MetroFamily Magazine October 2014

Enjoy fall with 117 SPOOKtacular October events!

OCTOBER 2014

NO TRICKS, JUST TREATS AT THESE TOP HALLOWEEN

EVENTSExploring handmade heaven

at Collected Thread

DISCOVER THEUNEXPECTED ATJASMINE MORAN

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

PARENTING PERSPECTIVES FROM LEGENDARY SOONER COACH, SHERRI COALE

(See p. 6)

ENTER TO

FamilyGetaway!

WIN800an

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METROFAMILY MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2014

The ultimate OKC family fungo MEET SHERRI COALEGet an inside look at the

coach’s family life and tips for raising athletes.

16

6 Make your Family Favorites nominations7 Editor’s Picks: Top Pumpkin Patches8 Get to know the man behind the Grinch24 Calendar of Events42 Mom humor: The Great Pumpkin Scheme44 Discover ways to give back and encourage

others for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

PLUS... DON’T MISS ALL THIS

guide...

10

GOT A STORYOR BIG EVENT?We are all about family activities and fun in the OKC metro. If you have a story to share, let us know!

CONTACT THE TEAM AT 405-601-2081 or email [email protected].

EDITORIALSarah Taylor–Publisher

Hannah Schmitt–Managing EditorErica Harley–Calendar Editor

Nicole Nuccio Calvert,Heather Davis, Jennifer Geary,Jennifer Sharpe & M.A. Smith–

Contributing Writers Steffanie Halley–Contributing Photographer

Volume 17, Number 10

DESIGN & SALESStacy Noakes–Art Director Krystal Harlow –Ad Design

Callie Collins–Marketing Director Athena Delce, Erica Harley,

Eirinn Sutphen & Dana Price–Sales Kathy Alberty–Office/Distribution

Circulation - 35,000

Also available as a digital edition at www.metrofamilymagazine.com.

Articles and advertisements in MetroFamily do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or Inprint Publishing, Inc. We do not

assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The

acceptance of advertising by MetroFamily does not constitute an endorsement of the products,

services, or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service which is

fraudulent or misleading in nature.

MetroFamily Magazine is a monthly magazine published by

Inprint Publishing, Inc. 725 NW 11, Suite 204

OKC, OK 73103 Office: 405-601-2081

Fax: 405-445-7509 [email protected]

©Inprint Publishing, Inc. 2014, All Rights Reserved.

DITCH DOOR-TO-DOOR

These trick-or-treat events offer so much more thanjust candy.

20SEMINOLE SURPRISEThe Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum in Seminole delivers big fun and hands-on learning.

48COLLECTED THREAD

An inside look at how this shop cherishes local artists & keeps family the focus.

Phot

o By

Ty R

usse

ll

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.metrofamilymagazine.com

mailto:[email protected]

WOW!

One of my fondest childhood memories

is a fall tradition my dad started long ago. Like most families, he bought my sister, brother and I pumpkins each October for us to carve into jack-o-lanterns for some front porch flair.

While the carving was fun (I was known for having butterfingers and it would be the only time all year I was allowed to hold a knife), that wasn’t the real memory-maker for me. Rather, it was what happened after.

He and I would carefully sort through all the stinky pumpkin guts, separating the seeds from the stringy insides. We sprinkled the seeds with cinnamon and roasted them all day in the oven before separating them into bags and passing them out to friends and family.

It was this annual opportunity to connect with our neighbors and share something we’d made

together that really meant the most to me.

Whether you embrace trick-or-treating or not, fall remains prime time for getting outside to meet your neighbors, reconnect with friends and make new family memories. Our calendar this month proves Oklahoma City is a terrific place for family fun.

With the action-packed summer and back-to-school madness behind you, commit this month to starting a new family tradition. Chances are, it will be an experience your kids will never forget.

Hannah Schmitt Editor

WelcomeFROM OUR EDITORThis month we deliver endless ways to enjoy autumn with the family, shine a light on breast cancer awareness and reveal insights from renowned coach Sherri Coale.

Enter our contests to win big!

HAVE YOUR KIDS TELL US HOW TO CHEER UP THE GRINCH AND YOUR FAMILY COULD WIN TICKETS TO THIS EXCITING SHOW.

• Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical Giveaway—You could win one of two five-packs of tickets to see this incredible holiday show at Civic Center Music Hall. The musical’s title character, the Grinch, is feeling very grumpy as we look toward the holiday season. In preparation for his visit, we’re asking your child to help cheer up our gloomy Grinch. Enter by Oct. 17 and see page 8 for more about the production.

• Sooner Jr. Kids Club Contest— Ten lucky winners will receive OU Sooner Jr. Kids Club memberships in this exciting contest! If your kids are in 8th grade or younger, they can enjoy membership benefits like free admission to one spring football game, special event invitations and a chance to meet University of Oklahoma athletes and coaches. Enter by Oct. 18.

• Walking with Dinosaurs is coming to the Chesapeake Energy Arena Oct. 23-26 and we’re giving you a chance to see these larger-than-life prehistoric replicas for free. Enter on our contest page or purchase tickets with the discount code “METRO” at www.ticketmaster.com to receive $10 off on opening night.

• Online Exclusive—Learn how a local home builder is catering their construction to metro families at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/4corners.

Visit www.metrofamilymagazine.com/contests to enter.

FIND GREAT

FALL EVENTS ON

OUR OCTOBER

CALENDAR!PAGE 24

University of Oklahoma women’s basketball coach Sherri Coale with her husband, Dane, son Colton and daughter Chandler.Photo: Steffanie Halley, www.steffaniehalley.com

THIS MONTH’S COVER:

http://www.ticketmaster.com/

http://www.ticketmaster.com/

http://www.metrofamilymagazine.com/contests

METROFAMILY MAGAZINE 6 OCTOBER 2014

family buzz

It’s all about family fun!

This month, we’re buzzing about nominations for our

annual Family Favorites list, top pumpkin patches

for fall fun and helpful reminders for SIDS Awareness Month.

Nominate Your FavoritesBY HANNAH SCHMITT - MANAGING EDITOR

RESOURCES TO ADD TO YOUR FAMILY FUN QUOTIENT

I t’s time again to nominate outstanding local businesses for the MetroFamily Magazine Family Favorites

list. Each year, we recognize the restaurants, attractions, shops and services that stand out for excellence—as determined by you, our readers!The contest begins October 1 with more than 80 categories included in our annual list. All featured businesses are nominated by readers like you and winners are determined by popular vote

after a month-long nomination period. Your selections will be featured on our list of 2015 Family Favorites printed in our February 2015 issue.

Make nominations and you’ll be entered to win a holiday trip to Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas, valued at more than $800! Deadline is October 31.

To see who made our 2014 list, visit www.metrofamilymagazine.com/family-favorites and to nominate businesses, go to www.metrofamilymagazine.com/family-favorites-contest.


Editor’s Picks: Top Pumpkin Patches

This month, we’re gush-ing over the nostalgic fall experiences at pumpkin patches in

and around the metro. As the temperature drops, head outside with your family to one of these spectacular autumn destinations.

Parkhurst Ranch720 S. Henney Rd, Arcadia405-315-7392www.parkhurstpumpkinpatch.com

Why we love it: We’re suckers for memory-making fall experiences and Parkhurst Ranch in Arcadia delivers. Go for the impressive pumpkin patch and stay to climb on hay bales, roast a hotdog over the open fire and pet the precious pigs and llamas. Your admission covers enough activities to keep the family entertained all day, but you’ll want to pay a little extra for the memory-making pony ride.

TG Farms1580 NW Hwy 37, Newcastle405-387-3276www. tgfarms.com

Why we love it: When you finally tire of wandering the massive hay maze, swing open the door to the old-fashioned general store at TG Farms to catch your breath and select a refreshment. TG Farms features properties in Newcastle and Norman, both with spectacular pumpkin patches, tractor-drawn hayrides, petting zoos and all the down-home fall fun you can imagine.

Orr Family Farm14400 S. Western Ave, Oklahoma City405-799-3276www.orrfamilyfarm.com

Why we love it: Old-fashioned activities like carousel and pony rides combine with modern attractions like a zip line and giant jumping pillows to create a one-of-a-kind experience at Orr Family Farm. Pick your pumpkin from the patch then indulge in some homemade fudge and take a relaxing train ride through the picturesque farm.

Reding Farm614 Reding Rd, Chickasha405-222-0624www.redsiloproductions.com

Why we love it: Take time to get lost in the massive corn maze at Reding Farm but be sure to find yourself back at the concession stand to enjoy a hotdog and cup of cocoa before selecting your pumpkin from the patch. This Chickasha farm impresses with a charming cow train, nostalgic hay rides and special touches that please the whole family.

Pumpkinville at Myriad Botanical Gardens301 W. Reno, Oklahoma City405-445-7080 www.oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com/events/pumpkinville

Why we love it: Pumpkinville offers farm-like fun without having to leave the metro. The downtown children’s garden is transformed each fall into a mini-village made of thousands of pumpkins. Wander the Myriad Botanical Gardens this month to discover a magical fall wonderland complete with scarecrows, ghosts, fall flowers and activities like pumpkin painting and spooky story time.

Wild Things Farm700 Beaty Ave, Pocola918-626-4053www.wildthingsfarm.com

Why we love it: This Pocola farm has hands-down one of the best pumpkin selections in the state. Grab the camera and prepare for some super cute fall moments with your family. After you’ve picked your pumpkin, check out the mountain slide or make a furry friend at the petting zoo.

ORR FAMILY FARM


Each fall for the past seven years, Stefan Karl has

loaded up his family and boarded a plane from his home in Iceland to the United States to entertain families across the country as the Grinch in Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical.

The production will entertain Oklahoma City audiences at Civic Center Music Hall with 10 shows between October 28 and November 2. Karl’s resume includes stints on television, and he’s best known as villain Robbie Rotten in the popular Nick Jr. show Lazy Town. However, his true love is theater and that’s reflected on stage. The long-run-ning musical has broken box office records and thousands of families flock to theaters each year to see it again.

“This story brings a great message,” Karl said of the show. “This story is very relevant. In my opinion, this is the story that we need to tell our children today, especially when it comes to Christmas.”

He explained that the same things keeping families from connecting with each other when Dr. Seuss wrote the original story decades ago still stand in the way of families today. As Christmas has become more about consumption and less about family, the story told in How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical serves as a heart-warming reminder to connect.

“We’re kind of coming out of an economic crisis now and we have to ask ourselves, ‘do we want to go back to this consumer’s holi-day or do we want to stick to this message, which is that family is the most important thing?’” Karl said. “What is more import-ant, the stuff we buy or the time we spend together?”

Spending time as a family isn’t just something he talks about for his Grinch character, either. Karl takes his wife and kids, ages 6, 7, 13 and 19, with him when he travels for the show. They’ve grown up backstage and Karl said they take great pride in being part of the production family.

The actor relishes the opportunity to expose his own kids to theater, but he takes even more pride in introducing young audience members to the magic of the stage. He said in an age where reality television and 3D screens try to make the unreal seem real, he feels it’s more important than ever to expose kids to actors on a stage. And because a young audience can be a tough crowd, he feels it’s important to give them a good, memorable show to ignite in them a passion for theater.

“If they dislike what you’re doing, they right away start doing something else,” he said of a young audience. “They’re not afraid to say, ‘Mom, Dad, I’m not into this. I’m leaving.’”

He hasn’t had any trouble holding their attention with this Christmas story, though, and he takes pride in the fact that the biggest laughs and loudest applause come from some of the oldest theater tricks in the book.

Find showtimes and purchase tickets at www.celebrityattractions.com.

[Editor’s Note: MetroFamily Magazine staff will be providing extra family fun at Civic Center Music Hall prior to the 11am performance on November 1.]

Meet Stefan Karl: the man behind the Grinch

family buzz

BY HANNAH SCHMITT - MANAGING EDITOR


While October brings a rush of pink to raise awareness about

breast cancer, October also happens to be a month for awareness of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, another cause that plagues many Oklahoma families.

Did you know an average of 400 babies die before their first birthday each year in Okla-homa? The Oklahoma City-County Health Department’s Fetal/Infant Mortality Review reports the grim number, which means two families in central Oklahoma deal with the sudden death of an infant every week. And ac-cording to this same group, nearly a quarter of these deaths could have been prevented with a safer sleep environment.

SIDS is defined as an unexpected infant death that remains unexplained after an autopsy and investigation, making it very frightening to new parents. Although not every unexplained

death can be prevented, many infants thought to have died of SIDS actually died due to unsafe sleep practices, something parents can prevent through safe sleep practices.

Denise Cole, coordinator for the Office of Perinatal Quality Improvement, hopes raising awareness of unsafe sleep conditions will keep Oklahoma infants alive. Most of these deaths can be prevented, she said, by having babies sleep alone, on their backs and in a crib.

Top 10 Safe Sleep Rules1. Always place your baby on his or her

back to sleep.

2. Place your baby on a firm, safety approved crib mattress, covered by a tight-fitted crib sheet.

3. Keep soft objects, toys and loose bed-ding out of your baby’s sleep area.

4. Do not allow smoking around your baby and do not smoke while pregnant.

5. Keep your baby’s sleep area close to, but separate from, where others sleep.

6. Use a clean, dry pacifier when placing the infant down to sleep.

7. Do not let your baby overheat during sleep.

8. Avoid products, including home mon-itors, that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS.

9. Provide “Tummy Time” when your baby is awake and someone is watching.

10. Make sure everyone who takes care of your baby follows these simple steps.

Source: Oklahoma City-County Health Department

Discover Safe Sleep Tips

BY JENNIFER SHARPE - CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Going Beyond Trick-or-Treat

Halloween Adventure

TG FARMS

local family fun

While trick-or-treating is a classic pastime, the

Oklahoma City metro is bursting at the seams with other opportunities for Halloween fun. Even if you decide not to go door-to-door this year, get into your costume and follow this guide for Hallow’s Eve thrills.

H&8th Night Market Truck-or-Treating

Who wants to trick-or-treat when you can truck-or-treat? H&8th Night Market will feature special “Truck-or-Treat-ing” to celebrate Halloween. The fami-ly-and-pet-friendly street festival features a stage pulsing with live music to keep you entertained while you dine on delicious food truck fare. Various gourmet food trucks will be set up, presenting an array of culinary options.

The H&8th Night Market is a seasonal celebration held the last Friday night of each month from March through October. It has been touted as the nation’s largest monthly food truck event with thousands in atten-dance each month in the vibrant Midtown district of Oklahoma City. In addition to tasty truck food, the Halloween event will feature treat sacks for kids.

Mom Tip: Typically the H&8th Night Market runs from 7-11pm, but the early 6pm start will allow children to trick-or-treat before the crowd grows large.

Details: 6-11pm October 31 in Midtown. Event is free; food costs vary. Learn more at www.h8thokc.com.

Haunt the Zoo

The 31st Annual Haunt the Zoo celebra-tion offers children a chance to visit the

Oklahoma City Zoo (2000 Remington Pl.) in costume for a special trick-or-treating experience. Designed for lots of fun with less fright, everyone is greeted by characters in friendly costumes as soon as they enter the Global Plaza. Children then follow a lit path throughout the zoo, collecting goodies at 21 different staffed, themed booths. Roaming photographers and a special photo booth capture memories each night as children delight in the wonders of the zoo grounds at night. Children receive a free Haunt the Zoo treat bag and are allowed to trick-or-treat through the trail once.

The eco-friendly event supports the Zoo’s mission to be an environmentally conscious organization, as well as help raise awareness and support for the Zoo. For the past 30 years, this has been a must-do event for local and visiting families with children of all ages.

Mom Tip: Be prepared for cooler tem-peratures when the sun goes down and take advantage of the advance pay option to save money and time.

Details: 6:30-8:30pm nightly from October 26-31 at the Oklahoma City Zoo. Admission is $7 but adults accompanying children are free. Advance tickets can be purchased for $6 starting October 1. Learn more at www.okczoo.com or 424-3344.

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Trick or TreatingCostume Contests

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6:30-7:30 pm Trick or Treating

at Brookhaven ShoppingVillage If you Dare!

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NW 36th & Robinson, Normannjust west of I-35 on Robinsonn

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H&8TH NIGHT MARKET

Haunt the Harn

Visit the historical Harn Homestead (1721 North Lincoln Blvd.) for old-fashioned Hal-loween fun near the Oklahoma State Capitol. Since 2007, Haunt the Harn has been offering trick-or-treaters of all ages a chance to step back in time and visit the various historical buildings at the homestead for goodies and fun. In addition to trick-or-treating, games and activities will be available in and around the barn, including a cupcake walk and pump-kin bowling.

This event is for all ages, and anyone wishing to trick-or-treat must purchase a wristband. Those accompanying trick-or-treaters do not have to pay.

Mom Tip: The Harn Homestead will not have meals available at this event, so plan your visit before or after dinner to keep everyone happy. Save time and money by purchasing tickets in advance.

Details: 6-8:30pm on October 23 at Harn Homestead. Cost is $5 per trick-or-treater. Advance tickets are available for $3 online or at the gift shop on site. Learn more at www.harnhomestead.com or 235-4058.

Storybook Forest

A popular late-October favorite, Storybook Forest returns to Spring Creek Park at Arcadia Lake (7200 East 15th St., Edmond). Children are welcome to wear costumes as they wander along the non-scary trail, where favorite fairytale characters hand out treats and storybook scenes are depicted within the woods of the beautiful park. Once through the trail of treats, there are carni-val-style games with small prizes for kids to

enjoy at no additional fee. There is also a hay-ride included with the admission price. Back toward the entrance area, campfires will be lit to warm up on brisk autumn evenings and stories will be told to audiences at the fire pits. Marshmallows for roasting and hot chocolate will be available for purchase.

All children, including infants, must pay the entry fee. Accompanying adults in the vehicle with the children are free. Cars entering the park without children will be charged a park entry fee.

Mom Tip: Arcadia Lake can get chilly quickly when the sun goes down and the winds pick up. Plan costumes with layers as appropriate and/or consider having a light jacket or sweatshirt.

Details: 5:30-8:30pm nightly from October 23-30 at Spring Creek Park. Cost is $6 per child Monday-Thursday and $8 per child Friday-Sunday. Learn more at www.edmon-dok.com.


H&8TH NIGHT MARKET

STORYBOOK FOREST

Great Pumpkin Fest at TG Farms

The Great Pumpkin Fest at Newcastle’s TG Farms (1580 NW Hwy 37) truly has something for everyone. The event is the ultimate Halloween experience. Dress up in your favorite costume and arrive at the farm to find live music, food trucks and an array of friendly contests. Enter yourself or just be a spectator at the entertaining pie-eating contest or pet/owner costume contest.

In addition to playing host to this fun event, the Newcastle farm features an impressive pumpkin patch you won’t want to miss. Pick out a pumpkin and enjoy accompanying attractions like the corn and hay mazes, a petting zoo, a tricycle race track, pony rides, hay rides, a giant hay jump and slide, duck pond, food concessions, a general store and gift shop. Don’t forget to bring your camera along to snap precious family photos in the pumpkin patch!

Mom Tip: Plan to spend the day at TG Farms to experience everything offered at the Great Pumpkin Fest. Be sure to check online for the most up-to-date event infor-mation.

Details: 9am-6pm October 25 at TG Farms in Newcastle. Admission is $10 per person. Advance tickets are $8 and can be purchased

at the Newcastle Branch of the Community Bank of Oklahoma (2245 N. Main St., New-castle). Learn more at www.tgfarms.com or 387-3276.

Boo on Bell Festival

With five opportunities to celebrate Hallow-een at Shawnee’s Boo on Bell Festival, there’s no reason not to plan a trip. The 16th Annual Boo on Bell Festival is comprised of five days of Halloween-themed fun. The Down-town Shawnee Block Party kicks off Boo on Bell on October 17 and features extended shopping hours with local merchants, art and live music.

Additional events in the festival include s’more roasting alongside entertaining story-tellers, a pumpkin dessert bake-off, a historic ghost walk and a quaint carnival. Boo on Bell celebrates the season with a combination of nostalgic and modern celebrations. Enter yourself in the Coney Island Hot Dog Eating Contest or the Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest if you’re feeling competitive. Or dress like the dead and dance the night away at the Zom-bie Prom. Be sure to don your best spooky duds because there’s a costume contest for kids and pets.

What better way to end your five days of exciting fall fun than with a scary movie at Shawnee’s historic theater? The final day of fun also features trick-or-treating at downtown businesses and trying your hand at classic carnival games at the Twilight Zone Midway Games. Shawnee is offering endless ways to have Halloween fun, with schedules on their website or Facebook page.


BOO ON BELL FESTIVAL, SHAWNEE

GREAT PUMPKIN FEST AT TG FARMS

Mom Tip: There is something for everyone at Boo on Bell! Looking to entertain teens? A Hobgood Manor historical ghost tour will be offered on Oct. 24, 25 and 31 at 7pm for $10 ($2 off coupon available online). Please note that this event may not be suitable for young children.

Details: Varying times on October 17, 23, 24, 25 and 31 in downtown Shawnee. Fees vary by event; many events are free. Find a schedule at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/fall-fun-guide or call 432-4131 to learn more.

Magic Lantern on Paseo

At this free event, children can become characters from their imaginations when they create their own costumes, with help, and then show them off in a celebratory parade. Children must be accompanied by an adult as they visit different art studios, staffed by local artists and stocked with materials to build their costumes over their everyday clothing. Children get to twist, tear, stuff and embellish paper of all kinds into wearable art of their own design. Working side-by-side with artists in the creative process, unique characters spring to life before young one’s very own eyes through the talent of their own hands.

When the costumes are finished and each child has made a wish during a visit to the Wish Finder, the celebration will culminate in a Spin and Sparkle Parade along a giant curvy pathway painted in the form of a pumpkin on the street. Theatre Upon a StarDanceSwan dancers and musician Steve McLinn of Ojas Music will join in the parade fun to celebrate all the young artists.

Mom Tip: This event is an awesome way to get hands-on with your kids! Don’t be afraid to get involved to help their creative costumes come together.

Details: 3-6:45pm on October 26 at the Paseo Arts District. Event is free. Learn more at www.thepaseo.com or 525-2688.

These are just a few of the trick-or-treat alternatives happening in and around Oklahoma City this month. Celebrate Halloween at these October 31 events happening throughout the metro, or discover additional seasonal celebrations on our calendar, starting on page 26.

FREE Trick-or-Treat City Special Needs at the Nick Harroz Community Center (200 N. Midwest Blvd, Midwest City) features a candy village and carnival. 1-2:30pm. 739-1293, www.midwestcityok.org

FREE Trick-or-Treat at Sooner Mall (3301 W. Main, Norman). Participating retailers will be handing out candy. 5-8pm (while candy lasts). 360-0360, www.soonermall.com

FREE Tractors and Treats at First Southern Baptist Church (6400 S. Sooner Rd) features an evening of costumes, prizes, games & candy. 6-8pm. 732-1300, www.firstsouthern.tv

FREE Trunk-or-Treat at Edmond First Baptist Church (1300 E. 33rd, Edmond) features loads of candy and is open to the public. Come dressed in a non-scary costume. 6-7:30pm. 341-0253, www.fbcedmond.org

Halloween Bash at the Museum of Osteology (10301 S. Sunnylane) features an educational trick-or-treating environment with candy, door prizes & crafts. Costumes encouraged. $3.50. 6-9pm. 814-0006, www.museumofosteology.org

FREE Festifall at Putnam City Baptist Church (11401 N. Rockwell) features inflatables, games, food for sale & candy. No scary costumes, please. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 6:30-8:30pm. 773-6900, www.pcbc.tv

[Editor’s Note: MetroFamily Magazine’s website features a full and updated list of fall events, free fall activities and pumpkin patches. Find these at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/fall-fun-guide]


MAGIC LANTERNON PASEO

HOW THE SUCCESSFUL COACH STRIKES A BALANCE AT HOME & ON THE COURT

Meet BasketballLegendSherri Coale

Real moms of the metro

PORTRAITS BY STEFFANIE HALLEY - WWW.STEFFANIEHALLEY.COMACTION SHOTS BY TY RUSSELL

BY NICOLE NUCCIO CALVERT - METROFAMILY COLUMNIST

http://www.steffaniehalley.com

A s Sherri Coale’s 19th season of coaching the women’s basketball team at the University

of Oklahoma approaches, the award-winning coach is pumped.

“They’ve just been terrific,” she said of the team, which she’s been working with all sum-mer. “They’re sponges, they want to learn, they’re confident. They want to be great and I’m looking forward to coaching them.”

Her team this season is young, with just one senior, five freshmen and two redshirt ath-letes who will get to be in uniform this year. In almost two dozen seasons at the helm of the OU team, Sherri said she’s witnessed incredible changes in women’s sports and feels fortunate to have seen the explosion of popularity in Division I women’s college basketball. She’s been able to watch the sport grow from only two televised games per season to every single game appearing on TV.

Her passion for basketball started long before her current coaching gig. Originally from Healdton, Sherri graduated summa cum laude from Oklahoma Christian University where she was captain of Oklahoma Chris-tian’s three-time Sooner Athletic Conference Championship team and named Academic All-American. Sherri began coaching in 1987 as an assistant coach at Edmond Memorial High School then was head coach at Norman High School from 1989-1996. In 1996, she became the head coach of The University of Oklahoma’s Women’s Basketball team.

On the court, Coach Coale is known for her passion for basketball, but also her ability to coach in a way that puts equal empha-sis on classroom performance. It’s a rare quality in the world of college coaches, but her roll as Mother Coale contributes to the balance. Off the court, Sherri has raised a son and a daughter.

Son Colton (age 22) and daughter

Chandler (age 18) grew up on the road with the team, running around the practice gym until they tuckered themselves out and fell asleep in the corner.

“When you have a job like this, your family has to be a part of your job,” she said. “It’s not, ‘leave it at the office and come home.’ To me that is an impossibility because with this job I’m never off. I mean, if we go to Target to buy school supplies, when people see me I am still the head women’s basketball coach for the University of Oklahoma, so family has to understand that.”

Sherri recalled how crazy her life got when she gave birth to Chandler, just two weeks after she got the job at OU. Thankfully, Sherri was able to rely on her mom and maternal grandmother to pitch in with the kids when the season got busy.

“I never had to take Chandler to a babysitter, never had to take her to daycare. When I traveled, my kids got in bed at night like they always do and they were up waiting for the bus in the morning like they would if I was here,” she said. “Their routine was never manipulated based on my schedule.

“Having Granny here was phenomenal and not to mention the blessing of having your kids know their great grandmother, the ex-pertise and wisdom in helping raise them. My mom helped as well, so I was really blessed in my circumstances. I didn’t have to do it by myself.”

Of course, Sherri’s husband Dane helped out, too. The couple met while attending Oklaho-ma Christian University, where Sherri played basketball and Dane played baseball. He is now a retired teacher and baseball coach who understands the demands of coaching.

Photo By Ty Russell


As athletic parents who were successful coaches, the couple took a unique approach to overseeing the sports their kids played. Both kids chose to play basketball, so Sherri knew she would walk a fine line as a mom with incredible knowledge of the game.

“If you ever want my help, you ask for it,” she said she told her kids. “Otherwise, I’m not making you work out, I’m not telling you to go shoot, I’m not asking you if you’ve done your ball handling, we’re not breaking down what happened at the game last night. If you want to talk, then you come to me and we’ll talk about it.”

Her fear was that her excitement about the sport might push her kids away from it.

“I wanted them to have the opportunity to choose how they felt about it and not be pushed one way or the other,” she said.

Her hands-off method must have worked, as both her kids have maintained a passion for the sport. Chandler is playing basketball at Oklahoma Christian University and Colton is now on the scout basketball team at OU with hopes of becoming a coach himself.

“Colton used to sit in my lap when he was 5 years old and watch game film late at night,” she recalled. “To this day if there is a basket-ball game on TV he is watching it and we are texting back and forth.”

Now with an empty nest, Sherri’s life isn’t slowing down. She still finds time to spend with her kids, even though they’ve left the house.

“There is no one on the planet I’d rather watch a ball game with than my son, and my daughter and I go shopping.” Sherri said. “When they are little and they are infants

you have to physically be there for them all the time. And they become teenagers and you’re not physically present as much, but the mental and emotional side of it is huge. You want them to be independent. You want them to feel good about leaving and going on, because that is part of the natural process.”

She spends a good amount of time with her players, too, and that’s not just on the court. The team is very active within the community. For 18 years, the Sooner Big Sis Program has been an opportunity for the players to become tangible heroes to elementary students.

Through the program, the players spend an hour a week in elementary school class-rooms in Norman. Other community service efforts include volunteering with the Special Olympics, area hospitals and an annual team trip to Haiti through Mission of Hope.

Her success on the court and at home makes Sherri a great candidate as a role model, but the award-winning coach said she doesn’t feel added pressure to set an exam-ple just because she’s in the public eye.

“I think for all of us, regardless if our job is a particularly public one or if your job when you leave the house every day is not a partic-ularly public one, you’re still a role model for the people in your office, or in your home, or in your neighborhood, or in your church,” she said.“You’ve got stuff to do, so you just get ready, and do the next thing that you are supposed to do as well as you can do it and don’t worry about the rest of it.”

[Editor’s Note: See Sherri in action at the first OU Women’s Basketball game of the season on November 5. Find a complete schedule at www.soonersports.com.]

Photo By Ty Russell

SHERRI AND DANE COALE


Here’s a closer look at Sherri’s life off the court

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you? I was the state typing champion when I was in high school.

What are you passionate about? Jesus, people, reading and writing.

How has motherhood changed you? Motherhood makes you more aware. The lens you look at the world through takes on a different turn.

How do you banish stress? Exercise.

What inspires you? Passtionate people.

What is on your wish list? Healthy athletes.

Of what are you most proud? My children.

What motivates you? An intrinsic desire to be the best I can be.

How do you find balance in your life? By remembering why I do what I do.

Advice for other moms? Love your kids and let lots of other people love them, too.

Favorite quote about motherhood? “The decision to have a child is the decision to forever have your heart go walking around outside your body.”

Sherri’s Tips for Sports ParentingAs a parent to athletes and a college coach, Sherri Coale has a unique perspective on sports parenting. Regardless of if your kids are still in Little League or competing on the collegiate level, parents often have a

difficult time balancing their own competi-tive spirit and helping foster good attitudes in their children.

“Everybody has to remember that par-ticipation in sports is for the purpose of enjoyment and for the purpose of building relationships,” Sherri said. “It’s for personal growth. It’s about so much more than win-ning or scoring points or being the person that’s in the newspaper. And that gets shift-ed real quickly and real easily sometimes. I think kids need an opportunity to choose what they love, and I think sports is a great vehicle.”

Sherri said that while she is the first person to say sports are a great way to teach valuable life lessons and present unique opportunities to youth, she doesn’t believe in forcing kids to participate in a sport if they’re not interested. If your kids are in-terested and develop a talent for the sport, she reminds parents to take a step back and look at all the other terrific abilities and experiences kids have.

“I always tell the parents of my freshmen, ‘when you call your daughter ask her about anything and everything but basketball. Ask her about the food in the cafeteria, ask her if there are any cute guys in her math class, ask her if she can find a place to park, ask her how the weather’s been, but don’t ask how practice went because she is so much more than a basketball player and some-times in all of our human prater, our desire for great things to happen to our children and it’s all well-intentioned, but we can tend to make them feel like their participation in sport is what defines them and it never is.’”

SHERRI COALE AND HER DAUGHTER, CHANDLER


BY JENNIFER GEARY - CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Just a little off the beaten path in Seminole, you and your family will uncover an incredible children’s museum packed with educational exhibits and endless ways to

make memories together.

Learn Something New In Seminole

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JENNIFER GEARY

exploring oklahoma with children


Whether you’re looking for a new place to take your preschooler or you’re planning some exciting fall break outings for your big kids, the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum in Seminole is the perfect place to go for hands-on fun. Inside and outside, the museum and its grounds are packed with ways for kids to learn through play. Here are five things you don’t want to miss when you visit the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum.

1. Tinkering in the Park

We’ve visited Jasmine Moran several times before, but one area that was new since our last visit was Tinkering in the Park. This exhibit has several tables where visitors can build with a variety of materials from LEGOs to Lincoln Logs. Both of my kids enjoyed this area and I also saw quite a few parents taking part, too.

2. The SuperSONIC Express

If you have any train enthusiasts in your family, they’ll definitely want to take a ride on the SuperSONIC Express. The half-mile train ride takes visitors around the museum grounds and gives them a different view of Safety Town

and the Castle Maze, as well as a lovely pond with ducks and turtles. The train ride is not included in the museum admission price, but at just $1.50 per rider it’s a fairly inexpensive treat. While you’re waiting for your train ride, check out the playground or the Jasmine Ark, a boat-themed play area.

3. WaterWorks

Water tables always are fun but the Water-Works exhibit takes it to another level. This is no longer the little table set up for young kids to splash around in; it’s an interactive waterscape where visitors can change the

WATERWORKS

flow and speed of the water, lift big buckets and conduct races. The area is large enough for many kids to play at once without getting each other soaked, and they can crawl under the table to play from the center of the water ring.

4. Centennial Hospital

The Centennial Hospital is a miniature hospital that allows visitors to explore different careers in the health care field. Do you think you might want to be a paramedic? You can explore the ambulance and learn about emergency medicine. If surgery interests you more, you can scrub in and try your surgical skills out with a knee replacement procedure or heart bypass surgery. Children also can see how doctors and nurses care for newborns in the nursery area of the hospital. Most kids know about doctors

and nurses, but the Centennial Hospital does a fabulous job of including informa-tion about more than 300 other health care careers. It’s never too early to start thinking about the future!

5. Real Life Learning

Much of the museum is set up to re-semble a town, and visitors can explore a wide variety of careers in different stations throughout the town. There is a grocery store where kids can take turns being the shopper and the checker (and then the stocker), a mechanic’s garage where they can diagnose and fix car problems and a dentist’s office complete with an examination chair. If you’re look-ing for some excitement, slide down the fire pole and ride in the fire truck. For those interested in being on television, the new broadcasting area should be at the top of the list. Visitors can even be-come a judge or argue a case as a lawyer in the courtroom area.

Kids’ Recommendations

My 10-year-old son’s favorite thing at the museum was the climbing maze. This is one of the most unique structures you’ll see at any children’s museum and will keep your kids entertained and active. Standing 16 feet high, the maze is made up of many carpeted pods that are held together with five miles of cable and 15,000 connecting hooks. The


CENTENNIAL HOSPITAL

COURTROOM CAREER STATION


pods lead climbers up to the top, where they can choose to either climb back down the maze or slide down the thunder slide for a quick descent. After a decade of visiting many playgrounds, my son has seen a lot of different equipment and this maze is one of his favor-ites. You’ll see kids of all ages playing in it.

My 5-year-old daughter absolutely loved the

mechanic’s garage. We’ve been to a lot of different children’s museums and have never seen anything like this anywhere else. She loved using the noisy tools and seeing how fast she could change the tires and has asked to go back several times already just so she

can work on the car. I never would have imag-ined that she would enjoy that area so much, so I think one of the best things about the museum is the opportunity to explore new and different things.

PLAYGROUND

JASMINE ARK


Other Useful Information

The Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum is just an hour’s drive from the metro, so it’s a quick and easy trip. Just head east on I-40 and take Exit 200 toward Seminole. Make a right on Wrangler Boulevard and the museum will be on your right. You can visit Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 1 to 5pm. The museum is closed Mondays and holiday.

Since you’ll probably want to spend a few hours exploring the museum, you may need to feed your crew. Visitors are welcome to bring their own lunches to eat at the museum or they can purchase food at the museum cafe. If you would prefer to leave the grounds to eat and then return for more play, you can do that, too. There is a gift shop on site, so you may want to bring a little extra cash for a souvenir.

Children 2 and under are free, ages 3-60 are $8 and visitors over 60 years are $7.

Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum1714 Highway 9 West, Seminole, OK 405-382-0950, www.jasminemoran.com

[Editor’s Note: Save a dollar on admission to this attraction by printing the coupon at www.metrofamily-magazine.com/kids-pass]

JASMINE MORAN CHILDREN’S MUSEUM


calendar

octoberevents this

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS—OCT 3-5The Oklahoma Railway Museum (300 NE Grand) welcomes little engineers

to take a ride on the magical train they love on television. The museum has a 15-ton replica of the lovable Thomas the Tank Engine and families

are invited to take the 25-minute memory-making ride together. After your ride, take advantage of an entire day of activities, including

storytelling, arts and crafts, live music and more. Advanced ticket purchase is recommended. Children under 2 are FREE as a lap child.

$18 plus handling fees. Trains run 9am-4:30pm.

MORE INFORMATION: WWW.OKLAHOMARAILWAYMUSEUM.ORG

PHONE: 424-8222 Photo courtesy of the Oklahoma Railway Museum

OUR CALENDAR MAKES IT EASY TO FIND FAMILY FUN IN OKC. FIND MORE AT WWW.METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM.

PUMPKIN PALOOZA—OCT 11Your family will not want to miss the annual Pumpkin Palooza event in

Edmond. Head to the MAC (2733 Marilyn Williams Dr) to enjoy live music and endless fall fun. The FREE event will feature mini pumpkin painting,

games, a magical science demonstration by Mad Science and other activities. A limited number of pumpkins will be provided, so bring

your own to ensure you have one to paint. A highlight is the popular Flashlight Pumpkin Hunt (bring a flashlight). Food will be available for

purchase at this family-friendly affair. All children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. This event is hosted from 3-8pm with

plenty of pumpkin-centric activities for kids of all ages.

MORE INFORMATION: WWW.EDMONDOK.ORG

PHONE: 359-4630

http://www.metrofamilymagazine.com


STORYBOOK FOREST—OCT 23-30Edmond is offering eight straight nights of Halloween fun at Storybook

Forest. This family-friendly event is hosted at Spring Creek Park at Arcadia Lake (7200 E 15th St, Edmond), where fairytale characters

roam a non-spooky trail to entertain children. Walk the trail to collect treats and meet characters from your favorite books before boarding a

charming hayride. Storybook Forest will be presented from 5:30-8:30pm nightly. Admission is $6 Monday-Thursday

and $8 Friday-Sunday.

MORE INFORMATION: WWW.EDMONDOK.COM

PHONE: 359-4630Photo courtesy of the City of Edmond

calendar

OKC THUNDER V. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES—OCT 14The Oklahoma City Thunder season is back in full swing with an exciting game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The basketball game boasts a fantastic family environment at Chesapeake Energy Arena (100 W Reno). Every game has kid-friendly fun, from face painters and spirit stations to the OU/Children’s Physicians Kids Zone. Arrive early to take advantage of all the fun presented in Love’s Thunder Alley then head inside to cheer on the team. Game begins at 7pm. Ticket prices vary. MORE INFORMATION: WWW.THUNDER.NBA.COM

PHONE: 602-8700 Photo courtesy of the Oklahoma City Thunder

MUMMY & SON EVENTS—OCT 10, 24, 25 & 27What better way to bond with your son than to dress up in your favorite costume and celebrate Halloween together? Mustang, Moore, Norman, Yukon and Edmond all are hosting Mummy & Son events this year. The first is on Oct 10 at the Mustang Town Center. Mummy & Son dances, both with two start times, take place Oct 24 at the Moore Community Center and Oct 25 at the Norman Recreation Center. At the Edmond MAC, enjoy a dance and costume contest on Oct 25. The Yukon Mummy & Son Masquerade event will be offered Oct 27 at Jackie Cooper Gym and features carnival games, hotdogs, candy and a costume contest.MORE INFORMATION: SEE CALENDAR LISTINGS ON FOLLOWING PAGES FOR DETAILS & CONTACT INFORMATION Photo courtesy of the City of Moore

http://www.thepaseo.com

THROUGH OCT 4Oklahoma City Zoo Halloween Costume Swap at Oklahoma City Zoo (2000 Remington Pl) accepts new or gently used child-sized Halloween costumes in exchange for a ticket to come back & shop the swap on October 4. 10am-2pm. 424-3344, www.okczoo.com

OCT 2-5FREE Oklahoma Regatta Festival in the Boathouse District (725 S Lincoln Blvd) features a four-day celebration of rowing & family fun with the Oklahoma City University Head of Oklahoma races, OG&E NightSprints & a family festival including live music, a children’s area, fireworks, food & beer & wine garden. Festival hours are Thursday & Friday 6-10pm; Saturday 10am-10pm, Sunday 8am-12:30pm. 552-4040, www.boathousedistrict.org

OCT 3 • FRIDAYSpider Sniffing Night Hike at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial) features a spider hike in the park. Bring a flashlight. Ages 6 and up. $5. 6:30pm. Preregister. 755-0676, www.okc.gov/parks/martin_park/index.html

FREE EdFest presented by Edmond Mobile Meals at Edmond Farmer’s Market (25 W 3rd) is a fundraiser with local brewers, live music and a Kidzone with face painting & carnival games (Kidzone wrist bands cost $10). All proceeds support Edmond Mobile Meals. 6-9:30pm. 341-3111, www.edfestokc.com

ARTonTAP at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (415 Couch) features a Roof Terrace Beer Garden with more than 80 varieties of beer alongside food, live music & artwork on display. Must be 21 years & older to attend. $45 for members, $50 for non-members. 7-10pm. 236-3100, www.okcmoa.com

OCT 3-4FREE 5th Annual Sassafras Shopping Event at the Shawnee Expo Convention Center (1700 W Independence, Shawnee) features home décor, jewelry, clothing, accessories & gourmet food. Friday, 3-9pm, VIP shopping for $5; Saturday, 9am-4pm, FREE. 973-4280.

FREE Yukon Czech Festival (5th & Cedar on Route 66, Yukon) features a celebration of the Czech culture through a carnival, parade, craft booths & food. Carnival, Friday, 5pm; parade & festival, Saturday, 10am-5pm. 206-8142, www.cityofyukonok.gov

Halloween Festival at the Castle of Muskogee (3400 W Fern Mountain, Muskogee) features 10 spooktacular events for children and adults, including hot and cold drinks, food, shops, ghost stories, fortune tellers, music, games & much more. See website for prices. 6-10pm. Also held 10/10-10/11, 10/17-10/18, 10/24-10/25, 10/31-11/1. 918-687-3625, www.okcastle.com

OCT 3-5Day Out with Thomas at the Oklahoma Railway Museum (300 NE Grand) offers a 25-minute ride with a 15-ton replica of Thomas the Tank Engine, and other activities including arts & crafts, storytelling, video viewing & live music. Advanced ticket purchase required. Children under 2 are FREE as a lap child. $18 plus handling fees. Trains run 9am-4:30pm. 424-8222, www.oklahomarailwaymuseum.org/day-out-with-thomas/

American Horsewoman’s Challenge at Lazy E Arena (9600 Lazy E, Guthrie) features a continent-wide equestrian competition showcasing some of the best female trainers in North America. Live demonstrations & shopping booths. October 3-4, 9am & 8pm; October 5, 2pm. $20-$60. 282-7433, www.horsewomanschallenge.com

events thisoctober(THROUGH OCTOBER 5)



OCT 4 • SATURDAYFREE Baby Bazaar at Mustang Town Center (1201 N Mustang) features new & used clothing, toys & other items for babies & children birth-5T. $10 per booth to sell items. 8am-1pm. 376-3411, www.cityofmustang.org

OSU Football vs. Iowa State at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater. 11am. Other home game this month: 10/25 vs. West Virginia, time TBA. www.okstate.com

Walk from Obesity at Wheeler Park (1120 S Western) sponsored by the INTEGRIS Weight Loss Center and INTEGRIS Health features a one-mile walk & 5K. 7-11am. Early registration, $25; day of

race, $35. Children 12 and under free. 552-2925, www.walkfromobesity.com

FREE Things That Go Bump in the Night at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial) features a guided discussion about Oklahoma’s nocturnal creatures & why life is much better when things go bump in the night. For families & children ages 6 and up. 3pm. Must pre-register. 297-1429, www.okc.gov/parks

FREE Gospel Concert at Inspiration Hill (880669 S 3330, Wellston) features The Lineage of David, The Russell Clan Family Band and Mark Porter. 7pm. 356-4051.

OCT 4-12FREE Pumpkin Drive at the Oklahoma

City Zoo. FREE same-day admission when you bring a pumpkin larger than your head. Daily, 9am-5pm. 424-3344, www.okczoo.com

OCT 5 • SUNDAYPistol Pete’s 91st Birthday Celebration at the Oklahoma City Zoo’s Global Plaza (2000 Remington Pl) includes a slice of cake with Pete for the first 200 people. Admission is FREE when you bring a pumpkin larger than your head. 2pm. 424-3344, www.okczoo.com

Cartoon Classics concert at Civic Center Music Hall (201 N Walker) features a fast-paced and interactive one-hour concert designed for children ages 4-12. Hands-on, kid-friendly lobby activities held

events thisoctober


for one hour prior to the concert. The concert features orchestral tunes from Bugs Bunny, The Muppets and other favorite cartoons. $9. Lobby activities at 1pm and concert begins at 2pm. 232-7575, www.okcphilharmonic.org

OCT 6-11Kids Consignment Sale in Yukon Shopping Hills (Cornwell & Vandament) features gently used items for babies and children. Monday-Friday, 8am-7pm; Saturday, 10/11, 8am-4pm. Many items half price on Saturday. www.kidsconsignmentsale.com

OCT 7 • TUESDAYFREE The Energize! Conference at

Choctaw Church of the Nazarene (1100 Harper Rd, Choctaw) features a Christian homeschool conference led by Steve & Teri Maxwell. Session topics include self-employment, developing children to be leaders & helping dad lead his family with vision. 7-9pm. Bonus session begins at 5pm. www.titus2.com

OCT 8 • WEDNESDAYFREE Cesar Chavez Movie Night at the University of Central Oklahoma Nigh University Center Will Roger Room (100 N University Dr, Edmond) features a movie showing the life of Chavez in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. 6-8pm. 974-3588, www.uco.edu/

OCT 9 • THURSDAYGhost Footprint Shirt Class at the MAC (2733 Marilyn Williams, Edmond) provides children the opportunity to create a BOOtiful shirt by turning their footprints into a ghost. T-shirt provided. Preregister. 10-11am. Ages 2-5 with parent. $9. 359-4630, www.edmondparks.com

OCT 10 • FRIDAYFREE Movie Night in the Park at Hafer Park (1034 S Bryant, Edmond) presents Monsters Inc. $1 concessions available for purchase. 8pm. 359-4630, www.edmondparks.com

events thisoctober(OCTOBER 4-10)

Mummy and Son Masquerade Ball at Mustang Town Center (301 S Howard, Mustang) features a costume-themed dance for mothers and sons, ages 4-10. $15 per couple, $5 for extra son. Additional fee for photos. 7-9pm. 376-3411, www.cityofmustang.org

Family Fun Night at Remington Park (1 Remington Pl) is a fundraiser that includes a picnic buffet and special project with Building Minds for kids while parents enjoy dinner, casino play and a view of the horse race. For kids ages 2-12 and their parents. $100 for two children and two adults. $75 for two adults. $40 for additional children. Preregister. 6-9pm. 239-2525, www.eastersealsok.org

OCT 11 • SATURDAYMain Street Prague Pumpkin Festival (Hwy 99 & Jim Thorpe, Prague) features live music, crafts, pumpkin seed spitting contest, chili cook-off, hayrides, pony rides, pumpkin decorating & vendors. See website for details. 1-8pm. www.praguepumpkinfestival.wordpress.com

FREE Scat Chat at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial). Join the naturalists at Martin Park and find out what animals leave behind and what clues that scat can give biologists. 3pm. 755-0676, www.okc.gov/parks/martin_park/index.html

Historic Cemetery Tours at Gracelawn Cemetery (24 E 1st, Edmond) reveal stories of the history of Edmond. Presented by the Edmond Historic Preservation Trust. Not recommended for children younger than 10. Tickets available at Silver Leaf Gems (19 N Broadway, Edmond). $7. Also held October 18. 285-9700.

FREE Pumpkin Palooza at Edmond Multi-Activity Center (2733 Marilyn Williams Dr) offers pumpkin carving, mini pumpkin painting, a carnival & live music. Bring your own pumpkin to guarantee

you’ll have one to paint. Snacks available for purchase. All ages welcome but children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring a flashlight for a pumpkin hunt that begins at 7:15pm. 3-8pm. 359-4630, www.edmondparks.com

FREE Make + Take at Oklahoma Contemporary (3000 General Pershing Blvd) is an art class where every participant will create a dreamcatcher to take home. Supplies included. 1-4pm. 951-0000, www.oklahomacontemporary.org/edu/make-take

OCT 11-12HITS Running Festival at Remington Park (1 Remington Pl) is a family-friendly weekend of running and fitness that includes five running courses from one-mile in length to a full marathon. A fitness expo will be held Saturday 11am-6pm; Sunday 7am-4pm. See website for details. 845-247-7275, www.hitsrunning.com/oklahoma-city-ok/register-to-race

OCT 11-18Just Between Friends Children’s Consignment Sale at Cleveland County Fairgrounds (615 E Robinson, Norman). Prime Time Shop event is Oct 11 from 7-9pm and requires $10 admission. No children allowed for Prime Time Shop. FREE shopping Oct 12-18. Sunday noon-9pm, Monday-Thursday 10am-4pm. Half off shopping Friday 10am-9pm and Saturday 10am-2pm. www.norman.jbfsale.com

OCT 14 • TUESDAYFREE Visitors Day at St. Mary’s Episcopal School in Edmond (505 E Covell Rd, Edmond). 8:30-10:30am. Preregister. 341-9541, www.smesedmond.org

OKC Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies at the Chesapeake Energy Arena (100 W Reno), 8pm. Other home games: 10/21 & 11/1. 208-4800. www.nba.com/thunder

events thisoctober


FREE Open House at Casady School (9500 N Penn Ave) offers an inside look at the campus and staff for upper divisions. 6-8pm. 749-3100, www.casady.org

OCT 17 • FRIDAYMonster Mash at the Oklahoma Children’s Theatre (2501 N Blackwelder) features Halloween dinner, crafts, games & dancing. Preregister. Ages 5-12. $25. 6-9pm. 606-7003, www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org/fridayfunnightpage/fun-extras

St. Mary’s Episcopal School’s Fall Festival (505 E Covell Rd, Edmond) features carnival-style games, a bounce house and live music by the Sugar Free Allstars. $10; FREE for 3 & under. 6-8pm. 341-9541, www.smesedmond.org

OKC Barons vs. Texas Stars at the Cox Convention Center (1 Myriad Gardens). $10 and up. 7pm. Other home games: 10/18, 10/24, 11/1, 11/2. 232-4625, www.okcbarons.com

Drop-in Art at Oklahoma City Museum of Art (415 Couch) features hands-on art activities for all ages. FREE with paid admission.11am-2pm. 236-3100, ext. 213, www.okcmoa.com

Boo on Bell in downtown Shawnee includes live music, trick-or-treating, Zombie Prom, scary movies, carnival games & pumpkin pie eating contest. Admission varies. Also held Oct 23, 24, 25 & 31. 432-4131, www.seffshawnee.org

OCT 17-18Our Town at Sooner Theatre (101 E Main St, Norman) is a joint production of the theater and the Helmerich School of Drama at the University of Oklahoma. The play follows life in a small town in three acts. $20, $25. Also held Oct 24-26. 321-9600, www.soonertheatre.com


october(OCTOBER 10-17)

OCT 17-19Cinderella at Civic Center Music Hall (201 N Walker) presents talents of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and Oklahoma City Ballet in a classic tale. $26-$59. Friday, 8pm, Saturday, 2pm & 8pm, Sunday, 2pm. 297-2584, www.okcballet.com

OCT 18 • SATURDAY21st Annual Susan G. Komen OKC Race for the Cure at the Myriad Gardens benefits Susan G. Komen Central & Western Oklahoma & features a competitive 5K race, 1-mile Fun Run/Walk, a Kids’ Dash & Survivors’ Ceremony. Register in advance. To run with MetroFamily’s Strong Together group, visit http://bit.ly/STSignUp. Adults, $30, competitive, $35, ages 17 & under, $20. 6:30-11am. 526-2873, www.komencentralwesternok.org

OU Football vs. Kansas State at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (180 W Brooks, Norman). Time TBA. www.soonersports.com

FREE Fall Festival at the Chickasaw Cultural Center (867 Cooper Memorial, Sulphur) features fall food, pumpkin patch, roasted corn, living village activities and Chickasaw Press book signing. Admission required for the exhibit center. 10am-5pm. 580-622-7130, www.chickasawculturalcenter.com

FREE Bigfoot and Werewolves and Chupacabra, Oh My! at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial) is a fun family event that teaches children the tales and the myths of Bigfoot and Chupacabra. 3pm. 297-1429, www.okc.gov

Ghosts of Fort Reno Tour at Historic Fort Reno (7107 W Cheyenne, El Reno) tells tales and urban legends of haunted buildings, villainous murders, lost treasure and more. Includes tours of the fort and presentations by paranormal research teams. Advance reservations & ticket purchase required. $10 ages 13-adult, $9

seniors, $5 children ages 5-12. 7pm. Also held Oct 25. 262-3987. www.fortreno.org

FREE Out of the Box at Science Museum Oklahoma (2100 NE 52nd) is a friendly competition between area businesses to create a work of functional creativity that will go on display at the museum. See the works as they are made and before they are placed on exhibit. This is an all-ages event. Hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be available. 7-10pm. 602-6664, www.sciencemuseumok.org

FREE Queen For A Day hosted by Mustang Church of the Nazarene (700 E State Highway 152, Mustang) is an outreach of Single Parent Support Network. Features a day of encouragement, education & pampering for single mothers and grandmothers. Attendees must be nominated; nomination forms are available on website. 9am-5pm. 917-1817, www.supportforsingleparents.org

Boo Bash at the Nick Harroz Community Center (200 N Midwest Blvd, Midwest City) is a Halloween party for Midwest City residents or Mid-Del students currently enrolled in 4th or 5th grade. $5. Tickets may be purchased at the Nick Harroz Community Center Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm. 7-9pm. 739-1293, www.midwestcityok.org

OCT 19 • SUNDAYFREE Open House at Casady School (9500 N Penn Ave) offers an inside look at the campus and staff for lower and primary divisions. 2-4pm. 749-3100, www.casady.org

OCT 23 • THURSDAYHaunt the Harn at Harn Homestead (1721 N Lincoln Blvd) offers an old-fashioned Halloween celebration with trick-or-treating, games & crafts. Those accompanying trick-or-treaters do not have to pay. Trick-or-treater’s admission is $3 in advance or $5 day of event. 6-8:30pm. 235-4058, www.harnhomestead.com

(THROUGH SEPTEMBER 27)



OCT 23-25FREE Pass It On Kids Consignment Sale at the Edmond Armory (600 S Bryant) will offer fall and winter consignments. Sales benefit Lilyfield Christian Adoption & Foster Care. Thursday, 8am-8pm; Friday, 8am-6pm; Saturday, 8am-1pm. www.passitonkids.com

OCT 23-26Walking with Dinosaurs at Chesapeake Energy Arena (100 W Reno) brings dinosaurs to life on the arena stage. $34.95-$71.95. Thursday & Friday, 7pm. Saturday, 11am, 3pm, 7pm. Sunday 1pm, 5pm. 800-745-3000, www.dinosaurlive.com

OCT 23-30Storybook Forest at Spring Creek Park (7200 E 15th St, Edmond) features fairytales come to life on a fun, not scary trail filled with roaming characters. 5:30-8:30pm nightly. $6 per child Monday-Thursday and $8 per child Friday-Sunday. 359-4630, www.edmondok.com

OCT 24 • FRIDAYFREE Fall Festival at Church of the Servant (14343 N MacArthur) includes carnival games, moon bounces, a giant slide, bingo & clowns. Requesting donations to benefit Infant Crisis Services (diapers, wipes & formula). 6pm. 721-4141, www.churchoftheservant.com

FREE 2nd Annual Downtown Norman Fall Festival (downtown Norman). Main Street is closed to create a fun environment for trick-or-treating, games, activities, costume contest & prizes. 6-9pm. 366-8095, www.visitnorman.com

Mummy & Son Dance at the Moore Community Center (301 S Howard) features a Halloween-themed dance for mothers & sons. $5 per person in advance, $7 per person at the door. Ghost Dance 6-7:30pm, Ghoul Dance 8-9:30pm. Mothers and their sons between 4 and 14 years old will be allowed at this event. 793-5090, www.cityofmoore.com/fun

A Day in the Chickasaws Field Trip at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial) offers a chance to join naturalists from Martin Park Nature Center for an all-day field trip to explore the culture & fall colors of Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Also includes admission to the Chickasaw Cultural Center, a hike, traditional stomp dance & lunch. For adults and children ages 10 and up. Preregister. 8am-7pm. $95. 297-1429, http://www.okc.gov/parks/martin_park/martin_programs.html

FREE Wolves & Witches, A Not-Too-Scary Children’s Matinee at Cimarron Opera (200 S Jones, Norman) features an interactive Halloween performance including a craft project, trick-or-treating & a live performance. For ages 4-12. Shows start at 6pm, 7pm & 8pm. 364-8972, www.cimarronopera.org

FREE Oklahoma State Homecoming Walk-Around (OSU campus, Stillwater) features fun carnival rides & games, food vendors, the viewing of beautifully-decorated Greek houses and other campus activities. Time TBA. www.orangeconnection.org

OCT 24-25Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band Starring Classical Mystery Tour at the OKC Civic Center (201 N Walker) features a live performance by America’s No.1 Beatles tribute band along with a full concert including songs from the album and other classic favorites. $19-$65. 8pm. 842-5347, www.okcphilharmonic.org

OCT 25 • SATURDAYFREE Children’s Fall Festival at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church (3901 S Sunnylane, Del City) features activities, games & candy. 6-8pm. 741-1443, www.stpaulscatholic.org

TG Farms Great Pumpkin Festival (1580 NW Highway 37, Newcastle) features food trucks, vendors, a hunting maze & live entertainment. $10 per person. Advance

events thisoctober


http://www.okc.gov/parks/martin_park/martin_programs.html




tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the Newcastle Branch of the Community Bank of Oklahoma (2245 N. Main St., Newcastle). 387-3276, www.tgfarms.com

FREE Haunt Old Town at the Moore Community Center & Library (301 S Howard) features a family fun trick-or-treating as well as games, music, candy & more. 4-7pm. 793-4332, www.cityofmoore.com

FREE Spooksville at the Yukon Community Center (2200 S Holly) features a Halloween festival, including a dog costume contest, kids costume contest, carnival area with games, clowns, magicians & candy. 1-6pm. 354-8442, www.cityofyukonok.gov

Trail of Fears at Little River Park (700 SW 4, Moore) is a haunted outdoor attraction for adults & children 12 and up. Children 11 or younger must be accompanied by an adult. $5. 8-11pm. 793-5090, www.cityofmoore.com

Mummy & Son Dance at the MAC (2733 Marilyn Williams Dr, Edmond). Mother/son costume contest, dancing, snacks and beverages. Preregister by 10/17. $20 per couple, $5 each additional boy. 7-9pm. 359-4630. www.edmondparks.com

Mummy & Son Masquerade Ball at Norman Recreation Center (1701 12th NE, Norman) features a special night for mothers and sons to celebrate Halloween. Preregister. $5. Two dances: 6-7:30pm and 8-9:30pm. 292-7275, www.normanfun.com

Monster Dash at Reeves Park (Jenkins & Constitution, Norman) features a race, arts & crafts and fun for the whole family. $35 adults, $5 children 12 & under. One adult can accompany children on one-mile run/walk for free. The 5K begins at 9am & one-mile event begins at 9:45am, with a costume contest. 329-9617, www.juniorleagueofnorman.org

FREE Old-Fashioned Fall Festival at Festival Marketplace (26 W First, Edmond) features pumpkin painting, FREE horse-

drawn carriage rides, live music, a vintage tractor display & quilt display. Donations will be accepted to benefit Wings of Edmond. 3:30-5:30pm. 249-9291, www.downtownedmondok.com

FREE Boo Ha Ha at Brookhaven Village (NW 36th & Robinson, Norman) features a moon bounce, trick-or-treating and costume contests for pet, children & adults. 5-7:30pm. 701-1008.

OCT 26 • SUNDAYFREE Trunk-or-Treat at Crown Heights Christian Church (4020 N Western) features games, activities, a bounce house, music by Spaghetti Eddie & treats. 5-6:30pm. 528-5568, www.chccokc.org

FREE Magic Lantern Celebration at the Paseo Arts District (NW 28th & Walker) offers a hands-on costume-making workshop followed by a costume parade with art, dance and song. 3-7:30pm. 525-2688, www.thepaseo.com

FREE Spooky Story Time with Lorie Robins at Exhibit C (1 E Sheridan, #100) features traditional Chickasaw stories with a spooky twist as well as making s’mores & a short presentation by the Oklahoma City Fire Department. 3:30pm. 626-7408, www.chickasawcountry.com

FREE Trunk-or-Treat at New Covenant United Methodist Church (2700 S Boulevard, Edmond) is a family-friendly event with inflatables, candy, carnival games, refreshments & door prizes. Attendees will also be able to tour the new Children’s Building. 6pm. 562-3242, www.newcov.tv

FREE Trick or Treat City at the Joe B. Barnes Regional Park (Reno Ave & Douglas Blvd, Midwest City) is a trick-or-treating event for all ages. Children are encouraged to wear costumes. Carnival games available, tokens are 4 for $1. 2-4:30pm, 739-1293, www.midwestcityok.org

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OCT 26-31Haunt the Zoo for Halloween at the Oklahoma City Zoo (2000 Remington Pl) features photo opportunities, themed booths & trick-or-treating. Admission includes an official treat bag and is required for anyone wishing to collect treats. $6 for pre-purchased tickets or $7 for tickets purchased at the gate during the event. 6:30-8:30pm. 425-0218, www.okczoo.com

OCT 27 • MONDAYMummy & Son Masquerade at the Jackie Cooper Gym (1024 E Main, Yukon) features carnival games, costume contest, hot dogs & candy. $4. 6pm. 350-8920, www.cityofyukonok.gov

OCT 28 • TUESDAYFREE Haunt & Harvest at All Souls’ Episcopal Church (6400 N Penn) is a carnival with candy and games for children in foster care and their families. 6-8pm. 753-4099, www.cccokc.org

FREE Brick or Treat in Bricktown (Reno & Mickey Mantle) will feature trick-or-treating throughout the Bricktown and downtown areas. Trick-or-treaters must be under 14 years old to receive candy. 4-7pm. 236-8666, www.welcometobricktown.com

OCT 28-NOV 2Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical at Civic Center Music Hall (201 N Walker) is a family-friendly holiday show presented by Celebrity Attractions. Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 7:30pm. Friday, 8pm. Saturday, 11am, 2pm, 5pm & 8pm. Sunday, 2pm & 7pm. 297-2264 or (800) 869-1451, www.celebrityattractions.com

OCT 29 • WEDNESDAYFREE Mall-O-Ween at Penn Square Mall (1900 NW Expwy) features mall-wide trick-or-treating at participating retailers and a festive photo area. See website for costume restrictions. 6-8pm. 841-2696, www.simon.com/mall/Penn-Square-Mall

FREE Trick-or-Treat at Central Presbyterian Church (5101 N May) features an evening of Halloween fun with a FREE chili dinner as well as indoor trick-or-treating. 6-8pm, www.cpcokc.org

OCT 30 • THURSDAYFREE Flashlight Candy Scramble at Irving Recreation Center (125 Vicksburg, Norman). Bring your own flashlight to hunt candy in a unique way. Ages 5-11. 7pm. 292-9774, www.normanfun.com

OCT 31 • FRIDAYFREE Trick-or-Treat City Special Needs at the Nick Harroz Community Center (200 N Midwest Blvd, Midwest City) features a candy village and carnival. 1-2:30pm. 739-1293, www.midwestcityok.org

FREE Trick-or-Treat at Sooner Mall (3301 W Main, Norman). Participating retailers will be handing out candy. 5-8pm (while candy lasts). 360-0360, www.soonermall.com

FREE Tractors and Treats at First Southern Baptist Church (6400 S Sooner Rd) features an evening of costumes, prizes, games & candy. 6-8pm. 732-1300, www.firstsouthern.tv

FREE Trunk-or-Treat at Edmond First Baptist Church (1300 E 33rd, Edmond) features loads of candy and is open to the public. Come dressed in a non-scary costume. 6-7:30pm. 341-0253, www.fbcedmond.org

Halloween Bash at the Museum of Osteology (10301 S Sunnylane) features an educational trick-or-treating environment with candy, door prizes & crafts. Costumes encouraged. $3.50. 6-9pm. 814-0006, www.museumofosteology.org

FREE Festifall at Putnam City Baptist Church (11401 N Rockwell) features inflatables, games, food for sale & candy. No scary costumes, please. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 6:30-8:30pm. 773-6900, www.pcbc.tv

NOV 1 • SUNDAYHaunted Hike at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial) features a spooky hike through the “haunted” woods of Martin Park. $5. Hikes leave every half hour beginning at 7pm. Last hike leaves at 9:30pm. For ages 6 and up. Preregistration required. Bring a flashlight. 755-0676, www.okc.gov

FREE Pumpkin Harvest Craft Festival at Robertson Activity Center (Hwy 66 & Yukon Parkway) features over 45 craft vendors, a bake sale and the Pumpkin Patch Café. 9am-4pm. 350-7680, www.cityofyukonok.gov

NOV 5 • WEDNESDAYUniversity of Oklahoma Women’s Basketball in an exhibition game again Southeastern Oklahoma State University at Lloyd Noble Center (2900 S Jenkins, Norman). Exhibition admisison $5-$10; regular season games $15-$20. Other home games: 11/14, 11/18 & 11/21. 325-2424, www.soonersports.com

NOV 5-8Mistletoe Market at the Cox Convention Center (1 Myriad Gardens) features a four-day, one-stop shopping extravaganza with more than 100 vendors.Proceeds benefit the Junior League of Oklahoma. Aduts $8, children 3-12 and seniors 65+ $5, children 3 and under free. Wednesday Preview Party, 6pm-10pm; Thursday & Friday, 9am-8pm; Saturday, 10am-5pm . 843-5668, www.mistletoemarket.org

NOV 7 • FRIDAYOU Men’s Basketball in an exhibition game against Mashburn University at Lloyd Noble Center (2900 S Jenkins, Norman). Exhibition admisison $5-$20; regular season games $10-$30. Other home games: 11/11 (exhibition), 11/16 & 11/23.

events thisoctober(OCTOBER 26-NOVEMBER 7)

Don’t missa thing this

fall! Check out MetroFamily’s Fall Fun Guide

here:www.metrofamilymagazine.

com/fall-fun-guide


FREE Art Adventures at Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm, Norman), for ages 3-5. Young artists are invited to experience art through books. Visit site for full list of dates, books and activities.10:30am every Tuesday. 325-3272, www.ou.edu/fjjma

FREE Tuesday Noon Concerts at Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm, Norman) features 30-minute concerts performed by OU School of Music students and faculty. Noon on Tuesdays, 325-3272, www.ou.edu/fjjma

Chef Master at Yukon Community Center (2200 S Holly, Yukon), held every Tuesday in October and November. Kids will learn how to cook a favorite dish. The class also includes how to use kitchen utensils, practicing safety, reading recipes & more. 6-7pm. Ages 8-12. Preregister. $25. 354-8442, www.cityofyikonok.gov

FREE Wide-Open Wednesdays at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63rd) features free admission every Wednesday. Preregister for groups of 10 or more. 478-2250, Ext. 241, www.nationalcowboymuseum.org

Toddler Story & Craft Time at Unpluggits Playstudio (575 Enterprise, Edmond) features a different story each week & a related craft time. FREE with paid admission. Wednesdays, 11-11:30am. 340-7584, www.unpluggits.com

FREE Bringing Books to Life presented by Junior League of Oklahoma City in the lobby of the Crystal Bridge in the Myriad Gardens (301 W Reno) every Wednesday. 10am, for ages 2-5. Books are nature-themed and selected based on the season. Children will also create a small craft after the story. 445-7080, www.myriadgardens.org

FREE Midtown Market presented by Urban Agrarian at Saint Anthony Hospital (1010 N Walker) includes fresh, Oklahoma-grown produce, meats & dairy, baked goods, honey & prepared foods such as salsa, jam, jelly & relish. Also includes

vendors each week with specialty items such as body care, soaps, wine & more. Fridays, 1pm-sunset. 231-1919, www.urbanagrarian.com

FREE Lakeshore Learning (6300 N May) hosts Crafts for Kids, no reservation needed. Saturdays, 11am-3pm, ages 3 and up. 858-8778, www.lakeshorelearning.com

FREE Children’s Story Time at Full Circle Books (1900 NW Expressway). Saturdays, 10:15am. 842-2900, www.fullcirclebooks.com

FREE Children’s Story Time at Edmond’s Best of Books (1313 E Danforth, Edmond). Saturdays, 11-11:30am. 340-9202, www.bestofbooksedmond.com

FREE Nature Story Time at Martin Park Nature Center (5000 W Memorial) for ages 2-6 features stories to help children discover the world of nature, followed by an activity or outdoor hike. Saturdays, 10am. 755-0676, www.okc.gov/parks

Drop in Art at the OKC Museum of Art (415 Couch Dr) features hands-on art activities for all ages. FREE with paid admission. See website for themes/activities. Saturdays, 1-4pm. 236-3100, www.okcmoa.com

events thisoctoberWEEKLY EVENTS

http://www.ou.edu/fjma.com

http://www.ou.edu/fjma.com

http://www.unpluggits.com

http://www.myriadgardens.org

http://www.myriadgardens.org

http://www.lakeshorelearning.com

http://www.lakeshorelearning.com

http://www.fullcirclebooks.com

http://www.fullcirclebooks.com

http://www.bestofbooksedmond.com

http://www.okc.gov/parks

http://www.okc.gov/parks

http://www.okcmoa.com


THROUGH OCT 10Hank the Cowdog: The Case of the Missing Cat at Oklahoma Children’s Theatre (2501 N Blackwelder) presents a live theater and educational experience based on John Erickson’s book. Adults $10, Students (with Student ID) $8, Children (ages 2-12) $7, group discounts available. Wednesday & Friday, 11am; Saturday & Sunday, 2pm. 606-7003, www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org

THROUGH OCT 12FREE Dugout Canoe Exhibit at Chickasaw Cultural Center (867 Cooper Memorial, Sulphur). Exhibit helps visitors explore hundreds of objects that showcase canoe-making, paddles, tools, fishing equipment & more. 10am-5pm Monday-Saturday, noon-5pm Sunday. 580-622-7130, www.canoes2014.com

THROUGH OCT 26Family Friendly Haunted Cruises at Oklahoma River Cruises (300 SW 7th) features a decorated boat, costume contest, candy, prizes and activity books. Children are encouraged to dress in costume. Cruises run 1 hour and 30 minutes, round trip. Held every Saturday and Sunday. FREE for children under 6 years of age, seniors & children (ages 6-12) $6, adults $12. Call for departure times. 601-2934, www.okrivercruises.com/specialty-cruises/haunt

Weekend Keeper Connections at the Oklahoma City Zoo (2000 Remington Pl) features the opportunity to connect with the wildlife while hearing how the zoo strives to preserve the Earth’s natural resources. See website for times and featured animal. FREE with paid admission. 11am-4pm, Saturday; 10:30am-3:30pm, Sunday. 425-0262, www.okczoo.com

From Tusks to Treasure: Ivory from the Milligan-Kirkpatrick Collection at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art (1900 W MacArthur, Shawnee) features ivory works. 878-5300, www.mgmoa.org

THROUGH OCT 31Stingray Bay at the Oklahoma City Zoo (2000 Remington Pl). See & touch live stingrays. $3 entry fee, plus regular zoo admission. 424-3344, www.okczoo.com

Terror on 10th Street Haunted House (2005 NW 10th) features a guided tour of the ghostly history behind the house of horrors. $8. Open 7-11pm on Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights in October and then every night from 7-11pm Oct. 27th to Nov. 2. 232-1816

Pumpkins for a Purpose at the Oklahoma City Zoo (2000 Remington Pl) offers sponsorship of personalized pumpkins for decoration. Donation amount varies. All proceeds benefit the Zoo’s conservation initiatives. 424-3344, www.okczoo.com

THROUGH JAN 4Formed in Stone: The Natural Beauty of Fossils at the Sam Noble Museum (2401 Chautauqua, Norman) features photographs of fossils dating from 80-455 millions years old as well as diverse physical specimens. Children under 5 are free. $5 adults, $3 ages 6-17. 325-4712, www.samnoblemuseum.org

OCT 3-JAN 4FREE Macrocosm/Microcosm: Abstract Expressionism in the Southwest art exhibit at Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art (555 Elm, Norman). 325-3272, www.ou.edu/fjjma

THROUGH JAN 19RARE: Portraits of America’s Endangered Species at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (2401 Chautauqua, Norman) features an exhibit of species and examines the history, purpose & effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Children under 5 are free. $5 adults, $3 ages 6-17. Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday, 1-5pm. 325-4712, www.samnoblemuseum.org

events thisoctoberONGOING EVENTS

http://www.okrivercruises.com/specialty-cruises/haunt

http://www.okrivercruises.com/specialty-cruises/haunt

http://www.mgmoa.org

http://www.okczoo.com

http://www.samnoblemuseum.org

http://www.ou.edu/fjjma

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mom gets the last laugh

L ast October (yes, a year ago), I bought several pumpkins at the local discount store. I do not buy the biggest or most expensive for this reason alone: The Daughters

will each design a pumpkin, begin carving, get grossed out and then Brian and I will finish the job just in time for the neighborhood kids to steal it and smash it in the street. Call me an Orange Grinch, but I won’t spend big bucks on pumpkins.

Imagine the thrill of my family when I found pumpkins on sale for $2.50 each. They hadn’t been pre-carved nor were they rotting. So I snatched up one for each daughter, two for the thieving neighborhood kids and three to hang out inside until after Halloween to serve as Thanksgiving decorations as well. I felt like the most brilliant home-

maker on the planet. Watch out, Martha—I was finding bargains and out-smarting teenage boys.

Halloween came and went and so did the carved pumpkins and the two freebies. I put another pumpkin out because I was using two for a centerpiece in the dining room and to hold down papers that I needed to sign and return to school.

Within a day of the Thanksgiving pumpkin’s appearance, that sucker was gone like a Reese’s on Halloween night! The little turkeys were still in the spirit of mischief. I waited a week. I’m no chump. You’ve gotta get up pretty early to fool Momma. Really early. Like between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. One Monday morning, I set the next pumpkin out. There were no footsteps in the dew across our lawn, so I can only assume that the little neighborhood pumpkin pickers has been waiting on my

ILLUSTRATION BY EMILY BALL, WWW.EMILYMGBALL.COM

The Great Pumpkin Scheme BY HEATHER DAVIS - METROFAMILY COLUMNIST

http://www.emilymgball.com


roof and lowered themselves on one of those cool looking rope-type things that they used in the movie, The Matrix.

Soon, I had forgotten that I still had anoth-er pumpkin to put out and the week of Thanksgiving, I was feeling charitable. I set my last pumpkin out. I set it right in the corner of the front flowerbed, which we had cleared but not done much else with. The pumpkin stayed! I felt like I had won a minor victory for outdoor decorators everywhere!

The day after Thanksgiving, when we were decorating for the Christmas holidays, I com-pletely forgot about my last little pumpkin. The outside of the house is Brian’s domain, so he noticed the rotting pumpkin, but chose not to do anything about it. After years of being my mate in life, he knew to leave certain things alone unless he was told specifically what to do with them. Smart man.

Then it was January and my pumpkin, limp and moldy, stayed in its spot. Valentine’s Day rolled around and as I set out my Hearts flag in our non-existent flower bed, I thought about getting a shovel and scooping the pile of mush out, but it was cold.

Spring came in like a lion, and we discussed

what to do with the front flowerbed. Still the pumpkin sat. Over spring break, my cousin came to visit. I told her that she’d know she was at the right house because of the rotted pumpkin. She said that bit of trivia was very helpful. Just before Memorial Day, my in-laws put in their garden (which occupies approx-imately 12 acres and houses every vegetable known to man except mushrooms). My friend FloJo put in her garden. Me? I grew a pumpkin. See, while life went on, the last pumpkin had taken root and regrown.

It was the circle of life! And my lazy self could take sole responsibility for it! The Daughters had big plans to take a pumpkin for every single one of their little friends at school. We were going to save the seeds from the dozens of pumpkins we’d carve and plant a real pumpkin patch for next year. I even planned to pile the pumpkins in the front yard and paint a bull’s eye in the middle of the road for the tricksters. Life was good.

Then, Brian decided it was time we did something, anything, with the front flowerbed. He got a Garden Claw and clawed up the bed. Yes, my friends, that’s right. The pumpkin vine was clawed. As our daughters and I stood in the front yard sobbing at him about what a monster he was, he realized (yet again) that

he was outnumbered, and he salvaged what he could of the vine.

I’ll be darned if that little pumpkin’s off-shoot didn’t take hold and grow some more, this time with blooms, five to be exact! We WERE going to have pumpkins after all. We were so excited that we celebrated with a very fancy dinner: frozen pizza on the good china! For this feast, our younger daughter picked five pretty orange blooms and put them in a vase and plopped them down right in the middle of the table just as we served up the triple meat deluxe special.

Brian and I looked at each other and said not one word. Our pumpkin dreams for this year were carved up and splatted in the middle of life’s crazy road. Later that night we decided that we’d go get some pumpkins and place them around the vine for the girls to find and let them experience a little bit of the magic of the season. The Great Pumpkin does exist!

Heather Davis is an Oklahoma momma and a writer, and is still looking for ways to relax. She’s the author of the TMI Mom books, available on Amazon. She and her husband live in Bartlesville with their two dogs, two cats and two daughters.

Make healthystrides this

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SUSAN G. KOMEN CENTRAL & WESTERN OKLAHOMA

BY HANNAH SCHMITT - METROFAMILY COLUMNIST

O ctober brings a pop of color, and we’re not talking about the brilliant reds and oranges of autumn leaves. Breast

Cancer Awareness Month puts pink on display on store shelves, sports fields, skyscrapers and everything in between.

October

The October focus on breast cancer acts as a 31-day reminder to women to take care of themselves and make their health a priority. It also gives us at MetroFamily an opportunity to tell you how you can contribute to the cause, support friends and family who have struggled with the disease and encourage you to get and stay healthy.

One way we’ve already motivated area wom-en to stay healthy is by designing our Strong Together program, which will end with the Susan G. Komen Oklahoma City Race for the Cure (learn more at www.metrofamilymaga-zine.com/fitness). Participating in the Race for the Cure on October 18 is just one of the ways you can give to the cause. Lorna Palmer, executive director of Susan G. Komen Cen-tral & Western Oklahoma, said she expects about 10,000 people to run in the October 18 event, but hopes many more who cannot give their time will put some money behind other fundraising efforts.

Susan G. Komen Central & Western Okla-homa partners with some area organizations to help raise funds. Of the money raised, 75 percent stays in the Oklahoma City commu-nity and goes toward education, screening and treatment. The other 25 percent goes directly into research.

This year, area businesses that have partnered with Susan G. Komen range from big banks to barbecue joints:

• Stop at Panera Bread and purchase a Pink Ribbon Bagel in October and $.25 will go to the breast cancer awareness effort. Purchase it on October 15 and 100 percent of the purchase price is donated to the cause.

• Grab a pink and black collector cup at Billy Sims Barbecue in October and the restau-rant will donate $.75 to the organization.

• Visit Kickapoo Casino in October and you’ll be presented with a variety of ways to give back while you play, including do-nating your casino points to the cause.

• A partnership with Dillard’s and Wacoal bras gives you a chance to donate while you shop. Shop select days and times and Dillard’s will give $1 for every shopper who does a bra fitting and $2 for every Wacoal bra purchased. Shop from 10am-5pm at the Dillard’s at Quail Springs Mall on October 23, the Sooner Mall location on October 24 and the Penn Square Mall location on October 25 for the donations to be made.

• If you bank with MidFirst Bank, get the Pink Ribbon bank card and MidFirst will donate to the Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center for breast cancer research.

The annual Race for the Cure not only raises awareness and funds for the cause, it en-courages women and families who have been impacted by breast cancer. Local mom Teresa Hicks is a two-time breast cancer survivor who will complete the 5K this year to honor women currently fighting the battle that’s behind her. She hopes it will be a reminder to all women that early detection is import-ant and that it requires regular attention to personal health.

Women, especially after marriage and motherhood, are notorious for taking care of everyone else but themselves. Hicks knows that all too well.


“I spent my life running my body down. As women, we’re the last ones to take care of our health. We should be the first because we’re taking care of everyone else,” she said. “I didn’t think about myself until I took my bra off one day and thought, ‘what the heck? That’s blood.’”

That was a little more than two years ago. The 53-year-old mother of three faced the cancer head-on with a bilateral mastecto-my followed by chemotherapy. Within nine months of her diagnosis, Hicks was over-joyed to finish treatment.

“I said to myself, ‘I don’t want to be that sick, tired or scared every again,’” she recalled, “but we don’t always get what we want.”

About eight months after the initial PET scan showed no sign of cancer, Hicks was given news her cancer was back. She recalled the

day she found out, saying she had a good, long cry before facing 42 straight days of radiation followed by more chemotherapy.

“If there’s anything worth fighting for, it has to be your life,” she said. “I had people telling me, ‘I don’t think I could do this’ but you have two choices: you either do it and you live or you don’t and you might not survive.”

Hicks said she relied on humor to get through the treatment. Reruns of I Love Lucy, Seinfeld and The Beverly Hillbillies brightened her days and she worked to put her old struggles in perspective.

The upcoming 5K will be the longest walk she has ever done and she’s looking forward to pounding the pavement as a way to make women more aware of self-care. She’ll be participating in the 5K alongside a few dozen other inspirational women who have joined the MetroFamily Strong Together program



to work toward healthier lifestyles. These women understand the tendency to put their own health last, but also realize how valuable their health is to the rest of the family. They committed to eight weeks of training to prepare for the 5K and have made incredible strides in their journeys.

One of those Strong Together participants is Georgeanna Johnson, who was featured earlier this year on the ABC show Extreme Weight Loss. She shed 165 pounds on the year-long show.

A pastor’s wife with two kids, Georgeanna said she watched her weight climb over the years as she dedicated her time to sports games for her kids and making sure the needs of everyone around her were met. Looking back, she can see she wasn’t doing her family any favors.

“I don’t think it’s selfish to take care of your own basic needs. Being healthy for your own family is just as important as running them to practice,” she said. “You know, we fill our lives with all these busy things that feel important.

At the end of the day, your health is import-ant. Those things are not going to be there forever. And most of us want to be here as long as we can. If we don’t take the time now, at some point you’re going to lose that time.”

Her perspective on weight loss is insightful because she has been on both sides of the fence. She regrets the time she spent not car-ing about her personal health. Looking back, Georgeanna said she knew she was making excuses and claiming to be okay with being a “fat and happy” mom instead of setting a good example for her kids.

“I don’t think anyone is fat and happy,” she said. “I think like me, they mask what they’re feeling inside but at the end of the night, you lay your head down and if you’re extremely overweight, it’s troublesome. I don’t think anyone can be happy with themselves at that weight. I know what it feels like to be suc-cessful, but I also know what it feels like to be stuck and not try for 20 years like I did.”

Being featured on Extreme Weight Loss was what lit a fire under Georgeanna to make a

change. She said it was the realization she had kept her promises to everyone but herself that really changed her life.

“Women tend to keep their promises to their children, families, churches, jobs,” she said, “but they don’t allow themselves to keep the promise that they’re going to get up and work out, follow a program or eat right.”

Strong Together and the Susan G. Komen OKC Race for the Cure are two great opportunities to jump into a commitment to get healthy. For people like Teresa, participat-ing in the race is a reminder of support and a beacon of encouragement. For your family, participation could mean they get a happier, healthier parent.

Our Strong Together BloggersWe kicked off our Fall 2014 Strong Together program by asking metro women to volun-teer to be bloggers throughout the eight-week training process. We received dozens of inspiring submissions but narrowed it down to four women who could motivate the entire group and push them toward success. Meet them below.

Georgeanna Johnson is an Oklahoman who appeared on the fourth season of ABC’s Extreme Weight Loss. The Tulsa mother of two weighed 315 pounds when she audi-tioned for the show and lost 165 pounds over the year of filming. She maintains her healthy lifestyle now and feels a responsibility to

share her story and encourage others to set fitness goals and go after a healthier life. The 45-year-old pastor’s wife has two daughters, ages 20 and 23. Her husband is an assistant pastor at Church On The Move in Tulsa.

Christina Mushi-Brunt is a mother of three who is new to Oklahoma City. She moved with her family from Indianapolis in July. Although she was once very active, running six half marathons in her thirties, Christina was diagnosed with cancer after the birth of her youngest daughter. Being a working mother and cancer survivor took her away from her fitness goals, but Christina joined Strong Together to set a good example for her three kids.

Shannon Snow was born and raised in Oklahoma City and now is raising her three sons, ages 8, 19 and 22, in Edmond. Her journey toward a healthier life actually began last August when she started running to try to shed the 50 pounds of extra weight she was carrying. She was successful in the weight loss and completed a half marathon earlier this year. She hopes to complete the eight weeks of Strong Together training and move on toward training for a full marathon.

Piper Riggs is a brand new mom and the executive director of Edmond Mobile Meals. After giving birth to her son eight months ago, she has had a hard time getting back in shape. Although she once found herself mak-ing excuses to not get back into shape after having a baby, Piper has found a way to make her health a priority through Strong Together.

GEORGEANNA JOHNSON

CHRISTINA MUSHI-BRUNT,

PIPER RIGGS & SHANNON SNOW

PHOTO BY STEFFANIE HALLEY

Find goods for home & family atCollected Thread

local shopping

BY M.A. SMITH- CONTRIBUTING WRITER

PHOTOS BY SHEVAUN WILLIAMS, PROVIDED BY COLLECTED THREAD


Walk into Collected Thread in Oklahoma City’s up-and-coming Plaza District, and you just might be greeted by a tiny, unofficial staff member named Noah.

Noah is the almost-two-year-old son of the owner of the shop, Lindsay Zodrow, who relishes the opportunity to present locally-made goods and show her son how much fun it is to own a business at the same time. The Plaza District has come to life with restaurants and retail shops since Collected Thread opened there six years ago. Located just off of N. Blackwelder and N.W. 16th, the handmade boutique is known for its collection of unique styles and selections. From jewelry and home decorations to clothing and baby items, Zodrow said she likes to collect a little bit of everything.

Collected Thread was the first retail estab-lishment in the historic area. Zodrow said the location cultivates an artistic appeal to local artists and retail shops. It is this merger of creativity and business that pulled her to the area.

“I chose the Plaza District because it was such a blank slate, and I wanted to see it be-come an art district for young, unestablished artists,” Zodrow said. “We wanted to help improve the area and make it a place others wanted to visit and see.”

Collected Thread derives its name from birds that collect material to build a nest. Like its feathery friends, the shop looks to new and

exciting creators to liven up the space.

“My husband came up with the name. Like the birds collect twigs, we collect artists from around the area,” Zodrow said. “It’s a very codependent relationship.”

In its sixth year, Zodrow said Collected Thread is the realization of one of her child-hood hobbies, crafting. It was this passion that motivated her to take the leap and start her new business. She met a seamstress and other artists who also shared her love of creating unique items, and they started a traveling art show. The venture was so pop-ular, she decided to take another jump into the business world.


As a studio art major at Oklahoma State University, she knew the difficulties artists have making a living from their work. She opened Collected Thread to showcase her own creations and the work of artists around Oklahoma City.

Currently, Zodrow features more than a hundred items in her store, created by about 65 artists. She said more than 50 percent of the items are created by local artists.

“We are crazy about our city, creating and encouraging community around us and finding well-made handmade items. One of our favorite things is when makers use an old trade to create something modern and unique. It is thrilling. We love getting to support and encourage other makers, artists and designers. It is something that we truly treasure,” Zodrow said.

Even though the shop has been very success-ful, Zodrow admitted it wasn’t easy in the beginning.

“I didn’t have a clue as to what I was doing. I was an art major in college and had no business experience,” she said. “It has been a real learning experience trying to figure out what I am doing and doing it well.”

Zodrow’s commitment to helping a variety of local artists has benefited the shop’s inventory pool. While the store has seen many unique items, the most popular items currently at the store are images created in wood by local artist Jackie Miller, who creates portraits of women and other scenes using wood burning techniques. She then highlights it with water-color and acrylic paints.

Another popular selection new to Collected Thread is the baby gift registry. Like other stores, guests can choose the handmade items they would like receive. What’s more, if guests don’t receive the items they want on their list, Zodrow gives them a 10 per-cent discount toward those items. Popular registry items include teething rings and handmade leather baby moccasins. Collected Thread also sells hair bows, onesies, organic cotton baby dolls and a rattle shaped liked Oklahoma. While business is going great, Zodrow said she still has big dreams and goals for her store.

“I really want to collaborate with local artists more. Six years ago when I first opened, I was in my mid-twenties and the store reflected my taste,” she said. “Now I’m older and my tastes are redefining the feel of the store.”

However, Zodrow said she wants to stay small and local. She has no plans to expand to another location or open any more stores at this time. Instead, she focuses more on her relationships and family. Zodrow said one of the best aspects of owning the store is the ability to raise her son, Noah, in an envi-ronment that she loves and can instill that passion in him as well.

“He greets the customers and loves to show them the toys he’s playing with,” Zodrow said. “Getting to raise my son in an environ-ment where he gets to see these people who are passionate about things they are pursuing is just as important to me as the store itself. I’m really excited to see what that is going to instill in him when he’s older.”


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MetroFamily Magazine October 2014