TulsaPeople November 2021

TULSA WARBIRDS SHARE THEIR PASSION November 2021

The Pet Issue 35

COVERS for 35 YEARS

Rosie from the Dolphin Fine Linens

On the clock 6 PETS YOU CAN VISIT AT LOCAL RETAILERS

SENIOR LIVING

HOLIDAY EVENTS CALENDAR

Clear Shawn Whistler President, Whistler Media

“Like a headline on a billboard, I needed clear communication from my bank. And I also wanted to partner with a financial institution that values family and service like I do. I finally found both in one place.

Mabrey handles my large capital needs while always placing an emphasis on our relationship. They’re not just bankers to me—they’re my business advisors and friends.

It’s clear to me that they’re the real deal. That’s why MY BANK IS MABREY.” Read more at MyBankIsMabrey.com/Whistler

MABREYBANK.COM | 888.272.8866 | MEMBER FDIC

WARREN CLINIC URGENT CARE Whether you access our on-demand virtual care, 24/7/365 days a year, or you visit us in-person at one of our many locations, Warren Clinic providers are here for you.

If you’re looking for care for a sudden illness, a minor emergency or injury, visit saintfrancis.com/urgentcare to select a time and clinic location to visit, or choose a video visit online.

TULSA Springer Building 6160 South Yale Avenue 918-495-2600

Tulsa Hills 7858 South Olympia Avenue 918-986-9250 South Memorial 10506 South Memorial Drive 918-943-1050 SAND SPRINGS 102 South Main Street 918-246-5750

BROKEN ARROW Elm Place 2950 South Elm Place, Suite 120 (101st Street and Elm Place) 918-451-5191

Kenosha 1801 East Kenosha Street (71st Street and OK-51) 918-449-4150 VIRTUAL CARE Visit saintfrancis.com/urgentcare

*If you are experiencing severe illness, a major injury, symptoms of a heart attack, stroke or shortness of breath, please call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room.

saintfrancis.com/urgentcare

URGENT CARE HOURS FOR IN-OFFICE VISITS: Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

(Springer location only)

Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

VIRTUAL URGENT CARE: Visit saintfrancis.com/urgentcare to schedule a virtual urgent care visit 24/7/365.

1 5 2 3 E A S T 1 5 T H S T R E E T, T U L S A , O K 74 1 2 0 | B R U C E G W E B E R . C O M

We’re restoring joints.

What are you missing out on because of joint pain?

Your pain doesn’t have to define you. The outstanding orthopedic specialists at Utica Park Clinic can help get you back to a fuller life with expert diagnosis and treatment aided by some of the most advanced

Changing lives for the better.

technology in the region. Joint replacement surgery can get you back to being you sooner. Live life with less pain.

Call 918-268-7898 for your COVID-safe appointment.

uticaparkclinic.com/ortho

NOVEMBER 2021 | VOLUME 36 ISSUE 1

7 CITY DESK P. 99 Artful dining at Philbrook Museum of Art’s Kitchen 27

· A Tulsan in London covering international news. · Baking success at Zoe Cakes Unlimited. · Therapy dog teams spread smiles. · Applause for Folds of Honor’s new headquarters.

23 ABOUT TOWN

· Where to find live music in Tulsa every day of the week. · Food on the Move provided more than 4 million pounds of food over 14 months. · Mother-daughter duo form artistic business. · A fall sports round-up.

38 MERRYMAKING Season’s greetings! Celebrate with family, friends and fun at these area holiday events.

BY BLAYKLEE FREED

43 ON THE CLOCK Six pets who call Tulsa retailers home.

BY JANE ZEMEL

51 HISTORY IN MOTION

Group shares a passion for preserving World War II-era aircraft.

PHOTOS BY GREG BOLLINGER STORY BY ANNE BROCKMAN

57 35 COVERS FOR 35 YEARS

A look back at some favorite covers and the stories behind them as TulsaPeople turns 35.

BY STAFF

68 LOCAL LOYALTY Two business owners tout shopping locally this holiday season.

BY ANNE BROCKMAN

77 LIFESTYLE

· Birdhouses are a passion and a business for Mark Roberts. · Cat clocks purr. · A trip to Texas. · Connie Cronley spends the morning at Walgreens.

95 TABLE TALK

· Three spots for French onion soup. · Two recipes for the season. · Spanish cuisine in the heart of downtown. · It’s the Truman show at Ranch Acres Wine and Spirits.

SPECIAL SECTIONS

63 Leadership Tulsa Paragon Awards 71 Holiday Hints 82 Senior Living

S’mores pancakes, a recent pancake of the day at Kitchen 27 4

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

MICHELLE POLLARD

ON THE COVER: The Dolphin Fine Linens’ Rosie, a goldendoodle

Getting a yearly mammogram is important, especially now We’re here with the latest technology

© Ascension 2021. All rights reserved.

It’s important for women to get a yearly mammogram, beginning at age 40. And if you have a mother, sister or other close relative who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, ask your doctor at Ascension St. John if you should schedule a screening even earlier.

At Ascension St. John, we deliver the comprehensive breast imaging that’s right for you, including: • Screening mammograms

• Breast ultrasound

• Diagnostic mammograms

• Breast MRI

• Digital 3D mammography If you do have an in-person screening or need follow-up care, Ascension St. John hospitals and facilities are maintaining strict precautions for your safety while in our care. Ask if a virtual visit is available for your pre-screening or any follow-up appointments you may have.

Find a location near you at healthcare.ascension.org/locations

FROM THE PUBLISHER

T

his issue of TulsaPeople marks the

Sketchers of Tulsa (July 2021 issue) have both gra-

35th anniversary of the magazine.

ciously agreed to co-host our first ‘Make Art Out-

The inaugural issue was published in

side’ event for our families (at Mayo Demonstration

November 1986, and this one is number 420 if you are counting.

School).

I literally comb through every issue of TulsaPeople

Our staff is marking the anniversary in this

magazine, adding events to my calendar, liking social

issue by presenting a sampling of our “favorite”

media pages, etc. It’s not surprising really that I was

covers over the past 35 years, beginning on p. 57.

able to recall a TulsaPeople article I read two years

The cover of a magazine is very important, of

ago … I want to thank your team for providing such

course. It is a publication’s front door and needs

fascinating, useful insights into my community. I am

to be inviting as well as reflect what’s inside ...

a better Tulsan, a better parent and a better public

ideally content that will be of timely interest

school PTA vice president because of your magazine.

to Tulsa people, our readers. These covers have

Keep up the good work, friends!

been inspired over the years by the magazine’s

Melissa White, Mayo PTA

talented editors, creative directors and photog-

Thank you, Melissa!

raphers. Virtually all cover photos in our earlier years were shot by Bob and John McCormack of

It is with sadness I share the news of the

McCormack Studios until we hired our fi rst staff

recent passing of former Tulsan Aubyn Howe,

photographer, Michelle Weeks Pollard, in 1999.

in Austin, Texas. Aubyn graced the July 1994

Personally, I have lots of ties when it comes

cover of TulsaPeople with a headline describing

to selecting my favorite covers and issues over

her as “A Real Goal-Getter: Tulsa’s First Lady

the years. I know, without exception, I’m

of Fundraising.” As Editor Missy Kruse wrote

always proud of each issue from cover to cover.

in the cover story, Aubyn was a fundraising

I see how much hard work and creative effort it

fi reball for such organizations as Mental Health

takes to produce a high-quality magazine each

Association, Ronald McDonald House, March

and every month — both in print and digital,

of Dimes and Tulsa Ballet, all while battling MS

including a website, digital edition, weekly

for over 50 years. A much-valued friend, Aubyn

e-newsletter and a podcast called Tulsa Talks.

inspired me to become a part of the community

For 35 years, we have had great teams of very

and grow the magazine along the way. As a smart

talented professionals working to produce every

and savvy volunteer and fundraiser, she exempli-

issue of TulsaPeople and related products for our

fied and enhanced Tulsa’s reputation as a giving

valued readers and advertisers.

community.

For all these reasons, it was very gratifying

Condolences to her husband, Bob, and

when Editor Anne Brockman recently showed

family, and many Tulsans, like me, who loved and

me a letter received from a reader named Melissa

appreciated Aubyn Howe. TP

White. It read, in part:

Volume XXXVI, Number 1 ©2021. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher, including created advertising in a proofed or printed stage.

TulsaPeople Magazine is published monthly by

1603 South Boulder Avenue Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119-4407 P: 918-585-9924 F: 918-585-9926

PUBLISHER Jim Langdon PRESIDENT Juley Roffers VP COMMUNITY RELATIONS Susie Miller EDITOR SENIOR EDITOR DIGITAL EDITOR ABOUT TOWN EDITOR

Anne Brockman Morgan Phillips Tim Landes Blayklee Freed

EDITORIAL CONSULTING Missy Kruse, The Write Company CREATIVE DIRECTOR ART DIRECTOR MANAGING PHOTOGRAPHER VIDEOGRAPHER

Madeline Crawford Georgia Brooks Michelle Pollard Greg Bollinger

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Andrea Canada Josh Kampf Rita Kirk CONTROLLER Mary McKisick DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Amanda Hall INTERN Deborah Laker

MEMBER

TulsaPeople’s distribution is audited annually by

Langdon Publishing Company sets high standards to ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable manner. This issue of Tulsa People was printed on recycled fibers containing 20 percent post-consumer waste with inks containing a soy base blend. Our printer is a certified member of the Forestry Stewardship Council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and additionally, meets or exceeds all federal Resource Conservation Recovery Act standards. When you are finished with this issue, please pass it on to a friend or recycle it. We can have a better world if we choose it together.

Disregard any TulsaPeople subscription solicitation that is not directly mailed from the Langdon Publishing office at 1603 S. Boulder Ave. Contact Langdon Publishing directly if you are interested in subscribing or renewing your TulsaPeople subscription.

Dear TulsaPeople Magazine team, I want to share with your team a bit of good news about how being a longtime avid reader of your magazine helped me organize a PTA event ...

Arena Mueller, the Renaissance Neighborhood historian (February 2019 issue), and the Urban 6

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

Jim Langdon PUBLISHER

S AY N O T O H A T E

Charlee has been a Tulsa County court dog for more than three years.

CALM IN THE STORM T

GREG BOLLINGER

ulsan Daryl Cantrell graciously offers her 6-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Charlee, to support children through difficult proceedings at the Tulsa County Courthouse.

For these kids, sometimes that means petting the court dog as they testify against their abuser.

Other times it means playing a game of fetch in the waiting room.

Between meetings, “I will get on the floor with the kids and bring nail polish for us to paint the dog’s nails,” says Meghan Darst, victim advocate for the Tulsa County court dog program. “It’s just about making them comfortable in an uncomfortable situation.” TP

FOR MORE ON TULSA’S COURT DOGS, SEE P. 16.

TulsaPeople.com

7

NOTEBOOK

BY MORGA N PHILLIP S

Antoine Harris at the future site of Stradford21 hotel

For the perspectives of two of J.B. Stradford’s descendants, visit TulsaPeople.com.

Stradford21 hotel is the first phase of a new development at 36th Street North just east of the L.L. Tisdale Parkway. Along with 109 rooms, the boutique hotel will have a chef-owned restaurant, 6,000 square feet of meeting space and 10,000 square feet of retail space.

The hotel — named for J.B. Stradford, whose Tulsa hotel was the largest Black-owned hotel in the country before its destruction in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre — will be managed by New Century Hotels under the Wyndham Trademark brand. It is the vision of Tulsan Antoine Harris, CEO of Alfresco Group LLC.

a Black developer who really wants to do their part and participate in the redevelopment of the city as a whole.

Other than that, I don’t want to get into anything negative because it’s just milestones and paying your dues and challenges and never giving up. Doors close, and you just find another door to go through.

What’s sustained me and my team is the incredible relationships with the leaders, Black leaders and other, non-Black allies, helping us move forward. It gave us a little bit of confidence to keep going. So it has been a collective effort.

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU’VE EXPERIENCED TO GET TO THIS POINT? It’s just the first time a Black developer has, in years, showed up as a private developer. A lot of roadblocks happen in the course of development, but it’s just the nature of being

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF ALFRESCO GROUP? We started in 2016 with 2.2 acres we purchased. Now we own 22 acres ... We have a significant investment in north Tulsa. We’ve put our money and our energy where our mouth is.

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

“The people arriving in Tulsa have left their homes, often their families, and their culture. While they escaped extremely dangerous situations, I can only imagine they also miss the tastes and smells of their home.

While they are arriving here as guests, our goal is to help them transition into our neighbors.”

— Chef Jeff Marlow, chief culinary officer for Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. The Food Bank is preparing ready-to-eat meals in accordance with Halal standards for Afghan refugees resettled by Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma.

Another Tulsa nonprofit, Food on the Move, is transporting and delivering the meals.

HARRIS: MORGAN PHILLIPS; MARLOW: COURTESY CFBEO

“Our funding is down significantly in many key areas, but the need is not,” wrote Mindy Tiner, CEO of Tulsa SPCA, in a Sept. 21 email to supporters. “We were so concerned about funding last year due to COVID-19 and all the associated challenges, but thanks to your generosity, we ended the year on a positive note. Unfortunately, this year has not been so positive.”

This year Tulsa SPCA has welcomed dogs and cats into its adoption and rehabilitation program; provided vaccination, microchips and wellness exams; performed low-cost spay/ neuter surgeries; investigated and addressed reports of pet cruelty and neglect; and delivered food to pets in the community.

One way to help Tulsa SPCA is to purchase its 2022 calendar featuring local pets. Calendars are available for $15 ($10; $5 shipping) at the shelter, 2910 Mohawk Blvd., or at tulsaspca.org.

Leading the way

8

Funding dips at Tulsa SPCA

FIRST OKLAHOMA BANK PRESENTS

Business Leaders with Heart

SYMPATHETIC. SERVANT LEADERS. SIGNIFICANT. Bravo! Ed and Judith Payton serve others not for accolades but out of a deep faith that undergirds everything they do.

The couple meld their strengths and interests into a dynamic partnership. They credit their mutual desire to serve others and their community as coming from the blessings God has given their family.

The couple and their four children moved to Tulsa in 1997 when Ed, who originally was a practicing attorney, joined his brother at Celebrity Attractions eventually becoming a Tony Awards voter. While CEO, he stayed true to his beliefs and partnered with local charities, giving them a portion of ticket sale proceeds.

The couple has integrated a love for the arts into being active with many organizations, including Philbrook Museum of Art, Gilcrease Museum, Town Hall, the Arts and Humanities Council, and more.

The core values of their church – Boston Avenue United Methodist Church – and its affirmation that “everyone is a beloved child of God” aligns with their faith journey and desire to help transform our community into a place where everyone is respected.

To that end, they also believe a strong public education system is central to democracy.

Ed served on the Springfield Missouri School Board for six years and then the Union Public Schools Board of Education for 10 years, while Judith has been active for decades in PEO, a philanthropic education organization supporting women’s education.

Judith’s involvement in Tulsa Master Gardeners for over 10 years and the couple’s involvement with the Tulsa Garden Center and Tulsa Botanic Garden stems from the belief that “gardening is not only good for the soil, but it is good for the soul.”

Recently, they used their leadership and organization skills to lead a church team to Espanola, New Mexico, to create an outdoor counseling area and therapeutic park at McCurdy Ministries.

“I have admired Ed’s depth of wisdom and humility for years. He has vision, compassion, and kindness. No issue or problem is too sensitive, big or small for Ed and Judith, who give their complete attention to a myriad of causes,” says Tom Bennett Jr., Chairman of First Oklahoma.

“All businesses preach service, but few practice it well. As First Oklahoma customers, we have always received the highest quality personalized service,” the Paytons say. “We appreciate First Oklahoma’s deep commitment to be active in community services.”

Midtown: 4110 S. Rockford Avenue | South: 100 S. Riverfront Drive, Jenks

www.FirstOklahomaBank.com

Deacon Masters, 8, shows off his second place racing plate from the USA BMX State Cruiser Finals.

I AM

I AM DEACONATOR Eight-year-old BMX star began racing during the pandemic.

STORY AND PHOTO BY TIM LANDES

I

t’s been exactly one year since Deacon Masters began his BMX career. He’s sitting near the starting gate at his home track, Sand Springs BMX, recounting his successful fi rst 12 months of racing.

Th is morning he counted his trophies before going to his second-grade class at Mayo Demonstration School. He can’t remember the exact number, but it’s “60 something.” A smile forms on his face. He knows that’s a lot of hardware.

Masters says they’ve been adding shelves to his bedroom walls to hold them all.

His USA BMX profile features a long list of victories. He recently finished second in State Cruiser Finals, and now his bike features a No. 2 racing plate between the handlebars. “I was competing with intermediates so it was kind of harder, but I still got number 2,” the 8-year-old says.

He has his sights set on more trophies before the season ends. He qualified for USA BMX Grand Nationals from Nov. 25-28 at Expo Square, where thousands of racers from across the country converge for the year’s biggest weekend of BMX racing. As part of the weekend’s

10

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

events, Masters also will face the best in the Race of Champions on Thanksgiving Day. He will enter this year’s Grand Nationals a different competitor than this past November, when he raced for the fi rst time as a true novice on a borrowed bike. His mom, Juleena, wanted to get him involved in an outdoor activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Masters enjoyed riding with friends, so the more riding, the better.

“I was just really into riding bikes, and I loved it,” Masters says. “I was just riding around the streets. One day my mom asked me if I wanted to do some BMX racing, and I said, ‘Well, yeah.’”

He’s had numerous outstanding races that put him on podiums, but he says that fi rst Grands race last year is his favorite to date “because I learned a lot of things from that race,” he says. “That’s when I fi rst learned how to pump (a racing technique executed nearly half a race). I mean I got last by a few straights,” but that was where the Deaconator was born.

He loves competing, which is something the sport brought out of him. Masters enjoys learning techniques and pushing himself to improve. He

accepts defeat if it means he’s gained more racing knowledge.

Masters now owns two bikes, two helmets, lots of pairs of gloves and numerous combinations of racing outfits. He’s always looking to upgrade bike parts.

Th is summer he watched USA BMX compete in the 2020 Summer Olympics and says his goal is to someday make the team, which means 2032 is a likely target date. Starting next year, he’ll have the USA BMX headquarters to train in when the facility opens just north of downtown Tulsa.

As his confidence has increased, he’s pushed himself harder, learning how to catch air and tinker with tricks. At least four days a week are devoted to practice and competition. Th is year he’s raced over 100 times in seven states as far east as Virginia. His favorite away track is Mayes County BMX in Pryor.

“I loved having time to just ride around the neighborhood, and I thought if I got into this one day, I could do this almost every day,” he says.

“And I do. I love it.” TP

Sleep Tight Mode Lock doors. Adjust lights. Arm home security.

Sleep soundly.

Protect. Monitor. Control.

Call 844-347-2219 or visit cox.com/homelife

Cox Homelife is available to residential customers in select Cox service areas. A high-speed Internet connection is required. Cox Homelife Security service plan required for professional monitoring services for intrusion, smoke/fire and related system components.

Applicable monthly service charges, installation, additional equipment, taxes, trip charges and other fees may apply. Subject to credit approval. Other restrictions may apply. Local ordinances may require an alarm user permit or external lock box. Cox Homelife Service provided by Cox Advanced Services: Arizona, LLC – Alarm Lic. #18141–0 & ROC Lic. #310876; Arkansas, LLC – Lic. #E 2014 0026 & #CMPY.0002278; California, LLC – Alarm Lic. #7196 & Contractor’s Lic. #992992; Connecticut, LLC – N/A; Florida, LLC – Lic. #EF20001232; Georgia, LLC – License: Bryan David Melancon #LVU406595; Idaho, LLC – Lic. #024933; Iowa, LLC – Lic. #C121646 & #AC268; Louisiana, LLC – Lic. #F 2006; Nebraska, LLC – Lic. #26512; Nevada, LLC dba Cox Homelife – Lic. #78331; Ohio, LLC – Lic. #53–181671; Oklahoma, LLC – Lic. #2002; Rhode Island, LLC – Lic. #9314; Kansas, LLC – Topeka Lic. #109 & Wichita Lic. #2015–36492; Virginia, LLC – DCJS Lic. #11–7776 & DPOR Lic. # 2705164725 ©2021 Cox Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

MAG107433–0074

BIZ WHIZ

Paraprofessional Angela Bales and Ezra Baird meet therapy dog Fitz at Jenks Southeast Elementary in 2017.

Learn about Tulsa Economic Development Corp.

Creative Capital and its clients. tedcnet.com Misty Thompson, owner of Zoe Cakes Unlimited, creates custom cakes for weddings, birthdays and other occasions.

SWEET SUCCESS Baker launches midtown storefront in pandemic.

BY JULIE WENGER WATSON

A

s an artist, Misty Thompson creates entire worlds bursting with color and rendered with exquisite detail. Her art is full of tumbling flowers, cavorting forest creatures and even frolicking mermaids. Best of all, it’s edible. At Zoe Cakes Unlimited in midtown Tulsa, Thompson bakes custom cakes for any occasion, turning clients’ sugar dreams into delicious realities, one frosted dessert at a time.

Now 45, Thompson found her passion in her early 20s, inspired by a beehive cake in a magazine. “It was all art,” the Tulsa native recalls. “It was amazing.”

Though she says her fi rst attempt at sugar art was “a pure failure,” she kept at it, taking a cake-decorating course at Michaels, enrolling in a pastry program at culinary school and attending annual cake shows. Countless cakes for neighbors and friends followed, and Thompson’s business grew steadily by word of mouth.

She took a break from baking to complete a radiology tech program at Tulsa Community College and eventually returned to her passion, pouring herself into her art and wearing out numerous kitchen appliances — even as she worked her day job at Oklahoma Surgical Hospital.

12

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

After more than a year of planning and searching for the right location, Thompson opened her shop near East 14th Street and South Quaker Avenue in March 2020. Her father named her new company.

“Zoe in the Bible means life,” she explains.

“When you put God fi rst, you can’t fail.”

Despite setting up shop in the middle of a pandemic, business has been good, and her cakes are selling well (the salted caramel and the strawberry are customer favorites).

She’s grateful for the support and advice she’s received from her banker, the Small Business Administration and Tulsa Economic Development Corp. Creative Capital, a Tulsa nonprofit that assists small businesses.

“They gave me the knowledge and helped me with the things I needed to do to get me where I needed to be,” she says.

Running a small business is hard work, but Thompson loves it.

“I need to work on balance now,” she laughs, “but I’m baking, and I’m creating.”

For more information on Thompson’s business or to order a cake, visit zoecakesunlimited. com. TP

Hearts to serve Charlotte Guest was finishing up puppy obedience class with her then 1-year old dog, Fitz, when the instructor noticed his gentle temperament and asked, “Have you ever considered therapy dog work?”

The question led Guest to pursue certification through Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD) as a therapy dog team. In 2016 she founded Comfort Canines of Tulsa, a therapy dog group of Life.Church South Tulsa.

Guest says 125 citizens and their dogs serve as therapy teams across the Tulsa area — providing affection, comfort and support at local hospitals, assisted living centers, schools, rehab facilities, after-school care centers and at benefit walks and fun runs.

Though Guest still works with Fitz, she and her husband, Gordy, also are working with Pearl, their new Shar Pei, to become certified. “We love what we do,” Guest says. “The dogs intuitively know what people need. We hold the leash and watch them love others.”

Motivated to do something meaningful during the early stages of the pandemic, Guest became an area ATD tester/observer. Now she helps others certify their dogs.

The process to become certified is simple, Guest says. Testing consists of three, onehour supervised sessions with an area ATD dog tester. The only cost is $40 a year to ATD for insurance. There are no local dues, and reputable therapy dog groups don’t charge any, she says.

“Some of our best dogs who volunteer with their owner come from really rough backgrounds and from shelters,” she adds. “They are well behaved, kind and compassionate dogs. It’s rewarding to see an intuitive dog offer comfort, a smile and encouragement to others.”

To learn more about becoming a therapy dog team, visit therapydogs.com/join-therapy-dogs.

— MORGAN PHILLIPS

BIZ WHIZ: GREG BOLLINGER; THERAPY DOGS: COURTESY CHARLOTTE GUEST

TEDC SERIES

3 WAYS TO SAVE Savings Add Up With Power Hours

$ Start With A Free Wi-Fi Thermostat

Plus, Save Up To 30% With Off-Peak Rates*

Add Automatic Bill Credits

Claim a free ENERGY STAR® certified Wi-Fi thermostat (with $110 rebate) when you enroll.

Get special, lower rates all summer when you shift your energy usage with the Time of Day program.

Earn up to $40 per thermostat, per year through the Direct Load Control program.

To learn more, visit psoklahoma.com/powerhours *Savings vary by customer and program.

ROOTS Katie den Daas is the first woman to hold the position of ABC News London Bureau chief in 40 years.

Annie Chang, a Gitwit content strategist, works next to her dog, Whiskey.

LONDON CALLING Jenks native leads ABC News in London.

BY HANNAH MARSHALL

B

orn and raised in Jenks, Katie den Daas was destined for journalism.

She recalls the fi rst time she was enthralled by the news as a little girl. The 1989 World Series earthquake had just occurred in San Francisco, and her mother eventually had to pry her away from the television. “We probably should have known then I’d end up a journalist,” says den Daas, 36.

After graduating from the University of Oklahoma’s journalism school in 2007, she quickly rose through the ranks of the industry.

She worked for ABC News for six years in New York City before her most recent promotion to London Bureau chief. Den Daas is the fi rst woman to hold the position in nearly 40 years.

Together, she and her NYC counterpart lead their 35 journalists and support staff in setting the international news agenda for ABC news.

“The London Bureau and our colleagues are scattered around the globe,” says den Daas, who lives in London. “We cover anything that

14

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

happens outside of the United States.”

Den Daas has previously worked as a producer behind the scenes for shows like “Good Morning America,” “World News Tonight” and “The View.” “I work really hard to never be in front of the camera,” she says. “If you see me in front of the camera, something has gone terribly wrong.”

Her responsibilities have changed throughout the years as she has been given more opportunity.

Though she is no longer producing and creating content, den Daas finds great reward in creating an environment for journalists on her team to do their best work.

The element of service that is intrinsically built into journalism motivates her to continue to give back to the community through her work. “I can proudly say that no matter where I am, whether it’s working in Texas or New York or London, I am an Okie through and through,” she says.

“That’s part of my authentic self — regardless of the geography, I take that with me wherever I go.” TP

Three dogs play with chew toys in the common area of Gitwit’s workspace. An employee steps away from his computer to play a quick game of fetch. The dogs pant with excitement as they chase the tennis ball up and down the stairs before returning to their owners’ offices.

In this pet-friendly workspace, dogs wander freely. Gitwit calls itself a “full-service innovation company.” Its 49 staff members spend their time developing and launching products, content and strategies for their clients.

Amid their owners’ rigorous work, dogs bring joy to the office, according to Head of Operations Dustin Curzon. “Pets are an extension of our families,” he says. As such, they are listed on the company’s online directory as “interns.”

Annie Chang, a content strategist, brings her dog Whiskey with her to the office four days each week. “Having my dog here is ideal because it encourages me to leave the office, get some sunlight and walk him around the block,” she says.

Rather than feeling guilty about leaving her dog alone at home, Chang describes having Whiskey by her side as comforting and stressrelieving.

“It’s like having my best friend with me all the time,” she explains. “When there are other dogs here, which there usually are, it’s like free doggie daycare — he tires himself out playing with his friends.”

Some staff members own cats but rarely bring them to the office since they are not as sociable. Fortunately, there are plenty of canine work companions to pause and pet between meetings. — DEBORAH LAKER

ROOTS: COURTESY ABC NEWS; GIT WIT: GREG BOLLINGER

Dogs at work

Journey Together 2021 –2022 S E ASO N The wait is over — full symphony performances resume December 11!

Christmas in Tulsa DECEMBER 11 Featuring Scott Coulter and Tulsa Sings!

Finalists

LOV E A N D O B S E S S I O N :

The Beatles to Berlioz JANUARY 22 Featuring Artistic Director Finalist Scott Seaton

FA N TA S T I C A L :

Firebird Meets Harry Potter

Trailblazers in American Music

FEBRUARY 26

APRIL 9

Featuring Artistic Director Finalist Alejandro Gómez Guillén

Featuring Artistic Director Finalist Robert Franz

ALL CO N CE R TS STAR T AT 7:30 P. M .

VanTrease Performing Arts Center for Education 81st Street and Highway 169

S E A SO N S U B SCR I P TIO N S O N SALE N OW. For tickets and more info, go to signaturesymphony.org or call 918-595-7777.

Corporate Season Sponsor:

APPLAUSE

A wall in the Tulsa County Courthouse was dedicated earlier this year to honor court dogs past and present.

Col. Nick Nichols at Folds of Honor’s new headquarters. In March 2020, ground was broken for the project, which utilizes donated materials and labor, allowing the nonprofit to fund additional scholarships rather than construction.

EVER-EXPANDING MISSION New Owasso headquarters underway for Folds of Honor.

BY STEPHEN HUNT

S

ince its 2007 founding, Folds of Honor has donated 35,000 educational scholarships totaling more than $160 million to spouses and children of fallen and disabled service members.

However, the upcoming opening of its new three-story headquarters in Owasso will allow the organization to further expand its mission.

“The need for support and for scholarships has increased each year, and Folds has outgrown its original headquarters,” explains Col. Nick Nichols, Folds of Honor’s executive vice president of operations and relationships. “Folds did not provide any funding for the building, instead utilizing the contributions from the construction community. ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) of Oklahoma and its vendors, suppliers and contractors donated time, expertise and materials. We’re very grateful.”

Among the students who receive Folds of Honor scholarships, which are $5,000 per year,

16

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

41% are minorities. “We are not using one scholarship dollar to fund this building,” Nichols says.

“It’s very important for people to know that.”

Not only will the new HQ be across the street from the organization’s original headquarters, but it also will feature a memorial honoring fallen soldiers. Nichols says the facility will be accessible to everyone, and a reception area on the third floor will have a huge outdoor patio and interior bar.

“When you have a place where you can bring people in — new donors and existing donors — a place where you can host them, it’s a gamechanger in fundraising,” he says.

Folds of Honor has 25 chapters around the country, and Nichols says the new base of operations will be “a living testimonial and memorial to all the work our donors have done over the past 14 years.”

The facility is expected to open by Memorial Day 2022. TP

In the Victim Witness Center of the Tulsa County Courthouse hang portraits of therapy dogs and their handlers. The trained dogs accompany child victims to the witness stand when they testify against their abusers.

Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler established the volunteer-based dog program to comfort child abuse victims during court proceedings.

“The first jury trial we did with a therapy dog was in 2011,” says Victim Advocate Meghan Darst. “Back then it was a fight to get to use them. But since then, the program has grown to have five dogs.”

When assigned to a witness age 12 or under, handlers offer their canine companions to the child throughout the trial, which boosts their confidence and helps them be more articulate, Darst says. “No one wants to come to the courthouse and testify in front of their abuser. But when you tell them, ‘Your court dog will be here waiting for you in the kids’ room,’ it gives them something to look forward to.”

She vividly recalls her first jury trial as an advocate — a sexual abuse case involving a 7-year-old girl who was on the witness stand for three hours with her court dog.

“I remember this case so much because she did not cry until the court dog had to leave,” Darst says. “She just burst into tears because she didn’t want her court dog to leave.”

After months of suspension due to the pandemic, the dog handlers are back supporting children through difficult court cases.

— DEBORAH LAKER

GREG BOLLINGER

COURT DOG PROGRAM CONTINUES

Now Enrolling Fall 2022

PreK - 8th Grade

Your kids will love school again...and so will you.

Come see what a Monte Cassino education can do for your family.

Middle School Screening Day - November 6

Now scheduling tours and shadow days. Please call to schedule 918-746-4218. montecassinoschool

@MonteCassinoSchool

www.montecassino.org

2206 South Lewis, Tulsa TulsaPeople.com

17

THEN AND NOW

Former owners Howell and Vancuren added the existing landscape architecture to the building at 601 S. Lewis Ave.

HISTORICAL HEADQUARTERS F

ire Station No. 7 has sat at East Sixth Street and South Lewis Avenue since 1921. Firefighters worked out of the existing station until the early 2000s, but today the art deco spot houses the architectural fi rm KSQ Design.

According to David Short, one of KSQ’s owners and a principal with the fi rm, the site has been through a lot. “There was a fi re, of all things, at (the original) fi re station, and it was rebuilt to what it is now in 1948,” he says.

In 2004, Lewis 6 Studios purchased the building, and it was converted to offices for Howell and Vancuren landscape architects (now a part of Wallace Design Collective). In spring 2020 KSQ purchased the property and moved in a few months later, after renovating the interior.

Company size had a lot to do with KSQ’s move from the Gates Hardware building downtown, which they had only moved into in 2016.

“When we bought that building, we had about 75 people,” Short says. “As we transitioned into the company we are now with an office here and one in New York City, we decided to go back to our roots, which was around 20 to 30 people.”

KSQ’s downtown digs no longer fit the

18

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

The interior of KSQ’s renovated office

full-service firm providing planning, architecture and interior design services to clients in K-12, higher education, and the commercial and multifamily sectors. Flintco purchased KSQ’s secondfloor office space in 2020. The Gates building remains home to Elgin Park and the Ruby Red Night Club and Ballroom.

“A couple of friends of mine who are real estate agents said the building was coming on the market,” Short says of 601 S. Lewis Ave. “It’s

kind of an iconic building, it’s historic and it’s art deco moderne.”

However, the building needed a few things.

Who better to renovate a building than an architectural fi rm?

“We tried to keep the history and design. I wouldn’t say we gutted it, but it was close,” Short says. “We adapted it. There are odd things about the building — there are lots of floor drains because they washed out the trucks in there.”

They kept other fi re station stuff, too. “There’s a hose-drying tower where they’d hang their linen hoses,” he says. “We kept what we thought was important in the building.”

Short says the neighborhood where the office sits continues to grow with arts, entertainment, cafes, local shops and eateries, and he likes being in the middle of that. “Where it’s located is really a growing part of Tulsa. That appealed to us,” he says.

The only thing missing? A fi re pole.

“The pole was for the two-story stations,” Short tells a visibly disappointed writer. Still.

“Th is part of town is only going to get better,” he says.” We’ve been lucky in that it’s done what we thought it would do.” TP

GREG BOLLINGER

KSQ Design rehabs a former fire station.

BY LUCAS BRADLEY

PASSIONS

Johnson

Stovall

Marshall

NOV. 18 — OKLAHOMA HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY 5:30 p.m., doors; 6 p.m., dinner; 7 p.m., program.

Black-tie attire. Cox Business Convention Center, 100 Civic Center. $250. oklahomahof.com/induction-ceremony.

OKLAHOMA’S BEST Three Tulsans named to state Hall of Fame.

STORIES BY MORGAN PHILLIPS

B

eing named to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame is the state’s highest honor, according to staff at the 94-year-old OKHOF organization based at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum in Oklahoma City. Since the OKHOF’s inception in 1927, 714 accomplished individuals have received this commendation. Th is year, three Tulsans join them.

OKHOF: COURTESY; K9: GREG BOLLINGER

Hannibal B. Johnson

An attorney, consultant and college professor, Johnson has published 10 books and one play chronicling the African American experience in Oklahoma and its impact on American history.

The Harvard Law School graduate serves on the federal 400 Years of African American History Commission, charged with planning, developing and implementing activities around the 400th commemoration of the arrival of Africans in the English colonies at Point Comfort, Virginia.

He also chaired the education committee for the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission and serves as local curator of Greenwood Rising history center.

Johnson serves on several area commissions and boards, and has received numerous honors and awards for his community service. He was recently inducted into the Tulsa Hall of Fame.

Paula Marshall

Marshall has served as CEO of the Tulsabased international food manufacturer Bama Companies Inc. since 1990. She is the thirdgeneration owner of Bama, long recognized for its high-quality products and customer service.

Under her leadership, Bama has been recognized

by the Tulsa Regional Chamber, McDonald’s and Yum Brands as a top inclusive workplace. It also received the prestigious Malcom Baldridge National Quality Award by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Marshall’s community involvement has included the Tulsa Chamber, Tulsa Area United Way, the Margaret Hudson Program, DVIS, Food on the Move and Ronald McDonald House Charities. She has been recognized with numerous awards and recognitions, including induction to the Tulsa Hall of Fame, as well as being named Advocate of the Year for DVIS and one of 25 “Tulsans who shaped our city” by TulsaPeople Magazine.

Jim Stovall

Despite losing his sight in his 20s, Stovall has been a national champion Olympic weightlifter and a successful investment broker. He is now a highly sought-after speaker and author of 40 books, including the bestselling novel “The Ultimate Gift,” which was made into a major motion picture. Another five Stovall books also have been made into movies with two more in production, including his novel, “Will to Win,” featuring the life, wit and wisdom of Will Rogers.

As founder and president of the Emmy Award-winning Narrative Television Network, Stovall also has worked to make television more accessible to blind and visually impaired people.

The President’s Committee on Equal Opportunity selected him as Entrepreneur of the Year, and he was named International Humanitarian of the Year, joining recipients Jimmy Carter, Nancy Reagan and Mother Teresa. TP

Lt. Chris Moudy, who leads Tulsa Police Department’s K9 Unit; Ajax, a 3-year-old German Shepherd K9; and Ajax’s handler, Officer Jeff Maxey

TULSA K9S ON DUTY The dogs of the Tulsa Police Department’s K9 Unit are trained for two things: to catch bad guys and to detect narcotics. And yes, they will bite.

For the most part, “you have to do three things wrong to get bit,” Lt. Chris Moudy says.

“You have to commit a felony, you have to run and then you have to not give up when we find you.”

Moudy leads the K9 Unit, which assists officers in the field. The dogs’ sensitive noses allow them to pick up on things police might miss, such as a suspect who is just out of sight. “They’re not pets, and they’re not expendable,” Moudy explains of the dogs. “We don’t send them on suicide missions, but they are to give us distance — a little more warning.”

TPD currently has 10 K9s — all German Shepherds or Belgian Malinoises — and 11 handlers, who are officers assigned to train and care for their individual dogs at work and at home.

“Not every department across the country does what we do,” Moudy says. “We get a completely green dog, and we train it from the ground up — from obedience to narcotics detection to the bite work.”

The unit is in the process of replacing two dogs, one that recently died and another that is getting older. Police dogs are between 1 and 3 when they start training, and Moudy says they generally retire around age 9. At that point, another officer usually adopts the dog.

“We really are an excellent field supplement because these guys are awesome officers,” he says. “Now add in the dog, and it just makes them that much more of a valuable resource.” TP TulsaPeople.com

19

Press Your Luck Tulsa Press Club’s Press Your Luck, presented

by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma, was Sept. 23 at the TaulCoy Room, 1350 S. Boulder Ave. Teams competed in 10 rounds of trivia curated by Questionable Co. with proceeds benefiting TPC, an organization of 115 years. Tulsa World’s team reigned supreme yet again, this year winning in a tie-breaker against BCBS. A new addition to this year’s contest were challenging “gong” questions, which were often purchased to attack the Tulsa World team.

1. Tulsa Press Club Board President Lacey Taylor 2. Dinner was provided by Klein’s Catering.

3. Tulsa Press Club Executive Director Becki Watson rings the gong held by board member Jarrel Wade.

4. Local comedian Hilton Price emceed the annual fundraising event.

5. Nine teams participated.

Lilly Garner of Resolute PR

1

2

3

4

5

WALTZ on the Wild Side

1. Patrons Johnna Walker, Ed Raschen, and Tracy and Scott Wagner 2. Local restaurants served cuisine.

3. Patrons Nick and Ruth Holland 4. As guests entered WALTZ, they met a variety of ambassador animals.

5. Patrons danced under the stars to the music of In10City.

20

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

1

3

2

4

5

PRESS YOUR LUCK: TIM LANDES; WALTZ: KATE AND RYAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Tulsa Zoo hosted the 30th annual WALTZ on the Wild Side presented by the Hardesty Family Foundation on Sept. 17. More than 750 guests enjoyed cuisine from 27 local establishments, animal experiences, live entertainment and more.

For the first time, WALTZ moved from the third Friday in June to the third Friday in September. This year’s theme, “Flamingo Nights,” incorporated neon lights, tropical greenery and flamingos. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the event was exclusively outdoors.

WALTZ raised a record-breaking $215,000 toward an upcoming exhibit, African Wilds: Carnivores! The benefit, which stands for We All Love Tulsa Zoo, has raised more than $5 million toward building a bigger, better Tulsa Zoo.

CHARITABLE EVENTS COMPILED BY AMANDA HALL

Are you making a list and checking it twice?

5 Boomtown Awards Benefits TYPROS Foundation.

TYPROS.ORG / BOOMTOWN 6 Noche De Gala Benefits Hispanic American Foundation of Tulsa.

HAFTULSA .ORG

RACQUET AND HEALTH

HOLIDAY SPECIALS

Residential

Commercial

Post-Construction

One Time / Recurring

11 Silver Link Awards Benefits Public Relations Society of America.

PRSATULSA .COM / SILVER _ LINK _ AWARDS

MEMBERSHIPS START AT $29/MONTH

GIFT CARDS AVAIL ABLE

Unite Benefits Tulsa Area United Way. TAUW.ORG

3030 E. 91ST ST. 918-298-9500 RAH91.COM

12 National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon Benefits Association of Fundraising Professionals Eastern Oklahoma Chapter.

AFP - EASTOK .ORG / NPD / YES Empowered by Art Benefits Tulsa Girls Art School.

TULSAGIRLSARTSCHOOL .ORG

• BARRE 10 for $75 • TRX 5 for $60 • Personal Training 3 for $149 • Reformer Pilates 5 for $99 • Les Mills Group Fitness & Mat Pilates included w/ membership

ANEWVIEWHOMEKEEPING.COM 9 18-282-2860

18 Barbecue, Beer and Cigars Benefits Tulsa Boys’ Home.

TULSABOYSHOME.ORG / TBH- BARBECUE- BEERS- CIGARS Oklahoma Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Benefits OKHOF. OKLAHOMAHOF.COM / INDUCTION- CEREMONY 19 Beaujolais et Lumière Benefits Tulsa Botanic Garden.

TULSABOTANIC.ORG

ADDICTION TREATMENT AND RECOVERY

Providing Oklahomans with effective, compassionate addiction treatment.

DETOX // RESIDENTIAL Cushing, OK OUTPATIENT // VIRTUAL Oklahoma City

11/26-12/4 Cascia Christmas Tree Lot Benefits Cascia Hall.

CASCIAHALL .COM / CASCIA- CHRISTMAS-WALK 11/26-12/31 Philbrook Festival Benefits Philbrook Museum of Art. PHILBROOK .ORG / FESTIVAL 11/26-1/2 Garden of Lights Benefits Tulsa Botanic Garden.

TULSABOTANIC.ORG BENEFITS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

HELP 24/7: (800) 544-5101 Free Level of Care Assessments Most Insurances Accepted Visit ValleyHope.org TulsaPeople.com

21

paradise never sounded So Good.

Tickets On Sale Now MARIACHI VARGAS NOV 6 STYX NOV 11 MISS USA NOV 24-29 Frankie Valli DEC 3 Johnny Mathis DEC 9 Mannheim Steamroller DEC 19 All performances subject to change.

Live Music 7 Nights a Week in 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar Fridays & Saturdays in Margaritaville!

Visit margaritavilletulsa.com for a complete schedule.

81st & RIVERSIDE • (888) 748-3731 • RIVERSPIRITTULSA.COM

ABOUT TOWN

TIM LANDES

Santa greets paradegoers in 2020.

GARLAND AND GLEE

T

ulsa’s Christmas parade is back in full swing after last year’s pandemic drive-through adaptation, meaning locals will line the streets to spectate and celebrate as fantastic floats and merry music usher in the holiday season. Read more about the parade, themed “Making Spirits Bright,” along with other area festivities on p. 38. TP

TulsaPeople.com

23

NOVEMBER Nov. 19-21 It’s a shopper’s delight as Braum’s An Affair of the Heart fills the River Spirit Expo at Expo Square with more than 450 vendors from across the country selling crafts, one-of-a-kind gifts, housewares, jewelry and more.

4

The Tulsa Oilers hit the ice at the BOK Center to battle the Idaho Steelheads. Also Nov. 6, 7.

5

Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a celebration of Latinx heritage, honoring deceased loved ones.

Join the public in-person and virtual events, including vendors and food trucks at Guthrie Green.

Get the full trancendental spiritual experience from Philbrook’s new exhibit “Another World” with a gallery tour and activities like sonic sound meditation, tarot readings and star gazing.

5-7

Be inspired with myriad ideas for your home and outdoor living spaces at the Fall Home Expo at Expo Square’s Exchange Center.

6

16

Grab your jacket and some binoculars for a morning bird expedition at Oxley Nature Center.

Dinner, cocktails, desserts and giveaways await those who attend Momsgiving — a mom-focused spin on Friendsgiving at the Restore House in Broken Arrow — presented by Boss Mom Crew, a community of moms who are professionals, entrepreneurs and savvy businesswomen.

Bring your leashed pet to the free, allages event Bark in the Park at Ray Harral Nature Center in Broken Arrow.

7

There’s plenty of fun finds and vintage goods to be discovered at the indoor First Street Flea, located at 860 E. Admiral Blvd.

13

Guest conductor Sarah Hicks leads the Tulsa Symphony through Symphonic Poetry, a collection of works by Lili Boulanger, Francis Poulenc, William Grant Still and Igor Stravinsky, at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

What’s that I hear? Why, it’s the Yonder Mountain String Band playing its progressive bluegrass tunes for two nights at the Shrine. Also Nov. 17.

19

Kids and parents alike will be enchanted by the story of Peter Pan and Wendy in a new multimedia presentation featuring lifesized puppetry and actors in a digitally projected set. DLUX Puppets’ “Peter Pan” is one night only at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

Singer-songwriter and “The Voice” alum Corey Kent takes the stage of the Vanguard for a memorable performance.

26

After the turkey and pie coma has worn off, lace up those running shoes and hit the streets of downtown Tulsa for the annual Turkey Trot 5K. The race begins and ends at the BOK Center.

27

Shop small at Fall Fair Market at Broken Arrow’s Restore House. Peruse booths from more than 35 local artists and craftspeople with pottery, jewelry, leather goods, original art, macrame and more.

27-28

Shop wares from local artisans and makers at the art market this holiday season on Mother Road Market’s covered and heated patio. Also Dec. 3, 10.

29

Crosstown rivals the University of Tulsa and Oral Roberts University men’s basketball teams compete at the Mabee Center for some hard-court action. TP COURTESY

Learn about innovative architect Bruce Goff, whose designs include the Tulsa Club, Boston Avenue Methodist

Church and other iconic buildings, in the new documentary “GOFF.” Circle Cinema hosts a special Q&A screening with local director and producer Britni Harris and crew at 2 p.m.

24

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

NOVEMBER MUSIC LISTINGS 3 WALK THE MOON Cain’s Ballroom

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS Skyline Event Center at Osage Casino Hotel

4 LUKAS NELSON AND PROMISE OF THE REAL Cain’s Ballroom

15 CHVRCHES WITH SPECIAL GUEST DONNA MISSAL Cain’s Ballroom

HANK WILLIAMS JR. Hard Rock Live (sold out) 5 FORGOTTEN SPACE Cain’s Ballroom CHRIS STAPLETON BOK Center 6 ROCK N FOLK N CHILI COOK OFF Cain’s Ballroom THE REVIVALISTS Skyline Event Center at Osage Casino Hotel

17 THUNDERCAT Cain’s Ballroom 18 WHISKEY MYERS Hard Rock Live (sold out) 18-19 ZACH BRYAN Cain’s Ballroom 20 SHANE SMITH AND THE SAINTS WITH JONATHAN TERRELL Cain’s Ballroom

MARIACHI VARGAS DE TECALITLAN The Cove at River Spirit Casino Resort 9 TOMMY EMMANUEL, CGP Cox Business Convention Center 11 STYX The Cove at River Spirit Casino Resort 12 BLACK JACKET SYMPHONY PRESENTS: LED ZEPPELIN IV Cox Business Convention Center

21 SILVERSUN PICKUPS WITH ZELLA DAY Cain’s Ballroom 24 READ SOUTHALL BAND Cain’s Ballroom 26 LEFTOVER TURKEY WITH JASON BOLAND AND THE STRAGGLERS Cain’s Ballroom CODY JOHNSON BOK Center

13 PAUL CAUTHEN Cain’s Ballroom DAN + SHAY BOK Center RAIN: TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES Hard Rock Live

Editor’s Note: Confirm performances via venues prior to attending.

SEE THE FULL LIST OF SHOWS UPDATED WEEKLY AT TULSAPEOPLE.COM.

NOVEMBER 19-20 The McKnight Center for the Performing Arts 705 W University Ave. Stillwater, OK McKnightCenter.org | 405-744-9999

TulsaPeople.com

25

COMMUNITY The Transgender Resource Fair will take place at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, 621 E. Fourth St. Learn more at okeq.org.

MOBILE MODEL

FOOD ON THE MOVE SCALES UP TO HAND OFF 4.5 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD. STORIES BY STACI AAENSON-FLETCHER

F

rom March 2020 to May 2021, 4.5 million pounds of food exchanged hands via Food on the Move’s large-scale drivethrough giveaways for Tulsans experiencing food insecurity.

“We followed all health department protocols, but we made it fun,” Executive Director Kevin Harper says, describing local DJs, physical fitness and therapy professionals, and food trucks at community food and resource festivals.

When pandemic precautions scaled back, FOTM looked back to its “original model created in 2014 to serve the community in a holistic way,” he says.

Community Ambassador Ramal Brown explains the model is a distribution hub where folks can gather around food and information.

Local partners are focused on substance abuse services, financial advising and education.

“We’ve worked intentionally to pool all our partners together and offer sustainable community services over time,” Brown says.

After registering with contact information and family size, participants leave with a 25-pound bag of fresh produce and a hot meal for each family member present, Harper says. Food trucks and activities selected for each block party location change regularly. All FOTM festivals have a pay-as-you-can model, allowing anyone to participate and support the initiative.

26

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

FOTM began in 2014 when founder Taylor Hanson wanted to address food insecurity in Tulsa, inspired by advice from one of his mentors, former U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Edward Perkins: Start with food. It is the great equalizer.

With that, Hanson began Food on the Move in Tulsa with a mission to transform food deserts and the issues created by living in a food-insecure area.

FOTM has been mobile by design and was entirely volunteer driven from 2014 until November 2019, when Harper joined. Now the volunteer roster includes 300 people who serve anywhere from every quarter to weekly.

“We always need more (volunteers), especially since, for at least the next year, we are overseeing the feeding of our 800 Afghan refugees to Tulsa,” Harper says. Both Harper and Brown are former volunteers.

Volunteers and local partners interested in participating can email info@foodonthemoveok. com. TP UPCOMING FOOD ON THE MOVE FESTIVALS Nov. 18: Tulsa Community College Northeast Campus, 3727 E. Apache St. Nov. 20: Chamberlain Park, 4940 N. Frankfort Ave. Nov. 30: Greenwood Cultural Center, 322 N. Greenwood Ave.

Dennis R. Neill Equality Center is bringing together transgender-friendly businesses and community members for a day of support, education and celebration. Join Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) and a supportive bunch of medical doctors, legal counsel, wellness professionals, hairstylists and make-up artists on Nov. 13.

“Whether due to a lack of knowledge or discrimination, the trans community is an under-served community in almost every area … employment, housing, medical, spiritual, financial,” says Krissy Dudley, administrative coordinator and director of the Gender Outreach Program at OKEQ. “This event is to try and fill as many gaps as possible to bring everyone together in a safe and welcoming environment.”

From 1-4 p.m., the Equality Center will host the fair with a clothing swap, portrait photo session, arts and crafts, and a free meal.

Dudley encourages the Tulsa-area’s trans community to attend the event to become more familiar with resources available to them locally. “These connections go a long way in bettering ourselves, and the Tulsa area,” she says.

This event is free; supplies will be provided by local agencies and trans-friendly businesses. “It is important for providers to make the step to say that they are affirming and welcoming to the trans community just as much as it is to advertise to the general public about these services and resources,” Dudley says. TP

FOOD ON THE MOVE: MICHELLE POLLARD; EQUALITY CENTER: GREG BOLLINGER

Ramal Brown, Food on the Move community ambassador, and Executive Director Kevin Harper at an October community food and resource festival

TRANSGENDER RESOURCE FAIR COMING SOON

OUR FAMILY IS READY TO SERVE YOUR FAMILY

ALSO IN LOCAL SPORTS

Tulsa runner Deb Carrington at the 2019 Route 66 Marathon

TROTTING THROUGH TULSA RETURN OF ROUTE 66 MARATHON HEADLINES LOCAL SPORTS THIS MONTH.

BY JOHN TRANCHINA

A

fter it was relegated to a “virtual” event in 2020 due to COVID-19, the Williams Route 66 Marathon returns Nov. 21. It might look a little different for the runners this year, as precautions are being taken to mitigate any risks from the still-ongoing pandemic, but the race is on.

Marathon-adjacent events include the Health and Fitness Expo on Friday and Saturday at Oklahoma State University-Tulsa, as well as the smaller races (5K, Fun Run, Mascot Dash) on Nov 20.

Executive Director Destiny Green keeps in contact with race directors from marathons around the country, sharing information and ideas to make sure races are held safely.

While the Route 66 marathon drew about 10,000 runners before the pandemic, Green says about 2,500 participated in last year’s virtual event.

“In large-scale marathons like ours, the average is about 40% down (this year versus preCOVID), but people are still training,” Green says. “They’ve trained all through quarantining, and we’ve seen more new runners come into it that have decided to do marathons and halfmarathons coming out for the fi rst time. That’s a big deal. We’re ready to celebrate those. I’m proud of our Tulsa runners. They really stand behind us and love our event.”

One such runner is Deb Carrington, who 28

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

ran Route 66 half-marathons in 2016, 2017 and 2019, as well as the full marathon in 2018. She ran a virtual half-marathon last year around Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City and is ecstatic the in-person race is back this year.

“When I did the Route 66 virtually, I had a bunch of friends come out and we did it together, but you just don’t have the course support,” says Carrington, 62. “It’s just a fun route. It’s just a great feeling, the support that Tulsa has out there. It’s a fun event and the community makes it fun, how they’re out there supporting.” TP

AREA RACES IN NOVEMBER: NOV. 6: Jenks Half Marathon, half-marathon and a 5K | McNellie’s Pub Run, 4 miles NOV. 7:Donot Stop Half Marathon, half-marathon, 10K and 5K | Tulsa’s Backyard Bonanza Trail races, 25K, 12.5K and 5K NOV. 13: Welcome Home 5K NOV 25: Owasso Hog Jog 5K NOV. 26: Turkey Trot 5K NOV. 27: Wagoner Twinkle Run 5K

TULSA OILERS hockey is back and under new management. The Oilers, who play in the ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League), hockey’s Double-A minor league, announced in September that NL Sports, led by Andy Scurto, purchased the Oilers from the Stevens Brothers, who had owned the squad for eight years.

“Our first priority is to put a quality, entertaining product on ice with a strong, competitive team,” Scurto says. “We need to win consistently and ensure the fans are having a great time while they watch a playoff-caliber team that will compete for championships.”

After the 2020-21 season was delayed and shortened due to the pandemic, the Oilers are back on the ice and hoping to improve on their 30-28-14 record from last year, which was fifth in the Western Conference and not enough to qualify for the playoffs.

Tulsa dropped the puck on the new season Oct. 22, with the first home game at the BOK Center Oct. 30 against the Kansas City Mavericks, and the first four games this month are home games.

FC TULSA hopes to compete in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship playoffs in November, as its successful 2021 season continues.

Buoyed by a club-record, six-game winning streak in August and September, FC Tulsa appeared to have a lock on third place in the Central Division, with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs.

Tulsa’s soccer club was in a neck-and-neck battle with Birmingham Legion FC for second place and the first-round home playoff game that would result. The playoffs begin Nov. 5.

It would be the second straight year for FC Tulsa to reach the postseason, after falling in the 2020 Western Conference Quarterfinals, 3-2 in a shootout, to El Paso Locomotive FC. Tulsa is seeking its first-ever playoff victory.

Following a Cinderella run to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16, ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY MEN’S BASKETBALL is back, starting with its first home game Nov. 9 at Colorado State. ORU plays its first home game at the Mabee Center on Nov. 12 against Southwestern Christian.

The Golden Eagles had a historic run last season as a No. 15 seed in the March Madness tournament, defeating No. 2 seed Ohio State and then No. 7 Florida in the first two rounds.

The trip ended with a dramatic 72-70 heartbreaking loss to No. 3 Arkansas in the Sweet 16.

Star guard Max Abmas returns for his junior year after leading the NCAA in scoring last season with 24.5 points per game, earning Summit League Player of the Year honors. He also was named Summit League Championship MVP for his performance in helping ORU win the conference title, which qualified the team for the NCAA tournament. TP

COURTESY

LOCKER ROOM

MUSIC NOTES

Mercury Lounge

The Colony

Owner Tori Ruffin at Juicemaker Lounge

TULSA TUNES

THESE TRIED AND TRUE LOCAL VENUES HAVE LIVE MUSIC DAILY.

BY JULIE WENGER WATSON

Mercury Lounge 1747 S. BOSTON AVE. | MERCURYLOUNGETULSA.COM Mercury Lounge showcases the best in local music, but this neighborhood bar also is adept at capturing rising stars. Beloved touring songwriter Cory Brannon with Tulsa rocker RR Williams on Nov. 6 is a perfect example.

Lest you think this venue is all singer-songwriter, all the time, stick around for a free punk show with Tulsa’s Hummin’ Bird immediately after.

“I describe our booking as having a focus on ‘roots music,’ which most folks think of as country, red dirt, folk, rock and roll, but we are working to help change that perception by booking more hip-hop shows,” explains Bobby Dean Orcutt, one of the venue’s owners and its creative director. “Roots music is about a shared experience and a common denominator, and we are so lucky to live in a time where we can enjoy all the branches of that tree.”

According to Orcutt, with no TVs and a U-shaped bar, happy hours at the Mercury are really special. No one stays a stranger for long.

“Bikers, punks, lawyers, doctors, mechanics, everyone from all walks of life fit right in at Mercury,” he says of the venue that opened in 2005.

“That space that allows for a shared commonality despite dissimilar backgrounds translates to our booking model and attempted blending of cultures and genres.”

30

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

OTHER VENUES MAGGIE’S MUSIC BOX 201 E. Main St., Jenks | maggiesmusicbox.com Venue and bar with outdoor and indoor stages, featuring local, regional and national acts.

HARD ROCK CASINO TULSA 777 W. Cherokee St. | hardrockcasinotulsa.com Four distinct venues with everything from country dance bands to DJs to a state-of-the-art concert experience.

RIVER SPIRIT CASINO RESORT 8330 Riverside Parkway | riverspirittulsa.com National acts on the stage of the Cove, with live bands seven days a week at the 5 O’ Clock Somewhere Bar and Volcano Stage in the Margaritaville restaurant.

Juicemaker Lounge 3508 S. SHERIDAN ROAD FACEBOOK.COM/JUICEMAKERMUSIC When Tori Ruffin, longtime guitarist for Prince musical associates Morris Day and the Time, chose to move to Tulsa after years of extended visits, he and his brother Greg Ruffin opened Juicemaker Lounge on New Years’ 2019 (after a soft opening Christmas 2018). The name is a nod to Ruffin’s band Freak Juice and its loyal fans, the “Juicemakers.”

“The Juicemaker is an all-inclusive, genreaccepting venue,” Ruffin says. “We like to do everything top notch ... if it’s great, you’ll find it

at the Juicemaker — a live music haven for live music lovers.”

Black walls, purple floors and a colorful wall mural create a unique space with a great vibe where it’s easy to “get in the blender” with new and old Juicemakers any night of the week. As Ruffin says, “If it’s badass, you’ll find it at the Juicemaker.”

Th is month, check out the Tori Ruffin Funk N Roll Juicemaker Jam on Thursdays for the perfect intro to the Lounge.

The Colony 2809 S. HARVARD AVE. | COLONYTULSA.COM Although closely tied to the history of the Tulsa Sound with shows going back to its opening in 1958, at fi rst glance the Colony seems an unlikely spot to find national and international talent.

Don’t let appearances fool you. Any night of the week, you’re likely to find outstanding local talent jamming with an arena headliner who “happened to be passing through.” Magic happens here.

“The venue is known for helping to cultivate the Tulsa Sound, both old and new,” says Heidi Tindle, the venue’s owner since 2017. “A lot of people know us for red dirt music, but we strive to bring diversity to our bookings, from red dirt to hip-hop and everything in between.”

Beyond the music itself, it’s the musical camaraderie that makes this place special.

“What makes the Colony special is the community of artists who make us their home away from home,” Tindle says. “It’s incredible to see a musician walk into the venue and get called up on stage. All of these guys are capable of playing with each other at a moment’s notice and that community coming together regularly is what truly makes the Colony special.” TP

GREG BOLLINGER

T

ulsa’s music scene is as vibrant as it is varied. With venues ranging from dive bars and honky-tonks to theaters and an arena, there’s live music every night of the week in this town. Here are a few spots you’re sure to catch a jam session nearly any day of the week.

Ready to listen?

DECEMBER 4, 2021 TULSA PAC • TULSA

TULSASYMPHONY.ORG POLAREXPRESSINCONCERT.COM

EXPLORE the possibilities Private tours offered by appointment, visit us virtually or at a Welcome Wednesday Open House.

OPEN HOUSE DATES

Nov. 3, Jan. 12 and Feb. 2, 2022 For more information call 918-879-4755.

Learn more at hollandhall.org/open-house

TulsaPeople.com

31

Ann Bell, Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame inductee, at Church Studio

MUSIC NOTES

ICONIC INNOVATION

TULSA SOUND PIONEER INDUCTED INTO OKLAHOMA MUSIC HALL OF FAME.

W

ith over 50 years as a performer, musician Ann Bell is an incredible presence on stage; passion, energy and humor complement her extraordinary voice.

A founding member of the iconic Tulsa Sound.

She toured with names like Leon Russell, Joe Cocker and Richie Havens, among many others.

Th is fall, Bell’s contribution to the state’s musical legacy was recognized with her induction into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.

“Being inducted is the greatest honor of my whole music career. I love my home state, and I love, and am proud, to be an Okie,” Bell says.

“When you look at the roster of past inductees, it’s a pretty heavy group of artists, and to now be included is just incredible, humbling and truly an honor and blessing.”

Teresa Knox and her husband, Ivan Acosta, own the Church Studio near East Th ird Street and South Trenton Avenue and are behind the historic facility’s renovation and restoration — once home to Leon Russell’s Shelter Records and the epicenter of the Tulsa Sound. A fan of all things Tulsa music, Knox was thrilled to see Bell receive this honor.

“Like Leon, Ann was a disruptor in the music industry,” Knox says. “Her distinct vocals 32

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

Church Studio co-owner Teresa Knox and Bell outside the venue

enhanced the established network of singing styles, while inspiring a new sound never before heard in Tulsa. She entered the Tulsa Sound scene at a time where there were few women and created a path that is just as inspiring today as it was in the 1970s.”

Although Bell fi rst performed at the age of 16, her love of music is undiminished decades later.

The 1969 Edison High School graduate met the members of her fi rst band, the Rubbery Cargo, through a friend and fellow cheerleader, Cindy Phillips. “Her brother was Bill Phillips and was the keyboard player and founder of the band,” Bell explains.

“Performing now at my age — I’m 70 — is every bit as exciting and fulfi lling as in my younger years,” Bell says. “I’m just so glad my voice has gotten stronger with age, and because of 70 years of life and a 50-plus year career span, I do believe I sing with more conviction and passion. It’s great fun to be able to share with each audience all the fun and crazy stories of those experiences with those iconic players, who also happened to be my best friends and mentors.

“It’s my hope to somehow inspire the younger ones coming up behind me. When your talent or gift is also the force that drives your life, you must be true to it at all times.”

Knox agrees.

“Even in the present day, Ann mentors fellow musicians and young people that aspire to work in show business. The Tulsa Sound is less of a genre and more of an engaging relationship among artistic peers, and Ann joining that historically dominant ‘boys club’ has given the sound and the legacy a bright and energizing future.”

To learn more about musicians like Bell and the history of the Tulsa Sound, as well as upcoming events at Church Studio, visit thechurchstudio. com. TP

GREG BOLLINGER

BY JULIE WENGER WATSON

Your Winter escape is Waiting!

January 2 - March 10, 2022 Private Log Cabin

Sunday through Thursday Only

with loft

$159*

per night plus tax

Private Log Cabin

*

$199

per night plus tax

LAKESIDE COTTAGE

$229*

per night plus tax

Falls Lodge

Double Queen

with loft

FAMILY Two Bedroom

Use promo code TLPQ22 when you book your stay online.

BIGCEDAR.COM/RESERVATIONS Lakeside Cottage Two Bedroom

*Limited number of discounted accommodations available. Not valid on February 14th.

Not valid on current reservations, holidays or holiday weekends. Prices do not include resort fee.

ART SPOT

Artists Anita Fields and Molly Murphy Adams visit 108 Contemporary where their work is on display.

Seeking some art as the weather gets cooler?

Make sure to visit 108 Contemporary, 108 E. Reconciliation Way, before the end of the month to see “The Space Between,” an exhibition from Anita Fields (Osage) and Molly Murphy Adams (Oglala Lakota).

Fields is a 2021-22 Tulsa Artist Fellow, and Murphy Adams was a Fellow from 2019-20. Each works in multiple mediums. Where Fields creates sculptures with clay and textiles, Murphy Adams does beadwork, printmaking and embroidery. The artists have been in group exhibitions together before, but this is their first direct collaboration — the outcome is a rich crossroads of pattern and narrative.

When asked how patrons might deepen their experience and understanding of the art, Fields says, “I would have viewers take a deep dive into the history of how Oklahoma began.”

“If at any point you have that feeling of unease, that this isn’t what you expect, pause and ask where that feeling comes from,” Murphy Adams adds.

Both artists draw inspiration from their own Native heritage, and while this is important to their output, it isn’t the only framework through which their art should be considered.

“I think of it as the continuum in a way of being as a Native woman, the continuum of an aesthetic that I am familiar with and that informs my artistic decisions,” Fields says.

The exhibition runs through Nov. 21, with an artist talk from Fields at 7 p.m., Nov. 11. TP 34

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

Valerie Lopez and Betty Notter, co-owners of Chit Chat Art. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram: @ChitChatArtCo.

CONVERSATIONAL CREATIONS

CHIT CHAT ART TOTE BAGS HAVE DESIGNS WITH HUMBLE ROOTS. STORIES BY ETHAN VEENKER

C

onversations between a mother and daughter during the pandemic lock down last year sparked the idea for a new line of colorful tote bags.

The mother-daughter duo — Valerie Lopez and Betty Notter — are close, meeting often to spend time together and, well, chit chat. “(My mother’s) natural reflex is to go to the canvas and to take a conversation we had (and make art),” Lopez says.

Th is particular habit of Notter’s struck up a little over a year ago, after the fi rst COVID-19 lock downs. Lopez recalls how much she admired pieces Notter created, finding them thoughtprovoking, fun and fashionable, lending themselves well to tote bags.

“Some of them are destinations,” Lopez says. “(Some are) topics, like Earth Day.” Shortly after, Chit Chat Art was born. Lopez herself denies any claims to an artistic personality; she instead runs the business side of the operation and designed the website.

Notter, meanwhile, has created art her entire life. After growing up in Kentucky and attending University of Louisville for an art education,

she moved to Tulsa. She was featured in 2013 in TulsaPeople Magazine for her series “Tulsa in Ink,” pen-illustrated postcards and posters of Tulsa landmarks.

Likewise, Chit Chat Art has Tulsa- and Oklahoma-centric designs. The online catalog is divided into categories, including superheroes, the Zodiac and musicians, featuring Tulsa Sound icon Leon Russell, as well as Bob Wills and Woody Guthrie.

Designs in the destinations category range from Florida to New York City, but Oklahomathemed totes abound, including a newly designed Route 66 tote.

As with any art, the creations are better seen than described. They’re steeped in bright colors and carefully rendered text. Landmarks and individuals blend together and swirl around in mosaic-like smorgasbords of character and style. It’s hard to view one online without zooming in to take in all the finer details.

Certain designs are sold physically at the Woody Guthrie Center and Ida Red, but Chit Chat’s entire catalog is available for purchase at chitchatart.com. TP

GREG BOLLINGER

‘THE CONTINUUM OF AN AESTHETIC’

ART SPOT

The Signature Quartet, part of Signature Symphony, includes Corbin Bodley, violin; Jeffrey A. Smith, viola; Erica D. Parker, cello; and Sarah Bailey, violin.

Their next performance is Nov. 6.

“Another World: The Transcendental Painting Group” features “Birthday” (1943) by Agnes Pelton.

SIGNATURE SEARCH

THREE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR CANDIDATES FOR TCC’S SIGNATURE SYMPHONY WILL CONDUCT SHOWS THIS SEASON. STORIES BY BLAYKLEE FREED

SYMPHONY: COURTESY; ANOTHER WORLD: TIM LANDES

I

t’s been two years since Tulsa Community College opened the artistic director position for Signature Symphony.

Although the pandemic extended the process, the search for the next leader of TCC’s professional orchestra-in-residence program presented new opportunities like guest-conducted shows and virtual concerts, says Kelly Clark, TCC dean of the School of Visual and Performing Arts.

“Finalists worked with Signature Symphony to put the music together, and then they hosted it virtually,” Clark says of performances this past winter and spring. “So there was just another touch point ... the opportunity to engage both them and the audience over this year of insanity.”

In March 2020, just before the shutdown, musicians from the orchestra, staff and Signature Symphony advisory board members narrowed the search down to three finalists, who will each conduct an in-person concert in 2022.

Scott Seaton, in his seventh season as music director of the North State Symphony in Northern California, kicks off the director finalist-led shows with “Love and Obsession: The Beatles to Berlioz” on Jan. 22. The performance connects the music from the iconic rock band with work from French composer Hector Berlioz.

Next, Alejandro Gómez Guillén will present “Fantastical: Firebird meets Harry Potter” on Feb. 26, pairing John Williams’ magical movie score and Igor Stravinsky’s timeless tale with music from Brazilian-American Clarice Assad and Argentina’s Osvaldo Golijov.

Gómez Guillén is artistic director and conductor of Bloomington Symphony Orchestra and serves as artistic director of Sphere Ensemble, as well

as acting concertmaster/principal second violin of Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale.

On April 9, Robert Franz directs “Trailblazers in American Music,” highlighting revolutionary conductors like Florence Price, the fi rst African American woman whose orchestral piece was played by a major U.S. orchestra in 1933.

Franz is music director of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra and Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival Orchestra, associate conductor of the Houston Symphony and artistic advisor of the Boise Baroque Orchestra.

Signature Symphony at Tulsa Community College’s 2021-22 season performances began in September with a Signature Quartet chamber music concert. On Nov. 6, the Quartet returns with “An Oklahoma Journey,” a collaborative performance with the Tulsa Opera Signature Chorale, directed

by Aaron Beck, in a partnership with TCC that launched this year, Clark says. Attendance will be limited for physical distancing.

“One of the things we wanted to do this fall is to bring people back kind of slowly, and that goes for musicians as well as for our audience … in a large venue but in smaller numbers,” Clark says.

“We have the ability to use the resources of the campus,” including the TCC Public Health team.

“We follow their recommendations, so it’s nice to have somebody whose main job is to make sure we’re following COVID protocols so we can keep our audiences safe, our musicians safe and all of our performers safe,” Clark says, adding they evaluate the most recent health data and recommendations before each concert. The full orchestra is scheduled to return in December for “Christmas in Tulsa.” TP

TRANSCENDING THE PHYSICAL The first comprehensive traveling exhibition of more than 75 paintings and drawings from the Transcendental Painting Group has arrived in Tulsa at Philbrook Museum of Art. “Another World: The Transcendental Painting Group” features work from 11 American artists who worked and lived in New Mexico (except one, who lived in California). The group, formed in 1938, intended to “carry painting beyond the appearance of the physical world, through new concepts of space, color, light and design, to imaginative realms that are idealistic and spiritual,” according to its statement of purpose. This approach adhered to transcendentalism, a philosophy “based on a belief in the essential unity of all creation, the innate goodness of humanity, and the supremacy of insight over logic and experience for the revelation of the deepest truths,” according to Britannica. (Notable transcendentalists include American authors Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.)

The exhibit includes work by group visionaries Raymond Jonson (1891-1982) and Emil Bisttram (1895-1976), as well as the group’s two women, Agnes Pelton (1881-1961) and Florence Miller Pierce (1918-2007). Though none of the work on display is by Tulsans, research ahead of the exhibit uncovered a unique Tulsa tie. Every Transcendental Painting Group member showed work at Arsuna School of Fine Art in New Mexico, a school and gallery founded in 1937 by former Tulsan Clyde Gartner (1900-1967), where Jonson also taught painting.

Before moving west to start the school, Gartner gave a lecture on Nicholas Roerich, a Russian painter who inspired Transcendental Painting Group artists. Gartner also was involved with Tulsa Art Association and briefly worked at Philbrook when it first opened, according to Curator Susan Green.

“Another World: The Transcendental Painting Group” is on display through Feb. 20. TP TulsaPeople.com

35

BOOKWORM

Ginny Myers Sain

NATURAL LEAP

TULSA AUTHOR PUBLISHES ANTICIPATED DEBUT YA NOVEL.

Joe Glyda in front of a PT-19 at R.L. Jones Jr. Airport

‘These Beautiful Birds’

STORIES AND PHOTOS BY TIM LANDES

O

n a late summer evening in September, Ginny Myers Sain celebrated the launch of her highly anticipated novel “Dark and Shallow Lights” with friends and fans at Philbrook Museum of Art. It was a fitting location for the Tulsa author’s Magic City Books event. The museum is where Myers Sain works as a guest experience associate.

It’s also where she was when her book went to auction in October 2020, meaning more than one publisher wanted it, so they spent a day bidding on it.

“I was actually working at the front desk as the auction was happening, which is probably a Philbrook fi rst,” Myers Sain says. “It was good to be here. I was actually glad. It kept my mind a little bit off of it instead of sitting there and refreshing my email every five seconds.”

Razorbill, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, won the auction for the Southern Gothic mystery thriller in a two-book deal. Myers Sain says she has submitted the manuscript for her second book, a standalone thriller, slated to publish fall 2022.

“Dark and Shallow Lights” is about a 17-yearold Louisiana girl who spends summers in the “Psychic Capital of the World.” It’s also where her best friend disappeared six months ago.

Inspiration for the book came to Myers Sain two years ago while vacationing in Florida

36

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

with her son. They stumbled upon the town of Cassadaga, which bills itself as the “Psychic Capital of the World.”

“I thought it would be a cool place to put a story, but Cassadaga is right on I-4, so it’s very easy to get there. You just hop on and off the interstate,” she says. “I wanted somewhere that was a little more isolated … That’s how we ended up down in the bayou of Louisiana. We didn’t pay for any psychic readings that day, but I did buy some good luck crystals.”

The book received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly, and it was included in Deep South Magazine’s Summer Reading List, and Barnes and Noble’s most anticipated YA books list. It debuted at No. 2 on the Oklahoma Best Sellers YA list and was named an Amazon Editor’s Pick.

Myers Sain says writing YA was a natural leap from her background in theater, teaching and directing teens. She also comes from a family of writers; her mother is Oklahoma author Anna Myers, who has 20 published novels, and brother Ben Myers was the 2015 Oklahoma State Poet Laureate.

Though the book is shelved in the YA section, Myers Sain says it has crossover appeal for adults.

“It’s not particularly a story for young kids at all, or even young teens,” she says. “It’s really geared more toward older teens, and a lot of adults read YA.” TP

A few years ago, Tulsan Joe Glyda fell into a creative funk. He had finished teaching a class at Photoshop World in Las Vegas when he realized he should take his own advice and started a self-assignment to get those creative juices flowing again.

His father was a Navy veteran who loved warplanes. Growing up in the Glyda household, there were weekly slideshows and airplane models assembled. Fast forward a handful of decades, and Glyda was sitting in the Vegas airport when he thought to document World War II planes.

“I went to Reno, and I shot my first World War II airplane. It was a T-6 Texan,” says the 66-year-old, who worked for Kraft Foods as a photographer for 36 years.

From there he traveled across the country taking photos of planes, and the project grew into his new self-published coffee table book, “WWII Aviation Artwork and the Stories Behind These Beautiful Birds.”

“It started out as a photo book, then it became an art book and then it became a story book because I started getting stories from different people like my editor’s dad, who was a pilot and a co-pilot in a B-24 Liberator,” says Glyda, who shared stories of the people who worked on and flew the 34 featured planes, along with his artwork and historical photos.

Visit wwiiaviation.art to learn more. TP

We are always here for you and your family, 24/7/365.

How Emergency Care Should Be Tulsa ER & Hospital was created to bring around the clock, concierge-level, quality adult and pediatric emergency care for our community.

We strive to provide our patients with the best experience, offering short wait times in a comfortable and inviting environment.

71st & Hwy 75| tulsaer.com | 918-517-6300

TulsaPeople.com

37

Floats and fanfare

Gathering Place

DEC. 3 Sand Springs Christmas Parade 7 p.m.

Theme of “Joy of Giving,” along East Broadway Street, near the Triangle. sandspringschamber.com DEC. 4 Broken Arrow Civitans Christmas Parade 10 a.m. Rose District, Broken Arrow. rosedistrict.com DEC. 11 “Making Spirits Bright” Tulsa Christmas Parade 11 a.m. Starts at East Seventh Street and South Boston Avenue, heads north on East Third Street, then proceeds south to East Seventh Street and South Boulder Avenue. tulsachristmasparade.org

Lights and gatherings NOV. 13 Thanksgiving Gathering 6-9 p.m.

Tulsa Legion Post 308, 11328 E. Admiral Place.

Pipers will usher in this season of gratitude, along with food and education on Highland Dress. $5-$8. facebook.com/scottishcluboftulsa NOV. 18 Jenks Lights On! 4-8 p.m. Jenks Main Street, between First and Fourth streets. News on 6 Meteorologist Travis Meyer emcees this event with entertainment from Jenks High School Trojanaires and other local acts, plus food trucks and a free carriage ride. jenkschamber.com NOV. 19-JAN. 3 Arvest Winterfest Various times.

BOK Center. Tulsa’s only outdoor ice-skating rink is returning downtown, along with horse-drawn carriage rides and live music. Various prices. tulsawinterfest.com NOV. 20 Boare’s Head Feaste 7 p.m. Castle of Muskogee, 3400 W. Fern Mountain Road, Muskogee.

Begin the holidays with a four-course medieval meal, live music and entertainment. $49.95. okcastle.com

Castle Christmas

Tulsa Christmas Parade

Arvest Winterfest

NOV. 25 Lights On! Time TBA. Utica Square, East 21st Street and South Utica Avenue. More than 1 million white lights in 175 trees illuminate after a 10-second countdown. uticasquare.com

Merrymaking

NOV. 25-DEC. 31 Castle Christmas 5:30-10 p.m. Castle of Muskogee, 3400 W. Fern Mountain Road. Castleton Village contains more than 2,000 holiday lights, and admission is free. Other activities include camel, train and hayrides, as well as Christmas ponies.

Prices vary. okcastle.com/castle-christmas

SEASON’S GREETINGS! CELEBRATE WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FUN AT THESE AREA HOLIDAY EVENTS.

NOV. 25-JAN. 1 Rhema Lights 5:30-11:30 p.m. Rhema Bible Church, 1025 W. Kenosha St., Broken Arrow. Walk or take a carriage ride through a stunning display of holiday lights. Free-$50. rhemalights.org

C OMP IL E D B Y BL AY K L E E F R E E D Editor’s note: Confirm events with organizers prior to attending.

38

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

NOV. 25-JAN. 1 Garden of Lights at Honor Heights Park 5:30 p.m., gates open; 10 p.m., gates close

WINTERFEST, CASTLE: COURTESY; PARADE: TIM LANDES; GATHERING PLACE: MICHELLE POLLARD

NOV. 20 Holiday Craft Bazaar 9 a.m.-5 p.m. St. Henry Catholic Church, 8500 N. Owasso Expressway. Stock up for the holidays with handcrafted decor and unique goods, along with prizes, food and more. Free admission. facebook.com/sthenryaltarsociety

Sunday-Thursday, and 11 p.m., Friday-Saturday. $5 per car. 1400 Honor Heights Drive, Muskogee. Drive through more than 1 million lights timed to holiday music. visitmuskogee.com NOV. 26 Turkey Trot 8:30-11 a.m. BOK Center.

Stuff yourself full with fuel on Thanksgiving and then race the next day in the 5K or fun run/walk. $25-$35. facebook.com/fleetfeettulsa NOV. 26-28, DEC. 3-4 Cascia Hall Christmas Tree Lot Hours vary. Cascia Hall, 2520 S. Yorktown Ave. Pick out your family Christmas tree from more than 200 Fraser firs, and then stop by Santa’s Village for s’mores, games and the Christmas train. casciahall.com/cascia-christmas-walk NOV. 26-DEC. 31 Philbrook Festival Times vary.

Philbrook Museum of Art, 2727 S. Rockford Road. Usher in the holidays with lighting in the gardens, live music, Santa and more — now with activities all day. $12 for non-member adults. Free for members and kids under 17. philbrook.org NOV. 26-JAN. 2 Garden of Lights Times and dates vary. Tulsa Botanic Garden, 3900 Tulsa Botanic Drive. Stroll through the Garden aglow with millions of lights. $5-$15. tulsabotanic.org NOV. 28 First Night Hanukkiah Lighting Time TBA. Temple Israel, 2004 E. 22nd Place. As the sun sets, join Temple Israel as a large menorah is lit on the Temple lawn. Free. templetulsa.com DEC. 3 GLOW on the Green Time TBA. Guthrie Green, 111 E. Reconciliation Way. A lights on event with live music, a vendor market and special guest host News on 6 Meteorologist Travis Meyer. Holiday lights will remain illuminated every night through December. guthriegreen.com DEC. 3-5 Christkindlmarkt Various times. GermanAmerican Society of Tulsa Event Center, 2301 E. 15th St. Good food, warm drinks and artisan crafts ring in the holidays at this local three-day market. Free admission and parking. gastulsa.org/christkindlmarkt DEC. 4 Children’s Holiday Party Time TBA. Asbury Methodist Church, 6767 S. Mingo Road. Tulsa Speech and Hearing Association (TSHA) hosts a soiree with a deaf Santa Claus, and 200 children are provided with stockings stuffed with goodies. facebook.com/tshainc DEC. 4 Christmas Celebration 6 p.m. Tulsa Aglow, 5119 S. Joplin Ave. Tulsa’s Aglow International ministry is celebrating Christmas with food, friends and fun. Free. facebook.com/tulsa.aglow DEC. 4 Jingle Bell Run Time TBA. River West Festival Park, 2100 S. Jackson Ave. Jingle all the way during the 5K or 1-mile races to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation. Cost TBA. events.arthritis.org DEC. 7 Tulsa Women’s Auxiliary Fashion Show and Silent Auction 10:30 a.m., silent auction; 11:30 a.m., luncheon. Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center, 6808 S. 107th E. Ave. The 69th annual fundraiser

for Salvation Army raises money for local neighbors in need. $75. salarmytulsa.org DEC. 11 New Orleans Square Holiday Arts and Crafts Festival Noon-7 p.m. New Orleans Square, New Orleans Place and Elm Street, Broken Arrow. The inaugural Holiday Arts and Crafts festival will include arts and crafts vendors, kids activities, hot chocolate and Santa. facebook.com/neworleanssquarebrokenarrow DEC. 12 ABATE of Tulsa Toy Run 10 a.m. Expo Square’s West Parking Lot, East 21st Street and South Louisville Avenue. The 42nd annual race benefits motorcycle safety and awareness. Admission is one new, unwrapped toy. abateoftulsa.com DEC. 17-JAN. 2 Winter Wonderland at Gathering Place Various times. Gathering Place, East John Williams Way and Riverside Drive. The park transforms into a winter wonderland complete with caroling, a Christmas train and a visit from Santa. gatheringplace.org

Music and performances NOV. 18 Million Dollar Quartet Christmas 7:30 p.m.

Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center. Journey through the story of Christmas past, present and future with Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley. $35-$75. brokenarrowpac.com DEC. 3 Oral Roberts University’s annual Christmas Concert Time TBA. Enjoy holiday performances by ORU music and theater students. mabeecenter.com DEC. 3 Postmodern Jukebox 7:30 p.m. Broken Arrow PAC. The rotating musical from Scott Bradlee is back with swing and jazz that will have you grooving in your seat. $35-$75. brokenarrowpac.com DEC. 3-5, 10-12 Santa Claus Conquers the Martians Times vary. Broken Arrow Community Playhouse, 1800 S. Main St. Broken Arrow. Science fiction and comedy collide in this stage adaptation of the 1964 film. Prices vary. bacptheatre.com DEC. 4 The Polar Express in Concert 7:30 p.m.

Tulsa Performing Arts Center. All aboard for a musical ride on Santa’s magic train. $20-65. tulsapac.com DEC. 5 Wynonna Judd 8 p.m. Skyline Event Center at Osage Casino Hotel, 951 W. 36th St. N. The Country Music Hall of Fame star is billed to perform “the holiday event of the year.” osagecasino.com DEC. 5-8, 12-15 The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Various times. Clark Youth Theatre at Henthorne Performing Arts Center, 4825 S. Quaker Ave. This annual show tells the tale of the Herdman family, who somehow lands leading roles in their church Christmas pageant. Teen cast. $10-13. clarkyouththeatre.com DEC. 9 A Johnny Mathis Christmas 8 p.m. The Cove at River Spirit Casino Resort, 8330 Riverside Parkway.

Celebrate 65 years of this versatile vocalist with his evening performance of Christmas favorites. $35-$75. tickets.riverspirittulsa.com

DEC. 10-19 The Nutcracker Times vary. Tulsa PAC. Don’t miss Tulsa Ballet’s fresh take on this holiday favorite from Artistic Director Marcello Angelini. $25-$108. tulsapac.com DEC. 10-23 A Christmas Carol Times vary. Tulsa PAC. American Theatre Co. performs this musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ beloved novella, a show that has shared the joy of Christmas with Tulsa for more than 40 years. $24-$38. tulsapac.com DEC. 11 SOCKS: A Rock N’ Roll Christmas Tour 8 p.m.

Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N. Main St. It’s a holiday honkytonk with music from JD McPherson and special guest Joel Paterson. $22-$31. cainsballroom.com DEC. 11 Christmas in Tulsa 7:30 p.m. VanTrease PACE, 10300 E. 81st St. Signature Symphony’s full orchestra returns with Broadway star Scott Coulter and Tulsa Sings! finalists. $35-75. signaturesymphony.org DEC. 12 The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Musical 2 and 6 p.m. Tulsa Theater. Journey to the North Pole for a glimpse of Santa and his elves. $29.95-$84.95. tulsatheater.com DEC. 16 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical 7:30 p.m. Broken Arrow PAC. Santa’s little red sleigh headlight is coming to town with songs about how differences make us special. $35-$75. brokenarrowpac.com DEC. 18 Tulsa’s K-pop Holiday Event Noon-4 p.m.

Junior League of Tulsa, 3633 S. Yale Ave. Find food, games, prizes and more at this event celebrating K-pop music and the culture surrounding it. $10. seoulfest.square.site DEC. 18 The Odyssey’s Christmas Bash 8 p.m. The Vanguard, 222 N. Main St. Rock out with local headliner The Odyssey and other Oklahoma bands at this live music extravaganza. $10. thevanguardtulsa.com DEC. 18 Red Dirt Christmas 7 p.m. Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N. Main St. Join Cody Canada and the Departed and the Red Dirt Rangers for the 21st annual Red Dirt Christmas. $20-$40. cainsballroom.com DEC. 19 Mannheim Steamroller Christmas 8 p.m.

The Cove at River Spirit Casino Resort, 8330 Riverside Parkway. Chip Davis brings the holiday magic live in concert. $35-$75. tickets.riverspirittulsa.com TP

Popular holiday venues BOK CENTER 200 S. Denver Ave., bokcenter.com TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 110 E. Second St., tulsapac.com TULSA THEATER 105 W. Reconciliation Way, tulsatheater.com BROKEN ARROW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 701 S. Main St., Broken Arrow, brokenarrowpac.com

TulsaPeople.com

39

OSUIT President Bill Path, Ed.D.

SPONSORED EDITORIAL

OSUIT CELEBRATES 75 YEARS OF EDUCATION At the end of World War II, Oklahoma was faced with the challenge of soldiers returning home from war needing skills to successfully re-enter the workforce. In 1946 Oklahoma State University purchased the former Glennan Army Hospital in Okmulgee for $1. There veterans would be provided vocational training under the GI Bill.

Today, 75 years later, OSU Institute of Technology continues the legacy of providing a highly-educated and highly-skilled workforce fit to meet the needs of today’s demanding industry careers. Nearly 3,000 enrolled students work toward associate and baccalaureate degrees in programs that prepare them for valuable careers in the modern economy’s key labor sectors — including manufacturing, energy, engineering, information technologies and health care.

“At OSU Institute of Technology, we favor labs over lectures, rolling up our sleeves and doing the work,” says OSUIT President Bill Path, Ed.D. “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.”

Path is a champion for outcomes-focused instruction.

“Our economy depends on OSUIT graduates for the skills they bring to the job, and we are proud to be the premier institution that produces them,” he says. “That is the essence of our legacy since 1946, and we’ll continue to be true to our mission for the next 75 years.”

OSUIT is unlike any other college in the state by favoring an outcomes-focused learning approach and extensive private sector sponsorship. The school only hires exceptional industry professionals who teach, rather than professional teachers.

OSUIT operates on a trimester system, an accelerated format that allows students to enter the workforce earlier since they complete their degree in less time. By meeting the economic and workforce challenges in key labor sectors, OSUIT is filling the skills gap one graduate at a time. Path is

proud of OSUIT’s 90% career placement rate and the school’s 17-to-1 student-faculty ratio.

The OSUIT campus now has 38 academic programs, including Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science and Bachelor of Technology options. It sits on 240 acres and has grown to include more than 1 million square feet of educational space, 21 academic buildings and seven residence halls.

Path has served as OSUIT’s president since 2011. Under his leadership, the school has strengthened industry partnerships and developed innovative agreements to drive international relationships. Path participates in key national organizations committed to modern technical education.

Path’s strategic plan for OSUIT is focused on developing and strengthening relationships between industry and academia to prepare a globally competitive workforce. Celebrating 10 years of leadership at OSUIT, he has brought sustainable growth to the campus with iconic landmarks like the Chesapeake Energy Natural Gas Compression Training Center, Pistol Pete Plaza, Grand Old Post Office (GOPO) Student Housing, and the Bachelor of Technology in Applied Technical Leadership degree program.

“Even while we reflect on our past, we must also position ourselves for the future,” Path says. “To that end, OSUIT has begun integrating exciting, new technologies into our curricula. We are learning about the roles that extended reality (XR) can play in delivering high-quality, workforce education. As a campus known for hands-on instruction, OSUIT hopes to leverage XR’s potential and examine the expansion of such learning opportunities beyond the traditional lab environments.”

Although many things have changed in the past 75 years, OSUIT has never wavered from its mission to provide a high-quality education that prepares students for extraordinary careers.

OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | 1801 E 4TH STREET, OKMULGEE | 918-293-4680 | OSUIT.EDU

EMILY STEWART, TRUMAN AND MARY STEWART

3324 E. 31st St., Suite A | 918-747-1171

ranchacreswine.com

IS ANYONE STAYING WITH YOUR DOGS OR CATS AT NIGHT? Our staff is on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Next month, we celebrate nine years of caring for dogs and cats (and even fish, ferrets and pet chickens) in the Tulsa Metro area. Thank you for trusting • 2 0 21 • us to care for your beloved fur kids as you travel or entertain guests in your home over the holiday season. Have a new furry family member? Our daycare staff does an amazing job of entertaining and socializing dogs of all sizes and shapes in a safe, controlled environment. Come take a tour or give us a call. We would love to meet you!

— Delana Taylor McNac D.V.M. Owner/Manager

9535A E 47th Place 918-949-6070 kittycitytulsa.com

42

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

9525 E. 47th Place 918-949-6070 dogville-daycare.com

ON THE CLOCK S TO RY BY JA N E ZEM EL | PH OTOS BY M I CH ELLE P O LL A RD

SIX PETS WHO CALL TULSA RETAIL SHOPS HOME

At a time when businesses are struggling to fill any number of staff positions, these six retailers will never have to worry about greeter turnover.

They rely on lazy felines, frisky pups and a squawking bird to make browsers feel welcome — and these shop pets bring back more repeat customers than any merchandise in the inventories.

TulsaPeople.com

43

THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER

WEIGHT

76 pounds

BELLA

BREED

Golden Retriever

AGE

Almost 3

FAVORITE TREAT Ice cubes

WON’T EAT

Tick and flea medication unless it’s covered in CheezWhiz

When you’re the second-generation shop pet, like Bella Blue Blazer at Travers Mahan Apparel, following in earlier pawsteps can be a challenge.

Like Dusty’s. After 13 years as the shop dog at the south Tulsa storefront, Dusty had quite a following, ranging from customers who would bring her toys to mail carriers who would deliver treats as she aged.

At 3, Bella is still developing her fan base.

Certain puppy tendencies — like getting overexcited — mean she spends time in the back room until she calms down. “She doesn’t mingle a lot. She’s still 40% puppy,” says Travers Mahan, who owns the shop with his wife, Laurie. But Bella knows that, as part of a family business, she has to do her part. In this case, she greets customers.

It helps that Bella loves people, especially children. She also shares a love/hate relationship with Pepper, the family cat and her reallife toy for chasing at home.

“They’re fine if Bella doesn’t try to lick Pepper,” Laurie says. Bella will always be the only shop pet in the family because who wants cat hair around a men’s clothing store?

Travers is the disciplinarian of the apparel couple, who have owned three Golden Retrievers over the years. “They’re inseparable,” says Laurie of her husband and shop pup. Bella loves a good game of tennis-ball throwing, chasing squirrels, hunting backyard bunnies and relishes her day off at the lake once a week.

“She’s basically under my thumb,” Travers

HEIGHT

26 inches

LIKES

Playing fetch, children, all people, sometimes the family cat

DISLIKES Car trips

says. He’s her consistent guy. “That’s why she loves me,” he jokes. “She knows my boundaries. When my voice raises or gets deeper, she realizes she’s in a little hot water.”

“I see glimmers of hope in there that she’ll survive (the role of shop dog),” he says. Their former shop dog was smart and compliant.

“She’s just as smart, but not quite as compliant,” Travers says.

44

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

THE FLAME POINT SIAMESE

No one working at Tatermash Oilcloth is aller-

TATER

gic to cats. Because, for the past 12 years, the main tenant of the store has been Tater the shop cat.

Tater, who got his name not from the name of the store but because he looks like a tater tot, is super chill and lies on his mat or in his basket to socialize. “People come to see him who aren’t buying anything at the shop,” says Lori Alison, shop owner.

She calls him a great relationship builder.

“He’s not a playful cat, so we don’t have toys,” Alison says. But treats are always on the menu.

Customers bring him cans of tuna or salmon.

A police officer who also has cats regularly brings a treat for Tater.

Alison’s relationship with the cat wasn’t even close to love at first sight. She and her daughter picked out Tater. Sort of. There were six to choose from, those got narrowed down to two, and someone adopted the other one, so Tater was theirs. By default. By process of elimination. “He was just big and chill. All the others were pawing us. He didn’t even get up. He had more of a ‘whatever’ attitude,” she says.

Tater lives at the shop full time, not with Alison. Too much angst when he’s at her house, and he doesn’t like the car, except to go to the groomer. On long weekends, someone comes in

AGE

COLOR

16

Orange

to feed him.

Tater’s breed usually lives 20 to 22 years, some as long as 25. Either way, Tater has passed middle age. This big fluffy round cat

WEIGHT

10 pounds

NICKNAME Tater

also is the ultimate in low maintenance. “Just a litter box and food and he’s fine,” Alison says.

Regular customers have kids who have grown up with Tater. Two 5-year-olds lie on the

BREED

Flame Point Siamese

YEARS AS SHOP PET 12

floor with him. He’s OK with dogs coming into the store. One customer brought in two service dogs in training to meet Tater so they could get used to cats.

“He’s more like a dog. Even people who

FAVORITE TREATS Salmon and tuna, in any order

CELEBRITY LIKENESS

Matthew McConaughey

don’t like cats like Tater,” Alison claims.

She sees him as something of a Matthew McConaughey type. Someone chill. Someone who’s thinking, “Alright, alright, alright.”

TulsaPeople.com

45

FAVORITE TREATS Milk Bones

WON’T EAT Carrots

LIKES

Butt scratches

DISLIKES

Being wet

CELEBRITY LIKENESS

Charles Barkley.

She’s named for him.

“They look similar, and I love the bark pun,” Trent Morrow says.

CHARLIE THE DOG 46

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

Charlie works half days. “She’s my dog, my little shadow,” says Trent Morrow, co-owner of Ziegler Art and Frame.

He adopted Charlie as a puppy. He wasn’t thinking he was ready for a dog until he saw her on Facebook.

“She’s the biggest sweetheart,” he says of her now.

Charlie was something of a wild child as a puppy.

“By the time she was 3 or 4, she started behaving well enough to come to work,” he recalls. She knows Rule One of being at work: Treat the customers with respect. “She’s our greeter, and the customer reaction is pretty awesome.”

Charlie’s at the shop in the mornings, “which leaves her free to sleep the afternoon away at home,” Morrow says. She doesn’t sleep much at work. Sometimes in a bed under his desk. “Her eyes droop, her face droops,

but she doesn’t want to miss any of the action.”

Charlie isn’t one to play fetch, but she does love a good chase around the store. Chase and be chased.

“She can cut under tables and ditch us insanely fast,” according to Morrow. At 9 years old, “Charlie’s chases are a little slower and in shorter bursts, but she’s still great for morale.”

She makes everyone feel better. “If every place had a shop dog, the world would be a better place,” Morrow says.

Several businesses in the Kendall Whittier area also have shop pets. Two years ago KW Main Street published the “K9s of the KDub” calendar, featuring dogs from neighborhood shops. The calendar marks a return for 2022. Check local KW businesses for prices and where to purchase one.

CELEBRITY LIKENESS

Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, other Hollywood pirates

NICKNAME

FAVORITE TREATS

Char-Char, DogBearPig, Char Star

Pizza crust, French fries

HEIGHT

18 inches

WEIGHT

30 pounds

LIFE SPAN

70 or so years

BREED

Shar Pei/Corgi mix

COLOR

COLOR

Black

YEARS AS SHOP PET 5

Green, yellow, lots more

THE PARROT

SINBAD

When Sherry Brown arrives at her part-time job at 7:30 a.m. and hears a loud “Get to work,” it’s not her boss yelling at her, but Sinbad, the 42-year-old Blue-Fronted Amazon parrot who has been a fixture at Harvard Liquors for the past 30 years.

Considering the lifespan of parrot, similar to humans at 70-plus, Sinbad could extend his greeting career another 30 years. And because they often outlive their owners (in this case, store owner Danny Johnson), parrots are frequently bequeathed in wills.

Sinbad can say other sentences (“Where’d you go?”) and mimic the security system alarm that sounds like a vintage arcade game. His habitat looks like a cat village, but with tree branches, a swing, ladder, platform, toys and a bell he rings when he wants a treat.

A year ago, Sinbad’s partner of 26 years, an African Grey parrot named Kramer, died from anxiety during a thunderstorm. “He mourned her by molting and picking at his feathers,” Brown says.

At about the same time, a black and white Great Dane puppy named Daisy Mae entered Sinbad’s shop-pet world, although she just spends days there, not nights. She and Sinbad share a love of ballpark peanuts. Sinbad pecks through the shell to get to the treasure nut, while Daisy Mae pops them whole.

Brown plans to add a marmoset to the menagerie at the next exotic pet auction in Inola, Oklahoma. The event also features lemurs, larger monkeys, giraffes, llamas and kangaroos. Hers will come to the store with her but won’t roam free. Might look too much like an appetizer to Daisy Mae.

TulsaPeople.com

47

THE GOLDENDOODLE

BREED

Mini goldendoodle

COLOR

ROSIE Technically Rosie belongs to Kitina Bartovick’s daughter Maria. For years, Maria had asked for her own dog for Christmas (Sam, the family dog, belonged to everyone). One year, the only thing on her Christmas list was a dog. That’s when they found Rosie.

But for business purposes Rosie belongs to Bartovick, who is half of the mother-daughter duo with Cristina Woods, that runs the Dolphin Fine Linens. So Rosie is Kitina’s granddog and Cristina’s great granddog.

Rosie had a memorable beginning. Friends with two goldendoodles were hosting a dinner party when there was something of a ruckus under the tablecloth. Guests interrupted the family’s two doodles in an amorous moment.

The pups decided to mate, then and there. And so, with an audience of many, Rosie and her siblings were conceived. Oodles of Doodles.

“She doesn’t have papers. She’s just Rosie,” Bartovick says. Rosie is the third shop dog at the Dolphin.

At home she’ll run after anyone. But at the shop, she won’t leave the door. In her Cuban accent Woods says, “That girl … she knows where she’s got it good.”

Rosie’s days off are Thursdays and Saturdays. On the other days, she won’t eat breakfast at home because she knows she’ll eat all day at the store. All sorts of people come to see her, from the banker to the UPS guy, to customers in general.

“She makes everyone feel so happy,” Bartovick says. Having Rosie at the store also gives her the opportunity to see people around Utica Square while they’re out for walks. “We are a little community,” she says of her fellow merchants and their customers.

CONTINUED ON P. 50.

48

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

Cinnamon

WEIGHT

20 pounds

AGE AND YEARS AS SHOP PET 7

WON’T EAT Broccoli

FAVORITE TREAT Edamame

LIKES

Being photographed, coming to work, attention

NICKNAME

Ro Ro, Chicken Nugget, Pre-Madonna, Goldie Hawn, Marilyn Monroe (when she leaves the spa)

DISLIKES

Pats on the head, having her tail touched

TULSAPEOPLE.COM GIV EAWAYS

Visit TulsaPeople.com to register for

TICKETS TO THE NUTCRACKER!

Dr. Kara Herrington, DVM; Dr. Mark Shackelford, DVM; Dr. Erin Green, DVM. Inset, Dr. Kris Haak, DVM.

Package includes 4 tickets to the world premiere of Tulsa Ballet’s new production of The Nutcracker!

• R E G I S T E R B Y N OV E M B E R 3 0 •

We are a unique and compassionate group of people who are dedicated to the health and well-being of pets. The walk-in nature of our clinic allows us to spend the time we need to review records, establish a relationship, and develop individualized care plans that are right for every pet and their family. Whether you are a long-standing client or a fresh face, we will prioritize your pet’s needs and treat you with respect. Visit us at 15thstvet.com or check out our Facebook page for more information. We look forward to meeting you!

15th Street Veterinary Group 6231 E. 15th St. | Tulsa, OK 74112 | 918-835-2336 15thstreetvet.com

Moops’ holiday suggestions...

1778 UTICA SQUARE OPEN MON.– SAT., 10 – 6

The store your pet deserves!

Moops

TulsaPeople.com

49

CONTINUED FROM P. 48.

THE TABBY CAT

OZZIE

Ozzie is the only cat at Southwood Landscape and Garden Center with its own Instagram account.

Anyone can follow @ozzieinthegardencenter to see the escapades of this feline around the greenhouses and sales floor. Or just drop in.

Ozzie was born in 2007 in Southwood’s plant growing facility. By 2008, someone had the idea

to bring him to the nursery, which he’s called home ever since.

When COVID-19 hit and it looked like Southwood would have to close, Emily Grigg, the nursery’s bedding plant section leader, took him home with her. There, Ozzie took a couple of swipes at her dog. Luckily, Southwood was allowed to stay open during lockdown, so Ozzie was returned to the nursery and Grigg’s dog continued to live in peace.

Ozzie loves customers. Some customers. Not toddler types, or most kids under 12. “He hightails it outta there when small children approach him,” says Grigg, Ozzie’s primary care provider at the nursery. He meets her in the parking lot in the morning.

He’s not crazy about dogs either. When customers come in with their pooches, “Ozzie finds

higher ground,” Grigg says.

His favorite places vary. On hot days he’s near air conditioning. On cold days, he can be found snuggling on whatever jacket someone has removed. It’s not unusual to find him asleep in a pot, which has known to scare customers who don’t expect their planter contents to move.

By cat standards, Ozzie is huge. And considered middle aged. With that comes the usual maladies, like heart issues, which means his meds have to be hidden in his food.

Ozzie has no loyalty when it comes to food.

He’s demanding — meaning that whoever arrives first in the morning has to feed Ozzie. He’ll attack their ankles until they do.

“I have blonde hair. He likes blondes,” Grigg says. “He associates blonde hair with being fed.” TP

COLOR Tabby

FAVORITE TREATS

Breakfast sandwiches, Temptations cat treats

LIKES

Sleeping in general

NICKNAME Ozzmacat

HEIGHT

18 inches

WEIGHT

12 pounds

DISLIKES

Toddlers, dogs, other cats, wet foods hiding medication

CELEBRITY LIKENESS

George Clooney, “a handsome, easygoing, older guy,” Emily Grigg says.

50

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

H I S T ORY TA K E S FLIGH T Group shares passion for preserving World War II-era aircraft.

STORY BY ANNE BROCKMAN | PHOTOS BY GREG BOLLINGER

AROUND A TABLE SIT A COLLECTION OF GOOD FRIENDS. They joke and josh about this and that. The camaraderie is evident. They come from different walks of life, yet all share a passion for World War II aviation. They call themselves the Tulsa Warbirds, a collective of men dedicated to preserving the history of World War II-era planes.

Today is a special day for the group. It’s still cool on this early August morning as the six pilots and numerous air marshals discuss the day’s events inside a large hangar at R.L. Jones Jr. Airport. It’s the annual fly-in for members and volunteers of the Oklahoma Firefighters Burn Camp, a summer camp for children ages 6-16 who have suffered major burns or disfiguring injuries. “It’s the most important event we do,” says pilot Paul Mackey, a founding member of the Tulsa Warbirds.

Pilot Eric Biggs is a member of the Tulsa Warbirds. At age 9, Biggs was life-flighted to the Hillcrest burn center. That was 40 years ago. Growing up he was fascinated with the sky and earned his pilot’s license at 17. His mother, Edna Biggs, founded the Tulsa

Area Burn Survivors group and was involved in organizations and nonprofits for burn survivors over the years, so naturally Eric followed. Later today he’ll take campers-turnedcounselors in a Yak-52 Russian trainer for a flight around Tulsa. “They see my burns,” and ask him questions about his experiences and life, he says. “Those conversations take place in the cockpit.” A special bond forms between Biggs and his passengers.

The all-volunteer Tulsa Warbirds have come to be known for the group’s precise flyovers for parades, football games and patriotic events like veterans’ funerals and the Fourth of July fireworks show at Grand Lake. Under certain circumstances, Tulsa Warbirds provide historical flights. The group recently formed the Tulsa Warbirds Foundation, a nonprofit that helps fund the fuel and other costs associated with flying these legendary planes. Donations are accepted to offset the costs of the funeral flyovers and the annual fly-in for the Burn Camp. Learn more at facebook.com/ tulsawarbirds and tulsawarbirds.org.

Midnight Miss III is a T-6 owned by Joel Stinnett, a member of the Tulsa Warbirds.

TulsaPeople.com

51

1

2

3

1) Dale Cuckler debriefs his first passenger before taking flight. The discussion ranges from how to speak into the headset to how to enter the plane and where to grab for a parachute in case of emergency. 2) Counselors and staff from the Oklahoma Firefighters Burn Camp snap a pre-flight photo before scattering to their assigned planes. 3) About an hour before flights begin, the pilots and air marshals meet to discuss the morning’s events. Hosting the Oklahoma Firefighters Burn Camp is special to all involved, and Paul Mackey, second from left, introduces Roger Williams, a 30-year veteran firefighter, who commends the group for providing this experience to camp counselors and staff. The group discusses the tail winds occurring and how staging will happen in the runup area.

VIDEO: FLY ALONG WITH THE WARBIRDS AT TULSAPEOPLE.COM. 52

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

5

6

4

7

4) A PT-19 from the Commemorative Air Force Spirit of Tulsa Squadron sits on static display for those who wanted to hop in the cockpit. 5) “These are the Harley-Davidsons of the sky,” says pilot Robert Prater, an American Airlines pilot who also volunteers with the Tulsa Warbirds and Commemorative Air Force Spirit of Tulsa Squadron. His T-6 bears Oklahoma National Guard emblems. 6) Stinnett retired from the U.S. Air Force as a lieutenant colonel and continues to fly his 1943 T-6 Texan “Midnight Miss III” at competitions such as the annual Reno Air Races and Air Show in Reno, Nevada. He purchased the plane in September 2019 from a gentleman in Fallon, Nevada, who rebuilt it into a racing airplane. It has won gold at the Reno Air Races six times; Stinnett placed third in the competition’s gold race in 2021. 7) Cuckler came to Tulsa in 1973 and served as a captain and check airman for Continental Airlines until he retired in 2014. He has more than 30,000 hours of flight time and has flown 80 different types of aircraft. On this particular morning, several pilots do fly-bys at R.L. Jones Jr. Airport and often blow smoke for the numerous spectators gathered to watch. “We’re caretakers for a piece of history until the next caretaker takes over,” Cuckler says. “It’s not something you own, it’s something you take care of.”

TulsaPeople.com

53

8

9

54

10

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

TIM LANDES

12

8) Flying in the PT-17 is an open-air experience for its pilot, who sits behind the passenger in the cockpit. It gives the passenger a true birds-eye view. 9) Mackey owns the yellow PT-17, a biplane that was the primary training plane men piloted before graduating to the T-6. It is one of several planes the retired Oklahoma Air National Guard colonel and fighter pilot keeps in his hangar at R.L. Jones Jr. Airport 10) Mackey is a founding member of the Tulsa Warbirds, which participates in patriotic and event-driven flights. Also in his hangar is a shiny T-6 nicknamed the Tulsey Town Chief with National Guard insignia painted on its aluminum body. 11) Russia used this red and black Yak-52, piloted today by Tulsa Warbirds member Eric Biggs, as a primary training device for its pilots in the late 1970s through the 1990s. 12) “The special moments are flights for funerals,” Biggs says. “We donate our time and money.” In August the Warbirds flew in formation over the Memorial Park graveside service for World War II veteran Wallace Tipsword, a B-17 tail-gunner whose plane was shot down over Germany. Tipsword was a prisoner of war for 13 months.

His daughter, Nancy Trainor, says the family waved and cheered for the group’s first flyby. She recalls, “It got a little emotional on the second,” when one plane left formation, representing a missing man. “You get a little choked up.” TP 11

TulsaPeople.com

55

Arrive Early. Stay Late.

Tulsa Arts District is home to retail and service shops, F E AT U R I N G restaurants, bars, clubs, First Friday Art Crawl galleries, museums, parks, private businesses, residences and historic music venues.

Plan to arrive early and stay late in Tulsa Arts District!

ARE YOU ON OUR LIST? Don’t miss out on our

FREE

/TulsaArtsDistrict @TulArtsDist

Tuesday e-newsletter featuring spotlighted articles from the magazine, and exclusive online content including rundowns, Q&As & photo galleries!

#TulArtsDist

THETULSAARTSDISTRICT.ORG

Sign-up today at

1 6 T H A N N UAL

A VIRTUAL EVENT

CHEROKEE ART MARKET DECEMBER 6 – 17

“Tell Me Turtle Stories” Renee Hoover, Cherokee Nation

56

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

Elite Native artists from across the U.S. present new work at the largest Native American art show in Oklahoma.

Add to your collection with exquisite jewelry, pottery, sculpture, paintings, textiles and much more. View art virtually in the online gallery and purchase directly from the artists.

cherokeeartmarket.com

35

COVERS for

35

YEARS TRIVIA AND TIDBITS AS TULSAPEOPLE LOOKS BACK AT SOME FAVORITE COVERS AND THE STORIES BEHIND THEM OVER THE MAGAZINE’S 35 YEARS B Y S TA F F

NOV. 13, 1986

TulsaPeople’s debut issue featuring: Mayor Dick Crawford, business and civic leader Ray Siegfried, Philbrook Museum of Art Director Marcia Manhart and Tulsa Chamber executive Rick Weddle.

VISIT TULSAPEOPLE.COM TO READ THESE COVER STORIES. TulsaPeople.com

57

JUNE 1987

Publication shifts from twice a month to monthly.

MAY 1993

The only cover story without an interview from the source: Dennis Byrd, a former University of Tulsa football player and New York Jets All-Pro who had a life-changing injury on the field.

JANUARY 1999

First Tulsan of the Year, banker and community leader Ed Keller.

58

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

APRIL 1988

Author Michael Wallis appears below the fold in promotion of his first biography, “Oil Man: The story of Frank Phillips and the Birth of Phillips Petroleum.” Now a legendary writer and voice actor, Wallis later appears on the June 2004 cover.

OCTOBER 1993

Celebrated NBA star John Starks debuts TulsaPeople’s shift from a newsprint bifold to a larger magazine look and size.

FEBRUARY 1999

First Readers’ Choice Awards.

OCTOBER 1989

To celebrate Bob McCormack’s 50-plus years behind a camera, the longtime Tulsan gets a cover story and photo shot by son John McCormack, a contributor to the magazine for numerous years.

JULY 1994

Recognition of Aubyn Howe, Tulsa’s “First Lady of Fundraising.”

See p. 6 for Publisher Jim Langdon’s thoughts on Howe.

JULY 2000

First series on the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

DECEMBER 1989

Jason Weisinger’s drawing from the Children’s Day Nursery Christmas card competition lands on the cover. It’s the first, but not last time, an illustration is featured.

NOVEMBER 1996

TulsaPeople’s 10th anniversary edition commemorates 40 years of Tulsa Ballet with Moscelyne Larkin and Marcello Angelini.

JULY 2001

To coincide with the 20th anniversary of the unsolved murder of Tulsan Roger Wheeler in the parking lot of Southern Hills Country Club, TulsaPeople hires Boston Globe reporter Ralph Ranalli to write a story on the topic. It won a national award.

JUNE 1992 and JULY 1992

A dose of nostalgia: Bell’s Amusement Park owner Bob Bell in front of the site’s neon sign. The following month, broadcaster Rick Couri rides the Zingo as a fundraiser.

AUGUST 1998

In an interview for TulsaPeople’s 25th anniversary, Grady Nichols revealed his 1998 cover story helped convince his now-wife to go on a date with him.

JANUARY 2002

A portrait of Tulsa businessman and philanthropist George Kaiser — the Tulsan of the Year — didn’t exist at the time, so a lucky group shot including Kaiser at a charitable event was transformed and “posterized” into this month’s cover image.

DECEMBER 1992

A feature on “The Can Can Man,” Al Beck, reminds readers of the Christmas spirit.

SEPTEMBER 1998

TulsaPeople moves to a traditional magazine size this month, with cancer survivor Brenda Honeycutt appearing on the cover.

APRIL 2004

Only two TulsaPeople covers have not been photographed in Tulsa: this one featuring actor Tim Blake Nelson in New York City and the February 2006 feature on “Tulsans in the Funny Business,” whose cover subject was actor Bill Hader.

TulsaPeople.com

59

SEPTEMBER 2004

With her infectious, positive attitude and warm smile despite battling cancer, it’s no wonder Leanne Taylor’s cover is a favorite of longtime photographer Michelle Pollard.

MARCH 2007

First green issue, and first (and only) split cover featuring Corey Williams, Afeez Ologolo (pictured here), Amanda Ruyle and Micky Payne.

MAY 2007

Tulsa baseball comic Myron Noodleman (Bill’s uncle, Rick Hader) leads readers on “97 Ways to Spend 97 Days” — the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day. At 208 pages, it ranks as one of the largest issues in the magazine’s 35-year history.

Barry Friedman’s third annual

Ballard

Friends and family pay tribute to those we lost in 2011

JANUARY 2012

A favorite of the production and design department for its use of typography and overall creativity — plus it features a favorite late Tulsan, Keith Ballard.

NOVEMBER 2012

TulsaPeople still receives calls and comments to this day about Ginny Howland, our Rosie the Riveter.

NOVEMBER 2013

A definitive look at Tulsa philanthropist Waite Phillips, who with wife Genevieve, bequeathed their Villa Philbrook home to become Philbrook Museum of Art.

2020 DESIGNER SHOWCASE May 2020

Barbecue!

ENJOY NATIONAL BARBECUE MONTH WITH 6 SMOKIN’ RECIPES

+

22 OF OUR FAVORITE BBQ JOINTS CELESTIAL SNAPSHOTS: TULSANS CAPTURE THE NIGHT SKY

SEPTEMBER 2018

To mark the opening of Gathering Place, editors commission local artist Tommy Lee Ball to paint the park’s iconic boathouse. The original painting was later donated to the park and hangs in the boathouse today.

60

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

NOVEMBER 2018

Philbrook Museum of Art garden cats Perilla, Cleome and Acer walk the runway for the annual pet issue. This is the first time a cat appears on a TulsaPeople cover.

MAY 2020

BUSINESS IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

In March 2020, COVID-19 hit Tulsa. Since magazine staff work months ahead, the team had to rethink future content. The “new normal” switches editorial plans and photographer Greg Bollinger’s backyard makes the perfect spot for a feature on barbecuing alfresco.

BY THE NUMBERS

35 YEARS IN BUSINESS

23 AUGUST 2007

Tulsan and PGA tour member Bo Van Pelt lands on the cover welcoming the 2007 PGA Championship to Southern Hills.

It is the magazine’s largest issue ever at 224 pages.

JUNE 2010

Inaugural A-List readers’ choice issue.

TULSANS OF THE YEAR

32 STATES WE MAIL TO

16 STAFF MEMBERS

6 NUMBER OF TIMES KATHY TAYLOR HAS BEEN ON THE COVER MARCH 2015

A favorite of Senior Editor Morgan Philips, we asked three Tulsa design firms to reimagine a trio of overlooked downtown sites. KSQ Design’s take on the OTASCO building landed on the cover, but KKT Architects’ tornado-inspired tower garnered international attention.

NOVEMBER 2016

TulsaPeople celebrates 30 years with a custom cake from Icing on the Top.

4 NUMBER OF TIMES SUSAN SAVAGE HAS BEEN ON THE COVER

420 ISSUES OF TULSAPEOPLE

215 JOURNALISM AWARDS SINCE 2001 JULY 2020

To commemorate the hard work being done by so many in the community, TulsaPeople called for nominations for “Heroes of the Pandemic” to recognize the determination and wherewithal of those on Tulsa’s front lines.

MAY 2021

The culmination of a three-part series on Greenwood to mark the Tulsa Race Massacre centennial. To communicate the tragedy and resilience of Greenwood, staff chose to feature a painting, “Inseparable,” by Tulsa artist Aunj Braggs. TP

5 BOX TURTLES LIVING IN OUR COURTYARD TulsaPeople.com

61

CONGRATULATIONS

Eileen Bradshaw President/CEO/Life Senior Services-Vintage Housing 2021 Paragon Award - Nonprofit Leadership Tulsa Paragon Awards

Grateful to be a 2021 Paragon Award winner and proud to be part of the Tulsa community for more than a century...

62

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

“Rough waters are truer tests of leadership. In calm water, every ship has a good captain.”

— Swedish proverb

2021 LEADERSHIP TULSA PARAGON AWARDS The past two years have been an extraordinary challenge for leaders at every level of private, public and nonprofit organizations. When leaders excel, they help their organizations and our community be more resilient, adaptable and confront our greatest challenges.

With our 2021 Paragon Awards, Leadership Tulsa is honoring some of those leaders across various sectors who have made a difference in our community during the pandemic response. We have solicited nominations from our members and our community and are grateful to TulsaPeople Magazine for helping us tell their stories.

PHOTOS BY JESSICA KARIN TROUT

ABOUT LEADERSHIP TULSA

Leadership Tulsa identifies, develops and connects diverse leaders who impact the community through service. Through our cohort-based leadership development programs we use the community as a classroom, helping individuals build the knowledge, skills and connections to make a difference in our community. In 2020 we opened the Leadership Center in the Gunboat Park neighborhood of downtown Tulsa.

Learn more about our organization at leadershiptulsa.org.

TulsaPeople.com

63

SUE ANN BELL Tulsa Public Schools PARAGON AWARD FOR EDUCATION Even in a normal year, Sue Ann’s job leading the district facilities team is not an easy one. She oversees the teams that keep schools safe, clean and in good repair. They mow 600 acres a week and clean and maintain 8.4 million square feet of space. During the pandemic, this work became exponentially harder. They had to innovate and deploy new systems and equipment to keep the spaces safe. They worked overtime to sanitize classrooms and buildings every day. Sue Ann is being recognized not only for this work, but also for the way she inspires, encourages and supports her team of hundreds of frontline staff. Sue Ann’s nominator says, “They would walk through fire for her, and her ability to stay positive and make each of them feel special is like nothing I have ever seen. She routinely works 12- to 16-hour days and often around the clock during emergencies like the winter storm we had this year. She is such a humble leader, and she would tell you that it isn’t her, it’s her team. But it’s her. She is the kind of leader who quietly makes everyone and everything around her better.”

DR. BRUCE DART Tulsa Health Department PARAGON AWARD FOR HEALTHCARE Dr. Dart has served five local health departments in three states during his 36-year career in public health.

Currently, he is the executive director of the Tulsa Health Department, a local public health agency of 340 team members in Tulsa. Never did he ever imagine being the face and name most connected to Tulsa’s pandemic response. Dr. Dart has provided calm, evidence-based information to keep Tulsans safe and informed while ramping up extraordinary efforts to provide community members data, testing and vaccination opportunities. This work has continued amid a climate of political divisiveness and even personal threats to him and his team. His nominator points out that Dr. Dart has been working tirelessly to assure the health and welfare of all the area’s citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. “There is simply not enough space to capture what Dr. Dart has done for all of us!”

COREY JONES Tulsa World PARAGON AWARD FOR MEDIA/JOURNALISM Corey was the lead writer for the Tulsa World during the COVID-19 pandemic. His reporting was thorough, explaining to the community the many nuances of the pandemic in a way that was easy to understand. He poured through data to get a better understanding of the pandemic’s impact on Tulsa, interfacing with City leaders, the Tulsa Health Department and hospital officials. His nominator says, “I always appreciate his attention to detail and understanding that the data was ever changing and may contradict what we provided days or weeks ago.”

Corey moved to Tulsa in 2014 to cover breaking news for the Tulsa World. Humbly, he notes that all the journalists at the World have had a part in the COVID-19 coverage. Corey says, “(This recognition) fuels my hope for the future of news media and our society in that local journalism is valued, respected and appreciated as a relevant force for bettering the community.” When he’s not writing, you can often find him outside enjoying the Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness or the paved trails along Riverside.

BANK OF OKLAHOMA CORPORATE AWARD From the outset of the pandemic, Bank of Oklahoma looked for ways to support nonprofit organizations on the frontlines of relief efforts — those affected most by both the virus itself and the resulting economic shutdown. Significantly, the organization made contributions of $1 million over and above its original plan. BOK identified nonprofit organizations battling food insecurity in each major market where it operates. Its partnership with Hunger Free Oklahoma in the Tulsa area employed laid-off food service workers to make meals that could be delivered to those fighting food insecurity across northeast Oklahoma.

In addition to financial contributions, BOK funded nearly 12,000 loans in the Payroll Protection Program, supporting nonprofits and small businesses that bore the brunt of the impact of the economic shutdown.

The company also actively promoted virtual volunteering opportunities to all 5,000 employees across the organization. Serving the community is a core value of company culture and is evident in BOK’s support of 279 employees serving in 499 board or committee roles with 343 nonprofit organizations.

64

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

OKLAHOMA REGIONAL MEDICAL RESPONSE SYSTEMREGION 7 (TULSA COUNTY) PARAGON AWARD FOR GOVERNMENT/PUBLIC SAFETY The Regional Medical Response System (RMRS) leads health care system planning, preparedness and response for its jurisdiction. During the pandemic, the response system has helped hospitals communicate with each other to ensure every patient gets a bed.

Region 7, serving Tulsa and the surrounding areas, has created dashboards of vacant beds available in all hospitals to help with patient placement, provided data to the mayor and other elected officials to assist with decision making efforts, and helped the Tulsa and Oklahoma state health departments have accurate information on patient numbers and bed availability within Tulsa County.

The RMRS also provided PPE and medical equipment to long-term care facilities and local hospitals to meet critical shortfalls. The RMRS has helped competing companies work together to provide better and safer healthcare to the Tulsa area during the COVID-19 pandemic. The RMRS’ nominator notes, “They have served as the calm in the storm for the healthcare world inside Tulsa County for the past year. They have provided coverage and taken calls around the clock from areas all over the state and often from other states around the country trying to find beds for patients when beds could not be found in their own areas.” This is truly a group of individuals who put others first and strive to make sure that the health care system in Tulsa continues to support the needs of its citizens.

GREENWOOD CULTURAL CENTER PARAGON AWARD FOR HOSPITALITY/TOURISM In the heart of Tulsa’s Greenwood District, the Greenwood Cultural Center (GCC) is more than just a building or a gathering place. Its mission is its essence: promoting, preserving and celebrating African American culture and heritage. The Greenwood Cultural Center remained true to its mission during the extraordinary challenges of 2020 and 2021 by remaining open to the thousands of tourists that visit each year. Of all the years to be faced with a worldwide pandemic, the year leading up to May 2021’s Tulsa Race Massacre Commemoration was not a year when it could rest or close to the public. To ensure protection of staff and guests, GGC enacted policies and guidelines that adhered to CDC requirements, including masking and social distancing. The Center created a new partnership with Gathering Place for the Kinsey African American Art Exhibit, held American Red Cross blood drives, sponsored the Greenwood Film Festival and hosted other high-profile events, all while remaining a safe and healthy place to visit. Additionally, the GCC created and produced online exhibits and conducted dozens of virtual presentations. Thank you, Greenwood Cultural Center, for your role in promoting cultural tourism and hospitality in this extraordinary year.

SARAH GROUNDS City Lights Foundation of Oklahoma NONPROFIT AWARD/HOUSING In 2013, Sarah Grounds, a former nurse, helped found Night Light Tulsa to provide food and supplies to homeless individuals “under the bridge” near Cain’s Ballroom. The program rallied new partnership and volunteers to step out of its comfort zone and serve others with dignity and kindness. In 2015, the organization received its nonprofit status and established the City Lights Foundation of Oklahoma.

As the pandemic escalated in 2020, Sarah and her team came up with an innovative solution to serve homeless individuals at risk for COVID-19 by opening the first hotel shelter in Tulsa. In its first four months the hotel housed, fed and provided a sense of community for 98 individuals. The hotel was a respite for those needing to isolate or quarantine due to COVID exposure, or while awaiting COVID testing. It also provided shelter to those whose underlying health conditions put them at greater risk for negative outcomes due to COVID. Ultimately 31 individuals moved into permanent housing or reconnected with family or friends. Sarah’s guiding principle for running the hotel was to always treat people with dignity, no matter who they are. Her nominator says, “She values the building of community, and saw the guests at the hotel as friends, not clients.”

TulsaPeople.com

65

EILEEN BRADSHAW LIFE Senior Services NONPROFIT AWARD/SENIORS One of the most vulnerable populations during the pandemic were seniors, who suffered with fear, uncertainty, isolation and depression. Under Eileen’s leadership, LIFE Senior Services successfully served more than 80,000 seniors. When the community went into lockdown in March 2020, LIFE’s Adult Day Health Centers began supporting participants and caregivers with in-home services, food delivery and daily check-in calls. Seventeen Senior Centers offered drive-through breakfasts and lunches, virtual programming and check-in calls to keep seniors connected. LIFE’s SeniorLine provided support with online grocery shopping, absentee voting and even filling out U.S. Census forms. LIFE Senior Services saw referrals triple to their behavioral health specialist for mental health support for seniors. During the holidays, personalized wish lists were collected and filled by volunteers bringing joy to 406 vulnerable individuals.

As the pandemic progressed and vaccines became available at the beginning of 2021, LIFE Senior Services saw calls rise to an average of 1,400 per day. LIFE worked with INCOG to offer transportation services to and from vaccination appointments free of charge. LIFE also opened a vaccine clinic making the vaccine available to seniors and staff. Her nominator says, “Eileen has a profound passion for the work of nonprofit organizations in the Tulsa community and understands the importance of creative collaboration among community partners to serve more of our neighbors in need.”

CALVIN MOORE Meals on Wheels of Metro Tulsa NONPROFIT AWARD/FOOD SECURITY Calvin is the president and CEO of Meals on Wheels of Metro Tulsa (MOWMT). Through his leadership, MOWMT has continued to serve the most vulnerable in our community by providing caring contact and food security for thousands throughout our area. In addition, Calvin pivoted his organization several times throughout the COVID crisis to meet the needs of our senior citizens.

The delivery model was adapted to reduce the number of face-to-face interactions with vulnerable seniors. This process was implemented within days with no interruption to meal deliveries. During the pandemic, Meals on Wheels of Metro Tulsa delivered more than 300,000 additional meals, distributed more than 17 tons of bulk food, and provided nearly 30,000 snacks and meals to local youth.

His nominator notes, “Calvin Moore is an exemplary servant leader. He leads a well-run, professional organization with 18 staff and thousands of dedicated volunteers, donors and invested community members. Despite the stress and demands of the job, Calvin does so with a smile, reminding all of us of the important work and mission of MOWMT. Calvin continues to be a visionary leader for our Oklahoma community.”

TAHIRA TAQI Urban Strategies, Inc. NONPROFIT AWARD/BASIC NEEDS Tahira has been at the helm of Urban Strategies in Tulsa, supporting and transforming the Eugene Field neighborhood, since 2019. When COVID hit, she buckled down to support the nearly 1,000 residents that are part of the Choice Neighborhood transformation project. She and her team of family support specialists made calls to each of the 350 households weekly ensuring families had supplies like food, household cleaning items and masks, as well as other important necessities like internet and hotspots for kids who would have to attend virtual school.

Her leadership allowed all her residents to stay stable during the pandemic, delivering over 25,000 pounds of food to families in 2020. As the pandemic deepened, she worked to ensure all families had housing stability, utilizing community resources to ensure rent and utilities were paid. Using grant funding, she developed two holistic health and wellness programs directed to provide preventative care, mental health support and nutrition, reduce stress, and to help manage SNAP dollars and access vaccines. Her nominator says, “She’s often behind the scenes, so she doesn’t get the credit she deserves for all her hard work. Tahira stays connected and involved in the community. She is a force, and Tulsa is lucky to have her.” TP

2021 CORPORATE PARTNERS

66

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

Past recipients of the Leadership Tulsa Paragon Award Leeland Alexander, 1987 Steve Alter, 2016 Anna America, 2019 Steven Austin, 1989 Keith Bailey, 1989 Thomas Baker, 1998 Pat Baldwin, 2003 Debbie Ball, 1999 Jewru Bandeh, 1991 Barbara Henke Bannon, 2005 Patti Barker, 2011 Sharon J. Bell, 1995 Mary Bouakadakis, 1990 Jeannie Bracken, 2011 Mark Buntz, 2010 Phil Burch, 1992 Dr. Cathy Burden, 2013 Teresa Burkett, 2015 Anne Burlingame, 1988, 2008 Greg Burn, 2005 Lynne Butterworth, 1996

Dr. Gene Callahan, 2009 Pamela Carter, 2012 Frank Chitwood, 2003 Tim Colwell, 2012 Lynn Conard, 2007 Marge Creager, 2006 Ginny Creveling, 1997 Bruce Dart, 2016 Lynette Dittus, 1992 Lee Dunning, 2001 Patty Eaton, 1990 Barbara Eikner, 1999 Justin Gannon, 1989 Karen Gilbert, 2019 Herald Givens, 2009 Robert Grove, 1994 Priscilla Harris, 2014 David Hays, 1995 Marcia Heronemus-Pate, 1998 Kathryn Hinkle, 2015 Jim Holloman, 2001 Ginger Homan, 2006

Donnie House, 2010 Cathy Hurtle, 2004 Charles Jackson, 1996 Bob James, 2000 T. Mitch Jobe, 1994 Hannibal B. Johnson, 1995 Lynn Jones, 1988 Jean Kelley, 2017 Jim Kneale, 1998, 2002 Suzanne Kneale, 2008 Ginger Kollmann, 2016 Jackie Kouri, 2010 Jim Langdon, 2007 W. Mark Lewellen, 2005 Brenda Lloyd-Jones, 2018 Tom Luccock, 2002 Tom Mckeon, 1992 Brenda Melancon, 2019 Torrel Miles, 2018 Mary Mitchell, 1991 Allison Moore, 2012 Roy Moses, 1993

Frank Mulhern, 2013 Glen & Sally Mulready, 2008 Polly Nelson, 1987 Tim Newton, 2018 Kathryn Offermann, 2004 Faith Orlowski, 1999 Kim Owen, 2006 David Page, 1991 Brian Paschal, 2018 Gay Pasley, 1997 Katie Petrikin, 1997 John Points, 2011 Tamara Rains, 1994, 2000 Ellen Ralph, 2007 Hannah Robson, 1993 Mac Rosser, 2001 George Sartain, 1990 Susan Savage, 1988, 2019 Joann Schaub , 2004 Susan Scott, 2009 Colleen Almeida Smith, 2015

Todd Sprague, 1993 Janelle Steltzlen, 1996 Mindy Tiner, 2017 Nichole Bostian Trantham, 2014 Jose Vega, 2019 Nate Waters, 2013 Adrienne Watt, 2014 Linda Watts, 2000 Nicole Watts, 2017 Leslie Weeks, 2003 Michael Willis, 2018 Pat Woodrum, 1987 Rebecca Woodward, 2002 ORGANIZATIONS Goodwill Industries of Tulsa, 2017 Reading Partners, 2018 Family & Children’s Services, 2019

CORPORATIONS Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, 2017 Cherokee Nation Businesses, 2018 The Rowland Group, 2018 Tulsa Community College, 2019 The Herald Givens Heart of LT Award Given from time to time by resolution of the Leadership Tulsa executive committee to honor those individuals who, through exemplary service, demonstrate the Heart of LT and the tenants of servant leadership through their service to the LT community.

Herald Givens, 2014 Jeff Wilkie, 2015 John Stancavage, 2016 Karen MacCannell, 2019

USI celebrates TAHIRA TAQI, the dynamic and committed leader supporting the children and families of Tulsa’s Eugene Field community.

Through her attention to data and detail, compassionate heart, and creative touch, we know the people of Tulsa are better because of her presence.

Thank you, Tahira for all you do to ensure all children and families are stable and thriving.

CONGRATULATIONS Tulsa Public Schools Facilities Director

Congratulations... ...to Leadership Tulsa graduates who have received The Paragon Award in recognition of your outstanding commitment to community service.

Sue Ann Bell

WINNER OF THE LEADERSHIP TULSA 2021 PARAGON AWARD - EDUCATION We are so grateful for your relentless focus on your team and your steadfast commitment to keeping our students, team, and families safe, healthy, and thriving. Thank you!

16 0 3 S . B O U L D E R AV E . | 918 - 5 8 5 - 9 9 2 4 | T U L S A P E O P L E . C O M TulsaPeople.com

67

Sarah Lawrence is the owner of Black Sheep Boutique, a women’s apparel and accessories store in the Farm Shopping Center. She reports some of her customers started their holiday shopping in September.

TWO BUSINESS OWNERS TOUT SHOPPING LOCALLY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

BY ANNE BROCKMAN

J

ana and Chuck Doyle are gearing up for their seventh holiday season as the owners of Kiddlestix, a longtime Tulsa toy store the couple has owned since 2015.

“Prep began a lot earlier this year,” says Jana Doyle, who received messages from vendors and reps regarding inventory heading into the important business season. “If a customer sees something they want (and can afford it), they should buy it now. We may not get restocks.”

Headlines across the country have echoed supply issues related to the ongoing pandemic.

But, ever the optimist, Doyle stays positive.

68

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

“Supply chain issues can benefit small businesses,” she says. She recalls how a customer came into her store after an Amazon purchase never arrived. The customer saw the item they ordered in stock and told Doyle they should have come here in the first place — and the item could be gift wrapped, too.

At Black Sheep Boutique, owner Sarah Lawrence says some of her customers began shopping for Christmas in September. Supply has been tricky for her, too, but she says support from customers has been remarkable. The women’s clothing store took a big hit at the beginning of the pandemic. The majority of Lawrence’s business — around 75% — came from in-store purchases.

She credits her strong relationship with customers and the ability to offer sales via text, social media, curbside and even local delivery with carrying her through some devastating months in 2020.

Th is year, things look up in the world of retail.

Sales across the nation are rising, according to the National Retail Federation. From JanuaryAugust 2021 sales were at a 15% year-over-year

gain, and are on track to meet NRF’s projected 10.5-13.5% growth.

“There’s been a shift where people have been supporting small business,” Lawrence says.

NerdWallet reports 37% of Americans tried harder to shop local because of the pandemic, and 72% prioritized shopping local over getting the best deal. Those small businesses, who employ local individuals, all help keep dollars in the Tulsa area. When $100 is spent at a small business, $48 stays in the community, compared to only $14 at a big-box store, according to the Small Business Administration.

“I was born and raised in Tulsa, and almost my entire staff is,” Lawrence says. “I employ 10-plus women. Their salaries and livelihood are on my back.”

The Doyles employ seven at Kiddlestix, along with additional holiday help that includes a dedicated gift wrapper. That special touch is just one of the perks of shopping at the midtown toy store, which carries everything from plush Jellycat

MICHELLE POLLARD

Local loyalty

animals and Thames and Kosmos science kits to eeBoo puzzles and Playmobil, Lego and Brio sets.

Don’t know what to buy that special kiddo in your life? Just give Kiddlestix a call, and they’ll provide some options based on a few questions; pay over the phone, and it will be gift wrapped and ready to pick up within hours. It’s that level of service that can only be found by shopping locally. “If we can just try to buy one or two more items at a local shop, it makes a difference,” Doyle says.

Lawrence, who has operated her shop in the Farm Shopping Center for seven and a half years, has participated in sales and shopping events and supports other storefronts in the south Tulsa center. “The more the Farm is a shopping destination, the better we all do,” she says. When shoppers visit her shop, which features women’s clothing, accessories and limited home goods, “we try to understand what they’re needing and be honest.” She and her team strive to build strong relationships with customers based on trust and fashion-forward ideals. And although Black Sheep Boutique’s online business has grown over the past year and a half, she still loves the in-store experience. “It’s much more intimate (than online),” she says. “You find more unique products and better pieces when shopping at a local store.”

Doyle reminds us the benefits of shopping local also go beyond the bottom line. “Don’t forget to support local — there’s a family and a story behind each business.” TP

Jana and Chuck Doyle have owned midtown’s Kiddlestix toy store for several years and employ seven, along with additional holiday help that includes a dedicated gift wrapper.

NOV. 3

Deborah Laker International student at Oral Roberts University, TulsaPeople intern

PROSPERITY

NOVEMBER GUESTS:

Presented by:

» ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT » REGIONAL TOURISM

NOV. 17

Jonathan Long Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Tulsa Regional Chamber

Subscribe for FREE on Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Spotify!

» GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS » COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT YOUR PARTNER IN PROSPERITY

TULSACHAMBER.COM TulsaPeople.com

Tulsa Talks Pod Cast - TulsaPeople-2.625x4.875.indd 1

69

12/18/19 3:22 PM

TULSA’S TASTE OF

California Now Open!

An elevated and

personalized shopping experience both

functional and beautiful; feminine and bold.

Dedicated to diversity, quality, authenticity, community and sustainability.

HOLIDAY HINTS

1207 South Lewis Avenue, Suite A. Located in Tulsa’s Market District 918-850-0615

Celebrate the best of family holiday traditions

Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve 5:30pm - 10pm

• Train rides through the Village • Over 1.2 million shimmering lights • Holiday Hayride through the Village

okcastle.com

TulsaPeople.com

71

TONS OF LOVE T-SHIRT Featuring a trunk print from one of Tulsa Zoo’s most beloved elephants, Gunda.

Tulsazoo.org/tonsoflove

72

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

A D V A N C E D A D V A N C E D

C L I N I C A L C L I N I C A L

S P A S P A

FALL LOVE WITH WITH FIG FIG FALL IN IN LOVE

AND SKINCEUTICALSGIFT GIFTON ON AND ENJOY ENJOY A A $50 $50 SKINCEUTICALS USUS ToTo celebrate as aa SkinCeuticals SkinCeuticalsflagship flagship location, celebrateour ourrecent recentappointment appointment as location, wewe are to schedule scheduleaacomplimentary complimentary skin consultation areoffering offeringthe thefirst first50 50 patients patients to skin consultation with one sizeofofTriple TripleLipid LipidRestore Restore 2:4:2 ($50 value) with oneofofour ourexperts expertsaa deluxe deluxe sample sample size 2:4:2 ($50 value)

JOIN US US AT AT OUR LAUNCH JOIN LAUNCH EVENT EVENT ON THURSDAY, THURSDAY, NOV ON NOV 18TH, 18TH, 5-7PM 5-7PM RSVP: (918) (918) 932-8810 932-8810 RSVP: At FIG, our expertise is in the science of anti-aging and face and body rejuvenation.

At We FIG, our expertise is in the science of anti-aging and face and body rejuvenation. base every detail around creating the ultimate patient experience. Our goal is to offer Wethebase detail treatments around creating the aesthetics ultimate patient Our and goalfeel is to offer mostevery innovative in modern to help experience. our patients look their best. the most innovative treatments in modern aesthetics to help our patients look and feel their best.

FOR INNER GOOD

FOR INNER GOOD

8921 SOUTH YALE AVENUE, SUITE B, TULSA , OK 74137

HTTPS://FIGTULSA.COM

8921 SOUTH YALE AVENUE, SUITE B, TULSA , OK 74137

HTTPS://FIGTULSA.COM TulsaPeople.com

73

® ®

save save time time this holiday! this holiday! order order ahead ahead online online Visit prepaid.honeybaked.com to place Visit prepaid.honeybaked.com to place your order for Drive thru pick up your order for Drive thru pick during the weeks of Thanksgivingup and during the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas !

Christmas !

We’ve curated the perfect HoneyBaked Holiday Meals We’ve theall perfect Holiday Meals just forcurated you! See that HoneyBaked we have to offer by visiting just for you!

See all that we have to offer by visiting prepaid.honeybaked.com prepaid.honeybaked.com Tulsa • se corner 61st & Memorial • se corner Memorial 8228Tulsa E 61st Street ste61st 116 •&(918) 254-6339 8228 E 61st Street ste 116 • (918) 254-6339

When you’re tired of pie, nothing cake will do.

T H E V I N E YA R D ON M E MOR I A L • BU I L DI NG V, SU I T E 10 918.970.4747 • NOT H I NGBU N DTC A K E S.C OM

74

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

1960 Utica Square

918.743.6634 Design • Custom Furnishings • Gifts

Need an Unusual Gift?

Give the Gift of Tree Work.

918-446-3473 WEBTREES.COM ROLL OFF TRASH CONTAINERS AVAILABLE MW- 0199A MW-5953A

FALL TREE FERTILIZATION • TREE HEALTH CARE • NEW CONSTRUCTION

TREE HEALTH CARE • NEW CONSTRUCTION • ARBORIST’S CONSULTATION

PRESERVATION • STUMP GRINDING • PRUNING & REMOVALS

PRUNING & REMOVALS • STUMP GRINDING • PRESERVATION

KINGSPOINTE VILLAGE 6010 South Yale Avenue ellaandorchid.com Monday – Friday: 10 AM – 7 PM Saturday: 11 AM – 5 PM TulsaPeople.com

75

NOVEMBER 26 - 28 &DECEMBER 3 - 4 Please join us for Cascia Hall’s Christmas Tree Lot located on our beautiful midtown campus off Yorktown.

Santa’s Village will have lots of fun things to do for all ages!

Bring your family to see Santa, ride the Christmas train, daily food trucks, Puppy Haven Rescue, over 200 Frasier Fir Trees from North Carolina, Noble Fir Wreaths and much more!

1335 E. 11TH ST. SUITE E. | TULSA, OK 74120 LOCATED ON HISTORIC ROUTE 66 Wedding Registry & Home Styling Available

O n l i n e S h o p p i n g @ j e n k i n s a n d co t u l s a . co m

FIND OUT MORE AT OUR WEBSITE CASCIAHALL.COM/CASCIA-CHRISTMAS-WALK 2520 S Yorktown Ave., Tulsa, OK // 918.746.2604

j e n k i n s a n d co t u l s a

Holiday Savings

5

$

Off

Puchase of $40 or more (Before Tax) Code 250153 Expires 12/24/21

Not valid on Vet Service.

Limit one per purchase.

No Cash Value.

Good at all Southern Agriculture Stores and Online. Can NOT be combined

LOCALLY OWNED SINCE 1981

TULSA w OWASSO w BROKEN ARROW WWW.SOUTHERNAGRICULTURE.COM 76

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

The time is meow RETRO LIVES ON WITH THIS TIMELESS PIECE OF AMERICANA.

MICHELLE POLLARD

Kit-Cat Klock, $70, from Grandfather’s Clock Gallery, 3105 S. Winston Ave. A smaller version also is available.

TulsaPeople.com

77

STOREFRONT

Prints can be made directly to acrylic, which come in numerous sizes and wall mounts. Prices vary.

Canvas prints made in-house continue to rise in popularity. 11-inch by 14-inch, $69.

Along with photo printing, Pictures Plus does custom framing.

Prices vary.

Michelle and Tom Morris, with Roxy

Picture perfect

BY SARA PLUMMER

F

or both Michelle and Tom Morris, owning and operating Pictures Plus, 4301 E. 31st St., was a second career.

Michelle, who bought the business in 2003, had worked in health care administration. Tom had been in advertising for more than 25 years before joining Pictures Plus, a creative company that specializes in photo printing and scanning services, framing, wide-format printing, laminating and other services.

“It’s really different,” Tom says. “We’re not answering to anyone else. The only pressure we feel is the pressure we put on ourselves. We want to make our customers happy.”

Pictures Plus was a photo-developing business when it opened in 1984. When Michelle bought it almost 20 years later, the era of digital cameras arrived so she converted all the equipment to digital printing.

She’s also worked to keep the business modern and up-to-date with the latest trends and technology. She purchased the business I’ve Been Framed and incorporated custom and pre-made framing into Pictures Plus, and then added wide-format printing and laminating.

About half of its business comes from corporate clients and the other half are retail customers, some of whom are very loyal to Pictures Plus.

“We’re on the second and third generation of photo printings,” Michelle says. “We had people

78

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

in 2003 come in and get their photos printed — now their kids and grandkids are coming in.”

But now instead of smaller photo prints, customers are wanting larger formatted pieces on a variety of mediums, including canvas, metal and acrylic. The couple can even make custom wallpaper.

“The customers drive what we do,” Michelle says. “Creativity is one of things we can do here.

We help our customers bring their projects to life. We have online ordering now and an online store. We teamed up with Fuji to offer cups, mugs, puzzles and more gift-type items.”

Some items like pre-made picture frames and smaller gift items also are kept in stock at the store.

And there is one thing customers can only see if they visit the midtown business: Roxy the rescue dog.

“She was 8 months old and dumped at a truck stop,” Michelle says. “We’ve had her for 13 years.

She’s become a store fi xture. We have customers who just come in to see her.” TP

Pictures Plus 4301 E. 31ST ST. | 918-749-4549 | PICTURESPLUSOK.COM 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday and Wednesday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday

A 4-inch by 4-inch acrylic photo cube makes a good gift. $40.

Sprayway glass cleaner is ammonia-free and the Morris’ favorite product to make glass and mirrors really shine. $3.75.

Prints can be directly placed on brushed or glossy aluminum.

Prices vary.

A variety of ready-made frames in numerous sizes are available at the shop. $10-$50.

MICHELLE POLLARD

LONGTIME PHOTO PRINTER AND FRAMING BUSINESS STAYS IN FOCUS.

S L OCA L BU SINE S SE S UP P OR T T U L S A’ S Contact adservices@

langdonpublishing .co

m for advertising inf

o.

Let’s get

M•e•r•r•y www.TraversMahanApparel.com South Lewis at 81st • The Plaza • 918-296-4100

3541 S. Harvard Ave, Tulsa, OK 918-712-8785 |

6 N. LEWIS | 918.584.2217 zieglerart.com

• CUSTOM PICTURE FRAMING • FINE ART • HOME ACCESSORIES Charlie, Ziegler's Shop Pet TulsaPeople.com

79

Tufted titmouse

GARDENING

W

Bird’s the word WINTER BIRD SURVIVAL TIPS

BY ALLEN ROBINSON Bluebird

Cardinal

hen it’s cold and nasty outside, we go inside to stay warm, possibly by a fi replace. However, our feathered friends are not as fortunate and must overwinter outside. They might get lucky and find a barn or other shelter to avoid the bitter wind chill, but some simply must trust Mother Nature to help.

So, just how do they survive our sometimes bitter cold winters?

As the temperatures dip, birds acquire adaptive behaviors to survive cold nights. They might lose up to 15% of their body weight. Some grow additional feathers to thicken their insulation.

Others do feather fluffing to create air pockets that trap body heat. Still others lower their metabolic rates to cause their body temperature to decline and heart rates to decrease so fewer calories are burned on cold winter nights.

At a time when caloric requirements are increasing, their food supplies (e.g., insects, seeds, weeds, fruits and nuts) are being eaten rapidly or sometimes simply do not exist in our landscapes. And, with freezing temperatures, water is not available at a time when dehydration is more critical than starvation. Eating snow takes precious energy, and water is needed for hydration and preening to keep feathers aligned and positioned to prevent the faster loss of body heat.

What can we do to help them survive the elements? We can provide continuous fi lling of bird feeders with their favorite high-energy foods such as Nyjer seed, black oil sunflower seed and suet, which birds come to rely on throughout the winter. You can even supplement the seeds with mealworms and peanut butter. Avoid toxic foods such as chocolate, apple seeds, onions, mushrooms, avocado, dried beans, tomato leaves, salt and alcohol. Make sure the seed is fully accessible and dry. Consider keeping an extra feeder on hand for longer periods of severe weather.

Water in a liquid state can be maintained by using heated birdbaths or by placing heating elements in existing baths. Most heaters are thermostatically controlled so they energize when temperatures drop below freezing. Nesting boxes should be cleaned out. Some species, like black chickadees, will roost together in these boxes at night or on cold, windy days. For added comfort, consider adding a bit of dried grass or wood shavings and plug all air vent holes.

As gardeners, we also can utilize planting materials that provide berries, such as junipers.

We can put off our fall clean-ups until spring when temperatures begin to rise. Perennials with seed heads, herbaceous shrubs that provide a windbreak from the cold and old rotting limbs can provide food and roosting sites for many species. Scatter seeds around these areas in case they cannot readily find the bird feeder. Leaves left on garden beds provide warmth and food for beneficial insects and amphibians. TP Thank you to Tulsa County Master Gardeners for their expertise in this subject matter. Allen Robinson has been a Master Gardener since 2010.

80

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

HOME

91st and Lewis | (918) 299-9409 www.southwoodgardencenter.com

Mark Roberts is the owner of Birdhouses by Mark, which range in price from $30-$75 and can be built to a buyer’s specifications. Find Birdhouses by Mark at the Tulsa Farmers’ Market or at birdhousesbymark.com.

Cozy comforts TULSAN’S PASSION FOR BIRDS NESTS A BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY.

BY LAURA DENNIS

MICHELLE POLLARD

A

s winter approaches and we prepare our outdoor spaces for the cold, Mark Roberts, owner and founder of Birdhouses by Mark, is building refuge for the birds.

In 1972, Roberts moved to Tulsa from Springfield, Missouri, to work for the Frisco Railway, but it wasn’t until the early 2000s when he found his passion in birdhouse making.

His affinity for the avian species started as a boy when his dad, a retired World War II pilot, took him for plane rides. “I always thought it would be the best thing in the world to be able to fly,” Roberts says.

His fascination with birds later led him to volunteer at Tulsa Zoo. “I have been a volunteer (at the zoo) for 22 years,” he says. “When I started, I had the privilege of being able to work with the raptors, which I thoroughly loved.”

Around that same time Roberts was looking for a hobby, one he might carry over into his retirement years, and birdhouses seemed like a natural fit. Today, Birdhouses by Mark has grown to include bat houses, bee houses, bird feeders, butterfly houses and more.

Roberts builds homes for a variety of birds, including flycatchers, downy woodpeckers, cardinals, finches, mourning doves, love birds and more. He says the bluebird and wren houses are most popular, but wren houses are his favorite to construct because their design allows for more creativity during the building process. According to Roberts, the houses are small and can be hung anywhere, even on patios and porches, because wrens will nest in any tiny space they find.

During the winter season, Roberts stresses it’s important to keep in mind that not all birds migrate to warmer areas. Many birds in Oklahoma remain year-round, such as cardinals, robins, bluebirds and raptors. These birds will use what is called a roost box, a box that might house several birds that will roost together to keep one another warm.

However, if these non-migrating birds find safe housing during the spring and summer months, they are likely to remain in the birdhouse year-round. TP

IN BUSINESS FOR OVER 36 YEARS

IN THE TULSA AND OKC AREA We offer • • • • • •

Nightly cleaning Day porter services Carpet cleaning Floor technicians Construction clean up Electrostatic disinfecting

We service • • • • • •

Medical facilities Offices Schools Banks Churches Manufacturing

Sandra Mullins, President

H E L P S T O P T H E S P R E A D • 9 1 8 . 6 6 3 .1 9 1 9 TulsaPeople.com

81

SENIOR LIVING

Dr. James Higgins works with Darla Rufner and Megan Wiley of Enlighten Benefits to discuss Medicare options. Enlighten Benefits is a boutique brokerage firm that helps Tulsans navigate Medicare enrollment.

Medicare questions and answers SEVEN ESSENTIAL FACTS ABOUT MEDICARE

I

t’s annual enrollment season for Medicare, the federal health insurance program for those age 65 and older. There are four parts of Medicare: Part A, hospital insurance; Part B, medical insurance; Part C, Medicare Advantage plans; and Part D, prescription drug coverage.

There are also supplements. Navigating this topic can be confusing, so we spoke with some local experts to find out the basics.

HERE ARE THE ESSENTIALS: DATES/AGE REQUIREMENTS SURROUNDING MEDICARE There are two critical enrollment periods when it comes to Medicare: the initial enrollment period and the annual open enrollment period.

The Medicare initial enrollment period is when individuals are fi rst eligible for Medicare on their 65th birthday. A seven-month enrollment window to sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B starts three months before your birth month and three months after your birth month.

Note that if you are already receiving Social

1.

82

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

Security benefits, you might receive a Medicare card with A and B on it.

“The effective date is going to be the fi rst of the month of their 65th birthday,” says Darla Rufner, managing partner at Enlighten Benefits, a local boutique brokerage fi rm. “Turning 65 is a big decision-making time.”

The Medicare annual open enrollment period is when all people enrolled in Medicare can modify their existing health plans and prescription drug coverage for the following year to better meet their needs.

“The Medicare Open Enrollment Period opens Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7,” says Kathy Jones, Medicare Assistance Program (MAP) supervisor at LIFE Senior Services.

2.

WHAT ARE THE TIERS AND SUPPLEMENTS OF MEDICARE? To avoid penalties and gaps in coverage, most people should sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B during the initial enrollment period. However, there are options to consider to individualize each plan. Many seniors

choose to supplement their coverage with either Medigap or Medicare Advantage.

According to aarp.com: Medigap, also referred to as supplements, can only be used by people enrolled in traditional Medicare. It is not a government-run program, but private insurance you can purchase to cover some or most of your out-of- pocket expenses. These are standardized by law, but the premiums vary.

Medicare Advantage, also referred to as Medicare Part C, comprises a variety of private health plans that often include benefits beyond Medicare Parts A and B. Ray Walker, MAP director at the Oklahoma Insurance Department, offers educational resources to counsel seniors through this process.

“Open enrollment is the time they have the option to get enrolled in an Advantage plan, which is one of the managed care plans like an HMO (health maintenance organization) or PPO (preferred provider organization), offered by a private insurance company like United, Humana or Community Care,” Walker says.

CONTINUED ON P. 84

MICHELLE POLLARD

BY JAMIE RICHERT JONES

Experience Tulsa’s best senior living options.

Call today to set-up your in-person or virtual tour.

Covenant Living of Bixby | Bixby, OK

Covenant Living at Inverness | Tulsa, OK

7300 East 121st Place South Independent & Assisted Living • No buy-in fee!

Excellent service, worry-free living

3800 West 71st Street Independent & Assisted Living • Memory Care Skilled Nursing • Rehabilitation

To schedule a tour today, call (877) 312-3248.

Or visit us online at CovLivingBixby.org.

To schedule a tour today, call (877) 478-8455.

Or visit us online at CovLivingInverness.org.

Covenant Living is a ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church.

CONTINUED FROM P. 82

Part D refers to prescription drug coverage.

Our experts recommend reviewing it often.

“Even if beneficiaries have been satisfied with their current Part D plan, the changes each year in plan premiums, co-pays, deductibles and drug formularies make it critically important for beneficiaries to take a fresh look at their coverage options,” Jones says.

3.

WHAT IF YOU’RE STILL WORKING AND UNDER GROUP HEALTH CARE COVERAGE? “As long as you’re still working and you’re on the group insurance through your job, that is called credible coverage,” Rufner explains. “That’s going to give you another opportunity to sign up for Part B in the future.”

4.

ARE THERE FINANCIAL PENALTIES ONE MIGHT RECEIVE IF THEY DON’T DO CERTAIN TASKS BY AGE 65? “Many Americans are working well past the age of 65,” Walker says. “If you don’t have group health insurance through active employment and you don’t enroll in Part B, you could be subject to a penalty,” Walker says.

According to the Social Security website, the late enrollment penalty increases your premiums by 10% for each 12-month span you could have had Part B but didn’t sign up.

5.

HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC CREATED CHALLENGES IN ACCOMPLISHING THESE TASKS? The pandemic has closed Social Security offices for most in-person visits. “It’s very challenging to do these applications over the phone or online,” says Megan Wiley, managing partner of Enlighten Benefits.

6.

WHAT DOCUMENTS MUST I PRESENT? Rufner suggests bringing the red, white and blue Medicare card with your effective Medicare dates and a list of current medications to any meeting regarding Medicare options.

7.

WHY IS ENROLLING IN THIS SUCH A NIGHTMARE FOR SOME? Rufner and Wiley acknowledge that confusing literature and technology requirements make Medicare difficult to navigate.

“I think it’s important to go to a broker so they can explain the differences in options,” Wiley says, adding that each decision has repercussions that children have to deal with as one ages.

“I think knowledge is power, especially for our seniors — to break it down and explain the benefits and ramifications 10 or 20 years down the road.” TP

Enlighten Benefits will host two informative meetings about Medicare Advantage plans versus Medicare supplements and any other enrollment process questions from 2-4 p.m., Nov. 14 and 28, at the Tulsa Elks Lodge, 5335 S. Harvard Ave. It will cover all Medicare options, not just one company, and is free to attend.

Seating is limited. Call Darla Rufner, 918-991-5844, or Megan Wiley, 918-645-9736, to attend.

84

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

CHOICES AND CONSIDERATIONS CHOOSING A SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY FOR YOURSELF OR A LOVED ONE IS A TASK WITH MANY QUESTIONS.

BY ANNA HOLTON-DEAN When it comes to senior living communities, choosing the right one can be a challenge.

The options are vast, and the various types of senior living communities run the gamut, explains Tammy Brown, interim CEO of Montereau Retirement Community.

“Montereau is a continuum of care retirement community (CCRC), also known as a life plan community,” Brown says. “We have all levels of living, including independent, traditional assisted living, assisted living memory care and long-term/skilled nursing care. Other options for senior living include aging-in-place in your own home with assistance; senior co-housing communities; senior home sharing; and stand-alone nursing, respite care, assisted living, memory care and hospice care facilities.”

Although diverse options are a good thing, coupled with COVID-19-related concerns it can make an already overwhelming decision downright disheartening. The good news is, you and your loved ones can begin the discussion of senior living options armed with information from the experts.

PLAN AHEAD, RESPECTFULLY “Family members involved in caregiving for a loved one should participate and should also be respectful of the needs and desires of the person who will be living in the facility,” says Sean Voskuhl, AARP Oklahoma state director.

“Deciding when to have these important conversations is as unique as the individual.

“However, it is wise to periodically assess your loved one’s needs and, ideally, agree on a plan before it is needed.”

Brown agrees the timing and individuals involved will vary from person to person. She adds, “(It) will depend on what your expectations are for your day-to-

day life, health and financial status. When considering senior living alternatives, you should involve your family, financial advisor and physician.”

VISITATION POLICIES “Individuals should check with the facility in advance to inquire about visitation policies, as they vary,” as the pandemic has changed day-to-day operations for assisted living facilities, whose policies are expected to continue, Voskuhl says.

“Facilities may require advance scheduling, require a temperature check, and enforce physical distancing or masking.”

AMENITIES VERSUS COST “Amenities and cost will differ based on the form of out-of-home care you select,” Voskuhl explains. “There is no one-size-fitsall solution, but asking key questions and prioritizing amenities important to your loved one will help narrow the field.”

Amenities might include transportation services, group outings, laundry and housekeeping services, cultural programs and activities, private dining or catering, libraries, game rooms and more.

“Often, families consider continuing care retirement communities — which are part independent living, part assisted living and part skilled nursing home — because the facilities offer a tiered approach to the aging process. They say the ‘step up’ approach eases transitions along the way,” Voskuhl says.

Whatever the offerings, Voskuhl advises family members to get clear information on costs and the details for all financial arrangements.

To further assist with the planning process, AARP has developed “Prepare to Care: A Planning Guide for Families.” You can request a complimentary guide at aarp.org/caregiving or call 877-333-5885.

COVID-19 AND LOVED ONES IN CARE FACILITIES “We know Oklahomans living and working in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities have been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic,” says Sean Voskuhl, AARP Oklahoma state director. He suggests if you have an older spouse, sibling, parent or other loved one in a nursing home, you ask the following eight questions: 1. What is the status of COVID-19 vaccinations in the facility?

2. Has anyone at the facility tested positive for COVID-19 in the past two weeks?

3. What is the facility doing to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks?

4. Does the staff have sufficient levels of personal protective equipment — masks, face shields, hand sanitizer, gowns and gloves — to keep both staff and residents safe?

5. What is the nursing home doing to help residents stay connected with their families or other loved ones during this time?

6. How is the facility communicating important information to residents and their loved ones on a regular basis?

7. Is the nursing home currently at full staffing levels for nurses, aides and other workers?

8. How are healthy-living programs being maintained?

SAINT SIMEON’S

Introducing Saint Simeon’s Medical Resort Saint Simeon’s has been focused on person-centered, high quality medical care for over six decades, so the senior living community is thrilled to announce the opening of the Saint Simeon’s Medical Resort.

The Saint Simeon’s Medical Resort is an oasis within the greater Saint Simeon’s Community offering private medical suites with private baths, fine dining, courtyard patios or park views — and perhaps, most importantly — rehabilitative therapies to meet your post-acute skilled nursing needs.

These short-term stays can include physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, as well as skilled nursing care. Whether you or your loved one is recovering from an illness, injury or surgery, Saint Simeon’s Medical Resort offers exceptional skilled nursing and rehabilitation care. The foremost goal of the specialized care team is to help you return to your vibrant, active life as quickly as possible.

“Our therapy gym includes the state-of-the-art Jintronix system.

It is an interactive video program that uses motion sensors to track a patient’s movements as they interact with challenges on the screen

— imagine a Nintendo Wii without controllers,” said Angela Green, president and CEO. “Because it’s so enjoyable and motivating, our patients see not only faster improvement, but higher-quality and longer-lasting outcomes, including reduced re-hospitalizations and better quality of life.”

Saint Simeon’s, located at 3701 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., is on 50 serene acres in the Osage Hills, where there is peace and quiet with panoramic views. It’s like a country retreat just minutes from downtown. The location added to the services and amenities make it Tulsa’s premier senior community.

Saint Simeon’s is a member of the Struthers Parkinson’s Care Network, which identifies senior care communities that provide comprehensive, personalized care for individuals living with Parkinson’s Disease. The Tulsa office of the Parkinson’s Foundation of Oklahoma is located on the Saint Simeon’s campus. Saint Simeon’s is also a Dementia Friendly Tulsa participating organization.

Learn more about Saint Simeon’s new medical resort in Tulsa by calling Mary at 918-794-1900 or visiting saintsimeons.org.

3701 N. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard • 918-794-1902 • saintsimeons.org

Trinity Woods Trinity Woods • 4134 E. 31st St. • Tulsa, OK 74135 • 918.574.2590 • trinitywoodstulsa.com

T

rinity Woods strives to improve the quality of life for seniors by providing housing, nutrition and health care services that meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of each member. Open to those ages 62 and older, Trinity Woods features 215 residential independent living homes. Levels of care are available just a few steps away, including assisted living, rehabilitation, long-term and memory care.

For the square footage, Trinity Woods is a great value among independent living communities. The fees to join and reside at Trinity Woods cover a wide variety of amenities: dining, residence maintenance, 24-hour security, fitness center, weekly housekeeping, utilities, an urgent response system and much more.

There also are less tangible amenities at Trinity Woods — a culture that is relaxed, friendly and comfortable, a community that fosters a “neighborly” atmosphere of caring and the sort of multi-generational experience that only comes after being in operation for over 65 years.

Trinity Woods is a faith-based nonprofit. Trinity Wood’s local volunteer governing board is committed above all else to making Trinity Woods the preeminent partner in offering a comprehensive care community for seniors and their families.

Minimum Age Requirement ............................................................ 62 Number of Residences ................................................................... 215 Entrance Fee and/or Security Deposit...........................................Yes Pets Allowed .....................................................................................Yes

NOTABLE DISTINCTIONS Trinity Woods is conveniently located in midtown Tulsa just minutes from downtown Tulsa and close to a number of popular shopping, entertainment and dining districts. Trinity Woods staff members frequently plan excursions to nearby attractions and day trips to regional destinations.

FOR FAMILIES CONCERNED ABOUT THE ONGOING CARE OF A LOVED ONE…

Relax, we’ve got this.

QA &

From Tulsa Professionals

For information about participating in Q&A from Tulsa Professionals, please contact adservices@langdonpublishing.com.

BEAUTY & WEIGHT MANAGEMENT The holiday season is coming, and I always put on 10-15 pounds, especially last year! What tips do you have to help me stay on track this year?

2450 North Stone Ridge Drive • Broken Arrow, OK 74012

(918) 910-7058 • PrairieHouseSeniorLiving.com

REAL COLLEGE RADIO

We all know how easy it is to put on those extra, unwanted pounds during the holiday season. To combat the urge to overindulge, I recommend increasing your number of healthy snacks throughout the day to fight cravings and stop you from overeating. Try adding in two to three medium-size apples everyday this winter.

Also, make sure to ramp up your water intake! Make a goal to drink three to four quarts (96-128 ounces) of water every day. As for those holiday parties, eat one of those apples topped with peanut butter and a 32-ounce glass of water 30 minutes before you leave, then enjoy. Call 918-872-9999 to schedule a complimentary weight loss consultation.

Malissa Spacek and Dr. James Campbell BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center 510 N. Elm Place • Broken Arrow, OK 74012 918-872-9999 • www.baweightspa.com

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Tune into Tulsa’s eclectic, uniquely programmed, local music loving, commercial free, genre hopping, award-winning, truly alternative music station.

After retiring and enrolling in Medicare, I received a notice that my Medicare Part B premium would be doubled due to IRMAA. Is this Correct?

Surprise! Income-related monthly adjusted amount (IRMAA) is a surcharge (tax) added to Part B and Part D premiums based on adjusted income two years prior and can exceed three times the published premium. Appeals can be filed for a life changing event. See medicareresources.org or contact a financial advisor for details.

J. Harvie Roe, CFP, President

@RSURadio | WWW.RSURADIO.COM

AmeriTrust Investment Advisors, Inc. 4506 S. Harvard Ave. • Tulsa, OK 74135 918-610-8080 • hroe@amerad.com TulsaPeople.com

87

BEYOND CITY LIMITS

Central Texas calls

DINOSAURS, CATTLE AND COWBOYS ATTRACT VISITORS TO GLEN ROSE AND FORT WORTH.

BY RHYS MARTIN

Dinosaur Valley State Park

88

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

rhinos. The giraffes especially don’t mind getting close to the vehicle to say hello. There’s also lodging available if you want to stay overnight near some of the park’s wildlife.

It’s easy to stay in the frontier/wildlife mindset while enjoying big-city perks by spending the night in FORT WORTH’S STOCKYARDS DISTRICT. It’s more than just a name — it’s the only place in the world with a twice-daily cattle drive. The landmark Stockyards Hotel dates to 1907 and is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the dining and nightlife this historic area provides. Guests can choose from numerous accommodations, including the Bonnie and Clyde Junior Suite that the famous duo stayed in during a visit to Fort Worth in 1933.

For an Oklahoma connection, stop and admire the WILL ROGERS MEMORIAL CENTER just a few miles from downtown Fort Worth. Th is 1936 art deco landmark is the home of the original bronze sculpture “Riding into the Sunset,” which features Will Rogers on his horse Soapsuds. If it looks familiar, another casting of this statue stands at Rogers’ tomb at the Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore. Check listings to see if there’s a rodeo or other large event going on while you’re in town for the full experience. TP

Will Rogers Memorial Center

Fort Worth Stockyards district

DINOSAUR: RHYS MARTIN; STOCKYARDS AND WILL ROGERS: VISIT FORT WORTH

W

ho doesn’t love dinosaurs? It’s nice to learn about them in museums, but even better when you can learn about them — and even see their footprints — in their natural environment: Texas.

DINOSAUR VALLEY STATE PARK in Glen Rose, Texas, is within a day’s drive from Tulsa and makes for a great weekend trip. Two dinosaurs greet you when you enter the park: colorful sculptures, that is. The T-Rex and Brontosaurus were created for the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City. Today they make for a great photo op.

The Paluxy River runs through the park and has eroded spots down to the hardened mud that contains dinosaur tracks dating 113 million years. The park also offers guided horseback tours and campgrounds, along with 20 miles of trails.

The town of GLEN ROSE itself is known as the Dinosaur Capital of Texas. Its historic town square includes shopping, dining and more activities to fi ll a weekend. The Storiebook Cafe is billed as “a novel experience” and for good reason as it’s also an independent bookstore.

For a more modern exotic animal experience, check out the nearby FOSSIL RIM WILDLIFE CENTER. It’s an 1,800-acre park with a driving tour to view and feed African animals like zebras, oryxes and

HOW TO STAGE A SHELF

|

CREATIVE OUTDOOR SPACE

|

SOLD ON TULSA

FALL 2021 | DEBUT ISSUE

GET INSPIRED! A new build overlooking Gathering Place Danish design and Oklahoma aesthetics meet Traditional ranch updated for the 21st century

+ 21ST ANNUAL HOME REMODELING SHOWCASE OFFICIAL PROGRAM INSIDE

Hate insurance?

You'll hate us less.

Dave Bryant Agency, Inc.

918.627.0191

available anytime, anywhere.

Tulsapeople.com/home

THANK YOU FOR STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE, TULSA! TulsaPeople’s 15th Annual Restaurant Week was a great success thanks to Tulsa diners and the 49 restaurants listed below. More than $40,000 has been raised to date* to benefit the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma’s Foods for Kids programs. Special thanks to the George Kaiser Family Foundation for their generous gift of matching funds for the past 15 years and to Curtis Restaurant Supply for their continued support! *total funds raised as of 10/21/21

Baxter’s Interurban Grill Biga Italian Restaurant

SEPT. 10-19

Bin 35 Bistro Bird and Bottle The Bistro at Seville

SPONSORED BY:

RibCrib (Harvard, Yale, Skelly and Sheridan locations)

James E. McNellie's Pub

Roka

Juniper

Roppongi

La Tertulia

Sisserou's Caribbean Restaurant

Bluestone Steakhouse and Seafood

The Local Bison

Society Burger

McGill's on Yale

(Cherry Street and South Tulsa)

Bramble Breakfast and Bar

McNellie's South City

(Broken Arrow, Jenks and downtown locations)

BENEFITTING THE COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF EASTERN OKLAHOMA

In the Raw (Vu, On the Hill and Brookside locations)

The Chalkboard Daily Grill Dilly Diner Duet Restaurant and Jazz Elgin Park Elote Fassler Hall

Melting Pot

Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe (Cherry Street and South Tulsa)

The Tavern

Oren

The Vault

Palace Cafe

Waldo's Chicken and Beer

Peacemaker Lobster and Crab Co.

Wild Fork

Prairie Fire Pie Prhyme: Downtown Steakhouse Queenie's Cafe

Yokozuna Blue Dome Yokozuna on Yale

TulsaPeople.com

89

MUSINGS

BREAKFAST AT WALGREENS M

y friend Susan posted a photo on Facebook from her home in St. Croix.

She and friends were preparing for a night kayak on one of just 14 bioluminescent bays in the world. They were going out under the new moon, she explained, for maximum visibility of the dinoflagellates and baseball-sized comb jellies that pulse and light.

Ho hum.

Big deal.

Who cares?

I had my own new moon plans. I was going out into the backyard to see if my moonflower vine was flowering.

The Virgin Islands, Tulsa backyard — it’s all relative, you know what I’m saying?

In Truman Capote’s masterful novella “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” when Holly Golightly (named Connie Gustafson in early drafts) was feeling awful she took a carton of coffee to window shop at the posh jewelry store. “Calms me down right away,” she says in the book. “The quietness and the proud look of it. Nothing very bad could happen to you there.”

My own version of that is Saturday morning at my neighborhood Walgreens. At that time it’s monastically orderly, clean and still. I wander the aisles meditatively.

If I need a second dose of calm, I go to my neighborhood library. Same vibe. Two oases in a neighborhood abuzz with leaf blowers and chain saws and hammering. Just — quiet. And a clean

90

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

scent, unlike my house, which often smells like two big dogs, a cat, accumulated dust and last week’s pork chop.

I seem to be on a continuing quest for serenity, but aren’t we all? The time we live in is as a jangled as a jug band. The universe seemed to recognize my need because one morning this quote — unattributed — popped up in my daily horoscope: “Fresh horses and more whiskey for my men.”

Who said that? Someone told me it’s from a Toby Keith/Willie Nelson song, “whiskey for my men and beer for my horses.” News to me because I am not knowledgeable about countrywestern music. Here’s a story that proves it.

I was at a nonprofit seminar in middle Oklahoma where a socializing activity was for us to write down, anonymously, our favorite musician. The convener read out the answers: how many votes for Garth Brooks, how many for Reba McEntire, how many for Willie Nelson and others. Then she said — looking directly at me — “Only one vote for Mozart.” Then everyone looked at me. I’ve been stared at for worse reasons than Mozart.

When we’re lost in the forest, stand still.

When we’re grieving, do something. In nationally troubled times FDR said, “Above all, try something.” Whenever I’m reinventing myself, I take classes, go to seminars, attend lectures.

Bonsai, Russian literature, nutrition — who cares? Lectures and classes are everywhere: the

library, senior citizens centers, churches, the garden center. I took the same herbal vinegar class so often the teacher fi nally said, “Don’t you know how to do it by now?” “Yes,” I said. “I just like the class.”

I Googled (oh, the verb of our time) the horses/ whiskey quote and discovered it is attributed to the Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest.

Oh no, not him. As if I need to be pulled into another war. Most of the wars of my time have been losing ones: War on Drugs, War on Poverty, now the spreading Culture War and the insidious War on Common Sense.

My young friend Electa Hare-RedCorn posted this beautiful sentiment on Facebook with an angelic photo of one of her daughters: “We are living through hard times and losing warriors every day to COVID and to heartbreak.

I hope everyone is gentle with themselves today.

That you fi nd time to rest. And that we all get a little more comfortable with using our voice, our pens, and our votes to build and rebuild a world where our little ones are considered sacred beings once more. Peace be with your hearts and homes.”

Two things can be true at the same time. I’ll seek peace and I’ll have a battle cry, modified to avoid the Confederate affi liation. I’ll step out of my Saturday morning sanctuaries, take a deep breath and shout to the world, “Fresh horses!”

Then I’ll run in a crouch to my car. Whew.

Another successful outing. TP

GEORGIA BROOKS

BY CONNIE CRONLEY

PROPERT Y GROUP

thayes@mcgrawok.com

McGraw Realtors

LUXURY

TIM HAYES

918-231-5637

SHERRI SANDERS

918-724-5008

ssanders@mcgrawok.com

A T M C G R AW R E A L T O R S

Call any of the Luxury Property Group Realtors about one of these homes, or any property that you have an interest in.

We will provide you with superior personal service with the highest integrity.

GORDON SHELTON

DIANA PATTERSON

918-697-2742

918-629-3717

gshelton@mcgrawok.com

dpatterson@mcgrawok.com

AVALON PLACE 3025 S. Trenton Avenue. Located in the heart of Midtown, this traditional-style home sits on a corner lot. Large granite kitchen with stainless appliances, walk-in pantry, french doors open to back patio.

Hardwood floors throughout the majority of the home. The Master bedroom has french doors that open to a covered patio, a tiled bathroom with double vanities, a jacuzzi tub & a steam shower. $975,000

VINITA PROPERTY 30083 S. 4420 Road, Vinita, OK 74301.

Enjoy this 23-acre peaceful and private estate located one hour from Tulsa and Joplin with 5 minutes from the Will Rogers turnpike. This lovely property has four bedrooms and 3 baths, spacious high tech rustic kitchen with a large picture window overlooking the pond, open living space, built in 1998 and tastefully remodeled in 2018, new roof, 3,500 s.f., largely wooded, gated with treed drive, walking trails, bird watching, and wildlife at its best! This home is ready and perfect to be enjoyed by family and friends! $799,000

MIDTOWN LOT 4179 S. Yorktown Place. Secluded Midtown lot in Bolewood Glen just off 47th & Lewis. Lot is situated on a corner at the end of the cul-de-sac surrounded by beautiful mature trees.

Easy access to Riverside Drive, River Parks, Brookside & I-44. Approximately .27 acre per Court House. Come build your Midtown dream house! $275,000

HISTORIC FRANKLIN CASTLE & CHAPEL 415 N College Avenue, Tahlequah.

The Franklin Castle is an architectural jewel that was constructed during the Great Depression and totally restored in 2015. The main house has three levels and features five bedrooms, three full, one half bathrooms. Living room, Dining room, kitchen, study and powder bath on first floor. The Chapel is 1.5 stories with open patios and gazebo area. There are many terraces, balconies, beautiful gardens, stone walkways, a waterfall and other water features. Detached two Car garage. The property is currently used as a celebration venue, it could be a Bed and Breakfast or personal home.

Truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for someone to make this Tahlequah treasure their own. $750,000

SOUTHRIDGE ESTATES 7514 S. Urbana Avenue. Magnificent custom renovation completed in 2015! 4 bed, 4 bath, 2 living, dining, 2-car garage with double decks overlooking park like setting, huge ceilings with massive open floor plan. Remodel includes everything down to studs including new foundation, full plumbing/electric/ HVAC, spray foam insulation, windows, all finishes, and home automation. $489,900

OWASSO LAND 106th Street North Owasso, OK. 1.65 acre parcel in Owasso. Situated on 106th St North between Sheridan and Memorial. Enjoy country living just 2 miles outside of town. Flat lot ready to build your dream home. Per survey 125’ frontage on 106th St. Zoned AG. Excellent location with easy access to Highway 75 & just minutes to downtown Tulsa. $145,500

E N J OY T H E LU X U RY L I F E ST Y L E YOU D E SI R E TulsaPeople.com

91

McGraw Realtors

allison Mobile: 918.850.2207 jacobs 4105 S. Rockford Ave. Tulsa, OK 74105

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Top 100 Realtors in Tulsa

19433 CLEAR BROOK RD | $2,990,000 This incredible home, built by Tom Watts with American Heartland Homes, has so many custom features. Every bedroom has an en suite bath. Master Suite features a private balcony, exercise room, & storm shelter. Reclaimed antique barn beams from a New England barn stretch across the ceilings. Spacious theatre room! 7 car garage features additional storage + wash bay, perfect for a car collector! Large pool, tanning ledge, & hot tub provide a perfect backyard setting for relaxing or entertaining. MUST SEE! 1212 S GARY PL | $125,000 Value in the lot! House has been torn down & lot is ready for your new build. Signature Properties can custom build!

92

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

McGraw Realtors

Sarah Nunley Summit Group Sarah Nunley

Caryl Kirtley Summit Group Caryl Kirtley

918.281.6926 Summit Group snunley@mcgrawrealtors.com 918.281.6926

918.798.4476 Summit Group ckirtley@mcgrawok.com 918.798.4476 ckirtley@mcgrawok.com

snunley@mcgrawrealtors.com

12601 S. Elwood Avenue W, Jenks, OK 74037

12601 S. Elwood Avenue Jenks, 74037 Luxury living in Jenks!

Exceptional one owner homeW, with gatedOK entry, a tree lined drive leads to 7.5 acres privacy. Stunning outdoor living with updated andleads pool.

Luxury livingofinultimate Jenks! Exceptional one owner home witharea gated entry, a treekitchen lined drive French Chateau in style privacy. with travertine tile, mahogany hand painted to 7.5 acres of ultimate Stunning outdoor livingwood area floors, with updated kitchentrim and exudes pool. elegance and comfort. master wing has patio access, beautiful ensuite andtrim a spacious hand painted exudes French Chateau in stylePrivate with travertine tile, mahogany wood floors, closet.

A freestanding with half bath, 30 patio x 40 Metal Shop, and loafing for horses elegance and comfort.office Private master wing ahas access, beautiful ensuiteshed and a spacious make property oneoffice of a kind! $2,890,000 closet.this A freestanding with half bath, a 30 x 40 Metal Shop, and loafing shed for horses make this property one of a kind! $2,890,000

Call us if you are looking to buy Call us if you or aresell! looking to buy or sell!

LauraBryant 1621 E. 29th St.| Spectacular estate on prestigious street. Exceptional custom build by Mike Dankbar. Timeless & classic. Impeccable interior w/ stunning features for luxury living. 0.97 acre lot backs to Philbrook. Incredible privacy. Multiple living spaces office/den, exercise space. Additional square footage over garage can be converted to living space(26’x36’). Elevator & Safe Room. 50 year architectural roof. Buried electric service 4 bed, 6 full bath, 1 half bath. 6,992 Sq. Ft. (CH). $3,400,000 Laura Bryant 11708 S Hudson Pl | Beautiful 4 bed, 3.5 baths

918.693.2961

lbryant@mcgrawok.com

in the exclusive South Tulsa gated community of The Reserve of Forest Hills. 3 living spaces, primary bedroom on first floor with large walk-in closet and private patio, oversized 3 car garage with work area. $439,000 Mike

Keys

2655 S Florence Dr. | Build your dream home in 2423 E. 22nd St.| Beautiful Newer construction

in Midtown! Open floorplan w/ 2 lg mstr suites on 1st floor! Updated kitchen has quartz island, granite counters, gas range, double ovens, warming drawer, Sub Zero frig, ice machine & walk-in pantry. Master has walk-in shower, Jacuzzi tub & lg walk-in closet off laundry. Upstairs has 2 bed, 2 bath & lg game room w/ wet bar. Oversized garage w/ epoxy floors & Safe room. Tons of storage. Professionally landscaped

backyard is private w/ covered deck, pergola & room for a pool. $799,000 Mike Keys

the heart of Midtown Tulsa. The old home has been removed and this prime lot is ready. Builders welcome or buyers who want to build. 78-foot frontage and 145-foot depth. 0.234 acres/10,218 sq lot. $235,000 Laura

Bryant

1831 E 31st Pl.| Bren Rose classic in the heart of

midtown. Main home is mostly 1 level with 4 beds, 3.5 baths (3 beds main level). Fully finished high quality garage quarters offers 5th bedroom/4th full bath. All the charm of the 1930s w/modern updates throughout. First floor laundry. Kitchen overlooks outdoor entertaining room. 3,536 Sq. Ft. (AP). $925,000 Laura Bryant

918.808.4780

mkeys@mcgrawok.com TulsaPeople.com

93

McGraw Realtors

NICOLE PUGH 918.688.6687 www.mcgrawrealtors.com CALL ME TODAY IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL!

STEPHANIE MINGUEZ

94

918.671.7193

sminguez@mcgrawok.com mcgrawrealtors.com

11304 N. 148th E. Avenue

1806 W. 57th Place

Stylish move-in ready home with an amazing floor plan. Large living room with vaulted ceilings & great natural light. Thoughtful design on the flooring that includes additional tile throughout the home.

Generous sized primary bedroom with walk-in closet and laundry room off of master closet for convenience. Oversized 2 car garage with an additional 5 feet for long vehicles or additional storage and gorgeous epoxy floors for easy maintenance. Fully fenced backyard with large covered patio. $238,500

Darling 3 bedroom home that is move-in ready. Fresh paint and new flooring. Newer appliances. Awesome location with easy access to I-44, Hwy-75, Tulsa Hills and Turkey Mountain. Don’t miss this one!

Call for more information.

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

THE TRUMAN SHOW

T MICHELLE POLLARD

ruman is the 8-year-old labradoodle of Ranch Acres Wine and Spirits’ owner Emily Stewart. He’s also the mascot of the midtown liquor store, now in its 62nd year.

Truman’s been a stalwart of Ranch Acres since Stewart began bringing the puppy who needed some extra TLC while she was on duty. While Stewart assisted customers, Truman would sit in a shopping cart buffered with towels.

Today if Truman isn’t at the shop, customers ask why, Stewart says.

Recently Truman underwent surgery, and the support customers gave to Stewart, her dog and the shop was endearing. “People have a connection to him that I could never have fathomed,” she says.

Truman’s face graces T-shirts, sweatshirts and now a handcrafted reserve wine: Truman’s Cuvee. TP 3324 E. 31ST ST. | 918-747-1171 | RANCHACRESWINE.COM SEE P. 100 FOR MORE ON TRUMAN’S CUVEE. TulsaPeople.com

95

DINING OUT

Sherry-glazed butternut squash with ricotta, sage and cinnamon

Passport not required THE BASQUE REGION OF FRANCE AND SPAIN INSPIRES THE MENU AT DOWNTOWN TULSA’S NEWEST VENTURE FROM AMELIA EESLEY.

BY NATALIE MIKLES

96

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

MICHELLE POLLARD

A

s we’re increasingly turning toward restaurants as a getaway, it’s fun to come across a place that truly feels like a destination.

Restaurant Basque is a lively, delicious spot where you can feel like you’ve stepped into a new locale — without a passport.

The scene here is free spirited but with the formality you would expect from its neighbor, Amelia’s.

Basque Tulsa is the newest concept from owner Amelia Eesley. Andrew Donovan is executive chef of both restaurants. Eesley’s motivation to create something new in Tulsa combined with Donovan’s expertise of the cuisine of the Basque region has proven to be a perfect match.

Donovan, who was previously a chef at Tia Pol and El Quinto Pino in Manhattan, spent time traveling and eating his way through the Basque region. He took much inspiration from those travels of the area, which is relatively small, just about 100 miles wide, stretching from parts of France and Spain, and from coastal towns on the Atlantic Ocean to villages near the Pyrenees Mountains. He says the diversity of those areas reflects the variety of foods in the region.

Rather than being a comprehensive homage to the area, Donovan’s menu is a combination of his personal favorite dishes, along with dishes he believed would be favorites for Tulsans — a mix of traditional Basque fare and regionally grown ingredients. The intentional and tightly curated menu gives enough variety for everyone to find a favorite.

The waitstaff is warm and friendly, helpful and open to explain the menu.

We chose several of the shareable plates, which came and went at the just the right pace.

Perhaps the most beautiful and delicious among them was the Quail Egg and Chorizo Toast ($4 for two), with its spicy, peppery chorizo mixture on crisp sourdough topped with a small quail egg.

The balance between the cured sausage and the delicate egg was perfection.

Marinated Spanish olives ($5) are splashed with warmed olive oil with garlic, orange and chile. The bowl of olives was nice for keeping on the table throughout dinner. The same can be said for the black and white brioche ($10), which is part traditional brioche and part brioche with squid ink, served with roasted garlic piquillo butter.

For a meatless shareable option, the butternut squash and Idiazabal toast ($6) was a nice contrast of creamy butternut squash with a heavy dusting of the smoked sheep’s milk cheese (the flavor is similar to a parmesan) on crisp sourdough.

Th is is food that makes you want to have your phone at the table to take photos of each beautiful round of plates.

The fried calamari ($12) was recommended with the caveat that it’s not like the fried calamari most Americans are used to. The calamari is tossed in arborio rice flour, fried and then covered in squid ink, common in Basque-style cooking, which gives it a slightly briny flavor.

One of Eesley’s favorite dishes is the charred Spanish octopus ($16). The octopus is skewered and slightly charred with a lemon glaze, pine nuts, manzanilla olives and fingerling potatoes.

Eesley also recommends the wood oven roasted brook trout ($23), a flavorful dish topped with serrano ham and garlic that’s cooked until it almost becomes bitter and is then hit with a sherry vinaigrette.

“Th is is a dish that’s pulled straight from the Basque region. And it’s something you don’t come into contact with often,” Eesley says.

Maintaining the authenticity of the dishes was important to Eesley and Donovan.

“When we agreed we had a common vision for the Basque-style menu, it was very important to me that the quality of the ingredients was top notch and authentic. The sourcing gives it credibility,” Donovan says.

Other noteworthy dishes include the smoked and braised pork shoulder ($31), the salt-baked petrale sole with manzanilla olives and guindilla peppers ($26) and the Basque-style snails ($14).

The snails are not prepared in the classical French escargot style. These snails are served in a bowl with a tomato puree, bacon and choricero peppers with sourdough bread for dipping.

Vegetables, which have their own section of the menu, are not to be missed. We loved the Spanish street corn, with a lime crema drizzle and a topping of crisp, toasted breadcrumbs for crunch. The sherry-glazed butternut squash ($11) with ricotta, sage and cinnamon and charred broccoli ($9) with romesco, roasted garlic and marcona almonds are both fabulous.

Many Spanish varieties make up a robust wine menu at Basque.

Smoked and braised pork shoulder with Navarran white beans, chorizo, pickled pepper and herb gremolata

One trademark of Basque cuisine is the communal aspect of shared plates and small bites.

The tapas style is a refreshing change from the common order of American meals, though the nice thing about this particular menu is that there is no prescription for the order. Entrees may be ordered at the same time as the pinxtos and montaditos (small plates) or raciones (shared plates).

Some people make an entire dinner out of the small plates and others order individual entrees.

A fabulous menu of cocktails and many Spanish wines was created by Ashley Donovan, beverage director of Basque and Amelia’s.

Eesley says the area adjoining Basque that was previously used as a market may soon become a spot for private dining or events. TP

Restaurant Basque 114 N. BOSTON AVE. | 918-442-2996 5-9 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday

Owner Amelia Eesley

TulsaPeople.com

97

W H AT’S COOK ING?

Savor the season STORIES BY NATALIE MIKLES

F

all baking has a coziness and warmth about it that makes us appreciate the season.

You don’t have to be a seasoned cook to make a quick bread. Pumpkin bread is one of our favorites for fall because it’s easy to make and leaves the house scented with cinnamon and cloves.

It’s a bread that’s perfect for breakfast, dessert or for gifting to a friend. Plain pumpkin bread is great, but we like it even better when studded with chocolate chips, raisins, dried cranberries, pecans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds or any other favorite addition to give it some texture and bite.

Here’s a trusted recipe to enjoy with a cup of coffee.

PUMPKIN BREAD WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS AND PECANS Makes 2 loaves 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree ⅔ cup brown sugar ⅔ cup granulated sugar 1 cup canola oil 3 eggs, room temperature 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips 1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 8-inch loaf pans. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and pumpkin pie spice. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together pumpkin, brown sugar, sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla extract. Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.

Fold in chocolate chips and pecans.

Pour batter into loaf pans, and bake for 50-55 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Cool for 10 minutes in the pan before removing to a rack to cool completely.

Note: This bread freezes well. Let it cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil, place in a plastic bag, then store in the freezer.

98

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

Chicken parmesan from Gambill's Pastaria

Avocado toast from Kitchen 27

Artful dining

MICHELLE POLLARD

Just like mama made Gambill’s Pastaria, 1921 S. Harvard Ave., had only been open a couple of weeks when owner Hunter Gambill had to purchase additional pasta machines to keep up with demand.

In those early days of opening, it was normal for Gambill’s to sell out of pasta every night. As fast as cooks could crank out the brown butter spaghetti, cacio e peppe spaghetti and fettucine Bolognese, they would fly out the door.

The restaurant is the latest in a long list of businesses and projects from Gambill, beginning with OK Distilling Co. and continuing with Gambill’s Coffee and Wine and Taqueria Escondido, among others.

The pasta shop serves handmade pasta with slow-simmering sauces in an orderat-the-counter casual setting. Eating at Gambill’s feels like eating authentic Italian food at a friend’s house. It’s a low-key feel for high-end food.

Carbonara, lemon cream, gorgonzola alfredo and vodka sauce over handmade pasta are all popular choices. Also on the menu are chicken marsala, eggplant parmesan and fresh focaccia bread. The lunch menu features subs with house-made dough. Gambill’s also has pizza, great Caesar salad and tiramisu. The tiramisu is a good example of the attention to detail here — it’s made with coffee and cacao roasted at Gambill’s Coffee and with rum distilled at OK Distilling Co.

Tulsans missed one of the most beautiful restaurants in town in 2020 and part of 2021 when Kitchen 27 was closed. But it makes us all the more appreciative for this true gem now that it’s back and open for brunch, lunch and Friday night dinners.

Kitchen 27, led by Chef James Shrader, is inside Philbrook Museum of Art, 2727 S. Rockford Road. There, Shrader has created a dining experience that complements the world-class museum experience.

Brunch here is one of the best. We love the quiche with its buttery crust and filling with leeks, spinach and mushrooms. The salad with a tangy vinaigrette is a perfect accompaniment. Avocado toast on crisp sourdough with preserved lemon and a cherry tomato relish also is a special dish.

Friday night burger nights are offered seasonally, and these juicy burgers grilled with provolone cheese are worth checking out.

Common Tart's pecan pie

PIE TIME November is prime time for pies.

That’s for a couple of reasons. For one, fall baking season sends us to the kitchen, and there’s nothing like the feel of rolling out pastry dough, fitting it into a pie pan, and then pulling it hot and bubbly out of the oven to make you feel like a baking superstar. Secondly, it’s Thanksgiving, of course, and pie is the dessert of the day. Cakes and cookies and puddings can take a bow other times of the year, but on Thanksgiving, it’s all about pie.

Common Tart, 1717 E. 17th St., is one of the best spots in town to pick up a pie for the holidays when you would rather someone else do the baking. These pies are as good as the ones you would make at home. Actually, who are we kidding? We wish we could make pies as good as the ones made by the bakers at Common Tart.

For Thanksgiving, the shop will have a classic pumpkin pie, a cranberry tart, a sweet potato pie topped with a pecan streusel and a pecan custard pie. The latter has piqued our interest. The signature flaky pie crust is filled with a sweet custard and then packed with pecans.

A creamy pecan pie? Put us down for two, please.

Order Thanksgiving pies by calling 918-764-8298 as early in November as possible. TP TulsaPeople.com

99

A LA CARTE

Oui, please THREE PLACES FOR FRENCH ONION SOUP French Hen

Truman and his branded cuvee

A pleased palate

100

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

Mahogany

A brewery might not be the first place you think of for good French onion soup, but Bricktown Brewery has it down pat. This soup has a crispy topping of brioche croutons and melted Swiss and asiago cheeses. The roasted onion broth is so flavorful, you’ll tip the bowl until you’ve had the last sip. A bowl ($7) or cup ($4.95) is great with the Bricktown grilled chicken sandwich on a pretzel bun or a Cobb salad with Brown Derby vinaigrette.

3301 S. PEORIA AVE., 918-895-7878 | 9409 E. 71ST ST., 918-994-4456 | 11909 E. 96TH ST. N., OWASSO, 918-321-2739 | BRICKTOWNBREWERY.COM Nearly everyone is at Mahogany for steak — and for good reason. But don’t miss out on the French onion soup.

This is a steakhouse-style soup ($11) that tastes like it took hours to make. We love its decadence and crispycheesy gratin topping. The topping is undoubtedly the best part of French onion soup, and this one takes its turn under the broiler for just the right amount of time, melting the Gruyere perfectly in the middle and turning it crisp on the edges of the bowl. 4840 E. 61ST ST. | 918-494-4043 | MAHOGANYPRIMESTEAKHOUSE.COM — NATALIE MIKLES

Marshall Brewing Co. 1742 E. Sixth St. | 918-292-8781 | marshallbrewing.com Cabin Boys Brewery 1717 E. Seventh St. | 918-933-4033 cabinboysbrewery.com

BREWERY Belly up to the bar and order a cold one at one of these spots for the best beer in town, according to TulsaPeople’s annual A-List Readers’ Choice Awards.

American Solera 1702 E. Sixth St. | 918-949-4318 | americansolera.com Welltown Brewing 114 W. Archer St. | 918-221-8893 | welltownbrewing.com Bricktown Brewery 3301 S. Peoria Ave., 918-895-7878 11909 E. 96th St. N., Owasso; 918-321-2739 9409 E. 71st St., 918-994-4456 bricktownbrewery.com

MICHELLE POLLARD; MAHOGANY: COURTESY

When the guys at Mano’s Wine approached Ranch Acre Wine and Spirits owner Emily Stewart about creating a special blend for the shop, she thought, who better to appear on the 66-bottle run than Truman the shop dog?

Truman’s Cuvee is “a happy marriage” of central coast Cabernet Sauvignon and Monterey Merlot, according to Mano’s. Aged 15 months in French and American oak, the blend “shows soft tannins, ripe cassis, chocolate and berry flavors,” according to a Mano’s representative. “These flavors create a medium-bodied, dry red with a smooth finish that is sure to leave your palate pleased.”

The limited quantities are sure to go fast, and Stewart says the shop will donate $5 for each bottle sold to Oklahoma Alliance for Animals.

Truman isn’t the only shop pet to visit customers. Kitty is a dog who belongs to manager Tommy Ball and who can often be seen on the store’s social media accounts announcing specials and events.

From 4:30-6:30 p.m. every Wednesday, the shop hosts a beer tasting for customers featuring new varieties and seasonal flavors. — ANNE BROCKMAN

Bricktown Brewery

A bowl of French onion soup ($10) at French Hen could be the perfect fall lunch. This slow-roasted soup has a rich broth and is served in a crock to keep it warm while you savor each bite. Perhaps the one thing that really sets this soup apart is the topping of brie. This isn’t just a sparse sprinkle, but a thick and creamy piece of brie. A field green salad with walnuts, goat cheese and vinaigrette is a classic pairing with the soup. 319 E. ARCHER ST. | 918-492-2596 | FRENCHHENTULSA.COM

BRUNCH IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA SAT / SUN 10A M–2PM

SAVOR THE FLAVORS OF AUTHENTIC SOUTHWEST I NSPIRED DISHES 35 0 9 S . PEORI A AV E . • 918.74 5.6 69 9 • CA FEOL EBROOK SIDE .COM

35 23 S PEORIA AVE

918•747•9 4 6 3

OLVIN E.COM

Annual Celebration Benefiting The Education Initiatives Of The Woody Guthrie Center.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2021 6:00PM CAIN’S BALLROOM

A celebration of Tulsa's music, food, and art. The event includes an exclusive screening of Martin Scorcese's The Last Waltz, a large collaborative buffet put on by some of Tulsa's finest restaurants, live music by Pilgrim, a backstage photo booth, live screen printing, and auctions and raffles.

Visit theleftoverlastwaltz.com/tickets for tickets and sponsorship information.

TulsaPeople.com

101

TRY THIS!

TRES LECHES FRENCH TOAST from Madre’s Mexican Kitchen

SOUND BITE

6823 S. YALE AVE. | 918-943-3400 | FACEBOOK.COM/MADRESTULSA

BRUNCH BUNCH Daily from 10 a.m.2:30 p.m., Madre’s serves brunch, which includes menu items like breakfast tacos, huevos rancheros and a Belgian waffle.

SADIE YOUNGER Bartender at Empire Slice House, 417 N. Main St. WHAT IS THE MOST POPULAR PIZZA ON THE MENU? Foghorn Leghorn (sweet marinara, roasted chicken, bacon, jalapeño, Sriracha drizzle) or MCA (marinated mozzarella, ricotta, asiago).

YOUR FAVORITE PIZZA ON THE MENU? Foghorn Leghorn because it has Sriracha on it.

SHAREABLE DESSERT This dish makes for a sweet treat after lunch with friends.

SUBTLE AND SWEET Brioche is dipped in a tres leches batter, then cooked and topped with berries and a house-made lemon whipped cream ($12).

WHAT IS THE MOST ANNOYING DRINK TO MAKE? Electric Field because it’s really messy and gets your hands really sticky. It’s a beer cocktail with Neon Sunshine and a blackberry liqueur.

IF YOU’RE NOT EATING PIZZA, WHAT ARE YOU EATING? Mexican food. Probably a carne asada burrito.

FAVORITE MOVIE? “Pulp Fiction.”

— TIM LANDES

102

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

TRY THIS: MICHELLE POLLARD; SOUND BITE: TIM LANDES

THE MOST POPULAR DRINK ON EMPIRE'S BAR MENU? Ellie’s Elixir, which is Bacardi Dragonberry Rum, Hibiscus Strong Tonic, cranberry, lemon and soda. Also the Ric Flair, which is a spicy tequila drink.

It’s really good. It has hot honey in it.

CHEERS!

NEW BREW

MICHELLE POLLARD

I N T OW N Mercury Lounge and Heirloom Rustic Ales recently partnered for its first beer collaboration, inspired by the bar’s recent T-shirt design and a classic country song.

“Mamas Don’t Let Your Cowboys Grow Up to Be Racists” Honkytonk Lager is an American-style pilsner.

“The Honkytonk lager was invented specifically for this collaboration with Mercury Lounge,” Heirloom’s Jake Miller says. “We wanted to embody the essence of boogie-woogie with this beer and leaned into some of our favorite ingredients to manifest the rhythms and the twang Mercury Lounge has showcased on its stage over the years.

“We brewed this beer with American barley and rice for a recognizable and smooth profile. We used floral hops that play a companion role similar to the steel guitar.”

The beer is available at Mercury Lounge, 1747 S. Boston Ave., and Heirloom Rustic Ales, 2113 E. Admiral Blvd. The T-shirt that inspired it all was produced by Mercury Lounge and available for purchase at mercuryloungetulsa.com/merch.

During the pandemic, Mercury Lounge has remained committed to providing a platform for local and traveling artists in a safe atmosphere. The dive bar was recently awarded a grant from Live Music Society for its response to the COVID-19 pandemic for its ongoing commitment to artist support. — ANNE BROCKMAN

Sentimental recipe I

’m not much of a baker, except for special occasions or sentimental reasons. This simple recipe fits both. My husband, J.R., fondly remembers his mother, Shannon Phillips, making this raspberry coffee cake every Christmas morning to the soundtrack of “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Since his parents’ deaths, I’ve picked up the cake tradition; J.R. cues the music.

— MORGAN PHILLIPS

SHANNON’S BRAIDED RASPBERRY COFFEE CAKE CAKE: 3 ounces cream cheese ¼ cup butter 2 cups biscuit mix ⅓ cup milk ½ cup raspberry preserves

ICING: 1 cup powdered sugar ½ teaspoon vanilla 1-2 tablespoons milk Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

In a mixing bowl, cut the cream cheese and butter into the biscuit mix until dough is formed. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead 8-10 strokes.

On wax paper, roll dough to form a 12-inch by 8-inch rectangle. Carefully turn onto a greased baking sheet and remove the wax paper. Spread preserves evenly down the center of the dough. Add 2 ½-inch slits at 1-inch intervals on the long sides of the rectangle. Fold each strip, alternating sides, over the raspberry filling.

Bake cake for 12-15 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar and vanilla.

Stir in milk one tablespoon at a time until the icing drips slowly off a fork.

While the cake is warm, drizzle with icing, slice and serve with coffee. TP TulsaPeople.com

103

TULSA TIME WARP

GOOD MEDICINE STORY AND COMPOSITE IMAGE BY PATRICK MCNICHOLAS

I

n May 1917, developers broke ground for the Wright Building, 115 W. Th ird St. The eight-story office building was one of the fi rst of its size downtown devoted to commercial space rather than residential living.

The building was financed and named after Dr. Walter E. Wright, an Oklahoma medical pioneer turned entrepreneur. Wright was a former president of the Tulsa County Medical Society and the fi rst city superintendent of public health.

Wright arrived in Tulsa in 1906 shortly after graduating medical school in Kentucky. He intended to start a general practice in the developing town but soon realized greater opportunities. Within a few years, Wright was recognized as a leading pathologist and X-ray specialist in the southwest.

The construction of the Wright Building followed the development of Wright’s three-story laboratory next door. Wright previously operated the only medical laboratory in the state out of the basement of his home on South Cheyenne Avenue.

Wright retired from medical practice in 1919 and instead focused on investment and property management. By 1922 the Wright Building was enlarged, adding more than 100 rooms. The building was home to dentists, lawyers, oil men, insurance companies, investors and more. KVOO Radio even broadcasted from the basement for several years.

The 104-year-old Wright Building continues to be used for commercial office space. TP

104

TulsaPeople NOVEMBER 2021

ROTARY CLUB OF TULSA/BERYL FORD COLLECTION, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY, AND TULSA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM

The Wright Laboratory (left) and the Wright Building on the northeast corner of West Third Street and South Cheyenne Avenue, circa 1926

WHEN YOU CARE For Someone, Everything Matters, Even the Purée

Puréed meal

Solid meal

At Saint Simeon’s, we understand you eat with your eyes first. That’s why Chef Alan and our culinary team go the extra mile for residents who have trouble eating solid food. They are well trained in creating puréed meals that look and taste like their solid food counterparts.

Our goal at Saint Simeon’s isn’t for our residents to simply live out the rest of their days but to thrive and get as much enjoyment as possible out of each day – including every meal.

Call Mary at 918-794-1900 for more information about Saint Simeon’s offerings for every level of senior care.

• 2 0 21 •

Saint Simeon’s is a mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma

SaintSimeons.org

TULSA’S

STORE

TU L SA’ S D E S TI N ATI O N FO R D ECO R ATI O N S , C H R I S TM A S D E S I G N A N D G I F T S 91S T A N D YA LE - TU L S A

•

O PEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

•

AMBERMARIEANDCO.COM