October 2021 Oklahoma magazine by Oklahoma Magazine

OCTOBER 2021

THE

DYNAMIC WORLD OF

Medicine

KITCHENS AND BATHS Enticing retreats around the state

PLUS: Breast Cancer Awareness

WARREN CLINIC URGENT CARE Whether you access our on-demand virtual care, 24/7/365 days a year, or you visit us in-person at one of our many locations, Warren Clinic providers are here for you. If you’re looking for care for a sudden illness, a minor emergency or injury, visit saintfrancis.com/urgentcare to select a time and clinic location to visit, or choose a video visit online. TULSA Springer Building 6160 South Yale Avenue 918-495-2600

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

O C TO B E R 2 0 2 1

O K L A H O M A M AG A Z I N E

Healthcare is ever-evolving; new research, technology, surgical procedures and testing techniques develop each day. While it’s impossible to condense the entirety of Oklahoma’s medical landscape into a few pages, this year’s topics run the gamut. We get advice from the experts about health from head to toe, plus updates on Oklahoma’s pandemic response.

Beautiful kitchen and bath projects abound in Oklahoma. Fall in love with the process, take a tour and learn from some experts about creating havens of true relaxation.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

26 28 30 31 32

Government Philanthropy History Hobbies Sports Outdoors Nature Education Insider

Life and Style

Destinations With a diversity of wildlife and outdoor adventure, Tanzania is a nature lover’s dream. Health FYI Outside the Metro Scene

Taste

Leadership at Living Kitchen works diligently to keep the camaraderie of family-style dinners alive.

65 66 67

Local Flavor Chef Chat Tasty Tidbits

Where and When

Fall welcomes concerts, sporting events, fairs and festivals.

70 72

Film and Cinema Closing Thoughts OCTOBER 2021

An Enticing Retreat

The month of October ushers in a variety of positives, but to many, this month is filled with reminders surrounding breast cancer awareness.

Oklahomans can look forward to major infrastructure updates in the state’s two largest metros.

OCTOBER 2021

Breast Cancer: Advocating for Young Women

State 10 12 14 16 17 18 19 20 22

The Dynamic World of Medicine

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THE

DYNAMIC WORLD OF

Medicine

KITCHENS AND BATHS Enticing retreats around the state

PLUS: Breast Cancer Awareness

ON THE COVER: STARTING ON PAGE 35, WE DELVE INTO OKLAHOMA’S MEDICAL REALM. EXPERTS WEIGH IN ON THE MANY FACETS OF BODILY HEALTH, ALONG WITH COVID-19 UPDATES AND WAYS TO AVOID MEDICAL MISINFORMATION.

Here to Help You Rebuild Your Life® Don’t Bid Against Yourself in Family Law Matters

Many individuals are very anxious to get their divorce or family law matter concluded quickly. They want the case to end. They want the pain to end. They want it to stop as soon as possible. They want to move on with their life. To try to get a case settled, they issue a settlement offer. In some cases, a response to the settlement offer is not forthcoming by the deadline that was set for the offer to expire. Instead of patiently waiting for a response to a settlement offer, and continuing to move their case forward in the interim, many are tempted to issue another more enticing settlement offer. In other words, they offered one particular proposal and since there was no quick response, they desire to butter up the original proposal with an even better offer. When a party to a divorce or family law matter does this, they are essentially bidding against themselves. They are sweetening the pot, in es-

sence, with the hope that the other party will bite on the more generous offer to conclude the case. In some cases, it is certainly possible this might cause the other party to bite. But in many cases, the other party might come to realize that by not responding to the original offer, they got an even better deal. This can lead to a party thinking that they might not respond to the second offer, either. By not responding to the second offer, the thought is the there might be an even better third or fourth offer coming if they just keep not responding. This path can lead to a party becoming way too generous just to get a case done. This can ultimately lead to regret at some point after the case concludes. For most parties, submitting a settlement offer to attempt to settle the case makes sense. But bidding against yourself (when there was no response to the original offer) does not usually make sense. If you have submitted an offer, it’s usually best to wait for a response before issuing a second settlement offer. Even if the deadline you set for a response has passed, it’s best in most cases not to submit another offer until a response is provided to the original offer. If there is no response, consider continuing forward in preparing your

case until you get a response to the original offer. Stange Law Firm, PC limits their practice to family law matters including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, guardianship, adoption, mediation, collaborative law and other domestic relation matters. Stange Law Firm, PC gives clients 24/7 access to their case through a secured online case tracker found on the website. They also give their clients their cell phone numbers. Call for a consultation today at 855-805-0595.

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WWW.STANGELAWFIRM.COM The choice of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Stange Law Firm, PC is respsonsible for the content. Principal place of business is 120 South Central Ave, Suite 450, Clayton, MO 63105. Court rules do not permit us to advertise that we specialize in a particular field or area of law. The areas of law mentioned in this article are our areas of interest and generally are the types of cases which we are involved. It is not intended to suggest specialization in any areas of law which are mentioned The information you obtain in this advertisement is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results afford no guarantee of future results and every case is different and must be judged on its merits.

Tulsa County Office

6660 S. Sheridan Road, Suite 240

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133

Oklahoma County Office 2601 NW Expressway, Suite 411 W

Oklahoma City, OK 73112

OKLAHOMA LET TER FROM THE EDITOR A little known fact about me: October is my favorite month of the year. Why? We finally get some colder weather, Halloween’s right around the corner, and the magazine presents the annual Kitchens and Baths spotlight, of course. Two of the most sacred areas of the home are on full display this month, mixing together a variety of styles and talented designers. Take a tour starting on page 52. The realm of healthcare is in a continual state of flux, and we delve into that complicated world in our medical feature. We discuss with doctors the importance of head-to-toe health, receive some updates on COVID-19 variants and explore the threat of medical misinformation (page 35). October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and to commemorate, we talk to two Oklahoma women who have been directly affected by the disease at surprisingly young ages. Read their stories of bravery and survival starting on page 48. The rest of the issue is, as usual, jam-packed with excellent content. Head to our State section for infrastructure updates to our two major metros (page 7); and a piece on OSUIT’s 75th anniversary (page 20). You can take a virtual trip to Tanzania (page 26); explore the beloved Living Kitchen in Depew and see how they're adjusting to pandemicrelated concerns (page 64); and find out about this month’s cinematic offerings (page 70). Stay safe, Oklahoma! Mary Willa Allen Managing Editor

OKLAHOMA

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PRESIDENT AND EDITORIAL DIRECTOR DANIEL SCHUMAN

PUBLISHER AND FOUNDER VIDA K . SCHUMAN

MANAGING EDITOR

MARY WILLA ALLEN

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GRAPHICS MANAGER MARK ALLEN

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What’s HOT at

OKMAG.COM COMING IN OCTOBER Enjoy several virtual tours of stunning kitchen and baths projects online at okmag. com. There, you'll find bonus photos that will immerse you further into these dazzling homes.

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

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Copyright © 2021 by Schuman Publishing Company. Oklahoma Wedding, The Best of the Best, 40 Under 40, Single in the City, Great Companies To Work For and Oklahomans of the Year are registered trademarks of Schuman Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. All photographs, articles, materials and design elements in Oklahoma Magazine and on okmag. com are protected by applicable copyright and trademark laws, and are owned by Schuman Publishing Company or third party providers. Reproduction, copying, or redistribution without the express written permission of Schuman Publishing Company is strictly prohibited. All requests for permission and reprints must be made in writing to Oklahoma Magazine, c/o Reprint Services, P.O. Box 14204, Tulsa, OK 74159-1204. Advertising claims and the views expressed in the magazine by writers or artists do not necessarily represent those of Oklahoma Magazine, Schuman Publishing Company, or its aﬀiliates.

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THE STATE

ALL THINGS OKLAHOMA

Exceptional Changes Ahead

Oklahomans can look forward to major infrastructure updates in the state’s two largest metros. Tulsa

The new Oklahoma City Convention Center is a $288 million public funded project that opened January 2021. Photo courtesy the City of Oklahoma City

The Gathering Place and its surrounding areas just keep getting better: The location’s most recent project, which includes a new pedestrian bridge, dam and recreation flume, is well underway. Brooke Caviness, lead engineer of stormwater design for the City of Tulsa, says updates to the Zink Lake sector have been on the public wishlist for over 20 years. Tulsans expressed a desire for more water in the river, development and recreation along it, and better connections and access to the water. Construction began earlier this year on a new dam to address these concerns. Built in 1982, the existing dam

was seven feet high and had three sections of five foot high gates that could be raised or lowered to control water flow. The new dam is three feet higher and sees a large increase in the amount of gate, as well as the variety of gate heights. Different gates will allow the water level in Zink Lake to be fine-tuned. “Any time there’s a big flush of water, we can lay down the 10 foot gates to get the sediment out and maintain the depth of the lake,” says Caviness. “Having the capacity to lay down those gates results in no rise during a flood event.” Many Tulsans remember the old railroad bridge (turned pedestrian bridge) that ran across the Arkansas River at 29th Street. Built in 1904, the

city sought to repair the bridge, but it was so dilapidated that an update would cost as much as a total replacement. The new Gateway Bridge will soon take its place. Jeff Stava, construction director and trustee at Tulsa’s Gathering Place, says the new bridge will be the very first multi-arched, steel bridge designed and built in the United States. Designers at Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates and Schlaich Bergermann Partner were able to integrate the bridge into the Gathering Place’s specific look and feel. “It’ll be a seamless connection, architecturally significant and a bridge that Tulsans will be very proud of,” says Stava.

OCTOBER 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

T H E S TAT E | S TA R T I N G O F F

Top to bottom: This rendering depicts the new and improved Zink Dam on Tulsa’s Zink Lake. Tulsa Mayor GT Bynum took a tour of the construction site for the updated dam on Zink Lake. Photos courtesy the City of Tulsa The Gateway Bridge will replace Tulsa’s pedestrian bridge, running across the Arkansas River. Photo courtesy the George Kaiser Family Foundation

At 18 feet wide, the new bridge is 10 feet wider than the old bridge, shaped in an arch and featuring an open, panoramic view of the water on both sides. Looking south, pedestrians will be able to take in the action happening below on the new recreational flume. Planned to be as long as the river is wide – at about 1,050 feet – the recreational flume will feature seven pools, or drops, with recreational opportunities for kayakers and surfers, as well as those who want to ride down it on a tube. A trail will run alongside the flume on the east bank of the river. Caviness says it’s yet undetermined if the area will be manned with a lifeguard. The Zink Lake area projects are expected to be complete in 2023.

OKC

Since 1993, MAPS projects have been putting Oklahoma City on the ... well, map. The pay-as-you-go model with a penny sales tax has funded dozens of improvements across the city. MAPS 4, approved in late 2019, begins its planning and design stage later this year. At the same time, the city is living out the final implementation of MAPS 3, which began in 2012. In 2022, the final two senior health and wellness centers will open, and the vision for lower Scissortail Park will be realized. Two MAPS 3 senior health centers have already opened: Healthy Living OKC in northwest OKC and the Pete White Health and Wellness Center in south OKC. Both offer a fitness center, pickleball courts, swimming and more. Each center keeps a full programming calendar, with arts and crafts classes, cooking demonstrations, ballroom dancing lessons and other learning opportunities, along with on-site clinics offering medical services, mental health services and a pharmacy. Residents can expect similar offerings at the two centers under construction at the intersection of N.E. 36th St. and Lincoln Blvd., and at 13660 S. Western Ave., expected to open in the fall of 2022. Already, the existing health and wellness centers are having an impact. MAPS program manager David Todd says one resident shared that he hadn’t left the house much since his wife passed away. After visiting one of the new senior centers, he immediately made friends and had a reason to get out daily. He said the center undoubtedly added more years to his life. “The first wellness center is seeing such incredible participation, nearly 10 times what was expected, that we’re adding on to the building,” says Todd. In 2022, the north facility will see added locker room space, a second gymnasium and an all-purpose recreation room. The south center will receive a locker room expansion. MAPS 3’s final phase includes additions to Scissortail Park, set to be completed in summer 2022. Construction on the lower park, an additional 30 acres on the south side of Interstate 40, is underway. Todd says the upper and lower parks complement each other and will be connected by the Skydance bridge. Todd describes the upper park as active, with lots of things to do, and the lower park as passive, with plenty of space to walk and enjoy the landscape. In addition to trails, the lower park features soccer, futsal and basketball courts. “The lower park connects the boulevard and that area downtown all the way down to the river, so you’ll be able to walk in that park all the way down to the river trails,” says Todd. “It has completely transformed that area of the city.” LAUREN MIERS

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

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T H E S TAT E | G O V E R N M E N T

The Fabric of a City

Being a city manager combines leadership, emergency planning, development and collaboration.

“There is no such thing as a typical day” in the role of a city manager, says Larry Stevens, who has held that role for the city of Edmond for nearly two decades. Photo courtesy the City of Edmond

here is so much variety to the profession of city manager that “there is no such thing as a typical day,” says Larry Stevens, who stepped into that role for the city of Edmond in 2002. “A big chunk is dealing with personnel matters, working with council members and upper management staff, and serving as liaison for and buffer between city employees, city council members, and even the community to some degree.” Michael Spurgeon, Broken Arrow’s city manager, describes the job as multi-faceted. His day may consist of staff meetings, leadership team sessions, budget supervision, development project meetings and health benefit meetings, along with more abstract tasks like making sure goals are on track, and, always, addressing the issues that citizens raise. The job is all about collaboration, says Lawton’s city manager Michael Cleghorn. “The mayor, council and I work very closely,” he says. “I’m a contracted employee to the council along with the city attorney, judge and clerk. I work for the elected body, and everyone else works for me while our council provides the agenda, resolutions and ordinances that we put into motion day to day.”

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

But there’s always a bit of red tape. Funding a municipality is challenging in Oklahoma, explains Norman McNickle, Stillwater’s city manager. The Oklahoma Tax Commission does not allow cities to collect on property tax for operations, so cities “live and die by sales tax” to obtain revenue, he says. Stevens continues about the rigors of the position: “A piece of this job is crisis management. We try to do a lot of planning and proactive anticipation, but there are things that qualify under major events, so you drop other stuff and work on that.” COVID-19 did a number on everyone, and city managers were not exempt from the stress. “Back in March of 2020, there was no game plan – no section or chapter like there is for floods and natural disasters,” says Spurgeon. “Decisions to make range from protecting employees, exposure issues, providing guidance to the community to protect their health – all while trying to keep businesses open. It challenged all of us to look differently at things and changed the way we do business. Now team meetings become inherent in everything we do, and overall, it’s been very positive because we learned to be very

PREPARING TO LEAD Becoming a city manager can happen in a variety of ways. “There are many paths to becoming a city manager and often, the role is filled by someone who has proven leadership skills for the community already – such as the fire or police chief or economic development director,” says Spurgeon. “Another traditional route is to start in a management intern position and work your way up until you’ve got the skill set and experience needed to move up in that organization, or in another community. That is the route that many city managers take.” For some, becoming a city manager starts with military service, a degree in public administration, or even a Master of Business Administration. But, says Stevens, “the way to become a city manager is a city council hires you – whatever your background.” productive on Zoom.” Spurgeon says that going forward, emergency management plans are in place in case of flareups and future challenges. TRACY LEGRAND

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T H E S TAT E | P H I L A N T H R O P Y

A Heart for Helping

impetus was two young mothers, Marcia Mitchell and Sheryl Poole, who took matters into their own hands when they realized no early intervention services were available for their daughters, who were both born with visual impairments. Today, the Little Light House is filled with a staff that works diligently to create unique lesson plans for children while fostering their individual needs. Needs are met both mentally and physically, and the nonprofit is a free service offered to families in need. Little Light House accept students from any walk of life or background. “I remember listening to a pastor who I had a lot of respect for,” says McCoy. “He had a dream where he went before the Lord, and the Lord asked him: ‘Did you learn to love?’ And I thought, no matter where our kids are in their program, no matter how great their needs are, these kids know how to love deeply.” That’s a story McCoy holds close to her heart as she continues the powerful and necessary work

Anne McCoy leads the Little Light House, Tulsa’s faith-based learning development center for children.

Despite a thriving occupational therapy business, Anne McCoy closed down to take a leadership position at The Little Light House and has been the executive director since 2019. Photos courtesy the Little Light House

hirteen years ago, Anne McCoy was the owner of a thriving occupational therapy practice when a friend invited her to visit Tulsa’s Little Light House for a conference. She was hooked from the start. McCoy saw a place where she could truly make a difference, and within a short time, she closed down her practice to move into an OT role for Little Light House. After two years with the organization, McCoy became the executive director. Little Light House, a Christian development center for children up to six who have some form of special needs, opened in 1972. The

at the Little Light House. According to McCoy, early intervention is key. Children develop millions of neural pathways in their earliest years, and for families with a child with special needs, time is of the essence. The Little Light House offers guided support through their entire process, for the children as well as the families. “Parents need the love and support just as much as the child,” says McCoy. “The parents’ dream hits a wall, but they are able to readapt and develop new dreams for their child. We help parents realize their dreams don’t end, and we ... help reimagine and ask God to breathe new life into new dreams. Unlocking communication through play and very individualized education plans tend to help with socialization for the child.” ERIKA BROWNING

ABOUT MCCOY Born in Roswell, N.M., McCoy completed her undergraduate degree at Colorado State University. She then moved to Tulsa, where she worked in several medical facilities including Children’s Medical Center and then started her own occupational therapy practice. Her passion for children, along with her faith, has led McCoy to myriad opportunities, including ministry-related positions and the role of president of the Jenks Public Schools Board.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

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T H E S TAT E | H I S T O R Y

Evolving Perceptions

Oklahomans with disabilities were once housed in medical institutions. Today, their opportunities for independent living are boundless.

ow Oklahoma cares for people with developmental disabilities has changed drastically in the last century. Institutionalization was the norm one hundred years ago, but ideas, beliefs and perceptions have evolved, leaving most of those institutions empty today.

THE BEGINNINGS:

The Hissom Memorial Center in Sand Springs was shut down in the 1980s after a lawsuit was filed by residents’ families. Photo by Ben Newby courtesy the Oklahoma Historical Society

From the impetus of statehood, the legislature realized that parents and families of people with disabilities needed help caring for their loved ones, but community-based supports and services did not exist. The idea at the time was that institutionalization was the best option. “There was this idea that if [care] needed to be specialized, people might need to be with other people like themselves,” says Beth Scrutchins, division director of Developmental Disabilities Services, a division of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. She mentions that due to misconceptions or ignorance, some feared that people with developmental disabilities could be dangerous, or that they needed extra protection themselves. “It was kind of all over the place,” she says. Just after statehood, the first such institution was opened in Enid and named the Oklahoma Institution for the Feeble Minded. (Nomenclature referencing people with disabilities has undergone a lot of change through the years as well, resulting in frequent name changes.) Among

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

other names, this home became the Enid State School, and much later, the Northern Oklahoma Resource Center. What would become the Southern Oklahoma Resource Center in Pauls Valley in 1992 started out as a training school for boys in 1907, later transforming into a center for people with intellectual disabilities in 1953, named the Pauls Valley State School. An additional institution, and one that would become infamous later – the Hissom Memorial Center in Sand Springs – opened in the 1960s to provide additional beds when the other two locations had become overcrowded. Hissom was considered to offer state-of-the-art service to this population at the time. However, despite quality care, the focus of these institutions was centered solely around medical treatment, says Scrutchins. It was a campus-like atmosphere with everything provided within the facility. “There were some people that we served in the community who moved there as toddlers, [and] who lived their entire lives there on the campuses,” says Scrutchins.

MAJOR CHANGES:

Perceptions shifted. In 1985, two events took place that would drastically change the way services were provided to people with disabilities. First was the creation of a waiver program, which provided the option to receive services outside an institutional setting. The second occurred

when families filed a lawsuit against the Hissom Memorial Center, which resulted in the court-ordered closing of that facility. “When we closed the Hissom Memorial Center, we had to create a community program that we didn’t have. We were court-ordered to do that, and people saw that people [with developmental disabilities] could live in their communities, they could live in their family homes with support, or they could live in their own homes, supported, rather than having to be in that institutional, medical setting,” says Scrutchins. Services are now provided based on each individual’s needs, rather than as a group in an institution. The Northern and Southern Oklahoma Resource Centers were closed in 2014 and 2015 respectively. People with disabilities now have access to a variety of services – everything from living together with a few individuals in a group home, to round-the-clock nursing care in their own family home, to a simple piece of technology that makes it possible for them to live alone, says Scrutchins. “People are so much more capable of doing things, especially people with developmental disabilities, than people 50 years ago gave them credit for,” she says. “We know people in the community working full time jobs and living independently or with minimal supports. It is a huge paradigm shift.” BONNIE RUCKER

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The Magic Within

Experts say that a mixture of discipline, charisma and playfulness make for an excellent magician.

or magicians, their fascinations with abracadabra and all things magic stem from a variety of chan-

Joe Coover teaches magic classes, hosts summer camps and visits sick patients to spread some joy. Photo courtesy Joe Coover

nels. Brian Bailey, the owner of Top Hat Magic and Fun Shop in Tulsa, has been into magic since 1978. He loved to watch his uncle perform magic tricks. Then, two local magic shop owners helped him learn enough magic to put a show together, and he’s been performing shows ever since. And Bailey’s business keeps the hocus pocus going by offering a “variety of theatrical makeup, hats, wigs, costume accessories, novelties, gags and a huge variety of magic tricks to buy or rent,” according to the website. Top Hat also gives magic lessons. Cassidy Smith is president of the OKC Magic Club, which brings together amateur and semi-pro magicians in a chapter of the International Brotherhood

PERFECTING MAGIC TRICKS

of Magicians. Smith says the members “show, learn and teach each other magic Bailey, Smith and tricks. And they’re also some of my Coover compare being very best friends.” a magician and perA part-time professional magifecting tricks to being cian, Smith says that she caught a professional dancer, the magic bug by seeing famed musician or athlete: All pro Lance Burton on television require time, dedica“and wanting to be that cool and tion and lots of practice elegant.” to excel. Joe Coover owns Funky Monkey Coover says that Magic in OKC and was drawn to perfecting a trick varies magic, like many, as a child. widely depending on “I saw magicians as a kid and the performance. I fell in love,” he says. “I taught “For 27 years, I’ve myself the tricks by going to the practiced one trick and public library and reading all the have yet to perfect it,” books they had. By the time I was he says. “My goal is not 16, I started winning competitions. to be perfect, but to be In some ways, I invented things on entertaining.” my own because I taught myself.” On the other hand, Coover, who teaches magic when discussing ways summer camps to get tricks to come and performs at off smoothly, Smith corporate and says it requires “a few family events, weeks of concentrated says that at only practice. It’s neither as eighteen, “I easy as you want it to knew I wanted be nor as difficult as to teach magic. some claim it to be. The This is an art I technique must be hidlove. Nine years den. Magic shouldn’t ago I started be showing off skill. It’s teaching magic; I hiding it in plain sight.” developed a curriculum that I’ve shared globally. Now a group has developed globally, that’s like a coop of magicians. “We work very closely together, like a big family. And we use magic to help kids develop life skills that would translate into any job – such as respect, being prepared, enthusiasm, confidence, being humble and authentic, creativity and giving. I want to see as much diversity in the magic field as I see when I go to the grocery store. I have 60% girls in my magic classes, whether online during the pandemic, or five years of in-person classes. We need to be role models and create role models.” CAROL MOWDY BOND

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

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Nothin’ Bad About It Badminton brings players together from a variety of backgrounds.

The OU Badminton Club is one of the most active in the state, with anywhere between 40-60 members annually. Photo courtesy OU Badminton Club

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ne of the greatest challenges of maintaining a club sports program at a university is continuity, considering every year a new batch of potential members comes on to campus while another departs. For the University of Oklahoma club badminton program, the challenge is no different, save for one exception: Shawn Lam. Lam, who has been involved in the sport for more than three decades, is the staff advisor of the club at OU, and remains an unchanging foundation for the program. “I’ve been playing the sport for over 30 years,” he says. “I started like everyone else, having fun, and then I was on the high school team for a year when I was in Hong Kong. After coming to the United States for my college degree and beyond, I played on the OU team or any other places with local badminton tournaments.” There are a number of reasons to get involved in the sport. Affordability can be a challenge due to equipment, but for the most part, the sport is accessible. “We welcome all students to join,” says Lam. “For the club, it’s not expensive to join. We only charge the minimum because it’s all volunteers running the club. The main expense with badminton is the feather shuttlecock. They are quite expensive and they are very fragile.” The OU club was started in the 1980s and has a regular membership of 40-60 students per year. The sport itself has a culture of respect and thoughtfulness, says Lam. Because badminton is more popular internationally than it is in the U.S. and Oklahoma specifically, the sport attracts a wide range of people. “The culture is respectful and treats people equally,” says Lam. “Any race, any background.” The OU club is currently in a state of maintaining the status quo due to challenges associated with the pandemic, as well as a lack of volunteers, but there are still opportunities for Oklahomans to get involved in the sport, and support them should new clubs need it. Happening in October, the Oklahoma Senior Games includes a badminton event. “We continue to support our communities,” says Lam. “I’ve been helping Oklahoma Senior Sports to host their Senior Games every year. I enjoy doing those, and I see our grayhaired generation come out and do exercise; I support that 100% from my heart.” LUKE REYNOLDS

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Hiking Highlights

As fall foliage begins to appear, take a trek through one of Oklahoma’s trails.

The Black Mesa Summit Trail is a solid choice for autumn hiking and stunning fall foliage.

klahoma is no stranger to natural beauty. From the Salt Plains to the Ouachita Mountains and the Tallgrass Prairie, these stunning destinations eagerly await a visit. Hiking any trail for the first time can be daunting, but the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department can help you prepare. “We have so much diversity in Oklahoma, whether it’s choosing a trail in Chickasaw National Recreational Area for [something] less demanding, or a more challenging trail in the Wichita Mountains – we have a guide for that,” says David White, the legislative liaison and public information officer for the department. The guide White mentions is free for anyone to access on the department’s website, and it can also be downloaded to your phone. White encourages everyone to be mindful of their necessities while on the trail, since safety should be the top concern. Make sure you have enough water and food for your hike and be aware of your surroundings. Keep in mind you’re in wildlife territory and be respectful of natural habitats. He also encourages people to respect and acknowledge their own abilities, as trails and hike options exist for most levels of athleticism. For those in northeastern Oklahoma, Tulsa River Parks’ Ryan Howell says Turkey Mountain is about to undergo significant upgrades. “We are in the process of renovating trails and rehabilitating forestry health. We’re also going to take all of

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

the rutted-out trails that are causing erosional problems, and we will be realigning them so they’ll dry faster and improve forestry health,” he says. “We will also be adding amenities that are more family friendly, as well as being more accessible for those with mobility issues.” During this renovation phase, Tulsa River Parks will be working with Leave No Trace, a national organization based out of ColoThis is a familiar phrase to many rado that works to educate people who enjoy the outdoors, people about forestry and whether you were introduced to environmental health. it on a family hike, in scouting The idea is to keep Turkey or through Oklahoma’s Wildlife Mountain and all of OklaConservation Organization. homa’s natural resources The Leave No Trace organizaintact and thriving for tion is currently working with generations to come. Tulsa River Parks to improve It can take some planning educational opportunities for to curate the perfect outing, those enjoying the trails at but with mindfulness and preparation, you can enjoy Turkey Mountain. any of Oklahoma’s fantastic “People aren’t typically malinatural beauty options this ciously intending on harming the autumn. environment,” says Ben Lawhon, Favorite hikes for fall folisenior director of research age include Beaver’s Bend with Leave No Trace. “We oﬀer State Park in Broken Bow; a framework for making good the Ouachita National Forest in extreme-eastern Okla.; decisions about how to make the outdoors enjoyable for everyone.” or Talimena State Park in Key principles are: the southeastern part of • Plan ahead the state. To the northeast, Grand Lake has miles of • Travel and camp on durable shoreline and beautiful surfaces rolling hills. Oologah Lake • Dispose of waste properly and Osage County are also • Leave what you find where particularly gorgeous for fall you found it enjoyment.

LEAVE NO TRACE

ERIKA BROWNING

• • •

Minimize campfire impacts Respect wildlife Be considerate of other visitors

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THIS LAND IS GRAND

Oklahoma houses a variety of diverse terrains.

klahoma may have a reputation as flat prairie land, but the reality is far more sundry. If you’ve ever noticed a variance in the terrain as you travel across the state, your eyes do not deceive you. According to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department and the Environmental Protection Agency, Oklahoma has the most diverse terrain per square mile of any state in the country. There are many factors at play in this diversity. The amount of precipitation each year declines steeply across the state from about 55 inches per year in the southeast to around 11 inches per year in the west. “This gradient of precipitation plays an important role in [Oklahoma’s] diversity,” says Bruce Hoagland, Ph.D., associate chair and professor of the department of geography and environmental sustainability at the University of Oklahoma. Hoagland goes on to explain that as prevailing wind comes from the west over the Rocky Mountains, it loses moisture in the mountains and enters western Oklahoma as dry air. Concurrently, humid air comes up from the Gulf of Mexico, which causes more precipitation in the east. The elevation of the state also increases from southeast to northwest, with the Panhandle boasting the highest elevation. “That increase in elevation is because the Rocky Mountains formed, and it effectively pushed up part of the continent – lifting part of the continent with it,” says Hoagland. And the position Oklahoma holds on the continent accounts for much of the variety in ecoregions.

“Oklahoma is an area of convergence,” says Kurt Lively, Ph.D., associate professor of history at Tulsa Community College who specializes in Oklahoma history. “Oklahoma has a lot of ecological diversity. So each region developed a little differently because of the natural features and rainfall in each area.” Hoagland seconds: “We’re at a biogeographical crossroads, if you will.” And that convergence means much of our terrain is spillover from states around us. In eastern Oklahoma, for example, is the edge of the eastern deciduous forest. “You find a lot of trees and other vegetation that are more typical of Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky,” says Hoagland. “You have fairly tall trees and many species of plants that are more characteristic of forests east of us.” Similarly, in the Panhandle and Black Mesa, there are plants and animals more common to the west and the Rocky Mountains, says Hoagland. And in the southwest corner of the state, “there are plants and animals that have more in common with characteristics from the Chihuahuan Desert,” he says. Lively continues: “The Western High Plains, for example, has a unique history, due in part to its limited rainfall. Today, it is most suited to cattle ranching.” He also mentions that southwestern Oklahoma is conducive to cotton, north central Oklahoma has a lot of wheat farms, and timber and coal have been more important industries in eastern Oklahoma. With the diversity of surroundings you can find in Oklahoma, it’s agreed that this land we belong to truly is grand.

The 12 Terrains

There are many ways to classify the ecoregions in Oklahoma, but the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation has separated them into 12:

WESTERN HIGH PLAINS (PANHANDLE)

Flat and dry at a high elevation

SOUTHWESTERN TABLELANDS Black Mesa, Oklahoma’s highest elevation

CENTRAL GREAT PLAINS

Most of the western half of the state, from north to south

TALLGRASS PRAIRIE (NORTH CENTRAL) Iconic tall grass prairies

CROSSTIMBERS

Central Oklahoma from the northern to southern border

EAST CENTRAL TEXAS PLAINS

Central southern border, heavily wooded with post oak trees

CAVES AND PRAIRIE (NORTHEAST) Grasslands and forest

OZARK HIGHLANDS (EAST) Heavily forested

OZARK FOREST (EAST) Illinois River and oak forest

HARDWOOD FOREST (EAST CENTRAL)

Forested valleys and ridges

OUACHITA MOUNTAINS (SOUTHEAST)

Towering pines in the Ouachita National Forest

CYPRESS SWAMPS AND FOREST Southeastern border, also known as South Central Plains

BONNIE RUCKER

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NEW DEVELOPMENTS Upon the recommendations of its corporate partners, OSUIT rolled out a brand new bachelor’s degree of technology in applied technical leadership two years ago. The degree program is designed to help fill vacancies in leadership and managerial positions across technical enterprises. “We just graduated our first 12 students on Friday [Aug. 20],” says Path. “But I’m predicting this is going to become the largest single enrollment program that OSUIT has ever oﬀered.”

Celebrating 75 Years

Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology is uniquely positioned to provide top-notch career training to Oklahomans.

Classes oﬀicially began at OSUIT in October of 1946 for 456 students, consisting mainly of WWII veterans. Photo courtesy OSUIT

n 1946, H.G. Bennett purchased a decommissioned military hospital in Okmulgee for just $1. He envisioned turning it into a vocational school, where returning World War II veterans could receive training for workforce reintegration. A few months later, the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology (OSUIT) opened its doors to 456 students under the name of Oklahoma A&M College School of Technical Training. The majority of students were military personnel. At the time, the institute offered courses in baking, auto mechanics, electrical maintenance and more. Seventy-five years later, OSUIT has transformed into Oklahoma’s only university of applied technology, offering 38 different two- and four-year degree programs. It serves over 3,000 students, and is a part of Oklahoma State University’s five campuses. “We’ve grown a lot over the years from very humble beginnings,” says Dr. Bill Path, the president of OSUIT who has degrees in Bible and educational psychology counseling and a doctorate in higher education administration. “We started out focused primarily on military personnel, but over the decades, we have opened the doors to

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

anyone wanting to find workforce training. We train a lot of frontline skills that are in high demand across the state of Oklahoma and, consequently, across the country.” To help close skills gaps across industries, OSUIT collaborates with over 700 private corporate partners, including Ford Motors, Chrysler, Toyota and Caterpillar. These partners sponsor many students, covering the costs of their room and board, tuition and school supplies. Path says these industry connections are integral to its achievement of a 90% career placement rate upon graduation. Updates are on the horizon. The institute is commissioning Tulsa-based virtual reality company Xalter to develop threedimensional lab experiences using extended-reality technology. This technology combines both realworld and virtual-reality environments, rendering an interactive learning experience for users. Extended reality will enable students to take walking tours of the inside of a running engine and experience parts failures on equipment without risk of injury. It will also empower instructors to leverage new insights to improve student learning. “The extended-reality project is so futuristic, so visionary, it’s

going to give our instructors data and analytics that they’ve never had before,” says Path. According to Path, aerospace and aviation is the second largest industry in Oklahoma, and there is a growing demand to fill engineering positions in this industry. “We are developing some shortterm [aviation and aerospace] training programs ... designed to re-tool and re-skill engineers,” says Path. These training programs fit within Oklahoma State University’s larger strategy to support growth in this sector, which includes building the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education in Oklahoma City at OSU Discovery. With big plans in the works, OSUIT is taking the time to recognize its seventy-fifth anniversary, along with its legacy of creating a globally competitive workforce. The school is celebrating all year long by sharing students’ experiences on its dedicated anniversary website, OSUIT75.com. “Our legacy is our students,” says Path. “Not only are they hard workers, but they understand the technology of the industry. We are here to produce the most highly skilled, highly trained professionals that we possibly can.” FAITH HARL

2021

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T H E S TAT E | I N S I D E R

Oklahoma’s Horror Superstar Despite efforts to the contrary, Oklahoma native Lon Chaney Jr. became a cornerstone of the horror genre.

or Halloween this year, how about the story of a native Oklahoman who went on to become the only actor ever to play all four of the famed Universal Pictures horror characters of the 1930s and ’40s: the Wolf Man, the Mummy, Count Dracula and Frankenstein’s monster? That’s a remarkable, one-of-a-kind achievement. But what may be even more remarkable about Lon Chaney Jr. is that he survived at all. In a July 28, 1940 piece for the Sunday supplement magazine This Week, writer Frederick James Smith began his profile of Chaney with these words: “On a bleak, cold February day just thirty-four years ago a pioneer doctor took a tiny, premature two-and-a-quarterpound baby and, smashing the ice of a small lake outside Oklahoma City, dashed the infant in and out of the freezing waters. It was his desperate way of shocking life into the sluggish child who balked at existence.” The child, dubbed Creighton (his mother’s maiden name) Tull Chaney, had been born to a couple of small-time vaudeville performers, on tour at the time. According to Smith, after

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

Creighton’s birth, his father, Lon, left showbiz for a while, taking a job as a carpet layer with an Oklahoma City furniture store in order to provide for his son. That lasted until the senior Chaney and his wife got another offer with a touring show. Then, they were off again, with the infant Creighton spending a significant amount of time “backstage in a cotton-lined shoe box with holes punched in the lid – when he wasn’t sleeping in a small hammock woven by his dad and hung over his dressing table.” By 1914, the marriage had dissolved, with Lon Chaney gaining custody of eight-yearold Creighton. The elder Chaney had begun working for Universal Pictures, and by the late 1920s, he had worked his way up to being the movies’ top portrayer of weird and unusual characters. Although he was a famous star, Lon Chaney did what he could to dissuade his son from following the same path. In fact, This Week’s Smith wrote that keeping his boy out of show business was an “obsession” with Chaney. So, from a very young age, Creighton explored other avenues of employment.

Legendary makeup man Jack Pierce transforms Lon Chaney Jr. into The Wolf Man (1941). Photo courtesy the John Wooley Collection

“Regular schooling wasn’t for me,” he told This Week. “I liked getting around. At twelve I was a migratory fruit picker like those John Steinbeck writes about. I couldn’t stay put. I worked as a boilermaker, a butcher boy, a slaughterer, a plumber. Acting never dawned on me.” After his dad’s 1930 passing, however, Creighton began thinking more about the profession that had made his surname famous. Finally, he left his job as a secretary at a water heater company and struck out for pictures; by 1932, he was doing stunt work and appearing in small parts, which led to bigger roles and, in 1935, a name change to Lon Chaney Jr. This came about, it seems, because of studio insistence, as a quote, attributed to him in the 1991 book Horror Film Stars by Michael R. Pitts, makes clear: “I am most proud of the name Lon Chaney because it was my father’s and he was something to be proud of. I am not proud of Lon Chaney, Jr., because they had to starve me to make me take this name.” Perhaps he learned to be proud of it, since his career began to ascend after he traded

“Creighton” for “Lon Jr.” In 1939, he hit the next level, with his breakthrough performance as the slow-witted and ultimately tragic farmhand Lennie in the movie version of Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. It was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Picture (losing to Gone with the Wind). Unlike his namesake dad, he had not been playing horror roles. In fact, at the time Of Mice and Men came along, he seemed to be forging a name in westerns and serials. According to an interview with Barrett C. Kiesling in the Richmond (Virginia) Times-Dispatch on May 25, 1941, that was intentional. “ ... I decided that to establish Lon Chaney Jr. as quite a separate character from his father,” Chaney told Kiesling, “I would practice particularly hard on a line for which he was not fitted ... vigorous action Westerns.” His filmography shows that tack worked – for a while. However, the same year he gave Kiesling the interview, Universal released The Wolf Man, with Chaney in the title role. And for the rest of his life, he – like his dad – would be known as a horror star. During his prime decade of the ’40s, he would play the lycanthropic Lawrence Talbot four more times, in Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), House of Frankenstein (1944), House of Dracula (1945 – in which Talbot is temporarily cured of his werewolfism) and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948). Of the four major Universal monsters he portrayed, the wolf man was the only one he originated, so it’s understandable that he did more features as this character than he did as any other. Still, he racked up plenty of other monster portrayals. He was the undead Egyptian Kharis in The Mummy’s Tomb (1942), The Mummy’s Ghost (1944) and The Mummy’s Curse (1945); Dr. Frankenstein’s monster in Ghost of Frankenstein (1942); and Count Dracula in Son of Dracula (1943), which co-starred another Oklahoma City native, Louise Allbritton. To give an idea how

ubiquitous he was in Universal Pictures’ horror shows, in one year – 1948 – a moviegoer could have seen him onscreen as the wolf man (in Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein) as well as Count Dracula and Frankenstein’s monster, respectively, in a reissue double-feature of Son of Dracula and Ghost of Frankenstein. By the time The Mummy’s Tomb came around, Universal had dropped the “Jr.” from Chaney’s name. As Lon Chaney, he would continue making movies for nearly three more decades, and while several of them were outside the horror genre – including such notable entries as 1952’s High Noon and 1958’s The Defiant Ones – Chaney’s name would continue to be synonymous with horror pictures, just as his dad’s had been a generation earlier. It may not have been exactly what the former Creighton Chaney wanted, but that’s what happened. In fact, one of the very last films he did was Dracula vs. Frankenstein, directed by Al Adamson, a cult figure known for his outrageous low-budget pictures. In Dracula vs. Frankenstein, Chaney didn’t play either monster; instead, he was a Lennie-like figure called “Groton.” Two years after the picture’s initial release, Chaney was dead from throat cancer – the same disease that had taken his father’s life 43 years earlier. Of course, all of that was still ahead of him in 1941, when his This Week interview with Frederick James Smith came out in Sunday newspapers all across America. It closed with this reflection from the then up-andcoming actor: “When I flew East the other day I looked down and saw Oklahoma City for the first time since that dousing I got the day I was born. I thought of all these things that had happened since. Sure, I crossed up my dad’s wishes. But somehow I think he’d be happy now. Maybe I can get that name of Lon Chaney back up in the theater lights across America again.” JOHN WOOLEY

2021

EOOMS welcomes Dr. Chris Ray

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Behind the Brand:

Dental Depot Makes the Dentist Fun Since 1978 W hen Dr. Glenn and Arlene Ashmore were preparing to open their first dental office located at the corner of NW 23rd St. and N. Drexel Blvd. in Oklahoma City, they knew it couldn’t be an ordinary experience; Dr. Glenn wanted his practice to be fun and inviting for children and adults alike. In the late 1970s, on a visit to FAO Schwarz in New York City, the Ashmores spotted an electric model train circling overhead, chugging merrily from room to room, and inspiration struck: a railroad theme! Combining Arlene’s love of antiquing and Oklahoma’s rich history as America’s crossroads, there was no shortage of railway memorabilia

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

with which to decorate their office. The trains – combined with Dr. Glenn’s dedication to providing the highest quality dentistry at an affordable price, plus extended practice hours that include Saturdays, and emergencies seen same-day – went a long way in establishing Dental Depot as one of Oklahoma’s best (and most unique) dental offices. As the practice grew, so too did the collection of railroad ephemera. A family friend and retired firefighter, David Piette, built the first of Dental Depot’s outdoor trains. It wasn’t long until a water tower, crossing arm, and railroad signage joined the train. Then, as Dental Depot was beginning to expand, the original of-

fice was destroyed in a midnight fire in 2001. Fortunately, the train and water tower were spared. Dr. Glenn wasted no time in rebuilding, and Dental Depot as we know it today was reborn from the ashes. Undertaking a challenge this big meant bringing in help, and the Ashmores turned to antiques dealer-turned-interior designer Les Henderson and longtime handyman-turned-Director of Facilities Nick Richardson. The exterior features golden shiplap and red brick trimmed in green, which includes a clock tower, railway signage, baggage cars, a water tower, weathervane and, most importantly, a train. Inside, hun-

dreds of feet in track wrap around and throughout the building, with model trains chugging along over bespoke bridges. What you probably didn’t know is that all of Dental Depot’s signature elements are fabricated in-house by dedicated facilities team. But when John Argo, Dental Depot’s welder of more than a decade, was first asked to continue building trains for the exterior of future offices, he had no idea where to start. “Part of the challenge from the beginning has been [ figuring out] what makes a train a train. What do you absolutely need and what don’t

you need,” said Richardson. The facilities team did figure it out, and today, they build trains for every single Dental Depot. It takes the team roughly 700 hours to assemble the trains, and they often include reused and recycled materials. “Every train has been handcrafted,” said Richardson. “They all have their own story, like the offices themselves.” Today, Dental Depot has grown from its Oklahoma roots to include practices across Texas, Arizona, and Missouri with nearly 30 offices and dozens of dentists committed to Dr. Glenn’s goals of bringing compas-

sionate, common-sense dentistry to the whole family. While the in-office teams make sure trips to the dentist feels safe and welcoming, the facilities team can be relied on to create an environment that’s fun and timeless. So, if you’re ready to experience the best of the best in dentistry and have fun doing it, give Dental Depot a call today or request an appointment online at dentaldepot.net Dental Depot is proud to have been awarded Oklahoma Magazine’s Best of the Best in Dentistry yet again. Thank you for choosing Dental Depot as your dental destination!

OKC | Tulsa | dentaldepot.net OCTOBER 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

LIFE & STYLE

A M A P TO L I V I N G W E L L

On Safari

With a diversity of wildlife and outdoor adventure, Tanzania is a nature lover’s dream.

anzania is a nation of superlatives: Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa; Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest point on the continent; and the massive wildebeest migration on the Serengeti is called the “greatest show on Earth.” Plus, the simple fact is, the east African country is home to the most wildlife of any nation. Tanzania is so closely associated with the biggest and most dangerous African mammals that even the nation’s currency features depictions of elephants, lions and black rhinoceroses. The diversity and quality of wildlife in Tanzania is unrivalled: the whale sharks of Mafia Island, the chimps of Mahale, the giant “tuskers” of Tarangire, and what’s known as the Big Five: elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards and cape buffalo, those creatures most difficult to spot. In the northeast, Kilimanjaro stands 19,340 feet above sea level, the highest point in Africa. But get this: it’s hikeable – no special gear or skills required ... just a lot of stamina and determination. Give your body time to adjust to the changing altitudes by planning on six days to hike from the rain forest at

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

the mount’s base to the snow-capped summit. But be forewarned. This is the Kilimanjaro of “Snows” fame (Ernest Hemingway), the world’s tallest free-standing mountain, the climb that 30,000 people attempt each year and a third don’t complete, mostly due to altitude-related problems. The dormant volcano’s location near the bustling tourist city of Arusha in northern Tanzania puts you on the threshold of the Serengeti National Park and the world’s largest caldera, Ngorongoro Crater. Both are teeming with wildlife. Nearly 30% of Tanzania is national parkland, with the massive, unspoiled Serengeti serving as the crown jewel. You’ll see the Big Five, plus zebras, gazelles, spotted hyenas, impalas, buffalo, giraffe, flamingo, wildebeest – and some species you might not expect: pythons, Fischer’s lovebirds and camels. From Arusha, one can arrange the Serengeti safari of one’s dreams. They come in all shapes, sizes and price points, from sleeping under a canvas tent to luxuriating in a posh lodge. Make time for the big show, the greatest wildlife migration on Earth, as nearly two million wildebeest, zebra and

L I F E & S T Y L E | D E S T I N AT I O N S

gazelle move in a circular pattern between Tanzania and Kenya in search of fresh pastures, brought to life by recent rains. The migrating animals generally spend the first half of the year on the lush southeastern Serengeti plains, lolling around, grazing and having babies in January and February. What a sight – 300,000 to 400,000 newborn wildebeest calves, all born within weeks of each other and able to run with the herd only minutes after birth. The migration does get a bit dicey when the animals cross a network of Serengeti rivers, including the Grumeti and the Mara, where crocodiles tend to congregate. On land, other dangers lurk in the form of jackals, hyenas and lions. In western Tanzania on the shores of Lake Tanganyika (the world’s second-largest freshwater lake), a small national park called the Gombe Stream is home to a surprising assortment of primates: chimps, red colobus, baboons and, of course, all manner of monkey. The well-known sanctuary is where Jane Goodall did her ground-breaking research on chimps in their natural habitat. The Kasekela chimp community still lives there. Dar es Salaam may be Tanzania’s pulsating commercial heart, but a short ferry ride away is legendary

Zanzibar, the Spice Islands, the place to kick your hiking boots off and enjoy powdery white sand beaches, blood-orange sunsets, superb diving and a variety of outstanding restaurants. Stay at the Residence Zanzibar, nestled in tropical gardens along a mile-long beach. Indulge yourself in their fabulous spa. CHUCK MAI

OCTOBER 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

L I F E & S T Y L E | H E A LT H

Small but Mighty

The thyroid gland is a vital key to the body’s success.

he thyroid gland, located at the base of the neck below the Adam’s apple, is small in size but plays a critical role in many of the body’s systems. “Thyroid hormones help the body use energy, stay warm and keep the brain, heart, muscles and other organs working appropriately,” says Myrto Eliades, MD, an endocrinologist with INTEGRIS Endocrinology in Oklahoma City. “They do this by regulating the metabolism, which is the process by which our body uses energy. To analyze it more, thyroid hormones have the ability to stimulate the metabolic rate by increasing the number and size of mitochondria and other important enzymes and receptors that are involved in energy regulation inside our cells.” Thus, problems arise when the thyroid doesn’t produce the right level of hormones. “Hyperthyroidism, which is an overactive thyroid, is where patients show evidence of too much thyroid hormone,” says Mary Zoe Baker, MD, an endocrinologist with OU Health Harold Hamm Diabetes Center. She says symptoms include a “fast heart rate, unexplained weight loss, excessive sweating, hair change and loss, intolerance to the heat, anxiety and fatigue.” In contrast, hypothyroidism is an under-active thyroid, in which there’s evidence of too little thyroid hormone. Symptoms include a slow heart rate, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, depression and fatigue. In addition, Baker says thyroid issues are more common in women, and most thyroid illnesses have an autoimmune cause.

Hashimoto Thyroiditis

Eliades says the most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder involving chronic inflammation of the thyroid, which may be hereditary. “Over time, the ability of the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones often becomes impaired and leads to a gradual decline in function and, eventually, an under-active thyroid (hypothyroidism),” she says. “Hashimoto’s thyroiditis occurs

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

most commonly in middle aged women, but can be seen at any age, and can also affect men and children.” Eliades says that while many people become concerned when they find that they have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, not everyone with this condition requires medical treatment with thyroid hormone. “Medical treatment is only indicated when the levels of the thyroid hormones are low,” she says. “Because the condition usually progresses very slowly over many years, people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may not have any symptoms early on, even when the characteristic thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies are detected in blood tests.”

Grave’s Disease

The most common cause for hyperthyroidism, in more than 70% of cases, is Grave’s disease, says Eliades. “Grave’s disease is an autoimmune disease caused by antibodies that target the thyroid gland and cause it to grow and secrete too much thyroid hormone,” she says. “This type of hyperthyroidism tends to run in families, and it is seven to eight times more common in women than in men.”

Thyroid Hormones for Weight Loss

Patients often ask Eliades if thyroid hormones can be prescribed as a treatment for weight loss in the absence of low thyroid hormones. Unfortunately, the answer is no. “In the past, thyroid hormones had been used as a weight loss tool,” she says. “However, the effect is not significant and only transient. Once the excess thyroid hormone is stopped, any weight loss is usually regained. More importantly, studies have shown that the risks of such approaches outweigh the benefits. That is because excess thyroid hormone treatment includes the risk of major negative consequences, such as the loss of muscle protein, loss of bone, and/or heart problems such as arrhythmias. For these reasons, thyroid hormone treatment should not be used for weight loss.” REBECCA FAST

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LIFE & ST YLE | F YI

Spooky and Safe

Experts provide tips to keep trick-ortreaters out of danger on Halloween.

hile the origins of Halloween are linked to an ancient Celtic festival, most people today just enjoy the treats and shenanigans of Oct. 31 with costumes and revelry. But ensuring safety during the spookiest night of the year is essential.

Health Safety

Halloween is more of a sober affair this year (as it was in 2020) with the vestiges of COVID-19 still lurking behind every activity ... replete with a different kind of mask than one would normally don. For those who are allowing their children to partake in trick-ortreating this year, there are ways to make the experience safer. Last year, Oklahoma’s Department of Health posted guidance about trick-or-treating during the pandemic. “There are a multitude of ways people can safely enjoy the holiday season this year and connect with loved ones without putting anyone in unnecessary risk,” says Lance Frye, MD, Oklahoma Commissioner of Health. “Celebrate, but celebrate wisely, and continue following the

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

three Ws: Wear a mask, wash your hands and watch your distance.” For those who may be at a higher risk to contract the virus, or for those who know they are infected, the Department of Health advises not participating in activities outside your own household and not putting out candy for trick-or-treaters. One thoughtful recommendation for as little touching as possible is to create individual bags of candy for children to ‘grab and go,’ eliminating the possibility of each child fishing around in a large bowl of candy to dig out a favorite treat. For those who shop for Halloween year-round and try to outdo themselves (or their neighbors) each year, coming up with creative ways to get the candy to kids can be a fun challenge. Recommendations include candy pulleys, chutes or what is certain to be popular with kids of all ages: the candy cannon.

General Safety

For traditional trick-or-treaters, Andre Baul, public information officer with the Tulsa Police Department, offers a few common

yet important tips. “Remember to cross at the corners and to use traffic signs and signals at lights,” he says. “Walk, don’t run, down the street. Always make eye contact with drivers if you are crossing the street in a residential neighborhood.” Baul also suggests wearing reflective vests or costumes that have reflective panels or tape, and having a plan beforehand as to which neighborhoods you will visit and how many houses. And always check the candy, he says. Acceptable ways to disinfect are easier than one might first think: Give wrapped candy a quick bath in water with ordinary dish soap before eating, or use disinfecting wipes to clean off germs. “Stay off the electronics,” says Baul. “Put the phones and tablets away. Be aware of your surroundings. Stay safe and have a wonderful Halloween.” DEBI TURLEY

LIFE & ST YLE | OUTSIDE THE METRO

Serenity in Seminole

Overflowing with history, this city offers plenty to tourists and residents alike.

he ’20s roared especially loud in Seminole, as one of Oklahoma’s greatest oil booms turned the town into a raucous, rowdy and often lawless place, where the population swelled to 40,000 at FOR MORE one point. INFORMATION Nearly a century later, Seminole is a bit smaller and certainly a lot SEMINOLE CHAMBER quieter, but nevertheless, it offers OF COMMERCE its residents and visitors an inviting 405-382-3640 quality of life. seminoleokchamber.org Along the way, Seminole sent its JASMINE MORAN CHILDREN’S native son David L. Boren into the MUSEUM world, first to represent the city in 405-382-0950 the Oklahoma legislature before jasminemoran.com becoming governor, U.S. senator and, for nearly 25 years, president of the CITY OF SEMINOLE University of Oklahoma. 405-382-4330 Originally named Tidmore and seminole-oklahoma.net located a few miles to the southeast, SEMINOLE STATE COLLEGE Seminole is ten miles south of Inter405-382-9950 state 40, about 85 miles southwest sscok.edu of Tulsa and 55 miles southeast of GORDON COOPER Oklahoma City. The 2020 U.S. Census TECHNOLOGY CENTER shows the population at just over Seminole Campus 7,100. It’s the largest city and arguably the business hub of Seminole 405-303-2886 County, which encompassed the gctech.edu original Seminole Nation after the JIMMIE AUSTIN GOLF COURSE tribe was forcibly relocated from the 405-382-3365 southeastern U.S. seminole-oklahoma.net/ “We try to keep quite a bit going on,” jimmie-austin-golf-course says Amy Britt, the executive director of Seminole’s Chamber of Commerce. The City of Seminole’s website explains that the 1926 oil strike brought “an influx of people, as Black The largest city in the Gold flowed from nearby wells nonstop, while hotels county, Seminole oﬀers and businesses sprung up everywhere.” According guests skate parks, a to the Oklahoma Historical Society, at that time children’s museum and aquatic adventures. Seminole lacked adequate streets and quickly became Photo by Ryan Monroe a morass of mud as cars, trucks and heavy equipment

rolled into town. Perhaps epitomizing Seminole’s post-oil-boom transformation into a viable, livable city are the establishment of Seminole State College and the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum. Located at the city’s northwest edge, SSC has its own unique evolution. Once part of the local school system with classes in the high school building, it became a separate institution in the late 1960s. First supported by a one-cent local sales tax approved by Seminole voters, the college eventually became a fullyfunded part of Oklahoma’s higher education system. Today, the college’s 15-building campus offers two-year associate’s degrees for students planning to transfer to four-year colleges and for students intending to enter the workforce directly. The Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum was established by longtime oilman and former mayor Melvin Moran and his wife, Jasmine, who visited a similar museum with their grandchildren in Michigan. It opened in 1993, and museum president and CEO Marci Donaho says it has attracted more than 1 million visitors from 77 countries. The 42,000-square-foot museum covers 12 acres and features child-friendly, hands-on exhibits, plus a miniature train. Donaho says the museum’s continued success speaks to the city’s quality of life. “How many towns our size have a successful children’s museum?” she asks. While the oilfield boom days are long gone, petroleum remains a significant part of the local economy. “Not necessarily drilling, but other kinds of things that use oil products,” says Britt, such as pump supply operations and drill bit sharpening. The city also operates the 39,000-square-foot Donald W. Reynolds Wellness Center, offering fitness classes and recreational services, plus a walking trail and athletic fields. The city-owned, two-mile-long Sportsman Lake east of Seminole is one of Oklahoma’s treasured and most scenic fishing spots. HENRY DOLIVE

OCTOBER 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

L I F E & S T Y L E | SCENE

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DYNAMIC WORLD of Medicine By Rebecca Fast

Healthcare is ever-evolving; new research, technology, surgical procedures and testing techniques develop each day. While it’s impossible to condense the entirety of Oklahoma’s medical landscape into a few pages, this year’s topics run the gamut. Read on for advice from the experts about health from head to toe, plus updates on Oklahoma’s pandemic response, the Delta variant and tips on avoiding the spread of medical misinformation.

HEAD-TOTOE-HEALTH THE BRAIN

Genetic Testing for Epilepsy In the U.S., approximately three million adults and more than 450,000 children have epilepsy, a brain disorder that causes seizures, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Epilepsy is diagnosed when someone has had two or more seizures without a reversible provoking factor, such as hypoglycemia,” says Cherie Herren, MD, an epileptologist/neurologist at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health. OU Health offers the only Level 4 epilepsy center in the state, providing multidisciplinary care including surgical treatment, dietary management and genetic evaluation and treatment. “We have had significant advancements in genetic testing for epilepsy,” says Herren. “We now have over 280 different genes we know are associated with epilepsy that we can test for. Early in my training, this number was more like five to ten.” Herren says in the past, all seizures were treated similarly, with nonspecific medications to manage symptoms. “As genetic testing has progressed, we are starting to find more treatments that are specific to the abnormal gene, whereby we can focus on the underlying cause, not just the symptoms,” she says. “This has allowed us to tailor treatments better for patients.” New technologies are also being used in the surgical treatment of epilepsy, including stereo EEG, laser ablation, deep brain stimulation and responsive neuro-stimulation. Herren also notes that while a ketogenic diet has been used to treat epilepsy since the 1990s, in the past ten years there have been advances in other diets that proved helpful, including a modified Atkins diet and a low glycemic index diet.

OU Health oﬀers Oklahomans the only Level 4 epilepsy center in the state, which includes genetic evaluation and treatment among other oﬀerings. Photo courtesy OU Health

OCTOBER 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

THE EAR, NOSE AND THROAT

Jeremy Foon, MD, an otolaryngologist (ENT specialist) with Eastern Oklahoma Ear, Nose and Throat in Tulsa, treats a range of conditions, from hearing loss and sinus issues to tinnitus –a ringing sound in the ear – voice disorders and head and neck cancer.

Hearing Loss “Most hearing loss in adults is attributable to degeneration of the inner ear and the hearing nerve (cochlear nerve), also known as sensorineural hearing loss,” says Foon. “Age is the single biggest factor, followed by genetics and loud noise exposure.” Foon says everyone develops sensorineural hearing loss if they live long enough, and it typically starts in the higher tones. “The hearing nerve and inner ear wear down over time,” he says. “Hearing aids can help, but many people don’t qualify for hearing aids if their hearing loss is not severe enough.” Foon says tinnitus is a persistent sound, sometimes described as ‘ringing,’ ‘crickets’ or ‘buzzing,’ that is often associated with high tone or high frequency sensorineural hearing loss. “Many people see me with tinnitus that is attributable to high frequency hearing loss,” he says. “However, they are often unaware of this hearing loss because it is only at high frequencies that don’t affect them much on a daily basis. The way to prove this is with a hearing test.” When it comes to protecting your ears, he reminds to never put anything in your ears – including cotton swabs – and to shield your ears from loud noises. With the continued popularity of earbuds and in-ear headphones, Foon says they’re O.K. if used properly. Damage occurs if the volume is too loud. Experts recommend keeping the volume between 60 and 85 decibels or following the 60/60 rule: listening up to 60% of your device’s maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes a day.

Allergy and Sinus Issues For those suffering with allergy and sinus issues, Foon says nasal rinses can help clear the sinus canal, but to use them safely, with only distilled water or sterilized tap water. He recommends staying away from oral and nasal decongestants such as Afrin, Sudafed and other medicines with added decongestants such as Allegra-D or Mucinex-D. “These medicines are only good if used minimally and in moderation,” says Foon. “These type of decongestants have an addictive quality and people form a dependency to them. Over time, the nasal sprays begin to destroy the vasculature or blood vessels of the nose and can lead to chronic rebound congestion. In addition, decongestants strain the blood vessels throughout the entire body and can increase blood pressure and exacerbate other underlying health issues. If you’re going to use them, use them sparingly – two or three days, then stop.”

Head and Neck Cancer “If anyone has a firm neck mass that’s not decreasing over time, new onset hoarseness and/or new onset pain with swallowing that doesn’t improve over time, then they should get it checked,” says Foon. “It’s the time component that’s important.”

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

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THE HEART The Importance of Screenings Heart disease is the No.1 killer in the United States, and stroke is No. 5, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). And among AHA’s recommendations for preventing heart disease and stroke is knowing your risk of having a cardiovascular event. To help patients better understand their risks, the Heart Hospital at Saint Francis, Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee and Saint Francis Hospital Vinita offer two heart health screening options at a reduced rate to anyone 18 years of age and older, and they do not require a referral or physician’s order. The first option, the cardiac calcium screening, is a CT scan, with no IV required, that measures the calcified plaque in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. “We place four EKG patches on the patient’s chest and complete the painless CT scan,” says Karen Quinn, RN, BSN, MS, the clinical manager of non-invasive cardiology at the Heart Hospital at Saint Francis. After the scan, the technician provides preliminary results, and patients receive a score indicating their probability of having coronary disease. “A cardiologist will read and finalize your test,” says Quinn. “We recommend patients list a primary care physician (PCP) and a final result will be sent to their doctor, who will determine if you need more cardiac testing.” She says individuals with no family history of coronary disease should have a cardiac calcium screening at age 40, while those who have a family history or other risk factors

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

should be tested earlier and repeat the test every three to five years. The second option includes a set of three screenings. The carotid disease screening detects plaque in arteries that can cause stroke; the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening checks for enlargement within the abdominal aorta which suggests a risk for rupture; and the peripheral arterial disease (PAD) screening records blood pressure in both legs to evaluate blood circulation. “It is medically recommended that all men over the age of 65 have an aorta screening to determine if they have an abdominal aneurysm,” says Quinn. For the carotid disease and AAA screenings, a clear gel is applied to a patient’s neck and abdomen and an ultrasound wand is used to acquire images, and access blood flow and potential abnormalities of the carotid arteries and abdominal artery. “The PAD study uses blood pressure cuffs and an ultrasound wand to measure pressures in the arms and legs,” she says. “The test determines if there is reduced blood flow to your feet and legs, which some refer to as hardening of the arteries. Many people do not experience any symptoms with peripheral artery disease, so screening people with risk factors is critical.” Following the screenings, a technician provides the preliminary findings and a cardiologist interprets and finalizes the test.

A variety of quick and painless heart screenings are available through Saint Francis Health System. Photo by Shane Bevel courtesy Saint Francis

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YOU NEED A FUSION?

DR. KRIS PARCHURI Not an actual patient recipient. Results are not necessarily typical, indicative, or representative of all recipient patients. Results will vary due to health, weight, activity and other variables. Not all patients are candidates for this product and/or procedure. Only a medical professional can determine the treatment appropriate for your specific condition. Appropriate post-operative activities and restrictions will differ from patient to patient. Talk to your surgeon about whether cervical disc replacement is right for you and the risks of the procedure, including the risk of implant wear, infection, loosening, breakage or failure, any of which could require additional surgery. For additional information or to find a surgeon near you, visit www.zimmerbiomet.com or www. cervicaldisc.com. ©2020 Zimmer Biomet Spine, Inc. All content herein is protected by copyright, trademarks and other intellectual property rights, as applicable, owned by or licensed to Zimmer Biomet Spine, Inc. or its affiliates unless otherwise indicated and must not be redistributed, duplicated or disclosed, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of Zimmer Biomet Spine, Inc. 3221-US-en-REV0920

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THE STOMACH AND GUT The Link Between Gut and Wellbeing Having a ‘healthy gut’ has become a popular topic, as research continues on the link between the health of a person’s gastrointestinal (GI) system and their overall physical and mental wellbeing. “When I talk about a healthy gut, I’m talking about mitigating inflammation throughout the GI system,” says Castel Santana, MD, a family medicine physician with Norman Regional Wellness Clinic in Norman. “Along with inflammatory bowel disease and issues involving the gallbladder or liver, inflammation can also contribute to the development of diabetes, heart disease, anxiety and depression. Certain bacteria in the gut can put you at risk for certain disease pathways.” The gut microbiome is made of trillions of bacteria, and while the majority of the bacteria is good for us, problems can emerge when there is an overgrowth or undergrowth of normal bacteria. This imbalance can be caused by a variety of sources, including our environment, diet, medications, stress and fitness levels. “The bacteria in our gut helps break down food, relays information through messenger RNA, and at times can affect our personalities,” says Santana. “There’s been studies where certain bacteria is taken out of the gut and a person’s anxiety and depression go away, but once it’s returned, the anxiety and depression come back. There’s a lot related to your mental wellbeing.” Santana says the gut microbiome also stimulates the vagus nerve, the largest nerve in the body that’s responsible for regulating internal organ functions. “The vagus nerve affects everything from your adrenal glands and hormones to your heart rate and blood pressure,” he says. “In addition, 80% of your immune cells are in your GI tract.” Symptoms of gut inflammation can include abdominal bloating, diarrhea, constipation, mental fogginess, skin issues and joint issues. “Two tests that give us good information on gut inflammation is a food tolerance test, which is a blood test, and a stool test for an analysis of the good and bad bacteria that might be present, along with any enzyme deficiencies,” says Santana. To support a healthy gut, Santana says a good place to start is your diet, and recommends the 80/20 rule, where you try to eat healthy 80% of the time and leave 20% for eating out or special celebrations.

Dr. Castel Santana with Norman Regional suggests the 80/20 rule for maintaining a strong gut – eating healthy 80% of the time while saving 20% for special occasions. Photo courtesy Norman Regional Health System

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

Advanced Outpatient Surgery of Oklahoma oﬀers a variety of procedures, from joint fusion to artificial disc replacement. Photo courtesy Advanced Outpatient Surgery of Oklahoma

THE SPINE AND BACK Improving Back Pain Chronic back pain can often be immobilizing, and is the most common type of pain reported by patients. It causes more disability worldwide than any other condition, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Afflicting the young and the old, problems with the spine can be caused by injury, diseases, bulging or ruptured disks, or osteoarthritis. Kris Parchuri, DO, an orthopedic surgeon with Advanced Outpatient Surgery of Oklahoma, and Spine and Orthopedic Specialists in Tulsa, says a common condition in the elderly is spinal stenosis. “It’s a narrowing of the spinal canal, causing pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, resulting in back and neck pain along with numbness and tingling in the legs and arms,” he says. “For the younger patient population, [common conditions] are usually a herniated disc or a muscle strain. A herniated disc can also result in similar symptoms as spinal stenosis.” Risk factors for developing back issues include age, fitness level, extra weight, improper lifting and smoking. “Weight is a big factor, in that our spine takes the brunt of the force with excess weight,” says Parchuri. To support a healthy spine and flexible back, he recommends doing what you can to avoid injury by staying active, maintaining strong core muscles and always using proper lifting techniques.

Technical Advancements Parchuri specializes in treating spine-related diseases and disorders, and he says one of the major technological advancements within his field has been artificial disc replacement. “Similar to replacing an individual’s knee or hip, we can replace someone’s disc with a mechanical prosthesis,” he says. “The advantages include maintaining range of motion, a much faster recovery, and the decrease in need for future surgery at adjacent discs.” OCTOBER 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

THE BONES AND JOINTS Keeping You On the Move Knee and hip replacement procedures are among the most common elective surgeries in the United States. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons estimates 4.7 million Americans have had knee replacements, and 2.5 million have had hip replacements. The decision to undergo a joint replacement varies by patient, says Yogesh Mittal, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with The Orthopaedic Center and CORE Hospital. Reasons include uncontrolled pain, decreased mobility, interrupted sleep and a poor quality of life. Mittal says the use of robotics in surgery has revolutionized the industry and his practice. “We now have the ability to create a 3-D model of the hip or knee and then personalize/customize the implants specifically to their anatomy,” he says. “This allows for an incredibly precise and accurate placement of the implants, which has been shown to decrease post-operative pain, improve healing time, and expected increase in life expectancy of the implants.”

In addition, hip and knee replacements are lasting longer, with estimates of knee replacements functioning up to 20 years and hip replacements up to 25 years. “Implants are lasting longer because the materials from which they are made are getting better and more resilient to wear and failure,” says Mittal. “Also, the technology, such as robotics, are allowing for better placement, which will also improve longevity.”

Running - Pros and Cons While exercise is critical in controlling one’s weight, some exercises cause more joint stress than others. For instance, if running is your go-to workout, you may be concerned about the pressure it places on the knees, hips and ankles. “Running as a cause of arthritis depends on a person’s genetics and biomechanics,” says Mittal. “It’s a great cardio exercise, but any impact loading exercises can put stress on the joints – so weight control and good footwear is important. Once some arthritic change occurs, even if mild, then running and other loading exercises can accelerate joint failure. At times, it makes sense to shift to biking and/or water aerobics.”

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Yogesh Mittal says the use of robotics in his field has drastically revolutionized the industry. Photos courtesy the Orthopaedic Center

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

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ALL THINGS COVID THE IMPACT OF VIRAL VARIANTS

As viruses mutate, some mutations become more dominant, such as the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2; and as COVID-19 continues to afflict Oklahomans, there is exceeding concern regarding the effects of these variants.

The Delta Variant and Breakthrough Infections “The variants that have been challenging have had mutations to portions of the spike glycoprotein, and those mutations have done two things: make the variant more efficient at attaching to human receptors … so you are more likely to get infected if exposed; and reduce the effectiveness of your antibodies that your body generates in response to vaccination or previous COVID infection. Hence, we are seeing ‘breakthrough’ infections,” says Dale Bratzler, DO, MPH, OU Health’s Chief Quality Officer and University of Oklahoma’s Chief COVID Officer. He says the Delta variant is very efficient at attaching to human receptors and grows and replicates much faster than the original alpha variant. “If you are infected with the Delta variant, vaccinated or not, you can carry 1,000-1,200 times more virus in your airways than a person who was infected with the original alpha variant,” he says. “So when you breathe, cough, sneeze, sing ... you spread a lot of virus. Even short exposures to someone carrying the Delta variant may result in you getting infected.” Bratzler warns that some age groups are highly vulnerable. “The majority of children ages 12-17 are still not vaccinated, so when you bring those groups of kids together in close settings, like a classroom, you increase the likelihood of infection,” he says. “I don’t think the Delta variant preferentially infects kids – it just spreads quickly among unvaccinated individuals.” When asked if the Delta variant is more dangerous, Bratzler says that while the Delta variant is more contagious, there is controversy on whether it is more virulent, or whether or not it causes more severe illness. “Studies have been mixed on this, but it is certainly true that we are seeing more children end up needing ICU care than we did with the alpha variant,” he says.

Emerging Variants Bratzler says there are currently two additional variants being watched. “The Lambda variant, which came out of Peru, has been found in the United States and in Oklahoma,” he says. “While the Lambda variant does not appear to be more contagious than the Delta variant, some studies suggest that it is more resistant to your antibodies generated from vaccination or prior COVID infection.” The Mu variant, also known as B.1.621, was first identified in Colombia in January 2021. “As with most viruses, you cannot stop them from spreading across borders,” says Bratzler. “The variant has been identified in Europe and the United States. This variant, too, does not seem as susceptible to neutralization with antibodies induced by vaccination or previous COVID infection.”

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

OU’s Dr. Dale Bratzler warns that the COVID-19 Delta variant is very eﬀicient at attaching to human receptors, and grows and replicates faster than the original alpha variant. Photo courtesy OU Health

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INFORMATION

OVERLOAD Anuj Malik, MD, an infectious diseases consultant and director of infection prevention and control at Ascension St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, offers the following recommendations to help filter the medical information you absorb online:

Carefully review research. “Medical studies that are truly reliable are called randomized double blind controlled studies,” says Malik. “Patients with a certain condition are randomly either given a treatment or a placebo. Neither the doctor nor the patient knows who gets what treatment. This study type removes biases of doctors and patients.” He says within these studies, research staff, who are also unaware of which patient receives medicine or a placebo, record whether patients are improving or not. A committee then reviews the information from all hospitals where the study was completed to determine whether the treatment helped. “This is the only way to really tell if a treatment works for the condition under study,” says Malik, adding that when multiple studies have different results, experts combine those studies in a ‘meta-analysis’ to conclude whether the treatment truly worked. Malik says that oftentimes, the medical studies that gain attention and are widely circulated are observational studies, and these studies can draw the wrong conclusions. “Observational studies are more like a hint that a

Dr. Anuj Malik with Ascension St. John urges those unsure about COVID-19 information to carefully review research and seek out reputable sources before making decisions. Photo courtesy Ascension St. John

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

medicine works, but they don’t prove anything until multiple similar, large studies with many patients from many hospitals show the same thing,” he says.

Seek out reputable sources. Malik says studies are generally more accurate when published in a reputable journal of medicine. “Examples of very good journals, read by millions of doctors and scientists around the world, include the New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, Journal of the American Medical Association, Clinical Infectious Diseases, and Nature and Science are fantastic,” says Malik. Because these journals are read by physicians and researchers around the world, any mistakes within the articles are often identified quickly, says Malik, and the authors of the study must respond to any criticism their study receives. This process increases the reliability of information that’s shared.

Help stop the spread of misinformation. Malik believes that if everyone takes the time to carefully examine information before sharing, then we can reduce the amount of misinformation in the public space. “Use trusted resources – organizations of scientists, doctors, experts from around the world, governments, non-profits, high-quality medical journals, and highquality newspapers and magazines,” says Malik. “Then, focus on which facts are generally accepted to be true by most of these sources. Those facts are likely true. If you have questions or clarifications, then talk to your doctor or your trusted local expert.”

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Breast Can

Advocating for Young October ushers in a variety of positives,

like cooler weather, football games

and outdoor activities. To many,

however, this month is filled

with a lot of noise surrounding

breast cancer awareness – a painful reminder that we are

still losing women to this terrible disease. It’s been ingrained in us that breast cancer is an illness than strikes older

women. But for Aisha Patterson and Sarah Teague, breast cancer came to call before they hit 40.

While a diagnosis at a younger age is

still considered rare, these women can

develop more aggressive types of cancers,

with lower survival rates than older women.

Patterson and Teague share how this disease has aﬀected their lives and how young women can take control of their health.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

Aisha Patterson During the summer of 2020, I was breastfeeding my 4 month old son when I felt a lump. I breastfed all four of my children, so I assumed it was a clogged milk duct and I ignored it; I told myself that I would get it checked out when I was done breastfeeding. Four to six months went by and the lump did not go away. In fact, two more appeared, so I finally called my doctor and scheduled an appointment. This was a huge inconvenience to me because I didn’t have health insurance and definitely didn’t think it would be cancer. After a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy, I was told that it wasn’t a clogged milk duct. It was invasive ductal carcinoma - stage II, triple positive breast cancer. I was devastated. In November, I began the hardest journey of my life: six rounds of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy and thirty-three rounds of radiation. Having cancer was nothing like I thought it would be – it was a million times worse. Most breast cancer guidelines in the U.S. cater to women ages 40 and up, yet younger women are being plagued by this disease every day. Cancer is hard at any

ncer:

BREAST HEALTH TIPS:

Women

By Aisha Patterson and Sarah Teague

2. 3.

age, but when a young woman is diagnosed, she faces unique challenges, as she is usually just starting her life, may have young children, or her fertility could be threatened due to chemotherapy. It’s important that women take control of their breast health, no matter their age. The day after I was diagnosed, I remember walking into my breast surgeon’s office and seeing a sign that said: “Early detection saves lives.” “Duh,” I thought. Why had I waited so long? At this point, my greatest fear was that the cancer had spread and that I would be facing a stage IV diagnosis, which is incurable. I thought back to every ache and pain I’d experienced over the past 4-6 months and the anxiety washed over me. Why had I not gone to the doctor sooner? Luckily, my PET scan showed that the cancer did not spread. However, that’s not the case for many women. If I could go back in time, I would have visited the doctor immediately after feeling the first lump. And while I can’t change the past, I now advocate and share my story so other young women will take their breast health seriously.

5. What Aisha Patterson assumed was a clogged milk duct during breastfeeding was confirmed to be breast cancer. After rigorous treatment, Patterson now advocates for young women to take charge of their own breast health. Photo courtesy Aisha Patterson

Get to know your body – specifically your breasts. This will help you to know what’s normal and to identify when something is off. Do a self-breast exam on the first of every month. Put a reminder on the calendar. If you have any of the following changes in your breast, call your doctor as soon as possible: A hard lump; an area that’s thicker than normal; a dimple; nipple crust; a red or hot breast; unexpected fluid; skin sores; bumps; growing veins; a sunken nipple; a new shape/ size; or peau d’orange (skin of the breast appearing like the dimpled skin of an orange). Reject the thought that you’re too young to get a breast cancer diagnosis. Instead, take charge of your breast health by being vigilant and reporting any changes that occur. Always get a second opinion if you feel like your concerns aren’t being taken seriously. If you have a family history of breast cancer, be diligent about check-ups. If you know of a familial genetic mutation, talk to a genetics counselor about being tested for any of the mutations associated with breast cancer.

OCTOBER 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

Sarah Teague

I was five when my mother was first diagnosed with breast cancer. She was 35. She would go on to be diagnosed another two times and pass away from triple negative breast cancer in 2011, at the age of 56. Thus, a good portion of my life was spent at doctor’s appointments and in waiting rooms. Knowing that I had a family history of breast cancer – as well as my mother having one of the most aggressive forms of said cancer – along with a genetic mutation, it was important for me to get genetically tested. I found out that I also carried the genetic mutation BRCA1, which increased my chances of developing breast cancer to 60-75% during my lifetime. (The general population has around a 13% chance.) So, I made the decision to get a prophylactic double mastectomy in 2016 at the age of 31. I think it’s important for women to understand that even if I had not had the genetic mutation, my family history was extensive enough for me to advocate for screenings as a younger woman. Some women who find out they have the gene opt to just do surveillance until they decide to pursue surgery or not. It’s a personal decision only you can make. In my particular case, because my mother was diagnosed at a younger age, my doctors felt like surgery was the right decision.

When I hear about women who are on the fence about getting a genetic test because they don’t want to know if they have the gene, my thought is always this: having the knowledge and being proactive, whether that be surgery or consistent screenings, allows you to stay ahead of a potential diagnosis. It allows you to have power over your own health. Once you have a cancer diagnosis, every decision you make is reactionary. To put it another way, let me ask this: If you received a cancer diagnosis, knowing you had the opportunity to avoid it, would you be okay with that? I understand being proactive can be hard. It means making some very difficult personal sacrifices. And having a genetic mutation doesn’t mean it ends with a double mastectomy; I will have to have screenings and stay vigilant for the rest of my life. I also recognize and am sensitive to the fact that I was able to avoid a breast cancer diagnosis. Some people refer to this as being a “previvor.” And while I don’t love that term, I also certainly don’t call myself a survivor. I am just a young woman who grew up in the cancer world, took what my mother taught me, and make some hard decisions so I could have a different story than hers. I have no doubt that she is relieved to know I listened.

BREAST CANCER INCIDENCE:

Age-Adjusted Breast Cancer Mortality in Oklahoma compared States at large, 2014-2018. to the United

To give an idea of where Oklahoma stands when it comes to breast cancer, the figure above was provided by the Community Outreach and Engagement team at Stephenson Cancer Center in Oklahoma City.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

RESOURCES:

For the Breast of Us

breastofus.com An amazing resource for women of color who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The Breasties

thebreasties.org An all-inclusive nonprofit for young cancer survivors, thrivers and previvors of breast and gynecological cancers.

Know Your Lemons

knowyourlemons.org A website and app that provides women with guided self-breast exams and resources for free mammograms.

After genetic testing, Sarah Teague made the decision to get a double mastectomy at the age of 31. Photo courtesy Sarah Teague

Facing Hereditary Cancer Empowered

facingourrisk.org A group where you can learn about the genetic mutations related to cancer and about genetic testing, clinical trials and support.

Young Survival Coalition

youngsurvival.org A foundation specifically for information and support for young women diagnosed with breast cancer.

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Enticing Retreat

Beautiful kitchen and bath projects abound

in Oklahoma. Fall in love with the process, take a tour and learn from some experts about creating havens of true relaxation. By Gina A. Dabney

A “CREAM WITH COFFEE” KITCHEN Photo courtesy Bill Powers

Located in Tulsa’s historic Maple Ridge area, this space was in need of a remodel, and the homeowners looked to Bill Powers of Powers Design and Build, LLC, for his expertise. The previous owners built a kitchen with an eccentric design, which wasn’t quite the aesthetic the new owners desired. “Renovations began as soon as they took ownership of the property,” Powers confirms. First, the kitchen’s entertainment function was addressed, and good quality appliances were re-purposed. Wanting more than an all-white kitchen, the homeowners picked the paint color – dubbed ‘Macchiato’ – which Powers describes as “cream with coffee.” Set up for entertaining, this kitchen has two wine refrigerators, drawers for cold beverages and a large island that serves as an eating space as well as a serving platform. The style of the kitchen is now, at once, both modern and traditional. “The kitchen cabinets remained as a furniture element,” says Powers. Beth Sachse, owner of Tulsa-based SR Hughes, was the interior design partner on the renovation. Elements including the large

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

pendant lighting over the island and the meticulous color coordination were some of her expert offerings. Powers, who started cooking at 5 years old, has a keen sensitivity to the needs of the chef. Now 68, he still enjoys cooking. With an eye for that cook’s perspective, Powers closely analyzed the area

A major design overhaul in this Maple Ridge kitchen included repurposing appliances and creating a cool, sophisticated color palette.

from pantry to refrigerator to cook top to oven. “I call it the cook’s zone,” he says. This is a space for preparing food and drinks without interrupting the guests, and vice versa. Powers wears several hats in his firm. In business for 42 years, Powers Design and Build, LLC, is first a design and architectural

planning firm and second an interior design firm, addressing cabinetry, tile, wall color, floors and hardware. Also remodeled in this 5,000 square-foot home were the den and dining area next to the kitchen, along with the master bath. “It was a collaborative effort,” says Powers. OCTOBER 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

EASY, BREEZY CALIFORNIA STYLE Photos by Brian Chitty, Shots Aloft Photography

Interior designer Gunta Sandmeyer of Boulevard Interiors, in partnership with her husband Ralph of Southern Homes, built this stunning custom dwelling in Broken Arrow. Sandmeyer’s client, who had a folder full of ideas, wanted a light and airy design, combined with classic California style. Also on the wish list were sophisticated and luxurious details. “It was to be their forever home,” says Sandmeyer. “They are soon-to-be empty nesters.” This one-level space has an abundance of windows, so Sandmeyer focused on harnessing that natural light. In the kitchen, light-stained wood beams in the vaulted ceiling bring warmth to the space. The custom range hood also incorporates a wood accent to coordinate with the beams. Over the stove is a visually interesting backsplash tile replete with sparkling accents that bounce around in the light. Quartz countertops, cut to a double thickness, and a focal point of gold pendant lighting add sophistication to this kitchen. Black hardware was utilized on the white cabinets and on the island’s stained wood cabinets. Laid in a Herringbone pattern, the floor in the master bath has a light, wood-like grain. Wall sconces elevate the aesthetic of the space while a luxurious, freestanding tub acts as the room’s prime focus. Two separate custom vanities contain the same white-based quartz counter as seen on the kitchen island. To add a graphic punch, Sandmeyer used bronze fixtures and black hardware. “People should not be afraid of using mixed metals” within the same space, says Sandmeyer. A single chandelier adds even more visual interest. Warming the area in the powder bath is a gold antique brass faucet and gold pull knobs on the vanity, custom painted in a deep navy blue. The gold-toned towel rack and mirror coordinate well, pulling the room together. “Navy and gold is very much on trend,” says Sandmeyer. She describes this California-inspired home as clean, airy and warm, flowing from room to room – at once cohesive and distinctive.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

Light-stained wood is a recurring design motif in this custom kitchen in Broken Arrow – from the ceiling beams to the island and even the custom range hood.

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Above: Backsplash tile in this cozy kitchen nook area can also be found over the stove.

Below: The luxurious, free-standing tub in the master bath is the room’s focal point.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

Right: The gold antique brass faucet and stunning navy blue color of the vanity create a showstopping ambiance in this powder bath.

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Redesigned Kitchen and Bath

This midtown Tulsa home, built about 20 years ago, is an original Jack Arnold creation. The kitchen remodel was designed and helmed by Beth Sachse (owner) and Cassie Johnson (interior designer) at Tulsa’s SR Hughes. The overhaul focused on two things: beauty and function. The appliance layout remained with the exception of the range, which shifted for optimal visual attraction. Requiring a total floor replacement proved tricky, since it needed to coordinate with the existing floor tiles of the living room. The light wood floor is set in a Herringbone pattern, and the marble backsplash slab above

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

This midtown Tulsa kitchen was redesigned by the team at SR Hughes. Renovations included shifting the range, replacing the floors and adding in touches of color, like the recurring dark blue found throughout the home.

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This master bath blends wood and marble with LED lighting for a unique yet calm space.

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the cooktop is Monte Blanc Quartzite. “It is a pretty, happy space,” says Sachse. “The homeowner, Pete [contractor Peter Grant], and SR Hughes were all integral players in the design process.” Next to the refrigerator is a pantry, which has reeded glass that diffuses the content inside. Above the fridge is a bank of storage cupboards. The dark blue paint, inspired by the homeowners’ alreadyestablished color scheme, can also be found on the island. “We utilized the concept of the sliding door dish pantry, rather than the traditional separate cabinets,” says Sachse. The homeowners’ antiques and art lent inspiration to the kitchen. “It is a mix of the contemporary with the traditional,” says Johnson.

Paige Woolbright, director of interior design for SR Hughes, created this master bath and powder room for her clients who had to rebuild their home after a fire. Using the same footprint, this new build in Oklahoma City’s historic Nichols Hills was aided by the expertise of contractor Jeff Blake of Gummerson Blake Design Build. In the master bath, a wood and blended marble vanity creates visual excitement for the clients. A focal point is the LED light, which surrounds the floating doublesink vanity. “There was a lot of play with light,” says Woolbright. In the powder bath, the squared-off corner vanity is custom-designed by Blake. A disk-shaped wall fixture and a scallop-edged mirror add playfulness, while the iridescent wallpaper bounces light around the space. Woolbright says the homeowners’ art collection served as an inspiration for the area.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

A one-of-a-kind powder bath, this space features a custom-designed vanity and scallop-edged mirror.

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Left: An un-lacquered brass faucet, colorful wallpaper and wash stand create a whimsical yet sophisticated atmosphere in this powder bath.

A RANCH OVERHAUL AND RABBIT REDO Photos by Kacey Gilpin Photography

The Bunny Bath

Located in midtown Tulsa, the owners of this 2,500-square-foot home brought Emily Davis, owner of Emily Davis Interiors, onboard to create some interior design fun. The walls of this half bath are covered in a colorful bunny wallpaper, displayed across the entire length of the wall. Coincidentally, the client has a favorite rabbit painting elsewhere in the home. “How serendipitous,” says Davis. Using the wash stand instead of a cabinet was important to bring airiness to the space. The faucet, another stand-out moment, is un-lacquered brass. “It’s stunning,” Davis says. “It is gaining popularity.” Seen throughout Europe, the un-lacquered brass has a “living finish” that will change color and gain a patina over time. The sconces on the perpendicular walls easily spread out the light in this whimsical space.

A Bright Kitchen

Family-friendly was the goal for this kitchen remodel in the 1950s ranch-style home located in midtown Tulsa. Davis describes the interior as “slightly contemporary.” The native Oklahoman’s clients, who are a young family, wanted a nod to the architecture in this remodel. In order for the kitchen to have a good flow into the living room,

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

a wall was removed to open up the space. The wood flooring found throughout the home helps create a sense of overall cohesion. Wanting American-made appliances, the homeowners chose the Jenn Air brand. The gold detail on the range knobs is unexpected and was one of Davis’ favorite elements. “It is such a wow moment,” she says. With grey veining, the Quartzite on the counters and backsplash

adds warmth, but stays fairly neutral while coordinating with the wood cabinets. Glass globe pendants from Circa Lighting don’t impede the view and instead lend more light to the kitchen. This active family needed a big island, and to accommodate it, an office was relocated. This move created space for a large window to provide abundant natural light. There is ample cross light from the front of the home as well, through to the kitchen and out to the expanse of windows leading into the backyard and pool.

This muted yet warm kitchen utilizes American-made appliances and eye-catching glass globe pendant lighting.

OCTOBER 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

TASTE

FOOD, DRINK AND OTHER PLEASURES

Changing with the Times

Leadership at Living Kitchen works diligently to keep the camaraderie of family-style dinners alive.

Lisa Becklund and Linda Ford run the ship at Living Kitchen in Depew. Photo by Valerie WeiHaas, Wei-Haas Creative

’m often surprised by the number of people I meet who have not heard of nor experienced a farm-to-table evening at The Living Kitchen Farm and Dairy in Depew. As someone who has been a fan for over a decade, I sometimes forget that the farm isn’t on everyone’s radar. What began 15 years ago to help raise capital for a growing farm operation is now one of Oklahoma’s most unique and highly sought-after dining experiences. Chef Lisa Becklund moved to Oklahoma from Seattle to try her hand at growing the food she cooks. Along with her spouse Linda Ford, she now showcases the beautiful produce, meat and dairy from their own and other local farms. Each weekend from April through December, Becklund and Ford welcome guests to the Oakley Cabin and create a communal, multi-course dining experience one might not

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

expect to find in our state. Familiar faces and new friends could share a meal and relax away from the city lights for a few hours. “We want the farm table dinners to be an oasis for people,” says Becklund. “We want them to come here and relax, to get a break from all that’s going on in the world.” When the pandemic first began, the sense of community that made the farm dinners unique became a liability, as social distancing called for an end to filling one long table up with guests. “Initially, we closed the restaurant and laid off our staff until we could reimagine how to host dinners under new restrictions needed for the health and safety of our guests and team members,” says Ford. Upon that reopening, they cut the number of seats in half and spaced the tables apart on the screened-in porch. While this satisfied the new social-

distancing requirement, they noticed that the sense of camaraderie wasn’t the same. As with any learning experience, the changing social requirements have led to an evolution of sorts. Since their initial reopening, Becklund and Ford tried to reimagine their space, as well as the format of the dinners to help create more engagement with the food and other members of a dining party. Rather than a strictly plated multi-course format, some courses are served family-style within each party (which are still seated at separate tables for distance). Traditionally, the two dessert courses were served at the dining table. Now the second dessert is enjoyed in the front yard around fire pits, allowing guests to interact more while maintaining their safety. A few weeks ago, I received an e-mail from the farm asking my

TA S T E | F I R S T BIT E If you have never experienced one of these beautiful evenings just a short drive from both Tulsa and Oklahoma City, I highly recommend it. You can also visit their restaurant FarmBar in Tulsa. October reservations are available online. November reservations open Sat, Oct. 2 at 9 a.m. December reservations open Sat., Nov. 6 at 9 a.m. For more information, visit livingkitchenfarmanddairy.com. For reservations, visit exploretock.com/livingkitchen.

Left: During dinners at Living Kitchen, guests can enjoy walk-throughs of the farm. Below: The summer salad is a well-loved dish at Living Kitchen. Photos courtesy Living Kitchen

AMANDA JANE SIMCOE

thoughts on current and future potential safety measures. By polling a large handful of frequent guests, they hoped to understand what would make us most comfortable in choosing to make reservations. In the end, the newest safety measures encouraged by the guests include requiring masks in the cabin when not seated at your table and showing proof of vaccination. “If we take seriously the necessary precautions and work to get guests’ buy-in on the precautions ahead of time, our dinners offer an opportunity for them to put the pandemic behind them for a few hours and enjoy the company of family and friends, old and new,” says Ford. The couple knew that not everyone would agree with the decision, but first and foremost, ensuring the safety of their Living Kitchen family and guests is the priority. Fortunately, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, with dinners filling up as quickly as before. Some guests who had been reluctant to visit this season due to pandemic-related concerns have now made reservations, knowing that the extra measures are in place.

VELDY’S ARTISAN CHEESE AND WINE Stealthily leaving her house long before dawn, the rural Texas grass still wet with dew, 17-year old Erica would meet her boyfriend (and future husband) Jared Veldhuizen and drive to the 5:15 a.m. milking at his parents’ dairy farm. “The cows have it easy,” she recalls. “They roam in big pastures and they’d recognize us. They knew Jared was their best friend.” The members of the Veldhuizen family, on the other hand, don’t have it easy. There’s always something to do – seeding the pastures, making the cheese, chasing down runaway cows – and they work straight through ‘til evening, milking 12 hours later.

“And there are no holidays,” says Erica. “But I fell in love with the farm life. Jared was the answer to my prayers.” It’s not an ordinary farm: Veldhuizen cheeses have won many well-deserved awards. Made from raw milk so heat doesn’t damage the delicate proteins, the cheeses are aged in “the cave,” an underground room dug into a hillside, for anywhere between 2 months to 5 years. There are so many cheeses to choose from. There’s Paragon, aged for three months. Then Redneck Cheddar, made with stout from a microbrewery and aged 18 months or longer. There are sheep’s milk

cheeses, too. When the Veldhuizens moved to Tulsa, they decided to open a shop selling their family cheeses, along with charcuterie plates and wine. It’s also an event center – you can have your wedding there. Sadly, Jared died a few months ago, but his brother Jesse has moved up from Texas and Veldy’s has carried on the legacy. “Our family all works together to make something beautiful,” says Erica. “And we’re proud of our cheese; it’s so good and it’s ethically made. And when I say we all work, that includes the cows. They’re part of our family.” 2439 E. 11th St., Tulsa; veldystulsa.com BRIAN SCHWARTZ

Photo courtesy Veldy’s Artisan Cheese and Wine

TA S T E | L O C A L F L AV O R

OCTOBER 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

TA S T E | CHEF CHAT

Caring Through Cuisine Wyatt Rogers returned home to learn, hone his craft and collaborate with mentors at Oren Restaurant.

ne afternoon in early June 2019, Wyatt Rogers’ plane landed in Tulsa. He didn’t go to his newly rented apartment, nor did he stop anywhere to drop off his bags. Instead, he drove straight to Brookside, walked into Oren Restaurant, found Chef Matt Amberg and talked himself into a job. “I want to be around people better than me,” explains Wyatt. “It’s humbling; it can be painful, but that’s how you learn. And in my opinion, Matt’s the best chef around.” Back then, Oren had (and still has) quite a few regular diners who came to see what new, incredible dishes would spring from Amberg’s seemingly effortless and inexhaustible talent. It was our special delight back then to watch Wyatt Rogers’ progress. “When I first started out, I was gung-ho to create my own dishes,” says Rogers. “But each time I did, Matt would ask, ‘How will this dish fit in with Oren? Does it follow Oren’s direction?’ It took many tries, but I learned: if it’s not fully thought out, it doesn’t have a place at Oren. “I’ve learned to keep things simple. Saint-Exupery said it best: ‘Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.’” We’ve begun the story in the middle, so let’s step back about eight years. Wyatt, who grew up in Okmulgee, is a history major at OSU in Stillwater. To earn his tuition, he works 60 hours a week at a

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

local restaurant. “I found myself being more proud of my eight-dollar-anhour work at the restaurant than I was of my future college degree,” he says. Rogers decided to follow his heart to OSUIT Culinary Arts. While there, he searched online for “best restaurant in Tulsa,” and Google directed him to the Polo Grill. He got a job there, shuttling between OSUIT classes and cooking at Polo. Even in those early years, his talent was evident, and he ended up as their executive chef. “It’s easy to coast when you’re at the top,” says Rogers. “I learn more when I’m lower down in the hierarchy.” So he got an internship at Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, a Michelin two-star restaurant in Dublin. After a short sojourn there, he moved to New York and worked at NoMad Restaurant. And in those difficult years away from Tulsa, working in the most challenging places he could find, Rogers also learned what not to do. “There’s a lot of toxic behavior in some of those old-style kitchens,” he says. “Lots of damaging abuse. I want to treat my cooks with the same respect that I would like to be treated, which is what Matt has always done.” One year ago, Wyatt was promoted to chef de cuisine at Oren, meaning that the chef who sought out mentors is now a leader himself. “More times than I care to remember, I wake up at 5:30

in the morning and am overwhelmed by all I have to do,” he says. “The only way I can do it is if I can trust every cook on my team. I earn their trust first, so they will trust and follow my advice. We will help each other learn more. “And on some days, there’s a first-time customer, and they taste the food and they’re just shocked it’s so good. Their face lights up. I want our customers to check their problems at the door along with their coats and feel that pleasure. There’s no bigger joy for me than seeing their pleasure. It’s the nicest way I know to care for people.” BRIAN SCHWARTZ

Wyatt Rogers joined the team at Oren Restaurant in 2019 and is now the chef de cuisine. Photo by Stephanie Phillips

ONLINE

TO SEE CHEF ROGERS’ RECIPE FOR A PEACH BURRATA SALAD, VISIT OKMAG. COM/ROGERS.

TA S T E | TA S T Y T I D B I T S

Tao Cha Cafe

Photo courtesy Cafe Antigua

Nestled in Edmond, Tao Cha Café is a quick and delicious stop for Asian fusion, including Cantonese, Chinese, Szechuan and Taiwanese dishes, along with drinks including boba tea, coﬀee and smoothies. Start your meal with Tao’s popcorn chicken, a spring roll, steamed or fried dumplings, fried cheese wontons or go sweet with sugar bread or churros. Soup choices are plentiful, including a pork noodle with preserved vegetable options and the classics like miso, wonton and hot and sour. For a unique entrée, try a chef’s special like spicy pork stomach with onions, or a seafood tofu hotpot with deep fried tofu, squid, scallops and shrimp in rich brown house sauce. 331 S. Blackwelder Ave., Edmond; taochacafeok.com

For food and fun, check out Crossing Second in downtown Bartlesville, with entertainment options galore, including live music, ping pong and a choice of hangouts with a lounge, patio game room and garage. A cocktail highlight is the house special, the adult milkshake. Calling itself a deli by day and bistro by night, the eatery offers choices from around the globe, and coffee is a specialty. Savory choices include huge stuffed sandwiches on bread baked fresh daily, or small plates like Irish nachos with potatoes and beer cheese; crispy Brussels sprouts salad; and a breaded pork Schnitzel slider. Friday mornings are breakfast days from 7-10 a.m., while late night bites from 10 p.m. to close include flakey cheese biscuits covered in rich gravy. 215 E. Second St., Bartlesville; crossing2nd.com

Photo courtesy Crossing Second

Photo courtesy Tao Cha Cafe Edmond

Crossing Second

Freezing Cow

Your day will surely be made at Freezing Cow when presented with a container of rolled and cold succulent confections. There, you can enjoy 100% lactose-free, homemade rolled ice cream and sugar-free keto ice cream. With an ever-changing menu, options are endless and include flavor choices like dark forest or green tea. To top your creation according to whim, consider berries, various cookies, candies, whipped cream, white chocolate syrup and myriad other goodies. Any event is special with a Freezing Cow cake, customized to your specifications with a short 24-48 hour turnaround on orders. 6401 N.W. Expressway #126b, OKC, freezingcowokc.com

Everyone is family at Café Antigua, a family-owned, authentic Guatemalan restaurant serving what many say is the best coffee in Oklahoma City, along with tasty breakfast and lunch. Lunch choices include Biztek Ranchero, a pan-fried beef steak with sautéed onions and tomato, topped with egg and served with whole black beans, white rice and a house salad. Indulge your sweet tooth with desserts like Plantanos en Gloria, fried sweet plantains cooked in caramel and cinnamon sauce, served with horchata cream sauce. 1903 N. Classen Blvd., OKC; cafeantiguaok.com

Cafe Antigua

e Freez rtesy th oto cou

OKC ing Cow

TRACY LEGRAND

OCTOBER 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM

WHERE & WHEN G R E AT T H I N G S TO D O I N O K L A H O M A

EVENTS LISTED ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. CHECK INDIVIDUAL WEBSITES FOR UPDATES.

IN TULSA PERFORMANCES

AMERICAN THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS: AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE Oct.

8-16 Tulsa PAC A darkly comic

drama, this play incorporates Oklahoma’s oil industry, fracking, wastewater wells and earthquakes. tulsapac.com

THEATRE TULSA PRESENTS: DREAMGIRLS Oct.

8-17 Tulsa PAC The Dreams,

an all-girl trio of soul singers, rise to the top of the pop charts and become superstars. theatretulsa.org

TULSA SYMPHONY PRESENTS: TRIUMP Oct. 9 Tulsa PAC Join TSO in its

opening performance with conductor Lina GonzalezGranados. tulsasymphony.org

CELEBRITY ATTRACTIONS PRESENTS: COME FROM AWAY Oct. 12-17 Tulsa

PAC This show takes

Celebrity Attractions presents Come From Away, running Oct. 1217 at the Tulsa PAC. This show depicts the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001. In conjunction with the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission, Tulsa Ballet oﬀers Breakin’ Bricks (With Flight of Fancy) from Oct. 28 to 31 at the Tulsa PAC. The showcase blends dance with documentary film to “explore the events of 1921 and the path forward to hope and healing,” according to the website. OKC Broadway is back at it again with Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, running Oct. 26-31. Watch as Charlie Bucket and a slew of other children visit Willy Wonka’s marvelous and mysterious chocolate factory. ANOTHER WORLD: THE TRANSCENDENTAL PAINTING GROUP Oct.

CONCERTS MERCYME Oct. 1 BOK

17-Feb. 20 Philbrook Museum of Art In a period of great

Center Join MercyMe on its fall 2021 inhale (exhale) tour. bokcenter.com

SANTANA Oct. 1 River

Spirit Casino Resort See this

musician on his Blessings and Miracles Tour. riverspirittulsa. com

KISS Oct. 4 BOK

you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. celebrityattractions.

The End of The Road Tour to Tulsa. bokcenter.com

SIGNATURE SYMPHONY PRESENTS: AMERICAN INDIAN EXPRESSIONS Oct.

songwriter, record producer and 12-time Grammy winner John Legend visits Tulsa. bokcenter.com

com

16 TCC Van Trease

PACE Signature Symphony welcomes Oklahoma composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha Tate to the stage. signaturesyphony.org

PENN AND TELLER Oct. 22 River Spirit Casino Resort For over 45 years,

Penn and Teller have defied labels by redefining the genre of magic. riverspirittulsa.com

CHAMBER MUSIC TULSA PRESENTS: BRENTANO QUARTET Oct. 22-24 ahha

Tulsa/Tulsa PAC This talented

quartet of musicians visits Tulsa for three performances. chambermusictulsa.org

TULSA BALLET PRESENTS: BREAKIN’ BRICKS (WITH FLIGHT OF FANCY) Oct. 28-

31 Tulsa PAC In collaboration

with the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission, this multimedia experience combines dance with documentary film. tulsaballet.org

DANCE AND BROADWAY MERGE

Center KISS is bringing

JOHN LEGEND Oct. 7 BOK Center American singer,

REO SPEEDWAGON Oct. 9 River Spirit Casino Resort Formed in 1967, REO

Speedwagon’s unrelenting drive jump-started the burgeoning rock movement in the Midwest. riverspirittulsa.

com

DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL Oct.

change and uncertainty, a small group of artists in New Mexico joined together in a mutual need to explore spirituality through abstraction. philbrook.org

EARTHLY MIRAGE Through Oct. 24 ahha Tulsa Earthly

Mirage is a survey spanning 10 years of artistic production by queer Latinx artist Hoesy Corona. ahhatulsa.org

THIS IS AN ADVENTURE: ACCIDENTALLY WES ANDERSON Through Jan.

Photo courtesy Celebrity Attractions

O N T H E S TA G E

COME FROM AWAY

Lovers of dance shouldn’t miss OKC Ballet’s Alice (In Wonderland) from Oct. 22-24, also at the Civic Center. Described as “frenetic, colorful and sometimes trippy,” the show utilizes unique choreography and stunning costumes. And in Stillwater, the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts has a jam-packed month, including Tim McGraw on Oct. 8; Itzhak Perlman on Oct. 9; Brian Stokes Mitchell and Megan Hilty on Oct. 10; and a silent film event with organist Peter Krasinski on Oct. 28.

2 Philbrook This showcase

features distinctively dramatic photographs of locations around the world taken by the Accidentally Wes Anderson community. philbrook.org

SPORTS

OKC THUNDER VS. DENVER NUGGETS Oct. 14 BOK

CHEON Oct. 8 Tulsa PAC Join Tulsa Town Hall’s guest as he discusses his work, his art and more. tulsatownhall.com

ARABIAN AND HALFARABIAN NATIONALS Oct. 22-

TULSA STATE FAIR Through Oct. 10 Expo Square Bring the

a trip to Tulsa for a face-oﬀ against Denver. bokcenter.com Oct. 30 Expo Square See equine

UNIVERSITY OF TULSA FOOTBALL Oct. 1, 9, 29 H.A. Chap-

man Stadium The Tulsa Hurricane

take the field for some exciting and adrenaline-inducing football games. tulsahurricane.com

TULSA FC SOCCER Oct. 2, 9, 20, 30 ONEOK Field Semi-pro soccer is back with the Tulsa FC. fctulsa.com

MAGNOLIA SOAP AND BATH, TULSA

Plant Based Soap, Candles & Bath Products Made Daily In Our Stores

KEVIN KALLAUGHER LUN-

Center The Thunder takes

experts take the Expo Square arena. arabianhorses.org

COMMUNITY FIRST FRIDAY ART CRAWL

Oct. 1 Downtown Tulsa Since

2007, the Tulsa Arts District has presented the community with rotating art displays as part of the First Friday Art Crawl. travelok.com

whole family out for Tulsa’s largest annual event. exposquare.com

TOKYO IN TULSA: WORLDS COLLIDE Oct. 15-17 Cox

Business Center Tokyo in Tulsa

is a pop culture convention centered on Japanese animation. tokyointulsa.com

LINDE OKTOBERFEST Oct. 21-24 River West Festival Park Linde Oktoberfest Tulsa

is an authentic celebration of

The UPS Store

Send packages, print documents, open mailboxes, move the office – we do it all.

17 Cain’s Ballroom See

Dashboard on the Unplugged Tour. cainsballroom.com

LANY Oct. 31 BOK

Center Los Angeles trio LANY embarks on a North American tour. bokcenter.com

ART THE SPACE BETWEEN Oct.

1-Nov. 21 108 Contemporary Anita Fields and

Molly Murphy Adams are both

Oklahoma-based artists who have joined forces to present The Space Between. 108contemporary.org

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

1325 East 15th Street Ste. 102 918-779-6006 @magnoliasoapandbathcotulsa

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9/4/19 1:21 PM

berfest.org

AUTUMN IN THE GARDEN Through Oct.

31 Tulsa Botanic Garden Enjoy the changing colors and beautiful florals at the Tulsa Botanic Garden. tulsabotanic.org

IN OKC

PERFORMANCES

LYRIC THEATRE PRESENTS: MASTER CLASS Through Oct. 3 Myriad Gardens Water Stage Visit

the Myriad Gardens Water Stage to watch the Tony Award-winning play Master Class. lyrictheatreokc.com

OKC BROADWAY PRESENTS: MY FAIR LADY Through Oct. 3 Civic

Center Music Hall Director

Bartlett Sher’s glowing production is “thrilling, glorious and better than it ever was,” according to the New York Times. okcbroadway.com

CANTERBURY VOICES PRESENTS: JUBILATE DEO – THE MUSIC OF DAN FORREST Oct. 10 Civic

Center Music Hall This showcase iluminates the traditional Psalm 100 text: “O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands.” okcciviccenter.com

Water Stage Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park presents Macbeth. okshakes.org

OKC BROADWAY PRESENTS: ROALD DAHL’S CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Oct.

26-31 Civic Center Music Hall Roald Dahl’s amazing tale

is now Oklahoma City’s golden ticket. okcbroadway.com

CONCERTS KANE BROWN Oct.

14 Paycom Center Kane

Brown is bringing his Blessed and Free Tour to Paycom Center. paycomcenter.com

BRAZILIAN ALL STARS Oct.

27 Armstrong Auditorium Direct from Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian All Stars present the exciting rhythms and beautiful melodies of Brazil’s most famous songs. armstrongauditorium.org

MERCYME Oct. 28 Paycom

Center Enjoy popular Christian rock group MercyMe. paycomcenter.com

ART THE PAINTERS OF POMPEII Through Oct. 17 OKCMOA

OKC PHIL PRESENTS: HARMONY, HUMOR, AND HUBRIS Oct. 16 Civic Center

The Painters of Pompeii: Roman Frescoes from the National Archaeological Museum, Naples sees a number of collection highlights travel to North America for the first time.

Classics concert of the season, symphonic music and comedy combine. okcphil.org

FROM HEROES TO IMMORTALS: CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGICAL PRINTS

Music Hall In the second

OKC BALLET PRESENTS: ALICE (IN WONDERLAND) Oct. 22-24 Civic

Center Music Hall Back by

popular demand, Septime Webre’s Alice is a frenetic, colorful and sometimes trippy take on the famous Lewis Carol stories. okcballet.org

OKLAHOMA SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK PRESENTS: MACBETH Oct. 28-Nov.

14 Myriad Botanical Gardens

okcmoa.com

Through Nov. 7 OKCMOA

For millennia, classical mythology has been a shared language through which artists can tells tales of heroism, love, vengeance and more. okcmoa.com

FRITZ SCHOLDER: BEYOND STEREOTYPES

Through Nov. 7 OKCMOA

Fritz Scholder stated he saw one too many over-romanticized and generalized depictions of

PAINTED DOOR GIFT BOUTIQUE

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OKTOBERFEST

SPEAKERS, ANIME AND HAUNTED TRAILS

Don’t miss political cartoonist Kevin Kallaugher on Oct. 8 at the Tulsa PAC as he discusses his work and art. Others should venture to the Cox Business Convention Center for Tokyo in Tulsa: Worlds Collide on Oct. 15-17, covering all things pop culture with an emphasis on Japanese animation. The Tulsa State Fair runs through Oct. 10, replete with rides, delicious grub and live music. Everyone’s favorite festival, Linde Oktoberfest, returns Oct. 21-24 at River West Festival Park; don’t miss the dog races, authentic eats and stein competitions. If you prefer a more zen outing, Tulsa Botanic oﬀers Autumn in the Garden through Oct. 31, where one can explore the changing flora around the garden. In OKC, the Oklahoma River comes alive Oct. 1-3 with the Oklahoma Regatta Festival. The same weekend, the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum hosts the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. And on Oct. 21, Dr. Marc Milstein comes to OKC Town Hall to discuss his Indigenous people “looking at the sunset.” okcmoa.com

A LIFE IN LOOKING

Through Dec. 31 Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Norman

The renowned art historian Dr. Creighton Eddy Gilbert, a scholar of Italian Renaissance art, spent nearly seven decades dedicated to scholarship, collecting, and teaching. ou.edu/fjjma

NEW BEGINNINGS: AN AMERICAN STORY

OF ROMANTICS AND MODERNISTS IN THE WEST Through Jan.

Art Over a 40-year career,

2 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum The exhibition will

include more than 100 early 20th century artworks by 70 artists. nationalcowboymu-

seum.org

NUCLEAR ENCHANTMENT: PATRICK NAGATANI Through Jan.

30 Fred Jones Jr. Museum of

PLENTY MERCANTILE Sustainable Goods & Gifts For All

Multiple locations in Edmond and OKC 405.888.7470 plentymercantile.com

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latest research on human health. Around the state, the Poteau Balloon Festival, Oct. 15-16 at the LeFlore County Fair Grounds, presents gorgeous hot air balloons that ignite the sky. The Robbers Cave Fall Festival, Oct. 15-17 at Wilburton’s Robbers Cave State Park, welcomes tourists and natives alike for car displays, markets and an entertainment stage. And for those in search of a scare, the Trail of Terror and Haunted Barn runs Oct. 22-23 at 2701 W. Tenth St. in El Reno.

Patrick Nagatani created a diverse body of work that pushed the contours of photography. ou.edu/fjjma

FRAMEWORK: EXPLORING THE ARTISTIC PROCESS

SPORTS OKC DODGERS BASEBALL Oct. 1-3 Chickasaw

Bricktown Ballpark Enjoy America’s favorite pastime. milb.com/oklahoma-city

Through Feb. 27 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum There is

more to art than meets the eye. Behind every piece of art is a creative process.

ENERGY FC SOCCER Oct. 3, 17 Taft Stadium Exciting semi-pro soccer is alive and well with the Energy FC.

energyfc.com

nationalcowboymuseum.org

RICHARD NEEL HOME

Diffusers and Candles from Alora Ambiance Exclusively at Richard Neel Home. Festa and Pino for the Holidays.

H O L I D AY G I F T G U I D E

Photo courtesy Conquer the Gauntlet

Gifts + Clothing + Holiday Fun

COMMUNIT Y

Photo courtesy Linde Oktoberfest

Bavarian culture. tulsaokto-

3742 S. Peoria Avenue 918-742-4777 richardneelhome.com

9/3/21 1005 Richard 4:00 PMNeel.indd 1

699:11 AM OCTOBER 2021 | WWW.OKMAG.COM 9/9/21

WHERE & WHEN | ENTERTAINMENT 26-27 Paycom Center See

Oklahoma’s NBA team play in regular season games. pay-

comcenter.com

GRAND NATIONAL AND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MORGAN HORSE SHOW Oct. 9-16 State Fair

Park One of the most anticipated horse shows comes to OKC. okcfairgrounds.com

COMMUNITY FIRST FRIDAY GALLERY WALK Oct. 1 Paseo Arts

District Visitors can enjoy

art openings, wine tastings, live music and other activities. thepaseo.org

OKLAHOMA REGATTA FESTIVAL Oct. 1-3 RiverS-

port Adventures See junior,

collegiate and master rowers compete. riversport.org

OKLAHOMA CITY MEMORIAL MARATHON Oct.

2-3 Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum The

Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is not just about running, it is about celebrating life. okcmarathon.com

HISPANIC FIESTA CELEBRATION Oct.

8 Scissortail Park Get ready

for an evening filled with dancing, music, food, art and more. travelok.com

BANJO FEST Oct. 9 Hudi-

berg Chevrolet Center The musical diversity of America’s instrument – the banjo – will proudly be on display at Banjo Fest 2021. okcciviccenter.com

OKC TOWN HALL PRES-

ENTS: MARC MILSTEIN Oct. 21 OKC Town Hall Dr. Milstein specializes in using the latest science research on human health and presenting it in a way that informs and entertains. okctownhall.org

THE STATE

PERFORMANCES

THE CEMENT OPRY Oct. 2 410

N. Main, Cement The Cement Opry is a monthly live variety show held in the Jesse James Ballroom. travelok.com

ITZHAK PERLMAN Oct. 9 McKnight Center for the Performing Arts, Stillwater Itzhak Perlman is an Israeli-American violinist, conductor and music teacher. mcknightcenter.org

BROADWAY SONGBOOK: BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL AND MEGAN HILTY Oct. 10 McKnight

Center for the Performing Arts, Stillwater Two Broadway icons

take the stage together for an extraordinary night of singing, featuring standards from the musical theater songbook. mcknightcenter.org

CONCERTS SANTANA Oct. 2 Choctaw

Casino and Resort, Durant Leg-

endary musician Santana visits Durant. choctawcasinos.com

TIM MCGRAW Oct. 8 McKnight Center for the Performing Arts, Stillwater One of country’s

most beloved artists visits Stillwater. mcknightcenter.org

DAVE MATTHEWS BAND Oct.

15-16 Choctaw Casino and Resort, Durant See these

popular soft rockers live for two nights. choctawcasinos.com

ART WHAT I KNOW: GIFTS FROM GORDON W. BAILEY Through Oct. 11 Crystal

Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Ark. What I Know is

an exhibition about knowledge featuring works from a variety of artists. crystalbridges.org

ART OF THE ALOHA SHIRT Through Oct. 17 Mabee

Gerrer Museum of Art Explore

the history, artistry and production of Hawaii’s enduring fashion statement, the Aloha Shirt. mgmoa.org

SPORTS OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL Oct. 2, 30 Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater The

Cowboys are back in action in Stillwater. okstate.com

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA FOOTBALL Oct. 16, 30 Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memo-

rial Stadium, Norman See the Sooners take on regular season foes. soonersports.com

COMMUNITY OKLAHOMA CZECH

FESTIVAL Oct. 2 Main Street, Yukon This celebration of heritage is a Yukon tradition. czechfestivaloklahoma.com WATONGA CHEESE FESTIVAL Oct. 8-9 Downtown

Watonga Celebrate delicious cheese and the great community of Watonga. hewatongacheesefestival.wordpress.com

POTEAU BALLOON FEST Oct.

15-16 LeFlore County Fair Grounds, Poteau Gorgeous hot air balloons

ignite the sky at this community event. poteauchamber.com

ROBBERS CAVE FALL FESTIVAL Oct. 15-17 Robbers

Cave State Park, Wilburton This community event welcomes tourists and Wilburton natives alike. robberscavefallfestival.com

TRAIL OF TERROR & HAUNTED BARN Oct. 22-23 2701 W 10th St.,

El Reno El Reno’s Trail of Terror and Haunted Barn challenges you to withstand the frightening fun they have planned this Halloween season. trailofterror.org

FOR MORE EVENTS IN TULSA, OKC AND AROUND THE STATE, HEAD TO OKMAG.COM.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

An Engaging October

A stacked month includes a James Bond picture, an offering from A24, a sci-fi epic and a Wes Anderson creation.

t’s October! Listen – I don’t have time for an intro, there are a lot of good films to list and only 500 words to get it done, so let’s go! After what seems like 6,000 delays, the 25th James Bond film, No Time to Die, is ready to see the light of day. The alleged final outing for Daniel Craig, the plot concerns Bond’s attempt to thwart the evil plans of Lyutsifer Safin (Rami Malek) with the help of Dr. Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux) and newcomer Nomi (Lashana Lynch), another 00 agent. Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga (True Detective), it should be a fitting send off for Craig and his gritty version of the famous character. It releases Oct. 8. Out on the same day is a new, bizarre looking Icelandic film from A24, titled Lamb. Starring Noomi Rapace, the trailer is drenched in a creepy atmosphere as a married couple find that the birth of a baby lamb starts to affect their relationship. The animal appears to be walking upright in the trailer, wearing children’s clothes, so I’m pretty sure this is going to be a wildly uncomfortable ride. A24 always brings the strange, and I’m here for it. Just in time for the best holiday of the year, Halloween Kills arrives Oct. 15. The sequel to Halloween, the well received 2018 reboot/continuation of the original 1978 film of the same name, Kills takes place minutes after the previous installment ends, with Michael Myers escaping his presumed death and continuing his blood-soaked murder spree. Jamie Lee

OKC THUNDER BASKETBALL Oct. 4, 13, 24,

FILMAND ANDCINEMA CINEMA FILM

Curtis returns as Laurie Strode, prepared to get the entire town on her side to help take down the menace. Next, a historical drama called The Last Duel. Directed by Ridley Scott (Alien, Gladiator) and starring the talented Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Ben Affleck and Jodie Comer, this has the promise of an absolutely stunning picture. Based on true events involving the last sanctioned trial by combat in France’s history, the film has fights, betrayal, love and honor all mixed into a glorious framework. It releases Oct. 15. This month also brings us a giant sci-fi epic with Dune. Based on the 1965 novel, this is the first in a planned two-part outing, both directed by Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners, Sicario). The cast is stacked, including Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Zendaya and Josh Brolin. Although it was originally scheduled for 2020, the film will release on Oct. 22 in theaters and on HBO Max. The final two: The French Dispatch and Last Night in Soho. The first is directed by Wes Anderson with a stellar cast including Owen Wilson, Bill Murray and Adrian Brody, following three story lines about a fictional Kansas newspaper in its final days. The latter is directed by Edgar Wright, featuring Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy in a psychological thriller that looks to have some absolutely electrifying imagery and evocative lighting. Dispatch is out on Oct. 22 and Soho releases Oct. 29. DREW JOSEPH ALLEN

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CLOSING THOUGHTS

Adam Soltani

orking day in and day out to advocate for religious freedoms for all Oklahomans and improve the lives of Muslims in the state, Adam Soltani is the executive director of CAIR – the Council on American-Islamic Relations. With a master’s degree in human relations with a certificate in organizational diversity and development, along with a degree in sociology, Soltani is uniquely positioned to serve Oklahoma’s Muslim community in various capacities. Along with leading CAIR, Soltani serves as the chair of the Oklahoma Conference of Churches’ Religions United Committee; writes commentary for various news publications; is a regular speaker at Oklahoma universities; and is an adjunct instructor at OSU. Residing in OKC with his wife and two sons, Soltani has received numerous awards and recognition for his advocacy and management style. We caught up with him and got his thoughts on ...

... key lessons he’s learned.

The first one is the importance of relationships. Whether maintaining good familial relationships, work relationships or friendships, we as human beings need one another more than we realize. These human connections fuel and provide us with a sense of fulfillment that you cannot get elsewhere. Secondly, I would emphasize the importance of following your passions. Too often, I witnessed my peers in college following the degree that would one day potentially net them the highest income. I, instead, followed my passions and took a path that no one in my family or social circle had previous to me.

... CAIR’s core mission.

I summarize all the efforts of CAIR Oklahoma into the following: We strive to improve the quality of life for Muslims in Oklahoma through advocating for better laws and protecting constitutional rights. By extension, CAIR Oklahoma is truly an advocate for religious freedom for all Oklahomans under the United States Constitution.

... his passion for building bridges. I was raised in a multicultural, multi-faith home. Born in 1983 to a Shia Muslim father from Iran and a white Catholic mother from Olathe, Kan., the world I was introduced to was not ready to accept me for who I am. People constantly tried to fit me into a box, but I was never white enough or brown enough – I existed with one foot in one world and one in another.

OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2021

Photo courtesy Adam Soltani

ONLINE

FOR MORE, VISIT OKMAG.COM/ SOLTANI

I was typically labeled as ‘other.’ I felt marginalized my entire adolescent life, which led to a journey of self-exploration to find my identity. I am so passionate about building bridges and encouraging diversity and religious education because I don’t want my children to go through the same experiences I had to go through just to be able to be myself. To know someone is to understand them, to understand them is to respect them, and to respect them is to have a sense of compassion for what they have been through in life.

... how he came to CAIR.

I was involved in CAIR Oklahoma from its founding in 2006. Lobna Hewedi recruited me as a board member while I was still in college as a youth representative. I was blessed to have the opportunity to assist in opening our first office and hiring our first staff member, until I stepped away from the board two years later to focus on settling down and starting my master’s degree. However, as is typical with nonprofit work, I never could step away, and continued to

volunteer at CAIR events and even built the first website for the organization from scratch in my spare time. In 2012, the position of executive director was posted. The thought to apply crossed my mind, but lacking confidence that I was fit for the part, I ignored it – that was, until my predecessor Muneer Awad called me and convinced me that I made a good candidate and should apply.

...what he’s looking forward to.

I look forward to the day I can retire and spend all my time buried in books. I am a bit of a bookworm, but rarely get time to enjoy a good book and a cup of coffee in my line of work. But I cannot and will not retire until and unless I train the next generation of leaders to continue the fight of protecting our civil liberties in the United States. I hope that one day I will be able to observe with pride as I hand CAIR Oklahoma over to its next leader that will grow its capacity and influence far beyond anything I ever imagined. It will be in that moment that I will be able to know I completed my mission in life.

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October 2021 Oklahoma magazine

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