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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
Photos courtesy the Stefanics
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.
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.Snorkeling in the clear waters off Virgin Gorda reveals vibrant marine life just steps from shore. Complimentary breakfast at The Pavilion features fresh juices, made-to-order omelets and waterfront views.A dip in the Caribbean waters provides the perfect midday cool-down.
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!
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.
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.”
A towering, 25,000-square-foot attraction, the Maze at Hochatown challenges visitors of all ages to find their way through its multi-level paths. Photo courtesy the Maze at Hochatown
Oklahomans – and visitors from around the world – flock to the Broken Bow area for a day, weekend or longer stay, drawn by the stunning Broken Bow Lake, Beavers Bend State Park and a variety of nearby attractions. This region is a fantastic family destination, too, with plenty of options for cabin rentals, outdoor adventures, spas and shopping.
The Hochatown Petting Zoo lets visitors interact with animals under the guidance of licensed wildlife rehabilitation experts. Guests can enjoy time with familiar barnyard friends, birds, reptiles and even some exotic species.
For adults, Girls Gone Wine offers a winery, tasting room and gift shop. Dining highlights include Beavers Bend Brewery, Fish Tales Winery and Bistro, Mountain Fork Brewery and Hochatown Distilling Co., which specializes in whiskey. The Beavers Bend Wildlife Museum features interactive animal exhibits, local history and wildlife dioramas.
Karen Brooks, owner of Beavers Bend Mining Co. in Hochatown, describes her spot as more than just a business.
“According to Google, we’re a ‘small amusement park,’ but to me, we’re a mom-and-pop stop with our mining activities and fun for families and singles,” she says. “When you do the mining, you choose a pre-seeded bag with fossils and gem stones, and we show you how to pan in the old way. You’ll walk away with something like a chunk of amethyst, an arrow, shark teeth – it’s all genuine. We’re adding mini golf, pirate scenes and an excavator ride to move some dirt. There’s a lot to pick and choose from, and a two-story gift shop.”
Darcee Shankles, owner of The Maze at Hochatown, runs a massive, multi-level, tower-filled attraction spanning 25,000 square feet.
“People from as far away as Australia and Ireland have tried it out,” Shankles says. “It’s big enough that large amounts of people can go at once so there’s never a wait. There’s always employees in the middle to give you hints or show you the emergency exits.”
Shankles also operates one of the area’s largest draws: Rugaru Adventures in Beavers Bend State Park, offering zipline outdoor adventures for participants weighing between 70 to 250 pounds.
Beavers Bend Safari Park offers up-close encounters with exotic and native animals, giving visitors a drive-through wildlife experience. Photo courtesy Beavers Bend Safari Park
Nestled in the mountainous southeast Oklahoma region along the shores of Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River, Beavers Bend State Park spans 3,482 acres of scenic pine and hardwood forests and breathtaking views. Visitors can hike, bike, boat, fish, water ski, join nature center programs, take river float trips, canoe and ride horseback. Trout streams are stocked year-round, with two catch-and-release trophy areas. Mountain Fork River flows from Broken Bow Lake through the park, offering boating, scuba and fishing.
The Broken Bow area boasts a plethora of cabins and cottages for rental and in the park itself, accommodations include 47 cabins, two yurts: “Happy Hearth” and “Bear Tracks” – right by the river, and more than 400 campsites (many with RV hookups) and tent sites.
The Beavers Bend Lodge overlooks Broken Bow Lake, with rooms featuring water views. Additional fun includes an 18-hole round at Cedar Creek Golf Course, exploring the 26-mile David Boren hiking trail, tennis, volleyball, mini-golf, picnic areas, an amphitheater, gift shop, grocery, restaurant, and the Forest Heritage Center.
Whether seeking adrenaline-pumping ziplines, peaceful nature trails or family-friendly mining and mazes, the Broken Bow and Beavers Bend area delivers unforgettable experiences amid Oklahoma’s natural beauty.
Hannah White, Alexander Mickelthwate; Mozart Rivals: Race to the Top concert, OKC Phil
Liz Eickman, Debby & Paul Dudman; Max Zorn Live Demonstration, Allied Arts, OKCAngela Cozby, James Pickel; Friends of Festival, Arts Council OKCRachel Holt, Trisha Koelsch, Mark Funke; United Way of Central Oklahoma Gala, Calm Waters, OKCChoctaw Cultural Center recognized with the Excellence in Customer Service Award; 27th Annual American Indigenous Tourism Conference, DurantD. Scott Petty, Amy Anne Ford, Gini Moore Campbell, Thomas C. Kupiec; Oklahoma Hall of Fame Board Meeting, OHOF, OKCHannah White, Alexander Mickelthwate; Mozart Rivals: Race to the Top concert, OKC PhilAbbey Walker, Phillip Moran, AJ Griffin, Wes Haddox; Potts Family Legacy Society Event, Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, OKCMike Neal, Becky Dixon, J.C. Watts, Jr.; Board Meeting, Oklahoma Hall of Fame, OKCDr. Nicole Farrar, Dr. Jason Beaman, Sherri Wise; A Toast, Osteopathic Founders Foundation, TulsaErin Engelke, Sarah Stitt, Tricia Everest; ReMerge Graduate Center Grand Opening, ReMerge, OKCBarbara Glass, Kathleen & Len Pataki, Christine & Clint McQueen; President’s Council Dinner Concert, Tulsa OperaJan Saxon, Holli Harris, Georgia Hunter, Lisa Silvestri, Jaya Richardson; George Hunter Speaking Event, Tulsa Town Hall
From smart-home technologythat fits in your pocket to backyards designed for gathering, today’s homes are evolving in intentional ways. Architects, builders and landscape designers are blending innovation with durability, sustainability and personal style, creating spaces that feel both modern and deeply livable. The result? A smarter, healthier and more beautiful way to call Oklahoma “home.”
By Kimberly Burk
IN THE HOME
Smart Homes, Smarter Living
To help him stay up to speed with the latest in home technology, Oklahoma City builder/designer Kent Hoffman of the Hoffman Group says he “spends a lot of time in meetings with architects, designers and subcontractors. A home can be very automated nowadays, and your phone can control a great deal of that. It’s pretty amazing.”
Security systems with cameras, indoor and outdoor lighting, the temperature of the home and the garage door opener can all be controlled by your cell phone, Hoffman says. Smart devices also include leak detection systems that will turn off the water at the meter to prevent the house from being flooded. Other innovations include motorized window shades, video doorbells with cameras, smart locks and smart irrigation controllers.
“You can retrofit, but it’s definitely easier with a new home to plan on this technology from the ground up,” he says.
New on the scene in Tulsa is Parcel Safe Systems, says Ed Conn, one of the founders and a managing partner.
“We have everything that Ring has, but we actually protect the package,” Conn says.
Thoughtfully designed water elements blend seamlessly with both natural and modern landscapes. Landscape lighting adds drama, safety and nighttime enjoyment to outdoor environments. Photos courtesy Caviness Landscape Design
Combining the strength of metal safes with cutting-edge mobile technology, Parcel Safe is a secure package delivery system that allows the delivery person to drop large parcels inside the house, deterring porch theft. The company obtained a patent in the fall, and the units are assembled in Tulsa.
“We are the first ones to do it this way,” Conn says. “There are competitors, but they don’t have the mobile app and all the features that we have. You can open it from anywhere in the world from the mobile app.”
The safe can be installed in most existing homes, “but we are focusing mostly on the new home build,” Conn says.
Staying In Style
Tulsa architect Brian Freese says he generally advises against chasing the latest trends.
“The best solutions in architecture and design are the most lasting ones – durable materials, well-placed and carefully crafted; well-proportioned rooms and spaces; abundant natural light; and strong visual connections to the outdoors, even if it’s a courtyard,” Freese says.
He is, however, seeing some interior lighting trends that he favors.
Even compact backyards can accommodate dining areas, cozy seating and water features. Photo courtesy Freese Architecture
“I believe there is a movement toward fewer interior lights in general and depending more on well-considered natural light, which is much healthier and more pleasing,” he says.
Hoffman says his clients are choosing a range of housing styles these days – “everything from Mediterranean to traditional to quasi-midcentury modern. We are building a large French home right now, and some rustic farmhouse homes.”
Hoffman enjoys remodeling projects as much as new-home builds. With ranch-style bricks, he says, “you can raise the ceilings, change the windows and paint some of the exterior brick. You can make them a lot more contemporary. You can doll them up. I love to put a new face on an old home that’s solid.”
Freese says that his father-in-law told him that “as long as human beings have emotions, there will be architecture. We respond to things through our senses.” For him, that means spaces that think about the people who will live there “and are not just mass-designed.”
Sustainable design choices can improve comfort, lower utility bills and support durability. Photo courtesy Freese Architecture
Steps Toward Sustainability
A green approach to home building and remodeling can help save the planet, add to the health and comfort of the homeowner and cut utility bills. Additionally, an eco-conscious approach does not necessarily cost more.
Operable windows, for example, “is an old-fashioned technology,” says Freese. But windows that can be opened result in energy savings and contribute to a pleasant home environment. “The location of windows is pretty important,” he continues. “If correctly placed in a house, from southwest to northeast, you will get prevailing breezes on a nice day. Natural breezes will cleanse a house.”
Hoffman says certain green building materials also stand up to the state’s severe weather.
“We use a lot of synthetic roofs that are a combination of rubber and plastic, recycled materials,” Hoffman says. The roofs are hail-resistant to a certain point, he says, depending on the size of the hail. His company also uses a limestone from Kansas “that holds up to Oklahoma weather very well.”
Freese says natural materials can be used in place of products that contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) found in glues, plastics and manmade composites.
“So many building products have a high VOC content that the human body is not designed to deal with,” Freese says. “This is made worse by the fact that many homes are built to be super tight. Older homes were built to breathe a little bit.”
To better withstand the Oklahoma climate, Freese says, the traditional Portland concrete binder can be replaced with fly ash or slag. He also suggests Forest Stewardship Council-rated wood framing, “which is more expensive but a higher quality material and a better choice.”
For exterior masonry, eco-conscious customers can use products from quarries or manufacturing plants that are closer to the construction site, to lessen the trucking distance.
Homeowners should consider whether a material is beneficial “not only from an environmental point of view but also from the point of view of human health,” Freeze says. “With people with allergies, we take a lot of time in selecting materials,” he says.
Energy-efficient upgrades include increasing insulation in the attic space to reduce excessive heat loss in the winter, and switching to LED light bulbs.
IN THE GARDEN
Thriving Flora
In 1999, the Oklahoma State University Extension Service created Oklahoma Proven, a plant evaluation program designed to help Oklahoma consumers choose the best plants for their gardens. The goal is for gardeners to select plants that are tolerant of the environmental conditions found across the state.
“Using well-adapted plants should lead to greater gardening success and more environmentally friendly gardens,” according to OSU Extension.
The Oklahoma Proven guide, which can be downloaded from OSU Extension, suggests options for annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees. Considerations include drought-resistance, low-water usage, whether plants are indigenous to the continental United States and whether the plants are good habitation for birds, butterflies and other wildlife.
“There are many plants suited for use in Oklahoma, and it is always imperative to match the environmental tolerance of the plant with the environmental conditions in a particular garden,” according to OSU Extension.
A trend noticed by Kathy Caviness of Caviness Landscape Design based out of Arcadia is chaos gardening, “which is the opposite of clean, nicely manicured borders. We like to think of it as organized chaos, utilizing mass plantings of grasses, ground covers and different layers of perennials and annuals.”
Timeless architecture favors natural light, durable materials and thoughtful proportions over fleeting trends. Photo courtesy Hoffman Group
Outdoor Entertaining Done Right
Outdoor kitchens remain popular, but even a regular-sized backyard can also accommodate a dining area, secluded seating areas and a fire pit or fireplace area, says Caviness.
“We still see outdoor living designs as designated rooms or areas that provide different uses,” Caviness says, with landscaping serving as natural dividers. “We love to incorporate natural materials like flagstone and natural boulders into the hardscape designs. Retaining walls can help separate the areas and help with drainage issues or a yard that isn’t flat.
For a weather-resistant outdoor kitchen, “stainless steel for countertops and cabinet faces is a pretty good way to go,” says Freese. “Good-quality stainless will not rust,” Freese says.
A Backyard Oasis
The backyard is no longer an afterthought but a vital extension of the home – one that draws people outdoors and gets them moving.
Freese says that his home design philosophy is “midwest modern that looks appropriate to this part of the world and has a really strong connection to the outdoors, hopefully coaxing people outdoors.”
The part about the outdoors is especially important to him.
“People need to get out and sweat more,” Freese says, and he is optimistic his backyard designs are making that happen.
As a student at Tulane University, his curiosity about the beautiful gardens of New Orleans sometimes drove him to knock on the doors of strangers.
“I was transfixed by those small, outdoor rooms,” he says. “There was usually ancient brick or stone, and almost always a fountain. It transformed the space.”
If you are starting from scratch, “mature landscape materials give that instant gratification, instead of waiting five to ten years for a tree to get to the desired height,” says Caviness. “Landscape lighting incorporated into the design gives a homeowner a dramatic view at night, not to mention addressing safety issues.”
Water’s Quiet Pull
Some people love having a backyard pool. Others don’t want to take care of one. But most everybody loves water, says Freese.
“We design outdoor spaces as well as indoor, and I will commonly design water features like fountains and reflecting pools,” he says. “We are instinctively drawn to the sound of babbling water.”
Nature-inspired or modern designs of water features that complement the home design and blend in with the surrounding landscape are optional choices for alternatives to pools, says Caviness.
“Designing a water feature near a gathering spot for family and guests can provide a visual and pleasing sound that will appeal to all,” she says. “Also, wellness features are a really huge desire for residential designs. Spas, plunge pools that incorporate a cold plunge or a single jet that you can swim against, and saunas – both steam and dry – can also be incorporated into the landscape design.”
Featured photo caption: Today’s backyards are designed as natural extensions of the home’s interior living space. Photo courtesy the Hoffman Group
