A Legend In Leather - OKIE Magazine

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November 

2010 

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A Legend 

In Leather 

The Craftsmanship and Artistry 

of Howard Council: Saddle Maker 

J. Roy Dunning Children’s 

Shelter 

A Refuge For the Helpless, Innocent, & 

Defenseless 

Lawton Downtown 

Redevelopment 

A Vision of Visionaries 

Top 10 Reasons Not To 

Run For Political O O ce

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Page 2 www.okiemagazine.com OKIE MAGAZINE

Vol. 3, Issue 12 — November 2010 

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A LEGEND IN LEATHER 

HOWARD COUNCIL: SADDLE MAKER 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PAGE 7 

J. ROY DUNNING 

CHILDREN’S SHELTER 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PAGE 8 

LAWTON DOWNTOWN 

REDEVELOPMENT 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGE 9 

VETERANS DAY TRIBUTE 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGE 23 

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I had driven by that old building at 

least a thousand times. It was one of 

those sites that I would take notice of 

and then let fade from my mind, until 

I would drive by it again, with everincreasing 

interest and curiosity. 

I had long admired its western 

décor, complete with wooden porch 

posts and plank facings, similar to a 

store front in towns of the old West, 

crowned with an almost life-size 

statue of a horse. Looking at this old 

building on south 2nd street in Lawton, 

Oklahoma, it’s easy to imagine the 

days of western heroes and cowboy 

legends. The amazing thing is…a true 

cowboy legend can be found inside. 

For years, Hollywood has depicted 

cowboy legends as rough and rugged 

men, scarred by their lives of struggle, 

brash and sometimes amboyant, and 

large and imposing in physical stature. 

A Legend In Leather 

The Craftsmanship and Artistry of Howard Council: Saddle Maker 

By Randy Pennington 

Sta Sta Writer 

Such is not the case with the man I met when I entered that old 

building, Council Saddle Shop, for the rst time. 

As the cow bell above the door announced my arrival, I 

quickly inhaled the aroma of leather and 

shellac, a strangely satisfying scent I had 

not experienced since my leather craft days 

in high school shop. 

“Hello”. The voice came from 

somewhere behind the racks of horse tack 

and accessories, and I soon saw the man 

who had greeted me, as he emerged from 

a small room adjacent to the store’s main 

area. Mr. Howard Council, small in stature, 

moved with a youthfulness that didn’t re ect 

his 80 years, as he approached, smiled and 

shook my hand. His hands were not rough 

and calloused, as I had expected, and his 

smooth complexion and gentle smile were 

in contrast to what one would expect from 

a man respected by some of the toughest 

rodeo cowboys in history, and who had 

spent his life working in leather. 

He was a man who made you feel 

immediately at ease, and as he shared 

Continued on page 11 


J. Roy Dunning Children’s Shelter 

A Refuge For the Helpless, Innocent, & Defenseless 

By Anika La Shawn Sa Sa 


In the early 1940’s, J. Roy Dunning was impressed with 

the work the Kiwanis Club was doing for underprivileged 

children in the Lawton are and gave the club $10,000 to assist 

in their work. He also gave $7,500 to the Lawton Lions Club 

to purchase land on which to build a camp for underprivileged 

children. 

Before the camp could become a reality, Fort Sill expanded 

and paid $10,000 for the property. After J. Roy Dunning died in 

1947, these funds continued to be used by the two clubs. And 

in 1959, the Lawton Woman’s Forum conducted a study that 

showed a great need in the community to keep neglected and 

abandoned children. 

When children were removed from their home for health 

or safety reasons, they were kept either in the halls at the 

police station, or a policeman would take them to his home 

until social services could take over. It wasn’t until 1960 that the 

Kiwanis Club made nal plans to use their money to establish a 

children’s shelter. n 1961, the Lawton Woman’s Forum entered 

a community contest sponsored by Sears and won $10,000, 

which they contributed to the building of the children’s shelter. 

In 1962, the children’s shelter was built for $29,000. The 

remaining $1,000 was used to buy furniture. The shelter has 

been expanded three times since its construction, almost 

tripling the original size. 

J. Roy Dunning Children’s Shelter is the only emergency 

shelter in the State of Oklahoma that caters to the younger 

child: newborns to age 12. Comanche County children are the 

primary users, with most children coming from Lawton. Other 

counties have access on a space-available basis. 

• Boys and girls are abused, neglected or abandoned at about 

the same percentage rate. 

• More than 60 percent of all children who come into the 

children’s shelter are under the age of six. 

• Abuse and neglect are the two major reasons why children 

come to the shelter. 

• A typical stay for a child is an average of nine days; about 30 

percent are military family members. 

• Children from most ethnic backgrounds have received care 

at the children’s shelter. 

• Stress equates to increased usage of the shelter. 

• Peak months for children to be in the shelter are January, 

May, June, July, August, and September. 



Lawton Downtown Redevelopment 

By Anika La Shawn Sa Sa 


A visionary is one who thinks about the future with 

imagination or wisdom. When you look at the Lawton 

Downtown Redevelopment Project, also known as 

the 2nd Street Project, it is easy to see that it is truly 

a project of visionaries; a collective conglomerate 

of individuals over time who sought change, 

renewal, and new life to our city. The Lawton 

Downtown Redevelopment Project is a restoration 

and revitalization to our area; it adds a pulse, and 

heartbeat to the center of our city. I have heard 

many say that the 2nd Street Project, “doesn’t look 

or feel like Lawton.” 

Over the past few years as 2nd street has been 

under development, the rumors have run rampant 

about what was going on and what the City of 

Lawton was doing. Well, we decided to go right to 

the source and ask our City Manager, Mr. Larry 

Mitchell. I had the opportunity to ask Mr. Mitchell 

three of the top questions we believe you want to 

know. 

Question and Answer with Mr. Mitchell 

Anika: We want to inform our OKIE readers about 

what’s going on in Downtown Lawton. I know many have 

questions, and they are curious. The questions I believe 

the masses want to know are, what are the phases of 

development and what’s next? 

Mr. Mitchell: Currently, there are three development 

phases planned for the downtown redevelopment project. 

The rst phase involves the reconstruction of Second Street 

from Ferris Avenue to C Avenue . This capital improvement 

is broken into three sections to maximize the amount of 

state/federal grant money available for the work. We plan 

to start on the next section, Gore to C Avenue, in the spring 

of 2011. The second phase is the construction of the hotel/ 

conference center that will be located at First and Arlington. 

LEDA has signed a construction/management agreement 

with Partners in Development of Dallas to build the center 

and to manage the facility. We hope to have the conference 

facility open in July, 2012. The third phase is the retail/ 

restaurant development planned for the remaining ten 

blocks that are located northeast of Second and Gore. Ruhl 

& Ruhl, commercial development, has actively worked to 

sign leases with several national retail businesses. Steve 

Scott, Ruhl & Ruhl principal owner, believes their rst retail 

store can be open by the fall of 2011. 

Anika: What about the cultural development in the new 

downtown area, what’s the goal Lawton wants to attain? 

Mr. Mitchell: The cultural development in the new 

A Vision of Visionaries 

downtown will take several paths including the restoration 

of the old CJHS and the use of the current City Hall once 

we have completed our o ce move. The new City Hall at 

212 SW 9th will have an auditorium and small conference 

room that will be available for public use in the fall of 2011. 

The auditorium can accommodate 450 and the conference 

room will seat 200. The Lawton Public Schools will also 

use the building for in-service training and other school 

activities. Our current City Hall location, 103 SW 4th, will 

become available the following year and is strategically 

sitting between the Public Library, Shepler Park, and 

the YMCA. A great location for other family events and 

activities! 

Anika: What will be the draw for tourism and residents? 

Mr. Mitchell: I think the obvious answer to this question 

is that the downtown conference center will attract a lot of 

groups that can not presently meet in Lawton due to the 

lack of meeting space. We have already received calls 

from various state associations asking about an opening 

date and how to make reservations. This project will also 

have major shopping opportunities for local residents and 

families from across Comanche County! 

I would also like to tell you that the de nition of 

downtown is much larger than most people realize. My 

de nition is that Lawton’s downtown incorporates a 

geographical area of nearly 200 blocks and includes all 

property bounded by Ferris(north), Fort Sill Blvd. (west), SW 

F Avenue(south), and StL/SF railroad (east). 

There you have it…in the words of our City Manager 

the Downtown Redevelopment Project is well under 

way. There’s de antly a new air, spirit, and elegance. 

Remember, this is only the beginning and we can only wait 

and see what is yet to come. 


November is National Adoption Month 

There is beauty and innocence in children. They are 

completely unaware how precious they are. It is their innocence 

that makes them unique and special and they come with a clean, 

fresh slate ready to take on the world. No matter their age, they 

deserve a chance to succeed, be counted, and contribute. They 

deserve to ful ll their purpose and 

destiny. There are many children 

who wait to be adopted into a 

family that will provide them with 

the opportunity for success. 

Each year, November is 

recognized as National Adoption 

Awareness Month. While all 

adoption-related issues are 

important, the particular focus 

of this month is the adoption of 

children currently in foster care. 

Activities and celebrations 

are kicked o with a Presidential 

Proclamation, and while e orts 

made at the national level 

certainly help build awareness 

of adoption, participation in local 

programs, events, and activities 

can often be the most e ective 

way to promote positive perceptions, debunk the myths, 

and draw attention to the tens of thousands of children in 

foster care who wait and hope for permanent families. 

Adoption Month History 

The rst major e ort to promote awareness of the 

need for foster children occurred in Massachusetts. In 

1976, then-Governor Mike Dukakis proclaimed Adoption 

Week and the idea grew in popularity and spread 

throughout the nation. President Gerald Ford made the 

rst National Adoption Week proclamation, and in 1990 

the week was expanded to a month due to the number of 

states participating. 

During the month states, communities, public 

and private organizations, businesses, families, and 

individuals celebrate adoption as a positive way to build 

families. Across the nation activities and observances 

such as recognition dinners, public awareness and 

recruitment campaigns, and special events spotlight the 

needs of children who need permanent families. It also includes 

National Adoption Day, traditionally a Saturday, which is observed 

in courthouses across the nation as thousands of adoptions are 

nalized simultaneously. 

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Oklahoma Adoption 

Placement Services 

If you’re ready to start a family but are having di culty 

conceiving, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Oklahoma can help. 

Catholic Charities is a licensed child-placing agency serving the 

Archdiocese of Oklahoma City (the western 2/3 of Oklahoma.) 

Children available for adoption are infants who are placed in the 

custody of Catholic Charities by birth parents who have made an 

adoption plan for their baby. 

Families are prepared for adoptive placement by 

completing the adoption home study and the adoption 

preparation seminar. The fee for adoption placement 

covers the cost of the mother’s and baby’s medical 

care, legal fees for the birth parents and the child, 

living expenses for the birthmother, counseling for the 

birth family, and follow-up services for the adoptive 

family. Catholic Charities provides adoption services 

regardless of ethnicity or religious preference. 

For more information on adoption in your area, please 

contact the following agencies: 

Oklahoma City area: 

Kristin Lee, MSW, Director of Adoption Maternity 

Services 

Phone: (405) 523-3012 Toll Free: 1-800-375-8514 

Fax: (405) 523-3030 Web: www.catholiccharitiesok.org 

Lawton area: 

Amneris Lopez, BSW, 

Bilingual Case Mgr, Lawton 

Regional O ce 

11 N.W. 44th Street, Suite C, 

Lawton, OK 73505 

Phone: (580) 353-1811 Fax: 

(580) 353-1842 

E-Mail: cclawton@sbcglobal. 

net 

Clinton area: 

Phone: (580) 323-6363 

(866) 852-6363 Fax: (580) 

323-6378 

Enid area: 

Phone: (580) 237-7352 Fax: 

(580) 237-0164 

Come visit us on Facebook 



A Legend in Leather....Continued from page 7... 

his story with me, I realized this soft-spoken man was truly 

surprised by his success, and remained humble in spite of his 

recognition as one of the nest saddle makers in history. 

The Early Years… 

Howard Council enjoyed calf roping as a teenager, and 

spent many hours in the saddle, when he wasn’t driving a 

truck delivering magazines or working in a grocery store. 

Although his small frame and height were a challenge when 

it came to being a competitive contender, he never lost his 

love for the sport. And his experience as a roper helped him 

understand the importance of a saddle that t the horse, and 

was functional as much as attractive. 

“My wife, Genevieve, had an uncle in the upholstery 

business, and he let me set up in a corner of his store”, Council 

recalled, adding that he and his wife “darned near starved to 

death that rst couple of years”. His ability to make custom 

leather goods to order, a self-taught art, helped him survive. 

“Belts with your name on the back were very popular, so I did a 

lot of those”. 

His roping activities kept him in touch with those in the 

rodeo sport, and his rst venture into what would become his 

namesake came when a friend he roped with, asked him to 

make a saddle. Until that time, he had only repaired saddles, 

a sideline to his business he started in 1950, which involved 

billfolds and purses out of leather, as well as belts. 

That rst saddle was made from about $90 worth of 

materials, a sharp contrast to the value of a Council saddle 

today. As with any art, the quality of the craftsmanship 

continues to improve over time, and Howard Council’s attention 

to detail, combined with his knowledge and love for the sport 

of roping, soon earned him a reputation for exceptional quality, 

and as word-of-mouth spread, orders began to come in. “I 

remember struggling to get $500 a saddle in the early years”, 

he said. Today, a custom-made Howard Council original can 

go for as much as $6,500 or more. Recently, a customer who 

originally purchased a saddle for $1,000 in 1974 asked Council 

to nd a buyer for it…it sold quickly for $7,000. True art always 

increases in value. 

His Reputation Builds… 

Council eventually moved his business to its current 

location at 813 SW 2nd Street, in Lawton, where he has 

remained for 38 years. “This location worked out good for us, 

as a lot of our customers are pulling horse trailers, and we 

have room for them to park now”, he noted. And the need for 

his customers to bring their horses is not understated. Each 

Howard Council saddle is made to t, and measuring the horse 

and the rider is key to his recognized success. 

Council’s customer list has grown over the years, as his 

reputation spread, to include some of the most famous names 

in not only rodeo, but the world, as well. Many consider his 

most famous customer to be George Strait, a country music 

icon, who has purchased no less than four saddles from 

Council. What should be noted is the fact that Strait, although 

a music legend, is also an avid roper and he understands the 

importance of a quality saddle, which is the true testament to 

his patronage to Council. 

But to get a true understanding of the artistry, quality and 

value of a Howard Council saddle, one only has to look at the 

number of rode champions over the years who have sat upon 

his workmanship. No better con rmation of Council’s skill 

exists than the fact that the men and women who earn their 

living in a saddle, prefer to be riding his. 

The list of rodeo champions who have ridden a Howard 

Council saddle is impressive, and includes names such as Roy 

Cooper, Junior Garrison, Ernie Taylor and Tom Ferguson, just 

to name a few. Council recalled that during one National Finals 

Rodeo a few years back, 11 of the 15 roping nalists were 

riding on his saddles. “That was a good feeling”, he said. Since 

1959, no less than 236 Howard Council saddles have ridden in 

the National Finals Rodeos. A Howard Council saddle is truly 

the saddle of champions. 

The cowboys who travel the rodeo circuit and earn their 

living roping know and admire Howard Council. They know a 

Council saddle when they see one, and many of them either 

own one, or dream of owning one. But that involves getting on 

“the list”. 

The list of people asking for a custom saddle from Howard 

Council has grown over the years. While he stopped taking 

o cial orders three years ago, he continues to work on his list 

of requests. “I have many good customers and I try to get to as 

many as I can”, Council stated. If he had his way, and was able, 

he would make them all. But speed is not what his customers 

are expecting, and they know all too well that quality…some 

would argue, perfection…takes time. 

The Legacy… 

Howard Council is already recognized as the best saddle 

maker around by the world champions of roping, and it is 

only tting to see that honor con rmed. The Western Heritage 

Museum, formerly known as the Cowboy Hall of Fame, 

recently voted to induct Council into the Hall of Fame in the 

Lifetime Achievement category, making him the rst Lawtonian 

to receive such an honor. In addition, the 2010 Lawton 

Rangers Rodeo was dedicated to Howard Council. 

Council’s attention to detail, his commitment to quality, his 

meticulous approach and his love and understanding of the 

sport of roping has made him one of a kind in his eld. His art 

and skill, while often admired and imitated, remain intact, and 

his legacy as a saddle maker is forever etched in history. His 

humble nature has, as well, as he sums up his career with, “I’ve 

been real lucky”. Luck has very little to do with it, Mr. Council. 

The cow bell above the door interrupted our visit, and 

announced the arrival of an attractive woman close to 

Council’s age. With a kind face and a soft smile, she gracefully 

entered the store. “This is Genevieve, my wife”, Council said, 

as I noticed an air of excitement in his voice. His eyes seemed 

to light up in her presence, much as they did when he was 

showing me the delicate designs of his artwork moments 

earlier. It was plain to see that his eye for beauty, and the 



A Legend in Leather...Continued from page 11... 

things he loved and held dear, were not solely reserved for his 

craftsmanship. 

“She’s the one who really knows what’s going on 

around here”, Council said, with as much admiration and 

truth as sarcasm. They had met in 1948 at a skating rink in 

Fletcher, and were married a year later. In the few moments 

I observed them together, it was evident they were a perfect 

t, complimenting each other in a way that made things feel 

complete. 

Preparing to leave, I glanced around the store, the walls 

being barely visible, as they were covered in autographed 

photographs from celebrities and rodeo champions, 

mementos from his past, awards and trophies, and western 

artwork. I would learn that many of the paintings were by 

Library Events 

November 16 

9-12 pm, 1:15-4 pm Library Meeting Rooms 

Lunch & Learn Program: All-Day 

Grant Writing Workshop 

Join Pat Williams and Melissa 

Askew, from the Oklahoma 

Department of Libraries, as they help 

you search “Fields of Interest” in the 

Foundation Center On-Line Catalog. 

November 16 

6:30 pm Library Meeting Rooms 

Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma: Vietnam 

Book: America’s Longest War: The 

United States and Vietnam, 1950- 

1975, by George C. Herring 

Scholar: Dr. David Levy 

November 18 

12-2 pm Library Meeting Rooms 

Golden Guys & Girls Day Out 

Program: 7th Anniversary: Les 

Gilliam, “The Oklahoma Balladeer” 

December 14 


Lunch & Learn Program: Visiting 

Author Jeannie Walker 

Howard, himself. Not only was this man a legend in leather, but 

he was a respected oil painter, as well. There seemed to be no 

end to the artistic talent hidden inside this kind and gentle man. 

“Thanks for stopping by”, Council said, as I departed. 

“Come back and visit again”. In spite of the accolades that 

adorned his walls, his nature was no di erent than that of a 

man who had never received any recognition. It was as though 

he was unaware of the impact his artistic talent has had on the 

saddle industry. 

As I left that old building on 2nd street, I felt di erent. I had 

driven by that building for so many years, never realizing that 

a true American cowboy hero and a legend in leather, was 

waiting inside. 

Maybe someone should tell Howard. 

December 14 

6:30 pm Library Meeting Rooms 

Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma: Vietnam 

Book: Dispatches by Michael Herr 

Scholar: Dr. Lloyd Musselman 

December 16 


Golden Guys & Girls Day Out 

Program: No scheduled program 

Lawton Public Library 

(580) 581-3450 

110 SW 4th Street 





calendar 

NOVEMBER 

of 

2010 

events 

FALL FUN 

Corn eld Maze 

November 1 – November 14 

Fri, 6pm – 10 pm Sat, 10am – 10pm Sun, 1 pm - 6pm 

405.222.0624 or 405.779.6643 

Reding Farms, Chickasha, OK 

P Bar Farms Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch 

November 1 – November 13 

Thurs & Fri, 6 pm – 10 pm Sat 10am – 10 pm 

10108 N 2440 Rd (Old Rt 66 & County Line), Weatherford, OK 

405.556.1069 

HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAYS 

Holiday in the Park 

November 3 – November 30, 6 pm – 11 pm 

Elmer Thomas Park, Lawton, OK 580.581.3400 

ElectriCritters 

November 19 & 20, November 26 & 27, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm 

River Bend Nature Center, Wichita Falls, TX 940.767.0843 

Festival of Light Opening 


Shannon Springs Park, Chickasha, OK 

405.224.9627 or www.ChickashaFestivalofLight.com 

Christmas in the Park 


Ackley Park, Elk City, OK 580.225.0207 

HOLIDAY FUN 

Hometown Christmas 

November 26, 5 pm – 9 pm 

City Square, Mangum, OK 580.782.2444 


816-699-3900 

5112 W. Gore Blvd. 

Now accepting new patients. 


Granite Christmas Tree Lighting 


Main Street, Granite, OK 580.535.2116 

Glow of Candlelight Christmas Tour 

November 26 – 27, 1 pm – 6 pm 

Foreman Prairie House, Duncan, OK 580.251.0027 

Festival of Lights 


Frisco Avenue, Downtown Clinton, OK 580.323.2222 

FESTIVALS & SHOWS 

Cotton Festival 

November 6, 11am – 3 pm 

Tillman County Courthouse Lawn, Frederick, OK 

www.frederickokchamber.com 

First Annual Chili Cook O with Kidz Zone Carnival 

November 6, 8am – 3 pm 

Fuqua Park, Duncan, OK 580.606.7898 

All Breed Dog Show 

November 18 – November 21, 9am – 7 pm 

Grady County Fairgrounds, Chickasha, OK 405.376.2929 

City Lights Festival & Parade 

November 20, 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm 

Downtown Farmer’s Market, Wichita Falls, TX 940.322.4525 

ARTS & CRAFTS 

Christmas Expressions Arts & Crafts Festival 

November 5, 12 pm – 8 pm and November 6, 9am – 4 pm 

First Assembly of God, Chickasha, OK 405.224.1599 

First Friday Art and Antique Stroll 

November 5, 6 pm 

Downtown Mangum, OK 580.782.2444 

Christmas Connection Craft Show 

November 13, 10am – 6 pm November 14, 10am – 5 pm 

Civic Center, Elk City, OK 580.225.4399 

Craft Harvest Craft Show 

November 19, 12 pm – 8 pm November 20, 10am – 6 pm 


Comanche County Fairgrounds, Lawton, OK 580.510.0131 

Celebration of Crafts Show and Quilt Exhibit 

November 19, 10am – 6 pm November 20, 9am – 4 pm 

Grady County Fairgrounds, Chickasha, OK 405.224.2216 

MUSIC 

Gary Morris in Concert 

November 6, 7:30 pm 

Simmons Center Theater, Duncan, OK 580.252.4160 

THEATER 

Steel Magnolias 

November 12 & 13, November 19 & 20, 7:30 pm 

Simmons Center Theater, Duncan, OK 580.252.8331 

The place 

for live music - 

bring your 

friends! 

Karaoke Nights: Sundays, Mondays, 

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 

Friday and Saturday nights... 

DJ unless a band. 

#4 SW Lee Boulevard • Phone: 580-355-8511 


Mental UpChuck 

Hunting is a way of life for many Oklahoma folks. 

Growing up on the farm, hunting and shing were two 

activities that were almost always both available and 

a ordable. Most of the men, several of the women, and all 

of the kids in my family enjoy hunting. Whether you hunt 

on a lease, your own land or visit one of Oklahoma’s many 

public hunting areas... whitetail deer remain the ultimate 

pursuit for most Oklahoma hunters. However, a select 

few are lucky enough to ‘draw out’ for one of Oklahoma’s 

special hunts for elk, bear, or even antelope. 

All across the plains of the West, the hills of the North, 

or the forests of the East Oklahoma is full of wildlife. 

From the population control of the whitetail, to the elusive 

opportunity of a lifetime shot on a mountain lion, it really 

is the most diverse hunting grounds of any state in this 

country. So let’s go through a few of the endless traditions 

that are Hunting Oklahoma. 

Last Thanksgiving, I knew I would have four days to 

nd, stalk, and take my game. Knowing that it was my rst 

year in pursuit of the whitetail, I purchased a doe/antlerless 

tag from the state. This meant that I could harvest any deer 

I perceived as a female in the whitetail species, and given 

the reasonably small amount of time being four days to do 

so, I was a little worried it might not happen. Remaining 

optimistic about it helped, but with day three coming to an 

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end and still no carcass to attach my tag 

to, I was a little jumpy. I found myself 

sitting on the corner of a family wheat By J. Craig 

eld thinking about all the other hunts Sta Writer 

I’d been successful in. 

Number one in my mind was the hog hunts in both 

Northern, and Southwestern Oklahoma. It started o 

small like most traditions do. A pair of in-laws sitting in 

eld, freezing in the pre-dawn air, waiting for our chance 

to harvest a meal. Now, before you jump to the conclusion 

that we were after these record setting ton and a half 

beasts, we weren’t. After all, the best wild pork comes 

from the cute little small ones. The little hogs that tend to 

rummage through farmers crops, destroying everything 

in their path. Agree with hunting or not, they are a species 

that needs constant management… otherwise the hard 

working people of rural communities parish along with their 

crops. Back to it, the rst hog of my life was taken about 

an hour after dawn on a cold Northern Oklahoma morning, 

as was my second, third, and fourth. It was a rst taste of 

success…and success tastes pretty damn good on the 

grill. Nowadays, it’s not so much sit and wait with a hunting 

ri e. It’s more of a “get the dogs, and the assault ri es, I 

know where the pigs are” type of thing. Read into it. It’s fun, 


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Children’s Shelter ....Continued from page 8... 

J. Roy Dunning Children’s Shelter is a safe haven 

for children in need of refuge. 

“It is a misnomer that only children that are abused or 

neglected, are in need of our services,” says Hope Humphrey 

the Program Director for J. Roy Dunning 

Children’s Shelter. “True, this is one of the 

major reasons for our shelter, but it is one of 

many.” 

Humphrey’s rst experience with J. Roy 

Dunning Children’s Shelter was in the mid 

1970’s, when her sister was found deceased. 

“I was very young at the time, my sister 

passed away due to a Grand Mal Seizure, 

and my niece was brought to J. Roy Dunning 

Children’s Shelter until the authorities could 

locate and notify next-of-kin, which took 

a couple of days. So, you see, there is no 

socioeconomic level, there are some who 

make bad choices, and their children have 

to come here. It may be due to a death or 

economy. Sometimes there is no fault. It can 

be circumstances. Things happen, it’s not 

always abuse or neglect; it may be unforseen 

circumstances. No matter the reason, 

unfortunately, children carry much of the guilt.” 

Humphrey says of the J. Roy dunning Children’s Shelter, 

“This is a not a sad place; this is a fun place. We read to the 

children, we have church and activities, we keep the kids 

occupied and focused on positivity,” she said. “We’re set up like 

a house, a home, and the children continue to stay in the same 

school. The Lawton Public School Bus picks up the children 

so they don’t have any stigma. We keep the continuity of a 

schedule, and it helps the children.” 

The Shelter is structured. They have a schedule for the 

children. There’s breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack time. The 

children have time for play in their areas like the TV Room. She 

says, “They love to play Wii.” 

They have a Media Room with books and movies all 

donated by the community. The children also have an area 

where they can do their homework and read. When they’re not 

in school, someone does school work with the children,. 

“For instance, the rst day or two when they arrive, 

they’re not in school, and a Child Care Worker helps them 

adjust and works with them on their homework until they go 

back to school. It’s all part of making sure they adjust and are 

comfortable with their environment.” 

The shelter also has a Toddler Room and playground. The 

playground has an area for toddlers and big kids. 

“One of our Board Members is applying for a grant to 

help us keep the children’s playground safe and up to date.” 

Humphrey said. “During the Day of Caring, many community 

volunteers come and help keep our facilities in repair, and we 

are truly grateful to them.” 

The J. Roy Dunning Children’s Shelter is monitored 24 

hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The Shelter 

has separate Dorms for the Boy’s and Girl’s, which are under 

24 hour adult supervision. The children are attended to, 

nurtured, and loved by a professional sta . They also have a 

Training Room. 

“All employees and foster parents must continue their 

education and training, it’s a requirement.” 

The shelter has 

many needs. “Even 

though we are a Non- 

Pro t Organization, 

we still have needs we 

have to meet, we still 

have to pay our electric, 

water, and other utilities. 

The cost of running a 

shelter is like running a 

household,” Humphrey 

said. “We depend greatly 

on donations from the 

community.” 

Some of the J. Roy 

Dunning Children’s 

needs are: Funding, food 

items, school supplies, 

backpacks, coats, 

shoes, boots, items for hair and hygiene, baby food, baby 

formula, diapers, and new or gently used clothing. 

“We want the children to be proud of what they wear,” 

Humphrey said. “We also appreciate toys, books, and movie 

donations. Gift cards are wonderful for the unexpected, 

like a unique size, medication, or to meet the needs of any 

incidentals which is a consistent occurrence.” 

One important fact to know about J. Roy Dunning 

Children’s Shelter is, though they cater to the younger children, 

newborn to age 12, in an e ort to keep families together, they 

do take older siblings. They also take teen moms. 

The J. Roy Dunning Children’s Shelter is fun, loving, and 

nurturing environment. With the upcoming holiday season, 

Humphrey wants the community to know that they make 

the best e ort possible for the children. “Santa comes every 

Friday in December. We do our best for the children and the 

community really reaches out to us regularly. It’s heart-warming 

to see the community come thru so strong.” 

Some holiday gift ideas are sponsoring dinners for the 

children during the Thanksgiving and Christmas Seasons, gift 

bags, or volunteering your time. Also, with the upcoming colder 

winter months, the shelter is in great need of winter PJ’s, winter 

coats, and warm clothing for the children. 

Together we all can help and make a di erence in the lives 

of these children. 

For more information on how you can help meet the needs 

or volunteer please contact: 

Hope Humphrey, Program Director 

J. Roy Dunning Children’s Shelter 

(580) 591-2785 


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A MARINE’S THOUGHTS 

We were all on New Guinea when 

the orders came; “We’re going to 

take New Britain, Boys, we’re going 

to fight again.” We all sat still and 

listened to each word he had to say, 

we knew that all was ready, the 

plans had all been made. Each 

Marine got his gear together, his 

rifle and his knife; He knew that all 

must be just right when you go into 

a fight. Before long all was ready 

and we were on our way; We had to 

reach our target just at the break of 

day. There were no crowds to see us 

off, no sweethearts to kiss goodbye; 

For when the Marines go on a strike 

it’s strictly on the sly. It was a 

Christmas morning things might 

have been quite bright, But we (the 

Marines) were landing, we were 

heading for a fight. A Marine sat all 

alone, his rifle in his hand; His 

thoughts were of home and loved 

ones as his buddies sighted land. 

He thought of his dear Mother and 

of his Father too: He thought of his 

dear Sisters and of his Sweetheart 

true. He prayed that God would care 

for them as God had cared for him, 

And that they would be waiting 

when he came home again. He 

prayed for God to help him when the 

fight began; And to help his buddies 

that they all might win. He knew that 

their cause was just and they were 

in the right, so he felt sure that God 

would be on their side in the fight. 

He wondered if the folks back home 

knew what it was like, to land on a 

strange island knowing there would 

be a fight. He wondered if they really 

knew how much they owed these 

men; who fought their battles for 

them, with just one thought to win. 

His thoughts were interrupted by the 

Captain’s loud command; “We’re 

about to hit the beach boys so get 

your rifles in your hand.” The Marine 

lifted his eyes to God, up in the sky; 

And said once more “God be with 

me and please don’t let me die, But 

if it be thy will dear God that I should 

never see home again.” “There’s just 

one thing I ask dear God; don’t let 

me die in vain.” 

By PFC Donald E. Sheppard 

A. Btry. 1st Bn. 

11th Marines 

1st Marines Division 

1943 

Mr. Sheppard’s Biography 

Mr. Donald E. Sheppard was born January 3 rd , 1922 in Blooming Grove, TX. He enlisted on September 29, 1942, and 

served in World War II. Mr. Sheppard fought in the Pacific area from October 28, 1943-January 12, 1946. His special 

military qualifications were Heavy Artillery, Crewman, and Rifleman. He fought in New Guinea, New Britain, Action of 

Peleliu Island, he was part of the Palau Group, and Okinawa Operations. Mr. Sheppard was also part of the initial 

campaign of Cape Gloucester, and was part of an operation noted as the Occupation of China, where the Marines 

fought to disarm the Japanese. Mr. Sheppard still resided in Blooming Grove, TX. 

Honoring our veterans today and every day, 

The OKIE Magazine staff 


So, You Think You Can Date Online 

By Rachel Rhoades 


After my divorce, it took me 2 years to decide that I might 

be interested in dating. Those years were spent getting my 

head together, thinking about the things I really want from my 

life, and guring out how to avoid the same mistakes I’d been 

making for the last 20 or so years. Going online to nd a date 

may have been one of those mistakes. 

I decided to try online dating because…you know…all the 

cool kids were doing it. I cautiously dipped my toe in the water 

by doing the “free” registration thing to see what the prospects 

were like. 

It turns out that singles from our area have a propensity 

to wear a lot of camou age and pose next to mounted animal 

heads for their photos (because nothing says romance 

like Bambi’s mom hanging over the sofa.) Some folks deck 

themselves out like extras in Bu alo Bill’s Wild West show. 

For these people, I o er the following dating tips, pay close 

attention: 

• You are trying to attract a mate not a woodland creature or 

a steer. 

• Many people (but not necessarily all) are put o by dead 

animals on a wall. 

• There is nothing wrong with a nice cowboy hat, but if you 

wear it in your picture everyone wonders what you are hiding. 

• Ladies, keep it partially covered. There is no need to show 

Happy Shooting...Continued from page 17... 

tasty, and because hogs are such a problem in this state… 

as long as you have permission from the farmers, you can 

harvest as many as you’d like. 

The second hunt in my mind is my all-time favorite 

game to hunt. Prairie dogs. Yes, the cute little fur balls that 

dig holes in the earth’s crust, seemingly just big enough for 

a cows leg. Cow steps in the hole, cow breaks leg, farmer 

shoots the cow. Before you start hating on me for taking the 

lives of these furry little varmint, remember… if I weren’t 

out there saving the livestock, you wouldn’t have the luxury 

of half-calf mocha-choca-chino’s in the morning, or that 

lovely cheese to go with your fancy wine… Yes, it’s an ugly 

thing to do, but it’s become more humane with the advent 

of special cartridges over the years. Instead of hitting these 

little creatures with a few rounds from a .22lr, it’s evolved to 

a single twice-the-speed-of-sound shot from the more and 

more popular .17HMR. And, it’s really fun. 

My third favorite is another varmint, no matter 

how controversial you think it is, it’s a must in the rural 

communities. Coyote. A very keen and smart prey to 

humans. Their senses are “out of this world” in tune with 

their surroundings, and quite frankly, it’s really hard to 

succeed at this one particular game of skill. Since hunting 

coyote is such a taboo in some circles, I’ll stop with what 

has been said. 

o all your assets before the rst date. 

When it comes to lling out your online pro le, total 

honesty may not always be the best policy. If your job title 

includes the words “maintenance” and “pig farm,” think carefully 

before you type. Putting down “Chief Maintenance Engineer of 

Swine Habitation” makes the job sound more palatable, plus 

you can wait a few dates before you drop this bomb on your 

new love interest. 

“Honey, I really like you, so I want you to know what I 

actually do for a living. I am a custodian over at Bill’s Pig Farm.” 

If your date doesn’t run screaming into the dark Oklahoma 

night then it’s a safe bet they like you too. Now, about those 

“screen names,” take the following tips to heart: 

• If your moniker says anything about “smiles, smiley or 

smiling,” your pro le picture should not feature you looking 

like someone just shot your dog. 

• Using “69” in your screen name is at best juvenile (even if it is 

your birth year!) and at worst obscene. Grow up. 

• Screen names like “me4u” or “luv2cu” just make everyone 

think you can’t spell and that proper English is completely 

out of your grasp. 

When scouting for a new friend online, remember what’s 

really important to your potential date. Practice good personal 

hygiene, wear clothes that don’t look like you purchased them 

at the local farm supply store and keep the wall decor free of 

our furry friends. 

While I’m mid-thought going through my catalog of 

man vs. beast moments, my cousin behind me whispers 

“Take a shot”… My eyes slowly rise as I try not to make a 

move or sound. Standing 83 yards from me is a seventy- 

ve pound doe, slowly grazing its way into the green wheat 

eld. This is the moment I’ve waited for. The exact moment 

I’ve practiced for sitting in the backyard at home, mastering 

the skill of moving my ri e into a shooting position without 

cracking a peep. I slowly raise my ’68 R700 .243 ri e, gently 

setting it on my homemade shooting sticks… My heart is 

racing, the adrenaline pulsing through my veins make my 

knuckles hurt they’re so white… I start looking through the 

Nikon scope trying to get my sight picture in view and lower 

the crosshairs just behind the front shoulder of this majestic 

animal. I’ve practiced my breath control a thousand times, 

but each time I’m ready to squeeze this meat on the table, I 

start shaking. Knowing that this is my last chance at taking 

a deer this year, I take three deep breaths, holding in the 

last, and slowly start to pull my index nger towards me. I’m 

wearing no ear protection, but I don’t hear a sound… Time 

stands still… Success 

Don’t have an opinion about it until you’ve tried it. 

Spend a few days in the wilderness. Start by visiting 

www.WildlifeDepartment.com 

Happy shooting. 


By Jody Meier 


When you know an article might be controversial, it is usually 

a good idea to start with some disclaimers. Well, the following 

paragraph contains all my disclaimers! 

Let me start by saying that I L-O-V-E sports. I love the 

competition, I love the excitement, and I love all the fun and 

camaraderie that accompany sporting events. Our whole family 

loves sports. Our son played three sports in High School, and our 

daughter played two sports and was a cheerleader. My husband 

had a four year scholarship to play golf at our alma mater, Kansas 

State. We have had K-State season football tickets for over 25 

years, and we still drive 12 hours a weekend to attend all home 

games. We have been to every Big 12 stadium but Texas Tech, 

and have traveled thousands of miles for bowl games. Believe 

me, OSU and OU do not have the corner on the market for school 

pride and support. Have I covered all my bases? 

I have always believed that sports can be a very positive 

force in the lives of young people. They provide parents with the 

perfect ‘hammer’ to demand that their kids do well in school, or 

lose their chance to participate in their favorite sports. Parents 

that don’t use that hammer are not doing their kids any favors; 

indeed, they are enabling a disaster. Plus, sports teach important 

life lessons, like team work, and the importance of dedication and 

hard work. In a lot of ways, sports imitate life: you win some and 

you lose some; life is not always fair; and quitting and giving up 

should never be an option. 

But sometimes, things can get out of balance, and sports 

can become all consuming and play too great a role in the lives of 

young people. At times, in my opinion, the competition can come 

at too early of an age, resulting in the possibility of numerous 

negative side e ects. Indeed, there is a ne line. What parents 

need to remember is that even though they think their little Billy 

or Susie will surely end up playing/performing at the college or 

pro-level, the actual chances of that are slim—so very, very, slim. 

So education, must always be put on the front burner, and sports 

the back burner. Very few kids today will be able to earn a living 

playing sports, but a good education will set them up for a bright 

future and many opportunities for success. 

When we lived in a small town of 18,000 in Kansas, I was 

on the school board and had to ght to get competitive sports 

started at the Middle School level. Our students played only 

intramurals until they reached High School. I thought that was 

too late. I felt they were ready to start playing competitively in the 

7th and 8th grade. I felt our policy put our High School teams at a 

disadvantage and resulted in a High School Sports program that 

was average at everything. In other words, I felt that things were 

a little out of balance. Now, after living in Lawton for 8 years, I am 

feeling that maybe Lawton is also a little out-of-balance in some 

areas concerning youth sports. 

Let me give you a couple of examples that I have witnessed 

rst hand. I am sure these examples don’t tell the whole story, but 

surely they do give reason to pause and consider. 

We live close to a practice eld on the West side of town. 

Every fall we go through the same ridiculous scenario. Starting 

the end of August we can’t get down our street because of all the 

In Balance? 

parked cars —on both sides of the streets, going both directions. 

At rst I thought the reason was because there were games going 

on, although I was shocked at how LITTLE the boys were. Surely 

not 3rd graders playing football? But then I found out that not only 

were the boys really young—they weren’t playing games—they 

were practicing. Parents at practices??? You have got to be 

kidding me. Our kids played sports too, but my husband and I 

NEVER went to a practice unless he was helping out a coach. 

NEVER! Neither did any of the other parents. Seriously, don’t you 

nd that a little over the top? Why would parents pack up their 

lawn chairs and sit and watch practice? What are they watching 

for? Are they afraid their kids aren’t getting a fair shake? Are they 

worried that the coaches aren’t quali ed? WHAT? Sounds a 

little like ‘helicopter’ parents to me. I wonder if the same parents 

are that vigilant about homework. Every time I try to weave my 

way home and witness this craziness I can’t help but wonder 

if it wouldn’t be better for everyone if the parents were at home 

preparing a good, nutritious meal for the family to enjoy after 

practice. Instead, I am betting that a fast food supper is too often 

the reality. 

I am also appalled at the grade school cheerleading asco. I 

once attended a midget league football play-o game of a friend’s 

son. I can’t remember now, but I think he was in 4th or 5th grade. 

The cheerleaders were decked out in out ts that were better than 

anything my daughter had worn as a High School cheerleader. 

They had skirts, sweaters, shoes, and then pulled on matching 

jackets to boot. I did ask around about this phenomenon and 

found out that in some schools, parents were paying as much 

as $600 to $700 for grade school cheerleading out ts. I was 

abbergasted. Could that really be possible? I couldn’t help 

but wonder two things: 1) Would those same parents be willing 

to chip in $600 to support the library? 2) What about the girls 

whose parents couldn’t or wouldn’t pay that much for a grade 

school cheerleading uniform? I guess they would never get a 

chance, huh? I guess being a cheerleader establishes early on 

the “haves” and the “have-nots.” How very, very sad. If I were in 

charge of grade school cheerleaders, this is what I would do: 

I would get school t-shirts for every girl who was interested in 

being a cheerleader; and at every game a di erent set of 5 or 6 

girls would get their chance to lead the cheers. No one would be 

excluded if they wanted to be a cheerleader. Doesn’t that seem 

like a kinder, gentler way to handle this cheerleading stu ?? 

Think about it. 

I think as parents and as a community we need to take a 

real close look at our priorities. I love sports; sports are fun to play 

and fun to watch. But sports cannot and should not become the 

be-all and end-all. Education and doing well in school has to be 

our number-one priority. Participation in sports and cheerleading 

should only be allowed when students are doing well in school. 

And we need to take a close look at our intensity levels. Are you 

as dedicated to your child’s academic progress as you are to their 

physical progress? Step back and ask yourself some questions. 

What is the appropriate age to begin playing competitive 

sports? Is this cheerleading obsession really healthy? Are you 

as concerned about your child’s teacher as you are about their 

coach? Are we keeping things in balance in our kids’ lives? It’s 

about balance; it’s all about balance. 


Black Friday versus Cyber Monday 

By Jim Joplin 


Ask most Americans what they plan to do on 

Thanksgiving, and you’ll get approximately the same 

answer. For the most part, the responses will include 

something about cooking, eating, football and eating 

(let’s face it; we do a lot of eating on Thanksgiving.) 

Now, ask that same group of people about the day 

after Thanksgiving, and one phrase will be heard more 

than any other: Black Friday. It’s the one day out of 

the year that is set aside for shopping, shopping, and 

more shopping. There are earlier hours, plenty of door 

busters, and my favorite: the pre-Christmas after- 

Christmas sales. But, there are also the scratches, 

bites, kicking and lack of manners that come along with 

the desire to get the best deal possible. The idea of 

ghting for the best deal has led more and more people 

to turn to shopping online for their Christmas gifts. 

According to shop.org, a division of the National 

Retail Federation, a new phrase has been coined to 

parallel Black Friday: Cyber Monday. Scott Silverman, 

the head of Shop.org, says that the folks at Shop.org 

came up with the term Cyber Monday after research 

showed that there was a 77 percent increase in online 

retail sales on the Monday following Thanksgiving in 

2004. In late November 2005, the New York Times 

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reported that “The name Cyber Monday grew out of 

the observation that millions of otherwise productive 

working Americans, fresh o a Thanksgiving weekend 

of window shopping, were returning to high-speed 

Internet connections at work Monday and buying what 

they liked.” 

In 2006, there was a reported $608 Million spent 

online on Cyber Monday. By 2009, that number had 

raised to $887 Million – on one day. According to 

comScore chairman Gian Fulgoni, “comScore data 

have shown that Cyber Monday online sales have 

always been driven by considerable buying activity 

from work locations. That pattern hasn’t changed. After 

returning from the long Thanksgiving weekend with 

a lot of holiday shopping still ahead of them, many 

consumers tend to continue their holiday shopping 

from work. Whether to take advantage of the extensive 

Cyber Monday deals o ered by retailers or to buy 

gifts away from the prying eyes of family members, 

this day has become an annual ritual for America’s 

online holiday shoppers.” The amounts noted above 

only include transactions from the United States, but 

Cyber Monday is slowing gaining notoriety among 

international shoppers. 

To make online shopping easier, the folks at 

Shop.org have set up a special site that is aimed 

at consumers who are devoted (or addicted) to 

online shopping. Cybermonday.com is host to over 

650 retailers who are committed to making online 

shopping better for their e-shoppers. Among the 

companies o ering deals for online shoppers are; 

Sears, Target, Staples, HP, Apple, Oriental Trading, 

Lillian Vernon, and Zales, just to name a few. 

In addition to helping e-shoppers nd great deals, 

Shop.org is donating all of their proceeds made from 

Cybermonday.com to the Ray Greenly Scholarship 

Fund. Greenly was the Vice President of Research 

and Member Services for Shop.org for almost seven 

years. The scholarship has been established to 

provide nancial support to students pursuing careers 

in the e-commerce industry. As of January 2010, 

over $1.3 Million has been raised for the scholarship 

fund, which distributes money to colleges and 

universities instead of students. If you’re interested 

in the scholarship, talk to your college’s nancial aid 

department and have them contact Shop.org. 

This year, instead of ghting for a good deal on 

Black Friday, sleep in. Then on Monday, head over to 

Cybermonday.com and shop from the comfort of your 

own living room or cubicle as the case may be. By the 

way, Cybermonday.com isn’t just for Cyber Monday. 

There are great deals every day of the year. 


Qu 

t H 

Peanut Butter Cake 

1 (2 layer size) pkg. yellow cake mix 

1 (4 serv. size) pkg. vanilla instant pudding & pie lling 

4 eggs 

1 c. water 

¼ c. oil 

1 c. peanut butter 

Combine all ingredients in a large mixer bowl. Blend; 

then beat at medium speed of electric mixer for 4 

minutes. Pour into greased and oured 10-inch tube 

Peanut Butter Candy 

2 cups sugar 

½ cup milk 

3 tablespoons cream peanut butter 

½ teaspoon vanilla 

In a heavy bottom pan, combine sugar, milk, and 

butter and cook to the crack stage (300 (300°F). F). Remove 

from heat, add vanilla, and stir until creamy. Pour into 

a well buttered pan and cut into small squares. 

Thai Chicken with Peanut Sauce 

2 whole chicken breasts, skinned, boned & cut into 

bite-size pieces 

½ c. peanut butter ½ c. water 

2 tbsp. soy sauce 1 tbsp. brown sugar 

2 tbsp. peanut or vegetable oil 

2 or 3 cloves garlic, minced ½ tsp. crushed red pepper 

3 to 4 c. sliced broccoli or spinach 

In a small bowl, blend peanut butter, water, soy sauce 

and sugar; set aside. In a wok or large skillet, heat 

oil over high heat. Add garlic and pepper; stir-fry 30 

seconds. Add chicken, stir-fry until rm and white, 

about 5 minutes. Add broccoli or spinach, stir-fry 

until bright green, about 3 minutes. Stir in peanut 

butter mixture. Cook, stirring constantly until sauce is 

smooth, about 3 minutes. Serves 4. 

“Peanut butter is the paté of childhood.” 

Florence Fabricant, Food writer. 

pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes or until 

cake springs back when lightly pressed. Cool in pan 

15 minutes. 

ICING: Mix 1 stick butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 

tablespoon peanut butter, 1/4 cup milk, and 1 cup 

confectioners sugar to a smooth consistency. If too 

thin, add confectioners sugar; and if too thick, add 

more milk. 


The Domestic Diva never has an issue getting all of her shopping done and mailing it 

out by Christmas. You would think Santa would hire her so the rest of us didn’t look bad. 

Dear Readers, 

As we look forward to the holiday season I wanted to pregame your Christmas list in case you had to shop for a lot 

of people. Even if your list is small, I hope these tips will help you out! 

• If you have several people in the same family to shop for, use all the same wrapping paper for every present that 

goes to that family to keep track of what goes where 

• Make a list of everyone you need to shop for and what you would like to get them and what you would like to spend 

on each gift. When you go to stores, check your list to see if there are any deals. Also, check the Sunday paper for 

the deals for your list. 

• Utilize the websites (and smartphone apps) that help you search for an item and where you can nd it on sale, some 

websites o er free shipping over a certain amount and you may be able to get a good chunk of your list done. 

• Consider signing up for the free 30 day trial of Amazon Prime on Amazon.com. A $79.00 value, it o ers free 2 day 

shipping from most vendors. Two day shipping could be a life saver for those hard to nd items. Set a reminder on 

your phone the day before your membership expires if you want to cancel it. The free 30 day trial is a onetime thing 

so if you enjoyed it and use Amazon enough, consider shelling out the dough for it. 

• Try not to wrap everything at once. It makes for a long day and you can get burned out quickly. Make a weekend out 

of it and start by taking the price tags o of everything and sorting gifts by what needs to get shipped and what stays 

home. Wrap what needs to get shipped rst, if you are still in the spirit, then go ahead and wrap what is left. If not, 

save it for another weekend. 

• Before you wrap, locate everything you will need and put it someplace only you have access to, nothing is more 

annoying then thinking you had tape or knew exactly where the scissors are , and realize little hands found them as 

well. Your kit needs, tape, scissors, gift tags, ribbon and a sharpie. I am always a fan of using a sharpie to write on the 

gift tag. It is bold and permanent. 

• Christmas cards are something that everyone has a di erent opinion about what is the proper etiquette. Here is my 

advice. Make your list of who you should send them to and get those out as quickly as possible. Those cards are 

probably for your family and if you want to get nicer ones for them go ahead. Get a box of less expensive cards and 

as your receive holiday cards, if there is someone you left o the list, return their card with one from your back up box. 

• While you might enjoy your house looking like the North Pole for the holidays, keep in mind whatever you put up will 

have to come down. Sometimes less is more. I wouldn’t want to see any of our readers on Hoarders. 

• If you plan on doing any dinner parties over the holiday season, empty your dishwasher the night before and place all 

the dishes you will use for it (including silverware), run the dishwasher before you go to bed and when you wake up 

you can go ahead and set the table and your serving platters will be clean and ready to go. 

• If you are planning on doing a full day of shopping make sure you treat yourself to a nice breakfast or a nice lunch. 

This can give you the steam to keep going or just a nice way to end the day. 

• Remember that everyone (including the girl at the counter) is frustrated with the crowds and long lines. Smiling goes 

a long way. 

That’s all I have for this month, my fellow Divas! 

XOXOXOXO, 

Lola 

Need advice on your domestic situation? You can reach The Domestic Diva at TheDivineDomestic@gmail.com 


Any Size 

fountain drink 

just 

92¢ 


ACROSS 

1. “Smallest” particle 

5. Delete 

10. Flesh of animals 

14. Moon 

15. Honorable 

16. 1/12th of a foot 

17. Criminal’s assistant 

19. A pear-shaped 

stringed instrument 

20. Supplement with 

difficulty 

21. Singer ____ Fitzgerald 

22. Loud and persistent 

outcry 

24. Southeast Asian 

country 

25. A piece of furniture 

with open shelves 

26. Traffic in ecclesiastical 

offices 

29. A language of Morocco 

30. Assembles or modifies 

written materials 

31. City in France 

32. A king of Judah 

35. Not more 

36. An easy-to-learn 

computer language 

37. An individual unit 

38. Fall behind 

39. Motherless calf 

40. Vista 

41. Pictures 

43. Anything made from 

trees 

44. Nest egg 

46. Cut 

47. Wood carving tool 

48. Marquis de ____ 

49. A large New Zealand 

parrot 

52. Hurries on foot 

53. Wanderers 

56. Impulse 

57. At no time ever 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 

14 15 16 

17 18 19 

20 21 22 23 

58. Harvest 

59. Lowest part of the 

musical range 

60. Cogs 

61. Drenches 

DOWN 

1. Winged 

2. Fit snugly into 

3. A single time 

4. Chinese revolutionary 

5. Engage for work 

6. Buns 

7. Operatic solo 

8. Bag 

9. Powered by batteries 

10. Distance 

24 25 

26 27 28 29 

30 31 32 33 34 

35 36 37 

38 39 40 

41 42 43 

44 45 46 

47 48 49 50 51 

52 53 54 55 

56 57 58 

59 60 61 

11. Counted 

12. One who plays roles 

13. Not here 

18. Methods 

23. Places where 

scientists work 

24. Plenty 

25. Strange 

26. Vend 

27. Concept 

28. Qualms 

29. Foundation 

31. Errand boys 

33. Minor Western 

Samoan monetary unit 

34. Ends a prayer 

36. Startling 

37. Image or symbol 

39. Citizen of Denmark 

40. Planter 

42. Hits and ______ 

43. High waterproof boots 

44. Scour 

45. Title for benevolent 

deities 

(Zoroastrianism) 

46. More reasonable 

48. A Hindu god 

49. Leg joint 

50. French for “State” 

51. Vipers 

54. Golf-ball support 

55. Arrangement (abbrev.) 

Solution on page 32 

OKIE Magazine is YOUR community publication. 

Submit your press releases and/or group events to editor@okiemangazine.com. 


Jessica “Trixy” Dunkle 

Trixy’s Red Light Entertainment 

Trixy’s Red Light Entertainment 

Karaoke & DJ — All Occasions — Call & Book Today 

580-574-3671 — trixy66@sbcglobal.net 

Appearing at: 

Randiddy's 

1816 SW 11th - Fridays 9:30-1:30 

Little Star 

1116 NW Cache Rd - Fridays 9:30-1:30 

He's Not Here 

1806 SW 11th - Thurs 8-12 Sat 9-1 and Sun 3-7 

Guys and Dolls 

Trixy's Red Light Karaoke Gong Show 

4 SW Lee - October 15th Appearing at: 

- 8:30 signups 

plwatson45906@sradvisors.com 


Crossword Solution 

A T O M E R A S E M E A T 

L U N A M O R A L I N C H 

A C C O M P L I C E L U T E 

E K E E L L A C L A M O R 

L A O S E T A G E R E 

S I M O N Y B E R B E R 

E D I T S P A R I S A S A 

L E S S B A S I C I T E M 

L A G D O G I E S C E N E 

I M A G E S W O O D E N 

S A V I N G S S A W N 

C H I S E L S A D E K E A 

R U N S I T I N E R A N T S 

U R G E N E V E R F E A P 

B A S S G E A R S R E T S 

Visit us on Twitter 

twitter.com/ 

okiemagazine 



OKIE Magazine is YOUR 

community publication. 

Submit your press releases 

and/or group events to: 

editor@okiemangazine.com. 


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. 

1 

7 8 2 5 

4 5 9 6 

4 2 3 

8 6 5 

6 4 

8 6 

3 

9 3 7 


Top 10 Reasons 

Not To Run 

For Political Of ce 

By Mortimor Oullouitious 

Snerkleschwartz 

1. You’re registered in four states…and 

not to vote. 

2. It violates your Witness Protection 

Program agreement. 

3. The guards read every piece of your 

correspondence. 

4. Your pre-trial conference is scheduled 

on Election Day. 

5. That college party years ago…and the 

still-missing photographs. 

6. Those 3 days, 17 years ago, when you 

blacked out. 

7. Two words: webcam recording. 

8. Your court-appointed attorney advises 

against it. 

9. Your major campaign contributor is the 

local drug cartel. 

10. Your doctor won’t release you from your 

court-appointed rehab. 

Visit us 

on Twitter 

twitter.com/ 

okiemagazine 


C F A O S D T I B I T G S T B C 

U U E S E V A E L L A B T O O F 

S I L A A Z W N I H S S U R N H 

Q W P N S B I U S C O R N R F C 

S H P F O T Q A P O E U T A I N 

S W A C N M U U M T C N S D R O 

Y L U Y F Q M N P O R C E R E L 

L A T L S P A I P T A R H U O A 

O A U L K T T I S R N I C O L D 

L C M I A C A E E R B S C G I R 

E A N H N N V C D E E P L E A F 

F T I C E R R U K I R P I E V S 

L D O T A O C N I A R R N V E O 

M R U H W C F A L O Y Y O K O T 

O Y N L R A C O D E A A A L I R 

C E F M C R T E D D R R N H A N 

acorn 

apple 

autumn 

bon re 

chestnuts 

chilly 

cider 

cobweb 

cold 

cool 

corn 

cornucopia 

cranberry 

crisp 

fall 

feast 

football 

gourd 

harvest 

hayride 

haystack 

leaf 

leaves 

maize 

nuts 

persimmon 

pumpkin 

quilt 

raincoat 

rake 

scarecrow 

season 

sleet 

squash 



Gifts for the Mind, Body 

& Soul 

Books, CDs, Candles, Bulk 

Herbs, Essential Oils, Incense, 

Jewelry, Crystals, Dragons, 

Gargoyles, Fairies, Angels, 

Clothing, Velvet bags & cards. 

The Crossing 

a different kind of unique boutique 

2202 Terrace Hills Blvd Suite A 

Sawton, OK 73505 

580-536-3232 

thecrossing2010@yahoo.com 

Decorating Consultation - Flower Arrangements 

Group Meetings - Consignments - Gift Cards - Layaways 




Word Search Solution 

C F A O S D T I B I T G S T B C 

U U E S E V A E L L A B T O O F 

S I L A A Z W N I H S S U R N H 

Q W P N S B I U S C O R N R F C 

S H P F O T Q A P O E U T A I N 

S W A C N M U U M T C N S D R O 

Y L U Y F Q M N P O R C E R E L 

L A T L S P A I P T A R H U O A 

O A U L K T T I S R N I C O L D 

L C M I A C A E E R B S C G I R 

E A N H N N V C D E E P L E A F 

F T I C E R R U K I R P I E V S 

L D O T A O C N I A R R N V E O 

M R U H W C F A L O Y Y O K O T 

O Y N L R A C O D E A A A L I R 

C E F M C R T E D D R R N H A N 

Solution 

8 5 3 2 4 6 1 7 9 

6 9 7 1 3 8 4 2 5 

1 4 2 5 7 9 8 3 6 

7 1 4 9 2 5 6 8 3 

3 8 9 6 1 4 2 5 7 

2 6 5 3 8 7 9 1 4 

5 2 6 7 9 1 3 4 8 

4 7 1 8 6 3 5 9 2 

9 3 8 4 5 2 7 6 1 




Do you remember this? 

Trippin' down memory lane 

Indie’s 

Mixtape 

a mishmash of music 

Listen. Love. Hate. Suggest. 

Holly Golightly - My Own Sake 

Dr. Dog - Heart It Races 

Wolf Parade - Lousy Pictures 

George Strait - The Breath You Take 

Nelly - Just A Dream 

Morrissey - Suedehead 

Sugarland - Little Miss 

Arcade Fire - Modern Man 

Far East Movement - Like A G6 

Easton Corbin - Roll With It 

The Band Perry - If I Die Young 

CLUB TEEN 

A fun, entertaining, safe, 

social event for teenagers 

ages 13-17! Event will be held 

in the party room. Music 

provided by DJ Illumin-8, 

"Virgin Bar" will serve 

non-alcoholic drinks. Admission is ONLY $5! 

Security provided by Lawton Academy of Self 

Defense. Percentage of profits will be 

donated to local Boys and Girls Club. 

TEXT Laugh Out Loud to 90210 

for events & special promotional offers 

ARE YOU A 

GREAT 

PERFORMER? 

Come audition for a job 

you'll love! Call 536-4FUN 

for audition dates!

A Legend In Leather - OKIE Magazine

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