TulsaPeople July 2016

STILL AT IT // 4 TULSANS SEEM AGELESS AT WORK July 2016

36 Degrees North Executive Director Dustin Curzon

RESTORING

“The Outsiders” house

THE BUSINESS OF BERRIES 3 Phillips 66 stations have a new life Where are they now?

STARTUP CITY 8 TULSA HUBS FOR ENTREPRENEURS

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DEPARTMENTS JULY 2016 ✻ VOLUME 30 ISSUE 9

CityBeat 9

Giving garden Britey Farms’ bounty

10

Notebook Topics of interest to Tulsans

12

Conversations The Rev. Bob Lawrence, Tulsa Interfaith Alliance

14

Storefront Three generations of business

16

Applause BTW grad stands out

18

Cause and effect Ready to wear

20

Local talent Whimsical Wendeline Matson

22

Locker room Cheer-worthy champion

24

Where are they now? Former Mayor Susan Savage

26

Musings Mastering kintsugi — almost

The Dish 68

Table talk Tulsa’s tastiest restaurants, products and events

70

Cheers! Fly away with me.

95

Berry delicious Tools of the trade

96

Wright on Forays into business

98

Weekend getaways Going to Guthrie

100

Health Healthy, wealthy and wise

104

In the garden Blue with envy

50

107

Home Total transformations

Local resources help entrepreneurs take good ideas to the next level.

147

Native culture preserved 64th annual Tulsa Powwow

148

Calendar This month’s standout events

149

Out & about See and be seen.

150

Benefits Fundraisers and fun happenings

152

A park grows in Tulsa Riverview Lawn

156

Behind the scene Resurrecting a piece of film history

158

Tulsa sound A marvelous musicale

159

Screen/Print Q&A with Rebecca Howard

160

Flashback Celebrating TulsaPeople’s 30th anniversary

29

Faces of the 918 The stories and faces behind a wide variety of locally owned businesses.

The Good Life

Agenda

Startup city

BY SCOTT WIGTON

55

Still at it Four Tulsans don’t let age dictate their professions.

BY TIM LANDES

60

Berry sweet

Special Section

Strawberries, blueberries and blackberries, oh, my. Where to pick, recipes and more.

BY NATALIE MIKLES

TulsaPeople.com

3

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We’ll feature our faves!

What’s Online JULY 2016 ✻ VOLUME 30 ISSUE9

Visit TulsaPeople.com all month long for exclusive content you won’t want to miss, including photo galleries, videos and much more.

#mytulsapeople Follow us on Twitter

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Find us on Facebook

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There’s more on @deborahgist thanks to @ttcu for being such a wonderful partner to @TulsaSchools! #SuccessTPS

@livingroomtulsa Hearing music in this way is so uniquely captivating.

Thanks to the lovely musicians @ballroomthieves that shared their music with us tonight #tulsamusic #tulsaartscene #mytulsapeople

Find a comprehensive CALENDAR OF THINGS TO DO around Tulsa.

Visit the 2016 A-LIST, TulsaPeople’s exclusive resource for dining, shopping and everything Tulsa.

Subscribe to THE INSIDER for our editors’ weekly picks in the arts, festivals, live music and more.

VIDEO

@willowsfamilyales Pick one up Tear out this page Pin it up on your wall Repeat until wall is covered #willowsfamilyales #tulsapeople @TMILFORDHOYT Great article in @TulsaPeople on @Philbrook Chief Curator Catherine Whitney issuu.com/tulsapeople #museums #art #Tulsa 4

TulsaPeople JULY 2016

THE OUTSIDER (p. 156) New York native Danny O’Connor is fighting to preserve “The Outsiders” house.

From the editor

B

by ANNE BROCKMAN

Burying a loved one is one of life’s roller coasters. You replay their life, both the good and bad moments, as you make arrangements for what will be your final goodbye. When my family had to bury my father, we turned to my mom’s friend, Mary Helen Stanley.

I had never met Stanley, but my mom talked a lot about her as Stanley, age 95, drove my mom to their group’s lunches or meetings. (I can’t tell you my mom’s age or she would disown me. Let’s just say it’s several years younger than Stanley.)

I bring up my father’s death because it was Stanley, a funeral director, who led us through the challenging time. She spoke frankly, but with kindness, which I appreciated. She’s the state’s oldest licensed funeral director and doesn’t see retirement in sight. I’m glad she’s “still at it,” helping others and teaching peers who hopefully follow her lead.

Stanley is one of four Tulsans we profiled who are still working far into their golden years. Find out who else is included on p. 55.

As this is the business issue, we also look at Tulsa’s bustling entrepreneurial scene. In recent years, numerous outfits have created a haven for startups. We wanted to know more about these resources; see what we found out on p. 50.

Summer is here and so is berry season. On p. 60, Natalie Mikles’ profiles on berry farmers, where to pick berries and how to use your harvest are sure to delight your taste buds this season.

Want to grow your own berries? On p. 104, Russell Studebaker explains how to make blueberries flourish in our own backyards.

As I write this, summer is just beginning, but I can see the fruits of my spring labors as tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables begin to burst forth from my backyard. With any luck, my Fourth of July table will be splashed in colors of red, white and blue from my own garden. tþ

Anne Brockman Managing Editor

TulsaPeople.com

5

Volume XXX, Number 9 ©2016. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

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TulsaPeople JULY 2016

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citybeat

NEWS ✻ PEOPLE ✻ OPINIONS

Volunteers Jerry Greenhaw, a retiree who lives near Britey Farms, and Jerry Pritchett, a semi-retired lawn and landscape professional, keep the garden running smoothly.

Giving garden

Evan Taylor

V

egetables and fruit planted in Britey Farms’ urban garden yield a greater impact than your average zucchini or tomato. The proceeds from its harvest raise money for four local charities and an orphanage in Kenya.

“It was just a piece of ground sitting there doing nothing,” says Keith Butler, who bought the property at East 33rd Street and South Jamestown Avenue in 2008. He operates his accounting firm from the office next door.

Volunteers run Britey Farms — the moniker is a combination of Butler’s daughters’

names — and pick produce each morning.

Visitors can pick up the produce at Butler’s office and leave their donation there or in the mail slot.

Since the garden’s inception four years ago, Butler estimates it has raised $25,000 for charities, thanks in part to generous match donations from individuals, including his clients.

So, why does a CPA invest in a community garden?

“If we all did something to help others, this world would be a better place,” Butler says. tþ

Visit www.facebook.com/briteyfarms to see what produce is ready for picking.

TulsaPeople.com

9

CITYBEAT

NEWS ✻ PEOPLE ✻ OPINIONS

Notebook

LYON’S CLOSES IN 100TH YEAR

Topics of interest to Tulsans

by MORGAN PHILLIPS

BAMA ELIMINATES PERSONAL BARRIERS TO PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS

The Bama Cos. recently opened the Bama Caring Center, a comprehensive service designed to relieve and resolve employees’ personal issues, thereby improving retention and engagement.

“We lose the most team members between 90-120 days of employment,” says Paula Marshall, CEO and chief inclusion officer of the Bama Cos. “Many of our general production workers leave within that four-month window due to personal issues overwhelming their ability to work. These exits are often unintentional but due to scheduling, health, legal, transportation or family needs.”

The center model is based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which says that physiological needs, safety and security must be met to achieve higher levels of success.

With the help of the Caring Center coordinator, the center essentially triages the needs of Bama team members, both new and seasoned, to provide or refer individuals to services that will reduce or eliminate personal barriers to professional success.

Bama employees can visit the Caring Center at will, or supervisors can recommend they utilize the center’s services. For each client, the Bama Caring team clarifies the problem, identifies choices and develops an individualized action plan. The services provided through the Caring Center are free to employees and their families, although referrals might have a cost associated.

The anticipated result is increased team member engagement, productivity and retention, say company officials, who have calculated the company’s turnover cost at $5,500 per team member.

VOICES OF O K L A H O M A www.voicesofoklahoma.com “Voices of Oklahoma” is an oral history project supported by the Oklahoma Center for the Humanities at the University of Tulsa.

“I used to work in a store on First Street, and I would work from 6 a.m. until 10 o’clock at night, sacking potatoes for $3 a day. So, I knew what it was to work to get a little money.”

Henry Zarrow, philanthropist

10

TulsaPeople JULY 2016

Janie and Larry Lyon of Lyon’s Indian Store.

Tulsa has lost another institution at a time when many are still reeling over the recent losses of longtime businesses Miss Jackson’s and Petty’s Fine Foods.

Lyon’s Indian Store at 111 S. Detroit Ave. closed its doors in June after a century in business.

The Blue Dome District shop was locally famous for its products reflective of Native American history and culture.

It had been in Larry Lyon’s family for more than 60 years.

Janie, Larry’s wife and the store’s co-owner, says it closed for family health reasons, and they were unable to find a buyer.

“The thing I’ll miss most is our customers,” she says. “Our customers came from all over the world, and we also had truly loyal local customers.”

Made: The Indie Emporium Shop sells inventory from local “makers” and artists.

MADE PLANS NEW HOME

A bigger, more permanent version of Made: The Indie Emporium Shop will open in the Brady Arts District in early 2017.

Nearly five times as large as its current “pop-up” shop location in the Philcade Building, the new location on East Archer Street between South Detroit Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard will sit next to Magic City Books.

“We’ve been confined to a small space for the past few years, and that has made it difficult to showcase work in the way we’d like,” says co-owner Christine Sharp-Crowe.

The new Made will have a dedicated education and workshop space for community events. It also will house Sharp-Crowe’s screen-printing equipment and letterpress, giving shoppers a chance to engage in the process of making.

The Philcade location will remain open for limited hours through the holidays and will close in early January so the owners can prepare their new location. tþ

The cure for childhood cancer is closer than ever.

Jordan, Age 5

A world-class affiliation is now in Tulsa.

On July 1, The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis became an affiliate of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. We are only the eighth hospital in the nation to be chosen for this distinction, and the only one in Oklahoma.

This is the beginning of a new era for children of this region who suffer from cancer or blood disorders.

Here they will benefit from the state-of-the-art treatment and innovative clinical trials that are the hallmarks of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

This is truly world-class care. Right here at home.

saintfrancis.com/childrenshospital The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis | 918-502-6000

CONVERSATIONS

Tulsans’ points of view

An abundance of compassion The Rev. Bob Lawrence advocates journeying together in a divided world.

by ANNA BENNETT

Where do you see pain in Tulsa?

The pain that I see is the racism, the racial separation that has happened in Tulsa. It’s still haunting the city. Theoretically, there are laws in place to make sure we don’t have racially segregated communities. If you look at Tulsa, you realize that the laws are not enough.

You can’t just repeal discriminatory laws and declare that discrimination is over. That doesn’t undo the damage. There’s a Korean concept called han, which is the cumulative affect of repression and oppression on a society. Racism is very much that in our society. A racist act can appear totally isolated, but it’s not. It’s part of that overall pain.

What does compassion mean to you? Compassion is a response to suffering. Kindness may be a response to a bad act, but compassion comes from an awareness of 12

TulsaPeople JULY 2016

Evan Taylor

C

ompassionate Tulsa, a collaborative effort between the Tulsa Interfaith Alliance and the City of Tulsa Human Rights Commission, is putting T-town on the map in a good way. It’s part of the global Charter for Compassion movement founded by interfaith scholar Karen Armstrong, who realized that compassion was a tenet shared by all religions.

From a civic standpoint, the Charter’s purpose is to identify areas of pain and use compassion to alleviate it, according to the Rev. Bob Lawrence, the Tulsa Interfaith Alliance executive director who advocated for the local movement and helped bring the Charter to the commission.

An ordained United Church of Christ minister, the Rev. Bob Lawrence moved to Tulsa from his native San Francisco nine years ago. He sits on the Compassionate Tulsa steering committee, which is formulating a 10-year plan to increase compassion in the city. the suffering. Compassion understands that each of us is suffering, that we are wounded individuals living in a broken world. Compassion is more about journeying together than it is about fixing.

You’ve talked about this false notion of scarcity — that there aren’t enough resources, food, love, God, whatever, to go around — as the source of our collective trouble with being compassionate. How has that notion affected our current political climate, especially this election?

The notion that there isn’t enough to go around is very frightening — and there is nothing like fear to motivate people. There has been a tremendous focus among our leaders to manipulate that. I think that what’s happening is a gradual progression of placing “my” needs

before the needs of anyone else. The lack of civility and the bitterness and the anger ... Trump is being groomed for the White House on the ashes of burnt-out dreams. Anger doesn’t fix things. Ideally, compassion could help with that. People are angry, justifiably so. They’re hurt. Bottom line, they are suffering.

Is there a way to be compassionate to people who are intolerant?

Yes. I’ve been kicked out of more congressional offices than I’ve been asked into, frankly. Sen. Tom Coburn and I disagreed on just about every major point. I always felt, however, that he was treating me as a human being who disagreed with him. I was on the AIDS Coalition for Tulsa, and Planned Parenthood is one of the largest contributors to AIDS prevention efforts in this state. I mentioned to

Coburn that there would be hundreds if not thousands more dead Oklahomans today if Planned Parenthood had shut down 20 years ago. His response started off with, “Thank you for your service to your community and for being part of that. That’s amazing information.

I did not know that.” Still went on to tell me why, politically, he was going to vote to defund Planned Parenthood.

But he acknowledged your humanity. Even though I was intensely angry, I could not hate him. I had to deal with the fact that somebody can have equally strong convictions, opposite mine — and that be their truth — without it meaning that they’re a bad person.

It is easier to move to the middle when we have an awareness of our common humanity. tþ

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STOREFRONT

Looking at small businesses

Can-do attitude Three generations of women shatter manufacturing industry norms.

by BRIA BOLTON MOORE

14

TulsaPeople JULY 2016

Valerie Grant

“C

an’t” simply wasn’t part of Marjorie Conley’s vocabulary.

With children to support and bills to pay, the housewife-turned-businesswoman began running her husband’s Tulsa manufacturing company just two days after his sudden death in 1966. Although she didn’t know it then, Conley was igniting a family legacy of female business leaders.

“She just did what she had to do,” says Brooke Hamilton, Conley’s granddaughter and president and CEO of NPI, a printing and product identification company in the Pearl District. “It was pretty much fight or flight. She stepped up and said, ‘I’m going to eat, I’m going to take care of my family, and this is what I’m going to do.’”

Conley led the company for a few years before selling it to retire.

It wasn’t long before she missed the business and sold her house to found Nameplates Inc., now NPI, in 1973. Conley later passed the torch to her daughter Claudia Hamilton, and now Claudia’s daughter, Brooke, is at the helm.

Neither woman planned to follow Conley’s lead, but each inevitably worked her way up from the shipping department to the president’s chair.

“She (Conley) was quite a lady — a beautiful person, but tough,” says Claudia, NPI’s chairwoman.

Brooke recalls how her grandmother spoke of integrity, character and always taking care of customers, even when they were wrong.

“You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear,” was a frequent comment from Conley.

“Quality was always something she really strived for,” Brooke says.

Today Brooke Hamilton, left, leads the company founded by her late grandmother, Marjorie Conley, in 1973. Brooke’s mother, Claudia Hamilton, is NPI’s chairwoman. TulsaPeople wrote a January 2002 article about Conley, one of few female CEOs in the manufacturing industry.

Although the heart of the business hasn’t changed since it began 43 years ago, the business’ logistics and processes have evolved with technology. The company began creating durable decals and metal plates and has expanded into digital printing and graphics.

Over the past decade, NPI overcame its greatest hurdle: moving from screen printing to digital printing. Today, NPI is a national company printing on anything but paper. Customers range from American Airlines to NORDAM to McElroy Manufacturing. NPI pro-

duces everything from metal tags for motors, identification and serialization, to life-size standups.

In Conley’s day, men ran most businesses. Although the number of women-owned businesses has increased by 68 percent since 1997, only 30 percent of businesses today are owned by women, according to “The 2014 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report” commissioned

by American Express OPEN. A 2012 Deloitte Consulting study reports that only about 2 percent of manufacturing CEOs are women.

“It’s easier today than it was 40

years ago, I’ll tell you that,” Claudia says of being a woman in leadership. “It was a man’s world. It still is.”

“It is tough sometimes, but mostly, you just don’t even think about it,” Brooke says. “You do what you do because you love it, and you know it’s the right thing to do.”

From the time she was little until her grandmother passed in 2011, Brooke remembers her mentor sharing often: “‘Can’t’ is not in my dictionary.”

It seems her tenacity was passed down the bloodline right along with the family business. tþ

T H E M c K N I G H T C E N T E R F O R T H E P E R F O R M I N G A R T S AT O K L A H O M A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y will be a world-class epicenter for the arts, attracting celebrated national and international programs featuring notable performing arts productions and artists. The center will allow the university and the center’s supporters to express — and be recognized for — their passion for the arts on a global stage. Construction on the project is underway. Oklahoma State University thanks Billie and Ross McKnight for their transformational gift.

APPLAUSE

Tulsans receive honors and accolades

Millennial activist Booker T. grad goes to Washington, plans a future in public policy.

by LANDRY HARLAN

16

TulsaPeople JULY 2016

Evan Taylor

I

t doesn’t take long for Nathan Levit to impress. The recent Booker T. Washington High School graduate has a list of accomplishments long enough to make anyone question how they spent their formative years.

Two years in Washington, D.C., as a baby left an impression at an early age. At the time, his father, Ken Levit — now the executive director of the George Kaiser Family Foundation — worked for thenU.S. Sen. David Boren.

In his sophomore year in high school, Nathan Levit worked for his first political campaign when Suzanne Schreiber ran for the Tulsa school board in 2014. She won in a landslide. As campaign manager, Levit took charge of social media, engaging volunteers and helping create good strategies.

“That was the base point where it all jumped off,” he says.

Since then, Nathan has been involved in three more campaigns — Mark Barcus’ judicial campaign, Joe Dorman’s campaign for Oklahoma governor and now John Waldron’s campaign for state Senate representing District 39.

Waldron is a teacher at Booker T., and Levit plays many roles in his campaign. He is an advisor, provides perspective on the issues, assists with organizing the volunteer effort and helps design the campaign strategy.

“Nathan recites political facts the way some kids recite baseball statistics,” Waldron says.

He chose the high school student, who he taught as a freshman in government class, for Levit’s experience running campaigns.

Waldron says the teen was recommended by professionals.

Recent Booker T. Washington graduate Nathan Levit, right, helps Booker T. teacher John Waldron pass out neighborhood materials in support of Waldron’s campaign for state Senate.

Still, the most impressive bullet point on Levit’s resumé is his experience as one of two Oklahomans to represent the state in the 54th annual U.S. Senate Youth Program in March.

Since it began in 1962, the purpose of the exclusive program has been to inspire young Americans to be involved in public service by allowing them to interact with each of the three branches of government.

Each school in Oklahoma can nominate one person for the program; those nominated must take a test. The top test takers are interviewed and write an essay before 104 high school juniors and seniors are chosen.

On each day of the weeklong program, participants meet with

luminaries from every point of the political spectrum.

“One day I met the president and Justice (Ruth Bader) Ginsburg … every day you met someone who could headline an event,” Levit says.

His close access allowed for plenty of surprises, he says, including an honest exchange with President Barack Obama about closing out his final year in office.

“President Obama was much more candid with us than he is on TV … one thing he said to our group was that he wished mandatory voting was in the Constitution,” Levit recalls. “I don’t think that’s something he would have said to program participants in previous years.”

The Senate Youth Program opened up many doors for a post-collegiate career in D.C., but the young Tulsan doesn’t want to limit himself to just the political sphere. Levit, who will study public policy at Princeton University this fall, wants to work in public service.

However, he says the program has given him more internship opportunities and connected him to many interesting people from different states.

“I definitely say this program affirmed my commitment to service in some form,” he says.

The current election cycle has left a strong impression on Levit, especially when it comes to his fellow millennials.

“I think we’re seeing the largest activist generation since the Vietnam War,” he says. “It seems like we like to voice our opinions, but not at the ballot box.”

Still, that doesn’t stop him from influencing his peers and making his voice heard in local media.

“I’m part of a small group, Youth for Op-Ed, that is allowed to write op-eds for the Tulsa World,” Levit says. “We’ve had five published.

One I wrote was imploring young people to come back to Tulsa. The other was advocating for a student member of the school board.”

Even though his parents instilled a lot of his political views growing up, Levit has developed his own opinions in the past few years. And he hopes to encourage others to do the same.

“The truth is that, in terms of youth, not many people vote, much less are involved,” he says. “I feel like it’s my duty to get more people involved.” tþ

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CAUSE AND EFFECT

Tulsa-area nonprofits

Ready to wear Dress for Success Tulsa marks 15 years helping women find and keep jobs.

by JULIE RAINS

18

TulsaPeople JULY 2016

Valerie Grant

W

endelene Rios, 32, has marketable work experience and two degrees from Oklahoma State University.

But when she evaluated her skills, her resumé and the Tulsa job market earlier this year, she says she felt anxious and underprepared in the most basic ways.

“I didn’t have anything to wear to job interviews that I felt confident in,” she remembers. “I called Dress for Success because I had donated clothes there in the past.”

Rios was the first woman to be “suited” at Dress for Success Tulsa’s new headquarters near East 31st Street and South Harvard Avenue.

The 5,000-square-foot facility houses a boutique storefront, a career center with computers for client use and administrative offices.

When she arrived at her suiting appointment, “they were still unpacking boxes, and everything was a mess,” Rios says, “but the stylists took the time to make me feel really special.”

After some questions about her style and the type of job she was interviewing for, volunteers chose a feminine heather gray suit with a crimson sleeveless sweater and floral scarf.

“I was outside of my comfort zone for sure,” Rios says, but when she looked in the mirror, she began to see herself in a new light.

“A lot of our clients are like Wendelene,” says Ronda Adkisson, executive director of Dress for Success Tulsa. “According to a 2013 census study, 40.4 percent of women in the United States are the sole or primary source of income for households where children are under the age of 18.

“Over 70 percent of our clients are single mothers. Fifty percent of our women are between 30

Ronda Adkisson, executive director of Dress for Success Tulsa, fits Amelia, one of the organization’s clients, at Dress for Success Tulsa’s new headquarters near East 31st Street and South Harvard Avenue. The nonprofit is celebrating its 15th year helping women find and retain employment. and 50 years of age, a number of them with college degrees and in transition. We are here to help them gain clarity and redirect.”

In 2016, Dress for Success Tulsa celebrates its 15th year.

Under Adkisson’s leadership, the program has grown to serve more than 1,100 women per year. The agency also began supplementing its traditional suiting program by offering courses aimed at helping women find and keep jobs.

Rios participated in a sevenweek course called the “Going

Places Network” that features guest lectures on topics related to job readiness.

“At the end of the course,” Adkisson explains, “our goal is to have them employed.”

Mock interviews, resumé writing, personal styling and networking through social media are all subjects of focus.

Rios, who is employed but still looking for a more long-term position using her skills and degrees, says the class has helped her feel less vulnerable in the job market.

“It has been empowering,” she says. “I’ve learned a lot, and it feels like we are in this together.”

After clients find employment, they are invited to participate in the Professional Women’s Group, where guest speakers focus on job retention and related skills.

Adkisson, who came to Dress for Success Tulsa after her own mid-career transition, believes that “a job can change a life. When you give a woman a job, it creates opportunities in her life and has an impact on our city.” tþ

LOCAL TALENT

Tulsa’s creative community

World of color Tulsa transplant makes people happy with whimsical paintings.

by RACHEL WEAVER SMITH

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TulsaPeople JULY 2016

A native of Texarkana, Texas, she still calls it home. While attending college in Fayetteville, Arkansas, she met her husband, Shane, and in 2003 they moved to Tulsa near his family. Matson, who was represented by M.A. Doran before she moved to Tulsa, calls the move an easy transition.

Today the Matsons have two boys, Miller, 9, and Paulo, 7. Each day starts at 6:02 a.m., followed by the morning rush. Matson walks Miller and Paulo to school, then stops by her favorite coffee shop.

After that, it’s off to the studio.

She doesn’t have far to go; her studio is nestled behind her house.

Matson spends her days creating, but she has the liberty to lock the door and enjoy the weekends with her family.

The family collects art from several artists with different styles.

Every so often, Matson says, she wants to hang on to one of her own paintings, but inevitably she sells it in a show like the recent one at M.A. Doran that showcased her new work.

Clients say her paintings make them happy and remind them of a wonderful time or feeling.

“It’s more than just a painting job for me at that point,” Matson says. “I like for my paintings to make people feel good and remind them of a good time or a happy place.” tþ Learn more about Matson at www.wendelinematsonart.com.

Evan Taylor

A

blur of color. That’s how painter Wendeline Matson saw the world as a child.

Those who know Matson know color is the heart of her work. But at 9 years old, she says the world was a blur until she went to the eye doctor. She left with glasses and remembers seeing the pattern on her bedroom wallpaper for the first time.

It was around that age Matson had an epiphany. In fourth grade, she entered a papier-mâché hot air balloon in a school art contest, and it won a prize.

“From that moment on, I just knew art was what I was good at,” Matson says. “Once I realized it was my thing, I took it and ran with it.”

Thousands of paintings later, art is Matson’s day job. She shows in three galleries: M.A. Doran Gallery in Tulsa; Giacobbe Fritz Fine Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Jules Place in Boston. Her paintings are described by some as “innocent realism,” swimming in colors.

Over the past 15 years of her career, her color palette has evolved, but she always comes back to pastels.

“Many of my paintings are inspired by my time spent on the family farm in rural Arkansas when I was a kid,” Matson says. “My iconography comes from experiences and journeys I’ve had along the way since then. My colors come from things I’ve seen throughout my life. I am always adding new imagery.”

Wendeline Matson typically participates in at least two major shows per year, whether as a solo artist or within a small group of featured artists. The galleries that showcase her work also host numerous group shows each year that exhibit Matson’s paintings.

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LOCKER ROOM

Getting to know Tulsa’s top athletes and coaches

No limits Oklahoma School for the Deaf student named to All-State cheer squad.

by DOUG EATON

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TulsaPeople JULY 2016

Courtesy OKDRS

D

Adams, left, cheers at the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services’ “People with Disabilities Awareness Day” April 5 at the state Capitol.

Valerie Grant

on’t ever tell Montrell Adams he can’t accomplish something.

Chances are, he will prove you wrong.

His latest accomplishment — being named to the All-State cheerleading squad — means the recent high school graduate will cheer at the Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State games July 25-30 at various Tulsa venues.

What makes this honor so remarkable is that Adams can’t hear the cheers. He is the first Oklahoma School for the Deaf (OSD) athlete to be selected to the All-State cheer team.

Tulsan Adams first became interested in cheering when OSD’s cheer coach, Karlie Campbell, and members of the cheer team saw him performing self-taught flips and stunts and asked him to try out.

Now in his third year of cheering, Adams says this level of performance requires hours of practice each week, developing high-level skills such as tumbling, gymnastics and jumps.

Attaining All-State status required several levels of intense competition.

First, there was the regional competition against 38 others in October. He then advanced to the All-State tryouts in Jenks in November against 63 other hopefuls for one of 16 coveted All-State berths.

“When I first learned I was selected, I was shocked,” Adams explains. “The more I thought about it (being selected for AllState), I realized what an honor it was to be the best deaf cheerleader to make All-State. I realized deaf people can do anything.”

As a baby, Adams contracted an illness that resulted in his deafness.

During high school, Tulsan Montrell Adams spent weekends and summers at home learning professional carpentry skills from Joseph Irwin, a friend and mentor who knows sign language.

He also endured a kidney transplant at age 4. The donor? His mother.

Because of Adams’ rough start in life, his family raised him cautiously. He wasn’t allowed to participate in competitive sports until the eighth grade.

“I was persistent on asking the doctor, coaches and my family to let me play,” Adams says. “I would ask them again and again, and finally the doctor said yes, I could play basketball. The kidney never bothered me. It was just a concern for everyone else.”

Every Sunday for the past five years, Adams left his home in Tulsa for the 160-mile bus ride to Sulphur in southern Oklahoma, where OSD is located. After living on campus for the four-day school week, Adams made the two-and-a-half-hour return trip to Tulsa on Thursday.

Along with taking classes, he put in half-days with the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, which helps orient deaf workers to new jobs and teach their co-workers basic sign language.

During basketball season, Adams performed double-duty on game nights. He cheered for most of the girls’ game and then suited up to play in the following boys’ game. He also participated on the track team, where he utilized his speed in the hurdles event and relays.

Additionally, Adams was a student ambassador, a member of the National Honor Society, a leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and manager for the OSD football team. He also participated in Leadership Murray County with students from other schools.

He capped off his stellar school career by being named the 2015 Student of the Year by the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services.

Traci Prince, OSD’s director of student assessment and program development, says Adams has shown remarkable growth while at OSD. “Like so many of our students, Montrell absolutely flourished when he came to OSD,” she says. “He matured, worked hard, found his place and excelled at being a leader.

We are extremely proud of all he has accomplished and know he has an amazing future in front of him.”

This fall, Adams plans to attend a local vocational tech center for carpentry and welding, which he hopes to make into a career. Later on, he would like to attend the Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf in Big Spring, Texas.

Realizing his time in the limelight might make him a role model for other deaf children, he has some advice: “Spend time interacting with both the deaf and the hearing.

Set goals and never give up. Always stay positive and work hard. Remember, hard work pays off.”

Adams is living proof. tþ

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Catching up with former newsmakers

Full circle Former Mayor Susan Savage is at the helm of a community health center.

Valerie Grant

by DAVID HARPER

S

usan Savage is still making her community better, just in a different way.

She is using the skills she developed as Tulsa mayor and Oklahoma secretary of state as the CEO of Morton Comprehensive Health Services, a community health center dedicated to providing medical, dental and related services regardless of financial status.

Though guiding a health services organization might seem far removed from holding public office, Savage says the roles call for

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TulsaPeople JULY 2016

similar management, financial and organizational skills.

“It’s a great place to be, and the work is meaningful, important work,” she says. “I’ve always loved dealing with difficult community issues and working to find solutions.”

Savage, who initially began working with Morton in 2013 as a consultant and senior director of philanthropic development, became its CEO earlier this year.

In a sense, her career has come full circle. That’s because long before she ran for office, she served as

executive director of the Citizens Crime Commission, a position she says taught her “how to engage citizens and how to foster collaboration to solve community problems.”

The work took her to nearly every neighborhood in Tulsa, working with area law enforcement to address safety and crime prevention and improve how neighborhoods worked together.

Savage describes the scope of Morton’s services as ranging from “womb to tomb,” going beyond basic medical care to include dental, optometry and behavioral services.

It treated about 20,000 patients — approximately half without insurance — at its facilities in 2015. She oversees the six Morton clinics in northeastern Oklahoma: four in Tulsa, one in Nowata and one in Bartlesville.

Morton has about 150 employees and has an operating budget of approximately $16 million, Savage says. In addition to running Morton efficiently and in a financially sustainable way, she says she wants to bring the federally qualified health center into a larger discussion to improve the health of Oklahomans.

“Oklahoma is at a crossroads,” Savage says. “In our state, we have failed to invest in human capital in health and education in a way that could take us decades from which to recover.”

She says the issues are related because a hungry child with health or vision issues faces educational obstacles others don’t.

“How do you educate that kid and keep them motivated to realize their potential?” Savage asks.

She dealt with such big-picture, societal issues during her eightyear stint as Oklahoma’s secretary of state from 2003-2011 and in her memorable decade as Tulsa’s mayor from 1992-2002.

Savage, whose grandfather Royce was a federal judge, says she grew up in a household in which “we were always interested in what was going on in the world.” How-

ever, although she forged a career in public policy, running for office was far from a lifelong plan.

As Rodger Randle’s chief of staff, she suddenly found herself Tulsa’s mayor when Randle resigned to head the University Center at Tulsa — the former consortium of the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, Langston and Northeastern State universities — in summer 1992. Savage says her decision to run for the office in August 1992 was made just hours before the filing deadline.

Savage considers infrastructure improvements, an emphasis on education and city livability and increasing citizen involvement in the process of government among her key achievements as mayor. She appointed more women and minorities to city boards, authorities and commissions than any mayor in Tulsa’s history.

Now 64, the native Tulsan says she has a “level of certainty” she won’t run for elected office again but adds, “I try to keep doors open, too.”

“Once a political junkie, always a political junkie,” she says.

Savage, a Democrat, has lived in the reddest of the red states nearly all of her life. Her residency was interrupted only by an eight-year hitch in Pennsylvania as a young woman, which included her college years at what is now known as Arcadia University.

It seems unlikely Savage will leave Oklahoma now. For one thing, her grandchildren live here.

And she seems to be genuinely enjoying her new job.

“Morton is a fantastic place,” says Savage, who adds that, in many ways, “it’s exactly, on a smaller scale, what I did at the City of Tulsa.” tþ

David Harper has been a member of the Tulsa-area media for more than 20 years. A Virginia native, he has two degrees from the University of Tulsa, including a law degree.

T hank you for making our 26th year a huge success!

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MUSINGS

Thoughts about everyday life

Cronley’s American Indian turned wood vase, left, and her own attempt at kintsugi, right.

Muriel and I master kintsugi — almost

by CONNIE CRONLEY

I

jump into craft projects with exuberance and absolutely no talent. The results are so interesting, they can render people speechless.

Once I took a class in pysanky, Ukrainian egg decorating, from the late Tom Manhart, University of Tulsa art professor. Pysanky is a wax-resistant method of intricate eggshell decoration.

Manhart went around the room praising our work. When he came to me, he stopped dead still. Finally he said, “I love the energy of this.” I was trying my best!

Recently I was drawn to boro, the Japanese art of visible mending, which means rags or tattered cloth. I also like the sister art of sashiko, little running stitches akin to quilting.

I discovered this fabric art at Richard Neel Interiors. Colorful throws are handmade from the saris of India, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The bold colors, the obvious patches and the neat white stitches appeal to my sense of the bohemian. This is the way I sew anyway, with visible — maybe not so neat — stitches.

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TulsaPeople JULY 2016

Lee Radziwill, the stylish sister of Jackie Kennedy, said, “Taste is emotion.” Part of my taste must be compassion and part must be solace. When I buy small household items at garage sales and home auctions, I want to think I am continuing the original owner’s love for the green cup or the cut glass pitcher. It’s like a sisterhood of ordinary things.

Some of us have trouble letting go of things. Or places. Casey Cantwell, a musician friend, is so saddened by the closing of Petty’s Fine Foods that he repeatedly visited the empty place before and after demolition “for closure.”

In my neighborhood, we set used furniture, equipment or gardening supplies curbside, offering them to people free of charge.

That’s how I found an antique wooden daybed someone had put by the curb. Instead of nails, it has wooden pegs! I had the mattress recovered and it is — again — treasured household furniture.

Which brings me to kintsugi, the Japanese art of mending porcelain with gold, silver or platinum. I have a similar American Indian turned

wood vase, the cracks filled with turquoise.

After watching an online video of kintsugi I thought, “I can do that.”

My house is full of mended items, especially wooden animal folk art that some cat has knocked from shelves and that I have patched back together with glue and twine.

I think it gives them character, like the Velveteen Rabbit.

What I particularly like about kintsugi is the philosophy behind it, of finding beauty in broken or old things. The art not only acknowledges the break, but also enhances it with gold.

Kintsugi repair kits for sale online range from just under $100 to over $300. Instead, I went to Ziegler Art & Frame, where I bought a cheap brush, Elmer’s glue and Solar Gold powdered pigment for about $10. Then I set out to mend a piece of pottery I had knocked over with the vacuum cleaner. Muriel the cat helped me with the craft project.

What a glorious mess we made of it. I slathered gold pigment far beyond the glued seam, sloshing it wildly on the pottery.

“I have found my calling!” I proclaimed dramatically. “My mission is to baste the ordinary world with a dusting of gold.”

Muriel didn’t answer. She was busy traipsing through the powdered gold and making a pattern of dainty paw prints on the kitchen counter.

In my hands, kintsugi doesn’t work on porous pottery. It’s hard to wipe up the excess gold. It stays where it is splashed.

“Muriel,” I said, “we’ll try it again on glass or porcelain.” That’s our philosophy, Muriel’s and mine: It’s not a failure, it’s not a mistake. It’s an opportunity to try again.

Muriel is perfect as she is, but it would be lovely to think of my own patched-together self being mended with gold and turquoise. tþ

Connie Cronley is a columnist, an author of three books and a public radio commentator. She is executive director of Iron Gate soup kitchen and food pantry.

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TulsaPeople JULY 2016

EVERY BUSINESS HAS A STORY TO TELL. In this special sponsored editorial section, TulsaPeople spotlights the “Faces of the 918” — the stories and faces behind a wide variety of locally owned companies serving our community.

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GRADUATE SCHOOL

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ABSTRACT AND TITLE

TULSA ABSTRACT & TITLE CO. For nearly a century, Tulsa Abstract & Title Co. has provided escrow and title services for the Tulsa area, including but not limited to continuing, building or recertifying abstracts, title searches, easement and right-of-way reports, radius reports, courtesy filing of documents and complimentary delivery service.

The escrow and closing office offers commercial and residential loan closings for any property in Oklahoma, along with title insurance for owners and lenders. The company is a license agent for the nation’s leading title insurance underwriters, including Old Republic, Stewart Title and Chicago Title.

It’s the outstanding staff with their exceptional depth of knowledge — many have been in the industry for over 30 years — that sets the company apart, earning it AAA ratings from the Tulsa Chamber and Better Business Bureau.

Tulsa Abstract & Title Co. continues to be a leader in residential and commercial abstract production since its inception in 1920, but since 1986 the company has also established itself as a market leader in the escrow closing service for homeowners, land developers and mortgage lenders.

“Our goal is to make your deal run smoothly, and be less stressful,” says Patsy R. Cravens, president and owner, a 61-year veteran of the title industry.

Abstracting/Corporate Office 612 S. Denver Ave. | 918-582-5777 Closing and Title Insurance 8023 E. 63rd Pl., Suite 101 | 918-250-9080 www.tulsaabstract.com

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ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

FRANCIS RENEWABLE ENERGY Although Francis Renewable Energy is barely a year old, the geothermal and solar energy company is already making a big impact on Oklahoma’s sustainable future.

Founded by David R. Jankowsky in 2015, FRE’s vision is to transform the Oklahoma energy economy — from one dependent on oil and gas to one that embraces all forms of energy, including renewable energy.

“FRE is positioning itself to be the leader in that transformation,” says Jankowsky.

In addition to providing renewable electricity, FRE also is transforming the geothermal HVAC industry. Geothermal

is the most efficient way to heat and cool a residential or commercial facility.

“There is significant potential for Oklahoma to become the Silicon Valley of geothermal,” says Jankowsky. “We can create jobs, enhance our energy security and hedge against future downturns in the oil and gas markets. It’s a complete no-brainer for the state of Oklahoma.”

Tulsans will be able to see FRE’s work in action at the newly remodeled downtown Tulsa City-County Library — the first and largest commercial-scale solar rooftop installation in Oklahoma.

6733 S. Yale Ave. | 918-491-4323 | frerenewable.com

Seth Christ, David Jankowsky, Julie Knight and Jason Pitcock

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Jim Blankenship

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AUTO BODY REPAIR

JIM BLANKENSHIP QUALITY COLLISION REPAIR Jim Blankenship and his wife, Elizabeth, are proud that their downtown auto body repair business has been successful in Tulsa for over 40 years.

Blankenship purchased the company in 1975 from auto dealer Bob Spraker. “I had worked with my parents in their body shop starting at age 14,” says Blankenship, a 1960 graduate of Tulsa Central High School who attended TU and served in the National Guard before going into business.

“It has been our pride over these many years to provide

our customers with the highest quality of collision repair, striving to achieve excellence on every job,” he says.

Blankenship is proud to have trained and mentored many students from Tulsa Technology Center and Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology over the years.

“I am very appreciative of the good company we have been able to build over the years and I thank Elizabeth for being so special to our customers, our employees and to me,” says Blankenship.

1216 S. Detroit Ave. | 918-587-4356 | jimblankenshiptulsa.com

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AUTO SALES AND SERVICE

BILL KNIGHT AUTO The Bill Knight Auto group specializes in the sale of both new and pre-owned Fords, Lincolns and Volvos as well as collision repair services. With three dealerships and three collision repair centers, selection is wide and service is convenient, but that’s not what sets the company apart.

The Knight dealerships take pride in connecting to the community and providing a transparent and easy sales and service experience. The team is made up of long-term employees who love serving their clients. “We work very hard to recruit — and more importantly, retain — nice people who enjoy working in a team atmosphere and serving others,” says owner Bill Knight.

The Bill Knight Ford of Tulsa employee team has achieved the distinction of being Oklahoma’s No. 1 Ford dealer while earning Ford’s prestigious President’s Award for outstanding customer service for seven consecutive years — which had never before been accomplished even once in Oklahoma, let alone seven years in a row.

Meanwhile, the company’s commitment to the community is more than just words; Knight actively serves on boards at the Tulsa Better Business Bureau, Hillcrest Hospital South, DVIS, the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce and more.

Bill Knight Ford: 918-526-2400 Bill Knight Lincoln & Volvo: 918-526-2500 Bill Knight Ford of Stillwater: 405-533-8700 Bill Knight Collision: 918-526-2300 www.billknightauto.com

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Mike Bannister, Pitmaster on Competition Pigmen Team.

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BARBECUE

RIBCRIB True to its tagline, this Tulsa-owned and -operated barbecue company “Keeps it Saucy” with authentic, handcrafted recipes in its 60 locations across Oklahoma and throughout the region.

“Just because there are 60 restaurants doesn’t mean we lose the passion behind the barbecue,” says President Marc Chastain. “Each of our locations smokes all meats daily in original on-site smokers. We constantly test, sample and practice our recipes and smoking techniques in our PitMaster kitchen at the Crib HQ.” RibCrib encourages its 2,000 employees to “Live the BBQ Life” — which means creating raving fans of its

4535 S. Harvard Ave. | 918-712-7427 | ribcrib.com

championship quality, hand-rubbed, and hand-carved meats; developing, mentoring and caring for loyal team members; and being great citizens in the communities where they live and work.

The 24-year-old company practices what it preaches. In 2015, RibCrib hosted more than 100 community fundraisers for various charities, schools and churches. The 2015 RibCrib Pitmaster golf tournament raised $90,000 for Tulsa-based charities.

But at the end of the day, RibCrib is best known for serving up authentic home-style barbecue. It also offers catering for 10–10,000 and takeout to satisfy barbecue cravings on the go.

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Marlene Martindale, owner and Sculpt Tulsa team.

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BARRE AND TRX

SCULPT TULSA Marlene Martindale, a long-time runner, cyclist and triathlete, discovered barre in 2010 after sustaining running injuries. Barre is a head-to-toe total workout that is surprisingly challenging — not a minute wasted or a body part missed. She began incorporating the exercise form into her personal training sessions, which turned into classes, which turned into a studio. She founded Sculpt Tulsa in 2012, and in 2014 expanded to a second location in 2014.

Now, Sculpt Tulsa offers more than 40 classes per week, the majority of which are barre, but also include TRX suspension training and SculptRX, which combines barre

and TRX with cardio intervals. Sculpt Tulsa’s instructors are certified by nationally recognized Group Fitness and/or personal training organizations. The staff fosters a culture of empathy and respect among themselves, and that attitude fills the studio.

“We love hearing the frequent accounts of transformation, whether it’s weight loss, strength gain or pain relief,” says Martindale. “When our clients travel and try other studios, they find that they get their best workout right here at Sculpt Tulsa. I love hearing that.”

4329 S. Peoria Ave. | 114 S. Detroit Ave. | 918-949-9008 | sculpttulsa.com

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BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

IMAGENET CONSULTING A lot has changed for ImageNet Consulting since the business was born as a typewriter repair company named Southwest Typewriter Company in 1956. Today, the growing business offers an array of hardware, software and managed services to customers in eight states, and is a leader in helping businesses of all sizes transition to electronic technology and paperless offices.

While technology changes at an ever-increasing pace, business processes driven by the movement of paper have not. Many studies reveal the inefficiencies of paper-based practices.

7231 E. 41st St. | 918-359-8602 | imagenetconsulting.com

ImageNet Sales Manager Ben Berghall and Tulsa Market President Alan Webb in the showroom of the company’s new facility.

“Our mission is to provide information technology solutions that improve each client’s bottom line,” says Alan Webb, Tulsa market president.

ImageNet excels at uncovering problems, consulting and evaluating options, then delivering on solutions that enhance productivity while reducing costs. “We offer a strong network of technicians and a vast array of solutions and experience to manage business processes,” says Webb.

“We are confident no other company can match our portfolio of products and expertise. It is a total solution offering.”

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CAJUN FOOD

CAJUN ED’S HEBERT’S SPECIALTY MEATS

Ed Richard

For 18 years, Tulsans have turned to Cajun Ed’s Hebert’s Specialty Meats for Gulf Coast staples such as gumbo, etouffee and jambalaya. What has kept them coming back for so many years?

“We offer fresh, authentic Cajun cuisine made here in Tulsa by real Cajuns,” says owner and namesake Ed Richard.

Richard is a third-generation chef, and the business is in his family’s blood. His grandfather was a wellknown restaurant owner, his mother wrote cookbooks and taught cooking classes, his brother is a highly respected chef and restaurant owner and his son is Chef De Cuisine at a fine dining restaurant. Richard’s daughter Kimberly helped with Crawfest for many years, his daughter Rachel helps manage the business and his wife Jennifer is involved in marketing — truly a family affair.

Cajun Ed’s offers a full meat market, from mouth-watering filets, rib eyes and prime rib to freshly ground hamburger patties, homemade sausages, stuffed pork chops and kabobs. Shoppers can also find a variety of brands with a Cajun flare, including Tabasco, Zatarain’s, Louisiana products and Zapp’s potato chips.

2101 E. 71st St. | 918-298-8400 cajuned.com

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CATERING

LUDGER’S CATERING & EVENTS Co-owners Scott and Megan Sherrill are the driving force behind Ludger’s Catering & Events — he’s the executive chef, she’s the event coordinator. Since 2009, the husbandand-wife team has brought their unique combination of skills to the helm of the 30-year-old Tulsa company.

When it comes to catering, customization is the name of the game. The Sherrills are passionate about bringing their clients’ events to life, and they understand that every event has a different set of nuanced needs — from a drop-off

6120 E. 32nd Pl. | 918-744-9988 | ludgerscatering.com

luncheon at an office to a formal wedding or black tie gala and everything in between.

In addition to a wide range of catering services, Ludger’s can also provide bar and bartenders, service staff, rental coordination, floor plan design, centerpieces and decor.

“We have really pushed over the past several years to reinvent what we do and how we do it,” says Megan. “We are continually striving to learn what is hot and on-trend around the country — what clients want to see.”

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CHILD NEUROLOGY

CHILD NEUROLOGY OF TULSA Dr. David J. Siegler joined Tulsa’s Children’s Medical Center as a pediatric neurologist after completing training at Stanford University in 1996. In 2004, he chose to open his solo practice, Child Neurology of Tulsa, to provide more personalized care.

Siegler specializes in the diagnosis and management of pediatric neurology disorders (ages birth to 18 years) which includes seizures, staring spells, concussions, migraines, spasticity, movement disorders and much more.

Siegler takes pride in being Stanford trained yet Tulsa friendly. He combines his 20 years of experience with a

listening ear and a calm bedside manner, using humor to put apprehensive kids at ease.

Siegler enjoys developing relationships with his patients.

“He makes us feel welcome by telling jokes and taking an honest interest in my son’s life,” says one parent of a longtime patient.

A former professional tennis player, Siegler brings the intensity and work ethic of an athlete to his practice with a commitment to excellence in patient care. “Dr. Siegler takes time and sits down and talks about any questions or concerns you may have,” says another patient’s parent.

6465 S. Yale Ave., Suite 320 | 918-493-3300 | kidnoggin.com

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Left to right: President Jeannie Murphy, General Manager Billy Drake and Chief Financial Officer Glenda Bigbie.

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CLEANING MAINTENANCE SUPPLIES

MURPHY SANITARY SUPPLY A visit to Murphy Sanitary Supply quickly reveals why the business has been a success for nearly 14 years: Founder and president Jeannie Murphy is enthusiastic about her business, its employees and customers.

“I love the people side of being in business,” Murphy says.

“It’s interesting and fun to develop business relationships, knitting things together to come up with solutions for customers that are cost effective and that work.”

Murphy Sanitary Supply distributes a complete line of

cleaning chemicals, janitorial products, commercial paper and cleaning equipment. The company also facilitates customized training, and maintains an equipment and repair division for industrial, institutional, commercial and retail customers. The company serves a 13 county area from its 15,000-square-foot facility in northeastern Oklahoma.

“We work very hard to offer the highest quality products and service, and believe in going that extra mile for our customers,” Murphy says.

13105 E. 61st St. S. | 918-461-2200 | murphysanitary.com

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Chelsea Hanoch, Lindsay Henderson, Sandra Mullins, Brooke Taylor and Jackie Vu

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COMMERCIAL CLEANING

FINAL TOUCH CLEANING When the 9-to-5 is done, the work is just beginning for the staff of Final Touch Commercial Cleaning.

That’s when the 185-plus employees of this 31-year-old company go to work, cleaning everything from corporate offices and medical facilities to municipal buildings and universities all over the Tulsa area. The expert staff offers daily and nightly cleaning services, carpet extraction, 24hour emergency cleaning and more.

Owner Sandra Mullins insists on the highest standard of white-glove service in the industry. Final Touch Commercial Cleaning is the only nationally certified janitorial service in Oklahoma.

10404 E. 55th Pl. | 918-663-1919 | finaltouchcleaning.com

Cleaning more than 6 million square feet daily is a monumental job, but Mullins, who operates Final Touch with her daughters Brooke and Lindsay and Vice President Jackie Vu, believes that “to whom much is given, much is required.” That’s why the company returns thousands of dollars annually to local nonprofits through donated services and fundraising efforts.

“We give meaning to cleaning,” Mullins says. “When we started, we made it our mission to create a culture of giving.

It’s the charitable work that really inspires us. We’re so happy to be part of the Tulsa community.”

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Front row: Sylvia Hyde, Tim Driskill and Joe Sanchez. Middle row: Dawn Reside, Renee Miller, Chan Hammond, Lynn Pelnik and Jeff Johnson.

Back row: Andy Soares, John James and Chad Ferguson.

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COMMERCIAL INSURANCE

INSURICA TULSA/JOE WEST COMPANY/LON T. JACKSON AGENCY/MCMASTERS INSURANCE COUNSELORS/KEYSTONE INSURANCE AGENCY/JEFF R. JOHNSON INSURANCE AGENCY Joe West opened his insurance agency in the Orpheum Theater Building in booming downtown Tulsa in 1919. The young agent was soon joined by friend Ford Bell and, over the years, achieved growth thanks to the insurance expertise of associates Bob McMasters, Bob O’Dell and, later, David Bell, son of Ford.

In 1986, Tim Driskill acquired the agency, and continued to grow it for 30 years, adding Lon T. Jackson Agency, McMasters Insurance Counselors, Keystone Insurance Agency and Jeff R. Johnson Insurance Agency. In 2014, the company merged with INSURICA, the 26th largest insurance

406 S. Boulder Ave. | 918-660-0090 | insurica.com

agency in the country. Today, Driskill serves as CEO of INSURICA Tulsa/Joe West Company and Joseph P. Sanchez is the local president.

“We provide complete insurance services to a broad range of clients,” says Driskill. “We are known for aviation, professional liability, oil and gas, manufacturing, financial institutions and public school insurance.”

“Our team of professionals is committed to protecting the clients we serve,” says Sanchez. “INSURICA provides us with more resources and access to proprietary programs and services to our customers.”

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The Green Country Appraisal Service team includes President Timothy M. Glass, Andrea Brooks and Christine Peck.

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COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE APPRAISALS

GREEN COUNTRY APPRAISAL SERVICE Green Country Appraisal Service is celebrating 35 years of appraisal and consultation work for various banks, governmental entities, lawyers and individuals. Commercial properties appraised include retail, restaurants, offices, churches, industrial, multi-family, mixed-use, vacant land, cattle ranches and conservation easements throughout northeast Oklahoma.

Timothy M. Glass is the company president and a licensed appraiser. In 2000, he was the president of the Green Country of Oklahoma Chapter of the Appraisal Institute.

1703 E. Skelly Dr., Suite 101 | 918-744-5744

Nationally, he has served on the Regional Ethics and Counseling Panel of the Appraisal Institute.

The company’s secretary, Christine Peck, has been with the firm for 26 years and handles word processing, research of local market trends and report publishing.

Green Country Appraisal Service’s research analyst, Andrea Brooks, has been with the firm for 10 years.

She maintains an expanding database of over 10,000 comparables, bids and coordinates appraisals and provides research on properties appraised.

STARTU TULSA IS A REGIONAL HUB FOR WOULD-BE ENTREPRENEURS THANKS TO MYRIAD RESOURCES FOR TAKING GOOD IDEAS TO THE NEXT LEVEL. 50

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36 Degrees North opened in 2016 for Tulsa’s entrepreneurial community.

UP CITY

BY SCOTT WIGTON So, you’ve been bitten by the entrepreneurial bug and are convinced your idea, concept or prototype will be the next big thing. If only you could get some expert guidance, financing and a network of like-minded advocates to help propel you to success, right?

Well, be thankful you live in Tulsa. The city abounds with organizations geared to help wouldbe entrepreneurs develop their ideas and then launch the businesses of their dreams. In fact, Forbes Magazine named Tulsa its No. 1 place for young entrepreneurs. Today, there’s no excuse to toil away in your lonely silo, unaware of the many opportunities that are available in this city’s diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Here are a few of the leading organizations helping turn Tulsa into a mecca for entrepreneurs.

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The Forge

125 W. Third St., 918-560-0265, www.theforgetulsa.com

FOUNDED: 2012 PARTNERS/SPONSORS: Tulsa Regional Chamber (with support from chamber members) plus T. D. Williamson, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences and TYPros If your business concept is hot enough to be hammered into the shape of a profitable business, then The Forge, an economic development initiative of the Tulsa Regional Chamber, might be a good fit for you.

The Forge offers six qualified entrepreneurs some prime downtown office space and an intensive, mentor-driven program designed to refine and accelerate business concepts toward marketplace realization.

While the name might sound intimidating, The Forge’s purpose is more like getting the entrepreneurial egg to hatch.

“It’s really a startup incubator that offers low-cost office space to entrepreneurs with high energy but limited resources,” says The Forge Director Jessica Flint.

The Forge connects its entrepreneur hatchlings with expert mentors who guide them through the tricky process of business startup.

Called the Bull Pen, The Forge’s mentorship program offers guidance in 15 business categories and insider knowledge and advice when it comes to planning, raising capital, logistics, distribution and valuation.

The Forge clients are required to participate in a six-session, mentor-led miniaccelerator program (Forge Six). Additionally, clients must complete economic development impact surveys annually for five years so company As a would-be entrepreneur, sooner or growth can be tracked. One

later you’ll probably realize the limitations of a cramped home office or cluttered corner in the garage. It might not be the space so much as the isolation from people and resources to help you.

Being a startup entrepreneur, especially for the first time, can be a lonely, frustrating exercise. But it doesn’t have to be.

36 Degrees North is the place where you can plug in to give your embryonic business a much-needed boost toward realization.

“Basically, it’s a gathering place, a front door for Tulsa’s entrepreneurial community,” says Executive Director Dustin Curzon. “It’s a point of entry for anybody with an idea who doesn’t know what to do next. They can come here and get pointed in the right direction.”

Located in the heart of the Brady Arts District downtown, 36°N offers 11,500 square feet of space for entrepreneurs to office, mix, mingle, exchange ideas and collaborate. Since opening in January, 36°N has more than 100 members representing 37 industries from nonprofits to food, retail, public relations, IT/software and finance, among others. Memberships are available through an application process, but there is a waiting list for those wanting both offices and desks.

36°N averages over 1,000 visitors a month at programs that include meet-ups for software developers, women’s coworking days with supervised child care, presentations and meetings from groups like Cultivate918 and 1 Million Cups, for example. Members meet with successful entrepreneurs, investors and executives who commit to spending one-on-one time with members. Don’t think you’re too young or too old to participate. Members range from middle school to retirement age.

“It’s all about making it easier to start a business,” Curzon adds. “The most valuable asset is just being here. You will meet people who can help you. My advice is don’t wait. Take that step.”

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big benefit for The Forge clients is a state income tax exemption for up to 10 years.

It takes most people one to two years to graduate from The Forge —— so far six have graduated, with six currently in the program. The application process to get one of the coveted six openings is somewhat extensive, and concepts must be innovative and scalable so growth can be accelerated.

Graduates include Medefy, SAPIEN Brand Experience, Switchgear Recruiting, Cultural Outreach Solutions and Job Pact. Current companies include SkaterTrainer, The Audio Planet, Sitter Planet, Synercon Technologies, Leche Lounge and Exaeris Water Innovations.

Cultivate918

meets the second Wednesday of each month at 36 Degrees North, www.cultivate918.org

FOUNDED: 2014 PARTNER: Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation Whether you’re a dreamer with the seed of a startup idea or someone whose existing business needs to branch out, Cultivate918 is probably the organization you want to plant yourself in right away. Here you will find people eager to get their ideas launched and help others along the way.

For Alex Golimbievsky, Cultivate918 was vital to the startup success of his company, Job Pact, an online hiring tool. A couple of years ago, Golimbievsky was working full time and dreaming about this business during his “coffee shop nomad phase,” but he was afraid to step out. Finally, Golimbievsky attended Cultivate918 meetings, as well as 1 Million Cups meetings, and it made all the difference as he gained confidence to step out.

36 Degrees North 36 E. Cameron St. www.36degreesnorth.co www.fb.com/36degreesn

FOUNDED: 2016 PARTNERS: George Kaiser Family Foundation, Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation, Tulsa Regional Chamber, Tulsa Technology Center, Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma

“I had that deer-in-the-headlights look, but through Cultivate918 I was able to connect with people who could help me, and I could learn from others’ journeys,” he says. “I don’t know if we would have made it otherwise.” Golimbievsky names Michael Tate and Matt Villarreal of Infinite Composites as valuable mentors who offered great advice on fundraising and more, as well as folks at Medefy, a health care cost transparency app, who helped him figure out the who’s who of the scene and get connected.

Casual meetings provide for plenty of mixing and networking, but program elements often incorporate actual business pitches and sharing about successes and failures.

Through the meetings, Golimbievsky was introduced to other opportunities that culminated in acceptance into The Forge business incubator. Job Pact has since graduated from that program and is now running full time.

“All you have to do is show up, and you will get connected to the right people,” says Golimbievsky, who now serves on Cultivate918’s steering committee.

“It is a community of people who are there to help each other.”

1 Million Cups

meets 9 a.m. each Wednesday, at 36 Degrees North www.1millioncups.com/tulsa

TULSA CHAPTER FOUNDED: 2013 PARTNERS/SPONSORS: Kauffman Foundation/Kauffman Founders School, 36°N, Topeca Coffee, Chimera Café, Arcadia Printing and Novsun Starting a business takes a lot of grit and probably for most people, a lot of caffeine, too. 1 Million Cups is a weekly morning meeting that brings entrepreneurs together with peers, mentors and, potentially, funders.

“It’s free, and it’s an opportunity to network and meet other entrepreneurs,” says Cecilia Wessinger, a volunteer organizer for 1MC’s Tulsa chapter. “It’s a place to go and bounce ideas off people.”

Started by the Kauffman Foundation of Kansas City, 1 Million Cups has 90 chapters nationwide and is dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship by creating a community of people to evaluate startup concepts and connect entrepreneurs with resources and funding.

In addition to offering networking opportunities, each hour-long meeting is formatted to give two startup entrepreneurs the chance to demonstrate their concept in a six-minute pitch, followed by a 20-minute Q&A with attendees.

“This is a good way for people to learn because you get asked really important questions like, ‘How do you monetize your concept?’ or, ‘Which marketing approach is best?’” Wessinger says, adding that it’s also a good way to practice and perfect a pitch. “There’s a healthy skepticism and encouragement that helps you to think outside the box you might be in.”

Presenters can consult the 1 Million Cups website for tips on how to make compelling presentations to potential backers. A year after making a presentation, companies are invited back for a “refill.”

“That’s when they tell what has happened, things to avoid, and what they and others can learn from their mistakes,” Wessinger says.

If you don’t know where to begin your entrepreneurial journey, attending 1 Million Cups is probably a good place to get your project percolating.

Oklahoma Innovation Institute

100 S. Cincinnati Ave., Suite 1405, 918-863-8700, www.oklahomainnovationinstitute.org

FOUNDED: 2007 PARTNERS/MEMBERS: University of Tulsa, OSU-Tulsa, OU-Tulsa, Tulsa Community College, Oral Roberts University, Northeastern State University If you have a high-tech concept involving IT, software, aerospace or manufacturing applications, then the Oklahoma Innovation Institute (OII) could clear your pathway to profitability.

“We pride ourselves on being a neutral facilitator and convener for entrepreneurs in the community and helping leverage resources,” says OII Executive Director David Greer. “It’s about creating an intentional collision of opportunity versus hoping for an accidental one.”

The nonprofit offers three initiatives to support qualified entrepreneurs.

First is the Tandy Supercomputing Center that offers access to immense computing power.

Mark Lauinger, i2E senior vice president of client services.

i2e

(innovation to enterprise) 618 E. Third St., Suite 1, 918-582-5592, www.i2e.org

FOUNDED: 1999 PARTNERS/FUNDERS: Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology, U.S. Economic Development Administration, Oklahoma Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, Oklahoma Business Roundtable, Presbyterian Health Foundation and the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation Without access to capital, your plans for growth could be slow and flat, or easily die on the vine, even if you have a solid idea, prototype or promising business model.

That’s where i2E comes in, providing the timely financial investment and other services that tech and biotech companies need.

“We have capital specifically earmarked for investment in early-stage companies” that are scalable and growth-oriented, says i2E Senior Vice President of Client Services Mark Lauinger. “We serve the $50,000-$2 million space and are the only organized capital source that early with equity investment.” i2E is one of a few capital sources that has a charter to consistently commit capital to Oklahoma’s entrepreneurial space. Also, investments primarily take the form of preferred equity or convertible notes, and i2E never owns more than 50 percent of a company.

With headquarters in Oklahoma City and offices in Tulsa, i2E has $50 million under management with companies accepted into its portfolio and approximately $18 million available for investment.

“Of course, a company must be investment worthy,” Lauinger notes. “We try to get inside the heads of entrepreneurs and help grow their businesses.”

When evaluating a company for investment, i2E looks at a few factors, including risk-weighted return, co-investment from the private sector, high growth potential and scalability.

Most businesses fitting the profile fall into IT, life sciences, bio-tech, software and manufacturing ventures, but there are other industries that meet those paramaters, as well.

Additionally, i2E is looking for companies that have a potential for attractive risk-adjusted return but have some barrier to market entry, such as a difficult-to-replicate product or protection through intellectual property laws.

Most candidates for i2E funding are well beyond the concept phase, though they have a specific fund for proving the potential stability of ideas.

“This is not about ‘Hey, I’ve got a good idea,’” Lauinger says. “That’s not a company.”

Companies agree to pay i2E an initial engagement fee of $2,000 for one year of services. At the end of the initial engagement period, the company and i2E may mutually agree to extend the term of the engagement for additional six-month periods for a fee of $1,000 per six-month extension period. Becoming a client and paying the engagement fee is not a guarantee of funding but provides the opportunity for i2E to furnish its services to the company, including possible investment due diligence.

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“It’s for those who need that kind of computational power for research, product development and a chance to get ahead of the competition,” Greer says.

The second initiative, BetaBlox-Tulsa, is a business accelerator and incubator program designed for companies in early-stage development. A six-month business bootcamp, it involves training, mentorship and investor access that focuses on increasing a startup’s likelihood of success.

In exchange for these free benefits, BetaBlox gets 5 percent equity in the entrepreneur’s startup.

Third is the Community Technology Commercialization Concentrator (CTCC), a web portal that is designed to help move technologies, prototypes and products from the research lab into the marketplace.

Ryan Parker and Carter Jarrett, co-founders of Spokto Beverage Co., a member of Kitchen 66.

Tulsa StartUp Series meets at 36 Degrees North www.tulsastartupseries.com

FOUNDED: 2007 as the Mayor’s Entrepreneurial Award, then called the Tulsa Entrepreneurial Spirit Award, then the TCC StartUp Cup and now the Tulsa StartUp Series.

PARTNERS: Tulsa Community College and Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation Think you’ve got a pretty strong business concept? Well, maybe it’s time to put it to the test. That’s what Tulsa StartUp Series is about —— it’s a live and local “Shark Tank”-esque competition among entrepreneurs vying for financial support and expert mentoring for their fledgling ideas.

Begun in 2007, the competition was recently rebranded and reformatted and now features competition in five categories: tech/ apps; K-12 students; physical products; food/ retail; and “wild card,” for any idea or business.

To apply, make a 60-second video pitch (yes, you can use your smartphone) and upload it to www.tulsastartupseries.com. If you are selected as a finalist, you will then make a live, five-minute pitch to a panel of judges.

Pitch winners earn $2,500, a three-month membership to 36°N, a three-month mentorship and a spot in the Venture Assessment Program at i2E. Winners also get to compete for $15,000 on Demo Day, Nov. 16, during Global Entrepreneurship Week.

Anyone can compete in the StartUp Series.

In fact, a third grader won this year’s K-12 competition with a Lego vacuum concept.

Since 2007, the series has inspired 2,300 full-time, part-time and contract jobs, $11 million in follow-up investments and $57.7 million in economic impact for Tulsa, according to an economic impact analysis report sponsored

by Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation. Participation has been strong, with an average of 20 video pitch applicants per series cycle.

“This is one of the most exciting opportunities in Tulsa’s entrepreneurial landscape and is another way to get an idea off the ground, get resources and help people plug into the entrepreneurial community,” says Autumn Worten, chairwoman of Tulsa StartUp Series. tþ

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So, you’re a big hit at family gatherings and friends rave about your mad culinary skills. “You should open a restaurant!” they exclaim.

You smile politely, and then the thought occurs to you, “Yeah, I should.”

But how?

Kitchen 66 is the answer to this question. It is designed to turn delicious recipes into profitable realities for would-be restaurateurs and food product developers.

Applicants should be prepared to not only hone their cooking skills, but also their business acumen through an intensive six-month curriculum. Kitchen 66’s Launch Program teaches everything from sales and marketing strategies to financial forecasting and even pitching your ideas to potential investors.

With guidance from industry mentors and experts, by the end of the six months, you should have what you need to get your business going, including a brand identity, a tested and validated product 907 S. Detroit Ave. concept, a sustainable business model and steps www.kitchen66tulsa.com for growing your business. kitchen66tulsa@gmail.com Kitchen 66 also has a 9,000-square-foot commerFOUNDED: 2016 cial grade kitchen and café for foodie entrepreneurs and dreamers to test and refine their concepts.

PARTNER: A program of Lobeck Taylor Family Topeca Coffee operates Kitchen 66’s breakfast and Foundation lunch services Monday-Friday. Members can host a pop-up dinner or other events in the café space to test a concept. Interested prospects can visit Kitchen 66’s website to fill out an application.

Native New Yorker Cecilia Wessinger is impressed with Tulsa’s entrepreneurial scene. She hopes to open a healthy, fast and franchisable Asian noodle bar with a charitable element next year after she completes her training with Kitchen 66.

“What’s happening here in Tulsa, you can’t do in New York City or Chicago —— not easily anyway,” she says. “Here, I have a tribe of people —— industry experts —— helping me make my project a success.”

Kitchen 66

Still at it Four Tulsans don’t let age dictate their professions.

by TIM LANDES Photos by EVAN TAYLOR

TULSA HAS GONE THROUGH

numerous transformations and continues that path today. What has not changed is the hard-working people that make Tulsa great. There are those not ready to hand over their keys to the home they helped build. These four people are not the last standing. They are just some who are still going strong. Continuing to work. Continuing to help build their city. With age comes wisdom. Let them share their stories.

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MIKE SAMARA

CELEBRITY RESTAURANT

The average life for a restaurant is seven years. Make it a few years past that, and it has been a great run. But what do you call it when it’s been nearly 60 years? If you’re Mike Samara, owner of Celebrity Restaurant, you call it “a lot of fun. A good time.”

Samara is 92, blind, a colon cancer survivor and recently was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. He has every right to call it quits, hand over full duties to his daughter, Paula Osko, who manages the day-to-day operations with her brother, Nick Samara. But that’s not happening.

“I’d go crazy if I didn’t work,” says Samara as he sits in one of the red velvet chairs in the restaurant bar. “I can’t tell you how much I enjoy it. Every morning I wake up looking forward to coming in.”

In 1960, Samara had recently returned to Oklahoma after running Mickey Mantle’s Holiday Inn in Joplin, Missouri, for a couple of years. He was managing a small restaurant and a liquor store when a friend called and told him about a business opportunity.

“He told me about a little club way out east on 31st and Yale. It was nearly the country,” Samara says with a smile. “It had been open a year and three people went broke. They used to call the two-lane street out front ‘Dead Man’s Corner,’ because of all the accidents.”

So, he bought it.

“They said, ‘One day this place will be in the middle of town,’” he says. “I didn’t know if I’d

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own it by then, but I believed them. Now here we are.”

Samara has owned numerous restaurants in Tulsa. There were the three Big Mike’s burger joints, the Library near TU; he also brought Burger King to the state. He claims his dream place was the short-lived Utica 21, located in the Utica Bank Building, which he gave up during his battle against colon cancer in 1978.

The doctors didn’t give him great odds, but he won the fight.

“You can always knock me down, but can’t knock me out,” he says. That became Samara’s life motto.

What keeps Samara coming to the restaurant? The people who choose to dine at the Celebrity Restaurant.

Not the true celebrities like Mantle, Bob Hope, Ben Stiller, Willie Nelson, astronauts or governors who visited in the past. It’s the friends and fellow Tulsans who come for the famous fried chicken or the tableside Caesar salad.

Diners often tell Samara how much they enjoyed their meal. He shakes hands and smiles as he thanks them.

He started going blind nearly two decades ago, a condition that limited his role at the restaurant but hasn’t stopped him from coming in daily.

He wakes before his caretaker arrives at the house at 9 a.m. to fix his breakfast. He exercises by riding a stationary bike for 20 minutes.

When someone else is there he can do his

treadmill routine for 10-15 minutes. Samara is driven to the restaurant for the lunch hour then returns home, where he puts in his daily call to his stockbroker. He loves the stock market; it’s his hobby and he likes to stay informed. When he feels up to it, he returns to the restaurant during the dinner shift.

“I welcome people, I seat them and make them comfortable,” Samara says. “If it’s someone I know, I might sit down and talk to them.”

Osko says business has grown every year in the past 10-15 years after the name changed 10 years ago from Celebrity Club to Restaurant as people still thought it was a private club. This means Samara is doing a lot of greeting and seating. He knows the restaurant very well, but someone is always right behind to keep an eye on him.

He also has been instrumental to the restaurant industry, serving on the board for the Oklahoma Restaurant Association. In 1984, he helped author a state bill to legalize liquor by the drink. He was awarded the first license and poured the first legal drink.

But none of these accomplishments outweigh his pride and joy —— what he credits with keeping him going.

“The greatest thrill of all is my family,” says Samara as he reaches over to his daughter. “I thank the good Lord daily for my family. God couldn’t create any more perfect children than the ones I’ve had. It’s my family that keeps me going.”

Mary Helen Stanley doesn’t consider herself a full-time worker. According to her, a full-time employee works six and a half days a week. She typically works four to five days a week.

Stanley is 95 years old with more than 70 years of work experience. For nearly 60 years she has been a licensed funeral director, making her the oldest licensed woman still working in the state. She was an owner and operator of Stanley’s Funeral Home for 35 years before selling it and entering retirement.

“I retired for one year after I sold Stanley’s in 1995. I gained 8 pounds and joined a lot of organizations, and I don’t know why,” Stanley says.

“I got bored so I returned to work at Stanley’s before coming to work for Moore’s.”

Stanley says there are days she thinks about retiring, but she can never talk herself into it.

“I have an option. I can sit on my fanny and do nothing,” Stanley says. “I once tried to learn how to bowl but gave up on it. So, what do you do? Work.”

In her free time, Stanley loves to read. She used to enjoy sewing, but her hands don’t work like they used to. Her fingertips go numb, but she says her soft blue eyes are still strong, as is her memory. She not only reads numerous books a month, but also gives three to four book reviews across Tulsa at churches and assisted living facilities.

She reviews the same book an average of two times at different locations throughout the year, perfecting her presentation as she goes. One recent subject was Elizabeth Taylor’s “My Love Affair with Jewelry.” Stanley also likes other books that never make it on the book tour.

“I enjoy James Patterson and Stephen King, but I don’t review the gory mysteries,” says Stanley with a smile. “Rather than watch television, I’ll pull a book off the shelf that I’ve already read.”

If someone wanted to write a compelling story, they could devote hundreds of pages to Stanley’s life. There was the 1920s Henryetta

childhood, the post-World War II romance that started at the University of Tulsa where Stanley taught speech and the tragic 1959 death of her husband, Bob, who died from lung cancer at 37.

He left behind his wife and three small children, including a 28-month-old. After his death, she went to work at Stanley’s, which was founded by her late husband’s father.

“It’s hard for anyone to deal with the death of a loved one and recuperate from it, but it taught me an important lesson,” Stanley says. “Accept what happens to you, see what the options are and choose the best one. To work in this industry, you have to have experience with death.

That’s the only way to empathize.”

It’s that attitude that has kept Stanley going.

She’s on her second pacemaker. There’s the issue with the fingertips that makes many things difficult, like picking up change or pinning her nametag to her jacket. But she’s not willing to give up.

“I’m on borrowed time. Not sure whose it is, but I’m taking advantage of it.”

MARY HELEN STANLEY MOORE FUNERAL HOME

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When customers walk into Tulsa Abstract & Title Co.’s downtown office, they are greeted by a raven-haired lady at the front desk. Many don’t realize she is Patsy Cravens, the company’s president and CEO. Cravens admits she probably has the best and lowest-key CEO job in the city.

“I come in, answer the phone, open the mail and meet with customers,” Cravens says with a chuckle. “I only work three days a week, so I have a lot of work to do when I’m here.”

For more than 60 years, Cravens has been an employee of Tulsa Abstract. In 1954, she applied for a typist position and was turned down by owner Larkin Bailey. She went to an employment agency looking for work, and they sent her back to Tulsa Abstract, where she was hired.

“When I started I was paid 75 cents an hour to be a typist,” says Cravens, whose first job at age 14 was working for an abstract company in her hometown of Wewoka, before moving to Tulsa. “I never gave it a thought that I’d be here this long or be in the position I’m in now.”

Bailey died in 1992, and Cravens became majority owner of the company with two Tulsa offices. In recent years, she reduced her workload from five to three days, but still enjoys coming to the office.

“I love my job. These employees are my family,” says Cravens, who turns 80 in August.

“Many of them have been here since Mr. Bailey worked here. I’ve been here for more than 60 years. It’s hard to stay home two extra days a week.”

Home for Cravens is a lakefront property in Newport Village outside of Grove, where she’s lived for about a decade.

“I’ve always been an early riser,” Craven says about her daily routine. “I drink my orange juice and my coffee and get some exercise. I have a fox I feed every morning and evening. I enjoy bird watching and sitting on my deck. I don’t live a very exciting life, but I’m very content.”

In her free time Cravens sometimes drives into Grove to visit her friends who own the local furniture store, goes to dinner with the single

PATSY CRAVENS TULSA ABSTRACT & TITLE CO.

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women in her gated community or sometimes plays golf at Shangri La, where she can be seen driving her Cadillac golf cart.

Cravens also serves as trustee for the Larkin Bailey Foundation, which, among many things, helped build a hospital and golf course in Owasso.

“I really enjoy it because it means I’m doing something I think Mr. Bailey would be proud of me for doing,” Cravens says. “He wanted younger people to carry on his legacy, and I think he’d be happy with what I’ve achieved.”

Cravens says she knows she could stop commuting to the office. She could sell her stake in the company and enjoy her free time on Grand Lake.

“I think about it every now and then,” Cravens says. “Then I wake up Monday morning, and I’m ready to come to work. I don’t know if I’ll ever retire, but maybe I will. Right now I’m really content with what I’m doing. I stay active.

I work three days, then I have four to do what I want.”

SAM BRENNER BRENNER’S LTD.

Sam Brenner’s office is overflowing with books of fabric samples. Many originate from London’s Savile Row and Italy. Pinstripes and solids spanning the color spectrum. Pieces of the lightest silk imaginable.

Brenner’s Ltd. has been a staple of the Philtower since the building opened in 1928.

Brenner has run the shop since his father’s death in 1950. That means Brenner, 88, has helped create custom suits through decades of evolving fashion.

“I enjoy working and enjoy assisting people with their clothing needs,” says Brenner as classical music fills the air. “It’s not as easy as it used to be because the dress code has changed so much in recent years.”

Brenner remains motivated because of the changes in fabrication — both in how clothes are made and the kinds of fabrics used. His voice rises, and he does not try to contain his smile as he talks about the latest technology.

He’s inspired by the incredible array of colorful fabrics that are readily available. He’s also fascinated by the way that the weight of fabric has

changed so people are able to essentially wear a garment 10 months out of the year, rather than having two distinct seasonal weights.

He acknowledges the struggle to remain relevant in an age when people are no longer required to dress as nicely for work or social functions, but he is up for the challenge.

“We’re confronted with an ever-changing dress code in society, and the concept of casual clothing is more prevalent,” Brenner says. “My biggest success is maintaining some equilibrium with the changing styles and continuing to meet new people who become customers.”

The shop opened on the first floor but eventually moved to the second floor, where it’s tucked into a corner. There are two rooms. One full of shelves of sweaters, shirts and ties. Then there’s his office with the mountains of samples, binders of paperwork and some books about historical events.

In his free time, Brenner is a passionate reader. He recommends numerous books about the Korean War and Vietnam War, but what he really enjoys are books about World War II. His only

break working in the shop was from 1954-1956 when he was drafted into military service and his mother and a family friend ran the shop. He took over the business once he returned from service.

“I try to read as much as I can because there is a lot to read,” Brenner says.

He wakes at 7:15 every morning and gets a ride to his shop. He uses a walker to move about the office. He says he’s in good health and considers his longevity a stroke of luck.

“I think I’m lucky,” Brenner says. “You never can tell what will happen. A guy can be walking down the street and be hit by an automobile.”

He’s uncertain when or if he will ever retire, but he admits he thinks about it from time to time.

“I’d like to work as long as it’s humanly and intellectually possible,” says Brenner, chuckling.

When the day comes that he’s no longer doing measurements, Brenner says he hopes he’s remembered for his dedication to the craft.

“I want to be remembered as a guy who did the best he could to help properly dress people.” tþ TulsaPeople.com

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berry sweet TULSA-AREA BERRY FARMS COME ALIVE THIS MONTH WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO PICK WHILE THE PICKIN’S GOOD.

by Natalie Mikles

Berry season is short but sweet.

For a few weeks each summer, you-pick farms fling open their gates, hand out buckets and give their guests a taste of farm life.

Whether you seek strawberries, blueberries, blackberries or raspberries, you can find them at a Tulsa-area berry farm.

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Kayla and Jason Shipman

THE

BERRY BARN

If you want to know what it would look like for an engineer and a doctor to open a berry farm, take a peek at The Berry Barn.

Jason and Kayla Shipman are new to the berry biz but are already developing a following, particularly with people looking for strawberries.

Kayla, a veterinarian, and Jason own three veterinary clinics in Oklahoma, and though that leaves them busy enough, they knew their land was ripe for farming.

They didn’t dreamily picture an idyllic farm for berry picking. Their vision was steeped in realism, not romanticism. So, how did the idea come to them?

“Oh, knowing us, we were probably thinking about cost versus benefit,” Jason says.

Jason’s engineering mind got to work finding the most efficient and productive way to grow berries. After a trip to a farm in Florida, they decided to do something not often seen in Oklahoma. The Shipmans grow their strawberries hydroponically.

Engineers will notice the precision of the Shipmans’ hydroponic system, which grows berries “off the ground.” In hydroponics, fruits and vegetables aren’t grown in the soil, but rather in a special medium of coconut husks, composted pine bark and perlite, and are fed by nutrient-rich water.

From the consumer’s standpoint, it means you’re picking standing up, rather than digging through the dirt on your hands and knees. The advantages for the grower are the ability to plant more plants in a given area with less watering and no waste or runoff, Jason says.

“The biggest thing from my standpoint is no weeds,” he says.

And that’s a big help to the Shipmans who practice organic principles and use no herbicide on their berries.

Customers who come to pick from the Shipmans’ 5,000 strawberry plants are given a bucket and scissors, which might seem strange, until you find out they’re for snipping the strawberries without damaging the plant. Having part of the stem attached keeps the berries fresher for longer, and the clean cut stimulates growth of new berries on the plant.

The Berry Barn also has neat and well-maintained rows of blueberries and blackberries, plus quite a few vegetables, which are grown hydroponically.

The Shipmans didn’t grow up on farms but have been quick learners, opening The Berry Barn only a year ago.

“My mom says she had no idea she was raising a farmer,” Jason says. “But manual labor is really rewarding. Planting something in the ground and watching it grow — you can see what you’ve accomplished.”

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Thunderbird BERRY FARM

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Don Hansen

Don Hansen didn’t plant 15 acres of berry plants for the money it would make him.

The return on this investment is something less tangible, but with a lot more heart and soul.

Hansen’s Broken Arrow farm was created to be a legacy. It has been a decades-long testament in perseverance that he hopes to pass on to his grandchildren.

Hansen, who spent his career in the oil and gas business, purchased his farm in 1980. For many years, he farmed soybeans, wheat and corn. The idea for berries came in 2004 when his granddaughter, who was working at Lowe’s, was given a couple of scraggly blueberry plants at the end of the season.

She brought them to her grandfather, who was determined to keep them alive. Despite that, the plants soon died.

But those blueberry bushes planted a seed that Hansen couldn’t shake. He sought the advice of Bob Land, whom Hansen calls the pioneer of blueberry farming in the Tulsa area. Hansen followed Land’s advice to the letter and still remembers the cool November day he planted those blueberry plants with Land standing over his shoulder. It seemed the start of a fruitful new endeavor. But again, they all died.

Hansen was undeterred. He researched and experimented until he found a formulation — from the growing medium to the construction of the beds to the right combination of pine bark, peat moss and sulphur to achieve the right pH — that worked. He also uses no pesticides or herbicides.

And now, at 87 years old, he has one of the biggest and most popular berry farms in the state.

Thunderbird Berry Farm is a bustling, fun place to be. There’s a farm dog to welcome visitors, squawking geese and a play set for kids to slide and swing.

There aren’t many rules here, either. Hansen pretty much allows guests free rein of the place, unlike some farms where pickers are told where they can and can’t pick. He has regulars who have their favorite “secret” spots where they like to find the best berries.

Many berry bushes are located close to the parking area, making it easy to load up little ones in a wagon for a short walk or ride. But other bushes are quite a distance, making it all the more fun for those wanting a real taste of farm life to make a little trek.

At peak season, June 15-July 15, Thunderbird has so many berries that Hansen created something he calls Shareberries. The concept is simple: “Pick 2 pounds for me and keep the third for free,” Hansen says.

This works well, also, for customers who come out to the farm only to realize berry picking is more work than they anticipated. Instead, they can buy the berries without the labor.

Hansen is pragmatic about berry farming and knows berry pickers are there for more than fruit.

“It’s about the experience more than the food,” he says.

But even so, he has serious pickers who come to pick buckets of berries, stocking up to keep their freezers full for smoothies, pies and muffins all year long.

“You know it’s fresh if you pick it yourself,” Hansen says.

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Leo, Betsy, Annabelle, Henry and Tim Endicott

Some days, when she’s covered in dirt, Betsy Endicott wonders why she’s not living in midtown. But those days are rare. Most days, she counts herself lucky, looking out from her porch on her farm in LibertyMounds to the acres of blueberry and blackberry bushes, the rolling hills and pond.

It was her husband Tim’s vision that brought them to farm life. Tim, who has a horticulture background and owns a landscaping business, dreamed of a farm filled with pecan trees. Since 2007, the Endicotts have planted 250 trees, but pecan trees take a long time to bear fruit. So, what do you do while you’re waiting on pecans? You plant berries.

Betsy and Tim were not “farm kids.” They grew up in midtown and attended Edison High School. Betsy assumed the farm would be a hobby and they would eventually move back to the city. But three kids and 3 acres of berries later, they’ve established roots.

And now, the Endicotts’ farm has taken on another life, as a favorite summer destination for berry pickers.

“As much as selling the fruit itself, it’s just as much about the experience,” Betsy says. “Especially in Oklahoma, we have a lot of people who grew up on farms, or their grandparents did, and there’s a sense of nostalgia about coming to the farm.”

The Endicotts’ farm is more than kid friendly; it’s kid-welcoming.

With three children of their own, Leo, 5; Henry, 3; and Annabelle, 2; the Endicotts understand kids. They can relate to youngsters dumping over a gallon of blueberries or screaming when they see bumblebees.

But they also see plenty of kids, and all people, really, experience great joy in quietly plucking blackberries from the vines, humming as they fill their buckets.

“People love taking their kids to do something so hands-on,” Betsy says. “There’s a craving for that experience.”

Berry picking can be many things to different people. It’s a chance for solitude for a mom who sneaks out before the kids are awake, left with her thoughts and the quiet thump of berries hitting the bottom of the pail. For others, it’s a unique date, an out-of-the-box way to have fun with a loved one. It’s also a way to spend time with family, to bond with the youngest and oldest generations, picking side by side while daydreaming about the cobblers and pies soon to be made.

Some people bring blankets and snacks to enjoy a picnic break under a shade tree. It’s a picture-perfect setting, and one the Endicotts work year-round to create.

Betsy and Tim are not full-time farmers. Betsy works for Hilti, and Tim is busy with his landscaping business. But when they’re not working, there are farm chores to be done.

Tim’s horticulture degree from Oklahoma State University makes him more knowledgeable than the average backyard grower, and he has become an expert on growing berries in the Oklahoma heat, learning what type of soil to use and where to plant them. While the northern highbush blueberries are a sweeter variety, he says they are the most difficult plant he has tried to keep alive.

“They’re the most difficult to grow, so of course that’s why we decided to grow them,” Tim says with a laugh.

Before they dug too deep into the berry business, an irrigation system was their primary investment. Tim is also selective about where he buys his plants, with favorites coming from Oregon and Michigan.

But when customers make the trip to Liberty-Mounds year after year to Endicott Farms, it’s all worth it for the Endicotts.

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Where to pick

Most berry farms have a Facebook page, which is typically the best way to get the latest info on hours and availability during berry season. The season, for most farms, begins around Memorial Day and lasts to the middle of July.

Strawberry season typically begins in May. Blueberries follow around Memorial Day weekend and, depending on variety, last through July. Blackberries ripen in early June and raspberries’ short couple-of-weeks season begins in mid-June.

summer MENUS

THE BERRY BARN Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries 7 a.m.-noon, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

13602 W. 51st St., Sand Springs www.facebook.com/sandspringsberrybarn BERRYHILL BLUEBERRIES Blueberries 8 a.m.-noon, Monday-Friday; 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday.

5312 W. 41st St., 918-346-7934 www.facebook.com/berryhillblueberries CANYON BERRY FARMS Blueberries 7 a.m.-1 p.m., 5-8 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday; 7 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

20126 S. Dickerson Drive, Claremore 918-344-9191, www.facebook.com/canyonberryfarms CEDAR BLUFF RASPBERRIES Raspberries 6:30 a.m.-dusk, Monday-Saturday.

3101 Stanfield Road, Sapulpa, 918-227-3589 ENDICOTT FARMS Blueberries, blackberries 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday; 2-8 p.m., Thursday; 7 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday.

13310 Adams Road, Liberty-Mounds (211th Street South between South Lewis and Harvard avenues) 918-344-4582, www.endicottfarms.com www.facebook.com/endicottfarms OUTBACK FARM Blueberries, blackberries 6 a.m-6 p.m., daily.

4163 E. 470 Road, Pryor, 918-519-2148 or 918-519-9235 www.outbackfarm.org www.facebook.com/outback-farm-409833272463705 OWASSO CHRISTMAS TREE AND BERRY FARM Blueberries, blackberries 7 a.m.-noon, Tuesday and Thursday; 7 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday.

11039 N. 129th E. Ave., Owasso 918-272-9445, www.owassotreefarm.com THUNDERBIRD BERRY FARM Blueberries, blackberries 7 a.m.-noon, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

(May be open every day during peak season.)

7515 S. 321st E. Ave., Broken Arrow 918-640-7168, www.facebook.com/thunderbirdberryfarm

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The menu at The Tavern changes often, and that’s thanks to Executive Chef Ben Alexander, who has the pulse of all that’s local and seasonal. And for summer, that menu includes fresh berries.

The Tavern uses berries for brunch jams, desserts and savory sauces.

“My favorite berry to eat raw is the strawberry,” Alexander says. “It’s so sweet and tart at the same time, and my oldest son is addicted to them.”

Blueberries are his favorite to cook with because a lack of seeds means no straining is required.

Here’s Alexander’s quick tip for a versatile sauce to pair with fish, red meat or poultry: All you need are blueberries, fresh thyme, a Thai chili for heat, white wine and a bit of honey or sugar.

“Reduce on low heat and let the natural progression of thickening happen,” he says. “It goes well with everything.”

Alexander also shared this restaurant-worthy recipe you can impress your friends with at home.

SEARED AHI TUNA

with Watermelon and Pickled Blueberries Salad Serves 4

PICKLED BLUEBERRIES: 3 cups water 2 cups rice wine vinegar 1 cup sugar ½ teaspoon chili flakes 1 Chinese cinnamon stick 2 whole cloves garlic 1 teaspoon pink peppercorns 2 tablespoons kosher salt 1 pint blueberries

VINAIGRETTE: 1 cup yuzu juice (available at an Asian grocery store) 1 cup orange blossom honey 1 cup soy sauce 1 teaspoon minced garlic ½ cup sesame oil 2 cups vegetable oil

2 8-ounce pieces of tuna Fresh-cracked black pepper Sea salt ½ of a medium-sized seedless watermelon, cut into ¾-inch cubes Fresh cilantro 2 jalapeños, thinly sliced with seeds removed 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds, toasted

To pickle the blueberries, first make Alexander’s “3, 2, 1 Pickling Liquid.” In a pot, bring water, vinegar, sugar, chili flakes, cinnamon stick, garlic, pink peppercorns and kosher salt to a boil. Let simmer 5-10 minutes.

Pour mixture into nonreactive containers (such as Mason jars), and let cool. Add the blueberries and wait at least 4-5 hours. The pickled blueberries will keep 3-4 days.

To make the dressing, blend vinaigrette ingredients in a blender. Stir the dressing well before using.

Season tuna with pepper and sea salt. Sear in a very hot cast-iron skillet until rare or medium-rare.

Cut into ¾-inch cubes.

To plate, place the watermelon and tuna on an oval plate in a zig-zag pattern, then lightly drizzle with the yuzu vinaigrette. Place pickled blueberries on and around the tuna and watermelon. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves, jalapeño slices and sesame seeds.

Summertime is Chef James Shrader’s favorite time at Palace Café, 1301 E. 15th St. This time of year, when he needs berries, he need look no further than his doorstep. On Saturdays, the Tulsa Farmers’ Market is right outside his restaurant. But berry picking hasn’t always been as easy as going to the farmers’ market. In fact, it meant something entirely different when Shrader was a kid.

Shrader grew up in Washington state and spent a lot of time picking berries in the summer.

“I would pick from May to August for school clothes and supplies,” he says. “I picked for four seasons before I retired and started up lawn mowing and paper delivery for school and car money.”

Shrader graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and came to Tulsa to work in the restaurant business. In 2002, he opened the Palace and has been combining fine cooking with fresh, locally sourced ingredients — as well as developing relationships with farmers and food producers — ever since.

Berries are part of his summer menu, and a favorite way to use them is in his key lime tart. He piles the berries on top for beautiful color and great flavor. In savory dishes, he uses sugar and vinegar to make a tangy-sweet berry sauce for chicken, pork or white fish.

For home cooks, Shrader suggests there’s nothing better for summer dessert than a bowl of fresh berries tossed with Grand Marnier, mint and a little sugar, topped with fresh whipped cream. tþ

KEY LIME TART (Makes two tarts) 10 2 1 1 4 12

egg yolks cans sweetened condensed milk cup key lime juice ounce triple sec pints assorted berries ounces apricot glaze or melted apricot jam

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine yolks, milk, key lime juice and triple sec in a large bowl. Whisk together. Carefully pour batter into the tart pans. Bake until just set.

Cool in the refrigerator.

Top cooled tarts with raspberries, blueberries or blackberries. Glaze tarts with apricot glaze by lightly brushing with many layers. Cool again and slice.

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Get James Shrader’s recipe for a graham cracker crust.

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TA B L E TA L K

The buzz on Tulsa’s tastiest products, restaurants and events

by NATALIE MIKLES

Rhubarb, sometimes called the “pie plant,” is one of my favorite additions to summertime desserts. Its tangy-tart flavor is perfect when combined with a sweeter fruit like strawberries or raspberries. Look for rhubarb and raspberries at the farmers’ market, and don’t miss the chance to turn them into pie.

RHUBARB AND RASPBERRY PIE

Makes a 9-inch double-crust pie 1 cup sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch ¼

teaspoon salt

1 ¼ pound fresh or frozen rhubarb stalks, peeled and sliced into ½-inch pieces (about 4 cups) 2 cups raspberries

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Rhubarb and raspberry pie

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Roll out pastry for bottom crust, and line a 9-inch pie pan. Roll out pastry for the top crust, and set aside.

In a large bowl, stir together the sugar, cornstarch and salt.

Add the rhubarb and raspberries, and toss to mix well. Pile the fruit mixture into the pastry, and dot with bits of the butter.

Cover with the top crust, and trim and flute the edges. Cut a few vents in the top for steam to escape.

Bake 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake until juices are bubbling and the crust is browned, 30-40 minutes longer. Serve warm with whipped cream.

BUTTERMILK PIE CRUST

Makes two 9-inch crusts

3 cups sifted all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons sugar

1 stick unsalted butter, chilled and cut into 8 tablespoons

¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening, chilled and cut into small pieces ½ cup cold buttermilk

Summer pies are my favorite. They’re simple, with just a few ingredients tossed together and baked in a buttery crust.

I would live on pie if not for having to set a good example for my children.

Good pie starts with good crust, and whenever anyone, whether a pastry chef or my grandmother, is making pie crust, I keep a close eye, watching for any tips or secrets you won’t find in a cookbook.

My friend Carol Hampton is a master of pie. She makes it look easy. She doesn’t need to look at a recipe while she quickly mixes shortening into flour and salt. A little cold water is the only other thing she needs to create a crust that seemingly comes from nowhere.

I wish I could make a pie with such ease, but I’m afraid I still consult a recipe. And part of the fun in cooking is experimenting, so I try a new pie crust recipe nearly every time I make a pie. I love the Pioneer Woman’s pie dough made with half shortening and half butter — it’s a good combination that makes a flaky but sturdy crust. I also can appreciate the deliciousness of an all-butter crust.

Another favorite is an old-fashioned buttermilk crust, where cold buttermilk replaces the water. It gives a nice tang, which is perfect for summer’s berry pies. tþ

CREATE A DREAM GARDEN

In a bowl, combine flour and sugar. Using two forks or a pastry cutter, cut butter and shortening into flour mixture until it begins to look like coarse meal. Once combined, add the cold buttermilk, quickly mixing until it just comes together.

Cut the ball of dough in half, and place each half in a disc shape on a sheet of plastic wrap. Cover with wrap and let chill at least 30 minutes before using in your favorite berry pie recipe.

Natalie Mikles is a writer who loves food, cooking and the people behind the stove. If she could only eat one food every day, it would be pie — hands down. She explores life with her husband and three children, who she is determined will become adventurous eaters.

Dee Nash is a gardener’s fairy godmother. Some gardening experts leave you feeling intimidated or defeated, but Nash swoops in to encourage. Her lecture, at 7 p.m., July 11, at the Tulsa Garden Center, 2435 S. Peoria Ave., will teach even beginners how to grow their dream gardens, including fruits and vegetables, on balconies, patios and decks. “Anyone can be a gardener,” Nash writes. “Whether you want to farm your balcony or the backyard, you just have to know a few key things to do and some things not to do.” Nash will cover veggies that give the most return on your effort, and how to grow berries and even fruit trees on a balcony or deck. The lecture is free and open to the public.

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TulsaPeople JULY 2016

Gene S.

the heart of a volunteer.

Gene remembers feeling a painful sensation as if someone was grabbing his throat. After his wife called 9-1-1, Gene insisted emergency responders take him to Hillcrest and the cardiologists of Oklahoma Heart Institute (OHI).

Gene was rushed into an operating room for open-heart surgery. When he woke, his doctor told him it was a miracle he was alive and asked what he planned to do with his new life. In that moment, Gene realized he wanted to be an inspiration to others and began volunteering several days a week at OHI. To learn more about Gene’s life-changing experience at Oklahoma Heart Institute or volunteer opportunities, visit Hillcrest.com.

Hillcrest.com | 918.585.8000 “Like” us on Facebook.

JULY IS

CHEERS!

We often think of a gin martini as the go-to business cocktail. It’s classy, requires a seasoned palate and is a favorite among lawyers, executives and international spies. But there are other ways to imbibe gin that look and taste as good, if not better.

The Aviation Cocktail is one such drink. Featured in the last cocktail book published before Prohibition, “Recipes for Mixed Drinks” (1917), the Aviation was created at a time when Americans were full-on obsessed with flight. Because of its “magic hour” sky-blue hue (achieved with crème de violette), I, too, am bewitched by Aviation.

You’ll notice alternate flavors as you sip, such as herbal gin botanicals, the floral and chalky crème de violette — which cuts the bright sour of the lemon juice. Rich woodiness from the maraschino liqueur and simple syrup round out the experience. tþ

TulsaPeople.com Get a step-by-step tutorial on how to make an Aviation.

National Picnic Month

To celebrate, mix a bottled cocktail, chill it and pack it in your picnic basket. Two recipes below offer other suggestions for drinking gin, and two will help you make use of the maraschino liqueur you purchased to make the Aviation cocktail.

You’ll notice water in these recipes. When you shake or serve a cocktail with ice, it becomes diluted; when you bottle a cocktail, you have to make up that difference.

Each recipe below will fill a 750 ml bottle.

BROOKLYN 14 ounces rye whiskey 7 ounces dry vermouth 1 ounce maraschino liqueur 10 dashes Angostura or orange bitters 5 ounces water MARTINEZ 14 ounces gin 7 ounces sweet vermouth 1 ounce maraschino liqueur 10 dashes orange bitters 5 ounces water

Try Hodges Bend’s version of the Aviation at their East Village spot, 823 E. Third St., or a Blue Moon at R Bar, 3421 S. Peoria Ave. The Blue Moon is nearly the same cocktail as the Aviation but without the maraschino liqueur.

PERFECT COCKTAIL 7 ounces each gin, sweet vermouth and dry vermouth 4 ounces water

Aviation Cocktail

Pour 1 ½ ounces gin, one teaspoon crème de violette, ½ ounce maraschino liqueur, ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice and ¼ ounce simple syrup into a shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously. Fine strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry on a toothpick.

(I suggest using high-quality cherries like Luxardo Maraschino or Amarena Fabbri, both available at Tulsa Hills Cigar Cellar & Market.) Some recipes call for up to a ½ ounce of crème de violette. Start small; add more to taste.

Fly away with me Gin can fuel more than a martini.

by LIZ BLOOD

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TulsaPeople JULY 2016

Liz Blood is the assistant editor of TulsaPeople. If you would like to learn more about a specif ic spirit or drink in this column, tweet suggestions to her @lizblood.

MAKE EVERY OCCASION AN OCCASION! 9168 South Yale, Tulsa 918 289 0360

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71

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Erin Tackett, Daven Tackett, Paul Tackett and Ali Tackett, owners of the original JBF Sale.

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CONSIGNMENT

JUST BETWEEN FRIENDS In 1997, Daven Tackett and her minister’s wife, Shannon Wilburn, held a small used children’s clothing sale in her living room with help from 17 church friends. The initial sale was a success, and Daven came up with the name: Just Between Friends. Twenty years later, that original sale has launched 150 franchises. It’s now the largest children’s and maternity consignment event in the nation.

This family business wants to encourage others to be thrifty. Among the benefits, consignors can teach their children the value of money. “It helped us raise our kids, who were toddlers when we started, to be good stewards,”

918-814-9326 | JBFsale.com | Facebook.com/JBFTulsa

says Paul Tackett, a.k.a. Mr. JBF. “Now, they are a college grad and junior, who help out.”

“Growing families can minimize financial stress by reselling their gently used children’s clothes and equipment,” says co-founder Daven Tackett. “Their items have more value at JBF Tulsa.”

Seventy percent of JBF’s proceeds go to help local families, which allows them do many of the extras, including sports, braces, family vacations or simply paying the bills. Items not sold are donated to Emergency Infant Services and Catholic Charities.

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COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

PLASTIC SURGERY CENTER OF TULSA Plastic Surgery Center of Tulsa is a valuable resource for Oklahomans considering cosmetic plastic surgery.

With a 25-year tradition of medical excellence, Plastic Surgery Center of Tulsa is recognized by patients throughout the region as an outstanding facility for cosmetic care. Dr. Greg Ratliff is widely acclaimed for his exceptional service in breast augmentation, with more than 6,000 successful outcomes. Dr. Brenda Schiesel is quickly establishing her reputation for patient satisfaction and surgical quality.

The practice’s surgeons perform all types of cosmetic plastic surgery, but specialize in breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, body contouring (liposuction, tummy tucks and CoolSculpting), “Mommy Makeovers,” facial procedures and Botox and other fillers.

The entire team is focused on creating superior patient experiences. Plastic Surgery Center of Tulsa is committed to helping patients define their goals and then making that vision a reality.

2107 E. 15th St. | 918-712-0888 pscoftulsa.com

Dr. Greg Ratliff and Dr. Brenda Schiesel

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First Oklahoma Bank President and Co-CEO Tom Bennett III with Chairman and Co-CEO Tom Bennett, Jr.

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COMMUNITY BANKING

FIRST OKLAHOMA BANK After 42 years of managing and building banks, Tom Bennett Jr. believes in the model his team has employed to create First Oklahoma Bank.

“We like a community bank that is owned and managed by local families,” says Bennett. “More than 200 of our 238 investors live in Tulsa.”

In 2008, Tom Bennett III shared his dream to build another bank with his parents, Tom Jr. and Sue Bennett, and a group of veteran bankers. The bank opened in 2009 and by the end of 2015 had flourished into the fastest-growing new bank in Oklahoma history.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to help people fulfill their dreams of building and expanding businesses, buying homes and creating wealth,” says Tom Bennett III, president and co-CEO. “We approach banking as a ministry of serving customers, investors, community and each other.”

The bank’s management team and employees are actively engaged in the community, volunteering their time, resources and talent to many organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, John 3:16 Mission, Heart of the Shepherd, Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity and others.

100 S. Riverfront Dr., Jenks | 918-392-2500 | firstoklahomabank.com

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Tim Lyons

the face of

CREDIT UNION

TTCU THE CREDIT UNION It all started 81 years ago, when a group of teachers experiencing tough times began lending each other money. Now, TTCU The Credit Union offers a full complement of depository, consumer and mortgage lending and financial advisory services, all while building on its community-oriented legacy.

TTCU is a cooperative, and not-for-profit. All profits return to TTCU and to its member-owners, meaning the credit union can offer members higher earnings on deposits and lower rates on loans. TTCU is committed to making sure

3720 E. 31st St. | 918-749-8828 | ttcu.com

members get financial services that best fit their needs — the mortgage that works for their income and family, or the type of deposit account that benefits them most financially, for example.

TTCU gives back to the community through financial contributions to schools and by supporting community events and causes. “TTCU’s culture values people — our members and the community at large,” says Tim Lyons, president and CEO. “Simply put, we are ‘people helping people.’ That’s what credit unions are all about.”

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American Document Shredding team includes, left to right, Herb Winston, Brandon Vandyne, Kelly Herneisen, Richard Greene, Mark Blossom, and Shannon Bowen.

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DOCUMENT SHREDDING

AMERICAN DOCUMENT SHREDDING As the leading locally owned NAID/AAA-certified shredding company in the Tulsa area, American Document Shredding takes pride in providing document control and security for its business clients.

“We are an on-site document shredding company which means we shred only on the client’s site,” says Kelly Herneisen, ADS owner and manager. “All of our employees are NAID-certified and our personnel use only locked

7254 E. 38th St. | 918-770-5606 | weshredonsite.com

containers to ensure the safety of the client’s information.”

After information is destroyed, American Document Shredding’s employees supervise the shredding, bailing and recycling of documents using only an NAID-approved method.

“We take extreme measures to control and protect each of our client’s documents,” says Herneisen, “which is a requirement to be a certified, trusted shredding facility.”

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EAR, NOSE AND THROAT CARE

EASTERN OKLAHOMA EAR, NOSE & THROAT, INC. For more than 40 years, Eastern Oklahoma Ear, Nose & Throat has been helping children and adults with all of their ear, nose and throat needs. The practice offers the full scope of ENT care including allergy testing, hearing aid services and thyroid surgery.

As the one of the oldest and largest private ENT practices in Oklahoma, Eastern Oklahoma Ear, Nose & Throat boasts a staff of the most experienced and highly trained physicians in the region. Drs. Anthony Loehr, Robert Nelson, Stephen Brownlee, William Sawyer, David White, David Hall,

Atul Vaidya, Chris Siemens and Evan Moore call the practice home. The clinic has the only board-certified neuro-otologist in eastern Oklahoma, and most physicians hold or have held medical leadership positions in area hospitals.

Additionally, six board-certified audiologists and 40 committed staff members help ensure a positive experience.

Whether a patient requires surgical or allergy care, a hearing aid or a cochlear implant, the physicians at EOENT are here for them.

5020 E. 68th St. S. | 8803 S. 101st E. Ave., Suite 110 | 918-492-3636 | eoent.com

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Dr. Ryan Conley

the face of

EYE CARE AND LASIK SURGERY

TRIAD EYE INSTITUTE With 30 years in the industry and five convenient locations, Triad Eye Institute provides a wider range of specialty eye care services and employs more advanced technology than any other provider in eastern Oklahoma.

Under the guidance of Ryan P. Conley, D.O., and Mary Anne Ahluwalia, D.O., the entire staff at Triad Eye is dedicated to helping patients “See More of Life.”

The practice has an unwavering commitment to highquality patient care delivered by fellowship-trained ophthalmologists.

6140 S. Memorial Dr. | 918-252-2020 | TriadEye.com

Triad Eye Institute has enjoyed being the first clinic in the state of Oklahoma to perform many new procedures and the first to utilize advanced surgical techniques.

Triad Eye’s surgical specialties include LenSx laserassisted cataract removal and blade-free iLASIK laser vision correction, but the expert staff is equipped to handle a vast array of eye conditions, from glaucoma to chronic dry eye to diabetic retinopathy. Triad Eye Institute also offers solutions to cosmetic concerns.

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Utica Square Store Manager Michael Guillory, Moody’s President Tyler Jones, and Utica Square store employees Kim Montanes, Cindy Layman and Tony Wilson.

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FAMILY-OWNED JEWELRY STORE

MOODY’S JEWELRY A broken clock led to the founding of Moody’s Jewelry.

Young Ernest Moody Jr. took the clock to a watchmaker neighbor, who showed him how to fix it. This sparked Moody’s desire to become a watchmaker.

In 1944, the young Tulsan opened a shop in Whittier Square, and then opened a small shop at East 12th Street and South Harvard Avenue. Moody then moved the business across the street to a larger building where the flagship store still remains.

Seven Store Locations | 918-834-3771 | moodysjewelry.com

Today, the business has seven stores in metro Tulsa, and is still owned and operated by members of the founder’s family.

The company is also very involved within the Tulsa metro community.

Moody’s store locations and managers are: Harvard at 12th, Jared Waddell; Lewis at 71st, Jason DeLong; Sheridan at 51st, Arman Varolian; 68th at Memorial, Lisa Smedley; Kenosha at 145th in Broken Arrow, Thomas Stoltzner; Utica Square, Michael Guillory; and 71st Street at Highway 169, Kevin Elias.

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FESTIVALS

THE CASTLE OF MUSKOGEE For 22 years, the Castle of Muskogee has served as a “gateway to another world.”

More than 250,000 people visit the Castle each year for a variety of events, including the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival, the Castle Zombie Run, the Halloween Festival, the Boare’s Head Feaste and Castle Christmas, plus weddings and private and corporate gatherings.

Summertime means it’s fireworks season at the

Castle, and this year promises an expanded selection of everything from novelties to multi-action displays, all in a 37,000-square-foot air-conditioned facility.

The Castle of Muskogee is a family-run business. Owners Jeff and Matt Hiller are proud of the special magic they bring to events and festivals of all kinds. There are many event centers in eastern Oklahoma, after all, but only one of them has a castle.

3400 E. Fern Mountain Road, Muskogee | 918-687-3625 | okcastle.com

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FINANCIAL PLANNING

NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL Founded in 1857, Northwestern Mutual has helped individuals and business owners achieve financial security even before Oklahoma statehood. Managing Partner Lance Franczyk has since positioned the company as a dynamic partner in the future of Tulsa. The firm’s mission is to provide financial security for the community, one life at a time, by developing individualized solutions for clients.

Franczyk and his team have been involved in the revitalization of downtown Tulsa, relocating their offices across from the BOK Center in 2012. “We believe the downtown development initiatives represent the future of Tulsa, and we see Northwestern Mutual as a part of that future,” says Franczyk.

Franczyk’s excitement for the future is tied to his belief in the client experience. “Our clients proudly recommend us to their friends, family and associates. We are there for every stage of life: when they begin careers, start families, change jobs, educate children and retire,” says Franczyk, “We are there in the end, when the planning becomes an irreplaceable legacy.”

201 S. Denver Ave., Suite 500 | 918-496-8721 tulsa.nm.com

Top row, left to right, Field Directors Matt Longan and Blake Kelley. Middle row, left to right, Strategic Employee Benefits Specialist Shelley Hughes; and Life Specialist Sam Stoia. Bottom row, left to right, Estate & Business Specialist Bob Skaggs and Managing Partner Lance Franczyk.

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Nicki and Jeff Argo, center, surrounded by the sales, marketing, delivery and designers that create the Mary Murray’s team.

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FLORAL DESIGN

MARY MURRAY’S FLOWERS A longtime dream “bloomed” for Nicki Argo when she purchased Mary Murray’s Flowers from retiring owner, Gaylyn Murray Wattman, in January 2015. The legendary Tulsa flower shop was beginning its 53rd year of business since being founded by Mary Murray in 1963.

“I began my career in the floral industry 30 years ago as a young designer,” says Argo. “I was so fortunate store owners Mary Murray and daughter Gaylyn allowed me to continually expand my knowledge and skills over the years so I could truly learn the business. I was prepared to own

and manage the store when Gaylyn desired to retire.”

Over the past half-century, Mary Murray’s Flowers has earned a reputation for professionalism by offering the highest quality fresh bouquets, designed with care and style. The team’s expertise and service is unsurpassed.

“Senders have learned they can trust us to advise them and properly handle all of their floral needs,” says Argo.

“Many of our customers are now using the Mary Murray’s Floral App as the ultimate time-saving convenience for ordering flowers.”

3333 E. 31st St. | 918-986-1349 | marymurraysflowers.com 935 N. Elm Place, Broken Arrow | 918-986-1333 | maryjaynesflowers.com

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The Corn Popper team includes, left to right, John Russell, Lhonda Carter, Rusty Henson, Owner Brad Berry, Ian Bell, Royce Miller and Steve Manning.

the face of

FOOD CONCESSIONS

THE CORN POPPER The Corn Popper has been a Tulsa staple since Brad Berry and his family founded the business in 1982. The wholesaler/ retailer produces over 32 flavors of popcorn by the bag and in gift tins, plus cotton candy by the order. The Corn Popper also creates snow cone syrup from scratch during the summer months.

“Our customers tell us we serve the best popcorn they’ve ever tasted, and I would say our store’s 34 year history proves it,” says Berry. “We supply schools, churches and businesses

5584 S. Garnett Rd. | 918-250-9317 | cornpopper.com

with popcorn and syrup and other needed supplies. Plus, we sell popcorn, snow cone and cotton candy machines.”

As a certified Gold Medal Products dealer, The Corn Popper can provide nacho serving stations, hot dog steamers and roller grills, Slushee machines and more.

Berry says his company is committed to providing quality treats, supporting the community and creating custom orders for special events. “We also enjoy offering a popcorn fundraising program to schools, churches and Scout groups.”

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HANDS-ON ART STUDIO

Lisa Riley

PINOT’S PALETTE For almost five years, Pinot’s Palette has been a premier “paint and sip” destination in Tulsa.

Patrons are invited to paint, drink and have fun at one of the three area locations in some of Tulsa’s hottest districts — Cherry Street, Riverwalk and Broken Arrow’s Rose District.

But while happy patrons sipped their way to DIY masterpieces, not all was well behind the scenes.

“While building three franchise locations, I beat breast cancer,” says Lisa Riley, local owner. With the support of her husband Ben and the Tulsa community, Riley’s frightening diagnosis proved to be a temporary setback, from which she has emerged stronger and more determined that ever.

Pinot’s Palette hosts public classes and private events — date night, girls’ night and parties of all kinds get a dash of creative flair at the hands-on studio. Patrons of all artistic stripes can sit back and create while Pinot’s Palette provides the rest — art supplies, instruction and more. “At the end of class, we love seeing all the smiling customers with their masterpieces,” says Riley.

“It truly is why we love what we do.”

1621 E. 15th St. | 918-518-5433 pinotspalette.com

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President & CEO Rhett Stover, Chief of Staff Dr. Michael Thomas, and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Damon Baker

the face of

HEALTH CARE

OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER Since 1944, Oklahoma State University (OSU) Medical Center has remained committed to delivering high-quality health care services to residents in Oklahoma, with particular interest in rural and underserved communities.

OSU Medical Center, managed by Mercy, is the largest osteopathic teaching hospital in the nation, with more than 70,000 patient encounters each year.

The medical center also serves as the teaching hospital for medical students at the OSU Center for Health Sciences. With 11 residency programs and nine, the medical center trains more than 150 residents each year and about 80 percent stay

744 W. Ninth St. | 918-599-1000 | osumc.net

in Oklahoma after their residency. This is critically important as Oklahoma faces future physician shortages.

Much has changed over the last 72 years, but what hasn’t changed is OSU Medical Center’s commitment to providing the very best, individualized patient care. The medical center now includes one hospital, three clinics and a specialty clinic, and offers a variety of services, including sleep studies; wound care and hyperbaric treatments; services for mothers and their babies in the brand-new, state-of-the-art Maternal Child Health Center and much more.

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HEALTH INSURANCE

BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF OKLAHOMA For more than 76 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma (BCBSOK) has been committed to making Oklahoma a healthier place to live and work. As the state’s oldest and largest private health insurer, BCBSOK provides health care benefit plans to more than 850,000 members and employs more than 1,000 loyal Oklahomans. BCBSOK members have unique health challenges and goals, and it is critical to have a clinical staff to help oversee the delivery

1400 S. Boston Ave. | 918-551-3500 | bcbsok.com

BCBSOK Divisional Senior Vice President of Health Care Delivery and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Cunningham; Medical Directors: Dr. Doug Stewart, Dr. Cynthia Berry, Dr. Steven Swyden, Dr. J.W. Hendricks, Dr. Paula Root and Dr. Peter Aran.

of quality and cost-effective health care services and medical management programs. BCBSOK’s team of medical directors — along with pharmacy staff, nurses and other clinicians — provides guidance, leadership and quality assurance for valued members. This dedicated team works to do everything in their power to stand with BCBSOK’s members in sickness and in health.

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HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS

FUNCTIONAL MEDICAL INSTITUTE At Functional Medical Institute, the focus isn’t on disease management; it’s about healing. As the region’s premier healthy weight management clinic, FMI specializes in fat loss and muscle enhancement.

Led by a husband-and-wife wellness team, FMI focuses on hormone therapy and quality of life. “We look at each individual’s unique health needs,” says Dr. Michele Neil-Sherwood, founding physician of FMI. “We aim to obtain the highest level of overall function and maintain it through a collaborative and educational approach involving doctor and patient.”

Functional Medical Institute treats patients who have a healthy vision for their lives and want to adopt a lifestyle to maintain long-term wellness while working toward weight loss goals. Numerous patients have lost nearly 50 percent of their body fat — with maximum muscle retention.

“Our testimonials speak for themselves,” says Dr. Mark Sherwood. “We are confident we can help any client with their healthy fat loss goals.”

6048 S. Sheridan Rd. 918-748-3640 | FMIDR.com

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Peter Grant

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HISTORIC RENOVATION

GRANT HOMES REMODEL & RESTORATION Grant Homes Remodel & Restoration has been making homes out of houses in the Tulsa area for more than 25 years.

While Grant Homes is a full-service design and build firm, the company specializes in the renovation and restoration of older, turn-of-the-century homes in Tulsa’s historic neighborhoods. Peter Grant, company president, and his dedicated craftsmen carefully maintain the vintage of the architecture while simultaneously retrofitting the homes for a 21st century lifestyle.

Grant Homes was recognized as National Remodeler of the Month in 2015 by the National Association of Home Builders,

and as Remodeler of the Year in both 2013 and 2014 by the Tulsa Home Builders Association. In addition to holding leadership positions in the industry, Grant is a Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR), an Oklahoma Certified Builder, a City of Tulsa Professional Builder and a Certified Aging-inPlace Specialist (CAPS).

Grant’s greatest joy isn’t accolades, however; it’s the excitement and satisfaction that comes with making a customer’s wildest dreams a practical reality while delivering superior craftsmanship.

2845 S. Florence Ave. | 918-744-8487 | granthomestulsa.com

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Chris and Caitlin Key

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HOME BUILDING AND DESIGN

KEY HOMES & DESIGN It was a match made in house-building heaven. Chris and Caitlin Key met on a blind date three years ago, and within four months of the introduction, they were creating their dream home together. They’ve been constructing homes in Tulsa ever since.

The husband-and-wife team at Key Homes & Design brings a unique combination of expertise to every home they build.

Chris has more than 20 years of construction experience, so he approaches each project with a technical eye while keeping the future homeowner’s convenience of living in

918-607-2828 | keyhomesanddesign.com

mind. Caitlin is an interior designer, so she has an eye for detail, from lighting placement to color palette. The couple loves what they do, and enjoys the unique synergy of working together — an energy they strive to imbue in every home they build.

“Building a home can be a very stressful process, but it should also be a process filled with joy and excitement,” says Caitlin. “We try to take most of the burden upon ourselves so that clients can enjoy the experience.”

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MaidPro Heartland CEO Greg Ford with half of his dedicated cleaning team.

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HOME CLEANING

MAIDPRO TULSA Creating clean houses is the top priority at MaidPro, a local company that specializes in delivering personalized, precise cleaning services to homeowners in the Tulsa area.

“We are proud to be Tulsa’s premier residential home cleaning service,” says Greg Ford, owner of the business since 2005. “We are our customers’ ally in the battle to keep one’s home clean the easy way — by letting us do the work, whether that means a weekly clean or just a one-time sprucing-up.”

MaidPro customizes services to meet the specific needs and budget of each customer. “We offer a full range of

cleaning services and use a 49-point checklist to ensure a home is cleaned correctly,” says Ford. “Kitchens, bathrooms and dusting are our specialties, but we also focus on specific areas desired by the homeowner.”

MaidPro cleaning professionals undergo thorough background checks prior to employment and are bonded and insured. Each receives extensive training to clean at the highest level. “We strive to help our employees work to their greatest ability, making sure we provide the tools to enable them to enjoy what they do,” says Ford. “If you are stepping on LEGOs, call MaidPro.”

12801 E. 31st St., Suite F | 918-270-2800 | maidpro.com/tulsa

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IMPORT AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR

FOUR STAR IMPORT AUTOMOTIVE Four Star Import Automotive has 27 years of experience in two things: Hondas and Acuras. This level of specialization allows Four Star to deliver unparalleled service on these import automobiles, from routine maintenance and alignments to complicated repairs.

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Prime berry season is upon us. Whether you plan to bake, can or eat berries straight from the vine, these handy tools will ensure you stay stylish as you satisfy your sweet tooth.

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WRIGHT ON

Forays into business

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The spirit of entrepreneurialism has yet to possess me.

My paternal grandfather started his own radiator-repair business right after World War II and didn’t sell the business until the late 1990s when he was in his late 70s. His son (aka Dad) also owns his own business — two businesses, actually — and just celebrated his 70th birthday.

Then there’s me, who has been content to work for “the man” — or “the woman,” more often than not — in multiple corporate settings with varying degrees of dress codes that either ignored my leather pants and blue faux fur coats or wisely banned them when they heard I was on my way. Barring any hauntings from the Ghost of Bad Decisions Past, I have another 30 years left in me before I celebrate my last Christmas as a wage slave — and that’s probably wishful thinking, as people seem to be waiting longer to retire these days.

Procrastinate as I do, I’m thankful I had workhorse role models in my life, male and female, excelling in careers both professional and domestic.

Yeah, I’d still rather burn my house down than dust the furniture, but I’ve maintained steady employment for 20 years, so go Team Paycheck!

Since childhood, I’ve occasionally entertained — or at least tolerated — the idea of

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by JASON ASHLEY WRIGHT

being my own boss. My first foray into business was briefly contemplating selling little cakes I’d make in the Easy-Bake Oven that Santa left me on Christmas Day 1981. No one in my family seemed overly excited to eat “homemade” goodies made fresh from a packet of powder and some tap water, then baked via incandescent light bulb. I quickly realized the market for such treats was too niche to cater to practically.

A few years later in either third or fourth grade, I decided to hold an art auction in my bedroom. I sketched and colored a variety of pictures — one of which I clearly labeled “masterpiece” — and taped them to my walls, then invited Mom, Dad and my very reluctant brother to bid on items. I made a little more than $1, which was exciting. Not enough to ever do it again, though.

In eighth grade, someone — maybe a fellow student, possibly a transient, who knows — was selling various flavors of stick candy rather cheaply. I bought an entire box of them for 5 cents each with plans to sell them to others for 10 cents each. Sadly, I ate most of them within 24 hours and ended up giving the rest away because I’m nice like that/horrible when it comes to salesmanship.

A feature-writing class in college enabled me to write stuff I could then offer to regional publications, one of which paid $300 for a story I wrote about a bakery. I felt like Pablo Escobar when that check eventually came in.

But I learned two things rather quickly back then: 1) Using Pablo Escobar as a reference to how rich I felt wasn’t usually taken well; and 2) Waiting on freelance checks that didn’t come with health insurance, retirement benefits or free parking, which is probably my favorite thing since free chips and salsa at Mexican restaurants, just wasn’t the career choice for me.

Now, here I sit, 39 years old for the third summer in a row, wondering if the be-my-own-boss bug will ever bite and leave its mark … That was an unfortunate metaphor. Anyway, I sometimes fret I haven’t been entrepreneurial enough. Then again, Dad didn’t have his current business until he was almost 60, so maybe there’s hope for me yet — if not for my dusty furniture’s sake, at least for that of my insured health. tþ A Mississippi native, Jason Ashley Wright has called Tulsa home since 1998. He spends his free time finishing a novel and contemplating his next meal.

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W E E K E N D G E TA W AY S

Highland Park

Stone Lion Inn

Guthrie Lake

Oklahoma time machine The state’s first capital, Guthrie, promises history and mystery.

1.

Highland Park Highland Park is park of Guthrie’s National Historic District. On some weekends, locals gather here for special occasions.

Looking for a workout? Hit some balls at one of the park’s two tennis courts, take a dive at the outdoor swimming pool or shoot some hoops at the basketball court. If you’re more adventurous, the hiking trail may pique your fancy.

A walking club meets at the park at 7 a.m. each Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

1102 E. Warner, Guthrie; 405-282-8400

2.

Guthrie lakes As well as preserving buildings, Guthrie has conserved its land and lakes. Guthrie Lake and Liberty Lake are ideal for families or anyone in search of some fun in the sun. Both lakes have campsites with boating ramps, fire pits and

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picnic areas with grills. Guthrie Lake has six first-come, first-serve campsites. Liberty Lake features 20 primitive campsites and one site with electrical hook-ups.

Although no hunting or jet skiing is permitted at Guthrie Lake, you can enjoy those activities at Liberty Lake just 2 miles away.

Guthrie Lake: 6012 S. Coltrane Road, Guthrie; 405-282-8400 Liberty Lake: 7412 S. Academy Road, Guthrie; 405-282-8400

3.

Stone Lion Inn Guthrie is home to many stunning bed and breakfasts, such as the White Peacock Inn and Red Brick and Roses. One of the most renowned attractions in the city is the Stone Lion Inn. Visitors are taken back to the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s.

Once a funeral home in the 1920s, there are many tales of paranormal activity at the home, which was featured on the second season of “Ghost Hunters.” The team reported hearing a little girl singing in the basement. Some people have felt her patting them on the cheek and laughing.

On Fridays and Saturdays, guests are enticed with a murder mystery. While they are treated to a seven-course meal, someone “dies.” In groups of two, patrons must solve the mystery and find the murderer. The mystery begins at 7:30 p.m., Fridays, and 6:30 p.m., Saturdays.

16 W. Warner Ave., Guthrie; 405-282-0012; www.stonelioninn.com

4.

Guthrie Scottish Rite Masonic Center As one of the world’s largest Masonic centers, the museum and temple aim to save, identify and exhibit artifacts regarding the Masonic Fraternity, whose origins can be traced to medieval Europe. There are more than 2 million Masons in North America, and 14 U.S. presidents have claimed the order. Discover the history of the Adoptive Rites in Oklahoma or observe artifacts from Eastern Star, White Shrine, Daughters of the Nile or other fraternal societies.

Tours are offered twice daily, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday though Friday. During the tour, see 14 artistic rooms throughout the temple. Tour cost is $5 for adults, but Masons, children and students can participate for free.

Group tours are available when scheduled in advance.

900 E. Oklahoma Ave., Guthrie; 405-282-1281

5.

National Little Britches Finals Rodeo Guthrie is mix of city life and country life. Hundreds of cowboys and cowgirls will visit the city to saddle up their horses for competition in the National Little Britches Rodeo.

Catch the 2016 rodeo finals from July 5-10.

The event hosted more than 900 youth rodeo contestants in 2015 and continues to grow each year. Contestants have an opportunity to win up to $300,000 in prizes and $80,000 in scholarships.

Lazy E Arena, 9600 Lazy E Drive, Guthrie; www.NLBRA.com tp

Photos courtesy www.outdoorsok.com, www.waymarking.com and Stone Lion Inn

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The former Oklahoma capital, Guthrie, has worked hard to preserve its 19th- and 20th-century character. The Guthrie Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places, and it is recognized as a National Historic Landmark.

During a downtown trolley tour, visitors will find Victorian buildings, exceptional dining and fascinating museums. Only 32 miles north of Oklahoma City, Guthrie is an inviting town with much to offer a weekend traveler looking for a blast from the past.

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Healthy, wealthy and wise Health is a good investment for local businesses.

by JAMIE RICHERT JONES A decade ago, Melton Truck Lines’ management decided to make health a company priority, adding many onsite amenities like a medical clinic, dental office and fully stocked gym.

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When BOB PETERSON, owner of Tulsa-based Melton Truck Lines, decided to make health a company priority a decade ago, Mike Potter, a longtime employee, was skeptical.

“Bob announced that he was going to take the smoking lounge and make it a gym,” Potter says. “I thought he had absolutely lost his mind.

I told him, ‘Over half of our employees smoke.

There’s going to be a mass exodus.’ He said, ‘Well, if they’re going to work here, they’re going to be healthy.’”

Since then, Melton Truck Lines has become a model of wellness in the workplace, adding an onsite medical clinic and onsite dental services, and offering financial incentives and insurance premium discounts for participation in free wellness screenings.

One size does not fit all Although Melton Truck Lines has set a high standard, they are hardly alone in leveraging the workplace as a setting for improving people’s health. According to a 2012 RAND Employer Survey, 51 percent of employers with 50 or more employees offer some type of wellness program.

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Wellness programs, however, are not limited to large corporations. Tom Tate, a partner at Woodrum, Tate and Associates, recently moved into a new house and didn’t have space for all of his workout equipment. Instead of selling what didn’t fit, he transformed one of the firm’s empty offices into an employee exercise room.

Tate says it was fairly simple to do, and he has plans to expand the program now that tax season is over.

“It just helps balance,” he says. “I think working out and staying in shape is good stress reduction. I think your stamina is better, I think your blood flows better and your oxygen is better.”

The power of prevention In an effort to decrease costs, the health care industry is shifting its focus from disease treatment to disease prevention, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Chronic diseases such as diabetes, COPD, depression, cancer and coronary artery disease account for nearly 86 percent of U.S. health care costs, but are largely preventable through healthy practices, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Not only are workplace wellness programs good for employees, they also are good for employers.

According to the National Prevention Strategy under the Affordable Care Act, “chronic illnesses … cause Americans to miss 2.5 billion days of work each year, resulting in lost productivity totaling more than $1 trillion.”

Melanie Loucks, work order manager/inventory specialist at Tulsa-based D&L Oil Tools, appreciates the services her company offers, such as a free phone-in, on-call service. A patient enters their symptoms online and a doctor calls them within five minutes to determine common conditions and prescribe medication — all without having to leave work to see a doctor. Instead of having to wait for an appointment, the employees are able to expedite recovery.

“They definitely see the benefits of keeping their staff healthy,” Loucks says. “By offering these programs, their employees are less likely to have to take sick days.”

Creating a culture of health There is no universally accepted definition for a workplace wellness program, and the range of

Ricky Green works out with Bret Bringham, Melton Truck Lines’ in-house wellness manager.

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SUSTAINABLE SCORECARD

Monica Roberts, senior associate at KSQ Design, uses a standing desk and says it has had a positive impact on her physical condition. benefits can be broad. However, 72 percent of employers with wellness programs characterize their programs as a combination of screening activities and prevention, according to the RAND Employer Survey. Many programs also incorporate health promotion activities.

Melton Truck Lines offers numerous resources on site, including a healthy café and 24/7 access to its 3,500-square-foot fitness center. However, the nature of its business presents challenges to maintaining a healthy workforce.

According to Bret Bringham, Melton’s in-house wellness manager, 80 percent of its workforce is mobile.

“We encourage all of our employees to track their nutrition because when they’re on the road they can eat at a thousand different places,” Bringham says.

Along with online tools to keep drivers healthy such as the MyFitnessPal app and a frequently updated wellness section on its website, the company has made major investments in its equipment.

“We’ve outfitted all our trucks with auxiliary power units, which allow the trucks to have essentially all the amenities of home — a microwave, coffee maker, Crock-Pot, mini fridge,” says Angie Buchanan, vice president of safety and human resources at Melton.

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on fresh vegetables and fruit so they have things to cook in the truck.”

“These guys can roll 10 hours a day, so they will get up in the morning before they roll out and they’ll put a chicken breast, fresh vegetables and chicken broth in a Crock-Pot,” Bringham says, “and by the time they stop the truck at night they will have one heck of a meal laid out for them.”

Transforming lives Although decreasing the bottom line might be what attracts companies to wellness programs initially, employees are finding that tangible benefits are the most powerful.

Ricky Green, a 22-year employee at Melton Truck Lines, was reluctant to try the company’s wellness services.

However, his weight had increased significantly, and after some encouragement from Peterson he started using the onsite gym last January. By March, he had lost 49 pounds and was able to get off some of his medications.

“I can’t thank Bob and Bret and everyone around me enough for pushing me along,” Green says. “They saved my life.” tþ

Sustainable Tulsa promotes responsible economic growth, environmental stewardship and quality of life for all.

The organization’s ScoreCard program equips businesses with tips, action items and resources to help them thrive responsibly.

One focus area is ergonomics to achieve wellness in the workplace. As defined by the Occupational Health and Safety Association (OSHA), ergonomics is the science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of the working population.

One tool that has recently become popular is the standing desk.

Monica Roberts, Sustainable Tulsa board member and senior associate at KSQ Design, became concerned about the negative health effects of sitting at a desk all day and contemplated alternatives.

“What pushed me to finally pull the trigger and buy one was our interaction with our ScoreCard coach Tim Hart from TU,” Roberts says. “I think the first day I stood about four hours before I thought to sit down.”

And she is excited about the positive impact it is having.

“I find my back and neck feel much better, and I do think I burn more calories since you do move more when standing,” she says.

Denise Reid, a former Sustainable Tulsa board member and the executive director of Mosaic and Workforce at the Tulsa Regional Chamber, has helped plan and implement healthy initiatives at the Chamber.

In tandem with the organization’s green team and wellness committee, Reid also is in the planning stages of offering an ergonomic education curriculum to Chamber employees. This will take the form of a joint “lunch and learn” led by local subject matter experts.

“Ergonomics is probably one of the biggest areas where we can make changes,” Reid says. “We believe ergonomics is a great way to incorporate healthier work environments. We love the idea of weaving it into the work of both the wellness committee and the green team, since they naturally overlap,” Reid says. “The ScoreCard program really helped us create a baseline for our green or sustainable initiatives and gave us a deeper understanding of how we can become more sustainable as a business.”

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B

IN THE GARDEN

Blue with envy

Blueberry bushes bring sweet fruit to your own backyard.

by RUSSELL STUDEBAKER

Anne Brockman

SOME RECOMMENDED NURSERY SOURCES OF THE CULTIVARS FOR OUR REGION ARE:

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Berries Unlimited, Prairie Grove, Arkansas, www.berriesunlimited.com Stark Bro’s, Louisiana, Missouri, www.starkbros.com Renee’s Berry Garden, London, Arkansas, 479-293-3229 Ouachita Mountain Blueberry Nursery, Jessieville, Arkansas, www.ouachitablueberrynursery.com

TulsaPeople JULY 2016

Blueberries are one of the sweetest fruits of summer.

In addition to its fruit, this native American shrub is a good multipurpose plant in our landscape because its flowers are pollinated by bees and the fruits give food for songbirds and wildlife.

When autumn arrives, the foliage turns brilliant red and holds its color for several weeks.

Blueberries are in the same plant family as azaleas — the Ericaceae — so if you can successfully grow these, you should be able to grow blueberries. The keys to their success are a site with sun, an acidic and organic soil, good drainage and selecting the proper cultivars that bear fruit early or mid-season in our region.

Raised beds that are 6-15 inches high can help with drainage. Good growth is obtained in a sandy loam soil with good organic matter and a pH of 4-5.5. When preparing soil, remove all Bermuda grass, blackberry vines and any other perennial weeds before planting.

Highbush types of blueberries, which ripen fruit in May, are best for northern Oklahoma. To ensure good pollination, purchase at least two different cultivars that flower about the same time.

Some recommended selections are Bluecrop, Blueray, Duke, Reka and Legacy. Unfortunately, the box stores carry the later-season fruiting cultivars and those do not fill out their fruit as well in the summer heat.

Purchase 2-year-old, container-grown bushes and plant in the fall or, at the latest, in February or March. The planting holes should be 18-24 inches wide and deep. Add ⅓ of a cubic foot of wet sphagnum peat moss to each hole and mix it with the existing soil. Plant bushes about 3 feet apart and 10 feet between rows in large plantings.

Score the root balls with a sharp knife to encourage outward root growth, and then set the root ball about ½ inch lower than they grew in the container. Water the plants and keep them well irrigated, because they are unforgiving to insufficient water and drying out. They will need 1 ½-3 inches of water per week during their growth. Drip irrigation is a preferred method of watering.

Apply 4-6 inches of organic mulch such as pine bark or sawdust and replenish it each fall after frost.

Any fertilizer sold for azaleas and rhododendrons will work for the homeowner’s plantings.

Cottonseed meal and slow-release nitrogen fertilizers also are acceptable. Only one application is necessary in the first year — apply it in the fall. The fertilizer should be put around the drip line and 1 foot outward from the plant’s trunk.

To protect your plants from deer, rabbits and birds, cover the plants with bird netting or plant them in an enclosed structure covered with ½-inch hardware cloth (a ½-inch square wire mesh).

Blueberries ripen in stages in their cluster, and to harvest them cup your hand under the group and tap the clusters. Since the plants grow up to 5 feet or higher, hand picking is easy and the plants have no thorns. The best thing about blueberries is eating them — right off the bush. tp

Russell Studebaker is a professional horticulturist, book author and garden writer in Tulsa and can be reached at russell.studebaker@cox.net.

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Fueled for the future Three historic Phillips 66 gas stations have new lives.

by KIM BROWN

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Tina Hayner’s home and studio in Kendall Whittier happens to be a former Phillips 66 station now on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1929, Hayner’s domain needed a lot of renovations when she purchased it 14 years ago.

What’s old is always cool again in Tulsa, especially when it comes to preserving historic spaces.

Several business owners and artists have stayed true to Tulsa’s oil-capital aesthetic and cultural claim to Route 66 by refurbishing 1920s- and ’30s-era Phillips 66 filling stations.

Phillips Petroleum Co. created the stations throughout the country in the late 1920s with the Cotswold Cottage design, according to the U.S. National Park Service. The small cottage structures had home-like features, such as chimneys, to help them feel like part of the neighborhood. By the early 1930s, nearly 7,000 of these gas stations existed throughout the country. In 1934, Tulsa had as many as 23 Phillips 66 stations.

“They were made to look like little houses, so they would blend in with residential neighborhoods and communities,” says Amanda DeCort, executive director of the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture. “And they wanted to have a consistent corporate image, so they were painted all the same way. They immediately became recognizable all along the highways.”

For motorists making their way down the Mother Road, a gas stop in Tulsa meant heading through downtown.

“The first alignment of Route 66, around 1926, went through downtown Tulsa, and at that time it was still very residential,” DeCort says. “Then in the ’30s, the route moved to 11th Street.”

That’s why one of Tulsa’s most well-known filling stations, the Vickery Phillips 66 Station at East Sixth Street and South Elgin Avenue — was once part of Route 66. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.

And more Phillips gas stations have received similar treatment. Several of the buildings had fallen into deep disrepair until discovered by local entrepreneurs. None were simple projects; many had to be gutted and intensively renovated.

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But the owners of a hair salon, a residential pottery studio and a nostalgic coffee shop are keeping the gas stations alive in the Tulsa zeitgeist.

“While many of these gas stations are now being used for other things, it’s still a really authentic part of Tulsa’s history, and our history of oil and gas,” DeCort says. “They have authenticity, which is what Route 66 travelers today are looking for.”

Thanks to a recent revival of historic buildings in areas such as the Brady Arts, Blue Dome, Kendall Whittier and Pearl districts, Tulsa’s future continues to build on the past.

“This is a great reminder of keeping our historical buildings and using them for other things,” DeCort says. “Small buildings are small business-builders. A lot of great things happened inside of little old buildings.”

Katharine Victoria’s Hair Boutique, 1802 S. Cincinnati Ave.

Katie Wallace and Lauren Lipscomb are hair stylists that work out of a former Phillips 66 station at East 18th Street and South Cincinnati Avenue. The stylists say the cozy cottage provides a relaxing experience for their customers.

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In the early 1970s, local entrepreneur Ron King purchased a lot next door to his primary business, Central Graphics, to alleviate parking issues. It contained a former Phillips gas station in disrepair — until a local hairstylist brought it back to life about 14 years ago when she leased it from King.

She has since moved on, but now another stylist, Katie Wallace, leases the space for herself and fellow stylist Lauren Lipscomb.

“For whatever reason, hairstylists love that building,” King says. “I’ve been approached by about half a dozen.”

Wallace and Lipscomb say that reason is simple: The cottage provides a unique, relaxing experience for the customer.

“It’s great because it’s not a huge, bustling salon,” Wallace says. “We can give the customer a really customized experience and they can even relax with a glass of wine.”

The stylists love the Maple Ridge neighborhood with foot traffic from plenty of walkers or runners — many of whom stop by to talk about the building. And the two women often host open house evenings with wine and cheese.

Wallace says she renovated the salon to give it a more modern feel with updated paint and neutral colors, and her husband, an architect, helped put in a new ceiling, new heat and air and other amenities.

“We really had fun jazzing it up,” she says.

King says he remembers the gas station from when he was growing up in Tulsa.

“The corner is really unique because (the building) sits at an angle,” he says. “Back in the early ’60s when I was in high school, I would drive by, and I still remember seeing the service man sitting out on his stool. When it

closed around 1962, I never thought I would own it in the foreseeable future.”

But thanks to a wise business decision, the station is gaining a whole new clientele in the historic Tulsa neighborhood.

“It’s a quaint corner and it really captures the imagination of people,” King says. “People are really interested, especially in that neighborhood, in preserving buildings. And Katie is a great person, so I’m really happy for her success there.”

A potter’s station in Kendall Whittier, 2224 E. Admiral Blvd.

Tina Hayner was on the lookout for a new pottery studio 14 years ago, but she didn’t dream she’d soon be living in a former Phillips gas station. Her circa-1929 home/studio was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.

“I was approached by a local entrepreneur who owned properties on Admiral Boulevard, and so I walked through it and immediately saw the potential to live and work in it,” says Hayner, who studied fine arts and engineering in college.

“Did I ever think I’d be here 14 years later?

No,” she says with a laugh.

But she knew she was up for a renovation challenge because the building was so unique and perfectly suited for working and living in the area.

After she purchased the building, she gutted and renovated the 400-square-foot cottage area, which is her personal residence. And she transformed the garage area, which has another 450 square feet, into her pottery studio.

The renovations were hefty and took months.

She had to update the heat and air and electrical wiring and even had to put in a new electrical pole. She added a beadboard ceiling in her living area and updated the entire plumbing system, creating a bathroom where there used to be two separate entrances — one for white people and one for black people.

“There was a time I was driving my truck into the garage and sleeping on an air mattress in the back,” she says. “But with my background and history in architecture, it was a good challenge for me.”

Visitors often stop by to look at the place they once knew.

“An older couple came here and told me they were married in this place — I guess, after it had been a gas station, it was an office for a justice of the peace,” Hayner says. “I also meet a lot of people who grew up in this neighborhood, and now it’s really coming back. I can open my garage door (in the studio), and it’s a walk-in business for my pottery.”

Hayner’s studio hosts the Shade Tree music series as part of Kendall Whittier After 5, a new event on the second Thursday of each month.

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Annie and Dr. Morad El-Raheb opened 918 Coffee in a former Phillips 66 filling station along Route 66.

Annie says keeping the 1928 building’s classic cottage as the entrance was a must when transforming the former auto service bays into the coffee shop.

They found four tool boxes, restored them and use them in the coffee shop.

918 Coffee, 2446 E. 11th St. Local physician Dr. Morad El-Raheb has been a part of the Hillcrest Medical Center area for years, and he has a slight fixation on double espresso, according to his wife, Annie.

“He drinks them all day long,” she says.

So in 2012, when they realized another of the neighborhood staples, George Tune’s Auto Service, was for sale after nearly 50 years in business, they saw an opportunity to create a coffee shop in the heart of Route 66.

“We knew it would be a challenge, but we wanted to keep the building going, and we really needed a coffee shop in this area,” Annie El-Raheb says. “We took it to the bare bones, but we worked within the building’s original footprint.”

Annie says keeping the 1928 building’s classic cottage as the entrance and restroom area was a must. And Dr. El-Raheb, who also is a woodworker and owns Tulsa Wood Arts next door, used his skills to restore the original door (after scraping off dozens of layers of paint). He also created the wood tables and cabinets for the store.

They transformed the garage area into a modern coffee shop but kept the past alive with décor, such as reclaimed glass, concrete floors and an art deco color scheme.

“We found four original tool boxes here and had them restored,” Annie says. “We loved reusing things for the project.”

While the native New Yorker never dreamed her family would be in the coffee business in Tulsa, the 1,790-square-foot building is the perfect fit for the neighborhood and for her family.

“We have always been those people who love to see historic buildings given new life,” Annie says. “We think these places are treasures.” tþ 110

TulsaPeople JULY 2016

CONGRATULATIONS

CLASS OF 2016

Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences recently celebrated the achievements of the next generation of Oklahoma physicians, biomedical scientists, forensic scientists and health care administrators during commencement. With more than half of the 106 members of the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating class beginning primary care residency programs this summer, these OSU-CHS alumni will have a dramatic impact on our nation’s health care.

Learn more about OSU-CHS at www.healthsciences.okstate.edu.

®

Tulsa, Oklahoma

918-582-1972

www.healthsciences.okstate.edu

ET ICK 016!

T R R2 WE LO ES FO IC PR

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ZENDOGTULSA.COM TulsaPeople.com

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KITCHEN & BATH PRODUCTS

HEATWAVE SUPPLY COMPANY Heatwave Supply owner Roland Rice has always liked the way company founder George Foster described the business as a “house of friendly service.”

Foster purchased a small wholesale plumbing business in 1961 and saw it prosper through growth and expansion.

Son-in-law Rice joined the company in the mid-1970s and continued the growth with the addition of branches in Bartlesville and Ponca City.

Today, the plumbing and fixture company offers residential and commercial customers products from well-known and respected brands. Heatwave’s popular showroom is a

6529 E. 14th St. | 918-838-9841 | heatwavesupply.com

6,000-square-foot facility featuring bathroom vignettes and static displays, a live kitchen, working whirlpool tubs and steam and shower areas.

“The showroom provides an ideal way for customers to see many of our top product lines in the latest styles and trends,” says Rice. “It makes shopping for fixtures easier, smarter and more enjoyable.”

Foster’s “house of friendly service” has thrived for over half a century. “Anyone can build a building and fill it with inventory,” says Rice. “I’m most proud of our employees and the excellent service they provide to our customers.”

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Kitina Bartovick, sitting, and Cristina Woods.

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LUXURY LINENS BOUTIQUE

THE DOLPHIN FINE LINENS Cristina Woods and Kitina Bartovick are more than just another mother-daughter team. Together, this dynamic duo has continued to provide Tulsa with the finest in luxury bed linens. They’ve continued the legacy of The Dolphin, now in its 48th year in Utica Square.

These super ladies keep their fingers on the pulse of the international design markets, sourcing the best for those who shop at this family-run boutique. Another service offered is their home design consultation; a complimentary home visit to customize the client’s bedroom — or even the entire home.

The Dolphin offers the best in French bed linens and bath towels, Italian body oils and pajamas from around the world.

The fragrances of myrrh, lavender and chamomile entice shoppers. The boutique also carries fine home fragrances, soaps and body lotions.

“We want our friends to have the experience of having their own luxury retreat in their own home,” says Woods.

The dynamic duo continues to strive for this goal with verve and flair.

1960 Utica Square | 918-743-6634 | thedolphinfinelinens.com

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MASSAGE

SPA LUX

Taras and Cynthia Tikhomirov

Few Tulsa businesses could be categorized in the same league as those in Paris, London, Moscow and New York. However, Spa Lux has managed to hit the mark as one of the most upscale and well-known day spas in the area for more than eight years.

Owned by a local couple, Taras and Cynthia Tikhomirov, Spa Lux features stunning decor and a relaxing atmosphere.

“Spa Lux is our dream business. It offers the services of a luxury day spa in a setting that is modern and unique,” says Taras.

The couple spent a considerable amount of time visiting similar locations around the globe to help tailor their concept.

“We believe our Tulsa spa is on par with the world’s best,” says Cynthia. “We describe it as European lavishness with an occasional Asian touch.”

Spa Lux caters to both men and women. It provides special services for couples, pregnant women, athletes and more. In addition to massages, Spa Lux offers facials, waxing, marble Turkish steam rooms and cedar saunas.

8922 S. Memorial Dr. 918-615-3339 | spalux.org

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OPHTHALMOLOGY

DR. DAN LANGLEY EyeCare Associates of South Tulsa specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases under the leadership of Dr. Dan Langley.

Langley, an internationally recognized board-certified ophthalmology fellow, is highly skilled in cataract, refractive and oculoplastic procedures. He is certified to perform the blade-free LASIK procedure and is also uniquely trained in surgical treatments for glaucoma, keratoconus and presbyopia.

He is one of only a few eye surgeons in Oklahoma certified to perform the Visian implantable contact lens (ICL) procedure as well as INTACS corneal implants and KAMRA corneal inlays.

Langley has served as an assistant professor and surgery and clinical director for the Department of Ophthalmology at the OSU Medical Center. He has been a lead surgeon on seven medical mission trips to Piura, Peru.

10010 E. 81st St., Suite 100 | 918-250-2020 | southtulsaeye.com

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OPTOMETRY

DR. BRIAN WILLIAMS EyeCare Associates of South Tulsa specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases under the leadership of Dr. Brian Williams.

Williams is a board-certified optometrist and coowner of EyeCare Associates. He specializes in a wide range of technical procedures, from Yag laser procedures, to glaucoma-related laser treatments, to minor in-office surgeries.

With 19 years of experience, Williams is a knowledgeable lecturer on subjects such as ocular disease, glaucoma, diabetes and laser vision correction.

He is a member of both the Oklahoma Optometric Association and the American Academy of Optometry.

10010 E. 81st St., Suite 100 | 918-250-2020 southtulsaeye.com

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OVERHEAD DOORS

SUPERIOR OVERHEAD DOOR

Pictured left to right: Steve Lewis, Mark McAnally, Keith Mrozinski, John Devary, Ben Cox, Houston Ball and Scott Jaspersen.

The name Superior Overhead Door was selected by business owners Tammy and Steve Lewis to capture their commitment to offering quality products and workmanship — whether they are selling a prebuilt garage door or a handcrafted, custom door to a homeowner or business client.

“We want the name of our company to reflect the high quality of our offerings, techniques, workmanship and service rendered by our team of highly trained garage door technicians,” says Steve Lewis. “We believe no other company can match what we can do for customers — including price, which is also a part of our value.”

Superior Overhead Door’s skilled team can configure numerous prebuilt garage doors to work for the client and blend with the style of the home. “We also specialize in designing, handcrafting and installing complete custom door solutions that are truly unique,” says Tammy Lewis.

The company has chosen industry leader Chamberlain Liftmaster as its exclusive garage door opener manufacturer.

6998 S. 145th E. Ave., Broken Arrow | 918-258-3667 superioroverheaddoors.com

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REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE

TULSA FERTILITY CENTER With a caring staff, compassionate doctors and a state-ofthe art facility, Tulsa Fertility Center specializes in making baby dreams come true. As the only clinic in northeast Oklahoma with a full-service IVF lab, Tulsa Fertility Center is well equipped to handle a variety of fertility needs, all from the confortable and convenient location near downtown Tulsa.

For many Tulsans with barriers to becoming parents, “hope starts here,” with treatments ranging from intrauterine (a.k.a. “artificial”) insemination, surgery for

115 E. 15th St. | 918-584-2870 | tulsafertilitycenter.com

underlying fertility problems, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and much more. TFC also offers an egg donor program and postvasectomy fertility treatment.

Since 1983, Dr. Stanley Prough and Dr. Shauna McKinney and their dedicated staff have been passionate about building families. “Our greatest accomplishment is the growing number of families that have achieved pregnancy,” says McKinney. “They were finally able to put infertility behind them.”

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Empire Fence President Bob Richison with Vice President and General Manager Nathan Nelson.

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RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL FENCING

EMPIRE FENCE COMPANY Things are solid as a fence post at Empire Fence Company.

Owner Bob Richison, who established the business in 1955, continues to lead Empire as president with grandson Nathan Nelson as vice president and general manager. “Our business is still located at East Admiral Place and North Garnett Road,” says Richison. “We offer all types of fencing from wood to chain link to ranch rail.”

Richison credits the company’s success to the way Empire does business. “We are committed to a foundation of integrity by offering customers quality products and

22 N. Garnett Road | 918-437-1671 | empirefence.net

excellent service at a good price,” says Richison. “We do business the old-fashioned way because we are not the only fence company in town.”

“I am very proud that Empire Fence has been selling and building fences for nearly 60 years,” says Nelson, who at age 35, muses that he has 20 years of experience, since he started hanging around his grandfather’s business at age 12.

Richison hopes his grandson has an equally long run.

“With the blessing of good health, he will be around to celebrate the company’s 100th anniversary in 2058.”

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RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL ROOFING

LEWIS ROOFING COMPANY Most people think of a new roof as just putting up some shingles. Smart homeowners know better. Today, effective roofing relies on advanced material technology and an integrated systems approach to protect one’s biggest asset — a home or commercial building.

“A roof is not simply a layer of shingles, tiles or exterior membrane exposed to the elements,” says Kevin Lewis, owner of Lewis Roofing Company.

“Our approach is an integrated system — each part of the roofing system plays an integral part in waterproofing and protecting a home or building.”

Lewis Roofing specializes in residential, commercial, new and re-roofs, flat and pitched roofs, roof repair and installation.

Lewis, a third-generation businessman, leads his team of skilled professionals with integrity and knowledge. His key leadership team has over 50 years of combined industry experience. The Lewis Roofing team prides itself on helping clients choose the best fit for both their business and their budget.

“We offer only proven, top-quality products,” says Lewis. “We match it with our experienced foremen and skilled installers who are trained in the best roofing techniques.”

8730 E 43rd St. | 918-394-0306 lewisroofing.com

OK REGISTRATION #0206 OK COMMERCIAL ENDORSEMENT #0206

Kevin Lewis

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RURAL HEALTH CARE

WAGONER COMMUNITY HOSPITAL Jimmy Leopard

Rural Oklahoma hospitals are hurting. Three rural hospitals have closed in Oklahoma so far this year. Many practitioners are leaving the state and not returning. Annually, Oklahoma hospitals absorb more than $560 million in unreimbursed care for their uninsured and underinsured patients.

Wagoner Community Hospital provided $4.3 million in free care to local residents last year.

With Oklahoma facing a $1.3 billion budget hole, the Legislature passed a budget that temporarily staves off imminent hospital closures in many communities, but this is a temporary fix.

The Oklahoma Hospital Association (OHA) urged lawmakers to raise the cigarette tax to provide a continuing funding source for vital services, including Medicaid, mental health services and the Department of Human Services.

However, the cigarette tax failed to pass, as did a plan to rebalance Medicaid. These measures would have made major strides toward improving the health of Oklahomans, according to Jimmy Leopard, chairman of OHA. “We will continue to challenge our lawmakers to make courageous decisions to save rural health care,” says Leopard, who is also CEO of Wagoner Community Hospital. “Our legislators must step up and make sure we look after our most vulnerable.”

1200 W. Cherokee St., Wagoner | 918-485-5514 wagonerhospital.com

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From left to right, Advanced Skin Care Aesthetician Geneva Whitfield, Customer Care Specialist Angie Unruh and Founder Sharon Smithson BSRN.

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SKIN CARE

CLASSIC SKIN OF TULSA For clients at Classic Skin of Tulsa, it’s all about trust.

Their skin is in the highly skilled hands of Sharon Smithson BSRN, who has more than 15 years of experience in skin health and age management. Smithson and aesthetician Geneve Whitfield — who has more than 30 years of experience in the industry — use their medical expertise to help clients make informed decisions for optimal results.

Classic Skin of Tulsa offers a wide range of skincare services, including MicroPeel, chemical peels, lasers, micro

needling, dermal fillers, neurotoxins and more. Additionally, the clinic offers products from sought-after brands like SkinCeuticals, Revision, DermaMedics, Elta MD, Latisse and Obagi.

With thousands of procedures and hundreds of happy clients under her belt, Smithson carries on the legacy of her late mentor Pam Brewer by bringing medical expertise and precision to skin health and age management.

4142 S. Harvard Ave., Suite D-1 | 918-794-0702 | classicskintulsa.com

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Tulsa Drillers Co-Chairs Jeff Hubbard and Dale Hubbard at ONEOK Field.

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SPORTS

THE TULSA DRILLERS The Tulsa Drillers are celebrating their 40th season as Tulsa’s Double-A baseball franchise and their 30th year under the ownership of the Hubbard family. Current co-chairs Dale and Jeff Hubbard continue the legacy of their father, Went Hubbard, who served as owner of the club from 19862010. After a short stint as minority owners from 2006-2010, Dale and Jeff re-purchased majority ownership of the club.

The brothers immediately began to re-emphasize a “customer comes first” operation policy. From day one, they made it a priority to meet as many season ticket holders as

201 N. Elgin Ave. | 918-744-5998 | TulsaDrillers.com

possible — and to get to know them personally.

They also furthered their father’s vision of a comfortable, enjoyable night at the ballpark. The Hubbards looked for ways to improve the fan experience, from a new splash zone beyond the centerfield wall, to a wrap-around video board on the stadium suite level — the first of its kind in minor league baseball.

Professional baseball has been played in Tulsa since 1905, and thanks to the Hubbard family, it is safe to assume it will continue to be enjoyed by future generations for years to come.

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TECHNICAL EDUCATION

OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY In 1946, Oklahoma State University purchased the former veteran’s hospital in Okmulgee for $1 and created a trade school for World War II veterans under the GI Bill. Now, Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology has 3,000 enrolled students working towards associate and baccalaureate degrees — and more importantly, toward valuable careers in the modern economy.

“At OSU Institute of Technology, we favor labs over lectures, rolling up our sleeves and doing the work. There’s a time for theoretical study, but we prioritize applying that knowledge and skill in an environment that a student will experience as an employee,” says OSUIT President Bill R. Path, a champion for outcomes-focused instruction.

By meeting the economic and workforce challenges in key labor sectors — including manufacturing, energy, engineering, information technologies and healthcare, OSUIT is filling the skills gap one graduate at a time.

In addition to his work at OSUIT, Path is a frequent contributor to the Huffington Post on trends related to technical education.

1801 E. Fourth St., Okmulgee 918-293-4680 | osuit.edu

Dr. Bill R. Path

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TEX-MEX

RICARDOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT The locals have been going to Ricardos Mexican Restaurant since 1975. They flock to the locally owned and operated restaurant for margaritas, beer, catering, carry-out and of course, delicious dine-in featuring Tex-Mex dishes covered in lots and lots of cheese. The chile relleno is a particular favorite.

Richard Hunt, a retired Navy pilot, started Ricardos in 1975. During his first month, he hired Thomas Hunter as a dishwasher. Hunter did not have any family to speak of, so Hunt became his mentor. After getting a restaurant degree

5629 E. 41st St. | 918-622-2668 | RicardosTulsa.com

from Oklahoma State University and spending three years with Steak and Ale, Hunter returned to Tulsa to help Hunt run Ricardos. In 2005, after 30 years of ownership, Hunt stepped down to let Hunter take over.

For more than a decade, Hunter has carried on the legacy of his mentor at the popular midtown restaurant, staying true to his vision of a truly local business. He closes the restaurant on Sundays and national holidays, strives to hire great employees and spends as much time as possible on the floor greeting guests.

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From left to right, Sally Wales, Susan Atherton, Lea Ann Hanseth and Pam Bewley.

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TITLE SERVICES

COMMERCIAL TITLE & ESCROW SERVICES Pam Bewley successfully utilized 20 years of title and closing work experience in Houston and Dallas to found Commercial Title & Escrow Services in 1997.

“Our team takes pride in providing innovative, responsive and reliable title insurance and closing services in support of commercial property transactions,” Bewley says. “The nature of the commercial title insurance industry is such that there is a very personal trust between the commercial escrow officer and the client, whether on the buyer, seller, lender or broker side of the transaction. Clients deserve special service and high professionalism and we achieve

those expectations with our team.”

Key personnel at Commercial Title include Commercial Escrow Officer LeaAnn Hanseth, In-House Counsel Susan Atherton and Executive Vice President Sally Wales.

“I love the feeling of completing a transaction (closing) from contract to Title Policy and knowing our team achieved excellence for the client,” says Bewley. “That is our measure of success in this business.”

Commercial Title & Escrow Services will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2017.

4739 E. 91st St., Suite 200 | 918-556-6336 | commercialtitleok.com

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Southern Saferooms President Michael Tidwell and Chief Operating Officer David Tidwell.

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TORNADO SHELTERS

SOUTHERN SAFEROOMS The first-hand view of the destruction of an EF5 tornado inspired Mike Tidwell, president of Southern Sheet Metal Works, to create a new division within his 112-year-old Tulsa company in 2013. “Our knowledge and skill in engineering and steel fabrication enabled us to build a safe room that would withstand the destructive winds of the worst tornadoes,” says Tidwell.

Today, Southern SafeRooms fabricates aboveground, reinforced steel storm shelters. These safe rooms are certified to withstand the 250 mph winds of an EF5 twister.

1225 E. Second St. | 918-584-3371 | southernsaferooms.com

“Our safe rooms are designed to be installed in garages, workshops or any location with a reinforced concrete slab floor that is at least four inches thick,” says David Tidwell, chief operating officer. “Our safe room has been successfully tested at the National Wind Institute at Texas Tech University to meet impact guidelines of FEMA 321/361 and ICC500.”

Southern SafeRooms designs and builds custom or standard 3-by-5, 4-by-4, 4-by-6 and 4-by-8 shelters, and each safe room is moveable if the customer buys a new home.

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Kelley Davis Chilcoat, Kalen Davis, Kasey Davis and Sharon King Davis seated.

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TULSA SHOPPING CENTERS

KINGSPOINTE VILLAGE AND KINGS LANDING SHOPPING CENTERS The family behind KingsPointe Village and Kings Landing has been firmly rooted in Tulsa for six generations.

James Greer came to Sand Springs in 1903. His daughter, Mayme Greer King, was one of the first female Realtors in Oklahoma. On the other side of the family, Sam Avey owned and operated Tulsa’s only public venue, The Avey Coliseum.

Ramon and Pat Avey King married, and then in the 1950s purchased an abandoned airport at East 61st Street and South Yale Avenue and developed Holliday Hills. Years later, their daughters, Sharon King Davis and Terry L. King, redeveloped the center into what is now KingsPointe Village,

and later developed Kings Landing. Sharon’s daughters — Kelley Davis Chilcoat, Kalen Davis and Kasey Davis — now lead the daily operations of all holdings. Chilcoat’s children, Cooper and Eden, help out, too.

Now, both shopping centers offer superior products, from the latest fashions and home décor to specialized services. Among the tenants are many of Tulsa’s top-rated restaurants.

“We are very proud to have invested six generations in Tulsa and to continue the 113-year legacy of family business and community mindedness,” says Sharon King Davis. “It’s about family values.”

4662 E. 59th St. | 918-496-2865 | kpvtulsa.com | kingslandingtulsa.com

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UNLIMITED ENTERTAINMENT

ANDY B’S The staff at Andy B’s strives to provide more than just excellent bowling, but rather, “entertainment as it should be.”

Founded more than 20 years ago by Andy Bartholomy, the franchise now has 10 locations. The Tulsa location offers laser tag, arcade games, go-karts, food and beverages and more in addition to traditional and upscale bowling experiences.

Andy B’s also specializes in birthday parties and events for all ages, from children to teens to “kids at heart.” Bowling

8711 S. Lewis Ave. | 918-299-9494 | andybtulsa.com

or laser tag makes for a memorable (and fun) team-building event, wedding reception, retirement party and more.

For kids who really love bowling, Andy B’s offers a wide variety of programs, from a Tuesday youth leagues to daycare options and the Kids Bowl Free program.

Andy B’s is committed to giving back to the community. The company has made more than $200,000 in contributions to local and national causes, including the MS Walk, Bowling for Rhinos, the Heart Walk and Oklahoma Project Woman.

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VISION SPECIALISTS

HARREL EYECARE Harrel Eyecare is committed to helping patients “see life well.” The full-service eye care center has three locations in Tulsa serving clients of all ages and eye care needs, from pediatric patients to seniors. A culture of service excellence is important to the practice’s staff. Led by husband-and-wife team Dr. Monte Harrel and Dr. Tiffany Harrel, the staff also consists of Dr. Savanah Sayler, Dr. James Thirion, Dr. Denise Burns and Dr. David Kolker.

In addition to exams, glasses and contacts, Harrel also offers an array of specialized services, including vision therapy and dry eye treatment. For over a decade, the Harrel

4520 S. Harvard Ave. | 918-745-9662 | harreleyecare.com

Eyecare vision therapy center has been helping children with vision problems that glasses alone can’t fix to achieve their full potential. “There is nothing more rewarding than to hear how vision therapy made a pivotal difference in their lives,” says Monte Harrel. The practice also offers Miboflow, a cutting-edge and highly effective treatment for chronic dry eye. Most importantly, Harrel Eyecare uses a comprehensive approach to regular exams to catch problems early. “Often, eye and vision problems do not have obvious symptoms or signs, but are easily diagnosed by a licensed optometrist,” says Monte Harrel.

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WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEMS

ER WATER SYSTEMS ER Water Systems was founded in 1987 with a simple mission: to provide the purest, best-tasting water available to area homes and businesses through innovative water filtering, water softening and drinking water systems.

Locally owned and operated by Patrick and Tabitha Taylor, the family-run company is an authorized, independent dealer for Kinetico Water Systems, the leading provider of state-of-the-art water purification products that solve a variety of water problems.

On August 1, the company will open a one-of-a-kind Water Store to serve Tulsa and all surrounding communities. The

4433 S. Sheridan Rd. | 918-496-0360 | erwaterfilters.com

Pictured left to right are Tabitha Taylor, Zoe' Hoffman, Isabella Taylor, Ty Taylor, Hunter Hoffman and Patrick Taylor.

store will offer live water system demonstrations, a water filling station, classes on the latest water purification techniques and more. Customers can bring in water samples for free testing and recommendations. A water quality expert can also do an onsite water test at the customer’s location.

“We wanted a store where customers could talk with an actual water quality expert and see how systems worked,” says Patrick. “Water is a necessity and we want to make sure every person can have the best option for clean, purified water.”

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WEALTH MANAGEMENT

TRUST COMPANY OF OKLAHOMA Trust Company of Oklahoma celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, making it the oldest and largest independent trust company in the state. What started as a trust service to small local banks has grown to become the manager of over $4 billion in assets to its clients. Over the years, TCO has expanded its services, but continues to be dedicated to providing sound financial advice and asset management to individuals, families and organizations across the country.

Now with three convenient locations in Tulsa and Oklahoma City and more than 70 experienced professionals,

6120 S. Yale Ave., Suite 1900 | 918-744-0553 | TrustOk.com

Trust Company of Oklahoma delivers superior wealth management, retirement and estate planning. After over three decades of strong Oklahoma roots, the company remains committed to doing business one relationship at a time.

“We’ve built our reputation on knowing each client’s needs and crafting a plan to address these needs,” says Thomas W. Wilkins, chairman, president and CEO of TCO. “Our clients have trusted us with their family’s well-being, and we recognize that it is a privilege to serve them and help them achieve their goals.”

Malissa Spacek and Melody Hawkins

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WEIGHT LOSS MANAGEMENT

BA MED SPA & WEIGHT LOSS CENTER BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center is Tulsa’s premier medical spa and weight loss center. Managing partner and founder Malissa Spacek, partner and overseeing physician Dr. James Campbell and their expert staff design weight loss packages to meet the unique needs of each patient. The staff strives to help patients feel and look their best. Weight loss services, Botox®, dermal fillers, Coolsculpting®, Ultherapy® and hormone replacement therapy are among the many topof-line medical spa procedures and treatments available to help patients meet their objectives.

“Our goal is to ensure that every patient who comes

500 S. Elm Pl. | 918-872-9999 | baweightspa.com

through our front door leaves feeling that their expectations have been exceeded,” says Spacek. This exemplary experience is achieved through the dedication of the entire team. Office manager James Cole, registered nurse Monica Stubblefield, weight loss specialist Cori Lind, aesthetician Alyssa Hobbs, Coolsculpting® and Ultherapy® therapist Terri McAuliff and practice manager Melody Hawkins all value the individual needs and desires of every patient.

BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center strives to do more than just offer procedures and services — the ultimate goal is to improve the lives of patients.

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Front Row: Emily Stewart with Truman, Mary Stewart and Todd Wofford Second Row: Damon Daniel, Doug Markham, and Clark Lipotich

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WINE & SPIRITS

RANCH ACRES WINE & SPIRITS Since prohibition was repealed in Oklahoma in late 1959, Ranch Acres Wine & Spirits has been in continuous operation at the original location in the Ranch Acres Shopping Center.

Owned today by Mary Stewart, the store is well known for its wide variety of wines, beers and spirits, and excellent customer service offered by a friendly and knowledgeable staff. A recent remodel has given the 57-year-old business an updated look.

3324 E. 31st St., Suite A | 918-747-1171 | ranchacreswine.com

“We specialize in pairing wines and helping our customers put together dinners, parties and celebrations,” says Stewart. “We also take pride in our recently expanded beer and spirit selection.”

Throughout the year, Ranch Acres hosts many events, allowing local brokers to feature their products. Customers are encouraged to sign up for the store’s email newsletter to learn about special happenings and receive discount coupons.

McGraw Realtors

Ranch Acres

6010 E. 117th St. Beautiful new listing in the prestigious South Tulsa neighborhood of River Oaks. This English Estate has every amenity possible to make easy. kitchen 6519 S. Gary ave. living - Located on aOpen culdesac behind and familyroom has3180 granite and stainless appliances.

The S. Florence lace is a beautiful drive up withmasSouthernHills.

ThePhosue great ter suite offers sitting area with fireplace to cozy up on winter Unique piece of property in Ranch an acre landscaping, extraAcres parkingonandalmost a rear entry garage.ofThe nights, thefloorplan spa bathw/open has afeatures salted soaking tub. additional bedUpdated kitchen having granite & stainless house 2 bedrooms on the3first floor each having orginial fixtures. Extensive use of wood and moldings throughout will be a feast for the land.rooms.

Billards room has full kitchen, media room and more. to $2,995,000 a bath.with Spacious kitchenbath with granite and tile Masterinformation. suiteaccess expanded newer & his/her eyes. The kitchen has been updated with large prep island. 4 bedrooms located on the appliances.

Call for more flooring. Upsatirs hasbath 2 bedrooms, bath, plus game room has full and screened porch.

2nd floor. Master retains the orgianl tile bath. Basement clubroom with laundry and closets. Lower level gameroom and exercise room. Ultimate outdoor kitchen with all the $699,000 storage. Guest apartment is updated located over the 3 car garage. Pool. $1,150,000 stainless applainces you need. Pool. $510,000

10625 S. Garnett rd. Gracious Georgian manor home on 5 acres.

A winding drive and a pool with a fountain greet you through the gate. There are over 6000 sq. ft. of pure luxury in this home. Gorgeous woodwork, and deep crown moldings. Marble entry. Large 2651 center S. St. island LouiS kitchen.

- Orginial home views in John Book’s granite Fabulous andWalton balconies.

Salt-is exceptional in design. The water pool.marble $1,350,000 circullar staircase greats you as you enter with an imprssive 3 story entry with

2165 e. 26th Place 3904 e. 64th Place 3266 e. 75th St. well - Custom2404 built home with quality 7777and S.front JameStown ave. with -on Amazing custom built Jack Arnold Backs to 28th Crow Creek is located over an chairs acre ofmakes land.

60 woodward BLvd. with - Boston SquareThis Condos with close access Stunning unit marble floors and end finishes.

Kitchen 6623 S. Evanston Cir. could behigh your backyard.

This E. St. Wide porch rocking

craftsmanship.

Beautiful frontfeel door open to office built for thestyle current owners. to details are in to Riverparks and new Gathering Place. First floor3features The backyard is an entertainers dream withAttention outdoor kitchen, has breakfast nook and eating bar. bedrooms each having appointed home with gorgeous wood, hardware and marble is glassyou welcome in home this colonial home.

Large open rooms with paneling, &putting fireplace.

Formal living room ofthe theover house.

Hardwood floors, beamed ceilings, combo living/dining areaspacious having fireplace wetbar.

TheMaster green, pool every andmake bridge Crow Creek. house has situated on 2.8and acres.

The ahouse isand close to 8000 sq. rich ft.could beautifully a lots of windows house great forThe lots of living. private baths walk-in closets. bebuilt-ins up with and dining rooms.

Large island kitchen with beautiful cabinetryMaster and lots ofsuite natural light make this house kitchen has solid wood cabinetry andtreed Corian countertops. landscaped and has a large lot.

TheA6 private bedrooms, kitchen Hardwood floors 1st kitchen floor. plus additional been updated withon new and baths.

Several formal and or down.

Two different outdoor spaces. courtyard in center high-end7appliances opens tobedroom family room. Master oneprovide of a kind.up.

6 bedrooms having walk-inmasters closetscenter andone full Upstairs featues master suite with double closets, large bath and formal living areas are on There baths and suite 3areas bedrooms Spacious kitchen has informals living you with each options.

Two the front with french doors off one-level. the kitchen and are thenonafull thespacious first floor. Upstairs features game roomdishwashers. baths. 2 located 3onliving first floor.

Lower level has high ceilings, and private balcony.

Second bedroom pluslevel study,gameroom full bath and located and one ½ bath.

Large lower with full kitchen island and double areas. $898,000 located on the 1st floor and one on the 2nd floor plus an additioal back deck area overlooking just one of Point South’s tennis courts. plus two additional bedrooms. Wonderful outdoor media room, game room, kitchenette plus work out room. laundry.

Calloverlooks for more details and bath a beautiful pool. $1,500,000 3 bedrooms. Call for more details. $379,000 entertaining space has stone fireplace. $599,900

All outside surfaces are covered in Pennsylvia bluestone tile.

Inground pool. Call for more details.

Gated Signal Hill

3126 E. 87th PL Gated Wellington 4942 E. 103rd St. Custom Built in Wexford 10520 S. 91st E. Ave. Magnificent home in South has view of the pond. Recently by Murphy has been nicely updated. Formal Legacy Park II built by Bill Haynes Homes. The 6423 S. indianapoLiS ave. attention Modern twist with a great floorplan 11413 e. 132 nd current pLis. Custom built withinattention to 59th pLKitchen . Gated Garden Park with hardwood Lots ofbacksplash, recent updates from the owners.

Roof 2013. remodeled with grabbing living2117 and e.dining. has tile open floorplan great for home entertaining with make this in house one ofroom. a kind. Gated courtyard with2koi granite pond floorscounters detail every room. on overNew an acre of land.

Master and lots of natural Combopaint formal living andgreat details every 5 bedrooms, and light. stainless appliances. having fireplace.

Granite New thruout.

Newinroom floors on Located first stone floor.

Fence with opens to double front1st doors.

Floating formalRedone living and dining plus 2house additional bedrooms down.

Upstairs features game dining. Kitchen double windows overlooking front located on the floor.

Study.

Familyroom withhasbuilt-ins and fireplace.

3 kitchen has has stainless cherry fresh landscaping.

The both appliances formal and and informal is over a lower with level family stone fireplace. room, 2 other bedrooms and office.

Open kitchen with patio. on Kitchen appliances.

2additional bedrooms.

2 baths. gameroom wet room bar. having Beautifully bedroms 1st Aid floor with 2space bedcabinets.

Office.

3 bedrooms on the first floor. for living. Kitchen has marble island open to breakfast Spacious eat-in kitchen with pantry. Bedroom wing features Alderwood cabinetry and Expansion granite counters.

Saferoom.

4 car used has a studio. $175,000 landscaped. $760,000 roomsBonus up room + gameroom and nook sittingand area.

New Plantation Shutters. space upstairs family room.

Office space on first floor. 4 bedrooms private study. Master suite plus 4 additional bedroomsRoof. and $475,000 garage.

Must See! with plans.

Call for more details. $334,500 pullman baths. Large lot. $419,000

on 2nd floor. MUST SEE!

Wonderful lot to build your dream home on in Woodlar. The property is 1.077 acres. $275,000 TulsaPeople.com

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McGraw Realtors

theEHC

Extraordinary Home Collection

Extraordinary Realtors Extraordinary Homes 11714 S Richmond Ave, Tulsa

$729,000

Fabulous Custom Estate with separate guest quarters.

Viking kitchen with 2 granite islands. Game/theater room.

Self-cleaning saltwater pool, spa, outdoor fireplace, covered patio and fountain. Sound system throughout! ◆ 5 Bedrooms

◆ 4 Full, 2 Half Baths ◆ 3 Living Areas ◆ 2 Fireplaces ◆ 3 Car Garage ◆ Jenks Schools

3122 E 70th Street, Tulsa

$574,000

Amazing renovation in Timberlane Hills! Every surface touched top to bottom. Transitional design, high-end appliances, spa-like master with patio, vaulted outdoor living and expansive deck with beautiful views. ◆ 4 Bedrooms

◆ 4 Full, 2 Half Baths ◆ 3 Living Areas ◆ 3 Car Garage ◆ Tulsa Schools ◆ MLS 1612182

11007 S Kingston Avenue, Tulsa

$1,295,000

Exquisite Estate with pond views & fabulous floor plan!

Transitional design, extensive hardwoods, designer paint finishes by Carolyn Finch, sumptous master & guest suite down. Theater room and multiple outdoor living areas! ◆ 5 Bedrooms

◆ 5 Full, 2 Half Baths ◆ 4 Living Areas ◆ 4 Car Garage ◆ Jenks Schools ◆ MLS 1553758

Curt Roberts 918.231.0691 136

TulsaPeople JULY 2016

Katie Lieberman 918.698.3800

Laura Hawkins 918.260.7885

McGraw Realtors

theEHC

Extraordinary Home Collection

Extraordinary Realtors Extraordinary Homes 3505 E 110th Street, Tulsa

$475,000

Immaculate custom home nestled on lush quiet cul-desac in Jenks SE! Nearly acre lot boasts expansive decks, gazebo & mature gardens. Granite kitchen & baths, extensive hardwoods, tongue/groove ceilings & workshop. ◆ 4 Bedrooms

◆ 3 Full, 1 Half Baths ◆ 4 Living Areas ◆ 4 Fireplaces ◆ 2 Car Garage ◆ MLS 1615899

10379 S 92nd E Avenue, Bixby

$799,000

Meticulously maintained custom home with lake views on double lot in gated Estates at Stone Creek. Travertine floors, grand 2-story great room with floor-to-ceiling windows. Could easily be converted to 5 bedrooms. ◆ 3 Bedrooms

◆ 3 Full, 1 Half Baths ◆ 3 Living Areas ◆ 4 Car Garage ◆ Bixby Schools ◆ MLS 1603160

10909 S 89th E Avenue, Tulsa

$318,000

Outstanding open floor plan with 3 bedrooms on lower level plus study! 2 bedrooms up with game room. Extensive hardwoods, granite kitchen open to great room with fireplace and built-in. Convenient neighborhood pool! ◆ 5 Bedrooms

◆ 3 Full Baths ◆ 3 Living Areas ◆ 2 Car Garage ◆ Bixby Schools ◆ MLS 1617031

Pam Case 918.809.3247

Chris Zinn Group 918.994.1235

theEHC

Extraordinary Home Collection

TulsaPeople.com

Ext Ex 137

McGraw Realtors

theEHC

Extraordinary Home Collection

Extraordinary Realtors Extraordinary Homes 9919 S Louisville Avenue, Tulsa

$1,100,000

Country Estate living in beautiful Silver Chase on large lot with pool and numerous shade trees. Oversized kitchen with newer appliances, 2 wet bars, elevator, large scale rooms, theater room and 50 year roof. ◆ 5 Bedrooms

◆ 7 Baths ◆ 4 Living Areas ◆ 3 Car Garage ◆ Jenks Schools ◆ MLS 1613681

6716 E 83rd Place, Tulsa

$300,000

Transitional updates with ideal open plan & pool-sized backyard! Beautiful hardwoods, granite kitchen, formal dining, private study, luxurious master & oversized game room. Updated flooring, paint, roof & HVAC. ◆ 4 Bedrooms

◆ 2 Full, 1 Half Baths ◆ 3 Living Areas ◆ 2 Car Garage ◆ Union Schools ◆ MLS 1618481

6950 S Delaware Place, Tulsa

$529,000

Spectacular renovation in Timberland Heights. Beautiful transitional design, gourmet kitchen, new stainless steel appliances, vaulted great room, luxurious master with fireplace, covered outdoor living and park-like backyard. ◆ 3 Bedrooms

◆ 2 Full, 2 Half Baths ◆ 2 Living Areas ◆ 2 Car Garage ◆ Tulsa Schools ◆ MLS 1610693

Curt Roberts 918.231.0691 138

TulsaPeople JULY 2016

Katie Lieberman 918.698.3800

Laura Hawkins 918.260.7885

3462 S Atlanta Place, Tulsa

McGraw Realtors

theEHC

Extraordinary Home Collection

Extraordinary Realtors Extraordinary Homes

$1,299,000 6633 E 123rd Street, Bixby

8437 S Canton Avenue, Tulsa

$599,000 7219 S Evanston Avenue, Tulsa

9818 S 85th E Avenue, Tulsa

$215,000 1717 E 136th Place, Bixby

$909,000

$4,950,000

$350,000

Contact an

EHC Group Member today for help finding your Extraordinary...

Pam Case 918.809.3247

Pam Case

Chris Zinn Group 918.994.1235

Chris Zinn

Laura Hawkins

Curt Roberts

theEHC

Katie Lieberman

Extraordinary Home Collection

TulsaPeople.com

Extr Ex 139

McGraw Realtors

Luxury Property Group at McGraw Realtors sHerri sanders

918-724-5008 ssanders@mcgrawok.com

Gordon sHelTon

918-697-2742 gshelton@mcgrawok.com Gordon@GordonShelton.com

diana PaTTerson

918-629-3717 dpatterson@mcgrawok.com

Tim Hayes

918-231-5637 thayes@mcgrawok.com Tim@TimHayesJr.com

Kelly Howard

918-230-6341 khoward@mcgrawok.com 140

TulsaPeople JULY 2016

Sequoyah hill ii 11523 S Oswego Ave Ultimate in Luxury living, Jenks S. E. and gated community. Custom built by Sam Hollinger and was the Parade of Homes champion.

4 bdrms 4 bath & 2 half baths, Stunning outdoor kitchen and pool with Cabana. 3 car garage. Media room and game room. Mater suite and guest downstairs with 2 large bdrms with baths upstairs, a finished out gorgeous basement could be a work out, card game or dance room. $1,950,000

Wind RiveR 4206 E 117th Place - 5 bedroom, 5 full 1 half bath, 3 car in Jenks SE. New salt water pool with outdoor kitchen, covered patio wtih WBFP. Media room down.

Granite kitchen opens to family room with vaulted ceilings. $799,000

vintage on gRand lake You will love this gated Vintage on Grand Lake stunning water front lake home! This 4 Bedroom, 3 Bath home has been completely updated. Wake up to incredible views of the sunrise and moon rises on the large covered decks and then steps away to a 40’ boat slip with lift. $559,000

Enjoy the Luxury Lifestyle you desire

oaK CounTry esTaTes i

4300 BrooKTowne

4810 Oak Leaf Drive - Stately Traditional full brick on 1 acre by Oaks Country Club. 5+ Bedrooms (4 on lst floor), Formals, Study, Kitchen with pantry, wine fridge, nook. Greatroom with fireplace. 2 Laundry rooms 1 up/1 down. Game, craft, exercise & all purpose room. Fenced, mature trees, brick storage building. Security, sprinkler system, central vac. $624,900

1369 E 43rd Place - Country French style home in gated Brooktowne featuring 3 living areas, 2 fireplaces & gorgeous master suite with vaulted ceiling, luxury bath, big walk-in closet. Expansion upstairs allowed newer bedroom, bath & office area. $475,000

THe PoinTs on Grand laKe

Turner TerraCe

4 Bedroom,4.5 Bath For Sale! Country French custom built, one owner, large screened-in porch, covered stone porch across the lake side, 1 1/2 lots with over 350’ of shoreline, 2 large boat slips, completely fenced & overlooks the main lake. $1,900,000

3242 S Utica Avenue - Resort style living in this Brookside Mediterranean Stucco w/outdoor kitchen & lap pool! An open floor plan combines living, dining, family room & kitchen into one space. 1st floor master w/guest bedroom or office/hall bath off entry. Game room up. $650,000

avalon PlaCe 3020 S Trenton Avenue - One owner custom built smart house. Architect Rachel Zebrowski calls it “Desert Mediterranean”. Pool overlooks greenbelt & Crow Creek. $1,150,000

Braniff Hills 2916 E 68th Street - Stunning contemporary home.

Situated Near Southern Hills CC. Limestone & Hickory flrs, Exotic granites & sleek cabinetry. Soaring ceilings, ceiling to floor stone FP & wet bar. Dining, study, music, game & fitness rms. Beautiful gardens & waterfall. $799,900

Cedar ridGe 5712 W Orlando Circle - Pristine luxury Villa in gated community. 12 foot ceilings, 8 foot doors, hardwoods & heavy crown. 2 bedrooms down, 1 up each with private baths. Theater room over garage. Private courtyard, outdoor living with fireplace, grill & water feature. $459,900

Call any of the Luxury Property Group Realtors about one of these homes, or any property that you have an interest in.

They will provide you with superior personal service with the highest integrity.

The Luxury Property Group TulsaPeople.com

141

McGraw Realtors

A Network of Realtors Representing the Finest Properties in NE OK

McGraw Realtors

Allison JAcobs 918-850-2207 Call or Text

ajacobs@mcgrawrealtors.com

2677 Terwilleger Blvd

5708 E. 104TH PLACE - FOREST PARK III Beautiful Tulsa home in Jenks Schools. Updated with new paint and gorgeous wood floors. Master bedroom down, four bedrooms up, plenty of storage with over 6000 sq ft. Open floor plan with double-sided fireplace. Spacious patio with arbors, professionally landscaped backyard, and refinished pool. Established neighborhood with incredible trees! Call for more information.

Want to own a piece of Tulsa History? Former Designer Showcase home sits on large Midtown lot, close to Utica Square and Philbrook. Remodeled, freshly painted inside and out, refinished hardwood floors and NEW kitchen! Four bedrooms, two full and three half baths. In-ground pool with UV light filtration system - no chemicals needed. Please call for more information.

DeeDee Jesiolowski Fulfilling dreams, one HOME at a time!

231-3821

6026 E. 140th Street

Gated Eagle Rock. 4 Bedrooms, 4/2 Baths, 3 Car Garage, theater and game room, storm safe room. $900,000

7449 S Indianapolis Avenue

Denwood Estates. 4 Bedroom, 3/2 Baths, 2 Car Garage, inground gunite pool. Exceptional details throughout. $449,000 142

TulsaPeople JULY 2016

deedee@deedeej.com

5539 E 107th Place

Southern Park Estates. 4 Bedrooms, 3/2 Baths, 3 Car Garage, inground gunite pool. Tastefully appointed. $570,000

712 W. 78th Place

Stonebrooke Estates. 4 Bedroom, 4 Bath, 3 Car Garage, built 2011, chef’s kitchen. Neighborhood pool and parks. $429,900

10415 S. Joplin Avenue

Forest Park Estates. 4 Bedroom, 5/1 Baths, 3 Car Garage, Outdoor entertainers dream with pool, spa and built-in grill. $550,000

9519 S. 87th E. Avenue

Ridge Pointe II. 4 Bedroom,3.5 Baths, 3 Car Garage with workshop, outdoor kitchen/grill. $350,000

McGraw Realtors

McGraw REALTORS® Rockford For almost 10 years Catherine has consistently been bringing together buyers and sellers in Tulsa and surrounding communities. Call Catherine for her expertise in: · Midtown Tulsa · Farm and Ranch properties · Family needs, whether you have Athletes or Mathletes When you are looking to buy or sell in the Tulsa area,

CATHERINE SANTEE HUGHES Realtor

CALL CATHERINE!

918.639.4199 · chughes@mcgrawok.com g

din

le

Sa

11705 S Sandusky Ave. One of a kind property. Backs to greenbelt. Private backyard, gorgeous for entertaining.

Open floor plan with great flow for family and friends.

Custom wrought iron gate and fence. $720,000

n Pe

2411 25th Pl. Location! 3 bedroom, 2 bath in the heart of Midtown. Updated with gorgeous yard. $269,500

Scott coffman

918-640-1073 scoffman@mcgrawok.com

1207 Hazel Boulevard New Price! Classic midtown home on prestigious Hazel Boulevard. Updated throughout, beautiful kitchen with granite, gas cooktop & island, classic curved staircase in entry, beautiful moldings and trim work, finished basement, 4 bedrooms, sleeping porch, 3 car garage, newer gated driveway, lifetime tile roof.

Stunning landscaping and stone work. Lee Elementary! $575,000

TulsaPeople.com

143

McGraw Realtors

Debra Adamek 918-695-4945

Debbie.Adamek@gmail.com

713 S. Madison Place

Crown Jewel Collection

723 S. Norfolk Avenue

Shadow Wood

5720 E 118th Street – English Country Mansion on private gated cul-de-sac. Designed & built by Mike Dankbar & featured in John Brooks Walton’s “Tomorrow’s Historic Tulsa Homes”. Travertine & hardwood throughout. Solid core doors. Fabulous fixtures. Unique wood inlaid ceilings. Pool, flagstone patio & paths. $1,000,000

CarmaGrigsby.com

260-1800

Specializing in Fine Quality Homes 11415 South Sandusky

Stunning Custom home in Gated Oakhill. 111th and Yale area. 4 bedrooms, 4 full and 2 half baths, 4 car garage. exceptional views from all rooms, Gourmet kitchen with huge center island made of Labradorite granite. 100-year old hand carved wood doors with special hardware. Wide Plank flooring, tall ceilings, designers touches throughout.. Formal living and dining, Large family room off Kitchen. One of the most beautiful settings in South Tulsa. Jenks Schools. $1,500,000 144

TulsaPeople JULY 2016

7435 S. Gary Place

Guier Woods III French Country home features Park like backyard w/Lagoon in-ground pool.. Gourmet kitchen with 10’ island and custom 8’ Lighted pot rack. Master has his and her baths. 4 bedrooms 4 full and 2 half baths. Heated and cooled 3 car garage. Beautiful staircase to upstairs bedrooms.

Office, Dining, living, computer room, lots of storage, beautiful butlers pantry, wet bar with china cabinet. Features are to numerous to list in this warm and comfortable home.

Jenks Schools. $735,000 Call for more information

McGraw Realtors

McGraw Realtors has been locally owned and managed since 1938. The commercial division was founded in 2008 and since we have acquired some of the most sought after listings in The Greater Tulsa Area.

McGraw Commercial Properties specializes in commercial real estate in all of northeastern Oklahoma.

We have over 70 Commercial Listings in the Greater Tulsa Area!

McGraw Commercial Properties 4105 S. Rockford Ave. Tulsa, OK 74105 918.388.9588 www.mcgrawcp.com

/mcgrawcp /mcgraw-commercial-proper ties @mcgraw_cp

e r e h w e v o L ou y

live!

Sue Ann Blair Real Estate Agent since 2002

Designer Showcase Chair since 2011 Top 100 Tulsa Realtor

918.813.3477 • sueann@mcgrawok.com

Bovasso

& Beal Team

Sharna Bovasso (918) 605-2995 | sbovasso@mcgrawok.com Dee Ann Beal (918) 688-5467 | dbeal@mcgrawok.com

IN E- Y! V O D M EA R

421 W. 77th Street Pristine home w/ master+2 beds down, 1 up & gameroom.

Flexible layout, great for entertaining! Beautiful hardwoods. Granite kitchen opens to great room. Lg. master closet next to laundry room.

Custom features, neighborhood pool & park.

Close to Tulsa Hills. $370,000.

LE E! CA NC S UP EGA EL

7035 E. 118th Street Beautiful estate on culde-sac lot. Amazing kitchen! Oversized master, office + 2nd bedroom down! Multiple living areas & media room. Granite, hand scraped hardwoods, custom tile & iron work throughout.

Safe room! Lagoon pool & hot tub. 4+ car garage! $870,000.

G!

N NI

UN

ST

3307 E. 96th Place Exquisite custom gated home w/elaborate attention to detail.

Completely updated. Chef’s gourmet kitchen opens to vaulted beamed family room. 4 beds down. Gameroom & loft w/fireman’s pole.

Approx. 1 acre lot w/saltwater pool that backs to jogging trail. Crown Pointe. $750,000.

S OUD! E RGATE GO G &

3107 E. 88th Street Custom dream home w/ chef’s kitchen & new high end appliances. All beds w/private baths. 2 masters down! 5th bed c/b 2nd office or in-law suite. Extreme theater room & recording studio.Backyard oasis w/pool, spa, waterfall, Koi Pond & outdoor kitchen.

Wellington South. $949,000.

TulsaPeople.com

145

THANKS

To Our Supporters & Participants In the 36th Annual

Tom Boyd CF Golf Classic Cedar Ridge Country Club PRESIDENTIAL SPONSORS Andrea and John Boyd in Memory of Tom, Jean and Chris Boyd

Venture Properties Venture Roofing & Building Supply Warburton Capital Management

PRESENTING SPONSORS Rita and David Adams A G Equipment Company Anonymous in Memory of Lo Detrich Breeze Investments, LLC – Mary and Jim Bush CMark Resources, LLC – Cinda and Mark Marra Pam and Terry Carter The Jack Richardson Foundation Jeff Galvin Family – In Honor of Grace Galvin Independent Tubular – Debbie and Mike Allred, Kylie and Tyler Allred Lexus Champions for Charity Lexus of Tulsa Matrix Service Company Mesa Products Primary Natural Resources IV, LLC Jill and Robert Thomas Susan and William Thomas TulsaPeople The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation

AUCTION DONORS Cedar Ridge Country Club Charleston’s Forest Ridge Golf Club Gateway Tire and Service Golf Club of Oklahoma Hilti Corporation Jeannine and Rob Irwin Lexus Champions for Charity Mabrey Bank Mahogany Grill Cinda and Mark Marra MeadowBrook Country Club Dave Muller Photography LLC Old Village Wine and Spirits ORU Page Belcher Golf Course Red Rock Canyon Grill Betty Robinson Savoy Barbara and Don Thornton TulsaPeople Magazine The University of Tulsa Ultimate Golf Experience Upper Crust Pizza Verizon

HOSPITALITY SPONSOR Plaster & Wald Consulting Corp.

EVENT CONTRIBUTORS Ben E. Keith Coney I-Lander Scott Jergensen Sue and Gary Jergensen LDF Companies Lexus of Tulsa Lexus Champions for Charity Mabrey Bank QuikTrip Corporation Red Rock Canyon Grill Ti Amo Ristorante Verizon Walgreens WPX Energy

LUNCH AND DINNER SPONSORS Red Rock Canyon Grill – Lunch TiAmo Restaurant – Dinner SNACKS ON COURSE Coney I-Lander TOURNAMENT SPONSORS Mickey Meimerstorf WPX Energy GOLF SPONSORS Bank of Oklahoma BlueStone Natural Resources LLC Burton Family Trust Executive AirShare Grant Thornton LLP Green Country Interiors Learning Unlimited OND Financial Solutions In Honor of Sara Sheehan Stifel Triumph Energy Partners The University of Tulsa Williford Resources, LLC HOLE SPONSORS Commerce Bank Jan and Pat O’Connor Mabrey Bank Republic Roofing

GOLF COMMITTEE Mark Sheehan – Chair Mark Marra – Honorary Chair Sean Dolan Jack Fritts Rob Irwin Renee Sheehan Rich Talley Jason Turner Jo Ann Winn, CFF Executive Director SPECIAL THANKS CF Volunteers Cedar Ridge Country Club Ryan Harper – Emcee

Presented by Lexus Champions for Charity and Lexus of Tulsa

Mark Marra – honorary chair. Mark Sheehan – event chair. Jo Ann Winn, Executive Director of CFF and Terry Carter – sponsor.

Congratulations and Thank You, Tulsa!

June 8, 2016

The Tom Boyd Memorial Cystic Fibrosis Golf Classic once again had a very successful event, raising $230,000 for CF Research this year! That brings the thirteen-year total net proceeds raised to about $2,230,000! This is an outstanding accomplishment for a local charity golf tournament, and is due to the generosity of our many sponsors, participants and donors.

All involved with the tournament have contributed to this fundraising success. It is impossible to thank everyone, but some people and organizations deserve to be singled out. Special thanks go to our golf committee: honorary chair, Mark Marra; my wife Renee, Jack Fritts, Rich Talley, Bob Joyce, Rob Irwin and of course the indomitable Jo Ann Winn. Red Rock Canyon Grill and Ti Amos Restaurant have continuously and graciously provided lunch and dinner, and Plaster & Wald was again our hospitality sponsor this year.

Barbara and Don Thornton of Lexus of Tulsa gave the tournament a big boost when they came on board nine years ago and have contributed some outstanding auction prizes as well as their other support. David Bryan, Cleve Stubblefield and the entire staff of Cedar Ridge Country Club have always done an outstanding job hosting the event. And, of course, the tireless efforts of Jo Ann Winn, her staff and the many volunteers of the Sooner Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation have been the catalyst to making this golf tournament one of the most successful small market golf events in the nation.

I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to everyone who has ever been a sponsor, participant or volunteer for this tournament, and I look forward to seeing everyone in the years to come. As many of you know, this is a very personal effort for me as my daughter Sara has CF, so it is difficult for me to put into words the gratitude I feel towards everyone who has supported this tournament and the CF Foundation in general. I am continuously amazed at the generosity of the people in Tulsa!

Sincerely, Mark Sheehan Chairman, CF Golf Classic

The Sooner Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is located at 2642 E. 21st St. in Tulsa. If you would like information on next year’s Tom Boyd Memorial Golf Classic or the work of the CF Foundation, please call 918-744-6354.

agenda

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ✻ OUT & ABOUT ✻ BENEFITS

7/30-31

Native culture preserved Pogie Dawn Freeman/Tulsa Indian Club Inc.

by BRITT GREENWOOD

N

ative Americans from across the nation will celebrate their cultures at the 64th annual Tulsa Powwow. Highlights include traditional dancing and music, dance contests, art and craft vendors, concessions and the naming of the Tulsa Powwow Princess.

Noon-10 p.m. Cox Business Center, 100 Civic Center. $5, adults; free, children 5 and under. Visit www. tulsapowwow.org. tþ TulsaPeople.com

147

CALENDAR

Can’t-miss events

JULY SUN

MON

TUES

WED

THURS

FRI

SAT

2

1 The Roughnecks kick off July against Arizona United at ONEOK Field.

3

4

5

7

6

Experience an old-fashioned Independence Day at the Fourth of July Parade in Kendall Whittier Park.

10

11

17

25

JULY 22-24

31

148

TulsaPeople JULY 2016

Pack the car and trek to Okemah for Woodyfest to celebrate Woody Guthrie and his influence with over 70 musical acts.

JULY 13-17

19

26

See minerals, gems, fossils, crystals and more of nature’s treasures at the Rock and Mineral Show at Expo Square.

16 Tokyo in Tulsa — the popular Japanese anime and pop-culture celebration — comes to the Cox Business Center and Double Tree Hotel.

JULY 15-17

20

21

22

Have a quintessential Tulsa summer evening at Guthrie Green during the Starlight Band Concert Series’ “Night at the Movies.”

Get a free cultural infusion for the whole family at Gilcrease Museum of Art’s Funday Sunday on the third Sunday of every month.

The GREEN COUNTRY RV and Boat Show rolls into Expo Square this weekend.

13

12

9

JULY 9-10

TUESDAY MORNINGS IN JULY

18

24

You don’t need permission from NASA to tour the galaxy at the Jenks Planetarium. Check out the current show, “Earth, Moon and Sun.”

The Broken Arrow Warren Theatre kicks off its free July Summer Kids Series with a showing of “Rio 2.”

Studio POP hosts the Foundations Yoga Workshop for namaste newbies and yogis who want to revisit the basics.

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Fans of facial hair, unite.

Check out the inaugural beard and mustache competition at Legends Dance Hall and Saloon.

27 The “Carnival of Madness Tour” is a night of rocking out to Shinedown, Blackstone Cherry and Whiskey Myers at the BOK Center.

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A swarm of maroon and orange will move through the Blue Dome District as OU and OSU fans race to win the annual Bedlam Run.

OUT & ABOUT

Steven Michaels Photography

People, places and events

Tulsa Foundation for Architecture Wendy and Gentner Drummond recently welcomed Tulsa Foundation for Architecture’s board and members to their newly remodeled McBirney Mansion home for a membership appreciation party.

Tulsa City-County Library Gordon Korman recently received the 2016 Anne V. Zarrow Award for Young Readers’ Literature. Pictured are Kim Johnson, Tulsa City-County Library chief operating officer; Korman; and Judy Z. Kishner, daughter of Anne and Henry Zarrow.

Korman is a New York Times best-selling author of more than 80 books for children and teens.

Ree Barnes Photography

ONE Awards The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits hosted the ONE Awards on April 9 at Southern Hills Country Club. Pictured are Jeff Moen, OKCNP board chairman; Dr. Bob Blackburn of the Oklahoma Historical Society; Dr. Stephen Prescott of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation; Eilis O’Neal of the NIMROD Journal of Prose and Poetry; and Johnna Walker of the Chickasaw Nation.

Goodwill Industries of Tulsa In celebration of Goodwill Industries Week (May 1-7), Goodwill Industries of Tulsa hosted Maj. Gen. Rita Aragon. She discussed hiring veterans and making the transition from military service to the civilian workforce. Pictured are Sandy Oxford, Tulsa’s Veterans Center manager; Aragon; David Oliver, Goodwill Industries of Tulsa president; and Sabrina Ware, TulsaWORKS/Job Connection manager.

Project Cuffway Jill Donovan congratulates designer Alisha Williams on her winning creation, “Rustic Cuff Meets Audrey Hepburn,” worn by Williams’ 11-year-old daughter, Jaden, at Project Cuffway on April 22. The event showcased clothing made from Rustic Cuff packaging, including cloth pouches and paper shopping bags, and raised more than $130,000 for the National Pancreas Foundation. Williams won a trip for two to New York City.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma The Juliette Low Leadership Society luncheon on April 21 featured guest speaker Tererai Trent, founder of Tererai Trent International, which works to increase access to quality education for children in rural Africa. Pictured are Michelle Hardesty, honorary chairwoman; Trent; and Erin Dailey, luncheon chairwoman.

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CHARITABLE EVENTS REGISTRY

Volunteer spotlight

Fundraisers and fun happenings

by JUDY LANGDON

JULY

compiled by JUDY LANGDON

July 15 LEAGUE THE WAY FOR KIDS, “NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES” Benefits Youth Services of Creek County. www.yscc.net July 16 BINGO BASH Benefits Tulsa Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. www.tulsaspca.org

SAVE THE DATE FOR TULSA'S

July 25 MUSICAL MONDAYS Benefits LIFE Senior Services. www.lifeseniorservices.org July 25 17TH ANNUAL SALVATION ARMY BOYS & GIRLS CLUB GOLF TOURNAMENT Benefits the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Tulsa. www.salarmytulsa.org July 28 ART RX Benefits Tulsa County Medical Society. www.tcmsok.org

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F R EE W EEK LY E - NE W SL E T T ER

Featuring the top picks in music, arts and culture for your weekend!

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D

arryl Bright has volunteered at the North Mabee Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club for 31 years in myriad roles — from janitor, to mentor and tutor, to a member of the center’s advisory board. But his greatest joy is teaching approximately 900 children ages 8-12 life lessons through basketball and football.

“To be a teacher and coach energizes me,” Bright says. “It validates and brings out the goodness and genius within all of our children.

They learn from me, and I learn from them.”

What do you hope to teach the children of North Mabee? I am helping each child (and their families) by teaching the behaviors and the characteristics they will need to be successful in all of life’s endeavors. Along with teaching them the behaviors, we talk about why those behaviors are so important. The joy for me is when I see evidence they have grasped those lessons — in their words and deeds. When I see them years later and they are going to college, have careers or come back to the club as a volunteer, coach or tutor, there are no words to describe how proud I am of them.

What have they taught you? I have learned when children know that they have something of value to offer in many areas of life, particularly their own lives, a fire is set ablaze within and a trustful relationship takes hold. Given the opportunity to express themselves and to have someone listen to their opinions, ideas, suggestions, concerns, fears and joys, they will rise to the occasion with all of their hearts to do their best, no matter what the challenge.

I have learned that to be a good teachercoach, I must also be a good student ... to listen with openness, empathy and to learn. tþ

Courtesy

Through Aug. 29 60 MEN IN 60 DAYS MENTOR RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN Benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma. www.bbbsok.org

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 WINE JAZZ DINNER “UNDER THE TENT”

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 3-11 P.M. WINERIES & FOOD VENDORS 4-9 P.M. REGIONAL / LOCAL ACTS 9-11 P.M. GRADY NICHOLS WITH MARY COGAN & STARR FISHER

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 CHAMPAGNE JAZZ BRUNCH

TICKETS AND PACKAGES POSTOAKLODGE.COM 918-425-2112

POP UP GALLERY BY:

A PARK GROWS IN TULSA

Courtesy

A GATHERING PLACE – PART 11

William “Will” S. Smith, trustee of the William S. Smith Charitable Trust.

Serene spot

Riverview Lawn is part of Will Smith’s family legacy.

THE ELEMENT: RIVERVIEW LAWN

Facing the Arkansas River and Zink Dam, Riverview Lawn will be located on A Gathering Place’s south bumpout between the skate park and the BMX pump track/bike park. The peaceful lawn will offer great views of the river, including Tulsa’s new whitewater flume for kayaks and rafts.

T HE DO N O R: WILLIAM S. SMITH CHARITABLE TRUST

After hearing about A Gathering Place and seeing the model in a tour led by George Kaiser, William “Will” S. Smith knew he wanted to be part of the project.

“I couldn’t imagine not having a piece of my family’s name and history in the park,” Smith says.

Smith’s grandfather, a City of Tulsa engineer, 152

TulsaPeople JULY 2016

founded Serdrillco, the family oil and gas production and contract drilling company, in 1947. After World War II, Smith’s father, Sherman, joined the company and presided over it until its sale in 2003.

After graduate school, Smith joined the company and served as its vice president from 1976-2003.

Through his own trust and his family’s trust, Smith has for years quietly supported myriad causes, including the Tulsa Boys’ Home, the Salvation Army, the Metro YMCA, the arts, childhood education and the downtown Rotary Club. He donated $3 million for Riverview Lawn because he sees A Gathering Place as a way to pass on his family’s good fortune to future generations of Tulsans.

Smith says A Gathering Place has the potential to bring economic development to the city, attract younger people to work and live in Tulsa, and provide a place for Tulsans to converge and enjoy a world-class park.

“If it has the power to keep people here, it’s worth every dime of the investment,” he says. tþ

Rendering courtesy Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates

by MORGAN PHILLIPS

SITE PROGRESS THIS MONTH Complete foundations and continue steel erection for ONEOK Boathouse and Williams Cos. Lodge.

Complete underground maintenance building’s decking.

Continue work on grading and vaults at Water Mountain and Mist Mountain.

Complete land bridges’ precast arches.

Continue north and south bumpout construction, including armoring of the shoreline, pending reduced Keystone Dam water releases.

Continue work on stabilization of the slopes throughout the elevation changes of the park, including the pond.

Continue work on underground utilities and site stormwater system.

Continue work on playground foundations.

Continue work on site pedestrian bridges.

Continue fabrication of site-wide stone walls.

City of Tulsa to continue work on two major stormwater projects on north and east sides of site.

City of Tulsa to continue upgrading water and sewer lines on west side of Riverside Drive.

City of Tulsa to continue reconstruction of Riverside Drive on north end of site.

Editor’s note: Construction plans subject to change.

For more information, visit www.agatheringplacefortulsa.com.

Riverview Lawn will offer park visitors a place to relax, picnic and watch recreational water sports.

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NEWS FROM OUR ADVERTISERS

Courtesy www.tallpinepoints.com

Greg Bollinger

FlyingTee, a new golf, dining and entertainment venue in Jenks, opened June 7 with 60 hitting bays and three dining experiences. Pictured at the Riverwalk location are Tracy Phillips, director of golf; Ryan Tawwater, founder and COO; James Vollbrecht, co-founder and chief strategy officer; and John Vollbrecht, founder and CEO. Guests have access to four unique games and more than a dozen golf courses, including Pebble Beach and St. Andrews. The venue provides golf clubs to guests, which include Cobra-brand drivers and irons as part of FlyingTee’s partnership with Cobra Puma Golf. FlyingTee is located at 600 Riverwalk Terrace. Call 918-528-4634 or visit www.flyingteegolf.com for more information.

New Grand Lake development boasts shoreline and natural beauty

As available waterfront becomes a commodity on Grand Lake, Tall Pine Points is the lake’s newest purchasing opportunity.

Located on the historic Boar’s Head property, local investors and father and son Jim and Jimmy 154

TulsaPeople JULY 2016

Ratcliff purchased the 455 forested acres with 23,000 feet of shoreline in 2012. This summer they opened the first phase of Tall Pine Points for sale.

Lots vary in dimensions based on topography, but all are approx-

imately 1 acre with 150 feet of water frontage, says Doug Rose, executive vice president of Tall Pine Points.

“The property is full of oldgrowth pines that have never been forested or logged,” Rose says. “We haven’t taken out any trees we didn’t have to, and homeowners will have to ask permission before removing any extraneous trees.”

Rose calls Tall Pine Points the most exclusive development on Grand Lake. Lots vary from interior cove property beginning at $450,000 to $600,000 lots situated on premier points.

Property owners will have their choice of architects, but covenants will ensure aesthetics and quality in each design. Tall Pine Points homes will have a 3,000-squarefoot minimum with all underground utilities.

“Quality is the only factor,” Rose says. “Style is up to the owner, but the architectural committee will

approve all designs. We want to keep as many of the trees and natural property elements as we can.”

A common dock will be available to homeowners, with select lots accommodating private docks. Rose says the property will be secured by a key-carded, private front gate, and the landscape will be meticulously maintained.

Located 1 ½ hours from Tulsa, nearby Ketchum and Grove provide numerous city and retail services, including a hospital and an airport capable of handling private jets. Shangri La Resort is located just across the lake.

The Ratcliffs are longtime community investors and are committed to the Grand Lake area, Rose says. They recently developed another Grand Lake property, The Points. Tall Pine Points will have similar characteristics when it is completed.

Visit www.tallpinepoints.com for more information.

Q&A

From Tulsa Professionals

For information about participating in Q&A, please contact adservices@langdonpublishing.com.

WILLS AND TRUSTS Q: I just remarried. Is my old trust still good?

A: According to Oklahoma law, once the divorce is final, all provisions in the trust in favor of your former spouse, which were previously to take effect upon your death, are immediately revoked. Upon remarriage, you and your estate planning attorney need to discuss whom you should place in authority to manage the trust — and the new beneficiaries who are now in your life — as well as how it will affect those who remain.

VETERINARIAN Q: What should I do if my pet is scared of fireworks?

A: Firework and storm phobia is a real problem in some pets. They can be set off by loud noises, high winds, static electricity and even changes in barometric pressure. If during a storm or firework display your pet habitually exhibits hiding, panting, barking, whining, chewing, anxious pacing or even a injuring themselves in an attempt at escaping confinement, they may be suffering from anxiety.

Your pet may benefit from a thunder shirt or veterinarianprescribed anxiety medication, especially if they are at risk for harming themselves.

Dr. Erin Reed 15th Street Veterinary Group 6231 E. 15th St. • Tulsa, OK 74112 918-835-2336 • www.15thstreetvet.com

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Q: Since I’m retired, can I still make contributions to my Health Savings Account (HSA)?

Karen L. Carmichael The Law Office of Karen L. Carmichael 918-493-4939 • 2727 E. 21st St., Ste. 402 www.tulsawillsandtrusts.com

A: You do not need earned income to contribute. However, you must continue to have an HSA-compatible, high-deductible health insurance plan which meets the minimum and maximum deductible amounts and does not exceed the maximum out-of-pocket limits. The 2016 maximum contribution is $3,350 for an individual and $6,750 for a family. If you are 55 or older, an additional $1,000 contribution for an individual and $2,000 for a family is allowed. Contributions must stop after you enroll in Medicare.

J. Harvie Roe, CFP, President AmeriTrust Investment Advisors, Inc. 4506 S. Harvard Ave. • Tulsa, OK 74135 hroe@amerad.com • 918-610-8080

GENERAL DENTISTRY

BEAUTY AND WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

Q: I am afraid of going to the dentist. What should I do?

A: Choose a dental provider who specializes in seeing patients with dental anxiety or special needs. Explain the history and details of your fears. Your provider should be able to offer accommodations by blocking light or sounds, providing light-to-general sedation or employing other approaches to ease anxiety and help you along the path to excellent oral health. Don’t be afraid to call and ask questions — it’s the first step.

Gene McCormick DDS SAFE/COMFORT Dentists 2106 S. Atlanta Pl. • Tulsa, OK 74114 918-743-7444 • www.genemccormickdds.com

Q: With the kids at home for summer, how can I maximize my beauty time and budget?

A: The BA Med Spa will be offering our annual “12 Days of Christmas in July” sale, where you will find a wide selection of savings on popular services, plus discounts on your favorite products. Your time is valuable during the busy summer months, so pamper yourself the way you deserve on your own schedule — buy now, use later. Call us at 918-872-9999 to find out what Santa is leaving in your summer stockings.

Malissa Spacek and Dr. James Campbell BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center 500 S. Elm Place • Broken Arrow, OK 74012 918-872-9999 • www.baweightspa.com TulsaPeople.com

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BEHIND THE SCENE

Perspectives on local art and culture

National treasure Out-of-towner saves neglected ‘Outsiders’ relic.

by GAIL BANZET-ELLIS

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HOW TO HELP • Learn more about Danny O’Connor’s project at www.gofundme.com/ theoutsidershouse.

• Since most of the furniture from the movie set was sold in Tulsa after filming wrapped, O’Connor hopes Tulsans with the original furniture will contact him.

The rest of the set’s furniture will be replicated.

Evan Taylor

anny O’Connor was terrified when he learned his offer to purchase a rundown bungalow in north Tulsa had been accepted earlier this year.

The house was home to the fictitious Curtis brothers in the 1982 film “The Outsiders,” but buying it sight unseen was a risky $15,000 investment.

Trashed, neglected and in disrepair, 731 N. St. Louis Ave. was destined for demolition, but O’Connor couldn’t stand the thought of losing a “national treasure.”

“I had no business buying a house in Tulsa, but it has been one of the greatest things I’ve ever been involved in,” he says.

O’Connor’s journey to owning and restoring “The Outsiders” house began while watching the movie as a kid. Based on the best-selling book by S.E. Hinton, he says the film’s storyline of rich kids versus poor kids growing up on different sides of the tracks “hooked him in from day one.”

Originally from New York, O’Connor felt he could relate to Tulsa’s gang of greasers.

“I came out of that theater, and the first thing I looked to do was buy a pack of cigarettes and get myself a denim jacket,” he says. “‘The Outsiders’ felt like a timeless classic even when it was first released.”

A decade later, O’Connor found success touring the world as a member of the hit hip-hop group House of Pain, but music didn’t lead him to Tulsa until 2009 while performing with the group La Coka Nostra. Between shows at Cain’s Ballroom, O’Connor says he had an epiphany.

“It was like that line in the movie when Matt Dillon says, ‘What do

Rapper Danny O’Connor is renovating the house from the film “The Outsiders.” S.E. Hinton, who authored the book on which the film is based, donated items to O’Connor such as her call sheets, rewrites of the film scripts and a painting of the second book cover. people do for kicks around here?’

I thought, oh my God, ‘The Outsiders’ was filmed here.”

With the help of a knowledgeable cab driver, O’Connor received a personal tour of the movie’s filming locations with stops at the Curtis house, the Admiral Twin Drive-in and Crutchfield Park.

“I posted photos to Facebook, and my phone started ringing off the hook,” he says. “People were like, ‘Where are you?’ I said, ‘I’m in Tulsa!’”

The experience became his inspiration for develop-ing a group known as the Delta Bravo Urban Exploration team that searches U.S. cities for historic movie or album cover locations. On his cross-country travels, O’Connor regularly returned to Tulsa and visited “The Outsiders” house.

“Downtown was getting nicer, but the house kept getting worse,”

he says. “I kept thinking if someone doesn’t save it, maybe we should.”

New Tulsa friends helped O’Connor track down the owner.

She was willing to sell, and before long the Beverly Hills resident was a Tulsa property owner.

O’Connor is bringing the house up to code while restoring it as closely as possible to the way it looked during filming. The end product will be an informal mini museum. The rooms will be staged with furniture and fixtures from the movie set and also will house O’Connor’s private collection of “Outsiders” relics. He says the process is a collaborative effort.

“I’m only one small part of this,” he says. “So many people and neighbors have reached out with their support with offers to do all kinds of work on the house, donate materials or share their photos and

• The Shrine will present “The Outsiders” House Renovation Fundraiser at 6 p.m., Aug. 6, at IDL Ballroom, 230 E. First St. The event will feature appearances by some of the film’s stars, including C. Thomas Howell (“Ponyboy”) and Darren Dalton (“Randy”); a silent auction; and performances by local artists. Visit www.tulsashrine.com. stories from the movie. It has been incredible.”

Even Hinton expressed her support for the project, and O’Connor hopes to complete it by the book’s 50th anniversary in April 2017. Ultimately, he envisions offering his own tours of “Outsiders” filming locations.

“I don’t know how to describe it,” he says. “There’s something really special happening here. Tulsa has left that indelible mark on me, and moving here isn’t out of the question. I want to show other people the wonders of Tulsa.” tþ

Gail Banzet-Ellis has been fascinated with Tulsa since she was a little girl. It’s a dream come true to write about the city’s magic and charm.

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TULSA SOUND

The local music scene

June 6 marked Amy Cottingham’s 68th Musicale since starting the event in April 2010. INSET: Fiddler Regina Scott and guitarist Evan Anderson perform at the June 6 Musicale.

JULY’S BEST BETS FOR LIVE MUSIC

Valerie Grant

Crafting a community Amy Cottingham curates an unexpected underground concert experience.

by LINDSEY NEAL KUYKENDALL

Y

ou might find Amy Cottingham teaching music with the Tulsa Camerata; playing piano for the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra; playing solo for parties, receptions and weddings; or singing and accompanying fellow musician Annie Ellicott. But arguably, one of her dearer roles is organizer of the Musicale, one of the city’s most popular but under-the-radar events.

What’s a musicale? MerriamWebster Dictionary defines the word as “social entertainment with music as the leading feature.”

In this context, it’s a thoughtfully curated live music experience disguised as a house gathering.

The Musicale is a careful concoction: One part Tulsa-area professional musicians, another part local hobbyists, gathered together on a foundation of classical and jazz music.

Though the concert might take place in a home, a public venue or on the 41st floor at First Place Tower, guests are invited by email 158

TulsaPeople JULY 2016

to bring food and drink, adding a comfortable charm.

By design, the event is at a different venue each time, so it relies on an email list and word of mouth, Cottingham explains.

“I normally have five to six different groups or performers featured,” she says. “Each group gets about 15 minutes to perform. I totally focus on variety.”

Performers have included middle-school fiddle champions and banjo performers, a female drumming group, African dancers, dancers from Tulsa Modern Movement, a comedian, rock bands and a bassoon quartet. Cottingham also presents an annual All New Music Musicale, featuring new music composed by professionals as well as students, to encourage original and experimental music performance.

The community response to this creative melting pot of a variety show has created a run of 68 concerts since April 2010.

“It exploded right from the beginning,” Cottingham says. “That’s

how I knew I should keep doing it. I told a few friends, and the host told a few friends ... but word got out just within that one month. The second Musicale was absolutely packed. People were everywhere.”

Cottingham purposefully doesn’t advertise — and she doesn’t need to. Over 100 people typically attend. This no-ad approach adds a mysterious flair.

“There’s no website on purpose,” she says. “I feel like the right people come each time. If they are supposed to be there, they will find it.”

Her secret mission is to expose a diverse group of people to a diverse group of music.

“A lot of why I’m doing this is for the community,” she says. “The togetherness. So much of what I’m passionate about is mixing different people groups together that wouldn’t normally be together. And exposing people to music they normally wouldn’t know they even liked.”

The Musicale has taken on a life of its own with Cottingham as the wizard behind the curtain. tþ

7/8 The O’Jays, The Joint Originating in 1958 in Canton, Ohio, R & B/soul band The O’Jays have been releasing hits ever since. They’re perhaps most well known for the feel-good song “Love Train.” 8 p.m. Tickets start at $60. Visit www. hardrockcasinotulsa.com or call 918-384-ROCK. 7/10 Tears for Fears, Brady Theater Classic rock band Tears for Fears’ nostalgic synth hits include “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” and “Mad World.” Don’t miss your chance to catch the ’80s at the Brady. Doors open at 7 p.m. Purchase tickets starting at $39.50 by phone at 866-977-6849 or at www. protix.com.

7/15-17, 22-24 “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Tulsa Performing Arts Center This beloved Andrew Lloyd To be added to the Musicale Webber musicalCottingham is a colorfulat email list, contact portrayal of the Bible typically story amy@amy.org.

Musicales of the Joseph from the Book of are first Monday night of the Genesis.

Choose fromand six August. permonth, except for July

by Theatre Tulsa’s Itformances is free to attend, but guests are Broadway Bootcamp in the invited to make a donation.

John H. Williams Theater of the PAC. 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m., Sunday.

Visit www.tulsaPAC.com or call 918-596-7111.

Regional film and literature

Rebecca Howard Tulsa City-County Library branch manager

by HEATHER KOONTZ

its plot can usually be summed up with, “It’s about people.” These types of novels generally fall into a couple of genres — literary fiction or domestic fiction (which is often called women’s fiction, but I’m not a fan of that label). Think Anne Enright, Elizabeth Strout, Kent Haruf, Meg Wolitzer, Steve Yarbrough and too many other favorites to name.

Evan Taylor

Describe the plot of your favorite book without spoiling it for the rest of us. “The Hours” by Michael Cunningham follows three different women over the course of one day. There’s Virginia Woolf, who in 1923 is writing the first sentences of “Mrs. Dalloway.” In 1949, there is Laura Brown, who is faltering under the expectations of being a wife and mother. In the book’s present day is Clarissa Vaughn, who is laboring over the final touches of a party she’s giving for her beloved friend and acclaimed poet, Richard.

These three women’s lives are connected in ways both readily apparent and surprising.

F

or Rebecca Howard, reading is more than just a hobby. She believes it can make human beings wiser and more empathetic and has dedicated her career to the advancement of the art.

Howard manages the Broken Arrow branch of the Tulsa CityCounty Library. Previously, she worked in the Readers’ Library at Central, where she co-developed and coordinated an online personalized service that connects readers to books they will enjoy. The service is called “Your Next Great Read,” and users receive custom reading suggestions by completing an online survey.

What book are you most looking forward to this year? I’m looking forward to reading “Nicotine” by Nell Zink, which comes out in October. I’m drawn to fiction about families and relationships, and Zink has a way of brilliantly transforming the most random, oddball scenarios into darkly humorous reflections on domesticity. Her previous novel, “Mislaid,” was long listed for the National Book Award.

If you had to pick one genre of books to read for the rest of your life, what would it be? There’s kind of a running joke in my house about what I’m reading — that

If you could pick someone to write the story of your life, who would it be? I think I’d choose Rainbow Rowell to write the story of my life. Her first novel, “Attachments,” is one of the most perfect romantic comedies I’ve read — funny, charming and not at all saccharine. I love her sarcastic, self-deprecating sense of humor, and she seems to have a soft spot for book and music nerds.

What are your favorite books? This is an impossible question to answer, but a couple of titles come easily to mind — “Love Medicine” by Louise Erdrich and “The Hours” by Michael Cunningham. These are titles that only have become more meaningful and moving in re-readings. And as far as classics go, I don’t think there’s anything more perfect than a Jane Austen novel. “Persuasion” is my favorite. tþ

SCREEN/PRINT

UPCOMING BOOK EVENTS JULY 9, HARD ROCK AUTHOR EVENT Join romance authors from around the world for a one-day convention presented by Oklahoma author Hilary Storm. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 777 W. Cherokee St., Catoosa. $10, general admission; $25, VIP early entry. www.facebook. com/hardrockauthorevent JULY 28, “AN EVENING WITH RACHEL IGNOTOFSKY” Enjoy a visit with the writer and illustrator of “Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World.” 7 p.m. Hardesty Center for Fab Lab Tulsa, 710 S. Lewis Ave. Free.

Presented by BookSmart Tulsa. www. booksmarttulsa.com AUG. 11, VISIT FROM LEGAL ANALYST JEFFREY TOOBIN The legal analyst for CNN and The New Yorker will discuss his new book, “American Heiress: The Wild, Strange Saga of the Kidnapping, Crimes and Trial of Patty Hearst.”

7 p.m. Congregation B’Nai Emunah, 1719 S. Owasso Ave. Free.

Presented by BookSmart Tulsa. www.booksmarttulsa.com

Heather Koontz is a graduate of the f ilm studies program at the University of Tulsa.

She enjoys spending time with her Westie and French bulldog, as well as remodeling her 100-year-old home with her husband, Byron.

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Flashback 30 Archived photos from three decades of TulsaPeople Magazine

by JUDY LANGDON

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1. Internationally known fashion model and Tulsa native Amber Valletta, right, is pictured with Marsha Mallow Shellabarger and Bill Fisher, former owner of Miss Jackson’s, at an October 1998 fashion show at Southern Hills Country Club benefiting the fight against breast cancer. Valletta was the honorary chairwoman at the fourth annual American Cancer Society Pink Ribbon luncheon and dinner.

2. The Metro All Stars, led by former University of Kansas basketball coach Ted Owens, played against the Dave Hentschel All Stars, led by former Oklahoma State University coach Eddie Sutton, in a Celebrity Basketball Classic benefiting Metro Christian Academy in May 1992. At the time, Owens was basketball coach at MCA. Channel 2 Sports Director “Big Al” Jerkens, second row, far right, was a referee.

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3. Renowned jazz performer Taj Mahal, left, and jazz pianist Dave Brubeck, center, with Chuck Cissel, former executive director of the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. Brubeck was honored as a 2002 inductee at the Jazz Hall of Fame Gala, receiving the Jay McShann Lifetime Achievement Award. Taj Mahal was an inductee the following year and received the Living Legend Award.

3

Help celebrate TulsaPeople’s 30th anniversary.

Share your favorite magazine photos and articles on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using #flashback30.

Be sure to tag @TulsaPeople.

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