Zip! Bang! OBU! Mural ​ ​ ​ ​ This mural graces the north side of Oklahoma Baptist University's Art Annex and celebrates iconography of its campus featuring the famous Raley Chapel and Shawnee Hall along with the mascot Bison, with artwork primarily in the university's colors of green and gold. The banner being flown across the sky reads "Zip! Bang! OBU!", a nod to OBU's famous "Ka-Rip" spirit cheer that originated in the 1920s and it still cheered by students today. It was completed in June 2022 by current and former students of the OBU art program and overseen by current Professor of Art Corey Fuller. Original artwork by OBU alumni Vanessa Myers Mural by Evie Griffin, Kourtney Lester, Caleb Corff, Brock Currie, Justus Miller, Alyssa Briggs, and Bryan Alexis. Photo of mural by Corey Fuller. ​ Visit their website 2230 N Kickapoo Ave, Shawnee, OK 74804, USA ​ Find Your Adventure in Shawnee Museum & fine dining all a part of Shawnee (from the Edmond Life & Leisure) This article was written by Elaine Warner and originally published in Edmond Life and Leisure. 3 Post not marked as liked RV in Shawnee Shawnee has over 1,000 RV spots to suit your needs; from small and quiet to big and lively we've got just the park for you. 69 Post not marked as liked 10 Must-Sees at the Pottawatomie County Museum Learn about the history of Shawnee and Pottawatomie County with a visit to the Museum. Here's the 10 must-sees. 236 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1 1 2 3 4 5

China Buffet ​ ​ ​ Asian, Lunch, Dinner China Buffet offers delicious dining and takeout! Our Chinese restaurant is known for its modern interpretation of classic dishes and its insistence on only using high quality fresh ingredients. Local, Casual, Kid Friendly Visit their website 1710 N Harrison St, Shawnee, OK 74804, USA (405) 275-8688 Find Your Adventure in Shawnee Museum & fine dining all a part of Shawnee (from the Edmond Life & Leisure) This article was written by Elaine Warner and originally published in Edmond Life and Leisure. 3 Post not marked as liked RV in Shawnee Shawnee has over 1,000 RV spots to suit your needs; from small and quiet to big and lively we've got just the park for you. 69 Post not marked as liked 10 Must-Sees at the Pottawatomie County Museum Learn about the history of Shawnee and Pottawatomie County with a visit to the Museum. Here's the 10 must-sees. 236 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1 1 2 3 4 5

Nomad's Animal Encounter in Seminole ​ Fishing & Wildlife, Family Fun ​ ​ We are a fully hands on petting zoo with an experience you can’t get just anywhere. Unlike other zoos, we take you into each of the animals enclosures to interact with and feed all our animals. Local, Kid Friendly Visit their website Eastwest 1140 Rd, Seminole, OK 74868, USA (405) 584-8159 Find Your Adventure in Shawnee Museum & fine dining all a part of Shawnee (from the Edmond Life & Leisure) This article was written by Elaine Warner and originally published in Edmond Life and Leisure. 3 Post not marked as liked RV in Shawnee Shawnee has over 1,000 RV spots to suit your needs; from small and quiet to big and lively we've got just the park for you. 69 Post not marked as liked 10 Must-Sees at the Pottawatomie County Museum Learn about the history of Shawnee and Pottawatomie County with a visit to the Museum. Here's the 10 must-sees. 236 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1 1 2 3 4 5

This article was written by Elaine Warner and originally published in Edmond Life and Leisure, and the original article can be viewed here. People from Shawnee will tell you there are lots of reasons to visit the town. For my family, there are two reasons: Hamburger King and the original Van’s Pig Stand. My husband grew up in Shawnee and these two spots were highlights in his history. He remembers years when the family didn’t have a car. “We’d take a cab to church on Sundays. Our church was on East Main Street and after church we’d walk to Hamburger King.” This little diner has a history longer than my husband’s. It’s been in business since 1927 and is now in the hands of the fourth generation of the Macsas family. Although the location has changed since Jack was a kid, the quality of the food still draws him back. Almost everything is made from scratch, with a local lady bringing in fresh pies daily. The big thing here is the beef. If ever there was a reason to use the phrase “holy cow,” this is it. The 100 percent Angus beef comes from cows raised by the monks at St. Gregory’s Abbey. Grass-fed, grain-finished, the animals are pasture raised without hormones or antibiotics, and processed locally. You can’t get fresher or healthier meat. The outside of Hamburger King is totally unpretentious. The inside is original ‘60s retro. This is a long-time, home-town favorite that is easily overlooked by visitors. They’re missing a treat. While Van’s history actually goes back a century, the Highland Street location dates back to the early ‘30s. Van’s is Oklahoma’s oldest barbecue restaurant continuously-owned and operated by the same family. Their Pig Sandwich is the star of the sty. The recipe hasn’t changed since the Shawnee store opened. It features pulled pork shoulder and the original rub. Van’s also has its own barbecue relish and barbecue sauce. While there is a newer location in Shawnee, one in Moore and one in Norman, it’s the Highland store that draws us back. Try it for a great sandwich with a side of nostalgia. Shawnee’s Main Street has suffered through the years – and could use a good facelift. There are, however, some interesting spots that brighten the streetscape – and may lighten your wallet. One of the most surprising is Oak, Ash, and Thorn. First off, the striking store front stands out. Secondly, it’s a metaphysical emporium carrying rocks, crystals, incense, herbs, teas, dream-catchers and more. Check out the locally made jewelry. And don’t miss the selection of interesting jigsaw puzzles. Be careful if you go into Savvy Bites. This store carries so many items; you’re bound to find something you didn’t know you needed. Kitchen items, olive oils, vinegars, French truffles, baby items, décor, some unusual lights – the store is crowded with shelves and the shelves are packed with interesting things. I wasn’t shopping but walked out with a lemon zester and a clip-and-go cell phone strap that was a life-saver on my recent European trip. Thanks to our lunch at Hamburger King, I discovered the Monks’ Marketplace at St. Gregory’s Abbey. Here you can buy a variety of beef cuts, honey from the monks; hives plus jellies, candy, and soap made in other convents and abbeys. There are also some religious items. This little store, under the clock tower on the St. Gregory’s Abbey campus is only open three days a week: Thursday and Friday from 1:30 to 4:00 and Saturday from 9:00 to 11:30 and 1:30 to 4:00. Also on the St. Gregory (now owned by OBU) campus, you’ll find one of Oklahoma’s oldest museums – the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art. Founded in 1919 by Father Gregory Gerrer, it began with treasures Father Gerrer collected from all over the world. The first thing visitors see is a Cabinet of Curiosities collected by Father Gerrer. This random assemblage includes such items as a 1605 volume of philosophy, foreign money, a sawfish bill, and some pieces of porcelain. The thing that always grabs students’ attention is a shrunken head. In addition to being a world traveler and collector, Father Gerrer was a talented painter. One of the prize pieces in the museum is a portrait commissioned by Pope Pius X in 1904. A copy of this painting, also by Father Gerrer, hangs in the Vatican in Rome. Museum collections range from ancient art to contemporary works. Each area gives just tidbits of the periods and styles. Only about four percent of the museum’s holdings are on display at any one time. The museum’s Egyptian collection is one of the nation’s finest. School children are always fascinated with the mummies. The oldest mummy is about 2400 years old. Hieroglyphics on the mummy case tells us that her name was Tutu. Thanks to modern technology (X-rays and CT scans) we know that she was between 40 and 50 when she died. Her arms were folded over her chest, a common practice with high-status mummifications. Other ancient civilizations including Sumerian, Greek and Roman cultures are represented in this area. Asian art from China and Southeast Asia and South America are also included. From Medieval through the early Renaissance, much of the art created was religious or for the church – but not all. On display now is an ivory jewelry case, made in Italy around 1550. An earlier (1446) Venetian suit of armor stands in a corner nearby. Other exhibits display later European and African art, portraiture, Native American art, and contemporary works. When I think of this museum, the word “bijou” comes to mind. The museum is small compared to many art museums. Individual pieces in the collections are carefully chosen and elegantly presented. Mabee-Gerrer is definitely a jewel in Oklahoma’s crown. Shawnee’s a short drive away and the perfect destination for a day-trip but it offers enough for longer visits. ------ Click HERE to find your perfect hotel for a weekend in Shawnee.

Fun and games indoor and out. Mummies. Trains. Dinosaurs. Cowboys. Everyone can be a kid in Shawnee. Here are some of the best family-friendly adventures: 1. House of Hints Unique escape room experiences (new puzzles and rooms often!) on historic Bell Street. Private parties and paint splatter experiences also available. 2. Coffee N' Crafts Walk in and grab a drink and canvas or ceramic and paint to your heart's content! Special craft classes available througout the year in addition to walk-in painting. 3. Shawnee Splash Water Park Beat the summer heat at the outdoor complex featuring a shallow play area, regulation pool area, spray ground area, diving area, climbing wall, and slides. 4. Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art Want to see the only ancient Egyptian mummy in Oklahoma? Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art features permanent exhibitions of Egyptian, Greek and Roman objects; art from the Renaissance through the early 20th century; and large holdings of Native American, African, pre-Columbian, and Eastern cultural artifacts. 5. Pottawatomie County Museum See how your kiddo sizes up against the World's Largest Overalls and a stuffed Alaskan bear, or see the model train sets. The Pottawatomie County Museum located alongside the historic Santa Fe Depot & Beard cabin shows the history of life in Shawnee and Pottawatomie County in the newly-built Milburn Center. 6. Locomotive Operators of Central Oklahoma (L.O.C.O.) They’re a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and enjoyment of large scale model railroading. Ride the outdoor railroad on the five acres of land about 16 miles west of Shawnee. 7. Laynie's Treehouse Indoor Playplace Shawnee’s Own Indoor Play Space for Families! Laynie's Treehouse first playspace is open -- an indoor backyard for ages 5 and under inside Shawnee Mall , with expansions for bigger kids to come. 8. Jasmine Moran Children's Museum Learn to ride a Segway. Find your way through the Castle Maze. Let your little learn to be a judge, grocery cashier, restauranteur, or mechanic! Explore these interactive exhibits at the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum in nearby Seminole. 9. More in OKC The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is home to 1,900 animals. The Science Museum Oklahoma is the state's only hands-on science museum and one of the largest science museums in the nation. And at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum kids can stroll the streets of Prosperity Junction, an authentic turn-of-the-century Western prairie town. Peek in store windows, listen to antique player pianos, and actually walk into some of the fully furnished buildings. Any dinosaur loving kid will want to visit the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman. Explore ancient dinosaur life, Oklahoma natural life, or the culture of Native Americans in Oklahoma. With so many family fun adventures, get a hotel room and make a weekend of it in Shawnee. Order your Visitors Guide and start planning your fun!

This article was originally published in the Norman Transcript on April 16, 2023 and was authored by Elaine Warner. ------ Let’s start with a bit of history. With Indian Removal in the early 1800s, tribes were assigned areas in what would become the state of Oklahoma. The five “Civilized Tribes,” Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole, occupied almost the entire area with two exceptions. The Quapaw and Seneca tribes were assigned small portions of the northeastern corner. The panhandle still belonged to Mexico. The Creek and Seminole tribes were given a large swath of central Oklahoma stretching from near Fort Gibson to the western border. Following the Civil War, some of the Creek/Seminole section was ceded to the Sac and Fox, Potawatomi, Shawnee and Kickapoo peoples. Boundaries shifted, tribal territories shrank, and settlement kept encroaching. By the 1890s, the Indians, although named possessors of territory, were pretty much kicked to the curb. The most obvious remnants of their occupation were the names given to counties, towns, and streets: Pottawatomie County, Shawnee, and one of Shawnee’s main streets, Kickapoo. While both the Citizen Potawatomi and the Absentee Shawnee nations have tribal headquarters in Shawnee, the influence of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation is most obvious to visitors. As a writer, the difference in spelling between the county and the Nation bothered me. Blake Norton, Director of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center, explained, “Both spellings are phonetic, but Potawatomi is closest to the real word.” and the Cultural Heritage Center is where you should begin your exploration. A discriminating choice of artifacts, gorgeous graphics and interesting interactive elements are thoughtfully organized to help visitors understand both the cultural heritage of the Nation and the historical influences on and by its people. The narrative begins with their foundation story and tribal legends. The tribe originated in what is now Maine and eastern Canada, then migrated to the Great Lakes region. The first of several large displays depicts Potawatomi women working with rice. Wild rice was considered sacred and served not only as nourishing food but was used as medicine and in ceremonies. Potawatomi bands remaining in the Great Lakes area have preserved many of these traditional customs. The Citizen Potawatomi are one of seven Potawatomi bands recognized in the U.S. There are two other First Nations recognized in Canada. The Citizen Potawatomi’s own designation for themselves is Zhishibéni or Duck People. Exhibits take visitors through Potawatomi traditions, interactions with other tribes and the coming of Europeans. You’ll review a lot of American history – and a lot of history you didn’t know. Tribal history takes a darker turn with the era of Indian removals. In spite of good relations, even intermarriages with Europeans, the Potawatomi were not spared Andrew Jackson’s harsh policies. A council to discuss removal was called by the government. When tribal leaders arrived, they were arrested and put in shackles. The army scoured the nearby forests to round up tribal members who sought to resist. This was the beginning of the best-documented Potawatomi removal, known as the Trail of Death. Eight-hundred and fifty-nine Native Americans were forced marched from their northern Indiana homes to Kansas. One of the most touching displays in the museum is a wall of moccasins created by members of the Potawatomi community. Each pair represents ten of the participants on the Trail. To really appreciate all the museum has to offer, plan to spend at least and hour – I spent two and could have spent more time there. Also in this area of town, you’ll find the tribe’s FireLake Casino and FireLake Golf Course. If you’re hungry, both the Casino and the golf course have sandwiches and a small shop near the casino has nishnabe tacos. That name, rather than Indian tacos, is a whole ‘nother story. The other do-not-miss Potawatomi project is the Grand Casino Resort. Jack and I spent the night at the Casino hotel – an attractive and comfortable stay. The staff members who checked us in couldn’t have been more welcoming. They answered my myriad questions patiently – by the time we checked out the next day, I felt like I’d made new friends. Greg Cox, Player Development Manager, took me on a tour of the resort. The largest area is, of course, the casino. There are 1,450 electronic games and more than 30 table games but the floor does not feel crowded. Players can play machines with pennies or play higher stake machines up to $100 dollars. A tour of the casino is worthwhile whether you are a gamer or not. The video screen above the food court on the first floor is worth seeing. Options in the food court include Mexican and Italian dishes, ramen, barbecue, coffee and sweets. Self-serve stations offer free ice cream, soft drinks, coffee, and tea. On the second floor the Fire and Ice Bar serves alcoholic beverages. Nearby, a lounge features live music on Friday and Saturday nights. A concert venue hosts larger concerts. The Foreigner concert, April 29, has been sold out for months. The conference space serves a double purpose. In addition to hosting meetings and events, the area is constructed as a storm shelter designed to keep guests safe even during an F-5 tornado. Other amenities include a full-service spa – I got to enjoy a great massage – and a roof-top pool. Golf packages for FireLake Golf Course are available. Diners have several options besides the food court on the gaming floor. The Grandstand Sports Bar with lots of TVs for fans serves casual favorites. The Grand Café is quieter and serves an excellent breakfast at an amazingly reasonable price. My chicken avocado sandwich for lunch really hit the spot. Flame Brazilian Steakhouse is open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday. The décor is sophisticated, and the salad bar includes such exotic items as fresh oysters. There are more than 130 casinos and over 80,000 slot machines in Oklahoma. I asked Greg Cox what made the Grand Casino stand out. He replied, “Good enough isn’t good enough. We’ve got to be better. We hire good people. The personal connection is primary. We out-people the other casinos.” See the original article published at the Norman Transcript here.