At 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, Enid Police Department received a call on a non-emergency line from a male reporting an active shooter inside of Enid High School.
Enid High School was placed on lockdown while EPD Officers and Campus Police, Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers and members of the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office methodically searched the entire campus. Officers determined the call was a hoax, no shooting had occurred, and no students or staff had been harmed. A full and methodical search of the entire campus was necessary to ensure no threat was present.
Similar reports of school shootings were made at other school districts throughout the state around this time. Investigators believe the false report received on the non-emergency line regarding Enid High was a part of this larger statewide hoax. The origins of this call are unknown and remain under investigation.
While this incident was unfolding, a student from within the EHS campus called 911 and reported an active shooter. Officers located and arrested this student a short time later after the student admitted to making the 911 call. The student said he made the call as a prank. Investigators believe the student made the call spontaneously during the police response and not in coordination with the original non-emergency line caller.
The student was arrested on complaints of misuse of the 911 system, terrorism hoax and false reporting of a crime.
During this same time, an image began circulating on social media of a juvenile holding a rifle with a threatening caption about Enid High School. Officers contacted the juvenile portrayed in the photo at a residence in Enid. They determined the original image had been shared by that juvenile months ago and, at that time, it did not have the threatening caption. Today during the incident, another student modified the image, added threatening language about EHS and shared the image.
Investigators do not believe the juvenile portrayed in the image poses any threat toward Enid High School or has committed any crime. Investigators have contacted the other juvenile that altered and shared the image and are determining if a criminal act occurred.
Greetings! As we wrap up 2022, and I write my final article for a few months, I want to leave you with some simple tips for maintaining your online presence in 2023.
Google My Business
Make sure you’ve got access to your Google listing, as the platform is evolving and unveiling new features.
Make it a New Year’s Resolution to keep your listing up to date. Don’t skimp on filling out your entire profile – it’s an easy and free way for you to up your findability online.
If you are a public-facing employee at a large corporation, make your own listing! This will travel with you easily if you change companies, and you won’t get stuck listed as “closed,” or at an address and phone number that is no longer your own.
Website
Don’t wait for your website to be completely out of date to call your website host for an update!
January 1 is a great time to implement consistent updates or a redesign for the new year. Many companies (cough, cough, Wordy Girl Creative) offer packages that give you routine updates for a low monthly fee.
Social Media
Think quality over quantity in 2023. Posting low-quality graphics and copy multiple times a day does more harm than good… Instead, focus on a few quality updates, and grow from there.
I won’t give away all the tricks of the trade, but I’ll start taking strategy bookings again in the spring. Email katelyn@wordygirl.com to get on the list.
Email & SMS Blasts
If you’re doing routine email or SMS marketing, I challenge you to ask yourself why. What’s the end goal? Is there a purpose to the content, or are you checking a box?
Consider the end goal of email marketing, then reevaluate your strategy and frequency.
The Robinson’s have been in Enid nearly 100 years, and for a lot of that, so has Bill Robinson. Bill was born to a machinist and a teacher right here in Enid, OK. He was raised playing sports, but he especially excelled at baseball. He graduated from Enid High School in 1968 and started (and finished) his collegiate career at Phillips University under the legendary Joe Record. Bill graduated from Phillips with a degree in physical education and sociology. After graduation, he thought he would be a teacher and coach, but life had other plans and he became a salesman for Larry Black Sporting Goods. After leaving Larry Blacks, Bill spent time in Arlington, TX as a salesman for Canon Camera and the Texas Rangers. Upon returning to Enid, Bill decided to put his sociology degree to use and began his true calling – counseling. Over the years, Bill has both been in individual practice, as well as a partner in larger agencies such as OASIS. While at OASIS, he counseled hundreds of individuals from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. In individual practice, Bill has given thousands of assessments and counseled hundreds more who struggle with addiction. He currently runs “Real Life Solutions” where he gives Alcohol and Drug Evaluations, Assessments, Anger Management, DUI Classes and Individual Counseling. Along the way, Bill has mentored and taken in lots of people that have needed help, which shows the kindness of his heart.
In nominating Bill, a friend said: “Bill has dedicated his life, money and others’ judgment in giving hope and faith to people that a lot of people turn their backs on. He’s been a positive influence on anyone he helps. I’ve seen him save families, time and again, maybe knowing the end result, but he is ever the optimist. The man deserves more than an award for his great deeds and the many sacrifices he has made in his career. I admire the passion for people that drives him daily.”
Fellow counselor Michael Coleman said of Bill, “He has taken his own life experiences and used them to facilitate change in healing others. He has a passion for helping and has dedicated his life to fighting addiction. I am happy to call Bill a friend, and peer.”
Bill had two sons, Zac Robinson who currently lives in Germany with his wife and two children, and Benjamin Robinson, who died suddenly, leaving a daughter, Autumn, who Bill has been instrumental in raising to adulthood. He is very proud of them and will talk about them at any chance. Anyone that knows Bill, knows he’s the very embodiment of his slogan “Be Kind – It’s Important” and for that, he’s this month’s “Local Legend”
Humphrey and Guarantee Abstract Company is proud to present Local Legends!
Although the Boy’s swim team lost 10 swimmers from last year’s 3rd place team (including State Champions Kade Couchman and Dane Griffin), first-year head Coach Samuel Stewart has some lofty goals for his much younger team. “Even though we lost a lot of guys, I still expect a few of our guys to do well. Junior Weston Stewart (no relation) is one of the top distance swimmers in the state. He broke the team record in the 500-yard freestyle last year, and will also swim the 200-yard free as well. He works extremely hard and is dedicated to being a good student athlete both in and out of the pool. He makes good grades, and I cannot say enough good things about him. As a Sophomore, he finished 5th in State in the 200 and 4th in the 500, and our goal is for him to make the top 3 in each of those events this year,” said Coach Stewart.
“Another guy that I am really proud of is our Captain, Cody Higbee. He is a Senior this year. He is the hardest-working guy on the team, and motivates everyone to work harder. Our goal for him is to make the final in the 200 Individual medley, and the 100 backstroke,” Coach Stewart said.
As for the girls’ team, they do not have as much rebuilding to do as they did not lose nearly as many teammates. “Our girls finished 7th in the state last year, and we are counting on doing better this year. Our Captain, Shyann Kissinger, has the ability to win the 200 and the 500 freestyle events. She missed winning the 500 last year by .1 second, which was heartbreaking. We are also looking for Elsa Stewart to make the finals in her events (50 and 100 free). As a team, we are really shooting for top 5 placement,” said Coach Stewart.
While this is the first year Coach Stewart has been the head coach for Enid High, he has been the assistant for the last 6 years and has headed up the Enid Club team, the “Aquatic Club of Enid” for the last ten year. “We have a really strong swimming culture here in Enid, and while we never turn anyone away from the club team, we are pretty full mainly due to the facilities we have available. We compete all over the state and host our own meets too. It’s a great program and a great sport.”
Along with our sponsor Slater Mechanical, we wish the Boys and Girls Swim Team good luck this year!
December 1-January 8 Monday-Thursday: 3-9 pm, Friday-Saturday: 3-11 pm, Sunday- 12-9 pm Holidays on Ice in Downtown Enid 400 S. Independence
December 1-January 3 The One Enid- World’s Tallest Fresh-Cut Christmas Tree 150 W. Park Ave
December 1 10 am – 5:30 pm Open House Pearson’s Natural Food Center (131 W. Garriott) 25% off entire store! Goody Bags!
7 pm Trivia! Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
9 pm Karaoke (No Cover) The Lounge @ Ramada (21+) (3005 W. Garriott)
December 2-3 5 pm-9 pm Friday, 7:30 am-2 pm Saturday Waukomis Welcomes Christmas Main Street in Waukomis Vendors, food trucks, children’s games & crafts, wagon rides, Christmas music, Santa & Mrs. Claus, Christmas parade, more
December 2-4 10 am-5 pm Saturday, 1 pm-5 pm Sunday Christmas at the Farm Red Bird Farm (8812 N. Hwy. 81) Cut down your own Christmas tree, shopping in the barn, fresh wreaths, hot chocolate, petting zoo, more
7:30 pm Friday & Saturday, Sunday 2 pm Gaslight Theatre presents A Seussified Christmas Carol Gaslight Theatre (221 N. Independence) A whimsical reinvention of Dickens’ most beloved Christmas story in wacky rhymed couplets.
December 2 4 pm Basketball: NOC-Enid vs. Hill Mabee Center (2401 E. Maine)
5 pm-7 pm Leonardo’s Night of Lights Leonardo’s Children’s Museum (200 E. Maple) Picture with Santa, Christmas crafts, hot chocolate, more
5:30 pm-9 pm Chisholm Music Night The One (150 W. Park Ave)
6 pm-9 pm Christmas in the Village Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (507 S. 4th St) Experience a Victorian Christmas in the Humphrey Heritage Village with Christmas music, ornament decorating, crafts, hot drinks, and a visit from Santa
7 pm RED Grand Opening Party RED Nightclub (302 E. Maple)
9 pm Live Music: Backstage Pass The Spot (417 N. Grand)
December 3 10 am-1 pm Risen Baking Co. Presents The Gingerbread Jubilee The Farm on Norman, 1401 Norman Rd. Decorate gingerbread people and build a gingerbread house
11 am-2 pm Back Stage Pass Classic Rock Concert The One (150 W. Park Ave.)
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
11 am-3 pm The One’s Christmas Cruise Blaze’s BBQ (1002 W. Willow Rd) Cruise starts at Blaze’s BBQ and ends at The One, food trucks, live music, ice skating, more
1 pm-3 pm Book Signing (Joe Cummings) Putnam Six Bookstore (610 S. Cleveland)
3 pm Basketball: NOC-Enid vs. Link Year Prep Mabee Center (2410 E. Maine)
3:15-5:15 Hype Dance Co. The One (150 W. Park Ave)
5 pm Storybook Santa The Commons (201 S. Oakwood) Storybook Santa is bringing his Magic Box to help him tell the story of Christmas! Plus there will be Christmas Carols, the Kids Choir, Jodi the Elf, a hot chocolate bar, cookies and so much Christmas fun! This event is open to the public, free admission!
6 pm-9 pm Christmas in the Park Meadowlake Park (1200 W. Rupe)
6 pm-9 pm Live Music: Tunes with Taylor Fussell The One (150 W. Park Ave)
6 pm December Date Night The Farm on Norman (1401 Norman Rd.) You and your date will decorate gingerbread cookies to take home. There will be a hot chocolate bar and a holiday photo booth to capture your cute couple selves! Tickets are $45 per couple
7 pm JWL Gala: Hot Havana Night Stride Bank Center (301 S. Independence)
7 pm Live Music: Stacey Sanders Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
9 pm Karaoke (No Cover) The Lounge @ Ramada (21+) (3005 W. Garriott)
9 pm Live Music: Justin Shanholtzer & the Blacktop Rodeo The Spot (417 N. Grand)
December 4 4 pm – 6 pm Evans Drug Holiday Open House Evans Drug (1106 W. Willow)
7 pm Karaoke! RED Nightclub (302 E. Maple)
December 6 4 pm – 6:30 pm OBI Mobile Blood Drive The One (150 W. Park)
December 7 7 pm Live Music: Scott Laughlin Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
7 pm Karaoke! RED Nightclub (302 E. Maple)
December 8 4:30 pm-7 pm Community Children Choirs The One (150 W. Park Ave)
6:00 pm & 7:30 pm NOC Mackie Planetarium presents Star of Bethlehem NOC Mackie Planetarium (Randolph & Hedges)
1 pm Basketball: NOC-Enid vs. Mid-America Christian Mabee Center (2401 E. Maine)
5 pm-7 pm Leonardo’s Night of Lights Leonardo’s Children’s Museum (200 E. Maple) Picture with Santa, Christmas crafts, hot chocolate, more
5 pm-8 pm World Harvest Church Worship & Carols The One (150 W. Park Ave)
7 pm Trivia! Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
9 pm Karaoke (No Cover) The Lounge @ Ramada (21+) (3005 W. Garriott)
December 9-10 Mid America Nationals Wrestling Tournament Stride Bank Center (302 S. Grand) High School varsity wrestling invitational tournament.
December 9-11 10 am-5 m Saturday, 1 pm-5 pm Sunday Christmas at the Farm Red Bird Fam (8812 N. Hwy. 81) Cut down your own Christmas tree, shopping in the barn, fresh wreaths, hot chocolate, petting zoo, more
6:30 pm-8:30 pm Living Drive-Through Nativity First Church of the Nazarene (324 N. Cleveland) Simple, visual reenactment of the truth of Christmas; the story of how God entered our world in the form of a baby.
7:30 pm Friday & Saturday, Sunday 2 pm Gaslight Theatre presents A Seussified Christmas Carol Gaslight Theatre (221 N. Independence) A whimsical reinvention of Dickens’ most beloved Christmas story in wacky rhymed couplets.
December 9 5 pm-7 pm Leonardo’s Night of Lights Leonardo’s Children’s Museum (200 E. Maple) Picture with Santa, Christmas crafts, hot chocolate, more
9 pm Live Comedy Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence) Tickets at www.enidbrewing.com
December 10 9 am-3 pm 15th Annual Goodies Galore Redeemer Lutheran Church (215 S. Cleveland) Crafts, cookies, candies, and homemade chicken noodle dinner from 11 am-1:30 pm
11 am – 5 pm Caregivers Day Out 2nd Home Adult Daycare (2006 W. Willow Rd) $20 per adult, includes snack and lunch!
12:15 pm-12:45 pm City Cheer: The Grinch & Elf Squad The One (150 W. Park Ave)
1:45 pm-3:45 pm Kara McIntyre Dance Co. Christmas Recital The One (150 W. Park Ave)
3 pm-6 pm Christmas Crafts presented by All Moms The One (150 W. Park Ave)
3 pm-7 pm OBI Mobile Blood Drive The One (150 W. Park Ave)
4 pm-7 pm Christmas Critters Petting Zoo sponsored by Brody Electric The One (150 W. Park Ave)
4 pm-7 pm Express Employment Professionals Clydesdales and Giveaway! The One (150 W. Park)
5 pm-7 pm Santa & Mrs. Clause The One (150 W. Park Ave)
6 pm-9 pm Tunes with Taylor Fussell The One (150 W. Park Ave)
7 pm – 11 pm Geeks After Dark (Board Game Play) Settlers Brewing Co. (202 E. Randolph)
7 pm Live Music: Austin Duplantis Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
7 pm Xmas Rave and Glow Party RED Nightclub (302 E. Maple)
9 pm Live Music; Robert Allen Shooters Saloon (1416 N. Grand)
9 pm Karaoke (No Cover) The Lounge @ Ramada (21+) (3005 W. Garriott)
December 11 2 pm Enid Youth Symphony Winter Concert Enid Symphony Center (301 W. Broadway)
6 pm Christmas Choir and Orchestra Concert Emmanuel Enid (2505 W. Garriott)
7 pm Karaoke! RED Nightclub (302 E. Maple)
December 13 5 pm-7 pm Cocoa & Canvas The Farm on Norman (1401 Norman Rd) Kids will paint a winter-themed design on an 11 X 14 canvas. After painting, they will enjoy cocoa & cookies
5 pm-8 pm Candy Cane Cash Holiday Event & Drawing Chisholm Trail Expo Center (111 W. Purdue) Join Enid residents and Candy Cane Cash shoppers for the Candy Cane Cash drawing of $15,000 in prize money.
December 14 5 pm-8 pm OBI Mobile Blood Drive The One (150 W. Park Ave)
4:30-4:45 Redeemer Lutheran Church Youth Choir The One (150 W. Park Ave)
6 pm-8 pm Central Assembly of God Worship Service The One (150 W. Park Ave)
7 pm Karaoke! RED Nightclub (302 E. Maple)
December 15 3 pm Basketball: NOC-Enid vs. Kansas Wesleyan Mabee Center (2401 E. Maine)
6:30 pm-7 pm Saint Joe’s Children’s Choir The One (150 W. Park Ave)
7 pm-7:30 pm Club Theatre presents: “This Just in From Bethlehem” The One (150 W. Park Ave)
7 pm Trivia! Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
9 pm Karaoke (No Cover) The Lounge @ Ramada (21+) (3005 W. Garriott)
December 15-17 Basketball: Enid Holiday Classic Enid High School (611 W. Wabash)
December 16 5 pm-7 pm Leonardo’s Night of Lights Leonardo’s Children’s Museum (200 E. Maple) Pictures with Santa, Christmas crafts, hot chocolate, more
5 pm-9 pm Sleigh Rides with Santa 81 Ranch (5220 N. US Highway 81)
6 pm Ugly Sweater Christmas Party Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
9 pm Live Music: Van Damage The Spot (417 N. Grand)
December 16-18 10 am-5 pm Saturday, 1 pm-5 pm Sunday Christmas at the Farm Red Bird Farm (8812 N. Hwy. 81) Cut down your own Christmas tree, shopping in the barn, fresh wreaths, hot chocolate, petting zoo, more
December 17 10 am-4 pm Pop Ups on Park St. Park St. Event Venue (150 W. Park St.)
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
1 pm-5 pm Christmas Bounce Houses The One (150 W. Park Ave)
1:30 pm-2:30 pm Bagpipe Caroling The One (150 W. Park Ave)
3 pm-5 pm Dually Noted Band & Friends The One (150 W. Park Ave)
4 pm-7 pm Parents’ Night Out Champion Park Gym (700 N. 10th St) Crafts, games, free popcorn
5 pm-7 pm Crafts & Face Painting The One (150 W. Park Ave)
5:15 pm-5:45 pm Caxcan Hispanic Dance Group The One (150 W. Park Ave)
6 pm-9 pm Storybook Night The One (150 W. Park Ave) Storytellers placed across The One campus reading books aloud where guests can sit on a blanket and enjoy a story by lantern light, face painting, crafts carriage rides around the downtown square
7 pm Live Music: The RevolT Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
9 pm Karaoke (No Cover) The Lounge @ Ramada (21+) (3005 W. Garriott)
December 18 3 pm Hospice Circle of Love Tree of Life NOC Gantz Center (2200 E. Maine) Remember a loved one with a personalized ceramic Christmas tree ornament that will be featured on a trio of Christmas trees at the event
7 pm Karaoke! RED Nightclub (302 E. Maple)
December 21 6 pm-9 pm A Night of Carols The One (150 W. Park Ave)
7 pm Karaoke! RED Nightclub (302 E. Maple)
December 22 7 pm Ugly Sweater Christmas Party RED Nightclub (302 E. Maple)
7 pm Trivia! Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
9 pm Karaoke (No Cover) The Lounge @ Ramada (21+) (3005 W. Garriott)
December 23 5 pm-7 pm Leonardo’s Night of Lights Leonardo’s Children’s Museum (200 E. Maple) Pictures with Santa, Christmas crafts, hot chocolate, more
7 pm Live Music: Evan Atkinson Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
9 pm Live Music: Alltown The Spot (417 N. Grand)
December 28 7 pm Karaoke! RED Nightclub (302 E. Maple)
December 29 7 pm Trivia! Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
9 pm Karaoke (No Cover) The Lounge @ Ramada (21+) (3005 W. Garriott)
December 31 7 pm NYE Party Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
7 pm Live Music: Knight Ryder Elks Lodge (700 W. oxford) Party Favors, countdown and more!
7 pm Super Duper NYE Bash! RED Nightclub (302 E. Maple) Free Champagne and Party Favors!
When you sit back and think about the holidays, what is your favorite part? The presents? The food? The weather? Well, here in Enid it is all about the things that bring us together as a community and the memories that we cherish for a lifetime. Lucky for us, The World’s Tallest Christmas Tree does just that. Enid is getting the opportunity to host the tree for a second year and like many, I had so many questions! So, I dove into it and want to answer them all for you.
The Tree
The tree is coming from an area near the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in Northern California. It was picked by a company that is used to assemble and decorate the tree out of California. They have been doing this for a number of years with trees as large as 125 feet so they have the knowledge of what it takes to select the best tree for Enid’s event. Last year the tree arrived on October 13th and was assembled at that time but stood for over a month before being decorated with about 10,000 ornaments and 20,000 lights. It took 4 days to decorate the tree with lights and ornaments right before it was lit on Friday, November 26th, 2021.
While last year the event lasted 42 days this year it will go for 40 days. It will be lit during Enid Lights Up the Plains event on Friday, Nov. 25th, and be turned off the evening of Jan. 3rd, 2023. There are a wide variety of events planned during that time and we encourage those interested to visit The One website at theoneenid.com or stay up to date on their Facebook page.
I loved the whole idea of the tree. It really brought out the spirit of Christmas. I felt like I was in a Christmas Hallmark movie with the lighting of the tree. What a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas with my grandkids! Jennifer Pierce with granddaughter Paityn.
The reason the world’s tallest fresh-cut tree comes to Enid is because of a dream of Kyle Williams and his family. Thanks to the presenting sponsors, Jiffy Trip and Takkion, as well as several other businesses and organizations, they are able to bring this project to life for a second year. So essentially this project is privately funded. Their executive team is an incredible group of passionate and community-minded individuals that bring an array of talent to the project to make everything possible. This truly could not happen without their help. They have been such a blessing to this project!
Takkion, is the company that hauls the tree from California to Oklahoma. They work to ensure Takkion is onsite during the tree cutting and the tree is immediately loaded and starts its journey through 6 states and over 1,800 miles. Last year, due to a few delays, it took 5 days but still arrived on time. This year the tree arrived on Nov. 14th, after a short weather delay. It will require extra work to brace the tree to ensure it has a lesser chance of breaking. Then it will be assembled and decorated then ready for the One Tree Lighting on Nov. 25th in conjunction with Enid Lights Up the Plains event.
The Dreamer: Kyle Williams
The Williams Family
Kyle Williams is the reason Enid is able to have such an amazing experience. He started his plan in 2019 with the hope to have the tree here in 2020 but due to the pandemic, 2021 ended up being the realistic goal. Kyle Williams and his family wanted to provide something special for our community and state. Not everyone has the opportunity to travel to the coasts to see the other large Christmas trees, so he wanted to give everyone here this incredible opportunity. His passion to bring the tree to Enid is Faith in Jesus and the celebration of his birth. He wanted to bring the community together as a reminder that the holidays are bigger than materialistic things. With the help of many volunteers, Williams’ vision started to become a reality. Thanks to his loving and supportive wife Carol, Nicole Winfield, the project coordinator, Don Rose, who headed up engineering, Jessica Nelson handling the events, Ryan Fossett for visual decor, and a few members of his family, Jordan, Angela, Matt, and Alex, this all became a possibility.
It brought me such joy to be able to take my family downtown and see the excitement on my daughters face when she got to run around the winter wonderland that they created. It’s really such a special thing Enid did for the community and I’m so happy to have something like this to go to during the holiday season! Pictured: Tori Tate and her daughter Avery
This year, there will be a large star added to the top, so he is hoping for calmer weather. Last year we had five wind events of 50MPH and higher resulting in a little work having to be done to fix the tree. Mr. Williams has the hope to bring the tree back to Enid yearly, but for that to happen, sponsors are greatly needed. I asked Mr. Williams what Enid could do to make this happen and this is what he said “We need businesses to help sponsor this event. Last year and this year we are deeply in the red but believe we can be revenue-neutral next year. Our goal isn’t financial, but simply to perpetuate this event and Lord willing bring a hundred thousand visitors to Enid this year, weather permitting, and perhaps soon, bring 100,000 to Enid on opening night. We also need churches and our civic organizations to pitch in wherever they can. Many already are and we are grateful. Our event awareness nationally is also so much better than last year. Our desire is that it will continue to grow and Enid, Oklahoma will be known as the home of the Christ Tree, the World’s Tallest Fresh-Cut Christmas Tree.” He also strongly encourages everyone to support the local and state-wide businesses that support “The One.”
The Lighter: Dr Lyntel Murphy
Dr. Murphy was asked to light the tree last year due to her very honorable background and being an amazing part of the Enid community. I asked her a few questions about her experience lighting the tree last year and how it made her feel.
“I was on Fall Break in Alabama with my granddaughters when Kyle Williams called and told me I was selected to be the Grand Marshal for the first year of “The One.” At first, I was stunned then as it began to settle in, I felt humbled. He had previously asked about my military career then he asked about my educational career. I started teaching in New Mexico, and the class of fifth graders I taught then are now in their thirties. When I think about that moment and when it was put on Facebook and the comments started coming in my heart was so happy! This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I did not take it for granted because this tree was so special! As the lights began to go up I felt like it was coming alive.
Many people have asked about the lighting of the tree but to be honest, what I think about is the night the lights went off. It was as if a part of my heart went with it. Kyle Dillingham and I were standing by the tree in the cold singing. Once the lights went off it went completely silent. Even to this day when I go downtown, I look over to where she stood for all those days. All the programs and singing, and community involvement were so good. Every night someone had something going on down by the tree. It was like a winter wonderland. The streets of Enid were alive and it was a contagious kind of happiness in the air. I loved the entire time spent with The One!”
The Events
The One was an amazing journey of faith for me. It made me stronger in my faith and im so honored to be a part of such an incredible project. We always said that if we touched ONE person, it was worth it. The one person was me. It truly changed and strengthened my walk with Christ. I hope it touched others, I know it did, in so many ways. We heard many stories of peace, hope, inspiration, joy and that’s what this is about. Nicole Winfield and her Family.
Opening Night events for The One Tree Lighting
The Schedule of events is as follows:
6:15 – Main Street Enid Parade Begins
7:15 – Opening Music
7:30 – Ceremony Begins
8:00 – Tree Lighting and Park Avenue Thrift Fireworks Finale
8:15 – The One Enid Band Christmas Concert
They have a large variety of events happening during the 40 days of The One Christmas experience. All of those are on the calendar on their website.
This year there are 3 BIG events that they are incredibly excited about:
Christmas Cruise Car Show – Saturday, Dec. 3, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Christmas Cruise, sponsored by Enid Auto Body, is a family-friendly event featuring cars and trucks from around the region featuring music, food trucks, and other fun activities. The Grinch will also make an appearance during the festivities.
All makes and models of cars will circle The One campus around Christ Tree and the downtown square before making their way to park along Independence Ave. for visitors to check out and enjoy.
Christmas Critters – Saturday, Dec. 10
Christmas Critters, sponsored by Brody Electric, is a family-friendly event featuring Express Percheron horses, reindeer, and other fun animals for the kids (and adults) to enjoy. Leonardo’s Children’s Museum will have critters and present an educational feature to children. There will be crafts, face painting, music, and other fun activities for everyone of all ages!
Storybook Night – Saturday, Dec. 17
Storybook Night is an evening of storytelling and characters coming to life. Storytellers placed across The One campus reading books aloud where guests can sit on a blanket and enjoy a story by lantern light. There will be face painting and crafts, and characters will be walking The One campus for photos and autographs
Author: Ann Patchett Reviewed by Chloe Fuksa, Putnam Six Bookstore
These Precious Days, the latest work from author Ann Patchett, is a collection of 22 short stories, just released in paperback at the start of this month. There are a few pieces that are lengthier, but for the most part, each is well under twenty pages long. Patchett is well known for many of her other works, including the novels Bel Canto and The Dutch House and the children’s book Lambslide. Now, with These Precious Days, she is giving readers a memoir of sorts.
We read of the three fathers she’s had and the tattoo she dreamt of getting as a teenager visiting Europe. We learn how knitting helped her kick a bad habit and how her husband learned to fly a floatplane on a trip to Alaska. The most profound piece is certainly the one that shares its name with the title. In “These Precious Days,” Patchett shares this lovely account of a friendship that arose with an utterly unique woman named Sooki. Plus, if you want to know what it’s like to, say, own a bookstore in Nashville, or what an author actually thinks about judging a book by its cover, Patchett has you covered there as well.
If you’re like this reviewer, short story collections aren’t normally the first thing you reach for. But this book was a really nice change of pace. You can pick it up whenever you have time and not have to worry as much about remembering a detailed plot or a web of characters. Some of the stories seemed to fall a little flat, but the majority are quite beautiful and rich. If you want a reading experience that feels like you’re sitting around a fireplace, late in the evening, listening to an old friend tell warm, funny, moving stories of her life, These Precious Days is certainly that.
Visit us in Sunset Plaza or call 580-297-5089 to get your copy of These Precious Days today!
Author: America’s Test Kitchen Reviewed by Chloe Fuksa, Putnam Six Bookstore
Whether The Great British Baking Show is a family night must-watch in your household or you just love the idea of your kiddos helping with Thanksgiving dinner this year, The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs would be a really neat addition to your cookbook collection. Created by America’s Test Kitchen in 2019, this book has over 100 recipes for all sorts of baked goodies. The target age range is 8 years and up – and don’t worry, when adult supervision is needed, it is clearly noted.
The book begins with the fundamentals of baking, like how to melt butter, how to measure dry and liquid ingredients, how to use a toothpick to check for doneness. There are then six chapters, covering a variety of muffins, breads, pizzas, cookies, cakes, and pies. Perhaps you’d like something simple, like banana and chocolate chip muffins or oatmeal chocolate chip cookies? Maybe something more difficult, such as Key Lime bars or a Roman-style focaccia? How about pumpkin bread or a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving?
This book is perfectly made for kids – bright, colorful pages; plenty of pictures; clear, easy-to-follow steps; and even helpful tips and scientific tidbits. Plus, each recipe is labeled beginner, intermediate, and advanced so kids can match up with their skill level without biting off too much. Everything is presented in a fun, lively manner that will get kids interested in baking and help them build up their confidence in the kitchen. And who knows, the next time they need cupcakes for their classroom or granola bars for their sports team, they can try to do it themselves!
Visit us in Sunset Plaza or call 580-297-5089 to get your copy of The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs today!
Fall may be finally coming to Enid, and with cooler temperatures comes all of the soup recipes. One of my favorite soups is French Onion Soup.
The modern version of this soup originates in Paris, France in the 18th century, made from beef broth, and caramelized onions. It was introduced to the United States by the New York restaurant of Henri Mouquin in 1861, where his wife Marie Julie Grandjean Mouquin was the chef.
My recipe below is a super modern version, using modern equipment, like the Instapot, and easy ingredients such as seasoned croutons instead of the traditional baguette slice. Also, since we have still been altering our diet to accommodate the Hubby’s Alpha Gal Syndrome, I substituted the beef broth for chicken broth.
This recipe does call for red wine, and I recommend it!! However, I did learn from a good friend many years ago, ALWAYS cook with a wine that you would also drink. Don’t cheat your recipe by purchasing the cooking wines from the condiment aisle at the grocery store. Of course, if wine is not your thing, good red wine vinegar or extra stock could be used as a substitute.
And don’t be intimidated by the Instapot!!! While this is a wonderful addition to my kitchen, I understand that this invention is not for everyone. You can most definitely use a crockpot, or simply make this soup on the stovetop…just remember to cook low and slow to keep the robust flavor of the caramelized onions.
No matter how you decide to make this soup, try it!!! It is definitely worth it! Happy cooking!!!
Instapot French Onion Soup
Ingredients
5 large sweet onions
1/2 cup red wine
5 tbs butter
1 tbsp olive oil
5 cups beef broth
1 bay leaf
1 sprig thyme
1 cup Gruyere cheese
Croutons
Instructions
Melt butter and mix with olive oil.
Add onions.
Cook on medium to low heat stirring often for 10-15 minutes.
Add 1 tbsp sugar.
Continue cooking on low for 30 minutes or until the onions are golden brown.
You can also do this in the instant pot on sauté.
To make the Soup:
Add Caramelized onions to your instant pot.
Stir in broth and wine.
Add bay leaf and thyme.
Cook on manual high pressure for 5 minutes.
Do a quick release.
Turn your oven on broil.
In oven-safe bowls add onion soup.
Add a hand full of croutons to bowl and top with cheese.
Place in broiler until cheese melts about 2-3 minutes
