MAY 2012 FREE. Southwest Oklahoma s Monthly News and Entertainment Magazine

Transcription

1 MAY 2012 FREE Southwest Oklahoma s Monthly News and Entertainment Magazine

2 Eat. Drink. Shop Local. Repeat. Why Shop Locally? Local stores are more likely to carry locally produced foods which supports local agriculture. Local business owners contribute to more local fundraising and s. Keep your neighbors working- secure the employment of our friends, neighbors and family members. Keep Our Local Economy Strong- buying local strengthens area businesses, service providers and employees. Your money recirculates, creating jobs and revenue for supporting services. The sales taxes I pay support this community and county: Competition and diversity result in fair prices and more choices. Local business owners invest in the community and have a vested interest in the future of this community. My hometown is more important than a cheap pair of underwear! Inquire about our entire range of services for small and independent business owners. For more information about this initiative to SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES, please contact or visit Phyllis Watson, CLTC Financial Advisor 1317 NW Sheridan Road Lawton, OK plwatson45906@sradvisors.com

3 MAGAZINE Vol. 5, Issue 6 May 2012 OKIE MAGAZINE 1421 NW Great Plains Boulevard Suite C Lawton, OK Phone info@okiemagazine.com Web PUBLISHERS Indie Michaels Chuck Morgan MANAGING EDITOR Indie Michaels editor@okiemagazine.com COPY EDITOR Becky Smith COMMUNITY NEWS EDITOR ADVERTISING SALES sales@okiemagazine.com DESIGN TEAM Justin Williamson Jordan Godlewski STAFF WRITERS Taylor Brunwald Jordan Godlewski Amanda Herrera Jim Joplin Keaton Lamle Elijah Morlett Randy Pennington David Pilon Sheila Robinson Beth Sanchez Travis Storck Arlie D. Wood READ OKIE MAGAZINE ONLINE AT OKIEMAGAZINE.COM VISIT US ON THE WEB: FACEBOOK.COM/OKIEMAGAZINE MYSPACE.COM/READOKIE TWITTER.COM/OKIEMAGAZINE FEEDBACK? COMMENTS? PRESS RELEASES? SUBMIT THEM TO editor@okiemagazine.com CONTENTS SNAKE, RATTLE, AND ROLL ONE MAN S UP CLOSE EXPERIENCE WITH RATTLERS BY KEATON LAMLE PAGE 4 KENNETH MORROW: TWIST OF FATE LEADS LOCAL MAN TO DREAMS BY AMANDA HERRERA PAGE 14 PAWS WITH LOVE THERAPY DOGS HELPING TO HEAL HURTS AND HEARTS BY BECKY SMITH PAGE 18 MEMORIES OF YESTERYEAR AUTORACING IN COMANCHE COUNTY BY ARLIE D. WOOD PAGE 38 FOCUSING ON FILMMAKING THE GREENLEE BROTHERS BY JIM JOPLIN PAGE 30 PROUD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBER OKIE MAGAZINE is published and distributed monthly as a community service by Diverse Press, Inc. Opinions expressed by columnists, advertisers or the Letters to the Editor are not necessarily the opinion of Okie Magazine, its staff, the publisher or its advertisers. Okie Magazine reserves the right to edit the Letters to the Editor to conform to Okie Magazine format without changing the meaning of the it s content. Content of advertisements is the sole responsibility of the advertiser. The publisher of Okie Magazine reserves the right to refuse advertising materials for any reason whatsoever. Okie Magazine is available on the world wide web at Limit one copy per connected with the United States Army. The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute the endorsement of by the DOD, or the Department of Army, of the Okie Magazine or the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available to purchaser, user or patronage. OKIE MAGAZINE Page 3

4 by Keaton Lamle Who actually likes snakes? What kind of person pays American dollars to exist in the same room as a creature that sane people run from during any chance encounter in the wild? These are the unanswered questions keeping me from savoring my watermelon slush in dock #4 of Apache Oklahoma s Sonic Drive-In as I relive the past two and a half hours. I have seen the faces of the festival goers, plastered with a hope that only comes at Christmastime-- and occasionally during reruns of Murder She Wrote-- entering the festivities expecting a transcendent experience, likely to leave with only a $14 laser pointer. I watched from afar as a young carny stared mournfully into darkness, silently mouthing the words to 3 Doors Down s Kryptonite as it blasted from a loudspeaker while he waited to induce a new round of vomiting on what appeared to be bumper cars from hell. I saw a man named Philt who had hair on all sides, but none on top, and made his living selling shirts containing slogans such as, Sarcasm is one of the many free hog, ride a biker. I still haven t been admonishments have ever initiated any worthwhile encounters. In short, I attended this years Apache Rattlesnake Festival, where I spoke with native Rattlesnake Mike and Ron Orf. Here is what transpired: 7:07 p.m. It is a deceptively balmy 77 degrees and I have just shelled out 19 dollars for one turkey leg, an order of fries, and two refreshing beverages. I chat with Snake, Rattle, and Roll my companions as I eat, trying to pagoda bearing a Christmaslit Star-of-David. As the meal the best of me, and I just walk over and look in the darn thing. It contains exactly two middleschool aged boys taking turns shooting each other with a low-powered pellet gun. I return to my turkey leg just in time to watch a middle-aged woman suspiciously lead a pony away from a pony riding stand and into a backyard across the street. Eating downwind from the pony ride was a mistake. I report the pony thief to no one. 7:39 p.m. This is it, the reason we are here. The rattlesnake show. The main event takes place in what appears to be a hollowed out department store, and consists of a stucco wall that circles the room, mirroring the shape of the building, and thereby constructing what amounts to a 48 inch tall Room-Within-A-Room. In the center RWAR are dozens most of which look alarmingly angry, and two men in their sixties, both of whom look remarkably calm. The gentlemen are chattering into headsets with your average step right up and they won t bite... hard invitations and I am having trouble indulging them, tending instead to subconsciously back towards the entrance in a pathetic display of herpephobic cowardice. 75 people pack in and stare into lighting combined with the incessant dizzying sound of several hundred rattles lends the entire scene a strangely-tranquil feverish quality and makes it hard not to be photos by Alexandria Lamle hypnotized by the creeping and alive!!! motion of it all. The stucco is peppered with glass windows and as I look through the largest of these I watch one particular varmint repeatedly strike one of the men just above his left ankle. Apparently these men are wearing some sort of protective waders under their jeans. The show begins promptly and consists of the usual informative jargon. I watched a particularly vicious attack by what had to be waiting for this particular serpent to one of the handler s boots and he brags that it is joining dried venom from earlier in the week. This man must possess special snaking pants that see the washer less often than your average article of clothing. At least I hope this is the case. The show ends after about twenty heart-pounding minutes. underwear after one particular gag that included an ill-timed BOO! and a seething rattlesnake around a pole being poked in my general the handlers. The taller one has a full head of gray hair and seems tired from having displayed angry serpents to gawking onlookers for most of the day. The shorter of the two is balding and appears OKIE MAGAZINE Page 4

5 energized. He seems to do most of the talking, both during the show, and otherwise. I approach, and request an interview. 8:06 p.m. Although I suspected they would be mildly surly after a long hot day of snake wrangling, the two men are actually surprisingly enthused at the prospect of talking about snakes. They immediately acquiesce, and I am led through a backstage passageway, mind exploding with excitement at the prospect of seeing the behindthe-scenes glamour of the snake trade. The dressing room turns out to be an orange-paneled 9x9 have deemed the Keith Richards of and asks me what I want to know. I quickly learn that these men are brothers, Ron and Mike Orf, that they grew up in Apache, and that they have worked this festival for 29 years straight, for the fun of it. When I ask the Orfs how they got into this mess, the more talkative brother, Ron, tells me this, took me one time and I got hooked on it. One guy goes snake hunting and he never goes again in his life. Another guy goes snake hunting and he s hooked-- has to do it for the rest of his life. During the performance I noticed Mike holding up a diagram containing pictures of various Rattlesnake bites. I ask the brothers how many times they have been bitten. Ron answers, I m the only one that has been bitten and I ve aloud how it is that everyone else manages to stay safe, while Ron has found himself snake-bit, not Just stupid I guess, Ron chuckles. Nah, I ve done a lot more shows, picked up a lot more snakes. Mike makes the point that snakes are really the only animal that a person in Oklahoma can hunt that tends to hunt back. Ron points across the room to a man who has appeared in the doorway, If you want to know about snake bites ask my son Ronnie. Ronnie pulls his pant leg up to reveal two enormous spots on his leg, notable for their conspicuous as if someone has attempted to hollow out the man s calf. Ronnie explains that he was bitten pretty severely and as I dizzily attempt to stay on my feet and keep my food down I hear something about bleeding like a stuck hog and six months of daily physical therapy in a whirlpool learning to walk again. Before I even think to ask why the Orf brothers do what in a category with masochists or Unabombers, i.e. their motives this, Our purpose out there is to educate people. We don t want anybody to get bit. There s idiots out there that crawl in sleeping bags with snakes to be cool, and that s garbage. If we can keep one person Ron nods in agreement, but adds, I don t care. I ll get in a sleeping bag with snakes. I ll lay in a bathtub full of em, but it s cause I know the snakes. What if some little kid sees me do that and then tries it at home? I don t say so aloud, but I get the feeling that the chances of a child being able to wrangle and then successfully lay in said bathtub without attracting the attention of a parent or guardian, are somewhere between slim and none. I also decide not to mention the fact that Mike has, via the transitive property, called Ron an idiot. We dismiss politely and I head for the door, before remembering one of the main questions I wanted to ask these guys. I heard that the festival almost didn t happen this year. Can you explain? Well, we are getting older, I am 69 and my brother is 76. Ron answers. really good for their age, particularly board is elderly and so we just voted to shut her down this year. Then when we announced it we held a town meeting and bout 250 people showed up and said they d help keep it alive. Did they actually come through with the help? I ask. Yeah. They did and we put it on. Over the years I bet we have to have raised and donated around $400,000. We are a non- wherever the need is-- schools, a family that lost a house, whatever. Some years we raise $10,000, some years we ve gotten $30,000. But that s why we do it. Other day a member of our board was asking, What d Apache do before said, Well, they did without. OKIE MAGAZINE Page 5

6 Community News... Invasive Plant Removal Day Scheduled in Wildlife Refuge The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge will be hosting an Invasive Plant Round-Up on May 19, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. till 12:30 p.m. Come learn about the most damaging invasive plants in southwestern Oklahoma and help eastern red cedar, common mullein, sweet clover, prickly lettuce and other invasive plants. Invasive species, however, are a growing problem at the Refuge and surrounding lands. Removing invasive plants allows native plants and animals to prosper. Help us return the Refuge to a more natural habitat for our local Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, sturdy boots, work gloves, and bring water. Hand tools will be provided. Transportation will be provided to restricted work areas; other their own vehicles to designated sites. Lunch will be provided by the Friends of the Wichitas at the Refuge s Environmental Education Center. For more information and to pre-register, contact Quinton Smith at Quinton_Smith@fws.gov or Arts for All Festival to be Held Mother s Day Weekend The 2012 Arts for All Festival at 4 p.m. This is the 38th year for the festival, which is held in Shepler Park between 4th and 5th streets, on the south side of Gore Boulevard. Artists representing many states will be displaying and selling in various art mediums, includin photography, pottery, sculpture, painting, jewelry, and much more. As always, visitors will be enticed into the food area by a dizzying array of wonderful scents. The cuisine represents a variety of cultures from Chinese to Greek and also features uniquely American treats such as turkey legs and roasted corn. The Wine Garden is one of the most popular spots at the festival. Festival-goers can enjoy a glass of wine from one of the Oklahoma wineries while relaxing and listening to music from small blues and jazz groups on the wine garden stage. Entertainment is also featured on two stages by our local children s groups, schools, and dance studios and there will be a children s art area where your wee ones can practice their future masterpieces. The festival is open Friday evening until 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. For more information on Arts for All, visit artsforallfestival.org OKIE MAGAZINE Page 6

7 Hobart Hosts Celebration of Freedom The Celebration of Freedom begins Friday, May 25 and continues through Monday, May 28. Friday the return of the hugely successful Kiowa County Quilt Show. The quilt show will run Friday 9 a.m. 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. 5 p.m. at the Western Technology Center. Admission is $3.00 per person per day. The largest Silent Auction in the state begins at 10 am Friday morning and featureshundreds of items, from unique handcrafted treasures, to one of a kind autographed sports and entertainment industry memorabilia. Also on the block Four Star Ranch in Roosevelt, OK, tickets to a Texas Rangers game, and two guitars, one autographed by superstar Toby Keith, the other by country duo Brooks and Dunn. This is just a sampling of the huge assortment of treasures available to the highest bidders. Friday evening at 9 p.m. the mile fun run, will be held with a costume contest for the most patriotically dressed. Winding down the evening will be live music performed by Red River Spirits at the Street Dance ending at midnight. Saturday will be a busy day with the Poker Run line up beginning at 8 a.m. in Hobart at the Peet Station. Bikes will leave out by 9:45 a.m. and return to town in the afternoon for the annual Thunder Run Motorcycle Parade. During this time the Wild Hog Fly-in will be happening at the Hobart airport, and there will be a a Freedom Parade downtown. Arts on the Square will be taking place with craft and food vendors on the Courthouse lawn. There will also be another street dance and a book signing Photos courtesy of Marian Pfenning by General Tommy Franks. Saturday comes to a close with a concert by country music superstar Neal McCoy, who sings Wink and Billy s Got His Beer Goggles On. It will also Nashville s new country award. Sunday morning brings the Annual Freedom of Religion Community Worship Service at the Hobart Baseball Complex. New to Celebration of Freedom this year is a Christian concert featuring Cloverton on Sunday night. Cloverton is known for singing Take Me to the Beautiful. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., and will be opened by The Jason Scott Band. Make sure not to miss all the fun in Hobart, OK this Memorial Day weekend. For more information, OKIE MAGAZINE Page 7

8 MAY 2012 calendar of events Community Leadership Lawton-Fort Sill Charity Golf Tournament May 7, 1 p.m. Fort Sill Golf Club Crawds N Rods May 12, 8 a.m. Elgin Municipal Fields, Elgin Area Events Family Movies in the Park May 4, 8 p.m. Shannon Springs Park, Chickasha Rock and Rumble Car Show and Cruise May 4-5 Downtown Square, Altus Roller Girls May 5, 7 p.m. Great Plains Coliseum, Lawton or Spring Post Wide Garage Sale May 5, 8 a.m. 1-78th FA Parking Lot, Fort Sill Funky Junk Flea Market May 12, 9 a.m. Great Plains Coliseum, Lawton Hackberry Flat Day May 12, 9 a.m. Hackberry Flat Center, Frederick, OK or Chickasha Swap Meet May 10-12, 7:30 a.m. 712 E. Choctaw, Chickasha 2nd Annual Fort Sill Polo Classic May 13, 1:30 p.m. Fort Sill Polo Field CGI-United Way Poker Run & Car Cruze May 19, 9 a.m. Billingsley Hyundai Armed Forces Day Parade May 19, 10 a.m. 6th and C avenue to Elmer Thomas Par Thrash Fest Skateboard Competition May 19, 11 a.m. Rotary Park, Anadarko, OK Clinton Route 66 Festival May Downtown & McLain Rodgers Park, Clinton, OK Phone: Celebration of Freedom May 25 - May 27 Downtown, Hobart, OK Movies on the Beach May 26, 9 p.m. LETRA, Fort Sill OKIE MAGAZINE Page 8

9 Red River Rocketeers Rocket Launch May 26, 12 p.m. Cape Greenwood, Duncan Movies on the Beach May 27, 9 p.m. LETRA, Fort Sill Let s Talk About It, Oklahoma May 15, 6:30 p.m. Lawton Public Library with David Snider Lunchbag Lecture Duane Del Vecchio Oklahoma Bats - the Good Guys! May 17, 12:15 p.m. Leslie Powell Gallery, Lawton or Health & Wellness Crossroads 5K Run May 12, 8 a.m SE 75th Street, Elgin or Chickasha Rotary Run May 19, 8 a.m. Shannon Springs Park, Chickasha Tour De Meers May 26, 7:30 a.m. Meers Volunteer Fire Department Station Highway 115, Meers, OK Local Flavor Frontier Days Rodeo May 4-5, 7 p.m. Grady County Fairgrounds, Chickasha or Chisholm Trail Stampede PRCA Rodeo May 4-5, 7:30 p.m. Stephens County Fairgrounds, Duncan Southwest District 4-H Horse Show May 31 - June 2, 8 a.m. Stephens County Fairgrounds, Duncan Music John P. Kee & New Life Community Choir May 11, 7:30 p.m. McMahon Auditorium, Lawton or Mayor s Red Dirt Ball May Medicine Park, OK See page 25 for more info Theatre God of Carnage May 17-20, 7 p.m. Blue Moon Productions, Art Duncan Crafts, Arts, and Hobbies Association Spring Craft Show May 4-5 Stephens County Fairgrounds, Duncan Clinton Art in the Park May 5, 10 a.m. Acme Brick Park, Clinton, OK Arts for All Festival May Shepler Park, Downtown Lawton OKIE MAGAZINE Page 9

10 calendar of events Art Show Opening May 12, 7 p.m. Leslie Powell Gallery, Lawton th Annual Arts on the Square May 26 Kiowa County Courthouse Square, Hobart, OK or hobartchamber@att.net Seniors Beginner s Painting Class Each Monday, 12:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. Center for Creative Living, Lawton Basic Beginner s Basket Weaving Each Monday, 10 a.m. Center for Creative Living, Lawton Call Seniors Quilting Bee Each Tuesday, 10 a.m. Medicine Park Community Center Lunch provided! Art Class with Pat Pittman Tuesdays, 10 a.m. Center for Creative Living, Lawton Pumpkin Center Cafe SE Lee Blvd /2 miles east of Channel 7 It s far out! Lawton Farmer s Market From late spring through early fall, the Saturday Market sets up at the Great Plains Coliseum grounds from 7:30 a.m. - Noon. Here shoppers will find the very best Oklahoma growers who produce the best products the state has to offer! Lawton Farmers Market 920 South Sheridan Road Lawton, OK Lawton Food Bank Invites you to EAT OUT AGAINST HUNGER $10 Ticket = Any Meal at Golden Corral During the Month of May Tickets can be purchased from OKIE MAGAZINE Page 10

11 Tattoos and Piercing Sweet to the Point 918 SW C Avenue Tuesday - Saturday 12 p.m p.m. OKIE MAGAZINE Page 11

12 The Frugal Coupon Wife: Saving Money Makes Cents by Sheila Robinson Are You Committing Coupon Fraud? This article is especially important for new couponers to read. A person could be committing coupon fraud and not even know it. Why? They didn t do their research on how to use coupons. Coupon Coding Coupon coding is when people try to get discounts on other products that were not actually meant to be included on the coupon they are using. Say mascara, but a person uses it on hair spray or face products from the same company just because it will scan or the cashier will take it. This is called coupon coding. You have to use the coupon for the same product that is listed on the coupon-- and it s not the picture on the coupon you should look at-- it s the rules that the manufacturer has put on the coupon. The picture has nothing to do with the product so you don t have to really look at that. The picture is basically to give you an idea of what to look for. But, you do have to read what the coupon is to be used If you get caught coupon coding you can actually matter. Coupon Fraud Coupon fraud is when you misuse a coupon. One type of fraud is using more than one manufacturer manufacturer coupon and in store coupon if your buying only one product. You should always read Most coupons will tell you what products, size, how many, ounces, color, brand, etc. Using a coupon beyond its expiration date is fraud as well unless your store allows it. Most overseas military families are allowed to use expired coupons coupons to their ACS to be sent to overseas When you misuse a coupon you are not only committing coupon fraud, but you are ruining it for everyone else. Eventually manufacturers will start putting more restrictions on coupons and eventually they could just stop sending coupons out all together. Be sure to read about coupon fraud here: Frugal Coupon Wife OKIE MAGAZINE Page 12 V O ID

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14 Twist of Fate Leads Local Man to Dreams There is an old adage about how when one door closes another opens. This hit home for local musician Ken Morrow after a life-altering car accident July 4, It s when he was suddenly physically unable to raise rodeo stock and work been about up to that point. With a plethora of time on his hands, and an emotional journey ahead of him, he turned to an old hobby guitar. Morrow acquired that talent from his junior high school principal who taught him how to play during sixth hour in the principal s was banned from football. While recovering from the car accident, Morrow began to play music regularly again. I was laid up, broken up, and the only thing I could do was lay around the house on crutches, and it gets awful boring, he said. I started writing. I truly believe God had a hand in it. Morrow spent that recovery time writing music Park. He soon made a dramatic purchase that turned his life focus into his two passions. He acquired Gone Fishin, his bait and tackle shop in has turned into a hot spot for local songwriters to congregate by Amanda Herrera and perform live music on the weekends. Morrow even buys and sells used instruments there. We have a lot of songwriters coming up and hanging out who buy and sell guitars, Morrow said. If that don t work, we sell them a box of worms. Several of Morrow s songs began receiving local attention, particularly, which was selected as a top contender for a local songwriting contest and is often requested at Morrow s friends weddings. His brother, John, encouraged him to put his tunes on YouTube, and he started getting calls from people in the local music business. With John s encouragement along the way, Morrow made a commitment to Almost a year later, Morrow s CD OKIE MAGAZINE Page 14

15 is in stores and one of his dreams has and tough boys. and though Morrow s music is self-proclaimed outlaw country, and many of his song lyrics touch on things like drinking, he said traits of Denny, he said he mostly writes about past relationships and love. He would like to write more about losing so many of his loved ones, like his mother and father and two brothers, but those things take time to get a handle on. During my experience conducting interviews for the local music beat, and being in the music business myself, I have run into every type of musician. I often say you can throw a stone in Oklahoma and hit a musician with an ego. I can honestly say Ken Morrow is one of the most grounded and humble musicians I have met to date. He deserves great things and, it is clear, his good attitude is not going anywhere. ~ Amanda Herrera a deceased brother, people might be surprised to know he s never touched a drop of alcohol or a drug in his life. I had a brother, Denny, who died in prison, and he was an outlaw to the core, Morrow said. A lot of these songs of the wilder ones, but he was a big life because everything seemed to revolve around him. We d have to go visit him in prison. Even when I was a kid, the law would pull us over and ask if we d seen Denny. He told me I should try to stay away from it [drugs and alcohol] because he thought me and him had a lot of characteristics in common. Morrow followed Denny s advice and instead turned to music to help him through tough times. Songwriting is a puzzle, he said. Some of the pieces are there, some you remember, and some Already back in Black Lab studios working on material for his next CD and performing with his new band Hired Guns, which is comprised of Morrow, Robert Poafpybitty on drums, B.F.I. on bass, David Wilson on lead guitar, and Megan Pool on keys, Morrow is playing locally and planning on branching out to tours in Texas soon. He said the car accident that changed his life was one of the best things that could have happened to him. Morrow can be found on Facebook, where he posts regularly about show dates and CD sales. OKIE MAGAZINE Page 15

16 Get a FREE Kids T-Shirt at your next check-up We Proudly Accept Chad Hoecker, DDS (General Dentist & Owner) N.W. Cache Rd. - Lawton Next to Texas Road House OKIE MAGAZINE Page 17

17 Juniors & Misses Clothing Shoes & Accessories

18 Paws With Love Therapy Dogs Helping to Heal Hurts and Hearts that Caleb, Janet Hall s Great Dane, would be inclined to eat you for a snack, but after spending just a few moments with him you realize that he is a gentle, loving dog and you begin to understand why he is such a great therapy dog. Janet Hall was a 100% disabled military veteran when she got involved with a therapy dog program in El Paso about 5 years ago. What started out as a way to give back to the military ended up with Janet becoming a trained therapy dog handler. When her husband s military career brought them to Lawton 3 years ago, she was surprised to therapy dogs in the area, so she set out to do something about it and Paws with Love Therapy Dogs was born. Therapy dogs are trained to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, and people with learning service dogs. Numerous studies ownership and therapy pets. Blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides are lowered, anxiety and stress are reduced, and people feel less lonely. Learning Tree Academy teacher, Barbara Keys, notices a visit from one of the therapy that comes from this program, she says. Children are already inclined to love dogs, so being able to spend time with them helps the kids overcome any fears they might have about dogs. In general, spending time with the dogs relaxes them, eases anxiety and calms them. by Becky Smith has 10 handlers and 13 dogs. They visit Reynolds Army Community Hospital, Comanche County Memorial Hospital s Rehabilitation Unit and Silver Linings Unit, McMahon Tomlinson Nursing Home, The Chateau, and several Reading with Jake and Friends, a program where children can read to a dog in a relaxed and nonjudgmental atmosphere. This can reading ability. The dogs are also a stress a hospital or nursing home. People heal faster and have less stress and depression when they spend time with a therapy dog. The dogs are also a treat for those who had pets that they could not bring with them to the nursing facility. Hall says the most important traits for a therapy dog are obedience and a good temperament. The dog must be calm and friendly and not excitable. They must undergo a 3 minute separation test to ensure they are okay with being away from their training course for pets and owners to become handlers and therapy dogs. They train together, with the handler learning to train their dog. The dogs must be at least one year old and should have had obedience training. Volunteering with your dog can be a reward experience and you can volunteer for as little as two hours a week or as many hours as you like. They rely solely on donations. For more information, contact Janet Hall at or JS.HALL@pawswithlove.net. OKIE MAGAZINE Page 18

19 Monday, May 7, 2012, 6:30 p.m. Health Food Center Learn the history of homeopathy Potency and ingredients Clinical studies on homeopathy Safety and dosing guidelines Learn FDA guidelines on homeopathy with David Gerhardt, DCoHom OKIE MAGAZINE Page 19

20 TRAVELOK.COM GREATPLAINSCOUNTRY.COM OKIE MAGAZINE Page 20

21 Memories of Yesteryear by Arlie D. Trooper Wood the animals, the question has always existed; who is the fastest. It graduated to racing on animals and in chariots; even stage coach races. Racing was not far advanced from the stage coach races when Lawton, Oklahoma, became a city. Entertainment had a unique priority in early Lawton that exists even today. One purpose was the building of a grandstand and a one mile dirt track for horse and sulky racing. Occasionally an elevated plans were made to develop a fair for the more sedate competition between the ladies with their canning, cooking, and quilting. Into this scenario, a new element was introduced; the automobile. generated much curiosity. A man could outrun most but that question was still there. Which car is the fastest? Why not race them on the more a matter of which could make it around the track without breaking down or shedding one of their wooden wagon type wheels. Each car was allowed a driver and a mechanic to make repairs on the spot of breakdown. Word spread of these racers back to the some realized the market for faster sportster type vehicles. Although few made their way to Lawton, this resulted in cars like the Stutz Bearcat, Reo Flying Cloud, and the Duesenberg. On the horse racing track at the old fair grounds east of the Rock Island Railroad Tracks in Lawton, Touring cars of 1920s vintage raced more for advertisement than any other objective. Cloth tops and curtains were removed and the wind screens folded down over the hood. The spare rim and tire was removed for safety; they sometimes In the 1930s, many manufacturers went broke, consolidated, or struggled to stay in business. Old cars fell into disrepair and went to junk yards. Some young men thought, This is all we have. Why not strip If it wasn t necessary to hold the wheels on and the engine in, it was stripped from these racers. Gas tanks were moved to serve as a seat and drivers used an half inch rope to tie themselves in place. The track I remember most was about two miles east of Lawton on the north side of the highway; a steeplechase type track around a pond that served to baptize many drivers and cars. After World War Two a new type of racing swept the nation and came to Lawton called Midget Auto Racing usually done on a short dirt track. The evolution continues through many variations as the answer is pursued. Who is the fastest?? OKIE MAGAZINE Page 21

22 Family Trees EP Gives CD Format One Last Shot by Amanda Herrera With CD sales declining, and online and digital downloading changing the face of music, it has also changed how local undiscovered artists get their music out. Soon, we might not see CDs any longer. However, Jordan Herrera, of the Enid-based to release his new solo EP Family Trees in CD format, but with a unique touch he hopes will make it special. Jordan plays guitar, bass, violin and other instruments, and describes his thirst for music as zombie-like. The EP is the product of him locking himself in his room and recording what he describes as a deep burden entwined within his chest. The CD of indie music is nothing short of special. The six acoustic songs take you on an emotional journey driven by solid talent. It is well-produced and meaningful, while creating a soothing energy that leaves you wanting more. the packaging was put together with a youthful playfulness. I thought I d give physical copies one last chance, Jordan said. The artwork resembles a coloring book, which makes sense. Each CD comes packaged with its own little box of crayons and was printed and hand-pressed on time, allowed to color the album the way they all. Jordan said that in case some people might not feel comfortable channeling their inner child, he also included a 22-bank word search on the back of the CD cover for the active-thinking adult. More information about the EP Family Trees OKIE MAGAZINE Page 22

23 Large Community Room AWESOME Game Room Book Your Birthday Parties Now! Pizza Mini Bowling Military Discount Laser Tag Dig It Landscaping Life s a Garden Randi Adams-Monroe Owner randi.adams@hotmail.com Cell Home Summer Passes Summer Available Fun For The Whole Family! New Games!

24 twilight The Hunger Games The Hunger Games released on March 21, 2012 caused a surge of interest in Suzanne Collins trilogy of books which had inspired the the movie and then bought the books, I liked it before it was a movie, and I liked Battle Royale the growing franchise, and frenzied teen fans have caused yet another comparison, which raises the question, Is Hunger Games the next Twilight? The answer is no, and here s why. On the surface, there are some apparent perspective. Both series of books and their audiences, and yet also include violence and certain adult themes. Both have a love triangle. Beyond that, comparison starts to break down. Katniss Everdeen, lead character of the Hunger Games, faces injuries and brushes with death, but manages to pull through, kick butt, and use her resourcefulness and daring to overcome her enemies. Bella Swan, the heroine of Stephenie Meyer s Twilight series, is characterized as fragile and uncoordinated, accident-prone, and a bit of a damsel-in-distress, who luckily has a vampire qualities are her personal virtues and skills, while Bella is liked for supposedly being attractive, exotic, mysterious, and having tasty blood. lives in a dystopian future where her private life is made public, and she has limited choices and no room for mistakes. As a minor, as a woman, and as a citizen of the poorest district, District 12, her freedom is restricted possibly even more than of her society, and yet she becomes a beacon of hope. Bella gets to choose her relationships and how she lives her life, but faces extreme risks for those decisions. The comparison of these books easily shows that they are not the same because OKIE MAGAZINE Page 24

25 Place a digit from 1 to 9 in each empty cell so every row, every column, and every 3 x 3 box contains the digits 1 to 9. Lawton Floral West Solution on page 35 OPEN & DELIVERING Sunday, May 13th for MOTHER S DAY for your convenience! Call Order online Stop by 6321 NW Cache Road in Lawton OKIE MAGAZINE Page 25

26 Queen of the House by Beth Sanchez These cupcakes are sure to be the hit of any party, especially all those fun cookouts that are coming up during the summer. Not only are they delicious to eat, they are also easy to make! Cookies and Cream Cupcakes Scrape the sides of the bowl, turn the mixer on low and minutes scraping the sides as needed. It may be a little lumpy, but it s ok as long as it looks like this. Chop 20 Oreos and set aside. Beat 3 egg whites until they look like this. Set aside. Gently fold in your egg whites leaving them not completely mixed in. Gently fold in your cookie pieces just until mixed. If you stir too much the cupcakes won t rise properly and the cookie dust could turn the batter grey. know when they re ready because they ll look like this. melted unsalted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla Mix on low for 3 minutes. Makes a little more that 2 dozen cupcakes. Now, relax, eat and enjoy! You don t even have to share if you don t want to. OKIE MAGAZINE Page 26

27 ASK ABOUT OUR FUNDRAISING NIGHTS! 83 CENTRAL MALL, LAWTON, OK (LOCATED INSIDE CENTRAL MALL) Saturday, June 2, / / + / / / / 6 7 / Bling Bling Bags Bags Belts Belts s Hats H Hats Jewelry Jewelry Gifts for Her Gifts for Him Gifts for Her Gifts for Him and and a nd Gifts Giifts for G ffo or Couples Couples Zippo Lighters Incense Zippo Lighters Incen nse CDs CDs T-shirts VHS & DVD Movies T-shirts VHS & DVD Movies Black Bla ack Light Light Posters Posters Tobacco Tobacco Products Products All All under under one one roof roof We We will will wi ll match mat atch or or beat or bea eat at any any other otth o he er place er pllac p ace in iin n town! town wn! CORNER CORNER OF OF N. N. SHERIDAN SHERIDAN AND AND POLLARD POLLARD OKIE MAGAZINE H.C.King Center +8 9 : * ; < => 8?9 8 9@ /9@+/?A@+ How it works: $5 gets you entry into event & punch card Bid on each vendor s featured item(s) Bidding amount will be determined by reatil value $24.99 and below (1 Quarter) $ $49.99 (2 Quarters) $ $74.99 (3 Quarters) $75.00 & up (4 Quarters) Bid as many times as you like per item Visit 10 booths and get card punched, enter card into drawing for your chance to win a $50 gift card +>) 7 +* 6& 9 +? *9 79 * 7( & Page 27

28 The Tex Mexican Mystery food mystery is shrouded in secret spices, but to be honest it s all about mass-production and availability. Now, before I make the proprietors of all the restaurants mad, let me try to explain Tex-Mex food does have its origins in Mexican food, but for the sake of getting people in, serving delicious food, getting their money, and getting the next eaters in, mass-production is the way to go. Also, as a diner, I want the enchiladas and fajitas that I had last week, to taste like the enchiladas and fajitas that I have next week. In fact, one of the most successful chains of Tex-Mex food lost my business when they changed they enchilada sauce recipe, for that very reason. Texas, I was able to do a comparison of what I thought was Mexican food, to what I now know to be Mexican food. There are certainly the same spices being used, but I now know that the use of those spices comes from what was available to the original inhabitants of Mexico, and from what region they came. Surrounded by the sounds of the evening, and an occasional ESPN app letting us know about the Atlanta Braves scoring, I was able to sit down with local foodie and former columnist for OKIE Magazine, Amy Merchant, and her mother Sylvia, who grew up in a home with second-generation Mexicans. They explained that Mexican cuisine relied greatly upon what was available at the time. Flour tortillas may have been cheaper to make, but since corn was what was available, corn tortillas were what was made and served in the home. Sylvia explained that even as she was growing up in a house that had eight children, her mother would make fresh salsa, and would prepare foods with what was available to them. She added that her parents would have a garden so that they could make dishes with the freshest of ingredients. One of the interesting facts that Amy brought up was that Tex-Mex cuisine is and Mexican cuisine is hand. The one thing that they both have in common is availability of ingredients. Of course, Tex-Mex food is going to be more popular in the southwest region. The Tex-Mex food are what was easy to come by in Mexico, but throughout this region of America meat is also readily available. Amy explained, This is cowboy country; steak and then work out on the ranch all day, so they had to adapt their cuisine to that. For me my favorite thing to eat, which is probably more Tex-Mex or urban is carne asada-- just very simple: meat, lime juice, cilantro, on a corn tortilla. That, to me, is better than refried beans or something heavy like that. In our opinion, Las Margaritas is the closest to authentic Mexican cuisine. Sylvia added that when her mom would cook, it was just like that. Personally, having grown up eating Tex-Mex food, I prefer Los Tres Amigos. I know that I m going to get the same thing every time, and it s going to taste the same every time. I know that every person is going to have food. It s a personal decision. My advice is to get out one is best for you. OKIE MAGAZINE Page 28

29 Things I Learned from My Mom OKIE MAGAZINE Page 29

30 by Jim Joplin Reel World Fo n on F l ak n Greenlee Brothers, the only information that I was Altus, and that they d done well at the Trail Dance Film Festival in Duncan. After getting to know these two young men, and hearing more of their story, I ve come to learn that there is so much more to them than the short description that I d been given. Todd and Alex Greenlee, who are attending the University of Oklahoma studying Film and Media 14. It was then that they auditioned for the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute. The character of these two guys is evidenced from when I asked them what their see their acceptance into the Oklahoma Summer Arts Not long after, during their senior year at Altus High Best High School Film category at the Trail Dance Film Festival in Duncan, Oklahoma. That was an amazing feeling to hear, and the winner is Alex and Todd Greenlee. Words cannot describe the suspense and total joy of that experience. When I asked about a favorite genre, for watching explained, Whenever Alex and I make movies we I like giving all genres a chance. For example, we will make a very dark movie about a man telling a reporter about his experience with a murderer and our next movie will be a comedy about a guy trying to break up with his girlfriend. Having a brother, I know how strained situations can become when there is a disagreement, however it doesn t seem like there is much of a problem with Overall, we are usually on the same page when it comes to making a movie. Of course we each bring we both envision the movie in the exact same way. There are some times that we have disagreements on small aspects, but during those times we try both suggestions and see which one works best in the end. explains, Alex is usually the writer. We both come up with the basic concept, but Alex is the one who writes it and forms it into a story. I am the one who edits the movie. In a way, that storytelling. Whenever you are editing, you are have seemed good in the script, but does not translate well on camera. It is also fun to move and get results that you were not expecting. There is one place that they are both very comfortable though, they both like to direct. Recently, Todd and Alex were winners again, this time at the University of Oklahoma Film Festival. The guys are set to graduate from OU in December of this year, and I expect that we ll be seeing big things from both of them as they continue their love near the end of our interview, Filmmaking is a career of passion and dedication, and those are things we certainly have. If you would like more information about the to okiemagazine.com and check out the links to movies! OKIE MAGAZINE Page 30

31 Coming in May to the Lawton - Fort Sill Art Council 5220 NW Cache Road Lawton, OK Phone Fax Monday - Friday: 8a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Saturday: 8:00-12:00 Closed Sunday cahpets@yahoo.com Find us on the web at May 8: Drop off artwork at the Museum of the Great Plains 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Join on this day and have your art in the show & Arts for All) May 11,12, 13: Arts for All - Shepler Park May 17: Art Council Membership Meeting and Presentation at 7 p.m. May 18: Visions: VI Art Show Reception 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m Ferris Ave Lawton, OK lawtonfortsillartcouncil Festival May 11, 12, 13 Southwest Oklahoma s Premier Outdoor Juried Art Festival Shepler Park at 4th & Gore Boulevard Lawton, Oklahoma featuring: Fine Artists from Across the US Delicious Food Hands-On Children s Art Area Visual & Performing Artists Wine Garden Wines from OK wineries, Hors d oeuvres to Savor with the wine while listening to live music on the wine garden stage. For Information Call: (580) Diamond Sponsors US Cellular Comanche County Memorial Hospital City of Lawton Platinum Sponsors Southwest Sales Oklahoma City Park Tent and Event Coca Cola Southern Journeys OKIE MAGAZINE Page 31

32 Lessons Learned from a Lifetime of Grilling by Mortimor Oullouitious Snerkleschwartz Just in time for the Memorial grilling season, Mort brings us these tips on how NOT to cook outdoors! Hot dogs can actually burn down to A squirrel jumping out of a tree into the hot grill is the funniest thing you ll ever see even sober. It s better to marinate the meat before yourself and safer. Propane is a great cooking fuel, but a Deer urine attracts deer not barbeque guests. Hot dogs come in packages of 10, hot dog buns come in packages of 8; You have to buy a lot of those to make them come out even even sober. Beans fall through the grill. Mesquite is the best wood to use in the trees down before you ignite them. Cats don t really have 9 lives. You can cook 28 hamburger patties, 14 hot dogs, 6 steaks well-done, and time. Melted ketchup bottles will stay on the grill for the life of the grill and beyond. Hamburger patties burn faster than you can tell your favorite hunting story even sober. Using your wife s good roasting pan to hides will result in you having a lot in common with monks. Daring your drunk sister-in-law to see how long she can hold a hot coal in her hand is funny every time. Mixing alcohol, M80 s and grilling can lead to unhappy neighbors and arrest warrants. Ventilating the grill cover by shooting holes in it with pistol will result in a lot of people showing up for your party many with badges. yourself should be two separate acts apparently. OKIE MAGAZINE Page32

33 ACROSS 1. Short run 5. 3-banded armadillo 10. Labels 14. Fully developed 15. Mortise and joint 16. Doing nothing 17. Bright thought 18. Vacillation 20. A travelling vendor 23. Container 24. Utilize again 25. Unpleasant tasting 32. Drizzly 33. Eagle s nest 34. Apiece 37. Decorate with gold leaf 38. Not silently 39. Circuit breaker 40. L 41. An attention-getting feat 42. Ringworm cassia 43. Having a mottled appearance 45. Inscribed pillar 49. What we breathe 50. A short novel 53. Outlive 60. Disappear gradually 61. Religious belief 62. Cozy 63. Run away 64. Threesomes 65. Bristle DOWN 1. Trickle 2. Assistant 3. Hurried 4. A band worn on the head 5. Goddess of wisdom 6. Equal 7. Autonomic nervous system 8. Agitate 9. Initial wager 10. Name of a book 11. French farewell 12. Glossiness 13. Feel 19. Concur 25. Desire 27. Tablet 28. Anklebone 29. Long times 30. Thug 31. Cover 34. Kick Solution on page Feudal worker 36. Absorb written material 38. Consumed food 39. Intrepid 41. Grave marker 42. Narrow opening 44. Chuckles 45. Extinguish 46. Anagram of Talon 47. Avoid 48. Embankment 52. Winglike 53. Savvy about 54. Skin disease 55. Close 56. Roman robe in Roman numerals OKIE MAGAZINE Page33

34 Books, CD s, Candles, Bulk Herbs, Essential Oils, Incense, Jewelry, Crystals, Dragons, Gargoyles, Fairies, Angels, Clothing, Velvet Bags and Cards. OKIE MAGAZINE Page34

35 SOLUTION SOLUTION A beautiful country retreat for scrapbooking, quilting, other hobbies and girlfriend get-aways! Red Cedar House Retreat Route 1, Box 1700, Cyril, OK Reserve Your Custom Designed Advertising Space Today! CALL OKIE MAGAZINE Page35

36 The Rise of a Phoenix by Jordan Godlewski Most graduating seniors in any field question what the next chapter in their life will entail; Robbi Pratt has it all figured out. After graduating from Cameron in May she will be the first member in her family to hold a college degree. With her Bachelors in Fine Art, Robbi plans to share her knowledge and experience with children in and out of the classroom. Robbi draws inspiration from her life experiences and feels she can inspire and motivate children to overcome many of life s obstacles that she has overcome through her art. In a lot of my interviews I ask artist where they see themselves in five years or so and Robbi s answer has to be the best I have ever received. Robbi told me she sees herself participating in mission trips to help people all over the world, in particular orphanages in Africa to work with the newborns and children in distress. Above- Dynasty The Band Oil x 34 Below- King The Band Oil x 65.25

37 Above from Left to Right- Tator Express Yourself Oil x 73.5 Above Self Portrait Oil 37.5 x 31.5 Sici Express Yourself Oil x 73.5 Rheub Express Yourself Oil x 73.5 Above - Robbi has been selected for the 2012 LFSAC Professional Development Scholarship. Visit our YouTube channel to see clips from the Cameron Senior Art Show on display until May 7. Youtube.com/readokie

38 The era of club pop will end soon enough. Near the end of the Aughts, Top 40 radio began to be Black Eyed Peas to Katy Perry to Nicki Minaj. Like all trends, pop radio will cease to sound like a dance club within the next year or so. How will this happen? History has shown that most, if not all, musical trends of a previous of the following one. This has happened since the beginning of the pop charts, and is not likely to change with this one. Rock and roll in the late 80 s was about as embarrassing as old prom photos from the time: glam rock was all about big hair, too much guitars. Bands like Cinderella and Twisted Sister masqueraded in near-drag and attempted to still sound tough. During the late 80 s and early 90 s, however, grunge grew into its own subgenre, making its grand debut with Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana. Similar sounding acts soon followed, and grunge became the basis for alternative rock. Glam rockers quickly declined in popularity. Although hinted at by the Spice Girls two years prior, alternative began to lose its grip on the mainstream completely in 1998 with the emergence of teen pop acts. Young female singers, like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, and boy bands, including *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys, returned bubblegum pop to the airwaves with their mostly-family-friendly songs and mostly-sanitized images. Edgy was no longer the choice du jour; choreography and lip-synching was. Even teen pop couldn t last, as the teen pop acts or their record labels grew weary of their innocent lyrics and wanted to be portrayed as keeping it real. The sounds, while remaining cheesy, grew grittier and increasingly risqué. Near the time *NSYNC broke up in 2002, hip hop and R&B dominated the charts. Nearly every hit eschewed refrains for verses from guest rappers. Songs from the era can be dated by the year in which they were released by recognizing if they were produced by The Neptunes, Lil Jon or Timbaland. The current era of club pop was heralded by the sudden change in artistic direction by the Black Eyed Peas with Boom Boom Pow and the debuts of Ke$ha and Lady Gaga. Since many singers and bands have followed suit, and EDM producers and DJs have gained greater prominence than before, it can be determined that we are currently in the golden age of club music as pop. If history is any indication, this era will not last gold can stay. Indie acts cultivating microgenres thing on the radio. Until that time comes, we need to accept radio s marriage to the night and dance along with the music. Bonnie Raitt, Take My Love With You Grade: B Nobody understands an aching heart like Raitt. The lyrics of her latest release aren t as sophisticated as previous anthems, yet she reaches for the soul and succeeds through and through. Wale ft. Lloyd, Sabotage Grade: B The rapper s latest single could have very well been released a decade ago and be just as resonate with widespread appeal. Lloyd s handling of the chorus perfectly complement Wale s dedication to his lady. Beach House, Lazuli Grade: A Any song that can begin like the opening score to a video game and still be taken seriously as a love song is a winner. If this is what one can expect from their upcoming album Bloom, it will easily be one of the best this year. OKIE MAGAZINE Page 38

39 A Wicked Web Design is a Lawton, Oklahoma family-owned, web development company, committed to developing web sites that meet your needs and the needs of your business. For a Home Security System that is Locally Monitored We Are Your Wicked Easy Solution. Call for your free consultation staff@awickedwebdesign.com Allan Niles- Agent 1303 W. Gore Blvd. Ste. 2 Lawton, OK ANiles@ShelterInsurance.com ShelterInsurance.com Only Online OKIE MAGAZINE Page 39

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