In 1978, Mark Carter took up welding at a vocational technical school, then transitioned to building oilfield pressure tanks and shoeing horses. For 35 years, he was a City of Moore firefighter, and he retired in 2018. Now he owns MC Iron Blacksmithing & Welding in Stillwater.
“I make anything, from hand-forged wall art, fireplace tools and table bases to...
Though many of Oklahoma’s beloved amusement parks have long since closed or been torn down, their stories reveal a fascinating glimpse into the state’s evolving culture of fun and recreation. Years ago, for those who couldn’t make it to Six Flags Over Texas, many family-owned amusement parks offered a perfect in-between stop for a vacation. Some are still operating...
Culture and history saturate the walls of Oklahoma in the form of murals, which tell stories of past and present, representing all who have called Oklahoma home.
Mural painting, one of the oldest forms of art, dates back to the Prehistoric Era. Over time, techniques have evolved, but the intents remain the same: cultural expression and social commentary.
“Murals have a...
While living solely off the land may not be practical for most people, everyone can enjoy the bounty of Oklahoma on occasion through the practice of urban foraging. Wild mushrooms, herbs and fruits can all be found in nature, and, if harvested responsibly, can be a source of nutritious, unprocessed and chemical-free food.
“Foraging is what people have done for...
Shadia Dahlal is in a hurry. The belly dancer and acclaimed playwright has a date in a few minutes.
“I’m going to have coffee with a hot young actor who wants to talk about theater,” she says breezily.
The California native, 74, sports a new hip, two new knees and a can-do attitude.
“Sometimes people my age are a drag,” she confides.
The...
Back in August of 1986, when I was working for the entertainment section of the Tulsa World, I wrote a review of a Mabee Center concert headlining singer Cristy Lane. Lane, as you might remember, was still riding fairly high at the time, thanks in great part to the huge splash made by her country-gospel chart-topper “One Day at...
It was actually Erik the Red who gave the world’s largest island its name a thousand years ago, when the Norse explorer was trying to get folks back home in Iceland to help him settle this new, inhospitable land. The name Greenland sounded enticing, he reasoned, and in truth some of it was green, just not very much of...
For many Americans, getting a good night’s sleep is nearly impossible due to a chronic sleep-related breathing disorder: sleep apnea. The most common type of sleep apnea — which is known to cause pauses in breathing during sleep — is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). According to the National Sleep Foundation, more than 50 million Americans are estimated to have...
Nestled in Grady County, just 40 minutes southwest of Oklahoma City, Chickasha is a lively town of 16,000 that weaves together Native American heritage, quirky attractions and a festive spirit.
Pat Cunningham, a lifelong resident of Chickasha and curator of the Grady County Museum, has greeted visitors from all 50 U.S. states — along with 18 countries.
“When you check out...
Across Oklahoma, new neighborhoods are emerging for empty nesters, and for those who are 55+. These spaces cater to those wanting to stay active, social and independent, while combining that autonomy with maintenance-free living.
Lorri Williams is the Oklahoma City sales manager for Hoffman Homes, which offers luxury downsizing, as well as low maintenance homes for adult communities in one-of-a-kind...
