Shawnee Outlook March 2015

4th Annual Student Art Show

Red Leaf

Woodcraft

MARCH 15

Vol. 12 Number 1

|

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CONTENTS

MARCH 2015

Publisher

13 FEATURES

18 DEPARTMENTS

9 Riding with Teddy Roosevelt: Lyman Beard 13 4th Annual Student Art Show

6 COMMUNITY

21 Red Leaf Woodcraft

26 GREEN LIVING

25

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 Karen Kelly Malialani McQuerry Angela Rowland Tom Terry 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.

10 BEST OF SHAWNEE 20 SONIC CONTEST

Hope Renovated

6 NUTRITION 101

18 Tap Out Cancer for Dad

Michael Keith

26 KEEP THE CHANGE 29 EVENTS

Volume 12, Number 1 Shawnee Outlook is a publication of Layers Media, Inc. Š 2015 Layers Media, Inc.

29 Fantasy Fiction at its Finest 30

MAR

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.

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COMMUNITY

NUTRITION 101

Tree Killer Recently, there have been those who have suggested that one of the new larger retail developments in the community has displaced “woodland creatures” and that part of our organization’s focus has simply been on killing trees. Others who associate with that train of thought have suggested that as a community we should focus more on parks and nature trails with an equal amount of enthusiasm.

We can honestly say that without doubt, it has never been our intention to create any adverse conditions for the deer, possums, field mice, skunks, or any other varmints that live in the areas that are affected by the recent new retail developments. We also don’t accept responsibility for the “invasion” of rats in homes located over four miles away.

After viewing the areas that were cleared, it may seem to some that the land has been emaciated and that no concern was offered for the removal of the vegetation or displacement of the animals that called this stretch of property home.

That isn’t exactly the case.

The land that is being developed on the west side of North Kickapoo is part of what is commonly called the “School Land”, which is over 640 acres in total size. Both Phase One and Phase Two of the project will affect approximately 32 acres of land. From our perspective, that leaves a lot of room for any creatures that might have been displaced to find suitable habitat.

While regrettably it was necessary to

Homemade Peanut Butter remove a few larger volunteer trees that were in the way of the new drainage structures, it is a requirement that the developers install landscaping all along their new development. While it will take some time for these areas to grow to maturity, they will certainly soften the area and create some new habitat for the birds that may choose to nest or roost there. But what about the need to balance all this out with parks and nature trails?

Without question those are important items to have in any community and they play a critical part of offering a better quality of life. While we are highly biased, we believe the new development can offer a solution in this area as well. Once you are able to see the finished development you will find sidewalks have been installed, where none existed before, which is part of why we like the development.

For the record, parks, sidewalks, nature trails and the maintenance of such items takes money. In a community that has been hemorrhaging retail sales tax collections for a decade or more, we believe that the added sales tax revenues from this development will help provide funds to improve the parks, and add trails that are important to our community.

Does progress mean that woodland creatures and trees were removed or displaced?

Yes it does, but from our perspective, what was once looked upon as unusable, unmaintained, and unprofitable property will now have a greater benefit to the community.

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.

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Peanut butter is a staple in my household. I put peanut butter on apples, bananas, celery, toast, waffles, in smoothies, or just eat it by the spoonful. Since I eat peanut butter almost daily, it is important to me that it comes from a healthy source.

Ingredients: • 2 cups unsalted peanuts • 2 ½ Tbsp. canola oil • Dash of salt Directions: Roast peanuts in the oven at 375°F for 18 – 25 minutes. You will smell a nutty aroma when peanuts are getting close to done. Peanuts will appear slightly roasted. Make sure to not overheat the peanuts, as they will burn. Let peanuts cool and then place in food processor or high powered blender. Blend for 1 minute or until completely chopped. Add oil and dash of salt and blend until smooth. Store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Makes: 16 servings, 2 tablespoons each.

Nutritional Information per Serving: Calories: 126 – Total Fat: 11 g – Saturated Fat: 1 g – Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 6 mg – Carbohydrates: 4 g – Fiber: 1.5 g – Protein: 4 g Nutrition 101 Tip: Happy National Nutrition Month – a Dietitian’s favorite month! The theme for 2015 is “Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle,” which encourages everyone to adopt eating and physical activity plans that are focused on consuming fewer calories, making informed food choices, and getting daily exercise in order to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic disease and promote overall health. www.choosemyplate.gov is a helpful website about portions and food groups. Peanut butter is considered a healthy fat and is in the protein food group. With peanut butter and every other food, you want to make sure you stick with the appropriate portions. A serving of peanut butter is two tablespoons. Enjoy!

Andrea Beck, a Registered Dietitian, received her Master’s in Nutrition and Dietetics from UCO in Edmond. She offers her nutrition consulting services and strongHER workouts through Anytime Fitness and teaches nutrition at St. Gregory’s University. Andrea is an active member of Junior Service League. Visit www. strongherfitness.net for more information.

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Riding with Teddy Roosevelt: Lyman Beard by: Tom Terry

Recently, the Pottawatomie County Museum received a copy of the memoirs of Lyman Franklin Beard, dictated to his daughter shortly before his death in 1941. Beard’s life clearly was filled with an amazing series of adventures that included serving with Teddy Roosevelt.

Before those stories, some background.

In the land-run of September 22, 1891, Etta Ray successfully claimed 160 acres of land which is now bounded by Shawnee’s Kickapoo Street on the west, Highland Street on the north, 7th Street on the south, and Union on the east. Her future brotherin-law, John Beard, claimed the adjoining 160 acres area bounded by Union, Highland, Harrison and 7th Street. John donated 100 acres of his claim to bring the railroad to Shawnee.

As soon as these claims were recorded in Oklahoma City, the Ray and Beard families began hewing logs to construct a home for Etta and her future husband, Henry Beard. While Henry continued working in Oklahoma City to make money for building material, other family members helped construct the home, including Etta’s father plus John, Lola, and Lyman Beard. According to Etta, Lyman made several trips in a wagon on 45 miles of rough roads to Oklahoma City to pick up building materials for the new home.

These round trips usually took two days.

Etta Ray and Henry Beard were married in Oklahoma City in December 1891 and moved into their new log home at the corner of Kickapoo and Highland. This log house is now located next to the Pottawatomie County Museum.

In 1898, Lyman was 26 years old. He and several other men from Shawnee including Ed Johnston volunteered for service in the Spanish American War. They went to San Antonio where Teddy Roosevelt was recruiting soldiers and joined his regiment. They volunteered in April. The battle of San Juan was on July 1, 2, and 3. After victory over the Spanish

Courtesy of Pott. Co. Historical Society Member

Lyman and Ed Johnston returned to Shawnee after having been gone for six adventure-filled months.

Soon, Lyman left Shawnee to work with a railroad survey crew but was back by December. That same month he went with his friend Ed Johnston, by then the high school principal, to an Epworth League young adult meeting at the Methodist Church. There Lyman saw Miss Buda McCormick, originally from Chandler. He was stricken with her brown eyes and got his friend to arrange a date. The church was conducting a revival that week. He and Buda went every night.

The following July, Roosevelt’s Rough Riders had a reunion in Oklahoma City. Roosevelt came to the reunion and Lyman introduced Buda to him. Next, they went to the fairgrounds to see a performance by Will Rogers. A few months later, Lyman Beard and Buda McCormick were married at the Methodist Church in Shawnee. Lyman commented, “We were married at four o’clock in the same church, not fifteen feet from where we met.”

Around 1906, Lyman and Buda moved to Madill, Oklahoma. He learned that Madill was to get a U.S. Post Office. Lyman recalled his effort: “I went to Washington in November of 1906 to see President Roosevelt about my appointment for Postmaster.

I went to his private secretary and asked to see the President. He said, ‘The President didn’t take up those matters personally and that I would have to see the First Assistant Postmaster General.’ I told him that if the President knew I was there, I knew that he would see me. He told me that there was a bunch of college fellows going in that afternoon to shake hands with the President and I could write down what I wanted to say to him and walk in with them and give it to him. That was all I wanted. I was back there that afternoon and as soon as I stuck my head in the door he recognized me, and quit the college folks, and came over and shook my hand and asked

Beard Cabin Painting

Rough Riders with Teddy Roosevelt me what I wanted. I grinned and handed him the paper stating what I wanted. We had a nice chat and then he told me to go to the First Assistant Postmaster General and he would see that I got what I wanted. I did and headed back home. I was postmaster close to six years.”

In 1917, after a few years in Arkansas, Lyman and Buda moved to Sapulpa, Oklahoma where they were in the dairy business, milking 40 cows and delivering milk to customers. At times they had up to 75 head of cattle. Together they had eight children. Toward the end of his life Lyman suffered from the effects of illness he contracted while fighting with the Rough Riders and was hospitalized at a veteran’s hospital. He died on October 17, 1941.

Lyman’s fourteen-page account of his life experiences is on file at the Pottawatomie County Museum and Historical Society and can be read there. It contains many more exciting tales of his amazing sixtynine years of life. The museum, located at 614 E. Main Street, is open from 10 AM to 4 PM Monday through Saturday.

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A Path to Wellness

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275-5585 • 313 N. Union from RETNEC DIA GNIRAEH Cassie Beene, MS, !niaga efil ecneirepxE .detcennoc yatSCPT is a personal trainer who helps motivate her clients as much as she organizes and demonstrates custom workout routines. “All of our (personal training) clients are seeing huge changes,” said Beene, “not just in their body image, but their confidence level. They’re happier, more confident, and they love being here.”

Andrea Beck, MS, RD/LD is a dietitian and fitness instructor, well known for her StrongHer fitness classes. As with all group classes, Beck’s classes are open to non-members. She also offers nutritional counseling. Beck offers her clients meal plans, with recipes and grocery lists to assist with weight loss goals, sports nutrition, or disease management such as diabetes and hypertension.

“The goal is to not feel like you’re on a diet,” said Beck. “It’s just healthy eating and moderation.”

Andrea and Cassie often work together with

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clients. While both offer priced packages for their individual services, they also offer packages with combined personal training and nutritional counseling. “It’s very valuable,” said Beene. “You can work out all day, but if you’re not eating what you need to be eating, you’re not going to be healthy.”

All members receive a free body assessment, a guided tour with equipment demonstrations, and access to the website. Members can log in and view recipes, workout tutorials, a nutrition and fitness log, and social networking.

In fact, Anytime Fitness is a very social gym with a team atmosphere. Beene and Beck said they often see strangers become friends as they support each other in classes or out on the floor. “They’re honest with each other,” said Beck. “If someone had ice cream for dinner, the other one admits they haven’t worked out in three days. They pat each other on the back when putting in their time on the treadmill. They hold each other accountable.”

Managing Partner, John Brown said, “People have surprisingly personable relationships here.

This is a fun, energetic, happy place and you feel that no matter who you are or what you’re doing.”

The franchise is a change of pace for the Brown family, former owners of Brown Furniture. His family can be found working out in the gym too.

“My mother talked my father into retiring at age 87,” said Brown with a smile. “They love it here too.”

Anytime Fitness is located at 1601 N Kickapoo Ave, Ste 100, formerly Brown Furniture. Stop by for a tour or call 405-273-2673. Visit anytimefitness. com for more information.

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4

TH ANNUAL STUDENT ART SHOW by: Mindy Wood

Local art students will have a chance to display their work and win prizes in the 4th annual Gordon Cooper Technology Center art show. High school art students from the tri-county area (sophomore, junior, and senior) and adult students enrolled in art classes at GCTC must register their work by March 30th.

On March 31st the public is invited to an evening of food, games, art demonstrations, and an awards ceremony.

“Our staff and visitors have been amazed by the talent we have in the tri-county area. If participating in this festival can convince one person to stay motivated to get their education, strive to better themselves then it is all worth it,” said Gay Ketchum, computer graphic design instructor and GCTC art council member.

Ketchum said the art show allows artists with “hidden talent” to show their work, often for the first time and gain some confidence. Well over 100 artists will register one submission in the following categories: 3D (air brush, floral design, green art, sculpture, and food art), Print Art (digital art, >

www.shawneeoutlook.com

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continued from pg. 13

drawing, painting, and photography), Digital Presentation (digital media, animation, and web design). Best of show winners receive $100, first place $50, second place $25, third place $10.

Students expressed their appreciation for the event. “The Arts Festival opened my eyes to all the different art that people think of and made me realize that we are all different types of artists. I believe it is also a great way for new artists to find ways to show off what they

Now.

can do and hopefully get an offer for a piece.

It can also raise someone’s confidence when they win or get compliments on their work,” said Bambi Ingram.

“Helping out with the Arts Festival was a lot of fun and a good experience. It tests your artistic skills and your determination to do your best. I like the festival part myself with the different booths and interacting with other people,” said Caitlin James.

Entries are due March 30th by 5 PM and the show kicks off the 31st at 4 PM with displayed artwork, tips n’ tricks demonstrations, games, food, and other events for all ages. The awards ceremony is at 6 PM in the Seminar Center at GCTC. Corporate sponsorships are available: platinum $1,000, gold $500, silver $250, and bronze $100.

GCTC offers a variety of short term art classes and certification courses, including Graphic Design and Digital Media Production.

For more information about the art show or classes, visit gctech.org or call 405-273-7493.

Winning art work will also be on display at the Main Street Photo Studio and Gallery after the show through the first week of April.

Our family medicine providers are accepting new patients.

When you need a family provider, turn to Family Medicine Specialists. All of our providers are accepting new patients. Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance plans are welcome. Ask us about preventive care services your health insurance may cover at no cost to you. Same- and next-day appointments are available. Call 405-273-6383.

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TAP OUT CANCER

FOR DAD Wes Treece was a defiant fighter. Whether he was combating fires as a Shawnee Fire Fighter, standing up for a victim, or battling his own demons, Treece never gave up.

When he was diagnosed with colon cancer in August of 2004, Treece fought hard to the last day of his life in March 2009. That courageous spirit lives on in the hearts of his wife, Richelle and two children, Cadence and Richard.

Next month they will compete in the Tap Cancer Out Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament, a benefit to raise money for a cure for childhood cancers. Competitors seek donations to raise money and the Treece’s goal is $3,000. The tournament, in Stratford, CT, will benefit the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

Although Treece never trained in a gym, he studied the sport through instructional videos

Wes Treece

and practiced regularly with others. “We talked about a lot of things before he died,” said Richelle Treece. “One of those was that I would expose the kids to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.”

It was a sport that taught him discipline and helped keep him out of trouble.

Treece was a bit of rebel with a temper and even in high school wasn’t one to run from a fight. When a kid was being picked on by football players on the bus, he “took care of it.”

Richelle said he was one to step in when rough housing at the fire department would sometimes get serious. “You know how guys are. They start rough housing but then suddenly it’s not rough housing. The guys told me that he usually wasn’t one to start the fight, but if it needed to be stopped, he was the one who could stop it.”

Wes wanted his children to learn that same discipline and all the benefits the sport offers.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art sport and a self- defense system that uses grappling and ground fighting.

Treece said Richard, age 8, is learning to control his temper, and Cadence, age 9, is learning not to cry under pressure. The siblings say they love the sport and get nervous before tournaments, but they are placing second and third in most competitions.

“I like that you train as a team but when you step on the mat, it is all on you,” said Treece.

“You win or lose based on your own dedication and your own skill set. You can’t blame it on anyone else.”

Treece also trains and competes, although she said at age 46 and clumsy, she has no delusions of grandeur. “I look like a drunk giraffe when I do take downs because I’m not very coordinated and I’m so tall. I’ve won one time but that’s because my opponent tripped,” she laughed. “When I first started training I wanted to quit each time, but I realized I wasn’t going to die.”

Like Wes, she refuses to give up. “People always ask you who you fight for and why you participate in something like this. There are the ones who say they fight because someone else fought (cancer) and beat it. My kids and I fight for their Daddy. He didn’t win, but he never gave up.”

To donate to their campaign, visit classy. org/TCOTreece and you can follow their progress on Facebook under “Tap Cancer Out Treece.”

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For the last fifty years the American culture has streamlined almost every aspect of daily life. Hand crafted treasures have been largely replaced by mass produced goods, as everything from textiles and toys to food and furniture, rushed its way to big box stores.

The growing interest in sustainable living, the need for renewable energy, and the demand for global fair trade, point to a nation rethinking modern life. Maybe cheap and convenient actually costs everyone more in the long run.

Jonathan Hilton’s work and life defy a modern culture. His hand crafted furniture and home goods are the result of hours of hard work and passionate inspiration. Red Leaf Wood Craft is not a fast food furniture mill, but it’s no high end showcase for the idle rich either.

The enduring quality of his work is accessible and personal. It’s more about giving someone a place to start a story than it is about making money. In fact, Hilton doesn’t make a lot of money and that doesn’t seem to bother him.

“A chair shouldn’t cost a month’s pay to be an heirloom. I want to make things that my friends and family will invest in but not things they could never justify buying. I’m doing this because I love it and I see a need for it. Our generation is kind of over having everything fall apart and have no meaning.”

Hilton played around antique furniture as boy. The stories behind those enduring heirloom pieces inspire him to create things people will enjoy as part of their lives.

One of his best loved treasures is one of two library tables he inherited. >

www.shawneeoutlook.com

21

continued from pg. 21

“This little library table was built by my great grandfather for my grandmother. They had an identical one made of walnut, but they wanted to use that one so he made her another one to use.

I will burn or throw away a 100 pieces from IKEA or even from a nice furniture store before I will get rid of that because it means something to me. I think people are caring more about meaning and something has to be around for more than 5 years to develop meaning to you.”

His shop is just behind his earthy Tecumseh home. Steeped in saw dust and stacked with wood, the hours fly by while he finishes tables, bookshelves, lamps, cabinets, and even cutting boards. Most of his lumber comes from a sawmill in Asher, local properties, or the sawmill on his family’s 165-year-old farm in north central Missouri.

The Asher sawmill replaces every tree that is cut with a seedling and that’s important to Hilton. “Their logging is done in a very sustainable way. We selectively harvest a tree and then come back and replant that tree later. It’s been great getting to know him and his family on a personal level. There’s something great about knowing the people who harvested the tree and knowing the story behind that tree,” he said.

As a boy, he was captivated by wood as a workable material and after he graduated from OBU, he was doing small craftsman jobs for a company. As the requests for his work grew and became more diverse, he opened a full time shop almost two years ago.

The commission process begins with a request, often from their website, for a custom designed item. Hilton sketches the piece, enters the image into a com-

puter aided drafting program and then offers three options for the client. He develops it further with a final bid for the work. After they agree, he goes to work and updates the client on his progress.

From sketched draft to polished finish, it’s a work of art. “It’s hard to let it go,” said Hilton. “You’ve spent so much time with it, the design is intellectual property and that will stay with you.

But, the product is tangible and it’s just hard to let it go.”

Designs are always finding a way into a sketchbook that he keeps close by, some of them with long term projects in mind. He hopes to have a chair design in two years. It may seem like a simple project, but Hilton said it’s far more complicated.

“It takes years to develop a chair. It has to be lightweight, visually pleasing, strong enough to stand on and tip in. A dining room table can weigh 400 lbs. but a chair can’t weigh 100 lbs. You have to determine where the center of gravity is based on where the leg is pivoting on the floor. All of these little things go into something as simple as a chair, but they make a big difference. My goal is to design one in two years, probably a mixture of Danish modern and Windsor.”

While Hilton could work for a furniture company as a designer, he won’t hear of it. “It’s important to me that I’m not just a designer but a maker. I’m in the shop, getting acquainted with the project as it moves through the process and into someone’s home. It’s teaching me about the materials and how they work, making me a better designer and better maker.”

For more information, visit redleafwoodcraft.com

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OPPORTUNITY

HOPE Renovated by: Karen Kelly Larry Roberts

After more than two years and two grants totaling more than $250 thousand from the Avedis Foundation, the much needed renovation of the Family Promise Day Center, which serves up to four families and 14 individuals at a time, is complete.

The home has a new roof. The garage was converted into two bedrooms with private bathrooms.

The kitchen was remodeled and furnished with commercial grade appliances. The interior was given a new coat of paint, old carpet was tossed and easy to clean tile was installed throughout.

A detached garage was built to store supplies and accommodate donations of furniture, appliances, and household items given to families once they obtain permanent housing.

Michelle Briggs, Avedis President and CEO, noted the impact the collaboration between the churches and the community had on the Board of

Directors. “To see so many organizations coming together for the good of homeless families made us want to invest also,” said Briggs.

Family Promise of Shawnee, a nonprofit organization, has been providing support to homeless families since 2005. With help from the community, they seek to restore a family’s self-sufficiency. The day center serves as the guest families mailing address for employment, school enrollment, etc. and case managers are assigned to each family.

The program serves homeless families with at least one child, single mothers or fathers with at least one child and expecting mothers.

The daily schedule includes one week’s stay at each of the four to six participating churches.

From 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., families have dinner and spend the night at the host church. In the morning, families return to the day center where they have access to educational programs, computers for online job searches, and transportation to school, job interviews, work, doctor’s appointments, etc.

Gordona Rowell, executive director of Family Promise of Shawnee, said the community component of the program makes it successful.

“Our churches are not only a place to stay, but the relationships formed there provide a system of support that goes well beyond the participant’s short-term stay in the program,” said Rowell. “Most of us have safety nets if the bottom falls out. These people do not or they would not be here.”

Before the renovation, Rowell recalls the space challenges with two families assigned to each of the two bedrooms. She said families find themselves tossed together, sharing space, meals, transportation and more during this season of transition. It is often a stressful time.

The renovation has helped to eliminate some of the stress by affording families their own bedrooms and private baths. Having a single bedroom available for each family for putting kids down for naps and having a space where they can have some privacy has been essential.

Volunteers include staff from the Gordon Cooper Vo-Tech, who built a gazebo and a playground for the children in the backyard. Other members of the community volunteer their time; teach a class; serve as an overnight church host; donate clothing, money and more.

Donna came to Oklahoma from Wisconsin in December. Her 16-year-old son followed shortly thereafter. They were accepted into the Family Promise program one month ago. Since that time, Donna has undergone financial training, secured employment, and is on a list for housing. When asked how she felt about the future based on the support she’s received, she replied, “I’m getting back on my feet and working the program and it feels great.” Donna said everyone is grateful for all the help they receive.

In 2014, 24 families participated in the program with an average length of stay of 42 nights.

The program is set up to span four months, but can vary on a case-by-case basis. The length of time depends on the family’s situation.

“It really depends on how much they come in with,” said Rowell. “We have to get them set up where everything they earn goes towards outstanding debts, utilities owed, paid. They get on a plan of action and save up their deposits. If they don’t come in with any debts, it’s a whole lot easier to get that money set up.”

Family Promise is funded exclusively through donations and grants. To donate or learn more about Family Promise of Shawnee, visit familypromise.org. www.shawneeoutlook.com

25

KEEP THE CHANGE

GREEN LIVING

3 Ways To Teach Kids to Go Green As a former teacher, I remember the pressure of 26 kids watching my every move. I remember how extremely curious they all were.

Tapping into that curiosity was the key to getting them excited about anything. Last but not least, allowing them to be in charge of a project was the secret to getting them on board and put the pressure on the others to do the same.

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.

1. Be the example. Let them watch you recycle, compost, discuss planting a garden or ways to take care of your community. The old saying, “do as I say and not as I do,” just doesn’t fly with kids. They will call you on it every time.

2. Pique their curiosity. Kids love to know the “why’s.” Green living is a science and an art form and anything you do, can be seen as a mini field trip experience in their eyes. Take the time to explain the reason you want to grow your own food or recycle to keep from junking up your home environment. Tell them you want to become a label detective to ensure you aren’t letting any sneaky toxic ingredients enter your space.

3. Let them be the Boss. Put them in charge of a project. These can be a small task, but if you make them the boss, step back and watch what happens.

For example, they can be the recycle boss that makes sure the paper/ plastic are in the right bin each week. Or they can be assigned to specific plants to water and weed. As the food detective they can help teach you which food and ingredients are the best for a healthy family.

Recover for Less Heading out of town for Spring Break? The best way to get the most out of your traveling buck is a good old-fashioned road trip. Here are some ways our family has found to keep it economical for everyone.

PLAN TO EAT ON THE GO. While a road trip might seem like a good excuse to indulge in fast food and convenience store favorites, packing your own food (even if just for a few meals) is more costeffective and, most likely, healthier. Pack a cooler or thermal lunchboxes with sandwiches, sliced cheese, or apples for a quick lunch in the car. We always have a “snack bag” with crackers, snack mixes, bananas, and nuts. And there are certain snacks we only eat on road trips, making these feel like just as much of a treat as a pricey fast food temptation.

TAKE TURNS DRIVING. If you’re heading out with a friend or other capable driver, take turns driving so the other can sleep – you can get more mileage out of the way without the need to shell out for a pricey hotel. Of course, it’s never safe to drive tired, so if you need to stop, use the hotels.com app on your phone to find and book the cheapest option near your stopping point.

SAVE ON GAS. If you have a Homeland card, you can use it to save money on gas at Shell stations nation-wide. This is also another great chance to pull out your phone. Use the GasBuddy app to find the least expensive gas station near you, so you’re always getting the best possible price on fuel.

Most important, remember to buckle up and drive safely! And never text and drive!

Grow their green minds and everyone will benefit for future generations to come!

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EVENTS

FANTASY FICTION AT ITS FINEST by: Jamie Bergsten

It isn’t often that local residents have the opportunity to see a Pulitzer Prize-winning author in person, much less, meet and talk with one.

That prestigious award, presented annually for achievement in journalism, literature, or music composition, is selected in 21 categories.

Our local library is part of a larger group called the Pioneer Library System. It consists of eleven branches in Pottawatomie, Cleveland, and McClain counties, which offer unique experiences.

One of these is participation in The Big Read, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Studies by the NEA have shown that literary reading has declined among all age groups, especially the young. The Big Read supplies competitive grants supporting programs to bring reading back to the forefront of American culture. Organizations, including library systems, host events that last approximately a month and provide citizens with the chance to read and discuss a single book in their communities.

The program, launched nationally in 2007, has now awarded more than 1,100 grants across the United States.

On Thursday, March 26, Michael Chabon will kick off The Big Read: A Wizard of Earthsea by speaking about the value and benefits of fantasy fiction in our society. This event marks the beginning of the 2015 event, which will celebrate Ursula K. LeGuin’s groundbreaking 1968 novel, considered to be the most widely admired American fantasy novel of the past 50 years.

Michael Chabon grew up in Columbia, Maryland, a planned community that opened in 1967 with the idea that racial, religious, and class segregation could be eliminated, with a goal population of 100,000. Over time, he feels the community’s intentions weren’t realized, and Columbia became not a failure but rather an example of the status quo. “People still live there very happily,” he said, “but in terms of its original vision, that faded.”

Chabon’s novels seem to revolve around themes reflecting that same unrealized potential.

His characters imagine such far-reaching topics as a mega-successful comic book empire, an

alternate homeland for Jews, a ship to save children from the Nazis, and the basic “American dream” of a life led happily ever after. However, these plans seem to fade away too, as the harshness of reality sets in.

Chabon enjoyed great success from his earliest works. His first novel was a New York Times bestseller, and his second, Wonder Boys, was made into a feature film starring Michael Douglas and Toby Maguire. His third release, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, was published by Random House in 2000 and not only won him the Pulitzer Prize but many other national accolades as well. He has also written a number of screenplays, two collections of short stories, articles, essays, and shares story credit for Spiderman 2.

Chabon has even ventured into the world of children’s picture books. His debut in this genre, The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man, features villains with names like Professor Von Evil and the Flaming Eyeball. Though it’s written for a young audience, he also wanted his words to appeal to the adults who must read such stories to their children countless times.

He has also tackled the young adult novel.

Summerland is set on a fictitious Washington island and centers around the unusual combination of baseball and other-worldly creatures reminiscent of those one might find in Narnia. America’s pastime is taken to a whole new level when science fiction and fantasy become part of the game.

Chabon believes that success as a novelist requires three things: talent, luck, and discipline.

He has often said, “Discipline is the one element of those three things that you can control, and so that is the one that you have to focus on controlling, and you just have to hope and trust in the other two.”

Chabon will participate in a Q&A session and book signing after the program at Oklahoma Baptist University from 10:00-11:30 AM. Admission is free, but seating is limited. Those interested in attending should register at the library’s website, pioneerlibrarysystem.org.

MARCH MARCH 1ST - MARCH 22ND Visit the MGMOA for the Michi Susan: An Oklahoma Treasure exhibition. She is an internationally recognized artist who has received numerous awards including the Oklahoma Governor’s Arts Award in 2010. She is known for her use of vivid colors, her handmade papers, and her use of Japanese calligraphy in her mixed media pieces.

MARCH-APRIL The Treece family will be accepting donations for Tap Cancer Out, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Tournament fundraiser which raises money for a cure for childhood cancers. Deadline is April 17th.

MARCH 5TH - 9TH At the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center, Almost Ready to Cruise swap meet features vendors with auto parts to complete your car restoration project. Visit shawneeexpo.org for more information.

MARCH 20TH Downtown Block Party will feature live jazz bands, food vendors, and a variety of art displayed along Main street from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM.

MARCH 26TH Shawnee Public Library kicks off their annual Big Read with keynote speaker Michael Chabon.

From 10 AM to 11:30 AM, Pulitzer Prize-winning Novelist, will be speaking at OBU about the value and benefits of fantasy fiction in our society. Chabon has spoken worldwide and to such groups as the creative teams at Pixar Animation Studios about fantasy and childhood. There will be a Q&A period followed by a book signing.

Registration is required. Visit plsok.org or call 405-275-6353.

MARCH 30TH - 31ST Monday is the last day to register your artwork (see article in this issue) for the 4th annual GCTC student art show. Tuesday the show begins at 4 PM with food, games, and demonstrations followed by an awards ceremony at 6 PM. www.shawneeoutlook.com

29

Dollars and Cents SHAWNEE’S FINANCE DEPARTMENT For those of us who don’t manage a large corporation or work as accountants, balancing a checkbook and keeping a budget might seem like a chore or even cause us some grief as we juggle a busy schedule.

Imagine if you had to manage 23 different funds, 20 checking accounts, and write more than 8,400 checks a year. For the City of Shawnee Finance Department, five staff members balance a budget and manage more than $52 million projected for the fiscal year 2015.

It may sound like a lot of money until you see how much it costs to maintain safety, infrastructure, and utilities. A visual guide to the distribution of city funds during the FY 2015 shows the general fund absorbs over $21 million, or 38.6 percent, while the Shawnee municipal fund absorbs just over $17 million or 33.7 percent.

The general fund is mostly salaries or “people.” Fire and police, at just under $13 million account for this fund. Included in the general fund is administration, streets, parks, community development, Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center, equipment and municipal court.

The Shawnee municipal authority fund includes lake operations, water and sewer, debt service and transfers at almost $18 million (33.7 percent). The street and general construction fund accounts for almost $7 million. The capital fund for minor and major equipment and related construction is $3 million, including small allocations to the Shawnee Airport Authority, E-911, Hotel/Motel fund, streetlights, and economic development.

It may sound complicated, but to the City of Shawnee Finance Director, Cynthia Sementelli, it’s just her job and one she enjoys. A transplant from Florida 5 years ago, Sementelli has a bachelor’s degree in finance from Florida State University and has 16 years of experience in government finance.

The finance department organizes the budget and meets with each department to go over expenditures and projected needs for that year.

30

www.shawneeoutlook.com

by: Mindy Wood

Back row left to right: Diane Smith Cindy Sementelli and Teresa Story Front row left to right: Wilma Davis and Jill Smith Sementelli makes cuts to each department before meeting with the city manager who also makes suggestions.

After the budget is finalized, however, it can change. Every month sales tax totals are compared against the budget. Sometimes it’s up, sometimes it’s down. Like a household budget, if income drops that usually means making cuts.

“There are some finance directors who think a budget is concrete, but it’s not. It’s a moving target every day because if our sales tax is down, we have to cut back.”

Sementelli said the first things to go are unfilled positions and training, but it can get worse. In 2009 and 2010, all city salary and hourly employees took a 3 percent pay cut. Later, furloughs were imposed.

If sales tax is up, that extra money typically goes into the general fund where it may accumulate enough to grant raises for city employees. Last year, employees were able to get a cost of living raise, something that Sementelli said is

not an annual guarantee.

Sementelli said they don’t get a lot of calls but when they do, they have to explain that their ad valorem taxes do not pay for city operations. “Most people don’t know that Oklahoma is the only state who doesn’t rely on ad valorem to fund operations. It’s based on sales tax.”

The City of Shawnee Finance Department was recently recognized for outstanding excellence in financial reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association. “We’ve been doing the comprehensive annual financial report for two years, and it’s a lot of extra work, but we qualified last year for excellence in reporting.

It’s a big ordeal,” said Sementelli.

All that hard work is credited to each of her staff members. “I have a great staff. I don’t worry about what they do all day because they know how to do their job. It makes my job much easier,” she said.

For more information, call the finance department at 405-878-1610

Earn 100 points daily Sunday through Friday to earn entries for our weekly Slot Tournament. Play your tournament entries on our designated Tournament Machines anytime during week. Tournament ends each Saturday at 8pm.

TOP 10 CONTESTANTS EACH WEEK WILL WIN A SHARE OF OVER $4000 IN CASH AND FREE SLOT PLAY.

Score based on highest score achieved and does not accumulate. Scores and tournament entries reset each Saturday and are not transferable.

Tournament machines are limited and space is not guaranteed. Must be present to win. See Players Club for Details.

www.shawneeoutlook.com

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