August 2020

FA C E S O F T H E 4 0 5 : M E E T T H E FA C E S B E H I N D T H E M E T R O ’ S L E A D I N G B U S I N E S S E S

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Dr. Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Emory University and then graduated from The Ohio State University College of Medicine. He completed residency at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Dr. Williams is board certified by The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is chief of staff of Northwest Surgical Hospital.

Benjamin J. Barenberg, M.D., M.S., FACOG, is a board certified in urogynecology, a new subspecialty that focuses on disorders of the female pelvic floor. Dr. Barenberg earned his medical degree from the University of TexasGalveston with residency at Loyola University Medical Center and a fellowship in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

Dr. Cassie Smith attended and completed her residency as chief resident at the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine, followed by a fellowship at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Dr. Smith is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and The American Board of Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism.

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YO START

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4 05 M A G A Z I N E | V O LU M E S I X I S S U E E I G H T

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Must-Do ‘Cues

OKC’s tastiest barbecue

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Secret Oklahoma

Think you know everything Oklahoma has to offer? Think again

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The Battle Within

Local health professionals are gaining ground in the fight against autoimmune diseases

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DEPA RTM EN TS 14

4 05 M A G A Z I N E | V O LU M E S I X I S S U E E I G H T

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HOME 46

EN TERTAINING 101 Share al fresco libations with a summery outdoor bar

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AT HOME WITH Architect Sam Day and partner Kate Nickel create an environment of elevated design

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DESIGN Businessman and philanthropist Bob Meinders turns penthouse into a central gathering space

IN THE 405 14

FA SHION Make a statement with jewelry’s new glam look

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PER SON OF IN TER EST A look at the life of Angie Hendricks, a grande dame of OKC travel

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WH AT’S ONLINE Best posts from around the 405

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ARTS & CULTUR E Objets Trouvé gives Oklahoma art a worldwide audience

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GIVING BACK St. Jude Dream Home returns for 2020

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OUT & ABOUT

36 DINING 36

GOOD TA STE Blackbird brings the English pub to Norman

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THE DISH Laotian larb adds a citrusy touch to traditional Asian fare

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THE DR INK A growing appetite for Mexican mezcal yields delicious new cocktail concoctions

O N T H E C OV E R An aerial view of Collings Castle near Turner Falls. Photo by Matt Payne

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PR I ME PICK S Last chance virtual summer vacations

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ROAD TR IP Saddle up for a ranch-style getaway

EVERY ISSUE 94

LOOKING BACK Remembering summers at Springlake Amusement Park

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L A ST L AUGH Waging war against murder hornets in training

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F R O M

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Searching for Greatness

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N T H E AUG U ST I S S U E OF 4 05 M AG A Z I N E , we take readers on a treasure tour, of sorts, as we uncover hidden gems found in the 405 and throughout Oklahoma.

Greg Horton’s cover story on “Secret Oklahoma” is a delightful read on little-known places and artifacts – from a forest that dates back to England’s King Henry VIII to an Egyptian mummy brought to central Oklahoma by a Benedictine monk in the 1920s. And, yes, there are a couple of secret tunnel stories.

Horton also takes us on an exploration of the 405’s outstanding barbecue, featuring obvious winners such as Jack Daniel’s World Champion Travis Clark and his Clark’s Crew BBQ , as well as local stars like Owen Wilson of Big O’s Pork and Dreams. I particularly love Big O’s slogan: “You don’t need teeth to eat this meat.” That’s tender indeed.

Elsewhere in this issue, Linda Miller and Shevaun Williams deliver a punchy look into this summer’s knockout jewelry, while George Lang delves into new OKC gallery Objets Trouvè and its innovative model for presenting Oklahoma art to the world. Sara Gae Waters and Evie Klopp Holzer bring readers a stylish dive into gracious entertaining with tips and recipes for refreshing outdoor cocktails, and a peek at OKC businessman Bob Meinders’ Deep Deuce penthouse that is used to host family gatherings and philanthropic events.

One of the true highlights of these pages is the magazine’s Faces of the 405 section, which profiles the dedicated professionals who contribute their time, expertise and unique skills to powering standout examples of the metro’s professional sector. It’s a great opportunity to see the faces of those stars of the business community who bring the 405 the services it needs, especially during this time.

As we enter our fifth month of the COVID-19 pandemic and our third month of social unrest, it reminds me of another time of crisis in America. Abraham Lincoln delivered his second inaugural address on Mar. 4, 1865, just six weeks before his assassination. It was nearing the end of a bloody four-year war that saw the death of 620,000 soldiers, eclipsing any other war in the nation’s history.

Lincoln knew the nation was weary and broken. Any words of comfort he could muster had been spent. His only call

was for unity and an end to hate. He concluded his speech with these words: “With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds … to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and with all nations.”

There may be a sense that we are struggling to live up to the moment at hand, but we can take solace in the path that Lincoln provides us – to unite as a nation, to honor our differences and to know that our strength is in our compassion.

To all in the 405, be safe and well.

Melissa Mercer Howell EDITOR IN CHIEF

C ORRECTIONS In the July issue of 405 Magazine, page

Due to an error in our data processing phase, the following attorneys were improperly categorized in our Top

32, a photo was mistakenly identified

Attorneys list in June: John R. Chubbuck, Aviation; Frank L. Polk, Aviation; Marvin Laws, Construction; Mack K. Martin,

as the Skirvin Hilton Hotel. It actually is

Criminal Defense; Shea Bracken, Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff; Jacob D. Diesselhorst, Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff;

a photo of the Colcord Hotel.

Travis Dunn, Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff; Susan Carns Curtiss, Personal Injury; Glendell D. Nix, Personal Injury.

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In the 405

Fashion

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Person of Interest

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What’s Online

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Arts & Culture

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Giving Back

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Treasure Trove New OKC gallery creates an art

SHEVAUN WILLIAMS

environment that speaks to our times

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FA S H I O N

Diamond and precious gemstone jewelry, along with turquoise earrings, from Naifeh Fine Jewelry, 6471 Avondale, naifehfinejewelry.com

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Knockout Jewelry GET GLAMOROUSNESS IN YOUR FASHION CORNER

BY LINDA MILLER PHOTO S BY SHE VAUN W ILLI A MS

S

T A T E M E N T- M A K I N G jewelry delivers quite the punch this year. Whether bold or delicate, it plays with texture, shape and color. Often its sparkle can compete with a star-filled night, although sometimes its simplicity is surprisingly stunning.

Jewelry is personal, reflecting the wearer’s mood and style. It can be the finishing touch to an outfit, a final piece or set that adds polish and subtle interest or unexpectedly bold, dramatic flair.

Necklaces range from thick collars to short and chunky gold link styles to long dainty layers, often accented with charms, crystals or gemstones.

Pretty pearls are everywhere. Hoop earrings hang with chandelier and ’80s-inspired oversized gold options. Polished gold seems to be a general favorite, or choose color for added interest. Thin, stackable rings are versatile and can be worn on every finger. Wrists are wrapped in chain bracelets and skinny or wide cuffs. Heirloom looks are big, too. Look in your jewelry box for something you might have worn years ago; or raid your mom’s or grandmother’s collection.

When it comes to jewelry, some believe less is more. But sometimes more is, well, a lot more fun.

So layer on those necklaces and bracelets. Dress up your fingers. Make a statement.

Rings, bracelets and shoulder-grazing crystal earrings from CK & Co., 6429 Avondale, ckandcompany.com

M O D EL: D E S I R E E S A N D E RS F I E L D, B R I N K M O D E L M A N AG E M E N T H A IR A ND M A K EUP: S H A RO N TA B B LO C AT I O N: W E S T E R N AV E N U E B OX I N G GY M

Layers of eye-catching necklaces and bracelets with oversize earrings from Eden, 2924 Paseo, edensokc.com

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Angie Hendricks with mementos from her world travels.

Still Sharing the World ANGIE HENDRICKS’ JOURNEY AT THE HELM OF BENTLEY HEDGES TRAVEL

BY M AT T PAT T ERSON | PHOTO S BY CH A R LIE NEUENSCH WA ND ER

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N N E A R LY 5 0 Y E A R S I N T H E travel business, Angie Hendricks has seen the Concorde come and go, the explosive growth of the cruise industry and the arrival of budget trips booked on the internet that have threatened brick and mortar agents. Through it all, she’s managed to navigate a world of changes – thanks, in large part, to her love of adventure and people.

Bentley Hedges Travel started in 1970 in a southwest Oklahoma City living room. It was a side project for Hendricks’ father, the agency’s 16

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namesake, who was winding down his career with the FAA. “Mom kept the books and dad was the dreamer,” Hendricks says. “They were what drew me to wanting to be in this business.”

Hendricks, who was 21 when she started at the agency, went to college with the aim of someday taking over for her father. Bentley is now 91, and still makes it into the office most days. As president, Hendricks runs the operation with vice president Sherry Willis, making it an agency completely run by women.

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Bentley Hedges Travel became a go-to source for travel arrangements for countless businesses, a role it still plays today while servicing law firms, oil companies and film production companies that shoot in Oklahoma. But for Hendricks, one of her biggest thrills is providing clients with the trip of a lifetime – no matter where they’re going.

“I enjoy talking to people about where they want to go, about their ideas and their dreams,” Hendricks says. “To me, that’s really exciting; when someone gets to go somewhere that they’ve always wanted to go. That’s the fun part.”

Hendricks has been everywhere, from river cruises in Europe to the streets of Hong Kong.

A recent favorite was a trip to Jordan, and a rail trip through Switzerland next August is her most anticipated post-coronavirus trip.

The virus has decimated the travel industry, and Bentley Hedges has suffered along with the rest. Fortunately, though, demand has picked back up, particularly for stateside travel and cruises in 2021 and 2022. Willis has worked at Bentley Hedges for 29 years. She said Hendricks’ attitude has helped the 10-person agency navigate the unprecedented tumult.

“She works harder than anyone,” Willis says.

“She’s one of those people who is always upbeat, which is nice; especially in these times as we try to re-emerge on the other side.”

Willis said the near future of the industry is becoming more clear. People want to travel, but they are staying closer to home.

“Last year was a big-time cruise year,” Willis says. “Most of those have been re-accommodated for 2021. But right now, it looks like people are staying domestic, and that will be the trend for the rest of the year.”

As one bright spot, the agency is seeing a different clientele than in years past: young professionals with busy day-to-day routines who don’t have time or interest in planning vacations. Hendricks said that segment of the market doesn’t mind paying someone else to plan for them.

“We charge for our services, but there is value in that service,” she says. “I think people realize that. You can book on your own, but if you make a mistake, there’s really no one to advocate for you. That’s what we do for our clients, and we do it in a professional way. There’s nothing that makes us happier than people who take that trip, and it’s something they can’t wait to tell their friends about.”

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O N L I N E

Social Love: Laney Rose Letters Laney Patterson has been monogramming in the OKC metro since 2010. Catch her at one of OKC’s pop-up shops, stitching and sewing all kinds of customized goods, and give her a follow at @laneyroseletters on Instagram.

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A R T S

& C U LT U R E Gallery at Objets Trouvé.

Virtual Vision OBJETS TROUVÉ BRINGS OKLAHOMA ART TO AN INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE

BY G EO RG E L A NG PHOTO S BY LE X I HOEBING

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H EN CR E ATI V E Oklahoma chief executive officer Susan McCalmont retired from the organization in 2019, she still had in mind key components of that organization’s mission: advancing innovation in areas of business, education and culture. So when she opened Objets Trouvé at 4329 N Western, it was an exploration of those forces that extended far beyond what she originally imagined.

“It is like the work I did with Creative Oklahoma; shining the light brightly on Oklahoma talent and Oklahoma artists,” McCalmont says.

Through Objets Trouvé, McCalmont hopes to showcase deceased artists such as R.V. Goetz and ceramicist Montee Hoke, but also to draw connections between their work and the many Oklahoma artists they influenced. In that sense, McCalmont designed Objets Trouvé to be less of a traditional art gallery and more like a visual exploration of how Oklahoma art evolved and continues to evolve.

“I feel that some of the visual artists here need to be known outside of Oklahoma,” she says, “and at the same time, I was starting to come across a lot of work of older artists or artists who are deceased, picking up works at estate sales or whatever. Really undervalued work by artists like R.V. Goetz.”

Goetz, who worked in Oklahoma until his death in 1991, was an acclaimed painter of still lifes, landscapes and portraits who taught at the Goetz School of Art in Oklahoma City as well as locations in Santa Fe, New Mexico and upstate New York. His portrait of President John F. Kennedy is in the Oklahoma City Museum of Art’s permanent collection. Goetz was also the patriarch of a family of artists, including his wife Edith Goetz, his son William Goetz and daughter Mary Anna Goetz.

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McCalmont says that Objets Trouvé “is a space where we can have a conversation about the continuum of art, so I mixed the old and new art together. It’s a very small space – it’s only 350 square feet – so in the space, we’re not having traditional exhibitions.”

Instead, Objets Trouvé indulges in juxtaposition, placing several works by Cheyenne-Arapaho forensic artist Harvey Pratt in the same space as “Doll House,” a breathtaking pop surrealist work by George Oswalt and pieces by Paul Medina, Christie Owen and Danny Rose, an abstract artist who recently participated in a Zoom-enabled artist conversation on the gallery’s website. Other artists include sculptor Nathan Lee, whom McCalmont said is in near-constant demand at Objets Trouvé, as well the work of charcoal and oil artist Marc Barker, geometric artist Bryan Boone and Albanian-born Oklahoma painter Eva Peza.

“I think for most people, when they walk in, they don’t know what we are,” McCalmont says.

“They’re not sure and a little surprised, maybe.

But the curious lookers who walk through the doors, they get very excited, because they have not seen that juxtaposition before. Even if they are buying original work, they may not understand the connections of historical work.”

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Susan McCalmont

“But the curious lookers who walk through the doors, they get very excited, because they have not seen that juxtaposition before.”

Exterior of the gallery on N Western Avenue.

FROM A DISTANCE

When McCalmont opened Objets Trouvé in November 2019, she hoped to slowly establish a foundation of support for the gallery, building greater familiarity for her collections among local collectors and aficionados in Oklahoma before spreading outward with visions of establishing a national profile. But then, after only four months of operation, the coronavirus pandemic forced Oklahoma businesses to shutter operations for several weeks. McCalmont, whose husband, banker J. Ralph McCalmont, lives with an autoimmune deficiency, made an immediate decision about how Objets Trouvé would operate.

First, she hired a marketing team from New York that could establish an international reach, far transcending Objets Trouvé’s originally local marketing plan. Her team was able to position the gallery as an art destination with a global footprint.

One innovation McCalmont and her team developed was a weekly artist conversation on Zoom. In the early running, the conversations were mostly about the experience of artists being forced into solitary environments by COVID-19, and how their art was impacted by the circumstances surrounding the pandemic. But these conversations, much like the work displayed in Objets Trouvé, began to evolve.

“Then they started saying, ‘Can we invite our friends? Can we invite colleagues?’” McCalmont says. “Suddenly, there were 30 artists online from around the world.”

These artist conversations were scaled back to bi-weekly when restrictions were lifted and many artists returned to their day jobs, but the effect of these Zoom-enabled discussions was felt immediately. McCalmont was able to bring in artists from around the world, greatly expanding Objets Trouvé’s scope of art.

“For example, there is now this huge conversation between artists in Northern Ireland and our Oklahoma artists, because one of my friends from Northern Ireland was supposed to visit, but that got cut short – she was supposed to have an exhibition in April,” McCalmont says.

“So, she did studio visits with all of our Oklahoma artists. And now, she is connecting them, and she has recommended that many of them apply to the Royal Ulster Academy show in Belfast. I think that’s just kind of the beginning of how there will be exposure outside of Oklahoma.”

COVID-19 embedded an ironic twist into Objets Trouvé’s story. Because McCalmont and her artists were forced to socially distance themselves or quarantine, they found new avenues through which to project their work across all geographical

divides. As such, Objets Trouvé’s branding has moved from an Oklahoma-centric marketing strategy to a quality-based global strategy.

Later this year, Objets Trouvé will establish virtual viewing rooms for its artists, a kind of digital gallery space that will allow each artist to have a showcase that more closely resembles an in-person exhibition. Couple that with the site’s sales platform, and McCalmont said there are endless possibilities.

“The artist can live anywhere in the world, because through the e-commerce platform, they just have to have the ability to ship the work of art from wherever they live,” she says. “I hope to handle those logistics from my side, and the purchaser pays the shipping cost.”

The gallery’s first sale pointed the way.

McCalmont said that the first work sold went to a collector in London.

“I have no illusions that all of this will happen quickly, because every gallery and auction house is trying to figure this out,” she says. “Sotheby’s, Christie’s and Phillips are all going from this dependency on huge live auctions to where you cannot have a crowded room for an auction. So, I think this is going to be with us for a long time, even post-COVID. The art world is changing, where online connectivity and commerce will be a large portion of what we’re doing.”

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Dream On ST. JUDE’S EPIC FUNDRAISER RETURNS

BY EVIE KLOPP HOLZER

Exterior of the 2020 St. Jude Dream Home.

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H E S T. J U D E D R E A M H O M E Giveaway is a life-changer. With a $100 ticket, someone will win a newly constructed 2,350-square-foot home located at 8616 Maple Creek Road in Edmond. The farmhouse-style home in the coveted Woodland Park community is valued at $365,000. However, the real winners aren’t the new homeowners; they’re the children fighting for their lives, backed by an army of support through St. Jude Children’s Research Center.

“It’s the best place you never want to be,” says Edmond resident Holly Robertson, whose five-year-old son Graham survived a rare form of leukemia through the medical expertise of St. Jude. “Graham was diagnosed at 16 months. Within 48 hours, we were on a plane to Memphis. The St. Jude team wasted no time to come up with a plan, consulting with doctors all over the world. It was a huge blessing.”

In addition to providing life-saving treatments, St. Jude covered all of the Robertsons’ travel, lodging and meals. “We never received a single bill from St. Jude,” Robertson says.

Shaw Homes has donated its time and materials to build this year’s three-bedroom, two-bathroom home, which features hickory floors, a two-sided fireplace and 11-foot ceilings in the great room, kitchen and master bedroom.

Interior features include specialty tile and trim as well as upscale appliances.

The home’s location is prime, too. Woodland Park sits at Covell Road and Douglas Boulevard, a few miles east of I-35, and encompasses a clubhouse, two pools, a fitness center, a basketball court and several playgrounds.

Shaw Homes Designer Johnna Kosechata selected contemporary patterns and a blackand-white color scheme to create a modern feel and versatile backdrop for either bright colors or soft neutrals – whatever the new homeowner prefers.

“The modern farmhouse style gives a sense of warmth to the place,” Kosechata says. “It’s comfortable, but it’s elegant.”

Thanks to national partnerships, Kosechata had her choice of Bosch kitchen appliances, Brizo faucets and hardware, Sherwin-Williams paints and Shaw Floors tile, hardwood and carpet.

Among other top-of-the-line selections, the team installed a $3,000 built-in coffee maker by Bosch.

“There wasn’t a limit,” Kosechata says. “I got to pick the best of the best.”

A local showroom helped her procure donated light fixtures from Park Harbor and Millennium Lighting. Many talented individuals, vendors and sponsors collaborated to make this Oklahoma City-area Dream Home a reality.

“The goal is to build the house at zero cost, so every dollar raised goes back to fighting childhood cancer,” says Taylor Lingle, regional fundraising manager for St. Jude. Lingle knows firsthand about the St. Jude experience. Her family became a St. Jude family after her sister Kelsey was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of four.

“These treatments are millions of dollars, but my family didn’t have to worry about it because St. Jude took on that burden. St. Jude truly just wants families to focus on helping their child get better.”

The St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway is poised to sell 8,000 tickets — and tickets usually sell out. For more information, visit dreamhome.org.

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C H OAT E H O U SE

Iron Star Urban Barbecue

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O REDUCE BARBECUE

Iron Star Urban Barbecue

THE CHAMP

Travis Clark and his team have earned more than 650 Top 10 finishes in competitions, including the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational, the holy grail of barbecue awards. He’s won best sauce, best beans, best brisket, team of the year, etc. To borrow a sports analogy: he’s barbecue’s Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, minus the cheating.

Clark’s Clark Crew BBQ opened at 3510 NW Expressway shortly before the COVID-19 shutdown, but it had been open long enough to realize the numbers the proprietors had expected weren’t optimistic enough. People could not even 24

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Travis Clark, owner and founder, Clark Crew BBQ

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IRO N S TA R: C H OAT E H O U SE; C L A R K C R E W B B Q: R AC HEL M A U C IER I

to its component parts is simple: It’s smoked meat served with sauces, accompanied by carb-laden side dishes and, depending on what kind of joint you’re in, greens, pickles, white bread and/or coleslaw. That summation of its parts doesn’t really account for the near cult following it has, though. At some places, including The Butcher BBQ Stand in Wellston, people will wait in line for hours for smoked meat, fully aware that the restaurant could sell out before they reach the register.

Regular customers at The Butcher BBQ Stand refer to the burnt ends (the ends of the smoked brisket) as “meat candy,” and that holds some hint as to why people are willing to drive hundreds of miles to stand in line for beef, pork and turkey. Barbecue done right presents those proteins in ways that combine all of our tasting arsenal: sweet, smoky, umami, bitter, salty, spicy, aromas and yes, emotional responses.

It makes our mouths happy, and it makes our brains happy.

The rubs and sauces do make a difference, of course, but there is a comfortable sameness to barbecue that assures us we know what we’re getting when we walk into a shiny new place, such as Clark Crew BBQ – one of the absolute stars of Oklahoma’s scene – or to an established, comparatively dive-y joint like Leo’s, where the building itself tells us we’re in good hands because no one who has labored this long could have labored in vain.

Equally obviously, that sameness does not mean the quality or skills are the same, but rather than pick “the best” barbecue in Oklahoma (that’s the task of competitions with blind, unbiased judging), we are focusing on what places do well, how an underappreciated protein ended up being pronounced all wrong, and the lure of barbecue to entrepreneurs looking for a second career.

find parking in a spacious lot, and the line to get in would have filled another restaurant entirely.

What’s the draw?

Across the board, Travis Clark is focused on perfecting every component of the meal.

The cornbread should be called corncake, and if you drizzled a little glaze on it, you’d have dessert. The beans are world champions, so are the sauces, and even the fried pickles are like no other fried pickle in the world – they’re thick and sweet, with just enough acid to cut the sweetness.

“I like to do things a little differently than people expect,” Clark says. “Building layers of flavor is the key, especially to sides.”

His potato salad is mustard and mayo, so you get tangy, creamy and zippy, all in one bite. Clark swears by Duke’s Mayonnaise, and uses it with mustard and vinegar in his inexplicably good coleslaw. Contrasts and surprises lurk in nearly everything you taste at Clark Crew. And, again, we’re just talking about smoked meat, but the texture, moisture, flavor and consistency of his proteins are spectacular.

This chapter in Clark’s life has been a pleasant surprise. The jump from master on the competition circuit to owner of even a small hospitality enterprise – to say nothing of the massive scale of

Clark Crew – has ended the restaurateur dream of many a barbecue expert, but Travis Clark is nothing if not a tireless worker and avid learner. His hours now are brutal: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. or later some nights. He knows it can’t continue indefinitely, but the lessons are still being learned, and he’s captivated by something he never expected.

“When you’re cooking on the competition circuit, you hand a box full of food to a runner, who takes it somewhere else and puts it in a line to be judged,” he says. “You never see anyone eat your food.”

As he talks, goose bumps spring up on his arms, a visceral response to what he’s saying. “I never knew I missed that part of cooking until we started this,” he continues, gesturing at the main dining room. “I get to watch people roll their eyes like it’s the best thing they’ve tasted; watch them smile, share and enjoy the food. I love it, and that’s what it’s really about.”

THE SECO ND ACT

Like so many other pit masters turned restaurateurs, Travis Clark came to barbecue after a first career. He was an electrician; Owen Wilson was a high school football coach and

teacher for 20 years. After retiring in 2018, friends and family for whom he’d cooked encouraged him to think about a food truck.

Big O’s became a popular destination for fans of food trucks and barbecue.

“I started with brisket, ribs, pulled pork, loaded baked potato and loaded nachos,” Wilson says.

“The business took off, so much that I was able to start thinking about a brick and mortar.”

Big O’s Pork & Dreams is located at 285 S Santa Fe in Edmond, very close to where Owens coached for two decades. In addition to the restaurant, he caters, and of the transition to a fixed location he says, “Basically, it’s the same work; I just cook more.”

Along the way, the patience that comes from recognizing how long it took to get good at the first career provides context and perspective for mastering the pit. The process matters; time matters; patience matters.

“Some people walk into the restaurant and we may be out of something,” Wilson says. “They look surprised, and then ask if I can’t just whip them up some ribs or pulled pork. I’d like to say, ‘I’m sorry, but you’re in the wrong building,’ when they do that, but I can’t. Those things have to marinate. It takes as much time as it takes.”

Keaton, Brent and Koltan Swadley

I GET TO WATCH PEOPLE ROLL THEIR EYES LIKE IT’S THE BEST THING THEY’VE TASTED; WATCH THEM SMILE, SHARE AND ENJOY THE FOOD. I LOVE IT, AND THAT’S WHAT IT’S REALLY ABOUT. Travis Clark, Clark Crew BBQ Roy's Bar-B-Q, a Chickasha legend

S WA D L E Y 'S: R AC HEL M A U C IER I

Leo's hot links and brisket

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SOMETIMES IT’S HARD TO BE A STEAKHOUSE THAT SERVES PRIME STEAKS AND HEAR PEOPLE SAY BOLOGNA IS THE BEST THING ON THE MENU. Gregg Gawey, Jamil 's Steakhouse

Back Door BBQ

The Butcher BBQ Stand in Wellston

I T ’ S A C I T Y I N ITALY , N O T B A L O NEY

Sometimes barbecue is the second act in a different way; it’s added to something else, often to great effect. Jamil’s Steakhouse at 4910 N Lincoln is, in the words of owner Greg Gawey, a dying breed. It’s a Lebanese steakhouse, but Jamil’s combines three things in a combination born of happenstance.

In the 1950s, the original Jamil was working in the oil business in Creek County. When the boom busted, as they do with some regularity, he opened a restaurant. “The only other thing he knew how to do was cook,” Gawey says of his late uncle.

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“He knew tabouli and cabbage rolls, and he could make steak, and because he already knew how to make ribs, he added ribs.”

A Lebanese steakhouse was born in Tulsa in 1954, and the OKC version opened in 1964. In the mid-1990s, Gawey added lunch to his operation in the metro. That’s how bologna ended up on the menu, and it remains a fixture.

“Sometimes it’s hard to be a steakhouse that serves prime steaks and hear people say bologna is the best thing on the menu,” Gawey says, with a laugh.

The bologna is made by a company in Oklahoma according to Gawey’s special recipe:

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a blend of beef and pork with a proprietary assortment of seasoning. And no, he won’t say what it is. Nor will Travis Clark, and he uses the same process – contracting with a processor to make it to his specifications.

Both Jamil’s and Clark Crew achieve the gold standard for bologna: a fine grind without graininess or grittiness in the meat. Jamil’s smokes its bologna over pecan wood, which gives it a slight sweetness and a less heavy-handed smokiness. As part of its smoked bologna and jalapeño-pimiento cheese sandwich, this delicacy makes for a musttry lunch in OKC, especially if you get there early enough to get an order of the steak fries. Hint.

F IL E PH OTO

Earl's Rib Palace

BUILDING THE BEST TABLE

Finally, while a few places do everything really well, we thought it would be more fun to build a spread from some of the best things we had around central Oklahoma. Th is is not to say that what’s listed is the only thing a concept does well, only that we really liked what we chose for this part.

BACK DOOR BARBECUE, 315 NW 23rd. Get the Beastwich. It doesn’t matter what’s on it; get it, and potato salad.

BEDLAM BBQ, 610 NE 50th. Smoked chicken with cowboy beans and corn on the cob.

BIG O’S PORK AND DREAMS, 285 S Santa Fe, Edmond. Juicy, smoky, wonderful turkey.

BUTCHER BBQ STAND, 3402 OK-66, Wellston.

Burnt ends. No question. Worth the drive to Wellston if you only get one.

CLARK CREW BBQ, 3510 NW Expressway. Brisket.

It’s prime, and it’s beautiful. Don’t leave without trying the beans, though.

CORNISH SMOKEHOUSE, 801 SW 119th. Spicy sauce. It’s actually spicy, and along with Roy’s Bar-B-Q in Chickasha, the best slow heat we had.

EARL’S RIB PALACE, 6 locations, earlsribpalace.com.

Deviled eggs are a staple at several joints, but Earl’s nails them every time.

GEORGE’S HAPPY HOG, 712 Culbertson. Easily the best greens we had anywhere, but they’re just a side, so get the rib tips, too.

Ribs and brisket at Big O's Pork and Dreams

IRON STAR URBAN BARBECUE, 3700 N Shartel.

The sausage trio is one of the best lunches in the metro, especially the black pepper smoked sausage, and get the corn pudding with it.

JAMIL’S STEAKHOUSE, 4910 N Lincoln. As stated elsewhere, you need the bologna sandwich with pimiento cheese.

LEO’S BBQ, 3631 N Kelley. The pork ribs are what everyone goes there for, but get a hot link, too.

RAY’S SMOKEHOUSE BBQ, 1514 W Lindsey, Norman. Pulled chicken with fried okra. Good food that deserves more recognition.

ROY’S BAR-B-Q, 309 W Missouri, Chickasha. Best coleslaw hands down. Sweet, tangy, peppery, crisp and delicious.

L E X I H O EB IN G

SWADLEY’S BAR-B-Q, 5 locations, swadleys.com.

Pulled pork, and you might as well add it to the loaded baked potato. We recommend the spicy sauce.

Owen Wilson, owner and founder of Big O's

A note on cornbread: everyone likes something different, so we recommend Clark Crew and George’s Happy Hog for the “cakey” type, and Iron Star for more traditional tastes.

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SECRET

Tunnel Vision, the Shawnee Mummy and Muckleshamingo 28

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BY GREG HORTON

R AC HEL WAT ERS

O, T H E S TO RY G O E S T H AT T H E R E is a tunnel under the HiLo Club at 1221 NW 50th in Oklahoma City, through which bootleggers used to smuggle alcohol and later – in the 1950s and 1960s – that gay couples used to escape public lewdness raids.

“None of that is true,” says Chris Simon, HiLo’s owner. “I hear the stories all the time, and I usually don’t correct them, but since we’re doing a story, it’s best to be honest."

The purported tunnel at HiLo is a perfect example of how hidden things take on an air of mystery in the absence of solid information. A mystique builds around the hidden thing, and begins to generate more stories, more exaggerations and, honestly, more fun. That sense of something hidden and mysterious helps keep the thing alive in people’s consciousness.

In fact, people who debunk the stories are often looked at as joy stealers or dream crushers. Take, as an example, the phenomenon known as Magnetic Hill near Davis in southern Oklahoma. The story goes like this: If you park your car at the bottom of this long, gently sloping hill and put the car in neutral, a powerful force will pull your car back up the hill, sometimes at speeds close to 40 mph.

Amid all the stories of electromagnetic phenomena, giant balls of lead buried under the top of the hill, and aliens (not as unlikely as that trope used to be; thanks, 2020), we found the more subtle, more complex and likely true story of a guy with surveying equipment who constructed a topographical map of the surrounding hills, only to discover that the “bottom” of Magnetic Hill is actually the peak of a long slope, so the force you feel is standard gravity mixed with an optical illusion. Still fun, but not mysterious.

The truth of the HiLo tunnel isn’t as fraught with peril as the legends surrounding it, either, so we are a little bit sorry for this next joy-stealing part: “The best guess is that it was a service tunnel for unloading trucks,” says Simon.

Not bootlegger trucks?

“No. Just produce and stuff for the Hi Club’s kitchen.”

It doesn’t cross under the street to Edna’s, either.

“No, it runs from what used to be the kitchen to the parking lot on the north side of the building,” Simon says.

But not all of hidden Oklahoma is as anticlimactic, and while most of the state’s mysteries – like the “spook light” near Quapaw and Magnetic Hill – have been solved, the lore that surrounds hidden sites and artifacts is still fun and fascinating.

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Collings Castle near Davis is more a riff on Scottish Baronial architecture, but that particular style did borrow heavily from the United Kingdom’s historic castles. The native stone house features knock-off ramparts, parapets, a battlement of sorts with real crenels and merlons (the teeth of a battlement), even a small

TUNNEL: GREG HORTON; CASTLE: MAT T PAYNE

CASTLE (SORT OF) IN THE WOODS

TUTU THE MUMMY No mummy movie would have ever been scary if the antagonist was named Tutu. The Mummy’s Imhotep was a much better choice, but truthfully, still not scary.

Tutu at least has the advantage of being real, and you can find her mummified remains at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art in Shawnee.

Fr. Gregory Gerrer, a Benedictine monk at St. Gregory’s Abbey in Shawnee, purchased Tutu – who lived in the 4th century BCE – in 1921. In 1963, she underwent a CT scan, the results of which are available on the museum’s website, where you’ll find gems like this: “(Bob Pickering) found that Tutu’s brain was removed via the nose as is normal in the mummification process (the bones in the nasal passages have been broken).”

Along with Tutu, the museum has tons of information about mummified animals, especially cats, as they were often treated as sacred in ancient Egypt in honor of the goddess Bastet. Included in the collection is a fake cat mummy, another common item from the period, which people purchased at temples to honor Bastet. The details of the execution method of the cats are best left hidden for this piece.

Collings Castle near Davis.

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Egyptian mummy at Shawnee's MabeeGerrer Museum.

flanking tower. The name comes from the original owner, Dr. Ellsworth Collings, dean of education at the University of Oklahoma.

The house was abandoned in the 1980s, and it’s located above Turner Falls. It’s open to the public, but be warned that some of the areas are very tight squeezes.

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Local artists are turning the Underground into a series of public art.

THE CONNCOURSE, OF COURSE

Architect Rand Elliott redesigned OKC's Underground with a color-coded scheme.

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R AC HEL WAT ERS

Oklahoma City’s other tunnels are better known, and while very little mystery attaches itself to the Conncourse (named for banker Jack Conn), now known as the Underground, the tunnels are still a must-see for locals and tourists. Addison Ball of Downtown OKC Partnership manages the tunnels. He acts as tour guide for groups and as a font of knowledge for curious journalists.

“The tunnel from the Skirvin was the first of the tunnels,” Ball says. “It was built in 1931 to connect the hotel to what was then the Skirvin Tower. Tunnels were added over the years to connect downtown businesses, and the Conncourse opened in 1974. The new colorcoded scheme in the renamed Underground was Oklahoma City architect Rand Elliott’s idea, when he redesigned the tunnels.”

Yes, most residents know about the tunnels, but that doesn’t make them less interesting.

Not only do some of the most fascinating archival photos from OKC’s history adorn the walls, local artists are now working down there, and the light installations are beautiful.

Ball even let us into an unfinished tunnel – but there were no underground cities, no giant rats, no urban pirates, alas. Just dust, very stale air and bouncy acoustics. We aren’t allowed to publish the location of that particular tunnel, so at least some mystery remains.

Sooner State Stories The search for hidden things always leads to more stories, and so we weren’t surprised to find that archives in museums and historical societies have papers from the time of King Henry VIII to Queen Victoria, a letter from Thomas Jefferson and scientific documents from Galileo, Isaac Newton and others.

Stories abound throughout the state of haunted forests, like the Parallel Forest near Lawton, haunted houses, freaky phenomena and fascinating people. The debunking might be less fun, but sometimes the real stories are even more compelling than the lore.

ONE OF THE GREATEST NAMES IN OKLAHOMA

PH OTO S PRO V ID ED

Muckleshamingo. How are there not a hundred children’s books about a guy with this name? The story is worth knowing, so the history is worth telling. Bill Welge, retired director of research for the Oklahoma Historical Society, put us on the trail of a document signed by then-President George Washington.

“The document is in the archives, and it commemorates the commission of a Chickasaw Nation chief as a Captain of the militia,” Welge says. “We have the original document on parchment.”

Archivist Mallory Covington located it for us, and we found a bit of its history in History of the Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Natchez Indians, a book by Horatio Cushman, published in 1899. Cushman relates the history thus: “In 1794, the United States Government secured the aid of several companies of Chickasaw warriors to co-operate (sic) with its troops against some of the Northwestern tribes of Indians with whom it had become involved in war … the cause (of which) is not now known …”

Cushman names “Mucklesha Mingo” in the book, but Washington’s commission combines the two names. Cushman explained that the name is a corruption of Mokulichih Miko, which he defined as “to outdo or excel.”

Original commission papers appointing Chickasaw Nation Chief Muckleshamingo as captain of a local militia.

BACK TO THE WOODS Located near Sand Springs, the Keystone Ancient Forest is a 1,360acre preserve for an old growth forest that includes oak and red cedar trees, many older than 500 years. The area is open to hikers, but because of the restricted access and even annual quotas, most Oklahomans will never get to see the ancient forest.

For perspective, many of the trees in Keystone were already old when the first Spanish explorers arrived in what is now the United States. Trails are cut through to maximize visibility of various species, including eagles, bobcats and approximately 80 species of butterflies. The hike provides a rare opportunity to interact with Oklahoma as it was 500 years ago.

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Dining

Good Taste

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The Dish

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The Drink

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Beyond the Border We’ve gone international this month, highlighting two Laotian eateries, British pub favorites – with an American comfort food twist – and Mezcal cocktails from a few of the city’s best bartenders.

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D I N I N G

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Shrimp and grits on the brunch menu at Blackbird.

Because of the old nursery rhyme about four and twenty blackbirds, the team already had two dishes settled: shepherd’s pie and pot pie, staples in a pub and now staples at Blackbird. Menu items have cycled on and off the menu over the years, but Howell said there are dishes they are “terrified” to take off the menu, including the pot roast.

So much of the food at Blackbird emerges from this matrix of experimentation,

Prime Pub Flavor BLACKBIRD HONORS, REINVENTS THE CLASSICS

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A L K I N G I N T O B L A C K B I R D, A FA I R Q U E S T I O N might be: Why is there an English pub in Norman, Oklahoma? John Howell, co-owner with Ryan Robinson and Victor Rojo, said the team got its inspiration from The Gage in Chicago.

“We had a new space we wanted to put a restaurant in,” Howell says, “and the first thing you ask in terms of food is, ‘What is Norman missing?’ We’d been to Chicago a few times and loved The Gage. A gastropub seemed like a great answer, and during a brainstorming session we came up with English, Beatles, nursery rhymes and blackbird in that order.”

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That pot roast figures prominently on the menu is a good indication that the focus is comfort food. General manager Whitney Mann described the offerings as English favorites with healthy options, and those core comfort items – fish and chips, shepherd’s pie and pot roast – will remain staples. Some degree of change is a constant, though, and there is there is a bit of genius to the method at Blackbird.

“Some of our best dishes end up being accidents based on boredom,” Howell says. “Anyone who works in a restaurant knows that you get tired of eating the same food, no matter how good it is.

Victor was bored with the pot roast one week and decided to make sliders with it. Now it’s our bestselling item, and after that, he decided to try pot roast nachos. They’re obviously on the menu now, too.” Reader, they are excellent.

So much of the food at Blackbird emerges from this matrix of experimentation, fun and genuine love of food that the dishes that hit the table aren’t overthought, overworked slot fillers (gotta have a chicken dish, gotta have a beef dish, etc.), but food that has answered the cravings of the staff and ownership. That craving also includes brunch, an option Blackbird added early this year.

“We wanted to have a brunch option near Campus Corner seven days a week,” Mann says.

“The idea was to get some favorites on the menu so people can enjoy them at lunch.”

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fun and genuine love of food...

The new brunch menu includes chilaquiles, shrimp and grits and staples from Blackbird’s stable of comfort foods. It reflects the team’s love of comfort food from various cultures, and a commitment to its core identity.

An important part of Blackbird’s identity is the bar. University towns can be tough places to run particular types of bars, with the beer-anda-shot crowd often dictating the menu and the vibe, but Blackbird has hewed closely to the pub identity with classic and craft cocktails, plus an impressive whiskey selection. The bar is Mann’s project, and the whiskey focus comes from the same simple truth that inspires the food.

“I love whiskey,” Mann says. “It’s what I drink at home. It’s my favorite thing, and I want to share that with staff and guests.”

To that end, Blackbird – really the entirety of the Good Life company, which includes Norman’s popular Blu restaurant and bar – focuses on customer education. Mann hosts consumer tastings The chilaquiles at Blackbird are a staff and guest favorite.

twice a month: whiskey at Blackbird and wine at Blu. The regular menu at Blackbird includes notes to help guide whiskey drinkers through the regions and flavors of different styles.

Pubs, ideally, are comfortable and warm, with good food and good booze. Blackbird succeeds as a pub by knowing what it is and what it’s best at.

For more information, visit gldining.com/blackbird

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Larb is one of the staple dishes for celebrations in Laos.

Laotian Love THE CITRUSY SENSATION CALLED LARB

BY G REG HOR T ON

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HI LE ITS GEOGR A PHICA L neighbors – Vietnam to the east and Thailand to the west – have flourished in the American culinary landscape, Laotian food has had a difficult time finding traction. A mountainous, agricultural country, Laos entered the American consciousness during the Vietnam War, and many Laotian immigrants were resettled in the U.S. after the war.

Many of the dishes associated with Thai cooking have Laotian cognates, especially papaya salad and egg rolls. Thus, Laotian food was often sprinkled on Thai restaurant menus or appeared as the Thai version only. KC Chansombat, chef-owner of traditional Laotian restaurant Queen of Eggrolls at 2815 NW 10th, said the Westernized versions of much Thai cooking buries the original style of the food.

“Thai for Western audiences has too much sugar,” Chansombat says. “Thai food tends to be sweeter anyway, and it uses a lot of coconut base, whereas Laotian food is more reliant on herbs and fresh vegetables.”

Larb (pronounced “lahb”) is one of the staple dishes for celebrations in Laos, and it’s a delicious entry point for American diners. Fish larb is a popular choice back home, but Chansombat said beef and chicken dominate in the U.S. market.

The dish relies on a citrus punch from fresh lime juice to brighten the palate, but the lack of 38

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“I’ve stayed as traditional as possible, but staying traditional means that people are sometimes afraid to try Laotian food for the first time.” sweetness and burst of umami and acid is a refreshing change of pace.

“I started the restaurant to show how distinct Laotian food is,” Chansombat says. “I’ve stayed as traditional as possible, but staying traditional means that people are sometimes afraid to try Laotian food for the first time.”

With names such as pho, pad Thai, kung pao and spring rolls becoming part of the common tongue for Asian diners, the name “larb” lies far outside traditional menu vernacular. With familiarity often determining what people order, putting larb on a menu practically guarantees that only the very adventurous, or those already familiar, will order it. That is unfortunate.

The combination of minced chicken or sliced beef with lemongrass, Thai basil, galangal

(in the ginger family), cilantro, mint, green onions and chilis creates an absolute explosion of intense flavors, spicy or mild.

“I tell guests that Laotian food has a base heat of about three out of four,” Chansombat says, “so be aware of that when ordering. If you want milder, you need to specify.”

To adhere to the traditional recipe, Chansombat includes gizzards in the minced chicken. It’s a practice learned in a culture where meat is scarce and expensive, and so the whole animal is used in cooking. The gizzards add another layer of texture and a darker, richer flavor the to the mince.

Larb is typically served with rice, but for a different presentation, Four J’s Diner at 2920 S Agnew features Laotian and Thai cuisine, and owners Alex and Bouakham Panhguay serve their larb salad-style. Whether intentional or not, the dish is easy to eat as an impromptu lettuce wrap. Both ways are delicious.

For more information, visit queenofeggrollsandmore.com

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Mad for Mezcal MEZCAL HAS EXPLODED IN POPULARITY, AND AREA BARTENDERS HAVE CREATED DELICIOUS COCKTAILS WITH THE SMOKY MEXICAN SPIRIT

BY G REG HOR T ON

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R E N DS A R E H A R D TO PR E DICT under ideal circumstances, making it all the more unlikely that even the best prognosticators could have foreseen the rise of mezcal over the past two years. The agave-based distillate from Mexico is known for its smoky flavor characteristics, which have a tendency to overpower other ingredients in a cocktail.

So why did this formerly obscure spirit suddenly start showing up on bar menus and back bars?

Colby Poulin, co-founder of cocktail consulting and private event company A Clockwork Pour, said the bold flavors and unique characteristics of mezcal led to its popularity among bartenders.

“When bartenders love something, they try to fi nd a way to get it in front of guests,” Poulin says. “Because the agave for mezcal production comes from plants growing wild and not cultivated for uniformity, the flavors are unique, varying from mezcal to mezcal. Bartenders love that.”

The lack of uniformity does make it challenging for mixing, though. Much like scotch, the smokiness can be overwhelming, so the challenge is to balance the components in a cocktail using its complex flavor profi le – another task good bartenders approach with joy and determination.

“Using mezcal, it’s difficult to make a drink that will appeal to all customers,” Poulin says. “It’s not the most approachable spirit, so a lot of bartenders go with a split base.”

A split base refers to using two spirits in varying proportions to craft different approaches to a cocktail.

Tequila, a type of mezcal, uses one species of agave, so uniformity is very much a part of the product. Th at makes tequila an excellent partner in a split base cocktail. If you want more smoke, go half and half with blanco tequila and mezcal.

For less smokiness, use tequila in a three-to-one ratio.

“The split base gives you the darker notes of mezcal, so it builds depth of flavor in the drink,” Poulin says. “Rhum agricole works well, too.”

At Barkeep Supply, Julia McLish uses an añejo tequila for her Whip It, a refreshing, split-base refresher that relies on

pomegranate, fresh lime juice and white pomegranate tea syrup to cut the smoke. Brian Butler at Palo Santo uses rum in his split-base El Dorado, and the high-tone acids from ginger, lemon and tamarind balance out the smoke.

Poulin’s A Clockwork Pour typically features a Mexicali Cooler, a long drink with grapefruit juice and Campari for smoke, citrus and bitterness, making a very complex but surprisingly refreshing summer drink.

“If you’re wanting more sweetness in the cocktails, we recommend agave nectar instead of simple syrup,” Poulin says. “They’re from the same plant, and so the agave enhances some of mezcal’s range of fl avors, rather than just muting them with sweetness.”

For more information, visit aclockworkpour.com, barkeepokc.com, or palosantobar.com.

Because the agave for mezcal production comes from plants PH OTO PRO V ID ED

growing wild and not cultivated for uniformity, the flavors are unique, varying from mezcal to mezcal.

The El Dorado from Palo Santo.

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H E A LT H

Winning Against Ourselves Doctors search for autoimmune answers

BY K IMBERLY BUR K

N

E A R LY 1 I N 1 2 A M E R I C A N S has an autoimmune disease. Many are not easily diagnosed, and women are hardest hit. Cases of the more than 80 recognized autoimmune diseases are trending upward, and researchers are not certain why.

Two probable factors are that people are living longer, since some of the diseases show up in later years, and that patients are surviving longer, said Dr. Judith James, a rheumatologist and vice president of clinical affairs for the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF).

Autoimmune diseases happen “when your immune system turns on yourself and starts to att ack your own proteins,” James says.

Rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, lupus, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, fibromyalgia, Type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Graves’ disease, Guillain-Barre syndrome and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are among the better-known.

Heredity is a known factor; scientists are also studying such possible causes as environmental toxins, extreme stress, Vitamin-D deficiency, smoking, the overuse of antibiotics and sleep deprivation.

LUPUS

“One of our investigators has found evidence that it is because of how many X chromosomes you have,” James says. Most women, who make up about 75 percent of patients, have two X chromosomes, while most men have one, James said. But men with two are at higher risk for lupus, as are women with three.

For nearly 20 years, OMRF has studied the prevalence of lupus, an inflammatory disease that damages the organs and tissues, among African-American women.

“Lupus is a leading medical cause of death among African-American women between the ages of 15 and 35,” says James, who has cared for lupus patients for almost 30 years. “It’s the fi ft hleading medical cause of death for black women, and seventh for all women between 15 and 35.

When they get it earlier, it’s more serious.”

Samantha Webb, an OMRF immunology consultant, was lead author on a lupus study that compared at-risk African-American women to at-risk European-American women.

“People will develop antibodies up to 10 years before they develop the disease,” Webb says. “Twenty percent of healthy women have antinuclear antibodies for one of the autoimmune diseases,” but most never get the disease. Webb studied why black women are about fi ve times more likely to develop lupus.

“What we found is that European-American patients who were healthy but at-risk had a suppressed immune profi le, a decrease in T-cells,” Webb says. T-cells circulate through the body and are important for generating an immune response. “People with autoimmune diseases generally have more, and the black women in the study had more activated T-cells while still healthy. Th is indicates

& W E L L N E S S

a higher infl ammatory immune response.

Th is information will be key as we work to decipher new treatments or repurpose available therapies.”

CELIAC DISEASE

Dr. Bao Long Nguyen, a gastroenterologist with Digestive Disease Specialists, said celiac disease is an allergy to gluten, the protein found in wheat products. Symptoms include bloating, cramping and diarrhea. Celiac disease is genetic, affects about one in 96 Americans and is most common in people of Irish descent, Nguyen said.

Severe untreated cases can lead to anemia, which eventually can cause congestive heart failure.

“There are some medications that have been tried, but they don’t prevent you from having problems,” Nguyen says. “They are more like rescue therapy.”

Some people incorrectly self-diagnose because they go on a gluten-free diet and feel better, Nguyen said.

ARTHRITIS

Dr. Craig Carson, a rheumatologist at the Oklahoma Arthritis Center, said the treatment for rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis “has been revolutionized in the last 20 years by what we call biologics.” Biologics are genetically engineered drugs that target a specific form of arthritis and block inflammation.

“The theory is generally that people are born with a genetic predisposition, and something happened to turn on those genes we are born with,” Carson says. “We don’t know what those genes are, or what the triggers are.”

As with other forms of autoimmune disease, Carson said, scientists are still examining possible causes.

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Home

Entertaining 101

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At Home With

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Design

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Gracious Gathering Bob Meinders uses his Deep Deuce penthouse to host philanthropic events and family get-togethers

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101

Cocktails al Fresco

Fresh fruit and herbs, cold champagne and an assortment of spirits and liqueurs make for the perfect outdoor bar.

EMBRACING THE OUTDOOR BAR

BY SA R A G A E WAT ERS | PHOTO BY R ACHEL M AUCIER I

W

HI LE TH E BA R CA RT SEE MS TO have become a necessary addition to our lives over these past few months, why not move cocktail hour outside? It defi nitely takes a bit of effort to bring out all the libations, but going a step further and sprucing up the patio table makes the mixing, muddling and shaking all the prett ier.

Bowls of fruit and fresh herbs are necessary, but also perfect for decoration. For a margarita, you will need some limes. For a mojito, you’ll need some fresh herbs within reach. From your garden or from the produce section, a bunch of mint in a vase is nice to have on hand. And berries are a must for mixing and as a garnish. Try a triple berry vodka spritzer as a perfect way to start off an evening.

Of course, if you prefer a cold glass of champagne or a nice red, simple is always a good idea. Bring out the various choices in glassware and all the necessary ingredients and you have an instant serve-yourself bar. Cheers!

MY SIMPLE M A R G A R I TA

T R I P L E B E R RY VODKA SPRITZER

Juice of one lime 1.5 oz (or 2!) tequila Ice cubes 1 oz agave syrup 1/2 to 1 tsp orange liqueur *sea salt for rim of glass

2 blueberries 2 raspberries 1 strawberry 2 oz vodka 6 oz lemon-lime sparkling water Ice

Use a lime wedge to moisten rim of glass, dip glass in sea salt.

Garnish: 1 strawberry 1 lime slice 2 blueberries 2 raspberries

Combine all ingredients, shake, add to salted glass and enjoy.

In a cocktail shaker, muddle 2 blueberries, 2 raspberries and 1 sliced strawberry.

Add 2 ounces vodka and 2 ounces sparkling water.

Add rum and club soda and shake to combine.

Shake and strain into a glass over ice.

Serve over ice and garnish with a sprig of mint.

Garnish with a couple more berries, slice of lime and strawberry.

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Place lime, sugar and mint in a shaker.

Thoroughly muddle or mash mint leaves with lime juice and sugar before shaking, to help unlock the herb’s natural flavors.

Top with more sparkling water.

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MOJITO 1 lime, cut into pieces 2 teaspoons sugar 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves 2 oz light rum 2 oz club soda 1 sprig of mint Ice

PHOTO BY JUAN PINEDO

6 4 1 1 AVO N DA L E D R I V E N I C H O L S H I L L S O K 7 3 1 1 6 (405) 607-1199 | WINTERHOUSEINTERIORS.COM

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Aesthetic Dreams AT HOME WITH SAM DAY AND KATE NICKEL

BY SA R A G A E WAT ERS PHOTO BY R ACHEL M AUCIER I

S

A M DA Y I S A PA R T N E R A T the architecture and real estate development firm Dryline, which has championed such projects as the Big Friendly Brewery and the single-family detached homes in Wheeler – and he’s not your ordinary architect.

A visual virtuoso, Sam’s work depicts elegant restraint and beauty. He and partner Kate Nickel are a destined match, with her artistic talent found in not only her paintings, furniture design and photography, but in gardening and farming, as well. Kate is a true aesthete in the most genuine of ways. Individually and collectively, this couple has their fingers, and expertise, on the pulse of what good design is.

Despite different media that you both use, do you find yourselves drawn to the same kind of aesthetics?

S A M : I’d say so. Maybe this has something to do with our having grown up in the same place at the same time, or maybe it’s us rubbing off on one another. There are some elements of design, like color, where I don’t feel very confident in myself, so I end up deferring to or trying to imitate Kate.

K AT E : Yes, we are always asking each other’s advice and feedback, and I value his opinion.

I get inspired by new materials and colors that Sam is experimenting with on different projects.

What icon, designer or artisan inspires each of you?

S A M : I love the work and business model of the UK firm Assemble. As far as historical icons, Sol LeWitt and (Ludwig) Mies van der Rohe come to mind. I’m inspired by their work with real 48

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Architect Sam Day with partner Kate Nickel.

Individually and collectively, this couple has their fingers, and expertise, on the pulse of what good design is. structure and its symbolic representation, and I admire the way LeWitt conceived of art as a set of instructions – much like architecture.

K AT E : The furniture is certainly inspired by the furniture of Donald Judd. I love the simplicity and functionality involved in his work. I’m highly inspired by the painter Agnes Martin, along with many artists from the ’50s and ’60s such as Ellsworth Kelly, Barnett Newman, Josef Albers, Bridget Riley – and I could go on.

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If you could pick one time period to live in, in relation to design, art, lifestyle or architecture, what would it be?

S A M : I’m fascinated by the architecture of the ’50s and early ’60s. It was a period when the consensus around an international modernist style was disintegrating, but postmodern architecture hadn’t fully emerged.

I wouldn’t choose to live in any period but the present, though.

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K AT E : The time period I’m most familiar with, which has most inspired me, would be during the 1950s and ’60s. Movements such as Abstract Expressionism, Colorfield Painting, Neo-Dada, Happenings and Minimalism were all major influences.

Do you have a favorite design movement or trend?

S A M : I don’t know about favorite, but I’ve been reading about the Japanese Metabolism movement recently. The Metabolists’ buildings were always visually divided in small compartments, which helped mitigate their enormous scale and also provided a framework that would theoretically accommodate addition and subtraction. Their proposals often towered over existing urban centers but left them mostly intact, unlike previous modernist schemes. While I’m generally skeptical of big utopian projects, I think the current demand for housing in some urban areas should encourage us to reexamine some of these ideas.

K AT E : I try to stay away from trends; they seem to change all too often and I can’t keep up. I guess my favorite movement would have to be Abstract Expressionism, as it was the precursor to so many of my favorite styles in artmaking.

In your home, is there a particular space, function or design characteristic that you love?

S A M : I’ve really been enjoying the backyard setup that we’ve been working on. A few months ago, we built a 10-footlong outdoor table that Kate designed, and it’s helped to create a popular secondary office and communal dining room.

K AT E : The 5-foot-by-8-foot front window that overlooks the garden and out onto tree-lined Marion Street has to be my favorite. One of the fi rst things I do in the morning is open the curtains and look at all the flowers covered with butterfl ies and bees.

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H O M E

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Sliding glass doors on the upper level of the penthouse open the living room to the outdoors.

A rooftop deck offers expansive, 360-degree views of downtown Oklahoma City.

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Commissioned paintings, like this one from Joy Richardson, add bold colors to the industrial space.

THE GIFT OF GATHERING Clark Building proprietor Bob Meinders cares for community, friends and family via penthouse parties

by EVIE KLOPP HOLZER photos by DON RISI

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F Y O U A R E F O R T U N AT E enough to attend a soirée at the penthouse consuming the top two floors of the Clark Building at 16 NE 2 in Deep Deuce, you can’t miss the bright reds, purples and turquoise accents dotting the 6,700-square-foot, industrial residence.

You’ll admire the stunning artwork, vibrant paintings by Brent Learned and Joy Richardson, commissioned to complement the space. You will see panoramic views from the 360-degree rooftop deck.

What you may not notice is the 74-year-old, bearded elevator operator, dressed unpretentiously in jeans and perched on a stool at the elevator controls. Blending into the background – that’s Bob Meinders’ comfort zone.

Meinders doesn’t shy away from audacious projects. Prior to his purchase of the Clark Building, he bought the eight-acre W.H. Stewart Steel property east of Bricktown in 2005, which was transformed into retail and residential space now aptly named The Steelyard.

Nine years later, the Clark Building captured his imagination.

“I first toured this space with friends, and we all decided that night you’d have to be crazy to buy it,” he says with a grin. “And I’m just crazy enough.”

Meinders purchased the Clark Building in 2014 from Regina and Larry Waters. They had spent 10 years renovating the warehouse built in 1922, adding the rooftop level, installing a two-story glass chandelier and creating the most spectacular master bathroom with an enormous travertine tub.

Meinders liked their aesthetic so much, he kept most of the couple’s work intact.

He only added a few new touches by collaborating with designer Dee Harris.

“I just came in at the last minute, on the top layer, and my job was to make this feel like Bob’s place,” Harris says.

That is quite the challenge when you’re working for someone who prefers to keep a low profile.

“I didn’t buy it for myself,” Meinders says. “I bought it for others to enjoy – organizations, family and friends.”

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An open stairway at the core of the penthouse allows more natural light into the lower level.

“ T H I S H O M E H A S E V E RY T H I N G A N YO N E NEEDS IN A HOME: GARAGE, STORAGE, VIEWS AND ACCESS TO THE SURROUNDINGS. I T I S A B S O LU T E LY C O M P L E T E .”

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Native American peace pipes from Pipestone, Minnesota, bring a piece of Meinders’ hometown to Oklahoma.

Color-changing LED lights under the sink make this bar a perfect homage to Thunder fans.

In fact, Meinders has only stayed overnight at his pied-a-terre once.

His family stays there more than he does. Meinders relishes hosting his four siblings and extended family for holidays and milestone birthdays. The family even had a rooftop wedding here. In addition, the “Thunder Room,” fi lled with sports memorabilia procured at charity events, provides a lively sett ing for Thunder watch parties.

Meinders frequently donates the space at low or no cost to nonprofits he believes in. The two penthouse floors can hold up to 200 people. There is a 5,400-square-foot basement garage with elevator access, and the two large kitchens and butler’s pantry feature commercial appliances – a caterer’s dream. Allied Arts, deadCenter Film Festival, United Way, Palomar and many other organizations have hosted patrons here. The wild décor was the perfect backdrop for a live cheetah, as featured at the Cheetah Conservation Fund event.

Aside from the Meinders School of Business bench in the fi rst-floor retail space and a few personal photos and awards scattered throughout the penthouse, Meinders’ ownership is really only evident through the art on the walls. Two Native American peace pipes are displayed from the Pipestone National Monument in Pipestone, Minnesota – Meinders’ beloved hometown of 26 years.

The area means so much to him, he commissioned Brent Learned to create two paintings telling the “Legend of the Lakota Pipestone.”

“It makes it his place; it doesn’t look like a picture in a magazine,” Harris says. “Those pieces of art don’t hold personal meaning to anyone else except him.”

Harris also was tasked with bringing more comfort to a very industrial space.

She painted the heavy black girders in the living room off-white to make it feel more residential. She coordinated the custom leather-studded doors to add privacy to the master suite. Building on unique design features already in the home, Harris also created a few unexpected elements, such as the double-headed

The master bath houses an impressively large travertine bathtub.

With commercial appliances and plenty of seating, the penthouse is a party planner’s dream.

bedside lamp in a guest room, custom made with various plumbing parts and the craft y assistance of Schuler Enterprises.

“There was a lot of research and development to make things look like they’d always been here,” Harris says.

Such thoughtfulness only enhanced what the Waterses had previously established.

“To me, this home has everything anyone needs in a home: garage, storage, views and access to the surroundings. It is absolutely complete.”

Meinders manages the penthouse and a continuous schedule of events with the devoted assistance of his sister, Linda Drumm, and Austin Kelly, his “almost family” property manager. Kelly graduated

from the same high school as Meinders, 45 years later. They met through Pipestone friends, an instant and meaningful connection.

“It’s an intriguing property, and it takes a lot of tender loving care. Austin is that tender loving care,” Meinders says with a laugh. “Most of the things I’ve gotten involved in have been crazy stuff like this, like meeting him. My best friend’s son is his best friend from high school – 700 miles from here.

Small world.”

Many are so grateful Meinders is willing to open up his world, his dynamic Clark Building penthouse, albeit from behind the scenes.

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OklahomaContemporary.org 11 NW 11th St., OKC, OK 73103 | 54

AUGUST 2020

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I Belong Here (White), Tavares Strachan, 2012.

Photo courtesy of the artist.

ART IN A NEW LIGHT

LEARN ABOUT FREE TIMED TICKETS AT OKCONTEMP.ORG

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While shopping and doing business locally are rightly praised as a great way to keep financial resources close to home, there’s another aspect that’s more phyiscal than fiscal. Developing personal relationships with the men and women who provide the products and services you need can be greatly beneficial, and face-to-face interactions help build a sense of community. The key professionals in these pages are more than excellent representatives of their chosen fields; they’re also your neighbors right here in central Oklahoma. These are people you should recognize, and names you should know.

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(L to R) Dr. Tracy McIntire, Dr. Vincent Montgomery, Dr. Drew Wendelken, Dr. Michael Saumur, Dr. Scott Searcey, Dr. Ross Martin

T H E FA C E S O F

WIS D O M T E ET H , DE N TA L I M P L A N T S & OR AL MA X I L L O FAC I A L SU RG E RY Oral & Maxillofacial Associates 56

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The six surgeons comprising Oral & Maxillofacial Associates are Board Certified Specialists in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, which is the surgical component of dentistry. In their training, each provider has completed four years of dental school, with an additional four to six years of a hospital-based residency to round out their education and prepare them for the administration of anesthesia. With 26 years of service to the Oklahoma City metro, they are one of the largest and longest-running practices in the state.

All four OMA locations share one goal: to improve the health and lives of people in Oklahoma by providing compassionate and innovative surgery of the face, mouth and jaw with unparalleled customer service. They strive to treat every

patient as if they were members of their own families. They focus on providing the best surgical outcomes by offering patient-focused care with state-of-the-art equipment and methods.

Whether you are looking to replace a missing tooth, to have your wisdom teeth removed or to completely restore your smile, OMA is the place for you. Their strict standards and DAANCE certification requirements for each surgical assistant allow them to provide you the safest surgical experience possible. Pair that with specialized implant teams and high dental implant success rates, and you are guaranteed to be well taken care of. On top of that, they work closely with your dentist to ensure the success of your treatment, ultimately giving you back the power of your smile.

OKC - (405) 848-7994 | Norman - (405) 292-8900 MWC- (405) 733-4296 | Edmond- (405) 341-4022 omaok.com

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LUXU RY H OM E RE A L E STAT E Sage Sotheby’s International Realty 58

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After a career in the U.S. Army and time as an attorney, Rob Allen started Sage Realty with his cousin Chris in 2017. Chris, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, had been in the real estate industry for nearly 20 years. Under Rob’s leadership, Sage grew from $22 million in business to $120 million in sales, and from 5 agents to 35 fulltime agents in just three years. By 2019, luxury powerhouse Sotheby’s International Realty was calling to invite Sage into their global network of affiliates.

“We’ve built a brokerage of professionals. Our agents do this full-time. It’s not a hobby or a side hustle. It’s a livelihood,” Allen says. He’s proud to be a veteranowned business, and part of Sage’s success is due to the standards he brought with

(L to R) Top Row: Chad Cundiff, Brad Morse, Emoly Walters, Alexis Burckart, Iman Dangora, Rob Allen, Terry Fox, John Robert Simon, Alice Decker, Jenna Harper.

Bottom Row: Richia Gregston, Julie Snowder, Crystal Liles, Stacia Ranallo, Kate Brennan, Terri Barnett, Summer Smith, Kate Kidd, Camille Smith, Rebecca Avey, Jennifer Kragh, Gabrielle Hefner. *Not pictured: Andrea McMillan, Chris Allen, Colbie Van Cleef, Gary Wardworth, Kara Lewallen, Kesia Samborski, Madison Raymond, Megan Tabor, Pedro Velasco, Tyler Burns

him from his service. “We have high standards for ourselves,” he says.

“We don’t miss deadlines, we don’t forget signatures, and we don’t wing it. ‘Good enough’ isn’t good enough.”

Allen adds, “Our designation as a ‘luxury brokerage’ comes not from some threshold to entry, but to the level of service we provide. Luxury is the experience of working with Sage Sotheby’s International Realty.”

While luxury is part of the brand, Sage’s average home sale is less than $300k – which means they are experts in properties from the affordable to the aspirational.

6430 N. Western Ave. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73116 sagesir.com 405MAGAZINE.COM

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CA N NAB I S David Lewis, Denver Kitch, Austin Clay & Drew Clayton Stability Cannabis 60

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With an 85,000-square-foot indoor growing facility, Stability Cannabis is Oklahoma’s largest indoor medical marijuana cultivator. But being the biggest doesn’t matter if the quality suffers.

“Oklahoma has many cultivators who produce high quality flower,” operating partner David Lewis says, “but at Stability, we produce high quality at large scale, and no one else is doing that.”

What’s the scale? Stability has seven flower rooms, and each is harvested every 63 days, meaning they are harvesting one thousand plants every nine days. They produce enough product to support roughly 150 dispensaries and processors statewide.

“Many of our clients can stock 75 percent of their total inventory with our products,” Lewis says. “We have nearly 100,000 square feet of space in cultivation, processing, packaging and retail combined.”

The retail is adjacent to the cultivation facility, and operates “a bit like a factory outlet,” according to Lewis. “We’re primarily a grower, but we do have several signature items like pre-rolls, infused flower and concentrates.”

The entire lineup of Stability’s award-winning flower is available in the showroom they keep for wholesale clients, and much of that product is available in retail, as well. The operation is large enough to employ 85 staff members, and Lewis says they’ll be adding 40 more this year.

Business is blooming.

4529 Enterprise Place Oklahoma City, OK 73128 (405) 212-2270 stabilitycannabis.com 405MAGAZINE.COM

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T H E FA C E O F

WOME N ’ S H OR M O N E THER A PY Noel Williams, MD Optimal Health Associates There’s no substitute for technical knowledge when it comes to providing expert care, and after more than a quarter of a century as a medical professional, Dr. Noel Williams is at the top of his field. However, the x-factor that sets his practice at Optimal Health apart in the field of hormone therapy is something else entirely.

“We’re focused on old-fashioned care,” Williams says.

“We provide a human touch by calling with results, answering questions, caring for our patients with a smile; elements that often get lost in the modern health care system.”

Both men and women are welcome as patients at Optimal Health, where they can find a range of services – including the use of BioTE® hormone pellet therapy. This widely studied form of natural hormone therapy has the same molecular structure as human hormones, providing multiple health benefits for users.

BioTE® lasts longer than many other treatments.

It’s one of many examples of Optimal Health’s commitment to providing the most comprehensive and progressive healthcare available, while focusing on the individual.

“I want to treat each patient holistically,” Dr. Williams says. “I want to look at the big picture, and make sure their everyday life is as good as possible.”

“At Optimal Health, we endeavor to treat the whole person, not just symptoms.”

NORTH OKC: 9800 Broadway ext, Suite 200 SOUTH OKC: 3110 S.W. 89th St, Suite 104 optimalhealthassociates.com (405) 715-4496

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(L to R) Emily Morgan Lance Whitlow Keven Calonkey Carl John Carl Cassidy Brunsteter

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FI N E FU RN I T U R E Keven Calonkey Carl Keven Calonkey Carl’s parents opened Mister Robert Fine Furniture & Design in 1958, and it has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember. Her career includes professional certification with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), and national certification with the prestigious National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ).

Mister Robert, still at its original downtown Norman location, has more than 20,000 square feet of furniture and décor for customers to explore and make selections, but most importantly, those customers get personalized and professional interior design service.

“We closely listen to what the customer wants,” Calonkey Carl says. “No matter what your style, our professional design team is here to tailor your home or office exactly to you.”

Quality craftmanship, timeless style and utterly unique designs have remained a constant at Mister Robert. The landmark family-owned and -operated business continues to this day under the original mission of Keven’s parents: to provide the finest service and merchandise and to make Oklahoma beautiful, one room at a time.

109 East Main, Norman (405) 321-1818 MisterRobert.com

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(L to R) Bethany Cook, APRN-BC Noel Williams, MD Rachel Schnider, RN

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SKIN R EVITA LIZ ATIO N Optimal Aesthetics Optimal Aesthetics is dedicated to improving the quality of life of patients and clients by offering safe aesthetic enhancement options.

Noel Williams, along with Bethany Cook, APRN, and Rachel Schneider, RN, provide a spectrum of services ranging from the skin care line Epionce and eyelash-growth treatment LATISSE® to non-surgical cosmetic treatments such as BOTOX®, KYBELLA® and JUVÉDERM®, along with the leading-edge laser for resurfacing skin, the PicoSure.

Cook elaborates on the advantages of PicoSure: “The PicoSure laser rejuvenates skin to decrease fine lines and wrinkles, in addition to being a fantastic option for tattoo removal.”

One particularly exciting option is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), which can help promote regrowth of collagen and elastin, resulting in a fresh complexion and healthier, younger-looking skin on the face, neck or backs of hands. PRP can also be used, especially in conjunction with stem cell-derived exosomes, to stimulate hair growth and add density to thinning hair.

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Optimal Aesthetics is committed to furthering the mission of its sister company, Optimal Health, by adding services that complement a journey of health.

“Our goal is never to make someone who is 60 look 19,” says Cook. “Our goal is to help clients age with grace. We want them to look as good as they feel.”

9800 Broadway Ext, Suite 200, OKC optimalhealthassociates.com (405) 715-4496

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F IN E J EW E L RY Valerie Naifeh, Naifeh Fine Jewelry When guests enter Naifeh Fine Jewelry at Nichols Hills Plaza, they are greeted by welcoming staff and cases filled with dazzling gemstones and spectacular jewelry, much of which is one of a kind and created in the store’s 1,000-square-foot manufacturing studio.

Owner Valerie Naifeh designed the space to optimize the available natural light, so it feels like an open-air showroom. “I want people to be as comfortable in my store as they are in their own living room,” she says. “My goal is, and will always be, to create a world-class jewelry store right here in Oklahoma City. Our clients have come to expect extraordinary jewelry at an outstanding value right here.”

While the location might be new, her approach to sourcing extraordinary gems and jewelry is not. Over almost four decades in the industry, including 21 years as an owner, Naifeh has established an international roster of jewelry and gemstone suppliers, all cultivated for their ability to provide exceptional value and heirloomquality jewelry.

An award-winning designer, Valerie says she gets the greatest satisfaction from custom design; working with a particular person to create a piece as individual as the client. Naifeh says, “To me, jewelry is not just gemology, it is art.”

Another business tenet is making sure customers know what they are getting.

“I am fierce about transparency in everything we do, and I want to serve our clients with honesty and integrity,” she says.

“Our membership in the American Gem Society holds us to rigorous ethical standards, and our clients see us as a trusted resource for all of their jewelry needs.”

6471 Avondale Dr, Nichols Hills, OK 73116 Naifehfinejewelry.com (405) 607-4323 405MAGAZINE.COM

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EY EW E A R A N D CA R E Physician’s Optical Physician’s Optical specializes in unique, independent, European eyewear – frames that are made by hand in limited production numbers, many “small batch” or even custom-made to the patient’s specifications. Their experts love to present patients with something unique, something they haven’t seen or heard of before, something they haven’t seen in other offices or even anywhere else in the state of Oklahoma. When you couple these extremely special frames with the best lens technology in the world and an optical staff that has over 50 years of fitting glasses, the end product is a satisfied patient. Their frame lines and outstanding staff set Physician’s Optical apart.

(L to R) Ben Blasi A.B.O.C. Dr. J. Carter Johnston Gayleen Adams

4200 W. Memorial Rd, OKC physicians-optical.com (405) 749-4285

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(L to R) Roya Popescu Janelle Wagner Robin Markwell Kelly Newman

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M E D S PA / I NJ E C TA BL ES Janelle Wagner, RefineU Med Spa Refine U Med Spa is already an industry leader in rejuvenation and anti-aging, and with the acquisition of a Morpheus8, Janelle Wagner and her team add state-of-the-art technology to their already impressive array of options.

“The Morpheus8 uses radio frequency micro-needling to accomplish nonsurgical skin tightening with very little downtime,” says Wagner, a certified nurse practitioner. The Morpheus8 procedure is different because it goes a depth of four millimeters which is deeper than most on the market, aiding in collagen production and skin tightening. It is safe to use on the face, neck and really any body part that needs the assistance. “Skin tightening is something everybody wants. It is one of the most popular procedures in the aesthetic industry,” says Wagner. “We’re excited to add this.”

Sessions with the Morpheus8 are one hour in one to three sessions. The downtime is very minimal, with return to work or activities expected the very next day.

“We do tell our clients to wait a day or two before applying makeup, but other than that, there is no interruption in their lives,” Wagner says.

The Morpheus8 can be used in conjunction with other treatments, and Wagner points out that it’s also “color blind,” so it can be used on any skin type. It can be combined with Botox, which Wagner calls the “gold standard,” especially for clients who start at a younger age for proactive treatments, as well as broadband light or Halo Fractional Laser treatments.

13301 N Meridian Ave, Suite 300A Oklahoma City, OK 73120 (405) 849-5891

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ENDODONTIC DENTISTRY Victoria Ball When it comes to dentistry, few things strike fear into the heart of a patient quite like root canals. But in many respects, that fear is outdated.

That’s the goal of Dr. Victoria Ball, a Diplomate of The American Board of Endodontics who owns and operates Contemporary Endodontics of Oklahoma. Dr. Ball is an endodontist who specializes in saving teeth.

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Endodontic treatment, or root canal treatment, focuses on treating the soft pulp tissue inside of the tooth. The pulp tissue can become inflamed or infected due to decay, repeated dental procedures or cracks. When the pulp becomes inflamed or infected it can lead to severe pain or infection.

“Many patients fear seeking treatment because they are in pain. The goal of root canal treatment is to relieve the patient from pain,” she said. “Thanks to modern technology, a root canal procedure takes less time and has a higher success rate than ever before. The majority of patients leave feeling better than when they came in.”

Ball said if patients are experiencing pain while eating or drinking they should

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act sooner rather than later. “If you’re eating ice cream, or drinking a hot cup of coffee, for example, and it is painful when before it wasn’t, it’s a good idea to be examined to help avoid bigger problems in the future,” she said.

2916 Astoria Way, Suite #100 Edmond, OK 73034 ceoklahoma.com (405) 285-5042

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M O RT GAG E BANKING Jane Christiansen What makes a good loan officer a great loan officer? For Jane Christiansen, a loan officer with Commerce Bank in Oklahoma City, the answer is simple: experience and superb customer service.

Christiansen, who has been in mortgage banking for more than 35 years, says the finance world has changed drastically in the last few decades and often consumers have a hard time navigating new regulations and policies.

“The first thing I do when I talk to new borrowers is to give them my mobile phone. I keep my phone with me 24/7. If I don’t know the answer, I can get it quickly,” she said. “I really enjoy working with first-time home buyers.

I try to make it a very simple process even though there is so much more paperwork involved now. If I can make it easy to understand, that can turn into future referrals of family members and future business.”

Christiansen says Commerce Bank also strengthens its relationship with its customers by providing continuity of service through the life of the loan.

“Commerce Bank always services the loans. At points in time, banks will sell the paper to other banks. We do that too on occasion, but we always continue to service the loan,” she said. “When a bank sells the loan and doesn’t continue service of the loan, that is where most customers run into horrible problems with taxes and insurance and their loan not being taken care of. I will not work for a company that does not service its loans.

I’ve always worked with companies that go the extra mile for their clients.”

(405) 608-2709 3503 NW 63rd St. #300 Oklahoma City, OK commercebank.com NMLS# 1509266

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Jason Grife, Travis Morelock and Cher

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FINE CABINETRY Jason Grife & Travis Morelock The guys at Wilshire Cabinet + Co have begun a revolution by totally redefining the standard of cabinetry in Oklahoma. Meet with any of their team members and it is quite apparent that you are not at “just any cabinet company.”

They are dedicated to providing state-of-the art fine cabinetry collections to meet every design demand, purpose and budget need, with an unrivaled level of service. The environment is always fun, fresh and lively.

Quality reigns supreme. Every Wilshire cabinet is built to exact specs for each customer in a quality-controlled manufacturing plant, using the finest materials and craftsman-

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ship with the latest technologies. From silky smooth heat-cured finishes to real exotic woods and European laminates to incredible textural finishes, this is pre-finished cabinetry at its highest – engineered and fabricated with the strength and durability to last a lifetime, backed by a multi-year warranty on construction and finish.

Their collections also include the complementary products needed to complete your building or remodeling projects.

Vanities, designer and functional hardware, Cambria® quartz countertops, Ruvati® sinks, integrated cabinet lighting, hidden USB/ power outlets and countless customization options offer convenience and versatility, while reflecting individual personality. The cabinetry and countertop options on display in their Oklahoma City gallery (and in their soon-to-open annex in Norman) are made in America – and, like them, are familyowned businesses.

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Co-owners Travis and Jason, along with their gallery mascot Cher, attribute their ongoing success and growth to the dedication and expertise of their talented design, carpentry, sales and support team.

“Our whole Wilshire Team loves enjoying time with friends and family … cooking and eating great food, and drinking fine wine.

All that and more happens in the heart of the home – the kitchen – and it is with that spirit that we invest the time to get to know you and your style for living and gathering in your home!”

320 W. Wilshire Blvd., OKC wilshirecabinetco.com (405) 286-6282

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LUXU RY T I L E & CUS T O M AC C E S S O RI ES Sydnye Steen, Artisan Tile Studio Artisan Tile Studio owner Sydnye Steen and her staff are building on 55 years of combined experience, literally, with the addition of a brand-new showroom and warehouse at 300 W Wilshire. The 7,000-square-foot facility is expected to open in mid-September or early October.

“The new showroom has been arranged with the design community in mind,” Steen says. “It’s very designer-friendly, with plenty of extras to make the design and selection process easy.”

In addition, Steen said the store is significantly expanding its selections.

“We recently acquired approximately 30 tile lines that, combined with our existing lines, will give us the absolute

best selection in Oklahoma City when it comes to tile.”

Steen said the extensive selection is only part of Artisan Tile’s success; the other is customer service. “We provide one-on-one consulting and sales, and we go the extra mile on every project to fulfil special requests and get customers exactly what they need,” she says.

Artisan Tile Studio is open 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and evenings and weekends by appointment.

7108 N. Western Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73116 405-242-2227

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(L to R) Lynn Hannah, Malissa Puente, Katherine Spurgeon, & Joyce Spurgeon

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CONSIGNMENT FURNISHINGS Joyce Spurgeon Carousel Consignment It takes a village to raise a child – and it takes a talented team to run a consignment furniture store.

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employees never run out of things to do. It is up to Joyce, Lynn, Malisa and Katherine to keep everything running smoothly.

Owner Joyce Spurgeon says, “I couldn’t do it without the team; they are the heart and soul of the Carousel.”

Specialized consignment software makes the process easier. With more than 5,000 items in their inventory – and no fewer than 300 consignors – keeping track of it all is not a simple task.

“There’s a lot more to it than you might think,” Katherine says. “Staying organized is key.”

“Communication is the most important part,” adds Joyce. “We all need to be on the same page in order to best serve our customers and consignors; we work hard to make sure that happens.”

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As Carousel Consignment approaches its two-year anniversary, the crew looks forward to many more years of providing customers with an easy and enjoyable shopping experience.

Shopcarouselconsignment.com 2201 W Edmond Rd. Edmond OK 73003 405.285.1250

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P R IVAT E B A N K I N G Samantha Hutchison, Kellee Craddock, & Stephanie Comer If you’re not familiar with the term “Private Banking,” it’s as good as it sounds.

Formerly reserved for extremely high net worth clients, community banks such as Valliance Bank are now making private banking available to busy professionals and small businesses that can benefit from access to a dedicated banker and individualized attention.

Products and services catered to private banking clients include online cash management, lines of credit, capital funding, business startup assistance and private bank consumer and corporate credit cards.

“Our primary focus is executives, business professionals and entrepreneurs,” says Stephanie Comer, Vice President

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and Manager of The Private Banking at Valliance. “You have a dedicated financial partner that customizes financing and personalized services specific to the needs of your expanding business.”

Relationship banking understands there is a real person, a face and a name at the end of every decision.

“Our private bankers intimately know their clients’ business,” she says. “We serve clients that are busy running a business who have to worry about a lot of other things. We are the ‘easy button’ of banking.”

While its downtown office is its primary hub for private banking in Oklahoma City, those services are available at all bank locations.

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FAM ILY LAW Ashley Rahill Ashley Rahill graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2011, and immediately went into the practice of family law. The Duncan, Oklahoma native received instruction under two prominent family law firms before founding the Rahill Law Firm, PLLC in 2018.

Rahill enjoys the opportunity to interact with her clients on a personal level, and her years of experience have given her invaluable insight into family law. These matters often involve emotional issues: divorce, custody, visitation rights, asset division, child support and other disputes.

“In these types of cases, clients are usually going through a difficult time,” Rahill says. “It’s a low point, something they never expected, so they need someone to walk them through the process and advocate for their positions.”

Rahill has a calm and compassionate way with clients, but she is also able to provide realistic assessments of legal options.

“I’m naturally sensitive to my clients’ feelings, and I work hard to provide a clear path through the chaos they are experiencing,” she says.

Obtaining results for clients in the courtroom takes a specific set of skills. Rahill has dedicated years of her professional practice to advocacy training, both locally and nationally.

While Rahill strives to help clients reach a positive resolution out of court, that is not always possible. In those instances, her focus turns to achieving her clients’ goals in the courtroom.

7100 N. Classen Blvd. #303 Oklahoma City OK (405) 286-9619 • rahilllawfirm.com

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K IT C H E N D E S IG N Melissa Fitzgerald, Kitchen Society Design Renovating or building a home is a huge investment. Fortunately, Oklahoma Citybased Kitchen Society Design and founder Melissa Fitzgerald thrive on making each project timeless and artfully curated. Their work combines award-winning design with the finest quality materials and products, which includes the in-house cabinetry line, Society Cabinetry.

Fitzgerald stresses the importance of hiring a design firm, not only to make sure that all details are accounted for and the project is being expertly managed, but also to educate the homeowners about all of the products available to them.

Recently moving from Denver, she was surprised to see so many people in Oklahoma still having cabinets built on-site. “Custom manufactured cabinetry is machine-cut to our design plans and finished in a controlled environment; this gives you a better fit and finish overall,” Fitzgerald says. “I think OKC homeowners will continue to adopt this concept in the future, due to all the upsides.

“My best advice for homeowners is to hire each trade for what they’re best at: Let architects draw up the overall plan, designers design each interior space and select all materials, and builders build according to plans and install materials selected,” she says.

(405) 589-1993 kitchensocietydesign.com

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WOME N ’ S FA SH I O N Amber Kern After a fashion career in Austin and Los Angeles, Amber Kern returned to her native Oklahoma and opened rosegold in 2016.

The California-casual boutique in Nichols Hills Plaza focuses on ethically made and sustainably sourced women’s apparel, shoes and accessories.

“We have some popular brands, but we feature a lot of smaller labels you won’t find everywhere around the city,” Kern says. “Finding responsibly made merchandise is definitely work – I spend hours researching and hunting – but it’s getting easier to find sustainable.”

Kern is helping to drive the ethically made industry in Oklahoma at a time that interest in sustainable and responsible fashion is increasing. “The best part about the new designers is the quality, price and style,” she says. “It’s no longer just expensive and granola.”

In addition to carrying these select brands, Kern recently launched designer consignment in the store to encourage the idea of sustainable luxury.

“I like the idea of giving a second life to that category of clothing people might buy for one-time use,” she says.

A rosegold spinoff is headed for Midtown in October, and Kern says the focus will be on her in-house line. The new shared-space boutique will be in the Make Ready Building on NW 13th near Robinson. Its focus will be on fuss-free contemporary clothing, and early indications from the Nichols Hills store is that Kern will be an industry leader in this category, too.

6423 Avondale Dr, Oklahoma City OK 405-775-0105 www.shoprosegold.com

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(L to R) Jonathan Jordan Raven Gonzaque Dr. Chris Shadid

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IV THE R A PY Jonathan Jordan & Dr. Chris Shadid Jonathan Jordan and Dr. Chris Shadid founded OK Cryo and Infusion IV Therapy as a means to offer better recovery options to athletes and serious fitness customers.

IV therapy and cryo therapy provide immediate results for a range of needs – from hangovers to accelerated healing from sports-related injuries. “We started the businesses to build on to what our customer base needed,” Jordan says. “Working out of Lighthouse (and now Oklahoma Athletic Center), we had the opportunity to provide solutions for high school athletes,

professionals, cross-fitters, weightlifters – everyone who took fitness seriously.”

IV therapy infuses a cocktail of vitamins, amino acids, zinc and other ingredients to speed recovery, and unlike supplements or pills orally ingested, the IV begins to work almost immediately. Dr. Shadid said the infusions can also help people with chronic conditions, like immune deficiency.

Cryo therapy sessions last three minutes, in which clients are subjected to temperatures between -150 and -250 degrees F. The goal is to reduce the skin temperature to 30 degrees F. “At that point, the system goes into fight/ flight mode, and blood surges into the inner core,” Shadid says.

“The patient gets a redirected flow of nutrient-blood. It helps with recovery from inflammation, increases metabolism, tightens skin and reduces cellulite.”

OK Cryo works with protocols based on national guidelines to ensure the safety of their clients. Booking is available online.

3333 W. Hefner Rd., OKC okcryo.com (405) 608-6828

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(L to R) Grace Boyle, Jacqui Ford, Casey Davis

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CRIMINAL DEFENSE Jacqui Ford Jacqui Ford Law Jacqui Ford became a defense attorney because she knows first-hand what it means to face the criminal justice system. Ford says, “Justice demands each client receive individualized attention. No two cases are

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the same. Your story is important, unique and worthy of being shared. We know justice for you is not a one-size-fits-all model.”

Jacqui Ford and Casey Davis defend clients in their most desperate times of need, helping clients be seen in the hearts and minds of both judges and juries by telling their stories. “Justice is truth in action,” Ford says.

Ford and Davis are members of the OKC Protestors Lawyers Coalition, to serve as legal representatives for peaceful protestors arrested in Oklahoma City while exercising their First Amendment rights to free assembly and free speech.

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“One of the things that sets us apart is we value human beings,” she says. “We love the environment we created because our clients feel at home. We build personal relationships with the people we work for.”

1621 N. Classen Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73106 (405) 604-3200 fordlawokc.com

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OPHTHALMOLOGY Diana E. Hampton, MD Dr. Diana Hampton has been selected for Faces of the 405 four previous times, but she said that the current climate makes this time much different. Her ophthalmology practice still treats the whole family, from contacts to cataracts, including surgical procedures, but COVID has created some new priorities.

“Routine eye exams are more important now than ever,” Dr. Hampton said. “With some eye diseases and conditions there are no signs or symptoms before it becomes vision threatening. With the shutdown and necessary restrictions, we risk missing crucial diagnoses.”

To ensure patient safety, Hampton’s team is conducting temperature checks, mandating mask wearing, practicing social distancing, and deep cleaning between all patient visits.

“We’ve done telehealth visits, and for one patient, we even did a curbside visit,” Hampton said. “We will continue to take care of our patients the best way we can.”

Dr. Hampton is currently practicing at SSM Health - St. Anthony Healthplex North on Western and Memorial, but she is able to see patients from all hospitals, and takes referrals from primary care physicians. She has been practicing in Oklahoma City for 22 years, and said that many patients have been with her since she started.

“It’s much more than a doctor-patient relationship now,” she said. “They are family.”

13401 N. Western, Suite 402 Oklahoma City, OK 405) 608-8820 dianahamptonmd.com

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ES TATE P L A N N I N G & PRO B AT E Emily Eleftherakis Emily Eleftherakis has taken her experience at one of the city’s most prestigious law firms and combined it with her client-focused approach to create what she calls a “one-stop shop for families and small businesses.”

“The focus is on estate planning and probate,” she says, “and that’s the majority of my work, but I can also help clients with legal issues related to small business start up, oil and gas – I used to run title, so I get it – and even civil rights.”

A native of Bartlesville, Eleftherakis attended Oklahoma State and then OCU Law. She and her husband have two boys, and he is a partner in a popular hospitality group in OKC, another factor in her broadbased, small business experience.

“I love sitting down with clients and making them feel comfortable,” she says. “I think the best approach is to have them tell me what they want, whether it’s a new business, a will or a probate issue. And then by listening to their needs, I can craft the best legal solution. I think of it as a comfortable, compassionate environment I’m creating.”

Estate planning is common in firms around the city, but Eleftherakis believes the best estate planning happens when you listen to the client and understand not just their needs, but their lives.

7100 N. Classen Blvd, Ste. 303 OKC eleflaw.com (405) 286-9619

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C US T O M F U R N I SH I NGS Janice Carty & Amie Cook A home’s interior is as unique as its owner. Providing the ability to bring custom design to a home’s décor is why Amie Cook and Janice Carty are this year’s Faces of Custom Furnishings.

Unlike big online companies or furniture warehouse chains, Cook’s and Carty’s retail shop, The Wood Garden, is family-owned and focused on custom furniture and design.

“Our main focus is to cater with service,” Cook says. “I think that’s what people know and have learned about us: We are service-oriented. We can do anything custom. We can do a room or a single piece of furniture.”

Cook said customizing furniture includes choices in size, fabric, design and more.

“We do custom pillows, artwork, lighting. If we don’t have it on the floor, we can search and help you find it. There’s not a limit to what you can design,” she says. “Our clients’ homes are their own sanctuaries. Every homeowner needs it to work for them. We focus on comfort and functional pieces that work with the client’s lifestyle, with a goal to make their home feel both personal and comfortable.”

Their appreciation for individuality extends to more than furnishings, too. Cook continues, “OKC’s small businesses are what make our city’s shopping experience unique and personal, and we would like to thank everyone for their support through these crazy times.”

7650 N. Western, OKC (405) 848-9663 405MAGAZINE.COM

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FAM ILY ADVO CACY Amber Godfrey Victoria Johnson Godfrey Law & Associates, PLLC “I know it sounds cliché, but we’re good at representing our clients’ best interests because we care about them,” says Amber Godfrey.

Godfrey has been practicing law for 11 years, and now with associate attorney Victoria Johnson, Godfrey and Associates is one of the leading family law firms in the state, specializing in divorce, adoptions, guardian ad litem and mediation. But they are trial attorneys, too.

“I tell young attorneys who ask about family law that if they don’t like being in court, they’re in the wrong field,” Godfrey says. “While we settle about 95 percent of our cases without a trial, we have the expertise and willingness to represent our clients in court throughout their entire case.”

While caring is a core value of the firm, so is managing client expectations. “We have to listen to what our clients want, recognizing that many of them are in a bad place in their lives, but we also have to be clear about what the realities are,” Johnson says. “That objectivity and clarity are beneficial to our clients.”

Clear communication, compassion and expert advocacy are the values around which Godfrey Law & Associates is built.

1901 N Classen Blvd ste-222-1 Oklahoma City, OK 73106 (405) 525-6671

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(L to R) Brenda Bolander, CFP®, Andrew Flinton, CFP®, Chad Rudy, CFP®, Randy Thurman, CFP® Carol Ringrose Alexander, CFP®

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R ETIR E M E N T IN VE S TM E N T ADV IS O RS “The gravity of managing approximately $800 million for families is never lost on us,” says Andrew Flinton, President of Retirement Investment Advisors, Inc. As a fee-only fiduciary, Retirement Investment Advisors offers complete transparency for its clients and a depth and breadth of expertise unrivaled in the industry. “We’ve been fee-only since day one,” Flinton says, “and that commitment

comes from answering a simple question: Would we do business with our firm if we were on the other side of the table?”

All advisors are CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals; two on the team are CPAs, and one was a state comptroller.

More than its members’ individual qualifications, though, the strength of Retirement Investment Advisors is the team approach to investment strategy.

“We utilize the same framework for our investments and strategy,” Flinton says. “We meet regularly and decide as a team, and that means you can expect professionalism, consistency and expertise from any member of our team.

“Our niche is families that are retired or nearing retirement,” he continues.

“Distributions in retirement always involve things we can’t predict or control, as 2020 has taught us. Given that, our goal as advisors is to maximize the possibilities that the family will live comfortably in their retirement. It’s a unique and specific skillset we bring to our clients.”

2925 United Founders Blvd., Oklahoma City OK (405) 842-3443 TheRetirementPath.com

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LI FES T Y L E P ET PHO T O G R A H Y Priscilla Forehand, Lap of Luxury: Lifestyle Pet Photography A long-term affinity for photography and a love of four-legged friends is a match made in heaven for Priscilla Forehand, owner of Lap of Luxury: Lifestyle Pet Photography.

Forehand combines that passion with her photographic skills to create lifestyle portraits of pets. Her clients include individuals, festivals, foundations, magazines, conferences, conventions, non-profit organizations and numerous pet product companies; all while donating her photography services to animal shelters and rescue groups, as well as a philanthropic partnership with the Kirkpatrick Foundation to help cats and dogs get adopted. For going on two decades, she has continued perfecting her skills on her own growing family of felines.

While based in the 405, Forehand loves traveling across the entire state of Oklahoma to capture images of pets living in their own “lap of luxury,” either at home or on location.

The way she sees it, everyone should have at least one high-quality photo of their pet. “I understand that pets are an important part of people’s lives, and I want to preserve that special relationship by capturing meaningful, expressive, animated and thoughtful photographs of their furry, four-legged loved ones that they will have to cherish now, and long after that pet has passed.”

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(L to R) Wyatt Worden, Andrea Worden, Darlene Carbitcher

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NO R MA N L AW Worden Law Firm With the rise in popularity of shows like “Making a Murderer”, the public has become more interested than ever in the criminal justice system. “Defending those accused of crimes hasn’t always been so sexy,” says criminal defense attorney, Andrea Worden, “but it’s always been my passion to wear the white hat and fight for what’s right and just.” Ms. Worden’s commitment to “wearing the white hat” often means taking on complex and challenging cases, which according to her are often the most rewarding.

Norman-based Worden Law Firm has six attorneys including Andrea’s husband, Wyatt, who represents small businesses and nonprofit organizations, Darlene Carbitcher, who handles most of the firm’s DUI, drug, and juvenile matters as well as expungements,

and the newest addition to the team, Emmalee Barresi, who will handle some of the firm’s civil and family law matters, such as adoptions and guardianships.

Recently, the firm began taking on clients seeking post-conviction relief and sentence modifications, as well as those injured by law enforcement officers and jail/prison guards. “We understand the odds are stacked against us in these types of cases and that not everyone believes our clients deserve justice, but we’re not doing it for anyone’s approval or because it’s easy,” says Ms. Worden, “We do it because it’s the right thing to do.”

109 E Tonhawa St, #100 , Norman, OK 73069 (405) 360-8036 • wordenfirm.com 405MAGAZINE.COM

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(L to R) Keaton Swadley, Brent Swadley, Koltan Swadley

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BAR B E QUE Brent Swadley Brent Swadley came to Oklahoma to become a youth minister. Instead, thanks to some detours along the way, he established Swadley’s World Famous Bar-B-Q in 1998. And while the focus may be slightly different, Swadley said his restaurants are still part of a higher calling.

“Swadley’s is a Christian-based company, and we wear that on our sleeves,” he says. “We’re a ministry first, and we want to serve our employees and their families so that they can put God first, their families second and work third.

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think their happiness is reflected in the quality of our food and the way we take care of our customers.”

That food is what has made Swadley’s Bar-B-Q famous. Swadley said the difference is the restaurant’s slow-cooked meats and a commitment to making everything else from scratch, every day.

“We time our ribs and brisket to be served fresh from the smoker, so that they’re tender, juicy and flavorful,” he says. “Our menu also features sausage, burgers, chicken, chicken fried steak, catfish, a salad bar and 13 different sides.

And it’s all made fresh, every day.”

Swadley’s Bar-B-Q is still growing – the company now has six locations in the 405, and recently teamed up with the State Tourism and Recreation Department to open Swadley’s Foggy Bottom Kitchens, providing extra deliciousness to some of Oklahoma’s

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most beautiful locations near Beaver’s Bend, Robbers Cave, Sequoyah, Lake Murray and Roman Nose.

Despite that success, Swadley said he’s more interested in contributing to the lives of his employees, his customers and the communities they serve.

“I’m grateful that we can be a positive part of our customers’ and our employees’ lives,” he says. “Our food is what brings people in, but I’m also proud that our restaurants serve as a place for faith and family to come together.”

swadleys.com (405) 603-6915

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ENTERTAINMENT Chris Semrau & Michael Owens Before COVID-19 put a temporary pause on live shows, the Chesapeake Energy Arena was on track to decimate previous records for number of shows and tickets sold. In fact, April was to be one of its biggest months ever, and topping last year’s 117-percent increase in tickets sold (over 2018) was a real possibility.

When live shows return, Chesapeake Arena will be ready, thanks to the leadership

of General Manager Chris Semrau and Assistant General Manager Michael Owens.

“Our task now is to communicate clearly and effectively that we are taking steps to ensure customer safety,” Semrau says. “We’ll be limiting the high-touch components of the events, without taking away from the customer journey.”

Owens said that consumer confidence, always important to Chesapeake Arena’s success, will be an even larger factor going forward. “The concerts at the arena are a quality of life enhancement for the people of Oklahoma,” he says. “We recognize the importance of our place in the musical ecosystem of Oklahoma City, and we’ll continue to aggressively book the very best shows available.”

In 2019, Chesapeake Arena hosted 11 of the top 50 tours in the country (compared to just two in 2018), and that number would have increased in 2020, with shows such as Cher, Elton John and Pearl Jam. The team at the arena focuses on the fan experience, and the experience of the talent and their road crews – another important component in their ongoing success and the improvement of Oklahoma City’s reputation nationwide as a serious music destination.

100 W. Reno Ave, OKC chesapeakearena.com (405) 602-8700

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T H E FA C E O F

AE S TH ET I C S Cara Edwards, Edwards Aesthetics Celebrating her fifth year in business, esthetician Cara Edwards caters to both men and women who desire smoother skin – through a unique body-waxing technique that reduces pain and skin irritation by as much as 50 percent.

“I’m known statewide for the technique I use,” she says. “Most waxing is done by applying a soft wax and placing a strip top. The type of wax I use is a hard wax. It only adheres to the hair, not to skin. It doesn’t damage the skin when used appropriately, and cuts down the pain by half.”

Edwards specializes in Brazilian and bikini waxes. “I provide all-over body waxing, but I specialize in intimate areas,” Edwards says. “When I give clients a service that makes them feel confident … that is probably one of the most rewarding situations for me, because I can give confidence back to a man or woman that they haven’t had for a long time.”

425 W WILSHIRE BLVD SUITE C, OKC 73116 (405)509-1817 thevagician.com 88

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION COMING OCTOBER 2020

This female-centric issue celebrates women from across the OKC metro. Shae your own story and tell readers what’s next for your business or organization.

For more information about this issue and to discuss a comprehensive advertising plan that includes our other platforms, email info@405magazine.com or call 405.842.2266.

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Out & About

Prime Picks

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Road Trip

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Giddy Up Guests at Wildcatter Ranch near Dallas are taken on an

PHOTO COURTESY OF WILDCATTER RANCH.

authentic cowboy odyssey.

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O U T

& A B O U T

P R I M E

P I C K S

Virtual Vacation Highlights ACTIVITIES AND EXPLORATION FOR THOSE SHELTERING IN PLACE

BY B R A N D O N K IN G

A

S T H E L O N G S U M M E R N I G H T S S L O W LY G R O W shorter, signaling the arrival of fall, many may be wondering, “Where the heck did my summer vacation go?” Whether it was the pandemic or job insecurity, for many of us in the 405, it’s been the “Bummer Summer of 2020.”

Not to despair: There are still a few weeks to get in some badly needed relaxation and entertainment. Here are some ideas for virtual activities that are safe, enriching and fun.

VIVE LE MACARON! Macarons have been produced in the Venetian monasteries since the 8th century A.D. During the Renaissance, French queen Catherine de’ Medici’s Italian pastry chefs brought them to France with her when she married the French King Henry II. Now you can make them in your own home.

Cheryl Davenport, master chef and owner of OKC’s Belle Kitchen Macarons from Cheryl & Café, offers online lessons Davenport’s Belle Kitchen & Cafe. through Airbnb’s lineup of virtual experiences.

“I’ve gotten used to Zoom calls during all of this, so I’m ready to teach people how to make something that, hopefully, they can teach others and pass on once everything is normal again,” says Davenport, who has been featured on the Cooking Channel, Travel Channel, Buzzfeed and Crispy. “What’s interesting about what’s happening now is that people have a chance to learn something they wouldn’t otherwise have done or passed on. It gives them a chance to be curious.”

Davenport’s classes, “Macaron making with a Master Chef,” are limited to 10 people and are two hours in duration. Cost is $80. Visit airbnb.com/experiences/1342654 for class times and registration.

BIRD’S-EYE VIEW Google Earth Voyager also offers a large selection of free virtual vacations including “Searching for Sea Dragons in Sydney,” “Finding Frida Kahlo” and a guided tour with 360-degree views of 31 national parks in the United States.

Search Google Earth Voyager online for more information.

Self-portrait by artist Frida Kahlo.

T H E S T O RY T E L L E R Other Airbnb virtual experiences offer a number of customizable options, including a time of day, price and language preference.

Take, for example, children’s author and publisher Jesse Byrd’s “Story Time with a Children’s Book Author.”

“It’s powerfully engaging. You’re getting a chance to share an experience with someone that could be anywhere, like Taiwan or somewhere in the United States,” Byrd says.

His story times include reading books from his publishing company, including The Real Jungle Tales, and behindthe-scenes looks at book illustrations with unique social interactivity. “Being able to connect during such a difficult time, we can use stories as a way for us to find common ground and connect knowing we aren’t so different.”

His online experience can be found at Airbnb at airbnb. com/experiences/1693868. Group sizes are 10 people or less and are one hour in duration. Cost is $7.

Other nationally known organizations such as National Geographic have teamed with travel firm Lindblad Expeditions, to offer Virtual Expeditions with daily discovery programs that families might have on one of their trips they offer. The free, online experiences provide a full day of activities including wake up, wildlife observation, special performances, photo tips from NatGeo photographers, recap and more.

Author Jesse Byrd presents a virtual story time.

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PHOTOS PROVIDED

DANCE FEVER Looking for something closer to home?

Try attending the first online-exclusive Oklahoma International Dance Festival continuing through Aug. 9. Online participants are taught by dance professionals from across the globe in a variety of styles including ballet, modern and improvisational.

Visit okdancefest.org for more information.

R O A D

T R I P

REMEMBERING THE MARLOWS Much of the Marlow brothers’ misfortunes took place in and around Graham, but the town has never capitalized on the story. Those interested in more information will find little there to satisfy their curiosity. The courthouse where the brothers were brought after arrest was razed in the 1930s; all that remains is a stone arch. The jail cell where they were held still exists, but is in a shuttered building. A gun said to belong to one of the brothers is on display in the Old Post Offi ce museum. According to local lore, some of the brothers hid

The hot tub and infinity pool overlook a scenic view of the Brazos River valley.

out in a cave on Wildcatter land and two are buried east of town. You’ll learn much more in Marlow, Oklahoma, named for the family and its homestead along the Chisholm Trail. The

The Graham Getaway

city of Marlow’s Red Bud Park is constructed on the original site of the Marlow property, and provides a detailed history of the family.

SADDLE UP TO VISIT WILDCATTER RANCH T E X T A ND P H OT O G R A P H Y BY EL A INE WA R NER

W

H E T H E R Y O U WA N T T O C O W B O Y up or just kick back, Wildcatter Ranch in Graham, Texas, is the perfect spot to do either – or both.

Town founder Col. E.S. Graham bought the land on which the ranch is situated in 1870. Today, his great-grandchildren, Anne and Glenn Street, own the 1,500-acre property, home to a great getaway with fascinating history. Rugged hills and the scenic Brazos River make a beautiful backdrop for activities ranging from riding and roping to shooting or soaking in the hot tub – guests can opt for action or relaxation. Additional offerings Longhorns make a 9 a.m. appearance to include tomahawk throwing, greet guests and grab some breakfast grub. archery, target or clay shooting and fi shing. If you go down when the longhorns are being fed, you might even get a juicy kiss from one of the friendly bovines.

The steakhouse on the ranch offers a hearty breakfast buffet, with everything made from scratch from the salsa to the biscuits. Lunch is casual, boxed and easy to take for an al fresco repast by the pool or a snack on a hike along the ranch’s 7.5 miles of trails. Dinner is manna for meat-eaters: The steakhouse

Accommodations include comfortable cabin suites, a small hotel and two guest houses.

specializes in hand-cut, mesquite-grilled steaks. Prepare for Texas-sized portions.

Accommodations range from the elegant Estate – perfect for weddings or family groups – to hotel rooms, private cabins or cabin suites, where I stayed. Each one is unique, decorated with artifacts, antique pictures and a connection to the area. One of the suites is dedicated to the story of the Marlow brothers, the basis for classic Western fi lm The Sons of Katie Elder. Their tale is convoluted and sad – and the decision of whether they were low-down horse thieves or innocent entrepreneurs caught up in a net of greed and mob mentality is still debated.

Although the frontier history of the Graham area is dramatic, today it’s a charming, quiet, litt le town and thoroughly worth a visit. But the best reason to go is Wildcatter Ranch.

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L O O K I N G

B A C K

Memory’s Ups and Downs A LOOK BACK AT THE THRILLS OF SPRINGLAKE AMUSEMENT PARK

N

Top: New addition to Springlake is Amuseme nt Park's midway th is year the Skydi ver Ride.

Boltom: One of the Park's old reliables is the popular Big Dipper wh ich is ion. des igned for comfort as well as sen sat ded The seats and backs and sides are pad with foam rub ber.

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OW T H AT T H E Y ’R E adults, they’re not ashamed to own the truth about their fi rst roller-coaster rides.

“It scared me to death,” says Larry O’Dell, director of special projects for the Oklahoma Historical Society.

“It was prett y scary,” says retired businessman Jim Barnett , who was 11 the fi rst time he climbed aboard the “Big Dipper” at the Springlake Amusement Park. The 80-foot wooden structure was a mainstay of the park, which for 57 years dominated the landscape that is now the Springlake campus of the Metro Technology Centers.

Oklahoma History Center Director Dan Provo said he didn’t grow up in Oklahoma City and never rode the Big Dipper, but he knows about kids and roller coasters.

“It was a rite of passage to ride it with your hands sticking up in the air and not have to grab onto anything,” he says.

In May, Metro Tech donated to the History Center a car from the Big Dipper that had been on exhibit at the school’s Business Conference Center, located at Springlake Drive and Martin Luther King Boulevard.

“Metro Tech is celebrating our 40th year of delivering training to our community,” says Cindy Friedemann, chief officer for economic development. “As we looked at our past and looked toward our future, we realized the roller coaster represented the past and we are more focused on the future.”

Friedemann said Metro Tech wanted the car and the photos included with the donation to be seen by a larger audience.

“Ultimately, we will place the car in our commerce exhibit and tell the stories of amusement parks and their economic and social impact,” Provo says.

Roy Staton, whose spring-fed pond had been open to swimmers, started expanding in 1924. He built a pool and ballroom and acquired rides from the defunct Belle Isle Park, O’Dell said. According to Provo, the park “represented a whole new type of social gathering for people, a newly developing form of entertainment and amusement.”

O’Dell said his parents enjoyed the music shows, which included such headliners as Johnny Cash, Roy Acuff and Conway Twitt y.

“In the 1940s, that was the place to go,” Barnett adds. “They had a lot of rides. They had a fun house. And you could slide down a slide on a burlap bag.”

Bruce Fisher, retired administrative program officer for the Oklahoma Historical Society, said his family moved to a house on Springlake Drive in 1962. They were the second African-American family in the neighborhood.

Fisher was excited about moving near the park. Then he found out it was off-limits.

The park only became integrated and open to African-Americans after the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Once he was allowed admission, he says, “I was a popular kid, because my friends could spend the night and go to the park.” Fisher said some kids would stay all day, trying to master the games that awarded prizes.

“We want to tell a fair and balanced account of what the park meant and represented to different people,” Provo said.

“It doesn’t represent a uniformly positive memory for people.”

By the 1970s and ’80s, “Springlake had declined in its appeal,” O’Dell says.

“Frontier City had the better location. It was newer and had more resources.”

The park closed and the property was sold to Metro Tech in 1981.

PH OTO S PRO V ID ED

B Y K I M B E R LY B U R K

Collection of Jordan D. Schnitzer.

From Warhol to Koons: Masterworks from the Collection of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation

© Estate of Roy Lichtenstein

Organized by the Taubman Museum of Art

Support for the exhibition and related

Roy Lichtenstein (American, 1923–1997).

educational and outreach programs has

Sweet Dreams, Baby!, 1965, published

been made possible by a grant from the

1966, from 11 Pop Artists. Screenprint.

Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation.

37 7/8 x 27 5/8 in. (96.2 x 70.2 cm).

Kids 17 and Under Get in for FREE!

L A S T

L AU G H

Wanna-Bees THE VESPINE VENGEANCE OF “MURDER LAUREN” B Y L A U R E N R O T H | I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y K AT H Y L E E

S

OM E W H ER E BET W E E N T H E COV I Dis-a-hoax theorists (it’s not), Black Lives Matter protesters (they do) and end-of-days alarmists on social media, I found myself on Conan O’Brien’s Twitter feed, in which the comedian/host questioned whether murder hornets could carry the coronavirus.

Th is was a post I couldn’t ignore, appearing just days after Mr. Roth and I moved into our new house – a house with a colony of wasps (murder hornets in training) in the walk-in att ic.

On our fi rst day there, while carrying some boxes to the att ic, I noticed buzzing that warned me, “You’re in our house now.”

Here’s where some people would shake their heads in exasperation and sigh, for the 100th time, “If you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you,” or, “He’s more afraid of you than you are of him.”

No. I’ll take that Costco 3-pack of Raid all the same. The very sound of a flying insect near my ear gives me the heebiejeebies and automatically incites a panic dance, complete with violent flailing of my arms and legs.

One of the winged terrorists – probably the hive bully – abandoned the rest of the swarm and made a stealthy dash into the house, unnoticed by me or Mr. Roth. As we stood in one of the bedrooms, exhausted but happy about the progress of moving day, the wasp-turned-murder-hornet flew directly to my cheek and stung me not once, but twice – as if to announce who was in charge.

It was over as quickly as it began: I’d been the innocent target of a fly-by stinging. In the middle of my panic dance, I spotted the wasp that had just stabbed 10,000 volts of electricity into my face. (I’ll just pause here to observe that, if the same wasp had flown in to stab me with 50 units of Botox, I would have offered him my entire face without protest before scheduling my next appointment.)

Cocky and defiant, he continued to swoop in and out of my personal space, undeterred by my flailing. As I pulled his stinger out of my cheek, I managed to sting my thumb with it and shove it under my nail like a splinter.

Mr. Roth usually springs into action without prompting, preferring to ask questions later. For reasons still unknown, he was content just to shoo the wasp a few feet away from me, adding insult to injury. During Mr. Roth’s transition from being “The Beau” to “Mr. Lauren,” there was no prenup, no contract to sign – only a marriage license, which, in my view, is a binding legal document that absolves me from having to trap, 96

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kill or dispose of any bug, rodent or varmint … so long as we both shall live.

“Why aren’t you killing him?” I squawked. “KILL HIM!” Mr. Roth was uncharacteristically frozen, paralyzed with the same indecision I get when I try to pick the right clementines or apples at the grocery store. Without another word, I raised my foot well above my head and went in for the kill as my att acker lurked on the wall.

Day one in the new home, a joyous occasion by any measure, had been marred by unprovoked violence and death. What kind of omen is that, I wondered.

And to that old piece of wisdom: “If you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you,” I say, “Pppshaaaaaw.” And I have the welts and emotional trauma to substantiate my position.

We’ve been in the house for two months now, with colony upon colony of wasps in and around the premises. I’m going to need a bigger delivery of Raid if I’m going to avenge my injuries. There may be hundreds of them and just one of me, but mark my words – victory will be mine. Murder hornets stand no chance against “Murder Lauren.”

T H E O N E . T H E O N LY.

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