STROUD, OK. — If you are traveling on historic Route 66 in Oklahoma anytime soon, you might want to consider making a wine stop in Stroud at StableRidge Vineyards.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
North Central Oklahoma casino plans weekend grand opening
RED ROCK, Okla. — Paraidise Casino, located in Red Rock, Oklahoma south of Ponca City, will celebrate the grand opening of their new casino addition on Sept. 28-29.
The new and enlarged addition replaces a portion of the facility that was severely damaged in a winter storm last January.
“We have worked diligently the past eight months to design and construct a new entertainment facility unlike any other in northcentral Oklahoma,” said Dallas Teerlink, general manager.
“What makes us unique is the range of exciting, fun options we can now offer our customers. We have added an elevated live music stage above our full liquor bar, complete with room for dancing. We will also be opening a full line buffet in the very near future. From the gaming standpoint, we have doubled the number of slots and created a state-of-the-art poker room and our newly designed blackjack tables are set in a tropical “paradise,” complete with a thatched roof.”
“Entertainment and players rewards are just two new items that will be spotlighted during the grand opening,” said David Gordon, marketing director.
“Our new 7-Clans Players Club us one of the most exciting things we are introducing with numerous benefits available to those who join.
Festivities will include live music by G Note, selected as one of the Who’s Who of Oklahoma entertainment in 2005.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Green Acres is the Slot for me: Gambling in Oklahoma
NEWKIRK — A recent trip to Native Lights Casino in Newkirk, Oklahoma, led me to a new slot machine based on the classic sitcom of the 1960s, Green Acres.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
A gambler's tale: Walking away a winner
Gambling has become a past time for myself and others around me. It seems every week there is a new story to share at the office abut someone's latest trip to the casino.
My latest tale is from Sept. 8, 2007.
My gambling friend from Kansas came down and we visited Kaw Southward Casino in Newkirk, Okla. I couldn't wait to visit my Shockwave slot machine that had been so nice to me for two weeks in a row.
During that time span I won over $300, a record for me. So off we went. Wellon this day, lady luck was not with me. After about an hour I was down $80 and the machine was not giving me the $150 mountain bonus screen I had grown accustomed to.
Instead my friend got the bonus and was up nearly $200. Not bad for starting the venture with only $35. After risking the milk money and only winning $5 of it back, I decided it was time to fold. My friend agreed. As we headed to our vehicles, she decided to back in and take 100 spins on a Money Bags machine. After a brief moment of discussing the possible outcomes of such a venture, we were back inside.
I agreed to be the spin counter. So the money was inserted and the spinning began. The machine was feeling good, and produced cherrys and bars. We had already spun n20 times and still had over $90 on the machine. Then we hit a red zone, and the amount grew. After a few more red zones, the cash amount was over $200.
We were in shock. This kind of thing rarely happens to us, as we are usually the small people thrilled to win $40 or more.
We took the ticket and headed to another room where we would play a collect of Money Bags machines. She would insert the ticket and I would start the spin counter. One spin, two spins, three spins, I would count. Amazingly the machines kept hitting and going red. The cash total kept hovering between $180-$200 or better.
We traveled to every room in the casino playing machines. Feeling a moment of bravery, we decided to take a ride on a $5 machine, of course after suggesting such a risk, I was quick to remind the friend that it was her money and not to risk if she didn't want to. Being the good friend I was, I explained the flip Hideto the risk and how much she could win.
She was in disbelief as she slowly inserted the ticket worth over $200 in the slot machine and hit the button. Ring ring went the machine, as it handed out another $30 on the first spin. That went well and she spun it again, as I counted. The next $5 spin was a bust and it was time to find another machine.
We played a machine and according to our counting game, we were going to bet the $3 maximum on the 100th spin. Well we let fear take over and only bet $1. To our shock that was the spin that the machine hit big on and we would have had over $300 on one spin.
Still playing the good friend role, I decided to remind her jokingly, every 15 minutes that she should have bet $3 and she would have accomplished her goal of over $300. But instead we were still there suffering from second hand smoke.
The journey continued and the machines kept spinning. I kept counting and she kept betting. The cash amount seemed stuck between $250 and $280. She wanted $300 bad. Finally we ventured to a 50 cent machine and bet $1. The machine went red and the Moneybags symbols appeared and the total flew to $360.
We looked at each other and said should have bet more. Then the debate was on, shoot for $400 or not, Before we knew it she was spinning and I was counting as we attempted to reach $400.
After $300 more spins, and some minor winnings, common sense took over and the cash out button was hit. She tipped me $50 for counting and tipped the little guy cleaning machines $20 because he shined one of the many winning slot machines.
As we walked out the door I looked at my friend and said, "You should have bet more." She replied, " I know it!" But we walked away a winner.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Monday, September 3, 2007
Scams that Rob the Elderly
ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — A Canadian lottery scam claimed the life savings of an elderly Kansas man.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Raising Awareness About Multiple Myeloma
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| My father, a WWII vet, died of Multiple Myeloma in 1986. |
The blood cancer Multiple Myeloma has been claiming lives for decades. When it claimed the life of my father in 1986, many had never heard of it and there were no treatments that we were made aware of.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Beating the Workplace Bully
BLACKWELL, OK. — I was bullied by the best, but in the end I came out a winner.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
The Lure of Casino Gambling
Saturday, June 12, 2004
My Gilligan's Island stories from 2004
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| One of the photos I took of Dawn Wells in Wichita, Kan. |
"Gilligan's Island Reality Series"
Application. Fun to look at By Sharon Rowen Arkansas City Traveler
#3 Mary Ann hopefuls from Kansas #4 Stephanie Scott from Arkansas City, Kansas #5 and 6 A group of castaway hopefuls #5 and 6 A group of castaway hopefuls #9 and #15 Dawn Wells talking to a candidate #9 and #15 Dawn Wells talking to a candidate #17 Professor, Ginger, and Gilligan hopefuls #24 Llpyd Schwartz talking to the crowd #28 Gilliagn and Mary Ann hopefuls #34 more hopefuls #35 Mary Ann hopeful
People from all over Kansas gathered at Town East Mall in Wichita Saturday to take the first step at becoming a castaway on the TBS reality series, ³The Real Gilligan¹s Island.²
It was the first of five open casting calls scheduled around the country. On hand to greet the hopefuls was Dawn Wells who played Winfield farm girl Mary Ann Summers and Lloyd Schwartz, son of show creator Sherwood Schwartz. Wells said that ³Gilligan¹s Island² is run in 30 languages around the world. ³Everywhere I go someone knows me as Mary Ann,² Wells said. ³I think the shows popularity grows, new generations are coming up, and what¹s so wonderful about this show is it shows seven people trying to get off the island together.²
Wells points out this is a reality show and that the chosen have to figure out how to get off the island.
"I think some of the approach has been unrealistic. It¹s not about playing Mary Ann you have to be Mary Ann you or that you have to be a skipper that knows how to run a boat,
or that you have to be a movie star. How would you do that?
I guess you would have to be pretty I suppose,"laughed Wells.
"The Howells are spoiled a little bit so rather than saying she is and likeable and fun and cute, I could cook and I know how to fish and sew," said Wells.
Among the hopefuls was Ark City native Stephanie Scott. Scott, a descendant of Ark City¹s founding family the Somers, is hoping to be cast as Mary Ann. "I think it sounds like a lot of fun and I¹m having fun,² said Scott.
"I want to be Mary Ann because she could do things like cook and she was really quite. But she could hold her own when she had to." Winfield resident Rachel O' Bryan was also among the castaway candidates. Unlike Scott, O' Brian hopes to spend time on the island as Ginger Grant, the movie star.
"I want to be Ginger because she got what she wanted," said O' Bryan. "I think this would be an opportunity to discover who I am, meet people and take advantage of an opportunity of a lifetime."
Casi Jo Graves of Oxford made the trip to Wichita as well. "I would like to play Mary Ann because I can relate to being a farm girl," said Graves.
Tim Weide of Douglas was one of the few trying for the brainy roll of Professor Roy Hinkley Jr. " I like to build and reorganize things and I have handy-man skills," said Weide. "I can get the others off the island."
Weide already has two bachelor¹s degrees and is working on a master¹s and lectures
at WSU.
Angie Mooneyham represented Conway Springs.
Mooneyham, another Mary Ann hopeful, echoed the comments of other Mary Ann hopefuls.
"She could cook and do things."
KSN¹s morning news anchor Sierra Scott was also in the crowd hoping to be
selected for the part of Eunice Wentworth Howell the wife of millionaire
Thurston Howell III. "It¹s amazing the people these things bring out,²
commented Scott.
TBS signed the reality series for two years according to Schwartz. "There
will be a sequel to this one," he said. "I think the series will be a hit, I
hope it doesn¹t set a trend for other sitcom reality series though. This
was right for Gilligan."
Casting calls are also set for Boston, Tampa and Los Angeles. For more
information on the series log onto http://www.gilligansisle.com.Story 2 By Sharon Rowen WICHITA, KAN. — Dawn Wells, who portrayed Mary Ann Summers of Winfield on Gilligan¹s Island, has been keeping busy since finally getting off the island.
Currently she is working to promote the ³The Real Gilligan¹s Island.² A TBS reality show set to air this fall. "What¹s so wonderful about this show is it shows seven people trying to get off the island together," said Wells.
TBS is holding casting calls around the country and Wells traveled to Wichita last Saturday to meet some of the castaway hopefuls.
"Were looking for people who fit the mold of the characters," said Wells. "Not just look like them, most want to be Mary Ann because she was sweet." Wells points out this is a reality show and that the chosen has to figure out how to get off the island.
"I think some of the approach has been unrealistic. It¹s not about playing Mary Ann, you have to be Mary Ann you have to be a 'Skipper' that knows how to run a boat, you have to be a movie star. How would you do that, I guess you would have to be pretty I suppose," laughed Wells. "So rather than saying she is and likeable and fun and cute, I could cook and I know how to fish and sew," said Wells.
Wells commented on her first visit to Winfield. "It was a great event for me. At the football game they had the S.S. Minnow tip over and out came the castaways, they baked the largest coconut cream pie, it was just a great time," said Wells.
In addition to promoting the reality series Wells is the founder of a Film Actors Boot Camp.
Located at Teton Wells Ranch in Teton Valley Territory, Driggs Idaho and 35 miles away from Jackson Hole Wyoming, the boot camp gives inspiring actors a place to learn the ins and outs of being a professional actor.
The Film Actor¹s Boot Camp (FABC) is a not-for-profit educational organization designed to help the already trained actor make the transition from amateur to professional in film and television. "It¹s a chance to help the community and create jobs," said Wells. "Were also teaching the kids a craft like running a camera or a boom." In 2002, FABC added classes for filmmakers and crewmembers. Recently, it has adapted its rigorous training regimen for performing songwriters. All of these programs are offered to local students as scholarships to help educate the future leaders of the community in the arts.
The Goal of FABC is to raise money from federal, local and private funding as well as events such as SpudFest in order to establish the not-for-profit Spud Film and Music Institute. Spud fest is scheduled for Aug. 3 and Aug. 7. "It¹s going to be fun for the whole family,"said Wells. Spud fest helps raise scholarship money and funding for the FABC while giving new and established artist a chance to showcase their work. "This year we have the Bacon Brothers performing and a Raiders of the Lost Ark adaptation, that is where three boys age 12 started doing a frame by frame of the film Raiders of the Lost Ark, they played all the parts, they did all the work themselves and finished at age 18 so you see them getting older as the film goes on," explained Wells.
In addition to the Bacon Brothers, Danny Glover, and Adam West are scheduled to be on hand also.
For more information on Spudfest log onto https://www.biglakespudfest.com/
For more information on the reality series log onto http://www.gilligansisle.com
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