Spring Edition 2018
Inside Homeowners in the Kendall Place Historic District display classic homes
MUSKOGEE muskogeephoenix.com
‘Renaissance’ couple share love of art, life Muskogee’s Mahylon’s restaurant shares secret for good barbecue
2
Spring Edition 2018
Green Country Living
3
Contents Renovate and Restore: John Spencer and Debbie Buse knew their home would be a work in progress for years to come
6 14
facebook.com/greencountryliving
24 The Ebys knew this house was a match from the beginning
Cheryl Petree says her 1920s house shows it’s character through the wood
34 Lisa Goebel moves back into neighborhood of her childhood Beyond the Listing: The twostory brick home has hardwood floors with large living and dining areas with ample built-in storage
44
Beck says her 70-year-old home is 10 years old on the inside
4
Spring Edition 2018
STAFF
Issue 46
Publisher Dale Brendel editors Ed Choate, Elizabeth Ridenour ADVERTISING Manager Stephanie Elswick ADVERTISING SALES Erin Shriver, Therese Lewis, Angela Jackson, Debbie Sherwood, Kris Hight WRITERS Mike Elswick, Cathy Spaulding, Melony Carey, Heather Ezell PHOTOGRAPHERS Mandy Lynn, Cathy Spaulding Layout & Design Josh Cagle Green Country Living is published by the Muskogee Phoenix. Contents of the magazine are by the Muskogee Phoenix. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior consent of the Muskogee Phoenix. Green Country Living, P.O. Box 1968, Muskogee OK 74402. email echoate@muskogeephoenix.com - Editorial: (918) 684-2933 email s.elswick@muskogeephoenix.com - Advertising and distribution: (918) 684-2804
on the Cover
54
60 Art of the Matter: Couple says home provides a fusion of their lifestyle, their artistic creativity and love of history
Spring Edition 2018
70
Kenny Greer shares the history of his family’s restaurant, Mahylon’s
GayLyn and Greg Eby’s stately home predates statehood and was the first house they looked at when searching for home in Muskogee Photo by Von Castor
Green Country Living
5
Art, life and the
Old West Kendall Place remodeling project a labor of love for couple
T
he Plainsman-style American Foursquare home of John Spencer and Debbie Buse remains a project in progress for the couple four years after moving in. But that’s fine with them. They say they knew what they were getting into when they purchased the two-story home in Muskogee’s
Kendall Place Historic District, which has gained national historic recognition. “We’d both lived in older homes, and John had redone his before,” Buse said. She said the architecture and history of their home contributed the inclusion of the neighborhood on the National Register of Historic Places.
By Mike Elswick • Photos by Mandy Lynn 6
Spring Edition 2018
The American Four Square-style Kendall Place Historic District home of John Spencer and Debbie Buse was built soon after Oklahoma gained statehood.
Green Country Living
7
ABOVE: The foyer of the Spencer and Buse home features an eclectic blend of antiques, collectibles, a saddle and other decorating touches. The “hussy” couch on the left is from a former brothel and has sides that both fold down so it can be made into a bed. RIGHT: The Westernstyle theme with family heirlooms is carried out in the home’s living room.
The pair are lovers of antiques, the Old West, art and life. That is evident upon walking in the front door where guests are greeted with a saddle, antiques, deer antlers, cowboy boots, belts, collectibles and decorating touches from an earlier era. “It’s not many people that have saddles in their foyer,” Buse said. G. Harvey limited edition prints can be found throughout the home and reflect
8
Spring Edition 2018
Spencer’s love of Western art. Buse said the couple thoroughly checked out the home before they purchased it and moved in. “It has good bones,” she said of the structural soundness of the home. “It sat vacant for a few months and just needed some care. But we knew what we were getting into.” Spencer said the couple did some
painting and general sprucing up when they first moved in at 215 S. 13th St. They also replaced decking on the covered front porch and refinished the front door. The four-square style of home design was popular in the U.S. from about 1890 through the mid-1930s with the concept featuring a basic four rooms downstairs and four rooms upstairs, Buse said. “This home was built about 1910, and
Debbie Buse and John Spencer say their remodeling project is ongoing, but the couple still finds time to enjoy life in the 1910-era residence.
The kitchen of the Buse and Spencer home is one area that has been modernized.
The dining room of the Kendall Place home of Debbie Buse and John Spencer is accented with a variety of antiques and collectibles the couple have collected.
Green Country Living
9
A saddle, art and boots are among the decor items greeting visitors to the Kendall Place home of John Spencer and Debbie Buse.
the whole neighborhood is on the National Register of Historic Places,” she said. Buse said among the features of the home that attracted them were the oak floors downstairs and the original maple floors upstairs. The floors have been refinished. “It’s ongoing,” she said of the remodeling work. An upstairs bathroom features a clawfoot tub with marble flooring. Buse said remodeling of the two-andthree-quarter bathrooms are on the list of future projects.
not many people that “haveIt’ssaddles in their foyer ” — Debbie Buse
The laundry room may be moved upstairs eventually, while an upstairs bathroom may be enlarged. They believe the kitchen area in the back of the house was added, perhaps in the 1980s. They have added to the kitchen and upgraded the appliances. “We love to cook and bake and spend a lot of time in the kitchen,” she said. Refinishing woodwork and molding throughout the home is among the list of future projects. Buse is originally from Muskogee while Spencer’s grandparents were from Haskell and had worked for the county. He has lived in the Fort Worth area for about 30 years and worked as a bank president. “It’s been interesting,” she said.
10
Spring Edition 2018
The Buse and Spencer residence features multiple living areas all with a decorating theme carried with lots of antiques.
Even the covered front porch carries out the Old West and antique theme with wagon wheel benches and a hide covering on the floor.
Green Country Living
11
A bay window in an upstairs bedroom provides ample natural lighting.
12
Spring Edition 2018
“We’ve only been married nine years, but we both owned homes. That was good in a way and bad in a way because we’ve had to really merge things from both.” While they have only been married about nine years, they have known each other about 35 years. In fact, they originally met in the early 1980s when they both worked at Muskogee’s Commercial Bank, Buse said. A Jenny Lind bed, antique dry sink, deer antler chandelier, area rugs, antique china cabinet and other decorating accents are found throughout the home. Spencer said he found the antler chandelier when living in Fort Worth at a business named the Cross-eyed Moose. Among the more unique pieces is a sofa that Spencer said he purchased at a former brothel. The piece has arms on both ends that fold completely down to transform into a flat bed or couch and it’s on rollers. “We call it a hussy couch,” he said.
Green Country Living
13
GayLyn and Greg Eby said the Kendall Place Historic District home they purchased about four years ago fits well with their lifestyle and love of history.
14
Spring Edition 2018
The two-story home that Greg and GayLyn Eby purchased when moving to Muskogee was the first home they looked at.
Passion for older homes Couple restored older home in Arkansas before falling ‘in love with Muskogee’ By Mike Elswick • Photos by Mandy Lynn Green Country Living
15
The landscaped backyard offers a relaxing space for the Eby family to spend time.
F
or GayLyn and Greg Eby there is no question of just where the favorite place is to spend time in their Kendall Place Historic District home. The screened-in porch on the side of the two-story residence is where they often start their days after waking to a cup of coffee. It may also be the place where they spend time toward the end of the day. “We don’t watch television, so this is where we come to relax and unwind,” GayLyn said. The stately home predates Oklahoma statehood and instantly caught their eye when the couple moved to Muskogee about four years ago when Greg took a position as president for local operations of Arvest Bank. They fell in love with the first one they looked at.
16
Spring Edition 2018
ABOVE: A second story balcony covers a first-floor porch where Greg and GayLyn Eby said they like to spend much of their time. BOTTOM: Having early morning coffee on the enclosed porch is a relaxing way for the Eby couple to start their day.
Green Country Living
17
The kitchen was one of the rooms Greg and GayLyn Eby have updated since moving into their Kendall Place Historic District home about four years ago.
“I knew the second I walked inside that this was it,” GayLyn said. Married 28 years, the couple have lived in six homes and have a passion for older homes. Prior to moving to Muskogee they spent several years in Arkansas where they restored an older home in Arkansas. While the residence was movein ready and did not need much work, the couple have made a few changes since moving in.
18
Spring Edition 2018
“We added a balcony to provide protection when we walk out the back door,” Greg said. They considered installing a covered walkway from the home to the detached garage, but decided against that addition. The kitchen has had some updating done in the way of appliances. But Greg said the cooking space remains much as it did when they first occupied the home. “One of the things that attracted us to the place was the amount of storage. We love the cabinets and hidden storage places,” he said. New ceiling fixtures, including several ceiling fans, have been installed while French doors that had been removed from an interior doorway and stored in the garage have been put back in their rightful place. The home’s decor is filled with antiques and artwork. Many of the paintings hung throughout the residence have been painted by GayLyn, who said she is at a point in her life where she plans to again take up art as a pastime. GayLyn said interior design is among her passions.
ABOVE: The dining area is separated by built-in cabinets in the kitchen.
LEFT: Among the aspects of the Greg and GayLyn Eby home they like is having plenty of built-in cabinets and storage, including this space leading to the home’s kitchen featuring a built-in bar.
Green Country Living
19
GayLyn Eby is seen at the baby grand piano. Music is among her favorite pastimes and of the couple’s two sons.
20
Spring Edition 2018
The stairway leading to bedrooms upstairs is off the first floor foyer.
“We looked at a lot of homes, but when we walked in this one, it was ‘bam!’” GayLyn said. “We looked at a lot of homes that were newer, but they didn’t feel right.” When the couple was looking for a Muskogee home, one of the considerations for interior space was to ensure a spot for a baby grand piano, Greg said. “We had to consider ‘just where are we going to place it,’” he said. GayLyn and the their two sons are avid musicians and have spent many hours playing the piano. Their youngest son is in the band at the University of
Arkansas where he is on the drum line. An older son just graduated from the University of Arkansas and is starting a new job in Austin. The home features three fireplaces, including one serving as a focal point in the living room. One of the unique aspects of the home is the location in every room of steam-heated radiators with heat coming from a boiler in the basement. Greg said the home is cooled in the summer months with a central air conditioning system. The hardwood floors were in good shape, and the exterior was a pale gray when they moved in. The exterior is now a darker
Green Country Living
21
Spending time outdoors and gardening are among the aspects of the property that GayLyn Eby enjoys.
gray. GayLyn said she enjoys spending a lot of time outdoors and gardening. “That allows me to use up some of my nervous energy in planting, working with flowers and watching the birds,” she said. A large pecan tree shades the landscaped backyard while a magnolia tree provides a landscaping focal point in the front yard. Assisting with upkeep during the hotter, dryer months of the year is an in-ground sprinkler system. GayLyn said both the home and the city have been good fits for the couple. “We’ve fallen in love with Muskogee,” she said. “The people are very welcoming and not cliquish at all.” Greg said the older home fits their lifestyle well. “It’s an older home but has been modernized with security alarms, highspeed internet and everything we need,” he said.
22
Spring Edition 2018
Green Country Living
23
The wood trim outside Cheryl and Henry Petree’s Kendall Place home offers a preview of what’s inside. Cheryl Petree said the wood gives the home character.
Downsizing put on hold Petree couple sought to downsize when moving out of Haskell
C
heryl Petree said she and her husband had sought to downsize when they moved out of their house in Haskell last fall. “We had intended to have no stairs. We were going to get a smaller place,”
she said. “All the things we were going to do, we just did the opposite.” They moved into a two-story, fourbedroom house in Kendall Place. Dr. Henry Petree said there was an estate sale at the house, and they fell in love with it.
By Cathy Spaulding • Photos by Mandy Lynn 24
Spring Edition 2018
Cheryl and Henry Petree take pride in how they remodeled their Kendall Place house. Cheryl Petree said the house was filled with gaudy blue and green floral patterns when they moved in.
Green Country Living
25
Sun shines through a wall of windows into Henry and Cheryl Petree’s ballroomsized den. An area rug, sofas and recliners make a cozy spot by the fireplace.
Cheryl and Henry Petree’s kitchen features tile countertops and a broad Island.
26
Spring Edition 2018
Wood paneling and sunlight surround Henry Petree as he works in his office. The fireplace backs up to a fireplace in the living room.
“And, here we are,” he said. Cheryl said the house, which dates to the 1920s, has a character not seen in newer houses. She said the house shows its character through the wood.
The house has its original wood floors, she said. Knotty wood paneling surrounds an office where Henry works. Wide wood trim surrounds the original wooden doors in the dining room and living room.
In a back den, wood beams hold up wooden ceiling planks. Deep wood bookshelves are on each side of a brick fireplace. It hasn’t always shown such character. Cheryl said that when they moved into the house in November, all but one room
Green Country Living
27
had wallpaper. “And shag carpeting on every bit of the floor,” she said. Everything was green and yellow — and wild, wild flowers. Oh, it was awful, just terrible.” One room had been done in a bright blue, she recalled. So, the Petrees ripped out the shag carpeting, ripped out the green and yellow linoleum floor in the kitchen, ripped down the wallpaper. Cheryl said they painted a green vent hood in the kitchen, repainted kitchen cabinets. They expanded the kitchen and topped counters with white ceramic tile. Cheryl said she was tempted to give up. Yet they persisted. She said they had redone old houses in the past.
Everything was “green and yellow
— and wild, wild flowers. Oh, it was awful, just terrible. — Cheryl Petree
”
After five months, there’s still some work to be done, the Petrees said. Work done so far has brought back the historic character. Cheryl said they furnish their house with antiques they’ve collected over 50 years. One antique is a round white porcelain ice box. An old upright store scale in the corner of the office still works. Henry said the scale is “probably the oldest thing in the house.” “That was in my daddy’s drug store,” Cheryl said, showing a picture of the drug store, which was in Fort Worth. It is framed with a letter her father wrote while she was at summer
28
Spring Edition 2018
The Petree’s dining room features antique furniture, including a scale that used to be in a drug store run by Cheryl Petree’s father. The scale is in the corner.
Provincial-style furniture and sheer drapes add elegance to the Petree living room. The fireplace backs up to a fireplace in the office.
Green Country Living
29
Like many older homes, the home of Cheryl and Henry Petree features two staircases. The fancier front stairway, left, leads down to the main hallway. The back stairway leads to the kitchen.
30
Spring Edition 2018
A brick patio features a fountain and leads into a wooded area.
camp. She said she knows the scale is older than she is, “and I’m 67.” The house has three fireplaces. A living room fireplace and an office fireplace are back to back. The third is in the back den. A couple of brick steps descend into the back den, which was added to the house some time in the 1970s. A red brick floor grounds the room. Window panes, bordered in redwood, line one wall. The opposite wall features a bar area. Cushioned recliners and sofas surround a patterned rug by the fireplace. The flat-screen TV is on one bookshelf.
sit out here and “We we feel like we’re in the woods, ” — Cheryl Petree
Two stairways — a grand one in the hall, and a secluded one by the kitchen — lead to a landing. Another stairway leads to the second floor. The first sight on the second floor is a four-poster bed with a lace canopy in a guest bedroom. Another antique, Cheryl said, adding the they had the canopy for at least 27 years. A bl a c k S i n g e r s e w i n g machine with a treadle is in the
Angelic statuary can be found along a wooded garden path at the Cheryl and Henry Petree home.
Green Country Living
31
Henry and Cheryl Petree’s master bedroom features a variety of old-style touches, including a window bench.
32
Spring Edition 2018
corner. The master bedroom features a broad window with a built-in bench. However, Petree said they don’t have much time to sit. “Hopefully, we’ll get to enjoy the house now,” she said. The Petrees turned a tiny bedroom into a walk-in closet. Cheryl Petree said they didn’t change the main bathroom, which has pink tile across the floor, around the sink and halfway up the walls. Outside, a brick patio features raised flowerbeds on one end. The other end, which features a fountain, reaches into “the woods” south of the house. “There’s a brick walk all the
way through,” she said. “We just haven’t uncovered it yet.” Another patio is near the south fence, she said. Petree said previous homeowners owned a nursery. He said he has worked to clear plants that had overgrown the garden. “There was a fountain, a waterfall, a koi pond,” he said. “There’s all kinds things we don’t even know they’re there yet.” Cheryl said the patio is a peaceful place to relax. “We sit out here and we feel like we’re in the woods,” she said. “That was a big plus. That was what sold Henry, I think.”
Green Country Living
33
Lisa Goebel’s Kendall Place home has a small house appeal from it’s front yard.
A side view of Lisa Goebel’s home shows how large her house actually is.
34
Spring Edition 2018
Kendall Place
roots
Goebel moves into house ‘90 steps’ away from childhood home
L
isa Goebel has lived in her Kendall Place bungalow for 13 years — but she has known about the house all her life. “I grew up about four houses down this way,” Goebel said, pointing to the west. “Actually it’s about 90 steps to my Mom’s — running or walking.”
She said it’s nice to be able to live close to her mom. And it’s nice to live in the neighborhood where she grew up. “There were kids in every other house,” she said. “And the families had five kids at least.” She recalled joining friends to “build dams” in alleys by turning on water hoses.
By Cathy Spaulding • Photos by Von Castor
Green Country Living
35
Lisa Goebel and her dog, Bea, enjoy the natural light that fills the living room of her Kendall Place home. Goeble grew up just down the road from her house.
“We’d have wars with the magnolia seed pods — ‘throw grenades’ is what the boys would say,” she recalled. “When a home sold, it seemed like another big family moved in, which was nice.” Goebel said she lived on West Okmulgee Avenue after she grew up and lived in San Antonio for about six months. The neighborhood called her back about 13 years ago.
36
Spring Edition 2018
“I love the historical homes. I love the west side of town,” she said. “I always have.” Goebel recalled that the house, which dates to 1941, was in poor shape when she bought it. “That light fixture was the only thing in here, and it was hanging by a rope,” she said, pointing to a fixture in the dining area. “I’ve done a lot of mainly painting,
done some work in the kitchen, part of the outside.” The upgrade included replacing 46 windows, Goebel said. Goebel furnishes her house with pieces she finds different places. Creamy-colored walls surround Goebel’s living room, dining room and a small bedroom she turned into a sitting room. The sitting room features a red chaise lounge
Bea savors a sunny spot on Lisa Goebel’s back porch.
Windows surround a back porch in Lisa Goebel’s Kendall Place home. She said she replaced 46 windows in her house.
across from a gray sofa set. People can see the TV from any place in the room. She said she welcomes the chaise when her two grandchildren “hog the couch.” Goebel’s upstairs bathroom features black and white floor tile that resembles lattice work. The contrast continues with white fixtures and black lines accenting white walls. The homeowner passes through the
“
I love the historical homes. I love the west side of town, — Lisa Goebel
”
galley kitchen to a window-side shelf with two stools. “I usually eat there every morning,” she said.
Beyond the breakfast area is Goebel’s sunroom. Windows surround the sunroom on three sides, bordered underneath with gray wainscoting. “This is one of my favorite hangouts,” she said. “It’s open and airy and relaxing.” She said the sunroom is a fun place for entertaining. “The whole house is,” she said. What looks like a one-story house from
Green Country Living
37
Stairs descend onto a cozy back patio, surrounded by walls. Lisa Goebel said she enjoys spending time outside.
Chairs in Lisa Goebel’s back patio provide a conversational setting. Lisa Goebel’s back patio hints at an herb garden.
the front yard dips into a twostory in the back yard. A stairway by the kitchen leads downstairs to two more bedrooms and two full bathrooms. “So it’s actually a five bedroom, three bathroom house,” she said. Goebel said the downstairs bedrooms used to be a garage. She said she’d like to convert one downstairs bedroom into an office. Cinderblock and rock walls 38
Spring Edition 2018
surround the secluded back yard. Yet, there is plenty of lawn for Goebel’s dog, Bea. “I’m out there constantly,” she said. A back patio features several sitting areas. Patterned ceramic tiles pop up in various locations. “I pick them up at garage sales, or estate sales or flea markets,” she said. “It puts color in the garden.” Goebel said the setup makes her home energy-efficient. “My utilities are wonderful in
Bea guards a chaise lounge in Lisa Goebel’s TV room.
A hutch in Lisa Goebel’s dining room displays heirloom dinnerware.
Sun shines through windows in Lisa Goebel’s living room. Goebel said she enjoys sunlight and cross breezes in her historic home.
Green Country Living
39
A sofa set in Lisa Goebel’s TV room features a place to lounge. She said her grandchildren like to “hog the couch” when they visit.
40
Spring Edition 2018
this house,” she said. “The house is on a hill so that in the spring, you can open up the windows and — oh my gosh, you can get a great cross breeze.” A decorative gas heater by the living room fireplace can heat the entire upstairs, she said. Goebel continues working on the house. She recently replaced the porch’s wood floor, but has not treated it yet. “The boards were getting pretty bad,” she said, adding that she’s waiting for the
“
The house is on a hill so that in the spring, you can open up the windows and — oh my gosh, you can get a great cross breeze. — Lisa Goebel
”
weather to get dry enough to seal the porch floor.
All the work she puts into the house is worth it, she said. “With these older homes over here, they have so much character,” she said. “You can’t find anything like an older home.” She said she spends a lot of time on her front porch after the sun goes down. So do many other people, apparently. Goebel said she enjoys entertaining. “This is the house that most of the neighbors like to come over to,” she said. “They all congregate here.”
Live Fort G i b s o n To d a y !
Green Country Living
41
42
Spring Edition 2018
Green Country Living
43
Philip and Shelly Beck’s home offers a welcome.
A mezuzah glitters by the Beck’s front door.
44
Spring Edition 2018
‘Labor of
love’ Beck’s 70-year-old home gets ‘contemporary traditional’ makeover
S
everal things welcome visitors to the Philip and Shelly Beck home. A walkway gently curves across the front
mezuzah contains a prayer written on parchment. “It says ‘as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” she said. “As you touch it you pray. It’s a Jewish lawn. tradition.” A wooden cat resting on a porch She said the family moved into the chair hints at five more felines inside. four-bedroom house in 2007. A golden mezuzah glitters by the “We actually bought it in 2006 and front door. worked on it for six months,” she S h e l l y B e c k s a i d t h e said. “We took it down to the studs.”
By Cathy Spaulding • Photos by Von Castor Green Country Living
45
Philip Beck made many of the furnishings in their home, including this poplar wood dining room table.
She said the entire house had plaster walls. “We took down every single wall, all the ceilings, all the heat and air,” she said. “So everything inside of the house is 10 years old. And the house itself is 70 years old.” The Becks also installed laminate floors that have a wood-plank appearance. Shelly called the redo a “labor of love.” She said her husband, a partner in Beck Construction, did most of the work, including all the trim work. She said he even made most of the furniture, including an ash wood table in the hall, a poplar dining room table and a maple TV stand. “When I married him, we decided to redo a house instead of building a new house,” Shelly said. “He does custom building. He doesn’t do spec homes.”
“
We actually bought it in 2006 and worked on it for six months, — Shelly Beck
”
Philip said he gutted the house and put in new electricity and plumbing. He said he put up new drywall. “Basically, just did everything,” he said, adding that he was seeking “something kind of traditional — contemporary traditional.” In the kitchen, Philip built the cabinets and installed a tile backsplash and granite countertop. Shelly said they moved a wall to make the kitchen bigger. The Becks tore down paneling and converted an old den into the master bedroom. They kept a wood-burning fireplace. “I didn’t want to use gas. I wanted the smell of wood,” Shelly said. Slate gray walls contribute to the warm feeling. The children’s rooms are on the opposite side of the house from the master bedroom. Shelly has five children from a previous
46
Spring Edition 2018
Shelves display souvenirs from Shelly Beck’s time in Russia.
Green Country Living
47
The Becks expanded a narrow kitchen in their 1948 house to make it more open. Now there is space galore.
marriage. One, John, lives in Tahlequah. Others live at home: Nicole, Hannah, Laura and Cody. Curtains, not doors, in front of the closets give the daughters’ rooms a quirky appeal. “Since it was an older house, the original doors didn’t slide well, so we just took them off,” Beck said. “The girls saw it on
48
Spring Edition 2018
Pinterest.” One bed features a mosquito net canopy. The narrow back yard offers several restful spots for the Becks. A hot tub is close by. One cozy corner of the back yard faces a stone fireplace. “We cook s’mores and hot dogs with the kids,” he said.
The backyard’s other corner features a tree house, which the Becks built for their daughters. “And even though they’re teenagers, they’ll go up there and watch movies,” she said. “They’ll watch stuff and hang out with their friends. My daughter has a screen and a projector, actually.” The yard even features a fenced-in
Black cabinets and granite countertops accent the Beck’s kitchen.
A pleasant setting accents the hall.
— and fenced-over — place where the family’s five cats can romp and not run away. The cat yard abuts the house. “We crack the window and they can get out,” Beck said. The interior side of the window features a soft cat perch. The Becks’ living room is a museum of the family’s varied interests.
it was an older house, “theSince original doors didn’t slide well, so we just took them off, ” — Shelly Beck
One wall features black and white photographs Philip took in Dauphin Island,
Alabama. Several shelves feature stacking matryoshka dolls from Russia, where Shelly spent 10 years. Other shelves feature a Jewish menorah and other souvenirs from her time in Israel. Two shelves pop out in low and high spots on the living room walls. Shelly said her husband originally built them to be
Green Country Living
49
One of the Beck’s five cats claims the bed in the master bedroom.
50
Spring Edition 2018
perches for the family’s five cats. “They hated them,” she said. “He put up the cat shelves so they could jump, and they never did. So I put more trinkets on them.” Instead, the cats fight over a spot in the living room, she said. Beck said her favorite spot is the living room’s picture window. “You can just look out and see Muskogee go by,” she said. She also can see the Alice Robertson home across Elgin Street from hers. Robertson was a pioneering educator and the second woman to be elected to Congress. Robertson’s historic house is undergoing renovation of its own. “I want to see it done to the original,” Shelly said. “That’s my prayer.”
Green Country Living
51
Spring is the Season for Home Improvement
52
Spring Edition 2018
Green Country Living
53
Beyond the Listing
Midtown home retains historic flavor Hardwood floors, high ceilings and large rooms among hallmarks of Kendall Place residence
M
artha Alford has spent about twothirds of her life living in the historic Muskogee home at 208 Kendall Blvd. Visiting with her it is easy to see how the residence holds a lot of memories after raising a family with two children into adulthood. “This is the first and only house we looked at,” she said. Alford still likes the midtown
Muskogee location, not only for the ties it has to the city’s rich history, but also because of the convenience to just about any location in town. “This is the original townsite and is in the heart of Muskogee. We’re in midtown here, and it’s convenient to all parts of the city,” she said. “When I first moved in and worked at the hospital, I used to walk to work each day and loved walking through the neighborhood.”
By Mike Elswick • Photos by Mandy Lynn 54
Spring Edition 2018
This 2,000-square-foot home dates back to approximately 1911, the homeowner said.
Beyond the Listing
FEATURES »» ADDRESS: 208 Kendall Blvd. »» ASKING PRICE: $114,900. (Under contract.) »» SQUARE FOOTAGE: Approximately 2,000 square feet. »» BEDROOMS: Three. »» FLOORS: Hardwood, although upstairs bedrooms have been carpeted »» OTHER FEATURES: Conveniently
located in midtown Muskogee in the Kendall Place Historic District. Roof is two years old on this immaculately updated 2-story residence with the bonus of a basement and a secondfloor porch. Home also has a detached two-car garage. »» INFORMATION: Home is listed by Fuller Agency. For more information
visit http://www.fulleragency.com/; or call (918) 869-2345. »» Owner’s favorite part of home: “The living and dining area, because it’s open, not modern open, but open enough when we’ve had holiday dinners with family it’s conducive to family and visiting,” Martha Alford said.
Green Country Living
55
Beyond the Listing
Martha Alford said she likes the way natural light pours through the home’s multiple windows.
Arched doorways provide the home with character and charm.
Two of the home’s four bedrooms upstairs have been converted into a large master suite.
Another advantage of being in an established neighborhood is that she knows most of her neighbors. “We’re part of the Kendall Historic District,” Alford said. Over the years, she has been active in and served as a officer for the historic district’s association. While the home retains many original details from when it was built in the early 1900s, like wooden floors, arched interior doorways, crown molding, a front porch
56
Spring Edition 2018
looking out on the boulevard and others, it also has touches like a kitchen that has been remodeled and modernized, and a central heating and air conditioning system installed downstairs, she said. “The first mention of the home we’ve been able to find was in the 1912 phone book, so we think it was probably built in 1911,” she said. “There are four dormers in each corner of the upstairs rooms, which is a unique aspect of the house,” Alford said. “There’s storage in each of the dormers.”
At one time there had been four bedrooms upstairs, but two of those have been converted into a larger master bedroom suite complete with a fireplace. The home features what is believed to be original molding and woodwork throughout. The two-story brick home with approximately 2,000 square feet of space has hardwood floors with large living and dining areas with ample built-in storage. The downstairs is on central heat and air while upstairs there are window units and baseboard heaters, she said.
Beyond the Listing
The kitchen includes plenty of cabinets, storage for wine, and plenty of light.
The home has plenty of storage.
The Kendall Place home’s kitchen has been updated to feature modern cabinetry, countertops and appliances.
The kitchen has been updated with modern cabinetry, counters and appliances. As a bonus, the residence has a second-story porch that could be screened in overlooking the backyard. “It was a sleeping porch at one time and probably could be converted back if someone wanted to,” Alford said. The decking on the front porch has been replaced with a composite material that has the look of wood. Another plus for the property not found in
many new residences is a basement where the washer and dryer are located. Kendall Place Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. Excerpts from the original district nomination document indicates the area “clearly illustrates the evolution of middle-and upper-middle-class residential development and architecture during Muskogee’s periods of prosperity — the period of early growth” from 1898 through 1912. “More importantly, the socio-economic
profile of Kendall Place residents remains constant from decade to decade, as middleand upper-middle-class citizens chose to reside close to downtown in a well-known, desirable neighborhood with housing stock maintained in good condition,” researchers said in the nomination statement. “It is also significant for its outstanding collection of residential architecture.” The area is closely entwined with the city’s growth and periods of economic growth, the historic designation said.
Green Country Living
57
Beyond the Listing
ABOVE: The home retains many original features from when it was built in the early 1900s, such as the hardwood floors. LEFT: Light dances through a stained glass window in the bathroom.
“The District conveys its unique history and architectural associations that not only reflect economic and physical development patterns, but also the notable location in which it developed,” the nomination document said. The area has a long association with the former Kendall College, which was situated in the district. The nomination said the area retains a distinct identity. “The boulevard landscaping, the house settings and the
58
Spring Edition 2018
generous lots and setbacks create the physical context for a predominantly upper-middle-class neighborhood,” the report said. Alford said among the aspects of the home she likes is the way natural light pours in. “There are many windows, and the lighting is great,” she said. “Muskogee is a special place with a lot of character and a lot of potential,” she said. “And this part of Muskogee really is one of the hidden treasures of our community.”
Green Country Living
59
Art of the Matter Carolyn and Greg Harmon say their historic home and a large garage being converted into an art studio are making the transition to the next phase of their lives something they look forward to.
‘Renaissance’ couple share
creative lifestyle, passion of art Relocation to Kendall Place Historic District provides unique setting for easing into life’s next phase By Mike Elswick • Photos by Von Castor
60
Holiday Edition 2017
Art of the Matter
A bay window and built-in bench accent antiques and art in the Harmon’s dining room.
G
reg and Carolyn Harmon say their home in Muskogee’s Kendall Place Historic District offers a perfect location for their lifestyle and their pursuit of, and passion for, art. They moved to Muskogee about two years ago from Edmond and say Muskogee and their home provide a fusion of their lifestyle, their artistic creativity, love of history and their transition to the next phase of their lives. “We’re going to do what we love,” Carolyn said.
Art, including this rose painted by Carolyn Harmon, can be found throughout the Harmon residence. Green Country Living
61
Art of the Matter RIGHT: glass-topped table displays one of Greg Harmon’s creations made with feathers, arrowheads and other natural items.
Scott’s Repair
62
Holiday Edition 2017
Both are artists and both are licensed massage therapists who share a passion for not only experimenting with their art, but for sharing their experience by teaching others. They both share a love of art and creating colorful eye catching pieces with glass, painting, fused glass and other mediums. By summer, their newest endeavor, “Art For You,” should be open in a new space coming to life in a garage detached from the home that is being converted by Greg into an art studio with space for students. “We want to be able to give back to the community, and sharing our vision for art is one way we can do that,” Carolyn said. The couple plans to offer classes to youngsters and adults wanting to learn techniques they can use to create their own pieces of art. Carolyn said they love being able to share their love of life and passion for the creative process. “Art Fy You” will be joining their other enterprise, “Lord and Lady Massage” in the historic two-story residence occupying about 3,300 square feet of living space. Their therapeutic massages are offered upstairs where they can provide couple’s massages in a soothing setting, Carolyn said. That setting offers a contrast to some of their artistic endeavors that might include smashing pieces of glass into small pieces before they are merged into one-of-akind pieces of art after being fired in kilns at temperatures of 1,500 degrees.
ABOVE LEFT & RIGHT: A framed “flying heart” creation represents a theme seen throughout the home, which also features a variety of art, the couple have collected.
Lighted display cases hold several pieces of fused-glass art created by Greg Harmon.
Art of the Matter “We want to offer people a chance to treat themselves to a weekend getaway or a weekday retreat where they can enjoy all the comforts of home as well as massage therapy, wonderful food and overnight stays as well as art studio time,” she said. Guests will be guided through using their creativity with the experience the Harmons can provide so guests leave not only with a soothing massage, but a completed art project. For their glass art, the couple have their own kiln in the studio for smaller pieces, and larger pieces are sent to studios with large kilns. While working with glass is a medium they both love, it is not the only form of art they pursue. Carolyn has painted for years and Greg
ventures into creating artwork that combines elements of his Native American heritage and nature like arrowheads, feathers, quartz crystals, sheepskin, rose rocks and other elements into glass-covered tables or framed works. The couple also work in the realm of photographic art and experiment in creating images with computerized reversed photographs. They ventured into glass fusion artistic endeavors in an unexpected manner. While trying to guide a daughter into glass art as a pastime while she was in high school, the parents instead got hooked. The effort was not lost on their daughter though: Today she is an artist for Hobby Lobby based in Oklahoma City.
Greg said the very first piece of fused glass art he did was entered into the state fair on a whim and won fifth place. With another piece, he took a sixth place ribbon. Carolyn has been working on a series of 10 matching plates along with a platter. Each piece of glass is cut individually and worked into a design, laid out flat and fired in a kiln after hours of tedious placement of glass pieces. “The pieces talk to you and tell you what direction to go,” Carolyn said of her process of creating glass works of art. Sometimes the pieces take several weeks from initial concept to completion, she said. They also take glass bottles in a variety of
ABOVE: Art and collectibles fill nearly every corner of the Harmon home. BELOW: In addition to being a licensed massage therapist and artist, Carolyn Harmon is a songwriter and plays a variety of musical instruments.
Green Country Living
63
Art of the Matter
ABOVE: The massage therapy spa area offered by Lord and Lady Massage provides room for couple’s massages. RIGHT: The Harmon residence in Kendall Place Historic District offers plenty of space for guests to both relax and be creative in the “Art by You” studio.
shapes and colors and recycle them for new life by cutting, grinding and engraving the glass to make drinking glasses. Carolyn said the fact they are recycling used items and bring new life to them provides a sense of satisfaction. Carolyn plays instruments like drums and guitar, is a songwriter and sings. Greg honed his creative abilities in high school shop class making furniture, and he still ventures into carving and creating out of wood. “We’re not your cookie
64
Holiday Edition 2017
In addition to creating award-winning fused glass art, Greg Harmon falls back on his Native American heritage for other types of art.
cutter-type couple,” she said. “We hope we manifest a spirit of love in what we do.” The Kendall Place residence offers an ideal location for the couple, she said. “It’s a big ol’ house, and we love it,” Carolyn said of the residence at 221 Kendall Blvd. Since owning the property, they have replaced the ceilings and walls upstairs along with adding an air conditioning and heating unit. “We put in new kitchen counters,” Greg said.
Both said they love to cook and host potluck meals for friends and fellow artists. While they were strangers to Muskogee, the city had the right feel and has been a good fit. “We feel like we’ve created an environment that is conducive to relaxing,” Greg said. “I’m very attuned to being drawn to the road signs in life,” Carolyn said. “Being in the healing industry for over 40 years, I’ve followed the road signs that tell me which direction to go.”
Following that instinct has been a major contributing factor to her success in life, Carolyn said. Those road signs fell in place and pointed to Muskogee after the couple spent nearly four years searching options for a place to move to when they decided to leave Edmond. “I didn’t know anybody here, but it was like I was supposed to be here and I don’t know why,” she said. Carolyn said the couple loves the established neighborhood and are excited about being able to play a role in its revitalization.
Green Country Living
65
Food & Drink
Florals &
F
Aromat ics
or many casual These terms could just use a wine drinkers, bit of clarity. wine tastes and “Aromatics” generally refer smells like....well, to certain white wines whose wine! It can be a challenge to aromas burst out of the glass verbalize what they are singing with floral and experiencing. So when herbal notes. Included discussion of topics like Wonderful Wine in this category are Pinot “aromatics” or “floral Gris, Riesling, GewurzHeather Ezell notes” arise, eyes begin traminer, Viognier, to glaze over, but there’s no need to sometimes Muscat and occasionally leave the conversation or tune out. Sauvignon Blanc.
66
Spring Edition 2018
Food & Drink
Their scents are so heady and distinctive, it’s likely they will be permanently lodged in sensory memory. Individual varieties have certain flavor profiles intrinsic to each grape. For example, Gewurztraminer is recognizable by aromas of lychees, gingerbread, orange marmalade and notably a barrage of roses. The German prefix gewurz means spice, although exotic or heavily perfumed is more fitting. Viognier is known as a full-bodied wine rich with flavors of apricots, peaches and honeysuckle with a
lanolin-like texture. Pinot Gris (techni-
cally the same grape as Pinot Grigio A straightforso named in Italy, but nearly always ward definition of higher in quality) is marked in by pear, citrus, spice aromatic wines are those character cake and pepperiness. Often in which the aromas and mistaken for sweet wines of their exuberent aroflavors (“aromatics� is not because mas, many are just as likely to be quite dry. just about smell) of the One question often posed specific grape variety is how do these certain tastes/ smells get into a wine? And even are the dominant more so, do the winemakers put characteristic. particles of such matter (like rose petals, lemon peel, etc) in while making the
Green Country Living
67
wine to impart this essence? A fairly simple answer is, no, it’s only grapes. More specifically, the most important wine grapes, known as Vitis vinifera impart complex herbaceous and fruit aromas/flavors derived from inherent chemical compounds. Other grape species, such as Vitis labrusca, Concord being a recognizable variety, can be made into wine although without the complexity of V. Vinifera and is much better suited to making jelly, jam or juice. Along with chemical compounds, esters, acids and alcohols play a major role, especially in forming floral aromas. Another factor is the yeast used, whether naturally occurring or commercial yeasts added during fermentation which can affect, manipulate or accentuate certain smells/tastes. Fermentation is a pivotal part of winemaking as it converts juice into wine. Notes of flowers, fruit and spice are not exclusive to white aromatic wines. They can be encountered in red and white. When present in other varietals, they tend to be
68
Spring Edition 2018
Floral notes can refer to delicate or potent fragrances of any given more type of flower or subtle. When herbs.
referring to floral notes, the above mentioned compounds create blossomy fragrances of many types of flowers, but the primary scents are violet, rose, geranium, lavender, lily (white flowers) and citrus blossoms. Recognizing these odors does take some practice. One way to do so is by smelling actual flowers and herbs in your yard or at the nursery, committing that to memory, then bringing that recollection to the table with glass in hand. Violet examples: Merlot, Mourvedre, Touriga Nacional, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon. Rose examples: Gewürztraminer, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Grenache, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo.
Geranium examples: Muscat, Gewürztraminer, Torrontes, Malbec, Petit Verdot. Lavender examples: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Tempranillo, Sangiovese. White flowers examples: Pinot Gris, Chenin Blanc, Torrontes, Pinot Blanc, Muscadet, Semillon, Fiano. Citrus blossom examples: Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Chardonnay. Wines can be aromatic, floral, both or neither. Detecting as much takes observation, discipline and concentration. I encourage you to practice by drinking more wine, and it’s OK if it just tastes like wine. However, learning to identify the nuances is likely to heighten your wine drinking experience. The next time you sample, pause, inhale the perfume, listen for the whisper or the roar, sip mindfully and savor a little more. Cheers!
Green Country Living
69
Food & Drink
Mahylon’s owner Kenny Greer said his expertise in smoking meats and operating a restaurant would not have been possible without learning the trade from his father, Mahylon Greer.
The Secret to Good Barbecue Photos by Von Castor
The Cook’s Pantry Melony Carey
70
Spring Edition 2018
T
he Greer family has a long-standing reputation among barbecue fans stretching back to the 1960s when Mahylon Greer opened My Place Bar-b-que on Gibson Street. His name lives on in his son Kenny’s popular restaurant, Mahylon’s, 3301 Chandler Road. If you ask Kenny Greer, he will tell you that none of his expertise as a restaurateur would have been possible without his dad.
“His knowledge of the barbecue industry was legendary from here to Arizona,” Greer said. Photos lining the walls of the restaurant attest to his ability to not only smoke a stupendous brisket, but to create relationships that keep people coming back. When asked about his smoking process, Greer is quick to point out that everyone has their secret.
Food & Drink At Mahylon’s on Chandler Road, owner Kenny Greer said preparing barbecue that keeps customers coming back all starts with quality meats.
“Here at Mahylon’s, we start out with truly the best possible meats that are available,” Greer said. “We prepare them the same exact way my dad did since the late ‘60s. We cook on an Oyler Pit from J&R Manufacturing. The only fuel this pit has is 100 percent wood.” While barbecue is the specialty, it’s not the only item offered in the restaurant or on the catering menu. Although the dining business stays fairly consistent through the seasons, there are certain items that are offered
business can “beThisall-consuming,
so you have to make every minute with your loved ones count. — Kenny Greer
ABOVE: The menu board shows the variety of fare offered that goes far beyond Mahylon’s legendary barbecue. From wraps and salads to pan-seared salmon, the menu should offer something for just about any taste.
LEFT: The doors to Mahylon’s are open from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
”
at special times. For instance, stew and cornbread are offered from October to February. Starting in March, they added a meatloaf sandwich on ciabatta bread. This year, they also added a panseared salmon in a white wine cream sauce with capers and tomatoes. A quick scan of the menu will tell you there is something for everyone at Mahylon’s. At home, Greer and his wife Traci enjoy planning family dinners and occasional get-togethers with friends. While Kenny cooks, Traci is in charge of the presentation. Although time is scarce for this restaurant owner, grabbing downtime with his family is paramount.
Green Country Living
71
Food & Drink RIGHT: For diners getting past the barbecue on the menu, Greer says Mahylon’s meatloaf sandwich served on ciabatta bread is a favorite. BELOW: Kenny Greer says Mahylon’s banana pudding is legendary, but a new bread pudding, seen with an orange slice, added to the dessert lineup has become a hit.
A clean and casual atmosphere greets customers at Mahylon’s, which features a bar.
72
Spring Edition 2018
Food & Drink
ABOVE & RIGHT: White wine sauce is prepared fresh to top a recent addition to Mahylon’s menu, salmon topped with the sauce and served with capers and diced tomatoes. Owner Kenny Greer, sears salmon in olive oil before topping it with white wine sauce.
“My dad taught me that time is precious,” Greer says. “This business can be all-consuming, so you have to make every minute with your loved ones count.” Below, Greer shares his personal recipe for pan-seared salmon with white wine cream sauce.
Seared Salmon with White Wine Cream Sauce
1 salmon filet per person Olive oil Heavy cream 1/2 oz. white wine (Chardonnay) Diced tomatoes Capers to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper Garlic salt
Remove salmon from refrigerator about 15 minutes before
cooking. Pat filets dry with paper towel. Season with a little salt or omit. Heat skillet and add a small amount of olive oil. Sear salmon in skillet about 6-9 minutes until color has moved up about 3/4 of the way then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes. Make sure to use your spatula to keep salmon from curling on the ends and to get a good sear. Remove to paper towel-lined plate while preparing sauce. In another 8-inch sauce pan add enough heavy cream to cover the bottom of the pan, add a 1/2 ounce of white wine (Chardonnay), some diced tomatoes, a few capers and cook until sauce thickens to your liking. Plate salmon and pour some sauce on top. Top with a little cracked pepper and a dash of garlic salt.
Sautéed zucchini and squash offer a healthy side dish to compliment panseared salmon.
Green Country Living
73
Spring
Dining
Eat Local
74
Spring Edition 2018
Guide
Green Country Living
75
Scene and Be Seen Flying Fez Wine Tasting Patrons sample wines from across the state during the 15th annual Bedouin Shrine Flying Fez Wine Tasting. The event benefits the Shrine. Photos by Cathy Spaulding
Habitat For Humanity Chocolate Festival Party-goers enjoyed many different chocolate delights and helped a good cause at the annual Chocolate Festival benefiting the Muskogee Habitat for Humanity. Photos by Mandy Lynn
76
Spring Edition 2018
Scene and Be Seen Party in the Park Patrons turn wine into water by attending Muskogee Rotary Club’s fundraising event that helps provide clean drinking water for developing nations. Photos by Chesley Oxendine
Green Country Living
77
Scene and Be Seen Daddy Daughter Dance Muskogee area fathers — plus a few grandpas, uncles, moms and other relatives — spend special night dancing with their little girls at The Castle of Muskogee. Photos by Cathy Spaulding
78
Spring Edition 2018
Scene and Be Seen Kevin Igert’s party at the Curve Friends help Kevin Igert celebrate his birthday at The Curve Gallery that recently opened in late January. . Photos by Mandy Lynn
Green Country Living
79
Scene and Be Seen Annual Muskogee Chamber Banquet The Greater Muskogee Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism celebrated its annual banquet with a ‘Havana Nights’ Cuban theme. Photos by Mandy Lynn
80
Spring Edition 2018
Scene and Be Seen NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet The Muskogee Branch of the NAACP hosted its annual Freedom Fund Banquet with a focus on economic empowerment. Proceeds from the event provide scholarships, training and workshops for youth. Photos by Mandy Lynn
Green Country Living
81
Scene and Be Seen Education Foundation’s Trivia Night 2018 Trivia Challenge saw more than 350 guests, and profits are used to fund grants awarded to educators across the district’s campuses. Photos by Mandy Lynn
82
Spring Edition 2018
Green Country Living
83