Shawnee Outlook

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CONTENTS

NOVEMBER 2021

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14

Art of the Matter: Castles In Your Hand

10

Shawnee Native Receives Honors

13

Over The Fence: Waiting Is The Hardest Part

departments 6

KEEP THE CHANGE

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NUTRITION 101

24

SONIC CONTEST

25

SHAWNEE HISTORY

Santa Returns For Holiday Events

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MENTAL HEALTH

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Dreams In Action: Make-A-Wish, OKC Production Company Work With Young Local Artist

30

CALENDAR

OBU Theatre Stages 'Vintage Hitchcock'

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Locally Created Art: Handmade Gifts Are Options In Reportedly ShortageAffected Holiday Season

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Teaching the Fundamentals of Wrestling

MANAGING EDITOR David Dinsmore ADVERTISING SALES Brad Carter

WRITERS

Andrea Beck Jamie Bergsten Alicja Carter David Dinsmore Brandon Dyer Madelyn Kufahl Ann McDonald Angela Rowland Brenna Stanford Carmen Wolf

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features

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Volume 18, Number 9 Shawnee Outlook is a publication of Okie Icon Media. © 2021 Okie Icon Media

Articles and advertisements in Shawnee Outlook do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or Okie Icon Media. Okie Icon Media does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The acceptance of advertising

by Shawnee Outlook does not constitute endorsement of products, services, political candidates/parties or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service that is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Shawnee Outlook assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials.

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5

keep the change

BAKE UP SAVINGS I

t’s the time of year for being in the kitchen. We’re heading into the season of turkey, stuffing and baked goods galore. If you love all of the above, here are some tips to save on ingredients.

• Shop at Aldi – Many baking ingredients just cost less at Aldi. It’s a great place to stock up on the basics – flour, sugar, oil, butter, etc.

• Use Grocery Pick-Up – Sometimes recipes call for specialty ingredients that are difficult to locate in the store. Take advantage of online ordering features and Angela Rowland curbside pick-up at some grocery stores to cut down on your time searching the aisles. You’ll need to plan ahead but not by too much, as most of these services require scheduling 1-2 days out.

• Buy in bulk. Sam’s Club offers all your baking and cooking basics – flour, sugars, spices, etc – in larger quantities, which is great when you anticipate really rolling out those breads and sweets.

• Buy from bulk stores. Stores like Whole Foods and Sprouts in Oklahoma City offer bulk food sections. Bring your own container to be ecofriendly and stock up on the ingredients you need right in the store.

• Buy ahead. Right now is the time for sales on all the baking essentials, which means it’s a great time to stock your pantry for the coming months. If you have space to store excess, take advantage of the season’s prices to build up your supply for baking birthday cakes and party snacks throughout the year. And don’t forget, butter freezes well, so look for deals there too.

Check sales flyers online from stores like Homeland so you can plan your trip when the savings are right.

Don’t forget, the cheapest and best ingredient in all your baked goods is love. S Angela Rowland is an OBU graduate and a stay-at-home mother of four. She enjoys finding new ways to stretch the paycheck and share some of her favorite tips and deals.

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nutrition 101

SET UP KITCHEN FOR SUCCESS

O

ne way to help you succeed with your goals is by setting your kitchen up for success. I find that even if I have a few of my go-to staples on-hand, I can still have a nutritious meal. The meal may not be “perfect,” but I can make it as healthy as I can versus grabbing fast food on the way home.

Let’s start with the refrigerator. Some basics for the refrigerator would be foods like fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, unsweetened non-dairy milk, salad mixes, Greek yogurt, edamame, avocados, liquid aminos, tofu and eggs. Great stock-ups in the freezer section could include organic chicken, grass-fed beef, fish, frozen fruits, frozen vegetables and Ezekiel bread. I often store nuts like pecans and walnuts in the freezer as well to prolong their shelf life. You could even put leftovers, produce that is about to go bad and flours in the freezer.

Moving to the pantry and cupboards for all the rest of your essentials for success, stock up on sweet potatoes, beans, quinoa, brown rice, balsamic vinegar, seeds (hemp, chia, flax, sunflower and pumpkin), unsalted nuts, natural nut butters, herbs, good quality protein powder, spices, low sodium broth, tuna in water, old fashioned oats, cooking spray, green tea bags, low sugar granola, whole grain bread products, maple syrup, honey, oils (olive, avocado, flax) and whole grain crackers. Some of these foods can be bought in bulk to save you on busy days throughout the week. You quickly learn how to throw together a balanced salad, smoothie or muffins like those detailed below by using what you have on hand.

CARROT CAKE MUFFINS

We actually just took these camping with us before the weather got too cold to camp any longer. They were very handy to bake before leaving and to be able to have a breakfast that didn’t need to be cooked while there.

Ingredients: 2 cups flour of choice ( I used almond) ½ tsp salt ½ tsp baking soda 1 tsp cinnamon ½ tsp nutmeg 3 eggs, room temperature

¼ cup plant based butter ¼ cup honey 1 cup finely shredded carrots Optional ingredients: ¼ cup chopped pecans and ¼ cup unsweetened coconut (included in the below nutrition facts)

Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Either line a cupcake pan with liners or spray with cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add eggs, oil and honey. Stir in the shredded carrots plus the optional ingredients. Pour about ¼ cup of the batter into each cupcake liner. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until the center is set. Remove from the oven and cool completely before serving. Store in the refrigerator or freeze for later use.

Nutritional information per serving: Makes 12 muffins, 1 muffin each Calories: 207 Total Fat: 17g Saturated Fat: 3g Sodium: 183mg Carbohydrates:11g Fiber: 3g Protein: 6g Nutrition 101: Whether you are watching your carbohydrate intake or needing to follow a gluten free diet, these muffins are perfect for both. Almond flour can be a great flour to bake with and not have to deal with the processed white flour. If you have never tried it, I recommend giving it a try with your next baking adventure. S Andrea Beck, a registered dietitian and personal trainer, received her master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from the University of Central Oklahoma. She offers personal training and nutrition services through SSM Health St. Anthony in Shawnee. Contact her at Andrea.beck1@ssmhealth.com or through her Facebook page, Nutrition and Exercise 101 with Andrea.

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7

art of the matter

I

CASTLES IN YOUR HAND SUBMITTED BY CARMEN WOLF, MABEE-GERRER MUSEUM OF ART BOARD VICE-CHAIR

just love walking through the permanent gallery at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art. Even though I have gone through it dozens of times, I still find something new that causes me to wonder.

One of my very favorite pieces in the gallery is the suit of armor. Have you seen it? It’s quite amazing. Clothing made out of decorated sheets of metal. I wonder how comfortable that must have been to wear, and why would anyone want to wear it?

Soldiers in Europe started wearing suits of armor in the 15th century to protect themselves from arrows and lances they

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encountered while in battle. These soldiers were called knights, and their job was to protect their leader, which may have been a king and queen or a nobleman who had been granted land by the king or queen.

There were many battles during this time as people tried to take over and control parts of Europe.

As time went on, newer and better weapons were created, and the knights needed to protect themselves. Only the wealthy knights could afford a suit of armor. They decorated the armor and shields with their coat of arms – which was a design specific to their family – to distinguish themselves

from others,and especially from the enemies. The coat of arms was typically inherited from the knight’s father and had been passed down through the family.

So, what were these knights protecting?

During this time in Europe, there weren’t countries with defined boundaries like we see today. Instead, powerful men or tribes claimed areas of land and then hired people to defend that land and protect the people that lived there. Often, the leader would build a castle as his residence as well as the residence of the knights and others who helped him rule. Many times, a wall would be built around a large area attached

to the castle. This provided a safe place you. You can add iron bars to your door for people if the land was under attack. to protect the people inside.

You will probably want to add This month we are going to make a some windows to the towers castle for the knights to live in. Castles and main part of the castle. had to withstand a lot of forces from inCastle windows were usually small and vading soldiers, so they were made from tall to protect the inhabitants from arvery durable materials – mainly large rows, with a curved top. blocks of stone. There were few windows Now let’s add some decoraand the walls were very, very thick to tion. Castles were made from withstand an invading army and cannon large stone blocks which were fire. stacked on top of each other, but each We are going to start with a piece of layer was offset to provide strength and white paper, some crayons or oil pastels stability. We can add lines to our castle and watercolor paints (optional). Casto make it look like stone blocks. Start by tles look pretty complicated and hard to drawing horizontal lines across the towers draw, but we are going to break it down and center area. Then draw vertical lines into lines and shapes and you will realize which are offset from the band below. that they aren’t that hard after all.

Draw a line along the bottom Medieval castles that housed wealthy landowners and their A fun trick if you are planning of the paper, leaving about 2 knights served as a safe place for the people of the land to on using watercolor paint is finger widths on either side. retreat when enemies threatened them. This month’s projto draw these lines with white ect offers tips on how to design and decorate your own This will be the foundation of your castle. crayon or oil pastel. You can’t see the lines castle.

Next, we are going to draw two as you are drawing them, but when you tall, thin rectangles on either end of the long line. This will paint over them they show up as white. This is called a resist techgive us the towers on either side of the castle. Add a triangle nique and can be lots of fun.

Take your time and finish decorating your castle. Be creon top of each tower for the roof. You can add a flag too.

Now draw a horizontal line about 2/3 of the way up between ative. You can paint or color your castle shapes to finish the towers. It should look like you have a square between your masterpiece.

Be sure to take a picture of your artwork and share it the two towers. Now we are going to add the battlement. on social media using the hashtag #MGMoAArt or That is the line that goes up and down and looks like teeth. Soldiers email the picture to education@mgmoa.org. S would hide behind the tall stones of the battlement and shoot arrows at oncoming invaders in the space between.

You can add another tower in the back of the castle if you want. Draw another rectangle above the battlement, but be sure not to draw into the battlement. Don’t forget the roof Scan this code to visit the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of and flag.

Art’s at-home project page.

Now we are going to add some details. Let’s start by deciding where we want our door. It can be in the middle of the center of the castle, or it can be off to either side. It’s up to

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9

spotlight

SHAWNEE NATIVE RECEIVES HONORS Koons Selected as Top 10 Freshman at Oklahoma State

S

BY JAMIE BERGSTEN

hawnee native Kaitlin a service project. She also was seKoons is living out her lected to be both an education and college dreams after human services ambassador and an only one year. alumni ambassador, which providHer parents – both Oklahoma ed opportunities for her not only to State University alumni – intromentor new freshmen but also to duced her to the Cowboy culture at network with alumni. an early age, so she and her older In August, she took on a new brother Brice “grew up bleeding orchallenge and accepted a position ange,” she said. as a student recruitment assistant.

Now OSU students themselves, “I now get to meet with prothe siblings have had great success spective students who’re interested in Stillwater, and Kaitlin was rein attending Oklahoma State, and cently awarded an honor she’d been it’s a special way to share my story,” eyeing since she was a child: She Kaitlin said. “I stay very busy, but I was named one of the university’s love every second of it.”

Top 10 Freshmen.

With so many accolades and A 2020 Shawnee High School honors already under her belt, it’s graduate, Kaitlin was very involved no wonder that Kaitlin was choin SHS life and looked forward to sen a Top 10 Freshmen on campus. an active campus life in college as Shawnee native Kaitlin Koons made Oklahoma State University’s Top Nevertheless, the selection process 10 Freshmen list earlier this year on her way to pursuing a degree well. focused on pre-medical studies. – Photo by Rachel Cleere Photograph was an arduous one.

“I knew that the more I poured “The application came out the into it, the more I would get out of it,” she said. “I wanted to be sur- first week of school, so I was applying at the beginning of my sophorounded by leaders who challenge me but provide me with a strong more year,” Kaitlin said. “It consisted of listing out every organization community.”

I was involved in, my volunteer/community service hours, work exHer first opportunity at this was to be involved with research. perience and every campus event I’d attended. I also had to include a “My major is Nutritional Sciences: Human Nutrition/Pre-Medi- short essay and transcript that provided my GPA. cal Sciences, and after graduation I hope to attend medical school to “From those applications, 20 males and 20 females were named 20 become a physician,” Kaitlin said. “Research is obviously important Freshmen. We found out about our selection by receiving a rose in in that field and also at OSU, so having the opportunity to start the our first class that day. Soon after, all 40 of us interviewed for Top Ten process of being published for a research project alongside a faculty recognition. I found out I’d made that by receiving another rose in mentor was very special.” class, and I was recognized on the field at the OSU vs. Baylor football In addition to her academic pursuits, Kaitlin also applied, inter- game.” viewed and was selected to be a part of the First Year Representative Kaitlin is quick to recognize her biggest assets in receiving such Council, Junior Greek leadership and Education & Human Services an honor.

Student Council on campus. She’s a member of Chi Omega soror“My community is 100 percent the main reason I received this,” ity too. This past spring, she was chosen to be a part of Emerging Kaitlin said. “I currently live with three Chi Omegas. I came into colLeaders, a program for the freshmen in her college to receive training lege not knowing any of them, but they quickly became some of my that allows them to mentor new freshmen the following year through very best friends because these are like-minded friendships that cel10

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ebrate me on my best days and love me well on my worst. Without my family and community, I would not have had the stability or support to accomplish my hefty goals.”

Kaitlin doesn’t get to come home as often this year as she did last, but she’s been back in Shawnee a few times since August.

“Luckily, I get to see my parents at football games, because our favorite family time is Saturdays at Boone Pickens Stadium,” Kaitlin said. “I love coming back to see my parents and friends, attend my home church and of course get a bowl from the Surf Bar. It’s my favorite.

“Having my brother on campus in Stillwater also gives me a small piece of home around me at all times. He has a similar major and was here two years before me, so he experienced everything first and can answer any questions that I have. Even though I don’t see him every day, I know he’s just a phone call or a short drive away if I need something.”

Kaitlin acknowledged several considerations current high school students should make when trying to decide if college is the

next step for them and where they should apply.

“It can be scary to step out of your comfort zone, but if you never do, who knows how much you could be missing out on,” she said.

“I’d encourage students to come experience the energy here, jump in and not fear failure.

Give every college consideration an equal chance, but ultimately, look at the students who attend that college and decide whom you

want to be in four years. No matter what, you become like the people you surround yourself with.”

As for being chosen a Top Ten Freshman, Kaitlin is still humbled by the honor.

“It’s indescribable and such a sweet reinforcement of the hard work and dedication that I’m trying to put into my experience and academics for the four years that I have here,” she said. “There’s a lot of celebration and joy behind this honor but also a lot of tears, long nights of studying and hard days. The process brought on the ultimate reflection of the past year, which flew by for me. I’d watched Top 10 Freshmen go down onto the football field for many years, and I’d look on in awe at those students; I wanted to be one of them.

“While it’s an incredible accomplishment to be recognized as someone who’s excelled in academics and leadership, I hope people also get to see that on my own, I’m undeserving and imperfect, but God has blessed me with incredible opportunities. I hope that through these, I’m giving the glory and praise to Him and not myself.” S

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over the fence

WAITING IS THE HARDEST PART T

BY BRANDON DYER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RENEWAL OF POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY

he sweltering heat of summer has finally did not like getting treated by customers. So I’m prepared to offer a lot given way to cool, crisp mornings and of grace in these situations, but I’m also a human being who is prone to beautiful afternoons perfect for spendthinking his time is more important than someone ing some time outside. One of my favorite things to else’s. This was one of those days. I literally waited do this time of year is sit on our back porch around longer in line than the time it took me to gather the the fire pit and watch college football. items on my list.

This usually involves grilling or smoking meat and Meanwhile, the sun was inching closer to the holots and lots of patience. There’s nothing quite like prepping rizon. Should I ditch this line and go get in another? a rack of ribs with your favorite rub, firing up your smoker and Would that be faster? Or will I pass the manager on the way to tossing them in for a few hours of slow and low magic. The a new line, lose my spot and have to go to the back of the line? hardest part is the waiting. Am I right, Tom Petty?

I waited it out. Each minute was excruciating. The manager Last weekend I was preparing for porch season and ran out arrived – winded – eight minutes later. I felt like a jerk, of course, of trash bags as I was picking up loads and loads of leaves that because it was clear that this hard-working manager was tendBrandon Dyer the most recent cold front brought us. Off to the hardware store ing to other important needs and hustled as quickly as possible I went with my list of items. I frequent this store so often that I’m pretty to provide the override. The truth is, I was really never mad at anyone. sure I could navigate the aisles blindfolded. Needless to say, I was in and Not the manager. Not the store clerk. Not the customer. It wasn’t anyone’s out in minutes. Well, almost. fault. In my right mind, I knew that, but I was very impatient.

I got to the checkout line, and there were three customers in front It was a battle in my mind for those eight minutes to resist blaming of me. There apparently was a closeout sale on certain plants. A thrifty someone. On one hand, I knew rationally that nothing could be done, customer was there to check out and head home with his plants and his and it was nobody’s fault. On the other hand, I could feel my blood pressavings, but there was a hitch in his plan. It required the dreaded man- sure rising like someone was violating my rights and deserved to be held ager override. Now, I understand the necessity of protocols and do not accountable. Sometimes the hardest battles to fight are the battles within doubt the importance of this extra step of accountability. Yet, the day was ourselves, aren’t they? running short, and I was in a hurry.

Heading into the hustle and bustle of this holiday season, let’s rememYou’ve been there. These sorts of things always seem to happen when ber our restaurant and retail workers. They will be on their feet for long we are short on time. Sometimes it’s waiting for a train to pass, sitting in hours and dealing with fussy folks at times. They deserve our kindness. traffic or waiting for customer service to answer while listening to eleva- So if we happen to find ourselves waiting in long lines and those familiar tor music. Ugh. Nobody likes waiting. feelings of frustration and impatience begin telling us our time is more Generally, I try to be understanding. Waiting tables for four years important than someone else’s, may we muster the strength to override during college provided me with a top notch education on what ways I those impulses and manage ourselves well. S

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giving back

Cuckoo Bird and Dashing T Boutique and Rachel Cleere Photography will host the second Claus for a Cause event benefiting Legacy Parenting. This year’s event begins with pre-booked photo sessions 1-5 p.m. Nov. 28 with the toy drive taking place through Dec. 4 at the 1817 N. Harrison boutique - Photos submitted

by Rachel Cleere Photography

SANTA RETURNS FOR HOLIDAY EVENTS Boutique Hosts 2nd Annual Claus-For-A-Cause And Toy Drive

C

uckoo Bird and Dashing T Boutique and Rachel Cleere Photography will again serve as Santa’s little helpers as they host the second annual Claus for a Cause event combining photo sessions with the right jolly old elf himself with a toy drive, all of which will go to benefit Legacy Parenting.

Bookings for the photo sessions opened Nov. 1 at RachelCleerePhotography.com for the sessions taking place 1-5 p.m. on Nov. 28 at Cuckoo Bird and Dashing T at 1817 N. Harrison, which will also be the kick-off for the toy drive running through Dec. 4 at the store. Donors will receive a 20 percent discount on an item from the boutique.

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BY DAVID DINSMORE Cuckoo Bird and Dashing T owner Micah Barton had hosted Santa events at her store for a few years when she thought of a way to use it to help families in the community have a merrier Christmas.

“It’s always so sweet when the kids come in throughout the year and ask if Santa is here or if he’s at his house because they remember coming here and it being a special memory for them,” Barton said.

She worked last year with photographer Rachel Cleere Ervin to create Claus for a Cause, and the resulting event raised about $800 for Legacy Parenting as well as a bevy of toys that made it under the trees of Shawnee kids in need.

“Community partnerships are so special to Legacy,” executive director Lacey Holt said. “Claus for a Cause is such a creative event. We love seeing ideas like this come to life. Fun for families while benefiting families, it’s a win-win.”

In light of the circumstances stemming from the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Claus for a Cause also had an impact on the holiday experience for families who participated in the photo sessions in addition to those who benefited from the proceeds of the event. Many of those who booked sessions told the planners they were unsure entering the holidays whether their children would get the chance to see Santa

or have their yearly photo taken with him.

“These kids didn’t get to do much last year,” Cleere said. “Seeing the kids so excited to see Santa … he was so sweet and made it so special for them.”

While excited about the idea of the event and happy to see it come together last year, Cleere said that when the day arrived with its frigid, icy weather on top of all the other challenges brought by the response to the COVID-19 pandemic she had some concerns as to how the day would actually unfold.

“It really stressed us out at first, but it turned out to be super magical that it was snowing on that day when the kids came to see Santa,” Barton said.

The environment Barton created inside the store was warm and inviting with holiday scents and some treats on hand. In fact, Cleere – who anticipated the inevitable crying moments that seize some young kids having their photo taken with Santa – said she credits the atmosphere in the boutique

with having reduced those instances to nearly none.

“I didn’t realize the day-of how special it would be,” Cleere said. “Just seeing how getting to see Santa was so special to them and the smiles on their faces, it really made the whole day.”

With remaining concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, Cleere said they are again making sure to take steps focused on making Claus for a Cause a safe event for the participants and Kris Kringle, but they have been discussing ways to ensure the kids get the most out of their time with Santa.

One of the unexpected benefits for participants last year as a result of the health guidelines was the focused attention each family got from Santa, Cleere said. The protocols they implemented had only one family in the building at a time for their session, which made the scene less distracting than some Santa photo events that feature long lines of families and general holiday bustle nearby.

This year, they also are looking forward

to putting together some take-home goodie bags for the kids who come to see Santa, including treats donated by Jonesing for Cookies, Barton said. They will also bring back the hot cocoa and apple cider for participants this year as well.

For more information, contact Cuckoo Bird and Dashing T at (405) 214-1992 or Rachel Cleere Photography at (405) 584-1491.

Follow each on social media for updates leading up to the event.

Legacy Parenting provides parenting education to local families and houses a boutique-style store where participants can trade education credits for baby essentials along with fun items to bring a smile to their children’s faces. Legacy Parenting is also still serving diaper needs for their clients and others in the area, so they are also partnering with other organizations and events to do diaper drives throughout the holidays. For information about those events and needs, call (405) 432-2844, visit legacyshawnee.com or follow Legacy Parenting on social media. S

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HONORING OUR VETERANS & ELDERS

ONE STORY AT A TIME We invite you to share your story with the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center We’re interviewing Veterans and Elders from all founding families

Schedule your interview online at portal.potawatomi.org or call 405-878-5830 or email christopher.lenggenhager@potawatomi.org

www.shawneeoutlook.com

17

feature Booker Dahlman is a 12-year-old artist from Shawnee living with a rare genetic disorder that qualified for MakeA-Wish Foundation sponsorship, which led him to work with Reckless Abandonment Productions in Oklahoma City on a DC-sponsored Batman-themed video project.

The video, “We Are Batman,” is now available to view on YouTube. – Photos submitted

DREAMS IN ACTION

Make-A-Wish, OKC Production Company Work With Young Local Artist

P

arents bragging about their children’s abilities in areas where they excel – even when they know some of it is inflated – is almost cliche.

It’s much less common, however, for a kid’s talent to take their parents by surprise at times.

Tom and Alexis Dahlman remember one of those moments specifically while sitting in a restaurant in Shawnee with his family. They had long known about the artistic abilities of their son, Booker, as evidenced by some of the drawings he made.

“He started drawing as soon as he could hold a pencil,” Alexis said. “He’s always liked cartoons and really liked claymation.”

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BY DAVID DINSMORE At the restaurant, Booker handed Tom a picture featuring the cover of a book they owned. Tom had complimented his fourth grader on his coloring ability when Booker’s sister chimed in to inform Tom that it was not a printed photocopy of the cover that Booker had simply colored, nor was it a picture he traced from the cover of the book. He had recreated in nearly every detail the cover of the book he had sitting on a shelf back home.

Not doubting his son’s artistic skills but still curious about the circumstances that led to the nearly mirror image of the book cover, the Dahlmans asked him to repeat his work by showing him the cover of a book and having him recreate it from

memory. He did.

“He’s very detail-focused on his artwork,” Tom said. “I’ve seen him work on something for 10 hours, and then something won’t be right and he’ll just start over.”

While Booker’s attention to meticulous detail serves his art well, it also helps him stay well enough to create that art.

After spending his first eight days in neonatal intensive care, Booker came home to digestive issues and many unanswered questions that led to inconclusive tests by his doctors in his first few years trying to determine why his body would not absorb the nutrients he needed. After a lengthy approval process, a thorough genetic test revealed a diagnosis of Shwach-

man-Diamond Syndrome.

SDS is a rare genetic condition affecting bone marrow, making it susceptible to cloning at the cellular level. As Booker’s bone marrow cells naturally produce new cells, the possibility exists that the new cells produced will be abnormal or clones. These clones will begin to attack Booker’s healthy cells. If this process begins and continues unimpeded, it could eventually become leukemia. SDS kids can also experience pancreatic insufficiency, leading to difficulty gaining weight and absorbing food. His pancreas cannot produce enough enzymes on its own to digest fats or fat-soluble vitamins.

At this time, the only possible long-term solution for those with SDS comes from a bone marrow transplant, which requires a lengthy process of identifying a perfect match donor, a three-month hospital stay, a suspenseful adjustment period to determine if the recipient’s body will reject the transplant.

The good news is that currently Booker is a healthy, energetic kid now thanks in part to medicine that helps cover some of the deficiencies left by his pancreas, but he still has to be very mindful of his habits and behaviors to avoid putting unnecessary strain on his body.

This requires daily methodical attentiveness to things that can help keep him healthy.

“He’s a little more cautious than most kids,” Alexis said. “He’s really good about washing his hands … he tries to eat well, at least for a 12-year-old boy.

“He’s just really aware of those kinds of things.”

Though there are many challenges families face when a member has a rare genetic disorder, the Dahlmans have found support in the small community of people affected

by SDS. Through this network, they learned about Camp Sunshine in Maine that hosts a weeklong camp for families facing SDS along with other camps focusing on other life-threatening illnesses. The kids enjoy the typical camp experience while parents meet, share experiences and learn from doctors who give presentations.

At one of these camps, they learned that SDS is a condition for which the Make-AWish Foundation offers services. The Dahl-

mans registered Booker at their last visit to Camp Sunshine three years ago and began looking at a trip to a studio like DreamWorks for Booker to meet artists who help create movies and television shows. Alexis said she wanted him to connect with someone who is making a living doing the kinds of things that have caught Booker’s interest.

Enter the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, Make-A-Wish postponed any travel components to their services and effectively ended Booker’s chance to visit DreamWorks.

That was not the end of his wish. A friend of the Dahlmans knew Kyle Roberts, who had worked for the studio and had worked on the 2018 Marvel animated film, “SpiderMan: Into the Spider-Verse.” He now runs Reckless Abandonment Pictures in Oklahoma City and began working with MakeA-Wish to have Booker come assist with a new stop motion animation project.

The studio contacted Booker to get an idea of his favorite characters to use in the video that they would use. He chose a Batman theme, and Reckless Abandonment began discussing ideas for the project as well as contacted DC about sponsorship for the video. The entertainment company agreed and supplied some of the resources used in the short film.

When the time came to start creating the video, a limousine arrived at the Dahlmans’s house to ferry them to the city where they spent six hours at the studio while Booker collaborated with Roberts’s team in creating an animated short.

“They really treated him like he was part of their team,” Alexis said.

During a return trip to Reckless Aban-

donment Pictures later, the group showed Booker some of the techniques used in sound and video editing, and the team was able to complete “We Are Batman,” which is now available to view on YouTube.

Even before getting the chance to work with Reckless Abandonment, Booker had already created hundreds of his own stop motion projects at home.

“He’d spend hours moving a superhero character to make those,” Tom said.

Booker absorbed so much from his experience with Reckless Abandonment and the “We Are Batman” project, the Dahlmans said, but at the same time, he almost approached it with a straightforward attitude as if collaborating with the studio was an inevitable outcome.

“It was like it just felt natural to him that this would happen,” Tom said. “He was trying to act like one of these guys, and he knew exactly what he needed to do.”

Locally, his work has caught some attention and led to special paid requests or commissions to create artwork for a variety of reasons, the Dahlmans said. The encouragement of Roberts and the Reckless Abandonment team also led to Alexis establishing an Instagram account to showcase his work, which can be found at @booker_draws.

As he continues to develop his skills and interests, the Dahlmans will continue looking for ways for him to find applications and opportunities for his talents if he wants to pursue them.

“We’ve put him in art camps in the summer,” Alexis said. “He’s in the art class at school, and he says it is his favorite class.” S www.shawneeoutlook.com

19

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on stage

OBU THEATRE STAGES 'VINTAGE HITCHCOCK' A Live Radio Show Presented Through November 13 SUBMITTED BY OKLAHOMA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

Oklahoma Baptist University Theatre will present “Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play” through Nov. 13 in Sarkeys Black Box Theater on the university’s campus. – Photos by Clinton Sinclair, courtesy of OBU

O

klahoma Baptist University Theatre will present “Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play” through Nov. 13 in Sarkeys Black Box Theater on the university’s campus.

Witness the romance, suspense and thrill of three of Alfred Hitchcock’s early films – “The Lodger,” “Sabotage” and “The 39 Steps” – exploding to life through the magic of onstage foley sound effects and nostalgia-drenched spectacle in this 1930s-style live radio show.

Spies, murder, love and other trademarks of Hitchcock come to life in the style of a radio broadcast – complete with vintage commercials – that recreates a hair-raising train chase, a serial killer’s ominous presence and a disastrous explosion through implementation of live sound effects.

The ensemble of “Vintage Hitchcock” is composed of many OBU students, including senior theatre major Augustus Mathews, sophomore theatre major Avery Marsh, junior theatre major Jordan Evans, sophomore nursing major Juliana Storer, junior theatre major Nathan Goforth, junior creative writing major Kennedy Largent, sophomore graphic design major Natalie Bright, junior theatre major Zoe Burdess, senior vocal performance major Harmony Dewees and senior theatre major Anna Smolen.

Director Jennifer Ezell is excited to bring “Vintage Hitchcock” to the stage on Bison Hill. “‘Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play’ is a unique opportuni-

ty for the audience member to experience the thrill of Hitchcock alongside the excitement of seeing behind the scenes of a ‘live radio show,’” Ezell said. “From live sound effects to actors performing multiple accents and dialects, the cast of Vintage Hitchcock is sure to surprise even seasoned theatre audiences. ‘Vintage Hitchcock’ requires theatre artists to rethink how storytelling works on stage, and OBU theatre is excited to meet that challenge.”

Hephzibah Dutt, assistant professor of theatre and director of theatre, is executive producer of the show. The technical director is Kristina Benson, Gracie Jackson is stage manager and both Natalie Bright and Rachel Houser are serving as assistant stage managers. Other production crew members and their positions include Dutt as scenic designer, Benson as scenic artist, Mathews as lighting designer and master electrician, Annalise Caudle as lighting advisor and Jordan Evans as sound designer. The production will also include foley and live sound effects designed by Smolen; Largent as props master; Erin Wilson as costume, hair and makeup designer; Alyssa Couturier-Herndon as costume advisor; and Emily Russell as assistant master electrician.

The play was written by Joe Landry.

Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets are now on sale okbu.edu/theatre. Adults are $12 and students are $5. For more information about OBU, visit okbu.edu. S www.shawneeoutlook.com

21

the arts

LOCALLY CREATED ART

Handmade Gifts Are Options In Reportedly Shortage-Affected Holiday Season

BY JAMIE BERGSTEN

W

ith reported shortages and shipping problems around the nation, this Christmas season may be a great time to find local handmade gifts for friends and family created by the neighbors.

One such example is Shawnee native and artist Nancy Hunter, who creates a variety of pottery right here in town and offers them for purchase.

Hunter’s creative spirit began early in life and has only grown over time.

“A love of art and animals was evident in me at an early age,” she said. “My mother encouraged me to sketch animals and learn all I could from art books. I went on to graduate from (Oklahoma Baptist University) with a degree in art. Later, I had the privilege of studying painting with Joyce Kreafle. I also worked as a veterinary assistant, and I still love animals.”

Admittedly, some of Hunter’s early “work” may not have been appreciated by her family.

“I really have enjoyed drawing all my life,” Hunter said. “I started at a very young age with a purple crayon on the yellow wallpaper in my parents’ bedroom. I guess I instinctively understood the importance of complementary colors right from the beginning.”

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Artisan Nancy Hunter creates pottery out of love of the craft, but pieces from local makers like her can be found around town for sale as possible holiday gifts not subject to shipping or shortage concerns. - Photos submitted

She’s since moved on to making a variety of pottery pieces and sculptures out of her home studio space. She’s also continued her work on Bison Hill by auditing the ceramics class at OBU every fall semester.

“I enjoy being around the young adults and other participants who are like me – rich in years,” she said. “I’d sold an occasional piece I’d made from time to time in the past, but I got more serious about selling art when The Arts at 317 opened in downtown Shawnee.

“I’m so glad to have this outlet for my pottery. This prevents my house from filling up with pots that I enjoyed making but don’t want to keep.”

Hunter posts photos on Facebook of each batch of pots she’s created before taking them to the studio at 317 E. Main St. She said that once in a while someone will contact her wanting to buy one, but almost all of them go to the store.

Hunter said she’s never timed how long it takes her to create each piece, because she enjoys working on them so much.

“They’re all unique and make nice gifts,” Hunter said. “I also have some coffee cups made from micaceous clay. I’ve been told that they make coffee taste better, but I can’t

speak from personal experience since I don’t drink coffee. The micaceous cups are very time-consuming to make, so I don’t do those very often. It’s a beautiful clay though; it sparkles.”

While she shows friends how to make pottery from time to time, she’s happy to leave the teaching to others as she considers herself to be a shy introvert.

Her favorite artistic creation ever is also a personal one for her.

“It’s my self-portrait bust,” Hunter said.

“My sculpting mentor, Jean Farley, kept telling me to ‘try to capture the personality.’ I think I did. The viewer gets to peek into my head to see different aspects of the things I love: mythology, painting, reading, Christianity, my husband, cats and dogs, running, swimming, martial arts, science fiction, music and a few other things. It was a lot of fun to make.”

When asked about the best part of the work she does, Hunter reiterated what motivates her to keep creating.

“I get to make other people happy when they find a piece that they really like.”

Hunter’s work can be seen and purchased at The Arts at 317 at 317 E. Main St. in Shawnee. S

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shawnee history

IRVING SCHOOL ADDED TO SYSTEM A

Shawnee Expanded In Early 20th Century

BY ANN MCDONALD, COURTESY POTT CO HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBER

lmost from the moment By 1924, Irving School’s address that potential landwas reported as being on Louisa owners raced onto the Street rather than University. Louland that became Shawnee, school isa was the name of John Farrall’s was offered to their children. Those first wife, who had supported his who came to build a new comefforts to settle in the area and help munity arrived from places where build the town. His claim was the schools were part of normal life. first one east of the land run starting Some of the first classes were in line now designated as Kickapoo tents, possibly followed by a cabin Street and bounded on the south by until buildings appeared with a the river. He donated some of his room likely set aside for schooling. land for townsites and also to the As of early 1892, a wood structure railroad. Farrall Park, where Washspecifically for school was built in ington School was located, was part what is now Woodland Park. By the of his claim. end of the 1900s, the town of ShawIn 1930, Irving School was the nee grew to more than 1,500 peo- Irving School, completed in 1908, served Shawnee students until 1971, home of an innovative class called ple, and leaders developed a school including incorporation of the “Opportunity Room” that focused on pro- the “Opportunity Room.” It was viding special instruction to kids who needed some extra help with one system. Central School was con- or more subjects. – Photo submitted designed to fill a special need for structed in Woodland Park with students who were struggling in funds from an $8,800 bond issue, replacing the small wood building. one or more subjects. More scholastically advanced pupils prepared Within a couple of years, it was obvious the town’s school system the regular lessons in less time usually required so they could utilize had to expand. Once the railroads arrived, Shawnee was one of the fast- regular study periods by taking on extra work. It was noted that of the est growing municipalities in the territory. Another bond issue passed 16 students in the special class, all were boys. in 1903 for funds to build elementary schools in each of the four wards.

The report read that the class afforded each pupil special instruction The following year, Jefferson, Washington and Franklin were complet- that was impossible in a regular classroom of 30-40 children. This idea ed. There were 2,218 youngsters enrolled from first grade through high appears progressive for the day. school. The following year, Horace Mann was added on the far eastern An auditorium was added at Irving during the late 1930s when edge of the town.

Shawnee was getting government help through the Works Progress A year after statehood came in 1907, another elementary school, Administration for various construction efforts. Woodrow Wilson and Irving, and a standalone high school were added. A bond election of Robert E. Lee School had been added to Shawnee schools by 1932 as $120,000 was passed with $35,000 set aside for the construction of Ir- the population center continued to move north. No more new ones ving. A. C. Davis was the architect. were built (except the high school when the old one burned in 1948) Irving was located on the east side of what was known then as Uni- until 1953 when Will Rogers was constructed. As the town spread out versity Street and down the block north of 10th Street. The name Irving and housing continued to be built away from what was originally the was chosen to honor Washington Irving, one of the first explorers to population area, school officials chose to first close Harrison in 1964 cross what became Pottawatomie County. According to his writings, then Irving in 1965. Harrison served as the sophomore center for a his route took him along the south side of the Canadian River rather couple of years then as the district’s administration building. than the north side where Shawnee was later established, but he was a Irving, however, was demolished in 1971, but in the memories of famous discoverer and prolific writer of his adventures. He was likely many former students the school will never really be gone, including the one to use the name Cross Timbers to describe the wooded area in the red and white uniforms their athletes wore competing in the Kiwhich much of Shawnee was located. wanis Little Olympics since 1935. S www.shawneeoutlook.com

25

mental health

HEALTHY FAMILIES, HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

F

or too long, the stigma in America has been that people only go to therapy if they have a mental health issue. If you do have to go to therapy, it is embarrassing and should be kept quiet.

In 2019, a study was done by the American Psychological Association that showed only 19 percent of adults in America had gone to counseling in the past year. That same year, less than 17 percent of children in America had gone to any type of counseling. These very low numbers can be due to accessibility and affordability but also in large part due to the negative stereoAlicja Carter type that surrounds mental health issues in our culture today.

“Life is not the way it’s supposed to be; it’s the way it is,” said Virginia Satire, an influential American psychotherapist. “The way you cope with that is what makes the difference.”

Breaking through the stigma, accessing support and learning new coping skills can be one of the bold- Madelyn Kufahl est and most life changing choices an individual or family can make. The following are just a few reasons why someone may want to seek additional support: • Anxiety/Stress • Adoption • Behavioral Challenges • Blended Family/Co• Grief/Loss Parenting/Parenting Support • Depression • Relational Concerns/ • Substance Abuse Divorce • Trauma • Fostering/Reunification Gateway to Prevention and Recovery believes that the mental health of a family is extremely important to support and nurture. That is why over the summer, Gateway expanded its Children and Family Program to offer mental health services to children, adolescents, parents, couples and the whole family system. Whether its substance abuse, trauma, struggling mental health or declining relationships, each person in the family is affected and has the power to create growth, change and healing. Program director Brooke Runion and her colleagues, Charles Hawkins and Mitchell DeShazer, passionately provide professional, quality services for the betterment of children and families in this community.

“Going to therapy does not mean that a person or family isn’t ‘normal,’” Runion said. “It simply means that they are looking at their situation honestly and recognizing that more support and tools could provide greater understanding, relief and possibilities.”

Mental health services offered through Gateway’s Children and

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Family Program include: • Individual therapy for counseling children, adolescents, and • Parent and child therapy adults.

• Play therapy from a Regis• Couples therapy tered Play Therapist under • Family therapy supervision • Family groups • Attachment-based therapy • Parenting/co-parenting • Reunification therapy Things do not have to get to rock bottom before someone needs to come to therapy. Individuals, couples or families can sometimes get stuck or caught in a cycle they do not know how to get out of, and counseling can help them figure out what that next step is and how to work things out.

One participant shared, “Our time in family therapy at Gateway has helped us feel like a family again. My son has really turned a corner and is back to his happy self, and even his grandparents have seen the change.

He’s thriving in school and at home, and the boys are happy kiddos enjoying life. It feels pretty amazing just to live a happy life again.”

Anyone interested in learning more about Gateway’s Children and Family Program can contact Brooke Runion at (405) 273-1170 ext. 121 or visit www.gatewaytoprevention.org. S Alicja Carter, LADC, BHWC, has been working in the behavioral health and addiction treatment field for nearly 12 years. She is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Wellness Director for Gateway to Prevention and Recovery. Alicja is passionate about collaborating with others for the purpose of stimulating positive change in her community.

Madelyn is a senior at Oklahoma Baptist University. She is majoring in psychology with a pre-counseling focus and minoring in professional writing and editing. She is currently the writing intern at Gateway to Prevention and Recovery and enjoys reading, playing volleyball and spending time with loved ones.

olverine Storage

Bikes and Outdoors

spOKeLAHOMA W

113 N. Bell Ave | Shawnee | 405.742.0736 | www.spokelahoma.com

Your local pro shop for bicycles and outdoor adventures.

a

hawee & ll s S

Portraits

We have your Christmas shopping covered!

Thursday & Friday’s 3pm-7pm Saturday’s 10am-3pm

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE!

(On the week of Christmas, portraits will be taking place Tues, Wed & Thurs 3pm-7pm)*

HELPING YOU ACHIEVE YOUR HUMAN POWERED GOALS!

Santa

with

2021

Walls Shawnee - 2009 N Harrison St, Shawnee

Your local pro shop for bicycles and outdoor adventures. We have your Christmas shopping covered!

December 2nd is reserved for pet portraits only.

Same day printing or digital images available!

Prices starting at $18

Downtown Shawnee … Tecumseh location coming soon!

405-777-6213

Scan for more info!

Allow us to capture your frameable moments with Santa Claus!

Provided by the Kickapoo Behavioral Health’s Native Connections Grant.

For more information, call us at 405.964.2618

In crisis?

Text HELLO to 741741 and speak anonymously with a Crisis Counselor.

CRISIS TEXT LINE | www.shawneeoutlook.com

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feature

TEACHING THE FUNDAMENTALS OF WRESTLING Faith, Experience Provide Foundation For Wrestling Coach's New Team

BY DAVID DINSMORE

I

Smith Wrestling Academy focuses on teaching kids fundamental wrestling skills along with faithbased principles. - Photos submitted I

f Aaron Smith says his family went to the mat a lot when he was a kid, he means it literally.

He comes from a tradition of wrestling, following his father into the sport and leveraging that into success that led to a full scholarship from the University of Oregon.

“It’s very much a family thing that was ingrained in me,” Smith said.

When he returned from college, Smith became busy with work at his full-time job – currently working with a distributor of Sunoco racing fuels – and other aspects of life. Yet, he began to feel pulled to somehow get involved with the sport and share what he learned from his experience with a new generation of young grapplers. He worked with a few local high school athletes and realized he had a drive for coaching. Last year, he got involved with the Shawnee Takedown Club working with wrestlers younger than junior high and really enjoyed it.

In his personal life, Smith and his wife Maggie had begun getting more deeply involved with their Christian faith, and he soon began seeing a way to minister to kids while also teaching the fundamentals of wrestling.

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For Smith, wrestling goes beyond techniques and the aggressive mindset of simply lording one’s strength over another person.

He views the preparation a wrestler undergoes to make himself mentally – not just physically – ready for a bout as containing parallels that translate to other aspects of life, such as discipline and self-control.

Given some of the involvement with local schools that the club had, Smith said he was not sure where a faith-based component could enter into the program. He began to look at forming his own program that would give him more freedom to teach lessons about faith along with providing wrestling training.

“We wanted our main emphasis to be bringing kids to Christ,” Smith said.

The result became Smith Wrestling Academy, which he started with Maggie and fellow coach Michael “Oogie” Smith.

They began their first competition season last month that will run through February.

The team competes at tournaments sanctioned by USA Wrestling and Oklahoma Kids Wrestling Association.

Though Smith aims to teach the kids the techniques and principles they need to

succeed on the mat – using the pillars of discipline, structure and boundaries – he also channels lessons instilled in him by his father and mentor to help the kids on his team become well-rounded people in their faith as well. He said he tries to emphasize the higher purpose in the things that they do – whether it is wrestling or other aspects of life – to get them to shift their perspective about what they want to accomplish and why.

“God doesn’t care if you are a good wrestler or not,” said Smith, paraphrasing a principle his father told him often during his days. “The stigma is that wins and losses are the most important thing in any sport. To God, that’s not the most important thing. Are you following his word? Are you bringing people to him?”

He can speak to how this approach impacted his life, as he saw his share of successes during his athletic career. Smith earned titles in folks style including five OKWA state championships, two USJOC championships, two Tulsa Nationals championships, two junior high state championships, four high school regional championships and two high school state

championships along with accolades like outstanding wrestler for high school, high school division Brute Adidas national champion and high school division DixieLand national champion/ outstanding wrestler. He also has four Oklahoma national team member, four Southern Plains regional champion, one Cadet All American and one Junior All American titles in freestyle.

Yet, for all his ups, Smith said many of the most important life lessons came from the downs.

“Every time I lost, that’s when I grew the most,” he said. “Finding out where I was weak or lacked skill, I got to become better. That striving for knowledge works in your sport and in your faith.”

With this focus, Smith also wants his team to learn the skills and techniques that will help them perform their best on the mat as well, and he tries to put

as much challenge as he can into each practice for his young wrestlers to get them excited about competing.

“Wrestling is the best,” said Henry Hanzlicek, one of the Smith Wrestling Academy members. “I love learning new moves from my coaches and getting stronger. My goal is to be state champion.”

It takes some balance to reconcile a sport derived from dominating a competitor physically with lessons about humility and giving glory elsewhere, Smith said. Written on the backs of the team’s singlets is the phrase “We Fear the Lord,” which conveys that while they don’t enter competitions afraid of what will happen on the mat but that they will compete in a way that shows respect for their opponent in a way that also earns their respect in turn. They can use that respect

and sportsmanship along with their best effort as a way to demonstrate their faith despite the results.

In addition to the life lessons taught through involvement with the team, having a positive outlet for their kids is a big appeal for some of the parents involved as well.

Henry’s dad Brady Hanzlicek said wrestling has given his son a way to channel and focus his “rough and tumble mentality.”

“SWA and wrestling have been great for our son to learn what he is capable of on and off the mat,” said Paige Hanzlicek, Henry’s mom. “(This is) a way for him to use his rowdiness to win medals and become mentally and physically stronger.”

For more information, visit smithwrestlingacademy.com or find Smith Wrestling Academy on social media. S

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“Lions Peace Poster” Art SHoW Located inside Vision Bank Lobby NOVEMBER 15-19, 2021 • 10AM TO 5PM DAILY Area middle school kids competed in the poster contest. Everyone welcome!

(405) 395-9455 | 4301 N Harrison, Shawnee | visionbank.bank www.shawneeoutlook.com

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calendar All events are subject to change and incorporate a variety of guidelines regarding public health standards.

Please contact each organizer for complete and up-to-date information Nov. 18: The one-act opera Amahl and the Night Visitors, which tells a story about a young disabled boy who lives with his mother near Bethlehem when they receive a visit from the magi seeking the baby Jesus Christ, will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. in Raley Chapel at Oklahoma Baptist University. The production commissioned by NBC premiered in 1951 and became an annual tradition for years and has seen numerous reproductions. Information: music@ okbu.edu or (405) 585-4300.

Nov. 19: The Arts @317 will host its own Block pARTy from 5:30-8:30 p.m. featuring painter and jewelry crafter Ronda Eldridge at its 317 E. Main St. location. Information: (405) 659-8193 Nov. 19: The Shawnee Santa Ride hits the road once again after a postponement last year. Pedalers can join in the event starting at 6:30 p.m. hosted by Spokelahoma Bikes and Outdoors at 113 N. Bell Ave. Information: (405) 777-6213 Nov. 19: Safe Events for Families will host its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. at Celebration of Life Park at 301. E. Main St. Information: facebook.com/seffshawnee or seffshawnee@gmail.com.

GORDON COOPER TECHNOLOGY CENTER

DON'T GET LEFT BEHIND Apply Now!

30

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gctech.edu (405) 273-7493 info@gctech.edu

Nov. 20: Take your wrap skills to the next level with the Christmas Lettering Wrapping Paper Workshop at 10 a.m. at First United Bank at 2675 North Harrison Street.

The beginner-friendly workshop will focus on the basics of modern calligraphy and how to apply those skills to decorate your own wrapping paper. Information: (918) 914-0296.

Nov. 28-Dec. 4: Cuckoo Bird and Dashing T Boutique and Rachel Cleere Photography are partnering to host the second annual Claus for a Cause to raise toys and funds for Legacy Parenting. Photo sessions with Santa Claus are available for booking at RachelCleerePhotography. com and happen 1-5 p.m. on Nov. 28 with the toy drive continuing through

Dec. 4 at the boutique at 1817 N. Harrison. Toy donations qualify for a 20 percent discount at Cuckoo Bird and Dashing T. Information: RachelCleerePhotography.com or (405) 214-1992.

Dec. 2: The Safe Events for Families annual Christmas parade will bring "Christmas in Toyland" to Main Street at 7 p.m. Information: facebook.com/ seffshawnee or seffshawnee@gmail.com.

Dec. 3-11: Shawnee Little Theatre will stage a production of “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” which follows the crew of an L.A. radio station getting ready to broadcast a radio version of the Christmas cinematic classic and encounter their own holiday magic in the process. Information: (405) 2752805 or shawneelittletheatre.com Dec. 3: Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art will host its annual gala with the theme, “Color Me Beautiful,” with proceeds benefiting the museum’s education initiatives at 6 p.m. at the Grand Casino Event Center at 777 Grand Casino Blvd. Information: mgmoa.org/gala Dec. 4: Oklahoma Baptist University’s traditional Hanging of the Green will feature Handel’s “Messiah” performed by the university’s fine arts department along with the Shawnee Community Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. in Raley Chapel. Information: music@ gmail.com or (405) 585-4300 Dec. 5: Ride the rails through a winter wonderland with Locomotive Operators of Central Oklahoma’s Christmas Light Night Run at 5:30-7:30 p.m. with strands of lights and decoration adorning the club’s scale tracks at 29626 Lake Drive in McLoud. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be in attendance for photo opportunities. Information: facebook.com/locotrains and (405) 277-0032 Dec. 10: Enjoy dinner and a show with The Broadway Tenors: ‘Tis the Season at 6:30 p.m. at the FireLake Arena at 18145 Old Rangeline Road.

Information: firelakearena.com.

If you know of any events you would like to see featured, email editor@ shawneeoutlook.com.

BENSON PARK PECANS OKLAHOMA NATIVE & PAPER SHELL PECANS 41502 Benson Park Rd, Shawnee • 405-273-1235

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31

Thanksgiving

BEER OF THE MONTH

TURKEY OR HAM GIVEAWAY

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Cocktail

first 100 patrons to earn 40 Points every saturday in november 1 pm – 5 pm will win $25 Firelake discount foods gift card & $10 free play

wild turkey shot $3.75

$100 hot seats

thanksgiving special

of the month

saturdays in november every hour | 6 pm – 9 pm $1,500 hot seat drawing at 10 PM & 11 PM

Ham, stuffing, corn, sweet potatoes, roll

Must be a Hot Rewards Club member. Must be present and wagered on the day of the drawing. Players must report to Players Club for verification. Once it has been established points were earned properly, $10 Free Play will be put on patron’s account and patron will be given the gift card. If a patron earns the correct number of points but all gift cards have been dispersed, patron is still eligible for $10 Free Play. 18+ to enter. Valid ID required. Must take prize giveaway. No cash substitutions. FireLake Casino reserves the right to cancel or change a promotion without advance notice. Giveaway to be conducted in the FireLake Casino designated Promotions area.

$1

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$5

Add pumpkin or pecan pie