Shawnee Outlook

Financial Advisor Retires | Creative Inspiration in Nature

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APRIL 22

Vol. 19 Number 2

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BancFirst’s Brightest

Following the success of our BancFirst Student Board members

Karoline Wiens Student Board 2013-2014

How do you think growing up in Shawnee helped shape you into the person you’ve become/prepared you for your job?

Shawnee High School (2014) William Jewell College - B.S. Business Admin and Leadership (2018) Employer: Events by Elle of Kansas City

Ind. Contractor/Lead Planner (2015) - Detail-oriented wedding planner, dedicated to her craft of executing her clients’ dream weddings. From the big decisions to the little details, she brings their visions to life.

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K: Growing up in a small town helped me refine my skills to connect with people. My community involvement during high school still pushes me to connect with those around me in my personal and professional lives, today. Shawnee’s tight-knit community also enabled me to step into leadership roles with a sense of comfort, confidence and ease. The support level of the community continues to play a large part in my professional endeavors and personal relationships.

Any special memories of your time on the BancFirst Student Board?

K: Being on the board with my best friend, Alex Berry, is still a very special memory to me. The board also allowed me to connect with students from the Tecumseh, Mcloud and Shawnee areas, who I likely would not have connected with otherwise.

How has BancFirst Student Board contributed to your success?

K: The board helped me to find commonality with people I had never met before, which is a large component of my job as a wedding planner. I meet with clients on a regular basis, and in order for them to trust me with the huge responsibility of executing their wedding, I make it a point to foster a trusting and communicative relationship with them from the start.

Shawnee

Te c u m s e h

McLoud

CONTENTS

PUBLISHER

APRIL 2022

27

9 Only Natural: Find Creative Inspiration in Nature This Earth Day 19 At Home: Shawnee-Based DIY Guru Garners 60K Followers, Possible TV Show 27 Good Returns: Financial Advisor To Retire After 35 Years With Edward Jones

MANAGING EDITOR

David Dinsmore

ADVERTISING SALES

Brad Carter

CREATIVE DIRECTION Kelsey Walker Fawn Wilson-Olivarez

9

features

Okie Icon Media

departments 6

KEEP THE CHANGE

6

NUTRITION 101

13

OVER THE FENCE

22

MENTAL HEALTH

24

SONIC CONTEST

25

SHAWNEE HISTORY

30

CALENDAR

WRITERS

Andrea Beck David Dinsmore Brandon Dyer Danielle Mason-Rains Ann McDonald Angela Rowland Erin Rowland Carmen Wolf

DISTRIBUTION

The Shawnee Outlook is delivered FREE by direct mail to 25,000 homes and businesses.

CONTACT US

PO Box 1365 Shawnee, OK 74802 info@shawneeoutlook.com

To Advertise, call Brad (405) 445-3033

Volume 19, Number 2 Shawnee Outlook is a publication of Okie Icon Media. © 2022 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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keep the change

FAMILY-FRIENDLY OUTINGS

W

ith spring upon us, there’s an itch to get out of the house. If you’re looking for something to do with the family or for date night, here are some cost-effective ideas: • Visit the lake. Shawnee Twin Lakes is a great destination for playing in the sand and enjoying a simple picnic or barbecue.

Visit shawneeok.org to learn Angela Rowland more about how to boat, fish or camp there as well. Tecumseh Lake is also tucked in at the west end of Benson Park Rd. and would make for a great family afternoon outdoors.

• Check out a museum. The Mabee-Gerrer Museum located on Oklahoma Baptist University’s Green Campus (formerly St. Gregory’s University) is a treasure of art, historic artifacts and our local mummy. If you want a place for the kids to work out some energy, check out the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum over in Seminole. A yearly pass also offers the option for an Oklahoma Museum Network add-on that also lets you access Science Museum Oklahoma in Oklahoma City among others.

• Go to the movies. Streaming has made entertainment a lot easier, but a trip to the theater is still a great way to get out of the house. And we have two of them in Shawnee. Go during matinee hours for a cheaper option or visit on a Tuesday for $5 tickets.

• Play at an arcade. You’ll find a variety of entertainment for every age level and can spend a decent amount of time for a small amount of money. For a fun alternative for adults or older kids, check out Lumberjack Johnson’s Axe Throwing in downtown Shawnee. Visit Groupon first to get a deal.

• Get crafty. Visit Community Art Gallery in the mall or Coffee ‘N Crafts on Main Street for open painting and a fun way to challenge your creativity. 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

ACTIVITY BENEFITS KIDS MORE THAN PHYSICALLY

I

was recently doing some reading on the benefits of exercise for children. I wasn’t surprised at all to read about the physical benefits for the children, but I was, however, happily surprised to read all the additional benefits exercise has for children.

In his book, “Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain,” author and physician Dr. John Ratey goes into detail about the connection between exercise and test scores. Not only did the book talk about how students had improved learning by adding activity to their morning routine, but it also improved their alertness, attention and motivation. The daily activity actually made retaining information easier. Across the country, students with higher fitness scores also had higher test scores. The book further goes on to show how exercise helps with mechanisms against mental health issues, such as stress, anxiety, depression and ADHD. I find all this information very interesting as I also hear about activities coming out of schools. For some kids, if they are not in an actual sport through the school, the child is not getting in any activity.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends 60 minutes a day of activity for children. Along with the recommendation of activity is limiting the amount of screen time to no more than 2 hours a day unless school related. The CDC goes on to say how exercise helps the body physically. Those benefits include building strong bones and muscles, controlling weight and preventing many diseases like heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, blood pressure and osteoporosis. A child’s activity can include playing a sport, tag, jumping on the trampoline, hiking, biking, swimming and so many more fun activities.

Grilled Vegetables

Time to fire up that grill. Grilled vegetables are one of my favorite ways to get vegetables into my daily diet. When grilling, give yourself time for the vegetables as these usually take longer than your main dish on the grill.

Ingredients: 2 medium zucchini, sliced 3 garlic cloves, 2 medium yellow squash, sliced diced 1 small onion, sliced 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 large container of mushrooms Mrs. Dash table blend Directions: Make sure to wash all produce well before slicing. Place chopped vegetables in a bowl and cover with oil and seasonings. Stir around until all vegetables are evenly coated. Place vegetables into a metal basket and place on the warmed up grill.

Grill for 20-30 minutes or until fork tender. Serves 6, about ½ cup each serving Nutrition Information per serving: Calories: 60 Total Fat: 4.7g Saturated Fat: 0g Sodium: 5.5mg Cholesterol: 0mg Total Carbohydrates: 8g Fiber:2g Protein: 3g Nutrition 101 Tip: There are so many different ways to incorporate vegetables into your daily diet. If you feel like you don’t like a certain vegetable, it is always good to prepare it a different way. Cooking vegetables in different ways changes the texture of the vegetable. Steaming, roasting, sautéing, stir-frying and grilling them are a few options. Not everyone likes to grill year-round, so when it is that time of year, I highly recommend trying different vegetables on the grill. You will get a whole different flavor and texture on the grill versus cooking them inside. This can also be a way to get your children to try different vegetables. 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 through an online class 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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Shawnee Splash Waterpark was built in 2015 and offers over 365,000 gallons of fun for Pottawatomie County areas and beyond. Season opens on Friday, May 27,2022 and will close on August 12,2022. Splash offers swim lessons, birthday parties, and private rentals. Otto's Snack Shack is open during pool hours and offers snacks for everyone!

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art of the matter

ONLY NATURAL

Find Creative Inspiration In Nature This Earth Day SUBMITTED BY CARMEN WOLF, MABEE-GERRER MUSEUM OF ART BOARD VICE-CHAIR

Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art’s courtyard is one of the many places people can find inspiration in the beauty of nature as Earth Day approaches on April 22.

H

appy Spring!

It’s finally April. The sun is out, and the days are warming up. It’s also time to celebrate Mother Earth. Fifty-two years ago, a group of people across the United States got together to celebrate the Earth and encourage people – especially lawmakers – to make a difference in the Earth’s health. They called this day Earth Day, which has spread around the globe since then. Many positive changes have been made in protecting Mother Earth, but we still have far to go to protect our home planet.

When I think of celebrating Mother Earth, I think of finding a beautiful, peaceful place to walk or sit in surrounded by nature. It’s fun to let all the thoughts running through your head float away, feel your muscles relaxing and experience the quiet and peace. Many studies have shown that one of the best ways to relax and improve your overall outlook on life is to spend time with nature.

My favorite place to do this is the courtyard at the MabeeGerrer Museum of Art. When you go to the museum, you pass through two huge decorative metal doors. This brings you into a beautiful courtyard. The doors make such a state-

ment. It’s almost like leaving our day-to-day world and entering a magical place with bubbling water, plants and trees enveloping you. The museum is on the Oklahoma Baptist University Green Campus, so you don’t hear any city noises, which helps create a peaceful atmosphere.

In the center of the courtyard is a koi fishpond. Koi fish have been popular since the early 19th century. Japanese rice farmers would catch colorful and ornamental carp fish and breed them as pets. A koi fish can grow as long as three feet in length and typically live around 40 years. The fish are usually white and orange, but you can find yellow too. Many times, they are a combination of these colors, also including black.

They are omnivores, which means they will eat fish food, algae and insects. It’s so much fun watching the fish at feeding time. They all cluster around the person with the food, come to the surface of the water and open their mouths wide hoping for a morsel. Once they are successful, they scurry away to eat and quickly come back for more.

You can see the colorful fish darting around the pond among the green lily pads that float on the surface of the water. As you look further you discover the source of the running water that www.shawneeoutlook.com

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replenishes the pond and above that a sculpture. All around the courtyard there are plants and trees along with a few tables and benches, all of it open to the sky. It is truly a magical place, and you can’t help but relax as you take in the beauty.

Your task for this month is to visit the courtyard at the Mabee-Gerrer or find another beautiful and peaceful place in nature to immerse yourself. Take a sketchbook, a journal, a camera or whatever inspires you and spend some time embracing the beauty of nature.

To take this a step further, Mabee-Gerrer has created a new program called Art & Nature in Health and Wellness, the only program of its kind in Oklahoma. Art and nature together are very effective tools to promote stress management, emotional healing, mental healing and spiritual development. This program is a fun and inspiring journey to becoming the best you. Classes are designed for anyone to take and enjoy. There is a certification component for professionals in several fields.

Contact the museum at (405) 878-5300 for information. S 3601 N Harrison, Shawnee, OK

Scan this code to visit the MabeeGerrer Museum of Art’s at-home project page.

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Services offered at this new location: • 3D Diagnostic Mammography • Same-day ultrasound • Ultrasound, stereotactic and 3D imaging biopsies Visit ssmhealth.com/ShawneeBreastCare to schedule your screening.

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over the fence

INJURY RESERVE

D

Set Aside Time For Mental Healing

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

avoid contact and rest, nor was I aware that a second conid you ever play sports when you were growing up, maybe in P.E. class or through the YMCA? Percussion within a few days of the first could cause serious long-term damage. Fortunately, that didn’t happen. haps you played in middle school or high school.

Even less severe injuries like ankle sprains and deep If so, odds are you’ve banked both good and not so good thigh bruises take time to heal. We all know that, but we memories of your sporting experiences. I certainly have. aren’t always good and giving our body what it needs, are Each one demonstrated lessons and reinforced values which are still expressed through my life to this day. Cliches Brandon Dyer we? We’re impatient people. It’s often easier to ignore our physical health needs than to address them. like, “there’s no I in team,” “you have to play one game at a What about our mental health needs? How are we doing at astime,” or “he took one for the team” are perhaps overused, but each carries a lifetime of meaning. sessing and addressing those? The short answer is: not good. Not In addition to lessons and values from team sports, something good at all actually. In the same way that a kid with a concussion 30 else I learned is that injuries are “part of the game.” How many in- years ago didn’t understand the severity of his problem, ignored it juries did you witness, cause or personally experience in your glory and went back in the game, we don’t understand the consequences days? I certainly had my share. In fact, I still have neck and knee of ignoring our mental well-being. We think it better to just “suck pain from football, knuckles that ache and fingers that won’t bend it up” when life gets tough. I’m no expert, but I know enough now right because of wrestling and a visible indentation in my leg from to understand that when we don’t slow down and create intentional a tear in my quad. Of course, in those days if you could walk you space for rest and healing on the inside, we are compounding the were healthy enough to play – never mind that you were dragging problem.

For me, prayer and simple meditation are like medicine when your broken leg behind you. I suppose we all had something to I’m stressed and off-center, but I find myself thinking I’m too busy prove to the world, to the haters, to ourselves.

Recently, I was at a soccer game watching my oldest son play. sometimes to make space for it. This is counterintuitive when you His team was on only one day of rest after wrapping up a tour- think about it, isn’t it? If I’m thirsty, I never tell myself I’m too busy nament where they played three really tough games against qual- for a drink. What sense does it make to deny myself something that ity opponents, and they were worn smooth out. Several guys were brings me life?

I read somewhere, “You should sit in meditation (or prayer) for banged up with your typical nicks and bruises, and although uncomfortable, those didn’t warrant missing any game time. Others, 20 minutes everyday, unless you’re too busy. Then you should sit for including my son, had ankle sprains or deep thigh bruises and inju- an hour.” There is truth in this.

It’s not my job to tell you what self-care practices you ought to ries of that nature. Nothing too terribly serious but required a little more attention. They played sparingly or not at all. Coach wanted put in place, but whatever brings you life on the inside is worth to rest them for district play coming up later in the week. Seemed your time and attention. The ball is in your court. It’s gut-check time. Are you going to bring your A game? like a wise choice.

S After the game, I was chatting with a good friend of mine. His son is on the team as well and played in spite of some nagging ailVisit ments that flare up from time to time. We lightheartedly compared the difference between what was considered an injury in our day WWW.TCPSHAWNEE.COM versus now. Rather than the braggadocious exaggerations you to sign up for the Mobile App! might have expected us to share with each other, we actually remarked at how much more informed coaches and players are today when it comes to assessing injuries.

We recalled how little anyone knew about concussions 30 years Tim Barrick, DPh. ago and how many of our friends had suffered them. I, too, had 405-273-9417 Cell: 405-740-2898 been concussed from a hard hit in an 8th grade football game. Very 3210 Kethley Road Fax: 405-273-8849 literally I had the snot knocked out of me and wasn’t right for days.

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community

Astra Spanbauer launched Instagram and Facebook pages to share her personal home improvement projects and has since gained interest from nearly 60,000 followers as well as national magazines and television producers. — Photos submitted

AT HOME Shawnee-Based DIY Guru Garners 60K Online Followers, Possible TV Show

I

BY DAVID DINSMORE

n college, she would come home from class and watch shows about real estate and home improvement on channels like HGTV and TLC, but it was not something she was eyeing as a possible career path as made her way through school.

“I was always very interested in it, but it wasn’t until I bought this house that I actually started trying to do my own things,” Spanbauer said.

She started building her collection of tools as well as skills as she took on more projects to give her home more personal touches. Her friends began to take notice of the unique decor and updates she was creating, and they encouraged her to display the results of her hard work on social media outlets like Instagram and Facebook. Spanbauer said she decided to follow that advice without much expectation about the reach of interest in her work.

“I was like, “Oh, yeah, I’ll have five followers: my mom, my twin sister, my friend and a few people,’” Spanbauer said. “It really just evolved. I started out just sharing home decor, and then as I started doing projects, I started sharing some small projects. Then I really started jumping into larger scale projects.”

As of the end of March 2022, Spanbauer’s Instagram account had garnered

nearly 60,000 followers with 27,000 more on TikTok in addition to her Facebook page.

Spanbauer looked to do-it-yourself enthusiasts and icons spanning a variety of outlets online, in print and on television for techniques and concepts she could try in her own home. As she received more interest on her own platforms, the bigger projects she wanted to try to give people following her some inspiration of their own.

“It wasn’t something I realized I was missing until I was doing it,” Spanbauer said.

Her work caught the attention of nationally recognized entities like American Farmhouse Style magazine, who first approached Spanbauer to shoot a holiday photo spread featuring her home decor. The publication followed up by featuring a couple of her kitchen and bath refresh projects. The staff and their online audience then selected her to be the 2022 brand ambassador for the magazine with her own DIY column featured in each issue this year and a weekly project on Fridays on Instagram.

Additionally, she received the opportunity to go from an HGTV viewer www.shawneeoutlook.com

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to a possible on-screen personality. A TikTok video she posted went viral and grabbed the attention of a television producer. After looking up his background, Spanbauer agreed to be part of a group shooting a DIY sizzle reel, which is a short promotional video used to showcase someone’s work for a pitch to a network about a potential larger project. As of March, the reel – which featured various designers and builders including Tamara Day from HGTV’s Bargain Mansions – was still in the review process to determine if a network may want to pick up a full show.

“The opportunities that have come from just starting a social media page and finding what I love have been completely mind-blowing,” Spanbauer said.

Some of her projects have also received sponsorship from different home goods brands that she has been able to incorporate into the projects she features on her various online platforms.

A Shawnee High School and Oklahoma Baptist University graduate, Spanbauer earned a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine before becoming a full-time property manager for the last 20

www.shawneeoutlook.com

18 years. She began on-site before transitioning into a corporate role for seven years. A licensed realtor, Spanbauer now oversees properties in Oklahoma and Nevada. Her license is hung under Havenly Real Estate Group in Edmond, and she offers consultations for buying or selling a home and for design on her website, athomewithastra.com.

She also has received requests from people in the area to help or give insights regarding their own home im-

provement ambitions.

On top of these roles, Spanbauer is also a mother of two at home and enlists their help as needed when undertaking a project. Her son has made frequent appearances in her Instagram videos, but her daughter will help if needed and usually behind-the-scenes. She, however, was the source of the idea to start Spanbauer’s TikTok account that caught the attention of the TV producer.

Ultimately, her family was one of the main reasons she began even looking at tackling home improvement projects.

Before the online following and national media outlet attention, Spanbauer wanted to create the kind of place where she and her kids loved spending time and coming home.

“I didn’t have any expectations for this,” Spanbauer said. “I wanted to decorate my home and do projects … to create a home for me and my kids. I just happen to get to share it with a lot of people, and that’s a bonus.”

For more information, visit AtHomeWithAstra.com or follow @athomewithastra on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. S

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mental health

BOTTLED UP

Prevent Teen Drinking, Adult-Enabled Social Hosting During Prom Season

S

BY DANIELLE MASON-RAINS AND ERIN ROWLAND

the month to launch a campaign that will hopefully spark pring is here, and with it comes not only the resome conversation within the community. turn of warm weather but also prom and graduThe Drug Free Communities of Pottawatomie Counation season, which should be a time of joy and ty and Community Based Prevention Services Grant celebration. Unfortunately, this time of the year also have joined forces to raise awareness of the social host means an increased risk for teens to be involved in an Mason-Rains law. The two grants – both of which are housed by Gatealcohol-related incident, many of which are deadly. way to Prevention & Recovery – have partnered with According to the National Highway Traffic Safety community businesses and organizations to bring back Administration, approximately 1,000 teens are killed the Pink Elephant campaign. each year because of alcohol while celebrating their During the month of April, a paper mache pink prom or graduation. Even more alarming is the fact that elephant will be hosted by a different location each many of these teens obtain their alcohol from adults, week. The pink elephant serves as a visual reminder of including parents, older siblings or friends’ parents.

Rowland the statewide social host law and the consequences of According to the Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment, nearly 70 percent of teens who used alcohol in the last 12 adults providing alcohol and/or a place to drink for underage months obtained it from their own home, and about 60 percent youth. In addition, there will be handouts and other information distributed via social media. Be on the lookout for the pink were able to access it at a friend’s home or at a party.

Parents sometimes believe that a little alcohol is harmless for elephant during the month of April, and if you see it, make sure teens or that youth are going to try it anyway, so they provide to snap a photo and share on social media. We hope the pink a place for drinking while falsely believing they are providing a elephant serves as a great reminder that it is everyone’s responsafer alternative to unsupervised house parties. They may not sibility to keep our youth safe.

If you have any questions or would like more information realize that what they are doing is illegal.

By definition, a social host is anyone who provides the loca- about the initiatives above, contact Danielle Mason-Rains at tion for people under the age of 21 to drink alcohol. A social drains@gatewaytoprevention.org. S host can be either an adult or a minor and does not necessarily Erin Rowland has worked for Gateway since August 2021 as a have to be physically present or the actual property owner. Vio- Community Based Coalition Coordinator. Born and raised in lating social host law is punishable by an immediate $500 fine Shawnee, Erin graduated from the University of Oklahoma in May and increases with each additional violation. Three violations of 2021 and is working towards her master’s degree. the law can earn adults a felony conviction with up to five years Danielle Rains has worked for Gateway since 2019 and is currently the in prison and a fine of up to $2,500. Additionally, if someone is Drug Free Communities Grant Program Director. She obtained her Master injured or killed due to a social host violation, there can also be of Arts in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma in 2017. a felony conviction.

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shawnee history

GAUGING SUCCESS

Shawnee Home To World’s ‘Finest’ Model Train Producer During 1950s

T

BY ANN MCDONALD, COURTESY POTT CO HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBER

homas Industries was founded in the 1940s in New Jersey the event featured various flying acrobat exhibitions and model

by James P. “Jim” Thomas with the idea to craft a line airplane contests. It had grown so large over the years that the of O-gauge scale trains. He was a partner in the Mantua city had to work out a parking plan for visitors. Some 42,000 citiMetal Manufacturing Company that made electric motors for zens had attended the affair the year before. toys. At the time, the leading producer of model trains was LioThomas Industries was one of the newest industries in town. nel, which designed them for children’s play.

Jim and Lincoln Thomas and their company were Saturday’s Thomas wanted to produce a more lifelike product. His en- feature at that weekend affair. The ceremony began at 1 p.m. at gines and cars were attractive but complex. They were not simply the Optimist Club’s model airplane booth in the main hangar. toys to play with. He hoped the public would prefer the realistic The company displayed several articles produced in the Shawnee trains, but sales were not as expected. plant, including the train items and He then realized there was a market the planetariums. for those who collected or built disThomas Industries was one of the plays as a hobby, and they wanted a favorite places in Shawnee for groups quality model. Thomas then concenlike the Cub Scouts to tour. During trated on creating early locomotives, the 1950s, many local youngsters got freight and passenger cars. to see how their products were made, Born in 1902 in New Jersey, some saying later their interests in Thomas moved with his family to model trains were inspired by the visit.

Poteau, Oklahoma, where his father A member of the Military Collectried farming during early statehood. tors and Historians called the Thomas The Thomas household contained model train the “finest in the world … eight children, including two sets of correct down to the last detail.” twins. By 1920, they had moved back James P. “Jim” Smith moved his model train In 1958, U.S. Secretary of State company from New Jersey to Shawnee in 1951 to the East Coast. As a teen during John Foster Dulles admitted in an World War I, Thomas designed preci- and spent the next seven years producing interview that his secret desire had sion instruments for the government models and tools that are still highly sought by always been to be a railroad engineer. collectors today. — Photo submitted and realized he had a talent for workThomas heard about it and mailed ing with small tools.

Dulles one of their train sets. Dulles wrote he was delighted and He began working in that industry, then in 1951 when he de- sent photos of himself displaying the gift in his office. cided to build his own plant, he came back to Oklahoma. His The Thomas-built trains were a hit among collectors and wife, Marie, said they liked the state’s work ethic and were drawn hobbyists. They were carefully crafted, and Thomas Industries’ to Shawnee because of a town in New Jersey, Shawnee-on-the production of tools to build and repair them added to their apDelaware. His younger brothers, Lincoln and Don, and Jim’s re- peal. Unfortunately, Thomas had a heart attack and passed away tired parents, James A. and Jennie Thomas, came to Shawnee as in 1958. Having lost the company’s product designer and plant well. manager, his brothers struggled to keep the local plant operatThe factory was at 1125 E. Independence just east of Harrison ing for a while, but eventually Thomas Industries’ production in Street. His brothers were also part of the business. They and their Shawnee closed and moved to other locations, including Plano, employees, numbering 10 to 13, developed and built not only the Texas. In 1964, there was a fire there that destroyed the dyes and trains but tools and devices to construct and repair those trains. blueprints.

The company also turned out small scientific tools and earth In the few short years of its operations, the company imglobes that were in use in 21 states, several foreign countries and pacted the collectible train industry all over the country. Toat military institutions such as Fort Sill and the Merchant Marine day, any Thomas Industries trains that can be found command Academy. Thomas’s son, James, Jr., was the designer. many times more than the original price. An engine that sold Soon after the arrival of Thomas Industries, the company was for $35 can now possibly be worth 10 times as much. If they honored at Shawnee’s annual two-day Air Fair and Industrial Ex- are still in the box labeled Shawnee, Oklahoma, they are worth position. Held at the local airport since the end of World War II, even more. S www.shawneeoutlook.com

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community

GOOD RETURNS

Financial Advisor To Retire After 35 Years With Edward Jones

BY DAVID DINSMORE Jim Smith – pictured here with office administrator Sherry Lankford – opened the first Edward Jones financial advisor practice in Shawnee and is retiring in May after more than 35 years with the company. ­— Photos submitted

J

im Smith has asked the question numerous times.

"What are you going to do on Monday?"

Having spent much of his more than 35 years with Edward Jones as a financial advisor, Smith has spoken with people on the verge of retirement and had them think about this. They’d spent years working together to create a firm financial foundation that would allow clients to fully enjoy their post-working years, and now that the moment was upon them, Smith always found it interesting to understand how they pictured that first weekday without having to report for work.

Now, Smith finds himself on the other side of the conversation, pondering what he'll do on his first Monday upon entering retirement a couple months from now.

“It’s easier to talk about what I’ll miss most, and that’s the routine I’ve had for the last 35-40 years,” Smith said. “The challenge that will be in front of me will be the same challenge

that I’ve discussed with clients so many times.”

The kind of curiosity that led Smith to want to hear about his clients’ immediate plans for that Monday has played a key role in the professional success he has had as a financial advisor with Edward Jones.

Smith started his career out of college working in the banking and commercial real estate industry. Having invested in his first mutual fund at age 14, Smith had an early interest in how to make his money work for him and create more opportunity. He joined Edward Jones to better understand how to evaluate investments and securities and the strategies that go into selecting the best fits based on individuals’ goals. This required inquisitiveness and persistent focus in order to apply the concepts of sound investing to real world opportunities.

While in that role, Smith earned his certified financial planner credentials and opened the first Edward Jones branch in Shawnee. www.shawneeoutlook.com

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“With that viewpoint, you are taking a more holistic look at all of the needs of people,” Smith said.

Smith began working with members of the community to help them clarify, strategize and pursue their financial and personal goals. Whether planning to save for college expenses for their children, a down payment on a house or a financially comfortable retirement, Smith said he tried to make sure that clients knew they had someone who cared about helping them start and stay on track toward their personal goals.

Smith applied the same studious mindset that led him during his early days of researching investments with Edward Jones to his relationships with his clients. He tried to ensure he asked plenty of questions and – more importantly – listened to their thoughts and concerns.

This helped him gain more insight regarding their perspective on their goals and how to achieve them.

“I try to make sure we’re on the same path and what you’re comfortable with,” Smith said.

In a time where most professionals remain with an employer for a few years before leaving to pursue their next opportunity, Smith said the atmosphere and structure of Edward Jones is a large reason why he has worked with them for more than 35 years. As a partnership rather than a publicly traded company, his colleagues and he can evaluate and implement policies that benefit their clients and each other. For instance, there are now seven advisors working in the area in a community where Smith's opened the first Edward Jones practice, and in his experience, they are not "tripping over each other's toes.”

Smith has been able to share from his knowledge in mentoring newer advisors as they have entered the Edward Jones partnership, which helps strengthen them overall along with reinforcing best practices for him to continue following in his own practice. Though the individual practices operate separately and privately, Smith said belonging to a partnership provides them with a common goal of helping ensure they all succeed as best they can for the good of clients and each other.

“If I can help you get your office to a break-even point faster, that means the partnership is stronger,” Smith said. “It benefits us for me not to see you as competition but to help you along in doing what I can for you to be able to grow your practice.”

A partnership also allows the company to invest in initiatives – particularly in respect to technology – with a long28

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term focus on improving benefits for their clients as well as the company, Smith said.

“The partnership gives you the incentive to act as an owner,” Smith said. “It gives the company the opportunity to grow a little differently.”

Within the structure of the partnership, individuals working with clients like Smith has done for most of his career also have the backing of other divisions within the Edward Jones organization to make sure the investment opportunities they are offering meet their standards of quality.

“We’re just trying to look out for clients’ best interests and not expose them to something that we think may have more risk associated with it than they might realize,” Smith said.

The structure of Edward Jones also has allowed his family and him to utilize travel benefits that have taken them across the country and overseas. In fact, getting to travel more is one of the aspects he's looking forward to following that first Monday of retirement.

It is also important to Smith to be involved with community groups and nonprofit projects, he said, and that is something he sees himself continuing after he steps away from his fulltime work. Additionally, Smith is overseeing construction on 10 new homes in a subdivision in Shawnee along with the completion of a lake house for his family.

Smith also has an eye on resuming a passion he has for photography in addition to restoring an old wooden boat inherited from his father-in-law. Between projects like these, Smith also is looking at spending some more time in the tee box than he has been able to during the last few years.

“Beyond the first 30 months, I’m not quite sure what I’ll be doing, but I’ve got a pretty good idea that I can keep myself reasonably busy in those areas,” Smith said.

Regardless of where his retirement activities take him, Smith said he is happy to be able to look back at what he has accomplished in his career and the relationships he has built in that time.

“One of the aspects is one you can’t put a number on, and that’s knowing that you’ve improved the lives financially of a lot of people within the community,” Smith said. “More than once we’ve been told that the direction we’ve been providing some of our families have put them in a much better place.” S

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Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty.

LIBERTY

calendar All events are subject to change and incorporate a variety of guidelines regarding public health measures. Please contact each organizer for complete and up-to-date information.

April 9-10: Oklahoma Baptist University Theatre presents “On the Verge” by Eric Overmyer with showtimes at 7:30 p.m.

April 7-9 and 2:30 p.m. April 10. This whimsical, fantastical comedy follows the journey of three women that bends time, space and the English language willy-nilly. Seating is limited. Tickets and information: okbu.edu/theatre

Sunday, May 1, 2022 10:45 a.m. Morning Service Guest Speaker Bill Leveridge Special Music 12:30 p.m. Fellowship and Light Meal

April 9: Get ready to pay tribute as Guns 4 Roses and Dressed To Kill rock all the best hits and spectacles created by rock bands Guns N' Roses and KISS at 7 p.m. at the Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee.com

Nursery Provided 6:30 p.m. Evening Worship in Song Jimmy Gibson and Band

Liberty Baptist Church 405.273.3022 | 711 E. FEDERAL, SHAWNEE, OK

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April 9: Bethel Band Boosters is hosting its sixth annual Car Show Fundraiser at the high school at 36000 Clear Pond Road with registration 8-10 a.m. and awards at 1 p.m. Pre-registration must be in by March 25. Information: facebook. com/bethelbandboosters or (405) 6157454

April 12, 19, 26: Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art will host an activity series, After School Art: Clay into Ceramics, with ages 5-8 from 4-5 p.m. and ages 9-12 from 5:15-6:15 p.m. at 1900 W. MacArthur. Information: mgmoa.org/ engage or (405) 878-5300 April 13: World renowned blues guitarist Carvin Jones – named one of the Top 50 Guitarists by Guitarist Magazine – will make the six strings sing at 8 p.m. at the Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee.com

local authors will be doing book signings during this event. Information: (405) 659-8193 April 16: Community Renewal will host an Easter community block party that will feature an egg hunt, music, inflatables, free food, face painting, games, prizes and many local nonprofits will be giving away information. The fun starts at 1 p.m. at Boy Scout Park at the corner of Pesotum and Main.

Information: (405) 273-1035 April 21: The April Third Thursday Poetry Reading at 7 p.m. in the Lunch Box at 217 E. Main St. will feature OBU professor Brent Newsom, whose collection, "Love's Labors," was a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award in 2015.

He has also published fiction in journals and was the librettist for an opera presented at OBU in 2017. Following Newsom’s reading will be an open-mic session. The Lunch Box will open at 6 p.m. for those who want to order a meal.

April 23: Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art’s next Art, Nature and Healing workshop will happen 9 a.m.-12 p.m. for ages 18 and older. The topic, “Self as House – Paper mâché and me,” will have participants exploring and expanding their sense of self integrating natural and human made materials. Information: mgmoa.org/workshops or (405) 8785300 April 28: OBU’s Bison Glee Club will perform a free concert open to the public at 7:30 p.m. in Raley Chapel on the OBU campus. Information: music@okbu.edu

April 13, 20, 27: Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art will host a series of art workshops featuring gelli printmaking from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for ages 13-18 and 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for ages 18 and older at 1900 W. MacArthur. Information: mgmoa.org/ workshops or (405) 878-5300

April 30: A hands-on Dutch oven workshop from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will teach participants about the differences in Dutch ovens and methods of controlling temperature with both coals and wood as they prepare recipes to enjoy at the end of the event. Equipment is furnished, and attendees will also receive booklets of recipes and instructions as well as workshop prizes. Registration deadline is April 25. Information: (405) 651-2324

April 14, 15: SSM Health will host free Advance Directive Workshops at the Shawnee Senior Recreation Center at 401 N. Bell. at 6 p.m. on April 14 and 11 a.m. on April 15 with focuses on important steps and new laws regarding advance directives. Information: (405) 878-1528

April 30, May 7: Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art will host a workshop series, Adult Art Workshop: Hand Building Ceramics, for ages 18 and older from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at 1900 W. MacArthur.

Information: mgmoa.org/engage or (405) 878-5300

April 14, 21, 28: Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art will host a series of classes, Teen Art Clinic: Hand Building Ceramics, for ages 13-18 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 1900 W. MacArthur. Information: mgmoa.org/engage or (405) 878-5300

May 3: OBU’s Bisonette Glee Club will perform a free concert open to the public at 7:30 p.m. in Raley Chapel on the OBU campus. Information: music@okbu.edu

April 15: The Arts @317 will host its annual Student Art Show as the highlight of its monthly Block pARTy from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Student art will be featured from various schools in and around Shawnee. In addition, several

May 5: OBU will host a free Symphonic Winds Concert open to the public at 7:30 p.m. in Raley Chapel on the OBU campus. Information: music@okbu.edu If you know of any events you would like to see featured, email editor@ shawneeoutlook.com.

We express our gratitude for our dedicated team of healthcare providers for continuing to work and see patients during these difficult times.

We commend our teams willingness to keep seeing patients as their need arises and that we are able to provide both Home Health care and Hospice throughout the COVID crisis.

Enriching the lives of our patients and their families every day.

Heartland Home Health Care

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• Accredited by Accreditation Commission for Health Care

• SHP Best Hospice Caregiver Satisfaction Superior Performer Award 2016, 2017 and 2018

Enriching the lives of our patients and their families every day.

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