Issuu

the ANNIVERSARY issue November 2026

Four decades of staff reflections,

Special Section: Williams Route 66 Marathon November 2012

November 2012 ✻ THE GREATEST GENERATION ✻ www.TulsaPeople.com

memorable moments,

2013 Medical Guide

Q&A

TU’s Danny Manning

’ TIS THE SEASON Holiday event guide

Ginny Howland, who worked in an airplane factory during World War II, poses as the iconic “Rosie the Riveter.”

POLITI-GALS Women serving in office

THE GREATEST GENERATION

key events

5 Tulsans who lived through the tragedies and triumphs of World War II

and more.

40 YEARS AS TULSA’S CITY MAGAZINE

What It’s Like

Master cake creator Jennifer Jones

Fall Fashion Fantastic voyage

Get the Picture Remembering 9/11

September 2011

25 Famous Tulsans September 2011 ✻ famouS tulSanS ISSue ✻ www.tulsaPeople.com

LeoN

The rock ’n’ roll legend reflects on his glorious return to Tulsa in 1972 +Tim Blake Nelson, Kristin Chenoweth, Hanson, Roy Clark, Bo Van Pelt, P.C. & Kristin Cast and more

TeAM BLANKeNsHiP

The X’s and o’s of a football family

GLoRy dAys

Looking back on five magical seasons of TU football Race for the Cure ✻ Remodeled Tulsa Tour ✻ Tulsa Performing Arts Center’s 35th Season

Barry Friedman’s third annual

Ballard

TEN TULSA INSTITUTIONS TURNING 100 | HOLIDAY HINTS AND EVENTS Friends and family pay tribute to those we lost in 2011

A M E R I C A N

T H E A T R E

C O M P A N Y

A Christmas Carol 50th Anniversary

Skip the wrapping paper! Make memories instead. Bring the whole family to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center and experience the magic of the season together. Share the joy of live performance with the people you love!

NOVEMBER 5–8

NOVEMBER 21

JANUARY 14

FEBRUARY 13

Come from Away

Viano String Quartet

Takács Quartet

THEATRE TULSA

CHAMBER MUSIC TULSA

John Lloyd Young’s Broadway

NOVEMBER 6

NOVEMBER 21–22

JANUARY 16

Lynsey Addario

Little Women

Sibelius’s Finlandia

TULSA TOWN HALL

TULSA OPERA

NOVEMBER 7

DECEMBER 4–23

TULSA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Celebrating Route 66

A Christmas Carol

TULSA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

AMERICAN THEATRE COMPANY

NOVEMBER 8

DECEMBER 5–20

FEBRUARY 6–7

Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock LIVE

The Nutcracker

Brentano String Quartet

ATG LIVE

TULSA BALLET

DECEMBER 9

Universal Theory

Brown Bag It: Tulsa Festival Ringers with The Tulsa Carolers*

OKLAHOMA MOVEMENT

TPAC

NOVEMBER 13

*FREE RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED AND WILL OPEN ON DECEMBER 1, 2026

NOVEMBER 13–15

Lyle Lovett and his Small Large Band ATG LIVE

JANUARY 8–24

Les Misérables

NOVEMBER 18–29

THEATRE TULSA

Phantom of the Opera

JANUARY 9

CELEBRITY ATTRACTIONS

Liz Carr Training Winter Musical Theatre Concert 2027 LIZ CARR

TPAC

FEBRUARY 15

Ailey II — The Next Generation of Dance TPAC

JANUARY 28–29

Stomp

FEBRUARY 18–21

CELEBRITY ATTRACTIONS

Cinderella TULSA BALLET

FEBRUARY 20–28

August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean

CHAMBER MUSIC TULSA

THEATRE NORTH

FEBRUARY 12

Ken Jennings

FEBRUARY 27

TULSA TOWN HALL

Leslie Odom, Jr. with the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra

FEBRUARY 13

Celebrating America’s Composers

TULSA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

GET TICKETS tulsapac.com 918.596.7111 < SCAN TO VISIT

Don’t Let the Flu Slow You Down A flu shot is a simple way to help protect yourself, your family and those around you this flu season.

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FIRST OKLAHOMA BANK PRESENTS

Leaders with Heart COMPASSIONATE. WISE. FAITHFUL. For Steve and Gayle Troutman, leadership is about leaving the world a little better than they found it. Through three decades of Social Security disability law, an enduring marriage and service to their church and community, they have built a life centered on helping others. Law was a second career for both. Steve earned a degree in electrical engineering and worked in manufacturing management. Gayle studied social studies and history, then raised their children and worked as a substitute teacher. Near age 40, she enrolled in paralegal classes and began considering law school. After six months of preparing for the LSAT, she earned the exact score needed for a scholarship to The University of Tulsa College of Law. “I showed up the age of the teachers. I was friends more with the faculty than students. It was the hardest thing I ever did in my life and the most satisfying thing…Law school gave me a lot of selfconfidence,” Gayle said. She graduated in 1993 and founded Gayle Troutman, PC, focusing on Social Security Disability law. Two years later, Steve tagged along with her to a continuing legal education conference in New York City. Rather than exploring the city alone, he attended the classes alongside Gayle and discovered he enjoyed the subject.

So, he applied and attended TU law school at night while working during the day. Gayle likes to boast that her husband graduated No. 1 in his class and earned many awards. In 1999, they joined forces and renamed the firm Troutman & Troutman, PC. The most rewarding part of their jobs is the reaction from clients, who cry and hug them after learning their benefits have been approved. “This is food on the table and rent money,” Steve says. Gayle was especially drawn to appellate work, writing more than 1,500 federal court briefs and helping shape decisions that strengthened the disability system. Both credit loving parents and their Christian faith with teaching them to notice needs and respond. Steve remembers his father, a mechanic, repairing cars for people who could not afford the work. They are active at Southern Hills Baptist Church, where both have served as deacons. Steve also supports Inside Out Re-Entry Services, which helps women who have been

incarcerated or on drugs rebuild their lives and reconnect with their children. The couple, who met as teenagers in math class at Putnam City High School, have been married for 56 years. Now semiretired, they divide their time between Tulsa and Grand Lake, enjoying family, their dog, cooking, sewing and exercise. “Steve and Gayle have been wonderful friends for many years. We have always been inspired by their compassion for other people, their wisdom and understanding - both the law and life situations - and their faithfulness to God, each other, family, friends, and the community they serve,” says Tom Bennett Jr., Executive Chairman of the Board for First Oklahoma Bank. “Every other bank we’ve been associated with we were just a number. With First Oklahoma Bank, it’s a personal relationship. Everybody we’ve dealt with at the bank is just very helpful,” Steve says.

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

They answer the call

you make the impact. Our medical students at OSU Center for Health Sciences in Tulsa know what it means to answer the call. The path to becoming a physician is paved with years of sacrifice, late nights and just plain hard work. Scholarships and other means of support can make all the difference on their journey. We recently celebrated the impact made by our generous donors and supporters at Orange Impact, a night set aside to highlight the achievements of OSU Center for Health Sciences.

Thank you to the Tulsa community for your support in raising more than $800,000.

To learn more about giving to OSU Center for Health Sciences, visit osugiving.com

Contents NOVEMBER 2026

VOLUME 41 ISSUE 1

CITY DESK A veteran-made mural. Prison yard music festival. Route 66 turns 100. Sisters release a picture book.

BIG BIRTHDAYS Catch up with these 10 Tulsa institutions turning 100 years old. BY ABIGAIL SINGREY

40 YEARS OF TELLING TULSA’S STORY Former TulsaPeople staff share their favorite personal anecdotes from 40 years of telling Tulsa's story, one Tulsan at a time. BY LAUREN ROGERS

’TIS THE SEASON TO GIVE After 29 years, Family and Children’s Services’ Care Card is transitioning to Season of Care, a new way for Tulsans to help neighbors in need during the holidays. BY KIMBERLY MARSH

HOLIDAY LIFESTYLE New ownership at Margo’s. Slopeside suggestions. Seasonal events calendar. Connie gets a code violation.

TABLE TALK Wildﬂower’s new location. Fall for a few cocktails. Dead Armadillo turns 10. BBQ beneﬁts Tulsa Boys’ Home.

SPECIAL SECTIONS Legacy Business Proﬁles Holiday Hints

ON THE COVER In the Riverbend Arts District, Rachel Rose Dazey, co-founder of artisan jewelry atelier Dillon Rose, will host an open studio during the upcoming Riverbend Arts District Crawl on Nov. 7. Catch up with the jewelry designer and learn about her new certiﬁcation on p. 74. 4 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

A collage of TulsaPeople Magazine covers. Discover stories behind the stories featured in issues over the decades on p. 31.

MICHELLE POLLARD

37 58

Nobody has a heart like yours

Learn more about your health with a heart scan A woman’s heart is special — in more ways than one. Heart concerns can show up much differently in women and can change through pregnancy, menopause and beyond. That’s why Ascension St. John has a dedicated heart care clinic for women, by women.

Schedule an appointment now at ascension.org/HerHealthStJohn

CONTENTS

EDITOR’S LETTER

Stay connected at TulsaPeople.com. Visit for exclusive stories, giveaways, music and event listings, photo galleries and our weekly e-newsletter. 6 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

It feels like kismet that TulsaPeople Magazine is celebrating its own 40th anniversary this month. For four decades, this publication has been telling the stories of the people who call this area home — from musicians and politicians to magicians and estheticians. I got the opportunity to chat with a few former TulsaPeople staff, and call upon some of our longtime staff members, to share their experiences with the publication from over the decades — which you can explore on p. 31. Our team also curated an exhibition featuring a selection of vintage TulsaPeople Magazines, along with a few other former sister publications like Bartlesville Magazine and Tulsa Voice, for folks to peruse at the Museum of Tulsa History through the end of the month. Th is issue takes a few more steps down memory lane with a review of 10 local institutions celebrating milestone centennial anniversaries (p. 26), and a look ahead at how Tulsans are banding together for the official Route 66 100th birthday party on Nov. 11 (p. 21). As we look ahead to our 50th anniversary and beyond, I want to thank you for being part of our journey. If there’s anything you want to see from us in a future issue, online or elsewhere, let me know at lauren@langdonpublishing.com. tp

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Langdon Publishing 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% postconsumer 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.

Langdon Publishing’s information technology services are managed by ImageNet Consulting, whose support helps TulsaPeople Magazine continue capturing and sharing the people, history and cultures that deﬁne our city. From preserving our archives to protecting decades of Tulsa stories and photography, ImageNet has proudly supported our business for more than a decade.

MICHELLE POLLARD

ack when I became editor about one year ago, I asked our photographer Michelle Pollard if she would mind taking our new staff headshots (the one you see below) just two blocks down the road from Langdon Publishing at Council Oak Park, 1750 S. Cheyenne Ave. It was shortly after the City of Tulsa made the announcement to repatriate the park to the Muscogee Nation, and just a year shy of the park’s 50th anniversary of being named to the National Register of Historic Places. That designation was celebrated this past September, but the site’s significance dates back much longer. The Council Oak, estimated to be more than 400 years old, marks the site where the Muscogee people of Locv Pokv arrived in the region in 1836 after being forcibly removed from their homelands in Alabama. They placed the embers of their sacred fi re, which they carried with them along the Trail of Tears, at the base of the towering tree, and the area then grew into a ceremonial ground, commerce hub and general gathering place. The fi rst few lines in season two of “The Lowdown” — the FX show created by 2022 TulsaPeople Magazine Tulsan of the Year Sterlin Harjo (Seminole/Muscogee) — describe how our city derived its name from the Locv Pokv, also known as Locv Pokv Tvlse, referring to “Tvlvhasse,” meaning “old town” in the Muscogee language. On Oct. 26, 1986, the Muscogee Nation commemorated the 150th anniversary of this arrival with the inaugural Council Oak Tree Ceremony. The tradition has continued every year since, with the 40th anniversary of the event taking place this year on Nov. 7.

City Desk NEWS

HONORING HEROES

PASSIONS

Karen Cruice, Vice Commander East for The American Legion Department of Oklahoma, and Regina Siler, Lawton Chapter member of the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club, view the newly unveiled “A Tribute to America’s Warriors” mural on the side of the SAC Art Gallery in Skiatook.

TIFFANY HOWARD

Read more about the meaning behind the mural — as well as its creator, U.S. Navy veteran Lisa Hendricks — on p. 16.

CAUSES

TulsaPeople.com 7

CITY DESK

NOTEBOOK Tulsa City-County Library to honor author Colson Whitehead and host free book signing at new Rudisill Regional Library.

olson Whitehead, two-time Pulitzer Prizewinning novelist, will be in Tulsa Dec. 3 and 4 to receive the 2026 Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award, presented by the Tulsa Library Trust and Tulsa City-County Library. Whitehead is the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of “The Underground Railroad,” winner of the 2016 National Book Award and 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. His New York Times bestseller “The Nickel Boys” won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, making him only the fourth writer to win two Pulitzers in the fiction category. His latest bestselling novels are “Harlem Shuffle” and “Crook Manifesto.” The final book in his Harlem Trilogy, “Cool Machine,” was released in July. Whitehead will give a free public presentation on Dec. 3 at Rudisill Regional Library, which recently reopened at its new location at 1017 N. Greenwood Ave. The black-tie gala and award presentation will follow on Dec. 4 at Central Library (tickets required; visit tulsalibrary.org for more information). On Nov. 30, the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries will present Books Sandwiched In: A Colson Whitehead Sampler at Bronson Brookside Library (4607 S. Madison Place). At this edition of the monthly bringyour-own-lunch book talk series, Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award Selection Committee member Adrian Alexander will share a presentation covering Whitehead’s works. — STAFF REPORTS

Celebrate 60 years of ‘The Outsiders’ Nov. 7

F A still from Francis Ford Coppola’s 1983 ﬁlm “The Outsiders.” 8 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

ans of “The Outsiders” will have a chance to learn more about the author, 1966 Will Rogers High School graduate S.E. Hinton, during a showing of the novel-inspired ﬁlm in the school’s auditorium. The event, which gives attendees the opportunity to tour locations inside the school connected to the story, is one of several fundraisers sponsored by the Will Rogers High School Community Foundation. “We’re inviting fans, alumni, students, families and members of the community to Will Rogers High School for Inside the Outsiders — 60th Anniversary

Event, a unique day devoted to the movie, the history behind the story and the Tulsa locations that helped bring ‘The Outsiders’ to life,” Event Coordinator Heather Bufﬁngton said in a press release. “This isn’t just a movie screening. It’s an opportunity to experience ‘The Outsiders’ from the inside.” Doors will open at 10 a.m. on Nov. 7 for a meetand-greet with extras from the movie, which will begin at 1 p.m. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit willrogersfoundation.net/inside-the-outsiders. — STAFF REPORTS

WHITEHEAD: CHRIS ROSE; OUTSIDERS: VALERIE WEI-HAAS; LIBRARY: GREG BOLLINGER

Rudisill Regional Library, which recently reopened at 1017 N. Greenwood Ave., will host award-winning author Colson Whitehead (inset) for a free public event Dec. 3.

Faculty Vision Mission Campus One Community . One DUTCH. Student Body Tradition Legacy Students, families, teachers, and staff each play a part in making our school the welcoming place that it is. Every student can find the things that make them fit in and feel supported as part of our community. Schedule a tour today and explore our community.

(539) 476-8046 hollandhall.org

Private tours are offered Monday through Friday. Tours are by appointments only, call (539) 476-8046 to schedule a tour.

CITY DESK

TULSA 10

NOVEMBER COMPILED BY MARY A. SMITH

November 3 COMMUNITY CIRCLE Restorative Justice Institute of Oklahoma presents a free community circle at Palomino Books and Music. Attendees can participate in conversation or simply provide a listening ear. restorativejusticeok.org/restorative-circles November 3-30 “SMALLS” SHOW AND SALE Green Country Watercolor Society presents an exhibition of original watercolor paintings, all for sale, at Northeastern State University's Broken Arrow campus. The display concludes with a reception Nov. 30, where buyers can pick up their paintings. greencountryws.com November 5-8 ST. ANTONY FALL HAFLI FOOD FESTIVAL Enjoy Lebanese dishes like hashwa, cabbage rolls, tabouli, hummus, pita and greba cookies at this fundraiser supporting St. Antony Orthodox Christian Church. hafli.org November 7 40TH ANNUAL COUNCIL OAK TREE CEREMONY | ETOHKVLKETV COSKV MVPE NVKVFTETV The ceremony and lunch will commemorate the arrival of the Locv Pokv Tvlse Muscogee people to the region in 1836 following forced removal from their homelands. The Muscogee Nation November 11 ROUTE 66 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION This Veterans Day, Route 66 officially turns 100. As "Capital of the Mother Road," Tulsa will celebrate with a special edition of the annual Veterans Day Parade, along with activities across downtown that afternoon and evening. Read more on p. 21. route66centennialcelebration.com November 13-15 ARAB FILM FEST TULSA The sixth annual Arab Film Fest at Circle Cinema will feature six films including a documentary double feature of “American Hate” and “Who Killed Alex Odeh?” which investigate American extremism and justice, including local perspectives. circlecinema.org

November 14 HOCKEY ROMANCE NIGHT AND ADOPT AN OILER Party before the puck drops and enjoy live music, drinks and opportunities to mingle with other romance novel fanatics. Only One Bed Book Truck will be parked on site with a selection of reads for romance lovers. tulsaoilers.com

10 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

November 20-21 QUEERLANDIA Dance to beats curated by DJs Kylie and Katnip at this monthly alt-queer dance party for those 21+. thestarlitebar.com November 21 BLACK & FOUND VENDOR MARKET Join Bri Bell and more collectors for a ﬂea market full of fun in support of local Black-owned businesses at WOMPA. wompatulsa.com/events tp

COURTESY ONLY ONE BED BOOKS

Only One Bed Book Truck at the BOK Center at a previous Hockey Romance Night.

VISIT TULSAPEOPLE.COM FOR TULSA 10 WEEKLY RUNDOWNS.

November 13-15 COLD TURKEY MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL Presented by River Parks Authority, various races take place all weekend for adults and kids alike, including a Lil’ Shredders Kids Cup on Sunday morning. bikereg.com/coldturkey

PARADISE NEVER SOUNDED So Good

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THREE DOG NIGHT NOV 7 KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD BAND NOV 19 SUGARLAND NOV 20 LOS DOS de TAMAULIPAS & CODIGO FN NOV 21

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CITY DESK

BIZ WHIZ

Casey and Stefanie Phariss own and run Tulsa-based 1907 Productions, which specializes in high-quality equipment rentals, live event production, permanent audio and lighting system installation and more.

Pristine productions Local production company celebrates 5 years of seamless event execution.

cold call to a production company in New York City helped Casey Phariss land his fi rst post-grad job as an audio engineer more than 20 years ago. Now, Phariss and his wife Stefanie — both Tulsa natives — are running world-class events through their own company, 1907 Productions, right here in town. The operation is celebrating its fi fth anniversary this year. “It’s a really big deal for a new business to make it to five years,” Stefanie says. “We definitely put all our eggs in one basket. Our entire family’s income is coming from this business.” While working as an audio engineer in NYC, Casey assisted with remote recording for A-list acts, including Madonna, Janet Jackson and Bono, and Stefanie worked behind the scenes in fi lm and television 12 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

before the pair decided to return to their hometown in 2005. Drawing on their decades of combined experience, Stefanie handles the sales, marketing and development, allowing Casey to devote his full attention to the day-to-day operations of the business. Additionally, 1907 Productions offers support for venues looking to install permanent audio, video and lighting systems. “I never really just want to do one (thing),” Casey explains. “Variety is key because it keeps it fresh and interesting.” Their unique ability to offer high-quality equipment rentals (i.e. LED walls, staging platforms, PA systems, lighting, fog generators, etc.) along with live show production has helped 1907 Productions stand out as a full-service option for party planners. And their portfolio reflects just

that, with events and performances including the Pete Buttigieg town hall on April 18, which drew upwards of 1,800 attendees, and Melissa Etheridge’s concert at the Osage Casino on April 24. “I don’t think we’ve reached the limit of music production, venues and tours coming through (Tulsa),” Stefanie says. “There’s a real good energy happening right now, and it’s fun to be a small part of it.” In honor of their five-year anniversary, the 1907 Productions team will host the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s quarterly meetup for the Tourism Awareness Group on Nov. 4 at their warehouse (1116 N. 105th E. Ave.) RSVPs are required at visittulsa.com/tag. To connect with the 1907 Productions team, visit 1907productions.com or email info@1907productions.com. tp

GREG BOLLINGER

BY FAITH HARL

Guidance That Starts with Listening Financial decisions rarely happen in isolation. They’re connected to the people you care about, the life you’re building, and the plans you have for the future. At Small Wealth Management, we start by getting to know you. Our advisors work together to provide personalized financial guidance shaped around your goals and priorities. Whether you’re preparing for retirement, navigating a life change, or thinking about the legacy you hope to leave, we’re here to help you consider your options and make informed decisions. As your life changes, the conversation continues. Through ongoing communication and personal attention, our team is here to help you stay focused on what matters most.

Our Legacy Is Helping Build Yours. Let’s start the conversation: (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. Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Securities offered by Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2026 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

CITY DESK

Lisa Mast and Christopher Bryan are the faces behind Narrative Structure, a specialty media company whose work includes digitizing memories captured on fragile mediums, as well as helping clients tell cohesive, compelling stories through video.

Telling stories new and old From preserving history to sharing new ideas, Narrative Structure helps bring clients’ stories to life. BY ROBERT EVATT 14 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

imply shooting a video or scanning a photo is easy. It’s much harder to combine various types of media, new and old, into a clear, compelling narrative that will last for decades — but that is exactly what Narrative Structure specializes in. For co-founders Lisa Mast and Christopher Bryan, partners in life and business, it’s all about creating and preserving impactful imagery that clearly tells the story of businesses, organizations, families or individuals. “Visual media is our specialty, whether we’re creating something new or we’re making something accessible again,” Mast says.

For example, one of their biggest recent projects was producing the video components accompanying a new economic impact study that the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics released on Oct. 6. The goal, Bryan says, was to showcase the state’s fastest-growing industry with accuracy and to highlight the work Oklahomans are doing in the field across the state. Local fi lming locations included Tulsa International Airport, Tulsa Riverside Airport, Union High School, Lufthansa Technik, Claremore Regional Airport and American Airlines Tech OpsTulsa, which is the world’s largest commercial aircraft maintenance base. “We’re delighted that we’ve had the opportunity to fi lm every single frame with the exception of a couple of shots from space,” he says. New Zealandbased Dawn Aerospace, which in 2027 is expected to begin horizontal launch to space from the Infi nity One Oklahoma Spaceport in Burns Flat, provided the additional shots for the project. On the preservation side, Narrative Structure’s work ranges from museum archives and corporate collections to the shoeboxes of snapshots and home movies that families bring in — all of it digitized to the same archival standard. Mast says some clients come in overwhelmed with big boxes of material that Narrative Structure can digitize and arrange into an easily navigated collection provided by download link or on a drive. Since the company is based locally, Tulsans can avoid the worry that any one-of-a-kind photos will be lost in the mail. Narrative Structure, the result of Mast and Bryan combining their individual work and interests, recently hosted the ribbon cutting at their office in the historic Boulder on the Park building (1850 S. Boulder Ave., Suite 300), which was previously home to both Holland Hall and KTUL radio. Their suite features a photography studio and digitization lab, equipped to handle everything from VHS, Betamax and U-matic to fi lm, photographs, negatives, slides and documents. Bryan says they are equipped to digitize most video tape formats of the past 50 years, along with photographs, fi lm, slides and negatives going back nearly a century. Learn more about Narrative Structure at narrativestructure.com. tp

COURTESY NARRATIVE STRUCTURE

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A New Home May Be Closer Than You Think Green Country Habitat for Humanity helps qualified Tulsa-area homebuyers move from renting to owning. We have new three-bedroom, two-bath homes available now. If you— or someone you know—is ready to explore homeownership, we’re ready to help.

www.greencountryhabitat.org TulsaPeople.com 15

CITY DESK

Tulsa artist and U.S. Navy veteran Lisa Hendricks (bottom left, center) completed "A Tribute to America's Warriors" on the side of the SAC Art Gallery in Skiatook (705 W. Rogers Blvd.) this past July. The gallery, owned by Gary and Adina Forbes (bottom left), also sells works by Hendricks such as her Pysanky-inspired egg creations.

Work of heart

Skiatook mural honors the past and present protectors of U.S. land. BY TIFFANY HOWARD

n a blazing Saturday in late July, a large crowd including many veterans and tribal citizens gathered outside of the SAC Art Gallery in Skiatook to await the afternoon’s big reveal. A feeling of anticipation punctuated the day’s activities until finally a large canvas sheet dropped from the west-facing wall of the gallery, and a 20-by-20-foot mural depicting both Indigenous and military figures was unveiled for the fi rst time. Titled “A Tribute to America’s Warriors,” the mural honors the long line of individuals who have cared for and protected U.S. land — particularly those who are often skipped over in history books or have been whitewashed through time. “That’s why I have the Native American chief at the very top, because this is his land,” says the artist Lisa Hendricks, a U.S. Navy 16 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

veteran who was one of the first women to work in nuclear controls on submarines. “He’s the watchtower, and he’s taking care of his people and trying to take care of the land that is theirs, that’s still theirs.” Using brushes no bigger than one-inch across, the Tulsa native completed her wall-sized work over the course of 19 days, the blue-white July heat beating against the canvas sheet she worked behind to keep the mural under wraps. “It was an emotional reveal,” says Adina Forbes, who owns the gallery along with her husband, Gary. “We now have veterans that just stop by and say, ‘We love this mural, tell us about it.’ Local Native Americans will also come by and say thank you for representing us together.” Hendricks explains one of the other figures depicted in the mural represents the

Buffalo Soldiers, which were all-Black U.S. Army regiments fi rst formed by Congress in 1866. Until the military was officially ordered to desegregate in 1948, these courageous and highly decorated African American servicemen bravely fought for a country that often showed them little respect in return. “It’s part of history that we don’t teach anymore, you know, the hard stories,” Hendricks says. “I wanted to include the forgotten people, if you will, and that’s how that whole mural came to exist.” As the daughter of Richard Hendricks, who worked in art restoration and conservation for such institutions as Gilcrease and Philbrook, Hendricks grew up loving to draw. Dabbling in many different art forms over the years, she eventually posted some of her work on Facebook, which caught Adina’s eye last April. Soon after, Hendricks began selling her art at the dynamic venue, which showcases work by local artists, puts on workshops and classes, hosts community events and even offers studio space rentals. Conversation around the mural began in May when Gary, a former U.S. Army Special Forces soldier, mentioned he would love for Hendricks to paint a mural on the gallery’s large outside wall. The inspiration piece was a watercolor in his office that portrayed both soldiers and Indigenous figures — “All of America’s warriors,” Gary emphasizes. Usually only painting on tiny things such as tea bags and tiles, however, Hendricks kindly declined at fi rst. But she says that changed almost instantly when she exited Gary’s office and came face to face with a portrait of his father, a decorated Vietnam veteran. “My fi rst dedication is absolutely to Gary’s father, because he told me in his eyes to do it,” Hendricks says of the mural. Secondly, she explains, the mural is meant to provide a vital message as well. “As time continues on, we are losing the history of what has transpired in our country, with the people that have lived and been a part of this country,” she says. “Sometimes it is easy to overlook or to forget the suffering of people ... We should know the history and learn from it, know what can happen if we repeat the errors, and never let our history be removed.” If you’re interested in learning from Hendricks, she will instruct a pyrography workshop at the gallery Nov. 14, and an ornament-making class Dec. 12. Learn more at sacartgallery.com, or search SAC Gallery of Skiatook on Facebook. tp

GREG BOLLINGER

ART SPOT

CONGRATULATIONS Brian Easlon

Clark Jolley

to our Forbes/SHOOK Top/Best-in-State Financial Security Professionals!

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TulsaPeople.com 17

CITY DESK

BOOKWORM

Cherokee sisters Jen Loren and Rebecca Lee Kunz collaborated to write and illustrate the true story of their great-greataunt, Ruth Muskrat Bronson, a pioneering advocate for Native Americans.

PICTURES WITH PURPOSE New illustrated children’s book by two Cherokee sisters traces a trailblazing legacy. BY FAITH HARL 18 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

“R

uth Muskrat and the So-Called Indian Problem” isn’t your typical children’s book. Written by Emmywinning TV host and Senior Director of Cherokee Film Jen Loren and illustrated by her sister, Caldecott Medalist Rebecca Lee Kunz, the book raises awareness about the legacy of their great-great-aunt, Ruth Muskrat Bronson. As Loren’s debut book, the story traces the life of Muskrat Bronson, a 20th-century Cherokee educator, poet and civil rights activist who advocated for Native American sovereignty during a time of forced assimilation. She was a founding member of the National Congress of American Indians, an Indigenous rights organization designed to protect tribal sovereignty and treaty rights, and served from 1944 to 1957.

Rebecca Lee Kunz

For both sisters, creating the book was one of their most personal projects — having learned about Muskrat Bronson from their mother as little girls. Now mothers to daughters of their own, the pair wanted to preserve her legacy for future generations. “Ruth is a bit of an unsung hero,” Kunz shares. “Many people don’t know who she is, and that was part of the impetus behind this project ... We wanted the world to know her story, and (to) tell it in a way that children could comprehend.” Loren and Kunz spent two years crafting the narrative and illustrations for the book. Although the book is written for ages four to eight, Loren didn’t shy away from exploring Oklahoma’s complicated history. “I hope that people — through Ruth’s story — have an understanding of Cherokee and Native American history, and the battles that have been fought, and quite honestly, the battle (that) continues today,” Loren says. To create the illustrations, Kunz used a combination of watercolor and collaging techniques, incorporating traditional and reimagined Cherokee symbols, such as seven-pointed stars and a serpent motif. As they worked together, the sisters realized the book would be longer than expected. “It’s almost three times as long as a traditional picture book ... There were just too many things about Ruth’s life that needed to be told,” Kunz says. To celebrate the release, Loren and Kunz will host book signings at the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts in Santa Fe on Nov. 14, and in Tulsa at Palomino Books and Music (2411 E. Admiral Blvd.) on Nov. 28. The pair also is excited that students will be able to experience the book in honor of Native American Heritage Month this year. “I actually get emotional when I think about her story being told in classrooms,” Loren says. “Maybe they’ll learn about things that they’re not being taught in history books.” tp

JEN LOREN: CODY HAMMER; REBECCA LEE KUNZ: KATE RUSSELL; DR. IMAN: NOMAD COLLECTIVE; MEET ME ON GREENWOOD: LICTORIA_ART

Jen Loren

or some “Game of Th rones” fans, including local psychologist and author Iman “Dr. Iman” Christians, Ph.D., Daenerys Targaryen’s ending in season 8 was controversial. Deciding she wanted to create a better ending, Dr. Iman published her debut romantasy novel “Dragon Blind” last November as the fi rst of three books in “The Lightbearer Series.” The romantasy novel presents a story where dragons have bold opinions and radical selfacceptance intertwines in the plot. Dr. Iman’s love for writing started as a young student at Tulsa Public Schools’ former Byrd Middle School, where she began writing short stories about vampires and magic. Th is passion for fiction grew throughout her years at Memorial High School and beyond, but her motivation for writing transcends mystical storytelling. “When I was a kid, as much as I loved to read, what I really craved were books of people who look like me,” Dr. Iman says. “I could never find them. So, it’s nice right now that I can write books with people that look like me, that represent the people I grew up with and that I spend my time with.” Her devotion to centering characters that don’t often get the spotlight is core to her writing. “The Lightbearer Series” follows Asha, a blind princess, beginning with her mission to get three dragon eggs to safety. The journey is treacherous; every corner is riddled with selfish rulers trying to control her. But Asha is determined to create her own path. “Dragon Bride,” the second book in the series, came out June 30. The third, “Dragon Born,” is currently in the works. On Sept. 29, Dr. Iman published her most recent book, “Meet Me on Greenwood,” the fi rst of her planned three-part “The Black Wall Street Series.” The historical fiction novel centers on Black heritage and characters, following Dr. Gema Cross, who creates a healing device for patients with painful memories. But when the device backfi res, she’s sent back to 1920. Love finds her as she sifts through this new reality, but Jim Crow laws make the connection a complicated challenge to navigate. As a clinical psychologist who specializes in supporting those who have experienced trauma, including race-based trauma, Dr. Iman blends her own experiences into her writing. Her journey through self-acceptance and being underestimated as a professional intertwines in both series with an inspiring message: “You don’t have to change yourself to be loved,” she says. “You are enough just as you are.” You can find Dr. Iman’s books for purchase on her website, drimanauthor.com, and sign up for her newsletter at drimanauthor.substack.com. tp

‘I WANTED TO SEE MYSELF ’ How one Tulsa author is creating Black representation in fantasy and beyond. BY VANESSA MICHELLE

Author and psychologist Dr. Iman writes romantasy and historical ﬁction books that center Black protagonists and characters. Inset, her most recent release “Meet Me on Greenwood” is the ﬁrst of a three-part series focusing on Black Wall Street. TulsaPeople.com 19

CITY DESK

Tulsa metalcore band Zero Signal recently played at MuzikFest, a music festival held within the conﬁnes of the John H. Lilley Correctional Center in Boley. The festival was created, planned and run by inmates.

Second chances Local band releases EP and performs at a prison music festival. BY MADISON WALTERS

hen the tour van transporting local metalcore band Outline in Color erupted in a fiery inferno while on a highway just outside of Tulsa a few years ago, that was the last straw for vocalist Michael Skaggs and his bandmates. After spending over a decade building their fanbase on a global level — touring in Japan, Europe and even Australia — and dealing with the highs and extreme lows of the music industry, the near-death

20 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

experience was a wake-up call that it was time to return to their roots. “It made us all look inward and realize that we had been taking a lot of time away from home,” Skaggs says. “Once we started experiencing normal life again, it gave us a new perspective to write from.” From the ashes rose Skaggs’ new project, Zero Signal, which also features CJ Cochran, Adam Woods and Austin McFerrin — all members of Outline in Color (which is currently on hiatus).

For the four musicians, their recently released EP “Echoes” was the fi rst time in a long time they felt like they were creating music “sheerly for the joy of doing music,” Skaggs says. “Th is really is something we haven’t felt since we were kids starting out.” With a vulnerable sound, “Echoes” explores the themes of loss and shame unabashedly. “Th is is definitely where our focused attention and hearts are,” Skaggs says. “We feel like this is some of the most honest artistry that we’ve ever collectively done together.” That raw authenticity recently found its most receptive audience in a place few bands perform: inside the walls of a prison. Skaggs, who spent two years incarcerated on cannabis charges around 15 years ago, felt called to perform at John H. Lilley Correctional after the band received an invitation to take part in MuzikFest, a music festival created, planned and run by inmates. Returning to a correctional facility on his own terms was a deeply personal and healing experience for the vocalist. “In all of my years of playing music, the reception that we had, there was this palpable feeling of appreciation,” Skaggs continues. “I got the opportunity to stand on stage and say, ‘Hey, I used to be one of you guys, and I’m on the other side of it.’ I got to turn my life around ... I get to do this really cool thing with music that fulfi lls me, and there’s an opportunity for everybody that’s here to do that as well if they want to.” The duo behind the festival, Jacob Watson and Mark Murray, previously ran MuzikFest for six years at the Joseph Harp Correctional Center before being transferred to JLCC, a low-security prison for those near the end of their sentence. Murray, who worked in the music industry before his incarceration, says putting on this festival can help educate inmates on what it’s like working in entertainment, which he notes provides more felony-friendly job opportunities than other markets. “At the end of the day,” Watson adds, “music is a universal language that we all speak and that can lend a hand in healing a broken person ... For me, this event has a way to change the hearts and minds of the incarcerated by showing individuals that you don’t have to continue living in the hurt and mess that brought you to prison, there is another path — choose it!” After watching Zero Signal’s inspiring performance at MuzikFest, Watson now says they’re one of his favorite bands. Keep up with Zero Signal’s tour dates and announcements on their Instagram page, @zerosignalband. tp

ZERO SIGNAL: ROSARIO GUTIERREZ; GEAUX SHOWS: GREG BOLLINGER; VETERANS PARADE: TIM LANDES

MUSIC NOTES

CITY DESK

ON EXHIBIT

106th Veterans Day Parade

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION Route 66’s 100th birthday combines with Veterans Day for a packed itinerary.

lthough the party started months ago, Nov. 11 is the official birthday of Route 66. The Mother Road is turning 100, and there is a lot to celebrate with a full lineup of activities, many of which are free and open to the public. Because Route 66’s centennial birthday coincides with Veterans Day, festivities begin with the 108th Veterans Day Parade. “The Route 66 Centennial Commission reached out two years ago to ensure they were the presenting sponsor and have helped make sure this will be the best parade yet,” says Joshua Starks, who is a U.S. Army Combat Veteran, past commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 577 and chairman of the Tulsa Veterans Day Parade. For the early revelers, there is a free, public breakfast at 7 a.m. at the VFW Post 577, 1109 E. Sixth St., and the parade begins downtown at 11 a.m. With some 60,000 veterans in the Tulsa area, Starks estimates more than 5,000 people will participate in the parade, with another 10,000-15,000 spectators lining the street. In addition to a flyover that includes the historic C-49 “Wild Kat” aircraft, there will be a performance of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” by Tulsa Symphony Orchestra complete with cannon fire provided by Oklahoma National Guard Artillery at 10:40 a.m. on East Third Street and South Boston Avenue. Afternoon activities include free entrance to a number of museums and creative spaces, like Greenwood Rising, the Bob Dylan Center and the Woody Guthrie Center, and there’s a block party taking over Main Street between OKPOP and Cain’s Ballroom from 2:30-6:30 p.m. Guthrie Green will host a free performance from the Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys at 6 p.m., and $66 buys a ticket to the VIP party at OKPOP (5:30-6:30 p.m.). The evening culminates in a sold-out concert with Tulsa’s own Wilderado and Ken Pomeroy at Cain’s Ballroom. According to Ken Busby, executive director and CEO of the Route 66 Alliance, the closing celebrations for the centennial year mark the beginning of a new era for the Mother Road. “We’ve put Oklahoma on the map for both national and international visitors,” he says. “Our Oklahoma hospitality is going to propel us forward for the next 100 years, celebrating and honoring Cyrus Avery and his beloved Route 66!” Learn more about the festivities at route66centennialcelebration.com. — JULIE WENGER WATSON

Filmmaker and artist Lasso Bocca has painted a collection of celebrity portraits that are on display at Broken Arrow venue Geaux Shows, where he regularly volunteers to host his ongoing Stay Gold Film Festival.

Signature style Local artist and filmmaker displays his growing celebrity portrait collection.

hen you step into the theater lobby at Geaux Shows (3812 S. Elm Place, Broken Arrow), the movies may have to wait. The walls demand attention first, splashed with a portrait collection that blends pop art, surreal imagery and celebrity signatures from a delightfully surprising roster that includes stunt performer Steve-O, actor and comedian Andy Dick, the late professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, comedian Harland Williams and filmmaker Kevin Smith. Behind the eclectic collection, titled “Stay Gold: Legends on the Wall,” is Lasso Bocca, the artist name of Tulsan and independent filmmaker Lisandro Boccacci. Bocca wanted to help the small, local theater — which opened in 2023 and is owned by Gene and Beth Barber — build a following and become a destination. “It was also a chance to create something unique that would bring joy to people and can only be found at this theater,” he says. This collection — which took him four years to complete — is his largest to date. It began with a portrait of comedian Paul Reubens’ character Pee-wee Herman, but it soon grew into something more ambitious. As performers booked appearances and shows in Tulsa at various venues, such as Tulsa Bricktown Comedy Club, Bocca would paint them ahead of their appearances and hope it would create a point of connection. He says Geaux Shows’ volunteer Christine Holman connected him with Tulsa Bricktown Comedy Club staff, who have been instrumental in helping him connect with celebrity guests. “In general, I don’t really have a plan,” he explains. “I just make the painting and take it to these events where entertainers are and hope that the paintings impress enough to get their attention and get them signed.” Each piece begins long before paint touches canvas. Bocca researches his subject’s life and career, searching for the defining moment, image or turning point that captures something essential about who they are. It’s a labor of love, as Bocca has no plans to sell any of the paintings. Instead, he hopes they bring joy to everyone who visits the lobby. On the last Sunday of the month, Bocca volunteers to screen his ongoing Stay Gold Film Festival, which shows 30-plus indie short films and one feature. This month’s screening is Nov. 29 (details at indieshowcasebulletinboard.com). In addition to film screenings, the multi-faceted Geaux Shows also offers entertainment options such as mini golf, escape rooms, axe throwing and rooms for private events. Learn more at geauxshows.com. — ABIGAIL SINGREY TulsaPeople.com 21

CITY DESK

BENEFITS

NOVEMBER CHARITABLE EVENTS COMPILED BY TIFFANY HOWARD

3 Amplify Youth Health Day Benefits Amplify Youth Collective. amplifytulsa.org 5 Gold Medal Night Benefits Aim High Academy. aimhighgym.org/gold-medal-night Hope Games: Festival of Hope Benefits the Case Family Safety Center. fsctulsa.org Night of Honor Benefits Soldier’s Wish. soldierswish.org Rally for Rescues Benefits Animal Aid of Tulsa. animalaid.org/donate/rallyforrescues 6 50th Anniversary Celebration Benefits Up With Trees. upwithtrees.org/events/ 50th-anniversary-celebration Corks and Kegs Benefits The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. cff.org/chapters/eastern-oklahomachapter 7 Art Party Benefits Tulsa Girls Art School. tulsagirlsartschool.org Bourbon and Blues Benefits Folds of Honor. onecau.se/tulsabourbonandblues Fall Vendor Fair and Bazaar Benefits Bailey Education Foundation. baileyeducationfoundation.com Giving Spirits Benefits the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. okfoodbank.org Hope-A-Thon Benefits Judy Nicholson Kidney Cancer Foundation. Once In A While Band 22 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

Red and Navy Royale Benefits the Rogers State Foundation. rsu.edu Rock ‘N’ Folk ‘N’ Chili Cook Off Benefits Horton Records. hortonrecords.org Run the Streets Woolaroc 8k Benefits Run the Streets youth mentorship program. woolaroc.org/event/run-the-streetswoolaroc-8k/ Runway Run Benefits Tulsa Air and Space Museum. tulsamuseum.org/event/ r66-runway-run-2026 Walk to Defeat ALS Tulsa Benefits the ALS Association. als.org/get-involved/events/ walk-defeat-als-tulsa 8 Breakthrough T1D Walk Benefits Breakthrough T1D. breakthrought1d.org 10 AWARE Luncheon Benefits Alzheimer’s Association Oklahoma Chapter. alz.org/oklahoma Nights in November Benefits Hope is Alive. hopeisalive.net 12 Dinner with Friends Benefits Meals on Wheels of Metro Tulsa. mealsonwheelstulsa.org Instill: TYPROS Annual Fundraising Event Benefits TYPROS. typrosinstill.org

12-13 Beyond Awareness Educational Summit Beneﬁts The Demand Project. thedemandproject.org 13 Stetsons and Stilettos Beneﬁts Route 66 Main Street. rt66tulsa.org

OCCJ Celebration Dinner Beneﬁts the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice. occjok.org/annual-awards Restoring Our Community Banquet Beneﬁts the Crossover Scholarship Fund. crossoverscholarshipfund.org

14 2 Angels Toy Run Beneﬁts 2 Angels Toy Run. 2angelstoyrun

20 Basketful of Love: Thanksgiving Baskets Beneﬁts the Washington Brown Foundation. washingtonbrownfoundation.com

Gatesway Disability Awareness Powwow Beneﬁts the Gatesway Foundation. gatesway.org/community

21 Dream Gala Beneﬁts Tulsa Girls’ Home. tulsagirlshome.org/gala

Safenet Services’ Festival of Trees Beneﬁts Safenet Services. safenetservices.org/fotsafenet

Osage Honor the Arts Beneﬁts the Osage Nation Foundation. osagefoundation.org

Welcome Home 5k Beneﬁts Eagle Ops Foundation. eagleops.org/welcomehome5k

Tulsa Cattle Baron’s Ball Beneﬁts American Cancer Society. tulsa.acscbb.org

15-Dec. 15 Gifts of Hope Beneﬁts Youth Services of Tulsa. yst.org

27-Dec. 27 (select nights) Philbrook Festival Beneﬁts Philbrook Museum of Art. philbrook.org

17 Bunco for a Cause Beneﬁts Project Hope Worldwide and Bailey Education Foundation. baileyeducationfoundation.com

27-Dec. 30 Botanic Garden of Lights Beneﬁts Tulsa Botanic Garden. tulsabotanic.org/calendar

17-19 Stories of Light Beneﬁts Make-A-Wish Oklahoma. wish.org/oklahoma 19 Barbecue and Cigars Beneﬁts Tulsa Boys’ Home. tulsaboyshome.org

Oklahoma Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Beneﬁts Oklahoma Hall of Fame. oklahomahof.com

Dancing with the Tulsa Stars Beneﬁts San Miguel School of Tulsa. dancingwiththetulsastars.com

Saddle Up and Fundraise Beneﬁts Branch15. branch15.org

Dinner of Reconciliation Beneﬁts John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation. jhfcenter.org

28 Cancer Sucks Concert Benefits Cancer Sucks. cancersucks.com 29 Leftover Last Waltz Benefits Foundation for Tulsa Schools’ music education programs. theleftoverlastwaltz Nog Off Benefits Emerson Elementary Art Department. thetulsaartsdistrict.org/annual-nog-off

HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS SPONSORED BY TULSAPEOPLE.

OSU: TOM GILBERT; CUISINE + CARS: EMORY KOUPLEN

1-Dec.-15 Season of Care Beneﬁts Family and Children’s Services. seasonofcare.fcsok.org

CITY DESK

BENEFITS

ORANGE IMPACT For the first time, the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences held the university’s annual Orange Impact event to showcase the growing Tulsa campus and the latest in medical education innovation, as well as the life-changing impact scholarships can have on students. Held Oct. 1, the event was attended by close to 160 people including alumni, legislative leaders, tribal representatives and health care partners. During the course of the evening, it was announced that U.S. District Judge Terence Kern (pictured above, second from left), his wife Jeanette Kern (second from right), and entrepreneur Tim Headington had pledged $500,000 toward a new wellness center on the OSU-CHS campus, and an additional $300,000 was raised for student scholarships. (Also pictured above: Oklahoma State University President Dr. Jim Hess, far left, and OSU Center for Health Sciences President Johnny Stephens, far right.)

Over 12 restaurants and bars in the district will compete! Must be 21+ $50/person. Reservations required.

CUISINE + CARS On Sept. 22, 275 guests gathered at the Glenpool Conference Center to support The Common Good at its annual Cuisine + Cars fundraiser. The nonprofit serves the northwest Tulsa community in a variety of ways — from its after-school program for kids to fitness classes and activities for older adults. With a theme of “Race the Riviera,” event attendees were able to meander throughout multiple luxury cars on display, such as an Italian Alfa Romeo and a custom Land Rover Defender. Other event activities included a silent and live auction, wine pull and “Impact Stations,” where guests could give to specific Common Good programs. A total of approximately $175,000 was raised to support The Common Good’s six core programs. (Pictured above, attendees Richard Waldrop and Dr. Tia Waldrop)

Sunday, November 29 @ Living Arts of Tulsa. 6:00 pm. Beneﬁting Emerson Montessori Elementary Art Department. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.TheTulsaArtsDistrict.org/annual-nog-off.

For more event galleries, visit tulsapeople.com. TulsaPeople.com 23

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

When Managing Financial Growth and Complexity Requires a Private Banker

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Time is our most valuable asset. Managing an increasingly complex financial life shouldn’t cost us more of it. If you’re ready to trade financial stress for streamlined expertise, it’s time to see how a dedicated private banker can help simplify your busy life while helping you reach your financial goals. Services provided by Arvest Private Banking. Qualifications required, see a dedicated Private Banker for more details. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Loans and lines of credit subject to credit approval. Investment products and services provided by Arvest Investments, Inc., doing business as Arvest Wealth Management, member FINRA/SIPC, an SEC registered investment adviser and a subsidiary of Arvest Bank.

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Investments and Insurance Products: Not a Deposit | Not Guaranteed by the Bank or its Affiliates | Not FDIC Insured | Not Insured by Any Federal Government Agency | May Go Down in Value TulsaPeople.com 25

Coney Island Hot Weiners JAN. 8, 1926 When Greek immigrant Christ Economou came to Tulsa to open his 27th coney shop, he planned to get it running and move on. Instead, he fell in love with the city and stayed. Coney Island Hot Weiners opened Jan. 8, 1926, and remains family-owned a century later, still serving chili made from the original recipe. While the restaurant has moved several times, it’s stayed within the same block, and now serves up piping hot food in the Tulsa Arts District from 107 N. Boulder Ave.

Jimmy Economou, son of Coney Island Hot Weiners’ founder Christ Economou, ran the iconic Tulsa eatery for decades (image taken circa 1990 at 108 W. Fourth St.).

BIG BIRTHDAYS 10 Tulsa institutions celebrating 100 years.

While the Route 66 Centennial is officially recognized this month, the Mother Road is not the only thing turning 100 in Tulsa this year. Catch up with these 10 Tulsa institutions also turning 100-years-old in 2026. 26 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

MUSEUM OF TULSA HISTORY

BY ABIGAIL SINGREY

View of the Sophian Plaza Park circa 1940

Group photograph of nurses on the steps of St. John hospital

Ascension St. John FEB. 22, 1926 When a delegation of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother came across an 8.75-acre strawberry farm on a quiet corner in 1916 they saw more than fields; they saw the future site of the original St. John hospital campus. A group of local doctors, along with the Catholic diocese, had invited the congregation to Tulsa to open a hospital after seeing their success running one in Wichita. In 1917, the sisters bought the land at East 21st Street and South Utica Avenue and rallied support to build what Tulsa desperately needed. “I admire their strength and fortitude,” says Lauren Landwerlin, president of the St. John Foundation. A week before the hospital’s official opening, a woman in labor arrived seeking help. Staff stepped in and delivered baby Lillian on Feb. 14, 1926, eight days before her due date. “We were ready before we were ready,” Landwerlin says. While a lot of changes have occurred on the campus — including a rebrand to Ascension St. John in 2018 — the heart of the hospital and its mission remain the same. Generations of Tulsans have sought comfort in the hospital’s chapel, offering a sanctuary of peace in the middle of all the activity of the facility. In addition, the staff at St. John have found new ways to help the community. The hospital also recently verified as a Level One Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons/Committee on Trauma, a technical and educational achievement representing the gold standard in comprehensive trauma care. Through the Ascension St. John Health Equity fund, they have an impact beyond their walls, giving significant, transformational grants to nonprofits who are aligned with their health care mission. Recently, the foundation granted Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma funding to support hiring an additional dentist, plus adding more chairs for exams and procedures at the organization’s St. Teresa of Calcutta Dental Clinic. As a result, the nonprofit was able to see more than 2,800 dental patients — a 30% increase over the previous year. “It’s still people helping people,” Landwerlin says. To commemorate this landmark year, Ascension St. John hosted a Centennial Gala June 13. Learn more about the organization’s plans for the future at givestjohn.org.

DON’T MISS OUR UPCOMING FEATURE ON THE 100TH ANNUAL TULSA CHRISTMAS PARADE IN THE DECEMBER ISSUE!

Sophian Plaza Park OCTOBER 1926 The Sophian Plaza Park was designed to turn heads. Tulsa’s first high-rise apartment building, its Italian-inspired architecture was meant to impress nearby businesses and passersby alike. Built in 1926 as an enclave for the city’s wealthy, it offered a life of ease and elegance. Residents could visit the basement beauty parlor while one of the building’s 24-hour staff members tidied their apartments above. Today, Sophian Plaza is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is home primarily to privately owned condominiums.

Students shown entering Theodore Roosevelt Junior High School in 1933.

Theodore Roosevelt Junior High School (Now Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences) MAY 2, 1926 In 1926, a stately brick school with stone accents rose beside Owen Park as part of Tulsa’s push to expand junior high education. Designed by architect Leland Shumway, Theodore Roosevelt Junior High School anchored one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, its arched entryway and decorative stone bands reflecting Collegiate Gothic style. The school closed and the building sat vacant for years. In 2015, Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences leased it from Tulsa Public Schools after losing its previous home to a fire. Following renovations, TSAS students attended their first classes there in August 2016. TulsaPeople.com 27

A photo from when tennis icon Billie Jean King came to town and met with Tulsa Tennis Club youth players in the 1960s.

Tulsa Tennis Club JUNE 1926

Byron Alp, Tulsa Tennis Club manager and head tennis professional 28 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

Monte Cassino School SEPT. 13, 1926 In the fall of 1926, the Benedictine Sisters of St. Joseph Monastery opened a small school in Tulsa with a clear purpose: to educate children in the Benedictine tradition, no matter the obstacles. In the years that followed, Monte Cassino School was tested by the Great Depression. The sisters met those challenges with grit, growing sweet potatoes in their garden to ensure the students had food, and even salvaging carpet from dumpsters to improve the school. Initially founded as a girls’ school, Monte Cassino was at times a boarding school and later a junior college. In 1986, it transitioned to a co-educational PreK-8 institution, and in 2002 added an Early Childhood Learning Center. “The sisters have always answered the call to what the community needs,” says Jessica Franczyk, director of marketing and communications. That spirit continues today. As the school looks toward its next century, the Benedictine Sisters of St. Joseph Monastery have transitioned leadership to a lay board and moved from East 21st Street and South Lewis Avenue to Skiatook, where they will serve the community in other ways. “It shows the trust they put in our leadership,” Franczyk says. “They feel their mission here is complete.”

The church building upon completion in 1926.

CASCIA HALL: COURTESY; ELOTE: GREG BOLLINGER; MONTE: MUSEUM OF TULSA HISTORY

Image of a classroom session at Monte Cassino School circa 1964

TULSA TENNIS CLUB: COURTESY; TRINITY: COURTESY; ST. FRANCIS XAVIER: MICHAEL SEARLES;

On major holidays like Memorial Day, Labor Day and Fourth of July, strains of “O Tennis Club,” sung to the tune of “O Tannenbaum,” float over the lush green grounds of the Tulsa Tennis Club. It’s the traditional finale to every Tulsa Tennis Club party, one that carries even more meaning as the club marks its 100th year. The Club got its start when a group of tennis players met at the Mayo Hotel in June of 1926 to discuss starting a private club with clay courts. They quickly purchased a 4-acre piece of land at East 28th Street and South Columbia Place — which has since become the heart of Midtown Tulsa — and the Tulsa Tennis Club was formed. Former President And Club Historian Kevin Murray calls the club “a cozy oasis right in the heart of Tulsa.” Many families span three generations at the club, where membership is capped at approximately 200 members or families and the waitlist stretches at least two to three years. “Most people don’t really leave,” says Byron Alp, club manager and head tennis professional. “We have at least a dozen players who have been active club members for 55-plus years. Two of these members venture into the USTA League, playing regularly across America in the 75-plus age bracket.” That enduring loyalty was on full display at the club’s 100th anniversary gala on Sept. 27 at the Mayo Hotel, which brought together past and present members to share memories.

The Day Building is now home to Elote Cafe, pictured here in 2015.

The Day Building 1926 (EXACT DATE UNKNOWN)

The Sept. 13, 1999, dedication of Saint Augustine Hall. Far right, Robert Prevost, OSA (now Pope Leo XIV), served as Prior Provincial on Cascia Hall’s Board of Directors from 1999-2001.

Cascia Hall Preparatory School SEPT. 24, 1926 It’s a tradition a century in the making. Each October on Blazer Day, incoming students gather to receive their new Cascia Hall blazer with its distinctive crest, bestowed to them by an older student. Set against the stately brick backdrop of St. Rita’s chapel, the ceremony marks students’ official welcome into the Cascia family. That sense of belonging has defined the school since its founding in 1926 by the Augustinian Order. What began with just 25 students, including boarders who lived on campus, and a faculty of five Augustinians plus two lay teachers has steadily grown and evolved. The campus expanded with the addition of the chapel in the 1950s, a new middle school in the 1980s, a library in 1994 and a performing arts center in 2006. Cascia became coeducational in 1986 and now serves more than 530 students in grades six through 12. As it heads into its next century, Cascia is focused firmly on the future. Plans are underway for a new two-story facility centered on STEM education, athletics and student life, which will include upgraded health and wellness facilities, a renovated dining hall and kitchen, and a converted gym lobby with a multi-functional student commons and a cafe. The school also welcomed a new headmaster, Father Jack Tierney, OSA, in July. “While students and times have changed, our mission is even more critical than ever,” says Father Philip Cook, OSA, Cascia’s former headmaster. “A student can come to us at 11 and leave as a critical thinker with a generous heart and a strong sense of social responsibility, something our world needs now more than ever.”

Trinity Episcopal Church SPRING 1926 While Trinity Episcopal Church celebrates its 100th anniversary, its roots in Oklahoma stretch back much further — to the arrival of the first Episcopal missionaries in Indian Territory in the 1800s. The first Episcopal service in Tulsa was held in a home in 1903, and by 1905 the congregation had purchased the lot at East Fifth Street and South Cincinnati Avenue, where the church still stands today. The church opened its doors in May 1926. Though other parts of the building have changed over time, the original structure of the nave remains virtually unchanged. “Many people describe the nave as a thin place, where you can feel the presence of God,” says Sara Arnold, senior warden, who has attended the church for 24 years. To mark the centennial, a choir member commissioned an anthem for the choir being written by Michael Bedford, Organist/Choirmaster Emeritus at St. John’s Episcopal Church. As Trinity celebrates this milestone year, the congregation recently welcomed Rev. Daniel Morrow as the rector to guide the church into its next chapter. “For over 100 years, Trinity has been a place of beautiful and reverent worship, a thoughtful and courageous commitment to social justice and a welcoming community rooted in Christ’s love,” Morrow shares. “As we begin this next chapter, I am excited to build upon that rich legacy, continuing to be an open-minded and open-hearted church that bears witness to God’s boundless love for all people, and I mean all ... no exceptions.”

Before he became one of Oklahoma’s most visionary architects, Bruce Goff was a young designer in Tulsa, already experimenting with ideas that would shape his future work. Among his early projects was the Day Building, which was completed in 1926 as a commercial space for a dentist. The rectangular structure features layered recesses framing its doors and windows — a repeating motif that would later appear in many of Goff ’s designs. Though it was sold shortly after completion, the building remained a fixture in the city for decades, most notably as Nelson’s Buffeteria. Today, it’s well known as the home of Libby Billings’ Elote Cafe.

While St. Francis Xavier Church was established in 1926, the sanctuary was completed in 1949.

St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church APRIL 1926 In April, St. Francis Xavier celebrated a century since its founding by Rev. E.D. McCreedy at the 2500 block of East First Street. The area was poised to grow, with the soon-to-be-designated Route 66 including nearby East Admiral Place. In spite of the Great Depression, the church pursued building its Spanish Mission-inspired sanctuary in 1936. The basement came to fruition in 1938, but construction paused due to World War II complications. Finally, on Feb. 19, 1949, the church celebrated its first Mass. After facing another setback with the construction of Interstate 244 tearing through the neighborhood, St. Francis Xavier merged with another parish — Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, which served as a Hispanic cultural center — in the 1990s. This union helped establish St. Francis Xavier as a hub for Tulsa’s growing Hispanic Catholic community. In July 2004, the church was dedicated as a shrine to a replica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which further solidified the site as a regional destination for Hispanic Catholics. tp TulsaPeople.com 29

available at

Locally Owned and Trusted Since 1944 moodysjewelry.com

John Hamill

TULSAPEOPLE MAGAZINE EDITOR, 1992-1999 Author, speechwriter, ghost writer, church pianist and lay preacher For Hamill, his start with the magazine in 1992 included grappling early on with determining weekly covers as TulsaPeople Magazine shifted to a weekly publication to ﬁll the void left by the recently folded Tulsa Tribune. “The covers were an important part of getting people to take the magazine off the newsstand,” he explains. “By that time we (had) converted from a tabloid size to a Life magazine size ... so, we had a larger presence on newsstands.”

YEARS OF TELLING TULSA’S STORY F O R M E R T U L S A P E O P L E M A G A Z I N E S TA F F REFLECT ON MEMORIES FROM FOUR DECADES OF LANGDON PUBLISHING.

BY LAUREN ROGERS This month marks exactly 40 years since the first issue of TulsaPeople Magazine hit racks across the city. Established by publisher Jim Langdon with support from his wife Juley Roffers, who later became the company’s president, the magazine was designed to dive into the social, cultural and commercial news of the city, which at the time was reconciling with its own identity as the “Oil Capital of the World” amid a historic collapse of global crude oil prices. Determined to capture the spirit of Tulsa, and celebrate living, working and playing in the city, TulsaPeople staff have dedicated decades to diving into Tulsans’ stories. As the team prepared for our 40th anniversary exhibition on display at the Museum of Tulsa History through the month of November, we invited former staff to share their favorite personal memories from their time with Langdon Publishing.

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE MOST MEMORABLE COVER STORIES DURING YOUR TIME WITH TULSAPEOPLE MAGAZINE? The most memorable, I think, was the cover we did on Dennis Byrd, the football player. He was a great football player for The University of Tulsa, was a tremendous football player for the New York Jets, and (he) received a paralyzing injury. And he recovered. It was a miraculous story, and he wrote a book about it. Larry Payton, who founded Celebrity Attractions — and also had at one time been on our cover — was a good friend and was helping Dennis with publicity, and we wanted to put Dennis Byrd on the cover, and with a story. With my background in sports writing with the Tulsa Tribune, I was selected to do (or self-appointed myself, I suppose) to do that cover story. John McCormack, who was doing photography for us at the time, went out, shot a great shot of Dennis Byrd. Well, between the time he made that shot and the time I was scheduled to interview, apparently someone in Dennis Byrd’s management circle told him to cut out all interviews and save everything for a big speech he was to make promoting the book at the Mabee Center. So, all of a sudden we had a cover photo, but no cover article. So, I went to Sports Illustrated, giving proper attribution, and it was probably the only cover story in the history of TulsaPeople Magazine that was written without the benefit of an interview with the person who was on the cover. DO YOU HAVE ANY NON-COVER STORIES YOU THINK ABOUT FROM YOUR TIME AT LANGDON PUBLISHING? We were a very tight-knit, fun group ... As an April Fools’ Day approached, (Art Director/Production Manager) Joe Krout and I were thinking about what (we could) do to have some fun. We’d recently moved into this building, which previously had a sign where the Langdon Publishing sign is (now), for Stevenson Plaza. That was the name of the owner, John Stevenson, who had an advertising agency, and Jim had had a drop-down sign put on it that, as I recall, said “TulsaPeople Magazine.” Joe and I concocted an idea. We had a city seal from a piece of stationery. We put together official-looking stationery from the Department of Signage or something, and we wrote a letter addressed to Jim, saying that he was in violation, and the violation number was April 1 — whatever the year that was. That was going to be our giveaway. Well, I’m a pretty good writer. I’d worked in the bureaucracy for a while. I worked in Washington, so I could write an official letter. It was too good. Jim took every word seriously. The next thing I know, he’s calling Juley to come in early. “We’ve got a real crisis on our hands,” he said. Joe and I were kind of chuckling, and it kept going. It kept going, and then finally, Joe and I did, I think, rock paper scissors to determine who’s going to go in to tell Jim ... We figured one or the other is going to get fired. Fortunately, neither one of us were fired. That was the kind of fun we had here. TulsaPeople.com 31

TULSAPEOPLE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT, 1992-2020 Retired For Judy Langdon, what stands out to her most from her 30-plus years with TulsaPeople Magazine are the memories of gathering with her fellow staff and discussing the latest Tulsa news. “Just having staff meetings and laughing,” she recalls, “and learning everything.” WHAT DID YOU ENJOY DOING MOST AT TULSAPEOPLE MAGAZINE? I used to interview celebrities when they were coming to town, and one of the celebrities that came (to town) was Bob Newhart ... I just remember the call came about on my lunch hour. He just started telling me all these funny things and funny lines, and I was just rolling, and I can’t even really remember what he said, but it was just a very dry sense of humor, just one after the other, and oh man, it was fun.

Andrea Leitch John McCormack photographed Byrd recovering at St. John Rehabilitation Center. McCormack’s father, Bob, was another beloved TulsaPeople cover photographer.

TULSAPEOPLE INTERN, 2007; EDITORIAL ASSISTANT, 2008-2010 Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Gathering Place, Guthrie Green and LowDown In the late 2000s, Andrea Leitch joined the TulsaPeople team as an intern before becoming a full-time editorial assistant. “I did not realize how special Tulsa was as a community until I started working for TulsaPeople Magazine,” she says. “This is where I really saw the true spirit of Tulsans, and how Tulsa really is the most generous community.” WHAT DID THEY HAVE YOU DOING AS AN EDITORIAL ASSISTANT? When I started out at TulsaPeople, one of the projects that I was supposed to do each month was write about different young professionals doing incredible things in the city that were creating positive impact and change. So, these were changemakers, and many of them were with TYPROS, and it’s pretty incredible to see the different stories that I wrote about and the proﬁles I did, because 20 years later, those people are the leaders of our city. TulsaPeople was there from the very beginning of their young careers, and truly they have become our leaders and modern-day changemakers for the city of Tulsa.

Former Editor John Hamill fondly recalls writing a cover story about the rise of jazz in Tulsa featuring the terriﬁc saxophone player Earl Clark.

WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE MEMORIES FROM WORKING WITH TULSAPEOPLE? One of my favorite moments working at TulsaPeople Magazine was when we ﬁrst learned about the concept of Gathering Place. We were one of the ﬁrst to really dive into what the park was going to be and how transformative it was going to be, and it was pretty incredible to see the renderings

and talk with the George Kaiser Family Foundation and Jeff Stava about what Gathering Place would do for the community and its impact, and to see where it started to where it is today is unreal and beyond our wildest dreams. There were several magazine issues dedicated to Gathering Place throughout the course of its building, and it’s really special that TulsaPeople put so much love and effort into sharing what Gathering Place was going to do for the community, and now today to see the impact, I believe TulsaPeople was a big part of making sure Tulsa was aware of what the park would be, and because of that, Gathering Place is a destination not just for locals but for people around the world. And TulsaPeople was there from the very beginning.

Valerie Wei-Haas

TULSAPEOPLE CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER, 2016-2020 Professional photographer and videographer During the late 2010s, local photographer Valerie Wei-Haas spent several years as a regular contributing photographer for TulsaPeople Magazine at what she considers the “beginning of her career.” “I really think that it was such a wonderful foundation for me because I got to really learn how to take a wonderful editorial portrait of someone,” she shares. “I could go into any business or any space, and kind of assess the light, and look for a cool backdrop, and kind of get to know them as well — asking them questions, making them feel comfortable. That would really help me take a good portrait of them, something that’s really genuine and helps tell their story.” CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE PHOTOSHOOTS? “For the (2017) pet issue, I got to go photograph a bird rehabilitation center (Soft Landings Parrot Rescue Inc.), and I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but when I got there, I walked in and I can hear a lot of noises going on. Some were like siren sounds, and then others were like cars backing up. And I thought, “What in the world is happening?” When I walked in and was talking to (Director Lisa Moser), she was explaining that the birds will kind of mimic sounds that they’ve heard throughout their life. And so I go in ... and I’m thinking, “This is amazing.” There’s colorful, big birds everywhere. And so I’m on one side of the room, and there are these rope toys that go across the whole room, and this big bird is on the other side. So I kind of get this cool angle where (the camera is) on the rope and (the bird is) kind of looking straight at me. I’m snapping photos, and the shutter’s going, and then all of a sudden this bird is getting bigger and bigger in my frame, and then I realize the bird’s like right in

THE 1994 PAUL HARVEY COVER

“Occasionally, you’d run into interesting situations with the cover,” former TulsaPeople Magazine Editor John Hamill notes about the nature of publishing. “Paul Harvey (Aurandt) was going to speak at a Salvation Army dinner ... and they called us.” The nationally recognized radio personality was returning to Tulsa, where he was born and got his start in broadcasting, to keynote the 1994 Salvation Army Annual Dinner at the Adam’s Mark Hotel. With the scoop on the story, Hamill arranged for an interview with Harvey, but the time remained up for Harvey to decide. “Well, he happened to call when I was out to lunch,” Hamill says. Bonnie Canada, longtime ofﬁce manager for Langdon Publishing, picked up the phone during Hamill’s lunch break. “I remember at the time he was doing (his radio show),” Canada recalls. “So I passed him to Jim and I told him, ‘That’s the rest of the story!’” In Hamill’s absence, Langdon performed a spontaneous interview with Harvey to ensure the story would proceed. “(He) tried to turn the notes over to me, and I said, ‘No, you did the interview, Jim. You write the article,’” Hamill remembers. “The secret of Jim Langdon not only is his great imagination, (and) management skill ... He’s a good writer. That was one of the best cover articles we had, not only from the photo, but Jim’s article.” Paul Harvey on the cover of TulsaPeople following an improvised phone interview with Jim Langdon. 32 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

T U L S A P E O P L E C E L E B R AT E S L E G AC Y B U S I N E S S E S T H AT H AV E M A D E T H E I R M A R K I N T U L S A FO R 40 OR MORE YEARS.

The locally owned institutions featured in the following pages provide a vital economic foundation for our city and are known for their overall excellence, loyal customers, achieving business success and longevity.

1908

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Williams When brothers David and Miller Williams arrived in Tulsa in 1916, they were following opportunity. Having founded a construction business in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in 1908, they built their first pipeline in 1916 and moved to Tulsa during the region’s oil boom. More than a century later, Williams evolved from a sidewalk and bridge contractor to one of North America’s largest energy infrastructure companies. Today, led by CEO Chad Zamarin, Williams operates a vast network of gathering systems, processing facilities and storage assets that handle roughly one-third of the natural gas used in the United States. Its Transco system delivers energy from Texas and the Gulf Coast to major population centers along the Eastern Seaboard. The company’s story is about more than infrastructure. Throughout its 118-year history, Williams has repeatedly reinvented itself while remaining grounded in a culture of entrepreneurship, innovation and long-term strategy. As energy needs change, Williams is investing in technologies such as solar, carbon capture and renewable natural gas while continuing to expand and modernize the natural gas infrastructure that powers homes, businesses, industries and an increasingly digital economy.

For generations, Williams has contributed not only to Tulsa’s economy but also to its civic and cultural life. Williams supports first responders, education initiatives, workforce development programs, parks, trails and numerous nonprofit organizations. The Williams Center complex, including the iconic BOK Tower, helped reshape the city’s skyline. Williams focuses its community investments on making the communities it serves safer, more opportunity-rich and more economically competitive. Between 2021 and 2025, the company contributed $69 million in philanthropic giving, while employees logged 37,000 volunteer hours in 2025 alone. If there is a secret to Williams’ longevity, it lies in the company’s core values: long-term thinking, entrepreneurial problem-solving, commitment to safety, investment in people and dedication to the communities it serves. These cornerstones have enabled the company to adapt to new markets, technologies and challenges for more than a century. NYSE: WMB • williams.com

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

1997-Present

1971-1997

THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC.

1950s-1974

1908 — Williams Is Founded David and Miller Williams establish a construction company in Fort Smith, Arkansas, building sidewalks and bridges. 1916 — Move to Tulsa Williams builds its first pipeline and relocates to Tulsa during Oklahoma’s oil boom, marking the beginning of Williams’ long relationship with Tulsa. 1943 — War Emergency Pipeline In response to German submarines’ targeting of oil tankers in WWII, the U.S. government called upon Williams to build two pipelines to provide a critical alternative fuel supply route. Within a year, Big Inch and Little Big Inch pipelines were in service. 1965 — Great Lakes Pipe Line Acquisition Williams acquired Great Lakes Pipe Line Company in a deal larger than Williams itself at the time, marking Williams’ transition from pipeline builder to pipeline owner. 1970s-1980s — Building the Williams Center Development of the Williams Center complex, including the landmark tower now known as BOK Tower, symbolizing Williams’ impact on Tulsa’s growth and identity. Today — Powering America’s Energy Future Williams handles roughly one-third of the natural gas used in the U.S. while continuing to invest in lower-emission energy solutions.

1981

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Eurocraft Granite and Marble For more than 40 years, Eurocraft Granite and Marble has been part of Tulsa’s building and design community, but the family’s connection to the industry reaches back generations. Eurocraft was founded in 1981 by Johann Skaftason and Anna Helgadottir. Johann came from a long line of stonemasons in his native Iceland and was classically trained in the craft, beginning a lifelong relationship with natural stone well before Eurocraft opened its doors. While Johann became the familiar face of the company, Anna played a key role behind the scenes, helping build the business foundation that allowed Eurocraft to grow and succeed. Today, at age 72, Johann remains actively involved in the company he helped create more than four decades ago, now working alongside his daughter, Hjorny Skaftason, and son-in-law, Ryan Phillips. These multigenerational perspectives have become one of Eurocraft’s greatest strengths.

Johann brings a lifetime of knowledge and an understanding of masonry rooted in traditional craftsmanship. Hjorny and Ryan are building upon that foundation by embracing advanced technology, modern fabrication methods and a more design-focused approach to what can be created with natural stone. While the tools have changed dramatically, the importance of artistry remains. Eurocraft continues to invest in advanced equipment and technology that allow its craftsmen to execute increasingly complex designs with remarkable precision. But technology is viewed as a tool — not a replacement for the trained eye, skilled hands and experience required to create exceptional stonework. The marriage of old-world artisanry and modern technology is especially evident in Eurocraft’s focus on distinctive, high-end natural stone. The company has developed a passion for one-of-a-kind marbles

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Ryan Phillips, Johann Skaftason and daughter Hjorny Skaftason in the workshop at EuroCraft.

and quartzites — materials chosen not simply for function, but for their beauty, movement and individual character. No two slabs of natural stone are exactly alike, and Eurocraft approaches each project with that in mind. From dramatic kitchen islands and full-height stone backsplashes to fireplaces, bathrooms and architectural stonework, some of the company’s favorite projects are those that allow the natural stone itself to become an integral part of the design. Being a second-generation family business also means recognizing that Eurocraft’s legacy extends beyond the family. Relationships with Tulsa-area homeowners, builders, designers and craftsmen have been built over decades, and in some cases Eurocraft now works with the next generation of families and businesses it first served years ago. For Hjorny and Ryan, carrying Eurocraft forward is more than just continuing day-to-day operations. They are dedicated to preserving

the craftsmanship, work ethic and standards at the foundation of the business while continuing to evolve with new trends and best practices. Johann remains very much part of that evolution; sharing his knowledge, solving challenges and passing down a craft that was passed down to him. After four decades of growth, Eurocraft not only represents family tradition, but it also serves as a charting course for the future — where time-honored values pair with modern technology, fueled by a passion for extraordinary natural stone and a commitment to creating work meant to last. It is a family legacy built in stone; one the next generation is proud to continue. 16052 S. Broadway St., Glenpool • 918-322-5500 eurocraftgranite.com

1979

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Scott and Kim Burnett with son, Neal Burnett.

Burnett Home Improvement Founded in Tulsa in 1979 by Scott Burnett and his father, Guy Burnett Sr., Burnett Home Improvement began as a small fatherand-son business built on hard work and a commitment to quality craftsmanship. When Guy passed away unexpectedly, Scott carried forward the vision they had started together. Over several decades, Scott and his wife, Kim, grew Burnett Home Improvement into one of the region’s leading remodeling companies serving homeowners throughout the Tulsa metro area and Northwest Arkansas. Unlike national franchises or companies that retain a family name but are owned by private equity firms, Burnett Home Improvement remains family-owned and independently operated. Today, president Mike McClure oversees day-to-day operations and growth, while Scott and Kim’s son, Neal Burnett, plays an active role in company leadership, operations and customer projects, helping carry the family legacy into the next generation. Burnett credits its dedicated team, many of whom have been with the company for over 20 years, as the cornerstone of its success. With showrooms in Tulsa and Springdale, Arkansas, Burnett Home Improvement specializes in replacement windows, entry and patio

doors, siding and bathroom remodeling. Partnering with manufacturers such as Infinity by Marvin, ProVia and Luxury Bath, the company combines high-quality products, certified installation and personalized service. Burnett’s commitment extends beyond home improvement, reflecting a belief that customers are more than transactions. The company gives back to the community by supporting local organizations including Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, Little Light House and Pathways Adult Learning Center. Celebrating 47 years, Burnett Home Improvement has built a reputation through the homes it has transformed and the trust and relationships it has developed with generations of homeowners. As the company looks to the future, it remains committed to the principles that shaped its beginnings: quality craftsmanship, personalized service and helping homeowners enhance the comfort, beauty and value of their homes. 11202 E. 61st St. • 918-286-7600 burnettinc.com

1921

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Members of the Family & Children Services’s Leadership Team

Family & Children’s Services Founded in 1921, Family & Children’s Services has spent more than a century helping individuals and families build healthier, more stable lives. Today, Family & Children’s Services provides comprehensive behavioral health and social services through more than 70 programs designed to support vulnerable children, strengthen families, help adults recover from mental illness and addiction, assist people affected by trauma and abuse, and divert individuals from the criminal legal system. Family & Children’s Services also provides 24/7 crisis services for people experiencing mental health emergencies, connecting individuals with immediate intervention, stabilization and ongoing care. Its services extend beyond traditional behavioral health treatment to include physical health coordination, care coordination, employment and education support, housing assistance and other essential services that address challenges that may affect a person’s overall well-being. “Family & Children’s Services has never abandoned its original purpose to help under-resourced and struggling Oklahomans and to

work in partnership with other organizations through social work and evolving services,” President and CEO Adam Andreassen says. Family & Children’s Services became a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic in 2021, strengthening its ability to provide integrated, whole-person care and improve access to mental health and substance use treatment. Its services reach people not only at Family & Children’s Services offices, but also where they live, learn and connect with their communities. Throughout its history, Family & Children’s Services has relied on strong community partnerships to make care more accessible. As one of the original Tulsa Area United Way partner agencies, the organization has also benefited from generations of community-minded leadership. More than a century after its founding, Family & Children’s Services remains true to its mission to promote, support and strengthen the well-being and behavioral health of adults, children and families. 5310 E. 31St St. • 918-587-9471 • fcsok.org

1985

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Nadia Revilla (seated), Chelsea Hanoch, Jackie Vu, Lindsay Henderson (seated), Brooke Taylor, Madi Page (seated)

Sandra Mullins

Final Touch Commercial Cleaning Rooted in Tulsa. Built on Trust. Since 1985, Final Touch Commercial Cleaning has helped Tulsa businesses put their best foot forward. Established by Oklahoma native Sandra Mullins, the women-owned and operated company has built its reputation on dependable service, lasting relationships and a commitment to caring for people. Now celebrating 41 years in business, Final Touch is led by President and Owner Sandra Mullins and Vice President Jackie Vu. Its team of more than 280 experienced staff members includes employees with over 30 years of service, bringing dedication and consistency to every facility they clean. Final Touch cleans more than 10 million square feet nightly, serving corporate offices, medical facilities, universities, municipal buildings and more. The company has expanded into five additional states while remaining rooted in Tulsa. As TulsaPeople marks its 40th anniversary, Final Touch celebrates the employees, clients and community who have helped shape its story. With personalized service, sustainable cleaning products and pride in

every detail, the company looks forward to continuing its legacy of care for years to come. CELEBRATING MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP Thank you to Jim Langdon and TulsaPeople Magazine for more than 30 years of partnership. We are grateful for your support and for sharing Final Touch’s story with the Tulsa community. Congratulations on 40 years! Here’s to the next 40 years!

10404 E. 55th Plave, Suite C • 918-663-1919 finaltouchcleaning.com

1956

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Southwest Typewriter Company founder, Bobby Roberson

ImageNet’s Ben Berghall, manager of IT services; Andrew Newell, Tulsa Branch sales manager; and Alan Webb, Oklahoma Market president

ImageNet Consulting ImageNet Consulting was founded in Oklahoma in 1956 as Southwest Typewriter Company. As times and technology changed, so did the name. Southwest Typewriter Company began a legacy of providing superior solutions, products and service. Over the years, the company experienced constant innovations in office equipment and communication technology. Today, ImageNet Consulting is an industry-leading and awardwinning Managed Services powerhouse. “With over 70 years of experience in the technology and business consulting industry, we have built a reputation for providing cutting edge technology to our clients with dependable expertise and strategic guidance along the way,” says Alan Webb, Oklahoma Market president. ImageNet works with companies from every industry, of all shapes and sizes. ImageNet is an Oklahoma based company, and has a presence in seven states with 19 locations. “While Managed Print is one of our core business offerings, we have evolved to a true IT Solutions company,” notes Webb. “Our customers now additionally rely on us

for Enterprise Content Services, Audio Visual Solutions, Robots, 3D Printers and Managed IT Services” says Ben Berghall, Director of Managed IT Services. ImageNet’s Managed IT solutions team of over 40 individuals provide small and medium size clients across multiple verticals essential IT services from 24/7 help desk support, network and server management, data backup and disaster recovery to critical cyber security. “It is difficult for small and medium businesses to keep up with all the cyber security threats,” says Berghall. That’s why ImageNet has invested heavily in people and technology to help businesses secure their networks, computers and end-users. ImageNet Managed Security Services includes: Automated server and workstation protection tools backed by 24/7 threat hunting teams, cybersecurity end-user awareness training, and email protection and threat monitoring.

7231 E. 41st St. • 918-359-8602 • imagenetconsulting.com

1964

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

M&M’s Sean Stevens and Whitney McKellar-Stevens with Jim McKellar

M&M Lumber M&M Lumber in Tulsa has been a leading provider of quality wood products for the residential and commercial construction industries since 1964 when the company was established by Jim McKellar, Sr. and partner Ernest Miller. McKellar, Sr., a Seabee in the U.S. Navy, had gained experience running a lumber mill while serving in Guadalcanal. After discharge, he returned to Oklahoma and worked at several lumber yards. Over six decades later, M&M Lumber remains locally owned and operated by the McKellar family, standing as a resilient staple of Tulsa’s construction landscape. Today, operating from a 9-acre facility at East 47th Street and South Mingo Road, M&M Lumber serves both professional contractors and homeowners. They offer a full-service retail lumber yard with an inventory focused on both the needs of the contractor as well as the homeowner. Backed by a sales team that has been built on a legacy of experience, the company delivers expert guidance alongside specialty materials. M&M Lumber’s community impact stems from its full-service capabilities and commitment to craftsmanship. Their in-house door

shop can create custom pocket door frames, wood vents, corbels and specialized architectural millwork. Their comprehensive delivery fleet includes box trucks, flatbed haulers and trucks equipped with forklifts, giving M&M Lumber the flexibility to handle a wide variety of delivery needs. Through six decades of growth, M&M Lumber’s true legacy lies in its workforce and community relationships. From accounting and inventory management to delivery and sales, generations of long-time employees bring consistency, personal accountability and deep expertise to every project. By pairing long-term relationships with quality manufacturers and distribution partners that share the same dependable, familyowned values, M&M continues to support residential and commercial growth across Tulsa and its surrounding areas.

4711 S. Mingo Road • 918-627-1926 • mmlumberco.com

1924

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Mabrey Bank More than a century ago, Mabrey Bank was established as a familyowned and operated institution driven by a culture of integrity and service. Now, through four generations of Mabrey family leadership and a mission to improve the communities it serves, the bank has become a cornerstone of the Tulsa community while maintaining the same core values upon which it was founded. Without sacrificing the personalized care of its customers and businesses, Mabrey Bank has grown alongside the city of Tulsa. In 2026, the bank surpassed $2 billion in asset size, a new highwater mark. Specialized lending in industries such as energy, land, manufacturing and commercial real estate has contributed to Mabrey’s expansion across the region. Loans represent just one element of the comprehensive experience that businesses receive at Mabrey, however, with in-house experts delivering all aspects of commercial finance including Deposits, Treasury Services, International Banking and Fraud Protection. Many of those partnerships with its business clients mirror the lasting relationships Mabrey builds with its customers. Generations of

Oklahomans have trusted Mabrey as their bank of choice thanks to the warmth and friendliness of the team members at its 16 locations. That hometown feel is combined with the latest technology, security and consumer banking products to equip Mabrey customers to achieve their financial goals. Outside the doors of its branches, Mabrey works to impact the communities it serves through its support of nonprofits and local organizations, caring for those in need. In 2025, Mabrey Bank donated more than $370,000 to 168 organizations across its footprint, while team members invested more than 8,000 hours of their time volunteering to create sustainable change. Though Mabrey Bank has grown over its last century of service in Tulsa, it has never wavered in its purpose — to be a financial partner for its customers and community.

14821 S. Memorial Dr., Bixby • 918-366-4000 mabreybank.com

1938

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Back row: Heidi Williams, Bill McCollough, Lindsey Schlomann, Becky Orr, Courtney Roberts Front row: Kira Allert, Veronica Oswald, Rachel Hicks Joe McGraw Jr and John Woolman

McGraw Realtors® The story of McGraw REALTORS® is deeply interwoven with the history of Tulsa. Founded in 1938 by Dan Davisson Jr. and Kenneth Crouch as Crouch-Davisson, the firm established an early standard for residential real estate. Contractor Lee Mulhall joined after World War II, forming Crouch-Davisson-Mulhall and helping build many of Midtown Tulsa’s defining neighborhoods. In 1961, Joe McGraw Jr., son of noted oilman Joe McGraw, joined the firm. Following his service in the Oklahoma House and Senate, McGraw merged his practice with Crouch-Davisson-Stewart in 1986 to form McGraw-Davisson-Stewart, solidifying the brokerage’s market leadership. The company continued to evolve under former President and CEO John Woolman, who took the helm in 2001 and steered the firm’s digital transition while expanding into South Tulsa, Jenks, Owasso, Broken Arrow and Grand Lake. In 2007, McGraw established its

corporate headquarters at 4105 S. Rockford Ave. in Brookside, adding dedicated Commercial and Property Management divisions soon after. In 2017, Bill McCollough stepped into the role of President and CEO, guiding McGraw REALTORS® into a new chapter of strategic growth. Today, the company has grown to 19 offices and more than 750 associates across Oklahoma and Arkansas, while remaining fiercely independent and locally rooted. That growth has also expanded the support available to its agents, with dedicated broker support, transaction management and marketing teams working behind the scenes so agents can spend more time focused on their clients. It’s a model built around giving agents the resources, expertise and support of a team while allowing them to build their business and serve their clients in their own way. 4105 S. Rockford Ave. • 918-592-6000 • mcgrawrealtors.com

1941

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Allen Coffer, Shelli Schroeder, Gina Wilson, Bill Jolin

Oklahoma Central Credit Union Founded in 1941, Oklahoma Central Credit Union (OCCU) began in Tulsa with just 27 charter members and $628 in assets, initially serving state credit union officials. Over eight decades, OCCU expanded through employee group additions and strategic local mergers. Today, it manages roughly $750 million in assets, serving members across Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Owasso and Jenks. President and CEO Gina Wilson has been with OCCU since August 1983, and she leads today along with executive leadership including EVP, COO Shelli Schroeder, CFO Bill Jolin, and CSO, Allen Coffer. As a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative, OCCU reinvests earnings to offer lower loan rates, higher savings yields and reduced fees. OCCU offers a full range of personal and business banking services, including high-yield checking, savings accounts, competitive loan options and industry-leading digital banking solutions. Giving back is at the heart of the OCCU mission. Over the years, OCCU and its employees have proudly supported more than 60 local nonprofits, working alongside organizations including the Children’s Miracle Network, Pencil Box, City Lights Tulsa, the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, Family and Children’s Services, United Way and Domestic

Violence Intervention Services. In 2014, OCCU founded the Oklahoma Central Foundation, which funds students and educators, financial literacy programs and community impact projects across Oklahoma. 1941 — The founding. Oklahoma Central received its state charter to lend to Oklahoma credit union officials and serve as a depository for state credit unions, beginning with 27 charter members and $628 in assets. 1997 — OCCU found a new home. OCCU completed its headquarters at East 41st Street and South Garnett Road, marked by a building dedication and a time capsule burial. Today, OCCU has nine branches open serving Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Jenks and Owasso. 2014 — The Oklahoma Central Foundation is established. Since its establishment, the Foundation has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to Oklahoma teachers and students. 4956 S. Peoria Ave. • 918-664-6000 oklahomacentral.creditunion

1982

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Renaissance Hardwood Floors In 1982, Tom Nicklas founded Renaissance Hardwood Floors, a familyowned company that has become a trusted name in hardwood flooring installation, refinishing and repairs. Today, his son, Duston Nicklas, continues the legacy, leading the company from its headquarters in Tulsa while serving clients across Oklahoma. “We take pride in being a family-owned company with deep community roots in the greater Tulsa and Oklahoma City areas,” Duston says. Renaissance’s expert craftsmen bring dream floors to life while ensuring they stand the test of time. Elegance and quality define every project, with custom designs handcrafted from the finest materials. The team stays ahead of industry trends, mastering everything from intricate to minimalist designs. “No matter the style, every Renaissance hardwood floor is crafted with exquisite detail,” Duston says. Beyond beauty, Renaissance floors are designed to enhance every space with distinctive accents and lasting durability. Dedicated to innovation and customer satisfaction, the company has established itself as a leader in the hardwood flooring industry. Clients immediately

experience the difference when they step onto a Renaissance floor — where artistry meets craftsmanship. “What sets us apart isn’t just the installation,” Duston explains. “It’s the design, precision and attention to detail that transform every floor into a masterpiece.” Let Renaissance’s experts create a floor that not only enhances your space but tells a story of quality and craftsmanship.

550 W. 125th Place S., Suite 300, Glenpool • 918-298-4477 3608 E. I-35 Frontage Road, Edmond • 405-431-9393 renhardwood.com

2000

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Security Bankers Shane Gibson, AVP, treasury services; Staci Barrett, executive assistant; Rachel Inso, teller; Angel Smart, personal banker; Keri Huffman, teller; Lynette Lyons, VP, commercial lender; Andrew Havens, VP, commercial lender

Security Bank Over the past 26 years, Security Bank has earned a reputation for having some of the nicest bankers in town. As a locally owned community bank, they are committed to preserving the local community bank culture, which values personal service, lasting relationships and reliable support. “Banking is about building relationships, earning trust and helping people reach their goals while knowing they have someone they can depend on,” says Personal Banker Angel Smart. At Security Bank, you won’t get lost in a phone tree. Real people answer the phone, familiar faces greet you in the lobby and customers know they can reach their banker directly when they need them. Security Bank invests in people by combining responsiveness and personal service with the products and technology businesses need to succeed. “I take pride in being accessible to my customers and building long-term relationships,” says AVP, Treasury Services Shane Gibson. “There’s a great feeling that comes from helping a customer solve a problem, improve a process or achieve a goal.”

From commercial lending to personal banking, Security Bank supports customers at every stage of their financial journey. Whether you’re expanding a business, saving toward a goal or navigating life’s challenges, the Security Bank team is always ready to help you consider your options and find solutions so you can move forward with confidence. “Every business reaches a moment when timing matters, whether it’s an equipment purchase, an expansion or a deal with a closing date,” says VP, Commercial Lender Andrew Havens. “Because we know our customers, we can sit down together, talk openly and find a solution that works. “What makes Security Bank different is that we are all one big family,” says Teller Keri Huffman.“It makes my day to make someone else smile.” Experience the difference at Security Bank. Member FDIC. Highway 169 and 51st Street • 918-664-6100 • sbtulsa.bank

1961

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Town & Country School When Lillian Whitmore and a group of dedicated parents founded Town & Country School 65 years ago, they likely could not have imagined the school it would become. What began in a church basement, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade, has grown into a school with its own campus, more than 180 students and programs extending through twelfth grade. Although the mission has been refined over time, Town & Country’s core values remain unchanged. The school exists to improve the lives of students with learning differences by providing a nurturing environment for academic, social and personal growth. That commitment has guided generations of educators, families and supporters, and continues to shape the future. Today, Town & Country serves students with learning disabilities, ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder. The school partners with families to create an individualized, safe and supportive educational environment for students who have struggled academically and socially. The process begins with understanding each child’s strengths, challenges and potential.

Town & Country’s comprehensive program supports that progress through individual education plans, speech and language therapy, reading specialists, regular assessments and career guidance. The school also regularly consults its clinical psychologist and an occupational therapist to better understand and address students’ needs. Learning at Town & Country extends beyond academics. Social skills, career development and independent living skills help students prepare for life after graduation. Sports, clubs and school activities provide opportunities to discover interests, build confidence, and experience the friendships and traditions that make school meaningful. The Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship for students with disabilities and the Parental Choice Tax Credit have helped make a Town & Country education attainable for families who might previously have considered it beyond their reach. These opportunities have opened doors for families across a broader range of financial circumstances. 8906 E. 34th St. • 918-296-3113 • tandcschool.org

1970

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

President Emeritus Tom McKeon with students from the first Tulsa Achieves class

Opening on Sept. 14, 1970, Tulsa Junior College (now Tulsa Community College) opened to its first class of students on three floors of leased space in the Sinclair Oil Building (909 S. Boston Ave.) The building is now known as TCC’s Metro Campus.

In May 2026, TCC celebrated its largest Nursing graduating class in program history, recognizing 128 Nursing graduates preparing to enter the healthcare workforce.

Tulsa Community College Founded in 1970 as Tulsa Junior College, Tulsa Community College (TCC) has evolved from a single downtown campus serving 2,800 students into Oklahoma’s third-largest higher education institution, educating more than 22,000 students annually across multiple campuses. TCC educates more Oklahomans than any other college in the state. Guided by just four presidents over its 56-year history, TCC is currently led by President and CEO Leigh B. Goodson, Ph.D. Due to a strong commitment to accessibility and affordability, 77% of TCC graduates finish debt free. TCC has offered the Tulsa Achieves Scholarship for nearly 20 years, which pays up to 100% of tuition and mandatory fees for graduating high school seniors living in Tulsa County. Since its launch, the program has become a national model. More than 30,000 students have participated in Tulsa Achieves, and those students have contributed more than a million hours of volunteer service to the Tulsa community. In Fall 2025, TCC launched the TCC Advantage scholarship for eligible students at Broken Arrow, Charles Page, Jenks and Sapulpa high schools. This program expands opportunities for area students who live outside of Tulsa County, covering tuition and mandatory fees for one academic year.

The College offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs, including data analytics, air traffic control, and nursing degrees. In 2027, TCC will begin offering its first bachelor’s degree in Child Development. TCC generates a $1.2 billion annual economic impact, supporting one out of every 35 local jobs, with 90% of graduates remaining in the Tulsa area. In September 2026, thanks to the Advancing Together Campaign and the generosity of many donors, the College announced plans for a $57 million renovation of its downtown Metro Campus. The work will focus on modernizing learning spaces, improving student and faculty areas, and better connecting the downtown campus.

909 S. Boston Ave. • 918-595-2000 • tulsacc.edu

ABC Equipment Rental

1952

ABC Equipment Rental, which has rented and sold quality power tools and construction equipment in Tulsa since 1952, will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2027 by moving its East 15th Street location to 1150 S. Sheridan Road. The new site will give ABC more room to serve its customers and make day-to-day operations more efficient. ABC has two Tulsa locations, at 2910 E. 15th St. and 9222 E. 21st St. Its fleet covers jobs big and small. It includes excavators, skid steer loaders, boom lifts, scissor lifts, forklifts and telehandlers, along with compaction, concrete and plumbing equipment, jackhammers, pressure washers, heaters, garden tillers, aerators and appliance dollies. “Our company works with contractors, homeowners, landscapers, manufacturers, building maintenance personnel and all types of construction professionals,” says Charles Hewett, owner of ABC. “We constantly strive to give our customers solutions that get jobs done. We rent solutions.” “I am extremely proud to own a business that has served the greater Tulsa area for nearly 75 years,” Hewett says, “and to have built a reputation among our customers for timely delivery and service, knowledge of equipment, and equipment that’s ready when they need it.” ABC Equipment Rental — Equipment… Inspected! Tested! Ready to Work! 2910 E. 15th St. • 9222 E. 21st St. • 918-744-8353 abcequipmentrental.com

Service Manager Joshua Blankenship; Operation Manager Wendell Edd, who has 41 years of service; Sales Manager Chris Rust; Owner and President Charles Hewett; Fleet Manager Brad Burgess

1954 Miss Helen’s Private School For over 70 years, Miss Helen’s Private School has been providing excellence in early childhood education. When Helen Wingo realized that many of the children entering kindergarten experienced difficulty adjusting socially and emotionally as well as academically, she decided to found her own school with the belief that there must be a better way for the young students of Tulsa to prepare for their academic futures. Today, executive director Lynda Wingo carries on the philosophy of her mother-in-law, “Miss Helen.” The school’s facility at 48th Street and Mingo Road offers programs in three areas: preschool, kindergarten and grades one through five. Leadership of Miss Helen’s within the Wingo family is a legacy. For over 30 years, Lynda and her daughter, Jayme Wingo-Baker, have been the school’s dynamic duo and driving inspiration. Gary Wingo, Lynda’s husband and the founder’s son, is an invaluable light at Miss Helen’s offering compassion, laughter and meaningful relationships throughout the school. The experienced executive staff also includes Rhonda Reidy, preschool director, 44 years; Christi Ray, kindergarten director, 28 years; and Pam Elmore, elementary lead teacher, 23 years. 4849 S. Mingo Road • 918-622-2327 • misshelens.com 54 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

Back: Rhonda Reidy, Christi Ray and Pam Elmore Front: Lynda Wingo and Jayme Wingo-Baker

1985 Renovations by Helms

Barry Helms

Renovations By Helms has always been a family affair. Father-and-son team Ray and Barry Helms founded the company in 1985. When Ray retired in 1993, Barry’s wife Camille joined, and the husband-and-wife duo continues to run the business today. The company tackles whole-house renovations, room additions, kitchen and bath remodeling, custom cabinetry, historical restoration and custom home building. Featured on HGTV’s “Restore America,” the business has also been named a Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave each year since 2023. Barry holds Graduate Master Builder, Certified Graduate Remodeler, Certified Green Professional and Certified Aging in Place designations. He earned Oklahoma Christian University’s Alumni Achievement Award in 2009, served as Bixby Rotary President from 2017-2018, and received the Bixby Rotary 2023 “Service Above Self” Award. Renovations by Helms was named the Tulsa Home Builders Association’s Remodeler of the Year in 2005, 2007 and 2015, and also earned the organization’s Spirit Award in 2005, 2015 and 2019. Tellingly, 95% of clients are repeat or referral customers. “Many clients become friends,” Barry says. “Some feel like family when their grown children approach us with projects.” Barry credits his staff for making these honors possible and for their A+ Better Business Bureau rating.

17 E. Dawes Ave., Bixby • 918-369-5545 • renovationsbyhelms.com

1958 Saint Simeon’s Senior Community Saint Simeon’s Senior Community was established in 1958, growing with the support of the Episcopal Church over the decades to accommodate the best in senior care practices. Today Saint Simeon’s provides residential care to those ages 62 and older, and is proud to serve those who served our country through a contract with the VA for long-term care and short-term rehab. “All levels of care — assisted living through all kinds of long-term care — are under one roof with a highly skilled staff trained in dementia care, along with our beautiful and secure location set on a wildlife refuge” says Director of Marketing Kelli James. There’s no buy-in required at Saint Simeon’s. Residents enjoy “chore-free” living with a robust social calendar. Safety is paramount across campus, and family members can visit without the pressure of caretaking or housekeeping. “We are dedicated to preserving the emotional, social and physical well-being of each resident and to advance the standards of care for seniors in an atmosphere of compassion and comfort for all residents, staff and family members alike,” James says. 3701 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. • 918-425-3583 • saintsimeons.org Admissions Team — Renee Wright, Seanna Hamilton and Mary Brown TulsaPeople.com 55

1986 Triad Eye Institute Tulsa has always been a city of vision. Since opening its doors in 1986, Triad Eye Institute has brought that same spirit to eye care, helping generations of Oklahomans See More of Life®. Originally known as Triad Eye Medical Clinic, the practice has a history of bringing innovative technology to Oklahoma. In 1996, Triad performed the state’s first LASIK procedure. In 2012, it introduced Oklahoma’s first LenSx laser-assisted cataract surgery. Today, Triad’s physicians provide comprehensive eye care, from glaucoma treatment to advanced cataract and cornea surgery and all-laser LASIK. The practice has expanded beyond its Tulsa roots to serve communities throughout eastern Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas. Forty years later, Triad is still proud to call Tulsa home. Generations of local families have trusted Triad physicians and staff with their vision, and that relationship means as much today as it did in 1986. Here’s to 40 years of Tulsa roots, clearer vision, and helping people See More of Life. 918-252-2020 • triadeye.com

56 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

Edward S. Curtis

CATCHING SHADOWS ON THE PLAINS

Featuring the Peterson Family Collection

NOW through DECEMBER 31

Wonderland of Lights

750,000 LIGHTS • WAGON RIDES • SANTA COOKIES & COCOA • HOLIDAY HORSEMAN

ALL FACILITIES OPEN NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 20

FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS, & SUNDAYS | 5 - 9 PM w o o l a r o c . o r g | 1 9 2 5 Wo o l a r o c R a n c h R o a d , B a r t l e s v i l l e , O k l a h o m a

THE UNPARALLELED. Holiday

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2 2 0 4 EA S T 15 T H ST R E E T • 9 1 8 . 7 4 5 . 1 2 2 5 • D U V A L L A T E L I E R . C O M

THE FIRST LOOK

A Gilcrease membership opens the door to a year of experiences and exclusive early access to the new museum before it opens to the public in March 2027.

Give a gift that lasts all year. Give a membership.

OPENING MARCH 2027 GILCREASE.ORG/JOIN

58 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

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

On l i ne Shoppi n g @ jenkinsandcot ulsa .com jenkinsandcotulsa

This time of year reminds us of the things we have to be thankful for. Thank you Tulsa for 41 years, here’s to the next 41!

2048 UTIC A SQUARE • THEDOLPHINFINELINENS.COM TulsaPeople.com 59

GUEST GUIDE FROM THE PUBLISHER OF MAGAZINE

The essential visitors’ guide to shopping, sightseeing, food and drink, nightlife and more

BENEFITTING THE FOUNDATION FOR TULSA SCHOOLS MAC’S BBQ DINNER EXPERIENCE SILENT AUCTION • RAFFLE • PHOTO BOOTH

November 29, 2026 at Cain’s Ballroom

THE TULSA HOTEL GUEST GUIDE is an efficient and effective way to reach Tulsa visitors IN their hotel rooms where they make plans for their visit!

Contact adservices@langdonpublishing.com for information about advertising in the 2027 edition! 60 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFO, HEAD TO CAINSBALLROOM.COM For sponsorship information, contact jim@langdonpublishing.com.

Artwork by Funksthetics

FA MILY & CH ILD R EN’S SER VICES

− Tulsa’s Premier Downtown Salon −

BRADLEYS SANCTUARY SALON

Here’s how you can bring joy, dignity and hope to our most overwhelmed clients this season: » ADOPT a family » DONATE new gifts and necessities » CONTRIBUTE to Holiday Fund

"We are proud to have been an advertiser in the first issue of TulsaPeople in November, 1986" - BRADLEY GARCIA Call (918) 584-2199 to make an appointment 303 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | Located above Gypsy Coffee House

Help ensure no one is left behind this holiday season.

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

Learn how you can make an impact at mowtulsa.org

Trinity Episcopal Church

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

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

TulsaPeople.com 61

McGraw Realtors

LUXURY PROPERTY GROUP

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

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

GORDON SHELTON 918- 697-2742 gshelton@mcgrawok.com

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

Call any of the Luxury Property Group Realtors about one of these homes, or any property that you have an interest in. We will provide you with superior personal service with the highest integrity.

BIXBY This single-level full brick home features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a 2-car garage situated on a scenic, fully fenced 3-acre corner lot in Bixby. The carpet-free interior offers a spacious living room and an island kitchen, seamlessly connecting to large front and back covered porches perfect for outdoor living. 4899 E 191st St S, Bixby, $279,900

TULSA This secluded 0.27-acre corner culde-sac lot in Bolewood Glen offers mature trees and easy access to major highways, Utica Square, and Brookside. Bring your own builder or use the owner's custom architectural plans for a 3-bed, 2.5bath, 3,400 sq ft home.4727 S Yorktown Pl, Tulsa. $375,000

MOUNDS

78 acres of vacant land on SE corner of 201st & Harvard in Tulsa County. 3 ponds. RWD 6. 201 S Harvard Road. $1,700,000 OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

This stunning 4,549square-foot estate sits on a private oneacre lot backing up to the Oaks Country Club. 4825 W Oak Leaf Dr, Tulsa. $720,000.

62 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

GRAND LAKE

HI-Point Condominiums on Grand Lake offers gated access with a great pool and community boat slips near Shangri La and all that this beautiful resort living has to offer! This one bedroom and sleeping loft, right on the water with awesome views of Grand Lake has floor to ceiling windows in the open living space, tile and carpet throughout, private bath in the main bedroom, lovely outdoor living space and mostly furnished. The boat slip and lift is just steps away as well as the pool. This is a perfect start to owning a piece of Grand Lake! 29898 S 566th Rd #412, Afton $299,000

BROKEN ARROW Located in the Wellstone at Forest Ridge community, this 1,898-square-foot Craftsmanstyle home built in 2021 features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, vaulted ceilings, and access to neighborhood amenities including a pool, park, and trails. 10112 S 233rd East Ave, Broken Arrow. $359,000.

MIDTOWN This meticulously maintained Maple Ridge classic combines timeless storybook charm with an updated granite kitchen, multiple living areas, and three upstairs bedrooms. Located blocks from The Gathering Place, the home features a serene backyard deck and extensive 2025 updates, including a new roof, driveway, and water-sealed basement. 1218 E 30th Pl, Tulsa. $609,000.

McGraw Realtors

LauraBryant 918.693.2961

lbryant@mcgrawok.com

918.808.4780

mkeys@mcgrawok.com Scan here to view more listings!

2106 S Saint Louis Ave | $969,000 4 Beds | 4 Baths |3,488 sq.ft.

1029 E 38th Pl, Tulsa | $885,000 5 Beds | 6 Baths |3,925 sq.ft.

3631 S Gary Pl, Tulsa | $475,000 4 Beds | 3 Baths |2,384 sq.ft.

4331 S Norfolk Ave, Tulsa | $368,900 3 Beds | 3 Baths | 1,945 sq.ft.

2773 E 28th St, Tulsa | $770,000 4 Beds | 3 Baths |3,084 sq.ft.

4655 S Trenton Ave, Tulsa| $233,900 3 Bed | 1 Bath | 1,345 sq.ft

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7785 Forest Ln, Tulsa |$1,389,000 5 Bed | 5 Baths |4,692 sq.ft.

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H O L I DAY C H E E R ! Longtime Tulsa staple Margo’s is ready to ring in the holiday season. The shop’s new owner Susan Shrewder will continue to keep classics, like Christopher Radko ornaments (pictured here), in stock. Learn more about what’s in store for this beloved Utica Square destination on p. 65.

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Susan Shrewder took ownership of beloved Utica Square gift shop Margo’s last November.

S H O P FAV O R I T E S

Handmade in Cape Town, Fieldbar Drink Boxes A gift of Match Pewter is an instant heirloom, Simon Pearce Handblown Glass Trees and Margo’s features a wide collection for Signature evergreen trees come in many forms come in a variety of colors. Holds up to two bottles of Champagne and keeps items cold. home entertaining. and are a joy to collect, give and display. $249.95 $85-600 $ 90-550

MICHELLE POLLARD

Ninety years of delighting shoppers Longtime gift shop ushers in a new era with new owner. BY MARNIE FERNANDEZ

mid the new normal of online shopping, Margo’s Gift Shop remains a cherished fi xture in the Tulsa community. Nestled in a cozy corner of Utica Square, Margo’s has been serving customers from that location for more than 60 years by sticking to what it knows best: impeccable customer service, attention to detail and discerning taste. “Margo Nelson opened Margo’s over 90 years ago in the Philcade building,” says Susan Shrewder, who took ownership of Margo’s in late November of last year. “It has been a family business for generations, and I am honored to be able to continue the store’s legacy.” Shrewder, a native Tulsan, is no stranger to the retail business, as she was a buyer for Miss Jackson’s department store and the Philbrook Museum gift shop before her foray into owning a small business. “I had always been interested in owning my own business, and I was already familiar with so many of the lines Margo’s carries,” she explains. “Everything just fell into place.” Margo’s is known for its impressive collection of Christopher Radko ornaments, as well as a range of Match Pewter, Jan Barboglio and Simon Pearce items. Shrewder plans to keep these as an homage to the instilled traditions that Margo’s customers expect. “We have an extremely loyal customer base that has been patronizing our shop for generations, so we want to keep these special items,” she says. Shrewder also has plans to bring in some new lines and products to continue to grow Margo’s customer base. “I’ve been slowly bringing in new items, creating a new assortment that will be unique in Tulsa,” she says. “We are focusing on casual and elegant entertaining and gifts. And extending our stationery and office items including an extensive selection of picture frames with various pricing and looks.” Discover more about Margo’s at themargoshop.com. tp

MARGO’S 2058 Utica Square • 918-747-8780 themargoshop.com Mon.-Sat.: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. TulsaPeople.com 65

HOLIDAY EVENTS GUIDE

Oh what fun! ADD SOME HOLLY AND JOLLY TO YOUR CALENDAR WITH THESE FESTIVE HOLIDAY EVENTS. BY MICHAEL SEARLES

NOV. 12 CHRISTMAS IN BROKEN ARROW TREE LIGHTING AND KICK-OFF Start the holiday season with the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, featuring Santa, Grady Nichols and more. Rose District Plaza, 418 S. Main St., Broken Arrow • visitbrokenarrowok.com/christmas NOV. 13 SWING INTO CHRISTMAS! Denver and the Mile High Orchestra will perform a Christmas concert benefiting six local charities. Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center, 701 S. Main St. swingintochristmas.org NOV. 14 SENSORY SENSITIVE SANTA MEET AND GREET This sensory-friendly gathering provides a safe and welcoming way to enjoy the magic of Christmas. Arts @ 302, 302 S. Main St., Broken Arrow visitbrokenarrowok.com/christmas NOV. 14 SANTA ARRIVAL PARADE Welcome Santa with live entertainment and holiday cheer during this indoor parade through the mall, which kicks off his multi-week stay for photo opportunities through Dec. 24. Woodland Hills Mall, 7021 S. Memorial Drive simon.com/mall/woodland-hills-mall NOV. 20 LIGHTS ON! 2026 This annual celebration features live entertainment by the Jenks High School Trojanaires and an appearance by News on 6 meteorologist Travis Meyer. Main Street, Jenks • jenkschamber.com/calendar NOV. 20-21 HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR (HANDMADE FOR THE HOLIDAYS) Hosted by the Creek County Literacy Program, vendors will sell handmade crafts to support building repairs for the non-profit organization. 15 N. Poplar St., Sapulpa Creek County Literacy Program NOV. 20-JAN. 1 JOLLY LANE LIGHTS Back for its third year, Admiral Twin’s drive-thru light show now adds Jolly Village festive snacks, holiday movie favorites and Santa photos on select days. Admiral Twin Drive-in, 7355 E. Easton St. jollylanelights.com NOV. 20-JAN. 3 MAGICAL LIGHTS ADVENTURE This drive-thru experience offers festive music, LEDilluminated characters and a synchronized LED light show, all from the comfort of your toasty car. Tulsa Raceway Park, 3101 N. Garnett Road magicallightsadventure.com NOV. 25-JAN. 1 RHEMA LIGHTS This year there’s a new way to experience the millions of glittering holiday-themed lights that adorn Rhema’s 110acre campus — from aboard the Rhema Express Train! Rhema, 1025 W. Kenosha St., Broken Arrow rhemalights.org

66 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

NOV. 21 JENKS CHRISTMAS PARADE Starting at 10 a.m., gather for this magical, communitywide celebration to usher in the holiday season. Main Street, Jenks • jenkschamber.com/calendar NATIVE CHRISTMAS MARKET The Muscogee Nation and Jenks Riverwalk will host their fourth annual vendor market. Shop holiday gifts alongside live music from the jazz band Moonset. 300 Riverwalk Terrace, Jenks • jenkschamber.com NOV. 26 LIGHTS ON AT UTICA SQUARE Back for its 59th year, Utica Square ushers in the holiday season with live music and the illumination of 700,000 twinkling lights. 1709 Utica Square • uticasquare.com NOV. 26-DEC. 31 CASTLE CHRISTMAS Inside the Castle, guests can visit with Santa, roast s’mores and browse unique holiday vendors. Outside, attendees can experience a dazzling drive-thru wonderland of holiday lights and displays. Castle of Muskogee, 3400 W. Fern Mountain Road okcastle.com/castle-christmas NOV. 27-28 OWASSO’S CHRISTMAS MAGIC Pick up a passport card and browse small businesses for treats, freebies and more. Saturday will feature an ugliest festive sweater contest, judged by shoppers! South Main Street, Owasso Owasso’s Christmas Magic NOV. 27-29 OKM MUSIC CHRISTKINDL MARKET A traditional European Christmas market with artisanal gifts, handmade ornaments and delicious flavors like German bratwurst, pretzels, hot cocoa and more. Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Center, 1925 Woolaroc Ranch Road, Bartlesville • okmmusic.org SELECT NIGHTS, NOV. 27-DEC. 20 WOOLAROC’S WONDERLAND OF LIGHTS Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Woolaroc will be covered with over 750,000 lights as the historic ranch transforms into a holiday haven! Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve, 1925 Woolaroc Ranch Road, Bartlesville • woolaroc.org NOV. 27-JAN. 3 ARVEST WINTERFEST Bundle up and break out your ice skates as one of Tulsa’s beloved holiday traditions returns for its 18th year. Outside the BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave. tulsawinterfest.com NOV. 27-JAN. 3 WESTREET WINTER WONDERLAND A free admission ice skating experience that brings magic, lights and festive family fun all season long. WeStreet Ice Center, 4143 S. Yale Ave. westreeticecenter.com NOV. 28 LIGHTS ON OWASSO Come and enjoy caroling, food trucks, photo ops, live reindeer, balloon artists, games and, of course, the lighting ceremony! Redbud Festival Park, 109 N. Main St., Owasso • cityofowasso.com

DARNABY ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW Celebrate the season with a variety of local vendors showcasing incredible craftsmanship — perfect for finding those one-of-a-kind holiday gifts! UMAC, 6836 S. Mingo Road Darnaby Arts and Crafts Show

SELECT DAYS, DEC. 11-22 SANTA BY THE SEA Saint Nick trades a sleigh for fins as he takes a swim in the Polynesian Reef. Bring a camera! Oklahoma Aquarium, 300 Aquarium Drive, Jenks okaquarium.org

DEC. 5-6 WREATH-MAKING WORKSHOP Decorate a grapevine wreath, with pro-tips and a demonstration provided by Philbrook Horticulturalists. Philbrook Museum, 2727 S. Rockford Road philbrook.org

DEC. 12 CHRISTMAS PARADE: NEON NIGHTS AND CHRISTMAS LIGHTS Starting at 6:00 p.m., experience the magic of glowing neon lights alongside live music and holiday cheer. Downtown Sapulpa • sapulpachamber.com

DEC. 5-20 “THE NUTCRACKER” Tulsa Ballet and Tulsa Symphony Orchestra unite for this iconic story of holiday magic and adventure. Tulsa PAC, 110 E. Second St. S. • tulsapac.com

OWASSO CHRISTMAS PARADE With a theme of Winter Wonderland, this magical holiday celebration is free to enter and attend. Smith Farm Marketplace, 9902 N. 121st E. Ave., Owasso • cityofowasso.com

SELECT NIGHTS, NOV. 27-DEC. 30 BOTANIC GARDEN OF LIGHTS Make s’mores over fire pits, enjoy holiday music and visit Santa in the atmosphere of a magical winter wonderland. Tulsa Botanic Garden, 3900 Tulsa Botanic Drive tulsabotanic.org/botanic-garden-of-lights

DEC. 6 “A DRUMMER BOY CHRISTMAS” Australia-born, Nashville-based duo FOR KING + COUNTRY bring their Christmas album tour to Tulsa this holiday season. • BOK Center, 200 S. Denver Ave. bokcenter.com

SWEETS WITH SANTA Guests will enjoy animal chats, participate in crafts, story time and a photo op with Santa himself. Tulsa Zoo, 6421 E. 36th St. N. • tulsazoo.org/santa

DEC. 4 LIGHTS ON: GLOW ON THE GREEN Guthrie Green will sparkle with lights and holiday cheer, with live music by JD McPherson and Melissa Carper. Guthrie Green, 111 E. Reconciliation Way guthriegreen.com

PRINCESS HOLIDAY BALL Enjoy enchanting singalong performances and meet 12 beloved princesses in their holiday gowns while creating a special holiday keepsake at this truly magical holiday event for littles. Tulsa Club Hotel, 115 E. Fifth St. Tulsa Princess Holiday Ball 2026

COUNTRY CHRISTMAS PARADE Enjoy the 43rd annual Festival of Lights featuring festive floats with a mash-up of cowboy vibes and holiday spirit. Downtown Sand Springs • sandspringschamber.org

SENSORY-FRIENDLY SANTA PHOTOS Caring Santa is a special, sensory-friendly experience exclusively for children with special needs and their families. Reservations are required. Woodland Hills Mall, 7021 S. Memorial Drive simon.com/mall/woodland-hills-mall

ORNAMENT FESTIVAL Attendees can shop a treasure trove of handmade ornaments for sale by an array of local artists. Ruby Clay Company, 409 E. Eighth St., Suite B rubyclaycompany.com NOV. 28, DEC. 19 DECK THE PAWS: PET PORTRAITS WITH SANTA Bring your furry companion — dressed in their holiday best — to the Gathering Place and capture a magical family memory. 2650 S. John Williams Way E. gatheringplace.org SELECT NIGHTS, NOV. 27-DEC. 27 PHILBROOK FESTIVAL Enjoy hot cocoa, musical light shows, take-andmake art projects, visits with Santa (nightly through Dec. 23) from 6-8:30 p.m. and more. 2727 S. Rockford Road • philbrook.org

VIENNA LIGHT ORCHESTRA CHRISTMAS TOUR Soprano voices and symphonic instruments bring classic tunes to life amid 2,000 candles. Tulsa Theater, 105 W. Reconciliation Way • tulsatheater.com DEC. 4-6 CHRISTKINDLMARKT This German holiday market features over twenty local vendors and artisans with unique wares, imported goods, authentic German food, children’s area and more. German-American Society of Tulsa Event Center, 1429 Terrace Drive • gastulsa.org/christkindlmarkt CHRISTMAS AT THE RANCH Celebrating its 10th anniversary, 181 Ranch’s flagship Christmas market features over 150 local artists, crafters, makers, food trucks and small businesses. 181 Ranch, 3913 E. 181st St. S., Bixby • 181ranch.com DEC. 4-23 “A CHRISTMAS CAROL” Banish those “Bah Humbugs” with the 50th anniversary of American Theatre Co.’s beloved retelling of the story of Ebenezer Scrooge. Tulsa Performing Arts Center, 110 E. Second St. S. • tulsapac.com DEC. 5 CHRISTMAS ON THE RIVERWALK This fourth annual celebration will feature a Santa Claus photo booth, live music, vendors and a twinkling lights display. Jenks Riverwalk, 300 Riverwalk Terrace jenksriverwalk.com

DEC. 8 GRADY NICHOLS CHRISTMAS SHOW Grady Nichols, Andy Chrisman and Alaska Rayne Holloway return for this famous Tulsa tradition, this time in Broken Arrow. Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center, 701 S. Main St., Broken Arrow • brokenarrowpac.com DEC. 9 TULSA FESTIVAL RINGERS WITH THE TULSA CAROLERS Tulsa Festival Ringers will collaborate with The Tulsa Carolers for a performance of holiday tunes, while dressed in Dickensian costume. Tulsa PAC, 110 E. Second St. S. • tulsapac.com DEC. 10 FEAST-IVAL OF LIGHTS Enjoy an eight-course Hanukkah tasting dinner with unique olive oil-themed dishes curated by Chef Aaron B. Ware. Jewish Federation of Tulsa, 2021 E. 71st St. jewishtulsa.org/event/feastival DEC. 11-12 CHRISTMAS IN TULSA The Signature Symphony is joined by voices of the Tulsa Opera Signature Chorale, Tulsa Youth Opera and the 2026 Tulsa Sings! winner, Natalie Grace Taylor, to celebrate the holiday season. TCC VanTrease Performing Arts Center, 10300 E. 81st St. • signaturesymphony.org

TULSA CHRISTMAS PARADE Celebrating its centennial, the parade continues to entertain thousands of children and adults with its whimsical magic as it winds through downtown Tulsa. Downtown Tulsa • tulsachristmasparade.org DEC. 18 CANDLELIGHT: CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Enjoy an all-star lineup of holiday classics, from Disney music to “The Nutcracker” and more, with a glittering candlelight atmosphere. Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center, 701 S. Main St. • tulsa-theater.com/shows DEC. 19 OFFLINE HOLIDAY MARKET Browse over 50 vendors for last-minute holiday shopping at this vintage and artisan market, hosted by Offline Tulsa Collective. WOMPA, 3306 Charles Page Blvd. wompatulsa.com GLOBAL GATHERINGS: HOLIDAY EDITION A joyful celebration with dynamic performances, activities and a variety of global holiday traditions. Gathering Place, 2650 S. John Williams Way E. gatheringplace.org DEC. 31 NOON YEAR’S EVE Countdown to midnight with an electric ball drop, followed by a drone show! Redbud Festival Park, 109 N. Main St., Owasso • Redbud Festival Park RINGING IN AT REDBUD Ring in the new year with the whole family at this kid-friendly celebration packed with science activities, demonstrations and more. Discovery Lab, 3123 Riverside Drive discoverylab.org tp

FOR MORE HOLIDAY EVENTS, SCAN THE QR CODE HERE OR VISIT TULSAPEOPLE.COM. TulsaPeople.com 67

WINTER TRAVEL GUIDE

HIT THE SLOPES Find skiing, snowboarding and more in these Colorado resort towns. BY LAUREN ROGERS

et’s face it — last year a good chunk of the Rockies did not get the typical snowfall amounts that winter sport enthusiasts (or anyone who pays attention to mountain climates) like to see. With hope for snowier slopes this year, we decided to look at two key Colorado destinations that are worth the journey from Tulsa for anyone wanting a winter escape. For every business or restaurant mentioned, be sure to check seasonal operating hours, as they can change depending on the time of year.

BRECKENRIDGE

Just over a 12-hour drive from Tulsa, this quintessential mountain town got its start as a mining prospector hub before eventually becoming synonymous with the world68 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

class Breckenridge Ski Resort. If you would prefer to skip the long drive, you can fly into Denver and rent a car, use a rideshare or take a shuttle like Peak 1 Express to get there. Deciding where you want to stay in Breckenridge can come down to what you want to do during your visit. If you are more interested in shopping and dining, book a place more central to town like the Breckenridge Boutique Hotel — an 11-minute walk or 3-minute drive from the BreckConnect Gondola, for those still wanting convenient lift access — or the Residence Inn by Marriott Breckenridge, which just finished a renovation this past summer. If being on the mountain is most important to you, check out places like Grand Colorado on Peak 8, which puts you close enough to the lifts that you can be first in line each morning. Go Breck offers their

own handy research tool on their website, which can help identify available lodging based on your priorities. Breckenridge and the surrounding towns in Summit County offer a wide variety of different winter sport options. If you are planning to ski at Breckenridge Ski Resort and need to rent ski or snowboard gear, you can look at spots like Blue River Sports near Peak 9, AMR Rentals near the City Market Plaza Gondola or the multiple Christy Sports locations. If you want a different winter experience, you can find guides through Good Times Adventures, who offer dog sledding and snowmobiling excursions. In town, you can find plenty of shopping and restaurants like the classic Blue Moose for breakfast, brunch and lunch, or Breckenridge Brewery — whose cheese curds are a delightful warm snack for

JOHN SELLERS, COURTESY BRECKENRIDGE TOURISM OFFICE

Breckenridge Ski Resort includes 187 mapped trails across five peaks. Inset: The 36th annual International Snow Sculpture Championships will return to the town of Breckenridge Jan. 23-Feb. 2, bringing snow sculptor teams from around the world to hand-carve 12-foot-tall, 25-ton blocks of snow into intricate works of art.

WINTER TRAVEL GUIDE

cold weather. Just outside of downtown is Breckenridge Distilling, which not only offers delicious liquors and cocktails (some with fun themes like the Obi-Wan Old Fashioned), but also curated lunch, dinner and happy hour menus. Travelers can also check out nearby towns like Frisco, less than a 20-minute drive away, which offers even more shopping and dining. Enjoy classic Bavarian grub like brats and warm potato salad at Ein Prosit, which happens to be conveniently connected to a rustic flea market. Or grab a cozy breakfast at Bread + Salt, where you can find a Monte Cristo that’s almost the food equivalent of a hug — sweet, warm and comforting.

TELLURIDE

This winter, airlines including United and American will again offer seasonal service directly into the Telluride Regional Airport, making the southwest Colorado mountain town just one stop away from Tulsa through Denver. The Montrose Regional Airport, which is a 75-minute drive from Telluride, has even more flight options available at lower price points. Road trip fans can drive to the destination in around 15 hours from Tulsa depending on the route, with the option to stop for an overnight break along the way (on the southern route, Albuquerque is a solid choice for a one night stay). As you plan your stay, keep in mind that Telluride has two main hubs: Mountain Village and the main town. In Mountain Village, visitors can choose to stay closer to bars and restaurants in hotels like the Madeline Hotel and Residences, or enjoy a more relaxed, scenic retreat in places like 70 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

Mountain Lodge Telluride. The Mountain Village is connected to key points in the ski resort and main town by a series of gondolas, which provide stunning views of the rugged landscape while carrying you from point to point. In Telluride, you can find even more hotels and rental options. If you want a more bed and breakfast-style stay, consider the Wildwood Canyon Inn, which is also available to book in its entirety for large groups or special events. For both Telluride and Mountain Village, there are also plenty of vacation rentals available on sites like Airbnb and VRBO — just be sure to plan ahead to find the best booking for your needs. Beyond skiing and snowboarding, Telluride and the surrounding valley offer winter sport opportunities from ice climbing, snowshoeing and base jumping through tour operators like Telluride Mountain Guiding. You can also find several ice rinks, like the Reflection Plaza Ice Skating Rink in the Mountain Village core. For romantic vistas, consider a sleigh ride with a guide like Telluride Sleighs and Wagons. For restaurants in Mountain Village and Telluride itself, it is wise to book reservations where possible — especially if you are traveling with a group of four or more — to ensure you don’t find yourself waiting too long for a table. At Mountain Village, you can choose from a selection of restaurants offering breakfast, lunch, dinner and après ski options. If you are just getting off the slopes, the Timber Room (connected to the Madeline Hotel), offers indoor and heated outdoor seating along with sharable plates and a variety of beverages to help you refuel. The restaurant is right off Mountain Village

Square, surrounded by an array of dining and frequently hosts pop-up food vendors. You can also stop by the Village Market, accessible via car or the free gondola from the Mountain Village core, to stock up on snacks and supplies to cook yourself. For a high-end (in multiple aspects) dining experience, visit Alpino Vino at the top of Lift 14. At 11,966 feet, it is the highest fine dining restaurant on the continent. Getting there is a bit of a journey, whether you opt to ski, snowboard or catch a snow coach, but the panoramic mountain views make the trek worth it. For lunch, make sure to put your name on the waitlist (take it from me: it’s not a bad idea to arrive before they open and stand in line to do this), while you can make reservations ahead of time for dinner. In the town of Telluride, you’ll find more diverse dining. Wood Ear, for example, somehow manages to strike a balance between a rustic whiskey lounge and a ramen noodle bar in the basement of the town’s historic Roma Building. The restaurant incorporates Texas smokehouse flavors with Japanese cuisine, resulting in dishes like its smoky-sweet Seared Edamame (dressed with a fermented black bean garlic sauce that still lives in my mind rentfree) and their Pork on Pork ramen bowl, incorporating pulled, smoked pork shoulder and crispy chashu pork belly in a smoked bone broth. Three blocks northwest, the New Sheridan Hotel boasts Telluride’s oldest restaurant and bar, with original interiors dating to 1895. While walking along and around East Colorado Avenue, don’t miss window shopping at retailers from Patagonia to Between the Covers Bookstore. tp

COURTESY OF VISIT TELLURIDE

The Victorian mining town of Telluride boasts a unique mountain perspective at 8,754 feet above sea level and nestled among 13,000- to 14,000-foot peaks.

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Dogwood Canyon Nature Park Experience a distinct kind of beauty year-round at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park. Tucked into the Missouri Ozarks, the canyon invites you to explore 10,000 acres of rugged scenery, cascading waterfalls and native wildlife. A kaleidoscope of color and wonder, each season provides a unique reason to return to this Bransonarea must see. The cool of winter reveals bare trees and open views of limestone bluffs. Peaceful trails encourage laid back exploration while steady water sources attract bald eagles to the area. On the seasonal Guided Winter Watch Tour, you can scan the treetops and waterways for these iconic birds while knowledgeable guides share insights about their behavior and the Ozarks ecosystem. When warmer days return, spring awakens the canyon with fresh greenery, flowing water and colorful blooms. Hike or bike along paved and natural-surface trails, discover bison-elk country on a guided tram tour and explore the canyon on horseback.

Summer’s longer days create even more time for outdoor adventure. Fish for rainbow trout amidst glittering waterfalls, experience history with expert-led events and enjoy guided offroading adventures that celebrate the canyon’s rugged beauty. No matter when you visit, stewardship is foundational to the Dogwood Canyon experience. The Conservation Center, Dogwood Mill & Artifact Hall and interactive educational programs invite you into the story. With scenery and activities that adapt to the changing seasons, Dogwood Canyon gives families, couples and outdoor enthusiasts a reason to return in every season. Because popular experiences have limited capacity, reservations are highly encouraged.

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Wonders of Wildlife Celebrate the holiday season with an unforgettable adventure at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium! This renowned attraction offers a fun-filled holiday experience like no other, perfect for families, friends and anyone looking to add some excitement to their seasonal celebrations. Dive into Sea of Lights Enchanted Christmas as brilliant lights, festive sounds and interactive multimedia projections transform the aquarium into a glowing conservation wonderland. Explore dazzling displays that bring holiday magic to life around you. Gather your loved ones, make unforgettable memories and get ready to be WOWed! Wonders of Wildlife is also the ultimate holiday excursion, offering incredible animal encounters. Dive into adventure with the Out to Sea Shark Dive, where you’ll come face-to-fin with some of the ocean’s most awe-inspiring inhabitants in a safe, controlled environment. Additionally, the Penguin Encounter

allows you to meet WOW’s adorable and curious gentoo penguins, learning about their behaviors and habitats from their knowledgeable staff. Beyond these special encounters, explore 350,000 square feet of immersive exhibits that transport you from the Amazon rainforest to the depths of the ocean. With over 800 species on display, you’ll have the chance to discover some of the world’s most extraordinary creatures up close. Explore breathtaking habitats filled with marine life, from colorful coral reefs to majestic ocean organisms, creating a sense of adventure and discovery for all ages. Wonders of Wildlife is the ideal destination for those seeking a family-friendly escape this holiday season. Don’t miss your chance to journey through the natural world and make unforgettable memories! It’s a holiday adventure you’ll treasure for years to come.

LIFESTYLE

JEWELRY

Rachel Rose Dazey, co-founder of Dillon Rose Jewelry

A trained eye Jewelry designer Rachel Rose Dazey backs her eye for artistry with a gemologist degree. BY JULIE WENGER WATSON 74 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

MICHELLE POLLARD

fter completing graduate diamond courses through the Gemological Institute of America in 2022, Tulsa jewelry designer and co-founder of Dillon Rose Jewelry, Rachel Rose Dazey, was eager to learn more about the vast universe of gemstones. With the support and encouragement of her husband and business partner, Seth, she began to pursue her Graduate Gemologist degree in September 2024, juggling her online classes and occasional in-person labs in New York City with parenting two kids and running a small business. In July, Dazey completed her degree, joining just a handful of Graduate Gemologists currently practicing in town. “I love learning,” Dazey says. “It’s such a great experience to be able to really sit down and spend time with each of the gemstones and learn all about them and have all of that knowledge to offer to my clients.” A good part of Dazey’s designs involve creating custom engagement and wedding rings, and a number of clients bring in family keepsakes to incorporate into fresh jewelry designs for a new generation. “I like being able to offer top-tier service to my clients and to have in-depth knowledge about gemstones because I’m working with a lot of heirloom pieces now,” Dazey explains. “People are bringing me their grandmother’s pieces, their grandfather’s pieces. Taking them apart and being able to really understand what I’m looking at and what its value is and how I should use it in the designs going forward, that’s really what it’s been about for me. I feel confident looking at all those heirloom pieces and knowing what they are and how to guide my clients.” In many ways, Dazey’s work is as much about the people and their stories as it is the jewelry she designs for them. “It’s so meaningful to be able to honor somebody that’s come before you, but then create a piece that you’re excited about and that you’re going to wear that keeps you connected to them,” she says. For a unique gift idea, Dazey is offering a selection of gemstones that can be gifted alone or as a design package. “Gifting gemstones is really fun,” she says. “You can come in and pick out a unique gemstone to give, and then they can come in and have a piece custom designed to their preference.” On Nov. 7, the Dillon Rose studio will participate in the third annual Riverbend Arts District Crawl. “We also help organize the event to highlight the amazing artists in our neighborhood,” Dazey says. Head to the Riverbend Arts District Facebook page for more information about the event, and visit dillonrose.com to learn more about Dillon Rose. tp

LIFESTYLE

FASHION

Tulsa designer Chantel McKnight has created a fashion brand, d.o.d | denim overdose, which aims to ﬁll the gap between mass-market and luxury denim.

Making a statement Denim designer creates pieces for those ‘who love to stand out.’ BY ABIGAIL SINGREY

ome people live in denim. Tulsan Chantel McKnight builds a world around it. Her label, d.o.d | denim overdose takes the timeless fabric somewhere decidedly more glamorous, with statement-making pieces designed to last far beyond a single season. Based in Tulsa, McKnight is also building a brand with an eye toward bringing her designs to boutiques. “You can never have too much denim,” McKnight says. McKnight has always had a love of fashion. As a preteen, she loved the nowdefunct mall store Limited Too and drew inspiration from her favorite TV show, “That’s So Raven.” As an adult, her taste has evolved to favor sexy yet sophisticated pieces that drape a woman’s curves “just so.” She started building d.o.d | denim overdose in 2023, officially launching the brand in 2025. She sent her fi rst collection down the runway at her own private show

McKnight sources denim for her designs from Italy.

in Tulsa this past July. Her favorite piece to date is the Overdose Denim Kimono, a dramatic design that captures the spirit of the brand: bold, unexpected and unapologetically outside the box. “I make my pieces for women who love to stand out,” McKnight says. “One of my

goals would be to have a Housewife (a member of the Real Housewives reality TV show series) wear my pieces.” For McKnight, the difference is in the details. She currently sources denim from Italy, selecting fabrics for their texture, weight and durability, then turns each one into a piece designed to be worn for years. For now, every garment is made by McKnight herself in her home studio, with new pieces released periodically. Her next goal is to scale production and bring d.o.d | denim overdose into boutiques, all while balancing the brand with her career in real estate and life as a mother of four. While she says there has been “sweat, tears and blood” along the way, it’s all worth it because she truly loves the craft. “God gives me the strength and grace to do it all,” McKnight says. “I’ve created a life I enjoy and love.” Learn more and find her designs at denimoverdose.com. tp TulsaPeople.com 75

LIFESTYLE

Aubrey Stone (above) recently moved her salon, Lani and Stone, to a larger location — which happens to be on Route 66. The new space includes a dedicated facial room (bottom right) and even more styling stations for the team of 19, including stylist Nikita Norman (bottom left).

Fresh look

Salon settles in to new to Route 66 space. BY BRIA BOLTON MOORE

n February, Lani and Stone owner and stylist Aubrey Stone received the keys to her salon’s new home. The space — just across from the Meadow Gold sign on historic Route 66 (1335 E. 11th St., Suite D) — is more than two and a half times the size of her previous salon, which Stone started on Cherry Street with a team of five in 2022.

76 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

“Lani means heavenly in Hawaiian, and Hawaiʻi is my favorite place! Stone is an element of the earth, and it’s also my last name,” Stone says. “I wanted Lani and Stone to feel like a sacred space where heaven meets earth — a place where people could reconnect with their inner beauty, feel deeply cared for and leave feeling more confident in who they are.”

For Stone, more room meant more opportunities. Her team has grown to 19, offering haircuts, styling, color services, extensions, makeup application, facials and more. In addition to building out a dedicated facial room and adding services like chemical peels, lash lift and tint, and brow lamination, the extra square footage allowed Stone to prioritize sustainability practices. Th is past February, the salon joined Green Circle Salons — a sustainability program that recovers and recycles salon waste — and having more space enables Lani and Stone to store the discrete bins needed to collect materials many people may not realize can be recyclable. “We have bins for hair, hair color, metals, plastics, glass, paper and single-use items like gloves, wax sticks, wax papers, tissues, etc.,” Stone says, noting the beauty industry creates 877 pounds of waste per minute. Each month, the salon sends two shipments of waste to Green Circle, which works to keep beauty waste out of landfi lls and waterways. “We recycle 95% of everything that comes in the doors,” Stone says. She goes on to explain some of the remarkable ways beauty materials get recycled, such as hair being used to absorb oil spills in the ocean or aid in composting efforts. Lani and Stone clients help make the program possible by paying a $2 eco fee on each service ticket. The larger location has also enabled Lani and Stone to host special events like Pints and Ponytails, a recent daddy-and-daughter hair styling class. “Our mission is to build confidence in our community, elevate artists and lead each day with kindness,” Stone says. “We’ve really built this kind culture that I’m very proud of.” Stone believes the staff ’s commitment to consistent stylist education sets it apart from other salons. “The right haircut can transform how someone feels about themselves — hair is the crown you never take off, and I believe every guest deserves to wear it with confidence,” she says. “Same with great skin. Skincare is about more than what you see in the mirror. It’s about feeling confident, nurturing yourself and investing in your well-being. That’s why education is so important to us. Our stylists (and) estheticians should have the knowledge, skill and confidence to deliver results that not only meet their clients’ expectations but exceed them.” Learn more about Lani and Stone at laniandstonesalon.com. tp

MICHELLE POLLARD

WELLNESS

2530 N. Elm Pl. Broken Arrow • 918-994-1402 • bhcok.com

Balance Med Spa At Balance Med Spa, wellness begins with understanding the individual. Amy Oden, FNP-C, FAAMM, ABAAHP, and Mackenzie Bonnewitz, MS, MSPAS, PA-C, bring complementary expertise in hormone health, functional medicine, aesthetic treatments and wellness optimization, helping patients feel their best from the inside out. With more than a decade of experience as a Family Nurse Practitioner, Oden specializes in bioidentical hormone therapy, functional medicine and individualized wellness strategies. A certified Biote practitioner and Platinum Provider, she combines evidence-based medicine with a holistic perspective to support metabolic health and overall quality of life. Her services include hormone optimization, weight management, vitamin therapy and regenerative treatments. Bonnewitz combines extensive clinical experience with a strong scientific foundation, including graduate research in hormone-related pathways. She specializes in aesthetic dermatology and advanced laser treatments, helping patients address concerns such as skin tone, texture and visible signs of aging. Her approach emphasizes patient education, personalized plans and natural-looking results that preserve each individual’s unique features. Together, Oden and Bonnewitz embody Balance Med Spa’s commitment to comprehensive care where science, advanced technology and individual goals come together to support lasting wellness and confidence. Treatments are powered by industry-leading technology from Sciton BBL/HALO and XERF, and skincare brands Eminence and Marini Skinsolutions, to ensure beautiful and reliable results.

Mackenzie Bonnewitz and Amy Oden

VIPcare: Senior-Focused Primary Care That Puts You First When it comes to your health, time matters. Especially as you get older. At VIPcare, senior-focused primary care is built around one simple idea: quality care can’t be rushed. That means giving doctors more time to spend with each patient. With more time, your doctor can listen to your concerns, ask questions, and get to know you—not just your medical history. Healthcare can sometimes feel complicated. More time means your doctor can explain your diagnosis, medications, test results, and treatment options in a way that makes sense to you. You shouldn’t feel rushed or leave an appointment wishing you had more time to understand what comes next. VIPcare is designed specifically around the needs of seniors, with primary care that looks at the whole person—not just one health concern. Our doctors and care teams work to understand your health goals, coordinate your care, and help you stay on top of preventive screenings and ongoing conditions. Staying healthy isn’t just about treating problems when they happen; it’s about preventing them before they start.

Experience primary care designed around you. Learn more at www.getvipcare.com or call (918) 679-3861 to schedule an appointment. 7912 E 31st Ct, Ste 140, Tulsa, OK 74145

TulsaPeople.com 77

LIFESTYLE

WELLNESS

Chanista Karns, owner and instructor at the new River Flow Yoga Studio in the Tulsa Arts District, leads a class inside her plant-adorned space.

Go with the flow New downtown River Flow Yoga Studio offers classes from a nature-inspired perspective. BY MACY GOODNIGHT 78 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

YOGA: MICHELLE POLLARD; MUSINGS: ALLYSSA REEDER

ithin the foundation of yoga, ancient wisdom aligns health and wellness with the natural world. At River Flow Yoga Studio in downtown Tulsa, practitioners are invited into a new sanctuary of peace, rooted in the rhythm of the river. “We’re a city off of the Arkansas River, so I (wanted) to anchor the practice within the space and place that we are in,” says Owner and Instructor Chanista Karns. “I think a lot of people feel connected to nature, and that was kind of my whole idea for the studio.” Building on her 12-year yoga practice, Karns opened River Flow this past April, aiming to fi ll gaps in downtown’s usual yoga offerings. River Flow Yoga has six teachers and a wide range of classes, all inspired by the movement of water. Just down the street from Cain’s Ballroom in the Davenport Wellness Center (405 N. Main St.), River Flow offers plenty of space for classes in a convenient, accessible spot for an underserved yoga area. Karns has intentionally set this studio apart from others through a softer approach grounded in a non-dogmatic sense of spirituality. “We do candlelit classes, and I teach Ashtanga. We have teachers that are rooted in Hatha, so we offer a lot more different styles than what is currently offered,” Karns says, noting a lot of Tulsa studios tend to favor Power Vinyasa. “You can find the practice of yoga spiritual, but I want you to find that on your own, through your body and your own practice.” Karns didn’t begin her own yoga journey until she was in college, while searching for a deeper connection to her own physical activity. “I wasn’t really into sports, and I wanted to move my body,” she explains. “So, I found yoga and started doing it once a week.” Growing up in Sand Springs, Karns later moved to Colorado where she completed an Ashtanga yoga mentorship. “Yoga taught me to direct my energy in a forward motion,” she says. “It has really given me awareness of my body and my mind, and how I operate in the world.” Walk-ins, class passes and memberships are available; visit riverflowyogastudio.com for class information, events and more. tp

LIFESTYLE

MUSINGS

Wanted: Me! BY CONNIE CRONLEY

e advised: you are dealing with a wanted criminal here. Not dangerous, but a lawbreaker all the same. Here’s how it happened. One morning I was hurrying out of my house to get to an appointment and nearly backed over a man standing in my driveway. He was a city enforcement official responding to a complaint, he explained, and issued me a Notice of Violation. He summarized the citation: the little redbud tree had a branch over the sidewalk lower than the required 8 feet, and my white picket fence garden posed other “nuisance violations.” To wit, “bushes and flowers growing over sidewalk.” These affronts — some vinca and unnamed weeds creeping onto the sidewalk no more than 5 inches — presented “an imminent threat to life and/ or property.” For the first time in my life, I understood the term gobsmacked.

I had fourteen days to resolve this city code violation. If I failed to comply, consequences were dire. The city could hire a contractor to do the job and charge me the costs; a lien could be imposed on my property to secure payment; I was subject to a criminal citation, a fine and imprisonment. My immediate response was to complain mightily to anyone who would listen and some who wouldn’t. “Why me!” I wailed, more dramatic than Sarah Bernhardt, more suffering than Job in the Bible, more heart-rending than a Puccini aria. Responses were varied. “Sad,” said one friend, an ambiguous remark. Two sympathetic neighbors came by to inspect for themselves, declared it a “pissant complaint,” snipped off the branch and took it away. Others were amused. One vowed to produce and sell “FREE CONNIE” T-shirts.

It is not that the complaint was unwarranted. This was one of those gonna-getto-that-one-of-these-days projects. Still, I looked with a gimlet eye at every neighbor I suspected of ratting me out. Was it the kind man who walks his little brown dog up and down the street and waves at me shyly? Was it the athletic young woman with white earbuds who runs like an antelope on an exercise routine? “Cowards all,” I thought. We used to complain to neighbors face to face. “I wish you’d cut…” or, even better, “Let me help you cut…” At least an anonymous note in the mailbox. Those were kinder times. Now we hide inside and slap one another around with ordinances and laws. “I can play that game,” I snarled, as sly and vengeful as a villain in a black cape. I’d file my own complaints. “Inoperable vehicles” against the neighbor whose driveway is lined with old cars. “Trash, junk, debris” against the one whose trash-filled backyard makes “Sanford and Son” look like a city park. “Unsecured structure” against the one with the collapsing, half-burned garage. I would turn this sleepy neighborhood into a battlefield surpassing the infamous Hatfield-McCoy feud. Oh, that sounded exhausting. Plus, it was hot. So I quit plotting and spent a couple of hours hand-edging the offensive area. The weeding became an exercise in meditation. I remembered the neighbors of my small hometown who would come together to help one another dig a storm cellar or build a storage shed. I thought of my neighbors now who come out to help one another with a fallen tree or catch a runaway dog. I thought of my neighbor who mows and edges my little front lawn all summer when he does his own. His charge for the summer job is a bottle of good scotch. Not that I didn’t gripe when I clipped away the “yard maintenance” violation. Sitting on the ground made my sciatica hurt, the ragweed irritated my sinuses. I suffered and wore my shame proudly, a gardening Hester Prynne. By the time I finished, I imagined myself in a state of grace. I have paid my debt to society. I am a free woman. Until next year’s garden. tp Award-winning journalist Connie Cronley is the author of three books of essays — “Sometimes a Wheel Falls Off,” “Light and Variable” and “Poke a Stick at It” — and the biography “A Life on Fire: Oklahoma’s Kate Barnard.” She has been writing TulsaPeople's “Musings” since 2010. TulsaPeople.com 79

Celebrate With Us

GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE!

Table Talk

MICHELLE POLLARD

DINING

FOOD

DRINKS

READY TO T REUBEN

he popular Wildﬂower Cafe recently reopened in a new location in the downtown Cathedral District. Loyal fans and newcomers alike can now visit the breakfast and lunch spot inside the former First Christian Church, a historic building that is being converted into a mixed-use space set to include a live music venue and apartments. Diners can ﬁnd dishes like the classic Reuben, built on rye bread and stacked with sliced corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing. Read more about the restaurant on p. 82. tp TulsaPeople.com 81

TA B L E TA L K

DINING OUT

Wildﬂower Cafe offers breakfast, brunch and lunch options including chilaquiles (with a base of corn chips stir-fried with homemade red or green salsa), a Triple Blueberry Wafﬂe and a Reuben (all pictured above). The restaurant moved from its corner spot on Route 66 to a newly renovated space inside the former First Christian Church.

Business is blooming Old and new fans alike flock to Wildflower Cafe’s new location in a former church. BY JARED S. GLEATON 82 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

MICHELLE POLLARD

eather Linville had been thinking about opening a restaurant since around 2009. She nearly did in Norman before having a son and putting the idea aside. But by 2021, after decades in restaurants, she knew what she wanted — and what she didn’t. “I just wanted to create a space that was safe and fun and exciting for people rather than toxic and not so great,” she says. Wildflower Cafe opened at East 11th Street and South Peoria Avenue in May 2021. Regulars became friends, and the restaurant grew into more than Linville expected. When tensions with the landlord and neighbors culminated in what Linville calls an ultimatum over how Wildflower operated, she left. “We just feed all of our community, not just some,” Linville says of the restaurant’s practice of feeding individuals experiencing homelessness. Fortunately, the day after that conversation with the landlord, Sadie Tyler, one of her servers, called with a lead: friends of a friend had bought the former First Christian Church, and were looking to convert it into a community space that included a restaurant. Linville happened to be downtown, so she drove over and walked through the building. “I came in and just had goosebumps,” she says. “It was divine intervention for sure.” During the nine-month buildout process, Wildflower ran a pop-up cafe at Philbrook Museum of Art during the interim and continued offering catering services. Almost all staff stayed on, helping with demolition and painting, and picking up other serving jobs or driving for Uber until Wildflower was ready to welcome the public again. “My staff is why I did it,” Linville says. Wildflower reopened Sept. 10 at 913 S. Boulder Ave. W. The cafe is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pastelgreen walls, mustard and mint booths, floral patterns, warm pendant lights and servers in their Sunday best create an aesthetic somewhere between grandmother’s house and a church social. Staff stop to talk with regulars, engage children at the table and catch up with families. The menu centers on breakfast-and-lunch comfort food, diner staples, sandwiches and a few Mexican-inspired dishes.

Chef Chuy Gonzalez’s chilaquiles begin with smoky red salsa layered over tortilla chips, chicken and cheese. Cool, tangy crema softens the spice, while an over-easy egg and sliced avocado add richness. Refried beans bring depth, while the Spanish rice provides a neutral counterpoint. The Triple Blueberry Waffle is the standout. Light and airy, it layers delicate blueberry in the waffle, richer blueberry butter with a faint salty edge, then bursts of fruit and compote from within. Coconut syrup adds a tropical turn without drowning out the berry. The Reuben stays familiar: toasted rye around a stack of pastrami, tangy-sweet sauerkraut and creamy Thousand Island. Another satisfying classic is the grilled cheese, which sandwiches ooey, gooey, melty pimento cheese between slices of sourdough — add a cup of creamy tomato basil soup for a truly comforting experience. Tyler, who operates the new location’s beverage program, also has a hand in Wildflower’s zero-proof drinks. Her Chai Russian, which riffs on a White Russian, is thick and almost milkshake-like, with coffee and white chocolate leading into chai spice. “(Linville) gave me the liberty to do all kinds of other fun drinks,” she says, adding that this creative freedom led to the creation of Chapel Coffee — a new concept that opened in the building’s old sanctuary last month. With its soaring architecture, stained glass and cozy, atmospheric feel, the caffeine and hangout spot is a truly unique addition to Tulsa’s third space offerings. Visitors will find a menu that blends classic offerings with signature drinks that incorporate Tyler’s housemade syrups — some of which are inspired by her grandmother. The cafe also offers additional weekend seating for Wildflower patrons. Linville sees Wildflower growing beyond breakfast and lunch, blooming throughout the building with live music, weddings, birthdays, retirement parties and other community gatherings. Asked what she wants Wildflower to become, she doesn’t complicate it. “Just loving and helping more people.” tp WILDFLOWER CAFE 913 S. Boulder Ave. W. • wildﬂowercafetulsa.com 7 a.m. - 3 p.m., daily

Chapel Coffee is Wildﬂower’s new concept, which offers spillover seating for Wildﬂower patrons on the weekend. Seven days a week, visitors can order a signature coffee beverage or enjoy the space’s truly unique aesthetic. TulsaPeople.com 83

TA B L E TA L K

The Summit Club Executive Chef Michael Wilson and General Manager Bill Lyle

Top of the town The Summit Club continues its legacy of excellence with new leadership promoted from within. BY JARED S. GLEATON

hirty-two floors above Tulsa, William “Bill” Lyle stands at the windows of The Penthouse at The Summit Club. Behind him are the bar, piano, fi replace lounge and dining room. And beyond those — the kitchen that brought him here nine years ago. Earlier this year, Lyle became general manager on May 1. The kitchen remains part of his world, but his focus extends throughout the club. The path to floor 32 began in Nottingham, New Hampshire, with scratch cooking at home. His mother’s work for Trans World Airlines as an airline purser opened a wider world when he traveled with her on weekend layovers: eating pigeon 84 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

in Cairo, fish sandwiches from a wooden boat on the Bosphorus and steak frites in Paris. In 2002, he moved to Fayetteville, studying small-business management at the University of Arkansas while working in kitchens. After leading Ella’s Table in Fayetteville, he joined Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, where exhibition-inspired menus reinforced his belief that food could be connected to a larger experience. That mindset followed him to The Summit Club in 2017, when he began as executive chef. “The Summit already had 50 years of history, tradition and an incredibly loyal membership,” Lyle says. “The opportunity

was to build on that foundation and make sure the Club continued to evolve for the next generation.” The club’s comprehensive, multi-floor renovation in 2019 and the early 2020s gave that evolution room to take shape. The Penthouse kept traditions and service standards members had known for decades, delivered in a freshly refurbished setting. Introduced in fall 2020, TH1RTYONE Kitchen on the 31st floor offers something different: a more casual experience. Here, the dress code is less strict than the dining room upstairs, making it many members’ preferred spot for family occasions. When the new concept opened, Lyle launched a globally inspired menu to complement live music, billiards and visits to the cigar lounge. While in the kitchen, Lyle emphasized a “culture of respect,” along with retention and developing people from within. His move to general manager marked another milestone when Executive Sous Chef Michael Wilson was promoted to executive chef. “Developing talented people from within is important to us,” Lyle says. “Chef Mike and I have worked together for nearly 20 years, and I’m excited to see where he takes the culinary program next.” Lyle’s view is wider now: dining, events, service, programming and relationships members build with staff. “The views and facilities are certainly part of what makes The Summit special, but it’s the people, relationships and sense of community that truly define the club,” he says. For Lyle, the next chapter is not about remaking The Summit. It is about carrying forward what has defined the club since 1967 while giving another generation reasons to make it their own. Heading into the holidays, he shares that The Summit Club will host special member events including a kids’ holiday cookie class on Nov. 24, a Thanksgiving buffet Nov. 26, brunch with Santa on Dec. 5 and 6, a Gingerbread House Workshop on Dec. 14, a Christmas Eve buffet on Dec. 24 and, of course, a New Year’s Eve dinner and celebration on Dec. 31. “Th roughout the holiday season we’re offering special new member incentives, including food and beverage credits for both the new member and the member who refers them,” he adds. Learn more about membership at The Summit Club at summittulsa.com. tp

MICHELLE POLLARD

WHAT’S COOKING?

TA B L E TA L K

TRY THIS!

AUTUMN IN A GLASS Find cozy cocktails at Roof Sixty-Six. BY LAUREN ROGERS

Searching for a cozy fall beverage that looks as good as it tastes? Check out the seasonal cocktail menu at Roof Sixty-Six Bar in Hotel Indigo. Celebrate autumn with one of these delicious drinks perfect for sipping by one of the fire pits on the bar’s patio — where you can take in the Tulsa skyline.

SWEATER WEATHER This Paloma-adjacent option combines Don Julio Reposado, cardamom simple syrup and grapefruit juice, and comes with a cinnamon sugar rim and dried lime slice garnish.

APPLE PIE OLD FASHIONED A creative take on a classic, this beverage mixes Maker’s Mark with Ole Smoky Apple Pie Moonshine and Angostura bitters. A cinnamon sugar rim brings balance to this ﬂavorful concoction, and a slice of dried apple adds to the aesthetic.

BURGUNDY BREEZE Landing at a unique crossroads between mulled wine and sangria, the Burgundy Breeze includes a base of Patrón Silver, simple syrup and lemon juice that is then topped with Cabernet Sauvignon.

TulsaPeople.com 85

TA B L E TA L K

WHAT THE ALE?

Dead Armadillo Founder and Brewer Tony Peck almost said “no” to making the brewery’s popular Tulsa Flag Ale to introduce the new icon in the late 2010s. But, what began as a one-time beer to introduce a ﬂag ultimately found a permanent place in the brewery’s lineup, and in Tulsa refrigerators.

Unflagging popularity Since its first batch, Dead Armadillo’s Tulsa Flag remains a top seller. BY TOM GILBERT 86 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

WHAT THE ALE: TOM GILBERT; BOYS’ HOME: COURTESY

ulsa Flag, an American blonde ale that has become a calling card for Dead Armadillo Craft Brewing at 1004 E. Fourth St., almost didn’t happen. Founder and brewer Tony Peck said “no” a couple of times to the request before agreeing to brew the beverage that became Dead Armadillo’s biggest seller. In 2017, those championing the effort to update the Tulsa flag (TYPROS, GitWit and other local organizations) wanted a beer to celebrate the new design. Peck had a brewery to run, tanks to schedule and plenty of their then-staples — Amber Ale and India Pale Ale — to make. A one-time beer sounded simple enough, but producing it meant finding room in the brewing schedule, getting label approval and ordering cans. He eventually agreed to brew the special beer for the Tulsa Flag launch event, but his fi rst batch sold so quickly that he didn’t have enough for organizers. “The distributor sold out our fi rst 300case batch in 10 minutes,” Peck says. “We had to reorder cans so that they could have some for the festival.” For Peck, the connection makes sense. Visitors want to try something local. Residents want something that represents home. Put Tulsa’s name and a recognizable flag on an approachable beer, and there’s a good reason to pick up the can. Peck describes Tulsa Flag beer as light, golden and crisp. It is an ale, although its refreshing character can appeal to people who usually reach for a lager. “It’s just an easy drinking, really, really mass appealing beer,” he says. Crafting a broad appeal has been part of Dead Armadillo’s approach from the beginning. The brewery sold its fi rst kegs of its smooth, medium-bodied Amber Ale in 2013 through a contract brewing arrangement with Roughtail Brewing Co. in Oklahoma City. The Amber eventually came in 12-ounce cans, giving the young brewery a foothold as Oklahoma’s craft beer scene grew. “We were just thrilled to be part of the mix,” Peck says of Dead Armadillo’s early days. “We were selling a ton of beer, and we couldn’t keep it in stock.” There was excitement and a little urgency to launch their own taproom, which opened in 2016. “We just had this fear of missing out,” he says. “We had to get it going. We had to get it started.”

When the Tulsa flag organizers approached Peck shortly after opening his new space, he already had a recipe worth revisiting. Dead Armadillo fi rst brewed the beer, originally called East Village Blonde, on its test system for a neighborhood event. It went over well, so Peck tweaked the recipe and packaged it as Tulsa Flag. The flag’s red, yellow, blue and white gave the cans a distinctive look. The debate over the proposed city flag also drew attention. “People wanted to buy it, maybe out of spite because the city council didn’t initially approve the new design,” Peck says with a laugh. “Hopefully now they buy it out of love.” Dead Armadillo eventually replaced the star at the center of its Tulsa Flag label with an armadillo, giving the brewery its own take on the familiar design. Tulsa Flag remains its top seller, including in the taproom. Peck says some customers regularly return empty kegs and take home refi lls, keeping a little Tulsa pride on draft. But even a dependable favorite doesn’t mean a brewery can stand still. Peck says beer sales have recovered slowly from the pandemic, and drinkers have more choices competing for their attention. Now the taproom is helping show him where to go next. A pink lemonade seltzer has been selling so well that the brewery plans to make it available year-round, both in the taproom and in liquor and grocery stores. Peck says it also was the fi rst offering they ran out of at the George Miksch Sutton Center for Avian Research’s Wild Brew beer tasting fundraiser two years in a row. “Th is is a great test bed,” he says of the taproom. “If it’s selling well in your taproom, you probably got to look at where it can go.” The pink lemonade seltzer has found a partner in Tulsa Flag. The brewery serves a Radler made with an approximately equal blend of the two, adding another refreshing option to the lineup. More IPAs are in the plans, too. Peck admits that he and his fellow hop lovers had to resist turning every early recipe into an IPA. Th rough it all, however, Tulsa Flag has kept its place. It is the beer Peck initially hesitated to make, and the one customers keep asking for. Keep up with Dead Armadillo’s taproom offerings and more at dabrewery.com. tp

This one’s for the boys Tulsa Boys’ Home annual Barbecue and Cigars benefits far more than mere operating costs. BY HEIDI WAKEFIELD

Tulsa Boys’ Home Director of Development and Interim Executive Director Mike Murphy with Oyama, a BurnCo Barbeque employee.

or the Tulsa Boys’ Home, raising $1 million a year is more than just a goal; it’s a necessity that allows the organization to keep doing what it set out to do in August of 1918 — give boys not only a chance at life, but a chance to thrive. “Healing broken hearts and broken minds,” says TBH Director of Development and Interim Executive Director Mike Murphy of the nonproﬁt’s mission. “Giving these boys a sense of hope.” For over 108 years, TBH has housed, educated and mentored 14,000 boys ages 13 to 17. Today, 44 boys on 160 acres of land attend an on-campus school, engage in a weekly equine therapy program, and have access to individual and group therapy sessions, as well as preventive substance abuse courses. Through these resources, the boys are encouraged to develop critical values and sustainable life skills that lead them to success in adulthood. Although some government funds are allocated toward TBH’s services, the remaining cost gap must be met through substantial fundraising. Partnering with BurnCo Barbeque in Jenks on Nov. 19, TBH continues its eighth annual Barbecue and Cigars fundraiser. From 6-9 p.m., a pre-purchased $125 ticket grants guests access to all-youcan-eat barbecue, cigars and cutters, cold drinks and warm community. “What started out with a couple of TBH staff members, leadership and board members turned into 90-plus participants,” Murphy says. To contribute to TBH’s fundraising goal and for a chance to win a Hasty Bake, Yeti Cooler and other products by reputable brands, guests can buy rafﬂe tickets for $20 during the event. After guests have a chance to mingle, there will be a live auction including items such as an HVAC system and tankless water heater. All sponsorships, ticket sales, auction proceeds and additional donations directly fund TBH operations that keep the boys not only housed, fed and supervised, but truly cared for in ways that lead them to success in adulthood. tp TulsaPeople.com 87

LAST LOOK

TULSA TIME WARP

1961 image of the Murphy Oil building located at the southeast corner of East 16th Street and South Boulder Avenue. Seen here decorated for Christmas, the building has been the headquarters for Langdon Publishing (and TulsaPeople) since the early 1990s. Inset, the building in 2026.

Home to Langdon Publishing

n 1919, John A. Murphy founded the Murphy Oil Co. of Pennsylvania. Murphy came from a family of oil explorers who gained prominence in the fields of West Virginia and Pennsylvania in the 1880s. Murphy associated with Tulsa oilman William G. Skelly and visited Tulsa regularly during the early 20th century. He even was a member of the Tulsa Club — the elite social club for oil industry businessmen. In the 1920s, the Murphy Oil Co. of Pennsylvania opened a branch office in downtown Tulsa to oversee its western U.S. operations. In 1951, the subsidiary Murphy Oil Co. of Oklahoma was formed. 88 TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2026

The company continued to operate out of various buildings in downtown Tulsa until a permanent location was planned and designed by renowned Tulsa architects Murray, Jones and Murray in the late 1950s. In April 1960, the Murphy Oil Co. of Oklahoma moved into the one-story office building at 1603 S. Boulder Ave. It was located in the heart of a growing district — referred to as “oil center” — that was made up of petroleum-related businesses and associations. The building was designed around a central landscaped courtyard, and featured floor-to-ceiling windows throughout its interior offices. Despite being one floor,

the steel framework could support a second floor if needed. However, by 1967 the Murphy Oil Company was sold to Cenard Oil and Gas Co. of Dallas and consolidated. Tulsa properties were sold and many employees relocated. For the next three decades the building was utilized as an office space for a variety of businesses including an oil and gas drilling company and an advertising agency. Langdon Publishing acquired the South Boulder Avenue property in 1993, and it has served as the headquarters for TulsaPeople Magazine and a range of other publications since then. tp

MUSEUM OF TULSA HISTORY; INSET: MICHELLE POLLARD

BY PATRICK MCNICHOLAS

Ways to Enjoy the Holidays Savor the Season

Indulge in holiday baked goods and treats!

Make your list

and check it twice!

Get Dennis ready for the season by cutting out some festive attire!

Dress the part

Influence others with festive attire!

Dress Dennis Dress Dennis for for the the Holidays Holidays

Celebrate traditions

No matter what, celebrate with those you love!

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