VALUES September 2022

BY CHRIST Y STEPHENS

Who doesn’t love the beauty of a rose or strolling through beautiful gardens under the stars? Add amazing foods f rom s ome of Tulsa’s most famous food pur ve yors and sp ectacular drinks and you have an evening of beauty and luxur y.

It’s that time of year again — Woodward Park’s only fundraising event, Wine & Roses, takes place on Friday evening, September 30th, and promises to be an evening of beauty, luscious libations, and delectable delights. Dress in your best garden cocktail attire because this event ushers in the cooler temperatures of fall that you won’t want to miss. Your ticket includes all you can eat and drink throughout the evening. You will nd it to be romantic, fun and lled with natural elegance. “ e opportunity for guests to disc er f h cuisine, lavish wines, local beers, and ive cocktails

lebrating the n jewel of Tulsa ks is a one-of-a-kind experience,” describes y Mathews, s Director neath the e Arboretum at ark, guests mingle and pen-air lounges t the cool glen. Take an g the path or enjoy sic under the stars. It’s a perfect t, drink, and enjoy — all

while supporting the restoration and beauti cation of Woodward Park!”

“Ever y year, the Tulsa Garden Center contributes tens of thousands of dollars in restoration and maintenance throughout Woodward Park,” says Mathews. “Just in the last few months, park visitors might have noticed repairs to the sunken garden, bright colorful plant additions to the Rose Garden, and long overdue maintenance and care to the trees in the Arboretum. Aditionally, more than 3,000 students have experienced sneaky science learning this year via the Outdoor Classroom at Woodward Park. ese programs and improvements are made possible through the generous support of Wine & Roses,” she said.

Many contributors, professionals and donors gather to ensure the success of Wine & Roses. “We are so grateful to be working again with the experts from Tulsa Hills Wine Cellar to curate botanically inspired wine, beer, and cocktail tastings from across the country. Local ne dining restaurants and caterers will be o ering samples of speci cally chosen appetizers and savory bites to compliment the drinks,” she expressed.

In case you miss the event, but still want to support Woodward Park, there are many ways in which you can contribute.

“Most importantly, we want people

to know this is a park for everyone. Bring your friends and family to come enjoy this beautiful public green space,” enthuses Mathews. “A full calendar of events happening within the park is listed at TulsaGardenCenter.org. We partner with 19 a liate plant societies and clubs to o er collaborative learning opportunities on a huge variety of horticultural topics: growing cacti from gra s, fungi foraging, composting, non-traditional house plant substrates, hybridizing iris, and native pollinators just to name a few!

e Teaching Garden at Woodward Park is a collection of demonstration gardens where the public can come in learn, ask questions, and see successful options for their home gardens. We also have a formal horticultural education program each fall, in which volunteers receive 60 hours of training on aspects of gardening and botany.”

e Wine & Roses garden gala will take place in the Arboretum at Woodward Park, located at 2435 S. Peoria Avenue, Tulsa, from 7:00p.m. to 9:30p.m. For more information, visit www.tulsagardencenter.org/ wine-and-roses, or call 918-576-5155.

Sizzlin’ September

Bluegrass & Chili Fes val Starts September 9

BY DELL DAVIS

The 42nd Bluegrass & Chili

Festival is s et for Septemb er 9 & 10 in downtown Wagoner. e weekend festivities will include three stages of FREE “pepper hot” concerts by national and regional artists. Headliners scheduled to appear include a host of award winners and festival fan favorites, e Cleverlys, Lonesome River Band, Grand Ole Opr y stars

Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Tim Shelton Syndicate, festival favorites IIIrd Tyme Out, Volume Five, and e E dgar Loudermilk Band. A ne menu of sizzling entertainment is planne d for the weekend

Top regional bands will entertain on three stages performing a variety of music including countr y, gospel, bluegrass and classic rock and rhythm & blues. Acts to date scheduled to appear include: e

Bazemore Family, Seven Feathers, e Roving Gamblers, Heartland Xpress, Spring Street, Acoustic Freight Train, Amundson Family, e Travelers, Taci & e Sunshine Band, Victory Road, e Smith Brothers, Grass Mountain Trailhead, Rewind, Paul Holt Band, Mid-Life Crisis Band with more to be con rmed. In addition to the free concerts, other musical entertainment highlights include: e “Junior Showcase” this showcase is designed to give talented youth 21 and under stage exposure and experience in a non-competitive showcase. An acoustic guitar will be awarded by a drawing of all the participants. Don’t miss dancer groups too as they kick up their heels during the festivities.

e Bluegrass & Chili Festival will SIZZLE with many other family activities. e Festival Street

Market will include a wide variety of cra s, ser vices and business showcases. Little buckaroos can nd free activities at the children’s Kiddie Korral. e Open Car and Motorcycle Show will give festival attendees an opportunity to see classic and current beauties. e Antique Tractor Show is returning with expanded activities including rug making and more.

Other family fun includes

in atables and of course delicious food favorites. All these family activities will add spice to the weekend of family fun!

Don’t miss the Mid-America Regional Chili C ook-o on Saturday the 10th. e International Chili S ociety Division winning cook in the traditional red division will represent the Festival in the World Cook-o in 2023 that boasts a $20,000 rst prize. e Homestyle Division winner will also travel to the World Cook-o where they will vie for a $15,000 rst prize. All the cooking teams will compete for awards and of course bragging rights! Teams will vie for awards for best of show, the coveted ham-manship, open salsa honors and bragging rights for an entire year! Festival attendees can also sample the awardwinning chili with an o cial taster kit on Saturday!

e Festival opens at 4p on Friday entertainment from 6p.11p. and Saturday festivities from 11:00a-11:00p. For additional Festival information and contest applications contact: Bluegrass & Chili Festival at bluegrasschilifest@gmail .com. Hotel information, festival

updates and a complete list of festival partners at www bluegrasschilifest.com or contact 918-485-2554. No event admission fee. Parking downtown can include free lots/ spaces but some may require a fee for premium parking.

Festival major sponsors: City of Wagoner, GRDA, Big C ountr y 99.5, Wagoner Chamber, KOT V e News on 6 and with assistance from Oklahoma Arts C ouncil and Mid-America Arts Alliance.

(918) 828-9600 VALUENEWS.COM

A Heart for Helping to Solve Your Tax Problems

BY KATHY SMITH

Tackling tax problems can be frightening if you are trying to work them out on your own. You might need to le back taxes, deal with sales tax, have IRS concerns, make decisions about paying mounting tax penalties and interest. More shocking, is to nd out you have overpaid a settlement rm or a professional representative to work out your problems with no progress or results. Sadly, many people relate stories how they had been taken advantage of and spent thousands to tens of thousands of dollars desperately seeking tax relief help. Individuals and small businesses in a tax crisis can nd ‘real help’ from High Tower Accounting & Tax, they are a ordable, know the ins and outs of complex tax situations, also how to deal with the various tax collection branches. Most importantly, the rm’s founder and owner, Rebecca Olson is an accredited professional and IRS Enrolled Agent. Her early career was working in media relations before nding her ful llment in accounting. A er spending several years working for a private Tulsa CPA rm, she moved for ward to provide a more

customized personal approach to accounting and nancial services.

Why is being an Enrolled Agent important to resolving your tax problems?

Enrolled Agents are federally authorized tax practitioners who have demonstrated technical competence in tax law and are the only taxpayer representatives licensed to practice by the United States government. Only EAs, attorneys, and CPAs may represent taxpayers without limitation before the IRS. EAs advise and represent taxpayers who are being examined by the IRS, unable to pay, wish to avoid or recover penalties. EAs also prepare tax returns for individuals, partnerships, corporations, estates, trusts and other entities with tax-reporting requirements. Unlike attorneys and CPAs, who may or may not specialize in taxes, all EAs specialize in taxation and are required by the federal government to maintain their professional skills with continuing professional education.

on track,” Olson added.

Tax ser vices include federal and state tax issues; including all 50 states: Tax resolution and planning in the areas of business, personal and specialty taxes.

• Tax audit representation.

• Assistance with levies and liens.

• Accounts considered uncollectable.

Olson explained, “Over the years I have worked with clients who rst hired larger rms and ultimately overpaid for ser vices and still in a

• Penalty abatements.

• Payroll tax representation.

• O ers in compromise.

• Installment agreements.

“I believe we are stewards of what we have in our hands and hope deferred can make a heart sick. Our whole heart is helping individuals and business owners get their lives financially back on track.”

big mess (some overpaid as much as $6,000.00 to $30,000.00!). ey have come to me deeply ashamed, defeated with little or no hope.”

High Tower Accounting & Tax has HEART. e rm’s mission is to restore hope to their clients and get their tax issues resolved. “I believe we are stewards of what we have in our hands and hope deferred can make a heart sick. Our whole heart is helping individuals and business owners get their lives nancially back

• Innocent spouse relief

• State income tax representation.

• Sales tax representation.

• Assist ling delinquent taxes. Olson is passionate about helping other business owners succeed by equipping them with the knowledge, tools, and ser vices they need to ourish. In addition to being an Enrolled Agent, she is a member of the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce, Wagoner Chamber of Commerce, and the National

Association of Enrolled Agents and a partner with the Bradford Tax Institute. Rebecca leads the team at High Tower Accounting & Tax with excellence. She volunteers her time with her Church, on the Executive Committee with the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce, as a Leadership Broken Arrow graduate, and has a Entrepreneurial Spirit of Excellence Scholarship she founded for Wagoner High School Students. Her heart is for the community and works to ensure she stays involved so her ability to serve her clients stays abreast of ever changing laws and legislation

High Tower Accounting & Tax, is your all-in-one nancial solution. Handling the nances of your business should not be a cause of stress. With over 47 years of combined experience, the team at High Tower strives to empower business owners through business consulting, tax preparation, accounting, payroll ser vices and other high-quality business solutions.

Cook Up a Tropical Party with

Brisatropical.com, Internet Radio!

Create your personal Caribbean party with bouncy dance pop, Salsa, Latin Jazz, Bachata music and an appetizer of Stuffed Ripe Plantains.

A delicious recipe from Lino’s w ife, Car men Roldan:

Begin your Caribbean cooking experience w shimmering celebrator y dance tunes a BrisaTropical.com, pour a drink and dance your way through this delightful recipe:

First what is “rel leno? ” Relleno can be made w ith plantains, potato es stu ed with cheese or meat, then breaded and fried.

S of rito: S of rito is a mixture of aromatic ingredients mainly us ed in Puerto Rico and other Latin American cooking. S of rito includes pepp ers, onions, garlic, cilantro, green onions, als o “ajies dulces” (sweet pepper to taste. You can easily make your own s of rito by blending all of these ingredients and adding a little of olive oil, or purchase at a local s up ermarket.

• 2 or 3 rip e plantains ( can be purchased at a local market, make sure they are rip e, look for the yellow color of the plantain)

• One pound of ground beef

• Flour Ingredients for the ground beef stu ng:

• 1/2 cup of S of rito

• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1/2 teaspoon olive oil

• 1/2 teaspoon salt ( to taste)

• 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

• Brown the ground beef in a skillet and add the ingredients, simmer over medium heat covere d for 15 minutes, taste and reseason if necessary, set aside.

• Cut the ends o the plantains, do not peel them, just make a line , so when they cook, its easier to handle them, then cut them into two pieces each. B oil in salte d water for up to 10 minutes. Just to so en them.

• Remove f rom water and let them cool for 5 minutes. In a separ ate plate put the our.

• Mash the plantains, a w lumps are okay. Take ab out 3 tablespoons of the mash in your hand, put some our in your hands, s o it doesn’t stick to your hands. Take some plantains mix into your hands and make a ball, create a dip into the ball and place 1 to 2 t ablespoons of the meat in the middle and seal it by forming a ball around it. (Always have our on your hands so it doesn’t stick.)

• Place each ball in a baking sheet (about six total).

• Bake for up to 25 minutes at 400 degree or until golden outside, let them cool a bit before eating.

• If you choose to fr y them, add the oil to a ver y hot fr yer pan, fried for 5 minutes, turn them occasionally, until they a re golden, before ser ving. dr y on a pap er towel.

• Pair them with rice, as an app etizer, accompanied with your favorite wine or drink.

Brisa Tropical Radio Director Lino Roldan

Safety Advice for Home Owners

WHY FALL CHIMNEY AND DRYER VENT CLEANING ARE IMPORTANT:

1. Breathing – Seems simple right? Lingering creosote and ash in your chimney and replace stagnate and your respiratory health su ers. A clean-smelling chimney will improve your mood and you’ll be open to welcome visitors.

2. Safety – Approximately 23,000 chimney res occur ever y year, causing nearly a billion dollars in damage, and potentially the loss of lives. Having your chimney cleaned annually will help you avoid a disaster.

3. Dr yer vent lint not only accumulates in your lint traps, but it can also build up in your dr yer vents. As most of us know, this lint is extremely ammable, and buildup can lead to dr yer res. Is having your dr yer vents professionally cleaned worth the money?

As lint and other debris build up in the dr yer vents, it constricts

air ow to the dr yer. With less air, the dr yer is forced to work harder to heat the air, producing hotter and hotter air as the dr yer vents get progressively more clogged. Le uncleaned, the superheated air can ignite the lint and lead to a home re.

e U.S. Consumer Product Safety C ommission estimates that clogged dr yer vents are the cause of more than 15,000 home res each year. Dr yer vent res cause more than $200 million in damages to homes and properties and can be largely prevented with regular cleanings.

SIGNS YOU HAVE CLO GGED DRYER VENTS:

1. Regular loads of clothes are not

fully dr y a er a full c ycle.

2. Clothes or the dr yer are too hot to touch

3. Loads take progressively longer to dr y completely.

4. e laundr y room area around the dr yer becomes warmer a er use.

5. More lint is found in the lint trap or can be seen around exterior vents.

Black Hat Cleaning Ser vices

Owner, David Harris, Sr., helps homeowners reduce re risk. Since 1977, his work has been devoted to helping homeowners stay safe. His iconic black top hat is his long-time symbol of honesty, integrity, and unsurpassed professionalism. You

know you’re getting the absolute best in chimney, air duct, and dr yer vent cleaning the moment he arrives at your door. rough the years he has developed the most trusted name in our area for these ser vices. His longevity in the business is a testament to his dedication to quality and customer ser vice.

rough the years, just as David’s hat has gotten taller, his ser vices have evolved along with technology with increased e ciency, time-savings, and quality.

45 years in business and David continues to love his work, his forever customers, and new ones too!

e Indian Women’s Pocahontas Club sponsors Cherokee students, male or female, enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education (college, university, or career tech school), with an $800.00 per academic year scholarship, along with one recipient of the Oklahoma State University Foundation, Dawson-Nelson Akanadi Endowed Scholarship Fund and four recipients of the Rogers State University Foundation, Foreman Faulkner Scholarship Endowment. Join us in congratulating these outstanding students and wishing them success in their academic endeavors.

Will Rogers Day, Indigenous Heritage Day, and National Native American Heritage Month, beginning the rst Saturday of November, commemorate Will Rogers, the “Cherokee Kid” birthday (November 4, 1879). e Pocahontas Club has been celebrating Will’s birthday since the Will Rogers Memorial Museum was opened in 1944 with a Wreath Laying Ceremony that begins at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum Rotunda with a procession down to the tomb of Will Rogers. e club members will begin their ceremony dressed in their Cherokee tear dresses and shawls around the bronze statue of Will Rogers to recite their Club Collect and place a basket of fall foliage at the foot of the statue.

A er the wreath-laying ceremony Jana Jae “Queen of Fiddle”, member of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and the National Fiddler’s Hall of Fame, will strike her bow to the ddle, in the Will Rogers eater. Join us, as we thank the Oklahoma Arts C ouncil and the National Endowment for the Arts for sponsoring the

On September 17th, vintage motorcycle rider participants of the Route 66 Cross Countr y Chase race will be passing through Claremore, and it will be a not-to-be-missed sight!

VintageMotorcyclesChaseRoute66

there,” says Andrews. “A erwards, they will exit the museum on Blue Starr.”

“ e riders will start arriving around 3pm,” says Tanya Andrews, Director at Claremore Expo and Tourism Development. “ eir check-in will be at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, where they invite the public to come by and experience these vintage bikes and meet the riders from all over the world.”

e cross-country challenge for riders with motorcycles that were manufactured between 1930-1960, and will be quite the trial of speed, endurance, navigation, and knowledge. is is the rst time that this event will be riding through Claremore.

“ e riders will be entering Claremore from the north end of Route 66 and ride JM Davis to either Blue Starr or Will Rogers. ey will make their way to the museum from

“ ere will be approximately 125 riders, plus the chase vehicles. Visit Claremore is hosting the group for dinner before they check in to their Claremore hotel; and on Sunday they will le ave for their next stop.”

e Route 66 Cross Countr y Chase route begins in Spring eld, Illinois and ends in California. e entire event goes from September 15th through September 20th.

Several factors are involved in the participating rider’s eligibility. Riders must be able to compete an average of over 250 miles per day over a 5 day period on their own (no support crews will be on hand during the event). ey will also be required to successfully navigate the 2400-plus mile route without getting lost or

getting o course in a timely fashion.

Additionally, riders will be given a test made up of 100 questions that require knowledge of the aspects of the Route 66 and American Motorcycling history, which will count towards the individual rider’s nal score.

Vintage motorcycles and historic Route 66 make September 17th a notable day in Claremore, and Oklahoma! For more information, visit www. emotorcyclechase.com.

If Not You, Who?

one , s om etimes i t’s a small g roup o f peo p le living in the same hou se , bu t ei ther way, i t’s ver y personal, ver y engaged wor k. It’s ab ou t bein g inv olve d in peo pl e’s lives.”

Fulfilling Employment Opportunities at Home of Hope

BY TOM FINK

Few can dispute tha t we live in interest ing times, and they’re pa rticul arly interest ing if yo u’re an employer.

Wi t h the impact o f CO VID s till bein g felt thr ou gh ou t the work force, businesses and co mp a nies co nt inue to struggl e t o employ and reta in dependable st af f members. As such, it can be c h allen ging to find good employe es – challenging, bu t n ot impo ssible .

Ent er Hom e o f Hop e and Rogers Co unt y Training C ente r.

“Home o f Hop e , as a whole, works w it h m ore than 200 men and women w it h inte llec tu a l and develo pm ental disa b il it ies, and we’v e been do ing this since 1968,” sa id R al p h Richa rd so n, CEO, Ho m e o f Hop e . “ We’re in fiv e

co unt ies thr ou gh ou t n or theast Ok laho m a: Rogers C ou nt y, Craig Co unty, Del aw are C ou nt y, Ott aw a Co unt y and May es C ou nt y, s o we’re kind o f all o v er (Oklah om a).”

Rich ards o n said Hom e o f Hop e’s motto ref lects the ser v ice tha t the y prov ide in h om es, neighbo rh ood s, and communities w it hin the fiv e co unt ies they ser ve .

“As far as jobs go, we h av e a n incredib le array o f direct c are j obs,” h e said. “ The peo p le we employ for t h e residential jobs a re called ‘direct s up po r t p rofe s sio nals’, and their j obs are s om etimes o n e-o n-

Ho m e o f Hop e’s p urpose i s t o hel p empow er those w it h disabil it ies, to which ends , i t w or ks w it h those facin g inte llec tu a l o r physical challenge s t o hel p employ t h em and to help them b e as independent a s po ssible .

“We w or k w it h peo p le tha t need 24-h ou r s-a-day car e in their home s ettings, those who need help with the basics of lo ok in g af t er themselves, and we als o work w it h peo p le who are highl y independent – those who h av e jobs ou tside o f the h ome , who drive their o w n vehicles, etc.,” h e sa id. “S o we h av e an incredib le range of peo p le w it h who m w e work, and th e opp or t uni t ies f or them (as employe es) are as divers e a s they a re .”

Rich ards on said Home of Hop e is always accepting new worke rs, but

“We have an incredible range of people with whom we work, and the opportunities for them (as empl oyees) are as dive rse as the y are. ”

it has s ome employe es who h ave been w it h the comp any for 10, 20 and in s ome cases, even 30 years “Many o f o ur employe es do n’t ev en think abo u t do ing any t hing els e – they just en joy being a par t o f peo pl e’s lives, and it’s bee n ext re mely grati fy ing for us to b e able to change peo pl e’s lives,” h e sa id. “ Th at’s the r esidential side o f i t, b u t the re’s also the voc at io na l side, of which Rogers C ou nt y Tr a ining C ent er is a big part, b ut w e do also h av e o ther voc at io na l se tt ings and prov ide jobs and job training in all of the co mmuni t ies we’re in.”

Re fe rre d to as “job coaches,” employe es in the voc at io na l se tt ings are trained to wor k a s independentl y as they can , g iven t h eir respective disabi li ty So m e w or k directl y at Hom e o f Ho p e while o thers w or k in the co mmuni ty

“O ur job coaches are p rov iding so mething tha t many o f o ur c lients were told their whole lives they w ou ld never hav e – the opp or t uni t y to hold a job and ear n a p ay ch ec k,” he said. “Fo r them, a s

wel l as for us, th at’s ver y re warding .”

Whether the jobs are residential or vocational, Richardson said Home of Hop e is “always hiring.”

“ This i s a place wi t h g re at be ne fi ts, b ut also a p l ace w hich is like a family,” h e sa id. “ The peo p le here are a g re at supp or t to on e another, they’re here sharing a common sense o f meaning and purpose, and we’v e re all y been blessed w it h a n incredib le staff of peo ple. Thos e wh o w or k for us are here for a re as o n in that they h av e a passion for work, t he y lov e and care f or the peop les in o ur p ro gra m s. Th at creat es a sense o f co nnection...a se ns e o f co mmuni ty.”

In Claremore, Home of Hop e sta does contract work, such as bui lding boat li s for nearby Hydro Hoist, sorting hangers for an outside company, and several others.

“O n e o f o ur key activit ies als o inv olves rec ycling , whether i t b e ca rd bo ard, p ap er, textile or o ther fo rm s (o f rec ycling), and in fac t, RCTC is a rec ycling drop-off f or ca rd bo ard and pap er p ro du c ts,” h e said. “We also man the Me trop olit a n Envi ro nmental Tru st (MET) loca tion in Cla re more, s o pe op le in the co mmuni t y h av e re all y g ott en to know o ur clients.”

In addi tion to employing and prov iding employmen t, Hom e o f Ho p e is always seeking b u sinesses t o partner w it h to hel p p rov ide jobs fo r those w it h disabi li t ies.

“O n e thing that’s h ap pe ned in

re cent years, so many peo pl e wh o were at retir ement age hav e stopp e d w or ki ng ,” he said. “Many pe op le find tha t w or ks for them, bu t o thers find tha t they r e all y want to be do ing s om ething the y ca re abou t. May b e they do n’t want to get back int o the ‘rat race’, b u t want to do s om ething they believ e in. We’v e had a good nu mb er o f peo p le ov er the years wh o h av e co m e to Hom e o f Hop e in tha t co nt ext, just want ing to do s om ething they lo ve, and we’re able to give them those opp or t uni t ies.”

To ask abou t o r ap ply for employmen t at Hom e o f Hop e, visit their websit e at  www homeof ho pe .co m, o r simply text HOP E to 918-262-4440.

Any employers in the communi ty wh o are intereste d in learning ab ou t hiring peo p le w it h disabi li t ies thr ou gh o ur p ro gra ms may co nt act Hom e o f Hop e’s Vo cati ona l Direc tor Rick D av i s at 918-810-6757.

Tulsa Whole Home Wood Refinishing

BY KATHY SMITH

Save time and money on all your cabinetr y and woodwork.

It’s shocking how much new cabinetry, interior doors and baseboards can cost, not to mention long waits for deliver y and installation. Avoid the high costs and long waits by letting Gleam Guard help you with your new kitchen and woodwork remodeling upgrades.

Takle your home renovation list before the holidays, starting with your kitchen cabinets. While cabinets’ purpose is functional, they remain a focal point of the home. Whether your cabinets are peeling, greasy or worse condition, Gleam Guard Wood Re nishing can remedy your woodwork and make it look like new again using eco-friendly, non-toxic and odorless materials.

ey are an A+ Rated BBB Accredited company and o er reasonably priced and highly e ective solutions for restoring and re nishing your cabinetry and woodwork

“We can re nish cabinets that are in really bad shape and also service cabinets that don’t need a full cabinet re nish. Some cabinetry and woodwork may just need to be refreshed and renewed. We can also clean your cabinets and give them a new, permanent nish,” says owner Tracy B ooth. “ e Gleam Guard nishes are available in matte, shiny and satin. When we apply our Gleam Guard system, it bonds to the original nish and makes the surface smooth and dr y. e process remarkably enhances wood grain and keeps it looking oiled and polished.

serious breathing problems, animals and birds to be in the house.”

eir process begins by preparing the surfaces with a thorough cleaning to remove dirt and debris and making any reparation of damaged areas. Damaged areas are treated with custom-matched stain blends. Lastly, the cabinets are protected with a coating that will keep cabinetr y and

along with those which are painted, glazed and pickled — even raised panel cabinetr y doors.

“We have customers we ser ved over 20 years ago that say their cabinets continue to look great today. It is because of our hometown people in the greater Tulsa area that we were able to expand and help

families across the countr y beautify their homes, including Kansas City, Branson, Northwest Washington and Canada,” he says.

Tracy and crew will be in and out, without interruptions or breakaways. eir work area, when nished, will look like no one was there. Gleam Guard’s amazing nish leaves your cabinets and woodwork pristine and easy to clean. A ercare is as simple as wiping with a damp cloth.

Tracy says when people see the di erence Gleam Guard has made in

friend’s or relative’s homes, they are quite o en sold on the process! Even those considering new cabinets or refacing old cabinets frequently decide on Gleam Guard Wood Re nishing instead. It’s the sensible solution that makes a big di erence. Gleam Guard o en costs clients 70 percent less when compared to other options

“I love to show people how they can save money and still have beautiful wood nishes that look like new,” says Tracy. “I would be happy to do an in-home demonstration on an existing cabinet door to give owners a glimpse of what Gleam Guard will look like in

their homes.”

Getting an estimate is free and easy. You can send Tracy photos of your cabinets and woodwork by text to (918) 231-1375, to email them send to info@gleamguard.com; or, call (918) 455-4211.

BY KATHY SMITH

South Pointe Chevrolet’s f ree, interactive workshops will educate you, your teen, or your group members about the importance of vehicle maintenance, safet y and how to keep your car r unning newer, longer.

Recently, we asked Cli Koger, Service and Par ts Director at S outh Pointe Che vrolet what inspired him to o er these sho r t work shops to the public.

“We lead busy lives and o en take for granted that our car will op erate prop erly. Many teens and adults

o entimes neglect taking time to learn basic auto care skills. is knowledge helps you save time and money and keeps you safer on the streets,” he said.

Koger has been in the automot ive business all his life and considered basic car care ‘common sense’ when that’s not always the case, especially with eve r-changing vehicle advancements in the auto indust ry.

He explains, “Tr ying to teach our kids about something we know little ab out can be daunting.  It would be like me trying to teach mine about

algebra or chemistry. Although I know enough about the two subjects to use them in eve ryday life, I’m certainly n ot well vers ed to the point of teaching it to my kids. I would much rather depend on the experts (teachers) to teach those things to my kids.”

at got Koger thinking … he relies on teachers to teach his kids about the things that will make them more successful in life, so why shouldn’t “we, as ‘Auto Experts’ in our eld, do the same things for kids to help them be successful and

TOPICS INCLUDE:

What’s that noise?

How to check a vehicle’s fluid levels, including washer fluid, brake fl engine oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid and power steering fluid.

How to make your vehicle mor fuel effi cient.

What types of tires are on the market today and how to read the lettering on these tires.

How to check tire tread depth and why it’s important.

How to check tire inflation pressure with a gauge.

What vehicle alignment is and why it is important. Why preventive maintenance is necessary

productive adults? Our world has become so much about ‘what’s in it for me’ that we have forgotten to be kind to others and most of all HELP OTHERS.

With that being said, I have spoken to all my sta about the idea of a program to help parents and teens. All became excited and welcomed the idea of teaching others,” Koger expressed.

His sta conversation evolved into a new program being o ered

about teaching basic auto maintenance skills, free of charge.  It is designed as an introduction to the fundamentals necessary to keep your vehicle well maintained and safe in the long run; and pointed out that the program is not designed to teach people how to do everything on their vehicle.

“We want to teach you about things such as checking your oil, changing a spare, checking tire pressure, and basic

y skills that will help build your selfeduce o depend on e when the ” he said.

en was the last u checked your ssure or changed e? Checked your uid levels and oil? ning a few simple skills can help you avoid a ind. How do you

ule is open. To , give Cli Koger t (918) 491-7209. al one-onne person with one technician) program will take about one hour.

•Antique

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September

BY CHRIST Y STEPHENS

The love people have for Mopars is an enduring one; and this fall, muscle car enthusiasts will gather for the annual Mopars at the Park.

“ is is our 17th year,” enthuses Lexie Fowler, event organizer. “It grows every year, and we add new classes to the event when we can. Ever yone enjoys going down the track as much as they can.

“Activities for the day include an 18-class car show, swap meet for Mopar parts, Burn-Out contest, 9 drag race classes, sell 50/50 tickets, give away door prizes all day and collect canned goods for Broken Arrow Neighbors.”

A Mopar is any vehicle built by Chrysler, which includes AMC, Dodge, Plymouth, Imperial, Ram, DeSoto, and Jeep. e term “Mopar” comes from Motor Parts, Chr ysler’s automotive parts and ser vice branch. ere will be 9 classes at the

Mopars at the Park Event: Mini Drivers, Electronics, Melton Sales No E/No Box, Gordon Shelton Realtor Sportsman, Slant 6, Plum Gold Jewelers Modern Hemi, Wayne Fontaine’s Ladies Bracket, BFL Mopar Teens, and 10.0 Shoot-Out Index Class, as well as 18 classes in the Mopar Car show.

Ever yone has events and cars that they look for ward to the most.

“My favorite part is watching our Mini Drivers and the Mopar Teen classes,” says Fowler. “ ese kids enjoy being a part of the show and get so excited to go race on the track. It is like watching the next generations, they are the future of drag racing.

“My favorite performance cars are the NoE/No box class. ese cars are all old style Mopars for the most part and the owners have money and many hours to get them to competition shape.”

Registration is done the day of the event, and the car show deadline

is b th

around 1:00 pm.

Mopars at the Park is Saturday, November 5 at Tulsa Raceway Park. Gates open at 8 a.m. and racing begins at 10 a.m. Admission is $15; bring a canned food item and a new toy and receive extra door prize tickets. Children 12 and under get in free.

For more information on the event, or to register your Mopar, call Lexie Fowler at (918) 645-9078 or email

lexief@valornet.com

Our most valuable asset in life that we can never get back is time! Do you want to get your car repaired by Certified Dodge, Chrysler & Jeep technicians but don’t want to be without your vehicle for days and sometimes weeks?

Maybe our shop is older and not as fancy as some other dealership service departments in town. But what we do have is happy empl oyees because they work with ownership and management that care about their employees.

Our empl oyees are not just an employee number, we’re a family that enjoys our time with each other and we enjoy what we do.

Happy empl oyees make for happy customers because we appreciate each customer that walks in our doors. We’re centrally located in Tulsa and we’re asking for your business!

Broken Arrow Rotary’s Cool Grilles Car Show t Local Charities

BY CHRIST Y STEPHENS

The Rotar y Club of Broke Arrow is sponsoring the “5t Annual Cool Grilles Car Show” on October 8, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cars, cars, and mor cars… this event will show-o ov competition cars, specialty models and classic autos. e entire family will plenty to do, see, eat, and shop alo these 5 blocks in Broken Arrow’s M St. area of the Rose District. In 2019, the Rose District was crowned as the small city “Most Charming Main Street Oklahoma by USA Today

Come as a competitor or spect during this awesome car show. Trophies will be awarded for e Best of Show, Mayor’s Choice, P Chief ’s Choice. Best Paint, Best Engine, as well as other classes will be awarded plaques; there will n be monetar y prizes. Entr y forms Tiger Town Tees who have created

ABOVE: 2021 Mayor’s Choice Winner

: 2021 “Best in Show” trophy winner, Kent Coleman, with Stan Evetts, entries manager and Lisa Engel, Cool Grilles committee chairperson.

the show’s shirts. Helping make this t possible are e Arrow Group s the presenting sponsor; also, AVB nk, ASI, First National Bank of Broken Arrow, along with many generous donors.

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Cool Grilles event admission is free. Also, that day, Museum Broken Arrow, and e Militar y History Museum will both have free sponsored admission. In addition to the Rose District restaurants and unique shops, there will be several food trucks and many interesting vendors. Classic rock music will play throughout the venue to set the mood for the show and contest.

From 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. there will be a cool silent auction. You will have an opportunity to bid on all sorts of art, novelty ceramic ware, art glass,

specialty baskets, catering discounts and much more. Proceeds from the event bene t the Broken Arrow Rotary Club’s benevolent projects - including scholarships for Broken Arrow Public Schools’ high school seniors, Happy Hands Education Center families,

YMCA, Broken Arrow Neighbors, and other local causes.

ABOVE: Amazing autos will be lined-up on Broken Arrow’s Rose District Main Street for a fun day of competition and friendship on Oct. 8, 2022.

RIGHT: Cool Grilles Show Judge Dennis Figley and scribe Teresa Lewis inspecting a vehicle in the contest.

Tracy Booth Founder

Halloween Fes ti val Fall Fun to F r ighteni Thr ills!

Halloween is spooky business at the Castle of Muskogee and the resident ghouls have been working hard to ensure top thrills for all visitors! Families will enjoy the array of activities and fall fun within the realm of the festival. e Castle Village is home to over 15 merchants that o er unique creations, stylish costumes, thirstquenching drinks, mouthwatering dinner and dessert options!

New for 2022 - e Circus has transformed the C astle Cave. Jester’s Revenge is the newest addition to the Halloween lineup. is haunt comes with B oardwalk Fun House vibes and a heavy dose of Sinister Clown. Guests will experience the ter rors of the jesters who reside in this abandoned fun house. Gather your wits before entering, because no one can predict what lies ahead! is 3.5 skull haunt will be o ered through the Fright Combo. Fans of fright? Casa Morte has been upgraded… e Murder House has new residents, which include dolls and killer deviants. ere are dark halls and

many turns in this nightmarish realm. All guests beware of this terrifying 5 haunt. Perhaps the most infamous of the Halloween Festival is the Trail of Blood. Hearts race once guests realize they h ave suddenly been abandoned in the backwoods of the Castle. Fans of TOB may also enjoy the excitement provided during the Dark Tower Zombie Hunt, where participants are issued a weapon and tasked to clear the area of Zombies. We encourage guests to opt for the Adventure Pack or the Fright Combo! ese are the bundle

options for guests who plan to visit multiple activities at the festival and want to save $$ with their purchase. e Adventure Pack is geared towards scares which are 3 skulls and below : Ultimate Maze, Haunted Hayride, Torture Chamber & Catacombs and the Halloween Train. When this family fun bundle is purchased, your group is sure to have a spooky evening full of excitement. e Fright Combo is the scarier of the two and pro vides a ticket for the Trail of Blood,

Fall Fun

Family approved & a little scar y. Not recommended for small children. Not recommended for children.

Consider yourself warned!

Casa Morte, Domus Horri cus, and Jester’s Revenge

Best Savings of the Month – O CT

7th - Canned Food Drive. Guests may bring any canned food item in exchange for (1) half price haunt ticket. Guests may bring as many cans as they would like. O er is not applicable on combos or the Train. Guests are encouraged to visit www okcastle.com for event changes and details on pricing. Pro tip: Purchase tickets online to save! Guests are advised to visit early in season, purchase tickets prior to visit and plan for a Friday! When selecting a haunt/haunt combo, please utilize the Castle’s Skull R ating as a guide. For example, at skulls, the Haunted Hayride provides eerie excitement without the residual

nightmares. Within the Castle walls, guests may step up to by daring a stroll through Casa Morte or ething to en

ever yone! Parking and admission to the Halloween Village are FREE. Tickets must be purchased for attractions. Festival Hours: 6pm–10pm*

*Must purchase tickets by 10 pm. Haunt remains open a er ticket booth closes. Gates open at 5:30pm. Indoor Haunts begin at 6pm. Outdoors Haunts begin at dark.

Unaccompanied minors (Under 18) must have a photo ID to enter. Minors (under 16) must always be in attendance with a responsible adult.

“Leading Ladies” to be Honored

Claremore Chamber to Host Leading Ladies Gala on October 5, 2022

BY ASHLEY MAY

e Claremore Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to continue the annual tradition of honoring outstanding Claremore women at the 7th Annual Leading Ladies Gala, slated for Wednesday, October 5, at the Dr. Carolyn Taylor Center Ballroom on the campus of Rogers State University. is year, 10 Leading L adies will be recognized f rom various professions and industries; these ladies make it their business to

volunteer and make a di erence.

ey all have a strong record of innovation in their elds, excellent performance in their business, and/or a clear track record of meaningful community involvement.

e categories are: Rising Star (under 25 years of age), Behind the Scenes, Community Supporter, Business Leadership, Leader in Health, Leader in Manufacturing, Non-pro t

Leadership, Leader in E ducation, Leader in Government, and Leading Lady of the Year. Previous winners of the Leading L ady of the Year award include Meggie Froman-Knight, Jody Reiss, and Cr ystal Campbell, as well as Jill Ferenc, Donna Grabow, and Rhonda B ear. Women are nominated by their peers, and they are chosen by an outside source. e Chamber will announce the winners in late September. Each year, the gala entertains a theme, primarily focused on women’s health. Past topics have shined a light on breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and heart health. For 2022, the emphasis will be on overall women’s wellness, including how to create a work/life balance. Today, juggling a career and children can be di cult, and women tend to focus on others before themselves.

e presentation from Hillcrest Hospital Claremore will enlighten women on how vital it is to take their own health seriously

e evening will kick o with a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m. with live music and a cash bar. Each year also boasts a signature cocktail; this year’s will align with the gala’s rustic fall décor. ere will also be a plated dinner and a dessert auction along with the awards ceremony.

“ e Leading L adies Gala is one of our favorite events,” said Ashley May, Director of C ommunications for the Claremore Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s fun to get dressed up and to recognize our winners for their accomplishments. Claremore is home to so many smart and talented women and we are excited to announce this year’s winners.”

e Leading L adies Gala is made possible by many generous sponsors, including presenting sponsor, Hillcrest Hospital Claremore, and award sponsors TTCU Federal Credit Union, RCB Bank, Wallace for Life, 5 Star Group KW Premier, 6:19 Nutrition, CIEDA, Red Crown Credit Union, Robson Properties, Keith Austin Cherokee Nation Tribal C ouncil, and Northeast Tech. Ladies Loot sponsors include Dori G. Studios, e District on Main, Elizabeth J Salon + Co, Marble Elegance, and Ethos Yoga.

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Although still not known nationally for its brilliant fall colors, Oklahoma is right up there with Colorado and New England when it comes to putting on a show in the fall.

The Sooner State’s autumn foliage peaks around Halloween and stretches into early November, That’s when Oklahoma is ablaze with yellows, reds and oranges at such popular fall foliage hotspots as Talimena Scenic Drive (see below), and others are Ouachita National Forest, and the Chickasaw National Recreational Area.

See for yourself why Oklahoma deserves a place on the map for fall foliage. It’s more than OK - it’s breathtaking.

Peak Times: late October, early November

Tahlimena Scenic Drive Length: 54.0 mi / 86.9 km

Time to Allow: Take one to two hours to drive or five hours to enjoy this byway.

Fees: None

TAHLIMENA SCENIC DRIVE NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY OKLAHOMA & ARKANSAS SC CSCC &S S

The Talimena Scenic Byway falls gently like a ribbon over Winding Stair and Rich Mountains. Cresting the highest points between the Appalachians and the Rockies, this byway showcases nature’s quiet solitude. One breathtaking panorama follows another as this National Forest Scenic Byway winds along forested mountain tops between Mena, Arkansas, and Talihina, Oklahoma. Visit Queen Wilhelmina State Park in Arkansas and the Talimena State Park in Oklahoma as well as the Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area which surrounds the byway in Oklahoma.

Here you can enjoy the four distinct seasons of the Ouachita National Forest at their best. Wildlife is abundant in the area and you may be lucky enough to spot a black bear or a roadrunner crossing the road as you drive across the mountains. Information stations are located at each end of the drive; just outside Mena in Arkansas and the intersection of Highway 1 and Highway 271 northeast of Talihina in Oklahoma

BY CHRIST Y STEPHENS

The Rogers County Free Fair is a celebration to signal the transition from summer to fall. A Rogers County tradition since 1914, this free fair will take you back to simpler times while you browse through handcra ed products, arts, cooking, animal exhibits, horticulture, and more. Attend a livestock show, browse numerous vendors, and bring the kids to the fair’s popular children’s area, featuring plenty of fun activities.

Climb aboard a thrilling midway ride and dine delightfully on plenty of fair foods. Are you imagining the smells of kettle corn and turkey legs

lingering in the air?

ere will be lots to see and do!

“We will have over 40 indoor vendors exhibiting both inside and outside of the Expo C enter. e biggest change to our schedule is that this year’s carnival rides will be open longer with two sessions on Sunday instead of just one,” says Wendy Woody, Co-Manager of the Rogers County Fair.

Claremore Expo Hall is the main area for shopping an enormous selection of goods and services and viewing prize winning 4-H and FFA projects. e fair is open September 15th thru 18th, ursday through

Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. through 9:00 p.m. Midway carnival rides will be held ursday and Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; with two sessions on Saturday and Sunday – 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Fire works, Music and Entertainment!

ursday, Sept. 15th:

Carnival opens at 6:00 p.m.

Micah B ell will kick-o opening night and entertain guests on stage at 7 p.m. A er dark, the fair’s

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traditional reworks show will light the skies with color and excitement.

Friday, Sept. 16th:

9:00 a.m. Take a stroll through the livestock barn. B e intrigued and amazed at some of the most beautiful FFA and 4-H award-winning livestock in our region.

6:00 p.m.: Carnival rides o pen.

7:00 p.m.: Lively musical entertainment with Roy Weathers will take the stage

Saturday, Sept. 17th: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Final day to explore and shop indoor exhibits and vendors.

7:00 p.m. e Dueling Pianos will be on stage to delight spectators with their energetic show.

Don’t miss a nal trip to the barn area to see the students prepping for the showings with their livestock, as these kids represent some of the very best not only in the state, but in the country.

Sunday, Sept. 18th:

Last day of the 2022 Rogers County Free. Indoor exhibits and all activities excluding carnival rides will be closed 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Carnival rides open.

6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Carnival rides resume until fair closes at 11 p.m. Fair is on Sunday, and it is all carnival!

Patrons will have the opportunity to give back to their community in addition to enjoying ever y aspect of the fair. According to Woody, a

limited number of the 2022 O cial Rogers County Fair Posters, signed by the designer, will be on sale for $25.00 each with proceeds going to support FFA and 4-H youth’s Rogers Countr y Premium Sale, which will be held at the Claremore Expo Center on September 19th.

Fair time is only once a year. Come and mingle with your neighb ors, meet new friends, laugh aloud, hop on a carnival ride, and savor the

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828-9600

avors

of our region.

Premium sale participants innclude beef, swine, sheep, goat, annd dairy exhibitors. PHOTOS COURTESSY OF ROGERS COUNTY FAIR PREMIIUM AUCTION

BY CHRISTY STEPHENS

Every year Rogers Co Premium

Auction takes place a conclusion of the Rogers Fair. e Premium Auction bene ts 4-H and FFA youth in their endeavors fund future ricultural projects.

udentsStu rning top ear nors at the hon further fair mpete at com premium the p for the sale f ce to earn chanc ng toward fundin projects or future e college

nb ene

agriculture stays a strong, vibrant practice.”

“ is is the way that America rais es future farmers and ranchers,” says Susan Gebhart, Rogers County Premium Auction Committee

Memb er. “Rogers County is very invested in making sure that

Student participants work very hard during the year to be comp etitive in their livestock show class es. For many years, hundreds of students have bene tted from this lively auction. Raising livestock is stre nuous work and the Premium Auction provides a great Rogers County Fair crescendo for both student participants and spectators

“

e premium sale translates into prize mone y,” explains Gebhart. “ e county fair level is an auction format — kids go through the arena; people bid; and instead of the animal changing hands (a ter minal sale), the winner receives prize money, which is o en used to fund the next project.”

GEBHART

is sale is a fundraiser that is bene cial on many levels, and not just nancial — youth are given an early chance to develop a strong work ethic and life lessons. Additionally, it is a wonderful incentive for more individuals to enter and contribute to the integral and vital business of agriculture. “ e bene t of this sale is building a future,” states Gebhart. “We are raising people who are the future of agriculture. os e who partici pate are receiving sup er vised agricultural education through 4-H and FAA instructors; and ever y year, they learn better practices, sustainability, and procedures.

“We encourage excellence – most of our kids do ver y well at state and nationa l levels — and so the level of commitment by the supporting adults as well as the kids is ver y high. es e projects are expensive, so this is what we are doing as a community to suppor t these programs, ” concludes Gebhart

According to Gebhart, “ is fundrais er helps 89 students each year to op en the do ors to scholarship oppor tunities. For example, Rogers State C ollege has been a good p ar tner, with b oth the fair and the sale, by spons oring six Showmanship Class scholarships. “

Bidders will also be a ble to make an “add on” contribution –simply put, anyone who wishes to add more mone y to a particular participant’s sale will be able to do s o at the auction or to go to the website to add funds. Visit www rogers countyfair.com/premium-sale/ for more information Rogers C ounty Junior Premium Auction is Monday, S eptemb er 19th, 6 p.m., at the Claremore Expo building.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROGERS COUNTY FAIR PREMIUM AUCTION

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ALERT! Check with all v enues prior to ev ent time for COVID- 19 prot oc ols or canc ellations.

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ALERT! Check with all v enues prior to ev ent time fo r COVID- 19 prot oc ols or canc ellations.

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