ionok.com DECEMBER2016/JANUARY 2017
JC Watts knows what it means to dig deep
Skirvin Hilton Celebrates a Special Anniversary
Jo Meacham shares "Classic Collaborations" from 2016
NextGen Under 30 2016 Award Ceremony
. Lifestyle … Culture … Entertainment
Nichols Hills Plaza • NW 63rd &Western 405.842.1478 rmeyersokc.com
Follow us on
publisher : Don Swift assistant : Joni Yeager editor : Tim Farley editiorial assistant : Darian Woolbright videographer : Jeremy Gossett director of photography : Michael Downes web site developer : Patrick Moore with Set Sail Media web site developer : Nina Jones, Data Design Inc. illustration : Rosemary Burke graphic design : Wendy Mills
Advertising Sales Tina Layman
Photographers Jeremy Gossett Hugh Scott, Jr. Tracy Reece Jerry Hymer
Advertising Consultants Peter Preksto
Contributors fashion : Linda Miller art : Joy Reed Belt people : Peggy Gandy entertainment : Heide Brandes social issues : Robbie Robertson community : Lauren Wright contributing writer : Greg Horton contributing writer : M.A. Smith contributing writer : Mindy Wood contributing writer : Julie York
• Access to the best in-home WiFi experience—including hassle-free setup and support
• Over 250,000 WiFi hotspots when you travel
• Free Security Software protects your computer from viruses and spywar e (a $169 value)
600-7647 COX.COM/INTERNET COX SOLUTIONS STOR E®
*Max download speeds are increasing to 50Mbps for Preferred and 100Mbps for Premier. See cox.com for speed availability in your local area. Speed comparison based on max download speed of Cox Preferred
package (50Mbps download) vs . AT&T U-verse Pro 3 Mbps service. Offer expir es 9/30/14 and is available to new residential Internet customers in Cox service areas. $19.99/month includes Cox High Speed Internet Essential when customer newly subscribes to both Cox High Speed Internet Essential and Cox Advan ced TV or highe r. Total bundle rate varies by market . Af ter 12 months, bundle rate increases by $20/month for months 13-24. Regular rates apply thereafter. See www.cox.com. 2-year service agreement required. Early termination fees may appl y. Additional Internet packages are available and may be required for access to all advertised features . WiFi network access available to residential customers with Cox Internet Pr eferred or higher service at hotspots in select locations outside of Cox service areas. See cox.com/hotspots for available coverage areas and hotspots. Equipment fees, installation charges, taxes, fees and surcharges additional. Not all services and features available everywhe re. A credit check and/or deposit may be required. Offer not combinable with other offers. Equipment required. Uninterrupted or error free service not guaranteed . Act ual speeds vary. Other restrictions may appl y. ©2014 Cox Communications, Inc . All rights reserved.
12 Contents
COVER STORY 12 J.C. Watts: Sports, politics and life gave him reason to ‘Dig Deep’ by Tim Farley
ART 30 Suzanne Mears: Glass atist by Tim Farley
34 “Birds and Beyond”: A Perfect Gift for Bird Lovers by M.J. Van Deventer COMMUNITY 37 American Indian female artists’ work 26 Keep Oklahoma Bautiful going strong more showcased than 50 years later 52 Mike Wimmer tapped for Prestigious Honor by Sandi Davis by M.J. Van Deventer 44 Opening Night: New Year’s Eve in Oklahoma City 18 BUSINESS 18 Skirvin Hotel celebrating 10th anniversary of reopening: ‘Great Lady’ has served OKC since 1911 24 CEO Funk makes major announcement: Express employees to receive $5,000 for dependent care services 46 First Liberty Bank Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Unitholders
80 Classic Collaborations: Jo Meacham guides homeowners’ ideas by Tim Farley, Photos by Michael Downes
8 ionOklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 PEOPLE 52 40 Helen Ford Wallace: The Ultimate Party Girl by M.J. Van Deventer
62 NextGen Under 30 Award Honors Mark Costello: First recipients named at 2016 awards banquet by Garland McWatters
64 Next Gen Awards 2016: Investing in the Millennial Generation is Important to Oklahoma’s Future by Don Swift
72 Psych! Trick Your Brain into Keeping New Year Resolutions TRAVEL by Mindy Ragan Wood 48 La Fonda on the Plaza: A look back in time combined with modern trends 74 Amazing Work: Jim Kinammon helps the by Sandi Davis less fortunate in the U.S. and overseas by Tim Farley 80 SPORTS 78 OKC Thunder 2016-2017 Schedule
30
HOLIDAY 58 Sensitive Santa’s Special Magic by Mindy Ragan Wood
70 Still Shopping? – Gift ideas to consider by Linda Miller
DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 ionOklahoma 9 Publisher’s Note
Welcome to ion Oklahoma Magazine, one of Oklahoma’s fastest growing online digital lifestyle magazines and news-entertainment website. In 2016 we have experienced a 17% growth rate when compared to the same time period in 2015. Are you one of these people who get the majority of their news and other information each month over the Internet? If so, we want you to visit www.ionok.com. Many of our ion subscribers download free each of the annual six printed editions to their computers or mobile phones and read as they get time to review. At ion Oklahoma magazine we are continuing to send over 300,000 emails monthly with certain weekly updates like photos from local events in our ion website photo gallery pages and brief videos from our ion website video diary pages. In just a short 60 months ion Oklahoma Magazine and website have attracted over 39,677 opt in ion subscribers that enjoy the feature stories and content we publish and post. On this past November 18, 2016 ion Oklahoma Magazine sponsored the sixth annual NextGen Under 30 awards ceremony. The decision was made early in 2016 to expand this award recognition program statewide and honor talented young Oklahomans in 16 different career categories. From over 1,000 nominations, 296 winners were selected by “Like” us on facebook the judges in September 2016. facebook.com/pages/ We recognize this success of ion Oklahoma Magazine could not be possible without you IonOklahoma-Online our loyal followers. Please let us hear from you with any suggestions for publishing certain stories about Oklahoma events, people or travel. Our ion Oklahoma website weekly special edition “Eye On The Weekend” has been the most popular and read during 2016. follow us on twitter @IonOklahoma Sincerely Don Swift Publisher ion Oklahoma Magazine 220 West Wilshire Ste F2 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73116 405.607.0930
10 ionOklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 2016–20172016–2017 OCCCOCCCCC PerformingP e rffoorming ArtsA rts SeriesS e r i e s
Close To You: The Music of the Carpenters Koresh Dance Company Saturday, January 21 • 8:00 PM 25th Anniversary, Classic Koresh A tribute to the Carpenters complete with all their Tuesday, January 24 • 7:30 PM big hits, plus anecdotes and stories about Karen’s Koresh strives to be an artistic force by life and songs. creating innovative and emotional dance performances for audiences around the world.
Carrie Newcomer - CD Release Concert Defending the Caveman Friday, January 27 • 7:30 PM Friday, February 10 • 7:30 PM Carrie Newcomer combines a rich voice with Saturday, February 11 • 1:30 PM & 7:30 PM equally rich lyrics to weave a tapestry of life A hilariously insightful play about the ways and hope. men and women relate which has both sexes roaring with laughter and recognition.
Artrageous "Art & Music, Gone Wild" The U.S. Army Field Band Tuesday, March 21 • 7:30 PM Jazz Ambassadors Free Concert! Witness an artist painting a masterpiece in front Saturday, April 1 • 7:30 PM of your eyes, combined with captivating vocals, Returning to OCCC, the Jazz Ambassadors, intricate choreography and exciting music. čiÀV>½Ã } >`]ÃÌ ivwV>ÌÕÀ}L} band of the United States Army.
Opus Cactus - MOMIX Dance Company Les Liaisons Dangereuses - January 15 Tuesday, April 11 • 7:30 PM Hangmen - April 23 Experience a visual journey into the mysteries The Deep Blue Sea - May 14 and hidden secrets of the Southwestern Plus desert… a spectacular blend of physical Bolshoi Ballet in Cinema: A Contemporary Evening - May 7 theatre, circus, athleticism, and comedy. All events are encore presentations pre-recorded in HD. Sundays, at 6:00 PM
The Oklahoma City Community College Performing Arts Series invites you to share the gift of music and dance this Holiday Season! Great tickets are still available for all performances.
To order, visit tickets.occc.eduÀV>Ì i Ý"vwVi{äxÈnÓÇxÇ° "> > ÌÞ ÕÌÞ i}iUÇÇÇÇ-° >ÞčÛiÕiU www.occc.edu/pas Cultural Programs COVER
Sports, politics and life gave J.C. Watts reason to ‘Dig Deep’ Former OU quarterback faced adversity many times, but overcame all obstacles
BY TIM FARLEY
hether he was quarterback at the University of Oklahoma or a congressman serving the W Fourth District, J.C. Watts always knew what it meant to dig deep.
Without a doubt, that’s the reason his new book “Dig Deep” holds that particular title. Watts spent 20 years in athletics, 20 years in politics and has been a youth pastor, husband, father and friend to many. With each role, Watts knew there were certain responsibilities he had to fulfill. Oftentimes, it wasn’t easy and that’s when he had to “dig deep.” Watts, now 59, has traveled around the nation affirming that “life can be messy, difficult and stinky sometimes,” he said, during a telephone interview with ionOK.com “People have to remember that every storm runs out of rain,” he said. “The sun is going to shine again but in the middle of difficulties it’s difficult to see that.” Watts seems to love using clichés and folk wisdom expressed by his father. He uses those teachings and his own wisdom when talking about the difficulties he encountered during his collegiate football career and later on the Oklahoma and national political scene. Watts began his OU career in 1979, assuming the QB role after Thomas Lott graduated and headed to the NFL. Lott left OU after the ’78 season as the Sooners finished with a No. 3 national ranking, an 11-1 record and an Orange Bowl victory. Watts’ first season started well as OU cruised to a 4-0 record heading into the Red River rivalry with Texas.
12 ionOklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 Barry Switzer introduces the Honorable J.C. Watts, keynote speaker at the 2016 Next Gen Awards program on November 30.
DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 ionOklahoma 13 tJ.C. Watts with Olivia Kay, Heather’ Kay, and Governor Mary Fallin.
“I remember that game well,” Watts recalled. “We Barry Switzer would tell you J.C. Watts was a better lost (16-7) and we had seven turnovers, four were on quarterback in the 11th game of the season than at the me. If I would have wanted to call my friends after that start of the season.” game it would have only taken a couple of quarters.” Quoting Muhammad Ali, Watts said, “If you are the Instead of feeling depressed about the loss, Watts same man at 50 as you were at 20, you wasted 30 years. went back to work, reviewed game film and the Sooners We all strive to become better athletes, coaches and rebounded with seven consecutive victories, another people. You don’t make America great again without Orange Bowl championship and a No. 3 national working on J.C. Watts. You peel the onion back one ranking. layer at a time.” During his senior season, OU started with a 2-2 mark. Watts doesn’t hold anything back when talking about However, Watts led the Sooners to seven straight wins, the human condition. He’s upfront and blunt. including a big victory against the Nebraska “We all are dysfunctional,” he said. “In church last Cornhuskers in Lincoln and another Orange Bowl title. Sunday, the pastor was talking about life’s challenges. I “Sometimes you find yourself in a ditch and you ask told my wife, ‘Even as church folks we are still dysfunc- yourself ‘how did we get here?’ As a team my senior tional. Life is still going to happen. Families, no matter season, we took it one day at a time, one game at a where they come from, are hit with difficulties. Kids time. I studied myself and I studied the opposition. In aren’t off limits to making bad choices. Whether you live life, sports and politics, you constantly have to work at in the ivory tower or the bleachers, life is going to happen getting better. My offense coordinator and head coach to all of us. What separates us is how we respond.”
14 ionOklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 Specifically, Watts writes in the book about the Oklahoma Corporation Commission scandal in the early 1990s and how his name was unjustly connected to it. Watts writes that Oklahoma news organizations tried unsuccessfully to link him to a FBI probe that eventually sent two men to prison for bribery, including one former corporation commissioner and one high-ranking employee at the former Southwestern Bell. “You see, although this season of my life was unbelievably frustrating and hard, I came through it. In fact, I came through it stronger, wiser and with an enlarged capacity to lead, love and live,” he wrote in ‘Dig Deep.’” “I learned things. I grew. Looking back, I choose not to view this experience as something that was done to me. Rather I’ve come to view it as something that was done for me. I don’t think I would have accomplished half of what I’ve done over the past 20 years without that trial and testing. It prepared me to walk in my destiny.” Switching back to sports, Watts said in his interview with ionOK.com that this year’s version of the OU Sooners is a “great analogy” in dealing with adversity. “People had written them off. The conventional wisdom crowd was saying they could lose four J.C. Watts, keynote speaker at the or five games. They’re 1-2 with 2016 Next Gen Awards program. a lot of injuries. They’re putting makeshift defenses on the field.
DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 ionOklahoma 15 J. C. Watts and Barry Switzer listen to a speaker at the Next Gen Awards.
Then they win nine straight. This is southeastern Oklahoma had more “I gained great wisdom in the a perfect example of how life is. in common with rural Mississippi political arena,” he said in the You can’t say we’re 1-2 and life is than with oil-rich Tulsa or the phone interview. “It shaped me over. You say, ‘what can we do to bustling western cow town with a resolve that made me a turn things around.’ It’s one game Oklahoma City,” he wrote in the better elected official. Trials like I at a time.” book. “Trust me, I know what it is had shouldn’t make us bitter. They Speaking about his past athletic to be despised, opposed and should make us better. My dad experiences, Watts said teamwork obscure.” used to say, ‘keep living.’” allows “common people to do Decades later, Watts discovered Now that he’s out of politics, uncommon things.” fortune on many levels including Watts spends his time with public Watts, the son of a rural pastor that of national politics where he speaking engagements, preaching from Eufaula, grew up knowing eventually assumed the role as and operating John Deere stores. about difficulties, ranging from chairman of the Republican He moved from Washington, D.C., racism in Oklahoma’s Little Dixie Conference, the fourth-ranking to Norman in mid-August. to being the first of two black leadership position in the majority “Dig Deep” is available at students to attend Jefferson Davis party. In that capacity, Watts Barnes & Noble Bookstores, Elementary. The school was named provided daily counsel to the Walmart and Amazon. Watts has after the president of the Speaker of the House and conducted more than 100 Confederacy. participated in bi-weekly meetings interviews since the book was “In many respects – culture, with the president. Watts served published in March. n economy, attitudes and politics – eight years as a U.S. congressman.
16 ionOklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017
BUSINESS Skirvin Hotel celebrating 10th anniversary of reopening ‘Great Lady’ has served OKC since 1911
BY SANDI DAVIS
“Remember…What may be your ordinary day, can be someone’s extraordinary day. — Greg Marcus, former President and CEO of Marcus Hotels and Resorts, co-owners of The Skirvin Hotel.
ince 2007 the Skirvin Hilton has reigned as the great lady of the S burgeoning Oklahoma City hotel scene. Its storied history goes back to 1909 when oilman Bill Skirvin hired architect Solomon Layton to build a grand hotel south of the Frisco Depot. The 10-floor hotel with two wings opened for business in 1911. It featured granite floors and tiled walls, all accented with his daughter Pearl’s favorite color – red.
18 ion Oklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 Above, Mayor Mick Cornett and other civic leaders cut the ribbon at the Skirvin Anniversary celebration. Right, Skirvin employees participate in the celebration.
The wallpaper, drapery and a piano in the lobby were red. Both guests and Pearl were frequent performers on the piano. Later, Pearl Skirvin would marry George Mesta, change the spelling of her name to Perle and take her flair for receptions and parties from Oklahoma City to Washington, D.C. to Newport, R.I. and throughout Europe, getting the nickname “The Hostess with the Partners in Development and is part of the Hilton Hotel Mostest” along the way. franchise. Back in Oklahoma City, Skirvin added a third wing Susan Riley, marketing and sales coordinator for the and more floors to the other wings in the 1920s, giving hotel also works with social media and public relations it the look it has today. outreach. She has been planning a month full of events The hotel weathered the Great Depression and all the in February 2017 to celebrate the Skirvin’s tenth ups and downs in Oklahoma City’s economy until it anniversary of its reopening and its 106 years as a hotel. finally closed its doors in 1986. “We are celebrating the extraordinary days,” Riley It came perilously close to demolition several times. said, seated just outside the hotel’s grill, near the red and Its reawakening began in 1999 when then Mayor Kirk gold lobby. “Every day is someone’s extraordinary day.” Humphries used the city’s support and tax credits to Riley is especially proud of the hotel, because she was make the property attractive to buyers and the hotel part of the original team that opened the hotel in 2007. reopened in 2007 with all its elegance restored. Readying for its extraordinary decade celebration, the The Skirvin Hilton is now owned by Marcus Hotels Skirvin has just had a $4.3 million renovation. Besides and Resorts, based in Milwaukee, Wis., and the Skirvin new mattresses, box springs and carpeting in guest
DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 ionOklahoma 19 rooms, the corridors on each floor have been updated, and the lobby and the bar have been redesigned. Except for a patch of original tile by the door, the flooring has been replaced with marble and granite. It goes well with the original patterned tile on the walls, which accents all the red – a salute to Perle Mesta’s favorite color – in the lobby area and the newly renovated Red Piano Bar. The lobby has been opened up. Comfortable chairs are placed throughout so waiting, or just people watching, can be relaxing. For those who want a bit of the Skirvin for their own, or those looking for a unique Christmas gift, a few of the original floor tiles are still available for sale for $50. For those wanting a bit more, combine the tile with a book detailing the history of the Skirvin for $100. All of the money made from selling the tiles and the books go to Positive Tomorrows, the only elementary school for homeless children. Along with the new look of the hotel, the Skirvin has a new executive chef. Aaron Miles comes to Oklahoma after working throughout the United States. “I really like it here,” Miles said as he stopped by for introductions. “The people here are so nice.”
Top, Mr. and Mrs. Dave Lopez with Mr. and Mrs. Jim Couch. Left. Guests at the Skirvin buffet. Lower left, Jim Couch and guest. Below, the pianist plays at the red piano.
20 ionOklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 Skirvin recently had a $4.3 million renovation. The interior has new marble and granite flooring, art, and elegant lighting.
Those looking for a unique Christmas gift, a few of the original floor tiles are still available for sale for $50. Or combine the tile with a book detailing the history of the Skirvin for $100.
DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 ionOklahoma 21 Skirvin employees gather in front of the Skirvin..
Anyone wanting to get into the a.m. to 2 p.m. is $49.95 for adults be open during all this serving the holiday spirit should check out a and $19.95 for children ages three bar menu and featuring live few events this month. through 10. There will be live entertainment. “Breakfast with Santa” is from entertainment and reservations are “The Skirvin is a great place to 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 17 in the required. start or finish your New Year’s Eve” hotel’s events space. The breakfast Have visitors coming in for the Riley said. “It’s a short walk to all buffet is $24.95 for adults and holidays? The Skirvin has a the Opening Night activities.” $15.95 for children. Santa and Mrs. “Cowboy Christmas Special.” For New Year’s Day, Park Avenue Claus and several of the elves will $159, guests get a room plus two Grill will have its Signature be visiting and will be happy to tickets to the National Cowboy and Breakfast Buffet from 7 a.m. to have their pictures taken. Western Heritage Center. 10:30 a.m. and Brunch from 11 a.m. Reservations are required. New Year’s Eve, make to 2 p.m. Christmas Eve and Christmas reservations for the three course To make reservations or for more Night the Park Avenue Grill will “Prelude to Victory” menu from 5 to information, call (405) 702-8444. have a three course Prix Fixe Menu 7 p.m. before the Thunder game for For room reservations or from 5 to 9 p.m. for $39.95 per $30 a person. Not going to the information online, visit person. Christmas Day the Grill will game? Make reservations for the www.skirvinhilton.com. The hotel have both a breakfast buffet and a four course Prix Fixe Menu from 7 has a Facebook page at The Skirvin three course lunch menu. to 11 p.m. It’s $75 a person. Hotel, or follow it on Twitter The Christmas Day Buffet from 11 Of course, the Red Piano Bar will @SkirvinHiltonOK. n
22 ionOklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017
S BUSINESS
CEO Funk makes major announcement Express employees to receive $5,000 for dependent care services
s a young mother whose child has life- threatening food allergies, Heather A Koontz of Oklahoma City worries daily about child care for her 17-month-old son, Russell. She and her husband, Byron, have opted for child care that is better equipped to care for kids with food allergies, which brings them piece of mind but comes at a higher price. The Koontz family is not alone in tackling the high price of dependent care. According to Child Care Aware of America, the annual cost of infant care in Oklahoma is $6,788. Oklahoma families on average pay 9.8 percent of the household income, compared to a single parent who pays nearly a third, 32.9 percent, for this type of care. Additionally, the organization reports that Express national sourcing specialist Floyd Brown, right, thanks Bob annual infant care in the Sooner state costs nearly as much Funk, CEO of Express, for the new $5,000 child care benefit program. As as a year of public college tuition. a father of four, child care is always a concern to Brown because the cost often outweighs the benefits. With child care and dependent care costs skyrocketing, Heather teared up when she heard that the CEO of the healthier place because I can now afford higher quality care company she works for came up with a unique plan to help for him, and I don’t have to worry every month that we will offset these out-of-control costs for its employees. have outrageous medical costs. We can store the extra income Heather is a senior writer at Express Employment Professionals. for the extremely pricy EpiPens.” “This unique program could be a life changer,” Funk said. Bob Funk Announces Unique Program “Cost for child care is expensive and oppressive. It is Express CEO and chairman of the board, Bob Funk, becoming more and more difficult for parents and single announced in November his intentions to help offset the rising parents to keep up with these ever-increasing costs. We want cost of health care to young families by offering regular full- to ease that financial burden for our employees.” time corporate employees up to $5,000 per dependent Express currently offers headquarters employees a flexible annually to help pay for dependent care services. spending account (FSA) where they can put money into the “Russell’s food allergies require constant monitoring and account for child care on a pre-tax basis. This program will constant care,” Heather said. “The news is a big deal for my work like the FSA, where the employee will submit receipts for family. For me, it gives me hope that my son will be in a safer, reimbursement. However, Express will pay for the reimbursement.
24 ion Oklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 Bob Funk makes an announcement at press conference.
No Other Company in the State up to the plate and providing a generous child care benefit Offers This Type of Plan program for their employees,” said Governor Mary Fallin. “I “Our HR staff called about 80 small, medium and large appreciate the strong commitment Express Employment companies in Oklahoma and to our knowledge, no other Professionals has made to Oklahoma and its employees. It is company in the state provides this type of plan,” Funk said. critical to invest in our workforce to ensure a robust economy “Most companies we talked to offer child care under the pre- and a prosperous Oklahoma.” tax cafeteria plan and a couple of employers offer on-site “Bob has created a culture of caring and family at Express,” daycare.” said Sam Fox, director of compensation and benefits. “His “The real cost of dependent care is much greater than the heart was heavy about how expensive child care is and he current tax code permits on a pre-tax basis,” said Jerry wanted to do something about it for his employees. So he did.” Edwards of Precision Administrators, Inc., who will be “Honestly, it could change lives, mine included,” Heather administering this innovative benefit program. “In our 39 said. “Young people don’t have copious amounts of money, years of administering benefits, I must say this is cutting- and I was thinking of other people in tight financial situations edge both from an employee benefit perspective and from a and how this benefit is going to help them. I think it shows perspective of simply caring for employees and expressing an that Bob means what he says when he talks about Express earnest desire to provide assistance over and above the being an avenue of hope for people. He really does want to recognized benefit found in today’s Cafeteria Plan legislation.” help people and give them hope.” “We have incredible team members at our international headquarters helping ensure our franchisees are successful in Health Check Screening Program matching job seekers and employers,” Funk said. “As a In addition to offering the dependent care program, the staffing company, we know how difficult it is to attract and staffing company announced a new health check screening retain valuable employees. This benefit is another way we can program that includes an annual full body scan for show value to our corporate employees; another way we can headquarters employees age 45 and older, as well as virtual take care of our Express family.” colonoscopies for employees age 50 and older every five years. Express has more than 770 offices in the U.S., Canada and Express Employment Professionals has a long-term goal to South Africa, including 30 locations in Oklahoma, and is put a million people to work annually. With the international committed to the vision of helping as many people as possible headquarters based in Oklahoma City, Express put a record find good jobs by helping as many clients as possible find 500,002 people to work in 2015 in a variety of industries. good people. The international headquarters is based in Express provides expertise in evaluation hire, temporary Oklahoma City and employs 247 staff members. staffing, professional search and human resources. n “I commend Express Employment Professionals for stepping
DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 ionOklahoma 25 COMMUNITY
More than 50 years later, Keep Oklahoma Beautiful going strong Anti-litter campaigns available for schools, communities
BY SANDI DAVIS
n a small office in a northwest Oklahoma Gov. Henry Bellman founded it in April, 1965, because First City office park, Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Lady Shirley Bellman took on a roadside beautification project. I makes big things happen. Her goal was not just to clean roadsides of trash and debris, but to go a step further. She wanted to plant wildflowers, Celebrating just over 50 years in operation, Keep Oklahoma perhaps following the plan First Lady Ladybird Johnson Beautiful’s mission is not just to clean roadsides and plant started in Washington, D.C., earlier that year. flowers, but to teach everyone the importance of recycling and Ladybird Johnson wanted “masses of flowers where masses how it benefits everyone. pass.” The first iteration of Keep Oklahoma Beautiful was The now non-profit has gone through many incarnations created under the Highway Department and it still operates while always keeping its mission on point. today with help from the Oklahoma Department of
26 ion Oklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 Left,Okeene Historic Preservation Group received recognition as a finalist. Below, guests examine items available in the auction.
and enhance the state’s natural beauty and ensure a healthy, sustainable environment,” said Executive Director Jeanette Nance in an interview on a chilly December afternoon. She lights up talking about the many and varied programs she and her staff oversee. The biggest event is part of the Great American Clean Up, the nation’s largest annual cleanup, beautification and community improvement program. KOB is one of only four Keep America Beautiful affiliates with 100 percent county participation, and Oklahoma has done it seven years in a row. More than 55,000 volunteers and participants cleaned and fixed up places and planted flowers to spruce up communities across the state. Any group that volunteers to do roadside cleanup receives free trash bags, water, safety vests and gloves. While all the work done is nice, the bottom line is the event, which runs from March to May. The event saved the state government $6.5 million, and people picked up 200 million pounds of litter. Registration for the 2017 Great American Clean Up started Dec. 14. Transportation (ODOT) and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). It always was, and will be, a part of Keep America Beautiful. At one point, KOB, as it’s known, existed in the offices of Governor George Nigh with help from his wife, First Lady Donna Nigh. There are eight boxes of letters and other paperwork from KOB’s time in his office, and it stayed, operated by the governor’s staff, until it could operate as a non-profit with offices outside government buildings. Today, the staff of three helps people, towns and cities do some amazing projects that promote a variety of programs all designed to make Oklahoma more a more beautiful place to live, and they do it funded by contributions, grants and performance contracts with corporate partners and state agencies. Like most non-profits, they have a board of directors made up of volunteers who guide their programs. “KOB’s mission is to empower Oklahoma citizens to preserve
DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 ionOklahoma 27 Attendees look at items they can bid on in the event auction.
One of their programs came about when a business owner noticed something while driving through the state. “Free Paint Days” was created when Joe Cox would drive down Main Streets in various towns and thought a few buildings could use a coat of paint. Cox owns HIS Paint. A plan formed and he came to KOB with an idea. He would donate paint to towns for buildings that needed a little facelift. The paints he donates are surplus, or ones returned, and he can have them mixed to make a variety of colors. ‘Before’ picture of the property before, came up with the “UnCapped” program Both public and private buildings are and one ‘After.’ The end of the year, Cox and keeps smiling as she tells the tale. eligible, but the privately owned selects his top three buildings and we “I was looking for a way to develop an buildings must be used for public put those up on our website and the education outreach program for events. They must be on a frequently public can vote on them. elementary and middle school aged traveled highways or on Main Street. “The winner gets $1,000, second children,” she recalled. “With a staff of A town can apply to receive up to 20 place gets $750 and third place gets three for 77 counties, it had to be gallons of paint. If approved, PSO will $250.” something that would make a give them a small stipend to use for The real creative events are those difference, but it also must be easy.” supplies. involving children from elementary, She got her answer when she walked “Joe goes through every application middle and high schools. inside Mayflower Congregational himself,” Nance said. “They send in a Nance smiles as she tells how she Church. “On the wall were huge pictures made from former bottle caps,” she said. “I knew it would work.” Elementary school children can compete in the “UnCapped” program. Fourth and fifth graders are able to create a mural using bottle caps, and the entire class writes an essay on the harmful effects of trash and littering. “Do Your Art” is aimed for 7th and 8th graders and is an upcycle project where students create a piece of art using recyclable materials. These students also must turn in a class-collaborative essay discussing what was learned
28 ionOklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 Auction items at Keep Oklahoma Beautiful function have become extremely popular.
time the bin is emptied at a recycling center, the company can let KOB know how much was in the bin. It adds up. This year more than 40,000 pounds of plastic and aluminum cans have been recycled. By making children aware of the problem litter can have, as they grow up they become more aware of recycling and its benefits for their community. Cities and towns can apply to be a DEQ Clean Community. This award about landfills. clip that tackles the litter issues and recognizes cities that participate, “We hope, as part of the project, illegal dumping. cooperate and/or collaborate in cleaning students visit their local landfills to “They are judged separately because up tire dumps, implementing measures learn what fills them up and how to stop it isn’t fair to judge the creation of high to stop illegal tire dumping and to that,” Nancy elaborated. school freshmen with college seniors,” encourage good environmental The top three entries in each project Nance explained. stewardship through service projects. are posted online and again the public Again, the top three projects are put For towns and cities that would like can vote on their favorite. online for public voting and the winning more training, they can join KOB’s The winning class gets a pizza party video in each category wins $750. Affiliate Program. For $150 a year they hosted by Nance and Mike Patterson, This contest is going on now and receive a by-monthly newsletter, director of ODOT. online voting for the videos starts at the chances to network with other Affiliate High School and college students do beginning of February. cities, have speakers come to their town the same projects, but are judged If a company is interested in recycling, and come to Oklahoma City once a year separately on the intensely creative job. they can apply for a “Lend a Bin” from for an Affiliates-only workshop and an “End Litter” asks students, alone or in KOB. Supplied by PepsiCo, the free blue afternoon of socializing and networking groups, to make a 25 to 40 second video bin is for cans and plastic only. Each with other members. The biggest event of KOB’s year is their “Environmental Excellence Celebration” awards and recognition banquet, held each November. The event gives the staff a chance to recognize outstanding projects and volunteers and to show everyone KOB’s accomplishments. For more information call KOB at (405) 286-9141 or check out its extensive website at www.keepoklahomabeautiful.com. n
DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 ionOklahoma 29 ART
Suzanne Mears: Glass Artist
BY TIM FARLEY
klahoma artist Suzanne Mears didn’t whimsical totems which have proven to be “good sellers” at give much thought to glass art, but the gallery. O then one day she woke up. “All of them have names,” she said. “That defines the fun. For me, glass has been very fun.” Literally, she opened her eyes one morning in 2002 and When she’s working for a client, the final products are thought “this is what I will do,” she recalled. typically large structural pieces. The difference between the From that point, she pursued her work with glass and she’s structural artwork and the totems keeps life interesting, she never looked back. The methods to her madness depend if said, admitting it can be a challenge, which is something she’s working for a client or designing a piece for herself. Mears thrives on. When Mears is working for herself, she manufactures “When you’re selling your work it’s easy to get trapped into a
Tropicana - Kiln formed glass, Aqua Seas Kiln formed glass, 24"h x 10"w x 6"deep. 17"h x 15" x 12"w
30 ion Oklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 particular pattern. You don’t expand your vision,” she said. It typically takes Mears two pots of coffee, a quick trip through the TV news channels and a look at her emails for the vision to crank up each day. “After all of that, I go into the studio and get started. Once you get in there and get your hand wet, it’s on,” she said. “You lose all track of time.” The medium she works with is considered warm glass, which reaches temperatures of 1,100 to 1,700 degrees. With five kilns in her studio, Mears uses all of them for different purposes. Unlike other art forms, imperfections in glass can be rectified or totally changed by creating a new piece of work. “You can take what you have, melt it down, use another mold and turn it into a different piece,” she said. “You never get bored with this stuff.” While she’s being creative, Mears also takes safety precautions when working. “If you fall with this stuff, it can be dangerous,” she said, a reference to the extreme temperatures used when creating Overlook - Oil and gold powders on canvas, 30" x 30"Oil paint colors glass masterpieces. used: Raw light ochre (Norma), Permanent Alizarim deep permanent “I love working with kiln formed glass for the technological (Sennelier), Crimson Lake (Sennelier), Antique Red (Sennelier), Venetian challenge of mastering kiln firing, the complexity of the Red Earth (d'IOtalia), French Ardoise Grey (Williamsburg), Warm Grey medium and the never ending possibilities of design, color (Sennelier), Cobalt Violet Deep (Williamsburg) VanDyke Brown (Windsor Newton), Cold Wax Medium (Williamsburg), Liquin, Gold powders, Camsol. and theme,” she wrote on her web site, www.suzannemears.com. “The joy of glass is the light which plays through the piece. As the time of day changes so does the art. It never stays exactly the same. It’s a delightful, challenging dance.” Working with glass is a tedious process that can take hours of labor. The process involves cutting the glass, putting it together and forming the design. The glass is later put into the kiln and may stay for various amounts of time, ranging from eight to 40 hours depending on the project. But don’t think Mears leaves the studio and watches afternoon soap operas or goes shopping at the local mall. She’s also a painter with a unique technique that doesn’t include brushes, but rather her hands. “Glass is active and is all about colors whereas paintings give me peace and tranquility,” she said, comparing the two art forms. Currently, her paintings are geared toward atmospheric landscapes. Using her hands instead of brushes, she works with a limited palette. The work she creates is based on memories, fantasy and freedom, said Mears, who was born Sunset Magic - Oil and Gold powders on canvas, 30" x 30"
DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 ionOklahoma 31 and educated in Iowa, later used a decade of global travel to develop a diary of ideas for her artwork. “When I paint, I always have something in mind,” she said. “I choose the colors and squeeze the paint out of the tubes onto the canvas.” She mixes in cold wax with the paint and allows it to soak onto the canvas while she works. After she’s finished, turpentine or mineral spirits is applied and allowed to dry overnight. “If I love what I created then I leave it alone,” Mears said. “If I don’t, I create a whole new painting. I may let it percolate for a couple of days, play with it some more and create a certain landscape mood. If I can’t get it I keep working until I do get it.”
Blue Glace' - Kiln formed glass sculpture, 12"h x 17"-14"w.
Gold Showers - Oil with gold powders on canvas, 60" x 60", 9500
Arabian Nights - Kiln formed glass sculpture on repurposed steel base, 16"h.
Apparently, Mears has made it work more often than not. Her work is collected and placed in private collections around the world. Mears’ creations have been purchased by buyers in Hong Kong, England, Scotland, Mexico and St. Croix. Currently, Mears’ work is in the Joseph Gierek Fine Art gallery in Tulsa, Howell Gallery in Oklahoma City, Pippin Contemporary gallery in Santa Fe, N.M., G Glass Gallery in Guthrie and Pez Gordo Gallery in Los Cabos, Baja Mexico. Born and educated in Iowa, Mears moved to Oklahoma in the 1970s, but it was a decade of traveling during the 1980s that gave her the genesis for her future creations. During those years, she traveled in Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Crete, Nepal, Tibet, China and Africa, according to her web site biography. In the 1990s, she lived in San Francisco for several years and later moved to the Colorado mountains before returning to Oklahoma City to make it her home base. n
32 ionOklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 The Bestselling Book by Kent Frates Oklahoma’s Most Notorious Cases Six cases that remain the talk of the courtroom
Oklahoma has had more than its share of sensational legal battles with national ramifications, but for the first time in one volume, attorney/historian Kent Frates reveals the facts behind six cases that helped shape the history of the state—and the nation.
From bloody murders, to political scandal, to the horrific act of domestic terrorism known as the Oklahoma City Bombing, OKLAHOMA’S MOST NOTORIOUS CASES captures the stories, the times, and the import of these landmark trials. Only $24 Read the book that inspired the serial Includes 16 pages podcast We Will Always Remember of historic photos! available at (RealMysteries.us | weekly Feb. 12 to April 23) Full Circle Bookstore, OKC Best of Books, Edmond Order now by visiting The Bookseller, Ardmore The Book Place, Broken Arrow www.OkMostNotoriousCases.com or calling toll free 877.536.7634 and Barnes & Noble ART “Birds and Beyond” A Perfect Gift for Bird Lovers
BY M. J. VAN DEVENTER
aurice R. Bebb was a florist in Muskogee for 38 M years until he discovered the magic of birds. Then, his life was never the same. It is fair to say he flew the coop of his popular downtown flower shop in 1951 and devoted his life to creating intricately detailed etchings of the birds and flowers he loved. Bebb inherited an interest in botany from his father, Robert Bebb, who founded Bebb’s Floral Company in 1910 in Muskogee. When he died in 1942, 30,000 of his floral specimens were donated to the University of Oklahoma where the Robert Bebb Herbarium is named in his honor. Maurice attended the University of Illinois and was the first person in the United States to receive a degree in floriculture. Following graduation in 1913, he returned to Muskogee to work in his father’s business. Maurice died in 1986 at the age of 95. His legacy is a beautiful new book, “Birds & Beyond ~ The Prints of Maurice R. Bebb.” It’s one of those gorgeous books ~ a catalogue raisonne — you want everyone to see on your coffee table. To say it’s exquisite is an understatement. It is the ultimate Christmas gift for those who love birds and the art of this fascinating species. Meadowlark, 1962. Images copyright the Estate of Maurice R. Bebb. Used with Bebb was quoted posthumously in a recent permission. All rights reserved.
34 ion Oklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 remind him which inks he used and which plates should be printed first or second,” Harbison said. “I especially remember the joy Mr. Bebb had for printmaking and how he was still working until a day or two before he died.” Having grown up in Muskogee during Bebb’s early etching days, I remember well Mr. Bebb’s fame because my mother was one of Bebbs’ competing florists. She greatly admired his talent and often said, “To own a Bebb print you can consider yourself a nature art connoiseur. “ My mother had one print: Pintail Duck, 1966. I coveted it. My younger sister got it in the distribution of my mother’s small estate. My sister found another print: Red-Eyed Vireos, 1963 for $5 at an estate sale. I was so grateful when Joy Reed Belt, owner of JRB Art at the Elms in Oklahoma City, gave me Maurice Bebb looks at his work. Photo courtesy of The Muskogee Phoenix. one of Bebb’s engravings, Indigo Bunting, as a thank you for Muskogee Phoenix article saying, “I wanted to draw and paint for years and years before I had the nerve to dirty a piece of paper.” Now, his book is being gift-wrapped in elegant tissue and ribbons as a perfect Christmas present for those fascinated by birds. The year 1951 was a pivotal turning point in Bebb’s life. He retired at age 60, turned his business over to a son and grandson and then, he flew in a new direction. He had no formal training for the retirement flight path he chose. With no knowledge of artistic etching, he forged his own route. He flew solo in printmaking, creating his own distinctive style of this intricate art form. Jim Harbison, a native of Muskogee who studied printmaking with Bebb and then began collecting his art, said even though Bebb had no formal training for the arduous process of multi-layered printmaking, he established a national reputation as an exceptional etcher. Bebb is quoted in the book as saying, “This is not a process for anyone in a hurry.” “Bebb worked tirelessly for four decades, creating more than 200 subjects, printing most of them in editions of 150 prints. He enjoyed the process of creating each print, Belted Kingfisher, 1954. Images copyright the Estate of Maurice R. Bebb. Used with keeping detailed notes on each piece to permission. All rights reserved.
DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 ionOklahoma 35 the panhandle- shaped boundaries of Oklahoma. No doubt, he would be surprised today about the value of his etchings. During his second career as a printmaker, he first painted local scenes, like his two-story home at 1234 Fondulac, once a prestigious address. He took his talent well beyond Oklahoma, sketching birds in Minnesota, where the Bebbs had a summer home, Colorado, Arkansas, Massachusetts, the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, and the Buckhorn Inn of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Europe beckoned, too. He visited and sketched his subjects in villages in Switzerland, England, Germany, Italy, Scotland, France, Sweden, Spain, Elba, an island in the Tyrrhenian Sea and Tawelfen, Wales, considered to be the ancestral Bebb home. Bebb participated in most of the important Bebb on porch. Photo courtesy of The Muskogee Phoenix. print societies of his day, including the Chicago some writing assignments I did for her. Society of Etchers, the Print Makers Society of California, the Bebb achieved national and international recognition for his Society of American Etchers and the Prairie Print Makers. All bird, landscape and travel prints during his lifetime. He of these societies hosted exhibitions and distributed their embraced the rigorous art of printmaking with a childlike members’ work around the country. Their work influenced a enthusiasm. He was so eager to learn all he could, while dramatic rise in the art of printmaking in early 20th Century developing his own unique methods for printmaking. America, according to Cori Sherman North, curator at the He began collecting bird prints in 1931, when he was a Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery in Lindsborg, Kansas. member of the Prairie Print Makers. He began etching plates Pomegranate Media published the catalog raisonne in in 1943 while World War II was still raging and art trends were conjunction with an exhibition of Bebb’s art at the Birger shifting rapidly. He had his first show in 1949, two years Sandzen, which closed Oct. 31. before committing the rest of his life to printmaking. Ron Michael, the Birger Sandzen Gallery Director, notes in In the book, Bebb is quoted as saying, “Upon my retirement the book’s foreword: “When I first viewed Bebbs’ prints, I was I had enough saved so I have never needed the income from especially taken with his keen bird imagery. They transported my etchings. I gave it all to my married daughters. I don’t me back to the days of leafing through Birds of North America: know why I work so hard at age 88 but I think it is mostly A Guide to Field Identification with my grandparents. What the because I enjoy having people like my art ~ buy it and hang it. field guide identified for me, Bebb has brought to life and Perhaps it is just that I was trained to work and can’t stop.” made art.” He was a prolific and passionate printmaker, in spite of numerous health challenges ~ a heart condition and bone WHERE TO BUY THE BOOK cancer. His art was never about money. His widow. Kappa, The book is available through Amazon or local book stores. once said, “His ability to sketch came as natural as Pomegrantae Media plans a series of note cards and calendars breathing. He was a fascinating man and I would not have for 2017-2018 featuring Bebb’s art. His prints are currently missed him for the world.” available online at mauricebebbprints.com Bebb gained international fame as a printmaker, far beyond
36 ionOklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 ART
American Indian female artists’ work showcased
Paintings, drawings and ceramics by well-known American Indian female artists are being showcased through Feb. 28 at three separate locations in Oklahoma.
“Vivid: A Showcase of American Indian Female Artists” features artwork from MaryBeth Timothy, Rhonda E. Williams, America Meredith, Anita Fields, April Holder and Melissa Melero-Moose. Their work is powerful and strong, embracing the centuries-old tradition of American Indian women creating visual art intertwined with spirituality, life, culture and beauty.
Exhibit C, Oklahoma City America Meredith has exhibited her paintings internationally and has work in major public collections including those of the National Museum of the American Indian and Cherokee National Historical Society. As a member of the Cherokee Nation, she’s inspired by the native language and oral history, medieval European illuminated manuscripts and TV cartoons of her youth. Anita Fields, a member of the Osage Nation, is a published artist with exhibits both nationally and internationally. Her work incorporates the use of textures and abstracted traditional patterns to form a symbolic representation of cultural memory and ideology. April Holder was surrounded by creativity while growing up. Her paintings are influenced by her mother’s beadwork, her uncle’s draftsmanship and the traditional talents of her grandmother. She works with a variety of mixed media, including thread and fabrics, and has been featured in distinguished art shows throughout the U.S. Melissa Melero-Moose is a mixed-media visual artist and a Northern
Top, “Woman Corn” by Anita Fields. Above, “Cedar and Willow” by Melissa Melero-Moose.
DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 ion Oklahoma 37 Paiute enrolled with the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe. She grew up surrounded by artisan family members in Nevada and California, from painters to beadwork artists, taking inspiration from all mediums. Her award-winning work closely integrates nature, landscape and personal experience.
Chickasaw Visitor Center, Sulphur MaryBeth Timothy, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, finds inspiration from her love of nature and her heritage to create award-winning multimedia art pieces. Passionate about helping to preserve her native culture through art, Timothy loves to paint both traditional and Clockwise from above: contemporary images that tell a “Medicine Bird” by MaryBeth Timothy, story. “Josephine” by America Meredith, “Ah Piece” by April Holder, and Chickasaw Nation “Graceful Flight” by Rhonda E. Williams Welcome Center, Davis Rhonda E. Williams is an award- winning artist from the Otoe Missouria Tribe. She developed her distinctive artistic style by contrasting tribal designs and various contemporary art forms. Her paintings often incorporate acrylics, clay, bone beads, horse hair and various other textures. For more information on Native American art exhibits and locations, go to www.chickasawcountry.com.
38 ionOklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017
PEOPLE Helen Ford Wallace The Ultimate Party Girl BY M. J. VAN DEVENTER
elen Ford Wallace never met a party she didn’t like. She’s also never H attended a bad party. In her social vocabulary, there’s no such thing. She’s best known for her portrayals of parties in Oklahoma City that range from private dinner parties to large gala events that benefit local charities. Her “Parties Extra” column in The Oklahoman reflects the social history and entertaining trends of Oklahoma Cityans. “I love the party beat because Oklahoma people are so happy and kind and have great stories to tell about parties,” she says. Helen has made a fabulous career of attending parties. She started working for The Oklahoman as a teen correspondent, covering high school social events. Actually, her mother made an early impact on her about gracious entertaining. “She always cut flowers from her garden to use as centerpieces for her events. I grew up as an only child and often went to adult parties with my parents,” she recalls. She began working full time for the paper in 1962, as a writer in the women’s section, then headed by Joan Gilmore, who also loves parties. “She sent me to a couple of parties to write about and it was fun,” Helen notes, and as they say, the rest is history.
Helen Ford Wallace with Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman, at Oklahoma Hall of Fame banquet.
40 ion Oklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 Judi Feyer and Helen Ford Wallace at the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame in October.
All the holidays, especially Christmas, provide excellent themes and decorations but Helen is partial to February 14, Valentine’s Day. She says, “I think that day provides so much in the way of hearts and flowers for a party. Hearts can be on invitations, all over the house, in the centerpiece and on food trays.” She fondly remembers her favorite party as the Larry Nichols Beaux Arts Ball King Party. “Polly and Larry lit up the Oklahoma “When I started attending parties people at the party, enjoy the food and City Golf and Country Club. Everything with great themes, I got ideas for my drink and get to have a good time with was lighted ~ the dance floor, the table own parties when I saw what other the people who invited them.” bases, centerpieces, even the drink people were doing. That’s why I often Helen also believes “Oklahomans glasses and ice cubes. It made me include menus and flower arrangement have a special flair for entertaining. happy to see all those lights,” she says. details in my stories, just in case it They use their genuine personalities to Having covered parties for more than might help someone with their welcome people to their parties. They half a century, she has witnessed many planning,” she adds. have a knack for making their guests changes on the party circuit. Her party coverage expanded in 1978, feel special and be glad you’ve arrived.” “The themes are more refined now,” when she started writing about Oklahoma City events and some state parties. “I’ve never stopped doing that,” she notes, crediting Kelly Dyer Fry, the Oklahoman editor, and Matt Price, features editor, as great people to work for because they love a great party, too. What makes a great party? Helen believes good parties require thoughtful hostesses who are committed to seeing that their guests are comfortable. “That means the guests meet other
Helen Ford Wallace and Justin Edwards and Genea Vallion from Trochta’s Flowers and Green Houses at The Oklahoman’s video studio for a Parties Extra! web cast.
DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 ionOklahoma 41 she notes. “Hosts spend a lot of time Chickasaw Nation’s Te Ata movie at the served hot for the guests. Helen loved thinking of the perfect theme for the Warren Theater in Moore. The other was the 30’s style theme, including rum bride, the birthday person or the a party in Wheeler Park, hosted by cocktails, jitterbugging on the dance honoree. Flowers are still an integral Ludivine Restaurant and the Wheeler floor, cocktail tables and velvet couches part of a theme and sometimes a floral District,” she notes. on the park grounds. Guests wore 30’s staff helps figure out the style fashions to complement best and most creative the theme. flower arrangements. Many What would be Helen’s of the parties also perfect party if she were the incorporate music in some host? form ~ a piano player, full It’s no surprise that Helen band, a trio or chamber has accumulated a vast music. That’s a nice treasure of clippings and touch.” memories from parties past Helen sees the theme as and present ~ a big box of a great party asset, since stories she’s written that give it allows a hostess to add her ideas for future parties. If a lot of their decorating she hosted the perfect party ideas. she says, “It would be at my “I’ve also been to home with lots of good food, beautiful parties that drinks, flowers and music. didn’t have a theme and I There would be big party enjoyed every minute of favors for everyone and people those, too,” she notes. would be able to sit down and Many of the non-profit talk to all the guests around events have a built-in them.” theme, such as the Annie Jose Freede and Joan Gilmore, seated, and Helen Ford Wallace, In Helen’s party notebook, Oakley Society luncheons at standing, at party. she says, “Any time you’re at a the National Cowboy & Western Heritage The Te Ata after-party featured the gathering of people, it feels like a party. Museum. stars of the movie, including a beautiful People in Oklahoma City love to get “It is amazing the ways this group of spirit dog. The great decorations were together. We are blessed to be able to women figure out a new theme each year Indian canoes with floral centerpieces enjoy such companionship.” that goes along with the western ideals and tall bamboo reeds, leaves and Just in case you’re watching your and people they are honoring. This year, wheat and an ice sculpture with the mailbox for an invitation to Helen’s one of the honorees was the manager of Chickasaw Nation seal. Party favors perfect party or another social event, the Mars Exploration Program and had a included a Bedre chocolate bar and a while you wait you can watch “Parties notable career at NASA. The theme hand-crafted drum made by the Extra” on NewsOK. Helen notes, “We featured planets and silver spheres in Chickasaw artisans. The wrist bands, have a weekly web cast where we the floral centerpieces and a dessert of napkins, popcorn bags and cups interview people who are in charge of cake balls and edible stars in a vanilla featured Te Ata’s name. local events. They tell about the event Milky Way sauce,” she recalls. The Wheeler Park event featured a and often share their own fascinating Helen has recently been to two ferris wheel ride during dinner. Chefs party stories. I love to hear about local spectacular parties. cooked the four-course meal right next people and their parties.” n “One was the cast party after the to the ferris wheel so the food would be
42 ionOklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017
COMMUNITY
MaRK yOuR CalendaR for one of Oklahoma City’s special finale countdown complete with the traditional favorite celebrations, Opening night, presented Opening Night ball and one of the state’s largest by MidFirst Bank and devon energy, as the city fireworks shows. boasts a thrilling evening of music, comedy, magic, and fireworks to ring in the new year. In 2015, The whole family will find something to enjoy at Opening 75,000 people celebrated with some of the best Night. Children can create festive art projects in the talent in the state at Opening night. Children’s Area now located inside the Civic Center Hall of Mirrors. Performers include some of Oklahoma’s best Opening Night 2017 is Saturday, Dec. 31 from 7 p.m. to and brightest stars like Jabee, L.T.Z., Moetowne Alex and midnight with exhilarating performances across four the Nightview Band, and Orquesta d’Calle. There’s more venues on six stages in downtown Oklahoma City. than music, as spectators can catch the unicycling antics of Michael King and laugh at the impromptu The countdown to midnight will be at Bicentennial Park comedy of the OKC Improv group. and will be loaded with entertainment from headliner David Bruster and The Walkabouts, a fun pop band Before the festivities kick-off at 7 p.m., participate in the influenced by the sounds and spirit of New Orleans. As 4th annual Finale 5K presented by INTEGRIS. This festive the midnight hour approaches, revelers will enjoy a 5K run will begin at 4 p.m. at the Finale site, starting at Colcord Drive in Bicentennial Park. All runners receive an Opening Night wristband and a chance to win original works of art. The most festively dressed runner will receive a prize as well. Early registration ends December 14 and is $30.
An Opening Night wristband allows attendees into all the venues. Wristbands are $8 in advance or $10 at the event, with children five and under admitted free. Wristbands are available beginning December 1 at 7-Eleven Stores of Oklahoma, MidFirst Bank locations, Oklahoma City Museum of Art, and on Art Council Oklahoma City’s website.
Opening Night is produced by Arts Council Oklahoma City. Co-chairs are Kristy Boone and Tyler Bolton. n BUSINESS First Liberty Bank Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Unitholders
irst liberty Bank gathered at Gaillardia Above, Bob Funk, Janine Regier, Barry Switzer, Becky Switzer with First Country Club earlier this fall for a 10th Liberty Bank President & CEO Joey Root anniversary celebration. F attendance were bank founders Barry Switzer and Hunter Guests were treated to dinner, dancing and a photo booth at Miller, as well as board member Bob Funk. Unable to attend the Art Deco-themed event. Decorated in black and white and was bank founder and entertainer Toby Keith. accented with silver glitter and feathers, the country club’s “I am really excited to be celebrating the tenth anniversary ballroom was dazzling for the 150 guests. of First Liberty Bank. We are so proud of what our family of Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Joey Root bankers has been able to accomplish together,” said Root. addressed the gathering and shared rarely-seen photos of the “We have something really special here and I think customers early beginnings of the bank. FLB is on the site of the original recognize that and want to be a part of it. We are grateful to Jackie Cooper BMW dealership in The Village and in its our unitholders who have been on this journey with us, and earliest days created offices in the former showroom. providing them with an increasing return on a growing asset Among the many notable guests and unitholders in will remain a top priority.” n
46 ion Oklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 Top left, First Liberty Bank guests Slater and Hunter Miller. Top right, First Liberty Bank Employees: Trevor Brooks, Ladye Hobson and Judy Williams. Photos provided by Kathy Bentley Above, Original First Liberty Bank Management Team: Tammy Boatman, Joey Root, Tammie Garrison and Sandy Bracken.
DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 ionOklahoma 47 TRAVEL
La Fonda On the Plaza is the only hotel directly on Santa Fe’s famous plaza. It’s an easy walk to the open-air Native American art market or the many stores and art galleries and the famous Loreto Chapel.
La Fonda on the Plaza A look back in time combined with modern trends
BY SANDI DAVIS
eave Oklahoma City, take an eight hour allowing collectors and tourists a chance to own their art, drive west and then north and you’ll find ranging from jewelry to exquisitely woven rugs in all price L Santa Fe, n.M., tucked into the Sangre ranges. de Christo Mountains. The other three sides of the square are full of art galleries, This scenic city is especially worth a look during all sorts of high end stores plus a beloved Woolworths where Christmastime, when luminaria candles line Artist Road and you can get a Frito Chili Pie made in the Frito bag, T-shirts, The Plaza. hats, sundries and so much more, ground zero for tourists and The perfect place to stay, whatever the season, is La Fonda residents alike who need something in a hurry. On the Plaza, a historic hotel full of rustic charm, great food No matter how you find yourself in the plaza, make some and drinks and an art collection any museum would be proud time to visit La Fonda On the Plaza, walk the meandering to have. hallways, stop in for a cup of coffee or a margarita and visit The whole city, actually, is full of art, especially American the many little shops inside the hotel. Indian Tribal art. The hotel’s site goes back centuries. There are reports of an Each day, tribal artists line up hoping to get a space on the inn back in the 1600s, making its site the oldest hotel corner side of the plaza reserved solely for them and their work. in America. Their pieces are spread on rugs covering the ground, In 1821, Capt. William Becknell completed the first
48 ion Oklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 successful trading trip between Missouri to Santa Fe, the It 2014, longtime family friend and current Chairman of the traders found a comfortable inn – or Fonda – on the plaza Board, Jennifer Kimball purchased the hotel with her brother when they arrived. It then became part of the Santa Fe Trail. Philip Wise and investment firm Cienda Partners. During this time it housed trappers, soldiers, gold seekers, In 2013 La Fonda On the Plaza finished its most significant gamblers and politicians, changing hands and names several room renovations since the 1920s. Detailed studies were times but always serving as a hotel. made of the original building plans and the aesthetics of The current La Fonda was built in 1922. In 1925 the original designer Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter. building was acquired by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe The new design keeps the feel of the original hotel while Railroad, who leased it to hotelier Fred Harvey, who used the including fresh, modern touches. hotel as a celebrated Harvey House. With the exception of the Terrace luxury rooms and suites, The hotel we see today combines distinctive Old West all guest rooms got new lighting, floor coverings and traditions with contemporary luxury and a convenient location. handcrafted furnishing, new energy efficient casement La Fonda’s influences use the work of famed architects John windows, state-of-the-art temperature controls and sound Gaw Meem and Southwest architect and designer Mary insulation, updated plumbing, electrical and communication Elizabeth Jane Colter. It is a popular site for weddings, systems. meetings and vacations. If you’re staying in the hotel, look at the way your bedstead The hotel has a AAA Four Diamond rating and is a member is painted, the hangings in your rooms, but especially the art of Historic Hotels of America and the National Trust for on the walls. Each piece of art is original, not only in your Historic Preservation. In 2015 it was added to the Historic room, but throughout the hotel. Santa Fe Foundation’s Register of Properties Worthy of La Fonda On the Plaza finished its three-tiered renovation in Preservation. May with the updating of La Plazuela restaurant, the lobby It stayed a Harvey House until 1968, when the hotel was and public spaces. In addition, two new handicap-accessible, bought by local businessman Sam Ballen and his wife Ethel. family friendly restrooms were added on the first and second
La Plazuela Restaurant in La Fonda On the Plaza is a wonderful stop on any visit to Santa Fe. Its updated menu and custom Tequila brand combine make looking at the art surrounding the restaurant a wonderful way to relax. Also pay a visit to the bar which has been restored to its original horseshoe shape.
DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 ionOklahoma 49 floors. La Fonda’s art collection features some of the finest examples of New Mexican style throughout the hotel’s history. They are scattered throughout the hotel and the best way to see many of them is to book a free docent-led art tour through the concierge desk, Wednesdays through Sundays at 10:30 a.m. If you miss the tour, grab an art guide at the front desk or buy “In Every Room: A Story of the Art,” a book highlighting a few of the pieces and their stories. If you have a few hours and like tequila, try to book a bartender to give you a tasting lesson of the unique tequila served in the hotel. The Herradura Brand is still made in Amatitan, Jalisco, Mexico, though it’s owned by U.S. beverage maker Brown- Forman. The bar serves several varieties of the tequila and will be happy to give you a tasting menu and let you decide what you’ll be using in your drinks from then until you leave. The hotel we see today combines distinctive Old West traditions with contemporary luxury and a convenient location. To keep your stay and the hotel fresh in your memories, or to share it with people who will enjoy it as well, or to fill out your Christmas shopping list, buy a copy of the hotel’s newest souvenir, the book, “La Fonda: Then and Now.” The book includes photographs of the hotel taken in the same places – interior and exterior — year after year, showing the changes, as well as images of the art hanging throughout La Fonda. Each chapter features a different contributing writer – each with a unique attachment to the hotel – who write essays about their favorite things, including the art, architecture, weddings and more. “La Fonda: Then and Now” is $55 and is a coffee table-sized book. To purchase the book, to make reservations or Each bed headboard in the hotel is hand painted and are one-of-a-kind. The rooms for more information, call (505) 988-1404 or at La Fonda on the Plaza also vary by the year they were added. A few rooms on the (800) 523-5002. Check their website at first floor go back to the days when the hotel was part of the Harvey House chain. www.lafondasantafe.com/. n
50 ionOklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017
ART WIMMER TAPPED FOR
52 ion Oklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 PRESTIGIOUS HONOR
Artist in Residence at the Historic Skirvin
BY M. J. VAN DEVENTER
hen Mike Wimmer reflects on the inspirations that led him to a highly successful career as an artist/ W illustrator, he traces his early influences back to the books his mother provided for him to read.
“My mom taught me to read at an early age and I found escape in the stories and imagery,” Wimmer recalls. “But I wanted to create my own world and copied many of my favorite comic books and book illustrators. The only other career I had a dream of was to become a professional football player.” “I was deeply impressed with the classic adventure stories such as Treasure Island and especially those books with the illustrations of N.C. Wyeth and Howard Pyle, two of the nation’s best known illustrators,” he notes. The dream to be an artist prevailed throughout high school, where he excelled in both academics and athletics. By high school graduation, he knew he would study art in college. Recently, Wimmer was named the fifth Artist in Residence for the historic Skirvin-Hilton Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City. It is a year-long honor that Wimmer says, “will open a new opportunity for me, being downtown with exposure to such a diversity of subject matter.” The artist for this honor is chosen by the Paseo Arts Association. It also will fulfill a desire Wimmer has dreamed of for quite a while. An Edmond resident, he says, “Driving into the city, one sees men and women on major street corners holding up signs for help. Many are in situations they did not plan on. Seeing their pleas for help with the willingness to work for that help led me to my own personal question: “what do I work for?” Wimmer notes, “I started asking friends and colleagues, and sometimes strangers, ‘what do they work for?’ He pondered the question: ‘what are we willing to sacrifice our precious time and talents for?’ So, he started a project where he’s painting people carrying all kinds of makeshift signs that state their personal sacrifices or needs. One sign truly touched Wimmer. It stated: “Will work to build a better future for my family.” It was written by a construction worker who moved to Oklahoma City
DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 ionOklahoma 53 Mike Wimmer in his studio. from California after being a gang member. “I made numerous trips to see the incredible talent “Humanity has always been my favorite subject to displayed there. It was my first opportunity to see paint. I am enamored with the expressions of the artists I would one day become friends with ~Johnny human face and the gestures of the human form,” Tiger, Enoch Kelly Haney, Benjamn Harjo and others.” Wimmer notes. He believes providence changed the direction of his As the Skirvin’s artist-in-residence, Wimmer says, “I’ career while he was attending the University of know I’ll be in a fishbowl of sorts, with glass walls all Oklahoma and majoring in art, a path his mother had around me so people can view me while I work. It’s a suggested might be better served by a more practical personal responsibility to always put my profession in a choice ~ like law or medicine. good light. I feel a professional responsibility to the He was a sophomore at OU and was dissatisfied with Skirvin for giving me this opportunity and this stage to the art program. A professor, Roger Huebner, create my body of work.” recognized Wimmer’s talent and asked his assistance As Wimmer discusses his artistic career, he recalls on several of his projects. how he approached class assignments in junior high “When I confessed my frustration with OU’s art and high school by illustrating everything from math to program, he established an internship for me to work history reports. Then, as a budding artist, he discovered with Don Ivan Punchatz at his Sketchpad Studio in the Five Civilized Tribes Museum in his hometown of Arlington, Texas and receive college credit,” Wimmer Muskogee. recalled.
54 ionOklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 “This was probably the greatest authentic, nostalgic approach to all Vernon. One reviewer wrote of career boost of my life,” Wimmer of his children’s book illustrations. George, “These stunning reveals. “Getting to work with a Western Writers of America named illustrations lend an epic gravitas to professional artist/illustrator and the Will Rogers book “the best the narrative. We see Washington as experience how he solved his visual children’s book” in the juvenile a baby, a young boy studying, a problems, reseached solutions, category of their 2003 awards young man working as a surveyor, a promoted himself as an artist, presentation. Wimmer’s portrait of soldier, a married man, a general priced his work, dealt with Will Rogers now hangs in the and a statesman.” copyright issues and understood the library of the Will Rogers Memorial The book was a finalist in the lifestyle of a working artist was Museum in Claremore. 2015 Oklahoma Center for the Book invaluable. Wimmer and Keating’s book, awards program. This was boot camp for Wimmer’s George, debuted on the 200th Other book collaborations with future career. anniversary of George Washington’s Keating include Theodore, about Reflecting on that experience, birthday, with a gala party at Mount the life of former President Wimmer says, “That experience set me up for success. When I came back to Oklahoma to begin my career as a professional illustrator I often found myself educating my clients about copyright rules and intellectual property rights.” Since 1987, Wimmer has been allied with a New York public relations firm, Mendola Ltd., an affiliation that led him to incredible success with Disney. He created the movie posters for Mr. Destiny, starring Jim Belushi and Michael Caine, the sound track for The Lion King and The Lion King Two as well as the creative style guides for The Hunchback of Notre Dame. If you drink tea, look for his packaging designs for Celestial Teas. Forty of his paintings depicting historical subjects hang in the Oklahoma State Capitol. Recently, Wimmer has become better known for his illustrations in children’s books, especially covers. Will Rogers: An American Legend was among the first of several books Wimmer illustrated with former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating. Wimmer uses a Norman Rockwell
Mike Wimmer in his studio. Wimmers. Photo by Charlie Neuenschwander
a Tulsa shopping center played a role in one of the illustrations for All The Places To Love. My son and daughter have posed, too,” he says. “I try to be sensitive to the needs of each project.” Wimmer has never regretted his decision to be an artist. He says, “I followed my grandfather’s advice. He said if I did what I loved I would excel and be richly compensated for it. He was right.” And what about that high school Theodore Roosevelt, Home Run ~ sure the plane’s proportions would desire to be a professional football The Story of Babe Ruth, and The be accurate on canvas. player? Wimmer says it was easy Trial of Standing Bear, the ultimate “My models are often my own not to follow that path. He says, victory that began the long struggle family members,” Wimmer notes. “The overwhelming problem was, for civil rights for Native “A friend became Babe Ruth for genetically, I picked the wrong size Americans. Wimmer illustrated Home Run. A grandmother I met at parents.” n Flight ~ the Story of Charles Lindbergh One Great Leap ~ The Story of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin and their historic trip to the moon in 1969, written by Robert Burleigh. For Wimmer, each day at his easel is a new adventure, often filled with surprises and challenges. Part of his time is spent serving as a Distinguished Visiting Artist and Gallery Director for Oklahoma City University’s art program. The rest of the time, he’s at his easel, with paint brush in hand. Each illustration begins with thumbnail sketches that help him assess his client’s needs or wishes for the project. Meticulous research follows. For the Charles Lindbergh book, he built a scale model of the Spirit of St. Louis plane and recreated a full-scale cockpit to be
A young man models for an illustration.
56 ionOklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017
HOLIDAY
Sensitive Santa’s Special Magic
BY MINDY RAGAN WOOD
anta makes room in his heart for all children, and that includes little ones with special challenges. Sometimes S referred to as “Sensitive Santa,” or “Safe Santa,” he descended in malls across Oklahoma just for them. ION Oklahoma Magazine caught up with Santa at the Shawnee Mall where he and his elves made sure every child got a chance to tell Santa what they want for Christmas.
Knowing these children need a little extra care, members of Autism Shawnee. Kena Utter of the Shawnee Mall made a special time for families Autism Shawnee said Sensitive Santa to see Santa on December 4. helped her son enjoy his visit. With reduced lighting, less “I slipped Santa a note about a few sound and the ability to wait things he liked, to get him to warm up without standing in line, to him. He spent as long as he needed children with sensory and with him while also visiting with siblings! movement differences were able I was greatly impressed. Snacks and crafts to approach Santa without were also stress free and it was a great environmental stress. In particular, experience. Pictures were adorable!” children diagnosed with Autism Mother Kerry Ingersoll said, “It was our Spectrum disorders can be first picture with Santa without tears overstimulated due to extremely and a red face.” sensitive hearing and vision. Santa can be scary for young Shawnee Mall Marketing Director, children, but especially sensitive Mindy Palmer explained. “There’s more children who face a world that doesn’t always seating. They have full run of the court. The make sense to them. Palmer said last year she overhead lights are off. Instead of standing in had parents from Kansas and Arkansas and one line, parents receive a number and get an index mother in particular was shocked. She was card. They can write if their child is non-verbal skeptical but hopeful as her son relied on an or has some other need. Santa gets the card iPad while in public. before he sees the child.” “As soon as he heard Santa say, ‘Ho,ho,ho,’ Volunteers assisted with the event, including he dropped the iPad and ran to him,” said
DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 ionOklahoma 59 Palmer. Santa’s Chief Executive Elf (CEE), Kristin, said another mother brought her son and told them he wouldn’t hug or talk to Santa. “I said, ‘Well, we’ll go at his pace.’ I was playing with him and that boy bee-lined to Santa and hugged him. She was on the floor, shocked to see that. She was crying, but it was tears of joy.” Santa agreed to talk to reveal a few of his secrets to help these children feel safe and comfortable. “Each child has their own special gifts, and that is what we try to recognize and appreciate,” he said. During this time with sensitive children, Santa follows the child. Some sit on his lap, some beside him. Some chose to sit or lay on the floor. Others communicate while doing an activity like reading or coloring with Santa. “The Santa team sees all children as equally special. All children show their excitement in different ways. Maybe this is the magic of Christmas!” he exclaimed. He also loves to see overjoyed parents who, in some cases, have never felt comfortable bringing their child to him before. “Parents enjoy seeing their children enjoy the magic of Christmas as much as the children do. For the Santa team, this is a rewarding experience. It is our goal to make these magical moments as special for the parents as the children.” In a world divided by prejudice, politics, and misunderstanding, Santa hopes the world can get better starting with the children who will be the future. “Santa loves all children unconditionally. I love to see each child’s special gifts and talents. Our hope is that other children will see that it is OK for them to love all children like we do.” n
60 ionOklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017
PEOPLE
Nextgen Under 30 Award Honors Mark Costello First recipients named at 2016 awards banquet
BY GARLAND MCWATTERS
he first two recipients of the Mark young leaders recognized at the sixth annual NextGen Under Costello Spirit award were announced at 30 recognition banquet. This is the first year the program T the 2016 nextGen under 30 awards reached a statewide audience. NextGen Under 30 started in banquet, november 18 at the Cox 2011 by iOn Oklahoma magazine to recognize young leaders Convention Center in Oklahoma City. from central Oklahoma in their twenties who are having a Patrick Conlon, assistant director of the Academy of impact on their workplaces and in their communities. Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma, Although from different backgrounds, Conlon and Alexander and Ta’Na Alexander, a genetic research technician at the have similar advice for young adults about building their Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, received the award careers: take action on your dreams and don’t let your inner presented by Anna-Marie Costello, daughter of the late voice or discouragement from critics stop you. Oklahoma Labor Commissioner. “Just do it,” Conlon advises his students, “ You just need to Commissioner Costello was an early supporter of the make art. And you need to do it until you are good enough that NextGen Under 30 program and delivered the keynote at the people are willing to pay you for it. “ 2013 awards banquet. Anna-Marie is a Alexander credits her mother with member of the 2013 NextGen Under 30 encouragement to go for what she class. wanted. The two recipients embody the “You don’t always need to know what diversity represented in Oklahoma’s the outcome is. You don’t always have population. Conlon, a native Canadian, to know the answers to what is the immigrated with his parents when he possibility to something and just take was 12. He received his U.S. citizenship that leap for it.” in 2012. Alexander, a member of the Her face lights up with a broad smile Choctaw Nation, hails from Dibble, OK, and a twinkle in her eyes when talking and is a lifetime resident of Oklahoma. about her mother’s encouragement to Conlon and Alexander were among 296 ask for what she wanted. “The worst they can say to you is, Patrick Conlon, assistant director of the Academy of ‘no,’” her mother would say. Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma Alexander said it was that
62 ion Oklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 Patrick Conlon, center, with Christina Giacona and Rob Bradshaw themselves for years or decades, and that’s what it takes. “ Alexander thought it important to honor her Choctaw heritage so she learned the Choctaw language. “That’s something that has been really diminished over the last one hundred years, so for me personally to know the language and to see that it can come back and that it’s not just dead with our elders is something that I hold dear to my heart,” she said. She also says she does not regret taking so long to settle on determination that helped her get her current assignment at a professional course of study. Alexander holds four the OMRF, which was not available when she applied. certifications in business processing, child development, fine “They never said no but they said not right now. I would just arts, and emergency medical technician-B. Each has provided contact them once every couple of months and say how’s that skills and experiences on which she can build. position looking, and finally after a year’s time I accepted the Both speak to the need to express themselves in their position. Working in a biomedical research facility as an careers and interests. Conlon has been called a genre-busing undergrad is a huge honor in itself.” musician. But to Conlon that’s another way of saying create Conlon tells his students to dive into their compositions and your own normal. He passes it off by saying genre-busting is don’t worry about what people will think of it. whatever your normal is. “I tell my students to just write. There is no your sound “I grew up listening and playing classical and rock and pop unless there’s product. You don’t know what’s going to come was my normal. I think every time you get a new generation, out, and whatever you write is going to sound like you because you get a new normal for that generation.” it’s you writing it,” he said. Alexander’s new normal is stepping out into a joint Both Conlon and Alexander are familiar with hard work and entrepreneurial venture with Daniel Brackett, a collector of persistence. Conlon stresses continual improvement. Native American art. They are opening a new gallery featuring He advises, “Practice and practice to improve.” Native American art coming soon to the Oklahoma City Paseo Conlon says he practices diligently on the fundamentals, Arts District. spending time with scales and other basics. Listen to individual podcasts with Patrick Conlon and Ta’Na “Anyone you see who has made it, they’ve been daily improving Alexander at the Spirit of Leading podcast site www.inpoweredtolead.com/podcasts. n (Left to Right) Ta'Na in lab; Ta'Na holding the what if message; Anna Marie Costello presents the Mark Costelleo Spirit Award to Ta'Na Alexander and Patrick Conlon.
DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 ionOklahoma 63 PEOPLE
Investing in the Millennial Generation is Important to Oklahoma’s Future
BY DON SWIFT
here were about 1,200 winners and supporters in the room that night. I T hope you enjoyed the speakers as much as I did. But we want to make 2017’s event even better, and we will be asking you questions in an upcoming survey designed to gain your feedback about the event—what did you like, what can we do better next year. We’ll send you a report on the survey and share our conclusions with you. Our goal in 2017 is to increase ongoing participation in the program by all the winners—and there are roughly 500 NextGen Under 30 winners from the six past years. Please look for the survey next week. Photos from the Day at the Capitol (in Gallery 5) and the Awards Dinner and Ceremony are available in ionOklahoma Award ceremony winners and their guests.
64 ion Oklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 Magazine galleries at this link: It is very encouraging to see so many talented Oklahomans http://www.ionok.com/photo-galleries/?f=1&u=1388&slug= under 30, just flying under the radar. Our mission is to provide Again, thank you for making this year’s competition a these young people with certain recognition early in their success! careers and encourage them to stay in Oklahoma. As a native November 18, 2016 was an exciting evening and very Oklahoman, I have travelled all over the world early in my rewarding event for me as 296 young people under the age of career and personally believe there is not a better place to live 30, from throughout the State of Oklahoma, were honored at and raise a family than Oklahoma. As a member of the baby the Oklahoma City Cox Convention Center. These people boomer generation and parent of two members of the Millennial winning this award and their family, friends, and business generation I have learned a lot about how young people are associates totaled over 1,200 people. thinking differently today than we were at their age. In the 6th year of honoring young people under the age of The Millennial generation is coming online much faster than 30, ion Oklahoma Magazine made the decision to expand the most people realize. In just 4 years it is projected that the award program statewide and honor many more talented Millennial generation will represent 46% of the workplace in young Oklahomans by adding 16 different career categories. the nation. In the world today the advances in technology are After launching the nominations process on February 1, 2016 on overdrive and accelerating much faster than everyone can and securing certain career category sponsors the nomin- adapt. Globalization in the world is advancing and people ations started rolling in on the website and we received over today have the opportunity to often live and work wherever 1,000 nominations by the deadline date on August 26, 2016. they want to live. Judges then selected 296 very talented winners by It is my belief that Oklahoma community and business September 12, 2016. leaders need to understand and embrace the Millennials and investing in their generation is investing in Oklahoma’s future. (left to right) Chancellor Glen Johnson, Governor Mary Fallin, and Mr. Don’t underestimate these young talented Oklahomans and Bob Funk, Sr CEO Express Employment Professionals congratulate winners. Far right,Coach Barry Switzer Introduces Hon JC Watts.
DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 ionOklahoma 65 many of them are going to be the community and business leaders of tomorrow. The NextGen Under 30 program is planning in 2017 to launch the nomination processs on February 1. The NextGen Leadership program will host 2 two day leadership retreats and 10 one day regional seminars for Millennials (ages 20-39) in 2017. Also NextGen Ambassadors for Millennials (ages 20- 39) will be recruited as founding members and volunteers who believe in our NextGen mission during January 2017. n
Left, Honorable JC Watts was the Keynote Speaker at the Next Gen Awards cermony.
Below left, Olivia Kay, Barry Switzer, Heather Kay, and Governor Mary Fallin at the awards ceremony.
Below, William Row and Governor Mary Fallin at the awards ceremony.
66 ionOklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 Above, the 2016 Next Gen Group at the Capitol.
Below, the Boy Scouts presented the colors. Right, Dr. Paul Kirbas delivers the innovation.
DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 ionOklahoma 67 Governor Mary Fallin addresses to gathering.
Olivia Kay sings National Anthem.
Stewart and Sandy Meyers attended the ceremony.
Former winners return to the 2016 ceremony. Award winners’ guests
Award winners and their guests.
Award winners and guests. Award winners. HOLIDAY STILL SHOPPING? Gift ideas to consider
BY LINDA MILLER
No more putting it off. It’s time to finish your holiday shopping.
Coming up with gift and stocking ideas can be difficult, especially when you buy for the same people year after year. Think outside the box. Opt for something unexpected. Of course, a gift that’s more traditional is good, too. Here are a few fashion and beauty ideas.
Bath & Body Works bath fizzy.
WRAP HIM UP RELAXING SOAK For the guy on your list who likes to wear jewelry, how about Who among us doesn’t enjoy a little alone a leather and stainless time in the tub? Bath fizzies in Vanilla Bean steel bracelet? This Noel, Winter Candy Apple and Twisted one by Murano is Peppermint are infused with moisturizing dark brown and canola oil and shea butter. Good for your skin double-braided and they help you relax. Fizzies are $6.50 at with silvertone Bath & Body Works. cross closure. It costs $60 at Dillard’s.
Murano men’s bracelet.
70 ion Oklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 BOBBI’S ORIGINAL 10 This may be the ultimate gift for any Bobbi Brown fan or lipstick lover. The limited-edition, collectible set features all 10 of the original Bobbi Brown lip colors in mini travel sizes. Shades are Salmon, Beige, Raisin, Brown, Rose, Pink, Orange, Blackberry, Burnt Red and Red. All universally flattering with a semi-matte finish. The 25th Bobbi Brown Original 10 lip collection. anniversary lip collection costs $115 at Balliets.
FACE TIME Leland Francis Luxe Face Oil, developed by celebrity makeup artist and Oklahoma native Dillon Pena, is pure heaven for your face. It’s a blend of argan, rose hip, evening primrose and tamanu oils, just to name a few. No greasy feel; absorbs right into the skin. New Beauty magazine named it the No. 1 dry oil pick. Pena works on both coasts and named the company after his grandfather. Other products include Black Rose Bar and Luxe Body Oil. Face oil is $99 at The MakeUp Bar and Udander spa.
Leland Francis Luxe Face Oil.
Merona men’s weekender bag.
MAN ON THE GO This men’s nylon weekender bag can go from the gym to a weekend getaway. It’s travel-friendly for airport security and has an adjustable padded shoulder strap with exterior and interior pockets. Merona nylon weekender bag is $29.99 at Target.
DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 ionOklahoma 71 PEOPLE
72 ion Oklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 Trick Your Brain into Keeping New Year Resolutions
BY MINDY RAGAN WOOD
ccording to the Journal of Clinical and start thinking about the new good habit. Those thoughts Psychology about 50 percent of can re-motivate you as you reflect on the positive outcome A americans do it every year, making new you’ll receive from doing something you know will be good for year’s resolutions to create a new and you. Performing a new habit and feeling the reward of that improved version of themselves. The success action can release feel-good endorphins in the brain, creating rate? according to Statistic Brain Research only new neural pathways to help make that behavior a habit. 8 percent actually achieve their goals. How long does that take? We’ve all heard it can take just 21 You can probably guess that the most popular resolution is days, but it can take much longer depending on the to lose weight, followed by spending less money, reducing complexity of the task. It may take longer than 21 days for debt and increasing time with family or investing in someone synchronized swimming to be second nature, but probably far else’s welfare. less time for a 30 minute walk after dinner every night or a 15 What is in the brain that keeps us from realizing our lofty minute stretch routine during your lunch three times a week. dreams of a better self? It may be all in your head, as in the Starting a new habit requires a few things to keep in mind neural pathways of your brain. so you don’t sabotage yourself before you ever begin. Ask Psychology Today published the result of brain researchers, yourself the following questions to overcome the most Antonio Damasio, Joseph LeDoux, and psychotherapist, common pitfalls: Stephen Hays. Their advice is based on MRI evidence which 1. Why do I want to do this and what will happen if I don’t? demonstrates habits are result from thinking patterns which 2. Do I have time for this and if not, how can I make time? are neural pathways and memories. Want to make a new 3. When unavoidable obstacles get in the way, what is my habit? Change the way you think. plan B? Maybe it is really that easy. According to Positive Psychology 4. Is gradual change better than cold turkey? Am I the kind News, breaking bad habits and substituting new ones has a of person who has to take a giant leap or get there by small lot to do with the way we think before we engage in the bad steps at a time? habit and the way our bodies feel while doing it. Don’t forget to consider resolutions that may help you “Recognize the sensory impulse(s) you experience in your address the underlying causes of bad habits. If you struggle body or other stimuli that occur just before you usually act on with clinical depression, maybe your first course of action is to the negative habit,” writes Emily vanSonnenburg in This is find successful treatment instead of joining a social club. Your Brain on Habits. “Instead of acting on the negative Consider seeing a mental health professional if your bad impulse, use your conscious attention to re-focus your habits are steeped in a mental health issue. Depression, thoughts and behaviors on the new and positive habit.” untreated emotional trauma, and persistent low self-esteem In other words, when you feel the physical or emotional urge could be hidden saboteurs in your plan to be a better you. to act on a bad habit, stop those thoughts dead in their tracks Here’s to a Happy and successful New Year! n
DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 ionOklahoma 73 PEOPLE Amazing Work Jim Kinammon helps the less fortunate in U.S. and overseas
BY TIM FARLEY
im Kinammon and his small band of workers J never stop helping others.
Kinammon, his wife Debbi, and two other volunteers spend their days and nights making sure disabled and less fortunate adults and children receive the medical equipment they need, such as manual and motorized wheelchairs, walkers, standers, hospital beds, shoes, diapers and baby formula. The organization is known as Amazing Grace and operates from a small warehouse in Shawnee. Kinammon, a retired airplane mechanic from Tinker Air Force Base, began this journey five years ago when he was volunteering to pick up trash in downtown Shawnee. At the time, he saw a woman trying to push a man in a “We ship (equipment) manual wheelchair. She was having a to every state and difficult time helping the man. That’s when the light bulb went off inside people in every state Kinammon’s mind. watch what we do.” He decided to start a charitable organization that would help needy people — Joe Kinnamon who needed medical equipment. Since then, Kinammon’s work has reached every state in the U.S. and overseas to places like Ukraine and Russia. In August, Amazing Grace sent $350,000 in medical supplies to Baton Rouge following a massive flood.
74 ion Oklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 “We have a network that encompasses all of the needed. If a need arises and the item isn’t in stock, United States,” he said. “We ship (equipment) to every Kinammon will find it somewhere. state and people in every state watch what we do.” “It takes a lot of money that I don’t have,” he Kinammon’s tale is a feel-good story that’s been admitted. “We barely get by but we seem to get what we publicized before, but his work never stops. He’s 63 need when we need it. I take donations when I can or I and he has no plans to quit helping others. His work go buy the stuff myself. It’s a big undertaking.” often involves repairing powered or manual Kinammon’s heart nearly melts when children are wheelchairs, which means new tires, batteries or seats. involved and he’s always ready to help. In a recent Kinammon acknowledges he couldn’t fulfill his case, Kinammon spent nearly $360 on replacement mission without the generosity of others. parts for a paralyzed child’s motorized wheelchair. “We have a pretty good network of people who Kinammon didn’t blink an eye about spending the donate,” he said. “There’s individuals, churches, money because the child was in need. hospitals. We take donations from all over the country.” He also knows most of the people Amazing Grace Donations come in the form of money, used helps can’t afford new motorized wheelchairs, which wheelchairs and other medical equipment no longer in cost about $35,000. That’s why he focuses on finding use, diapers, baby formula and anything else that is used equipment that can be repaired or modified to fit a
DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 ionOklahoma 75 person’s special needs. medical expenses and this help is the blessing for “I try to solicit (monetary) donations but I don’t have them,” she wrote on the Amazing Grace Facebook much luck,” he said. “I’m not a money person. I’m a page. doer and we enjoy doing it.” With the worldwide web at his fingertips and the Soon after the charitable organization Amazing Grace demand for help increasing, Kinammon and his crew was founded, Kinammon set up a Facebook page to get now process about 80 to 120 requests a month. the word out. “We take care of all of them,” he said. “We were lucky people saw it,” he said. That means working about 18 hours a day seven days Responses from people who have benefitted from the a week. On average, the charity also provides charity’s generosity are overwhelming. wheelchairs to 18 people each month. They also Rachael Exline wrote, “Amazing Grace is so distribute beds, diapers, tracheotomy supplies, walkers wonderful! They are truly Angels. I was able to get my and standers to people in need. son an almost brand new pacer gait trainer in perfect “We try to make sure we have whatever people will condition and a fun trike. The best people around, need,” he said. always answer questions, very quick to respond and Sending donated and repaired medical equipment will work with you to look at equipment.” and supplies overseas is a labor love. In the past, Karina Youssef wrote about children in Russia, Amazing Grace sent a huge care package to Ukraine Ukraine and Belarus receiving needed medical and Russian children who suffer from birth defects. equipment. Closer to home, Kinammon also sent repaired motorized “I do believe in miracles, thanks to this group and wheelchairs to people in South Carolina, North Carolina Jim Kinammon. In these countries there is no and Wisconsin. government support and there is no health insurance Right now, the biggest needs are manual wheelchairs, that could provide support. Families barely can cover walkers, standers and special adaptive chairs. n
76 ionOklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017
Oklahoma City Thunder:
DATE OPPONENT TIME TV Wed, Oct 26 @ Philadelphia 7:00 PM ESPN Fri, Oct 28 vs Phoenix 7:00 PM Sun, Oct 30 vs Los Angeles 6:00 PM
Wed, Nov 2 @ LA 9:30 PM ESPN Thu, Nov 3 @ Golden State 9:30 PM TNT Sat, Nov 5 vs Minnesota 5:00 PM Mon, Nov 7 vs Miami 7:00 PM Wed, Nov 9 vs Toronto 7:00 PM Fri, Nov 11 vs LA 7:00 PM NBATV Sun, Nov 13 vs Orlando 6:00 PM Mon, Nov 14 @ Detroit 6:30 PM Wed, Nov 16 vs Houston 7:00 PM Fri, Nov 18 vs Brooklyn 7:00 PM Sun, Nov 20 vs Indiana 6:00 PM Tue, Nov 22 @ Los Angeles 9:30 PM Wed, Nov 23 @ Sacramento 9:30 PM Fri, Nov 25 @ Denver 8:00 PM Sat, Nov 26 vs Detroit 7:00 PM Mon, Nov 28 @ NY Knicks 6:30 PM Wed, Nov 30 vs Washington 7:00 PM
Sun, Dec 4 vs New Orleans 6:00 PM Mon, Dec 5 @ Atlanta 6:30 PM Fri, Dec 9 vs Houston 7:00 PM ESPN Sun, Dec 11 vs Boston 6:00 PM Tue, Dec 13 @ Portland 9:30 PM Wed, Dec 14 @ Utah 8:00 PM Sat, Dec 17 vs Phoenix 4:00 PM Mon, Dec 19 vs Atlanta 7:00 PM Wed, Dec 21 @ New Orleans 7:00 PM Fri, Dec 23 @ Boston 6:30 PM NBATV Sun, Dec 25 vs Minnesota 7:00 PM ESPN Tue, Dec 27 @ Miami 6:30 PM NBATV Thu, Dec 29 @ Memphis 7:00 PM Sat, Dec 31 vs LA 7:00 PM
Mon, Jan 2 @ Milwaukee 6:00 PM Wed, Jan 4 @ Charlotte 6:00 PM Thu, Jan 5 @ Houston 7:00 PM TNT Sat, Jan 7 vs Denver 7:00 PM Mon, Jan 9 @ Chicago 7:00 PM Wed, Jan 11 vs Memphis 7:00 PM
HOME GAMES 2016 - 2017 Schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME TV Fri, Jan 13 @ Minnesota 7:00 PM Sun, Jan 15 @ Sacramento 8:00 PM Mon, Jan 16 @ LA 9:30 PM TNT Wed, Jan 18 @ Golden State 9:30 PM Mon, Jan 23 @ Utah 8:00 PM Wed, Jan 25 @ New Orleans 7:00 PM Thu, Jan 26 vs Dallas 7:00 PM TNT Sun, Jan 29 @ Cleveland 2:30 PM ABC Tue, Jan 31 @ San Antonio 7:30 PM
Wed, Feb 1 vs Chicago 8:30 PM ESPN Fri, Feb 3 vs Memphis 7:00 PM Sun, Feb 5 vs Portland 2:00 PM Mon, Feb 6 @ Indiana 6:00 PM Thu, Feb 9 vs Cleveland 7:00 PM TNT Sat, Feb 11 vs Golden State 7:30 PM ABC Mon, Feb 13 @ Washington 6:00 PM Wed, Feb 15 vs NY Knicks 8:30 PM Fri, Feb 24 vs Los Angeles 7:00 PM Sun, Feb 26 vs New Orleans 6:00 PM NBATV Tue, Feb 28 vs Utah 7:00 PM
Thu, Mar 2 @ Portland 9:30 PM TNT Fri, Mar 3 @ Phoenix 8:00 PM Sun, Mar 5 @ Dallas 7:30 PM ESPN Tue, Mar 7 vs Portland 7:00 PM NBATV Thu, Mar 9 vs San Antonio 7:00 PM TNT Sat, Mar 11 vs Utah 2:00 PM Tue, Mar 14 @ Brooklyn 6:30 PM Thu, Mar 16 @ Toronto 6:00 PM Sat, Mar 18 vs Sacramento 2:00 PM Mon, Mar 20 vs Golden State 7:00 PM TNT Wed, Mar 22 vs Philadelphia 7:00 PM Sun, Mar 26 @ Houston 2:30 PM ABC Mon, Mar 27 @ Dallas 7:30 PM Wed, Mar 29 @ Orlando 6:00 PM NBATV Fri, Mar 31 vs San Antonio 8:30 PM ESPN
Sun, Apr 2 vs Charlotte 2:00 PM Tue, Apr 4 vs Milwaukee 7:00 PM Wed, Apr 5 @ Memphis 7:00 PM Fri, Apr 7 @ Phoenix 9:00 PM NBATV Sun, Apr 9 @ Denver 4:00 PM Tue, Apr 11 @ Minnesota 7:00 PM NBATV Wed, Apr 12 vs Denver 7:00 PM BUSINESS
Classic Collaborations
BY TIM FARLEY Photos by Michael Downes
o Meacham is used to designing employing expert craftsmen and her J proprietary Worry-Free Design and Remodel Process, delivering well designed kitchen and bath remodels that will increase the value of your home. In three separate cases, her clients have shown an eye for design so they, along with Meacham, have collaborated on the projects. That type of situation, Meacham said, is fun. Meacham is owner of Urban Kitchens in Oklahoma City. “They’re part of a new group of people who want to hire a designer to come in and confirm that they’re headed in the right direction,” she said. “They have a firm idea of what the kitchen should be. These people are much more specific about what they want and it’s more collaborative.” In some cases, it’s the husband who gives Meacham more direction than the wife. “Sometimes, it’s heavy on the man’s involvement,” she said.
LAST YEAR, Vince and Nicki Lombardo hired Meacham to redo a kitchen in a 1985 ranch-style home in Edmond. “My project was to help them finish the kitchen,” she said. “It went great. They were easy to work with. We presented them with some alternatives and they used some of our suggestions.” Earlier this year, Meacham worked with Tony and Jo Meacham Christy Capucille who had a vision of creating a circa
80 ion Oklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 The Lombardo kitchen update in their 1985 ranch-style home in Edmond blends retro and modern style.
1800s colonial home using materials and methods from that time to achieve their goal. Meacham recalled she was hired to renovate a kitchen and build a pool cabana that fit into the theme of the 1800s architecture. The cabana originally was supposed to be outdoors, but the design changed and it was moved indoors with a fireplace. Again, Meacham helped her client achieve their goal. Meacham helped renovate a kitchen that fit into the theme of the 1800s architecture.
Also in 2016, Meacham stayed within the Capucille family, but this time it was Tom and Sonya Capucille. The couple had purchased a 1930s log cabin and was in its original condition except for the kitchen, which had been renovated years earlier. “I was hired to remodel the kitchen so it was a better fit for the cabin. We used the bones of the existing kitchen and created one that would be appropriate for the cabin,” she recalled. In each case, Meacham said, the clients were knowledgeable about design and open to suggestions “when they felt it would make the design better.” Meacham began her career in planning and preservation with Oklahoma City. Since founding Urban Kitchens in 1999, Meacham has designed and built hundreds of kitchens in the historic areas of Oklahoma City, including Heritage Halls, Mesta Park, Edgemere Park and Crown Heights, as well as Edmond, Norman and throughout the state. For more information, visit www.urbankitchensok.com n
82 ionOklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 Meacham helped renovate a kitchen and build a pool cabana that fit into the theme of the 1800s architecture. Meacham helped transform the kitchen in this 1930s cabin that is a better fit than the previous remodel.
Iowa Rock n Roll Music Association
The 2014 NextGen 30 Under 30 honorees.