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6 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group Contents 55 BEHIND THE MIC Cameron University’s KCCU-FM has been providing Texoma with well-balanced news and a diverse array of cultural programming for 36 years. 61 COVER CONTEST The results are in! We asked Lawton’s 8-12 year olds, “What is your favorite thing about Lawton?” and received so many incredible submissions reflecting the unique perspectives of our communities budding artists. 76 PREVENTION FINDS POWER An area non-profit finds its most powerful resource. 84 ONE WHO ENCOURAGES Local leader hopes his example will help inspire young people to be physically fit and take on leadership roles. 92 UNLOCKING DOORS, CHANGING LIVES How one woman’s faith unlocked the doors to a bold outreach in Lawton. On the Cover 22 34 12 HOMETOWN GRADUATES Join us in spreading warm wishes and prayers to the class of 2025! 22 A FAMILY FOR FISHY AND FRIENDS A stray dog named Fishy sparked a mission, changing one woman’s life and stray care in Lawton. 30 HOMETOWN HAPPENING Mountain Metro AMBUCS Tykes N Tread Car Show 34 MUSIC & MURALS Justin Hackney put his artistic stamp on Vaska Theatre before completing a series of murals depicting musicians on Lawton staple, Phillips Music. 44 A LEGACY OF COMANCHE ART Painter Rance Hood brought Comanche culture to the canvas in a way that bridged time, bringing the old ways into the now. 50 HOMETOWN HAPPENING Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament 44

8 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. “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” ~ Ecclesiastes 3:11 Time is a funny thing—it stretches and shrinks, lingers and vanishes. As another school year comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on just how quickly it all passes. I’m now the proud mom of a college graduate and a soon-to-be tenth grader. I miss having both of my boys at home, needing their mama in the everyday ways they used to—but I’m so proud of the men they’re becoming. Watching them grow into independence is both beautiful and bittersweet, and this season has tugged at my heart more than I expected. Lately, we’ve seen what feels like endless rain and cloudy skies here in Lawton—and it’s reminded me that even in life, the grey days often bring the most growth. Flowers don’t bloom without the rain, and we don’t grow without challenges, change, and even a little heartache. I’m learning to be present, to find joy in the moment rather than mourn the one that’s passed. God gently reminds me that for better or worse, it won’t be like this for long. Whether your days are flying by or dragging on, one truth remains: tomorrow isn’t promised. My faith in Jesus Christ gives me peace about eternity, but it’s the now I’m clinging to—relationships, family, friendships, and all the small things that make life rich and meaningful. That’s why I love Lawton Living. This magazine captures those everyday moments that matter most. It shares uplifting, community-centered stories that encourage us to pause and take it all in. And this issue is especially close to our hearts. Our cover celebrates the winners of our very first Cover Art Contest—young artists right here in Lawton sharing their creativity with the community. Our hope is to make this contest a cherished tradition, something every young Lawtonian looks forward to. A huge thank you to the local businesses who made this possible through their generous sponsorship. Thank you for being part of this journey. May this issue encourage you to embrace the season you’re in, rain or shine. Kayla Durham Hello Lawton! WRITERS Avery Pullin Becca Nelson Sankey Todd Giles Rebecca Sanchez Sabrina Forse PHOTOGRAPHERS Gerardo Bello Media Wild Oaks Photography ON THE COVER Cover by Clayre Jessye Anderson 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 Elias Avery Creative Design Intern

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12 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group Join us in congratulating them with prayers & well wishes for their future endeavors. Contact our office for information on being featured in our next HOMETOWN GRADUATES SECTION. office@hometownmedia.group 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6

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22 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group A stray dog named Fishy sparked a mission, changing one woman’s life and stray care in Lawton. A Family for Fishy and Friends Written by BECCA NELSON SANKEY | Photos Provided by FISHY’S FRIENDS RESCUE

24 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group AAthena Nielipinkski describes herself as a doer, but others might call the Lawton transplant a go-getter, in the very literal sense. Three years ago, Nielipinkski moved to Lawton from Washington state for her husband’s job. Lawton’s homeless dog population was immediately evident to her, and something to which she was not accustomed. “I would just be driving, and I’d see a dumped homeless dog,” Nielipinkski said. “I had never seen this stuff before.” But it was a pit bull mix, feral, fearful, and pitiful looking, that brought Nielipinkski’s car to a complete halt. “I had gone to the store to get food to make homemade dog food; I had sardines and eggs,” she said. “I saw this dog crossing the street, and it was 18 degrees out. I pulled over and spent hours with him in the cold. He kept eluding me, and the only time he would come back was when I waved a sardine and called, ‘Fishy! Fishy!’” When that didn’t work, Nielipinkski climbed back in her car and sobbed the whole way home. Sightings of Fishy, as Nielipinkski came to call him, began popping up on social media, and Nielipinkski routinely dropped whatever she was doing to drive to his location and attempt to catch him. Despite constant letdowns, she didn’t give up. On March 10, 2024, a date forever ingrained in her mind, Nielipinkski, along with 15 others who were determined to catch Fishy, spent 20 hours in one weekend chasing Fishy. Nielipinkski

25 hometown living at its best was able to catch him after he ran into a fenced-in water tower. While Nielipinkski was sleeping outside with Fishy because he was so feral, the online community group she had started to help catch him mushroomed seemingly overnight. “I was like, ‘Let me make him a Facebook page,’ and that blew up,” she said. “I felt like this town was so hungry for change.” Shortly after making Fishy part of her family, Nielipinkski and her online rescue friends helped nearly 50 more dogs. A month after Nielipinkski saved Fishy, she had in hand her 501(c)(3), the ticket to making dog rescue Fishy’s Friends official. “I didn’t wake up one day and say, ‘Let’s start a rescue,’” she said. “It was the social media reaction that pushed me to do it. We have a full board and staff, but we are all volunteers. We are foster based, only taking in homeless dogs [and adopting or transferring them out]. I treat this like a business that gives back.” Nielipinkski and her Board of Directors studied Lawton’s demographics and the community’s needs as they relate to the stray dog problem. The city has a low-cost sterilization clinic, but it spays or neuters five to ten dogs a week and is not open to the public, she said. Further, she found that some pet owners struggled to pay veterinary bills, which may contribute to them abandoning or rehoming their dogs.

26 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group Knowing that lack of education and resources are at the heart of Lawton’s stray dog issue, Nielipinkski wrote comprehensive guides for pet owners or stray pet finders covering everything from how to rehome to how to approach a stray and scan it for a microchip, along with tips for pet training and financial resources that assist with veterinary costs. Fishy’s also started regular pet microchipping clinics to help fund some of their initiatives, which eventually segued into outdoor microchipping stations that are available twenty-four-seven to the public. “My vision is to get a larger community spay and neuter clinic and then fence repair for low-income pet owners,” Nielipinkski said. “We need to be proactive, not reactive.” In the beginning, that wasn’t so easy. Before the rescue was even close to celebrating its first birthday, serious consideration was given to permanently closing up shop. “We overcame a lot of barriers and struggles in the first year and faced a lot of obstacles that caused us to pivot, and that’s interesting because there is a policy amongst our staff: We don’t use the word ‘problem;’ we replace it with the word ‘opportunity,’” Nielipinkski said. Anyone in animal rescue would agree: Even without the typical struggles of owning a nonprofit, looking into the eyes of an innocent animal that has been abandoned by its owner is heartbreaking. “I hate the sin, not the people, and I don’t necessarily blame the people, even though these sad situations are at the hands of them,” Nielipinkski said. “We’re in a fastpaced world where things get discarded, and people get busy and overwhelmed. You never know what led someone to be in the circumstance to dump a dog. They could be fleeing an abuser. It’s hard to pinpoint the cause.” On particularly hard days, Nielipinkski takes solace in her long-term vision for Lawton, as well as the knowledge that she has saved animal lives and that she’s fulfilling a dire need, one she’s “blown away every day” that she was called to answer. “I was supposed to come here and create Fishy’s and leave it in better hands when we leave,” Nielipinkski said. “I want to leave Lawton better than how I found it.” † For more information or to donate, visit www.fishysfriendsrescue.com/

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HOMETOWN Happenings Written by Annette Wiseman Photography by Blondyz Snapshotz and Darby Bennett Photography Arial shot of cars by Sierra Ashby, C3 Car Club-Lawton Mountain Metro Mountain Metro AMBUCS held its 13th Annual “Trykes N Tread” Car Show on April 1213 and the energy, participation and spirit was electric! Planning for THE biggest and only fundraiser the chapter does begins shortly after the big show ends each year. Other than raising funds to be able to present Trykes at NO COST to the recipients, another very important feature of the show is that it is ALWAYS family friendly. This is an “All Hands on Deck” event where committees are formed for every area of the event from hospitality, registration, T-shirt sales, Pin-up girls, cash raffle, live auction, vendors (over 30 this year), food trucks and a gun raffle (thanks to Blue Force Elite Tactical Supply who provided security all weekend long). Tryke presentations are done, which include assessing riders, building the Trykes, and then distributing them—we have given away 20+ AmTrykes at some of our car shows! Our show sponsors and volunteers make the Tryke presentations possible, Basket Brigade ladies put the prizes together for the Raffle Room, help with community marketing and publicity for the event and coordinate with our volunteers. There was a Kids Zone sponsored by Angela Schertle Agency Farmers Insurance with lots of fun activities, remote control car races with prizes and photo opportunities everywhere— there was even a Lamborghini on display from Imprint Construction. Mark Rodriguez brought replicas of General Lee and the Police Car from The Dukes of Hazzard. We are grateful to Sweet Temptationz Car Club for partnering with us each year for ALL THINGS cars/trucks/motorcycles. They take care of the judging and class categories. Some cars come from out of state and many are extremely valuable! We would like to thank everyone who was involved in any way with our 13th Annual Trykes N Tread car show! AMBUCS TRYKES N TREAD CAR SHOW

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Written by BECCA NELSON SANKEY | Photos Provided by JUSTIN HACKNEY AND DAVID PHILLIPS Justin Hackney put his artistic stamp on his historic Vaska Theatre before completing a series of murals depicting musicians on Lawton staple, Phillips Music. Music Murals & 35 hometown living at its best

J Justin Hackney had only ever painted houses when he decided to finish the mural local artists had started on his building, the historic Vaska Theatre, after the pandemic hit in 2020. When Hackney was finished, the façade of his theatre was alive with movie and cartoon characters. The visages of Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart, Clint Eastwood, Don Knotts, and John Wayne adorn the front of the building, while larger depictions take up parts of entire walls: John Travolta as Vincent and Samuel L. Jackson as Jules from Pulp Fiction, Marlon Brandon as Vito Corleone in The Godfather, and Al Pacino as Scarface. Johnny Depp as Edward Scissorhands embraces Winona Ryder’s character, Kim, in one mural, while Tinkerbell, Yoda, Jessica Rabbit, and the Tasmanian Devil, in another mural, bring some childlike levity to the theatre’s outdoor art. Because of their legendary status in music history, Hackney wanted to paint a mural of The Beatles. He decided Phillips Music, a longtime fixture in Lawton, was the perfect spot. It was, after all, the place he’d purchased a percussion kit in the sixth grade, when he started band at Crosby Park Elementary. Twenty-eight years later, Hackney still has that kit. David Jackson, Phillips Music’s owner, said Hackney approached him about the mural. “It made perfect sense - music store and [a mural of] musicians. He chose a cool contrast to our otherwise brown side of the building, so it made it pop,” Jackson said. “Now we can tell people when they’re coming from out of town, ‘If you’re coming from the south, we’re the one with the big mural on the side.” Hackney’s first attempt at painting anything small was when he created a plan for a Miles Davis mural on a little piece of brick paneling and took it to Jackson, knowing he and his guitar tech were big fans. “I said, ‘How about this?’ And his face lit up like a kid at Christmas,” Hackney said. 36 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group

37 hometown living at its best He got to work painting the legendary jazz musician on the north side of the building facing Wayne’s Drive-In. He started on a Saturday, which he said was a mistake. “Wayne’s is one of the busiest spots in Lawton,” Hackney said. “I had 300 people trying to talk to me.” Hackney doesn’t allow himself time to stop to talk – or do much of anything else. “It’s addictive,” he said of painting murals. “I would work 17 hours straight on it. I’ve always spent two days on them. Once I start, I have to go, go, go until I’m finished. I don’t like people seeing it until it’s finished, and I can’t wait to see the reveal.” Jackson chose Ray Charles for Hackney to paint on the middle of one wall because “I grew up listening to him,” he said. Amy Winehouse, Hackney’s favorite musician, finally came last. “I specifically tried to make the background different colors for The Beatles, bright orange for the Ray Charles background, adding in the blue on him, and a pink background for Amy Winehouse,” Hackney explained. The colorful murals draw passersby (Jackson said it’s not uncommon, when the weather is nice, to see people pull into the parking lot and take pictures in front of the building), but Phillips Music was a Lawton staple long before Hackney put his unique stamp on its exterior. The business opened in 1965 and was named for its founder, Don Phillips, a local educator. “I started working for him in 1980 when he was the fulltime principal at one of the middle schools,” said Jackson, a

38 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group jazz musician who earned a bachelor’s degree in music. “I held down the fort until after he was done with school. He retired [from education] in the mid- to late ‘80s, and the business kept growing with categories of products.” Ironically, acoustic pianos - which the business started out selling exclusively – are pretty much the only thing Phillips Music doesn’t offer now. “The electronic keyboards have come so far that there’s no reason to buy this 500-pound piano that does one thing,” explained Jackson, who became Phillips Music’s new owner when Don Phillips retired from the business in 1998. Thanks to 10 independent teachers who work out of five studios, Phillips Music offers lessons in guitar, drums, piano, voice, woodwinds, strings, and brass. Phillips also sells and rents instruments and is the only business of its kind within a 50-mile radius that visits school band directors weekly to pick up instruments for repairs and ensure they have the supplies they need. “It’s called School Music Dealers; we partner with school [music departments] to keep them running and make it convenient for them,” Jackson said. “The tradeoff is when it comes time to service their beginning band programs, they give us the opportunity to set up instruments and rent to them.” Once a year, Phillips Music has a student-teacher showcase in Hackney’s Vaska Theatre. “He has the best popcorn in town, and he can do first-run movies,” Jackson said of Hackney. “He’s a killer entrepreneur who has revived this old movie theatre.” The same could be said for the work Hackney has done to Phillips Music’s façade, which has put both Hackney’s and Jackson’s businesses on the literal map – one printed by the local newspaper of where to find notable area murals, several of which Hackney painted. He favors the southside wall at Phillps, even more than the ones he painted on his theatre. “Coming northbound you instantly see it,” Hackney said. “It’s so cool; I love it. It really is my favorite wall.” † THE PHILLIPS MUSIC CREW JUSTIN HACKNEY

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L Written by REBECCA SANCHEZ | Photos Provided by ANDREA HOOD-NEESER Living between old and new worlds was familiar for Native American artist Rance Hood who painted a timeless world from images that came to him in dreams. Studying and gleaning techniques from artists he admired, he poured the visiting ancestral scenes in his mind onto the canvas. Rance’s maternal grandparents raised him in the Comanche way, and later he went on to become a treasured artist with global recognition, in touch with both Comanche tradition and the modern art world. Rance was born just west of Lawton between Cache and Indiahoma, “out in the farmlands,” he said in the Spotlighting Oklahoma Oral History Project recorded at the Oklahoma State University Library in Stillwater. During hard times in the 1940s and 50s, he was raised by his grandparents who immersed him in Comanche culture. His name was Au Tup Ta, meaning Yellow Hair, reflecting the fair features he inherited from his white father. Comanche was Rance’s first language, that of his grandparents, and he did not learn English until he attended Post Oak Mission School. Born in Cache and then circling the globe with his talent as an artist, painter Rance Hood brought Comanche culture to the canvas in a way that bridged time, bringing the old ways into the now. 45 hometown living at its best

What may have sparked Rance’s painting career in the early 1960s flickers in a couple of instances. He told the story of his bother Ken who gave him a watercolor kit. Friends then noticed his paintings and offered him money for them, bearing in Rance the concept of selling art for money. Another early propulsion came from dreams. Andrea Hood-Neeser shared how her father awoke from a dream and felt a strong need to paint the scene, to finish it, and her mother got him some paint to do just that. “A majority of his sketches and paintings,” says Andrea, “were the result of his dreams. That was one thing that made him different.” Rance’s work highlighted the Comanche ways his grandparents taught him; warriors, family, Mother Nature and the Great Spirit. Following the path of his grandfather who was a medicine man in the Native American Church and had passed down the Peyote way of sleeping with the spiritual plant around him, Rance pursued the dreams and visions he had in paintings upon waking. “It was important for me to do that,” Rance explained at OSU, “because of the dreams I was having. You dream of something like a galloping horse and two or three of them behind him. I thought of that, and then I came in here and started sketching it out, what I seen and what I didn’t forget. It turned out better than the dream, some of them, and some of them don’t. That’s just the way it is.”

47 hometown living at its best Learning technique, selling work, gaining recognition and winning awards overlapped. He won the American Indian Exposition in Anadarko 1962-1966, first, second, third place winnings and the Grand Awards from the event, multiple times. Powwows, art shows and galleries were all platforms for exposure, and in the 1970s he was written about in magazines while his art livened the covers. Gleaning techniques from artists he admired led to friendships. With friend and accomplished artist, T.C. Cannon, the two learned from Lee Tsatoke who showed them a brush-flicking technique to make perfect snow on canvas. Showing his work brought Rance in contact with admired artists, spawning friendships like the one with Woody Crumbo. He continued to learn from the talents of the artists he admired such as Oscar Howe and Blackbear Bosin and his own father-in-law, Roland Whitehorse, a Kiowa bronze sculptor. Rance progressed, nurtured his talent and stayed focused. He captured simultaneously the movement and reverence of traditional and spiritual Comanche culture. Horses were from memory because he knew their bones and bodies so well. One of his signature moves was capturing horses in suspension, mid-flight with all four hooves off the ground.

48 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group Rance moved from watercolor to acrylic and tempura. Fine lines, rich colors bordering on deep pastel, heavy blues and purples in the sky, browns, reds and earthy tones are all characteristic of his works. His Oklahoma landscapes span the seasons and hours of the day. Warriors on horseback, the aged bracing against weather, illustrating life in the elements. Strong winds convey endurance and resilience as horse manes, feathered coup sticks, and draped blankets extend into the direction of breezes and winter gales. “Why do I paint what I paint? I paint for the old people and try to keep the old ways alive,” Rance explained about his inspiration in the biography “Rance Hood, Mystic Painter” written by James Hester and Rance. “I just want to be known as a good artist who remembers the old ways as they were long ago. I wish I lived in that period of time. I am Comanche.” His artistic expression lifted beyond the canvas too. He sculpted for about 10 years using Texas limestone, bronze and alabaster and in 1987, he created the sculpture for the Native American Indian Film Festival Award, which is still used today. He added mixed-media pieces and completed “Indian Blankets,” a series of abstract paintings in the 1990s. He designed the emblem for the Comanche Nation commemorative medallion, “Eagle” on the side of a jet airplane and a full-size horse for the “Trail of the Painted Ponies” exhibit. Carlos Santana featured Rance’s work on his “Shape Shifter” album cover, and households across Comanche County received his work on the front of their phone books. Not only did Rance’s art touch many people, but his personality also engaged friends, celebrities and family alike with his charm, humor and musical talents. Rance Hood passed away in August of 2024 and was posthumously awarded the inaugural Comanche National Treasure Award. Recognition of his talent is honored at both the Museum of the Great Plains and the Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center in Lawton. †

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HOMETOWN Happenings

51 hometown living at its best Photographs provided by Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce The Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce celebrated an incredible milestone on April 7, 2025, hosting its highly anticipated Annual Golf Tournament. This year's event not only brought together a mix of business leaders, community members, and golf enthusiasts but also raised a record-breaking amount to support the Chamber’s vital initiatives and programs throughout the year. Thanks to the enthusiastic participation and generous support from sponsors, players, and volunteers, the 2025 tournament exceeded all previous fundraising records. Every dollar raised will directly enhance the Chamber's efforts to foster economic growth, support small businesses, advocate for workforce development, and create a thriving environment for both current and future residents of Lawton Fort Sill. The Chamber Director of Events & Government Affairs expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming support: "This tournament is always a highlight of our year, but 2025 has truly set a new standard. The generosity and spirit of this community never cease to amaze us. The funds raised will allow us to expand our programs, create new opportunities for local businesses, and continue building a stronger Lawton Fort Sill for everyone." The Chamber extends a special thanks to the Lawton Country Club for hosting the tournament, as well as to all sponsors, volunteers, and players who made the day a resounding success. As the Chamber looks ahead to the rest of 2025, the energy and enthusiasm from the tournament will continue to fuel its mission of supporting and uplifting the Lawton Fort Sill community. Plans are already underway to make next year's event even bigger and better! For more information about upcoming Chamber events and programs, visit Lawton, OK Calendar of Events at lawtonfortsillchamber.com LAWTON FORT SILL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL Golf Tournament

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53 hometown living at its best A financial planning strategy is only right if it’s right for you and your needs. I take the time to get to know each of my clients and their unique goals. Together, we can create a plan that works to help you make the most of today and still be prepared for tomorrow. Personalized advice that fits your portfolio. Client Satisfaction Rating Not FDIC or NCUA Insured | No Financial Institution Guarantee | May Lose Value CA Insurance #OK19658 5 out of 5 Client Satisfaction Rating based on 21 of reviews as of 8/28/2023: Each client has the opportunity to rate a practice based on the client’s overall satisfaction with the practice, on a scale of 1 to 5. The practice’s Client Satisfaction Rating is an average of all client responses for that practice within a rolling 24-month period, and is updated daily. There is no minimum number of responses required for a practice to receive a rating. Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2023 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. Chuck Waugh, CLU®, ChFC®, APMA™ Private Wealth Advisor | Franchise Owner Waugh, Lavender & Associates A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC 580.355.9780 13 NW 44th St, Lawton, OK 73505 chuck.x.waugh@ampf.com ameripriseadvisors.com/chuckwaugh

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CAMERON UNIVERSITY’S KCCU-FM HAS BEEN PROVIDING TEXOMA WITH WELL-BALANCED NEWS AND A DIVERSE ARRAY OF CULTURAL PROGRAMMING FOR THIRTY-SIX YEARS. Written by TODD GILES | Photos Provided by KCCU-FM BEHIND THE MIC

PPublic broadcasting is about serving local communities, including lesser-served rural and minority constituencies. KCCU does this in spades, broadcasting nationallysyndicated shows like Morning Edition, Performance Today, and Travels with Rick Steves, as well as locallyproduced gems Slice of Life and Community Focus and reaching more than 20,000 individual listeners throughout southwest Oklahoma and northwest Texas each week with a passion, dedication, and integrity known only to public radio. KCCU not only serves their listeners’ needs; they also provide a valuable service to other area non-profit organizations by airing thousands of public service announcements each year. Along with broadcasting PSAs, KCCU also serves non-profits through their locally-produced Community Focus program, which is currently hosted by Station Manager & Operations Director, Cynthia Sosa. “Helping non-profit organizations promote their events has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my work at KCCU,” says Cynthia. “I've had the privilege of speaking with people from all walks of life, sharing their stories and the stories of their organizations.

57 hometown living at its best This experience has enriched my life, and I hope it has done the same for our listeners.” Cynthia’s community commitment has been widely recognized over the years, as seen in the variety of awards she has received, including the Governor’s Disability Employment Award of Excellence (2007), the Great Plains Country Association Travel & Tourism Media of the Year Award (2009), and most recently, Cameron’s Alumni Association ACE award (2025). Local shows like Community Focus contribute to our sense of regional and national identity by building personal connections, civic pride, and appealing to a variety of tastes and interests. Whether you’re interested in cooking (The Splendid Table), grassroots music (WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour), Indigenous issues (American Indian Living), or a comedic take on the week’s news (Wait, Wait . . . Don’t Tell me!), you’re sure to find something to entertain, educate, and inspire you on KCCU. Mike Leal, who recently rejoined KCCU as their Director of Broadcasting & General Manager in May of last year, says that “the joy of working at KCCU lies in the stories and music we share and the voices we amplify, making each day a rewarding experience filled with creativity and purpose. It’s not a job, it’s a passion.” Mike’s passion as a broadcaster spans over thirty years—at fourteen, he was a part-time Top-40 DJ; later, he was both a News Director at KSWO Radio and a news reporter at KSWO TV. More recently, Mike was Chair of the Communication Department at Mercyhurst University MIKE LEAL CYNTHIA SOSA

in Erie, PA. In 2018, he returned to the Communication Department at Cameron and today, local public radio fans are delighted he has returned to his roots to head up KCCU. Joy Chapman, Underwriting & Development Director, has been a regular voice on KCCU since 2015. Prior to moving to the public radio side of the dial, Joy worked for twenty-four years in commercial radio, where she managed a group of seven stations in southwest Oklahoma. One of the things Joy loves about her job is “helping underwriters grow their business through sponsorships of the KCCU programs.” “Our listeners,” she continues, “appreciate the support from sponsors and associating them with community involvement and quality programming.” The two most recent members of the KCCU family are Nelson Grimmett and Bianca Daukei. Nelson, who served as a Unit Supply Specialist in the U.S. Army, now serves the spiritual life of Lawton as the senior pastor of Great Plains Apostolic Church. As KCCU’s new Radio Production Assistant, Nelson’s duties include producing PSAs and managing the station’s program content. According to Nelson, “our loyal listeners depend on KCCU for weather, public service announcements, JOY CHAPMAN BIANCA DAUKEI NELSON GRIMMETT 58 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group

59 hometown living at its best community focus events, and much more. These are all things that streaming services like XM Radio do not provide. Public radio is still relevant and important in 2025.” Bianca, KCCU’s new Administrative Assistant, is not only the first friendly face you see when you walk into the station’s studios in the basement of Cameron’s Administration Building, she also oversees the budget and member donation information. Bianca loves connecting with the community, especially Cameron students: “It brings me joy to walk around campus and see the students coming and going to classes, full of goals and dreams, getting together to study and connect with each other. But the best part, is receiving heartwarming feedback from folks who say that listening to KCCU makes their lives so much better.” †

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61 hometown living at its best The results are in! LAWTON LIVING is thrilled to announce the winner of this year’s Cover Contest! We asked lawton’s 4th and 5th graders, “What makes lawton special to you?” and received over 100 creative entries! Each submission reflected the unique perspectives of our community’s budding artists. We are excited to showcase the top five that best reflected the theme. thank you to our sponsors Cover contest JUNE 20-22, 26-29 2025 Lawton Community Theatre “Community is our Middle Name”

62 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group AGE: 11 WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? I want to be a teacher. My great grandma, grandma, aunt & mom are all teachers. I love to watch them help others & want to do the same when I grow up. Teaching allows you to meet lots of people & work with others. That is something else that makes me happy. WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN? I love lots of things! I love spending time with friends & family, playing volleyball, cheerleading, dance, taking vacations & going to church. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT LAWTON? One of my favorite things about Lawton is that we are neighbors with the Ft Sill Artillery base. Ft Sill is loud! Everyone can hear the BOOMS & know the soldiers are hard at work training to protect our country. I also painted the sunset in my picture. Lawton has so many beautiful sunsets my family enjoys in the evenings. CLAYRE JESSYE ANDERSON

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64 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group AGE: 11 WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? I’ve always wanted to be a pediatric dentist because of my own experiences. My reason might be different from others, but I’ve seen how some dentists treat kids & their parents. My little brother has enamel hypoplasia, which means his teeth didn’t form the right way. It’s something he was born with, but some dentists don’t understand that. They just think he’s not brushing enough, & that’s not fair. That made me realize I want to be a different kind of dentist- one who helps kids feel better, not worse. I want to be kind & helpful. I want to teach & encourage them, not make them feel bad. WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN? I love writing about my day in my journal & drawing. It helps me relax & be creative. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT LAWTON? I love seeing wild animals when my family drives around, especially the buffalo, they’re huge & really cool! As a military kid who’s moved a lot, the nature here amazes me. I used to only see animals like buffalo & elk in zoos, but in Lawton, you can see them just from your car. MAXINE CUSTODIO

AGE: 8 WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? A Chemist WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN? Drawing artwork & cartoon characters, anything to do with art! WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT LAWTON? Going fishing with my mom, dad and brother at Letra & looking at Mt. Scott in the background & other wildlife around. ABIGAIL CALLAGHAN 66 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group

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68 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group AGE: 12 WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? I want to be a teacher. WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN? Play Barbies, go outside, play camp. Do ballet & Mexican Dance. Go to church camp in the summer. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT LAWTON? Hiking and going to the Holy City. I was born here. Chef India and Golden Corral! CHLOE MURPHY

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70 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group LILAH HAZLETT AGE: 12 WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? I want to be a medical officer in the United States Army when I grow up. WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN? I love watching the OKC Thunder play because they’re my favorite team & they’re on fire this season. I also love drawing, crafting, puzzles, diamond art, playing the piano, & gymnastics. But most of all, I love to read. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT LAWTON? I love learning about wildlife native to this area, especially bison. Bison are an important part of Lawton & Native American history. Bison are a symbol of power & spirit that have made Lawton an interesting & awesome place to live.

71 hometown living at its best CHICAGO IS PRESENTED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH CONCORD THEATRICALS WWW.CONCORD THEATRICALS.COM SEPTEMBER 12-14 & 18-21 2025 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 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 JUNE 20-22, 26-29 2025 Adapted from the book by Rick Riordan Introducing our 2025-2026 Season Lawton Community Theatre “Community is our Middle Name” FUNDING and/or SUPPORT FOR THIS EVENT IS PARTIALLY PROVIDED BY THE CITY OF LAWTON HOTEL-MOTEL TAX FUND Season Tickets are now available! Call the Box Office at 580-355-1600 or visit the Theatre at 1316 NW Bell Ave.

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74 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group

76 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group PREVENTION FINDS POWER in people WMPN Board Members

77 hometown living at its best Written by SABRINA FORSE | Provided by WICHITA MOUNTAINS PREVENTION NETWORK AN AREA NON-PROFIT FINDS ITS MOST RESOURCE. PREVENTION..PUBLIC..PROGRAM..POPULATION.. PROVIDE..PARENTS..POSITIVITY..PRESENTATION.. PARTNERSHIP. As Grants Director for the Wichita Mountains Prevention Network Lawton office, Jennifer Gormley’s daily vocabulary consist of multiple words beginning with the letter “P.” The most powerful and important ‘P’ word that Gormley relies on in her work, however, is People. “Dollars are great, but in reality, non-profit work won’t see the money that for-profit corporate initiatives will. Non-profits build power by bringing people together, sharing resources and maximizing efforts,” said Gormley. WMPN works with other non-profits, faith-based organizations, health care initiatives, schools, and law enforcement agencies to serve the community by providing prevention education and programs for substance abuse, mental health awareness and healthy families in five counties. “We focus on the positives. Every two years, pre-teens and teens in the area complete a survey. The Powerful Duncan Prescription Drug Take Back Event

78 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group most recent one showed that 73% of Comanche teens do not or have never drank alcohol. 81% of teens in Duncan have never vaped. 71% of Jefferson County teens have never used marijuana. We want to focus on these positive statistics to show that when it comes to following the crowd, everyone is definitely not doing it,” said Gormley. Every October, WMPN collaborates with community partners and area school districts to coordinate Red Ribbon Week. “We try to make a point of building relationships with school counselors. We want to offer them training opportunities, webinars, posters or whatever they need to create awareness,” said Gormley. “We go over scenarios such as how you can say no if someone offers you something or here’s what drugs can do to your body. If we can start that message when they are young, they can get used to hearing the message and know what to do if they are ever in that type of situation.” TOP: Red Ribbon Week Presentation LEFT: RRW Movie Night

79 hometown living at its best That type of awareness education is focused on students as they experience rites of passages such as prom. “Operation Prom is probably one of our biggest media campaigns of the year. We want kids to celebrate in a safe and sober way,” said Gormley. “We work with first responders to show a mock collision. Most people only think of living in the moment and not about future consequences. We want to educate students and their parents about having a prom safety plan. Who are you going with? Who’s driving? Who can you call for a ride without judgement if you feel uncomfortable?” The Comanche County Community Coalition (C4) is a key partner in empowering kids, teens and their parents to become healthy and responsible engaged members of the community. A new addition to the annual lineup of events is the Community Resource Fair which is a one-day event where community members can meet and connect with dozens of nonprofit agencies and resources in one place. “Flyers are great but when you can talk with someone face to face and ask any questions you may have, it really helps make that connection,” said Denra Riley. Riley is the Vice-Chair of C4. “I am very passionate about being able to help within the community and understand what resources we have to create healthier communities.” TOP RIGHT: Teen Con CENTER: C4 Members at Open Streets BOTTOM:C4 Coalition Retreat

80 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group When seeking help, someone most likely needs assistance from several agencies, not just one. “We had a single dad who had just gotten his child back from the welfare system. He was needing support and was able to get support from several programs such as Success by 6 and the library. It was really neat to see how all of our community resources play out to help families,” said Riley. As their outreach grows, so does the need for the most important “P” word. “We are always looking for collaborative partners, people and organizations who want to improve the wellbeing of our counties,” said Riley. “If you want to be a part of that change, we are happy to offer you a seat at our table.” † To learn more about the Wichita Mountains Prevention Network, their partners, events and more visit www.wmpn.org TOP: WMPN Staff CENTER: Resource Fair - Chair Michelle Amerson and WMPN Staff Erica Johnson BOTTOM: Law Enforcement Partners

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82 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group =LOTS AVAILABLE SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLDSOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD AT LEE BLVD & DEYO MISSION ROAD 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 580-510-9983 or Danny @ 580-591-3308

83 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

84 lawton living magazine | hometownmedia.group Written by REBECCA SANCHEZ Photos by GERARDO BELLO MEDIA and Provided by MARK WOOMMAVOVAH ENCOURAGES One Who Mark Woommavovah has built a dynamic resume of fitness and leadership. Engaging with the community in learning and mentoring capacities, he hopes his example will inspire young people to be physically fit and take on leadership roles too.

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