Oklahoma Today Volume 58 Issue 6

2008·32.2 MB·English

by  Oklahoma Today

CELEBRATE THE SEASON AT WHITE DOG HILL IN CLINTON
PAGE 28
The Magazine of Oklahoma Since 1956
at home for the
Holidays
Tulsa decorator Charles Faudree shares his wisdom.
PAGE 46
PLUS, OUR
TALLEST
BUILDINGS
AND AUTUMN
GETAWAYS TO
SULPHUR &
TECUMSEH
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008
OklahomaToday.com $4.95
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“I stand in good relation to all that is beautiful.”
—N. Scott Momaday
7 25274 66717 8
Don Denney,
Creek County
A man’s land renewed.
A diamond discovered.
An entire community shines.
Don Denney was a property owner with a problem. Debris from an abandoned well site left part of
his land unusable. Then, he turned that problem into a solution. Site number 4,725 is one of nearly
9,000 abandoned wells that have been cleaned up free of charge, thanks to Oklahoma’s oil and natural
gas industry. What was once concrete and rusted metal, is now a baseball diamond for Oilton’s Little
League. Don’s land is restored. The kids have a ballpark. That’s a big win for the whole community.
C A L L 1  8 0 0  6 6 4  1 3 0 1 O R V I S I T O E R B . C O M
T O R E G I S T E R Y O U R A B A N D O N E D W E L L S I T E .
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November/December 2008
“This is the Plains.” —from August: Osage County
Contents
NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2008 VOLUME 58, NUMBER 6
(cid:116)
FEATURES
Y
SE
D
O
52 Sky Dance N G
N
Our list of Oklahoma’s twenty GLE
tallest structures of the past,
present, and future takes
skyscrapers to a new level.
By Amber Vanderzee
58 Drama King
Letts is defi nitely more for
Tracy Letts, a Durant native
and Pulitzer Prize-winning
Oklahoma’s tallest buildings
playwright among the brightest
and structures, page 52
stars of the American stage.
By T. Cole Rachel
62 Star Wound
In Ames, an astrobleme
brings an über-historic
moment home to citizens and
to an oil company that struck
black gold within its depths.
By Jake Adamson
70 Called Home
Oklahoma City’s oldest
cemetery, Fairlawn, is a not-
for-profi t with eternal payoff
for property owners. Tracy Letts, page 58
By Steffi e Corcoran
N
78 Hope Springs KMA
R
Eternal WO
H
A
Its waters are legendary, but BEK
they’re far from the only good RE
medicine Sulphur off ers
travelers in search of food,
shopping, nature, and fun.
By Kimberly Mauck
A charming autumn
getaway to Sulphur and
the Chickasaw National
Y
The Ames astrobleme, DSE Recreation Area, page 78
N
page 62 R.E. LI
3
OklahomaToday.com
Contents
“I never been to heaven, but I’ve been to Oklahoma.” —Hoyt Axton
75
BARTLESVILLE
It’s home to the
AMES
state’s 17th-tallest
! A behemoth 44
Oklahoma astrobleme has put structure. PAGE 52
towns this town on the map.
PAGE 62 35
In this issue, we spotlight
things to do from
44 STONE BLUFF
Ames to Yukon and
every town in between. 40 40Wine and dine with
What’s your favorite? EL RENO Mikael Harp. PAGE 32
44
Unlikely partners
in education at the
TECUMSEH
Darlington campus Spend the night in a
PAGE 19
luxurious old bank vault.
PAGE 24
35
N
A
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DEPARTMENTS RNI In Every Issue
N JE
H
19 Hit the Road JO 6 Contributors
A refurbished country club, 8 Editor’s Letter
White Dog Hill Restaurant, Decorating is its own reward.
is Clinton’s newest gathering
10 Letters
place; the Oklahoma

River Cruises make port in Page 34 Readers give it up for the
Oklahoma City issue.
Oklahoma City; and made-
R
in-Oklahoma ghosts and STILLE 1 4 Event
poinsettias make the holidays K Our Oklahoma City issue launch
C
both frightful and bright. RI party and the grand opening of the
BOK Center in Tulsa
41 Okies 101 Events Guide
Secretary of Energy David Places to go, things to do
Fleischaker talks green;
126 Marketplace
Shiny Toy Guns release a

Gifts with a charitable vibe
new CD, no permits required;
Charles Faudree on creating Page 46 128 Where Are You?
a beautiful holiday season; and NE A holy shrine
Wilma Mankiller’s treasure- OY
C
filled Stilwell home RTIN- CELEBRATE THE SEASON AT WHITE DOG HILL IN CLINTON PAGE 28 On the cover:
MA This holiday
8 5 CThue alcttiuonr neever stops at New MICHELLE The Magazine of Oklahoma Since 1956 tFaabulder beye Cwhaasr les
World Comics in Oklahoma J. Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaattttttttttttto hhholmied ffora thye s included in his
City; an out-of-this-world book, Country
Christmas on Mars with the Tulsa decorator Charles Faudree shares his wisdom. PAGE 46 French Florals
Flaming Lips; and in her final & Interiors,
LMeytteerrs Fsaryosm ol dC bhuainlddilnegrs, Amnankae PTBAGSTAEULEUNCLUTLIDLLAUPS DEAWM,H SIUOUNASTTUYRGE URS SH&M T NO pMuabrlcishh 2e0d0 i8n.
good friends. NOOVkElaMhoBmEaRT/oDdEaCy.EcMomB E R $ 412.91050>8 Photograph by
Page 85 725274667178 “I stand in good relation to —allN t.h Sacto itst bMeaoumtaifdual.y” Rick Stiller.
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November/December 2008
Alexandria, Virginia.
Art Services International,
Market Place, 1844. An exhibition organized and circulated by
with the
D (1800-1870), Piazza dei Signori, Verona:
N
A
OLL
H
MES
A
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This exhibition illustrates some of the highest achievements
in the figurative and landscape art of the 19th century.
PHILBROOK MUSEUM OF ART
TravelOK.com
www.philbrook.org 918.749.7941
GreenCountryOK.com
Contributors
JAKE ADAMSON Current interests: Guitar, video games, and film. Celebrity
crush: Zooey Deschanel. Oklahoma hero: I met Clara Luper once, and she was
truly inspiring.Christmas wish: To round up my long-lost acquaintances with
Since 1956
whom I’ve played music and put on a show for family and friends.
BRAD HENRY, Governor
N
O LISA BRECKENRIDGE Current interests: reading, gardening, shopping, and
S
NEL babysitting grandkids. Favorite holiday song: “Rockin’ Around the Christmas
STIE Tree.” Favorite place in Oklahoma: No place like home. Best thing about
RI
C working for OKT: Subscribers. They love the magazine so much.
N
GA BRIAN C. BROWN Current interests: Travel, reading, college football, and JOAN HENDERSON
RNI spending time with my wife and daughter. Favorite holiday song: “Happy Publisher
HN JE Xmas (War Is Over)” by John Lennon. Celebrity crushes: Scarlett Johansson, LOUISA MCCUNEELMORE
JO Anne Hathaway, and Rachel Maddow. Oklahoma hero: Woody Guthrie. Editor in Chief
STEVEN WALKER
AN STEFFIE CORCORAN Current interests: Books, blogs, politics, long walks, DVR, WALKER CREATIVE, INC.
RNIG and the idea of yoga. Celebrity crush: Clive Owen. Yourself in ten words: Out- Art Director
N JE spoken, independent, exacting, high-strung, loyal, honest, idealistic, and hopefully STEFFIE CORCORAN, Senior Editor
OH MEGAN ROSSMAN, Associate Editor
J funny. Christmas wish: Peace on earth, goodwill toward everybody. JAKE ADAMSON, Associate Editor
KASSY NICHOLSON, Editorial Assistant
JORDAN JAY and AMBER VANDERZEE,
WIN ELIZABETH ERWIN Favorite place in Oklahoma: Downtown Norman. Fa- Editorial Interns
R
HELLE E vCohrriitset mhoalsid wayis hso: Anngo: t“hCear rtorilp o tfo t hBee aBveellrss. ”BCeenlde.b Lraitsyt yceruars, hm: yJ afammeisly Mstaarrstedde na. BROOKE ADCOX, SHECIoLnAtrHib ButRorIGsHT, SHANE BROWN,
MIC holiday tradition of spending a few days at a cabin around Christmas. JOHN ELK III, ROBERT HENRY, JOHN JERNIGAN, YOUSEF
KHANFAR, R.E. LINDSEY, TOM LUKER,
ANNA MYERS, SCOTT WIGTON, and MARY LOGAN WOLF
ON ADAM GAULT Current interests: Guitar, camping, concerts, really spicy
S
R
DE food, and driving ranges. Celebrity crush: Tina Fey. Favorite small town in BRIAN C. BROWN, Advertising Director
N
HE Oklahoma: Boswell. Good people make good towns. Christmas wish: For ELIZABETH ERWIN, Advertising Account Executive
N KIMBERLY HICKERSON, Advertising Account Executive
OA Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers to play a show in my backyard. ERVALENE JENKINS, Advertising Account Executive
J
AHM JOAN HENDERSON Favorite place in Oklahoma: The wide-open spaces ACDOALMLE GENAU MLCTI, NATssiYstRanEt, PPrroodduuccttiioonn MMaannaaggeerr
B R of the Panhandle. Favorite holiday song: The Johnny Mathis version of “O TYLER SANDERS, Production Assistant
O
B Holy Night.” Word you overuse: Cool, a reminder of my formative years in LISA BRECKENRIDGE, Accountant
the 1960s. Best thing about working for OKT: Oklahomans. CRISTIE NELSON, Circulation Assistant
Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
KIMBERLY HICKERSON Current interests: Using my Y membership, yelp.com, HARDY WATKINS, Executive Director
and trying my hand at artsy-fartsy crafts. Favorite holiday song: “Christmas at Tourism and Recreation Commission
the Zoo.” Celebrity crush: tennis player James Blake. Favorite Oklahoma town: LT. GOV. JARI ASKINS, Chair
TONY BENSON, JASON GLIDEWELL, JOE HARWOOD,
Lately there’s something new and exciting in Ardmore every time I visit. MELVIN MORAN, AMY REGAN, FRANK SIMS, BECKY
SWITZER, and T.L. WALKER
DLE ERVALENE JENKINS Most recent restaurant meal: A Reuben at Lambrusco’z To contact Oklahoma Today staff by email:
RID to Go in Tulsa. Favorite holiday song: “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.” [email protected]; [email protected];
ERIC Celebrity crushes: Sam Elliott and Robert Redford. Current favorite Oklahoma or [email protected]
town: Broken Bow. Phrase you overuse: Can you believe that? Oklahoma Today recent awards include:
2008 International Regional Magazine Association Gold for Best Single
Photo; 2008 Eddie Award; 2008 SPJ Best Magazine; Seven 2007 IRMA
RE LOUISA McCUNE-ELMORE Current interests: Star Wars, the Headless Horse- awards, including Golds for Overall Art Direction and Nature Feature;
O 2006 Oklahoma Book Award for Distinguished Service; 2006
M
ARLENE EL mGDarauinum,s m cBaaemlrt aeBrro,a Gys.a”, imuCshy B rsiastolttmraar,ag asen wudn iGsitah, i:ub Nsa deB wagl utgayars.r aFaagnevd o drgoiotoeor dsh oagnluiddy sap.y eC asecolene gbo:nr “i teTyah rcetr hLu.istthle: O2I0kInl0lltau5ehs,r otn1rmaa9tt9aiioo 6Snn,P a;1 Jl29 RM09e04ag5,gi o1aSnz9ai9annl3 e FM, or1afa9n gt9chai1zesi; cn Yo2ee 0 aHA0r os5asn noKodcari aBatitreeiyo s AtnP wM uMbaarlagdicga aafzotziiniron eBne Ps eo shAtfo wtMthaoeragd gYr aaefzpoaihrrn, y e;
C Best Fiction; 2005 Maggie Award, Black & White Editorial Layout
For a comprehensive list, visit oklahomatoday.com.
ON COLLEEN McINTYRE Oklahoma hero: Linda Cavanaugh, because her work has
DERS inspired change for the better in our state. Favorite holiday song: “The Christmas OJankulaahryo,m Ma aTrcohd, aMy a(IyS, SJuNly ,0 S0e3p0te-1m8b9e2r,) aisn dp uNbolivsehmedb ebri mbyo nthteh lSyt:a itne
N HEN Song” (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire). Yourself in ten words: Family, oNf oOrtkhl aRhoombina,s oOnk, laShuoitme a6 T0o0u, rOismkl aahnodm Rae cCreitayt,i oOn KD 7ep3a1r0tm2.e nPtO, 1S2T0-
OA friends, and fun all make my life worth living. Christmas wish: Snow. MASTER: PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID IN OKLAHOMA
J CITY, OK, AND ADDITIONAL ENTRY OFFICES. Send address
changes to Oklahoma Today Circulation, P.O. Box 1468, Oklahoma
GE CRISTIE NELSON Current interests: Watching reality shows. Most recent City, OK 73101. Oklahoma City Advertising Sales Office, P.O. Box
CKENRID rjiensgtlea.u Oraknlat hmoemaal: Ehle Croh:ic Mo yfo dr atodr.t Cilleal seoburpit.y F carvuosrhit:e P haotrliidcka yD seomnpgs:e Tyh. eB Bes.Ct . tChlianrgk 11©74 962380.,0 SO8u kbblsyac hrOiopmktiloaan hC opimrtiyc,ae OsT: K$od2 74a3.y91.5 0R p1ee,p r(r y4oe0da5ur) ci nt2i 3oth0ne- 8 iUn4 .5wS0.h Uoorl.e S( .8o c0ro 0pin)y 7rpi7ga7hr-tt
RE without permission is prohibited. Oklahoma Today is not responsible
A B about working at OKT: Finding out people appreciate what we do every day. for the care and/or return of unsolicited manuscripts, artwork, photog-
LIS raphy, books, or any other material. Never send original photography,
manuscripts, or artwork. In no event shall submission of unsolicited
MEGAN ROSSMAN Current interests: Exploration. Current favorite Oklahoma material subject Oklahoma Today to any claim or holding fee. Pay-
ment is upon publication. Visit Oklahoma Today on the Internet at
hero: John Herrington. Anyone who flies into space earns my instant respect.
OklahomaToday.com.
Celebrity crushes: Will Arnett and Joaquin Phoenix. Yourself in ten words:
I’m a street-walking cheetah with a heart full of napalm.
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December 2008
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Editor’s Letter
“Beautiful forms and compositions are not made by chance; nor can they,
in any material, be made at small expense.”—Josiah Wedgwood
Pheasant Hunt

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The holidays bring decorating joys, simple and pure. JO
The subject of this column, a Lynn Chase Designs “Winter Game
Birds” three-quart tureen and platter from B.C. Clark; below, Spode’s
“Provincial Garden,” another favorite
tion. I will search for the lost little never be mine; I’d asked about
souls on eBay and bring them into the price one day, and $895 was
the safety of my bosom, a simple not in my budget.
but sturdy wooden drawer in my Imagine the profound sense of
grandmother’s antique buffet. destiny (or was it really just too
I have felt another unusual des- expensive for everyone else, too?)
tiny with tableware, in particular when, at the once-in-a-lifetime
a soup tureen that I encountered B.C. Clark moving sale in May
after leaving our offices at the First 2007, I saw the tureen and its
HARLES FAU ing as a distant and informal National Center one November matching platter. Alone, un-
CDREE OF Tulsa apprentice the nuances of his evening. Headed for the parking touched, unpurchased, abandoned
is the master of every lesson, namely that you garage, I stopped dead in my tracks on a shelf. Left for dead.
richly decorated, should love the items that as I passed by B.C. Clark’s shiny And on sale. I think I paid
wholly aspira- populate your environment. display window, lost in the $185 for it, maybe less.
tional interiors. No one in modern And I do. beauty of the scene. It’s a deliciously fa-
Oklahoma life has reached the Paintings and photographs Fake crystalline vorite item of mine.
apex of interior design and lifestyle get the best of my affection, but snow surrounded Year-round, the
grandeur that this gentle, sophis- like many women who appreci- the most beautiful tureen sits on my
ticated man has, and I owe him ate the dainty housewares of piece of china I’d kitchen counter,
a great deal of credit in defining motherhood and wifery, I have ever laid eyes on. next to the cof-
my own tastes. a soft spot for table settings and A clean halogen fee pot, home to
Charles and I never have met flatware, so much so that I feel light shone down an assortment of
personally, but over the years, a particular compulsion to save on this red, gold, and baby bottles. (Soup,
I have reclined with pages and a fairly unimportant pattern of white piece, a pheasant on hot or cold, has never seen
pages of his magazine spreads silver-plated Oneida flatware from top, a blue jay on the side, holly its insides.)
and coffee-table books, study- total abandonment and damna- berries for good measure. In this issue, in a concise but
The soup tureen evoked the inspired bit of style counsel on
coming holiday, reminding me page 46, Mr. Faudree parses his
ANOTHER HOT OKLAHOMA NIGHT
of long afternoon walks in the infinite classic taste into twelve bits
Oklahoma Today becomes the official magazine of the
crisp air with crunching leaves of advice for decorating during the
rock-and-roll exhibit at the Oklahoma History Center.
underfoot, a hot kitchen full of holidays. I’ll even take the liberty
There’s never been a place in American life that has spawned as much greatness or conversation and the smell of of adding my own suggestion: Start
variety in modern music than Oklahoma. From country and western greats and jazz turkey, the laughter of children early. Getting a jump on holiday
genius to New Age mastery, there is something in these playing football in the front yard. decorating gives you the chance
waters that stimulates, nurtures, and notices musical Add in a fireplace, and my fantasy to fondly recall the acquisition
talent. The curators at the Oklahoma History Center in was in full bloom. of each ornament, every wreath,
Oklahoma City have now turned their sights to Oklahoma I was so enamored, in fact, I a favorite strand of garland, or a
rock and roll—a genus that includes everyone from insisted my colleagues make note lovely soup tureen.
Wanda Jackson to Hinder—in an exhibit titled Another of the display window; a week R
KE
Hot Oklahoma Night. Oklahoma Today is the official later, I coaxed my husband out AL
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November/December 2008