“New year, new me,” is how that saying goes, right? As 2025 makes its debut, a New Year norm for many is setting goals, reflecting, and planning for the year ahead. Whether you’re making a budget, setting deadlines, or planning changes, recognize the fact that you made it through another year! And no matter what may be on your list, the overall theme and message for most is self-improvement! Self-improvement can mean and include many different things, whether you’re choosing to focus on fitness, finances, the future, or an often-overlooked topic/area, family! Family and support systems are undoubtedly a contributing factor to our own self-improvement because let’s face it, many of us wouldn’t be who we are or what we are if it weren’t for family. After all, it takes a village, and I think that phrase is applicable to every chapter of life. In honor of Global Family Day, which is a day of peace and sharing, we chose to highlight a couple of families here in Enid to discuss what family means to them. The overall message associated with the day of observance is starting the New Year with a positive message of unity! So, whether your family is biological or chosen, those bonds and relationships deserve recognition and appreciation! As you make your goals and look ahead at the New Year, be sure to include your family on your list, whether your goal is to be more intentional with them, appreciative of them, or thankful for them, we can undoubtedly find time to give to those who give to us. And on behalf of us here at Enid Monthly, Happy New Year! We hope 2025 is nothing but good to you!
Adult Book Review: Bright Lights, Big Christmas
Author: Mary Kay Andrews
Reviewed by Chloe Fuksa
Going into the month of December, I knew I wanted to read a Christmas book – and after having read a string of rather heavy books, the lighter and cheesier the better. I also recently stumbled upon the fact that I had never read anything by author Mary Kay Andrews. Her 2023 release, Bright Lights, Big Christmas, was therefore an ideal choice.
For decades, the Tolliver family has been transporting Christmas trees from their farm in western North Carolina up to New York City to sell for the season. When the patriarch of the family falls ill though, the usual father-son team must become son-daughter instead if the farm has any chance of staying afloat. Unfortunately, Murphy and Kerry are very different from one another and haven’t talked in years. On their street corner in NYC though, huddled around a steel-drum firepit, working from before sunrise to well after sunset, the two siblings gradually start to reconcile their differences. Before they know it, and with the tremendous support of the people in the neighborhood, not only have they sold all of their Christmas trees, but they are having to go home and pick up even more.
Bright Lights, Big Christmas was just what I was looking for. Yes, the romance between Kerry and a single dad living nearby is forced. Yes, there are too many storylines for a book that is only 280 pages long. But, the characters, especially the secondary ones, are fabulous. The setting of the tree stand, complete with a 50-year-old travel trailer and freshly fallen snow, is picturesque. And most importantly, how everyone comes together to help each other out – from a simple cup of coffee and bowl of minestrone soup to nursing an elderly man back to health – is a perfect reminder for the Christmas season. So, grab some hot cocoa and enjoy this feel-good holiday read.
Visit us in Sunset Plaza or call 580-297-5089 to get your copy of Bright Lights, Big Christmas today!
Christmas Business
Bells are ringing and the spirit of Christmas is in the air! Let us take some stress off your plate by providing a few necessary amenities this season:
Santa’s Storage – $25
Clients can sign up for this package to have a place to hold their gifts until they are ready to pick them up, wrap them, and put them under the tree. Gifts can be delivered to the mHQ address or dropped off. Benefits of keeping the magic of Santa apply greatly for the young believers as they won’t come across any hiding spots!
Elf Help – $50
Let our elves do the work for you at an affordable rate during this holiday season. Let us set up the Barbie dream house or tool set for your little believers, so you don’t have to stress about doing it in the middle of the night. Want your gifts wrapped? No problem! We can do that too!
The proceeds will benefit the Blue Star Mothers Enid Chapter, a non-profit organization of mothers and grandmothers to military children that supports active-duty service personnel, their families, and Veterans organizations, and it promotes patriotism and much more.
Holiday Parties – $400
If you’re looking for a space for your organization’s Christmas party, we’re here to help at an affordable rate. The flexibility of the space allows you to plan the party the way you want and set up food, games, and activities. This is ideal for small businesses, clubs, or organizations that have a tight budget and don’t want a large venue but definitely want a nice space to maximize holiday cheer.
Visit www.momentumHQ.org to sign up for what you need, call us at 580-599-1939, or stop in at 1909 W. Owen K. Garriott to see how we can help you during this busy holiday season!
mHQ Member Highlights
Tyler Koehn: Reviews & How To’s
Tyler became a member in September and utilizes the space to provide reviews on products he tests and tries as well as how to use them. His reviews help people determine if they have value and are worth purchasing. Check out some of his reviews on his Facebook page or YouTube channel to see if they are the right gift for your special someone today! You can also find him at momentumHQ located at 1909 W. Owen K. Garriott in the Indian Hills Shopping Plaza.
Indian Hills Plaza Business Spotlight
J’s Donuts is one of the best donut shops in town! momentumHQ members love the short walk to get a quick breakfast before they start their work for the day. Enjoy the yummy bear claws on your way to shop during this holiday season.
We wish you a wonderful holiday season full of laughter, family, and friends. Merry Christmas!
The mHQ Crew: Jessica, Michael, & Eli
Bounce Back
The 2024-25 edition of the Enid High girls’ basketball team has a new coach, new players, and a new style of play, and they hope to bounce back from a few seasons where they haven’t done as well as they have hoped.
At the top, the team is welcoming back Aly Seng, who played for the Pacers at a time when they were very competitive. After stints coaching at Hennessey, where they made regionals, to NOC as an assistant, and a couple of years at Chisholm, where they won district, she is excited to return to her alma matter to help get them back to where they once were.
“My goal is to build this team back up and gain the kids back that have been slipping through the cracks. There are a lot of kids here at school that could help the team. Since I just got here in October, we are just getting ready to play with this team, but I’d like to build a little more of the pipeline from the little leagues to the high school team,” said Seng.
As for this year’s team, while they do have 3 seniors who will contribute, there will be times when there will be three freshmen and two sophomores on the court, which shows their youth. But that’s not to say they don’t have some good players. Sophomore Power Forward Anabelle Miller is a budding star that the team will rely a lot on. “Anabelle is a competitor. She’s strong, she rebounds like crazy, she can score pretty much any time she wants to, and we will need the ball to go through her to be successful,” said Seng. The team will also look to Amarianna Solomon, a freshman guard for some minutes. “She’s tough, also a competitor, great at getting to the rim to score, and just an overall dynamic player,” Seng said. Junior Guard Olivia McCoy is also a key to this year’s squad. Seng said, “Olivia is probably our best outside shooter, tough as nails, and really brings a lot of fire to the court.”
“We are going to play fast and get the ball up the court quickly, which hopefully gets us some easy baskets. We will be fun to watch. We want to be gritty and play intense, which they are doing a good job at. We need to improve our outside shooting, but the girls have been in early every day to get up some shots, so that will come,” said Seng.
The team would love to have the support of the community and just asks to be given a chance. “If you come out and support these girls, it would mean so much to them. They are working so hard, and we are going to put an entertaining product on the Court. We have a way to go, but people in the stands will help these girls know they are supported. And in turn, we want to be out in the community giving back as well,” Seng said.
Christmas
Hey y’all, and welcome back to Teen Scene in ENID MONTHLY. We have finally made it to Christmas, my favorite holiday season, so let’s talk about it!!
Christmas is my favorite holiday for many reasons. The food, sweets, music, snow, joy, movies, hot chocolate, decorations, uggs, blankets, cute outfits, and, of course, PRESENTS!! Did you know that about one-third of Americans say Christmas is their favorite day of the year? Crazy right!! My favorite things to do during this time have to be skiing and watching every new and old Christmas movie. Last month, I traveled to Colorado to watch the Oklahoma State vs. Colorado University Boulder football game with my dad and my best friend. We went skiing and had a blast!! Me and Aspen loved dressing super cute in our warm clothes and taking pictures for Instagram!!
I have seen every single Romantic-Comedy Christmas movie on almost every streaming service we have available. I LOVE Christmas movies. My favorites have to be the Christmas Prince trilogy and the Princess Switch series. I have seen a lot more new than old, but I do enjoy some classics every once in a while. The little baker in me always comes out at Christmas. I try all different kinds of recipes, my favorite being cookies, and I let my creative freedom fly! Every year, we take a couple of months to learn a whole new set for Christmas for the Show Choir. This year we are performing 3 songs, This Christmas, Holly Jolly Christmas, and Oh, Santa! Girls in our class choreograph everything, and we usually get to dance with partners as well. Aspen is one of my partners for one of our dances, so I am super excited to get to dance with her!!! We always wear Ugly Christmas Sweaters (I bought a cute one) and leggings to get the whole effect of the holidays.
Last Christmas, my dad and I got to spend the break in Houston and Galveston, so it was fairly warm. I am hoping OSU football makes a bowl game close to home, so we can go watch it. We also get matching pajamas to wear while I open my presents. It’s such a cute tradition, and I hope it carries onto my future family. Last but not least, Christmas Day! I always go out to my grandma’s early in the afternoon, and we eat a feast and open presents. I love spending time with my family and friends and can’t wait for the day to come!!
Thank you for reading this month’s article. I hope you enjoyed it! I would love to hear about your family’s traditions so please email me at tweensceneenid@gmail.com. Have a very Merry Christmas and please stay warm!! See you next month. <33333
Chocolate Peppermint Martinis and Caramel Mousse Puffs
Hello friends! With Christmas being such an important holiday to many, the question is how to level up your big meal? This month’s Now Serving suggestion is sure to impress with a unique, holiday themed adult beverage and an easier-than-you-think dessert! With Chocolate Peppermint Martinis and Caramel Mousse Puffs, you’re sure to impress! Peppermint Martinis are a holiday twist on a classic – chocolate liqueur, vanilla vodka, crushed peppermint candies, peppermint schnapps, and marshmallow sundae topping – it’s easy to personalize this drink to how strong (or not) as you prefer! Caramel Mousse Puffs are a twist on the original cream puff. If you prefer the original, you’re certainly welcome to whip up some cream with powdered sugar and vanilla or change it up a bit with the caramel mousse. Either way, they’re going to be a hit!
Now Serving, Chocolate Peppermint Martinis and Caramel Mousse Puffs!
Chocolate Peppermint Martinis – makes 1 drink
1 jar Marshmallow creme or sundae topping
Ice
1 Tbsp Peppermint Schnapps
2 Peppermint candies, crushed
1/4 cup vanilla vodka
1/4 cup chocolate liqueur
Dip the rim of martini glass in marshmallow creme, then dip it in crushed peppermints.
Drizzle the marshmallow topping inside of the martini glass.
In a shaker with ice, add vodka, schnapps, and liqueur. Shake until mixed.
Pour into martini glass and serve!
Note: 1 oz equals 2 Tbsp. Drinks can also be mixed in a pitcher for multiple drinks!
Caramel Mousse Puffs – makes 6 to 8 puffs
Caramel Mousse-
25 Kraft caramels, unwrapped
1/4 cup milk
6 oz Cool Whip
1. Place unwrapped caramels in a small saucepan with the milk and stir over low heat until smooth and mixed well.
2. Pour into a medium bowl and allow to cool for at least 30 minutes, or while you prepare the puffs.
3. Add the Cool Whip to the caramel mixture and combine well, refrigerate until ready to use.
Pastry Puffs
1 cup water
1 Tbsp sugar
1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter
1/2 tsp salt
4 eggs
6 oz semi-sweet chocolate
1/4 cup milk or whipping cream
1. Bring water, butter, sugar, and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan.
2. Add flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until mixture leaves the sides of the pot and forms a smooth ball (about 3 minutes).
3. Remove from heat and quickly beat in eggs, one at a time, beating until smooth after each one. Continue to beat until smooth and shiny.
4. Drop mixture by Tbsp onto a lightly greased baking sheet, about 2 inches apart.
5. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
6. Remove from oven to a rack and cool completely.
7. To assemble, if you have a filling piping tip, you can fill a piping bag with the tip and fill the puff with the cooled caramel mousse. If not, you can cut the puff in half horizontally and spoon the mousse in between the top and bottom halves.
8. Heat the 1/4 cup milk or whipping cream in a microwave safe bowl and microwave it for a minute to a minute and a half, until it’s boiling. Carefully remove from microwave and add the chocolate chips. Let the chips soften in the milk for about 30 seconds. Stir until smooth and well combined.
9. Gently spoon the chocolate in a drizzle over the filled pastry puff. Serve, or store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Happy Holidays from all of us at the Enid SPCA!
As we approach the close of 2024, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to you, our dedicated supporters. Thanks to your generosity, this year has been one of incredible growth, life-saving efforts, and heartwarming success stories. Because of you, adoptable pets have found loving homes, received essential care, and experienced second chances.
One of those pets is Charlie, a playful and resilient pup who stole the hearts of our team. Charlie spent months waiting for his forever family, but his patience paid off:
“We can’t believe how lucky we are to have Charlie! He is full of energy, loves our kids, and brings joy to every corner of our home. Thank you for giving him the care and love he needed to find his way to us. We’re so grateful!”
Charlie’s story is one of many made possible by your support. From puppies like Charlie to senior cats and special-needs pets, each of these animals has a unique story of resilience, and we’re honored to be part of their journey. With your help, we achieved remarkable milestones this year:
- 1,409+ spay/neuter surgeries were performed to address overpopulation.
- 732+ pets rehomed, including dogs, cats, and even pigs and guinea pigs.
- 79,000 pounds of pet food distributed to families in need through our Pet Food Pantry.
- 86+ trips to Stillwater for spay/neuters at OSU Vet School
- 477+ animals rescued from Enid Animal Welfare and given a second chance.
- 164+ animals transported to partner shelters across the country through our Rescue Waggin’.
- 4,503 volunteer hours were dedicated by our incredible community members.
Each number represents lives changed and futures rewritten. These accomplishments are only possible because of you. But the need is still great—more animals await a second chance!
Will you help us save more lives this holiday season?
Your tax-deductible gift, whether $10, $100, or more, directly funds medical care, shelter, and transportation for animals who depend on us. We also invite you to join our Pet Partners program by becoming a monthly donor. As a monthly donor, you’ll be a steady source of hope for the animals who depend on us.
Here’s how you can give:
- Online: Visit https://enidspca.org/donate/
- By mail: Send your gift to 1116 Overland Trail, Enid, OK 73703
Regardless of size, every contribution brings us closer to a future where every animal finds a safe, loving home. Together, we can make that dream a reality.
On behalf of every animal who has found a loving home this year and those still waiting for their chance, we thank you for your unwavering support. Your generosity truly changes lives. From all of us at Enid SPCA, we wish you a joyful holiday season and look forward to another year of saving lives together!
Warm wishes for a joyful holiday season,
Vickie Grantz, Executive Director
Defusing Holiday Stress: Put self-care at the top of the season’s to-do list
The holidays are among the most joyous dates of the year, but also the most hectic. Taking time to take care of yourself can often be forgotten amid the long to-do lists surrounding festivities.
However, taking time to deal with stress in healthy ways can make these dates more enjoyable.
Kay Khamvanthong, MD, primary care physician with St. Mary’s Family Physicians, offers some helpful advice on stress reduction as we usher in the new year.
How does stress affect you?
The demands and obligations of the season can make it hard to notice when stress is affecting you mentally and physically. Common signs that you’re stressed include:
• Headaches
• Change in sleeping pattern
• Back pain or neck stiffness
• Change in appetite
• Mood swings
• Difficulty concentrating
What can you change?
Make rest and self-care a priority. Taking a breather can make a big difference. The American Psychological Association reports that regularly detaching from your long to-do list can restore energy and help you be more resilient when difficulties arise.
As you deal with stressful times, consider:
• Aromatherapy – candles or lotions
• Listening to music – 5-8 songs uninterrupted
• Meditate – quiet environment, use of visualization
• Journaling – whatever comes to mind
• Laugh more – lightens the mental load
How can physical health play a factor?
When you take care of your body, your mental health improves. Being active boosts your feel-good endorphins, while an anti-inflammatory diet can lower the stress hormone cortisol. By exercising regularly and eating foods high in vitamin B, protein, and magnesium, you are effectively helping your brain cope with stress. Additionally, try to avoid alcohol and drugs. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the use of drugs or alcohol in itself can negatively impact your ability to manage stress.
What to remember
• Managing stress can be a difficult task. Being kind and compassionate towards yourself can be the first step towards mental well-being.
• You don’t have to do it alone. Reach out for help.
To make an appointment with Dr. Khamvanthong, call 580-233-5553 or schedule online at stmarysphysicianassociates.com For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website.
DRONE DEER RECOVERY – THE NEW THING?
Hello again sportsmen! Isn’t technology incredible? If you are like me, there is almost nothing as bad as not being able to successfully track a mortally wounded deer. There have been times that I’ve searched half the night, only to return in the morning with no success (right Ewbank?). There have been times I’ve bumped into deer that had yet to expire, only to never see them again. There have been many hours sitting and fretting about whether a shot was properly placed. I’ve also had a dog recover a couple for me (thanks Marley!), which is tremendously fun to watch.
I remember as a youngster how difficult it was to not immediately get out of your stand and go look for blood. Last year, my oldest shot a good deer that ran onto an adjacent property. I didn’t know who owned it, but before getting out the onX app, I saw orange out in the field. We saw the buck do down about 10 yards into the tall grass, but we weren’t going to trespass. We saw the hunter’s vehicle, so we sat in my pickup for almost three hours until he exited the field. He was a young man from Tulsa who had leased the place, and he was more than happy to let us get the deer. He actually stood in the back of his truck with binoculars to watch just in case he ran off. Good fella he was (like most outdoorsmen).
Using a thermal drone at night or under cloudy skies seems to be the new craze to find dead deer. While I’ve not had to do it yet, I’ve seen several videos online, and it is quite incredible. I read that unless there is tremendous cover, then there is over an 80% recovery rate in Oklahoma. While I personally would rather track or watch a dog track (just because it’s fun), I’d certainly not hesitate to call in a drone, even for a doe. I’m not too keen on wasting animals. Just like trail cameras and crossbows, the new technology has been criticized by some, but it appears to be here to stay. While I don’t know any of them personally, I know there are drone trackers you can find online for Garfield and neighboring counties. Hopefully you’ll make a good shot and won’t ever need to hire a drone operator, but the option is there for when you are torn up about not locating that monster buck. As always, get the kids outdoors and away from the gaming systems. You’ll find out it’s some of the best bonding experiences a family can have. Happy Hunting!
Children’s Book Review: The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
Author: Karina Yan Glaser
Reviewed by Chloe Fuksa
I’ve wanted to start the Vanderbeekers series for a while now, and it just so happens that the first book takes place around Christmas time. The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street was actually author Karina Yan Glaser’s debut novel back in 2017, and since then, she has published six more books in the series. They are all geared toward kiddos aged 8-12, and the lengths seem to range from about 320 to 420 pages each.
In The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street, we meet the family: Mama and Papa; their five children, ranging from 4 ¾ to 12 years old; and the three pets, a dog, a cat, and a rabbit. They have lived in their beloved brownstone in New York City for six years, but just a few days before Christmas, they learn that their landlord is not going to renew their lease. They are all heartbroken at the thought of leaving, so the kids devise different ways to try to get the curmudgeonly Mr. Beiderman to change his mind. They try giving him cookies and making him a CD and writing him a haiku, but nothing seems to be working – until a Christmas miracle happens.
I thought this book was very cute and sweet, with excellent themes of kindness and community as well. The family, and all of their friends in the neighborhood too, are just fantastic, and I think the author really created a strong foundation for the series to grow upon. I can’t wait to pick up the second book and see where the family’s story goes next.
Visit us in Sunset Plaza or call 580-297-5089 to get your copy of The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street today!
