🏠 Fantastic 🦃 and where to find them

Nathan Cheever
November 27, 2024

Happy Thanksgiving (Image: Norman Rockwell, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Good morning, Stillwater. Surprised to see us a day early?! Like many of you, I’m taking tomorrow off to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. I sincerely hope this one will be one where you find so many things to be thankful for. And if you’re in a hard spot, just remember someone out there is thankful for you!

In today’s Lokal Life Letter:

Alternatives to home-made Thanksgiving dinner
Football games out our ears! 🏈
Lost a ring? 💍

Let’s get right to it.

– Nate Cheever

A message from Lucas Grounds, State Farm Agent in Stillwater

As a proud member of the Payne County community, I bring a strong work ethic and neighborly values to my role as a local State Farm agent. My experienced team provides personalized insurance solutions for every stage of life, from auto and life coverage to complex needs. Beyond policies, we focus on building relationships-whether supporting you after an accident or connecting in the community. Grateful for this thriving area, I’m here day and night to serve. Let’s discuss your options today, including ways to save by switching to State Farm.

Call for a free quote or advice!

WHAT’S UP IN STILLWATER

Turkey Troubles Backup Plan 🅱️

A home-cooked turkey is the classic Thanksgiving experience, but it’s not the only way to enjoy the holiday feast. Whether you’re looking for a stress-free alternative to home cooking or just want to shake things up this year, here are some fantastic local spots to make your Thanksgiving memorable. And if your turkey does end up like the one in Christmas Vacation (“Save the neck for me, Clark!”), these options have you covered too.

🦃 💛 Our friends Bill and Shonna Richardson are offering some walk-in Thanksgiving meals to early arrivers at Persimmon Hill Farm and Bakery. Supply is limited if you haven’t already ordered, so I’d recommend getting there early. Proceeds of Thanksgiving meal sales will go to support the 2Roads Ministry in Uganda.

🦃 🆓 The First United Methodist Church Family Center is holding a Community In-Person Thanksgiving Dinner from 11 AM – 12:30 PM. It’s free of charge and all are welcome. Location📍

🦃 🆓 The OSU Parent Community and the Rose family generously offer a feast and fellowship to current OSU Students and their spouses and children. And it’s free!

Where: The parking lot of the Commons Dorm
When: Thanksgiving Day, 5 PM to 6:30 PM
Who is invited: Current OSU students & {spouse/children}
What: The works! (Roasted Turkey, Glazed Ham, Cornbread Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Sweet Potato Casserole, Green Bean Casserole, Homemade Dinner Rolls, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Cake with Frosting, Yellow Cake with Frosting, bottled beverages).

🦃 🍞 If you’d rather eat out for your feast, Roscoe's Feed Shack will be open from 11 AM – 4:30 PM. If you’re hoping for traditional soul food with a solid selection of meat this will be perfect. They’re offering nine different types of meat, including roasted chicken, BBQ pork butt, ham, and, of course, turkey! Better make a reservation, just to be safe, if you’re planning on going. Location📍

And don’t forget to tell them SLL sent you 😉

🍗 Sprouts will be open from 7 AM - 2 PM and they will have hot rotisserie chicken (while they last) for purchase if that’s your thing.

🍞 Walmart is closed on Thanksgiving. Homeland will be open but doesn’t expect to have any hot meals for sale. They’ll be there in case you need to grab a side for your feast, closing at 4 PM.

💛 Because we have been given much…If you’d like to donate leftover or excess food to those in need, consider donating it to the Mission of Hope. They’re open 24 hours a day and happy to help you with your donation. If possible, please drop off donations before 8 PM to ensure they can be used for that evening’s dinner.

Fly Home for the Holidays 🛍️✈️

For every $50 you spend dining, staying, and shopping in Stillwater you could enter to win a $500 gift card for American Airlines…and use it to fly home for the holidays! Visit Stillwater launched the giveaway on November 23rd, and it runs through January 5th

But, I can hear you say, “Stillwater is my home!” Hey–you could use the ticket to see your favorite band when they come to Texas, or for Spring break, or a gift for someone who loves to travel. And you’ll already be shopping downtown for all your nieces and nephews, Auntie Mamie, and crazy Uncle Jim, so why not snag a chance to fly?! Submit your receipts to the Visit Stillwater office by Friday, January 10th, and tune in on January 15th to find out if you’re one of the lucky five!

Tryptophan → Tryptofun! 🥾🌄

What better way to kick off Black Friday than with a bright hike? Meetup with the Lake McMurtry Friends at the Red Trail Head on the East Side Recreation Area of Lake McMurtry Friday at 9 AM. You can choose between 3, 5, and 7-mile hikes. And pack some leftovers from Thursday even though you promised yourself you couldn’t eat for a month.

Carriage Ride and Meet St. Nick 🐴🎅🏻

Have you ever wanted to do a fancy downtown carriage ride? Talk about traveling in style! Well this Saturday Nov 30, horse-drawn carriage rides and Santa will be downtown creating the perfect opportunity for holiday memory-making.

Where: Pick-up and drop-off will be at Chris Salmon Plaza. Location
When 🐴: Saturday Nov 30, 5 PM – 8 PM. After Saturday, it will run Thursday and Sunday through Dec 23.
When 🎅🏻: Santa will be at the plaza Saturday from 6 PM – 7:30 PM. Don’t forget to have your Christmas wishlist ready when you meet the big guy!
How much: Free!

LOCAL BUSINESS

Deck the Storefronts! ❄🚂

Who can say no to a festive and well-lit storefront window at Christmas-time? Especially if there’s a toy train running on display with other toys with bright reds, the windows frosted in the corners, and kids faces pressed up on the glass to dream of all the fun they could have. But don’t let that cliché keep you from getting creative this year and make a memorable and attractive display. Pioneer! Displays will be judged on originality, lighting, craftsmanship, and overall presentation.
🔖 Competition categories: Funniest Display, Most Creative Display, and Most Festive Display
🗓️ Judging Date: Friday, December 6 at Dusk
📣 Winners Announced: Tuesday, December 10
🏆 The winner in each category will receive a window cleaning and cookies 🍪.

Work up your appetite 🤾‍♀️🥒

Where I grew up it was customary to play flag football every Thanksgiving morning, no matter the weather. Why not start a new family tradition with pickleball this year at the Stillwater Indoor Pickleball Club? As of this writing, they have lots of availability in the morning and early afternoon to get out there and knock some plastic balls across the court. What’s nice too is you won’t have to deal with the infighting and sprained ankles in the cold and muddy field– you can do all that in an air-conditioned pickleball paradise!

Check out here for slots to register.

💍 Did you lose your ring?

A Mother’s Ring with six birthstones was recently reported found. The ring holds six birthstones, each representing a child’s unique birth month. This cherished symbol of love and family may hold deep sentimental value.

If you or someone you know has lost such a ring, please reach out to us. By getting the word out, I hope we can reunite this meaningful heirloom with its rightful owner.

CIVIC NEWS

City Offices Closed for Thanksgiving 🔐

City Hall will be closed on Thursday, November 28th, and Friday, November 29th, for Thanksgiving. The next City Council Meeting will be on December 2nd at 5:30 PM.

No Trash Pickup on Thanksgiving day 🗑️

Pickup will be delayed one day (Thursday⇒Friday, Friday⇒Saturday).

SPD Launches S.A.ID program 🤝

Health Children Healthy Communities recently worked with the City of Stillwater and SPD to create a Special Needs Alerts and Identification (S.A.ID) program. Citizens can submit a form (not public record) to provide important information for police and first responders to assist individuals with special needs during an emergency. It could save lives!

Learn more here (Thanks to SLL reader Carolynn Macallister for this tip).

WEATHER

Wednesday, November 27
60 🌡️ 32 | 🌤️ | 20% | 💨 S 10 mph

Thursday, November 28
48 🌡️ 24 | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 N 12 mph

Friday, November 29
50 🌡️ 34 | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 SE 8 mph

Saturday, November 30
54 🌡️ 26 | 🌤️ | 10% | 💨 S 6 mph

Sunday, December 1
48 🌡️ 25 | ☀️ | 0% | 💨 NW 9 mph

LIVE LOCAL MUSIC

Monday, December 2

The Great White Buffalo Tavern | Open Mic Mondays | 9 PM

Thursday, December 5

The McKnight Center | Kings ReJoyce: Joyce Didonato & Kings Return Performing Live | 7:30 PM | Tickets

Friday-Saturday, December 6,7

Tumbleweed | Calf Fry Christmas | Tickets

Featuring the talents of:

Thanks to our supporters, Visit Stillwater!

SPORTS

Thanksgiving Football 🏈!

11:30 AM CDT – Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions, CBS
3:30 PM CDT – New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys, FOX
7:20 PM CDT – Miami Dolphins at Green Bay Packers, NBC

Upcoming games & matches

Cowgirl Basketball vs. Houston Christian
12/4 @ Gallagher-Iba Arena | 6:30 PM

HS Football Varsity Semi-Final
11/29 @ Location TBD | 7 PM - 8 PM

MS/JH Basketball vs. Choctaw
12/2 @ Stillwater Middle School, 2200 S Sangre Rd
7th G | 4:30 PM; 7th B | 5:30 PM; 8th G | 6:30 PM; 8th B | 7:30 PM

JH Basketball vs. Yukon
12/2 @ Fieldhouse - 1224 N Husband St
9th G | 5:30 PM; 9th B | 6:45 PM

NLI Signing
12/4 @ SHS Fieldhouse - 1224 N Husband St | 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM

THANKS!

Thanks for reading the Stillwater Lokal Life today. If you found something interesting, please share it with someone whose favorite part of the feast is the yams.

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