Sand Springs Singer-Songwriter Darin Shipley Places 2nd in National Competition
/Sand Springs singer-songwriter Darin Shipley recently took second place in CMUnited’s quarterly writing contest for the last quarter of 2023.
Read MoreSand Springs singer-songwriter Darin Shipley recently took second place in CMUnited’s quarterly writing contest for the last quarter of 2023.
Read MoreThe Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame has released the names of the newest members of the the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame who will be honored during a Saturday, Feb. 17 ceremony and concert at the Muskogee Civic Center.
Read MoreUnavailable for photo was Lincoln Medlin. Lincoln is the son of Joseph and Joyce Medlin. He has played trumpet in band for eight years. After graduation he plans on learning more about the culinary and restaurant industry.
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 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
On March 7th there was only one official, confirmed case of the COVID-19 pandemic in Oklahoma, and less than 1,000 cases in the country. The virus that has now infected over 1.5 million Americans was still just a distant rumor for most Oklahomans, and the nationwide shutdown of restaurants, stores, schools, churches, and parks was something few saw coming.
That was the day Stephanie Schrepel began to get a sore throat. She had recently returned to Sand Springs from a family trip to Disney World, with layovers in Atlanta and Houston, making it hard to say where exactly she was exposed. Fortunately, she was the only member of her family to contract the virus, and her husband, Jim, left on another trip before she could potentially infect him.
“Jim was scheduled to fly out to California to help take care of my parents,” says Stephanie. Her mom had recently undergone surgery, and Jim volunteered to help take care of his in-laws while Stephanie’s sister was on vacation.
While Jim was spending over a week and a half in California, his wife was back home, going about her usual business with nothing more than a scratchy throat and some mild exhaustion, which she assumed were caused by allergies and jetlag. She attended her Monday night Bible study at her son’s house, but midway through the meeting, she began to feel feverish and left.
“I get home and I take my temperature and it’s 100.5. Overnight I started getting worse, and the next morning I emailed my primary care physician.” Her doctor called on Wednesday and told her to go to the health department for testing, but the health department didn’t have any tests either.
At the time Stephanie was beginning to become symptomatic, the entire nation was facing a shortage of COVID tests, and they were reserved for people who had traveled overseas, or who had been in recent contact with an international traveler.
By Thursday Stephanie had alerted her pastor that she was sick and had been in physical contact with fellow church members through her Monday night Bible Study group. The church board made the decision to cancel services at Reach Church the following Sunday, weeks before the statewide shutdown was mandated by the Governor.
Finally, four days after the onset of her fever, she was finally approved by the state epidemiologist for a test. “I was literally the poster child for what could go wrong with testing. I went to a drive-through at OSU, they did the test, it went to Saint Francis, and it sat over the weekend and wasn’t prepped the way it should have been.”
After the test was improperly processed, the specimen was no longer valid and Stephanie had to be retested a full week after first becoming feverish. It was another ten days before the results came back and confirmed she had the virus.
On March 7th, when Stephanie began to feel symptomatic, there were 946 cases in the country. By the 28th, when she was officially diagnosed, there were 14,855 in the country and 377 in Oklahoma.
The 28th was also the first day Stephanie was fever-free. By that time, Jim had returned from California, and he was put up in the Hampton Inn for eight days to avoid being exposed. They celebrated their 41st anniversary with her inside and him on the porch.
The fever was one thing, but Stephanie also suffered a sinus infection and pneumonia as a result of the virus. She never got sick enough to require a ventilator, and because of her medical background she was able to check her oxygen levels and heart rate at home.
Stephanie is the Director of Respiratory Therapy at Cleveland Area Hospital, where she is now helping her fellow COVID survivors to regain proper lung function. Stephanie herself is still struggling with shortness of breath from walking more than short distances. “We’ve had patients who have been in a hospital bed anywhere from two to three weeks. We get them to a place where they can go home and function independently.”
“I was probably one of the few that should’ve gone to the hospital that didn’t. I just feel like God protected me. Some of it was not my own common sense. I probably should’ve gone ahead and called an ambulance, but in my mind I was thinking ‘I’d have to turn off the alarm, I’d have to go open the front door,’ and I was having a hard time just walking ten feet to the bathroom.”
The Schrepels will have an opportunity to thank God for that protection this Friday at 7:00 p.m. when they host the fourth annual Unity Praise event at Case Community Park. Together, the couple runs In Jesus Name Ministries International, which puts together the non-denominational worship gathering every year.
The event will feature live music from Roger Rister, Darin Shipley, and Eddie Preas, with preaching from Jim Schrepel and Negiel Bigpond. “Whether you’re Charismatic, Free Will Baptist, Church of Christ, the main focus is that we need Jesus,” says Stephanie.
The event will be held on the two-acre Great Lawn at Case Park, which should provide plenty of room for attendees to social distance and maintain their safety while celebrating the aspects of their faith that transcend denominational differences.
Case Community Park is located at 2500 South River City Park Road in Sand Springs.
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.
Charles Page High School Band Director Kyle Wright was awarded a commemorative pin by the Sand Springs Board of Education at their regular monthly meeting Monday evening.
Wright was recently named the upcoming recipient of the Oklahoma Music Educators Association (OkMEA) Exemplary Teacher Award, which will be presented at their Winter Conference in January. He led the CPHS Gold Pride Marching Band to an Excellent rating at the OSSAA East Regional this season.
The Gold Pride will be marching in this Friday’s 7:00 p.m. Festival of Lights Christmas Parade in downtown Sand Springs, and will perform on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in the HomeTown Holiday Christmas Celebration downtown. The Fine Arts Winter Showcase will be held Thursday, December 12th.
In other news:
The Board of Ed also presented awards to the Sandite Softball coaching staff, and to senior catcher Sabrina Usher.
SEE RELATED: CPHS Softball: Sabrina Usher and coaching staff honored by Board of Education.
The Board was presented with the findings of a 2018-2019 financial audit by Sanders, Bledsoe, and Hewitt. The auditor found the district to be in good standing and consistent with most Oklahoma districts.
Superintendent Sherry Durkheim gave an update on the Sand Springs Virtual Academy. According to Director of Technology Shawn Beard, enrollment is currently 186, up from 143 last year and up from 62 in 2014-2015 when they began tracking enrollment.
Virtual Academy Director Jay Rotert gave an update on the district’s recent State Report Cards:
Angus Valley Elementary: Academic Achievement (B), Academic Growth (A), Chronic Absenteeism (C), Overall (B).
Garfield STEAM Academy: Academic Achievement (C), Academic Growth (C), Chronic Absenteeism (C), Overall (D).
Limestone Technology Academy: Academic Achievement (C), Academic Growth (C), Chronic Absenteeism (A), Overall (C).
Northwoods Fine Arts Academy: Academic Achievement (D), Academic Growth (C), Chronic Absenteeism (B), Overall (D).
Pratt Elementary: Academic Achievement (C), Academic Growth (B), Chronic Absenteeism (C), Overall (C).
Clyde Boyd Middle School: Academic Achievement (C), Academic Growth (C), Chronic Absenteeism (D), Overall (C).
Central Ninth Grade Center: Academic Achievement (NA), Academic Growth (NA), Chronic Absenteeism (D), Overall (NA).
Charles Page High School: Academic Achievement (D), Chronic Absenteeism (D), Graduation (C), Post-secondary Opportunities (B), Overall (D).
The Board accepted resignations from Megan Claybrook (Charles Page), Donna Lawrence (Limestone), and Linda Gruse (Angus Valley).
The Board approved a one-time stipend for all eligible personnel who have completed the required district personnel development training.
The Board approved out-of-state travel for the Sandite Track Team to compete in Fayetteville on January 17, 2020.
The Board approved a renewal of the Daybreak Family Services Agreement for the 2019-2020 school year.
The Board approved a renewed contract with Jeanie Kvach as Bond Project Manger for the 2020 Fiscal Year.
The Board approved the employment of a Pre-Algebra Teacher and a Title 1 Reading/Math Paraprofessional, both at Clyde Boyd Middle School.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“Life of Riley” is an expression meaning “an ideal life of carefree prosperity and luxurious contentment.” In the case of the new Life of Riley bar in Sand Springs, it is also the life of owner Riley Howard.
Riley and Ashley Howard have spent the past five months remodeling their building in preparation for the grand opening. Riley isn’t a native Sandite, he’s originally from the Berryhill community, but managed TJ’s Wine and Spirits in Sand Springs for the past 19 years.
Fitting the name of the bar, Life of Riley is undeniably luxurious. The upscale music and sports bar isn’t your typical westside dive. The pristine venue matches up against the finest bars in the Tulsa area in terms of cleanliness, comfort, decor, and visual appeal.
The Prattville bar features four large flat screen televisions that will all be showing NCAA Football on Saturdays. An added perk for sports lovers is the DirecTV NFL Sports Package so every game is available on Sundays.
In addition to being a prime destination for sports fans, the bar also has a live music setup and plans to host trivia and poker nights in the near future.
Life of Riley is a non-smoking bar, though they are working on a patio area for smoking and vaping. The bar does not have food in-house, but they plan to host local food trucks during peak hours, and patrons are invited to bring outside food. They have also left room in the fridge and are taking recommendations from the community on which beverages to carry.
“(Sand Springs) was just the right market,” says Howard. “I feel things are really growing this way. I think we’re the new Owasso, Broken Arrow, or Jenks. Everything’s coming out this way, and there’s just nothing like this out here. It’s the perfect spot.”
Brian O’Hara, the Deputy District Director for Congressional District 1, presented the Howards with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition on behalf of Congressman Kevin Hern at the bar’s Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting early Saturday morning.
Life Of Riley
918.514.0179
1 East 34th Street South
Sand Springs, OK 74063
Hours
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Monday: 2:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Tuesday: 2:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Wednesday: 2:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Thursday: 2:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Friday: 2:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Saturday: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
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)
The Sand Springs location of the American Shaman CBD franchise is celebrating their Grand Re-Opening Saturday with a ribbon cutting and free festivities.
The store opened in 2018 but is now under the ownership of Matthew Boyd, who also operates locations in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Ponca City, and Edmond. The franchise is based out of Mission, Kansas.
American Shaman sells ultra-concentrated Cannabidiol (CBD) oil derived from hemp. According to CBD advocates, the oil can relieve stress and treat countless physical ailments, including seizures, migraines, and more. CBD does not include Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and you cannot get high from the substance. Customers must be 18 or older to purchase CBD products, but do not require a prescription.
The Sand Springs store will be holding a free concert with local Tulsa country artist Travis Kidd from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a bounce house and the Curbside Comfort food truck. American Shaman is located at 630 East Charles Page Boulevard in the Atwoods shopping center.
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.
2018 Photo Gallery
2017 Photo Gallery
2016 Photo Gallery
2015 Photo Gallery
Charles Page High School held its annual Meet the Sandites event Thursday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The event recognizes fall athletics like Cross Country, Football, Volleyball, Softball, Cheer, and Dance, as well as Band and Color Guard.
Hosted by the Sandite Quarterback Club in conjunction with Sand Springs Youth Football & Cheer, the event allows every single youth football, cheer, and dance team from elementary on up to run through the tunnel and storm the field.
The Church That Matters Tailgate Crew held their first tailgate party of the season prior to the event. The church grills hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, and more prior to every home football game. Each week a different athletic program is selected as the fundraiser recipient. The Sandite Basketball teams raised more than $1,700.
Click here to view our full 2019 Meet the Sandites photo gallery on SmugMug.
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
Registration is officially open for the 2019 Great Tulsa Raft Race, which will take place on Labor Day, September 2nd. Early bird prices start at $45 per participant and will increase to $55 in July and $70 in August. Registration will close August 30th.
Participants can enter kayaks, canoes, inflatable rafts, or homemade rafts. The race launches on the Arkansas River from Case Community Park in Sand Springs and terminates in Tulsa’s River West Festival Park.
The historic race ran annually from 1973 to 1991 before being resurrected in 2015. It is hosted by the Tulsa Young Professional Foundation.
There are two categories for homemade rafts. Small rafts can be no larger than 8 x 10 feet, while large rafts can be no larger than 12 x 16 ft. The organization will have one-man kayaks and six-person inflatable rubber rafts for rental.
Both Corporate Challengers and recreational Pokey Okies will receive prizes for Best of Show, Best Engineered, and Most Creative. The Corporate division will also be timed with a Fastest Down the River award.
Free registration will be provided for 15 local schools to participate in the STEM School Challenge. Students age 12 and over will use their skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics to compete in the same four categories as the corporate challengers.
A Cardboard Regatta race will be held in the lagoon at the Finish Line Festival for students under the age of 12. They can build their cardboard raft ahead of time or with free provided materials the day-of.
River West park will host the Finish Line Festival with music, food trucks, inflatable activities, lawn games, retail vendors, and more. Admission is free to spectators, though pets will not be permitted.
In the event that water levels are too low to float, or too high to float safely, full refunds will be issued for all participants. Severe weather conditions could also cancel or delay the event.
Click here to visit the registration site.
Click here to apply for the STEM Challenge.
For more information click here to visit the official Raft Race site.
The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 8th Annual Chillin n Grillin BBQ Festival on May 30, 31, and June 1st on 1st St. and Garfield Ave. The event has evolved into a three day event with a carnival being the headline on Thursday and Friday and then the BBQ will permeate downtown Friday night and all day Saturday. Several new activities and attractions have been added to the event.
Thursday May 30th 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Miscee Ann Smith will perform an acoustic jam session 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. while the carnival rides are available. There will also be food trucks to tempt your pallet, so bring your best gal or guy, grab a plate of food and listen to some great music.
Friday May 31st 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Live music will start at 6:00 p.m. featuring our very own Jennifer Marriott Band. Again the food trucks will be available along with beer and the carnival rides.
Saturday June 1st 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
The gates will open to the public at 10:00 a.m. with arts and crafts vendors, carnival and the Express Employment Clydesdales (11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.). Our Crowd Grub will open at 11:00 a.m. for some Award-Winning Pulled Pork Tacos, and live music from Nightingale Band featuring Bri Wright (11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) and then a live remote with Big Country 99.5 FM (12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.). Prizes for BBQ Contest winners will be announced at 3:00 p.m. The carnival will run until 10:00 p.m.
“Amidst all of the devastation happening at this time, we feel everyone needs a little something to smile about and family fun,” said Chamber President Kristen Cepak. “The Chamber is proud to announce that a large portion of our profits will be donated to the Sand Springs Community Services for flood relief to our community.”
The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce started this event in 2011 with just a few teams. As the event has grown, the community has begun to look forward to it each year. The highlight this year is the Carnival. The community can purchase wrist bands for $20 in advance, $25 ad the gate, and ride unlimited rides on Thursday and Friday. Saturdays’ rides will be by ticket only. Tickets are $3 per ride.
For all of the details on Chillin n Grillin BBQ Festival go to the Chamber website; http://sandspringschamber.com/. You will be able to purchase wrist bands and taster kits.
Sandite Pride News, LLC is a locally owned and operated Sand Springs, Oklahoma news source, serving the community since 2014.