bmonthly August 2020 by bmonthly Magazine

August 2020

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b Monthly | AUGUST 2020

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WHAT’S INSIDE

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Upfront

On the Osage: Big Hats and Buffalos

Entertainment: All American August

Profile: Charlie Martin A Life Well Lived

Helping Hands: Toes & Torso Simple Body Positioning Conveys Interest to Students

Feature: H.V. Foster... The Gift that Keeps Giving

Meet Your Writer: Jay Webster Popular Columnist Just Finished Writing Third Book

Making A Difference: 15 Years of Changing Lives

10 14 22

Feature Sponsor: Shake, Rattle & Roll BIG Event Supports Big Brothers Big Sisters

Knowing Nowata: Saying Goodbye Part of History, Former Nowata High School, Torn Down

Kids’ Calendar

Chick-fil-A Events Calendar

Funny You Should Ask: What’s So Wrong ... About Being Wrong?

A Good Word: In God We Trust Country Needs to Return to it’s Christian Foundation

Education: State of Our Schools Looking Back at 2019 and Ahead to New School Year

Looking Back: You Went to High School Where? A Look Back at the Numerous Bartlesville-Area Schools

A Fresh Perspective: The Strange & the Mundane

Now You Know: Tribute to Ice A Look Back at Crystal Ice and Cold Storage

Sports: Play Ball! Doenges Ford Indians Claim Second at AABC State

Spotlight: Valley of the Shadow Bartlesville Health & Rehab Emerged from the Shadow

Business Spotlight: Glenn Security Local Business Keeping Community Safe for Decades

Once Upon a Time: Remembering Grandpa’s Quilts

42 44 48

Tribute: Ram Gonzalez

From the Heart: We All Have a Gift Sometimes Our Best Gift is Making Others Laugh

County Sheriff Race: Fesler Feels Called to Serve

Out & About: Photos from Around Town

Tribute: Lisa Johnson AUGUST 2020

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UPFRONT

upfront Welcome to August, friends ... The “Dog days of summer.” As we get ready to send our kids back to school ... so to speak ... we parents have challenges coming up this year. We have to figure out what is best for our kids and balance work and home life. I believe a big part of our kids’ education is the importance of social interaction with other kids from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds. We applaud our teachers, staff, and administrators of our school district who set forth the importance of education, health, and our kids. These children are starting to live, learn, and interact again outside of a computer, phone, and big TV screens. Let’s not have our society keep everyone home and locked in. In the last few issues, we have had tributes to many of our family and friends who have passed away. In this issue we have two tributes — one to an amazing father, mentor, and teacher, Coach (Ram) Gonzalez. What a life he lived! He gave so much to so many students, including me, over his 40 years of teaching and coaching. The other tribute is to Lisa Johnson, one of our dear friends and most precious spirits you could ever meet. Rick Johnson, husband, father of three precious daughters, and a coach, wrote this incredibly touching tribute to his best friend and his beloved wife. If you came in contact with Lisa or were lucky enough to call her friend, your life is better and fuller. She loved everyone right where they were in their lives. Our feature story this month is on H.V. Foster and the home he built in the 1930s, named “La Quinta.” Mr. Foster was one of

the richest men west of the Mississippi because of the deals he made with the Osage Nation for their “Black Gold.” Debbie Neece researched and visited the mansion, which at one time was also a military school right here in Bartlesville. Today it's a sprawling campus we call Oklahoma Wesleyan University and Christy’s alma mater. After three years, we have a brand new bmonthly website and it is awesome! You can read back issues, even those before we were here, and see the transformation of this magazine. I love to look at issues from early 2017 and before to see how far bmonthly magazine has come. We’ve grown the magazine from 36 pages to 84 pages today. We are truly blessed with an incredible staff of writers, photographers, and our graphic design team at Copper Cup Images.

Volume XI Issue VIII Bartlesville Monthly Magazine is published by

ENGEL PubLishiNG

Offices located in Downtown Bartlesville in the historic Price Tower 510 Dewey Ave, Suite 400, Bartlesville, OK 74003 P.O. Box 603, Bartlesville, OK 74005

www.bartlesvillemonthly.com facebook.com/bartlesvillemonthly Publisher

Brian Engel brian@bartlesvillemonthly.com Art Direction

Copper Cup Images design@coppercupimages.com Director of Sales & Marketing

Keith McPhail keith@bartlesvillemonthly.com Community Liaison

I am finishing this Upfront early in the morning of July 23rd. This date is very significant to Christy and me. It is our wedding anniversary today. We have been married 15 years! What an incredible journey we have been on. This marriage has seen some of the darkest moments. Through LOVE, PRAYER, and a nevergive-up attitude, at the age of 51 I have never been as happy and in love with life as I am today. I trust and believe with all my heart that God has me exactly where he wants me. We look back at the last 15 years — through all the pain, hardship, and tears — and say thank you, God, for allowing us to continue to build on His kingdom with our love and our story.

Christy McPhail christy@bartlesvillemonthly.com Project Manager

Andrea Whitchurch andrea@bartlesvillemonthly.com Administration

Shelley Greene Stewart Delivery and Distribution

Julie Drake Calendar/Social Media

calendar@bartlesvillemonthly.com Contributing Writers Debbie Neece, Rick Johnson, Lori Esser Just, Kay Little, Jay Webster, Maria Gus, Tim Hudson, Keith McPhail, Lori Kroh, Carrol Craun, Kelly Bland, Rita Thurman Barnes, Mike Wilt, Brent Taylor, Sarah Gagan, AJ Webster, Jenny Eve, Chris Zervas, Lori Roll Contributing Photographers Jay Hastings, Craigs Photography, Bartlesville Area History Museum, Bradley Borg, Cover by Chance Franks Kids Calendar

Jessica Smith

God Bless, Keith

ABOUT THE COVER Photo by Chance Franks of H.V. Foster’s impressive La Quinta residence, now the site of Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Creative Concept by Keith and Christy McPhail Design by Copper Cup Images

Keith & Christy McPhail, bmonthly managing editors. AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

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ENTERTAINMENT

All-American August Tower Center at Unity Square’s Sizzlin’ Summer Series

The second event in Unity Square’s Sizzlin’ Summer Series, aptly named “All American August,” will be held on Friday, August 7, from 6-9 p.m. on the new urban green space located downtown, between the Price Tower and Bartlesville Community Center. This familyfriendly event will feature a back-toschool style party centered on the Unity Square outdoor stage. Start off the evening as BHS Pom, Cheer, and Drumline squads help pep up our school spirit with a live performance. Then enjoy live music from local band, The Rivercross Ramblers. Last, but definitely not least, Oklahoma country rock music artist, Jesse Joice, will take the stage with his band.

around the green with an adult beverage from Price Tower Plaza, or watch your kids cool off in the Bartlesville Fire Department’s Splash Zone! Stop by the Unity Square booth to enter your name in a drawing for several amazing prizes. We’ll be drawing winners throughout the evening for a pair of Broadway in Bartlesville! season tickets, BHS athletics season family pass, a free night’s stay at the Inn at Price Tower plus a Copper Food voucher, and Unity Square swag. Don’t worry if you don’t win a t-shirt in the drawing, as we will have plenty of Unity Square shirts and fan/frisbees for sale. You can also visit event sponsor booths for giveaways such as a goody bag for the first 100 kids, balloons, and coupons for Chick-fil-A. So, bring your masks, umbrellas, and lawn chairs and come tailgate with US! For more information about this event, and to see a full list of event sponsors, visit unitysquarebville.com, follow us on Facebook@unitysquarebvl, or call 918.337.2787.

There will be plenty of space to socially distance as you walk around the park, set up your lawn chairs, or spread out your picnic blankets. Plan to purchase food from local food trucks, stroll AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

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Tri County Tech is partnering with the State of Oklahoma to offer the Skills to Rebuild Initiative - an initiative designed to help revive Oklahoma’s economy amid the COVID Crisis. That means many of our Flex & Fast Track programs are FREE!*

“Getting into Tri County Tech was a defining moment of my life. Thanks to TCT, I now have a certification, make more money than I’ve ever made, and I’m debt free after completing my degree!” - M A LO R I T., 2 019 -

Our partnership with the state and several local employers allows us to increase our adult training, generating an annual payroll of over 10 million dollars for our students and economy. It also means we’re significantly increasing our program capacity so more Oklahomans can find great jobs!

Have Questions? Contact Kyle at 918.331.3240 or Kyle.Ppool@TriCountyTech.edu.

Learn more at TriCountyTech.edu/FREE Tri County Tech does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Tara Stevens | Compliance Of昀cer | 6101 Nowata Road, Bartlesville, OK 74006 | Tara.Stevens@TriCountyTech.edu *The Skills to Rebuild Initiative scholarships are for Oklahoma residents enrolled in a Tri County Tech Adult Flex or Fast Track program anytime during the 2020-2021 school year. The Skills to Rebuild scholarship will cover the entire program’s cost and is contingent upon the successful completion of the program. For more information, please visit TriCountyTech.edu/Skills.

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PROFILE

Charlie Martin A Life Well Lived by Sarah Leslie Gagan It was a humid 94 degrees the day Charlie Martin turned 100. Sitting outside his home at Green Country Village, his wife, Mary, was in the same place she had been for the last 78 years — right by his side. Surrounded by immediate family and friends, the couple sat on the porch and watched as a parade of cars drove by with occupants waving, congratulating, and celebrating Charlie’s milestone day. In the days of social distancing due to COVID-19, safely observing such a momentous birthday looks and sounds different than previous celebrations. Emergency vehicles and first responders led the way, with lights and sirens, for several dozen vehicles to circle through the drive, some with signs and balloons, every vehicle with a smile and wave for Charlie. And the smiles on the faces of Charlie and Mary were perhaps the biggest of all. Becoming a centenarian was a goal that kept Charlie forging ahead each new day, in recent years. The long-term Bartlesville resident has enjoyed a full life since he was born in Quitman, Arkansas on July 8th, 1920. After graduating high school in 1937 from North Little Rock, Charlie attended The University of Arkansas. In the fall of 1940, an Army recruiting team came through and signed up many eligible men, including Charlie, with the understanding that they would not be called to duty until after graduation. This proved not to be the case when he was called to active duty in September 1941, just a few credit hours shy of completing his degree in Journalism. In 1940, Mary Staats of Bartlesville was also attending The University of Arkansas. One day, a friend took Mary to the airfield in Fayetteville to meet a man she thought would be a good match for her. Mary did meet an interesting man that day, but it wasn’t whom her friend intended. It was Charlie Martin, a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity and a french horn player in the 10

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PROFILE Arkansas band. That day, a romance began that would stand the test of time and span over eight decades. Charlie received his private pilot’s license after completing civilian pilot training while in college, which made him a natural for the accelerated pilot training in the Army Air Corps. After completing months of training, Charlie received his commission, his wings, and his wife on April 24, 1942 — all on the same day. Mary made the three-day train trip from Bartlesville to Stockton, California to marry Charlie, standing beside 67 other couples the chaplain married that day. The Martin’s never had a honeymoon — there wasn’t time, because Charlie had to report to Sacramento the following day. Newly wed and newly commissioned, second lieutenant Martin and his wife were stationed in Las Vegas, Nevada, where Charlie was an aerial gunnery pilot instructor. After 13 months in Las Vegas, Charlie was transferred overseas to serve in the China, Burma, India Theater, flying cargo planes over the Himalayas and supporting forces fighting the war against Japan. Pilots who flew these extremely dangerous missions later became known as “hump pilots.” In 2001, Charlie was asked by historian Joe Todd, of Bartlesville, if he thought there was a reason he was selected for this perilous assignment. Charlie recalled, “Madame Chiang Kaishek, (once famous around the world as the beautiful and extremely powerful Dragon Lady wife of China's autocratic ruler) came to the United States and asked Roosevelt for more aid to China. In one of his fireside chats, he said we would get that additional aid. He ordered Hap Arnold to send 500 aircrews with the people with the most time in the air to be in this transport group to fly supplies to China. All of us came from the training command and all of us had 1,200 to 1,400 hours at that time. That’s why I was assigned” Charlie made captain during his 18 months of flying supplies over the 19and 20-thousand-foot-tall peaks of the Himalayas. He made many dangerous flights of supplies to Western China before returning to the states. Charlie is immensely proud of his service, as he should be. “You know, we were the forgotten war. Not many have heard about us, but word is getting around. Our mission was so secretive, there were things going on under our noses even we didn’t know about.” After discharge from the service in 1945, he and Mary settled in Bartlesville, where Charlie went to work in an independent oil production business, acquiring several oil leases of their own. They successfully operated the leases for many years, until selling them in 2002. In 1958, they expanded their ventures when Charlie began operating the Staats Ranch, near Sedan, Kansas.

They were active in Hereford breeding programs, and attended world Hereford conferences in Uruguay, New Zealand, Spain, and South Africa. Mary was president of the American Hereford Auxiliary in 1985, and Charlie was president of the American Hereford Association in 1989. They continued living in Bartlesville while Charlie commuted to the ranch in Kansas. They ran a successful ranch until retirement in 1998, when they decided to sell the cattle operation. Charlie and Mary have been lifelong bridge players, playing any chance they could. In their college years, they admit that on occasion, they skipped class just to get a round in. In 2005, at the age of 84, Charlie completed his college degree and finally graduated from The University of Arkansas. Charlie and Mary had three sons, Charles J. Martin, Jr., Stephen Carl Martin, and Robert Lloyd Martin; seven grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. The family has had their share of joys and sorrows. Charles Jr. was killed at the age of 34, on September 6, 1980, in an airplane crash during a flight he was piloting over the ranch. Stephen Martin represented Washington County in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2004 to 2014, and Robert is in the oil production business. When asked how he would like to be remembered, Charlie thoughtfully responded, “I’d like to be remembered as a good soldier and a good rancher.” Charlie Martin has indeed been both. Bartlesville is fortunate to have Charlie and Mary among its citizens. The history of our town is richer because of them. Happy Birthday Charlie, we salute you, and thank you for your service to our nation. ~ Sadly, Charlie passed away July 20, after this article was written. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Charlie will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. ~ AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

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SUTTERFIELD FINANCIAL FEATURE

H.V. Foster... by Debbie Neece, Bartlesville Area History Museum

Located in the smallest county of Oklahoma, Bartlesville has an outstanding architectural legacy showcasing the work of Wright, Goff, Edward Buehler Delk and others. Perhaps many readers may not recognize Delk as a famed architect; however, his vision has been represented through Villa Philmonte, home of PhilMont Scout Ranch in NM; Villa Philbrook, home of the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa; and several notable Kansas City, Missouri buildings. In addition, Bartlesville holds six Delk designs: the original Hillcrest Country Club (1926); Frank Phillips Home Expansion (1930); Kane family home (1931); Dahlgren home (1932); and Henry Vernon “H.V.” Foster’s ranch house and barn (“El Rancho de la Codorniz,”) and townhome (La Quinta) both completed in 1932. Some might say oil was the root of all evil in Indian Territory; however, for others it was the biggest poker game of their lives and the beginning of a fortunate life. 14

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H.V. Foster was not an oilman; he was an engineer by training and trade. The Indian Territory oil business was established by his father, Henry Foster and uncle, Edwin B. Foster. After unexpected deaths of both gentlemen, oil development became H.V.’s focus with two years remaining on the ten year, 1.5 million acre, Osage Blanket Oil Lease tied to the future Foster fortune. Under the Indian Territory Illuminating Oil Company (I.T.I.O.) Foster developed a checker-board sub-leasing system of the Osage Oil Lease which created a wealth in oil royalties for both the Osage Nation and Foster himself. During his constant business dealings, Foster often slipped away to enjoy the outdoors or an evening of theater. It was during his New York visits that H.V. fell in love with Marie Dahlgren, a Chicago vaudeville theater performer. They married in 1907 and became the parents of two daughters: Ruth and Marie. The Fosters settled in Bartlesville in 1908 and

SUTTERFIELD FINANCIAL FEATURE

The Gift that Keeps Giving

modestly lived at 821 S. Johnstone Avenue for 21 years – the property is now the location of the “Apartments at Hotel Phillips.” Foster stayed true to his Quaker roots. He was graciously humble and generous beyond measure; even his family was unaware of some of his philanthropic gestures. At Christmas, H.V. quietly sent Bartlesville’s Episcopal minister to Kansas City to purchase toys for local underprivileged children. At a special party, the gifts were anonymously presented while H.V. enjoyed the “gift of giving” from a distance. He did not believe in “handouts.” However, he presented hundreds of college scholarships with the stipulation of “paying it forward” upon graduation, allowing many to benefit from his generosity. H.V.’s business dealings were complicated until the Seminole (1926) and Oklahoma City (1928) oil fields were discovered which brought worldly attention and sparked a “runaway train" of oil production. Financially, Foster was on the top of his business game. However, with great foresight, he began negotiations to sell his Oklahoma City interests to avoid the pitfalls of the impending depression and protect the Foster Petroleum Company. When the “Great Depression” hit the United States,

unemployment skyrocketed, banks throughout the U.S. failed and the stock market crashed – but Foster invested in Bartlesville. He deepened his Bartlesville roots by building two grand estates and hired local married workers with families to support – therefore boosting the local economy.

“El Rancho de la Codorniz” – “Ranch of the Quail” H.V. Foster was an avid hunter and fisherman. It was his love of the outdoors that inspired the con-

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SUTTERFIELD FINANCIAL FEATURE

struction of El Rancho de la Located approximately a J.N. “Ding” Darling created the Federal Duck Stamp Program Codorniz as a ranch retreat. mile from the main gatedresulting in the passage of the Migratory Bird Hunting Act in 1934 Keene Simpson was conentrance, a winding paved which required all waterfowl hunters 16 years and older to purtracted to design the rustic path leads to the Foster’s chase a Federal Duck Stamp. 18,000 sq. ft. Mediterraneandeeply secluded home for style home on 3,200 acres south of Bartlesville. A plumbing guests, weekends and family celebrations. H.V. had two lakes dispute resulted in Simpson being released from contract and built and stocked with fish. He hired men to raise quail and Edward Delk completed the ranch house design, including the pheasants. And his friend Don Tyler of the Dewey Portland pool house and Delk’s only barn design. The simplistic décor and Cement Plant created cast-concrete quail to adorn the ranch’s furnishing for the hunting lodge were also Delk designed. fence posts. Beyond being the location of many family parties and weddings, the lodge has been host to many well-known visitors including the Izaac Walton League conservationists and the Fish and Game Wardens. The basement wall has been the canvas of several artists including two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and American cartoonist, “Ding” Darling, who sketched ducks in flight. Foster placed a protective frame over the artwork which remains to this day. Thomas Fujiyoshi arrived in the United States at the age of 16 and became known for his remarkable trapshooting and fly-fishing skills. During his stay in Kansas City, he happened upon an advertisement stating H.V. Foster was in search of a hunting guide, driver and valet. “Fuji” sent his resume and soon H.V. requested Fuji travel to Oklahoma via Foster’s personal parlor train car. From the time Fuji was hired in 1925, he was much more than Foster’s employee; he was a hunting partner, close friend,

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SUTTERFIELD FINANCIAL FEATURE

companion and confidant. In 1931, Fuji married Jane Sadako Takeuchi and the couple lived and worked at the Foster Ranch. Their two children, Tom Jr. and Helen, attended Ochelata schools, where Helen was graduating valedictorian. Fuji and Sadako were the ranch caretakers long after H.V.’s death in 1939 and upon Fuji’s death in 1960, Bartlesville notables attended his funeral service and carried him to his resting place in Memorial Park Cemetery. Fuji was well respected and a friend of all who visited the Foster wildlife preserve. Although there have been décor and kitchen upgrades, the ranch home is structurally as it was built nearly ninety-years ago. H.V. Foster’s wife, Marie, lived in the ranch home until 1983 at the age of 98 years of age with Sadako, her companion and housekeeper. Sadako continued to live with the Foster family until her death in 1991. Upon Marie’s passing, the ranch home was bequeathed to their granddaughter, Ann Marie “Ami” Preston, who passed away in 2008. After creating memories for the Foster family for four generations, Ami’s sons Thomas, David and Robert Preston now own and care for El Rancho de la Codorniz with David maintaining the ranch home as his family’s private residence.

La Quinta – The Foster’s Country Home The ranch home was shadowed in size by the Foster’s country home, La Quinta. The 32,000 sq. ft. “Spanish Colonial Revival” style mansion was also designed by Edward Buehler Delk and

completed in 1932 at cost of 500,000, which would be over $8.8 million dollars today. Intended to be the weekday home of the Foster family, the sprawling mansion was located south of Bartlesville on 152 acres. Beneath the red-tiled hipped roof and stucco exterior, the home contained 32 rooms with 14 bathrooms, a mahogany paneled library with a hidden staircase to the second floor bedrooms and seven fireplaces. In as much as H.V. and Delk sparsely furnished and decorated the ranch home, La Quinta received the “H.G.T.V. treatment.” The Foster’s enjoyed putting their personal touches on every aspect of the mansion – although for H.V. his comfy chair, in the corner of the living room AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

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was his favorite place in the home as he awaited his next opportunity to spend time at the ranch. He and Fuji often escaped during the day for a trip to the ranch where H.V. would read the daily paper in the library…he just felt more at home at the ranch. La Quinta’s heavily decorated interior was matched by the landscaped exterior. Pipes buried three feet below the ground surface, extended to the Caney River where a pump station irrigated the twenty-five varieties of trees, shrubs and rose gardens on the grounds. The Spanish motif consumed the estate with bubbling fountains, wrought iron balconies, hand-painted Spanish tiles, tall archways and a four-story tower from which the city of Bartlesville could be viewed to the northwest. It was unfortunate the Foster’s time at La Quinta was cut short by H.V.’s illness and death. In death, as in life, H.V. Foster’s ultimate private life was respected. Attended by only family and close friends, Reverend Budlong of the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church delivered a short private service in the rose garden at La Quinta with burial at Memorial Park Cemetery. 18

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Marie felt the mansion was too large roam alone so her favorite furniture pieces, rugs and décor were moved to El Rancho de la Codorniz, leaving La Quinta vacant for several years. In September of 1941, Lt. and Mrs. Gerald J. Cox leased La Quinta from Marie Foster for one-dollar per year. They established the American Boy Academy based on a Boy Scout type curriculum with an opening enrollment of just nineteen boys, aged six to fourteen, attending grades one through nine. The Academy courses included the standard English, mathematics and science with extra-curricular handcrafts, agriculture and athletics. On December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor was bombed and the American Boy Academy took a right turn to focus on military studies adding military science and rifle marksmanship to the curriculum; in addition, adding the word military to the campus name – first as the American Boy’s Military Academy and then the American Military Academy (AMA). Each cadet was issued “Dress Uniform” and “Fatigue Uniform” attire with other essentials brought from home. Each day began with reveille at 6:30 a.m., followed

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by an hour by hour regiment In January 1948, the Lions Upon high school graduation, Fuji’s daughter, Helen Fujiyoshi, of classes, meals and activiClub sponsored a threeattended Central Christian College and later worked locally for Drs. ties, concluding with night boxing tournament at Scott, Holland and Liebrand. She was married to Jim Rementer, toothbrush formation at 9:00 the College High School Linguist for the Delaware Tribe of Indians. p.m. and taps promptly at field house. Winners of the 9:30. It was during this time the extra-curricular activities were tournament received a complete boxing outfit (robe, shoes, enhanced to include horseback riding, football, baseball, baskettrunks, mouthpiece and golden medals) and an all-expense paid ball, volleyball, hiking and the pursuit of Golden Gloves. trip to the Tulsa District Golden Gloves – second place took home miniature silver boxing gloves. Although the AMA cadets threw “Terrible Terry” McGovern was a boxing force to be reckoned some solid lefts and rights, AMA did not advance. with before he hung up his gloves. McGovern dominated the welter and featherweight classes by After WWII closed, non-miliknocking-out 26 of his 28 oppotary sediment began to sweep nents; however, a championship the nation and the Military title was always elusive. Taking Academy closed in the spring of retirement in 1938, he managed 1948 with over 100 cadets several fighters across the counenrolled from across America. try before being added to the In the fall of 1950, the Church AMA faculty as a boxing instrucof Christ purchased the Foster tor in 1945. His first task was to estate and established the Cenbuild a gymnasium at the school tral Christian College. An for his class of eight-to-sixteen expansion program added a year old “leather punchers.” woman’s residence hall, brick Under the wing of McGovern, bookstore building, a frame the cadets took to the ring building for classrooms and a against fierce competitors from chapel. other schools and the Y.M.C.A. AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

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In 1958, the Central Christian College moved to Oklahoma City. This is when the “happily ever after” began for La Quinta. The Colorado Springs Bible College was established by the Pilgrim Holiness Church and they were in search of an expansion location. Throughout the central United States, Reverend C.B. Colaw traveled in search of an appropriate campus. On his travels through Bartlesville on old Highway 75 (current Silver Lake Road) he experienced a flat tire and as luck would have it, the vacant La Quinta estate was within his view. Once the tire was replaced, Reverend Colaw continued on his way but his thoughts were drawn to the possibilities he had seen. Upon returning to Colorado, he shared his experience with the church. In 1959, the Colorado Springs Bible College and Western Pilgrim Bible College merged and established Central Pilgrim College in Bartlesville with classes beginning that September, serving about 80 students. Through another series of mergers, in 1968, the educational facility became the Bartlesville Wesleyan College, a two-year 20

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junior college with a four-year religion degree, combining ministerial and missionary training with liberal arts. The original College campus consisted of the Women’s Dormitory, Warrior Lodge, Administration Building, Music Hall and Carriage House. In 1972, BWC began operating as a four-year college creating “greater academic opportunities.”

Four generations of Fosters.

Maintaining the architectural design of the estate was always in the BWC forethought when they added the lake and Haltom Campus Center (1973), the two-story Science Building and Dorm ‘74 (1974) and Performance Center (1979) to the campus. In 1978, BWC gained full accreditation and by 1979, the enrollment had increased to 652 students. With a full sports program, the BWC Warriors excelled in soccer, cross country, basketball, baseball and track. In 2001, BWC became Oklahoma Wesleyan University – a four-year Christian-based University that has developed an exceptional academic reputation. With H.V. Foster’s La Quinta mansion as the University’s Administration Building, the

SUTTERFIELD FINANCIAL FEATURE

University campus has continued to grow. In addition, the academic opportunities have expanded as well. Among the creatures on earth, the most spiritually symbolic is the eagle. How fitting Oklahoma Wesleyan University has captured this essence as the mascot for their athletic endeavors. With keen vision of their goal, the OKWU Eagles soar in basketball, baseball, cross-country, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field, wrestling, softball and volleyball – bringing home high honors.

Mr. David Preston is one of H.V. Foster’s great-grandsons and he works at Oklahoma Wesleyan University as Executive Director of the OKWU Foundation. This story has been written with deep appreciation for Mr. Preston who maximized my passion for H.V. Foster and Leeann Little for her exceptionally education tour of La Quinta. In addition, thank you Jim Rementer for introducing me to your wife, Helen Fujiyoshi.

H.V. Foster's seed of generosity, planted into the soil of Bartlesville so many years ago, is still being “paid forward” through the generosity of those who have graduated from Oklahoma Wesleyan University and the philanthropic support of area residents. La Quinta was the subject of Edward Buehler Delk’s 1935 “Outstanding Architectural Award” from the American Institute of Architects; and in 1980, La Quinta was placed on the National Register of Historic Place as one of the best examples of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture in Oklahoma.

From Dr. Jim Dunn, President of Oklahoma Wesleyan University: “The generosity of H.V. Foster is alive and well to this day on the campus of Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Our donors and alumni continue to give magnanimously enabling our campus to be completely debt free with an increasing endowment. Our prayer is that students will live out this spirit of giving as they graduate and are sent into culture to make a difference for good and for Christ.”

The Fujiyoshi family. AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

FEATURE SPONSOR

Shake, Rattle & Roll Support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma at BIG Event by Lori Roll Shake, rattle, and roll on over to Pop’s Doo Wop Diner for our virtual BIG Event and curbside dinner pickup on Saturday, August 29, 2020. Cruise on through to pick up your dinner then head home for online auctions and virtual jukebox by Songbox Music Bingo. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma creates positive, measureable outcomes for youth, including educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence, and better relationships. They match youth (Littles) with caring one-to-one mentors (Bigs). Bigs share experiences with Littles that expand their world in new ways. BIG Event is Big Brothers Big Sisters in Bartlesville’s annual event that supports mentoring programs in Washington and Osage counties. During these unprecedented times, mentoring is more critical than ever before. With school closures, camp cancellations, and social distancing, our youth are incredibly isolated. Having a mentor to see in-person or virtually creates a sense of connection they otherwise wouldn’t get without Big Brothers Big Sisters. “We are proud to sponsor the 2020 BIG Event,” said Shelly Sutterfield, CFO of Sutterfield Financial Group, Inc. “With all of the challenges we are facing during this pandemic, we love the way BBBS is mak-

b Monthly | AUGUST 2020

ing their event virtual. It is important to still be able to support our local non-profits while staying safe. This is our first year to sponsor the BIG Event and our team looks forward to joining the fun!” BIG Event 2020 is the first time in Big Brothers Big Sisters’ history that the event will not take place as a traditional, in-person gala. However, with some ingenuity, modern technology, and creative event design (did you see that Bartlesville skyline in the logo?) guests will still be able to enjoy all of the benefits of an in-person event from the comfort of their home. Hillcrest Country Club will provide a “drive-in” dinner where guests will “cruise through” to pick-up their meal. Auction items will be available for bidding through an easyto-use online bidding platform — so easy it can be done from your mobile phone! Entertainment will be provided via virtual jukebox and an online program from Big Brothers Big Sisters.

So grease back your hair, grab your poodle skirt, and invite friends to join you for “your party at our party” or enjoy a virtual party with friends on Zoom. Help Big Brothers Big Sisters make more matches, build more friendships, and empower more youth to reach their fullest potential and brightest possible futures. By supporting BIG Event, you will be helping Big Brothers Big Sisters to recruit and enroll Big Brothers, Big Sisters, and Big Couples to match with youth waiting for a mentor. To learn more about our mentoring programs and how to become a Big, visit www.bbbsok.org. Sponsorships and tickets are available for purchase at www.bigeventbartlesville.org. You can also contact Area Director Charlene Dew by calling 918.213.4524 or by email at charlene.dew@bbbsok.org.

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AUGUST CALENDAR SPONSORED BY 3

Madison Middle school 8th Grade Registration

9 AM; Madison Middle School

6 PM; Tower Center at Unity Square Come join us for the Freedom To Worship Tour Featuring National Christian Recording Artist Seventh Day Slumber and Special Guest Christian Recording Artist and 3 time Tulsa Music Awards winner Aaron Michaels! This is a FREE CONCERT held in the brand new outdoor stage at Unity Square in Downtown Bartlesville. Sunday, August 9 at 6 p.m. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. Bring a blanket or some Lawn Chairs and be prepared to have a great time!! There will be a love offering taken. A huge Thanks to our sponsors Diversified Systems Recourses - DSR, Unity Square, The House 105.7 FM, and Grace Students Ministries! See you there!

Madison Middle school 7th Grade Registration 9 AM; Madison Middle School

BHS Volleyball Scrimmage 9 AM; Bruin Fieldhouse

Central Middle School Cub Camp 8 AM; Central Middle School

Madison Middle school 6th Grade Registration 9 AM; Madison Middle School

Bruin Fast Pitch Softball vs Kellyville 5 PM; Bruin Softball Fields

Sizzlin Summer Series All American August 6 PM; Unity Square School is almost here and we will be partying on the green space! Help pep up our school spirit with live music featuring some of Bartlesville’s own. We will also have food trucks, games/activities for the kids, booths, vendors, and more. Come tailgate with US!

Freedom to Worship Tour

b Monthly | AUGUST 2020

Music on the Grounds & Ice Cream Social 6 PM; Frank Phillips Home Enjoy live music and free ice cream on the lawn of the Frank Phillips Home, presented by the Jane Phillips Society! Pack a picnic, games, and your lawn chairs for this free family event. Entertainment will be provided by the Tulsa Tones Quartet, performing from 6:30 - 7 pm, and Bartlesville Blend, performing 7 - 7:30 pm. Note: Our parking lot is located on 11th and Osage, behind the garage.Street parking is available as well.

BHS Volleyball vs Sapulpa 6:30 PM; Bruin Fieldhouse

10 1st Day of School All Day; BPS

Fall Dance and Tumbling Classes Begin 10 AM; Stage Art Dance Save your child’s spot to take class in person or virtually during our 2020-2021 Fall Session. Enrolling today for ages walking-young at heart.

BHS Volleyball vs Skiatook 6 PM; Bruin Fieldhouse

Bruin Softball vs Sand Springs 5:30 PM; Bruin Softball Fields (JV) 7 PM; Bruin Softball Fields (V)

HOT Street Party 6:30 PM; Tower Center at Unity Square HOT Street Party is back on August 14th! There will be food trucks, live music, a kids' space, games, drinks, and more. Don't miss the biggest street party in Bartlesville! Brought to you by Young Professionals of Bartlesville

5:30 PM; Bruin Softball Fields (JV) 7 PM; Bruin Softball Fields (V)

24 25

Bruin Softball vs Tulsa Union

BHS Back to School Night 6 PM; Bartlesville High School

Bruin Fast Pitch Softball vs Broken Arrow 5 PM; Bruin Softball Fields

Central/Madison Middle School Back to School Night 6 PM; Central & Madison

5:30 PM; Bruin Softball Fields (JV) 7 PM; Bruin Softball Fields (V)

Summer Pop’s 8 PM; Tower Center at Unity Square The Bartelsville Symphony Orchestra is proud to present a summer fun Pop’s concert at the Tower Center at Unity Square. Music for the entire family. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Fill your picnic baskets with fruits & cheese and sit back and enjoy an evening under the stars. This is a Free to the community concert for the entire family to enjoy together. Music will begin at 8 pm. Social Distancing is strongly encouraged.

Bruin Softball vs Claremore

BHS Volleyball vs Muskogee 6:30 PM; Bruin Fieldhouse

District-Wide Distance Learning Day All Day; From Home

BHS Volleyball vs Ponca City 6:30 PM; Bruin Fieldhouse

21 Bruin Softball vs Ponca City 5 PM; Bruin Softball Fields (JV) 6:30 PM; Bruin Softball Fields (V)

District-Wide Distance Learning Day All Day; From Home

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AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

AUGUST EVENTS CALENDAR

Know of an upcoming event you would like to see on our calendar? Visit us at www.bartlesvillemonthly.com to submit a free listing!

Mon, Aug 3

Wed, Aug 5

6 PM

Rev + Flow with Ashley & Rosa

9 AM

Madison Middle School 8th Grade Registration

Tower Center at Unity Square 300 SE Adams Blvd. This yoga class is held every Monday and Wednesday in August, from 6-7 p.m. Please bring a water bottle and yoga mat.

Madison Middle School 5900 Baylor Dr.

Sat, Aug 1

8 AM

Central Middle School Cub Camp Central Middle School 408 E 9th St.

Tue, Aug 4

9 AM

Bartlesville Farmer’s Market

8:30 AM

Madison Middle School 6th Grade Registration

Frank Phillips Park

Tai Chi with Judy & Dixie

Madison Middle School

Frank Phillips & Keeler

Tower Center at Unity Square

5900 Baylor Dr.

8 AM

300 SE Adams Blvd.

The Farmers Market has always been a place for fun interaction with our neighbors. This will change some in 2020, but we will still provide an economic benefit to our area farmers and the nutritional well-being of the local population.

This tai chi class is held every Tuesday in August, from 8:30-9:30 a.m.

11 AM

Tai Chi with Bee Tower Center at Unity Square

6 PM

300 SE Adams Blvd.

Bartlesville Yoga with Kimberly Tower Center at Unity Square

8 PM

11 AM

39th Annual Green Country Rodeo

Food Truck Monday

Bartlesville Round-Up club Arena

Tower Center at Unity Square

Frank Phillips & Keeler

300 SE Adams Blvd.

Come out and experience some rodeo action. Bronc riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, bull riding, team roping, breakaway roping, and ranch saddle bronc. Enjoy an evening of thrills and excitement of rodeo.

Tower center at Unity Square will be hosing food trucks on their green space every Monday through September 28.

300 SE Adams Blvd.

This yoga class is held every Wednesday in August, from 11 a.m. until noon

This yoga class is held every Tuesday in August, from 6-7 p.m.

Thu, Aug 6

9 AM

Yoga with Glenda

Madison Middle School 7th Grade Registration

Tower Center at Unity Square

Madison Middle School 5900 Baylor Dr.

6 PM

300 SE Adams Blvd. This yoga class is held every Thursday in August, from 6-7 p.m. Please bring a water bottle and yoga mat.

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AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

events cAlendAr 7 PM

Pound with Tarah Tower Center at Unity Square 300 SE Adams Blvd. This drumming class is held every Thursday in August, from 7-8 p.m. Please bring a water bottle, mat, and drumsticks if you have them.

Sat, Aug 8

Tue, Aug 11

8 AM

6 PM

8 AM

Bartlesville Farmer’s Market

Frank Phillips Park

Music on the Grounds & Ice Cream Social

Frank Phillips & Keeler

Frank Phillips Home

Frank Phillips & Keeler

See August 1 event for information.

1107 Cherokee Ave. Enjoy live music and free ice cream on the lawn of the Frank Phillips Home, presented by the Jane Phillips Society! Pack a picnic, games, and your lawn chairs for this free family event. Entertainment will be provided by the Tulsa Tones Quartet, performing from 6:30 - 7 pm, and Bartlesville Blend, performing 7 - 7:30 pm. Note: Our parking lot is located on 11th and Osage, behind the garage. Street parking is available as well.

Thu, Aug 13 Fri, Aug 7

Times Vary

6 PM

First Day of School

Sizzlin’ Summer Series: All American August Tower Center at Unity Square

Bartlesville Public Schools

Sun, Aug 9

300 SE Adams Blvd.

6 PM

Bring your umbrellas and lawn chairs and join us for a back to school party at Unity Square! Start off the evening as BHS Pom and Drumline help pep up our school spirit with a live performance. Then, enjoy live music from The Rivercross Ramblers and country rock music artist, Jesse Joice. Sample food from food trucks; stroll around the green with an adult beverage from Price Tower Plaza, or let your kids cool off in the BFD’s splash zone! Stop by the Unity Square booth to enter the drawing for Broadway in Bartlesville! season tickets; BHS athletics season passes and Unity Square swag. Visit event sponsor booths for giveaways.

Freedom to Worship Tour

Sat, Aug 15

Frank Phillips Park

See August 1 event for information

8 PM

Summer Pop’s Tower Center at Unity Square 300 SE Adams Blvd. The Bartelsville Symphony Orchestra is proud to present a summer fun Pop’s concert at the Tower Center at Unity Square. Music for the entire family. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Fill your picnic baskets with fruits & cheese and sit back and enjoy an evening under the stars. This is a free-to-the-community concert for the entire family to enjoy together. Social Distancing is strongly encouraged.

Tower Center at Unity Square 300 SE Adams Blvd. Come join us for the Freedom To Worship Tour Featuring National Christian Recording Artist Seventh Day Slumber and special guest Christian Recording Artist and 3-time Tulsa Music Awards winner Aaron Michaels! This is a FREE CONCERT held in the brand new outdoor stage at Unity Square in Downtown Bartlesville. Gates will open at 5:30. Bring a blanket or some lawn chairs and be prepared to have a great time!! There will be a love offering taken. A huge Thanks to our sponsors Diversified Systems Recourses — DSR, Unity Square, The House 105.7 FM, and Grace Students Ministries! See you there!

Fri, Aug 14 6:30 PM

HOT Street Party Tower Center at Unity Square 300 SE Adams Blvd. HOT Street Party is back! There will be food trucks, live music, a kids' space, games, drinks, and more. Don't miss the biggest street party in Bartlesville! Brought to you by Young Professionals of Bartlesville.

Know of an upcoming event you would like to see on our calendar? Visit us at bartlesvillemonthly.com to submit a free listing! While you’re there, make sure to check out our new website and tell us what you think!

Support your symphony Donate today!

b Monthly | AUGUST 2020

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AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

Brian “Bru” Brurud Bartlesville native Founder, Check-6 On a summer evening back in the late ‘70s you could drive west past Murphy’s Steak House, past the Phillips Research Center, wander by some 昀elds of cattle and turn right onto Radar Hill, and you might 昀nd Brian Brurud there with a few horses, an anvil, a forge and some horse shoes.

Bru is a serial entrepreneur; small engine mechanic, farrier, and while in the Navy, started a natural gas gathering/ processing facility in Oklahoma. Fourteen years ago, a petroleum engineer called him about a white paper, which concluded that high-consequence industries, like ultra-deep-water drilling operations, would be better if they applied methods from Aircraft Carrier Aviation and had carrier 昀ghter pilots and astronauts deliver the message. Asked if he could write a syllabus to train the people in the oil 昀eld, the answer was “Absolutely!” and Check-6, a performance improvement consultan-

“I’ve never felt that I was naturally gifted at anything in my life,” says Brurud. “But shoeing horses seemed to be a God given talent!” Turns out, he had other gifts. After graduating as a member of the Col-Hi Class of ’79, Brian went to OSU, earning a degree in Geology. He worked from 1984-1986 offshore in the Gulf of Mexico in the summer and the North Slope of Alaska in the winter. One day he saw a newspaper ad for “an of昀ce with a view”: an invitation to apply for the Navy’s Aviation Of昀cer Candidate School. Brian “Bru” Brurud would begin an adventure of a lifetime chronicled in Bob Wilcox’s book, “Black Aces High, A Modern Fighter Squadron at War”. This Bartlesville native would become the highest decorated US Navy 昀ghter pilot since the Vietnam War. Bru has survived 436 carrier landings, 99 combat missions, 17 Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) attacks, and one aircraft ejection in 1989. Bru found himself in a parachute after an inverted ejection from a TA-4J aircraft that had broken apart. He would later realize that he had a broken back and a fractured/dislocated shoulder. Nine months later, he was back in the jet.

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b Monthly | AUGUST 2020

process and organizational culture,” said Bru. “Our people are this good because of the skills the tax payers paid for as well as their devout sense of patriotism.” Bru has long had a passion to connect with and support disabled veterans. A few years ago, a fellow 昀ghter pilot, and world class kayaker, Scott Kelly, introduced Bru to Team River Runner, an organization dedicated to putting disabled veterans into paddle sports. “They were warriors on the battle昀eld, and they are warriors still,” said Bru. Bru had the opportunity to participate with the veterans on the Arkansas River in Colorado. He kayaked the river with veterans who were blind, or missing limbs, navigating rapids.

cy, was born. The company has quickly grown its operations globally, with the most skilled and demonstrated leadership talent ever produced (Aviators and Special Operators: SEALS, Green Berets, Force RECON, etc). “Our men and women are the best in the world at teaching leadership,

“These brave veterans volunteered and paid a very high price to protect us and our freedoms,” Bru said. “Joe Mornini is a giant among men for his unwillingness to accept anything other than success and healing for these warriors. We are ecstatic to honor these patriots, show off Bartlesville hospitality, and demonstrate the best of America. Please come and enjoy supporting our golf tournament, meet our wounded warrior guests, and be inspired by TRR ‘outta sight’ kayak football demonstration. Follow the blind vets with golf clubs, they will get you there, I promise.”

Joseph Mornini Executive Director, Team River Runner In 2004, Joe and kayaking buddy, Mike McCormick, recruited friends and local paddling businesses to support a new idea. They wanted to teach whitewater kayaking to wounded servicemembers returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. They named the program Team River Runner (TRR) and the goal has been to provide hope, health and healing on a river to recovery. “These veterans are warriors, and they deserve our support,” Mornini said. “They may have lost their sight, a limb, or experienced emotional or physical trauma, and there is something about the water that is remarkably healing. Our goal at TRR is to get butts in boats, no matter what it takes.”

Joe retired from 40 years as a Special Education teacher and Administrator. He has a tender heart for those who face obstacles every day. “In the last fteen years, we ve grown exponentially. We now offer weekly paddling sessions in 65+ locations nationally, as well as a Biathlon in Washington, D.C.; 5 Annual Kayak Football Tournaments at Walter Reed, US Olympic Training Center, University of MD, Canton Ohio, and Shepard College. Numerous other creative paddling programs are developed each year.”

Joe continued: “At Team River Runner, we believe that every wounded and disabled service veteran deserves the opportunity to embrace new challenges and opportunities. We believe that the daily routine of physical therapy and treatment needs to be supplemented with activities that spark competitiveness, invoke leadership, and promote camaraderie. At Team River Runner, we provide an outlet to ful ll these beliefs inviting wounded and disabled war veterans and their families to participate in adaptive and therapeutic kayaking programs.”

Team River Runner is more than an adaptive sports program. It s an idea that healing doesn t have to be done alone. It s a place that provides hope and strength to the brave veterans who have risked so much and yet asked for so little. It s an opportunity to enjoy nature and realize its social, physical, and emotional bene ts, whether it s careening through whitewater rapids or oating on peaceful at-water. It s an environment that facilitates connection, allowing veterans to reunite with their families and forge new relationships with those who have endured similar pain. More than anything, Team River Runner is a program that provides purpose for those who need it most the wounded and disabled war veterans of the United States of America.

Joe and Team River Runner will be participating in a fundraising golf tournament on Friday, August 14th.

To nd out more about Team River Runner visit https: www.teamriverrunner.org

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Steven “Hollywood” Baskis Team River Runner US Army Specialist Steven C. Baskis served as an infantryman during the Operation Iraqi Freedom con ict. It was in May 2008, in the heart of Baghdad, Iraq where Steve sustained life threatening wounds that changed his life forever. On May 13th, 2008 Steve was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) which cost him his sight, massive blood loss and multiple shrapnel wounds to his head, neck, arms and legs. Steve was rewarded for his courageous and sel ess service with the urple Heart by the resident of the United States. Over the past decade Steve has vigorously pursued his goals, dreams and passions. He has relied on strength, resilience and courage, reminding others they are essential core values in order to live, and thrive. Steve has accomplished many physical feats without sight and leads a foundation that creates awareness for the blind visually impaired community. Steve will tell you “Moving is iving”. Since losing his sight, “Hollywood” has trekked to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, cycled across the nation, and kayaked the Colorado River. “I may have lost my physical ability to see,” he says. “But I have a new vision, a new perspective to guide me through life and all of its amazing challenges.” Steve has recently founded Blind Endeavors, an organization dedicated to showcasing and improving adaptive sports programs and equipment. https: blindendeavors.org Come meet Hollywood and the other astounding members of Team River Runner join us in Bartlesville August 14th.

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b Monthly | AUGUST 2020

Team River Runner Golf Tournament - 3rd Annual Title Sponsor - Check 6 Date: Time: Place: Entry Fee: Format: Entry Form: Payment:

Info: Awards: Proceeds:

Friday, August 14th, 2020 8:00 am or 1:00 pm “Shotgun start” 7:00 am 11:45 am Registration and Lunch Adams Municipal Golf Course 5801 Tuxedo Blvd Bartlesville, OK 74006 $110 per person or $440 per team (includes green fee, cart, range balls, lunch and prizes). Mulligans are 4 for $20 (limited to 4 per person) 4 - person scramble. (Limited to the 昀rst 44 teams) E-mail to Denison.lorson@p66.com or fax to 918-977-8974 Make checks payable to: Team River Runner NOTE: (Write Bartlesville TRR Golf Tournament on the memo line of the check) this will assure we can track it. “If you would like to pay online with a CC, please send me an email and I will send procedures. Send payment to: Team River Runner 5007 Stone Road Rockville, MD 20853 Deni Lorson @ (918) 815-2177 1st and 2nd place awarded in (TBD) 昀ights Proceeds bene昀t Team River Runner https://www.teamriverrunner.org/

ENTRY FORM Name/Team Captain: Team Members: (2) (3) (4) Phone Number: E-mail:

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A GOOD WORD

In God We Trust The Country Needs a Return to Its Christian Foundation by Keith McPhail Oh beautiful, for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties, Above the fruited plain, But now wait a minute, I'm talking about America, sweet America, You know, God done shed his grace on thee, He crowned thy good, yes he did, in a brotherhood, From sea to shining sea. These lyrics are from Ray Charles’ version of “America the Beautiful” recorded in 1972. Please listen to this song, so it will lay on your heart as you read this “Good Word.” The original song began as a poem written by Katharine Lee Bates in 1893, when she visited Pikes Peak in Colorado. She wrote about her experience of reaching the top of the mountain. “But when I saw the view, I felt great joy. All the wonder of America seemed displayed there, with the sea-like expanse.” Thinking about our country gives me a rush of patriotism, but during these times I also feel sadness, anger, and hurt. It breaks my heart to see some citizens destroying it. American citizens gave blood and treasure to the world, liberated tens of millions of people, and now we are turned against one another. The greatest country ever to exist on earth is destroying itself within its own borders — by its own people. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Most of us recognize this quote from the Declaration of Independence. Fifty-six men from 13 states signed that declaration of freedom. When they signed this amazing document, they knew that they were going to be sought for treason against England. The names of the 56 signers were hidden for six months, because traitors were hanged in those days. These men knew the full

meaning of that remarkable last paragraph, in which his signature pledged his life, his fortune, and his sacred honor. During and after the Revolutionary War, many of these same men and their families did not survive. Five were captured by the British and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes looted, occupied by the enemy, and everything burned to the ground. Nine died from bullets while fighting in the war. Many lost everything, and some died as peasants. These men made monumental sacrifices for their freedom ... our freedom. In 1775, there were two million people in the United States, which is the size of Houston. Today we have 330 million people. What are we all willing to sacrifice for our freedom? “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” This is the last line in the Declaration of Independence. One word stands out to me ... divine. What does it mean? Some dictionaries define divine as of, from, or like God. Alexander Pope wrote “To err is human, to forgive divine. All people commit sins and make mistakes. God forgives them, and people are acting in a godlike (divine) way when they forgive.” Some scholars believe fathers used “divine providence” to mean the intervention of God in the affairs of men. This country's foundation was built on Christian beliefs. Since the mid-sixties and seventies, we have taken God out of our country. I BELIEVE we need to start putting God back into our country, our government, our society, our schools, our daily life, and most importantly, ourselves! Over the years I have listened to people say “If there is a God, how can HE let bad things happen? 9-11 ... the Murrah Federal building bombing ... Sandy Hook ... Columbine ... just to name a few horrific events. My view is maybe God has stepped back from us, the United States of America, because of how much this country has pushed Him away. I believe we need to get back to this country’s foundation. Millions of people from all around the world want to come here because 245 years ago, 56 men stepped up and risked everything, so we may ALL have FREEDOM. In God’s eyes, all of our lives matter. God Bless and God Bless America!

AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

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b Monthly | AUGUST 2020

LOOKING BACK

You Went to High School Where? A Look Back at the Numerous Bartlesville-Area Schools by Kay Little, Little History Adventures At one time, Bartlesville had 75 one-room schools, teaching grades 1-8, many years before there was a high school in the community. By 1905, the two-room Garfield School, located at 7th St and Cherokee, had expanded to teach grades 9-12. The first graduates of the high school housed in Garfield School were two girls. By 1909, Bartlesville was growing so fast that Garfield did not have room for all the students, even after adding rooms. The resolution was to construct a high school on Dewey Street, between 10th and 11th Streets. The new Bartlesville High School held grades 9-12 and the first graduating class was in 1910, with 13 students. Much like Garfield, the high school became too small for the growing student population by 1925. Central Junior High had been built in 1917 at 9th and Cherokee, for grades 7-9, but was modified in 1926 to educate grades 7-12, causing the name to become Central High School. When Central Junior High was constructed in 1917, it was the first junior high built in Oklahoma. After the high school moved into the building, a junior college was added. The high school mascot was the Wildcats, and their colors were black and gold to represent “black gold,” representing the impact crude oil had in the Bartlesville area.

Bartlesville’s Douglas School.

Integration started in 1956 and the high school students from Douglass School moved to College High. Once again, the high school became crowded and a new high school was constructed on the booming east side, in 1966, with grades 10-11. Grade 12 was added in 1967. This school was named Sooner High School, with the Spartan as their mascot and the colors were green and gold. By the 1980s, both high schools were declining in size, so the two schools consolidated in 1983, to become, once again, Bartlesville High School. Grades 11 and 12 moved into the former Col-Hi building, while grades 9 and 10 moved into the former Sooner High building and became the Mid-High School. The two schools made up Bartlesville High School, with the Bruin being their mascot and blue their primary color.

Once again, the students outgrew the school, and in 1940 grades 11 through junior college moved to a new high school building, ¾ mile south of Central, at 18th and Hillcrest. Central once again became a junior high with grades 7-10. The new high school was named the Bartlesville Senior High School and Junior College. The first graduating class was in 1940. The junior college closed in 1950 and the 10th grade moved from Central to the high school. By 1953, the high school was known as College High School. The community called it Col-Hi, and the name stuck.

The Bartlesville High School building was eventually expanded to house grades 9-12. The former Sooner High/MidHigh building on Baylor became Madison Middle School.

Bartlesville High School in 1910.

Bartlesville’s Garfield High School.

To learn more about these and other schools in Washington County, you can purchase the book, Over a Century of Schools in Washington County: Gone But Not Forgotten at the Bartlesville Area History Museum.

AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

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Tribute to Ice

A Look Back at Crystal Ice and Cold Storage by Debbie Neece, Bartlesville Area History Museum

Imagine a day in your life without refrigeration. In the late 1800s, drinking a refreshing ice-cold drink on a sizzling hot summer afternoon was not even a thought. That was until Jacob Bartles harvested winter ice from the deepest pool of the Caney River and stored the chunks in his straw and sawdust lined ice-well. Visitors to Bartles’ picnics and summer parties grew accustomed to enjoying homemade ice-cream and chilled beverages. Then the Crystal Ice and Cold Storage Plant arrived. Kansas was the home of Harry H. and Mabel McClintock when they married in 1901. Seeking a place of permanence, Mabel was in the “mothering way” when Harry traveled south, leaving Mabel in the care of her parents. When word arrived from Harry that Bartlesville would be their new home, Mabel’s parents were greatly disturbed…this place called Bartlesville was not located on their atlas. Harry was a Scottish haberdasher by trade. However, upon his arrival, he found a full blown oil boom with an abundance of cheap natural gas at just three cents per thousand cubic feet. Seeking the knowledge and support of his Kansas friend and former employer, Frank Steele, Harry established the Crystal Ice and Cold Storage Plant at First Street (now Hensley Blvd.) and the Santa Fe railroad tracks in 1903 while awaiting his family’s arrival. After the birth of the McClintock’s second child, Mabel and the children (Barbara and Edward) traveled by train to Bartlesville, I.T. Even after experiencing a “shootout” and train robbery, Mabel’s sense of adventure remained intense. Arriving in Bartlesville introduced her eyes to rutted dirt streets, housing short42

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ages and a bustling little western town of about 500 people. But the McClintock’s quickly established themselves as pillars in the community. The first Sears’ mail-order catalog appeared in 1891 offering 40 pages of watches, jewelry and sewing machines. By the fall of 1900, the Sears, Roebuck and Company catalog had expanded to 1,120 pages offering every possible need from groceries to drugs, talking machines to photography, baby carriages to bicycles, furniture to cook stoves and even refrigeration. Keep in mind shipping freight required the railroad to reach your “neck of the woods.” The Michigan ice-box came in six decorative styles, in Ash or hardwood, double or single doors and in varied sizes. The largest available was a 45x28x56 ice-box weighing 367 pounds and holding 220 pounds of ice. Perhaps it was better to visit the local hardware store to purchase locally. By 1913, the city of Bartlesville had grown to a population of 16,000 and the Crystal Ice Company had also grown. The plant had a wooden clap-board storage facility large enough to supply not only Bartlesville’s ice needs but the surrounding communities as well. And the company had a solid reputation of never running low on ice – in spite of the tonnage used daily at the three smelter operations. Kenneth Stanley Adams graduated high school in 1917 and traveled to Dewey to visit his uncle, George McClintock. George had joined his brother, Harry, in the ice business with a smaller ice plant in Dewey. The Dewey Ice and Cold Storage Plant was located near the Santa Fe Railroad, north of Ninth Street with a horse and mule barn on Cherokee Avenue, east of the plant. Adams spent the summer employed as a deliveryman before

now You know

attending college in the fall and later becoming the president of Phillips Petroleum Company. At 2:30 on October 12, 1917 a gas explosion rocked downtown Bartlesville. Crystal Ice workers, John and Guss Couch “had just unloaded the elevator by which the ice is lifted from the freezing molds to the storage area.” John struck a match to light a cigarette creating a flash fire and an explosion that lifted the roof about thirty feet into the air. The roof took flight intact but the landing destroyed the roof and storage building – amazingly, leaving the machine operations undamaged. The Couch brothers recovered from their minor burn injuries and the investigation revealed a small ammonia gas leak in the airtight 8,000 ton storage area was the cause. The silver lining came three months later when the expanded brick storage facility was built with a 20,000 ton ice storage. The Crystal Ice Plant employed 30 workers and delivered to local markets and homes with 19 horse-drawn wagons. Ice was shipped to area towns by the Santa Fe Railroad. Home ice delivery was at 50 cents per hundred pounds and bottles of distilled water was delivered citywide at a nominal charge. According to Mabel McClintock, “The ‘Ice Boys’ wore a leather back cover to carry the ice against and keep their backs dry. There was a step across the back of the wagon to stand on, to cut ice and also to drive the team. Each business, home, etc., had an ‘ice card’ displayed in the window indicating the pounds of ice to be delivered in 100, 75, 50, and 25 pound increments. The ice boy chipped off the amount desired and placed the ice in the ice-box.”

Marjorie Johnson Lowe’s father delivered for Crystal Ice with a mule-drawn ice wagon. The mules were trained to wait for his return and direction to move to the next house. Some prankster kids sometime told the mules “giddy-up” and her father would find the wagon several houses down the street. Times were changing and so was refrigeration. Gas refrigeration was replacing the ice-box refrigeration so in 1935, Crystal Ice announced a 12-part educational series of “Cold Facts” to weigh the benefits of ice-box refrigeration. Along with the announcement was a scrapbook contest for students in 7th through 12th grades at Dewey, Bartlesville, Copan and Ochelata schools with 14 cash prizes. From April 15th to April 27th the students captured the 12 “Cold Facts” from the Daily Examiner and created award winning scrapbook tributes to ice. Unfortunately, the winners were not listed in the paper. The Crystal Ice and Cold Storage Company operated in Bartlesville for 62 years. Harry’s son, Edward, cared for the family business after Harry retired in 1930. The business was sold about 1965 to John King who then operated the ice plant as the Independent Ice Company until the early 1980s.

Did You Know? The water used by the Crystal Ice Plant was pumped from the Caney River, filtered for debris, processed through two boilers, distilled and then sent through four charcoal filters before filling metal cakepans to freeze the ice. A 400 pound ice cake took 50-60 hours to freeze. Now You Know* AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

SPOTLIGHT

Valley of the Shadow Bartlesville Health & Rehab Emerged from the Shadow by Sarah Leslie Gagan Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. –Psalm 23:4 Shadows fall without warning, unannounced, unexpected, obscuring light, limiting vision, draping darkness over us. It was Sunday, April 5, 2020, when COVID-19 cast its wicked shadow upon the facility known as Bartlesville Health and Rehab Community, plunging them into a grim and frightening valley. Administrator Sandra Brown recalls getting the 6:30 a.m. call, “I immediately jumped out of bed, contacted owner Alex Dout, and all directors. We reported to work immediately. It was all hands on deck. We worked from sun-up till sund-own, building a separate COVID quarantine wing.” What started with a sheet of plastic within days became a wall, enclosing off the wing, complete with its own negative pressure ventilation system, to prevent circulation of the virus. Prior to the outbreak, all preventative measures and restrictions were in place, following the guidelines of Governor Stitt and the CDC. The virus descended upon them anyway, its origin unknown. Many residents quickly fell ill, as well as 35% of the staff. In Alex Dout’s 28 years of experience, he had never seen anything spread so fast. One day, everyone was fine. The next, many residents were ill, and he was operating with a skeleton staff. People were scared, tears were shed over the unknown, hospitalizations were imminent, and staffing agencies were unable to help. The employees that remained worked 16- to 20-hour days, some for as many as 18 days straight, covering every department, doing all that needed done without complaint. Burggraf Restoration was contracted to disinfect the 60,000 square foot facility to

ALEX, ALI, AND MISSY DOUT

prevent further spread. A mobile shower unit was brought in for employees to use after their shift, before going home. Alex did whatever it took to save lives and get ahead of the virus, even while working from home, when he and his wife Missy tested positive. The virus forced Alex to bedrest when he had a heart

With Heartfelt Gratitude Alex and Missy Dout would like to express their sincere and heartfelt gratitude to those who worked tirelessly and courageously, walking beside them through the valley and out the other side. Medical Directors: Dr. William Davito and Dr. Ryan Vaclaw. Jane Phillips Ascension Hospital. Angie Bidelman, Mike Moore, and Dr. Malik. Administrator Sandra Brown. Director of Nursing Maxi Black. Burggraf Restoration. Community Volunteers: Jourdan Foran, Celeste Cleary, and Cordell Rumsey. Social Services Staff Kristen Ryan. Nursing Staff: Kay Beisly, Lacee Crawford, Rhiannon Morrison, Brandy Price, Kimberly Thompson, Crystal Cox, Brianna Brown, Felecia Beisley, Selena Colter, Amy Henderson, Kelli Roberson, Ali Dout, Patricia Miller, Michele Mann, Monizur Nave, Krystal Schroeder, Timothy Taylor, Barbara Vandusen, Susan Swift, and Ronna Reece. Certified Nurse Aide Staff: Amanda Cagle, Connie Alley, Spencer Fletcher, Emily Gray, Robin Horn, Lavera Johnson, Patricia Marshall, Glinda Marsheck, Melissa Mcholland, Victoria Prebicin, Connie Hindman, Alice Sowers, Linda Straley, Taylor Yirsa, Kezia Stephens, Megan Waters, Sedona Roszel, Carrie Smith, Graciana Wahnee, Jacob Holt, Samantha Trevizo, Sonya Briggs, Miranda Patterson,

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SPOTLIGHT

GAYLA WHEAT

ROBERT SMITH

attack on April 26. The valley of the shadow continued relentlessly for 7 weeks. Resident Robert Smith felt “very taken care of” during it all, and while he did have a hospital stay, he recalled how happy everyone was to see him return. For resident Tammy Bighorse, emotions are still raw. She felt helpless at first, but expressed how awesome the team was, especially Alex, who worked alongside staff doing whatever needed done. She continues to let others know how much she loves them and encourages everyone to keep fighting. And although resident Gayla Wheat spent three weeks in the hospital, she has nothing but praise for the BHRC staff, who wore full personal protective equipment to fight the sickness. Gayla is still doing her part by social distancing and spending more time in her room. He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; -Psalm 23:2-3. Shadows cannot exist without a source of light. For BHRC, that light was a beacon of hope. It was the will to keep fighting and moving forward. The residents and staff consider each other family, caring deeply about one another, and many expressed their earnest loyalty to the Dout family. Quitting wasn’t an option for the majority of workers. They are devoted beyond compare. Devotion and loyalty fueled the recovery, and strengthened the bond between them all.

TAMMY BIGHORSE

BHRC VISITATION STATION

The Bartlesville community showed great care and concern for BHRC. Volunteers organized daily meals for the employees — all donated from local restaurants. Citizens drove daily circles around the facility, praying for healing and strength. Jane Phillips Hospital donated PPE, and Dr. Davito played a huge role in saving lives with his daily visits. Residents longed to see family, communicating via phone calls and Facetime when able. Public visitation was placed on hold in March and was a difficult adjustment. Alex saw another facility that had built a “visitation station” area and built a similar one at BHRC. The plexiglass area allows residents a space to see outdoor visitors face to face, through glass, while talking on the telephone. The COVID-19 unit has remained empty since mid-May. BHRC has been through four infection control inspections since the outbreak and has passed each one. Prevention protocol remains in place as they steadily proceed through the phases of reopening for public visitation, while following the ever-changing directives from the governor and health department. The pain is still fresh, and hearts will forever have empty spaces from the many BHRC souls who lost their lives during this pandemic. They were beloved family to all. “We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this side of eternity, as they slipped the surly bonds of earth, to touch the face of God.”

Ashley Lindgren, Paige Harris, Casie Meloy, Kimberly Watkins, Bailey Smith, Treasure Magana, Kallie Bell, Dylan West, Caleb Patterson, Winter Williams, Jeannie Allison, Lauralee Willcox, Tessa Kramer, and Alesandra Wahnee. Therapy Staff: Andrea Humphreys, Jana Graham, Leslee Gaston, Allison Davidson, and Ashley Winton. Medication Assistant Staff: Melissa Vandyck, Cherie Sullivan, Ashley Long, Charissa Lowe, and Sven Ray. Housekeeping Staff: Andrew Davis, Jacqueline Jefferson, Tia Harris, Angela Brown, Monica Winters, Jeannine Lee, and Xerxes Warner. Laundry Staff: Nathaniel Jefferson and Debra Hagey. Dietary Staff: Olga Banuelos, Paula Campos, Jeremy Hutchinson, Evalee Nace, Armando Ortiz, Connie Sharpton, Carmen Rocha, Victor Rocha, Blanca Rocha de Vazquez, Chantal Berentz, Trinity Sharpton, Genna Nichols, and Amber Berentz. Administrative Staff: Erma White, Charlotte Shoultz, Kim Fogle, Melanie Wilkins, Tony Wilkins, and Deana Standley. Maintenance Staff: David Eslick and Richard Lucy. Activities Staff: Jaclyn Lucy and Mary Collins.

AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

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TRIBUTE

Ram Gonzalez

Bartlesville Loses Legendary Coach, Educator by Maria Gus Bartlesville lost another amazing legend this year. Most in Bartlesville knew him as Coach, whether he had coached them or not. He was an educator and a mentor, a father and a friend, a husband and a hero. Ramiro Gonzalez was born in La Regina, Chihuahua, Mexico. The son of seasonal migrant workers, the family moved to the United States when Gonzalez was young. Hard work and love of community was instilled in him early, and he chose education to help him share his gifts with others. Longing to go beyond his life in New Mexico, Gonzalez joined the Marine Corps and planned to utilize the GI Bill to pay for his college education. While serving, he was able to watch his brother compete in the Jr. Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Gonzalez’s older brother, Florencio, was an All-American for NEO in 1963. Florencio’s coaches invited the younger Gonzalez to walk on and try to make the team. Not only did he succeed, he also joined his teammates for a national championship in the 1967 season. With one other brother, Thomas, also playing at NEO, football and family helped bring him to Oklahoma. At NEO he met and married his wife, Brenda, and fortunately for Oklahoma, he decided to stay. Once he graduated from college, Gonzalez had the opportunity to work in Bartlesville, where he spent a good share of time as the head football coach for Central Junior High (now Middle School). Coach Gonzalez taught Spanish, Physical Education, and also coached swimming, tennis, and golf over his career in education. Ram Gonzalez was more than an educator and coach, however. For many students, he was a motivator and a constant supporter — something he remembered from a coach that impacted his life at Gadsden High School in New Mexico. Son Flo said he believed that was a positive relationship that steered him into education. Of course, his love of sports was certainly a factor. “He was such a gifted athlete and excelled at all sports,” said Flo. “I guess he figured he wanted to honor his former coach.” That

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combination of education and sports was a legacy of supportive coaching that benefited a great many of Bartlesville’s youth. There were many stories of Coach Gonzalez seeing a need and helping a student without ever being asked. One student needed a new golf bag, another student needed the right shoes, and sometimes students just needed a good laugh. Former student Meghan Norton had Coach Gonzalez as her 8th grade gym teacher and also as her boss at the Youth Canteen. She remembered that he always had great games and was an encourager. “He was the best boss and mentor,” said Norton. “Coach had a wonderful sense of humor and tried to find the best in everyone, but he didn’t mince words. You could always count on him to give solid, straightforward advice.” He also was a beloved coworker. Many students remember he and Annie Collins were the Phys. Ed. dynamic duo in the 80s at Central. The two educators not only encouraged their students to always win, but they had a little competition of their own.

TRIBUTE “One thing we kept track of was how many “see me’s” we’d get from the principal,” said Coach Annie Collins with a laugh, “We were always in trouble!” Collins had great things to say about her friend and former co-worker, but most of all she remembered they had a fun together. They depended on each other and kept each other in check. “I'm going to miss my friend.” Coach Terry Hughes recalled when Coach Gonzalez recruited him to help with junior high golf. “(He told) me I wouldn’t get paid but he got close, half whispered and half laughed, ‘you get free golf!’” All that knew him were familiar with his laugh, full of joy and occasionally a bit of mischief. Hughes went on to recall that Gonzalez was tough but still so very kind. “Ram cared about people and kids, so his toughness was not hard but rather tempered with a softness (usually a laugh) that really drew people to him. I am very thankful and blessed to have learned from Ram and call him my friend. He got me some free golf and I am thankful for that. However, his example of how to be self-confident and tough, while at the same time being caring and self-effacing, will be something I strive for forever in my own life.” Gonzalez loved people. Of course he loved his people, wife, Brenda, and sons Tony, Flo and Nick, but he really loved all people and saw the best in everyone. No one was a bad egg, they simply needed some help or guidance. Coach Gonzalez believed in you when it mattered.

Brenda Gonzalez said she learned from her husband to love people, to see the good in all people, and to embrace and support this community. Many times he would bring home a hungry kid or a hungry migrant traveling north for a better life. Mrs. Gonzalez said she would say “Ram we don’t know these people” but Ram would always respond, “they are hungry and need some help.” While so many youth in Bartlesville benefitted from his wisdom and humor, whether through coaching, teaching, or the Youth Canteen, his three sons were there with a front row seat. Flo shared memories of his dad that summed up his personality perfectly. “We couldn't go anywhere without seeing someone he knew. We were driving to El Paso one summer for our annual trip to visit my grandparents, and he saw a person he knew driving on the freeway next to us in Oklahoma City. It was always an inside joke to my mom that dad knew everyone. It was impossible to get away with anything, but it was never a hassle for me growing up. I was glad that so many people knew Dad and were part of his sphere of influence. If they were checking up on me then they were doing so because they respected dad.” Coach Ram Gonzalez left a legacy of hard work, motivation, discipline, laughter, and love. His love of athletics was only outmatched by his love of people. He was a force for good in the world and will live on in the hearts of the countless lives that he has touched.

“Coach Gonzalez was one special man,” said Kyle Ppool, who saw him as a father figure. “I didn't get to know him as a coach or teacher, but rather as Nick's good friend and partner in crime. He would give you sound advice whether you wanted to hear it or not. He would give a tongue lashing if you needed it, but he would also give you the shirt off his back.” Friend of son, Nick, and former player, Casey Jardot, recalled one of his favorite coaching techniques, “I ain’t gonna mention any names but his initials are, NUMBER 15 CASEY JARDOT! You’re about as fast as a dry creek!” For Ram Gonzalez, the world was a place that needed hard work and a healthy dose of laughs. He embraced the joy and the challenges with drive and determination. Even when facing the challenge of diabetes and an amputation, there was always his big heart. AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

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From the heArt

We All Have a Gift

Sometimes Our Best Gift is the Ability to Make Others Laugh

by Lori Kroh Not all are talented, but everyone is gifted. Years ago, my mom asked my sister and me if we wanted to take dance class from Ms. Jan or piano from Ms. Cowan. My sister reached for the stars and bellowed out P-I-A-N-O! I had aspirations on stage either way, so piano for me, too!

impromptu ... which is a term that means improvise. I felt the spirit lead, and so I did. I improvised, and then all the thoughts of self-awareness tumbled in my head like two lost bunnies looking for a cabbage. “Was that an E flat or a C sharp? I couldn’t see the book with the bright lights. Oh no. The song isn’t matching. Why is Lisa still on count four? She is literally playing exactly as it’s written. Come on Lisa. You need to speed it up. Flopsy is flopping over here. Okay, maybe I will slow down and let her catch up. Or, I know, I will just repeat that last part ... oh dear. Why is she glaring at me?”

Immediately, we both received these little red books to record our practice times. Lisa would dutifully set a timer and record her faithful practice each day. Many times she wrote down 30 minutes ... while I prided myself on being a quick learner. I would open the living room pocket door and yell “Move it. I have 20 minutes before it’s time to leave. I’ve gotta practice!” The only thing warmed up was the bench. I would move up and down the scales and say Every Good Boy Does Fine. And yet, I was a girl and I Just Did Okay.

Peals of laughter echoed in the big hall and I remember looking out to the audience.

worked on her part for weeks and I worked on mine for 10 minutes.

I remember being honest with my little red book and declaring one minute on most days, thinking Ms. Cowan would be happy that I never had to practice that long.

Behind the curtains, we nervously waited across from each other, then we walked out to opposing pianos and sat down. With the prettiest dresses from Sullivan’s and white patent shoes, we looked the part ... Gifted and Talented.

We were taught terms called impromptu and accelerando, which to me meant the faster the better. I could play Chopsticks so quickly you could barely distinguish the notes. At least, that was the compliment Ms. Cowan said to me.

All of that stardom right there and the fan base in the folding chairs. I looked out and saw my mom and dad give us smiles and then I looked at Lisa and nodded. I would be the counter ... I gulped and believed.

One fine day, we were told that we are never really ready yet, we should become ready. She chose a duet called Flopsy and Mopsy. I thought Ms. Cowan meant to Believe in Yourself … later on, I realized she meant practice until perfect. Lisa

One-two-three-four ... and so we began. One had talent, the other a gift. I got a little nervous when I hit a wrong note and began to plink the keys a bit faster. Oh, sure I was on the half-beat, but hey, sometimes the song can call for

Across the footlights, I saw our dad busting out laughing and literally shaking in his metal chair ... so much so that he slid out of the chair onto the floor. My mom smiled and nodded her head and realized our potential. I ended the song, Lisa ended hers ten notes later. We both stood up and took a bow. My sister ran off stage and I stood there basking in the applause. Next week Ms. Cowan gave me the highest compliment ever. She told me to rip up the check and run home and tell my parents that I never had to take lessons again. I was breathless when I burst in the door, exclaiming my joyous news … “I was just that good!” Remember that not everyone is talented, but we all have a gift. Mine was believing that Every Good Boy Does Fine and it’s Okay to Just Make Others Laugh. AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

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b Monthly | AUGUST 2020

ON THE OSAGE

Big Hats... ...and Buffalos by Kelly Bland Any time you have cowboys and outlaws, shindigs and rodeos, or big hats and buffalos â&#x20AC;&#x201D; you can just bet youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find romance and Romeos! If you do happen to find your romancing Romeo, Osage County is the perfect backdrop for your special occasion. From corporate to elaborate, we have event venues that specialize in corroborating with clientele to make any occasion outrageously amazing. With the perfect setting to make dreams come true, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no fear of midnight for Cinderella when sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s with her fella in the Osage. Oklahoma will provide the beauty and the backdrop, the venue will provide the menu and the memories, and all you have to worry about is the guest list! Get those glass slippers ready; this is going to be a ball! First, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s look at POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat in the Osage Hills, just minutes from downtown Tulsa. POSTOAK provides urban amenities amidst rural extravagances on 1,000 acres of nothing but gorgeous! Their event planning team has cornered the market on hospitality and professionalism. Indoor or outdoor events â&#x20AC;&#x201D; they can accommodate, decorate, and help you plan the date! Next, just over the hill and across the fence line, is the Tulsa Botanic Garden. Imagine your outdoor event amidst the beautiful garden with cascading waters flowing into a shimmering lake. Or, imagine this special occasion inside, up on the hill, with large glass windows and walls that open up to patios perfect for dancing in the moonlight. Just a little bit north, up 52nd towards Skiatook, is The Lodge at Bridal Creek with majestic tall wooden ceilings, bridal chambers, and vistas that intoxicate. Western or elegant, simple or indulgent â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Bridal Creek has its own sense of style amidst an open canvas to make it your own expression.

POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat If lake luxury is your preference, then The Springs at Lake Skiatook is where youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll want to start. Think secluded. Think stunning. Think â&#x20AC;&#x201D; yes, just think about it! From the center staircase just perfect for making an entry, to the gazebo and pathway outback, The Springs can make any occasion sparkle. Then of course, we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget Woolaroc! Amidst landscaping beauty and etched right out of the woods, lakes, and rocks of oil tycoon Frank Phillipsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ranch is a venue with history, hilltops, and horizons amidst lake waters reflecting blue skies, teepeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, and waterfalls. Woolaroc is sure to â&#x20AC;&#x153;rockâ&#x20AC;? your next event â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Frank Phillipsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; style. For shindigs or hootenannies, you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t beat The Pioneer Woman Event Center in Pawhuska, with its expansive open space amidst antique brick walls and barn doors. While the dĂŠcor is rustic, the technology is state-of-the-art, and their crew gets an A+ from the Tourism Gal on hospitality, smiles, sweet tea, and lemonade! Just south of Pawhuska is The Lodge at Taylor Ranch, where the sunsets are legendary! The wedding party can even enjoy disc golf after the rehearsal on the eve of the big day. Then over on the western edge of the Osage is the Ben Ranch, above the banks of the Arkansas River amongst pecan tree orchards and green pastures. With vistas to choose from, the Ben Ranch owners are known for their hospitality! It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take an encounter with a Fairy Godmother to make the moment magic â&#x20AC;&#x201D; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about the setting. It just takes a pinch of something dashing and a dash of southern charm, a little bit of western with an Oklahoma drawl. Mix it all together and watch the magic happen while you enjoy the views in the place where #TheCowboyNeverRidesAway! Yâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;all come see us and plan your next event in Osage County, Oklahoma, where #TheSmilesAreAlwaysFree. đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x160; Check out VisitTheOsage.com for more on our array of event venues! AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

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b Monthly | AUGUST 2020

HELPING HANDS

Toes & Torso

Simple Body Positioning Conveys Interest to Students by Chris Zervas The home I lived in during high school in Bartlesville was beautiful. Bounding into big windows facing the street, the sun would glisten off Spanish tile floors and a large game table illuminating a unique center piece — our West Highland Terrier! BJ was a delightful pet, but sneaky. He never got on the forbidden game table while we were home, but was often seen lounging on it in the sunshine ... per passerby’s reports. As much as he loved sunning on the game table, he loved food more. Hearing the refrigerator open, he would begin clawing at the unresponsive floor, churning his legs, while his body went nowhere. Finally, gaining speed as he neared the kitchen on his right, he soon faced another problem: the tile didn’t accommodate quick stops. So, BJ would shift his hips past the kitchen as his glide began, steering “left to go right” like Lightning McQueen. After all his effort, when we were ready to eat, so was he. When we sat, he sat. Pointing his feet and body right at us, his eyes would lock in like laser beams. He was engaged in what people were doing, and his body language shouted it. He barked not, but we all knew he was interested. As school and this year’s 4th quarter business cycle begins, our students, our customers and our employees need to “hear” the same attentive message. Being present, giving great eye contact and choosing to listen more than we speak can help create peace in our homes and workplaces as we begin another season of uncertain transition. Like BJ, aligning our toes and torso towards our students and colleagues affirms our interest level in a conversation. Pointing our toes and torso toward them during our interactions, subconsciously shows how much we care about them and their words. Yet, our busy schedules often cause us to listen on the run, which communicates disinterest. For example, by pointing our toes and torso to the door, our students and employees subconsciously receive a louder message articulating, “This conversation is almost over and they are not engaged.” As a result, uncertainty can grow in our colleagues and our children. BJ’s 100% eye contact was a little much. In fact, a lot much. That amount is creepy with work colleagues. Ideally, between 60 – 70% is best. Also, great listeners make a choice to listen, not

speak. They reserve judgment and allow those speaking to express themselves. Solving issues presented to us is not always the goal. Simply listening shows care, especially through our body language. In the words of Egyptian Pharaoh Ptahhotep: “Those who listen to the pleas and cries of their people should do so patiently. Because the people want attention to what they say even more than the accomplishing for which they came.” Making those around us feel valued can be easier through eye contact, listening more than speaking, and remembering “toes and torso.” ~ Chris Zervas helps busy leaders improve employee engagement and elevate their organization’s bottom line by enhancing their communication and leadership skills. He is a keynote speaker, coach, and author. For more information visit ChrisZervas.com. ~ AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

b Monthly | AUGUST 2020

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AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

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b Monthly | AUGUST 2020

MEET YOUR WRITER

Jay Webster

Popular Columnist Just Finished Writing His Third Book by Tim Hudson Most people in and around Bartlesville would recognize the name Jay Webster. That’s usually intercut with the words “and Ann-Janette,” and has something to do with video production. For a lot of years that would have sufficed, but not now. More and more locals are noticing Jay in terms of column writing, as his work has graced these pages for several years. “I do a humor column in every issue and a lot of times they are topic-related, so if there’s a special issue — whether it’s about tourism or pets or whatever — I will at least try to connect to it in the column,” he said. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to do it, and I’m thrilled to be around local writers that are skilled and appreciate that. It’s one of the few art forms that we get to do that people actually enjoy. And people get the opportunity to read what you are doing.” Jay said he got started writing in high school, as many do, and that start was writing poetry. “Because that’s what you do in high school,” he said.

“During the process I got a girlfriend, Ann-Janette, and she said ‘you should try and get on with the high school newspaper,’” he said. “So Darla Tresner, the journalism professor then, as she is now, kind of took me under her wing — really helped kind of draw out the skill I had and was very encouraging.” From there he went into journalism at the University of Oklahoma with an emphasis in advertising, and he “really loved it.” Years later, one of the other hats — the video production one — would end up in a project in Chicago. “I found myself doing a weekly correspondence with the people back home, and really enjoying it,” he said, adding that the correspondence letters eventually morphed into a column with a local publication. When that publication fell on hard times Jay said that Bartlesville Monthly was good to let him continue. “Bmonthly has been fantastic to let me do that, and give the freedom to write about what I want to write about, and use

kind of an off-beat sense of humor. They don’t seem to be offended and caught up in too much of that. They have been really great to work with,” he said. He said that’s he recently finished writing a book called Gospel of Mann, and that he is “in the midst of kind of proofing, finalizing, and getting ready to shop to see if it goes anywhere.” The book is actually his third. He said the first was about an annual baseball trip and the second was called You Can’t Do That Here, about growing up in the 70s and “how different a childhood was in the 70s and 80s versus what we have now.” “It was kind of the last great American childhood, really” he said, adding that the third book, which took two full years to write, has been life-changing. “It was an incredible experience and I really, really loved it. It changed my outlook on stuff. That’s the kind of thing that I really want to do and am drawn to, so I’ve been incorporating more and more of that into my day-to-day life than I was before.”

AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

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b Monthly | AUGUST 2020

AGENT FOR GOODVILLE MUTUAL

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

15 Years of Changing Lives Drug Court Program Gives People a Second Chance by Ann-Janette Webster Kristina Edens helps change lives on a daily basis in her work as a counselor at Youth and Family Services. It’s not just her master’s degree in alcohol and drug counseling that makes her uniquely qualified ... it’s having overcome her former life. In September 2013, Edens graduated from the highly-effective Drug Court program, becoming one of their great success stories. Instead of being sent to prison, Kristina embraced the program by choosing treatment, accountability, and furthering her education. Now, she has the joy of helping others make something better of their own lives. Washington County's Drug Court program has been giving people like Kristina a second chance for 15 years now. Drug Court offers a different approach to true rehabilitation. Coordinator Karen Wood says the highly-structured program offers an alternative to prison, where participants take part in outpatient (or inpatient) substance abuse treatment. “Each Drug Court participant is required to take two random drug tests per week, attend group and individual counseling, attend AA, NA, or Celebrate Recovery, check in daily with the coordinator, and they all have curfews,” said Wood. “There are regular Drug Court visits with the Judge, and two unannounced home visits are conducted per month.” According to Associate District Judge Russell Vaclaw, who presides over Drug Court cases, the program certainly saves the state money — but more importantly, it saves lives. “Our participants come to drug court addicted, broken, and they would otherwise be sent off to prison. They graduate and leave as a success story,” said Vaclaw. “Twenty years ago, the same defendants would’ve been shipped off to a state prison. When they got out, they were often better criminals than before they went in. Drug court changes that cycle.” Following the successful lead of communities across our country and state, Washington County’s Drug Court opened its doors in 2005. Curtis Delapp, Associate District Judge at the time, was instrumental in the effort, believing it would decrease a growing problem by offering treatment rather than incarceration only — which simply wasn’t working. Since its inception, 334 have successfully graduated from Drug Court. According to Wood, of those graduates, 70% have never re-offended and are doing well. Most are working, maintaining sobriety, and many have had DHS cases closed and children returned to their custody. “I believe the Drug Court model and the commitment of our great Drug Court team are to be credited with why this program is working so well in Bartlesville,” said Wood. Washington County’s Drug Court team is made up of the Associate District Judge (Russell Vaclaw), the District Attorney

Associate District Judge Russell Vaclaw, 2013 Drug Court Graduate Kristina Edens, and Program Coordinator Karen Wood.

(Kevin Buchanan), a defense attorney (Rob Fries), the coordinator (Karen Wood), the treatment provider (The Center for Therapeutic Interventions – Jody Mueller), a probation and parole officer, and a supervision officer (Brandon Meyer). The program is a nonadversarial program and is totally voluntary. A defendant makes application to the program, and the DA’s office either approves or denies the application. “Drug Court is instrumental in lowering incarcerations for non-violent offenders in that it affords participants the chance to get help with substance abuse issues, which are usually at the root of their crimes,” said Wood. “I feel that by helping people get into recovery, our team is giving back to the community. It is very rewarding to watch someone’s face when he/she finally gets it and says “‘I’m done’”. When Kristina Edens finally “was done,” the local Drug Court program gave her the opportunity of a lifetime — one for which she will forever be grateful. Kristina says her biggest reward is guiding others to a better life through drug and alcohol counseling and being able to see individuals overcome adversity, which brings families back together again. “My past experience allows me the opportunity to relate with a client that may be unreachable to someone else. Honestly, I can't imagine where I'd be without completing the Drug Court program,” said Edens. “The program provided many useful tools to prepare me for success; stability, responsibility, and accountability. It was a huge factor in successfully re-integrating me back into society. One thing I say a lot is It’s never too late to follow your dreams! I am living proof.” AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

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b Monthly | AUGUST 2020

KNOWING NOWATA

Saying Goodbye A Part of History, Former Nowata High School, Torn Down by Carrol Craunn During the week of July 7-10, 2020, sadness, tears, laughter, shared stories, along with expressions of optimism about the future of education in the city of Nowata were shared by many by-standers watching a part of Nowata's education history be reduced to rubble. The three-story red brick building was the high school from 1918 until 1958, when the last gradating class crossed its stage. The building then became the middle school until the early 2000s, when it was turned over for use by the Boys and Girls Club of Nowata. This was the last building remaining of the original school structures in the city, and stood as a monument to education for 102 years. Prior to this building, education in town was provided by subscription schools, where white children paid tuition but Native American or black children could attend for free. Education was highly sought after so attendance was very good. When the student population grew and could not be served by the subscription school, citizens banded together and provided the raw materials and labor to build a school complex comprised of three structures, one two-story and the others one story. Students affectionately named the two-story building the "Horse Barn," the one on the south the "Pig Pen," and the one on the west was the "Cow Barn." The reason for the names is not known. Unusual names are not uncommon in Nowata County, we have had such schools as Ignorant Ridge, Pumpkin Center, Bug Scuffle, Palestine, Goback, Overturf, Island School, Blue Ribbon, and Goosebeck to list a few of the more than 150 schools that have been identified. As the town population grew, the need for another facility again became evident. Bonds were passed for $40,000 and a three-story brick Nowata grade school building came into being,

located on Pine Street in 1909. The school had 16 classrooms, including a full basement. It was modern in every respect with electric lights, hot and cold water, and steam heat. Contractor for the building was C. H. Davis, who was also building the new First National Bank building on the corner of Maple and Cherokee. Known as the Nowata Grade School, the building was torn down in 1973 and students relocated to the new elementary school. This site also served high school students until the new high school mentioned at the start of this article was completed in 1918. Rapid growth of the student population in the booming town made the citizens realize another bond issue would be needed for another building. The bond issue passed on February 6, 1917 and serious work began. 60,000 bricks, some from the local brick plants, were amassed to get work started and skilled labor found to get the project underway. Opening date was September of 1918. On November 1, 1917 work began in earnest on the high school, when the first bucket of concrete was poured into the foundation of what was to become the most advanced high school facility in the area. With 21 rooms for classes and a partial basement, there was space for a full curriculum. The original plans called for a gymnasium, which was later built in 1936 with another bond issue along with funds from the Federal Government for $22,909. It is sad to say good-bye to this building, but with its passing into history, a new structure is planned for a joint facility between the Nowata Boys and Girls Club and Tri-County Technology Center â&#x20AC;&#x201D; so education will still be a part of its new history.

AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK

by Jay Webster

Wow, so August… I’ve been thinking a lot lately. Frankly, it’s the one exercise I can do without breaking a sweat right now. (P.S. We’ve only had residential AC at large for about 60 years. When it’s 80+ at night and the humidity is still at rainforest percent I think, how did people sleep back then? You can only be so naked. No wonder crime rates were high.) But that’s not what I’ve been thinking about (or at least not the only thing). Here it is: If you’re lucky, at some point in life you discover what you’re good at being or doing. I’ve recognized one of mine. In my decades here, I’ve have become exceedingly good at being wrong. Maybe some of you have shared this skill. I’ve been wrong about “the facts.” (Science-y facts, political facts, legal facts, historic facts, pop culture facts … pretty much across the board.) I’ve been wrong about what I believed. (That didn’t stop me from arguing with others until both sides hated each other and neither was converted.) I’ve been wrong about what I feared.

b Monthly | AUGUST 2020

I’ve been wrong about how I remembered events in my past. I’ve been wrong in how I treated others. (Even if I felt justified at the time.) I’ve been wrong about song lyrics — more than once. (It is “Casbah" and not “Cash Bar.” I don’t want to rock your world.) Looking back, I actually may have been wrong more than I’ve been right. I’m sure others could verify that for me. After so much practice… I’ve discovered: being wrong is a beautiful thing. Sure, being wrong sucks when you’re on “Wheel” and you tell Pat Sajak you’d like to “solve the puzzle,” only to whiff wildly. Then Karen chirps the suddenly obvious answer. “Calm down, Karen. Who do you think bought all those vowels? I gave you that answer … and the trip to Hawaii.” But aside from that, for me, being wrong has often been the point of discovery. It’s been the first step in change. It’s been the open door to things I hadn’t considered before (either because I was unwilling or simply couldn’t see it from the blockage in my own intellect.)

FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK As a kid, I tried to interpret the Bible literally. God made the Earth in six days, rested on the seventh (since it wasn’t Easter or Christmas because, those are big Masses, when everyone comes to visit). End of story. The problem was, six days didn’t leave room for dinosaurs (or a lot of other events). So I felt very threatened by all things “prehistoric.” It became easy to write those scientists and archeologists off … despite the abundant visual evidence. Then one day it simply occurred to me, dinosaurs did exist and if they did, they certainly weren’t a surprise to God (or something he was trying to cover up because it didn’t make sense in his narrative). So if it wasn’t a problem for Him, why should it be a problem for me? (If you want to applaud my intellectual courage in acknowledging something that was so abundantly clear, you can do so now. We’ll also just skip over the fact that I was willing to deny the existence of dinosaurs but more than okay with the idea that all the animals and people of the world — except unicorns — are here only after they rode on the Love Boat for 40 days and 40 nights with Captain Noah.) In the end, I don’t need God to be who I believe Him to be — I need to give Him the freedom to be who He is.

I come from a Christian tradition. (Talk about dogmas, we’ve had a few.) The Scriptures say you find what you’re looking for. In other words, if you’re bent on keeping an open heart and looking for truth, that’s what you’ll find. If you are searching for good in someone or something, you’ll see it. But if you’re seeking only supporting evidence for your case against another, then that’s all you will find too. So, if you believe your boss is the devil and bent on destroying you, you'll find neverending evidence to support your belief. If you're locked in a relentless feud with a sibling, everything they say or do will eventually point you to being right and them being wrong … Because you’re looking for supporting evidence, not truth. If you hold to conspiracies and political plots and doctrines with fearfully clinched fists, you will only let in the things that support those beliefs. Humility is the key: admitting you don’t know everything or all the answers, or at the very least, you’re not always right. In humility we can ask what is the truth — without rushing to supply our own answer.

So, I was wrong. The end result was, it opened an entire world of truth and discovery for me. Not only could I join the 20th century by way of facts and reality, I could stop letting fear stunt my image of God and let the world be so much bigger. That’s the power of being wrong. It’s not about abandoning conviction, it’s about searching (fearlessly) for truth. Unfortunately, as a culture we associate being wrong as weakness or retreat (or worse yet, letting the other side win). So we’ve become the child closing his eyes and denying the evidence of dinosaurs even as he stands in front of fossils at the Smithsonian. Because we have so much wrapped up in what we believe, we’re easily threatened by being wrong or shades of gray in the midst of those black and whites. In the end, we stop looking for truth all together in the hopes of only finding supporting evidence for what we already believe.

The result is finding the world and the divine are so much richer and bigger than the little things we’ve made them. It takes courage to be humble. You have to be brave to unclinch your fists and sift through the facts in order to find what is really there — even if it disagrees with your stance. There’s no adventure in dogma, but there is in engagement and conversation and the hunt for truth. You don’t have to have all the answers or always be right … We’ll like you anyway. (It’s Karen we don’t like, that know-it-all.) Tune in next month and I’ll do my annual interview with my daughter, Evanjalyn, about her summer vacation. She’s eight now. I could be wrong about that. Anyway, cheers my friends.

When we give up on truth, we give into blind dogma. We close off our hearts and minds and become idiots dancing to the flute of our favorite piper. But there’s no adventure in dogma. For thousands of years we believed the world was flat. If you got in a boat, put on an 8 track of Styx’s “Come Sail Away,” and just let the wind blow … eventually you'd fall off the edge of the world. We believed it so concretely that we were willing to kill anyone that said otherwise. Fear kept us from looking at the evidence. Fear made us sweep the truth under the rug and look the other way. The problem was, we were wrong. The world was round. And suddenly this thing we had all sewn up spilt over into something so much bigger and greater than we had known. The Universe was more magnificent than we had even imagined. AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

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b Monthly | AUGUST 2020

EDUCATION

State of Our Schools Looking Back at 2019-20, and Ahead to the New School Year by Chuck McCauley, BPSD Superintendent The Bartlesville Public School District has been recognized as a Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished District for its outstanding STEM program at every district school. This meant all six of the district’s elementary schools, both of its middle schools, and its high school each earned Distinguished School status for 2019-20. Bartlesville is one of just 24 districts across the U.S. to receive this honor and the only district with that status in Oklahoma. Projects and programs funded by the 2019 bond issue continue to progress despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The new press box at Custer Stadium is on track to be complete before classes begin in August. The new agriculture building is receiving its finishing touches and will have two classrooms to accommodate both Marty Jones, who started the district's agriculture education program in 2019-2020, and new hire Cameron Dale, who will be teaching 8th-grade agriculture orientation classes at Central and Madison middle schools and Agriscience 1 at BHS. The district’s new Academic Therapeutic Learning Alternative Setting (ATLAS) program also completed its first year, and we are incredibly proud of its success in addressing the needs of several at-risk elementary students. Many other projects are coming to a close, including new HVAC, new elementary touchscreen panels, a new cafeteria serving line at Madison, a safety crosswalk at BHS, and concrete work at Central and Ranch Heights.

Bartlesville Public Schools has also been working hard to prepare for the 2020-2021 school year. Our collaborative efforts have safeguarded each other’s health while fulfilling our district mission of educating and enriching lives. As we approach the 2020-2021 academic year, we recognize the uncertainties regarding community health and the most appropriate precautions as we meet all students’ educational needs. Several committees have worked to create a plan to have the safest environment feasible so we can keep our buildings open and safe for our students. The details of the plan can be found on the district website at bps-ok.org. Families may choose to enroll their students in the district’s Bruin Virtual School for at-home learning. Bruin Virtual School is an online virtual learning environment with instruction led by certified district teachers, and offers optional participation in school-sponsored athletics and fine arts programs. We will expand our 1:1 Chromebook program across grades 3-12 in August and all grades by early autumn. We will continue to provide take-home devices for middle and high school students while providing classroom-based devices for elementary students, which could be checked out during Distance Learning periods. We also offer cellular hotspots when needed to ensure educational internet access for students learning at home. Please stay safe and we thank you for your support and confidence in our hard-working staff. AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

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b Monthly | AUGUST 2020

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE

The Strange & the Mundane Perhaps Society Should “Tackle” Statues in a Different Way by Brent Taylor All across our nation, statues are being torn down. Perhaps with a bit of creative addition we can save a lot of dumpster fees. How about modifying some of these statues to reflect inclusion and love for all people? Like lipstick on a pig, we could adorn them with a nice polka dot smock to soften the harsh reality of human bondage and oppression. There is certainly something remarkable about the juxtaposition of the strange and the mundane, the accepted alongside the rejected, pomposity occupying the same space as humility. To set something we know alongside something strange gives both ideas a projection of creative relief, an expression of vivid comparison, and the thing we don’t know suddenly becomes easier to see. My grandmother was a storyteller and poet of sorts. Grace Taylor often told stories by laying the common alongside the strange. She was a Christian and she followed every rule thoughtfully, except the mandatory seat belt rule — which she observed when she felt like it. So when she told me one day that she and grandpa Ross had slept together before they were married, it sounded strange, coming from a woman who grew up in the era of Barbara Bush, who supposedly kissed only one man in her life, the 41st President of the United States. Grandma would quickly explain lest we gossip, “Ross and I grew up in the same community and our parents put us into the crib together to sleep.” Grandma was yanking our chain, making a story sound strange, setting something innocent and precious alongside something that to her mind would be absurd. This reminds me of a memorable absurdity from my college days. It was on a dusty country road, when a friend offered a rather terse form of sign language to an impertinent dog as we rode in the bed of a 1954 stepside Chevy near McJester, Arkansas. We were college guys on a weekend, cruising toward our campsite in the woods, where we intended to sleep under the stars unrestrained by the walls of institutional rigidity. In our case, this meant forgetting our exams and smoking Swisher Sweet cigars around a campfire. Ponderosa pines lined that dirt road as sunlight filtered through the boughs like lasers in a cigar lounge. Hound dogs rested their jowls on slatted shanty porches, framed by jalopies and stray washing machines. One inspired bloodhound jumped off his porch and gave chase alongside our truck, protesting the intrusion with a deep-throated bark. This seemed odd. An exuberant dog protecting a ramshackle house, unaware of this egregious breach of social distance. So my buddy calmly raised a finger of rebuke and the dog suddenly froze, immortalized in our memory, struck dumb and turned to stone by malice of gesture and comic strangeness. Bartlesville once experienced a culture war long before this current era of statue disassembly. It was an uproar over the 11 foot bronze sculpture outside of the Community Center called “Sus-

pended Moment.” Some folks thought it wasn’t proper when it was dedicated in 1983. Heloise Swaback, the sculptor, said this about her work of art. “I wanted to capture the spirit of closeness between man and woman, a moment of both physical and spiritual unity.” She pulled this off so well that there was much hand wringing and letters to the editor and talk of “knitting a poncho” to conceal elements of the sculpture's “nakedness.” This earnestness, along with a touch of mischievousness, got my brother and his buddy thrown into jail. The entire debacle was filmed from the bushes by a friend. The two juveniles would later in life become a pastor and a doctor, but on this day they were not performing acts of healing. They were attempting to impose vigilante moralism upon an inert copper fusion of woman and man. As they were arranging the last bit of linen modesty, a Bartlesville policeman cruised by and arrested the youngsters. Alas, the videotaped evidence was erased, taped over by a PBS episode of Bob Ross and the Quiet Stream. One form of misty-water-colored memory erased that electric moment of youthful incarceration, of two boys covering the shape of unbridled metallurgical passion with the tailored refinement of community censure. These days you can tackle a public statue with impunity, but once upon a time in the ‘Ville, wrapping a sensible white midi around the haunches of a graven image could get you an overnight stay at the pokey. Legend has it that the dads of the two youngsters wanted to leave their sons with the authorities overnight to marinate, but the momma bears would have none of it. Glad bless our moms. Because that’s what moms are for, grace and mercy and clear-eyed belief in the good intentions of their sons, even when they do dumb things.

AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

How Can You Help Lower Your Longevity Risk? The investment world contains different types of risk. Your stocks or stock-based mutual funds could lose value during periods of market volatility. The price of your bonds or bond funds could also decline, if new bonds are issued at higher interest rates. But have you ever thought about longevity risk? Insurance companies and pension funds view longevity risk as the risk they incur when their assumptions about life expectancies and mortality rates are incorrect, leading to higher payout levels. But for you, as an individual investor, longevity risk is less technical and more emotional: it’s the risk of outliving your money. To assess your own longevity risk, you’ll first want to make an educated guess about your life span, based on your health and family history. Plus, you’ve got some statistics to consider: Women who turned 65 in April of this year can expect to live, on average, until age 86.5; for men, the corresponding figure is 84, according to the Social Security Administration. Once you have a reasonable estimate of the number of years that lie ahead, you’ll want to take steps to reduce your longevity risk. For starters, try to build your financial resources as much as possible, because the greater your level of assets, the lower the risk of outliving them. So, during your working years, keep contributing to your IRA and your 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored retirement plan. Then, as you near retirement, you will need to do some planning. Specifically, you will need to compare your essential living expenses – mortgage/rent, utilities, food, clothing, etc. – with the amount of income you’ll get from guaranteed sources, such as Social Security or pensions. You do have some flexibility with this guaranteed income pool. For example, you can file for Social Security benefits as early as 62, but your monthly checks will then be reduced by about 30 percent from what you’d receive if you waited until your full retirement age, which is likely between 66 and 67. You might also consider other investments that can provide you with a steady income stream. A financial professional can help you choose the income-producing investments that are appropriate for your needs and that fit well with the rest of your portfolio. After you’ve determined that your guaranteed income will be sufficient to meet your essential living expenses, have you eliminated longevity risk? Not necessarily – because “essential” expenses don’t include unexpected costs, of which there may be many, such as costly home maintenance, auto repairs and so on. And during your retirement years, you’ll always need to be aware of health care costs. If you have to dip into your guaranteed income sources to pay for these types of bills, you might increase the risk of outliving your money. To avoid this scenario, you may want to establish a separate fund, possibly containing at least a year’s worth of living expenses, with the money held in cash or cash equivalents. This money won’t grow much, if at all, but it will be there for you when you need it. With careful planning, adequate guaranteed income, a sufficient emergency fund, and enough other investments to handle nonessential costs, you’ll be doing what you can to reduce your own longevity risk. And that may lead to a more enjoyable retirement. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC.

Edward Jones, a Fortune 500 company headquartereed in St. Louis, provides financial services in the U.S. and, through its affiliate, in Canada. Every aspect of the firm’s business, from the investments its financial advisors offer to the location of its branch offices, caters to individual investors. The firm’s 19,000-plus financial advisors serve more than 7 million clients and care for $1.2 trillion in assets under management. Visit our website at edwardjones.com and recruiting website at careers.edwardjones.com. Member SIPC. 72

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SPORTS

Play Ball! Doenges Ford Indians Claim Second at AABC State by Mike Wilt “The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game; it’s part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good and that could be good again.” – Terence Mann (James Earl Jones) in the 1989 film “Field of Dreams.” Baseball has a long and storied history in Bartlesville. In a typical year, the biggest unknown for the manager of the local American Legion baseball team is who will make the roster. Needless to say, 2020 has not been a typical year. “The two big question marks were: are we going to play and, if so, where are we going to play,” said Doenges Ford Indians Manager John Pannell. There have been American Legion baseball teams in Bartlesville since 1941. However, because of COVID-19, the Legion cancelled baseball this year. “So, we joined the American Amateur Baseball Congress,” Pannell said. “It was one of the few organizations sponsoring games.” Next up, where to play. For nearly 90 years, Bill Doenges Memorial Stadium has served as the home field for countless local teams. However, due to the virus and the stadium now being property of Bartlesville Public Schools, the Indians had to find another facility. Oklahoma Wesleyan University coaches graciously offered their field. However, the Indians weren’t there very often. “We usually play about 75 percent of our games at home, but this year we spent most of our time on the road,” Pannell said. Most of the AABC teams in Oklahoma were on the western side of the state. At the time of this writing, the Indians were making their third trip to Enid. The Indians also traveled to Arkansas and Kansas. The time spent traveling to play meant less time to practice. “We didn’t get in as much work as I would’ve liked. Playing most of our games at home allowed us to get in some good practice time before games. But we managed to find ways to get things done on the road.”

Calvin Johnson slides safely into home at the AABC State Tournament.

The Indians also had to find ways to incorporate safety protocols and new ways to carry on old traditions. “I daily checked all of the players’ temperature and we sanitized all of the dugouts. And instead of shaking hands with the other teams at the end of games we all tipped our hats. But at the end of the day, it was still baseball.” Indeed. Everywhere the Indians went, people turned out to watch. Proving that if you play it, they will come. “There were always fans in the stands, and good crowds too… just like normal. Then again, we were providing the only live sporting event in most every town.” But Pannell was also focused on making the summer fun and memorable for his players. “So many former players have told me their years playing summer ball were some of the best years of their lives. I wanted my guys to enjoy playing and become better young men.” A former player himself, Pannell also made sure that some of his athletes were seen by college scouts. One player was offered a scholarship immediately after a game. But it likely will be the sounds, the smells, the fun that the 2020 Indians will remember when they talk about one of the best years of their lives.

AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Glenn Security Local Business Has Been Keeping Community Safe for Decades by Lori Esser Just Since 1974, Glenn Security Systems, Inc. has been known in the community for innovation in security assets and reducing losses for home owners and businesses. They deliver solutions for peace of mind with their top-of-the-line security systems, video surveillance systems, smartphone apps, and remote security from small to large homes, businesses, and government installations. Ron Glenn started Glenn Security Systems, Inc. during his college years at Oklahoma State University after a security business he worked for ceased operations. He took over their small Stillwater customer base and five decades later has grown, relocated to Bartlesville, and expanded services to all of NE Oklahoma and SE Kansas. In 1995, Ron’s wife, Jani, joined the business full-time and has been in charge of accounting and the monitoring services ever since. Ron’s son, Joseph, started working for the family business in 2014 in the central monitoring station, where the alarms are received. He answered calls as alarms came in and worked with dispatching local authorities. After a sales position opened up, he moved into the role of residential sales, where his father taught him about the business’s purpose and goals. “Today, we still offer the same basic home security services such as burglary and fire,” said Joseph Glenn, residential security consultant & director of marketing. “With the advancements of technology, we are installing not only security systems, but also cameras, access control, fire detection, and many other loss prevention technologies for residential and business properties. We even monitor oil field tank batteries and compressor stations for the oil and gas operators, too.” Glenn Security currently employs 18 people. Many of them have been with the company for decades. Originally, their monitoring headquarters was in the basement of the 66 Federal Credit Union building before moving to the former Reda Building. In 2000, they moved their monitoring office to the Price Tower and operations to an old building on Price Road for the next 20 years. As space and growing needs of the company increased, Joseph and his dad started drafting plans to have all the equipment and employees under one roof in a newly-constructed, purpose-built building. In June 2020, Glenn Security proudly relocated to their new location at 3909 Price Road. “The move was something we needed to move forward with,” Joseph said. “We had been in a stage of the business where we were growing out of our current physical dwellings and it just made more sense to bring it all under one roof.” Being locally owned allows them to connect with each customer and the community, added Joseph. He

expressed that customers are not numbers on a spreadsheet, but a professional and personal relationship. “We are a family-run business and really strive as a company to be our own family,” he said. “We have local people who work for us, and we are bringing jobs and money back to Bartlesville, while also delivering a service to people who need it.” The Glenn family has strong roots in Bartlesville. Joseph’s grandfather, his namesake, retired as the Captain of Detectives from the Bartlesville Police Department. He then worked for Phillips Petroleum in corporate security until his retirement. Not through with law enforcement though, he was the Washington County District Attorney’s investigator for a number of years until his final retirement. Joe Glenn was known for his thoroughness and for solving even the toughest cases during his over-50-year career. One of Joe Glenn’s most famous cases came four years following the assassination of John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963. Memorabilia associated with the assassination held a fascination for many, and one such item — the original Oswald tombstone — found its way to Bartlesville. According to a November 21, 2008 Examiner-Enterprise article, in the early morning hours of November 22, 1967, two local teenagers snatched the stone from the cemetery in Fort Worth as a practical joke. Joe, then a Detective Lieutenant with the Bartlesville Police Department, received a tip that the stone was in town and could be retrieved if the two teenagers weren’t prosecuted. Joe made arrangements and set up the exchange that took place in Johnstone Park. The undamaged tombstone was returned to Oswald’s mother, Marguerite, in Dallas. “This was my family’s 15-minute ‘claim to fame’ in the national spotlight,” said Joseph. “Today we are proud to carry on the family tradition of preventing the theft or loss of people’s property.”

“We believe everyone deserves to live and work in a safe and secure environment.” — Ron L. Glenn

To contact Glenn Security Systems, call 918-336-0600 or visit glennsecurity.com. AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

ONCE UPON A TIME

Remembering Grandpa’s Quilts Reminiscing About Time Spent at Grandparent’s House by Rita Thurman Barnes

During the Pandemic, I’ve done a lot of thinking - especially when long summer afternoons roll around. Not a few weekends of my childhood were spent at my grandparents’ house just off Third Street in Bartlesville where I had enough cousins, aunts and uncles to populate a small country. I never lacked for things to do during summer as a child but Grandpa kept a select few of his grandkids busy, including me. He had a shop just outside his house where he did various things including shoe repair. But the activity that occupied most of his time was quilt-making and I never understood why. As I searched for a picture of Grandpa for this story, I hoped I’d find one of his homemade wagon which he built to move things around the yard. I loved that wagon and got to pull it around just for the fun of it – but, Grandpa did business with it. Periodically, he hauled a stack of his and Grandma’s quilts up to the corner of Third and Seminole just west across the street from the Washington School. The building which occupied that corner was a Nazarene Church which at times held rummage or tag sales and where my grandpa sold his and Grandma’s creations. I can remember Grandpa donning his hat and jacket and with me walking alongside the wagon we headed east up Third Street till we reached the old wooden church on the corner. I don’t remember how Grandpa got the quilt-tops up the steep steps but I imagine it was with the help of a member sponsoring the sale. Some of you may recall that the Nazarene Church building was later occupied by the Boys Club of Bartlesville and was used for some time until they also sought more adequate quarters.

Much to my surprise, in hunting for a photo of my grandpa I came across a May 11, 1966 clipping from the front page of the Tulsa World that pictured both of my grandparents holding up one of their quilt-tops. What followed was a story I would never have otherwise known about. Upon reading the article, I discovered that Grandpa was 77 at the time of the interview in which he revealed that he had had a series of strokes 10 years earlier. He further stated his doctor had suggested that he exercise and, other than walking, Grandpa concluded the best exercise he could get was peddling Grandma’s treadle sewing machine and making quilts along with her. They both continued making quilt tops till well into their 80’s and enjoyed it very much. And that’s how I picture them to this day. Today’s Boys’ Club began in 1947 with Mildred Haupt who had organized a group of boys known as the “Candlelighters.” By 1953, the movement had progressed to become the Bartlesville Boys’ Club. Buildings and facilities were purchased at 4th and Seminole and Jo Allyn Lowe was named executive director with Mildred Haupt associate director - positions they held for many years. I grew up to admire the good works of Jo Allyn and Margaret Lowe, the Boys’ Club, and the Nazarene Church and all from the memory of a long ago walk down Third Street with my grandpa - Once Upon a time in Bartlesville . . . AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

MORE INFORMATION jefffesler2020@gmail.com Facebook: Jeff Fesler For Sheriff 2020 78

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COUNTY SHERIFF RACE

Fesler Feels Called to Serve Long-Time County Resident Running for Sheriff by Lori Esser Just Long-time resident of Washington County, Jeff Fesler, is running for Washington County Sheriff. Fesler started his public service career as an EMT with Bartlesville Ambulance Service in the early 1990s, before transitioning into law enforcement as a reserve for the Dewey Police Department. During this time, he was also a dispatcher for the Pawhuska Police Department and later given the opportunity to be a reserve for Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO). “I spent these years growing and learning in this profession under the direction of then-sheriff, Pat Ballard,” he said. “While still a reserve, I was hired as a full-time detention officer and dispatcher, before being promoted to a field deputy position, where I continued my education.” Accepting the position opened up numerous opportunities for additional certifications including D.A.R.E. instructor training, certified firearms instructor and training, and assisting with the C.L.E.E.T. Basic Academy. “My experience with the D.A.R.E. program stirred a desire to further reach young people in a positive manner, to equip them with better decision-making tools,” he said. “Which is why I accepted the offer to spend a few years serving students in the schools full-time, assisting with the implementation of the Every 15 Minutes Drunk Driving Program.” Continuing with education, Fesler became a Field Training Officer and was tasked with teaching deputies how to effectively patrol, interact with the public, and follow policies and procedures of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. “My tenure with the WCSO allowed me the opportunity to learn, grow, and ultimately serve in many areas including dispatch, detention, patrol, civil process, schools, training, and assisting the Drug Task Force,” he said. In 2006, Fesler left to pursue a position with the Bartlesville Fire Department. Over the course of eight years, he gained additional training in Firefighter 1, Hazmat, Wildland Firefighting, and additional first responder training. In 2014, he made the difficult decision to leave the fire department to spend more time with his young family. Shortly thereafter, he purchased Peper Fence Co. “As the owner of a quality and reputable small business in the community, I have garnered the Best of Bartlesville award for Best Fence Company every year,” he added. Throughout his years of public service, Fesler says he has relied on this faith and trust in God to keep him grounded. “I have a passion for serving others and believe in treating people with respect and compassion regardless of circumstances,” he said. Fesler loves that Bartlesville is a small enough town that everyone can be your neighbor, but big enough to attract busi-

nesses and events — making it the perfect place to live and raise a family. He recalls a time when the WCSO went above and beyond to serve the community. He said deputies would help change tires, aide stranded motorists, and were responsive to the needs of the citizens. “Oftentimes, this went beyond the scope of their professional responsibilities, but they did it under the leadership of a serviceminded sheriff,” he said. “One can serve others with compassion and respect while still enforcing the laws. My years of public service in a variety of capacities provide me a unique perspective to help grow the department in this way. I want to restore that public-service mentality to the department.” Although he took some time away from law enforcement to raise his family of four children with his wife of 26 years, Ashley, he is confident in his calling to return. “God is now calling me back to serve the citizens of Washington County,” he said. “If given the opportunity to serve, I will do so with honesty and integrity.” As sheriff, Fesler wants to capitalize on free training offered to the department from outside agencies for personnel to be better equipped and feel confident in serving the community through all situations. He wants to rebuild morale by collaborating with deputies and department personnel to identity and address the causes of the dissension within the department, and allow them to be part of the solution. He wants to foster open and constructive communication with citizens of the community. Lastly, he wants to review jail policies and procedures in an effort to minimize liability and protect detention personnel, inmates, and the citizens of Washington County Early voting is slated August 20-21 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Washington County Court House. Absentee ballots are available now. Election Day is August 25. For more information and questions, visit “Fesler for Sheriff 2020” on Facebook or you can call 918-214-2709. AUGUST 2020 | b Monthly

TRIBUTE

Lisa Johnson Loving Wife & Mom Left Behind a Beautiful Legacy by Rick Johnson I once heard that a life not lived for others is a life not worth living. The joy of giving. The need to make others feel special. The ability to smile and make everybody feel welcome and at home. This was my wife and this was my girls’ mother. Lisa Johnson passed away July 7, 2020 from a rare cancer. A cancer that only impacts less than 1% of cancer patients. The rate of success is based on early detection, surgical resection, and praying for the best. Our chances were not good. She was beautiful, inside and out. If I heard that once I have heard it a thousand times. She modeled in New York in her early years. Stunning, confident, and full of charisma. But her Midwest charm never left her. Lisa lived life. She wasn’t afraid of life, she embraced it. She was happy when everyone else around her was happy. Each day she sat out to make others smile. She had the gift of ease. She could make anybody feel like they were the most important person at that specific moment in time. Her calling came in education. After raising our three daughters to an elementary school age, she went to work. She was hired at Madison Middle School as the school’s registrar and the face of Madison. Most parents and students who were new to the district had to enroll through Lisa. She is the one who made those kids and parents feel like everything would be alright in a completely new environment. She was Momma Johnson to the kids. She could make middle schoolers feel like everything was going to be alright. Not an easy task. She just made it look easy. Lisa was also in charge of the Bruin Athletics gates and basketball hospitality room. Whoever hired her to oversee a hospitality room was brilliant. Her presence oozed hospitality. I liked being there just to watch her. As a life-long basketball coach, I was grateful for a place to be able to eat and take a moment to catch my breath on a Tuesday or Friday nite. Game days were very long days. She understood the importance of making a space that was stressless, lighthearted, and fun. She made it her place and everybody loved it. They loved Lisa.

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Lisa was also a mom to three of her own daughters. Her pride and joy. She loved that all three had completely different personalities. She loved that they were all three independent thinkers. She loved that they chased their dreams and caught them. She encouraged, yet could be honest. She challenged our girls to take on life as an adventure. Her heart was happy when they were happy. Not many couples can work in the same building. We could, and I’m pretty confident that it wasn’t because of me. She was my safe zone. The place where I felt everything was right with the world. I didn’t need anything else — just her. For 30 years, she made our house a home. A place of joy. A place of security. There were many weekends that I just wanted to lock out the world and be with her. She made me a better person. Without a doubt, the most important thing about Lisa was that she was a Godly women of faith. She loved the Lord. She loved to worship Him. Anybody that knew her could feel the love of Christ in her heart. She shared her faith verbally, but most importantly by her walk. Her walk never ever wavered through her journey with cancer. It got stronger. She showed the world who would walk us through this storm. She did it with class and that infectious smile. The story doesn’t end here. One thing I have learned from those that have taught me about the good of life is this: Legacy continues. Lisa’s life and the blessings she created for others will live on. Those she mentored will pass on that love to others. Many she never knew will be blessed by her because of her unselfish and loving spirit. We weep because we hurt. We smile because she loved us.

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