Shawnee Outlook December 2014 by Layers Media, Inc.

Pioneer Christmas | From Reading Books to Writing Them

Santa Shawnee’s

DECEMBER 14 Vol. 11 Number 10

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CONTENTS

DECEMBER 2014

Publisher

13 FEATURES

25 DEPARTMENTS

9 Volunteers Impacting People

6 COMMUNITY 6 NUTRITION 101

13 Pioneer Christmas

10 BEST OF SHAWNEE

18 From Reading Books to Writing Them

20 SONIC CONTEST

21 Shawnee’s Santa

26 GREEN LIVING 29 EVENTS

29 Just Another Day at Work

SHAWNEEOUTLOOK

ur 2 ho OFF ties par

Advertising Sales

Brad Carter

Managing Editor

Mindy Wood

Graphic Design

Creative Direction

Aaron Morvan Layers Media, Inc.

Cover Photo

Aaron Morvan

Writers

Andrea Beck Jamie Bergsten Tim Burg Lisa Hefner Malialani McQuerry Angela Rowland Mindy Wood

Distribution

The Shawnee Outlook is delivered FREE by direct mail to 25,000 homes and businesses. Distribution includes Shawnee, Tecumseh, McLoud, Meeker & Prague.

Comments or Suggestions?

Write to: Shawnee Outlook PO Box 1365 Shawnee, OK 74802 Website: www.shawneeoutlook.com E-mail: info@layersmedia.com

To Advertise Call Brad at 445-3033 OR 808-0963.

Volume 11, Number 10 Shawnee Outlook is a publication of Layers Media, Inc. © 2014 Layers Media, Inc. Articles and advertisements in Shawnee Outlook do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or Layers Media. Layers Media does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The acceptance of advertising by Shawnee Outlook does not constitute endorsement of products, services, political candidates/parties or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service that is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Shawnee Outlook assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials.

30 Stories from the Frontlines: Red Cross

26 KEEP THE CHANGE

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COMMUNITY

NUTRITION 101

What’s in it for you? Every now and then, your economic development staff ponders what you want to read about. This month, we reached out to some of our closest friends and asked them to provide us with a topic for this month’s article. Our BFF’s suggested the title be, “What’s in it for YOU.” The title is pretty much the exact opposite of what one would expect to read during a time of year when most of us are in the spirit of giving. We all know it is better to give than receive and without question, that is exactly what most of us will be prepared to do as we celebrate this holiday season. With all of the ongoing retail development in the community and the context of economic development, we thought it was an excellent suggestion. What does all this growth and new capital investment actually mean for the majority of people in our community, the region or even those 11 million people who drive through our community on I-40 each year? Great question and several answers come to mind. First of all, in relation to the retail growth it means there will be more options related to the consumer choices that are now available to you. With more selections, you can spend more time shopping here and less time driving to other communities. Surely the benefit of more time is a plus all by itself. There are those who are employed in the construction industry who are benefitting from the work to build these new stores. Carpenters, laborers, electricians, plumbers, those with HVAC skills, or heavy

Taco Seasoning equipment operators will all benefit, as do those who supply building materials used in the construction effort. As with any new business in the community, new retailers alone will provide an opportunity for more diverse employment options. These new companies will need managers, sales staff, clerks, those with marketing expertise, and a host of other skills to support their new endeavors. Regardless if those positions are with the new business itself or one of the supporting businesses in the community, they all qualify as providing an employment opportunity to someone. Next comes the financial benefit to the city, county, health department, schools and even the library. All of those entities will benefit from the increased revenue that sales taxes and ad valorem receipts provide. Keeping more of the consumer’s sales locally means a better quality of life for everyone in the city and county. With those increased revenues comes the opportunity to provide better police and fire protection, along with the opportunity to improve the parks, streets and other quality of life venues. Without sufficient increase in revenue for our government entities, improving those areas is much more difficult. So what is in it for you? Greater diversity in consumer choices, additional employment opportunities, the ability for existing businesses to offer their support services to new companies, and the improved quality of life prospects that come with added revenues.

Tim Burg is the Executive Director of the Shawnee Economic Development Foundation and is one of only 1200 certified economic developers in the world. His past business and civic experiences allows him to focus his expertise on business retention and expansion opportunities, plus undertake marketing, attraction, and recruitment of new business to this region. 6

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Making my own seasoning is a first for me, but I can definitely see doing it again. I have always wanted to, but thought I never had the time. I played around with a few different recipes and came up with this one. I was pleasantly surprised how little time ittook to make the seasoning. We eat a lot of Mexican style dishes in my house, so we will use this a lot. Ingredients: • 4 tablespoons chili powder • 1 ¼ teaspoon cayenne • 1 teaspoon oregano • 2 teaspoons smoked • 2 tablespoons ground • 1 teaspoon garlic powder • 1 teaspoon onion powder • ½ tablespoon salt • 1 tablespoon ground pepper

pepper paprika cumin

Directions: Mix all ingredients in bowl and store in airtight container. Use about 2 tablespoons of seasoning for every pound of meat when cooking. Use more or less depending on your preference. Makes: 10 tablespoons Nutritional Information per Serving: 1 tablespoon Calories: 15 – Total Fat: 0.5 g – Saturated Fat: 0 g – Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 380 mg – Carbohydrates: 3 g – Fiber: 1.5 g – Protein: 0.5 g Nutrition 101 Tip: By putting the seasoning in a cute jar with a bow, you could easily make this a healthy gift for a friend, neighbor, or coworker. Make sure you grab the “powders” and not the “salts” when buying your seasonings. Onion powder has 0 mg of sodium where onion salt can have around 1,800 mg of sodium per tablespoon, a huge difference when watching your salt intake. The University of Maryland Medical Center states cayenne pepper is an important spice mostly due to a substance known as capsaicin, which helps reduce pain. Cayenne has also been used in other countries as an oral remedy for stomach problems, poor appetite, and circulatory problems. It is amazing how food can be our medicine. Merry Christmas!

Andrea Beck is a Registered Dietitian and lives in Shawnee with her husband, son, and 2 dogs. She received her Master’s in Nutrition and Dietetics from UCO in Edmond. She now offers her nutrition consulting services and strongHER workouts through Anytime Fitness in Shawnee. She also teaches Nutrition at St. Gregory’s University. Andrea is an active member of Junior Service League. During free time, she enjoys cooking new recipes, playing with her dogs and exercising. Visit www.strongherfitneess.net for more information.

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Volunteers Impacting People by: Mindy Wood

The holiday season inspires the joy of giving in us all, but for an army of volunteers in Pottawatomie County, giving is a way of life all year long. In 2013, Volunteers Impacting People, formerly known as Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), provided 184 volunteers to the community. Their hard work totaled 45,227 hours and a total savings at $826,749.55 to the community. VIP matches volunteers age 55 and older with agencies who need a helping hand. Volunteers are dispatched to a “station” for various jobs, either short or long term. Sixty-one stations are served by VIP, saving agencies $18.28 per hour according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The financial benefit to an agency pales in comparison to the interpersonal impact on volunteers and those they serve. From shoes for kids and hot meals for at-risk seniors, to tax preparation and support for veterans, VIP touches hearts all across the county. Meals on Wheels provides a hot meal to at-risk seniors for $2.50, a price that has not changed since the program began in 1974. Liberty Baptist Church has prepared hot meals for seniors since 1974 and last year served 7,969 meals; of those, St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital prepared 5,742 for seniors on special diets. United Way has been a faithful sponsor as well, providing grants for the program. “I don’t know what we would do without United Way,” said VIP Director, Thixie Totty. “They can’t afford the $2.50 so how could they afford it if we had to raise the price?”

Volunteers pick up and deliver the food. The Eaton Corporation supplies drivers who choose to deliver on their lunch hour. VIP reimburses up to 100 miles. “One of the drivers started out when he worked at Eaton and has been with us ever since,” said Totty. “It’s going on 15 years he’s done this and now, retired, he drives 5 days a week.” VIP provided 307 children with socks and 614 pairs of socks. “Beth Perry is the Shoes That Fit coordinator and she works with counselors, teachers, and principals who review the children that might need shoes. We stick to athletic shoes so they can be worn to school, church, and home,” said Totty. During their fall shoe drive, they set up a kind of shoe tree at businesses and different locations. Each paper shoe has a first name, size, and gender indicating an appropriate shoe. Sponsors purchase the shoes, and often two pairs of socks, to fill the order. Those students send handmade thank you notes every year to VIP. They and their classmates also learn to “give back” by crafting handmade valentines for veterans as part of VIP’s veteran programs. Volunteers also sent 165 lap quilts and afghans for the Wounded Warriors, reaching out to veterans in VA hospitals and VFW halls. They also provide free tax services to veterans. VIP manages the Friend of a Senior program, which provides thoughtful gifts to lonely seniors in nursing homes at Christmas and throughout the year. Many individuals and several corporations sponsor this, including the Eaton Corporation, OneMain Financial, St. Anthony’s Auxiliary, OKDHS Aging Services Division.

Thanks to their support, seniors have presents ready for nursing home Christmas parties. Volunteers save taxpayers money every year through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. They are trained by the IRS and this year, processed 594 returns to the tune of $617,291 in refunds. Anyone making $52,000 or less qualifies for this program. VIP does a lot but with less funds than ever before. In March, VIP (then known as RSVP) lost $60,000 in state and federal funding. At great sacrifice, they managed to gain more community support but Totty and Kathy Gatz, VIP program coordinator, both cut their hours to keep going. “We haven’t given up one program, thank God,” said Totty. VIP is sponsored by COCAA and funded by United Way, Jr. Service League of Shawnee, Pott. County sales tax, The Walton Family Foundation, CVEC Foundation, and individual donations. For more information, contact VIP at 8781528.

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Shawnee Wound Care Patients at Shawnee Wound Care Physicians are getting their lives back through the hope of healing. A skilled team of wound care specialists use the latest technology and healing therapy to heal even the most difficult to treat wounds. They see it all, from formidable spider bites and painful surgical wounds to stubborn diabetic foot ulcers and severely damaged tissue from radiation therapy. They assess every case carefully to determine the most expedient healing outcomes. Their clinic boasts two hyperbaric chambers, used to enhance wound healing by supersaturating tissue, stimulating new vessel growth. Skin healing products are also commonly used, such as various active living cell skin substitutes. “Active living cell skin substitute is like scaffolding on a wound that helps cells migrate from one end to the other. It helps close up the wound,” said Shawnee Wound Care Program Director, Kevin Orsak. Shawnee Wound Care also uses other various advanced wound healing modalities not typically found in doctor’s offices or emergency rooms. “We have the cutting edge wound care and vascular technology to heal just about any wound,” said Orsak. Healing isn’t all about technology, however. Shawnee Wound Care works with four medical doctors who specialize in wound care as well as other various specialties. Patients seeking treatment will see a medical doctor each visit. Physicians include Elaine Soter, M.D., CWS, Zachary Martin, M.D., CWS, Philip Bryan, M.D., FACS, Chayne Fisher, D.O. “We have an experienced panel of emergency medicine, surgery, and wound care physicians. We work closely with cardiologists, podiatrists, surgeons, and vascular disease professionals to make sure we have a clear view of what’s going on inside the patient to heal the wound from the inside out,” said Orsak. A TCOM machine, an exclusively offered service at Shawnee Wound Care, also gives the clinic a more accurate understanding of the patient’s vasculature.

Philip Bryan, M.D., FACS

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Zachary Martin, M.D., CWS

Elaine Soter, M.D., CWS

The machine helps the staff determine the best immediate therapy rather than treating the patient by trial and error, saving the patient time and money. “It’s a great test to see if someone is going to respond to hyperbaric therapy, or basically which treatment option may works best,” said Orsak. Healing technology is saving limbs and lives. If a patient can’t walk, it severely limits their ability to work or maintain independence. When wounds don’t close, amputation follows, and the patient’s life expectancy drops considerably. According to the American Diabetes Association, Oklahoma has one of the highest amputation rates in the country at 8 per 1,000 people. The Centers for Disease Control reports mortality rates among amputees hovers near 50 percent in 5 years. “These are frightening statistics and that’s not to mention the astronomical cost of treating patients with amputations. We can literally change someone’s life if we get them walking again. It’s extremely satisfying, and it’s the thing that makes you want to come to work,” said Orsak. Another reason the field of wound care is such a favorite niche for physicians and nurses is taking part in successful healing. “When done right, you can heal a wound in a foreseeable amount of time, in a matter of weeks,” said Orsak. “You really see a start and finish; you’re not getting discouraged over things that aren’t working over years at a time.” For more information about Shawnee Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine, stop by their clinic at 3700 N. Kickapoo or call 405-878-6641.

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Pioneer Christmas

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lthough Christmas traditions for pioneers were simple, they were still festive and full of joy. Like everyday life on the plains, a lot of planning and some hard work went into planning the Christmas celebration. Most homes were decorated with green branches and homemade decorations. They did not have a big Christmas tree because there was no room for a large tree in their small homes. The men gathered red cedar, which is what most pioneers used in this area used for their Christmas tree. Nuts, berries, and popcorn chains hung from top to bottom. Sometimes paper chains were made to hang all around the tree or colored ribbon to give a festive look to the green trees. Mistletoe was hung over doorways. Figures or dolls out of straw or yarn were made. Cookie dough ornaments and gingerbread men were also hung on the trees. The Christmas dinner was planned well in advance and preparation of the food began weeks ahead of time. The Christmas goose was fattened up and the plum pudding was left to age in the pot until Christmas day. Almost every home would make the holiday a time of feasting---bringing out the preserved

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continued from pg. 13

fruits and vegetables, fresh game if possible, and for those that could afford it, maybe even beef or a ham. There were chores that began months before Christmas-such as making the gifts for the family members. Corn husk dolls, sachets, carved wooden toys, pillows, footstools, and embroidered hankies were common gifts all crafted by hand. Scarves, hats, mitts, and socks had to be knitted. Girls were able to knit before they were six years old. Boys would make boxes for presents. If there had been a good harvest that year, presents were placed inside stockings. The stockings were hung on the fireplace, as they often are today. Cookies and fruit might also be found in the stockings. Christmas Eve was a night for singing

carols and telling stories around the fireplace. Christmas Day the whole family attended church and returned home to a Christmas meal. Then it was time to visit friends and neighbors. Settlers learned that despite what their lodgings may be, Christmas is all about the heart. The Pottawatomie County Museum at the Santa Fe Depot will be having a traditional

Christmas Open House December 13, 2014 from 10 AMto 12 PM. Hot wassail and other snacks from the days of yore will be available. Come see as we put out our Pioneer Christmas decorations. A general meeting for all to attend will be held at 1:30 PM, December 13. We hope you can come by and see what is happening at the museum.

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From Reading Books to Writing Them Shawnee resident, Linda Haselwood, will tell you that books are a big part of her life. After all, she’s been reading to children – her own, her students, and her grandchildren – for many years. “There’s nothing better than to watch a child interact with the illustrations and words on the page of a beautifully written book,” she said. Now that love of words has taken her in a new direction as a children’s book author. Haselwood’s lengthy teaching career spanned 37 years, including stints in California, Hawaii, and Germany, before she landed at Shawnee Public Schools. She taught middle school science and coached tennis for a number of years while juggling the demands of a busy family. Now retired, she and her husband Bill, a local attorney, have five children and seven grandchildren, and the idea of penning a story for kids had long been on her mind. “I’d always dreamed of writing children’s books, because I loved the adventure and discovery a book could bring to a child. One day, my granddaughter Emma was sitting in my closet trying on my shoes. She was only four, and she looked at me with her big brown eyes and said, ‘Nana, I wonder where my shoes will take me today?’ That was it…. my first book! It was going to be about Emma, and we were going to dare to imagine where her shoes could take her.” The book, Emma’s Shoes, was written in just one week. However, Haselwood said she held onto it for two years, fearing that showing it to someone

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might lead her to find that it wasn’t really worth being printed. “Writing is very personal,” she said, “and so is rejection.” When she finally decided to pursue publication, she quickly realized that she had a lot to learn about that side of things. Online research led her to the conclusion that she’d have to get an agent, as it wasn’t likely that mainstream publishers would look at her submission without one. However, she found that the idea of selling her rights to the book in exchange for a very small percentage in relation to the amount of books sold didn’t appeal to her, and she began investigating other avenues. She contacted Jefferson Elementary media specialist Melanne Greenwood, a friend and colleague whose opinion Haselwood said she greatly respects. Greenwood happened to know someone else who was writing a book, and that person led her to Micah Leydorf of Highlands Publishing LLC. “Through Micah, I was able to publish a beautiful, high-quality book without giving away my rights or control of Emma’s Shoes,” Haselwood said. Illustrations are very important in a children’s book, and this one is no exception. Talented Oklahoma City native, Cherry Swafford, an artist with professional training and decades of experience, was chosen for the project, and she and Haselwood share another common interest in that Swafford is also a retired teacher. The two ladies have been meeting for the past year, planning how the writing and pictures would come together. “I shared with Cherry what I wanted on each page, and she did a great job at capturing exactly that. I actually took Emma to meet her, because I wanted Cherry to have first-hand knowledge of my main character,” she said. The book, submitted in October 2013, will be released this December, and the author will be holding a launch party to celebrate. Vision Bank’s community room, 4301 North Harrison, will be the site

Linda Haselwood

of the event, taking place on Saturday, December 14th from 9:00-1:00. Copies of Emma’s Shoes will be available for purchase, and Haselwood will autograph them for anyone interested. The book will also be available on the website www.emma.shoes and from online distributors including Amazon. When asked what little Emma thought about being the subject of her grandmother’s book, Haselwood said, “She’s six years old now and a first grader at Will Rogers. She hasn’t seen the finished pages yet, so it will be more real to her when she holds the book in her hands. She thinks the idea of the book is fun, but she’s more excited about what she’s going to take in her lunch than the realization that she will actually be the ‘star’ in a book written about her.” Haselwood plans for this book to be just the first of many. “There will be adventures for boys and girls alike in upcoming books,” she noted. “The whole idea behind the series is that anyone can dare to dream about the adventures that are all around them. I wanted to focus on developing a rich imagination in my readers, because it is through these ‘daydreamers’ that creative thinkers are born.”

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Santa Shawnee’s

by: Jamie Bergsten

ith about 18,000 children living in Pottawatomie County alone, Santa Claus is most certainly a busy man this time of year. Not only is he listening to the Christmas wishes of little ones, but he’s also making appearances all over town: the YMCA, libraries, Boys and Girls Club, and Shawnee Christmas parade, just to name a few. His days as Santa began as a fun way to help out with his children’s school parties nearly 30 years ago. Now he is a local Santa on a mission of sorts, assisting area civic clubs as they celebrate the holidays. And although being Santa is a job of great magnitude, it seems a perfect fit for one longtime Shawnee resident. “As my kids were growing up, we tried to do it with the spirit of Saint Nicholas and the idea that the real secret of Christmas is the gift of the Lord coming and being born and living here on Earth,” he said. “But over the years it grew into helping with the parade and working with a lot of civic groups. That was a neat kind of evolution of the service of Saint Nicholas. Every year it’s a little different, but the parade is very special. Doing this is a payback to Shawnee and my community and serving with my kids. That’s how it all started.” Santa estimates he makes about 15-20 appearances in the local area each season visiting with folks of all ages, from babies to senior citizens. He figures his picture probably graces many area refrigerators as he often receives comments from parents saying they have pictures of him with their children from many years past. When children begin to doubt his existence, he makes a simple request: “Pull my beard. What do you think?” He says they often seem surprised that his beard doesn’t come off. He said he gets from tiny tugs to horrendously hard pulls, and that can make for some funny situations. “I have to stay prepared and upbeat about everything, because I never know what might happen or what they might say,” he explained. >

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continued from pg. 21

When asked about the best part of his job, Santa’s response is genuine. “Well, how can I not enjoy being Santa? The true meaning of Christmas comes through, and I get to help represent that real meaning and the celebration of the birth of Jesus. It’s about fun, good times, family, and caring about people, so it’s just a great job.” Kids’ requests of him are always changing, but he seems most impressed with their knowledge of all the toys available today. “They often know more than I do about toys and things,” he said. “I’ll remind them that I have to check my list and check it twice to make sure things are right. Every year the kids are really hip to know what’s cool about toys and what’s up-to-date with computers and things like that.” When asked what the hardest part of his job is, Santa said he does get some heartbreaking responses from children at times. Some have parents serving in the military who will be away at Christmas, while others ask simply “for food, because their family is hungry.” Some children ask not for things for themselves but rather for family members. “Some have said, ‘We’re really poor, but I’d like to get a gift for my mom.’ Some of them need more than we have to give. So I have those

special moments when I’m taken aback,” he said. One of the hazards of his job is being spit up on by numerous babies each season; but he takes that in stride, along with the crying that many little ones do upon being placed in his lap. He cites many special memories of his work including times spent riding on Shawnee’s old snorkel fire truck at the parade. Kids would want to see just how high he could go in the bucket back then, he said. He also credits his wife for helping him look good while he works and for being a big part of those Christmas parties at which he initially served. This very traditional Santa finds little use in modern technological fascinations, for as he puts it, “I have reindeer who can get through winter storms to all of the boys’ and girls’ houses, so who needs computers and email and cell phones when you have a team of reindeer like I do?” Interested civic groups can still call him about making an appearance this season, but he’ll have to check his calendar and check it twice, as he said. No doubt Santa will find plenty of good girls and boys in the Shawnee area this year as he strives to spread the magic of Christmas in our community.

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WEARING DOUGLAS C L O T H E D

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it,” Gordon said with a smile. He has ordered several more samples and everybody seems to love the look and feel of them. His store on ‘ArtofWhere’ has already drop-shipped his leggings and skirts to customers in Canada, Europe, and the U.S. He also works with recycled materials, producing clocks, mirrors, windows, doors,and odds and ends to create interactive pieces. He recently painted on a mirror so that an admirer could look at it while seeing their own reflection at various points on the piece. “It was interesting because it was something new, a new way to interact with art,” he said. Regarding ArtofWhere, he said: “I want people to be able to enjoy my art however, wherever, and whenever they want to,” said Gordon. “I want them to be able to take it with them and share it with their co-workers, friends, and family. Art can be hung on the wall…and it can also be mobile.” Gordon favors bright colors and produces them in a fluid, free-spirited style. His self-confessed inspiration is derived from life’s moments, literature, music, nature, and the works of other visual artists. Although everyone interprets abstract art in their own way, his titles suggest an array of emotions capturing passion, sadness, hilarity, and sentimentality. “Enchanted Forest,” “Irresponsible Lunacy,” “Dogs in the Garden,” “Stolen Kisses,” and “Night of 1,000 Emotions,” are a few titles to his works. His work appeared in 2010 and in 2011 for ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His work is routinely welcomed at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, and the Norman Art Walk in Norman, Oklahoma. Six thousand followers on Twitter keep up with his latest pieces and blog posts. His work has been on display at Neals Home Furnishings twice this year and soon at the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. He continues to appear in shows throughout the state and regularly in Norman for the 2nd Friday Art Walk. Visit his website douglasggordon.com or visit artofwhere.com/shop/artist/douglas-g-gordon

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by: Mindy Wood There is more than one way to admire and interact with your favorite works of art. You could hang it on your wall, prop it on your desk; or thanks to technology, you could wear it. Douglas G. Gordon is best known for his digital and acrylic paint abstracts, which he began creating in 2010. He also engages film, mixed media and pastels. In the last four years, he has participated in shows both local and abroad, winning favorable notice and selling his work. While he’s always had an eye for different ways to interact with his art, Gordon tops it off with clothing featuring his designs. ArtofWhere is a Canadian company that allows artists to upload their designs to the website and then applies those designs to leggings, scarves, skirts, capris, velveteen pillows, and even pencil cases. The company takes care of the printing, production, and shipping, so it’s easy for artists to get started. Gordon said his wife, Holly, and some of their friends, were admiring his work. Her friends said, ‘It’s too bad you can’t wear it.’ When I heard this feedback I got the idea to explore clothing. So I started looking around on the internet for a way to do that. The first company I found was in San Francisco and they were able to make some wonderful silk and poly fabric scarves featuring my art designs. Not satisfied with just scarves, I continued to explore other options to make my art more mobile and it was then that I discovered ‘ArtofWhere’ in Montreal.” Gordon uploaded a design and promptly ordered one for his wife. “I wanted to check the quality and the turnaround time; I didn’t want an inferior product out there with my art on it. Thankfully, everything was perfect and Holly loved everything about

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Simplify, Share, Celebrate 2014 is coming to an end. Where has the time gone? As I am writing this, I am paying homage to my roots and visiting Hawaii. Green living in Hawaii is a mind/ body/spiritual way of life. You have to take care of each part in order to have a healthy, balanced, whole life. And this is Hawaiin season of Aloha, a time to show love, share and celebrate with those you love. As I think about the hustle bustle and stressfulness of this month with the holidays, parties, and celebrations, I decided to take some tips from the islanders and share them with you. Simplify this month Take care of your most valuable resource: your time. Choose the activities that are the most important to you. Block these non-negotiables off on your calendar and then add in the rest. This is the best way to manage your time and energy with less waste and stress. Less is More. Take inventory of what you have before you buy. Recycle paper, cards, and unwanted or unnecessary gifts you have received. Stick with your budget and simplify. Less consumer waste and spending is a great way to end your year with a green bang! Share events with family and friends Not only is this a way to conserve energy, time, and money, you will be creating memories and traditions.

Schedule a gift-wrapping, cookie baking get together with the kids, neighbors, or friends. Plan a potluck or progressive dinner with family or friends to share the cost and cleanup of the event. An eco-friendly idea is to have everyone bring his or her own plate, glass, and napkins! Celebrate the present Take time to breathe in the good and exhale the rest. Listen to music, attend church with your family, watch a favorite holiday movie or play, and above all, stop and give thanks. Simplify. Share. Celebrate. These are my evergreen suggestions for you as you enter this season of Aloha! MeleKalikimaka! Malialani McQuerry is a Certified Holistic Wellness Coach, Holistic Nutritionist, HN, a Green Living Specialist, blogger and business owner. When not coaching clients, she loves to cook, travel, blog, and spend time with her husband, David and dog, George. For more healthy living tips, visit www.greenisntforsissies.com or www.facebook.com/GreenisntForSissies.

It’s closing in on Christmas and you still don’t have all your shopping done?! Do you even know what you want to give? There are plenty of “deals” to be had this time of year, but instead of giving in to the sales on the latest mass-produced “hot” item, consider a more unique approach to your gift-giving this year. First, shop local! There are numerous small businesses around town that would love to help you find the special something you’re looking for (or always wanted but didn’t know it). Check www. visitshawnee.com/shopping to find listings for all kinds of local businesses, including antiques (my personal favorite is Reeves, but Main Street has so many wonderful offerings!). Shop Crows Main Fruit Market for unique food-related gifts, including a wide selection of jams and jellies! If you can’t find that just right gift in town, but still want something off the big-box beaten path, consider Etsy.com. Essentially an on-line craftshow, Etsy is filled with small business owners peddling their wares. You could find almost anything you could dream of, and all of it is either hand-made or vintage. Want a jar of Grandma’s buttons? You can find it on Etsy! Of course the most heartfelt (and often least expensive) route is my go-to gift-giving answer – make something yourself! Learn a new skill. I recommend craftsy.com for on-line tutorials, but Youtube is a great free resource, as well. Put those tutorials to use. So what if your hand-knitted scarf ends up a little long? Your loved one is sure to appreciate the love and effort you put into crafting them something from the heart. Whatever you decide to give, remember the most important Christmas gift won’t be found under your tree. He was found in a manger.

Angela Rowland is an OBU graduate and a stay-athome mother of three. She enjoys finding new ways to stretch the paycheck and even posts some of her favorite tips and deals on her blog (steadfaststeward. blogspot.com)

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Signs of the season have filled Shawnee for several weeks now, thanks to area merchants and homeowners. Stores and restaurants are bustling with shoppers out in force looking for great deals, while friends and coworkers meet up to celebrate the impending holidays. Among the twinkling lights in town, you’ll see the glow of 262 carefully placed snowflakes hung by our traffic department. Supervisor, Keith Mangus, said that it takes nearly two weeks, depending on the weather, to complete the decorating process. Initially purchased by the city and area contributors at a cost of $350 each, the white lights began casting a “merry and bright” look on city streets around the first of November. People look forward to so many different things at this time of year: family celebrations, special meals, memorable church services, gift giving and receiving, and more. Among those holiday joys for the working public is a time of rest as well, with most citizens getting an extra day off or two. Even Shawnee’s Wal-Mart, normally open 24/7, closes on December 25th each year. However, in some lines of work, there’s no such thing as a holiday break, even on the biggest of holidays. Christmas Day is one of the busiest of the year at Shawnee’s movie complexes. David Hammer, general manager for Jones Theatres, said they will open at 3 PM for matinee showings, followed by two evening time slots for each film. A full staff will be in place to greet moviegoers, who will no doubt be eager to take in releases specifically saved for this time of year, including The Hobbit, a new version of Annie, and a sequel to the Night at the Museum series. Also expecting a busy holiday is Shawnee’s Family Video store. Employee Tayler Short said that Thanksgiving, rather than Christmas, is probably their busiest day of the year, though they are open for both. Staff at the Shawnee Hampton Inn report normal occupancy is about 60 percent and they anticipate similar rates this Christmas, a sign that there will be no slowdown at their facility. City emergency crews will also be in place and ready to help area citizens should the need arise. Corporal Kevin Nichols of the Shawnee

Police Department said that for the first time, he’ll be working parts of both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. His previous line of work as a teacher and coach allowed him to spend more holiday time with his family, so he realizes now more than ever how special family time can be. Aside from the inability to see loved ones in other towns, his family will still celebrate as usual. Lieutenant Craig Cooper of the Shawnee Fire Department will also be working this Christmas. His family will enjoy an earlier-than-usual celebration but still spend time together. He said that local firemen will probably grill a special meal that day to mark the occasion but that he doesn’t mind having to work. “That’s just part of the job, and I knew it when I started fifteen years ago,” he said. “Emergencies don’t differentiate between whether it’s a holiday or not.” He anticipates that the department may see an increase in calls related to anxiety and stress that can come about this time of year. Since sickness and injury can’t always be avoided, staff at St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital will also be working around the clock to provide care to their patients this holiday season. Nurse Kelli Schock, who works in ICU and the ER as needed, will be serving where she’s needed most on Christmas Day this year. She said that most cases treated in the ER will either be holidayrelated (like cooking injuries perhaps) or much more critical in nature. Should she be in the intensive care unit, she knows it’s important to provide an atmosphere to families who may not be together much longer due to major health issues. She hopes to make an impact in those sensitive cases and finds taking care of people who must be hospitalized at Christmas to be a very special part of her job. So as you wake up to seasonal celebrations big or small this year, though the city of Shawnee may seem quiet and still, there are many who are continuing to serve. REACT medics, Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center staff, sheriff’s deputies, and highway patrolmen are also among those who’ll be working this Christmas Day. Let us be mindful to give thanks for those who serve our area and its citizens.

EVENTS

DECEMBER DECEMBER-JANUARY MGMO will display the St. John’s Bible, the first illuminated, handwritten Bible of monumental size to be commissioned by a Benedictine monastery in 500 years. The Bible is arranged in seven volumes, showing the intricate artwork of the period. Donald Jackson, Senior Scribe to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Crown Office, was the lead artist, calligrapher, and coordinator for creating this Bible. Free to church groups, regular admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for students and children.

DECEMBER 4TH Downtown Shawnee Christmas Parade is one of Oklahoma’s largest nighttime holiday parades. Get into the holiday spirit on Main Street and enjoy the lights, music, and sights of festive floats. The fun starts at 7 PM. Don’t miss Santa! (In the event of bad weather, the date will be moved to Dec. 11)

DECEMBER 6TH & 8TH Tecumseh Public Library invites the whole family and celebrate the holidays at their annual Christmas Gala. Enjoy free pictures with Santa from 10 AM to 12 PM for children 12 and under, entertainment, free crafts, games, prizes, and free hot chocolate and cookies. Shawnee Public Library’s Christmas celebration is Dec. 8 from 3 PM to 6 PM.

DECEMBER 10TH, 13TH & 20TH Santa will be at Neal’s Home Furnishings Co, from 10 AM to 4 PM at 23 E. Main Street in downtown Shawnee.

DECEMBER 14TH At SGU the annual Christmas Choral performance of Festival of Lessons and Carols, is a program of scripture readings and choral music for Advent and Christmas. This campus tradition begins at 7:30 PM in the beautiful setting of the Abbey Church and concludes with the blessing and lighting of Christmas lights in front of historic Benedictine Hall. Located on W. MacArthur just east of Hwy 177.

DECEMBER 19TH From 5 PM to 8 PM, Downtown Block Party features artists and live music in downtown shops along Main and Bell Streets. Businesses stay open after hours and welcome you to enjoy local talent from the art community. www.shawneeoutlook.com

Stories from the Frontlines

RED CROSS by: Mindy Wood “I need to let you know I don’t have any underwear on.” Red Cross Volunteer Pam Travis stared back at a man clad in sweatpants who had just come through a tornado. She could only wait for an explanation. He smiled. “The tornado blew away all my underwear. I was in the tub when it hit.” “Well,” she smiled back at him. “I want you to know, if we don’t get you anything else, we’ll get you some underwear.” Stories like that, and the people who lived them, are forever in the hearts of Red Cross volunteers all over the nation. Many of those stories are heartbreaking, but there’s laughter mixed in to sweeten the bitter tears of loss and uncertainty. Volunteers, Bruce and Pam Travis, with fellow volunteers, John and Betty Pillar, can tell you a lot of stories. In ten years of service in the Red Cross, they’ve gone as far Florida and New York and worked as close as their neighbors in Tecumseh. They’ve slept in the best hotels and cozy homes, but often in tents on airport runways and parking lots, in trucks, and propped up against the wall in a chair. During fires, floods, hurricanes, bombs, and especially tornadoes, they go wherever and whenever duty calls. Bruce and Pam, who worked more than 200 hours this year, received the Red Cross 2014 Distinguished Service Award. John and Betty were recognized for their outstanding service in the May 2013 storms and the recent Red Cross home assessment and disaster preparedness for survivors. Their adventures began with a simple twoweek training course. Both couples are licensed to drive ERV’s (Emergency Response Vehicles) which provide hot food to survivors and work-

ers in disasters. They are routinely trained in disaster work, to do case management, damage assessment, shelter work, and emergency aid like CPR among other disciplines. They evaluate their mission the second they put their boots on the ground and get to work quickly. At a moment’s notice, they can be called away, but Bruce and Pam’s customers at Travis Jewelry understand. “We just put a sign on the door and leave. Our customers are very forgiving. We’ve been doing this so long; they’re used to it. We’re gone sometimes two weeks at a time,” she said. It’s hard work physically and sometimes emotionally, but so rewarding that both couples are hooked. While Betty was in New York after 9/11, a supervisor asked her to simply listen to survivors in a dining hall. “From the time I sat down ‘til the time I left, they told me stories of where they were. I was so exhausted emotionally, but I couldn’t wait to get back there the next day.” Pam said, “I think that’s what keeps us volunteers going. After that (disasters) you feel like maybe you were a small part of helping someone make a bad situation a little bit better.” Although the couples said they are not licensed counselors, they do listen to people who just need to talk and call in mental health professionals if necessary. “You can pick up on a lot of

Pam and Bruce Travis needs just by listening to people,” said Pam. When the Pillars drove into Steelman Estates to feed people, they discovered a woman sitting in a chair in the midst of chaos. She didn’t know anything about the Red Cross, FEMA, or where her next meal was coming from. Interacting with victims helps them assess their immediate needs and direct them to long term recovery options like FEMA. They hope to see more volunteers in the ranks as the recent numbers for the area number just 40. Bruce said while there were more volunteers than they knew what to do with after the May 2013 storms; they need more volunteers trained with the Red Cross, who are ready for future needs. “We can always use more volunteers,” said Bruce. The training is free. For more information, contact the local Red Cross at 405-273-8800.

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