Outlook 2016B

Outlook2016

Staff photo by Cathy Spaulding

Miranda Jay repositions her 8-month-old son, Eli, in his stroller while Eli’s dad, Jarrod Moore watches during a visit to Robison Park. Eli soon could enjoy a playground for wee kids in the park.

Story on Page 4

Staff photo by Harrison Grimwood

Jay Garrett, director of cardiac services at EASTAR Health System, reviews heart X-rays and explains how some of the catheterization procedures work in their new laboratory.

Story on Page 2

Inside • • • • • •

Advances keep patients here/2

G Fest scheduled to kick off in June/3 Improvements reshape city’s parks/4 Bacone adapts for the future/7

Staff photos by Harrison Grimwood

New and old students attended a matriculation ceremony at Bacone College, introducing them to their college and encouraging them to pursue their higher education with vigor and integrity.

Story on Page 7

Fort Gibson schools ready for future/9 Muskogee’s positive people: — Laurie Fuller/4 — Jason Shelor/5 — Andrae Freeman/6

Staff photos by Cathy Spaulding

Fort Gibson Middle School math teacher Kim Morgan uses a Mimio pad to write an equation on the interactive white board on the wall. Fort Gibson Public Schools officials constantly seek to upgrade technology.

Story on Page 9

Outlook2016 Muskogee Phoenix

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Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016

Staff photo by Harrison Grimwood

Jay Garrett, director of cardiac services, reviews heart X-rays and explains how some of the catheterization procedures work.

EASTAR’s advances keep patients here More changes advancements planned this year

By Harrison Grimwood Phoenix Staff Writer

EASTAR Health System administrators expressed confidence that barriers to access are eroding and service gaps

are being filled to meet the needs.

The need to fly or transport patients to Tulsa or Fort Smith, Ark., is diminishing with advancements in 2015 and some planned for 2016, EASTAR Chief Executive Officer Tony Young said.

“The theme of what we’re trying to do is to

have services here locally for the community so they don’t have to go outside the community, to Tulsa, to get them,” Young said.

The end goal is to minimize the time between trauma and treatment.

One of the areas the hospital significantly improved in 2015 was its cardiac services. They

added a second catheterization laboratory in June, which Young said is the most modern lab in the state.

“There are several people alive today that would not have made it Tulsa,” Young said.

Just five years ago, open heart surgery was (See EASTAR, Page 5)

EASTAR Health System

ADDRESS: 300 Rockefeller Drive.

HOURS: 24/7.

SERVICES OFFERED: A full range of medical and trauma services, such as behavioral health, a cancer center, diagnostic imaging, orthopedics, surgical services, a sleep center and an

intensive care unit.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: More than 900.

KEY PERSONNEL: Chief Executive Officer Tony Young.

PHONE: (918) 6825501.

WEBSITE: http://www. eastarhealth.com.

Outlook2016

Muskogee Phoenix

Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016

Page 3

Submitted photo

The mark-up of this aerial photograph of Love-Hatbox Sports Complex identifies the locations of stages, campgrounds and parking areas for G Fest, a music festival scheduled to premier June 16-18.

G Fest scheduled to kick off in June

By D.E. Smoot

Phoenix Staff Writer

A music festival in Muskogee has been an idea Jim Blair kicked around in his head for years, maybe decades.

That idea took root a few years ago when city officials began talking about the development and repurposing of Love-Hatbox Sports Complex and the once active airport.

The concept came even closer to reality in 2014 when a group of graduate students from the University of Arkansas presented their findings from a study of Muskogee’s parks and recreational programs.

“I remember picking up the Phoenix the morning after they presented their findings and reading where they thought a music festival might be a better fit for Hatbox than a bigger sports facility,” said Blair, executive director of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and festival idea man. “A few days later, I picked up the paper and the editorial said the city should team up with OMHOF and do a music festival — I took the ball from there and started rolling with it.”

Blair pitched the plan and got the attention of city officials and City of Muskogee Foundation board members but was asked to assemble a more detailed business plan. An accountant and financial consultant by trade, Blair said he “focused hard” on that plan and got the “buy-in” he needed from everybody involved.

With a plan in place and the seed money needed for implementation secured, Blair and a committee made up of more than 40 people and other supporters began breathing life into G Fest. Blair said he believes there is a real possibility the inaugural festival set for June 16-18 could draw up to 15,000 people this year — so far, tickets have been sold to fans from 22 states and the Unit-

Staff photo by D.E. Smoot

Darren Kilpatrick, left, and Dustin Walters work on the frame of a trailer that will be used for concession sales at G Fest and other events.

G Fest

ADDRESS: Love-Hatbox Sports Complex.

HOURS: June 16-18.

SERVICES OFFERED: A three-day festival featuring an eclectic mix of music presented by artists with international, national, regional and statewide recognition.

KEY SPONSORS: Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame; city of Muskogee; City of Muskogee Foundation.

TELEPHONE: (918) 687-0800.

WEBSITE: gfestmuskogee.com.

EMAIL: okmusic@ omhof.com.

ed Kingdom.

The lineup for this year’s G Fest will include 85 acts performing on four stages, with Old Crow Medicine Show. The Avett Brothers and Merle Haggard

have been booked as the main-stage headliners Thursday through Saturday, respectively, and scores of other artists who have earned acclaim at the state, regional, national and international levels.

“These people who are buying tickets have chosen Muskogee has their destination vacation, so now it’s up to us to create that positive experience,” Blair said as he scrolled through the alerts he regularly receives on his cell phone as ticket sales are rung up. “And it’s not just the music. It’s everything from the camping to the amenities, how the town looks and the hospitality — it’s really all about creating that experience so they will come back next year and bring others with them.”

While Blair has become the public face for G Fest, he quickly points out the fact that the festival is a group effort that involves dozens of people who have been working behind the scenes. OMHOF may be the promoter, he said, but pulling off this festival would be impossible without the (See G Fest, Page 6)

Outlook2016 Muskogee Phoenix

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Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016

Staff photos by Cathy Spaulding

Miranda Jay repositions her 8-month-old son, Eli, in his stroller while Eli’s dad, Jarrod Moore watches during their recent visit to Robison Park. Eli soon could enjoy a playground for wee kids as part of the improvements to the park.

Improvements reshape Muskogee parks

By Cathy Spaulding Phoenix Staff Writer

Expect plenty of new things to start blooming soon at Muskogee parks — and not just azaleas.

“Things are looking pretty good throughout the parks system, thanks to the City of Muskogee Foundation,” said Muskogee Parks and Recreation Director Mark Wilkerson.

The department is in the final year of a five-year improvement program, which the Foundation funds with $500,000 a year, Wilkerson said. The Foundation also funded $1 million in improvements at Honor Heights Park, he said.

Honor Heights visitors should see many of those improvements this spring. They include improved curbing and guttering, more vibrant flower beds and improvements to the Papilion’s lawn.

“We’re about halfway through the renovations at Honor Heights Park,” Wilkerson said.

The park has other benefactors. Donations totaling $120,000 will help add a Children’s Garden at the Papilion.

The garden, which could open in May, would feature raised garden beds, play pods and an outdoor classroom.

One new park will literally go to the dogs.

Bark Park is set to open in March, he said. The park is located behind the Randall Ferguson Insurance Agency, 1131 S. Main St. The park will feature fencedin areas where people can let their dogs run free, climb up ramps or scurry through tunnels.

When they get thirsty, the pooches even get their own water fountains.

Bark Park will be at the head of a one-mile paved trail that will link with Centennial Trail near 10th Street.

The city soon will update playgrounds at five parks — Robison, Optimist, King, Elliott and Bill Pool Park, Wilkerson said. The new playgrounds will be geared for ages 2 to 5, he said, adding that they could be installed by early summer.

Marty Duke, left, and Jesse Rhoden of Craig’s Roofing wash windows after painting the eaves and installing a new roof at the Honor Heights Park gift shop and concession stand. Honor Heights is undergoing a $1 million improvement project.

POSITIVELY MUSKOGEE: Laurie Fuller

Laurie Fuller says the thankfully, with foundation City of Muskogee Founmoney under the direction dation is a big contributor of the Friends of Honor in making positive Heights Park and physical and social the city.” improvements to Laurie and her the city. husband cook for Fuller is a Friend a program called of the Butterfly Pa“Getting Ahead.” vilion and a Friend The program helps of Honor Heights those in poverty Park. Both groups “identify how they received funding got to where they Fuller from the foundation. are and pairs com“I volunteered munity members with school children last with them to go forth with spring and saw how dewhat goals they want to lighted they were with the realize,” Fuller said. butterfly pavilion, and it “I believe that because was a delightful experiof the foundation we can ence,” Fuller said. build both physical and When Laurie moved social infrastructure in prohere 38 years ago, “the moting programs that help azaleas were gorgeous,” people go from getting she said. “And now, we’re welfare benefits to paying replanting the azaleas, taxes,” she said.

Muskogee Parks and Recreation has a full wish list for the next two to five years.

“We need to renovate Kiwanis Senior Center,” he said. “And at Civitan, we’d like to add a splash pad.”

Wilkerson said the department also expects

to make improvements at Love-Hatbox Sports Complex and Spaulding Park tennis courts.

“We have a dozen different projects we hope to start soon,” he said.

One such project could be to expand the Centennial Trail from it’s current terminus on

Bicyclists cross the gazebo bridge at Spaulding Park. Muskogee Parks and Recreation is in its final year of a five-year park improvement program funded by the City of Muskogee Foundation.

North Main Street to near the Arkansas River, Wilkerson said.

Another idea is for bike parks featuring dirt jumps and banks.

“Find an area to get off the beaten path,” Wilkerson said.

Reach Cathy Spaulding at (918) 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskogeephoenix.com.

Muskogee Parks and Recreation Department OFFICE ADDRESS: 837 E. Okmulgee Ave. SERVICES OFFERED: Enhance quality of life through recreational facilities, open natural spaces and activities.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 40 full-time; 100 part-time during summer.

KEY PERSONNEL:

Parks and Recreation Director Mark Wilkerson; Assistant Director — Parks, Rick Ewing; Assistant Director — Recreation, Brooke Hall; Special Events Coordinator Joel Everett.

PHONE: (918) 6846302.

WEBSITE: www.muskogeeparks.org.

Outlook2016

Muskogee Phoenix

EASTAR Continued from Page 2

the norm. In 2015 and 2016, the cardiology services at the hospital have many more options of much less invasive surgeries, much of which relies on the catheterization labs.

The new lab was built to start-of-the-art specifications, and the first lab was updated to those specifications, Director of Cardiology Services Jay Garrett said. Cardiologists can view the heart in real time through an X-ray camera.

With the advancements in cardiac services, the average time for treatment of a heart attack is faster than the national standard of 90 minutes. Young said their average time to treat is about 70 minutes. Garrett said he has seen treatment as quick as 14 minutes.

“I would put our lab up against any in the

Staff photo by Harrison Grimwood

Jay Garrett, director of cardiac services, demonstrates how the X-ray camera — the block in the upper left — in the catheterization laboratory adjusts to show different parts of the heart.

POSITIVELY MUSKOGEE: Jason Shelor

“Muskogee has seen believe in what the city’s some tremendous growth trying to do and what the in the areas of the econo- foundation is trying to do.” my, health and well“My daughter ness and quality goes to the new of life,” said Jason tech center (at Alice Shelor, who is with Robertson Junior the public health High School) and department at the our local schools Cherokee Nation are doing some Three Rivers Health amazing things,” he Center. said. “The MuskShelor “I see organizaogee Education tions doing some Foundation and the tremendous, tremendous City of Muskogee Founthings in our community dation are doing a lot of and would love to see that positive things to continue continue,” Shelor said. “I to get Muskogee to grow.”

Page 5

Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016 country,” Garrett said. “I truly believe we are that good.”

In an average year, they will see about 2,700 patients for cardiac services, Young said.

Creating a comprehensive health care service in Muskogee goes beyond cardiology. Young said a big EASTAR investment for 2016 is establishing a urology clinic for the area.

EASTAR officials reached out Urologic Specialists of Tulsa to open an affiliated office in Muskogee. Young said there are an estimated 1,500 people in the Muskogee area who need urological services.

H o w e v e r, mostly through retirement, EASTAR is down to one urologist. This should rectify that, he said.

Mike Gilpin, director of marketing for the hospital, said the opening of several urgent care clinics in Muskogee is a positive sign for the hospital.

“It’s proving that the need is here,” Gilpin

said. “That’s why we’re seeing growth there.”

The urgent care clinics are a positive indicator for the hospital. Young said they help take the edge off the emergency room. Additionally, they increase ease of access for health care in Muskogee.

“We’re cultivating our

relationship with (the clinics),” Young said.

“We kind of see it as just another access point to primary care.”

Young said Oklahoma ranks last in primary care access.

Reach Harrison Grimwood at (918) 684-2926 or harrison.grimwood@ muskogeephoenix.com.

Outlook2016 Muskogee Phoenix

Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016

Page 6

POSITIVELY MUSKOGEE: Andrae Freeman

Muskogee High School ogee High School is no difmath teacher Andrae Free- ferent from any high school man says he has different I’ve been to,” Freeman said. perspectives on “I enjoy having the Muskogee’s greatopportunity to work ness — and goodwith students in our ness. community.”

The Muskogee Freeman coornative said he was dinates an annual raised in Atlanta, Unity in the Combut returned to munity Thanksgiving Muskogee to teach dinner and clothing Freeman giveaway each year. school.

Freeman recalled He said he gets a that he had heard “a lot lot of students involved “to of things negative” about get kids out of their comfort MHS. zone.”

“But I found out Musk“By helping others, you

improve yourself,” he said.

Freeman also commended Muskogee’s diversity.

“Living in Muskogee, we have to engage with issues of black and white more than in other communities,” he said. “On issues of diversity, we are ahead of most communities in the area because of our populations.

Where there are a high number of African American businesses and leaders, that’s a plus, a bonus. I like that part of Muskogee — our diversity in our school system and community.”

Staff photo by D.E. Smoot

Jim Blair, executive director of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, surveys an area at Love-Hatbox Sports Complex from where the main stage of G Fest will be placed.

G Fest

agencies.

“Somebody came up to me the other day and said something about Continued from Page 3 this being my festival,” city, its foundation, and Blair said. “This is not emergency response my festival, this is our

festival, the community’s festival — it takes a whole village to raise a festival.”

City councilors and foundation directors have been instrumental in securing start-up capital for the festival and the infrastructure improvements needed to support the event. Fees attached to the price of tickets have been pledged for the repayment of various loans used as seed money, site improvements and the support of OMHOF. “If we hit a home run with G Fest, this could be the mother ship for everything arts-related in Muskogee,” Blair said. “We are creating something that will be hard for any other place to replicate and will give back to the community through economic development.”

Reach D.E. Smoot at (918) 684-2901 or dsmoot@muskogeephoenix.com.

Outlook2016 Muskogee Phoenix

Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016

Page 7

Staff photo by Harrison Grimwood

Andrew Sikora, executive director of the media center at Bacone College, shows off the new media center at Palmer Hall, which has generated significant student interest and interaction.

Bacone adapts for the future

By Harrison Grimwood

“It’s planned to even- more for a complex with tually make a quad to landscape bringing them be built near the main together.”

Bacone College is not entrance of campus,” he By the end of 2016, colso entrenched in customs said. “As finances, growth that it bogs down neces- allow, we’ll build three (See Bacone, Page 8) sary adaptation to the changing marketplace demands for education, administration says.

Franklin Willis, president of Bacone, said the college is developing new programs to respond to societal needs as well as job market needs. Additionally, the college is pushing for infrastructure growth during 2016.

“This has been a robust spring for us and people coming to Bacone,” Willis said. “We are looking for significant growth in enrollment to Bacone in the next three years.”

College officials are looking to build a 10,000-square-foot dining hall in the student center, Willis said. Additionally, they hope to add more than 500 beds throughout four dormitories to be built.

Willis hopes to “put a shovel the ground” for the first dorm in the by Fall.

When completed, it will add 128 beds.

Phoenix Staff Writer

Outlook2016 Muskogee Phoenix

Bacone Continued from Page 7

lege officials expect the dining hall to be complete and for construction on the first dorm to be under way.

Starting at the end of 2015, college officials began implementing several new programs, including a partnership with Oklahoma Educational Television Authority and the 21st Century Media Communication program.

Andrew Sikora, executive director of the media center at Bacone College, said the partnership exemplifies the program’s hands-on approach.

“As the name suggests — 21st Century — we are preparing our students for the challenges of the new millennium, new technologies, changing society and changing media,” Sikora said.

Students, through the part-

nership, will have access to OETA’s Tulsa studio, giving them training and experience.

They can access the program from as early as their freshman year, Sikora said.

One of the major changes for the 2015-2016 school year was allowing freshmen and sophomore students to take elective courses.

“I strongly believe that when students come to a college, they ought to be able to dabble in their major right off to see if it’s the right major for them,” Willis said.

The goal of this direction and the OETA partnership is to have students “career ready,” Sikora said.

“We’re preparing them for the ever-changing media landscape,” Sikora said. “We are a small enough college to change with those technologies.”

Another academic change is a program in the education division of the college. Jeff Dupree, director of teacher education, introduced a family

Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016 studies program.

“It fills a nice niche for our students that want to do public service, they have a service motivation,” Dupree said.

“The program is designed with heavy field experience, handson experience and strong research methodology.”

Dupree said every student in the family studies program will be required to do a full research proposal that would put them on track for graduate education.

The program is geared at making students into educators for nontraditional roles in education and social work.

“Populations where people are left outside the mainstream, the best resource they can find is within people who are closest to them — and that means families,” Dupree said.

“And I think our students are getting that.”

Reach Harrison Grimwood at (918) 684-2926 or harrison. grimwood@muskogeephoenix. com.

Page 8

Staff photo by Harrison Grimwood

New and old students attended a matriculation ceremony, introducing them to their college and encouraging them to pursue their higher education with vigor and integrity.

Outlook2016

Muskogee Phoenix

Page 9

Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016

Staff photos by Cathy Spaulding

Fort Gibson Middle School math teacher Kim Morgan uses a Mimio pad to write an equation on the interactive white board on the wall. Fort Gibson Public Schools officials constantly seek to upgrade technology.

Fort Gibson schools prepared for future

By Cathy Spaulding Phoenix Staff Writer

Fort Gibson Public Schools finds itself in a comfortable spot, in spite of looming cuts in state funding, said Superintendent Derald Glover.

Now, the district is ready to look to the future — not that there are that many improvements needed.

“We spent the past five to seven years reforming,” Glover said.

“We tried new things, researching new ways to use digital technology.”

He said the district is in a position where technology is used throughout the district in a variety of ways.

For example, seventh-grade math teacher Kim Morgan says a digitized Mimio board enables her to move about the classroom while displaying things on the board.

The days of overhead projectors and transparencies are long gone.

Even the digitally interactive SMART Boards, so welcomed eight years ago, are considered inconvenient.

Morgan said that with the Mimio, “we can just write on it and it goes directly to the screen.”

“I can walk around with it and talk to a student,” she said. “Kids love technology. And this helps with classroom management. I’m moving around watching them.”

Fort Gibson’s Early Learning Center and Intermediate Elementary School also are upgrading their technology by building their joint eBook library. A recent grant from the Fort Gibson Education Foundation helped quadruple the number of titles available for students. Most books will be non-fiction, and most will be biographies, Librarian Rene Cherry said.

Not all the new things are high-tech, however. Second-graders are getting a slew of books about famous Americans.

“There are a lot of new people who are not in our libraries,” second-grade teacher Julie Miller said, listing Chief Joseph and Sen. Dan Inouye as some subjects.

Fort Gibson High School is updating the way it helps guide students toward careers, FGHS principal Gary

Soccer players practice on new turf at the Leo Donahue Tiger Stadium. The new turf was part of a school improvement bond issues. Officials say future bond issues will go for technology, transportation and maintenance.

Fort Gibson Public Schools

ADDRESS: 500 S. Ross Ave. SERVICES OFFERED: Public education for from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

NUMBER OF CERTIFIED EMPLOYEES: 139.

NUMBER OF SUPPORT EMPLOYEES: 100.

ENROLLMENT: 1,860 students.

KEY PERSONNEL: Superintendent, Derald Glover; Assistant superintendent, Tom Stiles; special education, Melissa Holderby; Principals — High School, Gary Sparks; Middle School, Greg Phares; Intermediate Elementary School, Sherry Rybolt; Early Learning Center, Shelly Holderby.

PHONE: (918) 4782474 WEBSITE: www.ftgibson.k12.ok.us/

Sparks said.

The district’s main goal now is to continue on its current path, Glover said.

“In five years, I see us being a leader in academic excellence,” he

Buses line up at Fort Gibson Middle School to pick up students. Keeping transportation up to date could be a focus of a future bond issue.

said.

School facilities are also in pretty good shape, he said, adding that the district doesn’t need any new or remodeled facili-

ties, he said.

“For a next bond issue, a lot will go for technology and transportation,” Glover said, adding that bond money also would

go for maintenance projects such as roofs.

Glover said the district will form a facility advisory committee this fall and start planning for

a possible bond issue in late 2017 or early 2018.

Reach Cathy Spaulding at (918) 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskogeephoenix.com.

Outlook2016

Staff photo by Mark Hughes

Veterans participating in Project HERO — Healing Exercise Rehabilitation Opportunity — take off during a recent morning ride from the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center.

Story on Page 14

Staff photo by D.E. Smoot

Artifacts representing the careers of musicians Hank Thompson and Wanda Jackson are displayed at the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Museum.

Story on Page 12

Inside • • • • • • • • •

OMHOF expands support network/12

Davis Field officials look to the future/12 Urgent care centers growing option/13 NSU adds health care programs/14

Staff photo by Cathy Spaulding

Dr. Azhar Shakeel, M.D., shows an X-ray machine at Urgent Care of Muskogee. Shakeel opened Urgent Care last April to help give patients prompt exams or treatment of minor illnesses or injuries.

Story on Page 13

New programs at VAMC/14 Civic Center pool of events grows/15 Construction booms around city/18 Churches fill all kinds of needs/19 Muskogee’s positive people: — Laura Wickizer/12 — Clevetta Gray/13

Staff photos by Cathy Spaulding

Volunteer Mike Stroup stocks cans at Catholic Charities, a ministry of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Local churches seek to meet people’s physical and spiritual needs.

Story on Page 19

Outlook2016 Muskogee Phoenix

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Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016

OMHOF expands support network

By D.E. Smoot

Phoenix Staff Writer

When Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame board members gathered for their retreat in 2012, the theme of that meeting was survival.

This year, OMHOF directors talked about a Super Bowl commercial that aired on two Oklahoma CBS affiliates advertising what they hope will be the organization’s signature event and its savior of sorts: G Fest. They also discussed “The Oklahoma Music Shop,” a locally produced, weekly television program that showcases the hall of fame and the musicians who perform at the Frisco Depot.

Jim Blair, OMHOF’s executive director, said the turnaround was accomplished after taking a hard look at the organization’s operational strategy. That business plan was dependent upon museum attendance, an annual induction ceremony, and occasional funding from outside sources.

“If your strategy isn’t working after 15 years, you have to come to grips with the idea that you need a new strategy,” said Blair, a longtime OMHOF supporter who signed on in 2013 to help steer the organization toward success.

“I think it was hard for some of the board members — and some in the community — to hear that a museum ... and the annual induction ceremony were not going to be our key to sustainability for the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.”

The recognition of that reality prompted a series of moves that included the sale of downtown property that had been donated to OMHOF and taking the organization’s induction ceremonies on the road to various venues outside Muskogee. OMHOF became debt-free, and the City of Muskogee Foundation awarded a threeyear grant that provided

Staff photo by D.E. Smoot

An exhibit honoring Jim Halsey’s contributions to the music industry occupies a corner in the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Museum.

Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame

ADDRESS: 401 S. Third St. HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

SERVICES OFFERED: A three-day festival featuring an eclectic mix of music presented by artists with international, national, regional and statewide recognition.

KEY PEOPLE: Executive Director Jim Blair; Assistant Executive Director Micheal Rappe, Museum Curator Ronald Boren, Director of Membership and Public Relations Angelina Villegas-Cummings, Sound and Light Engineer Harley Hamm.

TELEPHONE: (918) 687-0800.

WEBSITE: omhof. com.

EMAIL: okmusic@ omhof.com

the funds needed to cover the nonprofit’s operating costs.

“We needed to do something different, so

Home Improvement

initially, we set out to improve our reputation statewide, nationwide and worldwide,” Blair said, citing collaborative efforts that expanded OMHOF’s network of support. “While some people may not have been happy to see the induction ceremony go out of town, it was all about building those relationships and crafting new strategies.”

That strategy included G Fest, a music festival that will feature an eclectic mix of music that will be performed by 85 artists recognized internationally, nationally, regionally and across the state. The inaugural event is planned June 16-18 at Love-Hatbox Sports Complex, where there will be onsite camping.

“The Oklahoma Music Shop,” the first locally produced music program to be broadcast to television screens statewide, was created to promote G Fest and the OMHOF Museum. It features

POSITIVELY MUSKOGEE: Laura Wickizer

The one thing that there are lots of activities draws people to Musklike hiking and water acogee are the people, said tivities,” she said. “You Laura Wickizer who can do pretty much works for Neighbors whatever you want Building Neighborhere.” hoods.

She also likes “I love the people, the low cost of they’re so nice and living. welcoming here,” “It helps to live in Wickizer said. a community that “It’s nice to be in actually lets you a community with survive and make Wickizer like-minded people, a living and not people who enjoy spend all your monwhere they’re at and peo- ey on living expenses.” ple who enjoy doing the Wickizer also believes work that they do. in Muskogee’s potential.

“We’re just such a tight“Muskogee has a lot of knit group — you can’t not potential and has done make friends here,” Wick- some great things here, izer said. “You’ve got so starting with the new much at your fingertips. construction of the Martin “If you want big city life, Luther King Community it’s not too far away and Center,” she said.

artists who perform at Frisco Depot, a venue in downtown Muskogee and home of the museum.

“The show caught a lot of people off guard,” Blair said about the show that premiered in June on Griffin Communications outlets in Tul-

sa and Oklahoma City, on OETA later in the year and will be transmitted later this year on cable providers in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas. “We can’t bring the people to the museum, but we can take the museum to the people, so to speak.”

The program, Blair said, has created a buzz that is reverberating among musicians who want a to perform at the Frisco Depot as part of its Thursday-night lineup or “The Oklahoma Music Shop.” It also has caught the attention of musicians hoping to take one of the four stages planned for G Fest.

Jim Halsey, an OMHOF inductee and legendary artistic manager, described the program as “one of the most inspired developments” during the Muskogee-based nonprofit’s 20-year history. In a letter to board members, Halsey said OMHOF’s success of fulfilling its mission to promote Oklahoma’s musical heritage “has never been more evident” than it has “under the steady hand of Jim Blair.”

“One of the most inspired developments has been the introduction of “The Oklahoma Music Shop,” Halsey states in (See omhof, Page 17)

Staff photo by Mark Hughes

Mike Stewart, director of public works and the current Davis Field Airport manager, talks about rehabilitating runways 4 and 22 in March or April with asphalt using a combination of funds.

Davis Field officials look to the future

By Mark Hughes Phoenix Staff Writer

022100354302

Davis Field’s future looks like it’s taking off.

That is the opinion of Mike Stewart, city of Muskogee’s public works director and the airport manager. Stewart has been the airport director for more than 20 years, working with the Federal Aviation Administration and Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission.

R.J. Harris was hired as the airport manager a few months ago but was called to active duty with the Oklahoma Air National Guard for 18 months, Stewart said.

The city is in the process

of hiring a contract manager during Harris’ absence, he said.

“We’re looking to get a flight simulator in, and R.J. had the knowledge in that,” Stewart said.

“Possibly the contract manager would have the knowledge about flight simulators and could get one in for us.”

Stewart said that Harris’ military expertise and ability to coordinate with the military is what is missed most.

An irony not lost on Harris is that his unit, which provides air traffic control and airfield management, will have one final training mission at Davis Field in April before deploying for a

Davis Field Airport

ADDRESS: 1200 Sabre St. HOURS OF OPERATION: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Saturday with after-hours service available upon request.

SERVICES OFFERED: Aviation and jet fuel, airframe maintenance, line services, sales, avionics, parts and service repair, consulting, pilot training,

combat environment, he said. His unit, 1-245 Aviation out of Lexington, has conducted training at Davis Field for the last three years.

Other improvements taking place include rehabilitating runways 4 and 22 in March or April

rentals and flight planning.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: Four.

KEY PEOPLE: Mike Stewart.

TELEPHONE: (918) 684-6331.

WEBSITE: www.muskogeedevelopment.org/ index.php/sites_buildings/ details/36 EMAIL: MStewart@ muskogeeonline.org.

with asphalt using federal funds. The project was delayed because of the weather, he said.

Runway improvements were provided by a grant from the Oklahoma Aeronautics Com(See Davis, Page 13)

Outlook2016

Muskogee Phoenix

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Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016

Urgent care option for minor emergencies Patients have multiple provider options available in community

By Cathy Spaulding Phoenix Staff Writer

More people are turning to urgent care centers for help with seasonal ailments, broken arms, routine physicals or small cuts.

And more centers are opening in Muskogee to take care of these needs. Four such centers opened in the past two years. Two of those — Urgent Care of Muskogee and MedNOW — opened within the past year.

Such providers can help ease the strain on hospital emergency rooms.

“Most hospital emergency departments are designed to function best in true emergency and/or trauma situations,” said Mike Gilpin, EASTAR Health System marketing director. “Urgent care centers help take some of the strain off emergency departments by presenting an option for people who often try to utilize emergency centers as they would a physician’s office.”

Gilpin said EASTAR works closely with urgent care providers “to provide an appropriate back-up when a higher level of emergent care is needed.”

Dr. Azhar Shakeel, M.D., knows how busy emergency rooms can be — and how long people could wait. He was medical director of the emergency medicine department at Muskogee Community Hospital.

“At that time, I realized people had to wait in the ER several hours,” Shakeel said.

Last April, Shakeel opened Urgent Care of Muskogee, 383 S. 33rd St. Urgent Care offers prompt treatment for minor injuries and illnesses, as well as exams, screenings and monitoring.

Shakeel said the “in and out time” at the center is 30 to 45 minutes.

The centers also can help fill in gaps for primary care.

NAME: Urgent Care of Muskogee ADDRESS: 384 S. 33rd St., Suite D. HOURS: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday; Noon to 6 p.m.

Sunday.

SERVICES OFFERED: Clinic offering physical exams, treatment of minor injuries and illnesses, pediatric care, screening and monitoring.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: Six full-time staff

Davis Continued from Page 12

mission’s capital improvement program for various airports across the state. The grant included federal funds totaling $840,000, which

Staff photo by Cathy Spaulding

Dr. Azhar Shakeel, M.D., shows an X-ray machine at Urgent Care of Muskogee. Shakeel opened Urgent Care last April to help give patients prompt exams or treatment of minor illnesses or injuries.

“Sometimes people can’t get to their primary care providers,” said Shelley Butler, marketing director for MedNOW. Muskogee’s MedNOW Walk-in Urgent Care Center opened late 2015 at 550 W. Shawnee Bypass.

Butler said MedNOW offers medical care for illnesses and injuries not serious enough for a visit to the ER. “We also specialize in occupational medicine to keep employees healthy and working safely,” she said.

Like other providers, ReddyCare, 932 W. Shawnee Bypass, offers sports, camp and occu-

pational physicals, as well as drug and alcohol screening.

Xpress Wellness Urgent Care, 2525 Chandler Road, offers “a full line of employer services and urgent care services,” said Regional Manager Angel Westbrook. “We help fill the gap between ER and non-ER visits.”

Gilpin said urgent care centers provide a good option for people who have no access to a primary care physician “or when minor injury or illness happens after hours.”

Reach Cathy Spaulding at (918) 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskLPN Thomas Burton does computer work during downtime between patients at MedNOW Urgent Care Center. The center opened in late 2015 on Shawnee Bypass. ogeephoenix.com.

Urgent care centers

NAME: MedNOW Walkin Urgent Care Center.

ADDRESS: 550 W. Shawnee Bypass.

HOURS: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Fri-

day; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

SERVICES OFFERED: Walk-in urgent care center providing medical care for illnesses and injuries that are not serious enough for a visit to the emergency room. Also specializes in occupational medicine.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: Eight.

KEY people: Administrator April McGhee; Clinical Coordinator Kim Roberts; Office Manager Jolynn Erwin.

amounted to 80 percent of the project costs. State funds totaling $46,600 made up another 10 percent with the city contributing the remaining 10 percent as its share of the match, Stewart said.

All commercial and private hangars are full, Stewart said. As of January 2016 income from

airport rental hangars totaled $173,017 while hangar leases totaled $5,987, according to an income statement for Davis Field provided by Stewart.

Reach Mark Hughes at (918) 684-2908 or mhughes@muskogeephoenix.com.

members, two part-time doctors.

KEY people: President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Azhar Shakeel.

PHONE: (918) 6860400.

WEBSITE: www.urgentcaremuskogee.com

• • •

POSITIVELY MUSKOGEE: Clevetta Gray

Muskogee educator academic options.

Clevetta Gray has spent Gray is positive about years encouraging positive Muskogee’s people. growth in the city’s chil“I see beautiful and dren. She has been wonderful people to a teacher and princonverse with every cipal of Cherokee day,” she said. “I Elementary School. love seeing my colGray now serves leagues. Spending the district as time with district Muskogee Public administration, prinSchools director cipals, teachers, of Elementary Edsupport staff, parents Gray ucation. She also and students brings heads Luminous joy to my day. They Ladies, in which successare good people to work ful women have lunch with and collaborate with about girls in the fifth through education. Muskogee is eighth grades. They talk a community that works about leadership skills and together to make life better

for all people. The people here are concerned about health, safety and quality of life.”

Gray said Muskogee is a city “that constantly seeks to improve its appearance and image.”

“There is growth here as evidenced by the many new businesses that are coming to Muskogee,” she said. “The diverse population makes life interesting and learning about new cultures fun. This is a very friendly place. Muskogee is a small city with a big heart.”

PHONE: (918) 9105186.

WEBSITE: www.mednowurgentcare.com

• • •

NAME: Xpress Wellness Urgent Care ADDRESS: 2525 Chandler Road.

HOURS: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday.

SERVICES OFFERED: Treating non-life-threatening illnesses on a walk-in basis.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: Nine.

KEY people: Medical Director Dr. Scott Williams; Regional Manager Angel Westbrook.

PHONE: (918) 6817533.

WEBSITE: xpresswellnessurgentcare.com

• • •

NAME: ReddyCare Walk-in Medical Clinic ADDRESS: 932 W. Shawnee Bypass.

HOURS: 8 a.m. to 6

p.m. Monday through Saturday.

SERVICES OFFERED: NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: Eight.

KEY people: Overseeing Physician Dr. Schuyler Steelberg; Physician Assistants Philip Watson and William Rogers; Office Manager Leeanna Garcia.

PHONE: (918) 6849665.

WEBSITE: www.reddycareclinic.com

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Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016

Staff photos by Cathy Spaulding

Northeastern State University Occupational Therapy Program Director Dr. Judy Melvin, right, teaches a class at NSU’s Muskogee campus. The program’s first group of graduates are set to graduate this summer.

NSU adds health care programs

By Cathy Spaulding Phoenix Staff Writer

Northeastern State University continues to find ways to meet northeast Oklahoma’s many needs, particularly in the field of health care.

“The biggest thing to come down the pike is our Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program,” said Dr. Tim McElroy, dean of NSU’s Muskogee campus.

The program is expected to begin summer 2017 with about 16 students.

According to the NSU website, the university will be responsible for the first year of the program. Sites such as Northeastern Health System in Tahlequah, the Cherokee Nation, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and Northeastern Oklahoma Community Health Center will serve as clinical sites for students’ second year.

“Northeast Oklahoma has a tremendous need for providers in rural areas,” said Physician Assistant Program Director Melody Yozzo. “Physician assistants are providers

Northeastern State University

CAMPUS ADDRESSES: 2400 W. Shawnee Bypass, Muskogee; 600 N. Grand Ave., Tahlequah; 3100 E. New Orleans, Broken Arrow.

BUSINESS OFFICE HOURS: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SERVICES OFFERED: Muskogee campus offers upper-level undergraduate and graduate programs in health care, education, business, industrial management and general studies. Tahlequah campus offers undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as a College of Optometry. Broken Arrow offers upper level undergraduate and graduate classes.

TOTAL ENROLLMENT: 9,660.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 1,554 staff

who can help fill that need.”

She said physician assistants can treat patients, prescribe medication and “work in many different areas, including primary care or emergency rooms.”

Yozzo said NSU expects to take applications for the physician assis-

and faculty, not including student employees or graduate assistants.

KEY PERSONNEL: President Dr. Steve Turner; Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Mark Arant; Vice President for Administration and Finance Dr. Aaron Christopher; Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Jerrid Freeman; Vice President for University Relations Ben Hardcastle; Dean of Muskogee Campus Dr. Tim McElroy; Dean of Broken Arrow Campus Dr. Pamela Fly. PHONE: Muskogee, (918) 683-0040; Tahlequah, (918) 456-5511; Broken Arrow, (918) 4496000.

WEBSITE: www.nsuok. edu.

tant program sometime this summer.

McElroy has reason to have high expectations for the program. The first class of NSU’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program is set to graduate this summer, he said.

“We’ve already had lots of places calling to

hire our graduates,” said Occupational Therapy Program Director Judy Melvin.

OT student Jammie Rodriguez of Wood River, Neb., said she was interested in the program because “they put a lot of emphasis on rural areas. I think a lot of us are from small towns.”

NSU officials are developing plans to remodel Muskogee’s Synar Center to accommodate the physician assistant program.

NSU Muskogee has space to grow and meet the needs of nearly 1,400 students a year.

In 2011, NSU began sharing its Muskogee campus with Connors State College. Connors had its nursing program in the Synar Center. An extra building was constructed to accommodate a bookstore and library.

In June, Connors opened a nursing and allied health facility on its Port Campus in eastern Muskogee.

McElroy said NSU Muskogee is looking for other programs that might fit student and

Northeastern State University occupational therapy students Jammie Rodriguez, left, and Cara Wilkinson take a lunch break in the NSU Muskogee lobby. The OT program is one of several ways NSU Muskogee seeks to meet the area’s health care needs.

community needs.

“We have a major in health care administration,” he said, adding that many programs are

offered online.

Reach Cathy Spaulding at (918) 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskogeephoenix.com.

New programs available for veterans at medical center

By Harrison Grimwood Phoenix Staff Writer

The Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center has proven itself to be a center of public fortitude.

An independent bicycling project designed to help veterans heal from “the wounds you can see and can’t see” was instituted in September into the medical center and will be available to veterans for the foreseeable future.

Project HERO Oklahoma will be accessible to healing veterans through a primary care provider or through a social angle, program coordinator Jason Denny said when the program began.

“I’m so excited about this — it’s actually part of the hospital’s function now,” Denny said. “The hospital believes in the merit of this program.”

Project HERO Oklahoma, part of a national effort under the moniker Ride 2 Recovery, aims to put veterans — regardless of ability or disability — on bicycles to recover from service-related injuries.

According to the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study, about 30 percent of Vietnam-era veterans suffered post-traumatic stress disorder.

And, according to Ride 2 Recovery, more than 1 million veterans have service-related injuries.

Because of Denny’s efforts, he and several other local veterans have

Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center

ADDRESS: 1011 Honor Heights Drive.

HOURS: Inpatient & Emergency Department Hours – 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

Primary Care & Mental Health Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday – 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Thursday — 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Saturday — 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

SERVICES OFFERED: Behavioral health, chaplain services, dental service, eye clinic, inpatient rehabilitation, hospice, disease prevention, a Prisoners of War program, medicine services, oncology, radiology, recreation therapy, surgical services and more.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 1,328.

KEY PERSONNEL: Acting Medical Center Director Richard L. Crockett; Chief of Staff Thomas D. Schneider.

PHONE: (918) 5773000.

WEBSITE: www. muskogee.va.gov.

built the independent program into a powerhouse of camaraderie and healing that the medical center saw fit to adopt as a possible avenue for treatment.

In addition to the new clinic, VA medical centers will be bolstered throughout the U.S. in the 2017 fiscal year by a $182 billion federal budget proposal, according to a media release.

“With a medical care

budget of $68.6 billion, including collections, the VA is positioned to continue expanding health care services to its millions of veteran patients,” the release states.

The local medical center extends countless opportunities to the public to visit healing veterans and connects with several other local groups.

In July, the medical center hosted a “Summer of Service” open house, part of a national initiative to increase volunteerism at clinics.

Representatives from the Muskogee VA Regional Office were on hand, assisting veterans with claims for benefits and to answer questions.

The medical center also semi-frequently hosts town halls and claims clinics. The town hall meetings serve as an open forum for veterans and a listening session for VA leadership.

The next town hall meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. March 12 in the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center auditorium. Information can be found online at: www. muskogee.va.gov.

New programs implemented for the future include programs such as No Veteran Dies Alone Program, the Honor Walk and the Heart Strings Concert Series.

Staff photo by Mark Hughes The No Veteran Dies Alone Program is a volMarlene Diaz, peer support specialist and Project HERO clinician, checks the air unteer program that pressure with the air pump operated by Patricia Mueggenborg-Christian. Group honors veterans in their members check tire pressure and perform safety checks before their group rides.

(See VAMC, 16)

The cyclists belong to Project HERO Oklahoma — Healing Exercise Rehabilitation Opportunity — part of a national effort under the moniker Road2Recovery, which helps veterans recover from service-related injuries through the bicycling program.

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Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016

Muskogee Civic Center

ADDRESS: 425 Boston St. HOURS: Office is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; the box office is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and open during all events.

SERVICES OFFERED: Full-service food and beverage concession stands, two full-service bars, event space, banquet rooms and a point-of-sale service.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: Five full-time employees, one part-time

supervisor and between five and 35 part-time employees for events.

KEY PERSONNEL: General Manager Kellen Seitz, Operations Manager Daniel Mahn, Accounting Manager Sheryl Evans.

PHONE NUMBER: (918) 684-6362.

WEBSITE: www.muskogeeonline.org/departments/civic_center/index. php.

EMAIL: muskogee-marketing@comcastspectacor.com.

Colton Swon, right, and Zach Swon, middle, perform during the Muskogee Salvation Army’s Beyond the Bell concert at the Muskogee Civic Center. Management of the civic center was turned over to Spectra, a subsidiary of Comcast Spectacor, in July. The pool of events at the Civic Center is showing growth as the venue gains a foothold in the local and regional marketplace.

Phoenix file photos

Civic Center events grow New management company seeks to establish pool of events

By Harrison Grimwood Phoenix Staff Writer

The Muskogee Civic Center is seeing a growth in its event pool as its new managers gain a foothold on the local and regional market.

Management of the civic center was turned over to Spectra, a subsidiary of Comcast Spectacor, in July and will continue for the foreseeable future.

“We feel pretty good about where we’re at,” said Kellen Seitz, manager of the center.

Bacone College graduates parade into the Muskogee Civic Center on Saturday afternoon for their commencement ceremony.

Spectra officials are learning the tastes and preferences of Muskogee-area residents as they continue their management of the civic center, Seitz said. Additionally, they are establishing relationships with promoters and art-

ists, both regionally and nationally.

With that, their pool of events to draw from and bring to Muskogee is growing. Their other facilities, one in Salina, Kan., and another in Enid, also provide event routing options to bring

events to Muskogee, Seitz said.

“We’re always trying to diversify our event types,” he said. “This gives us the opportunity to catch events that would otherwise have gone to Tulsa or Oklahoma City.”

Seitz said they are looking at comedy acts and a variety of music genres to include in the event lineup. Several events, including the Eastern Oklahoma Spelling Bee and the Bedouin Shriners’ basketball tournament, will maintain their long-standing tradition at the civic center.

The upgrades to the (See events, Page 16)

Outlook2016 Muskogee Phoenix

Events Continued from Page 15

audio-visual equipment will allow the management group to meet the sound requirements of larger acts.

“There is potential for something big as early as September,” Donald Root, director of the city’s new department

that oversees retail and housing development, said in a July City Council meeting.

“We’re not spending all this money at once; the A/V and food is the most important: Concessions is where you make your money.”

The immediate upgrades cost between $150,000 and $200,000.

Most of that money was used to pay for extensive kitchen upgrades

Page 16

Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016 and adding food carts.

About $40,000 will be spent for the audio-visual upgrades.

The kitchen is facing a complete overhaul.

Much of the money from the first year will go to meet long- and short-term goals for the kitchen.

Spectra officials are looking to replace refrigerators, sinks, worktables, the preparation area, vent hoods, fryer bank, griddle, and a six-burner range.

The Muskogee Civic Center, located in downtown Muskogee, offers more than 8,500 square feet of meeting space in six rooms of various sizes. In addition, the arena floor consists of 8,568 square feet for larger meetings, trade shows, or banquets for corporate gatherings, according to a media release.

Reach Harrison GrimPhoenix file photo wood at (918) 684-2926 or harrison.grimwood@ Bronko Carr of Bronko’s Pit Q in Checotah shows off muskogeephoenix.com. his vegetable entry during the 2016 Soul Food Cook Off.

VAMC

dying veterans. Those interested in volunteering for the program can contact Voluntary Service at (918) 577-3621 “Honor Walk” Inpatient Memorial Procession is a program to honor veterans who die

Continued from Page 14

final days and hours of life. Volunteers provide presence, companionship and reassurance to

at the medical center.

The veteran is draped with an American flag covering, and a procession is conducted slowly through the main entrance of hospital and proceeds out the Emergency Department exit to the funeral home vehicle. Employees and veterans line the hallways and either cover their heart or salute as the procession passes by.

Heart Strings Con-

cert Series is a once-amonth event. Members of the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra perform music for veterans at the hospital as part of the series. In October 2013, T.D. Williamson Inc. began sponsoring the concert series which will continue throughout 2016.

Reach Harrison Grimwood at (918) 684-2926 or harrison.grimwood@ muskogeephoenix.com.

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Muskogee Phoenix

Page 17

Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016

OMHOF Continued from Page 12

his letter of support for the production of a second season. “It promotes music from the entire state to the entire state — this is an important first.”

Halsey said past attempts by others who have undertaken that task “never quite hit the mark,” but “this one does.” He went on to describe the program as “the best show of its type in Oklahoma” and a “tremendous vehicle” for the promotion of OMHOF, Muskogee and Oklahoma music.

Blair said advancements that have been made since that 2012 retreat “stand as a testament of how far we have come during the past four years.” He is optiStaff photo by D.E. Smoot mistic about OMHOF’s The Frisco Depot, home of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and Museum, oc- future now that the orcupies a prominent space in Muskogee’s Depot District, a downtown area being ganization has adopted developed as a hub for the arts and entertainment. what he described as a

“viable plan” for the future.

That plan includes a plan for future funding from a fee tacked on to all G Fest tickets that will be dedicated for the support of OMHOF operations, and other fees will be directed to the city to help fund infrastructure improvements at Love-Hatbox Sports Complex. Blair said once the festival becomes profitable, which he

projects will occur after the third year, a share of those profits will be available to the city for its Love-Hatbox master development plan.

“Now, we have a viable plan and it’s up to us to implement it,” Blair said. “The pressure is on us to deliver — we can deliver if we all work together.”

Reach D.E. Smoot at (918) 684-2901 or dsmoot @muskogeephoenix.com.

F OR T G IBSON W ELCOMES Y OU !

T HE R EAL S TORY I N P UBLIC E DUCATION

Many people are inundated with news that public schools are failing, when in actuality the 5% of schools deemed failing in Oklahoma are defining the other 95%. The truth is that far too many students are failing or dropping out of school and the state, community, and schools need to continue to reduce that number. What many people don’t realize is that in the last ten years the Oklahoma single-year dropout rates have dropped and high school graduation rates have increased. Fort Gibson Schools graduation rate is almost 97%!

Many people do not realize that Oklahoma scores consistently at the top of the 18 southern region states that test over 50% of their students on the ACT. In 2012-2013, the gap between Oklahoma’s average ACT score (20.7) and the national average ACT score (21) was only one-tenth of a standard score deviation. This is the smallest gap in the Oklahoma and national ACT score in over 25 years! Fort Gibson Public School’s ACT average (22) has increased steadily for the last six years with the district goal being a lofty 23!

Keith Hardware & Supply, Inc. 911 S Lee Fort Gibson, OK 74434 918-478-2327 www.keithtruevalue.com

Parental support of their public schools is consistently high on national surveys.

Oklahoma students score slightly below the national average on the National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP) exam. The NAEP and PISA exams are the two exams used to compare US schools to other countries. The fact is that the United States has always lagged somewhat on the NAEP and PISA exams, but at the same time the US has consistently been a leader on the PISA projection of entrepreneurial capability and patents. In my opinion, this is proof of the power of public education’s emphasis on extra-curricular activities and the soft skills and creativity that are learned through participation in clubs and teams.

Miracles happen when people choose to go the “extra” mile for someone else. We have a GREAT school because our teachers and staff at Fort Gibson Schools go the extra mile for kids!

Just a few examples of excellence that make our school unique:

• Consistent area leader in State Test Scores.

• ACT has risen for the past six years.

• Innovative Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) technology initiative at all grade levels.

• Leader in the use of digital resources for education.

• Leadership provides “virtual learning” on snow days.

• Career graduation portfolio required to graduate.

• Innovative student advocacy program that involves student-lead parent teacher conferences.

• One of the top Vocational Agriculture programs in the state.

• A STEM education leader with “Making and Tinkering Labs” in the lower elementary, LEGO robotics in the upper elementary, middle school “Gateway to Technology Program including robotics, and high school robotics.

• Multiple state championships in various sports.

• Three time band sweepstakes winner and current state champion.

• Top Notch Speech and Drama Department

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Muskogee Phoenix

Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016

Page 18

Staff photo by Cathy Spaulding

Work progresses on a Home2 Suites extended-stay hotel on U.S. 69 south of Shawnee Bypass. The hotel is one of two being built in that area.

Construction booms around Muskogee

By Cathy Spaulding Phoenix Staff Writer

Muskogee has seen a lot of bricks and mortar action over the past year.

City of Muskogee building official Dan Hurd said commercial and residential projects “have had very positive progress in construction and remodeling.”

He said that in the 2015 calendar year, his

office had 63 permits for new residential construction, 321 for residential remodels, 20 for new commercial buildings and 47 for commercial remodels.

“Residential is always going to have more in terms of numbers, but now we are seeing considerable increases in commercial permits,” Hurd said.

For example, two new

hotels are under construction around U.S. 69 and Shawnee Bypass.

A Home2 Suites, under construction on Military Boulevard, is to have 80 extended-stay suites and could be finished this spring.

A three-story Studio 6 extended-stay hotel is being built south of Shawnee.

(See Building, Page 19)

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Muskogee Phoenix

Page 19

Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016

Staff photos by Cathy Spaulding

Volunteer Mike Stroup stocks cans at Catholic Charities, a ministry of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Local churches seek to meet people’s physical and spiritual needs.

Churches fill all kinds of needs

By Cathy Spaulding Phoenix Staff Writer

More than 100 churches in and around Muskogee offer ample opportunities to help others — physically, socially and spiritually.

At least one Muskogee church even houses a clinic.

“We have a denture clinic, an eye doctor, a Faith Community Nurse, clothes closet and Celebrate Recovery program,” said the Rev. Dr. Gary Smith, pastor of Central Baptist Church, 624 East Side Blvd.

The Faith Community Nurse makes home visits and sees patients at the church by appointment or walk-in.

Smith modestly calls the clinic a ministry.

“We just do ministry to care for the needs of people,” he said. “It’s church members just doing different things to meet different needs.”

C h u r ch members reach out to Muskogee’s needy through food pantries, clothes closets and infant supply closets and other areas.

For example, members of St. Joseph Catholic Church volunteer each weekday morning at Muskogee Catholic Charities, 1220 W.

Building Continued from Page 18

Hampton Inn, 3100 Military Blvd., is adding 30 rooms, a meeting room and a sweet shop, said front office manager Heather Tucker. She said the addition could be completed by late spring or early summer.

In addition, construction continues on Three Rivers Plaza, a shopping center on Shawnee Bypass that already boasts Dick’s Sporting Goods and Ulta Beauty store. Foundation has been laid for a smaller strip shopping center on Shawnee, just west of Main Street.

New houses are going up within walking distance of downtown Muskogee, the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and Three Rivers Museum. They are aptly named Muskogee Arts District homes.

Charlesetta Lenzy of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church shows one of the skirts available at its clothes closet.

The church operates a clothes closet and food pantry Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings.

Broadway.

Director Liliana Carbone said Catholic Charities serves an average of 300 households a month.

The program is so

busy, the church is seeking funding to expand the Catholic Charities building, Carbone said.

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church opened The Rev. Ben Noble Food

& Clothing Pantry shortly after moving into its downtown facility, 500 W. Broadway, last year.

The ministry was named for the Rev. Ben Noble, who was Antioch’s pas-

tor for 57 years until his death in 2011.

Muskogee churches also work together to meet community needs.

For example, the Good Shepherd Free Medical

Clinic is a joint initiative of St. Joseph Catholic Church and St. Paul United Methodist Church.

Volunteers from several churches help cook and deliver hot lunches to shut-ins through Meals on Wheels programs.

Vo l u n t e e r Elaine Brownell helps prepare meals in the Bethany Presbyterian Church kitchen. She said volunteers serve about 16 to 20 people a week.

Churches offer other, more unique, ways to reach out.

First Baptist Church has a Cruizaders fellowship for people interested in cars.

Timothy Baptist Church and First Assembly of God offer activities — and fireworks — to help celebrate Independence Day. Ward Chapel AME Church has presented dramas, including the recent presentation of James Weldon Johnson’s “God’s Trombones.”

“This is the Bible in verse,” said the Rev. Carneta Cooper, assistant pastor.

Reach Cathy Spaulding at (918) 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskogeephoenix.com.

foot houses will have two bathrooms and a onecar garage. They will be equipped with appliances, including a washer and a dryer.

Hurd said the houses “look to be on schedule for completion later this year.”

“In terms of building, we feel very positive about the current direction,” Hurd said. “There are numerous projects both commercial and residential. Permitting is up over the past two years in terms of total numbers of permits. We had averaged 1,200 to 1,300 permits per year in 2012 and 2013. But the past two years, we have exceeded 1,500.

History tells us that we will go the direction the needle points, and I think the common feeling is Muskogee’s needle Staff photo by Cathy Spaulding is pointing upward and the numbers prove it.”

Work is underway on a Studio 6 extended-stay hotel on U.S. 69 south of Shawnee Bypass.

Reach Cathy SpauldHousing Plus LLC is Fourth and Fifth streets, Homes will be offered housing initiative. ing at (918) 684-2928 According to a bro- or cspaulding@muskbuilding 28 three-bed- south of Elgin Street. to low-income families room houses along Muskogee Arts District through an affordable chure, the 1,376 square- ogeephoenix.com.