This Week in Sand Springs (4/2 - 4/8/18)

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Monday

  • Sand Springs Public Schools closed for teacher walkout. 
  • 8:00 a.m. Lady Sandite Tennis Tournament (A)
    • Hillcrest Country Club
      1901 Price Road
      Bartlesville, OK 74006
  • 12:00 p.m. Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce Open Forum
    • Tulsa Tech - Sand Springs Campus
      924 East Charles Page Boulevard
  • 5:30 p.m. Sand Springs Public Schools District Dialogue
    • Charles Page High School Performing Arts Building Sandite Room
      600 North Adams Road
  • 6:00 p.m. Sandite Baseball vs. Broken Arrow (A)
    • Broken Arrow High School
      1901 East Albany Street
      Broken Arrow, OK 74012
  • 6:00 p.m. Sand Springs Parks Advisory Board meeting
  • 7:00 p.m. Sand Springs Board of Education meeting

Tuesday 

  • Sand Springs Public Schools closed for teacher walkout.
  • 4:30 p.m. No. 14 Lady Sandite Softball vs. Sapulpa (A)*Double Header
    • Sapulpa Softball Field
      631 North Brown
      Sapulpa, OK 74066
  • 6:00 p.m. Sandite Baseball vs. Broken Arrow (H)
    • Sandite Softball Complex
      412 West 55th Street
  • 6:00 p.m. Sandite Soccer vs. Edmond Santa Fe (H)
    • Memorial Stadium
      600 North Adams Road
  • 8:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Soccer vs. Edmond Santa Fe (H)
    • Memorial Stadium
      600 North Adams Road

Wednesday

  • Sand Springs Public Schools closed for teacher walkout. 
  • 8:30 a.m. Lady Sandite Golf Tournament (A)
    • South Lakes Golf Course
      9253 South Elwood Avenue
      Jenks, OK 74037
  • Time TBA: Sand Springs Board of Education Special Meeting
    • Charles Page High School Performing Arts Building Sandite Room
      600 North Adams Road
    • Agenda not available by press time. 

Thursday

  • Sand Springs Public Schools closed for teacher walkout.
  • 4:30 p.m. No. 14 Sandite Softball vs. 5A No. 12 Berryhill (H)*Double Header
    • Sandite Softball Complex
      412 West 55th Street

Friday

  • Sand Springs Public Schools closed for teacher walkout.
  • 3:30 p.m. Sandite Track & Field (Pioneer Relays)
    • Stillwater High School
      1224 North Husband Street
      Stillwater, OK 74075
  • 6:00 p.m. Sandite Soccer vs. Norman (A)
    • Norman High School
      911 West Main Street
      Norman, OK 73069
  • 7:00 p.m. Sandite Baseball vs. Hilldale (H)
    • Sandite Baseball Complex
      412 West 55th Street
  • 7:00 p.m. CPHS Band Bingo Night
    • Charles Page High School Cafeteria
      500 North Adams Road
  • 8:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Soccer vs. Norman (A)
    • Norman High School
      911 West Main Street
      Norman, OK 73069

Saturday

  • 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Chipper Day
    • City of Sand Springs Street Department
      8620 West 21st Street
    • Bring Sand Springs water/refuse bill for proof of residence in City Limits.
      Free chipping of tree limbs up to 2 inches in diameter, free wood chips, free firewood. 
  • 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Hike with your Dog Day
  • 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Green Country Federal Credit Union Annual Meeting
    • Case Community Center
      1050 West Wekiwa Road

Add your event to our weekly newsletter. Email SanditePrideNews@gmail.com

  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.
  • Free for Sandite Pride Partners.

Sand Springs Schools to close Monday for teacher walkout, possibly longer

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The Sand Springs Public School District will be closed Monday, April 2 due to insufficient staffing. 

According to a district survey, 63% of teachers intend to strike in protest of insufficient state funding. Many will be heading to the State Capitol to lobby for increased funding from the State legislature. 

"Although we would like to provide preparation time, we are only able to give notice one day at a time," said a public statement. "We will keep you updated through our social media, district website, local media and our messaging system."

Many local organizations have come together to help pick up the load that the schools normally carry, including meals and childcare. Free meals can be found at the following location for the duration of the teach walkout. Breakfast is served from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Anyone with questions can contact Mikael Howard at 918-246-1400 or mikael.howard@sandites.org. 

Salvation Army (lunch and breakfast) - 4403 South 129th West Avenue, Sand Springs.
Lake Methodist Church (lunch and breakfast) - 7750 West 14th Street, Tulsa.
Garfield STEAM Academy (lunch and breakfast) - 701 North Roosevelt Avenue, Sand Springs.
Olivet Baptist Church (lunch) - 155 North 65th West Avenue, Tulsa. 
Harvest Church West Tulsa (breakfast) - 331 South 49th West Avenue, Tulsa. 
Church That Matters (lunch) - 3 West 41st Street, Sand Springs.
River Oaks Community Center (lunch) - 4800 West 16th Street, Sand Springs.

The Sand Springs School Board and Sand Springs City Council both passed unanimous declarations of support for teachers who choose to walk out. The district currently has six unused snow days, but if the walkout lasts longer than that, the school year will have to be extended. 

SEE RELATED: SSPS Superintendent Durkee addresses teacher walkouts at District Dialogue
SEE RELATED: Sand Springs City Council approves resolution of support for teachers
SEE RELATED: Sand Springs Board of Education approves resolution of solidarity with teacher walk-out

Tulsa Technology Center and Tulsa Community College will both be open during the walkout and district transportation to those schools will continue as usual. Students will be able to meet the bus at Charles Page High School for transportation. All extracurricular and athletic activities will continue, including Prom and Graduation. 

The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs of the Tulsa Metro area will be providing a free Education Alternative for the duration of the walkout, including their Sand Springs location at 4403 South 129th West Avenue. Space is limited at each location. The club is open to children ages five to seventeen from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m, Monday through Friday. Volunteers are needed and can reach Charity Mitchell at 918-587-7801 or at charity.mitchell@uss.salvationarmy.org. Other clubs are located at: 

Boys & Girls Club Broken Arrow – 918-258-7545, 1400 W. Washington, Broken Arrow, 74012
Boys & Girls Club Creek County/Sapulpa – 918-224-4415, 1721 S. Hickory, Sapulpa, 74066
Boys & Girls Club Sand Springs – 918-245-2237, 4403 S. 129th West Ave., Sand Springs, 74063
Mabee Red Shield Boys & Girls Club – 918-834-2464, 1231 N. Harvard, Tulsa, OK 74115
North Mabee Boys & Girls Club – 918-425-7534, 3001 N Cincinnati, Tulsa, OK 74106
West Mabee Boys & Girls Club – 918-582-4327, 2143 S Olympia, Tulsa, OK 74107

Governor Mary Fallin recently signed a revenue package funding an average pay raise of $6,100 for teachers and $50 million in general education funding. The bill increased the gross production tax on oil wells to 5%, increased the cigarette tax by $1.00 per pack, increased gasoline tax by $0.03 a gallon and the diesel tax by $0.06 a gallon. 

However, the Oklahoma Education Association previously announced demands of $10,000 in teacher pay raises, as well as $5,000 raises for support staff, $213 million in state employee raises, $200 million in public school funding, and $255.9 million in health care funding. The OEA has not backed down from its demands at press time and are still calling for a walkout.

Chillin & Grillin' expecting biggest year yet, still needing more BBQ contestants

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The Seventh Annual Chillin and Grillin Festival is expected to be the biggest one yet, says Chamber of Commerce President Kristin Valentin, but organizers are having a hard time finding enough competitors for the BBQ contest.

Chillin & Grillin is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the nonprofit Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce, and is a major economic driver for the City of Sand Springs. The festival will be held at Case Community Park from Thursday, April 12th through Saturday the 14th. After six years of hosting an official Kansas City Barbecue Society event, the Chamber decided to forgo the prestigious, but expensive, partnership. 

There are four categories of competition with a $1,000 grand prize and $500 reserve. The contest judges brisket, pork, ribs, and chicken. There is also a People's Choice category and a Kid's competition. Only four teams have committed to the full contest, and Valentin says they may have to cancel it if they don't get ten teams by Friday.

People's Choice will proceed unhindered and already has eight entrees. Visitors can pay $10 to eat their fill on Saturday and vote for their favorite overall team. The Church That Matters Holy Smokers won the first five People's Choice Awards and were dethroned by the Sand Springs Parks Department last year. 

In addition to barbecue, Lee's Charburgers, Not Your Grandma's Cupcakes, and Kettle Treats will also be on hand, as will numerous vendors of arts and crafts, clothing, cooking and barbecue supplies, and more. Yellow House Market and Boutique, Okie Spice and Trade Co., Cutco Cutlery, and BJ's Pit Stop will be setting up shop and Janicelynn Yazzie will be selling traditional Navajo jewelry and blankets. 

The festival has expanded to three days for the first time and will have a full carnival as well. Entry is free all three days. Carnival wristbands are $20/day in advance or $25 at the gate and can be purchased at Prattville Market, Verizon Wireless, and Green Country Federal Credit Union. The wristbands will provide unlimited rides on either Thursday or Friday. Rides are $3 apiece on Saturday. 

Food trucks, carnival rides, live music, and a beer garden will be on hand all three days, and the Harper's Hut Classic Car Show will be on Saturday with five Best in Show categories and unique custom trophies made from actual car parts. 

Student jazz bands from Mannford, Berryhill, and Charles Page High School will provide the entertainment Thursday evening. Sand Springs's own Jennifer Marriott Band will perform on Friday, and Midlife Crisis will play on Saturday. 

Parking will be free all three days.

"This year we are already ahead of the game and we're very excited about it. The sponsorships of the companies in this town that are supporting us and this event are amazing," says Valentin.

"We truly feel that these events are economic development in its purest form because it brings people to Sand Springs, gets people out of their homes and doing something that isn't very expensive. We're very conscious of making it moderately priced so that people can absolutely come out and enjoy it."

To enter the barbecue contest, contact Kristen Valentin at (918) 245-3221. To enter the car show, contact William Nozak at (918) 671-6352. Car show entrees are $15 in advance or $20 day of. 

Event sponsors: Green Country Federal Credit Union, OmniTRAX, City of Sand Springs, Webco Industries, Church That Matters, Cecil & Sons Discount Tires, Keystone Chevrolet, Osage Casino Hotel, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, Sam's Club, United Rentals, The Canyons at Blackjack Ridge, KRMG, Mobley-Groesbeck Funeral Service, Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy Stores, PepsiCo, and Reasor's. 

City of Sand Springs to purchase additional land for Keystone Ancient Forest

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The City of Sand Springs held a regular City Council Meeting Monday night and approved the purchase of twenty acres adjacent to the Keystone Ancient Forest at a value of $100,000.

The property sits next to the entrance to the existing nature preserve and is not bound by the same rules as the preserve. Community Development Director Grant Gerondale hinted at the possibility of biking trails in the future.

The land is currently owned by the H. Sam Childers Trust. Childers was a crucial player in the development of the forest before his death in January of this year. Council also approved Childers as the recipient of the 2018 John M. Hess Municipal Award for Outstanding Citizenship. The award will be presented this May.

The acquisition will bring the forest to 1,380 acres total. The land features 300-year-old post oaks and 500-year-old cedars, and was the site of an exploratory expedition by famed Sleepy Hollow author Washington Irving in 1832.

The forest has multiple hiking trails, including a 0.6 mile ADA-compliant paved trail named in Childers's honor. Voters approved a general obligation bond issue this past November that will fund a visitors center and observation platform at the forest. The Childers Trust has pledged to donate $7,500 for naming rights to be applied to a future lobby or entrance area of the visitors center.

In other news: 

Council unanimously approved a measure of support for public school teachers. SEE RELATED: Sand Springs City Council approves resolution of support for teachers

Council awarded a bid of $88,165 to Play By Design, Inc. for seven shade structures at Case Community Park. Four will be installed near the Great Lawn and three will be placed at the Rotary Super Splash pad. 

Council approved resolutions of dilapidation and public nuisance against properties at 118 North Franklin Avenue and 808 North Franklin Avenue. 

Council approved $28,838 for the purchase of a new unmarked detective vehicle for the Police Department, as well as $10,117 for tasers and pepperball launchers, and $38,286 for audio logging equipment

Council approved an agreement with Keithline Engineering Group at a cost not to exceed $45,740 for beautification of the City Water Treatment Facility.

Council declined to vote on a request for detachment from City limits by Smithee Holdings at 7298 West Charles Page Boulevard.

Council approved a bid of $1,062,555 to Crossland Heavy Contractors, Inc. for a rehabilitation project at the Northwoods Chloramine Booster Station.

Council approved the use of public funds for Oklahoma Municipal League membership, Mayors Council of Oklahoma membership, Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce membership, Tulsa Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce membership, Indian Nationals Council on Government Coalition of Tulsa Area Government membership, and Homebuilders Association membership, as well as participation in the Oklahoma Sovereignty Symposium, and OneVoice Day at the Capitol.

Sand Springs City Council approves resolution of support for teachers

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The City of Sand Springs issued a proclamation of support for Sand Springs teachers at Monday night’s regular City Council meeting. Proclamation sponsor Brian Jackson pointed to quality education as a necessity for strong economic growth.

Sand Springs Public Schools teachers are preparing for a potential walkout on April 2nd if the State Legislature doesn’t pass significant education funding reform by that date. The Legislature failed to pass a teacher pay raise in special session this past year and the political action committee Oklahoma Education Association has issued a series of demands for the current session. OEA is requesting $10,000 in teacher pay raises over a three-year period, as well as raises for support staff and significant increases in general education funding.

The Sand Springs Board of Education recently approved a proclamation of solidarity with teachers, declaring their support for any SSPS employees who feel the need to walk out. Superintendent Sherry Durkee has stated that the district would have no choice but to shut down should a walkout occur, due to gross understaffing and an inability to provide a safe and productive environment for students.

Durkee spoke at the Council meeting prior to the vote, and addressed a statewide teacher shortage as educators have left the field or emigrated to neighboring states for significant salary increases. Despite eliminating many positions across the district, SSPS is still having difficulty drawing a qualified pool of candidates for open positions, says Durkee.

The following proclamation was unanimously approved by City Council.

“WHEREAS, the City of Sand Springs City Council recognizes the need to pay teachers a wage competitive with surrounding states and is a witness to the impact underfunding can have on economic development efforts of the City; andWHEREAS, Oklahoma Educators have supported and worked to find solutions to fund teacher pay raises and common education, only to see legislation addressing this issue fail to pass; andWHEREAS, we acknowledge measures by Oklahoma teachers to obtain necessary funding for a meaningful teacher pay raise and approval of this resolution is a show of support to our education community;THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAND SPRINGS, OKLAHOMA, AS FOLLOWS;The City Council of the City of Sand Springs supports our teachers and educators, and the local Boards of Education; and we urge the Oklahoma State Legislature to work on behalf of the education professionals in our state to take swift action to develop a viable plan to pay teachers a competitive wage and fund common education.This resolution is approved in open meeting of the City Council of the City of Sand Springs on the 26th day of March, 2017.”

This Week in Sand Springs (3/25 - 4/1/18)

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Monday

  • 5:00 p.m. Sandite Baseball vs. Muskogee (H)
    • Sandite Baseball Complex
      412 West 55th Street
  • 7:00 p.m. Sand Springs City Council Meeting

Tuesday 

  • 7:00 a.m. Pratt Teacher Support Rally
    • Pratt Elementary School
      301 West 35th Street
  • 7:30 a.m. Breakfast with Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith
    • Crescent Cafe
      3417 South 113th West Avenue
  • 8:00 a.m. Lady Sandite Tennis (A)
    • Edison Prep School
      2906 East 41st Street
      Tulsa, OK 74105
  • 4:00 p.m. Sandite Baseball vs. Muskogee (A)
    • Muskogee High School
      3200 East Shawnee Road
      Muskogee, OK 74403
  • 5:00 p.m. No. 14 Sandite Softball vs. Barnsdall (H)
    • Sandite Softball Complex
      412 West 55th Street
  • 5:30 p.m. Hope Tour
  • 6:00 p.m. Sandite Soccer vs. Sapulpa (A)
    • Westside Sports Complex
      1611 South Wickham Road
      Sapulpa, OK 74066
  • 6:30 p.m. "Together We're Stronger" Sand Springs Education Association community meeting
    • Charles Page High School
      500 North Adams Road
  • 7:00 p.m. CPHS Band Booster Club Meeting
    • CPHS Performing Arts Building
      600 North Adams Road
  • 8:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Soccer vs. Sapulpa (A)
    • Westside Sports Complex
      1611 South Wickham Road
      Sapulpa, OK 74066

Wednesday

  • 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Free Mental Health Screenings for TCC Students
    • Tulsa Community College West Campus
      7505 West 41st Street
  • 4:30 p.m. "Chalk it up for Education!"
  • 7:00 p.m. Fine Arts Festival Showcase
    • CrossPoint Church
      4600 South 129th West Avenue

Thursday

  • 8:00 a.m. Sandite Tennis (A)
    • Edison Prep School
      2906 East 41st Street
      Tulsa, OK 74105
  • 8:00 a.m. Lady Sandite Tennis (A)
    • Claremore High School
      2011 North Sioux Avenue
      Claremore, OK 74017
  • 10:30 a.m. Easter Party Day 
  • 11:45 a.m. Lady Sandite Soccer vs. Collinsville (Bank of Commerce Tournament)
    • Edna M. Carson Park Stilwell Community Park
      1155 West Hickory Street
      Stilwell, OK 74960
    • See full bracket in attached images.
  • 1:30 p.m. Sandite Baseball vs. Coweta (Tiger/Zebra Classic)
    • Pryor High School
      1100 Southeast 9th Street
      Pryor, OK 74361
  • 4:00 p.m. Salvation Army Playground Ribbon Cutting
    • Salvation Army
      4403 South 129th West Avenue
  • 5:00 p.m. Sandite Softball vs. Jenks (H)
    • Sandite Softball Complex
      412 West 55th Street
  • 6:00 p.m. Sand Springs Parks Citizen Input Meeting
    • Angus Valley Park
      500 Antiqua Drive

Friday

  • Time TBA - Lady Sandite Soccer at Bank of Commerce Tournament
    • Edna M. Carson Park Stilwell Community Park
    • 1155 West Hickory Street
      Stilwell, OK 74960
    • See full bracket in attached images.
  • 8:00 a.m. Sandite Tennis (A)
    • Muskogee High School
      3200 East Shawnee Road
      Muskogee, OK 74403
  • 10:30 a.m. Sandite Track (36th Annual Ram Relays)
    • Owasso High School
      12901 East 86th Street North
      Owasso, OK 74055
  • 11:00 a.m. Sandite Baseball vs. Booker T. Washington (Tiger/Zebra Classic)
    • Claremore High School
      2011 North Sioux Avenue
      Claremore, OK 74017
  • 1:30 p.m. Sandite Baseball vs. Claremore (Tiger/Zebra Classic)
    • Claremore High School
      2011 North Sioux Avenue
      Claremore, OK 74017
  • 7:00 p.m. Second Annual Unity Praise

Saturday

  • 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Open Hike Day
    • Keystone Ancient Forest
      160 Ancient Forest Drive
  • 8:00 a.m. Lady Sandite Tennis (A)
    • Muskogee High School
      3200 East Shawnee Road
      Muskogee, OK 74403
  • 8:00 a.m. Sandite Tennis (A)
    • Claremore High School
      2011 North Sioux Avenue
      Claremore, OK 74017
  • 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Fifth Annual Spring Fling Arts & Crafts Event
    • Case Community Center
      1050 West Wekiwa Road
  • 10:00 a.m. Sandite Baseball vs. Tahlequah (Tiger/Zebra Classic)
    • Claremore High School
      2011 North Sioux Avenue
      Claremore, OK 74017
  • 12:00 p.m. Easter Egg Hunt
    • Delaware Baptist Church
      6808 North State Highway 97

Add your event to our weekly newsletter. Email SanditePrideNews@gmail.com

  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.
  • Free for Sandite Pride Partners.

Sand Springs minister Darin Shipley releases new studio album

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Sand Springs's Darin Shipley released Hunger Rising March 15, 2018. (Photo: Niki Counce Photography). 

Sand Springs artist Darin Shipley recently released his second studio album, titled Hunger Rising, on Spotify and in compact disc format. The seven-track contemporary Christian album has been the product of several years of writing and recording.

Shipley speaks and performs at churches throughout Oklahoma, and proceeds from those events have funded his recording sessions at The Closet Studios in Tulsa. “The whole time I was working on this, the theme I would speak on everywhere I would go is drawing near to God,” says Shipley.

A nineteen-year officer with the Tulsa Police Department, Shipley lives in Sand Springs and serves on the worship team at Word of Life church. He and his wife of nineteen years, Pam, have three children.

Shipley’s daughter, Kristin, also appears on the album in background vocals, as does fellow Word of Life worship team member Holly Pace.

Through his career in law enforcement, Shipley has had the opportunity to minister to Tulsa’s most vulnerable, meeting the needs of homeless and mentally ill Tulsans in need of a hand up. He also has an extensive background in Youth Ministry, having previously served in Word of Life Youth Ministries.

Shipley has several shows booked currently, including the Second Annual Unity Praise event at Charles Page High School Memorial Stadium this Friday, March 30th. He also plays periodically at the 5 West Outpost nonprofit event center in Sand Springs, and will be holding a CD Release Party there in the near future.

To download Hunger Rising, visit this link, or visit his Facebook to purchase a physical copy. 

918-361-1092
Facebook
http://www.darinshipley.com/

Sand Springs Progress Report: What's new and what's changing

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The Automatic Spotless Car Wash at 3300 South Highway 97 was demolished in January to make room for new development. The car wash opened in 1979 and was sold to Yocham Enterprises, a Sapulpa-based construction company, in 2011. 

A hardened-room storm shelter is under construction at the Case Community Center. City Council approved a $136,000 contract with Lambert Construction in November of last year, using funds generated by a public safety sales tax. Designed by Studio 45, the room is rated to withstand 250 m.p.h. winds with an occupancy load of 97.

Josh Butts Creative Services is wrapping up a new mural on the side of Yesterday To Now at 224 North Main Street in downtown Sand Springs. The City authorized up to $49,500 for two murals in March of 2017, with funding from the Economic Development Capital Improvement Fund. The first mural, at 11450 West Highway 51, has yet to be completed due to obstructive power lines. 

A new trail is under construction along Sand Springs Park Road, stretching from Adams Road to the Sand Springs Lake. The project is partly locally funded, along with a $620,000 grant from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. 

Atwoods Farm and Home Store at 730 East Charles Page Boulevard is undergoing an extensive expansion project after taking over the storefronts previously occupied by Stage Department Store and CrossFit 1055. The company opened its Sand Springs location in 2002. 

Colton's Steak House & Grill is opening for business Monday, March 26 at 32 West Alexander Boulevard in River West.  SEE RELATED: Colton's Steak House & Grill holds ground-breaking ceremony in Sand Springs

Ground work has begun on the new Billie A. Hall Public Safety Center at Sheffield Crossing. The 40,000 square foot facility will house the City's Police Department, north-side Fire Department, municipal courts, jail, Emergency Operations Center, and 911 Communications operations. SEE RELATED: New Sand Springs Public Safety Facility to be named in honor of war hero Billie A. Hall

Three new housing developments are under construction in Sand Springs. Rivercrest has twelve lots ranging from $200,000 to $300,000 at 3123 South 113th West Avenue. Teal Ridge offers 115 lots ranging from $270,000 to $400,000 on 41st Street. Capital Homes is developing 87 lots at 700 West 51st Street.

Framing has gone up at the new $1.5 million Fire House No. 2 at 4101 South 113th West Avenue. The building will replace an outdated adjacent station built in 1967. The project is funded with Vision 2025 sales tax and is slated to be completed in August. SEE RELATED: Sand Springs breaks ground on $1.5 million Fire Station in Prattville

Plans are underway for a Main Street Renovation Project that will connect Highway 97 to Main Street and add a frontage road connecting Main Street to the Highway 412 at the Lincoln Avenue on-ramp. The project is funded by a 50/50 agreement between the City and ODOT. Additionally, a G.O. Bond-funded road will be constructed atop the levee separating Case Community Park from Sheffield Crossing.

Sand Springs Flowers has relocated to 26 East Broadway in the old trolley station building next to Napolis. The century-old business was recently purchased by Jessica Hendricks. Coble's Flowers is renovating the old location at 206 North Main Street and is expected to move in this April. SEE RELATED: Sand Springs Flowers to relocate under new ownership

St. Francis Health Systems unveiled a new $2 million Warren Clinic facility at 102 South Main Street in River West earlier this month. SEE RELATED: New Saint Francis Warren Clinic receives blessing, opens in Sand Springs River West

Myers Marketing and We Are Sand Springs are moving into a new building at 118 North Main Street on the ground floor of a building housing Crescent Lofts and Doug's Rebuilders, the former location of Blush Hair Salon. They will hold their grand opening April 21st during the 29th Annual Herbal Affair and Festival. 

The QuikTrip convenience store at 2 East 41st Street is nearing completion and finishing the parking lot and sidewalks this week. 

The Braum's Hamburgers and Ice Cream shop at 3950 South Highway 97 is complete, and is currently hiring and training new employees before opening.

Sandlot Sno-Balls will be opening a new Prattville location at 3 West 41st Street this summer. 

ZegART Studios recently opened at 700 East Charles Page Boulevard and offers family friendly art classes in many different mediums. SEE RELATED: ZegART Studios opens in Sand Springs

The passage of G.O. Bond Proposal No. 3 last November paved the way for the construction of a visitor's center and observation tower at the Keystone Ancient Forest. City Council will also vote on whether or not to purchase twenty additional acres for the forest on Monday. The $100,000 property sits adjacent to the preserve's entrance.

Sand Springs Education Foundation Hall of Fame inductees announced for 2018

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Jerry L. Halcomb, Cathy Lynn Burdge, and Charles Marvin Hughes were recently announced as the Class of 2018 inductees into the Sand Springs Education Foundation Hall of Fame. The induction will be held at the organization's annual banquet on Thursday, April 26.

Hughes graduated Sand Springs High School in 1952 and was immediately drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals. He played for the Cardinals' organization for two years before being drafted into the U.S. Army and serving in Germany.

After his Army discharge, Hughes attained his Master Instructor's license in cosmetology and helped write the first test requirements for the Oklahoma State Cosmetology Board. He opened Adam and the First Lady salon in Sand Springs, and later founded the Scissors franchise which grew to nearly a dozen locations throughout the Tulsa Metropolitan Area.

Hughes coached youth baseball and was a weekly fan in attendance at Sandite football games until his passing in 2013 at the age of 79. 

Halcomb graduated Sand Springs High School in 1957, then graduated with Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Architecture from Oklahoma State University and received a diploma from Ecole des Beaux-Arts at Fountainbleau, France.  He founded HH Architects in 1971 and specialized in church design before retiring in 2013. He was inducted into the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows in 2012, an honor available to only the top 3% of AIA members. After retiring from HH Architects, he founded Studio H Architects.

Also a musician, Halcomb previously performed with the Shadow Lake 8 Orchestra, which was inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame in 2013. His band, Texas RoundUp, has been performing for more than forty years. Halcomb is a deacon at First Baptist Dallas, which he has attended since 1965. 

Burdge graduated Charles Page High School in 1973 and has spent her life in service to Sand Springs. Burdge has been an active volunteer with numerous service organizations over the years, including the Civitan Club, Sand Springs Community Services, and the Sand Springs Youth Football Association, the latter of which she serves on as Board Secretary and Cheer Coordinator. She has helped organize the Mayor's Cup softball tournament and the Downhill Derby soapbox car race. She also works as the Attendance Clerk at CPHS. 

The Hall of Fame Banquet includes dinner and a silent auction, and is held at the Ed Dubie Field House at 500 North Adams Road. The SSEF is a 501c3 organization and all donations are tax deductible. All donations from SSEF events go to fund the "Grants to Teachers" program for Sand Springs Public Schools. For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, or further information, please contact Foundation Director Tirita Montross at 918.245.6779.

Selfless: Youth groups spend Spring Break serving Sand Springs

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The City of Sand Springs held its annual Clean Up Day on Monday and more than a hundred youth volunteers came out to participate. Approximately 125 teenagers filled up 300 bags of trash and two dumpsters with debris across downtown, the Highway 412 corridor, Katy Trail, River West, and the Early Childhood Education Center area. 

The youth groups from HillSpring Church, Angus Church, Broadway Baptist Church, First Assembly of God, Olivet Baptist Church, Fisher Baptist Church, and Osage Hills Christian Church are sacrificing their Spring Breaks to serve the community of Sand Springs, and Clean Up Day was just the first stop.

The volunteers will be working with Sand Springs Care Closet, Salvation Army, and Sand Springs Community Services later this week, and doing projects at individual homes of families in need. 

The #SELFLESS2018 program brings together the seven churches for four days of church service and service to others. The youth play dodgeball, basketball, volleyball, video games, putt-putt and more, and attend daily church services. 

HillSpring Church
8801 West 41st Street
(918) 446-9273
www.hillspring.tv

First Assembly of God
501 N Wilson Ave
(918) 245-4413

Olivet Baptist Church
155 N 65th West Ave
Tulsa, OK 74127
(918) 245-2241
www.olivetonline.com

Osage Hills Christian Church
4500 W Edison St
Tulsa, OK 74127
(918) 583-9482
www.http://osagehills.com

Angus Church
4401 South 129th West Ave
(918) 245-0266
www.anguschurch.com

Broadway Baptist Church
1000 North Adams Road
(918) 245-7513
www.broadwaybaptistchurch.com

Fisher Baptist Church
4008 S 137th W Ave
(918) 245-7875
www.fisherbaptistchurch.org

Sand Springs Care Closet
3417 S 113th West Ave
(918) 269-8434
www.facebook.com/careclosetsandsprings

Sand Springs Community Services
114 West 4th Street
(918) 245-5183
http://sscsok.org

 

Word of Life church holds Serve Day, paints Limestone Elementary cafeteria

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Word of Life, a non-denominational Christian church in Sand Springs, held a "Serve Day" Sunday afternoon, and more than sixty volunteers donated their time to various organizations around town.

Following their 10:00 a.m. Sunday service, the church members headed to Limestone Technology Academy, Sand Springs Community Services, and Green Tree Assisted Living & Memory Care. 

At Limestone Elementary, the workers painted a large cafeteria in the district colors. They also cleaned up an outdoor classroom area. Another group visited with elderly residents at Green Tree Assisted Living, leading them in praise and worship.

At Sand Springs Community Services, volunteers helped to spot clean the facility to get it ready for its annual Tulsa Area United Way Panel Review. According to SSCS Director Nathan Woodmansee, the organization served over 1000 households from the Sand Springs community in 2017. The nonprofit can provide families with a full week’s worth of food up to six times a year, or more if there is a verifiable emergency. They also offer clothing, household items, a computer lab and job-search assistance, utility and rent assistance, and other client-specific assistance.

“SSCS does not receive government funding,” says Woodmansee. “It depends fully on donations and partnerships from churches like WOL, local coprorate sponsorships, individual donations, partnerships with Sand Sprigns Public Schools, local foundation grants, and its partnership with the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.”

Word of Life, whose motto is "we exist to reach people," has a long history of serve days, most recently partnering with local schools. In August they painted the Limestone gymnasium and auditorium, and improved the grounds and landscaping. In October they painted the gym, a classroom, and a pair of bathrooms at Angus Valley Elementary. 

Founded in 1981, Word of Life has been serving Sand Springs for 37 years. Lead Pastor Chad Stewart has led the congregation since 2011.

Word of Life
1402 North 81st West Avenue
Sand Springs, Oklahoma 74063
(918) 245-0262
Service: Sunday 10:00 a.m.
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
http://www.mywordoflife.com
Facebook: @Wordoflifess
Instagram: @Wordoflifess

Sand Springs Community Services
114 West 4th Street
(918) 245-5183
Hours: Monday - Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Friday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
http://sscsok.org
Facebook: @SanditesHere2Help

*Contact SSCS by phone or web to volunteer.

This Week in Sand Springs (3/18 - 3/25/18)

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Monday

  • Sand Springs Public Schools Spring Break
  • 10:00 a.m. Sandite Baseball vs. Sunnyslope (A)
    • Sunrise Mountain High School
      21200 North 83rd Avenue
      Peoria, Arizona 85382
  • 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Braum's Hamburgers Hiring Event
    • Case Community Center
      1050 West Wekiwa Road
  • 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Citywide Cleanup Day
  • 4:00 p.m. Sandite Baseball vs. Sunrise Mountain (A)
    • Sunrise Mountain High School
      21200 North 83rd Avenue
      Peoria, Arizona 85382
  • 4:00 p.m. Sand Springs Planning Commission Meeting
  • 6:00 p.m. Sand Springs Board of Adjustment Meeting

Tuesday 

  • Sand Springs Public Schools Spring Break
  • 4:00 p.m. Sandite Baseball vs. Coconino (A)
    • Sunnyslope High School
      35 West Dunlap Avenue
      Phoenix, Arizona 85021
  • 6:00 p.m. Sand Springs Cultural & Historical Museum Trust Authority Meeting

Wednesday

  • Sand Springs Public Schools Spring Break
  • 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Spring Break Fling
    • Crafts, LEGOs, outdoor games, and other adventures. Ages 5-18.
    • Charles Page Library
      551 East 4th Street

Thursday

  • Sand Springs Public Schools Spring Break
  • 4:00 p.m. Free Movie: Ms. Connie
    • Pratt Library
      3219 South 113th West Avenue

Friday

  • Sand Springs Public Schools Spring Break

Saturday

Sunday

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  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.
  • Free for Sandite Pride Partners.

Sand Springs Board of Education approves resolution of solidarity with teacher walk-out

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The Sand Springs Public Schools Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution of solidarity with the teacher walkout movement in a special meeting Thursday night at the Charles Page High School Fine Arts Building, and authorized Superintendent Sherry Durkee to close schools for as long as necessary while the district is understaffed.

The Board is not preemptively planning to close schools on or after April 2nd, but will do so if enough teachers walk out that the safety of students is in jeopardy, or the schools are unable to continue effective conduct of operations. 

Additionally, the Board addressed the "chronic underfunding of public school education" and stated their full support of all measures taken by teachers "to demand the necessary funding for a meaningful teacher pay raise and education funding."

The Oklahoma Education Association has issued a deadline of April 1st for the Oklahoma Legislature to fund pay raises and education needs. The organization is calling for $10,000 in teacher pay raises over a three-year period, starting with $6,000 in the upcoming school year and $2,000 for each consecutive year. Additionally, they are demanding pay raises for all support personnel, as well as increased funding for materials, textbooks, and other district needs. 

SSPS currently employs nearly 200 OEA members, and Superintendent Durkee has previously stated the district will not be able to function if that many teachers walk out. 

If the demands of the OEA aren't met by April 1st, the organization is calling for all teachers to strike and visit the State Capitol in protest. 

"Our teachers are special here in Sand Springs," said Board President Beau Naugle. " We recognize that and we appreciate what you do for our kids that have been here, that are here now, and that will be here in the future of Sand Springs."

Superintendent Durkee praised the Board and the seventy-plus community members in attendance applauded the Board for their actions.

Resolution Concerning Board Policy CKCA Emergency School Closings

"Whereas Board policy CKCA, Emergency School Closings, does not expressly include circumstances when insufficient staffing may constitute a reason to close school(s) within the District, and
Whereas the Board believes insufficient staffing can prevent the safe and effective conduct of school operations,
Now therefore be it resolved, that the Board directs the Superintendent to prepare the necessary policy amendment to include the following language in Policy CKCA:
'Abnormal conditions' and 'emergency' shall include circumstances where the superintendent determines that, whether for voluntary or involuntary reasons, there will be insufficient staffing present to assure the safe and effect conduct of school operations at one or more of the district's school sites.'
The Board further directs the Superintendent to administer and apply Policy CKCA being informed by the expression of the boards Intent resolved this fifteenth day of March 2018."

Resolution Regarding Board Support of Teacher Voices

"Whereas the Sand Springs Public School Board of Education recognizes the chronic underfunding of public school education and continued cuts more than a decade; and
Whereas the Sand Springs Public Schools. Board of Education is a witness the consequences of this chronic underfunding and sees the victims in our teachers, staff, students, families community and state; and
Whereas the Sand Springs Public Schools Board of Education has supported and worked for solution after solution to fund teacher pay raises and common education, only to see the legislature fail to find common ground and pass legislation comprehensively addressing this emergency; and
Whereas teachers provide critical work in our classrooms and have waited far too long for adequate classroom resources and a desperately needed pay raise, and
Whereas, in the interest of our students and families, because Oklahoma cannot allow this crisis to continue through another legislative session, we support all measures taken by  our classroom teachers to demand the necessary funding for a meaningful teacher pay raise and education funding; and
Whereas we are confident our community, including parents, families, caregivers, faith leaders and followers, business leaders, laborers, teachers' families and their school district administrators, neighbors and friends will gracefully fill the gap and make the sacrifices it will take while our teachers advocate for what they need to educate our children and secure the future of Oklahoma in ways they see fit.
Be it resolved that the Sand Springs Public Schools Board of Education is in full support of our teachers and stands ready to take action consistent with its duty to provide educational services to its students to improve conditions for our teachers.
The Sand Springs Public Schools Board of Education urges the Oklahoma State Legislature to work urgently on behalf of the children and families in our state to take swift and meaningful action to develop a viable plan to pay teachers the professional salaries they deserve. Resolved this 15th day of March 2018."

This Week in Sand Springs (3/11 - 3/17/18)

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Tuesday 

  • 11:00 a.m. Lady Sandite Softball vs. Kellyville (A)
    • Kellyville High School Festival
      14903 Maple Drive
      Kellyville, OK 74039
  • 12:25 p.m. Lady Sandite Softball vs. Heavener (A)
    • Kellyville High School Festival
      14903 Maple Drive
      Kellyville, OK 74039
  • 3:15 p.m. Lady Sandite Softball vs. Okmulgee (A)
    • Kellyville High School Festival
      14903 Maple Drive
      Kellyville, OK 74039
  • 5:00 p.m. Sandite Baseball v. Bixby (H)
    • Sandite Athletic Complex
      408 West 55th Street
  • 5:30 p.m. Tulsa Boys' Home Hope Tour
    • 2727 South 137th West Avenue
    • Contact kkclark@tbhinc.org to RSVP
  • 6:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Soccer v. Tulsa Edison (A)
    • LaFortune Stadium
      5480 South Hudson Avenue
      Tulsa, OK 74135
  • 8:00 p.m. Sandite Soccer v. Tulsa Edison (A)
    • LaFortune Stadium
      5480 South Hudson Avenue
      Tulsa, OK 74135

Thursday

  • 8:00 a.m. Sandites at Sapulpa Tennis Tournament
    • Sapulpa High School
      1201 East Lincoln
      Sapulpa, OK 74066
  • 4:30 p.m. Lady Sandite Softball vs. Broken Arrow (H)
    • Sandite Athletic Complex
      408 West 55th Street
  • 6:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Soccer vs. Nathan Hale (H)
    • Memorial Stadium
      600 North Adams Road
  • 8:00 p.m. Sandite Soccer vs. Nathan Hale (H)
    • Memorial Stadium
      600 North Adams Road

Saturday

  • 10:00 a.m. Sandite Soccer vs. Thunderbird High School (A)
    • Best of the West Tournament
    • Thunderbird High School
      1750 West Thunderbird Road
      Phoenix, AZ 85023

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  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.
  • Free for Sandite Pride Partners.

This Week in Sand Springs (3/4 - 3/10/18)

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Monday

  • 8:00 a.m. Lady Sandite Tennis Tournament
    • Bixby High School
      601 South Riverview Drive
      Bixby, OK 74008
  • 12:00 p.m. Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce Open Forum 
    • Tulsa Tech
      924 East Charles Page Boulevard
  • 5:00 p.m. Sand Springs Parks Advisory Board Meeting
  • 5:30 p.m. Sand Springs Public Schools District Dialogue 
    • Charles Page High School Performing Arts Building
      600 North Adams Road
  • 6:00 p.m. Sandite Baseball v. Enid
    • David Allen Memorial Ballpark
      301 S. Grand
      Enid, OK 73701
  • 6:30 p.m. Sandite Dance Team Tryout Meeting
    • For grades 7th through Varsity
    • Charles Page High School Library
      500 North Adams Road
  • 7:00 p.m. Sand Springs Public Schools Board of Education Meeting

Tuesday 

  • 8:00 a.m. Lady Sandite Golf Tournament (H)
    • The Canyons at Blackjack Ridge
      1801 North McKinley Road
  • 6:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Soccer v. Tulsa Memorial (H)
    • Memorial Stadium
      600 North Adams Road
  • 8:00 p.m. Sandite Soccer v. Tulsa Memorial (H)
    • Memorial Stadium
      600 North Adams Road

Thursday

  • 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Braum's Job Fair
    • Case Community Center
      1050 West Wekiwa Road
  • 3:30 p.m. No. 13 Lady Sandite Basketball v. No. 6 Choctaw (State Tournament)
    • Tulsa Memorial High School
      5840 South Hudson Avenue
      Tulsa, OK 74135
  • 6:00 p.m. Sand Springs Small Business Coalition Meeting
    • Pratt Library
      3219 South 113th West Avenue
  • 7:00 p.m. Charles Page High School presents "9 to 5: The Musical" 
    • CPHS Auditorium
      500 North Adams Road
    • Tickets: $7 students and seniors, $10 adults.
  • 8:30 p.m. No. 10 Sandite Basketball v. No. 2 Norman North (State Tournament)
    • Catoosa High School
      2000 South Cherokee Street
      Catoosa, OK 74015

Friday

  • 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Braum's Job Fair
    • Case Community Center
      1050 West Wekiwa Road
  • 12:00 p.m. OSSAA 6A Girls Basketball State Semifinals
    • Mabee Center
      7777 South Lewis Avenue
      Tulsa, OK 74171
  • 1:15 p.m. Sandite Soccer vs. Northwest Classen (A)
    • Edison Preparatory School
      2906 East 41st Street
      Tulsa, OK 74105
    • Second round at 6:30 p.m. (Consolation) or 8:15 (Semifinals)
  • 4:30 p.m. OSSAA 6A Boys Basketball State Semifinals
    • Mabee Center
      7777 South Lewis Avenue
      Tulsa, OK 74171
  • 7:00 p.m. Charles Page High School presents "9 to 5: The Musical" 
    • CPHS Auditorium
      500 North Adams Road
    • Tickets: $7 students and seniors, $10 adults.
  • 7:00 p.m. Sandite Baseball v. Hilldale (A)
    • Hilldale High School
      300 East Smith Ferry Road
      Muskogee, OK 74403

Saturday

  • TBA - Sandite Soccer - Edison Green and White Tournament
    • Time depending on Friday results:
      • 9:45 a.m. Seventh Place Match
      • 1:15 p.m. Fifth Place Match
      • 4:45 p.m. Third Place Match
      • 8:15 p.m. Championship Match
    • Edison Preparatory School
      2906 East 41st Street
      Tulsa, OK 74105
  • 12:00 p.m. OSSAA 6A Girls Basketball State Championship Finals
    • Mabee Center
      7777 South Lewis Avenue
      Tulsa, OK 74171
  • 12:00 p.m. Mansfield Legacy Border Track Brawl (Sandite Track and Field)
    • Legacy High School
      1263 North Main Street
      Mansfield, Texas 76063
  • 1:00 p.m. Sandite Baseball v. Tulsa Memorial (A)
    • Memorial High School
      5840 South Hudson Avenue
      Tulsa, OK 74135
  • 7:00 p.m. Charles Page High School presents "9 to 5: The Musical" 
    • CPHS Auditorium
      500 North Adams Road
    • Tickets: $7 students and seniors, $10 adults.
  • 7:45 p.m. OSSAA 6A Boys Basketball State Championship Finals
    • Mabee Center
      7777 South Lewis Avenue
      Tulsa, OK 74171

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  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.
  • Free for Sandite Pride Partners.

ZegART Studios opens in Sand Springs

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ZegART Studios held a grand opening Sunday at Atwoods Plaza in Sand Springs. The art studio is owned by Carey Zegart and Darla Satterfield Zegart and houses work from dozens of local artists.

Darla comes from a family of artists and has had a lifetime interest. She taught elementary math, science, social studies, and art for sixteen years in Keene, Texas before arriving in Oklahoma nearly seven years ago. She taught for Tulsa Public Schools and Broken Arrow Public Schools before retiring and opening the studio. She has also published two holiday-themed books that can be found on Amazon.

When relocating to Oklahoma, the Zegarts were initially looking for a home in Broken Arrow. They were accidentally rerouted to a house in Sand Springs that had the same address of the one they were planning to see. Darla credits the fluke as an act of God. 

"My passions are God, people, and art, in that order," says Darla. The studio aims to be a Christian-based, family-oriented, community-conscious establishment. In addition to providing a venue for local artists to sell their work, they also plan to provide the community with a place to learn and explore their own creativity. 

Artists are welcome to simply sell their works at the shop, or to become a ZegARTist and take a more involved role in the studio and the community. ZegARTists are featured on the website and promoted in the studio, and can be found in the studio teaching classes or working on their own pieces. Current ZegARTists include Sand Springs's own Kayla Adams, Marcos Fernandez, Leslie Reed, and Jane "Jezz" Strutt.

It's not just painting and drawing. Many mediums of art are taught and sold at the studio, including: stained glass, matting and framing, scrapbooking, scherenschnitte, woodburning, wire and metal, papier mache, and more. 

In addition to regular classes, the studio also welcomes large parties for events such as birthdays, bridal showers, and team building. They will host community fellowship on the first and last Saturday of each month from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. On the second Saturday of the month they will offer free classes for Super Seniors (Age 70+). 

ZegART Studios
700 E. Charles Page Blvd.
Sand Springs, OK 74063
(918) 704-4979
www.zegartstudios.com

HOURS
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - Noon, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Church of the Month: Word of Life Youth Ministry

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Word of Life Youth. (Courtesy). 

*Note: Word of Life changed their name to Reach Church in August of 2018.

Last week Sandite Pride introduced readers to the Children’s ministry at Word of Life, our February Church of the Month. Today we look at the Youth Ministry under Pastor Chad Ketcher.

SEE RELATED: 

Word of Life’s youth ministry has been called by many names over the years. Harmony, Lighthouse, the Depot, and Forward. The church recently moved the youth services from a building at 10th and Washington to the church’s main campus and took on the simple moniker of Word of Life Youth.

Having the youth on the adult campus has always been a goal of the church, but until recent years the main church also held a Wednesday night service, so there wasn’t room.

Ketcher took over the ministry full time in January of 2016. The only lifelong Sandite to ever hold the position, he felt called to return to Sand Springs again shortly before that. He and wife, Heather, were previously involved in a church in downtown Tulsa.

While still attending church in Tulsa, they were also participating in a small group hosted by Will and Amberly Bell, a couple heavily involved in Word of Life. “I thought that was kind of cool that they opened it up to somebody that didn’t even go to church here,” says Ketcher.

“In August (of 2015) we thought we were going to go somewhere else. But someone asked us to come visit (Word of Life). We had already been going to the life group for almost a year, so I said ‘let’s at least go check it out.’”

“We fell in love with (Word of Life) in the first week,” says Ketcher. “We loved everybody. We knew a lot of the people because we lived in this town our entire lives.”

Ketcher wasn’t looking for a full-time ministry job, despite having graduated Rhema Bible Training College in 2003. At the time he worked at the OSU Medical Center in Tulsa. He visited Forward to look into volunteering as a youth leader and found out that the pastor job was open.

Ketcher has a history with the Word of Life youth, having attended services in his teenage years under the late pastor Terry Scott. Going on mission trips to Mexico with the youth is part of what first inspired him to go to Bible College after graduating Charles Page in 2001.

Word of Life Youth Pastor Chad Ketcher. (Courtesy). 

After a few weeks of prayer and contemplation, he decided to apply for the position. Ketcher is the fourth Word of Life Youth Pastor since 2010. “All they need is consistency,” thought Ketcher. “They just need someone to ride this thing for a long time.”

“When we started, my goal in the first year was just to let these teenagers know I’m not going anywhere. My goal in the second year was to get them involved in doing stuff and get them here on Sundays, enjoying church. My goal this year is all about ‘how can we reach other people?’”

Ketcher looks to the example set by former Youth Pastor Tim Earnhardt, who left the church in 2010 and currently pastors Occupied Church in Tulsa. “He always had teenagers with him, all the time,” says Ketcher. “Honestly, as a youth pastor, you should always have a teenager with you. That’s your life. That’s why you exist. It shouldn’t just be a Wednesday night or Sunday morning thing.”

He also wants to make sure the kids are there for the church more than for him. “Whenever you leave, you don’t want everyone to quit coming to church because they were so tied to you. We try to encourage that they come on Sunday and to small groups and that they serve in our children’s church. I don’t need you here for me, I don’t get paid per student.”

“I want you to enjoy church because of what you bring to church. The benefit that you can bring. That even as a teenager, you are valuable. You have your own personality type, you have your own set of skills. Our worship team is all teenager-led. I let my teenagers preach on Wednesday nights. How do you expect to grow a leader if you don’t give them the chance to be one?”

“We try to keep it real with the teenagers. Don’t ask them to live a lifestyle that you don’t teach them how to live.” The youth will be doing a series coming up in April on sex and how to date in a manner that’s consistent with biblical teachings. “That’s what we expect sometimes. A youth kid should be perfect or least act right when he’s at church. You’re asking someone to not cuss, who hears cursing all the time in their house. That’s not fair. Maturing is not an age thing, it’s someone being taught how to grow up.”

According to Ketcher, Wednesday night should be the most fun night of the week. Forward has their own party bus with hardwood floors, limousine-style seating, lights, and surround sound. They plan to use it to pick up kids for church and take them home if they need rides as soon as Ketcher gets his Commercial Driver's License. 

Word of Life. Stock Photo.

The youth plan on going on a mission trip to Arlington, Texas over Spring Break. Then they’ll take a trip to Haiti next year where they’ll work with fellow Sandites Michael and Baylee Wilson who live there full time. Ketcher also plans to get the youth involved at Gable Hills, Highland Crossing, the Sand Springs Home and Colony, and local nursing homes.

“Your community has enough serving opportunities, it’s just a matter of finding them. It’s fun to go out to different places, but if there’s that much need in your own town and you can get thirty kids to show up and serve, that’s just crazy not to serve your own community. One of the people that I think is absolutely the best at this is (HillSpring Associate Pastor) Matt Barnett. I love that his heart is where his community is. That rubs off.”

Ketcher participates in One Network, a coalition of local pastors who work together to reach Sand Springs youth. “How can we all come together? If we stop competing and start just working. Yes we want people, and yes we want the same town, and we want the same community, but every church brings something completely different.”

Ultimately Ketcher wants students to know that they’re the church, not him and his fellow pastors. “I’m not different than anybody else, I just love what I do. I think sometimes we get so caught in ministry as preaching. It’s not preaching. Ministry happens in conversation. It just happens."

Word of Life Youth
1402 N 81st West Ave
Sand Springs, Oklahoma 74063
(918) 245-0262
Service: Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
http://www.mywordoflife.com/forward-youth
Facebook: @theforwardyouth
Instagram: @wordoflifess_youth

Word of Life
1402 N 81st West Ave
Sand Springs, Oklahoma 74063
(918) 245-0262
Service: Sunday 10:00 a.m.
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
http://www.mywordoflife.com
Facebook: @Wordoflifess
Instagram: @Wordoflifess
Twitter: @mywordoflife

This Week in Sand Springs (2/25 - 3/3/18)

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Monday

  • 7:00 p.m. No. 13 Lady Sandite Basketball vs. No. 10 Bixby (A, Regionals)
    • Bixby High School
      601 South Riverview Drive
      Bixby, OK 74008
  • 7:00 p.m. Sand Springs City Council Meeting 
  • 8:00 p.m. Sand Springs Municipal Authority Meeting
    • Immediately following City Council
    • Sand Springs Municipal Building
      City Council Chambers, Room 203
      100 East Broadway
    • Click here to view agenda.
  • 8:00 p.m. No. 10 Sandite Basketball vs. No. 7 Putnam City West (A, Regionals)
    • Putnam City West High School
      8500 Northwest 23rd Street
      Oklahoma City, OK 73127

Tuesday 

  • 5:30 p.m. Open House for 8th Grade Parents and Students
    • Central Ninth Grade Center
      14 West 4th Street
  • 5:30 p.m. Tulsa Boys' Home Hope Tour
  • 6:00 p.m. Sand Springs Cultural & Historical Museum Trust Authority Meeting
  • 8:00 p.m. Sandite Soccer Scrimmage v. Coweta (A)
    • Coweta High School
      14705 South 305th East Avenue
      Coweta, OK 74429

Wednesday

  • 5:00 p.m. Sand Springs City Council Special Meeting

Thursday

  • 9:00 a.m. Lady Sandite Golf
    • Sapulpa Municipal Golf Course
      1200 West Dewey Avenue
      Sapulpa, OK 74066
  • 5:00 p.m. Sandite Baseball vs. Coweta (A)
    • Coweta High School
      14705 South 305th East Avenue
      Coweta, OK 74429
  • 7:00 p.m. "Annie" by Sand Springs Community Theater
    • General Admission $10
    • Central Ninth Grade Center
      14 West 4th Street
  • No. 13 Lady Sandite Basketball (Regionals)
    • Time/Location to be determined.
    • Either Claremore at 6:30 p.m. or Daniel Webster at 8:00 p.m.

Friday

  • 8:00 a.m. Lady Sandite Tennis at Jenks Invitational (A)
    • The Grand Health and Raquet Club
      3030 East 91st Street
      Tulsa, OK 74137
  • 8:00 a.m. Sandite Tennis at Union Invitational (A)
    • Union Tennis Center
      7616 South Garnett
      Broken Arrow, OK 74012
  • 10:30 a.m. Sandite Track & Field at Owasso Invitational (A)
    • Owasso High School
      12901 East 86th Street North
      Owasso, OK 74055
  • 6:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Soccer vs. East Central (H)
    • Memorial Stadium
      500 North Adams Road
  • 7:00 p.m. "Annie" by Sand Springs Community Theater
    • General Admission $10
    • Central Ninth Grade Center
      14 West 4th Street
  • 8:00 p.m. Sandite Soccer vs. East Central (H)
    • Memorial Stadium
      500 North Adams Road
  • No. 10 Sandite Basketball (Regionals)
    • Time/Location to be determined.
    • Either Bixby at 6:30 p.m. or Tulsa Memorial at 8:00 p.m.

Saturday

  • 8:00 a.m. Lady Sandite Tennis at Union Invitational (A)
    • Union Tennis Center
      7616 South Garnett
      Broken Arrow, OK 74012
  • 8:00 a.m. Sandite Tennis at Jenks Invitational (A)
    • The Grand Health and Raquet Club
      3030 East 91st Street
      Tulsa, OK 74137
  • 1:00 p.m. Sandite Baseball v. Midwest City (H)
    • Sandite Athletic Complex
      408 West 55th Street
  • No. 13 Lady Sandite Basketball Area Playoffs
    • Time to be determined. Either 3:00 p.m. or 1:30 p.m.
    • Daniel Webster High School
      1919 West 40th Street
      Tulsa, OK 74107
  • 7:00 p.m. "Annie" by Sand Springs Community Theater
    • General Admission $10
    • Central Ninth Grade Center
      14 West 4th Street
  • No. 10 Sandite Basketball Area Playoffs
    • Time to be determined. Either 6:30 p.m. or 8:00 p.m. 
    • Daniel Webster High School
      1919 West 40th Street
      Tulsa, OK 74107

Add your event to our weekly newsletter. Email SanditePrideNews@gmail.com

  • Free for nonprofit/free/charitable events.
  • Free for Sandite Pride Partners.

Church of the Month: Growing up at Word of Life

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Courtesy. 

*Note: Word of Life changed their name to Reach Church in August of 2018.

Last week Sandite Pride introduced readers to our February Church of the Month, Word of Life. This week we learned about the church's children's and youth programs. 

SEE RELATED: Church of the Month: Word of Life exists to reach people

While children are always welcome in the main service, the church does provide several children’s classrooms on Sunday morning. The nursery provides care for babies from birth through 18 months old. 18-36 month olds have their own classroom, as do Kindergarteners and Elementary students.

The 18-36 month room does a couple of praise and worship songs, reads a picture story, and does brief lessons with props. The Kindergarten class expands on what the kids have been doing, adding longer lesson periods. They also join with the Elementary students for worship before heading back to their own class.

Word of Life Children’s Pastor Alexis Glaze. (Courtesy).

"I'm a firm believer that anything adults can do, kids can do better." - Alexis Glaze.

Children’s Pastor Alexis Glaze oversees the whole children’s program from infancy till middle school, and teaches the First through Fifth Grade class each Sunday.

Glaze came to the church in the summer of 2016, immediately after graduating from Oral Roberts University. Originally from Texas, Glaze married Golden Eagle pitcher Grant Glaze this past July and the two are currently expecting their first child. She is also a part-time substitute teacher for Sand Springs Public Schools while attending graduate school through Liberty University.

Each Sunday morning, the Elementary classroom starts with playtime, then brings in the Kindergarten class for worship. Each lesson is structured to address questions the children may have. Glaze recently posed the question “Does God still love me when I do bad things?” and spoke on God’s unconditional love. “We don’t want to do bad things, because we don’t want to make God sad, but he’s going to love us no matter what,” says Glaze. Children’s teachers also incorporate animated bible stories to keep the kids interested.

The church hosts lots of activities for children outside of Sundays. This Spring Break, parents and kids will be invited to a Chick-fil-A picnic at Ray Brown Park. Ages seven through twelve will spend several days this June at Victory Christian Camp in Mannford. In July they will hold Vacation Bible School for Kindergarten through Fifth grade students. The church will be having two services for Easter this year, and each service will have an egg hunt with 1,500 eggs.

Word of Life
1402 N 81st West Ave
Sand Springs, Oklahoma 74063
(918) 245-0262
Service: Sunday 10:00 a.m.
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
http://www.mywordoflife.com
Facebook: @Wordoflifess

Instagram: @Wordoflifess

This Week in Sand Springs (2/18 - 2/24/18)

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Monday

  • Presidents' Day
  • 11:00 a.m. Sandite Baseball Scrimmage vs. Owasso (A)
    • Owasso High School
      12901 East 86th Street North
      Owasso, OK 74055
  • 4:00 p.m. Sand Springs Planning Commission Meeting 
  • 6:00 p.m. Sand Springs Board of Adjustment Meeting

Tuesday 

  • 4:30 p.m. Sandite Baseball Scrimmage vs. Mannford (H)
    • Sandite Sports Complex
      408 West 55th Street
  • 6:00 p.m. Sand Springs Cultural & Historical Museum Trust Authority Meeting
    • Sand Springs Museum
      9 East Broadway
    • Click here to view agenda.
  • 6:00 p.m. Sand Springs Public Schools Board of Education Special Meeting 
  • 6:00 p.m. Lady Sandite Soccer Scrimmage v. Coweta (A)
    • Pryor High School
      1100 Southeast 9th Street
      Pryor, OK 74361
  • 8:00 p.m. Sandite Soccer Scrimmage v. Pryor (A)
    • Pryor High School
      1100 Southeast 9th Street
      Pryor, OK 74361

Wednesday

  • 4:00 p.m. Sand Springs Development Authority Meeting
  • 5:00 p.m. Sand Springs City Council Special Meeting

Thursday

  • 4:30 p.m. Sandite Baseball scrimmage vs. Victory Christian (H)
    • Sandite Sports Complex
      408 West 55th Street
  • 6:30 p.m. No. 13 Lady Sandite Basketball v. Stillwater (Regionals)
    • Bixby High School
      601 South Riverview Drive
      Bixby, OK 74008

Friday

  • 9:30 a.m. - 10:15 p.m. OSSAA 6A State Wrestling Tournament (A)
  • 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Rotary Club Chili Cook-Off 
    • Case Community Center
      1050 West Wekiwa Road
  • 6:30 p.m. No. 10 Sandite Basketball v. Jenks (Regionals)
    • Putnam City West High School
      8500 Northwest 23rd Street
      Oklahoma City, OK 73127

Saturday

  • 10:30 a.m. - 10:15 p.m. OSSAA 6A State Wrestling Tournament (A)
  • 1:00 p.m. Sandite Baseball Scrimmage v. Sapulpa (A)
    • Allen Wallace Field
      1004 West Bryan
      Sapulpa, OK 74066
  • 1:30 p.m. Girls' Basketball Regional Finals 
    • Bixby High School
      601 South Riverview Drive
      Bixby, OK 74008
  • 7:00 p.m. Boys' Basketball Regional Finals
    • Putnam City West High School
      8500 Northwest 23rd Street
      Oklahoma City, OK 73127

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