Shawnee Outlook

Curate Your Own Art Exhibit | Threepeat For Triplet Athletes

MARCH 22

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CONTENTS

PUBLISHER

MARCH 2022

27

On Display: How To Curate Your Own Art Exhibit

6

KEEP THE CHANGE

6

NUTRITION 101

19

On The Verge: OBU Theatre Returns To Comedy With Female-Led Cast, Crew

13

OVER THE FENCE

14

THE BRIGHT SPOT

24

SONIC CONTEST

25

SHAWNEE HISTORY

30

CALENDAR

27

MAR

Right Connections: Human Brain Wired To Rewire Under Stress Threepeat: Closeness, Competitiveness Drive Triplet Student Athletes

Bethel Acres

David Dinsmore

ADVERTISING SALES

Brad Carter

2022

Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-1pm North of Hardesty Road & Hwy 102

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Volume 19, Number 1 Shawnee Outlook is a publication of Okie Icon Media. © 2022 Okie Icon Media

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

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

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keep the change

NOTHING NEW IN 2022 I

indicated last month that a goal for my year was not to buy anything new. The production and shipping of new items requires resources, labor and energy, so choosing not to buy “new” helps retrain the eye on the three Rs of responsibility to the planet: reduce, reuse, recycle.

The side benefit outside of environmental impact is buying fewer things – or choosing to buy used – and also tends to positively impact the budget. Here are my goals.

If I’m not buying “new,” I will: • Reduce my overall consumption – this resolution Angela Rowland forces me to stick to a few questions. Is a purchase truly filling a need in my life? Can those needs be met with something I already own?

• Reuse what I already have or what someone else has previously used – I can look for things in my own home that can fill a purpose. I also can look at garage sales, thrift stores, consignment sales and Facebook marketplace to meet the needs I have – all of which may save money as well and will additionally lower the overall impact of my purchase on current supply chains.

• Recycle what I’m finished with – I can find a way to repurpose or donate what I no longer need to help delay the amount of time before it contributes to the massive amount of waste our population produces.

While I understand I may not fill this resolution perfectly, I aim to do the best I can. If I resort to buying something from Amazon in a pinch, I don’t have to give up. Decreasing our environmental impact isn’t an easy task and won’t happen overnight, but every little bit of effort adds up. And you don’t have to have started in January to make a difference today. S

Angela Rowland is an OBU graduate and a stay-at-home mother of four. She enjoys finding new ways to stretch the paycheck and share some of her favorite tips and deals.

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nutrition 101

MAKE EXERCISE FEEL LIKE PLAYTIME

R

emember the time in life when exercise was simply called “play” and you loved every minute of it? As you have gotten older, maybe now exercise is viewed as something that requires a stopwatch to make sure you count every single second. What if you were able to find joy in the movement again?

If you have a sitdown job like I do, you may find that the long spans of minimal movement not only impact your body but also your joy. Some people really enjoy traditional, intentional exercise like running, walking, biking, swimming laps, lifting weights, going to a workout class and much more, but others who do not enjoy these types of exercise, it is going to feel like you are dragging yourself there and sooner or later you will talk yourself out of going.

Why spend time enduring workouts you don’t enjoy when you can experience all the health and fitness benefits of a complete exercise program that gives us fun learning to play again?

If you have any children in your life, let them help you bring out your inner child and just play with them with activities like riding bikes together, skateboarding, swimming, nature walks, basketball, going to the park, skipping, hop scotch, outdoor games, fishing and so much more. When you have a child leading the way, the day could be endless. We can relearn how to do these fun activities again on our own, but children just make it that much more fun.

As the weather becomes nicer, get out and play.

Homemade Artichoke Hummus

I did it. I actually did it! I have loved hummus my entire adult life, but actually making it seemed so daunting for whatever reason. Well, I figured I would give it a try, and it was great the first time making it. The dip was made in just a matter of minutes.

Ingredients: Directions: Add all ingredients to a food processor and 1-15oz can chickpeas/ garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained 1 cup artichoke hearts, drained and chopped 2 cloves of fresh garlic

Juice of ½ of lime 1 Tbsp olive oil 1 Tbsp water 1 Tbsp tahini Ground black pepper and salt to taste

pulse until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Makes: 8 servings, 1/3 cup each Nutritional Information per serving: Calories: 140 Total Fat: 6.5g Saturated Fat: 0.8g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 293mg Protein: 3g Carbohydrates: 12g Fiber: 3g Nutrition 101: Chickpeas are the main ingredient in hummus, meaning this dip contains protein and fiber. Hummus can be a great way to get in your vegetables as well. I love a lot of the crunchy raw vegetables like cucumbers, sweet bell peppers, carrots and more with hummus, but why make your own hummus vs just buying it is the question. Half of the calories in hummus come from fat, but when making your own hummus, you can choose which oil to use. You can use a much healthier oil when making it yourself. Also when making it yourself, the sodium will be drastically decreased. As you see in the store, there are many varieties of hummus, so when giving this recipe a try, start with the base ingredients (everything but the artichokes) and go from there.

S

Andrea Beck, a registered dietitian and personal trainer, received her master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from the University of Central Oklahoma. She offers personal training through an online class and nutrition services through SSM Health St. Anthony in Shawnee. Contact her at Andrea.beck1@ssmhealth. com or through her Facebook page, Nutrition and Exercise 101 with Andrea.

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BancFirst’s Brightest

Following the success of our BancFirst Student Board members

Tacey Tate Student Board 2009-2010

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

T: While growing up in Shawnee I was able to make connections across the community that would later open doors for me. These connections helped me further my education and prepared me for my career path.

Shawnee High School (2010)

T: There were many good times of fellowship. I felt like we all belonged and we were able to obtain knowledge and insight on how to succeed in real life situations.

Current employer: Oklahoma Dept. of Human Services (2015)

How has the BancFirst Student Board contributed to your success?

Resource Specialist - Review applicants for foster care suitability. Maintain foster parent relationships to insure the best care environment is maintained.

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

East Central University (2014)

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T: I was able to use my connections to help attain a job in banking while I went to college. It also gave me financial skills that I still use today.

Shawnee

Te c u m s e h

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art of the matter

ON DISPLAY

How To Curate Your Own Art Exhibit

SUBMITTED BY CARMEN WOLF, MABEE-GERRER MUSEUM OF ART BOARD VICE-CHAIR

H

ave you ever wondered how people decide what pieces of art are put on display in museums or art exhibits?

Most museums have lots and lots of artwork in storage that isn’t on display. Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art only displays about four percent of its artwork. The rest is in storage. So, how does the curator (the person in charge of the art) decide what goes on display and what doesn’t?

The first step is to come up with a theme. A theme can be many, many things. For example, works from one artist could be a theme, artwork from a specific time period, artistic style or even artwork with a similar subject. The more specific your theme, the easier it will be for the audience to understand, but it may be harder to find pieces that fit the theme.

The next step is to determine where you want your exhibit to be. Will it be in a museum? How about an art gallery? Or

Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art will host its annual high school juried art exhibition March 8-27, but younger aspiring artists can curate their own exhibition at home.

maybe a coffee shop or school. An art exhibit can be held anywhere the space can logistically and safely display the art. You want to make sure the space you choose has enough room and the lighting is good. Some pieces of art are very fragile, so you will want to make sure the heating and cooling systems will protect them.

Once you have found your space, draw out a floor plan and start thinking about how people will enter and exit the space and where the lighting is. Something to keep in mind is that when most people walk into a gallery, they usually go to the right. Are there spotlights that can be added or moved to highlight certain pieces of art? Also, would it be helpful to add room partitions to give you more wall space for artwork?

Is there enough room for people to move around comfortably?

There are lots of questions.

Now it’s time to put your theme and ideas to work. Have www.shawneeoutlook.com

9

you chosen the artwork yet? In what order do you want to display the art? Maybe by artist or chronologically. You could also group by subject matter, or type of materials. Think about the best way to use the art to tell the story of your theme.

Next, you must decide how much information you will provide your audience about each piece of art. When you go to a museum, you will usually find a label next to each piece of art on display. Sometimes it only tells the artist, title, date of work, what the artwork is made of and who owns it. Sometimes there is much more information, such as what was going on in the artist’s life at the time the art was created.

When you are thinking about these details, it’s important to remember who your audience is. Will your audience be adults, teenagers, children or maybe people who have handicaps that would impede their movement through or understanding of the exhibit. All of this can impact how the exhibit is set up.

Now that you have the pre-planning done, it’s time to place the artwork. There are two common styles for displaying artwork. One is called “center line” that lines up the artwork evenly spaced horizontally around the room. The artwork is about 54 inches to 62 inches at center. This is an optimal placement for most adults. The other style is called “salon style” where artwork is hung from floor to ceiling. Salon style originated in 1667 with

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the beginning of the annual Royal Academy salon in Paris. It was very popular prior to the 20th century.

Now it’s time to get people to the exhibit. Many museums advertise their exhibits in magazines, newspapers and on social media. Some exhibits travel from one museum to another throughout the world and are scheduled years in advance. Word of mouth is also a great way to get people to the exhibit. If your friend tells you about the great artwork they have seen you will want to see it too.

Do you want to see an example of a curated exhibit right here in Shawnee? The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art is having a juried art exhibition of artwork from local high school students starting March 8. There are all kinds of subjects and materials used in these pieces of art.

Now it’s time for us to create our own art exhibit.

Think about artwork you have in your home, artwork you have created, Lego sets you have built or things around your home that make you happy. What theme comes to mind as you think of these things?

Next, let’s find a place where you can set up your exhibit.

Is there a room in your house with some blank space on a wall or a table? Maybe you can use this area for your exhibit. Be creative. Exhibits can be set up in all kinds of places.

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Now that you have the theme and the space, make a list of the pieces you want to include in your exhibit. Put down anything that comes to mind. Now narrow down your list by going through and picking out your favorites and crossing off the ones you don’t want.

Let’s get our space ready. Clear out the area you will need for your exhibit and think about where you want each piece to be placed. Once you are satisfied, it’s time to hang or place your art.

Take a step back and see how everything looks. Now is the time to imagine your audience going through your exhibit and make any changes.

Finally, let everyone know about your project and invite them to see your exhibit. You can even have an “opening.”

Set a time and serve snacks. S

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

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over the fence

WORK ZONE AHEAD Sometimes Progress Can Be Painful

A

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

passing lane by Sequoyah Elementary School, the new Shawnee Police Department headquarters (thank you Shawnee voters) and Scooter’s Coffee.

What do they all have in common?

Brandon Dyer You guessed it. They are all located on Independence Street. In addition, these are all projects completed over the past several years.

Like many of you, I have witnessed the progress of each of these projects from start to finish and now enjoy the benefits of what they bring to our community. But before there were benefits, there were headaches.

How many orange cones have been placed and replaced along Independence during that span of time? How many times were you running late and forgot about one of these projects and had to drive painfully slowly around those dreaded cones, witnessing progress inch along outside your window? There was also the Kickapoo project, which tops them all and then some.

But before I cause our collective blood pressures to spike with memories of immense frustration, let us think about how terrific it is now to drive those couple of miles of pavement on Kickapoo Street. Look at what was created. How wonderful is it to have a passing lane near Sequoyah school allowing drivers to pass safely when parents are in a long line to pick up their kiddos. The Police Department is now more centrally located and has far more office space to conduct their business of keeping us safe. I’ll admit, I’ve not yet been to Scooter’s Coffee, but my friends seem to love it.

There is always a line of caffeine lovers, so it must be pretty great.

These are just local examples. Consider the I-40 expansion underway in Del City or the Broadway Extension project in Oklahoma City. Depending on the time of day, these can be major inconveniences for hurried travelers short on time. In spite of this irritation, most of us can also appreciate what a positive difference such enormous undertakings will produce. So we hold these two realities in balance.

Something can both cause us frustration and also have our best interests in mind. Perhaps next time we should take a deep breath and accept that these are simply minor emotional expenses in the long transaction of progress. A better future lies just beyond our four lettered frustration.

This past Monday, I was driving west on Independence on my way to work. More orange cones were out. You’ve seen them. A few weeks ago, I thought perhaps it was related to utilities and would

be completed in a matter of days. It didn’t take long to realize this is something different. Sidewalks are being installed. This is part of a larger trails project connecting the east side of town to the west and eventually the north side of town to the south, making it safer and more convenient for folks to walk.

It’s going to require some patience from us all, but in the end this is a win.

I patiently drove past the orange cones as I imagined an improved, future version of this stretch of road. Suddenly a thought occurred to me that had nothing to do with heavy machinery and orange cones. I too am a work in progress.

Many of my improvement projects have been underway for a long, long time. Occasionally, I allow myself a moment to look back and smile at how far I’ve come, and I’m thankful. Oh sure, I’m thankful that I’m not those former, less understanding versions of myself. Whatever wisdom I possess today has been earned the hard way, trust me. Foolishness can be prolific, but I’m mostly thankful for the patient people in my life who have endured countless orange cones along my paths of progress. I bet you’ve got some you’re thankful for too.

We tell ourselves that the future version is the prize, but I’m not sure that’s it. The prize may be the target, but what gives the prize value is the price paid to get there. I’m working on it. You’re working on it. Let’s be patient with each other and find a way to offer grace. S

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the bright spot

WINTER WONDERINGS I

BY DILL ROGERS

sat. The channels fell like snowflakes. The dim blue hue of the television had captured me, or rather, I sacrificed myself to it. But what else was there to do? The real world outside was dead, so it was just as well for me to play the corpse while watching a multitude of false worlds run up and down, backwards and forwards; whatever I commanded by remote control. But at the same time, I felt a kind of flame tickling my heart. Just what, I didn't know then, but no matter how powerful it burned, I knew it wouldn't be enough to melt the fallen sea.

Being a glutton for punishment, I walked again to the window and, pulling up the blind, saw the same blindness for the 100th time that day. Wearing long sleeves, I wiped one over the glass, only to reveal a sight so sickening as to make me wish that it were hidden again. The trees were naked, except for their linen pall, and the grass was grown over with snow. It was altogether more loathsome to me than a salt flat in a desert. And the whole ugly scene was cast over with the dreary shadow of gray clouds.

But then, something struck, something unlike that which I had ever felt before. I discovered the old view with new eyes, a new mind. I recalled from my school days that light, in its fullest form, consists of all colors, even while they remain undetected.

When it is blocked by an object, it is, in effect, broken. With fragments being retained by the object and giving it character, it's beauty. Thus as the light bounced and danced upon the snow, I could observe, yes, I could enjoy its full body. But … how?

If I were to glimpse the raw power of the sun by staring at it directly, my eyes would be humbled in an instant. Gazing heavenward, the obvious answer was bestowed gracefully. The clouds, though solemn in appearance, provided a shield – or rather, a sieve – by which heaven's glory, far too great to be witnessed in whole, was filtered to the earth for those mortals who dared to brave the bitter cold so that they might taste it, that it might cure them; but from what disease?

With chin in hand, I returned my focus to the ground, or tried to, but apparently while studying the sky, my breath had caused the glass to fog much faster than normal. I raised my sleeve, then stopped. Again something took hold of me, but now not only my mind, but also body; a tightening grew in my chest. The impulse was channeled into my finger. It glided effortlessly across

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Amid the bad news and bickering today, 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. the pane, and I watched with eager expectation. Suddenly, the hand dropped, and I beheld … a smile. In front of me hung a smiling face, with no substance, as if the spirit that had empowered my finger was before me, so that it might exhibit its jovial demeanor.

Through its hallowedly hollow expression, light shined in, adding to the mystical mystery. As I kept watching, an almost overwhelming desire came over me, that I might embrace the pure reflection.

Reflection? Reflect… That was it!

The hair on the back of my neck stood, partly from the chill of standing so close to the window for so long, but mostly because the meaning of this universal symbol was now clear. The purpose of not only clouds or snow, but of winter itself! This season, so often associated with death and the imprisonment of spirit, this is the time to reflect! Having spent so much time in the world beyond, now I was to explore, renovate, and cherish the world within. By a careful observation of myself during the past year, I could determine all that was right and wrong in my soul, so that come winter's end, the world may be introduced to a new and improved me!

But… was that all? Was I to dedicate isolation only to self-betterment? It seemed surely a noble cause, and yet, it was still lacking.

I hung my head, not in defeat, but wistful disappointment. Thinking of hanging heads, I again looked at the smiling face; it seemed to only be mocking me now. But as I observed its eyes once more, my own widened; I rose my hand and gazed at my finger, *bum bum bum bum* as I did, it began to tremble, *bum bum bum bum bum bum* then my arm followed, *BUM BUM BUM BUM BUM BUM BUM BUM* and finally my whole body. I felt as if my heart would explode. In an instant I jumped in ecstasy, twirling in the air, and shouting a cry of victory over the battle about to be fought. I rushed to my desk and grabbed a stack of paper so fast that it was almost torn, and taking hold of a pen, I set to work. Now was not simply an age of reflection, of idle musings; now was the time to create, to compensate for the loss of nature's beauty by forging my own! And so I set to work, dear reader, and if you are curious as to how this quest fared, you need only consider this story you just finished reading. S

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entertainment

Natalie Bright, Zoe Burdess and Kennedy Largent participate in one of the first few rehearsals held in late February to prepare to lead “On the Verge,” the comedic story of three Victorian women on a journey of discovery through time and space that will take the stage April 7-10 in the Craig-Dorland Theatre in Shawnee Hall on the Oklahoma Baptist University campus.

Tickets and information at okbu.edu/theatre. — Photo submitted

ON THE VERGE

T

OBU Theatre Returns To Comedy With Female-Led Cast, Crew

hough not its first live performance since suspending productions in spring 2020, Oklahoma Baptist University Theatre is making a return to comedy with its upcoming production of “On the Verge.”

The production will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. April 7-9 and 2:30 p.m. April 10 in the Craig-Dorland Theatre in Shawnee Hall on the OBU campus, and Jennifer Ezell – director of this production and adjunct professor at OBU – said finding all the laughs in the production has been refreshing for the cast and crew involved.

OBU Theatre has hosted a night of one-

BY DAVID DINSMORE

act plays and a full production in spring last year along with a live production of “Vintage Hitchcock” directed by Ezell in fall 2021 after suspending its live performances in spring 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These projects required the cast and crew to find new ways to meet the challenges of performing live in the midst of an ongoing public health emergency.

“Coming back to theater, we weren’t sure how it was all going to work,” said Zoe Burdess, a junior theater major who will play the role of Fanny in this “On the Verge” production. “It was very challeng-

ing … but I think it helped us communicate better as a theater department.”

There was more emphasis placed on developing understudies who could quickly step in if a cast member got sick, Ezell said, and they had to make more considerations about how to seat audience members to keep groups distanced from each other.

“It was a different kind of theater experience,” Ezell said. “Getting back to our art is really exciting.”

Getting back on-stage presented some considerations even beyond those that people had to implement in their daily www.shawneeoutlook.com

19

lives during the height of the restrictions put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ezell said. For instance, those performing in musicals or operas during a time and in places when even performers were wearing masks had to consider what kind of mask would allow them to perform their numbers effectively while accounting for the possible spread of viral particles of up to 20 feet that may occur when singing.

Ezell did find it interesting seeing how performers tried to keep theater alive and in front of audiences through innovations like distance theater or “Zoom theater,” but she said there still was something missing.

“It’s just not the same as sitting in a room and experiencing it with other people,” said Ezell, who is a working artist and educator who has spent time with a variety of universities’ theater operations. “No one gets into theater to do video work.”

Once it became clear that OBU Theatre was taking steps to bring back live performances after spring 2020, it was a great relief for those participating in the department, said Kennedy Largent, a junior at OBU who will play the role of Mary in “On the Verge.”

“I found it very comforting that we were still striving to put on these shows and continue working at this,” said Largent, who is a creative writing major with a minor in theater. “Seeing (previous productions come together since spring 2020) really was exciting.”

Though a previous faculty member selected “On the Verge” as the spring 2022 production, the material really fit Ezell’s interests as an artist and educator, she said. The whimsical, absurdist nature of the play gives students a lot of opportunities to build new skills and deepen their talents in bringing a show to life for the audience.

“We were hoping this year to specifically choose a comedy, because the world has been kind of depressing for a while,” Ezell said. “We wanted something that would be really fun to come in and participate in.”

To ratchet up that element of participation, the audience will actually be seated on stage with the actors – though they Try our Cookie Cakes!

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will not have any direct interaction or role in telling the story, Ezell said. The “alleyway” effect of having the action unfold up and down the stage between the two groups of viewers facing toward each other helps create more nuance and connection with the performers.

“We wanted the audience to feel like they’re right in the middle of it,” Ezell said.

Though most absurdist works tend to focus on the nihilistic and listless, Ezell said “On the Verge” tries to inject some optimism into its story and look at some of the sillier and lighter side of life.

“This play does end in a very hopeful, upbeat way,” Ezell said “There’s a lot of hope for the future.

“That sets it apart from other absurdist plays.”

One of the benefits of staging a production with these elements is getting the chance for the actors to explore their inner “clown” while getting to employ physicality into their comedic moments, which is not something many undergraduate theater

students get the chance to practice, Ezell said. The early rehearsal process included a lot of exercises to help the performers stretch their limits and comfort regarding silliness while understanding how to execute these physical actions safely.

“Watching them allow themselves to be really wacky and the freedom they’re beginning to find in that … I can see them get excited as they realize they don’t have to use some of the traditional theater techniques they’ve used in the past,” Ezell said. “One of the best parts of working with student performers is watching them realize they can do more and can challenge themselves to do more than they have in the past.”

For some inspiration, Largent said she has found performance ideas in sources ranging from the films featuring Charlie Chaplin to online sketch comedy acts.

One of the best parts of putting together this production for Burdess has been building rapport with her castmates and finding ways to push each comedically.

“We’re able to laugh at each other and

able to laugh together,” Burdess said. “It’s basically like a playdate.”

“On the Verge” by Eric Overmyer premiered in 1985 and tells the story of three Victorian women seeking to explore the last uncharted territory on Earth.

“With wit, nerve and distinctive Victorian sensibilities, Mary, Fanny and Alexandra bushwhack their way through the mysterious Terra Incognita,” according to information provided by OBU. “A whimsical, fantastical comedy that bends time, space and the English language willy-nilly, ‘On The Verge (or The Geography of Yearning)’ navigates the search for our place in the world.”

Rounding out the cast alongside Burdess and Largent are Natalie Bright as Alexandra and Nathan Goforth, who plays a variety of characters throughout the journey.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for students. With seating set on the stage over one weekend of performances, availability is limited. For tickets and information, visit okbu.edu/theatre.

S

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mental health

RIGHT CONNECTIONS W

Human Brain Wired To Rewire Under Stress

BY MITCHELL DESHAZER

hat goes into the process of changing ourselves, and from stroke or trauma and in mental and emotional functioning can we really change? in people who have distressing anxiety and depression.

Scientists and researchers seem to believe so, We have the ability to change, heal and create new patterns even when the body has experienced extreme physical, mental, of functioning. This includes relating to our environment, ouremotional and psychological trauma. selves and others. Science used to have a fixed view of personThe focus is associated with one of the most fascinating orality, mental health and even physical functioning, especially DeShazer gans in the human body: the brain. This is an introduction and when someone was injured or experienced trauma. This view spark for your curiosity to further explore your brain and reflect on your has shifted to include a more organic perspective. own beliefs, reactions and behaviors. Ultimately, I hope that you find that Here are a few ways you can begin to create new patterns of change healing and growth are possible wherever you may be in your walk of life. right now: So, have you heard of neuroplasticity?

• Begin drinking more water. Water aids in helping the brain build Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change and form new neuronew connections.

• Get outside and move three or more times a week. Movement has logical connections. This doesn’t mean the brain can create new cells. Acbeen shown to elevate mood and increase overall well-being. cording to researchers, we are born with the cells we get, and if physical • Start a practice of journaling your thoughts and emotions. Reflecdamage occurs to the brain and cells are lost, the body cannot produce tion, even if it is a little, helps the brain reprocess experiences and new ones. While this sounds kind of bleak, the amazing thing about our elevates problem solving. brain is that our cells can reroute functions! In most cases, the brain has • Reach out to your primary care doctor or seek mental health supthe capacity to form new connections. Think of it like your GPS map report to gain further insight into your mind’s and body’s needs. routing you when part of a road is under construction or there is a wreck.

You are never too old to change your life and circumstances. Change The human brain develops and grows from prenatal to around the age takes time, may require support and involves effort. Ask anyone who has of 25 to be fully functional. During this time, millions of connections are made to help us do everything from walking to making sense of the emo- ever had to do physical therapy after a procedure or injury. Change takes tions in others. This is why nutrition, nurturance, stimulation and safety grit. It is possible to create new and lasting changes with time. Our brains were wonderfully wired for it. are profound for children. It helps the brain build connections.

If you or someone you know needs additional support and treatment Not all people have ideal environments, though, and through our lives adversity and trauma influence how our brain develops. Sometimes con- for their substance use, please call (405) 273-1170 ext. 0. Gateway is nections become stunted or get impacted by trauma. However, the amaz- ready to support you. S ing understanding we now have about the brain is that it can reform and Mitchell DeShazer is a licensed marriage and family therapist for Gateway to Prevention create new connections to increase and repair functioning. This has been and Recovery. He has worked with various individuals, couples and families with the goal evidenced in repaired physical functioning in people with brain damage of helping to improve relational health and strength.

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shawnee history

TAMALE MAN

Resident Became Locally Famous For One Of City’s First Mobile Food Carts

I

BY ANN MCDONALD, COURTESY POTT CO HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBER

n 1911, 21-year-old Albino Gonzalez traveled from Mex- uct to local restaurants, and by the time he retired, the cost for a ico to Texas before arriving in Oklahoma. While working dozen had reached 50 cents. in McLoud the following year, he married a local widow, Fans of his tamales agreed they were special. Other places in Arvilla Rutledge. Then in 1914, he went to work for the town offered the Mexican delicacy, but Albino seemed to have just Santa Fe Railroad like many others and came to Shawnee. the right recipe. He admitted later that he had learned the flavorHe helped in the construction of some of the early buildings in ing while in Texas from a friend from Louisiana. When he was able town, then by the mid-1920s, he opened a restaurant at 715 E. Main to, he received the husks used to wrap his tamales all the way from featuring a menu of Mexican food. It San Antonio. The meat was from local became increasingly difficult to mainstores for which he often traded tamatain a business during the Great Deles and those proprietors admitted, pression, so Albino Gonzalez “took “We were glad for that arrangement.” to the streets.” He and his wife began During the 1940s, when windows making and selling tamales from their were kept open in the hot summerhome. For the next decade or so, the time, neighbors reported the aroma of man who had become known as Beanthe cooking tamales was part of what ie also took on the title of Shawnee’s made their block a special place to “Tamale Man.” live. The “South of Main Street” locaHe rose early and cooked the ingretion was home to several of Shawnee’s dients in a huge pot so they would be Mexico-born citizens, which gave the ready to serve to the public by noon. area a special aura.

Then, he loaded the delicacies into a Arvilla Gonzalez died in 1949 and custom-made cart and pushed it from her husband, now without his cookhis home on South McKinley north ing partner and advancing in age, to Main Street. His buyers were often chose to store away his pushcart and waiting for him. Workers along the retire. He went back to Mexico to visit route watched, hoping he didn’t run family and while in Monterrey, he out of tamales before he got to them. married a woman named Margarita.

He took the same route every day, Albino Gonzalez – who became known as Tamale Back in Shawnee, he was someso some would walk to the location Man – and his wife Arvilla began making and selling times called on for special orders of to wait for their lunch. For others, it the Mexican delicacy from a pushcart after the Great his tamales. He died April 18, 1959 at was a special treat if they happened to Depression made it difficult to continue running age 79 and is buried in Fairview Cemtheir downtown restaurant. ­— Photo submitted meet him on his daily route. etery.

He often went as far as Woodland Park, especially on the northAlbino Gonzalez wasn’t the only “Tamale Man” in Shawnee’s east corner across from the high school. Students at both the junior history, but he was the original. Some today might remember Steand high school who were looking for lunch would quickly swarm phen Vasquez, who came after Beanie’s retirement. He also had a his cart. cart filled with tasty tamales. He served customers downtown for Some remember downtown workers waiting in line to buy the several years and was especially known for being at Shawnee Mills delicacy to take home to their family. Most reports say that in his during the lunch hour. store, three dozen tamales cost a quarter. Later from his cart, the So the food carts we see about town are not a new idea. A hunprice of a single tamale was likely just a few cents, or he might have dred years ago, local entrepreneurs saw a need and provided citicharged what he thought a buyer could pay. He also sold his prod- zens with food on the go: yummy, homemade tamales. S www.shawneeoutlook.com

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sports

THREEPEAT Closeness, Competitiveness Drive Triplet Student Athletes

BY JAMIE BERGSTEN

T

riplets occur in about one of every 10,000 pregnancies. That makes the Campbell girls, 15-year-old freshmen at North Rock Creek High School, pretty rare already.

The fact that all three love, play and excel in the same sports is even more unusual, but that doesn’t bother them one bit. They appreciate the challenge.

Sarah, Morgan and Molly, born in that order, even beat the odds as infants.

“We were delivered at 37 weeks, basically full-term, and never went to the NICU,” Sarah said. “We left the hospital at 48 hours old and all weighed between 5 lb. 7 oz. and 6 lb. 10 oz.”

The girls came home to a houseful of brothers, and maybe that helped to seal their bond right from the start. They have nearly identical schedules at school this year and have been attending NRC as a trio since kindergarten.

“Having at least one of my sisters in my classes can be so nice,” Molly said, “If I don’t know or understand something, I can just ask them, and they’ll help me most of the time.”

Sarah, Morgan and Molly Campbell have attended North Rock Creek schools since kindergarten and have played together in a variety of sports.

Morgan concurred, saying, “I would say that makes it easier, because I always have someone that I can talk to in class, and then if I need help or something, we all have the same work, so we can help each other.”

However, as sisters who’re together nearly all the time, that can make things difficult too.

“We do fight quite a bit, and if we fight at school or right before it, then having the same classes with my sisters is bad,” Molly admitted. “If I ask them to help me then, they’ll either give me a look and ignore me, or they’ll tell me to figure it out myself.”

All three admit that they tend to be each other’s biggest critics but also one another’s biggest supporters.

“Sometimes we tell each other what one of us is doing wrong, but we definitely check her mood first,” Sarah said. “It’s hard to admit, but we’re each other’s biggest fans too.”

The girls began playing both softball and basketball on teams together at age seven, but all consider softball to be their favorite sport.

“We played on a league team out of Dale until we were about 10,” www.shawneeoutlook.com

27

Sarah said. “Then we started playing travel ball.”

They’re currently members of the Oklahoma Athletics Premier, more commonly known as the A’s.

“We travel all over the country,” Molly said. “Last summer, we played in Florida, Colorado, Missouri and Arkansas, and this summer we’ll play in Indiana and in Kansas City. We also play school ball with North Rock Creek. This past fall, in school fast-pitch, we made it all the way to the state finals but lost in the 3A championship game. Now, my sisters and I are playing slow-pitch for the first time. Last year, the NRC slow-pitch team lost in the first round of state, but this year we have a good feeling we’ll make it all the way.”

Sarah said she took to the sport early in her experience.

“I’ve loved playing softball since the first time I tried it,” she said.

“It’s by far my favorite sport, and I’ve learned so much through the years – not just about the game itself but also about life. I’ve met so many great people while playing. Many of my best friends are teammates or people I’ve met through softball.”

There is a sense of common purpose among their softball teammates, Morgan said.

“The beauty of our softball teams is that every player wants to get better,” Morgan said. “They don’t just want it for themselves though; they want it for their teammates too, because that makes the whole team improve. They also pick each other up when one makes a mistake and cheer for each other when something good happens, no matter how small it may be.”

The girls’ talents don’t stop on the diamond though; they also extend to the hardwood. They just concluded basketball season at NRC, where all three played on varsity as freshmen with Morgan serving as a starter.

“I hate not starting, but that’s just how I am,” Sarah said. “I hate not being able to play more. I think that comes from softball, where I’ve always started. Morgan starting on our basketball team has really just pushed me to be better and put more effort in.”

28

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Though they share so much as triplets, Molly said there are differentiators among the Campbell sisters.

“All three of us have different skill levels when it comes to sports,” she said. “My basketball coach once asked me how I felt about my sisters playing more than I do, and I told her that it makes me mad – not because I didn’t play as much or that I thought I was better than they are, but because they’re my sisters. And I hate it when they do something better than I do. My coach told me that I needed to work harder, and she pushed me to do my best, even on my worst days. Through that, I got a little better, and I use that philosophy not only for basketball but also for softball as well.”

Each girl has also had to earn her roster spot on the teams for which they’ve played, and they do not get a group advantage.

“Even though we’re triplets, that doesn’t mean we all get an automatic spot on the team or that we get to play equal amounts,” Morgan said. “No one is entitled to a spot. You have to earn it, and then you have to work extra hard so that you make sure to keep it. Or maybe you already have a spot but you want to start on varsity; then you have to practice hard and put in extra effort if you want to be a starter. Even though our favorite sport isn’t basketball, all three of us stay after practice for 30 minutes almost every single day. We know that our spots aren’t guaranteed and that we have to keep working for them.”

The girls all consider that 2021 state fast-pitch runner-up finish as their greatest sports accomplishment to date, and they have big plans for the future, including a desire to win state championships in both fast-pitch and slow-pitch as well as earning college softball scholarships.

“I’d love to go to the same college as my sisters, but that depends on where each of us might get accepted for softball,” Sarah said. “We’d all like to play at the Division 1 level.”

The girls pointed out several benefits and drawbacks to being one of “the trips.” Even though Molly has a different appearance than her sisters, who admittedly look very much alike, there are still people

who get her name mixed up with theirs.

“It happens at least once or twice a week,” Molly said.

“It happens more than twice a day to me,” Morgan followed.

“More than once a day for me,” Sarah laughed. “There’s a girl in basketball who cannot tell Morgan and me apart, but the funny part is, she calls both of us ‘Morgan.’ Like, if she yells to get my attention, she calls me ‘Morgan,’ but if she yells at the real Morgan, she calls her ‘Morgan’ too, like Sarah doesn’t exist. I don’t care if people get us wrong. Most of the time, if all three of us are together and someone says one of our names, we all look anyway, because we’re so used to our names getting mixed up.”

Sometimes they can have fun with this type of confusion.

“Another one of the best things about being a triplet is when someone we’ve never seen before stops us somewhere like in Walmart and asks if Sarah and Morgan are twins, I’ll kind of step forward and say that no, we’re actually triplets, and the person will be so surprised,” Molly said. “It’s kind of funny to watch their different reactions.

“One of the hardest things for me is that when people hear ‘triplets,’ they think we’ll all look alike. But for me, that’s not the case. So when people ask if Morgan and Sarah are twins, it can get kind of annoying.”

Positives that the girls note about their relationship are always having someone to talk to, practice with, or get an honest opinion from about an outfit.

“I like it that I’m almost always with someone,” Sarah said. “If we go somewhere new and don’t know anybody else there, at least we have each other.”

One downside, Sarah said, is that sometimes being lumped into “the triplets” as a group isn’t a compliment.

“Sometimes it’s annoying, because I’m my own person,” she said.

As for the aforementioned brothers, the girls don’t feel as if growing up with triplet sisters has made things any different for them than having just one sister would.

“All of their friends have always known us too, so they haven’t really known anything different,” Morgan said.

Robert, 20, Daniel, 18, and Benjamin, 17, also get categorized by their relationship to the Campbell triplets.

“If I asked all of them what it’s been like growing up with us three, they’d probably say that it’s definitely been a struggle, but not any different from any other family,” Molly said. “There’s just three of us that are all the same age, that’s all. They’d also say that they’d get automatic sympathy from other people because they’re the ‘triplets’ brothers.’”

When asked what else they thought people in Shawnee might want to know about triplet life, Sarah offered up a thanks to local residents.

“All three of us want everyone to know how much we appreciate their support,” she said. “We do a ton of fundraisers for travel ball and school ball, and people are always so supportive and generous. We used to do bake sales at Atwood’s, and strangers would just donate money to us. One time, someone gave $100. They said their kids used to play travel ball, and they knew how expensive it was. So we want to thank those that have supported our many, many fundraisers. It would be really hard to do any of the sports and traveling without them.” S

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

April 3: The Locomotive Operators of Central Oklahoma invite the public to come ride the rails on one-eighth scale model trains at their 29626 Lake Drive in Mcloud. Information: locotrains.org

March 8-27: Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art is hosting its annual high school juried art exhibition for grades 9-12.

Visitors can view the artwork of area high school students at the museum at 1900 W. MacArthur. Information: education@mgmoa.org, (405) 878-5605

April 7-10: Oklahoma Baptist University Theatre presents “On the Verge” by Eric Overmyer with showtimes at 7:30 p.m. April 7-9 and 2:30 p.m. April 10. This whimsical, fantastical comedy follows the journey of three women that bends time, space and the English language willynilly. Seating is limited. Tickets and information: okbu.edu/theatre

March 12-13: Bring in spring with a color-filled fling as Community Art Gallery of Shawnee proudly presents its third annual Spring Fling Show, sponsored by the Shawnee Mall, to shine the spotlight on the many talented artists in the area, such as Oklahoma State Fair best of show winner Cassie Beason, muralist Holly McHughes and portrait artist Sonya Spears. Information: facebook.com/ ShawneeOkArts March 15: Tampa-based band Jetter along with special guest Meanstreak will rock the Ritz Theatre at 8 p.m. at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee. com

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March 17: The March Third Thursday Poetry Reading at 7 p.m. in the Lunch Box at 217 E. Main St. will feature Alan Berecka, a professor of learning resources at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas, whose most recent collection of poetry is “With Our Baggage.” His poems have appeared in a number of publications and he is known for his irreverent humor.

Following Berecka’s reading will be an open-mic session. The Lunch Box will open at 6 p.m. for those who want to order a meal.

March 18: The Arts @317 will host its own Block pARTy from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Our featured artist is Norma Pettitt who will be showing her oil paintings.

She will be available to visit with guests about her work March 22-April 6: Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art will host a series of teen art clinics focused on painting acrylic portraits with classes March 22, 24, 29, 31 and April 6. Students ages 13-18 will learn about painting a detailed portrait, human anatomy and facial proportions, working on canvas and with acrylic paints, and actively view the MGMoA portraits in the permanent collection with the instructor. Information: (405) 878-5605 or education@mgmoa.org

April 9: Bethel Band Boosters is hosting its sixth annual Car Show Fundraiser at the high school at 36000 Clear Pond Road with registration 8-10 a.m. and awards at 1 p.m. Preregistration must be in by March 25. Information: facebook.com/ bethelbandboosters or (405) 615-7454.

April 9: Get ready to pay tribute as Guns 4 Roses and Dressed To Kill rock all the best hits and spectacles created by rock bands Guns N' Roses and KISS at 7 p.m. at the Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee.com April 13: World renowned blues guitarist Carvin Jones – named one of the Top 50 Guitarists by Guitarist Magazine – will make the six strings sing at 8 p.m. at the Ritz Theater at 10 W. Main St. Information: ritzshawnee. com April 14, 15: SSM Health will host free Advance Directive Workshops at the Shawnee Senior Recreation Center at 401 N. Bell. at 6 p.m. on April 14 and 11 a.m. on April 15 with focuses on important steps and new laws regarding advance directives.

Information: (405) 878-1528.

April 15: The April Third Thursday Poetry Reading at 7 p.m. in the Lunch Box at 217 E. Main St. will feature OBU professor Brent Newsom, whose collection, "Love's Labors," was a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award in 2015. He has also published fiction in journals and was the librettist for an opera presented at OBU in 2017.

Following Newsom’s reading will be an open-mic session. The Lunch Box will open at 6 p.m. for those who want to order a meal.

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

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

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

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