April 2025

Everything published in April 2025.

Letter from the Editor·April 28, 2025

April Letter from the Editor

•The editor is reviving a family reunion tradition that lapsed over twenty years ago.
•Family gatherings have declined due to busy schedules, loss of key organizers, and social media.
•COVID-19 disrupted large-scale family events, though some reconnections are now happening online instead.

Community·April 25, 2025

•Spring and fall are ideal planting seasons due to moderate temperatures and established root systems.
•Call 811 before digging to locate utility lines and avoid dangerous, costly mistakes.
•Plan ahead by considering plant height, width, allelopathic compounds, and sunlight requirements.

Food Crush·April 18, 2025

•Work fridge drama unfolds when coworker accuses someone of eating their Pringles.
•The culprit turns out to be the coworker's own spouse who left it open.
•Label all food with your name and date to prevent confusion and theft.

Well-B with Shannon NP·April 15, 2025

•Mindful spring walks reduce stress and anxiety through bilateral movement and intentional pace
•Engaging your senses during walks enhances presence, boosts mood, creativity and heart health
•Start by setting an intention before your walk, then focus on sensory details

Chamber Connection·April 14, 2025

•Chamber Bucks program launched 30 years ago to keep local dollars circulating in Ponca City.
•Phillips 66 Refinery boosted the program by using Chamber Bucks as employee bonuses since 1995.
•Over $250,000 in Chamber Bucks sell annually, ensuring thousands stay within the local economy.

•Spencer and Lindsay Grace organize Beast Feast, raising funds for DDX3X Foundation research.
•The third annual event features 12-15 volunteer cooks preparing exotic wild game dishes.
•Previous Beast Feast events raised $75,000 total, with 100% going to DDX3X Foundation.

Book Reviews·April 8, 2025

•Marie Lu's Stars and Smoke pairs a pop star with a covert agent for a high-stakes spy mission.
•Stars and Smoke blends romance, action, and espionage in an unputdownable page-turner.
•What Happened to Rachel Riley follows a middle schooler navigating a new town and podcast obsession.

Community·April 7, 2025

•University Center at Ponca City is Oklahoma's only remaining university center partnering with accredited colleges.
•The UC partners with Northern Oklahoma College and Northwestern Oklahoma State University for degree programs.
•UC doesn't award degrees itself; all diplomas come from partner schools while classes are taken locally.

Community·April 1, 2025

•Chelsi Hendrickson manages capital projects at Phillips 66 after seven years at Rick Scott Construction.
•She led school facility upgrades including locker rooms, elevators, and stadium improvements on tight budgets.
•At Phillips 66, she manages procurement and budgets for refinery maintenance and capital projects.

You're all caught up