As the year continues to near its end and the world continues to be hectic, time feels as if it’s passing us all by. The holidays are a special time of the year, especially Thanksgiving, because they remind us to be present and thankful. And with so much negativity present, choosing to see the good and be thankful isn’t always easy. And, for some, the holidays aren’t a joyous occasion or a time to be appreciative. No matter your situation, time is, and will always, continue to pass, which is why it’s important to try and find the positives life has to offer. Our community is surely a positive and something to appreciate, for all of its ups and downs, because having a space you can come to for help, expression, and or relatability is an overlooked treasure. So, regardless of your feelings about the holidays, we can almost all agree on one thing, and that’s how special our community is, which includes the military community within our community! As someone from out of town, I can confidently say that the community within Enid is unique and special, and although it may have its moments, it’s something to be cherished. Keeping with the theme of being thankful, for this month’s Cover Story, we chose to highlight the military aspect of our community. In honor of Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving, we chose to spotlight some of the military history right here within Enid. As the holidays approach, like Thanksgiving and Veteran’s Day, try to find something to appreciate or be thankful for, whether that’s our veterans, community, or the cooler temperatures, there’s something out there that’s made a positive impact on you in one way or another.
Hidden In Plain Sight
The last time you drove by Enid’s Woodring Airport, did you know that you were passing an 80-year-old airplane that flew combat missions in World War II Germany—and even more astonishingly, one that still flies? Woodring is home to what Gary Stein calls “one of the best kept secrets in Northwest Oklahoma,” the Lady Liberty, an A-26 Invader aircraft whose meandering decades-long journey eventually brought her to Enid. Stein is a key member of the dedicated squadron of volunteers who maintains the Lady Liberty under the aegis of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), a national organization devoted to showcasing United States military aviation history.
The Lady Liberty’s journey began long ago on the sandy shores of Long Beach, California, where she came off the line at the Douglas Aircraft Plant on August 23, 1944. Assembled in record time by the thousands of Rosie the Riveters who worked at the Long Beach plant, the Lady Liberty was the 130th A-26 produced. Even as the plane was being patiently assembled, rivet by rivet, she was hidden in plain sight, since the Douglas plant was itself heavily disguised. Due to West Coast security concerns, the “campus” was adorned with fake plywood houses and trees to help create the illusion of being an ordinary suburban neighborhood, while some areas featured camouflage netting and sandbags helped to create bomb shelters in other areas of the campus. Of all the A-26 Invader aircrafts produced during World War II, the Lady Liberty is the oldest known plane that still flies.
Her ultimate destination was Europe, but she made several stateside hops along the way, including Amarillo (Texas), Hunter Field (Georgia), and Wilmington (Delaware). The domestic transportation of Lady Liberty and other aircraft was performed by the Army Air Corps Ferrying Command. In a unique program that ran from 1942 to 1944, much of the work of stateside ferrying was performed by Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs). Like the Rosies who worked in factories, the home front work of WASP pilots helped free up men for combat roles. Although the WASP program ended in December of 1944, it is almost certain that when Lady Liberty rolled off the production line in August, she would have been flown by a series of WASPs.
Lady Liberty’s final American stop was Grenier Airfield in Manchester, New Hampshire, which served as a major staging area for European-bound aircrafts. On September 10, 1944, she departed Grenier for RAF Great Dunmow, an air base in England. She was assigned to the 9th Air Force, 410th Bomber Group and began combat operations in early 1945. The 410th was assigned four A-26’s, which were painted completely black and initially used to conduct night missions ranging all over Germany. As Wes “Jammer” Smith, the squadron’s Chief Pilot, says, “In contrast to a lot of war birds that you see these days, this is an airplane that was actually in World War II. This is the real deal.”
When you enter the Lady’s hangar at Woodring, the plane stands proudly, her nose art gleaming in the dim overhead lights. Large but not overwhelming, she is meticulously maintained and stands as a silent testament to the sacrifices made by those who lived aviation history during the 1940s. However, Father Time comes for all, and the veterans of World War II are no exception: their numbers diminish daily. The men and women who served in WWII are well into their 90’s, and according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, just “66,143 of the 16.4 million Americans who served in World War II are alive as of 2024.” But while their numbers may dwindle, their legacy does not. Smith remembers that legacy every time he flies the Lady Liberty, saying “I consider that some young man sat in that same seat and flew combat against an unknown enemy.”
Keeping that history alive is what motivates the Lady Liberty squadron. As Gary Trice, Air Force veteran of the Korean War and squadron lead mechanic said, “I just don’t want the public to forget the greatest generation that operated this equipment before we came along.” Some members of the group are retired Air Force pilots, while others are retired from industry. And some of them haven’t retired at all. What brings them together is a shared commitment to honoring the legacy of service that the Lady Liberty represents. The group works tirelessly to “keep it flying, even though it takes a lot of hours, sometimes a lot of sweat, and sometimes even a little bit of blood from when the Invader bites,” said Stein, who serves as the squadron’s Director of Training.
Whenever possible, they share the Lady Liberty with both Enid and the wider community. Just this summer, she flew to both El Reno Airshow in El Reno, Oklahoma, and the Frontiers in Flight show at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas. Attending air shows is a great way to share the plane’s heritage with the public, which is often very curious about how the plane even got there. Crew Chief Scott Richardson says, “Because it’s an old airplane…a common question that we will get is, how did you all get this airplane here? When we tell them we flew it here, they look at us like we’ve got two heads.”
The Lady Liberty is the most high-flying demonstration of Enid’s commitment to veterans and the military community, but it is not the only one. Across the street from the Lady Liberty’s hangar is the Woodring Wall of Honor and Veterans Park. The park originally opened in 2000, growing over time, and in 2013, the Vietnam Memorial Wall was installed. The wall itself is an 80% scale replica of the original wall in Washington, D.C, and according to their website, over 990 Oklahoma names are on the wall. At a cost of approximately $1 million, Executive Director Elaine Johns said, “It was a huge undertaking…but the community pulled together.”
The Enid community has continued to support the organization. In 2017, they were able to open the M.L. Becker Education Center, which is located across the street from Veterans Park. The Center houses an art gallery, library, and museum. The Center offers tours, educational events for schoolchildren, and more. Even more special is the “branch” location at Oakwood Mall, which houses the numerous artifacts and donations for which the Center lacks space. Housed in the former Sears, the Oklahoma Military History Exhibit is another of Enid’s hidden gems. The doors opened in November of 2023, and according to Steve Niswander, who helps operate the site, “We’ve had people from England, Yugoslavia, Mexico, Canada…all over the place.”
Coming in at about 40,000 square feet, the exhibit offers a multifaceted look at United States military history, with a focus on the 20th century to the present day. There is a wide variety of artifacts: uniforms, maps and photographs, weapons, and vehicles. Incredibly, entire planes are also featured, including a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, a Lockheed T-33 trainer, and a Cessna O-1 Bird Dog. They have a T-33 simulator, and there is even a miniature Jeep that children can drive. There are videos, too, and sometimes they can elicit the strongest reactions. “This place is very emotional,” said Niswander, who recalled that they were once approached by a woman who requested help for her mother. The older woman “sat on the floor, sobbing,” and when the staff asked what was wrong, she said, “My dad died at Pearl Harbor.” Video footage of Pearl Harbor was running on a TV, and it had shaken her.
Then there is the tiger cage, which sits near the entrance of the exhibit. As a relic of the Vietnam conflict, the tiger cage is a powerful object. Niswander explained, “This guy leaned on that tiger cage and just went to sobbing. His fraternity brother at OU flew F-16’s and was shot down and captured. Spent five years in one of those cages.”
One thing that both Niswander and Johns want the Enid community to know is that they are not just here to commemorate the service of veterans. They are also here to here to help veterans in direct, tangible ways. Johnson said, “We have worked with the Disabled Americans Veterans here in Enid” to assist local veterans with that process. In addition, they have arranged for a VA representative to come to the Oakwood Mall exhibit. His name is James Conner, and he is “a retired chaplain from the Army,” according to Johns.
On the first and third Thursdays of every month, Conner comes up, and his sole mission is to help veterans. “He cranks it up. He knows his stuff,” said Niswander, explaining that Conner sets up his computer and helps veterans navigate the often-bewildering disability process. Niswander emphasized that any veteran in the community is welcome to come and speak with Conner. There is no charge or fee of any kind, and in fact, the exhibit itself is free as well, although donations are gladly accepted.
That brings us to Vance Air Force Base, which can hardly be said to be hidden in plain sight. The Enid community sees the airplanes flying overhead every week; the T-6 and T-38 trainer aircraft are a regular feature of our skies (and for at least a bit longer, the T-1 trainers). Vance currently produces over 300 pilots per year, and while they are here, pilots, students, and their families are valued members of the Enid community. This is probably not news to anyone reading this.
What might be less well known are some of the exceptional contributions that Vance has made throughout history. For instance, according to Vance historian Dr. Daniel “Wombat” LeClair, Vance produced over 9,000 pilots from 1941 to 1945. “It was extraordinary,” said Doc Wombat. “Their largest war class…had 374 people enrolled in it. That’s a year’s worth of production for us right now. They would go through, figure out how not to kill themselves in the air, and then go to advanced pilot training somewhere else.”
Vance has also borne its share of losses. Although we are used to seeing the little planes circling overhead, it is never a task without risk. According to Doc, “We have lost 131 people to flying training accidents over the years.” Vance has had two pilots awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for military valor: 2 Lt. Lloyd Hughes (posthumously) and Capt. Merlyn Dethlefsen. In addition, two Vance alumni were among those who perished in the 2003 explosion of the space shuttle Columbia: shuttle commander Air Force Col. Rick Husband and payload commander Lt. Col. Michael P. Anderson.
Enid is home to just over 3,000 veterans, many of whom passed through Vance at some point. It is little wonder that so many have chosen to stay here, since the community has historically been extremely supportive of the military community. In fact, in 1995, when Vance was on the short list for Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), “over 12,000 area residents gathered [in Enid] to show their support for Vance,” wrote Dr. LeClair. When the BRAC commission met a week later in Fort Worth, Texas, “over 1,200 Enid citizens gathered outside the BRAC commission meeting to show their support again.” Ultimately, the commission decided to close Reese AFB in Lubbock, Texas.
Vance proudly continues its mission of training and graduating the pilots of tomorrow. And today, those who keep the Lady Liberty flying and those who operate the Woodring Wall of Honor, Veterans Park, and Oklahoma Military History Exhibit actively encourage everyone in the Enid community to come out and visit these unique pieces of history. Year-round, Enid folks can visit the wall, park, and of course, the museum exhibit. The exhibit is open Thursday through Saturday, 11:00 – 4:00, it is free of charge, and as Niswander said, “The history of the military is here. All you have to do is walk through that door and see it.”
The Lady Liberty warmly welcomes members of the public to come and see the historic plane. With advance notice or at any of Woodring Airport’s summer fly-ins, which generally occur once per month, you can come see the Lady Liberty up close. It is a great way to chat with members of the squadron and see a bit of living history. In addition, the squadron is always looking for new members. According to Richardson, “They don’t have to really know anything about an airplane…everybody has skills they can bring to a unit like ours.”
Both organizations are on social media, so be sure and check out their respective Facebook pages for the latest updates on events. In honor of Veterans Day, the community is invited to “Celebrate Freedom: A Weeklong Tribute to Honor Our Veterans.” Taking place November 2nd through the 11th, the weeklong celebration features daily events at locations throughout the city. “Celebrate Freedom” is presented by Woodring Wall of Honor and Veterans Park in partnership with the City of Enid. Enid area veterans, past and present, cherish the many ways that the community shows its support. Please know that however you observe Veterans Day, your support is sincerely appreciated.
#Alltheway
While they may have graduated seven seniors off of last year’s 26-win team, the 3rd year of Coach Chris Jensen’s Enid Pacer Softball team has not missed a beat. At the time of this writing, they are 18-5 and have their eyes set on winning the district and hosting postseason games.
“I can’t say enough about this year’s team,” said Coach Jensen, “we are young but really stepping it up. Our defense and pitching have really kept us in these tough, close games, and our hitting has really been a bit of a surprise. We are scoring a little more than we did last year.”
As usual in softball, it starts on the mound, where the Pacers turn first to freshman Gracie Combrink who is currently 10-2 in the circle. “Gracie gets a lot of strikeouts and can be dominating. She already has an above average fastball and a really good screwball. She also plays everywhere on the field, and we’ve been trying her out at leadoff this last week, and she’s really responded,” said Jensen. When Combrink needs a break, Jensen says he has faith in both Rylee Thedford and Andee Rader to help out the team. “Both Andee and Rylee are good pitchers, too. They are strike throwers, which lets our defense work. And since our defense is a strength, it’s a good thing for us.”
As far as hitting goes, the team looks to Palmer Pasby to knock the ball around the yard. “Palmer is our three-hole hitter and can really hit,” said Jensen, “she is over .500 on the year, has a couple of home runs, and is just really good. She’s also a really good catcher and infielder, and with her behind the plate, she keeps the other team honest. When you have some of these close games, the other coaches see her throwing down to second and think twice about running. Keeping them at first is a real plus.”
If there is one thing Coach Jensen would like to improve on, it’s base running. “I’d like to steal more bases,” he said, “a lot of that is about timing and getting a good jump. That (stealing bases) would really help us out this year.”
The future is bright for these Pacers, and it will be exciting to see if they can make it #alltheway this year.
SHOW ME THE MONEY
Howdy fishermen (and women)! High schools across the nation are expanding their sport repertoire to include a new activity: fishing! If you grew up in the Oklahoma Panhandle like me, this most likely wouldn’t have been an option. If you were lucky, you knew a farmer with a tailwater pit that held some channel cats and blue cats in which you could wet a line. There certainly was no fishing at Lake Optima (if you haven’t heard of it, look it up on Wikipedia; what a disaster).
Chisholm High School has started a new bass fishing club that competes in statewide tournaments. While still relatively new, Chisholm had TWO teams place in the top ten out of over 60 teams this past weekend at Keystone Lake. Gradee Adair and Kutter Smith (sophomores) placed second, and Hayden Hatchel and Kelson Hamilton (seniors) placed sixth! Hayden said more than anything he likes the competitive part of fishing tourneys (if you saw either him or Kelson play sports, you’d know why) and also the fact it brings a different group of same-aged kids together at each event. He’s hopeful to be able to compete in the state tournament in the Spring. His boat captain was his father, Glen Hatchel, (don’t tell Glen, but I’m a better fisherman than he is). Ha!
Gradee’s favorite part (other than the fishing itself) is the rush of 80 bass boats roaring off before the sun rises. Gradee has already been contacted by universities for potential college scholarships for their bass clubs (more on that in a bit.) If you know Gradee, this part won’t surprise you; he wanted to give a special thanks to Kyle Smith (Kutter’s dad) for being their boat captain and former Chisholm Superintendent (and all-around good guy) Royden Tilley for filling in when needed.
As for scholarships, most universities offer “Bass clubs,” which are club teams not sanctioned by the NCAA. That allows participants to keep their winnings as well as use sponsorships. Universities in Oklahoma that provide scholarships include Oklahoma State University, Northeastern State University, the University of Central Oklahoma (Go Bronchos!), and Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
The 2024 Oklahoma College Bass Championship will be held at Ft. Gibson in October. For more information on Oklahoma high school club tournaments, see obnhs.profishingtournaments.com.
Go get those lunkers boys!
Italy
Hey y’all, and welcome back to Teen Scene in ENID MONTHLY!! This past June, my dad and I went on an amazing vacation to Italy. I loved it so much, so I wanted to tell you everything we did. Let’s go!!
We flew out of OKC and landed in Atlanta for our 7-hour layover. My dad and I probably walked around 6 miles exploring the whole airport. The time flew by because it was SO big and had lots of cute little shops to look around. Our plane to Venice was HUMONGOUS!! Probably the 2nd biggest I had ever been on. We got an emergency exit seat, which was pretty cool because we had double the legroom and were right by the bathrooms. The food was not very delightful, but I made it through, and I rewatched the first season of Riverdale to help with the time. We landed in Venice on June 16th around noon. If you don’t know anything about Venice, then a primary thing to know is that it has no roads, no cars, and it is all made up of waterways. The “streets” are little rivers!! We took a water taxi to the general area where we were staying. I brought a HUGE suitcase, and my dad made me walk for, what felt like, a whole mile dragging it on these uneven and rocky roads. After we got settled in the hotel, we changed and explored the city. I have never seen a more fascinating destination than I did that day.
We stayed in Venice for a couple of days, which was a good amount of time to get what we wanted to done. We went on a tour of the city and visited some archaeological, breathtaking buildings and churches. We rode the gondolas in one of the biggest riverways in the city. The next day we went on an island-hopping tour and went to Burano and Murano Island. Burano is known for its lacemaking, which some women make BY hand. Murano is known for their professional glassblowing!! It was really cool to see the process of both lace and glass creation.
We stayed in Rome for the rest of our time in Italy. We visited Sorrento, Amalfi, The Vatican, Tuscany, and Pompeii as well. Sorrento is known for its lemons and beaches. We were walking down a strip and saw a lemon the size of my head!! Amalfi was also a very beautiful coast. In my words, I’d say ‘Instagram-worthy.’ The Vatican is one of the smallest countries in the world. What makes it fascinating is that it is in the middle of another country!! Outside of St. Peter’s Basilica, we saw the Pope blessing newly wedded couples. It was so cool!! Pompeii was also a very fascinating city. I had always heard about it in class and read about it, but I never thought I would get to visit it. The story behind it is tragic, but the remembrance is so amazing. Tuscany was my 2nd favorite place we went to behind Venice. The rolling hills and hilltop cities were breathtaking!! It reminded me a lot of Meteora in Greece.
Thank you for reading this month’s article, I hope you enjoyed it. If you have any questions about my trip, please email me at tweensceneenid@gmail.com I would love to go into more detail about it!! I hope you have an amazing October! See you next month.
HANOR and KNID Agrifest Partner for $3000 Agricultural Scholarship
(Enid, Oklahoma) October 23, 2024– KNID Agrifest in partnership with HANOR is proud to announce that they will be contributing to the future of agriculture by providing a currently enrolled collegiate ag student a chance to receive a $3000 scholarship towards the cost of attendance.
Collegiate students of any age who are studying to become an ag industry leader and attending a school in Alfalfa, Grant, Garfield, Kay, Noble, Payne, Kingfisher, Blaine, Major and Woods Counties in Oklahoma are invited to apply for this tremendous scholarship opportunity.
Interested college students can apply at KNIDAgrifest.com, where they will need to provide information such as name, phone number, email, advisor’s email, field and school of study and a short essay of 200 words or less about why they deserve to be awarded this scholarship.
Entries are being accepted through December 1st, 2024. The HANOR and KNID Agrifest Scholarship recipient will be announced at KNID Agrifest on January 10th, 2025.
KNID Agrifest is Northwest Oklahoma’s largest farm show with hundreds of vendors filling 140,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space inside the Chisholm Trail Expo Center at the Garfield County Fairgrounds. KNID Agrifest brings farmers and producers from across Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas and beyond. The 28th Annual KNID Agrifest will take place January 10th and 11th, 2025 at the Chisholm Trail Expo Center in Enid, OK.
HANOR, a premier pork producer, has grown to be a world-class leader in pork production. With operations in six states and nearly 650 employees, HANOR produces high-quality pork for your family’s table through exceptional stewardship of our people, livestock, and planet.
A Night Out to Support Unbreakable Bonds and New Family Members
Author: Megan Lavicky
Charlie and Tango are the sweetest dogs! They are big lap dogs that want to snuggle and cuddle all day! And, with those faces, how can anyone resist? These boys are a bonded pair, so the ESPCA Team has the challenge of adopting two big dogs together. Charlie is a little braver than Tango, but both have proven they need and want to stay together. These boys are kenneled together, sleep together, and even eat together. They’re perfect with each other, and they’re perfect with everyone they meet, too. Both boys are approximately 2 – 3 years old and Bulldog/Mastiff mixes. Meet them in the ESPCA kennels from 12 pm to 3 pm on business days and submit your application for these special guys at enidspca.org.
Maybe you’re not looking for your next family member yet, but these faces have charmed you, and you’d like to help them and the many other pets needing a home. Donating, Volunteering, and attending ESPCA fundraising events is a great way to help. The ESPCA’s 25th Annual Food and Fun Festival is just around the corner and promises a vibrant celebration! This year’s theme, Paint the Town, is a unique burst of colors, creativity, and festivity. With DJ Justin of Blasier Pro at the helm, you’re in for an electrifying evening full of dynamic activities you won’t find anywhere else.
- Live Art: Watch local artists craft masterpieces on-site. Their creations will be available for auction in the evening’s silent auction. Witness art in action and maybe even take home a piece of it!
- Paws & Pours Best Bartender Showdown: Four bartenders go head-to-head in a playful competition, each showcasing their signature drink. Cast your vote for your favorite, supporting ESPCA’s incredible work. It’s a showdown guaranteed to have tails wagging and spirits soaring.
- If You Hit It, You Get It: A putting green of chance awaits you, strewn with cleverly wrapped bottles. Give it your best shot and see what you can win.
And here’s the heart of the event: every dollar raised supports the ESPCA’s mission to care for the animals in our community. This festival, our largest single fundraiser, has directly changed the lives of over 1,679 animals in the past year alone. Your support keeps our doors and mission open, bringing hope to animals who need it most and making a significant impact on our community.
Click here to find sponsorship information and purchase your sponsorship or tickets online. You can also save the form on the Festival page and print it to mail in. If you send your sponsorship, the ESPCA will mail you your tickets. If you purchase them online, you will receive them digitally from the Ticket Tailor platform. Please join the ESPCA for an evening where fun meets purpose, and let’s make this a night to remember while making a difference. Mark your calendar; this is one festival you can’t miss!
Adult Book Review: The Glassmaker
Author: Tracy Chevalier
Reviewed by Chloe Fuksa
As we get into the cooler fall months, I knew I wanted to cozy up with a good historical fiction read. The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier had been sitting on my shelf since its release in June of this year, tempting me each day with its beautiful cover. I finally picked it up, and excluding one large qualm that docked it a few points, what my mind kept coming back to over and over was how absolutely interesting the story was.
The Glassmaker follows the Rosso family of Murano, Italy, through the centuries, spanning from the Renaissance in the 15th century clear up to present day. What we see is this very intriguing dynamic where the island, and the family, want to stay true to themselves and their history – making the same things, in the same way – yet facing changing demands and pressures as the outside world changes too. The family, for example, must shift from making elegant pitchers and bowls to making small beads that can be stitched into clothing and accessories or even used as currency. Change does not come easily though, especially for certain members of the family, but the Rosso women are the ones that know what must be done for the business to continue.
The one quirk of The Glassmaker is that the author takes large jumps ahead in time without the characters aging to the same degree. For example, we meet Orsola, the eldest daughter, as a young girl, but by the book’s end, over five hundred years later, she’s only in her sixties. Perhaps other readers can grasp this easily, but for me, I just couldn’t understand it. And I think that tied in to why I could never quite connect with the characters. I enjoyed the book for its sense of place and its history, not necessarily the characters. That being said though, I did like this book overall, and I learned a lot, which I always appreciate with historical fiction.
Visit us in Sunset Plaza or call 580-297-5089 to get your copy of The Glassmaker today!
Leonardo’s Children’s Museum Welcomes “Seed Reef” Immersive Art Installation This Fall
Enid, OK – October 2024 – Leonardo’s Children’s Museum is excited to announce the upcoming arrival of “Seed Reef,” a captivating immersive art installation, opening on Saturday, October 19th, 2024. This exhibit offers an interactive exploration of climate change’s impact on ocean ecosystems, created by artists Emma Difani and Malcolm Zachariah in collaboration with Factory Obscura.
Since 2008, Leonardo’s has proudly been a part of The Oklahoma Museum Network (OMN), a statewide collaboration of five museums funded by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. However, with OMN’s dissolution in 2024 due to the depletion of funds for new exhibits, Leonardo’s is embracing fresh opportunities. “We’re thrilled to explore new forms of temporary exhibits in our rotating exhibit space, and ‘Seed Reef’ is the perfect way to start,” said Charlet Ringwald, Executive Director of Leonardo’s. “This mesmerizing installation allows us to bring art, science, and environmental education together in a way that’s impactful to children and adults.”
Transforming paper into a vibrant, underwater world “Seed Reef” invites visitors to embark on a journey through a simulated coral reef, beginning with a vibrant, thriving underwater world and progressing to a bleached, desolate landscape—representing the effects of rising ocean temperatures and pollution. The exhibit incorporates the ancient Japanese art of kirigami, using intricately cut paper alongside immersive lighting and shadow effects to transport viewers into an underwater realm. In addition, visitors are encouraged to create their own paper corals, symbolizing the restoration of damaged ecosystems and personal contributions to environmental healing. Emma Difani, a visual artist from Albuquerque now based in Oklahoma City, and Malcolm Zachariah, a biochemist and artist from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, bring together their passions for art and science to highlight the interconnectedness of environmental issues, even in landlocked Oklahoma. The installation was previously featured at Factory Obscura’s Mix-Tape space in Oklahoma City and City Arts in Ponca City.
The exhibit will be on display at Leonardo’s through April 2025, thanks to the generous support of the Enid Arts Council and Park Avenue Thrift. In addition to the exhibit, a special “Meet the Artists” event will be held later in the exhibit’s run, offering an opportunity for children and adults to interact with the creators behind this thought-provoking installation.
About Leonardo’s Children’s Museum
Leonardo’s Children’s Museum is a non-profit organization that has been serving the Enid Community for more than 30 years with the mission of enriching and inspiring children of all ages with fun learning opportunities. Located at 200 E. Maple in Downtown Enid with regular business hours of 10am to 5pm, Tuesday through Saturday.
For more information on “Seed Reef” and upcoming events, please visit www.leonardos.org or follow them on Facebook or Instagram.
INTEGRIS Health Enid Hospital Launches ‘Pillowcase Project’ at INTEGRIS Health Meadowlake
The Pillowcase Project, led by the INTEGRIS Health Enid Volunteer Services Auxiliary Program, aims to provide a comforting and personalized experience by offering each new patient a special pillowcase during their stay to take home with them upon discharge.
The auxiliary plays a crucial role in this initiative, generously sewing the linens and donating them to the Pillowcase Project. The need for this partnership and the pillowcases arose when requests for thicker, more comfortable pillows were received through patient surveys and weekly rounding reports.
After reviewing these concerns, Steve Atwood, director of behavioral health at INTEGRIS Health Meadowlake, submitted the materials change for consideration to INTEGRIS Health Enid Hospital’s Chief Nursing Officer, Kenna Wilson.
“Kenna and I coordinated with the hospital’s environmental services department, who helped us find another option,” says Atwood. “The request was approved to move forward with purchasing the thicker pillows to replace the current pillows within the facility. During this time, Kenna mentioned how it would be nice for the patients to have a personal pillowcase they could use while they are here and take home with them.”
Not every pillowcase is the same. Each linen has been individually sewn with love and care. “We currently have a handful of volunteers who have shown interest in the Pillowcase Project and were the ones who sewed and donated the current pillowcases we have for the program,” says Amanda Jordan, manager of volunteer services and gift shop at INTEGRIS Health Enid Hospital. “Individuals who may not have the ability to dedicate volunteer time at our facilities, in person, now have an additional opportunity to help.”
“Something as simple as a pillowcase can be a blessing most of us probably take for granted,” Wilson says. “For some of our patients having a pillowcase of their own at home is a luxury.”
INTEGRIS Health Meadowlake is a Joint Commission-accredited and OKDHS-licensed psychiatric hospital and behavioral health facility treating children and adolescents. If you or someone you know has a passion for sewing and is interested in partnering with the volunteer auxiliary program to provide pillowcases to the Pillowcase Project, please call 580-548-1113.
