Church That Matters buys Terry's Classic Coneys

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Church That Matters has taken over ownership of Terry’s Classic Coneys in south Sand Springs and will soon be rebranding the restaurant.

Originally Ed’s Classic Coneys, the business built a brand as a 1950s-themed diner with hot rod red walls, Route 66 memorabilia, checkered racing flags, and frequent car shows. When Teri Buckner purchased the business in 2014, the name was the only thing to change.

The whole building will be getting a facelift in the coming months as it dons Sandite Black & Gold colors and a modern Sand Springs theme with school memorabilia. It will also be renamed Southside Coneys.

“Part of our vision since the beginning of our church has been to own and operate businesses,” says CTM Pastor Rusty Gunn. Not only will the businesses provide income for the church to expand its outreach ministries and missions, but according to Gunn, it also creates “touch points in our community where we can meet people that we wouldn’t normally get to meet.”

The church currently owns and operates the Prattville Market, a booth rental and resale store. It also owns Lee’s Charburgers, a food truck that operated out of the church parking lot throughout 2018 before shutting down this past winter. Lee’s is currently on hiatus, but Gunn says it is expected to return within the next year or two.

In addition to the aesthetic changes coming to the restaurant, their menu has also been changing. The chili used on the coneys is now made entirely in-house. Pulled pork and BBQ chicken sandwiches have been added, as have pulled pork and BBQ chicken nachos.

“We want to keep doing what we’ve been doing,” says Gunn. “Matter to God, our city, and the world.”

The grand re-opening will be held on Monday, July 15th with a ribbon cutting celebration at 11:30 a.m. The public is invited to attend, and there will be special deals and drawings.

Nine Fun Free Summer Destinations in Sand Springs

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Hundreds of Sandites are still picking up the pieces after historic flooding devastated low-lying river-side areas outside of the protection of the levee system.

Not only did many flood victims lose their homes, but the entire community lost access to the 100-acre recreational paradise that is Case Community Park.

Soccer, Softball, Baseball, Disc Golf, Volleyball, Basketball, Trails, Horse Shoes, BMX, playgrounds, and the Rotary Super Splash Pad were all taken from Sand Springs for the foreseeable future.

Despite the tragic park closure, there are still many great opportunities for Sand Springs residents to find some rest, relaxation, recreation, and entertainment.

Case Community Center

While most of Case Community Park may be closed, the community center at the north end of the park escaped the flood waters and is open for business. Although part of the building is set aside for FEMA operations, there are still plenty of fun activities.

Pickleball, Zumba, Tai Chi, Tiny Tots in Training, Dance Fitness, and Senior Exercise are only a few of the regularly scheduled activities. There’s an open basketball court, workout equipment, an indoor track, ping pong, video games, and more!

Case Community Skate Park

Also open for recreation is the 7,000 sq. ft. skate park located just south of the Community Center. Break out your skateboard, scooter, or bicycle and hit the quarter pipe! Ramps, stairs, rails, banks, bridges, all open from dawn till dusk!

Click here for more information on the Skate Park and Community Center.

Sand Springs Historical and Cultural Museum

Located in the heart of the downtown Triangle district, this beautiful example of Art Deco architecture is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a fun and educational way to spend your afternoon.

Constructed in 1929 as a public library, the building was commissioned by Lucile Page to honor her late husband, Charles Page, the founder and patriarch of Sand Springs.

The library was converted into a museum following the construction of the new Charles Page Library building in 2001. The museum features a permanent exhibit on the history of Sand Springs and legacy of its benefactor, as well as rotating art and history exhibits.

Click here for more information on the museum.

Katy Trail & Centennial Park

Go for a bike ride along Katy Trail! Free parking for the trail is available at the Stage Department Store, right by the original site of the sandy springs from which our town draws its name. This easy-rated trail system can take you as far as you want to go, meeting with Newblock Park Trail and Riverparks East Trail in Tulsa. You can also take it south along Highway 97 into Prattville.

Click here for more information on Katy Trail.

Keystone Ancient Forest

Enjoy 1,360 acres of 300-year-old post oaks, 500-year-old cedars, wildlife, beautiful scenery, and about eight miles of hiking trails at varying difficulties. See the untamed wilderness that has remained mostly unchanged since it was first traversed by famed explorer Washington Irving almost 200 years ago. This park was one of the deciding factors in why Expedia named Sand Springs as Oklahoma’s Best Getaway Location for 2019.

Click here for more information on Keystone Ancient Forest.

Page Park

This north-side park features playground equipment, tennis courts, basketball, grills, swing sets, a teeter-totter, and a large open field for baseball, softball, kite-flying, etc.

Pratt Civitan Park

This recently-renovated south-side beauty offers basketball, tennis, swing sets, playground equipment, grills, a brand new restroom facility, and the City’s only open splash pad.

Ray Brown Park

One of the most recent park renovations includes new playground equipment, swing sets, grills, a picnic area, a trail, and lots of open space for group activities.

Sand Springs Lake Park

The Sand Springs Lake is another historic piece of Sand Springs. Originally a weekend destination for neighboring Tulsans, it used to be a popular swimming hole with a petting zoo and amusement park. Those days are long gone, but it’s still a quaint afternoon getaway with an ADA-accessible trail, a beautiful garden, and well-stocked ecosystem of fish.

ZegART Studios

One great place for summer activities is ZegART Studios. The local art studio and gallery features great affordable summer camp classes for youth ages 6-18. Learn to express yourself through mobiles, wall hangings, macrame, painting, mosaics, metal engraving, string art, wood work, birdhouses, acrylics, and more.

Click here for more information on ZegART Studios.

Harper’s Hut Shaved Ice & Java

With cheap delicious snow cones, voted Best in Tulsa County in 2016, and lots of free activities for the kiddos, Harper’s Hut is a must-stop for all Sand Springs visitors. Toss a frisbee or a football, practice your disc golf throw, hula hoop, play corn hole, and have your picture taken aboard a pirate ship!

Click here for more information on Harper’s Hut.


Keystone Dam outflow reduced, community meeting scheduled and other resources for flood victims

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For the first time in weeks, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun significantly scaling back release rates at the Keystone Dam. By 2:00 p.m. Thursday outflow had been reduced from 275,000 cubic feet per second to 230,000. Inflow is down to 204,251 cf/s, its lowest rate since May 20th. The flood pool is at 104.9% with pool elevation at 755.5 feet. With no additional rains, the Corps is projecting 100,000 cf/s by June 3rd.

By Monday evening the Sand Springs Police had shut down Highway 51 all the way from Riverview RV Park to 145th West Avenue due to flooding from Anderson Creek. The Arkansas River tributary was one of the first places to flood in Sand Springs, taking out the Meadow Valley subdivision, the Webco Star Center, Sand Springs Sand and Gravel Company, and Double H Sales.

National Guard checkpoints have been established at the Highway 51 intersections with 145th West Avenue, Town and Country Drive, and 165th West Avenue. Residents in those neighborhoods are still allowed to return, but the Meadow Valley subdivision was temporarily off limits.

At peak outflow, 145th flooded at the entrance to the neighborhood, cutting off access to anyone without a substantially lifted vehicle. However waters began to recede Wednesday evening. Some residents reported 2-3 feet reduction in water levels around their property.

Charles Page Boulevard closed Tuesday from 65th West Avenue to 74th West Avenue, then expanded to 81st on Wednesday. The National Guard is concerned about soil liquification under the roadway and potential sinkholes.

The Starbucks in River West shut down Monday and will remain closed until the Arkansas River flooding situation is resolved and the levee system is no longer at risk.

Case Community Park has been closed for the past week due to substantial flooding and will likely remain closed for some time.

Resources

Broadway Baptist Church will be hosting an informative event Thursday at 1000 North Adams Road for locals affected by the flood. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. with remarks to begin at 6:30 p.m. Senator James Lankford, Congressman Kevin Hern, Governor Kevin Stitt, Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready, Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado, and Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith will be in attendance.

Senator Jim Inhofe will be on hand at 5:30 p.m. to speak with constituents, but will not be available during the 6:30 meeting due to a previously scheduled conference call. The event is only open to residents of Town & Country, Candlestick Beach, and other affected flood victims in unincorporated Tulsa County areas of Sand Springs. QuikTrip is providing free drinks and pastries for the event.

Angus Church at 4401 South 129th West Avenue is serving three meals a day for locals affected by the floods and tornadoes. Breakfast is at 8:00 a.m., lunch is at 12:00 p.m., and dinner is at 6:00 p.m. However, the Thursday dinner will be moved up to 5:00 p.m. so as to not conflict with the meeting at Broadway Baptist.

Broadway will be providing free dinner to flood victims, first responders, and military Sunday June 2nd from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The church is partnering with Rolling River Relief and Sand Springs Community Services to bring multiple food trucks. Broadway is also offering free clothing and some financial support. They can be reached at 918-245-7513.

The Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Inc. has opened a Disaster Relief Distribution Center at the Sand Springs Church of Christ Activity Building at 4301 South 113th West Avenue. Beginning Thursday, May 30th, they are open from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily with boxed foods, baby care items, personal care items, cleaning supplies, and more. Flood victims should bring a valid driver’s license or ID card with your current address. This is a distribution site only and will not be able to receive donations.

Uhaul of Tulsa is offering free 30 day storage rental to anyone impacted by recent flooding. This is only at Uhaul Centers, not neighborhood dealers. Participating locations are 6105 South Peoria Avenue, 5140 South 103rd East Avenue, 3500 South Sheridan Road, 1006 South Memorial Drive, and 504 East Archer Street.

Samaritan’s Purse arrived Thursday to help with the physical labor that flood victims will have to deal with. The nondenominational evangelical Christian organization helps with gutting damaged homes to prep them for restoration. They are stationed in the Prattville Center at 3 West 41st Street to receive volunteers and flood victims in need of assistance. You can reach Samartian’s Purse at 918-257-1381. Samaritan’s Purse will provide training Monday through Saturday at 7:30 a.m. and on Sundays at 12:30 p.m.

Solace Church at 7314 West 41st Street will also be doing physical labor similar to Samaritan’s Purse. They can be reached at 217-853-1124.

Free meals are available for children up to age 18 from the Sand Springs Public Schools Child Nutrition Department. For information on locations and times, call 918-246-1430.

Sand Springs Community Services has food, clothing, cleaning supplies, hygiene products, toys, and other household items at 114 West 4th Street. They can be reached at 918-245-5183.

Sand Springs Care Closet at 3417 South 113th West Avenue has clothing and toys. They can be reached at 918-269-8434.

Harvest Church is receiving donations of cleaning supplies and canned goods at 1601 West 4th Street and can be reached at 918-245-0193. They have free cleaning supplies and bottled water at both their Sand Springs location and their 349 South 49th West Avenue location.

First Presbyterian Church at 222 North Adams Road has a food bank and can be reached at 918-245-1748.

Olivet Baptist Church at 155 North 65th West Avenue has a food bank and can be reached at 918-260-5369.

CrossPoint Church at 4600 South 129th West Avenue has a food bank and can be reached at 918-245-2534. They are accepting donations of bleach, gloves, cleaning supplies, bottled water, rags, and personal hygiene items.

HillSpring Church has clothing and licensed counselors available at 8801 West 41st Street and can be reached at 918-955-2031. They are accepting donations of trash bags, cleaning supplies ,bottled water, gloves, toilet paper, and paper towels.

Church That Matters has licensed counselors available at 3 West 41st Street and can be reached at 918-512-1486. They are accepting donations of bottled water, pre-packaged snacks, cleaning supplies, paper towels, gloves, and trash bags.

For resource updates, visit https://www.churchthatmatters.com/floodrelief

The City of Sand Springs canceled their “Chipper Days” event schedule for June 1st. The next date is July 13th. Citizens with a City water bill for proof of residence will be able to bring tree branches for free disposal.

Beginning Monday, free tetanus shots will be available at Gilstrap Chiropractic Clinic at 3900 South 113th West Avenue.

Chillin n Grillin BBQ Festival and Carnival returns to Sand Springs Thursday through Saturday

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The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 8th Annual Chillin n Grillin BBQ Festival on May 30, 31, and June 1st on 1st St. and Garfield Ave. The event has evolved into a three day event with a carnival being the headline on Thursday and Friday and then the BBQ will permeate downtown Friday night and all day Saturday. Several new activities and attractions have been added to the event.

Thursday May 30th 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Miscee Ann Smith will perform an acoustic jam session 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. while the carnival rides are available. There will also be food trucks to tempt your pallet, so bring your best gal or guy, grab a plate of food and listen to some great music.

Friday May 31st 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Live music will start at 6:00 p.m. featuring our very own Jennifer Marriott Band. Again the food trucks will be available along with beer and the carnival rides.

Saturday June 1st 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

The gates will open to the public at 10:00 a.m. with arts and crafts vendors, carnival and the Express Employment Clydesdales (11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.). Our Crowd Grub will open at 11:00 a.m. for some Award-Winning Pulled Pork Tacos, and live music from Nightingale Band featuring Bri Wright (11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) and then a live remote with Big Country 99.5 FM (12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.). Prizes for BBQ Contest winners will be announced at 3:00 p.m. The carnival will run until 10:00 p.m.

“Amidst all of the devastation happening at this time, we feel everyone needs a little something to smile about and family fun,” said Chamber President Kristen Cepak. “The Chamber is proud to announce that a large portion of our profits will be donated to the Sand Springs Community Services for flood relief to our community.”

The Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce started this event in 2011 with just a few teams. As the event has grown, the community has begun to look forward to it each year. The highlight this year is the Carnival. The community can purchase wrist bands for $20 in advance, $25 ad the gate, and ride unlimited rides on Thursday and Friday. Saturdays’ rides will be by ticket only. Tickets are $3 per ride.

For all of the details on Chillin n Grillin BBQ Festival go to the Chamber website; http://sandspringschamber.com/. You will be able to purchase wrist bands and taster kits.

Sheilah Bright and Scott Palk to be inducted into Sand Springs Education Foundation Hall of Fame

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The Sand Springs Education Foundation recently announced its 2019 Hall of Fame inductees. Sheilah Bright (Class of 1979) and Scott Palk (1985) will be honored at the annual Hall of Fame Banquet on Thursday, April 25th at 6:00 p.m. in the Ed Dubie Field House.

The SSEF provides district teachers with grants for special equipment, supplies, and student projects. The Hall of Fame Banquet is one of their biggest annual fundraisers. Table sponsorships are available at $400 for eight seats, and individual tickets are $50. The dinner will be preceded by a silent auction at 5:30 p.m.

To purchase tickets or request further information, contact Tirita Montross at 918-798-1517.

Bright is a forty-year veteran journalist, publishing her first article at 15 years of age. She has contributed to numerous magazines and newspapers and was part of an Emmy Award-winning script-writing team for Narrative Television Network. She was a driving force behind Operation Gold Pride, which raised more than $600,000 for Sand Springs Public Schools. She also recently opened the Bright Morning Farm event center.

Palk graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science from Oklahoma State University in 1989 and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma in 1992. He served as an Assistant District Attorney for Cleveland County from 1992 to 2002 and was an Assistant United States Attorney from 2002 to 2011. He has worked as Deputy Criminal Chief and Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council Coordinator. From 2011 to 2017 he was Assistant Dean of Students and Assistant General Counsel at the University of Oklahoma College of Law before being commissioned as a U.S. District Judge. Palk won Prosecutor of the Year awards in 1993 and 2004. In 2011 he was awarded the Director’s Certificate of Appreciation for Assistance to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Hall of Fame inductees are required to have attended Sand Springs Public Schools for at least three years after the Sixth Grade, or to have spent at least eight total years in SSPS, or to have spent the last two years of high school in SSPS and to have graduated from the district.

They must have attained a position of “unusual respect, impact, or influence in the community,” or have attained regional prominence in their field, or to have attained an exception level of accomplishment in their field.

Previous inductees include:

Michael Dale Case
Cleta Evans
Mary Helen Burke (1932)
Tot M. Brown (1934)
Bessie Crawford Zackery (1934)
Opal Clark (1934)
Al Dodson, Sr. (1936)
Marshall Vaughn Perry (1937)
L.W. Welch Jr. (1939)
James A. Sanders (1941)
Johnnie Mae Young (1941)
Marques Haynes (1942)
Robert D. Simms (1943)
Clyde Boyd Jr. (1943)
Erwin D. Phillips (1946)
William R. Pogue (1947)
Charles Gray (1947)
George Everett (1947)
Montie R. Box (1947)
Thomas S. Crewson (1950)
Richard Courter (1951)
William Means (1951)
Charles Marvin Hughes (1952)
Jack B. Johnson (1952)
Jerrold Lawless (1952)
John H. Rudy (1953)
Ken Neal (1953)
Charles Jestice (1953)
Jerry Adair (1955)
M. David Riggs (1955)
Barbara Guynn Smith (1956)
Bennie Osborn (1956)
J. Dean Speer (1956)
John Beck (1956)

James E. Palmer (1956)
Jerry L. Halcomb (1957)
Jan Hagara (1957)
George Paden (1957)
Charles E. Buchner, III (1957)
Billy Allen Hall (1957)
Jerry A. Hanner (1958)
Carolyn Morrow Cheney (1958)
Clarence “Scratch” Purser (1959)
Randal Wayne White (1959)
Harlan S. Pinkerton, Jr. (1960)
Gerrie Holliday (1961)
Ward Sherrill (1963)
Danny Lee McDonald (1964)
William R. White (1965)
Lotsee Spradling (1966)
John Wolf (1967)
Larry Glen Hurst (1967)
Richard Neal (1967)
I.J. Ganem (1969)
Mike Burdge (1969)
Forrest C. Crawford (1970)
Dianne Dinkel (1970)
Chris Thurmond (1971)
Deborah Browers Barnes (1972)
Linda L. Robertson (1973)
Cathy Lynn Burdge (1973)
Janet Rutland Eicher (1975)
John Fitzgerald Blake (1979)
Sam Harris (1979)
Eric Bloom (1982)
Stacey Ford Butterfield (1985)
Timothy Wright (1988)

30th Annual Sand Springs Herbal Affair and Festival quickly approaching

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The 30th annual Sand Springs Herbal Affair and Festival will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, April 13th, rain or shine. The beloved festival attracts nearly 30,000 individuals to the historic Sand Springs Triangle District every year. With nearly 150 vendor booths, live music, kids activities, and delicious foods, the event has something for the whole family.

“We’ll be sharing a wide variety of products from plant growers, vendors and craftsmen for this very special 30 year anniversary event,” stated Grant Gerondale, Community Development Director for the City. “Event goers should find even more great food options, arts and crafts and even a live pottery demonstration by budding artists at the Tulsa Boys Home.”

The public event will offer free shuttle services from Charles Page High School at 500 North Adams Road. Leashed pets are welcome. Church That Matters will provide a Kids Zone with a petting zoo, arts and crafts projects, and more.

Special 30 year commemorative Sand Springs Herbal Affair posters (11”x17”) will be available for $5.00 each as well as colorful “30 Years and Growing” Herbal Affair T-shirts for $10.00 while supplies last. All proceeds benefit the event.

“Whether you’re just looking a unique heritage tomato variety for your garden or a hand-made coffee mug for yourself or a friend, this year’s Herbal Affair should not be missed,” said Gerondale. ”Grab a friend, find some Amish chicken and noodles and kick back in our historic downtown to the tunes of some truly great local music. The Sand Springs Herbal Affair is truly one of the coolest things that happens each spring in Oklahoma.”

Event Schedule:
8:00 a.m. Sand Springs Herbal Affair opens, shuttle service begins.
8:30 a.m. Dulcimer Magic.
9:30 a.m. Monica Tayler.
11:00 a.m. Anna Massey.
12:00 p.m. Hometown Hero Award presented.
12:30 p.m. Janet Rutland and Shelby Eicher.
2:00 p.m. And Then There Were Two.
4:00 p.m. Event closes, shuttle service ends.

For a full list of vendors, click here to visit our Event Page.

Just a few blocks down the road from Herbal Affair, OkieSpice and Trade Co. will be hosting their 2nd Annual Westival event from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 501 West 2nd Street. The free outdoor event will feature free tasting of products sold at the business year round.

Click here for a full list of Westival vendors.

Boulder Coffee opens in downtown Sand Springs Triangle District

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Sand Springs couple Danielle and D.A. Myers celebrated the grand opening of their new coffee shop Saturday morning in the downtown Sand Springs Triangle District.

Boulder Coffee opened its doors at 8:00 a.m. and held a ribbon cutting ceremony with fellow business owners and the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce.

The shop is located at 118 North Main Street and shares its space with the Myers’s other businesses: Myer’s Marketing and We Are Sand Springs magazine.

Boulder offers coffee, espresso-based beverages, hot and iced teas, hot chocolate, chocolate milk, muffins, and Dippin Dots. Beverages sizes range from 10 oz to 16 oz with a $1.75-$4.25 price range. They also carry vanilla, caramel, mocha, and lavender flavored syrups.

The shop has an array of furniture and invites patrons to hang out and enjoy the free wireless internet. They are open Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. They are closed on Sundays.

Sam Shook wins inaugural SalsaFest at OkieSpice & Trade Co.

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OkieSpice & Trade Co. held their inaugural SalsaFest Saturday in Sand Springs and the event was a big success according to business owner Kim Zieg.

The event featured local craft, spice, and salsa vendors, as well as a homemade salsa making competition. Sam Shook took top prize in the salsa competition out of a field of 24. According to Zieg only a handful of the competitors were local and most traveled from out of town to participate.

“We exposed most to this area for the first time,” said Zieg. “Customers loved the event and the store. Our vendors were well pleased with their day and we had more entries than we could have hoped for!” She says the store plans to bring the festivities back next year.

OkieSpice opened in November of 2017 and have already made a big effort to be involved in the local community. In April they held their inaugural Westival event to coincide with the 29th Annual Herbal Affair and Festival. They are located at 501 West 2nd Street just west of downtown.

Sandlot Sno-Balls celebrates new Prattville location with ribbon cutting

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SUBMITTED.

Sandlot Sno-Balls held an official ribbon cutting ceremony for their new Prattville shaved ice stand.

The snow cone stand first opened in late June and is the second location for the business. 

Brad Crain opened Sandlot at the former JwY's Tropical Ice location in the Warehouse Market parking lot at 250 South Highway 97 in 2015.

The new stand is in the Prattville Center at 5 West 41st Street alongside Lee's Charburgers, Minuteman Pizza, and Terry's Classic Coneys. This location is also the only snow cone stand in Sand Springs with a drive-through. 

Sandlot serves a traditional New Orleans-style snowball finely shaved from a solid block of ice. 

Sandlot Sno-Balls opens new Prattville shaved ice stand with drive-through

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Sandlot Sno-Balls is bringing shaved ice back to south Sand Springs. 

Owned by Sand Springs native Brad Crain, the New Orleans-style snowball business unveiled their new location Tuesday morning in the Prattville Center on 41st Street. 

Sandlot first opened for business in the summer of 2015 at 250 South Highway 97 in the parking lot of Warehouse Market (now Cox Cash Saver). JwY's Tropical Ice had a stand in that location for more than a decade before Crain purchased the business and opened Sandlot. 

The new Prattville location is Sandlot's first expansion since incorporating three years ago, and will create six new part-time jobs. It is the only snow cone stand on the south side of Sand Springs.

The Sweet Pink Shack sold snow cones and pineapple whips in the parking lot of Cheezie's Pizza just across the street from the Prattville Center from 2014 to 2017, but decided not to reopen this summer. 

Snow cone connoisseurs will no longer have to cross the river to get their shaved ice fix. Nor will they need to exit their vehicle. Sandlot Prattville is the only Sand Springs snow cone stand with a drive-through. 

The stand has safety barricades to separate the drive-through from pedestrians, and there will be outdoor seating for customers to hang out. Crain asks customers to please be patient for the first week as they've never had to man both a drive-through and walk-up before. 

The Prattville Center is jamming in recent years with Lee's Charburgers joining Minuteman Pizza and Terry's Classic Coneys to provide plenty of dining options for local Sandites. There are also multiple shopping locations and a live music venue. Now patrons of those establishments will have a dessert option in the same shopping center. 

The stand offers all the same flavors as their original location, with the exception of sugar free flavors and pineapple whip. It also features the "latest and greatest block-shaver on the market," says Crain. 

Sandlot is open from noon to 10:00 p.m. and can be reached at 918.813.1233.

Sand Springs Riverfest and Sertoma Fireworks set for July 3rd at Case Community Park

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The City of Sand Springs announced plans for the Second Annual Riverfest celebration Monday. The festival, launched in 2017 to commemorate the Grand Opening of Case Community Park, will be moved forward from September to July 3rd to coincide with the Sand Springs Sertoma Club's 21st Annual Independence Day Fireworks Show. 

"This is a family friendly event, and we want to invite people from around the Sand Springs area to come to the park, relax and enjoy a fun evening," stated Jeff Edwards, Parks Director for the City of Sand Springs. "We're truly excited to share the great lawn with everyone this year. If you've not seen it, we think you're really going to agree that this special lawn was designed for nights like this."

The annual Sertoma Club fireworks show was canceled in 2017 for the first time in its twenty-year history, due to a $6 million renovation of the park, then known as River City Park. 

Case Community Park, named for community philanthropist Mike Case, features a hundred acres of activities, including baseball, soccer, and softball complexes, a BMX track, beach volleyball, a splash pad, playground equipment, walking/biking trails, a disc golf course, Arkansas River access, fishing, horseshoe pits, a Thunder Cares basketball court, the Case Community Center, and Harper's Hut Shaved Ice. 

In addition to the usual park perks, Riverfest will also bring inflatables, live music, food trucks, and other activities. 

The evening begins at 6:00 p.m. with food and free activities in the park. A patriotic bike parade (decorate your bike) kicks off at 8 p.m. near the park entrance and will lead toward the great lawn.

This will be the second year for the Independence Day Bicycle Parade, the brainchild of Joni's On The Triangle hair salon owner Joanna Sporleder. Police Chief Mike Carter organized the event to provide a family-friendly festival in lieu of the canceled Sertoma Fireworks Show. 

The Sand Springs Community Band will perform on the stage of the great lawn as the sun begins to set over the Arkansas River. Fireworks will start shortly after local sunset at approximately 8:45 p.m.

Guests are invited to travel to the park by motorized vehicle and bring lawn chairs and blankets for a picnic style evening on the great lawn. The great lawn is a two-acre well-manicured, high-performance Bermuda turf lawn with an open air stage.

Porta potties and restrooms are available. Pets are allowed but Parks staff reminds guests to please keep them on a leash. The park is also a tobacco-free zone.

Harper's Hut Berryhill snow cone stand vandalized, closed for repairs

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Just a week after opening for business, the Harper's Hut Shaved Ice stand in Berryhill was the victim of overnight vandalism. 

CEO William Nozak says that Berryhill branch owner Jeff Lyles arrived Saturday morning to find both windows smashed out with rocks. The stand plans to remain closed until repairs can be made. "Stuff like this happens, but it's tough to swallow, especially for a new business owner."

Lyles, also a Sand Springs Public Schools Assistant Band Director, says that the incident will cost around $400 for new windows and installation. A police report has been filed and authorities are investigating security footage from nearby Berryhill Public Schools and New Home Free Will Baptist Church.

The Hut is located at 3110 South 65th West Avenue in the unincorporated Tulsa community of Berryhill, immediately across the street from Berryhill Elementary South, and less than a quarter mile from Berryhill Elementary North and Berryhill High School. 

Harper's Hut Shaved Ice and Java opened its first stand in Sand Springs in 2014 and has since expanded to five locations in Sand Springs, Sapulpa, and Tulsa. 

 

 

Harper's Hut Shaved Ice celebrates Grand Opening of new Berryhill location

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Harper's Hut Shaved Ice & Java celebrated the grand opening of a new snow cone stand Thursday afternoon.

Fellow business owners and Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce members traveled to Berryhill to congratulate CEO William Nozak and Berryhill co-owner Jeff Lyles on their new venture at 3110 South 65th West Avenue. 

The new stand is located in the parking lot of New Home Free Will Baptist Church in the unincorporated community of Berryhill, immediately across the street from Berryhill Elementary South, and less than a quarter mile from Berryhill Elementary North and Berryhill High School. 

Harper's Hut opened its first stand at 1124 East Charles Page Boulevard in Sand Springs in 2014 and has been steadily growing ever since. 

Harper's unique flavors and image can be found at the Case Community Park concession stand in Sand Springs, the Sapulpa Aquatic Center, and Sungate Pool in Tulsa. Nozak owned a stand in Mannford for three seasons before the land they leased was sold for development, and that stand has now been relocated to the Sand Springs location. The Berryhill hut is the original building where the company got its start.

"We've been blessed," says Nozak. "The  community has stood behind us. Other stands have opened, Starbucks has come to town with cold drinks, and we still have a flourishing brand."

Part of Harper's success can be attributed to its family friendly environment, which includes far more than a simple snow cone. Patrons are welcome to hang out at the huts, host birthday parties, and more. 

The Sand Springs stand is fully stocked with corn hole, frisbees, footballs, soccer balls, hula hoops, and numerous other games and activities. In addition to colorful picnic tables, there are also unique hangouts for children like a dugout and a pirate ship. The Berryhill stand is just starting out but will soon include many activities of its own. 

Jeff Lyles, an Assistant Band Director at Sand Springs Public Schools and Berryhill graduate, will run the stand together with his wife, Amanda. Their stand kicked off with a bang and beat the Sand Springs location in sales on day one. 

To book Harper's Hut for a private party or to get information on opening your own stand, contact 918.671.6352. Harper's provides shaved ice, espresso, Italian sodas, smoothies, and more for birthday parties, festivals, weddings, corporate events, and more. 

First Tuesday on the Triangle concert draws crowds to downtown Sand Springs

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The "First Tuesday on the Triangle" concert series kicked off this week in downtown Sand Springs and organizers are calling the first event a success despite unseasonably high temperatures that may have kept some Sandites at home.

Let Slip The Dogs battled the heat with some cool tunes, performing a broad selection of covers ranging from The Cure to Stevie Wonder.

Local shop owner Stormy Miller opened up the show with guitarist Brian Parker. Though he didn't play any instruments, Miller was instrumental in getting the event organized. His store, The Harvest World Market, sponsored the concert stage and helped secure sound equipment.

Several local food trucks were on hand, including Mannford-based Kingdom Concessions with Mexidogs, elote, and fresh-squeezed lemonade. Jeremy and Tammy Myers served up Sonoran-style hot dogs, wrapped in bacon, and topped with refried beans, pico de gallo, and their secret Mexisauce. 

House District 66 candidate Rusty Rowe used the opportunity to meet local constituents, while his Democratic primary competitor, Angela Graham, took the evening off from campaigning and enjoyed the show with her son.

Several local businesses and organizations set up booths around the Triangle, including the Sand Springs Women's Chamber, who works to promote child literacy. The Sand Springs Cultural and Historical Museum was also on hand, taking donations and selling raffle tickets for the Blue Dog Art Exhibit. 

SEE RELATED: Blue Dog art takes Sand Springs by storm

The concert series has an off-and-on history in Sand Springs, being organized by different organizations throughout the years.

The current face of the downtown revitalization is the Sand Springs Small Business Coalition, founded in 2017 by Joni Sporleder (Joni's on the Triangle Hair Salon), Susan Whitley (Yesterday to Now Antique Mall), and Jennifer Barretto (Chinowth and Cohen Realtors). 

The Small Business Coalition worked together with the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce and the City of Sand Springs to host the inaugural Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony which drew over a thousand people in December. The Tuesday on the Triangle series is the first event that the Coalition has hosted entirely on its own.

While the Chamber of Commerce works hard to improve the overall economy of the city, the Coalition, which includes several Chamber members, aims to host several events throughout the year to try and increase foot traffic into local restaurants and retail shops. 

First Tuesday on the Triangle won't be held in the month of July, due to the Sertoma Fireworks Show on July 3rd at Case Community Park. The concert will return on August 7th, followed by September 4th, and October 2nd. 

The Coalition is also working on festivities for various holidays as well as a poker run and car show in the near future. 

Harper's Hut Shaved Ice receives counterfeit twenty dollar bill

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Can you spot the fake?

Harper's Hut Shaved Ice and Java recently received their first counterfeit twenty dollar bill of the 2018 summer season.

Getting ripped off is a tradition for the Sand Springs snow cone stand. Since opening in 2014, the seasonal hangout starts every year with a hard lesson on how to spot fake twenty dollar bills. CEO William Nozak likes to take the opportunity to teach other small business owners. 

While counterfeit detector pens cost only a few dollars, sometimes they run out of ink or simply get misplaced. Here's a few simple indicators to check the authenticity of a bill.

Modern twenties have two watermarks. On the left side of the bill is a security thread repeating "USA Twenty" from bottom to top. On the right side of the bill is a silhouette of President Andrew Jackson's face. Both can best be seen when held up to a light. 

All bills $5 and larger have a facial silhouettes and security threads. On fives and tens the bands are on the right hand side, the fifty is near the middle, and the hundred is on the left.

In the summer of 2017 Harper's unveiled a new snow cone flavor named the "Fake $20." Harper's Hut has two Sand Springs locations. The original hut is at 1124 East Charles Page Boulevard and a limited menu is available at the Case Community Park concessions stand. 

Rain hinders but can't stop 29th Annual Sand Springs Herbal Affair and Inaugural Westival

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The 29th Annual Herbal Affair & Festival was a dreary event Saturday in downtown Sand Springs. The steady downpour may have turned away casual attendees, but the Sandite faithful didn't fail to turn out for one of the city's biggest traditions.

Local businesses like OkieSpice & Trade Co., Keys & Memories, Mile High Designs, and Riddle Plant Farm were joined by nearly a hundred plant and craft vendors from across Oklahoma and even some neighboring states.

St. Patrick's Catholic Church provided free plant sitting at several stations throughout the downtown area and Church That Matters hosted a Kids Zone with games, free snow cones, and a petting zoo.

A variety of food was on hand, including root beer from Sand Springs Boy Scout Troop 507 and a full wine garden in the newly dedicated Inez Kirk City-Garden Park.

Musicians such as Monica Taylor and Anna Massey entertained on the Triangle Park stage, including Sand Springs natives Janet Rutland and Shelby Eicher. 

Jack Younger was presented with the annual Hometown Hero Award by Vice Mayor Beau Wilson and State Representative Jadine Nollan. Younger recently retired as the Sand Springs Youth Football Association President after thirty years with the organization, which also serves basketball and cheer. 

The Sand Springs Museum was open throughout the event, showcasing a collection of collectible lunch boxes and aprons, as well as art by Sand Springs Public School students. 

OkieSpice added to the festivities with the first installment of what plans to be an annual tradition. Westival featured free samples of salsas, BBQ sauces, spices, and other OkieSpice products. OkieSpice suppliers traveled from far and wide to showcase their creations.

Pearl Snap Salsas held a challenge with their various volatile cocktails, culminating with the Atomic 12 which is certified at 79,100 Scoville Heat Units and requires a signed waiver to consume or purchase. Sand Springs's own Ruly Sanchez won the challenge.

Jack Younger named Hometown Hero at 29th Annual Sand Springs Herbal Affair

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Recently retired Sand Springs Youth Football Association President Jack Younger was recognized as the 2018 recipient of the Hometown Hero Award.

SEE RELATED: Rain hinders but can't stop 29th Annual Sand Springs Herbal Affair and Inaugural Westival

Vice Mayor Beau Wilson presented the award at the 29th Annual Herbal Affair & Festival Saturday at noon and Younger was given a commemorative key to the City. State Representative Jadine Nollan also recognized Younger with a citation signed by herself and the Speak of the House.

Younger spent thirty years with the youth sports organization which also supports youth basketball and cheer teams. Dustin Little was announced as Younger's successor in March.

 

Prattville QuikTrip reopens after five months of rebuilding

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The QuikTrip convenience store located at 2 West 41st Street in South Sand Springs reopened at 6:00 a.m. Thursday after being closed for nearly half a year. 

The store's expansion project began more than a year ago with major groundwork and the existing store was closed and demolished in the fall.

The new building is approximately 6,000 square feet, an expansion of nearly 1,800 over the previous facility. The store is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and boasts a large selection of hot foods from their QuikTrip Kitchens.

QuikTrip is a privately-owned company founded in Tulsa in 1958. It first expanded to Sand Springs with its 300th store in 1992. The company operates more than seven hundred stores in eleven states with more than 22,500 employees.

The company ranks 33rd on Forbe's list of largest privately held companies with a $9.7 billion value in 2017. It is the second-largest private company in Oklahoma. QuikTrip is number 22 in the nation on the Fortune list of Best Workplaces for Millennials. 

2018 puts the "chill" in Chillin & Grillin Festival

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The Seventh Annual Chillin & Grillin Festival didn't exactly go down without a hitch, but it was still one for the history books.

A frigid wave of winter weather brought the festivities to an early end, but the event also got started a day early. The Chamber of Commerce festival expanded to three days this year and added a carnival to the already busy schedule of activities.

Great Plains Amusement brought out classic carnival rides like the Tilt-A-Whirl, the Zipper, the Musik Express, a Ferris wheel, a merry-go-round and many other rides for both kids and adults.

Non-competition food vendors were on hand for the first time, feeding carnival-goers for the two days prior to the barbecue contest. Lee's Charburgers, 3 Feathers BBQ, Raphael's Southern BBQ, and Not Your Grandma's Cupcakes were all available, as were carnival classics like funnel cake, shaved ice, and chocolate-dipped cheesecake.

Student jazz bands from Mannford, Berryhill, and Charles Page High School provided the entertainment Thursday evening. Sand Springs local Jennifer Marriott headlined Friday and Midlife Crisis entertained on Saturday. 

The Third Annual Harper's Hut Classic Car Show partnered with Chillin & Grillin for the second year and was a crowd favorite. Richard Blair's Ford pickup won Green Country Federal Credit Union Best In Show. Robert Chesney won the Women's Pick with a Ford Galaxy 500, Nicholas Hancock won the Men's Pick with a Chevy Nomad, and Robin Riley won the overall Chillin & Grillin Best in Show title with a 1958 Chevy Corvette. 

The Kansas City Barbecue Society portion of the grilling competition was canceled this year, but the People's Choice Awards went unhindered. Keystone Chevrolet's "Smoking on the Line" team dethroned the defending champs from the Sand Springs Parks Department, who settled for runners-up.

2018 saw the festival's return to the newly renovated Case Community Park. Chillin was held at River City Park for its first five years, then moved to Pogue Airport last year while the park underwent a $6 million renovation and was renamed. 

Braum's Ice Cream and Burgers holds ribbon cutting in Sand Springs

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After six months of closure, the Braum's Ice Cream and Burger shop is back in business in south Sand Springs. The store held a grand opening and ribbon cutting Tuesday afternoon.

The store completely demolished its old building and parking lot, rebuilding from the ground up to offer a larger, better organized building with more parking and a quicker drive-through. 

The new building reopened last Tuesday and will be celebrating all this week with giveaways. Items such as high-definition televisions, gaming consoles, computers, and free store merchandise and food can be won with scratch cards inside the store. 

On Saturday, April 14th, free cones will be handed out to kids age fifteen and younger, accompanied by a parent, between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. 

According to the store manager, the new marquee is the first of its kind in the whole organization and is an original design by Bill Braum.