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Page 1: Happy Thanksgiving - OKIE Magazineokiemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/archive/pdfs/nov08.pdfPuppies and kittens are often popular choices for holi-day gifts, ... "People buy them for

INSIDE: A Puppy for the Holidays? . The Thankful Project . Creative Kids . LOOK!

November 2008

F R E E

HappyThanksgiving

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November 2008 www.okiemagazine.com Okie Magazine Page 3

N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 8

P.O. Box 7953Lawton, Oklahoma 73506

Phone 580.536.9500email: [email protected]: www.okiemagazine.com

COPY EDITORDr. Christopher O. Keller

[email protected]

ADVERTISING [email protected]

GRAPHIC ARTISTS Indie MichaelsKevin PowellShayna Webb

PHOTOGRAPHERSAnna Roberts

Freeze Frame Photography

STAFF WRITERS

OKIE MAGAZINE is published and distributed monthly as a community service by Diverse Press, Inc. Opinions expressed by columnists, advertisers or the Letters tothe Editor are not necessarily the opinion of Okie Magazine, its staff, the publisher or its advertisers. Okie Magazine reserves the right to edit the Letters to the Editor toconform to Okie Magazine format without changing the meaning of the letter. All Letters to the Editor must be signed and have a phone number so that the paper mayconfirm it’s content. Content of advertisements is the sole responsibility of the advertiser. The publisher of OKIE MAGAZINE reserves the right to refuse advertisingmaterials for any reason whatsoever. OKIE MAGAZINE is available on the world wide web at http://www.okiemagazine.com. Limit one copy per person; additionalcopies may be obtained at the Okie Magazine office.

O K I E M A G A Z I N E

Holiday Pets? Estilo Firme Low-Riders Featured Artists

A Man In His ElementVideo Games Today

Queen of the HouseGhoulish Goodies

5 13 14

31

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Feedback? Comments?Press Releases?

submit them [email protected]

Jeremy BigelowKim Fraser

Ginger HansenJody Meier

Megan NickellTina Nickell

Levi PenningtonRandy PenningtonValerie Pennington

David RobertsAngela SchertleCharles SchertleLinnea Shirley

Jennifer Thompson

READ OKIE MAGAZINEONLINE AT

OKIEMAGAZINE.COM ANDVISIT US ON MYSPACE ATMYSPACE.COM/READOKIE

M A G A Z I N E

Volume 01 Number 11

HEAD CHIMPIndie Michaels

[email protected]

MANAGING EDITORErica Moore

[email protected]

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November 2008 www.okiemagazine.com Okie Magazine Page 4

Viewpoints Editor’s Desk

First off, I wouldlike to thank Indie

Michaels, not only for herkind introduction in October's

issue, but also for giving me theopportunity to work with the fabulous group here at OKIE.(Vicious Dumpling blesses you too.)

Now, a brief introduction: I lived the first year of mylife in the tiny town of Lone Wolf, right here in Oklahoma.But a little bit after my first birthday, my dad decided he'dhad enough of being a welder and joined the Coast Guard,and my family began our life as military-induced nomads.However, I moved back to Oklahoma about five years ago,when I met my future welder husband in Lone Wolf. Life isindeed cyclical.

I became an editor by default. I was surrounded byfemale writers from a young age (my mom and grandmoth-er especially), and I was frequently consulted (a euphe-mism for ordered) to review their projects. I can see you,rolling your eyes and thinking, "Sure, she's a great quali-fied editor-- she worked for her family." Let me assure you,however, that, family or not, I was ruthless. Brutal, even. AtCameron, I spent a year working as a tutor in the Centerfor Writers. There, I developed a better understanding of,and better appreciation for, the technical aspect of writing:punctuation, grammar, word choice, and so forth. And Irealized that while I was a 'good' writer, I wasn't great.What I was great at was looking at someone else's workand identifying what was good, what wasn't very good, andwhat needed work. And so, here I am, your editor.

All that being said, I would like to say, as the late,great George Carlin did, that "words are my work, my play,and my passion" and that "I thank you for hearing mywords." And although you are reading my words, not listen-ing to them, the sentiment remains the same.

A quick moment of seriousness: VOTE! Ladies, doyou know that we have only had the right to vote for 88years? That's ridiculous! And minorities in the many areasin the country, while legally told they could vote, have beenactually allowed to vote for an even shorter amount oftime! Let's show our ancestors that their struggles wereindeed worthwhile, and get out there and let our voices beheard. Please, please vote.

Note from the

Editor

DISCLAIMER: OKIE MAGAZINE is in no way connected with the United States Army.The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute theendorsement of by the DOD, or the Department of Army, of the OKIEMAGAZINE or the products or services advertised. Everything adver-tised in this publication shall be made available to purchaser, user orpatronage.

Okay, enough of that. Let's get to the issue!The world has been pretty crazy lately. With all the

economic troubles our country's been dealing with, theupcoming elections, and the always stressful holidaysjust around the corner, everyone is feeling tense, over-whelmed, and on-edge. We at OKIE understand that,which is why we're trying to look at the lighter side oflife:

Linnea Shirley is reviewing some funny books toease our stress. Plus, laughing burns calories, some-thing we need to keep in mind as we look forward to therich holiday treats.

Levi Pennington is letting us all know the 10 Thingswe didn't know about Thanksgiving.

Dave Roberts and Charles Schertle are giving ahumorous look into the male mind.

And, of course, Agnes and FiFi are back to give youall the free advice you pay for.

As always, it's a great issue made possible by ourfantastic volunteers and enthusiastic readers.

We appreciate you all, and we wish you a lessstressful, laugh-filled start to the holiday season.

Best Wishes, Erica

Now, a brief moment of shameless self-promotion fromthe editor. Cameron University sponsors a poetry read-ing every second Saturday of the month; this month itwill be on November 8, at 6:30 pm, at the UniversalistUnitarian Church at the corner of 7th and 'B' Ave.There's coffee, cookies, and a lot of really talented writ-ers. Students from Cameron University (including, occa-sionally, Erica) and other members of the communityread poems, short stories, short chapters of largerworks, and some random rants. If you'd like to readsomething you've written, to hear some great writers, orjust to laugh at the new editor of OKIE trip on her wayto the podium, please come by.

READER BONUS: Hidden somewhere in the pages ofthis issue of OKIE Magazine is the face of APACHE PETE,the adorable prairie dog mascot from FORT SILL APACHECASINO. If you locate the page, take it to the Player’s Clubat the Casino, 2315 E Gore Blvd. to claim a $5 FREE playand a FREE Apache Pete! Must be 21 years or older. Whilesupplies last. One free play per person. Where is ApachePete? Look closely so you don’t miss out! Yay for free cash!

Want to carry OKIE in yourbusiness? Call 536-9500 or

e-mail [email protected]

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Feature Cover S tory

November 2008 www.okiemagazine.com Okie Magazine Page 5

Adopt aPet for theHolidays?

"I got you a surprise," my husband proudly announced overthe phone one holiday season.

Visions of diamonds and roses, elaborate gourmet mealsand scented body oils filled my head. I had been out of town forseveral days visiting family, and after the long trip I was ready toget home to as much pampering as I could stand. I jokinglyretorted, "as long as it doesn't eat, I'll be happy."

Silence waited on the other end of the line. To my surprise,a Rottweiler/Labrador eight-week-old puppy, certainly ate…a lot.While the energetic ball of black fur was not the perfect gift I hadenvisioned, Sasha quickly became a valued member of our fami-ly.

With Christmas right around the corner, the malls arepacked with shoppers looking for the elusive "perfect" gift. Theperfect gift is one that is accompanied by oohs, aahs, and phras-es like "How did you know?" and "It's just what I've always want-ed." The perfect gift for some is the pampering I first expectedfrom my surprise, for others it's time spent with a loved one, andfor others still the perfect gift may be something to love and takecare of. Puppies and kittens are often popular choices for holi-day gifts, but not all puppies and kittens are lucky enough to endup with a recipient who is willing to nurture and care for thembeyond the holiday season.

Any parent who has visited a zoo or a pet store knowsthat children will promise the world in exchange for the wide-eyedball of fluff on the other side of the glass. My daughter desper-ately wants a rabbit and is willing to spend her last ten dollars,clean the toilet, fold every piece of laundry in our house, cleanthe cars, and rake the lawn every day for a year, if we will just lether get a rabbit. But when we remind her about her pet hamster,Melissa, who got the horrible reputation of being evil becauseshe chose to take her evening run at midnight every night, ourdaughter seems to develop a sudden case of amnesia.

For these reasons, and many others, it's important tothink long and hard before choosing to give an animal as apresent. Animal Shelters and Pet Rescue Societies see aspike in the numbers of abandoned animals after Christmaseach year.

Lizzy Druvenga, founder of Bark Oklahoma (Bark-OK), a local bully breed rescue organization, says that morepuppies and kittens are abandoned after Christmas than anyother time of year.

"That's the time when we see four- to five-month-old pup-pies," Druvenga said. "People buy them for Christmasbecause they look cute and cuddly with a bow, but they forgethow cute and cuddly they are a few months down the roadwhen they get bigger."

All of the dogs adopted out by Bark-OK come from localshelters. Druvenga and her staff rescue animals that are notadoptable simply because of the breed. Breeds like AmericanPit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, andStaffordshire Terriers have gained a bad reputation because oftheir popularity among illegal dog fighting groups. But likechildren, dogs will react to their environment and behaveaccording to the manner in which they were taught. Spoil yourchild and he becomes a brat, beat your dog and he becomesaggressive. Other breeds are considered difficult to adoptbecause of their size. Mastiffs, Rottweilers, Boxers andBulldogs seem like scary dogs because of their size; however,these dogs, like the bully breeds, are wonderful family dogsand are extremely loyal.

Like children, dogs have very specific needs, andDruvenga aims to ensure that potential families can meetthese needs. Many of the animals in her rescue program

By Angela SchertleStaff Writer

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Feature Cover S tory

November 2008 www.okiemagazine.com Okie Magazine Page 6

have been abandoned, have become strays, or have injuries thatthey must recover from to before they are adoptable. With this inmind, Druvenga offers a bit of advice to families looking for a pet.

There are four key factors that you must considerbefore making such a large decision: your lifestyle, the age ofyour family, the size of your home, and your budget.

Owning a pet is a long-term commitment and it is not adecision that should be taken lightly by any member of the family.In today's busy world, it is not uncommon for families to spendevery minute of the day participating in extracurricular activities.Many animals, especially dogs, require a lot of attention, soDruvenga advises families to take a long hard look at theirlifestyle before making the decision to adopt a pet.

"Dogs have nothing to do all day, but focus on you," shesaid. "We are like gods to them. If you come home, and yourdog is jumping on you, it's because they missed you all day.Dogs need families with an active lifestyle, especially bullybreeds. These dogs are very loyal, but if they are left in a back-yard all day they can become aggressive out of frustration."

The age of your family is another consideration formany families with children. Some children respond very well toanimals and in return the animals are good with them. But we'veall met that family with the terrible two-year-old who wants tocuddle the kitty a little too tight or wants to take food out of thedog's bowl while the dog's eating. If you have a particularlyyoung family, it's very important to clearly evaluate how your chil-dren respond to animals. Additionally, school-aged children are

Lizzy Druvenga, founder of Bark Oklahoma

often lured by the cuteness of a pet, but forget that the petmust be fed, watered, and cleaned everyday. It is importantfor parents to understand that when the fun of caring for ananimal wears off, it's the parent who is often left with theresponsibility.

"We allow people with children to adopt pets on afamily by family basis," Druvenga said. "We know that notevery family and every dog are going to be good for eachother, so we allow families to return a dog within the first twoweeks for a full refund, and if there's any kind of a problemwithin the life of the dog we will take the dog back at anytime."

Another issue to consider when adopting a pet is theamount of space available in your home. A cozy home fora family of three can quickly become an overcrowded messwhen a large dog is added to the mix. The frustration of trip-ping over kid toys, dog toys, and food and water bowls canbecome too much when there is not adequate space in ahome for your family and pet.

"All of our families must have a fenced in yard, this isone of our top conditions for adopting an animal," Druvengasaid. "However, we don't want a dog to be left outside all day,so we only adopt to families who are willing to have an indooranimal."

The final, and perhaps most important, aspect toconsider when deciding to adopt a pet is the family budget.Families need to ensure that pets eat the right food, get prop-er medical attention, and that providing for them will not breakan already strained family budget.

"All of our dogs are given heartworm medication andbrought up to date on their shots, but if a family already haspets in the home, we need to ensure that those pets are up todate as well," Druvenga said. "We request veterinarian verifi-cation, and we require heartworm testing for all dogs in thenew home. We also educate our customers about food.They need to be aware of what foods are good for their dogso that they're not just buying food because it's the bestprice."

Druvenga and herstaff work tirelessly to ensurethat abandoned pets find agood home. However, thelabor of love is truly made pos-sible by the volunteers thatbring their passion for rescuework and their compassion forproviding animals with happyhomes to Bark-OK. Of coursedonations are always accept-ed, but manpower is just asimportant.

"How much we are able to do depends on how muchour volunteers are able to do. If someone would just give anhour and a half to driving a pet to a new home it could make adifference in whether a dog lives or dies."

To find out more about Bark-OK, visitwww.petf inder.com/shelters/barkok.html or call(580)917-5720.

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Homelessness seems to be climbing in our smallarea of the country. Although the holiday season is timeto take the less fortunate into consideration, to displaykindness and to give thanks for the abundance in ourlives, we often forget about some of the most helpless:animals. Unlike human beings, who can walk into a shel-ter and express their needs, domesticated animals, suchas dogs and cats, do not have the ability to seek thathelp.

The Lawton Animal Welfare Division offersshelter to homeless animals as well as programs thathelp pet owners, who have a difficult time providing forboth their pets and themselves. Rose Wilson,Superintendent of the Animal Welfare Division, spoke ofthe holiday drive to help pets in our area.

"Every year for the past 8 or 9 years we havedone a food/pet supply drive for the needy," Wilson said.

A N I M A L W E L F A R Ef o r t h e h o l i d a y s

By Valerie PenningtonStaff Writer

"The community brings in pet supplies ranging from cloth-ing, [and] food, to leashes and more."

Although it can be difficult to determine who shouldbe the recipient of aid, the Lawton Animal Welfare Divisionhas found a system that works.

"Shortly after Thanksgiving we start acceptingphone calls and requests for assistance," Wilson said. "Wefind out what types of aid they are currently receiving, andbased on the number of animals, we prepare the basketswith the items that they need the most."

Donations of animal supplies are greatly appreciat-ed and necessary to help pets and their owners in the localarea. For more information on where to drop off the gifts,please call Rose Wilson at 580-581-3444, and for informa-tion on how to get on the list, please call 580-581-3219.

November 2008 www.okiemagazine.com Okie Magazine Page 10

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November 2008 www.okiemagazine.com Okie Magazine Page 11

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Every parent of a teenager can attest to the often challengingtask of keeping them focused. Some may argue that being theparent of a teenager, in and of itself, should qualify them for someform of government assistance. Where's the bail-out program forstressed-out parents?

While it's unlikely such a program will ever exist, the challengesin raising teens will persist. Between peer pressure, negativemedia reports, and teenagers' own need to express themselves,parents can sometimes feel helpless. But giving up is not whatparents do; nor is it what responsible citizens do, when they careenough to make a difference, rather than sit on the sidelines andcriticize "today's youth".

That's the approach taken by Cheryl Monts, the local sponsorof Epsilon Delta Kudos, an organization formed to help youngmen improve their social and moral standing in the community.

Sponsored by the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Sorority,Inc., its mission is to raise the moral, educational, and social stan-dards of youth and to aid in the development of well-rounded indi-viduals. Helping to create a desire in young men to improve them-selves, and broaden their scope of activities, they hope to turnboys into young men, and subsequently adults, who are focusedon self-improvement and community service.

Founded in Lawton in 1988, the program is open to young menwho are in grades 9 through 12, who maintain a grade point aver-age of C+ or better, and who exemplify good moral character. "Mymotivation is to try to steer these young men in the right direction",says Monts, who, with assistance from Elonore Dennis, has spon-sored the group for three years. "I encourage them to be polite,always keep up their grades, as well as their pants," she adds.

K U D O SRRaaiissiinngg tthhee SSttaannddaarrdd ffoorr LLaawwttoonn''ss YYoouunngg MMeenn

Monts encourages participants to always put Godfirst, to be decent, and to give back to the communityby volunteering. She emphasizes the social gracesof manhood, and keeps young men mindful of theirresponsibilities once they become adults, as well astheir role in setting an example for other teenagers.

Epsilon Delta Kudos understands the challengesthe teenage years can bring, and its memberschoose not to sit idly by, while peer pressure andnegative influences take control. The focus ontoday's young men and their futures, has a positiveimpact on the direction the boys take and acts as aguiding light in a sometimes dark world.

Sitting on the sidelines when it comes to today'steenagers is certainly the safest place to be; but thegame can't be won without being on the field.

People like Cheryl Monts recognize that, andthrough her organization's focused efforts, positivechange is happening.

While some may feel there's no "bail-out" pro-gram for raising teenagers, Kudos has proven to bea rescue effort much needed in today's world, andLawton is a better place because of their efforts.

For more information on Epsilon Delta Kudos,and their projects, contact Okie Magazine.

By Randy PenningtonStaff Writer

Frost Ya’ Fanny Fun RunSince 1994, the City of Lawton’s Parkand Recreation Department has spon-sored the “Frost Ya’ Fanny” 5k and 1mile Fun Run with “Candy Cane” Chase.

This year’s event will be held November 22, beginning at5:15pm at Elmer Thomas Park’s Festival Pad located near the3rd & Ferris Avenue entrance into the park. This is a USATFcertified course and sanctioned event. Computerized chips willbe used and race results will be available online at www.dgrao-dracing.com.

At 5:15 pm, before the race starts there will be a free “CandyCane” Chase where children can compete with Santa. Then at6:00 pm, the official “Frost Ya’ Fanny run will start. Immediatelyafter the race, there will be a “Post Race Party” at the festivalpad. Awards will be presented at that time. The award cate

gories include 1st, 2nd, and 3rd for the “Youngest” participant,“Senior’ participant, School with Most Participants, and Businesswith Most Participants. Please, no pets allowed, service animalsonly at this event.

Registration forms are available online at the City of Lawton’sweb site, www.cityof.lawton.ok.us, at the Parks & RecreationDepartment, 1408 SW 11th Street, the Lawton’s Welcome Centerlocated in the Museum of the Great Plains, 601 NW FerrisAvenue in Lawton. Runners may also call 581-3400 to requestthat a form be mailed or faxed.

Fees are as follows: Free – Children’s “Candy Cane Chase”,$15.00 - Pre-registration, $20.00 - Race Day registration, $10 - Without T-Shirt (Pre/Late), $12.00 - Club/Group Rate of 20or more (Pre-registration only), $2.00 - add for XXL Shirts.

November 2008 www.okiemagazine.com Okie Magazine Page 12

Feature In The Community

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Community News Club News

November 2008 www.okiemagazine.com Okie Magazine Page 13

Theleaves are start-ing to fall, thewind is pickingup and the air istaking on a slightchill. The sea-sons are chang-ing, and the holi-days areapproaching justas swiftly. As theworld is startingto slough off theold and prepare

for the new, perhaps it is time for us to engage in doingthe same. Many times throughout the year we haveintentions of doing something kind for someone and gettoo busy or wrapped up in other things, and we losetrack of time.

Perhaps, during the holiday season, peopleshould take the time to get involved in a civic organiza-tion that allows them to start focusing on the outsidecommunity, and participate in fundraising and volun-teerism. Lawton is fortunate to have many differentorganizations that are both fun and helpful in the commu-nity. Estilo Firme Low-Rider Club, established in May of1997, participates in car shows, parades, and holidaygiving.Carlos Medrano, co-founder and council member, con-siders the club is to be a large family. Each potentialmember and his or her family is interviewed andassessed before the council, consisting of five members,vote to accept the new person into the "family." Thisensures that each member shares the desire to presenta positive message and help the community. One waythey achieve that goal is by donating food to special fam-ilies.

"Estilo Firme started preparing Thanksgivingfood baskets for people in the community the very firstyear," Medrano said. "We wanted to show our apprecia-tion and display kindness to our community to help getaway from the stereotype of all low-riders being 'gang-bangers.'"

Choosing families to share with can be a difficult taskbut Estilo Firme relies on three different sources: theLawton Food Bank, Red Cross, and personal acquaintanc-es. Each basket consists of the necessities to make a com-plete traditional Thanksgiving Dinner: a whole turkey, corn,mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, gravy packets,dessert, and beverages are usually included in each basket.The size of the family determines the amount of food,Medrano said.

The deliveries generally take place the Sundaybefore Thanksgiving. Estilo Firme club members use theirvehicles to haul the turkeys and other fixings to each house.The journey starts around 8 a.m., with all the cars cruisingtogether, and at each stop, every one of the club memberscarries a portion of the meal to the door. Jason Aguilar, amember of the club, spoke of the event with great enthusi-asm.

"Nomatter howbusy we getthroughoutthe rest of theyear, we alltend to cometogether tohelp our com-munity,"Aguilar said."It is nicebecause it brings back the feeling of being a family and thetrue meaning of the holidays."

Estilo Firme also has participated in programs thatare helpful to children in our local area. They have donatedto the Salvation Army Angel Tree and spent time with chil-dren from local group homes. Medrano said that involve-ment in the community and in family lives is important to theclub, and it helps them deliver a strong message that fol-lowing one's dreams is essential to being happy.

"Whatever your dream is you should always striveto achieve it," Medrano said. "Do not let anyone stop you ortell you that you cannot."

For more information on Estilo Firme and the activi-ties they participate in please contact Carlos Medrano at580-678-4441. You can also visit them online atwww.estilofirme.com

Estilo Firme Low-Rider ClubDDooiinngg tthheeiirr ppaarrtt iinn tthhee ccoommmmuunniittyy

By Valerie PenningtonStaff Writer

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C r e a t i v e K i d sT h e C h i l d r e n ’ s A r t S t u d i o

November 2008 www.okiemagazine.com Okie Magazine Page 14

A&E Creative Kids

"I can't wait for Saturday," Darby announces every day.This is not just the announcement of a child waiting forher favorite Saturday morning cartoons or hoping tocatch a couple more hours of shuteye. No, her excite-ment is about learning….yes, learning!

Every Saturday morning for six weeks during Octoberand November, members of the Lawton Arts andHumanities Council provide an opportunity for thirdthrough sixth graders to express their creativity throughart. The Children's Art Studio presents art in a fun andaccessible way for the young audience. Children learnabout drawing, painting and pottery techniques andabout the basics of color theory.

This semester, Art teachers will teach the children aboutSurrealism using an underwater theme to illustrate theconcept. The children will are using two different mediato demonstrate their idea of Surrealism. In one class,children are elbow deep in clay as they sculpt turtles,fish, starfish and octopi in the mushy material. In theother class, students learn how to mix a basic colorpalette to create vivid colors for their underwater paint-ings. Whether they are making a terracotta turtle orpainting a purple starfish, the kids are all very excited toshare their vision of underwater life.

At the end of their six week aquatic adventure, the chil-dren will gather at the McMahon Memorial AuditoriumLobby on November 18 at 5:00 p.m. to display their cre-ations. For many, this will be their first art show and thefirst opportunity they will have to learn the etiquette forshowcasing their work in a formal setting. Please comeout and support these talented junior artists on their spe-cial night. For more information, please contact BillieWhipp at the Lawton Arts and Humanities Council at(580)581-3470 or (580)581-3471.

By Angela SchertleStaff Writer

For more information on these and other eventshappening in our area, grab a copy of OKIE Magazine

each month or go online to www.sillmwr.com

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November 2008 www.okiemagazine.com Okie Magazine Page 15

B o o k m a r k sa Little Light Reading

November 10- Let’s Talk About It Oklahoma- BookDiscussion. This month’s book, The Joy Luck Club by AmyTan will be led by Dr. Suzanne Crawford. This event is onNovember 10, 2:30-4:30 at Ten Oaks Retirement Center on3610 SE Huntington, Lawton- 353-1190.

November 11- Lunch and Learn Program- Cody Holt ofGreat Plains Technology Center will teach a class on “ Howto set up an E-mail Account” from 12-1 p.m. The library willprovide the drinks and people may bring their lunch.

November 20- 5th Anniversary Celebration of the GoldenGirls & Guys Day Out program. This event is made possibleby a grant through the Lawton Arts and Humanities,Oklahoma Arts Council, City of Lawton, and NationalEndowment for the Arts. This program targets the senioradults at the nursing/retirement homes, shut-ins, day carecenters, and veterans center.

The Lawton Public Library is located at 110 SW 4th Streeton the corner of 4th Street and A Avenue, south of theLawton Police Department and east of City Hall. Open Mon-Thurs. from 10:00-9:00 PM and Fri/Sat. from 10:00-6:00 PM.Closed Sunday. Contact them at 580-581-3450. TheLawton Branch Public Library is located at1304 NW Kingswood.

To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself arefuge from almost all the miseries of life.

~W. Somerset Maugham

Still need help figuring which is thebest candidate to vote for? Wellthen these books are NOT for thatpurpose! It's time to bring out thelighter side of things during electionmonth. Why not kick back, relaxand enjoy a good laugh?

The Woman Who Is Always Tanand Has a Flat StomachBy Lauren Allison and Lisa Perry

This book is one of a kind, and it ismeant to be that way. LaurenAllison and Lisa Perry have cap-tured the imperfection of "perfect"in this book of common encounters.

Ever have that one neighbor who always has gourmetmeals fully cooked and prepared by ten o'clock? Or howabout the husband who just can't let go of the video cam-era, thinking he's Spielberg? What about the babysitter thatis great at everything? These and many more annoyingpeople are thus presented in this delightful book that makesfun of all those that take extreme to a new level. TheWoman Who is Always Tan and Has a Flat Stomach is alaugh out loud read about the people who just push the rightbuttons. It reveals what we really feel about all those peoplearound us who just don't seem all there. Fifty short essaysdetail the true meaning of what it is to be obsessed, pre-dictable, traditional, and just flat out insane! Mr. and Mrs.Perfect don't stand a chance against these two women andwhat they have to say about them. You can bet anencounter with the "perfect birthday" mom, or the husbandwho is obsessed with saving electricity, and especially TheWoman Who is Always Tan and Has a Flat Stomach, isgiven a whole new aspect after this book.

Forbidden KnowledgeBy Michael Powell

Ever just wonder how they do it?Magicians? Criminals? Hunters?All of those people who can justget away everything because theycan do it right. Has it ever crossedyour mind to learn a trick or two?Perhaps creating a crop circle? Orgetting even with telemarketers?Making a prank phone call? Theauthor of Forbidden Knowledgehas now provided the answers.Michael Powell is somewhat of a dare devil. He spends histime doing some of the things we shouldn't, and he has writ-ten the book on the tricks and getting away with them. It is afunny read, although it is not for all ages, but it is interest-ing. For example, ever wanted to know how to BASE jump?Maybe learn to perform an exorcism? Or how about justcurious enough to know ten things you shouldn't do with ahamster? This humorous read will get hearts laughing andminds wanting to know more. Keep it on the down lowthough. Remember, it's still Forbidden Knowledge.

By Linnea ShirleyStaff writer

L i b r a r yE v e n t s

OKIE Magazine is YOUR community publication.Submit your press releases and/or group events [email protected] .

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T h e T h a n k f u l P r o j e c t

Spc Michael Zervos isthankful for his family!

Spc Matthew Copeland isthankful for his health.

Pfc Tyler Newingham isthankful for his wife and

kids.

W e l o v e h e a r i n g f r o m o u r t r o o p s - y o u a r e i n o u r p r a y e r s !

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November 2008 www.okiemagazine.com Okie Magazine Page 17

Inside Shayna’s Brain Cartoons byShayna Webb

T h e T h a n k f u l P r o j e c t

Mindy Mask Brady isthankful for her sexy

husband Chris.

Melinda Kukurick isthankful for her family

and true friends.

The Bennett familyare thankful for their

two boys.

Little Candy isthankful for every

bone she gets

Megan (left) isthankful for all herfriends and Lillie isthankful for all thethings in her life.

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IS MY WIFE RIGHT TO BE UPSET ABOUT MY"WORK WIFE"?

I have a female colleague that I work closely with…and we spendso much time together that we've become close friends and confi-dantes. We help each other out with projects, we confide in eachother when we're having problems…and we joke around togetherwhen things are going well. We're both married, and there's noth-ing romantic between us…so I've always considered our closerelationship to be completely harmless. But my wife is starting tofeel a little weird about my friendship with her. She calls thisfemale co-worker my "work wife…which I thought was a funnynickname at first, so I started using it too. But now my wife isupset that I use the term. I do not want to ruin my marriage overthis friendship…but I think my wife has it all wrong. Do otherwomen think she's right to be concerned about this?

-- Steven, 31

Dear Steven,

How much time outside of work are you and the "work wife"together? Do you converse via e-mail or text messages? Thereason I ask is because communication, as I'm sure youknow, is the key to maintaining a strong relationship. I thinkthat you should consider spending less time with the "workwife" and more time with the REAL Wife. Your REAL wifemight just be feeling like she is being replaced. Althougheveryone needs someone to confide in, a female co-workermay not have been the best choice. Women are very protec-tive of their families and can feel threatened when a person ofthe same gender starts "filling in" so to speak. It's great tohave a friend that's a co-worker but you have to know whereto draw the line.

Love, Agnes

It must be snowing in the Sahara Desert because for once Iactually agree with Agnes. Would you like it if your wife'sbest friend was a good looking guy that she had a lot in com-mon with including work? Duh. It’s not rocket scienceSteven. What’s good for the goose and all that. Family firstis a good rule of thumb fella.

Kiss Kiss, FiFi

Do you have questions or concerns regarding yourlove life, family, friends, work or other issues?Dear Agnes and FiFi is here to help and it’s FREEbut remember you get what you pay foremai l [email protected]

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November 2008 www.okiemagazine.com Okie Magazine Page 19

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November 2008 www.okiemagazine.com Okie Magazine Page 20

Catching the "holiday spirit" can be quite difficult sometimes. Theyear whizzes by so quickly that it almost feels as if you just got out ofthe holiday mode, when it is time to start gearing back up for themagain.

Some people make ornaments, while others start baking delicioustreats. I'm not very crafty (unless I am given step by step instructionson the project at hand), and although I enjoy cooking, I haven't quitemastered my mom's knack for making "Hello Dolly" bars, so I have toresort to another way to stir the spirit: movies.

I start catching the spirit after watching holiday-themed movies.There is just something amazing about staying in bed, snuggling withmy dog and watching movies that prepare me for the holiday season.Everyone has their favorites. Some people enjoy watching comedies,while others prefer a good romance, but, for me, there are fivemovies that melt the marshmallows in my hot cocoa: A ChristmasStory, Home Alone, Little Women, Scrooged, and Miracle on 34thStreet.

Thanksgiving Day I absolutely have to watch the 24 hourmarathon of A Christmas Story in order to make it through the dayof family and food. Many people already know this movie very well.But for those who don't, it's the story of a young boy who only wantsa pump action Red Rider BB gun for Christmas. The movie focuseson all the experiences he has with his group of friends, their strugglewith the town bully and the anticipation that takes over a child duringthe holidays.

There is just something thera-peutic and nostalgic about watchingRandy, looking like the Stay Puftmarshmallow man, getting knockeddown, and rolling around screaming"I can't get up, I can't get up." I feelbad for the kid, but I still cannot helpthe laughter that rumbles throughme. I love watching the excitementof Ralphie's father when he wins abig prize, and, to Ralphie's mom'sdismay, it is an embarrassing lamp.This movie is a fun way to get readyfor the holidays.

Another comedy that gets meready for the season is HomeAlone. While there are a string ofHome Alone movies, the one thatkicks off the holidays for me is thefirst one. It sends a sense of wonder

through me: a very small boy manages to defend his home from rob-bers and to trick the community into thinking that his family is stillthere.

Kevin learns a few valuable lessons during the brief separa-tion from his family. He learns to be careful what you wish for, thingsare not always as they seem, and, most importantly, he learns thevalue of being part of a family unit.

A&E Holiday Movies

Flicks From The CouchLittle woman, when you are home alone, waiting to watch Bill Murray get

Scrooged like it was a Miracle on 34th Street, you'll shoot your eye out!By Valerie Pennington

Staff Writer

Although this movie is mostly comedy, the dramaticmoments start softening my heart and prepare me to cele-brate the true meaning of the season.

The third must see movie, on my list, is Little Women(the 1994 version with Susan Sarandon). Many people maynot consider this movie to be a "holiday" movie, but I consid-er it the ultimate holiday movie.

The emotions that are invoked as the March girls growup, and manage a household without their father, during theCivil War, are touching and get my giving heart going. Thefamily is poor, yet they manage to give to those less fortu-nate than they are. The movie is laced with joy, sorrow, andeven bits of comedy that create a completeness and growthas each characters' journey plays out. It ultimately sends themessage that family and friends are the most importantaspect of one's life.

After watching such an intense movie, it is nice to seesomething a little more light-hearted. Scrooged, with BillMurray, is one of the funniestrenditions of the "ChristmasCarol" story that I have everseen. It has many of the gen-eral aspects of the classic:following the main characteron a journey through thepast, present, and the futurethat is possible if he stays onhis current path of greed andself-loathing. However, thecomedic aspect of this ver-sion is kicked up severalnotches, making it easier todigest the true meaning ofthe story.

The fifth movie that I gen-erally always have to watchduring the holiday season isMiracle on 34th Street. I love the story and the charactersin the movie. It just sends magical chills up my spine whenMr. Kringle gets the most pessimistic non-believer to believein the beauty of Christmas. Even if Santa Claus is not real,the message of having faith and doing something great forothers out of mere kindness is worth preserving.

No matter what your beliefs this upcoming holiday sea-son, I'm certain that there are movies that you enjoy, for nos-talgia or for the feelings that they give you. So take time outof your busy schedule to share one of your favorite movies,and reminisce about your first time watching it. It may just bethe remedy that you need for the "holiday blues." I encour-age you to slip into your most comfy pajamas, grab yourfavorite snack, snuggle into the couch with someone special,and create your own holiday play list!

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November 2008 www.okiemagazine.com Okie Magazine Page 21

Gifts for the Mind, Body& Soul

Books, CDs, Candles, BulkHerbs, Essential Oils, Incense,

Jewelry, Crystals, Dragons,Gargoyles, Fairies, Angels,

Clothing, Velvet bags & cards.

Come support the Lawton PoliceDepartment Dive Team with a BenefitDinner. The dinner, which is providedby the Lawton Police Academy Alumni,will take place on Saturday, November1, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 911NW Hilltop Road. Dinner is served from4-9PM and includes brisket, chicken, hotlinks, baked beans, potato salad, drinksand dessert. The cost is only $8.00 perplate. Silent auction, door prizes andprizes along with your chance to win aGlock 30 .45 caliber pistol starting atnoon. For more information visit them onlineat lawtoncpaaa.org. Tickets can bepurchased at the door.

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Video Games are to guys what the mall is towomen. They are a great way to kill a couple of hoursbetween work and sleep. And video games rarely bringin the large credit card bills that come with shopping.

Video games of today, even with their enhancedgraphics for added gore, just can't compare to thegames that started it all. First of all, today's controllershave way too many buttons. You have buttons fordirection, then you have buttons for actions.Sometimes, you have four additional buttons on thefront of the con-troller, oryou havetwo joysticks,and, if that isn'tenough, the startand select button oftenhave functions as well. It's sodarn confus-ing. Howcan anyonerememberwhat the R2button does?You might aswell be play-ing on acomputer keyboard. Today's controllers have more"on/off" buttons than most women. In the good olddays, all you had was a joystick for direction and onebutton. Usually the person who could hit the button thefastest won. It was simple and convenient.

Although the simplest of today's games are farsuperior to pong, some of the vintage games still gounrivaled. My favorite game of all time is CavemanUgh-lympics. It is a Stone Age version of today'sOlympics with such events as The Dino Vault, TheSaber Tooth Tiger Race, Fire Making, and, my favoriteevent (although not entirely politically correct) ofcourse, The Mate Toss. I would love to see a versionof this game on the X-Box 360. I can see the look onmy wife's face if I was playing this game in my housenow… Wait, maybe that's not a good idea.

Today's games just don't have the samecharacter about them that the older one's had.Take Asteroids for instance. It was a simpleenough game. Shoot the asteroids beforethey hit you, and the controls were so simple,too. "Up" on the joystick moved your ship."Down" (to be used in dire emergenices only)made the ship disappear and reappear some-where else on the screen. "Left"….turned yourcraft left, and "right"….turned your craft right,and the little red button shot the target. Howdo you think that game would be with today's

controllers? Well, it would proba-bly be something like this: theright analog steers your ship

while the left one targets yourweapons. The R1 will target the closest

asteroid, while the R2 will take you tothe special weapons inventoryscreen. The L1 button will allow youto zoom in on your target for a lethal

shot, and the L2 button will zoom out on thescreen. The "x" button will fire your selected

weapon at the asteroid. The triangle buttonwill fire mines. The square button will fire tor-pedoes at asteroids behind your craft. Thecircle button will……well, no one really knowswhat the circle button does...

Give me my Pac-Man on my Atari 2600any day.

AA MMaann IInn HHiiss EElleemmeenntt:: VVii dd ee oo GG aa mm ee ss TT oo dd aa yy

By Charles SchertleStaff Writer

November 2008 www.okiemagazine.com Okie Magazine Page 22

Viewpoints Video Games Today

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Faces and PlacesMiracle League Golf Tournament @ Lawton Country Club

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November 2008 www.okiemagazine.com Okie Magazine Page 24

CChhrriissttmmaass CCaasshhGG ii vv ee aa ww aa yy

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Masquerade Ball @ Medicine ParkMusic Hall (above)

Lawton High SchoolSafe House (below)

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November 2008 www.okiemagazine.com Okie Magazine Page 27

Local People - Local Events - Local News - Local Views

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In The Next Issue of OKIE Magazine

The Music SceneLocal favorites 8Bit Cynics areour feature band. Get all thedetails on their new releaseand upcoming shows. Also,more music related featuresincluding what’s hot on thecharts.

Holiday EditionIt’s all about the holidays inour December issue. Articlesincluding the different holidayscelebrated, local events, ashopping guide with musthaves from local retailers andmore! It’s packed!

More exciting features including loads of snaps from ourRazzi’s about town - will YOU be in the next issue?

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November 2008 www.okiemagazine.com Okie Magazine Page 28

10 Things I BetchaDidn’t Know

By Levi PenningtonStaff Writer

Thanksgiving

1. Our neighbors to the north, theCanadians, celebrate Thanksgiving on thesecond Tuesday in October.

2. Americans feast on 535 million poundsof turkey on Thanksgiving.

3. Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkeyto be our national bird.

4. The average person consumes 4,500calories on Thanksgiving Day.

5. Ninety-one percent of Americans willeat turkey this Thanksgiving.

6. Turkeys are first documented as beingin Mexico and Central America over twothousand years ago.

7. Native Americans actually foundCranberries more useful as fabric andpottery dyes than food.

8. Turkeys can drown if they look upwhile it's raining!

9. James Madison declared Thanksgivingtwice in 1815. Yum!

10. Traditional Thanksgiving practiceslasted for three days.

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November 2008 www.okiemagazine.com Okie Magazine Page 29

By Jody MeierStaff Writer

I must have missed the memo or something.

When, exactly, did it become mandatory for every child from 1year to 15 to have a theme birthday party? Not just paperplates styled after their favorite action figure or Barbie doll. No,I mean "theme" the likes of which I could never have imagined20 years ago when I was raising my children. Every detail ofthe party is coordinated perfectly--and often expensive. Howdid we get to this point? Did this all start with Martha Stewart?

Our society has become "theme" obsessed. When did itbecome necessary and chic to make simple things complicatedand extravagant? Whatever happened to just having Grandmaand Grandpa over for ice-cream and cake? Okay, maybesome aunts, uncles and cousins could be invited if they liveclose by. Today that wouldn't fly, at least not in most circles.Extravagant theme parties are now the way you show you area good parent and love your child. If you don't come up with atheme party that rivals the Senior Prom of days gone by, thenyour child will surely be considered an outcast and un-cool withthe neighborhood, his classmates, teammates, and whomeverelse the child has contact with.

And don't forget that the party doesn't just have to have atheme-- you also have to spend lots of time and money prepar-ing gift bags for all the kids that come to the party! Gifts for theguests? What?

Years ago I attended my neighbor's granddaughter's birthdayparty. She was a year old. The party had a Snow Whitetheme. Everything was coordinated, and they had even hiredsome high school kids to come dressed as "Grumpy," "Sleepy,""Happy," "Dopey", and other characters. The characters werehired to walk around the party and provide photo ops. Therewere over 60 people there. The birthday girl? Well, she didn'tknow what was going on; she was overwhelmed and criedmost of the afternoon. Still, it was considered a rousing suc-cess because it was all videotaped, and years from now herparents will be able to prove they loved her. Something iswrong with this picture, wouldn't you agree?

I feel that theme parties represent a modern day focus that Ifind disturbing: a focus on things superficial and temporary,instead of things that really matter. Things that last a lifetime,and that will serve a child well in the future, seem to havetaken a back seat to things that are shallow; things that fuel theparents' self esteem.

Theme birthday parties don't last. They may provide braggingrights for the child, but never confuse bragging rights with gen-uine confidence. Confidence comes from within; honest selfesteem originates in accomplishments, self-discipline, a strongsense of right and wrong, and respect for oneself and others.

Children don't acquire confidence from indulgent parents. Achild acquires confidence by living a life that is guided by parentswho know what is truly important, by parents who are strong,determined, and willing to do everything in their power to raisegood, responsible, balanced children. Giving a theme party isfine, I suppose, but pales in comparison to the effort, determina-tion, and hard work required in authentic parenting day in andday out. Real parenting often comes without a price tagattached. But in the end, it's priceless.

Why waste money on an elaborate theme party for a 5, 6 or 7year old? Wouldn't it be better to put that money in a collegesavings plan? That is one of the ironies of all these theme par-ties. Oftentimes, parents who cannot afford to throw such abash, will charge or borrow to pay for the party. Maybe they feelthat it levels the playing field between their children and othermore materially advantaged children. Isn't that sad?

As parents, we need to get our heads on straight. Step back,and take a look at what is actually important-what gives kidssecurity, confidence, and stability. What's important to childrencomes from within and is never measured in dollars and cents.Parents need to be devoted enough to love but not pamper, todiscipline but not humiliate, and unselfish enough to put the longterm welfare of their children as their number one priority. Whenwe start to see that kind of parenting across this country, we willstart to see improvement in all aspects of our society.

It's not going to be easy, but then again, nothing worthwhile everis.

OOnnee PPaarreenntt’’ss VViieeww::GGooiinngg OOvveerrbbooaarrdd??

Viewpoints One Parents View

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November 2008 www.okiemagazine.com Okie Magazine Page 30

November seems to be "Family Fight Month" in the Roberts household.Although it hasn't always been that way, the better part of the last decadehas been a Fall Battle Royale. It's the same thing every year. The in-lawswant a certain holiday each year; my parents seem to want the same, thewife and I turn on each other, not due to the obvious reason, though. Infact, it's the complete opposite.

Since I was a child, Thanksgiving has been a multiple day feast for the masses that are my family. Aminimum of eighteen pounds of turkey and ham, gallons of mashed and roasted potatoes, a fewpounds of stuffing, and that's how this holiday has been celebrated. My parents, brothers, sisters, andvarious nieces and nephews all love it this way. I hate it. At least I have grown to strongly dislike abig Thanksgiving. By the time the turkey high wears off, you're ready to strangle a relative.

My wife's family is on the opposite side of the spectrum. Nothing fancy, and no fowl. Nothing but thebest in beef and pork cooked over an open flame and/or smoked. Steak for Thanksgiving producesgreatest feeling of contentment ever. Slap down a loaded baked potato, and I'm in holiday heaven. Nofighting, no extended family, and nobody leaves crying. Factor in football on a seventy-two inch LCD…I'm there.

My in-laws' whole philosophy on the holiday suits me just fine. It's still new to me, even after adecade plus experiencing their tradition. The wife views my family's practice in the same manner: acomplete three day festival of food is still new to her. It's something she has dreamed of since readingabout it in her mother's seasonal magazines as a pre-teen. In her mind, the only thing missing is thepair of labs in the mud room.

Every year, we argue so much about this that we often lose the meaning of this excellent holiday.Which is football, of course. This year, I'm most looking forward to A&M at Texas. As of print date, theLonghorns are undefeated, and as much as I would love for a Big 12 team to win another national title,I'm hoping A&M will knock them off the BCS pedestal. Another good game should be the Falcons-

Cowboys game. Romo will be off the injured list for his broken pinkie, eventhough I still feel like it's BS. He should have had the eggs to cowboy up aweek ago. Either way the game goes, it won't matter. I'll be steak dehy-drated, in a weird state of bliss, watching HD football on seventy-two inches.Even if the wife decides to go elsewhere.

Just be sure not to lose track of the true family meaning behind this holiday:enjoy those that you are around. They might not be there during the nextgo round. On a side note, if you actually shoot your own Thanksgiving din-ner, you're more man than my mother-in-law.

If you have a question or comment for Dave, e-mail him [email protected].

Viewpoints Mental Upchuck

Mental UpchuckA Family Feast Fight

By Dave RobertsStaff Writer

Page 31: Happy Thanksgiving - OKIE Magazineokiemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/archive/pdfs/nov08.pdfPuppies and kittens are often popular choices for holi-day gifts, ... "People buy them for

Hello all. One of my favoriteholidays is Thanksgiving. Forme it is a time when familiesand extended families gettogether to enjoy each otherscompany, hang out, and let’sface it - EAT! Between momand grandmas cooking, thereis never an empty stomach inthe house. But, after

Thanksgiving what do you do with all that left over turkey? Areyou tired of turkey sandwiches and turkey salad? Maybe yourfriend here at Okie Magazine can help you with that problem.

First off, let’s start with a simple turkey casserole. You willneed:1-10 oz pkg frozen peas (thawed) 2 cups diced Turkey1 ½ cups cooked noodles butter 1/4 cup chopped onion8 oz sliced mushrooms 1 can cream of mushroom soup½ cup of milk 1/4 tsp curry powder½ tsp poultry seasoning 1 cup shredded cheesesalt to tasteCombine your turkey, peas, and noodles in a buttered casse-role. In a saute pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add youronions and mushrooms and saute until blended. Next addsoup, milk, and seasonings and cook until hot and well blend-ed. Pour over turkey and noodle mixture, top with cheese, andbake for 20 to 25 minutes at 350.

Next we have a tasty turkey and stuffing soup. For this youneed:4 to 6 cups prepared stuffing 1 tbs olive oil (or oil of your choice)2 medium carrots, chopped 2 chopped ribs of celery 1 chopped onionsalt and pepper to taste 1 bay leaf2 quarts chicken stock 1 ½ cups diced turkey1 cup frozen or prepared peas(if desired) chopped flat leaf parsley (handful)Preheat over to 350 and warm stuffing for 12 to 15 minutes. Ina large soup pot or dutch, heat your oil on medium and addyour carrots, celery, onion and season to taste. Add bay leaf,chicken stock, increase the heat to high and bring to a boil.Then add turkey and reduce to a simmer and continue untilraw vegetables are tender (about 10 minutes). Stir in parsleyand (if desired) peas. Remove stuffing from oven. Using an icecream scoop, place a scoop of stuffing in the center of yoursoup bowl. Ladle soup around stuffing. Dig in and enjoy.

Queenof the

House

November 2008 www.okiemagazine.com Okie Magazine Page 31

Then The Fight Started ...

My wife sat down on the couch next to me as I was flip-ping channels. She asked , what's on TV?

I said, Dust.

And then the fight started

My wife was hinting about what she wanted for ourupcoming anniversary. She said, I want somethingshiny that goes from 0 to 150 in about 3 seconds.

I bought her a scale.

And then the fight started

When I got home last night, my wife demanded that Itake her someplace expensive... so, I took her to a gasstation...

And then the fight started ....

My wife and I were sitting at a table at my high schoolreunion, and I kept staring at a drunken lady swiggingher drink as she sat alone at a nearby table.

My wife asked , ' Do you know her? '

' Yes, ' I sighed , ' She's my old girlfriend. I understandshe took to drinking right after we split up those manyyears ago, and I hear she hasn't been sober since. '

' My God! ' says my wife, ' who would think a personcould go on celebrating that long? '

And then the fight started ...

Page 32: Happy Thanksgiving - OKIE Magazineokiemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/archive/pdfs/nov08.pdfPuppies and kittens are often popular choices for holi-day gifts, ... "People buy them for