keep the change
DATE NIGHT ON A DIME
uick! It’s date night, and you don’t have much cash. What are you going to do? Make do with what you have and don’t overextend your budget, that’s what.
Stay in. Of course, scrolling on Netflix and making frozen pizza doesn’t feel like much of a date, so be more intentional with it. Finding classic movies – “Casablanca” or “Singin’ in the Rain” would be fun choices – or choose another theme outside of your typical genre of choice and find some “classics” in that genre you haven’t seen yet. Make homemade popcorn on the stove – or use a microwave if you must. Try fun toppings, such as popping corn in bacon grease and adding crumbled bacon, drizzling with chocolate or sprinkling with ranch seasoning. Try a popcorn bar with fun add-ins.
Experiment with dinner. Choose a theme that matches your movie and look up recipes on Pinterest or Allrecipes.com – skip over the ones with fancy ingredients and try to find something that works with what you’ve got in the kitchen or inexpensive in gredients. If you need video instructions, focus on recipes with those. Work together so that cooking dinner – and maybe even grocery shopping – is part of your date.
Find free activities. If you really want to get out, visit a park and be a kid again. Or check the event calendar at visitshawnee. com to find local activities happening – many of these are low or no cost. Make it a point to branch out and try a place or activity that’s new to you – experiencing something new together is a great way to bond.
Join friends. Going out with a group takes some pressure off planning. Have each member plan a portion of the date – dinner, activity, dessert, etc. – but be sure to stick to that budget.
Angela Rowland is an OBU graduate and a stay-at-home mother of four. She enjoys finding new ways to stretch the paycheck and sharing her favorite tips and deals.
Angela Rowland
NEXT STEPS FOR A NEW YEAR
eart disease remains a significant health concern in Oklahoma. In 2020, it was the leading cause of death in the state, accounting for one out of every four deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the age-adjusted death rate for heart disease in Oklahoma was 257.1 per 100,000 residents, ranking the state among the highest in the nation.
Certain counties particularly in the southeastern region exhibit higher prevalence rates. For instance, Choctaw County reported a 17.8 percent prevalence of heart disease among adult SoonerCare members followed by Pushmataha at 17.2 percent and Kiowa at 16.1 percent.
Risk factors contributing to these statistics include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, tobacco use, diabetes, obesity, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity. Men are more likely to die from heart disease than women, and the risk increases with age. Additionally, African Americans and Native Americans face higher mortality rates from heart disease compared to other races.
Addressing these risk factors through lifestyle modifications is crucial in improving heart health across the state. Some examples of lifestyle modifications include:
1. Following a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fiber, lean protein and healthy fats. Limit added sugar.
2. Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week. Include strength training exercises at least twice a week.
3. Quit smoking if currently smoking.
4. Manage stress by practicing mindfulness, yoga, deep breathing exercises or prayer to reduce stress levels.
5. Maintain a healthy weight. Losing even a small amount of weight can lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels.
6. If you drink, do so in moderation.
7. Get quality sleep, aiming for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
8. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding sugar drinks.
These changes when adopted consistently can make a significant difference in heart health. Reach out if I can help you with any of these changes.
Shrimp and Zoodles in Garlic-Lemon Sauce
Looking for a light and flavorful Valentine’s Day dish that’s quick to prepare and bursting with fresh ingredients? This garlic-lemon shrimp
and zoodles recipe is the perfect choice. Packed with protein, healthy fats and low-carb zucchini noodles, it’s as nutritious as it is delicious. Whether you're celebrating a romantic evening or just want to treat yourself to something special, this dish is sure to impress.
Ingredients:
10-12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 medium zucchinis, spiralized
2 tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup white wine or vegetable broth
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish
Directions: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic until fragrant (1-2 minutes). Add shrimp, season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside. Deglaze the skillet with wine or broth, add lemon juice and simmer for 2 minutes. Toss in zucchini noodles, cooking for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened. Return shrimp to the skillet and toss to combine. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information per Serving Makes: 2 servings
Calories: 205 Total fat: 14.5g Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 94mg Sodium: 69mg Carbohydrates: 8g
Dietary Fiber: 1g Protein: 11g
Nutrition 101: This recipe is ideal for a romantic dinner or a healthy weeknight meal. Pair it with a glass of sparkling water infused with lemon and mint for the ultimate dining experience. Low in sodium and rich in healthy fats and protein make this a great option for a balanced, hearthealthy meal. Add a slice of sourdough bread to complete the meal. Zucchini noodles make a light and healthy alternative to pasta. The lemon, garlic and parsley create a bright, zesty flavor. Bon appetit.
Andrea Beck, a registered dietitian and personal trainer, received her master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. She offers personal training and nutrition education through an online platform, StrongHER along with functional nutrition and labs through Laser Focus. For inquiries, visit strongherwithandrea.com, or the Facebook page, Nutrition and Exercise 101 with Andrea.
art of the matter
Collage Art Creates Unity Using Different Materials
SUBMITTED BY DELAYNNA TRIM, CURATOR OF COLLECTIONS, MABEE-GERRER MUSEUM OF ART
A BITS AND PIECES
s February brings the celebration of Black History Month, the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art continues to feature works by two premier Oklahoma City collage artists, Melvin R. and Rose Smith.
Born and raised in Oklahoma City, Melvin earned his bachelor of arts in journalism from the University of Minnesota. In 1983, he started experimenting with collage. Collage is the process of combining pieces of paper, photographs, fabric or other materials together to create a new and unique piece.
The MGMoA has in its collection “How Long, How Long, Have my Lonesome Train Been Gone,” a collage created by Melvin in 1994. The title could refer to the blues song, “How Long, How Long Blues,” which was written by singer and pianist Leroy Carr in 1928. Carr reworked the lyrics in several subsequent recordings. The song has also been covered by many different artists over the years, including Eric Clapton, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Charles.
In “How Long, How Long, Have my Lonesome Train Been Gone,” Melvin uses several layers of painted paper and cardboard. This work is very abstract, allowing the viewer to interpret the various colors and shapes.
Pablo Picasso and George Braque are credited with creating collage as an art form. Many consider “Still Life Bach” by George Braque in 1912 to be the first collage artwork. Braque called it “papier collé,” which means glued paper in French. The early collages by Picasso and Braque are also filled with fragments from popular songs, fake wood-grain paper and snippets of figures, instruments and other objects. Pi-
casso immediately copied the new technique that his friend had created. One of Picasso’s earliest collage works, “Guitar and Sheet Music,” includes a cubist drawing of a glass, part of a newspaper headline, pieces of wallpaper, sheet music and painted paper.
Melvin and his wife Rose – who is also an artist – founded the Oklahoma Museum of African American Art in Oklahoma City in 2000. It is now
Street Talk by Rose Smith
known as the Oklahoma Black Museum and Performing Art Center. Rose was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and began to paint at the age of five. She started her career by designing women’s clothing and creating display windows for retail stores. She studied visual arts at the University of Minnesota. Her artwork includes watercolor, acrylic, drawing and collage. “Street Talk,” Rose’s work in the MGMoA collection, is a mixture of collage and watercolor featuring three women who are talking together.
Tissue Paper Painting
Supplies – tissue paper, water, paint brush, thick paper (watercolor paper works well)
Make sure the dye will run on your tissue paper before starting.
Wet the paper.
Apply the torn pieces of tissue paper.
Scan this code to visit the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art’s athome project page.
Using the brush, apply water over the tissue paper, making sure it is saturated. Let dry over night.
Carefully remove the tissue paper, revealing the colors underneath.
SPACE FLIGHT
Aviary Gifted Eagle Feather That Traveled To Outer Space And Back COURTESY OF CITIZEN POTAWATOMI NATION
Tradition and scientific achievement came together at a presentation at the Citizen Potawatomi Eagle Aviary. Audrey Kiefer, who was at the time the senior director of customer experience operations at Axiom Space, presented the aviary with an eagle feather that traveled to space on the Axiom Space AX-3 mission. Kiefer has since transitioned to running her own consulting firm, Sema Ventures, LLC.
CPN Eagle Aviary managers Jennifer Randell and Bree Dunham accepted the feather and gave Kiefer a private tour of the aviary and an 8th Generation wool blanket. Blankets are often gifted by the Potawatomi and other tribes as a symbol of appreciation and warmth.
Kiefer, a descendant of the Theresa Richstatter family, said it was important to her to honor the work the aviary does because of the spiritual importance of eagles to Indigenous people. Eagles are messengers who carry the prayers of Indigenous people to the Creator.
The Axiom AX-3 mission launched on Jan. 18, 2024, and returned to Earth on Feb. 9, 2024. It was the first all-European commercial astronaut mission to launch to the International Space Station. During the 18-day mission, 54 scientific research projects from more than 30 partners were included. According to Axiom Space, the AX-3 mission refined the pathway to low-Earth orbit and charted a course for the world’s first commercial space station.
The feather that was returned to the Aviary had special significance for Randell and Dunham. It came from Kche-Gizhek (Big Sky), an eagle also
known as Kyla.
Kche-Gizhek came to the CPN Aviary in 2012 from Raptors of the Rockies in Florence, Montana. She was a fledgling who had possibly fallen from a nest, sustaining several breaks to her right wing.
After she settled in at the aviary, she received the name Kche-Gizhek to honor her former home of Montana as well as her big personality. She paired with another aviary eagle named Zagéndem-nené (Charlie), and the two built a nest in their enclosure. This is unusual for birds in captivity.
The pair further surprised the aviary staff by laying eggs in 2015 and 2016. Those eggs weren’t fertile, but in 2017, the duo successfully hatched a fertile egg. An eaglet named Mko Kno (Bear Eagle) was welcomed by the Aviary. It was the first eagle hatched and released from a Native American
Aviary on Sept. 20, 2017.
“It meant a great deal to us that this feather was from Kyla because it really shows how far she’s come,” Randell said. “Her story has come full circle.”
Axiom Space is the leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, according to their website.
The company operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station while developing Axiom Station, an eventual successor to the International Space Station, or ISS. Axiom Space is also known for building next-generation spacesuits and recently announced a partnership with Italian design house Prada to make a spacesuit that will eventually be worn on the lunar surface.
Visit the potawatomiheritage.com/ aviary to learn more about the eagles.
Audrey Kiefer, center, presents CPN Eagle Aviary managers Jennifer Randell and Bree Dunham with a feather from Kche-Gizhek – one of the resident eagles and also known as Kyla – that traveled aboard the Axiom Space AX-3 mission to the International Space Station in 2024. — Photos submitted
Primrose Sock Hop
Contact
SUCCESS STORY
Shawnee Bridges Class Graduate Exemplifies A Decade Of Life-Changing Work
BY EMILY ROTHROCK, INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHAWNEE BRIDGES OUT OF POVERTY
Did you know that right here in the greater Shawnee area, one in five of your neighbors struggle to meet basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter and utilities?
Definition of poverty: A lack of resources to meet basic needs.
The poverty rate of the greater Shawnee area is 20.5 percent, which is five percent higher than our state average. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, rural Oklahomans experience higher poverty rates, and this is why the nonprofit Shawnee Bridges Out of Poverty has been in existence during the last 10 years, empowering people to achieve stability in their lives and to break out of the generational cycle of poverty one person at a time.
Brandi — born and raised in Tecumseh — is one of these people. Ten years ago, she was about a year or two sober, on food stamps and working to regain custody of her three children. A local housing authority referred her to the “Getting Ahead” classes offered by a newer nonprofit at the time – Shawnee Bridges Out of Poverty.
These classes are where Brandi joined a group of 12 other people who met every week for dinner and then investigated the barriers of poverty over 16 weeks, going through a workbook with a class facilitator. After each class, Brandi and every other person in her group was given a $25 stipend to use towards whatever their immediate need may have been.
The state of poverty is tied to a lack of opportunity and support, not just a lack of effort.
Years after graduating from a Getting Ahead class facilitated by Shawnee Bridges Out of Poverty, Shawnee area resident Brandi continues breaking her family’s generational cycle of poverty by starting her own small business in addition to her full-time employment while her three children are pursuing and completing various levels of their education. — Photos submitted
Brandi now knows that she is neurodiverse with attention deficit disorder and is proudly in therapy, but when she was a teenager, she only knew that she couldn’t focus on any of her classes, her reading comprehension was subpar and she was ultimately failing in school.
“Dad was an alcoholic, and we definitely had a dysfunctional home,” Brandi said. “I have early memories of riding in the floorboard or front seat of the car with my father driving drunk.”
This car would eventually be wrecked and sold, and her family would never regain transportation for the rest of her childhood.
“Without much support at home, I dropped out of school and self-medicated
with drugs,” Brandi said. “From the ages of 16 to 33, I was a slave to my addiction.”
Brandi was lost to methamphetamines and was unintentionally repeating the cycle of poverty and addiction just like her father before her.
Brandi’s story is now a happy one. She has celebrated more than a decade of sobriety, rents a home full of love and laughter, has her own car and all three of her children are thriving. Her oldest daughter is in college on a full scholarship; her middle daughter is a high school graduate and in the early education program at Gordon Cooper Technology Center; and her son will soon begin driving.
“I never had a car when I was a teenager, and I have been able to buy
cars for all of my kids,” Brandi said.
Brandi is now a proud mother, grandma and a small business owner who provides home cleaning services for the elderly while also working as a full-time employee at Dillards. The Getting Ahead classes are just a small part of Brandi’s success story but an important one.
“It was an entire mindset change,” Brandi said. “The classes helped me reframe my reality and find and learn about so many different resources, both tangible and intangible.”
During Brandi’s journey, she also credits her tribe, Citizen Pottawatomi Nation, with providing helpful programs of support in her family’s time of need.
During the last 10 years of motherhood, Brandi has made a point to consistently talk to her children about the life lessons she missed out on, such as finances, credit building, higher education, how to be a good employee and friend, how to keep a clean home and the dangers of substance abuse. Most
of these are topics covered by the Getting Ahead classes.
The successes of the Shawnee Bridges’s Getting Ahead class attendees include a decrease in debt, an increase in income, a healthier relationship with money and social circles, the pursuit of higher education and sustainable employment, according to a decade of data from more than 170 local graduates. In short, after each cohort, our participants break their own cycle of poverty just like Brandi.
The next Getting Ahead class cohort begins Feb. 11, 2025 here in Shawnee, and the newest group includes 13 brave people who are ready to break their own cycles. This class includes three men and 10 women, and 85 percent of the class comprises parents of young children. Almost 50 percent of the class members are justice-involved. Everyone lives either in Shawnee, Tecumseh and McLoud. Some were born in Pottawatomie County, and a few spent their formative years in the
Get local help with your Medicare questions
West Coast, but all of them have one thing in common: they are all ready to Get Ahead in life and break out of their generational cycle of poverty.
When asked what advice Brandi has for the new Getting Ahead class, she smiled, flipped her hair and said “get out of your comfort zone, show up and do your best.”
Shawnee Bridges continues to provide a free meal for all class attendees and their children, free childcare and a $25 stipend at the end of each class. For those living paycheck to paycheck, each stipend provides relief to an oftenstressful existence.
I’m Ryan Busler, a licensed sales agent in Shawnee, Oklahoma. When it comes to Medicare, it’s important to consider all of your options. What works well for your neighbor may not be the best fit for you. I know the ins and outs of Medicare, and I’m ready to answer your questions and help you find a plan that fits your needs.
Call today to learn more about Medicare Advantage plans in your area
The meals are often donated or cooked and served by community members and area businesses and churches. If you would like to provide a meal for a class or make a donation to support the $25 stipends, please visit www.shawneebridges.com and reach out to Shawnee Bridges Out of Poverty by emailing emily@shawneebridges.com. S ©2024 United HealthCare Services, Inc. All rights reserved. Y0066_SPRJ83891_C SPRJ83891
Ryan Busler Licensed Sales Agent 405-256-3342, TTY 711 ryan@navigatingrx.com www.navigatingrxcom Sí, hablo su idioma.
Michael P Garbutt, AAMS™ Financial Advisor 3813 N Harrison St Shawnee, OK 74804 405-214-4971
Jacob Russell Financial Advisor 4010 N Kickapoo Ave, Ste 1 Shawnee, OK 74804 405-214-1978
David W Spires, CFP® Financial Advisor MacArthur St, Ste 110 Shawnee, OK 74804 405-878-0990
Chris Jones inancial Advisor 2218 N Kickapoo Ave, Ste 1 Shawnee, OK 74804 405-395-0068
Brent S Morris Financial Advisor 923 East MacArthur St Shawnee, OK 74804 405-788-0040
Trey Thee III Financial Advisor 318 West MacArthur St Shawnee, OK 74804 405-395-2006
community PLAY BALL
New Local Little League Winding Up For First Season With Open Registration This Month
BY DAVID DINSMORE
Pottawatomie County Little League received its official charter in December 2024 and has opened registration through the end of February to any kid age 4-12 in the Shawnee area who wants to play baseball and softball starting in March. Visit https://leagues.bluesombrero.com/pottawatomiecll, email pottcolittleleague@gmail.com or call (405) 315-6751 for registration and information. — Stock photo
Lauren Richter found herself striking out in early 2024 when first trying to get her son involved in tee ball locally.
Like many parents she’s met in the last year, she was surprised to find out there was no official Little League where she could register her kid to play.
The newly chartered Pottawatomie County Little League aims to make that process easier starting this year with its inaugural season starting in March for ages 4-12. The league is currently offering open registration through the end of February for families looking to get their kids on the field this spring.
The aim of this centralized registration is to make it simpler and more open for families to get their kids to play ball without having to travel to established Little Leagues in the metro area or other parts of the state, includ-
ing those in smaller surrounding communities within a 30-45 minute radius who travel to Shawnee regularly for necessities and activities anyway.
Though Richter was able to get her son involved in a local organizational league in 2024, she had already begun rounding the bases in April to bring an official Little League home to Shawnee. She researched the requirements for establishing an officially chartered league and found some of the tasks to be fairly daunting. She reached out to a couple she knew who helped form the Deer Creek Little League in the Edmond area a couple of years after 20 years of
involvement in a league in California. Their insight was invaluable to securing the charter for the new Pottawatomie County Little League.
“They really helped me work through some of the things that were difficult,” Richter said. “It was a pretty extensive process.”
Other members of the Shawnee and baseball communities joined Richter’s efforts and formed a board to begin organizing the new league. On December 23, 2024, the international organization confirmed the official charter for the Pottawatomie County Little League, and the race was on to tee up its first season this spring.
The league reached an agreement this year to use the fields at the former St. Gregory University for its activities, and officials set up a website, email and Facebook page where parents could reach them to register their players easily.
In addition to trying to create an accessible registration process, having an established Little League locally helps families access resources from corporate partners like T-Mobile and Dick’s Sporting Goods, both of which are offering financial assistance for costs for families who qualify for help. Pottawatomie County Little League has already helped some work through that individual grant process to get their registration fees covered and several others were awaiting confirmation as of the end of January.
One of the appeals of bringing Little League to Shawnee was how well-established and recognizable the brand and mission has become since the international organization formed in 1939. Little League not only provides a broadly accepted structure and resources for play on the field, but its emphasis on the character building tenants and community involvement initiatives also have an impact long after kids have hung up their cleats. Richter said she wants the league to be as open and accessible as possible for the families that are participating.
“I've talked to a lot of parents since we started all this who said they just want to have more information when they are signing their kids up for things and make sure they are supporting something they believe in,” Richter said. “We want to be an organization they can believe in.”
In addition to providing opportunities for millions of kids around the world to play ball near home, Little League also features one of the premier global youth sports events when the best of the best descend upon Williamsport, Pennsylvania, for the annual Little League World Series. Many of the kids featured in that tournament – which has seen some of its participants go on to become Major League players – started in a league in their own communities, and while that group represents a small percentage, the lessons they learn and the fun they have on the field with their teammates are universal.
The common goal among those helping get the new Pottawatomie County Little League to its first opening day is to set up the organization in a way that will be many future seasons as long as there is a desire for it locally, Richter said. Several of the board members do not have kids at ages eligible to play, but they would like to see it be here for new
generations to learn to love the game. Richter and the Pottawatomie County Little League board view the organization not only as an opportunity for any kid to get the chance to play but also for the community to come together around America’s pastime. They have begun contacting and working with local businesses and individual sponsors who want to see kids have the same opportunity to have fun and feel part of a team.
Though the organization will need to cover some initial start-up costs of this initial season, sponsorships and support from the community will play a big role in getting on top of any financial curveballs thrown at kids that may keep them from playing each season. As an all-volunteer organization, all proceeds will go to provide equipment, registration and other associated costs to make sure every kid who wants to play will get the chance to knock it out of the park.
“The goal is to eventually have enough partners that we can begin replacing the registration fee for players,” Richter said.
Another important aspect of establishing the new Little League is ensuring every person who has regular contact with the players – such as coaches, umpires and parent volunteers – undergoes
a background check paid for by the league, Richter said. They will also conduct some interviews to make sure those leading within the league understand and support the goals and values of Little League.
“We think that it is important that we are all on the same page,” Richter said.
While they are eager to start their first season, local Little League leaders know there will be some learning curves initially, Richter said, but she has been encouraged by the level of excitement from participants and partners who have already asked to be a part of it. In particular, a sizable portion of players who have registered so far this year have been in the tee ball category, which seems like a natural starting point to grow the league during the next few years.
“People are excited we now have in our area, and in some cases, they didn’t realize this was something that we didn’t already have,” Richter said. “A lot of people I’ve talked to wished this was something we had a while ago.”
For registration and more information, visit https:// leagues.bluesombrero.com/pottawatomiecll, email pottcolittleleague@gmail.com or call (405) 315-6751.
LittleLeague.org also has a League Finder tool to help families connect to their local league by entering their address.
Pottawatomie County Little League has a link to its website and more information on its Facebook page.
over the fence
EXTENDING TRUST
Safety, Trust Each Come With Their Own Risks
BY BRANDON DYER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMUNITY RENEWAL OF POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY
Ten feet of hose.
All I needed was 10 feet of hose. When we arrived at our favorite camping destination in Missouri a few years ago, there were only primitive sites available. Reservations there are difficult to obtain, because it is a popular destination in certain seasons. Fortunately, our favorite campground there hap pens to be first come first serve. It’s a risky move to pull the camper north with no reservations, but we made the trek anyway.
We woke up very early to arrive as folks were breaking camp to lay claim to a prime site. Sure enough, we snagged a beautiful spot that backed up to the crystal clear, freshwater river we love to fish. The only problem is it didn’t have access to electric or fresh water for our camper.
This gave us the perfect opportunity to try out our camper’s “boondocking” ability. Functions such as lights and heat could still run off our onboard battery and propane system, and the water system could work as well so long as I could fill the holding tank. So I dragged my water hose across the street to connect to the spigot and fill it up.
That’s when I realized I was 10 feet short. I had 50 feet of hose, but I needed 60. Ugh. It wasn’t a big deal, I guess. However, washing the dishes and brushing your teeth is much easier if the faucet works. So, I went from campsite to campsite looking for 10 feet of hose. Most folks were off fishing, so it took a while to find someone to borrow from. Finally, I found a man who had what I needed for me to fill my tank. After filling it up, I returned the hose along with some homemade cookies to say thanks. Then, I returned to camp.
You might be wondering where this story is going. A man shared something he had to help me out. What’s the big deal?
It’s not about the 10 feet of hose. It’s about something that was shared without reservation that our neighborhoods are in short supply of these days. Basic human trust. This man extended a small bit of trust to me in the form of a garden hose, and when I returned it, I exhibited trustworthiness.
It’s such a simple act, but it is the building block of neighborly relationships and ultimately of safe and connected
communities. However, sometimes trust is broken. Sometimes the hose is not returned, or worse yet, it is stolen. When these things happen, we are inclined to withdraw our trust. The more times trust is broken, the more likely we are to assume it is hopeless to trust others. That begins the unfortunate downward spiral that leads to fear and isolation. It’s true our emotional and physical safety are critically important. The funny thing about the pursuit of safety, however, is that we cannot attain it without risk. True safety is not found inside of boarded-up houses and ever-taller privacy fences. It’s not found by lowering our garage doors and shutting out the world. The kind of safety that leads to the world we all want is found in the risky business of human interactions. It’s found in the risky act of extending trust, hopefully to be repaid with trustworthiness. Even when it’s not returned, we must never lose hope that human beings long for goodness to be shown to them. Undeserved good favor generally inspires us to be good to others. This is a powerful, spiraling process as well. Contagious even. The safety produced from this reactive process has the collective potential to beautifully restore our neighborhoods and create the kind of community that we are each proud to call home.
Go ahead. Share the hose. Extend your trust. More times than not you will receive back more than you lent.
S
Brandon Dyer
POTUS
Shawnee Played Host To 20th Century Presidential-Related Visitors
TBY ANN MCDONALD, COURTESY POTT CO HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBER
he U.S. buried a former president (Jimmy Carter) last month.
During times like this, many people remember how they were touched by leaders before, during or after they were in office. Before the news was available on our TVs or computers or even our watches, the public relied on faceto-face events featuring those running for office.
Shawnee has sometimes been “touched” by presidents, those seeking the office and even those hoping a relative would become president. Both Theodore and Franklin D. Roosevelt visited Shawnee, as did First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
In August 1912, ”Teddy” was running for a second term as president and came to town from Oklahoma City by Rock Island train. He reportedly only stopped here for about 15 minutes, but thousands lined up along the tracks for several blocks to catch a glimpse of him.
October 1959. He arrived at the airport and was escorted to the Municipal Auditorium down Kickapoo by the local police. There he spoke to more than 3,000 people. The running mates were elected, and Johnson became president when JFK was assassinated. He later won his own bid for another term.
In May 1963, Ronald Reagan was traveling across the country speaking on conservative issues and was at the Shawnee Freedom Forum at Oklahoma Baptist University. He was elected governor of California in 1967 then as president of the U.S. in 1980.
In July 1938, Franklin D. Roosevelt – in the midst of one of his four terms – spoke from the rear platform of a special Rock Island train traveling through the Southwest. His wife, Eleanor, had been here the year before. She stayed with the Harber family east of town, then spoke twice at the Municipal Auditorium about the programs her husband was developing to help out citizens during the Great Depression.
Thomas Dewey was a candidate for president 1944 but lost the race to Harry Truman. Dewey had a 17-car special train that came to the Rock Island depot, and the local newspaper estimated 10,000 turned out to hear him speak.
During Truman’s run for re-election to the presidency in 1948, he made a 30,000 mile tour of the U.S., including an early morning stop in Shawnee in September. Ten thousand people showed up at the Rock Island Station for a brief message from the president.
Lyndon Johnson was on the ticket as John F. Kennedy’s vice presidential candidate when he came to Shawnee in
In 1968, Hubert Humphrey picked Sen. Edmund Muskie as his running mate for the presidency, but they were defeated. In April 1974 ,Muskie came to Shawnee as part of the Kerr Political Science Lectures at OBU, and in 1980, President Jimmy Carter appointed Muskie Secretary of State.
Richard Nixon was elected president in 1969, and his daughter, Tricia, made several appearances throughout the county. In 1970, she and a group comprised of Olympic champion Bob Mathias and Jay Wilkinson, son of a former University of Oklahoma football coach, flew into Midwest City and came by motorcade to Shawnee. They walked the downtown streets, waving and greeting what was described as “hundreds.” After about an hour, the caravan continued on to Norman.
He wasn’t running for president yet but his father was when George W. Bush visited Shawnee in March 1988. He appeared at the Cinderella Motel on behalf of the Republican ticket with more than 200 in attendance. He was later elected president in 2000.
It’s unlikely Shawnee would host anyone running for president these days with access to political campaigners available through so many other outlets, but in the past, some did use our highways and railroad crossroads to come by and solicit votes.
Lyndon B. Johnson was one of several Presidents of the United States or those closely associated to visit Shawnee from the early to late 20th century. — Photo submitted
FEBRUARY 2025
NATIVE CONNECTIONS
Schedule time with someone you’ve been meaning to connect with.
Write a heartfelt note or letter to a mentor, teacher, or someone who has made a positive impact in your life, expressing gratitude and appreciation for their support and guidance.
Organize a fun game night to spend quality time with family or friends.
Share the Love: Join the RAKtivists!
Random Acts of Kindness Day 2025
Encourage your family and friends to support a local business, showing love for your community.
Leave anonymous kind notes in public areas for strangers to find.
Practice active listening and understanding by engaging in meaningful conversations with friends, family, or colleagues.
Dedicate a day or week to giving sincere compliments to those around you.
Random Acts of Kindness Week 2025
Encourage doing small, unexpected acts of love, like leaving a kind note on someone's car, sending a thoughtful text, or surprising a loved one with their favorite treat.
Visit www.randomactsofkindness.org/rak-week for ideas to celebrate kindness all week.
Start a book club focused on reading books that explore themes of love, kindness, and empathy.
Identify someone who might be having a tough day and ask how you can help.
Create “Kindness Coupons” that can be redeemed for acts of kindness, like helping with chores, offering a hug, or spending quality time together.
Take time to practice self-love by doing something that makes you feel good.
Visit our site for even more kindness ideas: https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-ideas
Host listening circles where people can share their stories and experiences without judgment.
Spend a few minutes reflecting on how you can show more empathy to those around you.
Purchase gifts or services from small businesses and share your positive experiences with other.
Send a care package to someone going through a tough time.
Create and distribute handmade Valentine's Day cards to residents in local nursing homes or senior centers.
Offer to help without being asked.
Wish the first person you see an amazing day.
© The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation
mental health
FOR GOOD
Gateway Support Specialists Share Stories, Benefits Of Quitting Tobacco, Vape
BY ALICJA CARTER
For people with behavioral health conditions, commercial tobacco can often be viewed as a lesser of two evils. It can be a coping skill that brings relief and a sense of control, a prevention plan against “harder drugs” and a necessary habit for one’s survival due to its highly addictive properties.
The Centers for Disease Control reports that almost 40 percent of all cigarettes smoked by U.S. adults are consumed by people with behavioral health conditions.
However, did you know that the most common causes of death among people with behavioral health conditions are heart disease, cancer and lung disease, which can all be caused by smoking? This statistic is extremely disheartening for the people who seek treatment for their substance use and mental health conditions only to reap more consequences related to their continued use of tobacco and vaping products.
Unfortunately, stopping the use of tobacco and vaping products — even for short periods — can prove to be extremely difficult due to physical addiction, uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, psychological dependence and environmental triggers. Many people require multiple attempts to successfully quit for good, and less than 1 in 10 adults who smoke cigarettes succeed in quitting each year.
This article seeks to highlight three of Gateway’s Peer Recovery Support Spe-
Gateway peer recovery support specialists Jennifer Osife, Laura Monroe and Rachel Dye each had their own journey into smoking and vaping, but they have worked individually and together to help remove those from their lives today.
cialists – Jennifer Osife, Rachel Dye and Laura Monroe – who openly and honestly share their experiences related to quitting cigarettes and escaping the vape.
Q. What did your relationship with cigarettes look like in the beginning?
Rachel: “I first tried cigarettes when I was 11 because my mom smoked, and I could get away with it. It was the norm in my family, and I didn’t see it as wrong. In fact, it helped me fit in with my friend group and made me feel a little less awkward. We would drive off campus to go get it, which was a nice break from the school day. However, even though I loved having an excuse to go off campus, I would spend my lunch money on cigarettes instead of food. Also, the boys who I smoked cigarettes with were the ones
that introduced me to marijuana. Finally, smoking didn’t impact my involvement in the band until I went to college. I remember getting caught and almost being kicked out. They had a serious talk with me about how I didn’t need to be smoking.”
Jennifer: “I first started smoking cigarettes around 16 years old because my friends smoked. My grandparents and parents warned me not to smoke because it would cause health problems, but unfortunately, they also smoked. At some point, though, I started to get concerned about how much money I was spending and the fact that I would get so out of breath when trying to do anything strenuous. Also, I knew how badly I smelled like cigarettes and that I was being a negative role model to my baby sister, who is 13 years younger than me.”
Laura: “Unlike Rachel and Jennifer’s experiences, my parents did not smoke and even had some negative comments to say about people who did. I remember my mother saying that smoking was ‘not lady-like, looked trashy and was something that dirty people did.’ Despite this pep talk, smoking was normal amongst my peers and part of the culture in the 80s. I used cigarettes as an opportunity to be defiant, deal with stress, spend time with my friends and curb my appetite. Honestly, in the beginning, I loved smoking and did not feel its negative impact.
Q. When did you seriously start to consider quitting cigarettes, and how did you eventually take that step?
Rachel: “It wasn’t until I started having kids that I questioned if I wanted to
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Carter
smoke forever. Growing up, my parents smoked in the home and when we were in the car. I felt like they stunk so bad. Then, when I became a parent, I was doing the same things. It just didn’t feel right. Plus, I didn’t like the wrinkles on my face, my giant pores and having to take time away from my children to go smoke. However, the last straw was when a friend hugged me and then – because of how I smelled – asked if I was still smoking. I put down cigarettes and picked up the vape. At first glance, this seemed like a much better option because it stunk less, tasted better, had no second hand smoke and was cheaper. Plus, my friends were doing it, and I could keep it with me.”
Jennifer: “It was around the time that I became pregnant with my son. I was mostly able to quit during that time but started right back up once he was born. I then switched over to vaping. During that time, nicotine gum helped me step away from the vape for almost two years before relapsing. After the relapse, being around people that vaped and still having my vape where I could access it ‘just in case’ made it difficult for me to quit again.”
Laura: “Even though I stopped smoking during my pregnancies, it wasn’t until I did the math and realized that I had already been smoking for 36 years that I started to worry about those potential health problems that could now be just around the corner. I did not want to be laying in a hospital
bed wishing for one more chance. In addition to this, I also began to think that I could be spending my money on things that wouldn’t eventually turn on me. But, because I started so young, they had been by my side for every life experience. Even when I lost everything due to my drug addiction, I still had a pack of cigarettes. When I started weaning off of cigarettes, the separation felt monstrous, and there was definitely a grieving period. I think switching to vaping helped to feel the void.
Q. What was your experience with vaping? Why did you eventually decide to quit that, too?
Rachel: “Even though the switch from cigarettes to vaping appeared to have many benefits, I experienced a weird taste and extra phlegm in my throat. I also would get ‘nic sick’ because I was taking in so much more nicotine than before. It was probably the same as smoking two packs of cigarettes without even realizing it. Finally, even though I haven’t vaped for more than three months, I am just now coughing up what has been in my lungs.”
Jennifer: “Eventually, the consequences of vaping overshadowed its
benefits. I was tired of spending money on it and being out of breath. I was tired of the time and effort I put toward vaping and wanted to put my energy into something productive.”
Laura: “I had the obsession and compulsion to use the vape more than cigarettes. One reason for this was because I could keep it with me all the time. I would only part with it for maybe 10-15 minutes at a time and would even roll over and hit my vape in the middle of the night. The device itself was comforting to have. Also, the consistent delivery of nicotine increased my anxiety and dysregulated my sleep. Finally, my lungs were wrecked. At one point, I noticed them feeling wet and being unable to clear them out. I had to go home to use my son’s nebulizer. Since I’ve quit, I can now feel air deeper in my lungs. The biggest reason why I quit, though, is for my children. I put it down so that they would know they could, too.
Q. What tools, resources and support systems help you to stay away from tobacco and escape the vape, and what are your hopes for the future?
Rachel: “My clean date from all tobacco and vaping products is November
10, 2024. Jennifer was a big inspiration to quit and Laura has been a huge support for me. She, my sponsor and other friends in my recovery program are people that I can be extremely honest with. I would say that being real about my triggers, praying, journaling and using nicotine replacement has helped me to keep moving forward, even on my toughest days. My skin is looking better, I am saving money, I can breathe better when working out and most days I am free from the mental obsession to want to smoke or vape.”
Jennifer: “My clean date from all tobacco and vaping products is September 30, 2024. I have utilized 1-800QUIT NOW to receive my gum and patches. I used both substitutes at the same time, and it worked very well. I asked my friends and family not to vape around me, and I got rid of my vapes. The hardest times were waking up, after eating and getting in the car. So to cope, I prayed, read my bible, did deep
breathing, went for walks, crocheted and colored. I am saving money, working out, expanding my lung capacity, being a healthier version of me and being a good role model for my children. I am reminded daily that we are still growing as people and recovery really is a lifelong process.”
Laura: “My clean date from all tobacco and vaping products is November 11, 2024. Jennifer and Rachel led the charge, and I linked up. I think that being in recovery is actually a strength I have when going through this process. I have learned that feelings pass and urges don’t last. I can use other coping skills to make it through. For me, having medication to help with the nicotine cravings has been essential. Zyn pouches, patches, gums and lozenges have all been effective. My current goal is to taper down until I am eventually nicotine free. I feel proud that my choices today will make my tomorrow a healthier one. My hope is that some-
one, somewhere will see that we quit and they can, too.”
*Disclaimer: Zyn pouches are not an evidence based cessation tool or safe at any level for youth.
If you or someone you know would like more support around vaping or tobacco use, do not hesitate to reach out to any of these helpful resources. You don’t have to do it alone.
• My Life My Quit, ok.mylifemyquit. org, free help just for teens.
• Truth Initiative: Freedom from Nicotine Addiction, truthinitiative.org, strong focus with youth and young adults.
• 1-800-QUIT-NOW, okhelpline. com, 18+.
Alicja Carter, MHR, BHWC, is the Wellness Director at Gateway to Prevention and Recovery. She has worked in the behavioral health and addiction treatment field for 17 years. Alicja is passionate about living a well life and collaborating with others for the purpose of stimulating positive change in her community. S
Feb. 1-16: The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art will host the Called by God: The Art of Religious Life special exhibit through Feb.16 featuring artwork ranging from the sixteenth century to contemporary that includes monks, nuns, priests, and other people who have dedicated their lives to God. Curator of collections Delaynna Trim will lead a reception and gallery talk at 7 p.m. on Jan. 24 at the museum at 1900 W. MacArthur. Information: mgmoa.org
Feb.7-16: Shawnee Little Theatre will stage a production of Misery, the story of an injured novelist recovering in the home of an obsessive fan based on a 1987 Stephen King and adapted for film in 1990. This nail-biting cat-and-mouse game will have audiences on the edges of their seats. Information: shawneelittletheatre.org
Feb. 8: Blacktop Mojo with special guest Brayden Stewart will rock the stage with a show starting at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main. Information: ritzshawnee.com
Feb. 14: Citizen Potawatomi Nation celebrates Valentine’s Day with its annual Flapjacks & Friends featuring all you can eat pancakes and sausage 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at the tribal administration offices, Grand Casino offices, FireLake Discount Foods and at the door that day. Proceeds benefit CPN tribal members and employees in need. Information: potawatomi.org
Feb. 15: Comedian and “country boy counselor” Teddy White Tee will take the mic along with special guest Matt Ferrell for a show starting at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main. Information: ritzshawnee.com
Feb. 20: The Third Thursday Poetry Reading will begin at 7 p.m. at the Lunch Box at 217 E. Main St. featuring cowboy poet Jon Callahan, who was brought up in Pottawatomie County. Self-described as being a former drinker with a writing problem, he claims to scribble just enough to convince people it's poetry. As usual, the featured reading will be followed by an open mic session for attendees to read up to two poems of their own or from a favorite poet. The Lunch Box will open at 6 p.m. with desserts and drinks available.
Feb. 21: Americana band Red Clay Strays will bring their south Alabama sounds that have garnered a large online following to a show starting at 8 p.m. at the Grand Casino events center at 777 Grand Casino Blvd. Information: grandboxoffice.com
Feb. 22: The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art will host a monthly SWANshop art workshop from 9 a.m. to noon focusing on art and nature. These workshops will feature a monthly theme with this month’s participants exploring and expressing sources of love, compassion and emotional balance, growth and healing energies of nature. Information: mgmoa.org/swanshops
Feb. 27: Shawnee Forward will present its 3rd annual economic development summit presented by Citizen Potawatomi Nation
30 www.shawneeoutlook.com
and CLEAResult from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Gordon Cooper Technology Center. This year’s theme – “We Build. Together.” – underscores the vital role every individual, organization and business plays in the economic growth and vitality of the community. Information: (405) 273-6092 or shawneeforward.com
Feb. 28: Country artist Chuck Briseno will take the stage with special guest The Chad Todd Band for a show starting at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main. Information: ritzshawnee.com
March 1: World famous illusionist REZA will amaze audiences with two shows at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main. Information: ritzshawnee.com
March 1: Community Renewal will host its annual We Care-aoke fundraiser with an evening of dinner, drinks, Singo, karaoke and fun starting at 6 p.m. at the Grand Casino events center at 777 Grand Casino Blvd. Tickets and information: givebutter.com/ wecare-aoke2025 or travis@communityrenewal.org.
March 2: Locomotive Operators of Central Oklahoma will host its monthly public run 1-4 p.m. at 29626 Lake Drive in McLoud. Ride the rails on powered ⅛-scale locomotives right outside of Shawnee Twin Lakes. Information: locotrains.org
March 7: Songwriter Night @ Music Unlimited is back with Shawna Russell as this month’s featured artist at 7 p.m. at 1109 W. Kickapoo Spur. Information: kevinhall8384@gmail.com
March 7: Redeemer Lutheran Church will host a free monthly movie night presented by for a fun night of fellowship, movie, pop and popcorn at 7 p.m. at 39307 MacArthur St. Parents and grandparents can enjoy a worry-free evening of movie entertainment while the kids watch an age-appropriate movie. Information: facebook.com/redeemerlutheranshawnee
March 8: The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art will host a monthly SWANshop art workshop from 9 a.m. to noon focusing on art and nature. These workshops will feature a monthly theme with this month’s participant exploring and expressing sources of love, compassion and emotional balance, growth and healing energies of nature. Information: mgmoa.org/swanshops
March 8: Deja Blues will rock the stage with its mix of blues, rock, Southern rock and funk at a show starting at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main. Information: ritzshawnee.com
March 15: The Shawnee Public Library will host a ceremony at 10 a.m. dedicating a bronze plaque commemorating the life and work of novelist, Tony Hillerman, who was born in south Pottawatomie County. His daughter, Anne Hillerman, will be the keynote speaker. She has continued his Navajo mystery series with 10 more novels. Tulsa author, Michael Wallis, will serve as master of ceremonies. Information: (405) 275-6353
If you know of any events you would like to see featured, email editor@shawneeoutlook.com. S
KICKAPOO HEALTH CLINIC IMPORTANT
NUMBERS
