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Theatre Presents 'Pippin' | Diaper Drives

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CONTENTS

SEPTEMBER 2021

Shawnee Little Theatre Returns To Action With 'Pippin'

Over The Fence: Weeding Out What It Takes To Pursue A Dream

Preserving The Future Fighting Underage Drinking With Formation Of Coalitions

After Dark 2020, Fireflight Balloon Festival Lights Up 2021 For Largest-Ever Crowd

Okie Icon Media

Managing Editor

David Dinsmore

Advertising Sales

Brad Carter

Creative Direction

Kelsey Walker & Fawn Wilson-Olivarez

Writers

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

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PO Box 1365 Shawnee, OK 74802 E-mail: info@shawneeoutlook.com

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Art of the Matter: Two Stitches To Paradise

Publisher

FEATURES 9

Diaper Need Awareness Week, Diaper Drives Set For Sept. 27-Oct. 3 Shawnee Theater, Downtown Features Prominently In Upcoming Cable Movie

DEPARTMENTS 6 KEEP THE CHANGE 6 NUTRITION 101 24 SONIC CONTEST 25 SHAWNEE HISTORY 26 MENTAL HEALTH

30 CALENDAR 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

A Stitch In Time R

ecently, I’ve been challenged to focus on sustainability – buying items that can be reused or that are made from materials better for the environ-

ment. Thus, my budget these days is going toward higher cost items that will serve my family for a longer period and issue less harm to the environment. Likewise, we’re focusing on maintaining what we own, rather than being in a rush to toss things that could be easily fixed – if you don’t know how, remember YouTube is a free and valuable resource. Consider these options: • Clothing – Mending holes and stitching buttons are skills that are never outdated. If it’s something you could see yourself continuing to wear in the future, do the work to get it back in wearable shape. If a favorite item of clothing has a stain, consider how you can cover it up – dying or doing some DIY designs or patches could be viable options. I’ve also heard that Fels Naptha (available on Amazon or at Walmart) has near-miracle powers in stain removal. • Your vehicle – Do regular maintenance to your vehicle via tune-ups, tire changes, oil changes, etc. Ignoring these simple steps can cause bigger – and more expensive – problems down the road. Set aside a little every month to cover the cost of tending to these issues on schedule. • Kitchen items – Don’t throw out sturdy take-out containers or plastics from food packaging that can easily be used for storing leftovers – or sending some with a friend – or for storage in other places in the home. Use large plastic tubs for storing toys or items in the garage. The simplest maintenance for anything in your home: put it away when you’re done. Misplaced items often get broken or replaced unnecessarily. Save the hassle and put it away.

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

Getting In Vegetables

meet with patients daily and teach them how to build a balanced plate without them being too restrictive. The biggest food group that I suggest are non-starchy vegetables. My goal is to show that no matter what meal you have planned for that day or what restaurant you end up at, you can still build a meal with half the plate covered with vegetables. Having spaghetti that night? Add two servings of green beans to the plate. Packing a wrap for lunch? Add two servings of carrot sticks. In the mood for Mexican food? Make sure to fill the plate with sautéed onions, peppers, squash and salsa. By making half your plate full of vegetables, the meal becomes a lot more filling. The meal will stay with you a lot longer. If on spaghetti night, all you have is a plate full of spaghetti, then that meal will end up affecting your blood sugar, and your energy will not last near as long as what it could. To make the spaghetti meal even worse, what if you add bread and corn to that meal? All you add is more carbohydrates to the meal. If you have been reading these articles, you know I am a fan of carbohydrates as long as they do not make up your entire meal. Our vegetables are packed with nutrients our bodies need on a daily basis. Whether you are paying attention to your waistline, blood pressure, blood sugar, kidney health or liver health, the vegetable category is going to provide your body what it needs. A side salad can be an easy way to add a vegetable to the meal, but we don’t want to add loads of fat on top of it with our dressing. Try the dressing below to add to your next serving of vegetables.

Strawberry Balsamic Dressing I don’t typically make things like condiments, but I really don’t mind this one because it can be stirred up in under two minutes. Next time you are having a salad with your meal at home, try this with it. Ingredients: 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 3 Tbsp no sugar added strawberry jam 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 2 Tbsp dijon mustard 2 Tbsp water ½ tsp sea salt Directions: Put all ingredients in a bowl and whisk together. Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. Nutrition Information per Serving: Calories: 61 Total Fat: 4.5g Saturated Fat: 0.5g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 316mg Carbohydrates: 4g Dietary Fiber: 0g Protein: 0g Makes: about 6 servings; 2 Tbsp each Nutrition 101: Whether you are trying to reduce your sodium intake or just overall preservatives, making your own salad dressing can help with both. Next time you are reaching for salad dressing, take a look at the ingredient list. The ingredient list can be a little scary because usually we don’t even know what all the ingredients really are.

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

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Though its origins remain murky, the aloha shirt became a popular representation in the mid-20th century of the paradisal Hawaii and gave those who couldn’t afford the trip a taste of the islands. Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art will display some examples of the art behind these garments in its new exhibit, “Art of the Aloha Shirt: Keoni of Hawaii, 1938-51,” from Sept. 11-Oct. 17

Art of the Matter:

Two Stitches To Paradise

Submitted by Carmen Wolf, Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art Board Vice-Chair

his month we’re taking a trip to an exotic land where beautiful tropical flowers, sandy beaches and active volcanoes capture our attention. We’re going to Hawaii. Hawaii is a string of eight islands in the Pacific Ocean located about 2,400 miles from California. Archeologists think Hawaii was first settled around 1,000 A.D. by Polynesian travelers. Across centuries, the Hawaiian people developed social codes and religions unique to their region. Spanish explorer Ruy López de Villalobos visited the islands in the 1500s, but it wasn’t until British explorer James Cook arrived in the late 1700s that masses of people began moving to the islands. People from Europe arrived to start sugar plantations, while people from Asia arrived to provide labor. Unfortunately, the immigrants brought disease to the native Hawaiian population, and this population was greatly reduced in number. The Kingdom of Hawaii was established and had a royal family from 1795 until they were overthrown in 1893. After the overthrow, Hawaii became a territory of the United

States, and in 1959, it became the 50th state. Hawaii became a very popular destination in the early 1900s, but only wealthy people could afford the trip. There are a few items that have been popular in American culture for decades due to people’s interest in Hawaii, the most notable is the “Hawaiian” or “aloha” shirt. No one really knows when or who first created the Aloha shirt, but it is believed to have been created in the 1920s. Possibly, Japanese women took fabric they used to make kimonos for women and made men’s shirts out of it. That would explain the feminine colors and prints. Whatever the origin, they were a huge hit. Wealthy people traveled to Hawaii and brought home several shirts. Soon, the shirts were sold in stores across the United States, and people who couldn’t afford to travel to Hawaii were still able to experience a bit of the islands. Do you want to see some real aloha shirts? The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art is exhibiting “Art of the Aloha Shirt: Keoni of Hawaii, 1938-51” from Sept. 11-Oct. 17 in the temporary gallery. This is a great opportunity to see original shirts, production sketches and fabric swatches used to create these beautiful and unique shirts. Hawaii may be 3,680 miles from Oklahoma, but we can enjoy a bit of the Hawaiian mystique here at home. We are going to make our own aloha shirt. We start with a paper cut out of a shirt as your base. You can choose any color to start. You can add some background patterns to the shirt before you add your cutouts. Next, we are going to cut out items from colored paper to add to our shirt. Items you would normally see on a shirt include tropical flowers, ukuleles, surfboards or tropical

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vegetation, but you can add anything you want. You could even add sharks chasing surfers or surfers riding the waves. Spread out your shirts and your colorful items and start combining them to create your vision. Don’t be afraid to add decorations to the items you have cut out. A little crayon, colored pencil or marker can really bring out the fun. Once you have your pieces in place, you can start gluing them to the shirt. Be sure to let the glue dry before you move them so everything stays in place. Finally, you can add more embellishments to your shirt. Maybe more crayon or marker, maybe some beads or even a little sparkle. Be sure to take pictures of your masterpieces and post to Instagram with the hashtag #MGMOAart Then, come to the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art for a free event on Friday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. to see the “Art of the Aloha Shirt” exhibit and learn to hula dance.

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Cast members started rehearsals in August for Shawnee Little Theatre’s production of “Pippin,” the first regular season show for the organization that underwent a “long intermission” in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit shawneelittletheatre.com or call (405) 275-2805 to purchase tickets and for more information. Photos by David Dinsmore

Shawnee Little Theatre Returns To Action With 'Pippin'

by Brenna Stanford

he Shawnee Little Theatre is back in action after what the group deemed “the long intermission” on its marquee last year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021-2022 season will open Sept. 17 with the 1972 musical classic, “Pippin,” which received an award-winning Broadway revival in 2013. Described by Shawnee Little Theatre managing director Rebecca Fry, “‘Pippin’ is quite a ruckus.” This fun, creative musical tells the story of a young man who is searching for his place in the world and discovering the magic that he gets to bring to the world along the way, according to a description offered by Shawnee Little Theatre. Audience members can expect to be entertained as this production breaks the fourth wall and gets interactive with the crowd to accompany the many choreographed numbers and beautiful songs. Coupled with the fun and entertaining aspects of “Pippin,” there is also a message. Many people are searching for their place in the world, and viewers will get to journey with Pippin as he finds something at the end of this show. There is much excitement among the cast, crew, 10

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and volunteers as the community theater gears up for this season opener, Fry said. They missed being on stage for the year the lights were dark. Still, those involved with the theater were grateful for the people in the community who continued to support and encourage them during the shut down. There were many who sent messages to the effect of “feeling so lost without being involved in a show.” The Shawnee Little Theatre has played a role in the community since 1967 and is run by volunteers. The nonprofit organization is beneficial for the community as it provides outlets of many forms, Fry said. Some volunteer their time and in turn receive an emotional break from their daily struggles while others get involved and leave with skill sets that have been sharpened and developed. There are many who attend a show and receive a much needed break from reality as they laugh and relax as they let themselves be entertained. There are many who come to a show and find the comfort of knowing they’re not alone in times of deep distress. Fry traced the roots of the theater group to a

group of high school students who had the idea to stage a show 54 years ago and had a teacher who saw potential in continuing their inspiration. From that first show until now, this community has stayed together, formed friendships that last lifetimes and brought something special to the members. Many of those involved over the years have shared a love of community, the theatre and all the individuals involved, and they are always looking to add more people to their roster of volunteers who work and play on and off the stage. This season will present plenty of opportunities to let community members shine as they look forward to shows that require aspects that have been lacking in the past. Some of the top ways people can lend a hand include helping sew costumes, including a wide variety of ethnicities to represent the community in shows and even some out of the box problem-solving capabilities. As Shawnee Little Theatre preps to perform shows that require boundaries to be pushed, new ideas must come forward. Among some of the out of the box needs, the most important one of all is that every person feels

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safe while they attend the shows and volunteer. The theatre has been taking every precaution they can to maintain the health of volunteers and attendees. The COVID-19 board for the theatre has said that masks will be required during this show in September, and moving forward they will determine more details as they monitor the Covid situation. Of course, plenty of cleaning and sanitization will be done. “Pippin” does contain some mature themes, and show organizers encourage all attendees to check the details on the shows they’d like to see. Some shows may not be right for young children as a family outing while some will be perfect to enjoy together. Some will feature more real and raw content as they cover the hard things of life, and others will be full of entertainment and laughter. Visit shawneelittletheatre.com or call (405) 275-2805 to purchase tickets and for more information.

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Over the Fence:

By Brandon Dyer, Executive Director of Community Renewal of Pottawatomie County

Weeding Out What It Takes To Pursue A Dream

’ve heard it said that the only thing you have to do to get weeds to grow in your garden is nothing. It's true. If you don’t believe me, give it a try sometime. Gather your garden tools and gloves. Run to the store and pick up some mulch. Maybe buy some specialized weed killer. Then just set it all to the side, put your feet up and watch what happens next. Spoiler alert: The weeds do in fact grow without your help. Those pesky little things don’t care one bit about your intentions. They’ll grow and spread and make a mess of the beautiful vision you had for your garden. We have a lot of flower beds at my house. More than we have time to keep up with really. So each spring we pull the early spring weeds, and then I buy a truckload of mulch to spread around the plants and flowers. As you probably know, mulch helps to keep moisture in the garden for plants to absorb,

Brandon Dyer

and it also makes it more difficult for weeds to grow. Make no mistake, however, weeds will always find a way to grow even in a well-manicured space, but using mulch makes it much easier to maintain the beautiful garden you want. Here’s another thing I’ve learned. Mulch doesn’t spread itself. No matter

how many bags you buy, no matter how fancy it is, mulch has to be opened and spread to achieve the results you want. Ask my kids. This is their least favorite part. Mine too quite frankly. Those bags can be heavy, and the hot sun has a way of sapping your energy. Yet if we don’t put in the work, the garden returns to the wild. Our lives are a lot like gardening. When we do nothing to pursue a dream, chaos grows wild and makes a

mess of things. However, beauty is formed from the chaos. Out of the chaos. In spite of the chaos. And it requires something of us. Just as mulch doesn’t spread itself, a dream doesn’t come true without intentionally choosing to put in the required effort, especially when the weeds of life test our will. No matter how big our dream is, no matter how much we have thought about it and talked about it, if we don’t get our hands dirty then it is just a wish.

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Preserving The Future Fighting Underage Drinking With Formation Of Coalitions

by David Dinsmore

he Preserving the Future project – working under the behavioral health department of the Kickapoo Tribal Health Center – is seeking to get community members involved who want to help reduce and prevent underage drinking in the area. A grant provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has allowed the team led by licensed clinical social worker and Preserving the Future Grant Coordinator Pamela Pensoneau to work with professionals and community members to understand the range and effects of alcohol use by those ages 9 to 20 in order to develop strategies to combat them, she said. They are now at a point where they are forming two coalitions to discuss possible solutions using a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. “We want people to join us in solving the problem,” Pensoneau said. Preserving the Future uses SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework that lays out five steps in helping tailor a program to the specific needs of its community along with a few principles and characteristics that help make it effective and measurable. For those working with Preserving the Future, this means figuring out how extensive the problem of underage drinking is in the service area of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma, what resources currently exist to combat it, where the gaps are in those resources, how best to fill those gaps and how to make sure what they are doing is having an impact on the problem. Some of this means taking information directly to students about the prevalence, dangers and impacts of underage drinking and encouraging them to understand how it affects their lives and the lives of their peers, Pensoneau said. Her group, however, is looking to go beyond simply handing out brochures to finding ways to best connect with those at risk for developing these behaviors and what leads to them. “We don’t just go out and tell people what they need to do,” Pensoneau said. “Part of it is assessing the community to determine what the problem is.” The group received the grant almost two years ago, but delays and problems stemming from the response to the COVID-19 pandemic impacted Preserving the Future’s early efforts to complete the assessments needed to begin creating strategies and programs to address underage drinking. They have been moving toward some of the goals they have that will lead to strategies and actions 14

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Preserving the Future hosts weekly Focused and Flexible sessions at McLoud Intermediate School that combine elements of yoga along with life lessons aimed at combating behaviors that can lead to underage drinking. Photos submitted

addressing underage drinking in their service communities. One of their goals is to form two coalitions to strategize and solve the underlying problems from a variety of perspectives, Pensoneau said. This means engaging as many sectors of the community as possible, such as leaders in education, law enforcement, health care, religion and cultural groups as well as parents and students. As of late August, they were organizing focus groups from different sectors of the community to clarify and focus the information gathered during their interviews with individuals in these niches. The format of the coalitions they seek to organize will not simply be a platform for prevention personnel to tell members how to solve the problem, Pensoneau said. Those working with the coalitions will ideally be able to bring their ideas to help prevent underage drinking and add them to a larger strategy that will make the most difference in students’ lives. Whether it is educating parents about safe storage practices at home or working with lawmakers to ensure comprehensive enforcement of underage drinking statutes on the state level, the coalitions can bring a variety of viewpoints to each subject to make sure it has the best chance to succeed. Another facet of creating solutions like the coalitions is to ensure the sustainability of the

strategies that come from Preserving the Future’s work with this grant, Pensoneau said. Though the grant has time limits, the work that begins under it can continue impacting lives in the community on a long-term basis. “When the grant does expire at some point, your hope is that you created a coalition that will have a life beyond that, and you have the community involved,” said Pensoneau, who would like to see coalitions they form begin to address other issues as well in the future. They are not seeking only professionals whose jobs have some intersection with underage drinking to work with their coalitions, Pensoneau said. Anyone with concerns or a desire to help young people navigate the complex factors that can lead to these behaviors is welcome to contact Preserving the Future about how they can serve. The strategizing and assessing portion of their work has not kept the Preserving the Future team stuck in their office poring over spreadsheets and transcripts for the last couple of years. They have begun billboard and advertising campaigns with things for community members to consider when looking to prevent underage drinking. They have been establishing programs and forming relationships with local schools to begin taking their mission directly to those whom they are seeking to help.

One of their most innovative initiatives combines life lessons with physical activity for groups of fourth, fifth and sixth graders at McLoud Intermediate School. The three-day-per-week Focused and Flexible program incorporates elements of yoga sessions led by Preserving the Future’s Prevention Specialist Andrea Ellis-Harrison – who is also a certified yoga instructor and owner of Connected Native Yoga LLC – along with messages of affirmation, mindfulness and encouragement for students to make good choices and not seek validation in harmful behaviors. They discuss lessons about how kids can face problems and adversities in their daily lives without having to fall into patterns that put them at risk. The team tested Focused and Flexible on members of the school staff before officially introducing it to the students this year, Ellis-Harrison said. The first session attracted 120 students, which led to the groups breaking down by grade to make it more manageable and effective. They asked the students and teachers for evaluations regarding their behaviors and motivations at the start, Pensoneau said, and at the end of the nine-week period, they will reissue those surveys to see what impact the program may have had on the students’ mindsets. “All of this relates back to the problem of underage drinking,” Pensoneau said. “If you have kids who can self-regulate, they are less likely to drink underage or less likely to have substance is-

sues as they get older.” There are cultural nuances that come in addressing The team would like to follow the students in the underlying issues that lead to the visible outthe Focused and Flexible program – particularly come of underage drinking, and those working in those in the younger grades – over time to see areas that serve these communities must first try any measurable differences that may exist among to understand these factors when taking steps toparticipants and other students in terms of met- ward breaking these cycles. rics from resources like the Oklahoma Prevention “Just because a substance is widely available Needs Assessment administered to students every does not mean we have to abuse it,” said Yarholar, other year from sixth grade to their senior year of who is serving as Preserving the Future’s Prevenhigh school. tion Coalition Coordinator. In addition to participating in a larger youth Even families in which alcohol use does occur recruitment event earlier this month on Sept. 2, responsibly do not always provide children with a Preserving the Future also organized a leadership clear understanding of what proper use is, Yarholar camp over the summer to help equip and educate said. Kids witness use but don’t know how to cona group of students in helping reduce and prevent trol it. underage drinking. Pensoneau said they would like Preserving the Future will host a virtual trainto make this an annual event involving students ing for the community on Oct. 6 in partnership from throughout their service area. with Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Professional One of the notions Pensoneau has encountered Counselor Association, and they are always open is that their mission applies only to tribal members to speaking with anyone who wants to join in the as the Kickapoo Tribal Health Center is adminis- efforts to reduce and prevent underage drinking. tering the grant, but she said their efforts aim to “When you look at other coalitions, you see prevent drinking among every young person in the a lot of professionals … but you don’t see a lot of communities in their service area. parents,” said Pensoneau, who added that those Growing up as part of a Native American com- working informally with youth like coaches and munity and through more than a decade of expe- group leaders can also provide a unique perspecrience as a counselor working with theN Kickapoo tive. “What we’dHours: really like to see is everybody in2700 Kickapoo Health Center, Clarence YarholarShawnee, has seen OK how 74804 volved.” Mon - Fri 08:00 AM-06:30 PM (405) 585-2907 Sat or to get 09:00 AM-02:30 PM preunderage drinking and cycles that occur within For information involved, email store6963@theupsstore.com Sun Closedor call (405) 964families can lead to continued problems particular- servingthefuture@okkthc.com theupsstorelocal.com/6963 ly among Native American community members. 2618.

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After Dark 2020, Fireflight Balloon Festival Lights Up 2021 For Largest-Ever Crowd by David Dinsmore

hen planners for the 2020 Firelake Fireflight Balloon Festival decided to cancel last year’s event in June, they were deep into the planning process and had made many of the arrangements for the twoday extravaganza. While Dennette Summerlin – chair of the Fireflight’s committee – emphasized how tough it was to make that determination, much of the work put into that event helped pave the way for last month’s festival, which attracted an estimated crowd throughout Saturday’s events than ever since the Citizen Potawatomi Nation began hosting it in 2017. And those in attendance were glad to see it back in action. “Our kids wait every year for the festival’s arrival,” attendee Amanda Roggow said. “It is a wonderful event to cap off the summer and usher in fall.” Still, putting together the 2021 Fireflight festival was not a breeze for organizers. The committee began meeting in January at the height of the last spike of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the area to discuss the

feasibility of hosting the event again in August. There were many elements that remained unknown at that point, but they needed to at least begin discussing whether to start putting plans in place. “You can’t plan an event that large in a threemonth period,” Summerlin said. “We were very hopeful at that point that we were going to be able to have it this year.” Though many of the vendors and participating groups, there were still hurdles to cross for an event with so many different dynamics, Summerlin said. For instance, the carnival they had lined up had to close permanently as a result of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but what emerged from that setback was the largest kids-friendly area they have been able to offer at Fireflight. As with almost every other large event planned since the COVID-19 pandemic made its mark on life over the last 18 months, health and safety protocols also created a new dynamic for planners to consider and implement, Summerlin said. Over the previous years, Fireflight’s balloon www.shawneeoutlook.com

meister – the person in charge of all balloon related activities – has helped bring in pilots to make the event a unique offering on Shawnee’s annual calendar of events, and Summerlin said that helped maintain that aspect from the canceled celebration in 2020 to this year’s festival. “The pilots were definitely ready to get back out there,” Summerlin said. Another unexpected outcome of the many different cancelations from 2020 came in the headline musical act at the festival, Summerlin said. The Grand Casino had Craig Morgan on its bill last year before canceling live entertainment as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The relationship established between Citizen Potawatomi Nation personnel at the Grand and Morgan’s camp from that booking helped transition his appearance to a performance at the festival. Whether it was the chance to see the spectacle of the balloons in flight or glowing at night or the talent of the musical lineup, the appeal of Fireflight’s offering brought an estimated 15,000-20,000 people to the Saturday portion of the event alone, Summerlin said. As it was not a ticketed event, organizers do not know how many were repeat visitors and how many came for the first time, but at the event Fireflight officials frequently encounter festival-goers like Roggow who have made a point of visiting each year. “The unique experience of seeing the balloons fly, the vendors and the food keep us coming back every year,” Roggow said. “We enjoy it being close to Shawnee so that we can go for the morning balloon launches and back later in the day for the vendors and other attractions. “It is so nice to have events like this close to 20

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home, to see friends and neighbors there and to not have to worry about any of the hassles of traveling to OKC or Tulsa.” Part of the appeal for some attendees is the cost to attend: “100% free,” Summerlin said. Though there are some elements that do have optional costs – such as food and some attractions – there is no ticket or parking price to enter the festival grounds. “Families can come and enjoy a fun-filled environment (at no cost) if they want,” Summerlin said. “That really sets us apart.” For all the work that goes into planning the event before it goes live, there are still many things festival officials have to handle and address during

the event, and it can take a little time before they take a step back and think about all that happened, Summerlin said. Still, she does find herself taking in some of the special moments their work brings. “I enjoy getting to see people, especially little kids, who have never seen a hot air balloon before come out and see their eyes light up,” Summerlin said. “It was wonderful to see people out and about and enjoying themselves.” Even though they had just wrapped up their after-event meetings and assessments at the end of August, planners have already marked Aug. 12-13, 2022 as the dates for next year’s Fireflight Balloon Festival.

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Diaper Need Awareness Week, Diaper Drives Set For Sept. 27-Oct. 3

by David Dinsmore

egacy Parenting Center will join more than 200 other members of the National Diaper Bank Network across the country Sept. 27Oct. 3, 2021 to promote National Diaper Need Awareness Week. The goal is to raise awareness about the need for diapers for area families and the work that diaper banks do to help parents obtain this basic necessity for their children, according to information provided by Legacy. Last year’s drive brought in 21,000 diapers at a time when many businesses and individuals were still reeling from the effects of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We were blown away by the response in 2020,” said Lacey Holt, executive director of Legacy. “With the pandemic, we were very behind on diaper drives (that happen during the year).” A current average month has Legacy distributing 13,000-14,000 diapers each month. This is part of their work in assisting 137 client families and 213 babies with staff and volunteer mentors leading more than 3,400 minutes of parent education. They offer diapers twice a month to families enrolled in our Earn While You Learn parent education program, and four times per year to any community member with a baby or toddler in need of diapers. All services are free to clients. Legacy – located at 126 S. Center St. – experienced a 61 percent increase in diaper need during the COVID-19 pandemic as they distributed more than 161,000 diapers in 2020, according to the organization’s campaign toolkit this year. Currently, no government programs assist specifically with the cost of diapers, which leaves many families in crisis. “Diapers are an ongoing necessity for babies,” Legacy client Billiejean said. “Receiving them for free helps parents to be able to stay more on top of their other bills and expenses. Legacy is a lifesaver.” Last names of clients were not provided by Legacy for privacy reasons. As of early September, Legacy lined up 15 official drop-off locations for this year’s campaign, including First United Bank locations in Shawnee and Tecumseh, Firelake Discount Foods, Firelake Express Grocery in Tecumseh, Cuckoo Bird & Dashing T Boutique and Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, but other individuals and organizations can still plan and promote their own diaper drives throughout the community. Though all diaper sizes go toward helping local families, the greatest need tends to be larger 22

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Photo submitted

sizes like four, five, six and pull-up training pants as children spend longer in those sizes than smaller sizes as newborns and infants, Holt said. For reference, Legacy has distributed 105,000 diapers through August of this year, and 53,450 were sizes four, five and six. According to information provided by Legacy, one in three families struggles with needing diapers as babies can require up to 12 diapers per day at a cost $70-$80 per month per baby. “A lot of people have to worry about how they’re going to get the next diaper pack for their child,” client Destiny said. “Legacy helps them not have to worry.” Legacy will try to reach its goal this year using a variety of methods during the campaign, including media outreach, local diaper drives and financial contributions. There are a variety of ways people in the community can impact the local diaper campaign. They can recruit volunteers and set up a diaper drive while asking friends, family and colleagues to support it and help spread awareness for National Diaper Need Awareness Week. It helps to pick one or more locations that are centrally located, such as at a business or church. It helps to provide a collection bin labeled clearly for collection of diapers and wipes. Legacy can provide

a toolkit to help with signage and tips for those hosting drives. If possible, another boost to a hosted drive is to use social media, emails, local news outlets and notices to let people know where they can donate. Drive participants can contact grace@legacyshawnee.com to coordinate delivery. Legacy provides its education services for families with children from pregnancy to age 5. Clients work with a volunteer mentor to build lasting relationships, and they can earn points with each lesson to use at the Legacy Store to shop for items needed for their baby or toddler, such as diapers, wipes, formula, clothing, baby equipment, toiletries and more. Those participating range in age from 15 to 59, including a middle school student and grandparents raising grandchildren. About 90 percent of Legacy clients are female, and 56 percent have never been married. “Sometimes women go through crisis and feel stuck and helpless, feeling lost as to how they are going to care for their children,” client Kourtney said. “The program at Legacy gives families some sense of relief knowing they have people on their side helping them.” For more information or get involved, contact Legacy at (405) 432-2844 or visit legacyshawnee. com.

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SHAWNEE HISTORY

Rabies Outbreaks During First Half Of 20th Century Drove Dogs, Residents Mad

itizens are sometimes annoyed by laws and regulations that seem to interfere with “freedom,” such as speed limits, seat belts, handicap parking spaces and even “No U turns.” These “minor annoyances” to our freedom haven’t come without good reasons and an effort to make life safer for the population. Such was the history of the regulations in Shawnee for pet ownership. Rabies, or hydrophobia, isn’t much of a threat these days. It is usually only a disease among wild animals, but in the early days of the city, rabies was a serious concern. Until ordinances were enacted to require household pets to get vaccinated, stay leashed or kept inside a fenced yard, “mad dogs” were a serious problem in Shawnee. In 1907, the summer before statehood, a dog bit three boys on south Beard and five other dogs. The boys’ wounds were cauterized, the dogs were chained and all survived But citizens panicked, a good example of public fears. A year later, the newspaper called it “that most dreaded of all maladies, hydrophobia” when a 10-year-old boy died who had been bitten, despite being sent to the New Orleans Pasteur Institute. Others bitten by the same dog did recover. The year 1909 saw an influx of what the public called “mad dogs.” After a man and two children were bitten, Shawnee’s superintendent of health ordered all dogs shot that were not muzzled within the next 36 hours. The children’s wounds had not broken the skin, but the man was sent to a Pasteur Institute in Oklahoma City. The dog suspected of being the attacker was killed but not before biting at least 15 dogs, all of which were also killed. In the spring of 1911, the 8-year-old son of the city clerk was attacked at his home. His father shot the dog and two others it had come in contact with. The boy recovered after being taken to the Pasteur Institute. The dog was determined to be rabid and

fears raged. The city health department reminded people to watch for any suspicious behavior in a dog and reminded them, “If in doubt, shoot.” Attacks continued, but fortunately the Pasteur treatments were usually effective. Over the years, the problem did not go away, but regulations implemented by the city helped. In 1931, nine people were bitten by an infected dog and had to undergo the Pasteur treatments. After six more were affected, muzzle orders were put in place. Officers were instructed to shoot on sight if the order was not complied with. The police chief was forced to order the killing of eight dogs. Animal owners were also required to have their animals vaccinated. In 1937, a local physician reported there were 3,000 dogs in Shawnee while the city had only one full-time employee to oversee the problem. He said unless animals were vaccinated and kept leashed, problems would escalate. Children couldn’t walk the streets without being in danger of attacks by vicious dogs. Signs with a drawing of a rabid dog were tacked up near schools to remind children to stay away from such animals. Shawnee citizens gradually complied with the regulations, and by 1942, rabid dogs were not as much of a problem, but wild animals continued to be a worry. A squirrel attacked a woman on East Main and was discovered to have rabies. Officials warned that squirrels would bite dogs, and the problem would flare up. The problem got better as frightened citizens complied with the regulations, but then officials had to deal with it again. In 1948 – despite warnings – nine dogs running loose were shot by the city dog catcher, and the city commission enacted a quarantine. Eventually, 11 wild dogs were reported, including one that entered the alfalfa mill west of town and bit two employees. The quarantine slowed the problem before it re-

By Ann McDonald, Courtesy Pott Co Historical Society Member

Outbreaks of rabies among local dogs led to attacks, illness and death among residents of Shawnee from the turn of the century until at least 1950 as city officials enacted stricter regulations over time and during times of crisis. Photo submitted

appeared in 1950. The city health director reminded citizens how serious rabies was, and that the city was again on the brink of a mad dog outbreak. Fortunately, it appeared that during the next few years the problem was almost eradicated by Shawnee dog owners who supported and followed the rules. Although rabies has never gone away, these days it’s mostly found among wild animals, but many older folks remember the days of being afraid of dogs that ran untethered about neighborhoods before today’s strict regulations.

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Gateway To Host First Annual Walk For National Recovery Month

ational Recovery Month is a national observance held every September that celebrates the gains made by those in recovery just as those who celebrate health improvements by managing other health conditions like hypertension, diabetes, asthma and heart disease. This observance reinforces the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover. The 2021 National Recovery Month theme, “Recovery is For Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community,” reminds people in recovery and those who support them that no one is alone in the journey through recovery, according to the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors. In honor of National Recovery Month and the local recovery community, Gateway is thrilled to host the first annual Walk for Recovery. This free event will happen from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sept. 18 at Woodland Veterans Park in downtown Shawnee. The Walk for Recovery will begin and end at the corner of Highland and Broadway and comprise approximately a one mile walk. There will be recovery resources available onsite along with live music, Spirit Carriage rides with Stanton Pace from Bowser’s Peace Sanctuary, inflatables and food served up by Gateway’s community service team. Making signs

and walking in honor or memory of a loved one is encouraged. To let Gateway know their intentions to join the walk and to check out this year’s T-shirt, participants can take a picture with their smartphone of the QR code located on the flyer. They will have the option of purchasing a shirt for themselves for $10, sponsoring a shirt for someone else for $10 or indicating that they will need their shirt sponsored. Chris Groth, owner of the Healthy Hive in downtown Shawnee, thoughtfully designed the t-shirt. The letters move from dark to light to symbolize the journey from addiction to recovery. The cracks in the letters represent mistakes made and lessons learned – weathered but unbroken. The gates are a symbol of the hope and healing found at Gateway. The burst that surrounds it signifies the new energy, purpose and life that radiates from the individuals, families and communities that experience recovery. For questions about the event, please contact Abby Flood at aflood@gatewaytoprevention.org or (405) 275-3391. For more information and resources on National Recovery Month, log on to recoverymonth.gov. If you or someone you know needs additional support or treatment for their substance use, call Gateway at (405) 273-1170 ext. 0.

Alicja Carter, LADC, BHWC, has been working in the behavioral health and addiction treatment field for nearly 12 years. She is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Wellness Director for Gateway to Prevention and Recovery. Alicja is passionate about collaborating with others for the purpose of stimulating positive change in her community. 26

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Shawnee Theater, Downtown Feature Prominently In Upcoming Cable Movie

by David Dinsmore

hen asked what it did on its summer vacation, the city of Shawnee can say it starred in a movie that will appear on national television in the near future. Director Peter Foldy – who co-wrote the script with Winston Schroeder – chose Oklahoma as the backdrop for the film, “Help Wanted,” and contacted Oklahoma-based RcR Cinema about logistical help in getting the film off the page and onto the screen, RcR’s Adam Ropp said. They began work on “Help Wanted” directly on the heels of another project called “Black Bags” that was filming in May. RcR Cinema provides services and equipment for film projects along with other production roles, Ropp said. This includes identifying and suggesting locations that fit what their director is seeking. Like with many other movies filmed in the state, Guthrie provided a variety of visuals that suited some of Foldy’s wishes, but he was searching for something very specific for the exterior of a theater featured in the script. “He really wanted something with a beautiful awning,” Ropp said. “He looked all over at pictures online and at the (Oklahoma Film and Music Office). He looked everywhere for something he thought was magnificent.” Finally, the Ritz Theater of Shawnee caught his attention, which led to a road trip that confirmed for those involved in the production that this was the place, Ropp said. Looking to make the film schedule as efficient as possible, they began looking around for other viable locations to use in Shawnee and found Hamburger King and Theopolis also fit the look and tone of the film. “We thought those places were great,” Ropp said. “With Hamburger King, we didn’t have to change one thing on the walls. It was perfect. “We came mainly for the theater, but we saw that Shawnee had so many things to offer that we came and stayed for the full week.” In the end, a third of the filming for “Help Wanted” took place in Shawnee once they incorporated wide exterior shots along Main Street, said Ropp, who served as producer and unit production manager for the film. This was the first time any of his team had shot in Shawnee. As with nearly every other facet of life, shooting a movie amid the COVID-19 pandemic presented complications for the cast and crew arriving on location to work, Ropp said. In some ways, 28

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An upcoming TV movie, “Help Wanted,” shot nearly a third of its schedule around downtown Shawnee after the director and producers traveled to the city after finding the historic Ritz Theater online and discovered several locations that fit the film’s needs. The channel and premiere date for the film are still pending. Photos submitted

the challenges are similar to any other company trying to keep their employees safe, but the demands of tight filming schedules heighten the urgency to remain safe a little more than some other industries. For instance, COVID-19 testing took place about every 48 hours for everyone on set. Unless on-camera, masks were worn by all those

working on the film, and even some of the shots tried to incorporate social distancing if possible. When not actively working on the film, those involved in the production could not venture out much during their off-time and had to remain vigilant in reporting any possible contact with a positive case, Ropp said. Much of the filming took

place in July prior to the recent sharp rise in reported positive cases. Though they didn’t get to experience much of Shawnee outside of the filming locations and schedules, Ropp said the hospitality they received from community members they did encounter did impress them. From permits to props, residents provided the help the production wanted and needed to stay on schedule. Local business owners in particular made great efforts to make sure his team had what they needed to get the shots they sought and made filming in the city an easier task. “If it weren’t for some of the business owners, I am not sure this would have worked,” Ropp said. “They were very vital in hooking us up with who we needed to know and who to contact. “We were kind of shocked by that, because you just don’t see that in many other places.” The experience they had in filming here has put Shawnee on RcR Cinema’s radar for possible future projects, Ropp said. “Help Wanted” centers on Carly, whose grandfather passes away and leaves her more than just his home and his old vintage movie theater, The Ritz. He also leaves Carly questioning what she really wants out of life. Soon after hiring handsome handyman Blake – who signs on to help her fix up the theater – Carly’s gambling addicted ex-boyfriend, Sam, shows up in town wanting to put their relationship back together. As Carly and Blake begin to fall in love, Sam is found murdered, an event that shakes Carly to the

core and makes a suspect of the handyman. When the truth is finally revealed, the killer is someone Carly least suspects – someone who is now coming after her. The film stars Sarah Fisher, Nancy Harding and Robert Peters. Though there was no set date for its

premiere as of the end of August, Ropp said it may appear next spring. Due to pending agreements, there has not been an announcement as to which channel will air the film, but those who want to follow its progress can search for “Help Wanted” on IMDb.com.

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CALENDAR Sept. 17-25: After its self-proclaimed long intermission, the Shawnee Little Theatre will return to the stage as its 20212022 season begins with the music and political intrigue of “Pippin,” the story of a young prince whose life takes a series of unexpected turns as he searches for passion and adventure. The show does contain some mature themes. Information: shawneelittletheatre.com

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Sept. 17: The Arts @317 will host its Block pARTy 5:30-8:30 p.m. at 317 E. Main. The featured artist for the evening is Catie Hubbert. Catie does paintings as well as digital art. Come see her work as well as the work of more than 45 different Oklahoma artists. Sept. 18: Gateway to Prevention and Recovery will its first-ever Walk for Recovery to recognize National Recovery Month and the local recovery community. The free 1-mile walk event will happen from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Woodland Veterans Park downtown with recovery resources available, live music, carriage rides, inflatables and food. Making signs and walking in honor or memory of a loved one is encouraged. Registration and information: walkforrecovery. redpodium.com/gateway-1st-annualwalk-for-recovery. Sept. 18: The first ever in-person Frenzy On Federal 5K hosted by Bancfirst will hit the road at 5:30 p.m. at 1939 N. Harrison. After the run, participants and attendees can stick around for some live music, food trucks, kids activities and a car show until 9 p.m. The event is open to all with medals awarded to the top 3 male and female runners. Registration and information: runsignup.com/Race/Info/OK/Shawnee/ FrenzyOnFederal2021 Sept. 18: The Shawnee Public Library has partnered with the Shawnee Rose Garden Club to host the Little Gardener's Club on the third Saturday in September and October at Louise Counts Park between the library and Hamburger King on Main Street for kids to play and explore horticulture. Experts from the Rose Garden Club will walk children through soil science, planting how-to, plants as food and the concept of bulbs. For more information, visit pioneer. libnet.info/events.

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405-273-8500

Sept. 25: Gordon Cooper Technology Center will host the 2021 Rocket Man Run 5K and Fun Walk starting at 8 a.m. on its main campus at 1 John C. Bruton Drive. The event helps fund the Gordon Cooper Technology Center Foundation which exists to help students achieve their career

goals. Information: runsignup.com/Race/ OK/Shawnee/RocketManRun5KFunWalk Sept. 25: Frontier Days are here again as the City of Tecumseh celebrates its birthday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. at Slick Humphrey Park at 910 W Walnut St. in Tecumseh with many of the traditional activities, including the Justin Terney 5k Run, live music, Miss Frontier Days pageant and possibly a car show and carnival. Sept. 25: Bookend the day with two events for car lovers as Hot Rods on Harrison rides in from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. based at First United Bank at 2675 N. Harrison St. and Cruise the Poo revs up at 5 p.m. starting at Brown Derby at 1830 N. Kickapoo Ave. Sept. 30: The Community Market of Pottawatomie County invites community members to its annual Harvest Moon fundraiser with cocktail hour starting at 6 p.m. and dinner 7 p.m.-9 p.m. at its 120 S. Center St. location. Harvest Moon is the market’s largest fundraising event to help with its fight against hunger, which in 2020 alone provided 3.75 million pounds of food with 3.1 million meals for 27,261 hungry families comprised of 86,770 individuals. Information: ourcommunitymarket.org Oct. 2: The 17th annual FireLake Casino Car Show will roar 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 41207 Hardesty Road with a best of show prize of $2,000. FireLake Casino will also get into the Halloween spirit early with a children’s costume contest at 3 p.m. with prizes that include tablets, game consoles and more. Oct. 7-8: Oklahoma Baptist University is hosting its annual Visiting Writer Seminars. The featured writer is acclaimed novelist and short story writer, Kirstin Valdez Quade. Information: okbu.edu/languageliterature/visiting-writer-seminars/index. html. Oct. 7-9: The Shawnee Library Annual Book Sale returns with a huge stock of books at bargain prices: 50 cents for paperbacks, $1 for hardbacks, $5 per bag and $10 per box. Friends of the Shawnee Public Library members can get in early for the preview sale, 5-7 p.m. that Thursday with memberships available at the door and non-members are welcome 7-8:30 p.m. Friday’s sale happens 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and the sale wraps on Saturday 9 a.m.-noon. All proceeds go to support the activities and collections of the Shawnee Public Library. If you know of any events you would like to see featured, email editor@shawneeoutlook.com.

We express our gratitude for our dedicated team of healthcare providers for continuing to work and see patients during these difficult times. We commend our teams willingness to keep seeing patients as their need arises and that we are able to provide both Home Health care and Hospice throughout the COVID crisis.

Enriching the lives of our patients and their families every day. Heartland Home Health Care • Accredited by Accreditation Commission for Health Care • All RN On Call Staff • Home Care Elite 2004 - 2016 • Best of Shawnee Award 2016, 2017 and 2019

Phone 405-214-6441

Heartland Hospice Services • SHP Best Hospice Caregiver Satisfaction Superior Performer Award 2016, 2017 and 2018 • All RN On Call Staff • Volunteer Program Supports Families and Veterans • Bereavement Programs open to the public year round

Phone 405-214-6442

heartlandhomehealth.com/Shawnee heartlandhospice.com/Shawnee www.shawneeoutlook.com

FIRE LA

OW SH

N CASI O CAR E K

Saturday, OCT 2 at 1 PM

THE TAILGATE GIVEAWAY EARN 50 POINTS SUNDAY–SATURDAY For your chance to win the FireLake Casino Tailgate Package:

4 Tailgate Chairs

Portable Grill

Pop-Up Tent

Cooler

Insulated Drinkware

Tailgate Games

WAREHOUSE CLEAR OUT

EVERY TUESDAY + WEDNESDAY | 1 PM–6 PM The first 150 patrons to earn 40 points will receive a gift item and $10 Free Play. Earn 80 points, get two gift items! Each patron will be eligible for only two gift items/one Free Play per day. If all gift items are distributed before 6 PM, any patrons qualifying will still be given $10 Free Play until 6 PM.

Must be a Hot Rewards Club member. Must be present and wagered on the day of the drawing. 18+ to enter. Valid ID required. FireLake Casino reserves the right to cancel or change a promotion without advance notice. Giveaway to be conducted in the FireLake Casino designated Promotions area.

www.shawneeoutlook.com

BACK AT LUCKY 7’S! fridays in august

BEER OF THE MONTH

Cocktail

of the month long island iced tea $6