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Man, is it just me or was January not just yesterday? Time is hard to grasp a hold of but I try every chance I get to slow down and focus on things that are important to me. One thing that has been a hot topic in Oh18's office is education.
Being a Chickasha High School Alumni, CHS has always held a special place in my heart. There are many people in Chickasha who have shaped who I've become and I know the importance our town has on our youth. This is why Kristen and I felt it was important to sit down with our very own Superintendent, Rick Croslin, to get an inside scoop of CPS for this issue of Oh18.
My take away from our conversation is Mr. Croslin is here to get his hands dirty, work with our community and elevate Chickasha to a district everyone can be proud to be a part of. Check out our Spotlight article for a full break down and keep an eye out for the release for our entire interview.
To hear Mr. Croslin speak about CPS, the staff and students it's obvious he has a passion for Chickasha, which is exactly what we are all about here at Oh18. Chickasha continues to grow and prosper because of people like Mr. Croslin who have Chickasha's best interest at heart. It's our duty as a community to assist each other, lift each other up, have the hard conversations and grow because of them.
Our community is blessed with many individuals who have this same passion. Time for the hard question: what are you doing to elevate Chickasha? Are you volunteering, are you giving praise where it's due...
Stay kind, friends!
Kristyn Allbritton Co-Owner, Oh18
We escaped! Having been to other escape rooms across the State, I can honestly say Adventurescape has the best rooms. The detail of the story and the interactive rooms are unmatched.
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Kristen McGregor
COPY EDITOR
Kristyn Allbritton
PHOTOGRAPHY
Kristyn Allbritton
DESIGN & LAYOUT
Kristen McGregor
ON THE COVER
Jungle Ice Fun Zone Rock Island Grill
ADVERTISING
Interested in placing an ad in the next issue of Oh18 Magazine? Please contact us at oh18.livelocal@gmail.com or call us for more information at 405.219.4397.
©Copyright 2024 Oh18 Publishing and Oh18 Magazine. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced without prior written consent of Publisher. Oh18 Magazine is published bimonthly and distributed in Chickasha.
7/4
Stars & Handlebars Parade
Shannon Springs Park
7/4
Fireworks Show
Shannon Springs Park
7/5
Freedom After Party
Dillon Hanley & Guests*
Legends Pubhouse & Venue
7/5 - 7/7
Sooner State Morgan Horse Show
Grady County Fairgrounds
7/6
Kim Hunter*
Shakespeare Wine Company
7/10
Framing the Red*
Legends Pubhouse & Venue
7/11 - 7/13
OK State 4H Horse Show
Grady County Fairgrounds
7/12
Born in November*
The Stage
7/12
Jeff Butler*
Shakespeare Wine Company
7/13
Movies by the Leg
Chickasha Leg Lamp
7/13
TJ Wixx Band*
The Stage
7/18
Demun Jones & Guests*
Legends Pubhouse & Venue
7/19
Brantley Cowan*
The Stage
7/19
ES Walker*
Shakespeare Wine Company
7/19 - 7/20
Legends Tribute Festival*
Legends Pubhouse & Venue
7/20
Movies by the Leg
Chickasha Leg Lamp
7/20
Richard Clift Jr.*
The Stage
7/20 - 7/21
Badshot Gun Show
Grady County Fairgrounds
7/26
2600 Band*
The Stage
7/26
Jack Smiley*
Shakespeare Wine Company
7/26
Ricochet with Creek Howlers*
Legends Pubhouse & Venue
7/26 - 7/28
Barrel Bash
Grady County Fairgrounds
7/27
John the Franklin*
Shakespeare Wine Company
7/27
1999 The Legacy of Prince*
Legends Pubhouse & Venue
7/27
DJ Red Foxx*
The Stage
7/27
Christmas in July Block Party
Downtown Chickasha
7/29 - 7/30
Auditions: The Complete Works of William
Shakespeare
Chickasha Community
Theatre
8/1
Legends Comedy Night
Legends Pubhouse & Venue
8/2
TJ Braem Band*
The Stage
8/3
Kaleo*
The Stage
8/9
Honky-Tonk Heroes*
Legends Pubhouse & Venue
8/9
Lane McMillin*
The Stage
8/10
DJ Red Foxx*
The Stage
8/16
Dirt Rich Band*
The Stage
7/6-8/31
Chickasha Farmers Market
721 W Choctaw
Every Saturday Only
7/13-8/31
Live Music*
Shakespeare Wine Company
Every Friday & Saturday
(no live music 7/5)
8/16
Brad Good*
Shakespeare Wine Company
8/16 - 8/18
Boardwalk Melody
Hour Murders
Chickasha Community Theatre
8/17
ES Walker*
Shakespeare Wine Company
8/17
Born in November*
The Stage
8/22 - 8/24
Grady County Free Fair
Grady County Fairgrounds
8/23
Live Music*
The Stage
8/23
Confederate Railroad* Legends Pubhouse & Venue
8/24
Live Music*
The Stage
8/30
Bryan Gerhart*
The Stage
8/30
Jeff Butler*
Shakespeare Wine Company
8/31
Kaleo*
The Stage
with Nate McCalla, Alabaster Advisors
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK OR VISIT
OH18MAGAZINE.COM/EVENTS FOR UP-TO-DATE EVENTS
*Live Music
What's your favorite place in town?
Downtown Chickasha
What makes this place your favorite spot in town?
The renewed energy that comes with a blend of established businesses and new ones that are incredible at serving locals and visitors.
What was your first impression when you visited?
You can't help but have a positive first impression. It is vibrant but not overwhelming. We have incredible restaurants, fun shopping, and incredible events hosted downtown regularly.
How often do you visit there?
Daily...I enjoy having an office downtown!
What unique features or qualities does this place have that made it stand out to you?
Local business owners that get to know their customers!
Can you share a memorable experience you've had there?
There are so many experiences, like the Annual Food Truck festival. But, maybe my favorite is seeing all the people / families for the Annual Christmas Parade, especially the lights over the street!
What would you recommend others try or do when they visit?
Try a dessert from Crazy 8, check out our Art scene and businesses, find the perfect gift at Okie Mountain or Rock Island Candy, grab some food at any one of our great restaurants near the famous leg lamp, plus have a drink in the outdoor beer garden.
How would you describe the atmosphere?
Vibrant...a lot of fun, growing with more growth still to come.
Is there a personal story or connection you have that makes it special to you?
I was born and raised in Chickasha. I spent many years in bigger cities before moving back. I have a deep appreciation for the family atmosphere and charm a local community / downtown provides for residents and visitors alike!
We believe we have some of the best people leading the way for Chickasha. With each Oh18 Spotlight, we hope to shed light on the many ways these special people are impacting our small town in a big way.
What is your vision for Chickasha Public Schools? What can the community do to assist CPS in fulfilling this vision?
One of our current goals in our master strategic plan is to revise school disciplinary policies so they are consistent across all five sites. Several of our safety and security bonds projects are in progress like the new vestibules which were just completed as well as construction about to start for our tornado safe rooms at both Grand and Lincoln.
The long term vision is to continue our curriculum alignment and adoptions. Before I came here, we had not adopted curriculum in several years and now we have almost done so across all schools, all grades and all subjects. We want a district people can be proud of.
The number one way I would like the community to help is more parent involvement at every grade level, volunteering in classrooms, with PTOs, booster clubs, coming to games, concerts and book fairs. The kids love seeing mom and dad there. Also ensure your kid is at school every day - we can’t teach the kids when they aren’t there.
What is something you have done or something working behind the scenes the community may not know about?
There are a lot of things we do we don’t have a press release for. We are working on revamping discipline policies to make sure we are in alignment and have a good structure to not only discipline kids but to change behavior. We will address issues, but the goal is to change behavior so we can educate kids.
Additionally, we are looking into opening a daycare for all our staff, but this daycare will also be available for students who have babies. We need those students in school as well to continue their education.
In your opinion, what is your greatest success to date in Chickasha, the accomplishment you are most proud of?
I would say, honestly, it’s the fact we were never closed during the pandemic, except for when the State closed us. We took the safety protocols very seriously. We did everything we were told by the CDC and the health department. It was very important for us to provide education to our kids. Even though it was difficult at times, we kept our doors open.
The other accomplishment would be passing one or our two bond issues we have run in the last four years. Prior, we had not run a bond issue since 2009. This allowed us to start doing things for our schools and making renovations.
What strategies do you use to promote resilience and maintain morale among staff and students during challenging times?
One of the biggest things we do is simply communicate, listen and treat everyone with respect. When I moved here, our support staff had felt like they’d hadn’t been heard so I made an emphasis to stop and talk to them. I try to do this with as many people as I can. Again, just communicate, listen, find out what their needs are and be genuine.
How do you handle feedback and concerns from parents, students and community?
We want your feedback and comments. That’s why we send out surveys and leave space for you to put your comments. We want to know your thoughts and concerns. We want to be a district supported by our community. I am willing to talk to anyone at anytime about any issues.
Rick Croslin Superintendent, Chickasha Public Schools
In our town's buzzing food scene, appetizers are the real stars, drawing food lovers in with their awesome flavors and perfect presentations. Just like phone apps, these tasty bites are made to grab your attention and leave you wanting more. We've rounded up the hottest appetizers from local restaurants that you have to try. Exploring the appetizer scene around town has never been more fun. Each dish, crafted by our talented local chefs, offers a unique and delicious experience. So, swipe right on these delicious "apps" and get ready to treat your taste buds!
2 0 4
Medal-Worthy
As we celebrate the spirit of the Olympics, let’s also celebrate the extraordinary flavors and culinary talents that make our town’s dining scene so special. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, we invite you to embark on this gastronomic adventure and experience the gold-standard dishes that our beloved restaurants have to offer.
Flour tortillas with your choice of fajita meat, cheddar-jack, grilled and served with pico de gallo, sour cream, rice and beans. Rock Island Grill
Meat lover's pizza with a little kick.
Flower Shop
117 W Chickasha Ave | flowershopwinery.com
With choice of hot or mild BBQ sauce.
Roy's BBQ
309 W Missouri Ave | Facebook > Roy's BBQ
Customize the perfect starter meal.
Jeannie's Place
1000 W Choctaw Ave | jeanniesplace.net
Onion Burger
Made to order with fresh grilled onions.
J&W Grill
501 W Choctaw Ave | facebook.com/jandwgrill
Chicken Strips
Hand breaded and fried golden brown.
Interurban
300 W Grand Ave | interurban.us
Not your average coney piled high with the goods.
Brandi's Bar & Grill
101 W Chickasha Ave | Facebook > Brandi's Bar & Grill
Mama Carol's Scrambler
Biscuits, hash browns, eggs, sausage, gravy and cheese.
Mama Carol's
625 W 4th St | mamacarols.com
Classic Chicken Alfredo with a spicy twist.
Napoli's
1732 S 4th St | Facebook > Napoli's
Three fillings with Mozzarella and Ricotta.
Ben & Jay's Pizzeria
405 W Chickasha Ave | facebook.com/benandjaypizza
Philly Steak & Cheese
Philly cheese steak piled high with peppers on a bun.
Rock Island Grill
3509 S 4th St | Rockislandgrill.com
Blackened tilapia in two flour tortillas, fresh avocado, shredded cabbage, Monterey jack cheese, fresh pineapple salsa and bistro sauce.
Interurban
300 W Grand Ave, Chickasha interurban.us
Topped with 1000 Island dressing and red onion.
Crazy 8 Café & Coffeehouse
424 W Chickasha Ave | Facebook > Crazy 8 Café
Beef, chicken and shrimp fajitas.
La Fiesta
220 W Almar Dr | facebook.com/lafiestachickasha
Two center cut seasoned chops and two sides.
A&E Grill
802 W Grand Ave | facebook.com/aegrill
Hot dog with tomato, cucumber, pepperoncini peppers.
Paw Paw's Burgers
1028 S 4th St | pawpawsok.com
Fish seasoned, breaded and fries.
Chicken Express
1700 S 4th St | chickene.com
As we enter year five of Christmas in July, we are looking forward to a plethora of cool events and plenty of giveaways. You won't want to miss out on the fun this July!
In Chickasha, it's Christmas town year round and adding a little chill to July is just what we all need! So let's celebrate Christmas during the summer months. This Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council event begins July 1 and ends July 31 and supports local businesses. Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy some holiday spirit this July by shopping and eating local! Scan for more info!
Catch the fireworks show July 4th at Shannon Springs Park!
Restaurant Bingo is happening July 1-26. Once your bingo card is full, turn it in to the Chamber of Commerce for your chance to win big prizes. The drawing will be held July 27th at the Christmas Cooldown Block Party. The Block Party will take place at the 100 block of Chickasha Avenue from 6-8pm complete with water slides, free snowcones for the kids and plenty of family fun!
Prep your family or group ATV, golf cart, bike for the Parade of Stars and Handlebars at 10am July 4th in Shannon Springs Park! Decorate your wheels of choice and register for the parade through the Chamber. Hang out at the splash pad or playground, grab lunch or bring a pinic. Stick around for the community fireworks in the evening!
Head over to the Leg Lamp to watch A Christmas Story, July 13th starting 8pm or Elf, July 20th. Grab snacks at the event, kick back and enjoy. Don't forget a blanket or lawn chair!
To wrap up this Christmas in July fun, the Chamber and EDC will be hosting a Block Party on July 27th, starting at 6PM in the 100-200 blocks of Chickasha Avenue.
Activities include a Santa Snow Cone Social with FREE Jungle Ice snow cones for kids (from 6-7PM) and pictures with Cycle Santa, art activities with The Chickasha Area Arts Council, water slides and so much more! To top it off, catch one of many live music events happening around town. Be sure to check out the Events section on page 10 for live music around town.
Hottest Record Summer Temp
August 1936 & August 2012 113°
Number of Consecutive Days 100° or more 22 DAYS
July-August 2012
Number of tornadoes recorded in OK
July | 1950-present day
Coldest Record Summer Temp 121
August | 1950-present day
August, 1915, OKC 97 47°
What do you get when you combine an elephant with a fish?
Why did the teacher jump into the pool?
Where do ghosts like to boat on vacation?
He wanted to test the water It waves Lake Eerie
Which letter of the alphabet is the coolest?
Iced T
How can you tell that the ocean is friendly?
There has always been a place to swim in Shannon Springs Park, previously Shanoan Springs. In the 1920s, the most popular swimming hole was in the lake which had bathhouses for men and women located on the edge of the water. Visitors enjoyed swimming, fishing and picnicking along the lake.
The bathhouses were eventually torn down around the time the swimming pool was built in 1936. At this time, the pool was abnormally large at 100x200 feet. It was large enough to hold up to 400 people.
As part of the opening ceremony of the new, large pool, there was a bathing suit contest and diving contest. The temperature was so hot this day, recorded at 113 degrees, they had to dump nearly two tons of ice into the pool to make the pool water cool enough to swim.
Eventually a portion of the pool was filled in to make it the size it is today complete with diving board, shallow and deep ends along with a covered picnic area and separate covered shallow pool. It’s currently $5 to swim daily and the pool can be rented for parties and get togethers.
Step 1
In a small bowl, mix crushed cookies and butter. Press onto bottom and up the side of a greased 9-in. deep-dish pie plate.
Step 2
In a large bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar and extract; beat until stiff peaks form. In another large bowl, beat cream cheese, condensed milk and lime juice until blended. Fold in 2 cups whipped cream. Spoon into prepared crust.
Step 3
Top with remaining whipped cream; sprinkle with toasted coconut.
Step 4
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving. If desired, garnish with sliced Key limes.
• 1 package (11.3 ounces) pecan shortbread cookies, crushed (about 2 cups)
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 4 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon coconut extract
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup Key lime juice
• 1/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut, toasted
• Sliced Key limes, optional
Makes 12 servings
Breed
Silver Bengal, Scottish Straight (Niko)
Best Trick
Yoshi uses buttons to communicate with humans. Niko can walk along stair railing.
Favorite Treat
Yoshi likes freeze dried shrimp. Niko likes liquid churro treats.
Lovable Quirk
Yoshi enjoys walking outside on a leash. Niko jumps 3 ft in the air when chasing his 'birdie'.
Owner Colette & Brad Ellis
If you'd like to submit your pet for pet of the month, send a photo and info to oh18.livelocal@gmail.com.
The purpose of the USAO Foundation is to support the mission of the University. The Foundation works to invest and manage donated funds and other gifts designated for the University. These funds may be used to create endowments to supplement salaries of USAO faculty, compensate visiting professors, carry on research work in all fields in which USAO may be interested, create scholarships, and other ways that benefit the college.
The Foundation currently manages the funds of a robust scholarship program and holds funds for performance, ideas and arts series, three annual symposiums, as well as faculty and student projects.
The Foundation works with the USAO Advancement Office. The Advancement Office raises funds, helps to plan projects and serves as the on-campus voice of the Foundation.
To learn more or get involved visit usao.edu/giving/usao-foundation
