Uplifting Voices

By

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November 29, 2023

John Erling started the Voices of Oklahoma project after interviewing notable Oklahoma philanthropists Walt Helmerich and Henry Zarrow. Photos courtesy John Erling

If you grew up in Tulsa and are old enough to have listened to the radio on your commute, you probably remember John Erling, a local radio personality on KRMG. Among his many contributions to the city’s culture and community over the years, perhaps his most enduring legacy is Voices of Oklahoma, an oral history of the state curated in partnership with the Oklahoma Historical Society.

Voices of Oklahoma got its start in 2009, when Erling decided to record some of the fascinating stories he heard during his frequent lunches with Oklahoma philanthropist Walt Helmerich. After that, Erling conducted an interview with another prolific Oklahoman, Henry Zarrow. With some later donations from the Zarrow and Helmerich foundations, Erling was able to create the Voices of Oklahoma website.

In a recent podcast on the 14th anniversary of the project’s founding, Erling discussed the origins of the archive.

“Let me just say: I am not a historian. I never majored in history. History was not interesting to me way back in my younger days,” he says. “And so, I was not trained for what I am doing in any fashion. But I always enjoyed interviewing people. This website is unique in that it’s dedicated to oral history. There are many institutions that do oral history – Oklahoma State University, OU and others will record, but it’s probably mainly for research and it’s not as readily available to the general public.”

That’s what makes Voices of Oklahoma such a treasure. It’s robust enough that any historian could scan the archives of over 200 stories to conduct research, but it’s arranged in a simple, accessible way so that anyone who is interested in the state’s rich history can find what they’re looking for quickly and easily.

Voices of Oklahoma is also available as a podcast on the typical platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a notable Oklahoman who wasn’t represented in some fashion on the site – ranging from former U.S. Poet Laureate and artist Joy Harjo to entrepreneur and philanthropist Bill Lobeck and business magnate T. Boone Pickens. The most recent interview as of this writing was with American minister Carlton Pearson.

On the podcast from April of 2023, John Erling discussed other innovations and collaborations that have helped Voices of Oklahoma reach a wider audience.

“We’ve developed a learning center on the website where you dive deeper into Oklahoma history,” he says. “And we have certain topics – Holocaust survivors, philanthropy, lessons from entrepreneurs and business leaders, artists of Oklahoma, sit-ins during the Civil Rights Movement – and we write deeper about that than maybe came out in the interview, and then the stories that we’ve interviewed, those storytellers are laced into that in the learning center. A far more sophisticated presentation than I ever thought was going to be possible when I started this in 2009…. [and] we’ve entered into a partnership with the Oklahoma History Society. They’ve been very helpful by suggesting interviews … and promoting our interviews to their enormous following.”

You can find Voices of Oklahoma on its website: voicesofoklahoma.com, or via its podcasts on multiple streaming platforms. You can learn more about the Oklahoma Historical Society and donate to their mission at okhistory.org.

Creating Connections

By

Sharla Bardin

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November 29, 2023

Walkability #3 — Walkability – specifically creating and improving sidewalks – is a major priority in Tulsa. Photo courtesy the City of Tulsa

Cities in Oklahoma are making progress toward creating pedestrian-friendly spaces that bring people together, help boost health and improve both the economy and the environment.

Planning officials in Oklahoma City and Tulsa say work is under way in their cities to enhance walkability features. That includes building sidewalks and adding crosswalks, lighting and landscaping to make areas safer and more inviting for those who prefer to, or need to, walk.

Walkability refers to the ability to walk to services and amenities – such as dining, shopping, education and outdoor recreation – within a reasonable distance.

A walkable area features elements such as a center or public space where people want to gather, mixed uses of businesses, sidewalks and streets designed with pedestrians in mind, and parks, green spaces and trees.

A walkable community also offers physical, environmental and economic benefits, says Justin Henry, a transportation program planner with the City of Oklahoma City.

For example, people are getting exercise as they’re walking, there’s less vehicle pollution involved and there are economic benefits to businesses with foot traffic. Henry cites the Plaza and Paseo Arts districts in Oklahoma City as examples of commercial areas that are inviting to pedestrians.

Susan Miller, director of the Tulsa Planning Office, says walkability creates opportunities for people to learn more about one another and their neighborhoods.

“It really just opens up all of this connection in your community,” says Miller.

Henry and Miller say Oklahoma City and Tulsa alike have made great strides with bike paths and trails, but that building more sidewalks remains a goal.

Henry mentions that Oklahoma City has built 175 miles of sidewalks since 2018 but “we still have a lot of neighborhoods we need to get more sidewalks into.”

Another upcoming effort, he says, will be a citywide plan to look at ways to make streets safer, such as with lighting improvements and crosswalks.

“Safety is always the first key element to improving walkability,” he says.

Miller says that in Tulsa, voters recently approved the Improve Our Tulsa capital improvements package that includes funding for sidewalks and street improvements. Looking ahead, Miller says her hope is that as shopping corridors develop and redevelop, they are done so with pedestrian-friendly elements in mind.

For example, the city is launching an effort to revitalize the 71st Street shopping corridor to include such features as new sidewalks, lighting and landscaping, according to the planning office’s project description.

Miller mentions that another area she’s excited about is the Arkansas River corridor. The city has River Design Overlay regulations that govern design and use for properties located in the district. One of the objectives is to establish the area as an interconnected, pedestrian-oriented cultural and recreational destination.

“We want this really nice, beautiful, connected, active riverfront,” she says.

Oklahoma City and Tulsa aren’t the only communities in the state creating more walkable areas.

“We’re seeing a lot of smaller towns and the smaller cities really invest in their downtowns again,” Henry says, citing Durant and Ardmore.

Check Your Score

Want to see how your city rates on a walkability index? Check outwalkscore.com, which analyzes walking routes to nearby amenities from an address, neighborhood or city at large.

Funky Origins Abound

By

Drew Joseph Allen

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November 29, 2023

metadc595837_xl_2012.201.B1180.0728 — Slapout is just one of a variety of odd territory and town names around Oklahoma. Photo courtesy the Oklahoma Historical Society

There are only so many town and city names a state can go through before having to resort to some, well, weirder choices. There are some truly bizarre territory, town and city names in Oklahoma, some of which seem completely made up. However, many have interesting origins, which we explore below.

Slaughterville

Located in the Oklahoma City area of Cleveland County, Slaughterville was named after James Slaughter and a local grocery store he owned. In 2004, PETA petitioned the town to rename itself to Veggieville, offering a donation of $20,000 worth of veggie burgers. The town council voted it down.

Cookietown

A small, unincorporated area in Cotton County, Cookietown comes from a mercantile that was owned by Marvin Cornelius around 1928. Apparently he was known for giving out cookies to children, creating his very own Cookietown!

Slapout

An unincorporated hamlet in Beaver County, this town was originally called Nye, after the U.S. Senator Gerald Nye. The man who owned the plot of land, Tom Lemmons, opened a store during the Great Depression to try and kickstart the small town’s economy. According to legend, patrons of the store were often told by Lemmon’s sister that they were “slap out” of whatever it is the customer wanted. Although Tom insists the phrase was never used, the name stuck. After a tornado took out the sign for Nye, Lemmons gave in and started calling it Slapout. The total population today is four.

Frogville

Another unincorporated community in Choctaw County, Frogville comes from a fairly guessable origin: the abundance of frogs in the area. Reportedly, at one point, were massive in size and often ate young ducklings.

Bushyhead

A census-designated area in Rogers County, Bushyhead gains its name from Dennis Bushyhead, who served as the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1879-1887. The current population is 1,292.

Bowlegs

A town in Seminole County, this one is named after Holata Micco, called Chief Billy Bowlegs by white townsfolk during the Second and Third Seminole Wars. He was a prominent and crucial leader during those divisive times. Billy’s Creek, located in Fort Myers, Florida, is also named after him.

IXL

A historical freedmen’s town located in Okfuskee County, IXL’s origins are contested. One version says it means Indian Exchange Land, a reference to the town being on Muscogee land. Another says that the letters were taken from the names of three men, although those names are not known. Lastly, it could be seen as an onomatopoeic exclamation, akin to “I excel.” None of these are known to be fully true, but at least they tell an interesting tale.

Pumpkin Center

A truly odd case, there are actually four unincorporated communities with this moniker. Located in Comanche, Okmulgee, Muskogee and Cherokee counties, Pumpkin Center’s origin is generally unknown, although theories exist. The most popular involves Cal Stewart, a spoken word recording artist in the late 1890s. He often featured a character named Uncle Josh Weathersby who hailed from the fictional town of – you guessed it – Pumpkin Center.

Home and Happy

By

John Wooley

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November 29, 2023

Cathy -Tulsa Symphony wide shot — Cathy Venable returned home to Tulsa during the pandemic. While she once had plans to move back to New York, she’s now ingrained in Tulsa’s music scene once again. Photo courtesy Cathy Venable

Tulsa’s Cathy Venable spent five years on the road as principal keyboard player and associate conductor for the national touring companies of three major musicals: The Sound of Music, The Phantom of the Opera, and Frozen. She, of course, had no way of knowing that the latter title would turn out to be eerily prophetic, with the COVID-19 pandemic literally freezing the tour for everyone involved.

“The pandemic shut us down in March of 2020,” she recalls. “We were in Portland, Oregon, and the props, the set, all the technical stuff was just left in the theater there, where it sat for several months. We left a lot of our belongings, too, because on a bus you can travel with a trunk that has all the big heavy things and the seasonal things you don’t want to carry in your luggage. Of course, everybody was afraid of COVID at the time and didn’t even want to go back inside the theater.

“So we all went home. And eventually, when things finally started clearing a little bit, they said, ‘Maybe it’s safe to go back in the theater now.’ So they started cleaning everything up and sent us our personal items.”

Hers were shipped to her hometown, where she’d been living since the suspension of the Frozen tour. Then, once the pandemic eased, Venable made plans to leave again for New York, which had been her base for the previous 17 years.

“I was going to go back and say, ‘Okay. I’m ready to be an official regular pianist on a show every night, and I need a gig,’” she says. “But I never got back there. I’m still not back there. That’s okay, because when our industry completely shut down and I moved back home, I thought, ‘I miss Tulsa. I miss my family.’ I realized how homesick I was. I kept saying, ‘I’ve been homesick since I left – in 2003.’ So I told Frozen, ‘Not coming back. Have a good time.’ And it’s still going.

“I do think the time of COVID made us all reconsider everything and figure out what was really important to us,” she adds. “I’d had a really great musical experience in my twenties and thirties when I was in Tulsa. I thought it would be lovely to reconnect with that, and with my family, and to be here and be part of everybody’s lives. Luckily, I have. You never know. I’m glad there were slots for me to fit into here in the music scene.”

Venable first became a part of that scene in the early ’90s, following college and grad school. However, she notes, the seeds for her career in music were sown much earlier.

“The most important thing was Barnard Elementary School. That’s where I learned more music than I did in all my graduate studies. John Townsend at Barnard Elementary School taught me so much music. He changed my life,” she says. “I was an Edison High School kid, and then I went off to Northwestern to college and grad school at Cincinnati. There was a wonderful conservatory there, and they had a master’s degree in accompanying. So I became really narrow-focused and got a degree in accompanying.”

Once she returned to Tulsa, she adds, “I was playing with the Philharmonic, when it was called that, and I was staff accompanist at TU, which was a big job – a lot of hours, playing for everything that went on: choir, opera, everybody’s recitals. I did everything I could in Tulsa. I played for Oratorio Chorus, now known as Tulsa Chorale, and I’m back playing for that again. So I got my job back.”

Although she was finding plenty of work in her hometown then, she knew, as she puts it, “there was something else I wanted to experience.” That, of course, was America’s Mecca for musical performers.

“I was getting ready to turn 35, and I thought, ‘Well, I can turn 35 here or I can turn 35 in New York,’ she remembers, ‘So why don’t I go and try it?’”

“I happened to have some singer friends who came here every summer from New York to star in our shows at Light Opera Oklahoma, and they said, ‘We need someone to sublet our apartment for six months. Why don’t you come up?’

“I thought, ‘That’s the sign I needed. I’ll go.’ I didn’t have a plan. I didn’t have a job. In music, you know, you just have to go and be there and then you start networking.”

Plan or no plan, things turned out well for her. Soon, she was freelancing as a piano player for a number of different Broadway productions – and doing a little singing as well.

“On Broadway, I was always a piano player, in the [orchestra] pit,” she says. “But I also played rehearsals for shows – daytime rehearsals, run-throughs for understudies – and if someone was missing, I always said, ‘Oh, I’ll sing that part.’ I was the person at the piano who would fill in for whoever was missing. I think that came in handy, and it was fun for me to do.

“I was also a paid singer every Sunday in a really fancy Episcopal church that had an all-paid choir. And I did Buttercup in H. M. S. Pinafore with a little opera company. So I can say that I sang on stage while I was in New York. I love singing, and I love playing for singers; I’ve always been in that world of vocal stuff as an accompanist, and I’ve tried to soak up everything I can. It’s come in handy.”

Another thing that will come in handy, should she ever return to New York, is her ability to conduct an orchestra.

“I had avoided conducting my whole life,” she admits. “I had no desire to do it. And then when I went to Broadway, to New York, I found out that to be the pianist every night on a show, you also have to be the assistant conductor. I wasn’t that, so I made a career out of being a substitute for people on Broadway. The great thing about going out on tour is that I learned to conduct.”

Last year, she conducted Tulsa Opera’s performance of Into the Woods, one of many jobs she’s taken since returning to town. These days, she’s playing regularly for the Tulsa Symphony and Tulsa Chorale as well as for worship services at Harvard Avenue Christian Church. Her holiday season performances include a Tuesdays at Trinity concert of sacred Christmas songs, with Harvard Avenue’s choir director Kelly Ford, set for December 19 at Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Tulsa. It’s their third year to do the show together.

Still, while she’s happy and busy in her own hometown, Venable admits “there’s always that thought” about returning to New York and perhaps going out on tour again.

“I’ve had a couple of people call me about different national tours, and I’ve said no, because I really want to be here,” she says. “I think it would have to be something pretty regular or substantial. I don’t think I would want to move back and just be freelancing again, like I did for all those years. I like freelancing in Tulsa.

“And,” she adds with a laugh, “the commute is so good. It’s nice to drive a car again.”

Hidden Gems Await

By

Alaina Stevens

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November 29, 2023

TGM09169 — In Bentonville, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art has a stunning gift shop with a variety of offerings. Photo by Tom McFetridge courtesy Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

The doors of museums are open to welcome visitors seeking a unique blend of culture and history. Yet, it’s not just the masterpieces within the hallowed walls that captivate patrons; it’s the treasure troves within the museum gift shops that truly make the experience unforgettable.

These gift shops are brimming with artful wonders, captivating mementos and even some seasonal splendor. From one-of-a-kind ornaments and artisan crafts to history-inspired trinkets and timeless souvenirs, let’s take a look at what some of our local museum gift shops have to offer.

You can find everything from gems to handmade jewelry at Excavations, the gift shop inside the Sam Noble Museum on the OU Campus.
Photo courtesy Sam Noble

OKC Museum of Art
Oklahoma City

From collectible art to fun trinkets, the OKCMOA gift shop offers a variety of items for everyone. Looking for decor or gift ideas? Patrons can find Dale Chuhily fine art and merchandise including scarves, blankets, umbrellas and books. The shop also offers art prints, cocktail recipe books, holiday napkin sets and cards, mugs, handmade ornaments by UK-based-company St. Nicholas, sculptures like Betsy Enzensberger’s Crystal Clear Blue Pop and more.

Oklahoma Contemporary
Oklahoma City

Adorable stuffed animals run the gamut of species at Tulsa Zoo’s gift shop.
Photo courtesy Tulsa Zoo

From apparel and accessories to home goods, stationary, books and kids’ items, Oklahoma Contemporary’s gift shop is the place to find one-of-a-kind wares. You can also buy unique, hand-made gifts at the Artisan Market, which celebrates local talent and provides a platform for artists to showcase their work to a diverse and appreciative audience. This year, the market will take place Dec. 7-10 in the Creative Lounge.

Science Museum Oklahoma
Oklahoma City

The Science Shop at the Oklahoma Science Museum allows shoppers to unearth the wonders of curiosity. It’s a place of scientific marvels, and invites exploration with mind-bending puzzles, educational games, along with sensory and quirky gadgets. From DIY experiment kits to awe-inspiring science-themed apparel, every item will spark the spirit of discovery. Holiday goodies include a science Advent calendar, an elf tracking kit and a super cool, science-themed coffee maker.

Oklahoma Aquarium
Jenks

Dive into the wonders of the Oklahoma Aquarium gift shop, a marine-themed haven that echoes the oceanic magic within. From playful plush sea creatures to exclusive marine-inspired jewelry and attire, it’s a treasure chest of souvenirs. Immerse yourself in aquatic allure and bring home a piece of the ocean’s enchantment.

At Crystal Bridges’ gift shop, enjoy nature-inspired pins that are as stunning as they are stylish. You can also grab a collection of turquoise jewelry – whose materials are mined at the state’s own Mona Lisa Mine.
Photos by Tom McFetridge courtesy Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Tulsa Air and Space Museum
Tulsa

Tulsa Air and Space Museum is just about as festive as you can get during the holidays. The store also sells NASA merchandise, plus prints signed by astronauts and aviators.
Photo courtesy Tulsa Air and Space Museum

Embark on a celestial shopping journey at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum gift shop. Brimming with aviation wonders, the TASM store offers unique gifts for aviation and aerospace fans of all ages, including official NASA merchandise, limited edition memorabilia and framed prints signed by astronauts and aviators. From model planes to cosmic apparel, find the perfect souvenir that lets imaginations soar high above the clouds. Aerospace adventure awaits.

Gilcrease Museum
Tulsa

The Gilcrease Museum’s Curations store, right outside Mother Road Market, echoes the spirit of the American West. The shop unveils a collection of Western and Native American-inspired crafts, jewelry, books, puzzles, games and exclusive artist prints. From unique home decor to cultural artifacts, each piece allows visitors to carry home a piece of history.

First Americans Museum
Oklahoma City

Step into cultural richness at the First Americans Museum gift shop, known as the FAMStore. Teeming with First American heritage, it offers a curated collection of Indigenous fine art, jewelry and apparel. From traditional tribal pieces to contemporary creations, every item celebrates the diverse tapestry of native cultures and highlights several Indigenous artists. The gift shop also hosts the Winter Holiday Art Market every year to bring Indigenous artists together, offering a unique shopping experience ahead of the holidays.

The Oklahoma City Museum of Art offers a variety of both holiday-related and just-for-fun gifts. Two offerings include The Alps coffee table book by Monacelli, as well as illustrated mugs by artist Trevor Wayne.
Photos courtesy the Oklahoma City Museum of Art

Sam Noble Museum
Norman

Dig into history and carry home a piece of the past’s mystique at the Sam Noble Museum’s Excavations store. It has everything from dinosaur-themed delights to Native American hand-crafted jewelry featuring gems such as amber and turquoise. You’ll be sure to find something for the paleontologist in your life as you sift through the interactive educational toys, books, replicas, and more.

Oklahoma City Zoo & Tulsa Zoo
Oklahoma City and Tulsa

The items at the OKC Zoo gift shop will have an animal lover roaring with enthusiasm. Offerings range from cuddly plush creatures to safari-inspired apparel. Now through New Year’s Day, you’ll also get a voucher for one free plush of your choice from Safari Gifts when you purchase an OKC Zoo passport for 1, 2, or 4 people.
At the Tulsa Zoo Gift Shop, 2023 is the inaugural year for the organization’s collectible ornament, which features footprints of Tulsa Zoo meerkat Shaka. Other goodies include adorable stuffed animals and the brand-new Tulsa Monopoly game.

Crystal Bridges & The Momentary
Bentonville, Ark.

Just across the border in Arkansas, you’ll find not only some holiday books and artistic delights in the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art gift shop, but also something new at The Momentary, a platform for the art, food and music of our time. The Momentary’s new gift shop is hip, vibrant and perfect for the audience that gathers there for music festivals and other cultural events. Gifts include jewelry, quartz crystals, a variety of holiday decor items and nature-inspired pins.

Main image cutline: In Bentonville, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art has a stunning gift shop with a variety of offerings. Photo by Tom McFetridge courtesy Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

We Talk a Lot About Juneau

By

Chuck Mai

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November 29, 2023

Juneau, Alaska, offers temperate weather and all sorts of excursions.

This is a story about a guy named Joe, a tenacious French-Canadian prospector with a fondness for gold.

It was 1880 and Joe and his buddy were exploring uncharted territory in the south of Alaska, having just sailed into the area on the Inside Passage. They had no maps, but their instructions were simple: Follow the creek up into Last Chance Basin and go as far as you can. So they did.

And finally, there, at the head of the tributary, in the water along with the slate and quartz, they spied their prize – marble-sized nuggets of bright, glistening beautiful gold. Lots of it.

As you’ve guessed, Joe’s last name was Juneau. The men quickly staked out a town site, changed the name of the stream to Gold Creek and the rush was on. Wanderlust runs in the family. Joe grew up hearing tales of his cousin, Solomon Juneau, co-founder of Milwaukee.

East of Juneau, the terrain is so treacherous, there are no roads. Everything and everybody must come in by plane or by boat from the west. Alaska Airlines has multiple flights daily into Juneau International and the state’s ferry system runs year-round. You can “drive” to Juneau, but your trip will include catching a car ferry at either Skagway, Alaska, or Bellingham, Wash.

Being so far north, the average amount of daylight varies dramatically winter to summer, from 6.4 hours per day in December when daytime highs average 34 degrees, to 18.2 hours in June when highs top out in the low 60s.

The city becomes a handy base from which to explore what’s colloquially known as the Pacific Upper Left, a region rich with glacier-filled fjords like Glacier Bay National Park and Tracy Arm, plus wilderness areas such as the Tongass National Forest.

The Goldbelt Tram (aka the Mount Roberts Tramway) rises 1,800 feet from the cruise ship docks through a rainforest to restaurants, shops and Mountain House. Down below in the channel, the lined-up cruise ships look like bathtub toys.

The most notable of the hundreds of glaciers in the area is Mendenhall Glacier, an easy drive from downtown Juneau. The ice mass’s mountains of mesmerizing blue ice stretches for 13 miles, continually fed by the 1,500-square-mile Juneau ice field.

Hikers head for the visitors center on Mendenhall Lake, the trail head for paths running up both sides of the glacier, plus one to Nugget Falls that ends dramatically at the five-story waterfall.

Along the way, keep an eye out for bears, both black and brown, as well as moose and bald eagles. Whales, seals and porpoises thrive throughout the Inside Passage, which remains ice-free all year.

Tour operators do a brisk business, whether your passion is humpback whales, massive glaciers or hot fishing spots.

Back in town, there’s lots to learn about the culture and lasting legacy of the Tlingit, Juneau’s first people, about Russian colonization, and about Juneau’s 120-year tenure as Alaska’s capital. The Juneau-Douglas City Museum across from the capitol and the Alaska State Museum a half mile away tell all.

All over town, you’ll find a great diversity of local art: jewelry (especially jade), paintings, woodcuts, photography, sculpture, Christmas figurines, quilts, there’s even a cottage industry in comic book art.

It wouldn’t hurt to buy a Billiken and keep it close. Made of walrus ivory, the small carvings are thought to bring good luck. Among edible souvenirs, check out Alaskan birch syrup, reindeer sausage and wild salmonberry jam.

Bypass the cruise ship crowds by visiting in low or shoulder season. During the summer months, as many as five or six ships arrive in town daily.

Kick back at BW Grandma’s Feather Bed, a quirky Victorian farmhouse turned country inn, up toward Mendenhall Glacier among the pines.

Understanding Ulcerative Colitis

By

Rebecca Fast

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November 29, 2023

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), approximately 600,000 to 900,000 people in the United States have ulcerative colitis – an inflammatory bowel disease that causes sensitivity, swelling and ulcers on the inner lining of the large intestine.

“Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that primarily affects the colon…[and]…the cause continues to be unknown,” says George Salem, M.D., assistant professor of medicine and director of the Crohn’s and Colitis Center at OU Health. “The symptoms, when not treated early at the time of diagnosis, tend to be progressive.”

He says patients typically begin to have rectal bleeding, stool urgency and frequency, diarrhea and mucus in stool.

“If left untreated, patients will experience abdominal pain, generalized fatigue, anemia and poor sleep at night due to worsening diarrhea symptoms, affecting their ability to have an undisturbed sleep at night,” says Salem.

To determine that an individual has ulcerative colitis and not another inflammatory bowel disease, a patient will receive a thorough evaluation that will include taking a medical history, receiving a physical exam, and performing basic food and stool testing.

“If the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis is suspected, performing a colonoscopy, and obtaining samples from the lining colon, is mandatory for the diagnosis to be made,” says Salem.

He also shares that “the majority of patients are usually healthy before the time of diagnosis, as it tends to commonly affect the younger patient populations, including pediatrics and up to the age of mid-30s.”

The NIH reports that ulcerative colitis is more likely to develop in people between the ages of 15 and 30, those who have a first-degree relative, such as a parent, sibling or child with IBD, and those of Jewish descent.

However, Salem says a diagnosis can be made later in life as well – a form of the disease known as late-onset ulcerative colitis.

Along with the many symptoms associated with ulcerative colitis, other complications can develop such as low bone mass, slowed growth and development in children, and an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. The NIH states that individuals with ulcerative colitis are at a higher risk for colorectal cancer if their disease affects a greater portion of the large intestine, is more severe, began at an earlier age, or has been present for a longer time.

In addition, inflammation can also affect other parts of the body beyond the large intestine, including the joints, skin, eyes and liver and bile ducts. People with ulcerative colitis may also have a higher risk of developing blood clots.

For people living with an illness with no known cure, consistent daily management of the disease is essential to minimizing symptoms.

“It can be a challenge to describe the concept of ‘treatable, manageable, but not curable’ to patients and their loved ones…[but]…patients who are on appropriate treatment usually manage symptoms well,” says Salem. “For any chronic condition, appropriate treatment options tend to control the inflammation, control symptoms and prevent long-term complications.”

Seasonable in Sapulpa

By

Henry Dolive

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November 28, 2023

November’s arrival brought a bevy of construction activity to downtown Sapulpa, as the community began earnest preparations for one of Oklahoma’s biggest and most unique holiday celebrations.

Sapulpa’s Christmas Chute, held for the first time in 2022, is back for a second run with an even larger presence in the downtown area.

The Christmas Chute is a series of ten interconnected and festively decorated canopies, each offering a different Christmas-related theme. All of this is created to bring an abundance of joy to townsfolk and visitors to the Creek County seat that’s bisected by historic Route 66.

It’s enough to make Sapulpa the place to be in northeastern Oklahoma, where the Christmas spirit is alive and well, transforming downtown into a real-life Christmas village.

“It’s like a Hallmark movie in our town,” says Lucy Lawson, the City of Sapulpa’s communications and marketing director.

The Christmas Chute opened in mid-November and runs through Dec. 31. It was the product of brainstorming by a group of Sapulpa civic leaders seeking a unique way to draw visitors to town.

Will Barry, a member of the committee, says discussions began in 2019. The group’s inspiration came mainly from a gigantic, commercial lights display put up each year at a manufacturing plant on the east side of Sapulpa, and holiday festiveness of a popular tavern in neighboring Tulsa.

“We knew people liked lights, and they liked festive decorations, so we just started kicking ideas around, and the Christmas Chute was born,” says Barry.

Last year’s event brought thousands of visitors a day.

“It was better than we could have expected last year,” says Lawson. “We saw way more people than we could have imagined.”

Plans for this year include live entertainment on a concert stage, food trucks, scavenger hunts and other attractions. A senior night is planned, with assistance for people with mobility issues. Most of the events are free. The event also will include heightened security.

“We’re trying to keep the event family-friendly and safe,” says Lawson.

There will be chute themes this year, ranging from simple concepts like snow and gingerbread to more whimsical, like Candyland, Route 66, Santa and his reindeer, elves, and the Nativity. Downtown businesses have added merchandise and will extend shopping hours during the holiday season.

The community raised hundreds of thousands of dollars last year, Barry says, and has already raised more this year. Lawson mentions that the City of Sapulpa has allocated $250,000 to this year’s Chute, and also contributes city and voluntary labor toward the event.

The Christmas Chute, in addition to bringing tourists to town, also brings Sapulpa’s residents out in big numbers. Sapulpa Main Street, an organization dedicated to boosting business in the downtown area, is spearheading several events during the holidays, with a goal of encouraging people to do their Christmas shopping downtown. Planning for the 2024 Christmas Chute will begin in February.

Last year’s first-time event brought to the city “a joy you can’t get anywhere else,” says Barry. “The feeling of satisfaction is immense. It can hardly be expressed, and definitely can’t be purchased.”

For More Information

Route 66 Christmas Chute
918-224-3059
route66christmaschute.com

City of Sapulpa
918-224-3040
sapulpaok.gov

Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce
918-224-0170
sapulpachamber.com

Sapulpa Main Street
918-224-5709
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Holiday Decor Safety

By

Debi Turley

-

November 28, 2023

Practicing a few holiday decorating safety tips can go a long way towards keeping the “joy” in this joyous season. District chief Scott Douglas of the Oklahoma City Fire Department shares some simple but effective ways to keep your family safe and sound as you enjoy holiday decorating, but stresses that the No. 1 rule to follow is to have working smoke alarms.

Lighting

During the season, you’ll likely see various houses with dazzling lights on both the inside and outside of the home – but there is a proper way to install and take care of them.

“It is best to keep holiday decorations or other flammable items away from any object that would emit heat,” says Douglas. “LED lighting is a better option than traditional lighting because LEDs produce lighting without emitting heat.”

Douglas suggests replacing any strings of lights that have worn, broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light strands to safely connect to one another.

“Use appropriate clips for outdoor Christmas lights,” he continues. “Avoid using nails or staples to attach lights to the home.”

Candles

Holiday-scented candles add a merry flair. But before you find the matches, Douglas recommends to:

• Avoid burning candles in bedrooms or other areas where people may fall asleep;
• Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to bed;
• Ensure candles are at least a foot away from anything that can burn;
• Use sturdy candle holders and place candles on a steady surface away from clutter;
• Light candles carefully, keeping hair and loose clothing away from the flame.

Tree Maintenance

Perhaps the most fun holiday tradition is choosing a tree from a local farm and getting it set up in your home. You’ll need to be discerning as you make your selection, and later when you park the tree in your living room.

“Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched,” says Douglas. “Before placing the tree in the stand, cut two inches from the base of the trunk. The reason for doing this is to allow the tree to accept water easier. Add water to the tree daily. Make sure the tree does not block an exit and that it is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, space heaters, candles or even lights.”

And while keeping your tree alight during the waking hours is common, Douglas recommends to “always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed. Dried trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage, and should not be placed outside against the home.”

Kitchen Safety

In this season, you’ll likely be spending more time preparing holiday meals. Douglas reminds to be vigilant in the kitchen.

“In Oklahoma City, there are numerous reasons why structure fires happen, but unattended cooking is among the leading causes for these incidents,” he says. “We always remind people to ‘keep an eye on what you fry’. In other words, stay in the kitchen and keep a close eye on your cooking until you are completely finished and the heat is turned off.”

By remaining sharp-eyed this holiday season, you open the door to even more festivity and fun.