1 hometown living at its best @PamandBarrysTeam pamandbarrysteam 3908 NW Elm Ave., Suite 200 Lawton, OK 73505 Call us to SELL YOUR HOME FAST & FOR TOP DOLLAR! PAMandBARRY.com If your home is currently listed, this is not an attempt to secure a listing. Each office is independently owned and operated. *Reflects both listing and sales sides. *In medium sized teams category. *In medium sized teams category. Whether you are Buying or Selling, put your trust in our team’s proven results. PAMandBARRY.com | 580.248.8800 FREE & INSTANT HOME VALUE Over 23 Years and Over 12,500 HOMES SOLD!
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4 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group Contents On the Cover 10 HELPING THE HUNGRY The Lawton Food Bank has helped the community’s needy for more than 40 years and feeds approximately 1,600 families each month. 18 HOMETOWN HAPPENING Pretty in Pink Chamber Banquet 22 KNOW YOURSELF BE YOURSELF All About Understanding aims to understand, encourage and motivate. 30 HOMETOWN HAPPENING Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering 34 DREAM BIG, GIVE BIG Rachel Elizalde proves dreams do come true for foster kids and hopes to inspire others. 44 LIFELONG LESSONS The Comanche County Saddle & Sirloin helps local youth explore the field of agriculture. 54 HOMETOWN COOKIN’ Three tasty recipes that are perfect for the fall 60 A LEGACY OF SERVICE The women of Junior League of Lawton clock hundreds of volunteer hours annually around the community, and they’re just getting started. 70 INNOVATION TODAY IMPACTING TOMORROW FISTA Innovation Park is a unique space where defense contractors, technology companies and academic institutions can collaborate. 78 4-H SPOTLIGHT Breslyn Morrison 84 WHERE THERE’S A WILL THERE’S A WAY The United Way of Southwest Oklahoma’s Community Investment Community is dedicated to the dollars – making sure they stretch and ensuring they make a difference to the nonprofits they benefit. 10 22 70
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6 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group Lawton Living Magazine© is published bi-annually by Hometown Media Group, LLC. hometownmedia.group 502 N Main Street PMB 116 | Weatherford, TX 76086 817.599.6167 | PROUDLY PRINTED IN THE USA All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Advertising is subject to omission, errors, and other changes without notice. Getting your shirt stuck on the drawer pull, a fly that keeps buzzing in your ear, people chewing loudly, slow drivers; these are all things that are generally annoying. An addition I would also add to the list is buying a house. The past several months have been a rollercoaster as we have tried to navigate the buying and selling of in a tough market. After one particularly long week of house drama, we received our inspection report to discover that unknown to us, we had a carpenter ant infestation and HVAC issues. That was the breaking point for me. I curled up in my reading chair and gave in to self-pity, only to open my phone and immediately see a video of a surviving camper from Camp Mystic singing her own version of “Hallelujah” that she rewrote as a tribute to the young lives lost in the tragic flooding this summer. Perspective hit me like a freight train, and it was then that I remembered that in the grand scheme of life, this time of frustration would be a mere blip on the radar. Time is funny that way. A year can feel endless if you’re waiting for a vacation, but if you were told you had a year to live, the days would fly. I’ve been trying lately to reframe my thinking during those “annoying” moments that hijack my mood. It’s okay to feel what we feel, but learning to put those emotions in perspective can completely shift our mindset. Our house saga will eventually reach its conclusion. It may not be wrapped up neatly with a bow, but God’s plan far surpasses my timeline. As you flip through this issue, I hope you’ll carry the word “perspective” with you. Many of the stories you’ll read here feature people and organizations in our community who embody positivity, resilience, and a renewed outlook on life. As always, thank you to our advertising partners for helping us share the stories that make up Lawton. If you have your own story, photo, idea or suggestion to share, please reach out anytime (office@hometownmedia.group)! Hello Lawton! WRITERS Sabrina Forse Reanna Gonzalez Sara Hook Ellen Slater Hannah Turner Becca Nelson Sankey PHOTOGRAPHERS Wild Oaks Photography ON THE COVER Photo by High Caliber Creative Casey Perkins Executive Publisher Lindsey Kruger Marketing & Client Relations lindsey@hometownmedia.group Susan Avery Lead Creative Design Brooke Graham Social Media Editor Camela Dietrich Accounts Receivable accounting@hometownmedia.group Kayla Durham Sales Account Executive kayla@hometownmedia.group “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” - 2 Corinthians 4:18 Brooke Graham
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10 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group Written by ELLEN SLATER | Provided by LAWTON FOOD BANK HUNGRY HELPING THE The Lawton Food Bank has helped the community's needy for more than 40 years and feeds approximately 1,600 families each month.
11 hometown living at its best TThe Lawton Food Bank provides food and other resources to 44,000 low-income residents in Southwest Oklahoma each year. The majority of those served by the Food Bank are families struggling to make ends meet, chronically hungry children and seniors on fixed incomes. The non-profit agency has several programs to help those in need according to Ellen Lechel, Food Bank Director. "Our Emergency Food Assistance Program serves those who are at or below the poverty line," said Lechel. "People can visit the Food Bank to receive a box containing food such as bread, fresh produce, meat, frozen food, and shelf stable pantry items. The agency also provides individuals and families such things as personal hygiene items, diapers, formula and cleaning supplies. Clients can use the drive-through lane at the Food Bank each Monday/Wednesday from 10 a.m. -1 p.m. and Tuesday/Thursday between 1-5:30 p.m. For those who don't have cars, they can use public transportation to get to the food bank. We try to make it as easy as possible for those in need to receive a food box." The Food Bank also hosts 'Produce Pop-In' days on the second Friday of each month, from March to December. "Our clients can pick four to six bags of the fresh produce they'd like," said Lechel. The Food Bank also provides a Senior Food Box to 216 seniors assigned to the program. "Each senior in the household receives their own box," said Lechel. "Our senior clients get their monthly box in addition to the emergency food if needed." Additionally, the Food Bank also coordinates with the Students Life Department at Cameron University to help students in need. "There are students on campus who are on limited budgets," she said. "Representatives from Student Life pick up food for them the last Friday of each month, so they don't have to miss class."
12 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group The Lawton Food Bank was established in 1985 by Carter and Marilyn Crane. The organization is a partner agency with the Regional Food Bank of Southwest Oklahoma, as well as the United Way of Southwest Oklahoma. Some of the food the agency receives is provided the United States Department of Agriculture 's Emergency Food Assistance program. "Those in need simply have to fill out an application and meet the requirements to receive food," said Lechel. "Many clients are able to receive food the same day." Lechel has served as Director of the Lawton Food Bank for three years. She says the Food Bank has helped many in need since its inception in 1985. "We make a huge impact on the community. We help provide our clients with a bit of stability in their household," she said. "It can make a difference if they're not having to use the money to buy groceries, that money can be put toward utility bills, rent or medicine." According to Lechel, her favorite aspect of working as Director of the Food Bank is connecting people with the resources they need. "Knowing that we're making a huge difference in the day-to-day lives of our clients is very rewarding," she states. "We have so many families in need—sometimes they sit in the drive through line for food more than two hours, and they're so grateful to receive it."
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14 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group Volunteers are always needed at the Food Bank. On-site volunteer activities include sorting donations, assembling food boxes as well as loading food into client's cars, "Many of our volunteers are retirees, high school students in need of volunteer hours, or people with community service hours to fulfill," said Lechel. Volunteers must be 16 or older. Children aged 8-15 who'd like to volunteer must be accompanied by an adult. According to Lechel, the agency's busiest time of year is May-December. "Those are the times of year when we 're most in need of donations and extra volunteers." Food Drives also provide a great opportunity for community members to give back to those in need. In the past, local banks, utility companies, the Junior League, churches, and even the Lawton High School Wolverines have held food drives. "Food Drives are a phenomenal way to help," she said. "We provide the collection bins, and then pick them up after the event." The Food Bank also always welcomes monetary donations Lechel said. "Because we can buy food from our partners at a cheaper cost, monetary donations go a long way. Our clients are elderly, disabled, or living below the poverty line," she said. "Our programs make a huge difference in their lives." † For those interested in volunteering at the Food Bank or hosting a Food Drive, visit their website at: lawtonfoodbank.org.
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HILLIARY.COM (580)529-5000 Always Innovating because every community matters 17 hometown living at its best
HOMETOWN Happenings
19 hometown living at its best Pretty in Pink On June 13th the Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce held their annual banquet with this year’s theme "Pretty in Pink" at the Hilton Garden Inn. Over 550 guests wore their best pink attire and enjoyed an evening of celebration, networking, a live and silent auction and delicious food and spirits. The chamber offers “a heartfelt THANK YOU to our amazing sponsors, partners, volunteers, and attendees for making this event unforgettable. Your support helps us continue to champion growth and progress across Lawton Fort Sill.” From vibrant energy to powerful connections, it was an evening filled with celebration, community, and all things PINK. BANQUET Provided by LAWTON-FORT SILL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2025 Award Recipients Rising Star | Kirks EMS Outstanding Military Business | Hilton Garden Inn Redcoat of the Year | Susan Secor Redcoat Rookie of the Year | Ken Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award | Lawton Firefighters Association Shelia O’ Lee Award | Laci Kavanagh Wayne Gilley Award | Ronda Norrell
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22 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group Know Yourself. Be Yourself. ALL ABOUT UNDERSTANDING AIMS TO UNDERSTAND, ENCOURAGE AND MOTIVATE.
23 hometown living at its best V Written by SABRINA FORSE | Photos by THROUGH MOVEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY Voices shout negative messages from everywhere, whether it’s television, social media, friends, bullies and even the voices in our own heads. These voices tell us how to act, dress, or tell us we’re not enough. All About Understanding (ABU) aims to silence those voices and change the narrative. “We want kids and young adults to have the confidence to be themselves, identify and control their emotions, and be okay with making mistakes. We want them to understand that making mistakes is how they grow. Our key message is know yourself, be yourself,” said Glen Gatling. Gatling is the Founder and Director of All About Understanding. It’s a non-profit organization created for youth and young adults, ages twelve to twenty-five. Those in the program affectionately call him Mr. G. “The vision came about in 2019. My oldest daughter was struggling at the time with some mental health challenges and wasn’t getting the resources she needed at school. As parents, we realized that there was a gap in the social and emotional needs of kids that
24 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group traditional classrooms couldn’t meet, which led to her mental health challenges. We wanted to create a program to bridge that gap for these very real-life situations.” The Know Yourself, Be Yourself curriculum is offered as individual sessions, group mentoring, lectures, workshops, team building, community presentations and more. “Our strategy is to first and foremost sit down and have a conversation. We want to give a safe space to speak about whatever is on their mind. We have an activity where they draw the first thing that comes to their mind. That lesson leads to the gift of expression, communication, self-awareness and decision making.” As the mentors and students work together, the students realize their value and build confidence. “We have seen great success with the program. We have a group of students who started when they were freshmen in high school, so we’ve seen them change their lives. We’ve seen kids be the first to graduate in their families. We’ve seen them break generational curses of not following their parents into the prison system. We’ve worked with young men who were living in a group home after being in the juvenile detention center. They took our program, were motivated, and encouraged. They went on to graduate and one went into the military.”
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26 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group Gatling and his team hope to motivate and encourage these young adults to find their purpose and passion. “Society may tell us that when you turn eighteen, you are an adult, but I didn’t have everything figured out when I turned eighteen. You are being put to the test and being faced with new experiences and transitions so it’s when you need encouragement.” The curriculum also offers life skills such as assistance seeking employment, goal setting, money management, personal health, problem solving and legal issues. Part of guiding youth in the right path includes community involvement. Each year, All About Understanding hosts an End of the Year School Bash, a Kickball Slip-N-Slide game and the ABU Fashion Extravaganza. As he developed All About Understanding Gatling found his purpose as well. “This really opened my eyes and changed my mindset. When I graduated high school, I went to college for an accounting degree and then into the military. I was always chasing something out of desperation instead of taking what I love and creating my own path,” said Gatling. “Since then, I went back to school for a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in social work, and now I am a licensed counselor.”
27 hometown living at its best As the program grows, Gatling would like to see All About Understanding build a community center in the future. “Since Covid, there are more kids using home learning, virtual or other platforms. That creates a disadvantage on social and emotional development. A community center could deliver that curriculum all day every day.” All About Understanding is available to anyone ages 12 to 25 in the Lawton-Fort Sill area. Mr. G is ready to help young people change the narrative and make friends in the process. “We understand that you can’t succeed by yourself. We talk about your social circle, the value of your team and following the right people, “said Gatling. “We can’t stress enough the value of being yourself in an era where we are constantly challenged and dictated to know who we should be. Know yourself. Be yourself.” † AllAboutUnderstanding.org fyi
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HOMETOWN Happenings
31 hometown living at its best At the 4C Cowboy Music and Poetry Gathering on August 16 at the Cache Creek Cowboy Church in Lawton, a good crowd gathered to enjoy music and poetry and to benefit the Lawton Food Bank. The all-day affair was followed by an evening Cowboy Country Showcase. Admission to the Gathering was a donation of a nonperishable food item, while the Showcase was $20 per ticket. Food donations exceeded 900 pounds, while tickets brought in $400. Dave Edwards, International Western Music Association member donated 2 Zager acoustic guitars that brought in $525 at auction, enabling the food bank to receive a $1000 cash donation! IWMA OK chapter member Ron Secoy hosted the Gathering while members Aspen Black and Donald Kevin Tuckfield shouldered the duties of emcee for both shows, respectively. The first ever annual event featured Oklahoma Cowboy Poet Laureates Jay Snider and Francine Roark Robison with Ed Meyer, Glenn Murray, Randy Lynn Shelley, William (Dub) Loyd, Therron Michael Carlson, Curtis Krigbaum, Robert Beene, Kenney Fields, Dan Hutchins, Smokey Culver, Billy Tumbleweed, Aspen Black, Devon Dawson, Teresa Burleson, Amilya Lee, Don Williams, and Lily Anderson, KLAW radio personality Jeri Anderson interviewed several IWMA members during her live broadcast of the event. 4C Cowboy MUSIC & POETRY Provided by RON SECOY | PHOTOS BY DEE DODSON
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34 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group Written by REANNA GONZALEZ | Photos by REANNA GONZALEZ and provided by RACHEL ELIZALDE RACHEL ELIZALDE PROVES DREAMS DO COME TRUE FOR FOSTER KIDS AND HOPES TO INSPIRE OTHERS. DREAM BIG Give Back
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36 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group RRachel Elizalde, the owner of the newest art gallery in Lawton, Studio Azul, has been creating art her whole life. Rachel spent the early years of her life in an artist’s household, so she was exposed to different creative avenues. She dabbled in art always but didn’t take it seriously until she was older. When Rachel was eight, she moved to Lawton and was placed in a foster home. She lived in the Lawton community until she was sixteen before moving to Arizona where she completed high school. From there she lived in California where she fell in love with the ocean, as it reminded her of where she came from and served as a symbol of resilience. Two years ago, Rachel moved back to Lawton and decided to pursue photography, which supplied her with a creative outlet she felt was profitable. She was making props and signs and doing photoshoots to make a living but was seeking an avenue that allowed her more artistic liberty that catered to her voice. This led her to dream of opening a photography studio. However, within a few years she began to fall in love with painting. It took a lot of time to perfect the craft, resulting in her sacrificing the time she’d been dedicating to photography. From that point on, her dream morphed into opening an art studio. “I think I knew I was meant to be a painter when I was just nine years old,” Rachel said. When she first began painting, she was immediately drawn to bright colors. Though she was originally self-conscious of her use of bold acrylic colors, she quickly learned to accept the colors as part of her artistic voice. She described it as “painting from her soul,” although she’d lived through experiences that made her world dark, the bright colors brought light to her world.
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38 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group In December of 2024, she stumbled upon an opportunity to make her dream a reality when she discovered a vacant spot in a local business strip. Realizing the potential of the place, she jumped at the opportunity. With the help of friends who contributed time, supplies, and money, it soon transformed into the art studio she had been envisioning, Studio Azul. Throughout the process of getting the studio ready to open, she knew she wanted it to be a beacon of hope to inspire kids in the community and other local artists. As a child living in Lawton, she stayed at Marie Detty Youth & Family Services for a time, and she now regularly plans events at the studio for the girls living under Marie Detty’s care. Rachel opened the studio with the desire to have somewhere to display her own art but soon realized that it could provide more for the community. “I wanted to show them that even at my age, someone who experienced what they have can follow their dreams and be successful,” Rachel shared. Shortly after this realization, she began finding other local artists to display their art in the space, making it a complete art gallery. Rachel noted that, since then, she’s seen an outpour of love from businesses and other artists in the community. She admitted that many of the artists in the studio tell her that she inspires them, but she feels just as inspired by their work each day as she enters the gallery and sees their art hanging on the walls. In the last few months, she’s also begun holding art classes and painting events at the studio. There are classes for kids and classes for adults. Her favorite part of hosting these events is seeing people’s faces as they realize they’re capable of producing art. “I believe everyone is creative, they just have to learn to tap into it,” Rachel said. She’s an artist from the Bay area that aims to capture the strength and beauty of the ocean in a way that inspires others to reflect those qualities. She wants her work to evoke feelings of happiness and peace through the colorful visions of sunsets and ocean wildlife. Creating art transports her to another world, and she hopes that viewers get that same experience when they look at her work. As a testament to her passion for inspiring others, when she held the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the gallery, she dedicated it to the foster kids of Lawton. Some of the foster girls from Marie Detty were able to attend the event. Rachel recalled that they seemed nervous
39 hometown living at its best to be there at first but were clearly excited by the end of it. She said a couple of the girls approached her and thanked her, telling her that they’d never felt seen or cared about by a stranger before. She expanded on this, saying that her desire was to inspire foster kids, but also to heal a part of herself, the child in her that endured what those girls have. She strongly believes that her purpose in life is to help kids that have gone through things that not everyone understands, but she does. She believes helping them helps herself. “I hope to one day touch the world, and that’s not impossible, but me being here is better for the kids I can help,” Rachel concluded. † Studio Azul is located at 5119 NW Cache Rd. To contact the studio and learn more about Rachel’s mission or the classes she offers, call her at 580-215-8235 or follow their Facebook page at Studio Azul by Rachel Elizalde.
40 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group Lawton Community Theatre Introducing our 2025-2026 Season Introducing our 2025-2026 Season NOVEMBER 14-16 & 20-23 2025 NOISE OFF IS PRESENTED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH CONCORD THEATRICALS WWW.CONCORD THEATRICALS.COM by Michael Frayn SWEENEY TODD IS PRESENTED THROUGH SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (MTI). ALL AUTHORIZED PERFORMANCE MATERIALS ARE ALSO SUPPLIED BY MTI. WWW.MTISHOWS.COM FEBRUARY 20-22 & 26-March 1 2026 ORIGINALLY DIRECTED ON BROADWAY BY HAROLD PRINCE ORCHESTRATIONS BY JOHNATHAN TUNICK ORIGINALLY PRODUCED ON BROADWAY BY RICHARD BARR, CHARLES WOODWARD, ROBERT FRYER, MARY LEA JOHNSON, MARTIN RICHARDS IN ASSOCIATION WITH DEAN AND JUDY MANOS A MUSICAL THRILLER MUSIC & LYRICS BY STEPHEN SONDHEIM BOOK BY HUGH WHEELER FROM AN ADAPTION BY CHRISTOPHER BOND An MTI Production by special arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh Book, Music & Lyrics By Lionel Bart Freely adapted from Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist JUNE 12-14 & 18-21 2026 FUNDING and/or SUPPORT FOR THIS EVENT IS PARTIALLY PROVIDED BY THE CITY OF LAWTON HOTEL-MOTEL TAX FUND FUNDING and/or SUPPORT FOR THIS EVENT IS PARTIALLY PROVIDED BY THE CITY OF LAWTON HOTEL-MOTEL TAX FUND “Community is our Middle Name” Call the Box Office at 580-355-1600 or visit our website www.lawtoncommunitytheatre.com for tickets. 1316 NW Bell Ave • Lawton, OK 73507 Call the Box Office at 580-355-1600 or visit our website www.lawtoncommunitytheatre.com for tickets. 1316 NW Bell Ave • Lawton, OK 73507
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LESSONS Lifelong 44 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group
45 hometown living at its best C THE COMANCHE COUNTY SADDLE & SIRLOIN HELPS LOCAL YOUTH EXPLORE THE FIELD OF AGRICULTURE. Written by SARA HOOK | Photos by HIGH CALIBER CREATIVE Cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, the youth of Lawton have done it all, and the Comanche County Saddle & Sirloin Club is committed to making sure they can continue to explore, appreciate, and grow in agriculture. Every year the club raises money for the youth, giving back to them through the Comanche County Spring Livestock Show and Premium Sale. Over 200 4H and FFA youth gather for the event each year, showing off the animals they’ve put months of effort into raising. The show and sale have been around for decades, and is an incredibly important part of the community, especially the local agriculture community. In fact, many volunteers and organizers participated in the livestock show as youth. “We’ve got a board that’s comprised of a lot of local leaders and local individuals that were mostly all rooted in agriculture and have gone through the Comanche County Saddle & Sirloin at some point,” chairman Brett Bain said. “Those people help put on the show.” For many, the Comanche County Saddle & Sirloin is a multi-generational event. Bain himself was involved in the program as a kid, and Bain’s two children both show now as well. “[I’ve] just been rooted in it my whole life,” Bain said. “Thats kind of shaped what I’ve done, and my whole life since I was a kid.”
46 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group The show experience is important for many reasons: it gives local youth a sense of the agricultural industry, it teaches them how to care for animals, and it teaches them lifelong lessons about finance, hard work, and showmanship. Competitors can range from ages 9 to 18. Many participate in the show year after year, and many travel to compete in multiple shows each year, Bain said. Raising the animals can cost a lot of money, and traveling makes that expense even greater. Those expenses make the premium sale especially important. “Not only are these individuals showing at our livestock show, but they’re also traveling around the state and some of them nationally to show these livestock and the money that’s spent for travel and for feed and the purchase of the animal is quite substantial,” Bain said. “For me it was phenomenal to have that money to help pay for the project, so I know for all these kids today it is as well.” The money Saddle & Sirloin contributes is raised through the annual Take Stock in Kids
THE SHOW EXPERIENCE IS IMPORTANT FOR MANY REASONS: IT GIVES LOCAL YOUTHS A SENSE OF THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY, IT TEACHES THEM HOW TO CARE FOR ANIMALS, AND IT TEACHES THEM LIFELONG LESSONS ABOUT FINANCE, HARD WORK, AND SHOWMANSHIP. 47 hometown living at its best
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49 hometown living at its best dinner and auction. Sponsors buy tables or donate items for the live and silent auctions, and guests can enjoy live music and dancing. This past July, Take Stock in Kids raised over 110,000 dollars for the livestock show. None of that money goes towards putting on the show itself—Saddle & Sirloin has a separate fundraiser for that. Each dollar raised during Take Stock in Kids goes directly to the youth as the club raises the floor for the spring premium sale. Competitors in the livestock show also have the opportunity to apply for scholarships. “We’re always looking for more people to get involved and always trying to raise more money,” Bain said. “All that money goes back to the youth, to try to help pay for the projects: the cattle, the pigs, sheep.” The livestock show is almost a year-round project, Bain said, but the week prior involves everything from preparing the grounds of the Great Plains Coliseum to setting up pens for the animals to be shown. It’s a substantial investment of time and money for many in Lawton, all with the goal of educating local youth. After all, lessons learned through animal husbandry and agriculture can be applied across a multitude of fields, whether someone goes into agriculture as a career or not. So many have been blessed to be a part of that experience, and the Comanche County Saddle & Sirloin Club will continue to pass on the training and experience they received as kids to the next generation. There is no doubt that Lawton and Comanche County are better for it. †
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Magpie Inn’s Dutch Baby INGREDIENTS: • 3 large eggs • ½ cup whole milk • ½ cup all-purpose flour • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract • Pinch of salt • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Place a 10-inch ovenproof skillet (cast iron preferred) in the oven to heat. 2. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, flour, sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth. 3. Carefully remove the hot skillet, add butter, and swirl to coat. Pour batter into the skillet and return to the oven. 4. Bake for 12–15 minutes until puffed and golden brown. SEASONAL FILLINGS: At Magpie Inn, we love to highlight whatever is fresh and local: Summer: Peaches or your favorite summer fruit Fall: Cinnamon-spiced apples Spring: Lemon curd and fresh blueberries Winter: Cranberry-orange compote The possibilities are endless—just top your Dutch Baby with fresh fruit, whipped cream, powdered sugar, or a drizzle of syrup to match the season. Pro Tip: Flavor your whipped cream with extract of your choice to take things to the next level. Some of our favorites are: maple, orange, and vanilla HOMETOWN Cookin’ 54 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group
HOMETOWN Cookin’ Spicy Sidekick Sausage Bites INGREDIENTS: • 1 package Eckrich (or similar) Polish sausage, sliced into bite-sized rounds • Fresh jalapeños, sliced into thin rounds • Brown sugar, for sprinkling • Bacon strips, cut in half • Toothpicks INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup. 2. Top each sausage slice with a jalapeño slice. Sprinkle lightly with brown sugar. 3. Wrap each stack with half a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick. 4. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and caramelized. 5. Serve hot—they’re sweet, smoky, spicy, and totally addictive! Sure to be a total touchdown! (Perfect for Game Day) 55 hometown living at its best
Roasted Brown Sugar Pears with Honey Vanilla Yogurt & Granola INGREDIENTS: • Fresh pears, halved and cored • Brown sugar (about 1 tablespoon per pear half) • Honey vanilla yogurt (store-bought or homemade) • Granola, for serving INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). 2. Halve the pears and gently remove the core to create a small well. 3. Sprinkle each pear half with brown sugar, filling the cored center generously. 4. Roast on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 10–15 minutes, or until the pears are tender and the sugar is melted and caramelized. 5. To serve, spoon honey vanilla yogurt onto a plate or shallow bowl, top with the warm roasted pears, and sprinkle with granola. Serve immediately. Tip: This simple, elegant dessert can also be served as a decadent breakfast or brunch option! HOMETOWN Cookin’ 56 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group
57 hometown living at its best MIKE LEAL
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60 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group O The women of Junior League of Lawton clock hundreds of volunteer hours annually around the community, and they’re just getting started. A LEGACY OF Service Over the last 77 years, generations of women have poured into the Lawton community through countless service projects and volunteer hours with their mission in mind— to advance women’s leadership...collaboration and training. “It’s kind of a simple mission,” said Paige McLaughlin, Junior League of Lawton president, “We look for opportunities in our community to get involved, get in there and get our hands dirty and make it better.” Written by HANNAH TURNER | Photos provided by JUNIOR LEAGUE OF LAWTON
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62 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group When McLaughlin and her husband moved to Lawton in 2017, she was looking for opportunities to connect with others and the community. “I had a friend who was involved with Junior League,” McLaughlin said. “The idea of getting involved with an organization that would let me volunteer and give back was appealing to me, and the opportunity to meet other women in the community and make friendships, and as we started having our kids, having a support group to help raise kids with, was really appealing.” It is McLaughlin’s sixth year in Junior League of Lawton, taking office as president in August 2025. Partner Agencies The Junior League currently has four outside partner agencies they work with on a consistent basis: Lawton Food Bank, Pat Henry Elementary, Marie Detty New Directions Women’s Shelter and Marie Detty Parker Pointe Girls Home. Any given week, women from Junior League serve these organizations doing everything from packing boxes and tending the drive line at the food bank to putting on teacher appreciation events at Pat Henry Elementary, planning monthly events to spend time with the girls at Parker Pointe, putting on a wide variety of outreach events at New Directions organized by first year members and much more. The vision of Junior League is to end food insecurity, gender-based violence and poverty, promote the advancement of childhood education, and improve health outcomes and disparities. Outside of their four partner organizations, Junior League of Lawton works with other organizations on an as-needed basis who serve in these focus areas. “There are a lot of non-profits, and charities and groups in our community that are doing a lot of things really really well,” McLaughlin said. “So if we can step in and help them do that, help bridge that gap, whatever they need, that’s what we want to do for them.”
63 hometown living at its best Diaper Bank In September of 2022, the Junior League saw an unmet need in the community and started an in-house community outreach project: a diaper bank to collect, pack and distribute diapers to other non-profits in town. Since its inception, the diaper bank has distributed over 150,000 diapers. The diaper bank, which has gained momentum very quickly, has blessed not only the citizens of Lawton, but the members of Junior League as well. “It has given us an opportunity to flourish as an organization. Since it is all in house, we spend a lot of time together,” McLaughlin said. “It has really helped our friendships build and our relationships build. Just the number of women in our organization that are passionate about it, because we’ve been there or we are there, we understand the need. It is very personal to us.” While the Junior League received a grant from Classic Chevy of Lawton to support the diaper bank, they are always looking for diaper donations to keep up with increasing demand. From diaper drives for Diaper Needs Awareness Week to the first big diaper bank fundraiser – a bowling tournament in October 2025 – Junior League is dedicated to supporting local parents through this initiative.
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65 hometown living at its best Membership Members of Junior League come from all walks of life and professions with a common goal, to set aside time in their busy lives to be catalysts for change in their community. “We aren’t women looking for things to do anymore,” McLaughlin said. “We are women who have plenty to do who are willing to sacrifice something to give back.” Members must be women, at least 21 years of age and willing to spend approximately 20 hours per year in volunteer community service. To become a member, women have a meeting with Junior League leadership, fill out an application, and fulfill a dues requirement, after which they spend one provisional year before entering the sisterhood of the Junior League. Looking Ahead Looking forward, the women of Junior League of Lawton desire to continue the legacy of service that’s been fostered since 1947. “The Junior League has been a staple in this community for a long time, and that’s a legacy we want to maintain. We want to be good stewards of the work the women before us have put in,” McLaughlin said. “When we invest in our community, we can do that.” † FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MEMBERSHIP OR UPCOMING EVENTS, VISIT JLLAWTON.ORG.
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Gardentown is honored to be a part of your family’s celebrations. As Duncan’s premier garden center, we look forward to helping you get your home or business ready for the holidays. Moving into chillier weather and shorter days, Gardentown transforms into a winter wonderland of fresh cut Christmas trees, poinsettias and a wide selection of gifts. The greenhouses display hundreds of the freshest, longestlasting poinsettias you’ll find in town for your home and church displays. Choose from traditional hand-wrapped poinsettias or let Gardentown’s plant experts create a unique one-ofa-kind arrangement. Gardentown now has 50,000 square feet of growing capacity. With five decades of experience cultivating plants that thrive in Oklahoma, we are a homegrown operation that offers more than products. We offer the care and attention their customers need to be successful. Gardentown will continue to service our customers and community and look forward to being a part of your holidays for generations to come. GARDENTOWN ... your go-to holiday garden center. 5360 N. Hwy 81 | Duncan, OK 73533 | 580.255.2633 | Find us on Facebook at Gardentown Nursery Take it Outside at Gardentown > Annuals > Perennials > Hanging Baskets > Trees & Shrubs > Landscaping > Outdoor Fireplaces > Patio Decor and Gifts > House Plants > Paver Patios > Retaining Walls
70 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group FISTA INNOVATION PARK IS A UNIQUE SPACE WHERE DEFENSE CONTRACTORS, TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS CAN COLLABORATE. Written by ELLEN SLATER | Photos provided by FISTA Innovation TODAY Impacting TOMORROW
71 hometown living at its best FFISTA Innovation Park, located at Central Mall, offers tailor-made commercial spaces, as well as STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) educational programs, government relations assistance and specialized testing facilities. According to President and CEO Dr. Krista Ratliff, the facility is a space where contractors can come to create the latest devices to support the modern warfighter. "Our close proximity to Fort Sill, was the primary driver for our choosing the site for Innovation Park," she said. "We realized malls across the country are closing, so we purchased a portion of the mall space and converted it into our facility." “Our goal for FISTA is to create custom made spaces for the facilities it houses," said Ratliff. "These spaces may include office, engineering, light manufacturing and meeting rooms as well as areas for research and development," she said. "Additionally, these spaces can adhere to the highest security standards, including Top Secret clearance." In the two years since Innovation Park opened, all the available space in the former Sears building has been developed. "We currently have five contractors who want space, but we don't have it available, so we're beginning new
72 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group said Ratliff. "Since its opening, we've created 160 jobs for the Lawton Community, and just recently opened our STEM lab which provides educational opportunity through hands-on learning for students." The 27,000 square foot STEM lab includes advance fabrication machining, additive manufacturing, and prototyping equipment. It gives high school and college students hands-on learning in the areas that are shaping the defense, aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries. "The prototyping lab gives students the chance to take their ideas to fruition, by using stateof-the-art equipment to create prototypes," said Ratliff. According to Vanessa Perez, Instructional Technology Director for Lawton Public Schools, she is looking forward to continuing to collaborate with FISTA. "I think the STEM Lab is going to open doors for our students and give them many learning opportunities," she said. Students and teachers from 3rd grade through high school have the opportunity to travel to the STEM lab from Lawton Public Schools as well as Cache, Elgin, Duncan, Chickasha and Altus Public Schools. Additionally, the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University and Cameron University have space within Innovation Park. "College students have a chance to spend a semester in Lawton and collaborate with students and professors from other universities, while earning their credit hours," said Ratliff.
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75 hometown living at its best During the past year, more than 2,700 students participated in FISTA-based STEM programming, and an additional 1,700 students were reached through external outreach. More than 100 teachers engaged in professional development that tied classroom learning to real-world applications. "We want to give students the opportunity to get the experience in these fields and go onto higher education or stay right here in Lawton and go into technology or engineering jobs after high school," said Ratliff. When Innovation Park opened more than two years ago, it was designed to support Fort Sill Army Base. The facility has now expanded to support other military installations. And although there are other facilities similar to Innovation Park across the country, FISTA is unique in that it represents many sectors of the Lawton community. "We're the only facility in the country that has representatives from the private and public sectors, as well as commercial and defense and academia," said Ratliff. "FISTA has also collaborated with representatives from the Lawton City Council, Chamber of Commerce and local non-profits whose goal is to foster a stronger community. "By uniting our efforts, we can drive innovation, empower local talent and build a prosperous community," she added. "This collaboration will create new opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs and skilled workers, and position Lawton as a leader in innovation and technology. † The acronym FISTA stands for: F - Fires- Fort Sill Artillery I - Innovation S - Science T - Technology A - Accelerator
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77 hometown living at its best State Farm, Bloomington, IL Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® Being a good neighbor means being there for my community. As your local State Farm® agent, I’m ready to help whenever you need me. Give me a call. Proud to support the neighborhood Vincent Saylor Agent 2401 W Gore Blvd, Lawton, OK 73505-6302 Bus: 580-699-2771 www.vfsaylorinsurance.com vincent@vfsaylorinsurance.com
BRESLYN MORRISON Photos provided by THE MORRISON FAMILY 4-H SPOTLIGHT NAME: Breslyn Morrison, 15 PARENTS: Nick and Heidi Morrison GRADE: 10th 4-H CLUB: Chattanooga 4-H club & Comanche County Teen Ambassadors
79 hometown living at its best HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN THE 4-H AND PROJECTS? I’ve been in 4-H for 9 years. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE AREA IN 4-H YOU PARTICIPATE IN? I do a lot of workshops and competitions. I also do a lot of volunteer work with the Teen Ambassadors. My favorite part of 4-H is probably working with the younger kids at the workshops. I’m working on planning a space camp workshop early next year. WHAT AWARDS HAVE YOU WON? This year, I won Jr. Hall of Fame, the Citizenship Award, as well as medals for performing arts and citizenship. I also placed in the county and district for cupcake wars and food showdown. In previous years, I’ve won best in show at job readiness and dress review, and I’ve won awards at the pumpkin shows and for fair exhibits. I also placed in the speech contest in 2020 with my speech about the history of space exploration and NASA. HOW HAS BEING A PART OF 4-H PROGRAMS PREPARED YOU FOR YOUR FUTURE/GOALS? I do Performing Arts as one of my project areas. When I was younger, I was really shy, but performing has really helped me come out of my shell. I want to perform professionally someday. WHAT OTHER 4-H PROJECTS HAVE YOU PARTICIPATED IN? With Teen Ambassadors, we built a blessing box. I started a project of putting together hygiene bags and putting those in the box. We’ve put 40 bags in so far, and we have more ready to take.
80 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE THINKING ABOUT JOINING 4-H TO PERSUADE THEM TO JOIN? In 4-H, it’s not just about showing animals. There’s something for everyone. You can do competitions, workshops, volunteer work, and much more. I have been in 4-H for 9 years now, and I’ve never shown an animal. But I still have so much I can do. It’s an incredible experience. OTHER GROUPS/ORGANIZATIONS YOU’RE INVOLVED IN? I do theater and dance at Discovery Outpost Performing Arts. I’m working on my 9th musical right now. My favorite so far was definitely Newsies. We did it this past summer, and it was the best show and cast. WHO IS YOUR MENTOR? My mentor is my teacher, Donna Cook. She goes above and beyond for everyone. She treats all her students as if they were her own kids. This year she is teaching 11 different subjects so she knows we are learning well. She takes the time to get to know each of her students as individuals instead of just students. She is one of the most selfless people I know. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE AND WHAT WILL YOU STUDY? I want to go to The University of Oklahoma, and study performing arts and music. My dad and brother both graduated from OU, and I’d like to continue the tradition. WORDS OF WISDOM OR ADVICE: Find something you want to do and do it. Don’t let anyone stop you.
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82 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group KITCHEN REMODEL BATHROOM REMODEL CABINETS • COUNTERTOPS CERAMIC TILE • PORCELAIN TILE LUXURY VINYL PLANK WOOD FLOORING • CARPET LIGHTING • WINDOW COVERINGS DRAPERIES • HOME DÉCOR • AREA RUGS 1010 SW D Avenue, Lawton, OK 73501 580-248-1315 bradysdesigncenter.com ... designing the world you live in From design consultations to a complete makeover … call Brady’s today! 20’ UTILITY EASEMENT LOT 12A 3.33 acres LOT 11A 3.33 acres LOT 10A 3.33 acres LOT 9A 3.33 acres LOT 8A 3.33 acres LOT 7A 3.33 acres LOT 6A 3.33 acres LOT 5A 3.33 acres LOT 4A 3.33 acres LOT 3A 3.33 acres LOT 2A 3.33 acres LOT 1A 3.33 acres SOLD 3 MILES SOUTH OF LEE BLVD ON DEYO MISSION ROAD LOT 12B 1.67 acres LOT 11B 1.67 acres LOT 10B 1.67 acres LOT 9B 1.67 acres LOT 8B 1.67 acres LOT 7B 1.67 acres LOT 6B 1.67 acres LOT 5B 1.67 acres LOT 4B 1.67 acres LOT 3B 1.67 acres LOT 2B 1.67 acres LOT 1B 1.67 acres SOLD SOLD SOLD 580-510-9983 or Danny @ 580-591-3308
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84 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group FFor at least a decade, Aaron Russell has been the Community Investment Committee co-chair for the United Way of Southwest Oklahoma, but he still vividly remembers one of his first site visits, and how the impact statement unexpectedly brought tears to his eyes. The site visit, which is part of the application process for local agencies that are applying for United Way funding as part of the grant application process, was for Legal Aid. “I didn't really know what the impact would be,” Russell admitted. “I thought it was not going to be as impactful as, say, the Food Bank, where you're seeing a single parent coming in with their kids and getting food.” The visit was comprised of three United Way volunteers, including Russell; the director/attorney of Legal Aid; and a young woman, who turned out to be Legal Aid’s testimony, Russell recalled. “She was very energetic, happy, lit up the room, and her story was the complete opposite,” Russell said. “She had been in an abusive relationship. She had a child with the guy who was abusing her. She had left in the middle of the night. I think she lived in Texas and ended up in Oklahoma, just trying to get on a bus and get out of there.” The woman was referred to Legal Aid, which was able to obtain a restraining order against her abuser, set her up with temporary housing, help THE UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST OKLAHOMA’S COMMUNITY INVESTMENT COMMUNITY IS DEDICATED TO THE DOLLARS – MAKING SURE THEY STRETCH AND ENSURING THEY MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO THE NONPROFITS THEY BENEFIT. Written by BECCA NELSON SANKEY | Photos provided by UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST OKLAHOMA WHERE THERE'S A THERE'S A WAY WILL
85 hometown living at its best her find a job and “totally turn her life around,” Russell said. “I think everybody was crying at one point,” he added. “She was very honest, transparent, and then to see her just so happy and flourishing and really doing well in life just spoke to the impacts that Legal Aid had. That was something I just was not expecting.” Russell said he often shares that story in his trainings “because you don't know what you're walking into and the impact that you're going to have when it comes to dollars.” The CIC is the United Way’s grant allocation process. Partner agencies are nonprofits such as Legal Aid who seek funding from the United Way via grants, which the CIC oversees. “The CIC is essentially how we give the money to the agencies,” Russell explained. “We ask for money year-round, and then this is how we allocate it. Fundraising is the part where you go out into the community and say, ‘For $10—the cost of a cup of Starbucks—you could feed 10 families.’ That message and impact you can see in real time becomes the fun part of the process. Allocating the money is the hard part.” The stories during the site visit weigh on United Way volunteers’ hearts, Russell said. “So many times you leave there, and you’re like, ‘Give them all the money.’ But it’s just not feasible because all the partner agencies are doing incredible things, and they all deserve the money,” he said. Partner agencies submit one or more grants for one or more parts of their nonprofit. Their submissions, along with their site visits, are scored according to a rubric, which determines how much money they receive. Once all the site visits are complete and grant applications are received, United Way volunteers decide who gets how much, a meeting they playfully call “the blood bath,” a tongue-in-cheek nod to the passionate debates that unfold as volunteers advocate for the programs they believe deserve support. The process becomes more difficult every year. “We have literally moved around a nickel before,” Russell said. “A lot of times our fundraising efforts fall short. The price of everything is higher, so our need for funding is always significantly more than the funds that we have available.”
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