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Children’s Book Review: The Bellwoods Game

By
Chloe Fuksa
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Author: Celia Krampien
Reviewed by Chloe Fuksa

Celia Krampien has illustrated numerous children’s books, but The Bellwoods Game is her author debut – and it is an absolutely perfect read for October. Published in July 2023, this spooky middle grade book follows a group of students as they take part in their town’s annual Halloween tradition. The objective of the game is to reach the bell in the middle of the forest before the ghost of Abigail Snook can stop them – or the town becomes cursed with bad luck for a year.

The three contestants are Fen, the popular kid, Carmen, the nerd, and Bailee, the outcast. They think they understand what they’re getting involved in, but what lurks in the forest is beyond any of the stories they’ve heard before. The paths keep changing, and the three must battle against attacking bats, endless spiders, and vicious ropes of algae – all while not falling into the icy river below. Plus, the spirit they are up against is not at all what they thought it was going to be. Only with teamwork, creativity, and bravery can they save themselves and their town.

Complete with a stunning cover and illustrations throughout, The Bellwoods Game is a fabulous book all around. If it is a child’s first dabble with the horror genre, some parts may be a bit too intense. But if a kiddo loves spooky books, loves to be on the edge of their seat, they can surely handle this one. So, this month, while costumes are being planned and candy is getting stocked up, kiddos can get even more excited for the holiday with The Bellwoods Game!

Visit us in Sunset Plaza or call 580-297-5089 to get your copy of The Bellwoods Game today!

Leaving A Legacy

By
Robert Faulk
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Second-year Enid High Volleyball Coach Gabe Watts wants his players to leave a legacy at Enid, as players, and as people. And since Enid just started playing volleyball in 1994, there is not a lot of history and legacy to compare it to. “There were some good teams in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, but its been a long time since we have made the State tournament. We almost did it in 2018-2019, but didn’t quite get there, but that’s always our goal, and we are set up to have a pretty good run,” says Watts. 

And after coming up just shy of finishing .500 last year (14-16), and graduating six seniors, this year’s Pacer Volleyball squad has a little ways to go. “We are such a young team this year. Out of our 8-9 min rotation players, only three are Seniors, and we have a lot of Sophomores and Juniors we have to rely on to be competitive,” Watts says.  “This year we have been right there with some teams, but we are just killing ourselves and have made too many mistakes. But we are just going to keep grinding, getting these young kids some experience (some girls are playing JV and Varsity to get reps) and we could find ourselves chasing .500 again, and maybe even doing a little damage at regionals if we end up playing some of the east schools again.”

And to do that, it’s going to take stellar play from team leaders like Junior Addison Polesky. “Addison is an all around good player, and can do just about anything from the outside hitter position. She leads the team in kills and is second in digs and is who we look to to lead us to wins.”  Junior Baylee Ross and Sophomore Lauren Jackson are also players that need to play well for Enid to reach their goals. “Baylee is a really good soccer player that is coming into her own as a volleyball player and playing well this year,” said Watts, and Lauren has come in this year, and shown that she can play good at this level.”

If these girls keep improving and getting experience, it would be a pretty good bet, they will leave a legacy for future teams to remember.

Early Bow Season – A Couple of Tips

By
Dalen McVay
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A Closeup of a white-tailed deer buck

Howdy y’all, it’s me again. By the time you’ll be reading this, it’s DEER SEASON!

I hope by now your feeders are full of corn, the cameras are giving you a glimpse into the deer on your property and your tree stands are secured and shooting lanes cleared. As of the first week of September, (when this article was composed) I hope you’ve left your hunting lands alone. Pressuring the deer early in the season (whether scouting, brush hogging, etc) could force the deer to find a new place to call home.

To me, the biggest “tip” for bow season is having your bow properly tuned and maintained, but also to PRACTICE. When I was a young bowhunter, I made the mistake of not practicing prior to the season. I had good bucks on camera and figured “ah heck, I’m good enough, I’ll be fine.” What happened you ask? Opening morning I had a good shot at an old, wide 8-point mainframe. As he cruised closer to my stand, he went behind a couple cedars which gave me the opportunity to draw my bow. When I did, the peep sight tubing snapped. While I generally replace them every year, my lack of preparation cost me a shot at a really nice deer. Of course, I never saw him again.

Another paramount consideration (especially bow hunting) is controlling your scent. Prior to the season, I like to wash all of my hunting clothing in scent killer laundry detergent. There are several different brands available on the market. After doing so, I cut a few cedar branches and put the branches and clothing into a ScentLok airtight bag. I put the bag into a ROAM airtight dry box and store it outside. While also playing the wind is vitally important (that’s why it’s important to have multiple stands or blinds set up, if possible) eliminating human odors will substantially increase your ability to harvest that trophy buck.

Obviously, these are just a couple important tips for (hopefully) early bow season success, but to me they are two of the most important. Happy hunting! P.S. If you have a child that bow hunts and harvests a good deer (or has a good story) email me a pic and synopsis of the story to dalen@mcvaylawfirm.com and I’ll select someone to be the feature in an upcoming article.

Gaslight Theatre Honored with OCTAVision Award for 30 Years of Shakespeare in the Park

By
Press Releases
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Sand Springs, OK – October 21, 2023 – The Gaslight Theatre, renowned for its commitment to the arts, achieved a remarkable milestone on Saturday, October 21st, when it was honored with the prestigious OCTAVision Award by the Oklahoma Community Theatre Association (OCTA). This significant recognition was bestowed upon the theatre in celebration of its outstanding achievement of 30 Years of Shakespeare in the Park. 

The OCTAVision Award, established in 1990, is a highly coveted accolade within the Oklahoma community theatre network. It is presented to an OCTA member theatre that has not only set ambitious, long-term goals but has also effectively and appropriately realized these goals. The award is a testament to the dedication and determination of the theatre community working together to achieve extraordinary results.

For three decades, Gaslight Theatre has been captivating audiences with its enchanting performances of Shakespearean classics under the open sky at Government Springs Park free to the public. This remarkable achievement reflects the theatre’s unwavering commitment to promoting and preserving the timeless works of William Shakespeare, making them accessible to the local community.

In addition to Gaslight Theatre’s remarkable recognition, Immediate Past President Charlet Ringwald received the Charles Hair Volunteer of the Year Award. This prestigious accolade is presented to individuals who have contributed years of dedicated volunteer service to an OCTA member theatre. These individuals may have been the founders or early patrons of their theatre, and their leadership is credited with the significant growth and success of their respective theatres. During her presidency, Ringwald led the theatre throughout the COVID19 pandemic. “Charlet is a prime example of why Community Theatres survive. She has continued to work as an integral volunteer for the theatre as a board member following her tenure as president. Charlet is so deserving of this award for her passion and dedication to the arts in this community,” stated her nominations.

Gaslight Theatre’s commitment to the arts, its dedication to their free Shakespeare in the Park, and the outstanding volunteer contributions of Charlet Ringwald have left a lasting impact on the Oklahoma theatre community. These accomplishments exemplify the remarkable achievements that can be realized when a passionate and united community comes together in the pursuit of a shared artistic vision.

The Gaslight Theatre extends its deepest gratitude to the Oklahoma Community Theatre Association for this extraordinary honor. The theatre looks forward to continuing its tradition of bringing the magic of Shakespeare to the community for many more years to come.

For more information about the Gaslight Theatre and its upcoming productions, please visit www.gaslighttheatre.org or contact the box office.

Adult Book Review: Looking Glass Sound

By
Chloe Fuksa
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Author: Catriona Ward
Reviewed by Chloe Fuksa

This reviewer is not at all one for horror stories, but in the spirit of Halloween this month, I reached for Catriona Ward’s latest release, Looking Glass Sound, to get outside of my comfort zone. What starts off as a seemingly coming-of-age tale soon melds into a sickening murder mystery, which melds into a mind-bending book about a book – about another book? I’m still not fully sure what I read. Looking Glass Sound certainly won’t be for everyone, but if you like books to envelop you in an absolute rollercoaster ride of an experience, hop aboard.

The book opens with three teenagers – Wilder, Nat, and Harper – on summer vacation on the Maine coast. They’re boating and swimming and thinking about young love – typical beach time activities. But also present in their town is a serial killer who has been going after women for years. When Wilder goes off to college afterwards, his panic attacks from the deadly cave are unending. He is befriended by a classmate, Sky, who helps him with his demons – but who has dark secrets of his own.

Aside from the gruesome killings, Looking Glass Sound really doesn’t seem like a true horror read. Instead, it’s an intricate, complex web of a psychological thriller. It certainly is impressive what the author has been able to accomplish, with the artistry and mastery of the different characters and plots. And I do imagine it would be quite interesting to re-read this book a second time through, with the knowledge of how the different puzzle pieces fit together. Looking Glass Sound really is a captivating page-turner that will have readers questioning everything they see and hear and believe.

Visit us in Sunset Plaza or call 580-297-5089 to get your copy of Looking Glass Sound today!

Donald Dennis – Local Legend

By
Robert Faulk
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Donald (“Don”) Dennis was born in Atwood, Colorado, but moved to Parsons, KS to live with his grandparents during World War II while his mother worked in a bomb factory and his adopted father fought in the military.

The family moved to Enid in 1945, after the war was over. In 1946, Don’s father, Fred Dennis, opened Dennis Plumbing at the location it still exists. Don attended Enid High School, and volunteered for the Navy during Vietnam. He served for four years on the Navy Destroyer, Floyd B. Parks, which operated in the Pacific Ocean during the war. Upon finishing his service, he returned to work in the family business.

Since returning, Don devoted himself to quietly working and serving in the community. He is a longtime member of the local Masonic Lodge and Shriner’s organization where he has personally sponsored dozens of families to be able to go to a Shrine Hospital for treatment. As a Shriner, he was known for volunteering to help at all their projects, including the old Shrine Rodeo, usually behind the scenes, and helping make them successful. 

Don has two children, Riley Dennis, who has also joined him in the family business, and Dawna Capaldi, who is starting a Vodka Distillery in Belize. He is impatiently waiting for grandchildren. He married his wife Cheryl in 2002 and they enjoy going to the lake, working at the farm and traveling to attend Navy reunions of the Floyd B. Parks around the U.S. 

Riley said “My dad has great integrity, is a hard worker, dependable and I’ve seen him help people my whole life. Anything he does he goes all out. He’s just a really good dad and good person.” And for that, he’s this month’s Local Legend. 

30th Annual Enid Lights Up the Plains: Kicks off the 2023 Holiday Season

By
Press Releases
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Enid, Oklahoma – – Main Street Enid is gearing up for the 30th Annual Enid Lights Up the Plains event, and it’s going to be a celebration like no other. Mark your calendars as always, the Friday after Thanksgiving, November 24th, 2023, from 5pm – 9pm as Main Street Enid invites everyone to kick off the Holiday Season in Downtown Enid.

Enid Lights Up the Plains promises a night filled with joy and holiday spirit for the whole family. Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect:

• LiveMusic by Justin Blasier, Jackson Anderson, Katie Logan, and Dave Roberts throughout the night.

• Downtown Shopping & Dining

• Meet Santa Claus

• Food Trucks & Vendors

• Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides & B.A.T. Express Train Rides

• OG&E Tree of Lights

• PAT the Snowman

• Christmas Lights Parade

• Holidays on Ice – Downtown Ice-Skating Rink

• Park Avenue Thrift Enid Firework Grand Finale

Want to be part of the Christmas Lights Parade? Interested in becoming a vendor or food truck at the event? Feel like being a part of this special occasion by volunteering? Curious about advertising opportunities for the 30th Annual Enid Lights Up the Plains? You can sign up and find out more information by visiting https://www.mainstreetenid.org/enid-lights-up-the-plains.html.

Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with festive cheer, entertainment, and community spirit. We can’t wait to see you there.

About Enid Lights Up the Plains

Enid Lights Up the Plains is an annual holiday tradition that brings the Enid community together to celebrate the festive season. For 30 years, this event has been a cornerstone of the holiday season, offering unforgettable experiences and memories for all who attend.

Garden Tool Maintenance

By
Cathy Thomas
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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

It’s time to pack up the summer gardening and get ready for the fall and winter. October is the perfect time to plant all those spring bulbs like daffodils, tulips, crocuses, and hyacinth. It’s also time to plant pansies, mums, and ornamental cabbages. But, a big part of packing up is prepping all those gardening tools for winter. Sticking them in the shed and then getting them back out in the spring is not the best way to preserve your tools and keep a healthy garden. Many bacteria and molds can live through the winter on your tools. Most metal tools will tend to rust and deteriorate over the winter if not properly put away. With a little bit of thought and effort, you can save yourself time, money, and heartache next season by taking care of your tools now.

All gardening tools should have the dirt thoroughly scrubbed off, preferably with soapy water or even bleach water. Bleach water will kill any molds or bacteria on the tools prior to storage. If the tool is rusty, use some fine steel wool and polish off the rust and rewash it.

If an edge of the tool has a cutting edge, such as pruners, tree trimmers, hatchets, axes, flat-edged shovels, hoe blades, or even a trowel, take the time to sharpen it with a whetstone. Remember to draw the stone in one direction with the same tilt every stroke to maintain a consistent edge. This is especially important for pruning shears and tree trimmer blades. If the blades are dull, nicked, or improperly sharpened, they are potentially dangerous to the user and they will damage the stem or branch rather than cutting it. Check your owner’s manual for tiller blades and lawn mower blades, as they can benefit from sharpening and oiling, too. If you don’t feel confident to sharpen your own, there are several shops in town and plenty of hobbyists who will be happy to do it for you. Just ask friends for recommendations. With any gas-powered equipment, remember to drain your gas and clear the fuel line. Gas will dry out and turn into a varnish in your fuel line and engine, preventing it from working properly next spring.

Next, using a soft rag, rub in some household oil on the metal blades or tines of your hand tools, mowers, and tillers. This will help prevent rusting over the winter. Be sure to coat it liberally and wipe off any drips. Remember to do the tines of your flat garden rake and the yard leaf rake, too.

Check the grips and handles of your hand tools. Remember that splinter?! Splinters can be prevented by sanding down any rough patches on the wooden handle. Rub linseed oil or mineral oil into the wooden handles to keep them from drying out. If you want to seal it, use spray paint or a varnish after sanding instead of oiling the handle. This season is a great time to get deals on gardening tools. Get rid of that old, duct taped, baling-twined garden rake that your great grandpa used and get a new one. Use the old one as decoration in that patch where you planted those spring bulbs and pansies and mums. Remember how well great grandpa took care of his tools so that they lasted for many, many years and follow his footsteps.

Gaslight Theatre produces The Book of Will, Opening October 20 in Enid, OK

By
Local Contributors
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Enid’s Gaslight Theatre will perform The Book of Will October 20, 21, 22, 27 and 28 on their mainstage at 221 N. Independence. Performances are at 7:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 pm on Sundays. Tickets are available at www.gaslighttheatre.org or by calling 580-234-2307.

 The Book of Will is a funny, warm and witty play that serves as a fitting tribute to Shakespeare’s work and the forethought of his friends. Without William Shakespeare, we wouldn’t have literary masterpieces like “Hamlet”; but without John Hemmings and Henry Condell, we wouldn’t have William Shakespeare. After the death of their friend and mentor, the two actors move heaven and earth to preserve Shakespeare’s plays for future generations. Their efforts result in the First Folio, published exactly 400 years ago. 

“Shakespeare coined so many of the words and phrases we use today,” said director Christianne Chase. “If you’ve ever found yourself ‘in a pickle’ or ‘on a wild goose chase,’ then you have Hemmings and Condell to thank for it.  Without these men, we wouldn’t know Shakespeare.”

“My degree is in European history but until I read this play I never knew how Shakespeare’s plays were preserved for future generations.  Everything that happens in this play is true, and it’s an amazing story” said Chase.

It is also a love letter to all those who have experienced Shakespeare in the Park over the past 30 years at Gaslight. “We’re thrilled to bring ‘The Book of Will’ to the stage at Gaslight Theatre,” said Chase. “In addition to honoring Shakespeare’s legacy, this production is a special tribute to the 30th Anniversary of our free annual Shakespeare in the Park. It’s a celebration of the enduring love for Shakespearean works and the joy they bring to audiences outdoors and now on our stage. We invite everyone to join us for this remarkable journey through Shakespeare’s legacy.”

Audiences can look forward to some special surprises during The Book of Will. ”With the 30th anniversary of our Shakespeare in the Park, I wanted to add some special touches. But you’ll have to buy a ticket to find out what they are!” said Chase.

Gaslight Theatre’s rendition of “The Book of Will” promises an evening of entertainment that blends laughter, drama, and profound emotion. The talented ensemble cast, under the expert direction of seasoned professionals, will bring this historically rich and emotionally poignant story to life.

The Book of Will was written by Lauren Gunderson and is produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc. The Book of Will contains some adult language and some bawdy references. It is recommended for audiences age 12 and older.

About Gaslight Theatre:

The Gaslight Theatre of Enid was founded in 1966 and is one of Oklahoma’s oldest, most active community theatres. Its mission is to provide a wide spectrum of high-quality theatrical entertainment to a broad audience in Enid and the surrounding communities, and to provide a setting for nonprofessional actors, directors, designers and technicians to learn and practice their art. Audition and ticket information is available on the Gaslight Theatre website, www.gaslighttheatre.org.

The Oklahoma Arts Council is the official state agency for the support and development of the arts. The agency’s mission is to lead in the advancement of Oklahoma’s thriving arts industry. The Oklahoma Arts Council provides hundreds of grants to organizations in communities statewide each year, organizes professional development opportunities for the state’s arts and cultural sector, and manages the art collections at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Additional information is available at arts.ok.gov.

Gaslight Theatre Contact

Christianne Chase

Director of The Book of Will

580-278-5290

chasechristianne@gmail.com

Now Serving for October!

By
Emily LeBaron
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With Fall, I think hearty, comfort foods. Crockpots, casseroles, and my family favorites, soups!  Chicken noodle, chicken and wild rice, and this recipe, Meatball Soup, are savory staples requested almost weekly. This Meatball Soup recipe hails from Chihuahua, Mexico, where it can be made into large batches and frozen, spicy or not, as you prefer!  Either way, the soup is extremely flexible in recipe, can be prepped before hand, or set to simmer and let its’ mouthwatering aroma fill the air as you complete other tasks. With the hamburger, it can be molded into adorable meatballs, or just ground up, depending on the time you have. Please expirament, and make this amazing, nearly infallible recipe your new favorite!

Serves 10-12

Ingredients:

2.25 lbs ground beef-cooked and drained

6 carrots, peeled and chopped

6 celery stalks, chopped

½ tsp black pepper

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp garlic powder

4 tbsp beef bouillion powder (Caldo de Res recommended)

2 tbsp dried, crushed jalapeno flakes (optional)

16 cups hot water

Two 8.8oz bags Uncle Bens Ready Rice in Spanish Style (Or you can make your own Spanish rice!)

Directions-

  1.  Add the carrots, celery, and rice to a large stock pot. Add the hot water, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and beef bouillion powder to the pot and mix well. Turn on high heat, bring to a boil. Once at a boil, lower heat to simmer.
  2. As the ingredients in the stock pot are heating, combine your hamburger and jalapeno flakes in a large frying pan. Cook thoroughly and drain. Once drained, add your meat and any jalapeno bits to the soup. Let all simmer until vegetables are cooked to your preference.

Serve immediately, a slice or two of your favorite bread is suggested. Or, you can cool it and divide into bowls and freeze. To reheat, run container under hot water until soup can be removed and transfer to a pot. Heat and serve as usual!

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