Hey y’all! It’s Sophia back at again writing the Tween Scene column in ENID MONTHLY! This month I am again joined by my friend Bree and we are giving out our 2021 Tween Choice awards. Let’s get to it!!
Best Singer/Songwriter
We both think Olivia Rodrigo is the girl to listen to! She has come out with many top billboard hits and many of our favorite songs. Bree’s favorite song from her album SOUR is “Good 4 u” and Sophia’s favorite is “favorite crime.”
Via cnn.com
Best Netflix Series
Bree: My favorite s
eries is All American. It’s my favorite because it is very intriguing and has lots of cliffhangers.
Sophia: My favorite is On My Block or commonly known as “OMB.” It is my favorite because there are so many twists and turns, it is very interesting and REALLY easy to binge-watch.
Favorite Food Trend
Bree: My favorite food trend is frozen honey/corn syrup. First, you put corn syrup with flavors of kool-aid, waffle/pancake syrup, or honey in a plastic water bottle. Then you flip it over with the cap down and the bottom up and put it in the freezer for a few hours. Last, take it out, squeeze the bottle and bite it.
Sophia: My favorite is “Natures cereal.” First cut up fruit like blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc. Next, put the cut-up fruit in a bowl and pour coconut water on top for “the milk.” Last, grab a spoon and eat it like cereal.
Bree: The best reality TV host this year is Terry Crews, the host of America’s Got Talent. He’s freaking hilarious and has a lot of muscles. He also is a very good flutist.
Sophia: My choice is TJ Lavin host of MTV: The Challenge. I chose him because he always makes my dad and I laugh with his sarcastic humor. He also always finds a way to roast one of the agents when they mess up.
Favorite 2021 Memory of us Together
Our favorite memory together is the tennis tournaments that Bree supported Sophia at. Our specific favorite tennis tournament was on the weekend of March 6th. After the tourney we went to the mall and shopped, then got rolled ice cream and ate at Olive Garden. It was SOOOO fun and we hope to do it again.
Thank you for reading our 2021 Tween Choice awards. If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas on upcoming articles email us at tweensceneenid@gmail.com. Tell us what you loved in 2021! We hope y’all have an amazing December and an even better Christmas! Stay warm and have a very merry winter!! See you next month, byeeeee!
This month, I’ve decided to share my Sister-in-law Amy’s Cranberry relish recipe. She and My brother Jeremy have been married for almost 20 years. They have two beautiful teenage children that are smart, talented, and for the most part, well-behaved.
She grew up in Annapolis, Maryland where her father, Bob, was stationed as a Naval pilot. She attended a private catholic school from kindergarten through high school. She and my brother met on an airplane, while both living in Denver. She was a flight attendant and he was a passenger, traveling back to Oklahoma to visit our sick grandfather.
I remember the first time I visited Annapolis. It was amazingly beautiful, quaint, and picturesque.
There are a million differences between Oklahoma and Maryland, including scenery, activities, lifestyles, and cuisine. They have the Atlantic ocean right outside their backyards, so they definitely know how to cook up a feast. Amy’s mother, Patti, has a “TO DIE FOR” crab cake recipe. Maybe I can get her to share it someday and then I can share it with you all.
Amy and Jeremy have lived in numerous places, but they eventually and thankfully landed in Edmond, OK. I’m still not sure, to this day, how Jeremy got her to move to Oklahoma, but he did. She loves it and we love having them so close. In addition to being a great cook, Amy also recently got into selling real estate. Her number 1 job, though, and most favorite is being a mother, and she is an excellent one at that!
The reason I chose to feature Amy’s Cranberry relish this month is 1) It’s the perfect recipe to share during the holidays and 2) It’s so delicious!
If you have neighbors, teachers, friends, etc. that you need a gift idea for, then here it is! This dish would be so cute to give to someone in a mason jar along with some summer sausage, crackers, and cheese. It doesn’t just have to be served with a holiday meal! Although, it IS the perfect accompaniment to ham and turkey. It is bright, beautiful, tangy and so delicious!!!
It is perfect for making ahead of time and can be stored in the refrigerator up to 3 days before serving.
Cranberry Relish
1 ½ cups peeled & chopped granny smith apples. (roughly ½ pound) 1 cup packed brown sugar ½ cup white grape juice 1 tsp. ground Ginger 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 12-ounce package fresh cranberries
Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until thick, while stirring occasionally. (approximately 15 minutes).
Cool completely and store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
If you are trying to figure out where to start, this is a good lower body workout to get you moving.
Bodyweight squats – Feet shoulder length apart and flat on the ground. Keep your chest up and bend your knees to lower your body. Do a set of 10.
Single leg deadlift – Begin standing with your feet hip-width apart with a weight or kettlebell in one hand. Lean forward putting your weight on one leg while the other leg extends behind you. Stretch your weighted arm toward the foot on the ground until your body forms a T. Bring your extended leg back to the beginning stance. Do 10 on each leg.
Hip thrusters – Lay your shoulders flat on the floor with your feet flat on the floor in front of you. Lift your hips up and squeeze your glutes at the top of the move. Lower bottom back to the floor. Do 10 of these.
Walking lunge – Step forward with your right leg, putting the weight on your heel. Bend the right knee, lowering it down so that it’s parallel to the floor in a lunge position. Pause. Move your left foot forward repeating the same movement on your left leg. Do 10 on each leg.
Standing calf raises – Stand with your feet flat on the floor, hip width apart and toes facing forward. Rise onto the balls of your feet as high as you can. Pause. Lower your heels back down in a slow controlled motion. Repeat with a slow tempo. Sets of 10.
In the beginning do 10 reps on each move, 3 times each. When that becomes easy increase to 12 reps on each move.
Easy Salsa Chicken
3 large chicken breasts 1 jar of organic salsa
Put chicken in a slow cooker and pour the salsa on top. Cook on low for 6 hours. Shred the chicken with a fork and mix salsa and shredded chicken. Serve.
by Cathy Thomas – Garfield County Master Gardeners
“Tis the season to be jolly.” And what better color says jolly holiday than red? When we think of the holiday season most think of evergreens, trees, wreaths, garlands, and decorative boughs of pines lending their scent to the air. Along with evergreens, though many decorate with red – bows, blankets, stockings, Santas, and elves – and of course, the traditional poinsettia.
Poinsettias are originally indigenous to tropical Mexico and Central America as outdoor plants. First described to Europeans in 1834, they were introduced to the United States by Joel Poinsett, the first US ambassador to Mexico in the 1820s. Before Poinsett, the plant was known as the Mexican flame flower or painted leaf.
Dark green dentate leaves are the primary plant, and what many consider the flower are leaves, as well. The colored bracts, normally bright red, with newer cultivars being bred in orange, pale green, cream, pink, white or marbled – are often mistaken for flower petals because of their grouping, but are leaves. The change of color of the bracts happens through a process called photoperiodism. Meaning they require darkness of at least 14 hours at a time for 6-8 weeks in a row to change color. The plants also require abundant light during the day for the brightest color. The flowers of the poinsettia are small yellow cyathia found in the center of each leaf bunch.
Good news about poinsettias, though. They are not deadly poisonous. Erroneously it was reported that a child died after consuming a poinsettia leaf. This myth was repeated for many years until a study showed this to be untrue. Contact with any part of the poinsettia by children or pets often has no effect, though if ingested may cause nausea or diarrhea. For some who are allergic to rubber latex, contact with the sap or latex of the plant may cause a skin rash, similar to a latex glove allergy.
To care for your poinsettia, remember to keep it indoors at temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees in light, either direct sunlight or artificial light for six to eight hours per day. As many commercial growers use non-soil mixes of sphagnum peat, pine bark, vermiculite, or similar ingredients, it is sometimes difficult to decide if the plant needs water. Lift the pot to determine its weight. If the plant is heavy, there is usually plenty of moisture in the pot; if it is lightweight and the growing medium is dry, a thorough watering should be given. Also, if the plant comes wrapped in foil, punch holes in the bottom to allow excess water to escape. Be sure to put it on a saucer or plat so that the drainage water doesn’t damage where your plant is sitting. If leaves slightly wilt, your plant needs water. If the leaves turn yellow and wilt, the plant has been overwatered. When a poinsettia is properly watered it should remain attractive for about eight weeks. If you wish to re-flower your poinsettia for next year, check out the OSU Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet HLA-6413 for instructions on how to care for your plant at https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/print-publications/hla/poinsettia-care-hla-6413.pdf.
Whether you want to reflower your poinsettia or purchase a new one, enjoy poinsettia’s flaming beauty. This living symbol of a joyous season is a colorful part of the American holiday tradition.
Once strictly industrial spaces that have been converted to housing in major urban areas, lofts are changing. They’re showing up in smaller cities, in new construction—and some of them even come with walls.
Who wants to live in one, big room? You might be surprised. The market for loft apartments remains steady and strong, even during real estate downturns. And while they’ve traditionally been located in major cities such as New York, Chicago; Washington DC, and Atlanta, they’re quickly showing up in markets outside the nation’s urban core
Loft apartments made their debut in the 1800s in Paris, where they were occupied by artists who saw the potential of old warehouses and other commercial buildings as places where they could live and work cheaply. The large, open spaces and high ceilings made it easy to set up a studio; the large windows let in an abundance of light, and there were no neighbors to bother as the artists worked through the night. The U.S. “loft movement” identified as such by its proponents, grew out of SoHo in New York. Today, they’re an integral part of a renewed interest in urban living that’s been underway for several years. It’s an innovative way to reuse old buildings.
While a true loft is a warehouse or other commercial building that has been converted to residential space, today’s loft options include new construction, featuring the elements that define loft spaces, such as high ceilings, exposed pipes, and ductwork, and wood or concrete floors. They also may be what is known as “soft lofts,” which have walls to define separate rooms in the unit. One big reason for the popularity of this growing trend is that there’s a whole lot of activity in lofts and young people like them. There is also the draw of being close to local activities and entertainment. Many lofts are located in the heart of revitalized downtowns or emerging art districts.
Pros of Loft Living
Wide Open Spaces You have infinite choices in how to arrange the space—and you can rearrange to your heart’s content.
Unique Look Lofts tend to be very unique, based on the building’s former use. You’ll have a look that no one else has.
Great Light Large windows are a hallmark of loft spaces.
Room to be Bold Large pieces of furniture and art that would overwhelm most rooms look great in a loft.
Convenience Lofts typically are in downtown areas, close to jobs, services, and entertainment venues
Downtown Enid has both residential and rental lofts. Each one is unique, restored, and a vibrant part of the downtown community. More information is available on these online or by contacting Nicholas Residential Real Estate (580) 234-7000.
This year Chisholm High School is grateful to welcome a new head boys’ basketball coach, Mr. Cole Hibler just as he welcomes his first child. When the opportunity arose, Coach Hibler came to Chisholm knowing the district’s history of basketball tradition. He and his wife, Ashley, moved their growing family to Enid to start this new chapter of their life.
Hibler played basketball at Barclay college in Kansas for four years. Before coming to Chisholm, he taught as Blackwell’s elementary PE teacher, head boys golf coach, and assistant boys’ basketball coach.
While Chisholm was getting back into the swing of things as this school year began, the Hibler’s household was growing. Luckily, Hibler was able to take some time off to help his wife with their new baby, Hayden Rose Hibler. When asked about this, Hibler said, “Thankfully, when our baby girl Hayden was born, I was able to take some time off to help my wife. Being a coach’s wife is hard, and I am very thankful for my wife, Ashley. She bends over backwards for me so that I may live out my dreams of coaching. I was glad I was able to take some time off to help her when she needed it most.” Their daughter was born on the evening of August 31st of this year, and the Hibler’s are thankful for how healthy she is.
Coach Hibler is excited to help Chisholm’s basketball boys grow both as players and young men through the season while his ambitions grow to fruition. When asked what his dreams were, he said, “I told my dad when I was 8 years old that I would someday be a head basketball coach just like him, and now I get to live out that dream.” Hopefully, like Coach Hibler, Chisholm’s basketball team can meet their goals too.
If your business would like to sponsor “Chisholm Roundup” please call Robert at 405-826-0418!
Author: Maggie Knox Reviewed by Chloe Fuksa, Putnam Six Bookstore
The Holiday Swap is the debut collaboration from authors Karma Brown and Marissa Stapley, and it is the perfect romantic comedy for the month of December. If you’re wanting a Hallmark movie in book form, this will do the trick. Between the picturesque town blanketed in snow, the descriptions of freshly baked goods, and the cute romances, this book can certainly take you away.
Cass Goodwin runs her family’s long-time bakery in a small mountain town, while her identical twin, Charlie Goodwin, is a co-host of a popular baking show in Los Angeles. When Charlie sustains a concussion though and loses her sense of taste and smell, the twins decide to swap places. Cass can make recipes for the show and judge the contestants, and Charlie can still make the bakery recipes since she knows them by heart. The twins make all sorts of mistakes in their reversed roles, and when they both start falling in love with guys, their situations grow even more complicated. But through it all, they also learn new things about themselves and escape the ruts they are in.
This book is a delightful, feel-good read. Some of the scenarios aren’t exactly believable, but the secondary characters are wonderful throughout and the final chapters are a warm, cozy conclusion. This book will certainly get you into the holiday spirit – and make you want to bake endless gingerbread cookies and lemon squares!
Visit us in Sunset Plaza or call 580-297-5089 to get your copy of The Holiday Swap today!
Author: Monika Utnik-Strugala Reviewed by Chloe Fuksa, Putnam Six Bookstore
Christmas Is Coming is a really fascinating new children’s non-fiction book in which Polish author Monika Utnik-Strugala explores Christmas traditions and celebrations from around the world. This book is a little over 100 pages long, and it is broken up into 39 different aspects of the holidays. The age range for this book is stated as 8-12, but it is rather for any age at all.
Kids (and adults) can learn about how a town in Sweden has a straw goat that is 23 feet tall, or how Germany has over 150 Christmas fairs (weihnachtsmarkt) throughout the country. They can learn about the eating of kutia in Lithuania and hallacas in Venezuela – and why some Japanese flock to KFC on Christmas Eve. There’re even sections on a steamboat-riding Saint Nicholas in the Netherlands on November 11th and a Christmas lottery throughout Spain on December 22nd. And so many more!
This book is not a chapter book with a story to read through, but rather a fun, informational book where kids can pick different customs to learn about. Because each section is no more than a few pages, this would make an excellent evening or bedtime book. The illustrations throughout are also quite beautiful and fit the different cultures discussed. Overall this is a really neat book that should certainly be added to anybody’s collection of Christmas books.
Visit us in Sunset Plaza or call 580-297-5089 to get your copy of Christmas Is Coming today!
Day Two of Mid America Nationals wrestling tournament saw two Enid wrestlers make the final mats, two nationally ranked wrestlers win their brackets, and a whole lot of tired kids ready for a nap (and a sandwich).
The second day of wrestling guaranteed wrestlers another four matches (following three or four the day before) resulting in a lot of exhausted wrestlers. The bracket format culminated in three matches at each weight wrestling at the same time in spotlight matches for 1st, 3rd and 5th place. Enid 106 pounder, Hector Perez, and Carlos Alvarado, at 195, both had really good days and were honored to have been able to wrestle in these final matches, Alvarado for third place and Hector for fifth.
Perez lost his first match of the day as Korey Griffin from Jay, OK was able to get the late pin. Hector then pinned his next two opponents where he met up with Barrett Byers from Piedmont. Perez took a quick 2-0 lead in the first period, and was able to ride his opponent out. He expanded the lead in the second period with two reversals and a nearfall, in which he was thisclose to ending the match with a pin, but couldn’t quite get the shoulders to touch. Entering the third period Perez had a 9-2 lead. Byers chose neutral and was able to get a take down and a three-point nearfall before Perez was able to get a reversal and get back on top. at this point it was still a 11-7 lead for Perez, who put on a hard ride, but Byers escaped with 18 seconds left making it 11-8. Byers knew he needed a big move, and quick, and he was able to do it, getting a take down with 14 second left, putting Perez on his back for two swipes and taking his first lead of the match at 12-11, where it ended seconds later. It was easily one of the most exciting matches of the final mats, and unfortunately did not end up in Perez’ favor. He still had a lot to be proud of however, as he finished the tournament in 6th place (out of 26) with a 5-2 record, with all of his wins coming by pinfall.
Junior Carlos Alvarado also had his time to shine by making it to the 3rd place match. Alvarado started the day off by pinning his first two opponents – the first in 28 seconds! He then met up with Ricky Thomas from Edmond North in a semifinals matchup, where he lost a close 3-1 decision. In the spotlight 3rd place match Alvarado faced Drew Powell from Bridge Creek. Powell got a takedown in the first period to take a 2-0 lead, got a two-point nearfall in the second, while able to ride Alvarado out. In the third Powell got an escape point to take a 5-0 lead, which ended up the final score. While disappointed, Alvarado still wrestled his tail off, and finished with a 4-2 record with four pins on his way to a 4th place finish out of 29.
Other Enid wrestlers had varying levels of success, but all in all, a good early season showing for most.
Sophomore Payton Zweifel finished 14th at 113, with a two-day record of 4-3. at 132 Vinny Vandiver did not make the second day, so finished 0-3. Steven Brooks had a good second day in the consolation bracket at 138, finishing with a 4-3 record for the tournament.
Trinit Zweifel barely missed the final mats in the 145 pound bracket by losing to JP Matinez from Duncan 3-2 in 3OT. He took out his frustration in the 7th place match with a 13-3 major decision over Tod Brakebill of Mustang. With an overall 6-2 record, Zweifel has a lot to be happy about.
Jason Pearson finished 13th at 152 with an overall 3-4 record, including a 5-4 win in his last match of the day. Jason Sayers was a little banged up, but also won his last match of the day with a gutsy 9-3 win over Wura Yunisa of Union. Overall he was 2-4 and finished 15th of 25 at 182 pounds. Heavyweight Seth Melvin was unable to finish and forfeited the 15th place match and finishing with a 1-4 record.
Overall, the Enid team placed 21st out of 30 teams, keeping in mind this tournament draws excellent teams from four states.
The finals mats were very exciting, as two nationally ranked wrestlers, and high-level D-1 signees had all eyes on them to see if they could win their brackets.
At 160 pounds, University of Oklahoma signee, #37 overall senior, and 6A state champion John Wiley faced off against Drake Acklin, an Appalachian State commit in the finals. Wiley won a tough 5-1 decision finishing 7-0 with four pins, a tech fall and a major decision. Even more impressive is that he did not give up a single takedown all weekend.
At heavyweight, Nebraska signee, and #23 overall national senior Harley Andrews from Tuttle also put on a show. Andrews had dominated his way to the finals, with five straight pins, all in the first period. He met up with Sophomore Maverick Williamson from Jay, who also had five straight pins before winning 3-1 in the semis. Williamson put up a good fight, with the score being 4-4 before Andrews just overpowered him in the second period and pinned him with a nice move. Andrews picked up the trophy for most outstanding wrestler of the tournament.
Teamwise, Edmond North ran away with the title with four finalists, followed by Tuttle in second and Mustang in third.
As a follow up to the teams from Houston and Louisiana mentioned in yesterday’s article, Houston Westside finished in 15th place. Juan Cantu finished 4th after losing 7-0 in the semis to eventual Champion Cash Donnell from Piedmont. Kyle Lew made the finals and lost an 8-4 decision, in which he was winning 4-3 in the 3rd period before Champion Josey Jernegan of Skiatook hit a big move for 5 points to win. Not much to be upset about a 2nd place finish for Lew. Freddie Pagan also finished 4th. As for Airline, Louisiana, Ernie Perry finished in fifth place, pinning his opponent in the spotlight match. All in all, we hope the long drive was worth it for these teams.
Coach Mike Froehlich from Houston Westside
And that wraps up the 2021 version of the Mid America Nationals Tournament. It is a great event, and Corey Clayton, tournament director, and the numerous volunteers and sponsors should be thanked for making it happen.
