Seven exciting events planned for this weekend in Sand Springs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sandite Football and Baseball teams to compete in weightlifting competition

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

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

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

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

Case Community Park Splash Pad to reopen Friday

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The Rotary Super Splash Pad in Case Community Park will reopen to the public Friday, July 19th, for the first time since a flooded Arkansas River submerged the 120-acre grounds on May 22nd.

The city’s flagship park was under as much as seven feet of water in some areas for more than a week during the historic flooding that saw Keystone Dam outflows in excess of 300,000 cubic feet per second.

Hundreds of volunteers have invested countless hours in cleaning up the grounds and facilities over the past six weeks.

The BMX track is open after extensive dirt work and repairs. The soccer fields, biking/walking trail, disc golf course, boat ramp, skate park, and picnic shelters are also open.

While none of the actual playground equipment was damaged by the flood, the artificial turf beneath the equipment was ruined. The playgrounds areas are fenced off and will remain closed until new turf can be installed in the near future.

The restroom facilities and concession stands are all closed, but port-o-johns have been brought in for the short-term.

Parks Director Jeff Edwards says it will likely be several weeks before the playgrounds can reopen, and months before the restrooms and concession facilities are finished.

Formerly known as River City Park, Case Park underwent a $6.2 million renovation in 2016 thanks to Vision 2025 funding and a $2 million donation by local philanthropists Mike and Pat Case. It is located at 2500 South River City Park Road and is open from dawn till midnight.

Case Community Park in Sand Springs re-opens after extensive flood damage

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Case Community Park in Sand Springs is officially open to the public for the first time since a flooded Arkansas River submerged the 120-acre grounds on May 22nd.

The city’s flagship park was under as much as seven feet of water in some areas for more than a week during the historic flooding that saw Keystone Dam outflows in excess of 300,000 cubic feet per second.

Hundreds of volunteers have invested countless hours in cleaning up the grounds and facilities over the past six weeks.

The BMX track is open after extensive dirt work and repairs. The soccer fields, biking/walking trail, disc golf course, boat ramp, skate park, and picnic shelters are also open.

While none of the actual playground equipment was damaged by the flood, the artificial turf beneath the equipment was ruined. The playgrounds areas are fenced off and will remain closed until new turf can be installed in the near future.

The Rotary Super Splash Pad is closed due to electrical damage, but is expected to reopen soon. The restroom facilities are all closed, but port-o-johns have been brought in for the short-term.

Formerly known as River City Park, Case Park underwent a $6.2 million renovation in 2016 thanks to Vision 2025 funding and a $2 million donation by local philanthropists Mike and Pat Case. It is located at 2500 South River City Park Road and is open from dawn till midnight.

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.


3rd Annual Cheers & Gears Auto Show set for June 22nd at Charles Page High School

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The Third Annual Cheers & Gears Auto Show will return to the Charles Page High School parking lot Saturday, June 22nd in Sand Springs. The event is hosted by the Sandite Cheer Team as an annual fundraiser.

All makes, models and years of cars, trucks, Rat Rods and Kit Cars can be shown. Registration will be from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. with a $25 fee for each vehicle.

Admission is free for spectators not exhibiting a vehicle. Dash plaques and goody bags will be given to the first 20 entries. All of the entrants will receive a ticket for the door prize drawings. Awards will be presented at 3:00 p.m. The event has something for everyone, including: food trucks, snow cones, drink & candy concessions, live DJ, t-shirts and hourly raffles.

4th year CPHS Varsity Cheer Coach Carrie Schlehuber is ready to welcome back many of the cheerleaders’ favorite cars and their owners, but is also excited to see and hear the new competition. “I remember when I was in school how we wanted to show off our new wheels… and many of us wanted to “sound off” too!”

This year the show has been expanded to over 20 classes including specialty awards with trophies for each. The “Loud & Proud” award will be given to the best sounding car when it revs up its engine. Also “Show Your Colors” trophies will be awarded to the Best Paint jobs for Original and Custom paint. The coveted “Cheer Choice” Award is chosen and presented by the Varsity Cheerleaders. All of the awards are unique handmade trophies designed and created by CPHS Tech Students.

Vendor parking spaces (or booth spaces) are available and also sponsor opportunities. For more show information, contact CPHS Varsity Cheer at cphsvarsitycheer@gmail.com.

For more information about the Cheers & Gears Auto Show, to download entry forms for auto owners, and for sponsorship and vendor opportunities, visit the show web site at https://www.cheersandgearsautoshow.com

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

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The 29th Annual Kids’ Free Fishing Derby went off without a hitch Saturday morning at the Sand Springs Lake, drawing more than 200 participants between the ages of 4-12.

Church That Matters hosted the event in partnership with the Sand Springs Parks Department, with free giveaway prizes donated by numerous community businesses. The lake was stocked with more than 200 pounds of catfish, bass, and bluegill prior to the event.

Briley Blaylock won the 4-6 age division with a 9.1 ounce catch, followed by Tristen Walker (6.5) and Jason Speck (4.3). Owen Russell won the 7-9 division with a 14.5 oz catch, followed by Alecia Oxidine (11.1) and Chandlar Templeton (9.8). Dalton Lunn won the 10-12 division with a 7.9 oz fish, followed by Bayley Gehri (7.7) and Carson Simmons (6.8).

Russell had the biggest overall catch at 14.5 oz, while Julianna Romero had the smallest at 0.2 oz. Peyton Simms won the biggest turtle competition at 10.75 inches.

Raffle prizes included an O’Rageous Family Pool, a Ginormous Gorilla Sprinkler, fishing poles, water guns, free kids’ meal gift cards to Charlie’s Chicken, Frisbees, tackle boxes, coolers, Dave & Buster’s gift cards, a Magellan 5-man Bastrop Tent, an Intex Challenger one-person kayak, and a Sundolphin two-person fishing boat.

The Sand Springs Lake Park is located at 1401 East Park Road and features a bike/walking trail, a beautiful garden, a picnic area, and a shelter.

Sand Springs voters overwhelmingly approve School Bond Propositions

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Voters in the Sand Springs Public School District overwhelmingly voiced their support for a pair of general obligation bond measures Tuesday.

Proposition No. 1, totaling $32.85 million, passed with 92.83% in favor. 1,774 voted yes with only 137 against.

A second proposition totaling $1.3 million passed with 91.43% in favor to provide for new school buses. The measure received 1,749 “yes” votes and 164 “no” votes.

The new bonds won’t be sold until existing bonds are paid off, so the millage rate will remain the same and property taxes will not increase.

Totaling more than $34 million, the two measures will provide funding for a number of projects, most notably the construction of a new freshman wing on the Charles Page High School campus.

The new $14.28 million building will conjoin with the high school through the existing lobby, but will keep the freshmen separate from the upperclassmen for the majority of the day. Currently more than 75% of Central Ninth Grade Center are shuttled from downtown to the high school every day for athletics and other activities.

The new wing would also include several classrooms dedicated to the district’s STEM Initiative, enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics curriculum.

$7.2 million will go to technology enhancements throughout the district. Computer software systems will be updated to protect student data and provide mobile tech support, and WiFi will be improved and expanded throughout the district.

$825,000 will go to the district’s thriving athletic programs. Memorial Stadium will get new turf, the baseball and softball fields will be regraded, and wrestling mats and other athletic equipment will also be purchased.

Other Proposition No. 1 projects include:

  • New gymnasium/storm shelter at Angus Valley Elementary.

  • Bleachers for Garfield Elementary gymnasium.

  • Electrical upgrades at Limestone Elementary.

  • Playground upgrades at Northwoods Fine Arts Academy.

  • Playground equipment for Early Childhood Education Center.

  • ADA Accessible bathroom at Pratt Elementary.

  • Removal of louvers on front windows at Clyde Boyd Middle School.

  • Kitchen equipment at all district sites.

  • Band uniforms and elementary music equipment.

  • Additional space for Drama Department.

  • Sound system upgrades to auditoriums and Ed Dubie Field House.

  • District HVAC and roofing maintenance.

  • Books and digital curriculum for all sites.

  • Media Center materials.

  • Painting, pavement, electrical, and plumbing maintenance.

Board of Education presents award to Stephen West, Brittany Pride, and Lance Beckner

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Stephen West was presented with a Sandite Spirit Award after being nominated by Head Football Coach Dustin Kinard. Kinard, who is battling pancreatic cancer, said West was an inspiration to him this past season. West is diabetic, and not quite athletic enough to see action on the varsity team. Despite this, he still showed up to every practice and was one of the hardest working players on the team. Kinard said if West could be there giving his all, then he had to show up too.

Brittany Pride was presented with a Pacesetter Award for her work on the Central Ninth Grade Center yearbook. Pride is the yearbook teacher, and this year’s book was recognized by the publisher as one of the best in the nation. In addition to presenting Pride with an award, the publisher will also be using the CNGC yearbook as an example material for districts across the country.

Lance Beckner was presented with a Pacesetter Award in recognition of a large financial donation to the Sand Springs Special Olympics program. Beckner’s annual donation helps send student athletes to the Special Olympics in Stillwater every year.

District officials discussed the recent school grading system released by the State. According to Director of Special Services Sherry Rooks, many of the grades can be misleading due to Bell Curve grading and inconsistent criteria across school sites. For example, there are no State tests at the ninth-grade level, so the only criteria used for assessing Central Ninth Grade Center’s performance was chronic absenteeism. On top of that, the site scored an A initially, but it was dropped to a C because of the curve.

According to Track and Field Coach Mike Burdge, the City of Sand Springs Parks and Recreation Department is donating their time and expertise to construct a throwing surface for the high school discus and shot put teams.

The Board accepted the resignations of Rebecca Price and Lance Beck and the retirements of Becky Hatchett and Janie Abernathy.

The Board approved the appointments of Greg Morris as Board Treasurer, Terri Kennedy as Assistant Treasurer, and Lynne Graves as Encumbrance Clerk.

Board approved a lease agreement with the Mabee Center at Oral Roberts University for the CPHS Graduation ceremony on May 11, 2019.

Board approved the purchase of two fourteen-passenger Type-A Mini Buses, a Special Education Bus, and two 71-passenger Regular Education Buses.

Board approved the following out of state travel:

  • Shawn Beard and JJ Smith to attend the International Society for Technology Education (ISTE) Conference in Philadelphia in June.

  • Lauren Hamilton, Paige Vann, and Amy McAllister to attend the Trauma Informed School Conference in St. Charles, Missouri in June.

  • Megan Sowers, Rachel Ellis, and Sallem Tullis to attend the National I Teach 2nd Grade Conference in Las Vegas in July.

  • Chris Corbin to attend CrossFit Kids Training in Fenton, Missouri in April.

  • Andrea Campfield and Jaden Salazar to attend the National Shakefest Competition in New York City in April.

Sand Springs to vote on new school bond projects Tuesday, including new Ninth Grade Center

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Sandites will take to the polls Tuesday to voice their support or opposition of a nearly $33 million bond proposal.

The Sand Springs Public School District is hoping to pass two General Obligation Bond Propositions that would provide funding for a number of projects, most notably a new Ninth Grade Center and STEM Academy.

The current Ninth Grade Center is located at 14 West 4th Street in downtown Sand Springs. It is the oldest building in the district and is the former site of Sand Springs High School. According to district officials, more than 75% of freshmen are shuttled to the high school campus every day for classes, athletics, and other activities.

The district hopes to spend $14.28 million on a new Ninth Grade Center on the campus of Charles Page High School. The building would be partly connected to the High School through the existing lobby, but would otherwise keep the younger students separate from the upperclassmen for the majority of their day.

The new wing would also include several classrooms dedicated to the district’s STEM Initiative, enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics curriculum.

$7.2 million will go to technology enhancements throughout the district. Computer software systems will be updated to protect student data and provide mobile tech support, and WiFi will be improved and expanded throughout the district.

$825,000 will go to the district’s thriving athletic programs. Memorial Stadium will get new turf, the baseball and softball fields will be regraded, and wrestling mats and other athletic equipment will also be purchased.

Proposition No. 1 will total $32.85 million. Other Proposition No. 1 projects include:

  • New gymnasium/storm shelter at Angus Valley Elementary.

  • Bleachers for Garfield Elementary gymnasium.

  • Electrical upgrades at Limestone Elementary.

  • Playground upgrades at Northwoods Fine Arts Academy.

  • Playground equipment for Early Childhood Education Center.

  • ADA Accessible bathroom at Pratt Elementary.

  • Removal of louvers on front windows at Clyde Boyd Middle School.

  • Kitchen equipment at all district sites.

  • Band uniforms and elementary music equipment.

  • Additional space for Drama Department.

  • Sound system upgrades to auditoriums and Ed Dubie Field House.

  • District HVAC and roofing maintenance.

  • Books and digital curriculum for all sites.

  • Media Center materials.

  • Painting, pavement, electrical, and plumbing maintenance.

A second proposition totaling $1.3 million will also be on the ballot to provide for new school buses.

If the measures pass, the new bonds won’t be sold until existing bonds are paid off. The millage rate will remain the same and property taxes will not increase. However, Sand Springs property taxes will drop in the near future if voters choose not to approve the measures.

Why doesn't Sandite Pride cover more high school programs?

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Why doesn’t Sandite Pride cover Debate, Academic Competition, Theater, Band, etc. like we do with sports? Don’t we care about all Sandites? Don’t all our hardworking kids deserve recognition?

I would hope it goes without saying that of course we do care, but from the outside looking in I can see why it might not seem that way. Unfortunately we only have one full time writer and there’s just not enough hours in the day at this time. Sports are a lot easier to cover for a number of reasons. 

The baseball and softball teams, for example, use an app for scoring the games that automatically uploads all of the stats online where I can access them. Cross Country and Track results are also posted online. While I try to attend as many games as possible, it’s a great convenience to be able to cover those sports remotely. 

With wrestling, most tournaments are also scored online. And the duals are easy to get information on when I can’t attend because 100% of wrestling stats are scoring stats that go in the book. I have a good relationship with the wrestling coaches and can easily get information when I’m unable to attend events.

Football is only ten to thirteen games a year, so that’s easy to cover. I have also been appreciative of the volleyball coaches and basketball booster club for helping to provide results for those sports. 

Fine Arts and some sports have been neglected simply due to accessibility and time constraints. For example, while the school provides an app/website with sports schedules, rosters, etc., the debate and academic comp schedules aren’t even available on the school website. Some coaches, current and past, have been difficult to communicate with.

If the coaches of the underrepresented programs were to reach out or email us info, they would most certainly get coverage. But with my 80-100 hour work weeks, I just don’t have the extra time to be attending more events or emailing/calling people to track down info and expand our coverage.

In the almost three years since Sandite Pride incorporated, it has become self sufficient, but not yet profitable enough to be able to hire a second full time writer. Our team recently decreased from four to three. One accountant, one writer, and one part time writer, whose day job has increasingly conflicted with his ability to assist in local coverage. Notice what our team is lacking: a sales person, and an assistant.

As the only full time employee, I do 95% of the writing. I attend sporting events every Tuesday and Thursday, and most weekends. I’m at Board of Education meetings, City Council meetings, public forums, community events, ribbon cuttings, etc. I have business meetings to attend, I’m constantly driving hours away to road games, and in all of that mess I also have to find enough advertising to keep the bills paid.

In light of all of that, I hope you can understand why we don’t cover everything I would like to. In a perfect world, I would have multiple full time writers working together to make sure nothing goes without coverage.

Take a look at our Wrestling homepage, and the tremendous amount of time and energy that went into compiling that information. That level of care and dedication is what I want to bring to everything in Sand Springs.

I would love to have easily accessible databases on hand for every sport, as well as debate, academic competition, theater, band, national merit scholars, and more. If I had it my way, you could type in the name of anyone who ever lived in Sand Springs and find every single life accomplishment.

But I’m only one man. I’m 24, this is my first business, and I ran it like most people run businesses, we wouldn’t be providing half the coverage that we are. The fact is, it’s a passion project, not a get-rich scheme, and I can guarantee nobody else would put half as much time and effort into it.

Any time someone from the community can send us information, photos, etc. it is greatly appreciated. Sandite Pride is very much a grassroots response to a community need, and we need the community’s help to reach our goals.

Unlike other organizations, we aren’t backed by out of state billionaires with infinite resources at our disposal. We don’t have a downtown skyscraper with dozens of writers and photographers shooting on $2000 cameras. I’m just a kid with a personal laptop and a cheap camera trying to make a difference. 

So if you think there’s something we could be doing better, please help us. If you’re attending events that we’re not at, take down some notes, snap a picture, and send it all our way! Try your hand at writing if that’s something you’re interested in.

And most importantly, if you own a business or know someone who does, encourage them to advertise with us so we can expand our team and bring even more recognition to the great people who make this town what it is. 

4th Annual Ancient Trail Trek to benefit Keystone Ancient Forest Visitors Center

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Sand Springs, OK - The City of Sand Springs Parks and Recreation Department and TATUR (Tulsa Area Trails and Ultra Runners) invite runners of all ages to the magnificent Keystone Ancient Forest for the 4th Annual Ancient Trail Trek! This year's event is Saturday, February 9, 2019 with gates opening at 7:00 a.m. and the first race at 8:00 a.m.

Event registration and information can be found at the City’s website at www.sandspringsok.org. Use the Explore/ Keystone Ancient Forest/ Ancient Trail Trek drop down menus to access the registration site. Registration is online only, and runners must register before the midnight deadline on February 7, 2019.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the beautiful 1,400-acre crosstimbers nature preserve, including the planned visitor center, which is currently in design.

This year's Ancient Fun Run offers a 5K, 10K and even an 8-mile run for both adults and children. The varied courses will meander over grassy trail portions, bare soil and rock. Routes will challenge runners with some downhill glides and moderate uphill challenges! Runners can glimpse wintertime views of Keystone Lake below, and might even spot area wildlife along the course!

"We’ve partnered with the TATUR group again and so we’ll have the standard electronic timing devices for accuracy and convenience for runners,” stated Jeff Edwards, Parks Director for the City of Sand Springs. "We’ve got several great courses this year and feel we have one of the best trail running venues in Oklahoma."

The race fee (including registration) is $28.00 per runner without an event T-shirt, or $40.50 per runner with an event T-shirt. Gates will open at 7:00 a.m. on the day of the race, with the first race beginning at 8:00 a.m.

Park staff and members of the Keystone Ancient Forest Trail Guide (volunteer) group will be on site to help with water and hospitality after the race. Parking is on gravel and grassy areas with porta potty service. No pets allowed.

With proceeds from this year’s race, again going towards the Keystone Ancient Forest- this year’s event can help with the planned visitor center also! The concept for the forest’s new state of the art facility will be unveiled just weeks before the race event!

Sand Springs Parks Dept. receives State honors for Riverfest celebration

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Sand Springs, OK - The City of Sand Springs Parks staff received two statewide honors during the Oklahoma Recreation and Parks Society (ORPS) annual conference held in Norman, OK. Sand Springs Riverfest was cited an Award of Excellence by parks professionals in the state, one of only three such awards given out annually at the parks conference. Riverfest also earned an Award of Excellence for marketing from ORPS.

“We’re honored to represent the citizens of Sand Springs, not only in our traditional park work throughout the year, but also with the special events we create,” stated Jeff Edwards, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City. “We have a great staff who reach beyond their daily tasks to offer quality parks and recreation services in Northeast Oklahoma, and we’re very pleased to receive this honor.”

Riverfest was created by parks staff to celebrate the completion and dedication of the former River City Park into the new $6.2 million project known currently as Case Community Park. The park name change recognized Mike and Pat Case for their $2 million contribution toward Sand Springs’ largest Vision 2025 park project.

Sand Springs Riverfest took nearly a year of planning thanks to a large committee that included local businesses, school and city officials, church members, and more. The event was held in September of 2017 after raising nearly $30,000 for the park celebration.

A few highlights of the day included an appearance by Sand Springs racing legend Bennie “The Wizard” Osborn, who was the NHRA top fuel dragster world champion in 1967 and 1968. The OKC Thunder’s mascot, Rumble, made an entrance, and helped kick off a Thunder Cares new basketball court dedication and basketball camp for kids. There was an artistic Chalk-A-Thon sidewalk art-chalk contest. A few former cast members from the live outdoor production of Oklahoma performed a brief segment from the musical. The Charles Page High School marching band performed on stage before the Rogues Five took over, followed by local interactive DJ Morgan Ganem’s performance, which was choreographed with the grand finale fireworks display.

Sand Springs Riverfest was awarded state ORPS honors for its excellent use of private funds to create the event for citizens; the strong use of volunteers; utilizing creative marketing methods and offering a diverse number of activities for people during the event.

“Special events can be a struggle for any community and they can consume large amounts of resources,” stated Edwards. “The resources, funding, and commitments from local civic groups, businesses, churches and more launched Riverfest into an award winning quality event.”

For more information on the Sand Springs Parks and Recreation Department visit www.sandspringsok.org and follow them on Facebook.

ORPS was founded in 1956 to advance the parks and recreation profession and industry in Oklahoma. Annual conference attendees receive professional training, continuing education credits and more. For more information about ORPS visit: http://www.orps.us/

3rd Annual Monster Ball softball game rescheduled due to rain

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The Third Annual Monster Ball softball game originally scheduled for Thursday, October 25th has been postponed to Tuesday, October 30th due to substantial rainfall.

The Halloween-themed slow pitch softball game will pit the Charles Page High School baseball and softball teams against each other in a costumed slow pitch fundraiser for Sandite Special Olympics.

The Lady Sandites won the inaugural event and the baseball team tied the series with an 8-7 victory last year.

The game will be played at 6:00 p.m. at the Sand Springs Softball Complex at 408 West 55th Street. Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for adults.

Halloween festivities for all ages coming soon in Sand Springs

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It’s officially costume season in Sand Springs, beginning this Thursday. Churches, bars, and other organizations in Sand Springs will be putting on Halloween festivities for all ages.

The Sand Springs Pumpkin Patch at 17516 West 8th Street is open every day in October from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Pleasant Valley Farms at 22350 West 71st Street is open every Sunday through Thursday in October from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

The Third Annual Monster Ball softball game will pit the Charles Page High School baseball and softball teams against each other in a costumed slow pitch fundraiser for Sandite Special Olympics. The Lady Sandites won the inaugural event and the baseball team tied the series with an 8-7 victory last year. The game was originally scheduled for Thursday October 25th at 6:00 p.m. at the Sand Springs Softball Complex at 408 West 55th Street. Due to rain it has been postponed till Tuesday, October 30th. Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for adults.

Tulsa Community College will be hosting their annual Westfest at the 7505 West 41st Street Sand Springs campus Thursday, October 25th from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Admission cost is one canned food item. There will be free games and inflatables, $1.00 hot dogs, and a spook trail for $2.00. The Spastic Cow Food Truck will also be on hand.

TCC will also hold a student costume contest Wednesday, October 31st from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Student Union with prizes for scariest, funniest, and most creative.

The Salvation Army Boys' and Girls Club will be holding a Fall Festival Thursday, October 25th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 4403 South 129th West Avenue. It will feature a costume contest, carnival games, inflatables, and a cake walk. It will be $5 per child.

Keystone Public School will be holding a Fall Festival Friday, October 26th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m with food, candy, and games at 23810 West Highway 51.

Chandler Park Community Center will host a Halloween Night Party Friday, October 26th from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at 6500 West 21st Street with hip hop, pop, and electronic dance music. There will be a dance challenge with a cash prize, and D.J. Luc Da Shine will be shooting a live music video.

M&M’s Ole Time Tavern is holding their Halloween Party Friday, October 26th at 9:00 p.m. with live music from Ronnie Pyle and the Drivers at 13906 West Highway 51.

Garden Heights Free Will Baptist Church will be holding a Fall Festival at 3415 Summit Boulevard, Saturday, October 27th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Next Door Bar & Grill at 6430 Charles Page Boulevard is holding a Halloween party on Saturday October 27th with a costume contest and karaoke.

The Office on Main’s 5th Annual Halloween Bash is Saturday, October 27th at 9:00 p.m. at 109 North Main Street. There will be door prizes, a 50/50 drawing, karaoke, a DJ, and a costume contest with cash prizes.

The Sand Springs Ministerial Alliance will be hosting their Eighth Annual Boo on Broadway festival in the downtown Triangle District Sunday, October 28th from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. There will be adult, child, and pet costume contests at the beginning of the event, as well as inflatables, competitions, games, face-painting, and more.

Reach Church, HillSpring Church, Church That Matters, New Life Tabernacle, Sand Springs Church of the Nazarene, Harvest Church, Solace Church, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, CrossPoint Church, Olivet Baptist Church, and First United Methodist Church all participate in the Ministerial Alliance.

HillSpring Associate Pastor Matt Barnett says he expects more than a hundred volunteers from those organizations, and a few dozen businesses participating as well. Anyone looking to get involved and help can email Barnett at Matt.Barnett@hillspring.tv. Last year’s festival attracted more than 3,000 visitors.

Any businesses or organizations participating in the event are also encouraged to make a donation towards Christmas bonuses for the Sand Springs Police and Fire Departments. The Ministerial Alliance donates several thousand dollars worth of gift cards to both departments every year.

Angus Church is hosting a Fall Carnival Wednesday, October 31st from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 4401 South 129th West Avenue. There will be free games, inflatables, trunk-or-treating, door prizes, free food, and a live classic rock show from Ronnie Pyle and the Drivers.

Broadway Baptist Church at 1000 North Adams Road will be hosting a Fall Festival October 31st from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with games, candy, food, prizes, and more.

CrossPoint Church is hosting the DreamLand Family Fall Festival October 31st from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 4600 South 129th West Avenue with games, inflatables, and a petting zoo.

Sand Springs Church of Christ will have a Trunk or Treat event October 31st from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at 4301 South 113th West Avenue. Sand Springs United Methodist Church will have a Trunk or Treat from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at 319 North Main Street.

Are we missing your event? Email us details at SanditePrideNews@gmail.com

P4K: Head Football Coach Dustin Kinard diagnosed with cancer, Sandites rally in support

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Football is more than just a sport in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. It’s a community. When the Sandites step foot on that gridiron, they’re playing for the school, the town, the band, the cheerleaders and dancers. They’re playing for the legacy of their parents and siblings who played before them. They’re playing for their coaches, most of whom also played for Sand Springs.

Just two seasons ago the Charles Page High School football team was playing in honor of Don “Pop” Kinard, the father of their head coach, who died from complications arising from lung cancer.

Now they’re rallying behind Dustin Kinard, who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

When Kinard took over the program in 2007 the Sandites hadn’t had a winning season in a decade. Since then they’ve had six winning seasons, seven playoff appearances, three semifinal appearances, and in 2015 they made it to the State Finals for the first time since 1966. Kinard is also an assistant coach for the wrestling program, which won State and Dual State titles in 2017.

But more important than the wins is the camaraderie that Kinard has instilled in the program. A program without controversy. Where the players support each other and can often be found serving their community, working with Special Olympics, and making the halls of CPHS a welcoming place for all students.

Now Sand Springs is taking strides to show Kinard the impact he’s made in their lives. At Thursday evening’s Homecoming Parade, “Pray for Kinard” banners hung from many of the floats and vehicles, and a prayer rally was held at the Ed Dubie Field House following the parade.

At 7:30 p.m. the facility was packed as tight as you would see it at a mandatory school assembly. The town turned out in droves to stand firm behind the local titan.

Kinard will draw strength from his community and the example his father set for him in the battle to come. “I appreciate their support…I love this community and I’m going to fight,” said Kinard. “My dad had three tours in Vietnam and that’s way more than what I’ve gone through, so I’m ready to fight.”

Kinard will meet with an oncologist Friday morning to draw up a game plan, and will be back on the sideline by kickoff when the Sandites host the Bartlesville Bruins for Homecoming.

The Sandite Quarterback Club will be selling P4K shirts at the game Friday night and they will go online Monday at https://inkwellnation.com. Proceeds will go to help the Kinard family. There is also a Facebook fundraiser at this link.

Sand Springs Board of Ed hands out awards at October meeting

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Charles Page High School students August Nelson and Elizabeth Watts were presented with Sandite Spirit Awards at this Monday’s Board of Education meeting. The two juniors scored in the top 1% of ACT scores in the country and are National Merit Semi-Finalists. Nelson’s family accepted his award on his behalf as Nelson was busy competing with the Sandite Academic Team.

Cross Country coaches Mike Burdge, Virginia Williams, and Gloria Smith were presented with Pacesetter Awards for their work in organizing the Inaugural Case Cross Country Invitational. The successful 5K meet drew more than twenty teams and a thousand runners from across the state.

Clyde Boyd Middle School teacher Kenneth Cole was presented with a Coin of Excellence to go along with the two awards he recently received at the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s Flight Night STEM Expo.

In other news:

The district is still looking to fill a vacant Special Education position at Central Ninth Grade Center.

Beloved CPHS biology teacher Bo Jestice has resigned and is moving to Colorado.

Hometown philanthropist Montie Box recently made a large donation to send Sand Springs elementary students to Biztown, a simulated city ran by Junior Achievement of Tulsa.

POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat unveils new Disc Golf course

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POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat held a ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil a new Disc Golf course Friday afternoon.

POSTOAK is located at 5323 West 31st Street North in Northwest Tulsa. 

The course is currently six holes long but three additional holes will be added by June 1st and will expand to a full eighteen holes by next summer. POSTOAK staff are working together with the Tulsa Disc Sports Association to design the course, which features rubber teepads, Innova DISCatcher baskets, and tightly wooded fairways. 

The course is the latest in a long list of outdoor amenities that includes volleyball, basketball, horseshoes, croquet, hiking, zip lines, fishing, a pool, hot tubs, and more. 

Disc golf course access is free for hotel guests, and is open to the public for $5.00. Guests can also borrow bags and discs from the hotel check-in station. 

POSTOAK will be hosting their Fourth Annual Wine & Jazz Festival Saturday, September 1st from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Tickets are $10.00 and include access to food trucks, local wineries, and live jazz performances.

Deep Branch Winery, Fish Tales Winery & Vineyards, Woods and Waters Winery and Vineyard, Vernost Wine Co., and Tidwater Winery have all been announced thus far as participants in the festival, which will be headlined by Grady Nichols and Leigh Nash.

Board of Education approves new wrestling and girls' basketball coaches

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The Sand Springs Public School District Board of Education presented more than twenty awards during their Monday night regularly monthly meeting.

Remington Wagner was presented with a Sandite Spirit Award in recognition of her All-Region Cheer Team achievement. Wagner is signed to cheer at Southwestern Christian University next year and will study Kinesiology. 

Colt Savage was presented with a Sandite Spirit Award for his success with the boys' basketball team. Savage concluded his high school career as a four-time All Conference player and was named the 2017-2018 Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year for Region 7. He led his team in scoring for two seasons and averaged 20.58 points per game as a senior. He will play for the University of Central Oklahoma next season. 

Eric Savage was presented with a Pacesetter Award in recognition of his success with the Sandite Basketball Team. Savage wrapped up his fifth season as Head Coach with the first State Tournament appearance for Sand Springs since 1963 and was named the Frontier Valley Conference Coach of the Year. He holds a 65-62 record in Sand Springs and a career record of 370-155. After winning three 5A State Titles at Tulsa Memorial High School, he took over a Sandite program that had only won one game the year before. 

Jeff Cooper was presented with a Pacesetter Award. Cooper was awarded the Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Association "Friends of Basketball" award and was named the Region 7 Junior High Coach of the Year.

Barbie Jackson was presented with a Pacesetter Award for her work with the Sand Springs Education Association during the last legislative session and teacher walkout. "(Jackson) worked tirelessly to keep everyone informed," said Board member Krista Polanski. "Barbie has a big heart and she puts all of her heart into everything she does."

Shawn Beard, Sherry Durkee, Karen Biggs, Laura Hamilton, Ernie Kothe, Angelia Noel, Nancy Ogle, Sean Parker, Sherry Pearson, Renee Plant, Russell Ragland, Danese Tanner, Stan Trout, Kristin Arnold, Rob Miller, and Greg Morris were all presented with Sandite Coins of Excellence for their work during the teacher walkout. 

Superintendent Sherry Durkee spoke on the difficulty the schools are facing regarding the teacher pay raise package passed by the Oklahoma Legislature during the last session. 

The political action group Oklahoma Taxpayers Unite has filed a veto referendum petition to put House Bill 1010xx to a vote of the people. If the petition garners 41,000 signatures by July 18, Oklahoma voters will decide whether to approve or veto the bill, which provides funding for a $6,100 average pay raise for Oklahoma teachers. 

HB1010xx is expected to raise $447 million in revenue by increasing the gross production tax to 5% on all oil wells, increasing the cigarette tax by $1 per pack, increasing the gasoline tax by three cents, and increasing the diesel tax by six cents. 

If the petition succeeds, the question of whether to approve HB1010xx won't appear on ballots until the November election. With the school year beginning in August, schools are waiting on an Attorney General ruling on whether or not the districts should enact teacher raises for this school year.

If schools enact raises in August and voters reject HB1010xx in November, it would create a massive revenue shortage for districts across the state. Teacher pay raises will cost the Sand Springs district nearly $3 million in the next school year.

In other news:

Charles Page High School will host a new interior design program in partnership with Tulsa Tech during the next school year. 

Superintendent Durkee said she's pleased with the applicant pool the district recently had for several high profile positions. The District recently began accepting applications for Head Girls' Basketball Coach, Head Wrestling Coach, Head Volleyball Coach, and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum. 

The Board approved the hiring of new Head Coaches for Wrestling and Girls' Basketball.

Tobey Nightingale will take over the Lady Sandite Basketball team after coaching Hennessey High School to a 9-16 record at the 3A level last season. The Lady Sandites are coming off an 18-8 season and back-to-back State Tournament appearances. 

Jarrod Patterson will take over a Sandite Wrestling program that placed third in the State Tournament in 2018 and won State and Dual State titles in 2017. The Sandites finished last season with a 13-4 dual record and won 25-straight duals over two seasons. 

Ryan Skaggs, owner/operator of Precision Outdoor Services, spoke regarding the bidding process for lawncare services in the school district. According to Skaggs, his company underbid the existing provider by $6,000, but his competitor was allowed to rebid to undercut Precision. Skaggs called on the district to go to a sealed bidding process in the future. 

The district is in the process of implementing "Crisis Go," an emergency system that alerts staff, students, parents, and law enforcement of any potential threat on campus. Durkee expects to have the system fully online by the next school year. 

Assistant Superintendent Rob Miller is in his last month with the Sand Springs district and will be taking over as Superintendent of Bixby Public Schools on June 1st. 

The Charles Page Class of 2018 graduation ceremonies will be held Saturday, May 12th at 7:30 p.m. at the Oral Roberts University Mabee Center.

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.