City of Sand Springs announces Community Survey

Sand Springs, OK - The City of Sand Springs announces the latest Community Survey, now being made available for residents of Sand Springs. The 2020 survey is an update of a previous survey completed five years ago which identified citizen feedback on items ranging from public safety to park priorities. City officials experienced a strong response from the public then, and incorporated those survey results into the City’s comprehensive plan- a major planning tool which aides in policy and decision making for the city.

“The community survey is an important tool for engaging our citizens. It provides vital feedback on the wants, desires and preferences of the community. Results from this survey will be used to help create long term goals and actions plans that will improve the city in the future”, stated the City’s Planning Director Brad Bates.

The Community Survey can be accessed in several ways for citizens to participate. The survey can be found online at: www.sandspringsok.org/556/community-survey-2020 A link to the survey will also be shown on the City’s Facebook page. Citizens can also request a printed hard copy M-F at the office of the City Planner at 100 E. Broadway in downtown Sand Springs, and simply return the completed survey to that office.

“Information gathered from this important survey will be incorporated into our comprehensive plan by creating priorities and action plans that can be carried out by staff and council to improve our entire community”, added Bates.

To add interest, the City will be conducting door prize drawings from survey respondents. Three randomly selected winners will receive prizes including a Canyons at Blackjack Ridge golf experience and gift cards in the Sand Springs community for great food and shopping.

The deadline to submit your Community Survey is Monday, November 23, 2020.

"The Rogues Five" drummer Jamie Oldaker dies at 68

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Jamie Oldaker performs with The Rogues Five at the 2017 Riverfest in Sand Springs.

Jamie Oldaker, a famous drummer with ties to Sand Springs, died Thursday at 68 years old. While Oldaker claimed Tulsa as his hometown, part of his rise to fame came from playing with Sand Springs band The Rogues Five in the 1960s.

Oldaker and his band of teenagers formed The Rogues Five in the 1960s and soon developed a large following in the Tulsa area. The band included I.J. Ganem, Randy Ess, Philip Wilson, and Bard Coats. They opened for Jim Morrison and The Doors and other famous bands at the Tulsa Convention Center and performed regularly on the KOTV show “Dance Party.” The band has held reunion shows over the years, including at the 2017 Riverfest in Sand Springs.

After departing Tulsa to pursue a solo career, Oldaker performed on The Ed Sullivan Show. He started the band Tulsa County, then joined the Bob Seger Band for their album “Back in ‘72.” As a session musician with Shelter Records, he recorded with Leon Russell, The Gap Band, and Georgie Fame, and later toured with Russell.

In 1974 Oldaker recorded the album “461 Ocean Blvd” with Eric Clapton, which included the hit song “I Shot The Sheriff,” and went on to record several other albums with Clapton. He continued to divide his time touring with both Clapton and Seger. He then joined up with Peter Frampton for a tour, and recorded the album “Where I Should Be.”

In 1986 he helped launch the career of country artist Ronnie Dunn, managing and performing alongside the future Brooks N Dunn artist. Beginning in 1988 he teamed up with KISS member Ace Frehley for several tours and music videos, while continuing his work with Frampton and Clapton.

In 1988 he helped found The Tractors. The country band’s self-titled debut album was certified 2X Platinum and they received two Grammy nominations.

In 2005 Oldaker released the album “Jamie Oldaker’s Mad Dogs & Okies,” which featured guest appearances from Clapton, Frampton, Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, and other musicians he has worked with over the years.

In 2010 Oldaker was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame alongside Sand Springs singer Sam Harris.

Oldaker battled lung cancer for years, going through chemo and radiation therapy. He died at his home in Tulsa, surrounded by family. Several of his fellow musicians posted messages on social media Thursday, in honor of their friend.

“We are overwhelmingly saddened to report that our dear friend and brother Jamie Oldaker has passed away,” posted The Rogues Five. “He will be greatly missed. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife Mary and family. Rest in Peace Jam-O.”

“Jamie Oldaker has been my dear friend and brother for over 40 years,” posted Frampton. “He was a very warm, caring, true friend with a gentle heart. HE cared about us all almost more than he did himself. Most will know him as the drummer on Eric Clapton’s albums. His playing was unique, a laid back style of drumming with an incredible feel. We traveled the world, played many wonderful shows and great recordings together. He was much loved and I will miss him for the rest of my time here. Love you Jamie.”

POSTOAK Lodge to host "Summer Shindigs" including music, yoga, and more

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2017 Wine and Jazz Festival at POSTOAK Lodge.

POSTOAK Lodge has pulled out all the stops and swung their front gates open wide to welcome in a summer of celebration with their Summer Shindigs! Spring may have had us flattening a curve and tightening our belts - but we did it - together! Come on out for some relaxing live music on Thursday nights, some rejuvenating body and soul workshops on Saturdays, or dinner and room packages. What better place for all three than out at POSTOAK Lodge on 1,000 acres of beautiful vistas?

Summer Shindigs at the Lodge will resume June 25th with the Sounds of Summer Thursdays featuring Denise Hoey and Mike Wilson. From 5:30 to 7:30 it's a BYOB (Bring Your Own Blanket - or lawn chair) and enjoy live music in the shade under an Oklahoma sky. Willow Cafe will be open for beverages, snacks and sandwiches, but the music is FREE!  Trisha Kerkstra, general manager of POSTOAK, said “We'll be taking care of our musicians the old-fashioned way and will be passing the hat for donations to support the performers each Thursday. They have been hit as hard as our industry; thus, it is a way we can lighten the load and help one another by giving them a performance outlet and inviting folks out to the Lodge”.

June 27, 2020, kicks off the Body, Mind, & Soul Series on selected Saturdays with Yoga in the Oaks. It might be Zumba one week or Yoga the next, but the body and soul workshops will be inexpensive opportunities to try something new in a spacious and beautiful setting. 

So, come on out to POSTOAK Lodge for some Summer Shindigs filled with social distancing fun! Just minutes from downtown Tulsa, enjoy urban amenities amidst rural extravagances. We are unique, and uniquely safe as Osage County, Oklahoma has cornered the market on social distancing fun!

For more information, call 918.425.2112 or visit  www.postoaklodge.com

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City of Sand Springs issues Shelter in Place order

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Sand Springs Mayor Jim Spoon issued an updated “shelter in place” proclamation for the City of Sand Springs, effective on April 1, 2020, as follows:

“Based on the expanding crisis, it is important for the residents of Sand Springs to exercise extreme caution in their contact with others and to only be in public if necessary. While a number of businesses have been defined as essential by the Governor, I am also asking each essential business owner to take even more safeguards than have been required by the State, including closing if possible, for the safety of their employees and families, so that we can get through this event. It is important that we do everything possible to protect each other. If we do not see improvement, I am very concerned that additional restrictions may be necessary.”

Proclamation Declaring State of Emergency

WHEREAS, a proclamation declaring a state of emergency was issued by the Mayor of the City of Sand Springs on March 17, 2020, by virtue of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) global pandemic; and

WHEREAS, a proclamation requesting voluntary business closing was issued by the Mayor of the City of Sand Springs on March 18, 2020, encouraging restaurants, bars, and other privately owned gathering places to limit the number of patrons and to encourage the transition to “take-out” or delivery options.

WHEREAS, a number of local businesses have implemented changes that provide protection to the public; however the Tulsa County Health Department has requested the City of Sand Springs take additional measures to protect the public, as the threat has not only continued but expanded within Tulsa County, resulting in additional exposure, illness and death.

WHEREAS, since the emergency declaration, the disease has continued to spread in multiple locations throughout the United States and the State of Oklahoma, resulting in additional protective measures imposed by Federal, State and local governments; and

WHEREAS, the state declared emergency for the State of Oklahoma is continuing; and

WHEREAS, the City of Tulsa and other municipalities have imposed executive orders with mandatory limits for certain businesses in an attempt to limit social contact; and

WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of Oklahoma issued an executive order on March 24, 2020, effective March 25, 2020, that provides additional direction to the residents of Tulsa County and other affected counties within the State of Oklahoma, said executive order confirming and further enforcing the prior proclamations issued by the Mayor of the City of Sand Springs;

WHEREAS, based on the Governor’s orders, additional direction to local residents and businesses will assist all in having an appropriate response to the continuing threat; and

WHEREAS, practicing such methods such as social distancing is believed to stop the spread of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, the spread of COVID-19 is a disaster affecting life, health, and safety of Sand Springs residents of the City of Sand Springs and create an emergency situation within the meaning of Section 683.3 of the Oklahoma Emergency Act of 2003, as amended;

NOW, THEREFORE BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME BY THE CITY CHARTER AND STATE LAW, I, JAMES O. SPOON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAND SPRINGS, OKLAHOMA, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM AND DECLARE:

SECTION ONE: The previously declared state of emergency is continuing pursuant to the original proclamation.

SECTION TWO: All citizens living in or visiting the City of Sand Springs are ordered to shelter at their place of residence. For the purpose of this Order, residences include homes, apartments, condominiums, dormitories, hotels, motels, shared rentals, and similar facilities and accommodations. All persons may leave their residences only for Essential Activities as defined herein, or to provide or perform Essential Governmental Functions as defined by the government performing the function, or to operate Essential Businesses as defined by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma, or his designee:

For purposes of this Order, individuals may leave their residence only to perform any of the following “Essential Activities”:

1. To engage in activities, perform tasks, or obtain supplies essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family, household members, or pets (for example, obtaining necessary medical supplies, medication, food and beverage, or other products necessary to maintain safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residence, visiting a health care professional, obtaining supplies needed to work from home, or performing property maintenance).

2. To engage in outdoor activity, provided that individuals, except those from the same household, must comply with physical distancing requirements of six feet (for example, walking, biking, hiking, or running).

3. To perform work at an Essential Business.

4. To care for or transport a family member or pet in another household.

5. To move for another residence either in or outside of the City of Sand Springs.

All in-person gatherings for social, and recreational purposes, including but not limited to community, civic, public, leisure, or sporting events; parades, concerts, festivals, conventions, fundraisers and similar activities of ten or more persons are prohibited.

SECTION THREE: All restaurants, bars, and other privately owned gathering places and other dine-in service areas shall be closed to the public until the expiration of this emergency declaration, although “pick-up” and delivery service may remain open to the public and is encouraged until the expiration of this emergency declaration.

SECTION FOUR: No business shall remain open to the public and/or conducting transactions with the general public upon their premises unless specifically designated by the City of Sand Springs as an essential business. A list of essential businesses may be viewed at https://www.sandspringsok.org/COVID-19 or in person at 100 E. Broadway in the public notice display on the north side of the building. Businesses may appeal their designation status through the (Chief of Police Office or City Clerk’s Office).

SECTION FIVE: To the extent possible during this emergency, the City of Sand Springs shall devote resources, as available, to assist not only local residents, but the business community to react and adjust to the continuing threat, including but not limited to assistance with continuing business operations as appropriate.

SECTION SIX: All persons are encouraged to take precautions available to assist in alleviating the spread of the virus. All businesses should comply with all CDC and health department regulations and directives. Failure to comply may result in revocation of a business certificate of occupancy or any other legal remedy available.

SECTION SEVEN: This proclamation shall become effective 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, April 1st, 2020.

SECTION EIGHT: This state of emergency shall continue until 12:01 a.m. May 11, 2020 or terminated earlier by further proclamation.

PROCLAIMED THIS 1ST DAY OF APRIL, 2020.

Garfield STEAM Academy holds 4th-grade production of Yodehoo!

Submitted by Kelli Shockley.

On Thursday, February 27, 2020, the fourth graders at Garfield STEAM Academy, led by their music teacher, Mrs. Rebecca Stewart, performed a production of Yodeehoo! for the  students, faculty and parents. One of the play's composers, Greg Davis, a 1978 CPHS graduate, was on hand to watch as Garfield's fourth graders performed this humorous tale that teaches us not to judge others before we get a chance to know them. Every year, Mrs. Stewart chooses a play for the fourth graders to perform. Yodeehoo! is a favorite among the fourth grade teachers. This is the fourth time the fourth graders have performed this hilarious production over the past 15 years. The students worked hard to master all their lines, delivered in "hillbilly" accents, and all the songs that teach us to be careful about making assumptions and jumping to conclusions about people. The fourth graders, along with Mrs. Stewart did an outstanding job as they brought this production to life.   

City of Sand Springs cancels Herbal Affair, closes Community Center and Museum

The City of Sand Springs announces revised operations in response to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Tulsa Health Department and other agency advisories regarding the spread of the Coronavirus-COVID-19 virus. These revisions will take place immediately within the City’s operations.

To monitor real-time changes to the City’s plans, please follow any of the City’s Facebook pages including: City of Sand Springs; Sand Springs Police Department; Sand Springs Fire Department; Sand Springs Parks; Keystone Ancient Forest; Sand Springs Animal Welfare; Sand Springs Herbal Affair, Sand Springs Pogue Airport and the Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum.

Generally, and unless previously arranged, all general business operations of the City of Sand
Springs will be conducted via phone and/or email to the greatest extent possible. Walk-in visits by vendors or the public will not be seen without an appointment. A detailed listing of operational revisions by department can be found further below.

Perhaps two of the most popular activities and sites to be impacted include the Case Community Center and the Sand Springs Herbal Affair. The Case Community Center will close to the public for general use, including rentals and meetings. The City’s Parks Department is prepared to work with existing rentals and uses, providing several options moving forward. For questions, please call the Parks Department at (918) 246-2561.

The Sand Springs Herbal Affair & Festival is cancelled. For the first time in 31 years this outdoor gathering, which attracts more than 25,000 visitors to downtown Sand Springs, will not be held. City staff are working with vendors to accommodate their plans to attend in 2021.

The regular meeting of the Sand Springs City Council and Sand Springs Municipal Trust Authority is still planned to occur on March 23, 2020 at the Billie A. Hall Public Safety Complex.

Below is a more detailed listing of impacts on the various City Departments and their operations:

Police/Fire:
• People with emergency situations should call 911 and an officer will respond. People with non-emergency situations should call (918) 245-8777 and an officer will call them back to take a report over the phone.

Municipal Court:
• Public court hearings are temporarily postponed pursuant to an order, which will be issued by the Municipal Court Judge. Mailings will be sent out to those on the docket. Court fines and payments should be made online or by phone.

Parks:
• Keystone Ancient forest is OPEN at this time, per schedule on website & Facebook.
• Case Center will be closed to the public.
• Museum will be closed to the public.
• Youth sports program operational plans are still being discussed at this time.
• Public parks are OPEN for public use with gatherings over 50 people discouraged. The restrooms WILL BE CLOSED at this time.
• Senior Citizens operations are closed, however meal provider Sodexo will continue to operate from the facility and offer carry-out and drive-thru meal options to their clients
• Long-range planning events like the “Movie in the Park” and fireworks display will be addressed later.

Customer Service:
• Payments to the City should be made online; via the payment kiosk located on the South side of the Sand Springs Municipal Building (100 E. Broadway) or at the night drop box also located on the South side of the building.
• Requests for new utility services may be established using instructions listed on the City’s website.
• Water service disconnects will be temporarily suspended for late payment

Community Development/Planning/Neighborhood Services:
• All applications for permits or licenses should be sent using forms found on the City’s website and delivered via email and can be discussed by phone.
• Payments can be made by mail or phone.
• Plan sets may be dropped off at the Community Development/Planning Department located at 110 E. Broadway.
• No approval of Special Events utilizing public property will be approved at this time.

Human Resources:
• All interviews for City positions will be held via phone with no vendor appointments at this time.

Animal Welfare:
• No public adoption events, with animal viewing by appointment only. Please call (918) 246-2543 for assistance.

Charles Page High School debuts "Little Shop of Horrors"

Ben Stowell and Jennah Hendricks star in “Little Shop of Horrors.” Click here to view the full photo gallery.

The Charles Page High School drama department debuted their rendition of “Little Shop of Horrors” Thursday night. The dark comedy stars Ben Stowell as Seymour, a florist who raises a carnivorous plant with a fondness for human flesh.

Jennah Hendricks portrays Audrey, Seymour’s love interest and co-worker, and the two are employed by Mr. Mushnik, played by Cole Shoemaker. Also starring in the play is Will Bouchard as Orin Scrivello, DDS, the abusive boyfriend of Audrey who Seymour must compete with.

When Mushnik’s Skid Row Florist shop begins to struggle financially, Seymour turns things around by advertising his unique plant. Eventually the plant begins to speak, and demands that Seymour provide it with human flesh, leading Seymour down a dark path.

Little Shop of Horrors was originally a 1960 film that was adapted for an off-Broadway production in 1982 with music by Alan Menken and a book and lyrics by Howard Ashman. That play was in turn adapted for film by Frank Oz in 1986 with an ensemble cast including Bill Murray, John Candy, Steve Martin, and Rick Moranis, which received two Oscar nominations.

The Sand Springs production is led by a team of more than sixty high school students under the direction of Andrea Campfield. The play will have 7:00 p.m. showtimes on Friday, Saturday, and Monday, with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Tickets are $12 for the general public and $10 for students, senior citizens, and teachers.

Cast List

Seymour: Ben Stowell (Understudy Will Bouchard).
Audrey: Jennah Hendricks/Alyse Wallace.
Mushnik: Cole Shoemaker.
Orin Scrivello DDS: Will Bouchard (Understudy Dylan Kirk).
Voice of the Plant: Johnathan Coble and Dustin Morrow.

Ronnette Singers
Crystal: Karlie Roulet.
Chiffon: Alyse Wallace.
Ronnette: Alyssa Allen.
Dee Dee: Sadie Plowman.
Joni: Hailey Duncan.
Della: Caroline Perkins.

Ronnette Dancers:
Susie Kaufman - Choreographer.
Cassidy Meadors.
Caylee O’Bryan.
Jenny Owens.
Ashley Hall.
Autumn Medeiros.
Keila Williams.

Ensemble / Skid Row Residents:
Tonja Pipes.
Jake Anderson.
Destinay Liethleiter.
Makasi Boykin.
Shayne Carpenter.
Zach Butler.
Jonathan Coble.
Logan Swinney.
Dylan Kirk.
Elijah Chronister.
Cheyenne Hampton.

Plant Puppeteers: Sunny Williams / Zach Butler.
Skip Snip: Dylan Kirk.
Mrs. Luce: Alexis Chidester.
Bernstein: Elijah Cronister.
Martin: Jake Anderson.

Stage Managers: Alexis Chidester / Olivia Birdsong.

Directed by Andrea Campfield.
Musical Direction: Peter Whipple.
Accompanist: Amanda Teachnor.
Band Direction: Kyle Wright.

Backstage Crew:
Heaven Ackley.
Hailee Ackley.
William Owen.
Erin Beard.

Sound Tech and Operator: Bryson Jackson.
Light Operator: Aaron Coslik.
Spots: Luke Scantling / Kaitlynn Duty.
Makeup: Erin Beard / Olivia Birdsong.
Costumes: Leah Evans.

Set Design:
Amberly Watson.
Ayla Nerren.
Elizabeth Smith.

Set Construction:
Stage Craft 3rd and 7th hours.
Nate Campbell.
Braden Foster.
Trent Goldman.
Jarret Haley.
Nick Hancock.
Hunter Rotramel.
Carter Williams.
Hayden King.
Haiden Staab.
Chase Smith.
Connor Harrison.
Amberly Watson.
Ayla Nerren.
Elizabeth Smith.

Band:
Drums: Hunter Carroll.
Bass: Keith Carver / Sam Keiper.
Guitar: Bryce Gregory.
Keyboard: Ayla Nerren / Tamika Jones.
Percussion: Sophie Comer.
Trumpet: Kaden Gonzalez / Hudson Shelton.
Clarinet: Brock Comer / Aylan Nerren.
Bass Clarinet: Tatum Velasquez.
Sax: Natalie Bunch.
Flute: Haley Stuckey / Lauren Wormuth / Jessica Essley.
Baritone: Zander Zieman.

Cyber Monday deals on Sandite Pride photography - average markdown of 22%

Sandite Pride News will be marking down our photography collection by an average of 22% in recognition of the Cyber Monday holiday shopping event. All day Monday, December 2nd, from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., discounts will be available on prints, downloads, wall art, and keepsakes.

Sandite Pride’s photo galleries include high school sports (basketball, football, softball, volleyball, etc.), community events (Boo at Case Park, Great Raft Race, Meet the Sandites, Chillin & Grillin, Herbal Affair, etc.), and government meetings (Board of Education, City Council).

Our SmugMug photo site offers paper prints ranging in size from wallets to 30x50 inches, canvases, metal art, refrigerator magnets, coffee mugs, photo panels, keepsake boxes, puzzles, buttons, luggage tags, mouse pads, coasters, postcards, playing cards and more.

High resolution single-photo downloads will be discounted from $2.00 to $1.50.

4x6 paper prints will be discounted from $1.28 to $1.00.

16x20 paper prints will be discounted from $34.80 to $27.27.

5x7 traditional canvas prints will be marked down from $110.24 to $95.34.

16x20 high gloss metal wall hangings will be discounted from $164.32 to $128.79.

Large refrigerator magnets will be discounted from $15.13 to $11.86.

Mouse pads will be discounted from $17.30 to $13.56.

6x6 ceramic tiles will be discounted from $26.01 to $20.39.

Coaster sets will be discounted from $43.42 to $34.03.

Photo Gallery: CPHS Gold Pride Marching Band celebrates 24 on Senior Night

The Charles Page High School Gold Pride Marching Band celebrated 24 seniors at halftime of the Sandites’ last football game.

Andrew Berryman is the son of Neil Berryman and the grandson of Peter and Mary Berryman. Andrew has been in band for six years and plans to attend Tulsa Tech after graduation.

Chandler Blake is the son of April Boone and Nathan Blake. Chandler has been in band for seven years and plans to attend the University of Oklahoma after graduating.

James Collins is the son of Laurie and Greg Collins. He has been in band for seven years and is undecided on where he will go to college.

Korbyn Cowan is the son of Amber and Shawn Cowan. He has been in band for seven years and plans on attending Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology.

Kallie Cox is the daughter of Jessica Seawright, Kurtis Cox, and Vicki Seawright. She has been in band for seven years and pans on attending Tulsa Community College and Northeastern State University.

Steven Dorris is the son of Michael and Sheila Dorris. He has been in band for seven years and plans on enlisting in the United State Army.

Ben Hunt is the son of Todd and Chantel Hunt. He has been in band for seven years and plans on attending the University of Oklahoma.

Holle Keeth is the daughter of Travis Keeth and Cynthia Keeth. She has been in the band for four years. After graduating, Keeth plans on enlisting in the U.S. Army and pursuing a career as a writer.

Sam Keiper is the son of Eric and Michelle Keiper. He has been in band for seven years, and is undecided on his college destination.

Evan Kral is the son of Niki Counce and Dan Kral. He has been in band for seven years and plans on attending Youth America College.

Garrett Lincoln is the son of Rob and Kendra Lincoln. He has been in band for seven years and plans on attending Oklahoma Baptist University.

Klaire Pinson is the daughter of Melinda Smith and Staff Sergeant Clinton Pinson. She has been in band for seven years and plans on attending Tulsa Community College and Northeastern State University.

Tonja Pipes is the daughter of Heather and Robert Pipes. She has been in band for seven years and plans on attending Oklahoma State University.

Kristin Shipley is the daughter of Pam and Darin Shipley. She has been in band for six years and plans on attending Oklahoma State University.

Izzy Smith is the daughter of Daniel and Angela Smith. She has been in band for seven years and is undecided on her college destination.

Blakely Staton is the son of Celeste and Justin Thompson, and Jeremy Staton. He has been in band for seven years. After graduation Staton plans on pursuing a career in aviation and continuing to work at QuikTrip.

Haley Stuckey is the daughter of Erik and Kerri Stuckey. She has been in band on seven years and plans on attending Oklahoma State University.

Elie Summar is the daughter of Stephanie and Toni Summar. She has been in band for seven years. After graduation Summar plans on becoming an astrophysicist and working at NASA.

Jacelyn Trotter is the daughter of Jason and Mary Ann Trotter. She has been in band for seven years and plans on attending Oklahoma State University.

Luca Vaca is the son of Lana and Stephen Vaca. He has been in band for seven years. After graduation Vaca plans on saving sea turtles.

Amberly Watson is the daughter of Tristia Watson and Lance Watson. She has been in band for seven years and is undecided on her college destination.

Anabeth Wiebe is the daughter of Jesse and Jennifer Wiebe. She has been in band for six years and plans on studying biomedical engineering.

Elizabeth Whittington is the daughter of Amy Whittington. She has been in band for seven years and plans on enlisting in the U.S. Navy.

Wanageeska Nokose Williams is the daughter of Rodney and Sherri Williams. She has been in band for four years, and plans on attending the U.S. Naval Academy.

CPHS Band Director Kyle Wright awarded OkMEA Exemplary Teacher Award, Sandites march in Tulsa Veterans Day Parade

Charles Page High School Band Director Kyle Wright was recently named as the upcoming recipient of the Oklahoma Music Educators Association (OkMEA) Exemplary Teacher Award. Wright will receive the award on Thursday, January 16, 2020 at the OkMEA Winter Conference at DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Tulsa.

To qualify for the award, teachers must have completed at least 15 years of active service as a music teacher and/or music administrator and must be a member of OkMEA for a minimum of 10 years. They must also demonstrate excellence in the teaching of music, as evidenced by competitions, awards, and peer or administrator statements. Exemplary teachers are nominated by their peers, recommended by the OkMEA Awards committee, and confirmed by the OkMEA Executive Boad.

Wright is married to Sarah Wright and has three children. Jack Molly, and Maggie Wright are all percussionists. Wright was a trumpet student of James Gilmartin and Ron Predi before graduating Muskogee High School in 1990. He holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of Tulsa and has completed further study at the University of North Texas.

Wright’s performing career includes being a founding member of Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey with whom he performed nationwide before turning to a career in teaching band. He began his teaching career at Berryhill High School and led the group to an OBA Grand Championship for marching band (their first in the 3A classification). After studying at UNT, he taught for a couple of years in the Carrolton-Farmers Branch School District in Texas before coming to Charles Page High School in Sand Springs.

The CPHS Gold Pride Marching Band recently participated in the OSSAA East Regional at Northeastern State University last week. The band received an Excellent rating for their performance.

In their first performance of the year the Sandites placed 3rd in 6A and 6th overall at the East Central University Tigerpalooza Marching Festival. At the Branson Marching Invitational they were 4th in their class and 7th overall.

Most recently the Gold Pride marched in the 101st Annual Veterans’ Day Parade in downtown Tulsa.

Future events for the band include the December 6th Festival of Lights Christmas Parade in Sand Springs, and a December 7th performance at the Hometown Holiday Christmas Celebration in Sand Springs. The Fine Arts Winter Showcase is scheduled for Thursday, December 12th at the high school.

Sand Springs gearing up for 2nd Annual Hometown Holiday Christmas Celebration

Although Christmas is still 42 days away, the Christmas season in Sand Springs is already underway. Many Sandites took advantage of last week’s warmer temperatures and hung their Christmas lights with care to beat the winter weather.

The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce’s celebrations will kick off in less than a month, with the 37th Annual Festival of Lights.

The Festival of Lights Christmas Parade was cancelled due to winter weather last year, but will return on December 6th at 7:00 p.m. with a theme of “The Sweetest Season of All.” Applications for the parade will be accepted till November 22nd, with $20 fee.

The parade hands out six awards each year. The defending champions are New Life Tabernacle (Best in Show), Studio B Hair and Nail Salon (Best Use of Theme), Miss Tirita’s Dance Studio (Best Marching Unit), Tulsa Tech (Best Use of Lights), Garden Heights Freewill Baptist Church (Best Church), and Cub Scout Pack 63 (Best Showmanship).

The Chamber is also encouraging local businesses to get involved in sprucing up Sand Springs by offering the “Sharp Award” for best-dressed store front. There is no application fee, and competition is not limited to Chamber members. All your business has to do is notify the Chamber that you are participating by December 10th. Judging will take place on December 13th.

On Saturday the downtown area will be filled with music, food trucks, and other activities for the Second Annual Hometown Holiday Christmas Celebration.

Wonderland Stage Schedule of Events
2:00 p.m. Northwoods Elementary Choir
2:35 p.m. Garfield Elementary Choir
3:10 p.m. Pratt Elementary Choir
3:55 p.m. Ms. Tirita’s Dance Studio
4:25 p.m. Limestone Elementary Choir
5:00 p.m. Clyde Boyd Middle School Choir
5:35 p.m. Charles Page High School Choir
6:00 p.m. Santa Sing Along
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Charles Page High School Band, Charles Page Jazz Band, Clyde Boyd Middle School Band, and Sand Springs Community Band.

From 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. there will be carriage rides, a free Santa zone where children can meet St. Nick, and a Kids Zone with free activities provided by local churches.

The Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum will be open for an Ornament Workshop, and Cookie Crawl Passports will be available for pickup. Families are invited to take a passport from the museum and to fill it with stickers from local businesses (who will all have free cookies), then return the completed passport to Santa for a prize. Businesses who wish to be included in the passport should contact the Chamber by November 22nd.

The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce can be reached at 918-245-3221 or via email at info@sandspringschamber.com.

One tradition that will not be returning this year, at least not officially, is “Snapped in Sand Springs.” For the past two years the City of Sand Springs encouraged local businesses, churches, and other organizations to set up Thanksgiving, Fall, Winter, and Christmas-themed photo booths and backdrops at their facilities. More than 30 organizations participated each year.

While the City has elected not to organize the event in 2019, businesses can of course still choose to put up photo booths unofficially. Any business doing so is encouraged to let Sandite Pride know so we can share it on our website/social media.

CPHS Gold Pride Marching Band places 6th at Bron Warren Tournament

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CPHS Drum Majors Alyssa Crutcher (left) and Kristin Shipley (right). (Photo by Shannon Crutcher).

Ada, OK - The Charles Page High School Gold Pride Marching Band competed at Tigerpalooza - The 11th Annual Bron Warren Tournament of Bands this past Saturday at East Central University. The Sandites took 3rd Place in their division and 6th overall in a field of fifteen bands.

Sand Springs scored a 1000 in the preliminaries, trailing Deer Creek (1130) and Norman (1046), but leading Midwest City and Putnam City in the Class 6A division. They improved to 1010 in the finals

The Sandites will compete at the 5th Annual Branson Marching Invitational on October 12th, 2019 at Branson High School’s Pirate Stadium. Sand Springs will be the only Oklahoma school represented at the event, which will feature high schools from Carthage, Hollister, Ozark, Sedalia, Forsyth, Seneca, Republic, Nixa, and Monnett, Missouri, as well as Van Buren and Prairie Grove, Arkansas.

Final Results
1146 Deer Creek (6A)
1107 Duncan (5A)
1073 Durant (5A)
1042 Elgin (4A)
1023 Norman (6A)
1010 Sand Springs (6A)
973 Del City (5A)
966 Putnam City (6A)
871 Ada (4A)
820 Lone Grove (3A)
819 Midwest City (6A)
799 Altus (5A)
713 Kingston (3A)
643 Ardmore (5A)

Great Raft Race to launch in Sand Springs Monday morning

The 24th Annual Great Tulsa Raft Race will be launching from Case Community Park in Sand Springs Monday, September 2nd beginning at 8:00 a.m. Hundreds of uniquely crafted homemade rafts will take to the waters of the Arkansas River in a race to Tulsa’s River West Festival Park.

The iconic showcase of Tulsa ingenuity first ran from 1973 through 1991 before being discontinued, and was resurrected by the Tulsa Young Professional Foundation in 2015 with overwhelming success.

Kayaks, canoes, inflatable rafts, and homemade rafts float approximately eight miles in a timed race. While competitive rafters enjoy the exhilarating race to the finish line, most spectators are entranced by the unique floats showcased in the design challenge. Awards are presented for Best of Show, Best Engineered, and Most Creative, in addition to the timed race winners.

While many families prefer the ease of sleeping in and catching the final leg of the race in Tulsa, there are exciting perks to watching the show bright and early in Sand Springs. Many of the more kooky and creative rafts won’t make it to Tulsa due to poor engineering. Some of the neatest aesthetic designs are crafted without proper expertise in seaworthiness, and won’t even make it off the Sand Springs boat ramp without sinking. Every year fan-favorites hit the river and immediately begin taking on water - leading to a mad dash by the rafters to bail water and corral their vessel to the shore before it is submerged.

Only a few hundred viewers are treated to this sight as most of Sand Springs’s fans watch from the Highway 97 Arkansas River bridge instead of journeying into the park. However, there is plenty of room in the park for onlookers, and the Sand Springs Parks Department will have bleachers set up near the launch point. The River City Trail that runs through the park also has several great viewing locations downstream from the launch point, and one of the best spots to get right up on the water is beneath the Highway 97 bridge on either the north or south sides of the river.

The northbound bridge over the river does have a pedestrian path that is safe from traffic, and in past years the Sand Springs Police and Fire Departments have narrowed the southbound bridge to a single lane to ensure the safety of onlookers watching from the shoulder of the highway.

The best views, however, can be found at ground-level from the shoreline, and there is easy access with plenty of shade in Case Park beneath the bridges. Case Park will also offering free parking at the soccer and baseball complexes, whereas the Finish Line Festival in Tulsa charges $10 to park.

Launches will last from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Sand Springs, and rafts will be arriving at River West Festival Park from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The earliest arrivals will be the kayaks and speed racers, while those who build large lumbering contraptions may take longer to make their way downstream. There will be food trucks and concessions, as well as music from DJ Connection in Sand Springs.

At the Finish Line Festival there will be inflatables for the kids, as well as a Cardboard Regatta raft competition and a Sand Castle Exhibition. Yard games will be set up throughout the park and tournaments will be held in corn-hole and volleyball. There will food trucks, retail and nonprofit vendors, a Conquer the Gauntlet Youth Obstacle Course, kayak rentals, live music, and even $40 helicopter rides.

The Speed Awards will be presented at 12:00 p.m. and the Design Awards will be presented at 4:30 p.m.

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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church preparing for 59th Annual Tulsa Greek Festival

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church is gearing up for its 59th Annual Greek Festival next month in Tulsa. The four-day event will run from Thursday, September 19th through Sunday, September 22nd.

Thursday through Saturday the event will run from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. with free admission for all before 6:00 p.m. and free for kids all day. After 6:00 p.m. adults will be $5. On Sunday it will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a $5 cost all day.

All weekend long there will be live music, Greek folk dancing, and games. Guests will be invited up on the stage and instructed in traditional dances. There will also be tours of the beautiful Holy Trinity church, shopping at the popup boutique and market place, and a KidZone with games, arts and crafts, an inflatable playground, and more. The KidZone will charge a $5 admission, benefiting Emergency Infant Services.

Author Gina Michalopulos Kingsley will be speaking and doing signings of her new book, “A Magic Carpet Ride.”

The event will feature several gourmet authentic Greek foods including:

• Loukaniko, a pork sausage served with sauteed peppers and onions on toasted pita.

• Greek Salad, with romaine lettuce, cucumbers, roma tomatoes, feta cheese, olives, red onions, bell peppers, and house-made Greek Vinaigrette.

• Keftedes, fried meatballs garnished with lemon wedges.

• The Athenian Special, a sampler box of feta, olives, dolmades, and keftedes.

• Saganaki, flaming cheese.

• Ouzo, an anise-flavored liqueur, and other imported beer, wine, and spirits. For the first time, they will also be serving pina coladas and frozen lemonade made with Ouzo.

• Imported Greek soft drinks.

• Gyros, beef and lamb gyro meat grilled and served layered in a pita with veggies and tzatziki sauce.

• Calamari, breaded and fried squid, served with fresh lemon and cocktail sauce.

• Greek Fries, french fries tossed in Greek seasonings topped with feta cheese and tzatziki. There will also be a french fry eating contest.

• Lamb Dinner, roasted with garlic and herbs, tzatziki, rice, and Greek style green beans.

• Chicken or Pork Souvlaki Dinner, shish kabobs on pita with rice pilaf, green beans, spanakopita, and tyropita.

• Greek Green Beans, stewed in a savory tomato sauce.

• Spanikopita, a flaky pastry of filo dough filled with spinach.

• Tyropita, a flaky pastry of filo dough filled with cheeses.

• Baklava, a flaky pastry of filo dough with spiced nutty filling soaked in sweet syrup. Also served a la mode.

• Galaktoboureko, a creamy custard filling inside layers of filo dough with an orange syrup.

• Kouroummbiedes, a buttery Greek wedding cookie dusted with powdered sugar.

• Koulourakia, a twisted biscuit cookie best served with coffee.

• Melomakarona, a nutty crumbly holiday cookie.

• Loukoumades, AKA Honey Puffs. Fried balls of dough soaked in honey and dusted with cinnamon.

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
1222 South Guthrie Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74119
(918) 583-2082