TulsaPeople August 2026

• Allergy/Immunology

• Cardiology

• Endocrinology

• Gastroenterology

• Genetics

We’re here for your family–every step of the way. For more information, go to saintfrancis.com/childrens. To make an appointment with a pediatrician, scan the QR code and call a pediatrician near you. Now with 15 Warren Clinic Urgent Care locations serving all ages.

• Neurosurgery

• Orthopedics

• Hematology/Oncology

• Neonatology

• Neurology

• Ophthalmology

• Otolaryngology

• Pediatric Critical Care

• Pulmonology

• Surgery

• Urology

• General Pediatrics in seven locations

FIRST OKLAHOMA BANK PRESENTS

Leaders with Heart

INTEGRITY. INTELLIGENCE. KINDNESS.

Everett Stallcop’s story is built on steady hands and a generous spirit. From small-town beginnings to big systems that keep communities running, he’s learned that leadership isn’t loud; it’s consistent and practical.

Born in Bartlesville and raised in Nowata, Oklahoma, Everett started working early, delivering the local newspaper and running projectors at both the indoor and drive-in theaters. That mix of responsibility and handson problem-solving never left him. He attended Oklahoma State University, earning an associate degree and his Airframe & Powerplant aircraft mechanic’s license, along with a bachelor’s degree in adult education.

After college, Everett headed briefly to Boeing in the Seattle area, where he worked in rapid revision and modification on 727s, making lastminute repairs and changes in final assembly when issues surfaced. It was high-stakes, detail-driven work that suited him. Tulsa then became home base for his decades-long career with PSO, where he ultimately served as Supervisor of Transmission Operations for the entire system. He officially retired in 2006, then returned for several more years part time.

Everett’s faith anchors him. At Kirk of the Hills, he served with the Deacon’s Fund, helping research requests for assistance so resources could be

directed wisely. He also served as an Elder and as a Trustee in the Eastern Oklahoma PC (USA). His guiding principle is the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have done unto you” (Matthew 7:12).

One mission trip changed his perspective in a lasting way. Soon after retiring, Everett took a mission trip to Rainbow Acres in Camp Verde, Arizona — a residential community for adults with learning difficulties. With no children, nieces, or nephews of his own, Everett wasn’t sure what to expect. What he found was joy and welcome. Everett describes meeting residents, many with Down syndrome, ranging from 18 to over 50, as “the neatest group of people” he’d ever known. He returned five years in a row, helping with painting and cleanup, but receiving something more enduring in return: friendship.

Back in Tulsa, that same passion helped fuel Pathways – a Christian program that supports adults with intellectual disabilities – where Everett was a founder and served as the first Board Chairman for five years and then the Finance Committee for three years.

He credits much of his servant mindset to his father who expressed love through action more than words. Everett recalled coming home after a week at Boy Scout camp to find a gocart his dad had built for him. That kind of quiet love became a blueprint: do the work, meet the need, don’t make it about yourself.

Outside of service, Everett is an avid traveler and lifelong “gearhead.” He’s logged more than 200,000 miles on motorcycles, riding to all 48 state capitals and visiting over 50 national parks. He also enjoys model railroading and radio-controlled cars and boats.

“I am always a bit smarter after my interactions with Everett,” says Tom Bennett Jr., Executive Chairman of the Board for First Oklahoma Bank. “Through his work and gracious spirit, he has made a meaningful difference to those around him. I deeply appreciate the example he sets and the goodness he shares with others.”

Top honors, three years running.

For the third time in three years, OSU Center for Health Sciences received a No. 1 ranking from U.S. News and World Report. Among all medical schools in the nation, more of our graduates are practicing in Health Professional Shortage Areas, or medical deserts. At OSU, our medical students stand for what matters — impacting the health of Oklahomans who need it most is our mission, and we’re proud to meet it.

New Bike Club HQ. Online school for 6-12th grade. She Brews bakes up change.

LEGENDS: JOHN ERLING

A conversation with the longtime KRMG radio host and founder of Voices of Oklahoma. BY MICHAEL OVERALL

EXTRA CREDIT

Will Rogers High School students tackle college credit classes and even associate degrees by graduation. BY TIFFANY HOWARD

Stacy Leeds begins her first year as president of The University of Tulsa. BY MADISON WALTERS 36

Once a WWII bomber factory, Tulsa's IC Bus Plant is now the ‘School Bus Capital of the World.’ BY LAUREN ROGERS 69

LIFESTYLE

Couture meets comfort. Fresh finds at Grisaille Cottage. Connie Cronley talks procrastination.

TABLE TALK

Hats off to The Helen. Sons of Amalfi shines in Sapulpa. After-school snack attack.

SPECIAL SECTIONS

ON THE COVER

Students participating in the Will Rogers High School Dual Credit to College Degree program include: (front) Malaki Mills; (seated, middle, left to right) Donovan Rowe, Caiden Cannizzaro, Francisco Lopez-Lopez, Sarahi Gomez; (seated, back row, left to right): Demetrius Alexander, Iyan Balan, Susy Escalera and Lulu Brown.

Show Tulsa What You’ve Got.

EDITOR’S LETTER

Even though it’s been a few years since I’ve been enrolled in a semester of anything, I have to admit I still get the back-to-school blues every year. Don’t get me wrong — even as a kid, I valued getting an education — but I can’t help but connect August’s shortening daylight hours with memories of being forced to re-learn math after months of avoiding the subject entirely.

Now, I get to live the season vicariously through our intern team. Over the last few weeks, each of these talented college students have been diligently covering Tulsa in spite of their looming fall schedules. You may have already seen Kamron Williams’ back-to-school events calendar online, which she is continually updating with new listings. On p. 10 you’ll nd Mary A. Smith ’s most recent Tulsa 10 round up, which gives a broader view of what’s ahead this month. Meanwhile, Michael Searles provides insight as to what’s on the menu for after school snacking around town on p. 79.

Tulsa Community College is gearing up to welcome students from across the city, including high schoolers stepping up for dual enrollment classes. On p. 32, Assistant Editor Ti any Howard catches up with students from a special program at Will Rogers High School that propels participants to nish their associate degree by the time they graduate high school. At e University of Tulsa, Stacy Leeds is kicking o a new era as the school’s rst permanent female president. Digital Editor (and TU alum) Madison Walters got the chance to meet the new leader — who attended TU herself for law school — and explores her vision for the university’s future on p. 34. As a TU grad myself,

I was eager to learn more and delighted we also got to have a photoshoot with pup mascot Goldie, who is on p. 4. You’ll see more of her on our social media.

I took a di erent route and visited the “School Bus Capital of the World,” Tulsa’s IC Bus Plant, alongside our photographers Greg Bollinger and Michelle Pollard e amount of work they pack into that mile-long facility is nothing short of impressive, but the dedication of the plant employees completely blew me away. See their stories on p. 36.

If you’re interested in schooling yourself on Oklahoma History, be sure to check out writer Michael Overall ’s conversation on p. 30 with the legendary John Erling, longtime radio icon and mastermind behind the Voices of Oklahoma project. Finally, if you want to support local students as they head back to school, there are a plethora of local nonpro ts that could use your help. On p. 12 you can see snippets from my recent chat with Tulsa Girls Art School Executive Director Amber Litwack , Ph.D., about what’s ahead for their students this year and where you can purchase work from these talented young women.

ank you for taking time to read about Tulsa this month. If there’s anything you see missing or would like us to explore, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at lauren@langdonpublishing.com. tp

Lauren Rogers EDITOR

City Desk

NEWS CAUSES PASSIONS

Program Manager

Adam Vanderburg, Bike Club Co-Founder

Mike Wozniak, Director of Programs and Research Emily Adamic, and Director of Supply Chain and Finance Jonah Panther

FULL SPEED AHEAD

Earlier this year, Bike Club moved into its new headquarters near Bales Park at 5801 S. Union Ave. The multipurpose building partially stores the nonprofi t’s fl eet of 1,300 bikes, which enable the organization to continue its work introducing hundreds of local elementary and middle school students to the benefi ts of cycling. Bike Club Tulsa was co-founded by Mike Wozniak (second from left) and Jason Wharton (not pictured). Wozniak also gives “a special nod to former TPS school board member Gary Percefull for helping us connect with TPS district and site leaders.” Read more on p. 22.

TULSA ARTIST FELLOW’S WORK FEATURED ON BON APPÉTIT COVER

Originally from Brooklyn, Tulsa Artist Fellow Adam Davis has been inspired by Oklahoma’s Black rodeo scene, finding it to be a home for “Black Magic.” Traveling around the state to highlight Black Western culture and community through various photographic mediums, Davis’ work was recently featured as the cover image for Bon Appétit’s Summer issue cover story.

“Without a doubt, some of the best food I’ve ever had in my life has been in the back country of Oklahoma at an arena surrounded by cowgirls and cowboys taking in the summer heat,” Davis shared on his Instagram (@admdav) regarding the story. “It is an honor to expand the language and reach that this culture inarguably has.” Davis’ cover image was made using tintype photography. Celebrating Black identity and culture, Davis aims to build the largest contemporary archive of Black American tintype portraits through his “Black Magic” project. — STAFF

North Tulsa Phoenix District welcomes fresh mural

Dedicated July 15, a vibrant new mural adorns one of the walls inside Grocery Box at 36N — a recently opened micro-grocery by RG Foods, Inc. nestled inside the 36N mixed-use development at 3525 N. Peoria Ave. Created by Antonio “Tone” Andrews of No Parking Studios, the mural depicts beloved Phoenix District food establishments of the past while also celebrating the area’s future as a place where fresh food is easily accessible and healthy families can grow. To bring the mural to life, local public art consulting and management firm Scraps Designs conducted extensive community engagement and selected Andrews to carry out the neighborhood’s collective vision. — STAFF REPORTS

MEMORY LANE

40 years of TulsaPeople

NORTH GREENWOOD AVENUE AND EAST ARCHER STREET

In the August 2022 issue of TulsaPeople, writer Jane Zemel checked in with leaders at the Greenwood Rising Black Wall Street History Center to reflect on its first year of impact. The history center at 23 N. Greenwood Ave. was officially dedicated on June 2, 2021, to coincide with the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre. It fully opened to the public on Aug. 4 of that year.

At the time, Tulsa Race Massacre descendent Brenda Nails-Alford served on the history center’s board of directors. Her grandparents, James Nails Sr. and Vasinora Nails , owned successful businesses in Greenwood with her great-uncle Henry Nails — all of which were destroyed during the horrific night in 1921.

“I do everything to honor them,” she said in her 2022 interview. “They gave their best so we could be our best.”

Earlier this year, Digital Editor Madison Walters reconnected with Nails-Alford, who is now one of the driving forces behind the City of Tulsa 1921 Graves Investigation. Read about the effort and find more coverage of Greenwood Rising’s first five years of operations at tulsapeople.com. tp

A moving and powerful story takes shape by presenting the complete, unfiltered past of Cherokee Nation.

A NATION OF

RESILIENCE

Immerse yourself in our stirring history, and learn about the inspiring people who shaped it.

ONE NATION. ENDLESS ADVENTURE.

Cherokee National History Museum Tahlequah, Oklahoma

TULSA 10

AUGUST

COMPILED BY MARY A. SMITH

August 1, 15 KIDS LOST CITY ARCHERY CLUB

Children ages six-12 can test out their archery skills at the Chandler Park Community Center. The interactive program, named after the park’s longtime nickname, is designed to target skills such as hand-eye coordination, breathing methods and teamwork. Chandler Park

August 1, 22 LEGENDARY MIDNIGHT DRAGS

Head to the Osage Casino & Hotel Tulsa Raceway Park for action-packed midnight drag races. This family-friendly event offers free admission for children 10 and under. All are welcome to run their own vehicles at the drags with a valid driver’s license or NHRA license. tulsaracewaypark.com/schedules

August 6 ‘THE MAGIC FLUTE’

Join Circle Cinema for a screening of “The Magic Flute,” directed by Ingmar Bergman . The 1975 masterpiece will be preceded by a special lobby concert by Tulsa Opera, where The Spotlight on Opera participants will perform selections from the film. circlecinema.org

August 8 GREENWOOD RISING’S 5TH ANNIVERSARY GALA

Greenwood Rising celebrates fi ve years as an active organization working to preserve Black Wall Street history and foster growth for future generations. The evening includes a special address from renowned journalist Mara Gray greenwoodrising.org

August 8-9 OKLAHOMA COMIC CON

Featuring special guests such as Tom Kenny, Ruth Connel and more, Oklahoma Comic Con returns to Tulsa for a weekend of fun taking place at the Arvest Convention Center. oklahomacomiccon.com

August 9 SUNDAY SALSA ON THE GREEN

Attendees of all ages and levels are invited for a night of dance at Guthrie Green. Move to the rhythms of bachata and salsa on the lawn with DJ Klave. Entry is free with nearby food and beverage options available at En Fuego. guthriegreen.com/events

August 14 OK SO, TULSA STORY SLAM: LET’S GET IT ON

Prepare your strongest true, personal story and head to Living Arts for this monthly themed storytelling competition. Attendees have a chance to participate as a reader, judge or observer in this celebration of compelling narratives. livingarts.org

August 15 BONSAI FOR BEGINNERS

If you’re interested in the art of bonsai but don’t know where to start, this event is for you. Join the Green Country Bonsai Society at the Teaching Garden at Woodward Park to begin your bonsai journey with a hands-on workshop. tulsagardencenter.org

August 2, 16

FLOATING SOUND BATH

Find serenity in the Brut Hotel pool with High Vibrations Co. and 1820 Spa. These Floating Sound Baths are designed to foster a safe space to regulate the body and restore the mind before the day begins. Attendees can reserve sound bath seating nearby the pool or opt for the full floating experience. high-vibrations.co/upcoming-events

August 20-23 BLUE WHALE COMEDY FESTIVAL

Be ready for big laughs at this boisterous annual event with headline acts like Chris Fleming , Demetri Martin and Ehsan Ahmad, along with sets by local comedians including Evan Hughes bluewhalecomedyfestival.com tp

Amber Litwack, Ph.D.

Executive Director of Tulsa Girls Art School

BY LAUREN ROGERS

It’s been just over one year since Amber Litwack took the helm as executive director of Tulsa Girls Art School, a nonpro t that inspires young women between third and 12th grade through art education. Tulsans can see the students’ work for themselves at annual fundraisers like Art Party, taking place Nov. 7 this year, and Spring Show, scheduled for April 15, 2027. ere is also a special showing at the Tulsa Artist Fellowship Archer Studios Building (205 E. Archer St.) during the First Friday Art Crawls Aug. 7 and Sept. 4. Litwack is no stranger to the Tulsa arts community, having served as executive director at Tulsa Foundation for Architecture, in addition to her work with the Any Given Child-Tulsa program and the former ahha Tulsa. She took time between summer sessions to tell me more about Tulsa Girls Art School and what is on the horizon. Find more of this conversation at tulsapeople.com.

YOU RECENTLY GOT BACK FROM THE ANNUAL SUMMER TRIP WITH YOUR ADVANCED (9TH-12TH GRADE) STUDENTS. We took 17 girls this year to Santa Fe. We had a very packed agenda; we were all over the place. We went to the Georgia O’Kee e Museum, which was really exciting and meaningful because Georgia O’Kee e is the theme for Art Party this year, so they’ll be creating works inspired by her for that. It was really exciting to get to go and see so many of her pieces in person.

We also took them to the Folk Art Museum, which they loved, and to Meow Wolf, which they also loved. And then we had a couple of di erent opportunities to make art. We found an incredible place called Bluebird Studios — it’s a private art studio/ranch, so they had horses on the property. e girls got to learn more about the horses and interact with them, and then we spent several hours making horse sculptures ... It was just such a special experience.

We also did a metal stamping class with a local artist, Kayla Ortiz with Mineralbound Silver, in her studio, where they made copper cu s, and that was really impactful as well ... It was really meaningful for them to meet an incredible female artist/entrepreneur and learn more about her creative journey. We had a lot of really fun dinners together, and then we went to the Plaza to explore in small groups, do a little shopping — stu like that. Our days were packed; we were there for ve days total.

CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT ART SCHOOL’S PROGRAMMING BEYOND THE ARTWORK?

First and foremost, we’re a youth development program that uses art as the vehicle to develop strong, con dent young women ... We work really intentionally on things like communication, collaboration, problem-solving skills, con ict resolution skills, all of those kinds of things that serve you throughout life, regardless of what your path is.

One of the big components of our program is that we teach our girls nancial management skills ... We set up holding accounts for all of our girls, and then teach them how to manage their money. e girls sell art at Spring Show and at Art Party, and we are currently creating additional opportunities for them to make sales ... roughout their time at Art School, if they need art supplies for a special project they want to work on ... (they can) access their money to be able to buy things like that. We just had ve girls graduate this year, and they walked away with almost $10,000 total.

AS YOU LOOK AHEAD TO THE NEXT FEW YEARS, WHAT EXCITES YOU THE MOST? I’m really excited about a number of things, but serving more girls is number one because there is a tremendous need ... For most of our grades, we are very much at capacity with a waiting list, but being able to serve more girls is really exciting to me. We were able to restructure the program slightly to serve 90 girls this fall instead of 75 by breaking up our advanced cohort into Middles (grades 6-8) and Advanced (grades 9-12).

We’re developing strategies around communications and public visibility, and then also looking for more opportunities for community partnerships. We really want to instill in our girls that they are part of this community. All of these incredible things in this community — like our museums and our other arts organizations — these things exist, and they’re for them. tp

Buzzing with confidence

The free back-to-school haircut event that’s making a di erence.

. BY ABIGAIL SINGREY

The clippers buzzed to life as a stylist carefully carved a bold “Z” into the side of a little boy’s hair, while a girl nearby requested layers and another just wanted a trim.

For hundreds of families, those haircuts are about more than a fresh look. At Cuts 4 Kids, a free back-to-school initiative launched by Community HigherEd Institute, the parent organization of Clary Sage College, cosmetology students and instructors help children head into the new school year with con dence. Last year alone, the program provided more than 800 free haircuts to local kids.

is year’s Cuts 4 Kids will take place Aug. 5-6 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. each day at Clary Sage College, 3131 S. Sheridan Road, where organizers hope to surpass

last year’s total by providing more than 1,000 free haircuts to local children.

For President of Community HigherEd Institute Kimberly Sebastian , Ph.D., the most rewarding moments of Cuts 4 Kids come when children catch their rst glimpse of their new haircut in the mirror.

“ eres a lot of smiles and high- ves,” she says.

e event operates on a rst-come, rst-served basis, so families may have a short wait. To keep kids entertained, organizers o er free face painting, while parents and guardians can connect with community partners providing resources such as immunizations, school supplies and more.

A key bene t of this back-to-school beauti cation is the opportunity for

cosmetology students at Clary Sage to practice their skills in a real-world environment. Beginning students can help by shampooing hair and sanitizing supplies, while more advanced students cut hair with their instructors’ supervision.

“Our students get a lot of practice on their skills and leave feeling pretty con dent in themselves,” Sebastian says.

More than anything, the event re ects Community HigherEd’s mission as a nonpro t dedicated to serving both its students and the broader community. By combining hands-on learning with meaningful service, the organization helps children head back to school with condence while giving students the opportunity to make a lasting impact, one haircut at a time. tp

Dynamic duo

A two-teacher team at Town and Country prepares students for a lifetime of success.

BY MARNIE FERNANDEZ

Inside one Town and Country School second grade classroom, two educators share almost a century’s worth of teaching experience between them. Debbie Douglass has been teaching at Town and Country School for 44 years. Her assistant Karen Grant has been working there even longer — 48 years.

Founded in 1961, Town and Country is a private school speci cally serving children in grades 2-12 with learning differences such as ADHD and Autism. e institution’s mission is to improve the lives of these students by providing a nurturing environment for academic, social and personal growth.

Grant herself was in the very rst class at Town and Country — as a student.

“I’ve been there a really long time,” she laughs. “I love working with the kids and helping them, just like people helped me.”

Grant began her journey with Town and Country at the school’s original site, John Knox Presbyterian Church. It was at that location where she later joined the faculty, along with Douglass.

“We had to share our classroom with the Sunday School class,” Douglass

remembers. “It’s amazing to look back and see how much Town and Country has changed.”

e school moved several times between 1988 and 2012. Today, Town and Country is settled at the former Tulsa Public Schools Fulton Teaching and Learning Academy at 8906 E. 34th St. Since moving in nearly 15 years ago, Town and Country has added amenities to the campus including its 10,400-square-foot Zarrow Sports Complex, a running track, a storm shelter, and an outdoor classroom and musical garden.

roughout all of these moves and enhancements, Douglass and Grant have spent 42 years working together in the same classroom.

“Ms. Grant is a huge help,” Douglass says. “She gets to school early each morning and gets our room ready for the day.”

Even with all of the transformation both inside and outside of Town and Country, Douglass and Grant continue to stick to the basics with their second graders to establish a solid foundation.

“We teach everything from nose blowing to learning how to be a good friend,”

Douglass says. “I believe the most important skills we can teach is how to read and how to get along with others. If you have those two skills, you can have a successful and productive life no matter what your learning di erence may be.”

Douglass also shares her knowledge by leading workshops for the new teachers.

“I make my own materials,” she says. “After all these years, you learn what works and what doesn’t. e trickiest part is teaching the social skills.”

As they prepare for the upcoming school year, Douglass and Grant don’t show any signs of slowing down. Grant is looking forward to meeting their new students and going with them to their specials — which rotate between art, music, computers and gym.

“My favorite is art,” Grant says. “But I also really love music too.”

For Douglass, ful lment comes from seeing the impact Town and Country has on every pupil.

“ is is de nitely something you have to have the heart for,” Douglass says. “ e best part is watching your students grow up.” tp

NEXT EVENT: Sept. 24, 2026

The Mayo Hotel

Every time Narrate Design Partner Whitney Stauffer attends a Tulsa Regional Chamber Women’s Programming Series (WPS) event, she comes away invigorated.

“There’s something special about a room full of women,” said Stauffer, a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. “It’s a gathering of women who are willing to share experiences openly and vulnerably, which creates a supportive atmosphere and a unique sense of connection.”

“Events like WPS create space for women to connect over shared experiences and challenges that often are unique to our professional journeys. There’s a level of understanding, encouragement and camaraderie that is incredibly powerful – and honestly – a little therapeutic, too.”

The WPS grew out of a desire to hold more free or affordable Chamber events that were member-exclusive.

A soft launch in 2025 led to two heavily supported ‘26 WPS gatherings that drew a total of about 500 attendees. This year’s WPS finale on Sept. 24 at the Mayo Hotel is expected to attract more than 300 people.

“Without a doubt, it’s the quality of the speakers and the caliber of the event itself,” Stauffer said of the reasons behind the success of the WPS. “The Chamber consistently brings in accomplished leaders who leave attendees feeling both inspired and empowered.”

Stauffer, herself, is an inspiration, having risen to partner at Narrate Design (formerly Selser Schaefer Architects) only four years after joining the firm in 2013.

She said she leads by focusing on passion, patience and authenticity.

“Be unapologetically yourself,” Stauffer said. “The most effective leaders aren’t trying to be someone else; they build trust by leading with authenticity and confidence in who they are.”

The Sept. 24 event will feature Lauren Sweeney, a master coach and trainer at Rise Up for You, a global personal development and corporate training company.

ON THE RISE

She Brews’ new program bakes up hope.

BY ABIGAIL SINGREY

Maria Morris found a way to transform the darkest chapter of her life into a mission of hope.

After her home caught re in 2018, Morris was incarcerated and charged in the death of her 22-month-old daughter, Carabelle, as she battled addiction. At her lowest point, she met Rhonda Bear, founder of She Brews Co ee Roasters, a nonpro t that helps women transition from prison and addiction to stable, independent lives.

“With tears in her eyes, she told me, ‘ is was a tragic accident,’” Morris recalls. “She began to advocate for me. at was the beginning for me.”

Morris was ultimately cleared of the charges and, with support from She Brews, began rebuilding her life. e organization meets women “at the gate,” providing safe, a ordable housing and employment through its co ee shops in Tulsa (1 N. Lewis Ave.) and Claremore (408 W. Will Rogers Boulevard). Morris worked at the co ee shop in Tulsa for about a year, eventually transitioning to other employment. Drawing on her background as a chef, Morris later launched Carabelle’s Micro Café in Legacy Plaza East at 5310 E. 31st St., serving She Brews co ee alongside fresh sandwiches and pastries while honoring her daughter’s life.

Now, Morris is helping shape the next chapter of She Brews. e nonpro t recently opened its new Claremore location, which is nearly twice the size of its previous storefront at 414 W. Will Rogers Boulevard and includes a full commercial kitchen. e additional space will allow She Brews to launch a bakery training program, starting with an eight-week boot camp designed and led by Morris. Participants will continue in the program for six to 12 months, gaining hands-on experience and professional skills that can lead to careers in bakeries, restaurants, cafes and commercial kitchens. Designed for women who may prefer behind-the-scenes work to customer-facing roles, the program creates another pathway to stable employment, but it also provides another key ingredient: hope.

“I get to help other women be successful,” Morris says. “It’s important to know that change is possible ... You’re not as bad as your worst day. It’s meaningful to be able to tell other women that there’s something on the other side of tragedy.”

Between the two operating locations, She Brews is able to support, employ and train a shifting group of 20 to 30 women, with participants moving into permanent jobs elsewhere as new women enter the program. Learn more at shebrews.org. tp

An insightful option

Virtual charter school o ers students flexibility and specialized support.

BY MACY GOODNIGHT

The Insight School of Oklahoma — a statewide online public school serving grades 6-12 — o ers much more than just the convenience of accessing an education wherever there’s Wi-Fi. For students like Yanieliz Albarran, who was seeking a nontraditional option to nish her education, ISOK o ers a pathway to hope.

“I was raising my two children, working full time and trying to build a better future for my family,” says Albarran, who graduated from ISOK earlier this year. “It gave me the exibility and support I needed to keep going, even when life was challenging. Earning my diploma showed me, and hopefully others, that your circumstances don’t de ne your future.”

Since 2014, Insight School of Oklahoma has been on a mission to help every student nd their path to success. By o ering individualized support, exible pacing and credit-recovery options, ISOK is designed to keep all learners — including students at risk of dropping out, facing health challenges or dealing with other complicating life circumstances — on track to graduation.

“We o er exible schedules to meet the needs of the individual student,” says Jennifer Pace, ISOK high school principal.

Pace explains that middle and high school students attend live virtual sessions with their classmates, but they also have a “Flex” option of working asynchronously alongside the class (with weekly check-

ins required). Additionally, high school students can opt for the “Momentum” pathway — which allows them to pace content to their own speed — or to attend Night School, through which live support is accessible from 6-8 p.m. Monday- ursday.

“Both middle school and high school also o er a blended pathway,” Pace adds. “ at is a combination of any or all of the di erent pathways — for example, one student might need the live classes for their math class, but can handle their history class in a Flex/Momentum type of pathway. at is what makes our school unique.”

Families across Oklahoma are certainly taking note of ISOK’s singularly supportive approach: e school’s enrollment has grown nearly 80% since 2022, from 949 students in 2022-2023 to kicking o the 2026-2027 school year with more than 1,700 students. ISOK’s graduation rates have been on the rise as well, with the annual graduate count increasing from 169 in the 2023-2024 school year to around 280 in 2025-2026.

is data signals success for the approximately 100 teachers and sta members at ISOK, indicating that students who are often left behind in traditional settings are achieving their educational goals.

“I think a lot of our growth attributes to word-of-mouth, and people know who we are now,” Pace says.

For Michelle Martin — who has been a High School Math Interventionist with ISOK for nine years — the digital classroom has become a powerful tool for redemption.

“Math anxiety is a real barrier for many of our kids, especially if they’ve fallen behind,” she explains. “I can have more individualized time with them and begin with the building blocks to curb very real math anxiety. We build valuable relationships with our students and show them they can succeed.”

For Pace, one of the most rewarding aspects of her work is seeing the direct impact ISOK has on students.

“I love my sta , and I love watching them change these kids’ lives,” Pace says. “For some of our students this is the last option. If it wasn’t for our school, they would drop out. We also get kids who haven’t schooled in a few years and are in need of something di erent. To see these lives change and the direct impact of my teachers is monumental.”

For more information on ISOK, visit insightok.k12.com. tp

On the right path

With a brand-new HQ, Bike Club gears up for a new school year.

BY JULIE WENGER WATSON

Local nonpro t Bike Club started out as an after-school program at Tulsa Public Schools’ Emerson Elementary. Twelve years later, the organization serves 38 elementary and middle school campuses across the city, where more than 200 volunteers — along with teachers and Bike Club personnel — introduce some 700 kids to the joys of cycling each school year.

is spring, Bike Club opened a 14,000-square-foot headquarters near Bales Park at 58th Street and Union Avenue. Designed by architect Shane Hood of Align Design, the space is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, blending natural, cycling-inspired design elements with practical industrial materials. Nestled against an urban forest, the building has a large overhead door that opens like an invitation to adventure, leading directly to the multiuse trails beyond.

e new Bike Club HQ also includes a state-of-the-art bike repair shop and plenty of storage areas for the bikes themselves, as well as the equipment Bike Club uses to build and maintain miles of trails.

e organization’s core after-school program meets on campuses ten times each fall and spring during the academic year.

e average club consists of 20 students and ve volunteers, including a faculty member. Bike Club provides all of the equipment needed for club activities, such as bikes, helmets and curriculum. e fall is spent learning cycling basics and safety.

In the spring, club members put their knowledge to use with o -campus rides and experiences, like trips to a re station, park or other nearby places of interest. ose who successfully complete the program not only gain con dence, but also their very own bike and helmet.

Equally passionate about community as he is about cycling, Bike Club Co-Founder Mike Wozniak sees the program as a way to facilitate connection.

“Bikes are a tool to connect with each other, to connect with adult mentors, and also a connection to neighborhoods and nature,” he says.

Bike Club Director of Programs and Research Emily Adamic shares in the responsibility of overseeing the after-school

clubs. She also collects and analyzes data used to evaluate the program’s impact. According to Adamic, there are many bene ts beyond improvements in physical health.

“ e bike is a tool for all these other things that are really bene cial for well-being in general,” she says. “ ings like being outside and spending time with friends — all those kinds of things that aren’t necessarily directly related to the bike itself.”

e kids aren’t the only ones who bene t. Jonah Panther, Bike Club’s director of supply chain and nance, is a former elementary teacher who also worked at Tom’s Bicycles for 20 years. For Panther, Bike Club is a dream job.

“It’s the perfect thing for me. I get to teach kids about bikes,” he says. “It’s far more rewarding than I ever thought it could be interacting with these young people and seeing them thrive, at least in part, because of this after school club they belong to.”

To nd out more about Bike Club and all of its programs, visit bikeclubtulsa.com. tp

Trinity welcomes Dr. Daniel Morrow as our new rector. Dr. Morrow comes to Trinity from The Church Of The Ascension in Munich, Germany, but is a native of Sand Springs.

Join us for Eucharist at either 8:00 a.m. (spoken) or 10:30 a.m. (choral)

Trinity Episcopal Church

918-582-4128 | 501 S. Cincinnati Ave TrinityTulsa.org

JOIN IRON GATE AND TULSAPEOPLE

for the 20th annual event featuring delicious tasting menus prepared by talented Tulsa chefs and restaurants! All proceeds benefit Iron Gate: Tulsa’s largest stand-alone soup kitchen and grocery pantry.

FEATURED FOOD PARTNERS:

Le’Roux’s • The Tavern/Bull in the Alley • Doctor Kustom • BOK Center and Arvest Convention Center • The Vault • Justin Thompson Catering • Iron Gate • Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma • Lil Momma Cakes • Vintage Wine Bar • Simply De-Lish Catering • Absolute Cheesecake

Thursday, September 24, 2026 at The Vista at 21

Tickets and sponsorships available

London calling

Two Tulsa dancers participate in the Royal Ballet School’s summer program.

BY CONNIE CRONLEY

This month, a girlhood dream is coming true for best friends Josephine Jobe, 18, and Harper White, 17, as the two Tulsa dancers hop a plane to participate in a multiweek intensive summer workshop with the prestigious Royal Ballet School in London.

Jobe and White are both students at Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education, but it is only coincidental that Tulsa Ballet performed at the Royal Opera House this past May. Jobe and White’s acceptance to the Royal Ballet School’s competitive summer program is due to their own e orts.

“ is remarkable achievement is a testament to their dedication, artistry, discipline and passion for dance,” says Lauren Richter, School Director of Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education.

Meeting at Eisenhour International School in kindergarten, both girls have studied dance since childhood and grew up participating in recitals together. White, now a senior at Booker T. Washington High School, began creative movement classes when she was a toddler. She has been a Tulsa Ballet student since kindergarten, barely old enough to audition for a role in “ e Nutcracker.” She went on to perform in “ e Nutcracker” for a decade, playing everything from a little soldier to the party scene.

Jobe, a senior at Epic Charter School, began studying with Tulsa Ballet’s dance school when she was around six years old. She, too, danced in “ e Nutcracker” and, also like White, performed in the Tulsa company’s production of “Dorothy and the Prince of Oz.”

“Dancing, for me, is a way of selfexpression,” she says. But as much as she loves performing, Jobe says she also loves the discipline and the daily structure of ballet class with its regimented barre and center work, as well as “the chance to get to improve every day. (In performance) all the hard work pays o .”

For White, what she likes about ballet class is the way it resets her day. “You can have a stressful day but when you get to the studio, you have to leave it at the door and your focus has to be on ballet,” she says, “because ballet is so consuming, both mentally and physically.” Yet as much as she appreciates the required concentration, White adds what she loves the most is “just that feeling when you’re dancing.”

Both dancers are veterans of summer workshops — for Jobe, this is actually her second round with the Royal Ballet, and she also participated in New York City Ballet’s School of American Ballet summer program in 2023. As For White, she spent her time o from school with the Colorado Ballet, BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio, and the National Ballet of Canada.

Now it’s o to London, where the girls say they are looking forward to exploring the city and all its markets and shops, as well as learning new styles of dance and meeting new people from all over the world.

“ e Royal Ballet School (is) such a prestigious program that has a lot to o er and amazing opportunities,” White says. “Early on we both wanted to go and thought it would be so fun to be able to go together, making this even more special that it’s nally happening.”

More dreams ahead. Both want to continue dancing. On the future’s horizon they envision classic ballets “Giselle,” “Romeo and Juliet” and — the ballerina quintessential — “Swan Lake.” tp

Pride and passion

Local high school faculty member is also a talented songwriter.

BY JULIE WENGER WATSON

On July 17, Taylor Pride — a college and career advisor at Will Rogers High School — released his most recent single, “Any Vessel.” e praise and worship song perfectly blends the indie Christian artist’s dedication to his faith with his passion for songwriting.

Pride’s enthusiasm for crafting lyrics dates back to his high school days at Metro Christian Academy, when he began writing songs and sharing them at the school’s chapel services and at his church, Christian Chapel.

Although music has always been a big part of Pride’s life — his mom, Renee, was a piano teacher, his sister Nicole Pride Conner was a jazz vocalist and his sister Kelley Pride Mason performs with the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra — the pandemic brought his songwriting into focus.

“I felt like God was redirecting my attention back toward songwriting,” he says. “I started diving into it in a very di erent way. It was much more serious this time.”

Pride also began co-writing and collaborating with other songwriters across the U.S., attending some songwriting camps and using his summers o from his work at Rogers to travel and record. A selfdescribed “people person,” he’s grateful for the opportunity to create music with other writers who share his faith.

“I’m really looking to steward this gift of songwriting well,” says Pride. “I know that the main focus for any of the songs that I write or release is to encourage others in their faith journey.”

To make his music more accessible, Pride released “Agua Viva,” a Spanish language version of his 2021 praise and worship song, “Living Water,” in June. He was able to put his own language skills to use, having taken Spanish classes in high school and interned at the Mexican Consulate in Chicago in college, but he also partnered with native Spanish speakers to ne-tune the translations.

“What I loved most was hearing everyone bring their own background into the process,” he explains. “My friends from Mexico would hear one angle of a lyric, my friends from Venezuela would suggest something slightly di erent, and my friends in the U.S. would bring yet another perspective.”

As the school year kicks o , Pride continues to juggle a rewarding day job that allows him to use his Spanish to help bilingual students and their families navigate the college application process with his burgeoning music career.

According to Pride, songwriting success isn’t about the streaming numbers.

“What’s important to me is to use this gift to express my love for God and to encourage other people to express their love for God, too,” he says.

Pride’s music is available on all major streaming platforms. For more on Pride and his music, visit taylorpridemusic.com. tp

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING

Jill of all trades

Tulsa’s fi rst

District 3 councilor Dorothy DeWitty was a trailblazer, peacemaker and bridge builder across the city’s racial divides.

BY MICHAEL OVERALL

During a meeting in August 1990, the Tulsa City Council fell into a heated debate over allocating federal block grant money. Some members wanted the funds to go to the Tulsa Economic Development Corporation. Others complained that previous grants had been squandered.

“ e management of that organization is atrocious,” declared council member and future mayor Dewey Bartlett

One of the rst deeply divisive issues the council had faced, the debate became a test for Tulsa’s new form of government. Created just ve months earlier under a new city charter, the council was going to set a precedent for how it would handle controversial issues.

Dorothy DeWitty, representing northeast Tulsa’s District 3, suggested a way to lower tensions: delay the vote.

“We are here making a decision about replacing one organization with another without logic and objective analysis,” she said during the meeting. “ e timing is wrong.”

Born in Bristow in 1926, DeWitty moved to Tulsa at age 9. Growing up under segregation, she would remember the daily restrictions — seeing “White Only” signs on drinking fountains, sitting in the back of city buses and being barred from entering certain grocery stores.

“It was constant,” she said later in life.

DeWitty graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1944, earned a bachelor’s from Langston University, and built a 30-year career with Tulsa Public Schools as a teacher, counselor and librarian. She made Tulsa history in 1969 as the rst Black female school principal, taking the top post at Whitman Elementary.

e position became a springboard for DeWitty, who became an increasingly visible public gure during the 1970s and ’80s. Outspoken on civil rights and neighborhood issues, she nonetheless developed a reputation as a peacemaker and bridge builder, especially between the city’s racial divides. Whitman Elementary, a formerly all-white school that became largely Black after desegregation, evolved from one of the district’s struggling schools into one of its better-performing schools by the time DeWitty retired from TPS in 1985.

Five years later, after Tulsa revamped its city charter, DeWitty became a part of the rst batch of candidates for the new City Council. Her campaign focused on public safety, economic development and education. Elected with 72% of the vote, she recognized that the rst group of councilors would serve a unique role in shaping the future of city government by establishing norms for how the body would handle debates and disputes. Her rst priority, she promised, would be “impacting council operational policy and procedure.”

At the August 1990 meeting, the other members embraced DeWitty’s suggestion that they take more time to study the block grant proposal before making a decision. Ultimately, the council voted 5-4 to approve funding for TEDC, with DeWitty siding with the majority. e nal debate that October seemed calmer and more rational, as DeWitty had hoped.

She left the council in 1992 after one term but remained active in civic a airs. She served on the Tulsa Human Rights Commission and the board of trustees for the University Center at Tulsa, which later became Oklahoma State University’s Tulsa Campus. She is also remembered for writing a book on race relations — “Tulsa: Tale of Two Cities” — published in 1987.

e City Council honored her with a Lifetime Public Service Award in 2008. DeWitty died Dec. 7, 2012, at age 85. tp

POPPIN’ BOTTLES With a theme of “Vegas, baby!,” Emergency Infant Services held its annual Poppin’ Bottles fundraiser June 26 at the Summit Club. The 100 guests in attendance enjoyed casino tables, silent auction, live illustrations, a magician and a Vegas trip raffle. The event was co-chaired by Susanna Powell, Emily Haygarth and Taylor Latchem, and the funds raised during the course of the evening will go toward basic necessities such as diapers, wipes and formula for area children. Above: Executive Director Bill Andoe, Director of Development Sarah Flowers , Ashley Mendoza, Cindra Rainbow, Sheng Lee and Ashley Davidson Henry

ASCENSION ST. JOHN CENTENNIAL GALA On June 13, the Ascension St. John Centennial Gala welcomed a sold-out crowd at the Arvest Convention Center. As part of the evening’s festivities, guests enjoyed a special private performance by country music group Little Big Town. The event became the St. John Foundation’s most successful fundraiser in its history, as well as the first ever to raise over $1 million. The gala funds will support the St. John Centennial Fund and — combined with a $170 million investment from the national Ascension heath care system — fuel a historic campus modernization that will transform St. John Medical Center. Above, Lauren Landwerlin, Ascension St. John Foundation President, with Bo Beaudry, Ascension St. John CEO, and Jessica Beaudry

1

Til Death Do Us Part Murder Mystery Dinner

Benefits The Museum Broken Arrow. brokenarrowmuseum.org

Tulsa Firehouse 5k

Benefits Tulsa Firefighters Benevolent Fund. Tulsa Firefighters Benevolent Fund

4

Bowl for Kids’ Sake Celebration Party

Benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma. bigoklahoma.org

7-9

Latch Fest

Benefits T-Town TNR. linktr.ee/latchfest

7

Collinsville Moonlight 5K and Fun Run

Benefits the Collinsville Education Foundation. collinsvillechamber.org/events

Flower Picking on the Farm

Benefits A Bigger Table Foundation. abiggertable.foundation

Ringmaster Golf and Gala

Benefits Tulsa State Fair Night of Champions and Scholarship Fund. tulsastatefair.com/golf-gala

8 Shining the Light

Benefits the Brain Injury Recovery Foundation. braininjuryrecoveryfoundation.org

Taste of Change

Benefits the Tulsa Day Center. tulsadaycenter.org

10

Hope Games

Benefits the Case Family Safety Center. fsctulsa.org

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Zoo Nights (21+)

Benefits Tulsa Zoo. tulsazoo.org/zoo-nights

15 ARTini

Benefits Arts Alliance Tulsa. artstulsa.org

Sand Springs

Murder Mystery Dinner

Benefits Sand Springs Community Theater. Sand Springs Community Theater

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Arrowhead Consulting Charity Golf Tournament

Benefits Circle of Care. arrowheadconsulting.com/golf

JA Golf Classic

Benefits Junior Achievement of Oklahoma. oklahoma.ja.org

22

Downtown Deco Challenge

Benefits Tulsa Area United Way. tauw.org

Wild Brew

Benefits the George Miksch Sutton Avian Research Center. wildbrew.org

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Maker Faire Tulsa

Benefits Tulsa Fab Lab. tulsa.makerfaire.com

Run for Hope

Benefits Hope is Alive. hopeisalive.net/runforhope 31

Drive Out The Demand Golf Tournament

Benefits The Demand Project. thedemandproject.org

Tom Boyd Memorial Golf Classic Benefits The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. cff.org/chapters/ eastern-oklahoma-chapter

Why 529 Plans Offer a Smarter Way to Save for College

As kids head back to school, it’s an ideal time for parents and grandparents – current and expectant – to consider the advantages of 529 college savings plans. These state-sponsored investment accounts created for education expenses have been a popular savings tool due to their triple tax advantage: contributions grow tax-deferred, and withdrawals for qualified expenses are exempt from federal and Oklahoma state income taxes.

Additionally, Oklahoma residents receive a generous state income tax deduction on contributions – up to $10,000 annually for single filers and $20,000 for

married couples filing jointly – helping to reduce annual tax liability while building an educational foundation.

Here are other ways these accounts offer powerful advantages.

EXPANDED BENEFITS AND FLEXIBILITY

Beyond traditional four-year degrees, 529 funds now cover vocational programs, registered apprenticeships and professional certifications. Eligible expenses include tuition, fees, books and technology like computers or internet access. Room and board for both part-time and full-time students are also eligible, whether living on campus or off, up to the school’s official

cost-of-attendance limit. For families with younger children, the annual withdrawal limit for K–12 tuition is up to $20,000 per student.

POWERFUL WEALTH TRANSFER TOOL

Savvy families use 529 plans as a strategic wealth-transfer tool to lower their taxable estate. The IRS permits “front-loading” five years’ worth of gifts into a 529 plan for a single beneficiary. This allows individuals to contribute up to $95,000 and married couples up to $190,000 all at once. This jump-starts tax-free compounding while immediately removing those assets from your taxable estate.

“EXIT RAMPS” FOR UNUSED FUNDS

Families often worry about overfunding if a student receives a scholarship or chooses a different path. Fortunately, a Roth IRA exit ramp allows families to roll over up to $35,000 of unused 529 funds into a Roth IRA for the beneficiary over their lifetime. This rollover is subject to annual contribution limits ($7,500) and requires the account to have been open for at least 15 years, effectively giving the next generation a retirement head start. Additionally, if a student drops a class and receives a tuition refund, you have 60 days to recontribute those funds into the 529 plan to avoid a 10% penalty and maintain tax-free status.

WHEN YOU CAN START SAVING

Opening a 529 at birth or toddlerhood is the standard window, but you can start before they’re born. Just open an account with yourself as the beneficiary, and once the baby receives a Social Security number, simply transfer the beneficiary designation to them.

If your child is 14 or 15, it’s not too late. Many states offer a state income tax deduction or credit for contributions. Even if the money only sits in the account for a year, you are essentially getting a “discount” on tuition through those tax savings.

Viewing a 529 plan through a wealth management lens helps optimize both your student’s future and your long-term financial goals. Connect with an Arvest Personal Client Advisor today to build your education funding strategy.

Arvest and its associates do not provide tax or legal advice. Arvest Wealth Management, Member FINRA/SIPC.

Investments and Insurance Products: Not a Deposit, Not Guaranteed by the Bank or its Affiliates, Not FDIC Insured, Not Insured by Any Federal Government Agency, May Go Down in Value.

LEGENDS

John Erling

A conversation with the legendary KRMG radio host and founder of Voices of Oklahoma.

BY MICHAEL OVERALL

Oilman and philanthropist Walt Helmerich used to have his secretary call about once a month to schedule lunch with John Erling, a well-known voice on Tulsa’s KRMG radio. At rst, Erling felt uneasy, describing himself as “a North Dakota farm boy” who wasn’t used to sitting down with prominent business tycoons. At least, not o the air.

But they bonded through humor, politics and colorful stories. During one lunch, Erling remarked that Helmerich’s life story should be preserved for posterity and not shared only with family and friends. He suggested recording an interview with Helmerich and putting it online for students, historians and the general public.

Helmerich, who had turned Tulsa-based Helmerich & Payne into one of the world’s most successful drilling companies, liked the idea and sat down with Erling in 2009 to complete the interview. Erling then asked Helmerich if he could speak with his friend Henry Zarrow about also sitting to record a conversation. After that, the Helmerich and Zarrow family foundations funded an e ort for Erling to interview a litany of Oklahoma politicians, business gures and trend-setters, as well as many other unsung yet nonetheless compelling voices from across the Sooner State.

“I love interviewing people that aren’t well known so that their stories can be heard as well,” Erling says.

e archive of these conversations eventually turned into the Voices of Oklahoma nonpro t, which launched in April 2010 as a dedicated resource for preserving and sharing the oral histories of Oklahomans.

e website, which operates in partnership with the Oklahoma Historical Society, has since grown to include more than 320 archived interviews that can be streamed at no cost at voicesofoklahoma.com (also nd the Voices of Oklahoma podcast across all major platforms).

WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL?

Erling grew up in Grand Forks, North Dakota, but graduated from Hillcrest Academy, a Lutheran boarding school in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, in 1959. After high school, he brie y attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks before transferring to the Brown Institute in Minneapolis for radio school.

“I actually left school a month early because a station in Grand Forks wanted to hire me,” Erling remembers. “ e school said, ‘Well, if you can keep your job for

Erling on TulsaPeople’s August 2001 cover with his faithful dog, Remington.

“There’s an energy here. There’s a magic that’s happening in Tulsa that wasn’t happening in ’76.”

–JOHN ERLING

longer than a month, we’ll give you a diploma.’ So I did, and it worked out.”

Erling worked in North Dakota, Minnesota and Omaha, Nebraska, before taking a job at KRMG in 1976.

HOW OLD ARE YOU AND HOW OLD DO YOU FEEL?

At 84, Erling still enjoys running and remains active with Voices of Oklahoma.

“It just does not dawn on me until I see, ‘Oh, that guy died. He was 84. Well, wait a minute! I’m 84.’ I don’t even think about it.”

HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS DESCRIBE YOU?

Some might call him sarcastic. Others might say he is funny. A few might observe that he is well-preserved for his age, Erling suggests.

“Some people like me, and some don’t,” he says. “Not everybody is going to like you, and I don’t like everybody myself. at’s okay.”

WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? Despite spending a lifetime talking on the radio, Erling is a loner by nature.

“If there was a group of people a distance from me, and I saw them,” he says, “I would more than likely turn and walk the other way.”

WHAT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE WORST TIMES IN YOUR LIFE, AND HOW DID YOU GET THROUGH IT?

“I am a recovering alcoholic. My years of drinking were not pleasant — not for me and not for my family — and that was many years of my life. As I look back, I’m fortunate to even be alive today.

“It became so painful, the hangovers were so horrible, that I thought, ‘Why am I doing this to myself?’ I said, ‘I am actually pouring poison into my body. It’s making me feel sick. It’s disrupting my family. I’ve gotta stop this.’

“While I had been going to AA o and on, I wasn’t really committed to AA the way I should have been. But that day, when I said, ‘I have to stop hurting people,’ I quit. e compulsion to drink was taken away, and I fortunately came out of it, and I’ve been a recovering alcoholic for over 30 years.

“I don’t mind saying that because it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s a disease. Some people don’t look at it that way, but it’s a disease of the mind.”

WHAT CONCERNS YOU TODAY ABOUT THE FUTURE? Erling says he worries about growing tensions in the United States.

“Will the democracy of this great country still exist?” he asks. “In what form does it exist?”

On the other hand, he says, “My 23-year-old granddaughter and 18-year-old grandson will enjoy technology that I do not know exists today.”

WHAT IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT WAY THAT TULSA HAS CHANGED SINCE YOU’VE LIVED HERE?

Tulsa has become a destination city since he rst arrived, Erling says, mentioning several landmarks such as the Gathering Place, the Woody Guthrie Center, the Bob Dylan Center, ONEOK Field and the BOK Center.

“ ere’s an energy here,” Erling says. “ ere’s a magic that’s happening in Tulsa that wasn’t happening in ’76.” tp

Author. Anesthesiologist. Lawyer. Lawyer and a performer. These are just a few of the future ambitions cited by the Will Rogers High School students participating in the school’s Dual Credit to College Degree scholarship program — a rigorous and academically-demanding track that allows them to earn an associate degree through Tulsa Community College at no cost by the time they graduate high school.

“It’s just such a good way to get ahead,” says junior Malaki Mills . “You’re able to get to where you want to be a lot quicker than if you were to just go through high school regularly.”

Pursuing his associate’s in Business Administration, Mills is one of 22 students (10 juniors, 12 seniors) currently participating in Dual to Degree. The Rogers program, which officially began in 2025, is built from TCC’s Dual Credit options available to all Oklahoma high schoolers, as well as financial support provided by the State of Oklahoma’s Concurrent Enrollment tuition waivers, Tulsa Public Schools and the Assistance League of Tulsa. But according to Louis Coleman, past president of the Will Rogers High School Community Foundation, there are still some significant gaps in funding for tuition overages, other miscellaneous fees and student needs inherent to earning an associate degree.

The Dual Credit to College Degree program at Will Rogers High School puts students on track to graduate with the associate degree of their choice from Tulsa Community College. Participating students include (seated) Donovan Rowe, Malaki Mills, (kneeling) Iyan Balan, (standing, left to right) Sarahi Gomez, Edel Jaramillo, Jesus Moreno (2025 graduate), Ariel Moctezuma, (sitting on shelf, left to right) Lulu Brown, Francisco Lopez-Lopez, Caiden Cannizzaro, Demetrius Alexander, Susy Escalera, Ruby Escalera, Jacoby Reynolds, Elizeo Perez-Ruiz, Kaiden Angel and Lucian Riley. Jodi King (far left, standing) is the Dual Credit Site Coordinator at Rogers. Louis Coleman (far right, standing) represents the Will Rogers High School Community Foundation as past president, and Rogers’ Principal Cindy Largent-Williams stands to his right.

EXTRA CREDIT

Will Rogers High School students tackle college credit and even associate degrees by graduation.

BY TIFFANY HOWARD

“That’s where the foundation steps in,” he says, noting the foundation covers about $7,000 per student in the program for costs such as books, computers and even certain classes that may not be covered by state tuition waivers.

High-achieving Rogers students are invited to apply for the Dual to Degree program in the spring of their sophomore year, but there are certain exacting standards they must meet to even be considered.

“To qualify, students have to have very high GPAs, and they have to have at least two college level scores on their preACT categories, because they’re pretty much full-time college their junior and senior year,” says Rogers’ Dual Credit Site Coordinator Jodi King

The Dual to Degree students also spend their summers taking TCC classes in order to hit all necessary credit requirements for their chosen associate path by graduation, but they come into the program knowing it will require the sacrifice of social and leisure time. Most of the 22 program participants also have jobs, so the students say learning to balance everything can be a challenge.

“The hardest part is keeping track of yourself and trying to make sure you’re on top of all of it,” says senior Ruby Escalera, who is studying Computer Information Systems and hopes to attend the University of Washington in Seattle. “We have all of these high expectations put on us because we are at the top of each of our respective grades. We’re expected to stay on it from our parents, our peers and our sponsors.”

To stay motivated, the students say it helps that they are a tight-knit group and can lean on each other for support, as well as some good old-fashioned competition. They admit the competitive spirit that exists among the two cohorts helps them all stay sharp (and also fuels a bit of healthy razzing during games of pool played at TCC’s Northeast Campus student center).

A couple students also share their own personal reasons that keep them going when things start to get tough.

“It’s the thought of earning the degree and being ahead, especially if you want a longer career,” says Sarahi Gomez , a junior seeking her associate’s in Pre-Veterinary Medicine.

“I was about to not do (the program) anymore,” adds Lulu Brown, Pre-Medicine, whose father passed away in the spring. “But then I decided that I did want to, and one of the motivations is because it was one of the last things I was really talking with my dad about, so I feel like I want to keep what I said to him and do it.”

College-confident

general education credit requirements. King works extensively with each student to isolate their goals and help them stay on track, while dual credit coordinators on the TCC campuses are always available to lend support as well.

“Mrs. King is genuinely so kind, and she does so much for all the TCC students — not even just this (Dual to Degree) cohort, but for all of us,” says senior Lucian Riley, who is working toward an associate’s in English. “I think that if we didn’t have her as a counselor, it would be harder for us all to do this, so we’re all very grateful for her.”

Funding the future

“When Jesus and Vanessa did this, (the Will Rogers High School Community Foundation) started asking why more students weren’t doing this, and it’s because it’s expensive,” says King.

Now, with the assistance of generous donors, Coleman says the Will Rogers High School Community Foundation is able to support 10-12 kids every year, as well as others working toward partial associate degrees.

“The good news is these are incredible, highly motivated, very intelligent kids, and we’re doing a lot to help them achieve their goals and their wants and needs,” he says. “The bad news is, there’s just a whole bunch more behind them that we could be helping if we had more funding.”

Moreno, who is now studying Chemical Engineering at The University of Tulsa on a full-ride scholarship, is quick to credit Rogers for setting him up on a pathway to success.

In addition to the Dual to Degree track, there are many other pathways for Rogers students to earn everything from a couple of college credits to a full associate’s by the time they graduate. This year, King says there are 165 Rogers high schoolers slated to take advantage of TCC’s Dual Credit program, which recently became the first in Oklahoma to earn accreditation from the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships for meeting standards of quality, rigor and student support.

“The biggest benefi t to dual credit in general is that I think a lot of students don’t realize how different college is from high school — the expectations, independence and things like that,” says King. “This gives them a soft opening into it, where they have accountability. However many credits they take with them, they go in with a lot more confidence.”

To further encourage students to take advantage of concurrent enrollment, Rogers implemented TCC’s EDGE program in 2025. Also available at Memorial High School and McLain High School of Science and Technology, EDGE (which stands for Earn a Degree, Graduate Early) is designed for students to earn a tuition-free Associate of Liberal Arts. While students apply for the program in eighth grade, only 30 will qualify during their freshman year to become a part of a new EDGE cohort at Rogers. Starting sophomore year, participants will take four TCC classes on the Northeast campus, working their way up to becoming full-time college students by senior year.

No matter which track students are on, they have an abundance of resources available to help them succeed. On the Rogers campus, two classes are taught each semester by either adjunct or full-time TCC professors, and the courses are designed by TCC to satisfy both high school and

While Rogers has long shared a partnership with TCC for students to pursue college credits, it wasn’t until recently that the groundwork was laid for programs like Dual to Degree. In 2022, a student named Vanessa Solís approached King to ask if it was possible for her to earn a full associate degree by graduation. King worked with TCC, determining it was possible, and Solís graduated in 2024 with an Associate of Business Administration through a grant from the American Electric Power Foundation available at that time. Inspired by Solís, another student named Jesus Moreno graduated a year later with not one — but three — associate degrees in Physics, Chemistry and Liberal Arts.

“All this would not have been possible without Mrs. King’s help, Ms. Haag’s help, Mr. Pride’s help — all the teachers who helped me get to the point where I am,” he says. “I’m excited to see how many people are now starting to get their associate’s and to also pursue careers.”

To help support Rogers students in their college endeavors, donations can be made to the Will Rogers High School Community Foundation at willrogersfoundation.net. tp

“The biggest benefit to dual credit in general is that I think a lot of students don’t realize how di erent college is from high school ... However many credits they take with them, they go in with a lot more confidence.”

— JODI KING, ROGERS’ DUAL CREDIT SITE COORDINATOR

BY MADISON WALTERS

This fall, when Stacy Leeds walks across The University of Tulsa campus among the waves of excited freshmen decked out in blue and gold, she won’t just be stepping into the president’s office; the university’s new leader will also be adding a chapter to her family’s history with the institution.

Her brother Scott was the first person in her family to attend college, and he earned his undergraduate degree from TU. Leeds followed in his footsteps, joining the Golden Hurricane community while pursuing her Juris Doctor, studying Native American Law and Energy and Natural Resources Law. As Leeds begins her first year in a position of leadership on campus, her son will also be on campus pursuing his undergraduate studies — further cementing Leeds’ connection with the university.

While her appointment to this role marks a full-circle homecoming, it also marks a historic milestone for the college itself. Leeds is the first permanent female president in The University of Tulsa’s 132-year history, and the second alum to hold the position.

Growing up as a Cherokee citizen in Muskogee, she keenly watched the leadership of former Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller, a trailblazer who helped normalize the concept of seeing women in positions of power. Leeds has always admired Mankiller’s work and her authenticity. “(She) was a model for me (in) that, if you’re going to be in these roles, then the whole point of you being in that role is that you are entirely yourself ... You better be exactly who you are, or you’re not going to be as effective as a leader; don’t model yourself on something that you’re not,” Leeds says.

These thoughts have guided Leeds throughout her life and career, from becoming the first woman on the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court to now the president of her alma mater.

SEEDS OF CHANGE

Prior to coming back to TU, Leeds served as the Willard H. Pedrick Dean and Regents Professor at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. When it came to her career transition, Leeds says she would not have left ASU for any other university.

“I’ve always hoped that there would be an opportunity for me to come back home,” she says.

As Leeds steps into the first year of her presidency, she’s eager to lead the campus into a new era marked by transparency, stability and unification.

It’s safe to say following four previous presidential transitions over the past 10 years, the student body, faculty and staff are ready to welcome these changes. Student Government Association President Bruce Bigler is taking advantage of this period of transition, tilling the fertile soil to plant the seeds of change for TU’s student body.

“(We’re) working with administration to bridge the different corners of campus like Greek life, athletics, religious organizations and other clubs into one greater community united around shared school pride and ambition,” the lifelong Tulsan says. “SGA is also hoping to practically secure more support for campus life and activities that breathe life into the college experience and truly set TU apart ... Students are ready for change, for leadership and for direction.”

As Leeds goes into her first semester, she realizes the importance of being accessible to the student body. In addition to her responsibilities of leading the college, she will also maintain dual faculty appointments in the College of Law and the Kendall College of Arts and Sciences, and she will teach classes beginning this spring.

“I think it’s important for people outside of a university setting to understand that, yes, I am an administrator in this moment, but at my heart and soul I’m an educator,” she says, noting that she’s looking forward to engaging hands-on with students. “It’s going to be good for all of us involved.”

DEEPENING CITY PARTNERSHIPS

Besides fostering a more united campus, one of Leeds’ main goals is to help position TU as an equal collaborator in the broader Tulsa community and in the city’s economic development; she believes a successful university must help move the entire city and region as a whole forward.

“What really drew me to (TU) at this moment is that when you look all across Tulsa, (you) just see this energy and this resurgence ... To have TU step up and lead together with the region and the city, that’s what I think our future (as a university) is,” she says.

Going forward, she wants the university to be a true partner to Tulsa Public Schools, Mayor Monroe Nichols’ office, local businesses and other regional entities that are helping to drive the city into a period of shared cooperation and prosperity. Not only does she believe strengthening partnerships will bolster the city’s forward momentum, but this effort could also directly benefit students.

“I want our students to have even more opportunities to work in the surrounding community via internships or externships,” she says.

THE STATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

A 2024 study from the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education reports a 13% projected drop in U.S. college-age students graduating high school through 2041 due to birth rate declines during the 2008 Great Recession. At the same time, vocational training and trade schools have become an increasingly popular trend among Gen Z students — according to the National Student Clearinghouse, from 2020-2025 there has been a 20% increase in enrollment for these types of institutes. The combination of these and other factors poses a particular challenge for higher education institutions nationwide.

While not every university is struggling financially, Leeds notes that 35-40% of universities are operating at a deficit. The University of Tulsa is among this group.

“I think that higher education as a whole has a significant amount of problems right now, and some of those problems are self-inflicted wounds, where decisions sometimes get made in a vacuum,” Leeds says. “We have to pay attention to our own house and get that clearly in order, while we continue to do the great things that we want to do on the horizon.”

Executive Vice President and Provost Jennifer L. Airey agrees. “We’re all tracking the decline in the population of students who are coming to college, and so we need to make sure incoming students realize that TU is an amazing place; we need to continue to make prospective students recognize there is value in coming to college,” she says.

Leeds explains that part of TU’s plan to recoup its deficit, in addition to improving student population growth, is to focus on finding new revenue streams.

“We have a growing research enterprise where new innovations and ideas come out, and that gets partnered with companies and industry either here or nationally,” Leeds says. “There’s revenues that come to us in a variety of different ways.”

AI ON CAMPUS

Earlier this year, the university received $12.6 million in federal appropriations to help support student research in projects related to AI, cybersecurity and energy systems. As many universities try to determine how artificial intelligence fits into academia, TU is positioning itself at the unique crossroads of high-tech adaptation and the preservation of a more analog learning environment.

“I am very tech forward and pro-technology in the smartest ways we can use it, so I would caution anyone who just says no to AI whatsoever ... I don’t think that it’s setting up our students for future successes if we don’t help prepare them,” Leeds says.

“It’s here to stay, and it’s in everything that we do. So, let’s fully understand it ... Rather than being afraid of it, let’s make sure that there’s some core competency

in what it can do and what it can’t do. What it ethically should and shouldn’t do.”

To support these goals, TU has rolled out its first applied AI major, as well as an AI minor, under the College of Engineering and Computer Science. The Bachelor of Science awarded to the AI major is not a standalone diploma, but rather a paired degree that is available for a variety of engineering, cybersecurity and computer science majors.

Airey describes the idea behind the major as teaching students how AI influences their field. “I think that probably we’re going to start to see AI classes being embedded in most engineering disciplines, because you have to know how to use it,” she says.

Conversely, Airey — who is also a professor for both the Kendall College Department of English and Creative Writing and Honors College — and other TU leaders also see the value in a more analog classroom experience. The Honors College and the Arts and Sciences College will begin rolling out technology-free classes this fall. For these more analog experiences, students will leave their phones in a box at the door, and faculty will use chalkboards or whiteboards.

“One of the things that I have found interesting about the latest generation of students is they come into class, and they’re not chatting with each other beforehand. It’s almost like there’s still this idea that you’re a little box on a Zoom screen,” Airey says. “One of the beautiful things about academia is it’s really the only time in your life when you get to study the thing you love all the time with people who love it too. I want students to have those shared experiences.”

REMAINING TRUE TO TU’S ROOTS

While she keeps AI advancements front-of-mind, Leeds and her administration realize the importance of championing TU’s foundation in the liberal arts — Leeds herself studied history as an undergrad. She believes these human-focused disciplines help ensure that critical thinking, creative expression and a human touch continue to exist in an ever increasingly automated world.

“Our history and our origins come from a place of the humanities. Every student — regardless of what they ultimately do in their career path — they’ll be better in whatever they do, if they’re good communicators and critical thinkers,” Leeds says. “I don’t see a day where the future of TU doesn’t match its past in that core identity.”

Airey is excited to have a president with a strong background in humanities at the helm. “I think President Leeds understands why it matters for students to study the social sciences and humanities. I also think that students are craving engagement with those bodies of knowledge. Even if students want to go into the business world, they still want to take classes in English, anthropology or film studies,” Airey says. “From a career perspective, students who combine training in some kind of professional field with liberal arts training perform better; they tend to get better initial placements, and they tend to have higher salaries throughout their career.”

‘THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT’

A renewed sense of momentum is emerging through campus as students and faculty alike look forward to a transformative new chapter under Leeds.

“I’m happy and excited about the future. I think that Stacy was a really good choice. The future’s bright,” Airey says with a smile.

Bigler has similar feelings of excitement, and hopes university leadership will look at students not as passive observers, but rather leverage their passion and ideas to help TU maximize its potential. “Please take advantage of our passion, our voices and our ideas as we march toward an even brighter future,” he says.

“I think faculty, staff and students on this campus are ready for a new day and to move forward,” Leeds says. “That’s the way I’m approaching everything.” tp

ALL ABOARD

Once a WWII bomber factory, Tulsa’s IC Bus Plant is now the ‘School Bus Capital of the World.’

BY LAUREN ROGERS

As students across the United States and Canada head back to school this fall, if they are in a school bus — there is a 41% chance that the bus was made in Tulsa.

Just southeast of Tulsa International Airport, the Tulsa IC Bus Plant has operated for more than 25 years from a 1 million-square-foot manufacturing floor originally constructed to make bombers during World War II. Last fall, the facility celebrated completing 250,000 buses since starting operations in 2001.

Each day, roughly 1,500 employees at the IC Bus Plant produce around 65 school buses — a combination of diesel, gasoline and electric models. The roughly three-day process begins with coils of metal that go through di erent stampings and presses before they are glued, riveted and welded together to form the floor, side sheets, topping and roof of each bus — which are then combined and sent down a pre-finish line to receive windows, roof hatches and various coats of paint to become the bus’s body.

Simultaneously, the chassis is assembled from a blank set of frame rails, with workers adding axles and propeller shafts as the structure continues down the line before receiving its engine and instrument panel. After proceeding through four quality gates, the chassis is ready to be matched with its corresponding body — which is hoisted from the ceiling of the 56-foot-tall warehouse and dropped onto the awaiting framework.

The bus then makes its way down the complete finish line, where it is fitted with seats, heaters and other interior components while on its way to predelivery inspection. Before leaving the building, each bus drives past a vibrant “We Love Our Kids” banner adorned with tiny handprints made by children of IC Bus employees. Once cleared for departure, buses are typically driven to their next destination. The four electric vehicles completed per day, however, are usually transported via flatbed.

Looking to grow from working at her father’s motorcycle shop, Manufacturing Operations Supervisor Stephanie Ogden started in the pre-paint department in 2008.

“Never in a million years did I think I’d be here 18 years,” she says. “This plant is very good at taking care of our people and building them.”

Now, Ogden oversees plant-wide training initiatives like the “Lego Live” simulation, where employees practice building buses on a micro-scale to mimic floor procedures.

“What our employees do out there on the floor is hard work,” she says. “It’s my job — at least part of my job — to make sure that they are set for success.”

Quentin Hamer, a team leader in the fronts and rears department, got his start at the IC Bus Plant in 2014 as a welder. “I was just starting a family at the time,” he recalls. Now, twelve years later, his son Javon works at the plant, too. “You see a lot of legacy employees,” Hamer says.

While day-to-day operations are physically demanding, Hamer shares there is no shortage of camaraderie. “I have a lot of energy ... (and) I can bring that energy in here and it helps motivate people,” he explains. “I think that’s what I most enjoy — the connections that you can make with the people on the plant.”

International Vehicle Audit Bus Inspector Randy Coleman remembers his first day at the plant: Feb. 19, 2001. While the mission is the same, Coleman says the operation “continues to evolve, and we continue to produce more e ciently.”

Having worked in several positions over 25 years, Coleman takes pride in having a direct impact on product quality through his detailed inspections. “People trust you to build a good, safe school bus,” he says. His son Joshua, a teacher and coach at Mannford High School, has even driven IC-produced buses himself.

“If you want the best bus built,” Coleman says, “you’ve got to come to Tulsa.” tp

One turns dreamers into doers.

non-profit Student-focused

Hands-On Training

At Community HigherEd Institute, you gain real-world, hands-on training that prepares you for your future career. In our residential and hybrid programs across our three campuses - Community Care College, Clary Sage College, and Oklahoma Technical College - you learn in labs and environments that reflect the industries you are entering.

Student Focused Support

Classes are kept small so instructors with years of professional experience can provide you with personal attention and mentorship. The focus is on building practical skills while creating an environment where you feel supported every step of the way.

Built Around Your Success

Because we are a non-profit, every decision is made with your success in mind. That means more resources, stronger support inside and outside the classroom, and career services that continue after graduation to provide guidance and connections.

With year-round enrollment, you can start when you’re ready. We are transforming lives and empowering futures through education designed for lasting success. Because putting you first is not just our priority, it is our promise.

Explore our programs

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*Associate of Occupational Science / AOS Degree is Available

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transforming lives empowering futures

Small classes taught by tenured professors. Undergraduate research projects. Study abroad experiences in 50 countries. NCAA Division I athletics. Greek life opportunities. Six colleges and dozens of degree options. And an unmatched job placement guarantee. All in the city we love.

Holland Hall

Holland Hall celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022, and today its mission remains the same as it was when it began — to provide a school “where each student may receive individual attention, within reach of any citizen of Tulsa.” Holland Hall’s intentionally small-scale approach assures teachers truly know who their students are and where their strengths and passions lie.

“We want our students to find it all at Holland Hall, and we strive to provide a place where every student can excel,” says Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management Justin Butler ‘04. Holland Hall students see an average score of 1330 on the SAT and 26 on the ACT.

Historically, 100% of graduates who apply are accepted to a four-year college and 90% of graduates receive some form of college scholarship.

Holland Hall students have opportunities beyond the classroom. The Upper School offers 56 different art courses, 20 individual and team sports, and more than 20 clubs.

A Holland Hall education may be more affordable than expected. More than 30% of all students receive tuition assistance.

“The best way to learn what makes Holland Hall different is to visit our 167-acre campus and see for yourself,” Butler says.

In addition to private tours, the school offers open houses on “Welcome Wednesdays.”

To learn more, visit hollandhall.org/admission or email admission@hollandhall.org.

AREAS OF ACADEMIC DISTINCTION

Holland Hall is the only Cum Laude School in Tulsa. Colleges see having a Cum Laude Society chapter as a critical mark of academic excellence.

YEAR FOUNDED: 1922

ENROLLMENT: 1,062

STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 9-to-1

GRADES: Early PreK–12th grade

Cascia Hall Preparatory School

Students are prepared for college and for life at Cascia Hall — a Catholic, Augustinian school for students of all faiths in grades six-12. This year, we proudly celebrate a century of academic excellence. We seek to educate the whole person by balancing challenging academics with great opportunities in athletics, the arts and service. With a small student/teacher ratio, students are related to as individuals, resulting in higher motivation and levels of success.

Cascia’s innovative approach to teaching and learning engages and inspires its students to lead meaningful lives. Students are strategically trained in personal growth, leadership, life skills, and health and wellness.

Eight periods a day with opportunities for college credit through Advanced Placement courses provide a pathway for academic excellence for young women and men.

One hundred percent of Cascia Hall students matriculate to college following graduation. On average, seniors are offered more than $8 million in achievement-based scholarships.

AREAS OF ACADEMIC DISTINCTION

As the school celebrates its centennial, Cascia Hall honors 100 years of the Augustinian values — Truth, Unity, and Love — that have shaped the daily lives of our faculty, staff and student body since 1926.

YEAR FOUNDED: 1926

ENROLLMENT: 545

STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 10-to-1

GRADES: Sixth-12th grades

Marquette Catholic School

Marquette Catholic School has been educating the next generation for more than 100 years. Offering preschool (age 3) through grade eight, Marquette is a place and community that first and foremost belongs to Jesus Christ. Students are formed with care, intentionality and excellence, and then sent out into the world to transform it. In the Early Childhood Development Center, 3- and 4-year-olds are immersed in a rich curriculum that prioritizes their physical and emotional needs in classrooms custom-made for their size. In kindergarten through eighth grade, Marquette teachers focus on developing well-rounded, happy and faith-filled students through a wholechild approach. The rigorous academic curriculum upholds the Catholic tradition as faith animates every aspect of the school. The Sacraments, prayer and liturgy are not afterthoughts, but the source and summit of the school’s existence. With an enrollment of approximately 500 (PK-grade eight), students possess great character and virtue and are academically prepared for high school. The best way to experience the Marquette community is to see it for yourself. Schedule a private tour today!

AREAS OF ACADEMIC DISTINCTION

Marquette Catholic School is accredited by the Oklahoma State Department of Education and Oklahoma Private School Accrediting Commission.

YEAR FOUNDED: 1918

ENROLLMENT: Approximately 500

STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 22-to-1

GRADES: Preschool (age 3) - Grade 8

Metro Christian Academy

Discover a unique blend of academic excellence, faith-based values and a thriving community at Metro Christian Academy — an interdenominational Christian school serving students ages 3-12th grade.

At Metro, community is at the core of everything. It’s not just a school; it’s a family. Students, parents, faculty and staff collaborate to create an environment that fosters growth and helps each student realize their full potential.

High school at Metro is more than just classes; it’s a journey of growth and preparation. A Freshman Foundations class lays the groundwork for high school, while a senior Bible seminar equips students for life beyond the classroom. With a range of on-level, honors and advanced placement classes, students can tailor their education to pursue their passions and excel academically. The school also offers concurrent enrollment classes, enabling students to earn college credits and get a head start on their higher education journey.

Beyond academics, Metro Christian Academy boasts competitive varsity sports teams, vibrant fine arts programs, high school robotics, leadership and missions classes. It’s an approach to education that goes beyond textbooks.

To explore admissions or book a tour go to visitmetro.com.

AREAS OF ACADEMIC DISTINCTION

Metro Christian Academy offers a Spanish Immersion learning track students can join in pre-K or kindergarten that continues through middle school. Spanish Immersion students become bilingual by learning core subject content in Spanish including history, language arts, science and math.

YEAR FOUNDED: 1983

ENROLLMENT: 1,186

STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 11-to-1

GRADES: P3-12th grade

INTERESTED IN 2027 - 2028 SCHOOL YEAR?

EARLY CHILDHOOD OPEN HOUSES

TUESDAY SEPT. 15 | DEC. 8

KINDERGARTEN TO 12TH GRADE OPEN HOUSES WEDNESDAY SEPT. 16 | OCT. 7 | NOV. 18

Miss Helen’s Private School

Miss Helen’s Private School remains in the hearts of countless Tulsans. The school was founded in 1954 by “Miss Helen” Wingo, who recognized a gap in education that overlooked children’s academic, social and emotional needs.

Education at Miss Helen’s fosters a lifelong love of learning — prioritizing core subjects, including reading and math, while cultivating generations of poised communicators with strong social skills. Now in its 73rd year, the school continues to challenge the norms of early childhood education with a devotion to excellence.

Miss Helen’s Executive Director, Lynda Wingo, has continued to pursue her mother-in-law’s dream for fifty-three years, investing in an education system where young students are respected, recognized and capable. For over 30 years, Lynda and her daughter, Jayme Wingo-Baker, have been the school’s dynamic duo and driving inspiration. Gary Wingo, Lynda’s husband and the founder’s son, is an invaluable light within the school — offering laughter, compassion and meaningful relationships throughout the school. At Miss Helen’s, family is the strongest pillar, embodied not only by the Wingos but also by its devoted Executive Staff: Rhonda Reidy, Pre-School Director, 46 years; Christi Ray, Kindergarten Director, 30 years; and Pam Elmore, Elementary Lead Teacher, 25 years.

AREAS OF ACADEMIC DISTINCTION

Accredited by Oklahoma State Department of Education. Miss Helen’s Private School family owned and operated.

YEAR FOUNDED: 1954

ENROLLMENT: 140

STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 10-to-1

GRADES: 3 Years to 5th Grade

Monte Cassino

For a century, Monte Cassino School has inspired students to grow intellectually, spiritually and personally. Our rigorous, engaging curriculum develops well-rounded, morally grounded students who are prepared for success in high school and beyond. As an independent Benedictine Catholic school serving PreK3 through eighth grade, Monte Cassino combines a strong foundation in reading, writing, mathematics, and science with exceptional programs in music, art, world languages, STEAM and athletics. With an 8:1 student-teacher ratio and small class sizes, every child receives the individualized attention, encouragement and support needed to thrive. Coming in Fall 2027, Monte Cassino will launch Saint Scholastica Academy, an educational division serving second and third grade students with diagnosed dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. Monte Cassino proudly participates in the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Program and is committed to making an exceptional education accessible through generous tuition assistance. Discover the Monte Cassino difference. Schedule your personal tour today by contacting Brooke Jones at bjones@montecassino.org or 918-746-4238.

AREAS OF ACADEMIC DISTINCTION

81% of our recent 8th graders earned recognition as Distinguished, Rising, or Early Scholars on the 8/9 PreACT exam. Accredited by SAIS, Cognia, OSDE and members of NCEA and SAIS.

YEAR FOUNDED: 1926 ENROLLMENT: 823

STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 8-to-1 GRADES: PreK3–EIGHTH GRADE

2433 W. 61ST ST. • 918-446-3553 • RIVERFIELD.ORG

Riverfield Country Day School

Educating infants through 12th grade, Riverfield’s mission is to ignite adventure, inspire inquiry and build excellence to empower students to change their world.

Since 1984, River field has offered a challenging, personalized curriculum as an integrated process, blending learning across subjects and through studentled projects. At every age, students’ interests and ideas are valued, leading to a high level of engagement and learning.

Riverfield’s unique 120-acre campus cultivates creativity, reflection, inquiry and adventure through hiking trails, creeks and ponds, a variety of gardens and a barnyard full of animals.

All Riverfield students benefit from the collaborative spaces of our Center for Creativity, including a black box theater, recording and film studios, and an open-air art studio and makerspace. Our athletics facilities support Ravens basketball, tennis, cross country and soccer teams in addition to many competitive programs where students thrive, including Speech and Debate, Academic Bowl and eSports.

Riverfield Country Day School is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS).

Schedule your tour today with Admissions Director Kacey Davenport by calling 918-446-3553.

AREAS OF ACADEMIC DISTINCTION

Riverfield students of all ages achieve academic excellence in and outside of the classroom, utilizing carefully curated, state-of-the-art creative spaces and athletic facilities, and 120 acres of hiking trails, ponds, creeks and gardens to learn and explore.

YEAR FOUNDED: 1984

ENROLLMENT: 625

STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 4-1 TO 15-1 (based on age/grade level)

GRADES: Infants-12th grade

1701

Rogers State University

Rogers State University boasts one of the region’s lowest stu-dent debt loads for graduates. This is driven by RSU’s affordable tuition, along with the scholarships and financial aid available to deserving students.RSU offers in-demand degree programs (nursing, chemical engineering, unmanned aircraft systems, cybersecurity) along with unmatched facilities, including world-class student housing, on-campus nature reserve, behavioral sciences lab and more. Programs in medicine are among the state’s leaders, and RSU nursing graduates are always in high demand.

RSU offers small class sizes with a student-faculty ratio of 16-to-1, allowing students to personally know their faculty. According to RSU’s Class of 2020 graduates, 94% reported they were satisfied to very satisfied with their overall RSU experience. RSU is the Tulsa metro area’s only public university with on-campus housing, allowing students to fully participate in the traditional college experience. Campus residents enjoy a variety of amenities including a swimming pool, sand volleyball court, outdoor gathering spaces with a fire pit, movie rooms, themed housing areas and nearby hiking/walking trails. RSU has more than 40 student organizations that promote involvement and leadership, along with 12 NCAA Division II sports. The RSU women’s softball team won the 2022 NCAA Division II national championship. RSU offers bachelor’s and associate degrees entirely online, along with online master’s degrees, all for an affordable value.

AREAS OF ACADEMIC DISTINCTION

Nursing, Business, Chemical Engineering, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence.

YEAR FOUNDED: 1909

UNDERGRADUATE ENROLLMENT: 3,409

STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 16-TO-1

ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS: 6

BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMS: 22

ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS: 12

the HILLCAT NATION

is the Tulsa area’s only residential public university.

O ering a worldclass collegiate experience at a ordable prices, RSU is the place to earn your degree, graduate with little or no student debt, know your professors personally, and start your career prepared to succeed and advance.

✓ Programs in today’s top fields, on campus and online.

✓ Additional scholarship support for freshmen and transfers.

✓ Ranked among the top 25 colleges in the west by U.S. News and World Report.

918-343-7546

admissions@rsu.edu www.rsu.edu

University School

Located on The University of Tulsa campus, University School offers a distinctive educational experience rooted in connection, curiosity and academic excellence. The school’s partnership with a world-class research institution opens doors for inquiry, discovery and meaningful engagement — creating opportunities that set its program apart.

At University School, students are known, supported and inspired to reach their full potential. The school’s approach balances challenge and nurture, creating an environment where children feel confident to venture outside their comfort zone, ask bold questions and explore big ideas. Through a dynamic, advanced curriculum, students engage profoundly with their education and develop skills needed to think critically, collaborate effectively and solve problems creatively.

The University School community reflects a shared commitment to lifelong learning, personal growth and a belief that the diversity within our halls deepens understanding and broadens perspectives. Relationships are at the heart of everything, and the school values strong partnerships with families from the very beginning, working together to facilitate each child’s unique journey.

AREAS OF ACADEMIC DISTINCTION

University School has been a pioneer in educating bright young minds since its inception in 1982, and strives every day to embody and honor the spirit of its founding. If there is one tradition at University School, it is innovation.

YEAR FOUNDED: 1982

ENROLLMENT: 231

STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 7-to-1 GRADES: AGE 3-EIGHTH GRADE

Why University School?

WORTH the DRIVE

Mark your calendar for these road trip-worthy events.

BY FAITH HARL

If you’re in need of a change of scenery, nothing beats the magic of a road trip. Being centrally located within the U.S., Tulsa is driving distance from several exciting destinations — many of which will kick o a lineup of festivals and family-friendly activities this fall. Loved by their communities, these long-standing traditions are sure to provide days of entertainment, making them well worth the drive.

LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO HARVEST WINE FESTIVAL

SEPT. 5-7

Situated just under 50 miles north of the Mexico border, Las Cruces teems with 4,000 years of Native American, Spanish and Mexican culture. By car, it’s around a 12-hour drive from Tulsa depending on your route.

To break up the long-haul, which largely follows Route 66, you can crash overnight at the Big Texan Motel in Amarillo, Texas. e motel is next to the Big Texan Steak Ranch, where diners can attempt its legendary 72-ounce steak challenge.

Because of its high-desert climate and year-round sunshine, Las Cruces is one of the oldest wine-making regions in the country. In honor of its grape-growing traditions, the city puts on the Harvest Wine Festival every Labor Day weekend, bringing together some of the region’s best wineries, artisans, live music and food trucks this year from Sept. 5-7.

For a truly upscale experience, book a table at D.H. Lescombes, a premier winery and bistro owned by a sixth-generation family of French winemakers. Lescombes also o ers VIP tours of its lush, 240-acre vineyard during the harvest season, which runs August through September.

Las Cruces is also renowned for its Farmers and Craft Market. Held every Wednesday and Saturday in the downtown area, the award-winning market features arts and crafts, fresh produce and

more, with Saturdays typically drawing over 200 vendors to seven blocks of the city’s Main Street.

You’ll also want to taste the region’s famous Hatch chile. Serving traditional southwestern food, Andele Restaurant is known for its posole, huevos rancheros and homemade salsa and tostada chips. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, venture to Caliche’s Frozen Custard for a New Mexican sundae, which comes topped with green chile sauce and salty pecans.

When you’re ready to hibernate, head to Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces, which o ers daily complimentary yoga classes, a swanky outdoor pool and a full-service spa onsite.

MANITOU SPRINGS, COLORADO HERITAGE BREWFEST

SEPT. 26

Known as the gateway to Pikes Peak, Manitou Springs is a roughly 10-hour trip from Tulsa by car. It’s de nitely worth the

drive time, and you can plan a few fun pit stops on the way there. Just o Interstate 135 in Salina, Kansas, the Cozy Inn is a great place to stretch your legs and grab a quick bite. Founded in 1922, the historic diner features a retro six-stool countertop and serves up its classic “cozy” burger for $1.79 a pop.

With plenty of scenic vistas and parks to explore, Manitou Springs and nearby Colorado Springs make a wonderful choice for a weekend getaway. But beer fans, mark your calendars for Sept. 26, when Manitou Springs’ Memorial Park transforms into a massive biergarten for the yearly Heritage Brewfest.

Returning for an 11th year, the event includes unlimited craft beer tastings, live music and food trucks, with proceeds bene ting the Manitou Springs Heritage Museum. You can visit the museum to learn more about the region through exhibits that focus on the history of Pikes Peak, railroad

CREEK CRAWL

Come crawl the creek with us! Our new Creek Crawl guided tour allows guests to experience Dogwood Canyon like never before. Explore an Ozarks stream using underwater viewers and snorkels to observe diverse wildlife and aquatic habitats, all while learning about conservation initiatives!

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park is proudly part of the Johnny Morris Conservation Foundation.

transport and the city’s eight natural mineral springs.

No trip to Manitou Springs is complete without a dose of outdoor adventure. e city is located at the base of Pikes Peak, which is known as a “fourteener” for its elevation of 14,115 feet. Voyage to the summit on a 19-mile scenic route or, for even more thrills, book a zipline tour of the mountain with Adventures Out West.

At the foot of Pikes Peak is e Cli House, a Victorian-era hotel replete with spectacular views, ne dining and a wine cellar. Guests can lodge in one of the hotel’s 54 rooms, including the Bu alo Bill Suite, which resembles the inside of a teepee.

Renowned for its distinct, towering geological formations, Garden of the Gods is another one of Colorado’s natural wonders. Located ve minutes from Manitou Springs, the park can be explored by car, bike or on foot. Visitors can also soak in the views while enjoying breakfast and lunch at the Gateway Cafe. Or, take a picnic lunch into the park with goodies from Wimberger’s Old World Bakery and Delicatessen.

Before heading home, pay a visit to the Manitou Cli Dwellings. Once slated for demolition, these historic dwellings have been preserved for visitors to learn more about the architecture and culture of ancestral Puebloans.

HEAVENER, OKLAHOMA

THE VIKING FESTIVAL

OCT. 24-26

Only a two-hour drive from Tulsa, Heavener is a small town packed full of intrigue. During the fall, the city bursts to life with vibrant foliage and its annual Viking Festival. e event, which runs Oct. 24-26, pays homage to the Heavener Runestone — a large sandstone slab bearing mysterious runic inscriptions that are believed to have originated from the Vikings.

Family-friendly entertainment abounds during this unique tradition, which takes place over the Heavener Runestone Park every year. Visitors can participate in a war cry competition, spear and shield-making demonstrations, ax throwing and other themed festivities. e event also includes guided tours to the runestone, with tickets starting at $10.

For nearby lodging, check out Hodler Inn. e no-frills motel has made its name as Oklahoma’s only crypto stay by accepting Bitcoin as a form of payment. But if you’re looking for a more unplugged experience, head 14 miles south of Heavener to the Blackfork Cabins.

Nestled along the banks of the Blackfork River, these secluded cabins are the ideal getaway for shing and watersports. ey’re also located near the Ouachita National

Forest, a 1.8 million-acre preserve that encompasses an ancient mountain range.

You can spend a day exploring the forest, which has 700 miles of walking trails, vistas, lakes and crystal-clear streams.

Castle Rock Vista, located right o the Talimena Scenic Byway, o ers panoramic views of the rugged landscape.

With so much outdoor recreation, you’ll need to fuel up on some grub. Operating out of an original 1905 railroad car, the Southern Belle Restaurant is a favorite among locals, serving up classic southern fare including country-fried steak and homemade hushpuppies.

BENTONVILLE, ARKANSAS THE MOMENTOUS MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL

NOV. 6-7

Just two hours away by car, Bentonville is far enough from Tulsa for a change in scenery without requiring days of travel preparation. Known as the birthplace of Walmart, the fast-growing city is chock full of history, leisure and outdoor recreation.

Crystal Bridges Museum is one of Bentonville’s main attractions, showcasing an expansive collection comprising ve centuries of American art. Best of all, admission to the permanent collection is free.

e museum is also home to several installations and traveling exhibitions, including one of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s in nity mirrored rooms and a full-scale home designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright

In 2020, the museum opened a concert venue, e Momentary, which serves as a multidisciplinary space for community gatherings and live performances. From Nov. 6-7, e Momentary becomes the site of the Momentous Music and Arts Festival, featuring performances from electronic duo So Tukker, rapper Channel Tres and other up-and-coming acts.

If you’re looking for a unique place to stay, book a room at the 21C Museum Hotel. Located in the heart of Bentonville, the hotel doubles as an art museum, presenting specially curated exhibitions by contemporary artists.

21C Museum Hotel also houses e Hive, a ne-dining restaurant that elevates country cooking with seasonal ingredients sourced from local farmers. Led by Executive Chef Micah Klasky, the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with happy hour running Monday through ursday from 4-6 p.m. tp

performing arts guide Coming soon to stages

FROM SCHUBERT TO ‘SPAMALOT,’

TULSA’S 2026 – 2027 THEATER CALENDAR

OFFERS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

COMPILED BY

MICHAEL SEARLES

EVERY SATURDAY

THE DRUNKARD

America’s longest-running play continues with weekly performances filled with laughter, drama and audience participation.

Tulsa Spotlight Theater tulsaspotlighttheater.com

THROUGH NOVEMBER

VELVET NIGHTS SERIES

On the fourth weekend of every month, renowned jazz artists perform in this intimate, speakeasy setting. LowDown • lowdowntulsa.com

THROUGH AUG. 16

RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S OKLAHOMA!

This enthralling love story returns as a Tulsa PAC production. Tulsa PAC • TPAC Produces tulsapac.com

AUG. 1

SLEEPING BEAUTY

Youth ballet performers bring this iconic fairytale to life.

Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center

South Tulsa Children’s Ballet & Theatre southtulsachildrensballet.org

AUG. 1-2; 7-9

IT HAPPENED ON ROUTE 66

In this Route 66 tribute, a young waitress’s life is forever changed when a glamorous runaway bride seeks refuge in her 1950s Arizona diner.

Tulsa Spotlight Children’s Theatre tulsaspotlighttheater.com

AUG. 4

SUMMER SERENADE

The cast of “Oklahoma!” presents a new perspective of musical classics through role-reversals and reimagining. Tulsa PAC • TPAC Produces tulsapac.com/tpac-produces

AUG. 11

THE DUST BOWL RADIO HOUR

Experience a stage reading of the original bluegrass musical, created by OU alumni.

Tulsa PAC • tulsapac.com

AUG. 14-23

DIARY OF ANNE FRANK

Wendy Kessleman adapts the emotional history of a young girl facing increasing horror of Nazi-occupied Amsterdam.

Theatre Tulsa Studios • Theatre Tulsa theatretulsa.org

AUG. 15

SEUSSICAL JR.

Beloved characters from across Dr. Seuss’ colorful world unite in song, imagination and adventure.

Kirkland Theatre South Tulsa Children’s Ballet & Theatre southtulsachildrensballet.org

AUG. 21-30

SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL

Told through a wedding-day flashback, a Kansas farmer and a visitor from Maine learn, stumble and grow in this touching story about the search for love. Broken Arrow Community Playhouse bacptheatre.com

AUG. 29

BLONDE: A LIVE REIMAGINING OF FRANK OCEAN’S 2016 CLASSIC

Nearly a dozen Tulsa musicians collaborate to bring to life this emotional reimagining for two shows.

LowDown • lowdowntulsa.com

SEPT. 4

SYMPHONY IN THE PARK

A free public concert full of summer vibes to kick off Tulsa Symphony Orchestra’s 2026-2027 season. Guthrie Green Tulsa Symphony Orchestra tulsasymphony.org

SEPT. 10-13

AHEAD OF THEIR TIME

This original play depicts the true struggles of women across four generations — from 1893 to 2002. Tulsa PAC • tulsapac.com/events

GREASE

Rock along with classic hits like “Summer Nights” and “We Go Together” in this timeless tale from the class of ’59.

Tulsa PAC • Theatre Tulsa theatretulsa.org

SEPT. 11

AARON SPIERS JAZZ ORCHESTRA

A bold voice in large-ensemble contemporary jazz debuts with new, dynamic arrangements and creative rhythms for an 18-piece band.

LowDown • lowdowntulsa.com

SEPT. 11-13; 17-20

CREATIONS IN STUDIO K

Three legendary choreographers produce new commissioned works to highlight the voices of tomorrow.

Tulsa Ballet Theater, Studio K Tulsa Ballet • tulsaballet.org

SEPT. 15-20

SPAMALOT

This musical comedy won three Tony awards when it debuted in 2005, inspired by — and riffing on — the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Tulsa PAC • Celebrity Attractions celebrityattractions.com

SEPT. 18-27

ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST

An adaptation of the celebrated Ken Kesey novel by Dale Wasserman Tulsa PAC • World Stage Theatre Co. okworldstage.org

SEPT. 19

NEW WORLD, NEW VOICES

Saxophonist Lance Bryant headlines a program that includes Dvorak’s “New World Symphony” and Duke Ellington’s “Three Black Kings.” VanTrease PACE

Signature Symphony at TCC signaturesymphony.org

LOVE ON HOLD: THE TELEPHONE AND AT THE STATUE OF VENUS

This double bill combines two modern stories in one night of love, music and performance.

Laven Sowell Opera Center Tulsa Opera • tulsaopera.com

SCHUBERT & BRAHMS

Soprano and piano star on the opening night of the 101 Unplugged Chamber Music Series.

101 Archer • Tulsa Symphony Orchestra tulsasymphony.org

HEADLINERS

The Second City: Laughing for All the Wrong Reasons

September 25, 2026

8:00 p.m.

John H. Williams Theatre

John Lloyd Young’s

Broadway

February 13, 2027

8:00 p.m.

John H. Williams Theatre

Ann Hampton Callaway Sings the 70s

October 3, 2026

8:00 p.m.

John H. Williams Theatre

FRANKENSTEIN: A Living Comic Book

October 22, 2026

9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

John H. Williams Theatre

Recommended for ages 8+

AILEY II — The Next Generation of Dance

February 15, 2027

7:00 p.m.

John H. Williams Theatre

The Musicians of Bremen, LIVE!

March 10, 2027

9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

John H. Williams Theatre

Recommended for ages 5+

SEPT. 19-20

AKROPOLIS REED QUINTET

Featuring the world premiere of a new work by Jennifer Higdon Tulsa PAC • Chamber Music Tulsa chambermusictulsa.org

SEPT. 25

ADM. JAMES STAVRIDIS: 21ST CENTURY GLOBAL RISK & OPPORTUNITY

4-Star Naval Officer and Former Commander for NATO shares his expertise on cybersecurity and international relations. Tulsa PAC • Tulsa Town Hall tulsatownhall.com

THE SECOND CITY: LAUGHING FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS

A celebration of Second City’s comedy archive with sketches, songs and improvisation. Tulsa PAC • tulsapac.com

SEPT. 26

OPENING NIGHT — BEETHOVEN’S FOURTH

Principal Conductor James Bagwell directs the first night of the Patti Johnson Wilson Classics Series. Tulsa PAC Tulsa Symphony Orchestra tulsasymphony.org

OCT. 2-3

THE UGLY DUCKLING

A modern reimagining of the classic story, choreographed by Natasha Adorlee Tulsa Ballet Theater, Studio K Tulsa Ballet • tulsaballet.org

OCT. 3

performing arts guide

DEBUSSY & BORODIN

Session II of 101 Unplugged features colorful interplay between harp, flute, viola and a string quartet. 101 Archer

Tulsa Symphony Orchestra tulsasymphony.org

EMMALINE

Rising jazz singer-songwriter Emmaline has opened for Grammy award-winning artists and sold-out venues across the country. LowDown • lowdowntulsa.com

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW SPOOKTACULAR WITH PATRICIA QUINN

Join the original Magenta from the film for a screening and shadow cast performance just in time for Halloween. Tulsa PAC • Celebrity Attractions tulsapac.com

OCT. 4

ISRAELI CHAMBER PROJECT

Their program “American Immigrants” reflects America’s westward journey in recognition of the Route 66 centennial.

Tulsa PAC • Chamber Music Tulsa chambermusictulsa.org

OCT. 8-25

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES

Dreams take root in this charming, coming-of-age classic.

Tulsa PAC • Pembroke Players pembrokeplayers.com

OCT. 9-11

THE WOMAN IN BLACK A lawyer hires an actor to help reenact a haunting funeral experience.

Theatre Tulsa Studios

Theatre Tulsa • theatretulsa.org

OCT. 11

JIM HENSON’S LABYRINTH: IN CONCERT 40TH ANNIVERSARY

Experience the iconic fantasy film accompanied by a live band performing the soundtrack by David Bowie and Trevor Jones Tulsa Theater • tulsatheater.com

OCT. 16

DR. LAURIE SANTOS: WORKING YOUR WAY TO HAPPINESS

This professor of psychology teaches Yale University’s most popular course in over 300 years. Tulsa PAC • Tulsa Town Hall tulsatownhall.com

INVOKE

With a packed program lineup, this quartet combines bluegrass, jazz and minimalism in their original compositions.

Renaissance Square Event Center Chamber Music Tulsa chambermusictulsa.org

OCT. 17

VERDI REQUIEM

Tulsa Chorale and the Bartlesville Community Choir join an all-star lineup of musicians to perform this six-part masterpiece.

Tulsa PAC

Tulsa Symphony Orchestra tulsasymphony.org

OCT. 18

PETER CASE

Triple Grammy-nominated singersongwriter Peter Case brings his rock ‘n’ roll blues music to Tulsa. LowDown • lowdowntulsa.com

OCT. 22-25

SWAN LAKE

Tulsa Ballet will perform this classic with a live accompaniment by the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra.

Tulsa Ballet • Tulsa PAC tulsaballet.org

OCT. 23-NOV. 1

THE ADDAMS FAMILY - MUSICAL

When Wednesday Addams confides in her father about her new boyfriend, a family dinner becomes a buffet of secrecy and wackiness.

Broken Arrow Community Playhouse • bacptheatre.com

OCT. 24-25

KEYS TO MY HEART

A faith-based love story following a young couple challenged by secrets and forced to make a choice.

Tulsa PAC • Films From Within keystomyheartlive.com

OCT. 30-NOV. 8

HAMLET

Tulsa Shakespeare Company will present Shakespeare’s classic tale of murder, betrayal and madness.

Tulsa Shakespeare Company

Lynn Riggs Theatre at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center tulsashakespeare.com

NOV. 3

STRAIGHT NO CHASER

Holiday spirit flows through the air and through this nine-man a cappella act.

Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center brokenarrowpac.com

NOV. 5-8

COME FROM AWAY

Based on a true story with original music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein

Tulsa PAC • Theatre Tulsa theatretulsa.org

NOV. 6

LYNSEY ADDARIO: LOVE+WAR: STORIES OF TRAGEDY & RESILIENCE FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Two-time Emmy nominee and Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist discusses her coverage of global conflicts. Tulsa PAC • Tulsa Town Hall tulsatownhall.com

NOV. 7

CELEBRATING ROUTE 66

Inspired by America’s heartland, four pieces weave together folk themes and nostalgia to celebrate Route 66’s 100th anniversary in this orchestral performance.

Tulsa PAC

Tulsa Symphony Orchestra tulsasymphony.org

NOV. 13-22

OUT OF MIND

A one-act musical with guest performers from New Zealand. TBA • World Stage Theatre Co. okworldstage.org

NOV. 13

MUSICAL LABORATORY

Theatre Tulsa Academy’s young imaginations created the story, music and technical production for an original musical.

Theatre Tulsa Studios

Theatre Tulsa • theatretulsa.org

NOV. 18-29

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

A disfigured musical genius falls for a talented young soprano in this story of jealousy, love and madness.

Tulsa PAC • Celebrity Attractions celebrityattractions.com

NOV. 20

MASTERCLASS TEEN CABARET

Theatre Tulsa students present a feature cabaret performance after a masterclass series with veteran performers.

Theatre Tulsa Studios

Theatre Tulsa • theatretulsa.org

NOV. 21

VIANO QUARTET

This internationally recognized string quartet continues Tulsa PAC and Chamber Music Tulsa’s Saturday Salon concerts.

Tulsa PAC • Chamber Music Tulsa chambermusictulsa.org

NOV. 21-22

LITTLE WOMEN

Mark Adamo transforms Louisa May Alcott’s iconic, heartwarming novel into a lyrical adventure of four sisters during the Civil War.

Tulsa PAC • Tulsa Opera tulsaopera.com

DEC. TBA

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

The 50th anniversary of this holiday tradition, adapted by Tulsa’s own Bob Odle

Tulsa PAC

American Theatre Company americantheatrecompany.org

DEC. 5-20

THE NUTCRACKER

Holiday magic fills the air courtesy of Tulsa Ballet in this timeless family-friendly spectacle. Tulsa PAC • Tulsa Ballet tulsaballet.org

DEC. 8

GRADY NICHOLS CHRISTMAS SHOW

The legendary saxophonist is joined by Andy Chrisman and Alaska Rayne Holloway for this festive concert.

Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center • brokenarrowpac.com

DEC. 9-12

RADIUM GIRLS

Set in 1926 and based on true events that redefined U.S. labor law.

101 Archer • Riffraff Tulsa riffrafftulsa.org

DEC. 11-12

CHRISTMAS IN TULSA

Joined by Tulsa Opera Signature Chorale, Tulsa Youth Opera and 2026 Tulsa

Sings! winner Natalie Grace Taylor VanTrease PACE

Signature Symphony at TCC signaturesymphony.org

DEC. 11-20

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER

Full of hilarity and holiday spirit, this story of a mother’s challenge to put on the annual Christmas pageant is perfect for the whole family.

Broken Arrow Community Playhouse bacptheatre.com

JAN. 8-24

LES MISÉRABLES

A musical set in 19th century France that spins a tale of broken dreams, unrequited love and the pursuit of redemption, with timeless music from Claude-Michel Schönberg

Tulsa PAC • Theatre Tulsa theatretulsa.org

JAN. 14

TAKÁCS QUARTET

Performing three famous Beethoven pieces is this internationally recognized quartet that won a 2021 Presto Music Recording of the Year Award. Tulsa PAC • Chamber Music Tulsa chambermusictulsa.org

JAN. 15-24

EVERY BRILLIANT THING

An experimental, interactive solo show by Duncan MacMillan with Jonny Donahue

TBA • World Stage Theatre Co. okworldstage.org

JAN. 16

SIBELIUS’ ‘FINLANDIA’

The night opens with “William Tell Overture” and Scottish rhythms and concludes with a bold, triumphant symphony performance.

Tulsa PAC

Tulsa Symphony Orchestra tulsasymphony.org

JAN. 22

MARVELOUS MOTETS

An curated collection of timeless motets performed in a historic venue. Holy Family Cathedral Tulsa Chorale tulsachorale.org

JAN. 23

OPERA IN THE KEY OF JAZZ

Enjoy an evening of genre bending featuring the Filstrup Resident Artists. Dennis R. Neill Equality Center Tulsa Opera • tulsaopera.com

JAN. 24

SYMPHONY SESSION II: THE SEASONS REIMAGINED Violinist Rossitza Goza guides this orchestral journey through dramatic musical contrasts.

Lorton Performance Center

Tulsa Symphony Orchestra tulsasymphony.org

JAN. 30

BRUCKNER AND VIDEO GAME SOUNDSCAPES

Iconic video game themes (Super Mario, Stardew Valley) meet classic symphonies in this ultimate mashup that includes a pre-concert talk, “Breaking Down Bruckner.”

VanTrease PACE

Signature Symphony signaturesymphony.org

FEB. 5-7

BRENTANO QUARTET

To honor the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death, this string quartet performs six exciting pieces across three concerts in two locations.

Renaissance Square Event Center; Tulsa PAC • Chamber Music Tulsa chambermusictulsa.org

FEB. 5-14

STEEL MAGNOLIAS

In Chinquapin, Louisiana, the regulars of a beauty salon search for strength together in the wake of tragedy.

Theatre Tulsa Studios Theatre Tulsa • theatretulsa.org

FEB. 12

KEN JENNINGS: SECRETS OF JEOPARDY! - BACKSTAGE AT AMERICA’S FAVORITE QUIZ SHOW

Former “Jeopardy!” contestant and current host goes behind-the-scenes of the iconic quiz show.

Tulsa PAC • Tulsa Town Hall tulsatownhall.com

FEB. 13

CELEBRATING AMERICA’S COMPOSERS

This night of melodies features everything from triumphant fanfares to rhythmic jazz

Tulsa PAC

Tulsa Symphony Orchestra tulsasymphony.org

FEB. 16

LEGALLY BLONDE - NATIONAL TOUR Elle Woods tackles stereotypes, scandal and more in pursuit of her law school dreams.

Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center • brokenarrowpac.com

FEB. 18-21

CINDERELLA

From storybook to stage, Tulsa Ballet performs with new sets and costumes from renowned designer Jerome Kaplan Tulsa PAC • Tulsa Ballet tulsaballet.org

FEB. 27

LESLIE ODOM, JR. WITH THE TULSA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Tony and Grammy-winning artist Leslie Odom, Jr. joins Tulsa Symphony Orchestra for a night featuring selections from “Hamilton,” “American Songbook” and other musical theater classics.

Tulsa PAC Tulsa Symphony Orchestra tulsasymphony.org

FEB. 28

RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE:

WERQ THE WORLD NEWS

This high-camp news show offers the biggest headlines in weather, entertainment, sports and more, delivered with drag and spectacle (ages 18+). Tulsa Theater • tulsatheater.com

MARCH 2-7

SHUCKED

A corn-bred, Tony-winning American musical comedy about the battle to save a small town.

Tulsa PAC • Celebrity Attractions celebrityattractions.com

MARCH 6

CARMINA BURANA

Carl Orff sourced from medieval songs and poems for his 1936 opus. Now, it unites the Tulsa Opera, Signature Chorale, OSU Choirs, TCC Concert Choir, Tulsa Youth Opera and more.

VanTrease PACE

Signature Symphony at TCC signaturesymphony.org

MARCH 6-7

SITKOVETSKY TRIO

Continuing the Beethoven Spring are some iconic piano trios by the legendary composer, as well as Robert Schumann and Cecile Chaminade

Tulsa PAC • Chamber Music Tulsa chambermusictulsa.org

MARCH 12

PATRICK MCGEE: THE ASCENT OF APPLE — A REVISIONIST HISTORY

A journalist who has covered Apple, Silicon Valley giants and global financial markets.

Tulsa PAC • Tulsa Town Hall tulsatownhall.com

MARCH 12-21

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG

Beginning in 1977 and ending in 1957, this reverse-chronology play shows the devolving relationship between three friends.

Theatre Tulsa Studios Theatre Tulsa • theatretulsa.org

APRIL 1-4

ROMEO & JULIET

Shakespeare’s famous play is reimagined through choreography by Edward Liang, with accompaniment from Tulsa Symphony Orchestra. Tulsa PAC • Tulsa Ballet tulsaballet.org

APRIL 2-11

CHARLOTTE’S WEB

The classic children’s book, adapted by Joseph Robinette, comes to life on the Broken Arrow stage. Broken Arrow Community Playhouse bacptheatre.com

APRIL 6-11

DEATH BECOMES HER

A laugh-out-loud musical phenomenon based on the 1992 classic film. Tulsa PAC • Celebrity Attractions celebrityattractions.com

APRIL 9-18

1984

George Orwell’s timeless dystopian warning is adapted for the stage by William Hern

TBA • World Stage Theatre Co. okworldstage.org

APRIL 10

BEETHOVEN & PROKOFIEV

Lively and expressive are the themes of this concert, which includes a complimentary drink and hors d’oeuvres. 101 Archer Tulsa Symphony Orchestra tulsasymphony.org

APRIL 15-18

GUYS AND DOLLS

This romantic musical comedy brings you inside the high-stakes world of gamblers, showgirls and big city life. Tulsa PAC • Theatre Tulsa theatretulsa.org

APRIL 17

DVORÁK’S EIGHTH

Guest conductor Shira SamuelsShragg leads a dynamic program that highlights Tulsa trombonist Andrew Carrillo

Tulsa PAC

Tulsa Symphony Orchestra tulsasymphony.org

APRIL 23-25

POIESIS QUARTET

Before making their Tulsa debut, they won First Prize at the 2025 Banff International String Quartet Competition.

Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, Tulsa PAC • Chamber Music Tulsa chambermusictulsa.org

APRIL 24

TULSA SINGS! — TOTALLY ’80S

Local amateur vocalists compete in a nostalgia showcase for juried and audience awards.

VanTrease PACE Signature Symphony at TCC signaturesymphony.org

MAY TBA MACHINAL

An ordinary woman is pushed to the breaking point — inspired by a 1928 true crime story.

Riffraff Tulsa • riffrafftulsa.org

MAY 1

BACH AND POULENC

Concluding Season XXI’s 101 Unplugged series is three small-chamber concert groups. 101 Archer Tulsa Symphony Orchestra tulsasymphony.org

MAY 6-9

CARMEN

This dark tale of passion, power and the spiraling pull of desire is helmed by Northern Ballet’s Resident Choreographer Kenneth Tindall from Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. Lorton Performance Center

Tulsa Ballet • tulsaballet.org

MAY 7, 9

COSÌ FAN TUTTE

A friendly bet becomes a comedy of errors in this witty tale that includes music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Tulsa PAC • Tulsa Opera tulsaopera.com

MAY 7-9

BEETLEJUICE JR.

A fresh adaptation of the iconic motion picture with music and lyrics by Eddie Perfect

Tulsa PAC • Theatre Tulsa theatretulsa.org

MAY 12

VOICES OF TOMORROW

Tulsa Youth Opera shines in an imaginative, whimsical mixture of musical and opera favorites.

Tulsa PAC • Tulsa Opera tulsaopera.com

MAY 15

SEASON FINALE —

SHOSTAKOVICH’S TENTH

The monumental conclusion to Season XXI for the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra.

Tulsa PAC

Tulsa Symphony Orchestra tulsasymphony.org

MAY 22

MENDELSSOHN’S ELIJAH

Tulsa Chorale concludes their season with a powerful oratorio, drawn from biblical texts.

TBA • Tulsa Chorale tulsachorale.org

JUNE 4-13

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

Harper Lee’s bestselling novel is adapted by Christopher Sergel and directed by Mollie McBride Rogers Broken Arrow Community Playhouse bacptheatre.com

JUNE 5

THE IMPRESARIO

Mozart’s lived-experience comedy sees dueling stars fight for the title of Prima Donna.

Laven Sowell Opera Center Tulsa Opera • tulsaopera.com

JULY 6-11

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD

This time-traveling adventure won six Tony Awards.

Tulsa PAC • Celebrity Attractions celebrityattractions.com

AUG. 3-8

HELL’S KITCHEN

Broadway’s Grammy-winning hit based on the iconic Alicia Keys and her music provides an energizing musical experience.

Tulsa PAC • Celebrity Attractions celebrityattractions.com tp

Lifestyle

HOME HEALTH TRENDS

THAT’S THE SPIRIT

Support your favorite school in style with customized gear from Cappy Hour, led by Tulsa moms Kelly Weber and Kristen O’Connor What started out as a focus on custom hats quickly expanded to o er a curated collection of campus musthaves, gameday essentials and other giftable pieces.

COMFORT COUTURE

Creating one-of-a-kind garments from damaged quilts, textile designer and artist Christina Danaee builds on the artistry of others to highlight the craft of handmade ber arts, while also encouraging more conversation around sustainable clothing choices.

“I’ve always been interested in fashion, textiles and sustainability, so when I came across my rst damaged quilt in Tulsa it just felt like something I wanted to try, to see if I could do it,” Danaee says.

“My mother and grandmother both had a hand in teaching me how to sew, knit and crochet starting at a very young age ... My grandmother knit sweaters and blankets for everyone in our family and was also a pro cient quilter,” she says.

Danaee went on to build a successful career in knitwear design, creating more than 75 original patterns since 2011. She is also the author of “Modern Heritage Knits,” a collection of 15 original patterns inspired by the American yarn industry and its cultural signi cance.

“I started to hear stories about folks breeding heritage animals (breeds of sheep, goat, alpaca or other ber-producing animals that may be less popular because of their rarity, or the di culty raising the animal incurs), revitalizing historic mills and dye houses, and doing their best to keep this legacy craft and knowledge alive,” she says.

After moving to Tulsa in 2023 and taking a break from knitwear design, Danaee found a new source of inspiration in upcycling damaged quilts into wearable pieces. One turned into two and friends began requesting more. “ e best part was trying to nd a quilt that matched their style and personality,” she says.

Sourcing her quilts from places like thrift stores, estate sales and antique shops, Danaee carefully preserves their history while giving them new life. Before repurposing a quilt, she thoughtfully assesses its condition, selecting only those that can no longer ful ll their original function. In doing so, she honors each quilt’s legacy while extending its story in a new form.

For Danaee, each quilt isn’t merely a functional object but rather a representation of the lives and communities that made them.

“I think the craft continues to be very under-appreciated,” she says. “Since quilting has mainly been a craft that women engage in, it can be undervalued and seen as less important than other art. But each quilt, its colors, pattern and materials tell a story from a speci c time and place. No two are alike!”

Ultimately, Danaee hopes every piece she creates carries forward the love stitched into it.

“I always say wearing one of my coats is like getting a hug from me and everyone else who’s had a hand in its creation.”

BY ANNA HOLTON-DEAN

Growing up in the Seattle area, Danaee’s early lessons began with custom doll clothes before she eventually advanced to making clothes for herself.

Danaee’s third collection debuts Sept. 18 alongside collaborating artists at Chimera Cafe in downtown Tulsa. Learn more at shopchristinadanaee.com or @christinadanaee. tp

Patina and possibility

SHOP

Vintage meets creativity at this whimsical boutique in The Farm Shopping Center.

BY ANNA HOLTON-DEAN

At Grisaille Cottage in e Farm Shopping Center, the experience begins before you ever walk through the door. Hand-painted furniture and hanging owers greet shoppers at the entrance, setting the tone for a boutique lled with vintage-inspired home decor, one-of-a-kind furnishings, gifts, apparel and DIY products. Owner, designer and curator Susan Mansisidor initially launched the concept in Idaho in 2017. After relocating to Oklahoma with her husband Joe, she opened the Tulsa shop in August 2024 and soon expanded to a larger space within e Farm in November 2025, where they remain today.

e shop’s name re ects both artistry and atmosphere. “Grisaille” is a French painting technique that uses varying shades of gray and taupe to create depth and texture, a concept echoed throughout the boutique’s soft, neutral palette and tastefully weathered pieces. e word “cottage” adds a

sense of warmth that carries throughout the carefully curated space.

e boutique blends vintage, handcrafted and new adornments and accessories for old-fashioned aesthetics, including the entire line of Fusion Mineral Paint, Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and Iron Orchid Designs transfers, inlays, stamps and moulds.

Mansisidor says one of the things that sets Grisaille Cottage apart is its range of o erings under one roof.

“Tulsa has some wonderful shops for antiques, home decor and craft supplies,” she says. “Most focus on just one of those categories, while we try to o er all of them in one location.”

She also provides hands-on guidance for customers tackling creative projects with the products she carries, o ering occasional workshops and classes when time allows including tutorials on how to create custom stamped tea towels and vintage-style resin deer head mounts.

“I make it my goal to make each customer feel like family, and I want everyone to leave feeling con dent and inspired,” she says. at familial atmosphere is what initially drew her to e Farm Shopping Center.

“All of the shops support each other,” she says. “When I decided to open my store here, I could envision what e Farm not only used to be, but what it can be again.”

She hopes Grisaille Cottage continues to grow alongside the community, introducing more shoppers to the creative, cottagecore space she has built.

Visit grisaillecottage.com to learn more about Grisaille Cottage, sign up for their newsletter and keep up with upcoming workshops. tp

Oh, I had so much to do in the coming week.

I was expecting out-of-town guests. I was hosting a party at my home. I was attending an event. I had work assignments due. I was going to be so, so busy. at meant the house had to be cleaned and the garden tidied. at meant food and drink had to be planned and bought. at meant clothes had to be chosen and readied. e list went on and on. So. Much. To. Do.

What I needed to do was y into action. What I actually did the Sunday before my big week was stare out the window. Read the papers. Take a nap. Oh, the joy of procrastination.

Procrastination is one of life’s great, guilt-heavy pleasures. It’s like triple cream cheese, or pie with extra whipped cream, or a baked potato with double butter and sour cream, or a multi-layer chocolate cake with thick frosting. How many more calories can we add? How much more self-indulgent can we be?

My plan for my big week, if I had a plan, was to wake up early Monday and move steadily through the chores. What I actually did Monday was oversleep. at wasn’t as bad as you might think because sudden panic turbocharged me into motion. All was accomplished. And all left me depleted and de ated as at as a bad sou e.

If you, too, ever procrastinate and wonder why, my advice is: don’t. I mean, don’t ask yourself why because that is likely to take you into research that will tell you more than you want to know. It’s what happened to me. And I felt as if I were being scolded by a 19th century Puritanical preacher and I replied like a petulant teen:

“You’re sugarcoating your behavior when you say you are dawdling or dallying.”

“So what?”

The joy of procrastination

BY CONNIE CRONLEY

“It could mean you’re avoiding action for fear of failure or out of anxiety.”

“I am not! I’m just delaying a little bit. Building up my energy.”

“Maybe you are depressed. Weighted down by self-doubt. Feeling inadequate.”

“You take that back! I’m just not quite in the mood. Sometimes I work better under pressure.”

“Liar! You don’t manage your time well. You’re nothing but a slothful, lazy procrastinator!”

Some people wear their procrastination lightly. Longtime City of Tulsa horticulturist Russell Studebaker was also an exuberant gardener and plant shopper. Every inch of his personal garden was planted cheekto-jowl, and his driveway was covered with pots and ats waiting to be planted. Some had been there so long they were over-

owing their containers. Some were dying. “Oh,” he brushed it aside, “any plant that can’t live on the driveway for two years isn’t worth having.”

By comparison, Laura Vanderkam, author of a book titled “Big Time: A Simple Path To Time Abundance,” grasps time management with an iron grip. Most people, she says, muddle along without direction. Not her, by cracky. She divides each day into 30-minute sections on a spreadsheet and marches in measured stride through her schedule. One year, she allocated 10 minutes a day to reading Leo Tolstoy ’s 1,455-page “War and Peace.” She nished the book in December exactly as she planned. e thought of living like this made me have to lie down.

Bestselling romance novelist Carley Fortune, determined to write her rst book — an 80,000-word manuscript — in a year by getting up at 5 a.m. and writing 338 words a day before going to work. She did it, and it sold for $500,000 in a two-book deal. Another story that makes me queasy.

Reba McEntire, the country music legend renowned for her self-discipline and work ethic, says “I love to piddle.” Piddling, she explains “is what other people might think a waste of time.” She lists examples like cleaning out a closet or organizing a drawer — drifting slowly from task to task.

We all have responsibilities, jobs, duties and deadlines, but when we can, what luxury to piddle. It’s the happy cousin of procrastination. tp

Award-winning journalist Connie Cronley is the author of three books of essays — “Sometimes a Wheel Falls O ,” “Light and Variable” and “Poke a Stick at It” — and the biography “A Life on Fire: Oklahoma’s Kate Barnard.” She has been writing TulsaPeople's "Musings" since 2010.

LUXURY PROPERTY GROUP

Call any of the Luxury Property Group Realtors about one of these homes, or any property that you have an interest in. We will provide you with superior personal service with the highest integrity.

BIXBY

This single-level full brick home features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a 2-car garage situated on a scenic, fully fenced 3-acre corner lot in Bixby. The carpet-free interior offers a spacious living room and an island kitchen, seamlessly connecting to large front and back covered porches perfect for outdoor living. 4899 E 191st St S, Bixby , $300,000.

TULSA

Carefully maintained by one owner for 49 years, this charming, full-brick corner lot home features a versatile one-level layout with multiple living areas and recent updates throughout. It comes complete with a wood-burning fireplace, a spacious primary suite, and a fenced backyard with an oversized two-car garage and deck. 5843 S 68th East Ave, Tulsa. $329,000

MOUNDS

OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

TIM HAYES 918 -231-5637 thayes@mcgrawok.com

GORDON SHELTON 918- 697-2742 gshelton@mcgrawok.com

78 acres of vacant land on SE corner of 201st & Harvard in Tulsa County. 3 ponds. RWD 6. 201 S Harvard Road. $1,700,000

This stunning 4,549square-foot estate sits on a private oneacre lot backing up to the Oaks Country Club.

4825 W Oak Leaf Dr, Tulsa. $745,000.

SHERRI SANDERS 918- 724-5008 ssanders@mcgrawok.com

DIANA RILEY PATTERSON 918- 629-3717 dpatterson@mcgrawok.com

GRAND LAKE

Situated in Ketchum Cove between Langley and Ketchum, this lakeview lodgestyle home features beautiful vaulted wood ceilings, a large great room with a fireplace, and a walkout basement. The spacious layout includes three bedrooms, three full baths, a sleeping loft, and a kitchen equipped with a granite island and its own fireplace. The main bedroom boasts two cedar walk-in closets and direct access to a wrap-around deck.

207 Gary Drive, Vinita, OK $749,000

MIDTOWN

This stunning 2350-square-foot contemporary residence is nestled on a sprawling half-acre lot within the highly sought-after Timberlane neighborhood. It perfectly blends mid-century charm with modern living, featuring a spacious deck and a private pool ideal for outdoor entertaining.

2433 E 33rd Street, $565,000

MIDTOWN

Built in 1950 and occupied by the current owners since 1995. This one level home has undergone renovations like roof, newer heat and air, upgraded electrical, hot water tank and kitchen upgrades since 2018. A comfortable oone level home with a newer master bathroom!2 large living areas and 3 bathrooms make this home a must see. 2812 E 29th St, Tulsa. $599,000

Table Talk

DINING FOOD DRINKS

Drip check

At The Helen on Route 66, the showstopping French Toast Tower is dressed to impress. It’s hard to keep your hands o the sticks of milk bread soaked in custard, topped with whipped cream and powdered sugar. The dish comes served with berry compote and maple syrup to drizzle as desired.

READ MORE ABOUT THE NEW BREAKFAST AND LUNCH BISTRO ON P. 76.

The

For something sweet, try the Cinnamon Roll Crumb Cake — a warm cinnamon coffee cake layered with a luscious brown sugar ribbon, finished with a buttery crumb and vanilla glaze. With an open kitchen, The Helen makes its comfort food favorites fresh daily.

Made with love

New daytime restaurant inspired by owner’s warm memories of his grandmother.

BY JARED S. GLEATON

After spending more than three decades working in some of New York City’s most prominent restaurants, Timothy Rucker never expected that the next chapter of his hospitality career would bring him back to Tulsa. O cially opening e Helen earlier this year in May, Rucker’s breakfast and lunch restaurant combines the standards of big city dining with the comfort of a neighborhood diner.

“We believe in familiar dishes done better (and) served with intention, curiosity and genuine hospitality,” Rucker says.

A Tulsa native, Rucker left Oklahoma in 1992 to pursue acting in New York before nding his way into the restaurant industry. What began as a room service position evolved into leadership roles with acclaimed chefs including Mario Batali, Bobby Flay, Michael White and Geo rey Zakarian In 2023 he left New York to oversee restaurant operations in Stockton, New Jersey, and Austin, Texas, before returning home in January to pursue the prospect of opening e Helen.

“My whole life has been, if the door opens, I go through it,” Rucker says.

“My whole career, I became who I became because I took chances ... I saw an opportunity, and I went for it.”

e restaurant’s name carries personal signi cance as it is named after Rucker’s grandmother, Helen Covington, whose home and cooking left a lasting impression on him growing up.

“We were at her house all the time. She was just a big part of my life,” he says, adding that his grandmother embodied the warmth and hospitality he hopes guests experience every time they visit.

‘BEER FOR CHICKS’

e dining room is a direct re ection of that philosophy — natural light pours through expansive windows while colorful chairs, vintage-inspired chandeliers and soft blue accents create an atmosphere that feels both nostalgic and contemporary. An open kitchen anchors the space, giving guests a peek at how each dish comes together.

e room is lively and energetic — the kind of place where conversation, co ee cups and plates moving from kitchen to table all intermingle to create a lively and memorable experience.

For rst-time visitors, e Helen’s breakfast staples are a natural place to start. Pair a cup of the medium-bodied blend from Tulsa’s Topeca Co ee with one of the restaurant’s signature breakfast dishes such as the Classic Benedict — locally sourced eggs with rich orange yolks atop ham and a toasted English mu n, balanced with a layer of bright hollandaise. e restaurant’s “Smashbrowns” provide a crisp, golden exterior that gives way to a soft, peppery interior, making them a standout accompaniment.

No Oklahoma breakfast feels complete without an order of biscuits and gravy. Light buttermilk biscuits are topped with a silky pepper gravy lled with housemade sausage, creating a comforting dish that remains balanced rather than overly heavy. Non-savory breakfast items include the French Toast Tower — thick slices of custard-soaked milk bread are griddled until crisp on the outside and pillowy within before being topped with whipped cream, real maple syrup and berry compote. e latter adds a welcome brightness that keeps the dish from becoming too sweet.

“We do things with love,” Rucker says. “We use only fresh ingredients and make sure everything that goes to the table is exactly what we want. Even if we’re doing 50 covers or 250 covers on a Saturday and Sunday, everything has to be at its peak at all times.”

Asked how he hopes guests remember e Helen years from now, Rucker says he wants it to be the same as he remembers his grandmother’s home: a place where friends and family gather, meals are consistently good and every guest feels welcome. tp

The Helen 1306 E. 11th St. •

For one local friend group, Tuesdays are for the girls. “Beer for Chicks” has been gathering weekly for over fifteen years to enjoy a couple cold ones and the company of others. The tradition has brought together a group of Tulsa women (and some men) whose friendships have endured careers, marriages, divorces, new family members and even deaths.

It all started through a knitting group at the Brookside Library, where several of the group first met. After the knitting stopped, they found a nearby pub to continue their meeting over a beer. Then, in 2011, they discovered “Beer for Chicks,” a monthly event designed to introduce women to the rapidly growing world of craft beer.

The recurring event was started at Dilly Deli (now Dilly Diner) by Meg Nelson, wife of McNellie’s Group founder Elliot Nelson

“It was thoughtfully put together,” says Sue Ennes , part of the group’s original makeup. “You learned why the beers were paired with certain foods, the history behind different styles and you got to taste things you never would have ordered on your own.”

Meg was tired of all of Elliot’s projects that seemed geared toward men. Back then, craft beer was still largely viewed as a man’s hobby, but Meg envisioned that Beer for Chicks would become a way to open that world to a different audience.

The idea worked.

At that Beer for Chicks meeting, the former knitting group sampled beers alongside foods, discovering combinations that surprised even longtime beer drinkers. Coconut cream pie paired with Left Hand Milk Stout remains the standout favorite among the group. Others still remember chocolate cake served with Lindemans Framboise or learning that an IPA suddenly made perfect sense alongside a bowl of spicy chili.

“It wasn’t just about beer,” Ennes says. “It was about learning.”

When McNellie’s temporarily paused the program during Dilly’s remodeling in 2015, the women refused to let the tradition disappear. Instead, they simply adopted the event’s name as their own and kept meeting every Tuesday, choosing a different restaurant or brewery each week. Even during the pandemic, when gathering indoors wasn’t possible, they continued meeting virtually or outdoors in parks.

“My family knows not to schedule anything on Tuesday,” Kathy Doss laughs. “Everybody knows Tuesday belongs to this group.”

For Doss, that support became invaluable when her husband was diagnosed with cancer.

“I honestly don’t know how I would have made it through his illness and his death without this group,” she says. “Some nights I wanted to talk about what was happening. Other nights, I didn’t want to think about it at all. Just sitting with them for a couple of hours gave me strength.”

Although the friends were already beer lovers, they knew very little about Oklahoma craft brewing when they first attended Beer for Chicks. They simply wanted to spend time together. But soon they started to discover their favorite styles, learned to appreciate food and beer pairings and gained confidence ordering something other than the familiar.

The beer brought them together, but their friendships are what have endured. — TOM

GILBERT

WHAT’S COOKING

TIMETESTED TASTE

Sapulpa’s Sons of Amalfi builds upon a nearly 50-year familial legacy.

BY JARED S. GLEATON

Ask owner Johnny Abrishamkar what a rst-time guest should order at Sons of Amal and he’ll be quick with his answer: “ e White Pizza has to be rst,” he says without hesitation.

Open only for dinner service four days per week, the 10-table Sapulpa restaurant begins the poolish for its famous pizza on Saturday nights so it is ready to go by Wednesday evening. Made with imported Italian our and baked in an imported Italian pizza oven, the White Pizza is crafted from fontina and mozzarella cheeses and served with a sweet red pepper relish of piquillo peppers, Oklahoma honey and aged balsamic vinegar.

“People tell us that we need to jar (the relish) and sell it at the fair,” says Johnny, who owns the restaurant with brother and Head Chef Moe Abrishamkar Jr. as well as their mother, Teresa . Friend and “brother from another mother” Jeremy Pedone acts as the general manager.

e intimate restaurant isn’t trying to recreate Italy so much as create a family experience built around delicious food.

“With only 10 tables, and my mom seating all customers, and Jeremy and I waiting on all tables, and Moe cooking every entree, there is no slipping through the cracks,” Johnny says. “You get the best service and food every single time because everything is done by the family.”

In addition to the White Pizza, Johnny says that e Eggplant — their version of eggplant parm — is the highest selling dish in the restaurant’s history. “We have always been told that it is literally the best in the world.”

at may sound like hyperbole for a small Oklahoma establishment, but guests will see that it isn’t once they learn of the enduring legacy on which the restaurant is built.

e story begins when Johnny and Moe Jr.’s father, Moe Abrishamkar Sr., immigrated to the U.S. from Iran in the early 1960s to attend North Carolina State University. Teresa had also immigrated from Bolivia around that same time, and the two later met at a bus stop in Washington, D.C. Falling deeply in love and marrying against their parents’ wishes, both were nancially cut o from their wealthy, powerful families and made to nd their own way.

“Even though they came from everything, they had to make their way in America with nothing,” Johnny says.

Moe Sr. secured a job as a dishwasher at the D.C. favorite A.V. Ristorante Italiano, where he worked hard and learned everything he could. Later partnering with an Italian chef named Renata Vaccari, they opened a restaurant called Amal Ristorante Italiano in Rockville, Maryland, in 1977. Over the next four decades, Amal earned a devoted following across the D.C. region.

“We saw couples on their rst dates to their future kids on their rst dates,” says Johnny, who was also born in 1977. “We had many celebrities, politicians and sports personalities as regulars throughout those decades.”

He adds that his parents tried to discourage him and Moe Jr. from getting involved in the business, but it didn’t work.

“It’s a hard life and they wanted other things (for) us, but too bad — because that was the life I wanted,” he says, noting he started working behind the scenes when he

was 16. Moe Jr. got involved when he found his love of cooking in his early twenties, and Pedone came on board at 19 as a server and never left.

Moe Sr. sadly passed away in 2016, and the family later sold Amal in 2022. Wanting to make a change and escape from the demands of operating in a major metropolitan area, they found what they were looking for in Oklahoma.

“Jesus brought us here,” Johnny says. “My only regret is that we didn’t move to Sapulpa years before ... Oklahomans are truly the kindest people on the planet. I will never move again — this town is my new ride or die.”

Opened this past December, Sons of Amal represents the family’s newest chapter.

“We designed the experience in honor of (Moe Sr.) and all of his hard work,” Johnny says. “Without his actions we might not have been in the position to sell everything and risk it all with this giant move.”

Located at 1111 E. Denton Ave., the restaurant pairs decades of hospitality with a more focused culinary vision from Moe Jr. “Delicious,” Moe Jr. says when asked to describe the restaurant’s philosophy. “ at’s it. Delicious, fresh. Nothing frozen.”

Guests can expect house-made pasta crafted from imported Italian our and dishes that balance the restaurant’s legacy with Moe Jr.’s own culinary instincts. Looking at the menu, it’s almost heart-breaking to have to choose between such exquisite-sounding entrees as the light and bright Pomodoro (San Marzano tomatoes, Parmigiano, basil, garlic and extra virgin olive oil), cheese-stu ed tortellini or the luxurious Parmesan Cream prepared with nutmeg and pistachio. Rotating house specials also include the Pasta all’Amatriciana, a slightly spicy San Marzano-based tomato sauce combined with guanciale (a cross between pancetta and bacon) and served with either homemade Tagliatelle or Ziti.

Begin with the White Pizza. End with a cannoli. Between those two bookends lies nearly ve decades of family restaurant experience. With Johnny and Pedone’s infectious enthusiasm in the dining room, Moe Jr.’s steady hand in the kitchen and Teresa’s welcoming presence, guests often leave feeling less like customers and more like dinner guests.

“We just want everyone to feel like they are eating at our house and always feel cared for and welcomed,” Johnny says. “We want to them to smile and laugh, and we do our best to not only serve the food but to entertain them as well.” tp

After-school snacks

BY MICHAEL SEARLES

HAPPIES NUTRITION strikes the perfect balance between delightful tastes and healthboosting supplements with their list of specialty teas, shakes and various protein-packed snacks. Powered by essential vitamins and minerals, specialty enhancers can offer an energy boost or immune system and fi tness support. Their signature Loaded Teas come in all your favorite fruity flavors, with added caffeine, aloe (to support digestion and absorption) and vitamin C, B6 and B12. While waiting at the counter, try their house-made protein balls — available in servings of two or five and studded with chocolate chips or M&M’s — that provide a hearty complement to the drink-driven menu. 3220 E. 21st St., Suite 102 • 918-508-3516 • happiesnutritiontulsa.com

In cozy, bistro-style LITTLE J’S BAKING CO., a warm, welcoming atmosphere invites you in to enjoy fudgy brownies, cookies, pies and more, all made fresh in-house. A favorite of many is their classic cinnamon roll — the warm, buttery center pairs perfectly with a latte or americano to fuel your extracurricular activities. As for the cookies, which come both big and small, the gooey, double chocolate chip is a great choice. Sprinkled sugar cookies offer another tempting option, as do the thick and tart lemon bars. With additional selections of muffins, scones, drinks and various seasonal options, Little J’s has something to satisfy all cravings — but get there quick, because these freshly made treats sell out fast. 10032 S. Sheridan Road, Suite J • 918-995-7979 • littlejsbakeshoppe.com

From fresh fruit to ice cream, FRESKO SNACKS is an authentic one-stop-shop for all your Mexican snack cravings. For a cool summer treat, try one of their dozen ice cream options or snow cones, coming in large and small sizes. If a salty crunch is more your vibe, try the Conchitas — creamy corn and chips drizzled with mayonnaise, cheese and creme — which comes in a convenient travel container, making it a perfect on-the-go snack. Or you can grab a table and mix-and-match foods with a group of friends. Either way, with four locations in Tulsa and one in Broken Arrow, Fresko Snacks is a fun, tasty option with enough variety to satisfy everyone. Find the full list of locations at freskosnacks.com tp

Tulsa Paper Company

The Tulsa Paper Company opened for business in a small one-room building located on West First Street in 1917. e company started with three employees, but within a few years it became one of the top paper suppliers in the state.

In 1922, the company moved into a newly completed warehouse at 124 E. Brady St. (now Reconciliation Way). e warehouse was adjacent to the Sand Springs Railway, and both projects were directed by Charles Page and his self-sustaining institution, the Sand Springs Home. e concrete datestone on the exterior of the warehouse reads “19 S.S. Home 22,” which referred to the institution and the

year when the building was constructed, 1922. However, as the paper company expanded its operations within the building, its own name was painted on the brick exterior (still seen today).

e Tulsa Paper Company distributed, marketed and stored large amounts of paper products such as paper bags, wrapping paper, paper towels, and specialty products like custom ledger paper and commercial envelopes. As a major supplier of newsprint, the company was a key resource for many local newspaper outlets.

An increase in business led to expansions in the late 1920s, mid 1930s and late 1950s until eventually the company facilities reached the entire block between North

Cincinnati Avenue (now M.L.K. Boulevard) and North Boston Avenue. After 50-plus years at this location, the Tulsa Paper Company was sold and later relocated to southwest Tulsa in 1980. e building became a massive auto parts house named the Mathews Automotive Warehouse Distributors.

By the 1990s the building was mostly vacant, but it was used occasionally by local art institutions as an exhibit space. In the early 2000s the building’s full potential began to be realized, and it is now home to o ce and exhibit space, classrooms and world-renowned museums including the Bob Dylan Center and Woody Guthrie Center. tp

RESTAURANT WEEK

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS

SEPT. 18-27

MEALS THAT GIVE BACK.

Join Tulsa’s best restaurants as we celebrate Tulsa’s 20th annual Restaurant Week which benefits the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma’s Food for Kids programs. Participating restaurants will offer special prix fixe menus, a specialty item, or their regular menus which will all include an automatic 3% donation to the Food Bank! In addition, donations will be generously matched up to $25,000 by the George Kaiser Family Foundation.

PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS INCLUDE*:

To learn more and see menu options:

Ava June • Barons on 1st • Bar Serra • Chimi’s (81st Street) • Dilly Diner • Elgin Park Brewery • Empire Slice House Howdy Burger • LoFi Pizza • Malfi Enoteca • Maple Ridge Grocer • Mr. Kim’s • Red Light Chicken • Rise Souffle Rib Crib (Harvard) • Roka • Society Burger (Cherry Street) • Sisserou’s • The Hemingway • The Pump • The Tavern • The Vault TXMZ Tacos X Mezcal • Yokozuna Downtown Blue Dome

*As of 7/22/26

SPONSORSED BY