Weather, Simplified

By

-

February 24, 2026

FreedomOK_supercell — A statewide network of Oklahoma Mesonet stations collects and delivers research-quality weather data every five minutes, supporting industries, public safety and communities across all 77 counties. Photo courtesy the Oklahoma Mesonet

The Oklahoma Mesonet, designed and implemented by scientists at the University of Oklahoma (OU) and at Oklahoma State University (OSU), is a world-class network of environmental monitoring stations. The entity is unique because it is the only state Mesonet operated as a 50/50 partnership between two competing flagship universities.

The Oklahoma Mesonet was commissioned on January 1, 1994, and consists of 120 automated stations covering the state, with site locations in all 77 counties in Oklahoma.

“When the Oklahoma Mesonet was created more than 30 years ago, computers and IT infrastructure were vastly different from what we have today. However, our forward-thinking founders recognized the future potential of the internet and how it could be used to disseminate weather information to core users,” says Cindy Luttrell, director of the Oklahoma Mesonet.

Early on, the station computers could only store five days of observations, but as technology evolved, so did the Mesonet, which can now store several years of data locally. It is also now possible for the weather events to be collected, processed and disseminated every five minutes, 24 hours per day, year-round.

The Mesonet monitors weather events, such as thunderstorms, wind gusts, heat bursts and dry lines that range in size from one mile to about 150 miles. The commitments between the two universities have built long-standing, trusted relationships with professionals across weather, climate, agriculture, energy, public safety and education to offer more than just simple weather monitoring.

“A core value of the Oklahoma Mesonet is providing research-quality weather observations that are useful across all industries. We maintain rigorous standards for site selection, station maintenance and data quality to ensure that observations shared with the public are accurate, representative and reliable,” says Luttrell. “Equally important, we place strong emphasis on making sure the final products are useful and actionable.”

Although there are other networks that are now referred to as ‘mesonets’ that existed prior to 1994, their scope was typically limited to agricultural applications; however, the Oklahoma Mesonet was groundbreaking because it was designed from the outset as a statewide, multipurpose weather monitoring network built to research-quality standards that served a broader purpose and use base.

The partnership between OU and OSU have allowed for the development of tools that place weather observations into context for specific needs, including crop disease advisories, irrigation planning tools, spray drift advisories and agricultural fire management tools; prescribed burning and fire management tools for agriculture and fire professionals; weather training and visualization tools for public safety officials; and a wide range of accumulation, extremes and real-time observation products for weather and climate professionals.

These observations are delivered in multiple formats, including text products, APIs and static and interactive maps, to meet the needs of residents, businesses, and farmers in Oklahoma.

The Mesonet data is a highly trusted resource during extreme weather events due to high observational standards that are upheld by those who monitor the Oklahoma Mesonet.

Many U.S. states and international partners have sought the guidance of the Oklahoma Mesonet in developing or improving their own mesonets, which has helped foster a collaborative community of mesonet operators who regularly share ideas and solutions.

“While our commission to provide useful, real-time weather observations remains unchanged, we will continue to adapt to new technologies and the evolving needs of our users well into the future,” Luttrell says.

Main image cutline: A statewide network of Oklahoma Mesonet stations collects and delivers research-quality weather data every five minutes, supporting industries, public safety and communities across all 77 counties. Photo courtesy the Oklahoma Mesonet

Watching Over Oklahoma’s Waters

By

Henry Dolive

-

February 24, 2026

Grand Lake Bluff — Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, one of three lakes managed by the Grand River Dam Authority, is monitored year-round for water quality, infrastructure performance and environmental health. Photo courtesy GRDA

Representing a fragile ecosystem, freshwater lakes in Oklahoma present a particular challenge from Oklahoma’s sometimes-extreme weather.

With that in mind, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) – which oversees about 3,000 lakes and large ponds throughout the state – and the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) – which oversees water in eastern Oklahoma – keep a vigilant eye on water quality year-round.

Darla Whitley, administrator for the OWRB, notes that lakes, ponds and streams “touch the lives of every Oklahoman.” She says many Oklahoma lakes are formed by “jurisdictional dams” that, on average, are more than 60 years old.

“As these systems mature, careful monitoring of structural integrity, storage capacity, water quality and ecosystem health becomes increasingly important,” she says.

Shifting weather patterns don’t help. To assist, the OWRB has developed a plan with a goal of ensuring that “communities, industries and ecosystems continue to have the water they need from our lakes,” says Whitley.

Maintaining that consistent water quality is also the goal of the GRDA, which manages three lakes in eastern Oklahoma, including Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, and in total, oversees some 70,000 surface lake waters.

Justin Alberty, GRDA spokesperson, says the lakes, which also include Lake Hudson and the R.W. Holway Reservoir, have fared well in Oklahoma’s fickle and sometimes harsh weather – even through extreme cold snaps such as the conditions experienced in February 2021, when temperatures plunged to near zero degrees.

“Managing the infrastructure during such cold extremes can be challenging,” Alberty says, “but the GRDA team handled it well. [We have] a very active and comprehensive water quality monitoring program.”

Monitors check for E. coli bacteria, algae and invasive species such as zebra mussels. The association also operates a water quality laboratory at Langley and another at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah that mainly focuses on water quality of the recreationally popular Illinois River.

Alberty says that the GRDA has several programs that support conservation, reclamation, habitat enhancement and shoreline maintenance around the shores of its lakes.

One challenge, he mentions, presents itself mainly in spring, when Oklahoma has bouts of high water from excessive rainfall. Last year was one of the wettest years on record for Oklahoma, and Alberty says several floodgate operations were completed at the direction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the Pensacola Dam that forms Grand Lake, and at the Robert S. Kerr dam that forms Lake Hudson.

When those situations occur, Alberty says, “the Corps orders release rates that are consistent with downstream conditions and projected river crests.”

Likewise, Whitley mentions, the OWRB routinely measures water levels along with chemical and biological indicators to catch emerging problems early. The OWRB’s hazard mitigation plan for 2025 strongly emphasized the importance of water resilience, calling for sustained investment, sound science and proactive management.

Whitley says the OWRB anticipates possible consideration of legislation supporting those goals from the state legislature.

“Updating infrastructure, strengthening monitoring programs and planning for drought, flooding and other risks will ensure Oklahoma lakes remain reliable for future generations,” she says.

For More Information:

Oklahoma Water Resources Board
405-530-8800
oklahoma.gov/owrb

Grand River Dam Authority
918-256-0911
grda.com

Longing for Something Simple

By

Sonya Colberg

-

February 24, 2026

At Mi Tea, carefully prepared cups and an inviting atmosphere turn tea drinking into a modern ritual centered on wellness, style and community. Photo courtesy Mi Tea

Teatime is not just for British blokes or grannies wearing lacy white gloves. Oh, no. Gen Z and Millennials are swimming in the tea revolution as they prioritize wellness, cultural values, ceremony, comfort … and beautiful social media moments.

“TikTok/social media is a big driving force for the growth of tea culture at the moment,” says Jonathan Khalilian, who ditched a job in academia to open his Japanese tea house, Brushwood Tea, in Warr Acres.

Social media is brimming with influencers carrying beautiful cups of tea, especially Japan’s trendy green iteration, matcha. “Teatox” influencer Kim Kardashian and her sister Kourtney frequently tout the beauty and health aspects of matcha tea on social media.

“I don’t know how matcha went so crazy so fast besides social media,” says TaNesha Rushing, a singer/songwriter who founded Mi Tea Lounge, a Tulsa Philtower Building venue that showcases musicians, sea moss and teas. One such tea is her proprietary brand crafted to relieve a scratchy throat.

“It’s a ‘richy’ looking thing … walking around with the tea and feeling demure,” says Rushing. “It’s a thing.”

A Surprising Revolution

An eye-opening restaurant trend report reveals that people drink more tea than coffee in Oklahoma and 29 other states. From Tulsa’s Art Deco elegance to Luther’s gentle countryside, Oklahomans are swapping cups of joe for natural, wellness-centered ingredients.

At Luther’s Wild Clover Farm, herbs are grown and harvested. Owner Lisa Shelden sells them online at wildcloverfarm.com. Photo courtesy Wild Clover Farm

“Everyone just kind of went on this whole thing of wanting to eat and drink better,” Rushing says.

Affection for tea – a beverage so coveted that Britain dispatched a botanist spy in the 1880s to steal China’s tea secrets – is grounded in today’s physical and mental health craze.

Drinking 1.5-3 cups of tea daily can lower blood pressure and cholesterol, while reducing risks of heart attack, stroke and dementia, though research shows tea drinkers’ healthy lifestyle may be a major factor. Coffee imparts similar benefits, sure, but tea provides a calmer, sustained focus without coffee’s caffeine crash, says Harvard Health.

Simple Life

In Warr Acres, Brushwood Tea fills as Khalilian mixes potions. The door swings open for William Williams, sporting a reddish beard, wire-rimmed glasses and a tailored green coat. Whisking matcha into a froth, Khalilian glances over his shoulder.

“Hi William,” he calls out.

Khalilian, a tea industry veteran and student at the Prague tea school Urasenke Chado School, appears composed as the crowd grows. At one table, a couple enjoys their tea and speaks in Japanese.

At a corner table, Jacob Markstone, his wife, Samantha, and son, Sam, are armed with massive tea bowls. They’re deftly swapping cards and sipping Sam’s favorite – maple bourbon vanilla matcha.

Their Saturday family tradition began after Markstone surprised Khalilian in February 2025 as he prepared to open.

“I’ve been in almost every day since then,” Markstone says. “And I’ve tried all of his teas.”

About 30 miles northeast, the owner of Wild Clover Farm contemplates the growing tea culture.

“Tea is simple and it’s kind,” says Lisa Shelden, who sells home-grown herbs online, and eggs from hens like Hazel and Violet. “Society is in chaos. I think that people are longing for something simple.”

Art, Land and Legacy

By

Kimberly Burk

-

February 24, 2026

Farkleberry — Ian Thompson began creating pottery as a child, but found teachers in high school who helped him hone his craft. Photo courtesy Ian Thompson

A dream came true for Shelley Patrick when the Mvskoge Waters Gallery opened Dec. 13 at the Jenks Riverwalk.

“We have been wanting this our entire lives,” says Patrick, a multidisciplinary artist and fashion designer who manages the gallery. “It’s the first and only tribally-owned art gallery in the greater Tulsa area.”

Patrick says Muscogee artists now have “a place to show our artwork and our understanding of our history and culture, and to promote our view of the world.”

The gallery features sculpture, traditional and modern dress, jewelry, textile art, accessories and paintings. The filmmaker Sterlin Harjo was invited to exhibit his storyboarding art. Some items will be for sale, says Patrick, but the primary purpose is to showcase Muscogee artists.

Summer Zah, manager of the FAM Store at First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City, draws on her Navajo, Choctaw and Apache ancestry for her printmaking, installation art and large-scale woven tapestries.

“A lot of Native people do take up some kind of creative endeavor,” Zah says.

And for many, it’s a family tradition. In her native New Mexico, Zah learned basketry and beadwork from her relatives, “or we took classes together,” she says. Her parents made their own regalia for powwows.

Ian Thompson, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Choctaw Nation, has practiced flintknapping since the age of seven, thanks to his uncle.

“We were at the Kansas City zoo, and he pulled some flint out of the ground and said ‘let’s go make something.’ That was a gateway into the culture for me,” Thompson says.

“Flintknapping is one of the oldest art forms and technologies in the world,” he continues. “There are certain types of rocks that break like glass in a predictable way, with a sharp edge. Flintknapping is applying force to the stone to make it into sharp-edged tools and weapons.”

Stones for flintknapping can be found in Oklahoma, including John’s Valley chert in the southeast, Peoria/Keokuk chert in the northeast and Alibates flint in the streams of western Oklahoma.

Thompson creates knife blades, arrow points, atlatl points and tools to process bison and deer, and he hunts deer with a traditional Choctaw longbow with stone-tipped arrows.

“It’s a connection with the land, if you do Indigenous arts,” Thompson says. “It’s a heritage that’s been passed down through hundreds of generations. It’s an opportunity to do things that are sustainable, in balance with the land.”

Patrick is a member of eastern Oklahoma’s Fife family, which incorporated sewing for the family into The Fife Collection, a business incorporated in 1978 by her mother and aunts.

‘It was a more formal version of Muscogee dress,” Patrick says. “They were in a lot of fashion shows.”

The eight children of James and Carmen Griffin Fife all took up some form of art, Patrick says, including leatherworking, quilting and bow-making.

The Choctaw Cultural Center in Durant sells and displays handmade baskets, beadwork, jewelry and more. Photo courtesy the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

The Fife Collection is no longer officially incorporated, “but we still have a small collection,” Patrick says.

The Choctaw people are known for their pottery, says Thompson, who started teaching himself as a child.

“By high school, I made pieces that survived firing, then I found some really good teachers. For my dissertation, one of the things I studied was Choctaw ancestral pottery.”

Indigenous art is beautiful, Thompson acknowledges, but it’s more than that: it’s deep community heritage.

“Basketry is probably the traditional art that Choctaws are best known for,” Thompson mentions.

But those baskets, fashioned from river cane, weren’t just to sit on a shelf.

“Southeastern tribes created earth mounds, a form of monumental architecture, one basket load of dirt at a time,” Thompson says.

Handcrafted items for sale in the FAM Store include pottery, beadwork, jewelry and ribbon skirts. The Choctaw Cultural Center in Durant offers beadwork, basketry, jewelry and craft kits to make moccasins or do beadwork.

Other venues to view these pieces include the Chickasaw Nation’s Exhibit C at the OKANA Resort, Red Earth Art Center in Oklahoma City, Sharp’s Indian Store in Ponca City, McKee’s Indian Store in Anadarko and Southwest Trading Company in Tulsa.

More Than the Buzz

By

Drew Joseph Allen

-

February 24, 2026

To most Oklahomans, cicadas are just those loud, annoying bugs we deal with each summer, a true indicator that it’s more than likely very hot outside. But what are these bugs, really?

“Cicadas are members of the insect order Hemiptera, making them cousins of stink bugs, bed bugs, aphids and lanternflies,” says K. James Hung, Ph.D., assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma and a heritage zoologist at the Oklahoma Biological Survey. “Although some people around here call them locusts, they are not closely related to true locusts, which are a kind of grasshopper.”

Their prominence in Oklahoma is due to a myriad of factors, but chiefly the forests and warm climate make it a suitable home.

“Baby cicadas, called nymphs, live underground and feed on the sap of plant roots, primarily from deep-rooted trees and shrubs. Oklahoma also has a warm climate, which is favorable to cicada development,” says Hung. Oklahoma also isn’t too wet, and since cicadas don’t thrive in cold places, the state winds up being a great mix.

Like most insects, cicadas also play a vital part in the growing ecosystem in Oklahoma.

“Cicadas help turn largely inaccessible biomass and energy – tree sap – into forms usable by animals – i.e. their bodies. Many bird species eat lots of cicadas,” says Hung.

Wyatt Hoback, Ph.D., a professor of entomology at Oklahoma State University, agrees that cicadas are much more than a nuisance.

“Cicadas are an important part of the ecosystem,” he shares. “They cause no harm to humans or pets, and even when millions emerge, the only damage is broken twig tips from where they lay eggs,” he says.

But why do they make those distracting noises we so closely associate with summer?

“They make the noise because that’s how they find mates,” explains Hung. “Only the males ‘sing,’ and the females find them to mate with them. Females don’t have the physical organs for sound production. In fact, [male cicadas] are the loudest of all insects, and some of the loudest invertebrates on Earth.”

As with most insects, their existence is short.

“The adult lifespan is weeks to about a month,” says Hoback. “They mate, lay eggs and their offspring start the long journey to adulthood.”

Although we only hear and see them during summer months, cicadas are just in hiding during the winter.

“Cicadas exist year round, but are only aboveground as adults – those that fly – in the warmer months because that’s when they are able to move around and find mates,” says Hung.

It might seem as though Oklahoma would be overrun, but nature always has a way to balance things out.

“Their numbers are controlled by predators, including large wasps called cicada killers,” explains Hoback.

It doesn’t appear as though Oklahoma will be getting a mass influx of cicadas anytime soon.

“2026 seems not to be a big year for periodical cicadas that emerge in huge masses,” says Hung.

Hoback concludes: “Oklahoma is due for ‘the big one’ in 2032, so mark your calendars.”

An Organized Way Forward

By

Faith Harl

-

February 24, 2026

Spring’s right around the corner, and that means it’s time for an annual closet cleanout. If it feels like your space is bursting at the seams, don’t fret.

Julie Onstot is a design consultant for California Closets – a premier designer and installer of custom, luxury storage solutions for residential homes. Working in the Oklahoma branch, Onstot shares her advice for making the primary closet stylish and functional.

“You’ll really appreciate your life and what you have when you know exactly where and what everything is [in your closet],” she says.

Declutter Your Wardrobe

Photos of professionally designed closets tend to have one thing in common: zero visual clutter.

“My No. 1 rule is just have less stuff. There’s no amount of organization, there’s no system I can design for you that will be easy to maintain if [the closet] is filled to the brim,” she says.

A good way to start decluttering is by getting rid of clothing that doesn’t fit. Next, see if there are duplicates or similar pieces you can pare down. If there are a lot of items to sort through, focus on one area at a time and take breaks.

Create Zones

Once you’ve freed up space, think about dividing your closet into designated zones for certain items, like formal wear, shoes and everyday pieces. While creating these zones, consider your daily routine and which items you’ll need most.

“Focus on building a system that works with how you navigate the getting ready process,” Onstot says. “If you wear dresses twice a month and jeans every day, keep your jeans in a place that’s easier to reach.”

Pick Practical Storage Solutions

Keeping your closet organized long-term comes down to creating a realistic system that you’ll be able to maintain.

“Design systems don’t work when you rely on motivation alone. We want to make sure everything that’s included in the design is manageable,” explains Onstot.

To decide which storage solutions will work best for you, identify your pain points. If your open shelving always looks messy, consider closed-storage, such as bins and baskets. If you want to spend less time hanging your clothes, see if you can replace some of your closet rods with a dresser.

Think Vertically

Vertical storage solutions can help you maximize limited closet space. Over-the-door racks and wall hooks are great options for hanging hats, neckties, jewelry and purses without taking up floor space.

Thinking vertically can also help with optimizing existing cabinetry and shelving.

“A lot of times people have very tall shelf spaces that aren’t adjustable… Adding a riser and getting two rows of shoes onto a shelf as opposed to one is really helpful,” says Onstot.

Add the Finishing Touches

Remember that a closet isn’t just for storing your items; it’s a space for starting and ending your day. Displaying sentimental keepsakes, hanging up wall art, or applying a fresh coat of paint can make the space feel more personal and inviting. For a final touch, Onstot recommends investing in matching hangers.

She also encourages her clients to not be afraid to “do something a little bit differently,” in their own home.

“I love helping people work through the design process… and creating a foundation for someone to maintain their own system,” she says. “It’s a time where we can be creative and think outside the box.”

Partners in the Spotlight

By

John Wooley

-

February 24, 2026

Vern and Lisa Robertson Stefanic have blended writing, directing and performance across hundreds of Tulsa-area productions. Photos courtesy the Stefanics

For some five decades now, the husband-and-wife team of Vern and Lisa Robertson Stefanic have – both separately and together – been entertaining and enlightening Tulsa-area theatergoers in a dizzying variety of productions. And their fans, myself included, undoubtedly have favorite moments from the careers of actor-director Lisa and director-writer Vern.

I fondly remember, for instance, Lisa’s performance as a potential vampire bride in American Theater Company’s Halloween 1989 production of The Passion of Dracula. She was so powerful and engaging that, after reviewing the play for the Tulsa World, I felt compelled to go back and see it again on my own dime. That was the same year the Tulsa-lensed movie UHF was released, and people all over the world got a chance to glimpse Lisa’s talents as the bubbly contestant on the game show “Wheel of Fish.”

Meanwhile, thousands – again, myself included – have enjoyed Vern’s adaptation (with music by collaborator Doug Smith) of the Christmas movie Miracle on 34th Street, which not only had a long Tulsa run, but continues to be performed on stages across the country. His extensive list of directorial credits also include the historical fantasy Thomas Conner and I wrote, Time Changes Everything, about two imaginary meetings between Oklahoma musical icons Bob Wills and Woody Guthrie. Starring Brad Piccolo and John Cooper of the Red Dirt Rangers, it had a nice little statewide run several years back, and I know Vern’s steady hand had a lot to do with its success.

Between them, the Stefanics have been involved with hundreds of stage productions over the years. And yet, when I float the idea the they’re basically our Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, they both just laugh.

I’m sticking with that evaluation, though. And what’s more, I think their historic collaboration may have been foreshadowed when they were both very young, with Lisa already interested in theater and Vern virtually growing up backstage at the famed St. Louis Municipal Opera Theater, where his grandfather was lighting director.

“When I was in eighth grade,” recalls Lisa, “my family took a vacation to St. Louis. We saw Damn Yankees with Ray Walston and Gwen Verdon – and Vern was working that show!”

“I was there that night as an usher,” he says, “and helping out the crew afterwards. Of course, we figured that out later.”

As in the theater, the curtain falls, and time passes.

St. Louis resident Vern, attracted to the University of Tulsa by both its sports programs (he played a year of football at TU as a walk-on) and journalism department (“I liked that the professors were all newspaper professionals”), got his degree and began working for the Tulsa World. Tulsan Lisa, meanwhile, had become deeply involved in TU theater.

“That was back around ’74, and in those days, the World would review college productions. So Ron Butler, the entertainment editor of the World, asked me to review a TU show,” says Vern. “I said, ‘Oh, well. Okay,’ and I went, and I was really, really impressed. So the following semester, I returned to school to study playwriting.”

While he was on campus, signing up for classes, Vern saw that the TU theater was presenting a couple of one-act plays by Tennessee Williams. Photos of the cast were on display in the lobby, and one in particular caught his eye.

“I thought, ‘Wow. This woman really looks interesting. I hope I get to meet her.’”

Of course, it was Lisa Robertson, who by that time was beginning to make a name for herself on Tulsa stages. He did soon get to meet her.

“We were in a stagecraft class together,” explains Lisa. “And I noticed this guy who was always leaving class a little early. He’d have a tie in his jacket pocket and a notebook in his hip pocket, and I thought, ‘Who is this guy? What’s he doing? He’s kinda cute.’”

Of course, the tie and the notebook were accoutrements of Vern’s Tulsa World job, which he often had to rush out of class to attend to.

“We were doing a horrible show called Fashion, which was written by the first American playwright, Anna Cora Mowatt,” continues Lisa. “And he ended up working on the crew, backstage. We were playing cards in the green room, and I asked him if he’d ever played Smoke and Fire. He said no, and I said, ‘It’s real easy. I’m going to hold up a card. If it’s black, you say “smoke.” And if it’s red, you yell “fire.”

“So I start showing him the cards, and it’s smoke, smoke, smoke and then he yells, ‘fire!’ and I just go phhhhfftt! with the cards and throw them all in his lap.”

“Yes,” says Vern. “I was the butt of the joke, and apparently, because I didn’t fly off into a Donald Duck fury, I was acceptable in the theater.”

He was also acceptable to the young woman who’d tossed the cards at him. And the feeling was mutual. After they’d been dating for what Lisa laughingly remembers as “a full two months,” he proposed, and she accepted.

“It was the first of December or so. We’d gone out on a date, and we were talking, and I don’t remember exactly what he said, but I think it was something about sharing a toothbrush holder.

“I said, ‘Are you asking me to marry you?’ And he turned away, looked back at me, and he said, ‘Yeah.’”

Married in July, they never stopped working at their craft, with Lisa acting and Vern penning his first play, Last Chances, Lost Dreams.

“A real knee-slapper,” he says, laughing. “I was trying to be the next Eugene O’Neill, but all I was was a tremendous failure. I will say that without the TU theater department, I would never have gotten the opportunity to write my first plays and figure out what I was doing.”

The first production they collaborated on was one Vern wrote called Stories from the Attic, starring Lisa. That would eventually become Third Street, Vern’s first musical. He directed both versions.

“Although Lisa had done other of my works before, this was the first time I was with her on a show,” he says. “We always hear our lines in our head, the way they should be said, but Lisa said one of mine a completely different way, and it was a million times better than I’d ever envisioned it. At that point, I pretty much trusted the actress I was living with.”

Over the years, they’ve done a number of other productions together, usually with Vern directing and Lisa acting. Lisa, however, has become an in-demand director herself, and their collaborations have moved mostly off-stage, becoming more personal as well as theatrical.

“When we’re both working on separate projects, we’ll come home and talk about our rehearsals,” explains Lisa. “Whatever show I’m doing, I’ll kick it around with him. That’s a kind of fun collaboration, just bouncing stuff off each other.”

“We’ve always heard about how Robert Redford was an actor’s director, because he himself was an actor,” Vern adds. “Lisa approaches directing more like that. It’s a different perspective. As a director, she can help her cast do things.

“I come at it from a writer’s perspective. I’ve been told what I can do is help people understand what the story is that we’re trying to sell. So she and I complement one another. It’s not a rivalry. It’s a complementary approach.”

Most recently, Lisa directed the just-concluded Love Letters for Theatre Tulsa. A cabaret show of hers is forthcoming. Meanwhile, Vern helms the Pembroke Players production of Shakespeare in Love, running March 6-15 at the PAC.

A Hidden Caribbean Haven

By

Nina Bronson

-

February 24, 2026

My husband and I recently traveled to Rosewood Little Dix Bay for our birthday celebrations. Prior to booking our trip, I had never heard of this secluded resort situated on the island of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. It came recommended through a mutual friend after discussing our ideal birthday trip without kids.

There are a few routes to get to the resort, but since I’m not a fan of small planes, I opted for the journey that avoided that. We flew to St. Thomas, which was quite easy as St. Thomas is a U.S. territory and no passports were required. Once we reached St. Thomas, we took a cab ride to the public ferry, which was about an hour. We then took another short ride to a luxury catamaran, organized by the resort, which took another 20 minutes or so to ultimately reach the property. There is also an option to fly into the Virgin Gorda Airport, which is a 5-minute drive to the resort. For further route options, reach out directly to the resort.

Since we arrived at night, it was too dark to see the property, but we were so impressed upon arrival to our room after being greeted by our butler (yes, you are assigned a personal butler). We stayed in an ocean view cottage room, which had a king bed and high ceilings, a spacious bathroom with a tub and shower, and a large balcony with seating.

We were welcomed with two slices of delicious chocolate cake, balloons and Prosecco in celebration of our birthdays. Our butler explained that the resort had a no-key honor code policy, which set the tone for the warm, trusting and welcoming Caribbean atmosphere. (Of course, once you are in your room, you can lock your door).

Crystal-clear turquoise waters lap the crescent-shaped beach at Rosewood Little Dix Bay.

On our first night, we decided to order room service for dinner, which we enjoyed on our balcony. It was a little breezy at night, but very comfortable – in the upper sixties. Daytime temperatures were in the low-to-mid eighties.

Each morning, we had breakfast at the Pavilion, which was complimentary as part of our daily package. The Pavilion breakfast was definitely my favorite meal each day at the resort. There were so many options, from the omelette bar to the fresh juices and baked good items. The best part? The view! The Pavilion has outdoor (but covered) seating; it was so peaceful and relaxing looking out on the water. We ordered lunch by the pool or the beach each day. The lunch was delicious, but full disclosure – it was not the most extensive menu. We dined on property for dinner at the restaurants Sugar Mill and Reef House. We did go off-site one night for dinner at CocoMaya Restaurant, which is a popular Asian-Latin fusion beachside restaurant a short cab ride from the resort.

Our daily activities mainly included lounging by the beach or the pool, playing tennis and snorkeling. We also treated ourselves to a couples massage at the Sense Spa on property. Since we were there for just a few days, we didn’t have an opportunity to do as many activities as we would have liked. For those who are interested, the property offers guided horticultural tours of the onsite farm to learn how they grow organic mangos, cauliflower, lemongrass and more.

For those who want to venture off the property, you can explore other beaches through a “Beach Drop” organized by the hotel boat. There are bikes throughout the property for those who prefer to travel the property by bike than foot. There are also golf carts that can help transport you, since the property is quite large.

The resort was very quiet when we were there; I think we only saw two or three children the whole time. However, there is a kids’ club for children ages 4-12 for those who are traveling with kids.

If you are looking for a serene Caribbean destination spot, be sure to check out the Rosewood Little Dix Bay for your next getaway!

Understanding Guillain-Barré Syndrome

By

Rebecca Fast

-

February 24, 2026

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare autoimmune disorder affecting an estimated 3,000 to 6,000 Americans each year. For those afflicted, it can be a troubling and scary experience, as symptoms typically occur suddenly and unexpectedly.

Matthew Le, M.D., an OU Health pediatric physician and clinical assistant professor in pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, explains that GBS is a neurological condition where the body’s immune system overreacts to an infection, such as a cold or stomach bug. The immune system attacks the body’s nerves and causes weakness and, sometimes, paralysis. Symptoms can progress within hours, days or over a few weeks, with the most severe stages of weakness typically occurring within the first two weeks after symptoms appear.

“It is the most common cause of flaccid paralysis in healthy infants and children in the post-polio era,” says Le, adding that most patients present with an inability to walk. “The disease usually starts in the legs and moves upward through the body. There are other variants that can start in the face. The most serious stage of the disease is when the paralysis reaches the diaphragm, which causes patients to stop breathing on their own.”

Understanding the Cause

There is still no clear understanding of why some people will develop GBS and most others don’t.

“We believe that a prior infection may trigger the reaction,” says Le. “The most common infection is a bacterial infection called Campylobacter. However, other cases have been documented following things such as colds and flu, Epstein-Barr virus – the virus that causes mono – and mycoplasma, a bacteria that typically causes pneumonia. Anyone can get Guillain-Barré, though it is rare in young children.”

While GBS can affect all age groups, risk increases with age and males are more affected than females.

When to Seek Help + Treatment Options

If you or a loved one experience sudden muscle weakness that continues to worsen over hours or days, seek medical attention immediately. Hospitalization is often necessary as GBS symptoms can cause respiratory failure, cardiac arrhythmias and unstable blood pressure.

At this time, there is no known cure for GBS, however there are two common treatments to help lessen the severity of the condition.

“Treatment for GBS usually involves intravenous immunoglobulin, or IVIG,” says Le. “This is a blood product made up of antibodies from thousands of donors. The thought is that the antibodies will interact with the antibodies attacking the nerves and neutralize them.”

If this treatment isn’t successful, patients may undergo a plasma exchange where the plasma in a patient’s blood is filtered out and replaced with new plasma.

Recovery from GBS can be a slow process. Le says the rate of recovery varies based on how extensive the disease was, how soon it was recognized and treated, and on individual patient factors.

“Depending on which nerves are affected, patients may need physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy,” he says. Patients may also need mobility aids such as canes, walkers or wheelchairs during recovery.

“In children, the prognosis is good. Most recover within six months and nearly all will recover by a year,” says Le.

For adults, while most people make a full recovery, the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy reports that about 20% of patients still have disability after more than a year, and others experience long-term nerve damage.

Ready Before the Storm

By

Carol Mowdy Bond

-

February 24, 2026

Often most active during the month of May, 70% of U.S. tornadoes taking place from March to June. So, how should Oklahomans respond to tornado watches and warnings here in Tornado Alley?

“The National Weather Service issues tornado watches and warnings,” says Rick Smith, the warning coordinator meteorologist for the National Weather Service in the Norman Forecast Office. “A watch means conditions are coming together that could lead to severe storms with large hail and damaging winds, and potentially tornadoes. Pay attention to weather conditions. Know what you’ll do if you’re in a warning later.”

Using satellite images, area weather observations, radar data and computer model forecasts, meteorologists issue a watch when they see signs that severe storms and tornadoes could develop in the next few hours.

A tornado warning is the most urgent message issued, meaning a tornado is either about to happen or is already happening.

“If you’re in the warning, get to a safe place immediately,” says Smith. “You may only have seconds to protect yourself. On average, tornado warnings provide you with about 13 minutes before the tornado actually develops.”

Smith says tornado warnings are based on meteorologists analyzing radar data, which provides “three-dimensional pictures of what’s happening in a storm, including rotation and winds coming together above the ground and the weather environment the storm is in. We also rely heavily on reports from people who can tell us what’s actually happening under the storm.”

But tornadoes are more dangerous after dark, or when shrouded by clouds or heavy rain, making warnings more difficult to issue. You won’t be able to see the tornado, so watching for it puts you in danger.

In some cases, it’s impossible to issue a warning before a tornado develops.

“That’s why making sure you’re ready before the storms arrive is so important,” says Smith.

While tempting, it’s dangerous to go outside to personally verify a tornado, because some tornadoes are often invisible and move so fast that you may not have time to shelter.

Another mistake is “relying too much on sirens,” says Smith. “Outdoor warning sirens are for those who are outdoors. They are not intended to be heard inside a house or vehicle, or to wake you up. Have multiple sources of warning information that are not sirens.”

Many people believe a river, hill, valley, mountain or downtown area protects them from tornadoes, but that isn’t the case.

“There is no place in Oklahoma that is more or less susceptible to a tornado,” says Smith, “and we all need to be prepared.”

Tornado Safety

Wherever you live, tornado safety is pretty much the same: Protect yourself from flying and falling debris, which cause fatalities and injuries. Get in, down and covered up. An underground shelter, and above-ground safe rooms that withstand tornadoes, are your best options. In sturdy buildings, get as far inside as possible on the lowest floor possible.

“Put as many walls between you and the outside,” says Smith. “Stay away from outside walls, doors and windows. Mobile homes, vehicles and outside are the most dangerous places. If you live in an apartment or mobile home, know your safety plan long before the storms come, and be sure you can get to a safe shelter before the warning is issued.”

For More Information:

Tornado Safety

Most popular

Editor's choice

918.744.6205