Nov - Dec 2018
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New To The Scene
Index Letter From The Editor Remember in November Senior In The Spotligh: Elizabeth Watts Letter From City Manager: Elizabeth Gray New To The Scene: Boulder Coffee Healthy In November SSPS Athletics Calendar Where Are They Now: Chris Thurmond Sandite Chatter We Are Sand Springs Calendar Sandites in Service: Coat Drive Stay Heathy & Active In Sand Springs HomeTown Holiday: A Christmas Celebration
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It is time to decorate our homes and celebrate life with those closest to us, the holiday season has arrived! Pullout the pumpkins, light the seasonal candles, bake the cookies, crank up the music and let's get merry Sandites. This time of year, while joyous, can bring on stresses that are lessened during the rest of the year. No matter your struggles I'd like to encourage you this season and ask that you find those people in your life that will speak life to you and encourage you through this time of year. Perhaps you are struggling with the grief from the loss of a loved one or missing your hometown.. know that you are loved! We have added many ways for us all to stay healthy over the holidays in this edition as a reminder to take care of our own health during this season of giving. After all, you can't pour into others when you cup is empty. So take the walk, read a book, be with gracious people and enjoy this season of life.
Danielle Myers Send us a letter or email: 118 N Main St Sand Springs, OK 74063 info@wearesandsprings.com 918-521-1810
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Remember in November
REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER During this season of giving we'd like to remind our fellow Sandites of all ages to stay healthy during this time of year. With all of the delicious foods around during the holidays remembering to take care of your physical health with practical physical activity is key. With cluttered schedules, remembering to take time to stay mentally healthy will allow you to enjoy the beautiful chaos of the holiday season. So, Remember THIS November to take care of yourself and allow your health to be a priority for the benefit of yourself and your loved ones.
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Senior In The Spotlight
Elizabeth Watts
National Merit Scholar finalist Elizabeth Watts Her best time ever for a 5k, an impressive 21:37! is looking ahead to her bright future, hopefully She says one of the most impactful teachers one involved in solving some of the world’s most has been in her high school life for several years. complex environmental “Taking easy classes isn’t problems. “My math teacher, Mr. very challenging sometimes. It Rotert, he’s been my math Watts, a senior at teacher for three years will help you in the future.” Charles Page High School, is and teaches the advanced our featured Senior in the math classes. He’s a good Spotlight! teacher.” She’s deeply involved in academics and says she loves her time in Sand Springs, which has helped shape her career goals. Watts is a member of the Cross Country and Academic Teams at Charles Page High School.
She’s taken that knowledge, coupled with history knowledge, and applied it to the Academic Team, a group of Sandites who compete against other local schools in ‘quiz bowl-like’ competitions. Their last win, about a month ago against Bishop Kelly High School!
Elizabeth Watts
Senior In The Spotlight
Sand Springs has tons of outdoor activities, and Watts tells us her love for the outdoors has inspired her desired career path. “I really like hanging out outside, how pretty the environment is,” Watts said. “I really want to be an environmental engineer, because it sounded cool..” She says her hope is to get her college education at the University of Oklahoma, before moving on to her Master’s Degree. And if Watts could do anything in her career, she says she’d want to help solve some complex issues facing our oceans. “I’d fix all of the trash that is going out to the oceans and polluting everywhere, it’s not good,” Watts said. “No one is really cleaning it up. There is a ton of trash.” For students in the heart of their high school careers at Sand Springs Public Schools, Watts encourages them to challenge themselves. “My advice would be to take harder classes because it really benefits you,” Watts said. “Taking easy classes isn’t very challenging sometimes. It will help you in the future.” Elizabeth, we are all proud of you! Go Sandites!
November 2018 | WeAreSandSprings.com 9
CITY OF SAND SPRINGS Article by City Manager Elizabeth Gray
City Attorney David Weatherford was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame for City and Town Officials at the 17th annual induction ceremony held on September 13, 2018, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Hall of Fame for City and Town Officials Foundation was created on January 19, 2000, and its sole purpose is to select and honor deserving individuals who have made significant contributions to the conduct and practice of city and town government in Oklahoma. That same evening, Mayor Mike Burdge was awarded the Don Rider Award. Don C. Rider was recognized by his peers, Oklahoma’s municipal officials, and Oklahoma legislators as one who was devoted to his duties and who maintained unquestionable morals and ethics. The award was first established in 1988 to recognize outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to their community as well as their profession through personal growth and involvement. The commitment and devotion of our employees and elected officials continue to amaze me. If you need a role model, inspiration, or insight, look no further. Mayor Mike Burdge and City Attorney David Weatherford have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share. Both men make their jobs look easy. Their legacy of leadership with integrity will serve Sand Springs for generations to come.
November 2018 | WeAreSandSprings.com 11
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Boulder Coffee, Sand Springs’ new local coffee shop, is now open for business. Located at 118 N. Main Street in historic downtown Sand Springs just inside the We Are Sand Springs and Myers Marketing headquarters, Boulder Coffee offers great coffee with friendly and welcoming service. With a centralized place to do business in, D.A. and Danielle Myers’ long-awaited vision of being coffee shop owners has come to life. “We are so excited to add to the growing buzz of new business in downtown Sand Springs”, Danielle said. “Mostly though, I am most excited to meet everyone we have been talking to online for 7 years through We Are Sand Springs. This space will have a little something for everyone.” Boulder Coffee makes a statement when you drive by on Main Street with its unique sign towering over the quaint, double windowed storefront. Once inside, there’s plenty of space for people to sit, study, chat over a cup of coffee, and have a good time. The coffee shop has traditional coffee offerings such as lattes, shots of espresso with or without cream, americanos, cappuccinos, cold brews, macchiatos and more. In the spirit of supporting local, Boulder Coffee is working with a Tulsa roaster to supply Sand Springs with an exceptional espresso bean! “Our desire is to be a creative place for our community to gather and stay caffeinated. We want to encourage everyone to Think Bold and Be Boulder!” Learn more about Boulder Coffee on their website bouldercoffeeok.com or on social media @bouldercoffeeok.
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November 2018 | WeAreSandSprings.com 15
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We talked with three local experts to see why each phase is fundamental for a healthier life.
Physical Health
Mental Health
Crossfit Sand Springs Owners Matt and Rose Tavagloine know what it’s like helping people stay fit all year, no matter the season. Matt tells us people tend to get busy in the fall and winter months, but physical fitness still needs to be on everyone’s mind.
Get mentally prepared for the colder months with Cornerstone Christian Counseling LPC-Candidate D.A. Myers. He says maintaining your mental health is key for a positive, healthy attitude.
“A lot of research points to when you exercise with intensity and resistance training, it releases hormones, testosterone and endorphins. I’ve seen people get off of their blood pressure medicine when they are consistent and exercising regularly. They are seeing results.”
"The winter months are filled with holidays and family, but while for some this is enjoyable, for some it is just plain stressful. Daily mindfulness and monitoring self-talk during the holidays is extremely important for your individual mental health. It will also help with family dynamics and make the season a little more enjoyable."
Spiritual Health Sand Springs’ Reach Church Missions Pastor Michael Wilson tells us his answer might be a little different from others when asked about why maintaining spiritual health during the holidays is important. “I would say that in any season of life, you need to guard your inner circle of friends like your life depends on it. The fact is that you become like those you spend the most time with. If you want good spiritual health, you need to spend time with people who have good spiritual health. If you want to get fit, you hang out with those who are fit. If you want to learn how to run a business, you hang out with successful business people. If you want to learn how to manage money, you don’t take advice from broke people.”
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Where are they now?
Chris Thurmond
Where Are They Now? Football was in Chris Thurmond’s blood since he was a kid in Sand Springs. “I stood up in 5th grade and said I wanted to be a coach.” And coach he has...for more than 40 years at both the high school and collegiate levels.
talks with to this day, impacted him as a student, along with many other teachers in Sand Springs. “Even coaching today, all the time I can hear my dad in my voice. He was always a ‘you can do it’ guy. He always made people want to do things rather than have to do things. That’s how I approach life and coaching.”
The Thurmond family are all Sandites through and through. Chris was honored with an induction into the Sand Springs Education Foundation (SSEF) Hall of Fame in 2015. Naming his dad “Longtime (Sandite) wrestling coach Bob Bill Thurmond as one of his biggest influences Lyons, he was a great coach, but an ever better throughout life, Chris said “He was the ultimate history teacher,” Chris said. encourager.” “He made me want to be a history teacher and Bill Thurmond was an elementary school high school coach. That’s the way I started out.” teacher, coach and principal at Sand Springs Public Schools from around 1950 until the early And as far as the rest of his educators in Sand 1980’s. Springs…. “Even coaching today, all the time I can hear “Every one of my teachers, I can remember my dad in my voice. He was always a ‘you can them all by name. They were all phenomenal. I do it’ guy. He always made people want to do never remember having a bad one.” things rather than have to do things. That’s how I approach life and coaching.” Chris Thurmond coached at Charles Page High School for a number of years as a defensive Chris graduated from the University of Tulsa backs coach, and as a head coach in 1982. He also with a degree in education, affected heavily by coached at the University of Tulsa for more than his teachers in Sand Springs. He shared with us 8 years, serving as the cornerbacks and defensive that his 5th grade teacher Julia Martin, who he still backs coach from early 80s to early 90s.
Chris Thurmond
Where are they now?
“If everybody in Sand Springs would take the attitude that the Sand Springs Education Association and Foundation has, people will realize that without education, we can accomplish very little.”
Sprinkled in his 40-year tenure, he saw coaching bouts on the defensive side of the ball at major universities like the University of Oklahoma, TCU, Alabama, Texas A&M, University of Houston, Kentucky, Rice, and East Carolina. He helped take teams to 15 bowl games, including a stint as the Interim Head Coach for the University of Houston during the 2007 Texas Bowl. Currently, Chris is an analyst for Oklahoma State Football under coach Mike Gundy, and tells us Gundy is one of the best coaches, and friends, he has ever worked for. “The best thing about Gundy is the culture,” Chris said. “Because of him OSU is second to none. Mike is unbelievably well-read, intelligent, thinks outside the box, and makes everyone want to be better.” Chris credits his successes and lifelong passion for coaching and education to the great members of the Sand Springs community. “If everybody in Sand Springs would take the attitude that the Sand Springs Education Association and Foundation has, people will realize that without education, we can accomplish very little.”
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#wearesandsprings @wearesandsprings 22 WeAreSandSprings.com | November 2018
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"THE ART OF GIVING" CHRISTMAS TREE EXHIBIT At S.S Museum Until Dec 31
2 ANGELS TOY RUN Starting at TCC
BLACK FRIDAY
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VETERANS' DAY Observed Monday, Nov 12
KEYSTONE ANCIENT FOREST OPEN HIKE From 8am - 2pm
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LIGHTS ON! CHANDLER PARK information on this...
24 SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
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FALL BACK Daylight Savings Ends
WORLD KINDNESS DAY
KEYSTONE ANCIENT FOREST OPEN HIKE From 8am - 2pm
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CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING Sand Spring's Downtown Triangle 7pm
5 SAND SPRINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OPEN FORUM At Tulsa Technology Center from 12-1P.M.
KEYSTONE ANCIENT FOREST OPEN HIKE From 8am - 2pm
21 - 23 6 ELECTION DAY The polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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COAT DRIVE
CYBER MONDAY
SSPS THANKSGIVING BREAK
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KEYSTONE ANCIENT FOREST OPEN HIKE Hike with your Dog Day From 8am - 2pm
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30 FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS CHRISTMAS PARADE Sand Spring's Downtown Triangle 7pm - 10pm
Donate to the 3rd annual Sand Springs Coat Drive benefiting Sandites in need of warmth this winter. This month drop off your gently used winter coats at the following locations:
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HOMETOWN HOLIDAY: A CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION FESTIVAL AT THE TRIANGLE 12pm - 9pm Saturday 1pm - 6pm Sunday
" WHEN MERRY COMES HOME FOR CHRISTMAS" Sand Springs Community Theatre 2:30pm
CHRISTMAS DAY
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31 NEW YEAR'S EVE
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
ADVENT BEGINS
14 3 SAND SPRINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OPEN FORUM At Tulsa Technology Center from 12-1P.M.
CASETIME FREE MOVIE SERIES A Wrinkle in Time - Rated PG at Case Community Center - 7pm
1 NEW YEARS DAY
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PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY
SSPS WINTER BREAK Until Jan 3
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KEYSTONE ANCIENT FOREST OPEN HIKE From 8am - 2pm " WHEN MERRY COMES HOME FOR CHRISTMAS" Sand Springs Community Theatre 7pm
SSPS WINTER BREAK ENDS
7 SAND SPRINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OPEN FORUM At Tulsa Technology Center from 12-1P.M.
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CHRISTMAS EVE
KEYSTONE ANCIENT FOREST OPEN HIKE From 8am - 2pm
WH AT ’S H A P P E N I NG AT BUBBLET OW N TUN N EL Phase three-of-four is taking shape at Bubbletown Tunnel in Prattville. BIG changes will affect the way you can get your car washed. The largest difference, an Unlimited Membership Option for Bubbletown Tunnel customers, allowing easy drive up access with different tiers of service. If you decide not to become a member, that’s okay, you can still go through the tunnel the traditional way. FOUR PHASES OF PROGRESS COMPLETE - Vacuum bays’ canopy structure upgraded in July IN PROGRESS- Upgraded car wash bay in early October IN PROGRESS - Bubbletown Tunnel getting new equipment and new signage COMING SOON - Starting in early 2019, Bubbletown Tunnel will raise Bay 6 by almost 3 feet and add a canopy structure to the spot where cars enter the tunnel WHAT TO EXPECT AS A MEMBER As a member, you’ll have a RFID tag, much like a toll tag, that is automatically drafted from your account monthly. When you pull up to the tunnel, your tag will be read, the gate will open and you’ll be in and out very quickly…. Hands free! UNLIMITED MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS CLASSIC $19.95 - Your classic tunnel wash, now with bug blasting and wheel cleaning. DELUXE $29.95 - Classic option + Tri Foam and Paint Protection. THE WORKS (Options NEW to Bubbletown) $39.95 - Classic + Deluxe, accompanied with Carnauba Wax, Bubble Falls, and a tire shine.
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Sand Springs Coat Drive
Sandites in Service
The 3rd annual Sand Springs Coat Drive is Sand Springs Community Services helps to back in action, helping give coats to those who identify needs through the organizations many need them the most this winter. services and networks. Now through December, drop off your unwanted, gently used coats to be cleaned and distributed to those in need in the Sand Springs community.
“Helping people is the whole reason we’re in business.”
“River Stone Cleaners, We Are Sand Springs and the Sand Springs Community Services started this event to help those in need,” said owner Danielle Myers “Helping people is the whole reason we’re in business.”
There will be four locations where you can drop your coats: 1. We Are Sand Springs Offices: 118 North Main Street
2. Riverstone 3402 South 113th West Avenue
Cleaners:
3. Sand Springs Pumpkin Patch: Off of Highway 412 in front of Big Blast Fireworks, exit 117 4. Entrances of Boo on Broadway on October 28th!
Riverstone Cleaners has been kind enough to clean every coat that’s donated, readying them Keep an eye out for a clearly-marked bin at for their next owners. each location where you can drop your coats. November 2018 | WeAreSandSprings.com 27
The heat has come and gone but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t find ways to stay active during the colder months. Sand Springs has events and activities you can try all winter long.
WALK THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS CHRISTMAS PARADE A night out with family and friends looking at Christmas lights can be a great. Grab a cup of cocoa and walk the Triangle on Friday, November 30th; take in the sights and sounds of Sand Springs’ annual Christmas parade and light festival.
HIKE THE KEYSTONE ANCIENT FOREST The Keystone Ancient Forest is amazing, all year round. When most of the leaves fall, the trails still stay open! If you want to get out and be with nature, all you need is to clear your schedule on a Saturday from 8am to 2pm. You can hike the trails on November 3rd, 17th, and 24th and on December 8th. You can also get a hike in with your dog on November 17th!
UNWIND AT THE CABINS AT KEYSTONE STATE PARK When the temperatures drop, the warm drinks start flowing and the need for a campfire sets in. Sitting by a fire can be a relaxing experience, and if you need some winding down time, take a drive over to the Cabins at Keystone State park. Toss some lawn chairs by the fire, grab a warm blanket, a great book, and let the fire set the tone for a relaxing evening.
GOLF THE CANYONS AT BLACKJACK RIDGE With tee times for anyone wanting to try out their swing, the Canyons at Blackjack Ridge have 18 holes with your golf ball’s name on it. Positioned in the hills and canyons of north Sand Springs, you can have a getaway that’s still in town. Take in breathtaking views of the Tulsa skyline, coupled with drastic elevation changes, and you’ve found a way to unwind with a good, but challenging day of golf. 28 WeAreSandSprings.com | November 2018
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Keep your pet safe during the Winter months A guide for keeping your pets away from potential Winter holiday situations Winter is upon us. The leaves have fallen, a big Thanksgiving meal is coming up, and Christmas season is in the air. But with everything great about the upcoming Winter season, we want to let you know about several potential dangers posed to your pets during the Winter months. Allergies. With the changing of seasons, your pets can develop allergies. The most common symptom of pet allergies is itchy skin. This manifests itself most commonly through scratching, but allergic pets might also lick their feet frequently, rub their faces, shake their heads, and have recurring skin and ear infections. For seasonally affected pets, both cats and dogs, treatments can range from antihistamines, shampoos, fattyacid supplements, oral anti-inflammatory medication, and even allergy testing. Let us know so we can get your pet the right treatment. Holiday Foods. Candy, particularly chocolate, is a great treat for humans, but not for your dogs or cats! Those begging eyes, waddling tails, and purrs that follow you around can have you thinking twice about throwing your pet half of your chocolate candy bar, but don’t give in! Chocolate is threatening to your pet any time of the year, and with a lot more sweet treats lying around, your pet might be more tempted to get into them. New Visitors. Is the family coming over for the holidays? Make sure your pet is properly socialized because you don’t want them darting out of the front door when your visitors come in! If you have family or friends coming over, be cognizant of how your pet act when others are around and take the necessary precautions. Your Backyard. You should maintain your yard all year round, but Fall’s leaves especially call for your attention. If you haven’t picked up all the leaf piles, yet, know that they can be a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Piles commonly contain sticks, that if ingested, can cause gastrointestinal damage to your pet. Be aware, pick up, and you won’t have to worry!
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Friday, November 30th kicks off Sand Springs’ annual Hometown Holiday: A Christmas Celebration. The lights at the Triangle mark the beginning of the celebration, starting with a flip the switch at 6:30 p.m. The Christmas Parade follows at 7 p.m. The celebration will be on December 1st from 12-9 p.m. and on December 2nd from 1-6 p.m. New this year, Tulsa Tech is building a Santa Cottage, where Santas from the Sand Springs community can take your kids’ wishes in two-hour spans. There will also be band performances, dance performances, choirs, Tulsa Symphony Brass Quartet and Quintet, Food trucks, Craft booths, Carriage Rides, and much much moe. The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce is looking for groups to get involved like singers, bands, choirs, plays, kids performances, fundraiser groups and other creative ideas. They are working to get the Tulsa Symphony Brass Quintette to join the celebration, as well as food trucks and craft vendors.
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