NOTES ON THE CORRIDOR

NOTES ALONG THE Corridor

by RICK REILEY

KEEPING OUR DISTANCE with MR. GREEN (and others)

Things are sure different today, aren’t they? What a difference a day, week or month makes! In a season when I like to visit and write about upcoming events, festivals, concerts and assorted musical outings, this virus business has left its mark. There’s little that has been left untouched in the way we live our lives, earn our livings and enjoy our days and nights. The live music business, like many businesses, has come to a screeching halt for the time being.

Live performance has taken a sudden, jarring shift now since clubs, restaurants, bars and even churches have been closed altogether or moved online into the virtual world.

It’s also affected school systems. In a big way.

Mr. Tom Green is an educator. A music teacher in the Cushing school system.

I’ve seen him in action. He’s energizing, fun, and the kids love the music he brings to life and passes along to them.

I wanted to know more about him, how he came to be a music teacher and how he’s dealing with classes moving to a strictly, for now, online format. So I asked.

It seems that Tom Green was born in Watertown, South Dakota in 1972. He’s the 2nd oldest of four – two boys, two girls. His father passed away some time ago. His mother still lives in South Dakota.

He said his family was very influential in instilling a love of music. Both mother and father graduated from the University of South Dakota with music degrees. And he followed in their footsteps.

SInging in church and choirs were a big part of their family life. They all play instruments.

RR: Was your family influential in the area of music?

TG: Yes, very much. My parents both graduated with a music degree from the University of South Dakota as did I. We all love to sing in school and church choirs. We all can play certain instruments.

He said, “I realized at a very young age that music was going to be a valuable part of my life because I was selected to be the main singer in a church Christmas program. A few solos at age eight makes you grow quickly in that area!

“I have been in Band since 5th grade where I played the trumpet and started singing in contests and in choir since Kindergarten. I was always influenced and encouraged to do my best by my parents and siblings. I auditioned in high school and was selected to four years of All-State Chorus. I knew there was a calling into music at that time. My parents were teachers and I was determined, once again, to do my best. At the University of South Dakota, my focus and goal was always to be a music teacher.”

When you see him in action it appears quite obvious that this is his natural calling, his comfort zone.

He plays all instruments (or most of them anyway). He holds a degree in Music Education both in vocal and instrumental (K-12).

He’s been in the Cushing school system since 2018. I asked if it seemed that kids are eager to learn music.

“Yes, I believechildren can find somuch availablefor them to learn in music. It is the universal language. Music is in every part of life. Music brings people together and allows us to experience the same emotions. People everywhere are the same in heart and spirit. No matter what language we speak, what color we are, the lean of our politics or the expression of our love and our faith, music proves that we are the same.”

RR: How has the current COVID-19 situation changed thewayyou offermusicinstruction?

TG: “I have adapted and learned some new ways and teaching styles via the computer. It has expanded my thought process as well as my horizon.”

RR: Can outsidersviewsomeofthisworkonline?

TG: “Yes, I have created a YouTube channel that is open tothepublicand theworld. You can find thatchannel by entering the following web address- shorturl.at/ blosV.”

(Check it out!)

RR: Any advice to parents of grade school kids who arenow(hopefully!)learning athome?

TG: “Continue to let your child learn and grow with music. It is proven that it helps their reading, math and science.”

RR: Is there anything you’d like folks to know that I haven’tasked?

TG: “Music is a part of my life and I thank my parents for instilling that into me at such a young age.”

Our 4 year old is now being homeschooled like all of his classmates. We check in with his teacher and classmates through a virtual portal once or twice a week and wave hello.

Mr. Green is a part of this weekly exercise and music has been a lifesaver for us. I hope the kids in your life are able to take advantage of such things as well!

As for live music online, I’ve heard from a few singer/ songwriters/artists lately who are doing their live broadcasts solely via social media. I wanted to pass along just a sampling of those I’m familiar with just in case you’ve got some time on your hands to explore.

All of these artists can be found on Facebook:

Enid’s, Stacey Sanders, one of my favorite Oklahoma singer/songwriters/guitar players, plays live from his living room each Sunday at noon.

On Tuesdays at 8 pm, Oklahoma CIty’s Andy Adams does a live streaming he calls ‘Tuesday Tunes’.

The Round Barn in Arcadia hosts a Saturday morning livemusicsession at10:30a.m. Adifferentartistis featured each Saturday.

Carter Sampson, self proclaimed Queen of Oklahoma and organizer of Oklahoma’s Rock and Roll camp for Girls, streams live, Monday through Friday at 10:30 a.m. from her living room.

Brandon Clark from the Tulsa area (BC and the Big Rig) does a live stream from the page of theMercury Lounge Tulsa Livestream, Sundays at 4:00 p.m.

The Imaginaries (Shane Henry and Maggie Mc

Clure) of Oklahoma City broadcast twice weekly in a series called ‘Quarantunes’ Wed and Sat at 7:00 p.m. Ihopethisfindsyou and yourscoping well, learning, finding patienceand forbearanceand enjoying one another in this new chapter of our history together.

And if the occasion moves you, raise your voice in song. It’s good for the soul!

2020 CALENDAR OF EVENTS CUSHING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

FESTIVALS/PUBLIC EVENTS: JUNE 13 @ 11am-3pm - 25th ANNUAL BBQ ‘n BLUES FESTIVAL

305 E. Grandstaff Road

SEPTEMBER 26 - Festival in the Park

Starts NOVEMBER 25 - Christmas Shop Local Initiative

DECEMBER 12 - Christmas Parade

LEGISLATIVE LUNCHEONS - Last Friday of every month the State Capital is in session @ Steer Inn Restaurant / 11:30 a.m. / RSVP Required

BUSINESS AFTER SCHOOL RECEPTIONS - Last Monday of every month except May & December while Cushing Public Schools are in session

ALL EVENTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP PROGRAMS / EVENTS

(For some of these events, Contact Cushing Chamber Office for dates & times; Sponsorship Opportunities)

CHAMBER COFFEE TALKS - Once a Quarter 7:30am - 9am @ Chamber Office or sponsoring business locations BUSINESS AFTER HOURS - Quarterly WOMEN IN BUSINESS LUNCHEONS - Quarterly (All above require RSVPs - Please call the Chamber office) CEO/RETAIL/OTHER ROUNDTABLES - Quarterly AMBASSADOR, LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS, AGRICULTURAL, AND OTHER COMMITTEES MEET ONCE EACH MONTH.

ALL EVENTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Cushing Chamber of Commerce

...AND MUCH, MUCH MORE... Business Ed Programs, Networking Events and Leadership opportunities offered throughout the year for our Chamber Members. Check out our Program & Sponsor Booklet for more Chamber opportunities for your business on our website... www.CushingChamberofCommerce.org CONTACT US: 1301 E. Main St. / Cushing 918-225-2400

BEST KEPT SECRETS for Selling Your Home 10

Exerpts from n HDTV article compiled by TOMMYE WALTMAN

Selling Secret #1: The first impression is the only impression

No matter how good the interior of your home looks, buyers have already judged your home before they walk through the door. You never have a second chance to make a first impression plus you can typically get a 100-percent return on the money you put into your home’s curb appeal.

Selling Secret #2: Always be ready to show

Your house needs to be “show-ready” at all times

Selling Secret #3: The kitchen comes first

You’re not actually selling your house, you’re selling your kitchen – that’s how important it is. The fastest, most inexpensive kitchen updates include painting and new cabinet hardware. Use a neutralcolor paint so you can present buyers with a blank canvas where they can start envisioning their own style.

Selling Secret #4: Take the home out of your house

One of the most important things to do when selling your house is to de-personalize it. The more personal stuff in your house, the less potential buyers can imagine themselves living there.

Selling Secret #5: Don’t over-upgrade

Quick fixes before selling always pay off: Get a new fresh coat of paint on the walls. Clean the curtains or go buy some inexpensive new ones. Replace door handles, cabinet hardware, make sure closet doors are on track, fix leaky faucets and clean the grout. want to walk in your home and see a bowl full of dog food, smell the kitty litter box or have pet hair stuck to their clothes. It will give buyers the impression that your house is not clean.

Selling Secret #7: Play the agent field

Make sure you have a broker who is totally informed. They must constantly monitor the multiple listing service (MLS), know what properties are going on the market and know the comps in your neighborhood and ask about his or her sales records.

Selling Secret #8: Light it up

Maximize the light in your home. After location, good light is the one thing that every buyer cites that they want in a home. Take down the drapes, clean the windows, change the lampshades, increase the wattage of your light bulbs and cut the bushes outside to let in sunshine.

Selling Secret #9: Half-empty closets

Storage is something every buyer is looking for. Take half the stuff out of your closets then neatly organize what’s left in there. Buyers will snoop, so be sure to keep all your closets and cabinets clean and tidy.

Selling Secret #10: Pricing it right

Find out what your home is worth, then shave 15 to 20 percent off the price. You may get multiple bids — even in the worst markets — and they’ll bid up the price over what it’s worth. It takes real courage and most sellers just don’t want to risk it, but it could really pay off.