paths — whether inside The Dolphin or inspired by it — is one of the most meaningful measures of success for our family,” Bartovick says. tp TulsaPeople.com 33

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Julia Kirkendall

Kirkendall Design

Learn about some of Tulsa’s leading ladies and their exemplary services in the following pages.

Led by Principal Designer and Owner Julia Kirkendall, Kirkendall Design has spent more than three decades creating timeless, livable luxury in Tulsa. For 33 years, the firm has built a reputation for thoughtful, design-forward spaces that reflect the lives and legacies of the people who live in them.

The full-service interior design firm provides residential and commercial services of every scale, including new construction, renovation, furnishings and styling. Kirkendall Design also offers paint consultations and a Design Concierge service for those who value expert design guidance but wish to execute the project themselves.

Kirkendall advises other women considering starting their own businesses to “realize the vision you have for your business, and don’t stop. Surround yourselves with the right people who see and can be a part of that vision.

10105 E. 61st St. | 918-250-1650 | kirkendalldesign.com

We B Trees We B Trees has been dedicated to taking care of Tulsa’s trees since 1995. Led by co-owners Barbara and Tim Nall, the company provides complete tree care services from pruning to fertilization. Barbara brings her background in education as a school teacher to the administrative side of the day-to-day.

With more than three decades in business, Barbara advises fellow female entrepreneurs to “enjoy the ride.”

“We were raising two toddlers when Tim decided to leave his job as an operating engineer and use his forestry degree to start a tree service and become a certified arborist,” she recalls.

While the early days of operating a family business were busy, Barbara considers those to be simpler times compared to her most recent health battle.

“After beating cancer in 2025, I encourage fellow women entrepreneurs to continue showing up fully as themselves,” she says.

“We as women are capable of anything.”

As she remains ingrained in the operation, Barbara shares the We B Trees team stays on top of industry best practices.

“It’s important to adapt with your evolving industry,” Barbara says.

“When you choose We B Trees you can expect the job to get done.”

3755 S. Tacoma Ave. | 918-446-3473 | webtrees.com

34 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

Barbara Nall

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

InterPeak Technology Solutions InterPeak Technology Solutions is comprised of a team of experienced IT professionals dedicated to their clients’ business success.

InterPeak provides technology consulting, cloud solutions, Cloud Hosted Phone Systems, 24/7 managed IT services, cybersecurity and endpoint security, business continuity/backup and disaster recovery, AI consulting, meeting room strategy and more.

InterPeak’s flexible IT solutions are designed for businesses of all sizes, Amanda explains.

“We know small business because we are a small business,” she says. “We’re a local partner, just like you. And so is everyone on our team.”

Amanda shares that personal connections are an essential part of the InterPeak experience. “When our clients call, a real person answers, every time.” she says. “Our entire support team is right here in the U.S., and they know each client’s network like it’s their own.”

These close relationships allow InterPeak to work more proactively with clients. “We don’t just fix problems,” Amanda says. “We build technology roadmaps around business goals, not just whatever’s cheapest. That kind of personal, responsive care is rare in this industry, and it’s exactly why our clients stay.”

Amanda advises other women looking to launch their own businesses to continue to make personal growth a priority. “Invest in yourself, not just your business,” she says.

“Develop habits that keep you grounded and focused, whether that’s gratitude journaling, building a vision board, or setting goals that push you toward the future you want. The skills you need will grow as you do, but you have to believe in the foundation you already have.

You were put here for a reason, at this exact moment in time. This is your season. Trust that your abilities, your perspective, and your experiences have prepared you for exactly this.

The world needs what you bring to the table, so show up and own it.”

Amanda Hanus

401 S. Boston Ave., Suite 2300 | 918-900-9919 interpeakmsp.com

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Balance Med Spa The Balance Med Spa team believes that optimal health is the foundation of confidence and longevity.

Their approach is built on three fundamental pillars: medical excellence, personalized care and holistic wellness.

The full-service medical spa boasts a wide array of offerings including weight loss solutions, hormone therapy and wellness treatments; injectable treatments such as neurotoxin, filler and biostimulators; aesthetic services such as HydraFacial, facials, microneedling; and laser and energy treatments that remove pigment, hair, stimulate collagen, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and lift and sculpt.

All Balance Med Spa treatments are backed by evidence-based practices and delivered by highly qualified professionals using the latest technologies and premium products. Balance understands that each client is unique, which is why they curate customized treatment plans tailored to each client’s specific needs and goals. The professionals at Balance Med Spa consider the whole person by addressing not just the visible concerns, but also the underlying factors that contribute to one’s overall well-being.

The Balance Med Spa team is committed to helping clients achieve their beauty and wellness goals through expert guidance, exceptional treatments and ongoing support. At Balance, your journey to optimal health begins with understanding, continues with transformation and results in a more confident, balanced you.

Driven by highly trained medical professionals and wellness specialists, the Balance Med Spa team is comprised of all women. Family Nurse Practitioner Amy Oden and Physician Assistant Mackenzie Bonnewitz are two of the friendly faces you can find at the clinic.

With a career dedicated to empowering patients to take charge of their health, Oden encourages other women pursuing leadership roles to “find a network of women who inspire you and share resources.”

Bonnewitz, who regularly engages in scientific mentorship and research education outside of her clinical practice, reiterates the value of collaboration. “You don’t have to do it alone,” she says, “and the right community can change everything.”

Mackenzie Bonnewitz and Amy Oden

2530 N. Elm Place, Broken Arrow 918-994-1402 | bhcok.com

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Jasmine Heard, Julie Victoria, Leta Willcox, Lacy Stroud.

1820 Spa Offering massage therapy, customized facials, private yoga sessions and curated experiences designed to restore both body and mind, Brut Hotel’s 1820 Spa is committed to eco-friendly business practices.

Oklahoma’s first Green Spa certified by Eminence Organics, 1820 takes pride in carrying only organic and/or biodynamic skincare products. The spa also participates in Eminence Organic’s Forests for the Future initiative, in which a tree is planted for every product sold.

With intentionality leading every facet of the 1820 Spa, Director Julie Victoria advises other women in leadership to trust their instincts.

“Build teams that reflect your values, and aim for balance between ambition and well-being,” she says. “Long-term success comes from authenticity, care, and honoring both the work you do and the life you’re building alongside it.”

1820 S. Boulder Ave., Suite 100 | 918-584-8952 | 1820spa.com

Lisa Wakefield

Jenkins and Co. Lisa Wakefield loves items that tell a story. In her Meadow Gold District storefront, Wakefield curates a collection of artisan-made home goods, jewelry, apothecary and paper products.

For the past ten years Jenkins and Co. has been a place for Tulsans to find quality goods in a peaceful, welcoming atmosphere.

“Tulsans are so supportive and invested in the success of small business,” she says.

As a female entrepreneur, she encourages others like her to “lean into their strengths and trust their intuition.” Wakefield feels supported in her neighborhood of fellow successful women-owned businesses. “I’m so proud to be a part of this community,” she says.

1335 E. 11th St. | 918-794-7844 | jenkinsandcotulsa.com

First Commercial Real Estate and Management Leadership is most powerful when it strengthens both business and community, a principle that defines Melanie Richardson and Gina Shanahan of First Commercial Real Estate & Management.

As First Commercial’s president, Melanie Richardson has helped shape Tulsa’s commercial landscape. Her steady leadership and long-term vision have guided the firm’s growth while keeping people at the center of every decision. Deeply invested in Tulsa’s future, she serves on the board of directors for Volunteers of America and is actively involved in the Meadow Gold and Neon Districts, championing initiatives that support revitalization and economic growth.

Alongside her, Gina Shanahan, vice president of First Commercial Real Estate & Management, brings strategic expertise and a passion for service. Since joining the company in 2016, Gina has expanded the association management division from three properties to more than a dozen, building high-performing teams and creating HOA Board Education Workshops that empower community leaders with strong governance and financial stewardship. A Certified Manager of Community Associations and active member of the Community Associations Institute, she is committed to transparency, education and building thriving neighborhoods.

Together, Richardson and Shanahan exemplify Women in Business through visionary leadership, operational excellence and an unwavering dedication to the Tulsa community they proudly serve.

8316 E 73rd St. | 918-921-1677 | first-commercial.com

Melanie Richardson and Gina Shanahan

TulsaPeople.com 37

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Small Wealth Management Money is deeply personal and emotional, especially when people work hard to build their wealth. That’s why Small Wealth Management takes a personal approach where clients are treated like family.

With their life-focused guidance approach, Small Wealth Management doesn’t just plan for retirement; the smaller goals in between are just as important. When working with Small Wealth Management, you don’t get just one advisor: the advisor on your statement is your quarterback, but the entire team works on your case.

Financial Advisor Andrea Smith, APMA® CDFA®, partners with clients to create personalized plans that inspire confidence and clarity.

She’s dedicated to helping women make informed decisions and build meaningful financial success. With a key core value of helping others, Smith finds joy in serving a diverse array of clients from various backgrounds and industries.

Smith and the rest of the team at Small Wealth Management provide comprehensive financial planning services including retirement planning, 401(K) guidance, college planning, home buying assistance, long-term care planning and wealth management for clients at every stage of life.

For women looking to join the financial planning business, Smith encourages perseverance. “From the difficult exams required to enter the industry to working in a male-dominated business, you’ll face challenges,” she says. “Don’t doubt that you have what it takes, because you do.”

4200 E. Skelly Drive, Suite 1015 | 918-295-5895 ameripriseadvisors.com/team/small-wealth-management

Andrea Smith

Dog Dish When people walk through the doors of Dog Dish, they’re not just stepping into a pet supply store — they’re entering a space built on relationships, trust and a genuine love for animals. For owner Emily Bollinger, creating a place where both pets and their people feel welcomed has always been the goal.

“The human — and often canine — touch of a local business is priceless when it comes to serving our guests,” Bollinger says. “The vast world of pet products is confusing and sometimes intimidating. People want a place they trust — somewhere they can ask questions, get honest advice and find a curated selection that actually works for their pets.”

At a time when online shopping dominates the pet industry, Dog Dish leans into what makes a local shop different. Instead of competing on endless inventory, Bollinger focuses on education and thoughtful curation.

“We want to remove the overwhelm,” she says. “If something is on our shelves, it’s because we believe in it. That helps customers feel confident in their choices — and it builds trust.”

This intentional approach has helped the business grow a loyal following, especially among pet owners who value expertise and personalized service over algorithms and guesswork.

“Come in to ask questions, give a pup a pet or belly rub, and let us help you,” Bollinger says. “We want people to feel like this is their neighborhood spot — somewhere they’re always welcome.”

2803 South Harvard | 539-430-1442 | shopdogdish.com 38 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

Emily Bollinger with Dennis

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Jackie Potter

Kay Geiger, Amanda Ross, Ashley Whitfield Donovan

Ritual Cannabis

J Potter Collective

With the leadership of co-owner Amanda Ross, Ritual Cannabis offers a curated selection of thoughtful cannabis products in a boutique environment in the heart of Midtown. After feeling overwhelmed and intimidated when trying to find solutions that fit her needs, Ross was inspired to create a safe space for patients. At Ritual, patients will find staff that are compassionate, kind and always ready to help explain how mindful cannabis use can improve lives — a “dispensary for folks who don’t like dispensaries.” “Our team has major girl power,” Ross says. “Our director of operations, Ashley Whitfield Donovan, and amazing budtender Kay Geiger bring the most compassionate energy to the shop.”

J Potter Collective offers Tulsans unique event spaces along with a dedicated photography venue. These historic sites have all been restored and reflect their own unique vibe and feel.

“What sets us apart is our ability to offer a variety of venues to our clients and really tailor to their needs,” says owner Jackie Potter.

“We can host large wedding ceremonies and receptions, graduation parties and birthday celebrations, as well as private dinner parties.”

Two sites — Station 13 and the Union Building — are located in urban settings for events, while Pecan Valley provides a quiet, country-like atmosphere for photography. “Tulsa people love supporting local,” she says. “I take a lot of pride in being a small part of Tulsa’s special moments and events.”

3701 S. Harvard Ave., Suite D | 539-867-1919 | exploreritual.com

jpottercollective.com

Miss Helen’s Private School Kim Marshall, Deanna McClure, and Elisha Long

N2 Advertising N2 Advertising was established in 2014 and launched in 2018 with one goal, make marketing feel simple for busy brands. This woman-owned agency is led by three owners, Kim Marshall, Deanna McClure, and Elisha Long, whose combined strengths cover strategy, media, and execution. Advertising and marketing takes planning, design, development, analysis, and optimization, but real results come from strong collaboration and attention to detail. With over 30 years of combined experience in the media field, N2 Advertising keeps campaigns organized, aligned with clear strategy, and focused on measurable outcomes that clients can see. n2advertising.com | 918-200-4699

Executive Director Lynda Wingo with Director Jayme Wingo-Baker, her daughter

It was in 1954 that “Miss Helen” Wingo realized many of the children entering Kindergarten had difficulty adjusting socially, emotionally and academically. She believed there was a better way for the young students of Tulsa to be prepared for their academic futures.

Today, executive director Lynda Wingo — the founder’s daughter-in-law who is beginning her 53rd year at Miss Helen’s — believes in the philosophy of the founder: to provide a great learning institution where children can develop their reading, math and social talents as well as improve communication skills and learning habits.

Leadership at the state-accredited school is a Wingo family affair. Lynda’s daughter Jayme Wingo-Baker has served the school for 30 years. Lynda’s husband, Gary Wingo, the son of the founder, is a favorite with families and staff.

Miss Helen’s heritage lives on in the school’s facility at 48th Street and Mingo Road. The school offers programs in three areas: Preschool, Kindergarten, and Elementary Grades first through fifth. The school employs degreed professionals and encourages ongoing teacher training throughout the school year. Each pod is supported by a lead teacher with experience and expertise in their grade level.

918-622-2327 | misshelens.com TulsaPeople.com 39

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Juli Couch

LAR Investments, LLC Juli Couch is the owner of LAR Investments, LLC, a Tulsa based renovation company built on the belief that the right improvements can transform how a home looks, feels and functions.

Founded through hands-on experience with investment properties and renovation projects, LAR Investments was created to simplify the renovation process for homeowners. Recognizing how overwhelming design and construction decisions can be, Juli built a company focused on providing practical knowledge, clear communication and value driven improvements.

With more than a decade of experience, LAR Investments specializes in kitchen and bathroom remodels, layout updates and full property renovations.

Each project is approached with thoughtful planning and attention to detail, ensuring upgrades not only look beautiful but also improve daily living and long-term value.

As a woman owned business in a traditionally male dominated industry, LAR Investments has built a strong reputation in Tulsa for reliability, transparency and quality workmanship. Through intentional renovations and strategic improvements, the company continues to transform outdated spaces helping homeowners turn potential into reality. larinvestmentsllc.com | 918-527-6584

Empowering Women to Build Their Financial Futures Andrea Smith, APMA®, Financial Advisor, partners with clients to create personalized plans that inspire confidence and clarity. She’s dedicated to helping women make informed decisions and build meaningful financial success.

Our Legacy is Helping Build Yours: (918) 295-5895 caitlyn.small@ampf.com Small Wealth Management is a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future financial results.Investment products are not insured by the FDIC, NCUA or any federal agency, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution, and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value. Securities offered by Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2025 Ameriprise Andrea Smith Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

40 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

COMIN’ IN HOT

“The Delight Project: KM” by Anne Pollard-James

Tulsans turn up the heat on menopause treatment misconceptions through art, medicine and solidarity.

BY MARNIE FERNANDEZ

I

n her mid-forties, local artist Anne PollardJames began noticing changes in her moods and energy levels.

“All of a sudden, I didn’t feel like myself and I didn’t understand why I couldn’t find joy. I was dragging all the time and had horrible brain fog,” says Pollard-James, now 53. “I was also quick to rage and couldn’t figure out why. Then I started having sleep issues, so I knew I needed to do something — (it) was not sustainable.”

After getting nowhere with her doctors, she started doing her own research and realized she

was in perimenopause — the transitional twoto eight-year phase before menopause — and that menopause hormone therapy (MHT) could help. Also referred to as “hormone replacement therapy (HRT),” MHT is the preferred modern term for targeted hormone treatments aimed to alleviate menopausal symptoms caused by declining estrogen levels, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, joint pain and more.

“I was like, ‘where the (EXPLITIVE) have my doctors been?’” she says. “I felt like I had been robbed of this information, and if I had to do this

much research to figure things out, then how many other women were suffering as well?”

In the process of her research PollardJames met Jill Warnock, M.D., Ph.D., a retired professor of psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma who has spent over 27 years researching women’s health. Warnock helped PollardJames figure out what she needed to ask for in terms of MHT. “It literally changed my life,” Pollard-James says. “I feel more robustly myself than I ever have before.”

TulsaPeople.com 41

Balanced Wellness Owner Jessica Brewer, APRNCNP, FNP-C, aims to increase access to menopause hormone therapy to as many women as possible, so they can determine if the treatment is right for them.

While local artist Anne Pollard-James was researching the perimenopause symptoms she was experiencing, she met Jill Warnock, M.D., Ph.D., a retired professor of psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma. The two remain friends, with Warnock having spoken at Pollard-James’ WTF Club — a wellness-focused community for women.

42 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

Based on the recent uptick in conversations surrounding perimenopause and menopause by everyone from podcasters and social media influencers to high-profile figures like Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey, Pollard-James isn’t alone in her fight to better understand this facet of female health. With a long history of either being ignored or misunderstood, menopause and its accompanying issues are finally entering mainstream consciousness thanks to women speaking up and bringing more awareness to the topic, as well as the Food and Drug Administration’s recent decision to remove the “black box” warnings from MHT products describing risks of cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and dementia related to the use of hormone replacement therapy.

“When the black box label was added in 2003, it created a lot of fear,” says Jessica Brewer, APRN-CNP, FNP-C, owner of Balanced Wellness at 4146 S. Harvard Ave., Suite F6. “Physicians stopped prescribing (MHT), women threw out their hormones, and now we have a whole generation of women who were not offered hormone replacement and missed the opportunity to reap many of the benefits which include brain health, heart disease prevention, improved bone density and prevention of osteoporosis.”

Warnock explains the black box warnings stemmed from a “landmark” 2002 Women’s Health Initiative study that, she says, “came to many conclusions that are not fully accurate in today’s world.”

According to Warnock, one of the study’s misleading conclusions was that women who did receive MHT had a relative increased risk in breast cancer. “This statement was blown out of proportion by the media and caused increased fear in women about their risk of breast cancer,” Warnock says. “Physicians became reluctant to prescribing HRT. (But) it turns out that the statistics were misleading for a variety of reasons.”

Another significant problem with the 2002 WHI study Warnock identifies is the type of progestin hormone used in the study. “That type of progesterone, the medroxyprogesterone acetate, may be the contributing risk factor in the increase in breast cancer found in the study,” she says. “This type of progesterone is rarely used today in HRT.” An additional concern Warnock describes in the study is that the mean age of participating women was 63. “These women had never been started on HRT,” she explains. “They had more than 10 years on average to develop other health issues and cardiovascular disease, for example ... and by that time, they are not as likely to be experiencing perimenopause or menopausal symptoms.”

Nowadays, Warnock explains that hormone replacement treatments are more nuanced. “Today, menopausal specialists would rarely start a woman on HRT at age 63.” she says. “The goal is to relieve symptoms when women are in their 40s and 50s” Warnock adds that between 2002 and 2023, there was a 46-60% decline in the use of MHT due to the “fear from misleading statistics with physicians focusing on the relative risks rather than

absolute risks, especially regarding breast cancer,” she says.

“It was such a missed opportunity to help so many women.” Warnock adds. “I’m just thankful that these statistics were finally addressed and put in the right context.”

Warnock began her menopause research while exploring the correlation between infertility treatments and depression. During Warnock’s work with Dr. Clark Bundren, the pair started observing that women on infertility treatments were more likely to get depressed than those not on them.

“When you take infertility treatments, it decreases your hormones (estrogen), and we started seeing a pattern,” she says. “Once we noticed that the women were suffering an increase of depressive symptoms, we were funded to study this issue further. In the study, Dr. Bundren and I treated half of women with antidepressants. The women on the antidepressant medication were able to stay on their leuprolide, the infertility medication, with fewer depressive symptoms and a significant decrease of medication induced menopausal symptoms.”

Since then, Warnock has dedicated much of her career to researching women’s health and figuring out how all the puzzle pieces fit together, including the link between perimenopause/menopause and depression. “The perimenopause and menopausal transition has been found in numerous studies to be associated with an increase in depressive symptoms,” she explains.

And Warnock admits, medicine is slow to change. “It will take a while to get this new generation of physicians up to speed on best practice in the treatment of menopausal symptoms,” she says.

“Because of the black box warning, many doctors are fearful of providing HRT to women. In addition, many of the more recently trained physicians have not been educated in their residencies on treating perimenopause and menopause symptoms.”

Warnock explains that in navigating the search for health care solutions, women have to be their own advocate “by educating themselves and finding a physician or menopause specialist that will take their symptoms seriously.”

“Identify a physician that is knowledgeable in this nuanced, individualized hormone related care that you deserve,” she says. “Talk to other women who have found a physician who has helped them and get in to see that provider.”

Warnock suggests checking out the Menopause Society as a good source of information.

“There is a plethora of information online right now,” she says. “It can be overwhelming, and not always accurate. The Menopause Society not only provides accurate information; it also breaks down resources available in your area — especially menopausal specialists.”

Hope on the horizon

Even though the medical community is slow to change, there are some positive shifts happening now.

Brewer herself has been intentional about continuing her education and honing her expertise on the subject. “I had to complete post-graduate medical training in menopause — it was not an

MICHELLE POLLARD; BREWER: JOLIE PHOTOGRAPHY

Hot, bothered and understudied

extensive part of the curriculum in my graduate program,” says Brewer.

Now, she is seeing firsthand how the black box warning-removal has begun to make treatment accessible for more women. “Most hormone replacement therapies are now covered by insurance, which allows more accessibility for women,” she says.

At Balanced Wellness, Brewer accepts many different kinds of commercial insurance plans.

‘We also accept self-pay patients,” she says.

“I feel strongly that all women should be well informed of their hormone replacement options and have access to hormone therapy.”

Brewer spends one hour with every new patient going over all medical histories and performing a physical exam.

“After the consultation and lab assessment, I put together an individualized treatment plan for each patient,” Brewer says. “There are many options available; it is not a one-size-fits-all approach. I always follow up after initiating hormone replacement to reassess hormone levels and make sure everything is going well and symptoms are improving.”

Brewer is planning to bring on more providers and eventually expand her midtown clinic to offer services in south Tulsa and surrounding areas.

“I want to continue to increase access to hormone therapy to as many women as possible,” she says. “It is my passion to help women become the best version of themselves.”

Join the club

Since discovering the life-changing effects of hormone replacement therapy, Pollard-James has

been a passionate advocate for MHT and making it accessible for more women so they can determine if the solution meets their needs.

“After meeting with Jill and realizing how difficult it was to obtain information and treatment for menopause symptoms, I got really pissed off,” she says. “HRT should not be a luxury item. It should be basic health care.”

By the time she met Warnock, Pollard-James had traded in a corporate real estate career to create artwork out her studio, Carson House — a 1920s house in the historic Riverview district at 1401 S. Carson Ave. “I started my painting career later in life, and it opened up something in me that I didn’t know I had,” she says. A self-described “feminist artist,” Pollard-James began hosting shows of other women artists in her studio and realized she could do something more with her space.

“It has a unique zoning that allows it to be a residence, but can also serve as a community house,” she says. “I felt the need to pay it forward and share this space with other women.”

She began hosting yoga classes that eventually morphed into a menopause club, open for all to join.

“We have all walks of life meet here, sometimes quarterly, sometimes more often. Because this is such a broader topic than just menopause, I changed the name to ‘WTF’ because I want this to be a place where women can be open and candid about all the issues in a safe space, even if it means they must curse and say ‘WTF,’” she says, laughing unapologetically.

Pollard-James brings in experts to talk about MHT from a clinical perspective so women can

become educated and make informed decisions.

She also brings in other experts to discuss relationships, sex and all the other facets of life that menopause can affect.

“I recently had a sex and relationship therapist at WTF club,” she says. “There are so many ways that menopause impacts your sex life and sexual health, and no one talks about it.”

She explains that, until now, issues like this have mostly been ignored.

“Going through menopause can feel so isolating,” says Pollard-James. “I wanted to create a space where women can feel supported and validated.”

She also collaborates with Warnock, who has been a guest speaker at several WTF club meetings.

“I am so thankful to have this opportunity to talk to so many women and help them make educated decisions,” Warnock says. “We (women) spend one-third of our life in a menopausal and post-menopausal state — and so many women suffer alone needlessly.”

Next month the WTF Club will again host Warnock for a three-part series regarding peri/menopause, mental health and wellbeing.

The series is open to anyone interested, and reservations will open later this month at annepollardjames.com “Hormone replacement therapy has changed my life,” says Pollard-James. “I will be on it ‘til the day I die, and I want all women to have the same information so they can also change their own lives lives ... I want all women to have access to current information so they can decide if it’s right for them too.” tp

“Going through menopause can feel so isolating. I wanted to create a space where women can feel supported and validated.”

—ANNE POLLARD-JAMES

Pollard-James hosts her WTF Club in the historic Riverview neighborhood at her Carson House studio, creating a community where women can learn from one another and share their experiences with perimenopause and menopause.

TulsaPeople.com 43

The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America are published by BL Rankings, LLC, Augusta, GA. and can be ordered directly from the publisher. For information call 803648-0300; write 801 Broad Street Suite 950, Augusta GA 30901; email info@bestlawyers.com; or visit bestlawyers.com. An online subscription to Best Lawyers® is available at bestlawyers.com.

Disclaimer and Copyright BL Rankings, LLC has used its best efforts in assembling material for this list but does not warrant that the information contained herein is complete or accurate, and does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause. All listed attorneys have been verified as being members in good standing with their respective state bar associations as of July 1, 2025, where that information is publicly available. Consumers should contact their state bar association for verification and additional information prior to securing legal services of any attorney. Copyright 2025

by BL Rankings, LLC, Augusta, GA. All rights reserved. This list, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission. No commercial use of this list may be made without permission of BL Rankings, LLC. No fees may be charged, directly or indirectly, for the use of this list without permission. “The Best Lawyers in America,” “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch,” “Purely Peer Review” and “Best Lawyers” are registered trademarks of BL Rankings, LLC.

44 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

Methodology for The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America This list is excerpted from the 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, the preeminent referral guides to the legal profession in the United States. Published since 1983, Best Lawyers® lists attorneys in 150 specialties, representing all 50 states, who have been chosen through an exhaustive survey in which thousands of the nation’s top lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. The 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America is based on more than 14.7 million evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers. The method used to compile Best Lawyers remains unchanged since the first edition was compiled more than 40 years ago. Lawyers are chosen for inclusion based solely on the vote of their peers. Listings cannot be bought, and no purchase is required to be included. In this regard, Best Lawyers remains the gold standard of reliability and integrity in lawyer ratings. The nomination pool for the 2026 edition consisted of all lawyers whose names appeared in the previous edition of Best Lawyers, lawyers who were nominated since the previous survey and new nominees solicited from listed attorneys. In general, lawyers were asked to vote only on nominees in their own specialty in their own jurisdiction. Lawyers in closely related specialties were asked to vote across specialties, as were lawyers in smaller jurisdictions. Where specialties are national or international in nature, lawyers were asked to vote nationally as well as locally. Voting lawyers were also given an opportunity to offer more detailed comments on nominees. Each year, half of the voting pool receives fax or email ballots; the other half is polled by phone. Voting lawyers were provided this general guideline for determining if a nominee should be listed among “the best”: “If you had a close friend or relative who needed a real estate lawyer (for example), and you could not handle the case yourself, to whom would you refer them?” All votes and comments were solicited with a guarantee of confidentiality – a critical factor in the viability and validity of Best Lawyers’ surveys. To ensure the rigor of the selection process, lawyers were urged to use only their highest standards when voting and to evaluate each nominee based only on his or her individual merits. The additional comments were used to make more accurate comparisons between voting patterns and weight votes accordingly. Best Lawyers uses various methodological tools to identify and correct for anomalies in both the nomination and voting process. Recognition in the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America is based entirely on peer review and employs the same methodology that has made Best Lawyers the gold standard for legal rankings worldwide. These awards are recognitions given to attorneys who are earlier in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. Our “Ones to Watch” recipients typically have been in practice for 5-9 years. Ultimately, of course, a lawyer’s inclusion is based on the subjective judgments of his or her fellow attorneys. While it is true that the lists may at times disproportionately reward visibility or popularity, the breadth of the survey, the candor of the respondents and the sophistication of the polling methodology largely correct for any biases. For all these reasons, Best Lawyers lists continue to represent the most reliable, accurate and useful guide to the best lawyers in the United States available anywhere.

CONTINUED ON P. 46

We’re thrilled to celebrate our 36 Tulsa attorneys who are recognized on the

A Step Above the Rest

2026 List of The Best Lawyers in America®

Tulsa “Lawyer of the Year” 2026 Honorees Robert Melgaard Corporate Compliance Law

Kevin Redwine

Ryan Sacra

Securities/Capital Markets Law

Corporate Law

Stephen Ward Native American Law

Recognized on the 2026 List of The Best Lawyers in America® Bradley Bendure

Employment Law - Management; Litigation - Labor & Employment

Mark Berman

Business Organizations LLCs & Partnerships; Corporate Law; Mergers & Acquisitions Law

Elise Brennan

Health Care Law; Litigation Health Care; Qui Tam Law

Teresa Burkett

Administrative / Regulatory Law; Health Care Law; Litigation - Health Care; Litigation - Labor & Employment; Privacy & Data Security Law

David Cordell

Commercial Litigation; Employment Law Management; Energy Law; Labor Law Management; Litigation - Labor & Employment

Katherine Coyle

Art Law; Nonprofit / Charities Law; Tax Law; Trusts & Estates

Robert Curry

Closely Held Companies & Family Businesses Law; Corporate Law; Securities / Capital Markets Law; Securities Regulation

Melodie Freeman-Burney Commercial Litigation

Daniel Gomez

Steven McGrath

Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law; Litigation - ERISA

Robert Melgaard

Bankruptcy & Creditor-Debtor Rights; Litigation - Bankruptcy; Commercial Litigation Native American Law

Corporate Compliance Law; Corporate Law; Securities / Capital Markets Law; Securities Regulation

Scott Hathaway

Lynnwood Moore, Jr.

Commercial Litigation; Construction Law; Litigation - Construction

Russell Ramzel

John Ingraham

Health Care Law

Trusts & Estates; Tax Law

Kevin Redwine

Jed Isbell

Commercial Litigation; Insurance Law

Robert James

Commercial Litigation; Insurance Law; Litigation - Insurance; Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants

Kathryn Kindell

Business Organizations LLCs & Partnerships; Corporate Law

Richard Love, III Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Insurance

TUL SA

Corporate Law; Securities / Capital Markets Law

Securities / Capital Markets Law; Corporate Compliance Law; Corporate Law; Energy Law; Mergers & Acquisitions Law; Oil & Gas Law;

Ryan Sacra

Corporate Law; Energy Law; Securities / Capital Markets Law; Securities Regulation

Paige Shelton

Litigation - Trusts & Estates; Real Estate Law; Trusts & Estates

O K L AH O M A CI T Y

Hilary Velandia

Jason Taylor

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America

Commercial Litigation

Timothy Trump

Bankruptcy & Creditor - Debtor Rights; Insolvency & Reorganization Law; Commercial Transactions / UCC Law

Andrew Turner

Bankruptcy & Creditor-Debtor Rights; Insolvency & Reorganization Law; Litigation - Bankruptcy

Nancy Vaughn

Employment Law - Management

Stephen Ward

Native American Law; Energy Law; Gaming Law; Banking & Finance Law

Chris Wilson

Business Organizations LLCs & Partnerships; Securities / Capital Markets Law; Mergers & Acquisitions Law

Commercial Litigation

Beverly Smith

Gentra Sorem

Banking & Finance Law; Litigation - Real Estate; Real Estate Law

Commercial Litigation

McKayla Hendrix

Commercial Litigation; Litigation - Construction; Litigation - Labor & Employment

Eric Sardella

Banking & Finance Law; Business Organizations LLCs & Partnerships; Corporate Governance & Compliance Law; Corporate Law; Energy Law; Mergers & Acquisitions Law; Securities Regulation

Ryan Scharnell

Commercial Litigation; Insurance Law; Litigation - Real Estate; Oil & Gas Law

Hayley Stephens

Commercial Litigation; Corporate Law; Insurance Law; Labor & Employment Law; Litigation - Labor & Employment; Litigation - Real Estate; Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants

Martin Wing

Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law; Tax Law

N O RT H W E S T A RKA N S A S

cwlaw.com

DALLAS

HO U S T O N

* DESIGNATES 2026 “LAWYER OF THE YEAR” HONOREE CONTINUED FROM P. 44

ADMINISTRATIVE / REGULATORY LAW Teresa Meinders Burkett Conner & Winters Thomas P. Schroedter Hall Estill Garry L. Keele II McAfee & Taft ANTITRUST LAW Joel L. Wohlgemuth Norman Wohlgemuth Chandler Jeter Barnett & Ray APPELLATE PRACTICE Guy A. Fortney Brewster & De Angelis Mbilike Mwafulirwa Coffey, Senger, Hancock & Harmon Bradley W. Welsh Crowe & Dunlevy Randall Yates Crowe & Dunlevy Jon E. Brightmire Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson R. Daniel Carter Foster Garvey J. Michael Medina Frederic Dorwart, Lawyers Amelia A. Fogleman GableGotwals * Philip D. Hixon GableGotwals Deborah C. Shallcross GableGotwals Keith A. Jones Keith A. Jones Allison E. Lee Mullican & Hart Randy Long Rhodes Hieronymus ARBITRATION David L. Bryant GableGotwals Deborah C. Shallcross GableGotwals ART LAW Katherine G. Coyle Conner & Winters AVIATION LAW Jeffrey T. Hills Crowe & Dunlevy BANKING AND FINANCE LAW Gentra Abbey Sorem Conner & Winters Stephen R. Ward Conner & Winters Jeffrey T. Hills Crowe & Dunlevy Victor E. Morgan Crowe & Dunlevy William F. Riggs Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Phillip J. Eller Eller & Detrich Frederic Dorwart Frederic Dorwart, Lawyers James Higgins Frederic Dorwart, Lawyers Amy Newsome Frederic Dorwart, Lawyers John R. Barker GableGotwals Brandon C. Bickle GableGotwals Jason B. Coutant GableGotwals Jeffrey D. Hassell GableGotwals Steven G. Heinen GableGotwals Thomas J. Hutchison GableGotwals Stephen W. Lake GableGotwals John Henry Rule GableGotwals Tina Soin GableGotwals Betsy G. Jackson Hall Estill John T. Williams John T. Williams Law * David S. Randolph Nexus Legal William Jones Pray Walker Barry G. Reynolds Titus Hillis Reynolds Love BANKRUPTCY AND CREDITOR DEBTOR RIGHTS / INSOLVENCY AND REORGANIZATION LAW Daniel E. Gomez Conner & Winters Timothy T. Trump Conner & Winters Andrew R. Turner Conner & Winters Mark A. Craige Crowe & Dunlevy

46 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

J. Patrick Mensching Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Brandon C. Bickle GableGotwals John D. Dale GableGotwals Jeffrey D. Hassell GableGotwals * Sidney K. Swinson GableGotwals Thomas A. Creekmore III Hall Estill Pamela H. Goldberg Hall Estill John Richer Hall Estill Steven W. Soulé Hall Estill Gary M. McDonald McDonald Law Patrick D. O’Connor Moyers Martin Neal Tomlins Tomlins Law BET-THE-COMPANY LITIGATION William R. Grimm Barrow & Grimm * R. Richard Love III Conner & Winters William C. Anderson Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson David L. Bryant GableGotwals Richard B. Noulles GableGotwals Sidney K. Swinson GableGotwals J. Kevin Hayes Hall Estill Steven W. Soulé Hall Estill Mary Quinn Cooper McAfee & Taft Phil R. Richards McAfee & Taft John H. Tucker Rhodes Hieronymus Charles D. Neal, Jr. Steidley & Neal BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS (INCLUDING LLCS AND PARTNERSHIPS) Mark D. Berman Conner & Winters Kathryn J. Kindell Conner & Winters Christopher R. Wilson Conner & Winters Phillip J. Eller Eller & Detrich Sarah E. Hansel Hall Estill Stephen M. Hetrick McAfee & Taft R. Jay Chandler Norman Wohlgemuth Chandler Jeter Barnett & Ray C. Bretton Crane Pray Walker * CIVIL RIGHTS LAW Corbin C. Brewster Brewster & De Angelis Guy A. Fortney Brewster & De Angelis Mbilike Mwafulirwa Coffey, Senger, Hancock & Harmon Jason C. Messenger Richardson Richardson Boudreaux CLOSELY HELD COMPANIES AND FAMILY BUSINESSES LAW Adam K. Marshall Barrow & Grimm * Robert A. Curry Conner & Winters Nathan S. Cross Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Randy R. Shorb Johnson & Jones COLLABORATIVE LAW: FAMILY LAW Moura A. J. Robertson Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Melissa Fell Fell Law David A. Tracy Tulsa Family Law Center COMMERCIAL FINANCE LAW Phillip J. Eller Eller & Detrich Frederic Dorwart Frederic Dorwart, Lawyers James Higgins Frederic Dorwart, Lawyers W. Deke Canada Hall Estill Steven A. Stecher Moyers Martin William L. Eagleton IV Pray Walker

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION James W. Rusher Albright, Rusher & Hardcastle Christopher A. Barrow Barrow & Grimm William R. Grimm Barrow & Grimm Anne S. Maguire Barrow & Grimm Bruce E. Roach, Jr. Barrow & Grimm Timothy L. Rogers Barrow & Grimm Robert B. Sartin Barrow & Grimm David A. Sturdivant Barrow & Grimm David R. Cordell Conner & Winters Melodie Freeman-Burney Conner & Winters Daniel E. Gomez Conner & Winters P. Scott Hathaway Conner & Winters Jed Isbell Conner & Winters Robert James Conner & Winters R. Richard Love III Conner & Winters Paige N. Shelton Conner & Winters Jason S. Taylor Conner & Winters Hilary L. Velandia Conner & Winters Mark A. Craige Crowe & Dunlevy Craig W. Hoster Crowe & Dunlevy Kayci B. Hughes Crowe & Dunlevy Victor E. Morgan Crowe & Dunlevy Michael R. Pacewicz Crowe & Dunlevy Bradley W. Welsh Crowe & Dunlevy William C. Anderson Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Jon E. Brightmire Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Stuart Campbell Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Lewis N. Carter Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Tom Q. Ferguson Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Michael S. Linscott Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson James Higgins Frederic Dorwart, Lawyers Danny C. Williams, Sr. Frederic Dorwart, Lawyers Steven J. Adams GableGotwals Brandon C. Bickle GableGotwals David L. Bryant GableGotwals Renee DeMoss GableGotwals Adam Doverspike GableGotwals Craig A. Fitzgerald GableGotwals Amelia A. Fogleman GableGotwals Philip D. Hixon GableGotwals Andrew J. Hofl and GableGotwals Stephen W. Lake GableGotwals David Limekiller GableGotwals Justin A. Lollman GableGotwals Graydon Dean Luthey, Jr. GableGotwals Richard B. Noulles GableGotwals Terry D. Ragsdale GableGotwals John Henry Rule GableGotwals Trent Shores GableGotwals Timothy J. Sullivan Jr. GableGotwals Mia Vahlberg GableGotwals Mark Banner Hall Estill Mark K. Blongewicz Hall Estill Kristen Pence Evans Hall Estill James C. T. Hardwick Hall Estill J. Kevin Hayes Hall Estill Brian T. Inbody Hall Estill Michael T. Keester Hall Estill James C. Milton Hall Estill Bryan Nowlin Hall Estill William W. O’Connor Hall Estill James M. Reed Hall Estill Gregory Reilly Hall Estill

Jeff Baum Jayne Peters McVicker Burke Askew & Parker Stephen Q. Peters Jayne Peters McVicker Burke Askew & Parker Tadd J.P. Bogan Jones Gotcher & Bogan James E. Weger Jones Gotcher & Bogan Alexander F. King KingWoods Roger K. Eldredge Ladner & Eldredge Thomas M. Ladner Ladner & Eldredge Michelle Harris Latham, Keele, Lehman, Ratcliff, Carter & Clarke Bobby L. Latham, Jr. Latham, Keele, Lehman, Ratcliff, Carter & Clarke J. Craig Buchan McAfee & Taft Mary Quinn Cooper McAfee & Taft Katie Crane McAfee & Taft Jessica L. Dickerson McAfee & Taft William J. Holland McAfee & Taft Robert J. Joyce McAfee & Taft William S. Leach McAfee & Taft Kathy R. Neal McAfee & Taft Phil R. Richards McAfee & Taft Andrew L. Richardson McAfee & Taft Sherry Rozell McAfee & Taft Anna E. Wolfe McAfee & Taft Harold C. Zuckerman McAfee & Taft Bruce A. McKenna McKenna & McKenna Pansy Moore-Shrier Moore-Shrier Law Patrick D. O’Connor Moyers Martin R. Scott Savage Moyers Martin Joel L. Wohlgemuth Norman Wohlgemuth Chandler Jeter Barnett & Ray Randall G. Vaughan Pray Walker Robert J. Winter Pray Walker Nathan E. Clark Rhodes Hieronymus Colin Tucker Rhodes Hieronymus John H. Tucker Rhodes Hieronymus Tracy W. Robinett Robinett, Swartz & Duren Alison A. Parker Rosenstein, Fist & Ringold John A. Burkhardt, Jr. Schaffer Herring Michael F. Smith Smolen Law Gary C. Crapster Steidley & Neal Charles D. Neal, Jr. Steidley & Neal Barry G. Reynolds Titus Hillis Reynolds Love COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS / UCC LAW Timothy T. Trump Conner & Winters William F. Riggs Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson William L. Eagleton IV Pray Walker COMMUNICATIONS LAW James J. Proszek Hall Estill CONSTRUCTION LAW John E. Harper, Jr. Barrow & Grimm Timothy L. Rogers Barrow & Grimm P. Scott Hathaway Conner & Winters Malcolm E. Rosser IV Crowe & Dunlevy Steven K. Metcalf Metcalf & Spitler * William H. Spitler Metcalf & Spitler Scott V. Morgan Moyers Martin Tracy W. Robinett Robinett, Swartz & Duren COPYRIGHT LAW Dennis D. Brown Brown Patent Law Shawn M. Dellegar Crowe & Dunlevy Frank J. Catalano GableGotwals James F. Lea III GableGotwals Todd A. Nelson GableGotwals Scott R. Zingerman GableGotwals Rachel Blue McAfee & Taft * CONTINUED ON P. 48

Congratulations to our Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 List of

The Best Lawyers in America

®

Tulsa “Lawyer of the Year” Honorees

Shawn M. Dellegar Litigation Intellectual Property

Victor E. Morgan Litigation Banking and Finance

Michael R. Pacewicz Litigation Bankruptcy

Randall J. Snapp Employment Law Management Litigation Labor & Employment

® Best Lawyers: to Watch in America Tulsa “OnesOnes to Watch” Honorees

Gavin Boone Banking and Finance Law

Jacy Holbrook Transportation Law

Deric McClellan Commercial Litigation Insurance Law Litigation-Antitrust

Jayci Jones Energy Law Environmental Law Oil and Gas Law

The Best Lawyers in America ®

Michael R. Victor E. Morgan Mark A. Craige J. Christopher Shawn M. Jeffrey T. Hills Craig W. Hoster Kayci B. Hughes Michael Pacewicz Davis Dellegar McBride Commercial Commercial Aviation Law Banking and Bankruptcy Litigation Litigation Finance Law and Creditor Insurance Law Copyright Law Commercial Gaming Law Banking and Debtor Rights Litigation Litigation Commercial Finance Law Litigation Native Patent Law Bankruptcy Litigation Commercial Employment Insurance American Law Corporate Law Trademark Litigation Law Corporate Law Law Management Litigation Litigation Banking and Labor Law Real Estate Finance Management Real Estate Litigation Law Bankruptcy Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law

Malcolm E. Stacy A. Randall J. Rosser Schauvliege Snapp Construction Corporate Law Environmental Law Law Real Estate Law Eminent Labor Law Management Domain and Condemnation Law Land Use and Zoning Law Real Estate Law

crowedunlevy.com

Chris Vaught Employment Law Management Labor Law Management Litigation Labor and Employment

Bradley W. Welsh Appellate Practice Commercial Litigation Litigation Mergers and Acquisitions

Oklahoma City

Madalene A.B. Randall Yates Witterholt Appellate Practice Employment Law Management Litigation Labor and Employment Workers’ Compensation Law Employers *Crowe Dunlevy provides no input for Best Lawyers methodology.

View information about the selection process online.

Tulsa

Dallas

Houston

* DESIGNATES 2026 “LAWYER OF THE YEAR” HONOREE CONTINUED FROM P. 46

CORPORATE COMPLIANCE LAW Robert J. Melgaard Conner & Winters * R. Kevin Redwine Conner & Winters Graydon Dean Luthey, Jr. GableGotwals Stephen W. Ray Hall Estill CORPORATE GOVERNANCE LAW Graydon Dean Luthey, Jr. GableGotwals Pamela H. Goldberg Hall Estill * Betsy G. Jackson Hall Estill Stephen W. Ray Hall Estill CORPORATE LAW Christopher A. Barrow Barrow & Grimm William R. Grimm Barrow & Grimm Bruce E. Roach, Jr. Barrow & Grimm Mark D. Berman Conner & Winters Robert A. Curry Conner & Winters Kathryn J. Kindell Conner & Winters Robert J. Melgaard Conner & Winters Lynnwood R. Moore, Jr. Conner & Winters R. Kevin Redwine Conner & Winters J. Ryan Sacra Conner & Winters * Jeffrey T. Hills Crowe & Dunlevy Victor E. Morgan Crowe & Dunlevy Stacy A. Schauvliege Crowe & Dunlevy Lawrence T. Chambers, Jr. Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson H. Wayne Cooper Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Nathan S. Cross Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson William F. Riggs Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Frederic Dorwart Frederic Dorwart, Lawyers Danny C. Williams, Sr. Frederic Dorwart, Lawyers John R. Barker GableGotwals Jason B. Coutant GableGotwals Jeffrey D. Hassell GableGotwals Steven G. Heinen GableGotwals Thomas J. Hutchison GableGotwals Stephen W. Lake GableGotwals Graydon Dean Luthey, Jr. GableGotwals Mia Vahlberg GableGotwals W. Deke Canada Hall Estill Robert F. Dougherty Hall Estill Pamela H. Goldberg Hall Estill Del L. Gustafson Hall Estill Sarah E. Hansel Hall Estill Betsy G. Jackson Hall Estill Stephen W. Ray Hall Estill Stephen M. Hetrick McAfee & Taft James H. Ferris Moyers Martin C. Bretton Crane Pray Walker William L. Eagleton IV Pray Walker CRIMINAL DEFENSE: GENERAL PRACTICE Allen M. Smallwood Allen Smallwood Paul D. Brunton Bond Gill Clark O. Brewster Brewster & De Angelis Corbin C. Brewster Brewster & De Angelis Jason Edge Edge Law Firm Jack E. Gordon, Jr. Gordon & Gordon P. Warren Gotcher Gotcher & Beaver Isaiah Parsons Parsons, Graham & Day Stan Monroe Stanley D. Monroe Sabah Khalaf The Khalaf Law Firm Trevor Riddle Triad Legal

CRIMINAL DEFENSE: WHITE-COLLAR Allen M. Smallwood Allen Smallwood Paul D. Brunton Bond Gill Clark O. Brewster Brewster & De Angelis Danny C. Williams, Sr. Frederic Dorwart, Lawyers * Jack E. Gordon, Jr. Gordon & Gordon P. Warren Gotcher Gotcher & Beaver Stan Monroe Stanley D. Monroe Trevor Riddle Triad Legal DUI / DWI DEFENSE Bruce Edge Edge Law Firm EDUCATION LAW J. Douglas Mann J. Douglas Mann John G. Moyer, Jr. Rosenstein, Fist & Ringold Eric P. Nelson Rosenstein, Fist & Ringold ELDER LAW Jack L. Brown Jones Gotcher & Bogan EMINENT DOMAIN AND CONDEMNATION LAW Malcolm E. Rosser IV Crowe & Dunlevy Danny C. Williams, Sr. Frederic Dorwart, Lawyers Roger K. Eldredge Ladner & Eldredge EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (ERISA) LAW Steven W. McGrath Conner & Winters Eric S. Smith Conner & Winters Martin R. Wing Conner & Winters David B. McKinney GableGotwals EMPLOYMENT LAW INDIVIDUALS Kevin Kelley Kevin Kelley Larry D. Henry Rhodes Hieronymus Donald M. Bingham Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison & Lewis EMPLOYMENT LAW MANAGEMENT P. Bradley Bendure Conner & Winters David R. Cordell Conner & Winters Nancy E. Vaughn Conner & Winters Michael R. Pacewicz Crowe & Dunlevy Randall J. Snapp Crowe & Dunlevy * Charles Vaught Crowe & Dunlevy Madalene A. B. Witterholt Crowe & Dunlevy N. Lance Bryan Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Christopher S. Thrutchley GableGotwals Steven A. Broussard Hall Estill Keith A. Wilkes Hall Estill Courtney Bru McAfee & Taft Jacob S. Crawford McAfee & Taft Kathy R. Neal McAfee & Taft Charles S. Plumb McAfee & Taft W. Kirk Turner McAfee & Taft Molly A. Aspan Practus Kevin P. Doyle Pray Walker Samanthia Sierakowski Marshall Rosenstein, Fist & Ringold R. Tom Hillis Titus Hillis Reynolds Love Kimberly Lambert Love Titus Hillis Reynolds Love

ENERGY LAW David R. Cordell Conner & Winters R. Kevin Redwine Conner & Winters J. Ryan Sacra Conner & Winters Stephen R. Ward Conner & Winters John A. Gaberino, Jr. GableGotwals Stephen W. Lake GableGotwals Terry D. Ragsdale GableGotwals Stephen A. Schuller GableGotwals Lisa T. Silvestri GableGotwals * Timothy J. Sullivan Jr. GableGotwals Mia Vahlberg GableGotwals Mark Banner Hall Estill Kyle D. Freeman Hall Estill J. Kevin Hayes Hall Estill Thomas P. Schroedter Hall Estill John T. Williams John T. Williams Law Thomas M. Ladner Ladner & Eldredge Kevinn Matthews Moyers Martin Steve Butterfield Pray Walker Donald S. Smith Pray Walker Shelton L. Benedict Shelton L. Benedict Law Office ENERGY REGULATORY LAW Thomas P. Schroedter Hall Estill Garry L. Keele II McAfee & Taft ENVIRONMENTAL LAW Randall J. Snapp Crowe & Dunlevy Linda Crook Martin Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Michael D. Graves Hall Estill Robert J. Joyce McAfee & Taft Garry L. Keele II McAfee & Taft Colin Tucker Rhodes Hieronymus ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY LAW Joseph R. Farris Franden, Farris, Quillin, Goodnight & Roberts FAMILY LAW Adam Carroll APC Law Jacob W. Aycock Aycock Aussenberg David A. Sturdivant Barrow & Grimm Paul E. Blevins Blevins Law Office Ciera N. Freeman Boeheim Freeman Aaron D. Bundy Bundy Law Kathleen M. Egan Bundy Law Amy Page Bundy Law Melissa F. Cornell Cornell Law Firm Christian D. Barnard Cunningham Barnard Brad K. Cunningham Cunningham Barnard Bradley A. Grundy Barrow & Grimm Moura A. J. Robertson Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Melissa Fell Fell Law Joseph R. Farris Franden, Farris, Quillin, Goodnight & Roberts Robert G. Fry, Jr. Fry & Elder Deborah C. Shallcross GableGotwals P. Warren Gotcher Gotcher & Beaver Heather Flynn Earnhart Hall Estill Ann E. Keele Hall Estill Bryan Nowlin Hall Estill Richard A. Wagner II Hall Estill Benjamin D. Aycock Henry & Dow Law M. Shane Henry Henry & Dow Law Alexandra Masters Henry & Dow Law James R. Gotwals Barrow & Grimm

N. Scott Johnson Johnson & McCord Patrick McCord Johnson & McCord Maren Minnaert Lively Jones Gotcher & Bogan Keith A. Jones Keith A. Jones Kimberly K. Hays Kimberly K. Hays Brita Haugland Cantrell McAfee & Taft Ronald W. Little McAfee & Taft * Megan M. Beck Megan M. Beck Jordan Dalgleish Murphy Francy Justin B. Munn Smakal Munn Carrie M. Luelling The Law Firm of Carrie Luelling Richard J. Eagleton The Law Offices of Richard J. Eagleton David A. Tracy Tulsa Family Law Center Blake Lynch Wagner & Lynch FAMILY LAW ARBITRATION Melissa Fell Fell Law FAMILY LAW MEDIATION Adam Carroll APC Law Jacob W. Aycock Aycock Aussenberg * Kathleen M. Egan Bundy Law Brad K. Cunningham Cunningham Barnard Bradley A. Grundy Barrow & Grimm Moura A. J. Robertson Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Melissa Fell Fell Law Ann E. Keele Hall Estill M. Shane Henry Henry & Dow Law James R. Gotwals Barrow & Grimm Ronald W. Little McAfee & Taft FIRST AMENDMENT LAW S. Douglas Dodd Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson GAMING LAW Stephen R. Ward Conner & Winters D. Michael McBride III Crowe & Dunlevy Graydon Dean Luthey, Jr. GableGotwals HEALTH CARE LAW Robert B. Sartin Barrow & Grimm Elise Dunitz Brennan Conner & Winters Teresa Meinders Burkett Conner & Winters Russell C. Ramzel Conner & Winters Susan I. Jordan GableGotwals David B. McKinney GableGotwals INSURANCE LAW Galen L. Brittingham Atkinson, Brittingham, Gladd, Fiasco & Edmonds James N. Edmonds Atkinson, Brittingham, Gladd, Fiasco & Edmonds Jed Isbell Conner & Winters Robert James Conner & Winters J. Christopher Davis Crowe & Dunlevy Ryan Fulda Fulda Law Renee DeMoss GableGotwals Craig A. Fitzgerald GableGotwals Carrie McNeer GableGotwals Barbara M. Moschovidis GableGotwals Lisa T. Silvestri GableGotwals Mia Vahlberg GableGotwals * Mark K. Blongewicz Hall Estill Kristen Pence Evans Hall Estill Jon M. Payne Hall Estill

CONTINUED ON P. 50

48 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

* DESIGNATES 2026 “LAWYER OF THE YEAR” HONOREE CONTINUED FROM P. 48

Jessica L. Dickerson McAfee & Taft William S. Leach McAfee & Taft Phil R. Richards McAfee & Taft Kelsie Sullivan McAfee & Taft Dan S. Folluo Rhodes Hieronymus Kerry R. Lewis Rhodes Hieronymus John H. Tucker Rhodes Hieronymus A. Mark Smiling Smiling, Smiling & Burgess Robert Taylor Steidley & Neal

Michael T. Keester Hall Estill Stephen Q. Peters Jayne Peters McVicker Burke Askew & Parker Trevor Hughes Johnson & Jones Roger K. Eldredge Ladner & Eldredge Steven K. Metcalf Metcalf & Spitler * William H. Spitler Metcalf & Spitler Theresa N. Hill Rhodes Hieronymus Dylan Duren Robinett, Swartz & Duren

LABOR LAW - MANAGEMENT David R. Cordell Conner & Winters Michael R. Pacewicz Crowe & Dunlevy Randall J. Snapp Crowe & Dunlevy Charles Vaught Crowe & Dunlevy Christopher S. Thrutchley GableGotwals Steven A. Broussard Hall Estill Jacob S. Crawford McAfee & Taft Kathy R. Neal McAfee & Taft Charles S. Plumb McAfee & Taft * W. Kirk Turner McAfee & Taft Kevin P. Doyle Pray Walker Samanthia Sierakowski Marshall Rosenstein, Fist & Ringold Kimberly Lambert Love Titus Hillis Reynolds Love

LITIGATION - ENVIRONMENTAL Linda Crook Martin Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson R. Daniel Carter Foster Garvey Lloyd W. Landreth GableGotwals * Michael D. Graves Hall Estill D. K. Williams, Jr. Hall Estill Robert J. Joyce McAfee & Taft Garry L. Keele II McAfee & Taft

LAND USE AND ZONING LAW Malcolm E. Rosser IV Crowe & Dunlevy Nathan S. Cross Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Stephen A. Schuller GableGotwals

LITIGATION - FIRST AMENDMENT S. Douglas Dodd Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson John Henry Rule GableGotwals J. Schaad Titus Titus Hillis Reynolds Love

LEGAL MALPRACTICE LAW DEFENDANTS Joseph R. Farris Franden, Farris, Quillin, Goodnight & Roberts

LITIGATION - HEALTH CARE Elise Dunitz Brennan Conner & Winters Teresa Meinders Burkett Conner & Winters Jennifer R. Annis GableGotwals Susan I. Jordan GableGotwals

LITIGATION - ANTITRUST Craig A. Fitzgerald GableGotwals Amelia A. Fogleman GableGotwals LITIGATION BANKING AND FINANCE James W. Rusher Albright, Rusher & Hardcastle Mark A. Craige Crowe & Dunlevy Victor E. Morgan Crowe & Dunlevy * James Higgins Frederic Dorwart, Lawyers John Henry Rule GableGotwals Christopher B. Woods KingWoods Gary M. McDonald McDonald Law J. Schaad Titus Titus Hillis Reynolds Love LITIGATION - BANKRUPTCY Daniel E. Gomez Conner & Winters Andrew R. Turner Conner & Winters Mark A. Craige Crowe & Dunlevy Kayci B. Hughes Crowe & Dunlevy Michael R. Pacewicz Crowe & Dunlevy * Sidney K. Swinson GableGotwals Thomas A. Creekmore III Hall Estill James M. Reed Hall Estill John Richer Hall Estill Steven W. Soulé Hall Estill Gary M. McDonald McDonald Law Patrick D. O’Connor Moyers Martin Chad J. Kutmas Norman Wohlgemuth Chandler Jeter Barnett & Ray LITIGATION - CONSTRUCTION P. Scott Hathaway Conner & Winters N. Lance Bryan Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson

50 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

LITIGATION - ERISA Steven W. McGrath Conner & Winters Jon E. Brightmire Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson * Renee DeMoss GableGotwals David B. McKinney GableGotwals

LITIGATION - INSURANCE Robert James Conner & Winters R. Richard Love III Conner & Winters J. Christopher Davis Crowe & Dunlevy Ryan Fulda Fulda Law Jennifer R. Annis GableGotwals Grant Fitz GableGotwals Jeff Baum Jayne Peters McVicker Burke Askew & Parker Leah Keele Latham, Keele, Lehman, Ratcliff, Carter & Clarke Mary Quinn Cooper McAfee & Taft Jessica L. Dickerson McAfee & Taft William S. Leach McAfee & Taft Dru Prosser McAfee & Taft Kelsie Sullivan McAfee & Taft Randy Long Rhodes Hieronymus Meredith Lindaman Sherwood, McCormick & Robert LITIGATION - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Dennis D. Brown Brown Patent Law Shawn M. Dellegar Crowe & Dunlevy * Craig A. Fitzgerald GableGotwals Rachel Blue McAfee & Taft LITIGATION - LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT P. Bradley Bendure Conner & Winters Teresa Meinders Burkett Conner & Winters David R. Cordell Conner & Winters Randall J. Snapp Crowe & Dunlevy * Charles Vaught Crowe & Dunlevy Madalene A. B. Witterholt Crowe & Dunlevy

Jon E. Brightmire Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Christopher S. Thrutchley GableGotwals Steven A. Broussard Hall Estill Johnathan L. Rogers Hall Estill Kevin Kelley Kevin Kelley Courtney Bru McAfee & Taft Jacob S. Crawford McAfee & Taft Kathy R. Neal McAfee & Taft Charles S. Plumb McAfee & Taft W. Kirk Turner McAfee & Taft Molly A. Aspan Practus Kevin P. Doyle Pray Walker Robert Mitchener III Pray Walker Robert J. Winter Pray Walker Larry D. Henry Rhodes Hieronymus Denelda L. Richardson Rhodes Hieronymus Samanthia Sierakowski Marshall Rosenstein, Fist & Ringold LITIGATION - LAND USE AND ZONING Malcolm E. Rosser IV Crowe & Dunlevy LITIGATION - MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS Bradley W. Welsh Crowe & Dunlevy LITIGATION - MUNICIPAL Michael T. Keester Hall Estill James C. Milton Hall Estill LITIGATION - PATENT Dennis D. Brown Brown Patent Law Todd A. Nelson GableGotwals LITIGATION - REAL ESTATE Heath E. Hardcastle Albright, Rusher & Hardcastle Gentra Abbey Sorem Conner & Winters Victor E. Morgan Crowe & Dunlevy Stephen A. Schuller GableGotwals Tadd J.P. Bogan Jones Gotcher & Bogan Thomas L. Vogt Jones Gotcher & Bogan Christopher B. Woods KingWoods Steven A. Stecher Moyers Martin Robert J. Winter Pray Walker * K. Ellis Ritchie Ritchie, Rock & Atwood Law Firm James M. Reed Hall Estill LITIGATION - TRUSTS AND ESTATES Christopher A. Barrow Barrow & Grimm Austin Bond Bond Gill David A. Carpenter Carpenter Law Firm Beverly K. Smith Conner & Winters LeAnn Drummond Ellis GableGotwals James C. Milton Hall Estill Bryan Nowlin Hall Estill * Natalie S. Sears Hall Estill Stephen Q. Peters Jayne Peters McVicker Burke Askew & Parker Jack L. Brown Jones Gotcher & Bogan Mark W. Curnutte Logan & Lowry Robert J. Winter Pray Walker LITIGATION AND CONTROVERSY - TAX William E. Farrior Barrow & Grimm

MASS TORT LITIGATION / CLASS ACTIONS - DEFENDANTS Steven J. Adams GableGotwals J. Craig Buchan McAfee & Taft * Mary Quinn Cooper McAfee & Taft William S. Leach McAfee & Taft Andrew L. Richardson McAfee & Taft Robert J. Winter Pray Walker John H. Tucker Rhodes Hieronymus Michael F. Smith Smolen Law Charles D. Neal, Jr. Steidley & Neal MASS TORT LITIGATION / CLASS ACTIONS - PLAINTIFFS Clark O. Brewster Brewster & De Angelis Guy A. Fortney Brewster & De Angelis Charles L. Richardson Richardson Richardson Boudreaux Gary L. Richardson Richardson Richardson Boudreaux M. David Riggs Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison & Lewis MEDIA LAW S. Douglas Dodd Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Rachel Blue McAfee & Taft MEDIATION Jacob W. Aycock Aycock Aussenberg David L. Bryant GableGotwals R. Scott Savage Moyers Martin MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAW DEFENDANTS Michael P. Atkinson Atkinson, Brittingham, Gladd, Fiasco & Edmonds Timothy G. Best Best & Sharp Clark O. Brewster Brewster & De Angelis James W. Connor, Jr. Connor Smith Sid Smith Connor Smith Jennifer R. Annis GableGotwals * Grant Fitz GableGotwals Phil R. Richards McAfee & Taft Nathan E. Clark Rhodes Hieronymus Karen L. Callahan Rodolf & Todd MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAW PLAINTIFFS Clark O. Brewster Brewster & De Angelis Jennifer L. De Angelis Brewster & De Angelis Montgomery L. Lair Brewster & De Angelis Gary L. Richardson Richardson Richardson Boudreaux MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS LAW Mark D. Berman Conner & Winters R. Kevin Redwine Conner & Winters Christopher R. Wilson Conner & Winters H. Wayne Cooper Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson William F. Riggs Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Stephen W. Lake GableGotwals Sarah E. Hansel Hall Estill Stephen W. Ray Hall Estill Randy R. Shorb Johnson & Jones * Stephen M. Hetrick McAfee & Taft C. Bretton Crane Pray Walker William L. Eagleton IV Pray Walker CONTINUED ON P. 52

Family Law Done Differently www.DriskellLawFirm.com

* DESIGNATES 2026 “LAWYER OF THE YEAR” HONOREE CONTINUED FROM P. 50

MINING LAW Robert J. Joyce McAfee & Taft MORTGAGE BANKING FORECLOSURE LAW Mark A. Craige Crowe & Dunlevy Steven A. Stecher Moyers Martin MUNICIPAL LAW Adam Doverspike GableGotwals NATIVE AMERICAN LAW Daniel E. Gomez Conner & Winters Stephen R. Ward Conner & Winters * D. Michael McBride III Crowe & Dunlevy R. Daniel Carter Foster Garvey Graydon Dean Luthey, Jr. GableGotwals Trent Shores GableGotwals John T. Williams John T. Williams Law Deborah Reed Sterling Oaks Law Firm NATURAL RESOURCES LAW Lloyd W. Landreth GableGotwals * Richard B. Noulles GableGotwals James C. T. Hardwick Hall Estill Garry L. Keele II McAfee & Taft Donald S. Smith Pray Walker W. Bland Williamson, Jr. Pray Walker NONPROFIT / CHARITIES LAW Katherine G. Coyle Conner & Winters Samantha Weyrauch Davis Hall Estill OIL AND GAS LAW Kenneth F. Albright Albright, Rusher & Hardcastle R. Kevin Redwine Conner & Winters Stephen W. Lake GableGotwals * Richard B. Noulles GableGotwals Pamela S. Anderson Hall Estill James C. T. Hardwick Hall Estill Brian T. Inbody Hall Estill Thomas P. Schroedter Hall Estill Scott V. Morgan Moyers Martin Donald S. Smith Pray Walker W. Bland Williamson, Jr. Pray Walker PATENT LAW Dennis D. Brown Brown Patent Law Shawn M. Dellegar Crowe & Dunlevy Frank J. Catalano GableGotwals Alicia J. Edwards GableGotwals James F. Lea III GableGotwals Paul E. Rossler GableGotwals David G. Woodral GableGotwals Scott R. Zingerman GableGotwals * Margaret Millikin Millikin IP Law PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION DEFENDANTS Michael P. Atkinson Atkinson, Brittingham, Gladd, Fiasco & Edmonds Timothy G. Best Best & Sharp Clark O. Brewster Brewster & De Angelis Robert James Conner & Winters James W. Connor, Jr. Connor Smith Sid Smith Connor Smith Grant Fitz GableGotwals

Trevor Hughes Johnson & Jones Mary Quinn Cooper McAfee & Taft William S. Leach McAfee & Taft Phil R. Richards McAfee & Taft Andrew L. Richardson McAfee & Taft Kelsie Sullivan McAfee & Taft Harold C. Zuckerman McAfee & Taft R. Scott Savage Moyers Martin Nathan E. Clark Rhodes Hieronymus Dan S. Folluo Rhodes Hieronymus * Randy Long Rhodes Hieronymus John H. Tucker Rhodes Hieronymus James K. Secrest II Secrest Hill Butler & Secrest Meredith Lindaman Sherwood, McCormick & Robert A. Mark Smiling Smiling, Smiling & Burgess Charles D. Neal, Jr. Steidley & Neal Walter D. Haskins Walter D. Haskins PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION PLAINTIFFS Clark O. Brewster Brewster & De Angelis Corbin C. Brewster Brewster & De Angelis Jennifer L. De Angelis Brewster & De Angelis * Guy A. Fortney Brewster & De Angelis Mbilike Mwafulirwa Coffey, Senger, Hancock & Harmon James E. Frasier Frasier, Frasier & Hickman Thomas Askew Jayne Peters McVicker Burke Askew & Parker Jason C. Messenger Richardson Richardson Boudreaux Charles L. Richardson Richardson Richardson Boudreaux Gary L. Richardson Richardson Richardson Boudreaux M. David Riggs Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison & Lewis Ted C. Sherwood Sherwood, McCormick & Robert Charles D. Neal, Jr. Steidley & Neal Walter D. Haskins Walter D. Haskins PRIVACY AND DATA SECURITY LAW Teresa Meinders Burkett Conner & Winters PRODUCT LIABILITY LITIGATION DEFENDANTS James W. Connor, Jr. Connor Smith Mary Quinn Cooper McAfee & Taft * William S. Leach McAfee & Taft Dru Prosser McAfee & Taft Robert J. Winter Pray Walker Michael F. Smith Smolen Law PRODUCT LIABILITY LITIGATION PLAINTIFFS Montgomery L. Lair Brewster & De Angelis PROFESSIONAL MALPRACTICE LAW - DEFENDANTS J. Craig Buchan McAfee & Taft Mary Quinn Cooper McAfee & Taft

PUBLIC FINANCE LAW Randy R. Shorb Johnson & Jones QUI TAM LAW Elise Dunitz Brennan Conner & Winters RAILROAD LAW George Mullican Mullican & Hart REAL ESTATE LAW Kenneth F. Albright Albright, Rusher & Hardcastle Rebecca Sherwood Bluestem Escrow & Title Beverly K. Smith Conner & Winters Gentra Abbey Sorem Conner & Winters Victor E. Morgan Crowe & Dunlevy Malcolm E. Rosser IV Crowe & Dunlevy Stacy A. Schauvliege Crowe & Dunlevy Nathan S. Cross Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Thomas J. Hutchison GableGotwals Stephen A. Schuller GableGotwals Gregory W. Alberty Hall Estill Vaden F. Bales Hall Estill Christopher Carter Hall Estill Robert F. Dougherty Hall Estill * Roger K. Eldredge Ladner & Eldredge Stephen M. Hetrick McAfee & Taft Steven A. Stecher Moyers Martin William L. Eagleton IV Pray Walker K. Ellis Ritchie Ritchie, Rock & Atwood Law Firm Eric P. Nelson Rosenstein, Fist & Ringold SECURITIES / CAPITAL MARKETS LAW Robert A. Curry Conner & Winters Robert J. Melgaard Conner & Winters Lynnwood R. Moore, Jr. Conner & Winters R. Kevin Redwine Conner & Winters * J. Ryan Sacra Conner & Winters Christopher R. Wilson Conner & Winters John R. Barker GableGotwals Jeffrey T. Haughey GableGotwals Stephen W. Lake GableGotwals Del L. Gustafson Hall Estill Stephen W. Ray Hall Estill C. Bretton Crane Pray Walker SECURITIES REGULATION Robert A. Curry Conner & Winters Robert J. Melgaard Conner & Winters J. Ryan Sacra Conner & Winters Amy Newsome Frederic Dorwart, Lawyers Jeffrey T. Haughey GableGotwals Stephen W. Lake GableGotwals * Del L. Gustafson Hall Estill Stephen W. Ray Hall Estill

Martin R. Wing Conner & Winters Varley H. Taylor, Jr. Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Samantha Weyrauch Davis Hall Estill Andrew M. Wolov Hall Estill Randy R. Shorb Johnson & Jones Jerry L. Zimmerman Rosenstein, Fist & Ringold TECHNOLOGY LAW Paul E. Rossler GableGotwals Sarah E. Hansel Hall Estill TRADE SECRETS LAW Scott R. Zingerman GableGotwals TRADEMARK LAW Dennis D. Brown Brown Patent Law Shawn M. Dellegar Crowe & Dunlevy Frank J. Catalano GableGotwals James F. Lea III GableGotwals Paul E. Rossler GableGotwals David G. Woodral GableGotwals Rachel Blue McAfee & Taft * Margaret Millikin Millikin IP Law TRUSTS AND ESTATES Curtis J. Shacklett Barber & Bartz David A. Carpenter Carpenter Law Firm Katherine G. Coyle Conner & Winters John W. Ingraham Conner & Winters Beverly K. Smith Conner & Winters Gary C. Clark Crowe & Dunlevy Erin Donovan Erin Donovan & Associates David B. McKinney GableGotwals Samantha Weyrauch Davis Hall Estill Daniel R. Ketchum II Hall Estill Andrew M. Wolov Hall Estill Jack L. Brown Jones Gotcher & Bogan Mark W. Curnutte Logan & Lowry Jerry L. Zimmerman Rosenstein, Fist & Ringold WATER LAW Bryan Nowlin Hall Estill WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LAW - EMPLOYERS Madalene A. B. Witterholt Crowe & Dunlevy Leah Keele Latham, Keele, Lehman, Ratcliff, Carter & Clarke

TAX LAW Kenneth F. Albright Albright, Rusher & Hardcastle William E. Farrior Barrow & Grimm Katherine G. Coyle Conner & Winters John W. Ingraham Conner & Winters Douglas M. Rather Conner & Winters

CONTINUED ON P. 54

52 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

Congrats to our attorneys recognized for excellence

by Best Lawyers® in 2026.

WILLIAM C. ANDERSON Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation

N. LANCE BRYAN

STUART D. CAMPBELL

NATHAN S. CROSS

KAYLEE DAVIS-MADDY

Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Construction

Commercial Litigation

LEWIS N. CARTER

LAWRENCE T. CHAMBERS, JR.

Commercial Litigation

Corporate Law

JON E. BRIGHTMIRE

“LAWYER OF THE YEAR” (TULSA)

Appellate Practice, Commericial Litigation, Litigation - ERISA, Litigation - Labor & Employment

D. WARD HOBSON

D. BENHAM KIRK, JR.

Banking & Fin. Law, Bankruptcy & Creditor

Copyright Law, Litigation - Intellectual Prop. Debtor Rights / Insolvency & Reorg. Law, Comm. Fin. Law, Corp. Law, Mergers & Trade Secrets Law, Trademark Law Acquisitions Law, Real Estate Law

H. WAYNE COOPER Corporate Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law

Closely Held Companies & Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Land Use & Zoning Law, Real Estate Law

MICHAEL S. LINSCOTT

LINDA C. MARTIN

Commercial Litigation

Environmental Law, Litigation - Environmental

Water Law

First Amendment Law, Litigation - First Amendment, Media Law

S. DOUGLAS DODD

TOM Q. FERGUSON

J. PATRICK MENSCHING

WILLIAM F. RIGGS

VARLEY H. TAYLOR, JR.

Commercial Litigation

Banking & Finance Law, Commercial Bankruptcy & Creditor Debtor Rights Transactions / UCC Law, Corporate Law, / Insolvency & Reorganization Law Mergers & Acquisitions Law

Tax Law

Visit us at www.dsda.com.

Williams Center Tower II | Two W. Second St. | Ste 700 | Tulsa, OK | Ph: 918.582.1211 Oklahoma Tower | 210 Park Ave.| Ste 1200 | Oklahoma City, OK | Ph: 405.319.3500 Doerner_TulsaPeople Mag_7.25x4.875 Horizontal Ad_March 2026.indd 1

2/17/2026 10:52:47 AM

is proud to announce that twelve of its lawyers have been selected for inclusion in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®

Christopher A. Barrow

William R. Grimm

William E. Farrior

Robert B. Sartin

Adam K. Marshall

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION CORPORATE LAW LITIGATION - TRUSTS AND ESTATES

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION CORPORATE LAW BET-THE-COMPANY LITIGATION LAWYER OF THE YEAR

LITIGATION AND CONTROVERSY - TAX TAX LAW

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION HEALTH CARE LAW

CLOSELY HELD COMPANIES AND FAMILY BUSINESSES LAW

David Sturdivant

Bruce E. Roach

Timothy L. Rogers

Anne S. Maguire

Bradley A. Grundy

JIM GOTWALS

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION FAMILY LAW

CORPORATE LAW COMMERCIAL LITIGATION

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION CONSTRUCTION LAW

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION

FAMILY LAW FAMILY LAW - MEDIATION

FAMILY LAW FAMILY LAW MEDIATION

John E. Harper CONSTRUCTION LAW

Counsel for the Business of Life 110 W. 7th St., Ste. 900 | Tulsa, OK 74119 | 918.584.1600 | www.barrowgrimm.com TulsaPeople.com 53

CONTINUED FROM P. 52

RECOGNITION FOR OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE IN PRIVATE PRACTICE GIVEN TO ATTORNEYS WHO TYPICALLY HAVE BEEN IN PRACTICE FOR FIVE TO NINE YEARS BANKING AND FINANCE LAW C. Austin Birnie Frederic Dorwart, Lawyers Gavin Boone Crowe & Dunlevy C. Bretton Crane, Jr. Pray Walker Dillon Langley Nexus Legal Eric L. Sardella Conner & Winters BANKRUPTCY AND CREDITOR DEBTOR RIGHTS / INSOLVENCY AND REORGANIZATION LAW C. Austin Birnie Frederic Dorwart, Lawyers Gavin Fouts Brown Law Firm BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS (INCLUDING LLCS AND PARTNERSHIPS) Robert Clougherty McAfee & Taft Spencer Pittman Winters & King Eric L. Sardella Conner & Winters CIVIL RIGHTS LAW Ryan Nigh Brewster & De Angelis Colton L. Richardson Richardson Richardson Boudreaux CLOSELY HELD COMPANIES AND FAMILY BUSINESSES LAW C. Bretton Crane, Jr. Pray Walker Regan E. Rule Ph.D. Bond Gill COMMERCIAL LITIGATION C. Austin Birnie Frederic Dorwart, Lawyers Tulsa Patrick Colvin Jones Gotcher & Bogan Rodger V. Curlik Moyers Martin Emalie L. Foster McAfee & Taft Alexandra Gage Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson McKayla Hendrix Conner & Winters Deric McClellan Crowe & Dunlevy Spencer Pittman Winters & King Barrett Powers GableGotwals Ryan Scharnell Conner & Winters Margo E. Shipley Hall Estill Morgan T. Smith Jones Gotcher & Bogan Alexander Sokolosky Crowe & Dunlevy Tim Spencer McAfee & Taft Hayley N. Stephens Conner & Winters Alex R. Telarik GableGotwals M. Travis Williams Moyers Martin

54 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND COMPLIANCE LAW Robert Clougherty McAfee & Taft Dillon Langley Nexus Legal Eric L. Sardella Conner & Winters CORPORATE LAW Robert Clougherty McAfee & Taft C. Bretton Crane, Jr. Pray Walker Emalie L. Foster McAfee & Taft Dillon Langley Nexus Legal Eric L. Sardella Conner & Winters Hayley N. Stephens Conner & Winters CRIMINAL DEFENSE: GENERAL PRACTICE Ryan Nigh Brewster & De Angelis ENERGY LAW Jayci Jones Crowe & Dunlevy Eric L. Sardella Conner & Winters ENVIRONMENTAL LAW Bailey B. Betz Eller & Detrich Jayci Jones Crowe & Dunlevy FAMILY LAW Rodger V. Curlik Moyers Martin Courtney Driskell Driskell Law Firm Emalie L. Foster McAfee & Taft Logan James Hall Estill INSURANCE LAW Nick Foster Rhodes Hieronymus Alexandra Gage Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Brian Keester Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Deric McClellan Crowe & Dunlevy Barrett Powers GableGotwals Ryan Scharnell Conner & Winters Alexander Sokolosky Crowe & Dunlevy Hayley N. Stephens Conner & Winters LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW EMPLOYEE Hayley N. Stephens Conner & Winters LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW MANAGEMENT Hayley N. Stephens Conner & Winters LITIGATION - ANTITRUST Deric McClellan Crowe & Dunlevy LITIGATION - BANKRUPTCY C. Austin Birnie Frederic Dorwart, Lawyers

LITIGATION - CONSTRUCTION Patrick Colvin Jones Gotcher & Bogan Grace A. DeJohn McAfee & Taft Emalie L. Foster McAfee & Taft Nick Foster Rhodes Hieronymus McKayla Hendrix Conner & Winters Brian Keester Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Spencer Pittman Winters & King LITIGATION - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Spencer Pittman Winters & King LITIGATION - LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT Grace A. DeJohn McAfee & Taft Alexandra Gage Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson McKayla Hendrix Conner & Winters Hayley N. Stephens Conner & Winters LITIGATION - REAL ESTATE Grace A. DeJohn McAfee & Taft Ryan Scharnell Conner & Winters Hayley N. Stephens Conner & Winters LITIGATION - TRUSTS AND ESTATES Bailey B. Betz Eller & Detrich C. Austin Birnie Frederic Dorwart, Lawyers Logan James Hall Estill Regan E. Rule Ph.D. Bond Gill Morgan T. Smith Jones Gotcher & Bogan MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAW DEFENDANTS Trey Purdom Atkinson, Brittingham, Gladd, Fiasco & Edmonds MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAW PLAINTIFFS Joey C. De Angelis Brewster & De Angelis MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS LAW Robert Clougherty McAfee & Taft C. Bretton Crane, Jr. Pray Walker Eric L. Sardella Conner & Winters NATIVE AMERICAN LAW C. Austin Birnie Frederic Dorwart, Lawyers NONPROFIT / CHARITIES LAW Spencer Pittman Winters & King OIL AND GAS LAW Rodger V. Curlik Moyers Martin Jayci Jones Crowe & Dunlevy Ryan Scharnell Conner & Winters Alex R. Telarik GableGotwals M. Travis Williams Moyers Martin

PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION DEFENDANTS Nick Foster Rhodes Hieronymus Brian Keester Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Tim Spencer McAfee & Taft Hayley N. Stephens Conner & Winters PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION PLAINTIFFS Joey C. De Angelis Brewster & De Angelis Ryan Nigh Brewster & De Angelis Spencer Pittman Winters & King Matthew J. Primm Haven Law Group Colton L. Richardson Richardson Richardson Boudreaux PRODUCT LIABILITY LITIGATION - DEFENDANTS Emalie L. Foster McAfee & Taft Nick Foster Rhodes Hieronymus Brian Keester Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson Tim Spencer McAfee & Taft PRODUCT LIABILITY LITIGATION - PLAINTIFFS Colton L. Richardson Richardson Richardson Boudreaux REAL ESTATE LAW Robert Clougherty McAfee & Taft SECURITIES REGULATION Eric L. Sardella Conner & Winters TAX LAW C. Bretton Crane, Jr. Pray Walker TRANSPORTATION LAW Nick Foster Rhodes Hieronymus Jacy Holbrook Crowe & Dunlevy TRUSTS AND ESTATES Bailey B. Betz Eller & Detrich Regan E. Rule Ph.D. Bond Gill WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAW - EMPLOYERS Nicholas Moorad McAnany, Van Cleave & Phillips

Passionate, Proud Advocates

HELPING OKLAHOMANS FOR OVER 75 YEARS

We Stand For The Rights Of Oklahomans 1700 Southwest Blvd 918.584.4724 | frasierlaw.com www.TraversMahanApparel .com 61st & Yale • KingsPointe Village

“Lawyer of the Year” Best Lawyers: One To Watch® in America

Congratulations to our attorneys recognized in

The Best Lawyers in America for 2026! ®

Robert Mitchener

Litigation - Labor and Employment

Donald Smith Steven Butterfield Energy Law

C. Bretton Crane

Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisition Law, and Securities/Capital Markets Law

C. Bretton Crane, Jr.

Banking and Finance Law, Closely Held Companies and Family Law, Business Law and Corporate Law

Kevin P. Doyle

Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, and Litigation - Labor and Employment with a focus in Employment

William Eagleton

Commercial Finance Law, Commercial Transactions/UCC Law and Corporate Law with a focus in Real Estate

William Jones

Banking and Finance Law

Energy Law, Natural Resources Law, and Oil and Gas Law

Randall Vaughan

Commercial Litigation

W. Bland Williamson Natural Resources Law and Oil and Gas Law

Robert Winter

Commercial Litigation, Labor and Employment Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, Trust and Estates Litigation

21 NORTH GREENWOOD, SUITE 400, TULSA, OK | 918-581-5500 | PRAYWALKER.COM TulsaPeople.com 55

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JONES, GOTCHER & BOGAN 3800 FIRST PL ACE TOWER TULSA , OK • 918.581.8200 • JGBOK.COM TulsaPeople.com 57

S t e i nw ay & S o n s 173 YEARS OF PERFECTION ENJOY 1.73% FINANCING FOR 36 MONTHS O N T H E I C O N I C P I A N O Y O U ’ V E A LW AY S D R E A M E D O F O W N I N G .

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Lifestyle HOME

HEALTH

TRENDS

Art with HEART Nearly every inch of Valeria’s Mexico Art Shop (9463 E. 31st St.) displays vibrant works of art, including “milagros” (miracles) in various shapes and sizes.

These intricate pieces — which can be found inside cathedrals all over Mexico — symbolize petitions or prayers to God. Many contain a sacred heart, which represents the passion and love of Jesus for humanity. tp

MICHELLE POLLARD

READ MORE ABOUT VALERIA’S MEXICO ART SHOP ON P. 60.

TulsaPeople.com 59

LIFESTYLE

STOREFRONT SHOP FAVORITE S

These silver bracelets are imported from Taxco, Guerrero, where the silver is mined from the surrounding mountains before being crafted into jewelry by locals. The people of Taxco incorporate lots of gems, quartz and crystals, as it is believed that stones can emit positive energy. $10-$500

Originally from Mexico, Valeria Dowdy is the owner of Valeria’s Mexico Art Shop, which carries a wide range of artisan-created items from all across Mexico, including bright and colorful folk art pieces, hand-thrown pottery, gem-studded jewelry and Aztec and Mayan art, as well as Valeria’s own artwork.

Culture and creativity Experience Mexican vibrance at this east Tulsa retailer.

Inspired by a famous double-headed serpent mosaic now housed in the British Museum, this is one of Dowdy’s personal paintings — which often tell stories of Mexican history and culture. $1,500

BY ALLY LIGHTLE

F

60 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

Valeria’s carries a wide selection of “alebrijes.”

Created in Oaxaca using copal wood, these figures are combinations of both real animals and mythical creatures. Representing the souls of departed pets, alebrijes are a deep-rooted part of Mexican culture and, according to traditional belief, guide souls into the underworld after death. $19- $600 SEE MORE AT TULSAPEOPLE.COM.

VALERIA’S MEXICO ART SHOP 9463 E. 31st St. • 918-829-8336 Daily, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Hours can vary based on staff availability; call before you visit.

MICHELLE POLLARD

rom small trinkets to large paintings and even garden statues, Valeria’s Mexico Art Shop is like a love letter extolling the art and culture found throughout Mexico, where owner Valeria Dowdy is originally from.

“Customers love the colors, it brings happiness and good vibes,” Dowdy says.

Immigrating from Valle de Bravo 18 years ago, Dowdy had always envisioned having her own art gallery. “I love art, and I saw Oklahoma (and) Tulsa as a great place to open the shop.”

Breaking into the art business as a single mother in 2014, Dowdy says being her own employer has allowed her the flexibility to care for and raise her son, but that it was also rough getting started. She began by renting various spaces outdoors to sell art, but when that didn’t work out she decided to pivot for a bit.

“I stopped and (began) selling desserts door to door, then I saved some money and started again in 2020, and since then I have been with this shop,” she says.

Whether it’s a terracotta pot hand-made on a potter’s wheel from Guanajuato or a handcarved cross from Olinalá, Dowdy knows the back story of almost every single piece on her curated shelves. The pieces showcase culture, history and the heart of the creators.

“When someone is buying something, they want to know where that art is from and receive a history lesson,” she says. “The art supports families in Mexico, allowing them to make a living.”

Dowdy is also an artist herself. After a family member — Choctaw artist Argus Dowdy — encouraged her to start painting nearly 17 years ago, she now sells her work inside her shop. From pieces displaying bright colors and intricate patterns to the neutrals and earth tones found in her works of wood, clay and copper, all of Dowdy’s artwork ties back to the rich history of Mexico. tp

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TulsaPeople.com 61

LIFESTYLE

BEYOND CITY LIMITS

The Mother Road in Arizona Quirky hotels, wild burros and museums

BY KRISTI EATON

I

Arizona Centennial Events 62 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona — one of several lodging establishments inspired by architect Frank A. Redford and built between the 1930s and ‘50s in the southern half of the U.S. The rooms are in teepees with classic cars in front. Behind are apartment-style rooms also available to book through Wigwam Motel.

Inset, some of the notorious burros roaming Oatman, Arizona.

EXPLORE

19th and early 20th century. These cheeky quadrupeds will seek out your food and treats, but don’t feed them anything other than alfalfa sprouts!

Following Oatman is Topock, home to Topock66 — a restaurant on the banks of the Colorado River. Visitors can swim and grab a bite to eat before heading back out onto the Mother Road for the fi nal stretch into California. tp

ROUTE 66 As we celebrate the Route 66 centennial this year, TulsaPeople is exploring mustsee Mother Road attractions and activities in each state along the historic highway.

JUNE 6 — Flagstaff Route 66 Centennial Celebration, Flagstaff • flagstaffarizona.org SEPTEMBER 25-26 — Standin’ on the Corner Festival, Winslow • standinonthecorner.org/winslow-az-festival

WIGWAM MOTEL: HEIDI BESEN; BURROS: JON BILOUS \ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

nspired by the song “Take it Easy,” Standin’ on the Corner Park in Winslow, Arizona, may be the state’s most sought-after photo op for enthusiastic Route 66 fans. But there are plenty of other snapshot-worthy stops along this southwest stretch of the famed highway as well.

The famous Wigwam Motel in Holbrook is made up of 15 concrete and steel teepees, dubbed by the establishment as “wigwams.” Each has a small bathroom with a sink, toilet and shower. There were originally seven of these “wigwam” villages; inspired by architect Frank A. Redford, they were constructed between the 1930s and 1950s across the southern half of the U.S. Only three survive today, including the one in Holbrook. Just a half mile to the east you can fi nd giant dinosaur sculptures at Rainbow Rock, which help make Holbrook the ultimate kitsch destination.

Just a 15-minute drive west you will fi nd Joseph City, home to the Jack Rabbit Trading Post. There, you can not only shop for souvenirs, but also hop atop the large jack rabbit for a photo op.

One of the longest continuous stretches of the original Route 66 is the roughly 83-mile section between Seligman and Kingman. Seligman is known as the “beating heart of Route 66” thanks to the town barber, Angel Delgadillo, who helped spearhead the nationwide movement to preserve the Mother Road as I-40 began to divert traffic away from small towns along the route in the late 1970s. In Kingman, stops like the Arizona Route 66 Museum and the Route 66 Electric Vehicle Museum offer even more history and fun.

In Oatman, you’ll fi nd undomesticated burros roaming the streets — descendants of the ones used by miners in the late

MAKE IT ADVENTUROUS | MAKE IT CLASSIC | MAKE IT YOUR OWN

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LIFESTYLE

MUSINGS

Hair envy

I

know now what’s keeping me from fame and fortune. One simple thing.

Talent, you might guess. Dedication, perseverance, hard work or luck.

Nuh-uh. That’s not the secret sauce.

Most of the famous women I see in the news, even women “of a certain age,” to put it delicately, have one thing in common.

Celebrities, politicians, political groupies, wives of politicians, female broadcasters, women of talent — they all have one thing that elevates them to renown.

Hair extensions.

Simple me, I assumed their long, luxurious, silky hair cascading around their shoulders and billowing gently in the breeze was natural beauty. Sure, some older women have thinning hair, but not these style-setters. I believed Mother Nature gifted them with flowing locks to rival Rapunzel. Not just long hair, but tresses so lush and exuberant they threaten to trail

along the ground. Wrong. It seems often what I’ve been admiring are hair extensions.

It made sense for public figures so busy, so on-the-run, so often in front of a camera they need a speedy fi x. Now I wonder if it’s the other way around and they are on camera because of their long hair.

How have I missed this trend? One source reported that an estimated 97% of celebrities wear extensions. The list includes Kate Middleton, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Aniston, Carrie Underwood and Beyoncé.

I had the gall to ask KOTV’s News On 6 journalist Tatum Guinn if she wears extensions. (She does not.)

Some publications describe “Republican hair” as “classic blow out with long, rounded layers.” Th ink: Melania Trump, Laura Trump, Laura Boebert, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Kristi Noem.

Fixated on the subject, I came across the news headline “JD Vance Accidentally

Exposes Melania Trump’s Hair Extension Fail” and found a photo he posted on X last year. It shows the back of the head of the First Lady with a couple of extension fly-aways. I scoured the news for other examples and believe I saw an extension fail on one of my favorite newscasters, PBS journalist Lisa Desjardins.

Keri Russell’s character in the TV series “The Diplomat” doesn’t appear to have extensions, but I am troubled by her disheveled look. Surely, I thought, one of her aides wouldn’t let her go before the public without handing her a comb. Others must have expressed the same concern because in one episode she explains the hair style is not carelessness, but styled to imply she cares about other things more than her hair.

Well, then, she’s a rare breed.

Glamorous movie stars such as Rita Hayworth and Vernonica Lake were so known for their long hair that Audrey Hepburn’s short pixie cut made news after her 1953 movie “Roman Holiday.” Farah Fawcett, Bridgette Bardott — just think of the women famous for their hair.

I haven’t worn my hair long since college, but glory can be bought, so I emailed Alan, my long-suffering hair stylist. “Do you think I could do hair extensions?”

I asked. “You’d need to have your lips done,” he replied, “and heavy lash extensions.” Oh, man. There’s always someone around to rain on your parade.

I wonder about the temporary, homeremedy lip plumpers. Peppermint oil? Or cinnamon mixed with coconut oil? Do those work or are they as disappointing as the weight-loss promise of Himalayan pink salt with warm lemon water every morning?

I gained two pounds on that.

Luckily I see another newsmaker offering an alternative. Rama Duwaji, artist and New York City’s First Lady, wears a bob. Her hair style radiates authenticity. So does her “art world chic” taste in fashion.

She wore a rented, brown Balenciaga coat for her husband’s inauguration ceremony, a look described by the New York Times as “a little funky, a little vintage, a little Tolstoy.”

Maybe this is the fashion look for me. I already have short hair and Lord knows my clothes are vintage. tp

ALLYSSA REEDER

BY CONNIE CRONLEY

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

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DIANA RILEY PATTERSON 918- 629-3717 dpatterson@mcgrawok.com

McGraw Realtors

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Stunning one-level stucco home on 1.24 unplatted acres in South Tulsa within Jenks Schools. Designed for entertaining, it features a chef’s kitchen, expansive living spaces, and a fully fenced backyard with a gorgeous saltwater pool. With 4 bedrooms plus a study, mature trees, abundant parking, and no HOA, this private retreat offers room to roam just off 71st near Harvard.

3080 E 71st St S, Tulsa. $579,900

Enjoy sweeping lake views and daily eagle sightings from this bluff-top home in the gated Eagles Nest on Disney Island at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees. Situated on 1.21 acres with 160 feet of shoreline, the 4-bedroom, 3-bath home features high-end finishes, open living spaces with large windows, and incredible covered outdoor areas including a cantilevered deck. Highlights include a private fitness center with sauna, whole-home audio, updated systems and appliances, beautiful landscaping, and a marina just minutes away.

530 Eagles Nest Drive, Disney. $1,200,000

JENKS EAST

Beautifully updated South Tulsa home on a spacious .3-acre corner lot with circle drive, sideentry garage, and tons of upgrades throughout. Features include a granite & stainless kitchen, soaring entry, spa-like primary suite, versatile game room, and a private backyard— convenient to shopping, dining, River Parks, and the Creek Turnpike in Jenks East schools.

8710 S Delaware Pl. $399,000.

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HOLLIDAY HILLS

Stunning, fully renovated Holliday Hills home in the sought-after Carnegie school district. This 4-bedroom, 3.5bath residence blends classic charm with modern upgrades, featuring a brand-new kitchen with custom cabinetry, gas range, and stylish finishes that open seamlessly to the main living area. Thoughtful updates throughout include new thermal windows, doors, electrical, plumbing, PVC sewer line, tankless hot water, insulated walls and attic, and an all-new roof (2025), offering peace of mind and energy efficiency. Set on a spacious lot with Hardy plank exterior, new gutters, and a new back fence, this home delivers turnkey living in one of Tulsa’s most beloved neighborhoods— close to parks, shopping, dining, and more. 3822 E 56th Pl⋅Tulsa $415,000

This Ranch style home is located in a cul-de-sac across from Southern Hills CC. Remodeled kitchen with all wood Kraft-Maid cabinets. Light & bright with the kitchen open to the vaulted ceiling den with wood burning fireplace. Doors open to the covered, screened patio. Interior painted recently.5819 S Delaware Place, Tulsa. $579,000

SOLD!

THE VILLAGE Custom built by Don East, a well known Tulsa home builder, is a prime example of his personal style and taste. He built this home in 2000 and used it as his primary dwelling and office. Make an appointment to view this one of a kind home and why he loved it so much. Tucked into a corner of The Village, a gated community just off Memorial and 101st Street. 10135 S 78th East Ave. $489,000

TulsaPeople.com 65

McGraw Realtors

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405 N Main Street #7E 2 Bed | 2 Baths |2,265 sq.ft.|$1,990,000

4703 S Detroit Ave, Tulsa 5 Beds | 4 Baths | 3,115 sq.ft.| $789,000

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3008 E 103rd St, Tulsa 4 Beds | 4 Baths | 3,756 sq.ft.| $765,000

1500 S Frisco Ave APT 2d, Tulsa 3 Beds | 2 Baths | 2,001 sq.ft | $195,000

2853 E 39th St, Tulsa 3 Beds | 4 Baths | 3,242 sq.ft.| $749,000

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405 N Main Street #6B 2 Bed | 2 Baths |1,593 sq.ft.|$750,000

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2881 E 35th Pl, Tulsa 3 Beds | 3 Baths | 3,038 sq.ft.| $825,000

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Scott Coffman 918-640-1073 scoffman@mcgrawok.com 66 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

GREEN BELT

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Table Talk DINING

SWEET TREAT

FOOD

DRINKS

Do you want something sweet but you’re not ready to commit to a whole thing? Or, are you planning a party and need an adorable addition to your table spread? SugarCrave inside Plaza 21 (11413 E. 21st St., Local #14) offers a plethora of cute-as-can-be creations, including cake pops ($2.50 each).

Whether you’re looking for an entire cake or a single serving of flan, this Venezuelan vendor is designed to satisfy your sugar craving. You can order in person, via DoorDash or work with owner Jineth Camacho through Whatsapp ahead of your event to design the perfect cake for the occasion. tp

MICHELLE POLLARD

READ MORE ABOUT SUGAR CRAVE AND PLAZA 21 ON P. 71.

TulsaPeople.com 67

TA B L E TA L K

DINING OUT

Amelia’s Wood Fired Cuisine welcomed new Executive Chef Terra Rubio (right) in January. Rubio says the “strong women” leading the restaurant, including Owner Amelia Eesley (left), are what drew her to the position. Be on the look out for Rubio’s new spring menu in the coming weeks.

WOOD-FIRED UP Amelia’s welcomes new executive chef Terra Rubio.

BY JUDY ALLEN 68 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

MICHELLE POLLARD

S

ince 2017, Amelia’s Wood Fired Cuisine has been a dining destination in the Tulsa Arts District known for its signature coupling of warm ambiance and high-caliber culinary offerings. But for incoming Executive Chef Terra Rubio, deciding to join the Amelia’s team was also based on another factor.

“The strong women running Amelia’s are what drew me in,” she says, referring to the restaurant’s owner Amelia Eesley and the Chef de Cuisine Andi Carpenter.

“After spending some time in the kitchen for a trial shift, I could really tell how much pride the back of house had in their work, and that is something really special.”

Taking over for longtime chef Andrew Donovan, Rubio brings a diverse range of food and restaurant experience to Amelia’s.

The Tulsa native fi rst honed her skills in Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology’s culinary program from 20102012. Following an externship in Atlanta, Georgia, Rubio spent several months at the Italian Culinary Institute in Calabria.

There, she focused on the cuisine of the nation’s southern coastal regions.

Rubio then spent a decade working in New York City, where she fell in love with wood-fi red food and mastered the art of pizza while working alongside Michelinstarred chefs at acclaimed Brooklyn restaurant, Roberta’s. Rubio returned to Tulsa in 2024 and worked at Stonehorse Cafe for a year-and-a-half before moving to Amelia’s.

When I met Rubio earlier this year, she was putting the final touches on her fi rst menu rollout, set to launch this spring.

During our visit, my husband Tate and I sat at the chef ’s counter, which is always a fun option and a great way to see the restaurant’s inner workings. It was freezing the night we visited, but the flames dancing in both the wood grill and oven kept it cozy. The open kitchen was bustling — Carpenter was calling out orders, and Rubio was finishing dishes ready to head out to customers — but everything flowed seamlessly.

One of Amelia’s staple small plates that I have enjoyed over the years is Charred Spanish Octopus, which is updated seasonally. The winter version comes perfectly seared with slices of duck chorizo and fingerling potatoes, then served with a smear of carrot ginger hot sauce. But this time we opted for the Wood-Fired Empanadas from their winter menu, which are fi lled with

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Amelia’s roasted Chilean sea bass is served on a bed of braised butter beans and topped with a blood orange rosemary marmalade, as well as a garnishing of greens.

The suggested wine pairing is a glass of Railsback Soeur ‘Brick Barn Vineyard’ 2021 Vermentinu. (Dish accompaniments change based on what is fresh and in season.)

ground beef and root vegetables, served with garlic aioli — another perfect dish for sharing. Plates of pillowy rolls with their seasonal black garlic-thyme butter kept leaving the kitchen, so we had to try them — do not skip the rolls!

Our server, Tripp, talked up the fi let as one of the best in town, so Tate decided to try it for himself. The 8-ounce portion was paired with glazed carrots, roasted potatoes and Bordelaise sauce; between the two of us, there was nothing left on the plate.

Another standout entree is the duck confit ravioli. House-made pasta sheets are fi lled with shredded, slow-cooked duck leg meat and ricotta. The pasta pillows are tossed in a rich chicken demiglace along with chanterelle mushrooms, then topped with shavings of foie gras. I would have licked the bowl if it weren’t inappropriate.

For guests wanting to try multiple dishes, Amelia’s offers a five-course tasting menu featuring seasonal ingredients and smaller portions. Wine pairings for each course are suggested but optional.

Rubio is also working on some vegan and vegetarian options.

“I’ve dabbled in vegetarianism but currently don’t follow it,” Rubio says, explaining she has several family members who are vegetarian or vegan. “I want to be inclusive by offering stand-alone dishes or dishes that can be modified to be vegan or vegetarian on upcoming menus.”

Whether you’re a longtime fan or a fi rst-time visitor, Amelia’s Wood Fired Cuisine continues to deliver a memorable dining experience that celebrates bold, seasonal flavors as much as genuine hospitality. tp

AMELIA’S WOOD FIRED CUISINE 122 N. Boston Ave. • 918-728-2435 • amelias.us Sunday-Thursday, 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

Friday-Saturday, 5 p.m.-10 p.m.

TulsaPeople’s 40th anniversary celebration continues with TWO special giveaways this month!

Each package includes 4 tickets to a performance by Tulsa Ballet, PLUS a $150 Sushi Hana gift certificate – a $430 total value!

Anniversary Giveaway #6 4 tickets to Casanova , March 26-29 Register to win between March 1-15

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TulsaPeople.com 69

TA B L E TA L K

WHAT’S COOKING?

Katie Gill Miller (center) is the executive director at Resonance Center for Women, a nonprofit which serves women who have been recently released from prison.

Take 2: A Resonance Café (which will soon move across the street from its current location at 309 S. Main St.), is an effort by the nonprofit that provides program participants like Sara (left) and Stephanie (right) with immediate employment and helps them build skills in restaurant management, food preparation and customer service. Inset, the Stacked Deck sandwich from Take 2, which comes with ham, turkey, salami, swiss, cheddar, lettuce, tomato and mayo.

A decade of difference Popular downtown cafe Take 2 is moving locations to expand the impact of its mission.

BY FAITH HARL

70 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

MICHELLE POLLARD; WHAT THE ALE: TOM GILBERT

T

his year, Take 2: A Resonance Café celebrates a decade of serving one of Tulsa’s most loyal lunch crowds.

Known for its tried-and-true sandwiches, soups and salads, the cafe often draws lines out the door at its tucked-away location on South Main Street.

Coinciding with its 10-year anniversary, Take 2 has big changes in store. Come spring, the cafe is set to relocate to the historic Palace Building at East Fourth Street and South Main Street, which sits catty-corner to its original location.

Equipped with two professional-grade kitchens and double the seating, the space will be able to accommodate more walk-ins and catering orders.

The motivation for the move, however, goes beyond serving more diners. Operated by the Resonance Center for Women, Take 2 is the cornerstone of the nonprofit’s workforce development program, which serves women who have been recently released from prison.

“Th is expansion isn’t just about a larger cafe — it’s about creating more second chances for women who are ready to rebuild their lives,” explains Katie Gill Miller, the executive director at Resonance Center for Women.

Last year, 20 women received employment and skills training at Take 2. By relocating to a larger space, the nonprofit can expand the program. “We’ve had a long waitlist of people who are interested in being part of it,” shares Hillary Parkhurst Sutton, the senior director of development and marketing at Resonance. “Our hope is that we can continue to add positions with the expansion into our new space.”

In addition to employment, Resonance’s clients receive safe, sober housing and assistance in addressing any transportation barriers. By having their basic needs met, the women in the program are less likely to reoffend. Compared to Oklahoma’s three-year re-incarceration rate of 22.6%, its clients’ three-year recidivism rate is only 1.9%.

Take 2’s move is part of Resonance’s ongoing capital campaign, “Room to Grow.” Launched in December, the campaign is building up momentum for the nonprofit’s 50-year anniversary next year. People interested in supporting the nonprofit can do so by dining at the cafe, donating funds and spreading the word about Take 2’s upcoming grand re-opening.

“I think everyone will really like the space,” Parkhurst Sutton adds. “It’s very inviting ... and we’re working hard to tie everything that’s in there back to the mission, so people can understand what they’re supporting when they’re eating there or ordering food to go. It’s all a part of the bigger picture.”

Sign up for Take 2’s newsletter and watch for grand opening announcements by visiting take2tulsa.com. tp

TA B L E TA L K

A LA CARTE

Cocina 21 Hmong Grill

Guerrero En Tu Mesa

SugarCrave Cabin Boys Brewery co-owners Austin and Lisa McIlroy pose with their popular Cast-A-Line Kölsch. Lisa hand-painted the can design herself.

GLOBAL FLAVOR On the east side of town, the Tulsa Global District continues to grow, bustling with businesses representing nearly every corner of the world. At Plaza 21, across the street from Nam-Hai at 11413 E. 21st St., you’ll find more than two dozen vendors selling western wear, jewelry, furniture and more. Need to get your hair done? There’s also a salon on-site. For hungry patrons, Plaza 21 hosts six different dining options. Discover a few of them below and learn more at plaza21tulsaok.com.

COCINA 21 HMONG GRILL Open for lunch and dinner, Cocina 21 offers a variety of Hmong dishes, along with Thai-style coffee and teas. While you can order for delivery through DoorDash, those who choose to dine on-site can spice up their dishes with condiments like red chili sauce placed on several of the Plaza 21 food court tables. Combinations like the Hmong Sausage Meal, are served with a side of purple sticky rice and Hmong pepper sauce. Feeling extra hungry? You can select from appetizers including hand-rolled fried spring rolls and papaya salad. If you’re looking to feed a group, Cocina 21 sells crispy pork belly by the pound. @cocina21hmonggrill • 918-895-4543 GUERRERO EN TU MESA This Mexican restaurant’s name can be translated to “warrior on your table” in English. But while the dishes from Guerrero En Tu Mesa certainly pack a punch, the family-run establishment is named after the Mexican state of Guerrero. Boasting a scratch-made menu, Guerrero En Tu Mesa prepares most everything to order — but also typically carries ready-to-go stews and soups like caldo de res (beef soup). Birria fans can choose from thicker handmade or thinner “regular” tortillas when ordering quesabirria; both options come served with consummé, limes and salsa. Other entrees include gorditas (handmade corn tortillas stuffed with stew, lettuce, tomato, onion, crema and cheese) and picadas (handmade tortillas topped with the protein of your choice along with crema, cheese, lettuce, tomato and white or black beans). Guerrero En Tu Mesa • 539-322-4203 SUGARCRAVE Led by owner Jineth Camacho, SugarCrave deals in delightful Venezuelan dishes and desserts. You can feed the whole crew with a party tray of 50 taqueños — fried cheese sticks filled with cheese from Tulsa’s own La Estación del Queso (another vendor you can find in Plaza 21). If the group serving is too much, you can start with one for $2.60. On the sweet side, SugarCrave bakes custom cakes, but always has a selection of single-serve delicacies like their alfajor cookies (soft cookies sandwiched with gooey dulce de leche) and beso de angel (tres leches cake with a smooth flan center) by the slice. Thirsty? Try a Frescolita, a red-orange soda from Venezuela, or a Malta, a non-alcoholic malt beverage popular in the Caribbean and Latin America. @sugarcrave_ • 918-904-0303 — LAUREN ROGERS

WHAT THE ALE

MASTERING THE CRAFT It all started with a cabin the McIlroy family built in the woods near Catoosa. They were the Cabin Boys. After the project inspired a foray into a new hobby — home brewing — the doors of Cabin Boys Brewery at 1717 E. 7th St. opened eight years ago founded by Austin, Lisa and Teresa McIlroy. The brewing industry in Oklahoma was beginning to ramp up, and the Cabin Boys wanted to be a part of a community, not part of a trend.

“Our goal was to make world-class beer that brings people together,” says Austin, Master Brewer for Cabin Boys. “Beer should be a community generator.”

He kicked off his career ten years ago by earning his Master Brewer certification from the World Brewing Academy, an international training initiative conducted by the Siebel Institute of Technology of Chicago and Doemens Academy of Munich, Germany.

“In the beginning it felt premature to call myself a ‘Master Brewer’ even though I had earned the certification,” he says. “Now, after a decade in the industry, it feels earned.”

Cabin Boys has positioned itself around European brewing traditions — particularly Belgian, German and English styles — though they still brew American IPAs and other popular styles. Bearded Theologian, a Belgian-style quadrupel, remains the brewery’s top seller, alongside its Cast-A-Line Kölsch.

The brewing industry isn’t growing like it was when Cabin Boys started up. Now, breweries have to be more systematic in their operations to turn a profit. Cabin Boys opened a Brew Pub at 223 N. Main St. in 2023, with food service and a full bar. They now use kitchen partnerships to attract new patrons.

“Not everyone wants to drink beer,” the Austin says. “The brew pub lets more people be part of what we do.”

The Cabin Boys’ beer cans are the work of co-owner Lisa, Austin’s wife. Trained as a painter, Lisa creates the brand’s visuals.

Her work has helped the brewery stand out in a crowded market, which gives it a way to jump off the shelves.

The couple met while in college more than a decade ago, and they now balance business ownership with raising their young son.

“It may not make you rich in money,” he says, “but it gives you a rich life. Beer brings people together — around tables, food and shared moments. That’s the real value.” — TOM GILBERT

TulsaPeople.com 71

LAST LOOK

TULSA TIME WARP

Employees of Veale Electric Company pictured outside its location on the northwest corner of East Third Street and South Frankfort Avenue circa the 1940s.

The Veale deal

I

n 1929, real estate developer Charles A. Sanderson began construction on a one-story brick building on the northwest corner of East Th ird Street and South Frankfort Avenue. The building was designed to have five storefronts — four facing Th ird and one facing Frankfort.

In 1934, the newly formed Veale Electric Company moved into the building. The company was started by businessman Clarence H. Veale who previously co-founded Dodge Electric, one of the oldest electrical businesses in Tulsa.

Veale played an important role in the growth and development of Tulsa. Some of the largest buildings downtown, as well as hundreds of residences, had electrical systems installed under Veale’s leadership.

72 TulsaPeople MARCH 2026

By 1937, Veale Electric had expanded its Th ird Street headquarters and moved into the adjacent storefronts of the building.

The company boasted a showroom with over 150 distinct lighting options ranging from modern to antique.

During the 1940s the company was at the height of its success, which coincided with Veale’s time as mayor of Tulsa (1940-1944).

Despite Veale’s passing in 1948, Veale Electric was still one of the largest electricity contractors in the state.

Veale Electric continued to operate until the 1980s, moving from its original location to a spot on Elgin Avenue in 1964, after a two-alarm fi re damaged the building. Following demolition, the International Harvester Company utilized the property as a used car lot. The land remains an empty lot, but has since been fenced in. tp

TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY – BERYL FORD COLLECTION

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