Friday, January 17, 2025
Payton Little
Elizabeth Samplet runs the Little Sapling Market with help from her partner Saxon Sampley and their ‘little sapling’ Juniper.
Little Sapling Market: Where creativity flourishes A vibrant haven with space for growth, community, collaboration, artistry
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Nestled in the heart of Stillwater is a vibrant haven for creativity, community, and artistry — Little Sapling
Market. The unique space, on Main Street, is the brainchild of Sampley family. It’s more than a shop; it’s a bridge connecting local and national creators with people who appreciate their work. Elizabeth Sampley wears many hats: il-
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lustrator, UX designer and now the proud owner of Little Sapling Market. Her journey to create the artistic marketplace was anything but linear, but it’s clear her passion for fostering creativity has flourished in this space. “The market is kind of like a space for artists and creators to sell their work,” Sampley said. “It’s not exclusively local artists, but more than half of it is currently local. The rest are national artists, and everything we carry is creator-made.”
A space for artistic growth Sampley’s vision extends beyond traditional artwork. Moving into the new year, Little Sapling Market will showcase a broader array of creator-made goods, including artisanal food and high-end art supplies — a welcome addition to Stillwater’s creative community. “It’s really hard to find good art supplies in Stillwater,” Sampley said. “We’re planning to carry the higherend options that aren’t easily available
at places like Hobby Lobby.” The scissor-tail connection When asked about a moment that brought unexpected joy as an artist, Sampley didn’t hesitate to mention her scissortail T-shirt design. “A lot of people have been wanting something that represents Stillwater,” she said. “When they see the shirt, they’re like, ‘Oh, this doesn’t feel like just another Stillwater shirt.’ It’s something more personal.”
See SAPLING on page 5A
Students, campus leaders prepare for MLK Jr. Day celebrations HAYDEN ALEXANDER NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR
Stillwater cancelled the event because of dangerously cold temperatures. Melisa Echols, co-chair of the committee and Student Government Association coordinator, said this is not the first time the march has been canceled because of Oklahoma weather. Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. “If we get to have a march one Day, and the OSU and Stillwater comyear, great; if we don’t because of munities are preparing to honor his weather, we still try to find a way for legacy. our students to be able to hear from a On Sunday at 6 p.m., students and speaker and see our community come the public can attend a community celebration at the Stillwater Commu- out and really support each other,” nity Center. Guest speakers and music Echols said. The celebration will feature mulfrom the Mt. Zion Choir and Connor tiple speakers, performances and conHelm will be featured. At OSU, the 2025 MLK Celebration tests ranging from poetry to art. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. members Committee is planning a celebration for King on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the will perform to honor one of their most important members, King. Student Union Ballroom. A march was planned for Monday, See MLK on page 6A but the committee and the City of
Ava Whistler Monday’s march has been canceled because of safety concerns surrounding freezing temperatures.
Courtesy Zac Robbins OSU athlete Zac Robbins (left) proposed to RachelKate Puckett during a snowstorm at BPS.
Frozen in love: Student proposes in BPS After meeting through mutual friends, Robbins and Puckett became ASSISTANT NEWS & interested in each other. On the first LIFESTYLE EDITOR date, the couple hit the courts at the @RAYNEEHOWELL Colvin Recreation Center to play pickleball. Puckett beat Robbins. Once he accepted the loss, Robbins took Puckett to what he called “the When Zac Robbins entered Boone most romantic place on Earth”: Taco Pickens Stadium during a snowstorm, Bell. The couple also went to Sprouts he was shaking from something other to buy gummy worms before enterthan the cold. ing Gallagher-Iba Arena to hang out. Nerves. Robbins was planning to Robbins described it as a “hoot and ask his girlfriend RachelKate Puckett holler.” to marry him. “We thought back to what it was “I was like ‘Hey, we should go take a like on the first date,” Robbins said. photo on the 50-yard line,’ trying to be ”Where we’re excited but really knew all nonchalant,” Robbins said. “I was nothing, and then, over the past 11 reading her a little letter and shaking months of dating, just seeing how so she knew exactly what was about the Lord has been faithful to bring us to happen.” together and to give us a really sweet The pair had talked about getting affection for each other.” engaged soon, and Puckett knew That affection never wavered something was up, but 11 months earthroughout each date and memory lier, it all started with not a clue from the two shared. either of them.
RAYNEE HOWELL
See PROPOSAL on page 5A