Shawnee Outlook

Shawnee PD Toy Drive | South Central Ribbon Cutting

keep the change

H nutrition 101 STAY FIT FOR LESS

Now that the Christmas cookies and New Year’s snacks are behind us, it’s time to assess those resolutions. Is getting fit on your list this year? If so, here are some low-budget options to help you meet your goals.

• Workout for free at home. Check out YouTube for a variety of fitness options. Try channels such as Popsugar and The Betty Rocker for free workout videos that can help you keep things fresh. If you have a video game enthusiast in the house, you can find workout “games” for your home console, or if you’re old-school like me, find some workout.

• Find cheap workout equipment. Many YouTube videos offer tips on low-cost gear, such as using water bottles as weights or scarves for resistance, but if you want to find some actual weights, resistance bands or more, check out Five Below (the nearest location is in Midwest City, but there are rumors we have one on the way).

• Join a gym. We have a few options in Shawnee. If you’re wanting a cheap monthly fee, Planet Fitness is only $10 a month. To have access 24 hours a day, Anytime Fitness is a great option. If you’re looking for offerings for the whole family, the YMCA is a good choice, even offering childcare for children up to 6 years of age. Most local gyms also offer access to group fitness classes with membership, so these might be great choices if you’re a social person or having someone holding you accountable keeps you motivated.

Don’t forget, you always have the option of just staying active in your daily life. Have a dance party in the kitchen or go for a walk in the neighborhood. It doesn’t have to be formal to be effective.

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.

WHAT'S YOUR WHY?

appy 2023!

It will take me about 3-4 months to get used to writing that year down! As you are thinking about the year to come and what you want this year to bring, I challenge you to think big. I am not an anti-New Year’s resolution kind of person. I just want you to really think about it and make it meaningful and not just another resolution that is focused around a number on the scale. Think much bigger than that.

Sit back and think about your why – your BIG why. Why do you want to lose weight? Why do you want to get healthier? Why do you want to be stronger? Why do you want to quit smoking? Why?

Think about something big that would be able to keep you motivated all year long. We are all motivated at the beginning of something new, but we need it to keep going when life gets challenging. Find that motivation and put it as many places as possible to remind you. Maybe it is a scripture or quote. Maybe it is a picture of a place you want to visit or of a loved one that inspires you. Maybe it is a picture of a child that you want to live for and be able to run around with and be around for. Place that inspiring picture, quote, word or scripture on your bathroom mirror, refrigerator, computer, in your car, in your purse, etc.

The goal is that your resolution is so life-changing and your motivation is so big that you won’t want to give up.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

Who said you couldn’t have something sweet and meet your healthy New Year’s resolution? We all know at some point a craving is going to hit for something sweet. Instead of grabbing processed junk food, have something that is sweet from honey and dark chocolate.

Ingredients

3 cups of cocoa crisp cereal

1/2 cup of natural peanut butter

1/3 cup of honey

1/3 cup dark chocolate chips, plus an extra 1 1/3 cups for the chocolate layer 2 teaspoons of coconut oil

Instructions: Combine the peanut butter, honey and chocolate chips in a sauce pan over medium-low heat. Stir continuously until the chocolate is melted. Mix in the cereal and gently stir until all the cereal is coated. Press firmly into a square pan lined with parchment paper. Melt the 1 1/3 cups of chocolate chips with the coconut oil. Pour on top and spread evenly. Store in the freezer or refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Slice into squares and store in the freezer or refrigerator. Makes 15 squares.

Nutritional Information per serving size: 1 square Calories: 130 Total Fat: 7g Saturate Fat: 2.5g Cholesterol: 0mg Protein: 4g Sodium: 58mg Carbohydrates: 14g Dietary Fiber: 1g Nutrition and Exercise 101: Peanut butter can be a great way to add in flavor to a dessert without adding sugar. Yes, peanut butter is high in fat, but it is a good for your heart fat. Those types of fats are called unsaturated fats. When picking your peanut butter, you want to pick a natural one that doesn’t have added sugars and oils. There are stores that you can go to and have peanuts or almonds freshly ground into a container. The freshly grounded kind gives the best flavor without anything at all being added to the nut. It is a taste that really can’t be beat.

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.

Angela Rowland

Natalie Arnett, Agent 120 W. MacArthur St. #150

Shawnee, OK 74804 Bus: 405-273-4644 natalie@nataliearnett.com

We’ve moved!

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Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

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art of the matter

CUT ABOVE

Paper Cutting Part Of Traditions During Chinese New Year Observances

SUBMITTED BY DELAYNNA TRIM, CURATOR OF COLLECTIONS MABEE-GERRER MUSEUM OF ART

The Chinese New Year – or Spring Festival – starts Jan. 22. The Chinese calendar is based on the movements of the moon. This is called a lunar calendar. The new year begins on the first new moon of the lunar calendar.

Did you know that not everyone uses the same calendar?

The Gregorian calendar – which many in America and in Europe follow – was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in AD 1582. This replaced the previous Julian calendar that was used from 46 BC (Julius Caesar introduced it) to AD 1582. The Gregorian calendar more closely follows the solar year – the revolutions the earth makes around the sun.

The Spring Festival can last up to 16 days. The Chinese New Year is celebrated with family gatherings and fireworks. Observers will often decorate using intricate red paper cutouts. Red paper is used because it is associated with festivities and happiness. In the Chinese tradition, paper cut outs are used in New Year festivities, weddings and to celebrate births. Red is also used because of a myth that Nian – a beast that comes out on New Year to eat people – is scared of the color red.

Children receive a red envelope with money inside as part of the New Year celebrations. Sometimes these red envelopes are given to friends and coworkers as well.

Chinese New Year celebrations end with the Lantern Festival. This year, the Lantern Festival occurs Feb. 5.

Each year in the lunar calendar is represented by a zodiac animal with 2023 being the year of the rabbit in this calendar.

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

To celebrate rabbits, let’s look at a popular piece at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art – “Boy with Rabbit” by Joe Taylor. You may have seen it many times without really looking at it. After all, the nearby fish are really distract-

ing. This bronze sculpture has been sitting on the fountain in the museum’s courtyard since the early 1980s, watching over many generations of koi fish.

Joe Taylor (1907-2000) was an art professor at the University of Oklahoma from 1932-1970. He created more than 500 portraits during his lifetime. He won numerous awards for his sculptures. Some of his work can be seen on the campuses of Oklahoma Baptist University and St. Gregory’s University – now OBU’s Green Campus.

Let’s try our hand at a paper cutting art project in honor of Chinese New Year. You will need red paper, scissors, pencil and an eraser.

Fold the paper in half.

Draw your design.

Use the scissors to cut out your design.

You can fold and cut just like you would to create a paper snowflake.

If you would like to see how to create some fun designs, check out some videos demonstrating the technique at mgmoa.org/art-projects.

When you are done take a photo or your artwork and share it on social media with the hashtag #MGMOAArts.

Joe Taylor’s “Boy With Rabbit” sculpture has welcomed visitors in the courtyard of the MabeeGerrer Museum of Art for almost 40 years, and fits with the Chinese zodiac in 2023, which is the year of the rabbit.

holidays TOYING AROUND

Shawnee PD Hands Out 751 Items During First-Ever Toy Drive

BY LOREN KNIGHT

The Christmas season is all wrapped up, and it was a busy one for the Shawnee Police Department. Not only did the department take part in the 14th Annual Shop with a Cop event, but they also put together their first ever citywide toy drive.

Shawnee PD partnered with local businesses and organizations to start receiving donations for new and unwrapped toys in mid-November and collected them through Dec. 14. Drop off locations included Arvest Bank, First National Bank, First United Bank, Resthaven Funeral Home, Vision Bank and Vyve Broadband.

In total, 751 items were collected during the drive, including clothes, sticker books, coloring books, crayons, toys, sports equipment, electronics and more, said Cpl. Vivian Lozano, public

information officer with the Shawnee Police Department who coordinated the event. Volunteers from the community helped sort and organize the donations according to age groups the day before the giveaway event.

The department worked with local families to get 162 children signed up to receive gifts on the primary day of the toy drive on the afternoon of Dec. 15. Families lined up in front of the department’s new headquarters at 912 E. Independence St. to take part in the festivities. Resthaven made each child their own personalized ticket to hand to an officer at the table for their designated age group.

The kids would then visit a station with toys displayed for them to receive from officers and community volunteers along with a stop by the table giving

The Shawnee Police Department was able to raise 751 donated items to give out to more than 160 kids in the community as part of its first-ever toy drive last month. — Photos submitted

reading and activity books. After receiving their toys, children and their families could take photos with Santa or in front of Christmas trees and decor provided by Walmart and Lowes.

The final stop for families at the event was at the treat table where they could fill up with hamburgers and hot dogs grilled on-site by Arvest Bank, treat themselves to cookies provided by Chick-Fil-A and

warm up with some hot chocolate from Droffats Catering provided by the PD.

Lozano said it was a great turnout, and the Shawnee PD will be hosting the event again next year. There were some toys left over after the event was all said and done, so the following week officers passed out the extra toys at some house calls they went on and also to different children they

came into contact with.

“I would like to thank everybody that volunteered their time,” Lozano said. “They came out and helped pass out toys, put the toys together, divide the toys and everybody that donated toys, whether it was here at the police department or the additional locations.

“We couldn’t do it without the community’s help.”

community BETTER TOGETHER

South Central Cuts Ribbon For Parklet

As Part Of Larger Revitalization Initiative

BY DAVID DINSMORE

South Central Industries Inc. understands that communities are better together.

The organization’s mission starts with including its clients known as their PEEPs – People Experiencing Exceptional Purpose – in the activities of the community in which they live. Through vocational training and opportunities, these individuals with developmental disabilities work to support industries like city beautification, janitorial, lawn care, pallet construction and product sales.

This goal of involvement, however, extends beyond finding opportunities for PEEPs to identifying ways South Central can use its resources to help

the neighborhoods near its nearly four-block campus anchored at 204 N. Louisa.

“South Central really wanted to be a good neighbor, and really provide revitalization for the southwest quadrant of Shawnee that is so economically repressed, poverty driven and limited in resources,” said Tina Hanna, executive director at South Central. “We wanted to see what we could do to help that area of our community.”

Enter South Central’s multifaceted Better Together Revitalization Initiative, which marked a major milestone last month with the unveiling of the new South Central Parklet and com-

munity garden at 209 N. Louisa. On a chilly December morning, more than 150 people – including television personality Rutledge Wood – gathered to dedicate the new green space resulting from a $50,000 Hometown Grant awarded by the T-Mobile Foundation at the national level.

“We really wanted a gathering place for the community for neighbors to come together,” Hanna said. “It’s also very beneficial to our PEEPs to have natural resources around them.”

This celebration joined a string of other goals completed or nearing completion as part of the Better Together Revitalization Initiative, which began almost four years ago. In 2019,

Photos submitted

Hanna and some of her staff visited a vocational organization known as BIG in Georgetown, Texas, and found inspiration in the way they integrated their initiatives into the surrounding neighborhoods and worked alongside the residents there to improve life for all their community members.

Examining the needs of the area and identifying opportunities where South Central could lend a hand required a thorough and honest approach, Hanna said. They discussed ideas with the board of directors, the PEEPs, their families and community members. The South Central team wanted to make sure the steps they took made real differences for their neighbors.

“They were very supportive of what our dreams and our visions were for this area,” Hanna said.

For instance, a lack of nearby affordable grocery and home goods options puts a strain on some residents in the area with limited transportation, including South Central’s PEEPs, Hanna said. The organization used its SCI Supply division – which provides resources for janitorial, office, household and food service – to partner with Community Market of Pottawatomie County to create a food pantry available to residents within walking distance west of Harrison.

South Central also aimed to improve the profile near its campus via two federally funded Community Economic Development grants that helped with construction of an Adaptive Warehouse and renovations for a new adult day center, Hanna said. The latter

will allow working families that have members who have aged out of a vocational program or have major health concerns. This aims to take the pressure off worrying about leaving these individuals at home while at work while providing constructive activity for those adults.

They also hired a group to provide a market study of the area to get a thorough assessment of the needs, and one of the major concerns was affordable housing, Hanna said. This prompted South Central to submit information to the Oklahoma Housing Finance Authority to qualify for $4.5 million low income housing tax credits that will help build 12 apartments and two homes with eight single dwelling units. These will provide assisted living support for those with special needs and

low income.

Some of the other funding sources for these initiatives include:

$500,000 Avedis Foundation

$102,000 Pottawatomie County Community Economic Development Fund

$75,000 Anderson Foundation

$50,000 Kirschner Foundation

$25,000 Winterringer Foundation

$10,000 SSM St. Anthony $8,000 Donna Nigh Foundation

$5,000 Canadian Valley Co-op $5,000 Shawnee Board of REALTORS

All of this combines with South Central’s fairly rare status as a selfsustaining nonprofit that helps take

the successes of its PEEPs, people and programs to attract grants and funding with matching or other requirements that other organizations may not be able to access, Hanna said. Even with that in their favor, they still averaged about 27 rejections to every yes they received in requests for grants and funding. The Avedis Foundation helped shift some momentum by issuing a challenge grant to show their belief in South Central’s vision to help spur others to do the same.

Regardless of the support they receive via grants from the local level to the national, Hanna said the Shawnee community and its people have always been willing to support groups like South Central that want to lend a hand to their neighbors, and it’s that heart that helps drive projects like the Better Together Revitalization Initiative even more than awards.

“It meant so much to have the support of our board of directors, the support of our community, the support of our city, the support of the families we serve, the PEEPs we serve, and to have so much buy-in that was evident at the dedication and ribbon cutting (of the parklet and community garden),” Hanna said. “That meant the world to us. Shawnee always shows up in a big way.

“Every project we are doing is a starting platform from which we can launch.”

SFor more information about South Central and its projects and mission, visit southcentralindustriesinc.com or call (405) 275-3851.

Rheumatology Associates of Oklahoma is excited to offer care to Shawnee and Eastern Oklahoma. Infusion services are available.

“Joe Rawdon is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and has served patients living with rheumatic conditions since 2005. He trained and worked directly with a former Medical Director of the Lupus Foundation for 13 years and has been with RAO for the last 4 years. Joe has spoken locally and internationally about the care and management of rheumatic health concerns. He lives in Eastern Oklahoma and is looking forward to serving this area of the state.”

GRAVEL GROWLER

Cycling Race, Ultra Marathon Return With Partnership Of Spokelahoma, CPN

BY DAVID DINSMORE

After a year off resulting from public health concerns, The Oklahoma Gravel Growler will ride once again hosted by Spokelahoma in partnership with Citizen Potawatomi Nation Feb. 3-4 starting at the CPN Festival Grounds on South Gordon Cooper. — Photos submitted

The Oklahoma Gravel Growler cycling race and ultra marathon will ride again in the Shawnee area Feb. 3-4, marking its return as a marquee event for the Spokelahoma bicycle shop and its new partnership with Citizen Potawatomi Nation.

Spokelahoma took the hold of the handlebars for the Growler in 2018 after its first couple of years as a very “grassroots” event. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, made for a few bumps in 2021 when the event moved to the St. Crispin’s facility east of Seminole before 2022 let the air out of its tires and saw the year pass without a race.

At its peak, however, the race saw more than 500 participants, and with regular runnings aside CPN as a partner, Spokelahoma owner and Growler coordinator Craig McIntyre said there’s a lot of excitement about where it could go from here.

“For a long time, we had wanted to partner with CPN

on different things,” said McIntyre, whose Spokelahoma bike shop relocated to 111 N. Broadway in Tecumseh last February. “I think it’s really important for cultural awareness of the people whose land you’re actually riding on.”

In addition to its start and a focal point of activities happening at the CPN Festival Grounds and surrounding properties, the Oklahoma Gravel Growler and ultra-marathon will unfold in large part on tribal land, McIntyre said. Event organizers are working with the nation to coordinate events and activities for friends and families of the riders and runners to have the opportunity to explore features like the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center, have some fun bowling, take a swing on the golf course or try their luck in the casino. They also have worked to make the Grand Casino Hotel the official lodging of the two-day event.

“It seemed like a really natural fit,” McIntyre said.

“Most good things in this state seem to come from partnerships between the tribes and other entities, whether it’s the government of Oklahoma or whether it’s some private enterprise.”

In addition to providing entertainment options and cultural enrichment opportunities for attendees and participants of the Growler, the partnership with CPN also bolsters the potential longevity of the Growler traditions. Events hosted by CPN – such as the FireFlight Balloon Festival – seem to have a focus on long-term sustainability, McIntyre said. They will hopefully be events that transpire across generations, and he would like to see the Growler be among those.

“We want the event to have a future,” McIntyre said. “One of the reasons we built the gravel growler into what it is and what we hope it’s going to continue to be is to build a commu-

nity for people of all ages to ride and create an event that will showcase this area and show people what cycling can attract to this area.”

The keys to the success of previous Growlers has been providing an experience beyond showing up to just ride or run, McIntyre said. Whether for the participants or those attending to support them, the Oklahoma Gravel Growler has aimed to provide a fun and family-like atmosphere at its events.

This year, Alison Tetrick is returning as the “ambassador of awesomeness,” leading and participating in race activities along with a women’s cycling Q&A. She will also lead a pace group that will help riders maximize their performance. Professional cyclist and Tour de France racer Frankie Andreu will also make another Growler appearance as the announcer.

The event will also feature a charitable beneficiary of the activities, with money raised this year going toward early childhood music education in Tecumseh Public Schools, McIntyre said.

The festivities will kick off Friday, Feb. 3 with a vendor expo, packet pickup and some registration opportunities followed by a social ride. The Tetrickled women’s clinic will take place that afternoon and capping the evening will be a rider meeting and party.

Saturday morning the runners will hit the road about 8 a.m. with riders following at 8:30 a.m., McIntyre said. The cutoff time will be 5 p.m. with the Shackleton award once again going to the last official finisher of the long course to cross the line.

For a complete schedule and more information, visit oklagg.com or facebook.com/OKGravelGrowler. S

PACING, NOT RACING

BY ALICJA CARTER

ne of the benefits of working at Gateway is the intentional time I get to spend swapping stories, expressing feelings and digging into selfcare practices with my coworkers at the TSET/Wellness House. A common theme since COVID-19 has been exploring what life could look like if we gave up the race for a steadier and more sustainable pace of life.

In the years prior to 2020, each of us had prided ourselves in our full calendars, important commitments and willingness to advise family, friends and co-workers. We felt needed and necessary and interesting. We set high goals with unwavering expectations for ourselves and others. We pushed through physical discomfort, mental disturbances and emotional exhaustion to fulfill an obligation or complete a to-do list. Lack of progress meant a lack of discipline or care and could only be brought back into alignment with a critical word and stronger commitment.

After 2020, however, our lives like so many others came to a screeching halt. Our calendars were now empty, our commitments had been canceled and we were at a loss for answers. Our goals narrowed to navigating life on a day-to-day basis and making sure that we and the people in our circles were safe and cared for. It was much more difficult to “keep going” because the state of the world was heavy and demanded our full attention. Thankfully, we all had more than adequate resources and support to carry us through, and we were able to experience deep reflection and connection during our struggle and grief. We humbly recognize that our process was privileged in many ways and a great number of our beloved community members only experienced unbearable burden with little to no relief during this time. Our hearts go out to you.

During the last two years, we have explored our limiting beliefs and reactive behaviors. We have questioned the stories in our heads and have asked ourselves, “What do we really want?” We have experienced waves of frustration, confusion and sadness along with a deep sense of gratitude, peace and clarity. Our nonjudgmental support system, time and willingness to get honest has set us on a more accepting, compassionate and joy-filled path for 2023. We continue to challenge the voice inside that demands perfection and remind ourselves that pacing and practicing feels much better.

Here are some of our insights and findings. Feel free to take what you need and leave the rest.

Pace yourself: Pacing ourselves is rarely very flashy, bold or exciting. Strides along this journey are seemingly insignificant and spread out over a longer period. Adjustments and improvements tend to happen in moments of stillness or amid everyday life. It is like a puzzle coming together one piece at a time – some-

times intentionally and other times by divine intervention. After weeks, months and years of taking the next right action for us, “We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us,” to quote a phrase used in Alcoholics Anonymous.

Consider this personal story: “My physical wellness journey began with strengthening my social support system and practicing more acceptance for myself as I am. I began stretching with my colleagues at work and adding more fruits and vegetables into my diet. I then considered getting a YMCA membership and had to work through my anxiety of learning what to wear, how to check-in and how to use the equipment. Next, I started walking the track and eventually moved on to the stationary bike. I prefer saying, ‘I ride a bike’ rather than ‘I exercise’ to decrease anxiety and make the process more enjoyable. I went from riding 15 minutes to riding 30 minutes or more and have had many meaningful conversations during that time. In addition, my son and his family have become members, and my granddaughter and I love stretching together. It is important to note that I still allow myself to rest and care for myself when I am sick or dealing with a life-changing event. Rather than judging it as ‘falling off the wagon,’ I recognize that pulling back is what keeps me from burning out or hurting myself. For now, my motto is ‘One step at a time.’ I can honestly say that I am proud of getting this far.” -Lisa Watson

To quote Yung Pueblo in closing, “The energy for 2023 is: supporting your peace by not becoming extremely busy. Give your time to what matters most and repeatedly let go of the rest.”

Alicja Carter, MHR, BHWC, has been working in the behavioral health and addiction treatment field for more than 14 years at Gateway to Prevention and Recovery. Alicja is passionate about wellness and collaborating with others for the purpose of stimulating positive change in her community.

Carter

shawnee history

UNDER ONE ROOF

Municipal Auditorium Played Key Role In Large Gatherings For Decades

BY ANN MCDONALD, COURTESY POTT CO HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBER

The decade before had been difficult but not as bad in Shawnee as other areas of the country. Black Friday in 1929 wasn’t as devastating as it was where more of the population depended on business and banking.

The Dust Bowl in western Oklahoma didn’t affect eastern Oklahoma as much, but the choking drought caused the loss of crops to local farmers. And the recent closing of the Rock Island shops was devastating to the town’s economy.

So, it was welcomed when the federal government, urged by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, came to the rescue with his New Deal programs. The plans were developed to put people back to work during what was called the Great Depression by giving people jobs, new skills and rescuing companies.

First, Shawnee was rewarded with National Recovery Administration programs that taught young people skills like cooking, sewing and welding followed by the first Public Works Administration construction project in Oklahoma with Jefferson School in 1934.The Works Progress Administration projects included the lake and water works, county courthouse, football stadium, swimming pool, additions to other schools – constant construction and work for Shawnee citizens and companies.

And then there was the Municipal Auditorium. There was no large place for local folks to gather for shows and events, and the gym in the high school was too small for regulation basketball games. A spot in Woodland Park was selected, plans drawn, funds from the city of Shawnee were matched with those from the PWA and construction began in late 1935.

1937-38 basketball season, the Wolves were able to play their games on a regulation size court.

The year also marked an important event when Eleanor Roosevelt was in Shawnee to visit some of the projects her husband’s plans had been responsible for. And the 1938 Oklahoma Baptist University graduating class sat for a speech by J. Edgar Hoover. Other political speakers over the years included J. Howard Edmondson (1958), Lyndon Johnson (1959) and George Nigh (1962).

Gym classes – especially those at the junior high – used the smaller courts on south corners of the building, and SHS continued their home games there until their own gym was constructed in 1959. Other sports events held at the Municipal Auditorium included Bill Tilden’s tennis match in 1937, the AllAmerican Redheads in 1950, the Harlem Globetrotters in 1951 and Gorgeous George and his wrestling show in 1959.

The most fascinating event was likely “Icelandia,” an ice skating show that brought their own portable ice rink in 1951.

Construction on Shawnee’s Municipal Auditorium began in 1935, and it hosted a variety of events –including sports, speeches, education, concerts and more – in its first few decades. The building is still usable nearly 90 years later. — Photo submitted

The Auditorium was the site of music shows, such as Bob Wills (1942), Roy Acuff (1946), Sons of the Pioneers (1949), Fred Waring (1956), Jerry Lee Lewis (1957) and Alec Templeton – a world renown blind pianist – in 1955.

Maybe the most unusual event was the planetarium show by Armand Spitz in 1952.

Like most projects there were debates about the cost, the court size, the arrangement of seating and paint color. Moreover, the seats themselves became an issue when the company couldn’t make their promised delivery date. Even with the alterations and additions, citizens’ excitement continued as the building rose in the center of town.

The cornerstone was laid by the Masons at the end of March as the construction continued. The city commission approved a $1,400 sound system feeling like this would enhance the programs that could take place in the new auditorium. Once the building was finished, those visions came true. During the

It was Shawnee citizens themselves, however, who made the most use of the beloved Municipal Auditorium. High school graduations were held there until 1962. Plays, band concerts and other school programs occurred there as well as Scout events and those of the Camp Fire Girls. Many remember the Kiwanis Pancake Feed every year.

When the high school moved to the west side of town and the junior high moved to the former high school building, gym classes and basketball games ceased in the Municipal Auditorium. Later, an addition was built on the east side of the building with room for senior citizens programs.

Most everything else has moved elsewhere, but according to its overseers, the fine old building is still serviceable even after 90 years.

the bright spot

Amid the bad news and bickering out there, sometimes it’s nice to read a little encouragement. The Bright Spot is a space to share some inspiration or reassurance with the community through poetry or prose. If you have an idea or something to brighten someone’s day, submit it to editor@shawneeoutlook.com.

A PRAYER IN THE FIELD

BY ROGER DYLAN TURNER

Our Father, we approach to thank you for this day.

We thank you that we have come together. Just as education is food for the mind, so entertainment is food for the heart; and we ask that you help us all to mind our table manners, so to speak. For no good host invites a guest to a meal with the goal of insulting them. Really, what cause will either town have for boasting on account of its team or what cause will either have for shame? A worker is paid for his own work and a criminal is punished for his own crime, so why should one in the stands behave or be treated as if he had been on the field?

We also pray that although both teams have practiced hard, and both desire to win, please, help each to not want the other to lose. Please, help the winners to be proud of themselves, but without wanting the losers to feel bad, just as someone may wish to be satisfied, while not wanting someone else to be hungry or poor.

We ask that you help us to remember that the numbers we see here today are just that: numbers. Those on the uniforms and those on the scoreboard. They reflect nothing on the moral character of anyone here, just as one should not be judged by their number of years or the number of coins in their pocket; though all such things are matters of caution, they are also open to chance.

And finally, we thank you for the rain; it's not so thick as to interfere with the game, but just enough so that we all might be refreshed.

All of this we pray, Amen.

2700 N Kickapoo

2700 N Kickapoo

Shawnee, OK74804 (405) 585-2907 store6963@theupsstore.com theupsstorelocal.com/6963

Shawnee, OK74804 (405) 585-2907 store6963@theupsstore.com theupsstorelocal.com/6963

Shawnee, OK74804 (405) 585-2907 store6963@theupsstore.com theupsstorelocal.com/6963

Shawnee, OK74804 (405) 585-2907 store6963@theupsstore.com theupsstorelocal.com/6963

Hours: Mon - Fri 08:00 AM-06:30 PM Sat 09:00 AM-02:30 PM Sun Closed

Hours: Mon - Fri 08:00 AM-06:30 PM Sat 09:00 AM-02:30 PM Sun Closed

Hours: Mon - Fri 08:00 AM-06:30 PM Sat 09:00 AM-02:30 PM Sun Closed

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OPIOID OVERDOSE:

KNOW THE SIGNS. KNOW HOW TO RESPOND. THERE ARE MANY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF OPIOID MISUSE AND OVERDOSE. DURING AN OVERDOSE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO ACT FAST TO HELP SAVE A LIFE.

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Slowed or stopped breathing

2700 N Kickapoo

Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc. Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and centers are Offer Expires 12/31/2018 redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc.

Do rescue breathing and chest compressions

2700

Kickapoo

Shawnee, OK74804 (405) 585-2907 store6963@theupsstore.com theupsstorelocal.com/6963

2700 N Kickapoo

OK 74804

Hours:

Shawnee, OK74804 (405) 585-2907 store6963@theupsstore.com theupsstorelocal.com/6963

2700 N Kickapoo

585-2907

2700 N Kickapoo

theupsstorelocal.com/6963

2700 N Kickapoo

Shawnee, OK 74804 (405) 585-2907 store6963@theupsstore.com theupsstorelocal.com/6963

Mon - Fri 08:00 AM-06:30 PM Sat 09:00 AM-02:30 PM

Hours:

2700 N Kickapoo

Shawnee, OK74804 (405) 585-2907 store6963@theupsstore.com theupsstorelocal.com/6963

Shawnee, OK74804 (405) 585-2907 store6963@theupsstore.com theupsstorelocal.com/6963

2700 N Kickapoo

Shawnee, OK74804 (405) 585-2907 store6963@theupsstore.com theupsstorelocal.com/6963

Shawnee, OK 74804 (405) 585-2907 store6963@theupsstore.com theupsstorelocal.com/6963 Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and redeemable only when presented at a participating location. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc. Limit one coupon per customer. Not valid with other offers. Restrictions apply. Valid and redeemable only when presented at participating location. The UPS Store centers are independently owned and operated. © 2016 The UPS Store, Inc. Offer Expires 12/31/2018 Offer Expires 12/31/2018

Sun Closed

Hours:

PM Sun Closed

Mon - Fri 08:00 AM-06:30 PM

Hours:

Mon - Fri 08:00 AM-06:30 PM Sat 09:00 AM-02:30 PM Sun Closed

Sat 09:00 AM-02:30 PM Sun Closed

Hours: Mon - Fri 08:00 AM-06:30 PM Sat 09:00 AM-02:30 PM Sun Closed

Mon - Fri 08:00 AM-06:30

Sue Winterringer

DUST OFF

Taking A Moment To Consider Costs Of Lashing Back

BY BRANDON DYER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMUNITY RENEWAL OF POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY

It happened three times in one afternoon, just a few weeks ago. The first was in front of Dutch Bros. Coffee, the second on 45th by Gordon Cooper Technology Center and the third was 30 feet outside of Wal-Mart. It had been years since something like this had happened and then three times in a single afternoon? I admit, I was frustrated, but I also realized there was nothing I could do but laugh a little and perhaps be more alert.

Twenty five years earlier, while I was in college another series of threes occurred. In one week, I locked my keys in my truck three times. Three times, I had to spend money to have someone come fiddle with my door to unlock it for me. As a poor college kid, not only was I frustrated but I was also broke. I had never locked my keys in my truck before, and I haven’t since. It has only happened three times in my life and all within a week. However, unlike what happened a few weeks ago, each of these experiences were my own doing.

So, what happened exactly a few weeks ago? Three times I was nearly hit by a car. The first time a person failed to look right as they were pulling out of Dutch Bros. I was turning left, and they took a really wide right turn. Fortunately, they saw me at the very last second and slammed on their brakes missing my truck by inches. It was an honest mistake. We’ve all had close calls that were our fault. I was a little spooked but no big deal.

The second was a few hours later as I was on my way to Wal-Mart headed west on 45th in front of Gordon Cooper. An eastbound car began to cross the centerline. I let off the gas a little expecting the driver to look up from their phone and course correct. As the car drew closer and closer it was moving further into my lane. Realizing what was about to happen, I yanked the wheel right and veered into the ditch to avoid a collision then back onto the road.

Finally, as I was exiting Wal-Mart and walking across the pedestrian crossing, a car to my right either didn’t see me or didn’t care to slow down. Like in the movies, I literally had to dive out of the way to avoid being hit. You can’t make this stuff up. Fortunately, I didn’t listen to my retaliatory instincts. Although my heart was racing, three close calls in

one afternoon had me happy to simply walk away unscathed. One of the hardest truths to accept in life is that we can’t control the actions or choices of others. We can’t make anybody do anything. Attempting to control other people – or anything outside our circle of control really – only leads to more frustration. It’s hard enough to control ourselves at times. What makes us think we can control others? When someone wrongs us, we often feel like we need to pay them back. Sure, I could have chased that car down and said a few choice words. Who knows what kind of scene might have developed? Nothing good would have come from it. That much I know.

This is the myth of redemptive violence. Think of the Hatfields and McCoys or the Montagues and Capulets. We think that if we get somebody back for what they have done that we will somehow win. The truth is revenge only leads to trouble, even tragedy at times. I am not suggesting people ought not be held accountable for terrible choices, but justice is different than revenge. Justice follows a process, though we might not always agree that the outcome is fair. Revenge, however, is birthed in passion, often with little thought of consequences.

There are certainly larger, very important issues this brings up, but for the purposes of this article I would like for us to consider what it would look like to simply dust ourselves off and walk away from the majority of our petty conflicts.

Do we really need to speed ahead to cut off the person who just cut us off? Who wins when we post a snarky comment after reading an opinion we don’t agree with? Which of us has ever truly “won” a Facebook argument? When was the last time you convinced someone that you were right by being ugly, particularly in a public forum? Don’t these things typically lead to more ugliness?

We need to learn how to control our emotions and become more mature human beings. Isn’t this what we try to teach our children? Bono said that the purpose of art is to chase ugliness away. Controlling our passions is most definitely a form of art because it replaces ugliness with beauty, something our world needs more of.

Brandon Dyer

Jan. 1-22: Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art will present the limited exhibit “Messiah: Christ in Art” to explore the different ways that Christ is depicted in art through the ages. The free-to-the-public gallery talk and reception featuring curator of collections Delaynna Trim will be at 7 p.m. on Jan. 20th at the museum at 1900 W. MacArthur. Information: mgmoa.org/messiah-christ-in-art

Jan. 7: The "World's Best Young Elvis" Travis Ledoyt will pay homage to the King of Rock ‘N’ Roll starting at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W Main St. Information: ritzshawnee.com

Jan. 14: Oklahoma's very own renowned medium, Jacqueline Brooke, will bring her remarkable gifts to Shawnee at 7 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main St. Information: jacquelinebrooke.com

Feb. 3: Songwriter Night @ Music Unlimited will feature artist Levi Walker and other Oklahoma songwriters 7-9 p.m. at 1109 W. Kickapoo Spur St. This live music event is free of charge and open to the public. Information: kevinhall8384@gmail.com

Feb. 3-4: Oklahoma Mission of Mercy will host a two-day clinic designed to meet the oral health needs of dental patients of all ages by providing free dental care to as many adults and children as time, volunteers and supplies will allow from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center at 1700 W. Independence St. Information: okmom.org.

Feb. 5: 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

Feb. 10-18: Shawnee Little Theatre presents “PUFFS: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic,” a clever and inventive play that puts a new spin on a familiar adventure from the perspective of three young wizards. Magic, sports, and a battle against evil collide in this play about anyone who's ever felt like they weren't the hero of their own story, which will take the stage at 1829 N Airport Drive. Information: shawneelittletheatre.com.

Feb. 11: Community Renewal invites participants to We Care-aoke – a night of dinner, cocktails, and Singo (musical Bingo) to benefit the organization’s initiatives in Pottawatomie County – from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Grand Casino at 777 Grand Casino Blvd. Information: communityrenewal.org.

Feb. 11: John Shack's V-Day Variety Show will bring music, comedy, burlesque and magic as part of a special Valentine’s Day performance at 7 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main St. Information: facebook.com/johnshackmagic

Feb. 13-17: The Professional Bowlers Association will conduct its Shawnee Classic pre-tournament qualifier with a combined $150,000 in prize money at the event rolling into FireLake Bowling Center at 40945 Hardesty Road. Information: pba.com/tournaments/2023/pba-shawnee-classic If

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