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!
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!
Stela Jantzen was born and raised in Enid, Oklahoma. In 2003, she graduated from Enid High School, and she went on to Oklahoma State University where she earned a degree in Apparel Merchandising. Now she’s married to Riley Jantzen, and together they have a son whose name is Owen.
In Enid, Stela is well-known and adored by many. With her current position at Park Avenue Thrift, it’s safe to say she is making a difference as she works tirelessly to run one of Enid’s most well-known philanthropic organizations. Park Avenue Thrift is a nonprofit organization, and as Executive Director, she runs things seamlessly! She has served as the Executive Director of Park Avenue Thrift since 2019, and “her leadership has helped the nonprofit contribute over $2 million to Enid’s nonprofits and schools,” Riley states. Not only is Park Avenue thriving, but the community is also thriving as well. After all, $2 million is no small feat. However, her journey didn’t start at Park Avenue. Before taking on the role of Executive Director, she was the co-owner of The Felt Bird, and she was also the Assistant Director of Main Street Enid.
In her current position, Stela has her hands in many baskets, and she still manages to always be a bright spot for those around her. Kelly Tompkins states, “I am SO proud of Stela and the impact she is having on the community through Park Avenue Thrift!” She continues with, “Stela doesn’t seek the spotlight, but her work has enriched Enid’s quality of life in immeasurable ways!” In addition to running a phenomenal nonprofit, Stela also prioritizes the day-to-day aspects of life too. From maintaining a safe, welcoming environment at Park Avenue for those who work there and those who shop there to being an outlet for so many, whether you know her personally or not.
Riley states, “Stela is a ‘Local Legend’ because she has dedicated herself to enriching Enid… she has consistently used her talents and work ethic to make Enid a welcoming and dynamic place to live, work, and grow.” Stela embodies every aspect of the word’s kind and charitable, and she conducts herself so positively you can’t help but share her joy when you’re around her. Whether you get to share a laugh with her or see her light up a room, it’s evident when she’s present because she makes a difference in the lives of those she’s around, and that, in addition to many other reasons, is what makes her a Local Legend.
ENID, OK – The governing boards of Great Salt Plains Health and the Enid Community Clinic have formalized an agreement to merge the two organizations in a move that will create greater access to care for the community’s most vulnerable patients. GSP will become the new health care provider at the clinic effective January 1, 2025.
Enid Community Clinic Manager Janet Cordell, RN, is enthusiastic about the agreement.
“We’ve had a positive long-term relationship with Great Salt Plains,” Cordell said. “That relationship has only gotten stronger in recent months. GSP’s eastside location was damaged in a hailstorm this past summer and they needed to find other locations to see patients. The Community Clinic was a perfect fit.”
Cordell noted that after Covid and the expansion of Medicaid, clinic patient numbers were dwindling and never rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. The age of the clinic volunteers also contributed to the decision.
“We wanted to make sure we were using clinic resources to help as many people as possible. GSP sees all patients but has systems in place to care for the patient base previously seen at the Community Clinic. GSP is committed to caring for patients, regardless of their ability to pay.”
Great Salt Plains Health CEO Tim Starkey agreed. “This is really a win-win for both organizations and especially ECC patients,” Starkey said. “Patients will no longer be restricted to Tuesday evenings, twice a month, and they will be able to access other GSP services. We have asked Janet to stay on to help educate our staff about caring for these patients and ensuring a smooth transition.”
ECC assets will be transferred to a special fund at GSP and be used exclusively for patients who can’t afford medication and durable medical equipment as well as patients who can’t afford even the lowest co-pay for health care services.
The current clinic location will remain the same and be fully staffed Monday through Friday.
“The Community Clinic and its volunteers are to be commended for the work they have done, and continue to do, to provide care for families who would otherwise not have access,” Starkey said. “We look forward to following their example of providing quality, compassionate care.”
ABOUT THE ENID COMMUNITY CLINIC
In 1995, a community-wide steering committee was formed to create a medical clinic for indigent patients. Physicians, nurses, pharmacists, representatives from both hospitals and the United Way came together and created The Enid Community Clinic. The clinic opened its doors on August 6, 1996, at 1106 E. Broadway in Enid, OK.
For decades, due to limited resources, the Clinic would see patients on a first-come, first serve, walk-in basis every Tuesday evening. Covid forced the Clinic to move to an appointment only schedule. The clinic currently sees patients by appointment two evenings per month.
To be eligible, patients must be uninsured and have a household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. The clinic is governed by a board of directors and staffed entirely by volunteers.
Some of the longest serving clinic volunteers include: Janet Cordell, Vicki Janky, Joyce Pitt, Brad Waken, Randy Long and Bob Taylor who passed away in 2023.
ABOUT GSP HEALTH
GSP Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center providing comprehensive medical, dental, and behavioral health care for families and individuals, of all ages, incomes and occupations, in our community and surrounding areas.
Our mission is to increase access to comprehensive primary and preventive health care to all and to improve the health care status of underserved and vulnerable populations within GSP Health’s geographical area.
Great Salt Plains Health Center began in 2007 with a dream and a vision of community leaders in Cherokee, Oklahoma. On September 3, 2007, the United States Department of Health and Human Services announced plans to award grant funding to Great Salt Plains Health Center for the development of a community health center. The $600,000 grant was to bring affordable, comprehensive primary, oral and behavioral health care to the residents of Cherokee and Alfalfa County as well as the surrounding area. Since that time, GSP Health was awarded additional federal grants to open new access points in Medford, Oklahoma, and Canton, Oklahoma. Seeing a need in Enid, Oklahoma, due to the number of medically underserved patients from Enid traveling to our rural clinics, the GSP Health board of directors made the decision to use their own funding to open a clinic in Enid without a federal grant, providing primary medical care and behavioral health services to Garfield County and the surrounding region.
As a nonprofit 501c3 Cherokee, Oklahoma-based corporation, we proudly provide access to quality healthcare in our rural and underserved region. We accept clients with and without insurance coverage. Qualifying uninsured patients can be seen for as little as $20 utilizing our income-based sliding fee scale. We offer primary medical care including women’s health services, dentistry, counseling, X-ray and laboratory services. GSP Health provides better access to health care in a better integrated primary care setting to bring better health outcomes to those who call our region of the country home.
As 2024 comes to a close, I feel many emotions. The past year has been intense, overwhelming, and exhausting, but it’s also been full of joy, love, laughter, and so many precious moments. And that’s life, the good and the bad and the ups and the downs. As the new year approaches, it’s important to reflect, but it’s even more important to be intentional. Be intentional with your actions, your goals, your choices, and your ambitions – be intentional with your time and your life. Set yourself up for success as much as you can with the new year incoming, and think about what you want to do, where you want to go, who you want to be, and why you want to do and be all of that. And as you reflect and look ahead, don’t forget to be present. After all, being present is a present. And, speaking of presents, give the gift of giving this holiday season! For this month’s cover story, we chose to shine a light on some of the charities and organizations within Garfield County that make a difference for those who need it. And, as you read along and learn about each charity, please keep in mind anything you may be able to give or gift – one act of generosity could be enough to make a family’s Christmas, a kids’ year, or a struggle not so hard. And that kind of kindness and selflessness is exactly what the world needs. So, whether you decide to give back, be present, or be intentional, be grateful. Keeping with the theme of thankfulness from last month, appreciate what you have and what you’ve had. Anything can change in an instance. And on behalf of us here at Enid Monthly, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!
December 1-31 Holidays on Ice in Downtown Enid 400 S. Independence Enid’s real ice, outdoor ice skating rink. Closed Monday & Tuesday until Dec. 23
December 1, 5-8, 12-15, 19-24, 26-31 6-9 pm BAT Express and Mini BAT 400 S. Independence Army truck and barrel train decorated for Christmas and giving rides.
December 1 2 pm-5 pm Christmas at the Farm Red Bird Farm (8812 N. Hwy. 81) U-cut Christmas trees, decorations in the barn store, Play Land, much more
3-6 pm Live Music: Kenny Pitts Alibi (224 W. Broadway)
6 pm Opening Ceremony, The One: Bright Lights The One Campus (150 W. Park)
December 2-31 6 pm-12 am The One: Bright Lights The One Campus (150 W. Park)
December 3 6:30 pm Trivia Enid Axe (104 N. Independence)
6:30 pm & 8 pm NOC Mackie Planetarium presents Star of Bethlehem NOC Mackie Planetarium (Randolph & Hedges)
December 4 3:15-4:15 pm Sensory-Friendly Family Day Spirit Express (3104 N. Van Buren)
7:30 pm Trivia Settlers Brewing Co. (202 E. Randolph)
December 5 11 am-12 pm Veterans Coffee Social OK Military History Exhibit (4125 W. Owen K. Garriott)
6-8 pm Trivia Enid Brewing Co. and Eatery (126 S. Independence)
7:30 pm Singo Settlers Brewing Co. (202 E. Randolph)
December 6-8 7:30 pm Friday, Saturday; 2 pm Sunday Gaslight Teens present “White Christmas” Gaslight Theatre (221 N Independence)
December 6 5-7 pm Leonardo’s Night of Lights Leonardo’s Children’s Museum (200 E. Maple)
6-9 pm Christmas in the Village Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (507 S. 4th St.) Experience a Victorian Christmas inside Humphrey Heritage Village.
6 pm Piece Around the World Tasting Party ($40) Central Christian Church (1111 W. Broadway)
6 pm Live Music: Rocky Kanaga Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
7 pm Live Music: Robert Allen Chicarro’s Happy’s Place (117 W. Oxford)
December 7-8 10 am-5 pm Saturday, 2-5 pm Sunday Christmas at the Farm Red Bird Farm (8812 N Hwy. 81) U-cut Christmas trees, decorations in the barn store, Play Land, much more
December 7 TBA Big XII Championship Watch Party Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
Times TBA Waukomis Welcomes Christmas Main St., Waukomis
10 am – 11:30 am Holiday Adopt a Dinosaur ($18) Gathered (223 S. 30th)
11 am-1 pm Christmas Cruise The One: Bright Lights (150 W. Park)
11 am-3 pm History Alive! Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (507 S. 4th St.) Re-enactment characters portray life at the time of the Cherokee Strip Land Run of 1893
5 pm Christmas Pajama Pool Tournament 601 N. Independence
6 pm JWL Gala: Welcome to Wonderland Stride Bank Center (302 S. Grand)
7 pm Live Music: Knight Ryder Chicarro’s Happy’s Place (117 W. Oxford)
8 pm Extreme Dwarfinators Wrestling Chisholm Trail Expo Center (111 W. Purdue)
9 pm Naughty or Nice Party RED (302 E. Maple)
9:30 pm Karaoke Enid Axe (104 N. Independence)
December 10 11:30 am-1 pm Red Carpet Country Legislative Luncheon Northwestern OSU-Enid, 2929 E. Randolph Includes catered lunch from Heydy’s Place
4-6 pm Sensory-Friendly Family Night Leonardo’s Children’s Museum (200 E. Maple)
6:30 pm Trivia Enid Axe (104 N. Independence)
7:30 pm Candy Cane Cash Drawing Chisholm Trail Expo Center (111 W. Purdue)
December 11 7:30 pm Trivia Settlers Brewing Co. (202 E. Randolph)
December 12 6-8 pm Trivia Enid Brewing Co. and Eatery (126 S. Independence)
7:30 pm Singo Settlers Brewing Co. 202 E. Randolph)
December 13-14 10:30 am-9 pm Friday; 10 am-5 pm Saturday Wrestling: Mid-America Nationals Stride Bank Center (302 S. Grand)
December 13-15 7:30 pm Friday, Saturday; 2 pm Sunday Gaslight Teens present “White Christmas” Gaslight Theatre (221 N. Independence)
December 13 5-7 pm Leonardo’s Night of Lights Leonardo’s Children’s Museum (200 E. Maple)
6 pm Live Music: Stacey Sanders Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
9 pm Friday the 13th The Spot Sports Pub (417 N. Grand)
December 14-15 10 am-5 pm Saturday, 2-5 pm Sunday Christmas at the Farm Red Bird Farm (8812 N. Hwy. 81) U-cut Christmas trees, decorations in the barn store, Play Land, much more
December 14 4-6 pm Christmas Critters The One: Bright Lights (150 W. Park) Reindeer, camel, face painting, more
5-9 pm Christmas in the Park Meadowlake Park (1200 W. Rupe)
7 pm Live Music: Robert Allen Moose Lodge (302 E. Purdue)
7 pm Live Music: Backstage Pass Chicarro’s Happy’s Place (117 W. Oxford)
7:30 pm Michael Martin Murphy’s Cowboy Christmas Ball Chisholm Trail Expo Center (111 W. Purdue)
9 pm Live Music: Van Damage The Alibi Bar (224 W. Broadway)
9 pm Bad Santa X-Mas Party RED (302 E. Maple)
9:30 pm Karaoke Enid Axe (104 N. independence)
December 16 5-8 pm Sensory-Friendly Family Night Enid Axe (104 N. Independence)
December 17 6:30 pm Trivia Enid Axe (104 N. Independence)
December 18 7:30 pm Trivia Settlers Brewing Co. (202 E. Randolph)
December 19 11 am-12 pm Veterans Coffee Social OK Military History Exhibit (4125 W. Owen K. Garriott)
6-8 pm Trivia Enid Brewing Co. and Eatery (126 S. Independence)
7:30 pm Singo Settlers Brewing Co. (202 E. Randolph)
December 20-22 6:30-8:30 pm Living Driving-Through Nativity First Church of the Nazarene (324 N. Cleveland)
December 20 5-7 pm Leonardo’s Night of Lights Leonardo’s Children’s Museum (200 E. Maple)
6 pm Live Music: Seth Carlson Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
7:30 pm Rocky Mountain Christmas: A Tribute to John Denver starring Ted Vigil Stride Bank Center Grand Ballroom (301 S. Independence)
December 21 11 am-3 pm History Alive! Cherokee trip Regional Heritage Center (507 S. 4th St.) Re-enactment characters portray life at the time of the Cherokee Strip Land Run of 1893
4-6 pm Storybook Night The One: Bright Lights (150 W. Park) An evening of storytelling and characters coming to life.
7 pm DJ Dance w/Dale Moose Lodge (302 E. Purdue)
9 pm Santa’s Ho Ho Ho Party The Spot Sports Pub (417 N. Grand)
9 pm Santa Rave RED (302 E. Maple)
9:30 pm Karaoke Enid Axe (104 N. Independence)
December 22 5 pm – 9 pm Customer Christmas Party The Spot Sports Pub (417 N. Grand) Dirty Santa, Live Music (The Revolt) and free food!
6 pm Christmas Dinner Drive Thru RED (302 E. Maple)
December 24 9 pm Xmas Eve Karaoke Party RED (302 E. Maple)
December 26 6-8 pm Trivia Enid Brewing Co. and Eatery (126 S. Independence)
7:30 pm Singo Settlers Brewing Co. (202 E. Randolph)
December 27 6 pm Live Music: Jazz Daddies Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
December 28 9 pm Drink, Dance and be Ugly (Sweater) Party RED (302 E. Maple)
9:30 pm Karaoke Enid Axe (104 N. Independence)
December 31 11 am-12 pm Leonardo’s Noon Year’s Eve Leonardo’s Children’s Museum (200 E. Maple)
11 am New Year’s Neon Dance and Play Party ($10) Gathered (223 S. 30th)
6:30 pm Trivia Enid Axe (104 N. Independence)
8 pm Live Music: NW Passage Band Moose Lodge (302 E. Purdue) Breakfast for Dinner!
9 pm New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party The Spot Sports Pub (417 N. Grand) Live Music (Hidden Agenda)
Have you ever bought gifts for a charity Christmas tree at the office? Maybe you’ve purchased a meal donation at the grocery store around Thanksgiving? Or perhaps you’ve dropped some change into one of those ubiquitous red kettles that serve as an annual reminder that yes, Enid, there is a Salvation Army.
When Enid folks purchase gifts, a meal, or donate change, they are contributing to just a few of the over 300 registered charities here in Garfield County. Enid may not have the large population of OKC or Tulsa, but one thing is certain: Enid has a huge wellspring of community generosity. In the spirit of the holidays, here are a few of the wonderful organizations that work tirelessly to brighten the season for local residents.
You know the Salvation Army by sight, when every year, bell ringers take to store entrances and the shiny red kettles beckon for change. But did you know that the Salvation Army also runs two other holiday programs, Spruce Up a Life and Angel Tree? The former “provides fully decorated trees and gifts delivered by our partner UPS,” and the latter works with businesses such as “Walmart, Atwood’s, Stride Bank, and Evan’s Drugs” to host wish list trees to provides gifts for children in need, according to Salvation Army Captain Amanda Brittle. She reported that “Last year, we were able to provide gifts for 615 kids, plus 50 Spruce Up a Life families.” What is even more amazing is the longevity of these programs: this will be the 35th season that Spruce Up a Life has operated in Enid, and Brittle says that Angel Tree has been going at least that long (the exact start date is unknown).
One program that you may not be familiar with is Christmas 911, which brings together area first responders to take children shopping for Christmas presents. The event “includes the fire department, the rural fire departments…Life EMS usually comes out, the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, and of course our officers like to participate as well,” said Cass Rains, public information officer for the Enid Police Department. Rains said that usually “50 to 60 first responders” participate. With support from public donations, departmental donations, and the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 144, they can usually help about 40 children per year. The children meet at First Assembly of God Church and head to Walmart in groups with the first responders. Then they head back to the church, where Rains said, “They get to meet Santa Claus, there’s coffee for the parents, cookies for the kids and cocoa, and it’s just kind of a good morning!”
Enid PD also works with the Department of Health & Human Services every year, hosting an Angel Tree in the building lobby. “It’s for children that are in foster care in the area,” according to Rains, and while many are “taken care of by those in the building,” the public is always welcome to stop by and pitch in. Overall, Rains wants readers to know that the department is just “happy to give back to a community that supports us so much and supports first responders.”
Another holiday event that officers look forward to is not exactly written in stone, but it does seem to happen with some regularity. For over a decade, the generosity of an anonymous benefactor has made it possible for officers to distribute cash gifts to random Enid folks. Recounting one memorable distribution, Rains said, “Typically, we drive out to the grocery store parking lots and try and catch people on their way in…. we had some good luck where we stopped a family one time, and the gentleman told us that he was going in to buy his holiday meal and was really concerned. That donation from that person allowed him to have a decent holiday meal, which we were super happy to hear.” Like Maryland’s famous “Poe Toaster,” the identity of Enid’s anonymous benefactor is unknown to all but a select few (even Rains is kept in the dark), but one thing is for sure: this “little mystery” has definitely helped brighten the holidays for countless Enid residents.
Tucked away in a nondescript plaza off of Main Street, Catholic Charities is another local partner in the fight against want. They provide a range of services, chiefly focusing on emergency assistance, case management, and family health. But it is their annual “A Very Giving Christmas” drive that brings the sparkle to the eyes of local children. Together with Toys for Tots and Salvation Army, Catholic Charities has been bringing Christmas to area youths for 22 years (the three organizations form Enid’s “Christmas Coalition”). Aside from expensive items like iPads and gaming devices, everyone tries very hard to fulfill children’s wish lists. Director Stacy Kurtz said, “We’re really, really good at shopping!” Purchasing goes on year-round, with staff taking advantage of sales to get the most bang for donors’ bucks. In 2023, 78 children were helped, with each child receiving “a new outfit, shoes, and three toys/gifts,” according to Kurtz. A unique aspect to their program is that recipients are invited to perform one hour of volunteer service for each child served in a given family. Kurtz said, “We’ve had people come in and say, ‘You know, I volunteered at Our Daily Bread, and I love it and am going to stay as a volunteer….so not only are they working for it, they are giving back to the community…and getting invested, hopefully, in service.”
Another special organization that uses the giving trees approach is Youth and Family Services (YFS). Like all the featured groups, YFS serves the Enid community far beyond Christmas, including operating an emergency youth shelter and providing counseling services for at-risk children and families. During the holidays, they mobilize their annual “Project Santa”, and in 2023, they were able to help “just a little over 500 kids,” according to Board Member Amy Clements. Working with a long list of community partners, YFS distributes trees around town, with Vance AFB having “become a huge supporter over the years,” said Clements. In fact, in 2023, donations from Vance provided for over 300 children.
Although much holiday giving focuses on children, Enid’s senior citizens are not forgotten. Those in their golden years make up a sizable part of the community, with residents over 65 numbering just over 7,500. Unfortunately, the reality is that many senior citizens “are limited financially, physically, and by lack of transportation access,” which is also known as the “Senior Trifecta,” according to the website for RSVP Enid. RSVP has been working in Enid for 46 years, helping to make life better for local seniors. They offer Mobile Meals for the homebound, and they also offer socializing at the Enid Senior Center. During the holidays, operation Santa for Seniors swings into action. “It takes a village to help a senior remain independent [and] Christmas time is no different,” said Executive Director Christy Baker. Working with businesses and “elementary schools, civic clubs, churches, and youth groups,” RSVP collects not only gifts but basic necessities for seniors. In contrast to children’s lists, the seniors’ requests are usually very sobering, often including things like socks, Kleenex, and Dawn dish soap. Thanks to everyone working together, Baker said that RSVP volunteers “deliver the spirit of the season to the doorsteps of more than 600 seniors during the holiday season.”
One of the most remarkable parts of this story was discovering how smoothly different organizations in Enid work with each other. As Stacy Kurtz said, “The nonprofits work together really well—not just at Christmas, but in everything.” The Christmas Coalition groups collaborate among themselves to prevent duplication of services, and in addition, the organizations participate in the United Way Charity Tracker Program. Since names are cross-checked, this ensures that everyone’s resources go as far as possible. Amanda Brittle said, “When you participate in the Angel Tree Program, [you] are truly helping a family in need…we are being good stewards of their donations.” Kurtz echoed this sentiment, emphasizing for the Enid community that “We do check that their dollars are well spent.”
Although most of these efforts start well in advance of December, there is still time for the community to pitch in. Readers may stop by the Enid Police Department and check out any remaining tags on the Angel Tree. The Salvation Army invites people to visit Oakwood Mall, where they also have an Angel Tree. Brittle said, “Donors can come and pick out angels, as well as drop off gifts.” The Salvation Army will gratefully accept gift donations until Tuesday, December 17. Of course, the red kettles will be out until Christmas Eve.
And on Monday, December 9, Youth and Family Services will be hosting an open house at their offices at 605 W. Oxford. From 4:00 – 6:00 PM, YFS invites the public to the join in celebrating their annual “Nights of Shelter” fundraiser, which runs November through January. “People are welcome to come and tour the shelter and the office…and kind of really understand where your money’s going,” said board member Amy Clements.
The holiday charity efforts that have been profiled are successful because of a powerful combination of factors: the organizations themselves, the countless volunteers who help, donors of both financial and tangible gifts, and counselors who make referrals to the programs. All of it requires substantial resources and time, and it is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. Even so, there are plenty of moments that pierce the operational machinery and bring a tear to one’s eye. Brittle said, “My heart does break when I see requests for beds for kids.” The staff at RSVP said that they regularly see requests for “Socks [or other small items] for my wife. I don’t need anything.” And YFS Executive Director Hannah Fryer reminds the community that “Lots of our kids that we’re serving through Project Santa are kids who have experienced some level of trauma.” Such moments serve as stark reminders of the reality of everyday challenges, which extend well beyond the holiday season.
All of the featured organizations offer a tremendous amount of services to Enid residents, all year long. Many others in Enid have a strong, abiding presence, too: from Enid Street Outreach Services to Loaves & Fishes, to YWCA and the ministries of HOPE Outreach, there is a helping hand for those in need. Unfortunately, there are more who need it than one might initially realize; Garfield County’s poverty rate of 15.6% is similar to that of Oklahoma County, home to OKC, which has a poverty rate of 16%. On a positive note, though, all of the aforementioned groups are quietly helping people to transform their lives and make a better future for themselves and by extension, for Enid as a whole. And while the goals of the Angel Trees, anonymous cash gifts, Very Giving Christmas, and Santa for Senior programs are spreading holiday cheer and making children happy—not, strictly speaking, combatting poverty—the fact remains that they are indeed performing an invaluable public service by providing that most vital resource, without which there is no future: hope.
Did I intentionally choose to review a book about whiskey for the month of November, when there happens to be an election? Purely coincidental? You can take a guess. Love & Whiskey was written by entrepreneur Fawn Weaver and is the true story of her journey researching and honoring Nearest Green, the first Black master distiller in the United States.
Weaver first came across Green’s story in a newspaper article in 2016 and felt called to look into it more. Although Jack Daniel’s has become one of the most well-known whiskeys in the world, what Weaver helped bring to light is that Green, a former slave, was actually the one who taught Daniel the distilling process. Ultimately for Weaver, she decides that the best way to tell Green’s true story, to put his name in the history books where it belongs, is to create Uncle Nearest Whiskey and have it offered all across the country. It’s a tough battle for her independent brand to go up against the bigger names in distribution, but through her persistence, Weaver is able to make Uncle Nearest the fastest-growing Black-owned spirit brand of all time.
Now, this is not the history/biography book I was imagining. There is actually very little that Weaver is able to find about Green, and the information she does discover about his descendants and their town of Lynchburg, Tennessee, is presented pretty dully. However, the later parts of the book, where Weaver discusses the different aspects of launching and running the business, those parts are more interesting and read more quickly. While I am a bit disappointed in the book overall, it is wonderful that the name Nearest Green is finally being learned, and I can’t wait to try out a bottle for myself soon.
Visit us in Sunset Plaza or call 580-297-5089 to get your copy of Love & Whiskey today!
ENID, OK – Attendees gathering in downtown Enid, Okla. For The One: Bright Lights Opening Ceremony on Sunday, December 1 will not only see the Christ Tree lit for the first time this holiday season, they also will witness one of the most spectacular Christmas light shows in the region.
Festivities for opening night begin at 4 pm with food trucks on site open and available to all. Pre-show entertainment begins on The One stage at 5:30 pm as musicians lead the crowd in an interactive variety of traditional and modern Christmas favorites.
The opening ceremony begins at 6 pm and will include music, the Christ Tree dedication and introduction of Grand Lighting Marshall Paul Allen, the co-founder of Enid’s Advance Food Company.
The Christ Tree, a steel 102 foot-tall tree with its 20-foot Bethlehem star and 35,000 RBG lights, will be lit with an opening light display show that lasts approximately 30-minute and, according to organizers, “will take your breath away!”
The public is also invited to take part in other Holiday activities on The One Campus. Skate on a real ice, open-air ice rink called Holidays on Ice in Downtown Enid, or take a ride around downtown Enid on The BAT Express, a 1985 five-ton Army truck covered in over 4,000 lights, or the Mini BAT, an 80-foot barrel train with over 2,000 lights. Santa will also be on campus for a photo op and listening as children tell him what they want for Christmas.
Throughout the holiday season, spectators will enjoy The One’s spectacular light shows choreographed to Christmas music and coordinated to perform at the top of every hour from 6 pm-12 am daily through January 5 with a weekly rotation of music and light shows.
Howdy folks! It’s me again, your ole’ lawyer here that would rather be a hunting or fishing guide. Comin’ back at ya with some useful knowledge for those of you that are archers, are “wanna-be” archers, or have ever had questions or the desire to learn the sport.
At Autry Technology Center, they offer a course titled Explore Bowhunting: Beginning in 2010, the Explore Bowhunting curriculum was developed by the Archery Trade Association (ATA) to teach students (aged 11-17) basic skills used to bow hunt. The program not only teaches students how to interact with nature using ageless hunting skills, but it also teaches an appreciation of what is around them and enhances their encounters with the outdoors. As one of the first states to pilot Explore Bowhunting, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is excited to coordinate with state schools to conduct the program, particularly as a compliment to the highly successful National Archery in Schools and Oklahoma Hunter Education in the Schools programs.
These are evening courses (usually 6-8pm) open to the public at no cost. They are taught by Brian Moorehead, one of the training specialists on staff at Autry Tech. He does this outside of his normal job, simply because of his passion for the outdoors and working with youth.
Upcoming dates for that one includes 10/16, 11/13, 1/15, 1/22 and 2/12!
They’ve done a handful of partnerships with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, including coordinating programs like Archery in the Schools and Fishing in the Schools. Their local hunter ed course is also taught on their campus.
They recently hosted Oklahoma Sportsmen’s Week with the ODWC at the end of August where different experts were brought in to share on a variety of topics.
