ionOklahoma Magazine October/November 2017

ionok.com

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

Jimmy Webb NATIVE OKLAHOMAN

— ACCLAIMED SONGWRITER —

MedEncentive: “Rewarding Good Health” Bob Funk Express Employment Professionals Founder Annie Oakley Society lnducts Famed Mystery Writer Mary Higgins Clark

ROCK THE BLOCK Benefit event sponsored

by Dolese

Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Award Ceremony

Science Museum Oklahoma: Ray Harryhauser Exhibit

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publisher : Don Swift assistant : Joni Yeager editor : Tim Farley editiorial assistant : Darian Woolbright videographer : Jeremy Gossett director of photography : Michael Downes web site developer : Patrick Moore with Set Sail Media web site developer : Nina Jones, Data Design Inc. illustration : Rosemary Burke graphic design : Wendy Mills Advertising Sales Tina Layman

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The Oklahoma Hall of Fame believes there are no limits to what is possible.

Every day we celebrate the legacy of inspiring Oklahomans with all generations because Oklahomans are changing the world!

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Contributors fashion : Linda Miller art : Joy Reed Belt people : Peggy Gandy entertainment : Heide Brandes social issues : Robbie Robertson community : Lauren Wright contributing writer : Greg Horton contributing writer : M.A. Smith contributing writer : Mindy Wood contributing writer : Julie York

The Hot Club of San Francisco presents

Cinema Vivant Thursday

November 16 7:30 PM Tickets: $15–$29 Presenting Sponsor:

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Contents COVER STORY

12

Jimmy Webb: America’s Composer

EXHIBITS

22

Science Museum Oklahoma Exhibit: Ray Harryhausen

by Randy Reagor

EVENTS

26 82

Why Not? 2nd Annual Comedy Show Redbud Classic gears up for 2018

by Bud Elder

ART

30

SHOPPING

32

Suzanne Mears

by Tim Farley

Holiday Fashion: Dressing up in velvet, shine and bold color

by Linda Miller

49

Museum Retrospective Honors Jerome Tiger’s Life and Art

by M. J. Van Deventer

36

Holiday gift Ideas: Start shopping now

by Linda Miller

EDUCATION

66 26

A Retrospective: MAPS for Kids, lawsuit has common denominator

by John Thompson

REVIEW

68

‘Some Form of Grace’ book launch: Oklahoma author Dee Dee Chumley sheds light on ex-prisoners, their obstacles

by Michelle Watts

LEADERSHIP

73

Leading is a Lifestyle

by Garland McWatters

8 ionOklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

62

PEOPLE

22

18

by Tim Farley, News Editor

38 46

BUSINESS

44

OETA Board of Directors Names Polly Anderson as Executive Director

62 78

Benefit event rocked the block

Next Gen Under 30 Award Honorees Annie Oakley Society lnducts Famed Mystery Writer Mary Higgins Clark

by M. J. Van Deventer

52 58

Counter Measures for the Modern Kitchen

Bob Funk: Express Employment Professionals

Crawfords’ Mission to Sierra Leone Keep Oklahoma Beautiful

by Bekki Hopson

SPORTS

64

36

OKC Thunder 2017-2018 Schedule

78

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 9

Publisher’s Note Welcome to ion Oklahoma Magazine, one of Oklahoma’s fastest growing online digital

“Like” us on facebook facebook.com/pages/ IonOklahoma-Online

follow us on twitter @IonOklahoma

lifestyle magazines and news-entertainment websites.

I am excited to report www.ionok.com website is experiencing double digit growth in unique visits, total visits, and total page views during the past 12 months when compared to the same 12 month previous time period. Google analytics reports are showing over 79,876 unique visits, 128,445 visits, and 365,128 page views during the past 12 months.

At ion Oklahoma we sponsored the 7th NextGen Under 30 Oklahoma annual award ceremony on October 20, 2017. In 2017 we honored 189 very talented young adult Oklahomans from 156 companies and organizations located statewide in 91 unique zip codes. The 2018 nominations will go live again on February 1, 2018 and will end August 1, 2018. In 2017 we documented receiving over 850 nominations in 15 different career categories and from those applications the community leader judges selected the top 189. All others received an honorary mention and were encouraged to apply again in 2018.

The 90th Oklahoma Hall of Fame Banquet & Introduction Ceremony will be held on November 16, 2017 at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City. There have 689 Oklahomans who have been inducted Into the Hall of Fame since 1928 and in 2017 there will an additional very accomplished Oklahomans who will be joining that list.

The October November printed edition of ion Oklahoma Online is covering certain events, people, and entertainment that best represent a glimpse of the quality affordable lifestyle we all as Oklahomans enjoy. As a state Oklahoma is no different than many states in the US that are experiencing many challenges and problems. However, with that being said, many Oklahomans are encouraged there are solutions to these problems and are fixable under the right leadership in state government. 2018 is going to be an interesting year with many people voicing their ideas, opinions, and focused on solutions to our states problems.

I would like to extend our gratitude to our loyal followers and let you know how much we enjoy covering many of the more positive stories in Oklahoma that very seldom are reported by the media. Please let us hear from you.

Sincerely, Don Swift Publisher, ion Oklahoma Magazine

10 ionOklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

Cu ltural Cultural Progr Programs rogr rams

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The Hot Club of San Francisco-Cinema Vivant Thursday, November 16, 2017 • 7:30 PM

Do You Speak Djembé?

Thursday, February 1, 2018 • 7:30 PM

Cirque Éloize Saloon

Thursday, February 22, 2018 • 7:30 PM

Lonesome Traveler: The Concert (with Special Guest Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul & Mary) Thursday, March 29, 2018 • 7:30 PM

RIOULT Dance NY

Thursday, April 19, 2018 • 7:30 PM

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Tuesday, May 1, 2018 • 7:30 PM

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Jimmy Webb NATIVE OKLAHOMAN

— ACCLAIMED SONGWRITER —

s ’ a c i r e m A

COMPOSER

COVER

BY BUD ELDER

S

wirling through the mists of time, it is not difficult to find yourself once again riding shotgun in your parents’ car and fighting for supervision of the radio dial; if you’re on any central Oklahoma thoroughfare, you’re probably switching back and forth between WKY and KOMA on your AM dial.

As you’re riding along, about every fourth or fifth song, your father or mother or both stop the ongoing lecture regarding what a lout you’re liable to become by pointing out that this song, and that one, and yet another playing on the radio was written by a particular Oklahoman. Someone with the same heritage as you, the same background, the same sensibilities. And what started out as an eternal harangue about your grades, your hair and your room would almost turn optimistic. “Maybe there’s hope for you after all,” it would be said, “Jimmy Webb is from Oklahoma, and look how HE turned out!”

12 ionOklahoma

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

To be from the same locale as Jimmy Webb offers both a blessing and a curse to musicians or anyone wishing to become famous. Certainly any born-and-bred citizen of the Sooner State who has the opportunity to take a bow on the international stage should inspire the pants off those who dream for such things.

However, there are few people in the universe, much less from Oklahoma, who will enjoy more than 50 years in the music business, while possessing an almost unlimited reservoir of talent from which some of the greatest popular songs of an entire generation were spawned. So, while you might have the opportunity to achieve any dream you wish, talent like Jimmy Webb’s is once in a lifetime.

A portrait of Webb cannot be of the “point-and-shoot” variety. So, please forgive this helpless haze we’re in – you won’t be discovering here whether or not he needs us more than wants us, the soggy state of that blasted cake, or whether or not he’ll be back again, and again and again.

Webb is the only artist to receive Grammy awards for music, lyrics and orchestration. He is a member of the National Academy of Popular Music Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame; and, according to BMI, his “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” has been the third most performed song in the last 50 years, with “Up, Up and Away in the top 30 on the same list. Webb’s “Wichita Lineman” was named, by Blender magazine, as the “Greatest Song Ever.”

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 13

Webb performs a concert in Helsinki.

HERE ARE MORE OF HIS SONGS, instant classics all – “Galveston,” “Where’s the Playground Susie?”

“MacArthur Park,” “All I Know,” “Didn’t We” and “The Highwayman.” These songs were recorded and, since their original release, continually played – sung by artists ranging from Glen Campbell to Richard Harris, The Fifth Dimension, Michael Feinstein, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra.

Bridging the gap between practitioners of the early American songbook, such as George Gershwin, Irving Berlin and Richard Rodgers, Brill-Building stylists such as Burt Bacharach (a particular Webb hero) and the later singer/songwriters of the ’70s such as James Taylor, Carole King, Neil Sedaka and Elton John, Webb conquered a very interesting musical interlude in American culture.

“Ours is not a business that particularly lends itself to generosity,” he recently said. “A lot of people were very friendly, but quite a few were a bit standoffish. There 14 ionOklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

has never really been a tradition of nurturing young songwriters, and the tougher things get, the less willing people are to give up their time and songwriting secrets.”

And what of today’s music, according to Jimmy Webb?

“Nashville is probably the last bastion of music, the citadel of the craft, where it’s still important,” he said.

“Techniques here are still taught and passed down from generation to generation. There are youngsters working in the business today who have no idea how songs traditionally were constructed. The DNA is not there.”

This past year has seen Webb’s name in the news, both in triumph and tragedy.

IN APRIL, 2017 ST. MARTIN’S PUBLISHED “The Cake and the Rain,” less of an autobiography by Webb than a memoir.

“Once I got into the stride of writing, I really enjoyed the process, Webb said. “It was edifying, an epiphany, in a way to be able to write pages and pages.”

And while “The Cake and the Rain” evokes the creative fervor of an extraordinary time and place – southern California in the 1960s and 70s, it is also a no holds barred exploration of all who Jimmy Webb was and is.

“At that time, the California dream was both dizzying and confusing – good energy was flowing my way as well as bad energy,” he said. “I made some mistakes and I don’t duck anything in the book. I made up my mind when I decided to write ‘The Cake and the Rain’ that I would tell the truth about myself.”

Goodness, does he tell the truth.

For instance, he writes about an unfortunate drug reaction he once had with Harry Nillson.

“I saw creatures with blue faces, deformed and sinister. ‘We have you where we want you,’ they said. “They were so happy they’d taken me down. I was not a religious guy. I had overdosed on the dogma of the Southern Baptist Church; a jaded and secret agnostic by the age of 12. However, these ghouls were a real threat to my soul and my mental state. I invoked God and they howled in disappointment.”

Webb also takes readers through a who’s-who of music business royalty, from the Beatles onward. And even Frank Sinatra.

“A great man who lived a very colorful life and was the greatest star in the history of entertainment and the greatest interpreter of the American songbook,” Webb said. “He laid the groundwork for my career, and I enjoyed over 20 years as his friend. After each meeting I had with him, I would come home and write down every word he said.”

Reviews were ecstatic.

Ken Spooner, writing in Elmore Magazine, penned, “This book is beautifully and abundantly iced with stories that allowed Webb to sculpt the most deeply moving tunes of our time. For those who want a good – and sometimes incredible – story of muses, merriment, melancholy and melodrama, this is your book.”

In celebration of the book’s publishing, “A Celebration of the Music of Jimmy Webb” was held at Carnegie Hall May 3, 2017, with guest performances by Toby Keith, Hanson, Judy Collins, Billy Davis Jr and Marilyn McCoo, Michael Feinstein, B.J. Thomas and Dwight Yoakam, among others. The event was held as a benefit for the Alzheimer’s Association and the I’ll Be Me Foundation.

And we all know why.

Webb and Glen Campbell made the poem rhyme.

“Glen was the greatest natural born musician I’ve

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 15

Above: A performance promo shot from Down Under.

Left: Bio pic.

I am full of grief. I am writing because I think you deserve some sort of message from me but I am too upset to write very well or at any great length. It’s like waking up in the morning in some Kafkaesque nightmare novella and finding out that half of you is missing.” ever worked with and will be remembered very kindly,” he said. “If he was ever walking down the road and kicked a can, he could turn that sound into a musical instrument.”

Campbell died at the age of 81 on August 8, 2017. His recordings of Webb’s songs represent perhaps the greatest songwriter/singer relationships in the history of American music.

Upon Campbell’s death, Webb published a blissful and devastating portrait of the entertainer. For the complete version, find Webb’s Facebook page, but here is a snapshot:

When writing a piece on Webb, especially one published within the state’s borders, this should be mentioned – the singer/songwriter is one terrific Oklahoman.

“Jimmy Webb never turns his state down,” said Lee Allan Smith, president of Oklahoma Events.

Smith mentions that, over the years, Webb has written “Cowboy Hall of Fame,” in honor of the facility, “Going for It,” for the 1989 Olympic Festival and, along with Vince Gill, “Oklahoma Rising,” for the Oklahoma Centennial.

“Jimmy also performed during Oklahoma’s Diamond Jubilee, the

16 ionOklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

dedication of the Oklahoma State Capitol Dome and the Centennial Spectacular,” Smith said.

Smith hosted an unveiling of Webb’s portrait at the Oklahoma Heritage Association Gaylord-Pickens Museum. For Webb’s induction into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1999, Governor Brad Henry named November 15 as “Jimmy Webb Day” in Oklahoma, “celebrating the life and accomplishments of this native son.”

Webb currently lives on the east coast with his wife, Laura Savini, vice president at WLIW in New York. He tours constantly and plays all over the country and, because he’s Jimmy Webb, he also performs in his home state loud, long and often.

So, we leave Jimmy Webb a contented artist who has earned the rare combination of respect and love, his music a constant rhythm that passes through our lives. In short, when all is said and done, Jimmy Webb did, in fact, make the pieces fit. n

PEOPLE

Bob Funk, founder and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals

Still on the job helping others

BY TIM FARLEY News Editor

F

rom all appearances, business tycoon and Oklahoma rancher Bob Funk doesn’t worry too much these days about paying the electric bill or buying medicine.

Outsiders would believe the founder and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals sits atop a financial gold mine that won’t shut down any time soon. His success is almost unmatched, but the chance to achieve a lofty status in the global business world almost didn’t happen.

But after 35 years in the temporary staffing industry, Funk’s work isn’t over. The company hired 550,000 people last year, but the CEO’s goal is to put a whopping one million Americans to work.

Funk, with his Oklahoma cowboy work ethic, isn’t slowing down. In addition to executive decisions that await him on a daily basis, Funk, 77, is interviewed regularly by national publications and news outlets that produce stories about jobs, hiring practices and unemployment rates. Funk is valued for his expertise in the temporary staffing industry and his keen insights into the global business market. In his executive role at Express, Funk provides the kind of insight only he can after 35 years of helping people find jobs.

But as he recently said in a one-on-one interview at the Express International headquarters in Oklahoma City, his success and that of his company was one decision away from never occurring.

“We started this company in a bust during the fall of 1982 and you know what happened then,” he said, referring to the Penn Square Bank collapse and the beginning of a major fi-

nancial crisis that shook the foundation of large-scale financial institutions and oil companies.

“Unemployment was 14 percent and interest rates were 20 percent and I had $5,000 to my name,” Funk said.

Looking for help, Funk turned to Paul Springfield at Rolling Hills State Bank in Piedmont. Springfield approved a business loan for $150,000. From there, Funk and Express Personnel – as it was known then – took off.

“If not for them (Rolling Hills State Bank), we wouldn’t be in existence,” the Express CEO said.

Thirty-five years later, Express is the nation’s No. 1 temporary staffing company for light industrial and office services and the 12th largest for professional services. Funk also boasts that 62 percent of the temporary workers placed by Express end up being hired to stay full-time.

“We have 860 open positions we’re trying to fill right now,” Funk said, making direct references to the shortage of workers in information technology, welding, human resources, customer service and computer numerically controlled (CNC) operators.

At that point, Funk became critical of public schools that fail to teach students much-needed “soft skills,” otherwise known as relationship development. A brochure Express distributes summarizes a recent survey of employers. In order, the survey found the top traits employers want in employees are good attitude, work ethic/integrity, communication, culture fit and critical thinking.

“We’re so computer oriented they (students) haven’t built relationships with people and they don’t know how to relate,” OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 19

Express Employment Professionals headquarters in Oklahoma CIty.

he said. “But those who have good people skills will get the better jobs.”

HIGH SCHOOLS AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS need to place more focus on preparing students for the workforce, Funk said.

“They need to do a better job giving these students direction for their lives,” he said. “Teachers say you have to make it exciting and not just teach math or science.”

At the same time, Funk praised Oklahoma’s CareerTech system for doing an “incredible job” training students in various blue-collar and white-collar fields.

“The reason they’re doing such a good job is when industry calls they respond,” he said. “Canadian Valley (Technology Center) met with three major companies this week. They (Canadian Valley) are flexible enough to put together programs for these companies in as little as four weeks.

Halliburton is hiring now and the technology center is designing a new program for them.”

20 ionOklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

Still, the workforce must take advantage of the experience and collected wisdom of older Americans who can contribute to a company’s success, Funk said.

“Experience is more important than education. Good skill outweighs education level. We would take an over-skilled worker than an over-educated person. Older workers can outproduce the younger ones working only three to four days a week. I’m 77 so I’m not going to discriminate against someone 58 or older,” he said, with a smile.

Funk doesn’t back down from his old-fashioned values when talking about social welfare programs and the role they play in unemployment rates.

“The challenge we face is people have to have the ambition to work. Social benefits are too high,” he said. “Some states have cut off disability, which creates lower unemployment.”

Funk told the story of a California man who received $81,000 annually in welfare and other social benefits.

“That man said he couldn’t afford to come off welfare,

the Dodd-Frank Act, which is fully known as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Dodd-Frank is a federal law that places regulation of the financial industry in the hands of the government. Dodd-Frank was passed

by Congress in 2010 and signed by President Obama in reCOMMUNITIES AND STATES THAT EMPHASIzE JOBS and job sponse to the financial crisis of 2007 and 2008. Other federal training for the unemployed also benefit from better public regulations that should be rescinded currently require banks images and significant reductions in crime, Funk said. to maintain anywhere from 12 to 14 percent equity.

The Express founder and CEO also has confidence in Presi“You have all this cash sitting in dent Donald Trump and his vision for banks that can’t be loaned out,” Funk creating more jobs in the U.S. said. “If banks were able to use that “He is on track with keeping more money, it would benefit small busijobs at home,” Funk said. “If you think nesses and allow them to hire more we’re just an Oklahoma economy, people.” we’re not. We’re a global economy. The The employers Express deals with reason companies go overseas is are small and medium-size firms wages. In countries like China, with fewer than 250 employees. Since Bangladesh and Mexico, workers starting Express in 1982, the commake $3 a day. Here, workers are pany has helped 6.5 million people earning $57 an hour. You see the diffind work. ference?”

However, the relationship between However, Funk doesn’t hold high employer and employee begins with wages against the American working the job seeker. class. Instead, he believes companies “There is a job for every person and should settle for less profit so Ameria person for every job. The key is are cans can continue to be employed. He you going to put forth the effort to promotes the notions that businesses find that job where you have the upwhich stay in the U.S. have little, if ward mobility,” Funk said. “A lot of any, shipping costs and parts are Bob Funk. CEO Express Employment Professionals people are not willing to go knock on easier to obtain. enough doors. You have to knock on doors on a weekly basis to Funk told the story about a project at his Yukon-based Exfind that right opportunity. Some people don’t want to make press Ranches and the need for one small part. that commitment.”

“We’re told the part is coming from China and it will be Funk also promotes the idea that people should work at a three weeks,” he said. “If those parts were made here, it could company where they’ll enjoy the work, even if the pay isn’t be here overnight.” what they want at the time.

“It should be about the quality of the company you work DESPITE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS that exist, Funk – who obfor,” he said. “When I first started years ago, I was making tained his college degree in theology – remains the eternal $375 a month and others were making $1,000 a month, but I optimist.

“We have a great future here in Oklahoma the next three to enjoyed what I did.” four years. And, if Trump will do what he says he can do we Funk’s Oklahoma City office, filled with gorgeous photowill have a great future (nationwide).” graphs and years of mementos, is a reminder that he’s still on Funk is an advocate for rescinding some restrictions from the job and working to help others – and enjoying it. n which is part of the problem with putting people to work again,” he said. “The higher the social benefits, the harder it is to come off the rolls. The best social program out there is a job.”

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 21

EXHIBITS

“Some people say Casablanca or Citizen Kane. I say Jason and the Argonauts is the greatest film ever made.”

—Tom Hanks, when he awarded an Oscar to special effects titan Ray Harryhausen in 1992.

22 ion Oklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

SCIENCE MUSEUM OKLAHOMA EXHIBIT:

RAY HARRYHAUSEN

BY RANDY REAGOR

H

arryhausen and I have a history. Back in 2001, when my son Hunt was 5, he watched Jason and the Argonauts for the first time, and he was so impressed he started asking me how it was made. When I told him about Harryhausen I mistakenly told him he was still alive, and Hunt told me I should get in touch with him (I’m not saying I’m a great father, but after we saw The Rookie a couple years later, at my son’s insistence, I seriously considered going to spring training at the spry age of 44).

Well, why not? We had the internet back then, so I gave it a shot-in fact, I managed to get in

touch with one of his assistants in the United Kingdom (that’s where he was living then) who said Ray wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t come to the phone. I raced home from the office that day and told my son, but that was the closest I came to talking to him.

Regrettably, when Hunt first told me the only place in the U. S. that was going to have his exhibit was the Science Museum Oklahoma I didn’t get that excited, mainly because we live about 1200 miles from Oklahoma City. Big mistake, since we’ve celebrated his birthday every year since his passing in 2012. However, now that I’ve seen it, if I wasn’t initially filled with alacrity, you should be. I could throw some technical stuff at you to try to convince to check it out, but all I can say is its cool. Really cool.

Randy and his son Hunt visit the Science Museum.

Right: Jason and the Argonauts

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 23

Hunt Reagor and his dad, Randy, explore the exhibit of Ray Harryhausen’s

Don’t believe me? Ask Peter Jackson, George Lucas, Tim Burton, and several other Hollywood icons who are quoted at the exhibit, basically saying without him they probably wouldn’t have gotten into filmmaking. Most special effects these days are made via CGI (computer generated imagery), but in 1941 when Harryhausen got started there was none of that, obviously, so he perfected the art of “stopmotion photography.” Created by Willis O’Brien, it was his work in the original version of King Kong that inspired Harryhausen to start doing it after he saw the film at the age of 13 (the two of them ended up working together in the 1949 version of Mighty Joe Young).

In a nutshell, here’s how show stop-motion works—you make a little model of a dinosaur, person, or whatever, you move their appendages a few inches, shoot a frame, repeat the process many times (sometimes thousands depending on the scene), then when you run the film the model appears to be moving. Cartoons are made pretty much 24 ionOklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

the same way, which is why Harryhausen coined the term “Dynamation” to separate himself from that genre. When I was a kid in 1969 I saw The Valley of the Gwangi and wondered why the Allosaurus only gnawed on two guys, but now I now I know why—a five minute scene with Dynamation takes several months to make.

That’s one of the main reasons why Harryhausen is so revered—Jackson and many of his peers appreciate his hard work, and this is conveyed at the exhibit, which features five of his films—Jason and the Argonauts, The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad, The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger, and Clash of the Titans. The museum has approximately 150 items used in the making of the films, including actual models and original storyboards, along with continuous loops about each movie—in fact, I noticed in a clip from the Golden Voyage a scene that Jackson obviously copied in his remake of King Kong.

It’s not just the hard work that people in the

movie industry appreciate but the distinctiveness of it—it has a dreamlike quality to it. Harryhausen once said “if you make things too real, sometimes you bring it down to the mundane.” He didn’t care about realism, which many people don’t get today with the proliferation of reality TV shows.

Obviously, we get it. I remember seeing The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms at age 7, when I was 10-years old I knew his name, and I’ve seen all his films, many more than once. My son? Well, he’s currently minoring in filmmaking, plans to go to film school next year, and has written several screenplays. Having said all this, I realized the night before we visited the exhibit that we had forgotten to celebrate his birthday. How could we?

So, with as much pomp as two people can muster, from a restaurant in Edmond, I offered a toast…Mr. Harryhausen, thanks for making our lives much better, and for solidifying what Hunt has heard from his old man more than once: just because something is newer doesn’t mean its better. n

For more information about Science Oklahoma Museum go to: www.sciencemuseumok.org. If you’re looking for a place to stay contact The Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau at: www.visitokc.com or The Edmond Convention & Visitors Bureau at: www.visitedmondok.com

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 25

SPORTS

LAYUPS2STANDUPPRESENTS: O C T O B E R 13, 2 0 1 7 DEMETRIUS DEASON F O U N D E R A N D C E O, L A Y U P S 2 S T A N D U P 2ND ANNUAL COMEDY SHOW I N O K LA H O MA C ITY Layups2Standup (L2SU) is an

Founder and CEO, Demetrius “Juice� Deason, began

innovative brand that channels the love for basketball and comedy to create a variety of events for communities. They aspire to use creative humor to motivate people to transition their failures into success.

the company in 2013 after suffering a career-ending injury playing college basketball.

Deason utilized his adept comedic nature and passion for basketball to provide entertainment and inspiration for others.

Deason aims to use L2SU to provide comedy shows, basketball leagues, and charity events in order to build a platform for comedians and athletes while fueling inner-cities with positivity and encouraging the youth to chase their dreams.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 27

This event gives fans and the city the opportunity to celebrate the beginning of Russell Westbrook and the OKC Thunder's new season. A portion of the proceeds made from the show will be given to local community organizations to help make a difference in Oklahoma City.

28 ion Oklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

ON THE SCENE AT THE TOWER THEATRE

ART

SUZANNE MEARS

BY TIM FARLEY

Suzanne Mears Photo by Leigh Howell Love

L

ife for Oklahoma City artist Suzanne Mears couldn’t be better.

Everywhere she goes people want her artwork.

Whether it’s clay, glass-fired pieces from the kiln or her paintings, fans are clamoring for more.

Earlier this year, Mears participated in the annual “Painting in the Courtyard” at Howell Gallery in Oklahoma City. She labeled the event a “monumental success.” Of course, it was.

The event drew a mob scene of 250-plus people who were treated to magnificent artwork and wine.

“They get to meet the artists and get to see the work being done live,” Mears said.

30 ion Oklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

This year, Mears ventured into a demonstration of clay sculptures, which is something she hadn’t worked on in 18 years.

“I chose a spot in the courtyard where it was windy and hot.

Everybody else went inside with the wine and AC, but some of us stuck it out until the bitter end. I could not have wanted a more successful event than they’ve had,” she said.

During previous events, Mears would bring glass pieces and showcase them.

“This year, it was very wonderful to do the clay,” she said.

The gallery, located at 6432 N. Western, has been in its current location for about 20 years. Mears speaks highly of the gallery and its owner.

Left to right:Elk Valley, oil and gold powders on canvas; Summer Samuri; work close-up; Seafarer.

“It’s absolutely magnificent and could be placed in any major city in the world.

They have paintings, sculptures, clay and metal bronze and jewelry but it’s not all jammed in there,” Mears said.

As a longtime artist, Mears knows about art galleries. She recently returned from Santa Fe, New Mexico, where gallery space is expensive and galleries are jammed with artwork. As Mears put it, the artwork isn’t allowed to breathe.

“I like space around my art,” she said.

Reflecting on the “Painting in the Courtyard” event, Mears labeled her interaction with guests as “really, really great.”

Mears put together a clay mask, which prompted one young girl to try her hand at making one. Mears said she enjoys working with people who have aspirations to become an artist.

She can provide young artists with plenty of tips and advice. Right now, Mears’ career is “going very well.”

Her artwork is in galleries in California, Mexico, Santa Fe, Oklahoma City,

Guthrie and Tulsa. Lately, Mears has been working on Raku art and providing demonstrations.

Raku ware is a type of Japanese pottery traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies, most often in the form of chawan tea bowls. It is traditionally characterized by being hand-shaped rather than thrown; fairly porous vessels, which result from low firing temperatures; lead glazes and the removal of pieces from the kiln while still glowing hot. n

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 31

SHOPPING

n o i h s a F y a d i l o H

t Dressing up in velvet, shine and bold color

BY LINDA MILLER

HOLIDAY FASHION SHOWS Holidays are fast approaching and along with shopping, decorating and wrapping often comes a round of parties, get-togethers, open houses and come-and-go events.

Whether it’s a blow-out New Year’s Eve party or an intimate gathering with family, it all comes down to the same question:

What to wear?

Holiday fashion choices are plentiful, from velvet jackets that look good with dark denim jeans

Theory pink velvet jacket, CK & Co.

Derek Lam tiered ruffle sweater, CK & Co.

or crepe pants to black sheath dresses that ďŹ t the bill any time of the year. Standouts include lace and tiered styles; shine and sequins; velvet in burn-outs and rich jewel tones; ballgowns; bold color; vintage and deco-inspired styles with beading and embroidery; crepe little black dresses; and jumpsuits. n

Top: Worth New York blue cocktail dress, Middle: Worth New York fringe collar cut-away top with mesh dot skirt, Bottom: Worth New York burn-out dot sheer maxi dress.

All from from Cindi Shelby, 333 W Wilshire, Suite F.

Rachel Zoe open-back bow detail sequin mini dress, CK & Co.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 33

SHOPPING

HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS Why wait? Start shopping now

BY LINDA MILLER

A good read. Know someone who’s new to the state or is interested in learning more about it? Consider a subscription to Oklahoma Today magazine. Since 1956, the award-winning magazine has been chronicling Oklahoma people, places, travel, history, culture, food and outdoors. For a subscription, go to oklahomatoday.com.

One-year subscription is $24.95. Digital edition, $12.99.

Good hair days ahead. Amika offers three times the punch with two different gift sets. Amika Fame includes Perk Up Dry Shampoo, Un Done Texture Spray and Silken Up Dry Conditioner. No Sleep Till Brooklyn includes Perk Up Dry Shampoo, Touchable Hair Spray and Bombshell Blow Out Spray. The products are formulated with naturally derived and scented ingredients for gorgeous locks with minimal effort. And the colorful packaging will make you smile. $54 at The MakeUp Bar.

36 ion Oklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

Ask Alexa. Amazon’s new second-generation Echo has improved sound, powered by Dolby, and a new design. Echo connects to Alexa, a cloud-based voice service, to play music, make calls, set alarms and timers, ask questions, check your calendar, weather, traffic, sports scores and much more. Prices range from $99.99 to $119.99, depending on the cover, at Amazon.com.

Say cheese. Instant cameras are back. This Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 camera uses film packs for instant photos. It also has auto flash, auto focus, a selfie mirror and a Macro lens attachment. One reminder: Don’t forget to include two or three film packs. Everyone will want to get in on the action. There’s just something special about holding a photo in your hand. Or putting it on the refrigerator. $69.99 at Target.

One size fits all. This Priscilla bracelet by Tulsa-based Rustic Cuff is made with mosaic beads and alternating gold stainless steel beads with a gold RC logo. Comes in different color combinations, and the elasticized band fits most wrist sizes. Shopping doesn’t get any easier. $42 at Rustic Cuff stores at Classen Curve and Edmond, as well as online at rusticcuff.com. Plenty of other styles, including leather and metal, are available, too. n

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 37

PEOPLE 187 OKLAHOMANS TO RECEIVE 2017 NEXTGEN UNDER 30 AWARD Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate leadership and service to their communities LEADERS

OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 21, 2017) – More than 180 Oklahomans 30 years old or younger are being recognized for their professional leadership and extensive service to their communities.

The 2017 NextGen Under 30 Oklahoma Awards selected these individuals through a highly competitive application process.

Chosen recipients represent more than 150 companies across Oklahoma.

The winners were honored at an awards ceremony at The Embassy Suites in Norman on Friday, Oct. 20 with a reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by an awards presentation and dinner at 7 p.m. Former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating will serve as the keynote speaker.

The 2017 NextGen Under 30 Oklahoma Awards is a statewide program honoring talented, high-achieving Millennial leaders. To recognize the growing influence of young professionals in Oklahoma, program founder ionOklahoma Magazine updated the nomination categories this year to better recognize the impact these young leaders are making in many career sectors.

“Today, Millennial professionals are a huge part of Oklahoma’s businesses, arts, media, technology, policy and non-profit communities,” said Don Swift, publisher of ionOklahoma Online and driving force behind the NextGen Under 30 Oklahoma Awards. “By the year 2020, they are projected to make up nearly half of the workplace, so we decided our awards should better reflect their prominence in these sectors.”

The 16 categories include arts, education, higher education, energy and transportation, finance, healthcare, hospitality, law, manufacturing/industry/the trades/agriculture, marketing/ advertising, media/public relations, non-profit, policy and public 38 ion Oklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

Left to right: Don Swift, Lauren Sickels, Chancellor Glen Johnson, Lt Gov Todd Lamb, Marion Paden, Brenda Jones Barwick, Bob Funk, Jr.

service, retail and e-commerce, science/technology/engineering and sports/fitness.

“With these new categories and nomination opportunities, NextGen Under 30 Oklahoma aims to support retention of millennial professionals in Oklahoma by recognizing outstanding achievements among the state’s best and brightest,” said Swift.

For more information and a complete list of honorees, visit http://nextgenunder30.com/award-winners/. For more information about ionOklahoma, visit http://www.ionok.com/.

2017 NextGen Under 30 Complete List of Winners The Arts Victor Acosta, El Nacional Media Group Jennifer Boyd, 108|Contemporary Gabriel Cannon, Chickasaw Nation Laura Cunningham, Allied Arts Courtney Dawson, OKC Broadway Trey DeLonais, Citizen Potawatomi Nation Jacy Gentry, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum zachary Gozlan, Allied Arts Karalee Hirst, JRB Art At The Elms Angelica Pereira, Oklahoma City Philharmonic Kellie Reynolds, Chickasaw Nation Emily Smart, Norman Firehouse Art Center

Education K-12 Danielle Adams, Casady School Anissa Angier, Edmond Public Schools Joshua Bullock, Citizen Potawatomi Nation Karl Francel, Olympia Prep Catie Hamilton, Chickasaw Nation Samantha Kobs, Heritage Hall McKayla Plett, Seminole Public Schools Rae Ross, Jenks Public Schools

Channing Seikel, Citizen Potawatomi Nation Steven Stefanick, Harding Charter Preparatory High School Dylan Sullivan, Heritage Hall

Education College/Adult Nataly Barillas, Mid-America Christian University Matthew Cancio, The University of Oklahoma Nicole Doherty, University of Central Oklahoma Terri Link, Langston University Alyssa Loveless, Rose State College Frances Mooney, Univeristy of Central Oklahoma Marina Rodriguez, Oklahoma City Community College Jared Scism, University of Central Oklahoma Lauren Sickels, Paycom Jonathan Solomon, Oklahoma Baptist University Courtney Tisdale, Metro Technology Centers Rantz Trayler, Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Energy & Transportation Chance Bland, Devon Energy Prod Co Lp Sarah Grose, White Star Petroleum Josh Jarrett, Devon Energy Grayson Niemeyer, Continental Resources OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 39

2017 NextGen Under 30 Winners continued Ramsey Payne, Clearwater Enterprises LLC Bailee Spear, Devon Energy Becca Sullivan, Devon Energy Rickey Vick, Echo Energy

Finance Jentry Anderson, Stan Johnson Company Matthew Jaeton Cary, Heartland Payment Systems Logon Collins, Bank of Oklahoma Rachel Colvin, Cornerstone Home Lending Madilynn Dobson, Citizens Bank of Edmond Sierra Eberle, Arvest Bank Morgan Gould, Great Plains Technology Center Ladye Hobson, First Liberty Bank Taylor Hutto, Bank of America Brett James, Edward Jones Matt Longacre, Frates Insurance & Risk Management Meredith Massey, Kimray Inc. Jaime Ortiz, Arvest Bank Maegan Plante, PLICO / MedPro Group Deborah Ripley, the Chickasaw Nation Ryan Russ, Ryan Russ State Farm Jacob Williams, First United Bank Richard Young, Arvest Bank

Healthcare MaKenley Barton, Cherokee Nation- W.W. Hastings Hospital Danica Brown, Oklahoma City Indian Clinic Casey Butler, OU Health Sciences Center Madison Carey, Cherokee Nation Businesses Bailee Cartwright, Faith Hospice of Oklahoma

Rebecca Cox, Bright Eyes Family Services Keeli Duncan, Northeastern Health System Christian Dunsworth, The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center Ana Garcia, Integris Medical Group Majed Gharfeh, Mercy Medical Center Lindsay Grell, OU Medical Center Kristen Helmstetter, Bausch and Lomb Amber Lane, Integris Baptist Hospital Manisha Patel, Teera Chiropractic & Acupuncture Michelle Rodriguez, Saint Anthony Hospital/ United Nations Association OKC Erin Smith, Pharmacy Providers of Oklahoma Angela Surratt, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences Tiffany Turner, Swallowing and Neurological Rehabilitation, LLC

Hospitality Jillian Bishop, Oklahoma Restaurant Association Rachelle Chibitty, Goodness Coffee Shop Emily Conrad, SONIC, America’s Drive-In Ashley Daniel, SONIC, America’s Drive-In Ricardo Lopez, Mama Rita’s Mexican Kitchen Erin McDaniel, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Jessica Pontious, SONIC, America’s Drive-In

Law Stuart Ashworth, Holden & Carr James J. Biscone, Johnson & Biscone Travis Brown, Edinger Leonard & Blakley PLLC

40 ionOklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

Jordyn Cartmell, Foliart, Huff, Ottaway & Bottom Jericah Cummings, Paycom Payroll, LLC Alyssa Grooms, Dunlap Codding PC Bria Hanlon, Atkins & Markoff Morganne Lyon, Citizen Potawatomi Nation Telana McCullough, Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma Madison Mélon-McLawhorn, Oklahoma County Public Defender Stacy Schauvliege, Crowe & Dunlevy, P.C.

Manufacturing, Industry, the Trades and Agriculture Arda Bulak, IMAX Corporation David Correll, Chickasaw nation Katlyn Dodds, Choctaw Print Services NaCole Majors, SupplyOne, INC Manufacturing Aislinn Peralta, Beacon Homes Nathan Stepp, Oklahoma State University

Marketing/Advertising Grace Abblitt, VI Marketing and Branding Kristen Campbell, Remarkable Brands Katherine Cunningham, Saxum Leslie Denner, VI Marketing and Branding Matthew Farley, Freestyle Creative Tyler Frederickson, Westminster Presbyterian Church Marissa Hooks, APMEX, Inc. Jonathan Kelly, MYLE Agency Quinton Scott, LegalShield Blair Sims, Staplegun Andrew Theiss, XR Entertainment

Media/Public Relations Janelle Archer, BigWing David Dishman, Jones PR Ryan Drake, The Spy FM Louie Elder, Cumulus Media Chloe Gee, Vann & Associates | PR & Marketing Joshua Hillard, Culture Educators of Society (CEOS) Sarah Jones, The Chickasaw Nation Emma Kobs, The Scout Guide Oklahoma City Tracie Lowmiller, Koch Communications Bethany Marshall, Timberlake Construction Lauren McAfee, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc Kaitlyn Merrell, News 9 - KWTV - Griffin Communications Taylor Owen, The Chickasaw Nation Cindy Phillips, RML Construction Services Stephanie Remer, Cherokee Nation Ashley Ross, Jones PR Hannah Royce, Confidence Con zack Walker, Jones PR

Non-Profit Organizations Sarah Ward, University of Central Oklahoma Toni Allen, Allied Arts OKC Cody Beach, Bristow Chamber of Commerce Claire Belden, The Boys & Girls Clubs of America - Oklahoma County Rachel Benbrook, Oklahoma State University Foundation Laura Breaux, Edmond Chamber of Commerce Kathy Duck, Tulsa Regional Chamber/Tulsa Small Business Connection

Natalie Evans, Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Andrew Gray, Special Care, Inc. Charity Hitch, Christmas Cheer for Children Richard Lee Moore III, WATER4.ORG Madison Nash, Oklahoma Hall of Fame Akash Patel, World Experiences Foundation Hailey Payne, OSU Foundation Alyssa Peterson, Ubuntu Youth David Scott, Anadarko Chamber of Commerce Rachel Tribble, OSU Foundation Jose Vega, Oklahomans for Equality Brad Ward, Honoring America’s Warriors Natalie Wood, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma

Policy and Public Service Kasey Boes, Oklahoma Department of Human Services Cate Brantley, Oklahoma State Senate Scott Chance, Oklahoma Young Republicans Anna Farha, Oklahoma Insurance Department Kate Greer, Oklahoma House of Representatives Austin Marshall, Oklahoma House of Representatives Alicia “Annie” Menz, Oklahoma State Senate Charlotte Mitchell, Oklahomans for Lamb Jacob Ryan, Oklahomans for Lamb Blake Wieland, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry Joel Wilson, United States Postal Service

Retail and E-Commerce Olga Faulkner, 7-Eleven Stores Aamr Hasanjee, Paper Edit Pros Emily Hines, Addison Group Sarah Johnson, Express Employment Professionals Ryan Judd, Addison Group Lindsey Nantze, Express Employment Professionals Samantha Payne, LegalShield Chelsea Ricks, Chantilly Couture Marcus Sams, Neely Design Jonathan Willbanks, Willbanks Consulting Group (WCG)

Science, Technology and Engineering Tanner Boswell, WeGoLook Kolbi Claborn, Paycom Kayla Coffey, Presidio Lani Gunderson, Timberlake Construction Co. Inc. Nathan Hawkins, Citizen Potawatomi Nation Tyler Holmes, GE Johnson Construction Company Ambra Pastori, OMRF Courtney Radke, SONIC, America’s DriveIn Ryan Smith, Computer-Rx Jaden Souther, Paycom Kristi Spomer, Manhattan Construction Company Sean Thomas, Express Employment Professionals

Sports and Fitness Nick Dorety, USA Softball Cecilia Granados, Nutrybody Shaper Nick Kirk, Cherokee Nation Billy Long, Chickasaw Nation

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 41

44 ionOklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

BUSINESS

Board of Directors Names Polly Anderson as Executive Director OKLAHOMA CITY, OK— The Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA) announced today the hiring of Polly Anderson as the new Executive Director of OETA. Anderson has twenty years experience in public media, having served as General Manager/CEO at New Mexico PBS, WUCF in Orlando and KWBU TV/FM in Waco, Texas. She will be the fifth Executive Director at OETA and the first woman to lead the organization.

According to Garrett King, OETA Board Chair, “Polly Anderson brings invaluable experience and perspective to the role of OETA's chief executive. The OETA Board of Directors looks forward to working with her to fulfill our mission of informing, inspiring, and connecting Oklahomans."

According to Anderson, “I am honored to accept the board’s offer to lead OETA into a new era as new technology offers increased ways for OETA to be of service. This is an exciting time and I’m proud to lead this Oklahoma institution that has been educating, enlightening and engaging Oklahomans for over sixty years.”

From humble beginnings in a basement classroom, OETA is now a statewide network that provides a diverse fare of television programs to viewers across Oklahoma and in surrounding states. OETA began with one transmitting station, little money, limited broadcast hours and a small and an

almost immeasurable audience. Today, with OETA's statewide network of four transmitting stations and 14 translator stations, more than two million viewers tune into OETA on a weekly basis.

••••••••

OETA provides essential educational content and services that inform, inspire and connect Oklahomans to ideas and information that enrich our quality of life. We do this by consistently engaging Oklahomans with educational and public television programming, providing educational training and curriculum, outreach initiatives and online features that collectively encourage lifelong learning. For more information about education curriculum and programs, local productions, digital television, community resources and show schedules explore www.oeta.tv . n

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 45

PEOPLE Annie Oakley Society lnducts Famed Mystery Writer

Mary Higgins Clark

BY M. J. VAN DEVENTER

M

ary Higgins Clark had to have been born on Christmas Eve in 1927 on a dark and stormy night in The Bronx in New York City.

How else could she have become the world’s most famous writer of scary, suspense novels set in mysterious, surprising locales?

For her vast achievements, the Annie Oakley Society at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum inducted the “Queen of Suspense” as a member of this prestigious Society at its annual awards luncheon September 14 at the Museum.

Cathy Keating, Oklahoma’s former First Lady and the Society’s national chairman, said, “Mrs. Clark was chosen for this honor because she is a living example of Annie Oakley’s famous motto to ‘aim high’ and she is someone we hope young women and men will aspire to be.”

There’s nothing mysterious about Higgins’ bio. She grew up in The Bronx and graduated from Fordham University. She married Warren Clark in 1949. They had five children. He died in 1964. In 1996, years after she was famous for her mystery tales, she married again to John Conheenye.

Her first novel was Where Are The Children. The title has to give pause about missing children. Her latest novel, published in April 2017 is All By Myself, Alone.

We suspect her second and last husband, John Conheenye, may have died and Higgins went on a cruise in search of a luxury setting and theme for her next novel.

46 ion Oklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

Mary Higgins Clark

This novel is set on a luxurious ocean liner, on its glamourous maiden voyage in the Trans-Atlantic Ocean. The major characters are reprised from a previous novel — As Time Goes By, written in 2016. They are likeable characters, previous cruise lottery winners in another mystery story.

Of course, there is a theft. There is also a limited suspect pool, a hallmark of Clark’s thrillers.

Since that first ground-breaking novel, Higgins has written 54 best-selling novels with more than 100 million copies sold. Known as the “Queen of Suspense” and “A Mystery Doyenne,” she has 19 honorary doctorates, was named Chevalier of the Order of Arts & Letters in France and is a Grand Master of the Edgar Allan Poe Society.

If those accolades aren’t daunting enough, Keating says Clark, in true Annie Oakley fashion, “gives generously of her time, talent and resources and is an active advocate and participant in literacy programs.”

Gary Moore, the museum’s chief financial officer and interim president, says, “Like so many aspects of the American West, our hallmark pioneer spirit isn’t confined to history, but rather continues to thrive in our current society. Mary Higgins Clark embodies that spirit, representing the best of the ‘West.’ “ Clark’s bio would shine like a star on a police blotter.

She’s been #1 on the New York Times best seller list for longer than she can remember. She’s sold more than 100 million copies of her books. The Edgar – Grand Master Award is “The Oscar” for mystery writers.

At 89, what more could the “Queen of Mystery” desire? She’s been “The Queen of Suspense” for 40 years.

Mystery critics say her characters are “likeable.” Her limited suspect pool makes her suspense novels so easy to read. Her titles are compelling page-turners, another clue to her astounding success.

The Annie Oakley Society is comprised of women leaders and philanthropists who, like Oakley, play significant roles in shaping communities and creating new horizons.

To be selected, Society members must demonstrate determination for their goals, a passion for excellence, and support for the American character preserved and promoted through the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

Previous Annie Oakley Award honorees include Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Reba McEntire, Admiral Michelle Howard, Donna Shirley, Nadia Comanecci and Kristin Chenoweth. n OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 47

SEPTEMBER 17, 2017

OCTOBER 22, 2017

NOVEMBER 12 & 19, 2017 Parts 1 and 2

DECEMBER 10, 2017

JANUARY 21, 2018

APRIL 15, 2018

MAY 6, 2018 Download the New VPAC at OCCC Mobile App Now!

**All All eevents evvents are are eencore ncore p presentations resentations pre-recorded pre-recorded ’live’ ’live’ ffrom rom LLondon’s ondon’s West W Weest End End in in H High igh Definition Definition (HD).

(HD).

ART Museum Retrospective Honors Jerome Tiger’s Life and Art

BY M. J. VAN DEVENTER

EDITOR’S NOTE: The author of this article knew Jerome Tiger while he was attending Muskogee Central High School and has been researching his life and art since the mid-1970’s. She recently was guest speaker on “Jerome Tiger’s Life and Art” at the Five Civilized Tribes Museum in Muskogee.

She is completing a book titled “Jerome Tiger – The Enduring Influence” Travelers by Jerome Tiger.

T

he National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is celebrating the life and art of Jerome Tiger during a nine-month retrospective exhibit that continues through May 13, 2018.

Tiger died August 13, 1967, at age 26. He had just begun to enjoy the fruits of his fame as a Muscogee (Creek) and Seminole artist when his life was cut short by an accidental shooting.

Growing up in Eufaula and Muskogee, Tiger loved drawing and painting but had a disdain for school. His art teacher at Muskogee Central High School, Willie Miller, saw his potential, however, and encouraged him. She saved as many of his paintings as she could. Still, Jerome dropped out of school at age 16 to join the Navy. Returning home to Muskogee, he worked a while for Teel’s Laundry and then began his brief, celebrated career.

His first taste of success in 1962 was a show at the Muskogee Public Library. The exhibit was so successful, Tiger was overheard having this phone conversation with a friend during the show: “Get me some paper, paints ... as much as you can,” he pleaded. “This is the best thing going I’ve ever had.”

The Philbrook Museum of Art was the most important catalyst that furthered his early career. He submitted paintings to the museum’s American Indian Artists Annual in 1962 and his career blossomed. He won the top prize ~ $150. By the end of 1962, wherever Oklahoma artists and collectors were gathered, people were asking, “Have you got a Tiger?”

His widow, the late Peggy Richmond Tiger, recalled in a 1984 interview, “Jerome painted quickly. Most of the time the paintings were sold before the tempera paints were even dry.

He never wanted to keep anything. He just wanted to get it OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ion Oklahoma 49

His Home by Jerome Tiger.

down on paper... give it away or sell it.”

By the mid-1960s, a Jerome Tiger painting, with its pale, soft colors ~ especially his famous “Tiger Blue” ~ and his razor thin lines and three dimensional qualities became the status symbol of the mid-1960s for Native American art.

During his brief career, Tiger drew praise from many of his fellow Native American artists, even though he broke with the prevailing traditions of Native American art at that time.

Santa Fe artist and teacher Lloyd Kiva New praised Tiger, not for being Indian, but for “painting out of his culture. Jerome had the ability to imagine, dream, reconstruct and express his culture in artistic terms.”

Jerome’s daughter, Dana, who fol-

lowed in his footsteps as an artist, said of her father, “I think he set the art world wide open. It was within his spirit to create his own art ~ to tell his story of his people with passion and a perfect color sense. As young as he was, he created a style that was all his own that the rest of

us can learn from and hold dear from now on. He was able to make the art world take notice.”

His death was a crushing blow to his collectors and his patroness, Nettie Wheeler of Muskogee. She said, “A bright light has gone out.”

Few Tiger paintings traded hands with the news of his shocking death.

Today, the largest collections of his work are housed in the galleries and archives of the National Cowboy Museum, the Five Civilized Tribes Museum in Muskogee, Gilcrease and Philbrook Museums of Art in Tulsa.

Tiger not only drew the attention of museum officials and curators. Other Native American artists followed his work. The late Woody Crumbo was a staunch advocate of traditional flat, two-dimensional Indian art.

“Then Jerome came along,” Crumbo noted in a Chronicles of Oklahoma interview. “He had not been exposed to much traditional Indian art and was not contaminated by any trend of thought. He paid little attention to flat lines and Stickball by Jerome Tiger.

50 ionOklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

The-Coming-Weather-1 by Jerome Tiger.

traditional use of color. There was a softness, a fineness, a real delicacy that he achieved through gradation of color tones that were both fresh and pleasing.”

The late Solomon McCombs also admired Jerome’s work. They shared much in common. Both had roots in Eufaula; both were perfectionists.

They portrayed the stories they had heard from their grandparents about Native history. Both had painting styles reflecting a delicacy of approach. And they respected each other’s talents.

McCombs watched Tiger’s talent emerge from the cocoon of traditional Native art. “He was very talented at drawing and sketching and he took Indian art away from its flat, traditional two-dimensional style,” he said.

The late Anne Morand, a previous Curator of Art for the National Cowboy Museum, said, “Jerome was on the cusp of change in Indian art while he was painting. He was young, forward thinking. I would rank him with Fritz Scholder and T. C. Cannon for being among the catalysts for change in Indian art in the 1960s and 1970s.”

One of Tiger’s greatest friends and collectors was the late Arthur Silberman. He and his wife Shifra had zealously collected Jerome’s art.

Peggy Tiger considered the Silbermans “Jerome’s greatest collectors.”

The Silbermans gave their vast collection of Native American art to the National Cowboy Museum in the late 1990s, during the tenure of B. Byron Price, then the museum’s executive director. The museum featured part of that collection in an exhibition titled “Jerome Tiger ~

Native Son,” which was staged from October 2000 through May 2001.

Arthur Silberman wrote the narrative for that retrospective and noted: “Jerome was much more than merely a promising young painter.

By the time of his death, he was a fully developed mature artist at the height of his powers. He had innovated more, contributed more, and painted more magnificent paintings than many whose careers spanned several decades.”

Since then, Tiger’s art has been featured in a variety of exhibitions at the National Cowboy Museum, featuring a Native American theme.

In 1978, Silberman grouped Native American artists Blackbear Bosin, Oscar Howe and Rafael Medina, with Tiger as “leaders in the trend toward more powerful and moving statements in the genre of Native American art.”

Commenting on Jerome’s death, Arthur Silberman said, “With his tragic death, a genius was lost and a talent equal to none of its kind is

gone. Jerome Tiger now belongs to the ages, but his talent will live on forever.”

Art critics and collectors have pondered the question for the past half a century, What was Jerome’s greatest talent?

Rennard Strickland, an emeritus faculty member of the University of Oklahoma Law School and an art collector said, “He was painting an idealized version of the American Indian. The most distinguishing characteristic is that his work is just so elegantly simple. His influence is most strongly felt in the subject matter he chose ~ the spirit ascensions, the modified burials, the Trail of Tears.

Strickland addded, “I miss the humor in his work and I think he would be astonished or at least curiously surprised, about the seriousness with which his work is regarded today.”

The late Nettie Wheeler said simply, “You can feel the cold and the wind in a Jerome Tiger painting.” n

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 51

PEOPLE

Crawford’s Mission to Sierra Leone

BY TIM FARLEY Above, Jerome and Shana Crawford with villagers.

Below, Sierra Leone is located in West Africa.

W

hile sitting in church shortly after Hurricane Harvey hit south Texas, Jerome Crawford had an epiphany.

He knew at that moment that he and his wife, Shana, should return to Sierra Leone in West Africa to take care of people suffering from tragedies similar to those in Houston and other parts of Texas.

At the time, Sierra Leone was undergoing tremendous flooding and mudslides. There were reports that more than 1,000 people were dead or missing and fears persisted that disease could be forthcoming on an epidemic scale.

“As the preacher was talking, I thought how blessed we are in the United States,” Jerome Crawford said. “I just felt this conviction to go at that time.”

Immediately, the Crawfords – acting as unpaid missionaries - put the word out that they were leaving to help the people of Sierra Leone and 52 ion Oklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

Shana Crawford at the Polio Camp.

would need 10 tons of food and 20,000 bottles of drinking water. It didn’t take long before donors gave the Crawfords all they needed.

It wouldn’t be the first time the Edmond residents had been to Sierra Leone. They work with an orphanage and provide supplies to surrounding remote villages. They’ve also worked jointly with Komeo International Ministries.

The Crawford couple and their seven children – five adopted from the foreign orphanage - lived in Sierra Leone as missionaries and have been part of numerous mission trips during the last nine years.

But this time, it was inconceivable that Shana Crawford

could make the trip since there were seven children to care for. After much prayer, one of the grandparents stepped up and took care of the children so Shana could make the trip.

Almost as miraculous, the extra money needed for the mission of mercy came at the last hour.

Before leaving the U.S., Shana Crawford watched a video of a woman in Sierra Leone. The woman spoke about losing seven of her children and grandchildren to the flooding and mudslides. Seven other close family members and friends also died.

After arriving in Sierra Leone, the Crawfords found the woman who lost her family.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 53

Above: a widow at the Missionary house received prayers and help with food and living expenses.

Top right: Shana with a village girl.

Bottom right: villagers gather around the fresh water source.

“We were able to minister to her,” Jerome said. “We gave her food and money to live on. We prayed with her and gave her hope and a message of comfort.”

Regrettably, Sierra Leone has the worst infant mortality rate in the world and people ages 15-29 are prone to early death.

The Crawfords spent 11 days in Sierra Leone distributing food, clean water, medical supplies and clothing to people who suffer from various diseases and government persecution.

“There are people there with missing legs, arms and in wheelchairs,” Jerome said. “It was really hard to come home this time.

My wife was weeping when we left.”

Helping the children and villagers get proper medical care was another goal during the September trip.

“Hundreds of people lined up with sick kids,” Jerome said. “We also went to a remote village where Islamic extremists had torn down a church and solar well, which produces clean water for 54 ionOklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

Left: Shana Crawford with the village Christians.

Below: Shana with a widowed villager.

the people there. It was a great joy to help them rebuild the well.”

While in Sierra Leone, Jerome contracted malaria, which raised his body temperature to 105 degrees. He was still sick days after returning home.

“I carried local medicine with me and I started taking it after the symptoms started,” he said.

The missionaries also passed out Bibles to people in the villages and towns and to the military personnel they encountered.

“Even the military was thankful for all the food and water we brought,” Jerome said. “There were 30 Christians in that one camp.”

One of the military leaders told the missionaries the Bibles were a blessing to have in addition to the food and water.

Komeo President Shana Gibelyou said seven older children from orphanage helped the Crawfords distribute the food and water.

These children were orphaned because of Sierra Leone’s civil war, which ended in 2002 after 11 years and 50,000 casualties. Other children were orphaned from the two-year Ebola virus epidemic which ended in 2016 and killed more than 11,000 people.

For more information on Komeo International Ministries and sponsorships, visit www.komeo.org n

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 55

PEOPLE Keep Oklahoma Beautiful

BY TIM FARLEY

E

nvironmental enthusiasts and the organizations they represent will be honored Nov. 18 by Keep Oklahoma Beautiful.

The annual awards ceremony and banquet will be held at the Embassy Suites in Norman. A reception and fundraiser is 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner seating at 6:30 and the awards presentation at 7.

“Each year, we give a variety of awards,” said Natalie Evans, spokeswoman for Keep Oklahoma Beautiful. “What’s really special is we recognize people from all over the state. These are people who come together and share like-minded work. It’s an exciting night and each year it’s a big celebration.”

Individuals and organizations were nominated from June 5Aug. 5. Judges who determine the finalists and winners are from various professions such as the business world and education.

“All of the judges are from outside Keep Oklahoma Beautiful and its board of directors and staff,” Evans said.

Nominations must pertain to environmental improvement and sustainable practices; beautification and landscaping; classroom, workshop conference and online training; or communications and public awareness.

The award categories are KOB Youth Award, Business, Collegiate Effort, K-12 Educators & Educational Institutions, Law Enforcement, Government Programs, Nonprofit Organization, Volunteer Community Group, Affiliate Champion and Team Builders.

Uncapped 2016 award winner.

56 ion Oklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

FOLLOWING ARE THE FINALISTS IN EACH CATEGORY.

Affiliate Champions Patty Daniel of Team Up to Clean UP Suzy Meibergen of Keep Enid Beautiful Patricia Hardy of Owasso Strong Neighborhood Initiative Janice Sappington of Ardmore Beautification Council

Affiliate of the Year Neighborhood Solutions Okeene Historic Preservation Group Keep Enid Beautiful Ardmore Beautification Council

Up With Trees 2016 award winner.

Municipality Less than 40,000 Population City of Collinsville Muskogee Municipal Authority Owasso Strong Neighborhood Initiative City of Comanche

Great American Cleanup Awards Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Team Up to Clean Up Garber 4City of Grove Enid 4-H Adair County Trash Off

Volunteer Community Group K-12 Education Durant Intermediate School Green Team Edmond Doyle Elementary School Will Rogers Elementary School Tushka High School

sory Board Tulsa’s Household Pollutant Collection Facility

Blue River Fishers Hennessey Girl Scouts Troop #739 Lake McMurtry Friends

KOB Youth Award Beyond the Classroom’s Rhodes and Drue Molenda and Boston Carter McAlester High School Student Council Newkirk Junior Main Street Okeene 4-H Club

Law Enforcement Jacob Briggs with Canadian County Sheriff’s Office OK Department of Environmental Quality Criminal Investigations Unit

Municipality More than 40,000 Population Midwest City Norman Utilities Department Norman’s Environmental Control Advi-

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 57

Urban Soul award winner 2016.

Nonprofit Wagoner Switch District Main St. Ardmore Beautification Council Pride in McAlester Up With Trees Community Market of Pottawatomie County Special Care The Nature Conservancy

Team Builder Twin Cities Revitalization Project (Participating groups include Dolese Equipment, Pittsburg Co. District 1, Nimrod Construction, Twin Cities Ready Mix, Harris Construction, Sherwin Williams and Allied Waste).

Crow Creek Revitalization (Participating groups include City of Tulsa, Tulsa Co. Conservation District, The M.e.t. and OK Conservation Commission).

Ignite McAlester Bicycle Refurbishing (Participating groups include Ignite McAlester, City of McAlester, Boys and Girls Club of McAlester, Pittsburg Co. Health Dept., Rotary Club 58 ionOklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

of McAlester, McAlester Masons, Choctaw Nation Youth Advisory Board).

Martin Park Nature Center Revitalization Project (Participating groups include OK Forestry Services, OKC Beautiful, P&K Equipment, Premier Trucking, OKC Community Foundation, WarrenCAT and OKC Parks and Recreation).

Business Republic Services Queen Bri’s Honey Farm & Bee Removal

Collegiate Effort University of Central Oklahoma OPSU Upward Bound

State Government Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Grand River Dam Authority Oklahoma Department of Transportation & Oklahoma Conservation Commission

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BUSINESS

BENEFIT EVENT ROCKED THE BLOCK PROVIDED PHOTOS

Dolese trucks at Rock the Block.

Even one piece of construction equipment can be an attention-getter.

It becomes a community event when about 20 pieces of heavy duty machinery with their massive tires and lofty seats are gathered in one area for the public to explore.

That was the goal for Rock the Block held recently near Automobile Alley downtown. Sponsored by Dolese Bros. Co. and dubbed a construction industry touch-a-truck event, it thrilled young and old as they climbed in and on the equipment. A fire truck, Oklahoma Highway Patrol cruiser and waste management curb pick-up truck also got plenty of attention.

Though free, a can of food was the suggested donation for the event, a benefit for the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Rock the Block donated $1,600 ¸ 60 ion Oklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

Clockwise from the top: A large crane at Rock the Block.

A young boy sits in an OG&E truck at Rock the Block.

Three kids are ready to go in an old Dolese truck.

Above: A large Catepillar truck tilts its bed.

Left: Different decades of Dolese trucks.

Below left: A boy shows he can reach the pedals in the cab of heavy equipment.

Below: Will the real Corporal B. Tangney please step forward!

Above: Corporal Kelley lets a young admirer try out his gear Right: A little boy checks out a Ditch Witch.

to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and 600 pounds of food to the Regional Food Bank.

Dolese said the event attracted an estimated 1,000 people, all eager to see the display of just about every piece of equipment needed to build a road, bridge or building. Many of the exhibitors brought multiple vehicles.

After a successful debut, Dolese said it is already planning to host the event next year.

Along with Dolese, a variety of construction industry partners displayed vehicles and equipment including ACI Concrete Placement; Action Safety Supply Co.; Bobcat of Oklahoma City; CL Boyd; Ditch Witch of Oklahoma; Haskell Lemon Construction Co.; Herzog Stacy and Witbeck; Kirby-Smith Machinery Inc.; Insulated Concrete Forms and More; OCT Equipment; Oklahoma City Fire Department; Oklahoma Gas and Electric; Oklahoma Highway Patrol; Warren CAT; and Van Keppel. n

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EDUCATION A Retrospective

MAPS for Kids, lawsuit has common denominator

BY JOHN THOMPSON

O

n the same day that journalist Pat McGuigan visited our John Marshall High School classroom, The Oklahoman had editorialized in favor of “community policing” and crime sweeps in their neighborhood, which is North Highland.

McGuigan described crime sweeps as irregular patrols of high-crime neighborhoods. From all over the room, the students retorted, “Yeah, every Tuesday and Thursday in the Highland.”

McGuigan then explained that sweeps had to be unpredict-able or they would not be effective.

“Yeah, every Tuesday and Thursday,” the students muttered again.

McGuigan added, “Sweeps could not stop drivers just because of their race because that would be racial profiling...”

“Yeah, they also stop us for just walking!” was the reply from students.

McGuigan shifted gears and listened to the true experts on community policing, crime sweeps and racial profiling in the Marshall neighborhood.

McGuigan was one of many community leaders who engaged with JMHS students during the MAPS for Kids collaborative process for raising taxes and improving student achievement in the Oklahoma City Public Schools. To my knowledge, he was the only one who subsequently switched careers and became a much-beloved inner city teacher. It is fair to say, however, that we were all changed by these wonderful cross-generational, cross-racial

conversations.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN FEDERATION of Teachers local union, Ted Metsher, and I served on the MAPS Student Achievement Committee along with two Republican oilmen (including Ray Potts, whose wife Pat now leads the Potts Family Foundation.) Committee members like the late John Rex schooled me on the importance of early education, while business leaders such as Bruce Day and Sonic CEO Cliff Hudson, who would soon become the first Chairman of the School Board, guided us through a planning process based on the nation’s best social science.

A high point of our collaborative planning effort was when the League of Women Voters contributed to the process by bringing John Q. Easton, who later became the head of the American Institute of Research’s “What Works Clearinghouse.” He explained why our highchallenge schools could not be turned around without first building trusting relationships.

MAPS promised the voters a comprehensive plan to improve student achievement. The heart of the agenda was collaboration, high-quality preschool, diagnostic assessments to ensure reading comprehension by third grade, site-based management, and community outreach. MAPS embraced peer review as a method for efficiently removing ineffective teachers. An early warning system for addressing absenteeism before it grew into a chronic problem was proposed.

MAPS promised the voters a comprehensive plan to improve student achievement.

66 ion Oklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

MAPS promised that its purpose was not increasing test scores, per se, but increasing student learning measured, in part, by standardized tests.

MAPS also recommended the reorganization of failing middle schools as pre-kindergarten to 8th grade schools as a way to break up the critical masses of harder-to-educate 7th and 8th graders. The point where MAPS was most different from the traditional, progressive approach to school improvement by promising “Rolls Royce-quality” alternative schools for students with disciplinary or truancy problems. It also endorsed charter schools.

I was given a brief leave of absence from the classroom to conduct a listening tour of 70 schools spread across the sprawling community. Especially when visiting schools in the northwest part of the city where many middle-class whites remained in the district, I saw instruction that was fantastic.

I also witnessed wildly disparate conditions across the city. Especially on the historically African-American eastside and southside, where schools were disproportionately black, Hispanic, American Indian, and working class white, I often saw decay and neglect.

Vines grew through broken mortar of an elementary school building, letting the winter wind swirl through the classrooms. At Harding Middle School, next to my house, I also saw math classes of more than thirty students where two-thirds of them had learning disabilities. I also saw out-of-control students building a mountain of desks and pushing each other off it.

Especially in schools that embraced site based management, and even before tax receipts were increased, MAPS produced notable improvements. But then came the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. This meant that the OKCPS was torn between two masters mandating policies that were inherently incompatible.

It would have been difficult enough for a district to offer high-quality early education as MAPS pledged, but NCLB changed the primary focus to grades three through eight

and redirected resources in that direction. The OKCPS had to obey a federal law that incentivized top-down administration, just as it was tasked with establishing its opposite—sitebased management. MAPS promised a comprehensive system of alternative education that many administrators thought was contradictory to the thrust of leaving no child behind.

MAPS conceived of education as a holistic, team-like process, while NCLB was based on the theory that the better instruction, data, and accountability shortcut would close the achievement gap.

ABOVE ALL, MAPS SAW EDUCATION as too important to be left just to the educators. NCLB, however, placed administrators, who knew how to massage accountability numbers, back in the driver’s seat.

MAPS taught us that in education, we tend to be “two peoples divided by a common language.” Patience is necessary to learn how to converse with each other. We must create safe places at the table so that all stakeholders feel secure enough to speak their minds. We need to institutionalize the clash of ideas expressed in different terminologies. Unless collaboration is open and deliberative, people of goodwill get caught in a cycle where we repeatedly talk past each other.

We now have a new opportunity to rebuild the MAPS partnerships, which called for both a tax increase and a humane, science-based plan for improving schools. Today, we could join in the process where the OKCPS Board of Education in investigating a lawsuit arguing that the chronic underfunding of public schools violates the Oklahoma Constitution. As with MAPS, such an effort should be accompanied by an open and collaborative process where the district listens to the full range of community shareholders, as well as our students. n

I witnessed wildly disparate conditions across the city.

John Thompson is a retired school teacher. He currently serves as an education writer for various publications and blogs.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 67

REVIEW ‘Some Form of Grace’ book launch Oklahoma author sheds light on ex-prisoners, their obstacles

BY MICHELLE WATTS

D

ee Dee Chumley is using Oklahoma’s treatment of ex-cons to make a point in her new book “Some Form of Grace,” which hits the streets Oct. 28.

“Some Form of Grace” is Chumley’s second book. Her first novel, “Beyond the Farthest Star,” won the Oklahoma Writers’ Federation “Best Juvenile Book” in 2012. Chumley also writes short stories and placed as a finalist in the Southern Writers Magazine Short Story Contest this year with her story “The Sound of Vigilance.” Chumley takes inspiration from her surroundings when she writes and talks about how she stays genuine in her writing.

Chumley’s success as a writer wasn’t instantaneous. She is part of a writing group that formed 13 years ago and started with a few teachers who wanted to share their writing experiences. At the time, Chumley was an Edmond Memorial High School English teacher and girls’ tennis coach.

Between the group of writers, they have published more than four books. As they got more serious about writing, the ladies joined the Oklahoma Writers Federation, a nonprofit writing community that includes writers not just from Oklahoma but also Texas, Kansas, and Arkansas. The group still comes together on occasions, such as a recent retreat that Chumley attended.

Chumley, with her pleasant, songlike voice, recalled for ionOklahoma the inspiration for her most recent book.

68 ion Oklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

“I am what I am. I think that for me that was a real epiphany as a writer when you figure out your voice. I think that is for any writer because you have to bring that authenticity of who you are to your writing. I’m kind of humorous

[and] I am kind of sarcastic, that comes out in my characters,” she said.

Gracene, the protagonist in Some Form of Grace, just got released from prison and fabricates her faith to join a Christian halfway house called Transformation Place. The location and Gracene are inspired by a local ministry in Oklahoma City, Exodus House. It is a faith-based, residential program that helps to integrate ex-prisoners back into society.

Chumley started volunteering at the organization through her church, New Covenant Methodist, and was touched by the stories she heard. These accounts helped to inspire Gracene’s tragic past. She is a woman who feels she cannot acquire forgiveness and even that she doesn’t deserve her own name. “[Gracene] got her name from her mother who when she was born said the only name to suit her was some form of grace,” Chumley explains. “Gracene doesn’t ever think she is worthy of [her] name because she’s big, clumsy, and never felt like she was beautiful. As she goes through the book, she starts to learn some of the other definitions of grace. She finds out about God’s grace and forgiveness,” said Chumley.

Some Form of Grace is also located in Oklahoma City. One of Chumley’s hopes is that her book will help to shed light on the limited opportunities for ex-prisoners in Oklahoma once they are released.

“I want people to be aware of [this] ministry. The prisoner

situation in Oklahoma is terrible.

Not only the prisons but when they get out, the overwhelming odds that they face. I wanted to make a social statement about that but also when I was considering writing this book [my] pastor, Dr. Adrian Cole at New Covenant, was doing a series of sermons on God’s grace. I wanted to combine those two and give the message about God’s grace. Nothing is beyond His forgiveness,” she said.

Chumley will have her book launch at Exodus House on October 28.

When her writing group asked her what they should bring, Chumley told them she thought bread pudding would be a good dessert option. She is so fond of the dessert that it made an appearance in her novel.

“I love bread pudding. If somebody has got it, I have to sample it to see which is the best. It was a little thing that went into my story,” she said.

When asked if there was a favorite bread pudding of hers, she laughed and said pretty much anything was good except one thing—no raisins.

When Chumley isn’t writing or volunteering, she loves to travel and visit her family with her husband who is also retired.

Learn more about Dee Dee Chumley on her blog, www.deedeechumley.com and Exodus House on their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ExodusHouseOkc. Some Form of Grace is available for purchase on Amazon. n

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 69

LEADERSHIP Leading is a Lifestyle

BY GARLAND MCWATTERS

L

eaders lead, not out of a craving for power, but out of a sincere desire to help make things better for all concerned. When called upon to step forward in leadership, yes is their default answer. For them, leading is a lifestyle.

It is my privilege and joy to meet many such leaders and save their stories on my podcast, The Spirit of Leading. http://www.inpoweredtolead.com/sol-podcast/.

Here are three examples.

Above: Walkers of all ages protest human trafficking at Tulsa A21 event Right: Meg Weinkauf, Lynda McWatters, Garland McWatters

Stopping human trafficking: Meg Weinkauf Meg Weinkauf is one of those kind of leaders. The call Meg answered was to help create awareness for human trafficking around the world and in her own

community of Tulsa. She heard Christine Caine, the founder of A21, an international organization combating human trafficking, speak in 2010 about the problem and was moved to act.

Weinkauf recalled, “It absolutely broke my heart. I learned about the issue. The only thing I could think to OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ion Oklahoma 71

Left: Meg Weinkauf Above: Meg Weinkauf charges up crowd before A21 anti-human trafficking walk

do at the time was be educated and to educate others.”

Meg began volunteering in local shelters and with a non-profit helping girls being aged out of the foster care system. Subsequently, she met Annie Pekins, cofounder of Unlock Freedom and learned about the scope and impact of human trafficking in Oklahoma.

One of the facts that hit Weinkauf was how the trafficking of young girls for sex is hidden in plain sight.

“I learned shockingly how many of our kids in school today are being trafficked in the nights or on the weekends, and then they are going to school during the day,” she said.

Meg got involved with the A21 movement and became the Tulsa director of the A21 Walk for Freedom.

Several hundred people of all ages joined in the annual walk October 14 that took place in dozens of countries and hundreds of cities worldwide. Listen to her podcast at http://www.inpoweredtolead.com/035-meg-weinkaufdare-go-podcast/ Meg was recognized in the 2016 NextGen Under 30 class, presented by OknStyle publications and iON Oklahoma magazine.

72 ionOklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

Helping young people find their voice at DaVerse Lounge: Will Richey Will Richey turned his passion for poetry and storytelling into helping young people find their voice to express their needs, longings, and joys.

“We are all created equal, and the only way to super acknowledge that is by noticing on a human level the power of our stories to have an impact on one another,” he said.

Will joined with fellow artists in Dallas and created a project where students in mid-high and high school could put their needs and feelings to song and poetry and find a creative satisfaction in presenting their works. The result was a quarterly production in the Deep Ellum arts district at the DaVerse Lounge.

Richey and his artist friends have developed a curriculum for their approach tht is used in Dallas schools and with corporate clients. Will tells his story on The Spirit of Leading podcast http://www.inpoweredtolead. com/023-finding-voice-will-richey-daverse-lounge/

Leading is their lifestyle Each of the stories above has a common thread: Weinkauf, Richey, and Perieda saw an opportunity to make things better, and they acted on it. They were compelled to act on their passion. To let that opportunity pass would have been denying something central to their make up.

From each of them I learned that passion drives action, and when one takes focused action, amazing results can flow. Leaders live with that kind of expectation. Like I said, leading is a lifestyle. n

Above: Daniela Perieda

Right: Will shows Garland a word poster.

Building families while learning a second language: Daniela Perieda Daniela Perieda of Oklahoma City learned to speak English as a young girl in her native Columbia by being immersed in conversing only in English. When she realized how much she enjoyed teaching Spanish to American children, she knew she wanted to use the immersion approach to start a school. The Bilingual Family school was born.

Perieda teaches family units in an immersion setting so they all learn together to speak a second language over time. She said one misunderstanding many adults have is that they think they can start speaking a second language by learning vocabulary, and when they don’t catch on as fast they lose interest.

“They actually have to start from zero and have simple sentences and make mistakes and be OK with sounding like a child for a while until they can develop those skills,” she said.

Perieda calls herself a compassionate entrepreneur because instead of feeling like she has to rush to the top as quickly as possible, it is more important to, “add value and giving value to the people you serve and changing their lives.”

Perieda’s Spirit of Leading podcast is available at http://www.inpoweredtolead.com/019-turning-bigdream-business-podcast/

THE AUTHOR — Garland McWatters teaches and writes about leadership and developing INPowering people. He hosts The Spirit of Leading podcast. Garland travels throughout Oklahoma promoting NextGen Oklahoma Leaders. Contact: garland@garlandmcwatters.com. He lives in Tulsa.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 73

HEALTH HEALTH CARE in AMERICA October 2017 is National Health Literacy Month

BY DON SWIFT

E

veryone would agree that the health care system in America and around the world is broken and struggling with alarming, escalating costs, despite the hard work of well-intentioned and well trained doctors, clinicians, and medical researchers.

Health care leaders and politicians have tried countless incremental fixes by attacking fraud, identifying and reducing errors, enforcing medical practice guidelines, and making patients more informed consumers by implementing medical record databases – but none have had much impact.

It’s time for a fundamentally new strategy that can maximize the health care value for patients while achieving the best health care outcomes at the lowest cost.

What if there a were a health care system organized around a certain standard process for doctors and patients to follow during and after physician visits, clinical tests, hospitalizations, and prescribed medications that would include an easy, simple new procedure and provide financial incentives to both doctors and patients? The goal would be to create better health care services that can deliver better health care outcomes for all Americans at a lower cost.

74 ion Oklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

There is a company TODAY addressing these rising high health care costs and has developed an innovative incentive system rewarding both doctors and patients for being mutually accountable and completing certain simple new health care procedures. These new procedures would encourage “best medical practices” from doctors, the “advancement” of patient education, and most importantly a “motivation toward adopting healthier living behaviors” for all Americans.

MedEncentive has made a huge breakthrough in addressing this health care cost issue facing all of us and discovered a process for health care cost containment that is so desperately needed in the world today.

The foundering members of MedEncentive have adopted the tag line “Rewarding Better Health” and that is exactly what they are doing everyday.

With Their Vision and Through innovative financial incentives, we help employers, health insurers and governments of all types contain health care costs while engaging physicians and patients in ways that fundamentally change their behaviors and lead to better health for everyone. We believe that once our society understands all the benefits of motivating people to better health – and, in turn, happier, more satisfying lives - we will not only revolutionize our health care system, we’ll also create a healthier world.

Jeffrey C. Greene, president and CEO, is an inventor, entrepreneur and a leader in transforming health care. From 2005 to 2009, Greene was the recipient of the “Innovator of the Year” award an unprecedented 4 of 5 years.

Greene is well known for his passionate call to improve health care delivery and promote healthiness in constructive ways that draw on positive incentives, behavioral science, free-market principles, and good old commonsense.

Greene developed his passion for public health from his experiences as the founder of a business that grew to become self-insured. This business, CompONE Services, happened to be one the leading medical practice management and billing firms in the country.

While CompONE grew, Greene also taught practice management to residents at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center. This gave Greene a unique vantage of the health and healthcare crises from the perspectives of providers who were his clients and

students, consumers who were his employees and his family, and the insurer on behave of his self-insured business.

Greene is a Certified Executive through the American College of Medical Practice Executives. He was a guest instructor for eighteen years at the University of Oklahoma’s College of Medicine. He co-authored “Practice Management for Family Physician Residents”, published by the American Academy of Family Physicians. Greene serves on the Advisory Committee for the University of Oklahoma’s School of Industrial Engineering.

Managing health care costs starts with a fresh perspective on methods and technologies for keeping people healthy and engaging them in that pursuit.

The logic behind moving to a more health care cost containment solution will require these three things said Jeffrey Greene: 1. First is to attract a high level of provider and consumer participation in patient education and empowerment.

2. Second is to recognize and harness the power of the doctor-patient relationship to motivate adherence to ‘best practices’ and healthy behaviors.

3. Third is to align the interests of the provider, the consumer and the payer.

All previous attempts to reform healthcare costs have failed because the incentives missed achieving these three fundamental objectives.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 75

One of the key components of MedEncentive’s patented program is called “information therapy,” which is defined as providing patients with the right information at the right time so they can make an informed decision about their health.

In the Program, information therapy is accomplished by compensating physicians for accessing the MedEncentive website to prescribe relevant educational articles to their patients with each office visit. After the visit, patients receive a letter or email at home that notifies them that they can earn a financial reward for accessing the website to read the prescribed article, test their knowledge, declare their compliance (or non-compliance), and rate their doctors. The kicker is that patient must agree to share their responses with their physicians. This feature creates a beneficial check and balance between doctors and patients that improves health and healthcare in a manner that lowers costs.

The reason information therapy is so important is that it promotes health literacy, which studies have determined is the single strongest determinant of a person’s health status, life expectancy, and medical costs. In fact, the World Health Organization states that health literacy is a stronger predictor of an individual’s health status than income, employment status, education level and racial or ethnic group.

“In spite of its importance, health literacy is continually overlooked and undervalued because there is a lack of innovation in its promotion,” says Greene. “Our program is a health literacy innovation that has been proven to improve health and lower costs.”

Greene points to studies that have been conducted by the University of Kansas, the State of Oklahoma and others, that provide the proof. So confident in their solution, Greene and his colleagues are actively seeking even more and better studies.

“We are committed to establishing irrefutable evidence that reward-induced health literacy, involving doctor-patient checks and balances, improves health and lowers costs.” adds Greene.

76 ionOklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

With regard to building public awareness of the importance of health literacy, Greene notes that October is National Health Literacy Month, with events taking place all over the country.

“It is really very straight-forward. When people know the ‘how’ and ‘why,’ they become empowered, motivated and more competent in self-managing their health,” says Greene.

“Health literacy is a sleeping giant that needs to be awakened with innovation to solve this country and the world’s health and healthcare crises.”

“A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings, and learn how by his own thought to derive benefit from his illnesses.”

—Hippocrates The MedEncentive Executive Professionals include the following: H. Clifford Winburn, Jr., J.D., C.P.A. – Chief Financial Officer, Winburn was a co-founder of CompONE Services, Ltd. and served as CompONE’s Chief Financial Officer until 2004. Winburn is an attorney and certified public accountant with degrees in Business Administration and Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma. Prior to co-founding CompONE, Winburn served as CFO and Treasurer of Cotton Petroleum Corporation and tax manager with Arthur Young and Company, all in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Winburn also served as CompONE’s Chief Compliance Officer and is a charter member of Healthcare Billing Management Association.

Susan L. Chambers, M.D. – Dr. Chambers is co-founder and officer of Oklahoma City Gynecology and Obstetrics, L.L.C., which co-owns Lakeside Women's Hospital. Dr. Chambers is also, co-founder, medical director, and Board Member of MedEncentive, LLC. A graduate of Southern Methodist University and the University of Oklahoma’s College of Medicine, Dr. Chambers completed residency training at University of Oklahoma 's College of Medicine, serving as Chief Resident.

Dr. Chambers is a Fellow of the American Board of Obstetrics

and Gynecology and recertified four times. Dr. Chambers is a member of American Medical Women's Association, Oklahoma County Medical Society, Oklahoma State Medical Society, and American Medical Association. Dr Chambers has been or is currently Chairwoman/ President of Baptist Medical Center's Perinatal Committee, Western OK Chapter March of Dimes, Central Oklahoma Physicians Alliance (COPA), and March of Dimes Walk America. She also serves on the Advisory Board, Oklahoma Chapter Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Board of Directors, Oklahoma Chapter American Red Cross. Dr. Chambers has a special interest in caring for people in underdeveloped countries. She is past Chairwoman and current member of the Board of Trustees, World Neighbors. Dr. Chambers’ active participation in World Neighbors has taken her around the world several times caring for the sick and injured.

For her numerous accomplishments, charitable activities, and business successes, Dr. Chambers was selected Oklahoma's Woman of the Year in 2002.

David D. Le Norman – MedEncentive investor. Le Norman is owner and manager of Le Norman Properties LLC. Since 1995, Le Norman has founded Le Norman Partners, Crusader Energy Corporation, Crusader Energy II, Crusader Energy III, Knight Energy Group, Knight Energy Group II, and Le Norman Properties. Le Norman is or has been President and CEO of a number of oil and gas companies, including Westside and Crusader Energy. Le Norman served as Senior Vice President of Patina Oil & Gas Corporation. Le Norman has nearly three decades of experience in the oil industry ranging from working in field operations as a roustabout, pumper, and as a rig hand on a workover rig. He held various engineering, business development management positions with Texaco prior to founding Le Norman Energy in 1995.

Mr. Le Norman holds a B.S. in petroleum engineering from the University of Wyoming and an M.B.A. from Oklahoma City University, and completed master's work in chemical engineering at Oklahoma State University.

James L. Dempster, Director of Sales and Support. Dempster served as an Executive Director of CompONE Services, Ltd from 1999 to 2004. At CompONE, Dempster is credited with building Physician Direct, an Oklahoma-based PPO, from scratch to a provider network comprised of 4,600 physicians and 120 hospitals. In addition, Dempster directed Physician Credentials Verification Services, a primary source verification service, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and CompONE’s Managed Care Administrative Services.

With more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Dempster has served in various healthcare positions including Regional Vice President of CCN and Director of PPO Operations for CommunityCare Managed Health Plans in Oklahoma. Active in the managed care industry, Dempster is a licensed insurance broker and a past member of the Board of Directors for the State Health Underwriters Association of Oklahoma, a past Board member of the Council of Medical Services for the Oklahoma State Medical Association, and a member of the Oklahoma State Coverage Initiative Benefit Structure Workgroup.

Dempster received a bachelor’s degree in management and marketing from Kansas State University.

Robert W. Purser – Director of Software Development and Information Technology. Purser is the chief architect of the MedEncentive website applications. He also created and maintains the Company’s information technology and telecommunication infrastructure, including the Company’s data security systems.

After a stint in the U.S. Coast Guard, Purser joined Telefora as a software designer in charge of quality assurance and testing. Purser then joined Oklahoma City Realtor Association as the lead software developer and database administrator.

He started his own consulting firm, Oklahoma Web Solution, before teaming with Greene, Winburn and Dempster at CompONE Services to launch MedEncentive. n

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BUSINESS COUNTER MEASURES for the Modern Kitchen

BY BEKKI HOPSON

T

he National Kitchen and Bath Association has reported that in 2015, homeowners in the USA spent $67 billion, with $49.7 billion spent on renovations. Ten million American households remodeled their kitchens. We spent this money on cabinetry, appliances, and fresh countertops.

Jo Meacham, owner of Urban Kitchens (urbankitchensok.com) in Oklahoma City, said, “You may or may not get your full value back when you invest in new counterQuartz, today’s most popular countertop option, is an engineered product that is durable and doesn’t stain.

78 ion Oklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

Quartz countertops installed in an Oklahoma City kitchen remodel.

tops. However, there are two important reasons to do so. You’ll love living with them, and they dramatically improve your house’s curb appeal when it comes time to sell. It’s undeniably worth considering.”

Many articles have been written about granite countertops and today’s darling of the kitchen remodeler, quartz countertops. But don’t overlook the exotic materials, such as porcelain, stainless steel, recycled glass, and reclaimed wood.

Going beyond the ordinary may help your house catch the eye of exhausted home shoppers, while providing a good aesthetic and easy clean-up for you.

Shara Castillo, co-owner of Castle Rock Countertops in Oklahoma City (castlerockcountertops.com), is a fan of soap stone, a quarried natural stone, mostly mineral talc but containing a high concentration of quartz. “Soapstone is beautiful, durable, and stain resistant. A traditional material for countertops, adding a matching or contrasting soapstone

sink creates an updated farmhouse kitchen look that is warm and welcoming.”

PORCELAIN is fine china, the same material as your Villeroy & Boch tableware. Popular in Europe, until recently, most countertops were produced and shipped from Spain. Today, you can order them locally. The list of porcelain benefits is long, and the material is worth considering with your remodeling advisor. Don’t think white toilet! You may order any color, finish, or pattern. The slabs, available in all sizes, are more lightweight than ever, and it is impossible to stain a porcelain countertop.

Porcelain is heat resistant and 30 percent stronger than granite, and you can install the over existing countertops. Be the first in your neighborhood!

RECYCLED GLASS countertops are a blend of glass or porcelain shards that are combined in color combinations chosen OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 79

Quartz countertops provide superior performance and unmatched edge detail, along with extraordinary movement, depth, and tone, in high gloss and matte finishes.

by the homeowner and held together in polished concrete. Offering an unlimited variety of effects, from festive to somber, recycled glass are strong and last a long time. They are a cost-effective way to brighten up a drab kitchen. Some patterns can show water spots, but daily maintenance is simple.

QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS, also known as engineeredstone countertops, are today’s preferred choice for many reasons. The very hard stone material is a blend of 90 percent ground quartz, which is a natural hard mineral, with resins, polymers, and pigments. The surface is non-porous, and it can be delivered in high-gloss or matte ďŹ nishes. Quartz countertops do not require seal80 ionOklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

Above, Granite has been a popular material for more than a decade and fits well in this colonial kitchen update.

Right, a bathroom update with large porcelain wall tiles.

ing or resealing, and they are available in a wide range of colors. The countertops are easy to clean with mild soap and water. The material is not heattolerant, and if you need a large surface, seams are unavoidable. Most designers recommend quartz.

The biggest reason for the recent surge in quartz’s popularity are advances in the stone’s aesthetic.

Manufacturers have figured out how to remove the overly flecked and unnaturally uniform patterns and create organic-looking swirls with the variations of natural stone. n

EVENTS

OKLAHOMA CITY TRADITION CONTINUES WITH

36TH ANNUAL REDBUD CLASSIC Registration open for all races on April 7 and 8 OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 26, 2017) – The Redbud Classic, Oklahoma City’s oldest local racing tradition, will celebrate its 36th anniversary of bringing fitness, fun and philanthropy to the community. Registration is now open for the event set for the weekend of April 7 and 8.

The 2018 Redbud Classic has events for the whole family starting with the 10, 33 and a 45-mile bike tours and a onemile children’s run on Saturday, April 7. The events continue with the 5K and 10K timed runs, the 5K-wheelchair event, the two-mile walk and the baby stroller derby.

“Since the first race in 1983, Redbud has been fortunate to raise more than $525,000 for local non-profits while also keeping the tradition of fun, fitness and philanthropy in Oklahoma,” said Redbud Classic Race Director Patty Anthony. “We are excited to name Whiz Kids Oklahoma as the 2018 beneficiary, providing race participants with the opportunity to help 82 ionOklahoma OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

inner-city students."

Annually, multiple agencies apply to the Redbud Classic as potential beneficiaries. After reviewing this year’s applicants, the Redbud Classic Board of Directors selected Whiz Kids, an after-school program connecting under-served Oklahoma City students with caring mentors to build reading skills, confidence and moral character.

Whiz Kids Oklahoma believes every child deserves a shot at success, especially the most under-resourced. For 22 years, Whiz Kids has worked with at-risk kids in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area to improve reading skills and comprehension and strives to foster mentoring relationships with caring adults.

“We are ecstatic to be selected as the 2018 Redbud beneficiary and can’t think of a better way to support our organization and its students,” said Whiz Kids Oklahoma Ex-

ecutive Director Adam Luck. “Whiz Kids is dedicated to creating a positive influence for children in the community and are grateful for the opportunity to share our message through Redbud.”

The Redbud events continue past the finish line with the fourth annual Redbud Bash. The Bash will be held Sunday, April 8 at 1 p.m. in the finish area of Nichols Hills Plaza. There will be a variety of food from some of Oklahoma’s premier food trucks, beverages from COOP Ale Works and other sponsors, free family-friendly games and activities, as well as live entertainment.

for the run/walk events and $40 for the cycling tours, or $65 for both events.

For complete event details including start times, course maps and registration information, visit redbud.org.

• • • • • •

Registration is available online, in person or by mail. By registering early and online at redbud.org, participants are more likely to receive their choice of T-shirt size as well as a timing tag. Until April 2, early-bird registration fees are $30

ABOUT REDBUD CLASSIC Since 1983, the Redbud Classic has become an Oklahoma City tradition involving the community through fitness, fun and philanthropy. The race offers 10, 33 and 45-mile bike tours as well as 5K and 10K races. Other events include a 2-mile walk, 1-mile kids fun run and a baby stroller derby.

Each year, Redbud Classic determines a local nonprofit as the race beneficiary, raising more than $525,000 since the race’s inception. n

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 ionOklahoma 83

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