NOVEMBER 2013 Vol. 4 Issue 4
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RECIPE
Holiday Fun
Southwest Turkey Salad
by: Karrie Flanagan
The Holidays are upon us and they bring so many opportunities for family fun. We live busy lives, as busy as we choose to be, so we often miss out on spending time with our families. Children thrive when given the opportunity to help make something. So whether it’s a craft or a treat, make some time to create a special memory with your family this holiday season. When I think of fall, I think of pumpkins and candy corn. Here are a few things you can try with your kids this month. Be sure to take pictures and tag the Ada Hub Facebook Page so we can see your special moment.
Every family has left over turkey after the big Thanksgiving dinner. Here is a great way to use those extra pieces of bird!
Punkin’ Heads All you need is a good ole’ fashioned paper plate, orange paint, brown construction paper, a green pipe cleaner and a popsicle stick. The kids never argue if they have to chew through a popsicle to get the stick. How to make the mask: Cut out a large circle in the paper plate for your child’s face to show through. Paint the remaining part of the paper plate orange. Let the paint dry. This might be a good time to get to that popsicle stick and to cut out the stem from the brown construction paper. Once the paint is dry, attach the stem with tape or glue. Use a hole punch to make a place for the green pipe cleaner to go. Attach the pipe cleaner to the top of the stem. Then, all you have to do is fix the popsicle stick to the bottom of the pumpkin with tape or glue and you are done.
Candy Corn Rice Crispy Treats • Ingredients: • 6 cups of rice cereal • 1 bag of marshmallows • 1 bag of mini marshmallows • 4 Tablespoons of butter • 1/4 Teaspoon of salt • Orange food coloring • Yellow food coloring • A handful of candy corn You are going to have to do this recipe a third at a time so you get the three different colors for the candy corn effect. Before you start, butter the bottom of a 9x13 baking pan. In a large pot, put in 1/3 of your butter, regular marshmallows and salt. Stir this together until it melts. Then, take the pot off of the burner while adding in one third of the rice cereal and the mini marshmallows. Keep stirring until it is mixed together really well. Remove the mixture from the pot and shape it into a rectangle so it covers 1/3 of the baking pan. Repeat this process two more times. Add your food coloring while the marshmallows are melting until you reach your desired color for these two batches. After it has cooled slightly, firmly press in the candy corns randomly over the top. Kids aren’t the only ones who will be making these treats disappear. Enjoy! 4 • www.adahub.com
Ingredients 1/2 yellow onion diced 1 celery stalk diced 1 chipotle pepper minced 1 clove garlic minced 1 tsp red wine vinegar 1 tsp lemon juice 1 cup mayo 2 cups diced turkey or shredded light or dark meat 1tsp salt 1 tsp pepper 1 tsp sugar
After dicing and mincing, place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Cover it with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour before serving. You can add some extra toppings like pine nuts, grape tomatoes and chives if you want a little extra flavor. I like to serve this on toasted bread or you can place a scoop full onto your favorite lettuce. Other times, I just eat it right out of the bowl.
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Sisters Creative
by: Sunnie Dawn Smith
by: Sunnie Dawn Smith
Sisters are bound to have their squabbles from time to time. Each parent, though, will handle this natural occurrence in different ways. Corinna Linton and Erica Eppler were lucky enough to have a mother who dealt with their squabbles through humor, love, and encouragement of creativity. Because of her influence these sisters not only grew up to be artists, but artists who work together closely, marketing their artworks under the name of their own company, Boots Kill Too. Both ladies had been seriously making art since they were teenagers. They had also collaborated together. It was not until 2009, however, that they got the LLC for Boots Kill Too, which eventually will be a store but right now functions as a brand name for their creations. The name originated with their mother. Erica was having a sister squabble with another sister, Kris, and boots were being thrown. Their mother came in the room and said, “Boots kill too.” They all started laughing and the squabble was forgotten immediately. Their mother did not just inspire their name, though. She is one of the major reasons why they both became artists. She let them be really and truly creative when they were young, encouraging them to express themselves. This is probably one of the reasons why the sisters can’t contain themselves to one medium. They
paint, but they also do sculpture, embroidery, silk-screening, jewelry, hair clips, native designs, crochet and dream catchers. They have recently purchased a kiln, so will also soon be doing ceramics as well. Their broad variety of media allows them to express themselves more fully because each medium lends itself to different thoughts, themes, and emotions. For instance, crochet allows the sisters to create something warm and beautiful that the wearer will cherish. However, it also gives them a chance to sit and relax. Since both Corinna and Erica are always on the go, crochet makes them sit and be still, working with a repetitive motion that is akin to meditation. Their family has also influenced them in other ways as well. Their mother came from a European lineage while their father was Shoshone and Choctaw. They grew up around the beadwork, powwows, and native spirituality. Their native half influences their work in a large way. Especially since they have begun creating dream catchers. These works, though, express more than their native lineage, though. They also express their European as well. The incorporation of doilies into their creations help bring together both sides of their heritage. While they enjoy bringing both European and Native influences to their work, they also
revel in the juxtaposition of industrial and natural elements. They enjoy going on nature walks, discovering new things to incorporate into their art. Rocks, feathers, and even bones can, and will, be used. In addition to this, though, they also love finding old and rusted things, parts from broken appliances; to these sisters, nothing is wasted, everything can be beautiful. Everything can be art. Art is exciting to these sisters. It is more than creativity; it is love. They look at where they began and what they have done and can only wonder where there work will be in five more years. The work may begin as basic, simple designs but then becomes something much more. For instance, they began making basic rudimentary dream catchers and now they are large enough to be hanging in trees. They like to let their artwork inspire other artworks, each medium influencing the next. You can check out their art on their website www.bootskilltoo. com or check them out on facebook. Though their presence right now is mainly on the web and at various arts and craft fairs, they dream of one day having a shop with art classes where artists can also sell their work. They want to help expand the arts community in Ada. More than anything, though, they just want to create. They do everything but photography, but they did just buy a camera… ■ www.adahub.com • 7
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Here to Help! REGIONAL FINANCE by: Adam Flanagan
Regional Finance opened it’s doors in Ada, Oklahoma in June of 2013. Branch Manager, Misty Rockford, left her job at the bank when she was pursued to lead the team at 1500 Hoppe Boulevard, Suite 6. Misty has been working in finance since 1995, so her experience in the business really shines through when she works with each customer. “I have taken a few other jobs along the way, but I always return to the world of finance. It is just where my heart truly is,” Misty said warmly. Their goal is to provide the people in the community with small personal loans but they also offer large loans for furniture and even automotive needs. Regional Finance is a secondary lender for those with less than perfect credit. Misty’s persistence really proved true when she got some local stores on board to offer finance options from their branch. They have partnered with several local furniture stores to help
Misty Rockford
people get approved quickly and easily. These stores include; Rhynes and Rhodes, Select Home Furnishings and West Sales. They even have a local auto dealer, Henderson’s Auto, on the list. If you are ever at one of these businesses and you need some financial options, be sure to ask about Regional Finance. Each customer is important and there are two things that will never change when you step in their office; their commitment to friendly service and their dedication to helping customers with their financial needs. Misty says, “It feels good to be able to help my customers when they need it most or when they are just wanting something special”. There are endless finance options available
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but Regional Finance wants to be your hometown credit source. They always work hard to earn your business, while treating each person with courtesy and respect. Misty is joined by Assistant Manager, Jamie Parker. Together, they will provide you with the financial assistance you need. You can apply in person or even online. The process is quick and easy. They even reward their customers with a $25.00 check when they refer a new customer, so it pays to tell your friends about the friendly service you receive at Regional Finance. If you are in need of some financial assistance, stop by today or call 580-272-0021 and you will be glad you did. ■
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talented tim Have you ever swung open the refrigerator door and been overwhelmed by an unpleasant aroma? I know I have, and each time the culprit lies within a plastic container. You guessed it, leftovers. We all want to believe that we will eat them one day soon, but most of the time they just go to waste. Many people have certain talents that they want to use one day, but sadly they never do. Maybe they feel like they are not quite good enough or perhaps, they just get too busy to put forth the effort. Not Tim Guzman, or as the kids call him, Killa Stepz. While watching the old tube one day, Tim saw a guy doing the wave and he just had to try it. A few minutes later he had it down and the hunger to learn more had begun. Tim was born in Paso, California in 1994 but has lived in the Ada area since 2000. “I remember never seeing snow until I moved here”, he remarked while thinking of a childhood memory. Tim grew up as a homeschool kid, so there was never really an opportunity for busting a move like you would at the school’s Winter Dance. So, after mastering the wave, Tim began to explore Popping & Locking as well as Dubstep. He also likes to mix in some gymnastics, martial arts and a little Boogaloo (not to be mistaken with the electric boogie). You might be wondering what Boogaloo is so I took
the liberty to search Wikipedia just for you: “Boogaloo is characterized as a fluid leg-oriented style danced to funk music, utilizing rolls of the hips, knees, legs, and head, which was later combined with popping.” I thought is was a character from the Disney movie, The Jungle Book, at first. Tim just couldn’t stop trying new moves. The more he learned, the more he practiced. He practiced in private until one day his older brothers saw him breaking it down. They watched quietly until they were found out by Tim. They told him how good they thought he was and later forced him to participate in the talent contest at the Ada Fair. He was reluctant at first, but with the new confidence from his brother’s encouragement, he decided to enter the contest. After the contest, he started to feel more and more confident about his talent. Tim says, “I even caught myself dancing around the house and not even knowing it”. Tim began doing a lot more contests and events around Oklahoma. His father would research and find where they were being held, then they would enter. Contests led to shows, festivals and pretty much any opportunity that was available for Tim to dance. There was a period of a few months were he was doing almost one event per week.
He has slowed down on the contests for now and is pursuing a different venue to share his talents. He recently put on a small dance show for first through sixth graders at H2O Church. He didn’t just dance either. After the kids stopped cheering for him, he shared his testimony and then encouraged them to use their talents in a positive way. “Of all the contests and shows this was my most memorable and special moment”, Tim said with a grin. He also shared with the kids how he admires the graffiti on the passing box cars when he waits for a train. Some of the artwork is really good but it’s a shame that they are using it to defile property. Tim wishes they wouldn’t waste their talent, but use it in a more positive way to influence people. (Tim does not condone or encourage graffiti. He just uses that as an example of wasted talent.) He has a strong desire to continue to use his dance talents to glorify God by performing at churches, events or special programs. You can contact Tim by email at killastepz17@ gmail.com or look him up on Facebook. If you have talents, don’t wrap them up and let them spoil. Explore them. Practice them. There might just be a reason why you are able to do what you can do, and it would be a real shame for the world to miss out on it. ■
www.adahub.com • 13
ECU An Ecl e cti c Gi f t fo r
by: George Snyder
It’s been said that Marquis Landrum of Landrum Companies – majority owner of Landmark Bank – was a banker because of his father and an art collector because of his mother. Clearly, Landrum was a great success in both endeavors and other aspects of his life. At the time of his death on August 25, 2012, Landmark Bank had expanded to include banks in 29 communities in the states of Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. He was also an astute and eclectic collector of both Western and nonWestern art and he utilized this talent in acquisitions for both the Landmark Bank corporate collection and his own private art collection. As you drive down Arlington Street in Ada and pass by the Landmark Bank horses, you are seeing a testament to Landrum’s belief in the importance of 14 • www.adahub.com
“public art” in everyday life. It’s there for people of Ada to enjoy as well as others in communities where Landmark Bank has similar outdoor sculpture. East Central University (ECU), along with Yale University (Landrum’s alma mater) and the University of Oklahoma, are the recipients of Landrum’s largesse -- as each was designated by the trustees of his estate (based on Landrum’s wishes) -- to receive pieces from his private art collection. Landrum began talking with ECU administration about the gift some years ago as way to commemorate his mother, Ruth Walker Landrum, who taught art at ECU in the 1930s. Even earlier, Landrum had established the Ruth Walker Landrum Sculpture Scholarship at ECU. Taryn Chubb, an Assistant Professor
in the ECU Department of Art and the Director of the Pogue Gallery of Art, has coordinated this gift acquisition program for ECU and in so doing she traveled to Santa Barbara, California where many of the donated pieces were on site at the Landrums’ vacation home. “East Central University received 28 art objects from the estate of Marquis Landrum and most of them are sculpture or three-dimensional objects, including pottery and ceramic pieces,” Chubb said. “This was a significant undertaking for East Central University to accept a donation of this size, especially considering the logistics involved in the transportation and the care for such large objects,” she said. According to Chubb, ECU, like Yale and the University of Oklahoma, were >
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interested in acquiring pieces that complemented their existing art collection or expanded upon specific areas targeted for growth. “For a university that is only 100 years old, East Central University has an extensive art collection and this is all the more impressive since we have no art acquisition budget and so our collection is almost entirely donated work,” Chubb said. “Interestingly, most of the work we received from the Landrum art collection is ‘non-Western: Asian, South American and African art’ -- and especially sculpture -- all areas of potential growth in our university collection,” she said. Perhaps the crowning jewel of this collection is not only the manner in which the Landrum sculpture complements the ECU art collection, but in that it also reflects the beauty of its new environment, the “Inasmuch Sculpture Garden” in the ECU Hallie Brown Fine Art Center. “This permanent installation in the outdoor Inasmuch Sculpture Garden is cohesive in the sense that all the pieces with one exception are from Southeast Asian islands,” Chubb said. All are carved from limestone, sandstone or basalt and Chubb said her favorite -- if it’s possible to say so -- is a head, carved from basalt which is probably 2,000 years old. According to Chubb, the piece may be complete or part of a much larger stone figure. To encourage visitors from the university, the community and those in surrounding cities, the ECU Art Department is developing a gallery guide for the Landrum sculpture in the sculpture garden. “We have team of students doing research and collecting information on these sculptures and the ECU Department of Cartography is developing mapping to illustrate the point of origin for each object. In addition, our design students are helping to develop the design for this gallery guide. Even our Music Department and some of its students are developing musical composition, inspired by this unique space,” Chubb said. At a future date, the university hopes to have a dedication ceremony involving the Landrum family and other members of the community. Chubb acknowledges the role Marquis Landrum and the Landrum family played in making this significant contribution to East Central University. She also credits the university administration and the ECU Foundation for proving significant support in creating the opportunity for ECU students, the university staff and the art enthusiasts in Ada and surrounding communities. No doubt, somewhere a banker and an art teacher are smiling. ■ www.adahub.com • 17
60 Seconds With by: George Snyder
State Senator Susan Paddack
State Senator Susan Paddack is now serving her third term in the Oklahoma State Legislature. Senator Paddack was elected in November 2004 as the State Senator for District 13, which includes Pontotoc, portions of Garvin, Hughes, Pottawatomie and Seminole Counties. She serves as a Democratic Caucus Vice-Chair. In addition, she serves on the full Appropriations Committee, Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, Education Committee, Energy Committee and Transportation Committee. AH: You are now serving your third term as Oklahoma State Senator for District 13. Prior to your political career, you worked in the field of education. In your opinion, how is education a good background for an elected official? How has it benefitted you in your work as a legislator? SP: If you look at the state budget, the majority of our dollars go to education. And I believe the most important function (of our budget) is to make sure our children are well educated. Our economic prosperity and success depends on educating our children. As I see it, there is a natural fit for an educator like me in the field of politics. When the majority of our dollars are being devoted to education, it’s helpful to have someone who has been in the classroom and who understands the importance of how those education dollars are being spent. For me in particular, an educational background offers an understanding about how education works and how important it is to the overall economic development and prosperity of the state. Also, in my first year in office I became Vice Chair of the Education Committee. The second year I moved to Education Chair position. And then in the third and fourth year, I co-chaired the Education appropriations budget. Obviously, it benefitted me that I was put into leadership positions that dovetailed with my expertise. AH: What motivates you as a politician and is there anyone in particular who has inspired you? SP: First of all, I never aspired to be a politician . . . who does? Today there doesn’t appear to be a great deal of respect for politicians. This truly is unfortunate. My approach is simple and it’s based on the way I was raised. I was told if you have been blessed in life, you give back. Long before I entered politics, I was actively involved in the community, including participation in the 18 • www.adahub.com
Ada City Schools Foundation, the Arts and Humanities Council, United Way and other organizations. When I ran for office in 2004, I saw this as an extension of that community service. This is how I try to contribute what I can to the community. I don’t consider myself as much a politician as I consider myself a public servant. I’m inspired by the concept of ‘servant leadership’ and that inspiring message, ‘what you do is how you make a living and what you give is how you make a life.’ All this inspiration probably comes from my father. He was a very strong figure, really a self-made man. He began working as a telephone lineman and eventually became a vice president of that same company . . . and he did this with no formal education. AH: How do you decide on the legislation you author and support? SP: My legislation is an outgrowth of the people I serve. It begins with being a voice and an advocate for constituents. To me it’s important to be out there listening to those I serve in order to match up to the needs with what can be done at the state level. For example, in my second year in the Senate, there was the Caitlin Wooten Act, a piece of legislation that put stronger requirements for bail bonding of potentially violent individuals. That was an important piece of legislation and it came directly from a need expressed by people in response to a heinous act (the murder of Caitlin Wooten). In the area of healthcare, in 2005 I authored legislation to make the Rx Oklahoma Prescription Assistance Program available statewide. The program operates through community action agencies and it provides free and reduced medicines to those who are uninsured or underinsured. Here in Ada, Compassion Outreach Center utilizes the program and in one year they supplied patients with $40,000 in medications (from pharmaceutical companies) to fulfill community needs. When you look at this in relation to the state as whole, it can amount to significant cost savings and benefits to our citizens. My interest in this legislation is the direct result of visits to nutrition centers where I listened to seniors talk about their financial challenges in paying for needed prescription drugs. AH: What issues do you see as being important to us here in Ada? SP: Education continues to be a huge focus. We need to be sure our children
are well educated and prepared for the opportunities ahead. We need to continue to work to get a four-lane highway and this is something we’re actively pursuing. We also need to protect our water assets, which are so important for the prosperity of our community. In addition, we need to maintain a good business climate as well as our manufacturing infrastructure. That’s high on my priority list. For example, when Dart purchased Solo Cup, Lt. Governor Todd Lamb, Mike Southard of Ada Jobs Foundation and I went up to the Dart headquarters to demonstrate our commitment to their Ada operation. We knew it was important to show our commitment for their corporate presence in this community. AH: Tell me about “Career Discovery Day.” SP: Career Discovery Day started two years ago while two students from Moore, Oklahoma were in my office along with Mike Southard of the Ada Jobs Foundation. I asked the senior (one month from graduation) what she was going to do after graduation. She didn’t know. I asked the sophomore and he didn’t know. Later, I said to Mike, there seems to be a ‘disconnect’ between student perceptions about career opportunities and our need for good workers. In simple terms, Career Discovery Day is a program to introduce students to career opportunities that they might not otherwise know about and to educate them about these potential career choices. I was aware of a program offered in Virginia schools, which focused on 8th grade students. I realized that was the right year to begin the training, but I felt the ‘discovery’ should also include grades 9, 10, 11 and 12. Our program will follow students through 12th grade, offering them a variety of career experiences. Then, when they graduate,
they will have a better understanding of what jobs are available and what skill training is necessary to get these jobs. In the first year of the program, we started with approximately 450 8th graders. We organized the first event with 18 volunteer speakers who offered input on a variety of career options. There was also training on soft skills like: interviewing, dressing and communication techniques. That evening we held a meeting with parents, providing them with information on educational opportunities and scholarship programs, student testing and other activities. The second year, the program included both 8th and 9th grade. Each year the returning students will be given an opportunity to learn more specific information about their chosen career field. I’m really excited about this program and I applaud this community and all the incredible leaders and volunteers who are giving their time and talent for our students. The Ada Jobs Foundation and the Ada Chamber of Commerce have been especially helpful in coordinating this program. I think everyone involved realizes that to have a vibrant, thriving community we have to have successful kids coming out of high school. AH: In your third term, where do you want to put your emphasis? SP: I want to stay focused on educational initiatives like Career Discovery Day. Working with Representative Lisa Billy, we want to replicate what we’re doing in Pontotoc County in Garvin County. It will be based on the needs in that county. The Work Force Oklahoma program is involved here and wants to also duplicate the program in all of their counties, but we’re getting a lot of feedback from other places too for information about the program. I want to stay involved in education, but there are other important issues to focus on, including healthcare, public safety and economic development. AH: What do you see after the 3rd term? SP: I’m not sure. I came into the political arena after being associated with the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. It’s a wonderful organization. I can see myself going back into the nonprofit sector, maybe in the area of educational policy. I’m very causeoriented and I want to do something that makes a difference in the lives of other people. I’m open to possibilities, but there will be no more elective office. It’s been a true blessing, but I want to go out still believing that I helped to make a difference. One of my favorite quotes is, ‘Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of those who would be affected by it.’ My leadership was inspired by the people I’ve served in the district. Twelve years at lightning speed. And after three terms, I will need to take a breath. (Paddack will term out in 2016.) AH: Is there anything that might surprise your constituents? SP: I’m a weight lifter. I work out pretty faithfully. I walk and I lift weights. I do it because I believe you have to release the stress from your body. Physical activity is an important aspect in my life. Even during session, I find time to work out. I work out three to five times a week. Also, I’m a scuba diver. I’ve been diving for 15 years or more. It’s awesome! When you’re down there, you know without a doubt, there is a God. There is such serenity. It’s amazing. AH: Any thoughts on our current political climate? SP: I believe people deserve good government. I know they don’t always get it. My philosophy is to do my part to give people the best representation I can. For me it’s a bit like operating a full-service gas station. We need to give our best to everyone and everything that comes in the door. I hope that when my time in the Senate is over people will say she did a good job and she worked hard for us. With so much partisan fighting at all levels of government, I want to be known as someone who served with a willingness to work with everyone for the good of the people. For me, this is the way I try and honor the people I serve. I think we can work through just about anything if we will work that way. The greatness of this country is about the willingness of people to work through challenges together. ■ www.adahub.com • 19