Sand Springs to Host Exciting Array of Community Events June 9-10
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Car shows, professional wrestling, cornhole tournaments, fishing derbies, live music and more awaits visits to Sand Springs on the weekend of June 9-11.
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Everything you need to know about tonight's Homecoming game
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2020 Homecoming Queen Corri Evans and Kissing Captain Sango Whitehorn
No. 5 Sand Springs (3-0) vs unranked Ponca City (1-2).
Memorial Stadium
600 North Adams Road
Sand Springs, OK 74127
Homecoming Court at 6:30 p.m.
Kickoff at 7:00 p.m.
Inside concessions benefit the Gold Pride Marching Band. Church That Matters pre-game tailgate outside the stadium benefits the Sandite Wrestling team and begins at 6:00 p.m.
Don't forget to stop by the Inkwell Printing official gameday booth for all your Sandite Spirit Wear!
Through three games...
Ty Pennington is 48 of 73 passing for 735 yards, 10 TDs, and 1 int this season. He's currently ranked No. 3 in the Tulsa World's All-World Top Ten Players list.
Blake Jones is 61-477 rushing for 7 TDs.
Receiving leaders
Brody Rutledge, 15-273, 3 TDs
Jacob Blevins 13-173, 2 TDs
Keaton Campbell 13-163, 3 TDs
Ryan Shoemaker 6-74, 2 TDs
Defensive playmakers
Brooks Dudley 29 tackles, 2.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks
Drake Fain 23 tackles, 1 for loss
Gabe Brown 19 tackles, 3 for loss, 1.5 sacks
Landon Hendricks 17 tackles, 5 for loss, 2 sacks
Charles Gaylord 16 tackles, 2 for loss
Conner Light 15 tackles, 1 for loss
Ryder Barnes 15 tackles, 0.5 for loss
Chase White 6 tackles, 1 int
Landon Wolfe is 12-of-14 on PATs and 1-of-1 on field goals with a long of 27 yards.
Sand Springs vs. Ponca City History
The Sandites' last 3-0 start was in 2012 when they went 6-0 before falling to Union.
Sand Springs beat Ponca City 35-10 last year on the road, but the Wildcats won 24-14 the last time they were in Sand Springs.
Pennington is 31-52-438-1 passing with 3 passing TDs and one rushing TD in his two games against the Wildcats. Campbell was 6-134 receiving against the Wildcats in 2019 and 10-138 with 2 TDs in 2020.
Sand Springs leads the all-time series 26-20-1.
The first-ever meeting was 1952 in a Thanksgiving day playoff that Ponca won 27-9.
The only tie in the series was 7-7 in 1953.
In 1954 the Sandites came back from a 20-point deficit to win 21-20 with future MLB star Jerry Adair at quarterback.
In 1981 the Sandites won 31-24 on the road in triple overtime.
The Sandites have met the Wildcats once before with a 3-0 record and they won 14-13 in 1987. Not including season openers, Sand Springs is 3-0 against the Wildcats when defending an undefeated record.
The Sandites have played Ponca at least thrice before on Homecoming. In 1988 Sand Springs won 20-0, Ponca won 30-14 in 1994, and Sand Springs won 56-35 in 2016.
Ponca City's biggest win in the series was 48-2 in 2003. Sand Springs's biggest win was 57-7 in 2013. The highest total score in the series was a 56-35 Sandite win in 2016.
Sand Springs has pitched four shutouts in the series and has only been shut out once. The last shutout was a 21-0 Sandite win in 2006.
All in the family...
Brett Pennington was 2-1 against Ponca (22-15, 28-0, 13-21)
Caden Pennington was 2-0 against Ponca (42-7, 35-14)
Ty Pennington is 1-1 against Ponca (14-24, 35-10)
Ty Pennington is 2-0 on Homecoming, beating Muskogee 45-14 as a junior and Shawnee 21-19 as a sophomore.
Church That Matters opens free Mobile Medical Clinic in Sand Springs
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Good Samaritan Health Services and Church That Matters held a grand opening and ribbon cutting at their new Sand Springs Mobile Medical Clinic Tuesday. The free bi-monthly clinic will provide comprehensive medical care for the uninsured at 3 West 41st Street.
Church That Matters Pastor Rusty Gunn, Good Samaritan President John Crouch, and other individuals involved in the clinic spoke at the grand opening event. A line of patients was already forming well before the doors opened for the first time.
“We are so very delighted to be in the Sand Springs community,” said Crouch. “We have seen that Sand Springs is a community that really cares and shares and really helps each other.”
The clinic will be open to the public on the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month, opening at 4:30 p.m. The only requirement for patients to receive medical care at the clinic is that they have no health insurance. Walk-in patients are welcome. Any person wanting to receive medical care at the clinic should arrive at 4:30 p.m. Patients will be triaged and as many patients will receive services as resources will allow. Anyone unable to see a physician on the day of the clinic will have a future appointment made.
Each clinic will provide quality comprehensive medical care for approximately 10 to 12 people. Gunn hopes to be able to bring the clinic to Sand Springs weekly in the near future.
“Our church’s mission is to be a church that matters to God, to each other, to our city, and to our world,” said Gunn. “We’ve just seen this great need for health care for those who don’t have access to that. Oklahoma is 47th in overall health, 49th in cardiovascular disease, 44th in preventable hospitalization, and 43rd in diabetes. We know that there are people within this city…who sometimes have to make a choice between getting healthcare, and eating.”
Volunteers from Church that Matters along with Good Samaritan staff members will operate the clinic. This is Good Samaritan’s 13th Mobile Medical Clinic location in the greater Tulsa area. Good Samaritan’s Mobile Medical Clinics provide medical care at over 5,500 patient visits each year. Many individuals in the greater Tulsa area have come to rely on these clinics as their primary care provider.
“Our church will always have more vision than we have resource to accomplish,” said Gunn. “It takes community partners and those who are willing to jump in on those causes.” Gunn praised local philanthropists Montie and Betty Box for contributing to the clinic, as well as Ron and Pat Halcomb, and Green Country Federal Credit Union. Susan Hood will be the Site Coordinator for the clinic.
“A big thanks to the people of Church That Matters who are willing to take risks, willing to do things outside of the box, willing to do whatever it takes to see that mission accomplished. So many people from our church have jumped on board to volunteer.”
Church That Matters is known for pioneering nontraditional ministries. The church operates the Prattville Market and Southside Coneys in the same shopping center as fundraisers for their various charities and ministries. They also own the Lee’s Charburgers food truck, which is currently closed but expected to resume operations in the future.
CTM is an active member of the Sand Springs Local Church Network and is frequently involved in community events. They are one of the first churches in the state to offer a special service on Sundays geared specifically towards families with special needs children. They also operate a free coat rack at Prattville Market during the winter months, and have been extremely proactive in helping the community recover from the historic May flooding that devastated multiple neighborhoods along the Arkansas River.
SEE RELATED:
Sand Springs woman opening free health clinic in Sapulpa
SouthSide Coneys holds grand opening, owned by Church That Matters
Church That Matters opens free Mobile Medical Clinic in Sand Springs
/Good Samaritan Health Services, in partnership with Church that Matters of Sand Springs, celebrates the opening of a free Mobile Medical Clinic location. This clinic will provide quality comprehensive medical care for uninsured and underserved individuals living in the Sand Springs area. Pastor Rusty Gunn led the effort for his church to partner with Good Samaritan Health Services to offer this valuable and much-needed service in the Sand Springs community.
Church That Matters and the free clinic are located at 3 West 41st Street in south Sand Springs, also known as Prattville. A Ribbon Cutting event will be held at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, October 22nd, on its first day of operations.
This clinic will be open to the public on the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month, opening at 4:30 p.m. The only requirement for patients to receive medical care at the clinic is that they have no health insurance. Walk-in patients are welcome. Any person wanting to receive medical care at the clinic should arrive at 4:30 p.m. Patients will be triaged and as many patients will receive services as resources will allow. Anyone unable to see a physician on the day of the clinic will have a future appointment made. Each clinic will provide quality comprehensive medical care for approximately 10 to 12 people.
Volunteers from Church that Matters along with Good Samaritan staff members will operate the clinic. This is Good Samaritan’s 13th Mobile Medical Clinic location in the greater Tulsa area. Good Samaritan’s Mobile Medical Clinics provide medical care at over 5,500 patient visits each year. Many individuals in the greater Tulsa area have come to rely on these clinics as their primary care provider.
Church That Matters also operates the Prattville Market and Southside Coneys in the same shopping center as fundraisers for their various charities and ministries.
SEE RELATED:
Sand Springs woman opening free health clinic in Sapulpa
SouthSide Coneys holds grand opening, owned by Church That Matters
SouthSide Coneys holds grand opening, owned by Church That Matters
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SouthSide Coneys celebrated its grand opening and ribbon cutting Monday morning in south Sand Springs at 1 West 41st Street.
Church That Matters, located in the same shopping center, recently purchased the business which was previously known as Terry’s Classic Coneys, and before that it was Ed’s Classic Coneys.
Ed’s built a brand as a 1950s-themed diner with hot rod red walls, Route 66 memorabilia, checkered racing flags, and frequent car shows. When Teri Buckner purchased the business in 2014, the name was the only thing to change.
The whole building got a facelift in recent weeks as it donned Sandite Black & Gold colors and a modern Sand Springs theme. School memorabilia is also expected to decorate the walls in the near future.
“Part of our vision since the beginning of our church has been to own and operate businesses,” says CTM Pastor Rusty Gunn. Not only will the businesses provide income for the church to expand its outreach ministries and missions, but according to Gunn, it also creates “touch points in our community where we can meet people that we wouldn’t normally get to meet.”
The church currently owns and operates the Prattville Market, a booth rental and resale store. It also owns Lee’s Charburgers, a food truck that operated out of the church parking lot throughout 2018 before shutting down this past winter. Lee’s is currently on hiatus, but Gunn says it is expected to return within the next year or two.
In addition to the aesthetic changes, the restaurant menu has also been changing. The chili used on the coneys is now made entirely in-house. Pulled pork and BBQ chicken sandwiches have been added, as have pulled pork and BBQ chicken nachos.
“We want to keep doing what we’ve been doing,” says Gunn. “Matter to God, our city, and the world.”
Church That Matters buys Terry's Classic Coneys
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Church That Matters has taken over ownership of Terry’s Classic Coneys in south Sand Springs and will soon be rebranding the restaurant.
Originally Ed’s Classic Coneys, the business built a brand as a 1950s-themed diner with hot rod red walls, Route 66 memorabilia, checkered racing flags, and frequent car shows. When Teri Buckner purchased the business in 2014, the name was the only thing to change.
The whole building will be getting a facelift in the coming months as it dons Sandite Black & Gold colors and a modern Sand Springs theme with school memorabilia. It will also be renamed Southside Coneys.
“Part of our vision since the beginning of our church has been to own and operate businesses,” says CTM Pastor Rusty Gunn. Not only will the businesses provide income for the church to expand its outreach ministries and missions, but according to Gunn, it also creates “touch points in our community where we can meet people that we wouldn’t normally get to meet.”
The church currently owns and operates the Prattville Market, a booth rental and resale store. It also owns Lee’s Charburgers, a food truck that operated out of the church parking lot throughout 2018 before shutting down this past winter. Lee’s is currently on hiatus, but Gunn says it is expected to return within the next year or two.
In addition to the aesthetic changes coming to the restaurant, their menu has also been changing. The chili used on the coneys is now made entirely in-house. Pulled pork and BBQ chicken sandwiches have been added, as have pulled pork and BBQ chicken nachos.
“We want to keep doing what we’ve been doing,” says Gunn. “Matter to God, our city, and the world.”
The grand re-opening will be held on Monday, July 15th with a ribbon cutting celebration at 11:30 a.m. The public is invited to attend, and there will be special deals and drawings.
Church That Matters hosts 29th Annual Kids Free Fishing Derby, gives away free boat
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The 29th Annual Kids’ Free Fishing Derby went off without a hitch Saturday morning at the Sand Springs Lake, drawing more than 200 participants between the ages of 4-12.
Church That Matters hosted the event in partnership with the Sand Springs Parks Department, with free giveaway prizes donated by numerous community businesses. The lake was stocked with more than 200 pounds of catfish, bass, and bluegill prior to the event.
Briley Blaylock won the 4-6 age division with a 9.1 ounce catch, followed by Tristen Walker (6.5) and Jason Speck (4.3). Owen Russell won the 7-9 division with a 14.5 oz catch, followed by Alecia Oxidine (11.1) and Chandlar Templeton (9.8). Dalton Lunn won the 10-12 division with a 7.9 oz fish, followed by Bayley Gehri (7.7) and Carson Simmons (6.8).
Russell had the biggest overall catch at 14.5 oz, while Julianna Romero had the smallest at 0.2 oz. Peyton Simms won the biggest turtle competition at 10.75 inches.
Raffle prizes included an O’Rageous Family Pool, a Ginormous Gorilla Sprinkler, fishing poles, water guns, free kids’ meal gift cards to Charlie’s Chicken, Frisbees, tackle boxes, coolers, Dave & Buster’s gift cards, a Magellan 5-man Bastrop Tent, an Intex Challenger one-person kayak, and a Sundolphin two-person fishing boat.
The Sand Springs Lake Park is located at 1401 East Park Road and features a bike/walking trail, a beautiful garden, a picnic area, and a shelter.
Keystone Dam outflow reduced, community meeting scheduled and other resources for flood victims
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For the first time in weeks, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun significantly scaling back release rates at the Keystone Dam. By 2:00 p.m. Thursday outflow had been reduced from 275,000 cubic feet per second to 230,000. Inflow is down to 204,251 cf/s, its lowest rate since May 20th. The flood pool is at 104.9% with pool elevation at 755.5 feet. With no additional rains, the Corps is projecting 100,000 cf/s by June 3rd.
By Monday evening the Sand Springs Police had shut down Highway 51 all the way from Riverview RV Park to 145th West Avenue due to flooding from Anderson Creek. The Arkansas River tributary was one of the first places to flood in Sand Springs, taking out the Meadow Valley subdivision, the Webco Star Center, Sand Springs Sand and Gravel Company, and Double H Sales.
National Guard checkpoints have been established at the Highway 51 intersections with 145th West Avenue, Town and Country Drive, and 165th West Avenue. Residents in those neighborhoods are still allowed to return, but the Meadow Valley subdivision was temporarily off limits.
At peak outflow, 145th flooded at the entrance to the neighborhood, cutting off access to anyone without a substantially lifted vehicle. However waters began to recede Wednesday evening. Some residents reported 2-3 feet reduction in water levels around their property.
Charles Page Boulevard closed Tuesday from 65th West Avenue to 74th West Avenue, then expanded to 81st on Wednesday. The National Guard is concerned about soil liquification under the roadway and potential sinkholes.
The Starbucks in River West shut down Monday and will remain closed until the Arkansas River flooding situation is resolved and the levee system is no longer at risk.
Case Community Park has been closed for the past week due to substantial flooding and will likely remain closed for some time.
Resources
Broadway Baptist Church will be hosting an informative event Thursday at 1000 North Adams Road for locals affected by the flood. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. with remarks to begin at 6:30 p.m. Senator James Lankford, Congressman Kevin Hern, Governor Kevin Stitt, Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready, Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado, and Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith will be in attendance.
Senator Jim Inhofe will be on hand at 5:30 p.m. to speak with constituents, but will not be available during the 6:30 meeting due to a previously scheduled conference call. The event is only open to residents of Town & Country, Candlestick Beach, and other affected flood victims in unincorporated Tulsa County areas of Sand Springs. QuikTrip is providing free drinks and pastries for the event.
Angus Church at 4401 South 129th West Avenue is serving three meals a day for locals affected by the floods and tornadoes. Breakfast is at 8:00 a.m., lunch is at 12:00 p.m., and dinner is at 6:00 p.m. However, the Thursday dinner will be moved up to 5:00 p.m. so as to not conflict with the meeting at Broadway Baptist.
Broadway will be providing free dinner to flood victims, first responders, and military Sunday June 2nd from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The church is partnering with Rolling River Relief and Sand Springs Community Services to bring multiple food trucks. Broadway is also offering free clothing and some financial support. They can be reached at 918-245-7513.
The Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Inc. has opened a Disaster Relief Distribution Center at the Sand Springs Church of Christ Activity Building at 4301 South 113th West Avenue. Beginning Thursday, May 30th, they are open from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily with boxed foods, baby care items, personal care items, cleaning supplies, and more. Flood victims should bring a valid driver’s license or ID card with your current address. This is a distribution site only and will not be able to receive donations.
Uhaul of Tulsa is offering free 30 day storage rental to anyone impacted by recent flooding. This is only at Uhaul Centers, not neighborhood dealers. Participating locations are 6105 South Peoria Avenue, 5140 South 103rd East Avenue, 3500 South Sheridan Road, 1006 South Memorial Drive, and 504 East Archer Street.
Samaritan’s Purse arrived Thursday to help with the physical labor that flood victims will have to deal with. The nondenominational evangelical Christian organization helps with gutting damaged homes to prep them for restoration. They are stationed in the Prattville Center at 3 West 41st Street to receive volunteers and flood victims in need of assistance. You can reach Samartian’s Purse at 918-257-1381. Samaritan’s Purse will provide training Monday through Saturday at 7:30 a.m. and on Sundays at 12:30 p.m.
Solace Church at 7314 West 41st Street will also be doing physical labor similar to Samaritan’s Purse. They can be reached at 217-853-1124.
Free meals are available for children up to age 18 from the Sand Springs Public Schools Child Nutrition Department. For information on locations and times, call 918-246-1430.
Sand Springs Community Services has food, clothing, cleaning supplies, hygiene products, toys, and other household items at 114 West 4th Street. They can be reached at 918-245-5183.
Sand Springs Care Closet at 3417 South 113th West Avenue has clothing and toys. They can be reached at 918-269-8434.
Harvest Church is receiving donations of cleaning supplies and canned goods at 1601 West 4th Street and can be reached at 918-245-0193. They have free cleaning supplies and bottled water at both their Sand Springs location and their 349 South 49th West Avenue location.
First Presbyterian Church at 222 North Adams Road has a food bank and can be reached at 918-245-1748.
Olivet Baptist Church at 155 North 65th West Avenue has a food bank and can be reached at 918-260-5369.
CrossPoint Church at 4600 South 129th West Avenue has a food bank and can be reached at 918-245-2534. They are accepting donations of bleach, gloves, cleaning supplies, bottled water, rags, and personal hygiene items.
HillSpring Church has clothing and licensed counselors available at 8801 West 41st Street and can be reached at 918-955-2031. They are accepting donations of trash bags, cleaning supplies ,bottled water, gloves, toilet paper, and paper towels.
Church That Matters has licensed counselors available at 3 West 41st Street and can be reached at 918-512-1486. They are accepting donations of bottled water, pre-packaged snacks, cleaning supplies, paper towels, gloves, and trash bags.
For resource updates, visit https://www.churchthatmatters.com/floodrelief
The City of Sand Springs canceled their “Chipper Days” event schedule for June 1st. The next date is July 13th. Citizens with a City water bill for proof of residence will be able to bring tree branches for free disposal.
Beginning Monday, free tetanus shots will be available at Gilstrap Chiropractic Clinic at 3900 South 113th West Avenue.
Broadway Barber Shop hosts "Vets That Matter"
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Veterans matter in Sand Springs, Oklahoma.
On the first Saturday of each month, The Broadway Barber Shop in downtown Sand Springs hosts veterans and active duty members of the United States armed forces, as well as police, fire, and paramedics whose unique experiences have left them in need of camaraderie or guidance.
Wayne Pait and Warren Hood started the Vets That Matter organization four months ago at Church That Matters in Prattville. Hood is an active duty reserves Sergeant Major and Pait is a retired Navy veteran, eleven years removed from service.
"I've had this on my heart for a few years and didn't know how to kick it off," says Pait. "When I first got out I was really bitter about being a civilian, about my career. I didn't want to be involved in anything to do with the military. The longer I've been out, the more nostalgic I've been."
"It's been a struggle watching the news, seeing some of the guys coming back, and some of the problems their families are dealing with." Pait says the military spends years teaching them to be soldiers, but doesn't spend nearly enough time teaching them how to be civilians again.
Pait met Hood in October of 2017 and the two hit it off instantly due to their military connection. Church That Matters provided a launching point for their meetings, but the church location created a barrier for some vets who didn't feel comfortable meeting in a religious setting.
Mitch, the mononymous barber, has offered to let the vets use his facility at 29 East Broadway Street for as long as they need it. Eventually they hope to have their own facility in the downtown area where individuals can come by any time for help or fellowship.
"What we do is supply active duty reservists, veterans, and first responders an opportunity to come in, talk with us if they want about what they're dealing with," says Pait. "I don't even care if you got kicked out of the military, there's still things we can do to help you."
"On the outside we don't really like talking about it with our spouses so we kind of hold things in a lot. Some don't want to talk about it to their supervisors either because some of them believe it could affect their ability to get a promotion."
"This is just a platform for them to come in and kind of hang out, meet some guys that are in their field, that have done what they've done, seen what they've seen. We have a connection."
Pait says they have a police officer from their church involved with helping first responders. They are also working with the Disabled American Veterans location in Sapulpa and the American Legion post in Sand Springs.
Since their meetings began, they have had the opportunity to provide guidance to individuals struggling with drugs, alcohol, and transitioning back into the civilian world.
While Vets That Matter is focused on Sand Springs, they welcome anyone from the surrounding communities. They also hope to meet with local homeless veterans.
Pait says reservists in particular are encouraged to come get involved.
"Reservists have it the hardest because they do military part time and they're civilians part time. The problem is they deploy for a year at a time and go over to Afghanistan. They fight in the wars over there and when they come back they're expected to transition back into civilian world right away."
"Us full time military guys didn't have to worry about that. We go do what we do, we come back and we're still doing military things every day. So the reservists are having a harder time transitioning. They have more problems with alcohol and domestic violence, and that's where police officers and first responders get involved. They have to deal with us in town."
The meetings last from 9:00 a.m. to noon and donuts and coffee are provided. The meeting opens and closes with prayer, but the rest of the session is informal.
"I'm new in my faith," says Pait. "But without God, I would not have been able to do what I do now."
"We're not trying to thump them in the head with a Bible, but just make them understand that we had the same problems until we decided to make a change. Most of us decided to make that change by getting involved with Christ and following Him. It's made it better for a lot of us."
"But mostly what we're trying to do is have a place for them to come in and hang out. With military people, we can know each other five minutes and it's like we've known each other all our lives. A lot of guys are just missing the camaraderie of talking with people that know what we do."
Additionally, Pait wants to help bring attention to the 20.6 veterans on average who kill themselves every day in the United States. "Our job is to try and stop that. We've already stopped one in our group. It's a beginning."
Vets That Matter have a new t-shirt available at the Broadway Barbershop. Additionally, they plan to host a car show in September and will be having a free food for homeless vets outreach.
Find Vets That Matter on Facebook, or at www.vetsthatmatter.org
2 Angels Toy Run honors fallen Sandites and veterans, collects Christmas Presents for Salvation Army
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More than 200 Sandites turned out Saturday to honor two young car crash victims by donating toys to the Salvation Army. (Photo: Scott Emigh).
In October of 2010, two Charles Page High School students were tragically killed in an auto collision that left the community reeling. Hannah Christian and Cassidy Rotramel were only fifteen years old when their vehicle was t-boned. Their driver was reportedly distracted with an electronic device and rolled a stop sign. None of the passengers were wearing seatbelts.
The tragedy was a sobering wake up call for the community on the dangers of distracted driving and the importance of safety precautions. It was also a time of mourning for the popular teens who were both role model students.
The schools were filled with additional counselors in the coming weeks and hundreds of students utilized their services to cry, vent, and search for answers. Classmate and musician Jake Tankersley used his college savings to record a song in their honor and the "See You Soon" single sold thousands of copies to help pay for their funerals.
The close knit Sandite community vowed not to let their deaths be in vain. Hundreds of students signed a pledge to never text and drive. Then, within a few weeks, the 2 Angels Toy Run and scholarship fund was born.
Christian family friend Eddie Baugher envisioned the toy run and Church That Matter has since taken over the event. Each year, hundreds of car and motorcycle enthusiasts turn out for the drive and bring new, unwrapped toys to donate to area charities in time for Christmas. The Church That Matters Holy Smokers serve barbecue and t-shirts are sold to raise money for scholarships. Two $3000 scholarships are given away each year to CPHS students.
Members of the Sand Springs Community Band perform at the 2 Angels Toy Run in honor of Veterans Day.
The event is regularly held on the second Saturday of November, which happened to coincide with Veterans Day in 2017. The Sand Springs Community Band turned out to perform the songs of each branch of the military, and veterans were recognized prior to the ride.
More than a hundred motorcycles and cars turned out with hundreds of donors. The motorcade ran from the Tulsa Community College West Campus to the Keystone Dam then back to Charles Page High School where they turned their toys in to the Salvation Army. Local businesses donated door prizes for a drawing among toy donors. Prizes were also awarded for the best decorated motorcycles.
Meet The Sandites Thursday at 7:00, pregame tailgating at 5:30
/The Charles Page High School football season is soon to kick off, and with it comes the local traditions of Meet the Sandites and pregame tailgaiting.
Every year the season kicks off with Meet the Sandites, a preseason celebration of Sand Springs athletes. Sandite fans will be introduced to the Sand Springs football, softball, cross country, and volleyball teams, plus the cheer and dance squads. Not just the varsity teams either. The Sand Springs Youth Football and Cheer teams from elementary on up will get to storm the turf with the big kids in a preview of their future high school careers.
Prior to each football game, the award-winning Holy Smokers from Church That Matters host a tailgate cookout event with hot dogs, burgers, chips, and drinks as a fundraiser for the various Sandite athletic programs. The fundraisers routinely generate as much as $10,000 every season.
The first fundraiser will be held on Thursday, August 17, prior to Meet the Sandites. Proceeds will go to benefit the football program.
On Friday, September 1 the Sandites will host Pulaski Academy from Little Rock, Arkansas. That tailgate will help fund the volleyball program.
On Friday, September 8, the Sandites will host Choctaw and the tailgate funds will go to the cheer team.
On Friday, October 13, the Sandites will host Muskogee for Homecoming. The wrestling team will receive that tailgate's proceeds.
On Friday, October 27, the Sandites will host Bartlesville and the boys' basketball team will be the fundraiser recipient.
The last tailgate will be on Senior Night before the Bixby game. The dance team will receive those funds.
The tailgating begins at 5:30 p.m. and costs $5. Meet the Sandites will officially begin at 7:00 p.m. Student athletes are asked to arrive early and begin lining up at 6:35.
Sand Springs Rotary Club hosts local nonprofit organization showcase
/The Sand Springs Rotary Club and the Sand Springs United Methodist Church hosted a nonprofit showcase this past Thursday and dozens of local organizations participated. The free public event included free food and door prizes to help bring public awareness and attention to the organizations and the opportunities for community involvement.
2 Angel Toy Run is an annual event hosted by Church That Matters in South Sand Springs with the purpose of providing toys for children at Christmas time, as well as scholarships for Charles Page High School students. The Toy Run is held each November. The annual event is named for Hannah Christian and Cassidy Rotramel, two Charles Page High School students who were killed in a motor vehicle accident in 2010. For more information, visit www.2angelstoyrun.com
The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce is an organization of local businesses, organizations, and individuals working together to bring growth and economic development to Sand Springs. Members meet the first Monday of each month at noon in an open forum at the Tulsa Technology Center. For more information, visit www.sandspringschamber.com
Church That Matters seeks "to be a church that matters to God, each other, our city, and the world." The church has Wednesday evening youth service from 7:00 to 8:30, and three Sunday morning services at 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30. For more information, visit www.churchthatmatters.com
Camp Courage is an independent Christian youth camp located in Owasso and holds traditional camps during the Summer, Spring, and Fall breaks. They also offer a day camp with fishing, hiking, canoeing, paintball, swimming, archery, and more. For more information, visit www.campcourageusa.com
Counseling & Recovery Services of Oklahoma is an outpatient community mental health clinic for adults and children. The organization believes in "treating the whole person," both mentally and physically. They offer adult and children's mental health services, substance abuse assistance, physician visits, pharmaceutical needs, housing, and more. For more information, visit www.crsok.org
Daughters of the American Revolution is a women's only group that works to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. The group meets every third Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at Greentree Retirement Center in Sand Springs. Membership requires that a person be directly descended from a person involved in the United States' struggle for independence, and is only for adults aged 18+. For more information, visit www.oklahomadar.org
Day Spring Villa Women & Children's Shelter provides physical, emotional, Christ-like care to enable women and their children to live God-honoring lives. The shelter accepts any and all victims of domestic violence, human sex trafficking, and more. For more information, visit www.dayspringvilla.com
Hillspring Church is located in South Sand Springs and offers numerous small groups including Kids Outdoor Zone and Zumba. They are also hosting a motorcycle Toy Run on December 3rd at 11:30 a.m. For more information, visit www.hillspring.tv
Junior Achievement of Oklahoma serves K-12th grade students by introducing financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship into the classroom by empowering the students through exciting, hands-on learning experiences. For more information, visit www.jaok.org
Mobile Missions Network is a local organization seeking to meet the needs of mobile home communities in Northeast Oklahoma. Volunteers meet Sunday evenings at the River Oaks, Shannon Valley, and Valley Brook Mobile Communities from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. MMN hosts special events in these communities, including sports camps, bible clubs, and Halloween parties. They also help provide Christmas gifts and help families with light remodeling projects in the area. For more information, visit www.mobilemissionsnetwork.com
Oasis Adult Day Services provides affordable daytime care in a home-like environment for cognitively or physically impaired adults. Oasis has locations at 5525 East 51st Street, Tulsa, and 410 East Lee Street, Sapulpa. For more information, visit www.oasisads.org
Osage Forest of Peace bills itself as an "interspiritual Contemplative Retreat Center." The grounds are open to guests seven days a week with meditation times at 7:00 a.m. and noon daily, plus a 4:45 time on Tuesdays through Saturday. The Forest hosts various retreats and programs, with overnight cabins, meals, yoga classes, hiking, as well as a Zen Garden and labyrinth. For more information, visit www.forestofpeace.org.
Rotary Club of Sand Springs is the local chapter of a worldwide organization promoting service over self. Rotary believes that service is the basis for success and happiness in business and community life. The local chapter meets ever Friday at 12:00 noon at Broadway Baptist Church. Some of the annual activities sponsored by Rotary include Downhill Derby, the Nonprofit Showcase, a February Chili Cook-off, and a June Bass fishing tournament. For more information, visit www.sandspringsrotary.com
Saint Francis Community Services works toward the recruitment, certification, and retention of quality foster homes in Oklahoma. The organization is not associated with Tulsa hospital, and is corporately located in Kansas. For more information, contact jason.cloud@st-francis.org
Sand Springs Area Support Group for the Visually Limited meets on the third Monday of each month at the Lucile Page Manor Community Room in Sand Springs. The organization helps the visually impaired, and their caregivers, to access resources and creative solutions to overcoming the disability.
Sand Springs Community Services, Inc. assists Sand Springs area residents experiencing economic crisis in moving forward towards self-sufficiency. For more information, visit www.sscsok.org
Sand Springs Community Thanksgiving Dinner is sponsored by the Sand Springs United Methodist Church, and works to prepare and deliver Thanksgiving meals to Sand Springs and West Tulsa residents. Volunteers meet the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, as well as Thanksgiving day at the UMC Family Life Center. For more information, contact mcreeves@cox.net
Sand Springs Community Theater is dedicated to the exploration and celebration of the performing arts. The company performs three to four shows per year, hosts fundraisers and school workshops, and provides one scholarship each year for a Charles Page High School senior. For more information, visit www.pageplayers.com
The Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum is dedicated to the acquisition, preservation, interpretation and exhibition of information and materials related to the history and culture of the Sand Springs community and surrounding area. The museum holds an annual Night at the Museum event the week of Halloween, as well as a Christmas display. The Art of Giving Holiday Open House will be Saturday, December 18th from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 and will feature the Sand Springs Community Band, Sand Springs Service Clubs, and the Festival of Trees in the museum. For more information, contact SSmuseumSS2@gmail.com.
The Sand Springs Education Foundation is a private partner organization of the Sand Springs Public School district and helps provide creative and innovative materials that cannot be funded through local, state, or federal means. For more information, visit www.sandspringseducationfoundation.com
Sand Springs Park Friends, Inc is a fundraising organization for quality of life projects for Sand Springs Parks. For more information, visit www.sandspringsok.org
The Sand Springs Sertoma Club seeks to meet the needs of those impacted by hearing loss and meets each Tuesday at noon at the Sand Springs IHOP. The Sertoma Club sponsors the annual Sand Springs Fireworks show, as well as an annual Murder Mystery dinner. For more information, visit www.sertoma.org
The Sand Springs Symphony League works each year to bring symphony music performances to Sand Springs elementary school students. For more information, contact sandspringssymphonyleague@gmail.com
The Sand Springs Women's Chamber is organized for the purpose of advancing literacy through charitable, civic and literacy programs in Sand Springs. Members meet the second Wednesday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Case Community Center, September through May of each year. For more information, contact dmyers@mysersmm.com
Sandite Team Animal Rescue (S.T.A.R.) is dedicated to the rescue and care of abused, neglected, and homeless pets. Volunteers work to find homes and foster homes for animals in the Sand Springs pound. They provide veterinary care, spay-neuter services, transportation, and foster care for hundreds of cats and dogs. For more information, visit www.STARescue.com
Springs, Inc. provides assistance in daily living for people with intellectual disabilities. The organization is committed to the principle of normalization. For more information, visit www.springsinc.org
Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Sand Springs is the local chapter of an international organization rooted in Christianity. The ministry seeks to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. For more information, visit www.salarmytulsa.org
Sand Springs Board of Education discusses recent State Report Cards
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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief
The Sand Springs Board of Education met in a regular meeting Monday evening at Charles Page High School and discussed matters of school performance. Special recognition was given to the CPHS varsity softball team, as well as Church That Matters, Inkwell Printing, and David and Jeanie Kvach.
Head Coach Shelli Brown and the varsity softball team were presented with a Coin of Excellence.
SEE RELATED: Sydney Pennington and Jessica Collins make All-State Fast Pitch team
Members of the Sand Springs Education Association briefly addressed the crowd about the success of the recent Walk For Kids fundraiser benefiting Dayspring Villa, which raised more than $2300 dollars. They also thanked the local Wendy's for a donation of $500.
Jeanie and David Kvach were recognized for their recent donation to the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Initiative. David Kvach is the owner of KLO, LLC, KVR Energy L.L.C., and Guardian Energy Consultants, Inc. Jeanie is the Architect and Master Planner for the Sand Springs School District and owner of Kvach & Associates.
"Dave and I just believe in this district. We've had two kids graduate from this district. One is a doctor, graduated from Yale Medical," said Jeanie. "We specifically wanted to help improve math in the district, so when I heard about this opportunity I told Dave, 'put your money where your mouth is.'"
Pastor, entrepreneur, and Board of Ed member Rusty Gunn accepted recognitions on behalf of his church and business for their donations to the STEM initiative. Church That Matters volunteers regularly host tailgate fundraiser events prior to all Sandite Football home games. At each game they sell hot dogs, burgers, snacks, and more to raise money for the Sandite athletics programs. According to Gunn, they raised more than $12,000 this year and more than $60,000 since they began doing it a few years ago. Gunn's business, Inkwell Printing, also made a donation to the STEM initiative.
As the Board moved on from recognitions to business, they spent a hefty amount of time discussing the recent A-F Report Cards issued by the State.
SEE RELATED: State Releases A-F Report Cards: Sand Springs Schools average B-
Charles Page High School received a C-, but according to Superintendent Durkee, that doesn't tell the whole story. Durkee pointed to CPHS's 51.16% poverty rating as an indicator of why the school appears to perform poorly. Sandite Pride verified Durkee's claims with the State Board of Education's Low Income Report for 2015-2016 and the numbers more than check out. 6A schools with poverty rates below 50% average a score of 86.57, whereas schools over 50% averaged only 69.46.
When judged against schools with equally economically diverse student bodies, Charles Page is actually above average. Ponca City High School, which holds a poverty percentage of 53.59 scored only a 63% compared to Sand Springs's score of 71%. Neighboring Highway 97 rival Sapulpa scored a 63% as well.
The only school with a poverty rates over 50% to score above a C was Union with an 82%. Just below Sand Springs in poverty is Booker T. Washington, who received a 97%. According to Durkee, "it's impossible to compare apples to apples here."
Firstly, Booker T. Washington is a four-year school, whereas Charles Page is only for tenth through twelfth grade. In overall student growth, CPHS scored a 58% in Algebra I, compared to a 92% at Booker T. The difference? Booker T.'s score was based on participation of 296 students. Sand Springs only had twelve participants. The majority of Sand Springs students take Algebra I in ninth grade, meaning the dozen participants at CPHS are students who are already struggling with the subject. Indeed, Sand Springs's Central Ninth Grade Center scored a 94% overall and a 90% in Algebra I based on 374 participating students.
Secondly, Booker T. Washington has admission standards and isn't a typical public school. Applicants to the school must score at the 35th percentile or above in both the reading and mathematics components of the State assessments. They must maintain a cumulative GPA at or above 2.50 and must maintain superb attendance with no suspensions.
"I'm not making an excuse," said Durkee. "It's a reason that we can't ignore. It's hard to compare with a school that allows selection."
This is the last year for the current standards of A-F report cards, and next year's scores could look very different due to new laws passed in the most recent legislative session. Next year's reports will be based on math, biology, English, reading, and U.S. history.
"Even if Charles Page gets an A+, I will have a hard time celebrating," said Durkee. "There are flaws in the system."
Durkee also discussed the Twin Cities Elementary property that was vacated by SSPS in 2003. "We may want to look seriously at tearing it down." The building is the oldest school in Sand Springs and has had little to no interest from buyers in the last several years. Though the district isn't making any definitive plans one way or another for now, they're considering razing the building and holding on to the property for potential future expansion years down the line.
Terry's Classic Coneys presents the Harper's Hut Classic Car & Bike Show, next Saturday in Sand Springs
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Three cars that may be at the car show. Photo: Mark Battenfield
By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief
Harper's Hut Shaved Ice & Java is teaming up with Terry's Classic Coneys to bring an old tradition back to the Prattville community. Before being acquired by Teri Buckner, the former Ed's Classic Coneys hosted car shows just about every year. On Saturday, September 24th, the show is back and bigger than ever.
"We've spared no expense," says Harper's owner William Nozak. "It's not just car fans who should be there--it's families. It's a big big thing that we've all come together in Sand Springs to do."
Car Show sponsors:
Allstate
Animal House II Pet Store
Battman Collision Repair
Church That Matters
Copper Oaks Bed & Breakfast
Do Overs Furniture
Green Country Federal Credit Union
Harper's Hut Shaved Ice & Java
Inkwell Custom Apparel
Lucky 7's Custom Creations
Master Lube
Miss Trita's Dance Studio
Mother's Helper Consignment Shop
Sand Springs Autosource
Sand Springs Leader
Shell & Cross Bones Candles
Sullivan's Body Shop
Terry's Classic Coneys
U.S. Army Sand Springs Recruiting Center
The event may be hosted by Buckner and Nozak, but more than a dozen area businesses and organizations are helping to bring the annual event back to life.
The car show will last from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and will have plenty for everybody. DJ Blake Bush will be providing entertainment for the evening. Miss Trita's Dance Studio students will be performing a routine. The Sand Springs Leader will be providing games for the children and the Army will have youth games. There will be several other vendors of food, crafts, clothes, and more at the event as well.
Church That Matters will be preparing breakfast and the Harper's Hut coffee truck will also be on hand. Throughout the day, attendees will be able to lunch on Papa Pat's Barbecue or Terry's Classic Coneys, and follow it up with some shaved ice for dessert.
The car show itself will feature 21 classes, with trophies going to the top-three in each class. The first place trophies are extra special, however. Nozak traveled three hours to Conway, Arkansas to acquire the trophies that were hand-made by an artist/mechanic from actual car parts. The trophies are very heavy, and very expensive.
There's a special category for the kids to participate in, and a People's Choice Award trophy. Every entrant in the competition will receive a T-shirt, but the biggest prize goes to the Best in Show winner. That lucky person will receive a one night paid stay for two at the Copper Oaks Bed & Breakfast in Sapulpa.
There will also be a raffle open to the public, full of great prizes. There's a lamp made out of car pistons, $25 vouchers to the Sand Springs Pumpkin Patch, two meals at Rib Crib, car detailing supplies from AutoZone, a month of free tanning from Touch of Sun, a one-year subscription to the Leader, and even more great prizes. Raffle tickets will be $5.00 apiece, and each prize will have its own bucket so that everyone gets a good shot at what they're wanting.
The best part of the whole event is that it's nonprofit. The proceeds from the car show and raffle will all be split between the Keystone Fire Department and the Church That Matters Special Needs ministry.
For more information, contact
William Nozak
www.harpershut.com
www.facebook.com/harpers.hut
Local businesses and churches say farewell to summer with stellar parties
/Photo: Courtesy, Holly Felts Photography
By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief
Sand Springs students have been back in school for a week now, but two local youth groups just held big "Back-to-School" parties Wednesday night.
Forward Youth, the youth ministry of Word of Life Church, held their third annual Whiteout powdered-paint war with inflatables and slip'n'slide kick ball. The Movement, Church That Matters's youth group, held their third annual Meltdown snowball fight with shaved ice provided by Harper's Hut Shaved Ice & Java and the Sweet Pink Shack.
Forward Youth celebrated their first service at their new location. The youth have had their own building at 10th and Adams since the church vacated that building and moved to their current location at 1402 N. 81st W. Ave. The church recently announced the transition to bring their youth into the main church building earlier this summer.
The party featured free shaved ice from Sandlot Sno-Balls and free donuts from Livi Lee's. The church provided a massive inflatable obstacle course and bounce-house and played games of slip'n'slide kick ball on the church's baseball field. For the third year the church hosted a powdered-paint war with more than a hundred attendees. The war splits the youth group into two sides with each student receiving bags of dry powder paint to hurdle at the other team.
The Movement has also been doing their Meltdown Summer Snowball Fight for three years now, using buckets and coolers full of ice shaved by Harper's Hut and the Sweet Pint Shack. The packed event held its worship service outside in the church parking lot at 3 West 41st Street.
38th Oklahoma Freewheel bicycle tour stops in Sand Springs
/By: Morgan Miller and Virgil Noah
This year marks the 38th consecutive year of the Oklahoma Freewheel, and for the first time in its history it made a stop in Sand Springs. Freewheel is a week-long bicycle tour that stretches from the Red River to just across the Kansas state line. With each town they go through, the bicyclists are greeted with hospitality unique to the town that they are visiting. For Sand Springs, that included giving the cyclists full use of the Case Community Center, free bar-b-cue from the Holy Smokers, and Harper’s Hut Shaved Ice and Java.
The Church That Matters Holy Smokers, Brent Higgins and Thomas Mercado, were set up alongside the cyclists’ campsite. The pair compete in competitions, and have won the people’s choice award at Chillin’ and Grillin’ competition for the past 5 years. Brent Higgins and Thomas Mercado brought enough food to this event to feed 300 people and were giving it away completely free to the participants of the bike tour. Harper’s Hut Shaved Ice and Java was set up adjacent to the Holy Smokers and had to shut down momentarily to replenish their supplies after completely selling out of product.
A group of massage therapists travels with the cyclists on the tour. Each night the group set up their tents to offer some relief for the cyclists’ sore muscles. One of those therapists is Dwight Divelbiss who says that, “It’s just fun to travel and visit the small towns and see Oklahoma.” He has been practicing massage therapy part-time for 20 years, and of those 20 years has traveled with 15 Freewheels. Dwight doesn’t live in Sand Springs but his parents reside in town. Mary Lou Divelbiss, Dwight’s mother, was the branch manager of the Charles Page Public Library before retiring.
Jerri Hines from Jay, Oklahoma is on her 12th Freewheel tour. She got started bicycling as a kid with her parents, and was exposed to the Oklahoma Freewheel when it would go through her town. She had gone through Sand Springs but had never stopped to take it all in. When asked what her favorite thing about the town was, she said that she loved seeing the old buildings and the Holy Smokers bar-b-cue.
The cyclists arrived in Sand Springs intermittently throughout Wednesday evening and departed early Thursday morning at 5:00 am. They will spend Thursday night in Claremore.
Holy Smokers win fifth-straight at Chillin & Grillin, Harper's Hut gives away 400+ snow cones
/By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief
The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce put on their annual Chillin' and Grillin' Festival this past weekend, and if you didn't make it then you sure missed out!
Harper's Hut Shaved Ice & Java gave out more than 400 free snow cones throughout the event, including signature favorites such as Harry Potter Butterbeer and Volcano.
Jambo Pits was named Grand Champion of the event by the Kansas City Barbecue Society with Okie Q BBQ coming in as Reserve Champion.
Jambo Pits took first place in brisket, Moving the Chains BBQ took first in pork, Buffalo's BBQ took first in pork ribs, and Fatt Mikes took first place in chicken.
Church That Matters' Holy Smokers won their fifth consecutive People's Choice Award. Light My Fire BBQ won the "Anything But" competition.
This year included a baking competition with two categories and two division. Katie Gonzales won the Student division in Cookies. Jacie Taber and Cameron Clemons won the Student Pies category. Andrea Brice won Adult Cookies and Debra Bunch won Adult Pies.
Charles Page High School graduate and blues musician Dylan Whitney was the entertainment for the evening, along with the Charles Sisters.
Senator Dan Newberry was on the scene to present awards and publicize his upcoming re-election campaign. Sand Springs's own Josh Turley was also campaigning at the event. Turley is running for the position of County Commissioner.
The full Sandite Pride gallery from the event is now available at https://sanditepride.smugmug.com/Community-Events/2016-Chillin-and-Grillin/
27th Annual Sand Springs Herbal Affair is this Saturday, April 16th
/Photo by: Morgan Miller
Sand Springs, OK- The City of Sand Springs hopes you will join us on Saturday, April 16th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the 27th annual event. More than 100 vendors will be on site selling herbs, perennials, natives and heirloom plants, along with herbal products, gardening supplies, outdoor décor and so much more.
“Each year this event grows,” says Kasey St. John, Marketing Manager for the City of Sand Springs. “What started as a downtown street sale now has 105 vendors offering a variety of local and unique products.”
This year’s festival features many of the same vendors that keep visitors coming back but also includes several additional areas:
Kid Zone
Sponsored by The Church That Matters, the Kid’s Zone features interactive and educational activities that are fun for the whole family plus, a special entertainment stage with local performances by Miss Tirita’s dance students. All free of charge!
Basil Street Theater
8:30-9:30 a.m. Casey and Minna
9:30-10:30 a.m. CBMS Jazz Band
10:30- Noon. Spring Street
Noon-12:30 p.m. Hometown Hero Presentation
12:30-2:00 p.m. Janet Rutland Trio
2:00-3:00 p.m. Seven Feathers
3:00-4:00 p.m. Turtle Creek Cloggers
Wine Garden
Have a taste and sit a spell while in the Oklahoma Wine Garden located in the City Garden Park at Broadway and McKinley.
Food Trucks
Are you a foodie that enjoys the best of the Tulsa region’s food truck scene? Look no further than Herbal Affair. The food truck court features some of the area’s most popular food trucks with delights ranging from Mediterranean, Vietnamese fusion, desserts to traditional local fare.
Plant Sitters
Manned by local Catholic parishioners at St. Patrick’s Church, the Plant Sitters Booth will watch over your purchases free of charge while you explore the festival.
Free Shuttle Service
Park and ride the free shuttle service from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Charles Page High School located at Park and Adams Road, just two blocks north of the Adams Road exit from State Highway 412/64/51.
Maps and T-Shirts
Maps of the festival will be available at the welcome sings at festival entrances, as well as the Information Tent located at City Hall (corner of Broadway and McKinley.) T-shirts will be available at the Information Tent for $15.
Visit the Herbal Affair Web site for more information on this festival, www.herbalaffairandfestival.com.
Mark your calendars for the 27th annual Herbal Affair
/Story and photo by: Morgan Miller, Executive Director
If you are from Sand Springs or one of the surrounding areas, chances are you have been to or at least have heard of the Herbal Affair. If you have not heard of this festival, it is an annual herb and garden event held in downtown Sand Springs. The city’s website states that “this event was founded in 1989 and began as a simple downtown street sale. Since then it has grown tremendously and now attracts over 25,000 people each year. It has also led to other communities hosting similar events, but remains the “queen” of herbal festivals.” This event consistently attracts people from all over the state, and even people from surrounding states as well.
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Kasey St. John, the Marketing and Special Projects Manager for the city of Sand Springs. St. John has organized this special event for Sand Springs for the past two years. For most of its life, the Herbal Affair was actually run by a committee, but a few years ago it was adopted by The City of Sand Springs.
The Herbal Affair has a huge economic impact on Sand Springs. In fact, St. John mentioned that Riddle Plant farm claims the day as their biggest day of the year. With thousands of people being attracted to Sand Springs from out of town, it is bound to impact the economy in a big way. This event drums up business for Sand Springs’ shops in downtown, the hotels, restaurants, and gas stations.
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About 25 to 40% of the vendors at the Herbal Affair are from the Sand Springs or Tulsa Metro area. While a little under half are from this specific area of the state, about 90% of the vendors are from Oklahoma. People know what they are going for when they go to the Herbal Affair. Almost all of the vendors are there year after year and that is one of the things that makes it so unique. The herbal affair has maintained a certain standard and character over the years and that, as well, is what makes it so incredibly special. When you go out to the Herbal Affair, you are truly supporting your friends and neighbors.
This event has something for just about everyone. Held in the heart of downtown Sand Springs, there are many unique shops and boutiques, like The Silver Linings Boutique which is on Broadway. The Herbal affair’s vendors don’t only sell plants and herbs, either. There are also craft vendors, as well as food and drink vendors. There will be entertainment for all ages, such as musical performances and a “Kid’s Zone” put on by volunteers from Church That Matters.
If you would like to attend this incredible event, it is being held this year on April 16th, from 9am-4pm, rain or shine! All of the information for the festival can be found at herbalaffairandfestival.com and also on the Sand Springs Herbal Affair & Festival Facebook page.
The entertainment schedule for this year is as follows:
2016 Entertainment Schedule
8:30-9:30 Casey and Minna
9:30-10:30 Clyde Boyd Middle School Jazz Band
10:30-Noon Spring Street
Noon-12:30 Hometown Hero Presentation
12:30-2:00 Janet Rutland Trio
2:00-3:00 Seven Feathers
3:00-4:00 Turtle Creek Clogger
Vendors at the event include community favorites such as: Whispering Vines Vineyards and Winery, Tomato Man, The Jelly Lady, Sugar Sisters, Sparks Vineyard, Rosemary's Kitchen, Riddle Plant Farm, Red Dirt Salsa, Pita Place Mediterranean Grill, Okie Dirt, Kountry Kitchen, and Harper's Hut Shaved Ice & Java. The complete list can be found on the city website.
CPHS seniors host Valentine's Day Fun Night fundraiser
/By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief
Church That Matters is hosting a "Valentine's Day Fun Night" Friday, February 12th, as a fundraiser for the Charles Page High School Senior Class Trip.
Senior English teacher Chelynn Broughton, along with several student mothers, will be chaperoning a Senior Class Cruise to Cozumel this summer.
The students have worked hard all year to raise money for the trip which thirty students have signed up to participate in, but are still well behind their goal.
The event will be open to all children in third though sixth grade.
In addition to the Fun Night, two other fundraisers are available.
Mrs. Broughton has created a "Go Fund Me" account where you can make a direct cash contribution at https://www.gofundme.com/4cm2ftck
Melissa Cremin Photography has pledged to donate $50 to the trip for every photoshoot that is sent her way. Just call to book your appointment and mention that you're doing it for the Senior Class Cruise. https://www.facebook.com/melissacreminphotography
