7th Annual Monster Ball Raises $4,000 for Special Olympics

7th Annual Monster Ball Raises $4,000 for Special Olympics

Rain and mud couldn’t put a stop to the Monster Ball Thursday night. The seventh annual fundraiser was relocated from the Sandite Softball Complex to Memorial Stadium and raised $4,000 for Special Olympics.

Read More

Sand Springs Couples Host 6th Annual Pregnancy and Infant Loss 5K

Left to Right: Matt Barnett, Cassie Barnett, Paige Ryan, Austin Ryan. (Courtesy).

Pregnancy is often greeted with a great deal of celebration and excitement. Couples plan photo shoots for their announcements, followed by maternity photos. Baby showers have become elaborate affairs, and gender reveals have reached comedic and even dangerous magnitudes.

But what few people want to talk about is how many of those children will never celebrate their first birthday.

According to the World Health Organization, 10 to 15% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, and nearly 2 million babies are stillborn each year.

The level of loss and heartache that a parent goes through in these situations can’t be measured, affects everyone differently, and often leaves the parent feeling alone, confused, betrayed, and any other number of emotions.

And far too often they go through that pain without the community support that they had during their pregnancy. Folks turn out for baby showers, but there are no stillbirth showers.

That’s why two Sand Springs couples are hosting an annual Pregnancy and Infant Loss 5K.

“This is the second one we’ve been involved with,” said event co-organizer Matt Barnett.

“We just partnered in with Austin and Paige Ryan. They’ve been doing this for a couple years after they lost their first kid. Paige and my wife got close after we lost our first child.”

Jacob Austin Ryan was stillborn on January 23, 2018 and the Ryan family started the 5K and Fun Run that year in his honor.

Matt and Cassie Barnett lost their daughter, Elizabeth “Elle” Jane Bartnett to stillbirth on August 28th, 2021 and joined the Ryans in co-hosting the event last year.

“We started doing the run with them last year and it went well,” said Matt Barnett. “We added HillSpring into the mix and our church really got behind it. And then unfortunately we lost another kid.”

Paxton “Pax” Brently Barnett was also stillborn on March 23rd, 2023.

The Barnetts, who are both on staff at HillSpring Church in Sand Springs, often speak from the pulpit about the loss of their children and how it has affected both their faith and their marriage, shining a light on a difficult subject that’s rarely discussed publicly.

They hope the 5K will help bring attention to the issue and let other parents dealing with loss know that they’re not alone.

“Find community,” said Matt Barnett. “I would beg people, don’t do it alone. Find a community. Find a MEND group, find churches, find organizations that you can lean on and people who have been through the same experience.”

“Grief is long and it’s weird and it’s just unpredictable. It’s not fair to do it alone, so we need people to help.”

Mommies Enduring Neonatal Death (MEND) is one of two organizations that the 5K is raising money for.

“MEND is an organization that really helps put support groups together for families who have went through infant and pregnancy loss,” said Barnett. “They were really helpful for my wife when she went through this.”

The other organization is Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, which provides families going through a loss with newborn photography sessions.

“Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is a weird one for us” said Barnett. “I didn’t know if I wanted that the first time we lost somebody, but I never realized how much I would cherish that. It’s just another example of how they were real and how they mattered.”

The 2023 race on October 7th drew 78 entrees for the 5K any many more participated in the fun run at Case Community Park.

11-year-old Canyon Carnahan, of Sand Springs, won the race handily with a time of 22:01. Greg and Kiera Barnes, of Mannford, finished second and third in 23:36 and 24:17.

“It’s been really successful,” said Barnett. “I think last year we raised around $8,000 or so. That’s the most we’ve ever raised and we’re hoping to get close to that or more this year.”

The race drew everyone from avid runners to supporters of the cause to families who have experienced their own losses.

“It’s beautiful,” said Barnett. “There’s a lot of community involvement. The City’s involved with this, local churches, we have about 20 sponsors for the event. It really is a lot of people coming together so it’s really cool.”

5K Results

Men

22:01 Canyon Carnahan
23:36 Greg Barnes
24:22 Jeff Parks
24:41 Kory Brown
27:19 Kenny White
27:19 Caleb Smith
28:16 Shuan Adams
30:18 Bryce Beall
32:08 Christopher Matthews
32:19 Cayden Holder
33:24 Kevin Rouk
34:29 Bradley Potts
35:07 Kaidyn Cowan
35:13 Bobby White
35:48 Kurtis Crawford
36:10 Eli Beall
36:11 Daniel Henderson
37:20 Scott Emigh
43:44 Justin Carnahan
46:17 Keaton Smith
46:27 Ryan Johnson
49:23 Jacob Rupp
54:49 Ron Mayes
55:22 John Sommers
58:07 Bobby McIntosh
58:47 George Stabler
58:50 Andrew Arms
59:19 Shawn Smith
59:25 Nick Julkowski
1:05:22 Chris Wilson

Women

24:17 Kiera Barnes
27:24 Chezney Kelley
27:29 Audrey Fincannon
28:09 Shelby Champ
28:26 Shannon Hamilton
28:43 Katelynn Castleman
28:45 Kassie Billingsly
29:11 Ashley Cox
29:25 Nancy Vanderburg
32:50 Victoria Buchanan
33:24 Kelly Holder
33:38 Kynlee Carnahan
35:54 Patricia Harsley
37:23 Victoria Middleton
38:42 Alison Holder
41:47 Andee Sage
43:10 Charity Emigh
43:42 Heather Carnahan
44:27 Sericca Walters
44:27 Kara Enkey
45:24 Regan Pidcock
45:27 Madison Smith
45:42 Amber Cowan
48:08 Haylee Dewberry
48:44 Tiffany Rowe
49:16 Michelle Key
49:23 Savannah Lytle
54:01 Emily Smith
54:03 Casey Arms
55:20 Heather Sommers
56:41 Kendra McIntosh
57:05 Karen Smith
58:07 Carolynn Canfield
58:37 Kaylee Kendall
58:38 Natasha Odom
58:44 Shannon Strabala
58:45 Claire Julkowski
58:49 Meoldy Hilligoss
58:49 Piper Brooks
58:50 Ashley Vanderburg
58:50 Hannah McGarvey
58:55 Lindsey Julkowski
59:41 Pam Jackson
1:03:26 Lana Greenfield
1:04:05 Paulette Bennet
1:04:05 Theresa Greene
1:04:10 Randy-Lynne Wach
1:05:22 Tamara Boyles

Sand Springs Couples Host 6th Annual Pregnancy and Infant Loss 5K

“Grief is long and it’s weird and it’s just unpredictable. It’s not fair to do it alone, so we need people to help.” Matt and Cassie Barnett and Austin and Paige Ryan co-host the annual event in honor of their children.

Read More

Sand Springs Homecoming Parade Looking For Participants

2020 Gold Pride Marching BAnd.

Cooler air has arrived, leaves are beginning to drop, and the boys of fall are once again bleeding and sweating on the gridiron.

The changing of the seasons also heralds the return of a beloved tradition that’s familiar to every small town in America - Homecoming.

The annual Charles Page High School Homecoming Parade will return to downtown Sand Springs on Thursday, September 28th at 6:00 p.m.

2018 Sandite Football Team.

The parade will follow its traditional route from Charles Page High School westward on Park Avenue to the downtown Triangle before turning south on Main Street. It will then turn east on 2nd Street before returning to the school by way of Adams Road.

Intersections along the parade route will be closed shortly before the parade begins and will reopen as soon as it concludes.

The event will highlight the Charles Page High School fall sports teams as well as youth football, cheer, dance, choir, marching band, and other school programs. The public is also invited to attend and the parade frequently includes local businesses, political candidates, and community leaders.

2020 Homecoming Queen Candidate Kali BAker.

The Homecoming Court will of course be crown jewel of the parade. The queen candidates and their escorts can typically be seen sitting atop sunroofs or waving from the finest of convertibles.

Anyone looking to enter the parade can download this form and email it to Frank Cooper at frank.cooper@sandites.org or fax it to Cooper at 918-246-1480.

Entrees are due no later than Tuesday, September 26th. Participants will need to be in position at the high school by 5:30 p.m. on Thursday the 28th.

The Sandites’ Homecoming football game and coronation will be Friday, September 29th at Memorial Stadium against No. 7 Tahlequah (0-3).

Sand Springs defeated Tahlequah 25-21 last season on the road after scoring 19 unanswered points to come back from a 25-6 deficit. They lead the all-time series against the Tigers 14-8-1 and have won the past five meetings, including Homecoming games in 2005 and 2006.

The Y at TCC West to Host Community Health Assessment Day

The YMCA at Tulsa Community College's West Campus is set to host a Community Health Assessment Day on the 13th of July, offering free health assessments to the community. This event aims to promote health and wellness by providing valuable insights into individuals' overall well-being.

Read More

HillSpring Church to host professional wrestling event January 2nd in Sand Springs

Professional wrestling will be coming to Sand Springs in 2021. Core Professional Wrestling will debut at HillSpring Church on January 2nd thanks to the efforts of local couple Nathan and Audra Estrada along with HillSpring Associate Pastor Matt Barnett, who will serve as the Commissioner of the new league.

Read More

What's Happening This Week in Sand Springs (12/13 - 12/20/2020)

Sunday

  • Hike With Your Dog Day - CANCELED.

    Monday

Tuesday

  • 6:00 p.m. CPHS Wrestling vs. Mustang.

    • Mustang High School
      801 South Snyder Drive
      Mustang, OK 73064

  • 6:00 p.m. Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum Trust Authority meeting.

  • 6:30 p.m. CPHS Girls Basketball vs. Muskogee.

    • Muskogee High School
      3200 East Shawnee Road
      Muskogee, OK 74403

Wednesday

  • 4:00 p.m. Sand Springs Development Authority meeting.

Thursday

  • 6:00 p.m. BINGO.

    • American Legion Post 17
      500 North Main Street
      Sand Springs, OK 74063

  • 7:00 p.m. CPHS Wrestling vs. Broken Arrow.

    • Tiger Field House
      2200 North 23rd Street
      Broken Arrow, OK 74012


Add your event to our weekly newsletter. Email SanditePrideNews@gmail.com

  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.

  • Free for Sandite Pride Partners.

What's Happening This Week in Sand Springs (12/6 - 12/13/2020)

Monday

  • 4:00 p.m. Sand Springs Planning Commission meeting.

  • 5:30 p.m. Sand Springs Parks Advisory Board meeting.

  • 6:00 p.m. Sand Springs Board of Adjustment meeting.

  • 7:00 p.m. Sand Springs Board of Education meeting.

  • 8:30 p.m. CPHS Boys Basketball vs. Inola.

    • Inola High School
      801 East Commercial
      Inola, OK 74036

Tuesday

  • 4:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Good Samaritan Free Health Clinic.

    • Church That Matters
      3 West 41st Street
      Sand Springs, OK 74063

  • 6:30 p.m. CPHS Girls Basketball vs. Bartlesville.
    8:00 p.m. CPHS Boys Basketball vs. Bartlesville.

    • Bruin Field House
      1700 Hillcrest Drive
      Bartlesville, OK 74003

Thursday

  • 2:00 p.m. CPHS Girls Basketball vs. Edmond North.

    • Whitey Ford Field House
      601 South Riverview Drive
      Bixby, OK 74008

  • 6:00 p.m. BINGO.

    • American Legion Post 17
      500 North Main Street
      Sand Springs, OK 74063

  • 7:00 p.m. CPHS Wrestling vs. Stillwater.

    • Ed Dubie Field House
      600 North Adams Road
      Sand Springs, OK 74063

Saturday

  • 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Open Hike Day.

    • Keystone Ancient Forest
      160 Ancient Forest Drive
      Sand Springs, OK 74063

Sunday

  • 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Hike With Your Dog Day.

    • Keystone Ancient Forest
      160 Ancient Forest Drive
      Sand Springs, OK 74063


Add your event to our weekly newsletter. Email SanditePrideNews@gmail.com

  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.

  • Free for Sandite Pride Partners.

What's Happening This Week in Sand Springs (11/29 - 12/6/2020)

Sunday

  • 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Open Hike Day.

    • Keystone Ancient Forest
      160 Ancient Forest Drive
      Sand Springs, OK 74063

Thursday

  • 6:30 p.m. CPHS Girls Basketball vs. NOAH.
    8:00 p.m. CPHS Boys Basketball vs. NOAH.

    • Ed Dubie Field House
      600 North Adams Road
      Sand Springs, OK 74063

  • 6:00 p.m. BINGO.

    • American Legion Post 17
      500 North Main Street
      Sand Springs, OK 74063

Saturday

  • 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Chipper Days.

    • Free chipping of limbs up to 2” in diameter. Free wood chips and firewood while supplies last. Must bring Sand Springs water/refuse bill for proof of residency.

    • City Street Department
      8620 West 21st Street
      Sand Springs, OK 74063


Add your event to our weekly newsletter. Email SanditePrideNews@gmail.com

  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.

  • Free for Sandite Pride Partners.

What's Happening This Week in Sand Springs (11/15 - 11/22/2020)

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

  • 6:00 p.m. Sand Springs Museum Trust Authority meeting.

Wednesday

  • Sand Springs Development Authority meeting - CANCELED.

Thursday

  • 6:00 p.m. BINGO.

    • American Legion Post 17
      500 North Main Street
      Sand Springs, OK 74063

Friday

  • 7:30 p.m. Sandite Football vs. Stillwater (Playoffs).

    • Pioneer Stadium
      1224 North Husband Street
      Stillwater, OK 74075

Saturday

  • 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Open Hike Day.

    • Keystone Ancient Forest
      160 Ancient Forest Drive
      Sand Springs, OK 74063

  • 6:00 p.m. Side FC 92 vs. FC Bagos II.

    • Roger S. Bush Soccer Complex
      2500 South River City Park Road
      Sand Springs, OK 74063

Sunday

  • 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Jake Peebles Clinic.

    • Sand Springs BMX Track
      2500 South River City Road
      Sand Springs, OK 74063


Add your event to our weekly newsletter. Email SanditePrideNews@gmail.com

  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.

  • Free for Sandite Pride Partners.