"Unseen India" photography exhibit opens at Sand Springs Museum

The Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum is currently hosting an exhibit from photojournalist Bernie Guzik, and the museum held a grand opening for “Unseen India” with hors d’oeuvre and a lecture from the artist.

Guzik, who now resides in Tulsa, is a Cleveland, Ohio native and experienced musician. He graduated The Julliard School of performing arts in Manhattan, New York, and has performed with the New York Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the Tulsa Philharmonic.

He also has extensive travel experience in areas like Kenya, Israel, and Alaska, and his new exhibit comes from a February 2017 visit to rural tribal lands in eastern India. Though he did stop by the Taj Mahal during his trip, most of his time was spent far from traditional tourist locations.

The Sand Springs Museum is located in the former Page Memorial Library in the heart of the downtown Triangle District. Built in 1929, its unique style of art deco architecture landed it on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to traveling exhibits, it also has a permanent display of the unique philanthropic and charitable history of Sand Springs.

“Unseen India” will be on display through May 31st. The museum is at 9 East Broadway Street and is open Tuesday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Admission is free. The museum can be reached at 918-246-2509.

Sand Springs was named Oklahoma’s “Best Place to Escape To in 2019” by Expedia, and the museum is only one of countless tourist sites in the city. From beautiful murals, scenic drives, the Arkansas River, Shell Lake, Case Community Park, and the Keystone Ancient Forest, there’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy.

Organizers call Inaugural Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony a success

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Mayor Mike Burdge speaks at the Inaugural Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

The Holiday Season kicked off with a bang Tuesday night in downtown Sand Springs as larger-than-expected crowds turned out for the first known Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in town history. 

The inaugural event drew more than a thousand attendees to shop local, eat local, and watch Mayor Mike Burdge flip the ceremonial switch to kick off the 2017 Christmas season. 

The event grew from seed to harvest in a mere three weeks after local cosmetologist Joni Sporleder invited fellow business owners to her shop, Joni's on the Triangle, earlier this month. Representatives from Blush Hair Salon, YellowHouse Market & Boutique, Rod's Books and Relics, the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce, Sandite Pride News, Dog and Duck Antiques, and Yesterday To Now Antiques were joined by realtor Jennifer Barretto and Santa Claus entertainer Glen Burkett to brainstorm and begin the rushed planning process.

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More than 3,000 lights illuminate a tree at the downtown Triangle for the Inaugural Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. (Photo: Scott Emigh).

The Sand Springs Parks Department graciously and meticulously decorated a tree on the Triangle with more than 3,000 lights, wrapping every single branch. 

Mrs. Marshall's Voice Studio and Olivet Baptist Church choir led the town in Christmas caroling while Three Feather's Catering, Lee's Charburgers, Monie Horsechief Indian Tacos, and Kettle Treats fed the crowd. 

Many downtown members of the newly-formed Small Business Coalition will be open later hours on Tuesdays from now on, and the success of the event has the organization planning future entertainment on the Triangle. In addition to looking at festivities for the holidays, they also want to host concerts throughout the year. 

The Christmas festivities will continue downtown this Friday beginning with the Inaugural Parade of Books at Rod's Books and Relics at 4:00 p.m. More than a dozen local authors will be selling books, giving autographs, and answering questions from fans, supporters, and aspiring writers. At 7:00 p.m. the 35th Annual Festival of Lights Christmas Parade will meander through downtown.

Chickasaw Nation to develop resort hotel and tourist destination at Lake Texoma

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OKLAHOMA CITY - The state of Oklahoma and the Chickasaw Nation recently announced plans to develop a resort hotel and other amenities at Lake Texoma in southeastern Oklahoma.

The initial plans call for the Chickasaw Nation to construct a three-story hotel, a restaurant and gift shop, a casino featuring up to 300 electronic games and as many as 10 lakefront fishing/boating cottages, Chickasaw Governor Bill Anoatubby said. The project covers 50 acres of lakefront property, overlooking Lake Texoma and the historic Roosevelt Bridge. It also involves about 11.5 acres of land acquired by the Commissioners of the Land Office (CLO) from the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation.

The hotel will include a lounge and meeting rooms, an outdoor pool and recreation area, a fitness center, gift shop, restaurant and a business center, he said.

The project is the result of a settlement negotiated by the CLO, which worked to bring a resolution to the property that was once home to the popular Lake Texoma Lodge and Resort. A private developer bought the property in 2006 and the lodge was demolished in 2009, but plans did not come to fruition. Developers blamed the economic downturn of 2008.

“We believe this project will help launch a transformation of this area into a major tourism and recreation attraction,” said Anoatubby. “We look forward to working with the state on a project we expect to have a positive impact on jobs and our economy for decades to come.” 

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin said she has been a long-time believer in the potential of the Lake Texoma area to be an economic driver in Oklahoma.

“This project will create jobs and revenue for southern Oklahoma while at the same time maintaining the beauty of the site,” said Fallin. “The Lake Texoma lodge and golf course for many years were a top tourist attraction in the region. This hotel and commercial development will be the catalyst to stimulate significantly greater economic development in the future. I appreciate Governor Anoatubby’s vision and willingness to partner with the state of Oklahoma to continue our joint efforts focusing on tourism in this beautiful and strategically located part of our state.”

The development will be off U.S. 70, across from the Chickasaw Pointe Golf Course near the site of the old Lake Texoma State Lodge.  Preliminary plans allow for future expansion of the hotel and the construction of additional waterfront cottages.

The Chickasaw Nation must first apply to place the land just north of the Texas border into trust status – a process that potentially could take several months or more.

“If the land can be placed into trust, our intent and plan is to develop this premier lakefront property into destination lodging and a casino,” said Bill Lance, secretary of commerce for the Chickasaw Nation.

City of Sand Springs launches economic development Web site

Sand Springs, OK- The City of Sand Springs has launched www.SeeSandSprings.com, a Web site focused on economic development. The new site features data and resources geared to business, development, visitors and tourist attraction to Sand Springs.

“We are thrilled to make See Sand Springs available to the public,” said Elizabeth Gray, City Manager. “Our staff has worked very hard researching and developing this site to help realtors, Chambers and brokers guide interested parties to the type of information a national chain or industry looks for.”

The See Sand Springs site started as a graduate student project in the summer of 2015 and has since been adopted by staff and City Council as a part of City Council’s recent Economic Development Resolution.

“The See Sand Springs site is an excellent example of what cities should be doing to further economic development,” said Charlotte Howe, Northeast Regional Development Specialist with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

Data gathered for the site grew from partnerships with local agencies like the Indian Nations Council of Governments (INCOG,) Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC,) regional and local chambers. The site was compiled as a graduate project by Sand Springs Public Information and Marketing Manager, Kasey St. John.

City staff will begin marketing the site this fall at national events and conferences.

For more updates on development and City happenings, please visit www.sandspringsok.org.