ONEOK donates $150,000 to repair Sand Springs park damaged in flood

View fullsize

Sand Springs, OK- Sand Springs Park Friends, Inc. has received a major donation from ONEOK to assist with the continued flood recovery at Case Community Park. ONEOK announced the gifting of $150,000 to Sand Springs Park Friends, Inc. for work at the park’s heavily damaged softball complex.

Following the flooding events of May 2019, the entire 100 acre Case Community Park was submerged beneath six feet of flowing water. The impact leveled fences, uprooted large trees, ruined sports playing surfaces and pulled apart electrical connections buried within the sports complex.

Following today’s gift from ONEOK, the Parks Department will oversee repairs to the softball complex in the coming weeks, replacing it to a pre-flood condition in time for the opening of the 2020 softball season.

“We’ve built this wonderful park with great partnerships and community support over the years”, stated City of Sand Springs Parks Director Jeff Edwards. “We’re grateful for ONEOK and their support of our mission to rebuild the softball complex and deliver quality of life services to our citizens.”

Sand Springs Park Friends, Inc. was created in 2007 by the City of Sand Springs City Council to help facilitate an easy, visible tool to generate philanthropic support and create improvements to the City’s parks system. Sand Springs Park Friends, Inc. is a non-profit 501c3 organization registered with the State of Oklahoma and the IRS to accept charitable contributions.

For more information about the City of Sand Springs, please visit www.sandspringsok.org and follow the City’s social media on Face Book and Instagram for the latest updates.

Church That Matters opens free Mobile Medical Clinic in Sand Springs

Good Samaritan Administrator Heath Placek speaks at the grand opening of the Sand Springs clinic.

Good Samaritan Founder and President John Crouch speaks at the Grand Opening of the Sand Springs clinic.

Church That Matters Pastor Rusty Gunn speaks at the Grand Opening of the Sand Springs Good Samaritan Mobil Healthcare Clinic.

Site Coordinator Susan Hood speaks at the grand opening of the Sand Springs Good Samaritan Health Clinic.

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

Oklahoma churches invited to free security seminar in Claremore

The Oklahoma Church Security Association (OCSA) will host a Basic Church Security Seminar in Claremore Saturday, November 16, 2019 and Sunday afternoon, November 17, 2019 at Calvary Free Will Baptist Church, 1921 Holly Rd, Claremore, Oklahoma 74017.  This seminar is the first unit in a one year church security volunteer training program offered by the OCSA. 

This seminar is directed toward church security team and hospitality/greeter staff. Pastors and senior staff may opt out of the afternoon hands on training. If a sufficient number of pastors request it, OCSA will provide a separate executive briefing for pastors which provides more content concerning the need for church security, basic organizational and leadership principles and legal issues. 

Total enrollment is limited to 100 participants. Only pastors or senior staff can enroll for the morning only session. Morning only enrollment is limited to 50 participants. Because of the hands on nature of the instruction, enrollment is limited to 25 participants each in the two afternoon sessions. Local participants should enroll in the Sunday afternoon session to allow people who are travelling from out of town to attend the Saturday afternoon session and not have to spend the night.

This is not a public event. Enrollment is by invitation only after submitting an application. You may apply by email to okbizlaw@cox.net or by telephoning 918-381-9792. Prior approval is required for all attendees.  Enrollment will be closed 7 days before the seminar date and no “drop ins” or last minute enrollments will be allowed. Public record background checks will be conducted on all prospective enrollees. The OCSA reserves the right to refuse enrollment. Attendees will be required to sign a complete release of legal liability. CLEET certified LEO’s and Security personnel should notify OCSA in advance so that they can contact CLEET about possible Continuing Education Credits.

There will be no charge for the seminar but a love offering will be taken to help defray the expenses of the instructors. The OCSA does not sell or promote books, DVD’s, so called “church security kits” or any other such material.

The Oklahoma Church Security Association is an unincorporated association of retired military and law enforcement veterans. OCSA board members and instructors must be veterans of a combat arms or military police branch of the US military or have served as an armed law enforcement officer. All board members and instructors must be certified in the subjects they teach and show evidence of a call by the Holy Spirit to the ministry of protection. OCSA instructors serve as force multipliers to the church security community by providing security consultation and professional level training to select church security volunteers.

For more information or to apply to enroll email okbizlaw@cox.net or telephone 918-381-9792.

Bill Knight Auto to partner with Sand Springs Education Foundation in annual $8000 fundraiser

View fullsize

Bill Knight Lincoln presents an $8,000 check to the Angus Valley Elementary students in 2017.

Bill Knight Auto will be partnering with the Sand Springs Education Foundation for the Sixth Annual “Driven to Give Day,” Saturday, September 14th in the Charles Page High School parking lot.

From 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. the dealership will be set up in the high school parking lot to offer test drives of the latest fleet of brand new Lincoln automobiles.

Participants, 18 years or older, can come and test drive a new Lincoln. For each test drive, the SSEF will receive $20. Participants are asked to fill out some basic information before the drive and immediately after the drive to complete the process and help secure the donation. NO obligation, NO sales, NO return contact unless the participant agrees.

The fundraiser caps at $8,000. That money helps the Education Foundation with annual scholarships for CPHS students, and for grants to Sand Springs Public Schools teachers. For each person who test drives a car, a teacher’s name will be entered into a drawing for two chances at $500 for classroom supplies.

View fullsize

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

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

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

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

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

The event will feature several gourmet authentic Greek foods including:

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

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

• Keftedes, fried meatballs garnished with lemon wedges.

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

• Saganaki, flaming cheese.

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

• Imported Greek soft drinks.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Melomakarona, a nutty crumbly holiday cookie.

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

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

Sand Springs churches hold free back-to-school bash with school supplies and checkups

The Sand Springs Local Church Network hosted its annual Back 2 School Bash Sunday afternoon at the Tulsa Tech Sand Springs campus. The free event is open to the public and offers all kinds of back-to-school items and services.

The Tulsa Lions Club provided cholesterol screenings, BMI checks, blood pressure checks, and vision testing. Children were checked for lice and given free haircuts by licensed professionals. A Better Smile provided free dental screenings. Volunteers from numerous local churches helped to distribute free backpacks and school supplies

In addition to the necessities, fun was also on the menu. Sandlot Sno-Balls, popcorn, balloon animals, and the Tulsa County Reading Roadshow were on hand, as were an ambulance and three classic police cars for the children to explore.

Church That Matters holds community service day, donates children's bicycles to flood victims

View fullsize

Members of Church That Matters held their annual “Don’t Go to Church Sunday” this weekend and spent the day in service to the community.

Volunteers worked at the Local Church Network’s Back to School Bash, organizing, setting up, operating, and tearing down the event at the Tulsa Technology Center Sand Springs campus. The event provided free backpacks and school supplies, haircuts, dental checks, physicals, eye exams, food, and inflatables.

Church members performed landscaping and weedeating for the Sand Springs Parks Department, Clyde Boyd Middle School, and an elderly couple in Shannon Valley mobile home park. They also constructed a wooden deck for a home in Shannon Valley.

Workers cleaned, painted, and sorted clothing at DaySpring Villa, a shelter for victim of domestic violence and sex trafficking. They also held worship encounters for both the adults and the kids at the shelter, and played games with the children.

Representatives were stationed at Prattville Laundry to provide free quarters and laundry detergent to the laundromat’s patrons. They also offered free quarters at Bubble Town Car Wash.

The church purchased and assembled 150 children’s bicycles for victims of the historic May flooding, which they gave away during a special service held specifically for flood-affected families. They also organized a community swap meet Saturday, accepting and organizing hundreds of furniture and appliance donations for flooded families.

Church That Matters meets Sundays at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. at 3 West 41st Street in Sand Springs. They are pastored by Rusty Gunn.

Seven exciting events planned for this weekend in Sand Springs

View fullsize

It’s shaping up to be a busy weekend in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. Several community events are planned for the August 10-11 weekend, including hiking, shopping, entertainment, and charitable giving.

Sandite Lift-a-Thon
Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
CPHS Veterans Memorial Stadium
600 North Adams Road

The Charles Page High School Football and Baseball teams will be competing in the annual Sandite Lift-a-Thon Saturday, August 10th. The two teams will participate in an NFL-style combine from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and this year it’ll be open to the public.

The players have been busy collecting donation pledges, and on Saturday they’ll try to max out both their donations and their reps. They will be competing in bench press, squat, and clean lift.

The football team’s locker room will be open for tours, there will be food trucks, inflatables, and more. The junior high dance teams will be serving up breakfasts of either pancakes or biscuits and gravy.

Open Hike Day
Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Keystone Ancient Forest
160 Ancient Forest Drive

The City’s largest park will be open to hikers. The 1,380 acre forest is only open during staffed Saturday hours in order to preserve its natural beauty and cleanliness. The park is home to 300-year-old post oaks and 500-year-old cedars as well as numerous wildlife. It has been relatively unaltered since the time it was first journaled about by famed Sleepy Hollow author Washington Irving during an 1832 exploratory expedition. The park includes a 0.6-mile ADA-compliant paved trail, as well as several miles of intermediate hiking trails.

Love Your Neighbor Free Furniture and Appliance Swap Meet
Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
WEBCO Star Center - West Entrance
13701 West Highway 51

From 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. individuals with furniture and appliances in good working condition will be able to drop off donations for victims of the historic summer flooding that devastated the community this May.

Accepted items include: tables, chairs, sofas, loveseats, living room chairs, night stands, flatscreen televisions, bed frames and head/foot boards, microwaves, stoves, ovens, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers. Mattresses and box springs will not be accepted.

Flood victims will be able to come pick out items from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Photo ID and proof of residence in an affected flood area will be required. Only one person per household/address will be allowed to claim items. Each household will receive two tickets to choose two items they are most in need of, while supplies last. Delivery help will be available within two miles of Webco.

Summer’s End Market
Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
The Shops on Adams Road, Suite 510
510 Plaza Court

Located inside the former Sand Springs Beauty College storefront, this free-admission showcase will feature numerous vendors of arts and crafts, skin care products, hand crafted kitchen items, jewelry, boutique clothing and decor, and numerous other items. This annual event is a great opportunity to get a jump-start on Christmas shopping.

Osage County Republican Party Town Hall meeting
Saturday 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Elks Lodge #2553
546 West Imperial Boulevard

The Osage County Republican Party will be hosting a town hall meeting at the Elks Lodge Saturday, August 10th in Sand Springs. The general public is invited to hear updates from elected officials and enjoy complimentary refreshments.

Former State Senator Eddie Fields, County Sheriff Eddie Virden, County Assessor Ed Quinton, District 10 Senator Bill Coleman, District 1 County Commissioner Randall Jones, District 35 Representative Ty Burns, and District 66 Representative Jadine Nollan have all confirmed that they will be present and speaking at the event.

Speakers will address the 2018-2019 Legislative Session, the Oklahoma government under Governor Kevin Stitt, upcoming County Commissioner projects, and more. They will also answer questions on property taxes and criminal activity in the county.

Young Mrs. International Aiya Attaway Kelley, a former candidate for State Senate, will be performing the National Anthem prior to the meeting.

Tea, coffee, and cookies will be provided at no cost. The Elks Lodge will also have pulled pork sandwiches with beans, cornbread, and chips for purchase. Voter registration cards will also be available.

Flood Victim Bicycle Giveaway
Sunday 11:00 a.m.
Church That Matters
3 West 41st Street

Church That Matters will be holding a brief Sunday service for victims of the historic Arkansas River flooding earlier this summer, and will be giving away 150 children’s bicycles. Families must bring an ID and utility bill proving that they live in an afflicted flood zone. Free bicycles will be limited to one per child (ages 2-12) in attendance. The child must be present to receive the bike. There will be a short 20-minute program for the kids and their parent/guardian at 11:00 sharp, followed by the giveaway.

Families must attend the service to receive the bicycles, with one exception. Families who already have a home church will be allowed to visit Church That Matters Monday, August 12th through Wednesday, August 14th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and must bring their church’s program or bulletin to prove they were in a church service during the 11:00 a.m. time-frame.

Back 2 School Bash
Sunday 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tulsa Tech
924 East Charles Page Boulevard

The Sand Springs Local Church Network will be holding its annual Back 2 School Bash Sunday, August 11th from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Tulsa Tech Sand Springs campus.

The event will feature inflatables, free hot dogs, and Sandlot Sno Balls, as well as numerous back-to-school necessities.

Volunteers will be providing free backpacks and school supplies, haircuts, dental checkups, eye exams, physicals, and more.

Free Back to School Bash Sunday at Tulsa Tech - Sand Springs

The Sand Springs Local Church Network will be holding its annual Back 2 School Bash Sunday, August 11th from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Tulsa Tech Sand Springs campus.

The event will feature inflatables, free hot dogs, and Sandlot Sno Balls, as well as numerous back-to-school necessities.

Volunteers will be providing free backpacks and school supplies, haircuts, dental checkups, eye exams, physicals, and more.

Tulsa Tech is located at 924 East Charles Page Boulevard.

Sandite Football and Baseball teams to compete in weightlifting competition

View fullsize

The Charles Page High School Football and Baseball teams will be competing in the annual Sandite Lift-a-Thon Saturday, August 10th. The two teams will participate in an NFL-style combine from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and this year it’ll be open to the public.

The players have been busy collecting donation pledges, and on Saturday they’ll try to max out both their donations and their reps. They will be competing in bench press, squat, and clean lift.

The football team’s locker room will be open for tours, there will be food trucks, inflatables, and more. The junior high dance teams will be serving up breakfasts of either pancakes or biscuits and gravy.

The event was originally scheduled for August 3rd, but was postponed a week due to impending weather.

Sand Springs woman opening free health clinic in Sapulpa

A Sand Springs woman is working to open a new free clinic for individuals who do not have insurance. Dr. Rachel Ray is one of the directors of the upcoming CURA For the World - Sapulpa clinic that will be opening to the public Tuesday, July 23rd.

CURA For the World is headquartered in Tulsa and was founded by Lebanese emigrant Dr. Jawad Trad in September of 2016. Since then, CURA has partnered with organizations in seven different countries to provide medical aid and food security to the impoverished. Dr. Ray and her partner, Dr. Zach Fowler, attended medical school with Trad.

The Sapulpa location is the organization’s first clinic in the United States under Project USA. They will be holding an Open House Sunday, July 21st from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and a ribbon cutting that Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. Doors will open for patient check-in Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

More than 27 million Americans are without health insurance, and the Sapulpa clinic is CURA’s first step in a larger plan to help that demographic. According to CURA, 17.4% of Sapulpans live below the poverty line, with the largest affected demographic being Females between the ages of 25-34.

“There are many uninsured people in our communities that are unable to secure health insurance and I see how this negatively effects the wellbeing of the patients and the health of our community,” says Ray. There are free clinics in Tulsa but the free resources on the west side of Tulsa and especially Creek county is very limited. There is currently no free standing free health clinic in all of Creek County.”

The clinic will offer free services to individuals with limited incomes, no health insurance, or who do not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare. They will also help those who only have catastrophic care coverage, or individuals who have insurance, but can’t afford their high deductibles.

CURA will offer treatment for both routine illnesses and chronic conditions, as well as a limited range of medical testing, prescription drug assistance, women’s health care, and free child therapy sessions. They will not, however, be providing pregnancy testing, Pap smears, or STD testing, stimulants, controlled substances, or care for chronic pain patients.

Dr. Ray is a graduate of Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her residency in Family Medicine at the University of Oklahoma - Tulsa campus and currently resides in Sand Springs.

“I always knew I wanted a career in which I could help to make a positive and meaningful difference in the life of someone else,” says Ray. “Throughout my early education years, I was intrigued by the complexity of the sciences and the human body. I love to learn new things and medicine allows me to always be aware of the changes and advances in science and healthcare. The most special part of being a physician is the trust that we receive from our patients and the opportunity to help make their lives better.”

The clinic is completely volunteer based and will be open Tuesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. It is first-come first-served and expects to be able to handle about sixteen patients per week. The team anticipates being able to expand their hours in the future.

“We plan to utilize our clinic to help bring more services to our community. We are partnering with different organizations so that we can provide lab work, diagnostic imaging and specialist evaluations to our patients. We will also bring in community education programs to help educate on nutrition, physical activity, and tobacco cessation. We are working to bring counselors for therapy services through partnering with Improving Lives Counseling Services. We are also developing a partnership with a local Sapulpa pharmacy to be able to provide reduced cost medications. We are not currently able to provide well woman exams or childhood immunizations, but we do hope to provide these services in the future.”

CURA Medical Clinic
1012 West Taft Street
Sapulpa, OK 74066

SouthSide Coneys holds grand opening, owned by Church That Matters

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.”

Communication Federal Credit Union Offers Blood Donors Chance to Win $1,000 VISA® Gift Cards – July 13

July 10, 2019 ─ Communication Federal Credit Union is giving Oklahoma Blood Institute donors an early reason to get excited about going back to school.  Each person* who gives blood on Saturday, July 13, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., at Tulsa Promenade will be entered to win one of two $1,000 VISA® gift cards.

“We’re doubling our community impact by having a blood and school supply drive simultaneously,” said Larry Shropshire, president and CEO of Communication Federal Credit Union.  “We want to ‘pack the bloodmobile’ with donors as well as pack our local classrooms with supplies for kids in need.” 

Shropshire urges all who come out to give blood to also bring school supplies.  Those who donate school supplies and blood receive two entries to win one of the $1,000 VISA® gift cards. 

Each donor will receive a “Summer Vibes” t-shirt and their choice of voucher for free entry to Frontier City Theme Park (1 entry), or Science Museum Oklahoma (1 entry) or Safari Joe’s H2O Water & Adventure Park (2 entries). pass for two to Safari Joe’s H20 Water Park.  Free pizza will be served from 11am-2pm and 98.5 KVOO and 106.9 K-HITS will be broadcasting live from the blood drive event.

Oklahoma Blood Institute provides every drop of blood needed to more than 160 hospitals, medical facilities and air ambulances statewide.  Appointments to give blood are not necessary, but can be made by calling 877-340-8777 or by visiting obi.org.

*16 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds.  Please note: You will not be able to redeem your voucher on the same day as your donation. Please allow up to 48 hours for your donation to be entered into our system. Frontier City voucher is not valid on Saturdays. You must set up your donor profile with a valid email at yourbloodinstitute.org to receive your voucher.

Church That Matters buys Terry's Classic Coneys

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.

Free mobile food bank stationed in Meadow Valley Thursday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and Sand Springs Community Services are stationing a mobile food bank in the Meadow Valley subdivision Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to provide bottled water, food, flood buckets, baby food, and more.

Flood victims from Meadow Valley, Town and Country, River Oaks, Garden Spot, and other affected areas are all eligible for assistance, and are asked to bring an ID and proof of residency in a flood-affected area. The mobile pantry is located at the intersection of 29th and South Maple Avenue.

Community Services Director Nathan Woodmansee says they will likely hold another mobile food bank event in other affected neighborhoods in the near future.

Texas private school visits Sand Springs to help clean up flood damage

A group of 26 volunteers from All Saints Episcopal School in Tyler, Texas visited Sand Springs Tuesday and put in a full day of work at the recently flooded Case Community Park.

23 high school-aged students and their three adult escorts teamed up with local volunteer group The Power of Partial Improvements to muck out the concessions and restroom buildings throughout the park. They also power-washed silt from the sidewalks, splash pad, and buildings.

The group is spending the week in Tulsa on their annual school mission trip to assist with flood-damaged areas, feed the homeless, and other community projects. They are staying at Oral Roberts University, and have also been working with Restore Hope Ministries on Charles Page Boulevard, organizing donations and prepping cleaning supply packages for flood victims.

The Power of Partial Improvements typically works to clean up trash along the Oklahoma shorelines, but was unable to take the students too close to the water due to the large number of displaced snakes in the area. For more information on PPI, or to make a donation toward their conservation efforts, click here to visit them online.

Power of Partial Improvements to host cleanup day Tuesday at Case Community Park

Volunteers work in Case Community Park at a Saturday volunteer event.

Tulsa-based nonprofit “Power of Partial Improvements” will be hosting a volunteer day Tuesday in Sand Springs to help with the flood damage in Case Community Park.

The 120-acre park was under 4-8 feet of water for more than a week and it will remain closed to the public for the foreseeable future. The City of Sand Springs held a community cleanup day Saturday that attracted about 400 people, but the work is far from finished.

Power of Partial Improvements is focused on aiding in the conservation and maintenance of Oklahoma’s 55,646 miles of shoreline. In the past they have worked to clean up areas in the old Estill Park area along Wekiwa Road that have been used as illegal dumping grounds.

They won’t be doing too much around the Arkansas River shoreline this week due to the large number of displaced snakes. Instead they’ll be working to clean up the area around the Rotary Super Splash Pad and the youth sports facilities.

The group has a large number of volunteers visiting from Texas, and is also encouraging the local community to come out and find somewhere to get plugged in. PPI will be working from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a lunch break from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Equipment and lunch will be provided, but volunteers are instructed to wear close-toed shoes.

Volunteers will meet at Case Community Center at 1050 West Wekiwa Road.

400 Sand Springs volunteers turn out for Community Service Day at Case Park

Nearly 400 volunteers showed up to a work day at Case Community Park Saturday morning to help clean up the 100-acre park after it spent more than a week submerged by the flooded Arkansas River.

Photos courtesy of HillSpring Church.

Waters reached depths of 4-8 feet in some areas and the park remains closed for the foreseeable future.

The swift Arkansas current eroded the soil around the base of numerous trees. Some trees were knocked over and had to be removed, while others had to be righted, staked, and filled in with dirt.

Dead tree limbs, leaves, trash, and other detritus littered the grounds of the baseball, softball, soccer, and disc golf fields. All the chain link fencing throughout the park was packed with detritus that had to be removed. In many areas the current bent the fencing beyond repair and it had to be removed. Every bit of pavement in the park is under an inch of silt that had to be pressure washed.

The softball, baseball, and soccer concession stands and restroom buildings were all heavily flooded, resulting in a complete loss of almost everything inside. The buildings had to be mucked out and scrubbed. Containers had to be cleared out and several roll-off dumpsters were filled to the brim throughout the park. The entire fenced-in port-o-potty enclosure had to be demolished.

Playground turf had to be removed throughout the park. Metal art pieces throughout the park had to be pressure washed. Multiple low spots throughout the park had to be filled in due to washout. The volleyball court had to be refilled with sand after most of it washed away.

The Parks Department split the volunteers into several teams based on physical capabilities and project difficulty. Joy Turner, Kevin Rouk, Tristan Hudson, Shawn Cole, Gene Hartman, Joe Medlin, Ashlie Pope, Tom Potocnik, Kim Fisher, Grant Gerondale, and Jeff Edwards were the various team leaders.

Church That Matters hosts 29th Annual Kids Free Fishing Derby, gives away free boat

Click here to view full photo gallery.

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.