A Jam-Packed June

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May 28, 2025

SUNDAY_CP_SFTT_CRIT-429 — Known as the 'Super Bowl of cycling,' Tulsa Tough rolls into town June 6-8. Photo courtesy Saint Francis Tulsa Tough

Summer’s here, and some of Oklahoma’s most exciting experiences and events are in full swing. Whether you’re a sports enthusiast, spectator extraordinaire or film buff, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Saint Francis Tulsa Tough

Deemed the “Super Bowl of cycling,” Tulsa Tough is celebrating 19 years of bicycle races this year. The three-day event, running June 6-8, features round-the-clock criterium and Fondo races routing through downtown Tulsa and along Route 66.

Tulsa Tough was founded with a two-fold mission: to improve the city’s health outcomes and its image.

“When we launched our first year, we knew we could produce a quality event… but we didn’t know if anybody would come, because we had this image of being ‘flyover country,’” shares Malcom McCollam, the event’s executive director.

Luckily, the organizers’ instincts paid off. The event has grown, drawing crowds of up to 50,000 people. Up to 90% of registered racers travel to Tulsa Tough from out-of-state, generating an estimated economic impact of $5 million.

Tulsa Tough’s theme this year is ‘Flyover This’ – a cheeky nod to the city’s rapid expansion in the last decade.

“We’re the real deal,” says McCollam. “The theme is meant to evoke a sense of Tulsa pride.”

Tulsa Tough’s impact, however, extends beyond three days of races. The organization has created Tulsa Tough Divas, a women’s empowerment group for cyclists of all skill levels. And earlier this year, Tulsa Tough also formed a men’s cycling group called Project Dudeman with a mission to destigmatize men’s mental health struggles.

“Tulsa Tough is 100% a community-centric event,” says McCollam. “Our authentic belief was that we are here to support Tulsa, and we’ve been lucky enough that the community has embraced it.”

The Women’s College World Series comes to OKC through June 6. Photo by Peyton Martin/OU Athletics

NCAA Division Women’s College World Series

Known as the home of the Women’s College World Series (WCWS), OKC’s Devon Park hosts the super regional softball winners to compete for the championship title this summer. The WCWS, running May 29-June 6, is the final culmination of a competitive regular season, regional tournaments and super regional tournaments, all of which involve a 64-team bracket and run throughout the month of May. The championship event has been held in OKC for over two decades.

“We truly are the softball capital of the world, because there is no other softball-specific venue like us,” says Craig Cress, CEO of OKC-based USA Softball. “The state of Oklahoma has always been a softball state. On top of the support we get locally, Devon Park offers a fan experience that is unmatched for softball anywhere else in the country.”

Last year, the University of Oklahoma Sooners took home the gold medal in the national championship, and to date is the only NCAA team to win four WCWS championships in a row (2021-2024). Since 1982, Oklahoma has won the title eight times.

The qualifying teams will compete against each other in a double-elimination format, with the top two teams squaring off in a best-of-three finale.

Softball fans can purchase tickets to the World Series, or splurge on the all-new NCAA Fan Experience packages. Packages include refreshments, access to a private tent and special photo opportunities.

NBA Finals

NBA team the Oklahoma City Thunder has undoubtedly changed the landscape of the region. Oklahoma City’s GDP [Gross Domestic Product] grew by 62% between 2008 and 2023, and the city estimates that the team has an annual economic impact of $600 million.

Recruiting Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook early in the team’s tenure, the Thunder has garnered enthusiastic support from Oklahomans. The excitement has continued to build as the current team has played two strong seasons back-to-back, with breakout players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (point guard) and Jalen Williams (small/power forward) leading the charge. In fact, the Thunder broke NBA records for the number of games won during the regular season this year, and SGA snagged both the NBA MVP Award and the Western Conference MVP Award. Last year, the Thunder advanced to the semifinals before being knocked out by the Dallas Mavericks.

“We’ve played quality opponents for a stretch now and have quality opponents coming up,” head coach Mark Daigneault told MSN in April. “Everybody has something to play for, so it’s good. It sharpens our blade, it tests us and forces us to rise to a certain level if we want to win.”

The Thunder recently cinched a win at the Western Conference finals, making OKC’S Paycom Center the home court for half of the NBA Finals games begin in OKC on June 5.

“We just take it a day at a time,” Gilgeous-Alexander told The Canadian Press. “Try to get better with every game, every opportunity, and then hopefully by the end of the year, we’re where we want to be.”

deadCenter Film Festival

Oklahoma’s largest and only Oscar-qualifying film event, the deadCenter Film Festival, has been bringing indie films to local audiences for 25 years. The festival screens hundreds of flicks each year, some of which may win an Academy Award.

“When you win Best Short Animation, Best Short Narrative, or Best Short Documentary, you can apply to the Academy Awards,” explains Cacky Poarch, executive director at deadCenter. “We are only one of 27 film festivals in the United States that has those three designations, and I’m very proud of that.”

The film festival, running June 11-15, was founded by two independent filmmakers, Jason and Justan Floyd. Their vision was to create a space for local filmmakers to connect and promote their projects.

Since then, the festival has grown rapidly, attracting filmmakers and industry professionals from across the country. Receiving over 2,000 submissions, Poarch believes that this year’s festival will outdo previous years.

“Every year, the submissions just get better and better,” she says.

To pay tribute to its 25th anniversary, the festival will be extended to five days in 2025. Poarch reveals that there will be an emphasis on screening works from Oklahoman filmmakers, too.

“There was always the dream of what deadCenter could be,” reflects Poarch. “I think we’re experiencing that now.”

Main image cutline: Known as the ‘Super Bowl of cycling,’ Tulsa Tough rolls into town June 6-8. Photo courtesy Saint Francis Tulsa Tough

Decades of Whimsy

By

Bonnie Rucker

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May 28, 2025

From dolls to action figures and dragsters, the Bristow Toy Museum has something for everyone to enjoy. Photos by Bonnie Rucker

Route 66 travelers will not want to miss a fun little place smack dab in a hidden gem downtown space: the Bristow Route 66 Toy Museum. Run by toy enthusiast Bret Fadely and his trusty front-door greeter, the green Sinclair dinosaur, the museum claims to be “Bristow’s Largest Toy Museum.” This is most likely an accurate assessment.

Walking through the museum is a fun way to look back at childhood whimsy, whether that childhood occurred during the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s or ’80s. This space is definitely a museum in the truest sense of the word, as today’s kids won’t find their current toys stacked on the shelves. But for those of us who were playing with goodies before the end of the last century, there are hundreds of unique things to find and explore.

A half-scale dragster is probably the first thing to grab the eye, and the pedal car display is popular with visitors, says Fadely. Some of the pedal cars were rescued from a ride at the now-defunct Bell’s Amusement Park in Tulsa for an extra blast from the past. Many of the displays belie Fadely’s claim to favoring planes, trains and automobiles, but there is truly something for everybody.

Whether visitors are into Batman and Robin, G.I. Joes, Transformers, stuffed animals, dolls or even the infamous California Raisins, items abound that will catch anyone’s eye and usher in memories of playtimes past.

One special toy that has recently been given pride of place is Fadely’s stuffed dog, Oscar, a Christmas present from his parents in the mid-’60s. When pressed to declare a favorite, Oscar is it for the toy museum owner.

“Most of my life, I have collected toys and have always wanted to share them with others instead of having them stacked in boxes in the garage,” says Fadely about the museum’s origins. He relates how he looked for a place to display his collection and make it available to others for several years. Then, some friends of his were retiring and, “the next thing you know, we are buying a building in Bristow on Main Street,” he says.

Today, the museum is a labor of love for Fadely. He is there as often as possible, curating his collection and welcoming visitors. And he’s always ready to swap stories about toys with anyone.

“Every day I am there, there is some sort of cool experience,” he says. His favorite times are when museum-goers stop for a chat about some of the toys in his collection and the positive memories they elicit.

Currently, there’s no set open schedule, though most Fridays and Saturdays visitors can find the doors open. Check the museum’s Facebook page for the most up-to-date opening information.

Admission is free, and Fadely plans to be open more often soon. He is the first to admit that his museum is a work in progress, so the collection changes and grows regularly. Donations of both funds and toys are welcome, but not required.

Dino, the Sinclair dinosaur, stands ready to greet any toy enthusiast or simple nostalgia seeker who heads to Bristow.

Changing with the Times

By

Carol Mowdy Bond

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May 28, 2025

Image 4-8-25 at 2.28 PM 2 — The OKC Police Department utilizes thermal drones that are equipped with standard cameras, thermal imaging and night vision. They can also carry attachments like lights and speakers. Photos courtesy the OKC Police Department

Oklahoma police departments are increasingly using drones with thermal imaging for their operations, and this imaging identifies heat signatures that are invisible to the naked dye. Especially helpful in low light or adverse conditions, drones with thermal imaging capabilities help law various enforcement operations, including search and rescue, tactical situations and crime scene investigations, as well as detecting and locating suspects, hotspot detection, assessing disaster sites and inspecting power lines and buildings.

Thermal imaging is often part of small, unmanned aircraft systems.

“SUAS stands for ‘small unmanned aircraft systems,’ which are commonly referred to as drones,” says Capt. Jason Bussert, leader of the Information Technology Unit of the Oklahoma City Police Department. “These systems are equipped with standard cameras, thermal imaging and night vision. They can also carry attachments like lights and speakers, allowing us to illuminate areas or communicate with individuals on scene.

Bussert continues: “Thermal imaging is a technology that detects heat emitted by objects, people or animals and converts it into a visual image. It allows public safety teams to ‘see’ in total darkness, through smoke, and in other low-visibility conditions.”

The technology relies on infrared radiation to create its images.

“We’ve been using infrared on our helicopters for many years,” says Capt. Richard G. Meulenberg IV, Communications Unit Coordinator with the Tulsa Police Department. “It detects a heat signature. It helps you search a vast area looking for a difference in temperature. The human body has its own temperature. If there is a missing child in a field or by the river or in a forested area, that child is going to stand out amongst the background.”

Photos courtesy the OKC Police Department

Meulenberg continues: “It is an established technology. It is used heavily commercially and privately. Even electricians use it. High-end hunters also use it with a thermal imaging scope.”

Thermal drones are used in various ways, including by fire departments, according to Bussert.

“We share a dock system with fire that allows drones to be remotely launched from docking stations located at police and fire facilities, traveling autonomously to call locations,” he says. “Also, we have patrol-assigned drones that can be deployed by responding officers, some of which can also be remotely piloted. As well, our traffic and crime scene units use drones to document scenes from the air for accuracy and evidence preservation.”

With these thermal imaging drones, safety is the priority.

“It saves lives and keeps us safe,” says Meulenberg. “It provides an angle that’s not available from standing on the ground. It’s another tool we can use.”

How Thermal Imaging Works

The Department of Homeland Security website explains that night vision technology was developed in the 1960s. The technology provided the U.S. military with capabilities to see in low light and extremely dark conditions without using search lights or illuminators. One component of this technology is thermal imaging.

“Objects around us give off heat to some degree, and that heat is made up of long wavelength infrared radiation that the human eye cannot see,” according to dhs.gov. “Thermal imaging uses a sensor to convert the radiation into a visible light picture…this picture helps us identify objects in total darkness.”

Celebrating Liberation

By

Gretchen Eichenberg

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May 27, 2025

OKC’s Juneteenth on the East welcomes performers, local vendors, and even hosts a live mural creation. Photo courtesy Juneteenth on the East

Freedom. Emancipation. Liberation. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, which officially took place in Texas on June 19, 1865. Only recognized as a federal holiday starting in 2021, Juneteenth became the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was adopted in 1983. But Black communities across the country have long celebrated this pivotal day before its federal adoption.

“Juneteenth has been celebrated in Tulsa for as long as I can remember,” says Lauren Corbitt-Evans, executive director of Juneteenth in Tulsa. “I can remember as a young girl going to Juneteenth celebrations. We’d have a big event every year just to celebrate the abolishment of slavery and to celebrate an African-American community that is thriving.”

Over the years, Corbitt-Evans says the celebration experienced different levels of participation until 11 years ago, when her mother, the late Sherry Gamble Smith, was part of an effort to revitalize Juneteenth festivities in Tulsa.

“Every year it has grown and grown and grown,” she says. “I think that first year we started with maybe 300 people, and now we draw over 40,000 people to the festival every year. For me, it has been a family affair, in which our family has come together to be able to do something for our community that is impactful and that is near and dear to who we are and to what we want to display in our community.”

The Tulsa celebration will take place over two weekends, beginning Friday, June 13, starting off with a Black Wall Street small business pitch competition and a fashion show featuring Black designers the following day.

The Tulsa Juneteenth Festival now hosts over 40,000 people for a weekends-long celebration. Photo courtesy Tulsa Juneteenth Festival

On Thursday, June 19, there will be a Juneteenth concert series and annual block party, which is themed “Family Reunion.” That weekend, folks can take part in a 5K or 1-mile run, followed by a concert and festival replete with food trucks and local vendors.

“What I hope is that everyone is able to find something that speaks to who they are, and everyone is able to celebrate and express themselves in a cultural way,” Corbitt-Evans says. “During this celebration, I also hope that we can provide a valuable amount of resources to the community, as that is one of our main focuses.”

In Oklahoma City, the annual Juneteenth on East celebration kicks off June 19 and runs throughout the weekend. The festivities include a fashion show, 5K run and festival with an interactive “kid zone” with games and crafts, plus performances and around 100 food trucks and local vendors.

“Juneteenth is a time to come together and celebrate our freedoms and our independence,” says Jabee Williams, organizer of Juneteenth on the East. “And it’s a time for people from all backgrounds to celebrate. That’s one thing that I love about the event we do every year – is that you see people from all different walks of life who come to celebrate with us. It’s a celebration for the entire city – everybody’s welcome to celebrate liberation.”

A highlight of Juneteenth on East is the creation of a live mural, where festival goers can watch the artistic work take shape from start to finish.

“This will be our fifth year to present a mural to the city,” Williams says, adding that he hopes people will continue educating themselves year round – not just on Juneteenth – on what liberation and freedom mean in this country.

Alongside the above events, the Oklahoma History Center in OKC offers the educational program “Black Lawmen in Indian Territory” on June 19, and Guthrie is hosting its Juneteenth celebration on June 21 at Mineral Wells Park.

Father’s Day Festivities

By

Drew Joseph Allen

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May 27, 2025

Blue.River.2 — Whether you’re a pro fisher or a total newbie, Oklahoma’s many bodies of water offer opportunities for fishing galore. Photo courtesy the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

Father’s Day is just around the corner, and if your dad is the outdoorsy type, there are plenty of wonderful activities to enjoy here in Oklahoma.

Hunting and fishing, some of the more popular ways to spend an afternoon or a weekend, are particularly well made for the state.

“Oklahoma is home to many different incredible bodies of water for fishing,” says Jacob Tison, R3 fishing coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “Grand and Eufaula Lakes often hold national fishing tournaments, holding many excellent game species such as largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and others. Canton Lake is known for its incredible walleye fishery. Blue River in southeast Oklahoma is an amazing trout and smallmouth bass fishery.”

And you don’t need to be an expert in fishing to have a good time, as lots of places exist for those just getting started.

“For our beginner anglers, there are many Close to Home fishing ponds across the state that are stocked by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, and those are great places to catch bluegill and catfish,” he says.

Hunting in the summer heat of Oklahoma isn’t the ideal time, but it’s still an option for those who want the challenge.

“Squirrel hunting is the only popular species that is open during the summertime,” says Tison. “And even though it is open, it is important to check your game during warm months for ticks and parasites.”

The high temperature is no joke, and proper care should always be taken when heading out for a hunt.

“When it comes to the Oklahoma heat, it is very important to always stay hydrated, wear protective clothing, take a buddy and have a plan,” he says. “Having a plan in case something goes wrong is critical and could save a life.”

When it comes to equipment and licenses for fishing, the bar to entry is quite low.

“One great thing about fishing is that you do not have to have any super expensive gear,” says Tison. “You can find equipment for catching fish at really any price you are looking for. You also want to tailor your gear based on what species you are targeting – and that goes for hunting and fishing.”

Fishing only requires a state fishing license, unless the city requires a permit as well.

“That money goes back into the expansion and conservation of our local fisheries,” says Tison. “For hunting, it depends on your target species. The best place to go for this is on the ODWC website at wildlifedepartment.com.”

Safety is paramount when taking part in either activity.

“For hunting, never point your firearm at something you don’t want to shoot, clearly identify your target and what lies beyond, make sure you have a safe backstop when you shoot, and be aware of where your hunting partners are,” says Tison. “For fishing, it is important to always protect yourself from the sun, be aware of your surroundings, know what species you might catch and how to handle them safely, watch out for sharp objects and fish with a buddy.”

Featured photo: Whether you’re a pro fisher or a total newbie, Oklahoma’s many bodies of water offer opportunities for fishing galore.
Photo courtesy the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

A Path to Physical and Mental Wellness

By

Rocco Geppi

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May 27, 2025

463733403_8289391427853912_6650652516220663764_n — Studies have shown that regular tai chi practice can lower cortisol levels, enhance cognitive function and even increase gray matter in the brain regions associated with attention and emotional regulation. Photo courtesy the Luohan Wushu Kung Fu Center

Tai chi, short for tai chi chuan, is a centuries-old Chinese martial art that blends slow, deliberate movements with deep breathing and a meditative mindset. Often described as “meditation in motion,” tai chi is rooted in ancient Taoist philosophy and emphasizes balance, harmony and the flow of energy – known as qi – through the body. Unlike more aggressive martial arts, tai chi focuses on grace and internal strength rather than brute force.

“Even though tai chi looks soft and flowy, [it improves the overall body, including] posture, increased joint stability, and it also trains the muscles – muscle memory,” says Master Luo Minghan, owner and instructor at the Luohan Wushu Kung Fu Center, located in Tulsa. “Once tai chi is being practiced [with regularity], the whole body will move at the same time.”

At its core, tai chi involves a series of fluid postures performed in a slow, continuous sequence. These movements are gentle on the joints and adaptable to all fitness levels, making tai chi especially popular among older adults or individuals recovering from injury.

If you have a gym membership, you may be able to find tai chi classes there, too.

“We offer tai chi because it’s something everyone can enjoy,” says Corey Cargill, associate director of communications for the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City. “No matter [a person’s] fitness level, [tai chi is] a gentle, low-impact class, but it still helps build strength, improve flexibility and boost balance.”

But don’t let its peaceful appearance fool you – tai chi is also a full-body workout. Practitioners engage the muscles of the legs, core and arms, improving strength, flexibility and balance over time. The controlled weight shifts and stances build lower body stability, while the constant awareness of posture and alignment enhances core engagement and joint health.

While the physical benefits are notable, tai chi’s reputation for promoting mental wellness may be its most compelling aspect. The practice encourages present-moment awareness, often guiding participants to focus solely on their breath and movement. This mindfulness can reduce stress and anxiety, aiding the mind in entering a calm, focused state.

The meditative aspect of tai chi has been linked to improved mood, better sleep, and reduced symptoms of depression.

“In this respect,” Luo explains, “it’s about cultivating the energy to allow [one’s] chi to flow in naturally throughout the body. So, the gentle, mindful movement on the outside will help activate this process.”

Scientific research supports these claims. Studies have shown that regular tai chi practice can lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone), enhance cognitive function and even increase gray matter in the brain regions associated with attention and emotional regulation. The mind-body connection fostered through tai chi helps practitioners become more attuned to their mental and emotional states, often resulting in a greater sense of control and resilience.

Whether you’re seeking stress relief, improved balance or a deeper sense of well-being, tai chi offers an accessible path to better health.

Luohan Wushu Kung Fu Center offers private and group tai chi practices for all skill levels. The YMCA has classes available at its Bethany, Edward L. Gaylord Downtown, Midwest City, Mitch Park, Norman, Rockwell Plaza and YMCA Healthy Living Center locations.

The Wright Guy for the Job

By

John Wooley

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May 27, 2025

Screenshot 2025-05-08 at 11.02.59 AM — Okmulgee born actor Wright King found great success in Western-themed TV shows and movies, which was aided, he says, by his Oklahoma accent and ability to ride horses. Photo courtesy the John Wooley Collection

For some time now, the MeTV network has been airing episodes of vintage Westerns every weekday morning, under the umbrella title of “The Good Guys at Sunrise.” Most of these series come from the late ’50s-early ’60s, when television sets across America were bursting with the sounds of galloping hoofbeats and roaring six-guns. They include one of the best-remembered of all, Wanted: Dead or Alive, featuring Steve McQueen as bounty hunter Josh Randall, whose weapon of choice was a deadly sawed-off carbine, carried in a custom holster.

Wanted: Dead or Alive debuted over the CBS network on September 6, 1958 – only six days before the national release of The Blob, a horror movie that featured young McQueen in the title role. Although The Blob became a big hit, it wasn’t exactly a major-studio, big-time production; I can’t imagine that too many people who saw it – or watched Wanted Dead or Alive, for that matter – came away convinced that Steve McQueen would one day be an iconic movie star.

However, that’s exactly what happened. And McQueen’s drive toward big-screen stardom brings us to the subject of this month’s column, an Oklahoma native named Wright King.

Born in Okmulgee on January 11, 1923, King graduated from high school in Mount Vernon, Illinois, winning a scholarship to the St. Louis School of Theater. Following graduation, he joined the Navy, serving for three years in the South Pacific. In King’s Hollywood Reporter obituary, writer Mike Barnes noted that the actor “was on a ship headed for Japan when World War II was declared over.”

After getting his honorable discharge, according to Barnes, “King hitchhiked from Mount Vernon to New York City and got a job playing Aladdin for eight months – at $35 a week – in a national theater production that catered to children. Later, he worked for the Yiddish Art Theatre.”

King also continued studying drama at both the Actors Studio and the American Theatre Wing. Ultimately, he appeared in a production of A Streetcar Named Desire, playing the young man who collects newspaper-subscription money – and a kiss – from Blanche DuBois. His performance earned a call from famed director Elia Kazan, who offered him the role in the upcoming movie version of Streetcar. Barnes quotes King in the obituary: “I never wanted to be a movie star, but I sure wanted to be in that movie.”

He may not have wanted to be a television star, either, but in the early ’50s he sure found plenty of work in that nascent medium. According to a syndicated piece in the Jefferson City [Missouri] Post-Tribune, “King entered television, and in the next five years chalked up a record of more than 250 live [TV] performances in New York.” Along the way, he appeared in the medium’s first science-fiction series, Captain Video and His Video Rangers, and, during the 1953-54 season, starred in another otherworldly program, Johnny Jupiter. Scott Mackay, writing for the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, called Johnny Jupiter “a satirical delight,” adding, “Its leading character is a 25-year-old clerk in a small-town general store named Ernest P. Duckweather (played by Wright King), who has made contact with Jupiter through TV and is forever asking the super-civilized Jupiterians for help with problems.” A mixture of human performers and hand puppets, the show “has been described,” wrote Mackay, “as one long, good-natured spoofing of our own ways, customs and habits.”

King’s early identification with science-fiction and fantasy would show up again in the early ’60s, when he starred in two well-remembered episodes of The Twilight Zone, “Shadow Play” and “Of Late I Think of Cliffordville.” Also, in 1968, he’d play Dr. Galen, the chimpanzee medico who saves the life of Charlton Heston’s character George Taylor in the original Planet of the Apes.

For all of that, however, he’s probably best-known for his roles in a plethora of Western movies and television shows. In an interview with Tom and Jim Goldrup for their multi-book series The Encyclopedia of Feature Players of Hollywood, King credited his Oklahoma upbringing for the work he got in that genre.

“I thanked God for my earlier horseback riding on the farm,” he said, “and that old Okie accent I could drag up on a moment’s notice.”

His numerous supporting roles in both TV and big-screen Westerns included multiple appearances on Wanted: Dead or Alive. And while he played a couple of other characters, his most noteworthy work on the show lies in his portrayal of Jason Nichols, a deputy sheriff turned bounty hunter. Beginning with the January 30, 1960 episode – the middle of the popular show’s second season – Wright would play the character nine times, more or less consecutively, as a second lead to Steve McQueen’s Josh Randall.

In an interview published online July 8, 2014, on the Rusty White’s Film World site, King explained to White how he snagged the recurrent role.

“He [McQueen] was becoming very busy,” King recalled. “I remember one episode in which we had a very dramatic scene. I went up to Steve and asked him if we could take some extra time to practice the scene. We filmed it and it turned out great. Steve then got a film role and was going to leave the show. Steve came up to me and said that the producers wanted me to replace him in the series. They were so impressed by the scene we had done extra rehearsal on that they gave me the job.”

According to an anonymous writer in the Feb 6, 1960 Los Angeles Mirror, “Steve McQueen would like to take things a little easier here while grabbing a little movie loot on the side, so a ‘partner’ is being integrated. Wright King will appear as a lawman who wants to become a bounty hunter.”

And, five days later, the famed Hollywood gossip purveyor Hedda Hopper put this twist on King’s hiring in her column: “Steve McQueen took on Wright King as his bounty hunting sidekick in “Wanted – Dead or Alive.” He’ll run throughout the series and take over when McQueen makes pictures.”

Although King shows a great deal of boyish charisma and a sure-handed approach to his character, it didn’t quite work out that way. McQueen did start his movie career in earnest around that time, beginning a shoot in Mexico on March 1, 1960 for the picture that broke him out, The Magnificent Seven. He would become the first TV star to make a successful transition from the small screen to the big one, paving the way for many, many others.

But Wright King never got the opportunity to step into McQueen’s boots. While Wanted: Dead or Alive ran for a third season before expiring, there were no further appearances of King’s Jason Nichols; Josh Randall once again became a loner. And while it was likely a great disappointment for King not to take over the starring role in the series, he kept right on working in movies, television and on the stage until his 1987 retirement. He died at the age of 95 on November 25, 2018, in the Motion Picture Home at Woodland Hills, California.

King and his wife of 60 years, June Roth King, had three sons. One of them, Meegan King, followed his father into the acting business; he’s appeared onstage as well as in a number of movies and TV episodes. The latter includes a two-year run on the daytime drama Days of Our Lives and a guest appearance on the 1974 television show Planet of the Apes – eight years after his dad had played a pivotal role in the blockbuster movie that inspired the series.

Writer post-script: Thanks once again to Paul McSpadden for bringing another under-celebrated Oklahoma actor to my attention.

A Sweet Greek Retreat

By

Chuck Mai

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May 27, 2025

Aerial view of Agios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece. Voulismeni lake in Agios Nikolaos, Crete. View of the port in Agios Nikolaos, Greece. Agios Nikolaos is famous travel destination of Crete. Crete island — Views in Agios Nikolaos, Crete, are enough to sell any tourist on a trip. Combine that with shopping, nature and history and it's a vacationer's dream.

Crete. Okay, it’s not the cradle of civilization, but it’s close. The mythical king of the Olympic gods, Zeus, was born in a cave on Crete. And it’s the former home of the Minoans, Europe’s earliest recorded culture, who first started camping out on Crete during the Bronze Age in 3000 BC.

If you’re into ancient ruins, you’ll love Crete. And if you’re not into ancient ruins, you’ll still love Crete for its striking architecture, pink sand beaches, world-class resorts and leather purses, bags and sandals. And it was the Minoans who gave us advanced stormwater management systems. Thank you.

The island is an oblong about 160 miles wide, making it the largest Greek isle in the eastern Mediterranean. Because of its diverse topography — mountains, beaches, fertile plains – it’s often referred to as “the small continent.”

The largest city on Crete is also its capital: Heraklion, on the northeast coast. And that’s where you’ll find 4,000 years of Greek history on display at the huge 1,300-room Palace of Knossos (NOH-sus), an archaeological site that was the center of the Minoan culture on Crete. Special attention is given to the Greek myth of the Minotaur, a half-bull, half-man creature said to be held captive in a labyrinth within the palace.

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum protects the world’s most extensive collection of everything Minoan, including the famous Phaistos Disc, a 3,000-year-old clay saucer decorated with more than 240 symbols, some of which haven’t yet been deciphered.

Further west along the north coast you’ll find the liveliest spot on Crete, the 14th-century Venetian harbor of Chania. Stroll the cobblestone streets and you can almost hear a bouzouki playing the soundtrack from “Zorba the Greek.”

Chania is a shopper’s paradise with boutique shop after boutique shop lining Old Town’s narrow walks. Ceramics are a terrific buy, as are kopaneli lace, neo-Hellenic period jewelry, and yes, the leather goods. They’re extraordinary. One street in Chania, Leather Lane, sells nothing but.

The colors of Greece are on full display in the charming city. Venetian, Ottoman and Greek architectural influences can be seen in her buildings and the spirit of her people is evident in the vibrant colors used to paint these buildings: bright reds, blues and yellows. Seeing these cheerful structures facing Chania’s blue water beach is an Instagram moment.

Speaking of colors, the sand on Elafonissi Beach on the southwest coast really is pink. The demure hue comes from millions of crushed seashells that leave their mark and then sink below the turquoise waves. White sand enthusiasts take heart; there’s blindingly snow-white sand at Balos Lagoon near Chania. It pairs well with the bluer-than-blue water. All told, Crete sports 145 beaches so you’re bound to find one with the color of sand you prefer.

Those beaches will look awfully tempting after a hike through the Samaria Gorge in the White Mountains. Ten miles to the sea through ancient cypress and pine forests, past the abandoned village of Samaria, and through the “Gates,” a narrowing of the 1,500-foot-high gorge that’s just 13 feet wide.

Hungry? Check out the layraki (baked sea bass) or the loukanika (a local spicy sausage). There’s a good deal of lamb on the menus and quite a bit of seafood, including octopus and squid.

Crete produces lots of grapes and olives giving the island no shortage of olive oil and wine, both of which are used generously. As in other countries in the region, the national drink in Crete is raki, a clear homemade brandy produced from distilled grapes (not to be confused with the anise-flavored raki made in Turkey).

Stay at the Ethereal White Resort Hotel and Spa in the heart of Heraklion. Enjoy city views from your fourth-floor suite as you luxuriate in your balcony hot tub. Then head up to the roof for a drink at the bar.

Understanding Aphasia

By

Rebecca Fast

-

May 27, 2025

According to the American Stroke Association (ASA), it’s estimated that more than two million people in the United States have aphasia, a language disorder that often results from stroke. The ASA also reports that less than half of the U.S. population have heard of the disorder, although some awareness was gained after the diagnosis of well-known actor Bruce Willis.

“Aphasia is a language disorder that’s characterized by difficulty with understanding, speaking, reading and/or writing,” says Mekenzi Peck, SLP, a speech pathologist with SSM Health in Shawnee. “We most often see an aphasia diagnosis after a stroke, but it can also follow a brain injury, brain surgery or even a brain infection or tumor.”

There are multiple types of aphasia, and the impact of each can range in severity. The most common types include Global aphasia, mixed non-fluent aphasia, Broca’s aphasia, Wernicke’s aphasia, anomic aphasia and primary progressive aphasia (PPA). With PPA, the cause is a neurodegenerative disease, rather than the result of stroke or brain injury.

“Aphasia can affect your ability to understand things being said to you, and affect your ability to speak and verbalize your thoughts and ideas,” says Peck. “It can also affect your ability to read and write – to understand written words and even the ability to write words. As therapists, when we’re making our assessments to identify a specific type, these are the areas we’re looking at – is comprehension a struggle or is verbal expression more difficult than reading and writing? Aphasia is complex, so our evaluations allow us to provide more individualized therapy.”

The ASA emphasizes that aphasia does not affect intelligence, and Peck stresses this to her clients as well.

“Many of my clients with aphasia will say the word they’re trying to say is on the tip of their tongue but they can’t get it out,” she says. “I always remind clients that they’ve not lost any knowledge. Instead, the way their brain accesses their knowledge has changed because of the injury.”

While there is a higher prevalence of stroke in older adults, Peck has had many 20- and 30-year-old survivors of stroke that have developed aphasia, and many clients who have recovered well.

“Aphasia has a very broad spectrum and you can have a mild to severe case,” she says. “I’ve had some clients who have been able to regain a lot of their language skills, return to high-level jobs or education, as well as engage in conversations. And then I’ve had some patients where we’ve decided that a speech generating device was the best route to allow them to communicate independently.”

She adds that a patient’s support system also influences recovery.

“Having a caregiver and other family members and friends involved in the treatment process is very beneficial and can greatly affect the quality of life for everyone,” says Peck. “It’s a journey that requires patience and understanding, but when a client begins to make progress, it’s very rewarding. With good support and focused therapy, there can be positive outcomes.”

The Place to Be

By

Rocco Geppi

-

May 27, 2025

untitledshoot-666-Enhanced-NR — Red Bird Farm offers year-round events, including berry picking, flower harvesting and a Christmas tree farm. Photo courtesy Red Bird Farm

Nestled in north-central Oklahoma, Enid is a city rich in history and brimming with cultural and recreational offerings. Established during the Land Run of 1893, Enid quickly evolved from a tent city into a thriving community. The city’s name is believed to be inspired by a character from Alfred Lord Tennyson’s Idylls of the King.

Railroad aficionados will appreciate the Railroad Museum of Oklahoma, located in a historic freight depot. The museum boasts one of the largest collections of railroad memorabilia in the United States, including over 1,000 pieces of dining car china, maps, depot clocks and a functioning telegraph system.

“One of the main goals of both the museum and the [railroad] club is to teach railroad safety,” says the museum’s president, Mike Marshall. “We have the BNSF transcon southern Tracon mainline that operates within 50-feet of the north side of our property … and a school not far from us, and it’s not uncommon to see those kids actually climb over the stop train, which is extremely dangerous.”

Marshall also says the museum works hard and takes pride in preserving all of its items on display, especially the nine authentic cabooses and various other rolling stock, such as the Frisco 1519 Steam Engine, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary at an event in October.

For those seeking outdoor recreation, the Jerry Allen Memorial Skate Park offers a dynamic space for skateboarders, bikers and rollerbladers. Spanning 16,000 square feet, the park opened in January 2021 and features an open-ended bowl, flat bar and grind ledge. Skaters of all ages are welcome, yet it was the appeal potential to younger generations that helped move the project forward.

The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center focuses on the history of the Cherokee Outlet and the Oklahoma Landrun of 1893. Photo courtesy the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center

“Jerry Allen was a former city commissioner,” says Rob Houston, the director of Visit Enid. “He had a passion for youth, and once this new idea of the skate park came about, he was all over it and was really one of the key city leaders to make sure that it got done.”

With its variety of attractions that cater to diverse interests, the city has been home to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Baseball World Series since 2009 and will continue to host through at least 2028. Held annually at David Allen Memorial Ballpark, top junior college teams from across the nation compete for a national championship during the final week of May.

“The folks of Enid do an outstanding job of connecting the community with the World Series, its players and everything surrounding it,” says Christopher Parker, president and CEO of the NJCAA. “That makes you feel welcome and like a great environment no matter who’s playing, and that’s a real strong position for them to be in.”

Other can’t-miss attractions include the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, a museum which focuses on the history of the Cherokee Outlet and the Land Run of September 16, 1893, as well as Red Bird Farm, which offers summertime attractions including blackberry picking, build-your-own flower bouquet sessions and a Fourth of July event for the entire family.

Enid’s blend of historical significance and contemporary attractions makes it a compelling destination for travelers. Whether you’re delving into the city’s rich past, cheering on future baseball stars, or enjoying the vibrant skate scene, Enid offers experiences that resonate with a wide array of interests.

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