Big Bill stands sentry outside Vinita’s Hi-Way Cafe.
Beth Hilburn, co-owner of the Hi-Way Café at the west edge of Vinita, is bothered that people following Route 66 have been bypassing her hometown of Vinita. She may not need to worry about that much longer, however, if plans announced in July for a major tourist attraction materialize. Officials announced that a 125-acre theme park, part of a 1,000-acre...
Mother holding her daughter and playing around the park on beaut
It’s Tuesday and your child’s mood and needs seem to be completely different from yesterday’s – or last week’s, for that matter. Parenting can be tough. So how can an adult benefit from knowing the different types of parenting styles? Experts believe it helps them to adapt to the current situation and select methods that work for each child through trial...
Sporty senior women doing exercise in garden during group traini
As we grow older, our metabolisms slow down, partly due to less physical activity, loss of muscle mass and overall effects of aging, explains Kathryn Reilly M.D., M.P.H., a professor of family medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City.  But weight gain doesn’t have to be inevitable with age. Reilly says older adults can increase...
Burano Venice Italy
We hear lots of reasons why we shouldn’t go to Venice. It’s too touristy. Too crowded.Too pricey … plus, it’s sinking. Down nine inches in 100 years. (Ironically, during that time, Venice’s average sea level has risen a foot.) So, does anyone go to Venice anymore? Yes! The town still stays very busy, depending on the time of the year,...

A Man of His Word

Ray Bingham (left) poses with longtime friend and client, cowboy music star Red Steagall. Photo courtesy Brett Bingham
Last month in this space, I wrote about the Tulsa-based nonagenarian country-music impresario Jim Halsey, manager of the Oak Ridge Boys for the past half-century and a continuing force in the music business. This time around, I’d like to devote the column to another longtime manager and booking agent who, like Halsey, is still out there in the trenches...
At Elevate Coworking in Tulsa, employees can rent everything from a single desk to a studio or conference room. Photos courtesy Elevate Coworking
As the appeal to work remotely increases, so does the popularity of coworking spaces.  Whether clients are looking for a private office, conference room, sound proof studio or a single desk in communal work space, Oklahoma’s coworking spaces offer solutions for a variety of situations.   One of Oklahoma City’s coworking spaces, Workflow, provides all the basic office needs such as...
Whether you’re traversing on foot, on a motorcycle or in a car, scenic byways and highways lend themselves to spectacular Oklahoma views. Photo courtesy the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department
With summer in full swing, there’s nothing quite like a scenic drive through the state. Oklahoma harbors a plethora of destinations for your viewing pleasure – whether you want to drive, bike or hike, this list should have you covered on all things picturesque. Mt. Scott Service Road Located inside the Wichita Mountain Refuge in Lawton, this service road had some...
Tornado Neighborhood Destruction Stars and Stripes
This past June, on Father’s Day Weekend, northeast Oklahoma experienced what is referred to as a “derecho.” This term references a long-lasting squall line of severe storms that produces winds of greater than 58 mph, along a path longer than 240 miles. Tulsa and its surrounding communities experienced some of the strongest winds, with gusts topping out near 100...

A Novel Idea

Book clubs are a great way to stay well-read, connect with others and learn about new topics. Photo courtesy Magic City Books
Reading can open up new worlds, introduce new ideas and take a participant on exciting adventures. One way to get in the habit of reading more is by joining a book club. “I think being able to discuss things that are happening in books, and different characters that inspire us or unnerve us for some reason, with others … helps...
Although August is known for its intense heat, you don’t have to melt into a puddle like the Wicked Witch of the West every time you step outside. Oklahoma has dozens of water parks, over 200 lakes and 78,000 miles of rivers that offer a refreshing reprieve from the dog days of summer. From lounging by the pool to...